SKULL LEADER'S DOWN!
CHAPTER 5Lisa set the alarm clock radio for 5:00 AM. She figured that it would give them more than enough time to shower, brush their teeth, and for Rick a shave. A driver is coming to Lisa's house to pick them up and drive them to the airfield where they will meet up with Kim who should already be at the terminal. They will eat breakfast at the officer's mess at the airfield. After eating breakfast, Lisa, Rick and Kim will go to the terminal where Rick will conduct a pre flight inspection of the jet he will piloting. After the pre flight inspection and if Rick approves, Lisa and Kim will board the jet and take off from Macross at promptly 0700.
The alarm clock radio went off at exactly 5:00 AM with the radio station playing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Lisa and Rick were in bed sleeping with Lisa snuggled up against Rick's chest and Rick arms wrapped around Lisa's shoulders. Neither wanted to get out of bed but they knew they will eventually have to. Rick as usual being the nice guy let Lisa go first. Lisa showered and brushed her teeth while Rick slowly roused himself out of bed. After Lisa was finished, Rick went into the bathroom to shower, shave and brush his teeth. After he was finished showering, Rick dried himself off and began to put on his uniform. As Rick was putting on his uniform, he noticed Lisa was in a business suit and was looking at herself in the mirror as she was finishing putting on her makeup. Rick decided that Lisa has the right idea in wearing a civilian business suit, so he changed out of his uniform and into a suit and tie.
As Rick was putting on his suit and tie, he saw Lisa's reflection in the mirror. Rick always knew that Lisa was beautiful, but he never knew how beautiful she is until she came by his house to say good-bye. He was thankful he was given another chance. Rick walked over to where Lisa was standing, put his arms around her thin waist and looked at their reflections in the mirror. He rested his chin on her shoulder.
"You are so beautiful, Lisa. You know that?" Rick said softly as he was looking at their reflections in the mirror.
Lisa lovingly blushed. She then turned her face to Rick and looked at him with love in her eyes. "Flattery will get you everywhere with me."
"I like the way you blush. It just makes you more beautiful"
"Are you saying it just to make me blush?" Lisa said teasingly.
"It's the truth."
Overwhelmed by what Rick said to her, Lisa wrapped her arms around Rick's neck and started kissing him. As they were kissing each other, a car outside started honking its horn. Rick and Lisa broke off their kiss, grabbed their suitcases, Lisa her attaché case and left the house. Instead of sending over a jeep, a sedan was sent over to drive Lisa and Rick to the airfield. The trunk of the car was open so that Rick and Lisa can put their suitcases in the trunk. Rick opened the back door for Lisa, followed her in and closed the door. In the back seat, Lisa and Rick laced their fingers together. Lisa closed her eyes and rested her head on Rick's shoulder with a smile of contentment on her lips. The female enlisted driver looking back at them in her rear view mirror couldn't help but smile.
'Two of the best and best liked officers in the RDF are finally together. They are the perfect couple. I am so happy for them. I wish I can that kind of relationship with my boyfriend.'
As if reading what the driver was thinking, Rick just smiled at the driver and winked. The driver was embarrassed that she got caught looking at them.
"I'm sorry sir. I should be keeping my eyes on the road."
"Don't be embarrassed sergeant. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing." Rick said in a reassuring tone of voice.
"Thank you, sir."
After arriving at the airfield's terminal, the female sergeant stopped the car and shut off the engine. She then pressed a button to open the trunk and told Rick to stay in the car as she opened the driver's side door and ran to the back of car so she can open the door to let Rick and Lisa out of the car. After she opened the door, the sergeant saluted as Rick and Lisa got out of the car. Lisa and Rick returned the sergeant's salute and retrieved their suitcases out of the trunk of the car.
"Is there anything else you need from me sir and ma'am?"
"No, we're fine sergeant. You can return to your unit." Rick said.
"Thank you, sir and thank you ma'am." The female sergeant said as she saluted Lisa and Rick.
Lisa and Rick returned the sergeant's salute and walked into the terminal. Kim was waiting for them inside the terminal with her suitcase. They went to the officer's mess inside the terminal to eat breakfast. As they eating breakfast, Lisa and Kim went over the briefing as much as they will allow themselves, considering they are in a public place. After they finished eating breakfast, Lisa and Kim waited inside as Rick went the meteorologist's office to get a weather report for the Atlantic, and then outside to do a pre flight inspection on the jet he will be piloting. After doing a complete search and inspection of the jet, Rick allowed Lisa and Kim to board. Rick went into the cockpit and started doing his pre flight checks as Lisa, Kim and the cabin flight crew were getting themselves settled in. After completing the checks and find everything was to his liking, Rick took off his suit jacket and hanged it on the back of the pilot's seat, strapped himself in, put on his headset and contacted the tower.
