Original subtitles

F

[NARRATOR] In our last episode, video transmissions

from the new Macross Broadcasting System

accidentally caught the attention of Breetai,

commander of the Zentraedi forces.

Ordering one of his Cyclops

scout recon ships to investigate,

Breetai found the end results were not exactly as planned.

Not only were the Zentraedi spies baffled by what they saw,

they were almost killed by Lieutenant Rick Hunter

who was flying a recon mission of his own at the time.

The spies escaped death

and returned to Breetai with their report.

They were wearing these little military costumes.

And looking at them just gave me this strange feeling

I can't explain.

I still believe they were, uh...

You see, sir, Bron here believes

that they just might be weapons disguised--

[KONDA] They're not weapons.

What do you think they are?

Enough, be quiet.

It's apparent nobody knows what he's talking about.

It's too bad the recorder was blown up.

I think we should deploy another reconnaissance patrol.

And I believe it would be advantageous

to capture one of them alive, Commander.

- -[BREETAI] To examine here? - -Yes, Commander.

- -[KONDA] What? No. - -[RICO] What do you mean, "No"?

He means no. It's a weapon, I'm tellin' ya.

You got a big mouth!

And you got a broken one.

Stop this at once, all of you!

[KONDA] Well, I didn't have anything to do with it, sir.

It was Bron and Rico.

That's because I'm sure that what we saw

were enemy weapons, sir.

And I think he's right.

- -1 don't think so. - -'Cause you're an idiot!

Enough of this babbling!

You were given an assignment and you bungled it.

- -Now get out. - -[GROUP] Aye-aye, sir.

We must resolve this and put an end to this bickering.

It's bad for the morale of the men, sir.

You're right, your point is well taken.

In that case, I would suggest

that we begin to act more aggressively, Commander.

I like nothing better than aggression.

Exedore, I think we should discuss this matter

further in my quarters.

[NARRATOR] The stress of constant battle

against the alien forces has taken its toll on SDF-1.

Much of the Robotechnology on the space battlefortress

is no longer functioning properly.

However, Captain Gloval and his crew

have managed to get a radio transmission through

to the United Earth Defense Headquarters.

Sir, I'm receiving a priority response signal

from Earth headquarters.

So, we've finally gotten through to them, eh?

All right, Lisa, you can punch up the audio for me now.

[LISA] Yes, sir.

[WOMAN over PA] This is Earth headquarters to SDF-1.

Go ahead, sir.

[MAN over PA] Captain Gloval, due to the possibility

that our security may have been breached

and this transmission intercepted by the enemy,

I cannot give you the information you request

about our support systems.

Fortunately, the enemy forces have been more interested

in following you and the SDF-1 than in attacking Earth.

Consequently, you are hereby requested

to continue to keep them at bay

and not, I repeat, not to return to Earth

in an attempt to buy more time for us

and deplete their energy.

That is all.

So they expect us to be sitting ducks out here--

[gasps] Oh, forgive me, sir, I'm sorry.

Don't apologize, I understand your feelings.

But they do need us to buy time for them.

What I don't understand is why the enemy

didn't jam our communication signal this time, Captain.

They've always tried to block

every one of our transmissions before.

Because they're being clever this time

and trying to intercept any information they can get.

I hadn't even thought about that, Captain.

[BEN] Sheesh.

[MAX] That's one more.

All right, men, I think we should join up

with the Skull team now.

- -[BEN] Roger, Lieutenant. - -[MAX] Right behind you.

[BEN] I'm losing fuel, sir!

Hey, are you all right, Ben? It looks like you took a hit.

[BEN] It's nothin', Rick, just a scratch.

I'll be okay.

[RICK] Eh...

Bridge control, this is Lieutenant Hunter,

Vermillion team is heading back now.

SDF-1 calling Veritech group leader Hunter.

You are not cleared to return to base yet.

One of my Veritechs has taken a direct hit.

If the plane is not damaged too severely, Lieutenant,

I would prefer that your group remain in position.

Sir, the damage is really nothing to worry about.

