Kern Base, Los Angeles,UEG
Lisa Hayes slowly stepped out of Ron Seymour's official car, a type of dark green limo. The morning sun was scorching and shattered in the blinding white of the walls around the Base. Flags with the insignia of the Defense Forces and the United Earth Government were snapping sharply at every breath of wind. The sky was deep and blue, the ocean breeze made the air sparklin and salty. Lisa wore a light blue dress with an over the knee skirt. Maybe a bit childish, but it fit her perfectly.
She was wearing light makeup and her hair was up. Serena Seymour wore the same kind of clothes, as official ceremonies required, and both girls wore dark sunglasses.
Seymour's driver took a large black umbrella from the hood and gently placed it on the orbit of the two girls, making them giggle.
-It's all so old-fashioned! -Lisa hummed.
Serena smiled widely - There will definitely be UEG StateTV, I do hope we get a seat in the front row!
The two girls, followed by the driver who could hardly hold an umbrella over their heads, walked through the entrance showing their IDs and receiving a guest badge.
The corporal at the front desk hesitated more than he should on Lisa's ID, rereading her name and looking at her several times.
- There- he said, returning the paper - Miss... Hayes.
Lisa hadn't taken off her sunglasses and for a moment she stopped breathing. She hadn't told Serena that she "forgot" to inform the Admiral about their visit at Kern Base. She cursed herself for her naiveness: she could never have gone unnoticed among the thousand crossfire of her father's information network. She sighed and hoped he wouldn't get too angry.
The two girls entered along an open airy hallway surrounded by pictures and notice boards on the walls that illustrated through pictures, two centuries of Air Force and Aerospace history. Lisa looked at the glass mirroring herself, until the corporal escorting them stopped in front of an elevator. At the same time the doors opened wide and two more soldiers reached the access from around the corner. They were wearing high RDF uniforms. The older, frowning one, kept talking to the younger.
-You might as well have been running the whole squadron -he said huffing
-Are you kidding? -The younger one answered- you'll see a little show later, if you can keep up with me!
He smiled slowly, then slipped his gaze over the two girls.
-Good morning.
Lisa and Serena smiled at the two officers while admiring their uniforms and ranks. Lisa thought the younger one should be a Second Lieutenant, while the older was perhaps a Major. The elevator lifted upwards, showing through the glass walls the massive rank of the base with the huge hangars holding the planes. On their left was the rough sea shining, releasing foam. The sun bounced off the clothes and made the little rings on the girls'ears sparkle. Lisa raised her admiring gaze, her eyes lost behind the vastness of the elevator released a warning to signal they 'd reached their destination.
-What d you think?- the soldier pointed at the hall with a chin move - maybe they're military girlfriends? Noo.. too fancy, they must be daughters of some corrupt minister from the UEG.
His comrade looked at him subtly
- And they even seem too young... for you Archer.
- Naa not for me... maybe for you! He answered, smiling mockingly and making the heels of his boots creak in the lobby.
The corporal led the two girls to the great hall, an enormous platform that opened onto a huge terrace lighted by the sun.
Serena approached Lisa -Did you see those two officers?
Lisa blushed remembering the look on the man's eyes.
-They're gonna be fighter pilots? What d you think? Did you see the one with the long black hair? Handsome!... Serena was as radiant as ever.
-Look! How many seats are here? We'd have an assigned seat with our name on it? Corporal, where are you?...
Lisa nodded quietly and followed her friend through the rows of immaculate white seats.
Alaska Base High Command, Alaska, UEG
-What? My daughter's at Kern's base? The voice of Admiral Donald Hayes who had gone growling soon faded, he was trying to control himself
What do you mean you thought I would have known!
With one finger he kept grabbing the pen cap he was holding in his hands. He tried to breathe and relax.
-I understood! -I said... I understood Miro. That's all!
He hung up the communication and as his usual he began to walk around the room, hands behind his back. He would have calmed down first. There was no reason to forbid Lisa to hang out with her friend. Besides, this was an exclusive friendship. He could not ignore the leading role that Congressman Seymour had played during the Sacramento uprising: moreover, the conference that day was a great publicity for the RDF military front, especially for the great attendance of the press. Perhaps Lisa's appearance would have even brought unexpected consequences. That's what the Admiral thought, but inside him two forces were fighting, and Donald Hayes couldn't help but confess that he would gladly tear her away from here, and bring her home, safe: the urge to protect Lisa, his Lisa, from any danger was stronger... it was an irrational feeling. He was often ashamed of his need of keeping her away from everything and everyone. He picked up the electronic photo frame where his daughter and wife appeared, holding each other on a radiant spring morning among the flowers in Australia, three years earlier. Donald Hayes smiled with bitterness.
