fanfic_name = What If

chapter = Chapter V

author = Knights Templar

Rating = AP15

Type = Adventure

fanfic = What If

A/N: I just want to say that this point, I am having a very good time writing this fanfic. Yes there will be some more of Minmei, just not now, and Admiral Hayes will make some trouble, and Vermillion Team is in for a little surprise later, but not this chapter. That'll have to wait till they get back to space. Thanks to Lord Destroyer for his ideas and comments and thank you Sphersian for reviewing every chapter like a fan, like I've said I always give ideas consideration and try to think of a way to work them into my story, they are always welcome and thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story, you give me the reason to keep writing so as long as you keep reviewing, I'll keep writing.

Rick rolled over and groaned, his muscles and limbs were cramped and hurt from trying to sleep on the small cot. He gave a small jump, as he looked around and tried to remember where he was, and remembered he was back on Macross, he was with Lisa.

But Lisa wasn't where she had been last night; she had been curled up with him in his arms when they had both nodded off. He was struck with a sudden panic. Had she left him? An if she had why did she leave him. Rick bolted up and ran for the door, and ran the short distance to Lisa's prefab quarters. He knocked on the door but got no answer.

A sudden paralyzing fear gripped Rick as he looked around desperately for Lisa, Rick looked at his watch: 6:52 AM, and Rick was hit with a revelation, they had a morning meeting at 7 AM an he had 8 minutes to get ready. 'Well that's no time for a shower but I can brush my teeth,' Rick thought and ran for the building that designated the bathroom, and shower area for all the people on the Island.

Rick ran to the men's bathroom and grabbed a new toothbrush, one of the cheap one-time-use one's and brushed his teeth and he went and bought some deodorant, 'This'll make me look less like I just woke up,' Rick hoped at least.

Rick left the bathroom and hauled ass to the briefing room and got there and everyone stared at him, 'At least I'm not late,' Rick thought looking at his watch with one to spare. Admiral Hayes gave him a neutral look and Lisa gave him a smile that made Rick happy to just be near her.

"Now if everyone's here, we can begin," but that was all Rick heard, he toned out the man and sat there with a look that if you glanced at it said he was listening, but if you gave it a second look you could see he was clearly not listening. Lisa chanced a look at Rick and saw that he was not listening and Lisa gave him a kick under the table.

Rick was violently forced out of his inattention by a kick he received from Lisa and she gave him a stern look, and Rick, ever the ladies man, gave her a dashing smile and Lisa covered her mouth and laughed. Rick decided he would pay attention to the last few minutes of the briefing an as he listened he started to fade out the person again and get that blank look on his face.

But Rick didn't get kicked this time, he snapped himself out of it, or rather was shocked out of it when the man told them that they were going to go to the Air Force Academy in the North American Quadrant to recruit some of the best in N. America an then time permitting, they would go and try to recruit some of the UN Spacy Cadets.

'So, this is what we have all those shuttles for,' Rick mused silently, 'we are now on a recruiting mission.' But the surprises didn't stop there, Rick found out an instant later that the fabricators where working over-time and where churning out VT's and other Mecha thanks to Dr. Lang for getting them the schematics for them. There was also word that large facilities were being overhauled to equip them to start making large space faring ships that could go toe-to-toe against the Zentraedi.

'So we are building a force to fight back against the enemy.' This gave Rick a good feeling, 'at least on of these stuffed shirts realizes the need to take the fight to the enemy. The man looked around, "So no questions I take it?" Mo one said a word, "all right, Vermillion Team take the shuttles to the Air Force Academy. Dismissed."

With the briefing over everyone started to leave and Rick walked over to Lisa and put his arm around her shoulder, "That hurt you know," Lisa gave him a innocent smile, "Did I hurt you Rick," Lisa got close to him, "but let me give you some food for thought, you ever do what you did in that briefing, you won't have to worry about having kids...we one the same page hotshot?" Rick's face went white, "Yes Ma'am!"

It wasn't long before the shuttles where taking off and Vermillion team lifted off in guardian mode and took up defensive positions. It was a three hours flight to Colorado Springs and Rick found himself bored so he decided to talk to Max, "Hey Max, get on Vermillion Frequency, will ya?" Rick switched over and heard Max and Ben both on Vermillion frequency, "Yeah what it is boss?"

