Got 'em!
All right, we got 'em!
Damn!
Tonight, reporting a scandalous rendezvous!
Who the devil...?!
Hibiki Kanzaki, scooper for SNN Network!
Mind if I get an interview with you two?
You are U.N. Spacy supreme commander Exxegran...
...and ace pilot Silvie Gena, aren't you?
Goddamn muckraker!
And as for the very lovely...
Uh oh!
And so we're left to wonder what exactly...
...U.N. Spacy ace pilot Silvie Gena and...
...supreme commander Exxegran were doing in this hotel!
Lt. Silvie Gena is seventeen years old...
...and in the last Sol System Valkyrie competition...
...left the competing male pilots in the dust.
In a recent SNN poll asking who they'd like to marry...
...viewers rated Ms. Gena as number one among celebrities...
Oh, man, I can't believe Silvie would do this!
Another stupid scandal, huh?
Capt. Nexx!
I feel so sorry for him.
This'll probably break him and the chief up for good.
Oh, Saori, you'd just love that to happen, wouldn't you?
Hey, it could be my big chance.
Don't you dare even think about that!
Sixty... Seventy... We actually pulled a seventy-five share!
Morning!
Oh, Hibiki. Is that the scar from your latest victory?
I'd say you landed the prize for this month's hit story.
Yeah, well... We'll have to wait and see about that.
Bullshit.
You don't know anything about being a journalist.
I don't?! What the hell's that supposed to mean?!
It isn't just about grabbing the highest ratings.
You still haven't figured that out.
- What was that?! - Never mind him.
Who is he?
Dennis Lone. Cameraman over in hard news.
Great on the battlefield, useless in peacetime.
I'd give anything to be a war correspondent!
Hibiki!
Morning, sir!
Can I see you two in my office?
Written apologies and explanations?
You broke a story without checking the facts. Not good.
The military filed a claim, huh?
What the hell is there to check?!
A man and a woman don't go to a hotel to plot military strategy!
Protecting an individual's privacy is a reporter's duty.
You'll do anything for ratings.
You can't go on acting like they're all that matter!
People live to be entertained! You told me that yourself!
You'll live to eat those words.
Why do you think we hired you?
Well...
You got lucky with your first scoop. That's all.
The highest rated scoop you've ever had!
I suppose you may be a star at the moment...
...but if you continue with these tabloid antics...
...your journalistic career will be a short one.
What's the difference as long as the ratings are high?!
If you want to be a pro newsman then you'd better change your act!
Quit bullshitting me and just admit...
...the military's making you whitewash this whole thing!
If you wish to continue working here...
...then you WILL write the apology and explanation to them.
The military aren't better than anyone!
What makes them immune to a scandal?
- I hate getting jerked around! - My sentiments exactly.
I want to talk.
You're a disgrace! It pisses me off how you just go for scandal!
News is the truth!
And I think your military censorship is...
...a hell of a lot more disgraceful than what I did!
Don't play dumb! The military always throws its weight around!
That's not...
Macross Warning!
All visitors who are closer to the ship than Culture Park...
...are advised to return to the park immediately!
All visitors who are closer to the ship than Culture Park...
...are advised to return to the park immediately!
Should bring batteries with me in case stuff like this happens!
Holy... It's even stronger than the last one!
- Is it gonna go wild again? - Scramble orders?
What's going on?
Hey! Where are you going?!
You're not the only enemy I have to deal with!
We'll have to settle this later!
Defold detected in the vicinity of Jupiter.
An unidentified fleet at coordinates N-P608.
Establish a front line at Mars orbit.
And scramble cruiser fleets 17 and 18 from the #2 battle group.
Recon drone 1 reports they've assumed an offensive deployment.
Begin scan.
They appear to be a cruiser-based strike force.
Composition: Twenty-two cruisers, two carriers...
...four landing craft, and two support craft.
Just thirty ships? Nothing we can't handle.
Probably just a stray Zentraedi fleet.
They're Zentraedi, all right.
Mars orbital coordinates MA-224. Stand by for Operation Minmay.
Data link active with cruiser fleets 17 and 18 at Mars orbit.
Strike teams 2, 3, and 4 hold at coordinates MA-200.
Ten years since the last battle...
I can go! Please sir, send me out to cover this!
No, it's too much for you.
