Chapter 2
The front porch of Rick Hunter's house resembled very much the old mobile home that his father Mitch had built, with scrap rubbish and salvaged materials, all those years ago. Back when they still used to travel with the flying circus. Except that nowadays it was impossible to linger with a beer in your hand as you lazily watched the summer sun set behind the mountains. Rick had built a kind of transparent plastic dehor that enveloped the porch, and sometime, as now, he just sat in, and vaguely thought of his father...
Well not just of him. The run in with Lisa Hayes had upset him.
And soon afterward he had become bothered with himself, to the point of being seriously pissed off. He didn't want to see or hear from her again. Maybe.
The phone rang a dozen times before the android would finally answered.
"Hunter residence. Please identify yourself"
Rick remained silent, waiting
Lisa.
No, she just couldn't have his number
-First Lieutenant Dana Sterling, from the 15th Southern Cross Division, on Mars!
Rick's face suddenly became more lively.
he beckoned the device and picked it up, then placed it on the tiny table in front of him.
-What's taking you so long? Are you afraidof Leonard's calls?
She was so close to the camera that he could see nothing but her very clear blue eyes and the tip of her nose
-You r very pretty Dana, but you may move a little away from the screen...
-Oh sorry. It's just that I was getting dressed. OOk! Here I am, all dressed up now!
She stepped away from the camera and Rick caught a glimpse of her blond hair tied back in a messy tail. She was wearing an old Skull Squadron sweater.
Rick smiled faintly.
-What's going on up there?
Dana ran a hand under her chin.
-Mmmh, why not just drop the rhetorical questions? What's going on down there instead?
Suddenly her face darkened and Rick felt as if she were about to cry
-I didn't come across them. If that's what you are implying.
Dana nodded as if expecting it.
-Sure. And are you planning to see them? Are you going to see them?
Rick thought for a moment of telling her about his encounter with Lisa Hayes but then something inside him just froze. He ran a hand over his dry lips.
-No...I...don't take it the wrong way, but you know...
Dana rolled her eyes.
-I know, I know, but I thought you were over such stuff Rick. I mean, it's been 20 years...
Rick frowned.
-How about you? Have you moved past them?
Dana flashed a tugged smile.
-I'll never get used to them leaving me here. Or rather... there, I mean-oh you see.. But... you know I'm a little ashamed to tell them that those bastards screwed us. I didn't quite live up to my parents, they never lose. They are some damn geniuses.
She suddenly seemed to whine like a child and Rick smiled fatherly.
-It's not as you think Dana. They found Tirol and so on, but it was too late anyway... Don't you want to come back here to Earth for a while? You can ask Emerson to let you off with the scientific shuttle that will be coming next week...
She remained thoughtful
-I have a sister.
she said suddenly.
-I know.
Rick replied.
Dana ran her hands over her face, stretching the edges of her eyes downward. Her whole face was fun. She was literally a copy of Max.
-I would like to meet her. And besides, here, however, there is work to be done.
-You want to see your parents Dana?
She seemed lost in thought for a moment.
-Yes I would, but over all I would like to see you, I miss you so much Rick.
-I miss you, too.
The call was drawing to a close.
-I would have liked to tell you more. I met a fellow here, his name is Scott Bernard. But we secretly call him Stick* He's an awful bastard. He bosses us around. Oh and then Marie and Sean are back together. as I wouldn't already know.
The soliloquy had started
-Ah and Bowie says hello. Maybe Emerson would get me back with him. The thing is he's got a girlfriend now, she's a Tirol girl, but she's a leg you know. Musica -remember her? They are having a blast. They have a lot of instruments.
Rick smiled with amusement.
-And what about you, Dana? You don't have a boyfriend now?
He heard a little childish giggle.
-I'm saving me for you, is that still not clear enough?
They both burst out laughing.
-I have to go now.
-Promise me you'll think about it.
- I'll think about it.
-I love you.
-I love you, too.
Rick kept looking at the black screen of his device. So many thoughts were swirling in his brain. Rolf Emerson's proposal to return to the army
"Hunter we need you."
He glanced around, and the sky had already turned dark.
He caught himself thinking about all of them. Max, Miriya, Lang, Wolff. Ramnson and Bobby Bell. Who knows what kind of adventures they had gone through in space. But it was no use, the sad look on Lisa Hayes' face, as he had seen it only a few days ago, kept on flashing before his eyes. He sat for a long time in the dark. Not a single star glowed in the sky.
At the military quarter, inside her bedroom, Lisa Hayes was doing her hair into two braids as she had been taught in Tiresia. They were tight on the top of her head and then rolled to the sides of her temples. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.
