Every pilot jumped into their flightsuits and made way to the airfeild. Each squad broke down into their designated wings. Dave and Luke are each other's wingmen, so are Max and Ben. Vermilion squadron hopped into their valkyries and under the short notice not many techs checked over the pre-flight diagnostics. Some fighters had to wait for their weapon systems to come on line, those were fighters used in the airshow earlier this morning. As soon as one fighter fueled up another took its turned and the air traffic controllers instructed the pilots on where to take off at. It was utter chaos. No one was prepared for an ambush like this at all. Today was suppose to be a day of peace and fanfare. Today the SDF Macross was suppose to take its maiden voyage into space in search of the extraterrestrial who had lost the Macross years ago as if collided here on this remote island in the South Pacific.
Dave did a once over on his monitors and noted that everything was operational. After receiving his orders from Lt Com. Hayse he punched the throttle and tore away into the now blackening sky. On his wing was Luke. The two fighters climbed towards the smoke layer and clouds and as soon as they reached the other side they found enemy fighters all around them.
"There's so many of them," Luke said in amazement.
"Don't get too comfortable, here they come," Dave exclaimed as he saw a wing come in. Shots arced all around his fighter and streamed off into the distance.
"Cover me," Dave roared as he pushed his valkyrie into the fray. Luke followed and wove in and out of danger of being struck by the enemy's fire.
None of these pilots realized the gravity of the situation. Each young cadet felt as if they were invincible in their modern aircraft. The grimness of war did not set in until everyone heard one of their own scream out over the com line and listened in horror as static rang out over the airwaves.
"All wings report in," Vermilion commander ordered.
"Monroe here," Dave answered.
"Right reporting," Luke followed.
"Genius checking in," Max's voice said over the line.
"Dixon."
And so on until the missing man was singled out. Johnson has become the first casualty in Vermilion squadron. All pilots went silent as they realized that this is war. People die in war. Friends die in war.
"All wings double up, I want four men grouped up on their fighters, they have more experience at combat situations than most of you," the Vermilion commander ordered.
Max and Ben flew into formation with Dave and Luke. The four kept a defensive wing as they engaged a pair of enemy fighters.
"I call the wingman," Dave said to the others.
"Roger, we'll take the leader," Max said.
The four valkyries dove after the two enemy fighters. They were being led back through the cloud layering and the thick black smoke.
"Watch the hardtop, we're all coming in real hot," Dave said.
"I'm going into gerwalk configuration," Luke said. The other three copied Luke and the valkyries began to change their appearance as the thrusters dropped down to resemble legs and two arms swung out from the belly of the aircraft. The fighters resembled a hybrid half jet half robot form. They became more adaptive to their descent after the two enemy fighters who dropped down over the base for a quick hit and run.
The enemies fires shots across the airstrip, badly damaging fighters which have yet to take off and the airfield itself.
"Come on you bastard," Dave said almost impatiently as he looked for a target lock. He watched his weapon display closely as the target bobbed in and out of his crosshairs.
Max and Ben flew past Dave and Luke.
"We're suppose to stick together," exclaimed Luke.
Up ahead Max took a shot and the lead fighter took a hard hit. It's wrecked body fell hard across the ruined airstrip.
"Yahoo, I got mine, Monroe, what's taking so long," Max asked over the com line.
Dave remained silent as he finally found his lock. He squeezed the trigger and his large gunpod fired a deadly volley into the enemy fighter. A few rounds sparked and skittered across the body but the aircraft finally went down in a flaming ball of twisted metal.
"Yeehah, got that bastard," Dave roared out and he relaxed a little bit.
"Yeehah," Max asked teasingly, "you actually say yeehah?"
"Shut up and get back into formation," Dave chuckled.
The four fighters moved back into a strong wing once more and changed from gerwalk back to fighter mode and climbed once again to where the battle was being fought.
"Dave, check out you scan on the northeast end of the island," Luke instructed.
Dave flipped through his screens until he saw that Tin Can Alley, the harbor where all the supercarriers and naval ships were tied off were being under siege by not only fighters but walking battle pods.
"I've got readings here, these ground units have emerged off the coast some several miles away," Luke confirmed.
"Sons of bitches, what are these things," Dave shouted.
"Maybe they're the people who want their ship back," Luke mentioned almost sarcastically.
