TWO OF A KIND
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE NEW LEADER
"Sorry.", Rick said in a hoarse tone of voice. Immediately Rick began to wonder why he sounded so hoarse. 'What's wrong with my voice?'
"Shh…try not to talk too much Rick." Lisa said gently and quietly as she was stroking his raven black hair. "You weren't breathing when you came into the ER so the doctor had to insert a breathing tube down your throat so you can breathe. That is why you sound so hoarse."
"Sorry Lisa.", Rick said again.
"You have nothing to be sorry for Rick. You came back to me and that is all that matters to me right now.", Lisa said quietly as her eyes were misting over with tears as she continued to gently stroke his hair.
"Well, I'll leave the two of you alone so I can tell your squadron mates that you're okay and out of your coma Rick.", Roy said as he was getting up to leave.
"Wait a minute Roy! Before you leave…I have something really important to tell you." Rick said.
"You do?"
Rick nodded his head.
"Okay Rick…what is it?", Roy said as he was sitting back down in a chair.
"Remember several months ago when you asked me if I tried to kill myself and I said no?"
Roy nodded his head.
"Well…I lied. I did try to kill myself…not once but twice." Rick said before swallowing the lump that was in his throat. "The first time I tried to kill myself was after you left."
"It's okay Rick. You do not have to tell it to me now. It can wait until another time."
Rick began to vigorously shake his head. "No! No! I need to tell it to you now! If I do not tell it to you now, I probably will never get another chance to tell you and I need to tell it to you now while I have the chance."
"Okay Rick…fine. Go ahead…tell me everything."
"Well…like I said earlier…the first time I tried to kill myself was several days after you left. I was so overcome with guilt over Cathy's death that I decided to kill myself by crashing Pop's old airplane into a high mountainside in the Adirondack Mountains that I thought was high enough that it would be difficult for the CAP to do a Search and Rescue mission and to try to find my body. So, I climbed into Pop's airplane and started flying northward when I was stopped by an air traffic controller in Albany who wanted to know why I didn't file a flight plan…so I turned back."
Rick swallowed another lump in throat and began to tear up. Roy gripped Rick's hand tightly in his and at the same time quietly encouraging him. "It's okay Rick…you can take all the time that you need. We have all day."
Rick nodded his head, swallowed again before continuing. "Several days later…I decided to kill myself again by shooting myself with Pop's old .45 he kept after retiring from the Air Force. I decided to shoot myself in the bathroom. As I was filling up the bathtub with water…I didn't want to make Aunt Becky clean up the mess…I happened to look myself in the mirror and I had this look of…despair…a look of"
"You didn't want to live anymore.", Lisa said quietly finishing the sentence for him as she realized what he meant by "the look".
Rick nodded his head and began to tear up. "I'm sorry Roy. I shouldn't have lied to you and I should have told you the truth sooner…but I was too scared of losing my flying status and command of my squadron…and my military career to tell you the truth the first time."
"It's okay Rick…you don't have to apologize. Believe it or not, I understand."
"I'm ready to see the flight psychiatrist if you want me to."
"No…it's okay Rick. I think we can keep it between the three of us.", Roy said as he looked over to Lisa. Lisa nodded her head.
"Well…let me leave the two of you alone so I can tell your squadron mates you're okay and you're now out of your coma." Roy said as he was getting up and swallowing back the tears that were trying to come out of his eyes.
"Thanks, big brother."
'It's no problem little brother."
Lisa then got up from her chair to talk privately to Roy. Lisa gently grabbed Roy's arm as they were in the hallway. "Roy thanks for not ordering Rick to see the flight psychiatrist."
"It's not a problem Lisa. You just take good care of my little brother for me."
"I will Roy.", Lisa said quietly.
After Roy left Rick's hospital room, Lisa quietly walked over to Rick's bed, sat down in a chair next to him, grabbed his hand and began kissing it with love, tears, and gratitude in her eyes.
"Now I know what you meant when you said that I had 'the look'".
"That was why I had to disobey your order at Sara Base. I couldn't let you die."
"And I'm so glad that you did disobey my order because if you didn't…I wouldn't be here with you.", Lisa said as tears was welling up in her eyes again as she was gently stroking his hair.
"I know Lisa. Lisa…I have something to tell you…and I know this may sound strange to you…but when I was in the Emergency Room…I felt myself leaving my body and I saw the doctors working on saving my life. I felt my body going through a tunnel of light. Next thing I know I found myself in a meadow like back home in Windham. I met Cathy…and she told me that I was not to blame for her death…to go on past her death…and to start living again. She also told me to forget about her but to always remember her. I am past her death Lisa! I love you Lisa and I will love you always! I'm yours Lisa and will be yours for always!"
Lisa heart just flooded with joy when she heard Rick said that. She waited so long for Rick to tell him that and finally she was able to hear it from Rick. "Oh Rick! I love you! I will love you always!" Lisa said as she lowered her lips to Rick's. She began to kiss Rick passionately. She then gave a silent thanks to Cathy. 'Cathy, I've never met you but thank you for talking to Rick.' But at the same time, she gave a strong warning to any woman trying to get herself between herself and her man. 'God help any woman who gets in between Rick and me, especially that 16-year-old Chinese girl and that's a promise!'
Rick raised his arm and looped it around Lisa's neck as a sign for her to kiss him harder. As Lisa and Rick were kissing, the heart monitor that was monitoring Rick's heart's beat was beginning to beat fast and wildly. Lisa suddenly began to panic and stopped kissing Rick. Rick was bewildered and besides himself.
"Hey! Why did you stop?"
"Because your heart monitor was going crazy Rick. If we continued kissing, the doctors and nurses would have rushed in here afraid that you may have suffered a heart attack or something."
"Well…if I do suffer a heart attack…it would be a great way to go.", Rick said with a cheesy grin on his face.
"Oh Rick!", Lisa said as she playfully hit Rick on his shoulder.
Immediately, a doctor ran into Rick's hospital room.
"Ah, I see someone is finally awake." The doctor said with a smile. He then reached out his right arm. "Lieutenant Hunter, I'm Dr. Hammond."
"Hello doctor.", Rick said as he began to shift himself up to shake the doctor's hand. He then noticed his legs were stiff and he could not move them. "What's wrong with my legs doctor?"
"When you crashed your veritech into the ocean and you ejected, somehow or the other your legs were broken in several places. But we were able to repair your legs by inserting pins and plates in your legs."
"How long will my legs be a cast doctor?"
"I would say about six more weeks. I will periodically order x-rays on your legs to see how your bones are healing then we will start thinking about physical therapy."
"How long was I in a coma?"
"For about six months Rick.", Lisa said.
"And don't worry about your voice lieutenant. We will have you drink lemon-lime soda and ginger ale periodically to help soothe your throat and moisten your throat and airway. It should be back to normal in a couple of days."
"Doctor, can we start physical therapy sooner? I want to get back to flying as soon as I can."
