Fanfic Name / Nombre del Fanfic: Resignation

Chapter / Capitulo: 6

Author / Autor: LTjg_GT_RDF

Dedicated to / Dedicado a: To those of us who wish we can get a second chance at love.

Rating / Clasificacion: AP (All People = Todo espectador)

Alternate Universe / Universo Alterno

Angst / Drama

Fanfic: RESIGNATION 
 
CHAPTER 6 
 
As the plane was winging its way back to Redding, Lisa was in the passenger’s seat quietly crying. Jonathan Hunter looked over at Lisa and saw the distress showing on her face. His heart ached with compassion for her sadness. He reached over and put one of Lisa’s hands into his. 
 
“I’m sorry I couldn’t talk any sense to Rick, Lisa. Rick can be a very stubborn person at times.” 
 
“I know Jonathan but thanks anyway for trying.” 
 
“It was not a problem. Look Lisa. By the time we get to Redding, it will be dark. You had a very long and trying day. Why don’t you spend the night with us? Tomorrow morning Rebecca will cook you a nice breakfast so you can at least drive to San Francisco on a full stomach.” 
 
“That’s very kind of you and your wife, Jonathan.” 
 
Jonathan and Rebecca’s house 
Redding, California 
Late evening 
 
Aunt Rebecca was in the living room sitting in her easy chair reading her Bible and listening to the radio. She heard the sound of her husband’s car going into the driveway. She looked up and saw the headlights of Jonathan’s car just going dark. She got up from her chair and waited for the door to open expecting to see Rick walk through the door with Lisa and Jonathan. When she saw only Lisa and Jonathan walk into the house, she was crestfallen and her heart sank. She had hoped Rick would be with them but she wasn’t surprised Rick wasn’t with them. 
 
“Oh no, Rick didn’t came back with you.” 
 
“No Becky. He wouldn’t even listen to Lisa. He’s being stubborn and acting like a damned fool. Just like his father.” Jonathan said in disgust. 
 
Lisa sat down on the couch trying not to cry again but the still fresh raw emotions of the day were still too much for her to take. 
 
“Why Rebecca why? Why wouldn’t Rick listen to me and let me explain why I had to find him? Lisa asked through her raking heaving sobs. 
 
Rebecca sat next to Lisa and gently guided Lisa’s head to her shoulder. If there is one time for a woman’s touch in all of this, it’s now. She began softly speaking to Lisa at the same time hugging her and gently rocking her as if Lisa was her daughter and she was comforting Lisa after she had broken up with her boyfriend. 
 
“You have to understand Lisa, Rick’s being Rick. Rick is very stubborn. Believe me Lisa, Jonathan and I have known Rick much longer than you. We’ve been witnesses to his stubborn streak many times.” 
 
Jonathan was sitting in his recliner chair looking over at his wife comforting Lisa. Even in his anger, he couldn’t help but smile with pride at how his wife was handling Lisa. ‘Becky, you could have made a wonderful mother.’ 
 
Rebecca then lifted Lisa’s head off her shoulder. 
 
“I know you probably didn’t eat while you were in Washington State. Why don’t you freshen up a bit Lisa while I fix us a nice dinner? Afterwards, I’ll show you your bedroom and you take a nice long hot bath so you can at least have a good night’s sleep.” 
 
“Thank you Rebecca. That’s so kind of you.” 
 
The next morning 
 
After breakfast, Jonathan and Rebecca walked with Lisa to her rental car. Lisa then gave them each a tight hug. Even though she had only known Rick’s aunt and uncle for only a very short time, Lisa knew in her heart that they have adopted her as their own daughter. It was the first time in years Lisa felt loved. Lisa felt she would never know how it is to be loved after her mother died when she was a little girl and her father threw himself into his work because that was the only way he knew how to deal with his grief. 
 
“So what are you going to do now, Lisa?” Uncle Jonathan asked. 
 