"So this is how first contact is going to go," Dave also said sarcastically.
Earlier this morning before the UN Spacy reported to Macross island there was an incident. According to the report the main cannons of the SDF Macross charged up and fired somewhere into space. The gunners logged the destination of the blast and opened up a com line to the orbiting ARMD space platforms to confirm where the shot was heading and as far as the crew onboard the ARMD 1, the blast continued on to the other side of the solar system. However, no one knew that the reason that the cannons malfunctioned and fired into space was because of an old default program left in the computers of the Macross. The ship was to fire when its enemy's fleet were to arrive in whatever system the Macross happened to be in. This booby trap device was to eliminate hostiles.
Commander Breetai stood on the bridge with his advisor, Exedore by his side. The bridge crew rapidly worked on getting information on the blast that had taken out several warships in the fleet.
"If you ask me, sir, I would say that these rebels are quite cunning, perhaps they managed to repair the ship already or possibly gained allies among the inhabitants of this system," Exedore brought to his high commander's attention.
Breetai stood there emotionless. He puzzled over this destructive force in his mind time and time again. This has been twice in his career that he had taken a blast from that damned ship. The first time he nearly paid with his own life. Then, out of habit, Breetai went to feel the metallic plate covering half his face. A bionic eye now serves to compensate for the one he lost.
"Lord Breetai, we have pinpointed the origins of the blast," one of the Zentraedi bridge officers announced, "it came from the third planet of this system."
"Is it the ship," Breetai asked.
"It must be, m'lord, a weapon of that magnitude must be the ship."
Just then the com screen came to life and an image of a very noble looking Zentraeid with long flowing hair became visible.
"Greetings, High Commander, what's your damage report," the smug Zentraedi asked.
"Kamjin," Breetai started, "the Nupetiet-Vernitz took on insignificant damage, nothing more serious than a few scratches on the hull. What about the command ships?"
"We'll be fine, I have my people working on a few repairs as we speak, Azonia's ship took little damage as well, however, we did lose two and two more are severely damaged," this young Zentraedi seemed genuinely upset.
"I want every available ship to bear on this heading, I believe that our journey has come to an end," Breetai started.
"You mean the ship," Kamjin gasped.
"Indeed," Breetai said.
"For the Empire," Kamjin said and the com screen went blank once more.
The entire Zentraedi fleet capable of doing so attempted the spacefold and arrived just outside of Earth's orbit. Once they arrived they were immediately greeted by a small dispatch of fighters and gunships which the ARMD 1 deployed. Being so close to recovering the ship the Zentraedi fleet attacked the fighters and destroyed ARMED 1.
"Curious," Breetai brought up, "why would these warriors use such ineffective weapons on us, we didn't even lose a single fighter in that skirmish."
"M'lord," Exedore spoke up as he reentered the bridge, "shall I give orders for a landing party?"
"Yes, send our battle pods as well just in case they're setting us up for another trap. Also, have Kamjin deploy his fighters," Breetai instructed Exedore.
"As you wish."
During the heat of battle Dave forgot all about Mimi.
"Dave, what's wrong," Luke asked over the com line, he watched as Dave's valkyrie bobbed unexpentantly.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I just forgot that Mimi is still down there."
"Don't worry, MP's are evacuating the city. They're being sheltered within the Macross."
"Good, I was worried there for a second," Dave said.
"Heads up," Luke shouted.
The two men, now, since Max and Ben pursued their own targets, rolled aside as a new model of fighter showed up. It's main cannon fired a shot that arced right passed the two of them.
"Get on his tail," Dave shouted.
The two pilots jockeyed for position.
Kamjin Smirked to himself as he dropped another handful of these pathetic fighters. He was almost bored to tears when he realized that none of these fighters knew how to fight. But those who do know are using week weaponry. A few close shots tagged his elite class battle pod but none of the hits were even remotely serious.
"I see that these two fighters want to prove how brave they are," Kamjin said to himself regarding Dave and Luke. "I think I'll have some fun with them for a while, then I'll kill them."
The newer aircraft raced ahead and dove down to the ruined city bellow. Dave and Luke followed.
"This bastard's fast," Dave noted.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Luke said.
