SKULL LEADER'S DOWN!
CHAPTER 8
"Please Lisa, please answer me. I need to know. I need to hear you say it. Will you marry me? If I have to get down on my knees again and beg you, I will." Rick said in a pleading voice.
Lisa chuckled to herself and smiled a smug, satisfying smile. She has Rick right where she wants him. 'I have the macho flyboy groveling. I think I will make him sweat a little while longer.' Lisa said to herself with satisfaction. After making Rick sweat for a while, she finally answered Rick. "Yes Rick. I'll marry you." She whispered with love in her voice as she took Rick's hands into hers.
Rick, who was holding his breath, finally released it in several short pants. He began to smile as tears began to well up in the corners of his eyes as he put his arms around Lisa's waist. He began to kiss Lisa. They have kissed many times before, but this time, he was kissing Lisa with a passion, joy and love he has never felt for a woman like Lisa before, not even for Minmei. The joy he was feeling in his heart was so overwhelming, that he began to cry. Lisa began to wipe the tears away from his eyes as she began to cry herself.
"You know Rick; only women are supposed to cry when a man asks a woman to marry him." Lisa said in a kidding but loving voice.
"I don't care Lisa. I don't care if someone is walking by and sees me crying. I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Rick then enclosed his arms around Lisa's tiny waist, pulled her into his body and locked her in a tight, loving embrace. He then looked at Lisa with a love in his eyes as he was trying to sniff away his happy tears.
"Let's go home, Rick." Lisa said softly
Lisa and Rick turned around and stated walking towards Lisa's house holding hands. Even though the night air was cold, they didn't run. Not just because the sidewalks and roads were frozen, but the afterglow they were feeling from their now engagement was keeping them warm. Periodically, Rick looked over at Lisa with love his eyes.
'I can't believe you said yes. I can't believe you're now mine. Lisa Hayes, you made my dreams come true. I never break your heart.'
Lisa sensed that Rick was looking at her. She turned her head and smiled a loving smile as she sees Rick.
Very soon, they finally reached Lisa's house. Lisa reached into her coat pocket, fished out the keys, opened the door knob and the dead blot and opened the door. Rick helped Lisa take off her coat and then took off his. He opened a closet door and hung up their coats. After he hung up their coats and closed the door, Lisa ran up to Rick, jumped into his arms and started kissing him. Rick momentarily caught off guard by Lisa's lighting quick move, stumbled back a bit. He recovered quickly enough to wrap his arms around Lisa's waist and started returning her kisses. After a while, Rick and Lisa broke off their kiss. Rick then scooped Lisa into his arms as Lisa looped her arms around Rick's neck. They kissed again and kept it as Rick was carrying Lisa into the bedroom. Very soon, they were both nude and were making love. They didn't do much that weekend, except being in each others arms, snuggling, kissing, making out and making love.
Lisa's office – Monday morning
Lisa was at her desk doing paperwork when Claudia, out of breath appeared at her open door.
"Lisa, Lisa, the ring! Let me see the ring!"
"How did you…never mind." Lisa said shaking her head. She knew one of the three told people of seeing Lisa's engagement ring; she just didn't know which one of the three spilled the beans. She then extended her left arm to let Claudia take a good look at the ring. Her jaw dropped and she gasped when she saw the size of the diamond
"Wow Lisa! That is one huge diamond! It must have cost Rick a fortune. Where did Rick get the ring?"
"I didn't ask and he didn't tell."
"When and where did Rick ask you marry him? Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out."
Lisa began to tell Claudia how after she arrived home after work, Rick treated her to dinner at her favorite French restaurant and afterward, they walked in the cold night air. At a park near her house, Rick dropped to his knee, opened a small black box revealing the engagement, slipped the ring on her finger, and proposed to her. After Lisa finished telling Claudia the story, Lisa was enthralled with what Lisa told her and Claudia's eyes were misting over.
"Oh Lisa, that is so beautiful of what Rick did. It's something Roy would do." Claudia said as tears were hanging on the ream of her eyes.
