Macross Fan Fiction ❯ Robotech: Beneath a steel sky ❯ Teaser - For the upcoming chaps (7th of July, 2004) ( One-Shot )

(This page is temporarily used as a teaser)

Hi all :)

As a VERY selected few ppl here knows, a good buddy and I are working on a RT fanfiction that has expanded into a (kinda) large epic-story and unlike many great stories here at RT.com, it's very long, not even near it's finish and could be a very tough cookie for those who like to just take a glimpse inside. None the less, since we enjoy the writing, we wanted to *cough* throw a few signs once in a while again to show that we're still at it hehe.

In our fic, we have a row of different characters that take place within many plots. In order to allow our viewers to "have a look ahead of time", we wish to try to make a type of teaser, allowing the reader to see what might show up and give those who are not even interested a chance to maybe have a look after all :-D - however without giving away the true plot or secrets, in other words, we'll try to leave the best away - You know the cake, leave the best for last ;). (Hope I didn't say anything wrong hehe)

Since we are very busy with our fic, we are unable those of others at the moment (so we both wanna apologize about that hehe). For those who might read our fic some time, we would really enjoy if you drop a few words to chapters you have read - no matter if good or bad comments :-).

Just to clear out a few questions from the beginning:

The original characters like Rick Hunter, Commander Fokker and so on do play a role in the fic, they are however not main characters (Just a hint though: The bridebunnies play a more vital role than ever ;)).

The "Invids" in this fic are not the Invids from NewGen. We are still looking for a suitible name for these creatures hehe. (hints or ideas welcome ^^, will add many thanks and credit for the idea-giver btw :-D)

Before starting with the actual teaser, I think it would be good to give a summary about the characters and the plot.

<u><b>The main plot</b></u>

The SDF-1, holding it's position somewhere deep in space between Saturn and Jupiter, is infested by a gigantic organic ship that once was caught within hyperspace, that was however lured by a single Zentraedi ship. Macross City and it's population undergoes massive attacks of invading creatures that seem to have no other goal than performing total annihlation upon them. Overwhelmed by the destructive force of the organic beast, Admiral Gloval's last resort in stopping the advance of the creatures was a complete shutdown of the terminal gateways between the frontal and rear half of the ship as well as loosing the communication upon those on the other side - despite the fact that those who would be stuck in the frontal half would face a terrifying doom.

Unknown to Admiral Gloval and the RDF, several factions have risen from the treaches of the war going on inside the SDF-1. Although each faction fights for their own existance against the "Invid-Invaders", each of their goals differs greatly among each other.

<b>Faction of the Survivors</b>

Lead by a not-so-willing leader, Pvt. Lars "Mick" Mickerson and his trusted co-pilot Roxanne "FoxyRoxy" Keldon, also ranked as Pvt., who both are still Veritech rookies, Mick and his faction has developed in a rather strange manor. Fighting for the survival of fleeing civilians and military people, Mick has unwantingly proven himself as a leader who truely fights the wellness of all. Establishing a foothold within a certain military district which lies just before the major barrier walls splitting them from the RDF's army, they constanly find more and more followers willing to survive and defend themselves from the menace. Slowly getting used to the area, this district - The Utopia Chenarra District - has become a new home for many civilians, for they must learn the ways of being flexible and helpful for all. Every single person is needed for different tasks - from training others, learning ways how to use or manufacture weapons or even to care of the hundred lost children.

Although lacking the leadership of a true commander, Mick learns the way of managing this unusual faction. Feeling backstabbed by the RDF and Admiral Gloval himself, Mick has decided to never to trust the RDF again - perhaps his true motivation for fighting both against the "Invids" and usual hirachic order of the RDF.

The Faction of Survivors have manifested themselves close to the barrikaded gateways - at northern half of the SDF-1, southern districts (in other words, at the center of the Macross City deck).