What a city that was. Not even in her wildest dreams she would have imagined a place like that. The civilization was incredibly far advanced*. Yet the feelings of the beings who inhabited those worlds, were too similar to human ones: anger, violence, pride. This still saddened her.
We will never find a world to live in harmony and peace... and love.
Love...
She mirrored herself once more and ran a finger over her own reflection. She did not know why she had styled her hair like that. She was sure her husband would sneer at her.
It was time for bed. Little Jack was already asleep in his room after hours spent playing the X-box.
Lisa had resolved to give him a few days to get used to Earth before coming to terms with reality. After all, wasn't what she herself was doing?
She was about to turn off the nightstand light when Jack's reflection peeped into the mirror. He was wearing his uniform and bearing his gun.
-Are you leaving?
She said carelessly.
-I have to attend an off-the-record meeting at the base, you know, on the issue of the divisions deployed on Mars?
-Yeah? ... I had thought it hadn't been approved yet.
-I'm assessing officers to be sent back here to Earth. It doesn't make sense to keep them up there.
-Ah so this is about pilots.
-Exactly.
Lisa did not turn around. She just kept looking at him from the mirror.
He suddenly became aware of her, of her physical presence. He took a few steps toward his wife's vanity and grabbed both of her temples in his large hands.
-You did your hair like in Tirol.
His smile was ice
Lisa grinned slightly
-Just a little bit of nostalgia. And not to lose manual skills, you know.
He looked at her again through the mirror and stroked her hair, gently.
-And say.
Lisa turned around abruptly, her face flushed red.
- Isabel Randall is also attending this meeting?
Archer gasped, and took a step back. His boots sank into the soft fur rug.
-Of course she is. She and Hiro Hishi are my seconds in command. And if you are pleased to hear it, your best friends, the Sterlings, are going to be there, too.
He uttered the latter sentence with disdain. Archer had never hidden his hatred for Max Sterling, the famous SDF1 ace.
Lisa clenched her teeth but did not speak: instead got up from her stool and started to untie the braids she had carefully styled.
Anger simmered in her eyes, and he felt it. But all of a sudden he eased up.
-You know, it doesn't matter, we are not gonna stay here for long. I'm already fed up with this planet
He made to turn and leave.
-Don't you care about anything? This is your home! This is where you were born! This is where we all belong!
Archer's eyes shone with a repressed rage. In the dim light of the lamps they had taken a golden hue.
He shook his head.
-Don't you start Lisa.
With wide strides he crossed the room and walked out into the dark hallway.
-Don't expect me awake.
His voice was only a weak echo.
Lisa Hayes bit her lip and let out a dry, moaning sound, but said nothing.
She untied the braids from her head and dropped onto the bed. Her hair was intricately tangled in her fingers.
"-Some day you'll find me choked by this thick skein of hair."
she felt his fingers trying to detangle the thick honey-blond locks that splayed across their pillows and onto his chest.
-You too need a little more military haircut eh! Your hair is a lot longer on your neck!
He narrowed his eyes, chuckling. In the morning light, they were the colors of a heavenly dawn.
He looked at her for a moment and stopped smiling.
-What up? Why you looking at me like that now?
Rick seemed to blush and snuggled against her, hiding his face between her shoulder and neck.
-You... are so beautiful...
he whispered against her bare skin.
Lisa's heart was bursting with joy. It was one of the first times they had ever made love. It had been strange, everything had come so suddenly.
We were so young...
Lisa Hayes squeezed her eyes hard to keep back the tears but it was no use.
She got out of bed and walked back and forth across the room until she realized that she had not ceased thinking about Rick Hunter, for a single moment during those days.
-Two calls in less than 24 hours!? Am I supposed to be scared?
Rick Hunter turned on the speakerphone as he drove to the greenhouse. The sun had just come up.
-Guess riddle.
Said a naughty voice from the other side of the line and the atmosphere.
-What? Did Rolf Emerson give you the okay to vacation yet?
-You're close...
Rick grinned as he backtracked to enter the parking lots.
-Emerson had little to do with it. They called us yesterday from the Macross Base. Or actually they called here at the station where I am now, in any case I was sound asleep already while Marie and Nova were linking up with the Headquarters, so I only heard about it now and...
-Dana, cut it out, okay? You don't have to tell me EVERYTHING.
-OK OK how lame are you, Rick? Anyway get this. They call us from the Macross Base, none other than Anatole Leonard and Jack Archer, the Giant Killer ya know?