"RICK! YOU JUST GOT OUT OF A COMA FOR GOODNESS SAKES! CAN'T YOU WAIT A WHILE BEFORE YOU START MAKING ME WORRY ABOUT YOU AGAIN?", Lisa said in horror as she started hitting his shoulder at the same time.
Rick flinched when Lisa hit him hard on the shoulder. 'Uh-oh, maybe I shouldn't ask that question.'
Doctor Hammond could do nothing but chuckle, smile a bit and shake his head. 'Oh boy, these jet jocks.'
HALLWAY OF MACROSS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Roy reached into his pocket to grab his smart phone. He called Vermillion Squadron's orderly room and told the orderly room sergeant that Rick was out of his coma. He knew Max and Ben would be glad to hear that. Rick's temporary replacement, Lieutenant Appling was a capable leader, but he is much greener than Rick thus forcing Roy to sometimes command Vermillion Squadron on top of his own squadron, much to the chagrin of Claudia. This war is taking a toll on everyone and everything.
He then remembered Minmei wanted to know when Rick was out his coma. Roy like Minmei for all that she has done for not only the citizens of Macross, but for the RDF and the SDF-1 also. She and Roy have become real good friends in the past several months and he always wondered why Rick was so paranoid of her. After calling Vermillion Squadron's orderly room, he tried to remember what Minmei told him what she would be doing today. He then remembered that she should be wrapping up shooting her first movie. He looked at his watch. It is almost noontime, which means she should be on a lunch break from filming. He speed-dialed Minmei's smart phone number. The phone only rang twice when Minmei answered.
"Hello."
"Hello Minmei, this is Roy."
Minmei's cheerful voice broke through. "Oh! Hello Roy! How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine Minmei. Minmei, I have some good news for you. I'm calling to let you that Rick is out of his coma."
"HE IS? Oh, that's wonderful news Roy! I have been hoping and praying for a long time that Rick will recover from his coma. Will I be able to see him anytime soon?"
"I'm afraid not Minmei, he's still in the intensive care unit but I'll ask the doctors when he will be able to have more visitors."
"That will be great Roy. Roy, you just caught me in the middle of eating lunch. The director is getting impatient, and he wants us to finish up shooting the film today, so we cannot talk for long. Will you call me later in the evening when we both have more time to talk?"
"I sure will Minmei. Talk to you later. Have a good lunch."
"Thank you, Roy. Bye."
"Bye Minmei."
After hanging up the phone, Roy then saw Doctor Hammond walking out Rick's hospital room.
"Doctor Hammond, Doctor Hammond! Can I ask you a quick question?"
"Sure, go ahead commander."
"How long will Rick have to stay in the ICU before he's transferred to a regular room?"
"I would say in the next day or two. I just want to make sure he has no lingering ill effects of his long coma and all of his vital organs are functioning normally again."
'Thank you, doc."
"You're welcome commander. Oh…and commander, can you do me a big favor?"
"Sure doc. What is it?"
"Can you talk to your brother and tell him that it will take some time before he can start physical therapy?"
Roy could not help but smile and shake his head as he let out a little laugh when Doctor Hammond asked him that question. 'Yep, that's my little brother. Always being the impatient one.' "Sure doc, I'll talk to Rick."
"Thank you, commander."
Roy then started walking back to Rick's hospital room.
MOVIE SET
After breaking the connection with Roy and as Minmei was eating lunch, something was troubling her. While she was glad that Rick was finally out of his coma because she believed Buddha was looking out for him, she was troubled what she heard from the private detective she hired. The detective did some poking around the hospital and while Roy was allowed into Rick's room in the ICU because he was the closest person Rick has to a relative, she could not understand or know why Lisa was allowed into Rick's room when she was not a relative. Not even girlfriends or fiancées are allowed into ICU rooms. The detective could not get any answers from the ICU staff and he did not even dare to ask too many questions or else the hospital staff would get suspicious.
It was then and there she decided to see Rick come Hell or high water. She has not seen or talked to Rick in over a half a year, and she was bound and determined to see Rick and no Lisa Hayes was going to stop her or get in her way. There were only a few more scenes to shoot, so once filming is wrapped up, she decided that she is going to the hospital and will try to see Rick. She was going to try to sneak away into the limousine without having her security detail and entourage with her. While Minmei likes some of trappings that comes with being a celebrity, she hates having people hover around her because that makes her feel really closed in. Vance said he got the security people because he was receiving threatening and disturbing letters from stalkers and obsessed fans. But Minmei never gave much credence to the threatening letters and obsessed fans.
Once the last scene was shot and the director yelled; "CUT AND PRINT!" and the producer then said; "Okay! That is a wrap people! Good job!" Minmei ran to her limousine so fast that she did not even hear the one of the production people say there is a party to celebrate the end of filming. She even caught her security detail off guard, which she hoped would happen. Without taking off her movie make-up, Minmei ran to her limousine, slammed the door shut and told the limo driver to drive as fast as he can to Macross General Hospital. The driver was caught off guard by Minmei's sudden appearance that all he could do was to nod his head. The limo drove off at a high rate of speed with Vance Hasselwood trying his best to chase the limo down. Minmei's smart phone started to ring. She looked at the number on the display. It was Vance. She then turned off her phone.
"Not now Vance! I have more important things to do!" Minmei said mostly to herself.
Several minutes later, the limousine drove to the front door of Macross General Hospital.
"Please find a place to park and wait for me. I call you on my smart phone to let you know I'm ready to leave."
"Yes Miss Minmei.", the limo driver said as Minmei opened the back door and then closed it.
Immediately Minmei was besieged by fans asking for her autograph. Minmei obliged but told the growing large crowd that she is at the hospital to see someone and she did not have time to sign autographs. The crowd moaned in disappointment, but they let her go into the hospital. Inside the hospital, Minmei hurriedly walked up to the registration desk. The receptionist had her head down doing paperwork.
"Ma'am, excuse me for a moment."
The receptionist looked up with a surprised look on her face. "Miss Minmei! What a surprise! What can I do for you?"
"I need to know what room Lieutenant Rick Hunter is in."
The receptionist looked at her clipboard. "Lieutenant Hunter is still in ICU. I am afraid only immediate family members can see him for now. Once he is moved out of ICU and into a regular room, you can see him."
"Thank you, ma'am.", Minmei said as she turned around as if she was leaving the hospital.
"You're welcome Miss Minmei.", the receptionist said with a smile as she returned to her paperwork.
Minmei then turned her head around to make sure the receptionist was occupied with her work. After making sure she was, Minmei pivoted and walked swiftly to one set of elevators. She then looked at the hospital directory to find out what floor ICU is on. She then pressed the up button. After waiting for a few minutes, the elevator door opened, Minmei walked in the elevator car and pressed a button. The elevator car went up and soon the door opened and Minmei found herself on the ICU floor. After several twists and turns, she found the door to the ICU and walked in. She walked up to a table where a nurse was doing routine paperwork.
