]Fleet of the Robotech Expeditionary Force and the flagship SDF-3 -Pioneer and SDF-4 Liberator, four Shimakaze class battlecruisers, approximately 40+ Ikazuchi class carriers, several hundred Garfish class light cruisers and Severel thousands of VFA-6 Alpha and VFB-9 Beta fighters.In 2029, the Second Robotech War began when the Robotech Masters and their entire spacefleet arrive in Earth orbit to reclaim the protoculture matrix in the ruins of the SDF-1. The war lasts for over a year and although the Masters are defeated, the United Earth Government (UEG) is crippled and the United Earth Forces (included the elite Army of the Southern Cross) suffer massive losses. The REF was unable to send significant aid back to Earth due to its war with the Invid. When the Invid invaded Earth in 2031, marking the start of the Third Robotech War, the remaining military forces on Earth were easily defeated. The REF learns that Earth has fallen to the Invid when a group of survivors from the Southern Cross refugees who escaped from Earth after acquiring one of the few remaining operational spacecraft.A reconnaissance mission from SDF-3 fights through the alien war fleet and is rescued by the 15th Squad, only to bring word that no aid will be coming.The red bioroid pilot is captured, and Dana Sterling finds her problems are just beginning. The more she tries to dismiss the mysterious warrior, the more compelling he becomes. She has no way of knowing he is Zor Prime, the first clone of Zor, the genius who created the science of Robotechnology — and, inadvertently, Earth's continuing conflicts with invading alien forces. Long ago, the first Zor escaped with the secrets of Robotechnology on the SDF-1 to prevent their abuse by the Robotech Masters. Now, the Robotech Masters seek to manipulate Zor Prime in ways they could never control the original. With a neuro-sensor implanted in his body, the clone will serve as an unknowing spy for the alien invaders.Air group and mecha complement:Fleet Air Arm
1330 combat mecha (veritechs, fighters and fighter bombers),
60 support mecha (AEW craft, recon planes, fast couriers/SAR planes),
40 transport and cargo shuttles (SC-32 Gossamer and RC-4 Rabbit).
Planetary Forces mecha (in storage hangars))
1750 combat planes (veritechs, fighters, bombers),
940 destroids (strike, battle, AAA and artillery).
Individual infantry and pilot emergency vehicles (from 2029 onwards)
9000 Cyclones.
History:
The Pioneer was completed in December 2022, and soon folded for what was thought to be Tirol with most of the Home Fleet of that time. Upon defold in the Oort cloud of their target, the Pioneer left its obviously non-Tirolian fleet trailing behind and proceeded to the target planet. However, it soon became apparent that the target system was not Vallivarre, and that the position of Tirol was still unknown. The Expeditionary Forces were then reinforced with the needed logistic train and personel to sustain their search for at least a decade. This in effect created a mobile colony of humans and Zentraedi away from Earth, another reason for the large number of personel transferred.
During the next seven years, the Pioneer was worked hard in the front lines of the Expeditionary Forces reconnaissance missions, and several times the ship was damaged in combat. In early 2029 she paid off for a nine month, long overdue, yard availability period for refit and modernisation. However, it was discovered that repeated, multiple folds in combination with neglected action damage had caused tears and cracking in the primary structural hull members, and repair would last an additional nine months. It was during this period, with the most powerfull Terran ship in dock, that the Robotech Masters arrived at Earth. Priority was then given to the ships that could be finished in time to contribute in the war, and the Pioneer was consequently not ready for action again until several months after the Invid invasion of Earth.
The military situation of that moment precluded the Pioneer from folding to Earth, and the battlefortress served as the core of the fleet that warred against the Invid in deep space. This lasted until 2043, when the Pioneer was refitted again and equipped with Shadow cloaking technology. In 2045 she folded from Space Starion Equality to Earth, as the flagship for the final offensive against the Invid. however, she never arrived at her destination, and was listed several weeks later as missing. Several investigations in the performed refit, centering on the work on the fold engines, have been held, but none has given any conclusive answer as to what has become of her.
Electronic and special purpose systems:
DS-2 Barrier Defense System: An advanced forcefield system which covers the full four pi steradians around the ship with a yellow-greenish forcefield (or if desired, only part of the ship). This field will reflect all solids and directed energy weapons (except lasers through a narrow band). However, excess energy which cannot be deflected from the field will be stored in the main armament capacitators. The storage wattage is high but not infinite, and should the capacitators overload the field will discharge the stored energy particles. This discharge will have maximum yield of a main armament salvo (>125 MT). However, as the discharged energetic particles' vectors will be away from the field and its generating vessel, the Pioneer will survive, though she will suffer severe damage to its internal electronics and power systems, and will not be battleworthy until repairs are made. In addition, the ships' own armament cannot be fired through the field.
