Life, so far, aboard the Macross has been quite comfortable. The UN Spacy has made the civilians feel at home within the replicated city in the belly of the great ship. Commerce exists, the UN Spacy has provided a payroll for their soldiers while a bank has been set up in town where credit reports are as similar as possible to how things are back home, the military has also set up five different television stations to broadcast throughout the ship; one station provides news highlights from Earth and facts on the solar system so that everyone on board can feel more comfortable with being out here in space, another station broadcasts old reruns from popular Earth programming, another is a music station, another is a movie station, and the last is an emergency station. Also the civilians have come together as a community. Daily events and fairs are common and there's even word that future events will include a beauty contest and sporting events. Right now people are training for soccer teams and the entire crew has gotten involved with some activity to keep themselves busy in space and to keep their minds off the war.
Things have been quiet, or at least they had been. A few months had gone by without any sign of hostility but then there was a spacefold near Saturn, right in the Macross' path. The alarm had been sounded and every pilot has been rallied for their briefing. In a few short hours the alien vessels will be engaging the Macross. Every fighter will be involved with yet another dogfight. But this will be their first combat in space. The extra debriefing was to go over the environment of space and how to maneuver in such an atmosphere. With a few final words the pilots were dismissed and they all charged for the hangars.
Every ship has been fueled and armed. Every last detailed had been groomed by a fine toothed comb and every fighter checked in at tip top shape.
The first wave of fighters has been sent out. The first wave was compiled of the entire Skull squadron. Following waves included Angel, Apollo, Ghost, Wolf, and Vermilion.
As fighters took off to engage the enemy, gunners and battroid operators have manned their stations and prepared for in-close enemies.
The calm before the storm is always quiet and eerie. Every last pilot took this time to think about their loved ones and most cherished memories. Dave thought about his father back home and how he wants to return and show him how much he has grown. He also thought long about Mimi, the girl he loved.
"Dave, how are you doing," Luke asked over the com line.
"Pretty good, all things considered," Dave said with a bit of a smirk.
Vermilion leader called over the lines for all pilots to check in.
Dave and Luke called in followed by Max and Ben. Others called in as well and taking up Johnson's spot was the new kid, Hikaru Ichijo.
"Cadet Ichijo," Vermilion leader began, "I hope Commander Fokker taught you well during your training because this is the real deal here. I want you to stick with your wing. Cadets Monroe, Right, Genius, and Dixon, watch over the rookie, you are going in as one group."
"Roger," all five men said over their lines.
Breaking off from formation, Vermilion flew into separate wings.
"Ichijo," Dave began, "Commander Fokker speaks highly of you, can you back up his boasts?"
"Just watch me, I use to fly for competition back home. Me and Roy flew in my father's show several times together, he taught me a few things behind a joystick," Hikaru added.
"This aint no airshow, boy, you try to go up for a loop-dee-loop and you might wind up dead, understand," Dave said.
"Sheesh, is everyone aboard the Macross as cuddly as a cactus. First their was Lieutenant Hayase and now you," Hikaru griped.
"Monroe, lay off the kid, I think he'll do great," Max said over the com line.
"This is it men, they're coming in," Vermilion leader said. Up in the distance, against the backdrop of Saturn, thousands of alien fighters pinpricked against the giant planet's face.
Every wing moved into attack position and charged towards the enemy. Volleys of gunfire, laser, and enemy particle beams tore by. The first explosions of war ballooned out into the vacuum of space.
"Boys, I'm making a run, keep up with me in sector five five three," Dave called out as he eyeballed his flight panel.
"Roger that," everyone in Dave's wing called back.
As Dave lead his run into the carnage, the new kid, Hikaru called out, "Monroe, watch it, that's a bad sector, climb and take six five three."
"Thanks kid, but I think I know how to," and Dave was cut off as a wing of enemy fighters screamed from out of nowhere, "shit!"
Dave barrel rolled out of the way, his wingman, Luke followed his lead. Meanwhile, Hikaru lead Max and Ben into his coordinates and they tore off into the dogfight.
"Dammit," Dave said, "Ichijo, we're suppose to stick together," he called out over the com line, "damn kid."
"What was that Monroe, I didn't quite read you," Hikaru said as he flipped his com line into a closed channel to his wingmen, Max and Ben.
"Shit," Dave cursed, "well Luke, I guess it's you and me."
"Let's rock and roll," Luke roared.
The two fighters cinched up and flow a tight formation into the heart of the fray. Dave lined up his sights and let a volley of shots fire from his gunpod. Luke, too, fired shots and they both dropped alien fighters. Their ships' bodies erupting into balls of fire for a moment and then vanishing into the lack of atmosphere. The raced their fighters beside the wreckage and moved on to the next target.
"Dave, keep your eyes peeled, I see some bogies coming up on our sixes," Luke said.
Dave glanced at his monitor.
