SKULL LEADER'S DOWN
CHAPTER 7
Rick and Lisa went to bed really early and made love until they were both blissfully exhausted. The next morning, Rick as usual woke up first, blinked to get his eyes into focus and checked his wristwatch. It was almost 9 in the morning.
'I'm not surprised we're getting up late. We're suffering from jet lag and almost going non stop for almost a week.'
Rick then looked over at the sleeping Lisa who was on her side facing him, had her arm draped across his bare chest and her leg laid across his leg. Not wanting to awake Lisa, Rick just looked over at her and began to take in her beautiful face. He then slowly moved to his side, propped himself up on his arm and looked as Lisa was sleeping. Several minutes Lisa slowly began to stir from her slumber. She had to blink her eyes several times to get her eyes into focus. She smiled as she saw Rick who was looking at her with love in his eyes.
"Good morning beautiful." Rick with love in his voice.
"Good morning. You are one terrific lover. You really know how to wear me out."
"You know how to do the same thing to me, Lisa. I think was out before you."
Lisa gently laughed at Rick's comment. "What would you like to do today?"
"It makes no difference to me."
"Are you hungry?"
"I'm starved."
Rick and Lisa then got out of bed and cooked breakfast. They spent the rest of the day cuddling, kissing and making out, while a CD of Lisa's favorite love songs were quietly playing on the stereo. In the evening, they changed clothes and went to eat at a Chinese restaurant. After they arrived home, they spent the rest of the evening and well into the night making out.
The next day, Rick and Lisa spent the majority of the day playing board and card games. After Lisa cooked dinner and they ate, Rick suggested playing a game of strip poker with an evil grin on his face. Lisa smiled and agreed to it because while she was a cadet at the academy, Lisa learned to play poker for money to help supplement the merger pay she was receiving and she became pretty good at winning at poker. Lisa told Rick that just before they started playing. During the course of the game however, Lisa was steadily losing her clothes, while Rick was still basically clothed. Lisa was suspicious of what Rick was doing.
"Rick, you must be bluffing."
"No I'm not, Lisa."
"Yes you are. How else can you explain why I'm almost down to my underwear while you still have most of your clothes on?"
"Luck of the draw I guess." Rick said while he was shrugging his shoulders.
"Uh-uh sure, Rick."
Several hands later, Lisa was down to her panties, while Rick still had most of his clothes on. Lisa was getting frustrated.
"You're dealing from the bottom of the deck, Rick!"
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are! You're either doing that or bluffing."
"No I'm not doing any of that scout's honors!"
"Then tell me why am I down to my panties?"
"I don't know why, Lisa! It's the luck of the draw I guess. I'm not dealing every hand you know! Speaking of deal, it's your turn to deal."
Lisa with a huff, took the deck of cards from Rick and dealt 5 cards for her and Rick. Lisa took 3 cards while Rick only took one. Lisa and Rick then showed their cards. Lisa only had a pair while Rick had two pairs. Rick didn't say a word but smiled a triumphant "I've won so you know what you have to do" smile.
"Oh all right! So you won big deal!" Lisa said as she slammed the cards down, stood up and removed her panties.
Rick gently chuckled then swept a naked Lisa off her feet and into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He then playfully put his index finger on the tip of Lisa's finger then kissed it.
"I'll be back, Lisa. I'm turning off the lights."
Rick turned off the lights to the living room and walked back to the bedroom. When he walked in, Lisa had the sheets, blanket and comforter covering her. Rick sat at the edge of the bed and kissed Lisa. After a while, Lisa asked Rick a question.
"Rick, tell me the truth. How did you win against me in poker and where did you learn to play poker?"
"When I was a kid during the summers when I was out of school and traveling with my father with the flying circus, the mechanics and the other pilots taught me how to play poker while my dad wasn't looking or was busy flying the plane during an air show. As for me beating you, it was really the luck of the draw. But if you really must know, mostly I was bluffing."
Rick's office – the next morning
As Rick was getting ready to settle into his new job as CAG and being a part of Admiral Gloval's staff, Rick couldn't help but think about what happened to him, Lisa, Kim and the cabin crew as they flying to Berlin last week and it really gnawed at him. Rick knew that the only way he could find out what the Zentraedi were doing in the Black Forest was to fly the mission. He first decided to tell General Maistroff of his decision, then Admiral Gloval since he will be the overall commander. He walked out of his office, closed the door and told his office assistant that he was going to see Maistroff.