At hearing his name Rick clenched his teeth. He grimaced. As far as he knew he had married Lisa Hayes during the SDF2 journey.
-Yes, so what?
He said sourly.
-Heyyy I'm in! In short they are called us back to Earth. They are afraid of an attack, after the old Robotech folks... A different kind of attack. I mean aliens anyway.
Rick gasped.
-Wait a minute.
He turned off the car and gripped the wheel tightly. He breathed deeply. This was not possible. Was this related to the question of the flower of life? That rambling talk Leonard had given him a few days ago? Everything seemed to make sense now.
-Hey Rick? you there?
-I'm here, I'm here.
-So, in a nutshell and not to bore you, I'll just tell you that we're leaving the day after tomorrow. We coming at the end of the week. Me, my beautiful ladies, the handsome Bowie, the ugly Sean and I don't know whother else. In truth I do. I met a guy named Jake Baker.
-Baker?
- He has been trained here, on Mars, but I'm going to hush him up.
-I see you're taking it seriously...I'm happy about this Dana.
For a moment she did not speak. Then she sighed slightly
-I just wish SDF2 hadn't come back to Earth!
-Dana!
Rick scolded her but soon realized that he felt the same way. Everything would have been easier...
-I would have to meet my parents. My sister...
Suddenly Dana's voice became whiny.
-You... you will come with me, won't you?
Rick winced. He had not met the Sterlings yet as well. And he wasn't eager to do it, but yes. For Dana he certainly would do it. He knew how vulnerable she could be.
-Of Course. I'll take you there. I'm sure they are going to go crazy with joy.
He said without any conviction.
Lisa Hayes was off early that morning heading to the Macross Base. Her son, Jack, was going to sign up for flight classes. She had not seen Miryia and Max Sterling for a week, just after their arrival. She decided to seek advice from her Zentraedi friend although she knew that she had no moral qualms about Maia's military schooling.
Lisa smiled remembering when, so many years ago on Britai's ship, she had asked her to hold little Dana.
-If you want to hold a baby, make one. I made this for example!*
Lisa couldn't hold back a choked laugh.
-Whats so funny?
Said her son sitting beside her, not once taking his eyes off his tablet.
-Oh nothing. I was remembering when Miriya had her first daughter, Dana. She was a very smart child. She had been the first human-zentraedi child in history.
Jack seemed intrigued.
-And where is she now? Why didn't she come with us on the ship?
Lisa turned serious.
Her parents thought that the journey would last a short while and that she would be safer on Earth...
-Ah I think they screwed it up.
-Jack! Don't talk like that!
-If you and dad would leave me for so long I think I really gonna hate you to death...
Lisa looked at her son: every day he looked more and more like his father, and not just physically... He was swaggering, resolute, and arrogant.
Maybe... the Academy will straighten him out...
-Miriya!
-Lisa!
The statuesque zentraedi greeted her with a hand at the Macross Base gate. She had just stepped out of the military car
The two women hugged each other. Miriya looked the same as ever. Her very long hair had been cut and now she wore a french style bob. She was still looking very beautiful.
-Have you settled in well?
-The house is okay. Besides, I don't care about the furniture. Max takes care of that. Oh, and this little girl also has a flair for interior design apparently.
Maia Sterling peeped out from behind her mother's back.
-Hello Admiral!
She spread her arms wide and got her hug
-I am so happy to see you, sweety!
-Me too, Admiral!
-Don't you say hello to Jack?
Said Miryia condescendingly.
-Ah yeah, what'up Jack?
He barely looked at her from behind his shoulder.
-Hey.
-You too going to school at the base?
As the kids chatted the two women walked off.
-Don't you get all these doubts, Lisa. The kids just want to fly those damn fighters. Besides there's little we can do down here, we're as good as... in checkmate.
She wanted to say "for now" but she didnt. She said instead
-I hope they wrap up all the cadets training before ...
-Before...what?
Lisa sounded alarmed.
-Jack didn't tell you anything?
Lisa squinted her eyes and passed a lock behind her shoulder.
-Yes, he mentioned something but ...
all of a sudden Lisa grabbed her friend's hands. She clasped them tightly.
-I ... I can't take it anymore Miryia. Believe me. I no longer understand what my role is in the military. Everything is so ... a mess. Anatole Leonard acts more like a czar, or whatever... than a Commander. And you, VT squadrons, you feel like a detached division. I... don't know what to do.
Mirya returned Lisa's grasp but then let her go with a tug.
-Don't talk bullshit Lisa. You are the REF Admiral. Southern Cross is dismembered. There is no one who, pass me the term, can hold the reins of UEG more than you-Your role now is what was once Admiral Gloval's.
