chapter = Chapter 12

author = Shark 1

dedicate = To the loyal fans that supported the Macross saga.

Type = Adventure

fanfic = The morning was gloomy as the rain continued to shower the SDF-1. Lisa was up around 4 in the morning. She couldn’t sleep after what she and Rick had been through last night. She left for her quarters around 11 pm. Rick had slept early but she decided to stay a little while. It was already 5.15 am. She headed towards the mess hall after putting on her uniform. She thought she was the earliest but she saw a lone male in his uniform sitting by the window watching the ocean. She took a cup of coffee took it to the table near the man because she wanted to see the view of the ocean as the rain pours.

When the men sighed and stood up, Lisa was surprised to see who it was. She walked near him and cleared her throat. “Rick, I thought that you’ll be only discharged later in the evening?” Rick let off another sigh. “I checked myself out today. I’d like to attend the funeral and besides, staying in bed all day is driving me insane you know what I mean.” “I think I know. Rick, you shouldn’t be thinking hard in your condition.” Rick lifted his hands and rubbed his face. “I don’t know Lisa. I guess he liked it that way. C’mon, it’s almost 6. Max says that the service will begin at 6.15.” They left the mess hall and headed towards the flight deck. All the veritechs were stored in the hangars so that the deck will be clear for the crew of the SDF-1 to gather and pay their final respect to a friend.

Captain Gloval, Lisa and the rest of the officers were standing in front of the rest of the SDF-1 crew. In front of them all there lies the fallen hero in his coffin wearing his black and grey uniform. The ceremony began with Captain Gloval giving his speech. After he finished, he invited Lisa to give her speech. She stood up and gave Rick and Claudia who was sitting in the front row a glance before proceeding towards the microphone. Her words touched many of the crew on board especially The Sterlings, Claudia and Rick. Her final words were so touching that even she couldn’t hold her own tears when she said it. “Lieutenant Commander Roy Fokker was a man who fought hard for the importance of others before himself. This man has sacrificed his life for us countless of times. This man has an effect on everyone he met. This man will be missed.” As soon as Captain Gloval stood up and saluted, everyone else followed. Max, Rick, Ben and Jack went by the coffin and closed his coffin before moving it towards the rainy outer flight deck. Claudia insisted that she wanted to escort her loved one for the final time as the rest were watching from the main door of the inner flight deck. They placed the coffin on a loading crane as it took the coffin and lowered it slowly into the ocean. Four battloids were standing in a line fired four rounds from their gun pods towards the skies.

While the coffin slowly submerged itself, the four men saluted until it disappeared from everyone’s view. Claudia was totally emotional because she was having some flashbacks of her first encounter with Roy till the very last day and she was lucky that Jack and Max were there because she was about to fall on her back because she couldn’t stand the pain. Later, everyone was dismissed from the ceremony. They entered the inner flight deck soaking wet with Claudia being supported by Jack and Max. “Don’t worry guys. I’m fine now.” As she walked away from the flight deck, everyone knew how it was hard for her.

Rick then turned to Jack. “Thanks for coming Jack. He’d be glad to see you again.” “That’s no problem Rick. He’s my mentor and I’d do anything for him.” They were catching up while walking towards their quarters. “So how are you feeling after your accident during the space fold?” “It wasn’t so bad. I get to spend my time with the pretty nurses for months.” Then they were interrupted by Jack’s wing mate, Izzy Randal. “I bet he learned that from the late Commander Fokker.” They all laughed along until they’ve reached their destinations. Rick was on the way to his when he ran into the Azhars. They stood at attention and saluted him. He returned the salute and went on his way. “Poor guy. It must be hard on him.” Jennifer looked at her husband in confusion. “What do you mean?” “Roy was the only family he’s got. Now he’s out here on his own.” Jennifer smiled to him. “We’ll make sure that he won’t feel alone.” Azzedy kissed her forehead and continued their way.

Rick changed his uniform and threw himself on the bed. He took out the scarf that Roy had given him before he left to join the military while remembering their childhood days, the flying circus days, the day when Roy showed him the Veritech for the first time till the day he teased him before his fateful flight. Without him knowing it, his tears were rolling down. He couldn’t help it and headed towards the mess hall. There, he saw Claudia was taking a cup of coffee when she saw him. He walked closer towards her and smiled at her. “Claudia, I think you should keep this.” Rick handed her Roy’s scarf. She puts her cup down on the nearest table and gave Rick a hug. “God he loved flying with you Rick.” She released him and sat down at the table where she left her cup. Rick walked towards the window and saw the scene of a city below the SDF-1.

The Chief technician of Roy’s Skull one, Chief Nakajima was sitting underneath the only existing VF-1S which was used to be owned by Roy. He was the person who reported Roy’s damage to Vince Grant. But it was a little too late. Vince was busy looking for Claudia when Roy passed away in front of his doorway. Roy has been a big help to Chief Nakajima developing the Veritech project since the VF-0 days. He enjoyed working with Roy because of their common passion for the veritechs. He now hoped that the new successor will take good care of the legendary masterpiece.

State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = affendeykadriATyahoo.com