“I guess I’ll fly back to Macross, sign in off of leave and go back to work. I did what I set out to do and that was to try to find Rick and talk to him, although I did not succeed in the other part of my mission which was trying to convince him to come with me back to Macross.” Lisa said with a sheepish smile. 
 
“Well, try staying positive for us Lisa. We’ll keep talking to Rick and try to convince him to at least stay in contact with you.” Aunt Rebecca said as she was hugging Lisa. 
 
“Thank you Rebecca. I really appreciate that.” Lisa said as she released her hug and walked over to the driver’s side and opened the car doo with her remote control. 
 
“Have a safe drive back to San Francisco. Have good flight and keep in touch with us.” Uncle Jonathan said as he closed the car door. 
 
“I will. It was nice meeting you. I’ll try and call you when I get the chance. Love you all.” Lisa said as she was buckling her seat belt and starting up the car. 
 
Lisa then rolled down the car window and waved as she was driving away. Jonathan and Rebecca returned the wave. 
 
“I don’t think talking with Rick will do any good Becky.” Jonathan said when Lisa’s car disappeared in the distance and they began walking back to their house. 
 
“What do you mean, Jonathan?” 
 
“I think Rick and Mike’s daughter are in love.” 
 
“Cathy?” Rebecca said incredulously 
 
Jonathan nodded his head.. 
 
“How do you know that? Did Rick tell you he was in love with Cathy?” 
 
“No.” Jonathan said with a shake of his head. “I didn’t told Lisa this because I knew it would cause her more distress and pain but before we took off back for home, we were in the plane and I turned my head around to try to catch a glimpse of Rick to see what he was doing. I saw Cathy walk up to Rick and put her arms around Rick’s waist.” 
 
“Oh no. Well, it’s a good thing Lisa didn’t saw that.” 
 
Four months later 
 
Lisa was sitting at her desk doing paperwork when Claudia walked in with a smile on her face. 
 
“Well, congratulations Lisa.” 
 
“Yes, I’ve heard that I’ve been promoted and I am leading the SDF-2 and the peace mission to Tirol.” Lisa said without much joy. 
 
“What’s wrong with you, girl? This was the one thing you’ve been working your whole life for; to be in command of your own ship. Even you told me that a long time ago.” 
 
“Yes that is true, but I’ll going into space without the one thing that is most important to me, I won’t have Rick.” 
 
“Lisa, it’s been almost a year now. Shouldn’t it be time for you to move on with your life? Even Rick told you so.” 
 
“That’s the problem, Claudia. I can’t move on with my life. I can’t move on without Rick by my side.” Lisa then drew in a big breath. “I’m not going to take the assignment. I’m going to resign my commission.” 
 
“WHAT?” 
 
“I am resigning my commission. I’m sorry Claudia, but I can’t go into deep space without Rick by my side. He’s the only person that will hold me together when I have to make a difficult decision.” 
 
“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Lisa?” 
 
“Yes, I am sure of it.” 
 
“There isn’t any way I can talk you out of resigning your commission?” 
 
“No.” 
 
“Ok, then who will you recommend to Admiral Gloval to replace you?” 
 
“How about I recommend you being my replacement?” 
 
“ME?” 
 
“Yes you. You’re just as qualified as I am. You have very good diplomatic skills and many of the enlisted people and the pilots like you. Unlike me, since many of them still think I’m the cause for Rick resigning from the service. Plus, you don’t have the emotional baggage that I have now in a losing a love because of a misunderstanding.” 
 
Claudia drew in a deep breath. “I just hope Admiral Gloval, Exedore and Lord Breetai will agree to your idea.” 
 
“I think they will. Trust me they do listen to me sometimes.”  
 
Admiral Gloval’s office 
 
Needless to say, Admiral Gloval, Exedore and Lord Breetai was shocked when Lisa told them that she wasn’t going to accept the assignment and she will resign from the RDF. They were even more shocked when Lisa recommended that Claudia replace her. Exedore who was at the Robotech factory satellite with Breetai and was seen by video teleconference spoke up. 
 