"These Martians think they're cute, huh," Dave said under his breath. He depressed his hybrid switch and his valkyrie's thrusters kicked out from underneath him and it shot him back. The two fighters on his tail shot passed him. When Dave finished his backflip he fired two rockets from their housings. Both missiles hit and two more aliens went out in the fires of war.
Luke dropped down and took a clip to his starboard wing.
"I'm hit," Luke exclaimed over the com line.
"Don't tell me that, bro, I don't wanna hear talk like that," Dave said, genuinely worried that his friend got shot.
"I'm all right, it was just a love tap," Luke breathed out.
"Why don't we show these bastard how we love tap our enemies back home," Dave roared and the two fighters took off after Luke's would be assailant.
"Dammit, where's that kid," Dave said.
"Just relax, Dave, he'll be fine," Luke said.
"Maybe you don't see our boys dying out here but I do," Dave shot back.
"I see it too, and there's nothing you can do if they're already dead, we just have to keep our boys who are living alive," Luke told Dave with some authority.
"All right," Dave said.
The dogfight went on for what seemed like an eternity to the valkyrie pilots. The aliens were relentless. It almost appeared as if these aliens enjoyed war.
Kamjin took flight from his personal destroyer. His two guards flew on his flanks as he launched towards the enemy in his officer class battle pod. The modifications on its body proved his vessels was a force to be reckoned with.
"Keep with me, we shall fly by the fray and assault the bridge on the ship," Kamjin ordered.
"Yes m'lord," was his response from his two best pilots.
The three fighters raced in and out of the ring that floated silently around the giant planet. The Macross was right ahead and soon the Zentraedi will recapture the rogue vessel which had eluded them for so long.
Kamjin flew in close to the Macross and was greeted by fire from heavy battery turrets. He managed to outmaneuver the blasts and his two wingmen kept closely to their lord. Kamjin howled a laugh as he teased his advisaries by avoiding their weaponry with ease. Kamjin has been flying for the Imperial navy for most of his creation. During the Divisive Wars he became a top ace and was promoted to the title Warlord. He has yet to find his equal, though his comrade, a Meltrandi defector named Azonia, comes very close to his skill.
Kamjin and his wingmen made a hard pass across the bridge of the Macross and laid in a volley of shots which rocked the bridge crew nearly out of their seats. He lead his men aft and prepared to take another pass.
Captain Gloval rocked with the impact of the shots that hit the bridge. He loosed his grip once the wave settled and he overlooked his bridge. His officers were a bit shaken but otherwise they were all fine.
"Claudia, status," Gloval said.
Claudia scrolled over the monitors and found from the report that the deflectors were still holding. She relayed the information to Gloval.
"Captain," Lieutenant Hayase began.
"Yes, Misa," Gloval answered.
"More enemy vessels are moving into position," she finished.
Gloval brewed up an idea.
"Misa, have all fighters return," he said.
"But captain," every bridge officer said in surprise.
"Misa," Gloval reordered.
"Yes sir," Misa Hayase said, uncertain as to what Captain Gloval was up to.
"What, are they serious," Dave growled.
"There's probably a reason for it, let's go home," Luke said.
Every valkyrie broke away from the fight and returned to the ship.
Kamjin came across a second time and he and his men unloaded more shots across the bridge.
"Dammit," Captain Gloval said as he saw the pesky alien fighters fly by the bridge window once more.
"Shields still holding, Captain," Claudia called out.
"Hey Luke, do you see what I see," Dave said over his line.
"I'll be damned it's that one fighter," Luke said as he recognized Kamjin's fighter. "He's attacking the bridge!"
"Let's go after him," Dave said.
"Sounds good to us," Max's voice said over the line.
Dave turned his head and saw the other three fighters in his wing.
"Nice of you guys to join us," Dave said sarcastically.
"Hey, we had to give the new guy a tour," Max said equally sarcastically.
"Max, do you read that bogie and his wingmen buzzing the bridge," Dave began.
"Yeah, I do," Max started, "hey, wait a second, is that Mister Fancy-pants?"
"The one and only," Dave answered.
"Let's do it," Max said as he turned his thrusters on to move up ahead. The rest of the wing followed suit.
"Hey kid, you hanging in there," Dave said over to Hikaru's unblocked line.
"I'm still good," Hikaru stated.
"Good to hear," Dave said. He felt a weight lift off from his shoulders.
The five fighters flew in close to the Macross and banked up and made their way for the bridge.
"Well, I see we meet again," Kamjin said to himself as he recognized Luke's fighter, "maybe now I can finish what I started." He then pushed his ship forward and launched a few rockets into the five incoming fighters.
"Watch out," Dave exclaimed.
The five fighters broke apart as a handful of rockets tore loose into their general direction. They exploded against the deflector shields of the Macross.
Kamjin used this tactic to single out Luke.