-Sarah...
Kern Base, Los Angeles UEG
The conference room was overcrowded with military officers, California Government staff, among them several famous post-unification political faces. Television rights were given to the Government Network, although there were many independent web and newspaper reporters. The journalists were located on both sides of the room, while the civilian audience sat in the center line of the three rows that parted the space. On either side of the seats stood the officers according to order and rank. On the stage in front of them was Deputy Seymour with his spin doctor and two other members of his staff on the left. On the podium the officers who were in command the day before: Major Sullivan and the whole team of Lieutenant Miller.
To the great surprise and admiration of the public made his entry Captain Henry J. Gloval who, for the first time, made his official visit on behalf of Alaska Base High Command: with him a few pilots of the Space Division who were going to show for the first time in public, the new prototype of jet fighters codenamed VFX1. Civilians and journalists opened their eyes and mouths wide, especially the reporters, who were planning the customary same old social tirade against the separatists. But the United Earth Government had decided to show its muscles at once and not leave out a single detail.
Lisa Hayes and Serena Seymour with hands in their laps and watchful eye were staring as if mesmerized eloquent gestures of Captain Henry Gloval. He was surely an impressive figure, with big deep blue eyes shaded by big eyebrows, and a hard face of archaic features. His speech could be summed up in a single sentence: the Defense Forces, as their very name said, were born to defend the people of the world. They would never make the first move to attack. This must be clear, never questioned. Lisa's heart grew proud as if Captain Gloval's words were somehow an expression of her own. Something she knew had lived in her all her entire life but could not be explained. The Russian military officer praised the work of the Air Force personnel in Sacramento, and the way they had risked everything to prevent even one civilian from being killed or injured. At that very moment Major Sullivan asked his men to come on stage for a military salute. Lisa Hayes slowly saw how the Black Parade lineup entered through the large windows wide open behind the stage, Karl Riber among them, in high uniform. He was the first of 10 rows of 20 men each.
In a flash the floor under the stage was filled with uniforms with the blue- black insignia of the Black Parade. The soldiers of Sacramento greeted Captain Gloval and the Deputy Seyomour and, after Sullivan's signal, broke the lines and moved to the edges of the hall. Lisa felt Riber's gaze shine inside hers as she met his eyes from a few inches away. The emotion was so strong that she squeezed her gloves, which she'd rubbed throughout the conference.
And now-continued Captain Gloval- we are proud to present to our colleagues at the Kern base some skills we have achieved with the prototypes of the new fighter, for the time being called VXF1. They will be displayed by aerospace pilots.
A roar of enthusiasm overcame the room, just covering Gloval's voice for a second. The captain waited a few moments, then proceeded- they will be flying by Lieutenant T.R. Edwards and Second Lieutenant Jack Archer.
Captain Gloval coughed up and took a glance at the papers he was holding in his hands -Ah, ladies and gentlemen of the press... of course... -he made a half smile -... if you have any curious questions RDF pilots are fully authorized by myself to answer your interview!
A relaxed laughter flowed through the audience along with excited clapping.
Deputy Seymour greeted everyone in attendance with plenty of ceremonies and closed the conference with a video message from the new President of the UEG, Robert A. Rhysnink, then he invited attendees and journalists to go outdoors to enjoy the air show.
Sacramento, UEG
Rick Hunter was lying on the living room couch in the twilight of the noon, aching and half asleep, following the live broadcast on the main channel. In the midst of dreaming and waking, his eyes wandered across the screen following the commentator's voice. The painkillers he had taken, had slowly let go of the pain in his arm but still had a sedative action. All of a sudden, however, his attention was immediately drawn to the screen, he sat up on the couch with a bang and shouted:
-That' s him!
Mitch stunned, because although he was watching Seymour live on TV, he was absorbed in his thoughts. Alice had left a few hours earlier to go bail Jessica out. Thanks God she was alive, and thanks to Roy's concern, she had been tracked down in a holding camp that the Defense Forces had set up near Capital Mall. All minors had been arrested and detained in the same area.
-Who's he? -Mitch said.
-He's the asshole who took our hangar!
-What?
Rick was pointing at the screen with his healthy arm. An officer in high Air Force uniform appeared on air. His light hazel eyes shone under the shiny visor of his hat. The half-length shot showed several titanium plates hanging on his bottom line read: Second RDF Lieutenant Jack Archer.
