Two Of A Kind

by RDF-J6

What would happen if Rick joined the RDF under similar circumstances as Lisa and Mimnei had first fallen for Rick? It might easy for Rick and Lisa to meet and fall in love but it's not as easy as you think and with an obsessed Minmei, it will be harder.

9. Chapter 9 After Action Report

TWO OF A KIND

CHAPTER NINE

AFTER ACTION REPORT

ON THE FLIGHT DECK OF Prometheus

The four veritechs switched to battloid mode as they lowered the battle pod on the cleared flight deck. All four battloids aimed their guns at the battle pod ready for anything to happen. The leader of the flight spoke to the four inside the battle pod through the intercom on his battloid.

"You in the battle pod! Slowly open the hatch to the battle pod and come on out with your hands up! If you try anything funny, we will blast you to bits in no time at all!"

Inside the battle pod, the four escaped officers began to sweat.

"Oh great, we're this close to making it and now we're about to get blown to smithereens.", Ben said with a groan.

"Well, we are in an enemy ship and they don't know it's us lieutenant.", Lisa reminded him. "Rick, I think it will be best if you go out first. You are the pilot and squadron commander. They might be more receptive to you. I'll be the last to get out since I'm the senior officer."

Rick began to nod his head. "I agree with you Lisa. I'll go out first."

Rick slowly began to open the hatch and then raised his hands.

"Hold your fire! I'm coming out!"

The flight leader was surprised to see a pair of small gloved human hands instead of huge Zentraedi hands coming out of the battle pod.

"Lieutenant Hunter? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me! Who are you?"

"This is Captain Lewis of Hornet Squadron! Where the Hell have you been Rick? All of us in the air wing have been worried sick about you, your wing mates and Commander Hayes!"

"It's a long story Dave but I'm afraid all of you will have to wait for us to tell you what happened to us! I think J-2 and RDF Intelligence will want to know the story first."

"Who else is with you Rick?"

"My squadron mates, Ben Dixon and Max Sterling. Commander Hayes is also with us. The Cat's Eye pilot, co-pilot and two pilots in my flight are KIA. Now can we come out now that you know we're not the enemy?"

"Sure, come on out Rick. But all of you will have to wait on the flight line while the corpsmen come out and take all of you to the ship's hospital."

"We're okay Dave. None of us are hurt."

"Uh-uh-uh! No can-do Rick, it's SOP. You know the rules. All military personnel who were POWs must go to medical for a complete physical and mental check-up. There are no exceptions."

"Alright Dave. We're coming out."

Slowly Rick climbed out of the battle pod, followed by Ben and Max. As per an old naval tradition, Lisa being the superior officer left the battle pod last. Two medical corpsmen quickly came to the flight line in a crash truck to take a quick physical check-up on the foursome by taking their vital signs. They were then led the four to the crash truck where they were taken to the ship's hospital. As they were being driven away to the ship's hospital, the flight crew and everyone on the flight desk began to clap and cheer. The four escapees could not help but smile and pat each other on the back.

BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1

"Bridge this is Hornet Flight Leader."

"Go ahead Hornet Flight Leader."

"It was Lieutenant Hunter in the battle pod. He along with Lieutenants Sterling and Dixon and Commander Hayes has been taken to medical. They say they're fine and unhurt but they're being taken to medical as per SOP."

"Roger Hornet Flight Leader. Bridge out."

Everyone on the bridge started cheering and hugging each other. Lieutenant Anderson looked around her workstation trying to find Captain Gloval's schedule and itinerary but could not find it. She turned to her friend, Linda O'Neil who is Claudia's relief.

"Darn it, where is that schedule? Linda, do you know if Captain Gloval is at the concert?"

"Yes, he is Nikki. He's at the concert as a guest of Miss Minmei for being a judge at the Miss Macross Pageant."

"Do you know where he is sitting?"

"He should be in the VIP section. Let me see if I can find it.", Linda said as she began to look around her workstation.

"Ah, I found it.", Linda said as she handed Captain Gloval's schedule to Nikki.

Lieutenant Anderson then turned to Erica Merryman, Sammie's relief and held out the sheet of paper at her. "Erica, go find the duty driver and have him drive you to the concert to find Captain Gloval! He needs to be told that Commander Hayes and the missing pilots have escaped and they're now home!"

"Yes ma'am.", Airman Merryman said as she grabbed the schedule out of Nikki's hand and ran out of the bridge.

Lieutenant Anderson then called Skull Squadron's orderly room.

"Skull Squadron. SDO office, First Lieutenant Brandon speaking. May I help you?"

Nikki smiled as the lieutenant answered the phone. Nikki and the lieutenant are engaged to be married. "Hi Thomas, this is Nikki."

"Nikki, how're you doing you cutie? How's bridge duty going?"

"I'm doing fine sweetie. Thomas, do you know if Commander Fokker is at the concert or not?"

"No, unfortunately the commander didn't tell me if he was going to the concert or not. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you're not going to believe this but several minutes ago I've received a call from Commander Hayes."

"YOU DID? How did you get in contact with her? Are you sure it's her?"

"While I was talking with her, I asked one of my enlisted techs, Erin Campbell to run her voice through the voice recognition computer. She said that the voice recognition computer brought up her picture and says it is really her. Commander Hayes said that she and the missing pilots of Vermillion Flight are in a commandeered Zentraedi battle pod. I dispatched a flight from Hornet Squadron to escort the battle pod to Prometheus. I just talked with the flight leader and he says it's them."

"Where are they now?"

"They're being taken to medical for a complete physical and psychological check-up. Thomas, I really think Commander Fokker needs to be told about Lieutenant Hunter escaping and is now home considering the two of them are like brothers."

"I'm with you Nikki. As soon as we hang up, I will call his quarters. If he is not there, I'll have the duty driver go search for him since it will be hard for you to use the PA system because of the concert."

"Then I'll let you go then so you can call the commander's quarters."

"Okay cutie. Say, I am off tomorrow because I have SDO duty tonight. Want to do anything or go anywhere tomorrow?"

"Let us go somewhere else to eat beside that bistro. Ever since that gossip columnist wrote about the place…it lost a lot of"

"Say no more cutie we'll go someplace else to eat then."

"Thanks Thomas. I love you."

"I love you too, cutie. Good night."

After hanging up, Lieutenant Brandon called Roy's quarters, only to get his voice mail. Not leaving a message and hanging up, Lieutenant Brandon left the SDO office to find the squadron's duty driver. The duty driver, Sergeant Ortiz was at his desk watching the concert on a small TV set.

"Sergeant Ortiz, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Oh, you're not bothering me at all, sir. The concert's getting kind of boring anyway." The sergeant said as he turned off the TV set.

"Sergeant, I've got kind of an impossible mission for you."

"Oh, nothing's impossible with me sir."

"Okay, well…Commander Fokker needs to be found. Lieutenant Hunter, his squadron mates and Commander Hayes escaped from the Zentraedi and he needs to be told of Lieutenant Hunter being found."

"That is good news sir! How were they able to find their way home?"

"I really don't know much sergeant. All I know is that they escaped from the Zentraedi and Commander Hayes contacted the bridge from a commandeered battle pod. A flight from Hornet Squadron escorted them to the flight deck of the Prometheus."

"Oh wow, I've been praying for them for a long time. I think I know where he is. I will go look for him and tell him the good news about his brother escaping and is now home. Where are they taking them sir?"

"They're being taken to the ship's hospital for a physical and mental check-up. Thank you so very much for doing this sergeant. Yours and our prayers have been answered."

"Think nothing of it, sir.", Sergeant Ortiz said he got up from his desk and retrieved the keys to squadron's duty car.

