SOLITAIRE
CHAPTER 3
Macross City General Hospital
Vance drove to the hospital like a man processed. As soon as the ambulance carrying Minmei drove away, Vance got into his own car and drove at a high rate of speed to the hospital. As soon as he pulled into the front of the hospital, he noticed that the media was already there with their satellite trucks, cameras, video cameras, tape recorders and microphones ready to get any tidbit of information they can about Minmei. He looked at the throng of reporters and made an angry face.
"Great, the vultures are already circling."
Vance parked his car in one of the hospital's parking lots and walked as fast as he could to the front of the hospital, ignoring the shouts of reporters who were shouting questions to him and the flash of camera lights. Lucky for Vance, several hospital security guards were keeping the reporters away at a distance allowing Vance to walk into the hospital without any problem. He walked into the emergency room and when to the head nurse's desk.
"Nurse, I'm Vance Hasselwood, Lynn Minmei's agent. Is Minmei here? I would like to see her."
"Hold on for a moment, Mr. Hasselwood. Let me see if Minmei is still in the ER."
The head nurse looked used a computer mouse to check Minmei's records.
"Minmei has been taken to radiology to have an MRI done. She should be back in a few minutes. Why don't you wait in the hallway?"
"Thank you, nurse. I'll do that."
Hasselwood sat outside in the hallway waiting for Minmei to come back from radiology. A minute later, Vance's wife Ruth arrived and sat down next to Vance. Several minutes later, Minmei laying down on a hospital gurney, dressed in a hospital gown and with an IV inserted in the depression of her elbow was coming back to the ER from radiology. Walking along side her was the ER doctor. Vance and his wife stood up.
"Doctor, I'm Vance Hasselwood, Lynn Minmei's agent. How is Minmei? How is she doing?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Hasselwood; I can only give that information out to her next of kin."
Vance's wife spoke up. "I called Minmei's aunt and uncle and they told me they are in the middle of evening dinner rush and they can't close up the restaurant to come to the hospital."
The doctor nodded his head. "Very well, since you're Minmei's agent that makes you her de facto relative. I'll go ahead and tell you. Minmei was bleeding internally from her abdomen and vaginal region. Were you aware that Miss Minmei was pregnant?"
"Yes we did. As a matter of fact, we were the first ones she told. What's wrong?"
"I'm afraid that Minmei has miscarried. The fetus is dead."
Both Vance and his wife closed their eyes in sorrow. "Oh no. Have you told Minmei?"
"No I haven't. I'm about ready to go in and tell her. Will you be with her to hold her hand and comfort her when I do tell her?"
"Of course, doctor." Vance said nodding his head.
Vance, Ruth and the ER doctor walked slowly to Minmei's bed. Vance's wife sat down at the edge of the bed and held Minmei's hand while Vance stood on the other side. The ER doctor stood at an angle at the foot of Minmei's bed. He drew in a deep breath and began to speak.
"Miss Minmei, I'm afraid that I have some bad news for you. The reason why you were bleeding earlier is that you had miscarried. Somehow or the other, the fetus tore away from the uterine wall. I'm afraid that the baby is dead."
Upon hearing the news, Minmei let her head go back and sink into the pillow. She then squint her eyes shut while tears were creeping down the corners of her eyes. Part of her was relieved that she has miscarried so she doesn't have to go through the torture and trauma of an abortion. Another part of her was feeling guilty because she wished that the baby was dead so she didn't have to be reminded of her own stupidity and mistakes.
"I'm sorry, Miss Minmei."
"Thank you, doctor." Minmei mouthed silently.
The ER doctor nodded and began to walk away when Vance stopped him in the hallway.
"What are you going to do with Minmei now?"
"I'm planning on keeping her overnight for observation. I'm about to have her moved to a private room upstairs so she can rest here tonight. She'll be discharged tomorrow sometime after breakfast. I don't know if I should be asking you this, but are you planning on telling this to the press?"
"I'm not going to tell the media anything. The press doesn't have to know what happened to Minmei. They don't have the right to know that she was pregnant and she has miscarried."
"But the press has to be told something. Otherwise, they will stay out in the front of the hospital until they do. I'm certainly not going to tell them anything. She protected by the doctor/patient privilege. No one in the ER is going to tell the press anything either. I'm sure of it."
"Then have your public affairs office make a statement that it's hospital policy not to give out any personal information about patients. That way Minmei's protected and you and hospital are covered. You're not deceiving the media, you're just not telling them anything."
