Prologue: Escape from Annihilation
The Year is 2056, It's been over forty years since Humanity made the startling discovery that they were not alone in the Universe, and were nearly wiped out for this revelation. A war of interstellar proportions ensued that stretched from Plato all the way to Earth. The war only ended after the massive battle between the UNSpacy forces of the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, along with a small group of defecting Zentraedi led by Bri'tai, against the massive Zentraedi fleet led by the Warlord, Gorg Boldolzaa. However the cost for the victory was high, very high. The Earth was left a barren wasteland after a catastrophic and genocidal orbital bombardment that leveled entire cities, and razed continents to ash. However, from the hopes, hard work, and bravery of a handful of survivors. They rebuilt the scorched, and scarred Earth. Mankind rose up like a phoenix to fly the sea of stars again. Overcoming every hardship that was placed before them with the help of their new Allies, The Zentraedi.
The very people that nearly wiped them out. The Zentraedi were a race of giant warriors created as slave soldiers by the mysterious race that called themselves "The Protoculture". They were the first Race to venture out into the Milky Way Galaxy, and colonize worlds outside their own. The Zentraedi's massive fleets were numbered in the hundreds of millions with ships as large as 4,000 meters in length. Though, those that came into contact with The SDF-1 Macorss were shown an alternate way of life through the power of a humble love song. Their culture for thousands of years had been one of violence and warfare, so when they heard something so simple and kind, it gave them an intense sense of culture shock and a realization that there was other things in the Universe aside from Death, and War. It was the first time they had even heard music in their entire lives as the Protoculture actively denied their creations such things. Together, the Humans, and Zentradi, sought to build a future of peace and cooperation. In order to prevent another near annihilation, the people of Earth decided to spread out into the cosmos so that their culture and ways of life could survive if, someday, the Earth itself was destroyed. Massive colony fleets paved the way for Human, and Zentraedi kind to spread among the sea of Stars.
In a small and distant sector of space, the survival of one group hung by a thread. A mysterious enemy had appeared and laid siege to the Colony world that these people called home. All communications outside the system had been cut off in the first hour by a lightning assault and there was no way to inform NUNSpacy (New United Nations) of the Threat. The beleaguered defenders fought valiantly, but were unable to stave off the oncoming juggernaut that was the invading force. Tens of thousands of ships dueled in the vacuum of Space around this small insignificant blue, green world. Fighters beyond count attacked, defended and died in the matter of seconds, littering the space around the planet with the shrapnel and scrap metal of destroyed fighters, if they were lucky. For some, the only sign of they ever existed was the orange red spherical blossoms of their deaths. Ships, some 2km long, pounded and hammered away at the coming invaders, taking sometimes three or four enemy ships down for every one of them that fell. Determined to save their world and their loved ones, they fought on despite their losses and held their positions, using their ships and energy barriers to block orbital bombardments and keeping the enemy from razing cities down below.
On one such ship, the crew bent to their task as they coordinated with the 5th Inner Defense fleet, 3rd task force. This ship was the Super Dimensional Fortress 12 LaSalle, a Macross Class Battlefortress. At 1200m long, it wasn't the largest of ships by far, some of the Zentran Ships reaching upwards of 600,000m. Though most are on average 2,000m+ long.
Standing in its Assault form the ship looked impressive against the night sky. It's blue and white super strong armor was glistening in the planetary system's twin stars. Looking like a great Techno-Knight. Its weapons lancing death at the seemingly unstoppable enemy. Flights of VF-171 Nightmare Plus Fighters flew off and resupplied upon her Supplement ships, The ARMDs Icarus and Perseus.
