Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

New Macross City, around November 2010*

Captain Lisa Hayes was sitting in the rear seat of the military car. She was lost in thoughts and didn't realize that the corporal on the drive had called her once, twice.

-Captain Hayes, we have arrived.

...Ma'am... we reached your destination.

Lisa winced: she quickly ran a hand through her hair and grabbed the regular hat that has been left on the seat. As she placed it on her forehead in front of the small mirror, she came across her reflection, it was true, she was tired, thin, almost underweight. Dark circles under her eyes that makeup couldn't hide. She pressed her lips together in a tight line, feeling a a bit annoyed, uncomfortable.

-It should take me about an hour

She said, absent-mindedly, to the corporal

-Just... wait in the parking lot

-Yes ma'am!

Then she got out of the car.

Lisa raised her eyes in the hazy light of a winter morning. They were always the same, that kind of mornings in this wasteland that once had been the territory of Alaska, USA. But now... Her gaze was caught on the stately sign on the wide building: "Military and Civil Hospital of New Macross City". The board flashed brightly as if it was night.

Lisa sighed and started to walk up the large staircase.

-I think it's okay if I just sit here.

She mumbled, not too convincingly.

She had taken off her hat and jacket and was sitting on the green couch: spine straight and legs crossed. Her gaze was steady, icy.

The doctor looked at her, intently.

She knew who she was dealing with. However, having never seen her in person, she was surprised by her severe and stiff appearance, which was certainly a bit intimidating. Despite this, she couldn't hide her young age. She scrolled the folder with her eyes:

Patient- Elizabeth Hayes.

Grade- Captain in New Macross Command Center.

Born in- Tokyo, Japan.

Age- 22.

Blood type -A**.

Previous pathologies - None.

Diagnosis - Insomnia and possible Post Traumatic Syndrome.

The doctor sighed

-Yes... if you don't want to lie down, you can just stay seated, Captain Hayes.

Lisa nodded but said nothing.

-And if it bothers you to have eye contact I shall sit there, behind you.

Lisa raised her long eyelashes and met the doctor's gaze.

Her gaze was radiant and sharp and the woman was captivated by her green eyes. They were very peculiar, she had never seen such a resolute look in someone so... young.

-That's not necessary.

said Lisa dryly.

The talk was very difficult. Something in her just refused to cooperate. But after fainting three times in the Command Center, Admiral Gloval sent her -or should be said- ordered her, to take counseling with a psychiatrist.

She hadn't just been fainting. Not only she collapsed and fainted. Many times she experienced nightmares, even while awake, and they were so real, so terrifying, that her hands would start to shake and all her blood would freeze. They were awful moments. Lisa would curl up in the fetal position wherever she was and stay still until the shock would pass. And once it had happened on duty.

Gloval was seriously concerned. She was not the first nor the last soldier who was experiencing PTSD after Dolza's lethal attack: it had been nine months since the Earth had been almost completely annihilated and the long process of reconstruction had begun...the SDF1 had returned home with its crew and all the civilians and together with the few survivors they started the atmospheric and soil restoration.

When he had summoned her to his office in the core of the new city, Lisa had worried. She was afraid of being reassigned. A new Command Center was springing up in what would be the new political headquarters of the United Earth Government, Monument City. She didn't want to leave Macross. At least Claudia and the bridge girls were in Macross: there was Admiral Global and the few friends she thought she had...There was He.

Well he... once he would come back.

-How long has it been since you've been able to sleep, Captain Hayes?

Lisa's eyes widened.

-Sir? I don't think I understand.

Gloval had grunted. His new dark blue uniform had given him an even more distinguished and imposing look. His office was clean, and almost empty.

-Have a seat, Captain. I'm not in the habit of giving these kinds of reprimands to my officers, especially since a soldier should take care of her own health. Not only for herself but for all the people who are dependent on her.

Lisa had blushed and automatically curled the edge of her skirt in her trembling fingers. A lock of hair slipped from her hairdo and rolled down her cheek.

-I'm fine, sir.

She had said with a small effort

-You're alright, uh?

A blue eye had flashed under the brim of his hat and was gazing intently at her.

-I've learned that in the last few weeks you have fainted while on duty, and once you had a sort of breakdown...

Lisa blushed even more and wrinkled her eyebrows in outrage.

-What!? I mean...I don't know what you talking about, sir!

-Ah Lisa! That's enough!

Gloval had stood up and walked towards the window.

-It's written all over your face that you don't feel well. And I don't see why you insist on denying it.

Lisa mumbled something intelligible, then raised her head.

-It's just a little bit of stress. I mean, who doesn't get stressed these days?

-No one is immunized from stress. Not a single person working for the reconstruction. But Lisa, you are tearing yourself apart. I know you're not getting any sleep and often you're panicking.

Lisa gasped as she thought furiously about who might have informed the Admiral. Vanessa? The newcomer Makizaki? Claudia?

Its Claudia, for sure! I'm gonna strangle her!

-Sir, it's nothing I can't deal with!

Gloval lifted an arm as if to silence her.

-I see there is no cooperation from you, Captain Hayes.

Lisa parted her lips, then shut them.

-This is why I'm ordering you from now to have a medical checkup at the New Macross City Hospital and start a psychotherapy session that will determine if you're currently suffering from PTSD.

-PTSD?!

Lisa jumped to her feet

-I didn't give you permission to get up, Captain!

She sat back down with a thud.

-Are we all clear?

Gloval returned to his seat.

-But...but, Admiral... will I be able to keep working?

He looked at her in amazement. She was truly an irredeemable workaholic.

-If you pursue the therapy that the doctors decide is right for you, I don't see why you cannot keep working.

Lisa squeaked a relieved smile.

-Captain Hayes. You are an officer who is too valuable to RDF in general, and in this time of reconstruction. I want your health to be at its best at all times. Do you understand that?

Lisa tilted her face like a girl who is being rightly scolded for her stubbornness.

-Yes sir. I'm sorry.

-Good. On your way out you'll meet Major Grant with the medical tests list. Please start immediately... You' re dismissed.

Lisa's eyes flashed with pure hatred

-Yes sir!

She said snapping a salute

I'm gonna kill her...

-So Captain Hayes, shall we get started?

The doctor stood up from her seat and approached the window.

-Where shall we get started? You choose.

Lisa grabbed the rim of her skirt and crumpled it with both hands.

Where to start...where?

A sudden flash of the Grand Cannon preparing to fire. A rumble, so loud she had sworn it would perforate her eardrums. Her father was so proud of it... then the blast and fire. The smell of ANYTHING burning. It was such a distinct memory.

-I... I have nightmares...

The doctor furrowed her brows, listening intently.

-This is why I can' t sleep.

-Mmh, go ahead Captain Hayes.

-I mean... I can fall asleep, but still I wake up 10, 15 times in a night. Sometimes I have downs and...

Lisa did not realize that her voice had turned shaky: but this detail didn't escape the doctor.

-I...it's like I'm constantly reliving Dolza's attack, over and over...

-In your dreams do you replay events from throughout that day?

-No, no... not exactly.

Lisa shook her head.

How was she supposed to tell her that? She cleared her throat and tried to regain her cold and professional voice.

-Listen doctor, give me something to sleep. I... I will be fine

The woman ignored her.

-It's hard for everyone... Pretty much all of us have lost a dear one during the -ehr... Rain of Death. Those of us aboard SDF1 and on the Apollo satellite had landed on a ravaged Earth. We are now trying to move on. But there is no denying the great loss we are experiencing. You, Captain Hayes ... you lost your father.

Lisa reddened and felt her eyes burn.

Tears...

-You don't have to be ashamed of that. You have to focus on yourself and the people still alive around you. On what they can still give you and what you can give them.

Lisa squinted her eyes.

-Hey! -Captain Hayes!

The young officer was waiting for her at the end of the stairway facing Lake Gloval. The sky was incredibly blue and some new bird broods had just flown out of Dr. Lang's lab with their own wings.

They would fly for hours in the skies of New Macross and then would come back to the nests that had been set inside the recovery center. It was only two months since the destruction of the Earth.

-Isn't that awesome?

he said pointing to the sky

He wore a shy smile on his face, as unsure of what to say.

Lisa flushed as she stepped toward him.

Something inside her had ignited since that day when he'd reached into the abyss of the burning Alaska Base with his Varitech and saved her life. But it wasn't exact to say that something had lit up that day. That little spark had already been burning in her since she'd left the battleship for Earth, and he'd sent her that morse code... telling he would miss her.

Or maybe it all started even earlier, when they had been trapped for long hours during the transformation...

-Lieutenant Hunter! At ease!

Lisa smiled back at him and then, as usual, they took a walk on the footbridge overlooking the lake.

Lisa couldn't tell when they had started to do it, but it had become a little moment, a little habit of the two of them alone.

-Lisa...

his voice brought her out of her thoughts

-..I...I've been called to the mission to... the Apollo Satellite...

She winced and turned towards him.

-What?!

Her voice was overly alarmed.

Rick Hunter winced in his turn. He wondered if he had said something wrong

-And you... you said yes?!

She said, trying to calm down. She carefully ran a hand through her hair, her cheeks burning.

-I... well... there was no way of refusing...

Lisa felt a hole opening up in the middle of her chest. It grew bigger, like a chasm.

She knew all about the Apollo 1 program. A number of Varitech pilots would be deployed around the artificial satellite to monitor any Zentraedi fleets still hovering around the solar system and eventually engage battles and force them to leave. Anyway, it would be primarily a patrol mission.***

-Whe... when are you leaving?

-Tomorrow.

Rick kept walking, but Lisa had stopped.

So Rick had been selected for the mission on the Factory Satellite. Six months. The mission would last six months. At that very moment she realized that this whole time... they would have to be apart. Lisa was stunned... why did it hurt so much? Rick somehow noticed that her face had become gloomy. He placed a hand on her shoulder. His grip was gentle but firm. Lisa looked up and met his bright blue eyes... as blue as the Earth's sky before the holocaust. He smiled encouragingly. Lisa realized that she could no longer live without those moments... without those smiles... his smiles.

-It's only six months, okay?

Sometimes his listlessness just made her want to slap him, but she had struggled to nod and just smile back.

-Yeah...

They ended up at a cheap diner and Rick ate an incredible amount of yakisoba. Then they headed home into the warm night. He had asked her if she wanted to drop by his place for some tea, but Lisa was so shaken and nervous that she just couldn't think straight.

She felt she could burst into tears at any moment, and that simply could not happen.

The next day Rick left for Apollo, bringing the entire Skull Squadron with him. Lisa had been watching the whole takeoff from her screen on the empty flight deck, with a pounding heart. She was alone, again.

"You must focus on yourself and on the people still alive around you; on what they can still give you and what you can give them..."

The people still alive...

Lisa let go of the hem of her skirt and started smoothing it to ease the creases.

-You want to tell me about your nightmares, Captain?

-Well I...they are always very...similar...

Lisa glanced out of the window: clouds were massing, low on the grey sky: they hinted at a coming storm.

-I'm... I'm at the base. In Alaska Base, I mean.

All of a sudden her face became flushed and hot.

-Do you already know about my... rescue?

The doctor turned around and eyed her with curiosity: she could see that Lisa was flushed, her lips trembling.

-Yes... Lisa are you all right? Would you like a glass of water?

-I'm alright...

she muttered

-Do you know that Lieutenant Hunter rescued me from the exploding base?

-I know the dynamics of that salvage. Everyone knows in New Macross City... it was truly brave and reckless of him!

Lisa tightened her jaw.

-You asked me about my nightmares and I'm telling you. In my...

She squeezed her eyelids, her long eyelashes flickered.

-In my nightmares, most of the time I relive this event. Lieutenant Hunter arrives at my station, where I am trapped behind a security door... I yell and call out for him, but he doesn't hear my screaming and I...I keep yelling, but I don't know how... I... see him leaving...he gets off the base without me and I...

The doctor noted a few lines on her pad and looked at her carefully.

-And I yell "Rick! I'm here! come get me! I'm right here!"... but he doesn't hear me and leaves me alone... and in that very moment I know that... that I'm going to die.

Lisa breathed in loudly

-Then I wake up.

The doctor nodded

-This dream... is it the same every time?

-Uh? Yeah, well... I mean... there are some details that change, but basically it's just the same dream.

-You... I noticed that in the dreams, you called Lieutenant Hunter by name...

-Yes , ehr, I...

She stammered

-I assume that between you and him there is more than a strictly professional relationship...

Lisa's eyes widened. Instinctively she grabbed the hem of her skirt again.

-What? Oh no! No, no... there is nothing, I mean I...

- You have frequently served together, even on dangerous missions... during the Space War...

Lisa nodded

-It's true, well, I can say... that yeah, we're friends... I guess...

The doctor didn't miss that Lisa's face brightened when she spoke those words: a small smile flashed across her lips. She noticed that she looked much more younger, and pretty, when she smiled.

-Lisa, where is Lieutenant Hunter? I mean he is serving on New Macross, I suppose.

-Oh no... he's not...

Lisa's features turned gloomy again, her brows furrowed.

-He is ... he's on the moon, on mission on the Apollo Satellite, for six months ...

The doctor nodded several times in knowledge: she started typing fast on her tablet.

-And... when is he coming back?

She said casually.

-I...

Lisa wished she could say she didn't know: it was hard to talk about Rick Hunter, she didn't even know why.

-Why... do you want to know about it?

The doctor smiled, and after casting a glance at the watch, sat down at her desk.

-I will prescribe you a terapy to regulate your sleep Lisa, and you also need to take a mood stabilizer for 6 weeks. We will be meeting every seven days.

Lisa instinctively stood up. She ran a hand through her hair several times. Her palms were sweaty.

-That's all?

-It was easy, wasn't it?

-Ehr... I... I guess so.

As she headed for the door, the doctor called her back.

-And, Lisa? Try to surround yourself with people you can still build something with. Don't disdain their company, it's precious in these moments of uncertainness for mankind.

Lisa placed her hand on the doorknob, then she turned three-quarters

-In five days...

She murmured

The doctor glanced at her quizzically.

-In five days... in five days Lieutenant Hunter... will be back on Earth.

When she closed the door behind her, the doctor grinned in contentment.

And as Lisa walked down the grand staircase of the New Macross Hospital, a gust of icy wind tossed her hair: her heart was racing at the very thought. In five days she would have seen him again.

-Captain Hunter there is a new message! Captain Hunter you have a new message!

The android plugged into his mailbox lit up his single eye and looked for the figure of its owner in the dim room

-Captain Hunter!

-I heard you, I did... shut up...

He was lying on his single bed, the lights off. The window on the left wall disclosed the darkness of outer space: by this time he could glimpse the dawn breaking over the southern hemisphere of the blue planet.

The Earth...

His new position forced him to fly a long patrol circuit through the vastness of space practically every day...every boring day. Without no one to talk to, he often spent his time in the dorm staring into space. He even felt nostalgic for the days of risking his life while on board the SDF1. He had forgotten almost everything about real combat: the struggles and the pain. More than a year of fierce battle had tempered him into a true soldier... and now, he was just starting to hate being a soldier... In the corner of his mind, there was always a longing for battle, and he hated himself for it. And as he thought about these feelings, his mind lingered on his senpai Roy, who had died in battle, and the people, who were far away on Earth...***

Rick Hunter stared at the magnificent sight with deep longing. Then he lifted himself onto the bed and turned on the small lamp on the nightstand.

He was wearing a Skull Squadron t-shirt and a pair of comfy pants. His hair was a mess, as usual. He rubbed a hand over his nape and switched on his device.

For a moment a feeling flashed through his mind.

Minmay...

But soon he shook his head. It had been almost 8 months since he had seen her in person.

He didn't even know if she knew he was there on the Factory Satellite.

Well... I didn't even bother to tell her.

He had thought that this detached behavior would spark her interest, her curiosity or... whatever. But actually, nothing had happened at all.

Minmay and Kyle were touring the Earth. And they were together. Plus Minmay had never tried to contact him.

Yet that day... 9 months earlier, during the attack, they had both confessed their love for each other and finally...finally he had kissed her****.

Rick accessed his mailbox

The message in the subject line just said something like "Hi!"

Rick squinted his eyes and started to read. A small smile softened his features, immediately.

Lisa!

It was a message from her. Commander Hayes. Rick sighed, whoever else was texting him? Aside from Max -just once or twice - no one else but her.

The message didn't say anything special. Updates on the Command Center, on the Zentraedis' status, and the ongoing building of Monument City. Dr. Lang had successfully had an animal park built. There were dozens and dozens of sheep.

Rick burst into a chuckle.

Lisa usually ended the letter with a rather formal "see you soon," but this time she had added a few emojis. A smiley one and a little heart.

Looking at it Rick felt something melt inside. A kind of softness. He reread the letter a few times...it was silly, but that little red heart made him feel better. He went back to bed and turned out the light.

Just five days... and I'll see her again.

He realized that when he thought of Lisa, a whirlwind of feelings always leave him exhausted.

In a way, he was almost scared... and besides... she was the one who was scary.

Just like a demon...

he thought

Rick Hunter shut his eyes. His lids flickered in the darkness.

But sometimes she could be pretty...

He remembered vividly when he had attended her birthday party the previous March**. He had been amazed to see her looking so pretty in a green wool dress that ended far above her knees.

-Happy birthday... you... look... good, Commander Hayes!

Lisa had blushed and had twirled a hand in the air, as if to chase away his compliment. But she had smiled.

Then it had come naturally to a hug.

He had hugged her before. When he'd rescued her from the Alaska Base for example, he'd held her so tightly he'd forgotten to breathe.

Truth be told, he had even kissed her. Twice, on Dolza's ship. Even though at that moment it was the least thing he wanted in the world. Or so he had believed. But that day, in that cozy green dress, he didn't want to let her go. He sensed the tiny bones of her ribcage beneath his fingertips. The soft firmness of her breasts pressing against his chest.

Lisa had lifted her eyes to him: she was blushing.

-Rick...

she had whispered.

Then he had let her go and walked a few steps randomly around.

Sure, he could remember very well the warm feeling of that woolen dress and her soft, heady-smelling hair.

He vividly recalled her smooth, silky skin: how the red stains spread across her neck and face and her green, sad eyes...

Commander Hayes...

At those memories his belly seemed to overheat.

Rick grabbed the pillow in disgust for himself. He crumpled it with his hands several times, turning it over under his head, then tossed it across the room and lay down on his stomach, in the darkness. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a muffled groan.

Just five days...

he thought.

then fell asleep.

to be continued

Chapter Text

Lisa' s car headed toward the military quarters. The small, tin-like houses were neatly arranged along walkways carved into the ground. They had not yet been paved, and the officers and soldiers used a complex system of ropeways to reach the Command Center and the city.

The morning slipped into the afternoon: a storm was coming.

-Ma'am, may I drop you off at the cable car terminal?

said the corporal

-It doesn't matter, I can walk.

-Are you sure? It's going to rain.

Lisa snuggled into her military trench coat and shivered at every gust of wind. She would have paid for a wool scarf around her neck. Her hair swirled in the icy air.

The sight around was bleak and degraded, but in Lisa's eyes was gleaming a small light.

She pulled into a path that crossed the main road and walked briskly towards one of the newly built units. It was number 251: she pulled out a small key with a blue chain and unlocked the door. The door latch was shiny new and it clicked with a small sound. The young officer entered quietly and closed the door behind her.

The house was shrouded in darkness: all the rooms were shuttered. Lisa turned on a small lamp on the wall and the front hall filled with a warm light: she took off her coat and looked around as if to check that everything was in its place. She ran her fingertips over a yellow model plane standing on the coffee table: it was covered with a slight coat of dust: with the work on the street being done, dust was steadily creeping into every house in the military district.

Lisa huffed and went straight to the kitchen: she turned on the light and switched on all the plugs, turned on the fridge -it had been off for six months- and the micro-wave . She put on a funny apron* with a dog print and tied her hair into a ponytail: she lifted all the blinds and glanced out over the backyard. A soft blanket of green grass had started to grow on the barren ground. Lisa smiled.

He had taken her there...

-Look there's even sort of a garden!

Back in the day the ground was still parched and dry, a result of radiation.

-I don't think a single strand of grass will grow there, but ... as good as it gets!

He had run a hand on his head and let out a giggle.

-Dr. Lang says that once the soil is reclaimed the grass and flowers will regrow...

he mocked at her

-Of course Doktor Lang is always zooo right!

-Oh, you are...so stupid!

And Lisa had chuckled with him in spite of herself.

It was the day Rick Hunter had received his housing: he looked overjoyed.

-I've never had a place of my own. With the flying circus, I spent more time in a caravan or some third-rate hotel than I ever did at home!

She noticed he was really happy.

Lisa picked up the little yellow plane, wiped it carefully with a cloth.

Some other memories came to her mind. That was a gift from Commander Fokker. When she'd told him that his...his brother had died, he was holding it in his hands, in a hospital room. Lisa couldn't forget the look of pure horror and despair that had taken over Rick's whole face. She could not forget the affection she had felt for him. She had turned back and knelt on the bed: she had taken him in her arms and had cried... with him.

Rick...

-Hey Lisa, I mean... Captain Hayes...

That night, at that soba restaurant Rick had pulled a bunch of keys out of his pocket.

-Yes...?

Lisa had glanced at him quizzically

-You know... I want to... uh, well, please take a spare key to my house. I mean,well... I'm going to be gone six months and... I'd feel safer if you could just pop in once in a while and check if everything is ok. I mean there's nothing there to steal except my awesome Valkyrie model kits but...

Lisa had nodded enthusiastically

-Of course Rick! I'll keep an eye on your house, no problem.

-Oh thank you Lisa, you are a lifesaver you know that?*

Since that day, Commander Hayes had not skipped a single cleaning shift. She vacuumed, dusted the furniture. Rick had left a whole humper of dirty clothes when he left. She had laundered them and stuffed them in the closet. She had changed the sheets and made up his bed. And then, every week on her day off, she had mopped up the dust that had been accumulating on and on.

Until now.

Now there was the fridge and pantry to be filled.

That day Lisa devoted herself to minutely shopping for all of Rick Hunter's favorite foods.

She wondered for a moment whether this was too rash or too personal.

But Rick would have gotten there exhausted and nauseous from the gravity switch. He wouldn't have been unhappy to find his house warm and with some food in the fridge.

Lisa wrapped her arms around her waist and sighed.

He didn't ask me for anything, I'm doing this of my own*.

At the military warehouse she had stuffed two giant bags: in addition to the food, she had picked up some tea cups. Two to be exact.

In case Lieutenant Hunter had guests. She had no idea of why this thought disturbed her. But the guest could easily have been her.

Lisa glanced at her reflection in front of a shop and caught herself wondering if he might like her looks. She shook her head. He had told her that she was an old lady and plus that she was scary like a demon. Her face turned gloomy. But a few months ago... during her birthday party... he had complimented her, told her she looked good.

Lisa spent the rest of the day fantasizing and then in the late evening she texted him a little message. She didn't mention that she had arranged his quarters and that she had turned on the heat and that she had bought food and cups. Just... she felt a bit embarrassed. Before sending the message -and with no second thoughts - she added two little emojis, a smiley and a little heart.

On November 30, the Skull Squadron entered the Earth's atmosphere on the NW quadrant of Alaska following the space shuttle carrying some scientists who returned to New Macross to switch with their colleagues. The expansion of the Factory Satellite and the construction of the SDF2 was proceeding unabated. Captain Hunter radioed the control tower at the Air Force base. He still couldn't distinguish the city but could see that the hills and mountains around were covered in a coat of snow. At that very moment he realised how much he had missed the Earth. His home.

Even though it was so different from how he had last seen her a year and a half earlier. His eyes darkened. He hated himself for being so sentimental at at he couldn't push those memories away. If he had never gone to Macross Island, that fateful day, maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe Roy would still be alive, who knows? And he would have never met Minmay and... and Lisa.

Lisa... would she be at the Base when he arrived? Or maybe she was busy at the Command Center? He tried to remember the new city and just couldn't: after all, when he left, the Reconstruction work had just begun. Now, six months later, who knows what he would come across. On the 4th of this month he had turned 20 years old*. Yet he felt a hundred on his shoulders. The Air Base was located on the outskirts of the city. It was where Dr. Lang kept his main office and it was where the flight tests for the new Varitech Vf4 Lightning III would be starting, in a couple of months.

The hangars were brand new, the tarmac landing pad stretched for a dozen miles along the barren ground

-Skull Leader to control tower Atz Macross do you copy ?

-Roger Skull leader, this is Macross Control Tower, over.

-Requesting permission to land. Skull Squadron in formation, over

-Affirmative Skull leader, proceed and...Welcome back to New Macross, Captain Hunter!

The Skull crew were all relatively fresh except for a few space war veterans, a couple of years older than Rick. Despite this, no one had questioned Admiral Gloval's decision to give him the lead of a squadron that had been the epitome of victory against the Zentraedis.

Rick logged in with his comrades via internal comm.

-Skull 1 speaking. Guys, it's been a long trip. Head back to the base and for the rest of the day... disperse!

Some loud shouting and whistling flooded the comm channel.

-I'll be seeing you tomorrow at 7 o'clock in the hangars... and guys, REALLY... have a rest!

The Varitechs landed one by one in the massive dedicated runway. The final one was Rick's. Lights flashed in the rainy morning. When the techs beckoned him to turn off the engines, he finally pulled the visor off his helmet and flipped up the canopy. The icy air surrounded him and made him feel almost intoxicated. He felt a sort of dizziness as he breathed in the Earth's atmosphere and sensed gravity.

-Calm down Captain Hunter. Or You may experience symptoms of ground-sickness!

An familiar voice made him turn around, immediately.

He was standing on the tarmac in a casual pose and stared at him in a bright smile. Instantly he brought a hand to his temple.

-Max!

Rick climbed down with a quick leap, overlooking the ladder that was being carried to him.

-At ease Lieutenant Sterling!

-Welcome back to New Macross, Captain!

the two young aviators hugged each other on the runway and then reached the other pilots and engineers.

Rick willfully sucked in a breath of icy air. It was true, his legs were shaking and a slight queasiness had seized the pit of his stomach.

-So what!

he said, smiling. His eyes sparkled

Max led the way to the garages and passed a hand on his shoulder.

-What's been happening these past six months, huh Max?

-There's a lot of new stuff Rick, really!

Then he let out a giggle.

-You're going to say hello to the little boy, aren't you?

Claudia Grant cautiously took a sip of the hot coffee the waiter had just brought her. The coffeeshop in the Command Center was almost deserted.

-Ehr? What?

Lisa's fingers trembled a little as she clutched the hot mug in her hands.

She closed her eyelids and a slight blush spread across her cheeks and nose.

-He should have landed already...

she said casually

Lisa mumbled something.

-I guess... yeah...

The two young women remained silent, looking intently out of the wide windows overlooking Lake Gloval. They were on the top floor

-Oh Lisa! D' you see it too?

Lisa smiled spontaneously and they both got up and walked to the window.

A whirlwind of sparkling white flakes poured relentlessly from the high, dark sky. They were many, countless.

-Looks like we're going to have a white Christmas!

said Claudia with a wince.

Ten miles away, in the Macross Base mess Rick was watching intently at Max's smartphone's gallery.

Their hot coffees let a swirl of soft smoke that faded through the air.

-So Mirya finally gave in to staying home. She refused to take orders from me and it required the aid of Admiral Gloval.

Rick slapped a hand on his thigh and burst out laughing.

-I can just imagine the scene!

-She definitely didn't want to buy the story that a little micronian now lives in her belly. It hasn't been easy to make her understand that she can't pilot a Varitech... at least for the next months.

- And when, he...she... will be born?... I mean the baby...

Max smiled in delight, his cheecks turning red.

-In March. Dr. Lang is confident.

-This is really amazing Max! And you... How you feeling?

-I...I don't know but...

Rick gazed at him intently: he was radiant.

-I'm happy, you know. After everything that we' ve been through, the war... the peace with the Zentraedis and... you, just... you know. I think it's a good omen!

Rick ran a hand through his hair, a couple of times, and remained silent. There were so many things to say and yet he could not formulate a single line. He had so many questions, it was as if for six months he had lived another life. He wanted to know about the atmosphere recovery. About the Zentraedis and how they had been living on Earth, he wanted to know ... He wanted to know about Minmay.

-And you Rick? Have you already talked to Commander Hayes?

The young captain gasped

-Lisa? Well, I haven't... why? Should I have called her?

-Don't you want to say hello?

Max was honestly puzzled. Then he looked out the window. Snowflakes were starting to fall from the sky, swirling around.

-I think you should.

he said casually as he stood up.

-I'm on patrol at 12:00. Stay safe Rick! Take advantage of your rest, cause it's pretty busy down here!

Rick stared at him as he stepped away toward the elevators.

He instinctively grabbed his phone and tried to turn it on. Obviously it was dead after the space flight.

He stood motionless for a while, staring at the snowflakes covering the tarmac.

Maybe I should go to the Command Center...

Suddenly he blushed. His gaze was at once that of a lost little boy and of a stone-cold, distant man.

He lifted himself up, scraping the chair on the floor.

I wonder if she... if she'll be happy to see me...

Lisa had almost done her night shift. The coffee with Claudia was just a clumsy attempt to extend her stay at the Center. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to leave or... anything.

She knew that the crew returning from Apollo would land approximately between 10 and 10:30 am. What was Rick Hunter going to do? He would surely get "airsickness" as the pilots called it. Lisa smiled shyly as she thought about how he would find his quarters clean, cozy and warm. With all the good bits she had left for him in the fridge. The thought of him saying "thank you" warmed her heart. To imagine him happy for her attentions... it was enough to chase away all the tiredness. Lisa rose from her chair in the empty mess and wrapped her arms around her waist. She squinted her eyes smiling and then walked toward the door.

I wonder if he will be... happy to see me...

She could have called him, of course, but some sort of new shyness had seized her. Maybe it would have been better to go home and get some sleep. She would get a chance to see Rick Hunter in the next few days. No she couldn't kid herself. She would have wanted to see him now, immediately.

He might be home already...

"Why didn't you go straight to the hangars?! Your shift is over...and I know very well that you worked the rosters so you could be free this morning!"

Claudia's voice rumbled in her ears.

I might drop by his house...

Lisa Hayes walked out into the freezing winter morning and walked briskly to the terminal of the ropeway.

As soon as she turned the corner, a military jeep parked in front of the entrance of the Macross Center, right where Lisa had just left.

-No, don't wait for me, thank you!

he got out of the car: then he cast a glance at the grand staircase that led to the Command Center.

-Captain Hayes has already left?

Vanessa looked at him, somewhat perplexed.

-Yes... her night shift ended up at least an hour ago, Captain Hunter...And... how was it on Apollo?

At that moment the hall's automated doors opened wide and Kim and Sammie with a young, clumsy man* rushed inside.

-Captain Hunter!

-Welcome back!

Rick glanced at them the way you look at a wild animal not knowing if it might attack or not.

The young officers stare back at him with interest.

-Don't you want to tell us something?

-Yeah, aren't you going to tell us anything?

-How is the new fortress being built?

-Why don't you sit down? You want some coffee?

-Commander Hayes would not be pleased to know we left our stations ...

said the young male officer, hesitantly.

The three women glared at him.

-Oh shut up!

at that very moment Rick took care of the situation

-You know, I think your colleague is right. Lis... Captain Hayes would be terribly angry to find you all making conversation. Well...if you'll excuse me...

In a flash he spun on his heels and headed for the door.

-See ya!

the four young officers automatically raised a hand to their foreheads.

-Aye Sir!

Rick Hunter had already gone down the hall, mocked by the gesturing of the three bridge bunnies

-He's such a jerk!

said Kim, annoyed

-Hateful! he could have just stayed and talked a bit!

replied Sammie

- I wanted to ask him about my relatives!*

-Oh, really.. I don't know what Commander Hayes is seeing in that guy...

continued Vanessa

-But... What do you mean? Commander Hayes is committed to... to that pilot?

said Makizaki showing deep disappointment.

The three women looked at him: first puzzled then disgusted

-Look at you!

-You certainly are a busybody, aren't you?!

-It's none of your damn business!

And the young guy blushed up to the tips of his hair.

Rick was disappointed too, but he was confident that his countenance had remained impassive. It wasn't. With his wingmen probably already in their barracks fast asleep and Max on patrol it had come naturally to him to run to Lisa. Was that fair? Still, she was the first person he thought of... So why lie...

The snow had begun to fall again, thick and silent. He cursed himself for having sent away the car. Now he would have to take the ropeway home. The prospect of returning to his house did not really appeal to him. He wasn't attracted to that dark, cold cubbyhole, now even colder cause his six-month absence.

I wonder if Lisa stopped by to check my place?

In her emails she had told him she had.

Rick ran a hand through his hair and tightened into his trench coat. The cold was biting.

Lisa reached 251, block 2 : soon she sighed... From the large central window she saw that the lights were out and the house was silent. There was no need to open and check.

She smiled bitterly.

Why should he be here? He'll be off somewhere celebrating with his fellow men... after all they need a well-deserved leisure time.

Surely they'll be at the Nyan Nyan... it's true Minmay is no longer working  there but all the waitresses are kinda cute... I've heard that all over the base.

Lisa frowned and her mouth curved into a grimace. Her reflection in the window showed her the picture she had of herself. A sullen woman, devoid of charm and sleep deprived. Dark circles under her eyes and overall a bad look.

There was no one good at bringing her down as she did. She slammed a heel down on the ice blanket that was forming on the lobby landing, then turned around and left.

Rick climbed down from the ropeway cabin at block 2. He was the only passenger. He quickly searched for the key in his backpack; it had ended up at the bottom of a mass of dirty laundry... If he had been paying attention - he hadn't - he would have noticed the fresh footprints on the path. But, deep in thought, he only stared at the door.

Before he turned on the light, he did not even realize that a nice warmth had flooded his cold limbs.

He flicked the fingerprint switch, and the metallic voice replied:

-Captain Richard A. Hunter. Welcome back. It's exactly six months two days and one hour since you left the house!

-Thank you...

he muttered

It took him a while to realize that the house was heated, lit by a series of small lamps that glowed softly, one after the other. A subtle floral scent wafted through the air. The curtains were stretched and the atmosphere in general was cozy and welcoming. Rick Hunter let his backpack slide to the floor and took a few steps forward. He instinctively stroked the back of the couch and ran a finger over the top of the coffee table. Everything was sparkling clean.

A small smile flickered across his lips... He took off his trench coat and flew his boots through the room. His frozen feet clashed with the warmth of the heated floor.

Could it be?

He rushed to open the pantry and found all sorts of canned foods: It was still difficult to grow vegetables in a glasshouses, and expensive. Yet a box of potato salad was popping up in his fridge. Rick held it in his hands like it was a bar of gold. He looked at it from all sides, his stomach starting to rumble.

-A real salad?

His eyes sparkled and Rick smiled showing all his teeth. A small dimple had appeared on his cheek.

Lisa...it was you, wasn't it?

Suddenly he blushed

I have to call her... I have to call her to thank her and ...

Rick took a few casual steps, still holding the Macross Farm branded salad package in his hands. His heart was pumping rhythmically in his veins.

He realized he had been longing to see her. It had been so long.

Commander Hayes...

Lisa slipped into an old wool pajamas and curled up in a fetal position under the quilt. Once she had turned off all the lights and pulled the curtains, there was not much left for her to do but go to sleep. She had been fiddling with the pills the doctor had prescribed her before dropping them down the sink drain.

For some unknown reason she wanted to overcome her fears on her own, with no help from medication. In some distant corner of her mind she knew she was doing it wrong.

I need to sleep...I just need to sleep.

She scrolled through the photo gallery on her phone: she kept a picture of the two of them: they were standing at the podium in full uniform... the day the new United Nations Government was established, nine months earlier. Both in full uniform with the heavy burden of valor medals pinned to their chests. Their gazes cold, impassible. Lisa swept a fingertip over Rick's face, she could see him looking so young in that overly demanding uniform, his blue eyes sparkling under the hat with the Space forces insignia.

-Oh Rick...

she whispered.

Then she turned off the phone, closed her eyes, and tried to find sleep.

Rick had tried calling Commander Hayes on her mobile several times. He had also tried on his landline but it had gone straight to voice mail.

On the third attempt he gave up. He debated whether he should text her on her phone...

Or is that too private?

All of a sudden he felt shy and awed. The thought that she had better things to do than talk to him had started to haunt him. But if she didn't care about him, why would she always text him during his mission on Apollo? And why would she come in and clean his room and even waste time shopping for groceries?

And even buy veggies...

Rick Hunter laid on the couch, with an arm behind his head as a pillow, for an endless time: every now and then he ate a cookie and took a sip of Petit Cola.

I'll leave her a message.

He started fiddling with his smartphone.

As he scrolled through the contacts he noticed that he had listed her "Commander Hayes". Rick made a face. He deleted the rank and changed it to "Lisa Hayes" He chewed his lip for a few seconds. He deleted "Hayes." "Lisa".

...just Lisa.

Then he pushed the green button and started to speak.

At six pm Lisa Hayes woke up with a jolt: her heart was pounding and her whole chest and neck were drenched in sweat. She raised up on the bed, running a hand over her face, her long hair got entangled on her fingers. A nightmare, another awful nightmare. The winter darkness had wrapped the military district and only a small glimmer of light seeped through the pulled curtains. She sighed. In a flash she stripped off the heavy quilt and rested her feet on the heated floor, shreds of dream still surrounding her. She grabbed the phone and turned it on quietly. The sharp sound of a message broke the silence and made her gasp.

Suddenly her features twisted into a smile. Lisa Hayes brought a hand to her throat, as if to calm her pulse.

It was him.

"Hey Lisa it' Rick...I'm back uh...back on Earth... well I, I wanted to thank you for taking a look at the house and I mean... It' all great...really...So... Unless you're busy/on duty ... Call me okay?"

For a moment she felt her heart race out of her chest.

So pure, so direct. That was Rick.

A rush of happiness washed over her and swept away the last relics of her nightmares.

Lisa walked out into the chilly evening. The dusk was already fading on the horizon. She wrapped herself in a very large woolen scarf and shivered in the freezing air. Her nose turned immediately red. The clouds had almost completely disappeared and the sky was blessed with the appearing stars, millions of billions of light years away.

Sometimes it all felt like a dream. Yet the SFD1 had crossed the edge of the solar system, had almost touched those stars. Lisa missed space, like a matter of the heart.

She wondered if Rick was feeling the same. Would she have been able to talk to him about her feelings, her worries? The doctor had encouraged her to do so, but Lisa was so reluctant to apply good advices. Whether it came from the doctor, the Admiral, or her close friend Claudia.

Lisa reached his house: she held her breath, then pressed the doorbell with a fingertip... the light on the landing turned on.

After a few moments the door opened and a trail of warm light washed over her. He stood before her, in his usual ever-so-slightly leisurely posture.

-Captain Hayes!

Lisa stayed still for a long moment. Her heartbeat stopped: she was looking at him as one would look at an apparition, something unreal. And Rick stayed unmoving with a hand on his forehead, staring at her.

-Captain Hayes...

he said again

and Lisa came to her senses

-Yes I...at ease... Captain Hunter.

Rick relaxed his shoulders and parted his legs, flexing his knees, slightly. He bent toward her with interest.

-Are you alright Commander?

His scent flooded her nostrils and Lisa felt her cheeks get hot. She looked into his eyes, he was smiling but seemed somehow a little impatient. She stammered something, maybe a " Yes" and realized that he was different. He had grown. Even his shoulders seemed broader and his hair was longer... and his eyes were always challenging and bright in a precious shade of blue. He was wearing a basic t-shirt and some faded jeans. He clumsily passed a hand over his nape: and then stepped aside to let her in.

-Please come in.

Lisa walked into that house again. The house she had been devoutly visiting whenever she could for the past six months. The house she had learned to cherish as her secret treasure.

Somehow she couldn't look into his eyes. She felt uneasy. She didn't know whether to take off her coat and scarf and he didn't say anything, so she just stood in the doorway not moving a muscle, awaiting.

-I'd like to take a walk outside. You mind?

-Oh, I... Yeah, okay...

He was nervous, too. Earlier he had thought of drinking a cup of tea with her on the sofa, in the cosy warmth of home, but when he had faced her all his confidence had wavered. It was just as if shyness had gripped him. She looked so different...and yet it was still she... his Commander Hayes.

She was bundled up in a green shaggy wool scarf that covered her shoulders, her neck and part of her long hair. Her nose and cheeks were flushed from the cold, her green eyes... if possible...her eyes were even sadder and more wistful than he remembered. Rick winced, what was he going to say now? Suddenly the bare thought of drinking tea on that couch had become a titanic task.

Maybe a walk would help him? She wasn't coming to his aid in any way. She seemed almost scared. Was she scared of him? Why was she so... quiet?

Rick quickly slipped on his fur trimmed brown leather jacket with the Skull Squadron logo, and draped a simple black scarf around his neck.

Then he asked the android to turn off the lights.

-Goodbye Captain Hunter

replied the tinny voice

-Shall we go?

Rick cast a glance at her and their eyes met. A small smile flashed across her lips. He lifted an arm and lightly stroked her shoulders as they descended the front steps. They walked away, followed by the sound of their muffled footsteps in the snow.

-I couldn't wait to get out, and see New Macross... you really don't mind coming with me?

After a long walk through the streets of the still building downtown, they sat in a newly opened cafè: the Seciele Café. The whole square around it had a certain Northern European flavor, at least in the architecture.

They took a seat, facing each other at a small wooden table, in the outdoor area overlaid with a waterproof tent. The bar was nice, and Rick subconsciously compared it to the Variation café on the Space Fortress. He had seen the artificial sunset for the first time from its windows, together with Minmay*. He ran a hand through his hair as to chase that thought away.

-You sure you're not cold?

Lisa fiddled with the teaspoon and lifted her long lashes. She looked at him coyly.

-No... really. I like being outside. Since the atmospheric upgrading plan is over it really feels... it really feels like breathing again.

Rick leaned back in his chair and smiled, revealing her all his teeth.

-Breathe again! That' just the words I would use ... Lisa, I mean Commander Hayes, you don't know how much I wanted to breathe in the Earth's air again!... when I was up there...

With his eyes he pointed towards an indefinite spot in the sky. The moon was a thin sliver and it peeped through the snowy mountains. Lisa sighed in sympathy.

-I guess it was pretty bad.

-You have no idea! It was all darn awful!

Rick leaned back over the table and stretched his hands on the surface. His gaze was off, somewhere.

-More like it was awful boring. We expected at any moment that some Zentraedi vessel would materialize to revenge Dolza's fleet or whatever but ... nothing happened at all and then ...

Lisa would listen to him intently, but often got lost behind the curved shape of his lips or the way he was moving his eyebrows. A slight dimple had appeared on his glabrous cheek as he smiled. His hands were large and square, with flat, glossy nails like shells and his eyes, his eyes were magnetic, almost black in the warm light of the street lamps.