The ER doctor thought it over. He then let out a big sigh and nodded. "I guess you're right, Mr. Hasselwood. Let me make a phone call to the PA office." The doctor then picked up a telephone and placed a call.
Several minutes later, Vance was looking at a television screen that was in a waiting room near the ER. On the screen was a live shot of the front of the hospital, a reporter was on the screen. The camera quickly panned back to the front of the hospital. A middle aged woman walked into the view of the camera.
"May I have your attention please?" She shouted waiting for the noise to die down. "Thank you. I'm Penny Austin, director of Public Affairs here at Macross General Hospital and I have a short statement to make. I will not be answering any questions. Many if not all of you who are here waiting and wanting to know about the health status of Miss Lynn Minmei, I can only tell you this. At 5:00 PM this evening, Miss Minmei was admitted into the emergency room of Macross General Hospital for an undisclosed medical condition. She is doing well and is resting comfortably in a private room here in the hospital. She is admitted for overnight observation. That is all I can tell you. It is against hospital policy to give out personal medical information about patients. Please do not call the hospital asking about Miss Minmei's medical condition. Now that I have made my statement, I ask that you please leave hospital grounds so we can go back to our business of providing the best medical care for the citizens of Macross. Thank you."
Audible groans and shouts of disgust came from the throats of reporters. They soon began shouting questions which went unanswered. The PA director walked back into the hospital while security guards began telling the reporters to start leaving the front of the hospital. Inside, Vance had a smug smile of satisfaction on his face. After nodding a nod of satisfaction, he walked upstairs to Minmei's private hospital room. Minmei was in bed, with the upper part of her body up in a reclined position. The TV wasn't on. Hasselwood was thankful for that.
"How're you feeling, Minmei?"
"Ok I guess, Vance."
"No really. How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing ok Vance. Really, I am."
"That's good. You want to talk about anything, Minmei?"
"Not at this time Vance. I don't want to be anymore of a problem than I already am."
"You're not a problem, Minmei. You're more than my client, you know that."
"I know Vance. I'm just so worn out and drained. I just want to go to sleep."
"I've been told by the doctor that a nurse will be coming by later to give you something to help you sleep tonight. Don't worry about a thing, Minmei. Everything will be better in the morning."
"I hope so Vance."
"Your Aunt Lena called me earlier on my cell phone. She told me that once the dinner rush is over, they'll close up the restaurant early so they can come see you before visiting hours are over."
"Thanks for telling me Vance."
"You're welcome Minmei. I know how much your aunt and uncle means to you."
"They mean the world to me Vance."
"Well, I'll leave alone so you can get some rest before your aunt and uncle visits you. I'll see you tomorrow when you're discharged."
"Ok Vance. Vance."
"Yes Minmei."
"Thanks for agreeing to be my agent again. I don't know what I'll do without you."
"Don't mention it, Minmei. Remember, you're more than just my client."
The next day
Minmei was dressed and waiting for Vance to come so he can escort her out of the hospital. Vance arrived in Minmei's hospital room with a nurse and an orderly wheeling a wheelchair.
"Are you ready to go Minmei?"
"Yes I am Vance. That's ok. I can walk." She said to the orderly with a wave of her hand.
"I'm sorry Miss Minmei. You have to be in a wheelchair. It's hospital regulations."
"Ok." Minmei said with resignation in her voice as she was sitting down in the wheelchair.
As the foursome got closer to the front of the hospital, Minmei put on a pair of sunglasses over her eyes. Outside at the front of the hospital, the flash units of camera began flashing as reporters were shoving at each other, sticking tape recorders and microphones in front of Minmei, shouting her name and questions to her trying to get her to say anything so can have something to report or write down for their newspaper or tabloid. Minmei wasn't saying anything as hospital security guards were shoving the reporters out of the way so Minmei can get out of the wheelchair and into the back seat of a limousine. Vance barely managed to get himself inside the limousine and closed the door. As the limo began to pull away from the hospital, reporters began to chase after the limo.
"Minmei, the president of Ace Records called me to let you know that he is letting you take the rest of this week off from recording since it is getting close to the weekend. But he expects you to be in the recording studio Monday morning."
"I'll be there, Vance."
Mid morning Monday
"White Dragon Restaurant."
"Mrs. Lynn, this is Vance Hasselwood."