"You two, take on the other four fighters, this one's mine," Kamjin ordered.
He quickly crept up behind Luke and struggled for a lock up but Luke was bobbing and weaving across the decking of the Macross.
"What the hell," Luke asked as he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. At first he thought that the Macross was taking off without him and his wing but then he watched as the great ship began to transform. Part of the hull came jutting up right in front of him so he jerked back on his controls and raced a climb against the main cannons. He checked his monitor and saw that he still had that bogie on his tail.
"Dammit, dammit," Luke kept exclaiming.
The ascent was steep and Luke found himself grinding his teeth as he neared the end of the climb. He breached the length of the cannons and he tore loose once more. A few glancing shots from the fighter on his tail shot near him so closely.
"Dave, Max, anybody, I could use some help here," Luke yelled out, "where can they be?"
Luke dove his fighter down the "backside" of the now humanoid looking Macross. He continued the dive until he looped up from under the ship's "legs."
"Since when can the Macross do that," Luke questioned as he saw the Macross in battroid form.
Meanwhile, Dave, Max, Ben, and Hikaru had problems of their own. They had two skilled bogies engaging them. The fighters kept evading the four and used their own numbers against them.
"Dammit," Max called out.
"What is it," Dave huffed as he struggled to find where he lost the bogies.
"I got shot," Max said.
"Get back to the ship, you're no good with a wounded fighter," Dave ordered.
"I'm sorry," Max said as he banked and headed towards the hangar bay.
Dave knew that it was down to him, Ben, and Hikaru.
"Great," he said to himself. Ben may have become a valkyrie pilot, but he really isn't that good of a pilot, and Hikaru, he's fresh out of training. "Looks like it's down to me."
"Dave," Luke screamed out.
"Luke, talk to me," Dave said as he raced his fighter aft to chase after one of the enemy fighters who evaded him once again.
"I got trouble, man," Luke began, "I could use a little help here."
"Dammit," Dave cursed to himself.
"Monroe, I got this one," Hikaru said over the line. He then banked his valkyrie into a sharp dive and headed towards the incoming fighter that was on Luke's tail.
"Ben, follow that kid, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, like get himself killed," Dave ordered.
"On my way," Ben said as he shot his fighter into a dive.
"I've got you now," Kamjin said as he drew a bead on his target, he thumbed his trigger to let loose a few more rockets but then two incoming enemy fighters zoomed in and took their shots.
"Dammit," Kamjin roared as he took a hit.
Hikaru raced away with Ben on his tail. He let out a heavy breath and fought to get his composure back.
"Damn man, that was close," Ben said.
"Yeah, I think I got him," Hikaru said.
"Hikaru, you are one hell of a pilot," Ben said.
"Thanks," Hikaru said as a tired smile moved over his lips.
Dave grew frustrated at this wild goose chase so he converted to battroid mode and had his valkyrie grip it's GU-11 gunpod in its hands. He waited still, floating by on what little inertia he had left. He kept his position and waited. That's when the two fighters came into view. Without thinking twice Dave unloaded his entire clip into a deadly spray into the two fighters. He roared as the two vessels blew away into fireballs. Debris flew away into all directions, some of which flecked across Dave's battroid. He was still screaming after his clip ran out, the motorized whine of his gunpod was the only other noise he heard when he came back to his senses.
"Dave, let's go," Luke said.
Dave converted back to fighter mode and followed the rest of his wing back to the hangar.
"What are they doing," Breetai asked aloud as he watched the screens dumbfoundedly.
"It appears that they are retreated, m'lord," Exedore added in.
"But why, is this some sort of trap, perhaps," Breetai pondered.
"It would be their folly, Lord Breetai, we have an entire fleet to their one ship," Exedore pointed out. "Perhaps they are surrendering."
"Hmm, perhaps," Breetai began, "we do need that ship."
"What are you suggesting, m'lord," Exedore asked.
"Let's go in and capture it," Breetai began, "helms, bring us towards the ship."
The Zentraedi fleet moved their way forward.
"What is that," Breetai asked as he saw the ship as it is now. It's entire form has been manipulated. It no longer looked like a ship, instead it resembled a humanoid thing of metal.
"I don't like this," Exedore stated.
"Nor I," Breetai added.
Then there was a bright flash. Breetai hit the decking hard and he winced in pain. Exedore had been flung across the command post and against the bulkheads. Crew everywhere on the flag ship and other vessels in the fleet took a great blow.
"Damage report," Breetai called out.
But there was no reply.
Breetai got to his feet and looked out over the bridge. Most of the crew lay slumped over their monitors, some of them dazed, others injured. Even Breetai felt a sharp pain in his shoulder where he fell.
"Exedore," he called out.
"Yes m'lord," the shorter Zentraedi asked from behind a cloudy daze. His hand instinctively went for his head where he had a gash.
"What's our damage report," Breetai asked again.