<b>Faction of the Anti-Coalitionist</b> (Anti-Coalition Faction)

Not much is known about this treacherous faction that seems to have a far different goal than getting rid of the "Invids". The ACF formally used to be an active aggressor against the RDF many years ago, mainly because their idealism did not fit at all with the recent coalition of all nations after the peace treaty agreement which was signed in order to end all hostile events of the Third World War. As the RDF gained control of the crashed alien battleship (known as the SDF-1), the RDF slowly managed to gain the upper hand in all situations, the ACF has began to pull away from active battles, nearly disappearing totally from the world and the crash site on Macross Island...

Many, including the RDF, thought this faction has been defeated for good - but unknown to all, the ACF lived on as an underground force onboard the SDF-1. From spies, to saboteurs and collaborators, the ACF seek those who wish to see the RDF go down in flames. As the "Invid" creatures continueously raid and conquer one district after another, the ACF has risen from it's shadow and has taken control over a large number of districts being held by criminals, followers, loyalists and civilians who are forced to cooperate.

During the upcoming chapters, FoxyRoxy willingly volenteers for a mission of infiltrating this faction and uncovers many secrets and intriguing facts that not only reveal their true goal but also shows that the ACF has been operating the whole time with probably one of the best and unique weapon of shadow operations: <i>Conspiracy</i>... that even has it's fangs spreaded all the way to the top levels of the RDF.

Although their true strength and headquarters are unknown until FoxyRoxy returns, the ACF seems to control the western districts at the northern half of the SDF-1. Due to damage sustained by the impact between the SDF-1 and the "Invid-Exodus", the life-support units and waterlines throughout their sector are malfunctioning and breached, causing the sector's climate to increase to a swamp like area... It did not take long until their sector received the name "The Neverglades".

<b>Faction of the Lost-RDF</b>

The Lost-RDF-Faction is more likely a large gathering of those soldiers, pilots and other operatives of the RDF that share the similiar fate with the Survivor-Faction of being outcasted by their own Chief-in-Command or who just did not even make it out of the fierce firefights. Although unknown to each other, as well as for the RDF, this faction continues it's battle against the "Invids". Morale is a common factor that plays a high role in the effectiveness of their troops and although they just barely possess the neccessary firepower, things seem to go from bad to worse as they proceed. Foretunately, Commander Fokker, perhaps the RDF's only hero, Lt. Chris Caldwell and their squad of Veritech pilots, join the battle with the Lost-RDF-Faction.

The Lost-RDF-Faction resides somewhere in the eastern sections in the northern half of the Macross City deck. This sector has also sustained similiar damage, only that this climate of this area developed to the exact opposite of the "Neverglades". Not only that the temperature as dropped below 0°C, many streets within the districts have frozen up, making it nearly impossible to operate with heavy vehicles - Even single flakes of snow have dropped from holographic sky...

<b>The Invids</b>

The "Invids" do not seem to be a faction, they are more likely an superior army of their own. Not much can be said about these creatures - Only that the gigantic organic ship that was lured out of hyperspace by a single Zentraedi ship and that it's name means "Invid-Exodus" in translation out of the ancient databases of the SDF-1. Constantly evolving new forms of smaller creatures, the "Invids" continue their intensive attacks. Until know, there has been no proof if these creatures are sentient.

<b>The Meltraedi Keh'tals</b>

Unknown to the RDF, somebody unwantingly established first contact with an alien race... Robert Jackson was just a usual civilian servo-mechanic who actually only seems to have bad luck. At first, Jackson was taken captive by a small group of aliens after helping one of them from the "Invids" somewhere deep under the Macross City deck. After waking up from being stunned, he learns that the Zentraedi are not the only aliens in the galaxy. To his surprise, the Meltraedi Keh'tals are actually a race of women with telepathic abilities who fled from their home planet as other Zentraedi and other Meltraedi clans tried to annihilate them. Fleeing with the last Mothership of their race named the "Qual-Dranna-Ling", they were pursued by the Zentraedis as well as Meltraedis. During their last hyperjump, the Qual-Dranna-Ling sustained heavy damage to it's hyperdrive core and was unable to flee from the sudden appearance of the "Invid-Exodus" that just swallowed the whole gigantic Mothership in one piece.