Lieutenant Brandon smiled as he watched Sergeant Ortiz left the building. He likes the sergeant. He looks after his subordinates and is respectful to every officer in the squadron. 'He can make a great officer.'

AT THE CONCERT

It had taken the duty driver 15 minutes to get to the Amphitheatre. It had taken Airman Merryman some time convincing the security guard that she needed to get into the Amphitheatre to tell Captain Gloval some important news about a missing crewmember of his. When the guard heard her tell him about the missing crewmember, he agreed to let her in, but he will have to trail her just to make sure she's not trying to get into the concert without a ticket. Erica agreed to it and got through the gate.

She went down one of the aisles to the front of the stage where she found Captain Gloval in one of the VIP seats. She had to wiggle her way down to where Captain Gloval was sitting saying "Excuse me" and "Pardon me" to many of the concert goers in the audience who were sitting. When she got to Captain Gloval, she leaned in and started to scream several centimeters away from Captain Gloval's ear.

"Captain, you're not going to believe this but several minutes ago we received a call from Commander Hayes from a commandeered Zentraedi battle pod! She said that she and the missing pilots from Vermillion Squadron, Lieutenant Hunter and Second Lieutenants Sterling and Dixon have escaped from the Zentraedi! She and the pilots are being taken to the ship's hospital for a medical and mental check-up!"

"That's the news I've been waiting for! Let us go airman!"

"Yes sir, just follow me!"

"Wait for a minute. I have to tell one of the pageant officials that I'm leaving."

After telling one of the pageant officials, he is leaving, Captain Gloval and Airman Merryman had to wiggle their way to the end of the aisle saying, "Excuse me" and "Pardon Me" to the same people sitting in their seats. At the gate, the security guard un-padlocked and unchained the gate so that Captain Gloval and Airman Merryman can get outside the Amphitheatre. The duty driver opened the back door while saluting. Captain Gloval returned the salute as he entered the back seat of the car followed by Airman Merryman.

"Where we're going to sir?", the driver asked Captain Gloval.

"It's to the ship's hospital of course."

"Yes sir.", the driver said as he started the engine.

Almost at the same time, Sergeant Ortiz found Roy and Claudia standing on one the upper tier of the ship where they were watching the concert. Claudia was still resting her head on Roy's shoulder. Sergeant Ortiz smiled at he ran towards the pair.

'Alright they're both here, two for the price of one!' "Commander Fokker! Commander Grant!" Sergeant Ortiz said as he ran towards the duo. He then stopped several feet away from them and saluted. Claudia and Roy returned the salute. "Sir! Ma'am! I have good news for you! Commander Hayes, Lieutenant Hunter and two pilots from Vermillion Squadron have escaped from the Zentraedi and they're now home!"

"You're kidding me? They are?", Roy asked excitedly.

"No sir I'm not kidding! They are back on the SDF-1! Commander Hayes called the bridge from the cockpit of a Zentraedi battle pod they somehow managed to commandeer! A flight of veritechs from Hornet Squadron escorted the battle pod to the flight deck!"

"Where are they now?", Claudia asked equally excitedly.

"They're most probably at the ship's hospital by now."

"Well, let us not stand around here then! Take us to the ship's hospital!", Roy commanded.

"Yes sir! Just follow me."

Sergeant Ortiz started to run with Roy and Claudia managing to stay close behind despite Claudia's high heeled shoes she is wearing. Sergeant Ortiz saluted as he opened the back door to let Roy and Claudia in before closing the door. The sergeant then started the car and sped off towards the hospital.

At the entrance to the ship's hospital, the duty driver stopped the car, turned off the engine and got out to let Captain Gloval out. He opened the back door and saluted as Captain Gloval got out of the back seat and returned the salute. After entering the hospital, Captain Gloval raced up to the front desk and asked the civilian receptionist.

"Ma'am, Commander Lisa Hayes, Lieutenant j.g. Rick Hunter and Second Lieutenants Ben Dixon and Max Sterling have just arrived from the flight deck of the Prometheus. Where are they now?"

"They're right now being examined by the doctors and afterwards will be given a short psychological exam by the night staff of the ship's Mental Health Department. If everything checks out okay, they should be released within a couple of hours Captain Gloval. But I am sorry sir, you're not allowed in the examination room but someone from the EM Department should be out shortly to give you an update."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You're welcome captain."

Captain Gloval and Airman Merryman decided to take a seat in the lobby of the hospital to await word from the ER doctor. About the same time Claudia and Roy arrived at the hospital and asked the receptionist about the same question Captain Gloval asked. The receptionist answered about the same way. As they turned away from the reception desk, Claudia spotted Captain Gloval sitting in the lobby. They walked to them were sitting and sat down next to them. Claudia and Roy along with Sergeant Ortiz sat in the lobby of the hospital with Captain Gloval and Airman Merryman.

As they were waiting in the lobby, Captain Gloval just remembered that Lisa's father has not been notified yet. He turned to Claudia. "Claudia, do you have your smart phone with you?"

"Yes sir, I do.", Claudia said as she reached in jacket pocket. She then handed the cell phone over to Captain Gloval. Gloval grabbed the phone, pressed the phone app and started to dial a number. A voice came on after the second ring.

"TCC/Radio Shack…Specialist Dean speaking."

"Specialist Dean, this is Captain Gloval."

"Yes, sir captain, what can I do for you sir?"

"I need for you to send out a message by microwave. I'm about to transcribe a message that needs to be sent out right away."

"Yes sir. Do you want to dictate the message to me, or will you be sending someone over to drop the message off?"

"I have Airman Merryman drop a rough draft to you."

"Yes sir. Can you wait a minute while I set up my computer so when Airman Merryman drops off the draft all I have to do is to start typing?"

"Go ahead specialist."

"Thank you, sir."

Captain Gloval only had to wait to for a short time.

"Okay sir, I'm all set up. What is the precedence of the message sir?"

"The precedence is EMERGENCY specialist."

"Yes sir. Wait for a few seconds while I type in the date-time-group and the "FROM" address sir."

"Go ahead specialist."

"Thank you, sir."

"Okay, go ahead and give me the "TO" address sir."

"RDF Headquarters."

"And the office or office symbol of the "TO" addressee sir?"

"Admiral Donald Hayes."

"And what is the classification sir?"

"Unclassified EFTO and make it "EYES ONLY" specialist."

"Yes sir. Alright sir, everything is set up. All I have to do it to type the message."

"You will have the draft within 30 minutes specialist."

"I'll be waiting for it, sir."

After pressing the end call icon on the phone to break the connection, Captain Gloval gave Claudia's smart phone back to her.

"Erica, can you find a sheet of paper for me?"

"Yes sir. I'll ask the receptionist."

Airman Merryman got up and went to the reception desk and asked the receptionist for a sheet of paper. The receptionist instead gave her a legal pad. She came back to where Captain Gloval was sitting.

"Claudia, you're a better hand writer than I am. Can you write down what I dictate to you?"

"Yes sir.", Claudia said as Erica gave her the notepad. Claudia reached inside her uniform jacket for a pen.

"Go ahead sir.", Claudia said after getting the pen out of her pocket.

"Donald, it is my great pleasure to inform you that your daughter, Elizabeth Grace Hayes, serial number 04080159, Commander, Robotech Defense Force, along with three pilots from the veritech flight squadron Vermillion Squadron are now back in the hands of the RDF after escaping custody of the enemy.

Not much is known at this time about how they managed to escape being POWs of the Zentraedi. All we know for now is they have escaped from the custody of the enemy and they called the SDF-1 from the cockpit of a Zentraedi battle pod they have somehow commandeered. We will most likely know more about how they managed to escape and how they commandeered the battle pod once we receive their after-action reports and through interviews with J-2 and RDF Intelligence.

