We Are:
Keira was worn out from a day of searching for new home for Rick and herself. Talking to Rick made her day, and could take nap knowing he was doing fine. She had been feeling a little run down since arriving from New Macross. Keira figured it was from all the stress of being an ER nurse; the stress of being married to veritech pilot; and the unneeded stress caused by Lisa. A slow and steady rain began to descend upon Keira's hometown. Feeling relaxed Keira slowly drifts to sleep.
Back in New Macross, Lisa is finding comfort in the company of Claudia. They were at Claudia's and they were sharing some tea. Claudia and Lisa were sitting at the kitchen table, and Lisa was clutching a picture frame with a picture of Rick and Keira from their wedding day. Lisa had seen the picture earlier on Claudia's self and took it. She was looking at Rick in the picture, and still was holding on to hope for Rick's affection. Lisa wished dearly that Claudia would take it easy on her for doing so. She had just been kindly reminded by Claudia that she had taken things a little too far with Rick. Being the introspective person that Claudia was; she posed this thought to Lisa, "Have you ever wondered or thought that maybe the timing wasn't right for you two? Maybe that you tried too hard to make it right, even forced the issue?"
Lisa began to get defensive as Claudia's words filled her ears. For Lisa it was a natural reaction for her to snap back, but something about Claudia's words hit home with Lisa. Claudia was Lisa's friend when she was alone and didn't want friends. She was too busy mourning Karl at the time. Lisa never did stop even with Claudia's insistence, but her support helped Lisa through some tough times. Lisa valued Claudia's words the most because of her soothing honesty and wisdom.
Lisa's defiant posture transformed into a defeated one. She took a long glance at the picture, and then put it on the kitchen table face down. Lisa then looked at Claudia, and she began her concession speech, "I really have made a mess of things! I'm lucky that you're still my friend after the way I've been acting. Rick has made me feel things I've never felt before and I guess didn't know how to handle it. Thinking about it, if I left a better first impression on him things may have turned out differently. Actually, when you think about it; the way Rick and Keira met was kind of cute! You don't think I've noticed, but she is a catch. Rick is very fortunate to have stolen her heart. I think that's what made it way harder for me."
A relieved Lisa looked to Claudia for a reaction, and was pleasantly surprised when Claudia was walking over to give her a comforting hug. She knew Lisa finally realized her mistakes and was beginning to let Rick go. Now Claudia needed to help Lisa move forward with her life. Claudia deciding to reinforce Lisa's concession of Rick to Keira; she said to her, "Well I'm glad you figured out Keira is the right one for Rick. Could you imagine if he ended up with the brainless twit Minmei? If that was the case; Lisa I would give you my full permission to wreck that airhead!" The two women laughed as they spent the rest of the evening trying to devise to plan to correct Lisa's mistakes.
Keira was laying in her bed she was still tired even after napping for a few hours. She was beginning to think that something was wrong with her. Keira has been feeling off lately, but chalked it up stress. For some strange reason a conversation she had with Rick popped in her head. The one about starting a family when they returned to Earth again. Panic set in with Keira, and she was now wide awake. It was what they both had wanted, but the recent events made Keira's new assumption a source of more stress.
After taking a shower, Keira is sitting on her bed and is staring out of her window into the darkness. She trying to figure a out a plan, and her first thought was to call Claudia. Keira knew that Claudia would be able to help her navigate through this. She picks up her phone to call Claudia, but gets distracted by a text message from Rick saying that he loves her. Keira puts the phone down and starts to think again. Even though she's not sure yet, she wants to return to New Macross to confirm if she is indeed pregnant or not. Keira desperately wants to live her life in Maryland with Rick and maybe their new family, but it starts to sink in slowly that New Macross is their home.
After talking to Keira in his office Rick returned to his familiar thinking spot. He sitting there under Skull-1, and is thinking about what has become of his life. Like Keira he is staring out into the darkness lost in his thoughts. Rick starts to dread the sound he hears coming. The sound of heels clicking in the hallway reminded Rick of Lisa. He was thinking why would Lisa come back after their earlier conversation.
Rick's fears are momentarily quelled when he realizes it is not Lisa. He sees that's it is Helena, and he realizes he owes her field reports that are now overdue. Helena realizes from looking at Rick that he wouldn't appreciate the tongue lashing, and it would probably remind him of Lisa. Instead she proceeds to sit next to him. Rick thought to himself that he needs to find a new spot to think, because people are going to get the wrong impression seeing him with different women under his veritech.