DS-1 Pinpoint Barrier Defense System: A smaller system which uses four movable forcefield disks, conformal to the ship's surface, to repel light torpedo attacks, or directed energy weapons. It serves as a back up to the DS-2 system.
The Pioneer was fitted with a Shadow cloaking device in the months before the final attempt to liberate the Earth from the Invid occupation.
Dana is not the only person on the 15th Squad suffering from romantic difficulties. Bowie Grant, obsessed with the beautiful alien musician, finds himself the object of ridicule among his fellow soldiers because of his affections. Bowie has never considered himself a real member of the military establishment. Now he becomes more alienated than ever.
A reconnaissance vessel from the SDF-1 lands near the outskirts of Monument City. Dana and Sean Phillips arrive to pick up Major John Carpenter and his aide from the Robotech Expeditionary Force. They are taken to United Earth Command for debriefing. Leonard is staggered to hear there will be no reinforcement arriving from the SDF-3. It would seem Earth's survival rests on strategic information gathered from the mysterious alien prisoner.57f50hnd541sdecpjheg01i3j7670125-finalPrincess Niriyuh Khan Armada
Queen ArmadaAdded by Queen Armada
]]Out in space, a ship from the SDF-3 expedition de-folds from hyperspace and attempts to engage the Masters' fleet but is destroyed. Supreme Commander Leonard and General Emerson debrief Major John Carpenter, the ship's commanding officer, who informs them that the Robotech Expeditionary Force will not be sending any more combat units back to Earth.
Major John Carpenter was an officer of the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF) in the series Robotech: The Masters, and was voiced by Tom Wyner. He had previously been in deep space for fifteen years, serving as under Mercury Base, an early reconnaissance division for the Pioneer Mission. He was part of the Robotech Relief Expedition, a task force sent to regroup with Earth forces and break the alien blockade. His operation failed miserably, and his flagship, Recon-1, a Tokugawa-class Battleship was destroyed after it rammed into a Robotech Masters mothership.A reconnaissance vessel from the SDF-1 lands near the outskirts of Monument City. Dana and Sean Phillips arrive to pick up Major John Carpenter and his aide from the Robotech Expeditionary Force. They are taken to United Earth Command for debriefing. Leonard is staggered to hear there will be no reinforcement arriving from the SDF-3. It would seem Earth's survival rests on strategic information gathered from the mysterious alien prisoner.
His biggest fear was that his failed assault exposed Earth's defenses against the enemy. He was reassigned shortly after this incident, and later helped with Earth's defense against the Masters. Following the aftermath of the war, he would end up serving in Point K, an forward base established by the REF. He was originally in Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, the series which was adapted into the second "saga" of Robotech.
NotesEdit
Carpenter became the star of his own series Star Runners: Carpenter's Journey, where his ship was captured and taken to an Invid Space Station. He and his crew managed to escape confinement to resume their journey to Earth.
In the novel, Before the Invid Storm, Carpenter goes through a deep depression and was stationed somewhere to recover.
Carpenter was also featured prominently in the Tim Eldred and Bill Spangler series, Invid War. Released in May 1992 and ran until October 1993 with a total of 18 issues, Carpenter became the member of the Invid resistance alongside Jonathan Wolff. He stuck with Wolff until an ill-fated assault on Reflex Point where Wolff pulled his people to go hunt for his missing wife and son at another Invid Hive. Wolff was the lynchpin for the assault; without him, the attack fell apart. Carpenter wound up breaking off and building his own group along with a former Southern Cross soldier named Bekka Cade, with a goal of establishing regular shuttles to and from the moon. His reasons were twofold: to send people up there to safety away from the Invid, and to bring mecha down from Southern Cross stockpiles up there to continue the fight against the Invid. His mission hit a snag when his people became involved in a battle against an Invid super-weapon that was hunting Zentraedi; when he called upon the GMP for help, they refused, and while they beat it, it was at a great cost. It was Carpenter, along with Bekka Cade, who helped ensure Sue Graham's safety as she arrived in advance of the Jupiter Division aboard a Beta Fighter from Moon Base ALuCE II.
The Pioneer Mission Part One: Equipment and Mecha Of The Early Pioneer Mission
The Pioneer Mission and REF is subject to much mystery and debate, mainly for reasons that only the tail end of its technological era is ever seen, which leads many to believe that was what they possessed throughout their entire mission. This is fallacy for these two primary reasons:
1. If the Earth forces possessed Cyclones, Alpha and Beta fighters as far back as 2022-23, when the SDF-3 launched, why doesnt the Southern Cross have them in their inventory? The short answer is they would, and the long answer would be because its not cost effective to equip your primary fighting forces with two completely different types of weapon systems. Even if their missions were different, The ASC focusing on the defense of Earth, with the Pioneer Mission obviously focusing on the stars. Such diversity in weapons manufacture is also un-realistic so soon after the near total destruction of human life on Earth, not to mention the majority of the technological and manufacturing infrastructure of the planet.