Please! I'll get you the most sensational footage you can have!
I'll get you footage that'll have 'em glued to their TV's!
That'll have them weeping with joy in their living rooms!
I remember how moved I was ten years ago. I was just seven!
The footage of the Minmay Attack throwing the enemy into chaos...
...and letting the U.N. Spacy defeat them totally!
God, those images are still burned into my eyes!
I want to move people now like I was moved back then!
Gotcha.
Hibiki, you have a Valkyrie license, don't you?
I do! I do! Of course!
Then go!
Yes, sir!
But it'll be as a Valkyrie pilot, not a reporter.
Uh, okay.
SNN Valkyrie, stand by to launch.
Hi there, I'm... You?!
Yeah, it's me. Give me a smooth ride, kid.
It WOULD be this guy!
Hey, driver, get going!
You're bombed!
Drinking in the middle of the day! You think we're going sight-seeing?
You got me. Sorry about this.
We're going to cover a battle. If you don't like it, get out!
I know what we're headed for...
Is that an excuse?!
All right, just take off!
Never mind this assignment, you're still drinking on the job!
Get off my back and fly!
Report from the front! Defense system standing by!
This will destroy their will to fight, then we'll finish them!
Initiate first strike! Activate!
Hey, Chief, looks like they won't need us after all.
Yeah...
The Minmay Defense isn't working...
Come on!
GO!
I know the U.N. Spacy has always been able to beat the Zentraedi.
But the Minmay Attack won't work forever!
We've grown soft with victory...
...and have forgotten what we're fighting for!
The song attack won't work forever, eh?
They possess music as well...
We're at the limit! This looks bad.
Why do the Zentraedi have singing, too?
They don't look like they're your run of the mill Zentraedi.
This could be tricky.
- What do we do?! - Keep your head on!
Take us closer to the battle zone!
Faster!
You idiot! Quit flying like a scared rabbit!
Gimme a break!
Okay, just like that. Take us to our next target.
The next one?!
This is gonna turn into a capital ship slugging match.
We'll see the flagship Heracles, pride of the fleet, in battle.
A fleet battle? But that's...!
Stop whining!
We came to cover a war! This isn't a game!
If you're scared of dying, then get the hell out!
Like I could?!
I can do this!
STOP IT!
Don't tape our guys getting destroyed!
You think our viewers want to see a scene like this?!
They want to watch TV and enjoy seeing our forces winning!
What the hell are you doing?! Shut up and fly, kid!
What the hell do you think war is?!
It's not some variety show! War is misery!
We're not writing some series to get big ratings!
We record the truth, as it is, as it happens!
Open your eyes and take a good look.
The U.N. Forces aren't invulnerable.
Space is vast, and it's utter presumption to think that...
...the universe revolves around the Earth.
You think we've achieved the heights of culture?
Like hell! What does any of us know about culture?
Don't be so arrogant!
The Heracles!
I am now truly pissed off. Stay outta my way or else!
All right! Way to go!
So, Chief, what WERE you and Exxegran doing in that hotel?
This is a hell of a time to be asking me that!
But it's bothering us!
You wanna concentrate on something? Concentrate on those bandits!
Yes, ma'am!
Silvie!
Capt. Nexx!
I have a bit of interest in finding out, too.
None of your business.
You and the commander weren't fighting in there.
Now come clean. What happened in the hotel?
Never gossip in battle.
Certain fools may overhear and slap you with a court martial.
"Certain fools...?"
OH! I get you!
It's nothing to laugh about!
It's just so like you to do this, Silvie.
Wake up! Bandit on your six!
That got the blood pumping! I could fight 24 hours straight!
Okay, driver, there's our next shot!
I'm getting footage of the enemy ship. Take us inside!
You scared?
You kidding? After this I think I could fly anywhere.
That's the spirit. Showing the enemy's side and yours, unbiased.
THAT'S journalism!
I think I've met a damn fine driver today.
Great shot!
Are you nuts?! We coulda been killed!
Good point. The body may fear death...
...but after a while you don't feel it anymore.
- Let's get out of here! - Dennis, look!
A microne?
I think we've found a scoop.
Is she alive?
I think so. She's beautiful, isn't she?
Let's bring her back.
What are you doing?! Are you serious?!
Jesus, what's he thinking?