As of now, I do not know the physical or mental conditions of your daughter or the pilots. They are currently being checked over by doctors of the emergency medical department of the ship's hospital and by mental health experts of the ship's Mental Health Department. Once I receive word from the doctors, I will personally inform you.

Please be assured Donald that I will keep you informed every step of the way in your daughter's physical and mental recovery if there is any and her re-assimilation back into active duty. If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to let me know as soon as possible.

With very warm regards,

Henry J. Gloval

Captain RDF

SDF-1"

"I got it all down sir. All we need now is your signature.", Claudia said with a flourish of her hand. She then tore off the sheet from the pad and gave it to Captain Gloval.

"Alright Erica, I need you to run this down to the TCC and have Specialist Dean send it out immediately.

"Yes sir.", Airman Merryman said as returned the legal pad to the receptionist. She then left the hospital.

SHIP'S HOSPITAL

EMERGENCY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

After going through a short physical examination and having x-rays taken of them to make sure they do not have any broken bones and going through an MRI to make sure they do not have internal injuries to their organs, Ben and Max were given a short psychological exam by the night staff of the ship's Mental Health Department where they were deemed mentally fit to return to duty but was ordered to return to the hospital tomorrow morning for a more thorough psychological examination by the staff. Because Rick was kicked by a Zentraedi soldier and Lisa was almost squeezed almost to death by Dolza, Rick and Lisa will have to stay overnight in the hospital. Then they must stay in the hospital longer to be examined by the ship's psychologists.

Someone from the squadron brought fresh clothes for Rick, Ben, and Max. After dressing in their fresh uniforms, Ben and Max stopped by Rick's bed.

"Hey skipper, how's it going?", Max said.

"I'm alright Max."

"Why you're not dressed? Why are you still in a hospital gown Rick?"

"When the doctors found out I was kicked by a Zentraedi soldier when he grabbed Lisa, the doctors ordered me to stay overnight as a precaution. I will most likely have an MRI done on me and most likely they will put me in a room for the night."

"Oh man, that's a bummer.", Ben said.

"Tell me about it."

"Is there anything you need Rick?", Max asked.

"No, I'm fine Max. So, what do the doctors say about the two of you?"

"They gave us a clean bill of health so we can leave. But they gave us a sedative to help us sleep tonight and we were told to come back to the hospital tomorrow morning to see the head shrinker. They want to make sure we're okay inside our noggin.", Ben said.

"Lucky you.", Rick muttered enviously.

"But the good news Rick, all of us are given a week recuperation time. So, it cannot be all that bad, right. See you tomorrow Rick", Max said.

"I guess you're right Max. A week off duty, I will take it. See you two tomorrow."

After Ben and Max left, Rick was alone. He hated hospitals. When the four of them were taken into the ER, they were put in adjacent beds. He knew that Lisa was in the bed next to his, so Rick got out of bed and walked to Lisa's bed. The curtain was closed.

"Lisa, are you decent?"

"Yes, I am Rick. I am covered up. You can come in. So, what did the doctors say?", Lisa asked as Rick opened the curtain.

"Ben and Max were given clean bills of health and they were released. They were told to come back to the hospital tomorrow morning to be examined by the Mental Health Department. Me, I must stay overnight because I was kicked by that Zentraedi solder when he grabbed you. The doctors want to make sure I do not have any internal injuries to my vital organs. I am supposed to have an MRI done on me very soon. Afterwards, I will be put in a room for the night. Why are you still here?"

"I have to stay overnight for the same reason as you. When I told the doctors that one of the giant Zentraedi picked me up and started to squeeze me, the doctors became alarmed and made me take off my space suit. My arms and the front and back of my body have bruises from where he squeezed me, and the doctors are worried that I may have suffered serious injuries or contusions to my vital organs, so the doctors have ordered me to stay in the hospital overnight as a precaution also. I'm due to go to radiology for an MRI done on me.", Lisa said with a frown.

"I see you don't hospitals either Lisa."

"No, I don't Rick. But if all goes well with me and I don't have any serious injuries to my internal organs, the doctors will release me in the morning with you and I will also be given a week's medical convalescence leave but most probably you, Max, Ben and I will have to be examined by the psychologists of the Mental Health Department so it looks like the two of us will have an even longer hospital stay."

Rick then found a chair and scooted the chair close to Lisa's bed. "Lisa…I have a confession to make to you."

"What is it Rick."

"Look Lisa…this is not easy for me to say…but when we were on that Zentraedi ship and when we fell through the floor and landed in the water…I had a vision of my dead girlfriend leaving me and when my vision cleared…I looked up and I saw you smiling at me…this is so hard for me to say. I never said this to a girl in a long time."

"Take your time Rick. It's alright.", Lisa said gently as she grabbed Rick hand. She finds herself growing increasingly fond of Rick's shy boyish charm.

"It was almost like a sign to me. I said to myself that you have the most beautiful, warm and wonderful smile I've ever seen…I can't believe…that I would say something like that at a time that we were in…and…I've grown to…become increasingly…fond of you…and I'm falling in love with you...and…I want you to be my girlfriend…but I…I still have…unresolved things in my life…that I need to work out...oh this is so ridiculous!", Rick said in frustration.

"No Rick it's not ridiculous! Rick…I have a confession to make to you too. Ever since I have met you…I have grown to respect you as an officer, as a person and as a friend. But…in these past several weeks…I have also grown in love with you. All those wonderful things you have said about me…you tell me how beautiful I am. Nobody has ever told me I am beautiful ever since Karl died. I have been in a shell for a long time, and you have slowly been getting me out of my shell. You look beyond the mask that I put up and saw the real person in me. You look at me for the person I really am. I want to be your girlfriend, but I understand that you still have unresolved feelings about your dead girlfriend. Believe me, I know and understand. I can wait. I will be there for you; I will wait for you because I love you too."

Rick began to smile that shy boyish smile that Lisa loves. "Can I kiss you Lisa but this time on the lips?"

"Sure, as long as we don't have an audience.", Lisa said with a smile.

Rick scooted in closer to meet Lisa. Lisa's bed is in the reclined position, so it was easy for Rick to kiss her without straining her neck. Rick leaned in and started to kiss Lisa slowly and gently on the lips. Then their kissing started to intensify. Lisa began to feel the heat of her passion began to rise. She looped her arms around Rick's neck as if it were a signal to him to kiss her harder. It was then that the nurse opened the curtain with a flourish.

"Okay Commander Hayes, I'm here to take you for your MRI OH!" The nurse said with a start when she saw Rick and Lisa kissing.

Quickly Rick and Lisa broke off their kiss. "Uh…I guess I have to go back to my bed Lisa."

"Okay Rick. Thanks for talking with me."

"Okay Lisa. I see you when you come back from your MRI?", Rick asked when he walked back to his bed.

"You bet Rick." Lisa said gently with a wave of her hand.

The nurse did not say a word as she helped Lisa from the bed to the wheelchair.

"Is the lieutenant's a boyfriend of yours, commander?" The nurse said with a hint of mischief in her voice as she wheeled Lisa to radiology for her MRI.

"Umm…you can say he's my boyfriend.", Lisa said as she put her fingers on her lips wanting to find some way to keep the warmth and memory of Rick's kiss on her lips.

"Well don't worry. I won't tell it to the gossip tabloids.", the nurse said.

"Thank you, nurse." But in the back of Lisa's mind, she would not have mind it if the whole world knew about her loving Rick and wanting to be his girlfriend.

Outside in the lobby of the ship's hospital, Ben and Max walked out and saw Captain Gloval, Roy and Claudia standing up and waiting for them.

"Where are Commander Hayes and Lieutenant Hunter?", Captain Gloval asked.

