There will be a big time jump this time. There will be some action as promised but you will also get to see what the SDF-1 has been up to. Reedited
Rick and his flight were on a deep recon of Alpha Centauri A system. Beside his flight of 3 fighters, he had a cats-eye recon plane and a destroyer. This was only his third long recon flight over the last 6 months.
Admiral Gloval and Roy had pointed out that he was needed more back with the fleet, since the missions usually lasted a few days. The destroyers had just enough hanger space for the 3 fighters and the cats-eye. Normaly it held a couple shuttles. Those had been moved to the SDF-1 while the destroyer was on these missions.
They were 2 days in their 4 day mission. They had not seen much. not that there was much to see here. There was another destroyer and fighter team on the other side of the system.
Rick was the overall commander for the two teams in the Alpha Centauri A system.
"Wraith 1 this is Fairfax." called Lt. Commander Israa.
"Wraith 1 here." replied Rick.
Just heard from team 2. They just dropped the sensor packages on the planet in inhabitable zone we found."
"Good. It looked like it might hold life. Maybe we will have two different planets to set up outpost."
"They said they are heading our way. Should be able to meet up with us in about 8 hours without folding." Israa reported.
"OK, let them kn.." Rick was interrupted.
"Sir we have a fold showing at the edge of our radar range." Israa reported.
"Alert fleet and team 2. We may need them to fold in, depending how many ships fold in and will need fleet to fold i some ships behind the enemy" Rich told the destroyer then changed to his fighters and cats-eye. "Cats-eye fall back to the destroyer. First flight on me. We are going to hold just a little out in front of the destroyer. Well with in her missile coverage."
"Wraith 1, we count 1 cruiser and 3 destroyer class ships. They are deploying fighters. Also team 2 is on standby to jump. SDF-1 reports they will be folding in a battle group and fighters behind the enemy when we are ready. They are moving them in to position now."
Rick checked his radar and saw they would be in the Zentraudi's radar range soon, then they would have about 5 minutes to the Zentraudi were in max range. "Tell team 2 to fold in to support us. Once we engage the enemy inform the battle group, they are good to fold in. Make sure all jamming is up. We don't want them to call for help."
It was not a minute later that the Aigle and her fighters folded in. The three fighters fell in formation with Rick's flight. The two destroyers were formed up to give each other support.
Rick watched as the enemy got closer. He could tell when they were spotted because the Zentraudi picked up speed. When the battle pods reached max range of the two destroyers' missile range, he gave the order to fire.
R/L
Lisa was at her station on the bridge. They had been over the planet Proxima Centauri b for the last 6 months. They had learned a lot about the planet.
They discovered they would be able to breath down on the planet. The water had to be filtered before it could be used. They also learned that the planet does have different animal species. Lisa was surprised when she learned that some animals were a lot larger than animals on Earth.
While most of the animals didn't seem to be a problem. They did find 2 species that were predators, and one was as large as a small elephant. It was to believe to be a feline type. They named it a night tiger, due to it being black with grey strips that made it hard to see at night.
The other predator was a type of lizard that reminded the science team of a small dragon. It did fly a little but spent most of its time on the ground. It didn't breathe fire which Lisa decided was a big plus. If it had they may not have been able to setup a military/science outpost.
The outpost they had just finished a couple months ago had a main building that housed the base command post and the science's research departments. There were several living quarters and an aid station. They also had several green houses that they used to try to grow food using local dirt in the compound.
There also was a landing field that was separate from the main base. It was connected by a fenced in path between the two areas. An area that held several landing pads for shuttles and a squadron of fighters. It also had a Maintenace building.
The two areas were surrounded by 30 ft fence. Around both areas were a second fence. All the fences had 1ft diameter rods that were spaced about 3 feet apart with wire mesh between the rods. They had built in guard towers that the marines manned at all times. They had a laser grid covering the top of the compounds to keep flying species out.
Lisa was brought out of her thoughts when Claudia asked her a question. "What, sorry was in deap thought"
Claudia just gave a small chuckle. "I asked if you were going to the concert tonight at the amphitheater in town?"
"No, I was planning on just relaxing at home tonight." Lisa replied.
"You staying home wouldn't have anything to do with Rick on a long recon would it?" Claudia asked her friend quietly.
"No, we are just friends." though Lisa did wonder if she would ever get up the nerve to talk to Rick about moving beyond friendship.
R/L
The two had finally had the talk that Lisa was scared to have. Rick had been brutally honest with Lisa. All the good and bad.
He had told her how he had been hung up on Minmay for so long and when he finally had started putting her behind him that he realized he liked Lisa. He told her once he realized, he did how he didn't think he was good enough.
He explained he was not honest with her till it was almost too late. Because of that it caused a lot of issues because Minmay tried to worm her way back in his life after being gone for two years. At that point he only saw Minmay as a friend. It had cause issues with their friendship because he was blinded to her feelings.