This is only a two-seater.
She's a girl, I'm a guy, and it's a tight fit. What's the problem?
Dennis!
Hibiki...
Dennis!
Get our footage back to the network...
It's not our footage. It's YOUR footage!
No, I couldn't have gotten it without your flying.
That footage is yours as much as mine.
Think of the ratings! You earned them...
DENNIS!
- How about those costumes today? - A little tight, huh?
So, Dennis...
He didn't have any living relatives.
But the higher-ups here at the network said...
...they'd give him a proper funeral.
Really...
But it looks like this battle carries its own problems with it.
The military's ordered a news blackout until their...
...press conference tomorrow morning.
Well, everyone will know the truth when we broadcast.
Dennis and I managed to get the real truth out there.
Hey, Hibiki. I know you got yourself a scoop out there!
Fill me in!
It's nothing.
Military secret? Or is it...?
I hear you brought somebody back with you in that Valkyrie.
Hey, if I landed that kind of scoop, you'd be the first I'd tell.
Well, maybe it's just them trying to make you...
...the fall guy for Dennis' accident.
Hell, I'm happy to see you in one piece. Hang in there!
Hello, Shot 5. Yeah, he's here.
Mash, it's Hibiki on the phone for you.
Here it is. I've been waiting for this. Hello?
Sorry I took so long getting back to you.
So, how's our sleeping beauty?
In your room, like I said she'd be.
Took care of her wounds and sedated her for her own good.
Thanks. You're a man among men and have my undying gratitude.
Hold on here! This is gonna cost you, dear boy.
I read you. I'll pay into my usual account, okay?
It's just so rare to find a purebred Meltran...
How rude!
This scoop'll change everything in this city!
A bill?
Doesn't he trust me?
Where did this girl come from?
And why is only she a microne?
Hibiki Kanzaki will follow this mystery as deep as it goes.
Good morning?
Oh, well...
You understand!
Now you'll be able to understand me.
Sorry if I scared you. Drink this. It'll calm you down.
Whoa! Your name! What's your name?
Ish... tar...
Hey!
I see... So there are Zentran and Meltran micrones on this world.
Uh-huh, lots of them. Our culture allowed them to join together.
That's me, isn't it?
Yeah. This allows you to capture time as it passes.
To always remember good things... And bad things as well.
And with this, I'm aiming for the top!
Are there no images of you?
Me? I hardly matter at all.
Now then, could you tell me a little about yourself?
It's doing it this early?
That light!
Nothing to be scared of. Just an energy flux from the ship.
It's the ship that carried culture to you giants eighty years ago.
Uh-oh, it's time!
The light of the Ship of the Alus?
Someone is coming to this world.
I want to see for myself, before I return to space.
You want discs? BM's best!
Here it comes, Dennis...
It's time for SNN Wide at eleven.
Topping our news is yesterday's space battle.
The battle was the subject of the press conference...
...just held by U.N. Spacy spokesman Alexeive.
According to the press release, the enemy remains unknown.
But it seems that once again Earth's culture was effective...
...in fending off the attack...
What's he talking about? We got our ass kicked!
Let's turn now to SNN's own exclusive footage of the battle.
Here is the complete footage of the unstoppable assault...
...performed by Capt. Nexx's and Lt. Gena's Valkyrie squadrons.
What the hell...?!
It's just the good parts of the battle!
We're in commercial break!
Looks like we can downlink some additional footage from RCC.
- Okay, pull it down. - Yeah, hello? What? Okay.
Telephone, Mr. Matsui.
Who'd call in the middle of a show?
Hibiki, sir...
That goddamned... Yeah, hello? What do you want?
What the hell was that broadcast all about?!
Producer's orders. The Media Bureau's apparently...
...asking we be careful with this story.
Are you kidding?! That VTR was Dennis's legacy!
The military grabbed the master.
All we had left was the battle footage.
Cut the crap! The network's just a mouthpiece for them!
You'll see! I'll break this story! There's still one card to play!
Where'd she go?
Millions of our brethren still wander the cosmos.
Still forced to battle their useless wars.
But when they finally make contact with Earth's culture...
...they will see how meaningless warfare is.
Long live culture!
Hey, baby, if you're bored why not listen to our gig?
This'll cure you right!
Why...?!
