Robot 101 is essential curriculum - Let's Play Super Robot Wars L

We got PROUD when Kouichi had his second fistfight with Yajima.

And I wanted to show off the Serpent, but never really got around to it as the increasing length of missions made me more and more inclined to sic Gaiking the Great at things until they stop being problematic.

Click to see the mission!


Here we are again, Ichitaka and Daiya maintaining a steady distance from one another – each got four kills last mission.


Quickly on the Skill Parts front, I’ve been saving Hit & Aways and Gunfights for the whole damn game because outside of Shinji and Alto, there are no other range-focused MCs and I didn’t feel like spending those on Ozma. So, finally, I get to dump them all on Heero and Kira.


And for upgrades, I got both Heero and Yuu up to 50% since they need it way more than Kira – he’s already OP. Heero now has Accuracy +15, A in Air and Range +1; Yuu has Mobility +15, Accuracy +15, S(!) in Air and Range +1. Very nice, indeed.


16 slots in today’s mission, with Shinn, Athrun, Kira and Rey deploying as event units. Here’s how we’re going:
Kouichi/Quatre
Daiya/Rei
Alto/Michel
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Shinji/Cagalli
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Iczer-3/Atross
Dancouga/Hilde
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Wufei/Yulianne
Combattler/Voltes
Ichitaka/Miu
Yuu/Heero

Off we go.

: The Destiny Plan…?
: Many of you are likely taken aback by the abruptness of it all, but, please, we ask that you lend us your ear for a moment.
: Meer…
: …
: As the Chairman just said, our world is currently beset by many different threats. It is not unthinkable that tomorrow, many of our loved ones may find their lives in danger… What would you do at that moment…?
: (Dad, mom… Mayu…)
: Would you wait for someone to come to their rescue? That might result in your loved ones losing their lives…
: Indeed, when that moment comes, it is up to you to keep said peoples’ lives safe! All of us have the strength to be capable of that lying deep within us! The Chairman’s Destiny Plan is simply a way to support us in that endeavor.
: It is understandable that, even after hearing Lady Lacus’ words, many will still be confused. However, please, ask yourselves: what should you do to safeguard the future of your beloved?

*End transmission.

: So it’s meant to give people the strength to protect those they love…?
: If the plan really can make that happen, then…
: It does, yes.
: Huh… Rey…?
: You knew about this Destiny Plan…?
: Hm, the Chairman told me about it. Ways to stimulate mankind’s evolution, to allow us to defend Earth with our own hands… that is what the Destiny Plan entails.
: Ways to defend Earth…?
: An example would be the Zentran Factor. By researching data Leon Mishima gave us, we’ve found that there are Earthlings with genetic factors that, if stimulated, could allow them to grow as big as a Zentradi.
: When did he ever send that…?
: Sounds like something he’d do, though. Offer the PLANTs some tech and, in exchange, he got more forces to use in his schemes.
: The other example would be the SEED Factor. And our own group has several examples of people who’ve manifested it – people like you, Shinn, and Kira Yamato.
: I…
: …
: The Destiny Plan’s goal is to discover the humans that have these genetic factors and build teams to defend the Earth Sphere from any who’d do it harm.
: What…?
: I suppose it makes sense from a military point of view to scout only folks that are innately talented at combat…
: The Plan won’t be focusing solely on the military aspect, though. By analyzing the talents that lie dormant within each individual, they’ll be capable of making full use of said talents without any risk of losing their path in life.
: Science, arts, and more… every human will be able to have a meaningful life.
: Is that really true…?
: What…?
: Just because someone might be innately talented as a fighter, that doesn’t mean that’s all they can ever amount to…
: You’d turn your back on your own genes?! You were born as the Super Coordinator, owner of peerless talent, and, yet, you’d wish for a different lot in life?!
: I do not fight because I’m talented at it; nor do I wish for something in hopes it’ll just come true. Isn’t it the desire to make your wish come true what pushes people to overcome their destiny?
: Kira’s right. It’s the people themselves that decide their own destiny – it’s not something anyone can impose on others.
: …
: Rey, I’ll be the first to admit that my life hasn’t been a perfect string of successes – far from it – but hardship, sorrow, and whatnot, are all different and necessary facets of it, no?
: Why…? Do you think every single person is strong? They’re not. There are many who’ve been defeated by the strain of life, whose hearts have broken under it all. This Plan could save them…!
: It’s true that everyone hates hardship… things would likely be a lot simpler just being told what to do…
: But humans aren’t dolls.
: !!
: None of us are superheroes. Whatever talents we might have, we still cry and get angry during difficult times…
: Also, sending people into battle because they have, or haven’t, certain innate talents, and them being capable of fighting to the bitter end, are two very different things…
: I told you before, didn’t I, Rey? I don’t really like the idea of something like “destiny” deciding how people live and die…
: Life is more than just that… I’ve come to that realization over all these battles.
: Shinn…
: Listen, Rey… I might not have any special talents of my own… but I’m still set on saving the professor myself. That’s just the choice I made.
: You will not be endorsing the Chairman’s Plan, then…?
: Personally, I’m afraid not. That said, I don’t think I’m entitled to make this decision for all of LOTUS.
: I agree. We’ll need to talk things over, and see if we’re all on the same page on this matter…
: Time is running very short, though. I’m sure you all understand how urgent it is that we strengthen our defenses right away…!
: And if you’re not willing to cooperate, then we’ll be left with no choice but to force you…
: F-Force us…?!
: What, you’re just gonna jam this Destiny Plan down everyone’s throats?!
: There’ll be no future for mankind without the Destiny Plan! It is the one remaining way to deliver us from chaos… And any who refuse to support the Chairman’s Plan will have to be eliminated!
: Then it’ll fall on us to stand against his tyranny.
: Captain…?! Even you’re turning against him?
: I’m a member of FAITH, so I’m exercising my right to act according to my convictions.
: Fine. Then as another member of FAITH, I’ll follow my own convictions and help the Chairman in any way I can… I’ll be taking my leave.

Off he goes.

: Rey!
: … Trying to stop him won’t help. He’s fighting for what he, himself, believes in…
: The Legend is departing!

Woooosh!

: Rey…


Some time later, our other folk ponder Rey leaving – ever firm in his belief in Durandal. Will we have to fight him, then, Daiya wonders. Kira doesn’t see any way around it, considering what he and Durandal are planning to do. They need to be stopped. The Archangel/Eternal group has officially joined us, and Kira and Shinn finally have a chance to speak face-to-face again (Athrun’s told Kira much about him).
Shinn remembers their encounter at Orb, and is surprised that guy was the Freedom’s pilot. As Murrue properly introduces them, Kira has been meaning to apologize all this time for hurting that girl in Berlin – she clearly means much to him. But Shinn’s willing to let bygones be bygones since, in the end, they managed to get her out alive. “Plus, I still owe you a ton for all the times you helped us. I dunno how I can repay you, but I’ll absolutely try,” Shinn adds.

When Misato asks, Cagalli says both the Archangel and Eternal will be converging with our group as, one, this isn’t really the time to be chasing GreAT, and, two, things have reached a point where they can’t handle things by themselves. Well, Misato sees no reason to turn them down and gives them all the welcome aboard.
Kouichi and Ichitaka see that LOTUS is becoming an even bigger family with all these new additions, and Nagisa can’t help but be amazed all so many different folks, from many different backgrounds, banding together in one group. Still, this is exactly what Ishigami and Une wanted LOTUS to become when they put it together.

Wielding all this firepower is a big responsibility, Waltfeld sees, which is all the more reason to Lacus that we can’t wield our weapons thoughtlessly. If our words can get through the other party and avoid hostilities breaking out, that’d be best, of course. In the eventuality that’s not possible, Hilda steps up and says we’ll be ready to deploy. Mars and Herbert are with her, undaunted when fighting for LACUS-SAMA.
Sounds like a real trio of go-getters to Kenji, so he wishes them do a bang-up job. Hilda says the same, with an admonition for him not to make Lacus worry! Now, Yui gets a message from Une saying that the ZAFT fleet on the moon is on the move – we’re to check what they’re up to, but to be ready to act, worst comes to worst. As we get ready to scramble, Misato asks Yui to see if we can get in touch with Relena on Earth, just in case.

: …
: How’re you doing, Shinn…?
: Luna…
: You’re thinking about Rey, aren’t you?
: Yeah… Hey, can I ask why you also decided to stay here?
: Well… I guess it’s because I didn’t want the life I’ve lead to this point to be denied.
: Your life?
: Yeah. I’ve have plenty of missteps along the way, but everything I did was always what I had chosen… I don’t see myself having someone else decide my life for me.
: Hm, I know how you feel…
: So I’m still here. I wanna keep helping you protect all our friends.
: Took the words out of my mouth. All I want is to keep you and our friends safe, with my own two hands…
: Shinn…

If you rescued Stella, you get these added bits:

: And I’ll protect Shinn too!
: S-Stella! When did you get here?! And you really don’t need to hug me this tight!
: … Well, I guess I better go and get ready to deploy.
: Hey, Luna! Wait just a minute!
: You, too, Luna! I’ll protect you too!
: Ah…?
: All this time, I’ve been nothing but trouble for everyone. So now I want to try and make everyone happy.
: Stella…
: You’re right… We’ll bring happiness to everyone – us and our whole team, together.
: Right!


Cut to Durandal’s fortress – Messiah – and he’s welcoming Rey back after the difficult battle on the moon. All in Gil’s name, of course, and Rey sees the time has finally come for the chairman’s ideals to crystallize. Still, they’ve only just begun and the difficult part is yet to come… which is why Durandal was hoping LOTUS would’ve agreed to help.
Indeed, Rey was surprised that the Minerva crew refused as well. Durandal’s idea behind assigning the ship to work with us was that it’d make LOTUS more amenable and, eventually, they’d sign on up, but it had the exact opposite effect. Durandal had hoped the crew – and, especially, Shinn – would’ve been more sympathetic to his cause.


But their chat’s interrupted when Masaki enters to speak with Durandal (Rey stops short). Why is he here? Durandal is sure the required data was already transferred. Actually, Masaki is here with a warning: LOTUS is headed this way. Oh. Now, Central has deemed the Destiny Plan to be useful in managing the society, so they’ll be dispatching troops over to make sure it is successfully implemented.
As Durandal nods, Masaki and Rey exchange glares and the former leaves. Rey wants to know why Durandal is working with those people – he should be well aware of what Central’s goal is. “I know what you’re getting at. However, the Destiny Plan wouldn’t have been completed without their assistance,” Durandal argues. “Moreover, if the Plan is put into effect, coexistence with Central may not be an impossibility – and, in doing so, we’ll keep them from converting all of humanity into Machinas.”

As Durandal puts it, he is a statesman – it’s in his blood to prepare for the worst case scenario. As such, he’ll try to secure humanity’s future in his own way, and requests Rey’s help in making it happen.
“If that is what you declare, then I’ll see that it is done. It’s my firm belief that both the world and mankind as a whole need your Plan,” Rey declares, and Durandal thanks him for the support.


