Robotech Wars
Encyclopedia
In the fictional world of Robotech
, the Robotech Wars are a series of four devastating wars that take place in the first half of the 21st century. They begin in 2009 with the first battle between the SDF-1
and Zentraedi and continue in 2044 after the Invid retreat from Earth
and the subsequent battle against the Haydonites
.
. Harmony Gold
has released the official timeline for these conflicts on the official Robotech website (Robotech.com). Supplemental commentary, including the particulars of the Pioneer Expedition and allusions to the Malcontent Uprisings, is derived from books, comics, and other secondary sources and is non-canonical. The limited-scope footage released as Robotech II: The Sentinels is also not part of the canon.
In the Robotech universe, the year 1999 marks a world embroiled in global war. In July of that year, a massive alien ship later designated Super Dimensional Fortress One (SDF-1
) crash-lands on Macross Island in the South Pacific. The evident nature of the ship as a warship introduces humanity for the first time to the possibility of a threat from outer space; sobered by this prospect, a ceasefire is ordered. The planet experiences an antebellum period for a decade, and during this recovery humanity reconstructs the SDF-1 and unravels some of the advanced technological concepts found on the ship, a science that they come to appreciate is called "Robotechnology." Ten years later, the Zentraedi
arrive seeking return of the ship, ushering in the First Robotech War (February 2009-April 2011) with the Robotech Defense Force
(RDF) established by the Earth government. Significant events of this time period include the sowing of dissent and disaffection among the Zentraedi ranks by exposure to human culture, the near-annihilation of Earth by a Zentraedi armada numbering nearly five million warships, and the subsequent founding of New Macross City. Along the way, the humans gain from the Zentraedi a rudimentary knowledge of protoculture, the energy source that powers their mecha; their knowledge is limited because the aliens themselves have little grasp of the subject, knowing only that they require it.
The end of the war in 2011 comes at the expense of both New Macross and the SDF-1 being destroyed (along with a partially completed replacement fortress called SDF-2) and ushers in a period of Interbellum and reconstruction. During this period, growing xenophobia finds humanity turning against those Zentraedi who had previously allied with them, and the rising tide of abuse and discrimination leads to a new round of confrontation in the form of the Malcontent Uprisings. These occur against the backdrop of resurgent politics, with the RDF busy constructing the SDF-3 for a planned mission to the stars while its military primacy is challenged by the nascent Army of the Southern Cross
. In 2022, the SDF-3 departs on a voyage to Tirol, homeworld of the Robotech Masters
, in pursuit of assurances that Earth is no longer at risk. The Robotech Expeditionary Force
(REF) of the Pioneer Mission arrives at Tirol to discover that the Masters are gone -- ironically, en route to Earth -- and that their homeworld has just fallen to the Invid
, who have been at war with the Masters for millennia. While the REF struggles to recover from a surprise attack and slowly becomes involved in a campaign to liberate conquered worlds from the Invid Regent
(who holds sway over only half of his race), the Masters arrive at Earth, ushering in the Second Robotoech War (2029) between their forces and the troops of the Southern Cross.
During the time of their battles with the Robotech Masters, the soldiers and commanders of the Southern Cross come to be aware of several important elements of both their current and future situation. The Masters have come to Earth seeking something hidden in the ruins of the SDF-1. The object of their quest turns out to be none other than the protoculture matrix, the sole means in the universe of producing protoculture -- which they also come to appreciate is derived from the seeds of a plant, known to the Masters as the Invid Flower of Life. The final battle with the Masters sees their destruction along with the last of their great motherships over the site of the old SDF-1, destroying a cluster of these flowers that have blossomed from the matrix and scattering spores across the surface of the Earth. The survivors of the Second Robotech War recognize that their "victory" is a hollow one that will bring the Invid.
A second interbellum period takes place until 2031, during which time the Southern Cross attempts to rebuild. That year, however, the Invid loyal to the Regis
arrive, and what has been established is far inadequate to counter these inspired invaders. Earth is conquered swiftly, and while the Invid show no particular inclination to exterminate humanity, they take no exception to destroying cities, bases, and anything within close proximity of the now widely-sown Flowers of Life. Shortly thereafter, REF forces still at Tirol become aware of the situation and lay plans for a series of counterattacks. The Robotech Expeditionary Force
battles the Invid Occupation
for thirteen years, culminating in the battle of Reflex Point
in July of 2044 at which point the Invid abandon Earth to prevent its destruction. The departure of the Invid marks the end of the Third Robotech War and the start of The Shadow Chronicles
, which some regard but is not universally considered to represent a Fourth Robotech War on account of its particular nature and departure from the motivations and cycle of the previous participants.
, the First Robotech War (February 2009 – April 2011) was a conflict between the Earth-based Robotech Defense Force
and the alien Zentraedi
. It is known as Space War I in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.
According to Comic Book Resources, it is "the story most familiar with US audiences..."
. Unknown to mankind at the time, the Zentraedi
had been searching for the ship for some time, and its arrival on Earth would be followed by the arrival of the Zentraedi on the day of the SDF-1's launch.
in February 2009 (during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere
location of Macross Island) when a large Zentraedi
armada led by Commander Breetai
arrived in the solar system seeking the ship. Upon detection, the SDF-1
began an automatic firing sequence that the crew could not stop that destroyed two Zentraedi
scout ships. Unfortunately, the attack accomplished little beyond confirming SDF-1's location on the planet, and the Zentraedi
began an assault in order to recover the battlefortress. An attempted follow up strike by two ARMD class carriers of the Orbital Fleet failed miserably against an enemy that was superior both in forces and in experience in space combat.
Amidst an urban battle between the Robotech Defense Forces
and the Zentraedi
in the streets of Macross City, The SDF-1
attempted to lift off. However, that proved perilously frustrating considering the first attempt found the ship's largely untested anti-gravity generators suddenly breaking free and causing the ship to plummet to the launch area with some damage. The second attempt with the ship's conventional chemical drives was successful and the ship ascended. To attempt to outflank the enemy, the SDF-1
's commander, Captain Henry J. Gloval
ordered a space fold maneuver; however, as the fold system was never used before and the crew's training was entirely theoretical, they were not aware of how to use it inside a planet's gravity field, let alone at their relatively low altitude above Macross Island. The result was a botched jump that caught Macross Island, along with the fortress, and overshot the intended destination of the dark side of the moon. The SDF-1 materialized near the planet Pluto
's orbit instead, joined by Macross Island and various naval vessels. Returning to Earth via use of the fold system became impossible, as it was discovered that the entire fold system had vanished from its hold aboard the SDF-1 following the fold operation to Pluto. After attaching the capital ship
s caught in the fold jump, Daedalus and Prometheus, to the SDF-1
, rebuilding Macross City inside the fortress and relocating the city's 70,000 inhabitants on board, the ship began the long voyage to Earth.
attacked constantly, damaging the ship and depleting both its defensive forces and civilian population. For the Zentraedi
's part, the enemy was a maddeningly unpredictable foe; the initial engagement had them seemingly able to accurately fire the ship's reflex cannons to simultaneously destroy two ships as a first strike, but their follow up attack suggested that they had no idea how to competently wage war in space. However, the Terrans suddenly surprised them by pulling off a supposedly impossible extreme low-altitude space fold jump with the SDF-1
to outmaneuver them. Given that their orders were to capture the ship intact at all costs, that kind of opposition proved most frustrating.
counterattacked the Zentraedi
, completely destroying an enemy strike force; and the Battle of Mars Base Sara, where the SDF-1
evaded a Zentraedi
trap led by Khyron the Backstabber (commander of a Zentraedi
reinforcement unit requested by Breetai
) during an attempt to resupply at the abandoned Martian outpost.
The fighting soon became too hard for the RDF, and battlepods began to attack the SDF-1 directly, encountering light opposition. For the first time, the Terrans used the "Pinpoint Barrier System", a mobile energy shield capable of deflecting attacks. As Zentraedi attacks bounced off the Battlefortress, they began to press the attack much more fiercely, and soon the Pinpoint Barrier System operators were overwhelmed by the constant fire.
The situation took a disastrous turn when the SDF-1 emerged from hiding to fire their main reflex cannons, only to have the firing system malfunction completely. However, CDR Lisa Hayes came up with an offensive strategy of her own to stop the main Zentraedi vessel: the Daedalus maneuver. Concentrating all of the Pinpoint Barrier's energy into the tip of the Daedalus ship, the SDF-1 was able to penetrate the lead Zentraedi cruiser by literally punching into it with the Daedalus. Once achieved, the Daedalus main forward hatch opened and a group of destroids stationed launched a barrage of missiles inside the ship. This attack proved successful and the enemy ship was destroyed from the inside, bringing an end to the engagement.
The Daedalus Maneuver and the Pinpoint Barrier System proved to be very effective means of attack and defense respectively. However, those maneuvers increased the interest of Commander Breetai in securing the battlefortress intact, which would lead to the Battle of Mars.
emerged from hyperspace above Mars. Breetai decided to set an ambush for the SDF-1
. He also called up for reinforcement – the Botoru Battalion of the 7th Mechanized Division . Exedore is alarmed at this turn of events. The Botoru Battalion is commanded by Khyron, a ruthless Zentraedi warlord who has earned himself the nickname “Backstabber”. Khyron’s motto is victory at all costs – even at the unnecessary risk of his own men. Breetai agrees that Khyron’s measures are extreme at best, but so far, the warlord’s battalion has remained undefeated. Breetai cannot afford to lose the SDF-1 and decided that Khyron would be ideal to capture the ship.
The plan was simple in nature; since the Mars base was the most accessible installation, albeit abandoned, to the SDF-1 after the months-long voyage, it seemed logical that the ship would land there for a resupply. As such, the Zentraedi landed there before the ship and planted gravity mines that would prevent the ship from re-launching from the area. Thus immobilized, ground forces would move in, eliminate the Micronian forces and seize the ship.
Unaware of this trap, the SDF-1 attained orbit around Mars, trying to establish contact with Sara base. Lisa Hayes
is particularly interested in reaching Sara since her fiancé, Karl Riber, was stationed at the observation post. Captain Gloval landed the battlefortress close to the base itself. He deployed a company of destroids to secure available supplies. Veritech fighters are launched to observe the area and cover the transport vehicles. Lisa requests permission to leave the ship and check out the base personally. Gloval cautions her to be careful and allows her to go.
While Lisa explores the abandoned base, and the last of the supplies are being loaded on the SDF-1, the Zentraedi were waiting in hiding to attack as soon as the gravity mines were powered up sufficiently to hold the ship; however, a Zentraedi soldier became impatient and impulsively broke ranks to begin the attack. Khyron immediately shot him down to maintain discipline, but that proved a serious mistake; the Terran forces detected the explosion, decided it had to be weapons fire and Captain Gloval, realizing the ship was about to be ambushed, ordered an immediate evacuation. Khyron also realized he inadvertently alerted the Micronians and ordered his forces to advance at once hoping that the mines were sufficiently powered to hold the ship for them. This turned out to be the case and the ship was unable to escape, and its crew find themselves in a desperate situation.
Captain Gloval contacted Lisa at Sara Base. He told Lisa to find the base's reflex furnace controls and overload the reactor, in hopes that the resulting explosion would disrupt the gravity mines and allow the ship to escape. Lisa followed through, but for additional reasons; Riber was nowhere to be found and the profoundly heartbroken Lisa had no desire to live. At the last minute with Captain Gloval alarmed by Hayes' failure to return to the ship, Lt. Rick Hunter
was ordered to extract the first officer over her protests. Hunter had to forcibly carry her out and they escaped with no time to spare. The base explodes, destroying the Gravity Mines, and allowing the SDF-1 to take off.
While not a decisive Terran victory by any means, it was a significant morale boost for those living in the battlefortress. Khyron's battalion suffered heavy loses in the explosion of Sara Base. It was the first time the arrogant Zentraedi officer was bested in battle and he vowed revenge. This would be begin Khyron's fanatical hatred for the Micronians that would drive him to repeated attempts to destroy the SDF-1, regardless of his superiors' orders to leave it intact. As for Hunter, he was decorated for his bravery, much to Hayes's disapproval.
Also, the battle inadvertently helped preclude the Zentraedi from exploring the obvious option of holding Earth itself hostage to demand the surrender of the SDF-1. Unaware at how desperate the crew was in their escape attempt, the Zentraedi concluded their destruction of their own installation on Mars suggested that the Micronians would struggle keep the SDF-1 at all costs and would not be intimidated otherwise.
As a result of his performance during this battle, Rick Hunter was granted a field commission to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned as commander of the Vermillion Team.
returned to Earth and Captain Gloval requested the United Earth Government
to disembark the surviving 56,000 civilians from on board the fortress. The government and the military, led by Admiral Hayes (father of the SDF-1
's executive officer Lisa Hayes
), refused the request, since they had declared that Macross Island and Macross City were destroyed in an attack by guerrillas after the departure of the SDF-1
to cover-up the war against the aliens. Furthermore, they refused to accept the reports of the overwhelming numerical superiority of the aliens and rationalized the eyewitness accounts as enemy deceptions to demoralize them. They even planned to cow the enemy with a decisive blow from their massive great cannon (later named Grand Cannon) which they were convinced was of greater firepower than what the Zentraedi
possessed, despite knowledgeable warnings that was most definitely not the case. Captain Gloval defied the orders and began a series of low-altitude flights over populated areas to discredit the official story and force the government to accept the civilians. When a battle with the Zentraedi
caused the destruction of a city in the Ontario Quadrant, a previous offer by the Ontario government to grant asylum
to the civilians was withdrawn, and the United Earth Government banished the SDF-1
from Earth.
In the meantime, the Zentraedi
began to be affected by Earth's culture, an irresistible force for a race bred solely for war. This contamination caused mass dissent amongst the Zentraedi
ranks, which proved to be SDF-1
's salvation in its darkest hours of the war. The first such occurrence happened when Breetai
(reinstated after Azonia's own failure to succeed and in command of the elite Zentraedi
Imperial fleet of over one million warships) and Exedore
developed a plan to lure the SDF-1
into using the Daedalus Maneuver on a decoy Zentradi ship. Once the bow of the Daedalus opened inside the Zentradi ship, an ambush party led by Khyron attacked and destroyed the Destroids before they could open fire. The ambush party then entered the SDF-1
through the Daedelaus and wreaked havoc throughout Macross City.
While the ship's forces desperately fought to stop the attack, the cultural contamination came into play. As the ambush party was proceeding, Khyron overheard conversation by his troops about finding "Lynn Minmei", the Micronian singer that secretly captivated many in the fleet. When the commander asked what they were referring to, the answer revealed the contamination. At this, Khyron went berserk and began to attack and chase his own troops throughout the ship's city area. This activity threw Breetai
's boarding operation into total chaos, which allowed the Micronians to drive out the invaders, but Macross City suffered massive damage as a result of the attack. However, there was some consolation that the ship's structure and defenses were left intact. Furthermore, the ship's crew found a small number of micronized Zentraedi
who were defecting to them and they supplied invaluable insight about the enemy such as the startling fact that the genetic structure of both species was virtually identical.
The second occurrence of cultural contamination was when the Zentraedi
's top pilot, Miriya Parino
, who had insisted on infiltrating the ship with a secret agenda to kill her Micronian counterpart, Maximillian Sterling
, had instead fallen into love with him and agreed to marry him immediately. Captain Gloval agreed to this and organized a grand wedding ceremony not only to further influence the enemy certain to be observing this, but also to rally his crew and passengers to strive for a peaceful settlement of the war. However, the reports of cultural contamination of the Imperial Fleet prompted Zentraedi
Supreme Commander Dolza to cut his losses and risk the wrath of the Robotech Masters
by ordering an all out attack on the SDF-1
to destroy it with all hands.