"Macross Control, this is Captain Hunter. I have completed my pre flight safety and inspection checks and I am ready for takeoff over."
"Roger Captain Hunter. Your flight number is November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 and the call sign for your flight is Executive Flight." LT Mitchell said from the tower.
"Acknowledged Macross Control, my flight number is November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 and my call sign is Executive Flight."
"Roger Captain Hunter. After you turn on your engines, taxi on to the end of runway 3 and await final departure instructions."
"Roger Macross Control." Rick then turned on the jet's intercom system. "Lisa, Kim, cabin crew, please buckle your selves in. We'll be taking off very shortly."
Rick then turned on the engines and taxied onto the runway.
"Executive Flight, you are cleared for immediate take off. Have a good flight and come back to us safely, sir."
"Thank you Macross Control. We will see you tomorrow Executive Flight out."
Rick then opened the throttle and pushed the jet down the runway. Seconds later the jet was airborne. Rick toggled the switch for the jet's intercom system. "All right everyone. We are airborne but I want all of you to stay buckled in until we reach cruising attitude. Once we reach cruising attitude, you can unbuckle yourselves but I want you to stay buckled in just in case we hit turbulence."
After flying for several more minutes, Rick turned on the jet's intercom system again. "All right everyone; we are now at cruising attitude, so you can unbuckle yourself. I like for you to keep yourself buckled in just case we hit turbulence."
Lisa tapped Kim, who was sitting across the aisle from her, on the shoulder.
"Kim, I hope you don't mind but I'm going up to the cockpit to be with…"
Kim interrupted her not letting Lisa finish her sentence. "Oh go ahead, Lisa. You know I don't mind." Kim said with a smile on her face.
"Thanks Kim." Lisa said with a smile.
Rick had the cockpit's door closed but not locked. Lisa knocked on the door.
"Come in. Door's not locked."
Lisa opened the door and sat in the co-pilot's seat. Rick had a huge smile on his face.
"Lisa! I was hoping you were coming in here."
"I hope you don't mind Rick but I thought you would like some company in the cockpit."
"Oh, you know I don't mind Lisa. Besides, everything is always brighter whenever you're around." Rick said as he took Lisa's hand and kissed it on the knuckles.
Lisa smiled and blushed as Rick kissed her knuckles. "How long is our flight to Newfoundland?"
"It's about a three hour flight. We will be in New Gander long enough to refuel. We will do one mid air refuel outside of English air space. That should be enough more than enough fuel to get us into Brussels."
"That's good Rick." Lisa said just before she let out a big yawn and stretched.
Rick sensed that Lisa didn't sleep enough last night. "Lisa, there is a couch that is in a small room in the back of the plane. Why don't you go in the back and sleep for a while? I'd checked the weather reports before we left and the weather reports said there should not be any bad weather between here and New Gander."
"Rick, are you sure? You don't mind being by yourself?"
"I'm sure. Go in the back and get some sleep. I don't mind being by myself."
Lisa went into the back of the jet, found the room that had the couch, took off her suit jacket and black dress shoes, found a small pillow and fleece blanket at the foot of the couch, put the blanket over her and went to sleep.
Several hours later, Rick heard another rap on the door.
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
Lisa walked through the door and she had a smile on her face. Rick liked what he sees.
"You look great Lisa. It's nice to see you all chipper."
"Thank you."
"I take it that the sleep did you good?"
"Yes it did. Thank you for suggesting the couch."
"You're welcome. Think you're chipper enough to join the mile high club? You will find out why it's called a cockpit." Rick asked with an evil grin.
Lisa gave Rick the evil eye. Instead of answering his naughty question, she asked; "Where are we?"
"We're almost to New Gander. We should see the runway for the RDF Canada air base very soon."
Rick then toggled the switch to the radio to contact the tower.
"Gander Tower this November-Oscar-Bravo 12536. Call sign Executive Flight. Do you read me Gander Tower over?"
"November-Oscar-Bravo 12536, this is Gander Tower. We read you loud and clear over."
"Gander Tower, this is Executive Flight requesting landing instructions over."
"Executive Flight, this is Gander Tower. We have a visual on you and on radar. You are cleared to land on runway 2."
"Thank you Gander Tower November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 out."