2. The mecha and ships of the Southern Cross are more suited to fighting a someone like the Zentraedi, which is what the PM more than likely planned on facing during their mission, so they would have developed weapons based on the lessons learned during the First War. The Battloids have expentional speed and agility, the perfect counter for the Zentraedi pods, while the VHTs provide quick reaction capability mixed with decent firepower, making them THE best tool for facing the Zentraedis primarily ground based mecha force of battlepods, and to a lesser extent power armor, which is more than likely what the AJAX was intended to be a counter to. The ships of the ASC also follow a similar philosophy, being much smaller than the old RDF designs, but packing more firepower and agility, enabling them to evade Zentraedi capital ship weapons with relative ease.
The most likely 2014-2023 PM mecha compliment is a mix of Macross era Veritechs and destroids, with the Southern Cross era mecha coming into service around the late teens, as it would take time for designs to be have been developed with the lessons of the War, and perhaps even longer to get suitable production assets online. In terms of interstellar transport and combat assets, the most likely and econimicaly feasible solution, at least for the time, would be refit Zentraedi ships. Of course, considering Earths state and the sorry condition of the RFS *Factory Satellite* it wouldnt be within the Pioneer Missions capabilities to get anything larger than a Thuverl Salan *Destroyer* functional for such a mission. Considering the number of Tou Redirs *Scout Ship* in existence, and the high probability that many survived reasonably intact, the RFS could have been easily used in its limited capacity to refit a sizable contingent of said ships to the PM standard. What is that standard you might ask? First off the living accommodations would have to be altered to be able to support a mostly if not all micronized crew. There were more than likely ships of the fleet that were composed entirely of full sized Zentraedi, which would help explain their absence on Earth in later eras, as well as give them a way to continue their favored way of life. This would also give the Mission a sizable contingent of veterans.
The later ships launched as part of the Pioneer Mission were likely early bloc ASC designs, perhaps the first wave of the ships built; with modifications for long duration deep space travel, as the ASC would not have such a requirement. The Tokugawa that Major Carpenter commanded was more than likely an early bloc command ship launched as perhaps even as early as 2014, meaning it could have been intended to be one of the escorts of the SDF-2, or serve its own purpose as a command ship for PM flotillas. The latter seems to hold less water, as when the ship returns to Earth, it lacks any sort of other ships escorting it. No command ship would ever deploy alone, even one with substantial firepower, theyre simply too important logistically and strategically. Carpenters ship was more than likely a prototype for what was intended to be the main vessel of the Mission, a super long range exploratory vessel capable of self sustenance for long periods, perhaps even the entire fifteen years it was away from Earth.
More blunders the robotech defenders made was not using the Sylphid fighters right.They never used them to transform.This design used by the RDF and Rick Hunter,Max and rest was successful.It was heavy firepower that they did not understand to use.Southern Cross made giant errors that they lost miserably vs Invid.Inbit massacred them not understanding Sylphid can be like the VF-1 Valkyrie No mecha is as well known and admired by friend and enemy alike as the Valkyrie Veritech. It was the first mecha incorporating reconfiguring components that made it a transformable craft. It was also the fastest and most versatile of all UNDF mecha that fought in the First Robotech war.
The story of the Valkyrie begins in 2004. After 5 years of study, the UNDF Robotech Research Group led by Dr. Lang was capable of creating Earth mecha of sufficient power to counter the mecha utilized by the Zentraedi, as found in the SDF-1. However, the ground mecha that were being developed were not as fast as the Zentraedi mecha, and the fighters under development were of course not capable of ground combat. But because the Battle Pods were known to have such a great mobility, a fast mecha was necessary to counter incursions by these (the existence of the Zentraedi Power Armor designs was unknown at this early date). For a while the research group considered an assault helicopter mecha (that would ultimately evolve into the Southern Cross' AGACS two decades later), but Dr. Lang eventually came up with the mechamorphosis concept which promised a far better speed since it could be incorporated into a jet fighter.
The Valkyrie would need a jet fighter form, to execute its main objective (air combat) and a humanoid form to give maximum mobility and versatility on the ground. Dr. Lang also incorporated an intermediate form to ease the conversion from airborne to ground mecha, and this GERWALK mode (later called Guardian) proved to be such a useful merger of the Fighter and Battloid characteristics that it was also used for high-mobility work near the ground, and not just for VTOL landings. The result was in full scale production a full year before the SDF-1's launch date.
