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question. "They've all been declared dead, so having them leave the SDF-1 is
out of the question, Gloval."
Gloval shook his head slowly. "I don't understand."
Lisa shot to her feet. "Just what is it you're saying?"
Herbert's answer was acid. "Do you think we made an official
announcement that we're at war with aliens? Why, there would have been
worldwide panic and probable insurrection by the peace factions!"
"They'd have been screaming for immediate unconditional surrender,"
another Council member, Commissioner Blaine of US-Western, added.
Admiral Hayes's image held the center spot again. "We invoked a strict
media blackout from the day the SDF-1 disappeared, using the excuse that a
guerrilla force of anti-unification terrorists had attacked Macross Island and
destroyed it after the ship left on its maiden test flight. Now, how could we
let the tens of thousands of Macross inhabitants who know what a tremendous
threat we face return to Earth?"
"It's impossible!" Zukav threw in. "The government would be overthrown!"
Are they crazy or am I? Gloval asked himself.
For ten years, throughout the rebuilding of SDF-1, the world government
had used the threat of alien invasion to justify their staggering defense
budgets and its own ever-expanding influence.
But when the Zentraedi finally appeared with power so far beyond
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anything humans had envisioned (except for a few hardheaded realists like
Gloval), the Council had, in effect, become completely paranoid: They lied to
the populace, hid in a hole in the ground, and simply prayed the menace would
go away.
All for the sake of their political power base, all so that they could
rule a little longer.
Gloval's voice rose a few decibels. "We're going to have a riot on our
hands if we don't allow those people to get off the ship! They've been through
a lot and endured it gallantly, but now they're safely back home and their
patience is wearing thin!"
Herbert answered that. "Keeping them under control is your
responsibility. And anyway, if, as you stated in your report, the aliens are
so curious about our customs, then carrying an entire city within the SDF-1
should ensure that their attention is focused on it, don't you think?"
"It's crucial that you draw the enemy forces away from this planet!"
Kinsolving, a bloodless-looking man with eyes like glass pellets, said from
one side.
"At what price?" Gloval roared.
He felt very close to surrendering to his rage-perhaps going back to the
SDF-1 and launching a little revolution of his own.
But he knew he wouldn't, knew he couldn't fire on innocent men and women
who believed the Council's lies and who would rise to oppose him-knew he
couldn't break the oath of allegiance he'd sworn.
He'd seen enough civil war; he knew he couldn't start another.
Admiral Hayes was saying, "Captain, we're not insensitive to your
situation, but we must have time to strengthen our defenses and increase our
knowledge of Robotechnology. And you're the only one who can give it to us."
Lisa cried, "Father, this is too much to ask of all those civilians!"
Hayes's huge projected face glared down at her icily. "Commander Hayes,
we may be father and daughter, but during these proceedings I expect to be
addressed by my rank, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," she spit out the words.
"And what if the aliens decide not to follow the battle fortress?"
Gloval posed the question. "What if they at tack the Earth instead? You can
fire your Grand Cannon until you broil away the planet's atmosphere and make
the surrounding land mass run molten, but you still won't be able to destroy
all those ships!"
Hayes answered, "Your own analysis indicates that that's highly
unlikely; the invaders are interested in your ship. You will receive your
sailing orders in the morning. That is all."
Again the screens went blank.
Gloval picked up his hat tiredly. I guess that's the end of that.
"Captain, how are we ever going to be able to explain this to the people
on the ship? Not just the survivors; the crew-they've been in constant combat
for more than a year!"
Gloval had no answer. In the corridor outside, he asked, "Lisa, wouldn't
you like to spend some time with your father while you're here? As family, I
mean? I can authorize a brief leave..."
They came to an elevator to begin the long trip back to the surface.
Lisa kept her eyes lowered to the floor. "No, sir. I have no particular
interest in seeing him right now."
"I understand, my dear," said Gloval as the elevator doors closed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The patterns of behavior observed so far indicate that either all these humans
are demented or else the three of us suffered head injuries upon first landing
here.
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