-Come on, tell me about what happened over here instead... Lisa?

She tried to pull herself out of that dizziness.

-I... yeah well...at the Command Center...it has been pretty quiet.

Suddenly she felt heated and freed herself from the grip of her scarf. Her white neck, dotted with red, popped up from the lapels of her coat and Rick catch a glimpse of a small shiny orb flashing on her skin.

He gazed at her keenly: she looked so tiny sitting down inside that big wicker chair.

-Let's just say the most striking thing was Dr. Lang's climate upgrading plan... and his animal cloning farm...

Then she had suddenly revived: she had pulled herself up on her elbows, and had leaned towards him with a conspiring look.

-Except, of course, for the most important news... one you surely already know!

Lisa's lips bent into a smile

-The baby...

she murmured

Rick smiled too, his pupils widening.

-I just learned today! it's really great news! the first Human-Zentraedi child... it is just... A miracle.

-Yes... a miracle...

she replied dreamily

-I am so happy for Max and Miryia.

They kept talking, then ordered another tea and then some undefined liquor that could have looked like sake or soju but branded Macross Farm. The only brand available, at the time.

Their cheeks turned hot and so did their hearts. Rick was feeling extremely relaxed. He couldn't believe he was back.

-I can't believe I'm back, you know?

The bar got crowded. All the tables were busy with civilians and soldiers and the other cafes across the street were also packed with people. Rick smiled finding great relief in it. Lisa passed a lock of hair behind her shoulder: she was feeling slightly tipsy, not only from the beverage but also from his presence.

-You're getting pretty perceptive, aren't you?

Rick burst into a giggle

-Me? maybe it's all the time I've spent observing the lunar changes from my cubicle on Apollo. I've started to think...

Lisa squinted her eyes

-Don't tell me! that' something I find hard to believe!

-Hey! How should I take this claim? Am I supposed to get offended?

So Rick played offended. He picked up a small spoon and tapped the knuckles of her hand. The thin bones made a dull noise.

-Ouch, that hurts!

she joked.

He smiled. He was feeling good. All the shyness of a few hours earlier had gone. He hazily realized how well the two of them were getting along, on their own. It was almost unbelievable, he and Captain Hayes. Sitting at a table like two ordinary young people. At that very moment he knew he had missed her so much.

-Hey!

-Captain! Commander Hunter!

-Is that you?

-Of course it's him, I tell you!

Rick had heard himself called, and before he could turn around, he had recognized the voices of Ransom and Bobby Bell* and a pair of other Skull Squadron guys. A drop of cold sweat slid down his spine.

He instinctively slumped, burying his neck in his shoulders..

-But ...

Lisa was puzzled and glanced around.

The loud pack of pilots was heading quickly toward their table: she looked at Rick, and he seemed uneasy as well.

-Captain Hunter!

-So that' s why you don't answer our calls!

said Ransom as he placed a half-full bottle of beer on the table, without much pleasantry.

Rick widened his eyes, more surprised than angry. But immediately his brows furrowed... He looked at the pilot straight in the face

-But... !? what you think you doing?

Soon he noticed that he was quite drunk... in fact they were all pretty high. Their vacant stares and those irritating chuckles were telling.

For some reason no one had recognized Commander Hayes: she kept her head tilted to one side, nervously passing a hand on her neck and hair.

-Oh sorry boss! Really sorry! But we've been trying to reach you all the evening...

-Well I was busy as you see-

Rick cut off

At that moment Bobby Bell leaned to the left to peek over

-We did see that!

he shouted

-Hello Miss!

-Good evening, miss!

-Yes, good night lady!

the other guys echoed him, with faintness.

Lisa was speechless. She lifted her eyelids to meet the slapping faces of those cheeky pilots. Her green eyes burned. If those eyes could have fired, there would be soon nothing but Skull Squadron full dust.

-Oh... oh my god

-Captain Hayes!

-I'm sorry ma'am!

In a rush, and one behind the other, they brought their hands to their foreheads waiting to be punished for outraging a superior officer.

-It's just that...

Bobby Bell dared to add

-I... really, I didn't recognize you, Commander Hayes!

-I SWEAR!

he said to an upset Rick

-Yes, we got it...

he spat

-Now will you plaese explain me... what the hell are you still doing here?!

Lisa gasped at Rick's commanding stance: he was relentless, and stern. She was pleased to see how he had become a consummate leader. A small smile appeared on her lips, but it was quickly quashed by Ransom's final comment

-It's just that... we... we were going to the Nyan Nyan... there's a rumor that Minmay is going to be there tonight and we thought that, you know...

-We were gonna ask you if you wanted to have dinner with us...like in the old SDF1 days... spring rolls! Udons! Pretty girls!...

-Exactly!

All the pilots burst into laughter and shouting of appreciation .

Lisa noticed with dismay that Rick was petrified, as if struck by an electric shock. Motionless, his mouth hanging open. A few moments passed before he could articulate any words.

-Well ... I ...

His eyes wandered around the venue, all the way down the street. He looked one by one at the faces of his companions as if seeing them anew, then his gaze landed on Lisa: her face was grave, composed in an inscrutable sadness.

-I...

-Come on, boss...

-Come with us!

-With all due regard to Commander Hayes...

hurried to add a pilot.

This ended up irritating Lisa, who jumped out of her chair. She grabbed her purse, undecided whether to fake her way to the toielette or send them all to jail for the night.

-If you will excuse me...

-No, wait.

Lisa cast a glance at Rick's hand that was gripping her wrist.

-Stay, please.

Rick's gaze was heartening, and Lisa faintly went back to her seat.

Then Rick dismissed his wingmen with a wave.

-Thanks for your concern. Now you're all sacked! Get the fuck out!

-But Captain!

-Captain Hunter...

Rick pretended not to hear their poorly hidden complaints. It wasn't until Bobby was at least three feet away that Rick let go a sigh.

-I'm sorry... that was embarrassing.

But Lisa realized that his mood had completely changed.

-Go...

she said softly

Rick winced

-It's not every day that the whole Skull Squadron gets a night off...

She uttered these words cheerfully, but inside her heart she felt a hole widening, and it hurted.

Rick looked at her with gratitude

-Really... you don't mind?

Lisa would have wanted to scream or burst into tears, but she kept that glacial composure

- And then...

she fiddled with the empty glass

-And then, it seems, there will be Minmay...

she said masochistically.

Upon hearing her name Rick Hunter's eyes had sparkled, with excitement, with hope.

But... perhaps she didn't know? So... why did it hurt so much? All of a sudden Lisa Hayes felt useless, invisible. The most worthless, unwanted person on Earth. She was almost humiliated at being there.

-Oh Lisa ... you... you know...

Rick scratched his nape feverishly...

-It's just that... I haven't seen her in nearly 9 months and I...

Lisa shuddered, what was he doing now, opening up to her? Hearing from his mouth about Minmay was a torment she just could not bear...

- You ... you two have not been in touch...?

she forced herself to ask

Rick gave her a bitter smile

-No. Never... it's been 9 months, but it feels like 9 years...

Here, exactly what she expected. Lisa didn't know what was going on inside her, but a sudden urge to shake him or slap him or both was building inside her. She bit her lower lip.

She was seeing him, with that hopeless puppy dog eyes.

-It's just...

-Rick please. Go to the Chinese restaurant. Why are you still there? You might regret it if you don't go.

At his words Rick's eyes sparkled -again!-with hope

-Lisa you... I wanted to thank you for everything you did...

She let go a hand in the air, as if to sweep away his words, or her pain.

-It doesn't matter! Besides, I didn't do it to get something in return...

she said weakly

Rick grabbed both her hands and squeezed them. Lisa's knuckles were cold. She looked at him awkwardly, shivering at his warmt grip.

-Lisa you're a lifesaver! ... did I told you yet?

She nodded. She felt that if she had just spoken, the tears choking her throat would have come out like a river.

In a flash he was already away to his friends, to the Nyan Nyan...to Minmay. Lisa swallowed a very bitter bite and as she dropped a bill on the table, she realized her stupidity. She shrugged her shoulders and crossed the street. It was far from home but she wasn't going to take a cab. She chose to walk hoping that the chill of the night would dampen the fire that burned in her chest and the tears stinging her eyes.

Rick Hunter slammed the door of his quarters: number 251, dorm 2. He threw his boots across the living room and with a tug, tossed off his leather jacket. He was in a terrible mood: he clenched his jaw, wickedly cursing at himself or everything

As he entered the kitchen the android greeted him

-Good night Captain Hunter. Your shift is scheduled for tomorrow at 8:00 am. Report to the hangars of New Macross at 7:00 am. Repeat, tomorrow...

-Oh shut up you tinhead!

snarled the young pilot.

He placed both hands on the sink and stared out the window, in the clear night. Minmay had not shown up at the restaurant. To his disappointment, and of rest of the customers of course.

-Oh Rick I'm so sorry. Minmay and Kyle stopped by to say hello this morning, but you know, they're so busy...

Aunt Lena had said.

Minmay and Kyle. Always together.

I guess they won't be apart for a minute

Rick's nerves jolted at the thought of the two of them in bed. After that realization, the night with the Skull guys had passed like a faded dream.

They were drunk and partying and he was sitting mutely in the corner nursing a sad hangover. He banged a fist on the stovetop and made a couple of mugs jiggle: he looked at them quizzically he havent' seen them before.

He picked one up and brought it close to his face, examining it carefully: it was white with a red border and the New RDF logo printed on it.

-Lisa...

He closed his eyes in deep regret.

He had left her like a dumbass in that café to chase- again!- after Minmay. After all she had done for him, after she had welcomed him home so...

And not just that... they were having a good time... he was so relaxed before Bell and the others showed up. He was...he was having a wonderful time. But no, he'd had to ruin everything for the umpteenth illusion. He really had been an idiot. He wondered what Commander Hayes had thought. Certainly that he was a childish, immature idiot... Pathetic, someone to feel pity for...

He threw himself on the couch, still holding the mug in his hands.

Lisa what you doing with someone like me?

You're so smart and clever... and ... if you were always as sweet to me as you were today, I would...

Soon he was overcome with sleep, and jet lag. His last thoughts before falling asleep were muddled, but they were all for her.

to be continued.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

The next morning, a severe headache had marked Captain Hunter's first waking moments. The alarm clock attacked him with its insistent metallic noise and for a moment he did not realize where he was. In addition to the dull pain in his temples, a strange feeling of heaviness washed over his body. He squinted his eyes, his eyelashes quivered.

He realized he was no longer on Apollo... Shards of the previous day wrapped around him as he began to remember...so much had happened...

As he walked out of the house heading for the ropeways terminal and still struggling with the hangover, he was hit by a gust of icy air: the newly built district was convered in snow. Rick welcomed it as a blessing and breathed in at the top of his lungs but soon those memories he wanted to chase away came back to haunt his brain. He didn't want to but kept asking himself. When had he started thinking about it?...Maybe likely since the first few nights after the final battle with Dolza. When even though the war was over, when, even though the Earth had been destroyed... he had kept wearing his uniform every single day, taking up arms again, ready to to fight, to protect... to defend... who, what? Rick had started to question whether he still wanted to be a soldier. He was afraid to know the answer.

The first few days of patrol went by: simply the same as ever. Rick Hunter would go to the hangars, study the route with his men and enter the aerial space. The vast areas around New Macross City still looked like ominous deserts.

More and more often his radars detected the remnants of a Zentraedi ship or vessel. Of a smashed pod, of a Varitech that had burned into the atmosphere and landed on the blasted Earth. Apart from his men, Rick had only met Max in passing. And one morning Dr. Lang, on his way to his office, had stopped by the hangars to say hello.

His assistants had jammed behind his back, like train cars backing the locomotive.

-Captain Hunter! Welcome back at the base!

Lang had squared him for long moments and nodded.

-I'll be seeing you soon!

After the fiasco of that date ...-but it wasn't a date, really!- Rick never got to bump into Lisa.. He was somehow feeling nostalgic for these days when he could see her face behind the screen, on the Tacnet.

Sure, most of the time she was there to nag him or chew him out. But so many times it was a comfort to have her there to support him and help him through the battle.

What if I asked her for tea?

Sometimes the thought had flashed through his mind. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Ten days passed

That morning Lisa Hayes had been summoned to the New Macross Government center. The city looked almost fair covered in that thick blanket of snow: she had to admit, when UEG's main headquarters were to be moved to Monument, something was going to be missing. But that was the way it was set. Macross would remain for all purposes the primary military outpost of the Defense Forces, while the political nerve center would be moved to Monument city. Civilians and military would again be separate entities, as they were before the war. Sometimes Lisa felt sick of it all. Although she didn't want to admit it even to herself. Her sessions with Dr. Heichmann were up and downs sometimes she was talkative and cooperative and sometimes it was simply impossible to have a conversation. She had locked "the Rick Hunter thing" in a deep corner of her sentient brain and had no intention of bringing it up. Not after the disastrous date - but it wasn't a date really! - of one week ago.

She was more determined than ever to focus only on her work.

Sometimes she dreamed of him. She dreamed of arguing with such ferocity that at any moment they would come to blows. She felt her fingers tingle to grasp him, to feel the grip on his body, to hit him...In her dreams she smelled his unmistakable scent and could see his swaggering blue eyes sparkling with anger. Lisa never had the heart to talk to the therapist about those dreams.

-Welcome back, Captain Hayes!

A familiar, slightly mocking voice, surprised her from behind as the reception droid was detecting her face ID.

-I'm fine, thanks to Major Grant!

she replied sourly

-How grumpy we all are...maybe you haven't reached your glycemic peak yet ?

Claudia winked as she handed her a black mug with an RDF logo on it.

-Arabica with two sugar cubes.

Lisa lifted an eyebrow but picked up her coffee gratefully.

-In fact ... I was wondering why I was summoned here

Claudia rolled her eyes at the ceiling. Lisa was really being intractable lately... was it by chance due to a recently returned Varitech pilot?

Needless to ask, she would have never speak.

-Ok I see that suspense with you has a nefarious effect...

The two women stepped towards the elevators.

-Claudia just speak, damn it!

Major Grant raised her palms in surrender.

-Ok ok!

-We are scheduled to an informal meeting with Dr. Lang, Senator Russo, General Maistroff, and of course the Admiral. The VF-4 prototypes are ready...

-Oh!

Lisa let go a sound of frank surprise.

-They just can't wait to get them started.

The elevator doors swung open with a slight tinny sound.

-You'll see, this is gonna be interesting.

The meeting was quite confidential. A sort of dress rehearsal for what would be the official introduction of the new variable fighters to the Army: the VF-4 Lightning III. This upgraded VT was fully capable of flying through Earth's (and any other planet's) atmosphere and designed to operate over long distances in space.

It was really one of the projects that the scientific team and RDF valued the most.

-The real threat of further alien attacks and the need to colonize new habitable worlds made us trust in this great project. It's a challenge we've overcome by constantly investigating Robotechnology and refining it alongside our human science.

Dr. Lang ended his speech with some emphasis and a slight emotion. His subordinates Gena Barltlow and Laslo Zand, recently arrived from the Apollo base, looked at each other with a mixture of pride and clumsiness.

Admiral Gloval nodded his head in agreement. It was his turn to speak.

-... and in any case the success of the project would not be possible without the commitment of our Varitech Squadrons officers...

Lisa Hayes, who had been oddly pensive throughout the entire presentation, lifted her eyelids from the monitor placed on the desk.

Admiral Gloval was outlining the team of pilots who would honorably attend the VF-4 test flights.

-Captain Richard Hunter will be in charge of the testing. He will select three of his subordinates from the Skull Squadron.

Lisa's heart started to beat unsteadily, even though her face didnt show anything.

-What about the Sterling-Parino pair of aces?

said Maistroff : his voice was almost mocking.

Gloval rolled an eye in his direction and frowned imperceptibly.

-Lieutenant Sterling is going on a mission to South America as soon as his girl is born.

A slight buzz arose among the audience.

-There are still a number of Zentraedi malcontents in the Amazon, as you well know General... and in any case we are here to talk about the new VF-4 flight tests. As for Lt. Parino, I hope the malcontents will be quelled and the new Varitechs will be operational by the time she'll get back on duty!

Lang nodded and coughed slightly for attention

-There is one more thing... we know your dedication to the Macross Command Center is onerous, but... uhm... but we are demanding your presence on the control tower...

-At least for the first couple of weeks...

-You have to train the new bridge officers that have recently joined us from the Apollo base...

-They already are familiar with the new Varitechs but only on the simulators...Captain Hayes...did you hear me?

-Lisa...?

Claudia's voice, calling her name, made her wince

-What... I...

A drop of cold sweat crossed the base of her neck. She lifted her stunned eyes to the Admiral and then glanced in amazement at Dr. Lang. They both looked at her encouragingly.

-Am I supposed to run the flight tests?

She said hesitantly

For a moment a faint smile played on Gloval's lips.

-Just like in the Space War

he said wryly

-Something similar...

Lang hurried to clarify.

-With the exception that our only enemy, this time, will be gravity and the pilots' inexperience! Hehe!

Then a timid laughter spread around the table.

Lisa was speechless but forced herself to smile. There was no way to refuse, of course. She was going to run the new prototype tests. That meant hard study of the new Varitechs and their special features... and it also meant that she would be back working with Rick Hunter, like in the SDF1 days.. her heart was beating fast behind the serious face she wore.

The cold was incredibly biting early in the morning. The almost perpetual light of Alaskan sun scarcely tempered the wastelands. Cold chills enveloped Captain Hunter's young body despite the fur-lined trench coat he was wearing: he was driving a jeep quite recklessly, heading out of the military district straight towards the newly built highway to the base. The meet-up was for 7 o'clock. A small smile had cracked his lips, red from the cold. He felt the tips of his eyelashes freezing on his lids. He was thrilled about a number of things...

First of all, he would be flying one of the new VF-4 Lightning III. He had already had the opportunity to see some of them, still incomplete, when he was on Apollo. He knew they were very powerful. The most powerful that RDF had had ever engineered. His fingers tingled, his legs quivered in expectation: in some way, he was still that young boy who used to perform incredible and dangerous air stunts, back in the days of the flying circus. But there were a few other things that made him feel optimistic. One was that Dr. Lang had notified him that he would have an office to himself in the hangar bay. An office. In so many ways, he was still that boy from before, and he never expected to deserve an office of his own. A desk to yell orders behind... just like Commander Hayes at the Command Center.

Lisa - that was another reason he was feeling particularly jolly. He was getting back to work with her. He smiled slyly as he thought about how he would upset her on the Comm just like back in the Space War days. Her face, red with rage, flashed before him as if he were seeing it at that very moment. Her eyebrows furrowing, her green eyes narrowing like those of a wild cat ready to attack. A small vein crossing her forehead...

Rick let go a giggle...his breath crystallized into a white cloud that melted in the wind.

He started to recall...

"-What does it mean you're leaving for Earth?

He stormed into her office, rattling the door on its hinges.

The room was strangely dark, only lit by a small blue lamp: it took him a few moments to spot her, sitting at the desk. The shape of her shoulders was highlighted by the faint light from deep space that flashed in through the window. Everything was blue, even her face had an ethereal hue: Rick felt like he was floating in an aquarium.

She was bent over her laptop, furiously typing.

-What you want Lieutenant Hunter?

she said dryly, not even looking up from her desk.

Rick tightened his jaw, clenched his fists, took a few steps in her direnction, feeling like exploding.

-What ...what I want? I just learned from Max that tomorrow ...

Lisa lifted her face and at that moment he saw her eyes... as cold as ice.

Rick shuddered and for a short time lost his thread. But then he clenched his knuckles even tighter in his fists.

-I just heard that Max will escort your shuttle back to Earth! Are you leaving the SDF1...? Lisa!

His voice got cracked as he uttered her name

She let go a long, painful sigh. Her throat was dry. She tried to say something but then seemed to give up.

Rick was fuming.

-So, is it true? You didn't tell me anything? You have nothing to say about this?! Lisa!

He reached out to the desk and placed both palms on the cold metal.

At that very moment he could see her eyes, so clear in the starlight: he had never seen such sad eyes before.

Commander Hayes jerked out of her chair, crawling it on the floor. Then she turned around sharply. Her hair swirled for a moment and flowed around her shoulders.

She looked out the huge window, the deep and quiet space. Rick just couldn't understand why she hadn't told him anything. She had decided to leave for Earth, without even telling him:

Commander Hayes... I am so... little to you?

the first thought he had had was this.

Rick was disappointed, angry: but then he noticed that her shoulders were shaking. She had wrapped her arms around her waist and seemed to be sobbing in silence. Rick crossed the desk in between them and in a flash was standing behind her back: he was right, she was crying.

Her scent, so familiar, enveloped him; Rick carefully placed a hand on her shoulder to make her turn around.

And she turned around.

He was no longer angry now, but a nameless sadness had seized him. He looked straight into her eyes, those green eyes shining like gemstones in the dark.

-Why you didn't tell me anything, Lisa, why?

His voice was like a whisper

Rick raised the hand that was holding her shoulder, all the way up her neck, and rested it on her damp cheek

-I...

Lisa sniffed.

-I was going to tell you but...then, I decided to call you tomorrow... as soon as the shuttle had left the battleship.

Rick opened his eyes wide. A wave of sickness made him lose his balance for a moment: for a moment he could not think.

He still held that pale, damp cheek in his palm

-... don't go

he stammered

-I mean I ... you can't leave your station on the bridge, what are the pilots going to do? What are they going to do on the Deadalus?

And... what about me? What am I going to do?

He thought

Lisa had looked away. Somewhere far away in the darkness, outside the window.

-Sammie is ready to replace me and...

-What does this mean?

Rick had cut her off

-What does it mean, Lisa? When will you be back?

-I... don't kid myself... it is possible that I may not be allowed to return. I've come to know too much about the Zentraedis and...

Then she had lifted her face, at him.

They both blushed as they realized they were standing so close. Their noses were almost touching.

I' ll come with you...

Rick thought.

I'll come down to Earth with you...

but as he was about to say it the door swung open...

-Commander Hayes...

it was the the voice of the Sergeant in charge.

-Captain Gloval is waiting for you to...

then he suddenly stopped

In the half-light he had seen their shapes against the window. So close they seemed to be holding each other. Lieutenant Hunter was stroking Commander Hayes' face.

-Oh I'm sorry I...

he murmured

Lisa took the chance to slip away from Rick.

-I'll be right there.

she said with her usual dry and impersonal voice

-... Lieutenant Hunter, talk to you tomorrow. Goodbye.

Rick gripped the wheel as he recalled how she had left her office, that night. Then, they'd only spoken via tacnet on their way to Earth. And then he'd sent her that morse code to tell her that he was going to miss her."*.

-Welcome to New Macross Air Base, Captain Hayes!

She was arriving from the Command Center. The ever-efficient Lisa Hayes had dropped by her office to gather anything she thought she might need for her new assignment.

She had momentarily left her station to Sammie, but she was confident she could keep up with both of her work on the control tower would take a lot of time, but only for the first stint.

In addition, new air traffic officers had been hired directly from the Apollo base.

Lisa got out of the car carrying her laptop, phone and clipboard in her arms. She wore a white fur hat that made her green eyes stand out and her cheeks were slightly flushed by the cold. When she reached the entrance she spotted a bunch of people gathered in the lobby. She realized she was not the only early riser. Then she saw him. He was standing by a pillar carefully scrolling through his tablet. His gaze was intently on the screen, and his dark hair hung over his forehead.

-Can' t believe it ...

she muttered

As she walked into the hall all the officers snapped to attention.

-Captain Hayes! Welcome to Macross Air Base.

said the desk clerk.

Then he lifted his head and their eyes met.

Lisa returned the salute but did not stop looking at his face.

-Lisa Hayes...

he whispered

-I mean, now you are Captain... Hayes!

Lisa smiled shyly, gripping her devices even tighter in her hands

-Alex Louan...*

her cheeks, if possible, turned even redder.

He walked on and stopped a few inches from her. He peered at her carefully.

-You... haven't changed

he said warmly

-Neither have you...

Lisa took an emphatic breath

-I'm so glad you're alive!

The young officer ran a hand over his head. That statement implied so many things. Then he smiled again.

-Actually, well uh... can I hug you?

Lisa nodded her head brightly

-Yes! I mean, You must do it!

Then held each other, with affection.

Rick Hunter, followed by Ransom and two other pilots walked into the lobby at that moment. They all wore their regular uniforms and their Defense Air Force hats.

While submitting to facial recognition, Rick's gaze fell on a pair of officers hugging each other. At first he smiled: it was rare to see such a scene in at Macross base.

-Captain Hunter, good morning!

said the receptionist.

At that exact moment Lisa and Alex Louan both turned in his direction and

Rick could clearly see that the woman in the eskimo-type fur coat was no other than Captain Hayes.

His eyes darkened, his eyebrows furrowed. He hastily saluted back, without stopping.

That scene had annoyed him immensely. Unable to figure out why, he walked stiffly towards his new office. Lisa glanced at him and her heart skipped a beat. But he hadn't even paused to salute the Apollo base's new officers. His attitude towards them, and especially towards her, had annoyed her enormously.

What a rude jerk. He thinks he is the owner of the base? But from today on, everything is gonna change!

She nibbled her lower lip in frustration.

-Lisa...are you okay?

Alex was still in front of her.

-Yes...yes Lieutenant Louan. Im okay.

Lang had welcomed the air traffic control officers directly into the hangars. To show them the majesty of the new VF-4.

Two mecha were on the ceiling hanging from the canopy and two were on the outside ramp, ready to take off. The wind whistled through the huge runway, and Lang had to shout to be heard by the audience.

-...and Captain Hunter will lead the 4-men formation...

He was saying:

Then Rick, already dressed in his pressurized flight suit, stepped forward and stood pompously to his left.

He had combed his hair all the way back, but the wind immediately messed it up, bringing it to his usual style. He had a very serious look on his face.

-Thank you Dr. Lang

he said, purposely avoiding to salute.

For a second, he met Lisa's gaze and his eyes darkened, then he quickly focused his stare on a distant spot.

-As you can see, the VF-4 has a peculiar three-hulled-type airframe structure remarkably different from the VF-1 design.

The three-hulled style of the VF-4 increases fuselage volume, propellant capacity and armament load capability, that all resulted in a 40% improved combat ability over the VF-1...

continued Lang

-The craft is capable of carrying a GU-11 gun pod in Guardian and Battroid modes. In addition to the powerful primary beam guns, the Lightning III also features twelve semi-recessed long-range missiles as well as under wing pylons for additional missiles...

Lang grinned as he noticed stunned looks on everyone's faces.

-In addition , and Captain Hunter can confirm this - this is the first variable fighter to utilize a HOTAS system (Hands On Throttle And Stick) and the HMI, Human-Machine Interface. The VF-4's cockpit was also built as a single hexagonal MFD (Multi-Function Display)*.

Rick nodded cockily.

-I got a chance to test VF-4 in simulator during my stay at Apollo. So did my Skull Squadron crew. That's why I decided to bring three of them for those flight tests. I can assure that the pilot's body fits perfectly into the HMI. It's quite impressive.

The team that would be directing air traffic from the control tower was to be presented by Lisa. She approached Lang and as she walked forward sparks of fire flashed in her eyes.

The electricity between herself and Commander Hunter was palpable. Lisa felt she hated his guts. Not only had he not properly saluted her and the officers arriving from Apollo, but he had deliberately taken the floor first.

Rick for his part glanced at her with contempt: a small grimace crossed his lips.

He had never thought that Commander Hayes could throw herself at a man in such official circumstances.

She would have sent him to seclusion if he would have done something like that. But, yeah, she was Admiral Hayes' daughter, she was entitled to anything.

Lang couldn't help but notice their scornful glances. Gena Bartlow and Zand exchanged a puzzled look, and Alex Louan furrowed his brows as well. All of a sudden Lisa seemed to be in a terrible mood.

-Delta 1 to Skull 1 - Skull 1 do you copy me?

At exactly 10 o'clock, the first post-war flight test had officially started.

Lang was standing next to Lisa's workstation, after several months she had gone back to headphones: these, however, were of the new kind made of transparent silicone. The little microphone was no bigger than a coffee bean.

In front of them, miles high below, the freshly greased track where technicians and chiefs were scrambling fast in and out of the hangars.

-Here we go ...

muttered Lang

Lisa turned three-quarters and their eyes met.

-Admiral Hayes would be very proud of that.

Lisa nodded but could not speak, her gaze lost behind the snowy mountains.

-Skull 1 roger Delta 1! Delta 1? Captain Hayes? You there?

Rick Hunter's cheeky voice pulled her out of her musings.

-So what? Captain Hayes? You already take a break before we started?

Lisa clenched her jaw and switched to the video channel

-Captain Hunter

she said coldly

Many feet down from the watchtower, Rick, aboard his Varitech, did the same. Lisa's face appeared on his monitor, incredibly clear. He could see her as if she were just an inch away.

-Wow! That's just... amazing!

-What d' you say Captain Hunter? I don't think I understand.

Lisa stared at him suspiciously. A small line crossed her forehead. Rick could clearly see her green eyes sparkling , as golden specks floated in her irises.

-I was saying that the new Comm... is just fantastic. I mean, the image quality is so sharp...

Lang nodded in agreement

-The resolution is great Captain Hayes. I mean... uh... I can actually see every single wrinkle on your face!

Lisa couldn't believe her ears...she instinctively ran a hand over her face in disbelief, then blushed visibly, her eyes narrowed into a slit. Lang watched her in alarm: he knew she could explode at any moment.

-Captain Hunter!

Her voice was shaking with anger

-I don't think I understand!

Rick for his part was having a hard time holding back a laugh. It was just like the old days. On the SDF1. When he had called her an old lady.

How dumb he had been. But fortunately now he felt like grown up... and he felt confident: nevertheless he couldn't help but tease her, he just loved to piss her off.

-Commander Hayes... I can see you very well, but I can't really hear you.

he lied

-Starting takeoff operations. It's so noisy down here...

Lisa sighed heavily.

On one side she was furious but on the other she felt an incredible connection with him: it was like " to be at home"... whatever that meant.

Lang was delighted. The first test day had simply gone smoothly. Of course, there hadn't been an atmospher breach. They'd wait a few more weeks for that.

But the new VF-4 was remarkably fast in switching to Guardian and Battroid mode, and back again. Exactly a lightning bolt. Needless to say, Captain Hunter had improved and refined his flying technique. And the new HMI system seemed to had been patterned on him. Well, it sort of, was. But that was something Lang kept to himself.

-He's the successor of Roy Fokker.

he said in a proud voice.

Gena Bartlow sighed

-I remember very well Lieutenant Commander Fokker ... he was simply an ace of the skies!

Lisa turned around in annoyance. She took off her headset and passed her hair behind her shoulders, making it swirl in the air.

-Definitely his brazenness and lack of discipline are a legacy of his, even if never as in this case is true the adage "the student has become the master."!

Lang and his assistants chuckled nervously and got ready to leave the watchtower.

-See you in the morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Alex Louan hurried to salute them formally and Lisa grinned at him.

-It worked out well...

-It has been incredible, Commander. Those Varitechs are simply futuristic!

For a moment Lisa frowned and looked lost in thought.

The unexpected arrival of Alex Louan had brought back a lot of memories: but she had managed to set them aside in a corner of her heart for the whole duration of the testing. Now, these memories were coming back.

-Do you want to walk around? I'll show you the base.

He nodded and put his hand to his temple.

-My pleasure, Captain Hayes.

After changing into their heavy coats and regular hats, the two young officers walked out into the frosty air, to the main track.

-Can't believe this huge building was constructed in less than a year.

Lisa passed a strand of hair behind her shoulder.

-When everything is broken, when you hit the bottom... you can only go up...the Admiral used to say it a lot... I mean... my father...

Alex smiled.

-He would be proud of you. Of everything you've achieved.

Lisa shook her head

-No...I don't really think...

-Lisa...

Alex Louan's voice got grave

-The rest of us, on Apollo, had to watch the destruction of the Earth, hiding helplessly inside our bunkers... had to watch our home planet being annihilated, while the SDF1 and the terrest forces went on fighting relentlessly until...until the very end...

Lisa nodded

-Thank god you are all safe and well, that's the most important thing.

-Yes... and so are you. But surely not because of me..

Lisa suddenly stopped

-What you mean?

She looked at him, puzzled

Alex pointed his hand up, towards the sky

-When Karl left for Mars... he made me promise to take care of you. And to give you support until his return...

Lisa's heart skipped a beat

-...But things didn't work out that way...Sarah Base was destroyed and he ...

he paused and sighed

-I was assigned to Apollo and you to the SDF 1, and then the Zentraedis attacked and...

Alex took a few steps and pointed to the hangars: the pilots were taking off from their shifts.

-It's all him

Lisa frowned

-What... what do you mean?

-Everyone knows the story, Captain Hunter... he...he rescued you from the Alaska base during the Rain of Death!

Lisa's eyes went wide and for a moment she stopped breathing.

-I can't thank him enough for that. I'm sure Karl... wherever he is...he feels...he feels the same.

Lisa was thoughtful, that unexpected meet had messed her up and she hadn't given Rick Hunter's arrogant behavior that much consideration. This had ended heating him up even more.

-Commander Hayes!

Lisa gasped as she saw he himself coming straight towards them. He had already changed into his regular uniform

-Well done!

he said scornfully, perhaps deliberately forgetting to salute them.

Lisa instantly blushed but kept her cold and stiff attitude.

-I could say the same about you, Captain Hunter. But don't take it too easy, this is just the day one.

-Taking it easy on that damn plane is the last thing on my mind, ma'am. It's pretty much the most amazing thing I've ever flown.

-You'd better, Captain. And mind your language.

Rick cracked a dismissive smile.

He had been purposefully ignoring Alex Louan all along. But now he suddenly gave him a long, head-to-toe look.

-You were on Apollo... Lieutenant?

Louan immediately placed a hand up to his forehead.

-Yes sir! First Lieutenant Alex Louan ... nice to meet you Captain Hunter.

he said in a crisp voice

Rick stared at him again and nodded, then he turned to Lisa: he lifted his face close to hers and she blushed again, heavily.

-I'm on my way to the military district, do you want a ride... Captain Hayes?

Lisa's eyes opened wide: she could feel his warmth despite the freezing weather.

How dare he act like this? Just... what is he trying to prove?

In the sunlight Rick's eyes sparkled like the deepest, stormy ocean.

'What the hell of attitude is that? He really is a jerk!

Alex Louan came to her aid

-Go on Lisa.

She suddenly turned to him

-Eh?

Their bond is much deeper than a simple working relationship

he thought

-It has been a busy day... for everyone. I'm going to catch up with my fellows from Apollo. We should have been assigned a temporary quarter and...

-But Alex...

Alex searched for Hunter's gaze but his eyes were cold and distant.

-Remember... you owe me a tour of New Macross!

-Alex but... really, you don't have to...

-See ya Commander Hayes... Goodbye Captain Hunter!

Alex waved at him again, and Rick merely nodded.

Lisa was fuming.

As soon as Louan was out of their line of sight, she turned to Rick. Her eyes cast burning flames.

-How the hell dare you? What you think you were proving?

she hissed

Her voice was so shrill that Rick retreated a few steps. He was actually starting to realize that maybe he had gone too far.

Why had he acted this way? He had no idea. Was he jealous or what? No... it was simply... no way. But he didn't manage to apologize to Lisa. The whole thing was simply not an option.

He turned around completely to face the tarmac and realized that Lang and his assistants, along with some techs, were staring at them.

He felt himself blushing.

-Uh well... so... do you want this ride or not!?

Lisa glanced at him intensely, with deep contempt. It was stupid and she knew it, but she could not control her anger.

-It's the last thing in the world I would do! Get in your damn car!

She took a few steps towards him

Rick could clearly see fire burning in her green eyes.

-Let me through, Commander Hunter

Rick was stunned, stepped back again, then frowned: he felt a sudden rage mounting.

He couldn't understand why she was so upset with him. The flight test had turned out great ... was it because of that Lieutenant Louan?

Lisa walked past him and started heading towards the hangars, her auburn hair combed in long strands swirled in the frosty air.

He just couldn't reply.

Small snowflakes began to flutter down the sky. Rick gave a weak kick to a pile of ice on the path, then he stuffed his hands into his pockets and started walking in the same direction.

-Uh, the H2 fighting is starting over again...

mumbled Dr. Lang as he turned to leave.

-The fighting what?

Gena Bartlow looked at him curiously.

Lang chuckled to himself

-Nothing... oh well, you'll probably find out soon enough...

At the Command Center, the mood was extremely relaxed.

The bridge girls- the terrible trio- were enjoying gossiping while the newbie Makizaki was working on his station. Vanessa had temporarily left her seat and was dallying with the latest rumors from the base.

-...And have you seen those officers who came in from Apollo for the flight tests?

Sammie brought both hands to her chest, dreamily

-Oh my gosh, they are so handsome! Specially that dark-haired first Lieutenant!

Kim looked at her suspiciously.

-Lieutenant Alex Louan. He served on the Kern base a good ten years ago! How do you know him?

Sammie showed her teeth.

-I don't know him yet but I plan to soon, so what?

-Ssssh girls...

Vanessa suddenly brought her forefinger to her mouth and pointed upstairs. The menacing presence of Lisa Hayes had showed up on the balcony. Her eyes were distilling hatred. It was apparently one of "those days".

-Lieutenant Leeds!

She hissed without a glance down

-I... I told you that...

whispered Makizaki in a trembling voice.

-Now Captain Hayes is gonna punish us! All!

The three girls glared at him.

-Captain Hayes!

Vanessa welcomed her ceremoniously

-We didn't think we'd see you at the Center today, how was the flight test?

Lisa gave her a stern look

-I've noticed that!

Then she sat down at her station.

-Do we have any news about the squadrons on patrol? What about the Destroids deployed at the outskirts of New Macross?

Vanessa rushed to her monitor

-I'm turning the details over ... but Commander Hayes ... are you planning to work also at the Command Center during the VF-4 testing?

Lisa turned around and glowered at her.

-Why not? The whole day is 24 hours!

Vanessa frowned and slightly shook her head.

After the full eight hours of flight testing, Rick Hunter was off for the rest of the day. He couldn't say he was tired, not like when he was on patrols with uncertain outcomes in the middle of the desert, or when he had to mediate some Zentraedi malcontents with his still-poor diplomacy.

He was finally doing what he loved most: flying through the Earth's sky. At incredible heights and speeds. He felt so free and revived as if a new awareness had flooded his body. He felt full of strength, of life. His blood was beating fiercely in his veins.

He already worshipped those VTs. He knew he could do great things with them. He was so excited and eager to externalize his excitement and yet he realized he had no one to talk to.

As he sat in the beaming chair of his brand new office he fiddled with his smartphone flipping through the short phone book. His wingmen had already left for their quarters. And Max? Max was on patrol by then. Mirya was pregnant... she might have gone berserk just at the mention of a VT. Bobby Bell and the guys were on patrol, too...

Rick banged a fist on his pristine white desk.

-Ugh!

His voice rang out in the quiet room

Why the hell does she have to be so rude? I would have invited her for tea and.. we could have shared our impressions of this first day... After all, I'm the test pilot... and she's... she' s the first officer.  Ah... definitely she had to meet with that idiot. "You owe me a tour of New Macross"... argh...

Rick ran a hand through his hair nervously, trying to picture Lieutenant Louan's face, but he failed.

These Apollo a*holes didn't even join the war. They hid in their fucking bunkers for the whole length of the conflict... and now they are showing up here to run on veterans like us...

Rick was brooding in his usual childish way. In any case, he couldn't figure out why Lisa had been so distant with him lately. Maybe because of the previous week's issue?

Lisa could be very touchy. But in the end she had been the one to tell me to go to the Nyan Nyan.

He kept scrolling through the phone book until he came across her name

"Lynn Minmay"

Was it still the same number? He had tried. But the call had sent him straight to voicemail. Rick huffed in annoyance, then he made up his mind to leave the office. He locked the door and headed out to the car. The snow was still slowly falling down.

By 3 pm Lisa had not even allowed herself a lunch break. She was still tracking the squadrons on patrol: she had been working for countless hours by now and she didn't even know why she'd dogged it that way. Maybe she wanted to escape her own thoughts. She wasn't ready to talk to Alex Louan, and as for Rick... she had been waiting so long to meet him again and he just treated her with no respect, as always. He showed her no regard and mocked her in front of everyone.

Lisa clenched her knuckles on the keypad until they whitened.

How could she still think that...?

Think what? He sees me as a boring old bag. I don't think he would even consider me his friend.

Her face was looking very sad.

"I'm sure Karl -whoever he is- feels the same"

Alex's voice boomed back in her head. Lisa sighed

If Karl was alive...

but then she shook her head

Nothing about this is real.

-Vanessa! I'm off on a break!

She winced at the sound of his shrill voice

-Aye, aye Madam!

-If anything happens call me on my mobile!

She didn't know why she had left the Command Center instead of heading to the mess hall.

Maybe she just wanted to walk in the snow, sans an umbrella of course.

The city was bathed in the pale winter sun, and Christmas lights were starting to appear among the buildings and store windows.

She knew that the SDF1 would also be illuminated by Christmas lighting, Claudia had told her. In a few days that sight would have delighted the citizens of New Macross.

Lisa smiled at the idea. In less than a year, the human race had found the strength to start over again.

At the smell of the restaurants' stalls her stomach started to rumble as memories of past Christmases came to her mind like a flooding stream.

When she and Karl had met under the 70ft tree in downtown, LA. It was a very hot Christmas and he was serving at Kern Base. However, she hadn't let go of wearing a little red dress.

"You look gorgeous"

he had told her, and had kissed her on the cheek.

Then they had been joined by their friends, Alex and Serena, and together they had had lunch in a Chinese restaurant. The thousand colors of the twinkling lights spilled over the ocean at sunset. Lisa was 17 and the Global War wasn't even begun. Everything was perfect.

-A penny for your thoughts?

Lisa blinked abruptly and turned her head. A man with a blue RDF umbrella was standing in front of her, his face in the shade.

She smiled softly

-oh I...

- Don't they use umbrellas for the snow in Japan?

He slowly slid it over her head and they both were covered

Lisa let out a giggle

-No, in Japan we don't use umbrellas for the snow... and by the way, I was just thinking of a Christmas, many years ago...

He nodded

-Yeah... we had a blast... me, you, Serena and Karl...

-Yes... it was great.

Lisa huddled deeper into her fur coat: she felt her eyes burning, as if tears were pushing their way out.

-I've meant to visit the city...

he said

-Forgive me Alex! I promised to take you to New Macross and I didn't...

He shook his head

-You're here now, aren't you?