"Excuse me ma'am.", Minmei said in a low tone of voice.
The nurse looked up with a surprised look on her face. "Miss Minmei, what can I do for you?"
"Can you tell me what room Lieutenant Rick Hunter is in?"
"I'm sorry Miss Minmei, but visitors are restricted to family members only."
"I know that, but I really need…"
Suddenly, an alarm went off and a robotic voice came over the intercom. "ATTENTION ALL ICU STAFF! WE HAVE A CODE BLUE IN ROOM 2 REPEAT WE HAVE A CODE BLUE IN ROOM 2!"
The nurse jumped up from her table and ran towards room 2. That gave Minmei the chance to find out what room Rick was in. Quickly and quietly, she looked at the name plates on the outside wall until she found Rick's room. She was about to enter when she saw something that stopped her dead in her tracks. She saw Lisa holding Rick's hand and was gently kissing him whispering to him how much she loves him. Minmei backed out of the room before either Rick or Lisa could see her. She leaned against a wall with tears welling up in her eyes when she was startled to hear a male voice.
"HEY! You cannot be in here! Only immediate family members can be in here!"
Inside, Rick and Lisa were startled by the commotion outside in the hallway.
"What's going on in the hallway?", Rick asked.
"I don't know Rick. I am going to find out. Just stay calm. I'll be right back okay.", Lisa said as she leaned down to kiss Rick.
Rick nodded his head.
Just as soon Lisa entered in the hallway, she was startled to find out who was arguing and tussling with the staff member; it was Minmei. Minmei looked over at Lisa, stopped her yelling with the staff member and glared at Lisa. Lisa was not intimidated. She glared back at Minmei with a look on her face that seem to say; 'Don't you even think about getting yourself between me and Rick!'
Minmei seem to be reading Lisa's mind. 'We shall see about that you military Barbie Doll!'
Minmei then jerked herself free of the staff member's hand on her shoulder. "Get your hands off me! I'm leaving!" She said out loud. 'But don't even think for one second you have stopped me from ever seeing Rick.' she glared back at Lisa before she turned around and started walking out the ICU.
'We shall see little girl. We shall see.' Lisa glared back to Minmei.
Outside in the hallway, Lisa was fuming. She was beside herself in anger. 'How the Hell was she able to get inside the ICU?' Lisa said to herself as she walked up to the nurse's station.
"Excuse me nurse, HOW THE HELL was she able to get inside the ICU?", Lisa asked in a low harsh tone of voice.
"I don't know commander, but my guess is that she may have been able to slip past us and get near Lieutenant Hunter's room when we were called on a Code Blue emergency. I'm sorry commander but I didn't know Miss Minmei tried to get into Lieutenant's Hunter's room."
Lisa was still fuming but she let her temper settle down a bit. She knew it was not the nurse's or the ICU staff's fault. "Okay! Now you listen to me very clearly! From now on I do not want her anywhere near Lieutenant Hunter's room much less the ICU door! If I must, I will station an MP to guard the ICU door and outside Lieutenant Hunter's room to make sure she stays out if you can't tighten up your security protocols!"
"We'll make sure to tighten up our security protocols commander. I'm sorry this happened Commander Hayes."
"It's not your fault nurse. She was just able to exploit you at a bad moment."
"Thank you for your understanding commander."
Lisa nodded her head. As she was walking back to Rick's room, she decided to do something to keep Rick safe from Minmei. She went outside of the ICU, reached into her uniform jacket pocket, and pulled out her smart phone. She then started dialing a number.
"Master at Arms Office."
"This is Commander Hayes; I need to speak with Chief Bailey please."
"Hold on for one moment commander."
"This is Chief Bailey Commander Hayes."
"Chief, I need a favor from you."
"Name it ma'am. What is it?"
"I need you to station two MPs. One to guard the outside doors to the ICU at Macross General Hospital and the other to be stationed outside Lieutenant Hunter's room. I want that guard to be kept outside the lieutenant's room once he is moved out of ICU and into a regular hospital room and I only want authorized personnel to be allowed inside the lieutenant's hospital room. I will give you a list of authorized personnel before the end of the duty day. That order will stand 24 hours a day until I say otherwise."
"I'll get on it right away ma'am."
"Thank you chief."
"You're welcome ma'am."
After she broke the connection and inserted the smart phone back into her uniform jacket pocket, Lisa began to think how Minmei was able to get inside the ICU much less how she knew Rick was in the hospital. The only person she could think of is Roy. She was about to pull out her smart phone again to call Roy but then decided to call him later. Right now, Rick is more important to her than finding out how Minmei was able to into the ICU. She opened the door to the ICU and walked back to Rick's room trying to put on a face of nonchalance. When she walked into Rick's room, his face brightened. Lisa's heart just glowed when she saw him smile. 'Oh, how could anyone resist that man?' Lisa said to herself as for the slightest of moments she understood how Minmei, and other women would be attracted to Rick also. But then again, she is bound and determined not to let anyone stand in the way of her and Rick.
"What was all the commotion about Lisa?"
"Oh…it was nothing Rick. The staff just had to deal with someone who wasn't authorized to be in here, that's all."
"I could have sworn I heard Minmei Lisa."
Lisa began to shake her head. "It wasn't Rick. It was just some unauthorized person that's all."
"Oh…okay.", Rick said taking Lisa word for it. He then let out a big yawn.
"Are you tired Rick?"
Rick nodded his head. "I thought after being in a coma for so long, I would be wide awake but for some reason or another I'm still feeling wiped out and tired."
"Then why don't you go ahead and get some sleep. I must leave for work anyway. Captain Gloval is getting on to me for spending more time with you than on the bridge so I will see you when I get off duty. I'll make sure Claudia, Captain Gloval and the girls on the bridge know you're okay now and out of your coma."
"Thank you, Lisa. I love you.", Rick said as his eyes were drooping and as his voice was getting sleepy.
"I love you too Rick. See you in a couple of hours.", Lisa whispered lovingly to Rick as she kissed him on the lips.
Lisa then turned and quietly walked out of Rick's room. She walked up to the nurse's station and told the head nurse that two MPs will be guarding the doors to the ICU and Rick's room.
"I'm sorry I had to do that nurse but I'm only doing it for Lieutenant's Hunter's safety and well-being."
"I understand why you're doing it commander."
"Thank you for understanding ma'am."
The nurse just nodded her head.
As Lisa walked out of the ICU, she was about to pull out her smart phone to call Roy but then thought better of it. She decided it would be best if she talk to Roy face to face rather than on the phone. Talking to him in person probably will help her get to the bottom this current situation she is having with Minmei and how they can both solve it without hurting her. Even though she is not a fan or a friend of Minmei, she does not want to be her enemy either. If she correctly remembered Skull Squadron is on stand-by which means Roy should be in his office.
"I think it's about time Roy and I have a little talk about Miss Minmei.", Lisa said to herself.