Lisa walked over to where Claudia was sitting and let Claudia cry on her shoulder. Even though much time has passed since Roy's death, his death still affects Claudia. When he was alive, Roy promised Claudia that after the war was over, he would ask Claudia to marry him. He already brought a ring; he just couldn't decide what would be a good time to propose to her and to slip the ring on her finger. After Roy died, his squadron mates were clearing out his quarters. In a desk drawer, one of his pilots found a small black box. Inside the box contained Claudia's engagement ring. After the funeral, the pilot asked Claudia if she would like to keep the ring. She immediately said yes because it was the last tangible proof that Roy lived and loved Claudia.
On the days when she is feeling blue or depressed and missing Roy, she takes the box out of a lock box she keeps and looks at it but she does not put the ring on her finger. She does not know what she will do with the ring as time goes on. She knows that she will never fall in love and get married to anyone else ever again because she will never find someone as wonderful as Roy was ever again. She could give it to her brother because he's thinking about proposing to his girlfriend, Jean Toussaint, but Vince told her no because it is Claudia's ring.
Instead, she is thinking about adopting a young orphan whose parents were in the RDF and were killed in the course of the war. When he or she gets engaged, she wants to give the ring to her child. Her application for adoption the last time she heard from the adoption agency, was about to be approved at any time. All she has to do is to get the final word from the agency, sign some final paperwork and the child is hers'.
"I'm sorry, Lisa. I'm sorry for spoiling what suppose to be a happy time for you and Rick." Claudia said as she was drying her tears.
"Claudia, don't apologize. You're my friend and always will be my friend. If it wasn't for you, Rick and I would have never gotten past our differences and missed opportunities to finally fall in love. Look at us now, we're engaged and we will be married, and it's all because of you. I don't think Rick and I can thank you enough. Whenever you need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, I'm always here. And don't you ever forget it."
Claudia couldn't do anything except nod her head. She can't believe that the tables have been turned. Usually, it's Claudia giving Lisa advice. After being quiet for a long moment, Claudia finally managed to mouth a silent "thank you" to Lisa. She then hugged Lisa as she was crying. Lisa just hugged her friend as she was gently patting Claudia on the back. Just then the trio came running into Lisa's office.
"Lisa! Lisa! Let's see the ring! Let's see the ring!" The trio almost says at the same time.
Lisa rolled her eyes and shook her head in amused annoyance. Claudia shrugged her shoulders and silently told Lisa; "What can you do, Lisa? You better get used to it."
"I know Claudia, I know." Lisa said as she stood up to show the trio the engagement ring.
Rick's office
Rick spent a good deal of the morning making phone calls to the aviation squadrons to find out the status on the repairs on the aircraft and replacement of dead and injured pilots and personnel. After receiving all the status reports from all the squadrons, he wasn't happy. What he heard was a mixed bag. Minor repairs to all damaged veritechs and aircraft are completed. However, major repairs are proven to be difficult because many of the old and damaged veritechs and aircraft were destroyed in Khyron's attack, therefore parts cannot be cannibalized. New veritechs and aircraft are being made but it will take well into the spring before the aircraft can be delivered. Not good news on that front.
The news in replacing dead and injured pilots was a lot brighter. Many of the pilots who suffered minor injuries are already back on duty. The seriously injured pilots are receiving medical care at the base hospital or at hospitals in Macross, Monument City and General City. The doctors will decide if the pilots can return to flight duty. Flight school reports that a class of new pilots should be graduating very soon, applications to flight school are at an all time high and RDF recruiters and the RDF basic training center reports that the center is filled with people wanting to join the RDF.
Rick decided to personally inform Admiral Gloval and General Maistroff. He will call Max and Max in turn will inform General Leonard. He walked out of his office and closed the door.
"CPL Okumba, I'll be at Admiral Gloval's and General Maistroff's office to inform them on the status on the aviation squadrons."
"Yes sir. Captain Hunter, is it true? Is it true that you and Captain Hayes are now engaged?"
"Wow! News sure travels fast around here. Yes corporal, it's true. Captain Hayes and I are now engaged."