The three raced dangerously closer to the streets and the two fighters noticed that the enemy's aircraft kicked out with what looks like legs and began skating over the surface just like a valkyrie in gerwalk mode. Both fighters quickly changed to compensate for the low altitude pursuit.
"Watch for this one, he's a slippery son of a bitch," Dave said as he ducked his valkyrie under a low bridge.
"I'm on him," Luke said as he sped up.
"Luke, hold up," Dave said but was too late, he watched as Luke sped forward and narrowly missed a building by meters and followed the more advanced target.
"That's it, follow me," Kamjin said as he led the single fighter away through the winding streets and outcropping rubble.
Dave jumped his valkyrie over a building and gain more altitude so that he could watch over the pursuit. He eyeballed the enemy fighter as he tore along the streets. Up ahead was Star Hill, a park that overlooked the entire island of Macross. On a clear day you can see Hawaii up in the distance.
"Luke, wait up for me, I'm your wingman dammit, he wants to separate you from me!"
"Don't quit on me now, where almost at the clearing," Kamjin said as he watched his monitor's display on the fighter on his tail.
"I almost have the shot," Luke said as he steadied his sight.
As soon as Luke and his target made it to Star Hill he found that the tables are being turned. The main cannon on his target had flipped over and now faced Luke right in the face.
Kamjin powered up his cannon and smiled as he pulled the trigger--
"What," Kamjin roared out at the last second.
Max and Ben dove down and fired shots at Luke's attacker. It was enough for him to lose his aim and a shot fired into the hillside.
"That was close, I owe you," Luke said.
"Any time," Max copied over the line.
Dave caught up with the other three and the enemy fighter jumped back into the air and tucked its legs underneath and flew off.
Kamjin cursed the whole while he evaded from Star Hill.
"I had the shot, how could I have left my guard down!"
As he climbed he quickly met up with a wing of Zentraedi fighters.
"Lord Kamjin, are you all right," one of the pilots asked.
Kamjin took out his aggression on the poor pilot by blasting him into oblivion.
"Those fighters are helpless, they are no threat to us, let's raid the ship," Kamjin ordered.
"For the Empire," Kamjin's newfound wingmen cried out.
"They're heading towards the Macross," Max said over the com line.
"All wings return to the SDF Macross' hangars," Lt Com. Hayse started, "we are beginning prelaunch prtocol."
"We're taking off already," Ben asked.
"I say let's bring the fight to whoever's out there instead of being pecked at down here," Max exclaimed.
All four wings headed towards the great ship. Luckily several other pilots made it home as well.
"Listen to me, men, we're going in fast and we'll attack the bridge, if we can pull this off then the ship is ours," kamjin ordered and he raced his men towards the "head" of the Macross.
The countdown reached its last digits and the ship lurched from its braces on the airfield, but then the ship lost its vertical drive and the Macross came crashing down.
"What, they've got it working," Kamjin noted aloud. Sure the ship probably climbed only ten meters or so before it fell but the ship is operational.
"What," Captain Gloval yelled out.
"Sir, our antigrav turbines, they're tearing themselves loose," one of the bridge officers cried out.
"No no, this is a nightmare," Gloval called out once more.
He took a seat looked out across the battlefield. A feeling of dread washed over him as he became certain that earth was doomed. He then pulled out his trusty pipe and lit it. The bridge crew wanted to correct him about smoking on board the ship but they too realized that this might be the last moments they have.
"The hell was that," Dave asked punch drunkenly as he recovered from falling on the decking.
"How come we're not going up," Ben asked. He rubbed his head where he hit it on a bulkhead.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Luke started.
"Shut up," Dave, Max, and Ben all said in unison.
"Geez, man, you always have a bad feeling about things, what are you, one of those Star Battles' Deji monks? If you are then try levitating this damn ship up and out of here," Dave cursed out.
"Would that make you happy," Luke asked with a louder tone of voice.
And it was then that the ship lurched once more.
Time and space went still for a moment and then there was this sense of motion catching up to everyone.
"Engineering, report," Gloval called out as soon as he got back in his chair. He must have fallen out of it once the ship lifted off.
"I can't explain it sir but the engines have burned themselves out," engineering said.
"Burned out, how?"
"Well, sir, we have just sped up really fast, I have no other way to explain it," engineering said.
"Sir, you should take a look at this," one of the bridge officers brought up.