The original contractors for this craft were a consortium of Teledyne Continental, Rockwell, and Bell. The standard variant of this craft was the VF-1A, which sported a single laser on the head, and was produced by all three manufacturers. Under license, Nakajima Heavy Industries, one of the manufacturers of the FF-2001 engine for the aircraft, soon began to produce the VF-1J, which used an upgraded head, designed by Kyuusei industries, which added a second laser; the "J" designation denoting Japanese manufacture. This variant was used by flight and squadron leaders. Licensee Northrop also began to produce, in limited numbers, a 'special' Valkyrie, the VF-1S. With a new head-unit with four lasers, and substantially improved avionics and engines, this aircraft was issued only to commanders air group (CAGs). A conversion two-seat trainer, the VF-1D, with a new two-laser head and a slightly modified fuselage (the airbrake was deleted) was also produced. It was fully combat-capable, and often was pressed into service in the war. The Valkyrie was also produced in some numbers by the factories on board the SDF-1 during its long journey in interplanetary space. In early 2009, a new dedicated trainer, known as the VT-1, was developed. The VT-1 was very similar to the VF-1D, but there were subtle changes. Firstly, its -1A derived head was modified to carry a dish-shaped retractable sensor pallet in the place of the single Mauser laser. In addition, the VT-1 sported small blisters on the wingtips that contained improved vernier thrusters. Finally, the instructor, who sat at the same height as the student pilot in the VF-1D, was elevated approximately 30 centimeters. This caused a redesigned canopy and some minor changes to the fuselage. After the Holocaust, the Valkyrie remained in production as the premier combat mecha of the Earth forces, although its production had been nationalized and shifted to what factories remained on Earth and the moon, until it was replaced on the production lines by the Lightning and Alpha Veritech fighters. In 2014, new manufacture of the VF-1A and -1J stopped in favor of the VF-1B, which was basically a VF-1A with the head of a VF-1S and slightly improved avionics over the -1A, though the new package was still inferior to that in the expensive VF-1S. At about the same time, the control interface of all Valkyries was completely redesigned. In earlier models, the main Fighter/Guardian mode controls included a center control stick, a throttle, and a stick to control fine movement for each arm in Guardian mode on the main control panel. This redundancy was eliminated, and the two sticks (now to either side of the pilot) controlled both the plane (in Fighter and Guardian modes), and the arms (in Guardian mode). In addition, the ejection seat was replaced by a new model, better suited for space maneuvering in case of a bail-out outside the atmosphere.
The superbly-armed Super variants of the Valkyrie were developed by the SDF research groups in response to field experience with the standard models, namely the specialized needs of a space-dedicated fighter with heavier weapons packages to defeat an opposing force that possessed vast numerical superiority. Super variants could be converted from standard versions in minutes, if the standard Valkyrie had the necessary connection ports. Most existing Valkyries were retrofitted with such connections, and after 2011, all new VF-1s had them built in. The Super version's main distinction is the use of ejectable additional armor around the legs and arms, and the mounting of two FAST fuel and booster packs on the plane's back. In the front of the pods was room for weapons (save those specifically designed to be used on trainers, which included extra fuel). Typically, two multi-missile pods were mounted, though the Strike mission version saw a particle beam in the starboard pod and the standard sixteen-round short range missile pod in the port one. The Super Valkyrie also had the necessary electronics to carry six nuclear missiles, specifically developed for use against the gigantic Zentraedi warships. Every Super variant (with the exception of the trainer and Elint versions) carried an additional three Starburst missiles in the forearm armor. However, these space-optimized fighters were hardly ever used in the atmosphere where their external pods would hinder their aerodynamic properties.
Super VF-1E
The later VF-1E version was created by the SDF-1's engineers when the standard Cat's Eye recon plane was found to be too deficient in combat survivability to fully fulfill its role as Elint/AEW aircraft in the more hostile environs. Derived by combining the head of a VF-1A and the cockpit of a VF-1D, a major avionics upgrade, and attaching a rotary radome dish to the fuselage, the Elint first saw service in the battle against Dolza's armada. The VF-1E performed its mission flawlessly in both atmospheric and space conditions, though it could carry less electronics than the Cat's Eye. Eventually, the need for a Super VF-1E was seen, and soon the VF-1D's FAST packs were modified to accommodate the main dish and additional sensors. Eventually, the VF-1E was supplemented by the unarmed VE-1, which was a similar aircraft, only derived from the Super VT-1. Because of the replacement of the -1A head with an new laserless version, the VE-1 could no longer claim to be particularly robust in the heat of battle, though the overall integration of the sensory systems was far better than that even on the Super VF-1E.