Lisa winced. She blushed slightly as she felt scolded by her friend. But Mirya was like that, her understanding of human nature only went so far.
-Then rookies! Shall we get in or not? Let's do this class sign-up come on!
Jack and Maia smiled excitedly.
-And you're a sucker anyway. I'll make you eat the dust of my reactors!
-Phff! Your a girl and you already have a drawback because of that!
Lisa turned around in a fury.
-Jack Archer! How dare you! I don't want to hear you say that again!
The two kids ran toward the entrance laughing and mocking around.
Miryia grinned at Lisa but immediately her smile chilled.
-Dana will return here on earth with the 15th Southern Cross Division. Or... what's left of it-
-Oh.
Lisa took a hand to her mouth. She thought she was seeing Miriya's eyes misting up with tears.
-It's been 20 years since I've seen her. I think she will hate me and I am afraid to meet her.
She said plainly.
-Oh Miriya please don't talk like that. At that time you made the right choice. She will understand this...
-No.
She stared straight ahead and bit her lip.
-If someone would abandon me for twenty years I would hate her too.
She said, repeating Little Jack's words from earlier.
Lisa narrowed her eyes and shook her head.
-I will be there for you Miriya, if you want. I am sure you will regain your relationship with her. I was told she has quite a temper!
Miryia pulled out her smartphone and ran a finger over the gallery. There were some recent photos of Dana.
-Look, she's done her hair platinum blonde, she's really pretty isn't she?
Lisa glanced at the pictures fondly, remembering when she had held her as a child and had dreamed of having such a beautiful child with... Rick...*
-She is beautiful. Well she takes after you.
-She has Max's blue eyes.
Said Miryia wistfully.
-When is she coming back?
-At the end of the week.
The entry guard snapped to attention at the sight of the two high command officers.
-Admiral Hayes, Commander Sterling! Classes are on the lower floor, number 4. You will find the index of classes and along with details of all the teachers.
In the elevator everyone removed their breathing masks.
-I believe Dr. Lang will do some lectures on quantum physics, Just like on the ship...
The two kids stared at Lisa in despair.
-You're kidding right?
-I could throw up.
-Yes worse than the simulator!
-Than the vomit comet!
-Worse than any attack by the crappy old Robotech dudes.
-Jack, down a notch!
called out Lisa
Miriya burst out laughing as the elevator reached the 4th underfloor of the base.
The security guards saluted at the entrance.
-Wowww but it's huge!
Lisa widened her eyes in surprise. It was like at the Alaska base... a huge hangar with all the simulators and the training tools: standing so high as a huge overhead dome. From the balcony you could see the entrances to the classrooms*.
Maia was ecstatic. Miriya looked at her tenderly.
-It would be nice if she would grow up a little. See, she looks like a wayward child.
Lisa nodded. Even her son was tiny, skinny, with a 7-year-old's small shoulders.
-I can't believe they are teenagers.
-Maybe Dr. Lang can do something for them.
-Maybe.
-Maia, Jack! Come on! Upstairs!
The guards escorted them over the balcony onto the escalators: then they unlocked a large double door.
A strong blue light greeted them, an aseptic hallway.
-The coordinator, Lieutenant Graham, will take care of you from now on.
Said one of the corporals. Then, a young woman, with long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, peeped out from behind a door.
As soon as she noticed the two women, she narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw, but immediately a warm smile relaxed her features.
-Admiral Hayes! Commander Sterling!
She snapped into a salute clacking her blue heels and standing by.
-At ease...
said Lisa looking for his rank on her jacket.
-Lieutenant?
-Graham. Susanne Graham. It's a great pleasure to meet you. No one thought you would ever come back from that journey.
Lisa slit her eyes instinctively. She sensed a kind of strange hostility.
Miryia grabbed the kids by the arms, and pulled them to her.
-And yet, look at that, we're back. These two guys are ready to start the Academy.
Just then Sue Graham noticed the two.
-Oh... ah... but they are... very young.
She approached Maia, who was gazing at her with hatred already.
-How old are you children?
-I am 15 years old!
she spat. Her eyebrows furrowed, her small mouth twisted into a grimace.
Sue immediately looked at Lisa in genuine awe but she froze her with a look, hinting that the subject would be addressed later.
-So, uh... Uh, Admiral... just follow me through the application process. First-year courses are divided into technique, theory and history... Simulation and flight, and of course training...
Graham went on talking as she walked ahead down the corridor. Lisa could hear her words but a sense of disappointment was growing inside her.