-Jack Archer, that son of a bitch! Jack Archer!
Mitch looked at his son and was surprised once again at his temper. Maybe he took after him.
-Rick, lie down!
But Rick didn't want to learn about it, he got up going near the TV with his arm hanging around his neck and an excited look in his eyes.
-I'm sure they're the same fighters Roy was talking about... They're the ones I saw two days ago by the bay... and the parade in Sacramento he would've said. But he looked at his father and shut up with his mouth open. He tightened his shoulders. The memory of Jessie came and went. He was surprised that he couldn't feel anything at all. As if everything that had happened in two days was some kind of flimsy dream.
Mitch got up and settled down beside him.
-Then let's see these jets ... I'm curious about too!
The shot at the scene was on the commentator who, with broad gestures, was commenting on the success of the conference, which had taken the audience by surprise because of the number of political and military personalities present on stage, but also among the audience. The shot changed again by squeezing on the face of a girl with a fascinated look: her green and elongated eyes, like those of a cat, seemed to be shining.
- Here for example... here is the beautiful daughter of Admiral Hayes, Elizabeth. This is the first time she has been seen in public after the brutal murder of her mother by the Anti-Unification Forces... three years ago in Melbourne, Australia.
Rick suddenly opened his eyes wide at the sight of that gentle, angelic face, as if from another world...
-She's really beautiful- said Mitch thoughtfully - Poor girl, I remember that story... He looked at Rick and thought how lucky it felt to have him there all whole
Rick nodded and snort - yeah, pretty... but when do we get the fighters?
Kern Base, Los Angeles UEG.
The VFX1 fighter air show was simply stunning. The two squadrons led by RDF commanders showed off in all their power. Many of the soldiers on Kern's base had never even seen these types of fighters, even in the simulator. Sergeant Riber Fruhling followed the performance of the squadrons with his nose up like many of those present. Soldiers and civilians had spread out disorderly on the huge terrace above the runway. The maneuvers of the VFX left the audience breathless as the military drones broadcast astonishing images of the flight. Lisa Hayes also admired the fighters' performances. She was sure they were the same patterns she had seen flying out of the park on her mansion a few days earlier. One squadron wore black and blue insignia and the other simple red bands with the Air Force logo. She couldn't help thinking of Captain Gloval's words: those weapons would never be used to attack, but only to defend. That made her feel proud. With her eyes hidden by her sunglasses, she was constantly looking in Karl's direction. He was so good-looking in his high uniform, and she hoped he would come to her... at the same time Riber thought the very same. A strange embarrassment had imprisoned him in such an odd situation. He was not stupid and realized that everyone present, or at least 90% knew that this dashing girl was Admiral Hayes'daughter. He thought about the battle of Sacramento, how the blood was pumping in his veins when he realized he was alive. At the thought of her, everything else had gone in the background, and now, just now, his whole body was being drawn in her direction. He had not slept for more than 24 hours, yet all his senses were alarmed. He took one last look at the fighters who were already getting ready to close the show and moved one step behind the other, in her direction. He made his way through his comrades and quickly overtook the ranks of people who had crowded the terrace to watch the fighters descend.
Lisa and Serena were standing under a white umbrella fixed on the floor. Together with them, Seymour and their staff intent on admiring the stunts of the military planes. They were silent, which is why Karl Riber's loud voice made them gasp.
-Good morning Deputy Seymour, Sergeant Riber Fruhling. Miss Seymour, Miss Hayes... . it is a pleasure to see the two of you.
Karl stood at attention until Deputy Seymour, after a few seconds of square footage of him, reached out his hand.
-Hello, Sergeant? ...Hello.
-Father! Sergeant Riber is an old acquaintance! sSaid Serena
-Ah!- The politician smiled and relaxed.
-Very nice to meet you then. Were you in yesterday's escort in Sacramento, too?
-Sir, yes, sir. I was in charge of a Black Parade aircraft Hughes.
Lisa was delighted, he looked so confident, so handsome. She had never seen such a determined look on him, as if he had grown since they last met.
Deputy Seymour kept talking about the rescue by the Stockwell military helicopters and his employees and Riber nodded.
-I know that the company's put in some corporate shares for the fighter prototypes... -He looked up to the sky to point them out - Along with Bellcom... there's also a Japanese company... it's all based on Robotechnology.
Everyone gathered a look of admiration.
-But hey, look, the fighters have landed!
