Original subtitles

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[NARRATOR] In our last episode,

Captain Gloval ordered his troops

to accompany Breetai on a unique mission.

They were to persuade the remaining Zentraedi,

stationed at a remote Robotech factory,

to join them in their quest for freedom.

The mission did not turn out exactly as planned.

[WOMAN over radio] Transport UN, you are cleared to land

at vector pad 17.

Reverse thrusters at my count, over.

[PILOT] Roger, Tower. Awaiting your count.

Cleared to pad 17.

[WOMAN over radio] On my count.

Five, four, three,

two, one.

Shutdown.

Welcome to the Robotech factory.

You are cleared to disembark your passengers.

[NARRATOR] Admiral Gloval is well aware

of the Robotech factory's capability

to manufacture desperately needed weapons.

For the people of Earth, these weapons spell

the difference between survival and destruction.

[COMPUTER VOICE] Make ready units 152 to 158

for protobolt adjustments and laser-bond processes.

Units 159 to 165 are on line

for radio-krypto equipment encoding.

[NARRATOR] Although the initial presentations

at Admiral Gloval's inspection tour have gone well,

the results of the damage

inflicted by the previous Zentraedi attacks

soon become evident.

[COMPUTER VOICE] Warning: Shutdown.

Warning: Damage.

[WORKER] Side trace computer

and go to manual Protoculture shutdown.

[NARRATOR] The Robotech equipment is down again.

Although uninterrupted production

of the defensive units would not ensure safety

against inevitable attack,

the situation, as it stands now,

is desperate.

[WORKER] Status report on the way, sir.

We'll be right here.

[MANAGER] Maintenance to process center at once.

[EXEDORE] How are you, sir?

Not as well as I was hoping.

When can you start operating again?

I'm afraid the situation is worse than first thought.

We may be down permanently.

Are you sure the reports are accurate, Exedore?

[EXEDORE] Mm-hmm.

[CLAUDIA gasps]

Our defense depends on continued operation.

[GLOVAL] Never mind.

Do whatever you can, and do it quickly.

Carry on.

[NARRATOR] In the meantime,

20 light years away...

[YOUNG ZOR 1] I think that the best plan

is to completely educate

another deprivation tank tissue

so that by the time we get it to Earth,

it will appear a Micronian.

Why do you think this clone

will be different than the others

that have been generated and failed?

[YOUNG ZOR 1] Such insolence!

Have you forgotten the basic matrix generation process

and our time requirement?

We must begin programming the tissue now

so that if there is a failure,

we can try again with the remaining tissues.

After all, there are only 14 remaining in the tank,

and how many of us do you think will survive the trip to Earth?

It is my judgment that we proceed.

[YOUNG ZOR 2] All right, but one more thing.

Why don't we check the matrix figures

on the remaining Protoculture?

But why? They've been rechecked.

We don't even have enough to make the hyperspace jump

to Earth's solar system.

[YOUNG ZOR 3] Hmmm, if that is correct,

then we have no choice

but to proceed with your new plan.

So then, we begin the trip under impulse power

and rely on the cell tissue to complete our mission.

Yes, because that is the only chance

of regaining the control of the Protoculture.

After all, look at what is left of their culture.

Observe and survey the remnants

of their once great civilizations.

We must have the Protoculture furnace

if it has not been destroyed.

Then we will have what we need to control the entire universe.

So, even if it takes 20 years

and the last developing clone from our tank,

we have no choice but to proceed.

I can see no other solution.

So, if there is nothing further...

Old Council is with you.

We acknowledge your wisdom

and appreciate the generosity of your support, Elder.

And we want you to know

that it's out of loyalty to you and our forefathers

that we have decided thus.

We understand the importance this mission holds,

not only for ourselves, but for all intelligent life.

Proceed with your plan then,

but know there can be no margin for error

without grave consequences.

The future of all cultures, including ours,

is in your hands.

[NARRATOR] Meanwhile, the quest for peace on Earth

becomes more desperate.

[WOMAN over radio] Veritech Squadron Leader,

we have a disturbance in New Detroit City.

- -Can you respond? - -[RICK] Roger, Control.

We're approximately three minutes ETA,

New Detroit City.

Listen up, we're on alert.

Hit your afterburners and follow my lead.

