Original subtitles

F

[NARRATOR] In the year 1999,

an abandoned alien battlefortress

crash-landed on the planet Earth.

Our most brilliant scientists and engineers

spent the next ten years reconstructing the damaged ship

and studying its highly-advanced space technology

called "Robotech."

A race of warriors from deep space,

the Zentraedi, entered the scene,

bent on recovering the lost ship

and destroying Earth's civilization.

A battle for our planet's survival was on,

and young Rick Hunter found himself caught up in the war,

piloting an unfamiliar fighter plane

with sophisticated engineering he couldn't begin to understand.

Out of control, the fighter plunged to a crash landing.

Incredibly, the plane survived the crash,

and then it underwent a startling transformation.

[NARRATOR] As young Rick ponders what to do next,

the Zentraedi invaders draw ever closer

and aboard the reconstructed battlefortress,

Captain Gloval and his inexperienced crew

prepare to confront the vastly superior forces

of the alien enemy.

[VANESSA] Twenty-four unidentified objects

are descending just offshore, sir.

Oh, and why didn't we detect them before now?

When the main guns automatically fired at the first attack,

it sapped so much power our radar was knocked out.

Those scout ships were just a decoy.

Very clever strategy.

Lisa, call Lieutenant Commander Fokker's team

back here immediately.

They're still combating the first attack wave, sir.

I doubt if they can break away.

[GLOVAL] I understand. Thank you.

[VANESSA] The unidentified craft have landed in the water

25 miles west of us,

and they seem to have submerged, sir.

[GLOVAL] Call Prometheus and order them

to send out reconnaissance choppers.

I did, sir. They'll arrive in five minutes.

Mind reader.

[LISA] Uh... Yes, sir.

- -[MAN 1] What is that? - -[MAN 2] A giant robot.

[MAN 3] Could be an alien invader.

Whatever it is, it's stopped moving,

it's just standing there now.

Wow! Hey, Minmei, come see what's out here!

An honest-to-goodness giant robot!

Jason, be careful!

Oh, Jason, what if that thing had stepped on you?

Ah, I can take care of myself.

I wanna get a good look at that thing.

Come on, we'll go upstairs and look out the window.

Ohh! Jason, wait for me.

Don't let him fall out the window, you hear?

Don't worry, Auntie, I'll watch him.

[PILOT] This is PHP-202, we're approaching target area,

and no sign of alien craft, so far, over.

[LISA over radio] Roger, PHP-202,

approach with caution.

Craft suspected to be submerged in the ocean.

[PILOT] We're being fired upon! Let's get outta here!

[MEN screaming]

They're gone, sir, they've been shot down.

[GLOVAL] Hmm...

And here I am,

the helpless captain of an untested ship,

with an inexperienced crew.

Well, Captain, it's lucky for us

that we got this ship ready in time

to fight off the invaders.

When do you take off?

[GLOVAL] Hmph.

You are ready, aren't you?

Why haven't you taken off, what are you waiting for?

You must think I'm out of my mind.

I can't take this ship into combat

with a crew of raw recruits

who have never flown in space before.

What's more, the ship hasn't even been tested yet,

and with all due respect, sir, we don't even know if it'll fly.

Hey, Kim, do you think he means it?

[GLOVAL] ...but it'll be against my better judgment.

[SEN. RUSSO] I am ordering you

to take off, Captain, understand?

I think he means it.

Oh, wow!

[KIM] What's wrong, Sammie?

I thought you wanted to go into space.

I do... I think.

This is an alien ship.

While we were able to reconstruct it,

we don't understand how to operate

even half of its functions, yet.

[SEN. RUSSO] It sounds to me as though you're saying you have

no confidence in your crew.

Is that what you're telling me, captain?

I didn't say that.

Well, then, what is the problem?

We spent a fortune on this Robotech ship

and I don't wanna see it destroyed on the ground.

- -Senator-- - -[SEN. RUSSO] No, Captain.

No more excuses, take off.

Well, if that's your order.

That's right, Captain, it is.