-And this is the board with the teachers' information and contacts.
The young Lieutenant slid her index finger down the monitor hanging on the wall, which immediately lit up.
-Robotech Academy, welcome!
Said a tinny voice.
-Is it still called like this?
Said Lisa in amazement.
-Of course, Admiral Gloval was adamant about that.
Lisa smiled, remembering his scowl.
-I have been studying here myself, but please have a look.
Lisa and Miryia approached the monitor. The number of courses were really countless. There were specializations that 20 years earlier did not exist. Lisa knew that Jack was totally interested in being a pilot, but he could also study quantum mechanics...
Her thinking was interrupted by a sudden flash. A name: her vision blurred for a second.
Then she squinted her eyes. It was indeed that name, and no, this could not be a case of homonymy.
"Richard Hunter- mechanical engineering for fighters. Flight instructor for VT Alpha simulator." Following was his phone number and emails.
Lisa Hayes turned back to Miryia who was still reading without having noticed anything. She felt that Graham's eyes locked on her back.
-Perfect.
she said dryly
She turned and glanced at her carefully
Send the list to my personal email. Commander Sterling and I will evaluate the courses privately.
-But I ...
then hushed. They scanned each other from head to toe. Young Graham knew. And Lisa had somehow guessed.
They entered a small white parlor, a kind of waiting room. Lisa sighed loudly
-Did you read it?
Miriya looked at her with an poker face.
-Of course I read it.
Then they remained silent for a while.
-You still like Captain Hunter?
Lisa leapt on the chair as if she had been bitten by a snake.
-What the heck you saying, Miryia!
The zentraedi burst out laughing: she closed her eyes and showed her perfect teeth.
-Oh my god you got red! Just like when we were on the SDF1!You are still like that for him... Admiral! Aren't you?
Lisa was livid. She knew that Miriya could read inside human beings, but with her she had always had this mystical power at its fullest.
She got up and started wandering around the room.
-I ... I met him.
-What? And why you not told me? And how is he? What's he like? Is he a veteran or anything like that?
-No ... I ... he retired from the RDF a long time ago.
Lisa's voice was almost a whisper.
-It was so strange to see him again, I...
she ran a hand over his forehead as if to chase away a feeling.
-Let's not talk about it anymore... now... now let's deal with the kids.
Miryia looked at her for a long time with frowning eyebrows. Even after 20 years a lot of things about "micronians" left her dumb.
Lisa and Jack Jr. returned home. He was getting done of staying indoors and asked for a monopat, and then a bicycle, and he didn't want to hear a reason to wear a respiratory mask.
Lisa felt a headache reaching the sinew in her neck.
-Maybe you should go stay with the other cadets at the Robotech Academy.
She said without a second thought.
Jack looked at her incredulously.
-What? You want to send me to a fucking boarding school!?
-Jack! Where did you learn this kind of speech, huh?
-Your mother is right! Where did you learn certain words?
The two instantly turned, hearing the door slamming on its hinges.
-Both she and I went to that Academy, and I assure you that it is not the school of Hagwotrth or whatever the hell it's called!
-Hogwarts!
shouted the boy
-Exactly, that stuff there. In any case, it's quite likely that your mother and I should be taking command of a ship soon, so you'd better lodge at the Academy.
-What?!
Lisa's eyes wide with anger, her cheeks turned fire.
Jack Jr. let out a scream.
-Will you leave me here? You' re going to leave me here? Are you going to leave me here like Maia Sterling's sister? Mother! Say something!
Jack Archer had not moved from the doorway. Lisa looked at him in all his imposing tallness. For a moment she seemed to lose touch with reality: what was the man who appeared to be her husband, saying? What was he hiding from her in for the umpteenth time? Anger mounted in her every second longer.
-Captain Archer!
She called out.
-Admiral.
He replied, glacially.
-We need to talk.
He nodded and twisted his mouth into a bitter smile.
-Jack get to your room and don't come down until I call you.
-But Dad ...
-I said GO to your room.
The young Archer shivered
-Yes sir ...
Soon he disappeared down the stairs and Lisa and her husband faced each other.
-Now you're going to tell me what's going on at the Macross Base.
He let go a muffled sound.
-It's very much worse than you think.
That one night Lisa remained on the couch for a long time, waiting for her husband to fall asleep. She did not want to hear his voice, did not want his body beside her. Something inside her felt broken, forever.
"Invid... Invid or Inbid, or whatever the hell they're named. They're coming to Earth after intercepting that damn flower with which Lang and his gang created the fuel.