The group sprang towards the railings of the terrace to welcome with a big round of applause to the pilots landing.
Lisa didn't move from her place in the shadows and Karl stood motionless in front of her.
-Hello Lisa
She, as if obeying an impulse that went against her mind, took his right hand
-Karl... she murmured - finally...
But she couldn't finish the line. He smiled tenderly at her and answered her squeeze by stroking her palm and wrist. Lisa felt that all the flesh and blood in her body was pouring into her hand and burning it.
He came closer and Lisa was as if frozen. But looking around... with all the people who could have seen them, she saw that no one was watching them. Karl slid his face a few inches away from Lisa's and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
-Soon the convention will be over- he paused and looked into her eyes- Come away with me... please.
Lisa was so astonished, speechless. She could only nod quickly, before Serena, her father and the rest of the people came back to the scene talking excitedly about the amazing grandeur of the VFX1s.
-Well, it'd be nice to fly one of those, eh, Sergeant? -Seymour asked.
Karl looked up to the skies- Well yes, I suppose so...but even better would be to engineer one.
-Karl is a scientist dad, he works in research- Serena got in the way with a scream- Hey look there's the guy from TV who's talking to the pilots!
Sacramento, UEG
Mitchell Hunter and his son Rick had witnessed the entire performance of the Robotech Defense Force VFX fighters. Thanks to the fantastic aerial footage of the military drones and the cameras installed inside the cockpits of some planes, it turned out to be a rather exciting sight.
Rick suddenly enraptured by the evolutions of those wonderful jets had forgotten the pain in his arm, Jessica, and was back as a 9-year-old boy, when he used to follow his brother Roy's flawless maneuvers in the air show. However, his face went dark when that guy Jack Archer appeared again on the screen, this time dressed in a flight suit as when he had met him at the hangars down in the industrial city. His grin made him get on his nerves.
-This VXF prototypes has been tested for about two years. This is the first time the jets are shown to the civilian public - Archer looked straight into the camera - can we say that you're watching an epochal event behind the screen, there?
Commentator let go a small shout
- No doubt Commander Archer, no doubt! But we have seen the enormous speed that the fighters have reached even at low altitude. Something incredible, believe me! They're huge planes!
- Yes it is true, the VFXs can reach a top speed of Mach 3.87 at high altitude above 30,000 meters, 98,000 feet, and mach 2.71 at medium altitude 33,000 feet considering that the overall length ...wings included, is about 14.70 meters!
He's so attractive! - Serena gives Lisa an elbow next to her- look how competent he is when he talks.
Lisa nodded a blank glance at Archer as he shook the journalist's hand and came right at them...
Serena clung to her ear- Am i dreaming? He's coming over here!
Jack Archer was on his way to Deputy Seymour's crew, while white-clad waiters began serving sparkling champagne, cocktails and canapés across the terrace. The mood was quite relaxed and the ocean breeze tempered the scorching heat of the sun...
-Deputy Seymour- Archer gave an impeccable salute -Second Lieutenant Jack Archer.
-Commander! Your squadron's show was absolutely magnificent, spectacular!
Jack made a grin waving a hand.
-Just the fighters are spectacular...
Then he cast a glance at the two girls. Karl was still holding his hand on his temple because he hadn't been rested by Archer and that was pretty ridiculous.
-Let me introduce you to my entourage. -Mm-hmm. My secretary and my staff, and he's...
Jack Archer looked into Riber's eyes and faced him coldly.
-At ease, Sergeant.
-Sergeant Riber Fruhling... Karl let his arm slide down one side and gave his superior's icy stare back.
-Allow me to introduce my daughter Serena, and this is Elizabeth Hayes...
Archer smiled complacently.
-I think we met this morning in the elevator, if I'm not mistaken -he caught a glimpse of Serena but then focused his eyes on Lisa for what seemed like a relatively long time.
-Yes, it's true! -Serena squealed.
- It's a real pleasure, Miss Hayes.
Lisa squeezed his hand gently, but without losing eye contact with Karl. Archer took a curious look at both of them.
-Excuse me- said Lisa- I have a phone call.
Lisa blushed, her face on fire. Her father was calling her on his private line. She started to reflect mechanically. She was sure her father knew it by now, so she turned on the call...
-Papa
Her father appeared on the screen with an indecipherable face that left her speechless and they both remained silent for a few moments.
Then the Admiral spoke.
-I saw you on the Network.
Lisa gasped. He waited still then released a little smile...
-You're very classy.