Outside of Maistroff's office, he asked the general's office assistant, if she could tell General Maistroff that he wanted to talk to him. Maistroff's office assistant, Mrs. Jensen picked up the telephone and called Maistroff's office.
"General Maistroff said he will see you, Captain Hunter."
"Thank you Mrs. Jensen." Rick said as he was knocking on the door.
"Come in." The voice said on the other side of the closed door.
Rick opened the door, marched smartly in and stopped at the middle of General Maistroff's desk and saluted.
"Sir, Captain Hunter requesting to speak with you."
Maistroff returned Rick's salute. "Take a seat Captain Hunter. What can I do for you, Rick?"
"Well sir," Rick said as he was taking his seat. "I'm here to inform you that I will be flying under your command in the European mission."
"Oh yes, I heard what happened to you, Lisa and Kim on your way to Berlin last week, so I had a suspicion that you will want to be flying under me. I'm sorry I couldn't be there at the meeting after you landed. I had to do something for Admiral Gloval about the mission to the UEG."
"Yes sir. Sir, there is something going on in the Black Forest that the rebel Zentraedis don't want us to know about. I can't put my finger on it, but why else would someone send up four battle pods to try to shoot us down?"
"Yes, you do have a point there Rick. J-2 and Force Intelligence has been working with Sammie on trying to get us the intelligence we need before we start trying to do any kind of planning but so far, the going has been proven to be very tough. I'm afraid that we may have to go into combat without all the intelligence we need but hopefully before then the intelligence we will have on hand will be more than sufficient. Will you be taking the whole Skull Squadron with you to Germany?"
"No sir. One half of the squadron will be with me in Germany and the other half will be with CDR Sterling in Brazil."
"Oh! Really you are?" Maistroff said with a smile. 'Man, Anatole will have a conniption fit when he finds out that Miriya Sterling will be flying for him, which I don't mind. I wish I can be there to see the look on his face when he finds that out.'
Maistroff then extended his hand to Rick. "Thanks for informing me that you will be flying for me in the campaign. I'm glad you decided to be my air commander. I'll let you go and let you get back to your job. Once you're finished in helping all the squadrons in getting their planes repaired or replaced and personnel replaced, you will be working with only me in planning the air operation."
"Thank you, sir. I'll tell Admiral Gloval and CDR Sterling of my decision."
"Don't mention it, Captain Hunter and thank you for informing Admiral Gloval and CDR Sterling." 'Better you than me in telling them, especially when Anatole finds out.'
"You're welcome, sir." Rick said as he was standing up and saluted.
Rick walked out of General Maistroff's office and walked down to Admiral Gloval's office to inform Admiral Gloval of his intent to fly in the Germany campaign. After getting Admiral Gloval's approval of him flying, Rick using his cell phone, called Skull Squadron's orderly room and asked the orderly room sergeant to hold Max so he can talk to Max. Rick then checked out a jeep from the motor pool and drove over to the squadron's headquarters. Rick knew that Max would be mad at Rick for flying in the Germany campaign knowing that Max and Miriya will be flying under Leonard's command, but he hoped that Max would at least understand. After Rick parked the jeep and walked in, Max was waiting for him.
"Hello Rick." Max said as he held out his hand.
"Hello Max."
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Can we go into your office and talk, Max?"
"Sure."
As Rick and Max walked into Max's office, Rick closed the door and sat down; Rick collected his thoughts and was quiet for a long time trying to figure out what to say to Max.
"Max…I don't know how to say this delicately so I am just going to say it out right to you. I'm going to fly the Germany operation."
Max kept a blank expression on his face. "I had a suspicion that you were going to say that to me."
"Max, please try to understand. I know you don't want to fly under that xenophobe Leonard, but there is something in the Black Forest that the enemy does not want us to know about. Why else would they send up a flight of battle pods to try to shoot us down?
"I know Rick, I know. You don't have to explain that to me."
"Max, we've been friends for a long time. We survived many battles and I want you to understand that I wouldn't ask you to do this unless it's extremely important. It's important for me personally to find out what the rebel Zentraedis are doing in the Black Forest. If the Zentraedi didn't send up those battle pods to try to shoot us out of sky, I would have gladly fly the Amazon operation."
Max was quiet for a long time. "Ok Rick, I will fly in South America. But understand this Rick; I'm only agreeing to do this because you are my friend. Otherwise, I would have told you to go to Hell and find someone else to fly the South America operation."
"I understand, Max."
"Rick, I want you to do me a favor since I will fly in the Amazon for you."