However, that same contamination saved the ship when Myria insisted on joining her husband into battle and convinced him to strike a special target on the battlepods that left it crippled, but otherwise intact with its life support system functional. Commander Rick Hunter
realized what his wingman was doing and joined in this merciful gesture along with many of his comrades as a means to face certain defeat with an honorable attempt to encourage peace. This proved more valuable than they realized as many Zentraedi
, already growing attached to micronian culture, saw this activity as the last straw and began to mutiny throughout the fleet. Horrified at the unthinkable insubordination and social breakdown that contact with the Micronians was causing, Commander Breetai
called off the attack in defiance of Dolza's orders and sought a truce with the SDF-1
.
approached the SDF-1
, there was some initial mistrust severe enough to have the Micronian's newly repaired main gun on a hair trigger. Again, Khyron nearly ruined the incident by launching an unauthorized attack on the ship that almost provoked the Micronians to fire. Only when Breetai
had the fighter group destroyed were they convinced that the peace offering was serious. As Exedore
parlayed with the SDF-1
crew, Dolza assembled the Grand Fleet to eradicate Human
ity and the corrupted Zentradi. When Exedore
was informed of this development, he immediately advised the Micronian ship to flee the solar system, which the loyal humans rejected out of hand. As Gloval's ship and the dissident Zentraedi
led by Breetai
and Azonia prepared for battle, Khyron fled against the seemingly impossible odds. Almost five million Zentraedi
warships folded to Earth in response to Dolza's orders.
The main Fleet began a massive planetary bombardment of Earth, eradicating almost every large population center and devastating most of the planetary surface. The area devastated was "95% of the Earth's surface" according to the series narrator. Another account from the supreme commander of the planet's forces later quantifies the devastation by numbering some "70,000 survivors of the Zentraedi
holocaust." Alaska Base, which survives the initial attack, fires its superweapon - The Grand Cannon, which destroys a large portion of the Zentraedi
fleet. Following this attack, the SDF-1
and the allied Zentraedi
Imperial Fleet launched an attack of their own, using the music of Lynn Minmay to confuse the forces of the Grand Fleet, then blasted their way into Dolza's massive planetoid homebase using the Daedalus attack. Once inside the vulnerable centre, the SDF-1 launches a massive quantity of missiles before engaging its defense barrier to maximum power. Dolza is last seen watching video of Minmay singing "We Will Win" before the planetoid homebase explodes, with enough force to destroy the rest of the Zentraedi fleet, ending the First Robotech War.
landed on Earth, and New Macross City was founded around the battered ship. For the next two years humans and the allied Zentraedi
under Breetai
worked together to rebuild the planet. The Robotech Defense Force
(RDF), led now by Admiral Gloval, established itself as the planet's primary military force, leading the recovery efforts. Breetai
took command of the remaining Zentradi forces, now loyal to Earth. In June 2013, Breetai commanded a joint-mission which proves successful in capturing the last remaining Zentraedi Satellite factory. The factory's facilities enabled the construction of new ships and technology to aid in the rebuilding of Earth.
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Zentraedi
could not overcome their lifelong conditioning as warriors and grew dissatisfied with civilian life while lusting for war. Beginning in March 2013, Zentraedi rebellions began as a series of violent incidents against human civilians that would be called the Malcontent Uprisings. Commanders Khyron and Azonia, who had laid low for almost two years since their ship crashed on Earth following the war, were particularly active by leading a rebel Zentraedi
movement against the RDF
. Khyron became the self-appointed leader of the rebels and began to implement his plan to regain the Zentraedi's former glory. In May 2013, Khyron's forces launched a series of terrorist attacks against human population centers. In July 2013, Khyron's rebel forces staged a full-scale assault on New Detroit and seize a resizing chamber, which they brought back to their home base. Using the chamber, Khyron began turning dissatisfied micronized Zentraedi back into warrior giants, and his ranks continued to swell. After a failed attempt to ransom Lynn Minmay and Lynn Kyle for a protoculture matrix, his forces launched an assault on New Macross City in December 2013 and successfully stole a matrix. The attack caused massive damage as Khyron detonated bombs hidden throughout the city.
In January 2014, Khyron and Azonia, with their warship repaired and their army stronger than ever, decided that, before leaving Earth, they must destroy the SDF-1 for revenge. During the initial attack, Khyron's warship fired its main gun. A swath of New Macross City was obliterated and the SDF-1 took a direct hit. Khryon's forces also fired vollies of missiles at the city, causing even more damage. The Robotech Defense forces, led by Rick Hunter
, Max Sterling
and Miriya Parina Sterling
launched a counter attack against the rebel fighters while the SDF-1, under the command of Admiral Henry J. Gloval
and with the assistance of his bridge crew, launched the SDF-1 a short distance into the air. Using all of its remaining power, the SDF-1 was able to fire one shot with its main cannon, crippling Khyron's ship.
However, Khyron remained determined to have his revenge, even at the cost of his own life. After discovering that his ship's navigation system was still operational, he turns to Azonia and says that they can still have their revenge but "it requires a sacrifice. Are you prepared to face it with me?" to which Azonia replies "It will be glorious." Holding hands, the two rigged their warship for a collision course with the SDF-1. The SDF-1, now fully drained of power, is unable to defend itself. The Robotech Defense forces threw everything they have at Khyron's ship, but they are unable to stop it. The collision and resulting explosion destroyed the SDF-1
and the newly-built SDF-2, killing nearly all aboard. The only survivor was Lisa Hayes
, who was pushed into the only remaining functioning escape pod by Admiral Gloval. The radioactive fallout from the explosion forced the evacuation and sealing of New Macross City. The survivors were relocated to other cities; in particular, the newly designated capital of Monument City. The now leaderless rebel Zentraedi
continued to launch attacks throughout 2014 and 2015, but since they had no means of producing new war materials beyond what they could salvage, their defeat was simply a matter of time.
The most notable effect on the Earth in the aftermath of the First Robotech War was the devastation of its surface and the decimation of its population. The population of the Earth was reduced from six billion in 2009 to a listed 70,000 survivors in the immediate aftermath of the Zentraedi
orbital bombardment in 2011. Fortunately, SDF-1
survived and landed with its population of Macross City inside, with the support of Breetai
's fleet, providing the basis of a fully equipped technological civilization to restore order to the planet. The sudden introduction of starships, protoculture and super-advanced Robotechnology to Earth led to a renaissance
of sorts, as humanity strove to build a space fleet to take the war to the alien enemy should Earth come under attack again. In addition, it was found that the planet's ecosystem
was recovering faster and with more vigor than the scientific community anticipated. As Earth recovers, a new civilization slowly emerges from the devastation as cities expand, industry and technology advance, and the population grows rapidly.
However, the new society that emerges was not like the one that existed before the war. Despite initially functioning as a democracy, elements within the military under Anatole Leonard, in cooperation with certain politicians slowly begin to chip away at the power of the United Earth Government (UEG) under the guise of military preparedness. Leonard eventually founded his own elite military organization: The Army of the Southern Cross
, to further expand his influence. Over the next 15 years, democracy largely ceased to function and an unstable feudal society grew in its place. When the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) left Earth in December 2022, most of those who opposed these developments chose to go with the REF. As a result, by 2029, Leonard was essentially in control of Earth's government and military, with the new feudal powers being kept in line only by the Leonard's military power, and the newly created Global Military Police (GMP).
The end of the First Robotech War led to the first and by far the longest period of peace of the Robotech Wars era, lasting almost 18 years from Dolza's defeat in 2011 to the invasion of the Robotech Masters
in February 2029.
arrived in Earth orbit in 2029 and began the Second Robotech War (2029–30). The war led to the complete eradication of the cities of Newton and Manville while the new capital of Monument City was devastated. Although the Masters and their military were completely destroyed in the final battle, Earth was left economically devastated and politically fragmented. The United Earth Forces, including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
, suffered extreme losses in the conflict, including the deaths of most of their leaders. Consequently, the surviving forces that were even able to fight could put up only limited resistance when the Invid invaded and seized control of Earth in 2031, which marked the beginning of the Third Robotech War. For the next 13 years, the planet would remain occupied with its inhabitants being used as slave labor and for scientific experiments. The REF launched several disastrous liberation attempts that failed to dislodge the Invid. In 2044, a final full-scale assault by the REF forced the Invid to retreat, although at a very heavy cost to the REF. In 2044, peace seemed to have finally be achieved but humanity would soon face a new enemy as the REF's former allies, the Haydonites
, would turn hostile, marking the beginning of the Fourth Robotech War: The Shadow Chronicles
.
The Second Robotech War traces its roots to the end of that conflict; specifically to the defeat of Supreme Commander Dolza's Grand Fleet. With the failure of this fleet to capture the SDF-1's Protoculture factory, the Robotech Masters
travelled to Earth to capture it themselves. At the same time, and, unaware of this development, the Robotech Expeditionary Force – which comprised most of the Robotech Defense Force and loyal Zentraedi
forces, led by Admiral Rick Hunter
and Admiral Lisa Hayes
with the SDF-3 as their flagship – departed from Earth in December 2022 to confront the Robotech Masters in their home star system. Among those who joined the mission were Max Sterling
, Miriya Sterling
, Vince Grant, Dr. Jean Grant, Breetai
, Exedore
, Daryl Taylor, Jack Baker, Karen Penn, and General Reinhardt.
According to the Jack McKinney
novel #7 Southern Cross, all of the surviving Zentraedi, who had successfully integrated into human society after the First Robotech War also joined the REF while the remainder chose to live on board the Zentraedi Satellite Factory; The First Robotech War and the subsequent Zentraedi rebellions left relations between the two races bitter. Some Zentraedi, including former spies Rico, Konda and Bron, later died due to complications resulting from being micronized in the Protoculture chambers. By 2029, Dana Sterling
(who is half-Zentraedi) was the only person on Earth with any Zentraedi blood.
In their stead, The United Earth Forces (UEF), including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
, was charged with the defense of Earth, under the command of Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard. Among those who would lead the defense of Earth against the Robotech Masters are Lieutenant Dana Sterling
, Corporal Louie Nichols, Private Bowie Grant, Major General Rolf Emerson, GMP officer Nova Satori, and Lieutenant Marie Crystal. Dana, the daughter of war heroes Max Sterling
and Miriya Sterling
, is the catalyst for much of the conflict, due to her excellent tactical skills and her half-Zentraedi heritage.
Earth had changed considerably since the end of the First Robotech War in 2011. The old capital, New Macross City, had been sealed off, due to radiation contamination resulting from the destruction of the SDF-1 in the battle of New Macross City in January 2014, and the survivors were relocated to the new capital of Monument City, located in north-central Montana. The elite Army of the Southern Cross
was based here as well, with a headquarters consisting of a massive complex, with several large circular towers, located at the centre of the city, and by far the most important structure in North America.
Democracy had largely ceased to function, and in its place an unstable feudal society had evolved. This society, evolving out from the 70,000 survivors of the Zentraedi holocaust of 2011, had survived seemingly insurmountable odds against alien forces that had sought their annihilation, and were willing to trade freedom for security. While the United Earth Government (UEG) still existed, its authority had become secondary to Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard, whose decisions and orders, military or otherwise, were never questioned.
The Global Military Police (GMP), also based in Monument City, held considerable power. Due to the feudal nature of Earth society, the GMP constituted the only truly worldwide law-enforcement organization, and was a check-and-balance on those who had at their disposal the tremendous power of Robotechnology. As a result, the GMP was not merely a police force, but also maintained its own war machinery, combat forces, and intelligence network.
The Robotech Masters' fleet fought against Earth's Tristar-class cruisers, destroyers, and other vessels. Earth's military consisted of the United Earth Forces (UEF), including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
, and local militias. Most of the war took place on Earth or near Earth, and it involved the Tactical Armored Space Corps and the Alpha Tactical Armored Corps. Other units which saw action were the Tactical Air Force, Global Military Police, Civil Defense Unit and Civil Defense Flying Corps. In the war's most important battles, the TASC (including Lieutenant Marie Crystal) and the 15th Alpha Tactical Armored Corps (ATACs) (led by First Lieutenant Dana Sterling
) inflicted much of the Terran forces' damage upon the Robotech Masters fleet (including one of the six motherships shot down by the 15th).
The war initially goes well for the Masters, whose superior technology and numbers inflict heavy losses on the Earth's military. Fokker airfield (named after ace pilot Fokker
), the largest military-industrial complex on Earth, is severely damaged in an attack and it is only through the efforts of Dana Sterling and the 15th Squadron that the base is not completely destroyed. In a subsequent assault on the Masters' fleet by the Army of the Southern Cross
, the Masters' defensive capabilities easily enable them to achieve a quick victory, while the Southern Cross loses over 400 of its best pilots.
However, the Masters, despite their initial successes soon realize that their situation is becoming more and more dire. Their supplies of Protoculture, a very powerful energy source, had already dwindled during the 15-year journey to reach Earth. As the Earth forces, despite their initially heavy losses, continue to fight, the Masters' protoculture supply continues to decrease, causing their equipment to become inoperable and their soldiers to weaken both physically and mentally. The Masters realize that if they are not victorious soon, they will be defeated.
After assessing the situation, the Masters decide to expand their military campaign and turn their weapons on the cities of Earth. Using a very powerful electro-magnetic fission beam, the cities Newton and Manville are annihilated as they disappear under huge mushroom clouds. The attacks result in numerous civilian deaths since many had been unable to reach the shelters in time. Military units defending the city are also destroyed as well as a number of Masters' bioroids soldiers who had been engaged in ground combat in the cities. The Masters then contact Supreme Commander Leonard and order him to surrender and evacuate the planet. Leonard refuses and orders all remaining Southern Cross forces to assemble at Monument City for a last stand. Monument City has already suffered severe damage due to attacks from the Masters and refugees stream out of the city in search of safety but are largely left on their own as the military continues to utilize all resources available to fight the Masters.
In the final stages of the war, both sides resorted to desperate tactics. For the Earth forces, every available resource was thrown into the battle, including all reserve and militia units and every piece of machinery capable of aiding the fight. In some cases, even children took up arms to defend their planet. The Masters, now facing critical energy shortages, resorted to even more desperate tactics. The soldiers who could still fight were given massive doses of painkillers, adrenaline and steroids to enable them to truly fight to the end. The Masters also resort to setting adrift on smaller ships all of the clones that are unable to fight in order to conserve power.
In the final stage of the war, the Masters, desperate to retrieve the protoculture matrix from the ruins of the SDF-1 at any cost, launch a diversionary assault. Half of their forces are secretly sent to seize control of the ruins of the SDF-1 and destroy Monument City. With the bulk of UEF forces sent into space, the Masters' forces quickly overwhelm the remaining defenders, seizing control of the ruins and devastating Monument City and its surrounding military installations and leaving most of Monument City in flames. During the battle, the massive headquarters of the Southern Cross is targeted by the Masters and vaporized, killing Supreme Commander Leonard and much of the senior leadership.
However, the Masters pay a heavy cost - with only half their forces remaining in space to protect the motherships, the UEF forces that had been dispatched to space easily overwhelm them and begin attacking the now defenseless motherships. The Masters, determined to retrieve the protoculture from the SDF-1 ruins at any cost, send their flagship down to the surface, while the remaining motherships are left almost adrift. This tactic results in the UEF forces concentrating their attacks on these motherships, and destroying all of them while the Masters' own mothership easily reaches the surface. It is only through the efforts of First Lieutenant Dana Sterling
and Zor Prime
, who were on board the Masters' flagship, that the command Triumvirate is killed and the Masters finally stopped.
The war's end came in June 2030 when Zor Prime
, after jettisoning Dana Sterling
in an escape pod, rigs the flagship of the Robotech Masters' fleet to self-destruct above the ruins of the SDF-1 in hopes of destroying the spores within the SDF-1. However, the resulting explosion inadvertently frees the spores within the Protoculture factory's matrix. Another alien race called the Invid
would detect the spores and would travel across the galaxy to Earth to harvest them.