-oh Dad... You mean you're not angry? Lisa started breathing again,
-I wish you'd told me about your invitation.
-Oh, well, I... -Lisa didn't know what to say. All of a sudden she felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving the most important person in her life like that.
-Yurute kudasai Papa (Dad... please... forgive me)
The admiral smiled quickly.
-Shiki ga owattara sugu ni kaette kuru to yakusoku shite kure
(Now promise me you'll come home right after the end).
-oh yes Dad, I will... -she replied promptly, her gaze turned to the shape of Riber who had her back.
-Now let me thank Deputy Seymour having you as his guest. I'm sure it was a very grand yishì (ceremony).
-It was all great... Captain Gloval, he... he said such proper things, so meaningful... and then... the fighters, they're just like the ones I saw flying over the grounds a few weeks ago, remember? -Oh Papa you're doing such an honourable job...
Lisa was genuinely moved and driven by emotion. She realized how much she missed her father. Yet something had woken up in her and she just couldn't go back.
-Are you sure you have to go? -Deputy Seymour shook Lisa's hand while breaking up a discussion with five or six people.
-Oh Deputy Seymour... I have my father's driver waiting downstairs.
-Well... goodbye then...
Serena and Lisa hugged as they approached the stained-glass windows in the lobby.
-Have fun! And then call me, Want to know everything! Serena smiled brightly
Lisa hugged her tightly holding her tears.
-I do love you! -I love you!
-So I do...now go! -c'mon! talk to you later!
With a gracious twist, Lisa disappeared into the empty hallway, trying not to run.
-Are you leaving... Miss Hayes? - said a fresh official at the front desk.
-Uh my driver's waiting for me outside - She said quickly getting her ID and putting on her sunglasses. Once outside in the dazzling sunshine, she sighed for relief.
She felt a rush of cold sweat drip down her back. The courtyard of the Base was deserted, the air was muffled by airborne and radar noises in the control tower. Lisa felt that if she waited any longer, she would die of fright.
-Did you ask for a driver by any chance?
Karl's voice came suddenly and unprepared. It almost hurt her ears.
Lisa opened her mouth, but she didn't talk. She only heard the heels of her shoes creaking on the floor of the square. Suddenly she was sitting in the back seat of Karl's car.
It wasn't until the car was completely outside the fenced-off area that Lisa got to speak...
-They didn't stop us!
-Why would they?- Karl smiled in the rearview mirror. Lisa gulped into his eyes and looked down. She felt stupid and even a little childish. It was her first adventure alone.
-I'm sorry, Karl.
-Hey, I didn't kidnap you... -he took a break -Someone might think I did!? I have to take a few back roads. Looks like we're being chased by military cars.
Lisa gasped and turned completely around to look out the rear window. But behind them the road was empty.
-Oh Karl!- Lisa punched him in the right shoulder- don't make a fool of me!
Karl smiled tenderly from the mirror. Lisa smiled back, too.
-And now? What's next? -he said with one hand on his forehead.
Sacramento, UEG
Mitchell Hunter was talking to Second Lieutenant Roy Fokker. The two of them agreed not to take Rick to the hospital for at least two days. It would avoid any connection with the previous day's unrest and the conflict between the Anti-Unification forces and the military.
-Of course that guy's got a hard head- smiled Roy...but his eyes were worried.
-I'm sorry, I mean it. But from now on I'll take care of him... I have to go. Roy, Alice is here.
In the late afternoon, after about 7 hours of waiting and after bailing, Jessica Fisher had finally been let go home with her mother. In the stifling hot sultry afternoon, inside the car bagged in an endless line, the two women were not speaking. Jessica's face was upset, her makeup now kneaded into her eyes, filled with tears. Her cheeks had lost their plain, jaunty appearance. Her shoulders were bent as a sign of surrender.
At one point a sore cry came to her throat...
Alice looked at her frightened: Jessica's face was a mask of pain.
-I'm sorry mom... she stuttered
Alice frowend in terror trying not to think about what her little girl had suffered. She wasn't ready to know. Reaching towards the passenger seat she hugged the girl in her arms as she let herself go into a desperate weeping.
When they reached the farm, it was almost sunset. Rick had fallen asleep on the couch and occasionally waved in his sleep, muttering something. Mitch heard the wheels from Alice's car scraping on the gravel in the yard. He opened the door wide and waited to see them. Even Mitch was startled to see Jessie's eyes in pain. He wanted to hug her or say a word of relief, but he also wanted to slap her, yell at her for the danger she had gotten herself into and dragged Rick along. But then he met that look in Alice's gaze and he gave up both of his aims. Jessica walked into the room, her head down like a walking dead.
