Robotech: The Stargate Saga

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and universes that I am about to mangle around and mash together for my own demented author amusement – sadly all Robotech and Stargate characters and concepts remain the property of Harmony Gold and MGM respectively – I am merely borrowing them and make absolutely no profit from their use. As a result, please keep the legal attack dogs – also known as lawyers – firmly muzzled and on a leash as I have no money to give to anyone.

Interlude Five

Asgard Battlecruiser Skuld

A Short Time Later

Sitting in his command throne on the bridge Commander Audun watched as the Robotech Factory Satellite over Earth got larger and larger ahead of them. After a surprising amount of waiting, they had been contacted by the station's docking operations officers and ordered to proceed into bay D sixty-nine following a course sent to them. He had immediately ordered the helmsman to follow the indicated course for docking at the required speed and then sat back in his command throne to wait and watch.

He could clearly see that the docking bay that they were heading for was located on the central horizontal axis of the station's core module. Already they were slipping past one of the ancillary modules attached to the main body by what only appeared to be a thin stalk-like spar, though that was an illusion as the connecting spar was almost as wide as the Skuld was long and definitely thicker than she was tall. Thus, the spar only looked fragile and thin due to the sheer size of the factory satellite. The body they were just passing's surface was covered with projections and gantries designed to allow ships to hard dock to the exterior and take on supplies without needing to go inside. He could also see small ball-like turrets that he knew would house either missile launchers or particle cannons – or a mixture of the two – designed to protect the satellite should it come under attack. Though he could also see small drones moving over the surface obviously repairing the station and here and there he could even see new sections of hull growing in an almost organic fashion as a hull breach was closed.

Everything that he, and his bridge crew, could see was a testament to the sheer power and majesty of the Tirolians technology. They could have been such a force for good in the universe, he thought even as he recalled that they once had been such a force. Until an energy crisis hit their core worlds but especially Tirol and Zor left to find a new source of energy to sustain his race and ease their ever-increasing dependence on sekitan shipments from the Karbarran Commonwealth. During the time Zor was gone some very ambitious and ruthless people ceased power and transformed their once peaceful civilization into what it had become. A transformation that had only accelerated and let the Tirolians conquer and subjugate multiple galaxies when Zor had returned with protoculture and developed robotechnology.

Like many of his fellow Asgard Audun couldn't help but feel somewhat sad at the fact that the Tirolians had let themselves fall into darkness and in the process become an enemy that was, in many respects, worse than even the Goa'uld. Before the rise of Nimuul and his siblings – who he knew were now referred to as the Robotech Elders – the Asgard had had such high hopes for the Tirolians. They'd been the most advanced human culture encountered by them since the Age of the Ancients ended and the hope had been that they could have become the fifth race.

Something that, even if the Robotech Masters fell tomorrow, would never happen now. The imperialistic nature that had been revealed during their rise and over the centuries of their reign ensured that the Asgard would never be able to trust them again. Certainly not with something that important as becoming one of the great races placed a certain amount of responsibility – for those less advanced and less fortunate than yourselves – on a race's shoulders. Responsibility that the Tirolians could now never be trusted to wield either fairly or justly.

A sudden warning chime from the sensors brought him out of his thoughts. "Commander sensors are picking up movement among the Zentraedi ships," the sensor officer reported. "Some ships are moving away from the main fleet and are heading towards the factory satellite."

"Are they on an intercept course with us?" Audun asked, instantly concerned that someone among the Zentraedi was giving in to the hatred engendered between their two races by centuries of violent clashes and was moving to attack them, in defiance of both Commander Breetai's and Doctor Weir's assertions that they were in no danger here.

"Negative commander," the other Asgard reported after a few moments of checking. "Analysis indicates that they are likely going to dock at the exterior supply cradles."

"How many?"

"Forty-two commander, we read twenty-two Tou Redir-class frigates, seventeen Thuverl Salan-class heavy cruisers and three Queadol Magdomilla-class battlecruisers."

More than one Asgard around the bridge gave a slight wince at that. While that was a very small force of warships by Zentraedi standards – little more than a large squadron – it was a very formidable force. One that even they would have to be cautious engaging, they certainly wouldn't have been able to do it with a single ship well unless it was one of the new Gungnir-class battleships like Thor's new flagship and the namesake of the class. Certainly, it was a force that few among the races of this galaxy could take on and win against.

"I wonder where they're going," Briar said, "if they're going to attack the Goa'uld for some reason I wouldn't want to be the System Lord facing them in battle."