"Status Report?" Captain James Grant demanded while bracing himself in his command chair on the bridge of the LaSalle. He was quickly answered by one of his subordinates who informed him that they had lost a third of their fighters and the Ship was taking a beating, but holding steady. A smile of pride graced Grant's lips as he listened to the tone of his crew. None sounded like they were panicking at the insurmountable odds that were stacked against them. Their tones were even and professional, hardened through countless drills and hours of training and simulation programs. James was an impressively sized man who stood a 5'11" tall. With a head of regulation trimmed brown hair combed back and a trimmed mustache placed snugly on his upper lip, it gave him an image of being an old and experienced man. His hazel eyes flashed between blue and green as he looked through the "Fishbowl" of the front windscreen of the Command citadel. He was a new breed of Ship captain, different from those of pre-spaceflight or the ones that had first set out from Earth to colonize new worlds. The Planet's Government had become desperate in the current situation and given him a promotion. That was the only reason he found himself in the Command of a Macross Class Battlefortress at only 38 years old. A position he wouldn't even be considered for at least another decades under normal conditions, and if he was being honest, Grant did not blame them. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Grant nodded as the status update finished. He felt pain for all the men and women he was losing, but that was the way of things and he couldn't let up, there were billions at stake.
The Planet of Arcadia was fairly new, having been colonized only 15 years ago. It had originally been discovered by the 13th Long-distance Colonization fleet after 20 years of searching in this region of space. James could remember the day they saw the planet. He was still but a boy when he saw it and it was the first time he ever set foot on an actual planet. Having been born on the fleet he wasn't among the lucky few to remember what it was like to live on Earth, Mars, or the other planets that the Humans, and Zentraedi colonized. So when the day came to allow the people to begin landing on Arcadia, it was one of the most beautiful sites he could remember seeing. The world that would become his new home hung like a Christmas ornament in Space. Ironically, the Colony fleet touched down on what would eventually be the world's Christmas Day.
"CAPTAIN! Priority One communication from the Command, sir. The Council is ordering an immediate evacuation of the planet." The Comms officer reported from her station. James's head snapped around to face her. She simply nodded already anticipating his question. The news was like a death knell, the planet was lost.
"Contact the rest of the Task force. Tell them to move to protect the evacuation ships." James ordered as he stood up from his chair and walked towards the front of the bridge. Just below, the din of people talking and the clacking of command control keys in the CIC (Combat Information Center) added to the noise of battle. James stared out at the sea of stars and the enemy ships that continued their approach, at random intervals defensive missiles would fly out of their racks to destroy enemy missiles or fighters, and vice versa, almost making them look like fireworks.
James steeled his resolve to protect his people before turning around. As he faced the back of the bridge, he stopped. There something stood, or rather floated. James didn't move or speak as the world seemed to fall away around him, and this apparition. It was still too fuzzy to see any details, but it appeared feminine in a long flowing blue dress. The moment came and went in a blink of an eye.
"Captain?" The helmswoman called, a bit unnerved to see him standing so motionless.
James shook his head a moment and rubbed his eyes. The apparition was gone. "Must've been my imagination." James thought before returning to his seat.
From the Surface of the Planet, massive flotilla of evacuation ships rose up into the sky, even as stray shots from the Enemy armada rained down. Some of those shots were even striking the fleeing ships, causing them to explode in tremendous fireballs. It was horrific site and only became more horrific when one thought about how many families were aboard. The ships continued on, fleeing the planet. But their attempt was catching the eyes of the enemy, and some of them adjusted themselves, and concentrated their attack on the fleeing Ships.
"Captain Grant! The evacuation ship "Ark" has been severely damaged, two enemy cruisers are closing in for the kill!" The Radar ensign reported. Her voice was calm, and professional, the large screen before her reflecting the immense chaos of this battle that surrounded an entire planet.
"Helm, Set course to intercept. Have the Task force form a defensive ring. Transform the Ship to Cruiser configuration." James ordered, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair. The LaSalle, and her ships moved to save the crippled Ark before it could be finished off. Deep within the mammoth battle fortress, powerful servos began to turn as the ship shifted from its assault configuration to cruising mode like an piece of massive techno-origami. allowing it greater speed. With moments, the ships surrounded the Ark, forming a steel shield between it and the encroaching enemy. "Dock the ships with the Ark, we have to get as many people off the ship as possible. I don't care if the crews have to carry them." James commanded. His orders were quickly followed as tubes from the LaSalle and Ark extended and linked. Soon people began to flood into the battle fortress.