Mission 33 – The Chosen Future

: We’ve brought a fortress to the moon, allied ourselves with those creepy fellas… Jeez, what the hell is wrong with ZAFT?
: Cut to the chatter – this is a battlefield. We should just focus on keeping the PLANTs safe.
: Still, this whole thing is…
: I know! … I don’t like it either, but…
: Yzak…

: And so you’ve come, Shinn… and LOTUS.
: Rey…
: We’re really gonna have to fight Rey, huh…

Looks ahead.

: The space fortress Messiah…! They’ve even deployed it…?

Looks at the Valleys.

: Hey, I see some of those Central mechs mixed in with ‘em!
: The Chairman’s working with Central, then?!
: Shows how far Durandal is willing to go to implement his Destiny Plan…!

Looks at some different units out back.

: I’ve never seen those units before, though…
: Earthlings… resistance is futile… Join us…
: That voice… Soubi?!
: Join us…
: He’s been turned into a Machina-Human, just like Kiriyama…
: What… What the hell do they think people are?!
: I bid you a warm welcome, LOTUS… Am I correct to assume that you’ve come here to stop me?
: Gilbert…
: As I’m sure you’re aware, I’m ready and willing to force the implementation of the Destiny Plan. If possible, I’d much rather… Actually, I suppose there isn’t much for us to discuss – not when we both hold such unswayable desires.
: I suppose this battle will serve to decide who is truly suited to bear the burden of mankind’s future, then.
: Chairman, why are you in so much of a rush?! This isn’t the way!
: You said we both hold “such unswayable desires”… but I’m sure we all want the same thing, and that’s to defend the future of all people!
: Our ideals are the same, but our methods are not. You know that.
: Come. There’s no reason for further debate, don’t you think?
: Understood… then we’ll simply follow our convictions and bring you down!
: … That is truly a shame, Cpt. Gladys…
: Here we come… Rey…!


Mission Objective: destroy all enemies.
Mission Failure: Any battleship, Shinn, Kira or Athrun shot down.

Got a big wave of enemies up ahead, with Rey being the biggest threat around by a mile. In truth, this is a bit of a difficulty spike: the ZAFT units are quite dodgy and accurate, the Valleys still pack the same heavy punch as always (especially the Strikes) and you’ve got Soubi and three other MP Machinas.
Your first priority should be to hang by, at most, the edge of Rey’s MAPW range and build up morale on the first wave of goons. Once your folks are ready, rush the Legend ASAP and get him off your hair – things become significantly easier when you do. Remember that your Confuse casts, just in case you guys are getting mobbed too badly.
As mentioned above, when dealing with the Valleys, you should always prioritize the Strikes not only due to their damage but due to the Armor Down they can still apply. Finally, the four MP Machinas are either programmed to only act real late in the mission or they outright won’t do anything until your guys get close. Whatever the case, save them for last.

Finally, something to keep in mind:
:siren: Secret Alerts! :siren:
Have Kira fight Rey, then have Shinn shoot him down
Also, have Kouichi CONVINCE Soubi.

Two different secrets on the line, but nothing too difficult. Just make sure you don’t overestimate Shinn’s movement range and be forced to wait a turn before killing Rey – that’s a recipe for losing folks to his DRAGOON.


Legend Gundam (Rey za Burrel)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Shield Defense
Guard
Prevail L8
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3

Switching portraits has given Rey a major boost in everything which, when paired with the Legend’s S rank in space and high modifiers, results in a whole lot of accuracy and evasion.
One thing you should be mindful of (outside of that lovely 6x6 MAPW we’ve come to abuse) is that Rey’s surprisingly bulky: nearly max Prevail, Guard, the VPS armor and Messiah’s terrain providing a 20% boost to defense means he can take a decent amount of punishment, so you better come packing Valor to get things done quick.
As I said, park people outside his MAPW range, rush him down, attack with Kira and have Shinn finish him off – you can easily wreck him in a single round if your morale’s good.


Mass-Produced Machina (Soubi Nakajima)
Pilot Skills:
Machina-Human L8
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Break Morale Limit
Prevail L8
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3

Despite the major stat boost, Soubi’s nowhere near as much of a threat as Kiriyama since they saw fit to take away his Talisman. The MP Machinas are decent enough as grunt units, but they’re just not strong enough to compete in the big leagues. Plus, there’s also the fact that it only has two attacks: the weakest is 1-3, and the strongest is point-blank, so pretty much anyone can outrange him.
Convince him with Kouichi, and then Soubi’ll likely go down in 2-3 valored attacks (maybe even oneshotted, depending on whether it’s Kouji or Kenji).

As our folks advance, the first enemy wave throws itself into the grinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dQAOLxRNog
And we’ll show off the Straybird’s DKs while we’re at it.

When turn two rolls around, you down a named character or reduce the enemy numbers below 36…

: To all the peoples of the Earth Sphere, I am Lacus Clyne.
: ?! This broadcast is…?!
: Please observe the images before you. ZAFT has shed light upon LOTUS’ true nature: yet another group that’d threaten us. Under the pretense of protecting the Earth Sphere, they’ve bolstered their forces and now turned it against us. No different from Logos…
: So it all comes down to propaganda again?!
: He really did put Meer Campbell into play – unsurprising. Then we’ll follow suit…
: None of us desire any more war… We wanted it gone from our world, but that does not suit them…

Beep, boop.

: Do not be fooled by her appearance. I am Lacus Clyne.
: ?!

: That’s the Eternal… Then is she really…?
: I am aware that someone with the same face, voice and name as mine is working with Chairman Durandal.
: I-I…!
: But I cannot endorse Chairman Durandal’s words or his actions.
: That said, it does not mean that we are against said wish to see war gone from our midst.
: What the… even Relena Darlian’s with her…? The hell?
: It may be true that the Plan the Chairman’s advocating could bring many a life of peace.
: But we cannot blindly accept his proposal. We must all think long and hard about what kind of world we are on the verge of heading towards…
: And if I may borrow Chairman Durandal’s own words…
: All of you that are watching this, please, think: what should you do to safeguard the future of your beloved?
: And that concludes our broadcast. Isabelle Cronkite, out.

Bloop.

: What I should do, huh…?
: …
: Ch-Chairman…
: Hahahah… the two queens have outplayed me. Still, it isn’t check mate just yet.

And now we carry on our destruction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2BRY06_VOM
Did they give everyone of Kira’s attacks a DK…?


At last, SEIGI blesses this battlefield!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziLu4-smGfk
What do you mean the BGM is wrong? No, you’re clearly talking crazy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCyYbIjTrWc


Excellent. Fourth turn, named character down, or enemy count is at 28 or less, and you get…

: Well done, LOTUS. I did not expect this victory to come easily, even with Central’s assistance…
: … You may fire when ready.
: Yes, sir! Engaging Neutron Jammer Cancellers! Nuclear Cartridge, loading!

Alarm!

: …! We’re detecting a powerful energy reading within the enemy fortress!
: … Hrm! LOTUS! Get your people out of the firing line! Hurry!
: Yzak…?!
: The Messiah’s getting ready to fire it… the GENESIS! They’re targeting the Eternal!
: GENESIS…?
: A gigantic gamma ray cannon! Eternal, what are you still doing there?!

Energy charge!

: Everything I do, I do in the name of humanity’s future…!
: !!

: I-Is everyone alright?!
: Our forces barely evaded the attack – no major damage. The Eternal is also fine!

Beep, beep!

: Th-That’s…
: What happened, Meyrin?!
: Th-The attack just now… it’s caused catastrophic damage throughout a ZAFT fleet that’d deployed at our flank…!
: What…?!
: Gilbert… you…!
: I-Is that how you look out for Earth…? Didn’t you say you were doing this for mankind’s sake?! You’ve got to be kidding me, Durandal!
: It took so long to lessen the fear people felt from those living in space, and you’ll be bringing it all back…!
: … Sorry, Yzak, but this is about all I can take. Whether or not the Chairman’s vision for the world is right, if ZAFT’s willing to put up with stuff like this, then we’d just be going down that same, insane, path again!
: Our mission is still to provide support for ZAFT.
: Yzak…!
: So move your ass and support the Minerva and the Eternal! They’re ZAFT ships, remember!
: …! Psh… You hardass, you…

Their units turn friendly and move by the Archangel.

: Huh… the IFF on that GOUF and ZAKU is…! Dearka?!
: This is Dearka Elsman speaking. We’re backing you up, LOTUS.
: Yzak, Dearka… You’re going to help us?
: Hmph… And I’ve a lot to yell at you about after this is done. You better brace yourself for it!
: Aye, aye, sir…
: We’ve no idea how much time we have until Neo-GENESIS is ready to fire again, or where they might shoot next…!
: Things might not end as well as they did if that thing gets off another shot. We need to hurry and capture Messiah!
: Are you two ZAFT soldiers ready to go?
: Yeah!
: We… We’ll put a stop to the Chairman!

Alright, that’s two less problems to deal with. We’ll set our sights on Rey real soon.

: So, Durandal’s words are pretty much gospel to you?
: As Moon WILL himself assessed, destruction is all that awaits humanity in its current state. So Gil will take its reins and guide it! Then, our world will endure!
: Sorry, but that’s not happening. We’re here to pull the plug on both the Destiny Plan and that “destruction of humanity” business!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2aOBkLx8T4
And here’s the Akatsuki Shiranui’s best weapon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KVRAwH8_dk
Plus the Straybird’s best trick!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJvIgl0R4Wc
And let’s get this one out the way as well. Finally, Rey…


:siren: :siren:

: Why do you trust that Chairman so much?!
: I, for one, ain’t putting up with that crazy Plan of his!
: You don’t have to understand, only to stand back and watch. If you do, Gil will make a utopia out of this world…
: Oh, piss off! We fought through all those battles to keep our future in our own hands, not to hand it over to someone else!

: You… Were you planning on using us even back when we first met?
: Yes, to be honest. Gil needed more strength for what was to come.
: Uh-huh… Too bad for you, things ain’t gonna go your way!
: The Chairman won’t have a monopoly on our strength! The Voltes is, and always will be, a symbol of hope for ALL of Earth!

: You said before that you wanted your father to accept you, right?
: We are alike, then… I am alive because Gil accepts me.
: It’s true that I wanted my dad to compliment me. And I was really happy when he told me “good job”.
: But I’ve already made up my mind, that even if my dad doesn’t approve of what I’m doing, I’m still going to follow my own path – the path I chose to follow…!
: And I know that’ll make him happy…!

: Your Destiny Plan’ll do away with the future of so many children! There’s absolutely no way that’s how the world’s meant to be!
: Are you worried about Lou Roux? Don’t be.
: The Earth Sphere will be under the protection of hand-picked warriors… There will be no more alien invasions, or new tragedies born of those, and the children will all be lead in the proper direction.
: Even children can go and make their own choices; and if it looks like they’re making a bad one, then adults should just try and point out a better direction!
: But by setting them on a linear path from the moment they’re born, you’re doing nothing but killing all the potential they have!

: Rey, please stop this!
: I’ve lived all for this day – the day Gil would create the world he dreamt of…! What about you, Shinn?!
: To create a world where there’s no war, that’s why…!
: But even if there’s no war, there will always be unhappiness! Gil will put an end to all of that!
: But that doesn’t change the fact that what he’s doing is wrong, Rey!