SDF-1 is a battleship. That's what it was built for.

Well, girls, we're all depending on you,

so don't let us down.

[GLOVAL] We aren't ready for combat.

We just aren't ready!

Wow! Look how big it is!

[MINMEI] Be careful, Jason.

[JASON] I wonder where it came from.

[MAN 1] Look, it moved its head!

[MAN 3] It just fell out of the sky

and crashed into several buildings.

[MAN 4] It's as big as a building itself!

Look, its back opened up.

- -[MINMEI] Uh-huh. [gasps] - -[JASON] Huh?

- -There's nobody running it. - -Huh.

But... Wait, there he is!

Huh? What's going on here? Where am 1?

[JASON] The pilot looks confused.

[MINMEI] Maybe he was injured in the crash.

[RICK] I must be seeing things, this used to be a fighter plane.

Excuse me, what is this?

I mean, what does it look like to you?

- -[MINMEI] Huh? - -[RICK] What is it?

Some kind of robot, I think.

Oh, great. Wow.

When I got in this thing it was an aircraft,

I thought I'd gone nuts.

[BOTH] A convertible airplane?

You must be joking.

I'm as puzzled as anybody about it.

[MINMEI] You're kidding? You're the pilot

and you don't even know what it is?

No, I'm not a military pilot, I'm just an amateur.

What? How'd you get that robot?

[RICK] It's all a big mistake.

I'm not supposed to have it.

- -An enemy spy! - -Jason!

Spy?

Look, this was the army's idea, not mine.

- -Wow. Look at all the damage. - -[gasps]

You don't have to pay for it?

Me? I hope not.

- -[horn honking] - -What?

[DRIVER] Get that thing off the road!

I have a truckload of vital military supplies

to deliver, and I'm in a hurry.

Now, move it!

I don't know how it works, but I'll try.

- -[MINMEI] Good luck! - -Thanks.

And please be careful.

Sure. I will.

So long.

[MINMEI] I hope I see you again sometime.

Well, all I can do is throw a few switches

and hope for the best, I guess.

At least I can see where I'm going,

if I can just figure out how to get there.

[panicked chatter]

[yelling] Whoa!

- -[MINMEI gasps] - -[JASON screaming] Whoa!

Run!

[screaming]

Oh, please tell me you're okay, Jason.

- -[gasps] - -l am.

[RICK] Are you okay in there?

- -Huh? - -We're okay.

Phew. Thank goodness.

[SAMMIE] Gravity control systems 1 through 48

are green light.

Please confirm, over.

[MAN 1 over radio] Roger, green light.

[SAMMIE] I am now switching

from manual to computer control.

[MAN 2 over radio] Bay 16 reporting

countdown procedures are completed, over.

[SAMMIE] Roger, bay 16, clear.

[KIM] ...A-F-7-4 through 1-4-0, over.

[MAN 3 over radio] G-H-2-4 is clear.

Priority one transmission from headquarters, Captain Gloval.

Armor-1 reports completion of recovery procedures

and is departing now to join Armor-10

at rendezvous Charlie.

Hmm. Thank you, Vanessa.

Claudia, check the reflex furnace

and see if we've recovered full power yet.

[MAN 1 over radio] A-F-7-4, clear.

Ready condition on furnace power, sir.

Very good.

Antigravity. Full thrust.

[KIM] Aye-aye, sir. Full thrust.

[VANESSA] Antigravity, full thrust.

[SAMMIE] Full thrust, one through ten.

Reflex furnace now activated at full thrust

and induction control-board countdown is underway.

Ten, nine, eight, seven...

six, five, four, three, two, one.

Full power.

Activate the antigravity control system.

[LISA] The gyroscope is level, sir.

Well done.

- -[ALL groan] - -What the blazes is going on?

Trim the pitch attitude immediately!

It must be the gyroscope.

- -[LISA] No, look. - -[CLAUDIA] What?

The gravity pods are breaking away!

What is it? Oh, no!

They're tearing away from the ship

instead of lifting it.

This can't be happening. [groans]

[LISA] The ship is losing altitude, Captain.