Lisa nodded and cracked a small smile

The two young officers started to walk through the city'streets downtown.

Minmay had not returned his call. Rick parked his jeep in the officers' lot at the Command Center and headed listlessly toward the downtown area.

He had not had lunch and his stomach was begging for mercy. With hands in his pockets and a rather annoyed face he watched unseeing all the Christmas lights around.

A large LED screen placed on the tallest building in town was advertising Macross Farm products and some Christmas cakes.

Rick watched but did not see, lost in gloomy and useless thoughts.

He then heard a familiar voice.

It was coming from above, from the building with the LED screen

-Yes, my Christmas album is ready. I cannot wait to share it with you!

Minmay...

She had changed her hairstyle. She was in a green-walled room, sitting on a small sofa, her legs crossed. Then the camera hovered over her tender, beautiful face: a sweet smile showed up on her mouth.

-I hope it will be a happy Christmas for all of us, humans and Zentraedis!...

Then the screen went dark and a large sign appeared in both English and Zentraedi's language.

"Minmay Christmas Songs. Coming soon."

A chill had run down Rick's spine: he couldn't tell if it was the weather or a sudden wistful longing.

He had never spent a Christmas with Minmay and had no memories to bring days at the SDF1 were so long ago.

He resolved to buy some food and go home.

-Are you sure you want to go back to the Command Center?

Alex said as he helped her put her coat back on.

In the end they had opted for a Chinese restaurant just like the good old days.

Lisa nodded as she donned her beanie.

-Yes, but just for a couple of minutes: gonna keep everything in order for the night shift.

Alex giggled

-Don't forget... tomorrow morning at 7am, we are having day 2 of the VF-4 flight tests.

-How could I ?

Rick popped out of a secondary street, at the very front of the Command Center. The elevators to the underground parking lots were located there.

As he walked down the three steps leading to the corridor he was attracted by some voices.

-...And please take a rest

a female chuckle made him turn around

-You too! Tomorrow you have to be in good shape!

-Absolutely, Captain!

Rick Hunter lifted himself over the edge of the railing and peeked his head out. Two people behind a large RDF umbrella. They were a man and a woman. The woman stepped out of his field of vision for a moment and then reappeared on the stairway up to the Command Center: she was flicking the snow flakes from her coat and from her long auburn hair.

Captain Hayes!

Rick furrowed his eyebrows and wrinkled his nose

And the one under the umbrella should be that idiot, that Louan.

Lisa was most definitely having lunch with him. The very idea bothered him immensely. And that made him pissed at himself.

What should I care about what she does or doesn't? How she is spending her lunch breaks?I just do not give a damn.

In effect, Rick was dumbfounded by his own nervousness.

The truth was that he had never seen a man beside her, and when she had mentioned someone...he couldn't remember...maybe, maybe she had told him that that someone had died? Memories of when they had gotten trapped during the transformation* came to his mind.

Yes... Lisa had told him that she had once been in love, with a guy who looked exactly like Lynn Kyle...

Rick wondered why those memories had stayed buried in his mind for so long. As he walked to the military quarters under a thick snow, his eyes grew sadder and sadder... his obsessive thoughts about Minmay had wiped out everything else...even the hardest experiences of war. But that day, during the transformation, he and Lisa... they had spoken truthfully to each other. And they were so close, so close that, he was sure, he was about to kiss her.

But then the SDF1 had been unblocked and the moment was gone.

Rick clasped his hands tightly, digging nails into his palms.

Commander Hayes...

He reached the back driveway, and when he rounded the corner to enter the house he saw that his mailbox was packed. Curious, he walked over and realized that a large carton tube had been forced into the hole. He looked for the keys and in a moment freed it. Inside the mailbox there was also a letter and a small box covered with pink material. On the back of the envelope was handwritten "Lieutenant Rick Hunter"

-Is Captain, actually

he muttered in annoyance as he walked towards the front door.

Rick tore off the piece of cellophane wrapping around the tube and slowly unrolled it on the kitchen table.

His eyes widened:

-Oh...

It was Minmay, in a new picture he hadn't seen yet. Her hairstyle was different and she was wearing a red woolen bonnet and some cute fur earmuffs. Wrapped in a sumptuous red coat, she was playing with the snowflakes swirling around her. The picture was beautiful, her smile was radiant.*

Rick stood in thought for a moment, not really realizing why that huge poster had been delivered to his house.

Then he rushed to the letter

"Dear friend... I am happy to present you my new album, it's a selection of the most beautiful Christmas songs to celebrate our first Christmas on Earth after the war (...)"

It was a pre-set letter. At the bottom was Minmay's signature. A small flickering heart graced the base of the Y.

Rick sighed...of course he couldn't expect her to send him a private letter... Yeah, why not?

And yet he really wanted to, or at least he hoped it.

When they had said goodbye before the attack, Minmay had told him that she loved him back... and they had... kissed...*

Rick Hunter clutched the candy pink paper in his hands and shook his head. He could see that such an attitude led nowhere and yet he was as if stuck in a spell, waiting, perpetually waiting for her.

The young test pilot turned to the crooked calendar hanging on his door.

In a couple of weeks it was going to be Christmas.

Lisa Hayes climbed down the ropeway that led to the military housing. The snow had not stopped for a moment, silent and tight. She was feeling extra sad and nostalgic... She looked toward the crossroad that led to the Air Force officer's quarters, which housed Rick's lodging but sonn she shook her head and walked away. When she was inside her own apartment a twinge of homesickness just seized her.

She placed a hand on her chest, panting. All of a sudden she felt like bursting into tears.

I gotta stop

she ordered herself

but she couldn't chase away that feeling.

She rushed into the bedroom and turned on the small lamp. Then she sat down on the floor, slipped her head and shoulders into the closet and started looking through the heaped boxes. A little later she came out: in her hands she held an album not much bigger than a notebook. The cover was white and wrapped in transparent cellophane.

She knew it was there, she had hidden it, a long time ago. Lisa kept sitting on the floor, carefully watching and inspecting every single picture. They were just a handful of analog photos taken with a snapshot.

She and Serena at Kern's base on VFX0's big opening day.

Her friend looked stunning, with that long wavy blonde hair and a royal poise.

Again the two girlfriends on the high school terrace and then...

Lisa squeezed her eyes shut and a small tear slipped down one of her eyes. She still couldn't believe that her beautiful friend had died... during the annihilation of the Earth. Not even a tombstone to remember her.

She turned the page and widened her eyes. A sad smile hovered on her lips.

Karl, in his RDF uniform was leaning against a tree on a sunny porch. Next to him, rather coy and awkward, was Lisa, in a white dress studded with golden shards. They were not even touching: it was their first picture together.

She carefully ran a finger over his face.

-Karl...

The other few photos still showed them together. At Manhattan beach together with Serena and Alex Louan

She, Karl and Alex, together with fellow students of the Defense Force Academy: all of them smiled at the bright future before them.

However, the upcoming tomorrow was unfairly bleak.

Lisa brought out the last photo in the album: it was also the last one she had taken with Karl. It was in the garden of her mansion, on the hills. He had come to say goodbye before leaving for Mars.

She was wearing that dress he had given her. It was blue, very chastened for an 18 year old girl, slightly childish, but she thought it fit her perfectly. That night, under the starry sky, he had pointed out a distant glow.

"That red star is Mars."

He had said.

"I'll be waiting for you there."*

Lisa realized she was crying profusely when her vision was completely blurred. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and shook her head.

It's just a moment of confusion...It was because , because of Alex... he brought back so many memories...

Still, Lisa kept the picture and placed it on the nightstand with the intention of buying a frame and having it displayed.*

As she gazed at the early twilight outside the window she realized that Christmas was only a few days left.

She checked at the calendar on her mobile

Only two weeks...

she thought.

Everything she had dreamed about that Christmas now seemed so unreachable.

To be continued

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Despite Dr. Lang's initial enthusiasm on the first day of testing, the Skull 1, piloted by Captain Hunter soon began to suffer from performance levels far below expectations. The tests did not go smoothly as he had thought. Out of habit and with a hint of superstitiousness, everyone in the watchtower had started referring to the Captain's new ship as Skull 1 although the old VF1 - once belonging to Roy Fokker- was still in action and was being regularly used on patrol. The VF4, on the other hand, had needed some tweaking. The fact that Lang had modeled his control system specifically on Rick Hunter had quickly proven to be an unwise move. The research team studying his neural activity, as the test progressed found out that while using the HMI, the pilot's strong neurological activity was unstable on takeoff and also throughout the in-flight maneuvers.

-It's as if Captain Hunter is not fully focused, and it affects the rendering of the flight!

said Gena Bartlow

-Will he be simply stressed?

muttered Laslo Zand casually.

-A test pilot is not allowed to be stressed!

Lang roared and his assistants fell silent. Then he carefully wiped a cloth on his glasses: had he rushed too much in modeling his HMI prototype on Rick Hunter? Yet he had studied it meticulously during his stay at Apollo base.

In the end, Captain Hunter is only about 20 years old. In a normal condition he would be perhaps...a junior cadet? Yet he had to take on big responsibilities both as a pilot and as leader of Varitech squadrons during the war.

I wonder if we should talk to him...informally...?

Lang sighed

-Talk to him? No way!

Lisa Hayes had opened her eyes widely and raised her eyebrows showing all her outrage.

Lang was puzzled. Yet it felt like he had asked for such a simple thing. Lisa quickly realized her overreaction and tried to compose herself. She passed a strand of hair over her shoulders, coughing slightly.

-I mean...I don't think there's anything I can say to change that.

Her face was already a frozen mask.

Lang looked at her carefully, he sensed there was like something going on.

He walked towards her and lowered his voice.

-Sometimes, we have to recognize that our personal cases go by the wayside when we're all working for a greater common good!

Lisa frowned. She did her utmost not to cross Lang's gaze.

-Maybe Captain Hunter could attend some psychotherapy sessions...

she said dryly, thinking of her own stress...

Lang gently grabbed Lisa by her arm and took a few steps into the large lab.

He pulled her away so that his assistants couldn't hear.

-I know very well that the relationship between you and Captain Hunter is mixed, but at the same time you two have a very deep bond: you have been sharing the space war for a whole year. If anyone can speak frankly here, it's you. Besides, we don't have time for psychotherapy. We're in a big hurry.

Lisa nibbled on her lip.

-I thought the VF4 Lighntning project meant so much to you Commander Hayes!

-It does!

Lisa blurted out.

-Maybe it's time for us all to work together for the greater common good. I mean everyone of us.

Repeated Lang

Rick Hunter was fuming. For the second consecutive morning he had been left stranded in the hangars while his wingmen had been carrying on with tests off Quadrant 4. His feet quivered for the pedals, his fingers tingled to hold the Hoat control stick.

Officially Lang had told him that Skull 1 needed some adjustments to its cockpit, but at that point Rick Hunter was not buying it too much.

He was sitting in his office, feet flat on his desk, going over the start-up codes for the HMI Human-Machine Interface in the cockpit.

The device on his desk began to croak:

"First, start the connection with the helmet..."

-Damn helmet, how is that any different from regular VT's?

Rick had completely forgotten how his brain had helped him control that two seater VF-1D*-which he had never been on-during the attack on Macross Island, more than two years ago and had kept him from crashing to death on his first takeoff.

Sometimes his arrogance wouldn't let him admit that maybe …

-His arrogance simply won't allow him to admit that it's NOT enough to be the best on the field...it also takes a serious dose of application and discipline!

Lang nodded, though he couldn't figure out why Lisa was so angry.

-Commander Hayes well...

Lisa stubbornly avoided facing the doctor and his assistants.

Maybe he's got distracted by Minmay?

Lisa's pulse started to beat erratically.

Could it be...? after all this time...

she tightened her knuckles and clenched her jaw.

-He's not cut out to be a leader... he's not a true soldier! A true soldier doesn't place his own personal problems before duty!

She didn't realize it was something she was starting to do herself instead, more and more. Lisa was livid... and somewhat worried as well.

Eventually, though, she gave in and agreed to talk to him.

-Okay I will... But I can't guarantee anything, Dr. Lang: Hunter is one of the thickest skulls in all of the RDF!

The scientist sighed as he carefully inspected the lenses of his glasses.

Gena Bartlow nodded mischievously as Lisa stormed out of the lab.

-She's in love with Captain Hunter!

Zand and Lang turned around, puzzled.

The women at the front desk let out a few awkward giggles, but quickly shut up.

-Dr Bartlow!

-What is it Doc!? It shows a mile away. And I've only just arrived. But you've had them under your nose the whole time on SDF1!

Lang looked at her in wonder, as if he was experiencing a revelation. Then he took a few steps around the room, and stopped to stare out the window.

Love... is what made us win the war...

Lisa Hayes was livid. She donned her fur hat and squeezed into her military trench coat as she crossed the tarmac that led to the offices in the hangars.

I gotta be cool, professional. I absolutely must not fall prey to his little mental games. I'm sure he'll try to blame it on someone else. But I have my answers, I won't let my guard down. I'm going to beat you to a pulp, Rick Hunter!

-Captain Hunter!

cried the intercom on his desk

Rick stretched out a finger listlessly, and scrolled down the display: the waiting room appeared on the screen.

-Captain Hayes is here and would like a word with you.

Rick caught sight of her in the frame and suddenly flushed.

-Lisa? What...

Then he cleared his throat

-I mean, yes, Corporal let her pass!

Immediately he jumped to his feet and swiped both hands over his crumpled jacket ... then roughly ran his fingers through his hair. He swallowed hard.

He could not think of the reason for that visit. Then he frowned. He had noticed lately that the presence or the mere thought of Lisa Hayes made him extremely upset.

The Corporal pulled open the door and she walked in. Rick stood motionless before her with his eyes focused on a spot in the wall. His posture rigid, his shoulders squared, his jaw clenched, his right hand raised to his forehead.

-Captain Hayes!

He said dryly.

Lisa narrowed her eyes, annoyed at his attitude. But she had resolved not to let him rattle her again.

-At ease. Captain Hunter.

Rick relaxed his shoulders, lowered his arm. His eyes ran quickly over her face and then all over her body. They settled on the fur of her Bolshie hat.

Rick thought for a moment that she was a little different than usual and he liked what he saw. Surely it was because of the hat. A small smile flashed across his lips.

Lisa took that smile for a sneer and got defensive.

-Can I have a seat, Captain...or...?

The air was so tense that a knife blade would have stuck in it.

Rick avoided eye contact

She's already getting hysterical and she's just arrived!

he thought hazily

who knows for what unknown reason she is here to scold me.

Surely for the Skull1 failure issue.

-If you're here to talk about the recent malfunction of my fighter...

Lisa raised an eyebrow: Rick hadn't offered her a chair but she sat down anyway in one of the seats on the wall.

She pulled off her hat and swayed her long and wavy hair. A rush of floral perfume surrounded Rick's nostrils. It was a scent he knew so well. This heated him up even more

-Listen, Captain Hunter...

Lisa dodged his gaze and tried to focus amidst the notes scattered sloppily across the table.

-Well I see you're at least seeking a solution...

-Yes, exactly...

Lisa quickly lifted her eyelids and met his blazing blue eyes. He was both defensive and ready to attack. She knew him so well by now...something inside her instantly weakened.

-Ehr, well I ...since I am your control officer I am here .. .to talk...together... about, about the issue we are experiencing...

Lisa felt startled at her own words. Had she said that? Did she say that? Had she gotten herself into this? As if they were both to be blamed? But it was not true!

She couldn't believe how her system had immediately succumbed to his presence. As soon as she'd entered the room some sort of urgency had seized her. It had been a long time since she had been in the same room with Rick, and lately they had only seen each other on the tacnet.

Upon hearing those words Rick breathed in loudly. Then he seemed to catch his breath.

None of them spoke for a long time.

-Captain Hayes. I guess it's about the helmet thing. But also about the HMI system. I've talked to Dr Lang and I' m trying to find a solution with him...

-Captain Hunter. The Lightning III project cannot be postponed. And it's been a few days that your VT is not responding optimally. And I...

-You're here for ?

He cut her off

-Check if I'm applying with the simulator? Or perhaps Lang sent you to check for him?

Lisa looked at him warily ready to snap. But then she recalled Lang's words: "Working together for the greater good..." She let go a small muffled sound

-I'm... no, absolutely not, Captain Hunter.

She lied

-I'm here because as a part of the team working on the project I want to help fix... you know... the issue. Together.

Oh... I said it again... it's like I'm using him for my own purposes.  I think this is the diplomacy Claudia says I am lacking... well let's see if it works

Rick's eyes grew wide. They were bright in the light of the neon lamps. And clear.

Somehow he had bought it and his face changed completely. He stretched out slightly on the desk, resting his open hands on the notes he had just been examining. He leaned fully towards her. Lisa felt his scent and his warmth come closer.

-Lisa... You're right. There is a issue, a problem and I'm trying to solve it but I don't...well...I don't think it's my fault or rather it is, but not in the sense that you are all thinking... Dr. Lang has insisted that I should personally monitor the HMI but maybe ... maybe looking back I am not the right pilot. Maybe the system simply needed to be tested on an AI and not patterned after me. I'm just a pilot...I ...I'm just...human.

Rick let go of a contrite sigh and Lisa raised her eyes to his in amazement. Their gazes met: his words and voice were so sincere and it all made her finally surrender. This was the Rick Hunter she knew and admired. Honest, direct, lucid, loyal. What she often failed to be. She looked at him softly and he recognized that look... and he ventured a little smile. A small dimple appeared on his cheek.

She had walked into that office on a warpath and now, incredibly, he had offered her a shortcut back into his own world.

For the one hundred thousandth time. How many times had it happened before? They would fight, avoid each other for long periods, and then come looking for each other again... over and over again. It was frustrating for her, Yet Lisa couldn't pull away from him. She hadn't realized yet that it was because she loved him.

They spent the whole afternoon in Rick's office until the corporal retired after bringing them their umpteenth coffee: they talked exclusively about the Lightning III project and analyzed all the different options in which the pilot had to interface with the ship and the precautionary measures to take. Lisa was delighted by Rick's dedication. It wasn't just a matter of pride, Rick was extremely committed to getting those VTs into the game as soon as eyes were not lying; he adored this job, it was the closest thing to what had always been his only dream, the dream of flying...In spite of all, he was living his dream, and as he rattled on and on about his work and in spite of herself, she found him rather dashing and wonderful*

Rick cast a glance at the clock on his laptop.

-It's already eight, Lisa!

She brought a hand to her mouth feeling all the fatigue roll down her body

-Can' t believe we spent five hours straight working...

-And without even arguing once!

he broke into a giggle.

Lisa glanced up at him squinting and wrinkled her nose. Rick just thought she was cute and smiled as he got up from his chair and clicked all the fingers on his hands.

-Ahr you are so disgusting!

She said as she got up herself.

-I can click all the vertebrae in my back, do you wanna hear ?

-I don't think I want it that bad...

-I'm a pilot, you know, All my joints are bendable! I'm actually better than a contortionist! Well at least I was...

he added.

Then he passed a hand behind his nape in discomfort. Lisa reached out instinctively to touch his shoulder. They were facing each other: he felt her touch keenly.

-I'm sure you'll be flying your new Skull 1 first thing in the morning... have you sent our report to Lang?

Lisa smiled encouragingly and Rick felt full of confidence.

-Yes...

-I'm sure he' still in the lab

-Let's go now! I'll drop you home.

He pushed the door open and stepped out into the hallway.

-I won't accept any refusal!

-You do really like your new car, do you?

She smiled.

Rick burst out laughing.

-I do like it but not as much as that damn new VT!

Lang appeared at the large window on the 2nd floor of the Base and saw Captain Hunter and Commander Hayes heading for the parking lot. As he scrolled with one hand over the pad where he had just received Rick's report, he nodded in contentment.

Maybe it was a good idea to get them talking.

The two young officers appeared again under the glow of a streetlight. From this high up he couldn't see their faces but he was sure they were both smiling.

The military district was relatively close to the Air Force base and in about 15 minutes Captain Hunter's car was parking up at Lisa's. The rooftops were covered with snow.

-It looks just like an Elf village or whatever...

said Rick carelessly

Lisa sighed. There was something she wanted to say but she couldn't bring herself to.

She squeezed her eyes shut in the half-light, hand gripped on the handle.

-Well, I..

-You know, Lisa..

they both said at the same time

-First you

she murmured

-Well...

Rick turned three-quarters to her. In the glow of the streetlights she could see the redness on his child-like cheeks.

-I'm sorry well I... wanted to apologize for how I acted and...

-Rick.

she cut off

-It doesn't matter...really. Let's not talk about it anymore

She said in a huff. And then without even breathing she continued

-Look... wouldn't you like to come in and have... a tea? We could also talk or have a bite or...

Rick nodded brightly, his unruly hair sweeping up and down his forehead.

-Yes! yes! I mean...I'd love to, Lisa.

A sweet smile had appeared on her face. She knew she could get hurt at any moment. However, spending time with Rick now that they had finally found each other again was all she could wish for.

Rick Hunter had only seen Lisa's house once before Apollo, when the neighborhood was just getting built. Back then it was only an iron and tar box with lots of boxes scattered across the floor.

But now a sweet scent of vanilla - or was it cream butter? - surrounded him. It was something, something that reminded him of the cakes of his childhood, and darkness was softened by a warm lamp on the cabinet at the door. Lisa carefully shrugged off the snow from her hat and coat in the hallway and Rick followed her.

-How's the heat, are you cold?

She said in a squeaky voice as she tossed her hair behind her shoulders, making it swirl in the air.

Rick was overcome with her scent, which blended with the welcoming fragrance of the room. Everything was nice and easy

-Everything is perfect, Lisa.

He said contentedly.

He glanced around

The sofa and small regulatory chair provided by the RDF had been adorned with a pink plaid and pillow. They felt soft. On the walls were a few paintings of nature landscapes. Rick peeked through the kitchen and saw a tablecloth with small blue squares. An apron hanging on the wall in the same hue. This tugged at his heart. He couldn't say why.

Lisa had disappeared into her bedroom, and when she returned, she had taken off her jacket and put on a large gray wool sweater, and had tied her hair into a ponytail. She looked so relaxed that Rick instinctively stepped towards her.

They were standing facing each other

-You don't want to sit down ... Rick?

She said, trying to sound casual.

-Oh well... I.. yes!

he ran his hand over the nape of his neck a couple of times and glanced at the couch.

-Make yourself at home.

Then she walked into the tiny kitchen

-Your place is very nice, Lisa...

-D'you say? It's just the same house that the every officer have received. Coffee or tea?

When she returned carrying a tray cups and a bowl of cookies she found Rick scanning the paintings on the walls.

-This is Tokyo

she murmured

-and that's Adelaide, Australia...

-Oh sorry Lisa, she didn't mean to pry...

-You are totally not... there is also a LA landscape... Manhattan Beach... and Alaska, of course.

Rick turned to look at her and for a moment she seemed lost in thought.

-They are all the places I've been living in my life... So... shall I pour?

She said brightly pointing to the teapot.

-Oh yeah sure... thanks Lisa.

-So you have been around the world quite a bit.

-Not as much as you!

Lisa had curled up in the armchair, tucking the flaps of her large sweater around her knees, listening to Rick's stories

-...Well earlier with the air circus it was all about entertainment. We had Roy with us too -that was before the Global War.

But then I started entering competitions and racing and began traveling alone. Directly with my plane...

I even crossed the Atlantic from Europe to the States in that little banger! I came close to crashing lots of times!

Lisa widened her eyes

-I'm not impressed, you know?

-What you mean, don't you trust my flying skills?

They both giggled, but Rick immediately turned gloomy.

-Well, you shouldn't... after the last few days' fiascoes with the Lightning III.

Lisa immediately pulled up in her chair, and leaned toward him.

-What you talking about Rick! I thought we already discussed this... it wasn't your fault.

Rick glanced at her with gratitude.

-Well not completely...at least.

she went on and Rick sighed

-You're right... Lisa. It bothers me to admit it but you're damn right about almost everything.

-Oh stop it...

Lisa smiled hiding her face under her mug.

-You are so well-trained. No wonder you were at the top of your class at Robotech Academy.

-You already told me this a long time ago-

-Yes I remember!

he joked

-And I also told you that you were scarier than a demon and...that you were an old lady, but if you had acted a little more feminine...*

Lisa frowned and suddenly pointed a finger at him

-Rick Hunter!

He burst out laughing, heartily, and for a moment Lisa was lost in his laughter, in the crystal clear sound of his voice. When was the last time she heard him laugh? How long had it been since she'd seen his eyes sparkle like that?

She sadly realized that after that disastrous date, she never got to talk to Rick again. Much less, joke around

Why did it always have to be so hard?

Lisa shook her head

Never mind, he's here now...

Lisa...are you receiving me? Skull 1 to Delta 1... do you copy?

She blinked twice, and the mug slipped through her fingers.

-Yeah sorry I...

Rick stared at her carefully

-You must be exhausted... I should go...

he made to get up and Lisa instinctively copied his moves and got up from the chair.

They were facing each other again in the small living room.

-And thanks for the tea...and for the cookies, they were delicious.

Lisa smiled with joy

-Do you like them? I...I made them myself.

Rick spread his eyes wide

-Lisa! I didn't know you bake...

She ran a hand over her face as if to chase away the embarrassment.

-It's just... a way to... to kill time...but wait! I can wrap some for you- to bring it to your place

Rick smiled awkwardly

-Oh don't worry Lisa, really, I...

In a flash she was rushing into the kitchen, and Rick heard her fumbling with dishes and cutlery.

In a minute span of time his eyes wandered around the room and settled on the small shelf at the kitchen entry. There was only one frame on there, made of a silvery metal The faint reflection of the lamp gave it a blue hue. Without really thinking Rick just grabbed it and looked inside the frame. That picture... it made him gasp in surprise, and he was so startled that he blushed.

A young Lisa with light, silky hair standing with her back to a tree trunk. Beside her was a young man with the same straight brown hair as Lynn Kyle. He bore some resemblance to him in features but not in looks...

A rueful smile hovered on his lips. He was wearing a uniform that Rick had never seen before. And Lisa was so young...her cheeks were plump like those of a child.

By the time he felt her presence beside him, it was too late.

-Oh I'm sorry I...

The frame wobbled in his sweaty hands, flipped over and flight back down in his palms. Rick hurried to put it down on the shelf but in his haste he placed it upside down.

He lifted his gaze to face Lisa, and unsuspectingly her face was unflappable. She was carrying a paper bag in her hands. Full of cookies, he assumed.

-It's okay...

she said, reaching for the frame and setting it down properly.

Then they both stayed silent for a few minutes... Lisa wanted to change the subject or whatever, but it was as if Karl's presence inside that picture had filled the whole room.

-So... I'd better go...

Said Rick faintly

Lisa nodded clumsily

-Yeah uh... here's your cookies!

She handed him the envelope, pushing it eagerly against his chest, and Rick gripped it in awe.

As he slipped on his coat and carefully fastened the thick belts, Rick sighed and said.

-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to pry into your pics.

He turned back to her: she was watching him with her hands clasped in her lap. She hadn't moved from the edge of the shelf.

Suddenly Lisa took a deep breath.

-He is my boyfriend...

Rick winced

-I mean... he was.

she carefully ran a hand through her hair.

-Well he... he died... a long time ago.

Rick looked at her in astonishment and Lisa felt so awkward. Maybe Rick pitied her for keeping a picture of a dead man in full view in her home. Maybe he just thought she was pathetic. She avoided his gaze.

-I'm sorry... Lisa. I should never have had to look at it, however... I, I should... probably... go.

He said softly

In a moment he had thrown open the door and a gust of cold air entered the room.

-Thank you so much for the cookies, and for everything uh, else... Captain Hayes...

-I'm... Rick...

-I'll be seeing you tomorrow for the flight test, right?

Rick was trying to be cheerful but his voice felt suddenly serious

-Yeah...yeah sure... see you tomorrow...

Lisa became sad immediately, too. She didn't want to let him go but didn't know how...

As he walked in the snow he tightened the collar of his coat. That sadness from just before did not want to let go of him. Not that he was surprised that Captain Hayes, had been engaged one day, in time and space.

Well maybe there had been times when he had thought of her as a scary woman, an ice queen only interested in the work, but come on, after all she was a pretty woman with a great military resume...

Not correct, she's a beautiful girl with a stunning body.

His inner voice crossed his thoughts.

He vividly recalled how the spacesuit showed all the curves of her well-trained body.

Rick squeezed his eyes shut to chase that thought off.

Abruptly he reminisced instead about Commander Hayes in that spacesuit. Back at the Sarah Base, on Mars.

How long it had been.

He had saved her before the explosion. And the moment he'd snatched her from certain death she'd called out a name.

Riber...*

And then again... when they had been trapped during the Transformation after Minmay's movie premiere.*

Rick stood in the middle of the street as if seized by a revelation

-Of course!

He murmured

Lisa. Lisa had told him that she once had a boyfriend, who looked exactly like Lynn Kyle, and that... that he was dead...

It has to be him...

Rick frowned, clutching the small paper bag in his hands.

Lisa...you wanted to die that day...I can't get over it even if I want to.

He had hidden that memory in his heart for so long... but now it had come back to haunt him.

Rick had never spoken about that episode to Commander Hayes: he realized how reserved and discreet she was, but at the same time how she had always been there for him... all these years.

As he made his way up the avenue in the stormy night he decided he wanted to know more, about the episode at the Sarah base, about the man on the picture, even about that Alex Louan... He still didn't ask himself why, but he felt it had become a compelling need.

He thought about her sad smile

Lisa...

The next morning an excited Dr. Lang welcomed him to the hangars.

-Captain Hunter!

-Dr. Lang! good morning!

The scientist had his hair ruffled by the wind and did not waste time in chatters

He held the tablet in one hand and started scrolling through the files as he resumed his walk.

Rick struggled to keep up his pace

-It's excellent, your report is excellent... I thought that actually we could solve the HMI problem overnight, which is what I actually did, last night!

Rick winced

-Did you? I mean... Have you already made those adjustments we suggested?

-Of course I have! Why waste time when you have time?

-Thank you Captain Hunter. We' ll be testing the revised Skull1 this very morning. If you're up to it, we could attempt the atmosphere breach and thus catch up with the original schedule!

-Wow, that's great Dr. Lang! I mean, this is really...of course I'm up for it!

A big smile flashed on his lips. He felt resolute again after the past few days' failures.

-Hey Dr. Lang... I...

he continued, and ran a hand through his hair.

-I just wanted to tell you that... my report last night, well, it's not all my doing,... I mean, well... Commander Hayes gave me a little help...

-Oh, really?

said Lang

-In fact...the truth is, it's all because of her and I...I want you to know that!

Lang nodded satisfied as he watched the young ace walk away into the dimness.

-Skull 1 Delta 1, Delta 1 do you copy?

Lisa Hayes heard the croaking of her headset from feet away. She was just ending a conversation with Dr. Lang about the recent changes to the VF4 Skull1 .

Lisa was pensive, she wasn't convinced how he had scheduled his tests for that day, it was the first one for Rick after a long break

-Commander Hayes. We've lost about four days on the schedule. Not to mention that the Skull squadron pilots, as well as Captain Hunter, could be called back to quell some malcontent at any moment and leave the tests undone.

-That's what Angel and Alpha squadrons are for.

-That's true, but Lieutenant Sterling will have to leave Alaska soon.

Lisa ran a strand of hair behind her back.

She sighed.

-Okay Dr. Lang. This morning we're going to break the atmosphere with the Skull 1

Lang smiled and nodded

-Thanks to you Captain Hunter is in his best mood. By the way, I pretended not to know anything.

Lisa blushed slightly and her eyes wandered around the room.

-Tha... Thank you, dr.

Alex Louan and the other two officers from Apollo had just gotten through the checkpoint and entered the control tower at that very moment.

-Lisa!

He saluted her with a large smile

-I mean, good morning Commander Hayes

Lisa waved back shyly

-Hello Lieutenant Louan

He approached her station

-How was your evening? I was hoping to ask you to dinner but I couldn't find you.

Lisa raised her lashes and met his bright black eyes that gazed at her tenderly

-I had to work until... until late...

she stammered

-I'm sorry Alex...

-You're still the same, remember when at Robotech Academy we...

-Delta 1, are you there? Hey Captain Hayes!

Rick Hunter's scratchy voice over the comm made them both wince.

-So you hear me or not?

Lisa ran to her seat and put on her headset with shaky hands. Alex Louan smiled as he saw her awkward movements and the slight redness that had spread across her face.

Delta 1 to Skull 1, Captain Hunter do you read me?

Her voice was slightly shrill

-It's about time! I've been trying to contact you for about twenty minutes!

Everyone in the control room giggled

-It looks like Captain Hunter is in a great mood today!

said an air traffic officer.

- Ladies and Gentlemen!Let's try to accomplish our goals!

said Lang in good humor.

-Let's not waste any more time. Officers! to your stations!

Alex walked away, taking one last look at Lisa's back and at her long, auburn hair.

Lisa... you really care about him, I can see it...

Rick's face appeared on the comm of her station.

The sun cast light through the varitech's canopy and made his blue visor helmet shine. His big eyes looked even bluer if possible. They literally pierced the screen. Lisa shivered slightly remembering his presence in her own house. His unmistakable scent. It still didn't seem real that this had happened.

-Hey Captain Hayes... it looks like we're going back to space this morning.

-Affirmative Captain Hunter. Did you perform the respiratory and depressurization tests in the simulator?

-Hey even though you might not trust me, with good reason, this time I followed the procedure down to the wire. No improvisations! I even took a ride on the vomit comet*.

Lisa lightened the pressure of her fingers on the keyboard. Her features softened

-I'm happy to hear that, Captain Hunter.

-I've been out of Lunar orbit for about a month. I haven't let myself go in these few days. I'm still a full-fledged space cowboy!

Lisa giggled and immediately glanced around to see if anyone was watching her. She didn't want to give the appearance of using the comm for her own business.

Nevertheless...

-Lisa... I mean Captain Hayes... how about hanging out tonight?

Lisa gasped! Unwittingly she pressed both palms over her headphones to silence Rick's high-pitched voice.

Needless to say, it was a public station and everyone in the room could hear it.

quickly she pressed the switch to a private channel

-Rick!

She hissed

She became aware of her sweaty palms: a growing heat had gripped her legs.

-What? Have I said something wrong?

Rick's face on the screen seemed to scowl.

-No, no, I... it's just that...

-I saw there were Christmas street markets downtown...

he continued in one go. Suddenly he seemed as much awkward as she was.

-I saw that...I don't know if you like them but, we can go for a walk, What you think? And then maybe have dinner and...

Lisa couldn't believe her ears. Rick was asking her out? In her surprise she couldn't answer immediately

-Don't tell me you have to work again tonight...

-No Rick... I... yes yes, I would love to go!

She said in a small voice.

Behind him she noticed the engineers detaching the webbing from the fighter's canopy. In a few minutes, take-off would be started. Lisa swallowed hard and cleared her voice:

-Rick, in about 1 minute we will start the take off maneuvers.

-Roger that! So, we'll make plans when I get back, ok!?

Rick showed his thumb and smiled as he started to close the transmission.

-See you in the sky Captain Hayes! over.

-Roger, Captain Hunter! Over and out!

Rick had climbed into his VT in one leap. As soon as he'd spoken to Dr. Lang, he'd darted off to the flight simulators where he spent an hour training his breathing. He had just learned that that very morning he would not only be back in the testing, but that his own Varitech had been chosen for the atmosphere breach. It was all Lisa's doing. She had helped him to write his report and, as always, to improve his confidence.

Not that he had none, but sometimes his immaturity mixed with a blind arrogance would make like a fog in his brain.

It must never happen again

he thought.

Then he remembered the night before, thought about how nice it was to be in her house, so warm, of the taste of her cookies, a pink pillow, a dim lamp. Then he thought of that picture, of the guy who had died on Mars.

He wanted to spend time with her, he didn't know why but he wanted to feel just as good, just as safe, as he had the night before. Yes Lisa made him feel safe. A feeling Rick hadn't experienced in a long time.

I'm going to ask her out. The town is all decked out for Christmas...

Rick smiled, realizing that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a holiday.

-Attention Skull 1, at the end of countdown prepare for launch

DR Lang mouthed the controller's voice as he scanned the numbers in reverse

9, 8, 7

6

5

4

3

2...

one...

Rick Hunter pushed his engines to their limits and soared through the sky like an arrow in Fighter mode. The thrusters to the left and right of his wings dropped a triple trail of pristine white foam into the blue sky*.He was so fast that the monitors on the watchtower lost sight of him several times.

A murmur of appreciation flowed through the stations inside the room.

Rick's Varitech was proceeding at a brisk 2 to 2.5 mach speed.

-Godspeed, Skull 1...

said Lisa

-Captain Hunter, you are slightly off the speed limit, over.

-Delta 1, all under control. I'm gonna try a bit more!

Inside the canopy Rick could see sacks of clouds pulverizing as he crossed through them. He glanced over his head and saw the clear sky thinning.

-Skull 1 keep your current speed!

Said Lisa, with confidence

-Roger! Roger Commander Hayes!

he said listlessly.

-Captain Hunter! We are now sending you the new codes as soon as you come out of the mesosphere.

-I'm almost there Captain Hayes.

-Good, Dr. Lang is sending you the coordinates, how's the weather over there?

Rick smiled showing all his excitement

-it's simply beautiful!

A gigantic green *Aurora had surrounded his fighter and Rick was pushing the thrusters through a starry dust dropping a cloud of light back behind him.

-Have you crossed the Aurora?

-Just now. It's amazing Lisa... I wish you could see it!

Lisa's heartbeat paused for a moment: her cheeks turned pink. It was a simple phrase, so to speak. But she was happy nonetheless because it came from him.

-I am over the Karman* line now, Captain. Everything is going smoothly.

Lang was standing behind Lisa's station - he couldn't be more pleased. Everything was going flawlessly. In an hour, Captain Hunter would be at the top of the exosphere, 10,000 kms from Earth. He would make a simple recon ride and prepare for the comeback. Probably by knowing him, the Skull leader would have performed some of his acrobatic stunts, making Captain Hayes a little nervous. All in the ordinary. Lang smiled. That VT was his crowning achievement.

-Captain Hayes!

The Corporal's voice at the front desk made everyone turn around.

-Captain Hayes, a call from the Command Center!

Lisa turned sharply, her hair swirling around her shoulders.

-What?

Lang's eyes widened

The young officer came forward in a hurry, carrying the GPS device. Lisa stood up abruptly and she got rid of the headphones. She placed the receiver on her temple and as soon as she heard the first words her face lost all its color. She felt a cold sweat down her spine. He searched for Lang's gaze.

-A Zentraedi malcontent... in the new Monument Center

Lang gasped

-A group of Zentraedis has laid a siege to the new UEG headquarters... Admiral Gloval ... is there...

Everybody froze at hearing those words. The air had crystallized.

-I have to... I have to go.

Lisa said firmly. In a single moment catastrophic settings were appearing before her eyes.

-Dr. Lang, I'm sorry!

Lang was visibly displeased, but what could he possibly do? There were lives at risk in that uprising, but what about his test?

It was as if Lisa had read his mind

-Lieutenant Louan take my station with the Skull Leader.

You, on the the other hand, call back the other Varitechs. They will be sent to quell the Zentraedi rebellion.

Alex Louan was startled.

-But Captain Hayes, I don't...

Lisa glanced at him with cold determination

-You can do it! You can do it ,can't you? Dr. Lang? Skull 1 is almost up to the exosphere... we can't stop the test now!

Lang nodded and folded his arms. For a moment he seemed not to breathe at all, then he blurted out

-Lieutenant Louan, take over Delta 1 Station. All operators, recall the rest of the Skull Squadron to the hangars.

Lisa nodded toward Louan, trying to give him some encouragement. But at that moment her mind was on her friends in peril, Gloval, Claudia...and...

Rick... please, be safe

she thought as she left the Base at full speed.

Thousands of miles away, beyond the clouds, the VF4 Lighting III flown by Commander Hunter was blasting through the exosphere. A few more blinks and he would be off into outer space. The feeling was intoxicating, the silence so absolute it was deafening...

Rick was preparing to cross the last outpost before exiting planet earth. With his thumb he switched on the comm.

-Skull1 to Delta 1... Captain Hayes, I'm leaving the exosphere right now. Alpha coordinates 1114-983, do you copy?

-Roger Skull 1 this is Delta 1, please proceed according to instructions.

Rick's eyes opened wide and a grimace marred his features.

What was Alex Louan doing in Lisa's station?

For a moment he was speechless, then frowned and addressed him scornfully

-What are you doing here Lieutenant? Where is Captain Hayes?

Louan thousands of miles away frowned as well

He really has a very bad temper as people say

he thought

-Captain Hayes has been called back to the Command Center.

-What!? Something happened? Been riots?!

-Right, Captain. But don't worry, let's continue with the drill.

Rick clenched tightly his controls. He gritted his teeth

-Zentraedis... again! Darn them all! I must go back immediately!

Alex Louan could sense the strain on the line. He spun around to look for Lang in a desperate plea for help: he came towards him, almost ripping the microphone from his hands

-Captain Hunter!

He called out to him as he was frantically checking the incoming data from his thinking cap

-This is Dr. Lang. Can you hear me? Put your hand back on the test immediately. You must not be influenced by any situation outside of the drill...remember our talk?

-But damn it, Dr. Lang! My men need me down there! Now!

and Lisa...

he thought with anger

Lisa needs me too...

-Don't screw up Hunter! We are performing a testing of the utmost delicacy! Don't let outside agents influence you: your HMI is detecting holes in the system. Just stay focused!

Rick clenched his teeth: he knew that his condition was severely affecting the HMI performance of his fighter, however he simply couldn't help thinking about the fact that thousands of miles below, soldiers and civilians were risking their lives. Again.

When would this all end?

How many times had he asked himself that?

Lisa, be safe...

-Captain Hunter! Damn it, Captain Hunter! you there?

Rick came to his senses.

-I got it, Dr. Lang, I got it!

-Lang was in a cold sweat, his eyes were like two slits.

Please follow Delta 1's instructions attentively: get out of the exosphere! Now!

Rick clenched his jaw and set the fighter on candlestick towards the void: then he launched the thrusters at full power to the given coordinates.

3.

2.

1.

-Roger Delta 1... Skull 1 out! Now!

The vacuum of outer space welcomed him as if within an embrace. As Lisa ran at full speed toward the Command Center Rick was floating thousands of miles above the clouds in the orbit of Earth. Right over Alaska, in the very same place where, one year before, the terrible battle against Dolza, the so-called Rain of Death had destroyed the planet.

The memories were still visible on Earth, and in the hearts of the survivors. But the marks had also remained... out there, in space. As the VF4's engines settled along the planned line Rick Hunter slowly switched to Guardian mode. The mecha's long arms stretched out into the darkness.