"Name it Max."
"I want Miriya to fly with you in Germany. She will be your second in command. I don't want her to be flying under Leonard. God only knows what will happen when Leonard finds out. Captain Selma Garcia will be my second in command."
"I assume that you will break the news to Miriya?"
"Yes I will."
Rick was nodding his head. "Ok Max. I'll agree to let Miriya fly with me. It only makes sense."
"Thanks Rick."
"You're welcome, Max." Rick said as he stood up and extended his hand.
Max didn't say a word but he did take Rick's hand and shook it.
"I need to get back to my office Max. Have a safe patrol."
"Thanks Rick."
As Rick opened the door, Miriya was standing at the door.
"Hello Miriya." Rick said with a smile.
"Hello Rick."
Miriya waited until Rick was out until she talked with Max.
"Max, the pilots are waiting for you. Why is Rick here?"
"Miriya, can you close the door?"
"Yes, Max."
"Miriya, Rick stopped by to tell me that he will be flying in the Germany mission."
"Yes. So?"
"You will be flying with Rick in the European operation. You will be Rick's XO. I will be flying the Brazil mission. Captain Garcia will be my second in command."
"WHAT?"
"Miriya, please try to understand. I'm only looking out for you. I don't want you to be flying under the command of Leonard. You know how much he hates the Zentraedi. Even Zentraedi like you, Lord Breetai and Exedore."
"Maximilian, should you at least ask me if that is what I wanted to do? I can take care of myself!"
"I know Miriya and you are right, I should have asked you first. But please try to understand, I'm only looking out for you. I don't want you to be flying under Leonard."
Miriya was quiet for a long time, thinking it over. "Very well Maximilian. I will go along with what you say. But Max, the next time something like this happens, promise me that you will tell me first."
Max nodded his head as he embraced his wife and wing mate. "I will remember to ask you first. I promise."
Rick's office – before lunch
Rick checked the jeep back to the motor pool and walked back to his office. As he was thinking about Lisa and what to do in the evening after they get off work, the phone rang. It was his assistant. He picked up the telephone.
"Yes CPL Okumba?"
"Sir, General Leonard wants to speak to you. And sir when you answer the call, make sure you have the receiver away from your ear. When I picked up the telephone General Leonard was screaming in my ear. My ears are still ringing."
'Well, it didn't take that long for the good general to find out about me taking half of the squadron to Germany.' "Thanks for the warning corporal. You can transfer the call." Rick said as he began to move the receiver away from his ear.
"Yes General Leonard."
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS CAPTAIN HUNTER?"
"What are you talking about sir?"
"YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT CAPTAIN! WHAT IS THE IDEA OF YOU TAKING THE SKULL SQUADRON TO GERMANY WITH YOU? YOU KNOW I NEED THE BEST VERITECH SQUADRON WITH ME!"
"Sir, I am not taking the whole squadron with me to Germany. I am only taking half of the squadron. CDR Sterling will take the other half to Brazil with him. He will be your air commander. He will work under you and will help you in planning the air war. You will have your full compliment of veritech fighters and well as General Maistroff. All aviation squadrons will be in the campaign, no matter if they're in Germany or Brazil."
"What is the idea of you gong to Germany? I need my best pilot with me in South America, which is you!"
"Sir, CDR Sterling is just as good as a pilot as I am. As for me flying in Germany, it is nothing personal against you, General Leonard. You know what happened to me, Captain Hayes and Commander Young as we were flying to Berlin. There is something going on in the Black Forest that the enemy does not want us to know about and I intend to find out why."
"Very well Captain Hunter but I want to know why you are splitting up the Skull. I want the best squadron complete with me in South America, not broken up!"
"Sir, it was my decision to split up the squadron. I decided that I need a good compliment of the squadron with me. You are not being cheated out of having the best pilots or the best squadron with you. Every pilot in the squadron is the best as well as every other pilot in any squadron. I discussed this with Admiral Gloval and he agreed to my suggestion. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you take it up with Admiral Gloval."
"That will not be necessary, Captain Hunter." General Leonard said in a huff as he slammed down the phone.
'What an arrogant xenophobic bastard. I need to see Lisa and be with her. It's lunchtime away.'
Officer's mess
Lisa and Claudia were already sitting down and eating lunch at their usual table. Rick walked over to where Lisa and Claudia were sitting, put his tray down on the table and kissed Lisa on the lips. Lisa had a sweet smile on her face when she saw Rick. Rick had a sour look on his face but his heart warmed when he saw Lisa smiling
"Hi Rick." Lisa said as she kissed Rick.