This type of maneuver was not a problem for the warship. The LaSalle was an exact copy of the Legendary SDF-1 Macross. So it also housed a Civilian city within itself. Since the Macross class ships were used as "Trail Blazers" for the Colony fleets, sailing ahead to ensure the route for the rest of the Fleet is clear. they were often separated from the rest of the fleet for months and even years. So a Civilian population were brought along for the sake of morale, to keep families together, and maintain a stable population on the ship. Though, since the Landing on Arcadia twenty years ago. LaSalle City was pretty much deserted as the Ship was doing short system patrols until the attacks happened. James tapped his fingers nervously on the armrest as he waited for further news. the Minutes seemed to tick by like hours as hundreds of people flooded the Tubes between the LaSalle, and the Ark.
"Captain! Incoming missiles and Energy blasts!" The Radar Officer reported in a panic. Her Screen flashing a menacing red as more, and more blips appeared on the display.
"Seal all hatches, get us away from the Ark!" James commanded. Even as the words left his mouth, he felt his gut twist as he could already imagine the transfer tubes being torn apart by the two ships moving away from each other. the people still in those tubes being cast into the vacuum of space. It was an awful way to go, and something that would haunt James from here on out, but it needed to be done.
As the LaSalle pulled way, a high powered beam cut though the one of the Task force ships and the Ark. Utterly destroying them. The force of the explosion causing the LaSalle to tumble wildly for several minutes before the Helm could get the ship back under control.
Once the Ship was back under control, James came to his feet. "How many? How many did we save?" He asked. After a moment of asking, a young ensign turned to the Captain. He was told that they were only able to get about 1,000 people on board. James blinked in shock. 1,000 out of the 500,000 that the evac ship could hold. That was all they had on board the ship. How many did the others ships get!? All around them the other evacuation ships were meeting similar fates even before they escaped their world's gravity well. James growled as he knew he could not do any more for his people. He had to get the ones he saved to safety.
"Helm, bring us about. Course 220, Down 30. Flank speed. Have Astrogation plot us a Fold back to Earth. Tell any remaining ships to do the same, we have to notify NUNS HQ in New Macross City." He said.
"Coming about, course 220, down 30. Aye, Aye Captain!" The Helmswoman repeated expertly. Her fingers flying across the controls at her station as everyone could feel the massive vessel shift, and move underneath their feet.
The large vessel began to turn away from the battle. Its main thrusters glowing like miniature suns. They raced to get far enough away to safely execute a Hyperspace Fold Jump. A Faster than Light form of travel that literally removed the ship from this plane of existence to one where time meant nothing and then back.
Soon, the Ship was nearing its fold point. However, the fates were not so kind. "Captain, Arcadia!" The Comms tech shouted in shock. Everyone stood to look, and gasped. The Planet was burning. Entire forests upon the world's super continent were on fire as more and more orbital strikes struck the planet, destroying any sign of the Human's settlement, along with any civilians who could not get to an evacuation ship.
"Helm, We need to Fold now!" James shouted knowing what was happening. The very next moment, the Planet’s surface began to crack as all of the ships began to focus their blasts on exactly one place. So many ships firing such destructive weapons all at once in one place. The effect was catastrophic as large fissures and magma soon appeared all over the planet until, with one final powerful blast, the planet exploded.
The shockwave, and debris racing outward, destroying everything in its path. Deep within the SDFN-12’s engines, titanic forces began to coalesce as the wounded battle fortress started to take on a golden-pink glow. Just in front of the bow, a shimmering pastel portal blossomed open like a flower, showing the way to safety. The Ship began to enter just ahead of the shock wave. However, they would not be able the beat it. The wave of energy from the planet’s explosion hit just as the LaSalle was halfway through the portal, shaking the ship violently, and causing its Fold engines to go into a massive energy feedback loop. The Ship shook again with the out pouring of this energy and the next thing the ship's crew saw was darkness.