“Captain Hayes, isn’t there any way we can convince you not to resign your commission and to not take the assignment to Tirol?” 
 
“I’m sorry Exedore. I am standing by my decision. Once the SDF-2 is christened and commissioned, I am turning in my resignation papers.” 
 
“Well, in that case.” Admiral Gloval said as he walked to Claudia with his hand extended. “Congratulations Admiral Claudia Grant on your promotion and new assignment.” 
 
“Thank you, sir.” Claudia said with surprise in her voice. “I will do my best to make all of you proud.” 
 
“You’re welcome, Claudia. I know you will do a good job. Any other words you would like to say?” 
 
“I finally outrank Lisa.” 
 
Later on 
 
After a small promotion ceremony for Claudia, Admiral Gloval talked to Lisa in private. 
 
“Lisa isn’t there anyway I can convince you to change your mind? This is your last chance.” 
 
“No sir. As I said earlier, I am standing by my decision.” 
 
“Would you at least do one more favor for me?” 
 
“Yes sir. What is it?” 
 
”Can you make up a list of people to invite to the commissioning ceremony for the SDF-2? The commissioning ceremony will be held in two weeks.” 
 
“Yes sir. Would one of the invitees will be Michael Bateman of Northdyne Aeronautics?” 
 
“Yes.” 
 
“If it’s all possible, sir, I would like to give the invitation to Mr. Bateman personally?” 
 
“Granted, just let me know when you would like to personally give the invitation. I’ll make sure a plane is standing by to fly you to Everett, Washington.” 
 
“Thank you, sir.” 
 
48 hours later 
 
Lisa landed in Everett, Washington to personally hand the invitation to Michael Bateman, which he accepted. As she was walking down the hallway from Bateman’s office, she ran into Rick and Catherine who was walking down in the opposite direction. Lisa’s heart quickened when she saw Rick. 
 
“Hello Rick.” Lisa said as if her breath was taken away. 
 
“Hello Lisa.” 
 
“Who’s your friend Rick? Introduce her to me.” 
 
“Oh, I’m sorry Cathy. I’d forgotten my manners. Cathy, this is Lisa Hayes. A friend I knew when I was in the service.” 
 
‘”A friend I knew when I was in the service.” That is all I am to Rick now, a friend.’ Lisa said to herself as she shook Catherine’s hand. 
 
“Lisa, this is Catherine, Michael Bateman’s daughter…and my wife.” 
 
Lisa kept a poker face but felt her heart sinking. ‘Rick’s married now. Now, I’ve really lost him.’ 
 
“What are you doing here, Lisa?” 
 
“I’m here to personally give an invitation to Mr. Bateman to come to the commissioning ceremony for the SDF-2. I’m in charge of making out the invitee list. You and Catherine can come also. You’re invited since you did serve in the RDF, Rick.” 
 
“When is the commissioning ceremony?” Catherine asked. 
 
“It’s a week and a half from now.” Lisa said. 
 
“I don’t think we will be able to make it, Lisa. So, how have you been doing?” 
 
“I’ve been doing…fine.” 
 
“That’s good. Are you going to command the SDF-2 mission to Triol?” 
 
“No I’m not. I’m resigning my commission just as soon as the SDF-2 goes into space.” 
 
Rick had a shocked look on his face. “Cathy, can you leave us alone for a couple of minutes?” 
 
“Sure sweetheart.” 
 
Rick led Lisa down the hallway until them out of earshot of Catherine, but they still talked in a whisper. 
 
“Lisa, are you crazy? You told me this is what you’ve been working your whole life for! To be in command of your own ship! You’re about to be in command of your own ship and now you’re talking about resigning your commission! For God’s sake, you’re throwing your life away! Why are you resigning your commission?”  
 
“I can’t go into deep space without you, Rick!” Lisa said trying not to cry. 
 
“Then you better think again about resigning your commission. I’m married now.” 
 
“I’m still going to resign my commission. I’m still hoping that one day you and I will be together.” 
 