It is necessary to set up a fleet just outside the atmosphere and around the Satellite Factory. There is a battleship... It is called Ark Angel... We must not allow them to enter Earth. It is as the Sentinels said on Tirol. These beings subdue other races inferior to them..."
Jack's words still rang on her ears. A new war was too much for her to handle
What would Gloval do? What would he do?
In a moment she felt the full weight of all her years on her shoulders. Her life emptied of all meaning. Yet she was Admiral Hayes, aka Supergirl, honors graduate, veteran of SDF1, scarier than a demon, the ice queen... the leader of SDF2 and of the Sentinels campaign.
She scrolled through the emails she had received from the Academy
She watched and stare at his name "Richard Hunter," and at his number, as if prey to a spell. As if just by looking at it she would find a solution.
Rick.
She couldn't call him, she couldn't... and then ask for what? About the classes he was teaching at the Academy? What a petty excuse. She clutched her head in her hands and soon fell asleep on the couch, still wearing her uniform.
Good morning Mr. Hunter!
A cheerful voice made him turn as he was walking briskly down the balcony leading to the offices. She was there, leaning over the railing in a very unprofessional pose
-Good morning, Lieutenant.
he said as he raised his head and squinted his eyes.
-Do you like some coffee? It's quite early!
Rick glanced at her from below. Her legs were quite tapered, though a bit crooked . She was quite tall and had long black hair that reminded him so much of Minmay's. Her eyes, however, were brown and naughty, even during the most intimate moments. Rick shook his head trying not to think about the rest of her body, and joined her upstairs.
She stared at him intently. Her regulation shirt was stretched open far beyond allowance. She smiled because she knew he was watching her.
-The machine is already on, I'll get it ready for you now.
-No need Sue...
She tightened her shoulders because he had called her by name, and softened her face.
-There are new freshmen.. I know they are late but I put them in the regular courses anyway.
He looked at her through the steam of the cup she handed him.
-They are special kids ...
-What you mean?
-They come from SDF2.
Sue Graham did not miss the shift on his face. His whole face grew gloomy and his eyes clouded.
He had almost gasped
-So.. eh...uh,... yes. Get me a list to my email okay? I'm heading to my office.
-Hey... she's been over here, yesterday ... with her son ... she ...
Rick didn't answer but stood motionless on the doorframe.
-Did you hear me Rick? Admiral Hayes was here ...
-I heard you.
He replied coldly, and Sue Graham felt a twinge of jealousy, or anger, she could not define it. Rick said nothing more, left and she stayed petrified in the small kitchen until the other employees and teachers showed up.
John Donald Archer...
So Lisa and Jack Archer's son would be one of his students.
Rick ran a hand through his hair. His file said he was 15 years old. He thought therefore that the two were married a long time.
Lisa had found solace immediately then.
But soon he cursed himself for having thought so bad of her. After all, hadn't he done the same? He had rejected her, for Minmay.
His mind was wandering, uselessy. He felt a thousand years on his back. When Minmay had visited him at his home that night... that Christmas night, he... he was unsure. He had argued with Lisa for the umpteenth time; he was fed up with her demanding. Lisa urged him to be more and more and never let him get a rest. On the other hand, Minmay was cuddling, and pampering, and wanted him all to herself. She didn't want anyone in their little world. And this to Rick felt like a dream inside the nightmare of war. But as late as the next day he found himself confused. And when he woke up that morning he expected to find Lisa by his side, as always. But there was Minmay.
He looked outside the window pane. The sun was up, sick and gloomy as it was every day.
He caught himself thinking about that boy born on Tiresia.
Will he look like her? Will he have her green eyes?
He shook his head. He wished he would never meet her again, or at least as late as possible. This was not true: part of him was yearning to see her again.
He heard a knock at the door; it was Graham, again.
-Did you get the files?
-Did you find that I got them open? That means they have arrived.
he said sourly.
She winced but walked in anyway, and took a breath before closing the door behind her.
-It's a weak excuse I know. But I wanted to talk to you. It's been a bit since we've seen each other.
He looked, without seeing her, as if she were transparent.
It had not been a good idea to mess with her. She was only 21 years old and highly ambitious. Nevertheless, she had developed a crush on him. He was flattered at first, and they started an affair. But the truth was that she was really too young and she was also starting to pushing him to rejoin the army.
"-Why don't you make a move on Leonard?
He had told her once, after having sex.
-You are much more handsome!
she laughed
-And you'd look great in your Captain's uniform...
-Yeah sure..."
