Codename: Robotech

Codename: Robotech takes place within the vast, sprawling universe known as the Robotech Saga, specifically focusing on the tumultuous early stages of the First Robotech War. The short-film pilot sets the foundation for the story, characters, and pivotal events that unfold in the subsequent series. We find ourselves with Rick Hunter, a young and ambitious Marine aviator, serving within the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) on the planet Earth. Unbeknownst to Rick and his fellow comrades, Earth is on the brink of an all-out war with the Invid, hostile extraterrestrial beings that have been secretly invading and assimilating several systems within human space. These alien forces are armed with advanced, mechanized war machines called the 'Inorganics' or mecha. As tensions between humans and Invid rise, a cryptic message, Codename: Robotech, surfaces, hinting at the discovery of advanced, human-built mecha technology called the Robotech Masters' vessels. These massive, versatile war machines are piloted using the Protoculture's ancient technology, passed down through the Robotech Masters. However, the Robotech Masters themselves are all but extinct, and their ships, now lying dormant, are vulnerable to exploitation. Rick's life takes a drastic turn as he is informed about the discovery of a Robotech Master's vessel. The ship, codenamed Zor Prime, rests at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, discovered by the UEDF. The potential for exploiting the Robotech technology presents a thrilling opportunity for UEDF forces to gain the upper hand in their fight against the Invid. Rick's commander, General Donald N. Purnell of the UEDF Marine Defense, assigns Rick to lead an elite team to infiltrate the ship, gather crucial intel on Robotech technology, and unlock the secrets hidden within the Zor Prime. Accompanied by a talented team comprising Dr. Adam, a chief scientist in charge of Robotech development, and Roy Fokker, an accomplished Marine pilot and Rick's close friend, their mission marks a turning point in the unfolding battles within the war. While exploring the wreckage of the ship, the crew encounters a strange being they soon discover is the consciousness or soul of Zor Prime's original pilot, Zor, a former Protoculture being and a key figure in Robotech history. Zor reveals to Rick and his team about the true nature of the Protoculture, ancient beings who created and piloted the Robotech Masters' vessels, as well as the Invid Empire, the latter which was once a powerful civilization in a distant galaxy before its downfall. Rick, Dr. Adam, Roy, and Zor form an alliance, with Zor serving as a crucial strategic advisor. Together, they navigate a maze of underwater caverns beneath the Earth while being pursued by forces loyal to the UEDF but also controlled by a hidden enemy that wants to prevent the true nature of the Codename Robotech discovery from spreading. In these labyrinthine underground bases, Rick and his friends encounter more of the mysterious Robotech artifacts. They soon realize that the Robotechnology was created by the Protocultures themselves to serve as an instrument of mass destruction. Frustrated with their discovery, and realizing that Robotechs were meant for devastating purposes in another world, Rick begins questioning his role in the entire operation. Throughout their exploration, the team uncovers evidence pointing toward a traitor within the UEDF who is secretly assisting the Invid in their relentless assault on Earth's resources and territories. With Zor providing strategic support and insights into Robotech technology, Rick is compelled to protect the Robotech discovery from falling into Invid control at all costs. At its core, Codename: Robotech serves as a pilot episode, but its story holds immense significance in the grand narrative of Robotech. It lays the groundwork for the epic battles in the subsequent series and for the pivotal role Rick Hunter will play in shaping the course of the war, not only through his actions but also through his introspection on the true purpose of the Robotech technology they are racing against time to utilize.