"Which screen, I'll pull it up," Gloval said from his chair. He keyed up a monitor off to his side.
"No sir, not on the monitor, look," she said once more as she pointed towards the window outlooking into space.
Everyone was speechless and in disbelief.
"Is that what I'm really looking at," Captain Gloval asked.
"Yes sir," the helmsman started, "it's Pluto."
Dave did a once over on his monitors and noted that everything was operational. After receiving his orders from Lt Com. Hayse he punched the throttle and tore away into the now blackening sky. On his wing was Luke. The two fighters climbed towards the smoke layer and clouds and as soon as they reached the other side they found enemy fighters all around them.
"There's so many of them," Luke said in amazement.
"Don't get too comfortable, here they come," Dave exclaimed as he saw a wing come in. Shots arced all around his fighter and streamed off into the distance.
"Cover me," Dave roared as he pushed his valkyrie into the fray. Luke followed and wove in and out of danger of being struck by the enemy's fire.
None of these pilots realized the gravity of the situation. Each young cadet felt as if they were invincible in their modern aircraft. The grimness of war did not set in until everyone heard one of their own scream out over the com line and listened in horror as static rang out over the airwaves.
"All wings report in," Vermilion commander ordered.
"Monroe here," Dave answered.
"Right reporting," Luke followed.
"Genius checking in," Max's voice said over the line.
"Dixon."
And so on until the missing man was singled out. Johnson has become the first casualty in Vermilion squadron. All pilots went silent as they realized that this is war. People die in war. Friends die in war.
"All wings double up, I want four men grouped up on their fighters, they have more experience at combat situations than most of you," the Vermilion commander ordered.
Max and Ben flew into formation with Dave and Luke. The four kept a defensive wing as they engaged a pair of enemy fighters.
"I call the wingman," Dave said to the others.
"Roger, we'll take the leader," Max said.
The four valkyries dove after the two enemy fighters. They were being led back through the cloud layering and the thick black smoke.
"Watch the hardtop, we're all coming in real hot," Dave said.
"I'm going into gerwalk configuration," Luke said. The other three copied Luke and the valkyries began to change their appearance as the thrusters dropped down to resemble legs and two arms swung out from the belly of the aircraft. The fighters resembled a hybrid half jet half robot form. They became more adaptive to their descent after the two enemy fighters who dropped down over the base for a quick hit and run.
The enemies fires shots across the airstrip, badly damaging fighters which have yet to take off and the airfield itself.
"Come on you bastard," Dave said almost impatiently as he looked for a target lock. He watched his weapon display closely as the target bobbed in and out of his crosshairs.
Max and Ben flew past Dave and Luke.
"We're suppose to stick together," exclaimed Luke.
Up ahead Max took a shot and the lead fighter took a hard hit. It's wrecked body fell hard across the ruined airstrip.
"Yahoo, I got mine, Monroe, what's taking so long," Max asked over the com line.
Dave remained silent as he finally found his lock. He squeezed the trigger and his large gunpod fired a deadly volley into the enemy fighter. A few rounds sparked and skittered across the body but the aircraft finally went down in a flaming ball of twisted metal.
"Yeehah, got that bastard," Dave roared out and he relaxed a little bit.
"Yeehah," Max asked teasingly, "you actually say yeehah?"
"Shut up and get back into formation," Dave chuckled.
The four fighters moved back into a strong wing once more and changed from gerwalk back to fighter mode and climbed once again to where the battle was being fought.
"Dave, check out you scan on the northeast end of the island," Luke instructed.
Dave flipped through his screens until he saw that Tin Can Alley, the harbor where all the supercarriers and naval ships were tied off were being under siege by not only fighters but walking battle pods.
"I've got readings here, these ground units have emerged off the coast some several miles away," Luke confirmed.
"Sons of bitches, what are these things," Dave shouted.
"Maybe they're the people who want their ship back," Luke mentioned almost sarcastically.
"So this is how first contact is going to go," Dave also said sarcastically.