"The doctors are keeping them in the hospital overnight for observation sir. They were injured when we were held by the Zentraedi.", Ben informed them.

"Can we see them?", Claudia asked.

"Not yet as far as I know, ma'am." Max said shaking his head. "Lieutenant Hunter told me and Ben that once he and Commander Hayes have their MRI done, they will be put into a regular room for the night. I guess that is when we will be able to visit them."

"Do you know if anyone was taking them to have their MRI done yet?", Roy asked.

"Not that I know of sir.", Max said shaking his head again.

Fed up with too many questions and no answers, Captain Gloval went to the receptionist's desk to ask the receptionist about Rick and Lisa's status and talked back and forth. After picking up the phone and making some phone calls, the receptionist and Captain Gloval talked back and forth some more. Then Captain Gloval walked away from the reception desk.

"What did she say captain?", Claudia asked.

"As far as she can tell me, Lisa was taken to radiology to have her MRI done, which should take about 30 minutes to be completed. If everything is fine with her and she has no internal injuries to her organs, she will be put into a regular hospital room for the night. As for Lieutenant Hunter, he is still in the ER waiting for his MRI to be done. Once Lisa has her MRI completed, Lieutenant Hunter will then be taken to radiology to have his MRI done. If he is okay internally, he will also be put into a regular room for the night. When I asked her how long it will take, she said it can be anywhere from several minutes to several hours and that is time I do not have. As much as I want to see Lisa and Lieutenant Hunter, I am expected to be back at the concert."

"Well captain, Roy and I can stay here until we get word that Lisa and Rick are out of the EMD."

"You two don't mind?"

"No sir, we don't mind waiting here. I'll have Sergeant Ortiz drive Lieutenants Sterling and Dixon back to their quarters.", Roy answered while shaking his head.

"Shotgun!", Ben said immediately.

Max got flustered. "Ah Ben, you always get the shotgun seat!"

"Well, you should have spoken up sooner Max.", Ben said shrugging his shoulders as the two of them started to walk out to the car with the duty driver who will take back to their quarters.

"Thank you, Roy and Claudia, for volunteering to stay here."

"It's not a problem sir.", Claudia said as Captain Gloval turned to leave the hospital.

Roy and Claudia sat back down for the wait. They only had to wait an hour when the receptionist told them that Rick and Lisa were out of the EMD and into regular rooms. They were put into the adjacent rooms. They visited Lisa first. When Lisa saw Claudia and Roy walk in, she started to cry as she opened her arms. Claudia also opened her arms as she walked to Lisa's bed. They hugged and held each other for a long time while Roy was standing off to the side giving Claudia moral support by gently rubbing her shoulder.

"Lisa girl, you had all of us worried for a long time!", Claudia said through her tears.

"Sorry Claudia."

"There's nothing to be sorry about Lisa. We all know things like this can happen at any time. We know the risks we will take when we joined up. So, what happened to you and what did the doctors say?", Claudia asked as she sat on the edge of Lisa's bed.

"When Ben, Rick and I were held on the Zentraedi ship, we were interrogated. Three Zentraedi were asking questions so fast that I told them we were not going to answer any more of their questions because they wouldn't allow us anytime to answer their questions. One of the Zentraedi got mad…picked me up and…started to squeeze me. If it were not for Rick and him convincing the Zentraedi to let me down…I would not have been surprised…if he would have…killed me. As for what the doctors say, I have some bruising on my body and my body will be in pain for a while. The ER doctor will prescribe some strong painkillers for me but luckily none of my major organs are bruised or damaged and none of my bones are broken. I have Rick to thank for that.", Lisa said with gratitude in her voice.

"Say, speaking of Rick, now that the two of you are now on friendlier terms, how about the four of us go out and celebrate you and Rick's return to us? You have a week medical convalescence leave after you are released from the hospital. I know the air wing will throw a party for Rick and the lieutenants. To which I will not be surprised if they bring in a stripper. But I know YOU won't be there to see that, won't you Roy?", Claudia said as she was giving Roy the evil eye.

Roy then began to vigorously shake his head no while Lisa covered her mouth and giggled.

"Sure Claudia, I'm up to it if Rick says yes. What do you have in mind we do or go to?", Lisa asked.

"How about we go see a movie and to that restaurant that we were supposed to eat at before things went downhill when you and Rick first recognized each other?"

"Oh, "The Tipsy Angus". I'm all for it if the boys say yes."

"How about it, Roy, will you go along with us?", Claudia asked Roy who was now sitting next to Claudia.

"If Rick says yes, I'll go along with it."

"Okay Lisa, we're going to visit Rick. Just wanted to let you know that Captain Gloval wanted to see you but could not stay around to wait for you to get out of the ER. He had to be back at Miss Minmei's concert."

"Okay, thanks for staying and visiting me Claudia.", Lisa said as she was hugging Claudia.

"Do you need anything?"

"Yes, can you go to my quarters and grab a fresh uniform for me?

"Okay Lisa I will. I will see you in the morning. I know the next several days will be busy for the four of you with debriefs, writing after action reports and all."

"Take care of yourself Lisa. See you in a couple of days.", Roy said.

"Thanks Roy."

As they were outside in the hallway, Roy lightly grabbed Claudia's shoulder.

"Claudia, how do you know that Lisa and Rick are friendlier towards each other?"

"On the night of the Miss Macross Pageant when the camera showed Rick and the uncomfortable look on his face, Lisa called Rick and left a voice mail message telling him if there was anything he wanted to talk to her about, to just call her. After she hung up, she said that she and Rick came to an understanding."

"Rick never told me that.", Roy said as they entered Rick's hospital room.

When Roy and Claudia walked in, Rick was reclining in his bed. When he saw Roy, Rick had a look of joy on his face. He then started to cry, which he rarely ever did. The last time Roy remembered Rick crying was at Cathy's grave.

"Roy...Roy…big brother…big brother.", was all Rick could say through his crying.

"Hey, it's okay Rick. You're home now and that is all that matters to me right now.", Roy said as he was hugging Rick very tightly.

Claudia stood the side giving Roy support by gently patting and rubbing his shoulder. Claudia could not help but shed tears herself. Now she knows how close Roy and Rick are to each other. Then a thought came to her brain; how wonderful it would be for Rick to be her brother-in-law. She could not explain to herself how or why that idea came to her mind at a time like this, but she could see Rick being her brother-in-law…or even for that matter, she can even see Lisa being her sister-in-law.

After a while, Rick and Roy pulled away from each other. Roy sat at the edge of the bed with Claudia sitting next to him with her arm around Roy's shoulder.

"Rick…I got to tell you the truth. There were times when I thought…you weren't coming home."

"Roy…there were times when I thought we weren't going to make it back home either."

"How did you make it back?"

"A Zentraedi cruiser was leaving so we sneaked on board the ship. When the ship was coming out of a hyperspace fold, we commandeered a battle pod and Max blasted our way out."

"What did the doctor say? You're alright?"

Rick nodded his head. "Doctor says I have a lot of bruises when a Zentraedi soldier kicked me, and my back hit a rack of rifles. But because I work out all the time, the doctor says because of my great physical condition, I am not seriously injured or have damage to my vital organs or broken bones. I am in some pain from where the soldier kicked me, and my back hit the rifle rack. The doctor will prescribe some painkillers for me. Other than that, I'm fine."

"What happened?"

"From what I can remember, Lisa and I were talking when suddenly; a Zentraedi soldier came out of nowhere and grabbed Lisa. I tried to save Lisa, but the soldier kicked me and knocked me back against a rack of rifles. I managed to wrestle one of the rifles up and with all of the strength I had in my arms despite the pain I was in I pulled the trigger…and I killed the soldier and freed Lisa."