: Kira Yamato… I refuse to allow someone like you to exist…!
…! Why are you so…?!
: You, of all people, should know! I’m… Rau le Creuset!
: Rau le Creuset…?!
: It can’t be…! Kira destroyed him at Jachin Due!
: … He’s a clone?
: That’s right… I’m a being created by the hands of man… Not a person, but an empty vessel…
: You’re wrong! You only ever had one life… and that life is your own! You’re not him!
: Shut your mouth! Your life was also created by someone else’s hands! What makes you so different from us?!
: Why do you, alone, get to live a meaningful life?!
: Rey, you…!
: Kira Yamato… you’re the “glorious” embodiment of the dream – the future – of humanity…!
: And that’s why you must disappear along with us! So that this world may be reborn!

: If you ask me, a life on preset rails is a whole lot worse than one stumbling about your own path!
: But if the Destiny Plan is successfully implemented, no one will ever lose their way again. It’ll be the end of this society that persecutes those who’ve fallen by the wayside!
: Is that a fact? But you should know that there are wings within the hearts of every person! Those wings yearn for freedom, and you’re not strong enough to bind them!

: Rey, was it always your plan to use LOTUS as a tool for Durandal?
: It was, though that obviously didn’t happen. Still, you’ve also used LOTUS for your own goals, no? We are alike.
: It’s true, I did join LOTUS in order to save the professor… but that doesn’t mean I’d ever betray our crew over it!
: And if you had to choose between LOTUS and the professor? What then?
: Then I’d insist to have my cake and eat it too – I’m childish like that…!
: And that happy ending is one we’ll earn ourselves!

: Here we are, Rey. I am sorry, but Gilbert’s Plan needs to be stopped.
: I also want my son to have the freedom to choose his own future.
: I cannot stand down either, Cpt. Gladys… I’ll destroy anyone who stands in Gil’s way – even you!

: The world isn’t so tiny that your justice alone could save it.
: I’ve figured out ages ago that I’m not strong enough to pull that off! That said, I’m not fighting this alone…
: If I can really be a Champion of Justice, it’s only because I’ve my friends of LOTUS beside me!

: You are not fighting because you were ordered, but because you’ve someone you wish to be safe, so I won’t gainsay what you’re doing… But, tell me: what do you expect to gain after this is done?
: My very being is worth nothing – I doubt I could ever make something with my life.
: But if I can protect Gil, then not even death seems like a high price to pay.
: In the past, I was no different from a fighting machine. I’d get my orders, and kill as many people as necessary to fulfill them – again, again, and again.
: You may smother your heart and convince yourself that life is cheap…
: But there is nothing cheap about anyone’s life! And that includes mine and yours!


Heero: “Target confirmed: Legend, ZAFT’s prototype…”

: You always had that “cold and aloof” shtick going, but I figured there was a good guy behind all that! What the hell, man?!
: All I’ve done was act in accordance to my orders: “fall in with LOTUS and, when it’s time to implement the Destiny Plan, bring them into our fold if possible.”
: Wow… So this was all just one huge act? I can’t believe you!

: We even got Atross to be our friend, so why do we need to fight you?!
: Please reconsider what you’re doing, Rey!
: First off, I am not another child. Secondly, this is what I want to do.
: And thirdly… I just cannot be friends with you.
: No, no, no! We absolutely can!

: Stop this, Rey! The Chairman’s Plan won’t make anyone truly happy!
: Are you implying that Lacus Clyne could, then, Athrun?!
: But I don’t share your faith in her! I’d much rather stick with a far more concrete method. That’s why…!
: You idiot! All you’re doing is shutting your ears to everyone’s words but the Chairman’s!
: The Destiny Plan has to be stopped! That’s the path I chose to take, and why I was entrusted with the Justice!

: Come back to us, Rey! The Chairman’s way of doing things is totally wrong! Help us shut the guy down!
: I told you I cannot do that…! A swarm of menaces are massing at our doorstep; we need to implement the Plan immediately if we’re to stand a chance!
: It’ll be fine – we can all protect Earth together! Think of how lonely you’d be if you went on with this!

: Why are we even doing this?! What happened to all the stuff we went through?!
: This turn of events is very commonplace in the battlefield. That’s all there is to it…
: But we weren’t on the battlefield 24/7! For instance, didn’t we work on putting together that Idol Contest?! That was all of us, together!
: We’re all LOTUS members… The bonds between us aren’t flimsy like that! No way!
: … Come. We’re done talking…!

If you attack Rey with Shinn after having Kira engage, you get a new convo.

: Shinn… if only you would join us…
: Rey, you looked after me, didn’t you? Was the fact that you’re someone else’s clone what pushed you to do that?
: …
: No, it wasn’t! You did it because it was a decision you made, wasn’t it?!
: That’s…
: To me, you’re not this Rau le Creuset! You’re Rey za Burrell… my friend!
: …! Still, Shinn… I… my destiny is…!
: Come on, Rey! If destiny is what binds you… then I’ll cut you free from it!

: Hah… How much you’ve grown, Shinn…

If you killed him with anyone but Shinn:

: Impressive, LOTUS… but not surprising… I confess I’d been running simulations to figure out how to defeat you since yesterday, but nothing worked.
: Rey… “It doesn’t help to panic and burn the midnight oil on the eve of your deadline”. You were the one who said that to us, remember?!
: I guess… I did…
: Rey, why…?!
: … I don’t have that much of a future left. You see… I was born with short telomeres…
: So, what, that means you only care about helping with this crap, screw whether you live or die?!
: That’s right! I want to use whatever life I still have for the Gil’s… for the Chairman’s sake…! Kyo Misumi… I’m sure you can understand how I feel…!
: …

And then we converge. We did things right, though, so it goes straight to this from the previous line.

: Come back with us, Rey…!
: I’m sorry… but I have to keep Gil safe. That is what I chose, of my own free will…
: Rey…!

All that’s left is Soubi and a few GreAT units, so the battle’s pretty much won.


Especially after I do this.


Cha-ching!


Bam – all gone. Now to wait a turn while Kouichi gets in position.


Psh.

: Link confirmed… Join us…
: Psh, seems like that collective consciousness’ doing a much bigger number on his brains that it did on Kiriyama.
: Do you think there isn’t anything we can do about this?
: That poor man…
: Hrm, and I bet the Glain-Neidr guy’s ordering him from somewhere! Get your ass out here, coward!
: Resistance is futile… but…
: He’s engaging! Counterattack!


MP Machinas aren’t too powerful, though.


There we go.

: Look at what they did to you… they got you dancing on the palm of their cyber-hand. Are you seriously alright with being controlled?!
: I am not under control… I am now one with the whole…
: Do you not remember anything?! You told me before: “a long time ago I also had that same passion of justice and ideals”! Did you even forget all about those…?!
: Urk…
: Justice… Ideals… Ka…oru…
: Soubi, are you…?!
: I thought his integration was already complete…This warrants some observation.

And that’s it. Now we blow him up!

: Further combat will have no effect on the Destiny Plan’s preservation. We’re done here – retreat, Soubi.
: Acknowledged…

: They’ve left…?
: I’d wager the Destiny Plan caught Central’s eye… but apparently that does not mean they’re willing to stick with them through thick and thin.
: Soubi… I…

: Messiah has gone silent! No additional enemy forces detected!
: Then all that remains…
: Right. This isn’t over just yet. Not until we’ve put a stop to him… to Chairman Durandal.
: Wait for me, Rey!

: Stop, you two! It’s too dangerous!

: We should go as well…

Couple of convos we missed:

: Rey… we’ve been friends since the academy, haven’t we?! Why do we need to fight like this…?
: I thought of protecting the PLANTs – of protecting the world – even back then.
: Gil can make that happen! The Earth will not last if we do nothing but insist on LOTUS’ approach! Sooner or later, it’ll crumble away!

: Mu la Flaga… You have to die as well.
: Rau le Creuset, he who sought to drape this world in darkness, was your father’s clone… And you’ll disappear along with all the crimes he committed!
: If we’re listing crimes, I’ve done more than a handful during my time with the Phantom Pain. But I can only atone for those by staying alive!
: So just come back to us – your friends are waiting…!
: Don’t be ridiculous! I have to keep on fighting… for Gil!
: Enough of this! If you do that, you’ll be draping this world in darkness yourself – no different from Creuset!

: Gil, you have to leave this place!
: No. I think now truly is check mate…

Door opens!

: Chairman Durandal…
: ?! You’re all…!
: All of LOTUS’ pilots step forth to meet with me… I am truly honored.
: Chairman, your Plan’s already done for. Just call it quits and turn yourself in…
: We’ve a major debt with you… You’ve helped us ever since we arrived in this world. So, please…!
: Do you truly think this is for the best…? Humanity will not last without the Destiny Plan.
: If you reject it, even should you successfully drive out the invaders, the world will inevitably fall into chaos once more.
: That’s a possibility, sure… but humanity can also choose not to head in that direction!
: Just like we learned to coexist with the Darius…
: And how we managed to befriend the Zentradi!
: … None of that means that all humans are as strong, or as kind, as you. Who could truly declare that humanity itself can change, that people can understand one another?
: But many of us know what it is like to reach out to another, to change for the better…
: And because we know that, we can help others do the same – the same way I changed after meeting everyone in LOTUS.
: Chairman Durandal, humans aren’t as idiotic as you deem them to be.
: You wished to protect this world… would you be willing to entrust it to us now…?
: …

Door opens.

: Gil… Stop this, please.
: Talia…
: The future should be molded by young men and women like them, not by us.
: The previous generation shouldn’t decide the road the next will walk, only help them make their own choice. The future is theirs alone.
: It doesn’t belong to us, hm…? You may be right. But bringing forth this future you’ve chosen is a herculean task. You are aware of that, I’m sure.
: And we’re ready to face what’s ahead.
: We rejected your choice, so we’ve a responsibility to see it done…
: Is that so… then I have nothing more to say. If you’re capable of proclaiming this much, then I’d like to bear witness to the future you’ll create.
: Chairman Durandal…
: And there’s something I’d like to apologize to you for, Lacus Clyne… it was I who sent those forces after you in Orb.
: …
: Chairman…?!
: As it was also my hand that forced Operation Angel Down into being… all so that Central would grant me their technology…
: Masaki Sugawara told me to eliminate the Archangel, as it was looking into GreAT. I am truly sorry for my deceit.
: But we’re all still alive… Did you honestly want us gone?
: I’m sure someone with your power could have made it happen if you did. Yet here we are…
: …
: What happens now, Durandal…?
: … You must leave this place. Messiah will break apart before long.
: Then you come with us, Chairman!
: I’m afraid that’s not possible. I also have to take responsibility for my choices.
: …
: Everyone back to your units… We must respect his wish…
: Kch…

They leave.

: Talia, you must carry on… Help those children. Do not let them go down the same path I did…
: I know… Goodbye, Gilbert…
: Goodbye, Talia…

She goes too.