"Oh Captain Hunter, I'm so happy for you!" CPL Okumba exclaimed as she hugged Rick's neck. She then realized that she has done something that she should not do because she's enlisted and Rick's an officer.
"I'm terribly sorry, Captain Hunter. I shouldn't have done that."
"Oh, there's no need to apologize, corporal. I don't mind. I never was big on military protocol anyway. Don't forget that I was enlisted before I became an officer."
CPL Okumba breathed a big sigh of relief. "Thank you for understanding sir."
"You're welcome, CPL Okumba." Rick said with a warm genuine smile.
CPL Mary Okumba smiled as she saw Rick walked away from her desk. When she was assigned to be Rick's office assistant, she didn't know what to make of Rick because unlike many of the enlisted women on base, she is not a native of Macross. She enlisted in her native country of Nigeria because she wanted to see the world and she couldn't do that living in Nigeria. She came on board the SDF-1 shortly before Dolza's Rain.
When many of the women on base heard that she was being assign to be Rick's office assistant, they became really envious of her. But she couldn't understand why. They told her that Rick was a handsome young man. She really didn't care for what they said because to her, looks are very unimportant. When she first met Rick, Mary found out that not only was Rick a very handsome man, but he was warm and caring too. Unlike many of the officers she met in her short time in the service, Rick's habit of reminding her that at one time he was enlisted made Mary like Rick even more and it made her want to be the best office assistant Rick ever had.
Rick walked to Admiral Gloval's office and was told by Sergeant Chase that Admiral Gloval is in a meeting with General Maistroff. Rick was delighted at the news because he can kill two birds with one stone. Rick asked Sergeant Chase if she could risk interrupting their meeting to ask them if Rick can talk to them for several minutes because he has something very important to tell them about the replacement for the lost and damaged veritechs and planes. Sergeant Chase thought about it for a moment before deciding to interrupt their meeting. She told Rick that she knew Rick wouldn't be here and ask her to interrupt a meeting unless it was something very important. She went to closed door and knocked. She entered Admiral Gloval's office and told Admiral Gloval and General Maistroff that Rick is waiting outside and has something very to tell them. Admiral Gloval said yes and Rick was allowed in.
Needless to say, Admiral Gloval and General Maistroff weren't happy with what Rick told them. They anticipated Operation Southland and Operation Alpine to start in March. Now it will most likely be pushed back to late March or early April. They did understand that the situation was beyond their control and they will have to fall back on a contingency plan. As Rick was getting ready to leave, Admiral Gloval put his hand.
"Congratulations Rick. I heard that you asked Lisa to marry you and she said yes."
"Thank you, sir. I can't believe that I asked Lisa to marry me so shortly after telling her that I love her."
"I glad all the same Rick. You two are meant to be together."
"Thank you, sir."
General Maistroff then offered his hand and congratulated Rick. Rick then left Admiral Gloval's office and walked back to his office. Rick sat down in his chair and called Max. Skull Squadron wasn't to go on patrol until the afternoon, so he knew Max will most likely be at his desk doing paperwork. He called the squadron's office, the orderly room sergeant answered. Rick asked the sergeant to transfer the call to Max. Several seconds later Max picked up the phone.
"Max, this is Rick."
"Rick, what are you calling for?"
"I'm calling to let you know that we will not be flying in combat until March or April."
"Why Rick?"
Rick went on to tell Max about problems the mechanics are having finding replacement parts for damaged aircraft. Max was being quiet so Rick couldn't tell whether or not Max was thrilled at hearing the news. After he was finished, Rick asked Max to tell General Leonard about the delay since he will be General Leonard's air commander.
"I will Rick."
"Thanks Max. Congratulations Rick. I've heard this morning that you've asked Lisa to marry you and she said yes."
"Yes, she did. I proposed to her last Friday night and she said yes."
"Congratulations Rick. I hope you didn't buy a ring that has a huge diamond. When Miriya sees Lisa's ring, she will get jealous."
Rick chuckled at Max's comment. "Well, that's your problem Max. I can't help you with that."
