"Jack McKinney - Robotech 02 - Battle cry" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKinney Jack)

off down the sidewalk. But Lisa turned to Rick as she passed him and added, "By the way, I don't
know what your particular problem is, but it's hardly appropriate behavior for a VT pilot to be
hanging around lingerie shops looking for a cheap thrill."

Rick groaned. Roy scratched his head. The blonde said: "Creep."

Later, at the briefing, Rick was still replaying the incident; but in light of what was
being said, embarrassment placed last on his list of concerns. A decoy mission-the VTs were
actually going to pretend to launch a counteroffensive against the aliens! Judging by the murmurs
in the crowd, Rick was not the only pilot to be floored by this directive. But like it or not,
they had their orders.

"I want you to be thinking of one thing and one thing only," the general was saying.
"Robotech! And I want you to know that we're all counting on you."

If the general had let it go at that, Rick would have been all right-afraid but not
desperate. The general, however, had then added: "If there's anyone you want to see, you'd better
do it tonight."

Rick was in a panic. What did he mean by that-that they were being sent out on some kind
of suicide mission? And do what tonight-say good-bye, say wish me well, say please remember me
always?

He stood on line to use the phone and managed to reach Minmei's aunt Lena. Minmei was at
ballet school, but yes, Lena would relay Rick's message: Macross Central Park, their bench at nine
P.m.

Rick rode back into the city with a few of the other pilots. He kicked around the market
area for a while and was in the park by eight o'clock keeping their bench warm. Starlight poured
in from the huge bay in the hull; lovers held one another; life went on as though filled with
limitless tomorrows. But Rick couldn't see past the mission, and he was frightened.

By ten o'clock she still hadn't showed; the park was quiet, and he was about to move on.
But just then she came running in, face flushed and out of breath.

"Rick, I'm sorry I'm so late."

He smiled at her. "At least you made it."

She pushed her bangs back. Her forehead was beaded with sweat.

"What's the big emergency, anyway?"

"They're sending us out on a mission tomorrow."

He didn't need to add any dramatic accents to it; the words just fell out that way. But
her reaction was unexpected. She was practically clapping for him.

"Oh, Rick, that's great! Really, I'm so happy for you!"