, swiftly degraded from advanced mecha and starships to late 20th century (pre-SDF-1) technology. In addition to the massive loses sustained by the military (including much of the senior leadership), countless civilians had been killed or injured, and many more had become refugees. A number of Earth's cities had been destroyed or severely damaged during the war; Monument City, the capital and most important city on planet, was left in ruins.
The devastation caused by the war was compounded by another problem. The unstable feudal society that had evolved on Earth had been held together only by the powerful authority and capabilities of the United Earth Government (UEG) and the Global Military Police (GMP) - but with both of these organizations crippled by the war, Earth began to slide into lawlessness as surviving cities became city-states and warred with one another and men and women rose quickly to positions of power only to fall just as swiftly. Earth's people soon became more focused on fighting each other than preparing for the Invid Invasion.
When the Invid
invaded less than a year later in 2031, the few military units that were even combat-capable were forced to fall back on conventional ordinance and a small supply of Nuclear weapon
s in a battle that they could never hope to win. In less than a week, the remaining forces of the UEF and the Southern Cross were crushed and the remaining bastions of the United Earth Government collapsed. The Invid took complete control of the planet, and ruthlessly hunted down and destroyed any resistance.
Thus, one year after the Second Robotech War ended, the Third Robotech War began, a war which would last for 13 years, during which the remaining survivors on Earth found themselves at the mercy of the Invid who utilized the humans for slave labor and for horrific scientific experiments. Many major Earth population centers are destroyed, while others are simply abandoned. Some humans would ally with the Invid in exchange for power, while criminal gangs, self-appointed leaders and a variety of cults took power in areas not under Invid control while others fled to isolated areas of the planet and reverted to simple hunter-gather societies.
By the end of 2031, the back of Earth's civilization had been broken and its remnants were now a pale shadow of the strong and united world that had existed in the years before the First Robotech War.
science fiction
universe. Unlike the previous Robotech Wars, which were fought by Earth-based human forces against invading alien enemies, the Third War was fought by the returning Robotech Expeditionary Force
to liberate the occupied Earth from the alien
Invid
. The Robotech Television series ended with the conclusion of the Third Robotech war in 1986, and it would be 20 years before Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
, which was released in 2006, would continue the Robotech Saga. Pegasus News points out, however, that "the first half-hour or so of the movie overlaps with the final battle of the Third Robotech War, just from a different perspective."
The lack of Protoculture was not the only reason for the fall of Earth to the Invid. Even before the war, democracy had largely ceased to function and an unstable feudal society had evolved. This society had been held together under the powerful authorities of the United Earth Government (UEG) and the Global Military Police (GMP), but with both of these organizations nearly destroyed by the war, Earth began to slide into lawlessness as surviving cities became city-states and warred with one another and men and women rose quickly to positions of power only to fall just as swiftly. Greed and butchery ruled, and what little remained of the northern hemisphere's dignity collapsed. The people of Earth had been reduced to squabbling factional states that were more interested in fighting each other than preparing for the coming Invid Invasion. With the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) still unable to send significant aid back to Earth, efforts were made to try and evacuate the populace before the Invid arrived but the devastation from the war left only a handful of spaceworthy ships available. This, combined with the political and economic turmoil, meant that only a handful of people were able to reach Moon Base ALUCE or Space Station Liberty.
The Invid
invasion in 2031, depicted in the third saga of Robotech known as The New Generation, destroyed what was left of the Army of the Southern Cross
and the United Earth Forces (UEF) and left Earth completely devastated. The Invid established a central hive, Reflex Point
, in the Great Lakes region of North America over the site of the remains of the SDF-1
, and secondary hives across the planet. The Invid immediately began hunting down and destroying any and all remaining military personnel, and set up an aggressive operation to harvest the Flower of Life
(and the protoculture it yielded) utilizing the remaining civilian human population as forced labor.
The Invid
also began experiments to improve their survivability, including experimenting on captured humans. Some humans collaborated with the Invid
in exchange for power and/or protection and helped hunt down those who resisted or helped with the harvesting and management of Protoculture. Many humans escaped the notice of the Invid by relocating to remote areas where the Flower of Life was scarce such as the mountains, deserts, and wilderness, with some even reverting to simple hunter/gather communities. Areas not under the control of the Invid were often ruled by criminal gangs and self-appointed leaders who ruled through brute force.
Fortunately, the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) had long been self sufficient with the help of other recently established extraterrestrial settlements, and was only minimally hampered by the loss of Earth. In addition, Moon Base ALUCE (Advanced Lunar Chemical Engineering) was also able to continue to function despite its close proximity to Earth. Space Station Liberty was also able to continue to function. Unfortunately, events in deep space that kept the REF from sending aid during the Second Robotech War continued to plague them and kept them from turning their full attention to reclaiming Earth for another decade.
forces on Earth. The attack failed, resulting in the complete destruction of the Division. Some survivors managed to reach Earth including Lieutenant Lance "Lancer" Belmont, who subsequently assumed the identity of Yellow Dancer, a female singer, to evade capture by the Invid and their collaborators. Lancer served as a courier and spy for resistance forces that sought to not only harass the Invid while biding their time until, it was hoped, Admiral Rick Hunter
would return with the full strength of the REF to liberate Earth.
In 2042, the 21st Mars division launched another offensive against Invid, but this attack also proved disastrous, with the entire division being wiped out. One confirmed survivor was Lieutenant Commander Scott Bernard
, who successfully reached Earth and formed a resistance cell of his own, who among its members was Lancer.
In 2043 and again in 2044, attempts by the REF to gain footholds on Earth in preparation for an invasion also met with disaster. Some resistance forces began to wonder if the REF would ever be able to free Earth from its 13-year nightmare.
from Earth. All available REF forces have assembled near Moon Base ALUCE. This force assembled includes four Shimakaze battlecruisers, 40+ Ikazuchi-class carriers, 200+ Garfish light cruisers, and thousands of VFA-6 Alpha and VFB-9 Beta fighters, which are armed with more powerful weapons and can carry larger quantities of missiles than earlier models. This REF force was built with assistance of the Sentinel races. While the Karbarrans provided the industrial resources to construct these new ships, a highly-advanced cybernetic race known as the Haydonites
have provided advanced shadow technology and weaponry. In particular, the Haydonites have provided the Shadow devices, which make REF ships invisible to Invid sensors, and Syncro-cannons, which are significantly more powerful then the REF's earlier weapons. This force is led by the newly completed SDF-4 Izumo, a Super Dimensional Fortress over 1.3 km (0.807784557644749 mi) long which serves as General Gunther Reinhardt's flagship.
Although the SDF-3, commanded by Admiral Rick Hunter
, chief military commander of all REF forces, was expected to arrive following a test of a Neutron-S missile in the Omicron sector, it fails to rreturn and appears to been involved some type of accident. General Reinhardt dispatches Vince Grant, captain of the battlecruiser Icarus, to search for the SDF-3.
Among the REF fighter pilots are Maia Sterling, Marcus Rush and Alex Romero, all of whom were born in space during the REF mission and have never seen Earth. Lieutenant Commander Maia Sterling, a daughter of Max Sterling
and Miriya Parina Sterling
, has just been given command of the famed Skull Squadron. Marcus and Alex, both lieutenants, are part of Wolf Squadron under the command of Captain Daryl Taylor.
Resistance forces on Earth, now aided by REF Commando units secretly dispatched in advance, prepared to launch a simultaneous ground assault against the Invid hive mind at Reflex Point
while the Invid's main forces engage the REF fleet.
If both of these attacks fail, then the REF has been authorized to use the Neutron-S missiles, a devastating new super-weapon provided by the Haydonites
, as a last resort to wipe out the primary Invid hive at Reflex Point
, although this will also wipe out most or all of life on earth.
Despite the disadvantage of not having the SDF-3 and its powerful arsenal, General Reinhardt is forced to begin the attack. The assault initially goes well as the REF. Capital Ships of the fleet fire their massive Syncro-Cannons, which destroy many Invid Carriers before they can launch their fighters. REF fighter squadrons, utilizing the shadow technology that makes them invisible to the Invid sensors, easily cripple the first wave of the Invid attack. On the ground, the resistance forces and REF commando units push forward and approach striking distance of Reflex Point.
However, the Invid Regis, obsessed with holding on to Earth no matter the cost, launches all of her remaining forces in one final attack wave. All Invid fighters capable of space combat are sent against the REF fleet and all remaining Invid ground forces are ordered to retreat to Reflex Point
for a last stand. When Reinhardt tries to get an update from the ground forces, he makes contact with resistance leader Scott Bernard
, a survivor of one of the previous failed REF assaults. Scott informs Reinhardt that the attack is going poorly and that the REF ground forces have been forced to halt their advance while still out of range of Reflex Point. Ending the communication, Scott meets with Ariel
, an Invid that looks like a young human woman, and Scott's love interest. Ariel hopes to convince her mother, the Invid Regis, that the humans and the Invid can live in peace. However, the Regis is skeptical of Ariel's words as she recognizes the Humans' new Shadow technology as something used by an ancient enemy of the Invid; the "Children of the Shadow", and remains determined to fight to the bitter end.
In orbit, REF fighter squadrons, despite their technological advantages, become overwhelmed by sheer Invid numbers and begin taking heavy losses, and Invid fighters begin punching through the frontlines of the fleet and attacking the REF capital ships, further straining the ability of the REF to continue the battle. General Reinhardt is informed that the fleet, in particular the fighter squadrons, are taking heavy losses and further attempts to contact the ground forces get no response. Meanwhile, more Invid Carriers arrive in orbit, and begin launching thousands more fighters against the already overwhelmed REF fleet. Reinhardt, realizing that the REF is hopelessly outnumbered on both the ground and in space, decides he has no choice but to use the Neutron-S missiles and orders their launch, but is unaware of the missiles true power.
Meanwhile, in the Omicron sector, the Icarus arrives and locates the SDF-3 near a brand-new black hole
. The Icarus barely escapes the massive gravational pull of the black hole - although the Icarus escapes, all of its shadow technology, including the shadow device and its syncro-cannon are now offline. A sensor scan then reveals that both the SDF-3 and the science vessel Deukalion, have been badly damaged by an accident involving the testing of the new Neutron-S missiles. Captain Vince Grant makes contact with Admiral Rick Hunter
, who explains that they have discovered a critical flaw with the Neutron-S missiles and that the REF must be warned that the missiles cannot be used on Earth under any circumstances. He also orders Grant to take the Deukalion, which has recorded critical information. After securing the Deukalion with the Icarus clamps, Grant moves the Icarus close to the SDF-3 so that its fold-sphere will encompass both ships and enable them to return to Earth. However, a group of unknown alien warships attack the Icarus. Just as the they are about to initiate the fold-sphere, one of the alien vessels rams the SDF-3, pushing it out of range of the sphere and toward the black hole. Grant, following Hunter's orders that the REF must be warned about the true nature of the missiles, engages the Icarus fold drive and races back to Earth. The SDF-3 is left behind, adrift in space and caught in the black hole's gravatational pull.
Meanwhile, as the Neutron-S missiles fly towards Earth, the Regis' daughter Ariel
finally convinces her mother to leave Earth rather than allow both races to be destroyed. This request, combined with the Regis' knowledge of the true power of the Neutron-S missiles, convinces the Regis that her race no longer belongs on Earth. She realizes that the REF has been fooled - if the REF had known how powerful the missiles were, they never would have used them. The Regis tells Ariel that:
The Regis then transforms the Invid race into a massive phoenix of pure energy, in the same manner by which the Invid first arrived on Earth, and ascends into the sky. As a parting gift to Ariel, who choses to remain behind, the Regis destroys the Neutron-S missiles. The Invid stream of light flies off into space in search for a new planet on which to continue their evolution, ending the Third Robotech War.
in exchange for power. Areas not under Invid
control were often controlled by criminal gangs and other self-proclaimed leaders who ruled through brute force.
Further, the SDF-3 Pioneer, which was intended to join the final assault, was damaged during the test-firing of a Neutron-S missile in the Omicron Sector, which resulted in the unexpected creation of a micro black hole
. The Deukalion, a Garfish
class cruiser converted into a science vessel to record and study the test, was heavily damaged by the resulting blast and all aboard were killed save one android named Janice Em, which was later repaired. Although Captain Vince Grant of the Icarus is able to rescue the Deukalion, his attempts to rescue the SDF-3 fails due to interference from a mysterious alien ship. The fate of the SDF-3, which was last seen adrift in space near the newly formed black hole, is currently unknown.
The retreat of the Invid ended the Third Robotech War, though it also marked the start of the Fourth Robotech War: Shadow Chronicles
, between the REF and their former allies, the Haydonites
who betrayed and manipulated the REF during the war with the Invid and whom now, with the Invid gone, launch their own attack to destroy the REF and Earth. As the people of Earth celebrate their freedom at a concert, where Lancer reveals his identity as Yellow Dancer to the crowd, the surviving forces of the REF found themselves engaged in a new conflict that would once again determine the survival of the human race.
Robotech novels Symphony of Light (book 12) and The End of the Circle (book 18) both stated that nearly all ships that had survived direct combat, including the SDF-4 Izumo and its commander, General Reinhardt, had been destroyed by the Invid's departure, with only a handful of ships, including the Ark Angel under the command of Vince Grant, being spared. Certainly, given that the departing Invid destroyed the Neutron-S missiles, and given the disapproval of the Regis towards the REF, this scenario seemed plausible.
The launch of the official website Robotech.com in 2001 corroborated that "much of the Expeditionary Force's fleet" was destroyed when the Invid departed and that Scott Bernard
was leaving to join "the remainder of the [REF]." The official episode summary for the last episode provides no details of the losses the REF sustained, and for nearly two decades many fans regarded the novels' assessment as definitive in this regard.
In The Shadow Chronicles
, however, the depiction of the Invid departure changes to a form in which the Neutron-S missiles are destroyed but all remaining REF ships in orbit unaffected. In subsequent footage, it is shown that at least a large portion (and possibly a large majority) of the REF fleet survived the battle. Those ships that are damaged are ordered to return to Space Station Liberty for repairs.
The final remaining strength of the REF at the conclusion of the Shadow Chronicles film is unclear. Fans have noted the following factors when attempted to determine the REF's current state:
It has been estimated that the REF force which attempts to defend Liberty is composed of approximately five Carriers and several dozen Light Cruisers. Given the estimates of the total size of the REF fleet (see below), this also suggests that many of the REF's remaining ships were not at Liberty during the attack.
The exact strength of the REF fleet at the Battle of Reflex Point is never provided. The approximate size of the REF force involved in the Battle of Reflex Point consisted of the SDF-4 Izumo, four Shimakaze-class battlecruisers, 40+ Ikazuchi-class carriers, 200+ Garfish light cruisers, and thousands of VFA-6 Alpha and VFB-9 Beta fighters. While it is clear that many of the fighters, which were the first forces to engage the Invid, sustained heavy losses, only a few capital ships are destroyed on camera, with several more being referred to in dialogue.
Finally, some fans have suggested that the exact or even approximate remaining strength of the REF was kept deliberately vague by the film's creators in order to avoid limiting options for future story lines.
and the movie The Shadow Chronicles
, although overlapping with part of the Third Robotech War, set the stage for the beginning of the Fourth Robotech War.
With the final battle of the Third Robotech War over, the REF begins evacuating wounded personnel and damaged ships to Space Station Liberty for recovery and repairs. Since Earth will be vulnerable while the REF rebuilds, the fighter squadrons will remain at Moon Base ALUCE. However, the Invid took all of the Protoculture with them and the REF only has enough power to last a little less than a year. The only way to generate more power is with the Protoculture Matrix on board the SDF-3.