Exedore crawled over to a monitor and moved the screens around until he found the proper display.
"Sir, we have lost forward shields, life support has been knocked down to forty percent, forward weaponry's disabled, and we have hull breaches on decks four, five, and six. Fires have consumed several hangar bays and crew compartments," Exedore managed to get out before lolling off to the side.
Breetai used the control panel to utilize the main view screen. He used a view to take a look at the damage outside. He was shocked to find that a huge hole has been torn through most of his ship. He used other screens to look at the carnage around him. Nearly the entire fleet with them has been wiped out.
"Lord Breetai," Kamjin's voice came across the com line.
"Go ahead," Breetai said as he put Kamjin on visual.
"My ship has been destroyed, I am still in my fighter, I need to dock immediately," Kamjin said at length.
"Most of our hangars have been destroyed but I will have my crew out there to find a spot for you," Breetai said. His shoulder wracked once more so he clutched it with his good arm.
Kamjin was no longer on the screen as he ended his transmission. Breetai used the call system to have medics come to the bridge immediately. He then moved over to his commander's chair and slumped in it. He turned over to see his companion unconscience in the corner. The ship is truly dangerous. For Breetai, the matter of collecting it was becoming personal. Thrice now has the ship made such an assult on him. This last time was nearly as bad as the first time.
Breetai was only a warlord then and was in control of several destroyers. He had hunted down the rogues to one side of the galaxy. There was no place for the ship to run to so Breetai ordered an attack to cripple the ship. As his destroyers moved in he was greeted by a blast from the main cannons, the most destructive force his creators ever made. The ship was meant as the ultimate peacekeeper to keep hostiles in line. But it was one of his creator's most trusted who stole it from them. That day many Zentraedi lost their lives and Breetai had lost an eye.
"Daedalus barrier initiated, sir," one of the bridge officers announced to Gloval as he waited anxiously in his chair. His gaze looked out across the vista to where a handful of enemy ships waited, crippled. The main cannons carry quite a punch and a wing and a prayer he ordered it to fire and watched as most of the enemy fleet disappeared in the bright, blinding flash.
"Engineering, propel us towards their biggest ship," Gloval ordered.
"Aye sir."
The Macross lurched forward towards the crippled alien ships. Burned out husks of has been vessels are now debris caught in Saturn's gravity.
"Ramming speed," Gloval ordered.
The Macross then jutted forward and shoved one of its "arms" into the hole of the Zentraedi flag ship. The barrier shields withheld as the Daedalus hangar bay made its way into collapsing decks and hull.
"In the name of the Creators," Breetai exclaimed as he watched in horror what was going on. His eye was glued to the screen. The ship has rammed itself into his on.
Kamjin made his way to the bridge and took note that Advisor Exedore was being tended to by medics on Breetai's command center.
As Kamjin approached his High Commander he saw the main screen and how the ship was being rammed. He could feel the ship buckle beneath his feet.
"M'lord, we must get you out of here," Kamjin said to Breetai who was stuck in place.
Kamjin ran up and pulled Breetai away. The taller Zentraedi turned around quickly and gazed into Kamjin's fierce eyes.
"My lord, the flag ship is being destroyed, we must make our escape, Azonia's ship is still in tact, she will have us aboard," Kamjin said.
"Very well," Breetai said. He then pressed the overcall switch on his controls, "All persons aboard who can hear my voice, we are evacuating. We will rendezvous with Warlord Azonia's vessel."
The two walked over to where the medics were treating Exedore.
"Can you move," Breetai asked.
"Yes," Exedore said as he struggled for his feet. Kamjin immediately helped crutch Exedore and led him through the gangway, Breetai was hot on their heels.
The three made it to an escape pod and sealed the door behind them. They were then jettisoned out into space and then they controlled the pod to fly a course for Azonia's destroyer.
Azonia stood at attention in her hangar bay. Her guards were on either side, some of them beaten and worn looking from that last barrage they just took from the Macross. Azonia's hair had fallen out of place in defiance of her otherwise stoic-like face.
Breetai's pod touched down and the hatch hissed open.
"Lord Breetai, it is an honor to have you aboard my ship," Azonia started with a salute.
Breetai ordered that Exedore be brought to sick bay.
Azonia led her guests to the bridge where they caught a visual of the Macross shoving its "arm" all the way into Breetai's vessel. And then, moments later it exploded. Azonia's destroyer rocked from the blast wave. The lighting went out.
"Report," Azonia shouted.
"We have lost power, we are a dead space whale out here," the bridge officer said from somewhere in the darkness.
Gloval shielded his eyes as he watched the big ship blow up. His plan had succeeded. He had all energy diverted to the Daedalus hangar bay and rammed it deep within the alien vessel. Once inside he ordered that the hangar bays be opened and that all mechas in the hangar open fire with everything they had. The main cannons had severely damaged the big ship early and this just finished it off.