[RICK] Well, here we go again.

[NARRATOR] With the Veritech fighters

on the way to handle a seemingly routine disturbance,

the severity and magnitude of the chaos in New Detroit City

continues to increase moment by moment.

[WORKER] Th-They've stolen the Protoculture chamber.

Stop them.

[GIANT 1] Hurry up. Move it, move it!

[DRIVER 1] I'm driving as fast as I can!

[GIANT 2] Oh, oh.

Quick hit the laser-sentry posts.

[GIANT 3] Right away!

[MAN] Run for your life!

[GIANT 2] Keep shooting at anything that moves.

- -[GIANT 1 laughing] - -[GIANT 3] We're home free now!

[RICK] We're over the disturbance now, Control.

I see them.

Left Wing, go in low and give 'em a warning.

[PILOT] Roger.

Okay, men, let's go!

[GIANT 1] Hey, we've got fighters on our tail.

Heads up!

[GIANT 3] They're in my sights!

[RICK] Left Wing, knock the gunner

off the lead unit immediately!

[PILOT] Roger. Going in low.

[GIANT 1] Watch out!

That one's going to hit us. Shoot him!

[GIANT 1] Hold it! Stop the vehicle!

[DRIVER 1] Be careful up there!

[GIANT 1] Hold on. Watch the road.

[RICK] Don't move or you'll be destroyed.

[RICK] It's useless to resist.

You're completely surrounded.

You must understand that what you've done

is unacceptable behavior by human standards

and that you will be punished.

Move aside. We will now secure the Protoculture chamber.

[NARRATOR] In the ice and snow further north,

Khyron's ships have landed

and are hiding from the remaining free-Earth forces.

Outside, the aliens prepare for battle,

while inside the main ship...

Idiot. Your feeble plan has failed us again.

[GREL] I'm sorry, sir, but they failed to eliminate

the communications center and the Veritechs.

Enough, Grel!

Our soldiers couldn't even defend themselves.

[GREL] But, sir, if you'd only listen to--

Shut up, Grel.

Your leadership ability

has been getting worse and worse every day.

- -Well, I wouldn't exactly say-- - -[KHYRON] Ha!

Do not interrupt. I say that you should have had no trouble

in capturing the Protoculture chamber.

Look, it might appear as though this is my fault,

but the truth of the matter is that our power--

Enough! I don't want to hear one more excuse out of you.

Stop arguing, Azonia.

Grel, I want you to listen. Understand me?

[GREL] Sir, I'm listening.

Excellent! Because my reputation is at stake here,

and I need that Protoculture chamber to save face.

And if I don't get it, I shan't spare yours.

You understand me? Now, get out of here!

- -Yes, sir. - -Now, Grel.

[GREL] Yes, sir. I'm going.

[AZONIA] Tell me confidentially, Khyron,

do you really think he can handle it?

I certainly hope, for our sakes, that this time

he is able to do exactly what I told him to.

You know how to handle your soldiers, Khyron--

[KHYRON] Stop it, Azonia.

Now, listen. There is something I couldn't tell Grel,

but that I'm going to tell you.

I'm going after that Protoculture machine myself.

I can't count on him to do it.

I want you to stay here and take command while I am gone.

Hmm. This is starting to get good.

[RICK] That's it. That's it.

Just a little more, and we're fine.

[CROWD mumbling]

[RICK] Fine, fine.

Keep it coming... Slowly now.

Easy... Easy...

Now, bring it down.

Okay, good, good.

Perfect, perfect, just a little more now.

[RICK] Huh?

It's Minmei!

[MAYOR] Oh, look, Minmei.

Isn't that your friend, Captain Hunter?

Yes, it is.

[MAYOR] Excuse me, Captain Hunter, I'm the Mayor.

Is anything the matter?

[RICK] Yes, sir, there is.

May I be of any assistance?

[RICK] Yes, sir. Thank you.

I need you to provide security for this machine.

I can't do that.

The reason being that most of the population here

is Zentraedi, as you can see.

I'm afraid that this machine, as you call it,

would only create dissent here among the people.

We all know what it's for.

Yes, I'm sure you do know

what this particular machine is for, sir.

And that's just one reason why I need your help in this.

This Protoculture chamber must be properly protected.

