Click to see the mission!
And we are back from the route split – it’s now just a strait shot to the end! And, indeed, Ichitaka’s Vajra rampages have given him a sizeable lead over Daiya and Kenji. Can he keep that through the 10 missions we’ve left?
Few upgrades went to some squaddies, but the more important part is that Mazinkaiser came 40% upgraded and is now up to 50. Its squad bonus is now Armor + 200, Dodge + 15, with Tetsuya also taking a few pips.
And, in case you’re wondering, our new Katou friends all come 40% upgraded as well.
Ichitaka and Shinn are deploying as event units and, much to my dismay, we’re only allowed 12 slots in the upcoming mission. As such, the squads we’ll be deploying are:
Kouichi/Quatre
Daiya/Deceive
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari (accelerate and flies – that’s all I care)
Tetsuya/Canaria
Dancouga/Hilde
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Combattler/Miu (shrug)
Voltes/Puria
We’ll give Wufei and Yulianne some time to play later on.
Forward!
We open up at the moon’s Daedalus Base, where Djibril’s just arrived. He’s very much cross with the Coordinators (more so than usual, at least) for reducing his life to such indignity and asks how are preparations for THAT.
His goon says it’ll be good to go very soon and Djibril’s glad – his only regret is that he won’t get to see the horror that’ll set in Durandal’s face. When Relena asks what he’s up to, he says he’s just going to “play a little song”.
A song? “Yes, a requiem for all of the space monsters.”
Cut to the Flag, already in space, and it’s catch-up time. Here are the important/amusing bits:
- As Ishigami explains that Reiji attacked us to push Kouichi into growing as a Factor, it turns out Sawatari and the other Katou captains weren’t really in on their boss’ actual agenda – they were fighting us legit, unlike FiveheadWufei. He tells Sawatari that he didn’t outright know, but he had an inkling of what was up after using some of their vaunted IMAGINATION. Not his problem the others couldn’t do the same.
- FYI, as Rey and Kouichi point out, none of this excuses all the crap the Katou Organization has done – we just have bigger, interdimensional, fish to fry right now.
- Asuka singles out “the Cthulhu girl” among our space crew, but Iczer-3 tells her not to say that: Atross is our friend now. Indeed, the girl declares she’s made up her mind to help Nagisa and her allies, and if Asuka thinks that’s stupid – so be it. “That’s stupid,” she immediately proclaims… then continues, “But we’re all just as bad, so I won’t say anything. Strength and stupidity seem to go hand-in-hand, I guess.” Atross is grateful to hear that.
- Dick extends his condolences to Klan over what happened to Michel (if you let him get wrecked), but she says all of them were aware death was a possibility whenever they deployed. Lou, however, tells her not to let revenge become the sole driving force in her life and Klan understands. And she’s a Zentran, so she’ll just be ready to fight when the time is right (Nene can see that she’s masking her feelings, but says nothing).
So, good news is that teaming up with the Katou Organization has taken one enemy faction of our plate… but, as Reiji points out, that spot has been taken by Central, so we’re not better off. Plus there’s still the Vajra, Moon WILL, the Logos remnants, the Cthulhu and that mysterious group that the Archangel team was chasing. Katou actually knows who those guys are: the New United Nations Government, the ruling body of the regular humans in the Highly Probable World!
As Luca gasps, Katou asks how much Cathy’s aware of the situation on their homeworld after the Frontier’s departure. All she heard from Mishima is that the Government had gotten into a war with someone, and Katou clears up the writing on the wall: the enemy in said war was Central.
That strikes Ichitaka as weird since, as he heard, when those guys attacked Misaki and kidnapped Grife, Katou’s group ignored them. If they were posing as Central’s allies back then, shouldn’t they have attacked?
Not quite, and Katou will take this opportunity to explain: Central and the New United Nations Government are now allies. When he said Central’d deemed them to have the potential to be useful to the whole, this is what he meant. You see, the Highly Probable World is not only haunted by a chronic energy deficiency, but was also previously assailed by alien invaders.
As Alto knows, that is what lead to them dispatching the Macross fleets out into space. Another way the Government found to deal with the energy crisis was to start fusing cybernetic implants into people.
But while doing so is perfectly legal in some Macross Fleets, many on Earth looked at it with fear and suspicion. Thus, those who’d undergone full integration with machines – the Machina-Humans – were rounded up away from the eye of the common folk.