"Damage report," Captain Gloval shouted.
"Only minimal damage, barrier shields at ten percent," Claudia said.
"And the mechas," Gloval asked.
"They are a-okay, the barrier shields absorbed all of the damage, sir," Claudia answered.
"Very good, have the ship return to cruiser mode and lets continue on our course," he said.
In unison the bridge said, "yes sir."
Things have been quiet, or at least they had been. A few months had gone by without any sign of hostility but then there was a spacefold near Saturn, right in the Macross' path. The alarm had been sounded and every pilot has been rallied for their briefing. In a few short hours the alien vessels will be engaging the Macross. Every fighter will be involved with yet another dogfight. But this will be their first combat in space. The extra debriefing was to go over the environment of space and how to maneuver in such an atmosphere. With a few final words the pilots were dismissed and they all charged for the hangars.
Every ship has been fueled and armed. Every last detailed had been groomed by a fine toothed comb and every fighter checked in at tip top shape.
The first wave of fighters has been sent out. The first wave was compiled of the entire Skull squadron. Following waves included Angel, Apollo, Ghost, Wolf, and Vermilion.
As fighters took off to engage the enemy, gunners and battroid operators have manned their stations and prepared for in-close enemies.
The calm before the storm is always quiet and eerie. Every last pilot took this time to think about their loved ones and most cherished memories. Dave thought about his father back home and how he wants to return and show him how much he has grown. He also thought long about Mimi, the girl he loved.
"Dave, how are you doing," Luke asked over the com line.
"Pretty good, all things considered," Dave said with a bit of a smirk.
Vermilion leader called over the lines for all pilots to check in.
Dave and Luke called in followed by Max and Ben. Others called in as well and taking up Johnson's spot was the new kid, Hikaru Ichijo.
"Cadet Ichijo," Vermilion leader began, "I hope Commander Fokker taught you well during your training because this is the real deal here. I want you to stick with your wing. Cadets Monroe, Right, Genius, and Dixon, watch over the rookie, you are going in as one group."
"Roger," all five men said over their lines.
Breaking off from formation, Vermilion flew into separate wings.
"Ichijo," Dave began, "Commander Fokker speaks highly of you, can you back up his boasts?"
"Just watch me, I use to fly for competition back home. Me and Roy flew in my father's show several times together, he taught me a few things behind a joystick," Hikaru added.
"This aint no airshow, boy, you try to go up for a loop-dee-loop and you might wind up dead, understand," Dave said.
"Sheesh, is everyone aboard the Macross as cuddly as a cactus. First their was Lieutenant Hayase and now you," Hikaru griped.
"Monroe, lay off the kid, I think he'll do great," Max said over the com line.
"This is it men, they're coming in," Vermilion leader said. Up in the distance, against the backdrop of Saturn, thousands of alien fighters pinpricked against the giant planet's face.
Every wing moved into attack position and charged towards the enemy. Volleys of gunfire, laser, and enemy particle beams tore by. The first explosions of war ballooned out into the vacuum of space.
"Boys, I'm making a run, keep up with me in sector five five three," Dave called out as he eyeballed his flight panel.
"Roger that," everyone in Dave's wing called back.
As Dave lead his run into the carnage, the new kid, Hikaru called out, "Monroe, watch it, that's a bad sector, climb and take six five three."
"Thanks kid, but I think I know how to," and Dave was cut off as a wing of enemy fighters screamed from out of nowhere, "shit!"
Dave barrel rolled out of the way, his wingman, Luke followed his lead. Meanwhile, Hikaru lead Max and Ben into his coordinates and they tore off into the dogfight.
"Dammit," Dave said, "Ichijo, we're suppose to stick together," he called out over the com line, "damn kid."
"What was that Monroe, I didn't quite read you," Hikaru said as he flipped his com line into a closed channel to his wingmen, Max and Ben.
"Shit," Dave cursed, "well Luke, I guess it's you and me."
"Let's rock and roll," Luke roared.
The two fighters cinched up and flow a tight formation into the heart of the fray. Dave lined up his sights and let a volley of shots fire from his gunpod. Luke, too, fired shots and they both dropped alien fighters. Their ships' bodies erupting into balls of fire for a moment and then vanishing into the lack of atmosphere. The raced their fighters beside the wreckage and moved on to the next target.
"Dave, keep your eyes peeled, I see some bogies coming up on our sixes," Luke said.
Dave glanced at his monitor.
"These Martians think they're cute, huh," Dave said under his breath. He depressed his hybrid switch and his valkyrie's thrusters kicked out from underneath him and it shot him back. The two fighters on his tail shot passed him. When Dave finished his backflip he fired two rockets from their housings. Both missiles hit and two more aliens went out in the fires of war.
Luke dropped down and took a clip to his starboard wing.
"I'm hit," Luke exclaimed over the com line.
