Plot

Trapped in the bowels of the SDF-1, Rick and Minmei struggle to survive as they face certain starvation.

The crew of the SDF-1 are assessing the effects of their hyperspace fold, which included transporting themselves, Macross Island, and the surrounding water into space. As they scramble to get everyone on board, Captain Gloval sees the floating debris outside and berates himself for having done something so stupid.

Meanwhile, far below the bridge, Rick Hunter and Lynn Minmei are trapped in a remote part of the ship where they crashed after escaping from the enemy aliens. Believing that the only way they can escape is by getting his plane back into flying condition, Rick is struggling with a part when Minmei suggests they try the radio. He checks, but finds that the radio is broken. He activates a gyrocompass on his watch that he says can help them find a way out. Confused, Minmei says she thought a compass had two arms that go back and forth. Rick is puzzled for a bit, then laughs. Minmei says the only compass she ever saw was for drawing circles. Rick says it's okay -- his compass will help them navigate back to the plane if they get lost. As they walk down a corridor, they see a row of pipes with water dripping from them. Minmei touches one, finding it a bit hot. Rick chides her for doing something dumb, then trips himself.

On the bridge, Roy Fokker radios Claudia that he wants to look for Rick, saying he can't abandon him. Gloval gets on the comm and denies Roy's request, saying they have over 70,000 civilians on board and they need all their officers on duty to ensure everyone's safety. Roy begrudgingly complies with the order. Meanwhile, Rick and Minmei find a giant airlock, then come across a window where they see all the debris from the city floating outside. As they continue to explore, they find another dead end and go back near the plane to rest. Minmei says she's been getting thirsty. Rick says he has emergency rations, but no water, then remembers the pipes they saw. He runs back to his plane, grabs a long metal bar, and tries to use it to break one of the pipes free. Seeing Rick struggling, Minmei runs over to help, and after some effort they pry it loose, causing water to spray in the air.

Enjoying the water, Minmei says she's going to take a shower. Rick doesn't move until Minmei hints at wanting some privacy, asking if he can move a large piece of metal over so she can use it as a shower curtain. Curious, Rick tries to peek around the metal piece when he hears Minmei scream. He runs over, finding her fully clothed and saying she thought she saw something. Sheepishly, Rick goes back to his plane, grabs an extra work suit, and leaves it for Minmei to change into when she finishes her shower.

Rick tosses some emergency rations to Minmei. She wonders if they shouldn't make it last. He reassures her that they'll get out soon, saying he used to be a junior nature scout. Minmei needles Rick about not getting any merit badges for path-finding, and he admits that was one he didn't get, but only because he was sick the day they were testing. Minmei giggles.

As the two sit near Rick's plane, Minmei says she's worried about her family. Rick says he's sure they're safe in the shelters. Yawning, Minmei falls asleep next to Rick. He tries to wake her, saying she'll get a stiff neck, but before he can touch her shoulder to rouse her, a mouse jumps on her, startling her awake. Seeing Rick's outstretched hand near her, Minmei becomes suspicious and moves away, finding the mouse when she moves a tarp. Minmei runs back to Rick, who chides her about saying there was a mouse, but she didn't believe him. Minmei apologizes, then promptly falls asleep against him. Rick closes his eyes and also falls asleep.

The next day, Rick is studying a clipboard when he finds Minmei making tally scratches on his plane to keep track of the number of days they've been trapped. Annoyed that the scratches are ruining a brand new paint job, Rick hits his head on a couple of pipes as he tries to explore. When he gets back, he sees that Minmei has made a tent out of his plane and its parachute. Minmei says that by cooking stew they can make their supplies last longer. Rick says he forgot that Minmei's family is in the restaurant business. She says that it's her Aunt Lena's restaurant -- she wants to be an entertainer. Meanwhile, Lisa finds Claudia in the ship's cafeteria, saying that they have the survivors divided by city blocks and they're starting to rebuild their neighborhoods.