He apologizes to Helena for the reports, but she tells him to forget about it. She thanks him again for saving her, and asks about Keira. Rick looks at her with an unamused look, but soon realizes Helena doesn't know what's going on. Rick tells her what happened and she's shocked to say the least. Helena had taken a liking to Keira, and was astonished at Lisa's behavior. She teased Rick for being the only one to ever make Lisa act foolishly like that, and offered some advice before leaving with a grin, "I know you're in a tough spot, but just remember that a happy wife means a happy life!"
Kyhron was slowly gaining momentum in his efforts to rebuild his forces. After being non committal during Dolza's attack, Khyron was caught in the crossfire and endured heavy damages to his ship. To make matters worse he was destitute of any Protoculture. He knew with out Protoculture, none of his maniacal plans would come to fruition. New dissident Zentradi joining Khyron's rebellion inform the crazed warlord the locations of Earth's Protoculture facilities. With the growing intelligence from his recruits, Khyron formulates his plan of attack.
His plan was to target the rebuilding cities that housed a Protoculture Matrix. Once he had enough reserves to operate his battle cruiser; Khyron was planning on destroying the SDF-1, before leaving for space. He needed to get to the home planet of the Robotech Masters before Breetai got a hold of him.
Khyron's plan was to first attack New Detroit and apprehend it's Matrix. He figured he had enough firepower to overcome the town's civil patrol. He headed off with a small squad of two battle suits, and three battle pods including his Officer's pod. The element of surprise was his and New Detroit was a sitting duck. The fledging city was being leveled by Khyron and his mini army as they sought out the Protoculture Matrix.
The last remaining civil patrol Destroid pilot had signaled New Macross for help before meeting his demise at the hands of Khyron. Alerted to the situation, Rick and Skull Squadron scramble to dispatch of the threat. Upon reaching the smoldering city; Skull Squadron encounters Khyron and company trying to escape the city. Alerted to the incoming threat; Khyron quickly dispatches one of Rick's wing mates.
Skull-1 quickly descended upon the hostile Zentradi's, and greeted them with equal hostility. He destroyed a battle pod and suit with his missiles before switching to guardian mode and swooping around and dispatching another pod with his cannon. Never one to run away from a battle Khyron disregards the safety of the Protoculture Matrix, and quickly engages Skull-1 now in battloid mode.
Rick angrily dispatches the last battle suit that just obliterated Rick's other wing mate. It's now a one on one duel between the two warriors. Khyron fires the first shot at Rick and quickly rushes at his battloid with his Officer's pod. Rick quickly side swipes him and quickly fires off his cannon at Khyron. The Zentradi's pod is damaged and barely functioning. He quickly exits not wanting to end to battle just yet. Khyron manages to finds the laser cannon of the last dispatched Skull Squadron member.
Khyron is trying to sneak up on Rick's battloid and finally end this battle. Their cat and mouse game has led them back into heart of the city. A deadly game of urban warfare takes place. This isn't the first time the two battled in a setting like this. Khyron is able to surprise Rick with several shots from his cannon. His haste led to inaccuracy and Rick is minimally damaged. Unfazed Rick turns into the aggressor and switches back to guardian mode and rushes in quickly tackling Khyron.
Skull-1 walks upon a dazed Khyron, and is greeted by Khryon sweeping it off its feet by a leg whip. Seeing a chance to escape despite his impulsivity almost doing him in; Khyron runs away making his way to his damaged pod. As his pod reluctantly comes to life, Khyron sends a distress signal to his battle cruiser. Azonia and Grel await for Khyron's return, but become quickly concerned by his alert.
Sick of playing games Rick sees the opportunity to end his duel with Khyron. As the Officer's pod sputters to escape, Rick without malice fires the last of his missiles at it. A small but spectacular explosion occurs, and Rick is concerned that he also destroyed the Matrix too! Along with it the heinous bounty disappeared with Khyron too.
Rick lands Skull-1 in New Detroit to assess to damage. He is greeted by an angry mob of citizens. They are upset because of the destruction of the Protoculture Matrix. Rick tries to reason with the angry mob to no avail. Sensing that the crowd's demeanor was getting angrier by the second; Rick decides to stand down and leave. He figured it would be better if Gloval and the higher ups tried to smooth things over.
A concerned Rick immediately returns to New Macross and meets with Gloval and his Generals. He apologizes for the destruction of the Matrix, and expects to be reprimanded. Captain Gloval is disappointed with the damage and loss, but knowing Khyron has been eliminated. He figures the Zentradi rebellion will become more disorganized and be easier to flush out and dispatch. He commends Rick for his actions and dismisses him.
Grel and Azonia ensue in a power struggle for control of the remaining rebels. Azonia eventually pulls rank and informs Grel the Robotech Masters will punish him for insubordination once they carry out Khyron's plan. Wanting to leave Earth, Grel reluctantly agrees and relents his quest for control.