"Hello Lisa."
"Whoa, you have a bad look on your face Rick. What happened before you got here?" Claudia asked.
"Leonard called chewing me out, asking me why I will be flying in Germany and why I am taking half of the Skull with me."
"Oh no, Rick! What came about of your phone conversation with Leonard?" Lisa asked.
"Nothing much, I told him my reason why I will be flying in Germany and having half of the squadron with me. I also told him if he had any problems with what I did, to take it up with Admiral Gloval because he approved it."
"Don't worry about it, Rick. All of us at one time or the other had our share of run-ins with Leonard." Claudia said matter-of-factly.
"Claudia's right Rick, don't worry about it. Leonard's a blow hard anyway. He wouldn't dare do anything as long as Admiral Gloval's around."
"I guess you're right Lisa."
As the three were eating their lunch, Rick began to wonder if he should ask Lisa to marry him anytime soon. He knows that very soon he will flying off to Germany into combat. He is certain that he will make back home and to Lisa alive but there is always a chance that he won't. It's not that he is a fatalist; he always had a positive outlook on life. But being in the military and a fighter pilot, no one can know for certain that he will survive the next mission.
He loves Lisa with all his heart and he's sure that Lisa feels the same way about him. There was something in the back of his mind that said is was too soon for him to ask Lisa to marry him, because wasn't it only last week that they finally admitted to one another that they love each other. But they have known each other for a long time. Sure, it wasn't in a romantic sense but they have known each other and have been friends for a long time. That should count for something a part of him was saying to himself.
At one point during their lunch, Rick trying to act nonchalant, took Lisa's hand into his and began feeling her fingers, especially her ring finger trying to get a sense of the circumference of her ring finger. In the way he was touching Lisa's fingers, Rick was hoping that Lisa wasn't getting any ideas by him feeling her fingers. He's not a great judge of finger size but he's sure he can find an engagement ring that will fit Lisa's finger, if and when he decides to go shopping for a ring.
After eating lunch, Rick and Lisa kissed and went their separate ways. In his office, Rick continued to think about Lisa and their relationship. He loves Lisa and he know for sure…no… he knows for certain that Lisa loves him. He knows that he loves Lisa enough that he wants to spend the rest of his life with Lisa as his wife. The only question is does Lisa feels the same way about him. Does she love him enough that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him? 'There is only one way to find out.' Rick said to himself. And that was to go shopping for an engagement ring. He hope that he will be finished with work early enough in the evening that he can go into the shopping district of Macross City and go shopping for a ring.
Rick had to work late, but he was still able to get off work early enough to go shopping for an engagement ring in Macross' upscale shopping district. As he walking into a jewelry store, Minmei was riding by in the back of a limousine. After breaking up with Lynn Kyle both professional and personally, Minmei convinced her former manager Vance Hasselwood to become her agent again. Vance managed to wrangle a one album recording deal for Minmei. He knew if Minmei could be successful in selling one album, he would be able to get Minmei a long term recording contract. She was on her way back to her uncle's restaurant after a long and busy day of recording.
Minmei was in the back of the limo thinking about finding another place to live. Even though she loves her aunt and uncle very much, living at the restaurant and having photographers and the paparazzi around all the time was proving to be very difficult. She wanted to find a more secure and secluded place to live. Minmei spotted Rick and was about to row down the window because she wanted to say hello to Rick. When she noticed Rick walking into a jewelry store, she decided against it. She knew that the only reason Rick was walking into a jewelry store was that he was shopping for an engagement ring for Lisa. 'He surely can't be shopping for an engagement ring for me, as if I can only hope.' Minmei said to her self as tears began to fall from her eyes. She knew just as soon she spotted Rick going into a jewelry store; she has lost Rick for good.
'There is nothing I can do now but to go on with my life without Rick.' Minmei said to herself with sadness in her voice.
After going into numerous jewelry stores and finally finding an engagement ring that he felt that Lisa would surely love, the next problem Rick told himself is when to ask Lisa the Question and would she say yes. He could wait until Valentine's Day because he was almost certain that he would still be in Macross on that day and that would be the obvious day in which to ask Lisa to marry him. But that would be too obvious. Besides, everyone including their relative knew that would be the day in which to ask someone you love to marry you. No, he wanted to go against the norm. He has to ask Lisa sooner to marry him. But where, when and if she will say yes was the biggest question of all
The following Friday
It snowed hard all day but the snow was finally letting up. The night sky was clear and cold. There was not a cloud in the sky. The moon shining off the freshly fallen snow almost looked like a shimmering mirror.