“Lisa, that’s impossible. I’m married now. Cathy and I are thinking about starting a family.” 
 
“Rick, do you love me?” 
 
“Lisa, I don’t see what that has to do” 
 
“Do you love me?” 
 
“Lisa…I can’t answer that question right now. I think you should seriously reconsider resigning your commission. You still have a life.” 
 
“But it’s a life without you, Rick.” 
 
“Lisa, please think about you for once and not about me. Take some time away, go on a vacation. Give it careful thought. Seriously reconsider resigning your commission. Not for my sake, for yours.” Rick said as he kissed Lisa on her forehead. 
 
Lisa touched her forehead as if something warm and magical was placed there. Just then Rick walked away and disappeared. Lisa walked as fast as she could to her waiting plane. 
 
SDF-2’s commissioning ceremony 
 
Representatives of the UEG and UN were at the ceremony. The military chiefs of the RDF were sitting on a raised platform. Claudia, Lisa, Admiral Gloval, Generals Leonard and Emerson, Colonel Forsyth, General Maistroff and other general and flag officers were sitting on the platform waiting for Senator Russo finish his long winded boring speech. As Russo was talking about intergalactic peace, explosions began to shake the ground. Everyone went into a panic and started to run. A camera panned up and started filming as a lone Zentraedi battle cruiser and battle pods began raining down bullets and missiles. 
 
Max Sterling being the CO of Skull Squadron and CAG had Skull One in the lead position and was watching the ceremony on the video monitor in his VT. He momentarily flinched when he saw and heard the explosions but recovered quickly. He got on the radio. “WE’RE UNDER ATTACK ALL PILOTS TO YOUR VERITECHS! SCRAMBLE! SCRAMBLE! SCRAMBLE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!” Max immediately fired up his engines and began to go down the runway. Almost immediately other veritechs began to go down the runway. Many of the veritechs were shot at and blew up before they even had the chance to take off but many other veritechs managed to get up in the air. Max because of his quick reflexes, managed to avoid the enemy missiles and took off without a problem. Less than a minute later, he began engaging enemy battle pods.  
 
Same time in Everett, WA 
 
Catherine Hunter began running the hallways and corridors of headquarters building of Northdyne Aeronautics looking for her husband. When she finally found Rick, she was crying and her face was white. Rick immediately became concerned. 
 
“Cathy, what’s wrong?” 
 
“Something bad is happening in Macross City!” 
 
“Macross City what is happening in Macross City?” 
 
“There are explosions and chaos everywhere. It’s happening live on the TV. Let’s go into Dad’s office. The TV is on.” 
 
Rick and Catherine ran in Bateman’s office. On the TV, Rick saw the words “LIVE” and “MACROSS CITY” on the screen. He also saw a lone Zentraedi battle cruiser. He knew the battle cruiser from all the battles he was in. 
 
‘That’s Khyron the Backstabber’s battle cruiser.’ 
 
He looked in disbelief as he saw the battle cruiser making a beeline for the SDFs. 
 
“Oh dear God he’s on a suicide run!” 
 
Before Rick can even recover from the initial shock, he saw a live picture of the battle cruiser ramming into the parked SDF-2 and the rusting SDF-1. Catherine Hunter buried her face in her husband’s chest and started crying. 
 
‘Oh dear God, Catherine’s father, Admiral Gloval, Claudia, Vanessa, Kim, Sammie, Max, Miriya…LISA.’ 
 
“We need to get to Macross City now Cathy!” 
 
“But how, Rick? The airspace around Macross City will be closed. The fighters will shoot us down before we will even have a chance to tell them we’re friendly.” 
 
“There is a secret codeword we fighter pilots have to tell the control tower and other fighters we’re friendly. I know the codeword. Call the hangar and tell them to bring the fastest plane we have. We need to go immediately.” 
 
‘I just hope and pray to God we’re not too late.’ 

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Author email / email del autor: georgemtATearthlink.net