Everything was slowly, silent. The blue planet glowed below him like a glowing marble.

-Delta1 you read me? Just switched to Guardian mode. My position is Beta 11.34.98

-Roger Skull 1!

Alex Louan replied

-Proceed with the established protocols

Rick flicked his tongue over his dry lips while checking his breathing. He could see decently ahead and prepared to fire the blanks from the main cannon. First to the right and then to the left

-I'm getting started

right...

one shot pierced the void

Rick got ready with his left arm

and now...

A mid-range alarm froze his next move: it was coming from his rear camera. The computer on board had detected an anomaly. Rick moved slowly, by three-quarters: the big mecha carefully turned in the dark: that's when he saw it with his own eyes. A storm. A mass of meteorites was heading toward him, at controlled speed and at a 4 degree slope.

A cold drop of sweat ran down his back. For a moment he could not speak

It was as if his arms were not responding to his command, but his helmet was already sending the data back to Earth.

-Captain Hunter! Captain Hunter what's up!?

Luoan's voice pulled him out of his trance state

-Skull leader! Do you copy?

-Delta 1! A meteor mass is heading my way!

Rick looked around, the space corpses were coming in in all directions.

-Damn Delta 1! they coming at me from S1-A1, S1-A2, S2-B1, S2-B2, and radiant Alpha K!

Back on Earth everyone in the control tower was in a preaching panic.

Alex Louan's hands were shaking as Dr. Lang and his team desperately searched for an escape route for the Rick Hunter VT

-They're on him from all directions!

-How much time we have?!

cried Lang

-About 3 minutes!

Gena Bartlow responded in despair.

-He has to go back !

Alex Louan turned his head in panic.

-But... how?!

Rick Hunter, at that same moment, was estimating the same claims with his onboard computer. The cosmic fragments were rushing towards his ship at a speed that was not so insane as sustained. In less than four minutes they would hit the mecha.

I have to go back, and abort the mission...

Rick felt a twinge of nearly physical pain

-Or fight them...

he said in a low voice, but Louan had heard him

-What you mean Skull 1?

-Delta 1, I got it!

The VF4 coachwork glowed, reflecting the distant gleam of the sun. In less than a split second it stretched upright making its gears creak in the less than a blink of wings the Battroid, holding the gun, was preparing to fire towards the huge mass of space junk.

-It's a risk but it's the only way

said Lang to himself

-Be safe Captain Hunter!

Rick prepared to face the larger mass, coming at him from the gamma K range latitude.

-Now! Skull Leader! Fire!

Shouted Alex

Rick discharged all his ammo towards the cluster blasting it into dozens and hundreds of debris that crashed down on the Varitech.

-They got me!

-Captain Hunter get ready to enter the exosphere! NOW!

-Roger Delta 1!

Rick switched from Battroid to Fighter, giving full power to the engines under the fuselage. The meteor rockets were still running towards him.

-I'm ready, engine at maximum, Skull 1...out!

The VF4 was really a lightning bolt, and Rick only realized it at that moment.

The fighter blew out on the edge of the exosphere as it was blasted with light corpses. The canopy was heavily dented and the onboard computer started flashing red alarms. Rick's eyes widened as the mecha became ungovernable as it entered the thermosphere. He could clearly see the Aurora beneath him.

The heat inside the canopy had become unbearable.

-Delta 1, can you hear me?

Down on Earth Alex was getting desperate

-We lost all comms with Captain Hunter...

Gena Bartlow was furiously seeking him with the GPS sensor.

-Maybe he's been hit... I see a mass on fire 12' from the Karaman line.

Lang wiped a handkerchief on his sweaty face.

It can't be, it can't be....

All the crew in the control tower were filled with terror.
after a complete minute of silence, a croaking and faint voice spread throughout the room

-Delta1, can you hear me? This is Skull 1, I am in damage! The ship is on fire!

Unbelievable, Captain Hunter was still trying to steer his mecha.

-Give me your position Skull Leader.

-I'm entering the mesosphere, the asteroids are still on my tail!

-God...

Laslo Zand rushed to his station.

-He must abandon the VF4 or he is gonna die! Dr. Lang, we have to let the mecha be crushed by the impact!

Everyone looked at the scientist with concern

The VF4 Lightning III will be destroyed...

Dr. Lang grabbed the microphone

-Captain Hunter, you are ordered to abandon ship. Repeat, Skull Leader abandon ship as soon as you hear this call. A Defense Force shuttle is on its way to pick you up.

No answer from Skull 1.

Lang bit his lip.

-Lieutenant Louan, put this communication in a loop until you get a reply from Captain Hunter or... whatever...

The moments ticked by as Rick frantically tried to establish contact with Delta 1. The sky was black as hell and the frightening roar of meteor-dust dumping on the ship's steel made him wince.

Rick couldn't believe this was the end.

It had happened before.

When he had been caught in the friendly fire in the Daedalus attack. And during the battle with Dolza, when he had been blown out into the Earth's atmosphere.

Rick recalled the manual he had read in his office that night, before Lisa's visit. In case of failure, the mecha might catch fire. Put on the depressurized rescue coat and abandon the canopy.

Lisa ... I never thought I'd have to do this...

"Hey Rick! you know we don't have an oxygen mask or a life jacket here... you still feel up to flying this banger?"

He could clearly hear Roy's voice

Big brother, I screwed up...

he thought sadly.

"Well, you still alive or not?"

Rick shook himself. He pressed the SOS key. He had never done that in his entire life, and he considered it a matter of pride.

-Roy I'm not dead already...I'm not!

In a moment the oxygen tank popped out of the secondary drawers. Rick fastened the last strap on his space suit and proceeded to depressurize. The tank clipped on behind him.

-This is it!

he spoke voicelessly. his hands were shaking.

He tried to send another comm to the control tower but there was no answer.

Who knows if his thinking cap was doing its fuckin' job or not.

...hope someone down there is listening.

Rick lifted himself up and pulled open the canopy.

He let himself be drawn out by the vacuum and his body started to float in space among the colors of the Aurora. He was about 80 km in altitude from the highest peak of the Earth.

Lisa...

he thought

I wonder if she has heard that the mission has failed... she 'll be so disappointed.

At this, he smiled quietly, but a moment later a blinding light enveloped him: the VF4 had exploded into tens and hundreds of pieces with a great noise.

Rick was hurled thousands of miles away, as if he had received a massive downward slap from the roof of the universe.

His body whirled through the air as his conscience left him.

I failed.

This was his last thought... then black out.

-Where is Captain Hunter!? I have to see him!

A young woman with messed hair and a fur coat draped over her shoulders burst into the lobby of the New Macross Military and Civilian Hospital. Her heels clicked on the tile floor.

It was just after 6pm, and a blanket of fog had covered the city, replacing the previous snow.

Lisa Hayes was wearing a tense, pale face, but her eyes were dry.

Inside the waiting room she could spot some RDF uniforms but not their proper owners; she just wanted to see Rick Hunter, make sure he was okay, she wanted him to be alive.

A man ran up to her, chasing off the receptionists who were attempting to stop her rush. He grabbed her by the wrists, forcing her to stop.

-Lisa! Lisa calm down!

She lifted her gaze and met Alex Louan's black eyes. His face was also strained and pale.

For a moment a blind fury took hold of her.

-Alex! How could you! I entrusted you my station for a moment and look! look what happened!

She squirmed like a caged beast as he gripped her wrists even tighter and pulled her closer to him.

Dr. Lang and his aides, along with the other officers attending the test, were all in the room and looked at her with appalled eyes.

-Lisa!

Yelled Louan without regard to protocol

-Calm down! please!

he ordered

And then she seemed to give up and let herself fall into his arms. She started to sob softly at first, then louder and louder. He gently hugged her as if to soothe her. He stroked her hair and whispered something in her ear.

Captain Hunter could still breathe. The shuttle had detected him hovering like a feather at the edge of the troposphere. Within four hours, his descent had been a slow and steady one. The tank had recently finished and the impact of the Skull 1 explosion had only jarred him but did not pierce his spacesuit.

On his return to Earth he had been sent to intensive therapy, his brain had been suffering from lack of oxygen for about a minute. Because of this he was kept in a medically induced coma.

His internal organs had suffered only the recoil of the blast. All his bones were intact. Only a long, thin wound crossed his face from his eyebrow to cheekbone. His helmet had been shattered on the impact.

Lisa was not allowed to see him until three days later. On December 22, a fresh snowfall had blanketed New Macross again.

Lisa, like every night since the accident, had struggled with insomnia and a nameless anguish. She felt like she had that day, when she had unintentionally caused Rick's injury on the SDF1*. The young pilot had been unconscious for several days that time too. Lisa feared that if he had died she herself would not have been able to keep living.

-Good morning Captain Hayes.

The nurse who welcomed her to Rick's room door had her wearing scrubs over her uniform and a surgery mask.

-Captain Hunter is out of ICU, but he still didn't regain consciousness.

Lisa looked alarmed, and her eyes widened in fear.

-this doesn't mean he won't!

The nurse was young, with her hair cut into a brunette bob.

-Dr. Stateman will be here soon, and...

-Can I talk to him?

-Captain Hunter has no immediate family and you...

Lisa blushed slightly

-I...

-I think you can, Captain Hayes.

The nurse smiled

-You can come in now. Go ahead...

The room was aseptic. The clinic was so brand new that everything still smelled of lime and wall paint. Lisa sneaked in, trying to make as little noise as possible. She was holding a small bouquet of flowers. Fabric flowers, of a light blue shade.

Lisa noticed that Rick's face had been medicated. Now his wound had been sewn up and the stitches were barely visible. His body lay on the bed, looking weightless. His bare arms up to his biceps were motionless. Her index finger was stuck in the saturation device. The machine made a slight static sound.

Oh Rick...

Lisa approached the bed hesitantly. And then, even more slowly, she leaned over him and ran her fingertips over his forehead. His unruly hair had been pulled up in a band and his whole face was exposed. His red lips were dry, stuck together. His straight, perfect nose barely quivered at each breath.

His round lids were motionless. A feeling of terror invaded Lisa's body, gripping her knees.

She still blamed herself for everything.

How could this have happened?

She repeated herself. If only she hadn't had to leave, and give the control of the ship to Alex. If only they had tracked the probability of meteorites over Alaska... if only they had known that those were not meteorites but debris from Zentraedi ships that had been wandering in the atmosphere since the end of the war... if only...

All of these ifs and buts haunted Lisa's mind.

She picked up a chair and slowly pulled it closer to the bed. There was absolutely nothing in that room. Not even a glass of water. She felt a wave of tenderness for Rick: she wanted to hug him, wanted to tell him that she was there for him. Slowly she took his free hand and stroked it gently. Then she rested her trembling lips on his knuckles. She didn't know why she was doing this. Then she rubbed a cheek against his hand. She closed her eyes as she felt the faint warmth of him.

Rick.

Time had passed tirelessly. Just an hour she had stolen from her sleep. Lisa was determined to talk to the doctor who was treating Rick but she also had to get to the Command Center in a few minutes. However, her heart wept at having to leave him. She stood up and put on her coat. She clutched her hat and after casting one last glance at those sad, fabric flowers, she headed for the door.

It was when she had already grasped the handle that she heard a voice. His voice.

-Captain Hayes.

What?

Her heart skipped a beat. And Lisa felt her whole body heat up like it was on fire.

-Captain Hayes. Is that you?

Lisa suddenly turned around dropping her hat on the floor. She brought both hands to her face and held back a moan.

-Rick! Oh God, Rick...

It wasn't until the next day that Lisa was allowed to see him again. The doctors had taken him in for treatment to make sure his nervous system was in good condition. The doubt was about the lack of oxygen he had suffered during the crash, before being rescued by the RDF shuttle. He was risking a delay in his reflexes and muscle response. He could be at risk of never being able to fly a Varitech again. He was wearing an Air Force lap neck sweatshirt and still that band in his hair. She walked in with the nurse who checked his blood pressure and temperature. Then the young woman left them alone. -Good morning Commander Hayes.

Lisa smiled with delight to see him looking so well. His cheeks were flushed and although he appeared a little gaunt, his glabrous face was well-rested. His eyes were always so beautiful, maybe slightly cloudy.

-Have a seat Lisa.

he said with some liveliness

She hurried to take off her coat and put it on her lap. Then she pulled the chair as close as she could to his bed.

After a very long silence he sighed

-It didn't take, huh?

He said sarcastically.

Lisa looked at him bewildered: there were so many feelings stirring inside her. Fear, relief, tenderness...no, no something more

Maybe ...love?

She recalled the way she had kissed his hand just yesterday. Rick, he was alive and smiling in his own little sneering way, once again. Lisa clenched her nails inside her palms to keep from shaking. All of a sudden she wanted to hug him. But instead she cleared her throat

-The only thing that matters is that you're fine.

Rick glanced out the window- a snowstorm was raging outside.

-I may not be able to pilot a fighter anymore...

he said in a huff. He could feel his eyes burning, didn't want her to see him.

He stayed that way ,facing the wall for a long time. Then he felt her hand on his shoulder.

-I'm sure you will instead. How soon you expect.

He turned around, his brow furrowed, ready to snap at her, but then he met those sad eyes pleadingly looking at him and a new feeling washed over him, and quelled his anger and eagerness. Rick cracked a smile, and then gaze wandered across the room then he nodded again, pointing to the flowerpot.

-It was you, wasn't it?

-What me? Yes...

Lisa lowered her gaze

-I had no doubt, you know...it reminds me...it reminds me of that time you did the same thing, you brought me flowers at the hospital... that time...-that time I almost killed you with my friendly fire!

Rick let out a giggle

-You know it's not like that Lisa! ... anyway... I was really surprised you came to apologize!

She fiddled with the hem of her skirt, crinkling it in her hands.

-I was so happy about that!

Lisa frowned.

-Rick! you're the same as always!

-It was a nice day you know...

he grinned

-First you, then Roy, Ben and Max came to see me and at the end of the evening, Minmay...

At hearing her name Lisa's heart skipped a beat.

Rick had turned his face to the window again.

-I was feeling kind of important, And to say we didn't even talk...after a few minutes she fell asleep and then...then a couple of hours later Roy...died.

Lisa gripped the hem of her skirt tightly.

-Rick, please don't let these thoughts torture you.

-it's true

he cut off

-and look at me, I'm still alive, after being shot down countless times.

Lisa gasped, she couldn't believe Rick was unhappy not to be dead.

-I wonder why? ...

-Rick you...

-I don't deserve to be here. And I don't deserve those flowers either... I failed the mission and ...

So Lisa realized. SHE hadn't come to see him even once. She knew that. Nevertheless she cleared her throat and in a very casual tone said

-What about Minmay? She came to see you... not yet?

Rick turned around, his eyes were dark and stormy.

-Of course not. I don't even think she knows I'm here.

-The story of your accident went on the MBS news...

Rick shook his head.

-You know, I thought that after the rain of death, and being safely back on earth things would change. After, after we talked and... instead everything is worse than ever

Lisa frowned

-You... you talked?

she swallowed hard

-that night at Nyan Nyan?

Rick clenched his fists on the sheet.

-Of course not Lisa! Minmay was not there that night... she was somewhere with Kyle and I... I haven't seen her since that day.

Lisa was appalled. Clearly Rick couldn't wait to vent about his eternal love problem with the Macross Diva... and she... why had she brought up the subject? How could she be so masochistic? She didn't want to talk about her, she didn't want to hear anything more. All of a sudden her only desire was to get out of there, quickly.

-You know, before the battle with Dolza...when I thought all was lost forever...I...

Rick lifted his long eyelashes and looked at an indefinite spot in the opposing wall.

-I...I needed to tell her. I told her that... that I've always loved her.

Lisa felt like she had been stabbed with a well-deserved knife.

So he had told her... in the end...

-I thought we were all going to die and I had to do it. But she told me she was feeling the same. That she loved me too...*

Rick looked at Lisa as if wanting an answer from her. But what could she say?

Lisa inhaled slowly. So that was their little secret. He and Minmay could have been apart for a long time and even for thousands of miles from Earth, but he would have still loved her. She felt useless and a little ridiculous being there in that room. Maybe the right word was pathetic.

Shortly thereafter she made an excuse and left. The snow swirled violently outside the hospital. Lisa clutched at the lapels of her coat as a small tear slid out of her eye and immediately froze on the skin of her cheek making it burn.

Night was coming. Rick remained silent as Lisa's shape disappeared through the door. He felt so lonely and useless. Almost angry with her because she had gone. But then on the other hand, Commander Hayes had work to attend to. She always put her work first.

He leaned back and closed his eyes. Shreds of a strange dream swirled round his head. In that dream there was her, Lisa. She was so sweet and even a little seductive. He remembered vividly how he'd held her throbbing wrist between his fingers. How she had watched him, totally succumbing to his touch.

That version of Lisa simply didn't exist. Yet he would have wanted her that way. He realized that his body was overheating in that very spot over there

At least down there it still works

he thought

Then he blushed heavily.

Lisa had stormed into the command center.

-Did we just decide to turn up the heaters, or should I leave an official note for the tech department?

She yelled directed at no one in particular.

Vanessa buried her neck even further into her shoulders and avoided breathing.

Lisa removed a few snowflakes from her hair and threw both arms over her desk.

-What is all this paper!? Lieutenant Leeds!

-Aye Ma'am!

-They are all official dispatches from Monument City. From Admiral Gloval, and Senator Russo, and then

-I can see it for myself Vanessa!

Lisa was in hysterics. She started tearing open the official envelopes with a paperweight.

-I wonder why they don't just email. I mean...just now when paper has become so rare!

Downstairs, the girls and Makizaki listened to Lisa's tirade all the way down there.

Kim widened her eyes

-is in a terrible mood again today!

-With what happened at the VF4 tests I would be as well! Poor Vanessa, I don't envy her!

added Sammie

Makizaki glanced over the balcony for a moment.

-I heard that the pilot is awake from his coma.

-Yes, thankfully! Too bad though, Captain Hunter will have to stay in the hospital for another 10 days!

-He's going to miss the Christmas party...

Sammie brought her hands to her face with a dreaming look.

-the Christmas party...can't wait! I just can't wait to celebrate! finally!

-Yeah last year we spent it working on the bridge and listening to Minmay's songs!*

The two girls burst out laughing and even Makizaki hazarded a shy smile.

-What? A Christmas party? I really don't think I'm going!

Lisa's voice was dramatically stern

-Come on, kid, don't be such a brat!

said her friend Claudia on the other side of the line.

-The Admiral will be there, too. And the rest of the crew. We' ll take the opportunity to give Lieutenant Sterling a medal for valor.

-Oh, I'm pleased to hear that.

-You deserve it too, for successfully leading the Monument mission!

-Oh I...

suddenly Lisa's voice softened and Claudia noticed it.

-So I'll see you there?

-But wait when?

-Well... in about 20 hours? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, remember?

-Vanessa!

The young officer winced

-Yes ma'am?

-Do you know what to wear at... a Christmas party?

-Lisa, you look beautiful!

Claudia came to meet her on the steps of the headquarters where a small Christmas party had been arranged: all the officers based at Monument and New Macross were in attendance.

Lisa blushed as she looked around: it was a simple event, yet she felt uncomfortable.

-You think? I thought about wearing a red dress, you know it's Christmas but... I wonder if I went too far.

-We don't have enough red dresses round here. Take a look!

Mirya Sterling, the Bridge bunnies even the Pin Point Barrier girls were wearing varying shades of red. Dr. Bartlow had ventured a pair of vertiginous leather heels.

-And wine, too. Red of course. Let's go!

Lisa smiled as she walked into the room arm in arm with her best friend. She didn't want to think about anything. For what worth.

-To us!

said Claudia as she made the glasses clink.

-Happy Christmas!

The bridge girls approached them.

-Commander Hayes! Major Grant! Wonderful party!

said Kim radiantly.

Lisa shyly glanced around. It was the first time she had been to an event since the Robotech Academy. After Karl's death, there had been no time for her to have fun.

-Lisa... I mean... Commander Hayes.

In his formal dress uniform and his medals pinned to his chest, on the heart side, he looked stunning. His jet black hair was almost shimmering under the bright lights of the decorations.

The bridge bunnies looked at him in amazement.

-Wow!

whispered Sammie to Kim's ear

-he's even more handsome than Lieutenant Sterling!

-Lieutenant Louan... good evening, Alex...

Instead of saluting her officially, he took her hand and Lisa blushed. She glanced at her friends: they were almost holding their breath.

-Girls...meet... First Lieutenant Alex Louan. An old friend and fellow student at the Academy...Alex they are my shipmates aboard the SDF1. Lieutenants Young, Leeds and Porter. And Major Grant!

The four women saluted back politely

-It's an honor to meet the entire Space War bridge crew. You all are like some sort of heroines to the entire RDF.

The terrible trio was ecstatic, as Claudia alternately glanced at Lisa and Alex with a sly grin.

-Will your friends not hate me for taking you away?

Lisa smiled as she sipped on another glass of red wine.

She and Alex had gone outside, on the terrace. The moon shone brightly in the sky finally free of clouds. They both tightened their coats.

-What you talking about... and besides, they see me every day! They must be sick of me.

-The terrible Captain Hayes, the Ice Queen right?

Lisa smiled sadly

-My reputation precedes me.

-That's possible...

Alex said still looking up to the sky.

-But not for someone who knows you like I do...

His hand wandered slowly until it met Lisa's laying on the railing. At his warm touch she shivered.

-I know who the real Lisa Hayes is before she turned into Captain Hayes. The sweet and shy green-eyed Elizabeth Hayes, from Tokyo*.

Lisa breathed softly. Alex recalled everything so fondly. She wanted to take her hand back, but a sort of numbness had seized her. He still gently held her palm in his.

-You're still the same Lisa, even if you think you're not.

-Alex...

She raised her lashes and met his intense gaze.

-Since I met you again...I thought... I felt that all was not lost. That we could go back.

He said this without breathing and Lisa stood petrified. She could not believe it. It was all so crazy, almost absurd. The party, the Christmas tree, the red woollen dress. A handsome young officer holding her hand under the stars. Maybe...maybe it was time to be happy and set aside her troubled relationship with Rick Hunter.

Claudia spotted her running towards the toilets like a rampage

-Lisa! Lisa... what's up?

After having taken her leave from her colleagues, she ran after her before she could shut the door-

-What's the matter Lisa? What's wrong?

She noticed her friend's eyes were filled with tears.

-I...I don't know...

-What's going on?. One second you were happily flirting with your friend from Apollo, and now you look like a hormonal teenager at a prom!

Lisa's eyes widened

-Flirting? I? What!

She sniffled.

-I...

For a moment she couldn't speak.

-Alex was Karl's best friend. He can' t forget him either. I think it's not good for us to spend time together.

She ran the back of her hand over her eyes, leaving a long trail of melted mascara.

Claudia looked at her with sympathy

-You sure that's all it is?

-What you mean?

-How's the boy?

Lisa felt her cheeks burn.

-The "boy"? What do you mean? I don't care about Rick Hunter! I'm never going to visit him again. See... He...he only thinks about Minmay!

Then she shuddered, realizing that she had finally expressed the feelings that had been tormenting her so much.

Claudia had known it for a long time, but finally Lisa had decided to admit her own feelings for Roy's little brother.

She took her hand.

-Let's go, come with me.

The big galley set up in one corner of the hall was full of tables piled high with all sorts of goodies. Claudia put her hands on a small circular cake, decorated with a sugar reindeer and a gingerbread elf.

-What you doing Claudia...I can't do that! I can't steal a cake!

Lisa hissed

-You're not doing it. I am! And come on, isn't the poor boy deserving of his Christmas cake? After all, he was injured on duty.

Lisa smiled gratefully at her friend...as she slipped out the back door and got into a cab Claudia's voice echoed in her ears.

"You know it was Roy that asked me to look for Minmay aboard the ship. She was shooting her movie and he thought a visit from her might lift his little brother's spirits. He went looking for her on the set and Lynn Kyle chased him off. But eventually he managed to persuade her..."

"Say hi to Rick for me Lisa!"

"Merry Christmas."

At the hospital, the lighting was dim. It was a short time before Christmas Eve, and the healthiest patients and staff were watching a Christmas show on MBS. Minmay and Jan Morris were among the featured guests.

-I know it's late, but I brought a Christmas present...

Lisa swallowed in embarrassment.

-For Captain Hunter.

The nurse at the front desk didn't mind. After all, it was actually Christmas and Captain Hayes was like a relative or something.

They're probably engaged

she thought to herself

-Of course come in, Commander!

-Lisa!

In the half-light she could only make out a pale cheek lit by the TV screen. Contrary to her expectations Rick was not watching Minmay's Christmas special but an old Frank Capra movie: "It's a wonderful life".*

-What you doing here?

He asked her, icily.

Lisa felt a dull ache inside her chest.

-I...

she started, but then she even stopped breathing.

He lifted himself onto the bed, and she could see his lashes were still damp.

-You know, this movie always stirs me a bit. We used to watch it together for Christmas, me, Roy and dad. Well... until he died and then...

Lisa instinctively turned on the small nightlight.

-How... how are you feeling Rick?

He glanced at her now that the room was lit up. His eyes wandered round her body and her loose hair. He carefully viewed her red dress poking out of her fur coat and the subtle lipstick on her lips.

-You look...you look really good...

he said feeling awkward. And annoyed, too. Why was she dressed like that? Maybe he remembered... Max and Miryia had told him about a Christmas party...

She blushed.

-Thank you... I... I brought you something. A Christmas present.

Rick frowned and stammered in embarrassment.

-You shouldn't have, Lisa. And you shouldn't have come here, and missing the RDF party...

-I have been there however!

she said brightly.

-So, may I sit down?

Unexpectedly Rick lifted himself up with his torso and shifted slightly on the mattress.

-Yeah, come on. Sit here next to me.

His heart was ready to explode. He had been thinking of her all day, between the meds-induced sleep and the memories of that dream. And now, she had really shown up, in that captivating dress. Rick cast his glance at her long legs wrapped in the fur galoshes.

-Lisa...

he whispered

-Thank you... for being here.

She smiled shyly.

-Everyone is deserving of a Xmas cake, right?

She said, repeating Claudia's words.

Rick ran a hand behind the back of his head.

-Even a mess like me? A hardheaded pilot? A failure?

Lisa took off her coat and carefully sat down on the bed. The mattress squeaked slightly.

She placed the cardboard box with the cake in it on the blanket.

Rick inhaled the scent of her hair and the sweet smell of the whipped cream.

-I can't believe you bought a cake for me on Christmas Eve, thank you... Commander Hayes.

Lisa grinned and looked at him over her shoulder, mischievously.

-Well, I didn't actually buy it. I stole it.

Rick's eyes went wide and so did his mouth.

-You stole it?

-I did. From the RDF party. If Maistroff ever found out, I'd be court-martialed!

The two burst out laughing with delight: they had tuned into the same frequency.

The movie was about to end

"Dear George... remember..."

Lisa started

Rick watched her keenly as she read the words on the screen

"no man is a failure who has friends..."

He smiled searching for her hand between the sheets. Her skin was soft, warm. He couldn't help remembering when he had last touched her hand.

-That's so true.

she said encouragingly.

Their fingers intertwined.

-Merry Christmas Lisa...

-Merry Christmas Rick.

To be continued

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Hi everyone! this chapter tells about Rick's dreams during his induced coma due to the VF-4 accident that occurred in chapter 4.

The chapter opens and closes at the end of the this previous chapter. For convenience I indicated each time a dream starts.

Their fingers intertwined.

At that very moment Rick experienced an intense dejavu, that almost made him shiver. He was holding tight to Lisa's hand at that very moment. He could still feel her soft, warm skin. He could feel her reassuring presence next to him. But it had happened before, some time very close by. And he felt the same way. But... it couldn't be.

It had been so long ago when they had held each other after his return from Apollo. And then... there had only been miscommunication and a cold war, between them.

Maybe it was a dream, it was just a dream...

FIRST DREAM

-Rick... Rick! You hear me? The alarm has gone off three times now!

-Wha...? What?

Rick Hunter tossed and turned in the soft sheets, one arm dangling under the bed as is his habit...

-Rick!

-Mmmh?

The mattress was so comfy and the sheets so snug and fragrant that sleep wasnot going to leave him so easily.

But all of a sudden, a sharp jolt made him jump and roll over onto his back.

With great effort he opened his eyes wide, and the sleep fog started to clear up.

-Rick, come on! It's 7 o'clock! If my uncle finds you here, we' re in trouble!

He is gonna lock you down in the kitchen!

-Ehhh?

Standing before him in a belligerent stance, with her pretty pouty face and messy hair, was no less than Minmay.

Rick's eyes got so wide he felt like they were coming out of his skull.

Miinmay was in her bedroom and wait, omg she was only wearing a top and a pair of micro shorts! WHITE! Every curve of her body was exposed. The faint sunlight graced her pale skin sprinkled with tiny blue veins.

Rick blushed wildly. What was Minmay doing in his room and hey, wait a minute, that wasn't his room!

With a rapid turn of the head he took a 360 degree view of his surroundings. A bedroom, sure, but it wasn't his! It was definitely a girl's room... the bed... the furniture, the soft pink dye on the walls... Teen Idol trophies on the shelves and flags from Sacred Heart High School ? What?... and then... a keyboard with a microphone... and it looked like professional stuff...

-Wha... wha...what?

That must have been Minmay's room! Oh, my God, Why was he there? Had he... had he been sleeping there? At the very thought his heart started pumping like crazy. He had... she was... basically naked so, uh, had they... made... that?

Rick quickly pulled the sheets over his head and flushed even more.

He tried to remember but he just couldn't.

Can it be I got so drunk?!

-Oh god...

he mumbled

-Rick Hunter! Are you serious!? I told you to get up and get the hell out of here!

Rick swallowed hard. Pointless to hang on . He peered with one eye through the fabric of the sheets. Minmay's long beautiful legs were still in front of him.

He pulled himself up onto the bed.

He looked at her with a gaze she just could not decode.

Then Minmay's scowling face softened. She laid a hand on his shoulder... He shuddered at her touch and glanced at her small hand. her nails were manicured and decorated with sakura flowers.

-Mi..Minmay...

-Rick, I gotta go to school and so do you... you didn't tell me you have a class with a UEG Captain today?

At those words Rick's eyes and mouth opened even wider.

-Captain? But ... I'm the captain... I mean, I...

Minmay burst out laughing, but immediately covered her mouth with both hands.

-Hahah! Rick but... hello again? You okay? What did you and Max do last night? Should I worry? I thought you guys were testing for soft drugs!

- Soft drugs? Huh? Max? He... he was with me?

-Sure. And with me. We spent the evening at the restaurant... but ...Rick, what's wrong with you?

The young man had jumped out of bed. He was only wearing navy blue underwear and a white shirt.

He walked warily to the window.

-So we're in your room?

Minmay stared at him puzzled.

-Above the restaurant?

Rick shifted the pink curtain and gazed out on the street.

The city was already in turmoil even though the sun had barely risen. Strange, New Macross looked so different to him.

-But... how is everything so... refined?

Minmay stared at him as if he was throwing up on the carpet.

-Rick! What the hell are you babbling about!?

He beckoned her over to look at the window herself.

-I mean...

he whispered

-The streets are so neat and there are lots of people, its not dangerous for radiation? Plus...where the hell is the snow? And what about the SDF1?

Minmay staggered and stepped away from his side.

-The SDF1? What is that? Rick...you're scaring me!

At that time a gentle knock made them both wince

-Minmay are you up? Time for breakfast!

Rick felt a cold trickle running down his spine.

Minmay motioned him to shut up. She brought her finger to her lips

-Yes, Aunt Lena, yeah! I'm on my way down!

she shouted and then she whispered

-Move out of here!

He looked at the window and then back at her angry face.

-Should I? ... Jump out the window?

Minmay was steaming

-Rick! As if you've never done before! Oh and... get dressed first!

Rick Hunter found himself in the middle of the street just outside the Chinese restaurant. He had worn dark Rayban sunglasses that he dug out of his jacket. Was this his jacket? It was very similar to the Skull Squadron's one but it only featured the RDF logo on his right arm.

He took a few blind steps. Something didn't quite convince him, but he couldn't say what. Of course the Nyan Nyan was always the same. He caught sight of uncle Max hustling on the counter in the lobby.

He could feel the hunger pangs piercing his stomach.

Shrimp dumplings...

-Hey Hunter! Rick Hunter!

A familiar voice made him wince.

It was a young man riding a bicycle, waving at him from across the street.

Rick realized that there were actually MANY different model cars on the street. He was enthralled.

Then he walked to the opposite sidewalk trying to dodge the passing traffic.

It was really him: maybe it would clear up some of his little doubts.

-Max!

-Hey bro!

Rick stared at him carefully: there was something odd in him.

-Where your glasses?

Max raised his eyebrows in suspicion.

-Glasses? You mean I need to wear glasses like you?

Rick put his hand over his face and took off his raybans.

-Weel, I... no, ehr nevermind...

-you didn't go back to the dorm tonight did you? I'm not surprised... and... look, Minmay is even dumber than you! But if I was you I would watch out for her cousin. I mean she's beautiful but... is it worth it?

Rick stared at him openmouthed as if he was listening to a tirade in some foreing language.

-Well, don't know about you, but I'm off, I got my test prep in the simulator.

Rick smiled sincerely

-You don't need the simulator Max. You could fly a VT with your eyes closed and upside down.

Max tilted his head.

A VT? What game you talking bout?

-Eh? Not ...uh... yes, what are you,,, actually saying Max?

Max shook his head.

-And yet I know all the new Playstation and XBOX releases..You... can you talk about that later? Get going! See ya at school!

With that, he mounted his bike and got lost in the traffic like a bolt.

-At school?

Rick jumped on a bus despite not knowing how there could be buses in the city. The sky was so clear, the sun was warm. He had to take off his jacket. Indeed, the weather had changed drastically.

I wonder if Dr. Lang do have an explanation for this?

The driver, dressed in a stylish navy blue suit, turned from the driver's seat.

-Students, we are at Robotech Academy*. All other travelers, please stay on your seat!

Rick widened his eyes and ran a hand through his hair several times.

-Robotech Academy?

The sumptuous Northern European-style building towered in front of him, standing in the middle of a huge park beautifully landscaped. The surprise was so great that he remained open-mouthed for a few moments, his face completely turned upwards, his arms detached from his body...when a set of blows to his arms and shoulders made him wince

-Hey, get out of the way!

A bunch of boys heading for the school entrance slammed him from side to side.

-Uh?

In a moment he found himself under the stairway.

Up there were three girls wearing their blue and white school uniforms. they smiled at him leaning on the railing

-Hello Rick!

Said the taller one. He felt like he knew her but wasn't sure.

He passed a hand under the nape of his neck and walked over at them.

-Hello...hm...

She actually looked like Vanessa Leeds, even if she didn't wear glasses. Obviously that day everyone had decided to get rid of their eyewear at the same time... Just at that moment another person approached from the opposite side: Rick found himself suddenly in front of her.

It was as if he was wrapped in layers of bubbles and cotton candy. The sun hurt his eyes while a wave of floral scent filled all his senses.

When he managed to focus, he shuddered.

It was her, no doubt about it...she was so young and so beautiful Rick felt blushing hard. He stared at her from head to toe, repeatedly.

She was wearing a school uniform. Her skirt was exaggeratingly short. He glanced at the white skin of her legs, the perfect shape of her knees lapped by thin blue yarn socks. Her hair was styled with little pearl hairpins.

-Lisa! I mean Captain Hayes!

he stammered

He immediately brought a hand to his brow trying to recompose his posture. He squared his shoulders and clicked his heels.

The three girls from earlier burst out into giggling.

But not her. She looked at him with hatred and outrage. He knew that look so well

-Rick Hunter!

Her voice was quivering with anger

-I already told you to stop bothering me...or better

She moved closer to him. She pointed a finger at his chest and pushed on his rib cage.

-You must stop teasing me!

Suddenly her eyes blurred and for a moment Rick felt like she was going to cry.

Lisa pulled back her hand and clutched the books tightly. Then she glanced at the girls who were still sniggering and then back at him. Her eyes were so sad

-Why you enjoy making me suffer, so much?

In an instant she had flown into the large gateway. Rick was simply astonished: what had he said that time? He glanced again at the girls, who were smiling mischievously, and then raised a hand to his chest just where she had touched him. He could still sense her scent.

-You are such a jerk Rick!

He turned around and looked at them, frightened

-Yeah, how old are you?

Rick stared in disbelief, they were teasing him!

-But I didn't do... anything!

he babbled.

The T,rio for all reply, dropped him on the staircase .

-He's so immature!

-I don't know what Lisa finds in an idiot like him!

-Well, he's kinda cute!

-I've been told he already has a girlfriend anyway...

their giggles faded into the hallway. Rick clenched his fists and headed down the same way.

The main hall was entirely lined with wood paneling. A grand staircase also made of wood dominated the entrance. Display cases and paintings embellished the room.

Rick mirrored himself in the large glass window where the school's sports trophies were on display.

-Principal Hayes has been captain of the baseball team since 1940...

he muttered, reading

But it' can't be...

Principal Hayes? Principal Donald Hayes...

-Mr. Hunter.

A piercing male voice made him wince.

-Y...es?

Rick turned around to face a massive 6'3" man with a black mustache and deep blue eyes.

-Ca...Captain Gloval!?

He wastempted bringing a hand to his brow but luckily both arms were paralyzed. Soon the man was joined by a young woman of an elegant bearing. She wore a blue and sand suit and a scarf around her neck.

-Claudia!

he gasped

She glanced at him reproachfully

-Rick! It's Ms Grant when we're at school.

-Tea... teacher ?

-How come you're not still wearing your uniform?

Said Gloval

-And yet we were clear last time with you Hunter!

Rick looked down at himself. Along with his leather jacket he was wearing some black jeans, the white tshirt from earlier, and a pair of rather battered sneakers.

-I...well...

-Mr Hunter I sympathize with your loyalty to the Air Force squadron but when you have class you must wear your school uniform.

Said Gloval wearily.

Claudia glanced at him menacingly and as they left she made an unequivocal gesture with her hand.

Rick was starting to get scared.

What the heck is going on with me? Why is everyone so weird? What am I doing in Hogwarts* ? Where the hell am I!?

He felt an unnatural heat pressing on his head.

He spotted a drinking fountain releasing a trickle of water.

He bent down to rinse his face, ran both hands over his cheeks and eyes then instantly started to feel better.

Soon the bell made his ears flicker

He noticed a bunch of students rushing up the stairs and toward the classrooms.

And me, where should I go?

He found himself sitting at a school desk in the middle of at least thirty people.

He looked suspiciously around, trying not to get noticed.

A dude in a military uniform was speaking from the teacher's desk. There were some airplane drafts hanging on the wall.

-As Professor Lang has been called back in Germany, I shall be finishing his course in quantum mechanics applied to Robotechnology!

A series of mumblings spread among the class.

-For those who don't know me yet, you can find my resume on the class website. I'm Professor Riber, Karl Riber!

Rick almost choked on his spit

he started coughing. His face was congested

-You all right down there?

Rick buried his head into his shoulders but it was too late. The teacher was coming toward him. For a moment he thought he saw a threatening look flash across his calm face.

-You all right? Ahhh!

Suddenly his face went dark: now the teacher was really looking at him with suspect and distrust

-Richard Hunter. Again you? Are you up to something else this year, or do you feel you have to be a little quieter?

-EH? ...What? I dont...

Rick met Riber's pale blue eyes: he stared at him as if seeing a ghost.

-We all know that by the end of junior year, you stole a prototype fighter to take a girl on a date!

-What I...don't, I...

Rick was blushing and paling out of control. He ran a hand through his hair multiple times.

-First of all, I... I didn't steal it! It was Roy who made me try it... I mean, if I hadn't taken her with me, she would have got killed by the Zentraedis!

A roaring laughter spread among the other classmates.

Rick was appalled. He looked around as his friends mocked him.

-I apologize. I request permission to exit!

A shrill voice cut off the giggles.

She had stood up and with a dignified stance walked toward the door. Rick could see her thin back and her long wavy hair sway as she left the classroom.

Rick gasped as Professor Riber spoke an inch from his face.

-I'm only going to say this once loud and clear Hunter. Make her suffer once more and you will have to deal with me...

His voice pierced his ears and made them hiss. It was as if he had been punched hard in the breastbone. Rick slumped, sensing the soft, springy floor.

-Come on, man! Get your goddamn knees off the floor! Rick!

Pheeeeew!

A high-pitched whistle had trailed the angry words being thrown at him. Rick was on the tatami, barefoot.

He was wearing his blue judogi. He had not recognised him. His adversary, had just delivered a fatal blow to his stomach. He coughed a lot. It hurt like hell

-So you wanna get up sissy?

But that voice...that voice was unmistakable. No, it couldn't be him. Taking a hard breath, Rick pulled his long hair back from his forehead and cast a glance around the room. -Should I train you with the girls? Do you fancy Rick?

-Oh God Roy! Oh my God! Roy!

Rick jumped to his feet, in a daze and ran across the gym until he found himself in the arms of the coach.

Almost six feet tall with long blond hair and a whistle around his neck. In all reply he pushed him away with one big hand

-What the hell is the matter with you kid?

-Roy! you' re alive me! I can' t believe it!

He could see him as back in the flying circus days. Young and suntanned. And his eyes were blue, crystal clear as ice.

-Roy!

Rick's heart was pounding.

He repeatedly turned to his fellow students but no one seemed to be interested. He tried to hug Roy again but he was pushed back.

-But... big bro...

Rick stared at him in disappointment.

He felt a hand gripping his shoulder firmly.

-Come on, buddy. You lost .

-Max... what'up?

-You've been shot down again. Yeah. Coach Fokker is really upset with you.

Max downed his gaze, but Rick saw that he was smiling slyly.

-As usual, I bested you in all disciplines. I wonder why Lisa and Minmay have not fallen in love with me yet?

Rick gave him a disgusted look:

-What the f*ck you talking about Max! And also... you' re supposed to be my friend! What are you gonna do with Minmay? And Lisa? And then ... You... you, you are married to Miriya!

Max tilted his head

-Who is Miriya?

Rick felt a rush of sickness taking hold of him.

-In addition to the prototype theft, Principal Gloval knows that your GPA has lowered considerably.

A petite red-haired man was looking down at him.

He was extremely thin and accomplished in his gestures.

-E...Exedore?

Rick couldn't believe the micronized zentraedi was handing him a mop and bucket. What...what was he doing over there?

-Maybe it will be good for you to clean the library. Here's your punishment Rick Hunter!

Rick walked sadly toward the entrance. The library was dark, lined with wood, like everything in the school, and lit only by a dozen or so green lamps.

