< Palermo shores, 1921 > Marco Pagott, mercenary pilot and former aerial combatant during the first world war, adventurer and traveler of the whole Europe is now having the battle of a lifetime with an unknown pilot of also unknown origins. Tasting the agony and the ecstasy, Marco has found the challenger he seeked for during his mercenary life, worrying now about how was he going to survive such " enjoyment ". Not ever seen or heard in reputation, this old pilot of British accent challenged Marco few hours later after landing in Sicily for fuel. Not knowing the real intentions of this challenger ( Whether for revenge, dislikeness or just pure will ) he accepted the duel after seeing in the eyes of this approximately 60 years old individual, the spirit and the heart to provide the most interesting chellenge of all. Although this was going to cost him money in fuel, ammo and differnt kinds of repairs, Marco accepted just for the fact of looking in him a greater pilot than the greedy and bluffy Donald Curtis... In few words, compared with that one, this was going to be for real a fight between aces and honor which claimed the unconditional will to fight. The gentlemen were being watched by a modest crowd of villagers of the coast and few lucky tourists that happened to pass by that village. For being this and spontaneous battle and out of other mercenaries ears, the Italian air force was far from hearing anything about it and make its intervention. Ten minutes of unbelievable maneuvers ( For planes of that age ) marked a time for the pilots to conclude in a way or another. With serious pellets over the fuselage, few rounds and gas, both planes rose high into the skies where a group of dense clouds was waiting for them as the final judges of their careers as mercenaries and pilots. Ten seconds were enough to hear the last rounds being used and see suddenly both hydroplanes descend with flames all over its surfaces. The crowd watches terrified how Marco's plane was seriously damaged... Until it rises successfully its nose with a lot of effort and the plane of his opponent crashes in the middle of the ocean like hitting a concrete wall for its speed. Marco's problems however don't end as simple as this, flying a mile away from where he was an landing by force over the eastern extreme of the beach. The people run in the direction where Marco's plane landed, specially a small man who seems very interested on Marco's welfare more than the others. Minutes later, they reach the spot and see the fat nice man getting out of the plane in flames. Bruised and bullet wounded on non-mortal parts he is helped by the little man and other two individuals. Man: - [ In italian ] < You mercenaries are totally crazy !! Just look at yourself, look at... Aww, what the heck, how are you feeling my friend. Are you alright ?? > - Marco: - [ Smiling weakly ] < I won, didn't I Pino ? >. - Pino: - < Do you have any idea what Fiorella would say about this you crazy fatso !? > - Marco: - < I don't have a slight idea, I already know what the hell she would say... [ Sighing ] God, I don't wanna think about it >. - Pino: - < What the hell happened up there, eh !!?? > - Marco: - < Aaah my friend, that's a tale for another day... In the meantime, I just wanna rest. Give me that benefit at least, dear Pino. > - Pino: - < As I said, you're crazy !!? > - The scene moves then to the part where the plane of the British man crashed. Fishermen look at the remains of the artifact... Everything but the body of the defeated pilot. The only thing floating over the water is his flying suit and a whole lotta dust around it. Times suddenly turned violent around Europe in small circles after the war for unknown reasons... Although there was peace around, so was violence, lurking and perturbing the hearts of men. The scene fades in a black curtain. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Four ways of hatred, chapter eleven: " An ode to heroism, a tale Ectíbola whispered ". ------------------------------------------------------------------ { Music cue: " I'm on fire " Bruce Springsteen }. < Viejo León City, Valverde >. Galaxy NGC 1850, name on which scientific community on Earth has known the dazzling yellow community of Ectíbola for decades. As many other sister galaxies, Ectíbola has beauty everywhere for its inhabitants from north to south and from east to west... However, what happens when this incredible gift is forgotten just for a little while and during that small lapse of time everything is reduced to nothingness for greed and ambition ? One planet at the north of Ectíbola shows the results of such interrogant as the prelude to an unnecessary genesis. Once probably the most beautiful planet of all in Ectíbola, Canal was destroyed by hands of those who abused her to the extreme in only a single decade. At the north of Canal, a former megapolis still known in name through remembrances as " The mighty Viejo León City, the capital of all greatness " only had as population the wind and the frustrated dreams of many innocent whose only desire was to live. This is precisely the place where a trio of still young people get to land... Not knowing where they were or what had happened there, commander Yagu and lieutenants De Aragón and Dysan only smelled the sad scent of stupidity. Having behind their imposing vehicles in A mode, the YF group began walking horrified while beholding the destruction all around them... Beti in particular had to cover her mouth after viewing carbonized bodies trapped under rubble and concrete, in an obviously failed attempt of escaping. Added to this monstrosity, there were also bodies of different individuals thrown on the floor, not carbonized, yet with decaying flesh. Beti ceases walking and covers now her mouth with both hands. Isamu and Satashi notice this and get back where lieutenant De Aragón stopped. Beti: - What is this ? Tell me it's not us, please tell me it's not us. - Satashi: - What do you mean Beti, what's wrong ? - Beti: - Is this part of what we will be put through, is it ? What if this is nothing but... [ Uncovering mouth ] Our future ? - Isamu: - Beti, it is not. - Beti: - But how can you tell ? How can you be so sure that... - Isamu: - Lieutenant, it is not !! Quit that thinking and gather your composture back, 'cause we're not here to lose it ! - Satashi: - Beti, even if it is, whether you can handle it or not, It is our solemn duty to be here, in this environment of the devil. If this is what expects us in a future, then it is our mission and the other's too, to prevent such catastrophe. - Isamu: - Even after the second impact, wars can still be threat to the peace we have grasped temporarily. Show you're elite as you have always done lieutenant and do not lose yourself, not now. - Beti looked at Isamu and after fifteen seconds of internal assimilation on ideas and feelings in order to remain focused, leutenant De Aragón faked a little smile of hope for brief seconds, showing her team mates they still had her. Beti: - I know, I will have enough time for that later, right ? - Isamu: - Plenty enough... Now, let's cease this infernal tour and ride the ships to find out any life sign at all and... - Isamu was interrupted by the not distant sound of a classical guitar. The tune was sad and proper to the environment they were all on, for which they began jogging without thinking it twice, finding on this the only choice they actually had. After jogging for a block, in the middle of what used to be a square, a middle aged man is the one responsible of crating those sounds. Satashi acts like wanting to pull his gun out but Isamu grabs his hand reasonably and shakes his head. Commander Yagu looks at the man again over a ruined fountain and then nods slowly to Isamu. Lieutenant Dysan walks straight to the fountain, when suddenly, the man stops playing the tune. Standing up while holding the guitar with his right hand, the mysterious individual speaks on a clear decibel, without looking at any member of the trio straight into their eyes. After standing up, one more thing became clear enough for them, which was his attire. Although it looked quite different from the many they had seen or imagined before, that was a military attire for sure. All black with a gray flat woolen cap on top, the rest of the suit enjoyed a great gala. But what dragged mostly the attention of our friends was to see on his shoulders a couple of patches with five stripes each and the figure of an attacking dragon. Besides that, only his condecorations looked uncommon. Man: - This land... It was all reduced to ashes. Even I can't get out of my astonishment after viewing and feeling so many different things during my whole existence. Like you, I also ask myself was I chosen to go through this. - Isamu: - Um listen, eh, sir ? - Man: - [ Coldly ] Commodore for you, young man. - Isamu: - Commodore, sir... If there is anything you have to say, please say it. - Man: - And how the hell am I going to do that, pilot ?? Are you planning to keep on communicating by " long distance " the rest of the day, or are you and your friends finally going to approach in order to have a decent conversation as " God commands " ? - Isamu: - [ With little eyes ] Why, yes of course, commodore. - Some other random take-ups of the destroyed city and its victims follow this fastforward, to see the YF pilots seated over the floor while listening to the elegant commodore's tale. Now Beti had the commodore's guitar, playing a distinguished slow gypsy tune composed by her. Commander Yagu and the others learned that commodore Stanley Archipest was the last of his lineage, owner of the Makiek skill. Fighting technique which consisted in bonding one's self with the machine and then project the inner and outer strength through it. ( Sort of what we have seen in chapters before ). Commodore Archipest was the best fighting pilot of his kingdom and planet as well as the proud leader of the best aerial regiment his galaxy ever knew... However, after an unfortunate war between his world and an invader race took place. Although they won this war, the cost of such victory was the loss of the whole " Raccoon of Diamond " squadron. Commodore Yagu was a holy knight before that ( Which would be taken as that world's second impact ) and as Ranma, Yohko, Mamoru and the others he didn't got the reason why this war took place without heaven doing any intervention at all... Until truths were known about the dark lords of his universe. Convoked by knight Ikki to be the instructor of these holy chosen, the commodore saw that the mentioned was going to be a difficult task. Not for being the chosen ones incompetent or immature, ( Then again, Isamu.... ) on the contrary, he saw how noble, wise and brave were they all... Remembering for a while the deceased members of his squad. Since they were all unfamiliar with the truths of the universe, the natural order of things was going to be rushed for them. However, it was not going to be their challenge to overpass what he once achieved, but his as well, in teaching them properly the way how. Commodore Stanley felt the time and the place quite uncomfortable to clear up things. Though, after looking on the commander and the lieutenants faces the decision that emerged from their ikos, he understood that maybe his task was not going to be as hard as planned. And the truth is that, even when finding this bizarre and uncommon, the YF pilots balanced this factor with their sense of bravery they were born and raised with, for being true daredevils in the whole sense of the word. Beti asked after all the explanations given, still playing the guitar, yet, looking at his future sensei ( Or in their case, superior ). Beti: - Mainly I must give thanks to God that this is not our home in a not so distant future... Commodore, sir, do you have any idea of far are we from home ? - Archipest: - To make it simple, you are far from your homeland as much as I am... Which is a lot, trust me. - Beti: - [ Ending on Ebmaj7 ] But tell me, are things stable now where you come from, your Earth ? - Archipest: - Thanks to the grace of God, yes, temporarily. - Satashi: - So, what Ikki san said about coincidences between universes was absolutely right, I see ( See chap 6 ). - Archipest: - [ Nodding ] Although coincidences may appear to be exact between our worlds and people, these aren't; and not with each and every single inhabitant, but just between those related to this divine dilemma. - Isamu: - Well, that explains it all, but one thing... Why us ? Why us when not knowing absolutely nothing about this ? - Archipest: - Because you in particular lieutenant Dysan, are anything but faithless. Whether you rest credibility to what you are going through or not, [ Smirking ] you are actually accepting the challenge as the daredevil you are... You all are. At your very own ways, but you all are. - All the pilots found nothing to say, not getting flattered for the very first time in their lives for being considered as " daredevils ". Satashi: - Dark moths, sir. Dark moths is fine. - Archipest: - In the name of Christ, are you that, um, " uncertain " ? - Isamu: - [ Fuming ] No, we are not " cowards ", as you just said pretty well disguised. - Beti: - [ Fuming ] We are here, aren't we, SIR !!? - Satashi: - [ Bigsweating, face down-thinking ] Does it always have to be this way with these two, oh Lord ? - Archipest: - [ Chuckling ] Well, the truth is that you're for real powerful enough to be here, despising your wills, ranks or reputations. - Isamu: - [ Blinking ] What does that mean exactly, sir ? - Archipest: - Well, getting into calculus... We're probably walking in the middle of a " 60-rads of contamination " environment like in the bloom of a spring season. - All: - [ Shocked in deformed figures ] NANDE MAS KA !!?? - Archipest: - But to be sincere, don't lose yourselves. If so, you would probably be getting the effects. - Satashi: - [ Clearing throat ] Assuming this is real, commodore... There are no survivors at all, are there ? - Archipest: - If there are, we'll find out soon. [Smiling slightly] Come along I want to introduce you to " Lucille ", I bet your lovely ships will have a hard time trying to compete with her... [ Chuckling ] Or in this case, with myself. - Still astonished with the news about the environment, no comment of enthusiasm was emitted by any, as used commonly from them. Archipest: - [ Thinking ] Like I say, there is nothing like a good start... [ Smiling with eyes closed ] Looking at it through a patient point of view, veeeery patient. - The scene fades with funny kazoo's tune. --------------- { Music cue: " Tin spam " Stubborn All Stars }. Roaches, everywhere to be seen , there were roaches as the main survivors for excellence to a nuclear attack. Although it was not the most motivating environment to train on, the YF pilots also conceived that it was only enough to resist the change of an environment growing in stability to an adverse and catastrophic one... Even on a dead wasteland as Canal was during those days, the young pilots managed to develop themselves well enough, emotionally speaking. Winning against the three pilots simultaneously in repeated occasions, commodore Archipest on his beautiful dark Lucille showed during the first three weeks of their stay, how much they all had still to learn. Isamu disliked the sour taste of defeat like nothing, even under the circumstances they were all on. However, after enjoying the first fruits of his unknown power, the lieutenant began showing interest on how far he could go above the fragile barrier he had placed over himself during the days he was merely lieutenant Isamu Dysan, leader of Macross city third skull squad. As in other tales narrated many occasions, by the end of the first month commodore Archipest was defeated by his assigned pupils individually... Collectively ? It was surrendering before starting. It seemed that the fact of how unfamiliar were they all with their holy duties was nothing but a fallacy. There was no doubt for Stanley now, this new and quite improvised generation was sublime above the sublime. Well, perhaps the term improvised was used incorrectly, he thought. On his Earth like theirs, the saying: " God works in mysterious ways " was also famous and repeated generation through generation. Even as a former holy knight, Stanley didn't have enough coherence to understand fully the ways of his Lord, the one responsible for everything's creation; and maybe he was not meant to. The only understandable and solid truth was his convicement about fighting for the right side. Not recalling exactly the moment or the occasion responsible of provoking the change inside themselves, Isamu, Beti and Satashi knew pretty well they had changed greatly during the insignificant lapse of time a month represented for such changes. From now on, every time they were inside the YF fighting bombers, the cabins changed from the point of turning just a dark short space without manual or brain wave devices. And although this new system ( Award of their might ) was similar to the brain wave system the YF 21 had, it was not the same. With these, the possibilities to perform innumerable maneuvers and attacks had no precedent in amount... Just like if the machines were they and vice-versa. Even when not having full control over it, the start was exceptional for the commodore. To begin with, even when being familiar with the art of converting into one with the machine during a battle, this term was merely esoterical. He never had the chance to do what the pilots were doing. As a matter of fact, like the heroes of the old generation we know on Earth 1 commodore Archipest fought by himself as the guardian of Ruga ( Portic there ). Besides that " small " fact, there was something else about the technology of the YF fighters which dragged his attention as nothing. Not being able to decipher what was it exactly, Stanley understood that this fact was over the plans " Lucille " was originally built. On the exterior, things almost seemed reciprocal, since the YF trio found the commodore's ship unique in its kind, not viewing any other like that before... And maybe it was true, since Lucille had slightly superior technology over the YF fighting bombers. Though, nothing could help the commodore on thinking that, " there was something else ". As an advance to other powers, Isamu, Beti and Satashi decided to clean the radiation of the whole planet by just wishing it. In about an hour the task was done fully, including the interior of underground hermetic shelters where not even world leaders could survive due to internal weapons of massive destruction. The city of Viejo León was restored a little more, one day after the other during the little free times our heroes had after training straight, numerous struggling hours. In addition to this display, ammo was now unnecessary and discarded from the ships equipment, as well as missiles, bombs or any kind kind of gunpods on the three of them. The only original things the fighting bombers remained with was their structure, the pin point barrier system and the delta-magma devices... Having the provisory feeling that these might be useful someday. Commodore Archipest saw with pride during two moths more, that his wisdom applied quite well to the system this new generation was commanded to learn and master, not helping as always to remain astonished on how unimaginable the potential these could achieve. The old generations were destined to be greatly overpassed, no doubt about it. Entering to the period of winter there by the end of the third month, snow began falling into an already clean environment; and remembering during some moments what meant to celebrate Christmas