Hey!
Hey, get a grip!
What's her problem?
The Ship of the Alus!
Where is it?
"To smile is wrong. It gives your enemy an opening to you. "
"They will deceive you... " But why is that?!
As you can see, the pod which made it down to Earth...
...is the same as the ones the giants use.
I thought their fleet was still out at the Mars line.
They've found an opening in our defense line?
But they only sent a recon unit?
There are just too many unknowns in this battle!
What we do know is that the song stratagem isn't effective.
And that leaves us dangerously vulnerable.
That's all.
This is a rare sight.
You working so hard to be so nice to a girl. Is it love?
Gimme a break! You know she's just a photo subject for me!
So why not just sell your footage of her?
It's a sure-fire scoop, right?
Wrong time. The military's got the media under its thumb.
Once the war's over, I'll make it a super scoop!
Liar. You're just afraid she'll end up hating you.
Me?! Are you nuts?!
Boss? The shampoo's done!
I hear you! Wait a sec!
You can't fool me, Hibiki.
I have an inside line on the hearts of women AND men.
Oh, do whatever you want!
You've such lovely hair!
We don't get this color here on Earth.
But tell me, why did you run away from Hibiki's place?
He's actually very pure hearted. And he was worried about you.
Did he treat you bad?
- I was looking for the big ship... - Oh, THAT ship!
The one that sent the love song to the giants.
"Song...?"
Are you in love?
Give it a rest, Mash!
- Better fix that. - Cut it out!
Hibiki?
The treasures of Earth culture.
The Roman Coliseum. The Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The Great Wall of China.
See them all at Culture Plaza, Earth's greatest theme park!
Here I am!
This is the best place to learn about Earth's culture.
C'mon, there's a place where you can see the Macross, too.
It's him, right?
I wonder if he's up to something?
He's talking to her like she just landed on this planet.
- Excuse me... - It's a good waste of a day off.
They say that if a liar puts his hand in this stone face...
...it'll bite it off.
Wanna try it, Ishtar?
Just kidding! See? I'm all right.
Looks totally harmless. I think we rolled snake eyes.
I was hoping he was up to something...
...and I'd be able to get him back for before.
Guess I shouldn't have gotten so excited.
What the hell?!
Look!
It's them!
Look out!
What're you...?!
Never mind, just get the hell out of here!
Good timing. I've got a bone to pick with the military!
Hold it! Do you realize what's going on here?
I'll get this idiot out of here. You contact headquarters.
Roger, Chief!
Where are you going? The exit's the other way!
There are some ruins up ahead!
We'll take shelter there!
Persistent little...!
Target acquired!
Finally!
All right!
That's 12 kills!
Stop bragging and save the chief!
Silvie?
Look, I'm grateful you helped us to get away, but...
...why does this always happen when the military handles things?
Somebody I'm carrying around shouldn't be complaining!
There's a lot we don't know about them. We're doing our best.
Forgive me. This is my fault.
- Your fault? - Ishtar, don't tell her!
Thank you, Hibiki... It was so much fun.
Ishtar, wait!
What did she mean?
The Ship of the Alus...
The ship sent the love song to the giants...
Feff!
Who is she?
- I don't know. - You don't know?!
You brought her here, didn't you?
All I know is that she's one of them.
What do you mean?
I was trying to give her a taste of our culture.
And now this happens!
Ishtar!
That idiot!
Sorry I'm late, Silvie.
Wha...
And here is the battle mecha which attacked Culture Park earlier.
These mecha are the same as those involved in the Mars battle...
...and is believed to be similar to Zentraedi design...
...and are likely members of a rogue Zentraedi fleet.
However, thanks to quick response by U.N. Spacy forces...
...damage to the Culture Park monuments was minimized...
...and the enemy was once again totally defeated.
U.N. Spacy assures us that our superior Valkyrie fighters...
...will maintain the safety of the civilian populace...
...until a lasting peace can be achieved.
All those wounded in the incident were evacuated...
...by the U.N. Spacy to area hospitals.
Only minor injuries were reported.
Moving to our next story...
At a time like this?!
What is it?
It's the annual U.N. Spacy Moon Festival!
A glorious tribute to the men and women who defend our Earth!
There's a wonderful song waiting for you!
What is it? It looks like fun!
It's just a military propaganda festival.
