episode guide | New Generation | EP 76

Metamorphosis

Disturbed and suspicious because of the simulagent's inability or refusal to maintain contact with the hive, the Regess creates two new agents from the protoplasmic culture. She addresses them personally. "You have both been summoned to the protoculture chamber to assume your rightful…

Disturbed and suspicious because of the simulagent's inability or refusal to maintain contact with the hive, the Regess creates two new agents from the protoplasmic culture. She addresses them personally. "You have both been summoned to the protoculture chamber to assume your rightful place in the new order of our society. However, you must first undergo transformation in to the ultimate life form of this planet....My children, you are truly the inheritors of my lineage within the society of the Invid. You are a prince and princess of our race and shall be known as Corg and Sera. We must begin the mass transformation of our people to the humanoid life form. This form which you have now assumed has been determined to be the most advanced and flexible configuration for survival on this planet. However, there may be hidden dangers in this physical form. An earlier experiment with humanoid reconstruction appears to be malfunctioning. Our spy, Ariel, who has joined the human resistance force, has failed to establish a communications link with our headquarters. You must contact Ariel and determine the cause of her dysfunction before we commit ourselves to a complete metamorphosis. You must prepare the way for the final phase of our domination of this planet. Now go – and prove yourself worthy of your heritage. As the Invid royalty speed away from Reflex Point, across the ocean, on the coast of a nearby tropical landmass, the members of Scott Bernard's resistance unit are trying to combine work with pleasure. Having located a derelict naval base, they have combed the area searching for protoculture fuel and supplies. Scott determines that they could slip quietly past the Invid in boats and save fuel as well. However, while the men and Annie check out their new transportation, Rook Bartley encounter Invid scouts.

Rook is wounded in the brief battle, so they decide to stop for a bit of R & R at a deserted resort hotel. The group has spent so much time on their guard that they find it difficult to relax and have fun. Lancer takes off on his own and discovers a beautiful tree-lined grotto complete with waterfall. He quickly discards his clothes and treats himself to the delight of the sparkling water.

But his solitary swimming is interrupted by the arrival of the Invid princess, Sera. She appears to be no less human than Marlene. When Lancer chases the spy, he is startled to see her jump into Invid battle armor reserved for alien commanders. The implications are horrible. Lancer can only assume the aliens have brainwashed human beings into fighting for the Invid as the Robotech Masters had done during the Second Robotech War. Lancer runs to advise Scott and the others of this terrible discovery.

Confused and shaken by her encounter with Lancer, Sera flies off to join Corg and the reassembled Invid attack squadron. They prepare to seek out and destroy resistance fighters. Led by the Invid royalty, the aliens attack. Scott and crew scatter for their mecha under a barrage of fire. In the midst of the fighting, Lunk is hit. Lancer tries to help. As Sera dives for the kill, she notices the handsome young man she met at the lake and hesitates. Lancer gets off the first shot and knocks her out of the sky. Sera remains in her body armor, shaken by her failure to destroy the ship. She has never experienced the power of human emotion, and she picks up a variety of sensations from her departing sister, Ariel, she becomes more confused and fearful. Sera can only watch helplessly as the human convoy makes its way to dry land, out of range of Invid attack.

Experience this episode at home! Now available through the Robotech.com Store:

- DVD Video: Robotech DVD Vol.13: Genesis (also part of DVD Box Set 7 and The Protoculture Collection)

- Toys: Cyclones and Alpha Fighters

- Collectibles: Mars Base patches and keychains

The Invid Regess completes the metamorphosis of two Invid...

... into human forms

The Invid Prince and Princess speed away to test their new powers

Scott's team comes across a Carribean base

Lancer catches the Invid princess spying on him

Scott learns what an Earth beach is like