"Mr. Hasselwood, what can I do for you?"
"Minmei didn't show up at the recording studio this morning and she hasn't answered her cell phone. Is she still in her room?"
"I think so Mr. Hasselwood. Minmei didn't tell us that she was recording an album and she hasn't left her room since she came home from the hospital."
"Yes she is and I've been getting phone calls from the recording studio asking me where is she. I'll be by the restaurant very soon to talk to her."
"Ok Mr. Hasselwood. I'll tell Minmei you'll be coming by."
"No, please don't tell her Mrs. Lynn. She'll try to straighten herself up before I arrive if you do tell her."
"Ok Mr. Hasselwood. I will not tell Minmei you're coming."
"Thank you Mrs. Lynn. I'll see you in a couple minutes."
Several minutes later, Vance arrived at the White Dragon restaurant. Aunt Lena told Vance where Minmei's room is upstairs. Vance walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.
"Minmei, this is Vance. Minmei, open the door. I'll know you're in there. Your aunt told me you didn't go anywhere since you came back from the hospital. Minmei."
Vance grabbed and tested the door knob to see if it would turn. The door knob turned. He slowly opened the door and walked in. Minmei's room was completely dark because she had the curtains down and drawn. She was lying on her side in her bed with her back against the door. She had the covers up to her neck. Vance could tell that her legs were drawn up to chest by the outline of her body against the covers.
"Minmei, you're supposed to be in the recording studio right now. Why are you still in bed?"
Minmei didn't answered Vance for a long time. She just stayed in bed with her back to him. It was like an eternity until she answered Vance. But it wasn't an explanation of why she is still in bed.
"It's my fault Vance. It's my fault."
Vance knew exactly what Minmei meant when she said; 'It's my fault." Vance walked to the other side of Minmei's bed and sat down in a chair that was near the bed.
"Minmei, it's not your fault. Things like this happen to many women all the time. My sister's first child miscarried. She felt the same way you're feeling now. She felt it was her fault that she miscarried but later on, she knew that it wasn't her fault. She gotten past that and now she's the mother of two girls and a boy."
"You don't understand Vance! You're a man! You wouldn't know or understand! When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted the baby to be dead! Every second that baby was inside my body reminded me of what I did and what happened to me! I just wanted it to be dead! I didn't want it to keep growing inside of me! I hated myself so much that I didn't want the baby to be alive anymore. When I told that I miscarried, I thought I killed another human being! I killed a life that was growing inside of me!"
Vance sat in stunned silence for a long time. Minmei was right, he didn't know or understand. He raked his brain for a long time, trying to come with the right thing to say to Minmei, but he couldn't. Finally, he gave up trying to figure out what to say to Minmei. Instead, he just spoke from his heart.
"Minmei, you're right. I don't know or understand. You need to talk to someone about your problems and feelings and I'm not the one you should be talking to. I'm just your agent. I'm not qualified to listen to your problems and to give you advice. I really think you should seek professional help."
"You mean a shrink?" Minmei asked with a ludicrous look on her face.
"No, I'm not necessarily talking about seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist. It could be a social worker, a grief counselor or maybe just a counselor would work for you. You just need someone to talk to about what you're going through."
Minmei thought about Vance suggested for a long time. She then drew in a deep breath and blew it out in resigned sigh. "Alright Vance, I'll do what you suggest."
"Good. I'll check around on who would be good for you. But for right now, you should be at a recording session. Do you feel like doing it or do want to hold it off until tomorrow?"
"No, I'll do a recording session today. Let me change out of my nightgown, brush my teeth and freshen up."
"Ok. I'll go outside so you can have some privacy while you change your clothes."
"Thanks Vance."
5 minutes later, Minmei came out of her bedroom wearing jeans, a tight white tee shirt and running shoes.
"Minmei, while you're changing your clothes, I called the producer and the engineers to let them know we're coming. The record company president called me and said if you can give it your all for this week and next week, he'll let you finish early for Christmas and you don't have to do any recording again until after the New Year."
"Thanks Vance. I'll do just that." Minmei said with a smile on her face.
The office of Dr. Vickie Ming, MD
Psychiatrist
December 19, 2013
Minmei was apprehensive about seeing a psychiatrist but when she saw Dr. Ming and found out that not only is she a woman but also is Chinese, her mind instantly felt at peace. Minmei felt that she can trust Dr. Ming to not only to listen to her but keep whatever she tells her to herself and not blab it to the media. Minmei had a smile on her face when she saw Dr. Ming. She shook the doctor's hand warmly.