Please, tell me I'm dreaming this.

[LISA] Pardon, sir?

[GLOVAL] It's a nightmare.

[CREW groans]

[GLOVAL] Is everybody okay?

[CREW] Aye-aye, sir, we're okay.

I want a full damage report.

Give me a computer read-out on every system on board.

[CREW] Yes, sir.

They'll never let me hear the end of this.

You shouldn't blame yourself for this, sir.

I am the captain.

[BOTH] Hold it!

[BOTH scream]

[BOTH] Oh, no!

Ugh. Wow.

[FOKKER] This is Skull Leader, Veritech team, to SDF-1.

Mission completed.

We met the enemy air assault

and we sent them back where they came from.

Very commendable work, Commander Fokker,

- I'll-- - -[CLAUDIA] Let me talk to him.

How many did you shoot down?

Only ten, this time.

[CLAUDIA over monitor] You're slipping, Roy.

Well, don't worry, Claudia,

I'll make it up.

Do you have any word on VT-102?

[LISA over monitor] He landed in Macross City

in the battloid and he's doing more damage

than the enemy.

[laughs] Thanks, Lisa.

Who is he? He's not registered as a fighter pilot.

It's okay, I know him.

[LISA] He needs help.

I'd better go check on him.

[FOKKER over radio] Skull Leader to group.

You guys head on back to Prometheus.

I've got some business to take care of in town.

Captain Kramer, you take over group command, over.

[KRAMER] Roger, Commander.

[FOKKER] I should have known better than to leave him alone.

Aha!

There's the battloid.

This is Skull Leader calling VT-102,

do you read me, over.

[RICK] Hi, Roy, it's me.

Had a busy day down there, I see.

Yeah, you might say that, big brother.

[MAN 1] Now what?

[MAN 2] I don't know, but let's get outta here.

I must be dreaming this, I don't believe it.

That airplane became a robot, too.

Amazing.

A few small repairs and you can take

that battloid back into action.

What are you talking about?

I don't even know what this thing is

and I'm sure not qualified to operate it.

[FOKKER] If you can fly a jet,

you can operate a battloid.

The controls aren't that much different.

I'll tell you what to do.

The legs are controlled by the foot pedals.

Huh? Which foot pedals?

There must be 50 different controls in here.

[FOKKER] Fifty-seven to be exact.

I'll explain them to you while I'm making the repairs.

The battloids are classified top secret.

And trust me, there is a reason for them.

There, that oughta do it.

Switch on low energy and depress the foot pedals slowly.

Okay, here goes.

[FOKKER] That's it. See how easy it is?

Phew.

Wow, you learn fast, don't you?

[RICK] Thanks.

[AUNTIE] Minmei. Come on.

Okay, Auntie.

See you later, we're being evacuated.

[ALIEN over radio] The Recon and Battlepods

have landed, commander.

We're ready to attack.

Attention all gunnery crews,

prepare to give covering fire to the recon assault group.

[ALIEN over radio] Ready all guns. Ready all guns.

Set for long-range covering fire.

[FOKKER] We'd better get moving, Rick.

We still have a war to fight.

I'm still pretty unsure of myself

trying to keep track of all these robot controls.

I'm not ready for combat.

Pull the control marked "G"

and we'll switch to guardian configuration.

[RICK] What the heck is a "guardian"?

Here goes!

[FOKKER] The guardian controls operate almost exactly

like the fighter plane.

You can fly it without any problems.

Oh, no, I have to go back for my diary.

Somebody might find it and read it.

Don't be foolish, child. You can't go back now.

It won't take me a minute to get it.

- -Don't worry. - -[AUNTIE] No, Minmei.

You don't have time. Come back!

[ALIEN over radio] All guns standing by

for bombardment, Commander Breetai.

Good. Level everything in the path of the assault forces,

but be careful not to damage that battlefortress,

I want to take it intact.

[MEN screaming]

[RICK] They're invading the city.

Yeah, it looks like the civilians

got out just in time.

[RICK] Wow, the whole place is under attack,

I hope everybody got out okay.