"Thanks a lot Rick. I can't get any sympathy from you for all the times I got you out of a tight spot as your wingman."
"Sorry Max."
"Well, I guess I have to grin and bear it Rick. Thanks for telling me about the delay in starting the operation."
"You're welcome, Max."
Saint Valentine's Day 2015
After Lisa's boyfriend Karl Riber left Earth of Sara Base Mars and was killed, Lisa never celebrated Valentine's Day. Up until she met and fell in love with Rick, Lisa never had a reason to celebrate a day set aside for lovers, when the one that she loved is dead. She always dreaded February 14th. All she ever did on February 14th was to work, then go home and waited for the day to pass. Now, things are different for Lisa Hayes. After many missed opportunities and chances, Lisa is now engaged to the man she loves and now, she is looking forward for St. Valentine's Day. She never thought she would ever fall in love again, but Rick Hunter changed all that for Lisa. She felt so comfortable and confident in her love for Rick and know that Rick loves her that Lisa decided to do something she never did, to do something on a whim.
Lisa and Rick decided to go out to eat a popular Italian restaurant for Valentine's Day but Lisa decided to do something different. She would cook a romantic dinner for Rick at home and afterward, they would spend the evening together at home. She called the restaurant and cancelled the reservations they made. She asked Admiral Gloval if she can take the afternoon off and Admiral Gloval agreed. Lisa left work in the early afternoon and went to the commissary to buy the groceries she will need for the meal she will cook. Lisa arrived home with plenty of time to spare. She immediately started working on an old family recipe for chicken Marcela. As the meal was cooking, Lisa showered; dressed in the same short black dress she wore on the night Rick proposed to her, put on Rick's favorite perfume and ruby red lipstick on her lips. She then put on black high heeled shoes that flattered her legs and thighs, sat down in a chair and waited for Rick to come home.
It was late evening and dark when she heard Rick whistling. She likes it when Rick is in a happy mood. She then began thinking very dirty and naughty thoughts. 'Before the night is over Rick Hunter, you won't be whistling a happy tune. I will have you so hot and bothered and horny, you will not be able to stand it.' Lisa said to herself with an evil smirk on her lips.
As she heard the sound of keys in the door knob and the dead bolt, Lisa stood up, smoothed out her dress and waited for Rick to walk through the door. Rick had a warm smile on his face and a bouquet of red roses in his hand.
"Hi Lisa Happy Valentine's Day I have a…bouquet…of…red…roses…for…you." When Rick looked around the room and saw Lisa in the little black dress that he always likes, his jaw dropped. The living room was almost dark except for small candles that were around the room. There was soft music playing from Lisa's stereo. Lisa slowly slink walked over to where Rick was standing, putting one foot in front of the other as if she was a runway model. Lisa stopped short inches from Rick's face and kissed Rick lightly on the lips.
"Are the roses for me? Thank you." Lisa said in a sultry voice as she walked away from Rick and took a rose out and sniffed it. She then turned her head around and looked at Rick over her shoulder as she continued to sniff at the rose.
Rick gulped and nodded, too stunned to answer Lisa. Rick then looked over at the dining room table and saw the table lit with candles and set with plates, silverware and two wine glasses. Rick then slowly walked over to where Lisa was standing.
"I thought we are going out to eat."
"There is a slight change in plans, Rick. I decided that we will eat in tonight. Now, dinner is almost finished cooking. So, while the dinner is finishing being cooked, why don't you get out of your uniform, shower and change into something more appropriate." Lisa said the same soft sultry voice she greeted Rick with and kissed him on the lips.
Rick just nodded and walked to the bedroom. Several minutes later, Rick walked into the dining room in a suit and tie with a smile on his face.
Lisa liked what she sees. "You look so handsome Rick. Why don't you sit down? Dinner is about to be served."
Rick sat down as Lisa served dinner. As Lisa was dishing out Rick's plate, she bent down to let Rick get a good look at the open cleavage of her dress. Rick tried not too look at Lisa's open cleavage but couldn't help it because Lisa was bending down right in front of him. Rick took in a deep breath of the dinner Lisa cooked, it smelled delicious. As Rick was eating, it tasted delicious.