INSIDE THE LIMOUSINE
Outside the door to Macross General Hospital, again Minmei was besieged by autograph seekers. This time she was in no mood to sign autographs, but she told the crowd in the nicest tone of voice she can muster that she did not have time to sign autographs. After much moaning, groaning, and complaining from the crowd, they left her alone. Minmei then reached inside her purse to grab her smart phone. Just as soon as she turned on the power to her smart phone, the voice mail message alarm began to go off. She knew all the voice mail messages were from Vance, but she looked anyway; it had 5 voice mail messages in the inbox. Minmei dialed to voice mail number and began to listen to the messages. All the messages were from Vance and she had to listen to all of them. The voice mail message system was set so that a message cannot be deleted halfway. The message must be heard all the way through before the message can be deleted. After hearing Vance's diatribes and deleting them, she called the chauffeur's cell phone number. He answered on the first ring. He said he will be at the front in less than two minutes. When the limo pulled up to the front of the hospital, Minmei opened the back door and got inside. Just as soon as she got settled in her seat, her smart phone began to ring. She dared to peek at the display. Sure enough, it was Vance. She answered on the second ring.
"Yes Vance."
"WHERE IN THE HELL ARE YOU MINMEI?"
"I'm in the limousine Vance. I'm okay."
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT MINMEI! WHERE IN THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"
"I went to Macross General Hospital Vance. I was told that my friend Lieutenant Hunter is out of his coma and I wanted to visit him."
"Well, I wish you would have told me first Minmei!"
"Vance! I did not want to be surrounded by armed men in black suits, wearing dark sunglasses with earpieces in their ears and talking into their wrists like they have microphones in their cufflinks! For once I would like to do something by myself without having a bunch of armed bodyguards surrounding me! Besides, you know that the hospital wouldn't have allowed them inside with their guns and automatic weapons!"
"Minmei, be that as it may, you still should have told me where you were going! Now, you may not be worrying about obsessed fans and stalkers, but I must! You will not believe some of the 'fan' mail and e-mails we get about you even if I show them to you!"
"I'm sorry Vance, you're right. I should have told you where I was going first."
Vance was beginning to calm down.
'Were you able to see your friend?"
"No, I wasn't Vance. I was stopped before I had a chance to visit him much less enter his room."
"Is Lieutenant Hunter in the ICU?"
"Yes.", Minmei answered sheepishly.
"Minmei, you of all people should know that only immediate family members are allowed in the ICU."
"Vance! I have not seen Rick in over 6 months! In between me shooting this movie, looking at other movie scripts, you are wanting me to cut another album, I did not know how Rick was doing besides from the phone calls I get from Commander Fokker! There were times where I did not know how Rick was doing or even if he was still alive. I wasn't even able to send him flowers because of some stupid hospital rule!"
Vance then let out a sigh. "I'm sorry about that Minmei. Well…look…there is a wrap-up party on the set, and everyone is waiting for you to show up since you are the star. How long will it be until you get here?"
"I would say we should be there in less than 10 minutes Vance."
"Okay Minmei, see you then. Bye."
"Bye Vance. See you in a few minutes."
COMMANDER FOKKER'S OFFICE
Lisa walked up to Roy's closed office door and knocked.
"Come on in. The door is open."
"Oh, hi Lisa. How's Rick doing?"
"He's doing fine. He was feeling sleepy, so I left so he can sleep in peace."
"What are you here for Lisa?"
Lisa sighed as she sat down in a chair. "Roy…I don't know how to say this any easily to you, so I'll just come out and say it. A couple of hours after you left Rick's hospital room…Minmei tried to get into the ICU and Rick's room."
"WHAT?", Roy said he suddenly stood up halfway out of his chair.
"Minmei tried to get into the ICU and into Rick's room." Lisa quietly repeated.
Roy groaned and flopped himself in his chair and reared his head back. "Oh no! I can't believe she tried to do that!"
"Roy, why did you tell Miss Minmei Rick is the hospital and is in ICU?"
Roy let out a big sigh. "It's because she and Rick are friends. They went through a lot together when they were trapped in that cargo hold. And because she asked me as a friend. She and I are friends too. But I did tell her constantly that only immediate family members are allowed in the ICU, and I thought she understood that. I am sorry Lisa. I didn't know she was going to do that."
"No…that's okay Roy, you don't have to apologize. It is not your fault. Roy…but I think in the future for Rick's own safety and sanity…I don't think you should tell Minmei about Rick or his physical condition anymore."
"Why Lisa?"
"It's because I think she's obsessed with Rick. From what Rick has told me about her, she's becoming obsessed with him and I'm afraid that one day she will go overboard and do something horrible to Rick and I don't want to see that happen!"
"Oh no! Not you too Lisa!", Roy said in an exasperated tone of voice.
"Roy! Listen to me! I think Rick's right about her! At first, I also thought it was just some teenaged girlhood crush but after what I saw with my own two eyes in the hospital today, I'm beginning to believe him!"
"Lisa! I think Rick's paranoia is beginning to rub off on you! Look Lisa, I have known Minmei about as long as Rick has and in the time that I have known Minmei, she is a sweet girl. She is maybe a little bit on the kooky side, but all in all, she is a nice, sweet, innocent teenaged girl. That's it and nothing more."
Lisa knew it was futile to try to convince Roy, so she tried a different tact. "Listen to me Roy. What I am about to tell you…I have not told anyone else, not even Claudia knows about this. After you left…Rick told me that when his heart stopped when he was first brought into the ER…he said he had a near death experience. He said that while the doctors were working on saving his life…he went through a tunnel of light and next thing he knew he was in the middle of a country meadow. His girlfriend Cathy met him and told him that it was not his fault that she died in that airplane accident. She also told him to go past her death and to start living again."
She cleared her throat trying not to start crying living over that now happy memory. "He…he then told me…that he has now gotten over the death of his girlfriend…and that his heart is now mine and only mine. He is my boyfriend now totally and completely. I am hoping that one day he will ask me to marry him because…I cannot think of any other man I want to be married to. But I don't want to marry him if he and I will constantly have to be worried about some teenage girl being obsessed with him and maybe one day do harm to him if he continually turns her down."
Roy smiled and grabbed Lisa's hands and enclosed it in his. "That's wonderful news Lisa. I am so happy for you. But I still think you are being a bit paranoid about Minmei. It is probably because you never met her except for that one time in the hallway of ICU today. Maybe if you could"
Before Roy had the chance to finish his sentence, his office phone rang. "Skull Squadron. Commander Fokker speaking. May I help you?"
"Hi Roy, this is Minmei."
"Oh…uh…hello Minmei. How're you doing this evening?"
"I'm doing…fine Roy. Are you busy right now?"
Roy dared to glance over to Lisa. She was not showing any expression on her face. "Uh…I have someone with me here in my office right now but no…I'm not busy. Why did you call?"
"Well…I know that you promised to call me about Rick, but I couldn't wait so that is why I've called you. How's Rick doing?"