"Hello doctor."
"Hello Minmei. I'm a big fan of yours."
"Oh, thank you doctor."
"Minmei, before we begin I want to tell you that whatever you tell me is covered by the doctor/patient privilege. No one will know about what you tell me or what we talk about."
"I'm relieved to hear that."
"Good. Now let's start shall we."
"Where do I start?"
"How about you start at the beginning? How did you meet Captain Hunter? Tell me everything"
Minmei tilted her head back. "Well doctor. It was shortly after I arrived at Macross Island after leaving my parents behind in Yokohama to pursue my dreams of stardom."
Minmei went on to tell the doctor how she first spotted Rick on Macross Island when he showed up Roy's squadron in his fanjet. She remembered seeing Rick in his orange flight suit and not being too particularly impressed with the gangly teenager with the unruly black hair who was barely older than her. She remembered hearing the air raid sirens and the battle with the Zentraedi beginning. She remembered later seeing a battloid crash into the room of her uncle's restaurant. She remembered seeing a human figure coming out of the battloid; it was Rick. After being told to evacuate Macross Island, Minmei was in Rick's fanjet when she saw a blinding light and next thing she knew, she, Rick and the fanjet was floating in outer space. They barely managed to get into a hold of the SDF-1 with their lives. They were trapped in that hold until they thought they would never be rescued and would be found dead.
Somehow they were managed to be found. Rick stayed in a room next to Minmei at her uncle's restaurant. She remembered walking in a park near her uncle's restaurant trying to persuade Rick to enlist in the RDF when the ground underneath their feet shook when the ship transformed. Minmei almost fell to her death when Rick caught her. After saving her, Minmei remembered Rick telling her that he was enlisting in the RDF.
She never saw Rick very much after he enlisted but she remembered how delighted she was when she first saw Rick after he graduated from boot camp. He looked so handsome in his uniform but even then, she never looked at Rick as a boyfriend or even a prospective boyfriend. To Minmei, Rick was just a friend. She never saw Rick very much because he was flying so much. When she was about to celebrate her Sweet 16 birthday, she invited Rick to the party along with every pilot on board the SDF-1. She remembered right in the middle of the party, Rick and every pilot was called to fight in another battle. When Rick came back to give her birthday present to her, it was late and she was about to go to bed when Rick called her from the street. He threw up a case to her and gave her his Titanium Medal of Honor as her birthday gift.
Then everything was a blur for Minmei; winning the Miss Macross Pageant, signing a big recording contract and making her first movie. The joy she felt in knowing that the SDF-1 finally made it back to Earth, meeting her parents again in Yokohama, meeting Kyle again and him being with her on the SDF-1, the sadness of being told that the SDF-1 was forced back into space again and to be used as a pawn and decoy for the invading Zentraedi armada. The mixed emotions Minmei felt of being used a battle tactic in destroying the armada and the grief she felt when she saw the Earth destroyed by the invading armada. The happiness Minmei felt in finally coming back to Earth for good. All throughout this time in her life, Rick was by her side but she still felt that Rick was nothing more than a friend, that's it. Minmei felt that nothing was wrong in considering Rick as just a friend until the problems she had with Kyle's physical and emotional abusiveness and drinking became worse.
"It was then I realized that Rick was more than just a friend. Ever since I first met Rick he was in love with me. But I felt that the love he was feeling for me was nothing more than puppy love until it was too late. I didn't want to have a boyfriend until my career was set and I had hoped that by then, Rick would still be in love with me and he would be by my side enjoying being the boyfriend of a star. But he couldn't wait for me! Putting myself and my career first doesn't mean I'm selfish, I just want to make sure that my life was set first before even considering having a relationship with someone!
Several months ago in a restaurant in Granite City…Rick told me that he is no longer in love with me. That he has moved on with his life past me. I knew that he was in love with another woman and that woman is Lisa Hayes."
"Captain Lisa Hayes, the executive officer of the SDF-1." Dr. Ming asked interrupting Minmei.
"Yes, that same Lisa Hayes," Minmei said nodding her head. "Anyway, I knew that Rick was in love with Lisa Hayes and I told him so. He said that he wasn't in love with Lisa and they are just friends. But I knew he was lying to me because he wasn't even looking at me when he said that. He kept saying that he and Lisa are just friends and he hoped that we would remain friends. I told him to leave.