How in the hell can you clean a room with such low lighting?

Rick huffed loudly, and most of the students lifted their heads from their books.

Grudgingly slamming the cloth down upon the table he started to dust.

I got punished again.

It's almost night and I haven't ate a thing. I wonder why I am not dead yet. Ah damn it's all so crazy.

Rick was busily cleaning the marbled table surface.

Soon it was so clean that you could reflect in it.

-Wow, you're so good at this. It's so clean I can mirror myself in it.

A voice he knew very well, and it was as if she were reading his mind.

-Li... Lisa

he mumbled

She was standing right behind him, her books clutched to her chest. She had taken off her jacket and was wearing a really tight shirt that showed off her slim waist and her perfect breasts.

Rick eagerly breathed in her scent.

-Hello Rick

she said gloomily

-You are such a mess...

then she turned around completely as if hiding her tears

No, again!?

he thought

For being in the head of the Command Center she does cry quite often.

He decided not to tell her, though. At some point he knew she was crying for him and didn't want to have Mr. Professor Riber punishing him.

-Look Lisa...

Suddenly the room was empty. There were only the two of them in that huge book-stuffed parlor.

-Lisa...

he called out again, resting his trembling hand on her shoulder.

He was right, she was crying. She turned around slowly revealing her damp eyes. They sparkled, like stars.

She looked at him in expectation.

-I know you're in love with Minmay but I... in spite of everything... I...

Rick shivered. It was true he was in love with Minmay... but now it was as if he had forgotten all about her.

Lisa sniffed.

-In spite of that... I KNOW you love me!

Rick felt a surge of heat coursing through his body. It was as if all his blood was pooled down there. She was looking at him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen.

Her red lips were parted, and the first three buttons of her shirt were unfastened, as well. Rick felt the bulges of his eyes pop open at the sight of her white skin.

-hmmm..I...

he babbled

his mouth was dead dry.

-Rick, tell me that you love me...

Lisa's fine hands rested on his chest, her fingertips running up and down rubbing his white shirt.

-Well, I... I do, of course I do...

At that moment Lisa raised an eyebrow, took her hands off Rick's body and suspiciously gazed at him.

-Did you see me naked didnt you?

Rick was now chasing her through the schoolyard. He didn't see why but it was broad daylight again, the sun shining high. A trail of F-4 fighters streaked across the sky leaving a white, shimmering cloud above them

-NO! I swear I didn't! I didn't do it on purpose!* your friends were pestering me and I...

-That's right! Mr Lingerie*! That's why they called you that! Is it the reason you asked me out!?

-HUH? No, what...wait

Lisa carried on walking and he barely held her pace.

He could see her skirt sway at every step and her hair swirling in the air. He reached out a hand, grabbed her shoulder roughly, and turned her around.

-Look miss Supergirl, okay I've been eyeing your ...breasts multiple times! And also your ... backside! But it's not my fault if you wear such skintight space suits! It's like saying "Here! look at me!" You are doing it on purpose!

Lisa stared at him in outrage.

-Spacesuits? Maybe you're confusing me with your friend from the Chinese restaurant! She is a cosplayer isnt' she?

-Uh? Minmay? What the hell does she have to do with it now, we're talking about us!

Rick was amazed at his own words.

-I mean, well...

he ran a hand over and over the back of his head. Then unwittingly he glanced again at her body.

Her cleavage was drawing him in like a magnet. He vividly remembered her soft body in his arms at the Alaska base. When she had sat in his lap, inside the canopy of his VT. Now, he could feel himself bursting with desire.

Of course he couldn't hug her there among his schoolmates and teachers, right there in the backyard of Hogwarts.

-Lisa, how about going out ...or to my place, or to your...place?

-Oh stop it Rick! You don't have a place, you are staying in the dorm, correct? And what is this, another one of your stand-up dates?

-Eh? what you mean?

-Are you going to stand me up for hours again? -Sammie and Kim both told me. Sammie and Kim told me. You were off to see Minmay!

Rick was in a cold sweat -it was true- But ...when had that happened?

-You told me to go to the restaurant- you did, damn it!

-Well I thought you wouldn't go!

Rick felt like his head could explode at any moment.

-It doesn't matter anymore. I asked my dad if I can date Mr. Riber and guess what? He said yes!

Lisa looked at him triumphantly.

Rick was shocked.

I gotta tell her he's dead, or she will suffer even more.

-What? -I... I won't... I won't let you!

Rick wrapped his hand around her wrist. He felt his fingers sink into her soft flesh: felt her as she succumbed to his touch. Her eyes were looking at him with such surrender that Rick felt melt inside.

-Lisa...

he pulled his face closer to hers, catching the scent of her hair and of her skin.

-I... won't let you get hurt, ever again!

Their lips were so close

I could kiss her now...after all, we've already kissed...twice...on Breetai's ship. Principal Gloval can't punish me for this again!

Rick stared at her intently. A few very light freckles shaded across her pink cheeks. He could see that she was blushing. Should he say something first, or just kiss her?

-Mr. Hunter!

A shrill voice made him shudder. It was the voice of the janitor Exedore, he could have bet it.

-What are you doing here? You were supposed to be cleaning the library!

Rick buried his head in his shoulders, a drop of sweat running down his back.

He awkwardly turned around, running a hand behind his head again.

-Miss Hayes! I can't believe it! what you doing with this maverick? ! If your father finds out about this...!

Lisa moved forward, clearing her throat.

-It's my fault janitor Exedore. I asked Rick Hunter... to... come out and pump up the tires on my bike!

she lied

Rick stared at her in awe, she had faked it well...

Exedore bought it, but he didn't let slip one last touch

-If so... in any case you could have asked anyone else but him: he's been shot down so many times that I doubt he could pump up a bike's wheels

-What?!

Rick grimaced at hearing his devious logic. It simply didn't make any sense. In fact, he couldn't even remember who had defeated him at the Judo match. He hoped Lisa had missed it; either way, the kissing moment was lost.

She winked at him, conspiratorially.

-I'm sorry I'm so lame...

-That's okay Rick. You always get to come out on top in the end. She smiled encouragingly and took his arm. It was just perfect the way their bodies fit together. He could feel Lisa's hip pressing against his with each step, the skin of their bare arms brushing. Rick inhaled the scents of spring from countless flowers and plants and trees whose names, blooms, and origins he had come to know, and carefully listened to the insect noises that flooded the air. They started to walk through the garden.

-Is the Earth going to be that beautiful again?

He said suddenly

Lisa turned her eyes to him, a sweet smile hovering on her lips.

-Yes Rick, the Earth will return to us...

Suddenly the red alarm sound overtook the schoolyard. Lisa and Rick gasped and immediately emerged from the dream bubble they had been in for a few minutes

-It's REDCON 4 Alert!

Her face lost all its color

Rick instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulder to protect her. Flocks of students rushed around them, running like a mad herd of sheep.

-What the heck is going on!?

-Warning!

A well known voice screeched from the speakers set up on both sides of the tower

-Warning to all the students of the Robotech Academy! Vice Principal Maistroff speaking! Everyone go to the main gym I repeat to all students go to the main gym!

-Maistroff?

Rick opened his eyes wide: he looked at his senior, or better yet, his classmate

-Lisa what that means?

She was as confused as he was

-I...I don't know? Maybe it's an anti-seismic drill?

Rick took her hand abruptly and they ran to join the trail of students rushing to the gym.

When Rick, still holding Lisa's hand, stepped in, he was blinded for a moment by the bright sunlight. At that time the small stage w was occupied by a small group of people. Because of the opposing light he couldn't see them.

Max appeared at his side

-Well Bro, it seems we have all been called up?

He glanced at Lisa and at the group of girls in front of them: it was the Bridge Bunnies and the Pin Point Barrier ladies. Rick frowned and squeezed Lisa's hand a little tighter. Something just didn't convince him.

-Something doesn't sit right with me Max. There are no quakes here in Macross!

Max tilted his head in puzzlement

-What is Macross? A new game?

-Forget it man...

at that very moment the mic hiss made the whole audience gasp. It was unbelievable, the whole gym, from the stands to the huge field was packed with kids, the future officers of the Defense Force.

-Hey! Can you hear me?

Vice principal Maistroff's booming voice was twisted with feedback.

A buzz rose from all sides.

-Yes!

shouted the students in the crowd

-Well guys, as you can see there are no earthquake drills ehhe!

Rick frowned, the sun was slowly fading away from the window and he could finally focus on the other people, who held the stage along with Maistroff

-Ehh? What the hell?!

-Rick! what up?!

Lisa muttered in concern.

He glanced at her and bit his lip.

-They were summoned to meet the new CEO of Stonewell Bellcom, the company that will be producing RDF's new variable fighter prototypes.

A roar ran through the audience, cheers and whistles of appreciation flowed through the rows.

Maistroff cleared his throat

-And that you will one day be able to fly... not all of you, and let's be clear!

Suddenly the young man next to him literally snatched the mike out of his hand: he was in his late 20s, with long straight brown hair.

-What!

Lisa gasped and let go of Rick's hand.

His palm was slippery and sweaty: he stared at her, confused

-He... he looks exactly like Mr. Riber!

Rick couldn't believe his eyes: that was Lynn Kyle! What was she doing in school, thick as thieves with Maistroff?

-Hi, I'm Lynn Kyle the Prosecutor of this city: I'm here to introduce you to the head of the society that will be developing the new Varitechs, Mr. Kamjin Kravshera!*

Rick couldn't believe his eyes: that was Lynn Kyle! What was she doing in school, thick as thieves with Maistroff?

At that point a third person came onto the stage: he was imposing, with a martial gait. He wore a long purple and black cloak. The whole audience hushed

Rick saw him: his heart started beating unsteadily, an unnamed terror washed over him. He recognized him, it was him! Those empty, evil eyes, that horrible grin... they were in a trap.

-Noooo!

His devastating scream made everyone look in his direction: but Rick, after catching his breath, shouted even louder

-NOOOOOO! He is not who he claims to be! That's a micronized zentraedi! He is Kyron the backstabber!

Upon hearing those words a buzz of worry and disbelief spread among the kids

-Rick Hunter what the hell are you saying!?

It was Lynn Kyle again, yelling into the microphone. He was pointing his finger at him; Rick didn't know how, but he felt the eyes of 100,000 people upon him.

-Zentraedis cannot be micronized!

Rick glanced around in despair.

Lisa, Max and the bridge girls eyed him warily, in disgust. Far away in the bleachers he could spot Roy, in his gym clothes shaking his head, deeply disappointed.

-Noooo!

He couldn't let that happen! He couldn't!

He took Lisa by her shoulder and started to shake her.

-Lisa, you must believe me! That guy is a scammer, Max, Roy... you must believe me!

Lynn Kyle's voice was like a horrible apocalyptic cry.

-Rick Hunter you are no match for me! You are just a failure! You've been shot down countless times!

Soon two security guards came to handcuff him and he tried to fight back as best he could with kicks and punches.

-Lisa!

he screamed

-Lisa! Don't believe him, he's not who he claims to be! He... he's not Riber!

The last thing he saw was her pale, distraught face. Her eyes wet with tears. She brought both hands to her face. Rick felt a dull thump on the base of his head and then there was... nothing.

SECOND DREAM

For a moment he felt he was floating, in the atmosphere. He remembered well, his Varitech had exploded... into a thousand pieces. And now...now he was gliding through space. Weightless. He thought back with a little longing and sadness to what he had left behind. It wasn't much, true, but it was all he had.

Suddenly his body turned upside down with no weight or gravity.

Hunter closed his eyes and slipped to the floor.

That was easy

he thought

And suddenly he started to hear the noises, so loud. He sensed extremely well the firmness of the ground, under his feet.

But... but how?

He slowly opened his eyes and an icy gust of wind swept over him, making him shiver.

Then he wasn't dead.

The skyline of the city stretched out, never-ending, before his eyes. It was new Macross. The sun was setting and the sky was of incredible shades. Brushstrokes of pale blue, yellow and deep red. Flocks of black birds formed changing shapes in the air. Rick felt his hair being mussed by the wind. He ran a gloved hand over his head, trying to tame it. The smell of the air was so vibrant and real. A mix of fuel and fumes and bright pollen, of evergreen trees. In the chill of the evening Rick could sense them.

-You're here...

said her voice

Rick felt his heart skip a beat. He turned his body, swaying the flaps of his long coat. The wind was also blowing her hair, tossing it mercilessly against her shoulders.

She was wearing a fur-lined coat and a bolshie-like hat.

Rick assumed it was the same hat she wore on the base that day, and he regretted not telling her that in that hat, she was just beautiful.

-Lisa...

He murmured. his lips were dry, but he managed to smile

She smiled back, in defeat.

-I've waited so long to meet you again, all these years...

He spread his eyes wide. They were several meters apart and he didn't know if he could walk through to reach her. Suddenly he was afraid to move. She was still staring at him, looking shy... But something had toughened in her, a severe line was crossing her forehead. Her face was white as wax. Yet she was still so beautiful. Rick's heart was pounding: he felt his palms moisten. He was nervous and at the same time prey to an intense excitement.

Lisa What should I do?

Then she moved, took a few casual steps around the lawn. Yes there was a meadow under their feet. It was... it was a cemetery!

Rick froze instantly. Lisa was carrying a small bouquet of flowers in her arms: they were plain flowers, a pale shade of pink.

-You know, it's hard finding flowers nowadays...

she appeared to read his mind

Rick grinned relieved, and wondered if he should come over to her.

She kept moving, not really going anywhere.

He felt his breath hitching. As if he was fighting a race against time.

-Lisa!

he called out to her, again

-I hoped... I longed to meet you, but you never came...

-What, I...

She glanced at him with such sad eyes: it ached. Rick knew he'd gotten it all wrong, and though he didn't know in what precisely, he was sure of that.

-You said you would never hurt me... that you wouldn't let anyone hurt me!

she said with a little sob

-It's true!

He blurted out

-I said it! Lisa, I meant it!

She shook her head, slightly swaying the fur on her hat.

-It doesn't matter anymore!

Rick felt a pang deep in his chest, deeper than any stab wound.

-But...I'm here now...

he said weakly

-I'm not sure you're happy about it though...Captain Hayes.

At that very moment she burst into a desperate sob: he slowly raised his eyelids and saw that she was crying. Like that time, on Breetai's ship, when she told him he should let her die...

-Oh Rick...

she whispered

Then, he snapped out of the numbness that had trapped him and rushed towards her, with wide strides. In a few seconds he was in front of her, so close he could feel her warmth, her scent inebriating him.

Her eyes sparkled in the last rays of sunset.

-Now you're here...

she said in a soft voice

Rick nodded, deeply moved. He felt that if he had spoken he would have broken down crying the same way.

-Rick...

Then he shut the distance between them, grabbing her by the waist. He quickly ran a hand to her shoulders brushing through the soft texture of the fur with his fingers. He grazed her jaw and cupped her soft cheek. With the other hand he clutched her waist, pressing her to his body.

A blast of wind made them shiver. And then again, the glow of the dying sun fell down on them.

Lisa...

She squinted her eyelids and tilted her face toward him. He knew now that he could kiss her.

Yes, he had done it before, that's true, but now it was as if his entire system was processing it again a thousand times more intensely.

Rick Hunter felt his body literally explode in flames, devoured by the urgency.

He squeezed her waist even tighter as he worked the tip of his tongue his way between her rosy lips. He sucked greedily on the flesh of her mouth as his fingers penetrated the thick, silky mass of her hair.

He grasped the back of her head, deepening the kiss. He felt he had never kissed like this, not even in his wildest dreams.

Lisa clung to his neck with the same passion stroking his hair and holding onto him desperately. He felt the pressure of her body so true. He wanted to touch her, he wanted her in an almost savage way. He knew she wanted the same.

When they parted they were both panting. Nevertheless Rick took her back in his arms immediately and kept kissing her face, forehead and eyes. Then he hugged her tightly

-Let's go away.

he said breathing on her hair.

-Let's go somewhere we can be alone.

Lisa lifted her face gently, their eyes met.

-Do you want me to go in a hotel with you?

Rick was going to say yes

Sure, a hotel, or any place, any place that wasn't that wind-whipped cemetery.

-Rick... I...

she swallowed hard

-I'm married. And so you are.

-What?!

He slightly pulled out of her embrace and stared at her in dread.

Lisa was still smiling sadly, even her eyes were so sorrowful...

She took his left hand and gently brought it up to their faces.

A gold wedding ring glittered in his finger.

Rick turned pale. He couldn't believe it

-But...but...how...when...

-I asked you to tell me if you loved me and you said yes

Rick nodded...he remembered it so clearly.

-But then, but then...you married Minmay!

She pulled away from him but kept holding his hand. She started walking slowly. By now the horizon was at twilight.

-And you... you...

-I...

-I married Alex Louan!

She cried out in despair. The wind tousled her hair incessantly: her honey brown hair almost dark in the dim light..

Rick squeezed her hand and pulled her back, holding her close again.

-This can't be! Why would you do this!?

He was bewildered

He squeezed her wrist tightly. He felt his fingertips dig into her soft flesh. Lisa let go a hurt sound but did not move.

She looked up at him from down below, totally succumbing to his touch. She looked at him with love, and with a terrible sadness.

-Why did you marry him, Lisa...! Why?

-I didn't want to be alone anymore, I... I just couldn't live anymore since... since you died!

Lisa tugged from his grip and raised both her hands to her face. A cry of pain ran through her throat.

Rick looked at her back and shoulders shaken by sobs: she was trembling from head to toe, overcome by a pain beyond remedy: then suddenly she collapsed on the grass and she passed a hand on a marble slab stuck in the ground, tenderly.

Instinctively he squatted beside her. startled. He brought a hand to her shoulder but then...

His heart skipped a beat when he saw what was inscribed on the slab.

Captain Richard Hunter

November, 4th 1990

December, 22 2010

For Valor and Loyalty to Planet Earth

in Perpetual Memory

Rick felt his strength leave him. He wanted to tell her that not all was lost, that he was there for her, and that it was true, he did love her... but his strength left him almost immediately. His heart ceased to beat. Lisa's flowers were carried away by the wind and ruined, and their petals were lost...into the distance. Rick closed his eyes.

THIRD DREAM

The night was peaceful, bugs never stopping tuning their chant in the warmth of the summer night. An ensemble of night birds was letting go a hypnotic cry in the fresh countryside

Rick Hunter cracked his eyes open with a small tug. In the fall he had slammed his shoulder and arm in a specific spot where an old memory still ached. Rick swallowed and ran a hand through his hair, kneeling on the soft, cool grass.

He inhaled with delight the sweet scent of the surroundings.

Everything felt so heightened, smells, colors, sounds... he heard a voice

-Hey! That' s really you! Hey!

Rick turned three-quarters squinting into the darkness.

-It's definitely you boss!

Rick sharpened his ears. A slight chill ran through his skin.

That voice... could it be?

-Be... Ben?

he stammered: his tongue was numb.

A tall, imposing figure was making his way through the thick trees. He was dressed in white, and when he was in front of him Rick could see that he was still in his flight suit.

With a leap he got to his feet, standing firmly on the grass.

-I'll be darned... Ben Dixon! Is that you man!?

Rick was sincerely shocked

-It's me, boss! Took you long enough! How you doing?

Ben stood at attention squaring his shoulders and placing a hand to his forehead.

-I mean, welcome...here... Commander Hunter!

Rick grinned with joy, and rushed towards him. As he approached he noticed that his subordinate was fully dressed in his spacesuite and also wearing gloves. His feet, however, were completely bare and covered in mud up to the ankles. This detail made his back froze... yet he said nothing.

-It's so good to see you boss!

Ben Dixon grabbed him by the waist and lifted him up to a hug.

At that moment Rick could clearly see the patch of the starry sky above his head. The stars were so bright and still, motionless in the blackest sky.

-But... but... I do know this place.

He looked all around. The fresh vegetation gave off an intoxicating scent. Newly cut hay and an never-ending fields of corn

-Of course you know it!

Ben slapped him on the back, making him wince. Rick groaned but didn't stop looking around.

-But this... this is...This is Alice's farm!

He exclaimed excitedly

-I can't believe everything is still here!

He glanced back at Ben Dixon with delight.

-Come on buddy... here there must be an old bench where...

Rick walked on, inciting his friend to chase him. He crouched down in the middle of the grass and bushes. Soon a small bench of wood and iron appeared behind a rose grove. The roses were small and pale, covered with dew.

-This...this is the bench where I hid my arm!

Rick carefully rummaged under the seat, feeling the ground. Then he lifted himself up and pulled it out! It was a human arm, broken off at the level of the elbow: it was perfectly preserved. It looked mostly like a teenager's forearm.

-Look at it! I got fractured it during a riot between the anti UEG supporters and RDF* soldiers... I hid it here not to scare my dad! And... and... it's incredible, it's still here! Check out Ben!

Ben looked at him and nodded encouragingly, several times.

-Everything is still here.

He said enigmatically.

Then he pointed with his index finger to a glow, a few miles outside the garden.

A lamp light swayed with the breeze at the entrance of the shed. Rick widened his eyes and mouth

-What... is that possible?

He took a few steps toward that green light that mesmerized him. It was the shed, the old shed at Alice's place where... where he and Pops used to keep their planes!

Isn't everything supposed to be destroyed? And if it isn't, how is it possible there is still someone down there?

He could hear voices, some laughter. A noise of scrap metal and tools being banged.

Tailed at a distance by Ben Dixon, Rick finally reached the entrance of the huge shed.

The smell of diesel and fuel ignited his nostrils and eyes, making them water.

The doorway was dimmly lit. Yet he could already see the old orange muzzle of his partner in so many adventures. The glass on the canopy was upturned and he could also catch a glimpse of the aged blue seat.

The Mockinbird...*

he thought

my Mockingbird...

Rick walked ahead into the lamplight, his hands outstretched. He wanted to touch it to believe it: he placed his palms on the battered frame and then slowly, rested on a cheek.

His old banger. Yet he thought he had lost it in the depths of the SDF1...

-Hey little brother! What you up to? A sudden love attack?

On hearing that voice, his heart leapt even faster.

-What... Roy?

cried in a shrill voice

He was in front of him, in one of the jumpsuits they used in the workshop. His sleeves were patched up to the elbow and he, like Ben, was barefoot and his feet were smeared with mud.

Rick paled, unable to speak.

-What's the matter? You look like you've just seen a ghost. Come on, get dressed, we're fixing the old mockinbird!

Roy twirled the monkey wrench in the air. The tool made a perfect circle around his head and landed in his own fist.

-But I...

-Roy... Rick has just arrived. Let him in the house at least, to take a little rest...

A sweet female voice made him wince.

Rick blinked a few times.

-A... Aries?!*

he mumbled

The young doctor was wearing one of those shapely dresses that Roy was so fond of. Her small eyeglasses sparkled on her little nose. It had been a thousand years since he had last seen her.

-What's up little brother?

She said warmly. She took a step toward him, and Rick saw that she, as well, had dirt and mud all over her feet.

Aries ran a hand over his face, carefully stroking his hair.

-You've grown...

-He's really grown up, you know? He got to fly my plane. The Skull 1!

said Roy mockingly.

Rick blushed. He clenched his fists-he was ashamed.

-I...I didn't do it because I just wanted to! I had to do it because... because...why?

Why did I have to do that?

His memories were fading. He could see Roy, Aries and Ben, with their bare feet, smiling at him so gently.

And then Rick saw it. The porch of Alice's house, lit by a thousand lamps of different shapes and lots of candles. The house was wooden, painted a pale shade of blue. Above, almost under the roof, the window of his room was lit felt his heart pounding. He smiled, showing a small dimple along his left cheek. He looked again at Roy and he nodded his head in approval. Then Rick started to run, along the cobblestone, winding his way along the path he had taken countless times as a boy, before the war broke out, before the Zentraedis attacked.

When he was so happy, when life was so easy...

He ran at breakneck speed until he was almost under the steps leading to the front porch. He gasped, resting his palms on his knees, desperately trying to catch his breath.

There, on the rocking couch was Pops. Mitch Hunter, his father. He still wore that Jolly Rogers hat, worn out by the wear and tear.

Mitch smiled, and from under his hat a blue eye glowed.

-Son, take a breath!

-Pops!

Rick couldn't believe his eyes!

He felt his heart race. He could hear his own deafening pounding in his ears.

-Dad...

he murmured again

-Hey! You' out of practice?

Mitch stood up

-Get over and sit down here boy... Alice!

he shouted to the door

-Get Rick a beer! He's about to choke to death! Hahahah!

Rick couldn't trust his eyes. He wanted to hug his father. How long had it been? Yet it seemed like not even an hour had passed for Mitch. He sat shyly beside him in the rocking chair. With sorrow he noticed that his father's feet too were bare and covered in wet dirt.

-Rick!

Alice Fisher* popped up on the ledge, resting both hands on her hips.

-You were running through the fields again, weren't you?

-Get him a beer, he's fine!

cut off Mitch

-Forget it... I'll bring you an iced tea!

-A...Alice...

murmured Rick

Then he heard her shouting from the far end of the room.

-Jessica!* Jessie honey, come downstairs!

Rick blushed severely.

What?

-What?

he babbled

-Jessie's in here?

Mitch burst out laughing hard.

-Boy, you gotta get her out of your head! You are still into her huh?

-He put a hand on his head, making him get nervous.

-What the hell... no, of course not Pops! I have another girl now.

Mitch looked interested. He placed his glass on the table and gazed deeply into Rick's eyes.

-Ah well. That must be her, the girl who has come asking for you!

Rick winced

-She came asking for me?

Who could be? Did Minmay come all this way to Sacramento...or...?

Alice and Jessica walked out onto the porch. They were carrying a tray each, full of drinks and fruit.

-I heard that fruit is radioactive... where you live.

said Jessie

Rick eyed her over and over, from head to toe. She was stunning. She had on one of her light floral dresses that showed off her cleavage. Her long legs were tanned and filled with freckles...not to mention her feet, were covered in sludge.

-Hey Hunter, don't look at me like that, it's a rumor... and... I didn't mean to offend your friend, anyway.

-Ah yeah, Jessie, tell him who's the girl who came for him!

Jessica sat down on a step of the staircase and passed a strand of hair behind her ears.

For a moment she looked sad. Then she glanced down the street.

-Rick I'm sorry!

She snapped

-She was in uniform, and you know I hate the military!

Alice swiped a hand over the top of her head.

-This behavior of yours is gonna cause you problems. Rick, I'm sorry Jessie has been rude to your girlfriend!

Rick stood up. So it was Lisa! It was Lisa who had come all the way to Sacramento to see him...so...why? At the very thought his entire body started to warm up. He could feel the palms of his hands sweating. He clenched his fists

-Where is she now!?

-We chased her away

said Roy sharply as he emerged from the darkness.

-But... but why?

Rick's eyes widened, he couldn't believe that after her long trip from Alaska, they had simply dismissed her at the door.

-But... oh, come on! What kind of way is that? Roy!? Dad? Alice? That's not fair!

Rick took a few steps across the floor. The wooden boards creaked.

Mitchell breathed heavily, exasperated.

-You're always the same old thick head.

-What you mean, Dad?!

-We just want to be with you!

-Yes! yes, we do!

Jessica blurted out.

Her eyes were filled with tears. She hid her face in her knees and burst out crying.

Aries and Ben too had a disappointed look on their faces.

Mitch let out a painful sound. Then he struggled up and placed a hand on Rick shoulder. He squeezed slightly and Rick felt all the love from his father in that grip.

-Boy, at least go upstairs and say hello to your mother. Will you?

What?

-My...mother...?

Mitch glanced at him confidently, nodding a couple of times.

-What do you mean? Is she ...

-Come on boy! Go upstairs!

Rick ended up in the front room of the ancient house: all the lamps were on. Every corner was enlightened. He climbed the steps quickly, two by two. The light, falling from the large dormer window on the roof, was dazzling and everything was covered in a luminous dust.

Rick pulled open the door of the bedroom, her bedroom. How could he remember that?

And yet he could.

He saw a black-haired little boy climbing into bed. She was there, wrapped in the covers. They were both blurred in a glowing slime. He could not see her face.

It was painful. Seeing her face was all he had always wanted.

-Rick.

Her voice was pure happiness. It was inside him.

The boy held a glass of water with both hands. She lifted her tiny hand and grabbed it.

-Rick, my sweet Rick.

-Mommy...*

His voice overlapped with the child's. Then they both turned to look at him.

The boy and the woman stared at him but he could not see their faces because of the light. He tried to take a few steps toward them but the door started to rattle on its hinges, gave a yank and shut with a big bang.

Rick gasped in surprise. And for a moment he couldn't breathe.

Now he was alone on the large balcony. Then he felt the touch of a hand... small, smooth fingertips that shyly searched for his hand.

-Rick.

Her breath on his ear made him shiver. Goosebumps spread down his entire arm, all the way to his back and the nape of his neck. He looked back abruptly

-Lisa! Captain Hayes, is that you?

She was fully dressed in her yellow and white flight suit. Her long, mussed hair brushed her waist. She wore no makeup and Rick could clearly see the tiny little freckles on the top of her nose. He gazed at her again for a long time. Unlike everyone else, she was not barefoot but had on her regulatory anti-gravity boots.

-What you doing here?...

he said, dropping his voice

She stared at him in surprise, as if the question was rhetorical.

-They told me... Roy and Dad, they...they told me you were gone.

Lisa shook her head resolutely and her hair, split into thick, heavy locks, swirled in the air.

-I'm not going... without you.

Rick felt his heart fill with joy. He was happy to be there, with his family and all, but he had a feeling Lisa Hayes was incredibly much more real. She was looking at him with such hope, so sweet and so inviting.

When a sound like wood smashing, made them both turn, she reached for his hand. Her palm was soft and warm. Her touch gentle. Their fingers intertwined

-But what's going on...?

The balcony with the large staircase was slowly crumbling before their eyes. A cloud of dust surrounded them.

-Rick, we have to go out from the back.

Without letting go of their hands, they hurried down the stairs, while the top of the house fell apart bit by bit, soundlessly.

They were close. Rick walked through the dimly lighted kitchen, still holding Lisa's hand in his. He cast a regretful glance at every single piece of furniture, and fixture, and picture in the room.

He recalled everything so clearly...

Rick grasped the worn knob and stepped outside.

The noise of the crickets flooded his senses. It was a hypnotic sound as compelling as the stillness of space. Yet he sensed her presence. She had not let go of his hand

-Rick!

His father's voice was imperious, and also a little sad.

He turned, trying to cover Lisa's body with his own.

-Dad...

-So you decided to leave, huh?

Rick felt a trickle of icy sweat running down his neck...

Pops, Alice, Jessica... and Roy and Aries and Ben, even that little boy from just before, were all lined up in front of him, staring at him with extreme sorrow and regret.

He could feel Lisa, at his back, trembling with fear.

-Stay with us little brother...

Roy said: his eyes moist

-Yes, you're here now...

Rick was sorely tempted. That was his home. His family. Finally a place to rest. But then he felt her hand. She desperately clutched at him

-Rick...oh, Rick...

she looked at him, begging.

-Please come back...

-Captain Hayes...

She took both his hands and clasped them between hers. Then she stared at him again. It seemed to Rick that the sun had risen, or some strange bright planet had shown up on the horizon, behind her. Her hair was burning a wild shade, like flames and embers, and her green eyes glowed bright.

-Rick... come back... come back to me...

He looked over his shoulder once more, silently waving at those fading figures in the darkness.

Then he returned to rest his gaze on her.

She stroked his hands lovingly, he could feel her touch. She was real.

Yes he had decided. He wanted to go back.

He felt gravity violently dragging him from its center. He felt his body being pulled down to the core of the Earth. He could still feel her hand. A noise like a waterfall escorted him in his fall. Then slowly, one piece at a time, his soul returned.

His consciousness lifted like a sheet and lay back on him. He squinted, his eyelids trembling.

-Lisa... Captain Hayes... is that you?

Aside from the occasional hazy flashes and fleeting sensations Rick could remember nothing about those coma-induced dreams.

That Christmas Eve, as New Macross was being battered by a new round of snow, he and Lisa were together.

He was happy.

-Oh come on, you can't eat it all!

Lisa burst out laughing, waving a plastic fork in the air. She had taken off her fur jacket and was curled up on the bed. She looked chill and relaxed. The cake wasn't too bad either, considering it was made of lyophilized ingredients.

Rick was scooping out the full rim of the whip cream with his spoon.

-Heyyy, let me feed! I'm a miserable war veteran, after all!

-Is this the last of your new excuses, Captain Hunter?

Lisa burst into a giggle. Rick stared at her as she squinted her eyes in too much laughter... In a way he felt proud to have made her laugh like that. He thought haughtily he was the only one who could do it.

Commander Hayes... She looked so pretty in that red dress.

Rick lingered a minute longer on the skin of her thighs, right where the hem of her dress would end. Lisa noticed it and stopped laughing. Their eyes met. Then she dropped her fork on the nightstand and he did the same with his spoon, tossing it on the sheet. Rick lifted abruptly on the bed, placing his palm on the mattress where she was laying and brushed the skin of her legs. Lisa held her breath.

It was like suddenly time had stopped. She felt him shudder and all of her guards were down.

A sudden knock on the door made them wince. They parted sharply. Lisa jumped out of bed and started mechanically stroking her hair and dress.

-Commander Hunter, I'm sorry

the nurse from the front desk popped her head out from the edge of the door, discreetly.

-Visiting hours are over... a while ago, I' m sorry Captain...

-Oh, of course!

Retorted Lisa, blushing

-I have to go!

she went on in a shrill voice .

-Of course!

said Rick, even more embarrassed.

The woman grinned.

-Well, I'll leave you to your goodbyes then. And Merry Christmas...

-Merry Christmas to you!

The two young officers replied at the same time

Lisa looked at him with regret. That moment was gone.

She sighed, as she turned to put on her coat. As she was fastening the heavy buttons, she felt his hand wrap around her wrist. She felt him pull her toward the bed. And she didn't fight back.

Rick.

Now she was unable to meet his eyes. If she had.. she' d have seen that he was fluushing too.

-I... I wanted to thank you again for... for everything.

Lisa stood motionless.

-Don't even say it Rick.

They remained silent. She was bent over the bed and he was still holding her wrist, gently. When he realized that he was, he let her go, abruptly.

-Oh sorry I'm sorry I...

Lisa took a deep breath

-I really have to go...

-Yeah, sure.

he said

-You... will you come...again...?

Lisa nodded emphatically

-Every time I could!

Rick grinned

-Lisa, you're a lifesaver, you know that?

-You're saying it a lot, I could get used to it, you know?

They both giggled. Then Lisa leaned slightly closer to him. She wanted to give him a hug or maybe just touch his shoulder, but he turned his head at once: their faces were suddenly close, so close that their noses touched. Rick simply stopped thinking. He tilted his head and brushed his lips against hers. They stayed motionless for endless moments. Neither of them got the nerve to make a move.

But then Rick parted his lips slightly and covered her mouth with his and soon, her warm, wet mouth spread like a flower, letting him in. Their tongues touched softly. Lisa could taste the whipped cream mixed with the flavor of his breath. Her heart was racing as her brain stopped working. Rick passed one hand behind her head and pulled her close. With the other hand he stroked her leg from her knee up to her hip. She could feel his warmth through the thickness of her coat.

A sharp dizziness washed over her, as she clutched the neck of his sweatshirt tightly, and surrendended to his arms.

To be continued

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

A few seconds passed before Rick realized what he was really doing. It was as if his alert consciousness had totally left him. It had never been 100% these days. The medication and medical coma affected him as if dazed. Sometimes he felt as if he were floating in a dream of which he remembered nothing but intense emotions. But at that moment he opened his eyes and his lashes got caught in the soft strands of Lisa's hair. Honey-gold hair with an auburn tinge and a heady scent .. They were Still liplocked, Rick's hand firmly squeezing her waist.

-Li... Lisa...I'm...I'm sorry!

He murmured as he pulled himself out of the embrace.

He felt flushing heavily and his breath was ragged. As she, likewise, turned away, Rick focused on her face. Her cheeks too were burning flames. She ran a hand through her hair, repeatedly, as she always did when she was nervous. She rolled out of the bed. Rick could swear that at hearing his words her eyes were flashed with a hint of pain. But she promptly recomposed her face. She was still touching her hair and tugging down her red dress, squeezing the hem.

-I... I'm sorry... as well...

Rick pulled himself up and sat on the bed, running a hand through his thick hair. He was simply shocked. He was still tasting the feel of her lips. Of her tongue entwined with his. It had been so good.

Why did they both say they were sorry? What was wrong with what had just happened?

Rick stared at the patterns of the celestine blanket on the bed, unable to utter another word.

But Lisa did come to his aid.

-I ... I ... I don't want to interfere between you and Minmay ... Rick-I ...

At that moment a wave of heat flooded his chest. He turned to look at her, frowning.

Why did she come up with Minmay now?

Rick got nervous.

-There is no...

he started...

-How to say it? He did not know what words to use and how to convey his feelings, his thoughts, in an understandable way. His voice came out harsher and sourer than he expected. His tone was angered

-There is nothing between me and Minmay! Didn't you notice yet?

I'm not committed... to anyone.

Lisa gasped to hear those words, that cold, surly voice. She could not believe they were coming from the same young man who seconds earlier had hugged and kissed her so tenderly. It was ever so with Rick.

An aimless desolation , such a familiar feeling, seized her. She roughly grabbed her bag and put it over a shoulder.

-It doesn't matter Rick.

She said bitterly as she fastened her crumpled coat.

-Let's forget everything.

Her voice had turned stiff. Cold as ice.

Now it was Rick's turn to wince. But how? She... she had just kissed him so... so warmly. She had caressed him as no one had in a long time, letting herself go softly on his body. And now, she regretted it all. So rapidly...

Maybe that was why she had mentioned Minmay. Rick was not even sure where the frenzied flow of his thoughts was taking him. He only felt a huge resentment, a helpless rage.

-Of course!

he said in a shrill voice which he immediately tried hard to temper.

-Let's not think about it anymore. Good night Lisa.

She let go a muffled sigh.

She glanced at him and saw that there was a storm in his eyes. Yet he kept his face composed in a politely resentful look.

-Y...Yes...

she murmured.

She instinctively took a few steps backward, like a crab. She saw that he was carefully staring at her and felt awkward, unsteady. Maybe she was not as pretty as Claudia, the girls, and Alex had told her. At least not to Rick. Maybe she had not been a good kisser. That thought hurt her deeply. Except for Rick, the only guy she had ever kissed was Karl. It had been so long. Lisa was still a vulnerable girl, insecure and immature in many ways,. The dread of suffering held her deep inside.

As she escaped for the umpteenth time, down the stairs of the New Macross hospital she complained at herself for being so weak.

She no longer had to let down her guard with him. She clutched the fur on the collar of her coat and walked into the dim light of the street lamps.

She glanced back for a moment and looked toward the third floor where Rick's room was still faintly lit.

I must not cry for him, I... I will never, never... again.

she ordered herself as she walked away toward the military quarter. A new snowfall was approaching the city, blowing icy winds from the distant peaks of the Alaskan mountains.

Christmas passed and so did New Year's Eve. The Zentraedis seemed to be happy about the holidays, at least those who had chosen to live as humans. Even the Malcontents were giving a break, temporarily hiding in their burrows in the Amazon boundary. Lieutenant Max Sterling had received a discharge to spend a few days with his wife. Miryia's tummy was big already. The baby was to be born in March. The young blue-haired pilot sat slackly in a chair in front of Rick Hunter's bed and was listlessly scrolling through the local offering channels. MBS was broadcasting old Christmas movies and the political news.

In the meantime he was relentlessly dipping into a bowl of cookies.

-You've got a tan, arent you?

Rick said lamely.

Max glanced distractedly at him.

-Hu, oh, yes. Pretty spectacular heat. We sat in our undies under that radioactive sun the whole time. 40 degrees in the daytime. 5 degrees in the evening. A freaking heatwave... These cookies are tasty, you know.

-Claudia brought in.

He said scornfully.

He was aware that Lisa had baked it. However, since that Christmas night she had not visited him again. They had been in touch occasionally, by text. Mainly she was asking him how he was doing with his health. They did not talk about the two of them, about that kiss. Rick was starting to doubt that it had actually ever happened.

-Rick.

suddenly Max's cheerful face became serious.

-I did learn that the Valkyria project has been temporarily shelved.

Rick winced. He pulled himself up on the bed.

-What...I... yes, I have ...I got news from Lang. I don't know very much really.

Max tapped his thigh with one hand.

-Come on, man! I'm sure as soon as you recover you'll be back flying that damn new VT!

-My VF-4 blew up into a thousand pieces. God knows why I didn't blow up into a thousand pieces myself. I don't think Lang will entrust me with such a big project again.

Max gripped his shoulder with one hand. His hold was steel.

-Don't say what I think you are about to say boss.

Rick looked at him-Max's gaze had acquired a new tinge he did not know. He looked more grown-up and more serious than ever. He would have said he was the younger of the two now.

-Don't call me boss I'm no longer...

-You are going back to piloting, Rick. Your team is waiting for you. Besides, Lang will never give up on the VF-4 project. It's for the Colonization Task, remember?

Rick ran a hand through his hair with a nod.

Yeah, yeah I know..

He knew. Someday a new fleet would leave for the stars, to search the unknown for a new planet ready to embrace mankind ... and ensure a future for the children of the world to come. It was a thought that anguished him deeply. He knew that one day he would have to take a stand on it. But now-now he didn't want think about it.

-Rick are you asleep?

He lifted himself up a little more on the pillows.

-Max-in four days I will be released...I have a few days alone at home.

-Great! Have you made any plans yet? Miriya and I could help you settle in. After all, it has almost been two weeks that you been here in the hospital.

-Oh don't worry Max

-Really, I do insist...

At the Command Center, the mood was laid back. Commander Hayes, at her station, silently surveyed the airspace around New Macross. The snowfall had become so intense in those days that it had been imperative to have the control tower radars constantly on.

Alpha, Apollo, and Skull Squadrons, this one temporarily led by James Ranmson, were rotating in patrolling the city and its far borders up to Granite and Monument.

The Lightning III project had been put on an indefinite hiatus.

However, Lang was still working relentlessly with his team, on the new fighter. Lisa knew that they would soon be back on the Factory satellite. The VF4 fiasco still burned like an open wound.

To each and every one of them.

Lisa knew that the air traffic officers summoned from Apollo to lead the tests would soon return to their former positions as well.

A beep from her smartphone made her wince.

Alex.

It was, as always, a text from him. After that night, at the Christmas party, he had realized that perhaps, Lisa Hayes did not want his company: not the way he did. They had not crossed paths since, not in the military mess, not in the long hallways of the base and at the Command Center.