[MAYOR] Mm-hmm.

There are always those who will misuse power

if given the chance,

and the power this chamber holds

could be very dangerous in the wrong hands.

[CROWD clamoring]

[MAYOR] See my problem, Captain?

I know that the last thing you want

is trouble here in New Detroit, Mr. Mayor,

but there's one thing that remains clear.

Misuse of the chamber would be disastrous.

[MAYOR] But what can I do?

We must all cooperate

to protect the Protoculture chamber.

You must do your part.

[KYLE] Then tell all the facts.

[RICK] Military business, Kyle.

Don't interrupt us.

This isn't just military business.

It's everyone's, Captain,

because you're talking about

is the Zentraedi's right to change back into giants

whenever they want.

You've got to be kidding.

If you think I'm kidding, you're a bigger fool

than I ever dreamed possible, Captain.

And I'm sure that most of the people in this city

would agree with me on this.

- -Isn't that right? - -[CROWD] Yeah!

[MINMEI] Get out of here, Rick,

before there's trouble.

[KYLE] See what I'm saying?

[RICK] Oh, Minmei!

[KYLE] Well, do you?

[KYLE] So, he's still in love with her.

[KYLE] Hmph! Listen now!

When they take away your right to use the Protoculture chamber,

it's the first step toward martial law.

This Protoculture chamber should be controlled

by the citizens of this city.

- -[MAN 1] You tell 'em, Kyle! - -[WOMAN] That's right.

This is our city.

[MAN 2] You'd better listen to us right now!

[GIANT 1] Hey, why don't you climb back into your plane

and get out of here while you still can.

Listen to me, please! Thank you.

Now isn't it better to have this machine

secure from people who would use it against you

than to endanger the whole city--

All of your lies are making me sick to my stomach!

Go on now. Get out of here!

[WOMAN] We don't want help from your kind anyway!

We're not going to take this anymore!

[MAYOR] You see, these people mean business, Captain.

I've heard enough, okay?

This is a piece of military hardware,

and I've been ordered to make sure

it doesn't fall into the wrong hands,

and I fully intend on carrying out my orders, understand?

[GIANT 1] Oh, yeah?

[GIANT 2] We'll see about that.

This is your last warning.

Leave here now!

[CROWD chanting] Leave here now! Leave here now!

Leave here now!

[MAYOR] Please, Captain, you have to go.

[CROWD continues chanting] Leave here now! Leave here now!

[MINMEI] Oh, Kyle, how could you do this to me?

Rick. Oh, Rick. Rick!

[NARRATOR] Khyron's soldiers gather

for the attack orders that spell doom for New Detroit.

[KHYRON] Listen to me. We are the last true Zentraedi.

We must capture the Protoculture chamber.

No sacrifice can be considered too great.

We shall succeed. Follow me!

[NARRATOR] Later that day,

inside New Detroit City's exposition center,

the Protoculture chamber

is placed carefully in its new home.

[WORKER] Gently...

That's it, good job!

[MAYOR] Hmm. Will it be safe?

- -[KYLE] Huh? - -Nothing.

Is something bothering you, Mr. Mayor?

It's just-- Well, I was just thinking

about the consequences of having the chamber here

should we be attacked.

I only hope we did the right thing.

A lot of friendly Zentraedi citizens live here.

They'd help us, you know.

I hope you're right.

[KYLE] Don't worry, we did the right thing

and the people appreciate it.

And besides, this Protoculture chamber

rightfully belongs to the Zentraedi people.

[clears throat]

[KYLE] There's nothing to worry about.

- -Trust me. - -[MAYOR] Yeah.

[RICK] Go ahead, Left Wing.

[PILOT] Sir, it's bothering me.

All that power...

Leaving it here and-- Never mind.

No, please, speak freely, okay?

Well, I just hate to see

a bunch of innocent people get hurt

because of some harebrained troublemaker.

Yeah, so do I.

[KHYRON] Remember our mission.

Fight to the end.

Find the Protoculture chamber.

For, no matter what the sacrifice,

it's for a greater cause than life itself.

[MAYOR] Yes, you're right.

A Minmei concert

promoting goodwill and brotherhood in our city

would be great.

Well? Well, Minmei?

Of course, she'll do it.

The whole city will want to come see the show.