"Don't tell me that, bro, I don't wanna hear talk like that," Dave said, genuinely worried that his friend got shot.
"I'm all right, it was just a love tap," Luke breathed out.
"Why don't we show these bastard how we love tap our enemies back home," Dave roared and the two fighters took off after Luke's would be assailant.
"Dammit, where's that kid," Dave said.
"Just relax, Dave, he'll be fine," Luke said.
"Maybe you don't see our boys dying out here but I do," Dave shot back.
"I see it too, and there's nothing you can do if they're already dead, we just have to keep our boys who are living alive," Luke told Dave with some authority.
"All right," Dave said.
The dogfight went on for what seemed like an eternity to the valkyrie pilots. The aliens were relentless. It almost appeared as if these aliens enjoyed war.
Kamjin took flight from his personal destroyer. His two guards flew on his flanks as he launched towards the enemy in his officer class battle pod. The modifications on its body proved his vessels was a force to be reckoned with.
"Keep with me, we shall fly by the fray and assault the bridge on the ship," Kamjin ordered.
"Yes m'lord," was his response from his two best pilots.
The three fighters raced in and out of the ring that floated silently around the giant planet. The Macross was right ahead and soon the Zentraedi will recapture the rogue vessel which had eluded them for so long.
Kamjin flew in close to the Macross and was greeted by fire from heavy battery turrets. He managed to outmaneuver the blasts and his two wingmen kept closely to their lord. Kamjin howled a laugh as he teased his advisaries by avoiding their weaponry with ease. Kamjin has been flying for the Imperial navy for most of his creation. During the Divisive Wars he became a top ace and was promoted to the title Warlord. He has yet to find his equal, though his comrade, a Meltrandi defector named Azonia, comes very close to his skill.
Kamjin and his wingmen made a hard pass across the bridge of the Macross and laid in a volley of shots which rocked the bridge crew nearly out of their seats. He lead his men aft and prepared to take another pass.
Captain Gloval rocked with the impact of the shots that hit the bridge. He loosed his grip once the wave settled and he overlooked his bridge. His officers were a bit shaken but otherwise they were all fine.
"Claudia, status," Gloval said.
Claudia scrolled over the monitors and found from the report that the deflectors were still holding. She relayed the information to Gloval.
"Captain," Lieutenant Hayase began.
"Yes, Misa," Gloval answered.
"More enemy vessels are moving into position," she finished.
Gloval brewed up an idea.
"Misa, have all fighters return," he said.
"But captain," every bridge officer said in surprise.
"Misa," Gloval reordered.
"Yes sir," Misa Hayase said, uncertain as to what Captain Gloval was up to.
"What, are they serious," Dave growled.
"There's probably a reason for it, let's go home," Luke said.
Every valkyrie broke away from the fight and returned to the ship.
Kamjin came across a second time and he and his men unloaded more shots across the bridge.
"Dammit," Captain Gloval said as he saw the pesky alien fighters fly by the bridge window once more.
"Shields still holding, Captain," Claudia called out.
"Hey Luke, do you see what I see," Dave said over his line.
"I'll be damned it's that one fighter," Luke said as he recognized Kamjin's fighter. "He's attacking the bridge!"
"Let's go after him," Dave said.
"Sounds good to us," Max's voice said over the line.
Dave turned his head and saw the other three fighters in his wing.
"Nice of you guys to join us," Dave said sarcastically.
"Hey, we had to give the new guy a tour," Max said equally sarcastically.
"Max, do you read that bogie and his wingmen buzzing the bridge," Dave began.
"Yeah, I do," Max started, "hey, wait a second, is that Mister Fancy-pants?"
"The one and only," Dave answered.
"Let's do it," Max said as he turned his thrusters on to move up ahead. The rest of the wing followed suit.
"Hey kid, you hanging in there," Dave said over to Hikaru's unblocked line.
"I'm still good," Hikaru stated.
"Good to hear," Dave said. He felt a weight lift off from his shoulders.
The five fighters flew in close to the Macross and banked up and made their way for the bridge.
"Well, I see we meet again," Kamjin said to himself as he recognized Luke's fighter, "maybe now I can finish what I started." He then pushed his ship forward and launched a few rockets into the five incoming fighters.
"Watch out," Dave exclaimed.
The five fighters broke apart as a handful of rockets tore loose into their general direction. They exploded against the deflector shields of the Macross.
Kamjin used this tactic to single out Luke.
"You two, take on the other four fighters, this one's mine," Kamjin ordered.
He quickly crept up behind Luke and struggled for a lock up but Luke was bobbing and weaving across the decking of the Macross.
"What the hell," Luke asked as he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. At first he thought that the Macross was taking off without him and his wing but then he watched as the great ship began to transform. Part of the hull came jutting up right in front of him so he jerked back on his controls and raced a climb against the main cannons. He checked his monitor and saw that he still had that bogie on his tail.