Until New Year's Eve: the snow storms were giving a reprieve to New Macross City. The sky was high, clear and cold, and the moon was extraordinarily huge and white.

Lisa was at UEG Headquarters, at Gloval's bureau.

A late meeting to provisionally freeze the Lightning III project and relegate it permanently to the year 2010. No aftermath. Lang was here, along with his staff. Commodore Gloval, General Maistroff, General Leonard, Claudia and the four air traffic controllers from Apollo, were present, as well. Their placement would also be discussed.

The test pilots were not attending, let alone their leader, Captain Hunter, who was still recuperating in the hospital.

Alex Louan searched for her gaze from across the huge horseshoe table.

Lisa gasped. It was a sad, sad evening. The whole project was going into the garret until a later date. It was certainly not the end-of-the-year night anyone had expected.

After having deliberated about a possible rebuild of the three leftover prototypes, Lang put his final signature: he and his staff would proceed with the work on the Factory Satellite.

-I'm gonna miss the Earth.

said Gena Bartlow with a big sigh.

-In fact, I was counting on staying a lot longer ...

At those words, Lisa's heart took a leap and she turned to look into Alex's direction. He, too, gazed back at her with a resigned look. She blushed.

Claudia and Lisa stopped on the staircase leading to the grand avenue of New Macross  to enjoy the view. The young commander rested a hand on the frozen railing listening intently to the festive music coming from downtown. The celebrations were getting started.

Claudia eyed her with concern, Lisa was strangely silent and she had not been able to have a chat with her, two chats other than strictly essential ones, for two weeks.

-So!

she said cheerfully

-We can make a toast to the brand New Year!

A small wrinkle appeared on her white forehead.

-I don't...

-You don't think so, do you? Would you rather hole up in your room for the hundred thousandth time after a devastating day of work?

Lisa frowned.

Claudia was genuinely worried. She glanced at her carefully and saw that her pale face was even more gaunt and dark circles surrounded her green eyes.

-Come on, just a couple of drinks, after all it's New Year's Eve!

Lisa hinted a smile.

At that moment an excited noise of chattering and footsteps reached behind them.

-Let's go eat Chinese! I am begging you on my knees!

-No way! I want to eat a huuuuge steak!

-We're in Alaska you genius! Nothing but whale steak round here!

It was Gena Bartlow and Laslo Zand, bickering as usual.

-Ah yeah, so why don't we let our fellow officers decide? Lieutenant Louan what do you think?

Lisa turned instinctively to face Alex and the other Apollo officers.

Upon seeing the two High Commanders everyone snapped to attention.

-Captain Hayes!

-Major Grant!

Claudia smiled as she saw their eased faces. You could see a mile away that none of them had gone through the war.

-Good evening to you!

She said fondly. Lisa did not speak.

Then Gena gracefully arranged her hat on top of her head.

-Major Grant, Comander Hayes, the rest of us from Apollo...we were just figuring out where to dine for New Year's Eve...for the last time before we leave Earth! But we cannot get it together!

-Of course because Dr. Bartlow as usual wants to impose her will on us.

said Zand sourly.

-For me everything is fine and then...

At hearing those words Lisa froze. Her eyes focusing on the tips of her shoes.

So the Lightninig III project team would be sent back to the Factory satellite. And Alex with them.. A dull ache made its way through her chest. And she, she had been unable even to reciprocate his kindness once.

I really am a bitch...

she suddenly thought

I really am the Ice Queen...

She lifted her gaze and met his. It was a look she could decipher. Distance, disappointment, compassion. It was certainly not a cheery look.

She made a few steps, awkwardly, and ran a hand through her hair.

-Then it's decided, we are with you!

-Huh?

Lisa pulled herself out of her reverie and realized that Claudia had eagerly agreed to escort the officers to the Nyan Nyan

-No, Claudia I...

said Lisa with a hint of a voice, but the excitement of the crew silenced her.

Alex flanked her as they headed toward the downtown area brightly lit up for the celebrations

-Hello Lisa.

-Hello Alex I...

She would have wanted to say that she had been busy and had not had the chance to return texts and calls. But the truth was that she had avoided him. She didn't really know why.

The cheerful talk of other comrades was surrounding them.

-I'm so thrilled to finally see Minmay's restaurant!

Said a young air traffic controller.

-I'm more excited about the shrimp dumplings!

-Oh yeah I'm going to eat a whole basket

-I wonder if it might be possible to catch a glimpse of Kyle... is so charming!

Claudia smiled and then peered over her shoulder. Lisa and Alex were walking apart, shut in clunky silence. The woman shook her head, wondering if one day her friend would finally find her happiness.

So they had ended up at Minmay's restaurant. It was full of patrons, including lots of Varitech pilots, as always.

But Aunt Lena, who knew Lisa since the Space War, gave them a big important table, set behind a divider.

Alex rushed to sit by her side, while Claudia took a seat in front of them.

So Captain Hayes, you're a celebrity here at Nyan Nyan.

exclaimed Gena Bartlow.

-Oh no... no... I

Lisa passed a hand over her face, nervously.

-It's just that, a long time ago during an attack, I took care of the restaurant while the owners were seeking their son in the hospital...*

-You mean Lynn Kyle?

She replied with delight.

-He Himself...

-Oh how I would love to meet him!

said the doctor.

-Don't think idyllically of him Gena.

warned Claudia.

-I don't think Kyle would be as happy about seeing us.

The officers stared at her in amazement.

-Yeah its...

Lisa said in a low voice.

-It can no longer be denied that he has taken a rigid anti-militarist: he always has been but after the war his own convictions led him to attack RDF openly

Alex stared at Lisa in awe.

-But what, is this possible? After all that the military did for the people on the SDF1! and even now during Reconstruction...

-In spite of that it is so... furthermore it really has many supporters among the survivors.

said Lisa bitterly.

Everyone was disappointed. They could not believe that the Space War idols were hostile to the military.

-And what about Minmay?

On hearing her name Lisa sighed. The truth was that although she had been away for months, her ghost perpetually hovered over her no matter what she did and wherever she was. She thought of Rick, alone in a hospital room, and her face darkened.

Claudia noticed it immediately and switched the topic.

-Minmay is touring to bring her music to nearby cities.

You'll see, you' ll come across her soon here in New Macross.

-Oh I don't think so

Zand said dryly.

-What do you mean?

Gena Bartlow rested a hand on her cheek and huffed

-That's right Major Grant. The rest of us will all be back on Apollo, in the wink of an eye!

Lisa gasped: she turned right away to her

-What? You mean you will be moved back to the Factory Satellite?

Instinctively she gazed to her right, straight into Lieutenant Louan's eyes.

-You ... you air traffic controllers, as well?

He nodded without managing to utter a sound

-Yeah, that's a bummer.

Mumbled another officer.

-I would have gladly stayed on Earth but ...

-The VF4 project is all to go again and...

Their mutterings and complaints were soon shushed as the waiters brought pitchers of wine and sake and all sorts of delicious Chinese food. The young officers toasted copiously with sincere happiness and glee.

Lisa had walked to the balcony. From above she could see the patrons having fun downstairs here there was a crowded Karaoke station.

-A cent for your thoughts.

said a soft voice from behind her back.

She smiled sadly

-Just a cent? I was at least hoping for one Aussie dollar.

He burst out laughing, showing his bright-white teeth on his plump lips.

Discreetly he leaned on the balcony beside her. In his hand a tiny bowl of sake.

Lisa did not know how to start the conversation. So she just said.

-So you leaving.

He flinched: he had hoped she would talk to him about it but had decided not to say a word.. He longed to be with her but sensed that Lisa had put a wall between them.

-Well, Captain Hayes...

Lisa tightened up. She heaved herself up clutching the handrail with excessive vigor. Her knuckles whitened.

She wanted to tell him that she was sorry, and that she would like him to stay on Earth.

After all, he was an early friend. But sometimes it seemed to her that all that remained of her past were just old memories, frailer than a far dream.

He would have liked to take her hand but Lisa was so cold, so distant.

He recalled so well the young freshman at the Robotech Academy, so shy as well as haughty. She seemed to be from another world, and maybe she was. But then Karl fell in love with her, and Alex had stepped aside: maybe there was nothing left of that fascinating young girl. Yet the promise he had made to Riber, he could not forget.

"Take care of her for me."

-Lisa...

She turned to him, embarrassed.

-Yes, Alex?

-I can request the HR to change my destination.

He said all in one breath. He felt that he was blushing and a great warmth rising from his chest to his ears.

-My position is also required here at the air base, and I could keep up the work here, at New Macross...

Lisa, on hearing those words fell silent. She didn't know if it was the drinks or that immediate revelation she perhaps wished to hear but she felt her legs softening abruptly. She crossed her ankles taking a unsteady pose.

-You...

she said

Alex clenched his jaw tightly, thinking it was now or never.

-Just say yes and tomorrow I will ask for my retirement from Apollo. I will stay on earth.

He took a ragged breath.

-I will stay with you.

Lisa widened her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by an undefined feeling. Delight, flattery, longing. Suddenly all her loneliness flashed before her. The long sleepless nights, the panic attacks, and her heart exploding: all this made her wither away more and more each day. The love she felt for Rick Hunter was drying her up like a parasite.

-Alex

she murmured with a faint smile.

-You don't have to make such a decision for me. Your career is at stake. Besides, that's a senseless motivation, to say the least.

She tried to look commanding but her eyes were moist and languid, while his were shiny with anticipation.

-Is the most sense motivation I could ever come up with. Working on Earth represents a great challenge for me. On both a military and human scale. And then here ... here there's you.

he said again, without ceasing to stare at her so intensely.

It seemed so crazy to her, but only he, in all those years, had spoken to her so sincerely, speaking only to her, Lisa Hayes, and not to the terrible Commander Hayes, scarier than a demon .. the Ice Queen...

Just he and ... Rick Hunter, obviously.

Lisa felt her heart ache.

Rick.

-Tell me at least you will consider it.

Lisa lifted her long eyelashes to meet his warm gaze.

-Yes...yes Alex, I will think about it.

On January four, an RDF car stopped with a certain speed under the forecourt of the New Macross Hospital. Max Sterling, got out of the car and walked up to his friend and former commander, who with some caution and leaning on a stick was walking toward him as well. The sun was shining high in the blue sky, and you could glimpse the Varitechs arriving and departing from the Air Base.

Rick smiled as he spotted his friend wearing the old Skull Squadron leather jacket, the very same one they wore in these difficult and exciting days aboard the Space Fortress.

-I will never get rid of it, man.

He said smilingly, pointing to the old tattered jacket.

-I have kept it, too!

replied Rick full of eagerness.

Max nodded to the nurses.

-I'll take care of this old veteran from now on. Go ahead boss!

Rick leaned reluctantly on Max's shoulder and took another quick peek at the hospital, but then he was seized by the azure immensity of the sky crisscrossed by the mecha reactor dust clouds that streamed out every day to protect the city. He felt useless. His legs were still weak and his head often ached but now more than ever he felt the call of duty. He felt he needed to fly again. As soon as possible.

As the car passed through the military district Max did not stop talking for a moment about the Amazon mission. Especially he was raving about how he had handled the logistical part of the ground patrolling.

Rick was amused

-Gee Max I'm surprised, d'ya want to take over Leonard at Southern Cross?

Max burst out laughing.

-I must confess that I enjoyed coordinating the troops, but the VTs remain my first loves!

Rick grinned. He thought the same.

The car slipped into the highway crossing the main junction of the ropeway. Rick was not paying much attention to the view as they chatted amiably, but just then his gaze fell on a cabin that was touching down at that very moment. Two shapes came out of the automatic door. Rick widened his eyes and mouth too.

It was Captain Hayes! He could not help but notice her long, thick hair being tossed by the icy wind. She was again wearing that fur hat that suited her so well. His surprise turned to irritation when he saw another officer walking down behind her, dressed in the black coat of the Air Force. It was that Louan. He recognized his profile and his very black hair sticking out in the snowy white around himself saw them and turned instinctively at Rick.

-It's Commander Hayes, do you want us to stop and say hello?

The look on Rick's face caused Lieutenant Sterling to lose all of his small talk. His eyebrows were furrowed and a thick line ran across his forehead. His blue, almost dark eyes were cloudy. His jaw was clenched in a grimace that he did not care to censure.

-Why the hell should I stop and say hello?

He said in an all too altered voice.

Max looked at him with concern.

-But that''s it... I boss... no nothing... it was just an idea.

-Go ahead Max .

From the tail of his eye he kept looking back at Lisa and Louan. They were walking away toward the living quarters in the new sector: it was far newer housing.

He probably lives there now.

He thought with scorn.

As Lisa escorted Alex to his quarters she had a kind of dejavu. She remembered vividly when she had been doing the same with Rick Hunter almost a year earlier. Her state of mind could not have been more different.

-It definitely takes a female advice. These furnitures are so anonymous. Everything makes me think of a tin can...Lisa, you listening?

She blinked a couple of times and winced.

-Yes, yes I' m here.

Lisa quickly ran a hand through her hair as Alex shut the door behind her.

She had sent Rick a text asking about his health, and he had answered politely.

"I'm fine" or so.

And she had not dared to ask anything more than "How is he?" to Claudia when she had visited him.

She had sent him her cookies, which she had baked in the middle of the night after a long shift at the Command Center. Yet he had not even waste time for the barest "thank you."

Although she tried to focus on Alex and her apartment Lisa Hayes's senses were muddled. Her body temp was rising and falling, and a great discomfort had washed over her.

Dr. Newmann had recommended taking her pills and she had ignored her. She wondered why all her strength was failing.

-Lisa! Are you all right? You look pale.

-Come sit here.

-You look like a ghost!

In fact, she had started getting a cold sweat. Her legs were as heavy as the lead. She let herself go in the brand-new armchair. The intact material creaked under her weight.

Alex Louan handed her a glass of water but Lisa's palms were shaking and the glass and its contents ended up on the floor.

-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Alex!

He got scared.

-Don't worry about that. Lisa...

He instinctively grasped her hand

-You are freezing ...

She barely smiled.

-Maybe ...just a bit of stress... maybe I should just... rest...

Rick had back home. It was a sad return compared to the one that had followed his homecoming to Earth. That time the house was warm and brightly lit and every kind of delicacy had been packed in the pantry by Commander Hayes. Staggering slightly he snapped the key in the lock, while behind him Max carried his bag.

A silent darkness greeted him.

It was different... that time.

He turned on the light with a fist and the Android greeted him with its tinny voice.

-Good evening Captain Hunter. Welcome home! Remember to have your therapy at 6 o'clock, remember your therapy at 6 o'clock.

-Yeah, yeah... shut up!

He yelled out

-Tinhead! Max you here?!

He kept on in the same neurotic voice.

Max looked at him puzzled as he shut the door behind him.

-What's cold here? How about asking Tinhead to turn on the heat?

Rick tottered toward the kitchen and opened the fridge. A can of petit cola greeted him gloomily into the empty shelves. Rick huffed nervously.

-Boss you okay?

-How about a pizza Max? At the moment the pantry at Hunter's house offers only erh...this...

With one hand he raised the can toward his friend.

Max grinned.

-Pizza's always fine.

As the two young officers chatted while shoveling down synthetic pizza Rick kept talking back on the VF4 incident. Max Sterling realized that more than his body, it was his pride that was still wounded and bleeding.

Rick's own arrogance prevented him from seeing the objective problems of the task and consequently realizing that the responsibility was not his.

-Boss, you need to put this incident aside and focus on your squadron and the patrols. Im sure as soon as Lang has refined the new Vts the flight tests are going to restart successfully!

-Sure!

Said Rick angrily.

-And you will be the one to fly them.. certainly NOT me!

At that moment he caught a hurt look in his eyes.

-I...I'm sorry Max...that's not what I meant.

He, in all response, waved a hand in the air, as if to say nevermind.

-Rick, seriously, you need to move on from this issue. You need to focus on your role, you are the Captain of the Air Defense Force, dozens of men are depending on you.

Rick huffed as he let himself go limply on the couch.

-I don't know if-I don't know if I still want to be...

Max was stunned. Could it be that that hit had completely dumbed him?

-What are you saying... Rick you can't be serious...

He glared at him deviously, defiantly.

Why on earth did everyone expect so MUCH from him? He was just tired, incredibly tired, yes, just before he had looked up at the sky and heard his call loudly: his desire to fly was stronger than ever ... and yet still ...

-Did you try to discuss it with Captain Hayes?

Rick's cheeks immediately grew hot, his ears flushed.

-What... what? Why should I talk to her about it?

Max grimaced. Rick was truly being intractable, it was official.

-Huh, what do you say? Maybe because you both were in charge of the flight tests and shared the whole project from the start? Or simply because maybe, unlike me, Captain Hayes would be able to talk some sense into that thick head of yours!

Rick looked at him outraged but soon after his features relaxed and he burst into a giggle.

-I'm sorry Max. I'm turning into a real pain in the ass. I do hate me myself.

Max nodded in agreement.

-You bet, buddy. I'm sure she was there for you while you were at the hospital.

Rick gasped

-You... did you happen to talk to her?

He asked, betraying some nervousness.

-No I haven't had a chance to meet her yet...why?

Rick looked away.

Lisa was certainly not the type to talk about such intimate things. And to Max...no way. Why on Earth did he come up with such a thing. He was sure she had not told a living person. As had he, for that matter.

He blushed remembering how desperately he had held her on that hospital bed. Her scent had made his head spin. And then she had kissed him back so... passionately.

Rick felt a heat working its way into his low belly, almost unbearable.

-Rick you OK?

Said Max absentmindedly chomping on his pizza.

-Maybe you'd better rest now. Take your medicine and get a good rest.

Rick nodded, trying to squash those feelings away.

-Please promise me you will come visit me and Miriya, boss. It means so much to us.

-Thank you Max. You... you are a great friend.

Once alone Rick headed to his room and slowly stripped off his clothes. He lay on the bed staring at the poster of Minmay in front him. The pop star's sweet smile was like a dream, which he had been desperately chasing for years. And yet she was getting more and more distant, every single day...

-Minmay...

he muttered, between sleep and wake.

Her blue eyes, her heavenly features were mingled, all the same, with another face, another pair of eyes: elongated, magnetic and green like those of a cat. A barely hinted smile, a skin as white as snow, tiny freckles on a small nose...a deep sadness in a gaze.

Rick sighed; he missed Lisa more than ever. As if she was now part of his life he had the certainty that he could no longer go on without her. He didn't know if that was good or bad. Max was right, there was no one else who could understand him the way she did. She, who had gone through the same storm, with him.

He took the phone and with numb fingers texted her.

"Hi Lisa, this is Rick. I've been discharged from the hospital and I'm fine. Hope to see you soon."

He sent the text before he repented or anything. Then he fell asleep.

-I fell asleep in his house, it was so embarrassing...

Lisa Hayes sat on the doctor's couch in the middle of a pillow. This time she was determined to recover from this disease that was starting ruling on her mind, and body, and senses.

-Falling asleep is not the proper verbe...I'm how can I say it? I fainted! As if I had switched from wakefulness to sleep in the blink of an eye.

The doctor squared her carefully. Captain Hayes was thinner and stiffer than ever. She circled in red that name she had never heard before : Alex Louan.

Apparently her patient had a connection with this officer, which she was not going to talk about easily.

The doctor sighed as she looked out the window.

-I saw that Captain Hunter has been discharged.

-!

Lisa winced and looked at her in an overly-questioning way.

-I watched it on the MBS news.

she simply retorted

-Ah yes...yes..ok..

She tried to sound casual

-How is she doing? I know the temporary standoff of the Valkyria project was a bad blow to the whole team, and I imagine to you Lisa as well. But Captain Hunter... he almost died.

Lisa twisted her fingers in her lap.

-I was scared

she said in a low voice.

-I was really... scared.

-Why Lisa. Go ahead and say it, have no qualms.

She sighed loudly

-I was scared because I ... wasn't there while he had his accident ... I ... should have been following the whole operation and yet ... and yet...I wasn't there for him...

Her mouth was dry.

-If he had died I...

The doctor stared at her deeply with her caring blue eyes.

-He's not dead Lisa. He is still alive. Nothing beyond repair has happened. This is a reason to be happy don't you think?

Lisa wrinkled her eyebrows and evaded her gaze.

Of course, for what it took.

Rick seemed to have forgotten her.

Sadness began to grow inside her. She felt rejected, cast aside. She did not want his sympathy but neither his indifference. She wanted him to come back to her. And then, there was Alex...

"Hi Lisa, this is Rick. I've been discharged from the hospital and I'm fine. I hope to see you soon."

it was as if a genie in the lamp or some merciful deity had heard her. Lisa looked incredulously at her phone and had to reread the little text several times before the meaning dawned on her.

-Are you all right Captain Hayes?

Lisa blushed and raised her broad eyes. A small smile had brightened her features

-I'm... I'm fine... Doctor I have to go, but I...

she stood up abruptly and her hair whirled in the air.

-...I promise you that I will take all the medication from now on. I promise!

The doctor stared at her in disbelief. It must have been really good news that she had received. She shook her head and smiled. She was sure that Lisa Hayes would come out victorious from that battle with herself.

Visiting him right away was perhaps too much . And then he had written " see you soon" not "now." Lisa stopped in the middle of the street, her heart beating incessantly in her throat.

The doctor was right, he was alive. That was all that mattered.

She resolved to reply later asking him if he would enjoy a visit, or maybe a drive to New Macross, she imagined he still could not walk well. But then suddenly she recalled that she was going to have such a full day tomorrow, and would not be free until late evening.

Dr. Lang's team would leave Earth for the Factory Satellite, and soon the bridge officers would leave too. She thought back to Alex, in a hazy, confused way. He was still waiting for an answer.

" tomorrow is going to be a busy day and I won't be free until after 7pm... I hope :) if you want we can meet later."

And Rick's text was not long in coming

Lisa's face lit up with a sweet smile as she read those few words.

"7 o'clock then. See u tomorrow."

-What do you mean Commander Hayes is not here?

For the umpteenth time Rick Hunter stood before the wily triad of the former SDF1 bridge.

-She is at Headquarters for the Apollo team sendoff.

said Vanessa holding back a small smile.

-Oh...

Rick's face turned somber. So the project was truly and officially closed.

-Yep, Dr. Lang and his assistants are returning to the factory!

Rick struggled to lean against the supporting wall, momentarily leaving his cane on the ground. It was then that the girls noticed that he was hobbling.

-Oh my goodness Captain Hunter! You have a cane! Why don't you sit down!

Kim ran to get Lisa's chair and brought it next to him.
Rick smiled awkwardly

-You shouldn't have left your house! You are still weak!

Said Sammie, crossing her arms.

-Now we'll have Makizaki bring you a tea.
MAKIZAKI!

she yelled

Rick declined ...but in the meantime he had sat up. He felt light-headed, his legs still weak.

-Ehr... Lisa... I mean, is Captain Hayes supposed to come back here to the Command Center tonight?

The three girls looked at him with great interest.

-Did she tell you she's coming back? Vanessa?

said Kim with an eloquent look.

Vanessa was carefully examining her glasses lenses.

-I guess she had to come back to drop off her reporting to the next shift, though...

Though...

Rick huffed mildly. Maybe it had not been such a great idea to catch up with her at the Command Center. Every time he did it everything seemed to go wrong.

At the headquarter in downtown Macross, Lang's team after the official report, farewelled Commodore Gloval, Exedore, and the other government staff officers with friendly greetings. Handshakes and hugs were not uncommon among space war veterans. They had shared a hard and glorious past.

-Commander Hayes.

said Lang

-I'll be waiting for you on the Factory satellite. As soon as possible!

Lisa nodded emphatically.

-I am so honored, Dr. Lang

-Remember, the Lightning III project is only postponed. Everything will work out for the best

Lisa smiled at the scientist's bottomless optimism.

-And say hello to Captain Hunter for me. I would have liked to shake his hand. You do it for me.

-Lisa... I mean Captain Hayes!

Alex Louan had waited for her, as the other officers headed relaxed toward the exit

-Lieutenant Louan...

she said, not stopping walking, and glancing nervously at her watch.

He struggled to keep up with her pace and followed her toward the elevators leading to the parking lots.

She did not speak and it was obvious that she was in a hurry: she did not seem to notice him.

-Lisa.

he gently took her hand to make her stop, but her tense face made him wince. Immediately he let go of her wrist and his arms slid limply down along his hips. The elevator swung open.

Lisa watched appalled at the door in front of her and Alex's pleading eyes. She knew she was hurting him but could not do otherwise.

-I have a prior duty Alex. I have to go back to the Command Center.

-Then at least let me come with you. We could talk in the car... you know I...

Lisa swallowed. She wanted to meet Rick, and time was flying by inexorably. However, she had made a promise to Alex, and her sense of obligation kept her from not fulfilling it.

-Fine, come with me.

She said uncertainly.

After dropping off the reports for the night shift to Sammie she would rush to Rick. It was almost seven o'clock; she had to let him know.

At the thought of seeing him again all her tiredness had left, giving way to a shy enthusiasm.

Rick.

The car parked at Center main entrance, and Lisa got off like a rampage. A large wrinkle was crossing her forehead, and her eyes were squinted like those of a wild cat ready to attack.

The door slammed loudly on its hinges, and Alex hurried out of the car too, tailing her.

The brims of their heavy coats were flapped by the chilly wind. Lisa started to climb up the stairs of the Command Center, two steps at a time, without pausing. Her hair swayed at every move.

-Lisa please! At least talk to me. Tell me why!

She did not hear him. She didn't want to hear him. She could not let him stay on that condition. She knew it was not right.

She turned away, her cheeks on fire, her eyes ablaze. She stood a few steps ahead of him, and Alex was overwhelmed by the fire radiating from her gaze. It was frightening. In this moment he understood why the pilots were tell to be so afraid of her.

-Alex, if you want to get moved here go ahead and do it but not for a stupid oath you made 10 years ago!

He winced: she was denying everything Riber had represented to her, to him... to their whole world before the war.

-I'm fine, I don't need anybody! Anybody! to take care of me! And if this is your reason for being recast in the army, well it is not worthy of a soldier! Its not worthy of a soldier of the Defense Forces!

Lisa squinted her eyes; maybe she had gone too far. But she had to say it. She could not let Alex put his professional career on the line for her.

She saw the pain in his eyes, the disillusionment. She saw that he understood that she was rejecting him. That his offer of love, friendship, affection... he didn't even know what it was anymore... Lisa just didn't want it, just...didn't need it.

-Alex

she said, this times softerly.

-You can't repeat the past!

-Of course you can! *

He said as if out of his mind. He reached out to her, closing the distance between them.

He took her hands, which were gloved like his own, and squeezed them tightly. But Lisa wriggled away

-No, Alex, no...

she said pleadingly. At that moment she turned toward the doorway and spotted him. He was at the top of the stairs, resting one hand on a pillar: he was wearing his old leather jacket from the Skull Squadron. He had combed his hair straight back, but the wind had done its best to spoil all the work. Lisa saw his blue eyes cloudy as the stormy sky, saw his furrowed brows. Her heart took a leap.

Rick.

She begged God that he did not hear anything

Alex still kept his hands on hers.

-Rick...

she mouthed staring at him with such a hopeless face.

Then Alex let go of her hands and also stared at Captain Hunter. He was standing still as stone, his eyes glassy in awe. Only his hair was moving, tossed by the wind.

During the car ride none of them had spoken. Rick could clearly hear her sobbing as quiet as she could. He couldn't believe what had just happened a few seconds before.

When the car stopped at his place, he tried to help her out but Lisa was already on the walkway. Rick grabbed his cane, grabbed his keys and reached for her. In the pale light of the streetlamps Lisa's eyes were swollen with tears, brighter than ever.

Lisa.

When they were inside the house, and the android turned on all the lights, Rick leaned exhausted against the wall. He just couldn't stand to see her crying. Then she spoke, her voice cracking.

-I am so sorry Rick...you shouldnt have witnessed this ... well I...

At that moment it was as if a flood of tears swept over her. She brought her hands to her face to hide her soaked cheeks.

Rick ran toward her, with uncertain pace.

-Lisa... please don't cry.

She lifted her face toward him, still hiding it in her hands. Slowly, with a sweet smile he took first one palm and then the other and pushed them away from her cheeks. He lowered his arms, holding her wrists.

-Lisa, who is truly Alex Louan?... do you want to tell me what went on?

He said in a low voice.

She shivered. Still he was squeezing her hands

-Oh Rick

she whispered

-Please forget everything.

-I can't and I don't want to. Lisa, please trust me. You can talk to me.

Then taken by a protective instinct deeper than his consciousness he let go of her hands and took her in his arms. She surrendered without resistance, resting her face softly on his chest. Silent tears continued to fall. Then she embraced him for his waist too. She felt revived at his touch at his scent at his mere presence.

Rick rested his chin on her hair muttering something inaudible.

He smelled the sweetness of her scent and immediately a great emotion seized his heart.

Lisa... I will not let you been hurt

he got caught thinking.

He thought that maybe he had told her before, a long time ago. But he could not remember. He closed his eyes; she was there. He wanted her to be there, with him.

He wanted to know everything. He squeezed her tighter until he felt the small bones of her bust under his fingertips. Now she had calmed down, she was no longer crying. Perhaps... perhaps she was ready to tell. The whole story.

to be continued

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

Rick suddenly awakened in the middle of the night. a stabbing pain shot through his forehead like a nail, and made him squeeze his eyes.

He lifted onto the bed, then cautiously stepped out of the room to get a glass of water and his meds.

As soon as on the living room he spotted a snow-white arm dangling from the edge of the sofa. The arm was bare from the elbow down, and in the streetlight seeping through the blinds it had taken on a pale blue shade.

Lisa.

He came closer, almost holding his breath.

She was curled up on herself on the small couch. The covers had dropped to the floor, and Rick blushed at seeing her long legs exposed. She was wearing one of his Skull Squadron sweatshirts.

"-You sure you' re not going to be cold?

She had shaken her head shyly.

-I'm perfectly fine Rick. The heat in the room is very high..."

Rick grinned and bent down to pick up the blanket. A little awkwardly he tried to place it on her shoulder. He was almost afraid that if she had woken up... maybe she would get mad at him. Because he was watching her sleeping...

He thought back hazily on the previous night, and an indefinite feeling as of anger and helplessness once again mounted in him. But it was not just anger, a sort of numbing jealousy. He could not be jealous of her. After all, Lisa... Lisa was his senior officer. She was his friend, yes, he cared about her, but she was just a friend. Instinctively he ran his fingertips over her forehead. Her auburn hair parted at his touch. Her skin was warm, and silky. Startled by such intense feeling he retracted his hand and took a few steps back. His head still pulsed painfully.

He took his medication and walked back to bed. But sleep did not want to return.

He remembered on a loop the scene from the night before, at the Command Center. And then, the cab ride to his house. How she had cried, and told him about Alex Louan... and of... of Karl Riber.

Rick clenched his teeth and shoved his head under his pillow.

Lisa...

When he exited the main entrance of the Command Center, he wasn't sure why he did it: maybe to wait for Lisa or because he got tired of waiting her, or simply because he got tired of the trio's talking.

Of course, the furthest he expected was to witness that sort of fight between Captain Hayes and First Lieutenant Louan. Rick was extremely surprised by the confidence they seemed to share. He clenched his fists inside the pockets of his leather jacket. He was not treating her with the respect due to a Commander but just like... a woman. He lifted up his voice. Rick's eyes got wide when he saw that he was taking her hands, pulling her closer to him. Lisa's eyes... they were on fire. Her hair swirled in the icy air as she tried to get away from him. The hissing wind and the distance, did not let him hear what they were saying to each other, but he could see that Lisa was upset, even distraught. He knew her so well now. Louan on the contrary was tense, quite alarmed. Rick thought he looked almost desperate. That sight annoyed him supremely. Then he saw that she turned toward the entrance and realized that she had seen him: it even seemed that she had muttered his name.

Instinctively Louan had let go of Captain Hayes' hands and stared at him as well. At this time Rick felt like a strength pushing him down the stairs. Teetering, he pulled off the pillar and grabbing his cane started to walk down slowly.

His hair was whipped by the wind, and even the fur of his coat was constantly being lifted up.

Lisa and Louan had stood staring at him, but when suddenly he seemed to falter on his legs and Lisa rushed to him. She approached and held out her hands

-Be careful Captain Hunter.

She said in a whisper

-Are you all right?

Said Rick in reply.

He didn't salute her and ignored Louan: but he felt his eyes locked on his.

-Well...

her voice was a sigh

Rick refused her help and in a moment he was at the bottom of the staircase. Now he had his back to Lisa: he could feel her presence standing behind him.

-Is everything okay Lieutenant Louan?

He did not know why he had said that. He was not even on duty so he was not supposed to intrude on a private moment that did not concern him. However, he felt something irrational urging him on. It was a feeling he had experienced before. When ... when Lisa had been trapped inside the Sarah Base ... when, in the enemy ship she was clasped between the monstrous fingers of that Zentraedi. He... he felt he HAD to help her.

Rick tossed and turned in his bed unable to catch some sleep. He felt first warm, then bitter cold. So many memories came back to him, and even the more distant ones were vivid and clear. He thought of how Louan had lowered his head in resignation. His arms left along his sides. In that very moment it had looked lifeless to him. A rag doll.

On one side was him with Lisa. In a way he was sheltering her with his body. On the other side was Louan, alone.

He could see his eyes wandering from side to side and then it was as if he had just thrown in the towel. He snapped a salute and said only:

-I'm sorry Captain Hayes.

He heard Lisa let go a small choked sound. However, she said nothing and did not stop him. Alex Louan soon vanished down the street.

Rick had glanced at her, her eyes were brimming with tears. Her cheeks were flushed and she was fighting to maintain her composure.

At that point he did not know what to say. He felt uncomfortable.

-You, you said you'd be over at 7 o'clock so I thought I'd stop by here at the Command Center well, uh... I...

Rick quickly ran a hand under the nape of his neck.

-But... the. Gggirls, ehr, your colleagues told me you went to the Headquarters so...

His words lingered suspended in the wind; she did not respond, did not move. Then she let go a muffled sob.

Rick still rolled a few times on the bed. On the other side of that cardboard wall it was her. She was asleep and wearing only a sweatshirt. He swallowed hard and squeezed his eyes shut, remembering the pure white skin of her legs lying on the couch.

Commander Hayes...

When her sobs finally ceased Rick had got her to take a seat on the couch. He had settled down on the armchair, and although his legs ached, he had not even taken off his boots.

He had arranged two cups of tea on a small tray.

Lisa's face and neck were mottled with crimson, as when she got angry on the Comm net. But now it was different. He had watched her cry so many times but this one was different.

He caught himself wondering how she could be at the same time so unyielding and so frail. So distant and so inviting. Rick was messing with his thoughts. At one point he exclaimed

-Hey Lisa!

She winced and instantly set the cup down on the table.

-How about a fantastic microwaved synthetic MacrossPizza? Max and I had a huge one yesterday, and there was quite a bit left over.

Lisa looked at him in amazement: he was in front of her with his bright, slightly cocky smile that she knew so well. His eyes were so playful and cheerful that a chuckle escaped from her lips.

Rick.

She brought a hand to her mouth and let go the end of that giggling.

-Yeah ... yeah! pizza is ok!

-Great! I am putting it in the incinerator right now!

She had nibbled on the pizza, which turned out not to be so bad, and very slowly she told him the whole story.

About how she had met Karl Riber in California, when he was a young corporal in the Defense Forces and she was just... a simple high school girl. About how, after the terrorist attack in which her mother had died, Supreme Admiral Hayes kept her locked in a gilded cage. How they had gotten secretly engaged. He had given her a ring.

At that moment Rick felt a twinge of uneasiness, straight on his breastbones.

He instinctively glanced at Commandant Hayes' thin hands, but no rings around her fingers.

She told him about her life before joining the military and how she and Serena Seymour, Karl and Alex Louan used to live those days before the Global War. They had so many dreams. But those dreams were doomed to be broken.

-I've told you about him before, haven't I? ...

Rick had nodded.

Everything was beautiful about her; he had no difficulties imagining her in a school uniform living out her lighthearted adolescence...As if he had already met her that way -maybe- in a dream.

-...is that why Alex wants to stay here. But I feel it's not right...

For a moment Rick had thought there was something between them, and that it might be a former lover of hers or whatever, then he chased that thought away.

But now he had realized. Both of them, she and Alex, though in their different ways, could not get rid of Riber's ghost.

Rick tossed and turned in bed again.

Just like me with Minmay

he caught himself thinking.

This thought stabbed him like a knife. Suddenly he realized that Lisa's heart was taken and this made him edgy, bothered. No, there was not only work in her life. A person who she could not forget was still taking up her memories and her present as well.

Rick huffed and pulled himself up on the bed. So so many things were running through his mind. Eager, expectation, longing for redemption. Riber had died like a hero in that ambush on Mars. A war hero.

Just like his sempai Roy ... While he ... he had been shot down thousands of times, the last of which he had destroyed a very expensive prototype and screwed up the whole Lightning III project.

He gripped his head in his hands, curling up in a fetal position.

Roy ... you should not have died ...

He clenched his jaw tightly

Roy...I wish I never came to Macross Island that day...*

Lisa suddenly widened her eyes. She felt something was unusual around her. She rubbed her eyelids a couple of times and ran her tongue over her dry lips. Of course, she wasn't at home, she wasn't in her bed... The blue light from the street lamps filtered through the blinds, faintly enlightening the room. It was the small living room at Rick's house. All the memories of the day before came to her mind, making her blush. She pulled the blanket up to the top of her head and sighed. Then she poked her head out again,peering around. There was no one around; Rick was probably asleep in his bed. She lifted herself up on the couch and ran a hand through her hair, repeatedly.

She remembered so well the resolute look on his face.

He had stared at her with those blue eyes so deep penetrating that made her melt.

-Lisa you all right? D' you want us to leave?

He had said it.

-Do you want us to leave ... together ...?

Lisa's heart was pounding. Despite the argument with Alex, despite the pain she was feeling. Lisa looked into his eyes and felt the joy invading her heart again like all the times he had rescued her. On the Sarah Base, that time on Britai's ship, and then in the burning Alaska Base.

Rick was always there for her. In his cranky and moody, clumsy and tender way. For a moment she thought he would have confronted Alex but he didn't. And Alex-he had simply walked away, defeated, disillusioned. How could she have hurt him like that? She had not acted with any lucidity. She tightly clutched the blanket in her hands... She thought with dismay that it was happening more and more often. She was no longer the Lisa Hayes she used to be. But how could she have? She had been through a long war. She had seen friends and fellow comrades die and eventually her beloved father.

Dr. Newmann had told her this, over and over again. Yet... Lisa was so furious with herself.

Tomorrow I'll call him and apologize. I will ask him to talk, civily, as high officers and good friends.

Lisa laid back in the couch breathing the scent of Rick in his sweater. That scent that gave her butterflies in her stomach.

She remembered the first time she had met him, on tacnet, the day of the attack. He had called her an old lady, and she? She had surprised herself by thinking how handsome he looked. And that she had never seen such blue eyes... as the clear skies shining over the Alaska mountains.

She... she remembered all of a sudden a talk with her father. When she was only 10, 11 years old, they were temporary living in Tokyo.

They had gone to visit a temple in the city, all three of them, Lisa, her mother and the Admiral.

As is custom, everyone scribbled a prayer on a small card and affixed it with a ribbon along the Torii'*s board.

-So what you asked for Lisa-chan!?

Had said her father happily.

She had grimaced and crossed her arms.

-I can't tell!

Her parents had burst out laughing

-Come on! We want to know!

She had been puzzled for a while but finally pulled them both close to her small little face and whispered:

-I asked to find the real love!

Her mother had cupped her mouth with her hands and had let out a giggle.

-But honey, you're still young to have a boyfriend!

Donald Hayes had lifted her into his arms and caught her on piggyback.

As they wandered along the river, under a porch dripping with white and blue wisteria , her father had told her to be quite. When she would find love she just will know it.

-You know what they say here in Japan? Koi no Yokan*... mind you Lisa, it's not love at first sight, it's not the arrow of cupid. It means "premonition of love." It is the feeling two people have when they meet for the first time. "When they know then that they will inevitably end up falling in love.*"

Lisa had hugged her father, blushing and closing her eyes in delight. Her mother had caressed her hair.

-The Japaneses are so romantic in matter of love...

Lisa had never forgotten those three words. Koi no Yokan. It was such a beautiful memory. For years she had been telling herself that those were the words that had destined her to Riber...but now she no longer felt that way. What she was feeling for Rick seemed incredibly stronger, powerful enough to wash over her like a wave... Drowning her, bringing her back to surface. She felt that he was like a magnet for her soul. All these things she could not quite explain. She closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep holding tightly the edges of his sweater.

-Morning... are you up yet?

Lisa suddenly turned completely red. She was already dressed in her uniform and had tied her thick hair in a braid: upon seeing Rick, dressed only in a crumpled shirt and jogging pants she blushed even more.

She stared at his muscular arms where bluish veins pulsed on the skin's surface. He still bore bruises on his hands and wrists, and scars that seemed slow to heal.

He appeared still half asleep

-Yes Rick. I have to run to the base. I mean, I should stop home first, and then change and... I have picked up the blankets and the pillow if you want I can put them back in the closet what do you think...?

she said all in one go without even breathing.

Then she suddenly hushed. He looked at her as if she had just recited a poem he hardly understood.

-Hey, sorry Lisa, how about some coffee? I might unbelievably wake up.

Lisa burst into an amused giggle.

-Oh pardon me Rick! As usual I flooded your brain with non-stop informations.

Rick ran a hand through his hair and walked over her

-As usual Captain...

He said in a mischievous voice.

He stared into her eyes a little too long.

And she instinctively took a step back. There was something about her presence in his house that was starting to excite him.

He walked away toward the stove

-The coffee is ready... yet...

she murmured, still feeling embarrassed.

He turned with an earnest and grateful open smile.

-Oh Lisa, you're a lifesaver, you know that?

-Well you tell me all the time, I will have to start believing it!

-Come, sit down with me for a moment.

Lisa hesitated for a few seconds. Then she thought only -what the hell!- and took a seat in the small chair at Rick's tiny table.

He had two cute bags under his eyes. Just like a sleepy child

-So, you slept well?

-How about you, Lisa? How did you sleep?

He stared at her intently and she lowered her gaze to her cup

-Yes ... I, yes ...

-You scared me yesterday, you know?

She lifted her eyelashes in dismay.

-But not the way you scare me when you chew me up on the Comm or in your office for some shit I've done.

-I... I don't know... how...

He passed a hand on the back of his head, over again. He looked at her hopeful that she did figured it out anyhow...

And she did.

-it's okay Rick... just a little crisis. After all you know... I'm a human being too, even if it's hard to believe.

He placed a warm hand on hers. Lisa's was cold and trembling.

