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On the bridge of the Executor-class Star Dreadnought Palpatine’s Reach, the Admiral in command of the renegade Imperial squadron invading the Solar System awaits the report from the task group sent to locate the SDF-1 Macross. As he surveys the nearby asteroids he receives a report from one of his officers.
“Sir, we have received a report from the task group. They have confirmed the position of the SDF-1 Macross, but they lost a ship, however.”
“They lost a ship? A Secutor-class Star Destroyer, lost to such rabble? How could this have happened?”
“It appears that one of the enemy vessels has an extremely powerful weapon. It was the Tronium Buster Cannon of the Space Noah-class frigate Hagane. We had no intelligence suggesting the weapon was that powerful.”
“We did know that they had advanced alien technology, however. If the commander survived, I will have words for him. Well, we won’t underestimate them again!”
Then a communications officer walks over saluting, “Sir, we have a report from our reinforcements. They have just dropped out of hyperspace.”
“Excellent, there will be no one to stop us this time.”
Meanwhile, the mixed Galactic Alliance, Londo Bell and Starfleet flotilla closes in on their target.
Aboard the Hiyru Kai the ATX Team mobile weapons are being repaired. However, the Grungust Type-3 is behind schedule due to the extensive damage it took from the laser cannons of the enemy TIEs.
“I’m sorry Lieutenant Nanbu,” says a maintenance officer, “but there is no way to have the Type-3 operational before the operation.”
“What about the component machines, can you get the G-Bison or G-Raptor operational?”
Maybe one or the other, but not both.”
“In that case, focus on the G-Raptor and then prepare the reserve Huckebein Mk II for combat. Equip it with the Shishioh Blade”
“Yes sir, lieutenant!”
Kyosuke goes to report to Captain Lefina Enfield of the Hiyru Kai. As she enters the bridge he says, “Lieutenant Kyosuke Nanbu, reporting.”
“At ease Lieutenant,” Captain Enfield, a young woman with orange hair and a captain uniform, including a large white and blue hat responds, “How are the repairs on our mobile weapons coming?”
“Except for the Grungust Type 3 they are going well. Unfortunately, we are going to have to use the G-Raptor without the G-Bison. We are preparing the mass-production Huckebein for use by Bullet.”
“Its too bad we will be unable to use the Grungust in the coming battle. Please keep working to prepare the rest of our mobile weapons for combat.”
“Yes, Captain,” says Kyosuke before returning to the hangar.
Meanwhile, back at the hangar Bullet is helping with the reconfiguration of the Huckebein Mk II. He sees Excellen drifting up towards the cockpit.
“Feeling nostalgic, Bullet? “ she asks as she lands on the personal trooper.
“What? Oh, about the Mk II. I guess a little, it's been a while since I piloted a Huckebein.”
“Too bad this isn’t a super fancy prototype though.”
“It’ll get the job done, I’m sure.”
Then Kyosuke reenters the hangar and sees Excellen with Bullet.
“Excellen! Is the Rein Weissritter ready?”
“”Uh-oh, Kyosuke!” she says as she turns to see him.
“Hey, Kysouke! Weissy is all ready for battle!”
“Alright, you can come and help me with the Alteisen Riese then.”
“What? Hey, Kysouke!” she says as she starts after him.
After a few minutes, Kusuha Mizuha comes by, saying “How is it going, Bullet?”
“Kusuha! It is going well, the Huckebein is pretty familiar to me after all!”
“I’ll be using the G-Raptor in your place, it's almost ready for combat.”
“It’s just too bad that we cannot use the Grungust, this enemy will be tough to beat.”
“Well, I’ll be with you, so don't worry.”
“I am not worried, I know you have my back.”
Ariel Org was elsewhere in the hangar, standing nearby her Flickerei Geist, not far from where Lamia Loveless is working on her Angelg. Lamia sees her and gives a small wave and Ariel waves back.
Soon enough, all of the mobile weapons are ready, and the allied flotilla detects the massive Executor-class Star Dreadnought and its task force.
The lighter forces of the flotilla are in front, with the Agave-class and Warrior-class vessels from the Galactic Alliance in a sort of V-shape in front, and then the Sabre-class vessels of Starfleet and finally Londo Bell’s Clop-class vessels. The Clop-class vessels launch their L-Type Jegan teams, each equipped with Speculum Striker Packs equipped with rocket pods for anti-fighter use. Soon these vessels and the mobile suits are fighting TIE Fighters, but pretty soon begin to turn away and break off to avoid fire from the enemy fleet.
Back at the fleet’s battle line the Hiyru Kai is in the middle, flanked by the Space Noah-class vessels Hagane and Kurogane. Immediately behind them are the Ra Calium and the Nahel Argama. A Jupiter-class carrier is next to the Hagane and a Galaxy X-class dreadnought is next to the Kurogane. In the wings are a mix of Akira-class heavy cruisers, Prometheus-class escorts, MC140 Scythe-class battlecruisers and Nebula-class Star Destroyers. Then, in the rear is the mighty Viscount-class Star Defender, protecting the SDF-1 Macross.
Facing them are six Imperial-class Star Destroyers flanked by a single Secutor-class on one side and two on the other. Behind them all is the Star Dreadnought. The allied fleet closes in on the enemy fleet and both sides open fire on the other. An Akira-class explodes in a ball of flame and a Nebula-class is struck by ion cannons and ceases firing its disabled weapons.
Captain Gloval on the SDF-1 Macross observes the scene and then says, “Our allies can’t face off against that Super Star Destroyer forever! Prepare to fire the Macross Cannon!”
