Scott Bernard's luck has changed – from bad to good. Not only has he gathered a band of experienced resistance fighters, Lunk has contributed a fully armed and operational Veritech alpha fighter. The former soldier had hidden the vessel from Invid and human spies who would have destroyed it.
However, while the alpha fighter is a strategic plus in combat, it consumes more protoculture energy cells then the team can easily get their hands on. Whenever they try to replenish their supplies, the Invid always show up to interfere.
Finally Rand discovers the problem: "We've been giving ourselves away every time we switch on our cyclones or laser blasters. I think they can detect the bioenergy given off by our Robotech mecha when it's activated."
Lunk agrees: "Remember how they found us at the river? Well, Scott left the panel gauges of his cyclone on. They might have been homing in on that."
"It makes sense," Rand concludes. "After all, the Invid thrive on protoculture, right? It's like they can smell the stuff the same way a shark is able to smell blood in the water."
The conversation dissolves in a squabble between Rook and Rand. The two seem to antagonize each other at every turn. Scott advises them to save their energies for the aliens. They quiet down – for a full minute – before they're at it again.
Later, country born and bred Rand tries to show the others how to survive in the forest and make the most of their surroundings. A fishing demonstration is interrupted by attacking Invid. Trapped in open fire, Rand gains firsthand insight into how fish feel caught on a line.
They escape using the alpha fighter, but there is little rest. Too many aliens patrol the area for them to remain in one place long. As Scott leads the group to safety, he tries to come up with a way to acquire more of the badly needed protoculture energy cells.
Experience this episode at home! Now available through the Robotech.com Store:
- DVD Video: Robotech DVD Vol.11: The Next Wave (also part of DVD Box Set 6 and The Protoculture Collection)
- Toys: Cyclones and Alpha Fighters
- Collectibles: Mars Base patches and keychains
Lancer keeps watch and wonders how the rest of the group is doing.
The gang is on the run from the Invid.
Everyone wonders how the Invid keep finding them despite their best efforts to hide.
Rand shows off his survival skills by removing leeches off of Rook.
Rand holds onto a rock to hide underwater from the Invid.