"Wow Rick, that's worth a Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart for you."

Rick slowly shook his head. "I could care less about the medals Roy. All I care about is that Lisa is alive. I wasn't about to let someone I care about die a second time."

"Say Rick, speaking of Lisa, we were just in Lisa's room next door and Claudia discussed with Lisa about celebrating the two of you escaping from the Zentraedi and making back to the ship. You have given a week medical convalescence leave so why don't you and Lisa use some of it and celebrate with me and Claudia?"

Rick shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, I'm game. I am up to it if Lisa said yes. What are you planning on doing or going to?"

Roy then looked at Claudia. "Lisa did say yes. We talked about going to see a movie and eat at 'The Tipsy Angus'."

"If Lisa said yes, I'm all for it."

"Okay Rick, we're going to go now so you can get some sleep. We'll see you when you can because I know the next several days will be busy for you."

"Thanks Roy. Thanks for stopping by Claudia."

"Take care of yourself Rick.", Claudia said with a wave of her hand.

"I will Claudia."

Outside in the hallway, Roy was whispering to Claudia. "Claudia, I think Rick has come to more than just an understanding with Lisa. I think he is in love with Lisa."

"How do you know that Roy?"

"Did you catch what Rick said earlier; 'I wasn't about to let someone I care about die a second time.'"

"Yes, I did hear him say that but that doesn't mean anything to me. Rick and Lisa have really grown close to each other in these past months. Do you really think they're in love with each other?"

"Claudia, you don't know Rick like I do. Cathy was more than just someone he cared about, he loved her. As a matter of fact, he confessed to me on the day of her funeral at her grave that if she had lived, he was thinking about asking her to marry him when they had gotten older."

"Do you think he will do the same to Lisa anytime soon?"

Roy started to shake his head. "I doubt it. He still hasn't gotten past blaming himself for Cathy's death."

Meanwhile at the Amphitheatre, during a break in the concert as she was doing a dress change and taking a short break, someone from the pageant knocked on the door.

"Come in, the doors unlocked."

"Miss Minmei, I've been told by Captain Gloval that Lieutenant Hunter and three others has escaped from the enemy and they're back on the ship."

"Is it true? Is Rick back on the ship?"

"That is what I've been told by Captain Gloval."

Minmei started to cry. It is the news she had hoped to hear but never thought she will. The official ran to Minmei and let her cry on her shoulder. Minmei then remembered she is due back on stage at any minute.

"Do you think it'll be okay for me to tell the audience?"

"I think that will be great Miss Minmei. We need some good news."

A stagehand knocked on the open door. "Miss Minmei, you're on."

"Thank you."

As she walked out on stage, the audience applauded as she waved and blew kisses to the crowd. As the audience quieted down, Minmei grabbed the microphone off the microphone stand as a spotlight shone down on her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, while I was backstage, I was notified that my friend Lieutenant Rick Hunter and three other heroes have escaped from the enemy and they are back on the ship safe and sound."

The audience then stood up and applauded and cheered very loudly as Minmei began to cry again. After recollecting herself, she nodded to the orchestra conductor to start directing the orchestra.

After the concert, Minmei went to the ship's hospital with a big entourage. She went up to the receptionist desk. The receptionist had a surprised look on her face when she saw Minmei.

"Miss Minmei what a surprise to see you!"

"Hello ma'am. What room is Lieutenant Rick Hunter in?"

"I'm sorry Miss Minmei but visiting hours are over. But you can see him when he is released from the hospital tomorrow morning."

"Do you know what time it will be ma'am?"

"That I do not know Miss Minmei."

"Can you please leave a message for him that I've found out about him making it back to us, but I was too late to visit him?"

"I can do that for you Miss Minmei. Miss Minmei…can you do a big favor for me? Me and my family are big fans of yours…can you please sign your autograph for us? I'm afraid all I have is this legal pad." She said as she handed Minmei the legal pad and a pen.

"Oh, that's okay. I'll be more than happy to sign my autograph for you." Minmei said with a smile as she took the legal pad and pen from the receptionist and began to sign her name. 'If only Jan Morris can see what I am doing now, signing my autograph on a legal pad. The bitch, I wish she were here so she can see this so she can eat crow.', Minmei said to herself as she was signing her autograph.

"Oh, thank you Miss Minmei. My family will not believe it."

"You're welcome." Minmei said as she handed back the legal pad.

After signing her autograph, Minmei left the hospital.

THE NEXT DAY

Ben and Max arrived at the hospital and went to the Mental Health Department for their psychological evaluations. Lisa and Rick were already there since they had to stay overnight in the hospital. Ben and Max smiled when they saw Rick and Lisa.

"Hello commander. Hello Rick. So, what did the doctors say?", Ben asked as they sat down next to them.

"Our doctors each gave us a clean bill of health. They prescribed painkillers for us. Other than that, we're fine lieutenant.", Lisa said.

"I wonder how they're going to work this.", Max said.

Just as soon as Max said that one psychologist walked up and called out Max's name. Max followed him to the psychologist office. Then a female psychologist walked up and called Lisa's name. Soon another psychologist called for Ben and lastly, Rick's name was called. For the next several hours, the four escapees were told to tell their psychologist what happened to them while they were held captive by the Zentraedi or in Max's case, evading being captured by the Zentraedi. They also had to answer a battery of questions and must take a series of tests. After finishing taking the tests, the four walked back to the waiting room to wait for the results. After waiting for what seem to be an eternity, the psychologists came back and escorted the four back to their offices.

For the most part, the four have been declared mentally fit to return to duty but it will take a week for the results from the tests to be read, interpreted and a report written up and given to Captain Gloval and the commander of the air wing.

The four were then taken to RDF Intelligence where 4 agents from RDF Intelligence were waiting for them. Each of them was taken to 4 different rooms where they were told by an agent to tell their stories from the beginning to the end. The agents who interviewed Lisa, Rick and Ben were surprised to hear what happened to a planet when the Zentraedi bombarded the planet with laser fire and could not believe that the Zentraedi had so many ships the three escapees could not count exactly how many.

The female agent who interviewed Lisa asked her for proof of the ships and the planet being destroyed. She said that she did have a video camera taped the whole incident, but it was destroyed when she was surprised and grabbed by a Zentraedi soldier.

"If you do not believe me you can ask Lieutenant Hunter and Lieutenant Dixon that same question. They were there with me when I saw the enemy armada."

"It's not that I don't believe you commander, I just that I thought that somehow you would have kept a tighter grip on the camera."

"Believe me, I tried my best not to let that happen, but Lieutenant Hunter and I were surprised by that enemy soldier.", Lisa said kind of crossly.

"Calm down commander. After my interview with you is over, I will talk with the other agents to see if your stories match up and collaborate. If it does, we will notify RDF Intelligence headquarters in Washington, DC and we'll go on from there."

After spending several hours with the agents of RDF Intelligence, the four were then told they were finished with their interviews. That freed them up to let them type up their after-action reports to be submitted to J-2, J-3, and RDF Intelligence the next day. It was afternoon when they were finished at RDF Intelligence and all of them were hungry. They decided to eat at the officer's dining hall. Rick and Lisa sat next to each other, leaving Max and Ben to sit next to each other.

As they were eating, they talked with each other about what questions each of the psychologist and intelligence agents asked them. From the answers each of them was telling, they found out they were basically asked the same questions. After eating, Max and Ben went their separate ways leaving Rick and Lisa by themselves.

"Well…since Ben and Max left us by ourselves, mind if I walk back with you to your quarters?"

"No Rick, I don't mind.", Lisa said coyly.

Rick and Lisa walked slowly back to her quarters wanting to delay the typing of their after-action reports and spend time with each other as much as they can. But before they knew it, they were at the door of Lisa's quarters. Rick was shuffling his feet.