As they were eating dinner, they talked about their working day. Rick didn't tell Lisa that Admiral Gloval decided that March 31st will be the day when the RDF will leave Macross for Brazil and Germany. He didn't wanted to tell Lisa that and worry her when she went through a lot of trouble of cooking a wonderful dinner and planned a evening just for the two of them and for him to spoil it by telling her he will be leaving her to fly in combat in less than 2 months. He will not let Lisa know that he found out before Admiral Gloval gives the official word to the force.
After they ate dinner, Rick told Lisa to relax while he cleaned up the table and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. After Rick cleared up the table and put the dirty dishes and wind glasses in the dishwasher, hand washed the silverware and turned on the dishwasher, Rick turned off the kitchen light and walked to where Lisa was relaxing. As he was walking towards the living room, he saw a sight that made him stop dead in his tracks. Lisa was reclining on her back on the couch with her shoes on the couch. The bottom of the black dress slid down towards her hips, giving Rick a good view of her athletic thighs. The candles that were lit on both ends of the couch gave a warm and soft glow to Lisa's skin.
'That got his attention.' Lisa chuckled evilly to herself. She then turned her head to face Rick. "Do you like what you see, Rick Hunter?" Lisa asked.
Rick could only shallow hard and nod his head. Lisa then turned her body and lied on the left side of her body. Her left leg was down while her right leg was still propped up. She then motioned Rick with her right index finger to beckon him to come over to where she was. Rick slowly walked over to the couch like a zombie. Lisa then sat up and waited for Rick to come. Rick sat down next to Lisa unsure of what Lisa wanted him to do next. Lisa gave him the answer by parting her lips, bent her head and moved in towards Rick. Rick got the clue and did the same. Very soon they began kissing and shortly thereafter, their kissing intensified. Rick then started kissing Lisa's neck when she stopped him by putting her hands on Rick's chest.
"Not now Rick. Not now." Lisa said in a sultry voice teasing Rick.
Lisa was going to have some fun by torturing and teasing Rick. She was going to make Rick really work for him to get into her panties. She started her teasing by biting and teasing Rick's right ear. Lisa never did anything like this before. But Rick by telling her that he loves her and showing it by asking her to marry him, gave Lisa the confidence to do something that she never did before; she is going to be the aggressor in foreplay. She started by kissing Rick's neck. Rick was trying not to give Lisa the satisfaction that he liked what she was doing, but he was losing all self control. His breathing was becoming shorter and ragged which gave Lisa the clue that she was winning. She then began to work on Rick's left ear.
'Oh God, she's getting really good at getting me hot and bothered. This is not supposed to happen. I'm supposed to be the one to do this. She has learned too much from me. I'm going to get her for this. When, I do not know but someday I will get her back for this.' Rick said to himself as he was trying not to totally lose it and to ravish her right on the couch.
Lisa stopped nibbling Rick's right ear, grabbed Rick's necktie and stood up. Lisa lead Rick by his necktie to the bedroom like Rick was a dog on a leash. In the bedroom, Lisa sat down on the foot edge of the bed and silently told Rick to sit beside her. Lisa picked up where she left off on in the living room couch by nibbling Rick's right ear. She continued her teasing by kissing Rick's neck. She then starting kissing Rick's face and soon she met Rick's lips. Lisa's hands were at Rick's necktie and slowly she was loosening Rick's tie and slowly slipped off Rick's neck. Meanwhile, Rick's hands were going up and down Lisa's bare arms making Lisa moan. Rick's hands then went searching for the zipper at the back of Lisa's dress. Lisa had other ideas though.
'That's what you think Rick Hunter.' Lisa smugly said to herself.
