GLOSSARY OF ROBOTECH TERMS

Destroid: 

A non-transformable battloid developed from Earth's limited understanding of protoculture and Robotechnology. The Destroids are giant, 45 to 80ft tall, robot suits, and vital to the Robotech Defense Force.

Hyperspace: 

A dimension between the standard dimensions of time and space. It is a zone which can be used to travel light-years without feeling the effects of time. The Space Fold process is the traveling through hyperspace. Navigation in hyperspace is not always accurate and is most hazardous when traveling great distances.

Mecha: 

A term that refers to all mechanisms which utilize Robotechnology and protoculture. It is most commonly thought of in the context of the Destroids, Veritech Fighters and Zentraedi Battle Pods.

Protoculture: 

A source of unique bio-energy derived from the Invid Flower of Life, discovered by the great Robotech Master, Zor. In its unrefined form, the Invid use protoculture for nourishment and metaphysical enlightenment. Zor found that the plant produced a source of energy, during gestation, unlike anything in the known universe. Through field studies, Zor learned that if he applied constant pressure to the properly germinated seed, he could control the energy of protoculture. This also prevents the plant's growth, which causes it to generate even more of its complex energy field. Trapped in stasis, the seed will continue to generate power for decades. This led to the conceptualization of organic fusion which became the basis for Robotechnology and the creation of Mecha. A Mecha derives its energy from protoculture as well as instilling it with a symbiotic link between man and machine.

The RDF/Robotech Defense Force: 

A part of the United Nation's World Government defense force. The RDF is specifically charged with the use and development of Robotechnology and Mecha for combat/defense. It is the military force which Rick Hunter and our cast of characters belongs to or are allied with.

Reflex Power: 

The term "reflex" can be applied to weapons, engines and machinery. It is simply a system which works intrinsically, or responds to certain conditions as a "reflex" reaction. It is a form of passive artificial intelligence.

Robotechnology: 

The discoverer of protoculture, Zor, is the father of Robotechnology. He learned that the other Robotech Masters intended to keep the secrets of Robotechnology, protoculture and Mecha to themselves, for their own foul reasons. This prompted Zor to hide an almost inexhaustible supply of protoculture on board his newly designed spacecraft, the SDF-1, along with the necessary data to unlock the mysteries of protoculture. The ship was then sent to Earth; an act that would brand Zor as a traitor and cost him his life. For the next decade, the Zentraedi would be sent out throughout the universe to locate the SDF-1 for the retrieval of the needed protoculture and the new, lost, advances Zor had secretly perfected (transformable Mecha). Unfortunately, the SDF-1 's crash landing, and alien nature, would make it difficult for humans to unravel all the secrets locked within her. Although they would be able to create a variety of Mecha, the full understanding of protoculture would be lost for decades. Likewise, the protoculture hidden on board the SDF-1 would remain hidden.

SDF-1 & 2: 

The Super Dimensional Fortress based on the original designs of the Robotech Master, Zor. The SDF-1 becomes the pivotal focus and salvation of Earth in its battle with the Zentraedi. The SDF-1 and SDF-2 are destroyed in Khyron's final assault. The SDF-3 is based as close as possible to Zor's original design. 

Space Fold: 

The method used by the SDF-1, Zentraedi and Robotech Masters, by which vehicles travel through hyperspace. The actual mechanisms for accomplishing a space fold are unstable and rather destructive, so it is not a common means of travel.

Veritech Fighter: 

Transformable combat Mecha vital to the RDF.

Zentraedi: 

A rate of warrior clones designed by the Robotech Masters.

Zor: 

The deceased creator of Robotechnology. Cabell, a scientist who has inherited Zor's place in the Robotech Master's hierarchy, continues secret experiments to create an exact clone of Zor. The purpose is to extract the secrets of Robotechnology from the clone. Thus far, all attempts have been a failure.