: (Maybe, somewhere deep inside, I truly did hope Talia, Kira and their allies would stop me…)
: Gil…?
: Go with them, Rey. See for yourself whatever future this world might find…
: …
: … Understood, Gil… But I won’t just be watching. You wanted this world to be safe… so I’ll go and make it so…
: Thank you, Rey…

: Messiah’s…
: It’ll stand as a memorial for Durandal and his ideals…
: Chairman Durandal…

Beep, beep.

: That’s… we’re detecting a Mobile Suit!
: Huh…?

: LOTUS… I’m not here to fight with you. Will you accept my surrender?
: Rey…!

: The PLANTs’ Interim Council has agreed to a cease-fire. It’s over… finally.
: Though I would’ve preferred if things could’ve been resolved without hostilities…
: Chairman Durandal… he wanted to protect humanity just like us, but…
: Still, in the end, he decided to trust us with this world’s future… We now have to measure up to his wish.
: Yeah. All the more reason we really can’t let ourselves get taken out on these next battles.
: But, Dearka, you two are…
: Who gives a damn about affiliation right now? Our job is to make sure every single human – on the Earth, the PLANTs or wherever – gets to keep on living!
: Yup, what he said.

And if you covered all Meteor Breakers way back at the start of the game…

: We’ve brought the Duel and Buster Gundams along, too, so you can be sure we won’t be a burden…!
: Hey, now, and what do you think you’ll be doing with those two antiques?
: Chill; they got a lot of updates on their OSs and whatnot. We’ll be A-OK.
: Well, I see where you’re coming from. Better to jump into the fire with your old buddies than without, right?
: Granted, we shouldn’t be too puffed up about having those two considering where we took them from.
: … If you’re willing to fly them in the name of peace, then I’ll say nothing about it.
: We are sorry for what happened, Rep. Athha.
: That’s our situation sorted out, though. Guess we’ll be working together again, folks.
: Yzak, Dearka… thanks.

: And you? Do you really want to fight as part of LOTUS again?
: I understand that it’s a very selfish request. But, yes, that’s what I want to do – what I believe I can do.
: …
: Misato!
: Consider it a request from me as well. Could you please grant Gilbert’s final wish?
: … Oh, what the hell. Not like this’d be a first, so who am I so say anything? You have much to make up for, though.
: Then…!
: … Welcome back, Rey.
: Thank you very much.
: Thank goodness, Ray…! Our trio’s been together for too long – you can’t just ditch us!
: Absolutely…!

: Rey… Um, about the Chairman…
: It’s fine, Shinn… That was the future he chose. What I can do now is help protect the world he entrusted to us – side-by-side with all these people who called out to me.
: Rey…
: Yeah, we’ll protect this world. All of us together, for as long as it takes.

: (He’ll be going with Athrun and his team… But, I… what am I supposed to do now…?)
: Ah, here you are.
: Lady Lacus?! And LOTUS…
: We wanted to thank you for pointing the way to Messiah’s escape shaft. If you hadn’t, things could’ve have gotten rather complicated.
: Hm. Worst case scenario, we could’ve lost some of our folks.
: So, please, don’t be so scared. You can talk to us, you know.
: But I… I’m a fake. Lady Lacus herself is back, so I can’t…
: Meer… I’m sorry. You went through so much hardship because I pushed you to fill in as Lacus’ stand-in…
: Meer. Your name and your face might not be your own, but what about your song? The song that mended the hearts of so many wasn’t a lie, was it?
: My song…
: I saw your show at Diokia. It’s true that that wasn’t Lacus’ song… it was your own, no?
: That’s how you managed to connect with so many people.
: Sheryl… Alto…
: If you ask me, I dig your songs a whole lot. Whatever might be happening, they always perk me right up!
: You…
: Do carry on singing, Meer. Let the world hear your song…
: Lady Lacus… Okay, I’ll start over again and I’ll continue to sing… If anything, my wish to make people happy was real…
: Hmhmm, and that’s all you need…

: What a strong girl… She’s lost almost everything she had, but still swears to continue to sing.
: Sheryl…
: Don’t worry about me, Alto. I’ve enough courage to carry on singing myself… all thanks to you…
: …


And that’s the proper end to the human conflict, and our “shit needs killing” pile now only has the Vajra, Central, Moon WILL and the Cthulhu left. Katou hasn’t called in yet, so Reiji figures the interdimensional passageway isn’t open yet. This would make a good moment to deal with one of those other threats, then, but we don’t know where—
Never mind, the alarm sounds and Emi has news: the ship F-J III, currently patrolling around the moon, has just seen a massive fortress appear on the surface and it’s sending out a bunch of mobile weapons! Said weapons are IDed as being the Cthulhu’s and, whoops, they’ve just wrecked the F-J III in but an instant. Rachel is worried.
More importantly, Nagisa gets a Newtype flash and senses Nagisa Kanou – she’s inside that fortress for sure. Iczer-3 confirms, sensing the same kind, warm aura she feels from her Nagisa irradiating from within there.

Emi brings up an image of the fortress and Atross knows exactly what it is: Neos Gold’s base. Goh is dumbstruck that, despite our best efforts at trying to locate the thing, the Cthulhu managed to bring their entire base right to our doorstep.
They’re likely pretty sure of their victory to go all-in like that, Mu ponders, and Tetsuya’s sure we’ll likely have to contend with Moon WILL as well over there.That sounds like a good deal to Aoi, seeing how fighting the guy was our main reason for coming up to space anyway. And if we can rescue Nagisa while doing it, that’s two birds with one stone, for Ichitaka.
Regardless, there’s clearly no time to waste, so Misato orders us straight to the lunar surface.

K really loved Kira. Like… REALLY loved Kira. It loved Kira so much that the simple act of people who were currently on a different side than Kira having friendly conversation got ominous villain music. So yes, he gets shitloads of DKs.

Also, pay attention to how Yurianne’s finisher has Armor Down Level 3. Be ready for that to matter against bosses with a lot of HP.

But hey, Bronzerod Samson’s joined! Duel AS is, unfortunately, pretty much just filler at this point, but the Buster is actually a really good squaddie for a long range unit.

Click to see the mission!


Back again, and not a whole lot’s changed. Ichitaka’s keeping Daiya steadily at a distance. I swear I’m not prioritizing him – the enemies just like going after the Rushbird and a punch is usually enough to oneshot.


Jesus (accuracy +15, A in Space and Air, movement +1) and Iczer-3 (exp earned +20%, mobility +15, range +1) have been brought up to 50% now.
As I’ve only now realized, Kira’s Squad Bonus changes with the terrain just like his weapon set: if you’re in space, it’ll boost the space rating, if you’re in the atmosphere, it’ll boost air.


Iczer-3 and Atross are deploying as event units today, and we’ve 19 slots, so here’s how it’ll be:
Kouichi/Quatre
Daiya/Deceive
Alto/Michel
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Dancouga/Hilde
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Ichitaka/Miu
Voltes/Combattler
Yuu/Heero
Shinn/Yulianne
Yajima/Yamashita
Ken/Lou

Let’s go get revenge for all those Fujis.


Earth WILL is meeting up with Moon WILL in cyber space for the first time in a very long while, and Moon figures this is about the Cthulhu. Indeed, and our WILL asks if he’s really going to cooperate with the Cthulhu in a bid to wipe Earth out.
Of course he will (pun not intended)! Earth WILL has “only” observed the history of Earth for the last 5 billion years. But Moon WILL has transposed the universal cycle of death and rebirth time and again, always observing, never turning his hand against the organics. And what has he seen? All those he’s watched over, without one exception, have brought about nothing but war – war of galactic SCAAaales!

And, so, Moon WILL’s had enough watching over the organics. He’s given up on them. Eaaarth WIIILLLL is still young, but it is not too late just yet. “Listen to MEEeee! This world’s organics are no different from any of the other civilizations I’ve SEEeennn! There is no saving THEEeemmm!”
Our WILL isn’t about to see the life of Earth destroyed just yet, though: “I’ll continue to watch over Earth, believing as I have in the potential these beings have to grow…” That’s the end of that, then. Moon WILL says he’ll personally see to his destruction and bids Earth WILL farewell.


Back at Dragon’s Hive, WILL confirms to F.S. that he couldn’t change Moon WILL’s mind. He apologizes for not being able to help, but the guy has been wholly consumed by despair after the trillions of years he spent watching over organics.
The only option left for Earth’s survival now is to fight.


By the Cthulhu’s fortress, Nagisa wonders how long it’s been since she was brought here. She hopes Iczer-3 is doing fine. But the door opens, and she immediately starts yelling that torture won’t get them anywhere – she doesn’t have any valuable info!
That’s just fine with Iczer-2, though, who tells her to follow. Mother dearest is just about to return.


Neos Gold is very excited about it, too, as Big Gold materializes once more. And mommy is very proud of her spawn’s work while she slept, stealing Iczer-1’s partner. Now they just need her to show herself again, and it’ll be simple to put her down. Iczer-2 walks in with Nagisa right then, presenting her before Big Gold.
Big Gold sees not a whole lot of differences between the Earthlings and the Cthulhu peoples, so she can’t figure out how Nagisa was able to bring forth so much power when she and Iczer-1 came into contact with one another. Nagisa doesn’t care to indulge her questions and demands Big Gold stop her attack on Earth immediately. What did we ever do to warrant any of this?!

Big Gold is willing to explain, and opens up the wall to reveal a gigantic piece of machinery –her core. Eons ago, she was created by the hands of humans… humans who eventually scrapped and dumped her out into space. “As I drifted through the cosmos, I came across several wonders of the universe. I think that sometimes I even traveled against the curvature of time itself" she says. "I remember having these experiences where… I’d go through these dark spaces that were like little holes, and I’d find myself in a universe that was very clearly from a long, long time ago…”
As the ages passed and Big Gold continued to drift about, she slowly evolved into what we see now: something that could well be called a mechanical lifeform. At length, she was drawn to the Cthulhu’s lingering malice and that allowed her to take physical shape.
As Neos Gold puts it, her mother’s golden form that we see is the embodiment of the malice in Sir Violet’s heart. But Nagisa still doesn’t understand why they’re attacking Earth: from what she’s heard of Sir Violet, she’s sure she never wanted to destroy anything.


SIIiileeence! Everything that is haaappening now was caused by us, FOOoolish huumaaanns!! As Moon WILL remembers, it was the humans of the past universe – those with the same blood as Nagisa – that built Big Gold in the first place. Now that is something even Big Gold herself wasn’t aware, so Moon WILL clarifies…
“Big Gold… The FIIiinest masterpiece, gifted with many functions to support all aspects of human life as a certain planet’s production plant… A tragic being who, as a result of independently gifting itself with new functions such as the ability to be a genetic carrier, was feared and scrapped,” he declares, as Big Gold listens on.
“You haven’t gone back into the past. You’ve gone through the end of the universe and jumped into the next, just as I did. But your intelligence hadn’t awakened yet, so you went on to scatter the seeds of life throughout this universe – that is, the genes of your OOoownn CREEaaators! And you did not limit yourself with just this one, but went to do the same in that which the humans call Highly Probable World…!”

Neos sees how it is: Nagisa Kasumi and Nagisa Kanou are essentially blood relatives, descendants of those humans who created Big Gold in the former universe, whose genes she spread as per her directives. In essence, the Nagisas are her mothers’ hated enemies reborn by her own hands – fate is quite something, indeed.
Big Gold herself now, at long last, understands where her contempt for Earth comes from, and why it resonated with Sir Violet’s underlying willingness to invade the place. Nagisa tries speaking up, but Moon WILL shushes her and turns to BIIIiiig Gold: there’s absolutely no reason to leverage organics like Nagisa or the Cthulhu. They, the iiiinorgaaanics, can very EEeeasily help one another!


Iczer-2, however, cuts in and tells Moon WILL that Nagisa is hers to use in the upcoming fight – they’ll be doing this their way, not his. Moon WILL is willing to concede that the fighting spirit of humans is worthy of respect, and with LOTUS bound to show up at any given moment, he tells Iczer-2 to knock herself out.
The time has come for them to have their showdown with the humans, and Big Gold will make sure her spawn’s all healed up and ready to go when we arrive. Neos promises to slaughter the lot of us, empowered by the Iczelio she’s stolen – Iczer-2 might not even have enemies to fight by the time she’s done. Hohohohoho!
As Iczer-2 glares on, Nagisa calls out to Iczer-1. She needs to come back right now…


Back to us, the imminent battle with the Cthulhu and Moon WILL has everyone on edge – Ichitaka suggests Sakuya and Michel try relaxing while they can as things’ll get really hectic once we reach the battle site. Easier said than done, and Sakuya’s constant grumbling is starting to annoy Kurara. How’s she supposed to concentrate? Asuka tells them to take their bickering elsewhere, as, if they can’t tell, we’re on standby.
Sheryl saunters in and sees that, yup, everyone’s on pins and needles. Alto tries objecting that she should be resting, but Sheryl tells him to hush. She’s come bearing gifts: some of her very own home-made cooking.

Nagisa says they figured the nonstop battles didn’t leave us with a lot of time to eat, so they went and made something. Kyoko, the Daiku Maryu’s cook, also saw fit to help – even Iczer-3 and Atross pitched in.
Alto isn’t too sure if scarfing down food right before battle is a good idea, but Kouji tells him not to nitpick. The Galactic Fairy herself helped make these, so it wouldn’t do to turn her down! Plus, as Goh remembers, it’s an old saying that you can’t fight on an empty stomach. Daijirou takes his first bite and, hey, Kyoko’s Chinese food is pretty dang good.


As everyone starts eating, Alto agrees to try whatever Sheryl made… rice balls? Does he have a problem with that? Maybe she’s not a world-class chef, but still! Mind you, she’s wrapped them with bandages instead of nori (not that Alto’s going to say anything).
But, fine, he agrees to try and it’s quite tasty – surprisingly so! What’s that supposed to mean, huh? Did he think she was just some useless girl?! Alright, alright, Alto’s sorry for his quip. “… I dreamt of having moments like this for so long,” Sheryl sighs, but quickly tells Alto she’s just talking to herself and calls everyone to help themselves to her dishes.

Eida and Aoi, meanwhile, are staring out at the Earth. It looks real pretty, but seeing it here also shows Aoi how tiny it actually is – and time and again humans spread war throughout such a small planet. This next battle will have the fate of the whole thing riding on it, though, so she figures that’s enough sentimentality. We still got plenty of asses left to kick.
Speaking of, Seimi and Bobby get in touch to warn that the Cthulhu fortress is coming into sight. Time for everyone to get ready to set out, and Alto asks Sheryl to head back to her room. She will, but asks him to promise to make it back to her. “Of course I will… I’ve a lucky charm, remember?”
Atross and Iczer-3 are raring to go as well – wait just a bit more, Nagisa-1…!


Mission 34 – The Light of the Iczelio

: They’ve really rolled out the red carpet for us, huh?
: And if we’re defeated here, that massive army will rain destruction across Earth. Steel yourselves, my friends!
: Ohohohoho… That is correct, humans.
: Neos Gold…!
: You’re going down today, Neos Gold! We’re taking Nagisa-1 back from you!
: Lady Neos… No, Neos! Is the other Nagisa still safe?!
: Atross, the traitor… If you mean Nagisa Kanou, she’s doing just fine. Of course, the question is “for how long”…?

Flash!

: This sensation… Nagisa’s in pain…!
: What did you do to her?!
: Hmhmhm… If you wish to safe Nagisa Kanou, then you’ll have to destroy me first.
: … But, unfortunately, death is all you’ll find here, never to set foot on Earth again.
: Yeah, right! What kinda CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE would we be if we went down that easy?!
: We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel after so many sacrifices. Peace is almost ours again, and we won’t let you stop us.
: Don’t forget that even after we kick her ass, Big Gold and Moon WILL are likely inside that there fortress.
: Then we better yank them out their love shack…!
: Troops, engage and destroy the Cthulhu and Moon WILL forces! We – and Nagisa – will all be leaving here together!
: Yeah!
: Hmhmhm… You do not realize the new strength I’ve earned. I can correct that, though…


Don’t let Atross, Iczer-3 or any ship get blown up. I’m not sure if I’d qualify this as a difficulty or annoyance spike in comparison to the last mission. Neos Gold is the same as she was before, and so are the Dilos Thetas, but the difference if that there are now a bunch of Regulus Alphas around.
Attack-wise, they’re unchanged from our previous encounters, but, stat-wise, two of them have nearly 50k HP (the ones facing right). You can still outrange them easily enough, but there are many to deal with. There aren’t really any special tricks here: just build up morale on the Dilos, and start focus-firing them all. Do try to play conservatively with your SP, though, as having enough to pop valors and Strikes later will make things significantly easier.
No enemies here have MAPW attacks, so just be mindful of chains. And the terrain, especially the crevice, provides decent defensive bonuses, so that’ll help you conserve your SP stocks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh7w_1vc5IE
Yajima’s other attack is actually pretty intricate for the standard “shoot your gun” move.


Oh, you’re cute.

: We got my dad back safe and sound, so we’re absolutely gonna do the same for Nagisa!
: Then you have but to defeat me. Though I’m afraid that’s an impossibility!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzPOx-X91XI
More DKs for Kira!


One thing that I forgot to reiterate last mission is that Yulianne’s Decapitation is, I think, the only post-movement attack in the game that applies the Armor Down L3 debuff, so she is very much worth bringing around in these last missions.

Either way, 40 minutes later, I’ve finally gotten rid of all the mooks and we’re ready to go after Neos.

: Destroy you and break into the base. A simple mission.
: Fool. Do you honestly think it’s in your power to destroy me?!

: You’re not the only one we’re putting down today… I’m making this quick!
: Try it, if you can! However, struggle as you might, this universe will belong to none but my mother, Big Gold!

: No way I’m getting dropped here! I’m running you into the dirt and making it back in one piece!
: I can appreciate your zest, but I wonder if you’ve the strength to support it.

: Your plans end here and now, Neos!
: The creation dares turn on her creator…? I’ll personally turn you back to dust, worm!

: I can’t stop until my sis’ back with us! Come on, Neos!
: Idiot girl. The only place where you’ll see Iczer-1 again is in the afterlife!

: I couldn’t turn into Jeeg back then, so this’ll be my first time tangling with you!
: You’re the kinda baddie that kills her mooks like it ain’t no thing, right? Then I don’t need to hold back when kicking your ass!
: Hahahah… what a fine spirit you have. Come and see for yourself the horror of facing me!

: Not bad at all, Earthlings. You are certainly far stronger than when last we fought.
: Yeah, how’d you like that, Neos! We’re not getting beat up by you!
: Even Iczer-3’s grown as a warrior, Neos Gold. You’d best make peace with your defeat!
: We’re not here to eradicate the Cthulhu people, though! Some might still be open to parley about your immigration – you just have to be willing to try!
: So there’s no point in continuing this…!
: You don’t seem to grasp your situation…

: What?!
: It’s… The barrier around the Cthulhu fortress is enveloping our units!
: Defensive stance! Bring us into Volution Mode!
: R-Roger!

: Blast… to think the Cthulhu could use a defensive barrier as a snare…!
: Heey, what gives?! Our ship’s the one meant to be attacking with barriers!
: Hohohoho… you’d best watch how you move, or it’ll cost you dearly.
: Granted, even if you do sit still, the barrier will constrict and wring the life out of you regardless!

: Can’t we do anything, Arthur?!
: No, the barrier field has us completely trapped!

Alarm!

: Their barrier is apparently taking energy from both Neos Gold and the panels composing the surface of the Cthulhu fortress. We’re not doing away with it unless we can destroy them both…!
: The Dragon’s Hive moving in! We’ll bring forth a way for our survival!
: Don’t! If you get too close, you’ll be caught in the barrier field as well!
: But how are we supposed to engage the targets if we cannot even draw near…?!
: Ahahahahaha! What’s the matter, LOTUS? If that all you have to offer?
: Uurk… damn it…!

: This isn’t good…! The Minerva…!
: …I’ll handle this.
: Atross?!
: I can still move a bit even inside the barrier field! So if I just blast Neos with all energy I have, I might be able to take her out!
: “All of your”… but if you do that, you’ll…!
: That’s crazy, Atross!
: Nagisa… you’ve no idea how happy I am to have met you. And if doing this means you all survive, then…!
: Atross…
: Don’t worry about me! If we don’t hurry, everyone’s gonna be crushed!
: Iczer-3, you go and destroy the fortress’ surface right after I’ve pushed Neos back! Do that and the barrier’ll disappear!
: Your plan is pointless… You have nowhere enough energy to be capable of destroying our fortress, Iczer-3.

Beep!

: Then I’ll take that task upon myself.
: Huh…?!
: The Messiah still has enough fuel in stock to alter its trajectory…
: A collision with an object of this much mass should generate enough force to tear through their barrier and severely damage the fortress.
: Gil…!
: You…!
: Talia… Earth truly is beautiful – a gem floating amid the darkness of space, and well deserving of such recognition…
: Hahah… This will not atone for all I’ve done, but I’m glad that I could at least help you before my death.
: Chairman! CHAIRMAN DURANDAL!!

Alarm!

: Messiah’s incoming!

Ruuuuumble!

: … We can’t let the Chairman die for nothing. Atross…!
: I’m ready…!
: You’d stand against your own mother, Atross?!
: You’re not my mother!


Atross: “For Nagisa… and for all those who called me their friend…!” > “Neos Gold! I’ll end you!”
Neos Gold: “You accursed traitooooor!!”

CRAAAAAAAASH!

: The barrier’s gone! The Minerva and all units are moving again!
: You did it, Atross!
: Y-Yeah…!

: Not good! She’s breaking down!
: Get back to the ship, Atross!
… Going somewhere, traitor?!
: !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juWsjWej3QE

: Na…gisa… I…

: Atross! ATROOOOOSS!!
: Atross…
: You…! You’re gonna pay for that!
: What are you frothing at the mouth for? Atross was a being I created from the Iczelio – her life was false from the very beginning.
: And, regardless of that, death is all that awaits traitors and the incompetent. Such is the ironclad rule of the Cthulhu!
: What’dya think life is?! You can’t just snuff it out without even batting an eye!
: Her life may have been “false” in your eyes…
: But she was still alive! She fought and laughed with all of us! And killing her…
: Is unforgivable, Neos Gold!
: Foolish humans. I have achieved perfection, and you will learn what it means to oppose me.

