#3 alone with
(#1 is available here, and #2 is here.)
As with #2, not much is changed from the original publication in this section. Some panels are rearranged, but nothing major has been altered. I’m guessing that, moving forward, Chapters 4 to 8 (the remaining chapters that were originally published in Macross Ace Magazine, and collected in Volumes 2 and 3 of the books) will also be divided into four parts each, taking us up to the end of September. After that, the chapters will get shorter.
THE SYNOPSIS
#3 alone with(1)
Pages 1-2
The Macross folds, taking the island with it.
Pages 3-4
In dialogue lifted directly from the series, Britai and Exsedol express amazement that the Macross folded directly from the Earth’s surface, and begin trying to figure out where it went.
Pages 5-6
Alarm bells go off all over Alaska Base as High Command realizes that the Macross has folded, and there’s no indication of a de-fold. Admiral Hayase salutes the sky and murmurs Misa’s name.
Pages 7-12
The Macross de-folds. Misa picks up the ID signal from VT-102. Minmay’s excited and starts singing… until she and Hikaru see a battle pod heading towards them. Back on the ship, Global prepares to attack the enemy battle pods that have been dragged along with them through the fold. Then Vanessa examines the object beneath them and discovers that it’s primarily composed of seawater. They realize that it’s the entire island of South Ataria. More bad news comes when they find out that they’re in the vicinity of Pluto.
#3 alone with(2)
Pages 1-2
Trying to make the best of the situation, Global says that after they defeat the enemy pods, they can just fold back to earth… but then Kim gets a call from the engine room saying that the fold system has vanished. Global notes that it’s going to be a long trip…
Pages 2-9
Hikaru tries to avoid the pod attacking him and Minmay. He notes that while he’s a first class pilot, he’s strictly a third-rate shot. However, he hits the pod. He sees the Macross’s hull get punctured and flies into the hole.
Pages 9-10
Misa notices that VT-102’s ID signal has disappeared suddenly. Claudia teases her, saying that the civilian pilot probably got to a shelter, and that Misa’s just imagining things because he called her an “old lady.”
Then, having mopped up the enemy pods, Global orders the ship to land on the island, rescue any survivors in the shelters, and bring aboard the supplies that are floating around.
Pages 11-16
In the unexplored area of the ship, Minmay is waiting for Hikaru. She sees that she’s not getting a signal on her phone. Hikaru comes back after exploring the area, and Minmay optimistically asks if the exit is very far. He replies that every room is just a network of pipes and he has no idea where they are. With the plane’s communicator busted, it would be best if they mapped the area, and they can use the compass in his watch to keep track of their location.
Minmay, rather uncomfortable, asks if this means they’re going to have to spend the night here. When Hikaru says it may be even longer than that, Minmay opens a section on the Valk’s nose and pulls out survival rations. She says that a soldier who once took her on a sightseeing flight told her about it, and had said that if they had to make an emergency landing, they’d have enough supplies for a while.
Hikaru, a little jealous, suggests that the soldier was only trying to mack on her, and probably would make a fake emergency landing just so she’d have to spend the night with him. Minmay asks if this means that Hikaru himself is currently trying to make a pass at her.
Hikaru denies it, and insists he’s looking after her because Focker told him to. Minmay retorts that he should fire a missile or something and get them out of here.
This gives Hikaru an idea, and he ejects one of the seats, hoping (I guess…?) that it will break through the ceiling.
#3 alone with(3)
Pages 1-2
We open with Claudia exasperatedly explaining to Focker that the ship’s personnel is all occupied with rescuing the civilians, and they can’t spare anyone to search specifically for Hikaru. Focker blows up. Misa takes over and says that she’s checking all the footage from every monitor aboard the Macross as well as all the Valks’ recorders, in an effort to figure out what happened to VT-102.
Claudia expresses shock Misa hasn’t taken a break yet, and Misa says that since she’s the one that ordered VT-102 into combat AND since she’s the one who lost its signal, Hikaru’s life is her responsibility.
Pages 3-9
Minmay notes that Hikaru has seemed depressed since his plan to break a hole in the ceiling by ejecting one of the seats didn’t work, and points out that they can use the parachute as a tent.