'What a beautiful sight.' Rick said to himself.
It was Friday and the end of another work week. Rick was looking forward to another weekend where it is only him and Lisa together. What a great way to kick off the weekend, ask Lisa to marry him. He decided that he and Lisa would first enjoy a dinner at a French restaurant that Lisa always enjoy going to. Then it was a walk in the moonlight and the freshly fallen snow. What a perfect way to ask Lisa to marry him. He called Lisa's favorite French restaurant to find out if they were open. He was pleased to find out it was.
He arrived home, their home first. He still can't believe it; Rick was living in Lisa's home. But it was not only her home, it was their home. After he arrived home, Rick removed his uniform, showered, dressed in a suit and tie, sat on the couch and waited for Lisa to come home from work. He heard the sound of keys opening the door knob and the dead bolt and he stood up. As Lisa walked through the door, Rick with a warm smile on his face walked up to Lisa, gathered her up in his arms and lovingly started to kiss her. The feeling of Rick's lips on hers, him holding her and the smell of Lisa's favorite cologne on him seemed to hypnotize Lisa. Lisa wrapped her arms around Rick's neck and started to moan in delight. After a while, they broke off their kiss and Lisa looked at Rick with a loving smile on her face.
"So why you are all dressed up for, Rick? What's the occasion lover boy?"
"You'll find out Lisa. First, I would like for you to get out of your uniform and take a shower because we are going to kick off the weekend in style. We are going to your favorite French restaurant to eat."
"We are?"
"We are."
"I love you, Rick." Lisa said as she kissed him and then ran off to the bedroom to take off her uniform and shower. As Lisa was walking, Rick made sure that the small black crush velvet box that has the ring in it was safely in his coat pocket.
Lisa walked into the living room, dressed in a short black dress that always seems to put Rick into a sexual fit. She was also wearing perfume that was Rick's favorite.
"Lisa, you are absolutely beautiful.' Rick said in a low loving voice.
"Thank you." Lisa said seductively as Rick helped Lisa put on her coat.
At the restaurant, Rick had difficulty eating his dinner because he spent most of the time looking at Lisa as the candle gave a radiant glow to her face. After they arrived home from the restaurant, Rick suggested that they go for a walk; "to help digest their meal." As they were walking, Rick and Lisa came upon a park and an open area of the park that was blanketed with snow and with the moon shining off it gave it a almost magical glow. As they were approaching the park, Rick decided that would be the perfect time and place to ask Lisa to marry him. Rick was getting nervous in more ways than one, but he was trying to remain calm. Rick and Lisa were walking very slowly hand in hand.
"You know Lisa, we been through a lot these past several days and years. So many friends and lives lost"
"Yes we have, Rick."
"I never thought I would ever fall in love with you, considering how we first met."
"I know, Rick."
"I always wanted to fall in love with someone."
Lisa stopped Rick, turned and faced him and looked at him squarely in the eyes.
"Rick, what are you getting at?"
Rick unsure of what to say next just looked at Lisa.
"Lisa, I don't know how to say this any easily, so I guess I will just say it." Rick said as he began fishing out the box out his coat pocket. He took off his left glove so he can easily open the box. He dropped to one knee and opened the box. Lisa gasped and put her hand to her mouth when she saw the ring. It was a 6 karat weight ring that was set in 24 karat gold. He gently took off Lisa's left glove and slipped the ring on her ring finger. It fitted on her finger perfectly. By this time, Lisa was crying.
"Lisa…I…I…I love you…and…I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. Lisa Hayes…will you marry me?" Rick asked with a hopeful tone in his voice.
"Oh Rick." Lisa whispered as tears of happiness were rolling down her cheeks.
"Is that a yes?" Rick asked as he was looking up at her.
Lisa didn't answer his question. Instead, she guided Rick back up on his feet and looked at him with love in her eyes. Rick looked at Lisa as the tears were welling up in her eyes and were sparkling like the diamond that was on her finger.
"I have a confession to make to you Rick. Earlier this week while we were eating lunch with Claudia and you took my hand in yours, I had a suspicion that you were trying to get an idea of what my ring finger size is."
'Well, so much for trying to be subtle.' "So, is that a yes Lisa?" Rick asked one more time.
"What do you think, Rick?" Lisa asked with love in her eyes and voice as parted her lips to give Rick a kiss.