"Well…I guess I'll see you tomorrow when we present our reports to Captain Gloval and his staff.", Rick said shyly.

Lisa stood at the closed and locked door just looking at Rick, smiling at him and loving the boyish quality to him that somehow, he managed to keep even though he is no longer a young boy. "Uh-hmm, see you tomorrow Rick."

Rick then moved in real close so he can kiss Lisa squarely on the lips. Lisa then wrapped her arms around Rick's back and pressed her hands against his shoulder blades as a sign for Rick to kiss her harder. He responded by pressing his lips harder against Lisa's lips and rubbing his hands up and down Lisa's arms sending sparks of erotic electricity to Lisa's brain causing Lisa to moan in pleasure and making her breathe harder. Rick then broke off the kiss. Lisa looked at Rick with pure love in her eyes.

"You are such a great kisser Rick. I wish I have met you sooner.", Lisa said.

"I guess…if we don't stop…we will never get our reports done.", Rick said quietly.

"I guess so. See you tomorrow Rick.", Lisa said quietly with love in her voice.

Rick not wanting to leave slowly walked away from Lisa's door looking over his shoulder to look back at Lisa. Lisa waved good-bye to Rick with her fingers. After Rick disappeared, Lisa could not help but lean back against the door and sigh. She was falling hard for Rick and she knew Rick was falling hard for her just the same, but she knew he was holding back. He needs to get over his girlfriend's death first. Just the same as she needs to go past Karl's death which she is slowly getting to thanks to Rick. In Lisa's eyes, Rick was everything Karl was…and more. Rick is warm, kind, gentle, tender, and loving as Karl was but Rick has something Karl did not; a boyish quality that somehow Lisa just fell in love with. She could not explain why she loved it because she usually like more mature minded guys, but there was something about Rick and his boyish quality that made Lisa fall in love with him.

As Rick opened the door to his quarters, he noticed the voice mail light on his telephone flashing. He did not have to think twice who left the message, but he decided to listen to the message anyway.

"Lieutenant Rick Hunter, you have one new voice mail message waiting to be heard."

"Hi Rick, its Minmei, I was told last night during my concert that you and your friends escaped from the enemy and made it back to us. I tried to visit you last night at the hospital after my concert was over, but I was told that visiting hours were over, so I left a message with the front desk letting you know that I stopped by to visit you, but I don't know if you have ever received the message. I tried to visit you earlier today before you were discharged but I was busy, and I was not able to find out where you are or what you are doing today. So, if you have any free time today, please call me and let me know how you are doing. Thanks Rick, bye."

"End of message. Please press one to hear again, press two to save, press three to delete."

Rick pressed a button.

"Message deleted."

Rick then changed out of his uniform and put on some comfortable clothes. He then went to his desk and turned on his computer. After the computer's desktop came up, he wrote two condolence letters to the families of the dead pilots in his squadron. After finishing typing out the letters, printing it off and signing them, Rick started to get to work typing up the after-action report.

SDF-1 CONFERENCE ROOM

THE NEXT DAY

Captain Gloval, Colonel Maistroff and staff were reading the after-action reports of Lisa, Rick, Ben, and Max. Many of Gloval's staff officers could not believe what they were reading.

"Do the four of you think that the Zentraedi have that many ships?", Captain Gloval asked.

All four escapees at the other end of the long conference table nodded in the affirmative.

"All of you can't be serious. The enemy has those many ships?", a disbelieving Colonel Maistroff asked.

"I believe so sir.", Lisa said.

The telephone near Captain Gloval begins to ring. He picked up the phone.

"Yes…I see…thank you." He then hung up the phone. "That was J-2. They say that RDF Intelligence estimates that the enemy fleet has somewhere between 4 to 5 million ships based on the four officers' oral, written and eyewitness reports. They also report that a portion of the enemy fleet has encircled us trying to stop our way back to Earth, but they do not know why."

The senior officers began to grumble and complain wondering how they are going to survive long enough to make it back to Earth.

"We'll worry about that as we approach closer to Earth. But for now, we must finish this briefing. Lisa. I believe you have more information you would like to share with us."

"Yes sir. I also have a statement in my briefing I would like to read to all of you that has more information about the Zentraedi that I have already given to J-2 and RDF Intelligence."

"Go ahead commander."

"Thank you, Captain Gloval. Sirs, from what we have observed while Lieutenant junior grade Rick Hunter, Second Lieutenant Benjamin Dixon and I were being held captive on the Zentraedi ship, and from what Lieutenant Hunter and I have surmised from what we saw in the cloning room, is that the Zentraedi race is a genetically engineered race of highly intelligent humanoid aliens who are able to artificially manipulate their height, weight, strength, and body mass through means of genetic manipulation and cloning.

They are a strictly military based culture bred totally for waging war. Who were they bred by, why they were bred, who were they cloned from and who they are fighting for and against we do not know because they did not tell us, we were not able to ask them nor were we able to uncover any information or evidence to substantiate our hypothesis other from what Lieutenant Hunter and I saw with our eyes in the cloning room and from the video that unfortunately was destroyed when we were surprised by a Zentraedi soldier, he grabbed me and I lost hold of the camera. We do not know if this race has a home planet because we cannot find any real home base of operations. How they can maintain and keep their forces logistically supplied we do not know.

They are totally devoid of the most basic human emotions such as kindness, sadness, sorrow, humility, and regret. Even though they are a mixed gender race because they know what a female is and look like from me; it appears that the genders are segregated for some unknown reason. Because they are a race of clones, they have no conception of love, sex and procreation nor do they know anything about repairing or maintaining their ships and equipment. How they can keep their ships and equipment maintained and what they do when their ships and equipment are beyond repair, we do not know.

But this we do know; is that they are a warrior culture, and their entire existence is for waging war and nothing else and their goal is total conquest, annihilation, and destruction. We have personally seen what this alien race can do with the destructive firepower they possess. It is our belief and opinion that they have no compunction whatsoever to completely obliterate and destroy this planet and everyone and everything on it without any hesitation at all because we have personally seen them unleash that devastating firepower on a planet and made it virtually uninhabitable within a matter of seconds.

Sirs, we are facing a very dire and dangerous situation. We have seen what this alien warrior race can do with our own two eyes. The deadly threat that this alien race poses to our very existence is very real. It is the honest opinion of me and my three colleagues sitting here at this table is that the RDF needs to be warned immediately and its forces to be placed on high alert; most likely to be put at Global DEFCON 2. We also suggest that the United Nations and the United Earth Government in New York City needs to be warned immediately about this very real, imminent, and ominous threat to the safety and survival of every person on planet Earth so they can take immediate steps to prepare and act for this very real and deadly threat. We do not know when they will come but they will come. If we do not take immediate steps to meet this danger head on, then the consequences of our inactions will be incomprehensible beyond our worst nightmares and we will have no one to blame but ourselves for this catastrophe!"

"Commander, you making it sound like it's the worst-case scenario.", Colonel Maistroff said.

"It is the worst-case scenario sir.", Lisa said matter-of-factly.

"Is that all to your briefing Commander Hayes?," Colonel Maistroff asked.

"No sir. They have also asked us in length about 'Protoculture' sir."

"What is this 'Protoculture'?"

"I don't know colonel and they did not tell us. But from what we can guess, Protoculture seems to be an energy source or energy life form that seems to be the highest source of energy in the universe. I believe therefore this is the reason why they can maintain combat operations for so long without the need for refueling and it is what they use to power their hyperspace engines. I believe it is their variation of the nuclear fuel we use to power our naval ships and submarines on Earth."

"Then we need to tell Washington right away. I'll have J-6 send out an encoded message.", Maistroff said as he was about to get up from his chair.

