Separate Ways

Searching a deserted city for more supplies during a night reconnaissance results in disaster. The group is attacked by an Invid patrol. They retreat to a subway tunnel only to be trapped when the aliens create a cave-in behind them. The front of the tunnel is blocked by rubble as well.

Tension, self-doubt and hidden anger erupt violently among the close-knit crew. The underground confinement causes Lunk to lose control. He jumps Scott. When Lancer and Rand pull him off, the big man diverts his rage to Rand until he is beaten down to sit, sobbing, on the floor of the tunnel. Ashamed of being frightened, Lunk considers himself a coward and doesn't feel worthy to be a part of the group anymore.

The scene leaves everyone shaken. Rand and Rook walk away to look for another exit, but they find nothing useful.

"I'm beginning to wonder if we're gong to get out of here," Rand tells her. "It looks like that business about whether Lunk should stay with the group might have been discussed prematurely....Even if we get out, the group won't be the same."

"I guess I should tell you something," Rook says quietly. "I've been thinking of dropping out of the group myself. It's been on my mind for some time."

"How could you be thinking that? You know this is important mission. Annie's gone, and Lunk's in trouble. We're counting on you more than ever."

"Well, maybe I'm tired of people counting on me, you know? Or maybe I'm just tired of running for my life all the time."

Rand is incredulous. "You expect me to believe that? You're just like me. You thrive on danger."

"Up to a point."

"Well...maybe you're right," the young man speaks thoughtfully. "I'm only kidding myself when I say fighting is fun. Maybe I keep saying that to keep from admitting I'm scared sick most of the time."

It is Rook Bartley's turn to show disbelief. Still, there's no doubting Rand's sincerity. She stumbles onto a new thought.

"Maybe if we both pulled out, we'd be saving everyone's life. Scott would have to postpone his mission while we went looking for more people."

It seems like a workable idea, but Scott is more stunned than impressed with her logic. Still, Rand has come up with a plan to use their remaining protoculture to blast their way through the rubble and out of the tunnel. Working together to rig the explosion, the five rebels renew their friendship. Rand's idea works, and they soon find themselves on the streets again. They are surprised to find Annie waiting for them.

The girl is thrilled to see them. "Can you picture me as a jungle princess? They expected me to gather nuts and fruit! I told them 'so long – gotta go!' Dumb, huh?"

Her pleasure at finding her friends turns to tears when she discovers Rand and Rook have decided to break off from the team. She pleads with them to stay, but they ride away. They seem to form a tem of their own. By now, Rand has admitted that he's willing to follow Rook anywhere.

He races after her, concerned. "What's the hurry? Take it easy before you get us both killed. I'm sure you're upset about the group deciding to push ahead to Reflex Point, but wiping yourself out at ninety miles an hour on a wet road isn't going to help."

"What makes you so sure everybody's going to be all right? We just left some people who didn't have the sense to come in out of the rain!"

"Missing them already, aren't you?"

Although she tries, Rook has no real comeback to that. It isn't before they see Scott and Lancer soaring overhead in the alpha fighter. It's too much. Rook turns her cyclone around and heads back to the team. Rand follows.

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)

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