That’s the first Nagisa’s ever heard of that, but Katou isn’t surprised. The New United Nations Government is very adept at information control, and they’ve kept much from ever becoming public knowledge – going back as far as the incident where Sharon Apple, a groundbreaking AI, went out of control… though Luca should be privy to details on that.
Whatever the case, the secluded Machina-Humans began secretly bolstering their numbers and, guided by their collective consciousness seeking more and more efficiency, produced the combat-specialized Machinas and declared war on humanity.
The humans had a very difficult fight on their hands, compounded by the energy shortage. But it all eventually ended in a cease-fire put together by an anti-war faction within the New United Nations Government. They were hailed as heroes by the people, and in very short time, saw a huge increase in their power and influence.
They gave Central sovereignty over its territory, and even brokered the construction of city meant as a hub of cultural and technological exchange between humans and Machina-Humans. It was in that city where Emi, Katou and Amagatsu lived. In Central’s eyes, that city facilitated its survey of what kind of technologies humanity was creating.
Amagatsu Kizaki was especially worthy of attention for Central, with his development of Factor technology, various Assault Machinas and trans-dimensional travel. The guy carried on his research, playing at the loyal scientist, and eventually built the Linebarrel – the ultimate Machina-Kiler – in secret.
Amagatsu teleported the Assault Machinas he’d been developing into this world… and that was when Central decided he had to go, culminating in Katou having to kill him. His “loyalty” assured, Katou came to this world and arrived twenty years ago, way before Emi got through (Time displacement? Was Emi put in stasis for those decades, like in the manga? The anime doesn’t explain.), whereupon he formed his Organization and began searching for the Machinas Amagatsu sent over.
However, right after the Second Impact had hit, he ran into someone else from the Highly Probable World – someone who’d made the jump around the same time he did.
That’d be one Ludo Gloria – the goddamn PRESIDENT of the New United Nations Government, and the founder of GreAT in this world. Seems to Rachel that we were right to suspect the company. The man, in order to keep what remained of mankind from being turned into a Machinas, struck a deal with Central: he’d come to this world and look for any tech and intellectually-gifted people that could be useful for the collectivity.
GreAT and the Katou Organization cooperated with one another every now and then, but Katou can’t give us more details on the front. All dealings with that group were handled by Masaki, so, much to his embarrassment, he doesn’t know anything else.
Ichitaka won’t give him crap, but at the very least he and Alice now know why they took Grife and kept on stalking us: it’s all part of their scheme to bring Central new goodies. LOTUS is a cornucopia of valuable samples, with all our myriad high-tech units and, as WILL put it, the massive potential we have.
That makes it all but certain to Hiroshi that they’ll be coming after us again, but Kouji isn’t scared now that we’re starting to understand what we’re dealing with. First things first, though, Rey says we need to deal with Djibril. Misato and Ozma agree, being especially worried as to what that crazy guy my try to pull now that he’s backed against the wall.
We’re interrupted when the alarm sounds and Emi gets a startling message: something has just attacked the PLANTs’ Januarius colonies, causing catastrophic damage!
Shinn, Lunamaria, everyone is dumbstruck as images of the destruction arrive, and we get a transmission from Durandal soon after. When Talia asks, he says Djibril is the one behind it, having blasted the colonies with a weapon at the Daedalus Base.
But isn’t said base at the far side of the moon, Quatre points out – it shouldn’t be capable of getting an angle to fire at the PLANTs. Durandal sighs that they also thought the same, which is why they were only keeping an eye on Logos’ Arzachel Base (which has line of sight with the PLANTs). None of them expected the enemy to be capable of something like this.
As data starts coming in, Rey realizes the problem: Logos has retrofitted a bunch of abandoned colonies as gigantic relay stations to deflect their beam blast in any direction they wish – nowhere is safe.
Rey grunts that the deaths of all these people are our responsibility since we didn’t kill Djibril back at Orb, but Talia says dwelling on the past won’t help. We need to think of something to do NOW, and Durandal agrees: Daedalus Base needs to be assaulted, conquered, and Djibril has to be dealt with immediately.
It’s high time put a full stop to this war, Misato thinks, and Durandal wishes us all good luck in our offensive.
