Chapter 53: Macross – Street Battle
Lynn Minmay, who had just survived a brush with death, clung tightly to Monty Hill's arm, unwilling to let go, and, like the others, she broke down crying.
Monty Hill could only hold her in his arms, silently patting her back to comfort her.
In the end, following the suggestion of those who had come to their rescue, everyone decided to head together to the shelter.
Lynn Minmay's uncle's family immediately began hurriedly packing up whatever they could still carry from the first floor.
Meanwhile, Major Roy Focker's Skull Squadron had already taken down most of the Zentraedi fighters and Battle Pods, preparing to return to base for now.
Major Focker opened his communicator and said:
"Skull Leader to all units, Skull Leader to all units. The enemy aerial forces have been repelled. Preparing to return."
On the bridge of the SDF-1 Macross, Misa Hayase replied, "Acknowledged, Major."
At that moment, Roy's girlfriend, Claudia LaSalle, came rushing out and began playfully teasing him.
"How many enemy planes did you shoot down this time?"
"Ten."
"Just so-so."
"Well, it's been two years since we last fought a war. Anyway, do you know the whereabouts of VT-102?"
Misa Hayase answered:
"VT-102 was forced to land in the city earlier."
"Really? That's great."
"Why? Is there something about VT-102?"
"I'll explain later. Closing transmission."
Major Focker shut down the comms with the Macross and spoke to the rest of Skull Squadron.
"Skull Leader to all fighters. You return to the Macross first—I've got something to take care of before I come back."
With that, Major Focker piloted his VF-1S Valkyrie toward the city center where Hikaru Ichijyo was.
Before long, he located Hikaru's orange VF-1 Valkyrie and hailed him:
"There you are! VT-102, respond. 102! Hikaru! Do you read me?"
Then, Major Focker transformed his VF-1S into Guardian mode and slowly descended. Once on the ground, he shifted into Battroid mode.
Hearing the roar outside, Monty Hill stepped out and saw the VF-1S Valkyrie with the Skull insignia.
Looks like Focker had come to pick up his junior, Hikaru.
"How's it going, Hikaru? How does it feel to be shot down for the first time?"
"Terrible! But—why did the plane turn into a robot?"
"The reason… can't tell you that yet."
"Another military secret, huh?"
"Exactly. You should join the military too, Hikaru."
"You've got to be kidding. Not a chance. But at least fix it up for me."
"No problem. Five minutes is all I need."
From the VF-1S's massive arm, a panel opened, releasing several mechanical arms that quickly set to work repairing Hikaru's Valkyrie.
Watching from nearby, Monty Hill couldn't help but marvel—he had almost forgotten the VF-1S could double as a repair unit.
But his own VF-1 was far superior—simpler to repair and with performance that would shock them all… though it wasn't time to reveal it yet.
In just five minutes, Hikaru's Valkyrie was fully repaired.
Afterward, Focker began teaching Hikaru how to operate the Valkyrie in Battroid mode.
Monty Hill quietly listened from the side, absorbing the training like a sponge.
When the VF-1 moved smoothly under Hikaru's control, Lynn Minmay called out loudly:
"Is it fixed?"
"Yeah, it's fixed."
Seeing the two about to start chatting again, Monty Hill shouted:
"Minmay! We have to go!"
"Okay, big brother." Then she turned back to Hikaru and said, "Goodbye. Be careful!"
By then, Lynn Minmay's uncle's family had finished gathering what they could and prepared to leave with the other evacuees.
Almost immediately, the DG cells Monty Hill had released finished consuming the house, reducing it to a pile of ruins.
Seeing her home turned to rubble, Lynn Minmay once again wept in Monty Hill's arms.
He thought to himself: Crying is fine—she needs to release her grief somehow.
At least this way, she had no reason to ever come back for anything.
Though he had already secured most of her important belongings earlier, there had always been the chance she'd want to return.
Now, there was no need to worry—the possibility was gone.
Finally, Monty Hill and Lynn Minmay's family safely reached the shelter. Minmay didn't bring up retrieving anything she might have left behind.
On the other side of the island, however, more Zentraedi Battle Pods began landing on South Ataria Island.
At the same time, Earth's near-orbit space was swarming with Zentraedi warships.
They opened fire on the island, targeting the SDF-1 Macross's location.
Countless blue beams rained down like sheets of water, striking South Ataria Island.
Buildings near the Macross were obliterated, and countless civilians perished under the barrage.
Those who weren't directly killed by the beams or explosions were crushed beneath collapsing buildings.
The SDF-1 itself, however, remained unscathed. Every shot had landed precisely around it, sparing the ship.
Inside the bomb shelters, the ground shook violently, terrifying those within.
Lynn Minmay clung tightly to Monty Hill, and he held her close, murmuring words of comfort.
He sighed in relief—thankfully, they had arrived early. If they had delayed even a little longer, who knew what fate would have befallen them.
On the bridge of the SDF-1, Captain Global asked:
"Where is that attack coming from?"
A female radar officer replied, "It's coming from satellite orbit."
"From above us?"
Misa Hayase reported, "Captain! Many targets are approaching us on the ground!"
"What! Enemy ground forces?"
At that moment, the orbital bombardment ceased, while the Zentraedi Battle Pods on the ground began closing in on the Macross.
They unleashed a relentless barrage of missiles, machine-gun fire, and beam cannons.
The Macross's defensive turrets roared to life, intercepting countless missiles and beams.
VF-1A Valkyries launched from the ship to counter the Battle Pods.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries that had been clearing the skies of enemy craft also began returning to join the mop-up of the ground forces.
Dodging the Zentraedi's missile and cannon fire, large numbers of VF-1As descended close to the surface, transforming into Guardian mode as they prepared for close-quarters street combat.
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