I'll be the judge of that.

I'm the leader and I'm responsible

for the safety of my men.

I'm bringing the squadron in.

[LISA over radio] Are you telling me

that you're deliberately disobeying instructions?

[RICK over radio] Commander Hayes,

you seem to have forgotten what you learned at the academy.

There's no atmosphere here in space

and the smallest damage could prove to be fatal.

And while you might feel perfectly safe

gambling with our lives

when you're safe and sound at your control desk,

I'm not about to put my men in that kind of jeopardy.

Where do you come off, giving me a lecture, Lieutenant Hunter?

[FOKKER over radio] That's enough, Commander Hayes.

This time, Lieutenant Hunter just happens to be right.

Now hear this, Vermillion Squadron,

you will return to SDF-1 Base right away.

Lieutenant Hunter, you talk too much.

Whatever you say, sir.

I've been ordered to fire a warning shot

across the bow of the SDF-1. [chuckles]

That sounds to me like one of Exedore's crazy ideas.

Yes, you happen to be right,

and as usual it leaves a great deal to be desired.

I'm planning something else.

Hmm. Something a little bit more effective

than what that fool has in mind.

Don't you think you'd be walking into trouble, though?

I'm not scared of him.

Besides, what I have in mind

will appear to be quite accidental.

What?

If I were to fire the warning shot, right there...

...just high enough over the deck

that it might happen to hit the radar tower...

Yeah, and if you blow

their radar tower out, that would really be--

A far more effective threat than a warning shot.

[chuckles, laughs]

- -[KIDS laughing] - -[KID 1] You can't catch me!

[KID 2] Yes, I can!

[dog barking]

I think I'm being stood up.

[VANESSA] Well, hello there, Lieutenant Hunter.

- -Huh? - -Who are you waiting for?

[RICK] Well, I, uh...

Do you have a date?

[RICK] Uh, well, maybe.

[VANESSA] Been waiting long?

No, I've only been here a couple of minutes.

Sure. Mm-hmm.

Is she really beautiful?

You bet.

Beautiful isn't the word.

Oh. Well, is she any prettier than we are?

[RICK] Huh? Mm...

It wouldn't be polite to make comparisons.

- -1 guess she's beautiful, then. - -[laughs]

Well, in that case, I'm not included.

[KIM] Oh, yes, you are.

We unattached girls gotta stick together.

[ROBOT] Paging Lieutenant Rick Hunter.

Paging Lieutenant Rick Hunter.

Message for Lieutenant Rick Hunter.

Are you Lieutenant Hunter?

[MAN] Not mine.

Hey, I'm Rick Hunter, over here!

[ROBOT] Thank you.

[GIRLS] Ahh...

[ROBOT] You have a telephone call,

- -Lieutenant Hunter. - -[RICK] All right, thank you.

[giggling]

Lieutenant Rick Hunter, here. Please go ahead.

I want to apologize.

[RICK] You said you'd be here by 1:00.

What's going on, Minmei?

Sammie, isn't her face familiar to you?

It's Minmei, the one who was crowned Miss Macross.

Well, it's just that my singing lesson

was set back an hour

and I'm afraid I'm not gonna make it.

You haven't had much time for me at all

since you won that contest and became a celebrity.

Does this mean you're gonna be taking

singing lessons every day, huh?

[MINMEI] I can't help it, Rick, I may have to.

Because now, they've decided

they wanna do a recording session with me.

It sounds like you're making a career

out of this thing, Minmei.

Minmei, we have more important things to do

than talk on the telephone. Now let's get started.

Rick, I really have to begin my rehearsal now. Goodbye.

[RICK] Wait. Uh... Uh...

Huh.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] Khyron's squadron

has now taken up its position.

All guns are aimed and ready.

He will commence firing in ten seconds.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,

five, four, three,

two, one, fire.

[LISA] Sir, the planet Pamir's been destroyed.

It looks like the enemy conducted

some kind of weapons test.

All systems on yellow alert, Claudia.

Yes, Captain. All systems have been set on yellow alert.