Now, if you did things differently from what we did…
: Damn that Djibril… I won’t let him kill any more innocents…!
: Don’t beat yourself over this… the guy’s escape at Orb was GreAT’s fault – they’re the ones to blame.
: Maybe, but I can’t bring myself to look at it like that… whoever’s at fault, the fact is all the lives that’ve been taking will never come back…!
: Shinn, I know you’re getting ready to deploy, but there was someone who insisted on seeing you immediately.
: Someone…?
: Yes. You see, the Flag’s infirmary and other facilities were the ones at JUDA HQ, so…
: Shiiiiiiiiinn!
Jumping hug!
: S-Stella! What’re you doing here? Should you really be up and about?!
: Yes, I’m all better, so I asked them to let me see you!
: You’re “all better”… really?
: Hmhmm. Everyone came through and we manage to fully heal the side-effects of her Extended conditioning.
: So she can go on living as a regular girl?
: Yes, she can!
: Oh, thank god… I’m so happy for you, Stella.
: Thanks, but… Shinn, I’m also going to be fighting with you!
: Fight with— S-Stella, no! You don’t have to take part in anything like that anymore.
: I’m only here because you and your friends helped me… So now I want to help you all back!
: Stella…
: I can see where she’s coming from. Having to just sit and watch as people that are dear to you throw themselves into the fire is very, very tough…
: We understand that you don’t want her to get wrapped up in another battle, but if she’s that important to you, then I think there are times where you should respect her wishes.
: Anna… Goh… Alright, Stella. But please don’t do anything crazy out there. This next battle will be a lot tougher from the ones before.
: Okay! I’ll help in any way I can!
Elsewhere, the Eternal crew has pinged GreAT’s forces headed for Daedalus Base as well. Makes sense to Waltfeld and Mu, especially in light of the new intel LOTUS sent them IDing the guys as essentially an R&D team for Central.
A giant beam cannon and colonies capable of relaying it to attack anywhere sounds like something they’d be interested in, alright. Lacus feels like the time has come for the Eternal to step into the limelight, so she tells Kira and the others to set a course for Daedalus.
Mission 32 – The Song That Was Played
: ZAFT troops are now engaging our forces at satellite orbit!
: Hmph, they don’t know when they’re beaten… the next REQUIEM shot will obliterate Aprillius, and with Durandal gone, that’ll be check mate.
: You… How could you create something like this…?!
: Because I had to – it is a mighty crucible with which to purify space. And once that’s all done, you’ll rise to lead the Earth Sphere… just like the good old days, “Queen Relena”.
: Don’t be ridiculous! I’d never go along with that a plan like that!
: Your wants matter absolutely nothing. I just need you to look the part… and I have many ways to make that happen.
: (Heero… at this rate, I…!)
: LOTUS?! What’re they doing here?!
: The majority of the enemy forces are currently engaging the fleet at satellite orbit!
: Looks like the plan went off without a hitch. All that’s left now is to bring down Daedalus Base!
: Rrgh, deploy all remaining troops! Do whatever it takes to hold that line!
: HYAHAHAHAHAHA! Look at all these annoying little flies! I’m gonna squish you all into paste!
: That voice… It’s the Extended we fought at Heaven’s Base…!
: Sting, stop! It’s me, Stella! Come with me, please!
: Stella…? I dunno any Stella! I’ve always killed alone, and that’s exactly what I’ll do here!
: They went overboard with his adjustments… he’s gone…
: All we can do now is put him out of his misery, then.
: Sting…
If you didn’t get Stella, it’ll be Shinn speaking in her place, only with more “angry” and less “sad”.
One last battle with Logos, and they bring absolutely nothing new to the table. We, on the other hand, are even stronger than during our battle at Orb, so even with the reduced numbers, we’ll carve a bloody swathe through them. Just don’t lose a ship, Ichitaka or Shinn.
In the interest of saving time, I say try to have Rey MAPW the Destroy pack and shave off about half their health with Valor. Aside from that, it’s no different from what we did before – easier, even, because they’ll packed in a tighter area.
Sting’s by far the bigger threat, but he can easily be burned down before he has a chance to do any damage with his own MAPW.
As you’re approaching, on turn 2…
: What are you all doing?! Isn’t REQUIEM done charging yet?!
