Episode 13: Breakthrough
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In the last episode of Robotech II: Sentinels, Guardians of Earth

Lisa Hayes and Jack Baker witnessed the final stage in Rem's

transmutation to Zor. Now that Rem has become Zor, he steps forward

as the leader who will liberate Tirol. A daring task indeed, as the

Regent plans to start an offensive against the Tirolian resistance.

Preparing for a major attack on a relaycentre in Invid hands, Huko

and Jakila are staging ambushes at different locations, to lure the

Invid away from protecting the centre.

Both Exedore and Breetai have presented their findings to the command

of the REF. These officers must now decide what to do next.

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Darkness had fallen over the ravaged city on Tirol. It ged the Invid

Regis into revealing the secrets of the Flower of Life to him. Now he

tried to rid Tirol of the Invid.

Raising a hand to signal the group to stop, Zor surveyed the area
carefully. He was waiting for a sign.

Far off in the distance, the clouds reflected the light of several
explosions. Zor's black liquid eyes scanned the skies. Barely visible,

patrolling Invid craft turned away and headed towards the site of the

disturbances.

"Good. Those are out of our way. We'd better get going before any

otherstake over here." The group continued on their path.

After a brisk walk, they reached the city-limits. Out in field, the

object of their mission stood. Taken over by the Invid, the relay-centre

now surved as monitoring station. Zor took a pair of binoculars.

"At least they're still predictable. Wait!" Zor focussed the binoculars

on a shape. "That one I'm not familiar with. Must be a new stage in

evolution." He studied the large Invid. It looked like any other Invid,

only larger, and with new cannons on its back. Little did Zor know that

it wasn't the Regis that controlled Tirol. "That could be a problem. I

beleive that one is left behind to guard the centre on it's own." Then

the image was obscured. A growl ripped through the night.

Out of the ground, an Invid Cougar emerged, ready to drive it's claw into

Zor's body. Zor dropped the binoculars, and jumped out of the reach of the

Invid. Pieces of rock flew away as the claw hit some boulders.

From the group, a Tirolian ordered to take aim at the Invid. Zor sped to

the group, waving his arms not to use their weapons. "Don't shoot. It will

only alert the other Invid of our presence." He yelled.

"But, then what? We can't outrun it." Cabell said.

Zor reached the group. "Use the nets. Paralyze it, then I will disable it."

He picked up one of the nets, just as the drone prepared to charge the

group.

"We are lucky there is only one of those cats." Zor thought, as he fired

the net. The drone was cought in mid air, claws reaching out to grab who

ever was in their reach. Then it dropped to the ground, shaking, sparks

flashing.

"Hurry, we don't have much time before it recovers." Zor jumped forward

to the inorganic creature. The Cougar's claws made spastic moves.

After a quick study, Zor reached behind the head. The Invid stopped moving,

seemingly dead. Holding a small, luminous device, Zor stepped back. "This

one will not harm us."

Baffled, Lisa and Jack looked on. "Is he for real? How come he knows so

much about these things?" The Sergeant asked.

"I will explain." Zor said. "It is the fact that the Invid are not
technical wizards. This inorganic is remotely controlled. Remove the

receiver, all it's functions stop." He dropped the receiver on the ground,

then smashed it with his foot. "How I know this, is another story. And at

this moment I do not have the time to tell you this."

Determined, the group went forth on their way. At another location, the

Regent unfolded his latest plan to exercise his power.

"It has been ordered that an assault-force shall eliminate the Giant's

flagship. I will not accept failure, from any of the groups." The commanding

Invids listened, bowing to the Regent as he passed by. He continued.

"Once this vessel is destroyed, we will increase our effort to wipe out the

Giants that are threatening our existence. They will not succeed in driving

us away."

One stepped forward. "My Regent. With all due respect and honour, but our

forces are not in the condition to fulfil this mission. We have no defences

against the weaponry of the Giants. It is in our best intere..." A bolt of

laserfire hit him.

The Invid writhed with pain. All others stared at the stricken being, then

at the Regent. Next to him, two hive-guards held energy rifles in their

hands. "Anyone else have any objections?"

Shocked, Tesla hurried over to the wounded Invid. "He will live." The

Regent remarked flatly, not showing any remorse or concern.

