This is probably my favourite one. And yes, it was inspired by a certain early event in SDF Macross.

Take 3: Buying Used

Finally, the Sigur Valens was ready for battle. Not completely ready, as the weapons weren't online, but enough she could lead the Knightly Orders against the NUNS, even against Berger's objections. As he stood in the command chamber, Roid could hardly wait to admire the effects of her overwhelming superiority.

"Sigur Valens, take off!" king Gramia ordered.

And so the mighty Protoculture battleship took off, purely held by her amazing reactionless drive… And then, suddenly, fell down and wrecked itself.


Berger had been in the spaceport, ready to reach the Sigur Valens if his fears turned out to be unfounded. As it was the fears had been proven right, and now the Aerial Knights were surrounding him.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE SIGUR VALENS?" came Bogue's demand.

"Repair it as best as I could and study her systems." Berger replied.

When Bogue stopped shouting abuse at the weapon dealer and trying to kill him, Keith asked what had happened.

"To quote the late Misa Ichijou, that's what happens when you buy used." came Berger's explanation. "You see, the Sigur Valens has been buried there for at least twenty thousand years, likely more. Not held in a preservation cache like the ones filled with Glaugs that are found from time to time, just buried, and she didn't have the automated repair systems of the Zentraedi factory satellites and mobile fortress. Frankly I'm surprised she actually went so high before breaking down…"

Author note: Surprisingly enough I came to respect Prince Ali. Not enough to call him with his name outside the story (and I will find a way to call him Prince Ali in-story), but more than any Windermerean soldier or politician except for Qasim.