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Half a dozen and one wedge-shaped vessels, none smaller than one mile in length and one far larger than the others, fly in formation through the Solar System’s Asteroid Belt. A ragtag group of smaller vessels are arrayed against them. Standing on the bridge of the largest vessel, the Executor-class Star Dreadnought HIMS Palpatine’s Reach, the Imperial Admiral observes the flotilla. The vessels are already beginning to turn away from the Imperial forces.
“What is this rabble?” the Admiral asks.
An officer standing close to him responds, “From their haphazard collection of ships, I would guess that they are some kind of local militia or perhaps pirates or other renegades.”
“Well then, let’s show them the power of the Galactic Empire! Wipe them out, all of them!”
The Imperial craft begin to fire turbolasers, ion cannons and concussion missiles. Several vessels are immediately disabled or destroyed outright in the initial volley. Others last a moment longer due to their shields, but ultimately those shields fail and they are destroyed.
The admiral observes the carnage and then says, “Excellent work. Once we have brought this system into the Empire all pirates and other such scum will be eliminated. Send a message to our Secutors to contact us when they have located the SDF-1 Macross.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the asteroid field, the Macross has rendezvoused with a task force of Londo Bell ships. These include the Nahel Argama, the Ra Calium, the Hagane, the Hiryu Custom and several Clop-class light cruisers. Also present is the Treue Divine Crusaders vessel the Kurogane. Among them several mobile weapons have already been deployed, primarily acting as scouts and pickets around the main force. Included in these are a flight of Valkyrie Plus variable fighters from the Macross, in fighter mode. Suddenly they get a hit on their radar.
“Macross, this is unit 237, I’ve got a contact, please advise.”
“Your flight is instructed to investigate, but do not engage.”
“Roger.”
The four variable fighters of the flight accelerate towards the position indicated by their radar. Speeding among the planetoids of the Asteroid Belt, they proceed in a staggered formation. Then they spot them- grey orbs flanked by hexagonal wings. They have been briefed on the identity of these vessels, they are Imperial TIE Fighters.
The Valkyries break off and head back towards the SDF-1. However, the enemy fighters pursue them, firing their laser cannons.
“SDF-1 Macross, this is unit 237! We have enemy fighters in hot pursuit!”
On the bridge of the SDF-1 Macross Misa Hayase informs Captain Gloval, “We have a large force of enemy starfighters incoming! They are pursuing one of our patrol flights!”
Captain Gloval says “Signal Commodore Ondera on the Hagane that we have engaged the enemy and launch all variable fighters!”
A large force, mostly consisting of Valkyries flies towards the TIE Fighters. Among them is the Re-GZ, piloted by Kayra Su from the Ra Calium. The Re-GZ is using the Back Weapon System to act as a space fighter. She soon finds herself pursuing one of the TIEs. However, as she does so two more of them start chasing her! However they are soon intercepted by the Nu Gundam piloted by Amuro Ray, who quickly dispatches them with his Vulcan Guns.
“Thanks Amuro!” says Kayra Su.
“No problem,” responds Amuro.
Kayra fires a missile and it impacts the TIE Fighter, which is then destroyed in the explosion. The Re-GZ speeds on by, looking for another target.
Hikaru, Kakizaki and Max fire missiles at an incoming squadron. Three TIEs explode and then three more when they fire more missiles. The remaining fighters break off and the Valkyries face them down in a dog fight. The TIEs make quick maneuvers, up, down, left and right to try to evade their attacks. Max hits one with his lasers and it breaks apart. Then Hikaru shoots one down and finally Kakizaki. Then the remaining TIEs they are pursuing explode, as they are shot by incoming variable fighters- those of Skull Flight.
“Hey, guys a bit too slow, I guess?” asks Roy Focker as he flies by.
“We’ll get them all next time!” responds Hikaru.
Four Star Destroyers come into view. These Secutor-class vessels are delta-formed and longer and wider than the typical Star Destroyer. They open fire with their turbolasers, aiming at the allied forces. A Clop-class is hit by a barrage and is disabled.
On the bridge of the Hagane Commodore Tetsuya Ondera addresses the fleet, “Let the Hagane, Hiryu Kai and Kurogane move in the front position. We will protect the other vessels with our energy fields.”
“A fine suggestion, Commodore,” responds Ratsel Feinschmecker, in command of the Kurogane, “Move to protect our allied vessels,” he commands.
The Hiyru Kai and the two Space Noah-class vessels move to the front, blocking the enemy’s fire. Then Tetsuya sends an order to the ATX Team.
“Steel 1 to Assault 1, take your team and break through the enemy capital ships.”