: Currently at 70%! Just a few more minutes…
: No, this is good enough! Aim the blast at LOTUS! Once they’re out of the picture, there won’t be anyone capable of stopping us…!
Alarm!
: …! Energy spike within Daedalus Base! I think it’s the weapon that attacked the PLANTs!
: They’re targeting us! All troops, evasive maneuvers!
: We can’t! There’s not enough time…!
: I’m afraid this is where we part, LOTUS. Goodbye.
Energy Charge!
: Kch… Wh-What happened?!
: Someone’s attacked REQUIEM! The muzzle… has been destroyed…!
: Whaaat?!
: There you are, Heero.
: Yeesh… the guy always knows the right time to pop out the woodwork.
: Lord Djibril… I’m taking Relena back today.
Blast you straight to hell, Heero Yui…! How dare you destroy my beautiful REQUIEM!
: But that doesn’t mean this is over! And where is the ambush we had set up?!
: We have nothing, Mr. Djibril! We can’t get in touch with him!
: What?! D-Did he abandon me…?!
: You pathetic man… even now you haven’t realized how you have been played.
: S-Shut your mouth…! This isn’t over yet! I just have to win this one battle…!
Don’t lose Heero either. Now off we go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCOgVqJwNjg
Here’s the DK for Sawatari’s best trick.
Oh, by the way, the Linebarrel can’t use Trans-Am yet. That said, he now has fully unlocked the Override attack and skill!
: You won’t be making anyone else miserable…! The Destiny and I’ll put the final nail into Logos’ coffin today!
: The world Gil envisions has no place for someone like Lord Djibril. Your insane agenda has gone on for far too long…!
: I won’t be leaving here without Relena… Anyone who gets in the way won’t be there for long…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNYmrV3Z8Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9r5yse7QZw
And I found worthy targets to showcase the very swanky DKs for the Nagahamas’ new attacks!
Can you hear Kenichi yelling VOOOOOLTES FIIIIIIIIIIVE inside your head? I can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PtRRH3YjUY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3cqnjG6Pc0
Also, damn, did they go all-out with this attack. Glorious.
Sting’s about to get blown to kingdom come by a valored Face Open: The Great, so here’s what Stella had to say to him:
: Please, Sting! Come with us! You can’t stay with them!
: Aah? Who the hell are you?!
: Well, whatever, I can kill you first and then deal with the others! I feel like a million bucks right now!
: HYAAHAHAHAHA! Burn! Burn! Everything is burning…!
: Stiiiiiing!
: …!
: Ste…lla…?
: Sting?!
: He went back to normal?!
: You were… alive… Stella…
: Yes, and we can all live together, Sting! I don’t… I don’t want anyone else to die…!
: You said… Hah… You’re a normal girl again… Glad to see that… Stella…
: Sting, eject! Quick! You can’t die!
: Sorry… But I can’t just… let Auel by himself. He’ll get lonely…
: Be happy… Stella…
His Destroy explodes.
: S-STIIIIIIIIIIING…!
: The Extended… yet another group victimized by this war…
: Thank you… Sting… and goodbye…
: Looks like that’s all of them.
: Stop right there, LOTUS.
: Lord Djibril… are you finally ready to call it quits?
: Hardly. Did you forget that I still have Vice-Foreign Minister Darlian here with me?
: Djibril…!
: You seriously gonna try a cheap shot like that, ya crook?!
: Victory is all that’s important, not how you achieve it. Now, if you would, put down your weapons and surrender immediately.
: C-Captain…
: …
: What will it be, then…?
: Do not worry about me! Just stop him!
: Hah, do you think any of them would be capable of doing anything like that?
: …
Heero charges towards REQUIEM!
: Wha?! Did you not hear what I said? I—
: Forget me, Heero. Just destroy us both.
: Mission… accepted.
: Ha-Hahahaha… You’re bluffing. You won’t actually shoo—
: He actually shot?!
: Let him handle this one, guys.
: H-He’s aiming right at us…! Does he not care what happens to her?!
: Your threats won’t work on him. Accept your defeat and surrender, I say.
: Hrm! No, not yet…! The Arzachel Base is still under my control! If I can just make it there…!
: He’s trying to run off again!
: Not this time, Djibril…
: (Hold on, Relena.)
: This way, Heero.
: Your infiltration mission is also ending today, it seems.