Los Angeles, UEG
-What do you mean, you ain't never been to the beach?
Karl was truly amazed
Lisa, now she had joined him in the front seat, smiled, pulling up a lock of hair and letting it float through the air outside the window.
-Karl! I didn't say I've never been to a beach...actually...I said I've never been to a beach in LA!
She laughed and squinted and showed her perfect little teeth. Karl struggled to keep his eyes fixed on the road as he drove. Her green eyes drew him like a magnet. He had never seen a shade of green like that. Her skin had turned red in the heat of the sun. Her arms and neck were dotted with a thin pink net. Her lips were equally blushed. Karl lingered in the space dividing Lisa's legs, as the sky-blue skirt swayed as it swayed a few inches of skin. As if staring into an abyss. He felt heat waves like whirlwinds enveloping his body. He hadn't slept for a whole day, and yet all the events in Sacramento, the furious struggle in the middle of the white smoke, the sleeping gas, the detentions... and then the screams of joy from his comrades. The high uniform, the meeting and the reception at Kern. Everything seemed shrouded into a dream ... there was not the slightest hint of reality. And yet it had happened. And now he had escaped from the base with Admiral Hayes' daughter, as casually as he was leaving the office. He felt he'd changed deeply in that one and a half days. There was no turning back. He felt like incredible things were going to keep happening. He watched the sun go down on the horizon. A few hours before curfew. Lisa Hayes sitting in the passenger seat was swinging her arm out the window, up to her elbow, the wind gently slapping her fingertips. A gesture she had never stopped doing since she was a child... she liked to feel the speed of the air crashing against her body. She couldn't stop thinking about those jet fighters she'd seen in the air. VFX1s. ...what it would be like to break the speed of sound inside one of those planes?... the feeling of flying became more intense as she imagined a trajectory she'd been following in her daydreams. She smiled softly... She was a few inches from Riber heading for a beach or wherever. She had a clear sense of his body and felt the warmth of him. She seemed to realize they were both heading for a point of no return.
Riber's voice pulled her out of the dizziness where she was sinking.
-Manhattan beach is back here
Lisa opened her eyes wide, inhaling from her nose the salty air that was thrown into the cockpit through the windows.
-It's beautiful
The two got out of the car with their legs softened by the heat and the long time spent sitting. Apart from this moment, at the Base, where Riber had taken her hand, they had not yet touched each other. In fact, he thought, they had kissed on the lips only twice, several days ago. Once, he had picked up a lock of Lisa Hayes' coppery hair and slid it between his fingers.
He seemed so stupid to think about it, that girl... He hardly knew her... Would she have thought it was all so volatile, so unreachable? Was she just chasing an idea? A fantasy that maybe he was endangering both of us? He didn't want to be rash. He didn't want to be childish. He'd had a troop of men at his command the day before and he seemed to have handled it well... but now waves of doubt were pounding at him.
Why is he so quiet? He's in regret?
Lisa Hayes watched Karl out of the corner of her eye as they made their way down the boulevard studded with people coming and going in all directions. Families, children, youngsters on skateboards, surfers, people dressed as super heroes or movie stars, tourists and all sorts of people... obviously soldiers of the Defense Forces armed, with weapons in plain sight at every corner.
She'd never been on a normal, common street before. She hoped Riber wouldn't notice her unsuitability. She wanted to take his hand and walk, like a couple. Of course, they too would have to look very strange from the outside. An officer in high uniform wit hat and rank, and a girl dressed like a wedding guest. But nobody was paying attention to them as they walked through.
Lisa Hayes felt this was great. No one checking her out, no one noticing how she behaved. Maybe that's what she always wanted.
- To you, soldier- said the man behind the counter as he returned a few coins to Riber and Lisa took two huge ice cream cones with both hands.
-Black Parade, huh? - continued the man
-I'm in the Air Force- Karl replied with a spontaneous smile that also lit up his eyes. Lisa felt incredibly proud of him. She saw him handsome, flawless in his uniform. His eyes were sweet and loving, the fold of his lips gave his face a melancholy expression.
The two of them walked lazily with ice cream to the end of the pier, where the ocean broke impetuously and endlessly receded behind the horizon...
-There's something scary in the sea- said Karl.
-What do you mean?
-I mean, it's so huge, inscrutable... hundreds of thousands of miles long, deep darkness... I don't know, it always gave me the feeling of endlessness...
