Chapter 1

<Man, that's a big sucker.> David thought for the hundredth time as he gazed up at the SDF-1. Standing in the shadow cast by the monolithic vessel, he felt all but insignificant. Knowing that the massive ship had come from another planet, and had been constructed - at least originally - by an alien race added to the feeling. He wondered how the ship's original owners would react if they could see what humanity had done to their lost starship.

He smiled slightly at that, returning his gaze to the crowd around him. Nearly everyone from the city was here, partying hard and enjoying the moment. Having lived on Macross Island for the better part of two years, he realized how few of them actually realized what the departure of the SDF-1 would mean to this place. Sure, the planet would have a new defender, but for the most part Macross city would cease to exist. Nearly all of the civilian population of the island - including himself - were serving in support roles for the crew of the ship. A ship that was soon to leave it's cradle behind. <Ah well, life goes on.>

Strolling aimlessly among the static displays that rested beneath the SDF-1's bow, David's gaze fell upon one of several Veritech "Valkyrie" fighters that were lined up for public inspection. He was amazed how much these new aircraft looked like the old F14 "Tomcats" used by the United States during the latter part of the last century. <You'd think that they'd come up with something more exotic when designing a combat aircraft that incorporated alien technology.> Still, he couldn't quite repress a shudder as he examined the aircraft from a distance. He was tempted to get closer, to climb up the ladder and peer into the cockpit, but he knew that it would be a mistake. Old memories - and the pain associated with them - would be too hard to suppress, too difficult to prevent from running riot through his soul again.

Averting his eyes from the aircraft, David grimaced as the memory of that tragic day surfaced. *Base tower, this is Angel Two, I am reporting an in-flight emergency, over.* He could feel the shudder of the aircraft as it started to lose control. He could hear the tortured whine of the port engine as he tried to compensate for the failure of the starboard turbine. He could see the harsh sunlight upon his face as the aircraft swung sharply to the right... could feel the sun's warmth on his cheek. It felt so real, more real than the memories ever had before.

<Wait a minute.> he thought, looking up. He wasn't caught in a reverie this time, the sun really _WAS_ shining upon his face. The bow of the SDF-1 had split down the middle like some collosal tuning fork, the two halves moving apart on massive cam-like devices. The warmth on his cheek had been the afternoon sun glaring through the gap thus created. The two halves finally came to a halt and David whistled through his teeth, his every instinct telling him to run and hide. <Something's wrong here.>

Before he could react, the sun's glare was replaced by a brighter light that was being cast by the SDF-1's bow itself. Looking closer, he saw that there was some sort of orangish, arcing energy cascading up the two halves of the the SDF's bow, leaping between the booms and snapping into the air like serpents struggling for release. The sound that accompanied that energy was unlike anything he had ever heard - a warbling, whining noise that echoed off of the nearby buildings and rattled the fillings in his teeth.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as David looked around him. Every single person in the crowd, even the military personnel, was staring at the unexpected light show above them. The feeling of vulnerability surged through him again, and he glanced around quickly - there was no place in the immediate area that would offer any kind of shelter. Looking up, David was horrified to see the energy discharges thicken and stream towards the tips of the two booms. He covered his ears and dropped to his knees as the entire area was flooded with a brilliant orange light. The blinding glare lasted a full three seconds, and was followed by and a rolling peal of thunder that seemed to explode all around him.

David waited until the last echoes of thunder had faded before looking up. The SDF-1's bow was back in one piece as if nothing had happened. <I didn't imagine all that, did I?> he wondered, looking around. Most of the people who had been standing mere seconds before were now crouched on the ground, sprawled under tables, or hugging each other tightly. David couldn't help but notice that they all had one thing in common - everyone staring dumbfoundedly past the SDF-1, towards some point behind him. Turning a slow circle, David's eyes fell on the cliff face that dominated the city's skyline. A large chunk had been torn from the center of the cliff, and steam or smoke could be seen rising beyond. <What the hell?>

As if in answer to his unspoken question, air raid sirens which has lain dormant since the last attack of the Anti-Unification Forces suddenly roared to life, drowning the area in their keening wail. David saw the helicopters that had been circling around the SDF-1 veer away sharply, diving towards the far harbor where the Daedalus and Prometheus were moored. Feeling more confused then ever, David began making his way towards the city as a male voice rang out over the public address system. "Enemy forces approaching in sector four-one-two!" 

David's eyes widened in disbelief and he stopped in his tracks as the impact of those words sank in. If he remembered his charts correctly, sector 412 was out near the orbit of the moon. The AUF didn't have any space-capable ships powerful enough to warrant this sort of alarm - not on what was supposed to be the greatest day in human history. His gaze fell upon the SDF-1 - which was, technically, an alien ship. "Damn. It couldn't be."

But he knew that it could. If aliens had come once, even if it was only to crash into the planet, then they could come again. Realizing that the SDF-1 would be a prime target for attack, David began sprinting across the tarmac, heading back towards his apartment building. 

He had just stepped off of the tarmac when the piercing whine of turbines coming up to speed caused him to look off to his left. Hangar doors were being thrown open and Valkyries, fully laden with armament, were taxiing out onto the runway. The sight filled David with equal parts of awe and fear. <Damn, I hate it when I'm right!>

At almost the same moment, a female voice rang out over the PA, sounding quite calm and collected. "We are under attack by alien invaders in sector 412! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill! All forces proceed at once in battle formation!"

<Alien invaders.> David rolled the words around inside his head. <Alien invaders. Attacking us. Which means that they're coming this way.> He made a quick decision. <Hell with the apartment. I'm getting my ass over to the shelters.>

A series of rumbling blasts that sounded like a Chevy without a muffler sounded behind him, and he looked to see numerous trails of white smoke leading high into the air, disappearing into the clouds above. He'd heard stories from the citizens who had weathered the attacks by the AUF, and he immediately recognized the trails for what they were. <Anti-missile defenses! Aw, hell!> On the far side of the island, puffs of orange and black smoke rose into the air, marking where incoming missiles had made it through.

David turned and ran. 

Forward to Chapter 2. 

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