Rick looked over to Lisa who was sitting in the co-pilot's seat. "Go ahead and strap yourself in. We're about to land." Rick then toggled the switch to the intercom system. "Kim, cabin crew, I need for you to buckle yourselves in. We're about to land. After we land, keep yourselves buckled in. We'll only be on the ground long enough to refuel."
"Rick, there's the runway." Lisa pointed in the direction of the runway.
"I see it."
Rick pointed the nose of the jet to the runway and started his descent. Several minutes later, the jet's wheels came down and Rick gently landed the plane. Rick taxied the jet to the tarmac and waited for fuel truck to come. Rick took the opportunity to take a short rest break. Lisa looked over to the side of the jet and saw the fuel truck pulling away. She leaned over and shook Rick gently on the shoulder.
"Rick, the truck is finished refueling. We can take off again."
Rick shook his head. "Ok Lisa." Rick contacted the tower. "Gander Tower, this is November-Oscar-Bravo 12536. We are loaded with fuel and requesting instructions and clearance for takeoff over."
"November-Oscar-Bravo 12536, this is Gander Tower. Taxi onto runway 3 you are cleared for immediate takeoff from there."
"Thank you Gander Tower November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 call sign Executive Flight out."
Rick taxied onto the runway, pushed forward the throttle and eased the plane into the air. After reaching cruising attitude, Rick turned on the intercom. "All right everyone; we're at cruising attitude again so you can unbuckle yourselves if you want."
"Rick, you've been up since early this morning. Why don't you go in the back and lay down on the couch. I know how to fly so it should not be a problem to fly this jet. I'll either let you know or have Kim wake you up when the 135 tanker calls us to do the mid air refuel."
"Ok Lisa. Go ahead and take wheel before I let go of it."
Lisa grabbed the flight wheel in the co-pilot seat and took over flying the jet. Rick slowly got out of the pilot's chair and slowly walked back to the back of the jet. While it did seem he was asleep for only 30 minutes, he had been asleep for several hours. Kim went back to where Rick was sleeping and gently shook his shoulder.
"Rick…Rick."
"Huh? Yes Kim."
"Lisa asked me to wake you up. The tanker called and told Lisa they and us are approaching the waypoint for the mid air refuel very fast."
"Thanks Kim."
Rick got up from the couch, hitched up his tie, jogged up the aisle to the cockpit, opened the cockpit door, sat down in the pilot's seat and put on his headset.
"What's the tanker's call sign, Lisa?"
"It's Echo-Charlie 35."
"Thanks Lisa."
"Echo-Charlie 35, this is Executive Flight. Do you either have a visual on us or on radar?"
"We have you on radar only Executive Flight. Executive Flight, the boom operator tells me he does have a visual on you. Do you see us Executive Flight?"
Lisa pointed up. Rick looked up at where Lisa was pointing.
"Roger Echo-Charlie 35, we see you."
"Maintain present heading, course and speed Executive Flight. We will have you refueled very shortly."
'Roger Echo-Charlie 35."
Several minutes later the executive jet was filled up.
"Executive Flight, this Echo-Charlie 35 you're all filled up with gas over."
"Roger Echo-Charlie 35 thanks for the fill up."
"You're welcome Executive Flight. Echo-Charlie 35 out."
As the tanker plane pulled away, there was a knock on the door. It was the enlisted steward with their lunches, their box lunches.
"Captain Hayes, Captain Hunter. Here is your lunch." He said with a smile.
"Thank you."
They opened up the box, made a face and groaned. Inside the box was a stale sandwich with several small packets of condiments, a small bag of chips, an apple that is probably mealy because it is old, one cookie that was wrapped in plastic wrap, and a warm can of soda.
"My school's lunch looked more appetizing than this." Rick said.
"It probably tasted better too." Lisa said.
"You want to trade your lunch for mine?"
"You got to be kidding me Rick."
Brussels Airport Belgium
Rick landed the jet and was instructed to taxi the jet to a hangar away from the main terminal. As soon as he cut the power to the engines, the jet was surrounded by machine gun toting guards. An enlisted steward opened the door and a step ladder came up and butted up against the open door. Kim, Lisa and Rick were met at the foot of the ladder by the UEG ambassador to Belgium. The ambassador extended his hand.
"Hello, Captain Hayes, Captain Hunter, Lieutenant Commander Young, I'm Franklin Dover, the UEG ambassador to Belgium. Welcome to Belgium."
"Thank you Mr. Ambassador." All three said as they shake the ambassador's hand.
"How was your flight?"