Roy knitted his eyes as he had a questioning look on his face. 'Why on Earth would she ask me that question?' "Uh…well like I told you earlier today Rick's doing okay. He is out of his coma. Uh…far as I know he is not suffering any ill effects from his coma. Uh…Minmei…this is kind of an awkward question for me to ask you…but why are you calling me asking me how Rick's doing when you tried to get into the ICU earlier today?"
There was dead silence on the other end of the line.
"Minmei…are you still there?"
"Uh…yeah…I'm still here Roy. How…how did you know…I tried to see Rick earlier today?"
Roy could not help but sigh. "Alright Minmei, I'll be straight up with you. Commander Hayes is in my office and she told me that you tried to get into the ICU, but you were stopped by the ICU staff. Minmei…why did you tried to get into the ICU when I specifically told you that only immediate family members are allowed in the ICU?"
Minmei hesitated for a long moment. "Before I answer your question Roy…will you answer a question of my own?"
"Sure…go ahead Minmei. Fire away."
"Why is Commander Hayes allowed to see Rick when she's not an immediate family member herself?"
Roy was afraid that Minmei would ask that exact question one day, but he was prepared for it. He then let out a big sigh. "Alright Minmei, I'll give you the straight answer. It's because she asked me."
"But Roy I've known Rick longer than Commander Hayes has!"
"You're right Minmei…but also Rick and Commander Hayes have a lot more in common than you and Rick. They have gone through a lot of similar tragic circumstances in their younger lives and in these past few years, they have grown really close to each other. When Rick was injured in his veritech accident, fell into his coma and was placed in the ICU, Lisa asked me if she can be allowed to see Rick even though she is not family. I am the closest person Rick has to a family member here on the ship and I cannot be with him all the time. She thought it would be a good idea if she could be in the ICU so Rick can have someone be by his side just in case he came out of his coma and I am not there, so I agreed. If you would have asked me if you can see Rick, I would have said yes but you never asked."
"But Roy you kept saying that only immediate family members are allowed in the ICU!"
"Yes, I did. But you could have asked me if an exception can be made for you and you never asked."
"You're right Roy.", Minmei said quietly.
"Look Minmei, I'm sorry things didn't worked out for you in the ICU today and you weren't able to see Rick but maybe if you and Commander Hayes can get together one of these days for…I don't know…coffee or tea and talk to each other…maybe you will understand each other better."
Lisa looked at Roy with a wide eyed "Are you crazy?" look on her face.
"Uh…no…I think I'll take a pass on that Roy…but thanks for the suggestion. Can I call you at any time or you call me and keep me updated on how Rick's doing? I am going to be quite busy for the next several weeks, so I really need you to keep me updated on how Rick's doing. You do have my cell phone number, right?"
"Uh…yes I do Minmei."
"Uh…great…uh…okay…talk to you later then Roy?"
"Uh…yeah sure Minmei, call me anytime. I'll let you know how Rick's doing."
"Thanks Roy. Well…goodbye Roy."
"Goodbye Minmei. Talk to you later."
After Roy hung up, Lisa let him have it with both barrels.
"ROY! HAVE YOU HAVE LOST YOUR FRIGGING MIND? WHAT'S THE BRILLIANT IDEA OF YOU TRYING TO GET ME AND MINMEI TOGETHER FOR?"
"Calm down Lisa. In case you have not heard from the conversation I had with Minmei, she also shot down my suggestion."
"I'm sorry Roy but…she just worries me."
"Don't worry about it, Lisa. I just hope that one day you and Minmei will get together and try to talk things out between the two of you about Rick without trying to wring each other's necks off."
"Well…I don't think that will happen anytime soon Roy. Besides…I called the Master at Arms after my run-in with Minmei, and I ordered him to station a MP outside the ICU door and another MP outside Rick's room, and I am putting Minmei's name on a restricted list. She's barred from seeing Rick."
"YOU DID WHAT?"
"Roy! I had to do it!"
"Lisa! You have overstepped your authority! You cannot bar someone from seeing someone just because you have bad feelings about her! Now I'm beginning to wonder if you have lost YOUR mind!"
"Roy! I had to do it for Rick's own safety and sanity!"
"You mean for YOUR own sanity Lisa!"
"Okay touché! You got me there Roy! But Roy… you must understand and appreciate the position I am in! I am telling you what Rick says it's true, that girl is obsessed with Rick!"
"And how do you know that Lisa? You only 'met' her once! And that's only because she wanted to see Rick! She hasn't seen him in over 6 months!"
"Roy! You should have seen the glare she gave me when I walked out of Rick's room to see what all the commotion was about."
Roy then slapped his head on his forehead. "Oh boy! Here we go again! For God's sake, just for once can we get away from the looks and stares and glances and glares?"
"Roy! I am telling you the truth! I am not making this up!"
Roy knew it was not worth it trying to talk sense to Lisa, so he just decided to let it go. "Okay! Fine! Whatever Lisa! Go ahead and do what you want to do! Just don't come running to me when your problem with Minmei gets out of control because of what you're going to do!"
"Roy, don't worry about that! It is my problem now and I am going to handle it. I am not going to get you involved in it in anyway."
Roy now began to feel a headache coming on. He started to rub his temple and forehead. "Lisa! In case you have forgotten I am already involved in this because Rick's my brother and Minmei's my friend!" Roy then drew out a sigh of frustration. "I just hope you're not making a big mistake by doing this Lisa."
"Well…I made my bed, and I will have to sleep in it, Roy."
"Alright Lisa, just don't say I didn't warn you okay. See you in a couple of hours when we see Rick?"
Lisa nodded her head.
"Alright Lisa, see you then."
"See you in a couple of hours Roy."
SIX WEEKS LATER
A hospital worker from the Orthopedic Department came by Rick's private hospital room to cut off Rick's leg casts. It had taken the hospital worker several minutes to cut off the leg casts. When the casts were finally cut from Rick's legs, Rick smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
"Felling much better Rick?", Lisa asked with a smile on her face.
"My legs feel a hundred pounds lighter Lisa.", Rick said.
Lisa chuckled at Rick's comment. After the worker left Rick's room, a noticeably young and pretty girl walked into Rick's room pushing a wheelchair. She had a wide warm smile on her face that she pointed Rick's way. Lisa could feel a little pang of jealousy began to creep into her.
"Hi, are you Lieutenant Rick Hunter?"
"Yes I am. And who are you?"
"I'm Jenny Andersen. I'm your physical therapist."
"Well, hello Miss Andersen." Rick said with a warm smile on his face.
Lisa noticed Rick smiling at the physical therapist and her jealousy began to burn.
"Oh, please Lieutenant Hunter, call me Jenny."
"Okay…well…hello Jenny." Rick said with a nice smile.
"Okay...well…hello Jenny." Lisa sarcastically said under her breath.