on Earth, regretting at the same time that no one else but them could be able to enjoy the magic that only the fall of snow could bring... But were all those regrets really justified ? After healing the planet, burying zillions of corpses, building a home and an adaptation to a new life, the pilots felt what they thought impossible... Were those lifesigns for real ? Leaving the turkey, the sauce and the pie ( Obtained with their powers from other neighbor planets, not contaminated ) the YF pilots rode their ships and began flying to the position they were feeling those weak life signs. Far from Viejo León city, still over Valverde, two weak dots were spotted in the middle of a road covered at least by ten inches of snow, acting crazily while throwing snow everywhere and shouting to the skies. The ships descended and the pilots saw after getting outside that the individuals were a young man ( around 26 ) and an old catholic priest. Beti heard that they were saying things in a Spanish-like language. Bigsweating, she stared at the scene and told her partners that they were saying things like: " The snow is here " or " God has answered our prayers ". Not deciding to move yet, the pilots saw too that their skin was absolutely deteriorated and that they had also lost a great potion of hair. The priest stopped doing what he was and noticed the pilots were there. On the contrary of happiness as the expected reaction from both for finding more people like them, the anger on the priest was so great that even on his state, he began attacking with a cane he used not to fall lieutenant De Aragón. Beti didn't got what was the old man doing, dodging the swings of the cane destined to her head... Until she heard clearly from him: " Dios los maldiga militares, todo esto es por su culpa !! " The old priest repeated this three more times and then passed out after getting tired between the emotion the snow brought and the effort he made trying to whack lieutenant De Aragón's head. She picked up the priest and charged him on her arms easily. Turning, she saw Isamu had similar reactions with the young guy, now over the back of commander Yagu. Beti: - He said " God curses us "... That it was all our fault. - Isamu: - Seems the military members were evil bastards here. - Satashi: - So sour and recent their memories must be, that they recognized our uniforms right away. - Isamu: - Better take them home, or they'll either die of their weakness or hypothermia. - Beti: - [ Nodding and thinking ] The ones of our kind did this here... I wonder, are we really better than them ? - The scene is fastforwarded hours later, seeing Beti on top of the house they all built, commanding the snow to cease its fall. The weather obeyed instantly. She sighed and then spoke indifferently after feeling a presence at her right side in a sudden. Beti: - Are we really different from them, Satashi ? - Satashi: - Why do you doubt about yourself, Beti ? - Beti: - I haven't told you this Satashi. During the days I was with the Spanish air force I, I, I... I was commanded to bombard ETA headquarters on Italy with the government's approval. It went all fine... Until, until, until... - Satashi: - Beti, it was not your fault. Intelligence didn't inform you those civilians were there, you were just... - Beti: - Following orders, I know... [ Sighing ] Which makes me even unhappier. - Satashi: - Beti, don't say that. Tell me, would you have done it in case of knowing they were there ? - Beti: - Even if the price would have been the revocation of my pilot's license... I swear to God I would have even prevented it. - Satashi: - For your intentions, your actions are forgiven by those innocent victims you didn't have a clue about. - Beti: - How can you possibly say that ? How can you... ? - Satashi: - [ Looking up, sighing ] Because like you, I have done terrible things during my carrier in the name of my country... Finally, I decided that as a test pilot I would have the opportunity to reinvindicate myself... This is my opportunity, like yours, to emendate all the bad things we directly or indirectly did. Isamu hasn't said it, but I know he thinks the same way. I know him well enough to say this without second thoughts. - Beti: - Satashi kun... Thank you. - Satashi: - No, you don't really have to say that. I'm just aware that like Isamu and I, you... - Commander Yagu was interrupted as the lips of lieutenant De Aragón covered his in a sensual and short kiss of seven seconds. After disengaging, Beti looked at Satashi tenderly, thankful as never before for being her friend and more. Satashi didn't found the time to close his surprised mouth after kissed by that beautiful and unique woman. Beti: - Inhale for a while and think about it carefully commander, I know you'll soon find an answer of why I'm thankful with you. - Satashi: - [ Blinking ] Beti chan, I, I, I... - Beti: - [ Smiling and looking up ] By the way, are the father and that young man better now ? - Satashi: - [ Shaking head ] Well, stable and out of danger alright. In case of not healing them on time, they would have died. - Beti: - But you know, it's already miraculously enough the fact of their survival, not even soldiers or leaders survived, you know that, we saw them between the corpses. - Satashi: - The hand of God perhaps... Um, I don't know. - Beti: - Well, now they'll be better. And I'll not rest until I heal them enough so they can recover their original shapes, with hair and everything, you know. - Satashi: - That's the less we can do, I believe. - Beti: - Yes. As part of our redemption, like you said. - Satashi: - [ Nodding ] Right. I wonder how is Isamu doing right now ? - The camera gets down in a sudden to picture Isamu and commodore Archipest on the living room of the house, while the lieutenant plays the " piano man " intro with a small Horner harmonica. His superior looks at him with a smirk, acknowledging for the first time his most stubborn student had such ability. Archipest: - Was it your father ? - Isamu: - Nawhh, I learned it by myself... You know ? It all started with the intention of learning just the prelude of the song, later it became helplessly a habit. - Archipest: - Your ability is remarkable, whether a holy chosen or not. I don't know exactly, but I have the slight hunch that you, the lieutenant and the commander are the base to an imposing generation of pilots... Almost invincible some will say. - Isamu: - [ Smiling, rising left eyebrow ] Is that so obvious ? - Archipest: - And maybe greedy too, I fear. - Isamu: - So far I haven't said this commodore, for pure