The Saturday after Rick rescued me and Kyle after we were taken hostage by Khyron, I asked him if he could meet me before my concert in Monument City. I wanted to thank him in person for rescuing me and Kyle and to see if there was any chance of me winning back his love. He told me that he couldn't see me because he was spending the day and the weekend with someone but he didn't told me who. I had a suspicion that he was spending the day and the weekend with Lisa Hayes but I couldn't know for sure. As I was being driven to Monument City for my concert, I saw Rick's sports car parked in the parking lot of a park. I asked the limo driver if he could get off the next exit and go back in the direction of the park because I just wanted to say hello to Rick. When the limo driver parked the car, I got out of the limo and ran up to say hello to Rick. I was about halfway up when I saw Rick and Lisa Hayes running around…chasing each other…and…having fun. I didn't want to be spotted by them…so I hid along the side of a building. I could only take watching them for several seconds until I couldn't take it anymore and ran back as fast as I could back to the limo."
Minmei had to stop to wipe away the tears and to get herself back together.
"At the restaurant I asked Rick what he saw in Lisa. He said it's because she has always been there for him. When he was shot down and in the hospital, Lisa visited him in the hospital. When his very close friend and 'Big Brother' Roy Fokker was killed, Lisa was the one who told him that Commander Fokker was dead and she comforted him and held his hand at Commander Fokker's memorial service. Whenever he needed someone to talk to and to listen to his problems, Lisa has always been there for him to listen to. Also, she's about Rick's age. She's 8 years older than me. I mean…how can I compete with a woman like that? She's already a mature confident woman. When I first met Rick I wasn't even a teenager. I was just a young girl dreaming of stardom and before I knew it, I was a star."
"You have good qualities about you, Minmei."
"I know doctor. I knew for a long time that Rick was in love with Lisa Hayes but I couldn't prove it. I had a feeling that Rick was in love with Lisa for a long time because just before the battle with the Zentraedi Grand Fleet as we saw the Earth being destroyed from a portal window on board the spaceship, I can hear Rick whispering Lisa's name very softly as if he was mourning for her."
"Have you ever regretted becoming a star?"
"No, I haven't. The only regret I have is that stardom caused me to lose the one important part of my life and that is Rick Hunter. I didn't realize that he was an important part of my life until it was too late."
"I see."
"Anyway, I should get back to telling you how I got into the mess I'm in right now."
"No, that's ok Minmei. You want to air everything out to me. Don't leave anything out."
"Thank you, doctor. Anyway, I told the limo driver to drive on to Monument City without stopping but I made him stop at a bar around Monument City. I don't know how much I had to drink but I do know that I drank so much that the limo driver was afraid I would be too drunk to sing. He made the bartender give me black coffee to drink to try to at least sober me up a bit. Along the way to the amphitheatre, the limo driver had to stop along the side of the road several times so I can throw up on the street instead of inside the limo. As I was getting ready to go out on stage, the reality of what I saw at the park made me realized that I have lost Rick for good and because of that, I couldn't sing. After what happened at the concert, my cousin quit being my manager and left me.
At the hotel, I turned on the TV to try to relax with I saw the evening news about what happened after I ran out of my concert. I got so depressed after hearing what happened that I went down to the hotel's bar and I drank even more. I don't remember how much I had to drink but I did meet a young man about Rick's age and height. I came on to him and I told him that I wanted to have sex with him. I left the bar with him and we went to my hotel room. I…I started to kiss him and…I tore off his clothes and I…I sucked…his penis. After…he…came in…my mouth…the taste…of his come…made me sick…and I almost threw up. I…I began…to have…second thoughts…about having sex…with him…and…I…told him…no. He…got mad…and began to…tear off…my clothes. After…he…got me…naked…he…sucked…my clitoris. After he…made me…come…he…got on...top…of…me…and…that was…when…he…he…he raped me!"
Dr. Ming gave Minmei a box of tissues to dry her tears with
"Take your time, Minmei. Take as much time as you need. We have the rest of the day." Dr. Ming said quietly.
"Thank you, doctor. After he was finished with me…he said he was sorry for raping me and that he…only wanted to…have sex with me. I just told him to leave. After he left my hotel room, I started to cry really badly and I kept on crying until I fell asleep. The next morning I decided to take a bath and clean myself up because Vance was bringing a limousine over to the hotel so I can be driven to his office so we can sign the contract that let Vance be my agent again."