"No, you won't colonel.", Gloval said as he lit his pipe. "We need to break through the enemy's barrier first and touch down on Earth. But we will worry about that once we get closer to Earth. We are still 7 to 8 days away from Earth."

"Then what do we do if we do happen to break through Henry?"

"Then we will relax and wait for further instructions from Washington, that is it, Robert. This meeting is over."

Rick cannot believe Captain Gloval would act so nonchalant about something as serious as Earth in danger of being disintegrated. He stood up from his chair.

"Captain Gloval, request permission to speak freely sir."

"Permission granted. Go ahead lieutenant."

"Sir, I'm just a lieutenant junior grade. I do not know a thing about politics or advanced military tactics. I am just a fighter pilot commanding a veritech fighter squadron. But I do know this sir. I agree with Commander Hayes in that the RDF, the UN and the UEG need to be warned about this very real threat to the survival of our planet. The lives of hundreds of millions of people on Earth, including those of my aunt and uncle in Windham, New York, Commander Hayes' family in Seneca Falls, New York and the family and friends of Lieutenant Dixon and Lieutenant Sterling in Kenosha, Wisconsin are at stake. We cannot afford to wait around to see what the brass in Washington, DC and the politicians in New York City say. What Commander Hayes, Lieutenant Dixon and I saw was real and someone needs to be warned about this right away!"

"Lieutenant Hunter, I will take what you said under advisement, I promise. But for now, just enjoy the rest of your medical recuperation leave you four.", Gloval said as he got up from his chair and walked out of the conference room.

"Yes sir.", Rick, Lisa, Ben, and Max said as they saluted Captain Gloval.

As Lisa was walking out with the other Captain Gloval called her over. "Commander Hayes, I need to speak with you for a moment."

"Yes sir."

"Lisa, despite what you and your fellow officers may believe about me and what I think about what you saw and reported, I do believe you. However"

"You don't have to say anything more sir. I understand.", Lisa as she was walking away.

She knew that Captain Gloval did not believe anything the four of them said and reported despite what he told her. Lisa had always looked up at Gloval more like her father than her commanding officer and it was the first time in her life that she despised her commanding officer.

"I don't think they believed us.", Ben said as they were in the passageway.

"And most especially I don't think Captain Gloval believed us.", Rick said.

"Well, put yourself in their position lieutenant. Unless you have seen what, we have seen, you wouldn't believe it either.", Lisa said but unconvincingly.

"You really don't believe that do you Lisa?", Rick asked as he is walking beside her.

Lisa could not answer his question because she knew she could not believe what she said herself.

"I tell you I would rather be questioned by the Zentraedi again than have to face all that brass in there again. It's almost like being at a court marital.", Rick said.

"Well, look at the bright side sir. At least we get some leave time for what we have went through and it doesn't count against our regular leave time.", Max said.

"And you also get a promotion out of it too.", Lisa added.

All three were shocked at what Lisa said. "What?", the three pilots said as they were whipping their heads around.

"I asked Captain Gloval to promote all of you for the heroism you displayed while we were POWs. You're also looking at getting some awards and medals too."

"What about you Lisa?"

Lisa shook her head. "I didn't ask Captain Gloval for a promotion."

"Why, Lisa? You went through just as much as us…even more!", Rick said gently laying his hands on her shoulder.

"I don't care about awards or promotions Rick. I was just doing my job looking after you guys. I was your superior officer after all.", Lisa said shrugging her shoulders.

"Guys, where are you going to?", Rick asked Ben and Max.

"We're going to the officer's dining hall. It's lunch time skipper.", Ben said.

"We'll catch up with you.", Rick said.

"Okay sir.", Ben said.

After making sure they are alone, Rick turned his attention back to Lisa.

"Lisa, you deserve to be promoted just as much as us. You went through just as much as Ben and I did, even more so when that Zentraedi picked you up and almost squeezed you to death."

"I know Rick…but like I said before...I don't care about promotions and awards. I was just looking out for you two because I was responsible for the both of you. After all I was your superior officer."

Rick could not help but smile at what Lisa said. It was the exact same thing he told Roy and Claudia the other night. He did not care about awards; he did not want to see Lisa get killed. He then did something unexpected. He leaned in and kissed Lisa on the forehead. Lisa's heart quickened when he kissed her forehead.

"Come on Lisa, we need to get to the officer's dining hall right away. Knowing Ben like I do, he probably has half of the dining hall's food on his tray right about now."

Lisa laughed at what Rick said. "Okay Rick. Let us go."

As they were walking, Rick also did something Lisa did not expect; he grabbed Lisa's hand and held it in his. Rick looked at her giving her a silent question of; "Do you mind?" Lisa looked at him, smiled and shook her head no. She did not mind it at all.

SEVERAL DAYS LATER

Minmei kept leaving messages on Rick's voice mail which he keeps ignoring. As he was in his quarters reclining on his couch reading General H. Norman Schwarzkopf's autobiography; "It Doesn't Take a Hero", the intercom on the end table went off.

"Will Commander Lisa Hayes, Lieutenant junior grade Rick Hunter and Second Lieutenants Benjamin Dixon and Max Sterling please report to the conference room on the double? Again, will Commander Lisa Hayes, Lieutenant junior grade Rick Hunter and Second Lieutenants Benjamin Dixon and Max Sterling report to the conference room on the double."

Rick got up from his couch and ran into the bedroom to put on his uniform. Most likely he will be promoted today. As Rick entered the conference room, at the table was sitting Captain Gloval's staff. Lisa, Ben, and Max were already there. Captain Gloval was standing with his aide-de-camp off to the side.

"Ah Lieutenant Hunter, you're right on time. Rick will you stand on the other side of me?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright Lieutenant Simpkins, let us start, shall we?"

"Yes sir. Will Second Lieutenant Benjamin Dixon step forward?"

"Yes sir." Ben said as he walked up to where Captain Gloval was standing.

"Sir, Second Lieutenant Benjamin Dixon reporting as ordered."

Captain Gloval returned the salute and told Ben to face the front. As Lieutenant Simpkins began reading Ben's promotion citation, Rick could not help but smile. Rick was about to do something many commanding officers really enjoy doing, pinning new officer's or enlisted insignia on their subordinates. Rick like Ben. He has come a long way since he first came onto Rick's squadron. He went from being a raw talent even though he went to the academy with Rick to become a terrific fighter pilot with 4 kills on his belt. One more and he will become an ace.

After Ben received his silver bars, Lieutenant Simpkins called Max up front. As Simpkins were reading the citation and Rick was pinning a sliver bar on Max's epaulets, he thought back to when he first met Max. It was on the bus at the Colorado Springs airport when they were being bused to the academy. He cannot believe this skinny, blue haired, glasses wearing guy would become one of the deadliest fighter pilots in the air wing.

After finishing with Max's promotion ceremony, Captain Gloval called Lisa up and asked her to stand on the other side of him. It was time for Rick to be promoted to full lieutenant. As Captain Gloval and Lisa were pinning his lieutenant bars on his epaulets, he thought back to when he first came on board of the SDF-1 and what he went through these past two years. He has really grown up and matured in a hurry because he had to but still his heart was empty because Cathy is not here to see him have all this success. After shaking hands with Captain Gloval, Lisa shook his hand but whispered in his ear; "I'll give you your congratulatory kiss later, Rick."

Rick could not help but smile when she said that. He then nodded his head.

"Alright then, this concludes our promotion part of the program. How about we go on with the awards portion.", Captain Gloval said.