-If you need ... anything... I'm here.

-Oh Rick it is not necessary I...

-Oh stop it!

he cut her

-I'm serious. If you want to talk. Or go shoot guns in the arcade or an amusement park... well, l'm in!

Lisa widened her eyes in disbelief.

-Going to shoot guns at the amusement park?

They burst out laughing at the same time. Rick squinted his eyes and almost rolled his coffee cup, and Lisa stared at him for a long time, smiling. She was happy.

-See you soon then

Rick was fully resting with one arm on the doorframe. His bare feet on the first step of the doorway.

The day boded miserable weather, and a number of wind gusts made them shiver.

-Go indoors Rick, you going to catch a chill.

Lisa's fur hat swayed with the wind, shaping a cloud around her porcelain-white face.

-With all these drugs in my system, I am immune to a regular cold.

Lisa nodded and smiled slightly

-Well...

-See Lisa...

They said simultaneously.

-You first.

-No, you.

-Ok I...I'll go... I... I was wondering if you'd like to... I mean if you'd like to come over here once in a while, if your job allows... and we could watch a movie, or maybe go for a drive... downtown..

All of a sudden Rick had gone off and his monologue got stalled.

But Lisa had widened her eyes; they were lustrous and filled with anticipation.

-Of course Rick, you don't have to ask me, I'd be happy to join you, spend some time together, I mean, now that you're in recovery you must be bored and...

And then suddenly she fell silent as well. As if words had a weight

She looked at him shyly

-Then I wait for you. Text me ... I'm always 'round here all the time anyway hehe...

He ventured a smile and leaned toward her.

A stronger gust of wind stirred Lisa's hat, causing it to flutter on her head.

She fixed it with a graceful movement.

-Then... see you soon, Rick

He leaned down once more, closer. He ran a hand over her fur, smoothing it where it was rippling. Their faces were so near that their noses almost touched. He looked at her and it seemed that after that night, everything had irreparably changed.

Both of them just simply stopped breathing. Despite the surrounding cold, she felt all the warmth of his body. Their lips brushed slightly against each other. Lisa's were soft and warm, while Rick's were dry and chapped.

Then they stood still in that innatuaral pose, for do not know how many long seconds.

When he closed the door behind his back he sighed noisily and then a crooked smile lit up his features. Perhaps, something had cleared in his head. He passed a hand behind his neck and vanished into the bedroom.

-I' m here Vanessa!

Lisa stepped like lightning into the control room, immediately wearing headphones and turning on her devices

-I'm awfully late!

Vanessa glanced at her, smiling.

-Just half a minute Captain Hayes.

Lisa reciprocated the smile. She felt euphoric, and Vanessa stared at her in confusion.

-Any pressing notifications? What's up with the Alpha squadron? By the way, did you replace the Destroids on the A4 inlet? They had been giving problems.

-Yes, it's all right Captain. We have them retired. It's a pity that Dr. Lang is leaving right today, because he could have checked them out...

Lisa froze for a moment.

-Today? He left today?

After the delirious night before, she had completely forgotten that the scientific team would board that morning.

She placed a hand to her forehead

-I truly am a bitch...

Vanessa looked at her puzzled

-What you say Captain Hayes...?

-Uh... nothing...

Lisa vowed to call him once he arrived on Apollo.

-Ah there is something else, Captain.

A letter was handed over for you. It has the RDF mark on it. I'm sorry I know you had banned paper but this letter... I just don't know, from where it comes

Lisa turned around, making a few locks of her hair swirl in the air.

-What? A letter? Where is that?

Vanessa pointed with her head right there on the desk.

Incredibly, she didn't see it. It was a blue and sand paper envelope, not much bigger than an ordinary communication dispatch.

Lisa flipped it back and forth through her fingers. Apart from the stamp of the Defense Forces, it bore no inscription.

She gave Vanessa an eloquent look and she immediately resumed her activities. Then with trembling hands she opened up it

-Vanessa!

Shouted Lisa in an alarmed voice

-?!

-What time is the shuttle leaving for Apollo?!

-I... I'm not sure...

-Check it, for Christ's sake! Check immediately at the Air Base!

The seconds weighed like stones

-Yes thank you. All right, yes, over out.

Vanessa turned three-quarters in her chair as she removed her headset

-It has just taken off from the New Macross Air base!

Lisa snapped to her feet and for a moment she just looked bewildered. She glanced toward the huge window overlooking Lake Gloval and then turned completely around and ran for the exit. She tore her coat off the hanger.

-I'll be back in a few minutes!

she yelled

Lisa ran toward the for the outer elevators that led to the bridge of the old SDF1 stateroom.

It was completely see-through, and she looked anxiously at the sky searching for a fire sign confirming the departure.

It was just not possible.

She swallowed bitter tears as she scanned the cloudy sky.

When she reached the 30th floor, got to the balcony where so often, she Rick and Claudia had been staring out to the sea*

she leaned over the balustrade as she gazed toward the Air Base.

That's when she saw it. A trail of fire quickly fading into the air. The shuttle with the Defense Forces banner was so close that she could make out its colors.

Lisa bit her lips, until it hurt.

She stared again at the shuttle as it disappeared into the clouds.

A tear slipped from one eye and fell onto the paper envelope she was clutching in her hands

-Alex...

Lisa Hayes rushed into one of the store near the ropeway station.

-We're just closing...

murmured a voice from down the hall.

-Oh I -I'm sorry.

Lisa pulled off her fur-lined hat.

-I couldn't leave the Command Center till now...

The clerk smiled awkwardly.

-Oh, of course Captain Hayes. Take your time. Please.

-I just need to pick up few things...

In the end, all the bags she had been loading onto her arms almost made her lose her balance. She climbed into the cabin heading to the military district.

In her groceries were some vegetables that appeared to be decent, potatoes, tomato sauce, some fresh pasta, a huge out-of-size watermelon, and cookies, chips, a case of petit cola, and bottles of water.

Lisa fantasized faintly about what she was going to cook. She wondered if it was rash of her to bring all that stuff. But hadn't she done this countless times before? As she turned up the driveway leading to house number 251 she heard cheerful voices coming from Rick's house. It was Max and Miriya saying goodbye to him in a burst of laughter.

Lisa flushed hard and hid behind a load-bearing wall. All of a sudden she did not want to be spotted there. She was ashamed of the shopping bags. And in short, Miriya had a strange way of reading right inside her mind. And at that moment there, it was a total chaos.

It was only when they were up in the car and Max turned on the engines that she approached and knocked on Rick's door.

-What, did you forget some sharp knives stuck in my food?!

Rick threw the door wide open as he shouted cheerfully at his friends.

-Lisa! I mean, Captain Hayes...

-I'm sorry Rick... sorry for the timing and also sorry that... I couldn't really come earlier so... I just saw that you had guests.

Rick smiled as he nodded his head.

-Yeah, the guys just stopped by to bring me some supplies. If I keep eating Macross Pizza I might get worms or salmonella you know... Max is so caring...

Lisa nodded a bit confused

So he already got some food...

-Well, I...

She cast a glance at her huge bags.

-I thought I should bring you something, too... sorry, I had to call ahead.

Rick ran a hand behind his head.

-Are you kidding, I hope? My stomach is bottomless...you should know. Also...

Then he cast her a long glance; her nose was red, as were her cheeks. She was probably freezing.

-Why don't we just come inside, instead? Lisa, you look like a hunk of ice...

She winced because she knew that pilots called her "Ice Queen", and Rick too immediately regretted saying those words.

He helped her with the groceries and grabbed her coat and hat.

-I'll put these in the bedroom okay?

Lisa had come into Rick's room many times when he was on the mission on the Factory Satellite, but then she hadn't ventured no more... She wanted to peek a little this time, but she held back. She sat down on the sofa, instead, pulling at the edges of her skirt.

-It's a shame the Sterlings have left!

Shouted Rick from the hallway.

-We could have had dinner together...

Rick's mood was high, and Lisa was pleased. However, a shadow had not left her throughout the day. She had worked hard for 12 hours to the point of exhaustion, to forget... but failed.

Alex's letter had broken her heart. His words rumbled in her head, over again.

"Dear Lisa...or I should say Captain Hayes? ...but I prefer to call you by the name I met you by, all those years ago, when the world was still a beautiful place and we were so young and had so many dreams. By the time you are reading this letter I will be on my way to the Factory Satellite with Dr. Lang. After yesterday it no longer makes sense for me to stay on Earth. You were right, you can't repeat the past. And the past is all that still binds us. You were the one who made me realize that. Please take care of your future, never give up on your dreams, that's what I will try to do myself. Be happy with Captain Hunter, if that's what you want. Don't waste your time. Everything can change in a moment, you know better.

I am giving you one of the things I care most in the world. Me and Karl one of the first days at the Military Academy. I barely knew him but I already knew he would become my best friend. I was right. Please keep this picture, along with my love for you.

I will be on Apollo if and when ever you decide to come up there, up to the moon. And I'll always be your friend, remember that.

So long,

Alex."

Lisa had placed the photo and the letter at the bottom of a drawer, under a pile of papers. It was too painful to watch Karl's face, so young, so incredibly happy and proud. Yes, she remembered exactly how much she had loved him. Tears rolled down her cheeks with no sound.

-Lisa... Lisa! What's the matter? Why you crying?

Rick had quietly returned to the living room and had found her: motionless, with her hands in her lap and her eyes glossy with tears.

-Lisa.

He sat down next to her and istinctively took her hand. It was soft and cold.

She barely looked at him. Rick was genuinely scared

-Alex...

-?

-Alex is gone! he left this morning along with Dr. Lang's team...

Lisa tugged her hand from Rick's and tried to wipe her face with her palms.

-He didn't even say goodbye to me, you see...? And all because of me, because of my bad temper, oh how could I have treated him like that?

She hid her head in her hands.

Rick stared at her, unable to speak but something akin to relief had taken hold of him. It was as if he felt happy about Louan's prompt departure.

-So he's gone...

he only said.

She sniffed up her nose and nodded.

-Rick forgive me...I've been involving you in this cheap drama for three days! You must think I am such a stupid ditz!

Rick smiled.

-You? A drama? Then what should you say after I put you through all my obsessive and dilemming love issues with Minmay?

Lisa gasped.

Hearing that name again snapped her back to reality.

-Yeah...

she smoothed her hair and skirt and tried to assume an authoritative look

-With the difference that I am not in love with Alex Louan!

At that moment the air just seemed to stop. Time became static. That sentence meant everything and anything, and Rick sensed it. He could not quite understand why, but a sense of euphoria overcame him.

Lisa did not love Louan. Inside, he selfishly exulted.

He stroked her cheek.

-Maybe this is going to sound strange, but I think it's for the best.

Lisa stared at him in amazement.

-What do you mean?

Rick could not tell ... chaos was still inside his head. He caressed her tear-damp hair and her neck. At his touch her skin filled with goose bumps.

His blue eyes shone like those of a wildcat in the night. Lisa stared at them, mesmerized.

If he had bent just a millimeter their lips would have brushed again like in the morning.

-This time you won't say you're sorry will you?

Rick burst into a giggle

-I won't, and you?

He leaned closer and cupped her cheek with one hand.

-You sure?

she laughed on his warm breath

he muttered something unintelligible as their lips locked and their bodies melted in a tender embrace.

Rick hugged her softly, stroked her hair and her back. That was all he had been thinking of all day, and there it was: had been so easy.

He felt as on top of such a high mountain.

Lisa was in his arms and he could feel the taste of her lips again. It had been so easy. Without really getting to know why... he was just... feeling happy.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

Lisa felt her breath vanish as the warmth of Rick's hands almost burned through the fabric of her uniform. She pulled away slightly from his moist, warm lips. She kept her eyes down, not daring to look at him.

She felt him slightly inhaling.

-Hey...

At that, she lifted her long, damp eyelashes.

-You all right?

His eyes were like two pools of clear water moved by the wind. the blue fluttered among them

-Yes I...

A gentle smile bloomed on her face showing her perfect little teeth. Her lips were flushed red from his kisses.

For a moment neither of them moved.

Now... what we are supposed to do?

Lisa shifted slightly on the couch as he let her go naturally. A kind of nameless awkwardness had numbed them. Night had fallen on the military quarter without noticing. Now the room was in the shadow.

Lisa straightened her crumpled skirt and he stared for a moment at her well-rounded knees beneath the thin layer of her tights.

-Lights up!

He said in a shrill voice. The grocery bags were still there on the kitchen floor. Suddenly the act of eating seemed so odd to Rick.

However, he said in a slightly altered voice.

-Lisa... you hungry?

-I-what?

Then she cast a glance at the bags she brought and nodded vigorously

- The dinner, that's true, yes...

Her thoughts flew in several directions. If she had remained there, was he going to kiss her again? And why did he kiss her? She still had goose bumps all over her body.

It had been so long. And excluded Rick the only other guy she had ever kissed was Karl Riber.

She resolved to get up.

-Maybe I can help you with ...

She took a few steps toward the small kitchen.

Rick felt all the heat from earlier flare up in a single spot deep inside him.

He was shy. He spun around to try not to look at her. He had felt her breasts pressing against his chest and felt shivering. He remembered vividly when they had fallen into that tank, on Breetai's ship. After that dive, her spacesuit seemed to stick to her body like a layer of vinyl. It showed all her curves. He had looked at her breasts again and again, as if hypnotized. He shook his head and poked it inside the pantry.

-What up Rick? Everything all right?

He blushed without looking back

-So... what do we want for dinner? You brought so much stuff... what would you like?

She let go a little sound

-Well I...

She could not remember at all what she had bought. She did not know whether she was hungry or thirsty or wanted to laugh or cry or... run away. She glanced at his back and shoulders and a hit of desire took hold of her. But she did not know that feeling. His hair, his hands, his lips. Everything was perfect about him. If she had stayed maybe they would have kissed again?

-Okay I've decided!

Rick turned to her with a pack of spaghetti in his hand.

Pasta pomodoro is that okay?

He looked at the package and looked at her with a beaming smile. Lisa shrugged her shoulders and smiled back.

-Okay Captain Hunter, as long as you let me do it!

He frowned

-What do you mean, a miserable cripple like me can't cook a dish of spaghetti?

Lisa burst out laughing

-Lol... I'm just not sure about your cooking skills.

-Well, I m going to impress you.

Lisa gazed at him doubtfully

- At the flying circus days.. my father taught me everything about cooking food, you know... how to turn on the stove for example...

They laughed for a moment then stayed seriously. They just stared at each other.

Rick was thrilled. Just before, he had held her and kissed her, and now she was standing there talking about whatever, as always, with the same confidence and slight sarcasm that distinguished her. It was just like always, because Lisa... because she had always been with him, all these years...

He realized this as an epiphany. She was the dearest person he had, always there for him, to help him to support him. But what about Minmay then?

When they said goodbye at the door an awkward "see you" was all he could say. She looked at him as if in expectation. Then he asked himself if he should kiss her, again, and found no answer. A few seconds passed then Lisa squinted her eyes softly and tilted her head aside.

-So, see you tomorrow?

She said shyly.

Rick instinctively stroked her cheek, then slid his hand over her shoulder and up to her elbow.

-Sure.

he said confidently, and nodded his head firmly.

When he found himself alone inside the small room, he could still smell her scent. He wondered what had changed, if they had become something different. Was it after all that time... finally?

He entered the room and the first thing he spotted was the poster of Minmay in front of his bed.

She was dressed like a schoolgirl, in a blue uniform, and was rolling a lock of her shiny hair in her finger*. Rick stared at her for a long time. Then he let out a sigh. He raised himself up on his toes and carefully peeled off the poster, cautious not to rip it. The wall was now blank.

He wrapped it up and put it in the back of the closet where he used to hide other stuff, like a child hides his treasures.

He wondered if Lisa ever snooped around in his closet?

No, she wouldnt... never

he thought.

A small smile lit up his features.

He stared at the gray and blue helmet of his sempai Roy. It was meticulously packed with transparent tissue paper. Claudia had given it to him on the day of his funeral. Hot tears burned the rhyme of his eyes, that day. But he did not cry... the only person who saw him cry was Lisa, at the hospital. Lisa was crying, too.

Rick shut the closet and remembered that day. Lisa had cried and hugged him while their tears were mingled.

He wished he could have had her there now...he wondered if she would maybe, someday, want to stay...

A few days later Captain Hunter had a checkup at the Macross hospital. It was a neurological test to check if his function had fully recovered.

-Can I get rid of the cane?

The doctor had him place his right arm on a moving machine that rotated it 45 degrees, then did the same thing with the corresponding leg.

-Does it hurt?

Rick muttered in denial.

-Fine, Captain Hunter.

Then the doctor did the same motion again, this time with his left arm and leg.

-If you feel tingling or something like that, tell me immediately.

Rick knew that his left hemisphere was the one that had suffered most from the temporary lack of oxygen.

His arm was trembling but he said instead

-When can I fly my plane again?

The doctor smiled

-Don't you like the sedentary life mmmh?

Rick grimaced.

-I might like it when I'm retired.

Then he was pensive for a while.

-If I will get to retirement, I mean.

the doctor smiled.

-We can start with physiotherapy and maybe you can also begin some training simulator. But only under the medical supervision.

Rick's eyes widened.

-Does that mean I'm recovered?

he said with a childlike, incredulous smile.

-Almost. Pilots have thick heads...so I've been told...

"The doctor says I can resume training with the simulator. Ah, ehr... I don't need the cane no more. Lisa good morning!"

It had come natural to him to tell her right away. She was the first person he had thought of. Not out of some interest but out of the joy of sharing his with someone. Someone special. Rick walked unsteadily down the grand staircase of Macross Hospital. The sun cast faint rays on the barren landscape. He was wearing his regular hat, his hair falling over his forehead. He felt a bit like an outsider coming out of a tunnel and immediately walking through another. Yeah Minmay was no longer in his mind. He realized that when Lisa was with him, he had not thought about Minmay a single time.*

He smiled and decided to take a walk in the city, alone. He breathed in the icy Alaskan air. He shoved his gloved hands into his pockets and cautiously entered the downtown area.

-Have you heard? Minmay is giving a gig next month!

Rick was standing at the traffic light while two young girls, dressed in school uniforms, giggled as they looked at their smartphones

-Wow! But that's great! She hasn't been back to Macross in almost a year!

Rick couldn't help but listen.

-She is on some kind of a peace mission, for the Zetraedis...

Then they both glanced at Rick and seeing his RDF uniform fell silent. The green light flashed. The girls rushed away.

Rick stood still and sighed.

Just when he had found out that he was no longer thinking about her, lo and behold, the whole universe lined up to remind him of the existence of his romantic dream, his first love.

Wait. Wasn't Jessica Fisher his first love?

Rick sobbed and crossed the street. The city was crowded.

Micronians and giants attended to their duties or simply walked around. On the roadside, the military guards in their black uniforms were like stains in the snow. They reminded the citizens the ever-present state of alertness.

Rick was being saluted several times as he walked through the city, and he had waved back. He wonder if seeing him, everyone would think of the Lightning III fiasco. Well he would have thought so ... of himself.

He sighed. As he entered the west side, a graceful music invaded his ears, then the flashing lights of an Carnival appeared before his eyes, making him squint for a moment.

An amusement park in Macross? And when had it come?

It had been ages since he had seen one. Life on Earth had really started over again.

He wandered through the stalls, cotton candy stands, the gaming, the rollercoasters. In the February chill, it was as if a field of steel flowers had bloomed on the snow.

Rick sat on a bench smelling the scent of caramel fruit, soon a text came on his phone

"That's so great Rick! I'm happy for you... you want me to stop by and bring something ...tonight, after my shift?"

Rick smiled. A small dimple had appeared on his cheek.

"I have a better idea."

A carnival?

-Vanessa, do you happen to know that an amusement park came to New Macross?

Said a hesitant Lisa to her subordinate.

Vanessa turned around surprised

- Oh... Yes Ma'am! I haven't had a chance to see it yet, but Bron Rico and Konda set up a kiosk there and invited us.

Lisa opened her eyes wide.

-I didn't know anything about it.

-It should be nice, it is open for a few weeks. Why don't we all go there together someday?

Vanessa smiled encouragingly, and Lisa blushed.

-Yes, it could be... nice.

She kept staring at the smartphone display and swallowed.

"When would you like to go there?"

she texed

The reply was lightning fast

"Tonight,when else?"

Lisa wondered if by chance it was a date or what.

I definitely have to go home and get dressed. I can't go in my RDF uniform. What would people think of me?

But then she realized that she really didn't care. Just like Rick she was feeling weightless, thrilled, like a little girl.

The night had not yet come. Rick checked himself in the small mirror over and over again fixing his hair. It had grown really long on him. Too much.

He wore his old Skull Squadron jacket, a thick wool scarf that came up over his his feet military boots. The cold was terrible. Greenish intermittent glows came through the windows.

It was the Aurora.

In spite of everything, Nature kept on pushing to spring up again.

His blue eyes mirrored that glow: then he heard a car horn honking.

Its her...

Rick went out onto the patio, as fast as he could, as if he were waiting by the door.

She was at the wheel of a regulation jeep: as he moved ahead he saw her thin profile under a woolen hat. Her hands firmly glued to the wheel.

He rushed and opened the door, and was overcome by her floral scent. But it smelled something sweet underneath. Like a honey candy.

Lisa lifted her eyes shyly from the dashboard and watched him as he got into the car. Despite her efforts she blushed hard. Their gazes met and they both melted a little.

-Hello

she said softly

-Hello

said Rick as he closed the door.

She wore a very plain black coat and an ivory scarf and beanie. Her cheeks and lips were naturally red.

-How you doin'?

-Fine, I'm fine!

He ran a hand under this nape several times.

-Well...Are... are you sure you can walk, etc.?

Rick smiled with all of his teeth

-But of course I am! And the doctor also says so! I can' t wait to start training again.

Lisa smiled gently

-So... shall we go?

The car left a trail of white smoke in the snow as it hurtled at high speed out of the military district.

Rick looked at her in awe

-I didn't really know this driving of yours... let's say... sportive?

She let go an amused chuckle.

-I don't often get a chance to drive, you know. When I can, I try to enjoy my riding.

Rick glanced at her carefully, she seemed to be enjoying herself. She didn't take her eyes off the road, though. Always attentive, so methodical and focused. She really seemed to be enjoying herself, tho.

-You look very pretty...

He said suddenly, mindlessly.

Lisa's breathe froze.

-What did you say?

She replied without watching him

-You are very pretty... ehr ... when you' re driving ... I...

-I'm very pretty when I drive?

At the red light Lisa stopped and turned toward him.

-What does that mean?

Rick was caught off guard.

-Do I look funny or... clumsy to you? Are you, by any chance, teasing me?

Suddenly her face had turned crimson.

Rick didn't understand why she had taken it so badly. It was a compliment, wasn't it?

-Oh, Commander Hayes! It was just a compliment. I said you look pretty! Just pretty... there's nothing going on under!

Lisa looked at him doubtfully. She was not used to compliments and felt a little stupid for reacting like that. Maybe she needed not to be so defensive all the time like a f*cking ice queen. Maybe...

-Yeah uhm... yeah... I'm sorry. By the way... we got here.

she said, changing her demeanor completely.

She smoothed her hair back behind her shoulders and once turning the car off she put on a pair of immaculate gloves.

-Do you, d'you wanna me help you, Rick?

He looked at her with a smirking grimace.

-Of course not! Do you remember Dr. Fraser? He said I'm healed. My legs are fine...

Lisa nodded even though she didn't feel he was so steady.

The carnival was really nice, though quite small. Its drywall entrance opened onto one of the side streets on Macross Avenue, near the Command Center. Since Lisa was in civilian clothes she thought she would go unnoticed, but in any case she quickened her pace when she saw some military officers on the street.

-Hey what a hurry Commander!

yelled Rick

-You said your legs are perfectly healed, didnt' you?!

She shouted without turning around

-Why wasting time?

Rick ran a hand over his face, that was slowly freezing. Then he focused his gaze on Lisa's shapely coat. He could make out her well-formed hips, and based on her movements he could pretty much guess something. It was not nice to stand behind her like that, tho. He could understand that.

He took a leap and joined her.

They were right in front of the entrance

-So...

said Rick offering his arm

-Shall we go?

Lisa smiled awkwardly, but accepted his arm nevertheless.

-Thats the first time I've been to an amusement park in years...

she said pensively.

She recalled clearly that old park in Manhattan Beach where she and Karl had escaped together. They had kissed under the ferris wheel, at sunset...*

Rick nodded, as well.

That doorway reminded him of the Chinese district gates, in Yokohama, when he had been assigned to escort Minmay from the SDF1 back home to her family. She was squeezing his arm just as Lisa was now. He had felt so happy. Well, of course before Kyle's arrival.

They stood in silence for a while until Lisa shook her head.

Still lingering on old memories...

Why wasn't she as happy as she should? Well, she and Rick were hanging out as two normal young people. Not two officers on an official visit, not two soldiers on a mission. Simply two friends who were looking to have a good time for a while.

Two "friends"who am I going to fool if not myself?

She blushed abruptly, thinking of the hot kisses they had shared the night before. Lisa felt her belly suddenly heat up. She didn't know much about such things, and this led her to pull away from him.

-What up?

Rick glanced at her in disappointment, because he was enjoying her closeness, and warmth

-No...it's just that I...

stammered Lisa

I noticed that over there is a House of Mirrors... I'd like to have a look at it...

-? House of Mirrors?

Rick quickly imagined that maybe in the maze-like darkness of that House he would dare to kiss her again. Maybe he could even put his hands out on her backsid...

He shook his head feeling ashamed of his lust.

But he couldn't help but remember the hot kisses of the night before. How she had tightly locked her arms around his neck.

-Two tickets for the House of Mirrors!

The young lady at the door was a pretty pink-haired micronized Zentraedi.

-Are you a Zentraedi?

asked Lisa.

-Yes, Miss!

she replied.

Rick glanced at her, intrigued.

-And do you like the park?

-Yes, sir! very much

She nodded several times and smiled

-Since I met the Culture I haven't thought about fighting anymore. Not once. I enjoyed Minmay's music and so I looked for a "culture job" hehe!

Rick and Lisa smiled instantly.

-And... are you happy?

-I am very happy, we went around all the neighboring towns with this moveable feast.

-What did you call it? Moveable feast?

-Yes... because it brings travelling happiness ... even though the planet is still... ruined.

Lisa suddenly felt a pang of tenderness for that former warrior and also some longing, and an unnamed ache. All of a sudden it all seemed like a sham to her: they would never be able to go back to the way they were before. Whatever that meant.

On the other side of the street the stall titled "3 Spies" was being stormed by poorly clothed kids. Bron was fed up with chasing them away. They really wanted to steal Valkyrie scale models.

-Look who's here!

A familiar voice made him turn around. His face broke into a bright smile.

-Vanessa!

He said excitedly.

-And Kim and Sammie! Guys, look who came to visit us!

Rico and Konda emerged from the counter, smiling.

-Finally, we've been expecting you!

-So what's going on with the business?

The terrible trio, still dressed in uniform as they had just gotten off work, was briskly chatting with their Zentraedi friends until Sammie let go a stifled cry

-Oh my gosh?!

-What?

Exclaimed the remaining five

Sammie squinted her eyes, pointing loosely to a spot in front of them

-It's Captain Hayes! With Captain Hunter, take a look there!

-But where?

-I don't see anything!

-Ah here they are! Yes I can see them!

Sammie's eyes were glossy

-Oh my Commander Hayes! she's so beautiful!

-He seems to be getting in shape, too.

Said Kim, mischievously.

-He looks taller, yes...

replied Vanessa

-Will they be on a date?

The guys burst out laughing, except for Sammie who forcefully held back a pout.

The House of Mirrors was rather small and battered. Disappointing was the right word. Rick remembered visiting one in London, years before the war, and that one was truly scary. But here, only a few reflecting plexiglass plates and a couple of glued-on skeletons was the height of scary.

-Not even a spooky music.

Rick said casually

Lisa giggled

-How demanding of you! I'm sure they do their best... HHHHAHAHAHAHHHHH!

All of a sudden Lisa screamed so loudly that Rick's ears quivered. He found her in his arms.

-But... but Lisa you all right?... HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

Rick's heart had skipped a beat, too. All at once, a life-size monstrous Dolza statue had popped up behind a panel, and its slimy tentacles had skimmed past them.

At last they realized that it was just a modest paper mache mock-up, and burst out laughing. Their hearts, however, were still beating from fright and perhaps excitement. Rick was still holding Lisa in his arms.

-What a fool...swear you won't tell anyone.

She tightened her shoulders

-I swear, if you do the same!

They let out a giggle that soon disappeared. Their eyes met in the greenish half-light, and Rick pulled her closer. She looked at him under her elongated, dark lashes.

She was so beautiful and her scent inebriated him.

Rick thought vaguely that he might...

Then they heard footsteps, giggling, a group of kids had entered the House. Soon they caught up with them.

What great timing ...

Rick sobbed

-Come on let's get out of this dump!

He took Lisa's gloved hand and pulled her outside into the clear, icy air.

Once outside they broke out in laughter, and the young Zentraedi looked at them in admiration. Little did she know that they were veterans of the first Space War: no one seemed to have recognized them.

-Here they are coming out!

-Look! they're holding hands!

Sammie squared her friends from head to toe.

-They're just friends!

she snarled

-Yeah sure...

said Vanessa with her smart-ass look.

-Commander Hayes is madly in love with Captain Hunter!

The two girls and the three spies looked at her quizzically.

-And... how do you know it?

-I am her second in command, basically her right-hand person!

Vanessa giggled as she brought a hand to her mouth.

-No, no...she didn't tell me anything, it's just that when he's around... well, her face changes, I don't know how to say. It has a different light.

Bron sighed softly, resting a hand on his cheek.

-Must be the effect of Culture no doubt...

The Bridge Bunnies looked at him bewildered and started to laugh.

The light was still high and hazy in the sky, yet the colorful street lamps were lit to full power.

Rick was attracted to a large shooting stall.

The owner made eye contact with him and immediately called out

-D'ya wanna shoot, son?

Rick widened his eyes, thrilled

He gazed at Lisa and she smiled at him

-Do you wanna shoot?

-Of course I do! you... you ok?

She made a giggle and nodded

-I'm in!

The man at the shooting stand, featured two large mustaches, and was wearing a Jolly Rogers cap. Rick read this detail as a sign of destiny. The prizes were the usual things, toys, candy, nougatine, puppets and teddy bears of all sizes.

-Then son, what do you want to win?

Rick gave a crooked smile and glanced at Lisa.

-We are both shooting. For the prizes at the top

Lisa looked at him open-mouthed

-What?

-Are you worried to lose, Captain?

The man eyed them carefully

-Are you in the army? Heck, your pretty young, guys!

Rick, who was in the mood, looked at him intently.

-Yes but not so much...we have fought...

Lisa elbowed him from under the counter and he almost ran out of breath

-My colleague meant that... we trained on the simulator so... now can you give us our rifles?

-Ok ... ok... sure miss...

By the second round no one had hit the target. Lisa was getting nervous. She hadn't shot in a long time, but she couldn't lose in front of Rick. Although, she acknowledged, he had a sniper aim.

He was very focused, as if on the battlefield. He did not want to look bad in front of her, and in a certain way he wanted to show her that he was recovered, completely. He did not know why.

His blue eye in the scope blinked twice, then he held his breath: the red dot was right there in his line of sight.

1,

2,

3...

-Yes!

He had centered the red dot ... but only on a bias

-Yayyyee! I did it!

Rick jumped up on the counter scanning with his eyes for the matching prize while Lisa gave him a teasing clap.

-So! then!WWWhat we win?

He said cheerfully

The man at the stall smiled with content.

-You've been a good fellow, you're deserving a puppet, a big one eh ... An Huge one!

-Oh...

Lisa looked at him, wondering his reaction.

-A fluffy puppet...

he said without conviction. He had actually hoped to get a model kit of some Valkyrie.. something cheap... would be fine too.

-Ehr...then...

He gave a look around. The puppets didn't look so brand new or at least not so neat.

-Lisa! You, choose one...I'd be able to spend hours making up my mind.

-Oh Rick ... okay ...

Lisa scanned the long row of puppets hanging above her head

-Oh, here, look, there's a Koala...

she said in a low voice.

The Koala toy was really huge. Almost as big as her and very fluffy

Rick glanced at her and smiled

-The young lady grew up in Australia with these critters! Give us the Koala!

Said Rick gently.

-I'm sorry guys, but the Koala is up to whoever center the red circle perfectly, and you...

Rick's eyes got wide..

-Come on, man, I damn near broke it in two!

The old man crossed his arms.

-Niet! I can''t give you the Koala but check it out...

he turned to pick up another puppet that was hanging miserably on the left side of the stall

-I can give you this huge little penguin! Look at it... it's almost as big as the Koala! Plus it's better suited for the Alaskan weather! Hahhaha!

Rick frowned. He wasn't entirely convinced. But then he felt Lisa's hand on his elbow.

-Rick...it's just a play... Come on.

He gazed at her: her cheeks were flushed from the cold and she had a sweet expression on her face. Her nose was dotted with freckles.

So... he softened

-Okay, we'll take it! But you are a scammer, ya know?

He reached out and embraced the huge black and pink penguin

-I just hope it will be okay in your room...

Lisa looked at him surprised

-What? -I... you?

-Well I would have liked to give you the Koala, but since that pimp screwed us...

He handed it to her, and Lisa almost staggered, in taking it.

-Well I would have liked to give you the Koala, but since that pimp tricked us...

He handed it to her, and Lisa almost staggered, in taking it.

-Are you really givin' it to me?

-Of course I am! Or do you think you're too old for soft toys?

-Rick Hunter!

Lisa feigned anger but could not make any move with that huge stuff in her arms. It was shaggy and of low quality, but it was her gift and she was already loving it.

Rick ran a hand on the back of his neck and smiled away awkwardly.

-I hope you like it.

-It's really cute. Thank you, Rick.

-If you want we can carry it, the two of us.

Lisa smiled. They grabbed him by the flippers on either side and giggled as they went on their ride through the park.

-Whaz this furry monster?

Claudia had stopped in front of the sofa, her arms on her hips, and was watching in amazement as the fluffy penguin sat strutting on the pillows.

Lisa came out of the kitchen with two cups of te

-Uh? Ah... the penguin...

-Yeah, this hideous Batman penguin. Indeed, his ugly counterpart...

-Claudia! He's not so ugly. His name is Suzuko.

The young woman burst out laughing as she was handed her cup of tea.

-Are you freaking out or what? I thought you were going to be an old spinster with cats, not penguins!

Lisa flushed and flopped down in the armchair.

-It's a present from Rick! I don't go around buying giant penguins you know , I haven't reached that level yet.

Claudia's eyes went wide, she had a jaunty look on her face.

-Rick? Rick Hunter gave you this gizmo? And how come? Your birthday is in a month...

Lisa looked away.

-Well, I ... we ... we went to the carnival downtown and ...

Claudia leaned out of her chair almost spilling her cup on the side stand.

-You two went out? To the carnival? But was it a date?

Lisa bit her lip.

-So much questioning... It's just that...

-That?

-That ... I ... well ... I wanted to help him up after the accident and now that he's better I thought he might want to walk around downtown and ...

-Ah that he is better is certain. This morning he was scorning his subordinates properly. I think Max has been too kind to them these months.

Lisa smiled proud.

-Then he took back the lead, at least psychologically! I'm glad...

-See how soon you will find him on the comm, ready and fired up for your famous fights!

The two friends started laughing, but Claudia knew there was something Lisa was keeping from her. She had sensed everything long ago, yet it was still difficult for Lisa to open up about her feelings.

-I am glad that things are going well between you two...

Lisa blushed and hid behind the steaming cup.

-The, uh, things?

-You know Rick has been very lonely after Roy and Ben died. And after Max got married-he found himself pretty much alone. If it weren't for you...

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

-Ah, I don't think so.

Then she fell silent, realizing she had spoken too loudly.

Claudia frowned

-?

-He is still keeping Minmay's poster in his room. Like a little horny boy.

She said bitterly.

Claudia could not believe her ears. So Lisa was now admitting her feelings for Hunter? Unbelievable.

-Yeah, yeah ,you heard correctly. And then he told me that before the battle with Dolza they kissed. And she told him that she loved him. Of course he reciprocates.

She said sourly.

Lisa placed her cup of tea on the small cabinet and stood up.

-I don't know I... it's like we're both waiting in the corner for her to come back.

-For... Minmay?

Lisa lowered her gaze to the floor and muttered something inaudible

-Let's just not talk about it anymore, okay? It's okay. We are friends. Just friends.

-Lisa.

Claudia glanced at her with concern, but the ice queen had decided to close the topic and when she was like that there was no way to bring it up again...

When Claudia left Lisa grabbed Suzuko in her arms and carried him to her room. She placed him next to her vanity covered with fluorescent stars. For a moment she was drawn to her own reflection.

Old spinster...

She pulled her hair up and peered closely at herself. What she saw was the face of a pale and probably slightly underweight young woman; her face was slicked. She brushed her breasts over the thin shirt. Her curves, too, had diminished in the past year. She caught herself thinking about whether Rick might like her body. She shook her head with disappointment.

No, no...I don't HAVE to think about it.

In a fit of rage she turned the mirror to the wall and left the room.

Rick Hunter was as excited as a rookie. He entered the empty gym and started exercising on a treadmill. He felt his legs respond well to gravity, felt his joints lighter, and as he increased his speed his thoughts ran faster.

Minmay was going to give a concert next month ... he figured he could go ... oh but if he had to start patrolling again in a month, it wouldn't be an option. There was so much to do in the inter-city border areas... Max had told him.

I could stop by the restaurant and say hello at least...

Rick nodded in delight, it was a great idea, genius, indeed.

Then his thoughts went to Lisa and the lovely evening they had spent at the amusement park. His legs were running fast, a drop of sweat crossed his face. There was no need to tell her about his plans...

Lisa was... that night she was so pretty. And sweet, too.

He thought that that time, this one of his recovery, had marked a kind of truce between them. That their relationship had finally changed. He thought about the kisses they had shared... Were those... kisses between friends, or what? She... she was his friend, his shoulder to rest on when the storm raged... she... she had a stunning body...

-Captain Hunter!

Coach Isamura called to him from across the room.

-Stop running, don't strain your legs.

Rick turned off the machine and raised an arm in greeting.

-Hai, sensei*!

-Let's go! Let's do some physiotherapy now.

And Rick temporarily abandoned his mind's machinery. His brain, in many ways, was still that of a young boy.

Lisa walked out of the Headquarters after an exhausting meeting with Gloval and Exedore. It was past seven p.m. The problem was the borders, codenamed No Man's Land. There, some Zentraedi forces had set up dodgy clusters of settlements. There was no point in denying it, the RDF's equipment at the time was precarious.

There were not enough men, and veteran pilots were undergoing gruelling shifts.

Perhaps a recruitment campaign for the Zentraedis or young humans might help...

Lisa pondered, as the car drove her back to the military district.

-Like the one that had been sponsoring Minmay aboard the SDF1...

-What did you say, Captain?

said the driver.

-No.. nothing I...

Suddenly she lifted up in the seat, tapping a hand on her forehead.

-Laundry!

The corporal at the wheel was startled

-Ma'am?!

-I have to stop by the laundry, I have a pile of stuff to pick up...do you mind heading back?

The young man smiled at the fact that the famed Captain Hayes did not have a housekeeper for certain hang-ups.

-No problem ma'am.

Rick opened the door as soon as he heard the bell ringing.

-It took you so long!

He said with a fake pout.

Lisa was out of breath

-Well...

She frowned at one point, and dumped on him the two laundry bags she was holding with some effort

-Hold it! Gimme a break!

She said sharply.

Rick staggered as he tried to hold back the bulging bags of cloths, still warm from the dryer

-Please come in, ehhhyour welcome!

Lisa walked past him. He closed the door with a kick.

-I had to drop by after the meeting with Gloval. You had hardly anything clean left ... and ... hopefully, you'll need a couple of uniforms for the next few weeks ... and the sheets...

Rick's eyes went wide

-Is this all my shit?

Lisa crossed her arms and looked at him with amusement.

-Exactly Captain Hunter.

-I didn't think that ... but when you got it ... oh I ... Lisa you are a lifesaver!

She burst out laughing and threw herself down on the couch.

-Is this the thousandth time you've said that? Maybe it is. We should celebrate the thousandth then!

Rick nodded.

-Agreed! We could order a bottle of champagne

-There's no champagne in New Macross!

-Well there is that sort of fake one, the one they sell downtown.. the... "Macross sparkle"!

Then he picked up a bag from the floor

-All kidding aside... thank you, seriously Lisa,...I...I don't know what I would do without you.

She blushed and made one hand roll in the air.

-It's nothing, really...

Then she stood up and picked up the other sack.

-Come on let's fix this stuff, I'll help you.

Rick turned on the main light in the bedroom and entered, Lisa following.. There was a certain mess, but it was standard.

-At least lets hang the uniforms, so they don't get wrinkled.

Lisa made to open the closet but Rick past her.

-Let me do it. You've done enough as it is.

Lisa left him alone, and turned to gaze around the room. Roy's little yellow airplane still dangled from the ceiling and the Skull One paintings were in their place right at the head of the bed but on that wall...something was missing.

Lisa winced. The wall in front of the bed was completely bare. Blank. The Minmay poster was gone. Did Rick remove it? And if so, why? Her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps he had given up on her and on his teenage obsessions? Was it because of their kiss?

She ran a hand through her hair over and over, trying to calm down. She did not want him to see her get nervous.

She felt his physical presence behind her back

-Lisa you all right?

She did not turn around

-I'm just a little tired...

she murmured. But she could sense her face on fire.

-Let's go to the living room, shall we?

Rick grabbed her by the waist and pushed her toward the door. He did it playfully, but at the touch they both felt an immediate heat invading their bodies.

-Hey, I know the way!

Then, he let her go. They shifted to the small couch, and Lisa took off her shoes.

-Tell me a bit about today, did you go to physiotherapy?

she said coyly.

-How about you? What was so urgent with Gloval to make you so late?

-I am very worried about this.

Lisa had curled up on the sofa, her legs under her knees. She held one elbow flexed, a cheek in her palm.

Rick clenched his jaw.

-I feel so useless not being able to be there...

Lisa shook her head.

-It won't be long, Rick. What concerns me is that your squadron is overworked. We need more ships and more troops...

Rick immediately retraced his incident with the Lightning III. If it had not been for that mistake...

It was as if she could read his mind.

-Rick the new prototype has nothing to do with it... don't torture yourself. Please... you promised

He nodded, staring down.

-The problem now is to find and recruit new people who will be useful to the RDF here on Earth. On the Satellite Factory... we can be confident. Lang will be okay.