respect as you may assume... You know ? I do resent each and every single time you judge me as a careless, fresh and rogue individual. - Archipest: - Okay, you claim you're not all that I say are... What are you then, my friend ? - Isamu: - Just another pilot... Who wanted to be the best and eventually got away with his will. Foolish and reckless despising the opinion of many, including yours, sir. - Archipest: - [ Clearing throat ] As you were saying... - Isamu: - In few words commodore, I just wanna fly... If I raise too high in rank I'd not be able to. Unlike your case, in your planet good pilots can still fly despising age or rank as long as they can do it like the day these acquired first their airborne patches. - Archipest: - You're a good pilot Dysan, in my planet like yours heroes have been labeled in different ways. Even though your appearance may show you're not worthy of your rank, ship or even destiny... - Isamu: - [ Muttering ] Yeah, yeah... - Archipest: - You're even over the elite, a goal vaguely acquired between thousands of good pilots through decades... Are you listening to what I'm saying ? - Isamu: - [ Rolling eyes ] To be sincere, commodore... - Archipest: - Oh yes, I love sincerity. - Isamu: - ... With the " you're good pilot " line was enough. - Archipest: - [ Thinking ] Well, gotta admit he's right in certain way, guess I'm getting older as seconds pass by. They are going to be alright, aren't they ? - Isamu: - They'll probably going to sleep for a couple of weeks or more. Can't believe yet I am actually making predictions of my own powers... Believe it or not, I'm still a bit exceptical. - Archipest face-faults. Isamu: - Then again, I'll have some tea. Maybe that'll help me think clearer, yeah. - The scene fades as commodore Archipest is focused still on the floor, with dizziness spirals as eyes, spinning. -------------- { Music cue: " Aquí no es así " Caifanes }. Father Abel Carrásco and the young man with him had their tale. Four moths later, after exchanging stories that would be considered as crazy by many, the pilots and the only presumed survivors took for granted what happened with their lives. Abel like Diego believed the story that those who once worked for the military were indeed, holy chosen ( Which took a long time for its acceptance ), as the pilots took for grated how he and the young man survived. Diego was a young science student in the university of Viejo León city. Orphan and unaware of his roots, he was raised by father Abel since he was born and then went to school and college as taught with the good principles of father Abel. In secret, he decided for unknown reasons to build an anti nuclear shelter for two, quite outside town secretly, in order to not be considered as crazy. When the day of the attacks came, he took the father to the place. Being reclutant about the idea, Diego had to knock him out to take him there and then survive. The yield didn't took the city directly but on the contrary, in a slow and tortuous radioactive wave... Which also reached shelters and sewers where people tried to escape. Inside that lead made shelter, the father and Diego survived for at least two weeks, not knowing that they were two of the few survivors over the whole world. Two weeks later, they were forced to be freebooters for hunger, without any police or military force which could stop them. Even under the risk of going out in the middle of the radiation, both went for canned meals and nothing else. The contamination affected them and got of course, very sick. Abel and Diego would have died if Isamu, Beti and Satashi don't clean the planet three weeks later after the incident. When the snow began falling, both understood that a miracle had happened... And that's what it was. As a devoted catholic, Beti estimated quite a lot father Abel and always looked in him spiritual guidance. The father on his side, blessed the fact of surviving in the end, seeing that he turned up to be more useful alive than a martyr, like the rest of his fellow priests... Even as the guide of a small church, he was happy. During the adaptation period, the YF trio managed to find more survivors as their senses increased even more to feel these presences... The total amount was ten, six men and four women; and the tales about their survival were as amazing as the first heard. Not in vain, since they were even luckier in surviving than the military and politicians... Who drowned in their presumed invincibility until turning into ashes. The small community had the privilege to see the unique might of the holy chosen, while training day after day in the middle of the ruins of what used to be the mighty Viejo León city. The amount of power was unconceiveable. Commodore Archipest saw his wisdom reflected in the might of the pilots, who had the ability and dexterity he once had... And even more. Seeing his dream come true, Stanley gathered all the courage and decision left in his heart and decided to put into play a wild card he was not certain about... Until viewing how far the pilots at his " command " had got. We'll se if the " Rez Amok " really exists or if my father was just fooling me when I was just five. On a black and white flashback, Stanley remembers a scene when he and his father are talking alone inside their house, over a big sofa... After the days of the Meki war II ( Which was the second world war on Earth 1 ) Stanley's father was an ace of aces about to go another war Meshala ( Earth's 1 'Nam ). After her wife passed away, Reido Archipest saw on " Archi " his only reason to live... Though, his duty with honor was even more sacred. However, before parting to Meshala, he left his son with one tale of his own during a particular night like others. A tale lived and never shared to anyone, which took place presumably during the second Meki war. He said: You know, son ? Maybe when you grow up this might save your life someday, if not yours maybe another. During a summer of 1944, behind the enemy lines, we waged a terrible confrontation with the enemy... [ Sighing ] Only I survived. However, I was forced to land and hit myself with many pine trees. After waking up, I didn't know if I was dreaming or not, but five guys dressed differently appeared in front of my plane, smiling. I didn't know who were they, I was sure as hell they were all pilots like myself. [ Stanley ohhh's ] ... However, I was nervous. Not knowing exactly where was I or who were they, I pulled out my gun and got out of the plane with fear. But you know what ? They kept on smiling. And you know what else ? I decided to stash