: Save that for later. Djibril is not too far – follow me.
Little bit later…
: Contact! There they are!
: Djibril went through there. Go. I’ll hold them off.
: Sorry for this. I’ll see you soon…!
: Damn it all, I can’t die yet…!
:tfrxmas:
: Stop right there, Djibril. Let Relena go.
: Heero!
: No, you stop! Do you not care if this woman dies?!
: If you want to shoot me, then be my guest. I’m ready to face my end.
: Wh-What… You lie…!
: Shoot her if you will. But the moment you pull that trigger…
: I’ll kill you.
: Tch…! Damn it!
Throws Relena!
: Aah!
: Relena!
: Now’s my chance!
Runs off.
: Are you alright?
: I am. Thank you, Heero… but Djibril…
: … He won’t be a problem.
: Hurry! Get us to Arzachel Base! I can still—
Shinn intercepts!
: Wh-What…?!
: You’re not getting away today! The world that gave birth to men like me… it ends, here and now, with you!
: S-Stop! STOOOOOOP!!
“Djibril! I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done! Ever!”
“So many people died because of you!”
“I won’t let you create any more war!”
“You’re finished!”
: I-I’m the one meant to rule this world…! I-I cannot… GAAAAAAAARGH!!
: And so ends Logos…
: It’s already done, it seems.
: Heero, Trowa! You’re safe!
: And by the looks of things, they’re also got the lady back all safe and sound.
: My sincerest thanks, LOTUS. With Djibril gone and the remaining Logos members already in custody, their organization is, for all intents and purposes, finished.
: Dad, mom… Mayu… I’ve done it. It might just be a small step in the right direction, but at least we’ve ended this war…
: Shinn…
: Don’t let your guard down just yet, Shinn!
: The Archangel! And the Eternal!
: Be careful. They’re coming!
Alarm!
: Multiple signals closing in overhead! It… It’s GreAT!
: They’ve broken through all those defending forces and destroyed REQUIEM… Impressive. Their growth is far exceeding our expectations.
: That said, my AI should also be perfect now… let’s put it to the test.
: You’re still hounding us to collect our data?!
: … Wait, was that voice just now—?!
: Haruno? Is that you?!
: Not quite. I am HL-1… a new defense mechanism “potential” created by Prof. Kral Grife’s brain.
: I see… so you’re kind of like her sister?
: Yes, though our basic design philosophies are very different… and the professor didn’t voluntarily create me, either.
: What…?!
: You… How much did you hurt Grife to force him to do as told?!
: You misunderstand; we did not actively force him. Rather, we simply analyzed his brain waves… Boazan technology is a thing of wonder, you see.
: … And just to confirm our suspicions, tell us: what are you all after?
: You already know what: survey all the technology, the weaponry, present within LOTUS that has the potential to be deemed useful by Central. Nothing more, nothing less.
: Alright, I think I’ve had enough of your shtick. If you wanna see what we’re about, how strong we are, then we’ll show you ‘til your eyes pop out!
: Do it, then. Help me experience the full might of the strongest fighting force in the Earth Sphere.
: All troops, pull yourselves back together and set forth! Everything we did would be for nothing if we were beaten here!
: Mission… accepted.
You might not have realized it, since she didn’t speak, but we actually got a new surprise addition to our forces!
Dom Trooper (Hilda Harken)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Shield Defense
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L2
Attack Combo L2
Spirit Commands:
Focus
Accelerate
Vigor
Alert
Valor
Squad Bonus: 1000 Barrier, Armor +100, Crit rate +10
How’s that for a surprise? You get SEED’s phony Black Tri-Stars (though Mars and Herbert are attack only)! You can’t really expect the world from Doms, but it’s decent enough (range tops at 3, so that ain’t great) and Hilda isn’t a bad pilot at all. The squad bonus is a nice fit for a Super, too.
All in all, Hilda is purely squaddie fodder, but she could do a lot worse in that department than what she got.