-What If the Zentraedis never managed to integrate? What if eventually their interest in culture will fade?

Rick glanced at her keenly.

-Look at Kyron. He seemed immune to everything including music and... kissing.

Lisa looked at him, the same: she was quite serious, too.

-We need to set up an advertising campaign or whatever...like the one we set up on the SDF1 in the outer space...you finally joined up too, didn't you!?

She gave a little smile and Rick smiled back at her.

-Yeah, and you couldn't take it, right?

Lisa started laughing.

-I hated your guts. I couldn't believe that cocky civilian who stole a Varitech...

-Hey I didn't steal it! You were the one who told me to take off!

Lisa ran a hand over her forehead.

-It's true, its true , it seems like ages... Isn't it, Rick? My memory is faltering! I really am an old lady now...

She smiled but her smile just died on her lips.

-Lisa I'm sorry, I was dumb. You were... never... an old lady.

He ran a hand through his hair and looked at a distant spot, in the wall.

-You are young, Lisa...and beautiful.

She lost her breath. She could feel herself flaring up. Maybe... maybe it was better to flee.

She sprang to her feet, and so did he. They were both barefoot, and Lisa was much smaller than him without her regulation heels.

-What up?

-I -I think it's time to go... it's late and I'm exhausted.

She said it all, watching her feet. She did not want to leave and yet something inside her was calling SOS.

-You...

They were facing each other ,but other unable to look at each other.

Then Lisa felt him grabbing her wrist, firmly

-Lisa, well...I ... just ... stay.

She looked in amazement at his strong hand squeezing her thin wrist.

-I am ... I am here ...

she said in a whisper

-I mean ... tonight.

By now he had said it. Rick felt that his legs were no longer holding up, but that was what he wanted. The words had come out willingly.

And now he could only wait for her answer. With a pounding heart he held his breath.

-Well, I...

He looked at her, she was blushing in a way that made her so vulnerable.

Rick let go of his grip, and dropped both his arms along his hips.

The seconds seemed to last for centuries. Lisa had understood what he intended, and was scared. Nevertheless, she did not move. She lifted the hand that he had just before held impetuously, and stroked his face

-Oh Rick...

He closed his eyes at her touch and thought that that was a yes. He kissed her wrist and they stood still for a while longer, until Rick reached over and took her face in his hands.

-Only if you want it too.

She could not hold his gaze, but her body spoke for her. She had literally melted at his touch.

-It's just that I ... I haven't done "this" in a while.

-Same for me.

-?

Lisa was genuinely impressed

And so, Minmay?...

But she decided not to say anything. Rick pulled her onto the couch and kissed her with passion. For a really long time he hadn't touched a girls' body. He ran a hand over her hip while with the other he tried to unfasten the flaps of her jacket. They both panted.

-It's like this...

she said in a whisper as she guided his hands between buttons and zippers.

-It's like this, okay...

He said as he tried to undress her with trembling hands. He ran his palms over the warm, white skin. Lisa tugged the Skull Squadron shirt off his head, causing him to turn his neck around awkwardly, and they both giggled but... when their half-naked bodies touched, both realized that there was no turning back. It was happening. Lisa closed her eyes as he kissed her neck and her jaw line. She felt his heart beating along with hers.

Yes, it was happening.

To be continued

Chapter Text

Lisa then opened her eyes on that rainy morning. The light was barely filtering through the pulled-back curtains. It took her a short time to realize that this was not her room, that this was not her bed.

Rick...

Instinctively, she sat up in bed, covering with a sheet up to her head. In that white cocoon she replayed, as in a backwards movie, all the events of the previous night.

She pulled the sheet off her head and wrapped it tightly. She was naked.

He was sleeping curled up next to her. It wasn't possible otherwise, the bed was too small. Lisa blushed, her heart beating so hard that she could feel it pumping in her ears. His chest rose and fell with each breath, his face quiet in slumber. Lisa couldn't help but think how young he looked in that moment. She had always found Rick handsome, with his chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes... but seeing him like this, vulnerable and at peace, made her heart swell. He didn't show any sign of waking up and she didn't have the courage to make a move. She wanted to kiss him, hug him, hold him close. But she did nothing, just watched him. Then, she reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead. Rick stirred slightly, but didn't wake up.

What was she going to do now? She was always the same, a thousand thoughts crowded her mind. She didn't know how to enjoy the moment. Speaking of enjoyin... last night... Lisa blushed up to her ears.

-G..good morning

he stuttered

Lisa turned abruptly to her right, her hair flipping back on the sheet. His chest was completely exposed and he ran a hand over his face as if to brush away the last remnants of sleep.

-Goo... Good morning

she replied hesitantly.

What was he going to do now? Was he still sleeping, even with his eyes open? yeah, he was dreaming of a stunning woman. But when he realized what they had done that night, he instantly sat up in bed, his face flushing. Broken and confused thoughts swirled in his head. He and Lisa. He and Commander Hayes. He didn't have to think about it, or his body would react naturally. Too late. She looked at him with a lost, bashful stare from under those long eyelashes. They were so close that he could feel her warmth, her scent.

What should I do now? Should I kiss her?

Her skin was smooth, firm and white... he shook his head.

-Rick...

She was bringing him back to reality. And the reality was that he was in bed with his superior officer in his room, and he didn't know what to do. He grabbed a lock of her hair and let it slide between his fingers.

-Should we get up?

he said uncertainly. Lisa certainly didn't expect that kind of answer.

-Well, I don't know... I don't know what time it is...

Both felt an unbearable embarrassment. Once again. Rick let go of her hair and sat up aganist the pillow. Lisa lingered her eyes on his muscular arms, his steel chest, and his golden skin. Everything about him was perfect. They were now sitting facing each other. Lisa hugged her knees and rested one cheek on her legs, looking at him affectionately. Rick had rarely seen that look in her. Maybe only when he had saved her in the burning Alaska. But this was enough to make him lean to her face. He tilted his head and kissed her on the lips, lightly, barely touching them. Lisa sighed and closed her eyes. Neither of them had the guts to speak, they simply stared at each other one more time, then Rick cup her cheek and kissed her again. The sheet slid off her shoulders, revealing her slim, delicate figure, her firm, perfect, rosy breasts. Rick hugged her, pressing his body against hers, slowly sliding on the bedsheets and Lisa did not oppose. She closed her eyes, drenched in a happiness she had never felt before.

One month passed Lisa and Rick had been secret lovers for some time now. Thankfully, Captain Hunter had finally been reassigned to the military his physical recovery had been rapid and with any relapse. Without mentioning his mood. It seemed to be through the roof. It was as if taking back command of his squadron had brought him back to life.

But maybe it was not just that...

Lisa smiled as she set up his perpetually cluttered bedroom. She opened the closet and ran her fingers over his immaculate uniforms. He looked so handsome... She shook her head, unable not to blush again.

The day was sunny and freezy and she ventured to hang out Rick's laundry. Lisa went out into the small garden and start to work. She was wearing a little pink dress and a pair of sneakers and she had pulled her hair up into a ponytail. Soon a gust of wind blew one of Rick's Skull squadron shirt up into the sky. Lisa made a leap to grab it. She could sense herself almost flying as she jumped in the air.* It was her day off, and when Rick's house was as clean as a whistle, she sat down on the couch where so many times he had tenderly held her. She ran a hand over her lips where he had first kissed her. It had become their routine to spend every evening together when their shifts overlapped.

Was it really a relationship, or was it just "something" they did when they were together? She was sometimes desperate to know the truth, but found herself unable to ask. Still, there seemed to be an unspoken understanding that their nights together were precious, and their connection strengthened with each day passed.

She was shocked to notice how Rick had changed and how quickly had adapted to living his clandestine life, as if the situation had reinvigorated him. His wingmates in the Skull Squadron noticed a change too - he was more energetic, focused and devoted to his work than ever before. His transformation was evident to all. His dedication to the army was inspiring for many of them.

One day, the first after the incident Lisa met Rick at the Base. His behavior was so different from their usual: he kept his distance by saluting her carelessly

-Good morning Commander.

As if he barely knew her.

Lisa stared in disbelief at the wall thinking for the first time that Rick had stopped inviting her out. It was absurd, considering how often they had gone out as "friends".

Claudia had noticed the changes in Lisa as well, she seemed ever more distant, preoccupied, worried with something. But then at times she would be overcome with strange excitement - like a young girl with a secret. Claudia was starting to piece it together

Lisa was in love with the captain Hunter.

-How is the boy?

she asked cautiously as they sat on the mess for lunch

He's wonderful

Lisa thought to herself, but her voice quaked with anticipation, when she only said

-He had completely recovered from the incident.

Claudia smiled and pinched her friend's arm

-I'm so glad you have found some happiness

she said warmly, but Lisa blushed and shook her head.

-No Claudia, it's not what you think...

Claudia looked at her in dismay.

Damn...this girl just can't bring herself to change

Evenings at home were less and less comfortable for Lisa. Rick did not feel like talking and very often shut her mouth with passionate kisses that made her forget even who she was. In previous days he had been shy, but now he had become more confident. Lisa could not resist him. In her eyes he was gorgeous and sexy and she felt in heaven. His kisses, his hands exploring her whole body were like a drug, and the strong desire she felt for him erased any thoughts. But after making love she stared at him asleep by her side and she wondered if one day he would really be hers. Rick had always been a quiet guy and kept to himself. Lisa loved this aspect of him, but she missed the sparkle in his eyes and the smiles she had come to love. She wanted to know if he felt about her...

After all, they had been through a lot. Something so special had to be irreplaceable...

she told herself.

She just couldnt imagine what life would be like without him.

Lisa didn't know that Rick would wake up in the middle of the night to watch her sleeping. She had a delicate beauty and grace that he found very attractive. Lisa was like a dream to him, and sometimes he felt as if he were imagining her face, but the soft stroke of her hair against his skin made her suddenly real to him.

One night his hand slipped under the covers almost involuntarily, and his fingers ran along her womb. He liked this sense of peace and trust between them, and Rick reflected for a moment on Commander Hayes' anger-filled face on the Comm. and felt a sense of pride for having the privilege to have her in such a way, a way no one else could. But he was at a loss to explain why he felt this way. It was as if time and space were suspended around them in a magical trance. Despite this, a sense of dread loomed in the air, as if any given second the illusion between them may come to a sudden, abrupt end.

In addition, there was the problem of the military's ban on relationships between officers, which, in light of the annihilation of all of humanity, seemed pointless. Would it be better if they went ahead and repopulated the planet? His mind wandered adrift.

Commander Hayes...

He leaned in closer and cuddled up to her. Then her eyes slowly widened and met his, sparking a fire in his core.

-Rick, What's up? You awake?

she muttered. He cracked a smile and instinctively reached for her, cradling her waist and pulling her to him.

-Just a moment. I was watching you...You are so beautiful, Lisa.

He breathed into her ear, feeling her heartbeat quicken against his chest. She blushed, a mixture of surprise and pleasure crossing her features. His lips found hers, passionate and unyielding, tasting of desire and hope. She smiled back surrendered to his embrace.

From now there is a explicit scene, if you dont want to read it go ahead to next and final chapter

They had made love several times now, And Rick was feeling more and more daring. One night after their last meeting with UEG, Lisa made it into her office and he followed her. He just couldn't resist his overwhelming desire: it could be dangerous to be found by anyone, let alone the sergeant at the desk could catch them but Rick didn't seem to have any qualms about being caught either. As he shut the door, Lisa tossed her bag on the floor and fell back into Rick's arms. He hugged her close to him, their bodies pressed with one another. Her soft breasts pushed against his hard chest. She ran her hands through his thick hair. Lisa was grateful there was no one in the doorway of her office; she did care that someone might hear them or walk by. At the same time she desperately wanted to let go, to feel everything he had for her. Yes, the risk of being caught was thrilling as Lisa felt his lips hungrily exploring her neck. He started pulling off her panties, then caressed over the damp folds between her legs sending waves of pleasure through her body. She gasped for air in a mixture of fear and excitement, feeling the hardness of his erection pressing against her.

-I want you now

he said, but she was unsure. They could might be heard by someone passing by the hallway.

-Rick... we can't...

But he shut her with a passionate kiss pressing his big hands on her back and pulling over her skirt. She was now fully exposed and she felt excited to the top of her toes .

-Your are so hot Commander...

Rick's hands moved over Lisa's body, touching her soft skin, pulling down the zipper on her jacket. She trembled with anticipation as his fingers worked the buttons open one by one. He leaned forward and gave her a long kiss, trailing his tongue along her neck to her earlobe. His breath was hot and moist against her skin. Lisa's nipples hardened beneath her silky bra cups. Rick smelled slighlty like soap. His hands slid down to squeeze her naked cheeks till he pressed his finger against her entrance, slowly pushing it inside her until she gasped with pleasure. He added a second and then a third finger, curling them inward as he moved them in and out of her, massaging the walls of her tightness. Lisa felt herself begin to tremble as the spasms built within her body and when they finally broke through, he cupped her face between his palms, catching her cries of ecstasy as she was overwhelmed by the orgasm.

He was both scared and aroused by what he was about to do. His hands unclasped his belt as Lisa turned away from him, but before she could escape his grasp, he spun her around and pushed her hard against the table roughly grabbing her by the hair. She strained to look at him, but gasped when she felt the head of his manhood graze her inner lips. He pulled back quickly and thrust into her again and again. His chest burned with lust as he wrapped a hand in Lisa's hair and squeezed one breast until she moaned. Her wet, moist folds, welcomed him as he plunged deeply her and then pushed inside her again and again. She tensed and cried as a second orgasm swept through her, her sex tightening against his shaft. Rick felt a gush of warm liquid wet his cock.

-You came again...

he whispered.

Rick was feeling his muscles tense as Lisa tried to pull away from him so he kissed her again rough deeply and turned her back to the wall. Then, he quickly grabbed her by the waist, pressing her against him. He felt his hardness pulsing in anticipation, so he thrust forward into her wet lips again. With each thrust, electric sparks of pleasure traveled through Lisa's body. Rick could barely contain his desire as he squeezed her breasts tightly until she groaned in pain. His heart hammered in his chest as he penetrated her again and again, and erotic fantasies of her submitting to all his commands filled his mind. All too soon Lisa's body shuddered as the climax overwhelmed her. Rick felt again an explosion of hot liquid.

-Did you like that?

He whispered in her ear

-Do you want more?

Lisa replied softly

-Yes, yes Rick... I do..

As she uttered these words, he felt his own orgasm explode.

They ended up at Lisa's place and fell asleep in each other's arms.

But Lisa could hardly get to sleep, and the heat only seemed to intensify the doubts she felt. Her worries and fears swirled together, making her feel like she was suffocating in the sticky air. She wanted to ask him, but the words wouldn't come. She had never felt this way before, and the force of this feeling overwhelmed her. Lisa stood there in silence, unable to express what she felt, then clung to him, still wanting to believe that he loved her and had forgotten Minmay.

The next morning at Headquarters, Rick was standing in the middle of the hallway, trying to make sense of what had happened the night before.

The entire scene still seemed like something out of a dream. He could still feel the heat of her skin against his, and the taste of her lips on his lingered in his mouth. He was absolutely certain that it had happened, yet it felt almost irrealistic to him.

He glanced up and saw that she had exit the room and was standing in the doorway, watching him with a faint smile curling up the corners of her mouth. He felt a sudden jolt of longing as he realized that he wanted her all over again, despite the fact that he had spent the previous night exploring every inch of her body. He took a step towards her and locked eyes with her. She didn't flinch away and instead stepped closer to him, until they were standing so close that they were almost touching. He could feel her breath on his skin, and suddenly the memories of the night before came flooding back to him.

-Last night was amazing

he said, his voice thick with emotion.

-It was.

she said, her eyes never letting go of his.

There was silence for a moment, then she spoke again.

-What are we going to do now?

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

That evening Rick came home like lightning. With only one thought in his mind. First, he took off his boots and letting them land on the carpet. He savored the warmth of the floor under his feet, then repeatedly ran a hand through his hair looking for any single thing in disarray, but it was useless, Lisa had left the house in perfect order. As usual.

There was only one thing left to do. Rick entered his bedroom. He could still smell the scent of the night before- their scent . At that thought his belly suddenely ached. Rick closed his eyes. He had never experienced something like this... with a woman... before. He felt that he had grown up, all at once in one night and over several years. He felt that now he was ready to be a man, like Roy.
Sempai...
He thought about this new revelation for a while, as he examined the flaps of the poster stuck on the wall.
Then shook his head and with a tug pulled away the smiling portrait of Minmay that had greeted him every morning at dawn since ... who knows.

Enough, Minmay

He thought that Lisa would understand that everything was different now. Maybe he wasn't sure, maybe he wouldn't be able to tell her right now but someday...

Was it a real bond or just sex between them?

Lisa was lost in thought as she rearranged Rick's apartment. Though she sensed there was something deeper between them, her rigid disposition kept her from bringing up the discussion. It had become their routine to spend every evening together, when their shifts overlapped. At first she didn't ask if it would be just a one night stand, and she even wasn't sure if Rick would distance himself from her once he returned to duty. After all, the RDF regulations forbid relations between superiors and subordinates. By now, it was clear that Rick's health had dramatically improvedhe became more confident and immediately resumed disobeying her orders on the Comm.

Evenings at home were getting less and less enjoyable for Lisa. Rick's eyes seemed more and more distant from her, and she had to hold his face in her hands before he realized she was talking. His kisses were no longer gentle and shy, but full of desire, and they pushed her to frantic passion. She was losing her mind in the ecstasy and forgetting who she was and where. It was insane how all of a sudden they could argue in public and kiss in private. And it wasn't just about kissing. But since Lisa had seen the empty wall in his bedroom... Since then her heart started filling with hope. She thought it was Rick's awkward and clumsy way of telling her that he had forgotten Minmay and was ready to be with her... She wanted so bad to believe it.

As the weeks passed and the cold Alaskan weather began to freeze New Macross City nothing for Lisa had really changed. Rick seemed to lose interest in her when they were surrounded by a room full of people. He had been her best friend...they used to hang out on their days off and also return home together from the base, but now... He never asked her out. A date, an occasional dinner. Nothing. Waking up in the middle of the night, her pillow wet with tears, she started to realized she had never been so lonely since she had discovered she loved him, months before. The problem for Lisa was quite simply this: she could not cope with the problem.

Because of her shyness, she started to take work home with them. Instead of seducing him, she pushed and prodded him to focus on his role.

He was a Captain of the Defence Forces.

She never stopped saying it. While cooking, washing dishes, and serving him coffee, all she did was talk about the rebelling Zentraedi and her various plans to stop the Malcontents in the region. Rick's patience was wearing thin. He thought of himself as a soldier, not a diplomat. He somehow appreciated Lisa's insights, but his constant focus on diplomacy with the Zentraedi was beginning to frustrate him. One evening, as they sat at the table with a large tray of pasta in front of them he felt so choked

Rick took a deep breath and fixed his eyes on Lisa.

-Ok Lisa.

he exclaimed, in a tone slightly firmer than usual

-I understand the importance of diplomacy, but I am a pilot. My role is to protect our people from the Zentraedis threat, not to negotiate with them endlessly.

Lisa's brow furrowed and she looked at him, with unwavering determination. However, she assumed a tone of sufficiency.

-Rick... you must understand that communication is crucial. We cannot rely on military force to solve everything. We have to find a way to peacefully coexist with the Zentraedis. This is not just about us, but about the future of Earth.

Rick's frustration boiled over and he slammed his fork down on the table.

-I understand that, Lisa. I am not a newbie! But there has to be a limit. We can't keep talking with no progress. I have to focus on my duties as captain of all squadron, and I can't do that if I'm constantly engaged in negotiations.

Lisa blinked caught off guard. as she leaned in, her voice growing stronger.

-Rick, you can't just dismiss diplomacy. It's not just about talking endlessly; it's about finding common ground, building trust. If we can make peace with the Zentraedis, we can secure a better future for everyone, including our ...our...

Rick clenched his fists, his frustration reaching its peak.

-Lisa, you're asking me to put my soldiers at risk for uncertain negotiations. I've lost friends out there, and I can't afford to take chances when it comes to their safety.

Their argument intensified, their voices rising as they both struggled to make their points clear. Rick's stubborn mindset clashed with Lisa's stubborn ideals, creating a rift between them that had been growing for weeks. As their voices echoed through the room, their love seemed to be overshadowed by the weight of their differing responsibilitiest. The tray of pasta layed untouched as they go on in discussion into the night.

In late October, as Rick's birthday approached*, Lisa was handed a task from Admiral Gloval. This assignment was unexpected or her. She had to spend one week on the factory satellite with Dr. Lang and his team to determine the final version of Lightning III. It was only seven days, but it coincided with the date when she would've wanted to celebrate with Rick. She had so many things planned and now couldn't find out how to tell him that not only would she be absent, but also that he hadn't been selected for the mission. She was sure he would feel slighted.

She was right.

She knew she had to break the news to him, and one evening, as they sat together in her quarters, she cleared her throat nervously.

-Rick, I need to talk to you about... some... something important

she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Rick, who had been engrossed in a report, turned his gaze to the ceiling

-What's wrong, Lisa? You sound strange

Taking a deep breath, she started

-I've been given an assignment on the Factory Satellite with Dr. Lang and his team for the next week. It's regarding the Lightning III Project.

Rick's brow furrowed as he absorbed the news.

-Finally, well, uh, I hope the works on the new prototypes will be accomplished..

she continued

-That's quite sudden. But okay, I understand duty comes first!

said him in a cheerful voice

-There is more, Rick. I also want you to know that... that you weren't selected for this mission.

Rick's eyes widened, and his disappointment was palpable. He left the files and got up from the table.

-What? Why not? I'm one who tested the VF-4 and I've been working hard ...

suddenly the memory of his fiasco shut him up

Lisa reached out to hold his hand.

-I know, Rick, and I believe in your abilities. But the decision came from above, and it wasn't in my control.

He pulled his hand away abruptly. His frustration was evident.

-So, not only am I not going on the mission, but you won't even be here for my birthday?

Lisa nodded, her heart heavy with regret.

-I'm so sorry, Rick. I know we had plans for your birthday, but this mission was unexpected, and I couldn't decline it. Please understand, I didn't want it to be like this.

Rick turned away, his emotions swirling inside him. He felt slighted and hurt by the circumstances.

-I get it, duty calls. Just go and do your mission. Ok?

He started wearing his jacket with the Skull Squadron insignia and a long, wool scarf

Lisa could only stare at him as he left the room, the distance between them growing wider.

-No Rick... wait..

Her heart ached, knowing that their fight about diplomacy days ago had already created tension, and now this situation maybe...had pushed them further apart. As he was leaving the room he turned back and asked casually

- Listen Lisa, is Alex Louan going to be part of this project?

Her heart skipped a beat, and alarm bells rang in her mind. She had thought Alex Louan was no longer a problem, and his involvement in the Lightning III project was something she hadn't anticipated. Her expression tensed as she replied cautiously

-I...I'm not sure, Rick. I haven't been informed of the entire team yet. And...by the way I dont think its important

Rick's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Y-ou're not sure? Maybe you are. To me. If he's on the team, I want to know.

Lisa hesitated, torn between her loyalty to Rick and the classified information she possessed. She decided to be honest, as she knew that keeping secrets from him had already caused problems.

-Ok

she muttered

-Yes Rick... he's involved.

Rick nodded and left the room without saying another word. Lisa watched him go the door swung open overa ia cold gust of wind. Then she shuddered at the sound of the slamming. Her mind was racing with concerns about how Alex Louan'might put on their already fragile relationship. So was Rick jealous? Or did he simply resent being excluded from the mission? Lisa couldn't tell if Rick's jealousy was directed at his former VF-4 or at... herself.

Rick closed his eyes and sighed heavily as he stared at the florescent bulbs, flickering in the dim morning light of the diner. All those years of hard work for nothing-he failed that flying test, and now Lisa was acting like they were in a relationship. When they were alone of course, because she showed no signs of it when they were around their fellow colleagues and officers. His jealousy and confusion grew more powerful by the minute, and the idea of her having to spend an entire week with Alex Louan put him on edge.

He worked so hard to achieve what he had...he had become Captain of the VT squadrons and... and yet felt overlooked. Rick knew that Admiral Gloval was eyeing him, and he also knew that he preferred Max's disciplined behavior to his own. So why did he give him the command of all the squadrons? Was he hoping he would die during a Malcontent so he could put Max in his place? And... What about Lisa? Did she know about this? He was starting to ramble with fantasies. Rick gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he realized that this was something he could not control. He could only hope that he would be given a chance to prove himself and prove that he was worthy of the position he got.

And as for Lisa... Maybe...maybe it was just his sexual urge that was sucking him toward her. But then he crinkled his eyes, which had suddenly moistened, and remembered how sweet and caring she was to him. They were friends, they were bound by something he did not know, could not, describe. He cursed himself for hating her, for suspect her. At that moment he wanted to take her and kiss her hard, pull her hair, bite and pinch her entire sexy body, making her moan in pain and pleasure. He inhaled deeply and realized that he felt oddly aroused.

Enough

he thought, pushing away from the seat and making his way to the hangar.

It was still night when at 5 am the shuttle detached from the rocket and disappeared into the dark sky. Rick was standing in the doorway of hangar 145, where he had made a habit of holing up. An abandoned hangar to rest and relax when the stress of those two long years of Reconstruction wore him down. He saw the shuttle And then he imagined Lisa and Dr. Lang taking their seats.

That Zand was a dick... and as for Gina bartlow, well, he had always seen her as a bit of a charmer to all men at the Base, not matter the rank. His mysogyny was at its peak in these moments.

But whatever. He thought of Lisa, surely she was squeezed into her spacesuit with her Captain's marks, and remembered vividly when they had fallen into that tank, on Breetai's ship.* She was completely wet and her tight-fitting suit left little to imagination. He could clearly see the shape of her butt.

Well, even then she had a perfect round ass...Who would have thought.

But he immediately shook his head chasing from his usual lustful thoughts. Every time he thought of Lisa there was something that excited him.

But now he was really mad. He felt that he hated her in a way.

The one did not exclude the other after all.

He could feel his brain bursting.

Lisa sighed and walked towards the window, looking out at the stars, lost in thought. She had so many questions but no answers, and to make matters worse, she had only seven days to wrap up the VF-4 gate. She knew then that this mission would be her toughest in years, for many reasons. She looked up to the sky, the stars twinkling in the dark night. There was something comforting in the vastness of the firmament, and she was reminded of how small and insignificant her problems were long time ago, when they where on board of the SDF1. But whom was she kidding but herself? She had realized that she loved Rick that day, when she was going back to Earth and he had sent her that morse code*. Or perhaps even earlier, when he had been injured in the Daedalus attack.*

"We are leaving tomorrow"

She had texed him. He didn't reply.

It seemed so dang close. Lisa wished that that tomorrow would never come.

The next morning Lisa was at the base, ready to board the transport that would take her and Lang's engineering team to the Factory. She looked at the Angel Squadron pilots flying off into the sky, and felt a pang of sadness remembering the way things had been between she and Rick the last few days. She wished that things could have been different, wished that she could have stayed with him and celebrated his birthday, but instead she was leaving him behind.

"Always duty first, huh Commander?"

his voice on the comm was swagger and angry, as usual. And it was as if he could hear it in his ears at that moment.

She sighed and shook her head, trying to push away her worries and focus on the task ahead. The rocket slowly drifted off into the horizon, and she watched the distant shape of the base grow smaller and smaller.

When they arrived at the Factory Satellite , Lisa had already started to familiarize with the operations. She talked with Lang about the engineers and technicians who were working on the project for months and was amazed at the scope and complexity of the improvements made to VF4. She realized that the team had worked very hard and that the prototype was almost complete. Lang was confident that the project would be completed at its deadline.

Lieutenant Alex Louan had tried to avoid her for the first few days. He knew he had been a coward leaving Earth leaving only a stupid letter behind. All those months away from Lisa had numbed his feelings. He had convinced himself that they were dictated only by some homesickness for an age and era that no longer existed except in his memories. But when he saw her coming down the walkplank, her face so serious and pale, and her eyes sparkling with ardor and pride, he felt his heart ignite.

As he stood in the shadows, he had to admit that he had missed her. But in the months since he had left, he had forgotten the power she had over him, the power she had to make him weak and meaningless.
For a moment it seemed as if the whole world had stopped. Alex could do nothing but stand, entranced by her beauty, as she gracefully stepped off the shuttle and onto the walk leading to the Factory. She had just taken off her helmet, her auburn hair was pulled back in a braid, exposing her slender neck and her small ears.
But it was her eyes that fascinated him most. All the love and passion that had been absent in his life were suddenly alive. He wanted to call her, to tell her he was here, but fear prevented him from speaking.

Alex looked at her, feeling an emotion he had long forgotten: regret. He had run away and, in the process, lost the woman he - might have - loved.

However, it wasnt possible to keep avoiding her. He was going to look like an idiot. For the second time.

On a late evening, Lisa was engrossed in the screen set up in the center of the headquarters and was scrolling through the files with her gracious fingers. Every now and then she whispered something to Lang. Gina Bartlow twirled in her long lab coat nodding at every word.

The rest of the engineers were breaking off for the second shift, and there were not many people hanging around. Alex tightened his teets and start walking making his boots clack noisily. Lang lifted his head and glanced at him with annoyance.

-Captain Hayes!

he said in a shrill voice as he saluted her.

Lisa raised her head so slowly that Alex felt that time had frozen.

-Oh, Lieutenant Louan! At last we meet! The Factory is very big but I didn't think it was impossible to cross paths with someone for days. At ease.

She said it all in a soothing voice, but the tone was harsh, almost ironic.

I certainly deserve it

He mused. And as he thought so, he look into Lisa's eyes. She was different. As she had finally become the woman and the leader she was meant to be. Her expression unreadable.

Lisa pushed a strand of hair behind her shoulder and turned to Gina,

-Let's take a break colleagues, shall we? continue in half an hour.

Everybody was thrilled with the proposal except Lang and of course Alex, who did not know how to act. Was he supposed to talk to her? But about what? She was anyway his superior officer.

-I saw that you had been promoted to First Lieutenant.

she surprised him

Her voice was clear, a razor blade.

-Yes...Yes so it seems Lisa...

he blushed abruptly

-I apologize, I intended to say Captain, Captain Hayes.

Lisa eyed him with circumstance. Why was everyone acting as if the whole world had gone mad? Perhaps because the entire world had just gone mad?

In each case they were on the moon at that time. And it was already three days. In four days she would be back on Earth. She thought of Rick, who was barely responding to her texts.

-What day is it on Earth Alex?

He looked at her, puzzled.

-It is ... it's a Saturday... today

Rick Hunter punched the comm frequency and waited for his wingsmates to .

-Captain!

a voice crackled across the intercom.

-You're late. Whats up?

-Sorry, I got sidetracked. I'm here now...Well, don't just sit there. Get ready to take off!

-Skull Squadron, you are allowed to launch. The coordinates are: Alpha bravo zero seven, out

a laid-back Sammie Porter welcomed the squadron for the morning mission

-Thank you Lt. Porter

said Rick with a wink

-Have a successful work captain Hunter. Over and out

-Hey Rick, is the babe done with the comm? We have a debriefing to make

said Bobby bell with a chuckle

Rick heaved a sigh and adjusted his headset.

-What's briefing? I haven't heard anything about it.

There was a pause and Rick a heard his colleagues giggling again

- Oh come on! The Minmay Concert is coming up in three days. It's being held at the Macross Great Hall. Its gonna be a big turnout!

-Yeah...it's been at last two years since she got back to Macross!

said another pilot

Rick was taken aback.

A Concert? Minmay...I thought that was just a rumor...

He realized with uneasiness that his salivation had reset to zero. His heart had taken on a strange beating.

Minmay...

-So boss, you coming? Rick! Skull 13 calling Skull 1, Skull 1 are you in?

-It's not nice to overhear private conversations.

Kim slapped Sammie's head with her hand as Vanessa giggled behind their backs.

-Have you heard? The handsome Captain Hunter didn't know anything about the concert!

-I wonder if she still talks to him...

-Please?! Kim said with a swagger.

-She's with Kyle now.

Sammie clasped her hands together in delight.

-Kyle! Hewas so handsome and charming and he had a great body! No wonder Captain Hayes had a crush on him too!

Vanessa repeated Kim's move from a moment earlier and slapped Sammie's golden hair.

-If the Captain catches wind of you, you'll be kissing your day shifts goodbye!

Sammie showed her tongue.

-Ahh, just look at her, she must be having a great time on the Factory with that Lieutenant Alex Louan, while we're working ourselves to death!

Kim and Vanessa both sighed.

-Yes, Louan... what a shame he left!

- He was so handsome, too!

-Indeed!

-I prefer Kyle. Even though he hates the army

said Sammie with a lingering stare.

Lisa and Alex walked away from everyone else. It wasn't planned. It just came naturally to both of them. Lisa was embarrassed, but she also realised that she was nervous and angry with him as well.

-So

-well...

-You first

He said, lowering his eyes.

-Nice way of doing things!

she reply coldly.

Lisa leaned against a large balustrade overlooking the hangars, where the mechanics were busy lifting a huge fuselage to hook on the new prototype.

-Lisa... you are right to hate me. I would have preferred a different farewell, but...

-A different farewell

she mocked

-A different farewell?! God what are you talking about?

Lisa turned to face him. Her eyes were two burning jades in the dark.

-At first I always thought we were friends, but... apparently our friendship wasn't that solid, Alex! You know we're not at the Academy anymore! We're grown-ups now...at any rate I think so..

-Lisa, no, wait, I...

-And then what do you do, you just walk away and leave me with this stupid letter and that damn picture? That damn picture of you and ... Karl.

She let out a bitter laugh.

-It seems that sooner or later everyone gets tired of me and leave me... ... My father, Karl, you and ...

She ran a hand through her hair, her eyes welling with tears.

Alex was shocked. No, he had not expected such a rant, nor had he expected the kind of attention she was giving him. He thought he counted for nothing to her.

Unless...

-Lisa...

he shyly reached for her hand still gripping the cold metal of the railing.

-It's not me you're angry at. Tell me the truth? What happened with Captain Hunter?

Lisa looked startled.

She parted her lips. But she could not utter a word.

Three days later, Rick rushed back to his room to prepare for the concert, and as he walked home from the base, he was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. He had never attended a Minmay show on Earth, and he had heard many good things about it. Would it be as amazing as he recalled? Once in his room, he quickly changed into his RDF uniform, wanting to look his best.

As he was getting dressed, his pager vibrated several times. Texts from Lisa. He huffed...had no time to answer. He would write to her later. But when he was ready, he felt ashamed and small as he looked into the mirror.

What I'm doing?

He had no illusions of Grandeur like Lynn Kyle, Minmay's manager and alleged lover, a rumour Rick had heard about during those two long years. He was not an anti-militarist partisan. He was an RDF soldier. He fought every day to protect their planet.

and yet she had chosen him over me.

It had been years since he'd seen her last, but he still couldn't shake the memories of the time they'd spent together. They'd been so close and yet so far apart. He'd loved her then, and loved her still. But life had changed, and they'd changed with it, and now the thought of seeing her again made him wonder why he was still thinking about her, instead of enjoying Lisa's friendship and -maybe?- love. He didn't understand why, and it scared him.

As he looked at the show ticket, he closed his eyes and tried to remember what her voice sounded like, the way she smiled, the way he felt when they kissed. Their first and last kiss, when the world was about to end*. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to recall the smallest of details.

He opened his eyes and returned to the present, with the ticket still in his hand. He had promised that he would not dwell on it, that he would move on and forget Minmay. But here he was, still thinking about her, still caught up in the longing of it all. His heart wanted to see her again, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

Enough

Again

He had made a decision, his decision, and he would abide by it. He was going to forget about Minmay and focus on Lisa. He was going to text her back, and maybe that was what he would do during the concert, obviously. Minmay would not even notice him. It was just a gig, after all.

The concert was magnificent. The theatre was packed to the rafters, filled with Micronians and Giants. For those times, Minmay had put on a considerable show. Dancers, musicians, a whole orchestra. And then she was... She was simply beautiful. She had changed her hairstyle and her stage clothes made her body more seductive and sexy than ever.

Rick was in raptures. He listened intently to her old hits and wondered if that new song "The man in my life" was about Kyle. He was completely mesmerised and forgot to reply to Lisa's texts.

After two encores the lights went out. The magic was over. Rick just sat there for a while, lost in his thoughts, when a security officer approached him: Rick immediately stood up and displayed his rank.

-A message for you Captain Hunter. From Miss Minmay.

-A message... from Minmay?

By the time Rick crossed the dark maze of stairs leading to the stars' dressing rooms, his eyesight had adjusted to the darkness. He was alone and when he reached the place he knocked gently on the door and faced the room.

It was lit only by a faint glow.

-Rick is that you? come ahead please!

Her silhouette emerged in the pale flickering light of the floor lamp. She was wearing a simple Chinese silk robe, her hair loose.

A small giggle lit up her face.

-I said it right, are you a Captain now? -I didn't want to misrepresent your rank! hehe!

She put her hand to her mouth and laughed again, and for Rick it was like a step back in time.

He smiled her back, but he couldnt answer her properly. He swept a hand over his nape and muttered

-Uh oh... yes, yes I am, uhu... actually

Minmay peered intently into his face. Coquettishly, she smiled.

-You've changed, but... you're still the same, Rick.

He gave her a surprised look.

Minmay squeezed herself into her robe and now looked a little embarrassed.

-I mean, you've grown! Look how tall you are... and then yes, definitely you look older, very grown up, yes, an adult! Adult is the right word!

Minmay...always as bright and radiant as the rising sun

he thought. But he didn't say that... he said instead

-You're still the same, you too.

He realized with terror that his voice was shaking.

Then she gently stroked her arm, smiling withaffection

-Oh Rick...

He could not resist her charm. At her touch, his body seemed to shift by itself. He tilted his head and cupped his soft cheek in his big hand. Then he placed his lips, gently, on hers. Minmay flinched but did not move. Rick pulled back looking startled.

-I'm sorry

he said. His voice full of regret.

-I shouldn't have.

Minmay shook her head. She tried to clear her mind.

-No, it's ok...- she said. -I just wasn't expecting it.

Every part of her had tingled with happiness for that little kiss. He had said that he had always loved her, many years ago, and this kiss had shown that he still did. It had been like a jolt of electricity.

She realised that she wanted him to kiss her again. Now, at last, she understood what she was feeling. She hoped it was not too late.

She had been so sure that Rick was involved with Lisa Hayes, his superior that they were having an affair. But he had never talked about her, never mentioned her. She felt a pang of jealousy, but she pushed it aside for the moment and focused on the present.

She desperately needed to be free, she wanted to be alive. The intensity that had lingered between them was still in the room. There was a feeling in her chest that she hadn't felt for a long time - a feeling of safety, of security, of belonging. For the first time in a long time, Lynn Minmay felt like she could open up and let someone in without being judged or dismissed.

Rick looked into her eyes and with a single nod seemed to ask her permission. She smiled and nodded back.

Two lonely souls that found each other.

Thats what she thought.

They shared a passionate open-mouth kiss, their tongues exploring each other. They hugged and squeezed and hopelessly caressed like two inexperienced kids. Rick ran his fingers through her silky hair as she stroked his face and shoulders.

A sound of footsteps and laughter froze them. Minmay almost pushed him away. She hid in a corner.

-Its Kyle, please leave! now!

Rick, still shocked from that kiss, stared at her dumbfounded.

-I can't explain... now I... I'll call you, Rick...

A voice sounded from the hallway.

-Bao Bei*, are you there? Ready for the press conference?

Minmay almost screamed. Her voice was shrill, bordering on desperate.

-Yes! Yes Kyle, I'm almost done!

Rick's return home was a bit like being kicked out of a party. A short-lived party, certainly.

He was so confused. As if he was drunk.

When he got home, he took off his uniform. He put on a Skull Squadron shirt. It had the scent of Lisa on it.

He rubbed his forehead.

Lisa.

He hadn't called her... hadn't answered her texts...

He picked up the phone. He typed quickly. It was past midnight.

"Hey Captain Hayes, sorry for the delay, I fell dead asleep on the couch. I think you'll be back tomorrow, but I'm on the day shift. See you at night? Hope Gloval lets you off! hehe. Rick. ;)"

He lied to her and yet he felt nothing. He run a hand through his thick hair and soon felt Lisa's scent... it was like having her hands on his skin. He thought of taking her in his arms, kissing her and their clothes dissol...

Minmay... She had a nice pair of breasts, I bet they are grown up too...

Rick shook his head again

Oh damn! What's wrong with me?

He had just kissed Minmay, despite his feelings for Lisa, his superior officer and yes, lover. He was so conflicted and angry, he felt like his life had been completely turned upside down. His home was filled with reminders of Lisa, of her presence, of her care and... and of the love they made. He couldn't help but compare their kisses. He felt like his heart was being pulled in two directions. He started walking around his home, feeling strange and unworthy, lying and hopeful and... alive. His blood was pumping like crazy through his veins.

Soon he was crouching in the back of his wardrobe, searching for something in particular. There was an old album with a white cover. Then he pulled out a plastic tube of a fairly large size. He stared for a long time to the old photo album that he had kept since the days of the Space War. It was filled with pictures of Minmay, and he felt torn between his past and his present. Guilt began to well up inside him as he considered that Lisa may have been just a momentary distraction for him and his feeling were drifting away from her.

Rick unfolded the poster that was inside the tube. It was a cute picture of Minmay, sure, from the past Christmas.

Maybe I could hang it up, just like that... since today is my birthday.

He caught himself thinking. It was stupid and pathetic, he knew, and yet he couldn't help himself.

Meanwhile, the shuttle entered the exosphere. Two pilots flanked it, carrying the two first modified Lightning IIIs. Lisa was overjoyed. She thought of Rick and how happy he would be to be piloting one of them again.

Just then his text came in. Lisa smiled and typed back.

"How about I drop by your place in the morning? I'll give it a tidy up, I bet your house is ready to explode! See you tomorrow, Lisa."

She was on her way to send the message, but then she had a flash.

"Ah wait, happy birthday, I've been thinking about it all day, sorry it's after midnight on Earth, but it still counts, doesn't it? :)"

Rick's phone vibrated. He glanced at the phone and at the poster of Minmay hanging on the wall. It could have been her... or Lisa.

50-50.

He sighed.

He didn't want to know.

Now that I'm sure I've found
The man in my life,
I spend the days alone, chasing a dream.
Why do I hope and pray that he will care?
He never stops to see I'm even there.

Why do I love him so?
He lives in a cloud.
Why can't he hear my heart, when it's shouting aloud?

If he could only see how I feel deep inside,
He might come home and stay here by my side,
Here by my side...*

the end