In any case, that whole thing had ended as it had begun. Senseless. Rick had made a mistake by telling her about Lisa Hayes, but at the time he thought she would never come back. Sue was as jealous as the little girl she was. And in fact, she would bring up that topic, every time.
-You are still thinking about her! Don't you know that SDF2 will never return?
-I don't want to be with anybody. Why don't you seek for a guy your own age?
He had once told her.
Could he always be so unkind to women? Yes he could.
Rick sighed. The theory class would not start until 10 am.
He had never met any of the SDF2 kids, but a rumor had come that many children were born on that new planet and on the ship.
15 years...
A few miles away Lisa Hayes was witnessing in dismay a desperate cry. All of a sudden Jack had made up his mind he no longer wanted to attend the flight school. He was sobbing, with dignity, his arms crossed.
Lisa looked at him, so tiny, and helpless, and her heart ached
-Don't leave me here, mom...
he said between little sighs
-I don't want to stay in the Academy...
-But you'll be fine...
she said, trying to be cheerful.
Jack's green eyes flashed with anger, and with frustration
-You know it's not true, yourself! It's because I'm so small! I'm as small as a seven year old! I already know what's gonna happen...
Unable to continue he clutched his head in his hands, blubbering.
Lisa winced
It was true, it was fact. Kids his age would have mocked and probably bullied him. Jack-he was so happy in Tiresia...
-Oh sweetheart..
Lisa knelt down and took him in her arms. And this time he didn't struggle and let loose in her embrace-
-Admiral Hayes!
The security guards snapped to attention as soon as Lisa crossed the threshold of the Robotech Academy. At her side stood her son, John Donald Archer alias Jack. The boy carried his devices under his arm and tried to maintain an upright posture.
The two entered the elevator without speaking. Jack was embarrassed, but Lisa had insisted on escorting him to school.
-I know one of the teachers pretty well. You' ll see, he will help you, Maia and the other kids.
He gave her a hopeful look.
-Is he a good type?
-He... yes ... he is the best
Lisa said with a smile. Was she really meaning it? Or was she just saying it to reassure her little boy?
-Admiral Hayes!
Sue Graham stormed toward her. She had been warned of her arrival from reception.
-We were not expecting you this morning!
Her voice was unusually shrill.
Lisa squared her from head to toe.
-I am here as the mother of a new student, Lieutenant Graham.
At that point Sue cast a glance at the child in confusion.
-And I want to talk to Professor Hunter.
-What!?
Sue flushed wildly, her nostrils flaring. She was losing her grip
-Oh but that's... it's absolutely impossible! because...
she sought an excuse, anything to say, but Lisa Hayes's stare seemed to ashen her.
-Professor Hunter refuses to talk to parents. It is the school policy and...
A door opening and a thundering voice muted her.
-Admiral Hayes.
Rick said.
Lisa and Sue immediately turned around.
Both, in their own way, felt a twinge in their stomachs.
-Hello Rick. Forgive me for showing up here but I wanted to introduce you... my son.
Rick Hunter cast a glance at the child beside her and winced. He was expecting a adolescent and was now facing a boy, thin and very cute, with cat-like green eyes.
-Yes ...well, I...
said Lisa, as if reading his mind.
However, Rick quickly recomposed himself and nodded.
-Of course, come, please, come to my office.
He tried to smile politely at the kid.
-Hello... I am Professor Hunter.
Jack clasped his small hand in his.
-Hello. I am Jack Archer. Nice to meet you.
Then, the office door closed behind them. Sue stood frozen, breaking into a cold sweat. She ran a hand over her forehead and bit back a curse.
Ah screw you, Hunter!
Inside Rick's office, the vibe was on the edge of tense. He and Lisa could barely make eye contact, while Jack was pacing around looking in amazement at the old pictures hanging on the walls.
-Hey but this is Skull 1!
exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Rick frowned and Lisa stammered something unintelligible
-Jack...
-I know the whole story of Skull 1. My uncle Max, he told me everything about its pilots the veterans of the First Space War... Roy Fokker and Rick... Hunter. And how he defeated Dolza's arm..
The boy stood open-mouthed for a moment, as if clearing his mind.
-Wait, he is called like you Professor! Was he -was he a relative of yours by chance?
Lisa opened her eyes wide and blushed.
-Jack! Cut on personal questions!
Rick remained silent but, all of a sudden, a small smile softened his features.
-Something like that.
he said with a tense laugh.
Lisa looked at him gratefully, tenderly, and Rick felt his heartbeat speed up.
-So, Jack...uh...do you want to see how a simulator REALLY works?
-EH?
Young Archer's eyes widened in surprise.