: You killed Atross! Get as big as you want, bring as many goons as you’d like, I’m not letting you beat me! I can’t! EVER!!


And now you get to do it again. All enemies have respawned and while you probably could ignore them and just brute force Neos (who’ll auto-cast Iron Wall until you do some hefty damage), you’re likely better off casting Confuse once or twice and killing everything for the cash.


Super Neos (Neos Gold)
Pilot Skills:
Ignore Size Difference
Commander L3
Prevail L5
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3

Super Neos gets powered up in a lot of spots, but loses a couple of things. For one, she can no longer chain attack and doesn’t even get a MAPW to fall back on (and her AI will still prioritize high HP targets), so she’s actually less dangerous.
On the flip side, she’s gotten boosts in all stats and attack power, to say nothing of HP and defense. 94k on a Prevail L5 wouldn’t be an issue normally, but the fact that she’s auto-casting Iron Wall means you’ll be doing gimped damage for a while (make sure to tag her with Yulianne!).
Killing her in one round is likely tough on a fresh game, so you might as well clear out the mooks again. Once they’re gone, the battle is practically won.


Welcome back, Rey. Pop Zeal with Shinji and we can get him perfectly positioned to cut our problems down to size.


All the new enemies get trounced in two turns, and we’re free to tackle Neos.

: An ordinary human man! I’ve nothing to speak with worms who lack any unique powers!
: Well, what a coincidence! I also have nothing to say to you! I’ll just pour all my anger into the Dannar’s fists and let them get my point across!

: Bring it on, Neos Gold! You’re about to get an eyeful of the Devil Emperor’s power!
: Hohoho… “Emperor”, you say! Please, give me your best shot - and do try not to disappoint!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlYVpxdacc
Here’s her best attack. Get Neos below 80% HP and…

: It is useless… So long as the Iczelio lies within my grasp, I am invincible. Any other force is impotent before it.

: Urgh! Not only is she tough as nails, she can also regen?!
: What do we do now?! Our attacks are only hitting, like, half as hard thanks to that Iczelio too…!
: Run her new numbers against our previously collected data! Hurry!
: Ohohohoho…. I am perfect – almighty. I am cut from wholly different cloth from the Jama Kingdom and Darius Army.
: If the Iczelio’s the problem, then there’s one thing we can try!
: Iczer-3?!
: You’ve got an idea? What, it’s not—
: Right. It takes Iczelio energy to beat Iczelio energy, so I’ll do just what Atross did!

Iczer-3 flies after Neos.

: Iczer-3, stop!
: Insolent fool. Die, Iczer-3!

: Waah?!

BOOM!

: Ah—… Iczer-3…
: Hahahahah…! You’ve been found wanting, accursed Iczer!
: This has gotta be a sick joke… is she really gone…?
: No, wait… Over there!
: You won’t be having this your way, Neos Gold!
: What?! Who goes there?!

: … Don’t worry. Iczer-3’s safe.
: Iczer-1…! You’re back!
: My wounds have finally healed, yes. I can once more fight at your side.
: Sis! You saved me!
: I see you’ve been working very hard since I left, hm, Iczer-3?
: I did, yes! All thanks to Nagisa and our friends!
: I thank you as well, other Nagisa…
: You’re Iczer-1… Weird… this is our first time talking, but I already feel like I know you…
: You’ve my deepest appreciation for taking care of this girl, Nagisa… and now I’ll also take upon myself to guard you.
: Iczer-1, Neos Gold is using the Iczelio to shield herself. We’ve to destroy that shield or this’ll be very difficult to turn around…
: I understand. But I’m sure there’s a way for us to prevail. Just don’t give in to her…!
: Idiocy! One extra Iczer won’t help you stem the tide of my power!
: Though if you get on your knees and vow to serve me, I may decide to spare your life!
: I’m afraid not. The vow I’ve taken is to use the life I’ve been given to destroy Big Gold and protect Nagisa and Earth!
: All troops, focus fire on Neos Gold!

Neos Gold still has Iron Wall, but keep at it – you’re almost in the clear!
And in case it’s not clear, Iczer-1 can’t use the Iczer Robo or Iczer-1 Full Power right now.


:siren::siren:

: I have been waiting, Iczer-1! At last the time has come for our decisive bout!
: Your evil has grown in my absence, I see… But that also comes to an end today, Neos Gold!

: You’re Neos Gold, huh? Come and try your hand against the Great Hero! The True Great Mazinger will put you six feet under!
: Oho, you dub yourself a hero? Let us put to the test how much that power’ll avail you against a perfect being.

Get her under 70% this time, and…

: Hrrmm…! For how long are you going to continue this exercise in futility…?! I’ve grown weary of your nonsense!
: …Hrk?!

: That light!

: It’s the Iczelio energy!
: Guh… What?! How?!
: Their unyielding hearts have wrested the Iczelio energy from under your control, Neos Gold.
: It is something we, inorganic beings, cannot do… and what pushes humans to grow and evolve.
: Yeah, that’s how we won all those fights before!
: With the Iczelio back with us, does that mean…
: Hmhmm. Iczer-3, call forth the Iczer Robo!
: I’m on it!

: Iczer! ROBO!

: Here we go, Nagisa!
: Ready, Iczer-3!
: Nagisa hasn’t been in a real battle since before, mind, so don’t push things too hard!
: I know, I know! I won’t put much on her back!
: Curse you…! CURSE YOU ALL!!

There goes her Iron Wall! KIIIIILL!!

: Those smug Four Generals of yours are already toast! You ain’t taking LOTUS down by yourself, lady!
: Hmph… So Golem also died an ignoble death. I had my suspicions when she didn’t return.
: Still, I’ve no use for those that are incompetent! Bacteria like you will not give an omnipotent being pause!

: Ah, the artificial human that Golem failed to dispose of – much to my disappointment, too…
: Had the Third Impact successfully triggered, all of humanity would’ve been ashes and our immigration could have happened in earnest.
: You don’t have any right to complain when you don’t even care about your own teammates!

: We had to get through Proist and that Super Mimetic Beast to get here! No way we’re letting you do us in after all that!
: You underestimate me, Earthling! And now my overwhelming might will put the fear of death into you!

: Your underlings hurt our friends and kidnapped Nagisa! Now you’ll feel the sting of all our anger!
: Hmph… this human “solidarity” garbage is truly nigh-incomprehensible.

: I am a perfect, omnipotent being. To bare your fangs against she whom you should be worshiping… I’d call you a fool, but that would be an understatement.
: Your “omnipotence” is just a delusion! And if you cannot see that for yourself, then we’ll just have to prove it to you!

: Say whatever you want, you’re still Big Gold’s mook! I don’t buy that “I AM ALL POWERFUL” bunk for one second!
: You dare mock me?! But it will not be long before we’ve shed light on the mysteries of Nagisa Kanou’s power. The day we’ll ascent to godhood draws near!
: “Being God” is way above your paygrade, mook! “Intelligence Staff Officer” or stuff like that is more in line with you! (Neos Gold’s VA voices Maribaron in Kamen Rider Black RX)

: We don’t care about you! Get Moon WILL out here right now!
: You dub yourself a warrior who’s transcended even the gods… the gall! Bow before my overwhelming might!

If you attack after Iczer-1 came back, but before you took the Iczelio:

: Alright, my big sis is back! We’ve nothing to worry about anymore!
: You still don’t understand that victory is impossible for you!
: Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but that doesn’t mean we’re just gonna run off!
: Then you will die here on this moon alongside all these moronic humans!
: I won’t, because I’d never let myself get taken out by you!

With the Robo:

: Stay calm, Iczer-3! I’m sure she has a weak spot somewhere!
: Ooh, you’re right! We should go for the wound the Iczelio energy made when it left!
: Your games have gone on for long enough, Iczer-3! Even without the Iczelio, my Super Neos still houses gigantic amounts of energy!
: And the Iczer Robo’ll send all that energy flying!

: Wh-Why?! How… I was supposed to be unbeatable! GAAAAAAAAAH!!

: Yeah! We finally wrecked Neos Gold!

: No more signs of the enemy around the fortress!
: Time for us to get in there, then…!
: And we even got that huge hole opened up on it. Even the Macross should be able to fit through.
: That’s the road the Chairman paved for us. Let’s not be ungrateful, then—

Beep!

: How abominable the sight of you squirming organics is! It is utterly BAAaaflinnng!
: Who goes there?!
: I’m certain you know who. It is I, Moon WILL… overseer of civilizations.
: You’re Moon WILL…!
: Come on IIIiinnnn, LOTUS! The girl you seek, Nagisa Kanou, awaits. As do I! And BIIiig GOOoold…!
: We will neither run NOoorr HIIiide! Indeed, we all await within the fortress before YOOoouu…!

Bloop.

: I guess we’re officially invited into their home.
: Heh, works for me. Beats having to sneak around the place, right?
: Yeah. And we’d have to fight them sooner or later, too…
: …

Iczer-1 flies south, spotting a fulfilled secret!

: What is it, Iczer-1?
: I sense the child, Atross… she’s still barely alive!
: Ah?!

: …

Iczer-3 pops out the Iczer Robo and heads over.

: Atross!
: Is there anything we can do to save her, Iczer-1?!
: I’m not sure… but it’s worth trying!
: Any units that need repairs and resupplies are to return to the ships at once! We’re entering the enemy fortress!
: Roger!

: …
: What happens now, Iczer-1?
: I’ll give her a portion of my energy. She was born of the Iczelio, so this could potentially save her life. I’ll need your help as well Iczer-3.
: Okay! Atross saved me back there, so I gotta pay her back!

: Please open your eyes, Atross…!
: If a kind soul has found its way into this child… If her heart truly shines bright, then we can bring her back…!

: Atross!

: Hm…
: Atross…! You did it! She’s back!
: Oh, Atross… thank goodness…!
: Nagisa…? You’re okay…
: We all are…! And so are you…!
: What a relief… Haah…
: You’re Iczer-1… Why did you save me…?
: What makes you ask that…?
: Because, look at you…! You and Iczer-3 are all groggy after using your energy to save me…!
: It’s said that people are prone to doing irrational things from time to time. Besides…
: Does one need a reason to try and save her little sister?
: …! Sister…
: Can… can I call you “sis” too, then…?
: Of course…

: There they go. Now we only need to rescue Nagisa and things’ll be just peachy.
: Our units should be about done resupplying. Let’s get going!

You only get to keep Atross if you had Iczer-3 beat her back on mission 26.


Some time later, Nagisa and Iczer-1 are trying to sense Nagisa Kanou inside the fortress, but the girl’s voice is growing steadily weaker. Mido and Saotome are patrolling ahead and found a wide open area inside the fortress – perfect for a huge brawl.
Ichitaka gapes at the baddies apparently setting up an arena for our showdown, but it tells Kurara that Moon WILL must be feeling pretty confident. He’s taunting us, Sakuya thinks – the guy probably thinks he’s hot stuff because he’s got that Original Dancouga thing.
Well, Seimi’s got the Nova all set up and ready to go, and Aoi’s looking forward to this Dancouga vs. Dancouga match. It’ll be the climax of Team D’s piloting career!