Lisa stopped their kissing then let Rick get a good look at the smirk that was on her lips. She then put her hand on Rick's chest then shoved Rick onto the bed. Rick bounced on the bed and was surprised as Lisa straddled her legs across his hips and grabbed the top of Rick's shirt. She then tore open Rick's shirt. Buttons were popping and went flying everywhere. Lisa then began running her hands up and down Rick's chest and abdomen making Rick moan. Lisa then clamped her mouth and teeth on Rick's left nipple. She began biting, pulling and teasing Rick's nipple making Rick wiggle and squirm and his breathing ragged.
After working on Rick's left nipple, Lisa began working on Rick's right nipple. Rick raised his head trying to see what Lisa was doing. Lisa then began to suck very hard on the nipple, making Rick drop his head on the bed and moan. Lisa then slowly worked her way down Rick's chest and stomach making Rick squirm even more. As Lisa was kissing Rick's stomach, her hands were at work unbuttoning and unzipping Rick's slacks. Very soon, Lisa had Rick naked and Lisa smiled a smile of deep satisfaction. Rick was able to make love to Lisa that night, but only after Lisa made him work for it.
March 30th - Admiral Gloval's office
Rick met with General Maistroff and Leonard in Admiral Gloval's office going over last minute details on the battle plan and flying the force and equipment to Germany and Brazil. Even with all the cargo planes flying around the clock, it will take over a week to get a sizable force in either country to fight with. The veritechs will fly in country first to try to prevent surprise attacks from the enemy. Non veritech fighters will fly cover for the cargo and transport planes.
Plans are for the operation to start before mid April. General Maistroff anticipates the operation in Germany to last at least a month to a month and a half. Both General Maistroff and Leonard should get military help from the host country and other countries on the continent, so they should have at least another division to fight with which should help.
As the meeting was coming to a close, Admiral Gloval asked Rick, General Maistroff and Leonard if they have anything to say or to add. None of them said anything.
"All right then, gentlemen. This meeting is over. Tomorrow you will be shipping off to Germany and Brazil. I suggest you leave work early this afternoon and spend the rest of the day with your families. I'm going to suggest it to everyone. Let us all hope for the best, gentlemen. You're dismissed."
Rick left Admiral Gloval's office and walked back to his.
"CPL Okumba, you do know that you will be with me in Germany?"
"Yes sir."
"You're dismissed. Go home to be with your family and friends."
"Yes sir. Have a good night sir."
"You too corporal, see you tomorrow at the parade field."
Rick then walked into his office and looked around the now empty room. His desk and all of his office belongings is in a box on a cargo plane. He sighed and closed the door and walked out. He wanted to spend the last night before flying off to Germany with Lisa. He didn't want to think about the battle ahead. No matter how long it will be and how long it will take.
Rick came home and was about to put the key into the door knob when Lisa told him that the door was not locked. Rick walked in and found Lisa waiting for him. Admiral Gloval let her leave work early so she can be with Rick. Lisa without saying a word ran up to Rick and put her arms around Rick's neck. She then started crying. Rick without saying a word, wrapped his arms around Lisa's slim waist and enveloped her. Rick began to rock her gently and let her cry. After several minutes, Lisa looked at Rick with tears streaming down her face.
"What do you want to eat, Rick?"
"I don't care." Rick said quietly while slightly shaking his head.
"Ok, let me think of I'm going to cook for you."
"Let me help you, Lisa."
"No, it's ok Rick. It's your last day here with me for a while. Let me treat you."
"At least let me clean up the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher."
"No, you don't have to do it, Rick. After you finish eating, you relax while I clean up."
"Ok." Rick said quietly as he kissed Lisa on the forehead.
In the evening, Lisa cooked a meal for Rick. Neither of them said much as they were eating. After he ate, Rick sat on couch while he waited for Lisa to finish cleaning the table and putting the dishes, flatware and glasses in the dishwasher. After she was finished, Lisa sat down on Rick's lap and laid her head on Rick's chest. Rick wrapped his arms around Lisa. They stayed in that position well into the night. Rick looked at his wristwatch and told Lisa they should go to bed. Lisa nodded her head and got up from Rick's lap. Rick slowly stood up and wiggled his legs to get the circulation back into his legs. Rick and Lisa held hands as they walked to the bedroom. They stripped off all their clothes and underwear without saying a word. Then they went into bed and covered themselves with the sheet and blanket. Lisa wrapped her arms around Rick's chest and snuggled her head into the side of Rick's chest. Rick began to kiss Lisa's forehead. They then faced each other and soon started kissing. Lisa was hesitant about continuing to kiss Rick. Rick sensed her hesitation.