“Roger, orders received Steel 1,” responds Kyosuke Nanbu, leader of the ATX Team. He pushes the Alteisen Riese, a red mech with a somewhat beetle-like horned head, to maximum acceleration and then says, “Assault 2-5 follow me, we’re attacking the enemy vessels!’ Then he fires his chain gun at the enemy fighter craft, taking out several. The Alteisen Riese’s partner mech, the Rein Weissritter follows behind, firing its triple beam cannon to support Kyosuke. Taking up the rear is the Grungust Type-3 piloted by Brooklyn “Bullet” Luckfield and co-piloted by Kusuha Mizuha. It fires missiles from its legs as it flies towards the enemy. Finally, Ariel Org in the Flickerei Geist fires its three barrel machine cannon.
However, for every TIE Fighter destroyed it seems like two more appear. The Personal Troopers try to weave through the laser fire, with the Alteisen Riese taking a few hits, but the Grungust is forced to just tank the attacks. It responds by blasting half a squadron with a sweeping solid eye laser attack, but the attacks keep coming. Soon even the armor of the mighty Grungust is starting to thin.
“Assault 1 to Assault 2-5, withdraw! Assault 1 to Steel 1, we cannot break through!”
Eita Nakamura, operator on the Hagane reports, “The enemy craft are too numerous! Our mobile weapons are not getting through!”
“We have to break through somehow! All ships, the Hagane will now deploy its Tronium Buster Cannon, please withdraw all mobile weapons from the line of fire!” says Commodore Ondera.
The Hagane turns its bow towards one of the enemy Star Destroyers.
“Bow Tronium Buster Cannon, transition to final sequence!” says Tetsuya.
“Distance estimation completed! FEB release, please proceed!” continues Eita.
“All allied units withdrawal from the line of fire confirmed!” says Operator Azuki Sawa.
At the Captain’s station a trigger pops up, Eita says, “Ten seconds to fire!”
The two yellow bulbs on the bow of the ship begin to glow and Tetsuya says, “Voltage Boost Beam Capacitor, release! Final safety mechanism disarm!”
The spheres begin to emit a discharge and shutters begin to close on all the windows.
“All hands, brace for impact and deploy anti-glare measures! Five seconds to fire! 3! 2! 1!”
Tetsuya fires the trigger, exclaiming “fire!” The beam launches towards its target, with more discharges around it. It impacts the enemy ship, tearing it nearly in two. The larger fragment of the ship then explodes. The remaining vessels begin to turn and the storm of enemy fighters begins to subside. The Valkyries harry them, while the other mobile weapons regroup to guard the motherships.
Captain Global addresses the allied force, “We will not pursue, repeat, do not pursue.”
The mobile weapons all return to their motherships. Soon, Galactic Alliance and Starfleet vessels join them. The commanders of each force, plus Ratsel from the Kurogane meet on the Viscount-class vessel Nautilian. They gather in a white-walled conference room with a view of the rest of the allied forces.
Newly minted acting Commodore Jones of Starfleet begins, “Well, we’re glad to have help from your forces with this matter.”
“Frankly, it is clear to me that if these renegades seize the Macross there will be no telling how much damage they could do. That alone is reason for us to do this,” responds Admiral Nantz.
“Fair enough, it is not like we want to lose the Macross either,” says Commodore Tetsuya.
“In any case we must determine how we want to approach this battle. The Nautilian clearly has enough power to defend against the enemy’s primary vessel, but the other vessels make it slightly more of a toss-up. I recommend we decide on what tactics we will use against them.” advises Major Feinschmecker.
“‘Get there first, with the most’ has always appealed to me,” responds Admiral Nantz.
“Unfortunately numerical superiority is not within our grasp. We must take stock of the forces available to us, and make a plan based on those factors.” responds Commodore Stevens.
Tetuya speaks up, “ It seems to me that we have a solution right in front of us. The thing that can give us victory is the very thing that the enemy seeks- the SDF-1 Macross.”
“An excellent idea Tetsuya. Captain Daitetsu would be impressed,” says Ratsel.
“An intriguing idea. I’m not sure exactly what will happen if the Macross Cannon hits a Super Star Destroyer, but it should weaken it at least,” says Nantz.
“That seems to be a wise strategy, but it will take time for the Macross to get into position and then transform. We need to make sure the enemy’s weapons do not overwhelm the Macross’s defenses,” says Commodore Stevens.
“The Nautilian can do it. The Viscount class was specifically designed to go head-to-head with vessels like the enemy command ship. It’ll keep the enemy’s fire off the Macross.”
“Well that sounds like a plan then,“ Tetsuya finishes.
The four officers return to their post. The allied force moves to intercept the enemy squadron.