Basically i got bit by the Shipgirl Taylor idea because of Wyrdsmithe's Shipgirl Taylor fic over on Spacebattles and came up with this. When i first wrote this and part two, I wrote them from the hip. If I can find the words, I might flesh this out and turn it into a full story. I dedicate these two snippets to Wyrdsmithe over on Spacebattles.
I give you Shipgirl SDF-1 Taylor!
Disclaimer: I do not own Worm, that belongs to Wildbow. I do not own Robotech, that belongs to Harmony Gold. I'm just telling a simple story.
The Battle of the Bay
The battle against Leviathan was going poorly, many of the defenders of the city were falling to the Endbringer. It was looking like it was going to be yet another bad day in the fight against Endbringers and the city of Brockton Bay was going to be another city lost to the destructive monsters.
Floating horizontally above the city and the carnage below was a fifteen year old girl. A girl that had some unusual structures attached to her that were separate from her blue and white costume (SDF-1 colors). There appeared to be an aircraft carrier on her left side next to her leg and an amphibious assault ship on her right side next to her right leg. Both ships seemed to be attached at her hips. On her shoulders were two long structures, one on each shoulder. The structures stretched forward, just longer than her arms that came together to form a solid piece. Attached on the deltoid, both corners of her shoulders were two weapons called rail cannons, one on the front the other on her back. On the top of her head, seemingly placed in her wavy black hair were antennas, sensors, and radar dishes.
The young girl's name was Taylor Hebert but her cape name was "SDF-1 Macross" or "SDF-1" for short. Just after the beginning of the year she was shoved into her blood and vermin infested locker by one of her bullies and publically triggered as she blew out the locker she had been trapped in along with a very sizable chunk of her shitty high school.
Taylor's life didn't just turn upside down, her life went on a roller coaster ride. First, there were the physical changes, the aircraft carrier on one hip, the amphibious assault ship on the other, there were the visible weapons turrets as well. Then there was the fact that she had people inside her. People that claimed she was their ship, a Super Dimensional Fortress, designated as SDF-1 Macross. There was the Commanding Officer, an Admiral, a man named Henry Gloval followed by a woman named Lisa Hayes who was a Lieutenant Commander and the Executive Officer as well as the Flight Operations Officer. Additionally, a there was Claudia Grant, the Chief Communications Officer. There were three other girls that Taylor could hear in her head, Sammie, Kim, and Vanessa. This wasn't all of it. She had a full crew complement aboard, inside her along with the ship's fighters and mecha. Just when she thought it couldn't get any more weirder, there was a city inside her with 70,000 civilians going about their lives and trying to make sense with everyone else that SDF-1 was a now a living teenage girl.
The aftermath of her trigger was news not just in the city she lived in but in the Northeast section of the country given how destructive it had been and some news stations in the midwest and west coast also ran the story. Surprisingly there were no fatalities in the damage of the school, but there were injuries. Initially, once she had been identified as the perpetrator of the incident, she had been located and detained by the Protectorate, threatened with incarceration until her father had shown up and managed to get legal counsel. The fact that she surrendered without incident was a big factor in her favor.
Taylor hadn't reacted well to the voices in her head from Admiral Gloval, Lisa Hayes, and Claudia along with the three girls, Sammie, Kim, and Vanessa in the beginning. She thought she had gone insane. But, Admiral Gloval's calm voice managed to calm her down.
Taylor was in custody for that night and released in the afternoon as details of her what caused her to trigger were uncovered by PRT investigators. Sophia Hess found herself arrested and shipped off to juvenile detention while the DA prepared to file new charges, this time in adult court as well as voiding her plea bargain and was looking to charge her as an adult for those crimes as well. Emma Barnes and Madison Clements were also arrested. Madison was already screaming that she was ready to talk in exchange for a deal. As the Brockton Bay DA compiled charges to bring against the three bullies, a Federal Prosecutor reached out and said that Federal charges would be filed in Federal Court over in Concord once the investigation is complete.