Ariel informs Scott Bernard that the reason she came to see him was because she had a vision. The Children of the Shadow are planning on attacking the REF. The Children destroyed the first Invid homeworld because they fear the power of Protoculture, and they will attack the Humans for the same reason. The discussion is interrupted by Marcus and Alex, and Marcus realizes that Ariel is an Invid. Scott is arrested and interrogated. During the interrogation, he warns of the impending attack, and reveals the Children's connection to the new REF technologies. Reinhardt and Vince Grant watch on a monitor in another room. But the name Scott uses for the alien race is unfamiliar. Reinhardt also suspects that the warning is an attempt by the Invid to drive a wedge between the REF and the Haydonites.
But during the interrogation, contact is lost with Space Station Liberty. Louie analyzes the transmission data, and realizes that the race that attacked the SDF-3 is jamming communications. Vince is ordered to head to Liberty and determine the situation there.
When the Icarus arrives, Liberty is under attack by a large fleet of alien ships which have jammed all communications. The battle is going poorly for the REF; Numerous ships are destroyed with just one hit by a disrupter wave emitted by the enemy fleet which causes the new Synchro-cannons to overload and explode. Instead of charging into the battle, Vince sends Skull Squadron to collect information. While flying through the REF fleet, Skull Squadron records an REF carrier destroyed due to a single hit on its reflex furnace. Scans reveal that the shadow device on the carrier caused its reflex furnace to implode when triggered by the enemy's disrupter wave. Janice sees the footage, and realizes that such an event should be impossible, due to the Shadow technology incorporated in all REF vessels. It then becomes clear to everyone that the Haydonites are really the mysterious Children of the Shadow, and that Ariel's warning was true. By now, 89% of the REF forces that engaged the Haydonites at Liberty have been destroyed. Captain Vince Grant, after watching the carrier explode, slams his fist as he realizes that every piece of technology the Haydonites have given to the REF contains some kind of Trojan Horse
. Grant, suspecting that Janice may also be aligned with the Haydonites, orders her arrested and removed from the bridge. Unable to restore communications, Grant is unable to warn the remaining ships of these findings, and they are left to fight a hopeless battle.
Maia Sterling initially leads her Skull Squadron into battle, but is called back by Grant since the Haydonite-supplied Syncro-Cannons equipped on the fighters will make any engagement futile. Unable to fight back, the squadron is ordered to head to Liberty, and acquire fighters that don't incorporate Haydonite technology.
Realizing that the Icarus, which is equipped with Shadow technology, is no longer a viable ship, Vince orders the Icarus to dock with Space Station Liberty. He then tells Louie to scan Liberty's ship registry for capital ships that have no shadow technology. Louie finds only one capital ship on Liberty that has no Haydonite technologies installed — the colony ship Ark Angel.
As Janice is taken to a detention area, two Haydonite soldiers in combat Mecha blast into the hallway and confront her. One of the soldiers disembarks from his mecha and Janice demands to know why she was not told of the hidden weaknesses in the technology she gave to the REF. The Haydonite soldier tells her that she was provided only with what was needed to carry out their plan and demands to know where the remaining protoculture matrix (on the SDF-3) is located. Janice refuses to cooperate and the soldier, deciding she is now expendable, prepares to kill her. Just then, Scott Bernard appears in combat armor and opens fire, destroying one of the mecha. The remaining soldier removes his cloak, revealling the true form of the Haydonites. As it flyes toward Scott, Grant also in combat mecha, appears and opens fire, crippling it. As the soldier's body, bleeding green fluids, lies on the floor, it tells Grant that "all those who embrace protoculture are doomed" before dying, to which Grant replies "Not today." Realizing that Janice was also betrayed by the Haydonites (who now want her dead), Grant asks her to continue to serve with the REF, to which Janice readily agrees.
Scott and Vince then rig the remaining stockpile of Neutron-S missiles on Liberty for self-destruct. The Ark Angel is able to depart as planned, with the Icarus following closely. The Haydonites, unaware of the Grant's plan, move their fleet towards Liberty to destroy the Ark Angel. The Ark Angel then initiates a spacefold, and seconds later The Neutron-S warheads detonate with a massive explosion, destroying Liberty and the entire Haydonite fleet.
At the end of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, the situation of the REF is dire. Space Station Liberty, by far the REF's largest and most important space station, is gone and the heavy losses taken by the REF during the assault against the Invid have now been compounded by the further losses to the Haydonites of at least 89% of the ships that were docked at Liberty (although the exact or approximate remaining strength of the REF is not known). On orders from General Reinhardt, the Ark Angel begins a mission to find the SDF-3, which it is learned may not have been destroyed. The REF hopes that the SDF-3, if it has survived, can be found before the Haydonites reach it.
Robotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
, the Robotech Wars are a series of four devastating wars that take place in the first half of the 21st century. They begin in 2009 with the first battle between the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
and Zentraedi and continue in 2044 after the Invid retreat from Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and the subsequent battle against the Haydonites
Haydonites
The Haydonites are a fictional, highly advanced cybernetic race that appears in Robotech and made their first appearance in the comic Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles. They are also seen the subsequent movie, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
.
Overview
Note: Only the content of the three mainline animated series that comprise Robotech and the events of the Shadow Chronicles are considered canonCanon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
. Harmony Gold
Harmony Gold USA
Harmony Gold is a television production and distribution company established in 1983. It is best known as the “creator” and main distributor of the anime series Robotech. It also partially dubbed the Dragon Ball series in the late 1980s....
has released the official timeline for these conflicts on the official Robotech website (Robotech.com). Supplemental commentary, including the particulars of the Pioneer Expedition and allusions to the Malcontent Uprisings, is derived from books, comics, and other secondary sources and is non-canonical. The limited-scope footage released as Robotech II: The Sentinels is also not part of the canon.
In the Robotech universe, the year 1999 marks a world embroiled in global war. In July of that year, a massive alien ship later designated Super Dimensional Fortress One (SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
) crash-lands on Macross Island in the South Pacific. The evident nature of the ship as a warship introduces humanity for the first time to the possibility of a threat from outer space; sobered by this prospect, a ceasefire is ordered. The planet experiences an antebellum period for a decade, and during this recovery humanity reconstructs the SDF-1 and unravels some of the advanced technological concepts found on the ship, a science that they come to appreciate is called "Robotechnology." Ten years later, the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
arrive seeking return of the ship, ushering in the First Robotech War (February 2009-April 2011) with the Robotech Defense Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
(RDF) established by the Earth government. Significant events of this time period include the sowing of dissent and disaffection among the Zentraedi ranks by exposure to human culture, the near-annihilation of Earth by a Zentraedi armada numbering nearly five million warships, and the subsequent founding of New Macross City. Along the way, the humans gain from the Zentraedi a rudimentary knowledge of protoculture, the energy source that powers their mecha; their knowledge is limited because the aliens themselves have little grasp of the subject, knowing only that they require it.
The end of the war in 2011 comes at the expense of both New Macross and the SDF-1 being destroyed (along with a partially completed replacement fortress called SDF-2) and ushers in a period of Interbellum and reconstruction. During this period, growing xenophobia finds humanity turning against those Zentraedi who had previously allied with them, and the rising tide of abuse and discrimination leads to a new round of confrontation in the form of the Malcontent Uprisings. These occur against the backdrop of resurgent politics, with the RDF busy constructing the SDF-3 for a planned mission to the stars while its military primacy is challenged by the nascent Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
. In 2022, the SDF-3 departs on a voyage to Tirol, homeworld of the Robotech Masters
Robotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
, in pursuit of assurances that Earth is no longer at risk. The Robotech Expeditionary Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
(REF) of the Pioneer Mission arrives at Tirol to discover that the Masters are gone -- ironically, en route to Earth -- and that their homeworld has just fallen to the Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
, who have been at war with the Masters for millennia. While the REF struggles to recover from a surprise attack and slowly becomes involved in a campaign to liberate conquered worlds from the Invid Regent
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
(who holds sway over only half of his race), the Masters arrive at Earth, ushering in the Second Robotoech War (2029) between their forces and the troops of the Southern Cross.
During the time of their battles with the Robotech Masters, the soldiers and commanders of the Southern Cross come to be aware of several important elements of both their current and future situation. The Masters have come to Earth seeking something hidden in the ruins of the SDF-1. The object of their quest turns out to be none other than the protoculture matrix, the sole means in the universe of producing protoculture -- which they also come to appreciate is derived from the seeds of a plant, known to the Masters as the Invid Flower of Life. The final battle with the Masters sees their destruction along with the last of their great motherships over the site of the old SDF-1, destroying a cluster of these flowers that have blossomed from the matrix and scattering spores across the surface of the Earth. The survivors of the Second Robotech War recognize that their "victory" is a hollow one that will bring the Invid.
A second interbellum period takes place until 2031, during which time the Southern Cross attempts to rebuild. That year, however, the Invid loyal to the Regis
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
arrive, and what has been established is far inadequate to counter these inspired invaders. Earth is conquered swiftly, and while the Invid show no particular inclination to exterminate humanity, they take no exception to destroying cities, bases, and anything within close proximity of the now widely-sown Flowers of Life. Shortly thereafter, REF forces still at Tirol become aware of the situation and lay plans for a series of counterattacks. The Robotech Expeditionary Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
battles the Invid Occupation
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
for thirteen years, culminating in the battle of Reflex Point
Reflex Point
Reflex Point is location of the Invid hive complex inhabited by the Invid Queen Regess in the Robotech animated series, and is also thought to be located upon the ruins of the SDF-1...
in July of 2044 at which point the Invid abandon Earth to prevent its destruction. The departure of the Invid marks the end of the Third Robotech War and the start of The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
, which some regard but is not universally considered to represent a Fourth Robotech War on account of its particular nature and departure from the motivations and cycle of the previous participants.
First Robotech War
In the fictional world of RobotechRobotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
, the First Robotech War (February 2009 – April 2011) was a conflict between the Earth-based Robotech Defense Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
and the alien Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
. It is known as Space War I in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.
According to Comic Book Resources, it is "the story most familiar with US audiences..."
Roots
The origins of the First Robotech War are in 1999, when a massive alien spaceship over 1,200 meters (3,940 feet) in length crash-landed on the fictional Macross Island in the South Pacific. Throughout the 1990s, the Global War raged across Earth, with entire countries being devastated. The War was fought with conventional weapons for the most part, but by 1999, it appeared that a global nuclear exchange was inevitable. However, the crash of the spaceship and the realization that the threat of an alien invasion was a distinct possibility caused the nations of the world to declare a ceasefire. A supranational entity, the United Earth Government (UEG), was formed and acted quickly to unify the warring factions and rebuild the spacecraft. The United Earth Government took placed importance on the military and the economy, and organizations pertaining to military preparation and technological advancement of humanity and new military branches were formed, most notably the Robotech Defense Force (RDF). During the next 10 years, an entire city sprang up on Macross Island as intense efforts were made to rebuild the spaceship. In 2009, the rebuilding effort was finished, and the ship, ready for launch, was given the designation SDF-1SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
. Unknown to mankind at the time, the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
had been searching for the ship for some time, and its arrival on Earth would be followed by the arrival of the Zentraedi on the day of the SDF-1's launch.
Macross Island incursion
The war began on the day of the scheduled launch of the SDF-1SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
in February 2009 (during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
location of Macross Island) when a large Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
armada led by Commander Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
arrived in the solar system seeking the ship. Upon detection, the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
began an automatic firing sequence that the crew could not stop that destroyed two Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
scout ships. Unfortunately, the attack accomplished little beyond confirming SDF-1's location on the planet, and the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
began an assault in order to recover the battlefortress. An attempted follow up strike by two ARMD class carriers of the Orbital Fleet failed miserably against an enemy that was superior both in forces and in experience in space combat.
Amidst an urban battle between the Robotech Defense Forces
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
and the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
in the streets of Macross City, The SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
attempted to lift off. However, that proved perilously frustrating considering the first attempt found the ship's largely untested anti-gravity generators suddenly breaking free and causing the ship to plummet to the launch area with some damage. The second attempt with the ship's conventional chemical drives was successful and the ship ascended. To attempt to outflank the enemy, the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
's commander, Captain Henry J. Gloval
Bruno J. Global
is the fictional captain of the SDF-1 Macross in the anime series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. In the Macross TV Japanese series Captain Global is an Italian submarine skipper and UN Spacy officer who was involved in the refit of the crashed Alien Star Ship 1 into the SDF-1 Macross...
ordered a space fold maneuver; however, as the fold system was never used before and the crew's training was entirely theoretical, they were not aware of how to use it inside a planet's gravity field, let alone at their relatively low altitude above Macross Island. The result was a botched jump that caught Macross Island, along with the fortress, and overshot the intended destination of the dark side of the moon. The SDF-1 materialized near the planet Pluto
Pluto
Pluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-most-massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the tenth-most-massive body observed directly orbiting the Sun...
's orbit instead, joined by Macross Island and various naval vessels. Returning to Earth via use of the fold system became impossible, as it was discovered that the entire fold system had vanished from its hold aboard the SDF-1 following the fold operation to Pluto. After attaching the capital ship
Capital ship
The capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; they generally possess the heaviest firepower and armor and are traditionally much larger than other naval vessels...
s caught in the fold jump, Daedalus and Prometheus, to the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
, rebuilding Macross City inside the fortress and relocating the city's 70,000 inhabitants on board, the ship began the long voyage to Earth.
Return from Pluto
During the ship's one year journey the ZentraediZentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
attacked constantly, damaging the ship and depleting both its defensive forces and civilian population. For the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
's part, the enemy was a maddeningly unpredictable foe; the initial engagement had them seemingly able to accurately fire the ship's reflex cannons to simultaneously destroy two ships as a first strike, but their follow up attack suggested that they had no idea how to competently wage war in space. However, the Terrans suddenly surprised them by pulling off a supposedly impossible extreme low-altitude space fold jump with the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
to outmaneuver them. Given that their orders were to capture the ship intact at all costs, that kind of opposition proved most frustrating.
Initial Battles
Two major battles took place during the long trip back to Earth that are worth mention: the Battle of Saturn's Rings, during which the SDF-1SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
counterattacked the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
, completely destroying an enemy strike force; and the Battle of Mars Base Sara, where the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
evaded a Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
trap led by Khyron the Backstabber (commander of a Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
reinforcement unit requested by Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
) during an attempt to resupply at the abandoned Martian outpost.
Battle of Saturn's Rings
The Zentraedi tracked the SDF-1 to its hiding place in the rings of Saturn. Captain Gloval attempted a blitzkrieg maneuver to take them past the alien armada. As the SDF-1 battles its way through, Rick Hunter takes part in his first official combat duty.The fighting soon became too hard for the RDF, and battlepods began to attack the SDF-1 directly, encountering light opposition. For the first time, the Terrans used the "Pinpoint Barrier System", a mobile energy shield capable of deflecting attacks. As Zentraedi attacks bounced off the Battlefortress, they began to press the attack much more fiercely, and soon the Pinpoint Barrier System operators were overwhelmed by the constant fire.
The situation took a disastrous turn when the SDF-1 emerged from hiding to fire their main reflex cannons, only to have the firing system malfunction completely. However, CDR Lisa Hayes came up with an offensive strategy of her own to stop the main Zentraedi vessel: the Daedalus maneuver. Concentrating all of the Pinpoint Barrier's energy into the tip of the Daedalus ship, the SDF-1 was able to penetrate the lead Zentraedi cruiser by literally punching into it with the Daedalus. Once achieved, the Daedalus main forward hatch opened and a group of destroids stationed launched a barrage of missiles inside the ship. This attack proved successful and the enemy ship was destroyed from the inside, bringing an end to the engagement.
The Daedalus Maneuver and the Pinpoint Barrier System proved to be very effective means of attack and defense respectively. However, those maneuvers increased the interest of Commander Breetai in securing the battlefortress intact, which would lead to the Battle of Mars.
