Chapter 56: Macross – The Space Encounter
Misa Hayase reported doubtfully.
"Captain, but something feels strange.
If the enemy can launch that kind of attack from satellite orbit, then why aren't they attacking us?"
Captain Global gazed out into space through the window as he answered.
"You noticed too? Hah… perhaps they're just enjoying themselves."
The people on the bridge were shocked at the thought that the enemy was treating war as entertainment.
Misa Hayase pressed further, "But… why would they do that?"
"I just get the feeling that they don't really care about us at all."
…
Soon, Major Roy Focker returned together with Hikaru Ichijyo, approaching the Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
All the way back, Hikaru kept complaining that he didn't want to return to the Macross with him.
Major Focker opened the communicator and reported to the Macross.
"This is Valkyrie, Skull Squadron leader's unit."
Misa Hayase asked, "Did you find what you left behind?"
Major Focker mocked, "Yeah. He was so scared by the enemy he nearly wet himself, rolling around on the ground."
Hikaru protested indignantly, "I did not do that!"
Misa Hayase deliberately asked, "So this is that civilian, huh? No wonder he doesn't know anything."
Unhappy, Hikaru snapped back at his future wife, Misa Hayase.
"What are you talking about, granny?"
Misa Hayase exploded in disbelief. "Granny? What did you just call me…"
Focker laughed on the side.
"The beautiful air traffic controller of the Macross, Second Lieutenant Misa Hayase… In Hikaru's eyes, she's actually a granny? That's too funny, hahahahaha."
Monty Hill agreed with Focker—Hikaru's taste really was terrible.
The funniest part was that the "granny" he thought so little of would one day become his wife.
Captain Global, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle as well. Clearly, great minds think alike.
Misa Hayase, still fuming, said sharply:
"Major Focker! As for why a civilian was piloting a VT-102, I expect a very, very thorough explanation from you later."
Focker muttered under his breath, "How scary…"
Then Misa Hayase sternly pointed at Hikaru.
"And you, Hikaru Ichijyo! Don't think you're getting away with this!"
Hikaru, still nonchalant, said, "What's the big deal?"
Focker chimed in, "This unit is about to dock and land now. Give us instructions, granny!"
Misa had reached her limit, but she couldn't let her anger affect her work. All she could do was snap back:
"Understood! Be careful when you land…"
Inwardly, Monty Hill silently added the rest: "And don't end up crashing and killing yourselves by accident."
Soon, the Macross arrived at the rendezvous point with two UN Spacy destroyers and a single ARMD-1 space transport ship.
After rendezvous, a still-functional ARMD transport was prepared to be linked to the Macross.
Meanwhile, on South Ataria Island, the Zentraedi battle pods that had lost their targets began boarding their landing craft to return to their motherships.
In orbit, the Zentraedi fleet continued monitoring the Macross's every move, including the rendezvous with the UN Spacy destroyers and the ARMD transport.
At the same time, all their weapons were locked onto the Macross, ready to strike at any moment.
Just as the Macross was completing rendezvous with the UN Spacy fleet, the Zentraedi launched their attack.
Each Zentraedi warship fired torrents of blue beams toward the Macross.
The UN Spacy fleet was instantly wiped out, while the Macross itself remained largely unharmed.
It was like a cat toying with a mouse—playing with it before finally devouring it.
Still, the exploding UN Spacy warships and the debris they produced caused some damage to the Macross.
Fragments tore through sections of her outer armor.
Monty Hill suddenly remembered that in the original storyline, during the upcoming spacefold, Hikaru tried to fly Minmay back to Earth in his old aircraft.
On the way, they were caught in a Zentraedi attack and ended up trapped in the Macross's internal bulkhead space.
He sighed inwardly. Once again, he had saved Minmay. Otherwise, Hikaru would've nearly gotten her killed.
That guy's ability to drag others into trouble really was something else. If Minmay weren't the central heroine, she would've died countless times already.
In the end, Hikaru even managed to get both his senior, Roy Focker, and his junior, Hayao Kakizaki, killed. He was practically a walking plague.
Only Max Jenius, the lucky star, survived unscathed. Everyone else who stayed near Hikaru ended up in tragedy.
Compared to Conan Edogawa, the "walking god of death," Hikaru was just a step behind.
Monty Hill resolved: From now on, I have to stay far, far away from him.
After the Zentraedi attack ceased, Captain Global asked from the bridge:
"Was that the enemy's attack?"
Vanessa reported,
"Yes, Captain. Just like before, it was fired from satellite orbit. Distance: twelve thousand kilometers."
Misa Hayase reported,
"The ARMD-1 transport and the two destroyers have been destroyed."
Captain Global sighed helplessly.
"Only three in total? What's the Macross's damage report?"
"No direct hits. All systems operating normally."
"And our current position?"
Vanessa replied,
"We've nearly circled the Earth once. Now we're eight hundred kilometers ahead of South Ataria Island, altitude one hundred and twenty kilometers."
"Claudia, adjust our course toward that island. We'll feign landing, then activate spacefold and initiate faster-than-light jump."
Claudia LaSalle responded in shock,
"Captain, you want to use the spacefold system? It hasn't even passed testing yet!"
"The risk is great, yes. But if we hesitate now, the Macross will be destroyed."
Misa Hayase worried aloud,
"Captain, but… that system belongs to aliens!"
Captain Global firmly waved his hand.
"We can't give up hope without trying! Prepare for spacefold. Navigation target: the far side of the Moon!
Verify coordinates—we'll perform the fold above the island!"
Claudia LaSalle exclaimed in disbelief,
"You're going to attempt spacefold this close to the surface?"
"Yes," Global answered. "That will definitely give the enemy a surprise."
"But… without UN Spacy Headquarters' approval, is that alright?"
"These are extraordinary circumstances. Once we reach the Moon, we'll contact them."
"But…"
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