"Why didn't you report being raped to the police, Minmei?"
"I was drunk when I came on to him and he did say he was sorry for raping me. He never meant that to happen. If I went to the police and I told them I was drunk and I came on to him, they would have said that I should have known better to be drunk and to come on to a strange guy."
"That shouldn't matter Minmei. You were raped. You said no and the young man didn't stop."
"It wouldn't have mattered, doctor. Anyway, it was several days later when I missed my period that I was afraid I maybe pregnant. I called Vance and I told him that I maybe pregnant. Vance told me to see my doctor to make sure that I really was pregnant. I did what he told me. My doctor told me I was pregnant. I went to Vance's office and that was when I told Vance and his wife that I was raped and became pregnant because of it. We talked about what we should do. I told them I couldn't go into hiding for 9 months and suddenly reappear, people would get suspicious. I don't know how to be a parent much less a single parent and I couldn't see myself go through the pain of labor only to have to give the baby up for adoption. The only option I had left was an abortion.
It took me several days to decide to get an abortion and I told Vance just that when he called asking me if I could sing at the city's Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It was when I was on the stage that the baby miscarried. Several days later when I didn't showed up for a recording session, Vance came by the restaurant to find me. He found me curled up in bed and with curtains drawn. I told him that I was my fault. It was my fault for being drunk and because of that I was raped and became pregnant because of being raped. I told him that I wanted the baby to be dead and that I didn't wanted it to be growing inside my body. I hated the thought of being pregnant so much that I wanted the baby to be dead and it was right after that the baby miscarried. And now it's my fault that a life that was growing inside of me is now dead."
"Minmei let me say this to you and I want you to understand perfectly that it is not your fault. But, at the same time you made mistakes in judgment in letting yourself get so drunk that you picked up a strange man at a bar saying you want to have sex with him. You then went on to have oral sex with him and when you had second thoughts about having sex with him, this strange young man raped you and you became pregnant because of it. Even though it's not your fault, you have to take responsibility for your actions."
"I know doctor." Minmei said quietly.
"When your doctor conducted a pregnancy test on you did he also tested you for sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS and other venereal diseases?"
"Yes. So far, I have tested negative."
"Minmei, you're lucky. You don't know how lucky you are. The dangers of not knowing if he had some kind of sexually transmitted disease when he raped you or when you performed oral sex on each other is so great, I couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen to you if you contracted some kind of sexually transmitted disease."
"I know Dr. Ming."
"Has anyone outside of your agent and family knows about you being raped and becoming pregnant because of it?"
"Not that I know of."
"Minmei, before we conclude for the day, I would like to ask you one more question. Have you been sleeping at all since your miscarriage or after you were raped?"
Minmei bowed her head. "No, I haven't." Minmei softly said as she was shaking her head.
"Have you been taking anything for your insomnia?"
"No. I never saw any need to take sleeping pills."
"Ok. I'm not going to prescribe to you medication for depression because I don't think you so depressed that you will need medication. I think all you need for now is counseling from me. However, I'm going to prescribe medication for your insomnia. It's called zolpidem. You have to be careful because it's a very powerful sedative and it can be habit forming."
"I understand doctor."
"Ok, that's it for today then. I'll see you day after tomorrow and pick up it again the day after tomorrow. After that, I'll see you again the day after Christmas."
"Thank you Dr. Ming." Minmei said as she shook the doctor's hand.
Christmas Day
Minmei was enjoying Christmas dinner with her aunt, uncle and cousin Jason. Uncle Max closed the restaurant for the holiday and cooked a big meal for his family. They were at a long table at the restaurant eating Christmas dinner when Minmei heard a loud explosion outside and the whole building shook as if it was shaking from an earthquake, and then the lights went out. Everyone was sitting down so no one fell to the floor. Minmei can hear someone outside the restaurant yelling that the city and the RDF base were being attacked. Minmei became frightened for Rick because she knew that Rick would be called to fight. Before she could even begin to comprehend what was going on, Minmei heard a familiar voice that shook her to her core.
"Attention Micronians! Kyhron the Destroyer wants to wish you a Merry Christmas and I send you a special greeting from Santa Claus. May all of our foolish hallow-days be bright as this one!" He then let go an evil laugh that sent shivers up Minmei's spine.
