Ever since Rick was a little kid, he has a deep interest for planes and looks up to Roy Fokker, who at that time was flying for a circus owned by Rick's father. Rick referred to him as "big brother". When Roy left to join the military, Rick took over Roy's place and began flying planes. Over time he got better at flying and soon he won many awards for his flying skills. At this time, during the Global War, Rick's life was simple. All he lived for was just to fly. This is how it was until Roy invited Rick to Macross City to celebrate and watch an alien spaceship take off. This spacecraft was called the SDF-1. Eager to see his "big brother" again, Rick accepted the invitation and traveled to Macross City to watch the lauching of the SDF-1. He did not know that by doing this, he changed his entire life forever.

Just like many of the civilians there to watch the lift off, Rick did not know of the alien attack. The SDF-1 was forced to take off ahead of schedule and it folded, or warped to another place in space. Not only did it accomplish this, but it also brought the whole Macross City and all the people along with it. Rick, like everyone else, didn't know what was going on. What made it worse was that a military officer, who he later finds out is named Lisa, had just ordered him to get into a plane and to fight the aliens. Although he didn't know what he was doing, he wasn't about to disobey orderes, whether they made sense or not, and he took off. Rick knew how to fly the plane, yet he didn't know how to fight. I'm not sure what happens after that, but I know that while he's in space, the officer who ordered him to get into a plane appeared on a screen and started yelling at him. Rick asked Roy who the "old sourpuss" was and that's all I know about what happened. I know that somehow he rescuses and Chinese girl, whom he later finds out is called Minmei, and gets lost in the SDF-1 with her. This is just the beginning of his new complex life.

And so a new romance for Rick begins. Rick and Minmei(the Chinese girl that he rescued are stuck in the SDF-1. Rick still has his plane with him and he digs out some food rations for them to eat. Rick tries to contact someone with the radio in the plane, but discovers that it's broken. After sitting and moping around, Rick and Minmei finally decide to explore. They arrive at a huge window. Looking out of it, they only see blackness and a few stars. Soon, they also see an enormous fish floating around. Rick has an idea and he puts on his space suit and goes out to grab it. Rushing back inside, he quickly signals Minmei to close the doors. As she does this, it rips his suit and cuts off part of the fish so that only the head is left. Minmei decides to make soup out the fish. After eating their meal, Minmei snuggles up next to Rick. When Rick starts to tell her something important, she falls asleep. Shrugging to himself, he falls asleep. When they wake up, Rick and Minmei do a little more exploring and Rick discovers pipes of water. With Minmei helping him, they pry open one of the pipes, causing a shower of water to fall on them. At this time, Minmei decides to take a shower and Rick leaves to get her extra clothes that he has in his plane. By this time, Rick already has a growing attraction to this girl, Minmei and he decides to attempt a peek (Sicko). Minmei screams and Rick gives up that idea. After delivering the clothes to her, he waits patiently near the plane for her. When she is done, they eat another meal of food rations and they lie down. For no particular reason, Minmei begins to sing "To be in love" (she doesn't know the title yet). Surprised and amazed, Rick compliments her on her singing. Minmei thanks him and tells him that she's been taking singing lessons. This reminds her of home and she expresses her disbelief that they'll ever find their way out. Rick assures her that people will find them, but Minmei doesn't listen. She tells him about her dream of being married, but now that they're lost, she thinks she'll never live that dream. Then she suggests to Rick that they have a pretend marriage so she'll know what it's like. Rick agrees. He can't believe his luck. Thinking that she's in love with him, he lets her have his scarf to use as a veil. Suddenly, Minmei turns around and sobs, saying that they're going to die of hunger here. Rick tries to comfort her and Minmei asks Rick to kiss her. Surprised, Rick says "sure". They're about the kiss when a huge explosion happens and before they know it, the mayor and a bunch of other people are pulling them up into a city. Soon, Rick learns that this city was built inside the SDF-1 by the surving civillians. And so, ends Rick's time alone with Minmei.

After being lost with Minmei in the SDF-1, Rick thinks that he and Minmei have begun a love relationship with each other. Much to his dismay, he overhears Minmei telling some of the military people that they're just friends. Frustrated, Rick tries to leave the restaurant, but Minmei follows him. They reach a place that overlooks the city and begin talking. Minmei starts to encourage him to join the defense forces (military) so he can continue flying. Rick is finally convinced to think about it when the SDF-1 undergoes a transformation. Minmei falls between the cracks, but Rick grabs her in time and pulls her to safefty. The city is destroyed and they head for home. At this time, Rick decides to join the defense force.