Lisa was awarded the Purple Heart for the injury she received when she was squeezed almost to death by Dolza, the Distinguished Service Medal for saving Rick's life when they fell through the floor and hit the water and the POW Medal. Rick also received the POW Medal, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Distinguished Service Cross with an oak leaf cluster for saving Lisa's life twice in one day and for engaging and killing the enemy in one of those saves. Ben was awarded the POW Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Max was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster for killing the enemy when they ran out of the elevator and when they escaped from the Zentraedi cruiser in the commandeered battle pod. All in all, it was a good day for everyone.

After the promotion and awards ceremony was over, a pilot from Skull Squadron came up on the foursome. "Excuse me ma'am but we would like to borrow your three pilots for a while."

"Oh, and what for?", Lisa asked.

"Oh…we want them to attend a little mixer to celebrate their safe return to the ship ma'am."

"Uh-huh.", Lisa said not believing them. She knew perfectly well that the air wing is throwing a party for them at the officer's club complete with booze and strippers.

"Well…I suppose I can let you borrow them for a while." As Rick was walking off with Ben and Max, Lisa reached out and looped her arms around Rick's upper arm. "But not you Rick! Everyone can go except for you Lieutenant Hunter!"

"What's wrong Lisa? The air wing is just throwing a little party for me, Max and Ben for us escaping from the Zentraedi, our promotions and awards."

Lisa pulled Rick to the side and whispered in his ear. "But it's not the kind of party you think it is Rick. It's nothing but a booze filled party where a bunch of pilots get together and get drunk, tell dirty stories and jokes, sing dirty songs on the piano like they have a part in the movie "Top Gun" and whoop and yell when the strippers appear and start dancing with them."

Rick honestly never heard of anything like that before. "Lisa, I think you're being paranoid. I never heard of such a thing like that."

"No, I'm not being paranoid Rick! You have not been on this ship for as long as I have! I know what these pilots do whenever they get together and you add booze and strippers to the mix!"

"Lisa, I'm just going to celebrate a little with Ben, Max and my fellow pilots and have a drink. If they do bring in a stripper, I'll leave right away and come to your quarters I promise."

"You promise?", Lisa asked.

"I promise.", Rick said kissing Lisa's hand. "Now I have to go. They guys already left without me."

Lisa shook her head. Rick does not know what he is getting himself into. Lisa walked back to her quarters slowly and alone. Barely half an hour later, she heard a knock on her door. She went to open the door. When she opened the door, Rick was standing in the doorway.

"Mind if I come in Lisa?"

"Now do you believe me Rick?"

"I believe you Lisa."

"Come on in Rick. I suspect Ben and Max are still at the 'party'?"

"Far as I know, they still are. I never knew Max had a wild side to him until I saw him…well…how 'bout we forget that I ever said that."

Lisa then unexpectedly looped her arms around Rick's neck and kissed him on the lips. "I had almost forgotten to give you a kiss to congratulate you on your promotion."

"Well…better late than never."

FRIDAY EVENING

Rick, Lisa, and Roy met at Claudia's quarters trying to decide on what movie to see.

"Hey, they're showing 'Space Wars II: The Evil Empire Strikes Back" at the multiplex. Let us go see that movie.", Rick suggested.

"Oh no, we're not going to see that geek movie! I saw that movie with my girlfriend when I was in college because she was a fan of the first movie. We were in line to buy tickets when some nerd came up behind us dressed up as one of the characters in the movie holding a fake light sword in his hands and started waving his fingers at us like he was using the 'Power" trying to make us magically move so he can move up to the front of the line. I almost shoved his fingers down his geek throat!", Claudia said.

"Okay, then how about we go see 'The Utah Axe Murderer'.", Roy said with a grin on his face.

The girls were horrified that Roy would suggest that they go see a horror movie.

"You want us to see a horror movie? Roy you must be kidding!", Claudia said.

"No, I'm not. Think of it. Whenever the bad guy jumps out of his hiding place with his axe and you girls start screaming, we'll be there to comfort you."

"Oh, very funny Roy. That is hilarious. That's so hilarious I forgot to laugh.", Claudia said sarcastically.

"Then how about we go see 'Iron Magnolias' instead?", Lisa said.

Rick and Roy immediately began shaking their heads no.

"Why not guys?"

"It's a chick flick Lisa. No guy in his right mind would be caught dead seeing that movie. It never fails to happen; you girls will start crying your eyes out whenever the movie comes to a sad part like a death scene or the mother crying at the cemetery and we will be rolling our eyes and you girls will start hitting us because we'll be doing exactly that.", Roy said.

"That because it is a sad scene Roy!", Lisa argued.

"It's just a frigging movie!"

Claudia began looking at the newspaper. "Hey, I know a movie all of us may enjoy." Claudia said. "Remember that computer animated movie about a bunch of zoo animals trying to escape to Africa but instead they ended up in Central Park in New York City? I believe it was called; "Escape to Central Park'."

"Oh yeah, I remember seeing that movie when I was in school. It was a pretty funny movie.", Rick said.

"Then let us go see that movie then. What do all of you say? I say yes.", Claudia said.

"If Rick says yes, I'm all for it.", Lisa said.

Roy shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't make any difference to me. All of you say yes, I'm all for it."

They then walked out of Claudia's quarters then went downstairs and walked outside the gate. Roy flagged down a taxi and fortunately for the four of them, it was a minivan taxi. Rick and Lisa got in first and went in the back while Claudia and Roy got in behind the driver. Roy slid the door closed.

At the theatre after Roy paid for the fare, Roy paid for his and Claudia's tickets while Rick paid for his and Lisa's tickets. As they were passing the concession stand, Rick looked over to Lisa. "You like some popcorn Lisa?"

"Of course, Rick. You can't go to a movie without having popcorn and a soda."

So, Rick brought a tub of popcorn and two cups of soda for him and Lisa. In the dark theatre, Rick wanted to put his arm around Lisa but was not sure if he should. Besides, Lisa looked like she was enjoying watching the movie and she did not want to startle her.

After the movie was over, the foursome walked to the restaurant because it was close to the theatre. The waiter walked them to a circular booth table. While looking at the menu, Rick again wanted to put his arm around but again, he hesitated. Lisa put an end to his hesitation by grabbing his arm and putting it around her shoulder. Rick then scooted himself in so he can be closer to Lisa. Roy glanced over to the pair and smiled to himself. 'Yep, Lisa and Rick are in love with each other. Only a couple who love each other would do something like that.'

Claudia looked over at Rick and Lisa with a slight surprised look on her face. 'Well, I'll be darned. Roy's right, Rick and Lisa do love each other! Who would have ever thought the two of them would ever fall in love?"

After eating dinner and combining their tabs together to pay for the bill and leaving a generous tip, the four walked outside where Rick flagged down another minivan taxi. At the gate to the base, Rick paid for the fare. As they walked through the gate, Roy decided to say good night where they are at now and go their separate ways to which Rick and Lisa agreed. Lisa and Claudia hugged each other and promised they will see each other on the bridge Monday morning. Roy and Rick shook hands and hugged each other. Rick escorted Lisa to her quarters holding hands with her.

"Well…I guess this is where I say good night to you.", Rick said as Lisa was opening the door.

Lisa turned and started to kiss Rick. "What are your plans for the weekend Rick? Got any plans for the weekend?"

Rick shook his head. "Not that I know of Lisa. I don't have any plans for the weekend."

With a wicked smile on her lips, Lisa surprised Rick by grabbing him by the front of his shirt and pulling him into her quarters. She then immediately slammed the door shut and locked the door. Inside her quarters, Lisa immediately started to passionately kiss Rick. "Well, that's good Rick because I have plans for you this whole weekend." Lisa said seductively as she kissed Rick again.

AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES

MILITARY ACRONYMS

POW – Prisoner of War

SDO – Staff Duty Officer

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure