And that is where you fail as a Robotech fan. "Real" Robotech fans know that the Yuniverse (new coined term, and I totally claim it!) is actually the "first" chain of events in the circle of events. In this original timeline, everyone else but Sott & Ariel died before the final battle. Once Rick Hunter travels back in time through the black hole in the SDF-3, a new timeline is created where the events in the 85 episodes of Robotech are seen. But none of this can exist without RTSC, and therefore it is the most important piece of the story.
Yiou will also note that other differences in the original timeline include: The Robtech Masters never created the Zentreadi, and therefore Maia Sterling is actually half "Robotech Master," which is why she shortened it to "Alien." In this timeline the Zentreadi Don't exist. Also, many other changes to be detailed later.