"I strongly object to this act of barbarism!" Tesla responded. "So, our

leader reacts to criticism by means of force? I cannot and will not accept

such behaviour!" The veins had swolen up by the force with which Tesla

clenched his fists.

"What is that?!" The Regent turned to Tesla. "Now even you attack me? I'm

warning you, don't stand in my way, any of you." With this, the Regent left.

Tesla breathed heavily. His black eyes showed no emotion, but the Invid

scientist hated the Regent. He looked from one commander to the other. They

all knew something had to be done, but for now, the Regent remained in

control. Too many elements of the Invid forces were on the Regents side.

On the flagship of the REF a critical decision was about to be taken.

Sitting at the head of the long conference table, Dr. Lang spoke.

"It cannot be denied that our mission here will be quite different then

what we had planned. I ask you to consider your vote very carefully. The

question is: will the REF stay here and fight the Invid, or are we to

return to Earth? Please give your votes now."

The room filled with a hum of voices as the command of the REF took the

vote. Exedore and Breetai looked on, they had already decided what to do

long before the issue had been presented.

Fingers pressed buttons. On his monitor, Lang viewed the votes coming in.

After some minutes, he handed the new Admiral of the fleet the result.

Rick rose, straightened his new uniform. All the commanding officers of

the fleet looked at him, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the vote. Then

Rick spoke. "It must be clear that the result of this vote cannot be

turned back. It has been decided, with a majority of 84 votes against 7,

that the REF..." Rick paused. "...will not return to Earth and stay here

to fight the Invid and liberate Tirol." He folded the piece of paper

together. "Gentlemen, I must extend my gratitude for bestowing me with...."

Then the alarms sounded through the SDF-3. Right after that, Patricia's

voice sounded, warning the citizens of Pioneer City to get to the shelters.

"This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill. Invid craft detected

and are preparing to attack us. All officers, report to your assigned stations."

From the hangars, the Valkyries and Alphas were hurried to be launched.

Within minutes, the planes took off. Having been deployed over the fuselage

of the SDF-3, the Destroids were preparing for their first fight.

"What's the situation?" The commander of the SDF-3 rushed to the bridge.

First officer Mary Wood briefed Rick. "We have detected a large group of

Invid Troopcarriers. So far, they have not launched any craft, but we suspect

them to be waiting for other Carriers to join them. I've ordered the fighters

to be launched and to prepare all Destroid units."

"Very good." Rick studied the radar. "They are not moving in. Order the

Valkyries to attack. And order the Super-Valk's to group up with them. If

we want to take them out now, we need more firepower."

"Why not send in a cruiser then? That could take the Carriers out just as

fast." Julie remarked.

From his seat, Rick replied. "Because, Lieutenant Michaels, even the SDF-3

was almost destroyed by those Invid. Our Veritechs stand a much better

chance. Sending in a cruiser would make it the target for all of the Invid

attack-forces."

Outside the SDF-3, the Valkyries and Alphas got ever closer to the
Carriers, which showed no movement or action. Their lack of actions

puzzled the Veritech-pilots.

"I don't like it." Commander Max Sterling thought. His targeting sight

locked onto the nearest Carrier. The leader of the Skull Squadron prepared

to unleash a barrage of missiles on the unsuspecting craft.

Then the Invid sprung the trap. All of a sudden, the Troopcarriers engaged

the engines and sped towards the screen of Veritechs. Some pilots managed

to launch their missiles, but most of them didn't hit the targets. Without

the launch of a single Invid, the Carriers had defeated the Veritech defences

and broken through. Racing towards the fleet, the Carriers executed their

plan with near perfection.

"What the...?" Shocked, Max spun his Alpha around, only to see the Carriers

disappear in the distance. "Oh my God. This is Skull one to SDF-3. The Invid

have broken through, repeat the Invid have broken through. All Veritechs

return to the fleet. Full speed."

Receiving the message, Sussanna Hill stiffened behind her console. "Sir,

Commander Sterling tells me the Invid have broken through our Veritech defences!"

"Alert the Destroids. Prepare to engage the enemy. Have all batteries ready."

Rick thought for a moment. "Commander Wood, can we fire the Main Gun?"