Battle of Mars
After the Battle of Saturn's Rings, the Zentraedi fleet, commanded by BreetaiBreetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
emerged from hyperspace above Mars. Breetai decided to set an ambush for the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
. He also called up for reinforcement – the Botoru Battalion of the 7th Mechanized Division . Exedore is alarmed at this turn of events. The Botoru Battalion is commanded by Khyron, a ruthless Zentraedi warlord who has earned himself the nickname “Backstabber”. Khyron’s motto is victory at all costs – even at the unnecessary risk of his own men. Breetai agrees that Khyron’s measures are extreme at best, but so far, the warlord’s battalion has remained undefeated. Breetai cannot afford to lose the SDF-1 and decided that Khyron would be ideal to capture the ship.
The plan was simple in nature; since the Mars base was the most accessible installation, albeit abandoned, to the SDF-1 after the months-long voyage, it seemed logical that the ship would land there for a resupply. As such, the Zentraedi landed there before the ship and planted gravity mines that would prevent the ship from re-launching from the area. Thus immobilized, ground forces would move in, eliminate the Micronian forces and seize the ship.
Unaware of this trap, the SDF-1 attained orbit around Mars, trying to establish contact with Sara base. Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
is particularly interested in reaching Sara since her fiancé, Karl Riber, was stationed at the observation post. Captain Gloval landed the battlefortress close to the base itself. He deployed a company of destroids to secure available supplies. Veritech fighters are launched to observe the area and cover the transport vehicles. Lisa requests permission to leave the ship and check out the base personally. Gloval cautions her to be careful and allows her to go.
While Lisa explores the abandoned base, and the last of the supplies are being loaded on the SDF-1, the Zentraedi were waiting in hiding to attack as soon as the gravity mines were powered up sufficiently to hold the ship; however, a Zentraedi soldier became impatient and impulsively broke ranks to begin the attack. Khyron immediately shot him down to maintain discipline, but that proved a serious mistake; the Terran forces detected the explosion, decided it had to be weapons fire and Captain Gloval, realizing the ship was about to be ambushed, ordered an immediate evacuation. Khyron also realized he inadvertently alerted the Micronians and ordered his forces to advance at once hoping that the mines were sufficiently powered to hold the ship for them. This turned out to be the case and the ship was unable to escape, and its crew find themselves in a desperate situation.
Captain Gloval contacted Lisa at Sara Base. He told Lisa to find the base's reflex furnace controls and overload the reactor, in hopes that the resulting explosion would disrupt the gravity mines and allow the ship to escape. Lisa followed through, but for additional reasons; Riber was nowhere to be found and the profoundly heartbroken Lisa had no desire to live. At the last minute with Captain Gloval alarmed by Hayes' failure to return to the ship, Lt. Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
was ordered to extract the first officer over her protests. Hunter had to forcibly carry her out and they escaped with no time to spare. The base explodes, destroying the Gravity Mines, and allowing the SDF-1 to take off.
While not a decisive Terran victory by any means, it was a significant morale boost for those living in the battlefortress. Khyron's battalion suffered heavy loses in the explosion of Sara Base. It was the first time the arrogant Zentraedi officer was bested in battle and he vowed revenge. This would be begin Khyron's fanatical hatred for the Micronians that would drive him to repeated attempts to destroy the SDF-1, regardless of his superiors' orders to leave it intact. As for Hunter, he was decorated for his bravery, much to Hayes's disapproval.
Also, the battle inadvertently helped preclude the Zentraedi from exploring the obvious option of holding Earth itself hostage to demand the surrender of the SDF-1. Unaware at how desperate the crew was in their escape attempt, the Zentraedi concluded their destruction of their own installation on Mars suggested that the Micronians would struggle keep the SDF-1 at all costs and would not be intimidated otherwise.
As a result of his performance during this battle, Rick Hunter was granted a field commission to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned as commander of the Vermillion Team.
Return to Earth
Eventually the SDF-1SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
returned to Earth and Captain Gloval requested the United Earth Government
World government
World government is the notion of a single common political authority for all of humanity. Its modern conception is rooted in European history, particularly in the philosophy of ancient Greece, in the political formation of the Roman Empire, and in the subsequent struggle between secular authority,...
to disembark the surviving 56,000 civilians from on board the fortress. The government and the military, led by Admiral Hayes (father of the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
's executive officer Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
), refused the request, since they had declared that Macross Island and Macross City were destroyed in an attack by guerrillas after the departure of the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
to cover-up the war against the aliens. Furthermore, they refused to accept the reports of the overwhelming numerical superiority of the aliens and rationalized the eyewitness accounts as enemy deceptions to demoralize them. They even planned to cow the enemy with a decisive blow from their massive great cannon (later named Grand Cannon) which they were convinced was of greater firepower than what the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
possessed, despite knowledgeable warnings that was most definitely not the case. Captain Gloval defied the orders and began a series of low-altitude flights over populated areas to discredit the official story and force the government to accept the civilians. When a battle with the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
caused the destruction of a city in the Ontario Quadrant, a previous offer by the Ontario government to grant asylum
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
to the civilians was withdrawn, and the United Earth Government banished the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
from Earth.
In the meantime, the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
began to be affected by Earth's culture, an irresistible force for a race bred solely for war. This contamination caused mass dissent amongst the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
ranks, which proved to be SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
's salvation in its darkest hours of the war. The first such occurrence happened when Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
(reinstated after Azonia's own failure to succeed and in command of the elite Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
Imperial fleet of over one million warships) and Exedore
Exedore
Exedore is a fictional character in the Robotech Universe. In the original Macross version, he was called Exsedol Folmo.Exedore is a Zentraedi who serves as adviser to Fleet Commander Breetai during their search for Robotech Master Zor's missing battlefortress...
developed a plan to lure the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
into using the Daedalus Maneuver on a decoy Zentradi ship. Once the bow of the Daedalus opened inside the Zentradi ship, an ambush party led by Khyron attacked and destroyed the Destroids before they could open fire. The ambush party then entered the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
through the Daedelaus and wreaked havoc throughout Macross City.
While the ship's forces desperately fought to stop the attack, the cultural contamination came into play. As the ambush party was proceeding, Khyron overheard conversation by his troops about finding "Lynn Minmei", the Micronian singer that secretly captivated many in the fleet. When the commander asked what they were referring to, the answer revealed the contamination. At this, Khyron went berserk and began to attack and chase his own troops throughout the ship's city area. This activity threw Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
's boarding operation into total chaos, which allowed the Micronians to drive out the invaders, but Macross City suffered massive damage as a result of the attack. However, there was some consolation that the ship's structure and defenses were left intact. Furthermore, the ship's crew found a small number of micronized Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
who were defecting to them and they supplied invaluable insight about the enemy such as the startling fact that the genetic structure of both species was virtually identical.
The second occurrence of cultural contamination was when the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
's top pilot, Miriya Parino
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
, who had insisted on infiltrating the ship with a secret agenda to kill her Micronian counterpart, Maximillian Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
, had instead fallen into love with him and agreed to marry him immediately. Captain Gloval agreed to this and organized a grand wedding ceremony not only to further influence the enemy certain to be observing this, but also to rally his crew and passengers to strive for a peaceful settlement of the war. However, the reports of cultural contamination of the Imperial Fleet prompted Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
Supreme Commander Dolza to cut his losses and risk the wrath of the Robotech Masters
Robotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
by ordering an all out attack on the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
to destroy it with all hands.
However, that same contamination saved the ship when Myria insisted on joining her husband into battle and convinced him to strike a special target on the battlepods that left it crippled, but otherwise intact with its life support system functional. Commander Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
realized what his wingman was doing and joined in this merciful gesture along with many of his comrades as a means to face certain defeat with an honorable attempt to encourage peace. This proved more valuable than they realized as many Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
, already growing attached to micronian culture, saw this activity as the last straw and began to mutiny throughout the fleet. Horrified at the unthinkable insubordination and social breakdown that contact with the Micronians was causing, Commander Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
called off the attack in defiance of Dolza's orders and sought a truce with the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
.
Final Battle
When BreetaiBreetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
approached the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
, there was some initial mistrust severe enough to have the Micronian's newly repaired main gun on a hair trigger. Again, Khyron nearly ruined the incident by launching an unauthorized attack on the ship that almost provoked the Micronians to fire. Only when Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
had the fighter group destroyed were they convinced that the peace offering was serious. As Exedore
Exedore
Exedore is a fictional character in the Robotech Universe. In the original Macross version, he was called Exsedol Folmo.Exedore is a Zentraedi who serves as adviser to Fleet Commander Breetai during their search for Robotech Master Zor's missing battlefortress...
parlayed with the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
crew, Dolza assembled the Grand Fleet to eradicate Human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
ity and the corrupted Zentradi. When Exedore
Exedore
Exedore is a fictional character in the Robotech Universe. In the original Macross version, he was called Exsedol Folmo.Exedore is a Zentraedi who serves as adviser to Fleet Commander Breetai during their search for Robotech Master Zor's missing battlefortress...
was informed of this development, he immediately advised the Micronian ship to flee the solar system, which the loyal humans rejected out of hand. As Gloval's ship and the dissident Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
led by Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
and Azonia prepared for battle, Khyron fled against the seemingly impossible odds. Almost five million Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
warships folded to Earth in response to Dolza's orders.
The main Fleet began a massive planetary bombardment of Earth, eradicating almost every large population center and devastating most of the planetary surface. The area devastated was "95% of the Earth's surface" according to the series narrator. Another account from the supreme commander of the planet's forces later quantifies the devastation by numbering some "70,000 survivors of the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
holocaust." Alaska Base, which survives the initial attack, fires its superweapon - The Grand Cannon, which destroys a large portion of the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
fleet. Following this attack, the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
and the allied Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
Imperial Fleet launched an attack of their own, using the music of Lynn Minmay to confuse the forces of the Grand Fleet, then blasted their way into Dolza's massive planetoid homebase using the Daedalus attack. Once inside the vulnerable centre, the SDF-1 launches a massive quantity of missiles before engaging its defense barrier to maximum power. Dolza is last seen watching video of Minmay singing "We Will Win" before the planetoid homebase explodes, with enough force to destroy the rest of the Zentraedi fleet, ending the First Robotech War.
The Aftermath
The SDF-1SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
landed on Earth, and New Macross City was founded around the battered ship. For the next two years humans and the allied Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
under Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
worked together to rebuild the planet. The Robotech Defense Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
(RDF), led now by Admiral Gloval, established itself as the planet's primary military force, leading the recovery efforts. Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
took command of the remaining Zentradi forces, now loyal to Earth. In June 2013, Breetai commanded a joint-mission which proves successful in capturing the last remaining Zentraedi Satellite factory. The factory's facilities enabled the construction of new ships and technology to aid in the rebuilding of Earth.
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
could not overcome their lifelong conditioning as warriors and grew dissatisfied with civilian life while lusting for war. Beginning in March 2013, Zentraedi rebellions began as a series of violent incidents against human civilians that would be called the Malcontent Uprisings. Commanders Khyron and Azonia, who had laid low for almost two years since their ship crashed on Earth following the war, were particularly active by leading a rebel Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
movement against the RDF
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
. Khyron became the self-appointed leader of the rebels and began to implement his plan to regain the Zentraedi's former glory. In May 2013, Khyron's forces launched a series of terrorist attacks against human population centers. In July 2013, Khyron's rebel forces staged a full-scale assault on New Detroit and seize a resizing chamber, which they brought back to their home base. Using the chamber, Khyron began turning dissatisfied micronized Zentraedi back into warrior giants, and his ranks continued to swell. After a failed attempt to ransom Lynn Minmay and Lynn Kyle for a protoculture matrix, his forces launched an assault on New Macross City in December 2013 and successfully stole a matrix. The attack caused massive damage as Khyron detonated bombs hidden throughout the city.
In January 2014, Khyron and Azonia, with their warship repaired and their army stronger than ever, decided that, before leaving Earth, they must destroy the SDF-1 for revenge. During the initial attack, Khyron's warship fired its main gun. A swath of New Macross City was obliterated and the SDF-1 took a direct hit. Khryon's forces also fired vollies of missiles at the city, causing even more damage. The Robotech Defense forces, led by Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
, Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
launched a counter attack against the rebel fighters while the SDF-1, under the command of Admiral Henry J. Gloval
Bruno J. Global
is the fictional captain of the SDF-1 Macross in the anime series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. In the Macross TV Japanese series Captain Global is an Italian submarine skipper and UN Spacy officer who was involved in the refit of the crashed Alien Star Ship 1 into the SDF-1 Macross...
and with the assistance of his bridge crew, launched the SDF-1 a short distance into the air. Using all of its remaining power, the SDF-1 was able to fire one shot with its main cannon, crippling Khyron's ship.
However, Khyron remained determined to have his revenge, even at the cost of his own life. After discovering that his ship's navigation system was still operational, he turns to Azonia and says that they can still have their revenge but "it requires a sacrifice. Are you prepared to face it with me?" to which Azonia replies "It will be glorious." Holding hands, the two rigged their warship for a collision course with the SDF-1. The SDF-1, now fully drained of power, is unable to defend itself. The Robotech Defense forces threw everything they have at Khyron's ship, but they are unable to stop it. The collision and resulting explosion destroyed the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
and the newly-built SDF-2, killing nearly all aboard. The only survivor was Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
, who was pushed into the only remaining functioning escape pod by Admiral Gloval. The radioactive fallout from the explosion forced the evacuation and sealing of New Macross City. The survivors were relocated to other cities; in particular, the newly designated capital of Monument City. The now leaderless rebel Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
continued to launch attacks throughout 2014 and 2015, but since they had no means of producing new war materials beyond what they could salvage, their defeat was simply a matter of time.
The most notable effect on the Earth in the aftermath of the First Robotech War was the devastation of its surface and the decimation of its population. The population of the Earth was reduced from six billion in 2009 to a listed 70,000 survivors in the immediate aftermath of the Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
orbital bombardment in 2011. Fortunately, SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
survived and landed with its population of Macross City inside, with the support of Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
's fleet, providing the basis of a fully equipped technological civilization to restore order to the planet. The sudden introduction of starships, protoculture and super-advanced Robotechnology to Earth led to a renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
of sorts, as humanity strove to build a space fleet to take the war to the alien enemy should Earth come under attack again. In addition, it was found that the planet's ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
was recovering faster and with more vigor than the scientific community anticipated. As Earth recovers, a new civilization slowly emerges from the devastation as cities expand, industry and technology advance, and the population grows rapidly.
However, the new society that emerges was not like the one that existed before the war. Despite initially functioning as a democracy, elements within the military under Anatole Leonard, in cooperation with certain politicians slowly begin to chip away at the power of the United Earth Government (UEG) under the guise of military preparedness. Leonard eventually founded his own elite military organization: The Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, to further expand his influence. Over the next 15 years, democracy largely ceased to function and an unstable feudal society grew in its place. When the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) left Earth in December 2022, most of those who opposed these developments chose to go with the REF. As a result, by 2029, Leonard was essentially in control of Earth's government and military, with the new feudal powers being kept in line only by the Leonard's military power, and the newly created Global Military Police (GMP).
The end of the First Robotech War led to the first and by far the longest period of peace of the Robotech Wars era, lasting almost 18 years from Dolza's defeat in 2011 to the invasion of the Robotech Masters
Robotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
in February 2029.
Future Conflicts
The introduction of protoculture and alien technology to Earth would continue to spell peril for humanity in the coming decades. The determination that the next phase of the war would be fought away from the Earth, which led to the launching of the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF), led by the newly constructed SDF-3, in 2022, left the home planet vulnerable when the Robotech MastersRobotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
arrived in Earth orbit in 2029 and began the Second Robotech War (2029–30). The war led to the complete eradication of the cities of Newton and Manville while the new capital of Monument City was devastated. Although the Masters and their military were completely destroyed in the final battle, Earth was left economically devastated and politically fragmented. The United Earth Forces, including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, suffered extreme losses in the conflict, including the deaths of most of their leaders. Consequently, the surviving forces that were even able to fight could put up only limited resistance when the Invid invaded and seized control of Earth in 2031, which marked the beginning of the Third Robotech War. For the next 13 years, the planet would remain occupied with its inhabitants being used as slave labor and for scientific experiments. The REF launched several disastrous liberation attempts that failed to dislodge the Invid. In 2044, a final full-scale assault by the REF forced the Invid to retreat, although at a very heavy cost to the REF. In 2044, peace seemed to have finally be achieved but humanity would soon face a new enemy as the REF's former allies, the Haydonites
Haydonites
The Haydonites are a fictional, highly advanced cybernetic race that appears in Robotech and made their first appearance in the comic Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles. They are also seen the subsequent movie, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
, would turn hostile, marking the beginning of the Fourth Robotech War: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
.