Elsewhere, in another world far from the violence, Luna's head suddenly bolted upright as she looked around, turning her head around so much that she nearly hurt her own neck. She couldn't recognize the room she was in for the first moment or two after her sudden awakening. Her dark blue fur was coated in a sheen of cold sweat. her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to burst forth from behind her rib cage. She gulped air as if she had just ran a 1,000 leagues. Her long mane fluttered softly in some unfelt breeze as she was finally starting to calm down, and regain her senses The images that swam around in her mind began to fade, even as she clung to them. Trying to remember what it was that she saw. Try as she might, the details were fading as fast as morning mist before the bright sun. Yet, one thing remained vividly clear in her mind. A massive object unlike anything she as ever seen, or imagined before, burning, crippled.
Once Luna was fully awake, and calm. She looked around her bedroom carefully, and winced as her eyes were assaulted by the bright light of Celestia's sun through her windows. Squinting, she peered at the clock on the wall. It was just barely 2pm. Far earlier than when she would normally awake. Yet, she was awake and filled with this nagging foreboding. Raising up to her hooves, she shivered as the sweat upon her body sent a chill through her. Luna's horn glowed as she sent out a soft mental request to see her sister. She was fretting over the implications of this sudden feeling, for it meant either someone had cursed her, she was getting sick, or having a premonition.
Out in the royal gardens of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia was enjoying a moments peace in the middle of the maelstrom that was running a country, and a massive celestial body. The porcelain furred princess sat alone and in peaceful silence at a table in the gardens. There was a small tea set and biscuits for her to snack upon as she relaxed in the shade of one of her favorite trees. The ornate china teacup from the set before her floated from a levitated saucer, and was brought to fair pale lips as a small amount of tea was slipped daintily. Celestia let out a satisfied sigh as the tea was to her liking. Looking up, she was in the shade of what could have been a Japanese Sakura Tree. Bright pink flower petals rustled in the breeze of the early afternoon sun. This was truly a needed respite from her daily duties, though it sadly wouldn't last. The solar princess felt a gentle nudge from her sister. What was she doing up? It was way too early for Luna to be even remotely awake. Celestia was concerned as she set the tea cup down, and rose to her hooves, and trotted into the Castle.
When she reached her Sister's chambers, the Night Watch guard came to attention before her. Entering into the room, Celestia found her sister pacing a rut into the carpet impatiently. Her hooves barely making a shuffling sound against the soft fabric of the carpet. Luna was always the worrier, but Celestia knew to heed her sister's "Intuition". "What is it my dear Sister?" She asked as she approached, and stopped Luna's ceaseless pacing before she could wear a hole in the floor and fall through.
Luna looked up at her sister, and shook her head as if she couldn't quite put thought to words. "I...I don't know. I had a strange dream, vivid...yet hard to make out." She explains. This was even more unsettling. Luna was normally so composed, and formal, it was almost as if she was scared.
"Come. Let us sit, and you can tell me all about it." Celestia softly whispered as she led Luna towards the Balcony to get some fresh air. with a soft golden glow of her horn, Celestia bade the grand french doors to Luna's balcony open. Almost instantly the two were greeted by the warm breeze, and sweet smells of the world outside Luna's room. It was invigorating, as if the world itself was there to greet Luna. As the Princess of the Night, she rarely had an opportunity to observe such a sight. "This way, Luna." Celestia called as she walked to a small table just around the bend.
Sitting at the Table outside, Celestia sent for another pot of Tea to share with her sister. Stretching out below them was the city of Canterlot, and the Beautiful country side of Equestria. Looking down, Celestia could see her beloved ponies going about their daily errands. She always felt warmth seeing her subjects. A maid would appear shortly with a cart carrying Tea, and Biscuits for the two Royals. "Thank you, you may go now." Celestia stated as she used her magic to pour Luna, and her some tea.
"Please, Dearest Sister, start from the beginning." Celestia encouraged as she took a sip of tea. It was delicious, if on the strong side. It was Luna's preferred blend, and it helped the Dark blue Alicorn with her nightly duties. The biscuits were also of Luna's taste. While Celestia preferred milk chocolate, and fruit filled biscuits. Luna like the bitterness of dark chocolate.