Mary checked the energy read out. The attack of the Invid on the SDF-3 had

severely damaged the power converters of the Main Gun. Mary turned to Rick

and shook her head. "Not enough power, Admiral."

Nervous, Rick tapped his finger on the arm-rest of his seat. Again, his

vessel was the target of hundreds of Invid craft. His other hand supported

his head. His mind running, Rick couldn't come up with a good plan to defend

the SDF-3. "Recall all craft."

Mary looked at Rick again. "They can't be here in time, Sir."

From the radar station, Julie reported the latest developments. "The Carriers

have stopped again. I am now picking up waves of new craft. I'm going to

plot their course."

What Julie couldn't see on the radar was that there weren't only Scouts

being deployed. This time, the Invid had sent groups of Shock Troopers along,

outfitted with special boosters. The powerfull Shock Troopers had far better

and heavier weaponry then the Scouts.

All over the SDF-3, guns were aimed in the direction of the oncoming Invid

attack. The heavy guns of dozens of MAC-III Destroids moved into position,

ready to unleash their power against the enemy craft.

Nearing their target, the Invid regrouped, sending the Scouts ahead to distract

any guns. Behind the first wave, the Shock Troopers held their positions,

ready to start their attack.

All over the fuselage of the SDF-3, the crews manning the Zentraedi style

laser turrets adjusted their targetting-sensors. There was no doubt these

guns could ever stop the Invid. What was coming at the SDF-3, overwhelmed

it's defences.

Several Horizont-Shuttles had been deployed to set up a new defensive

perimeter. In addition, a group of ten Garfish had been called upon to

defend the SDF-3. Standing by were two Ikazuchis, should the situation

get very uncomfortable.

Then space lit up. The Invid started their offensive strike. Targetting

the guns on the SDF-3, plasma-discs ran over the SDF-3, hitting the hull,

blowing holes and ravaging the guns.

"Admiral, we're in trouble!" Mary exclaimed. The apparent lack of defense

by the Valkyries or Alphas gave the Invid free play. The combined effort

of the Scouts and Shock Troopers turned out to be having the effect the

Regent expected.

"This is section-8 block-leader. We have a breach in the hull here, and

atmospheric decompression. The section is sealed, but it's severely damaged.

We need.... Aaaarrgh!!" The voice dissolved into an explosion as the section

was torn apart. The whole of the SDF-3 shook by the tremendous force created

by the blast.

"What was that?" Rick turned to Francis. "Oh no! Sir, the entire section just

blew up, there's a hole gaping the size of 3 floors and 2 sections wide." Her

voice trembled and her hands shook as she ran her fingers over her console's

keyboard to assess the extent of the damage dealt to the ship.

Receiving an urgent message, Sussanna tried to get Rick's atention. "Yes,

what is it?" He said.

"Dr. Lang informs me that the SDF-3 is in serious danger. It's his advice to

immediately engage the Barrier System, Sir." Sussanna told Rick, while relaying

dozens of other reports indicating serious damages all over the SDF-3.

"I can't do that! All the Veritechs are out there! With the Barrier in place,

they can't return. They'll be massacred by the Invid." Rick looked at the

ceiling for a moment, looking for an answer. "Call in the Garfish. Tell them,

we need support. Have the Ikazuchis move in and ready their weapons."

Far away, on Tirol, a Hive filled with maniacal laughter as the Regent

observed the proceedings of the battle on the monitors.

Waving a clenched fist. "Look at them! Just look at them. My loyal troops are

turning their flagship into a wreck of twisted metal. Those idiots can't

overcome our power. No one can stand in our way now. We are superior. We

will defeat the Giants once and for all. Then we will expand our Empire even

further. Let the Regis follow the Flower of Life. I, the Regent, I will make

our race the rulers of the Universe. We are destined to become the ultimate

force in history. Feared by all who oppose us." His head turned to the scientist

Tesla.

"Why, Tesla, you look shocked. Don't you aggree that we are on the brink of

defeating our greatest enemy? Who cares anyway. Listen to me." The Regent

neared Tesla and bowed over to the smaller creature. "Get the dockyards up

and running again. I need bigger weapons, bigger ships. Our Carriers alone

can't bring us the power to conquer worlds. We need ships like the Giants

have. See to it. And if you fail me, or I get the impression you are working

against me, I'll have your head!"