"Lisa, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Rick."
"Now I know you better than that."
"It just feels like we are about to make love for the last time." Lisa said as she was hugging Rick tighter.
"Lisa, let's not make love like it will be the last time we will ever do it because I will not come back to you. Let's make love like it will be the last time we will see each other for a while. I will get through this and I will come back to you. Miriya is flying my wing and you know she will make sure I will come back to you. She will probably tell you that tomorrow."
Lisa smiled and nodded her head. She began to kiss Rick with a passion and love that was bottled up inside of her since early afternoon. Then they made love with a tenderness they haven't felt in a long time.
March 31st – Fokker Base Parade Field
It was a warm early spring day. Military personnel were milling about and talking. The force command sergeant major went to a microphone stand and spoke.
"All right everyone cut out the chit-chat and fall into formation! Admiral Gloval is about to speak to you."
People started to run around and began to fall into formation. The sergeant major looked over to his left and saw Admiral Gloval walking towards him.
"DEFENSE FORCE…ATTENTION!"
A massive sound of clicking shoe heels sounded. A hush fell over the parade field as Admiral Gloval walked to the platform. Not a sound could be heard except for the sound of chirping birds. On a raised platform, Admiral Gloval marched to a dais that has the delta RDF insignia in front of it. General Maistroff and Leonard were marching behind him.
"Stand at ease, people. Men and women of the Robotech Defense Force, over 70 years ago on the eve of the Normandy invasion in World War II, General Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force told the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of the Allied Expeditionary Force that they are about to embark on the great crusade. All of you are now about to embark on another great crusade. With your help, you will bring about an end to this long war. I wish all of you will return to us and your families safe and whole. But we all know that is not possible. Some of you will not make it back. But I trust in you, your courage, training, skill, bravery and the abilities of your leaders to see you through this task. Your task will not be an easy one but I trust that all of you will do your job and do it to the best of your ability. Good luck to all of you and Godspeed."
Admiral Gloval then snapped to attention and saluted, to which his salute was returned by the entire force. He then walked off the platform with tears welling up in his eyes. It never was easy for a commander to send his troops into harms way.
The command sergeant major then went to the microphone stand.
"Stand at ease. After you're dismissed, commanders and NCOs take charge of your units and take a head count to make all of your personnel are with you. We will then be marshaled onto the flight line where you will board your planes. Veritechs will fly out first."
"DEFENSE FORCE…ATTENTION! DISMISSED!"
Rick found Lisa and very soon they were kissing and embracing. Very soon, Rick heard someone calling his name. It was Max. He walked up to Rick while holding onto Miriya by the waist.
"Rick!"
"Max. I expect to see you back here very soon."
"Count on it Rick. Take good care of Miriya for me."
"I will Max."
As Max and Rick were saying their good-byes, Miriya was hugging Lisa.
"Lisa, I will make sure Rick will come back to you safe and whole."
"I know you will, Miriya. He has a very good wing mate in you."
"Take good care of Dana for us."
"I will Miriya. Claudia and the girls will help me look after Dana."
Max then went over and hugged Lisa.
"Take care of yourself Max."
"I will Lisa. Take good care of Dana for us."
"I will Max. I told Miriya that Claudia and the girls will help me look after Dana."
"I'm glad that you don't mind."
"Oh, I don't mind Max. I look at it as practice when Rick and I have children."
Rick smiled when Lisa said that. Rick and Lisa walked away so that Max and Miriya can say their good-byes alone. As Rick and Lisa were kissing, she broke their kiss and looked at Rick.
"Rick, I have something that I want you to have while you're flying. I went to a photographer several days ago and had pictures taken of me for you. This one I want you to have in the cockpit." Lisa said as she handed it over to Rick.