Below the bridge, Rick and Minmei have been trapped for over five days, with Rick unable to find a way out. He says the ship is like a big, confusing prison. Minmei adds that it's one floating in space, which gives Rick an idea. He says he can get help by leaving through an airlock there and getting into one above. He grabs some equipment and leads Minmei to an airlock, saying he'll need her help to work the controls. After Rick explains how to work the airlock to Minmei, she asks how he'll breathe without oxygen tanks. He says he'll just have to hold his breath for a little while, like diving in the ocean. Minmei has second thoughts, then asks Rick where he's going. He says he wants to use an airlock near one of the big windows so they can stay in close contact. Minmei gasps as she sees something outside. As Rick looks, he sees what appears to be a huge tuna floating by and wonders if he can grab it while he's out there.

Taking a deep breath, Rick seals himself up in his flight helmet and flightsuit and motions for Minmei to open the airlock. Rick maneuvers toward the tuna and grabs it, but it falls on him when he tries to get it inside. He pulls himself free, runs to the inside door, and frantically bangs on it. From inside, Minmei hears Rick and activates the airlock. She helps Rick with his helmet, and he drops to his knees, panting, his face flushed from lack of oxygen. Looking back, Rick sees that he got the tuna head back in, but the airlock chopped off the rest of its body. He collapses, exhausted.

As Minmei cooks the tuna head, she asks Rick why he looks so sad, complimenting him on getting the tuna. Rick says the fishing trip ruined their chance to escape -- his flightsuit got ripped when the tuna fell on him. Minmei asks about cutting a hole in the ceiling. Rick says he tried, but the ceiling was too thick. Minmei asks about an explosion. Rick points out there's nothing for them to explode -- the rocket fuel they're using for cooking is all they have left.

Twelve days pass. Rick tells Minmei how he won the amateur flying competition eight times in a row. Minmei asks him if she'll ever get to fly with him again, and he says that once they get rescued, he'll take her up all the time. Minmei says that sometimes she dreams of falling in love and starts to sing. Rick says that Minmei has a beautiful voice. She says she's always wanted to sing, having taken lessons since she was four years old. Rick says it's always been planes for him -- all he ever wanted to do was fly. He asks Minmei if singing is what she really wants in life. She admits that she really wants to be a bride, but now she'll never have the chance.

Rick tells Minmei not to give up -- he knows they'll get out of there somehow. Unconvinced, Minmei says that everyone will have forgotten about them by now and she'll never know what it'll be like to walk down the aisle as a bride. Rick says he'll help her -- they can pretend right there. Minmei borrows Rick's white scarf to use as a veil. Rick says she looks beautiful, and she despairs, saying she wants to go home. Stammering, Rick says they will -- he promised her. Minmei says she's scared. Rick says he is, too, but they can't give up. Minmei says it's just silly talk -- they'll never be found. She breaks down crying.

Trying to reassure Minmei, Rick says it's not silly talk. He tries to encourage her not to give up, saying he's doing his best, and apologizes. Sobbing, Minmei runs into Rick's arms, saying she should be the one who needs to apologize. Rick reassures her, saying it'll be all right. Minmei asks him to kiss her. He says he will, if that's what she wants.

As Rick and Minmei are about to kiss, they are startled by a loud crash as a piece of construction equipment breaks through the ceiling and lands a few feet from them. Looking up, they see Macross City's Mayor and several other citizens staring at them. Rick and Minmei are rescued with a bucket lowered to them, and Rick is shocked at seeing the entire city reconstructed inside the spaceship. Minmei sees her Aunt Lena's restaurant and is reunited with her family. The Mayor slaps Rick hard on the back, knocking him off balance. Exhausted by his ordeal, confused by Minmei's attitude toward him, and caught off guard at seeing the city on board, Rick is unable to get back up by himself and gets helped by the Mayor and Minmei's uncle.