Original subtitles

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[NARRATOR] Nova Satori has uncovered a plot

to smuggle the alien Musica onto the Earth.

Fleeing to avoid capture, Bowie Grant and Musica

make a startling discovery.

Hidden inside the ruins of the SDF-1

are the mutated remains of the Robotech Masters'

abandoned Protoculture factory.

The matrix has mutated into the dreaded Invid Flower of Life

and has begun infesting the planet

with spores and seedlings.

The Invid's very existence depends on feeding off

these mysterious plants.

General Leonard, unaware of the delicate balance

which exists between his planet's survival

and the lives of the Robotech Masters,

has called for an all-out attack

against the lesser of two evils.

[NOVA] Grant, you round up Zor's prisoners

and escort them to headquarters.

[BOWIE] I'm sorry. I refuse.

I want no part of the military anymore.

Bowie, General Emerson is fighting desperately

to help save us. Now help him!

I want nothing to do with him!

But he's your friend!

Musica is my friend. Not my enemy or a prisoner.

Leave us alone!

- -Bowie. Don't make me-- - -[DANA] Nova, listen to me.

[NOVA] What do you want, Dana?

You mustn't blame them. Look at them both.

Can't you see?

She followed him to Earth because she loves him.

Is that so difficult to understand?

Haven't you ever been in love?

[gasps] Hmm.

Why do you always have to be so cold-blooded, Nova?

It's my duty, that's why.

And my job is to maintain order no matter what the cost!

[DANA] Wait! Be reasonable!

Give me the prisoner right now, Bowie.

Or both of you will get hurt!

Oh. So that's how you want to play, is it?

Well, over my dead body, you will!

- -No, please, Bowie. - -Huh?

I will go with her peacefully.

Musica, let me handle it.

This is a person who I thought was a friend.

I guess I was wrong.

I'm your friend.

You don't need this.

But isn't she one of the clones?

No, Musica is vital to the Robotech Masters.

Look there. Those flowers.

The Invid Flowers of Life, mutated Protoculture,

the Robotech Masters' life and power source.

Once the clones are generated, it is only Musica's playing

that keeps them calm and under our control.

What you're saying is that without her music,

all those clones would run rampant and escape.

[gasps]

Bowie, I-- Please, let's pretend that I never saw her, okay?

May we?

Oh, yeah!

[NOVA] Wait a minute!

We may still have some trouble ahead of us.

My squad will be arriving here in a few minutes.

[DANA] Then we've got to get out of here!

Don't concern yourself with them.

They won't move without a direct order from Nova.

I am positive!

Great! Then we better get moving!

[ZOR] I must do everything in my power

to keep the Invid Flower of Life in the proper hands.

[MEKEL] There has been a large decline

in the output of bioenergy.

Combat and technical personnel on every ship now suffer

from a noticeable decrease in judgment

and fighting ability.

The bioroid transport ships with their diminished power

and inefficiency will be taken by the enemy.

To continue the battle

under these circumstances is very risky.

Only 36 percent of the remaining soldiers

are capable of functioning as normal biohumans.

Immediate action is advised.

Mekel, you will now switch the transport ship

to automatic immediately.

Load all functioning beings aboard the flagship.

But that would decrease the bioenergy supply

onboard this ship beyond safe levels.

Is there some other possibility?

I see no other alternative but to dispose of the invalids.

[MEKEL] Hmm...

It is apparent they are simply excess baggage.

We must sacrifice them for our salvation.

Prepare to transport all invalids to Earth.

Then double the defense on each ship.

- [MEKEL] Yes. - [ROBOTECH MASTER 3] Tell me,

what is the possibility of a Protoculture mutation?

[CLONE MASTER 1] Well...

Within four days, we will have reached

critical levels, M'lord.

[growls]

We must safeguard our position

by obtaining the Earth's Protoculture!

All right, let's move along.

Come on, come on, keep moving, let's go.

The rest of you will wait in this room

until further orders are received.

What are they doing injecting the clones with anti-pain serum?

Because with the serum, they become immune to pain

and can stay in battle till the bitter end.

It has come to this?

That is their fate.

War is their sacrificial altar.

It is the Robotech way.

Be careful not to penetrate too deeply

or they'll pull you into their trap!