It was a head shot of Lisa in Rick's favorite black dress. She struck a sultry pose and her arm was behind her head in her hair like she was about to toss her hair.
Rick smiled. "I like it, Lisa. I will have it with all the time in the cockpit while I'm flying."
Lisa smiled. She then handed over two photographs. "You can have one of these two."
Rick looked at the pictures, his eyes then bugged out and gotten big. One of the photos has Lisa in a black two piece stretch lace lingerie bikini set. The other photo was of her completely naked lying on her back on a bed against a painted background. She was posed in a very sexy way with her head slightly away from the camera. The picture had a fogged look to it as if it was shown to be a dream. Knowing Rick loves her and her loving him made her do something that she would not have done years ago, to pose naked and in lingerie in front of a camera.
"I went to a professional photographer who specializes in this type of photography. It's called boudoir photography. She's very good."
"I say she's very good. It's very hard to decide which one I'll keep. Can't I keep both of them, Lisa? Please?"
"No. I said you can only keep one."
"Oh, all right. I'll keep this one. This one will be in my flight suit up against my heart." Rick said holding the one where Lisa is completely naked.
Lisa just smiled. She then took the other photo and started kissing Rick. As Rick and Lisa were kissing, Miriya came walking up.
"Rick, we have to leave now."
"Ok Miriya. I'm right behind you."
Lisa then started to cry. Rick gently began to wipe away her tears.
"Lisa, try not to cry. I'll come back to you, I promise. When I have some down time, I'll try to call you if it's not too late here. I will also remember to e-mail you. Try to smile for me."
Lisa could only nod her head and smile. Rick smiled a bittersweet smile. He hated leaving Lisa not knowing when he will return.
"I love you, Lisa."
"I love you too, Rick."
"Always?"
"Always."
Rick then kissed Lisa one last time and walked towards his VT. His crew chief was there waiting to strap him in.
"Ok sir. You should not encounter the enemy as you're flying into Germany but I've armed your VT with Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles just in case. The mechanics and I are right behind you in the cargo plane. So when you land, I should be right behind you."
"Ok. Thanks for telling me that, Chet."
"You're welcome, sir."
As the VT's canopy was coming down, Rick looked over to where Lisa was standing. Lisa pressed her hand to her mouth and blew a kiss to Rick, then swung her arm away in dramatic fashion. Rick then pressed his hand to his mouth and blew a kiss Lisa's way. Rick had to wipe away a tear from his eye before contacting the tower.
"Macross Tower this is Skull Leader requesting instructions and clearance for take-off over."
"Skull Leader this is Macross Tower. Taxi onto runway 2 and you're cleared for immediate take-off because you are the lead over."
"Roger, Macross Tower."
"Good luck, Captain Hunter. Come back to us safely, sir over."
"I will, Nikki over."
"Macross Tower, out."
Rick opened the throttle and put his engines into afterburner. He pushed Skull One down the runway and was airborne in a matter of seconds. Not moving from where she was standing, Lisa finally was able to let go of her emotions and cry. Rick has only been gone for less than a minute, but the pain and ache of seeing Rick leaving, not knowing if…no he will return but not knowing when he will return made Lisa so emotionally overwhelmed that she broke down, fell to her knees and cried. She knew that she was crying really hard but she didn't care. She had a right to cry as far as she is concerned and she didn't care who was watching her. Claudia walked over to where Lisa was kneeling, gently helped Lisa up to her feet and put her arm around her shoulders and let Lisa cry in her chest.
"Don't worry, Lisa. Rick's a very smart pilot. He will not do anything stupid. He will come back to you."
"I know, Claudia. It only has been less than a minute since Rick left and I'm missing him already."
"How about you staying with me or I'll stay with you until Rick comes back. I don't want you to live by yourself now that Rick's gone."
"That's very kind of you, Claudia. Thanks"
"Just don't mistake me for Rick whenever you get horny."
"Claudia!" Lisa said as she hit Claudia on the arm and her face was turning beet red.