"It was uneventful, thank God." Lisa said for all three.
"That's good to know. The three of you will be in the second limousine. I will be in the first. Don't worry about the jet, Captain Hunter. It is guarded by heavily armed Belgium army troops. No one will ever get near that jet."
"That's good to know Mr. Ambassador."
"Shall we go everyone?"
"Let's go Mr. Ambassador."
The motorcade left Brussels Airport with a police escort lead by police officers on speedy motorcycles. The motorcade had to weave in and out of traffic because it was the evening rush hour. The motorcade arrived at the president's residence. The meeting lasted over an hour because the president asked Lisa and Kim a lot of questions. Although the president asked the majority of questions to Lisa and Kim, he did ask Rick questions as to the use of the VT's in Belgium. As the meeting was wrapping up, the president extended his hand to Lisa, Kim and Rick.
"Thank you Captain Hayes, Captain Hunter, Commander Young. You should know of my decision to have you in my country by tomorrow."
"Thank you Mr. President."
Lisa, Rick and Kim were led out of the president's house by a servant. The limo's door was opened by armed guard. After they sat down, the door closed shut and scant seconds later; the motorcade was on its way back to the airport. Inside the limo, Rick asked Lisa a question.
"So what do you think, Lisa? Do you think he will allow us to be in his country?"
"I don't know Rick. I couldn't tell a thing from his body language. I tell you Rick, he can be a great poker player because I couldn't read anything from his facial expressions."
The motorcade arrived at the hangar in a little over 30 minutes. Rick did a quick inspection of the jet and also did a quick safety pre flight inspection of the cockpit. When everything was to his liking, he allowed Lisa and Kim to enter the jet. Rick put on his headset and contacted the tower. Lisa as usual decided to go into the cockpit to be with Rick instead of staying in the cabin.
"Brussels Tower, this is November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 requesting instructions and clearance for takeoff over."
A heavily accented voice came over the radio. "November-Oscar-Bravo 12536 this is Brussels Tower. We have acknowledged you request for takeoff. Taxi on runway 35 you will be 5th in line for takeoff over."
"Roger Brussels Tower acknowledged." Rick then toggled the switch for cabin intercom. "All right everyone; you should know the drill by now. Everyone should be buckled in for takeoff."
Rick slowly taxied the jet to the runway and waited with the bigger jets for takeoff. After waiting for 15 minutes, Rick was given clearance for takeoff.
"Ok Lisa. Here we go. It's on to Berlin."
Deep in the Black Forest of Germany
Inside a super secret Zentraedi research facility deep in the Black Forest of Germany, a Zentraedi clerk ran up to the head of the facility.
"Sir!"
"What is it, Garrak?"
"Sir, flight operations reports that they have on radar, an unidentified Micronian jet has left Brussels, Belgium and is headed south towards us!"
"Is flight operations sure the jet is Micronian?"
"Yes sir. Flight operations say they are positive that the jet is Micronian."
"How long until the Micronian plane enters our facility?"
"Flight operations say if the plane stays on its present course and speed, the Micronian plane will enter our airspace in a little over two hours."
"That is unacceptable. The Micronians should not know of our facility. Order a flight of battle pods up to intercept and take down the Micronian jet."
"Yes sir." Garrak said as he saluted and ran off.
Over German airspace
"How long it should take us to reach Berlin, Rick?"
"At our present speed, I calculate it should only take us about an hour to reach Berlin airspace."
"That's good because I'm getting hungry."
"I'm hungry too, Lisa."
Several minutes later, 4 blips came up on the jet's radar. Lisa and Rick noticed the blips. They became worried.
"I don't like the looks of this." Rick said with a worried tone of voice.
"Me neither, Rick."
"Lisa, I think you better leave the cockpit and go into the cabin and sit down in a shell seat."
"No Rick. I'm not leaving you alone in the cockpit."
"Lisa this is not a time to be arguing with me!"
"No Rick! You and I may be of the same rank now but you will need someone to operate the radio!"
"All right Lisa! You can stay with me! But if the shooting starts, I need you to duck down underneath the instrument panel!"
"Ok Rick."
Rick immediately toggled the switch to the cabin intercom. "Kim and flight crew, I need you to get to a shell seat and cover up. I have four bogeys coming up fast from the south and I think they're not friendly!"
As the bogeys came up fast and close, Rick's heart was beating crazy and fast. When he saw what the bogeys were, he became alarmed.
"THEY'RE ZENTRAEDI BATTLE PODS!"
"They're shooting at us Rick!"