Earlier this morning before the UN Spacy reported to Macross island there was an incident. According to the report the main cannons of the SDF Macross charged up and fired somewhere into space. The gunners logged the destination of the blast and opened up a com line to the orbiting ARMD space platforms to confirm where the shot was heading and as far as the crew onboard the ARMD 1, the blast continued on to the other side of the solar system. However, no one knew that the reason that the cannons malfunctioned and fired into space was because of an old default program left in the computers of the Macross. The ship was to fire when its enemy's fleet were to arrive in whatever system the Macross happened to be in. This booby trap device was to eliminate hostiles.
Commander Breetai stood on the bridge with his advisor, Exedore by his side. The bridge crew rapidly worked on getting information on the blast that had taken out several warships in the fleet.
"If you ask me, sir, I would say that these rebels are quite cunning, perhaps they managed to repair the ship already or possibly gained allies among the inhabitants of this system," Exedore brought to his high commander's attention.
Breetai stood there emotionless. He puzzled over this destructive force in his mind time and time again. This has been twice in his career that he had taken a blast from that damned ship. The first time he nearly paid with his own life. Then, out of habit, Breetai went to feel the metallic plate covering half his face. A bionic eye now serves to compensate for the one he lost.
"Lord Breetai, we have pinpointed the origins of the blast," one of the Zentraedi bridge officers announced, "it came from the third planet of this system."
"Is it the ship," Breetai asked.
"It must be, m'lord, a weapon of that magnitude must be the ship."
Just then the com screen came to life and an image of a very noble looking Zentraeid with long flowing hair became visible.
"Greetings, High Commander, what's your damage report," the smug Zentraedi asked.
"Kamjin," Breetai started, "the Nupetiet-Vernitz took on insignificant damage, nothing more serious than a few scratches on the hull. What about the command ships?"
"We'll be fine, I have my people working on a few repairs as we speak, Azonia's ship took little damage as well, however, we did lose two and two more are severely damaged," this young Zentraedi seemed genuinely upset.
"I want every available ship to bear on this heading, I believe that our journey has come to an end," Breetai started.
"You mean the ship," Kamjin gasped.
"Indeed," Breetai said.
"For the Empire," Kamjin said and the com screen went blank once more.
The entire Zentraedi fleet capable of doing so attempted the spacefold and arrived just outside of Earth's orbit. Once they arrived they were immediately greeted by a small dispatch of fighters and gunships which the ARMD 1 deployed. Being so close to recovering the ship the Zentraedi fleet attacked the fighters and destroyed ARMED 1.
"Curious," Breetai brought up, "why would these warriors use such ineffective weapons on us, we didn't even lose a single fighter in that skirmish."
"M'lord," Exedore spoke up as he reentered the bridge, "shall I give orders for a landing party?"
"Yes, send our battle pods as well just in case they're setting us up for another trap. Also, have Kamjin deploy his fighters," Breetai instructed Exedore.
"As you wish."
During the heat of battle Dave forgot all about Mimi.
"Dave, what's wrong," Luke asked over the com line, he watched as Dave's valkyrie bobbed unexpentantly.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I just forgot that Mimi is still down there."
"Don't worry, MP's are evacuating the city. They're being sheltered within the Macross."
"Good, I was worried there for a second," Dave said.
"Heads up," Luke shouted.
The two men, now, since Max and Ben pursued their own targets, rolled aside as a new model of fighter showed up. It's main cannon fired a shot that arced right passed the two of them.
"Get on his tail," Dave shouted.
The two pilots jockeyed for position.
Kamjin Smirked to himself as he dropped another handful of these pathetic fighters. He was almost bored to tears when he realized that none of these fighters knew how to fight. But those who do know are using week weaponry. A few close shots tagged his elite class battle pod but none of the hits were even remotely serious.
"I see that these two fighters want to prove how brave they are," Kamjin said to himself regarding Dave and Luke. "I think I'll have some fun with them for a while, then I'll kill them."
The newer aircraft raced ahead and dove down to the ruined city bellow. Dave and Luke followed.
"This bastard's fast," Dave noted.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Luke said.
The three raced dangerously closer to the streets and the two fighters noticed that the enemy's aircraft kicked out with what looks like legs and began skating over the surface just like a valkyrie in gerwalk mode. Both fighters quickly changed to compensate for the low altitude pursuit.
"Watch for this one, he's a slippery son of a bitch," Dave said as he ducked his valkyrie under a low bridge.
"I'm on him," Luke said as he sped up.