Eternal (Lacus Clyne, Martin DaCosta)
Pilot Skills:
SEED
Shoot Down
Commander L3
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L2
Attack Combo L2
Spirit Commands - Lacus:
Bless
Cheer
Mercy
Daunt
Sense
Spirit Commands - DaCosta:
Accelerate
Invincible
Strike
Iron Wall
Valor
Unit Features:
Gun
Repair Module
Resupply Module
Squad Bonus: EN +50
Rinse and repeat what I said in W and Z1: Lacus is, as always, one of the best pure support units in the game. Cheer and Bless in one unit is always good, her SEED bonus paired with DaCosta’s spirits means the ship isn’t helpless in combat (though it’s not the best there, what with its crap armor) and it being around allows Kira and Athrun to use their METEOR combo attacks.
If you’re deploying the SEED boys, deploying the Eternal should be something to be considered. That said, if you don’t want to, you can probably make do without since they also have a combo attack of their own.
Imperial Valley (HL-1)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Counter
Break Morale Limit
Guard
Prevail L7
Support Attack L3
Support Defense L3
Attack Combo L2
That’s a very extensive list of skills, and HL-1 does justice to all the hype with massive stats across the board – it’s not just a random mook relying on auto-dodge to win! On the other hand, the Imperial Valley is not all that different from before; if you didn’t go too crazy with your SP, you should have enough for Valors and Strikes, so HL-1 won’t last long.
If you’re running low, though, you might have some trouble as she’ll turn very dodgy and resilient once that big Prevail gets going. If anything, make sure you spread out your guys as you can to avoid free chain attacks.
As we all start closing in, on the next turn…
: Yuu!
: Seems he really is focusing on just GreAT now.
: We’re not the same as before… We will beat that machine this time…!
: You’re losing your cool, Yuu. We can’t stand up to GreAT by ourselves – you know that.
: As your tactical advisor, it is my recommendation that we cooperate with LOTUS.
: … We don’t need their help. The two of us and the Straybird can pull through this…! Come on…!
: … Roger…!
: That unit and its pilot have already plateaued… We’ve been given permission to destroy it. In that case…
Letting Yuu get destroyed is a game over, mind. He has a decent amount of HP but will jump straight into the fray, so, if you tarry, evasion decay will start building up and he might find himself in trouble.
I’ll pop a Confuse cast just to eliminate the chance of the RNG getting sassy while I clear up the mooks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_FiUEEqac
Let’s get this out of the way right now and showcase Hilda’s ultimate technique: lining up!
Oh, and I just remembered that the Akatsuki’s swapped to its Shiranui Frame. Contrary to the Oowashi, this is very much a ranged attack form – specifically, for use in space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhLBWgbATBM
Lacus’ strongest attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrCs5gMXGU
And since we’re at it, Kouichi found this little Strike Valley to help showcase his new trick. It’s pretty dang powerful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cXSrr93RT8
Not as powerful as this, though! By the by, I did not use valor and Kouji’s yet to receive his Infights.
: The unit has been perfectly fine-tuned. As for my own motions… no abnormalities detected.
: Come. My trial run demands your participation…!
Once you damage HL-1, the plot kicks in.
: We’ve confirmed damage on the enemy unit. This could be our chance.
: Yeah. We’ll end this right now…!
Yuu charges after HL-1
: Hm, I see you’ve ever-so-slightly improved your skill and performance. That said…
: What…?!
: The Imperial Valley was built based on combat data from all of you, and designed to exceed your parameters in all aspects.
: In other words, even if you’ve managed to somewhat rise above the projected standard, it is still not enough to challenge me.
: Gch… I can’t go down here! I have to save my grandfather…!
: Hrk… We really cannot do this on our own…!
: It is the end of the road for you. Ultimately, you just couldn’t prove yourself to be a new “potential”.
: Stop right there…!
: Kch…!
: Stay out of this, Ichi—
: You huge idiot!
: …!
: Why do you always gotta be so stubborn?! Just shut up and listen for a second!
: When you’re not strong enough to handle something, just go and ask others for help! And, in turn, when they’re having a hard time, you help them back!
: Even if people are weak by themselves, they get as strong as they need to be by helping each other!
: Ichitaka…
: Yuu… I’m sure you’ve realized the limits of your strength.
: “They get as strong as they need to be by helping each other…”
: We fought by ourselves, while you fought relying on the bonds between you and your teammates… Is that what differentiates us? (Well, when fighting him means going up against Mazinkaiser, Gaiking the Great, Jeegs, etc., yes.)
Alert!
: …! Watch out! Energy spike on the enemy!
: Ah, crap…!
: Bro… you saved me…?