Once they did start seeing each other, they had leaned on each other heavily because they had just lost several of their closes friends and those they saw as family. They also had to start over with building the SDF-3.
He went on to talk how he never wanted the promotion to flag officer. He just wanted to fly. It had caused some tension between the two of them and it came to a big fight. While they were on their mission Rick had wanted to give up his rank. Which would have left Thomas Edwards in charge of all military operation.
Rick had explained it had caused a big fight which the Lisa in the other time line had called him a coward. Rick said it never came to either of them to even consider splitting up but shocked Rick enough that he had gone to his best friend Max. Max had told Rick that even if he did not believe he was the right person everyone else, her future self-included knew he was where he was need most and qualified best for.
Rick told her that after that, the two had sat down and really talked about Rick's position and the Expedition. It was after that talk that Rick final accepted that it was time to stop flying full time and except the rank he was given.
The final thing they talked about was Edwards betrayal and her death. He explained that he wanted to follow her so bad in death but knew she would have kicked his ass for not finishing what they started. Their friends had rallied around him, helping to cope with her loss.
R/L
"Well, sometimes I wonder about that. You two act like an old married couple at times." Claudia commented, which made Lisa smile a bit.
That was till Lt. Lee called out "Communications from Fairfax. 4 enemy ships just folded in near their team. Commander Hunter requesting support."
Col Maistroff relied "Number of ships and type. Also alert the fleet and Admirla Gloval. Sound battle stations."
As battle stations sounded all over the ship Lt Lee informed Col Maistroff "1 Cruiser and 3 destroyers. Commander Hunter request that we fold in ships behind the enemy fleet."
Admiral Gloval and Captain O'Conner arrived on the bridge. Gloval asked for a report. Once he got it he ordered a heavy cruiser with 4 destroyers to fold in behind the enemy fleet. He also had 3 squadrons on fighters from the SDF-1 to join up and fold out with the reactionary force.
Lisa ordered the 3 squadrons to form up with the cruiser so the cruisers fold sphere could take them with the fleet.
Not even 5 minutes after battle stations was sounded, all departments reported ready. The fleet also reported its ready status.
Lisa watched the reactionary force fold out and wished them the best in luck. She also prayed Rick made it out alive and unharmed.
R/L
Rick watched as the first two salvoes of sparrow missiles launched from the destroyers. Once the second Savo passed the fighters Rick ordered all 6 Alpha's to fire all their missiles. Then the fighters engaged the remaining battle pods.
Most of the battle pods ignored the fighters and headed towards the destroyers, which was a mistake. When the battle pods came in range of the destroyers CIWS they opened up. Catching al the battle pods off guard.
Rick and the other pilots worked together to cover each other's back, but an alpha was lost fairly early in the battle.
As soon as the Zentraudi ships came in range of the destroyer's weapon systems they fired their reflex missiles and particle beam cannons.
About 30 seconds after that the Zentraudi fired on the destroyers. The pinpoint barriers blocked most of the shots, but a few got threw causing damage.
The battle had been going on for a few minutes when the relief force arrived. The heavy cruiser fired its reflex cannon destroying the cruiser and a destroyer. The other two moved to get clear, but another destroyers was destroyed before the last could fold out. Leaving all its remaining battle pods and fighters behind.
The fighters with the relief force raced in to help the outnumbered fighters protecting the 2 RDF destroyers. The battle lasted another 5 minutes.
Rick sighs a relief when the last battle pod was destroyed. He only lost one fighter. "All ships form up on the cruiser."
The cruisers captain contacted Rick and informed him that Admiral Gloval ordered the fleet back to Earth. They were to make it look like the ships the enemy found were part of the defense fleets back at Earth. Hopefully giving the SDF-1 and her remaining fleet more time before they were found. They were to see to any repairs needed and then to return in a weeks' time.
Rick gave the order. All Destroyers formed up on the cruiser with the fighter forming a tight perimeter around the fleet. All ships and fighters folded out a minute later.
R/L
Admiral Hayes ran to the command center when he got the report of a small RDF fleet with several squadron of fighters folding in just outside the lunar orbit.
"Report."
"Sir we have a heavy cruiser with 6 destroyers folding in. 2 destroyers reporting heavy battle damage. The small fleet is heading towards the shipyards for repairs. The fleet also shows a little over 6 squadron of fighters flying escort." reported the duty officer.
"Do we know what happen yet?" Hayes asked.
"No sir."
"Sir communications from the acting fleet commander."
"Put him through."
A second later Ricks faced appeared. Donald could tell he was in a fighter. "Admiral, request permission for my damaged ships to dock with the shipyards for repairs. Also request permission to land at RDF command so I can report in person."