Roots
For a full discussion of the preceding conflict, please see: First Robotech WarThe Second Robotech War traces its roots to the end of that conflict; specifically to the defeat of Supreme Commander Dolza's Grand Fleet. With the failure of this fleet to capture the SDF-1's Protoculture factory, the Robotech Masters
Robotech Masters
-Robotech:In the fictional Robotech universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoidswho mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations , a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the...
travelled to Earth to capture it themselves. At the same time, and, unaware of this development, the Robotech Expeditionary Force – which comprised most of the Robotech Defense Force and loyal Zentraedi
Zentradi
The are a fictional, militastic race of alien, humanoid giants and often the main antagonist in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross anime series and its Robotech adaptation....
forces, led by Admiral Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
and Admiral Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes
Lisa Hayes is one of the fictional characters in the first Robotech anime television series. She is known as Misa Hayase in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the series which was adapted into the first saga of Robotech.- Biography :...
with the SDF-3 as their flagship – departed from Earth in December 2022 to confront the Robotech Masters in their home star system. Among those who joined the mission were Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
, Miriya Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
, Vince Grant, Dr. Jean Grant, Breetai
Breetai
In the fictional Robotech universe, Commander Breetai is second in command of all Zentraedi forces, after Supreme Commander Dolza himself. Breetai was one of the original creations of the Robotech Masters, and has lived for over 500,000 years. Breetai has shown himself, a true military genius, time...
, Exedore
Exedore
Exedore is a fictional character in the Robotech Universe. In the original Macross version, he was called Exsedol Folmo.Exedore is a Zentraedi who serves as adviser to Fleet Commander Breetai during their search for Robotech Master Zor's missing battlefortress...
, Daryl Taylor, Jack Baker, Karen Penn, and General Reinhardt.
According to the Jack McKinney
Jack McKinney (writer)
Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
novel #7 Southern Cross, all of the surviving Zentraedi, who had successfully integrated into human society after the First Robotech War also joined the REF while the remainder chose to live on board the Zentraedi Satellite Factory; The First Robotech War and the subsequent Zentraedi rebellions left relations between the two races bitter. Some Zentraedi, including former spies Rico, Konda and Bron, later died due to complications resulting from being micronized in the Protoculture chambers. By 2029, Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling is a fictional character from the Robotech anime television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross...
(who is half-Zentraedi) was the only person on Earth with any Zentraedi blood.
In their stead, The United Earth Forces (UEF), including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, was charged with the defense of Earth, under the command of Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard. Among those who would lead the defense of Earth against the Robotech Masters are Lieutenant Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling is a fictional character from the Robotech anime television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross...
, Corporal Louie Nichols, Private Bowie Grant, Major General Rolf Emerson, GMP officer Nova Satori, and Lieutenant Marie Crystal. Dana, the daughter of war heroes Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Miriya Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
, is the catalyst for much of the conflict, due to her excellent tactical skills and her half-Zentraedi heritage.
Earth had changed considerably since the end of the First Robotech War in 2011. The old capital, New Macross City, had been sealed off, due to radiation contamination resulting from the destruction of the SDF-1 in the battle of New Macross City in January 2014, and the survivors were relocated to the new capital of Monument City, located in north-central Montana. The elite Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
was based here as well, with a headquarters consisting of a massive complex, with several large circular towers, located at the centre of the city, and by far the most important structure in North America.
Democracy had largely ceased to function, and in its place an unstable feudal society had evolved. This society, evolving out from the 70,000 survivors of the Zentraedi holocaust of 2011, had survived seemingly insurmountable odds against alien forces that had sought their annihilation, and were willing to trade freedom for security. While the United Earth Government (UEG) still existed, its authority had become secondary to Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard, whose decisions and orders, military or otherwise, were never questioned.
The Global Military Police (GMP), also based in Monument City, held considerable power. Due to the feudal nature of Earth society, the GMP constituted the only truly worldwide law-enforcement organization, and was a check-and-balance on those who had at their disposal the tremendous power of Robotechnology. As a result, the GMP was not merely a police force, but also maintained its own war machinery, combat forces, and intelligence network.
The War
The Second Robotech War began in January 2029, shortly after the graduation of the first graduating class of the United Earth Forces Military Academy. The new graduates, few of whom were over the age of 20, had pledged to defend Earth but had never expected to face war so soon. The Robotech Masters' first offensive was a surprise attack on forces from Moon Base Luna.The Robotech Masters' fleet fought against Earth's Tristar-class cruisers, destroyers, and other vessels. Earth's military consisted of the United Earth Forces (UEF), including the elite Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, and local militias. Most of the war took place on Earth or near Earth, and it involved the Tactical Armored Space Corps and the Alpha Tactical Armored Corps. Other units which saw action were the Tactical Air Force, Global Military Police, Civil Defense Unit and Civil Defense Flying Corps. In the war's most important battles, the TASC (including Lieutenant Marie Crystal) and the 15th Alpha Tactical Armored Corps (ATACs) (led by First Lieutenant Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling is a fictional character from the Robotech anime television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross...
) inflicted much of the Terran forces' damage upon the Robotech Masters fleet (including one of the six motherships shot down by the 15th).
The war initially goes well for the Masters, whose superior technology and numbers inflict heavy losses on the Earth's military. Fokker airfield (named after ace pilot Fokker
Roy Focker
is a fictional character from the Japanese anime science fiction series Macross and the prequel OVA Macross Zero...
), the largest military-industrial complex on Earth, is severely damaged in an attack and it is only through the efforts of Dana Sterling and the 15th Squadron that the base is not completely destroyed. In a subsequent assault on the Masters' fleet by the Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, the Masters' defensive capabilities easily enable them to achieve a quick victory, while the Southern Cross loses over 400 of its best pilots.
However, the Masters, despite their initial successes soon realize that their situation is becoming more and more dire. Their supplies of Protoculture, a very powerful energy source, had already dwindled during the 15-year journey to reach Earth. As the Earth forces, despite their initially heavy losses, continue to fight, the Masters' protoculture supply continues to decrease, causing their equipment to become inoperable and their soldiers to weaken both physically and mentally. The Masters realize that if they are not victorious soon, they will be defeated.
After assessing the situation, the Masters decide to expand their military campaign and turn their weapons on the cities of Earth. Using a very powerful electro-magnetic fission beam, the cities Newton and Manville are annihilated as they disappear under huge mushroom clouds. The attacks result in numerous civilian deaths since many had been unable to reach the shelters in time. Military units defending the city are also destroyed as well as a number of Masters' bioroids soldiers who had been engaged in ground combat in the cities. The Masters then contact Supreme Commander Leonard and order him to surrender and evacuate the planet. Leonard refuses and orders all remaining Southern Cross forces to assemble at Monument City for a last stand. Monument City has already suffered severe damage due to attacks from the Masters and refugees stream out of the city in search of safety but are largely left on their own as the military continues to utilize all resources available to fight the Masters.
In the final stages of the war, both sides resorted to desperate tactics. For the Earth forces, every available resource was thrown into the battle, including all reserve and militia units and every piece of machinery capable of aiding the fight. In some cases, even children took up arms to defend their planet. The Masters, now facing critical energy shortages, resorted to even more desperate tactics. The soldiers who could still fight were given massive doses of painkillers, adrenaline and steroids to enable them to truly fight to the end. The Masters also resort to setting adrift on smaller ships all of the clones that are unable to fight in order to conserve power.
In the final stage of the war, the Masters, desperate to retrieve the protoculture matrix from the ruins of the SDF-1 at any cost, launch a diversionary assault. Half of their forces are secretly sent to seize control of the ruins of the SDF-1 and destroy Monument City. With the bulk of UEF forces sent into space, the Masters' forces quickly overwhelm the remaining defenders, seizing control of the ruins and devastating Monument City and its surrounding military installations and leaving most of Monument City in flames. During the battle, the massive headquarters of the Southern Cross is targeted by the Masters and vaporized, killing Supreme Commander Leonard and much of the senior leadership.
However, the Masters pay a heavy cost - with only half their forces remaining in space to protect the motherships, the UEF forces that had been dispatched to space easily overwhelm them and begin attacking the now defenseless motherships. The Masters, determined to retrieve the protoculture from the SDF-1 ruins at any cost, send their flagship down to the surface, while the remaining motherships are left almost adrift. This tactic results in the UEF forces concentrating their attacks on these motherships, and destroying all of them while the Masters' own mothership easily reaches the surface. It is only through the efforts of First Lieutenant Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling is a fictional character from the Robotech anime television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross...
and Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
, who were on board the Masters' flagship, that the command Triumvirate is killed and the Masters finally stopped.
The war's end came in June 2030 when Zor Prime
Zor Prime
Zor Prime is a fictional alien character from the Robotech universe, mapped onto the human character Seifriet Weiße from the Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross source material.-Fictional character biography:...
, after jettisoning Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling
Dana Sterling is a fictional character from the Robotech anime television series. The character was adapted from the originally unrelated characters Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Jeanne Francaix in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross...
in an escape pod, rigs the flagship of the Robotech Masters' fleet to self-destruct above the ruins of the SDF-1 in hopes of destroying the spores within the SDF-1. However, the resulting explosion inadvertently frees the spores within the Protoculture factory's matrix. Another alien race called the Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
would detect the spores and would travel across the galaxy to Earth to harvest them.
The Aftermath
The Second Robotech War had left the Earth's defense forces weakened and leaderless due to the deaths of both Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard and Major General Rolf Emerson. With the disruption of the Japanese centers of Robotech research and the military and economic infrastructure of North America devastated, the defensive capabilities of the surviving United Earth Forces (UEF), including the elite Army of the Southern CrossArmy of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
, swiftly degraded from advanced mecha and starships to late 20th century (pre-SDF-1) technology. In addition to the massive loses sustained by the military (including much of the senior leadership), countless civilians had been killed or injured, and many more had become refugees. A number of Earth's cities had been destroyed or severely damaged during the war; Monument City, the capital and most important city on planet, was left in ruins.
The devastation caused by the war was compounded by another problem. The unstable feudal society that had evolved on Earth had been held together only by the powerful authority and capabilities of the United Earth Government (UEG) and the Global Military Police (GMP) - but with both of these organizations crippled by the war, Earth began to slide into lawlessness as surviving cities became city-states and warred with one another and men and women rose quickly to positions of power only to fall just as swiftly. Earth's people soon became more focused on fighting each other than preparing for the Invid Invasion.
When the Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
invaded less than a year later in 2031, the few military units that were even combat-capable were forced to fall back on conventional ordinance and a small supply of Nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s in a battle that they could never hope to win. In less than a week, the remaining forces of the UEF and the Southern Cross were crushed and the remaining bastions of the United Earth Government collapsed. The Invid took complete control of the planet, and ruthlessly hunted down and destroyed any resistance.
Thus, one year after the Second Robotech War ended, the Third Robotech War began, a war which would last for 13 years, during which the remaining survivors on Earth found themselves at the mercy of the Invid who utilized the humans for slave labor and for horrific scientific experiments. Many major Earth population centers are destroyed, while others are simply abandoned. Some humans would ally with the Invid in exchange for power, while criminal gangs, self-appointed leaders and a variety of cults took power in areas not under Invid control while others fled to isolated areas of the planet and reverted to simple hunter-gather societies.
By the end of 2031, the back of Earth's civilization had been broken and its remnants were now a pale shadow of the strong and united world that had existed in the years before the First Robotech War.
Third Robotech War
The fictional Third Robotech War (2031–44) is the third major conflict in the RobotechRobotech
Robotech is an 85-episode science fiction anime adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and first released in the United States in 1985...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
universe. Unlike the previous Robotech Wars, which were fought by Earth-based human forces against invading alien enemies, the Third War was fought by the returning Robotech Expeditionary Force
Robotech Armed Forces
The Robotech Armed Forces are the fictional military force depicted in Robotech.After the events of The Macross Saga the Robotech Expeditionary Force is formed and leaves Earth to hunt for the Robotech Masters; returning during the 2030s and 2040s to battle the Invid.-Robotech Defense Force:...
to liberate the occupied Earth from the alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
. The Robotech Television series ended with the conclusion of the Third Robotech war in 1986, and it would be 20 years before Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
, which was released in 2006, would continue the Robotech Saga. Pegasus News points out, however, that "the first half-hour or so of the movie overlaps with the final battle of the Third Robotech War, just from a different perspective."
Prelude to invasion
The Second Robotech War left Earth's military leaderless, with Supreme Commander Anatole Leonard, Major General Rolf Emerson and much of the senior leadership being killed. The disruption of the Japanese centers of Robotech research, combined with the devastation of the military and economic infrastructure of North America led to much of the planet's economy and military to abandon its advanced mecha and starships, which could no longer be built, maintained, or powered) and fall back to late 20th century (pre-SDF-1) technology. Many important cities and military bases were severely damaged or obliterated. Monument City, the capital, as well as the largest and most important city on planet, was left in ruins.The lack of Protoculture was not the only reason for the fall of Earth to the Invid. Even before the war, democracy had largely ceased to function and an unstable feudal society had evolved. This society had been held together under the powerful authorities of the United Earth Government (UEG) and the Global Military Police (GMP), but with both of these organizations nearly destroyed by the war, Earth began to slide into lawlessness as surviving cities became city-states and warred with one another and men and women rose quickly to positions of power only to fall just as swiftly. Greed and butchery ruled, and what little remained of the northern hemisphere's dignity collapsed. The people of Earth had been reduced to squabbling factional states that were more interested in fighting each other than preparing for the coming Invid Invasion. With the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) still unable to send significant aid back to Earth, efforts were made to try and evacuate the populace before the Invid arrived but the devastation from the war left only a handful of spaceworthy ships available. This, combined with the political and economic turmoil, meant that only a handful of people were able to reach Moon Base ALUCE or Space Station Liberty.
Story
The New GenerationThe Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
invasion in 2031, depicted in the third saga of Robotech known as The New Generation, destroyed what was left of the Army of the Southern Cross
Army of the Southern Cross
The Army of the Southern Cross is a fictional military organization in the Robotech universe. In the series´ second part, "The Robotech Masters", the ASC is the force tasked with defending Earth from the Robotech Masters, who came to retrieve the Protoculture Factory, following the failure of the...
and the United Earth Forces (UEF) and left Earth completely devastated. The Invid established a central hive, Reflex Point
Reflex Point
Reflex Point is location of the Invid hive complex inhabited by the Invid Queen Regess in the Robotech animated series, and is also thought to be located upon the ruins of the SDF-1...
, in the Great Lakes region of North America over the site of the remains of the SDF-1
SDF-1 Macross
The SDF-1 Macross is a fictional interstellar transforming spacecraft from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, an anime science fiction series that aired in Japan in 1982–1983, and its American adaptation Robotech...
, and secondary hives across the planet. The Invid immediately began hunting down and destroying any and all remaining military personnel, and set up an aggressive operation to harvest the Flower of Life
Flower of Life (fiction)
Flower of Life is a term used in several animanga series.-Robotech:In the storyline of Harmony Gold's Robotech, the Flower of Life is a plant species originating from the planet Optera, where it was used primarily as a food staple for the native Invid species...
(and the protoculture it yielded) utilizing the remaining civilian human population as forced labor.
The Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
also began experiments to improve their survivability, including experimenting on captured humans. Some humans collaborated with the Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
in exchange for power and/or protection and helped hunt down those who resisted or helped with the harvesting and management of Protoculture. Many humans escaped the notice of the Invid by relocating to remote areas where the Flower of Life was scarce such as the mountains, deserts, and wilderness, with some even reverting to simple hunter/gather communities. Areas not under the control of the Invid were often ruled by criminal gangs and self-appointed leaders who ruled through brute force.
Fortunately, the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) had long been self sufficient with the help of other recently established extraterrestrial settlements, and was only minimally hampered by the loss of Earth. In addition, Moon Base ALUCE (Advanced Lunar Chemical Engineering) was also able to continue to function despite its close proximity to Earth. Space Station Liberty was also able to continue to function. Unfortunately, events in deep space that kept the REF from sending aid during the Second Robotech War continued to plague them and kept them from turning their full attention to reclaiming Earth for another decade.
Early Assaults against the Invid
In 2038, the 10th Mars division of the REF launched an assault against the InvidInvid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
forces on Earth. The attack failed, resulting in the complete destruction of the Division. Some survivors managed to reach Earth including Lieutenant Lance "Lancer" Belmont, who subsequently assumed the identity of Yellow Dancer, a female singer, to evade capture by the Invid and their collaborators. Lancer served as a courier and spy for resistance forces that sought to not only harass the Invid while biding their time until, it was hoped, Admiral Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
would return with the full strength of the REF to liberate Earth.
In 2042, the 21st Mars division launched another offensive against Invid, but this attack also proved disastrous, with the entire division being wiped out. One confirmed survivor was Lieutenant Commander Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard is a fictional character from the third Robotech Series: The New Generation. He is a young man, who is somewhat reluctant but a leader at best. He is a skilled pilot and was set to marry the woman he loved Marlene Rush. However, Marlene is killed in the battle with the Invid...
, who successfully reached Earth and formed a resistance cell of his own, who among its members was Lancer.
In 2043 and again in 2044, attempts by the REF to gain footholds on Earth in preparation for an invasion also met with disaster. Some resistance forces began to wonder if the REF would ever be able to free Earth from its 13-year nightmare.
Full Scale Assault in 2044
In July 2044, Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) launched its final attempt to drive the InvidInvid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
from Earth. All available REF forces have assembled near Moon Base ALUCE. This force assembled includes four Shimakaze battlecruisers, 40+ Ikazuchi-class carriers, 200+ Garfish light cruisers, and thousands of VFA-6 Alpha and VFB-9 Beta fighters, which are armed with more powerful weapons and can carry larger quantities of missiles than earlier models. This REF force was built with assistance of the Sentinel races. While the Karbarrans provided the industrial resources to construct these new ships, a highly-advanced cybernetic race known as the Haydonites
Haydonites
The Haydonites are a fictional, highly advanced cybernetic race that appears in Robotech and made their first appearance in the comic Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles. They are also seen the subsequent movie, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
have provided advanced shadow technology and weaponry. In particular, the Haydonites have provided the Shadow devices, which make REF ships invisible to Invid sensors, and Syncro-cannons, which are significantly more powerful then the REF's earlier weapons. This force is led by the newly completed SDF-4 Izumo, a Super Dimensional Fortress over 1.3 km (0.807784557644749 mi) long which serves as General Gunther Reinhardt's flagship.
Although the SDF-3, commanded by Admiral Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
, chief military commander of all REF forces, was expected to arrive following a test of a Neutron-S missile in the Omicron sector, it fails to rreturn and appears to been involved some type of accident. General Reinhardt dispatches Vince Grant, captain of the battlecruiser Icarus, to search for the SDF-3.
Among the REF fighter pilots are Maia Sterling, Marcus Rush and Alex Romero, all of whom were born in space during the REF mission and have never seen Earth. Lieutenant Commander Maia Sterling, a daughter of Max Sterling
Max Sterling
Maximillian Sterling, voiced by Cam Clarke , is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He is a young fighter pilot assigned to Rick Hunter's various commands along with Ben Dixon...
and Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling
Miriya Parina Sterling, voiced by Edie Mirman, is one of the fictional characters in the anime television series Robotech. She is the self-styled "finest combat pilot in all the Zentraedi forces." She is distinguished by her slim figure, green eyes and her long green hair.-First Robotech War:Miriya...
, has just been given command of the famed Skull Squadron. Marcus and Alex, both lieutenants, are part of Wolf Squadron under the command of Captain Daryl Taylor.
Resistance forces on Earth, now aided by REF Commando units secretly dispatched in advance, prepared to launch a simultaneous ground assault against the Invid hive mind at Reflex Point
Reflex Point
Reflex Point is location of the Invid hive complex inhabited by the Invid Queen Regess in the Robotech animated series, and is also thought to be located upon the ruins of the SDF-1...
while the Invid's main forces engage the REF fleet.
If both of these attacks fail, then the REF has been authorized to use the Neutron-S missiles, a devastating new super-weapon provided by the Haydonites
Haydonites
The Haydonites are a fictional, highly advanced cybernetic race that appears in Robotech and made their first appearance in the comic Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles. They are also seen the subsequent movie, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
, as a last resort to wipe out the primary Invid hive at Reflex Point
Reflex Point
Reflex Point is location of the Invid hive complex inhabited by the Invid Queen Regess in the Robotech animated series, and is also thought to be located upon the ruins of the SDF-1...
, although this will also wipe out most or all of life on earth.
Despite the disadvantage of not having the SDF-3 and its powerful arsenal, General Reinhardt is forced to begin the attack. The assault initially goes well as the REF. Capital Ships of the fleet fire their massive Syncro-Cannons, which destroy many Invid Carriers before they can launch their fighters. REF fighter squadrons, utilizing the shadow technology that makes them invisible to the Invid sensors, easily cripple the first wave of the Invid attack. On the ground, the resistance forces and REF commando units push forward and approach striking distance of Reflex Point.
However, the Invid Regis, obsessed with holding on to Earth no matter the cost, launches all of her remaining forces in one final attack wave. All Invid fighters capable of space combat are sent against the REF fleet and all remaining Invid ground forces are ordered to retreat to Reflex Point
Reflex Point
Reflex Point is location of the Invid hive complex inhabited by the Invid Queen Regess in the Robotech animated series, and is also thought to be located upon the ruins of the SDF-1...
for a last stand. When Reinhardt tries to get an update from the ground forces, he makes contact with resistance leader Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard is a fictional character from the third Robotech Series: The New Generation. He is a young man, who is somewhat reluctant but a leader at best. He is a skilled pilot and was set to marry the woman he loved Marlene Rush. However, Marlene is killed in the battle with the Invid...
, a survivor of one of the previous failed REF assaults. Scott informs Reinhardt that the attack is going poorly and that the REF ground forces have been forced to halt their advance while still out of range of Reflex Point. Ending the communication, Scott meets with Ariel
Ariel (Robotech)
Ariel is a fictional character from the third Robotech chapter The New Generation and Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
, an Invid that looks like a young human woman, and Scott's love interest. Ariel hopes to convince her mother, the Invid Regis, that the humans and the Invid can live in peace. However, the Regis is skeptical of Ariel's words as she recognizes the Humans' new Shadow technology as something used by an ancient enemy of the Invid; the "Children of the Shadow", and remains determined to fight to the bitter end.
In orbit, REF fighter squadrons, despite their technological advantages, become overwhelmed by sheer Invid numbers and begin taking heavy losses, and Invid fighters begin punching through the frontlines of the fleet and attacking the REF capital ships, further straining the ability of the REF to continue the battle. General Reinhardt is informed that the fleet, in particular the fighter squadrons, are taking heavy losses and further attempts to contact the ground forces get no response. Meanwhile, more Invid Carriers arrive in orbit, and begin launching thousands more fighters against the already overwhelmed REF fleet. Reinhardt, realizing that the REF is hopelessly outnumbered on both the ground and in space, decides he has no choice but to use the Neutron-S missiles and orders their launch, but is unaware of the missiles true power.
Meanwhile, in the Omicron sector, the Icarus arrives and locates the SDF-3 near a brand-new black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
. The Icarus barely escapes the massive gravational pull of the black hole - although the Icarus escapes, all of its shadow technology, including the shadow device and its syncro-cannon are now offline. A sensor scan then reveals that both the SDF-3 and the science vessel Deukalion, have been badly damaged by an accident involving the testing of the new Neutron-S missiles. Captain Vince Grant makes contact with Admiral Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter
Rick Hunter, voiced by veteran voice actor Tony Oliver, is one of the fictional characters in the Robotech anime television series. He begins the series as a naive and headstrong nineteen-year-old civilian pilot, having flown for his father "Pops" Hunter's world-class flying circus...
, who explains that they have discovered a critical flaw with the Neutron-S missiles and that the REF must be warned that the missiles cannot be used on Earth under any circumstances. He also orders Grant to take the Deukalion, which has recorded critical information. After securing the Deukalion with the Icarus clamps, Grant moves the Icarus close to the SDF-3 so that its fold-sphere will encompass both ships and enable them to return to Earth. However, a group of unknown alien warships attack the Icarus. Just as the they are about to initiate the fold-sphere, one of the alien vessels rams the SDF-3, pushing it out of range of the sphere and toward the black hole. Grant, following Hunter's orders that the REF must be warned about the true nature of the missiles, engages the Icarus fold drive and races back to Earth. The SDF-3 is left behind, adrift in space and caught in the black hole's gravatational pull.
Meanwhile, as the Neutron-S missiles fly towards Earth, the Regis' daughter Ariel
Ariel (Robotech)
Ariel is a fictional character from the third Robotech chapter The New Generation and Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
finally convinces her mother to leave Earth rather than allow both races to be destroyed. This request, combined with the Regis' knowledge of the true power of the Neutron-S missiles, convinces the Regis that her race no longer belongs on Earth. She realizes that the REF has been fooled - if the REF had known how powerful the missiles were, they never would have used them. The Regis tells Ariel that:
"...Whether one side or the other emerges victorious is of little meaning. Such hatred can only breed more hatred. My child, this conflict will rage from generation to generation...The humans have been influenced too strongly by the shadow of the Robotech Masters, and are intent only on the destruction of their entire race. This shall not be!"
- the Regis, "Symphony of Light"
The Regis then transforms the Invid race into a massive phoenix of pure energy, in the same manner by which the Invid first arrived on Earth, and ascends into the sky. As a parting gift to Ariel, who choses to remain behind, the Regis destroys the Neutron-S missiles. The Invid stream of light flies off into space in search for a new planet on which to continue their evolution, ending the Third Robotech War.
Aftermath
Although victorious, the losses to the REF were very heavy in both ships and manpower. For the first time in 13 years, Earth was again under the control of humanity but Earth's future remained uncertain. Most of its cities and industries lay in ruins and most of the planet was in a pre-Robotech (pre-SDF-1) technological state at best. There was also no government to speak of. During the occupation, many had allied with the InvidInvid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
in exchange for power. Areas not under Invid
Invid (Robotech)
The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
control were often controlled by criminal gangs and other self-proclaimed leaders who ruled through brute force.
Further, the SDF-3 Pioneer, which was intended to join the final assault, was damaged during the test-firing of a Neutron-S missile in the Omicron Sector, which resulted in the unexpected creation of a micro black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
. The Deukalion, a Garfish
Garfish
The garfish , or sea needle, is a pelagic, oceanodromous needlefish found in brackish and marine waters of the Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, etc. The fish lives close to the surface and has a migratory pattern similar to that of the mackerel, arriving a short time before...
class cruiser converted into a science vessel to record and study the test, was heavily damaged by the resulting blast and all aboard were killed save one android named Janice Em, which was later repaired. Although Captain Vince Grant of the Icarus is able to rescue the Deukalion, his attempts to rescue the SDF-3 fails due to interference from a mysterious alien ship. The fate of the SDF-3, which was last seen adrift in space near the newly formed black hole, is currently unknown.
The retreat of the Invid ended the Third Robotech War, though it also marked the start of the Fourth Robotech War: Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
, between the REF and their former allies, the Haydonites
Haydonites
The Haydonites are a fictional, highly advanced cybernetic race that appears in Robotech and made their first appearance in the comic Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles. They are also seen the subsequent movie, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
who betrayed and manipulated the REF during the war with the Invid and whom now, with the Invid gone, launch their own attack to destroy the REF and Earth. As the people of Earth celebrate their freedom at a concert, where Lancer reveals his identity as Yellow Dancer to the crowd, the surviving forces of the REF found themselves engaged in a new conflict that would once again determine the survival of the human race.
Major characters
- Scott BernardScott BernardScott Bernard is a fictional character from the third Robotech Series: The New Generation. He is a young man, who is somewhat reluctant but a leader at best. He is a skilled pilot and was set to marry the woman he loved Marlene Rush. However, Marlene is killed in the battle with the Invid...
- Rook Bartley
- Rand
- Annie "Mint" LaBelle
- Lance Belmont
- Jim "Lunk" Austin
- MarleneAriel (Robotech)Ariel is a fictional character from the third Robotech chapter The New Generation and Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles...
- Corg
- Sera
- Invid RegisInvid (Robotech)The Invid are a fictional alien race in the Robotech storyline. They appear in the New Generation portion of the series, which uses the animation of the unrelated Japanese series Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, so their on-screen behavior and appearance matches the antagonists of that series, called the...
Fate of the REF fleet
There has long been confusion and uncertainty regarding the ultimate fate of the vast REF fleet that returned to Earth to challenge the Regis. The Jack McKinneyJack McKinney (writer)
Jack McKinney was a pseudonym used by American authors James Luceno and Brian Daley before the latter's death.As well as adapting Robotech into novel form, they were also responsible for the Sentinels series which continued to expand the Robotech Universe...
Robotech novels Symphony of Light (book 12) and The End of the Circle (book 18) both stated that nearly all ships that had survived direct combat, including the SDF-4 Izumo and its commander, General Reinhardt, had been destroyed by the Invid's departure, with only a handful of ships, including the Ark Angel under the command of Vince Grant, being spared. Certainly, given that the departing Invid destroyed the Neutron-S missiles, and given the disapproval of the Regis towards the REF, this scenario seemed plausible.
The launch of the official website Robotech.com in 2001 corroborated that "much of the Expeditionary Force's fleet" was destroyed when the Invid departed and that Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard
Scott Bernard is a fictional character from the third Robotech Series: The New Generation. He is a young man, who is somewhat reluctant but a leader at best. He is a skilled pilot and was set to marry the woman he loved Marlene Rush. However, Marlene is killed in the battle with the Invid...
was leaving to join "the remainder of the [REF]." The official episode summary for the last episode provides no details of the losses the REF sustained, and for nearly two decades many fans regarded the novels' assessment as definitive in this regard.
In The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
, however, the depiction of the Invid departure changes to a form in which the Neutron-S missiles are destroyed but all remaining REF ships in orbit unaffected. In subsequent footage, it is shown that at least a large portion (and possibly a large majority) of the REF fleet survived the battle. Those ships that are damaged are ordered to return to Space Station Liberty for repairs.
The final remaining strength of the REF at the conclusion of the Shadow Chronicles film is unclear. Fans have noted the following factors when attempted to determine the REF's current state:
- The REF fleet that arrives in Dark Finale to engage the Invid consists of two separate formations, Attack Group Three (which remains "in reserve awaiting the arrival of Admiral Hunter") and Attack Group Two (which initiates the assault). When the third attack group is launched, it could be assumed that Attack Group Two has already sustained losses significant enough to warrant the commitment of additional reserves.
- During the battle in Symphony of Light, General Reinhardt is informed of losses and reflects that the REF won't be able to hold out against the Invid for "more than a few hours." Subsequently, three cruisers are "wiped out," a loss evidently significant enough as to be noteworthy to the fleet commander (at a time when the destruction of smaller ships must be occurring constantly). It is believed that the "cruisers" being referred to are in fact the Ikazuchi-class carriers.