"Dammit, dammit," Luke kept exclaiming.
The ascent was steep and Luke found himself grinding his teeth as he neared the end of the climb. He breached the length of the cannons and he tore loose once more. A few glancing shots from the fighter on his tail shot near him so closely.
"Dave, Max, anybody, I could use some help here," Luke yelled out, "where can they be?"
Luke dove his fighter down the "backside" of the now humanoid looking Macross. He continued the dive until he looped up from under the ship's "legs."
"Since when can the Macross do that," Luke questioned as he saw the Macross in battroid form.
Meanwhile, Dave, Max, Ben, and Hikaru had problems of their own. They had two skilled bogies engaging them. The fighters kept evading the four and used their own numbers against them.
"Dammit," Max called out.
"What is it," Dave huffed as he struggled to find where he lost the bogies.
"I got shot," Max said.
"Get back to the ship, you're no good with a wounded fighter," Dave ordered.
"I'm sorry," Max said as he banked and headed towards the hangar bay.
Dave knew that it was down to him, Ben, and Hikaru.
"Great," he said to himself. Ben may have become a valkyrie pilot, but he really isn't that good of a pilot, and Hikaru, he's fresh out of training. "Looks like it's down to me."
"Dave," Luke screamed out.
"Luke, talk to me," Dave said as he raced his fighter aft to chase after one of the enemy fighters who evaded him once again.
"I got trouble, man," Luke began, "I could use a little help here."
"Dammit," Dave cursed to himself.
"Monroe, I got this one," Hikaru said over the line. He then banked his valkyrie into a sharp dive and headed towards the incoming fighter that was on Luke's tail.
"Ben, follow that kid, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, like get himself killed," Dave ordered.
"On my way," Ben said as he shot his fighter into a dive.
"I've got you now," Kamjin said as he drew a bead on his target, he thumbed his trigger to let loose a few more rockets but then two incoming enemy fighters zoomed in and took their shots.
"Dammit," Kamjin roared as he took a hit.
Hikaru raced away with Ben on his tail. He let out a heavy breath and fought to get his composure back.
"Damn man, that was close," Ben said.
"Yeah, I think I got him," Hikaru said.
"Hikaru, you are one hell of a pilot," Ben said.
"Thanks," Hikaru said as a tired smile moved over his lips.
Dave grew frustrated at this wild goose chase so he converted to battroid mode and had his valkyrie grip it's GU-11 gunpod in its hands. He waited still, floating by on what little inertia he had left. He kept his position and waited. That's when the two fighters came into view. Without thinking twice Dave unloaded his entire clip into a deadly spray into the two fighters. He roared as the two vessels blew away into fireballs. Debris flew away into all directions, some of which flecked across Dave's battroid. He was still screaming after his clip ran out, the motorized whine of his gunpod was the only other noise he heard when he came back to his senses.
"Dave, let's go," Luke said.
Dave converted back to fighter mode and followed the rest of his wing back to the hangar.
"What are they doing," Breetai asked aloud as he watched the screens dumbfoundedly.
"It appears that they are retreated, m'lord," Exedore added in.
"But why, is this some sort of trap, perhaps," Breetai pondered.
"It would be their folly, Lord Breetai, we have an entire fleet to their one ship," Exedore pointed out. "Perhaps they are surrendering."
"Hmm, perhaps," Breetai began, "we do need that ship."
"What are you suggesting, m'lord," Exedore asked.
"Let's go in and capture it," Breetai began, "helms, bring us towards the ship."
The Zentraedi fleet moved their way forward.
"What is that," Breetai asked as he saw the ship as it is now. It's entire form has been manipulated. It no longer looked like a ship, instead it resembled a humanoid thing of metal.
"I don't like this," Exedore stated.
"Nor I," Breetai added.
Then there was a bright flash. Breetai hit the decking hard and he winced in pain. Exedore had been flung across the command post and against the bulkheads. Crew everywhere on the flag ship and other vessels in the fleet took a great blow.
"Damage report," Breetai called out.
But there was no reply.
Breetai got to his feet and looked out over the bridge. Most of the crew lay slumped over their monitors, some of them dazed, others injured. Even Breetai felt a sharp pain in his shoulder where he fell.
"Exedore," he called out.
"Yes m'lord," the shorter Zentraedi asked from behind a cloudy daze. His hand instinctively went for his head where he had a gash.
"What's our damage report," Breetai asked again.
Exedore crawled over to a monitor and moved the screens around until he found the proper display.
"Sir, we have lost forward shields, life support has been knocked down to forty percent, forward weaponry's disabled, and we have hull breaches on decks four, five, and six. Fires have consumed several hangar bays and crew compartments," Exedore managed to get out before lolling off to the side.