The VF-1F Wild Weasel SAM and Radar Suppression Aircraft was a design considered as the United Earth Government began to fragment. Though few of this aircraft, derived from the VF-1D, were produced in full, it became an option available for all Valkyries with the Super connections, and consisted of a non-laser equipped head and specialized cockpit, both loaded with special defense suppression electronics and extra sensors, along with specialized sensor and missile pack for the FAST pack hardpoints. The normal head and cockpit of a Valkyrie would be disconnected, the new cockpit and head installed, the back pods added and the VF-1F was ready. The Wild Weasel version was created to clear anti-aircraft forces out of the way of an incoming air strike. The VF-1F was one of the first mecha to be replaced by the Shadow Fighters, because of their far greater survivability in most theaters of engagement. An early retirement of the VF-1F concept had seemed inevitable, but for the exceptionally successful missions flown against the EBSIS' formidable air-defense network by Captain Thomas J. Austin and his weapons officer, Lt. Sanjay Mathani.
An additional option for the standard Valkyrie was the use of an external armor/missile system. These craft, known as Armored Valkyries, carried twice the armor and seventy additional short range missiles, but mobility was decreased immensely, and transformations were not possible until the armor was jettisoned. This concept was developed to further increase the versatility of the VF-1, turning it in minutes into a Destroid. However, since the 'raison d'tre' of the Veritech was mobility, and due to the Destroids' own successes, this configuration was not used very often.
The Valkyrie saw service with the RDF Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Spacy until these branches were disbanded, and with the Armies of the Southern Cross' Navy in a second-line capacity from its creation in 2020 until 2026. The VF-1E and VE-1 survived longer in the REF, serving until replaced by the VF-6R/VE-12A combined ELINT Legioss in the mid-2030s. .Its just as effective and has bigger modulation and upgrades than a VF-1.Pathetic blunders Southern Cross had in decisions,bad luck and not understanding the VF-1 Valkyrie and its effectiveness in war vs Zentraedi and it would have if they changed and had pilots like Max vs Masters.They had an effective weapon and locked the transformation with hardpoints.Just a plane that was no match in a mecha war.The thing could have been so powerful and the match bioroid never fought.They did not come out with hybrid pilots and these were the ones the VF-7's vs the Invid.Firepower and monuverability from VF-1 Valkyrie as it was translated to robotech future.SF-7 would have been effective if used right to take on heaviest of Master's and Invid forces.They need right pilots to use them in fighter and change to robot to take on and beat the Masters and Invid.It can do this with what weapon is after the GU gun of Valkyrie.Had no confidence in service or confidence from high command sent it to its destruction.Southern Cross was destructive to their own veritechs.They never loaded ships with this to take on the enemy.It is airbourne and unlike the hovertank.They never had anything for airpower and airpower is the most important role of militaries.Air superiority and they did not drop in this area with Sylphid fighter.When the Pionneer Expedition left earth and Rick Hunter never heard of the Sylphid fighter or he would have initiated it understanding the Valkyrie.Rick supported the VF-1 and if he found out Sylphid was another in line of the Valkyrie he would have gone with this as punch with money costly VAF-6.Because they knew from experience of using the VF-1 in all out war vs Zentraedi.This fighter used right would have done all out war on Invid and Masters.It can take down heaviest of enemies.Time and consequences as Southern Cross waster with no experiences from Zentraedi war and to use this experience vs Masters and then lose to Invid.Valkyrie was a fierce veritech.
F-207A: Served with the Southern Cross' Tactical Air Force from 2021 until the Invid invasion.
F-207B: Began to replace the F-207A in 2029 and served until the Invid invasion.
F-207T: Served with the Southern Cross' Tactical Air Force from 2021 until the Invid invasion. This plane was shown to be less than successful against the Robotech Masters, partly because its bases kept getting shot up, but mainly because as a fighter it was completely overclassed by the Assault Carrier, against which it could not mount heavy enough weapons to be fully effective. Against the Invid, the Sylphid was only effective during the initial invasion. After the ground bases were overrun, the Sylphid was effectively obsolete, for its non-VTOL design made the plane useless for resistance fighters.
VF-7A, -B: Served with the Southern Cross' Tactical Air Force from 2021 until 2027.
VF-7C, -D: Began to replace the VF-7A, -B in 2025 and served until the Invid invasion. After the failure of the VF-4 project to deliver an advanced, capable and affordable veritech fighter to replace the obsolete VF-1 Valkyrie, two lighter veritech design projects were started, with the intention that the winner would be chosen as the RDF-wide general-use medium transformable fighter. The two designs became the VF-6 Alpha and the VF-7 Sylphid.
However, while the expeditionary forces elected to produce the VF-6 Alpha in large numbers, the Earth-bound Tactical Air Force disagreed with the choice of this design. Specifically, the TAF cited the VF-6 Alpha's lack of hardpoints and resulting loss of the ability to mount heavier ground attack missiles, and it's general reliance on short range missiles (implying other mecha with longer ranged missiles were also required). Finally a longer battle-turnaround time for the VF-6 Alpha was expected due to the use of an ammunition-fed gun pod and numerous internal missile holders where the Sylphid had only four hardpoints to load with new missile containers. In the end, the TAF decided to acquire the VF-7 Sylphid for its forces rather than the VF-6 Alpha.