So, Rick's training begins. He looks as though he will becoming a promising soldier and is assigned to Roy Fokker's skull squadron. After training for a few weeks, her returns to the city to tell Minmei the good news. Minmei comments about how hansome he is in his uniform and drags him along with her to go shopping. While he is waiting for her to try on all the dresses she's chosen, he accidentally spills some of the goods and crawls around to get them. He scares the three bridge bunnies along with Lisa and they shriek. After insulting him, they leave the store laughing. Rick grows red in the face and storms out of the store with the owner having a hysterical fit and just as Minmei comes out of the dressing room. Afterwards, Minmei decideds it's time for her to go home. Leaving Rick alone, she runs off with her bags. Rick dejectedly begins walking, an afternoon just wasted. Roy Fokker appears and tries to cheer up Rick. As they walk on, they're suddenly encountered by Lisa Hayes and the three bridge bunnies. Roy snaps into attention and Rick quickly follows, although he doesn't know why. After a brief introduction, he finds out that Lisa is his commanding officer. She realizes that Rick was the one who called her an "old sourpuss" and tells him to watch his mouth. She also reminds him of his bad landing and watches him grow red while passesing by him and laughing. As the other three women pass him, the shortest one, later known as Sammie, stops and whispers "stupid". Totally embarrassed, by this situation, Rick stays red for awhile while Roy laughs at him. Later that day, someone informs all the pilots that they're attacking tomorrow, so they should see anyone they want to see just incase they don't come back. Rick knows who he wants to see. Minmei.

Minmei arrives at the park late. She's wearing the dress that she bought earlier that day. Rick sadly tries to explain to her that he may never see her again, but Minmei just congratulates him and says that she's excited for him to go into battle. Realizing that Minmei doesn't know the dangers, Rick gives up and decides to have their picture taken together. He sits on side of the water fountain and Minmei joins him. Rick calles a robot over and it takes the picture for him. After this, Minmei has to go and Rick is left alone again. When he gets home, he puts the picture into a picture frame. As he stares a that picture, he tries to sleep.

The next morning is the day of Rick's first battle. He didn't sleep at all last night, but Roy comforts him by telling him that it's normal. He also tells Rick that the first time is usually the hardest. With Roy's words ringing in his mind, Rick climbs into the cockpit of the plane and takes off. Rick first tries avoid all the meteorites by going above them, but Lisa appears on his screen and yells at him for going off course. Then he tries to follow what all the other pilots seem to be doing, but Lisa appears on his screen again yells at him for flying dangerously. Grumbling to himself, Rick finally flies the "right way". (Note: I don't like to go much into what happens during a battle, unless it's important). Well, the battle turns out good for the humans and they force the aliens away, or so they think. Anyways, the SDF-1 lands on Mars and Skull Squadron (including Rick) is ordered to stand guard over the supply vehicles. After guarding for awhile, a mass of aliens arrive. Being outnumbered, the SDF-1 attempts to take off, but is stuck to the ground by gravitational mines. Rick doesn't know of this, but right now, he's fighting the aliens. Suddenly, Roy orders him to rescue Lisa from the Mars base. After a lot of complaining, Rick finally agrees and breaks through many enemy space pods. He sees Lisa though and window and rams the arm of his Veritech through the wall, barely missing Lisa. Grabbing a protesting Lisa, he runs past more enemy pods and takes off. The SDF-1 also takes off and goes back into space. Rick returns Lisa safely back to the SDF-1. His mission for today is complete.

Then next day, Rick is called in to report at a certain room. Although he does not know what he is reporting for, he must follow orders and he shows up. Much to his surprise, he sees some other pilots there too, pilots in the same rank as him. Once he lines up with the other pilots, the meeting begins. He watches as a woman in uniform walks down towards them. "You are gathered here today to be recognized for your bravery in battle. Congratulations on your achievements." (I'm not sure if these are the exact words, but they are something along these lines). Rick waits patiently as she congratulates each pilot until it's his turn. He gratefully accepts the small metal medal and pins it proudly on his uniform. After the ceremony is over, Roy tells Rick to come with him into his headquarters because he has something more to tell Rick. Rick isn't about to argue with his "big brother" and he curiously follows Roy.

As he walks into the room, Rick inquires Roy about the reason for bringing him here. "Congrations Rick, you've been promoted." While saying this, Roy brings out a laptop. He starts typing as he tells Rick that he decided Rick should be promoted to Lieutenant, and he gives him a bried description of the two new recruits that will be under his command. The first one is named Ben Dixon and the second one is called Max Sterling. Roy reads the statics of each, how much time is spent in flight stimulation and how much is spent in actual flying. Rick protests that these pilots are just amateurs; however, Roy tells him that he shouldn't expect so much. Rick shrugs and turns to leave, but then the two new recruits come in.

They introduce themselves and Rick analyzes them. Ben is tall with pointed black hair that seems like it hasn't been combed. He has a foolish grin on his face and his uniform has yellow lines on it (Rick has red lines). Max is an average height person with glasses and blue hair. He looks calm and quiet. His uniform has blue lines on it. Rick wonders about Max. Pilots usually don't wear glasses, because an impaired vision can be a big disadvantage. Rick figures there must be something special about Max for the military to recruit him even though he is near-sighted. Immediately after introductions, Ben asks Rick if they can join him today, wherever he is going. Surprised at this sudden request, Rick thinks deeply about it. Today, he was going to Minmei's party. Should he bring these two along? Finally, Rick agrees. After all, he could impress Minmei by showing up with two pilots under his command. Ben thanks Rick heartily while Max just smiles. The three of exit with Ben pushing Rick and Max.