Breetai used the control panel to utilize the main view screen. He used a view to take a look at the damage outside. He was shocked to find that a huge hole has been torn through most of his ship. He used other screens to look at the carnage around him. Nearly the entire fleet with them has been wiped out.
"Lord Breetai," Kamjin's voice came across the com line.
"Go ahead," Breetai said as he put Kamjin on visual.
"My ship has been destroyed, I am still in my fighter, I need to dock immediately," Kamjin said at length.
"Most of our hangars have been destroyed but I will have my crew out there to find a spot for you," Breetai said. His shoulder wracked once more so he clutched it with his good arm.
Kamjin was no longer on the screen as he ended his transmission. Breetai used the call system to have medics come to the bridge immediately. He then moved over to his commander's chair and slumped in it. He turned over to see his companion unconscience in the corner. The ship is truly dangerous. For Breetai, the matter of collecting it was becoming personal. Thrice now has the ship made such an assult on him. This last time was nearly as bad as the first time.
Breetai was only a warlord then and was in control of several destroyers. He had hunted down the rogues to one side of the galaxy. There was no place for the ship to run to so Breetai ordered an attack to cripple the ship. As his destroyers moved in he was greeted by a blast from the main cannons, the most destructive force his creators ever made. The ship was meant as the ultimate peacekeeper to keep hostiles in line. But it was one of his creator's most trusted who stole it from them. That day many Zentraedi lost their lives and Breetai had lost an eye.
"Daedalus barrier initiated, sir," one of the bridge officers announced to Gloval as he waited anxiously in his chair. His gaze looked out across the vista to where a handful of enemy ships waited, crippled. The main cannons carry quite a punch and a wing and a prayer he ordered it to fire and watched as most of the enemy fleet disappeared in the bright, blinding flash.
"Engineering, propel us towards their biggest ship," Gloval ordered.
"Aye sir."
The Macross lurched forward towards the crippled alien ships. Burned out husks of has been vessels are now debris caught in Saturn's gravity.
"Ramming speed," Gloval ordered.
The Macross then jutted forward and shoved one of its "arms" into the hole of the Zentraedi flag ship. The barrier shields withheld as the Daedalus hangar bay made its way into collapsing decks and hull.
"In the name of the Creators," Breetai exclaimed as he watched in horror what was going on. His eye was glued to the screen. The ship has rammed itself into his on.
Kamjin made his way to the bridge and took note that Advisor Exedore was being tended to by medics on Breetai's command center.
As Kamjin approached his High Commander he saw the main screen and how the ship was being rammed. He could feel the ship buckle beneath his feet.
"M'lord, we must get you out of here," Kamjin said to Breetai who was stuck in place.
Kamjin ran up and pulled Breetai away. The taller Zentraedi turned around quickly and gazed into Kamjin's fierce eyes.
"My lord, the flag ship is being destroyed, we must make our escape, Azonia's ship is still in tact, she will have us aboard," Kamjin said.
"Very well," Breetai said. He then pressed the overcall switch on his controls, "All persons aboard who can hear my voice, we are evacuating. We will rendezvous with Warlord Azonia's vessel."
The two walked over to where the medics were treating Exedore.
"Can you move," Breetai asked.
"Yes," Exedore said as he struggled for his feet. Kamjin immediately helped crutch Exedore and led him through the gangway, Breetai was hot on their heels.
The three made it to an escape pod and sealed the door behind them. They were then jettisoned out into space and then they controlled the pod to fly a course for Azonia's destroyer.
Azonia stood at attention in her hangar bay. Her guards were on either side, some of them beaten and worn looking from that last barrage they just took from the Macross. Azonia's hair had fallen out of place in defiance of her otherwise stoic-like face.
Breetai's pod touched down and the hatch hissed open.
"Lord Breetai, it is an honor to have you aboard my ship," Azonia started with a salute.
Breetai ordered that Exedore be brought to sick bay.
Azonia led her guests to the bridge where they caught a visual of the Macross shoving its "arm" all the way into Breetai's vessel. And then, moments later it exploded. Azonia's destroyer rocked from the blast wave. The lighting went out.
"Report," Azonia shouted.
"We have lost power, we are a dead space whale out here," the bridge officer said from somewhere in the darkness.
Gloval shielded his eyes as he watched the big ship blow up. His plan had succeeded. He had all energy diverted to the Daedalus hangar bay and rammed it deep within the alien vessel. Once inside he ordered that the hangar bays be opened and that all mechas in the hangar open fire with everything they had. The main cannons had severely damaged the big ship early and this just finished it off.
"Damage report," Captain Gloval shouted.
"Only minimal damage, barrier shields at ten percent," Claudia said.
"And the mechas," Gloval asked.
"They are a-okay, the barrier shields absorbed all of the damage, sir," Claudia answered.
"Very good, have the ship return to cruiser mode and lets continue on our course," he said.
In unison the bridge said, "yes sir."