Ruuuumble!

: What was that…?
: Neos Gold has fallen, and LOTUS has made its way inside the fortress, I’d wager.
: They did?!

Tweep!

: Ah… this is…! Iczer-1’s with them! She came back!
: It’s a bit too soon for celebration, Nagisa… Her return does nothing to change your predicament.
: Furthermore, it is time I made you compliant…
: C-Compliant…? With what…?!
: Oh, you stupid girl… compliant with being mine.
: You will be my partner, Nagisa. Surely you understand that that’s why you were taken in the first place…?
: No! My place is with Iczer-1! I’d never be your partner!
: Ah, Nagisa… you’re adorable. But should beings as frail as humans deign to speak like that…?

Tentacles!

This is probably where I should say that Iczer-1 originally started in a porn mag. The anime doesn’t go that far, of course…

: Aah?! D-Do you think you can intimidate me with these creepy things…?!
: Did you forget what you’ve heard? These infect and transform the human hosts into monsters from the inside-out. Would you care to go the way of dear “mommy and daddy”?
: N-No… stop… urgh…
: You’d best agree to my terms quickly, or these tentacles will run you through.

Tentacle noises!

: … No! Threaten me with whatever you want, I won’t do it!
: What…?!
: And if you’re going to kill me, just get it over with!
: I see… I suppose I will, then, Nagisa.

: Gaah…!
: (Help me… Iczer-1…! Iczer-1! Iczer-ooone!!)

And so Durundal dies, not like a little bitch, but by helping you beat the Iczer baddies. Rest in peace.

Also good to remember that Iczer 1 had quite a sad ending. This, however…

Click to see the mission!


Here we are again, and Daiya has closed that gap ever-so-slightly – he’s now 11 kills behind Ichitaka. Time is running short for our boy!


Iczer-1 was welcomed back into our fold by being upgraded to 50% (Accuracy +15, EN +100, Movement +1); the Great Mazinger was also pushed up there (Armor +200, Accuracy +15), with the rest of the cash going into the Nagahamas. They’ll likely be next.


As you might expect, the Iczers, Dancouga and R-Daigun are deploying as events. We also have 18 slots to play with, so we adjust accordingly:
Kouichi/Quatre
Daiya/Hilde
Alto/Michel
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Asuka/Atross
Goh/Yanma
Reiji/Anna
Ichitaka/Miu
Ozma/Luca
Voltes/Combattler
Yuu/Heero
Shinn/Yulianne

Off we go to tackle two finales, and also find the best money-making spot in the game.


Mission 35 – The Eternal Soldier

: Captain, we’ve arrived at the open area.
: It’s enormous…
: Something’s not right with this fortress! We should’ve already made it all the way through the whole dang thing looking at how far we’ve travelled to get here!
: It appears the interior of the fortress is far wider than what its outer shell suggested.
: We’ve pinging dimensional anomalies. Most likely they’re employing subspace technology as a way to expand the inner area.

Tweep!

: That voice…! It’s her!
: Really, Nagisa?!
: Help me, Iczer-1…!
: I heard her too, Nagisa…!

Alarm!

: We’ve energy readings dead ahead!
: Deploy all units! Everyone stay on your toes!

: Let’s see what surprises await us…

: I’m impressed that you’ve made it all the way here, LOTUS.
: Iczer-1… Hand Nagisa back to us!
: My dear sister, I’m bursting with joy that I could see you again… As for Nagisa…
: …
: Aah, Nagisa…! Thank goodness you’re safe…!
: They didn’t do anything to you, right?!
: Hold on, I’ll be with you in a moment, Nagisa!

Iczer-1 flies towards her.

: …

BEAM!

: Hrk! Na-Nagisa… why…?
: …
: Oh, where are my manners? My sister, allow me to introduce you to Nagisa Kanou… my partner. Ahahahahaha!
: Huh…?! What the hell?!
: Damn those Cthulhu… They’ve got her under mind control!
: It can’t be…! I heard… The voice I heard was hers, I’m sure…!
: What do you think, Iczer-1? You’d have no qualms with losing your life at her hands, right? End her, Nagisa!
: …

Tweep!

: (I’m sorry, Iczer-1…! I… I can’t stop myself…!)
: (Please… please, attack! Kill me!)
: Nagisa…?!
: Those are… tears?!
: Nagisa’s hurting!
: …
: Iczer-1’s in danger! Cover her!
: Cover her, how…? She’s being attacked by…!
: She’s just a regular girl…!
: (Hurry! If you don’t, I’m really going to kill you…)
: Iczer-2, do you not hear Nagisa’s voice?!
: What…?
: Even if you dominate her, her heart cannot and will not be bound. And, as such, you can never make her your partner.
: …
: … Fine. Then let us both forget about partners… One last duel, just you and me.
: Nagisa, stand back.
: …

: Of course, I cannot have LOTUS intruding upon my long-awaited duel with you… Still, I can provide them with ample entertainment with which to keep busy. Come forth!

: Mimetic Beasts?!
: What’re they doing here…?!
: A few of their cells stuck to Cobalt’s Dilos Theta, and we saw fit to cultivate these. You’d best destroy them all or these monsters will soon start to multiply, no? Ahahaha…!
: I’ll deal with Iczer-2, my friends. Dispatch the Mimetic Beasts – quickly!
: Hmph… You are hardly a worthy match without Nagisa’s help, my sister!
: My power does not come from Nagisa alone! And if you cannot grasp that, then…!

Iczer-1 and 2 fly farther away.


:siren: :siren:

: Nagisa’s still her hostage, though, so we can’t try anything risky. All troops, do NOT engage Iczer-2!
: We believe in you, Iczer-1…! We know you can win this and get Nagisa back!


Mission Objective: Shoot down Iczer-2
Mission Failure: Any allied ship, Iczer-1, Dancouga Nova or R-Daigun destroyed. Any unit other than Iczer-1 attacks Iczer-2.

And you thought we’d seen the last of the Mimetic Beasts. Thankfully, they’re unchanged from our old brawls, so your main concern should be dealing with the small ones to stop them from draining your EN. Curiously, the Regulus Alphas you’ll be fighting in this mission are all of the lesser variety – none have 50k HP, like in the last mission – so they’ll die quickly when focus fired (especially if you tag them with Yulianne).
Regardless, the order of the day here is resource management as you’ll want to conserve your resources in preparation for Moon Wakamoto and BIIiiig Gold.
Slowly build up morale on the mooks before you and start inching your way a wee bit past the center of the room – towards Iczer-2, but not close enough that stray MAPWs will hit Iczer-2, mind! That’s the money spot right there.


Might as well get this started.

: Put down your blade, Iczer-2! There’ll be no victory for you against me!
: Hmph… Are you so worried about Nagisa that you’re spouting nonsense?
: It’s unbecoming of a warrior to proclaim such things in the midst of battle, you know!
: …
: The universe is in a constant vortex of combat. And it is only the victorious that stand as its rulers!
: How can a warrior like you not understand that?
: However, the only battle that should be fought is one to keep said conflict from spreading throughout the universe!
: That is precisely what Iczer-3’s fighting for – as a representative of a new era.
: Don’t make me laugh! You’re a failure as a warrior and defeat at my hands is the end you deserve!
: Let us answer once and for all who is the mightiest, Iczer-1!
: Iczer-2…!


Well… crap. Even at 50% HP upgrades, Iczer-1 is still very much frail if the enemy can get through her evasiveness. Granted, that was a 25% chance to hit, so the RNG obviously didn’t cooperate.

: Urgh…
: Indeed, you are a failure as a warrior. Especially when compared to me…
: Stand up, Iczer-1!
: We all know you’re a way stronger girl than that!

Casts Strike, Iron Wall and Valor!

: …
: …!! Iczer-1… Is that Nagisa’s power…?!
: It’s not… And I’ve told you already: my power does not come from Nagisa alone.
: That’s impossible! You cannot be generating this much power without being synchronized…!
: And it is because you cannot understand this, Iczer-2… that your odds of victory are nil!

So, yeah, despite what the mission failure screen might say, Iczer-1 straight-up CANNOT be killed (at least not by Iczer-2 – I dunno if her getting dropped by a mook is a game over). With that in mind, even if you haven’t upgraded Iczer-1 to 50%, her casting Strike and Valor every time she dies means that, eventually, Iczer-2 will go down, so there’s no pressure there.
We’ll just carry on with the mooks while she handles this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE4BIhPN-YQ
And here’s Athrun’s surfboard attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIuILIKI-Y
Finally, Kira’s strongest non-combined attack.

And that’s all enemies dow—

: Reinforcements.
: This is the Cthulhu HQ, so it’s to be expected that they’d have a near limitless supply of forces.
: But we only need to find and defeat Big Gold and Moon WILL to win this…!
: Something that matter, my sister? If you let this battle drag on, your friends will, sooner or later, get exhausted.
: … Then let’s settle this, Iczer-2.

Nah, not quite. This, right here, is where you make money: unlike other missions, this one really does have a limitless supply of mooks and nearly all of them can be oneshotted with a single Valored MAPW (make sure Iczer-2’s out of the AoE!). If you weaken the bulkier guys before blasting them all, depending on what you can squeeze into the attack range, you’re looking at upwards of 110-130k a pop with Bless cast.
If you REALLY want to abuse this, you can farm until your MAPers and Bless casters run out of SP (and Hope casts), have someone attack Iczer-2 to trigger a game over and do it all over again to rake in big bucks. I’m not doing it, but you can if you’d like to max your favorite guys.


So, excuse me for a bit while I go all Scrooge McDuck on this. One.


Two!


Three!


Four!


Here comes the moneeeeey!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vXjIGpGHhc
Oh, and I finally remembered to get the last of Atross’ attacks on camera.


And done.

: Rrgh…!
: There’s no point in continuing this battle any longer, Iczer-2. This… is the power of the bonds between us – that which is born from our thoughts to one another.
: Hah… in the end, I could not prevail against Nagisa… and I could not prevail against this “power” the humans possess either. Still… I’ll at least prevail against you, sister!
: …
: I was… I was given life solely for that! I am Iczer-2, she who was created to kill Iczer-1!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS_0mdKraBQ
Iczer-2: “My sister… I…!”
Iczer-1: “Iczer-2… you are…” > “It’s time we brought this to an end…!”

: …
: What are you doing…? Kill me… Mother won’t show herself if you do not…
: I’ve no desire to take my younger sister’s life… As for Big Gold, I will hunt and destroy her regardless of my sparing you.
: …
: …
: … You may have Nagisa…
: Ah…! Iczer-1…! Iczer-1!!
: Nagisa…! Oh, Nagisa…!
: My sister… I wish I had a partner like Nagisa…

: There she goes…

: I feel kind of bad for her now…
: Don’t… she fought with all of her might and was ultimately defeated. I don’t think she has any regrets over this.
: Iczer-2… where will you go now…?
: Nagisa, are you injured?
: No, I’m fine. And, more importantly, I’m ready to fight too. Big Gold’s closing in!
: I understand. Iczer… Robo!