[MARIE] The way things look,

the entire Southern Cross could be wiped out!

Where are the ground forces?

Pull together the remains

of each battalion and reform squads.

[MARIE] Roger!

Radio base at once!

[ROLF] The enemy attack against us

is incredibly strong, Commander Leonard.

Start your counterattack immediately.

Otherwise, we won't be able to hold out much longer.

We were entirely prepared to make a frontal attack

when we could find their weak point,

but your tactical assault having failed

has made our preparations a useless effort!

Commander, that would mean the total obliteration

of the Southern Cross! You must send some support now!

You're giving me an order?

Commander, I have an urgent message.

I'll be right back. Now what?

Small enemy ship descending, ten point two kilometers.

They have penetrated our front line, sir.

Where, Seward?

So they've done it.

This entire predicament is much, much worse

than I could have ever expected.

It is up to you and your men, Emerson,

to protect the satellite orbit.

- -Sir, that's impossible! - -[LEONARD] Enough!

I want no more infiltration. Do you understand, General?

Yes, Commander Leonard.

There is one other thing I want you

to be aware of, Emerson.

[ROLF] And what is that, sir?

Your godson has gone AWOL

with an agent sent here by the enemy.

He's what? He's gone AWOL?

- -That's impossible! - -1 know he's your ward,

but to go AWOL and help an enemy spy escape

is a very serious crime.

Mmm.

He had to have been brainwashed.

Emerson! Don't jump to stupid conclusions!

You're right. He is a soldier like all of us.

He'll take the consequences... whatever his reason was.

I'll defend this final astral frontier to the end,

Commander Leonard!

[ROLF] Bowie, I'm so sorry we were never able

to understand one another.

Reposition for battle.

Squadron commanders will prepare for direct invasion

of alien command ship!

Huh? It doesn't even phase 'em!

It's like they don't even feel it!

[grunting]

[ALIEN OFFICER] Target trajectory complete.

Fire when ready.

[screaming]

[grunting, screaming]

Newton and Manville are completely demolished.

The enemy is using an electromagnetic fission beam

that rips apart atomic structure!

Hmm. Order all squads to assemble at Monument City.

There is no time for that, Commander.

The squadrons are isolated and scattered everywhere.

- -Do it! - -[OPERATOR 1] Yes, sir.

Commander, I'm receiving communication from the aliens.

- -What? - -[ROBOTECH MASTER 1] Attention,

Commander Leonard.

Attention, Commander Leonard.

Attention, all leaders

of the Southern Cross Defense Force.

Listen very closely to what we have to say.

We are now capable of demolishing you completely

with little effort.

We advise you to surrender

and evacuate your planet immediately.

[ROBOTECH MASTER 2] Evacuate the planet

within 38 hours

or we will be forced to destroy your home world.

Now you listen!

We underwent much suffering and agony

to make this planet our home.

We're not going to just give it up!

Commander Leonard, this is an ultimatum,

not a suggestion.

The Invid have already detected

the presence of Protoculture on this planet.

You must now leave this matter to us.

It's impossible to evacuate our citizens

and troops within 38 hours.

Absolutely impossible!

More time. We must have at least seven days!

Forty-eight hours, then, and no more.

But we can't!

Forty-eight hours, Commander.

Well, Supreme Commander?

All squadrons assemble at Monument City

and prepare for a massive attack.

Yes, sir. But Commander--

Do it now, on the double!

Sir!

[LEONARD] We defeated the Zentraedi,

and now we've got these so-called Robotech Masters

and whatever the Invid are.

Well, our troops can handle them too!

[DENNIS] General Emerson! If you can hear me,

please respond!

[MAN yells]

[groans] We must protect the planet.

All Southern Cross squadrons return to Earth.

We must defend the front line.

I pray that you fight well and return safely.

[DENNIS] Try to hang on, General.

We're coming to get youl!

[grunts] Blast.

[beeps]

[ROLF grunts]

- -[MARIE gasps] - -[DENNIS] General!

Never mind about me.

The ship is about to explode. Get out!

[grunts]

[DENNIS] Don't worry.

[MARIE] To the escape capsule.

[ROLF] Somehow our civilization must survive!

It looks like we made it.

Yes.