"Neither would I," Audun admitted, he had faced the Zentraedi in battle before and it had never been a particularly pleasant experience. Especially the first time when he hadn't given the Zentraedi either the credit or respect they were due and had gotten his ship shot out from under him for his trouble. "We will have to ask our hosts where that fleet is going and why when we meet with them."

Briar nodded in agreement before the two of them turned their attention back to the holographic screen showing their approach to the factory satellite. The bay they were heading for was now visibly open for them – though it still seemed small compared to the rest of the station – they would be inside within another minute or two.

"Up close you realize how incredible these things are," Briar commented, "the Tirolians are definitely a very advanced and powerful race even by our standards."

"It is just a pity they have misused that power in the way they have," Audun replied.

"Indeed commander."

With that the two Asgard went silent and continued to watch as they station grew ever larger until space was completely dominated by a wall of reddish-brown metal and a technological cityscape of incredible complexity. A slight jolt ran through the deck as the helm fired their reverse thrusters, slowing the battlecruiser down to a virtual crawl as they slowly began to enter the docking bay. In seconds they were inside and despite himself Audun was surprised by just how spacious the bay around them was, so vast that you could park three Beliskner-class ships in here and have a good chance of getting a fourth in. The ship came to a stop next to the dock and the sensors chirped.

"Commander sensors indicate a powerful gravimagnetic force field forming around us," sensors reported, "it appears to be designed to hold a docked ship in place. Umbilical's are also approaching our starboard airlocks."

"Understood. Are the sensors and transporters still being affected by the scattering fields?"

"Sensor resolution has increased commander how there is still too much interference from the Tirolian countermeasures to allow safe use of the transporter device," operations reported. "We are likely still too close to the hull to escape the effect, that or the technology is in use throughout the entire station."

"The latter is most likely," Audun admitted knowing that the Tirolians/Robotech Masters were far from stupid, and it would be just like them to make sure that even if they managed to get close to – or inside in this case – a factory station that their transporter technology was ineffective. As not only did it prevent them beaming power armoured soldiers anywhere inconvenient in the station, but it also removed one of their most effective weapons from the equation as the disintegration system was just the transporter beam being used offensively to reduce whatever it was used on to basic elements and letting them dissipate.

"Commander station operations is hailing us," communications reported, "they say a transport is being sent to pick up our delegation and that Doctor Weir will be waiting with her delegation in a conference room for you, apparently her shuttle has just docked."

"Understood," Audun replied, "advise operations that I will be there shortly with two assistants. Briar, you have command while I am gone."

"Yes commander."

Fort Minotaur

Crete, European Quadrant

That Same Time

Captain Rick Hunter had a slight spring in his step as he made his way towards the VIP living quarters that Aunt Maria and Nathan had been assigned to after the former had been discharged from the medical section after Doctors Johnson and Fraiser had one last check on him – making sure that no remnant of the artificial Prime persona remained inside his head. Since then, he knew that both had been somewhat climbing the walls as both wanted to go back to Denver and home. He could understand why neither wanted to remain here for too long Nathan especially wanted to get back home to try and rebuild his life as much as he could in the harsh post-apocalyptic environment of Earth at this current time.

Unfortunately, departure had been impossible, even though a plane was prepped in one of the hangars for him to take them back to New Macross – where he would have to reluctantly part ways with them with another pilot taking them on to Denver due to the mission to Mars assigned to him by Admiral Gloval – for the last day or two. The sudden storm that had struck the island without warning had grounded all air traffic while it raged and most ground traffic on the island had been impossible as well due to the powerful wind and heavy rain. Rain that he had heard had caused major problems all over the city with flooding in a number of residential areas in Heraklion due to overloaded storm drains – he had even heard there was some flooding at the ancient sites like the Minoan palace at Knossos for the same reason. Plus, there were reports of landslides on some parts of the island due to the sheer amount of rain that the storm had dumped on them.

A storm that had finally broken, the rain having finally ceased and the wind died down to nothing more than a stiff breeze. As a result, General Richards had confirmed that they would be able to leave the base and begin the long first trans-Mediterranean then trans-Atlantic flight back home in just over two hours. They just needed to clear some storm blown debris off the runways and refuel the jet and they would be all set to leave this place.

Something he was on his way to inform his relatives about now.