"If it was only that simple, Dear Sister." Luna sighed as she regarded her tea. She took a moment to collect her thoughts as she, too, took a sip. "I had a dream, Tia. A dream that I know I never had before. It was...strange. Objects unrecognizable. Larger than even the largest dragons." Luna stated as she seemed to be staring off into the distant horizon. "There was a world, but It was like I was far away looking upon it. Much like when I was banished to the moon, and looked down upon the Earth." Luna explained. Celestia couldn't help the subtle wince at her Sister's mentioning of her banishment. It was still a rather sensitive subject, even now after so long. Yet, she didn't interrupt her sister.
"There was fighting, a battle...no, a War. So much Hatred, and Desperation I felt seeing all this before my eyes." Luna explained as she visibly shivered as she could still see scant snippets of what she saw. Rising one of her hooves, she rested her chin upon it as her mane seem to cascade around her Shoulders like a starry waterfall. Celestia simply continued to sip her tea as she was growing more, and more concerned by what her sister saw. It was starting to sound less, and less like a weird nightmare by the moment. "There was one thing I remember seeing clear as the Moon. A Ship, I believe, but it wasn't an Sailing ship, or an Airship that you, I, or anyone would recognize. Huge wouldn't begin to describe it, and yet it had an aura of sadness about it" Luna scrunched her eyebrows as she fought for the right words.
Before she could say any more, She felt a gentle hoof upon hers. It was Celestia, and she was giving her sister a soft smile. "It would appear that you had quite the dream my dearest sister, but a Dream it could only be." Princess Celestia spoke in a soothing voice. She feared that it was more than a dream, but didn't wish to upset her sister further. Luna was about to protest, but so much of the Dream has evaporated from her mind, it was a futile effort to pull any more details to the front of her mind. After a few moments of silence, Luna nodded.
"Perhaps you're right. Thank you for listening Sister. I know what free time you have is precious to you, and I'm sorry if I have wasted it." Luna replied. She was just as aware of the value of Celestia's free time as anypony. She, herself, was very busy during the night hours with her Dream duties, and Night Court, and had precious little time to herself.
Celestia chuckled at that. "No, No. It was not a waste. I always enjoy talking and sharing tea with you, Luna." Celestia replied before refilling Luna's teacup.
Before long, Luna started to let out deep yawns as it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to keep her eyes open. "I think you will sleep peacefully now, and you still have some hours left before I lower the sun, and you to raise the moon." Celestia stated as she stood up, and led her sleepy sister back to her bed. Luna staggering a bit every couple of paces, causing Celestia to chuckle. Luna reminded her sister of a drunkard leaving a bar.
Once she was upon her mattress, Luna looked up at Celestia, and let out another yawn. "Thank you for listening, Tia." Luna whispered softly before she closed her eyes. Celestia smiled and used her magic to tuck Luna back into bed. Before Leaving, Celestia placed a soft kiss upon the tip of Luna's horn. The soft snoring of the Princess of the Night tickled Celestia's ears as she excused herself from the room. Though the occasional honk never failed to draw a soft giggle from the Solar diarch's lips. She wondered what Luna would say if she knew she honked in her sleep. However, that was for another day. Celestia had much to consider about this "Dream" her sister had, and how it could possibly effect their world.
Somewhere, in the endless void of Space, titanic forces twisted and clashed as arcs of lightening and energy ripped across thousands of miles of space. Writhing like bright tendrils in the midst of a seizure. What was happening was something that was never witnessed in this Universe. Space and time were literally tearing themselves apart. To anyone that could witness the event, it was terrifyingly beautiful. It looked as if Space itself was on the verge of destroying itself.
As the energy spikes calmed down a bright technicolor portal formed as an object was ejected. Nearly 3/4s of mile in length, it was thrown into this universe from its own. Its once brilliant blue and white armor was now blacken and scorched. The LaSalle had made her appearance in normal space.
