Robotech Masters

"Robotech"

In the fictional "Robotech" universe, the Robotech Masters are a species of humanoids who mostly appear as triumvirates, native to Tirol, a moon of the planet Fantoma. According to the Jack McKinney novelizations (which are not considered canon by someFact|date=October 2008), a Tirolian scientist named Zor discovered the Invid homeworld, and the mysterious Flower of Life. This discovery led to the development of Protoculture, a source of tremendous power and unique qualities. Their imperial machinations lead them to turn their cloned Zentraedi miners into a formidable military force, used to steal the Flower of Life from the Invid, defoliate Optera and conquer the Local Group of star systems. [ [http://www.robotech.com/infopedia/encyclopedia/viewterm.php?id=51] ]

With Zor's theft of the SDF-1 and the destruction of Dolza's fleet in the First Robotech War, the Masters were left critically short on protoculture, and were forced to invade Earth in 2029 to reclaim the last remaining Protoculture Matrix, thus initiating the Second Robotech War.

The structure of the Robotech Masters' society is hierarchical. At the bottom are clones, who carry out the day to day operations of the civilian part of the society. These clones are triumvirs. The clone pilots of the Bioroids, as they are not independently intelligent, may be said to be even lower than civilian clones, except that they are valued more highly because of their military capability. Bioroid pilots do not appear to be triumvirs. Above the civilian clones and Bioroid pilots are more advanced triumvir clones such as the Terminators, who function as police, and the pilots of the Red and Green Bioroids. Into this group as a subcategory of high rank fall the pilots of the Invid-enhanced Bioroids. Above them, and at the first level of Robotech Master Society that might be considered equivalent to nobility, are the Clone Masters. These triumvirs are responsible for managing the day to day operations of the Robotech Masters' great vessels and the behavior of the civilian and military clones. There are usually 3 or more triumvirates of Clone Masters aboard each ship. Above them in prestige, if not in influence, are the Science Masters, who strive to become Robotech Masters through their knowledge of protoculture and technology. There are usually 2 triumvirates of Science Masters per ship. Equal to the Science Masters, but less powerful in society than the Clone Masters, are the Mistresses of the Cosmic Harp, whose duty it is to keep the civilian and military clones docile through their music. Usually there is only one triumvirate of the Mistresses per ship. Above them all are the Robotech Masters, who rule with iron fists and do not tolerate disobedience or failure. There is only one triumvirate of each per ship. Above even the Masters are the Robotech Elders -- the leaders of their race. There is only one triumvirate of Elders in all of Robotech Master Society, and the Masters themselves fear and respect them.

The most frequently seen triumvirate of Robotech Masters were a trio of almost identical looking balding, severe looking older men who distinguished themselves from each other by different color robes. All three members of this trio was voiced by the late Bill Capeze.

"The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross"

The story in which the Robotech Masters appear in the "Robotech" universe is originally from the anime series "The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross", in which they were referred to as the Zor Supreme Commanders. The Zor are a race who serve as the antagonists for the Southern Cross army. The Zor were the former inhabitants of the planet Glorie, but had to evacuate, due to an apocalyptic war. Their advances in biotechnology surpass that of humanity, and the weapons they employ called "Bioroids" serve as a formidable enemy to the units of the Southern Cross. They operate in groups of three. Each member is responsible for one of three functions: information, decision, and action. As a whole, they present a powerful threat, but if one member is lost to the group, then they lose their stability, and become unable to function. Characteristically, the Zor are human in appearance, tall and slender with violet eyes, silvery hair, and pale skin.

The Zor have a symbiotic relationship with a flower native to Glorie, referred to as the "Protozor," which, like them, exist in trinities.

Adaptation of Seifriet Weiße

In "Robotech", Seifretti Weiße of the anime "The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross" is adapted into Zor Prime. Unlike Zor, who, in the "Robotech" adaption is one of the Robotech Masters — to be precise, a Tirolian scientist — Seifretti Weiße is a human pilot, who was captured and brainwashed by the Zor to become an informant. Other than this difference, Seifretti is the same as Zor. Like in "Robotech", he is recaptured by Lana Isavia (a.k.a., Nova Satori), and his memories are examined for clues into the nature of the Zor. Later, his human mind begins to conflict with his Zor brainwashing, and he is nearly driven insane. But instead of breaking down mentally, he decides to take revenge on the Zor for their violation of his mind.

Clones or Androids?

The dialogue in various episodes of the Robotech Masters segments appeared to use the terms clones and androids interchangeably. In the episode "The Trap", Louie Nichols observed a tank of body parts in nutrient solution and identified them as spare parts for androids while noting that they were very realistic in appearance. However, Zor Prime and other citizens of the Robotech Masters society were clearly shown to be living organic humanoid beings. A nursery with infants was also seen aboard the Masters' ship, which is incongruous with androids as androids do not experience stages of maturity. This inconsistency is usually attributed to the scripts for various episodes were written and edited by multiple writers. However, most fans & expanded universe publications on the Robotech universe consider both options as true & complementary with each other.

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