[ANGELO] Uh-oh. Looks like the gang's all here

and getting ready for a party.

A surprise party.

And here we are, stuck up here

and not able to do a thing about it!

We also have no way to escape!

[DANA] Zor seems so different, so urgent!

[ZOR] I must stop this madness!

[LOUIE] Huh?

[ANGELO] Hmm.

The Masters.

Heads up!

[SCIENCE MASTER 2] There are the Protoculture pods.

But what is down there with them?

[GROUP] Hmm.

What are those Earth intruders doing

in this sacred area?

Magnify monitor.

Zor is with them!

Even Musica.

Don't come any closer. Stop!

If you blast us in this area,

you'll be destroying the flowers as well.

What do we do now?

[ZOR] Clear the area or we will attack.

What about Musica?

Go to the Masters!

Tell them we must end it.

We cannot go on this way!

You, in the depths of your ignorance,

you do not realize that when the Invid legions come,

no Earth being will survive.

[SCIENCE MASTER 2] Know this, Zor Prime:

We will be back!

Huh? You mean, you knew they wanted

the Invid Flowers all along?

That's why you stopped me, isn't it?

[ZOR] Yes.

- -It came to me only recently. - -[DANA] Hmph!

Bits of my memory are coming back, and Musica was the key!

So it's all just Musica's fault, hm?

Hmm?

I'm sure.

[gasps]

There's not a moment to waste.

Dana, will you please dispatch the hover ship immediately?

Meanwhile, we can set up an ambush for the clones?

Anything you like. Just make sure they don't spot you.

Nova, order your subordinates

to lie in wait for us right here.

Yes.

[ZOR] The war is almost at an end.

[ANNOUNCER] Please proceed in an orderly fashion.

There is ample room in the shelter system.

All traffic in the Denver Zone has been stopped.

Drivers are urged to abandon their vehicles

and take shelter immediately.

Repeat. Proceed in an orderly fashion

to the nearest shelter.

Hmm? He's gotta be joking. We'll never give up!

[ROBOTECH MASTER 2] A great pity.

Our information led us to believe

that you are seeking a peaceful settlement.

Our goal is the same.

We respect you as we do other beings

who have the same human form as we.

Even our intellects are similar.

That so? Well, then, why haven't you called off your bioroids?

I don't believe a single word you're saying.

[scoffs] You are stupid people.

SX point 83.

I know that's where you intend to make

your initial landing point.

That's how stupid we are.

[ROBOTECH MASTERS] Huh?! [growl]

And we know you're after the Invid Flowers!

And that if you don't get them, you can't survive!

Tell me just how much you people know.

About our recent history,

about our needs for survival.

We know about your weak points.

Yes. We even know your intentions

of going back home.

But we pioneered and developed this planet we call Earth

and we want to remain here.

Conform to our wishes and make no demands on us,

then perhaps we can help each other out.

We must prevent war.

With the Invid coming, you will be wiped out!

We can't allow your presence to disrupt

the stability of our Robotech Continuum!

Your stubbornness merely shows how primitive you are!

- -[laughs] - -Sir, calm down!

We've shed so much blood already,

and this is how it has to end.

[HAL] I am receiving information on Zor Prime.

What is it?

- -It's the 15th! - -[DENNIS, MARIE] Huh?

[HAL] SX point 83 is already occupied

by Zor and his group.

[ROBOTECH MASTER] What is he doing there?

Has he given you an explanation?

[HAL] Musica is no longer connected

to the Cosmic Harp.

She has joined Zor and the humans.

It's Bowie.

So that was his reason for going AWOL.

Sir, the planet Earth has just run out of time.

[CROWD chattering]

This is such a brutal war.

[LOUIE] Yeah, but can you tell me

about a war that isn't?

- -[BOWIE] Hmm. - -It's all because of Zor!

Huh? Ah, no, Musica.

It's not Zor's fault.

I know exactly whose it is!

[MUSICA] Huh?

Bowie, you are concerned about your friends.

Yes.

I know when you are sad.

The connection is strong... between you and I.

Huh?

Being so close to you is wonderful.

I feel your joys and your sorrows.

Musica.

Hmm.

- -[NOVA] Huh? - -Tell me, what do you think?

Does Zor really know how this war is going to turn out?