The damage to the section of Winslow was severe and as they were doing damage assessment it was discovered that there were multiple code violations in the school. It was determined that the school would need to be torn down and rebuilt. The Code violations that according to records and statements from the current Principal of Winslow High School Carrie Blackwell and office staff these violations had been addressed. Given that she and all her office staff was already under investigation and was most likely going to be charged for what had happened on January 3rd, these new findings added more weight. Very quickly Carrie Blackwell and multiple office staff were suspended by the school district Superintendent as the investigation continued and Blackwell was arrested with embezzled funds that were traced to PRT and school district accounts while trying to leave the city limits.
Out of courtesy Taylor went in for power testing the next day at the Boat Graveyard and they had to stop once it was discovered how powerful a couple of her weapons were because the Boat Graveyard ceased to exist after Taylor demonstrated just one of her weapon systems. Needless to say, after the shock and uproar wore off, the Mayor was extremely happy that the Bay was now free and clear of the Boat Graveyard. Taylor's father Danny and all the Dockworkers at the DWA were happy too. The party at The Captain's Table pub was epic, Taylor was gifted with unlimited drinks of Coca Cola and apple cider and Erwin's Legendary Chicken Wings cooked by Pat, the owner. Her father, her father's coworkers and friends drank the Captain's Table dry that night.
Then it even more weird when the US Navy and US Air Force were at her front door two days later, both intent on bringing her into their service given her firepower and the statement she had given to the PRT that she was a Super Dimensional Fortress supposedly capable of flying into space. This caused a problem with the PRT as they felt that Taylor's Parahuman status brought Taylor under their jurisdiction. The Navy and the Air Force disagreed and there were meetings between the military and the PRT as both sides wanted Taylor under their purview. Taylor had a discussion with her crew and her father over where she should go. In the end, Taylor opted for the military due to the destructive power at her command. There were protests from the PRT and it went all the way to the Chief Director of the PRT but in the end, the Chief Director received a phone call from someone very high up and she gave up on recruiting Taylor into the Wards and so Taylor was transferred out of Winslow and into Arcadia and placed into the JROTC Program that was there.
The next few months were a whirlwind of school and training. In addition to JROTC instructors at Arcadia, she had RDF Drill Instructors screaming in her head every morning for Revelie and PT. Her academic grades quickly improved as she no longer had to deal with academic sabotage and she started on her Navy JROTC courses, sometimes going on trips to Naval Bases to pick up hands on experience. At the same time, the U.S. Navy was learning exactly how powerful of an asset they had in young Taylor "SDF-1 Macross" Hebert.
On her first trip to a Naval Station's firing range off the East Coast near Naval Base at Norfolk, Virginia it was revealed that she possessed a tremendous amount of firepower that easily outclassed modern warships. That Taylor had a crew somehow "aboard" her. There were people that had names, ranks, jobs to perform aboard the ship. In addition to the SDF-1 weapon systems, they learned that she had a large amount of aircraft aboard that she could actually launch, increasing her firepower. Shocking as this was, they were not prepared when she launched Skull Squadron under the command of Lieutenant Commander Rick Hunter. The tiny jets called Veritechs flew off the attached carrier called the Prometheus and grew to full size aircraft once they had flown 150 feet away. This was incredible, no one expected this but what was truly shocking was the revelation that these Veritechs were transformable mecha. Shocked expressions were displayed by the Navy officers and senior Pentagon officials as they saw these Veritechs change from jet to a hybrid jet/robot mode called "Guardian" and again to a full size walking robot mode called "battloid". The military and PRT observer were shocked and impressed by the pilots of Skull Squadron's skill and the Veritechs capabilities.
In addition to the Veritechs, of which she had 200 of these VF-1 models, she also had 120 Drone fighters designated as QF-3000E Ghost, and 50 other aircraft such as helicopters, space shuttles, and airborne electronic warfare aircraft along with the capability to make more.
The surprises continued when Taylor opened the ramp of the Amphibious Assault ship Daedelus and tiny mechs called Destroids walked out, 5 different models. As the mechs reached 100 feet distance, they grew to their full size and Taylor described each model via her connection to her crew, specifically one of the Destroid Commanders told Taylor what to say as she presented the mecha to the various military people that were present. Taylor explained that there were 150 Destroids of various types and that she could make more aboard. Now, she showed off each model type as they left the Assault Ship.