"Permission granted, have your ships dock that need repair and all fighters that need to land can head for the Akagi. I will have a car waiting for you to bring you to headquarters."
"Thank you, Admiral."
"Alert the Akagi and the shipyards. Also let traffic control know I want Wraith 1 cleared for the VIP hanger. Get a car out there."
R/L
Lisa was worried. She did not know the status of the fleet and the fighters because they were ordered to head back to Earth. They hoped to hear something soon, but it could be a couple days at the earliest. What she was most worried about was Rick. This not knowing was making her realize she liked him more than a friend.
R/L
Rick was led into Admiral Hayes's office. He was still in his flight suit because he didn't have a change of clothes. Once he reported to the Admiral and the door secured Donald pulled out an electronic device and activated it.
"OK Rick we can talk freely. What happen."
"We had two destroyers in the Alpha Centauri a system with a single flight of fighter each and a cats-eye recon plane each.
We were on the second of a 4-day patrol when 4 Zentraudi ships folded in near us. I ordered the other destroyer team to join up with us. We also requested support.
I figured if we didn't fold right out and called for help, we could hide the fact that the SDF-1 and her fleet were nearby.
Admiral Gloval dispatched a heavy cruiser and for destroyers. At my request they folded in behind the Zentraudi fleet.
After the battle I was told that the Admiral ordered us to return to Earth, repair our ships. We were then ordered to return to the fleet in a weeks' time.
This is something the two of us discussed. If one of our long-range patrols were discovered but not the main fleet, they were to hold till reinforcements could arrive. Then all ships would return here.
If the fleet that found us was too big, we were to just fold out and return here. The hope is that Breeti will think that the ships he found were just a patrol from Earth exploring a nearby system.
The tricky part was to hope at least one of the Zentraudi ships captains had enough sense to fold back to Breeti and report he just found several Earth ships and not the SDF-1 and her ships."
"With all your ships returning here instead of the SDF-1, you hope to reinforce that belief."
"Yes Sir."
"Just after you folded back a small fleet from Breeti's main fleet folded out."
"I guess we can assume he does believe we came from Earth then. If he thought, we were from the SDF-1 he and most of his fleet would have folded out."
"That may be Rick, but it also suggests that the SDF-1 will need to appear in the Sol system so that the Zentraudi don't find the outpost you established."
"We may need to either leave some of the SDF-1's escorts to stand guard over the outpost or send them a small fleet of their own to be stationed there."
"Our 4th fleet is just about finished. I can delay its completion by sending part of the fleet to be stationed at Proxima Centauri b. That way the SDF-1 doesn't lose any ships."
"That might be best. Once we return. Assuming the SDF-1 is not found first we can fold the SDF-1 and her fleet in close by long enough to be seen. We can move around the Sol system and keep the Zentraudi's eyes here."
"OK, lets brain storm some ideas." suggrested Admiral Hayes.
Over the next hour the two talked and came up wit ideas. After they finished for the night Admiral Hayes invited Rick to join him for dinner.
Over dinner Donald asked about his daughter and how Rick was getting along with her. Rick told him about the talks they had, but informed the Admiral they were just friends. Rick didn't want to push things. Just let them happen if they did. Donald was happy at Rick's responce but wished Rick the best.
R/L
Commander Breeti was in his office when Exedore came in. "Commander, the fleet you dispatched to the battle site has returned. There were not ofther Micronian ships in the area. Sensors also reported that a small fleet folded near the micronian planet. It headed to where we know the shipyards are located. It matched the size of the fleet that destroyed the scout fleet."
"So the ships we found were not part of the ships with Zor's ship?"
"It looks like the micronians were just exploring the near by star system. We found no indications that Zor's ship was in the area.
The finder beam did show 3 folds. On came from the far side of the system. It is believed this was one other destroyer and her fighters. The second was from the ships that came up behind the scout fleet. The third is shows all ships folded back to the micronian planet. Weather there are any more ships in the system is not known."
"Send a couple more fleets to scout out he system. Let's make sure that Zor's ship is not there."
"Yes sir."
Exedor left Breeti to ponder what it all meant. Were the micronians trying to mislead them by making it seem like they just found one of the micronians scout fleets or was it just what they found, and Zor's ship was still in this system or another.
So, the SDF-1 and her fleet have been busy. It was only a matter of time before the Zentraudi found any of them. I have been doing some research of the Alpha Centauri system. Not much is known about the planet. Mostly guess work from what I could tell, so that works for my story. Now as to the names of the destroyers. They were actual ship names from WW2. One American and one French. Like the two carriers, I am using name of ships from different countries. The same with names of some of the characters. In the Robotech universe all the counties came together when Zor's ship crashed. So, I would believe while most members come from major countries, due to their higher populations. I think most all countries would have citizens from their countries enlist in the RDF. I try to do this because it makes sense and I have people from different countries reading my story.