Set our barrier at max defense strength

and make sure all shields are up.

[alarm blaring]

- -[WOMAN] Oh! What is that? - -[screaming]

- -[MINMEI] Ohh! - -[PIANIST] Ahh!

Another bombardment approaching!

- - [MAN] Ohh! - -[WOMAN screams]

[PIANIST] Look out, Minmei, the piano!

Ohh!

Now you may proceed.

You will now move the destroyer into firing position.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER over radio] Destroyer aimed at enemy

radar tower as ordered.

- -[BREETAI] Huh? - -[EXEDORE] What?

Strange, Captain, the enemy ship

seems to be deliberately firing over our bow.

[GLOVAL] Hmm. I guess they're going to fire a warning shot

in hope of terrifying us.

Get them now!

[BREETAI] No!

We'll be hit, sir!

What?!

[alarm blaring]

[alarm blaring]

[PIANIST] Is it over yet?

[RICK whimpers]

I thought they had stopped firing.

[CLAUDIA groans]

What in the world was that, Lisa?

[gasps] Captain, my scope shows huge fragments

of the planet coming at us.

Captain, I've just received our radar report.

They say it will take at least five hours for us to pass

through the shower of meteorite fragments.

[GLOVAL] Mm-hmm. All right, Vanessa.

Let's look at it on the wide-range radar.

[VANESSA] Yes, sir.

Oh. Hmm. [gasps]

Oh!

The wide-range radar doesn't seem to be working, sir!

What?

[crackling]

[BREETAI] It's fortunate they were able to survive.

And it is with no thanks to Khyron.

He really went too far this time.

It's all right. It turned out for the best,

because now our next step will be easier.

Well, you may be right.

However, I am curious.

Will they continue to fight without radar?

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER over radio] Regult pods and Tarantulas,

move out.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] Point four in 10 mil.

Command sequence 3-5-0.

All assault units should be ready

and in position in 12 mil.

[BREETAI] Has the encoding been completed yet?

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] Just one moment.

Yes, sir, we're all done.

- -We can transmit anytime. - -Very well.

Once the mecha are positioned, send the message.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] Yes, sir.

[LISA] Oh, no. [gasps]

[CLAUDIA] That's Lieutenant Hunter's battleoid, isn't it?

And the smallest damage could prove to be fatal,

and while you might feel perfectly safe

gambling with our lives

when you're safe and sound at your control desk,

I'm not about to put my men in that kind of jeopardy.

- -[CLAUDIA] Lisa? - -Huh?

Lisa, are you all right?

I'm fine. I was just daydreaming, that's all.

[CLAUDIA] Hmm.

[LISA thinking] I have to admit, Rick was right.

[SAMMIE] Huh.

I can't make out this strange code.

Hey, Kim, I'm receiving

some kind of really weird transmission.

Probably a tele-signal from Earth Defense Headquarters

with a coded message for Captain Gloval.

[SAMMIE] But the source of the transmission

doesn't seem to be Earth.

What's the problem?

Oh, well, I'm receiving a communication,

but I'm not sure it's coming from Earth.

Well, Sammie, I suggest that we listen to it, then.

Yes, sir.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] In the name of

the Zentraedi forces, I order you to surrender.

The last attack on your ship

was a warning of what we will do.

You cannot escape.

If you wish to live, you must surrender at once!

It's a transmission from the aliens.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] We repeat, in the name of

the Zentraedi forces, I order you to surrender.

- -The last attack was only... - -Enough. Stop it.

[GLOVAL] I must admit they're truly amazing.

They destroy our radar and within minutes

speak to us in our own language.

[GLOVAL] I want you to keep

monitoring them constantly, Claudia.

What answer are we going to give them, Captain?

We'll just ignore their transmissions--

a reply isn't warranted.

Their threats are insulting!

[GLOVAL] Think, Henry, think.

But what do you think the aliens are going to do, sir?

It seems obvious to me that they will begin

a new offensive bombardment soon.

Lisa, you're going on recon duty.