The first model was a massive machine, a literal walking artillery monstrosity worthy of its designation, the Destroid Monster. It weighed a massive 380 tons fully loaded, which it currently was. It's squat body with four massive 406mm cannons on top of it and arms with triple barrels in each arm that fired missiles. The military watched in shock as the Monster demonstrated the reason why it was called that designation.
The next Destroid, a mecha designated the Tomahawk had heavy beam cannons on the arms, missile pods on the shoulders for anti mech targets, a small missile pod above its right shoulder for ground to air targets. There were two gun clusters on each side of the chest with 1 25mm auto cannon, 1 180mm direct fire mortar, 1 light laser, and a flamethrower. Finally it had 2 12.7mm machine guns at the head. This was a walking tank more so than the Monster.
The next mecha was a Destroid designated the Defender, derived off of the Tomahawk chassis. It was armed with two twin 78mm anti aircraft cannons that suitably impressed the military with its destructive firepower and accuracy against airborne targets.
The fourth mecha was another Destroid derived off of the Tomahawk chassis designated the Phalanx. It had two missile drums holding eleven missiles in each drum, it is used in primarily anti air functions but they could switch to long range missile artillery to strike at distant ground targets or against tanks and other mecha.
The final Destroid was a mecha designated as the Spartan. Unlike the other Destroids, this mecha had hands. The Spartan's weapon systems comprised of two shoulder missile pods carrying 12 missiles each. It also had a gun cluster in the center torso comprised of 1 32mm auto cannon, 1 180mm direct fire mortar, 1 light laser, 1 flamethrower and 12.7mm machine gun. There was turret at the top of the mecha with 2 light lasers. It was also capable of using a Veritech's gunpod as a rifle.
Each of the Destroids that Taylor had unloaded performed maneuvers and firing demonstrations so that the military could see those capabilities.
The military and PRT got a full demonstration of the Taylor Hebert's SDF-1 weapon systems with one exception, a weapon called the Reflex Cannon. Taylor explained each of her weapon systems to the military before demonstrating and when they learned about the Reflex Cannon they opted not to see it demonstrated at that time. Their mouths were open in shock including Taylor's at the description of the Reflex Cannon's power. So, Taylor demonstrated her other weapon systems starting with two of the four Rail Cannons on her shoulders, two of her eight particle beam cannons, three of the sixteen triple barreled laser/particle beam turrets starting with one then two separately, then both simultaneously, then three in quick succession, then all three at once. Taylor demonstrated some of the missile turrets as well.
The weapons test completed as much as it could thoroughly be done, the Veritechs landed on the Prometheus, shrinking as they came in for landing and returning to their tiny size as they landed on the Prometheus. The same thing happened to the Destroids as they marched back to the Daedelus, shrinking as they came within 100 feet of Taylor.
After the weapons demonstrations Taylor lifted off into the sky and climbed to increasing altitudes to determine her flight capability. She had demonstrated low level flight immediately after her trigger, now the PRT, US Navy and the US Military in general wanted to know what her true flight capabilities were. While she did not breach the atmosphere to go into space, it was evident that she most likely could. Taylor was easily able to climb and fly through extremely high altitudes with ease and no problems whatsoever. Taylor easily performed the tests asked of her, Admiral Gloval even had Taylor do some tests that he never was able to do because of what happened when the original SDF-1's launch day. Taylor was shocked to learn about the history of the original SDF-1 and what the crew and civilians aboard had endured. Most of these details she has kept silent from everyone, only confiding in her father.
Taylor's life, while it was strange being the living embodiment of a Space Warship with people inside was so much better. Her crew cared about her, her relationship with her father was so much better, she was in a better school with improving grades, and she was happier.
Soon after the weapons and flight demonstrations, Taylor reported to Admiral Gloval that there was something odd near her feet/engine area. She was able direct a search party to an area of the ship that Taylor was told that it had been cordoned off, but Taylor urged them that there was something odd nearby. An engineer found a hidden access panel and a hidden door revealed itself and opened. Continuing onward, the search party led by Doctor Emil Lang ended up discovering the greatest secret that had been hiding inside the SDF-1, the Protoculture Matrix. At long last they now knew how the SDF-1 was getting it's power. Dr. Lang and scientists aboard the SDF-1 would be a busy for a long time.