Sylphid Cockpit
The Sylphid shows distinct VF-1 influences in its forward hull, and the combined engine block/arm sections were reminescent of the failed VF-4. Compared to its predecessor, the famous VF-1, the VF-7 can carry its missile armament with it through all speed regimes, unlike the elder plane, whose missiles would be torn off their mounts long before it reached its maximum speed. Additionally, the Sylphid no longer carried a gun pod, or even ammunition dependent weapons. On the debit side, the Sylphid can only fire its missiles in Fighter mode or in certain flight regimes in Guardian mode, when the engines are pointing aft.
The Sylphid entered service with the Tactical Air Force in 2021, and remained in service with this unit until the Invid invasion. It became the primary tactical airborne veritech mecha of the Southern Cross' Tactical Air Force. Over the years the electronics were regularly updated, and in 2026 a new version with two more cannons and more powerful engines replaced the earlier one on the production lines, with older models being refitted to the new standard within two years. The two variants can be distinguished by the cannons on the arms and the fact that the FF-3001 fit had three sub-nozzles per engine, and the FF-3031 had four. Slated for replacement in 2034, the Second Robotech War interfered with the development of the X-34 project, the Sylphid's intended successor design. Development was stopped during the war both to concentrate on the rapid production of the existing veritech, and to later evaluate all combat lessons learned and incorporate them into the new design. However, the Invid Invasion in 2031 ended this project in its infancy.
This plane was shown to be less than successful against the Robotech Masters, partly because its bases kept getting shot up, but mainly because as a fighter it was completely overclassed by the Assault Carrier, against which it could not mount heavy enough weapons to be fully effective. Against the Invid, the remaining Sylphid were moderately effective during the initial invasion, but soon all support bases had been destroyed and keeping the remaining Sylphids active proved to be almost impossible.The Sylphid shows distinct VF-1 influences in its forward hull, and the combined engine block/arm sections were reminiscent of the relatively unsuccessful VF-4. Compared to its predecessor, the famous VF-1, the VF-7 can carry its missile armament with it through all speed regimes, unlike the elder plane, whose missiles would be torn off their mounts long before it reached its maximum speed. Additionally, the Sylphid no longer carried a gun pod, or even ammunition dependent weapons. On the debit side, the Sylphid can only fire its missiles in Fighter mode or in certain flight regimes in Guardian mode, when the engines are pointing aft.
More blunders as the REF sacrificed mecha and fleets to Invid in 7 attempts to gain control of the earth.They were desperate and from desperation they did not setup their infantry to attack Reflex Point.They failed to supply air cover for ground forces.They could have landed more synchro cannons to blast at the Invid Hive.They then decided to massacre their own forces and Reflex Point with scorched earth policy.Neutron S missiles would have killed the earth with Invid.Cyclone Rider is a formidable weapon against the Invid.But only Scott Bernard,Lancer,Rand and Rook know how to use them to kill Invid shock Troopers.Why can't the REF do the same at Reflex Point.REF failed to support one hand with another.They were not holding up end of the bargen.The Mullusk Attack Carriers were massacring the REF.REF had no firepower vs Mullusk carriers.They were losing against them.They were not destroying them and the carriers of Invid released their Scouts to swarm every ship.Invid were winning by swarming.Stealth Shadow Fighters were effective but not in many numbers the Ground forces needed.Air Cover and invade the hive.They were able in beginning at the 7 tries and battles to penetrate Invid Earth space and land or crash on the ground.They had cyclone that is where Rand found his in quality state.Invid Swarm to win.They outnumber.Many did not use their Beta Fighters or pilot Beta fighters and their effective arsenal vs Invid.Invid will invade again with the 3rd Invid War.Lancer will be old as Rook.Scott is not there to be a soldier and his many covert ops of destroying hives and hive jammers.The Shadow Fighters and Cyclones on the ground worked.Cyclones fought the Invid.Shadow Fighters infilitrated Reflex Point.Lack of production and use from flash in pan Shadow Fighter.They cleared a way to Reflex Point from space.They did not send enough Shadow Fighters to support.All of the Cyclones and Alphas were detectable on the ground of Reflex Point.Failure use of Shadow Fighters.The Shadow Fighter squadrons had intel on where to shoot at the Invid.The REF Ground forces did not find the armor weakness or they would have broken into