Lisa sighed-Like space...
Karl looked at her curiously.
-Like space...?
Lisa looked up at the blue sky - Yes... with the exception that we can't figure it out... not even imagine the immensity of space. Maybe this could scare me...
Karl looked at her tenderly, and at the same time he took her hand... then came closer to watch her. Lisa gasped and lost herself in his bright eyes. He opened his lips to speak but said nothing.
She looked at him, as always, unable to get out of there and act as she really wanted to. His gaze fell again on the strands of her honey-colored hair and once again he wished he could take one and slide it between his fingers, but they both stand still, in the sun light that slowly became more and more distant.
Then a sudden thought crossed both of their minds
-Come with me...
Karl turned back on the boardwalk still keeping her hand, speeding up the pace and retracing the few meters that led to the bay. Lisa's heart was beating like crazy as she followed him down the steps to the beach. At the end of the path, they were both out of breath. Lisa's face was covered with reddish spots, that blush he their shoes sank into the sand, making them unstable, they both burst into choked laughter.
Her shy laugh was like a force that pushed Riber's young body awake from a torpor that had imprisoned him all day long. As if driven by a something stronger than his own will, he let go of Lisa's wet hand and pulled her whole body towards her until she locked herself against one of the marble columns holding the catwalk.
Lisa felt that she couldn't hold his gaze for long. For a moment, she focused her attention on a blur behind him.
- I love you...
Lisa rolled her eyes and parted her lips to answer but did not make a sound. Now that she was staring at him again and his face looked sad, melancholy, and she thought he was disappointed because she didn't answer back. But only a few moments had gone by.
-Karl... she said only, breathing hard on his his cap slipped off his forehead and floated on the sand. Their noses crossed.
Karl kissed her on the mouth, keeping one hand under the back of her neck and swiping the soft skin with his palm. Lisa felt that something was about to burst somewhere in her chest, in her belly, right underneath her. Karl's whole body pressed against hers as their tongues entwined and she desperately squeezed her arms around his shoulders.
-Karl... I love you- she said as she barely breathed on his lips.
They stayed kissing like that for maybe too long. Karl Riber occasionally heard the call of awareness beating in his brain. He couldn't, he didn't have to kiss Admiral Hayes' daughter, just below the pier as if she were his fiancée, or worse still, any other girl. He suddenly peeled off Lisa's lips as she,completely messed up, called him back.
-Please...
- I have to take you home - he said picking up his hat off the floor.
Lisa's eyes opened wide with surprise.
Why did he was acting like that? Maybe, she wondered, I m not a good at kissing? Maybe he doesn't like me anymore?
-What's the matter! -She said roughly, a few steps away, almost hurt...her eyebrows frowned.
He opened his eyes wide, at that very moment she looked just like a child.
-Hey... -Karl followed her as she walked away on the beach in her high heels
-Lisa, what are you...
-Leave me alone!
Karl was surprised to see her eyes moist, as if she was about to break down and cry.
-Lisa! Lisa!
She stopped her walking because Karl had suddenly raised his voice, and had a strange voice, she hardly had recognized it. He took her wrist and pulled her face closer to his. Again, their noses almost touched. Karl could see her wet eyelashes, yeah... she was about to cry.
-If we go on kissing like this... it's no place for a girl like you.
Lisa breathed deeply through her nose
-What do you mean?
What were "girls like you"? Couldn't she do what other girls do? Why couldn't she? Could not kiss the man she loved, and not just kiss, she wanted to touch him and wanted him to touch her. Suddenly she collected all the guts she didn't know she had. She threw her arms around his neck, plunging her face into his skin, sucking up the scent of him, stroking his hair.
- Take me away then... I want to be with you...
Sacramento, UEG
As Jessie entered the room, dragging her feet in the silence only broken by the TV broadcasting, she was somewhat distracted by Rick's irregular breathing. Like a robot, she turned three-quarters of the way, staring at the sofa from above, unable to move. Alice and Mitch also gazed at her motionlessly, not knowing what to say... the tension was throbbing from all sides. Then Rick woke up gasping and sat down with a grimace of pain. He didn't immediately realize where he was, but instinctively he looked at his wrapped arm, it was the spot where the pain was coming from that woke him up. His hair was completely torn apart and he wore dark circles under his eyes. He looked up puzzled at the shape standing in front of him
-Jessie! -He murmured in a mixed voice.
Jessica's eyes were bursting with tears.