When The Simurgh attacked Canberra in February, Taylor was placed on Stand By Alert. Once the battle was over, Taylor was deployed to Australia as part of a relief effort to deliver supplies for the refugees. It was discovered during her testing that objects could be transferred to Taylor that would shrink once they got close and Taylor focused. They were testing if people not part of the crew could "board" but had not completed the testing when The Simurgh attacked but it seemed like it might work.
After Taylor's deployment to Australia she returned back home to her new normal life.
Then Leviathan came for Brockton Bay. This time, Taylor was not going to sit this one out. Her father and many civilians were picked up and aboard her now, taking shelter within the emergency shelters in Macross City. She deployed her Destroids across the city, deployed aircraft for search and rescue, and launched her full complement of Veritechs and Ghost drones for the battle. With the citizens inside the SDF-1 in shelters, now she was in the fight.
Veritechs attacked from the air, hitting Leviathan with their missiles and guns. Rick Hunter, Max and Mirya Sterling leading the charge. Monster Destroids hammered Leviathan from afar knocking him on his ass from coordinated time on target fire. Tomahawk and Spartan Destroids blasted Leviathan with their heavy weapons. Once out of ammo, Spartans assisted with search and rescue, delivering injured Capes and civilians caught outside the Endbringer shelters to the medical tents. Taylor launched missiles, particle beams, lasers, and her rail cannons at Leviathan, causing damage. It was the first time in years that military units were engaging an Endbringer. Damage to Leviathan was visible, they believed they were hurting the Endbringer.
But it wasn't enough.
Taylor could hear names of the injured Capes and those killed over the communication link. It was looking bad. She continued to pour the fire into Leviathan from above. Her Veritechs landing, rearming, and taking off again into the fight.
Admiral Gloval was looking at the various screens showing the battle, his expression grim. Claudia, Lisa, Vanessa, Sammie, and Kim along with all the others expertly carrying out their duties, relaying information, directing the SDF-1's Veritechs, Ghost drones, Destroids, and other assets in the fight.
Taylor kept firing, tears were falling from her face as she heard the names of those she cared about being injured or worse.
"Admiral, we're going to lose the city, aren't we?", asked Taylor.
Admiral Gloval gave a grim sounding hum looked at Claudia and said, "Maybe, but not without one last shot. Claudia contact Alexandria. Taylor, this is what I want you to say to Alexandria." Admiral Gloval gave Taylor instructions. Taylor gasped as she received her instructions
Taylor nodded and seconds later Alexandria responded. "Alexandria here, make it fast."
Taylor replied, "Alexandria, this is SDF-1 Macross requesting authorization for release to fire Reflex Cannon at Leviathan."
There was silence. Then Legend's voice came on. "Alex, you cannot be seriously..."
Alexandria cut him off. "We are running out of time Legend. This city is on the verge of sinking just like Kyushu and Newfoundland. SDF-1, I am not granting authorization, not until I hear your plan. Explain quickly."
Taylor relayed the plan that Admiral Gloval came up with, explaining that it was his idea.
Silence.
Then, Alexandria said, "On my authority as one of the Protectorate Commanders during this battle I am granting authorization for release of your Reflex Cannon. Move into your firing position, we will get Leviathan into position. How much time do you need?"
Taylor replied, "Ninety seconds. I am already moving, I will be in position soon. After that I will have to transform and charge the cannon."
There were questions to ask Alexandria thought, but that could wait. Alexandria said, "Alright, SDF-1 get ready."
As Taylor was flying to what Admiral Gloval wanted as her firing position Chief Communications Officer Claudia Grant said, "Admiral, listen." Claudia pushed a button and music could be heard, accompanied by a familiar voice. Claudia said, "She's broadcasting from the radio station."
Admiral Gloval nodded. "Find an open civilian radio frequency, get her song on the air. Everyone could use the inspiration her music gives us. Pass the word to all forces regarding Miss Minmay's broadcast."
Seconds later, a song was being broadcast. A young woman's voice could be heard. Taylor took notice as she continued to fire her weapons at Leviathan. She had heard the singer perform concerts in Macross City and as she heard the singer sing, Taylor began to feel inspired.