-I... of course I do, I...you mean NOW Professor Hunter?
Lisa, Rick, and Jack headed down the elevator to the subfloor. Neither of them uttered a word. Lisa could not look at his face and focused on a spot in the wall. Rick was looking at her shoes as if mesmerized. Time seemed to never pass.
It was absurd but he felt that Lisa was there for a reason. She needed him.
Once Rick had set up the station he helped Jack into the simulator and got himself into position. The doors closed with a hiss.
-This is Delta one, you hear me Cadet Archer? do you copy?
-Roger Delta One. This is Alpha 9, Preparing to heat up the engines.
Rick glanced toward Lisa, who had stopped a few steps aside, and could see that she was blushing. He had used that air traffic code name on purpose. He didn't know why... Maybe he just wanted her to know how he remembered everything.
-You should be leading it, Delta one!
He called out to her, amicably.
Lisa approached, feigning a weariness she did not actually felt at all. Her whole face was radiant with joy.
-Thank you Rick. It means a lot to me... this thing... you are doing...
He glanced around the entire massive hangar and then looked back to face her.
-You are worried about him. I understand that.
Lisa sighed
-All the kids born during the mission do not grow up. They just stayed as children.
Rick nodded, biting his lip.
-Jack is suffering from it and is afraid that his classmates will exclude him because of it. And so am I...
Rick instinctively placed a hand on hers.
-I won't let that happen, Admiral.
Lisa felt a jolt go through her whole body. And Rick, too, as soon as he realized that he was still holding her hand, withdrew it, as if it was burning.
Lisa stayed silent for a while, but then snapped
-I'm afraid we're going to be deployed back in space soon... Jack and Maia, Max's daughter ... they are going to stay here on Earth. Oh Rick I really don't know how I can leave him here...I...
Her green eyes still burned that unquenchable fire.
He frowned.
-Back in space? But how...
Lisa ran a hand over her forehead several times as if to chase away her thoughts
-No, I... I don't want to nag you with the problems of the REF or Southern Cross, I don't know what I should call everything anymore either, but...
He realized that she intended to tell him something but he did not press her.
-Claudia is in Monument and she is not ...well. I... Rick, I know I am asking so much but, if I have to leave again, will you take a look at Jack? Just here at the Academy ... just ... if you want to ...
She lifted her long eyelashes and Rick realized that her eyes were welled up with tears.
He remembered so well the tears of his beautiful Commander Hayes. It was all so unreal. He would have liked to reassure her, instead he said abruptly.
-Your husband... he is also be going with you?
Lisa gasped. She had not expected him to bring up that topic. So out of the blue.
-Yes obviously.
she whispered
Rick looked at her and realized that all this annoyed him, tremendously.
He didn't have to freak out. He could sense the scent of her hair, the warmth of her body. They were alone in a deserted hangar. He simply wished time would stop forever. Little did he know that she was feeling the same way.
-I'm gonna take care of this little pilot, you can trust me, Lisa.
She widened her eyes in disbelief. Her heart was beating with happiness.
-Oh Rick... I ...
-Consider it a reparation for all the times I let you down.
-Rick...
he let go a sigh
-When are you going to leave?
-I don't know yet.
Rick nodded and turned off the controls.
-Come on, Private Archer, the ride is over!
he said cheerfully.
But then, he felt her take him by the hand... like that time during the transformation, so many years before*.
He turned and their eyes met.
-I...
she stammered.
Lisa was barely breathing
-I don't want to leave... Rick. I don't want to...
He parted his lips but not a sound was made.
They continued to stare at each other, in silence until Jack joined them, high on happiness and excitement.
To be continued
notes:
1) Stick Bernard รจ il nome originale Mospeada di Scott Bernard.
2) From the comics of the Sentinel saga
3) This scene features in the original SDF Macross, in episode 30 "Viva Maria!". It was cut in the Robotech edit.
4)From ep 28 "Reconstruction Blues"
5) In my other fic To the Star and Beyond the hangar in Alaska Base is very similar to this.
6)From ep 21 "A new dawn"
Hello everybody. I'm not going to dwell on why I have been missing round here for so long. I have been unwell with my health and spent some time in the hospital.
It was difficult to write and also to gather thoughts and ideas. But I have not forgotten Lisa and Rick. Nor my stories.
I hope you can forgive me and I hope you enjoy this one. It' s a chapter of small revelations, but I can't tell you yet why I called the fic "Revenge story" hehe! :))
I send my love to Misa, Black, Anita and all the guest and readers.
I hope to be coming soon with new chapters.
Lov,
Mao