Reflex Point.Royal Command Battloid was effective armor against Contra Grey Alpha and all REF forces except for the REF Shadow Fighters.They did not inform all of the Robotech Survivors to fire at the Invid in a certain area or point.They were to kill the Regess.Reflex Point would have surrendered and Inbit Invid beaten.They fired the Neutron S missiles which could have destroyed earth.Blunder with impatient and trigger happy crew of SDF-4.Tactics worked Shadow fighters in Reflex Point.The Invid and Inbit fight in the re-entry zone of earth.They are monuverable and agile in this area.They attack with all of their mullusk carriers.They get the fighters of REF and Mars Division in re-entry zone.Earth is a planet just as alien world burn you up in the atmosphere from space.Inbit have a free hand in re-entry zone of atmosphere and outer space.They should have kept the veritechs intact and get warships and escort of fighters to breach the Invid carrier lines.The Invid had the upper hand in outer space in zero gravity.They used their monuverability to get around the laser guns of the REF.They were more monuverable than the VAF-6.But in atmosphere of earth the VAF-6 had the advantage vs many Invids.VAF-6 was more effective in atmosphere than space.Its lasers and missiles and also the veritech cyclone which can't be used in space but on the ground on earth.The Invid did not need to pull out the stuffs and bring out a more heavy duty Invid trooper and shock trooper for space.Relying on the Invid Scout with engines.This clawed and attacked non laser protected parts of the REF ships.Got as many as possible and form up in the atmosphere and surface of earth.They would have had a different outcome than Inbit monuvering around and attacking in re-entry zone where all of the ships are destracted like a swarm being demolished.The Invid have a strategist the Alphas should have known about using military reports.They had the right idea in letting cyclones first because they are most successful vs Inbit and Invid.They needed the synchro cannons to bombard Reflex Point.The Invid Inbit can predict simple machine in war and come up with more moves than a veritech.That is how the Invid win.They predict the abilities and moves of a veritech.You can't do any damage unless you fire inside on the Invid.They are protected by armor and use their claws to guard against even explosives.Predict the enemy Whiteman.Invid and their fast suprise attack with the Invid carrier Shelldor.They should have maintained distance from the Shelldor carriers.They should have fired their missiles from Beta fighter.They should broke link with the Beta and Alpha.Alpha fighter in fighter mode to fight the fast Invid scouts with boosters.Dog fighting.And to have many lines of Alphas in battloid mode firing lasers and missiles at the Invid Inbit.They were caught in between and too close with the Addendum: Iigaa Booster Unit.Match them with the Alpha.And there is one that Major Carpenter could have changed the war with the Cyclones and Alphas aboard his ship from Pioneer Mission.He crashed them into Masters's ship.They figured things out when the Shadow Fighters were given greenlight to use them for what they were made for.They invaded Reflex Point and penetrated in hive.They could have found the Regess.Regess came back to earth in 3rd Invid War and was ruthless.The Cyclones were ineffective because they were crammed close to Invid in Reflex Point.Infantry,Invid Troopers would open fire on the cyclones bunched together.Heavy Resistance.The Cyclone is effective when it has room for agility against the Invid.Then it kills the Invid.Weakness is revealed.Bunched close to Invid and the Invid Annihilation discs destroy.Bulky and in the way of bunched up Cyclones.
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in: Article stubs, Events, REF Civil War
REF Civil War
Edit
REF Vs Edwards Forces Prelude To The Shadow Chronicles 1
The REF Civil War was a conflict between the forces of Rick Hunter and the Sentinels against the forces of T. R. Edwards and the Invid Regent.
Contents
1 Prelude
2 The Conflict
3 Aftermath
4 Appearances
Prelude
After the end of the First Robotech War, the Robotech Expeditionary Force launched the Pioneer Expedition to Tirol. Their plan was to directly contact the Robotech Masters and negotiate a peace or, if necessary, crush them. The SDF-3 arrived to Tirol, but found than the Masters had already departed, ironically, to Earth. Tirol was under attack of the Invid forces, which searched the Masters and the Flower of Life, which they had stole from their world. Finding none, they were killing the almost defenseless Tirolians, and the Pioneer Expedition felt compelled to help them. In the process, the SDF-3 was damaged, and unable to return to Earth soon. Eventually, the REF was contacted by the Sentinels, a group of aliens of several races also dominated for the Invid, and both groups joined forces, managing to free Tirol and the other planets.