However, as the Macross begins transforming they detect an incoming vessel! “Captain, we’ve got a major contact! Not as big as the Executor-class, but way bigger than us! It's firing!”
“All hands brace for impact!" Captain Gloval responds.
The new contact, a Praetor II-class Star Battlcruiser, fires its primary weapons at the Macross. The Nautilan moves to intercept, but it is too late. The Macross is hit by both ion cannon and turbolaser fire. It halts mid-transformation. The Nautilian blocks any further fire, but the damage is done and the Macross cannon cannot be used.
“Wait a minute,” says Admiral Nantz, “Those markings, those are of vessels assigned to the Milky Way Galaxy under Grand Admiral Thrawn! Has he turned against us?”
An officer on the Palpatine’s Reach reports, “Sir, our reinforcements have arrived!”
“Excellent, we will eliminate these Rebels and their provincial allies easily with this force.”
Behind the Praetor there are a handful of other warships, including an Acclamator I-class assault ship, a Victory I-class Star Destroyer and two Victory II-class Star Destroyers. None of them much of a threat to the Nautilian, but potentially to the Macross. These vessels are on the other side of the Praetor to the Star Defender and are therefore shielded from its weaponry. The Acclamator releases a large number of stormtrooper transports that head towards the Macross.
“They are going after the Macross!” says Admiral Bright Noa aboard the Ra Calium, “Deploy oir mobile suit teams to intercept them!”
Aboard the Hagane, Tetsuya Ondera takes stock of the forces available to him in order to best counter the enemy’s attack and says “ATX Team! Aid the Ra Calium forces in taking down those transports!”
The ATX Team, Nu Gundam, Re-GZ and Jestas are directed towards the Acclamator and are joined by the Galactic Alliance’s Rogue Squadron. The Nu Gundam, launches its fin funnels. However, Amuro is able to detect each being shot down. “They’ve got some kind of weapon that can take out my fin funnels. Can anybody tell what they are?”
On the bridge of the Nautilain a senior officer detects the sensor profile of a ship that is rarely seen. He focuses the sensors on them and confirms the result, “We have detected enemy Missile Boats.
“Missile Boats? Those were designed by Grand Admiral Thrawn… Order Rogue Squadron to intercept the Missile Boats, but make sure they know what they are getting into.”
Rogue Leader, a Duros named Lensi tells his pilots, “Alright Rogue Squadron, we’re up against Missile Boats. These will have at least forty concussion missiles, minus what they have already used. They also have a SLAM system and possibly a beam weapon. They are very fast and will get a missile lock if you are not careful, so make sure that you are. The Force be with you!”
“ATX Teams and Ra Calium teams, this is Rogue Leader. We’ll take care of those Missile Boats, so keep on those transports!”
“Right, Rogue Leader. Let’s go ATX Team,” says Kyosuke as his Alteisen Riese approaches one of the transports. It actually doubles back to target the Alteisen and fires proton torpedoes! The torpedoes streak through space and Kyosuke fires his autocannon in an attempt to shoot them down. He gets one, but the other impacts and explodes. The Personal Trooper is is rocked back by the explosion but its armor remains intact!
“Watch out team! These things can hit back hard.” He then commences his counterattack. He rushes forward, saying “This isn’t an advanced weapon, but that's just fine!” He then lifts his mecha’s arm and with a cry of “Bunker! Goooo!” He activates the Revolver Bunker, a massive pile driver that pierces through the transport. He activates the Bunker again and yet gain, before breaking off as the thing explodes.
The Rein Weissritter fires its B-type Howling Rifle at the transports. One transport is shot down, then another. However, the Personal Trooper is then intercepted by two TIE/ins that fire concussion missiles at it. The Rein quickly rushes to avoid the enemy missiles, firing its beam cannon. Then the Weissritter quickly flies up and then down , hitting one and then spirals back and blasts the other.
When the Huckebein moves to close on a transport a strange machine moves to block his path. It is slightly smaller than his machine and colored mostly white. It carries a large handheld version of the laser cannons used on the TIE Fighters, which it opens fire with, Bullet dodges the attacks and bears his Shisioh Blade. The other mobile weapon draws a scaled up vibrosaber and closes the distance.
The two mecha clash with their blades, though the larger Huckebein soon pushes the enemy back. They each attempt to slash the other, but each strike is blocked. Then Bullet notices two more of the machines lining up shots…
Then the G-Raptor flies besides the Huckebein and fires its eye solid laser at one of the enemies and then fires split missiles at both of them. With this distraction, Bullet is able to penetrate the enemy’s defenses and with a slash cleaves it in two. Then Bullet senses a familar presence- coming from another newly arrived Imperial vessel with three more Imperial Star Destroyers!
A signal reaches the Nautilan from the newcomer and Admiral Nantz orders the channel to be opened.
“Admiral Nantz, this is Grand Admiral Thrawn,” at the sound of the name of their apparent enemy a chill comes over the bridge, “I must ask that you do not attack my forces. We are here to aid you.”
“So then, I suppose these vessels with your markings are turncoats from your forces?”
“Precisely, Admiral. Furthermore, I have been to Earth and picked up a powerful weapon of your Earth Federation allies. If you would have pilots Brooklyn Luckfield and Kuzuha Mizuha come to my command ship.”
“I don’t remotely trust you Thrawn, I know your current allegiances are merely a means to an end. However, I will advise our allied forces that you are an ally and pass on your request to the pilots’ superior officer.”
Soon the G-Raptor and Huckebein land on Thrawn’s Bellator-class Star Dreadnought. In the hangar, a familiar figure stands- the mighty figure of the RyuKoOh!