- The exact size of the Invid forces involved in the battle are unknown. However, the website Robotech.com states that each Invid Carrier is capable of carrying 450 Invid scouts. At least 40+ Carriers are launched in the Invid's first attack wave (although some are destroyed by the REF Syncro-cannons before they can launch their fighters), which would place the initial Invid strength at approximately 18,000. An unknown number of carriers are subsequently launched into space as the Invid Regis deploys all of her remaining forces.
- The Invid forces consisted solely of fighters armed with light weaponry (the Invid had no capital ships except for the Invid Carriers, which were used to transport fighters into space and possessed no weaponry of their own). This, combined with the REF's superior technology (especially the Shadow devices) and firepower, suggests that Invid losses were extremely high and that the REF could have maintained the battle for a long period of time despite the Invid's numerical advantage.
- In The Shadow Chronicles, Reinhardt states that all of the REF damaged ships are returning to Space Station Liberty for repairs (given the scope of the battle, it is possible that most of the REF's ships would have required repairs). When the Haydonites attack Liberty, Louis Nichols estimates the REF's losses at 89%, which could imply that most of the REF's remaining capital ships were destroyed. However, it has been noted that:
- Reinhardt's statement does not imply that all of the REF's ships required repairs;
- Some of the ships that did return to Liberty may have had their repairs completed (and thus have departed from Liberty for other duties) before the Haydonite attack; and
- Some of the ships requiring repairs may not have reached to Liberty before the attack began.
It has been estimated that the REF force which attempts to defend Liberty is composed of approximately five Carriers and several dozen Light Cruisers. Given the estimates of the total size of the REF fleet (see below), this also suggests that many of the REF's remaining ships were not at Liberty during the attack.
The exact strength of the REF fleet at the Battle of Reflex Point is never provided. The approximate size of the REF force involved in the Battle of Reflex Point consisted of the SDF-4 Izumo, four Shimakaze-class battlecruisers, 40+ Ikazuchi-class carriers, 200+ Garfish light cruisers, and thousands of VFA-6 Alpha and VFB-9 Beta fighters. While it is clear that many of the fighters, which were the first forces to engage the Invid, sustained heavy losses, only a few capital ships are destroyed on camera, with several more being referred to in dialogue.
Finally, some fans have suggested that the exact or even approximate remaining strength of the REF was kept deliberately vague by the film's creators in order to avoid limiting options for future story lines.
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
The comic Prelude to the Shadow ChroniclesRobotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles is a five-part comic book mini-series written by Tommy Yune along with the Waltrip brothers, who were previously the art-and-writing team of the Robotech II: The Sentinels comic series. It was published under DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint...
and the movie The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.- Plot :...
, although overlapping with part of the Third Robotech War, set the stage for the beginning of the Fourth Robotech War.
With the final battle of the Third Robotech War over, the REF begins evacuating wounded personnel and damaged ships to Space Station Liberty for recovery and repairs. Since Earth will be vulnerable while the REF rebuilds, the fighter squadrons will remain at Moon Base ALUCE. However, the Invid took all of the Protoculture with them and the REF only has enough power to last a little less than a year. The only way to generate more power is with the Protoculture Matrix on board the SDF-3.
Ariel informs Scott Bernard that the reason she came to see him was because she had a vision. The Children of the Shadow are planning on attacking the REF. The Children destroyed the first Invid homeworld because they fear the power of Protoculture, and they will attack the Humans for the same reason. The discussion is interrupted by Marcus and Alex, and Marcus realizes that Ariel is an Invid. Scott is arrested and interrogated. During the interrogation, he warns of the impending attack, and reveals the Children's connection to the new REF technologies. Reinhardt and Vince Grant watch on a monitor in another room. But the name Scott uses for the alien race is unfamiliar. Reinhardt also suspects that the warning is an attempt by the Invid to drive a wedge between the REF and the Haydonites.
But during the interrogation, contact is lost with Space Station Liberty. Louie analyzes the transmission data, and realizes that the race that attacked the SDF-3 is jamming communications. Vince is ordered to head to Liberty and determine the situation there.
When the Icarus arrives, Liberty is under attack by a large fleet of alien ships which have jammed all communications. The battle is going poorly for the REF; Numerous ships are destroyed with just one hit by a disrupter wave emitted by the enemy fleet which causes the new Synchro-cannons to overload and explode. Instead of charging into the battle, Vince sends Skull Squadron to collect information. While flying through the REF fleet, Skull Squadron records an REF carrier destroyed due to a single hit on its reflex furnace. Scans reveal that the shadow device on the carrier caused its reflex furnace to implode when triggered by the enemy's disrupter wave. Janice sees the footage, and realizes that such an event should be impossible, due to the Shadow technology incorporated in all REF vessels. It then becomes clear to everyone that the Haydonites are really the mysterious Children of the Shadow, and that Ariel's warning was true. By now, 89% of the REF forces that engaged the Haydonites at Liberty have been destroyed. Captain Vince Grant, after watching the carrier explode, slams his fist as he realizes that every piece of technology the Haydonites have given to the REF contains some kind of Trojan Horse
Trojan Horse
The Trojan Horse is a tale from the Trojan War about the stratagem that allowed the Greeks finally to enter the city of Troy and end the conflict. In the canonical version, after a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, and hid a select force of men inside...
. Grant, suspecting that Janice may also be aligned with the Haydonites, orders her arrested and removed from the bridge. Unable to restore communications, Grant is unable to warn the remaining ships of these findings, and they are left to fight a hopeless battle.
Maia Sterling initially leads her Skull Squadron into battle, but is called back by Grant since the Haydonite-supplied Syncro-Cannons equipped on the fighters will make any engagement futile. Unable to fight back, the squadron is ordered to head to Liberty, and acquire fighters that don't incorporate Haydonite technology.
Realizing that the Icarus, which is equipped with Shadow technology, is no longer a viable ship, Vince orders the Icarus to dock with Space Station Liberty. He then tells Louie to scan Liberty's ship registry for capital ships that have no shadow technology. Louie finds only one capital ship on Liberty that has no Haydonite technologies installed — the colony ship Ark Angel.
As Janice is taken to a detention area, two Haydonite soldiers in combat Mecha blast into the hallway and confront her. One of the soldiers disembarks from his mecha and Janice demands to know why she was not told of the hidden weaknesses in the technology she gave to the REF. The Haydonite soldier tells her that she was provided only with what was needed to carry out their plan and demands to know where the remaining protoculture matrix (on the SDF-3) is located. Janice refuses to cooperate and the soldier, deciding she is now expendable, prepares to kill her. Just then, Scott Bernard appears in combat armor and opens fire, destroying one of the mecha. The remaining soldier removes his cloak, revealling the true form of the Haydonites. As it flyes toward Scott, Grant also in combat mecha, appears and opens fire, crippling it. As the soldier's body, bleeding green fluids, lies on the floor, it tells Grant that "all those who embrace protoculture are doomed" before dying, to which Grant replies "Not today." Realizing that Janice was also betrayed by the Haydonites (who now want her dead), Grant asks her to continue to serve with the REF, to which Janice readily agrees.
Scott and Vince then rig the remaining stockpile of Neutron-S missiles on Liberty for self-destruct. The Ark Angel is able to depart as planned, with the Icarus following closely. The Haydonites, unaware of the Grant's plan, move their fleet towards Liberty to destroy the Ark Angel. The Ark Angel then initiates a spacefold, and seconds later The Neutron-S warheads detonate with a massive explosion, destroying Liberty and the entire Haydonite fleet.
At the end of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, the situation of the REF is dire. Space Station Liberty, by far the REF's largest and most important space station, is gone and the heavy losses taken by the REF during the assault against the Invid have now been compounded by the further losses to the Haydonites of at least 89% of the ships that were docked at Liberty (although the exact or approximate remaining strength of the REF is not known). On orders from General Reinhardt, the Ark Angel begins a mission to find the SDF-3, which it is learned may not have been destroyed. The REF hopes that the SDF-3, if it has survived, can be found before the Haydonites reach it.
Further reading
- Carl Macek and Tommy Yune, "The First Robotech War," The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (Stone Bridge Press, LLC, 2007), 12-14.
- Carl Macek and Tommy Yune, "The Third Robotech War", The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (Stone Bridge Press, LLC, 2007), 19-21.
- Carl Macek and Tommy Yune, "The Second Robotech War," The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (Stone Bridge Press, LLC, 2007), 15-18.
Macross Saga episode list
| Japanese Air Date |
Original Macross Episode |
Macross Saga Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 1982.10.03 | 1. Booby Trap | 1. Boobytrap |
| 1982.10.03 | 2. Countdown | 2. Countdown |
| 1982.10.17 | 3. Space Fold | 3. Space Fold |
| 1982.10.31 | 4. Lynn Minmay | 4. The Long Wait |
| 1982.11.07 | 5. Transformation | 5. Transformation |
| 1982.11.14 | 6. Daedalus Attack | 6. Blitzkrieg |
| 1982.11.21 | 7. Bye-Bye Mars | 7. Bye-Bye Mars |
| 1982.11.28 | 8. Longest Birthday | 8. Sweet Sixteen |
| 1982.12.05 | 9. Miss Macross | 9. Miss Macross |
| 1982.12.12 | 10. The Blind Game | 10. Blind Game |
| 1982.12.19 | 11. First Contact | 11. First Contact |
| 1982.12.26 | 12. The Big Escape | 12. The Big Escape |
| 1983.01.09 | 13. Blue Wind | 13. Blue Wind |
| 1983.01.16 | 14. Global Report | 14. Gloval's Report |
| 1983.01.23 | 15. China Town | 15. Homecoming |
| 1983.01.30 | 16. Kung-Fu Dandy | 16. Battle Cry |
| 1983.02.13 | 17. Phantasm | 17. Phantasm |
| 1983.02.20 | 18. Pineapple Salad | 18. Farewell, Big Brother |
| 1983.02.27 | 19. Burst Point | 19. Bursting Point |
| 1983.03.06 | 20. Paradise Lost | 20. Paradise Lost |
| 1983.03.13 | 21. Micro-Cosmos | 21. A New Dawn |
| 1983.03.20 | 22. Love Concert | 22. Battle Hymn |
| 1983.03.27 | 23. Dropout | 23. Reckless |
| 1983.04.03 | 24. Good-Bye Girl | 24. Showdown |
| 1983.04.10 | 25. Virgin Road | 25. Wedding Bells |
| 1983.04.17 | 26. The Messenger | 26. The Messenger |
| 1983.04.24 | 27. Love Drifts Away (Ai wa Nagareru) |
27. Force of Arms |
| 1983.05.01 | 28. My Album | 28. Reconstruction Blues |
| 1983.05.08 | 29. Lonely Song | 29. Robotech Masters |
| 1983.05.15 | 30. Viva Maria | 30. Viva Miriya |
| 1983.05.22 | 31. Satan's Dolls | 31. Khyron's Revenge |
| 1983.05.29 | 32. Broken Heart | 32. Broken Heart |
| 1983.06.05 | 33. Rainy Night | 33. A Rainy Night |
| 1983.06.12 | 34. Private Time | 34. Private Time |
| 1983.06.19 | 35. Romanesque | 35. Season's Greetings |
| 1983.06.26 | 36. Farewell to Tenderness (Yasashisa Sayonara) |
36. To the Stars |
Robotech Masters Episode List
| Japanese Air Date |
Southern Cross The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross was the third Japanese animated series released under the "Super Dimension" moniker by the sponsor Big West. This 1984 science fiction robotic mecha series followed Super Dimension Fortress Macross created by Studio Nue with Artland and produced by Tatsunoko, and Super Dimension Century Orguss ,... Episode |
Robotech Masters Episode |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 37. Dana's Story |
| 1984.04.15 | 1. Prisoner | 38. False Start |
| 1984.04.22 | 2. Makeup | 39. Southern Cross |
| 1984.04.29 | 3. Star Angel | 40. Volunteers |
| 1984.05.06 | 4. Half Moon | 41. Half Moon |
| 1984.05.13 | 5. Trouble City | 42. Danger Zone |
| 1984.05.20 | 6. Prelude | 43. Prelude to Battle |
| 1984.05.27 | 7. Labyrinth | 44. The Trap |
| 1984.06.10 | 8. Metal Fire | 45. Metal Fire |
| 1984.06.17 | 9. Star Dust | 46. Star Dust |
| 1984.06.24 | 10. Outsider | 47. Outsiders |
| 1984.07.01 | 11. Deja Vu | 48. Deja Vu |
| 1984.07.08 | 12. Lost Memory | 49. A New Recruit |
| 1984.07.15 | 13. Triple Mirror | 50. Triumvirate |
| 1984.07.22 | 14. Iron Lady | 51. Clone Chamber |
| 1984.07.29 | 15. Love Story | 52. Love Song |
| 1984.08.05 | 16. Hunter Killer | 53. The Hunters |
| 1984.08.19 | 17. Bio Psycher | 54. Mind Games |
| 1984.08.26 | 18. Wonderland | 55. Dana in Wonderland |
| 1984.09.02 | 19. Crisis | 56. Crisis Point |
| 1984.09.09 | 20. Daydream | 57. Daydreamer |
| 1984.09.16 | 21. Nightmare | 58. The Final Nightmare |
| 1984.09.23 | 22. Catastrophe | 59. The Invid Connection |
| 1984.09.30 | 23. Genesis | 60. Catastrophe |
New Generation episode list
| Japanese Air Date |
Genesis Climber Mospeada Genesis Climber Mospeada is an anime science fiction series created by Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma. The 25-episode television series ran from late 1983 to early 1984 in Japan... Episode |
New Generation Episode |
|---|---|---|
| 1983.10.02 | 1. Prelude to the Offensive | 61. The Invid Invasion |
| 1983.10.09 | 2. The Broken-Hearted Girl's March | 62. The Lost City |
| 1983.10.16 | 3. Showdown Concert at High Noon | 63. Lonely Soldier Boy |
| 1983.10.23 | 4. Survival Song Feeling | 64. Survival |
| 1983.10.30 | 5. Live Inn Scorched Earth Policy | 65. Curtain Call |
| 1983.11.06 | 6. Support Girl Blues | 66. Hard Times |
| 1983.11.13 | 7. Fallen Hero's Ragtime | 67. Paper Hero |
| 1983.11.20 | 8. Johnson's Elegy | 68. Eulogy |
| 1983.11.27 | 9. Lost World Fugue | 69. The Genesis Pits |
| 1983.12.04 | 10. Requiem of the Battlefield | 70. Enter Marlene |
| 1983.12.11 | 11. Lullaby of Distant Hope | 71. The Secret Route |
| 1983.12.18 | 12. Fortress Siege Boogie | 72. The Fortress |
| 1983.12.25 | 13. Sandstorm Playback | 73. Sandstorm |
| 1984.01.08 | 14. Mint's Wedding March | 74. Annie's Wedding |
| 1984.01.15 | 15. The Ballad of Breaking Up | 75. Separate Ways |
| 1984.01.22 | 16. Trap Reggae | 76. Metamorphosis |
| 1984.01.29 | 17. White Night Serenade | 77. The Midnight Sun |
| 1984.02.05 | 18. The Nature of Old Soldier's Polka | 78. Ghost Town |
| 1984.02.12 | 19. Forte of the Ice River City | 79. Frost Bite |
| 1984.02.19 | 20. Birthday Song of the Night Sky | 80. Birthday Blues |
| 1984.02.26 | 21. Arpeggio of Assassination | 81. Hired Gun |
| 1984.03.04 | 22. New York Bebop | 82. The Big Apple |
| 1984.03.11 | 23. Black Hair's Partita | 83. Reflex Point |
| 1984.03.18 | 24. The Dark Finale | 84. Dark Finale |
| 1984.03.25 | 25. Symphony of Light | 85. Symphony of Light |