The Straybird turns friendly!
: I was weak… in both mind and body.
: So I’ll try things your way – this strength that comes from fighting together with others…!
: Yuu…!
: Come on, Ichitaka!
: Yeah! We’ll give her an eyeful of what we can do!
Straybird (Yuunagi Grife, HL-0 Haruno)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Counter
Predict
Prevail L6
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L1
Attack Combo L2
Spirit Commands – Yuu:
Focus
Sense
Mercy
Drive
Soul
Spirit Commands – Yuu:
Accelerate
Scan
Snipe
Trust
Confuse
Squad Bonus:Mobility +5, Accuracy +5, A in Air
Now that’s a proper Skill list. Yuu’s got a lot of good stuff going for him and, his past humiliation at our hands notwithstanding, he’s actually a really damn good pilot. His stats are huge, especially Range and Evasion, and Predict plus his Imaginary Road ability makes the Straybird a really hard target to hit.
Hit & Away would be nice for him as only his two weakest moves are post-movement and the Rushbird outright hits harder, but the Straybird is still a very fine unit. Having Haruno’s spirit set and the Air terrain bonus at least makes him a very worthwhile squaddie to deploy, though you can easily have him lead something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHa0FCEt4NI
Before we stomp HL-1 into mush, did you know Kira’s moveset straight-up changes when you’re up in space? His DRAGOON-based weapons don’t even show up if you’re not, so let’s make use of them now.
And of course they gave him the not-Newtype flash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAvMtv33ZF8
Finally, the combo attack between the Nagahamas that I said I forgot to show off last mission!
: You will not amount to new “potential” – that has already been proven. Your continuous opposition is a waste of time.
: I’ll admit that my heart was weak.
: But I’ve watched Ichitaka grow before my very eyes. And now…!
Haruno: “She’s a combat AI with the same functionalities as me…”
Yuu: “Stay calm. Our skill and experience far exceed hers… We’ll have her down in 40 seconds!”
: You might be another sister model of Alice, but that don’t mean I’m cutting you any slack! Hand over the professor right now!
: I cannot accept that request. The professor’s brain still has much use for us… It is a valuable apparatus with which new “potential” may be produced.
: “Apparatus”…! The professor isn’t a thing, and we’ll be rescuing him from your clutches no matter what it takes!
: Why…? According to our data, I should’ve been superior to them in all accounts…
: Do they, perhaps, hold something that our data couldn’t quantify…?
: All enemy forces destroyed and no other signals incoming!
: But that command unit sure was strong… Looks like they weren’t pulling our legs when they said it was made based on our data.
: Still, don’t you think this was a bit weird? They fought us fair and square today, unlike when they jumped us out in space…
: Maybe this was some sort of experiment. Those guys upgrade their unit and pilot with unbelievable speed, after all…
: In regards to the pilot, judging by what we saw today, this was likely a test run for that android.
: Do they mean to deliver her to Central, I wonder…
: They can upgrade as much as they want, we still ain’t losing this… Right, Yuu?
: …
Trowa was too far away to attack anything, but he did have a line:
: My Logos infiltration mission is finally over. Now I am once again Trowa Barton of the Preventers.
: You’re leaving, Yuu?! But the battle just ended!
: I’ve caused you and your teammates too much trouble… I don’t deserve to fight at your side after all that.
: … Yuu, that stuff I said about helping each other? You were the one who taught me that ages ago, remember?
: I did…?
: I’d just lost my parents, so I was really down back then. You probably didn’t think what you said was anything special – just random stuff to cheer me up…
: But I only survived ‘til now thanks to those words and the help of my friends.
: Ichitaka…
: Lend us a hand, please, bro… Not for my sake, but for the professor and the whole world’s…!
: …
By the bridge, Sayaka’s very relieved that Djibril’s finally gone. Trowa apologizes for all the times he had to fight us, and he properly introduces himself to everyone. Ichitaka grumbles that Une could’ve told us he was an agent and they would’ve held back against him…
Of course, that couldn’t happen – it’d mean risking exposing his actual identity to Logos. Duo remembers the old “to fool your enemies, you must fool your friends” thing, but he at least knows that Trowa’s a certified tough-nut-to-crack.