But what are you saying?

He doesn't want to help Musica.

He lives only for revenge against the Robotech Masters.

[DANA] Now I understand.

He's so full of torment.

He'd be willing to give up his life at this very moment

if he could just get revenge.

[ZOR] I'll make them pay!

This time, they'll pay!

[ROBOTECH MASTER 1 on radio] Zor, you traitor!

Are you there, Zor? Answer me!

Huh?

Here I am.

Do you realize that the Protoculture matrix

has gone past its dormant stage

and is now sending spores back to the Invid planet?

I wasn't aware of that.

But I do know one thing, Master.

I control the key to this planet's survival.

We are of the opinion that you are mistaken.

Watch closely. You will see.

- -Hey! - -Emerson!

[ROBOTECH MASTER 1] We can work together.

The Invid is an enemy to all!

These three men will be released

when you return Musica and remove your troops

from this area.

Does that agree with you, Zor?

Yes, but with what conditions?

[ROBOTECH MASTER 1] You will be picked up, and we will

exchange prisoners on board ship.

You heard them. All of our personnel will go.

- -[BOWIE growls] - -Oh...

I will not let you take Musica! Do you hear me?

Then stay behind and watch your good friend be killed?

- -You-- - -[MUSICA] Stop it, Bowie!

I will not allow you all to suffer.

It is not your problem.

If you go back there, you don't know what may happen.

Let's move out.

- -[ANGELO] Huh? - -Are you sure?

I know this may be risky,

but I can't watch my friends be killed!

Of course, that means you too, Zor.

Can we do it?

I'll prove we can.

I only wish I knew how.

[MEKEL] Just as we thought.

The United Earth Forces have assembled

in their Monument City.

They are inviting their own destruction.

[CLONE MASTER] Just what exactly

do you intend to do with Zor

and his Earth companions

once we get them inside the ship?

After we return Musica to her Cosmic Harp,

we shall dispose of them.

[hissing]

[ROBOROCKER 1] All right. Hand over Musica.

[DANA] First, we want to see Chief of Staff Emerson!

[ROBOROCKER 2, KARNO] Hmm?

[ROBOROCKER 1] Come.

[LOUIE] You know, I have a funny feeling

about this whole situation.

[ROBOROCKER 2] From this point,

Musica and two others only.

[DANA] Come on, Bowie.

[BOWIE] Right.

[MARIE gasps]

It's you.

[BOWIE] Rolf!

[DANA] General Emerson!

- -Thank God you're safe. - -[DANA] But you're hurt!

Ah, it's nothing serious.

It's good to see you, Bowie.

[BOWIE] Ahh! [chuckles]

[DANA] Listen, we've got to hurry up and get going.

The whole 15th Squadron is waiting

for us in the landing bay.

- -[MUSICA yells] - -[BOWIE] Musica!

[MUSICA] Bowie--

[blasters firing]

[SEAN] Hey, what's going on?

[GROUP yells]

You took your time getting here.

[SEAN] But my heart was with you all the while,

believe me, my little pigeon!

Huh?

Got to save him!

[ROLF grunts]

[groaning]

[DANA] General!

[MUSICA gasps]

My good friend, you'll be okay.

[ROLF] Mmm...

Bowie, Bowie, your voice--

it's as if I'm hearing it for the very first time!

General, forgive me.

[ROLF] Say nothing.

I am the one who is to blame, Bowie.

I don't want you youngsters to make

the same mistakes we have.

Learn from them!

In the future, two different races of people

must learn to coexist in harmony.

The future is up to all of you.

Goodbye, Bowie.

He's gone.

No! [sobbing]

[NOVA] I don't see Zor anywhere.

[ANGELO] Yeah. So? That's no concern of mine.

[ZOR] Where are you, Robotech Masters?

Your lives are in my hands, and you shall do as I command.

[NARRATOR] Next on Robotech,

the survivors of the 15th Tactical Squad

plan a daring mission to thwart

the plans of the Robotech Masters

who have virtually crippled

the United Earth Government Defense Forces.

The young heroes come face to face

with the dreaded Robotech Masters

in a no-win situation

which must be faced if the Earth is to survive.

Be watching for "Catastrophe,"

next in the saga of Robotech.

F