By the way, we seat 3,000 here.

And wait till you see our lighting system.

Open the curtain, Pops, and hit the main spots.

[POPS] Sure thing, Mr. Mayor.

Pssst. Hey, Minmei.

What seems to be the problem today, anyway?

You're going to upset the Mayor.

I just don't feel like singing.

And why not?

'Cause I don't feel this place is safe

with the Protoculture chamber here

and because of what you did to Captain Hunter.

He did save my life, you know.

You make it sound like it's a lot more than that, Minmei.

Well, you asked me, so I told you.

Well, I just wish you weren't so upset, that's all.

We're in no danger here,

and it didn't hurt your fly-boy to have his feathers ruffled.

[POPS] Okay, Mr. Mayor, ready or not.

[MAYOR] Yeah, how about that?

I think the whole place looks great, sir.

- -[MAYOR] Why, thank you. - -[rumbling]

[MINMEI, KYLE scream]

[POPS] What's that?

Sounded like an explosion to me.

[rumbling]

[KYLE] Quick, let's get outside.

[MAYOR] I'm afraid our worst fears

have come to pass.

- -[MINMEI] Look! - -[MAYOR] Yeah...

[MAN] Run, run for your lives!

[MAN screaming]

[MINMEI screaming]

[NARRATOR] In the SDF-1 Conference Center,

unaware of the alien attack in New Detroit...

[RICK] And we had no choice but to leave, sir.

[GLOVAL] Hmm. I want to commend you

for using good judgment in a very difficult situation.

Exedore?

I have finished my research on the relationship

between Protoculture and the Zentraedi.

They were developed by the Robotech Masters

for the sole purpose of fighting.

You're saying that other beings created our race

through Protoculture?

Uh... Mm-hmm. That's correct.

It is as I thought.

Correct me if I'm wrong, Exedore.

Over 500,000 years ago,

that race discovered and developed Protoculture.

It was extremely proud

of its advanced and powerful civilization.

Just after discovering Robotechnology,

they decided to develop an intergalactic police force

to protect themselves from any hostile alien lifeforms.

Through proto-genetic engineering,

a race of giants was created

solely for the purpose of fighting

to keep the peace.

[EXEDORE] But the newly created race of giants

had ideas of their own.

Incorrect programming,

combined with their physical size,

proved to be a problem.

[GLOVAL] Soon they began fighting among themselves,

but then they realized they were so superior physically

compared to their creators,

that nothing could stand in their way.

If they had been originally programmed

with feelings and emotions,

such as love, trust, and empathy,

the fighting and destruction that ensued

would probably not have taken place.

So the great Robotech civilization collapsed,

caught in the crossfire of the fighting giants

they had created.

And those giants evolved into the Zentraedi.

[EXEDORE] Excellent, Admiral.

[GLOVAL] Thank you, Exedore.

And now if there are no questions,

let's go on to the next piece of business.

I'm getting high reflexactivity readings.

Soon I will have that Protoculture chamber.

All Battlepods converge on my signal immediately.

[explosions]

[MINMEI screaming]

[KYLE] What have I done?

What have I done?

[MAN over radio] They've over-run our position,

and they're heading your way.

[MAYOR] This could be it.

[MAN shudders]

Oh, we've lost the Protoculture chamber!

[EXEDORE] Before we go on, Admiral Gloval,

I think there should be some discussion.

I, for one, am quite impressed

that you know so much about our race.

[MIRIYA] I have a question.

Are the people of Earth Protocultured?

From what we have learned, I would say probably not.

Well, then, Exedore, can you explain

why our genetic structures are identical?

A coincidence of genetic engineering.

- -[IMAX] Huh? - -[GLOVAL] Please explain.

[EXEDORE] Proto-genetic engineering

may have had an influence on your predecessors,

but they were definitely not Protocultured.

A coincidence? Exedore, the odds on that

are a trillion-billion to one!

Phew!

Well, Commander,

the odds of our coexisting together,

they might be even greater.

So the truth is,

although our races are similar, they are not the same.

My race was Protoculturally devoid of everything

but the genetically engineered desire to fight.

My people evolved as toys for our creators,

the Robotech Masters,

toys of destruction.