Arriving at the VIP section he nodded politely to the guard on duty outside who, recognising him, stepped aside and opened the barrier to let him pass. Rick smiled and gave another nod in thanks and made his way towards the suite of rooms assigned to his family. It took him only a few moments to arrive and even through the door he could hear the sound of female giggling. One giggle he recognised as belonging to Aunt Maria, the other he couldn't be sure, but he thought it was Lisa's. Ugh oh what are they giggling about, he thought knowing that in the time they'd been here Aunt Maria and Lisa had struck up quite a strong friendship.

After a moment's hesitation he pressed the buzzer on the door. For a second or two nothing happened then the door opened revealing Aunt Maria. "Rick this is a surprise come in," she said stepping aside to let her nephew in.

"Thanks Aunt Maria," Rick replied stepping in and immediately spotting Lisa sitting on one of the plush leather couches, though there was no sign of Nathan. "Where's Nathan?"

"In his room," Maria replied, gesturing to one of the doors on the other wall. "I think he wanted a bit of peace and quiet away from us girls. So, what brings you here? Not that I am not glad to see you, but I know that look, your father always looked like that when he had some news."

"Your right I do have news," Rick replied, "the storms passed above, they're cleaning up the storm debris on the runways now. We've been given a departure slot two hours from now."

Maria Hunter's eyes widened at that. She had not expected that that was what her nephew had come here to tell them. Shock swiftly gave way to delight that finally they would be leaving this somewhat dismal hole in the ground and beginning the journey home. Granted two hours was not a long time to get ready but… well she hadn't brought that many clothes with her and the only clothes Nathan currently had been provided by the people here. They would have to go clothes shopping for him when they got home and that was going to be fun given how damned big Nathan was now due to how Vosegus – whoever or whatever he was – had radically changed his physiology.

"Two hours that's not a lot of time to get ready Rick," Lisa pointed out, coming over having heard what Rick said. "Why so early?"

"Not sure to be honest Lisa," Rick admitted, "while meteorology is tracking another storm front building to the south, the dust and winds coming off the Sahara are feeding it, it's not going to reach here for another few days. The only thing I can think of is that it has something to do with the mission the old man is sending me on."

"Possibly," Lisa admitted, "General Richards would know about that as well hence why he gave such an early departure slot. Maria, do you think you can be ready in time? Or should I go talk to the general about getting a later departure slot?"

"No, I can manage it, Lisa," Maria replied, "I learned years ago how to pack quick and I didn't bring much with me from Denver. Rick, will you go tell Nathan?"

"Sure thing," Rick replied before heading over to the door that Aunt Maria indicated was Nathan's current room. He knocked the door but got no immediate response prompting him to raise an eyebrow and knock a second time, again there was no response. Growing concerned he knocked a third time, and with no response, opened the door and went in…

…to a surprising sight.

A shirtless Nathan was sitting cross-legged on the floor in a room that was dark aside from the flickering glow of a few candles and appeared to be meditating. Since when does Nathan do meditation, he wondered recalling that in the past Nathan had always considered meditation and such things like it to be somewhat stupid. He wondered if it was some legacy of Vosegus and what he had done to Nathan in the same way his cousins bodybuilder-like physique and downright superhuman strength seemed to be. For a few moments he stood there and watched, waiting to see if Nathan would react to his presence. When he didn't, he cleared his throat.

That did it.

Nathan's eyes flew open, and he looked around in surprise. Before he saw his cousin standing there, looking very handsome in his UEDF uniform, looking at him quizzically. "Rick what… what are you doing in here?" he asked, "do me a favour and switch the light on would ya?"

"Sure," Rick replied reaching over and touching the button to turn on the lights, as he did so Nathan blew out the candles and stood up even as the lights started to slowly come on. The level of light rising just slowly enough that their eyes could adjust without discomfort. Rick turned back to look at his cousin, who in the rising light was picking up a t-shirt from where he had left it on the bed. "Since when do you do meditation Nathan?"

"Ever since you guys got rid of the other guy," Nathan replied as he pulled on the shirt. "Every day for a few hours I find myself sitting down to meditate and somewhat to my own surprise I have found it really helps calm me and clear my mind. But let me ask again what brings you here? Since your still in uniform, I doubt it's a social call."

"Your right it isn't," Rick admitted before relaying the information about the storm having finally blown itself out and there flight back to North America being given a departure slot two hours from now. For a second Nathan seemed not to quite process what he was saying then his eyes lit up.

"We can go home," he asked.

"We can indeed," Rick replied, "at least you and Aunt Maria can. Once I get back to New Macross it's strait into mission prep for me."