The therapist did not hear Lisa's sarcastic remark, but Rick did. He looked over at Lisa and gave her an icy cold stare with his blue eyes. Immediately Lisa clammed up swallowing a lump that was in her throat and did not say anything further. The therapist then pushed the wheelchair over to Rick's bed, helped Rick from his bed into the wheelchair and began to push him to the physical therapy room to begin his rehabilitation. Lisa rushed up to be next to Rick and then grabbed his hand. Rick was surprised by the move but did not say anything to Lisa.
In the physical therapy room, Jenny warmed up Rick by laying him down on a table and stretching and bending his legs at the knees. After getting his legs sufficiently warmed up, Jenny helped Rick to the parallel bars. Jenny instructed Rick to slowly take a step then another step with one hand laying gently in the middle of Rick's back.
"Now your legs are going to be a little bit stiff but that is only natural since your legs have been in a cast for a long time. Just take it nice and easy and slow Lieutenant Hunter."
"Call me Rick, Jenny.", Rick looked at Jenny with a smile on his face.
"Why thank you Rick."
Lisa could feel her temper and jealousy rise a bit more, but she managed to keep it hidden. But Rick can sense Lisa's jealousy meter rising. 'Looks like I'm going to have to have a little talk with Lisa about her jealousy after this is over.' Rick said to himself.
Rick spent the next 45 minutes in physical therapy. After his session was over, Jenny wheeled Rick back to his hospital room with Lisa walking beside him holding his hand. After helping Rick into his bed Jenny left his room with the wheelchair. Lisa bent down to give him a good-bye kiss.
"I'll see you later this evening Rick. Captain Gloval is expecting me back on the bridge."
"Hold on Lisa! Wait just a minute. We need to talk.", Rick said grabbing Lisa's arm.
"Talk about what Rick?", Lisa feigning innocence but knowing what Rick want to talk to her about.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about Lisa. You're jealous of Jenny.", Rick said to her with a stern look on his face. Lisa's face began to blush a deep red.
Rick's face then began to soften. "Look Lisa, you have nothing to worry about. Sure, Jenny is young and pretty but it's you I love and no one else."
"I know Rick…it's just that I can't help but worry about every young girl that comes along."
"Was it Minmei who tried to get in that time when I was still in ICU a month and a half ago?"
Lisa hesitated for a long time. "Yes, it was.", Lisa said sheepishly.
"And that is why I have an MP outside my door."
Lisa sheepishly nodded her head. "I also have her on a restricted list that prevents her from getting near you."
"YOU DID WHAT?"
"I'm sorry Rick but it was the only way I knew how to keep her away from you!"
"Lisa! That is only going to make things worse! Listen to me Lisa. When I was assigned to fly her to her home in Japan, she and I had a long talk as we were flying. We came to an understanding with each other. We came to an agreement that we would keep in touch with each other, but she was not going to call me almost every day asking me to do something with her. She and I became friends long before you and I ever met, and I don't want to lose that friendship."
Lisa could do nothing but let out a big sigh.
"Promise me you would take Minmei's name off the restricted list and remove the MP please."
Lisa's woman intuition does not trust the young Chinese girl and it told her not to do it, but she didn't want to do anything that would upset her boyfriend and the one she loves. She could pull rank on Rick and say she was not going to do what he asks but she did not have the heart to do it. Lisa could do nothing but sigh. "Okay fine, whatever you say. I'll call the MA the first thing when I get on the bridge and I will have her name removed from the restricted list, I promise.", she said in a resigned tone of voice.
Rick smiled gently at her. "Thank you, Lisa."
"But I don't want to see her much less be in the same room with her whenever I come to visit you!", Lisa warned in a stern tone of voice at the same time pointing her index finger at Rick.
"That's fair enough with me. I'm sure Minmei will agree to it."
"I really have to go now Rick. I'm really running late, and Captain Gloval is probably wondering why I'm not on the bridge yet.", Lisa said as she bent down to kiss Rick.
"Okay Lisa, I'll see you later this evening."
"Okay Rick. I love you."
"I love you too Lisa. See you later this evening."
After Lisa left his hospital room, Rick decided to call Minmei to try to smooth things over with her. 'I know Minmei must be mad.' Rick said to himself as she called Minmei's cell phone number.
"Hi Minmei, this is Rick. 'Oh yes, she is mad.' I know…I know. Yes, I know that…because she told me. Minmei…Minmei…Minmei calm down okay…calm down. I know you are upset and angry and I do not blame you, but I need for you to calm down because I have some news to tell you. Well…Lisa told me what happened when you tried to see me when I was still in the ICU and what she did afterward."
ONE MONTH LATER
Doctor Hammond and Rick's physical therapist Jenny said that Rick is progressing along as expected and he should be able to walk by himself within a couple of days, which is good news to Rick because that means Roy will put him back on the active flying status list and he will be back in command of Vermillion Squadron.
From what Max and Ben told him on the times they visited him in the hospital, Rick's temporary replacement Lieutenant Appling is a capable replacement, but he is not as capable of a leader as Rick is and everyone in the squadron is missing Rick and relieved when Roy stepped in to help Lieutenant Appling and Vermillion Squadron.
Rick's physical therapist Jenny started out Rick's physical therapy sessions every day. But because Rick is showing good progress in his sessions, Jenny decided to cut back Rick's sessions to every other day. Today is Rick's therapy session. Jenny likes what she is seeing from Rick and decided that this week should be the last week for physical therapy for Rick.
BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1
Lisa is on the bridge doing her job because Captain Gloval was getting antsy and frustrated with Lisa spending almost every day at the hospital to be at Rick's side. She remembered Captain Gloval pulling her to the side one day when she told him that she was going to the hospital to be with Rick.
"Lisa, I understand you wanting to be with Lieutenant Hunter, but I would like for my executive officer to be on duty on the bridge once in a while."
Lisa began to blush a deep shade of red. "I understand sir. Lieutenant Hunter is getting better, and his physical therapy is progressing along fine. I'll do what you command sir."
Captain Gloval just nodded his head. "Very good commander, you can go to the hospital. You're dismissed."
It was just another slow watch day on the bridge. Kim was at her station yawning when suddenly, her radar screen started lighting up and beeping like crazy.
"Captain Gloval I have unknown numerous bogies closing in on us at a high rate of speed at our 2 o'clock! They are about 650 kilometers away from our position! At their current rate of speed, they will be upon us in less than 6 minutes sir!"
"Who do we have on the catapults for immediate launch?"
"We have Vermillion, Mustang, Maverick and Tomcat Squadrons sir."
"Alert them for immediate launch!"
"Yes sir!", Lisa answered as she pressed a button on her console station.
"ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! VERMILLION, MUSTANG, MAVERICK AND TOMCAT SQUADRONS REPORT TO THE FLIGHT DECK FOR IMMEDIATE LAUNCH! WE HAVE UNKNOWN NUMEROUS BOGIES CLOSING IN ON US AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED!"
Roy who was in temporary charge of Vermillion Squadron again immediately jumped to his feet.