However, the Invid leader, the Regent, wasn't the only enemy of the Sentinels: the worst was an internal one. One of the REF leaders, General T. R. Edwards, felt a personal hate towards the REF leader, admiral Rick Hunter, and was also xenophobic towards any alien, hostile or not. During the battle for Tirol, he was vocal opposing to any colaboration with any alien, but his forces, mainly the Ghost Squadron, keep a low profile. However,they don't hesitate to resort to sabotage and killing to attain their objectives. During a battle, Edwards' loyalists had captured a priceless artifact: a portion of the Invid Brain, a biological super computer able to control parts of the Invid army… and Edwards was determined to use it exclusively.(Robotech II: The Sentinels)
The Conflict
Edwards secretly used the Brain to communicate with the Regent, while making believe the rest of the REF than the Brain wasn't functional. However, after the Sentinels' campaign ended, and all the REF returned to Tirol, the council eventually ordered him to give the Brain to Dr. Emil Lang. That forced the general to act. After kidnapping Lynn Minmei, the woman he felt attracted to, and murder his cousin, Lynn Kyle, he made his move. The REF had uncovered part of his activities, and the expedition attempted to arrest him. Edwards used the brain to launch a wave of Inorganics against the infantry which searched him, and made his escape with his loyals onboard the finished cruiser Icarus. Wolf Squadron attemted to intercept him, but the Ghost Squadron, thanks to his newly developed Shadow Technology, easily downed nine of their Alpha Fighters. The SDF-3 attempted to stop Edwards' cruiser, but before they can fire, the Regent's Invid Carrier appeared and shoot them, blowing the frontal part of the SDF-3. The rest of the REF wasn't able to intercept the Icarus, and the cruiser and the Regent's Carrier escaped together.(Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles 1: The Enemy Within)
Rick Hunter's wife, admiral Lisa Hayes, survived the SDF-3's destruction, but lost the baby she was waiting. the SDF-3 was crippled, but the Sentinels offered the REF their help to rebuild it. A cruiser newly built, the Tokugawa, was finished sooner and sent to search Edwards, led by Vince Grant. About a year after Edward's evasion, the Tokugawa located them over Optera, the Invid homeworld. A shoot from the Icarus Synchro Cannon crippled the Tokugawa. The Regent Carrier engaged them… and the Regent uncovered than Edwards used the Invid Brain to take full control of his forces. A boarding team of the REF, led by Breetai, boarded the Carrier, and they moved the ship to shield the Tokugawa from the Icarus. But that didn't stopped Edwards, which shoot anyway, killing both the Regent and Breetai, and blowing the Carrier. The Tokugawa began falling to Optera. Meanwhile, the rebuild SDF-3 was already finished and the REF forces were provided with their own version of the Shadow Technology, developed thanks to the Haydonites' help.(Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles 2: Retribution)
The SDF-3 travelled to Space Station Liberty, to finish equipping it, and then they received the Tokugawa's distress call. The Tokugawa's crew, falling to Optera, managed to evacuate the ship, with Vince being the last one, but before they can reach the ground, they were intercepted and captured by Invid forces under Edwards' control. After gathering all the prisoners in a former Invid hive, his new command post, Edwards explained to Grant his intentions, which included transforming all the REF prisoners which didn't join him into Invid monsters throwing them into a Genesis Pit. Edwards attempted to recruit Vince to his cause, but then was informed than the REF forces have landed and were engaging their men.(Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles 3: Necessary Evil)
Admiral Hunter led personally the ground assault, in the Battle of Optera. In the air, his forces were crushing the Invid and Ghost Squadron, thanks to his Shadow Technology. When Edwards ordered his Invid to concentrate, Hunter made his cruisers to use his heavy weapons to annihilate them. When Hunter's forces reached Edwards, he unleashed a horde of Invid creatures exiting from the Genesis Pit. The general, distracted by the android Janice Em, which posed as Minmei, wasn't able to react. Janice informed Hunter about Edward's using the Invid Brain, and after firing at it, Janice, Edwards and the Brain fell to the pit. Without his leader, the last survivors of Ghost Squadron surrended.
But the battle was far from over: soon after, Edwards emerged from the Pit, turned into a gigantic monster combined with the Brain. He killed several troopers and directed his Invid space units to attack the SDF-3, but Hunter ordered his people to evacuate. Janice, partially active, contacted Lisa, which commanded the SDF-3, to shoot at her signal. The SDF-3's Synchro Cannons shoot at Edwards. Right before it was destroyed, Janice leaved her body and transferred her conscience to another one. The shoot destroyed Edwards, and without the Brain, all Invid units died. Hunter and the Tokugawa's crew escaped onboard the Icarus. The REF civil war was over.(Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles 5: The Children of the Shadows)
Aftermath
The end of the conflict didn't weaken the REF too much, and apparently, left them stronger than ever: all the remaining Regent's forces were destroyed, and the only REF lost ship, the Tokugawa, was replaced by the Icarus. Besides, their forces were now much more advanced, with fighters and ships equipped with Shadow Technology and the Neutron-S missiles as ultimate weapon.
But the Haydonites, really, were manipulating the REF: though the Shadow ships were useful during the Third Robotech War, the Neutron Missiles were in fact a poisoned gift, intended to destroy Earth and all the human forces. The Haydonites only wanted to destroy any race using Protoculture, and all their upgrades had trojan horses, which would be devastating for the humans during the Fourth Robotech War.(Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles)
Appearances
Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles
Robotech II: The Sentinels
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