I want to go!
I want to see her sing!
I want to learn more about your Earth's music!
All right then. I can do a report on it.
But before we do that, won't you tell me who you are?
If I go to the ship, then I will know.
If I go there, then I'll tell you.
What is it about that old ship?
Are they insane? Holding the festival during this crisis!
Nexx, we have to stop this.
Silvie, cancelling it would only cause more worry.
You know the brass don't want to cause a full scale panic.
I just think it's strange to avoid panic by hiding the truth.
The U.N. Spacy is the symbol of Earth itself.
If we appear unsure of ourselves, then the civilians lose confidence.
And then how can we defend the Earth?
Maybe you have a point.
Silvie...
Let's just enjoy being together.
Excuse me?
Can I get your autographs? I'm a big fan of both of you!
My pleasure.
Silvie... Stop trying to take on the world's problems.
Want to take a little drive? For medicinal purposes, of course.
Thanks for the offer, Nexx.
But I need to think.
I read you. See you moonside.
I know how he sees this, but...
It's dangerous. We don't know what they might try.
Them!
Gotta follow them!
Kinda broken down, but it still works.
It's beautiful!
The closest things to us are Culture Park, and then the city.
You can see U.N. Spacy headquarters, too.
The inside's in pretty good shape, considering all the energy spikes.
Be careful, Hibiki. It's so dark.
Hibiki!
I'm okay! Shoulda brought a flashlight, shouldn't we?
What the...?
Are you okay, Ishtar?!
Yes...
You must have hit a switch on the console.
Ishtar, what are you?
I am an Emulator.
A priestess who sings to guide the Marduk to victory.
Marduk?! You mean you aren't Meltran?
The Marduk are a race of warriors.
We've wandered space since antiquity...
...destroying all other cultures we encounter.
To control our Zentraedi warriors while in combat...
...we Emulators exist.
You mean you use the Zentran to fight for you?
Correct. Our songs enhance their aggressive instincts...
...and impel them to fight for the Marduk.
Music for us is used only for war.
Only for war?
But coming here has taught me of its other purposes.
And I wanted to learn more.
I thought coming here would reveal the "love song" that lady mentioned.
Lady? Oh, you mean Mash.
I think this ship is the Ship of the Alus.
Ship of the Alus?
A ship known to us in legend.
One with the power to lead the Marduk to peace.
What, the Macross? No way!
Yeah, it fell from space a long time ago, but...
...I doubt it's from your legend.
I don't know. But I sense it is.
But if this is the Ship of the Alus...
Silvie!
Of all the idiotic stunts!
I'm taking her with me!
The military can't have her!
We're not fighting the Zentraedi this time!
We face the Marduk! That girl's the enemy!
I'm not letting you keep her just to score some big scoop!
If I turn her over, the news will never get out!
Ishtar's existence, the Marduk's existence...
They'll wind up like Dennis's disk!
I understand your concerns. But we have our own concerns!
YOUR concerns?!
You have to let the public know the truth!
Then everyone can have a say about what to do!
Is military censorship going to keep them from attacking?!
That's...
Controlling the truth hasn't ended this war!
Well, then, what do you plan on doing with her?
I was just trying for a scoop at first, but not anymore.
I think this is turned into something a lot bigger.
I chose to stay here! Please don't blame Hibiki!
Ishtar's known only war.
I want to show her that Earth offers something else!
Dammit, it's my duty!
Or else I don't deserve to be called a journalist.
Silvie... I won't let just the military have Ishtar!
All right... I'll let you go this time.
But next time I'm taking her in, even if I have to break your arms!
Silvie!
Thank you.
Amy, you're a bit off.
Roger! Compensating!
Program two!
Area C, Camera 3:Standby! Here they come!
And that's U.N. Spacy ace pilot Lt. Silvie Gena...
...commanding Faerie Team for some precision aerobatics!
Lookit that Silvie! Whatta babe!
You can date HER then! I'm leaving!
Hey, wait!
Capt. Nexx! Isn't he cool?!
And passing in review, a proud ship of the U.N. Spacy fleet!
The Lunar Festival is pleased to present Unit 12's Gloria!
FIRE!
Magnificent. The U.N. Spacy has to be the very symbol of Earth.
If they stop believing that, then it's the end for us all.