Same goes for Heero, Wufei sniffs, and Shinn finally get to meet the guy in the flesh. Heero thanks him for the assist at Heaven’s Base and will be accompanying us as a way to pay back that debt.
Relena herself has no qualms with this, telling Heero to carry on with his own battle. She, meanwhile, will be waiting for him back on Earth. “Your Gundam is the stone upon which absolute peace will be made real… so use it to bring hope to everyone’s hearts.”
Iczer-3 asks if she wouldn’t feel safer staying close by, where we could protect her? No, her eyes are now fixated on the future of Earth and that easily lets her stand strong, no matter how frightful the situation. As she leaves, Daiya’s really impressed with her strong aura.
: Relena’s already left, huh?
: Yes, she set off for Earth not long ago.
: The Katou Organization selected several of its top fighters to escort her, so there shouldn’t be any problems.
: You’ve befriended even the Katou Organization…? So this is the kind of group you’ve both been a part of…
: Heh, yeah, I really lucked out here having folks like Kouichi and Yamashita and…
: Aah, I better stop reminiscing or we’ll be here all day – the point is a ton of people here helped me out. I might still be a rookie here, but I think it’s a really good team.
: Hey there, Ichitaka’s bro! What’re you doing here in this corner?
: …
: We got a briefing coming up real soon, so you two need to get going! They’ll be mad if you’re late!
: But Haruno and I… time and again we got in your way, never thinking of anything but our own agenda…
: All water under the bridge, guy.
: Huh…?
: You want to protect this world, so that’s all that matters.
: You can’t get too hung up on the little things, or you’ll end up a total wimp – like Shinji here.
: Why’re you bringing me into this?!
: Shush, you. You need to learn how to shrug things off, Stupid Shinji!
: While some of us can’t really say jack on this subject, the tomboy’s still got a point. Worrying too much’ll get you bald, ya know.
: They’re all very kind people, too.
: There’s nothing to worry about, Yuu. Just indulge in their good will, I say.
: Sorry… and thank you…
Back to our leaders, while Cagalli points that we can’t be sure another Logos won’t crop up eventually, our victory today at least closes the book on humanity’s infighting for now. It’ll be up to voices of reconciliation like Relena and Durandal to lead the Earth Sphere from here on out.
Still, as Reiji remembers, there are still many other threats to the world out there – and we can officially add GreAT to the pile. They’ve been acting more and more overtly recently, Athrun notes.
Katou fears, from the data he received from the Hub Fountain, that it won’t be long before the Dimension Peeler goes active. In other words, the day the other side invades our world isn’t too far off. That’s likely the reason behind GreAT’s increased activity, Ozma figures, which is why Lacus and the others have decided that they can no longer stick to the shadows while pursuing them.
Now, Katou tells Misato that he’ll be taking off with the Shangri-La for a bit: he’ll stand guard over the dimensional passageway and if the space-time distortion starts acting up, he’ll be in position to take immediate action. Of course, he’ll leave Sawatari and Yulianne here to keep on helping us.
Misato agrees and asks that he let us know if anything happens. As he leaves, F.S. also relates that we’ve yet to ping where Moon WILL’s hiding out… he’s at the moon, obviously, but we can’t tell where. WILL often spoke with him in the past, but the guy has long since cut ties, so he can’t help us there. All in all, Hiroshi’s very annoyed that we can’t do anything despite knowing that he’s camping out at the moon.
And, to top things off, Kenichi says that we’ve yet to locate the Frontier Fleet or the Vajra Homeworld. So what are we supposed to do now?
Emi might have something, receiving a worldwide announcement that Durandal’s making right now!
“Not long ago, we have successfully brought an end to Lord Djibril, leader of Logos. However, that does not mean peace has returned to this world just yet. The Vajra still roam the universe, threatening the lives of every man, woman and child day in and day out. Moreover, unknown to us, other beings that’d threaten us all are lying in wait, biding their time.”
Domyoji doesn’t see what the guy’s getting at, so Durandal carries on: “There is only one way for humanity to endure what’s ahead: to evolve our society to a higher level! I now proclaim the start of the Destiny Plan, the final bulwark in defense of mankind’s future…!”
Welp, I guess someone’s decided to stop being reasonable. We’ll see what his Destiny Plan entails next still (no myriad Scirocco clones manning the SDF-1, though), but before we wrap this up…
OUT!
All is right in the world.