[NARRATOR] Regardless of all the talk of battle,

the SDF-1 remains virtually a useless shell,

following its last great battle to defeat Dolza's armada.

[RICK] "A toy of destruction,"

that's what he called himself.

[LISA] Yes.

Genetically programmed for fighting.

It's pretty sad.

If you ask me, it sounds a lot like us.

[RICK] Hmm?

Aren't we always fighting?

Oh, come on, Lisa, that's not fair.

I wasn't trying to be.

- -Just making a point. - -Oh?

[CLAUDIA] Rick, Lisa! Oh, I'm glad I found you two.

[LISA] What's going on?

Zentraedi warships attacked New Detroit.

When was it?

[CLAUDIA] Their communication signal

was lost about 10 minutes ago,

and their phone lines were cut.

One of our recon ships spotted the fighting.

[LISA] Rick, it's not your fault.

- -No! - -[LISA] Don't blame yourself.

You know, I knew something terrible like this

was going to happen.

[MAN over radio] Skull Leader, you are cleared for takeoff.

[EXEDORE] I'd say the chances are that,

no matter how much they are exposed to humans,

the Zentraedis are still a war-loving race.

Yes, but many of your people

have discovered an entirely different kind of life

here on Earth, Exedore.

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

Admiral Gloval is right.

Many of your people supported peace from the start,

and most still do.

I agree that many want it.

It's just that I now worry about those who still want to fight.

You understand, don't you, Admiral?

[GLOVAL] Mmm, yes.

[EXEDORE] Doesn't it seem strange that no matter how far

even superior civilizations have progressed,

there never seems to be a solution

to the problem of war?

[GLOVAL] How true.

That applies to humans too.

In fact, no species in the cosmos

has ever turned its back on war.

Yes, regrettably, I have to agree,

as much as I wish it were not so.

[RICK] I can't believe that this has happened.

It was my responsibility.

It was my job to secure the Protoculture chamber,

but I let Kyle and those people influence me, and now...

Look at this! If I had only followed orders,

this would never have happened.

[NARRATOR] While Rick and the Veritech squadron

survey the damage and begin searching

for the stolen Protoculture chamber,

a human drama takes on greater significance

in the rubble below.

- -[KYLE] Come on. - -[car engine stalling]

[MINMEI] Hurry, Kyle, they could be coming back.

[KYLE] I'm doing the best I can.

You crummy, no-good pile of junk!

[MINMEI] Why did I let Kyle do that to Rick?

I could have stopped him,

and none of this would have happened.

And now look at the mess we're in.

If I had just helped Rick when he--

All right! Ah-ha!

Come on, Minmei, hurry up and get in.

Minmei? Minmei, I said get in.

Now, hurry up, Minmei. Come on, let's go.

[NARRATOR] Khyron has taken the Protoculture chamber

back to his command ship.

The lines of Zentraedi grow longer and longer,

minute by minute,

as they wait to be converted back

into the giant fighting warriors they once were.

As each newly sized Zentraedi steps from the chamber,

and as his army grows larger and larger,

Khyron celebrates.

[laughs]

Now that I've got the chamber back,

I'll rebuild my army and crush them all, ha!

[laughing continues]

[MINMEI] Okay, I'm getting in.

Huh?

Minmei!

Here, hold this.

[MINMEI] Look!

Kyle, please don't leave yet. It's Rick!

[KYLE] We're late now!

[RICK] Hello. Hey, wait a minute.

It's me! Wait!

Minmei.

[KYLE] Turn around, Minmei!

Goodbye, Rick.

[RICK] Wonder why they didn't stop?

[RICK] I just hope she'll be safe

with all the fighting going on down there.

When will all of this be over?

[EXEDORE] No species ever turned its back on war.

[GLOVAL] The odds of our coexisting,

they might be even greater.

[EXEDORE] My race was Protoculturally

void of everything except the desire to fight.

[EXEDORE] We were developed as toys for our creators,

the Robotech Masters.

We are toys of destruction.

[NARRATOR] Next time on Robotech,

Khyron succeeds in capturing Minmei and Kyle.

He uses them in a plot to gain control of the SDF-1.

The mission to rescue Earth's most honored celebrities

becomes near pandemonium.

Be sure to watch next time for "Broken Heart,"

the latest chapter in the amazing saga of Robotech.

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