Every Veritechs pilot, Destroid pilot, and RDF personnel that were out in the field received a message from Claudia. "Attention all RDF personnel, be advised Channel M23 is broadcasting Lynn Minmay. Continue the fight, authorization to fire the Reflex Cannon has been granted. Danger coordinates to follow, SDF-1 is moving to firing position."
Everyone switched a radio to the indicated channel. Hope began to build. The music playing, leading up to the singer to start singing.
Life is only what we choose to make it
Let's just take it
Let us be free
We can find the glory we all dream of
And with our love, we can win
Dragon was busy fighting, but she was monitoring all broadcasts. She noticed a broadcast coming from Taylor "SDF-1 Macross" Hebert on one of the civilian bands. She listened briefly to a young woman's voice singing.
Still, we must fight or face defeat
We must stand tall and not retreat
With our strength we'll find the might
There's no fight we can't fight together
Oh together
We can win
Dragon activated the speakers on her suit, broadcasting the song at full volume while continuing to pour heavy fire at Leviathan.
Blessed with strong hearts that beat as one
Watch us soar
And with love that conquers all
We'll win this battle, this last battle
We will win...We must win...
We will win...We can win...
We can win...
Heroes, Villains, Independent Capes could hear the song playing from Dragon's suit speakers. At first there was confusion, but soon their hearts began to swell with hope, inspiration, as well as defiance and determination.
Taylor had moved into firing position.
Admiral Gloval barked out, "Engage Modular Transformation!"
As the battle goes on we feel stronger,
How much longer must this go on?
Each and every day we dream of winning
And beginning A new life
The Prometheus and Daedulus swung out and away from her body. Taylor brought her arms forward like Superman flying pose. Then the front booms from her shoulders that joined together in front of her twisted and separated away, looking like a tuning fork. Taylor smoothly transition from horizontal to standing position. She brought her arms back down as the two ships attached to her swiveled to face in front. Taylor was in a standing position now, you could see the glows of her "engines" from the bottom of her feet. The shoulder booms lowered into a horizontal position. Taylor knew this was the firing position for her Reflex Cannon, the main gun.
"Modular Transformation complete! Main gun charging, 30 seconds!", called out Lisa Hayes.
Admiral Gloval ordered, "Claudia, send the word to tell our forces to get clear! Taylor, tell Alexandria to get Leviathan into position by any means!"
Still, we must fight or face defeat
We must stand tall and not retreat
With our strength we'll find the might,
There's no fight we can't fight together
Oh together
We can win.
The battle around Leviathan raged, all the Capes were putting in a revitalized effort inspired by the singing, by this inspirational song. Alexandria heard the warning from SDF-1 and started yelling orders. "Get ready, he's coming in hot!" She had been knocked back by Leviathan but she streaked in and delivered powerful hammering blows to knock Leviathan off balance. Then she moved to his tail, grabbed it and threw the Endbringer to the designated grid spot on his ass. "Clockblocker, Now! Do It Now!"
Blessed with strong hearts that beat as one
Watch us soar
And with love that conquers all
We'll win this battle,
This last battle
We will win
We must win
We will win
Clockblocker reached out and touched Leviathan freezing him. "Got him! I don't know for how long though!", he called out. Strider grabbed Clockblocker and teleported out with the young Ward.
Dragon executed the hard override and said, "Incoming WMD, everyone get clear! Get clear!"
The automated warning sounded, "Incoming Wave!"
Everyone scattered, Movers pulling those that couldn't get away fast enough. Veritechs and Ghosts had cleared out of the SDF-1's firing lane. Destroids were far away.
We can win
The villain formerly known as Tattletale but was now an Independent Rogue going by Insight radioed to Taylor, "He's coming out of it! All clear! Let him have it!"
Admiral Gloval simultaneously yelled, "Fire!"
We can win
Claudia Grant pushed the switch.
Exotic energies swirled on the "tuning forks" that were now positioned horizontally in front of Taylor. She closed her eyes as these energies built up very fast, Dragon used her sensors to take scans and readings and was shocked at the power build up. Then a powerful beam of energy that had never been seen before on Earth Bet streaked out from those "tuning forks" and struck Leviathan, completely enveloping the Endbringer and continuing on beyond carving a ditch as it destroyed everything in its path, into the Docks, destroying other buildings from the heat on the left and right side. The beam continuing out to sea, striking the incoming tidal wave, flash boiling millions of gallons of water, causing the wave to break cohesion and breaking it apart. The heat from the energy of the Reflex Cannon was so intense it scattered the storm clouds above the city, bringing an abrupt end to the rain over much of the city of Brockton Bay.