Shivering, Tesla bowed to the Regent. His last objection to the Regent was

still in his mind. He would obey the Regent for the time being. "My Regent,

your vision has proven to be the path to follow for our people. It will be my

honour to aid us in our new...conquest."

The Regent put his hand on Tesla's shoulder. "See, even you understand the

true nature of our race. There can be no place in the universe for other

races. First we will eradicate the Giants and the Tirolians, then we will

set out and claim our place as supreme leaders. It is our destiny, Tesla,

and you will help to fulfill that. I can see our future depends on you and

your wisdom as well as my guidance and vision. Together, we will be victorious!"

The Regent returned to viewing the monitors. His face was lit by the explosions.

Rubbing his hands, the Regent relished the certain victory. Tesla looked on in

disgust. Seeing how the Regent wallowed in the destruction visible on the

screens, Tesla felt he was seeing the future of his people. A dark and grim

future, that would lead to ultimate doom for the Invid.

But now the Invid were indeed winning. Their craft swooped over the SDF-3,

skilfully evading the lasercannons, and meanwhile further crippling the flagship

of the REF.

On the bridge, Rick was two minds. He could save the SDF-3 by engaging the

Barrier, but that would put all Veritechs at risk. They were vastly outnumbered.

But if he didn't raise the Barrier, the Invid would eventually tear the SDF-3

to shreds.

An alarmed voice cought his attention. "Sergeant Marks, get back to your

position! You're leaving your post. Return at once and defend the third

sector. The enemy can detect you if you don't return." Mary had a hard time

trying to convince her former lover that he was in danger.

The Destroid pilot replied. "Commander, you are probably unaware of the

situation out here! There are Invid everywhere. It doesn't matter where I

am. I will fight them my own way. OUT!" David Marks moved his Raidar away

from his location. The giant Destroid emerged from behind the protective

shield. "I'll show her!"

Mary witnessed the actions of David in disbelief. He revealed himself to

the Invid by moving to the open. At her radar-post, Julie looked at Mary.

"If anything happens to him, Commander Wood, you'll be sorry you ever heard

of me!" She thought. Her eyes searched for the Destroid her friend was in.

All around him, plasma discs hit the SDF-3. Taking aim, David shot down two

Invid Scouts. "They're not too hard to crack." He hadn't said it, or the

Raidar was hit by a volley of discs from a Shock Trooper.

"Aaah! Where did he come from?" Dazzled, David worked the controls of his

Mecha. "Sergeant, for the last time. Get back to your post. You are

endangering yourself and all other members of your squad. Do you hear

me?! DAVID!!" The bridge officer shouted his name, trying to reach him,

to make him return.

Another salvo hit the left leg of the Destroid. "I can't move! I can't

move!!" David shouted, his eyes flashing over the screens. The knee-joint

sparked, then collapsed. For a moment the Destroid stood motionless, then

it careened over to one side. "Oh no! I got to get out of here!"

"David, use your ejection seat! Do you read me?!" Mary yelled the commands.

Detecting the helpless Destroid, a group of Shock Troopers landed on the

hull of the SDF-3. Slowly they moved in on the Raidar, which was desperately

firing it's canons and lasers.

A cry of fear escaped Julie's mouth. Her eyes fixed on a group of Invid

craft, zeroing in on the helpless Destroid. "Mary! Do something! SAVE HIM!!!"

"Raidar squad. Emergency, Sergeant Marks is down. Request immediate back-up

in sector three, repeat sector three. Raidar down!" Mary turned to see

Julie. When their eyes met, she could see the hatred burning in Julie's

eyes. Whatever was going to happen, Mary knew Julie was holding her responsible.

"Commander, this is Lieutenant Hill. Acknowledge your command, we will be

in sector three ASAP!"

But it was too late. The group of Shock Troopers opened up on the fallen

Destroid. In a matter of seconds, discs pierced the thick armor, penetrated

the metal, set of internal explosions and ravaged the Raidar. "HELP ME!!! AAAAAHH!!!"

A gigantic explosion signalled the destruction of the Destroid.