"Well it's nothing really, I am just kinda bored, not much to do but sit here." Rick heard a snicker, "Well Rick why don't you think about what you are going to do with Lisa that should keep you entertained." Rick made a face, "Hahaha, you guys are a real riot. I should pull rank on you."

"How is it going with you and Commander Hayes anyway?" Ben asked, Rick gave the question some thought, "It's going wonderful, I never felt this complete in my life. Now that I look back on it, I don't really know what I saw in Minmei." Rick heard some jovial laughter, "Well guess that clears her up for Ben and I huh boss?" Rick couldn't help but chuckle himself, "Sure Max, you go for it."

The laughter died down and Rick remembered his encounter with Admiral Hayes, as he thought over the words that where spoken he heard Ben complain about Admiral Hayes, "Can you believe that guy, come up to me and says, 'You look a bit on the pudgy side, the RDF must really be desperate,' I wanted to deck him then and there." Rick laughed and a feeling of relief washed over him, "So he drilled you guys too?"

"Yeah, he came up to me looked me over and called me a 'no good peace loving hippie,' then he asked me about my glasses asking me why the RDF would let a near sighted bumbling idiot fly for them." Max told them casually not a trace of anger in his voice.

"So Rick what did Admiral Hayes grill you about? Or should we just leave it up to our imaginations?" Max prodded at Rick. Rick didn't miss a beat, "Naw, he just said if I hurt Lisa in anyway he would have me in front of a firing squad faster than then speed of light." Both Max and Ben roared with laughter, "But I don't intend on hurting Lisa ever, I love her too much."

The laughter than had been so loud and boisterous a moment ago stopped abruptly, "Rick, did you just say that you loved Commander Hayes?" Max's voice betrayed no hint of his shock, Rick smiled, he knew both of them were shocked, "Yes Max I did."

Ben was first to break the silence that had settled over the friends, "Have you told her this?" Max was quick to second Ben's statement, "Yeah it doesn't mean anything if you tell us, what matters is if she knows. Does she?" Rick smiled again, "She sure does, I told her last night."

"Oh," Max said, "is that why she stayed there last night boss?" Ben let out a laugh. "Max," Rick said warningly, "nothing happened, or has happened yet, we're just giving it some time."

Rick decided he had had enough of talking and told Max and Ben he was going to relax till they got to Colorado Springs. Rick looked at the shuttle and hoped that Lisa had found something better to do then he was doing right now.

Lisa sat in the shuttle watching the scenery outside, they had passed the California coast about an hour ago and nothing eventful had happened at all. Lisa was about to nod off when a voice came up on the intercom system, "We are now making our approach to Colorado Springs. Please fasten your seatbelts."

For the cadets of the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, it was a normal day, but then something happened that would change the lives of these young men and women drastically. For the first time in as long as anyone could remember, four transport shuttles and a flight of three un familiar aircraft came soaring over the Air Force Academy.

The cadets looked at the shuttles and aircraft and went back to what they where doing. Nothing much fazed the cadets. As the occupants began to depart the aircraft they looked around that their settings and looked at the future generation of fighter pilots.

A lot had changed since the days of Pre-Global Civil War, the training programs, and the ages of all the cadets had changed. Nowadays the average age of a cadet at the Air Force Academy was 16 years old. Flying fighter aircraft was no longer based on education as much as it was based on the individuals flying skills.

One man in particular personified this. Lt. Jacob Schmidt Evers. Lt. Evers was a highly decorated pilot who had flown for the UEG since he was seventeen. Thought the Global Civil War had ended there had been many low intensity conflicts since the arrival and after the "destruction" of the SDF-1.

Thought the public had been fed the story that Anti-UEG rebels had destroyed the SDF-1, a good portion of the military knew that it hadn't been destroyed. It was a good thing the general public was so ignorant or they might have noticed the evidence suggesting that the SDF-1 hadn't been destroyed.

Lt. Evers stood in the shadows of one of the buildings and watched the rest of the people depart from the shuttles and watched on particular pilot approach a women getting off a shuttle. A smile crossed his face, 'Commander Lisa Hayes,' Evers thought smiling bitterly, 'it's going to be nice to meet you once and for all.'

Then a man came off the shuttle and Evers realized it was Admiral Hayes and Evers felt an anger rise up within in. Evers wanted to scream, this man seemed to ruin it for him every time he got close to getting a commission on the SDF-1. 'He blocked my request last time before the SDF-1 left, I know he did I am more than qualified to be aboard the SDF-1.'