Now that we have reached this last encounter
Where are we now?
What shall be now?
How could we have come so far to give up?
We won't give up
We can win
Everyone looked at Leviathan. His skin was completely scorched black. Wisps of steam seemed to emerge from parts on his body. He looked skinnier, as if he'd lost a great deal of weight. His eyes were gone, his head seemed shrunken. His arms and legs looked withered. All the water immediately around him was gone, along with blocks of old industrial buildings all the way to the old northern ferry station.
Leviathan lifted his head as if to look at Taylor. This caused something that was obscured at the top of his chest to be revealed.
Insight's voice came out excitedly. "His Core has been exposed! Destroy it, Leviathan dies! Destroy the Core!"
Still, we must fight or face defeat
We must stand tall and not retreat
With our strength we'll find the might
There's no fight we can't fight together
Oh Together
We can win
Admiral Gloval called out, "Recharge the main Gun! Time!?"
Claudia said, "Main Gun is already charging! Energy levels almost to maximum power from Protoculture Matrix! Ten seconds!"
A golden glow could be seen on the far horizon. A glow that hallmarked the coming of the most powerful hero.
Scion.
Blessed with strong hearts that beat as one
Watch us soar
And with love that conquers all
We'll win this last battle, this last battle
We will win
We must win
We will win
We must win
Eidolon screamed, "Die! Die You Monster!" He teleported into range and unleashed a powerful plasma beam attack that struck Leviathan in the spot Insight declared. There was a loud crack sound.
Leviathan had turned to see that Scion was coming when Eidolon struck. The Endbringer swatted at Eidolon, striking him and sending him flying into the burnt and destroyed earth caused by the SDF-1's main gun. Then Leviathan decided he'd had enough. He charged, fleeing towards the sea.
Towards Scion.
Scion struck the Endbringer with a powerful beam causing the Endbringer to fly and fall backwards, facing the direction he'd fled from.
Facing Taylor "SDF-1 Macross" Hebert.
We will win
Admiral Gloval yelled, "Fire!"
Taylor's Reflex Cannon fired once more striking Leviathan directly one more time, striking the Core. When it stopped firing, Leviathan's body stood for a moment, then began to crumble like a sculpture of ashes.
We can win
Leviathan was dead.
Dragon's voice called out on all radio frequencies and on all the Capes armbands. "Leviathan Deceased. I say again, Leviathan is dead. All Capes capable, please assist with search and rescue."
The cheers were deafening. Scion floated around, using exotic powers to fix the weakened ground that Leviathan had damaged. Then the golden hero flew off.
Taylor was crying, her tears falling out of sadness and joy. They'd won. She could feel the happiness from her crew and everyone inside her, including her father.
Admiral Gloval reached into his uniform pocket, pulled out his pipe and placed it in his mouth. He glanced over and smiled at Sammie, showing that he wasn't going to light his pipe. Sammie smiled back.
Admiral Gloval said, "Lisa, recall all combat units and lets get started on search and rescue. Stand down from battle stations, inform Civil Defense it's all clear to open the shelters. Claudia, coordinate search and rescue with those on the ground, let them know we can take some civilians temporarily aboard, and one last thing. Be sure to thank Miss Minmay for her songs during this crisis."
Claudia nodded. "I will, sir."
The battle against Leviathan was over. Now it was time to rebuild.
Author's note: As I was writing this it just keep getting bigger and bigger. Oops. Shout out to mp3.1415player, I used some things from his works, The Captain's Table bar, it's owner Pat, and Erwin. I figure that old man Erwin knows a thing or two about Wings and the owner Pat cooks 'em, giving the credit to Erwin. It was a spur of the moment idea that hit me as I was writing. Another thing is that I used the Japanese spelling for Minmay as opposed to the Robotech spelling "Minmei". This was deliberate, I prefer the spelling of her Japanese incarnation.