my gun back to its gun holder. After doing that, they all approached in unison to me and touched my forehead with their fingers only. I don't know why, but with that single action their voices were heard inside my head, in unison and coherently enough. They said that if I ever had the chance to make my airship three and at the same time one... The " Rez Amok " technique of pilots could be mine and that with it no one was ever going to be able to beat me. Everything got white then, dazzling white. After all that shine disappeared, I just saw many of my comrades all around me saying that my job was great on the air and that I was going to have a long and well deserved rest. Son, so far I haven't figured out yet what that was or what did the message meant exactly... But you gotta promise, that you'll find out for me in a not so distant future, Stan. Would you promise that to your daddy, boy ? [ Stanley nodded, smiling ] Good boy Stan, good boy, now I know you will. - A year later, while living with his grandad, Stanley got the terrible new that his father died in combat and later that the cause of this was a crash with another bomber for mistaken coordinates... But before finding out the second one, Stanley was already a graduated student from the best aerial academy for combat pilots on his Earth: Winged Dragoon. With this, Stanley remembered on that last flashback that his sole reason for being what he was, was the promise he did to his father. He was only five after hearing what pilots of the past, present and future told his father... Now it was probably the time to fulfill his promise and then say " goodbye " to an old and glorious existence as a combat pilot and hero. Even though he used to be too a holy knight, he treasured more his memories as the ace of aces than the his memories as the brief guardian of Ruga. He gave to the pilots the advice and the trio assimilated it... Unfortunately, the rate of assimilation was not enough to decipher what was deep beyond the obvious words, far away and close at the same time from the most sacred technique of pilots. However, this was taken at ease, considering they still had time to find out by the end of the eight month. To their misfortune, such calculations were about to come to an end, during a normal day on which all were training as usual, over what used to be the outside part of Viejo León city. While practicing unimaginable maneuvers of attack and evasion on B mode Isamu was taken out of balance and trajectory by the impulse an unknown object created at an even greater speed than his. Satashi and Beti had the same kind of problems with objects of the same kind, almost crashing with themselves on a difficult evading maneuver. Changing immediately by will into C mode and turning around, the YF trio couldn't help to remain astonished in front of what appeared to be robot-like dark beings. For a moment thinking that those were probably secret weapons of any country of the old world, that possibility vanished after recalling the speed they were ambushed with. Whatever they were, the three pilots got since the first moment their intentions were not friendly at all. Hostility could be felt out of them at miles, even though none of them were able to predict those dark titans were going to do that. Mentally, Isamu was the first one from the three of them in receiving the message. Voice: - Aces of aces, if I am not mistaken, or am I, you so called Dark Moths ? - Isamu: - To begin with, if ya already know it, you could introduce yourselves first, don'tcha think ? - Voice: - Indeed, rough but right. I am Katardo Sare, ruler of Rigi region... These Are, Lotu Artá ruler of the Atba region and Kite Afan, ruler of the Krui region. - ( Notes: Atba and Kite are the knights who fought against Filo and Yolo during the last holy war... See chap 10. Atba is the panther region, Krui is the crab region ). Satashi: - [ Sweating and blinking ] The dark knights, these are opposite dark knights of the universe. - Beti: - You have come to challenge us I assume, or not ? - Atba's voice: - Far from being our first intention, we changed our minds on our way to eliminate at once this place supposed to be completely dead already. - Krui's voice: - Your help is the cursiest of all. This planet was destined to be eliminated by their own inhabitants; and I assume you believe in destiny, do you not ? - Isamu: - [ Smirking ] Is that so ? Well you can go back to hell with that tale and convince your master or whoever sent you about it, 'cause no one's going to believe it here. - In slow motion Isamu begins advancing where Krui's dark projection was until an unexpected presence behind him grabbed the right right arm of the YF 19. It was Lucille on its warrior mode holding its pupil from getting into combat without being fully ready for it. Commodore Archipest then began talking mentally to Katardo's mind while he had strength left to maintain the hold over the YF 19 with a struggling voice. Archipest: - Similarities between you and Alor Canta I can see. Is it me or my imagination ? - Katardo: - ... You, you disposed of my reflection on your world ? More reasonable for me to take my revenge on those you have spent so much time training and then consequently, over you.- Archipest: - And I bet you will be very proud to have your so claimed revenge over someone over your same level. - Krui: - For at least nine months I calculate, you have been here training... That is good enough time of us or anyone. - Archipest: - Plus one day more. - Kite: - Not another day. Let your student go, former knight. - Katardo: - No wait... Archipest Stanley, by the day of tomorrow at this same hour, we will meet you and your knights again. A second later will mean the immediate destruction of this... [ Sarcastically ] Well, call it planet, if it makes you happy. - Archipest: - The day after tomorrow dark knight, the story shall be repeated. - Kite: - Think that before your destruction, that will do good as an optimistic point of view. - Krui: - And also as the last good ideal out of you ever... Before suffering the worst of the destructions. - In order, the dark knights like their projections left the air space they were on, rising to the sky in a shiny black trace. After believing that the dark knights were far enough, commodore Archipest released the YF 19. It turned violently to Lucille and ten seconds after looking at the ship, Isamu hitted it on its ( presumed ) jaw, making it lose balance ( Which only means that the intention was not to damage the commodore, but just to let him know his anger ). The YF20 and the YF21 approached close to Isamu and then he shouted emotionally to his superior in particular. Isamu: - I have never been so humiliated in my whole life, sir !! How could you allow them to say all those things about us... HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME !!?? I oughta, oughta, oughta... - Archipest: - Beat the shit out of me !? Help yourself. You see, I may be your superior in rank... Though, be all know which the reality is. - Satashi: - [ Blinking ] Sir, don't. - Archipest: - However, if you think you don't owe me any respect at all, not as your immediate superior but as human being, go ahead and proceed... Whether reckless or not, you're supposed to be the voice and action of wisdom by now, right Isamu ? - Isamu: - [ Sweating ] ........ - Beti: - [ Thinking ] Isamu, don't think, just don't think. - Archipest: - Or in a second choice you can instead lose your life with dignity, learning before the " Rez Amok ", as the true ace of aces you and your friends are. - Isamu began grunting in frustration with his face down for some seconds while sweating. Suddenly, he rose his head violently and shouted with an angry expression on his face. Isamu: - Okay, let's show the bastards !! No one dares to say all the crap I hear and the laugh at my back !! - With relief, Satashi sighed, getting at first sight lieutenant Dysan was with them again. Satashi: - [ Nodding ] If we waste the 24 hours we have left before the encounter with the same training of always, there might not be any progress at all. - Beti: - You mean that what we have left only is to master the so called " Rez Amok " ? - Dysan: - [ Still furious ] Let's do it !! Either upside down or whatever, but let's get outtahere !! - Archipest: - [ Smiling slightly ] I know someplace out of Canal where we can try while destroying many things, without worrying at all... Commander Yagu ? - Satashi: - Of course, commander. - The YF20 approached to Lucille and grabbed its arm, disappearing in a teleporting effect, to that place the commodore had in mind. The scene fades in a black curtain. --------------- { Music cue: " Warped " Red Hot Chili Peppers }. Right above the point where the duel was going to take place the next day, many miles over Canal's atmosphere, Katardo and his fellow knights were looking that the established time had expired. After the last second hitted the clock, Katardo could not believe the dare those knights had in not fulfilling their promise. Was that cowardship, foolishness, an strategy.... Or maybe more than one at the same time ? Either way, in the middle of a frown, Katardo did not care at all what were they up to. " If they cannot keep a promise, I surely can keep mine ", the knight thought. In slow motion ( Again ? Yes, again ) we see Katardo getting inside his mind and thinking by pure will on the destruction of Canal... However to his misfortune, right at the next second what explodes instead is an wasted giant asteroid, millions of miles away from there. The trio of dark knights understood right away that Katardo's spell was reflected and that even late, Isamu Dysan, Betina De Aragón and Satashi Yagu were going to engage a duel against those who dared to destroy the last hope Canal had, after that unfortunate and unnecessary genesis. In a teleporting effect, the YF trio appears in front of the evil squadron on their respective warrior modes. Isamu: - Change of plans folks, instead of Canal's surface we'll contend this fight twenty solar systems away from here. There's a black hole there for our comfort. - Kite: - Baka ! If you chose that to add a difficulty level to our encounter, how foolish can you get thinking that way, huh ? - Krui: - No, wait Kite... [ Looking seriously at YF19 ] They already know that no attractive force over the universe can even stumble us and so is that same case with them. - Katardo: - [ Nodding seriously ] Hai, over the trajectory of that black hole there is absolutely nothing living to be harmed, that is all. The " black holes " as humans have known Isbamolas for several years, mean nothing to them like for ourselves. - Satashi: - The price for that is the fight of a lifetime... If you claim to be beings of word, I am absolutely certain, you'll find ours, not an inconvenience at all. - Beti: - And of course, you can always come back and dispose of the population on Canal... As long as you return victorious from this duel. [ Smirking ] But you have enough self-esteem to think you will, so it's alright. - Katardo: - Woman, you have just named truth as self-esteem, which I cannot forgive. - Isamu: - [ Smiling evilly ] Then please be kind and... [ Close up ] Punish all of us for that !! - In the blink of an eye we see the YF fighters contending a duel in the middle of a dark space, where asteroids and rests of planets get inside the mentioned darkness, helplessly. The YF19 holding a double sword ( Think about Mum-Ra for a while ) the YF20 holding a Kodachi sword and the YF21 a short axe, this order was equal while looking at the other band. ( Note: Like the students of Deedlit and Slayn, the YF trio experienced a change of weapons never seen before behind the holy knight lines... Later to be explained ). Changes into different modes were used during the battle at an imperceptible speed. However, the dark knights did not see necessary to change their forms since in their original forms they could perform all the functions the YF models had on their three different modes. Since the future of Earth was changed by Ingo Cabil by destroying a great part of the Zentraedi fleet and at the same time, a group of reclutant Robotech masters who never gave up ( See chap 4 ), Macross government got only involved on terrestrial conflicts and Colossal battles were never seen as it would have happened if a war against the Zentraedi, the Robotech masters and the Inbits occurred. However, this did not made the pilots less experienced or mightier. On the contrary, if any race would have the dare or guts of invading Earth with the actual aerial force it had... That race would have been humiliated. The duel kept on going with damages on both bands, seeing beams coming out of gunpods and missile platforms. In a familiar law of conjunction, we see the pilots inside their cabins with destroyed helmets as well as several cuts and bruises of different kinds. In unison, the three dark knights see openings on their opponents. Smiling evilly with flashes on their left eyes, the dark knights step forward with mortal blows on vital parts of their opponents shouting: " Shi-ne ". Far from looking