She says that it’s only been one day so far, and is concerned about her aunt and uncle. Hikaru says that if they got to the shelter, they should be fine. When Minmay agrees, saying that the soldiers will protect them, Hikaru gets jealous again and says that her Chinese dress was too revealing (like it’s any of his business…). Minmay gets annoyed, so Hikaru backs off and says that it’s just because she’s very attractive. Minmay replies that that’s the first nice thing he’s said to her. He blusters a bit and says that they just met earlier that day (so it’s not like he’s had a lot of time or reason to compliment her). She says that guys usually start complimenting her immediately upon meeting her. Hikaru, still jealous, implies that they’re just trying to flatter her, but admits that she must be a very popular girl. Minmay asks Hikaru if he’s popular, and he says that he’s only really interested in planes, and that when he meets girls, he always ends up as “just a friend” or else as their “backup plan.” Minmay falls asleep on his shoulder, and he muses that being a backup isn’t all THAT bad.
Pages 10-14
The next day. While the images show Hikaru breaking the water pipe and Minmay taking her shower, the dialogue tells of a different conversation. Minmay asks Hikaru why he became a pilot, and he tells how his father had a aerobatic team, and so he (Hikaru) has been flying since he was a child.
Then Hikaru asks her if she wants to be an entertainer, since she entered the Miss Macross Contest. She replies that her “onii-chan” (undoubtedly Kaifun) signed her up for that without her knowing, and that she wants to make it on her own, without help. She says that she’s taken a lot of singing and dancing classes, since she didn’t want to take over her parents’ restaurant in Yokohama and thus had a lot of spare time.
She thinks that the day when she becomes a professional entertainer is a long ways off, and chides herself for even thinking it’s a possibility.
Pages 15-16
On the bridge, nearly a week later, the Macross has docked with the Prometheus and the Daedalus, and is working on getting their weapons systems back on line. Misa is distracted, and Claudia scolds her again for focusing on the disappearance of VT-102 rather than on her real job. Misa retorts that taking care of ALL of the civilians IS her job.
Pages 16-20
Minmay surprises Hikaru with a snapshot (taken with her cell phone). She says she’s collecting memories, and shows Hikaru a bunch of food pics she’s taken. He gets angry, and yells that if she wants to take photos of their meals, the cans are right there. She apologizes and says she was just trying to cheer him up (by showing him photos of gourmet meals like bird’s nest soup…? I’m not sure she’s helping…). He says that girls always seem cheerful and never distraught about anything, and she says she’ll become, for the first time, that kind of girl.
HIkaru goes off for yet another day of trying to find an exit (or, failing that, more food), and thinks to himself that he feels as lost as a mouse in the middle of the desert, since the ship (built for the giants) is simply too large…
#3 alone with(4)
Pages 1-2
Checking footage filmed by the Regulds, Britai and Exsedol realize that the earth people are “miclones.” Exsedol mentions an old Zentradi legend warning about contact with miclones, so they decide to stay away from Earth and focus only on capturing the Macross.
Pages 3-4
Hikaru explains his stupid plan to leave through the airlock, float through space and find another airlock, somehow get in, and send help. Minmay raises objections, like the fact that he doesn’t have an oxygen tank. He says he’ll hold his breath, just as if he were diving in the ocean. “Oh, you dive, too?” Minmay asks. “No,” he replies. Minmay suggests they exchange cell phone numbers so they can stay in touch, and Hikaru dismisses the idea.
Page 5-7
They go to the window to see where the closest airlock is, and are confronted with a ton of dead sea animals floating in space. Minmay thinks it’s beautiful, and says it makes her want to go to Enoshima (a small island near Kamakura, known for its aquarium). Hikaru says he’ll take her there once they escape. She says it’s a promise, and says she also wants to see the peony garden at nearby Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple.
Pages 8-11
Hikaru confirms that Minmay knows how to work the airlock controls. He says that if he doesn’t make it back, there should be enough food for her to survive on for a little while longer, but that he’ll definitely get help. Minmay wishes him good luck, and then blurts out that he’s not a “backup plan” to her. He’s a little surprised, but then focuses on the mission at hand. As the airlock door opens, he sees a giant tuna directly ahead…
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