"NOOOOO!!!!" Julie screamed with a raw voice, then she dropped her face

on her console and let her tears flow freely. The rest of the crew realized

what had happened.

Mary froze as she saw the Destroid engulfed in burst out in flames. Slowly

she turned her face. First she saw Sussanna, the English Communications

officer, her face saddened by the loss of a crew-member. Then Mary's eyes

landed on Julie. The girl cried, pounding her fist on the screen. Somehow,

she noticed Mary was looking at her. Wiping away the tears, Julie rose from

her seat, walked to Mary and let her red eyes stare deep into Mary's.

"You've killed him..." She said flatly. "You've killed David..."

"Lieutenant Michaels, you're relieved of duty." Rick intervened. He placed

himself between the two women. For a moment, Julie's eyes left Mary's face.

"Yes, Sir." Then the eyes burning with hate found Mary's again. "You'll pay

for this. I promise you that."

Julie turned, and Francis went to her, to support her. Julie shoved her aside.

"I don't need need any of your sympathy!" She ran to the door and left the bridge.

Mary held her hand up to her mouth. "It's not my fault, it's not my
fault..." She mumbled, still hearing Julie's words.

On the communications console, a red light flashed, indicating an urgent

incoming message. Sussanna punched it up.

"Admiral, I must stress the fact that if the Barrier isn't activated soon,

this craft will be destroyed!" Dr. Lang had calculated the damage to the

craft, and he was worried.

"Get me Commander Sterling." Rick said with a voice that didn't reveal any

of his emotions. "Commander Sterling, due to the attacks of the Invid and

the subsequent damage the SDF-3 has suffered, we see no other option than

to activate the Barrier System. I order you not to return to the SDF-3 until

all enemy units are gone."

In his Alpha, Max was stun by what Rick told him. "You can't be serious.

There's no way we can hold all these Invid off out here. We will try and

reach you as soon as possible. Please give us some time, Admiral." Max pushed

his Alpha to the limit, trying to reach his new home, to protect it.

Rick closed his eyes. "Commander Wood, engage the Barrier System."

"What's this?" The Regent looked on in disbelief as the shimmering green

bubble formed around the SDF-3. It didn't take very long for him to realize

what had happened. "So they crawl back into a shell to survive. Tesla!

Your analysis!"

Running a few analyzing programs, Tesla soon had a basic idea. "My Regent,

as far as I can say at this moment, the vessel has created what appears to

be a protective barrier. It is capable of absorbing the plasma discs fired

at it by our craft, rendering it impervious to our weapons."

The Regent snarled. "This cannot be! Not now, not when we are so close."

He banged his fists on the screen. Again. And again until it began to show

cracks. "Order all craft to press the attack. They won't get away with this."

"Continuing to attack serves no purpose, our weapons can't penetrate that

protection." Tesla tried to convince the Regent, tried to prevent another

sacrifice of Invid just to satisfy the Regent.

Tesla was shocked by the ease with which the Regent accepted this set-back.

"Remove all Invid craft." Then faced Tesla. "The dockyards, Tesla, I need

the dockyards."

"Sir, it's unbelievable. The Invid are breaking off their attack." Sussanna

said cheerfull. She saw Mary's sad face and immediately thought about what

had happened.

"Get me a list of all casualties and wounded." Rick left his seat.
"Commander Wood, you have done your best to save Sergeant Marks' life. I

must commend you."

"Thank you, Sir..." Mary's voice trembled. She stared out of the
observation-bubble, into space. In the distance, several explosions and

eruptions of fire were visible. It were just skirmishes. She blinked her

eyes.

Julie sat in the cantina. Her body was still shaking, her face in her hands.

A man was observing her. He was in his mid forties. And scarred for life.

Drinking a glass of brandy, he thought carefully. He knew who she was, the

girl at the table. Oh yes, Thomas Edwards knew exactly who she was, and who

it was she disliked. His aide Benson had delivered very good reports.

"Mind if I take this seat?" Edwards asked.

Julie saw his face. The closed right-eye, the scarr running over his face.

At first she was a bit frightened, but it gave way for a different feeling.

"Go ahead." She ordered a drink.