"ALRIGHT YOU GUYS YOU HEARD HER! LET'S MOVE IT! GET ON YOUR FEET! DOUBLE TIME!"
After getting into his flight suit and getting his flight helmet, Roy ran to his veritech. His crew chief helped Roy get strapped in. Roy then contacted the bridge.
"Bridge this is Skull Leader request clearance and instructions for immediate take-off. Over!"
"Skull leader you are cleared for immediate take-off from cat 1 once you receive clearance from the cat officer. Over!"
"Acknowledged bridge Skull Leader out!"
Roy looked over to where the catapult officer was standing and gave the thumbs up sign telling the catapult officer, he's ready. The catapult officer raised his index finger and started to spin it. Roy turned on the first engine to his veritech and it immediately went into after burner. The cat officer then raised his middle finger and started to spin it. Roy then turned on the second engine. The catapult officer then saluted to let Roy know he is ready for take-off. Roy returned the salute, gave the thumbs-up sign and braced for the cat shot. The catapult officer then knelt to one knee, extended his arm and pointed his finger towards the bow of the ship. The magnetic catapult then flung Roy's veritech down the flight deck at over 160 knots an hour. Roy grabbed the stick just as his veritech cleared the deck and dipped. Roy pointed the nose of his veritech up 10 degrees.
"Bridge, Skull Leader and Vermillion Flight are now airborne! Over!"
"Skull Leader and Vermillion Flight go to sector Alpha-Whiskey-Zebra one-zero-niner! Unknown numerous bogies are at angels 30 and are closing in fast! Enemy contact will be in less than 2 minutes. Over!"
"Roger bridge Skull Leader out!"
Roy then saw the tell-tale signs of flying missiles and bullets, exploding veritechs and battle pods telling him he's about to be in another fight for his life.
"Tally ho! Vermillion Flight we have enemy contact! Break off formation and engage!"
Max, Ben, and the rest of Vermillion Flight broke off and started engaging their targets.
On the bridge, Lisa noticed something very unusual. One battle pod was trying to engage Max.
"Captain, I'm seeing something very strange here. I see a lone battle pod trying to engage Lieutenant Sterling."
"Hmm, contact Commander Fokker and have him order Lieutenant Sterling to break off engagement and return to the ship. Let us find out if that battle pod is just looking for targets of opportunity or if it's really after Lieutenant Sterling."
"Yes sir."
Max was busy engaging a battle pod and just finished destroying it with a Sidewinder missile when Commander Fokker came over the video radio with an unbelievable order.
"Bucky, you've been ordered back to the ship."
"I'm being ordered back to the ship sir?", Max asked Roy incredulously.
"Yes, you are. You see that battle pod that is chasing you? It is chasing you for some odd reason. We need to know if that battle pod is just looking for targets of opportunity or if it's really after you!"
"Yes, sir. Bucky is returning back to base!"
Max turned his veritech around to go back to the SDF-1. As he was making his approach to the ship, the lone battle pod was chasing after him.
On the bridge, Lisa was looking at her scope. "Captain, the lone battle pod is still chasing after Lieutenant Sterling."
"Hmm, it seems that the pilot has some sort of vendetta against Lieutenant Sterling for some unknown reason."
"Lieutenant Sterling and the battle pod are approaching the ship at a high rate of speed sir!"
"Block off all entrances to the interior of the ship and Macross City!"
"It's too late sir! Lieutenant Sterling and the enemy battle pod are already in the interior of the ship! They're almost at the outer boundary of Macross City sir!"
"Very well then close all doors connecting the ship to Macross City! We're going to try to contain the fighting to the city!"
"Yes sir."
In the interior of the ship and on the streets of Macross, Max was engaged in a running gun battle with a battle pod that was chasing him ever since the beginning of the air battle. Max long switched his veritech into battloid mode kept one step ahead of the battle pod which infuriated and frustrated the pilot in the battle pod. The gun battle progressed to the area of the hospital. In the hospital Rick was in the physical therapy room with Jenny. Rick was walking on a treadmill with Jenny standing next to him and they were talking when they both heard the commotion outside.
"What the heck is going on outside Rick?", Jenny asked as they were walking to the window of the hospital.
"I don't know Jenny."
Rick's eyes went wide with surprise when he saw Max's veritech engaging in a running gun battle with an enemy battle pod.
"HOLY COW IT'S MAX!"
Suddenly, the battle pod started firing its guns in the vicinity of the hospital. Jenny started screaming and was trying to cover her eyes with her arms as bullets, shards of broken glass, metal and debris started flying. Rick with his lightning-quick reflexes grabbed Jenny by the waist and tackled her to the floor covering her with his body to protect her.
"GET DOWN JENNY OR YOU'LL GET HIT!", Rick yelled as he tackled Jenny to the floor.
Max seeing the enemy battle pod firing its guns at the hospital and knowing there are innocent people and his friend and commanding officer somewhere inside the hospital, most likely in the vicinity of where the bullets were flying got enraged. Max was angrier more at himself for allowing himself and the battle pod to get too close to the hospital. Max then let out any angry growl and started firing his gun at the pod. Bullets started to hit and tear off one of the battle pod's "ostrich" legs and gun arms.
BRIDGE OF THE SDF-1
"Claudia the enemy battle pod is above one of the roof hatches! Open the roof hatch and tell Lieutenant Sterling to try to drive the battle pod out through the roof!"
"Yes sir!"
Claudia pressed a button. A roof hatch opened and the enemy battle pod seeing a way out fired its one remaining good leg thrusters and went up and out through the roof. Max began to chase the battle pod when Lisa appeared on his video radio screen.
"Bucky, break off pursuit and start engaging the remaining battle pods! You defeated him."
'Not quite ma'am. I have a feeling we'll meet again.', Max said mostly to himself. "Acknowledged bridge!"
CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN
High above the skies of the Pacific Ocean, Roy was engaged in a fierce battle of his own.
"ALRIGHT! LET GET ON WITH THIS! LET'S FINISH THIS!" Roy howled.
Suddenly enemy bullets hit the port side of his veritech. Hot lead punched through the thin skin of the jet and through his legs. Roy howled in pain. Ben who was nearby quickly destroyed the pod that attacked Roy with a Sidewinder missile.
"Sir! Are you okay?", Ben asked with concern in his voice.
"No, I'm not lieutenant I'm hit but I'm still able to fly!"
"Sir, the enemy has broken off engagement!"
"Roger all veritechs do not pursue! Return to base repeat all veritechs return to base!" Roy then switched the frequency to his radio. "Flight operations this is Skull Leader. I'm hit request priority landing instructions. Over!"
"Roger Skull Leader this is flight ops! You are number one for landing and are less than 5 kilometers away! Call the ball!" Roy could hear the Landing Signal Officer through his radio.
"Roger Skull Leader has the ball!"
"Skull Leader your landing approach is too low! Pitch your nose up 10 degrees!"
Roy weakened by blood loss pulled back the stick to his VT with all his remaining strength.