If you're worried about your girlfriend,

we might check on her.

Could we?

Do we have a fix on where that bombardment is coming from?

[VANESSA] A fleet of spaceships in lunar orbit.

Beyond the range of our missiles.

[LISA] Captain, an alien assault force

is approaching from the east.

- -We need air support, sir. - -Call for it.

[LISA over radio] This is SDF-1.

We are under attack and need immediate support.

Assume guardian configuration.

Roger, SDF-1, comin' in.

All Veritechs switch to guardian mode.

[screams]

[groans]

[FOKKER] Oh, no, you don't.

Take it easy, honey, you're okay. We'll protect you.

Take care of the girl, Rick, I'll hold them off.

[RICK] You can't handle them alone.

[FOKKER] Don't argue with me.

I'll draw their fire while you get her out of here.

[RICK] Stay right there, I'll pick you up.

[MINMEI] I thought you were an amateur.

Huh? Oh, no!

Trust me, I can do it.

Do I have to? Ohh!

[FOKKER] Get outta here, Rick. Fire your jets.

[MINMEI yells] Whoa!

[MINMEI groaning]

- -[inaudible dialogue] - -[MINMEI] What?

What are you saying? I can't hear you.

How's it goin', everything okay?

I'll be okay, Roy.

[FOKKER] I don't care how you are,

how's the girl?

The girl? Okay, so far.

You'd better take good care of her,

if anything happens to her you'll have to answer to me.

Oh? Don't forget, big brother, I saw her first.

That's how it is, huh? We'll discuss this later.

[RICK laughs]

[sighs]

[groaning]

Oh, boy, I gotta find some way to get her in here.

Uh-oh.

[MINMEI screaming]

Oh, no!

[screaming]

Here. Just grab my hand.

You can do it. That's it.

[MINMEI crying]

You're safe now, don't cry.

Are you okay?

[continues crying] I'm all right.

Now... Oh, no!

[RICK, MINMEI scream]

[RICK, MINMEI scream]

You okay? Huh?

Oh, no, Minmei!

[grunts angrily] Yah!

- -[clicking] - -[gasping]

Whew.

Huh?

[grunts]

[screams in fear]

[ALIEN grunts]

[ALIEN growling]

[ALIEN yells]

[gasping in fear]

[growls angrily]

[shakily] What was it? What was that thing, Roy?

[FOKKER over radio] That is the enemy.

Now you know why we build the battloids, Rick,

to fight these giant aliens.

[RICK] They look just like human beings.

Yeah, if you ever saw a human 50 feet tall.

I guess you understand now why we kept this a secret.

Engineering reports backup rockets are fueled

and ready for firing.

How's the evacuation progressing, Lisa?

[LISA] All the civilians have been

safely transported to shelters.

The city is deserted.

Very well. Switch on the main booster rockets,

we'll be blasting off immediately.

I hope the standby boosters work.

They'll work, Lisa, they were made on Earth.

All right?

- -Blast off. - -[CREW] Yes, sir.

[LISA over radio] Attention, Skull Leader.

SDF-1 is taking off, request air cover, over.

[FOKKER] We're on our way.

[FOKKER] Come on, Rick, let's go. Get the lead out.

Come on, Rick, what's the matter with you?

[NARRATOR] Horrified by the sight of the giant alien

and stunned by the death and violence he has witnessed,

young Rick has fallen into a state of deep shock.

The battlefortress has blasted off to rendezvous

with the orbiting space platforms.

A helpless Rick and unconsciousness Minmei

are left behind, surrounded by invaders.

[NARRATOR] In our next episode,

the Zentraedi invaders continue to close in

and the battle for the planet Earth

becomes even more intense.

Attempting to escape the superior alien forces,

Rick and Minmei become stranded in space,

while trying to rejoin the others.

Captain Gloval makes a desperate decision

to execute a hyperspace jump,

which may take his ship to safety,

or which might mean the end for everyone.

Be with us for "Space Fold,"

the next exciting chapter in the saga of Robotech.

F