"I still can't believe you're going to Mars," Nathan commented.

"I have been there before the SDF-1 stopped off their to pick up supplies from the abandoned Mars Base," Rick reminded him, "though thankfully this time the only thing waiting for me there is a mystery and not Khyron and an army of Zentraedi battlepods."

"Ouch that mustn't have been fun," Nathan answered, recalling some of what 'the other guy' as he thought of Prime had learned about Zentraedi battlepods curtesy of some agents Vosegus had had in the United Earth Government at the time. Thus, he knew that between particle guns, autocannons and missiles they were lethal battle machines.

"It wasn't," Rick confirmed. "Think you'll be ready to leave in two hours?"

"Hell, yeah, I only have a few clothes and some toiletries here to pack. It won't take me more than half an hour."

Rick grinned. "Alright I'll leave you too it," he said, "I'll go topside and go oversee the flight prep."

"Sure, do you know who is coming back with us? Is it just you, me and mom?"

"Lisa is as well," Rick answered, "Claudia is staying here due to that portal thing whatever it's called."

"Chappa'ai or Stargate in English."

Rick blinked. "How'd you… the other guy again."

"Yeah, I wish you could have gotten it all out of my head," Nathan admitted with a shiver, he could do without remembering all the things this body had done while 'the other guy' was in control and he hadn't even been aware of what was going on not that he would have been able to stop him.

"We don't know enough about the imprinters for that kind of fine control," Rick pointed out, "finding and erasing an artificial personality was relatively easy but from what Exedore has told us finding and removing specific memories is a great deal harder. Given their potential for abuse I don't think they've really been studied by the RRG. I wish I knew how Vosegus got hold of the one he used on you – and probably others – in the first place since they're supposed to be kept in secure facilities."

"Naples. He got his hands on it just after the Rain but just before Vesuvius erupted and buried most of the city under pyroclastic debris, he got the stock models of the destroids he modified at the same time. I told the people who debriefed me about it."

"Well, I haven't been given a copy of that report," Rick admitted, "the Council probably doesn't want me to see it. Probably afraid I would go after Vosegus wherever he is if I did. Anyway, I'll leave you to get to your packing, see you topside."

"You bet you will."

Rick smiled back then turned and left. He noticed upon his return to the main room that Lisa had left – presumably to get her own things together what few things she had here as like him she'd only really had uniforms and UEDF issued toiletries with her – and that the door to Aunt Maria's bedroom was open. Through it he could see his aunt packing.

"Aunt Maria I'm going to head up top side to oversee flight prep," he called in to her.

"Alright Rick. Have you told Nathan?"

"Yeah, he's getting ready."

"Alright we'll see you up there."

"Okay."

Accepting the dismissal for what it was Rick hurriedly left the room and began making his way first to his own quarters to pick up the duffle of things he had here and then to head to the surface hangars to oversee the jets preparations for departure. He was glad that they would finally be leaving this place even though he would be walking straight into another mission when he got back to New Macross. A mission that he could, somehow, tell was going to reveal both answers and many more questions. He had to wonder why he felt that but after a moment shrugged as he carried on his way.

Whatever happened, whatever they found on Mars, he would deal with it. It was after all the only thing he could do.

Authors Note: Well, another interlude bites the dust. I hope you all enjoyed it and I hope you all got a nice look into the somewhat complex backstory between the Tirolians and the Asgard as before the rise of the Robotech Masters – and the transformation of the peaceful egalitarian Tirolian Republic into the current totalitarian imperialist Tirolian Empire by them – the Asgard had had very high hopes for the Tirolians. Hopes that were completely crushed when the Masters took over and began using the Zentraedi to annex everything within their reach due to their pathological need to control anything and everything around them.

On the bit with Fort Minotaur while we haven't quite seen the last of the base yet, the involvement of Rick and co there has ended. Only Claudia is remaining to act as Admiral Gloval's liaison in the Stargate Project, at least until a better candidate can be found and the gate is moved to wherever they're going to put it since as has been shown it cannot stay at Fort Minotaur due to the fact that it is primarily a research base and doesn't really have the defences needed to properly secure Earth from attack via the gate. The ending of Rick and co's presence there also will let me advance Rick's own role to play in the next phase of this particular saga.

Next main chapter we will have the first face to face meeting between Terrans and Asgard – and a few more familiar but older versions of canon SG characters might make an appearance or two and not just Doctor Weir – and a few other things including the Zentraedi getting underway for Elysium. Until next time.