I'll assign our VT cover squadron to escort you.

- -But, Captain-- - -Lisa!

[RICK] Ironic, isn't it, Commander,

that I was chosen to fly cover for you?

It really is.

But I think we can handle it.

[BREETAI] So they've taken the bait.

Now the move.

Attack now!

They're mounting a surprise attack against us.

[RICK on monitor] Ben, do not pursue.

Why not? Just let me at 'em.

Our mission is to guard the Cat's Eye.

Yes, sir.

[MAX] Lieutenant, I've got four enemy pods at four o'clock.

Roger. Ben, you stay and fly cover for the Cat's Eye.

Max and I'll take out the enemy pods.

[BEN] Ah, don't leave me behind, Lieutenant.

I'll be fine. All of you go.

I don't believe it's safe for you

without a guard, Commander Hayes.

I can protect myself, now move out.

I'm giving you a direct order.

Do you understand?

All right. Max, Ben, you follow me.

[beeping]

Captain, the Cat's Eye is beginning

to make its probe, sir.

And what do you detect?

Well, it's difficult to see

because of all the planetary fragments

that are still blocking our scanners, sir.

[LISA] Change coordinates.

Changing, Commander.

Hey, I think these characters

are really playing for keeps, Lieutenant.

Uh, do we have a battle plan for this sort of situation?

We're gonna pull back and resume our protection of the Cat's Eye.

I guess the worst is over.

[rapid beeping]

Wait a minute, that's too big to be a planetary fragment.

Huh?

Be careful.

[gasps]

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] The enemy recon vessel

has been hit by fragments.

All survivors are to be captured,

but none are to be harmed.

[RICK] Cat's Eye? Commander Hayes?

This is Vermillion Leader.

Please report your position.

Commander Hayes, report your position.

[LISA groans]

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] The enemy survivors

have been captured.

They are now being brought aboard

on the lower deck.

- -[zapping] - -[gasps]

Lieutenant Hunter, you mustn't worry about me.

You'd better get out of here now!

All right, Ben, let's try to hit them from below.

Lieutenant Hunter, it looks like

I'm almost completely out of ammunition.

[BEN] I'm running low too, sir.

Lieutenant Hunter, do you realize

you're disobeying my orders?

[RICK] This is no the time for protocol, Commander.

Watch out.

[ZENTRAEDI SOLDIER] Micronians have broken

into the lower deck holding area

and are attempting to rescue the captives.

[EXEDORE] Your Excellency, wait for me!

[MAX] Uh-oh. Looks like that's it

- -for my ammo, Lieutenant. - -[BEN] Me, too, sir.

[RICK] All right, I'll get Commander Hayes

and we'll make a break for it.

[BREETAI grunts]

[MAX] Commander Hayes, run! Fast!

[BREETAI groaning]

He's unbelievable.

Hey, Ben, fire your missiles at 12 o'clock.

- -[BEN] What for? - -[MAX] Never mind what for.

- -Just do it. - -[BEN] Okay.

[RICK] Lisa!

I've got you, Commander, hold on!

[BEN] Lieutenant, what do we do now?

[LISA] Try to burn through the airlock with your lasers.

But you'll have to do it quickly.

They'll return any second now.

All right, lieutenant, move it.

Yes, sir. Ma'am.

Do you think I could get down now?

You can admire me later.

[RICK] Oh, uh, y-yes, sure. There you go.

[BEN] Looks like our group leader

gets a little weak in the knees around Commander Hayes.

[MAX] I noticed.

Lieutenant Hunter, our lasers are overheating.

[RICK] All right, you and Ben change places.

See if that'll help.

[LISA] I just hope this works

and that we can get out of here alive.

[BREETAI yells]

[LISA] Look out, Rick!

[NARRATOR] Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes and Ben Dixon

are captured and brought before the supreme leader

of the Zentraedi civilization.

[NARRATOR] Helpless prisoners, they witness the awesome power

and destructive capability of their alien adversaries.

Be with us for "First Contact,"

the next thrilling episode of Robotech.

F