"Skull Leader your glide approach path is now good! You're in the groove!"
"Flight ops, I don't know if I will be able to make a hook landing! Set up the net for a crash landing!"
"Roger Skull Leader crash nets are now up! You glide path approach is now a little low. Pitch your nose up a little!"
Just then a warning siren went off on the flight deck. "ALL FLIGHT DECK PERSONNEL! CLEAR THE FLIGHT DECK! WE HAVE A VT COMING IN FOR A CRASH-LANDING! REPEAT WE HAVE A VT COMING IN ON A CRASH LANDING!"
Roy with all his remaining strength tried to keep his veritech in line with the landing guidance lights. He then toggled the switches for the hook and landing gear.
"Okay Skull Leader we did everything we can! The rest is up to you!"
"Roger flight ops wish me luck."
"Good luck Skull Leader we'll see you on the flight deck flight ops out."
Roy was doing his best to keep his VT within the glide path, but the fast-approaching weakness was making all but impossible for him to keep it within a safe margin. Time seemed to slow down but he could see the flight deck fast approaching. He hit the flight deck with sparks coming out of the tail hook when it hit the steel of the flight deck. He missed all the arresting wires, and his VT began to get entangled with nets of the crash nets. As he hit the third crash net, his VT finally stopped. It was then when Roy blacked out.
"WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE FLIGHT DECK! ALL CRASH CREW PERSONNEL START FOAMING DOWN THE VT AND FLIGHT DECK! MEDICAL PERSONNEL STAND BY WITH THE CRASH CREW AND PREPARE TO TAKE SKULL LEADER TO THE HOSPITAL!"
Immediately the crash crew truck started foaming down Roy's VT and the flight deck. Another crash crew started to get a now unconscious Roy out of the cockpit of the VT. They then got Roy out of the cockpit and laid him on a stretcher. The second crash crew truck then sped away from the flight deck and to the hospital.
Inside the hangar bay one of Roy's service crew whistled in amazement at how much damage the veritech has sustained.
"Wow! He really got clobbered this time! It's a wonder he was able to land this thing at all!"
He then looked in the cockpit and saw it covered with blood. "What the?"
SHIP'S HOSPITAL
Roy was immediately taken to the ship's hospital because it would have taken too much time to get Roy to Macross General. Claudia along with Lisa met the crash truck at the entrance to the hospital. Claudia asked the medics and ER nurse if they can stop for a moment so she can kiss and talk to Roy. The medics and nurse nodded their heads yes. With tears flowing freely down her ebony cheeks, Claudia gently touched Roy on the lips.
"I love you so much Roy. Please don't die!"
Claudia kissed Roy on the lips one more time before allowing the nurse and medics to wheel Roy into the ER.
Lisa put her arms around Claudia. "Claudia, when Rick was injured, you told me to be strong for Rick. He pulled through. You need to be strong for Roy. Roy will make it. If Rick made it, I know Roy will to. We need to have faith and keep the faith. You understand what I'm saying to you?"
Claudia nodded her head.
Inside one of the rooms of the ER, a team was working feverishly to save Roy's life. A doctor began to bark out orders.
"Alright, someone check his dog tags for his blood type! Looks like he got hit in the femoral artery! I need a clamp and a hemostat right away! Time's not on our side! Move it people! We don't have time to go to the OR looks like we will have to do it here!"
THE NEXT DAY
Minmei called the hospital first to see if it was alright for her to see Rick. Rick answered yes because he was not expecting Lisa to visit him anytime during the day, but she will come by for her usual after duty visit. Rick was feeling good. He is finished with physical therapy and he is expected to be discharged from the hospital within a few days. Roy already said that once he is discharged, he will automatically be put back on the active flying status list. Plus, he was put in for an award from the RDF for saving Jenny's life during Max's fight with the battle pod. The hospital already gave Rick a certificate of appreciation for saving Jenny's life. Rick accepted the certificate but as usual, he did not care for it. All a certificate will do is to make a hole in the wall and collect dust.
Minmei and Rick was talking and joking around when Lisa walked in unexpectedly with a solemn look on her face.
Rick looked over at Lisa with a surprised look on his face. "Lisa! I was not expecting you until later this evening. What's wrong?"
The room was suddenly filled with an awkward uneasy silence.
"Well…I guess I'll better be going. See you again soon Rick?", Minmei said after a long silence.
"Uh yeah…come by anytime Minmei. I'll still be in the hospital for a few more days."
"Okay Rick.", Minmei said as she left without even looking at Lisa.
Lisa grabbed a chair and sat down next to Rick and then grabbed his hand, which caught Rick off guard.
"Lisa…what's wrong?"
"Rick…yesterday Roy was leading your squadron in an aerial battle with the enemy."
"Okay…go on."
Lisa swallowed the lump that was in her throat. "He was engaged in a dog fight with an enemy battle pod when he was shot at by another enemy battle pod."
Rick then gasped fearing the worse. "Is he okay? He's not dead, is he?"
"Let me finish Rick. Lieutenant Dixon who was Roy's wingman managed to shoot down the pod. Roy made it back to the ship but just barely. He was taken…to the ship's hospital where the ER team worked on saving his life."
"Lisa please…just let me have an honest answer! Is Roy dead?"
"He did suffer a lot of blood loss because he was hit in the femoral artery. The doctors managed to stop the bleeding but…he did…bottomed out once because the blood loss was too great for the heart to continue pumping sufficiently…but the doctors did manage to bring him back and was able to replace the blood he has loss. But because his brain was without oxygen for a long time, he is in…a very deep…coma. He's not brain-dead but the doctors don't know how long he will be in a coma…and if he does come out of it…the doctors don't know if he will…ever be the same person again."
Rick started to cry bitterly. Lisa held on to his hand more tightly. "Rick…you need to stay strong for Roy okay. He is not dead but…we do not know for sure if he will make it through…this long ordeal. The doctors and a neurologist say that the next several days will determine…if he will recover…or if he will remain…in a vegetative state…for the rest…of his life."
Rick then broke down and began to weep very bitterly.
"Captain Gloval relieved Roy of command of Skull Squadron but…he promoted Roy and made him the permanent CAG in the hopes that…if…he does come out of his coma…he will still be able to be in command. So, we need to keep the faith and hope that Roy will make it…and will make it out without any serious…affects to his brain."
All Rick could do was to nod his head.
"That's not all the news I have for you. There is one more thing I have to tell you."
"What is it Lisa?"
"Because Roy has been relieved of command of Skull Squadron…there is any empty space at the top…so that is why Captain Gloval has promoted you and made you the leader of Skull Squadron."
"WHAT?"
"That's right Rick. You're now the commanding officer of Skull Squadron."
AUTHOR'S ENDING NOTES:
MILITARY ACRONYMS
CAP – Civil Air Patrol. Civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The primary mission of the CAP is search-and-rescue of down and missing airplanes and pilots within the United States. Other CAP missions are homeland security, drug interdiction, youth, and aerospace training programs.