"Luke, hold up," Dave said but was too late, he watched as Luke sped forward and narrowly missed a building by meters and followed the more advanced target.
"That's it, follow me," Kamjin said as he led the single fighter away through the winding streets and outcropping rubble.
Dave jumped his valkyrie over a building and gain more altitude so that he could watch over the pursuit. He eyeballed the enemy fighter as he tore along the streets. Up ahead was Star Hill, a park that overlooked the entire island of Macross. On a clear day you can see Hawaii up in the distance.
"Luke, wait up for me, I'm your wingman dammit, he wants to separate you from me!"
"Don't quit on me now, where almost at the clearing," Kamjin said as he watched his monitor's display on the fighter on his tail.
"I almost have the shot," Luke said as he steadied his sight.
As soon as Luke and his target made it to Star Hill he found that the tables are being turned. The main cannon on his target had flipped over and now faced Luke right in the face.
Kamjin powered up his cannon and smiled as he pulled the trigger--
"What," Kamjin roared out at the last second.
Max and Ben dove down and fired shots at Luke's attacker. It was enough for him to lose his aim and a shot fired into the hillside.
"That was close, I owe you," Luke said.
"Any time," Max copied over the line.
Dave caught up with the other three and the enemy fighter jumped back into the air and tucked its legs underneath and flew off.
Kamjin cursed the whole while he evaded from Star Hill.
"I had the shot, how could I have left my guard down!"
As he climbed he quickly met up with a wing of Zentraedi fighters.
"Lord Kamjin, are you all right," one of the pilots asked.
Kamjin took out his aggression on the poor pilot by blasting him into oblivion.
"Those fighters are helpless, they are no threat to us, let's raid the ship," Kamjin ordered.
"For the Empire," Kamjin's newfound wingmen cried out.
"They're heading towards the Macross," Max said over the com line.
"All wings return to the SDF Macross' hangars," Lt Com. Hayse started, "we are beginning prelaunch prtocol."
"We're taking off already," Ben asked.
"I say let's bring the fight to whoever's out there instead of being pecked at down here," Max exclaimed.
All four wings headed towards the great ship. Luckily several other pilots made it home as well.
"Listen to me, men, we're going in fast and we'll attack the bridge, if we can pull this off then the ship is ours," kamjin ordered and he raced his men towards the "head" of the Macross.
The countdown reached its last digits and the ship lurched from its braces on the airfield, but then the ship lost its vertical drive and the Macross came crashing down.
"What, they've got it working," Kamjin noted aloud. Sure the ship probably climbed only ten meters or so before it fell but the ship is operational.
"What," Captain Gloval yelled out.
"Sir, our antigrav turbines, they're tearing themselves loose," one of the bridge officers cried out.
"No no, this is a nightmare," Gloval called out once more.
He took a seat looked out across the battlefield. A feeling of dread washed over him as he became certain that earth was doomed. He then pulled out his trusty pipe and lit it. The bridge crew wanted to correct him about smoking on board the ship but they too realized that this might be the last moments they have.
"The hell was that," Dave asked punch drunkenly as he recovered from falling on the decking.
"How come we're not going up," Ben asked. He rubbed his head where he hit it on a bulkhead.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Luke started.
"Shut up," Dave, Max, and Ben all said in unison.
"Geez, man, you always have a bad feeling about things, what are you, one of those Star Battles' Deji monks? If you are then try levitating this damn ship up and out of here," Dave cursed out.
"Would that make you happy," Luke asked with a louder tone of voice.
And it was then that the ship lurched once more.
Time and space went still for a moment and then there was this sense of motion catching up to everyone.
"Engineering, report," Gloval called out as soon as he got back in his chair. He must have fallen out of it once the ship lifted off.
"I can't explain it sir but the engines have burned themselves out," engineering said.
"Burned out, how?"
"Well, sir, we have just sped up really fast, I have no other way to explain it," engineering said.
"Sir, you should take a look at this," one of the bridge officers brought up.
"Which screen, I'll pull it up," Gloval said from his chair. He keyed up a monitor off to his side.
"No sir, not on the monitor, look," she said once more as she pointed towards the window outlooking into space.
Everyone was speechless and in disbelief.
"Is that what I'm really looking at," Captain Gloval asked.
"Yes sir," the helmsman started, "it's Pluto."