If one looked at Evers impressive row of ribbons you could tell that he was right indeed, he could have been aboard the SDF-1. Evers was a highly decorated pilot; he had two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star and had three Purple Hearts that was only from the Air force, he had a Navy Cross, and a Combat Infantry Badge from the Army and a Meritous Service badge.

Ever smiled, the Combat Infantry Badge was an interesting one, he had gotten that after being downed, ejecting and linking up with some American Infantry the Philippines and traveled with the ground pounders for a few months, he remembered being awarded the CIB, and the Purple Heart for being shot in the ass.

The Navy Cross he received for coordinating naval fire on enemy fortifications while he was also downed and running with the ground pounders. Evers had also been involved in a number of conflicts against Anti-UEG rebels and his most surprising achievement was downing eight-eight planes and this during the supposed "cold" era of the Anti-UEG resistance. Jacob smiled, "Just following in your footsteps sister," an he watched Lisa Hayes walk up to talk to the commandant, an Jacob figured it was time to go and make his appearance.

Lisa followed her father and Rick Hunter up to the commandant of the Air Force Academy at his request, Lisa sighed, they had just landed and here they were being hustled off to some meeting or something.

They got to the commandants office and the secretary told them to go on in. They entered the office and came face to face with a middle aged, balding man clenching a cigar between his teeth. "Welcome, welcome, Admiral Hayes it's good to see you again. Please take a seat." He gestured to the seats in front of his desk.

"So, Admiral I hear you are here to take a look at some possible Cadets to recruit them for service on the SDF-1?" Commandant Gerald Fraser was all business; he could be jovial but only when it suited him and only when he absolutely had to.

Admiral Hayes looked at Fraser, "Yes we are looking for some cadets, and do you have an in mind that you think would be a good choice." Fraser looked at Admiral Hayes, "Yes Donald as a matter of fact I do," Fraser leaned down and hit a button on his intercom, "O'Brien, send in the Lieutenant." Fraser came back up and looked at Donald with a vengeful look.

The door opened and everyone looked to see who it was, Lt. Evers walked into the room and strode up to commandant, "Lt. Evers, sir," Evers saluted the commandant and Fraser returned the salute standing up, he stole and glance at Hayes, an smiled, 'Good he is completely shocked,' Fraser allowed himself a smile.

"Admiral Hayes, does this man look familiar to you?" Admiral Donald Hayes was speechless, this was the first time he had been floored in a long time and Evers capitalized on it, he did a right face and faced Lisa his face a image of perfect military standard, "Commander Hayes, it is an honor to finally meet you, I have heard a lot about you and I never thought I'd get to meet you in person."

Lisa looked at the young lieutenant; he was younger than her and had a certain familiar look to him. "Thank you; I am honored to know that someone is so...honored to meet me. But I'm afraid I don't know who you are." Lisa kind of blushed, this man was honored to see her and she had never seen him before, but he did have a familiar look about him.

Admiral Hayes finally regained his composure, "An there is a reason for that. What are you doing here Jacob?" Lisa looked from her father to Jacob; and back again. She saw a faint resemblance.

"Admiral as far as I know, I don't need you approval to try and get a flight spot on the SDF-1, that is left up to Commander Hayes here. An I know you blocked me from being on the SDF-1 before it launched. I won't hold my breathe and say that you tried to do the fatherly thing and keep me safe. Because that would be against all that you are, and represent, you haven't done anything for me before, why start now huh, dad?" Evers placed an exaggerated emphasis on the word Dad.

Admiral Hayes heard a gasp and looked at Lisa he knew the truth might as well be told now, "Yeah Jacob, I wouldn't do a fatherly thing for you, you maybe a son of mine, but your nothing I'm proud of. If anything I'm ashamed of your mother for not aborting you, you worthless piece of shit. I don't see why she kept you." Hayes looked ay Evers with a horribly evil smile.

"Oh yeah, I guess you just fucked her for no reason right 'dad'? You just got lonely by yourself one day and realized. 'Oh jesus I got a boner, better go use it!' and you scampered off and fucked my mother you son of a bitch!"

Hayes was livid, "Listen hear you retarded little ingrate, you ever talk to me like that again...I...I'll have your ass court-martialed!" Jacob looked at Admiral Hayes and laughed an insane laugh, "Like that is any type of threat, if you kick me out of the military, I am sure there are plenty of Anti-UEG rebel groups who would be dying, DYING to get me to fly for them."