January 3, 2014
AM/FM Recording Studio
Minmei was in the recording studio recording her comeback album when the whole building began to shake. Someone said that a Zentraedi spaceship was attacking the city and the base and everyone was told to get to an air raid shelter. Minmei and the recording crew ran out of the building but couldn't get to an air raid shelter because of chaos in the streets. A recording engineer decided it was best to go to the basement of the recording studio and to wait out the attack there.
As Minmei was running back inside the building, she saw the rusted SDF-1 began to take off from Lake Gloval. She could see the energy building up in the arms of the battle fortress as it was preparing its reflex cannons to fire on the invading spaceship. Minmei was hoping that would stop the spaceship on its deadly collision course with the SDF-1 but someone grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back into the building that was housing the recording studio.
February 23, 2014
Monument City
New Macross City is no more. The radiation level that was unleashed when Khyron's spaceship collided with the SDF-1 was so high that Mayor Tommy Luan and Lisa Hayes, now Commanding Officer of the RDF ordered an immediate evacuation of New Macross City and Fokker Base. New Macross City will be a hot zone for years even centuries to come. Many of New Macross' citizens relocated to Monument City along with the RDF. Some went further away to Granite City, north to New Detroit, east to New Philadelphia, New Pittsburgh and New Boston. Others went south to New Atlanta, New Nashville and New Miami, while others went west to New Denver, New Portland and New Seattle, some even went as far as to Honolulu. Uncle Max decided to relocate to Monument City and open up the White Dragon Restaurant there. Minmei was delighted to know that Uncle Max decided to relocate to familiar territory. She always loved Monument City and it was almost a second home to her.
It had taken over a month to relocate the citizens of New Macross, count up the cost in the dead, maimed and injured. Funeral homes and crematories were overloaded with dead bodies either waiting to be embalmed or cremated. Churches, synagogues, mosques and temples were busy almost everyday conducting funeral services for those who were killed. It was a trying time for everyone, human and Zentraedi alike. Cemeteries phone lines were burdened with people calling about getting their loved one buried. Hospitals were overrun with the dead, dying, maimed and injured. Blood drives were almost a constant way of life. If it wasn't for Minmei and her cheerfulness in the face of overwhelming tragedy, many of New Macross' citizens knew they would not have made it.
Minmei was a source of strength for New Macross' citizens. She was out everyday in public, singing and cheering the homeless and the downcast, visiting the injured in the hospitals, visiting children in the hospitals and throwing birthday parties for children who have lost their parents or whose parents were in the hospital. It was something that Minmei did without question and with a cheerful heart. She loved and adored her fans that love and adored her. Minmei was a source of pride for New Macross and Minmei knew it. She was beginning to get out of her slight depression and was looking forward in finishing her comeback album and to start touring again.
Inside a limousine on her way to a recording studio, Minmei was sitting in the back of the limo with a smile on her face and humming a tune. The exposure she received in the last month and a half was more than she hoped for. She has almost finished recording her album and she was feeling good about prospective sales of the album. Many in the music industry think that this album will put her on the comeback trail. Vance who was sitting in the back of limousine noticed the smile on her face. His heart was light seeing Minmei smile in a long time and out of her depression.
"Minmei, it's great seeing you smile again."
"I'm feeling good Vance. The album's almost finished. The studio engineers say I've been doing good work and they think this album will sell."
"I don't blame you Minmei. Word on the street and on the Internet is saying that this will put you back in the spotlight."
"I'm glad to hear that Vance."
Outside the recording studio, a tall lanky man dressed in a suit was waiting for Minmei. He had in his hand a folded up blue sheet of paper.
"Are you Miss Lynn Minmei?"
"Yes I am. Who are you?"
"I'm here to serve you papers?"
"Serve me papers for what?"
"Please just take this Miss Minmei. I'm a big fan of yours and believe me, I don't enjoy doing this."
"Ok. Well thank you." Minmei said as she was unfolding the paper and started to read it.
"What is it, Minmei?" Hasselwood asked.
"I don't know Vance. It has a lot of strange, complicated long words. It looks like a lot of mumbo-jumbo to me."
"Let me take a look at it."
Minmei handed the paper over to Hasselwood. Vance started to read it. After going through not even half of the first page of the paper, Vance's face turned white as a sheet.
"Minmei, I don't know how to say this to you…but you're being sued."