For centuries, the Meltraedi Keh'tals have fought for their survival - in a similiar manor like the people on board the SDF-1.After understanding the fact that the Meltraedi Keh'tals are fighting a loosing battle, the High Priestess - Their leader -, has asked Robert to return back to the RDF and resque who he can resque, including the Meltraedi Keh'tal princess called Na'mea Xio, who is actually the first contact Robert had (along with a misunderstanded help which nearly ended in a bloody fight). At the same time the "Invids" have finally managed to enter the inner city of the Qual-Dranna-Ling, Robert boarded a ship along with Namea and hundreds of other Meltraedi refugees.

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Well, that was a bunch of reading huh? ^_^ But the things said above are just a tiny weenie bit of what really happened. Here's the actual teasers of future chapters.

<u><b>The Collaborator...</b></u>

<i>After returning back from the long infiltration mission, FoxyRoxy returns with two very important items of proof that shows that the ACF a row of collaborators throughout the ranks of the RDF. After hours of decoding, the Faction of the Survivors discover a threatening truth betwen the ACF... and the "Invids". Besides these facts, one of the scientists helping Mick figure out that there is actually one certain collaborator that has managed to infilitrate the RDF's leading and commanding ranks - This certain person has caused more than much trouble among the whole ship. For sure, the traitor has given away troop information for sabotage acts that even brought the SDF-1 to a complete stop... and must definately belong to the crew of Bridge Operations, the head command of the RDF and SDF-1.</i>

<u><b>Sammie, the magnificient...</b></u>

<i>Lt. Caldwell, Sammie Porter (his fiancee) and his 'renegade' but loyal small squadron of young rookie Veritech pilots, are actually held captive by Commander Fokker's troops due to the fact that they have gone AWOL for a resque mission that was not approved neither by Caldwell's commanding officer, nor by any other RDF commander.

Deciding to make an escape, his group made a run for it as Commander Fokker least expected it, getting away with their Valkyries. Many hours later, as Lt. Caldwell's group is ambushed by several "Invid" creatures, Mick's faction responded to their distress call, rescueing them just on time. As a surprise for many rookies within Caldwell's group, Mick and FoxyRoxy actually belonged to their squadron, but were presumed killed in action - Nobody would have ever expected both of them to be in charge of "their own private army" (in their words). Hearing word of Sammie Porter belonging to the SDF-1's Bridge Command as a low-ranked RDF operative, Mick at first immediately accused her for being the collaborator but learns very soon that he has mistaken deeply.

Deciding to give her a chance, FoxyRoxy allowed her to listen to one of the decoded datadisk she stole from the ACF - Althought one of the many voices on the disk was disorted and scrambled, Sammie managed to recognize that certain voices... A voice of a certain person that she would have never expected to be a collaborator of the ACF...</i>

(the following is a far-in-the-future chap)

<u><b>Beyond all expectations...</b></u>

<i>After hearing the very short broadcast of Sammie Porter naming the collaborator by the name, the collaborator is at first arrested at Bridge Command... Just before the collaborator is brought away, a shot from a handgun is heard, wounding Admiral Gloval heavily... Surprised by their Admiral gunned down (however still alive), the bridge officers discover that another leading collaborator along with large number of secret ACF followers have infilitratated them as well...

Fate has thrown it's shadow among all onboard the SDF-1... but will they survive?</i>

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Well I hope you all enjoyed the teaser :) Just feel free to give comments about the story here - no matter if good or bad. Be honest! =)

If you should decide to read the fic, start with the "Prologue section" which acts a disclaimer and a page with many pre-stories about the timeline (since this fic is actually an alternate universe taking place around the 1st Robotech War)

Sorry for grammar mistakes, too ;)

Jones

aka $parki