scared or doomed, the three pilots smirk and shout with confidence: " Rez Amok !! " The projection of the dark knights get absorbed by a dazzling portal which takes the place of the YF models. The portals get closed, locking inside their rivals on these. Outside, nine fighters are seen. 3 on A mode, 3 on B mode and 3 on C. The A and B modes begin shooting millions of kinetic pellets and projectiles in a matter of seconds. To finish this move, the warrior modes move forward in a jumping attack and cut in a swing the spaces where the dark projections were absorbed by the light. The different YF fighting bombers fuse back again and remain on C mode, just to look coming out of nowhere rests of dark metal floating inside the endless darkness of the black hole; and then three human-like beings almost lifeless and moving their members involuntary. The self of Katardo mutters quietly with his eyes open before turning into dust as a sign of destruction: " Bloody bastards... Yo-y-you aces a-are th-th-tha.... " Isamu thinks while looking the destruction of the dark beings: " And we are that, Sare Katardo... But who were in the end the last ones on their feet ? If you were worthy of an epitaph I would crave this last thought on it ". The camera backs away from the trio, giving us an special angle to focus. Miles behind them, a trio of transparent images of men investing different flying attires from different periods and times, smile after viewing by themselves as angels, how the ultimate generation of pilots was recently born with what many of their family called " Rez Amok ". --------------- { Music cue: " Pennsylvania 61000 " Glenn Miller }. It has been a week since the defeat of the dark rulers on hands of the Dark Moths and only one important event followed this important victory... A wedding. Yes, a wedding between two of the survivors of Canal's nuclear catastrophe. The church was small but beautiful and was created by Beti alone in the name of her saint ( Saint Joseph ). As witnesses, Satashi and Beti were asked to be the ones leading them to the altar. The role was accepted gladly. Isamu remained outside the church arguing he disliked weddings and that even though that one in particular represented a quite important event on the planet's history, he was not going to make an exception. Almost ending the ceremony, commodore Archipest went out, considering he was done already with his role as witness of the union. He joined with Isamu with a smirk, as he reclined his back against one of the church's walls. Archipest: - What now, lieutenant ? ... Or should I say, your highness ? Come to think of it, it suits you, out of joke ! - Isamu: - I don't know commodore, isn't there supposed to happen anything special at all after doing this ? - Archipest: - Maybe, maybe not. In the meantime, I'd strongly recommend you to return to Earth. Eventually, you may find out if your feelings are right or just, um, deceiving. - Isamu: - Commodore Archipest, I forgot to tell you something very important since the day we vanquished the dark knights. - Archipest: - I know, but you don't need to thank me at all. - Isamu: - And why not ? I must admit I, I, I... [ Frowning ] I really owe it to you. - Archipest: - [ Smirking ] Now, it was not that hard, or was it ? But anyway, the Rez Amok was meant to be learned by you, so don't thank me for being merely a conductor; and don't forget that I just saved your neck that time against Katardo because you were necessary rather than saving you for the fact of being... Ugh, likable. - Isamu: - Come on, you don't believe that yourself. Plus, you just, just... [ Blinking, open mouthed ] What is this, it's coming from the place we left the ships. - Archipest: - Go on then, the others have surely noticed the same too and will join you. - Isamu nodded and then teleported to a where hangar the trio left their ships, 20 miles to the west of Viejo León city. Already there, Beti and Satashi were looking at the ships, trying to find out what was exactly the strange energy reading which gathered their attention so badly. Isamu: - What do you think it was ? - Satashi: - I know as much as you do, this sensation is most unfamiliar to me. - Isamu: - But what's important now is to determine if this feeling belongs to a good or an evil source. - Satashi: - [ Nodding ] True, knight Ikki like the commodore have expressed that there were 12 knights in total. - Isamu: - [ Smirking ] Which can mean that things are not over yet. Good, I was not done with my mood to fight afterwards. - Beti approached slowly to the ships and after ten slow steps, she changed her worry for a smile, saying to her comrades: " It was a good source which provoked it, come closer ! " The commander and the lieutenant walked a little faster to the ships and noticed instantly what made Beti take that optimistic judgment. At the right side of the ship's noses there were old stickers which seemed at first sight former code names of other aerial fighting machines of the past. The YF19 had a sticker of bat with a bottle of Jim Beam on its left wing, with the legend: " Mr. badass pilot ". The YF20 a sticker of a Donald Duck squawking bad words, with the legend: " The good preacher ". The YF21 a sticker of two-teethed skull, with the legend: " Beautiful smile ". Their surprise was only interrupted by the voice of commodore Archipest behind them. Archipest: - Yes Isamu, I knew all along. But you had to be here for the wedding, at least in presence. - Isamu: - What are you talking about ? What does the " I knew all along " line mean exactly ? - Beti: - I, I believe I have a slight idea of what the commodore means. [ To Archipest ] However, what else can speak better for you besides your sense of humor ? - Stanley took out from one of his pockets an envelope and threw it directly to Satashi's right hand. Satashi: - And this is ? - Archipest: - A letter from knight Ikki for you, in it you'll find everything you must know before and after leaving Canal. - Satashi: - Wait a minute, did you actually had the guts to read somebody else's correspondence ?? - Archipest: - [ With hair strays ] Just read the damn thing, would ya ? - Commander Yagu opens the envelope and then at his left and right side joins Isamu and Beti. After reading for few seconds, their expressions acquire a surprise emphasis. The scene freezes with this and a message in white Kanji takes over the image, saying: " Flying on the skies, when we are not paying attention... That's the moment when heroism takes the opportunity to travel freely, here and everywhere. " End of chapter eleven.