Hayes backed away from his son a bit, he had a temper on him, 'The Hayes Temper,' he told himself ruefully. Hayes was suddenly aware that Lisa was staring at him and Jacob wide eyed in shock.

Lisa was still trying to take it all in and she managed a look at Rick, he was just standing there with a look of surprise, 'Score one for the little guy,' Rick was half happy to see that this Lt. Evers had gave Admiral Hayes such a tongue lashing.

"Father...," this was all Lisa could say as she stumbled back into her seat, she had raised when Lt. Evers had come into the room, "how...when...why?" Was all Lisa managed to say.

Admiral Hayes walked up to Lisa, "Listen Lisa, me and a few friend where out drinking and I got really boozed up and as we walked back to the hotel I found this ones," Hayes indicated Evers with a jerk of his chin, "slut of a mom and well, what can I say I made a mistake and I'll make sure you never have to see this...this mistake again."

Lisa looked up at her father, "Why didn't you tell me I had a brother? It may have made my childhood a little more fun." Lisa looked at her father with imploring eyes and her father melted; he hadn't seen that look since she was younger, "Because Lisa, I was ashamed of me, and his mother, she knew I didn't want that!"

Commandant Fraser took in the whole scene with a sort of gratifying bitterness, "Admiral, May I remind you what you are here to do? I know this may be a shock for you, but this man is the best pilot that we have been able to find on Earth right now."

Admiral Hayes reared up to his full height which was easily six foot, he still only came to Evers chin, "There is no way I'd allow this poor ass fucking excuse to be up there defending this planet no matter how desperate we get." Hayes might have gone farther, but Lisa cut him off.

"Father, this isn't your decision to make, it's mine an if I feel that Lt. Evers is qualified enough to join us up in the SDF-1, then that's my call." Admiral Hayes looked at his daughter and he knew she was right, "Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you, when he gets everyone killed don't say I didn't say so," Hayes gave Jacob one more look and walked out of the office.

Jacob heard the door slam and he looked at Fraser, "Sheeyet that was fun as hell. Did you see the look on his face; I would have given a million dollars to get a picture of that. Oh by the way, thanks for telling me about this Fraser, oh did you also see the way he shrank away from me, that was golden!"

Lisa stood off to the side taking in all that she was hearing she walked up to Jacob and put a hand on his shoulder, "Lt. Evers...err hem, Jacob, I'm sorry for the way my father, I mean our father behaved. I don't know what came over him."

Jacob looked at Lisa with his Mediterranean colored eyes, "He just hates the fact that I have managed to become something when he left me and my mother. He sees that I have excelled and he is mad that he didn't see it before."

Lisa gave him a sort of half smile, it had been a weird say so far, recruiting cadets and then finding out she had a half-brother, but a brother nonetheless. Jacob saw the pensive look in Lisa's eyes, "Look, don't worry about it, I've made it twenty years without him I don't need it now," Jacob put a comforting hand on Lisa's shoulder, "Hey that reminds me," Jacob came to attention and saluted, "Requesting permission to come aboard Commander?"

Lisa stifled her first impulse to laugh and managed to give him a salute back, "Consider yourself drafted," She gave him a smile and saw a look of supreme joy on his face. He thanked her and turned to leave, "Hey there's a little party in the Cadet Officer's lounge tonight, and I'd be honored if you two would attend?"

Lisa paused a bit, "I don't know Lieutenant, and we have a lot of work to do," she motioned to Rick, "but thank you for offering." Jacob ever the persistent one waved her off, "I know all the good pilots here, an I know all the pilots your going to want are going to be at this party tonight, so won't you please come?"

Lisa saw the pleading look on his face, she sighed, "Ok Lieutenant, what time is the party?" Jacob gave a out a triumphant sound, "It's at 1800 hours, an Lisa, bring your man with you, I know for a fact if you don't the guys are gonna mob you," Jacob gave his sister a wink. Lisa blushed, she liked her brother already.

A/N: Ok that was a lot huh? Lisa with a brother, OMG! Bet no one saw that one coming, an if anyone did, well kudos to you. I figured it would be a good bombshell to drop. Anyway please read and enjoy, an to everyone who reads my fic, hit me up with some ideas, and a few of your own "What If's". Drop me a line at SanFrancisco49er2003Yahoo.com with any things you'd like to see happen or just to say hey.

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