Max Sterling - After The War

After The War

After the Zentraedi Fleet that nearly destroys the earth is vanquished, Max and Miriya settle down in New Macross City and begin a new life together. In October 2012, Miriya gives birth to a daughter, Dana Sterling, the first child born from a Human/Zentraedi union. Max, now aged 22, becomes a proud and happy father, despite Dana's playfulness with his hair and her midnight feedings. In episode 28, "Reconstruction Blues", Max and Miriya are seen happily walking together while pushing a baby carriage. They stop for a moment and Max, proudly smiling, lifts little Dana out of the carriage and into his arms as Miriya watches with joy. Max then makes a funny face and Dana smiles in response. Max and Miriya's happy marriage and their baby daughter become the envy of Lisa Hayes and Claudia Grant.

With his new family, Max is happier than he has ever been before and Miriya, despite her previous life as a ruthless Zentraedi warrior, proves to be a happy and loving mother, who shows as much love and caring for her child as any human mother could. Both look forward to raising their daughter in a peaceful world, but the start of the Zentraedi rebellions in March 2013 and the reemergence of Khyron and Azonia forces Max and Miriya to resume their military roles as veritech fighter pilots as the dream of a peaceful world soon comes crashing down.

In June 2013, Max and Miriya take part in an important mission into deep space to capture the last remaining Zentraedi Factory Satellite. The mission proves highly unorthodox when Admiral Henry J. Gloval asks them to bring Dana (who is only eight months old) along. However, the plan soon becomes clear. After Breetai ship defolds near the factory, Max and Miriya take off in their veritech fighters and blast their way into the enemy command ship. Immediately surrounded by Zentraedi soldiers, Commander Reno orders them to surrender. However, Miriya calmly reaches into her fighter and lifts little Dana into view. Dana, cradled in Miriya's arms and wearing a tiny pink and white Dr. Denton's spacesuit is an object of terror to the hostile Zentraedi, who have had no exposure to human culture and have never seen a baby before. The surrounding Zentraedi soldiers recoil in shock and fear while Max smiles as Miriya explains that their child was "actually created inside my own body - but by both of us" as she indicates towards him. The hostile Zentraedi conclude Dana is a mutation who is contagious and flee in terror. This throws the command ship's crew into chaos which causes disorder throughout the enemy fleet, allowing the United Earth Forces to seize the factory.

In December 2013, Max and Miriya join the in attempt to stop Khyron as he steals a protoculture matrix from New Macross City. However, after Khyron detonates bombs hidden throughout the city, they are forced to turn back to help rescue civilians from the resulting fires. Despite the misery that occurs so close to Christmas, Max and Miriya happily stand on their balcony later that night and watch the SDF-1 lit up with Christmas lights. Once again smiling, Max puts one arm around his wife and with the other lifts little Dana, who is initially startled onto his shoulder. Dana then starts pulling on Max's hair while giggling, causing Max to grumble in response.

In January 2014, Max and Miriya again fight alongside Rick Hunter in the final battle against Khyron and rebel Zentraedi. However, despite their efforts, Khyron is still able to steer his warship in a suicide run against the SDF-1, destroying it and rendering New Macross City uninhabitable due to the radioactive fallout from the ships' destruction. Like Rick, Max and Miriya are devastated by the loss of their friends but find the strength to carry on. Both continue to serve as pilots during the remaining Zentraedi rebellions of 2014 and 2015.

Their child, Dana Sterling, would later become a leading figure in the Second Robotech War pitting the United Earth Forces, including the elite Army of the Southern Cross against the Robotech Masters when they arrive in Earth orbit in 2029. Like her parents, Dana proves to be a skilled pilot and plays a critical role in saving humanity from alien threats. Dana also inherits her parents' strength and perseverance, as well as their tactical instincts.

Throughout the 35 years (2009–2044) that currently span the Robotech Saga, Max is portrayed as Rick Hunter's most trusted lieutenant through all of his commands and campaigns as well as his best friend. Max and Miriya are depicted as the perfect couple, always together and always in love and symbolize the best of both Humans and the Zentraedi in the numerous challenges they face.