"What's the matter? Anything I can do to help you?" Edwards indeed was a

polite man, if he wanted to be polite.

"Hah, you're funny. No. No one can help me anymore. Unless you can bring the

dead back to life." Julie had an air of coolness over her. She was a hard

lady, had been fighting all her life. During the Zentraedi attack on Earth,

she lost all of her family. Her youth had been filled fighting to survive.

And not all of those fights were fair ones.

Edwards raised an eyebrow. "Lost someone you know? I know how it feels." He

lied. A human life meant nothing to Edwards. Only his own of course.

Julie took her glass. "What are you, some kind of rocket-scientist to figure

that one out?" Her sorrow made way for sarcasm, a feeling of indifference.

Nothing meant much to Julie now.

"Hmmm, spirited girl." He thought. "Oh, I'm sorry if I made you upset." He

emptied his glass in one gulp. "A loved one?"

Julie put her head in her hands. "Why are you so interested in what
happened to me?" Green eyes stared Edwards in his face. Angry looking eyes,

ready to lash out at anybody, for any reason.

"I see a young woman, and attractive as well, crying. Is it a crime for me

to try and give you some comfort? Just say the word, and I leave." He got to

his feet, ready to leave.

"No, don't go. I want someone to talk to." Julie wiped her eye. "Who are you,

by the way?" Straightening herself.

"The name is Thomas Riley Edwards, Colonel of the REF. Commander of the

battlecruiser Tirpitz." And a proud man he was.

"I'm Julie Michaels, radar-operator of the SDF-3." Thinking about her post,

the visions came back and she started crying again. Edwards went to her and

put an arm around her.

"He's gone. Dead. I love him, and now he's dead. It's all her fault!" There

was a catch in her voice.

"Who's fault?" Edwards patted Julie's back.

"Mary's fault. She is responsible." Julie stopped crying. "She'll pay for

this."

A faint smile formed on Edwards' face. "Mary Wood, niece of Admiral Lisa

Hayes. Interesting." A plot formed in his mind. This girl he was holding

offered him an excellent opportunity.

"Well now. Wouldn't you rather go home, then stay here in the cantina? I'll

bring you there." Edwards used his best charm to win this one for him, a

new pawn in his game of chess with Rick Hunter.

"Yes, I would like that. Thank you." Slowly, Julie got up, and right into

Edwards hands.

Another Troop-carrier closed and headed back to Tirol. Groups of Alphas

pursued it, firing missiles at it.

"This is Gamma-two, regroup at four-four-nine. Engage the carriers. Try

to knock out the engines." Mike Fields commanded the group as well as he

could.

"Roger, Gamma-two." Three Valkyries teamed up with Mike's, then flew

towards a waiting Carrier.

From the corner of his eye, Mike saw an Invid coming his way. Without

thinking, he engaged forward thrust, switched to Guardian-mode and rolled

the craft to the right. The large shape missed the Valkyrie, but instead

of turning around, continued it's path to a Carrier.

Mike looked on, seemingly puzzled. "I don't get it, he could easily have

finished me there." He raised the gun, and seconds later, bullets riddled

the Scout, an explosion marking it's end.

As Mike scanned his surroundings, he saw swarms of Invid craft returning

to the Carriers. But none of them reacted to the bursts of bullets coming

from the Valkyries and Alphas, as if they didn't think it neccessary.

Francis noticed it too. "Sir, all enemy craft are retreating. Should we

continue to pursue them?"

"No, get the fighters back home. Disengage the Barrier. And I want a complete

damage-report of all sectors." Rick knew they had had a narrow escape once

again. The opposition they faced was a fierce and ferocious one, set on retaining

a tight grip to Tirol.

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Next on Robotech II: Sentinels, Guardians of Earth:

The small band of Tirolian resistance-fighters penetrates the Invid relay

centre. Here they are shocked by what they find. Jack and Lisa get separated

from Zor.

Meanwhile, Rick together with Breetai devises a plan to set up a
provisional base-camp on Tirol. But the plan nearly turns into tragedy as

the commander of one of the assigned vessels defies the commands given.

Be sure to watch for Love and War, the next thrillpacked episode in the

continuing drama of Robotech II: Sentinels, Guardians of Earth.