-oh Rick... she just said. But she immediately glanced at their parents staring at them still. Without speaking, she rushed up the stairs, the sound of her stride echoed throughout the room.
Rick tried to get up to follow her, but then he was struck by the sight of Mitch and Alice.
-Let her rest for a while- said her father in a neutral voice.
Alice attempted a half smile
-Yes... Rick... eat something now. Does your arm hurt? Take your meds...
Jessica Fisher had spent at least half an hour in the boiling shower, spending most of the water tank available for the night. Her whole body was aching from the accidental beating she had taken during the demonstration and from the hits she had taken from the military after her arrest. She put her hand on her head and found small crusts of coagulated blood which melted in touch with the water, causing red rivulets drip down the shower drain. It had only been a day and a half since she had exchanged that kiss with Rick in her teenage room. It had been the sweetest, smoothest thing she'd ever had and she already felt like she was from another lifetime. As if she'd walked through whole years of fog in one day. And yet Rick was downstairs, was he the same boy as two days earlier? Why had her eyes, if possible, made her feel even more miserable? She squeezed herself in a towel unable to stop crying. She dragged herself over the bed, sobbing in the fetal position. It wasn't until minutes later that she heard a soft knock on the door jamb.
-Leave me alone! -She yelled, trying to hide her broken voice
-Jessie... it's me, let me in.
Jessica's heart seemed to blow up in her chest. She stood motionless unable to do and think anything. But the door was open and she heard the family noise of wood creaking.
-I said that... -she raised her head and lifted her voice.
He was standing there, with one arm hanging around his neck, his eyes wide open, his expression bewildered, unable even to make another move...
-Rick!
Jessie sat on the bed drying her eyes with the back of her hand. She was wrapped in an old white towel and felt ashamed of the bruises he could see on her arms.
She felt helpless, downcast in front of that guy's eyes who had looked at her with adoration not long before.
-Rick - she said again looking at the floor - I'm so sorry...
She didn't lift her face until she felt the presence of him at a few inches. He was squatting in front of the bed, she could feel the warmth of his body, the scent of his clean hair. She wasn't ready to look him straight in the face.
Rick Hunter looked grieved at her arms and shoulders, they were covered with scratches and bruises, even her thighs and round knees, like those of a doll, were full of dark purple and bluish circles and marks. He would have wanted to say something smart, as a grown up, but he was only 15 years old and all he could say was
- Don't worry... Jessie.
Perhaps it was not the best thing to say, but it felt like balm on her wounds, inner and outer ones, the way he had uttered his name... then all was not lost.
She shyly lifted her gaze to meet his blue eyes that seemed worried.
-Rick...Please hold me.
Rick gasped... all of a sudden she looked so small, so helpless... then she was beaten, too, and maybe-thought Rick with disgust- maybe they hurt her, too... He looked at her again trying to collect the courage he felt the day before when he had held her and kissed her, in the crowd, but he couldn't find it. He felt that she was no longer the same, and he had changed too. Just in a single day...
He pointed with a chin movement his hanging arm.
-Well uh... I... I can't
Jessie parted her lips to answer, but rather a sad laugh came out and Rick was unexpectedly relieved, and happy, because he made her laugh.
They stayed a few seconds smiling in front of each other as if a huge weight had shifted, just for a while. Jessie reached out her arms to pull him towards her but Rick lost his balance and, in an attempt to protect his injured arm, he slipped on the side of the bed. She pulled him again until they were both lying down.
Rick was blushing and wouldn't look because Jessie's towel was half open and he caught a glimpse of her freckled chest and the curve of her hips. She leaned over him, resting her forehead gently on Rick's shoulder. She hugged him by the chest while he gently ran his healthy arm under her back. The whole position was incredibly uncomfortable but Rick couldn't think rationally. A nearly naked girl was lying beside him. He felt he was surprisingly alive. Every single cell in his body was screaming at him. Even that arm, that hurt him so much proved that he was alive. He smiled, one of his crooked smiles that sometimes showed up on his face. Jessica closed her eyes.
-Stay with me...
Hi! This is the end of chapter 5. Let's say goodbye to Jessica Fisher, Serena Seymour and Karl Riber... although they will sometimes return through memories, and maybe Karl will return in another way too eheh :)
Next chapter will be set two years later.
Note: the description of the VFXs prototype is taken from the book Macross Perfect Memory (1984). Some references to Karl and Lisa's romance (Riber and Misa in the original Macross) are taken from Misa Hayase: White Reminescences (1984)
Ty for reading!
Mao