: Huh? You brought another Iczer Robo with you, sis?!
: Yes. Gray saw fit to prepare a new one for me and Nagisa to use.
: And, with this, our rescue operation’s a success… all that remains now…
: Is Big Gold and Moon WILL…
: Let’s continue deeper into the fortress. All units, maintain high alert status!
: You don’t need to search for us.
: …!

: Very well done, Iczer-1.
: You as well, organics.
: Big Gold…!
: Moon WILL’s also decided to show his face, huh…!

Looks at Moon WILL.

: And there’s the Original Dancouga that WILL told us about.
: To think it’d be this mighty… This is Nagisa’s power at work…? Or, rather, the power of humans?
: Though I’m now aware of Nagisa’s heritage, this ability to draw power from emotions… it is a mystery I could not quantify. You, however, seem to have made sense of it, Iczer-1.
: Organic life… when presented with the slightest opening, it emerges, begins to reproduce and multiply…
: And, ultimately, it vies for what the other has, and kills one another… It is the only way beings like you know to survive. Pitiful creatures…
: How can these lumps of water and protein, who cannot even control themselves, come to wield such power?
: It is wholly incomprehensible! But this is the horrible truth…
: Are you done monologuing? Because all you’re doing is meddling in our lives! Inorganic life or whatever you are, we sure as hell aren’t gonna sit here and let you kill us on your stupid whims!
: “Meddling? “Whims”? Perhaps, from your limited point of view, that might be a fair assessment.
: HOOoowever! It is fact that you organics, SOooner or LAAaater, will bring war to the galaxy!
: It has happened in this universe! And in the PREEeevious universe! Always! AALWAAYS!! AD INFINITUUUuummm!!!
: And I’ll purge all of humanity, these deeply flawed creatures, before it has a chance to grow and affect the entire GAAaalaxyyyy!
: I’ll admit that you could even point to our world for a ton of examples. We’ve had both wars with foreign civilizations and between ourselves…
: You’re right that competition and disputes are bound to appear whenever there are two groups living in the same place. That said…
: We’re all fighting to try and make real a world where that is not the case!
: Hah, fools… do you honestly think all organics share your ideals…?!
: Then we’ll just fight…and survive!
: Iczer-1… we are each a facet of the universe… each a half of Sir Violet’s spirit…
: If it was her malice that gave me, a machine, flesh, it was her kindness that gave you, an android, a heart.
: Only one of us can be said to truly represent her essence, and the time has come to see which!
: Big Gold… I’ll destroy you!


Big Gold
Pilot Skills:
Ignore Size Difference
Break Morale Limit
Commander L4
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3
Mech Features:
10% HP Regen
30% EN Regen

If Neos Gold was rather simple, Big Gold can be much of a threat. For one, she is VERY dodgy (pairing an SS size with S ranks in relevant terrains and a ton of mobility), so if your guys haven’t enough SP to outright cast Strike, you’ll be looking at not-so-great numbers. When she starts running Prevail, you might as well be ready to save scum. Her stats, as Iczer characters are wont to have, are huge, so she’s also enormously accurate (Confuse!).
Despite her Prevail L9, though, she hasn’t much by way of defenses (plus, Yulianne still works) – if you can connect reliably, you’ll be fine. On the flip side, whoever goes to engage her should absolutely come packing defenses because Big Gold can hit like a TRUCK, especially once her Prevail gets going. If you wanna mitigate that some, have Daiya (or Lee, if you haven’t combined yet) tag her with an Attack Down debuff.

Finally, something to be mindful of is that she has a MAPW that’ll blast everything in in a 3x9 (the width turns to 5 from the middle to the penultimate row) line with some very good accuracy. Thankfully, it takes 130 morale to use it so, unless you’ve a ton of mooks left behind from the start of the mission, she won’t have enough to blast you on approach. If she does, be ready with Daunt/Exhaust casts.
As I said, come packing Strike, Valor and some measure of defenses, and she’ll go down quickly. Don’t, and you’ll be having a hard time.

So now fast forward a couple of turns of getting all my units up top and in position, dangling my ships in Big Gold’s range to make sure she’d take shots at them.
Mind you, on the 2nd enemy turn after the bosses arrive…

: I live.
: What the… Neos Gold?!
: But we beat her before we came in…
: Hmhmhm… while creating her as a proper spawn isn’t as simple, I can easily bring forth Neos Gold as a terminal unit of mine.
: I won’t allow you to sow any more seeds of evil across the universe!
: Stay strong, Iczer-1! I’m here for you!
: This is where we need to whether the storm! We’ve the targets cornered, troops!
: Yes, ma’am!

Yes, you have four Neos Golds as an extra bonus and they’re exact copies of the original. You COULD kill them as well for some extra cash but, frankly, I think that’d mostly drain you of the SP you’d need to kill the main bosses and the payout wouldn’t be worth it.
Let’s carry on and take the boss lady herself!

: I never got this sensation of pure evil from non-Flame stuff before… She feels so much like Proist’s…!
: You’re implying my flesh is similar to you people’s Flame? An intriguing assessment, that.
: And, in that case, I’m gonna have to show you how the power of Gaiking’s Flame matches yours and then some!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmP-KC5hk18
Here’s her best and only non-MAPW attack.


:siren: :siren:

: Big Gold…! This is it for you!
: Wrathful warrior of Earth… were you to fully embrace your hatred, even greater power could be yours. What a waste.
: You can’t let hatred lead you in battle! I learned that throughout all this, and it’s why I’ll put you down!

: A machine with a soul… can I actually win against something like that…?
: No, I have to…! I have to win…!
: Ignorance is a dreadful thing. Many things can serve as vessels for souls… humans aren’t unique in that regard.

: I appreciate you telling us that you’re evil incarnate. Now I can smash you to bits without a gram of regret!
: Have it your way. Good and evil… yin and yang… This confrontation was always inevitable…!

: Iczer-1’s told us a lot about you, but I didn’t think you’d actually be another blob of pure malice…!
: Come and try your vaunted “power of the heart” on me. I find it rather curious.

: A warrior that claims to be an agent of justice? Very well. Try and make me feel the justice you preach.
: All this time, Nagisa was scared. But she still hung in there and kept on fighting.
: So what I want to do now… is just to help her out, even if just a bit!

: Ichitaka, all systems are green! We’re good to go!
: Foolish child… however diligent you may be at your work, it is your fate to be thrown away, just as I was.
: Don’t even start with that! Alice’s like family! We’d never dump her!
: Ichitaka…!
: Come on, Alice! Let’s go and kick her butt – together!

: A machine crowned with the title of God… show me the extent of its powers.
: Gramps said that the Kaiser could surpass even God, destroy even the Devil…!
: And this, right here, is the time to destroy a legit devil!

: How much suffering has your hatred brought to the Cthulhu people?!
: It wasn’t my hatred alone the cause of this. The malice within Sir Violet’s heart also played a major role.
: Maybe… but none of this would’ve happened without you!

: You, of all people, should realize the duality that exists within every being…
: Plus and minus, yin and yang, light and dark… Yeah, I can see your point.
: But all those are still just parts of who I am! Whatever I might hold inside, I can always choose what goes! And that’s what I’ll do right now!

: “Love”… how much power does it grant humans? In what way is it different from the power granted by hatred? Let us find out.
: I don’t need to “find out” anything! Love is the mightiest weapon of all, and I say that with no doubt!

: Sir Violet was a very dutiful leader who always wished for peace…
: And even she could not prevent her heart from being eroded by malice. You, too, cannot escape from that.
: I guess that’s true – it’s just how humans are. Still, we all have friends that’ll support us along the way! So long as they’re here, our hearts will endure!


In case you didn’t believe me when I said she hits like a truck. If you’ll remember, my Voltes is pretty dang upgraded!

: She might look like a little kid but it feels like I’m staring down a giant …!
: My body is malice made flesh… I’d wager what you’re feeling is horror towards the evil you face.

: Big Gold… If you really are pure evil, then I won’t hesitate to kill you…!
: Indeed, my body was born off the malice in Sir Violet’s heart.
: In other words, while people like her – people with malice within – exist, beings like me will always emerge.
: And we’ll also deal with them if they do. That said, my actual goal is to help build a world where nothing like you can ever be born.

: Iczer-3, we have to help Nagisa too!
: Yup! We’ll watch my sis’ back all the way!
: Iczer-3, that sorry excuse for a warrior… You’ve successfully synchronized with Nagisa Kasumi as well? Indeed, the Nagisas’ bloodline is force to be reckoned with.

: Sis, Iczer-3… I swear to you I won’t go down! I’ll win even against Big Gold herself!
: The warrior Neos created… Show me how much your power will avail you.

: Dancouga… that which was created to carry the seeds of all life on Earth into space when the end came for that planet…
: Were a unit capable of autonomous actions like you to drift in space long enough, you’d likely follow in my footsteps…
: Sorry, but you won’t have a chance to find out.
: Because we passed on using the Dancouga to run off with our tails between our legs! The option we took was to stay and fight for our lives!

: Iczer-1… not once did I expect you to have this much power.
: Indeed, our greatest mistake was not finding and eliminating your partner before you awakened.
: Nagisa… we’re going. Now we avenge your parents!
: Right… we will win this, Iczer-1…!


Iczer-1: “Nagisa!”
Nagisa: “Big Gold! We’ll destroy you and bring all this to a close!”

: It is useless… My body is malice incarnate. It’s beyond you to eradicate me.
: … I understand. And if we cannot do that… then we have but to seal you away.
: Seal her away…?
: But we used Sakahoko getting rid of Himika! How’re we gonna do that?!
: As Big Gold herself said, mine and her soul are two halves of the same thing…
: So it should be possible to seal Big Gold’s malice within me…
: Hold on, Iczer-1! What’ll happen to you if you do that?!
: Don’t worry, Nagisa. That which was once brought apart will be made whole again… that’s all this will be.
: … You better make it back to us, alright? You can’t just leave your partner behind.
: Of course. I will return…

Iczer-1 gets out the Iczer Robo

: We’re going, Nagisa…! Synchronize yourself with me…!
: Okay. Take everything I have! So, please, Iczer-1…
: … Win. Please win…!
: Absolutely…! I promise!

: And so you come… Die, Iczer-1!!


:siren: :siren:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6G9ppPJ-9o
“Big Gold… I now draw upon Nagisa’s power and seal your evil away!”
“To battle! Synchro!”
“Behold the strength of the bond between Nagisa and I!”
“And with this… you’re through!”

: Th-That’s…?! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

: …
: Sis…?
: … Victory is ours, Iczer-3. Big Gold is now a part of me.
: Then…!
: Hm. Thanks to you, I now have a human heart as well… a heart that holds both good and evil, just like yours…
: I’ve fulfilled my promise, Nagisa.
: Yes, you did…! I love you, Iczer-1!

: Both good and evil, huh…? Then being a perfect Champion of Justice really is just a crazy dream, I guess…
: But striving to be a Champion of Justice is never without merit. You simply cannot allow the darkness within to prevail, Kouichi.
: If you can acknowledge your deficiencies and not allow those to push you into despair, then it is not impossible for you to become a Champion of Justice.
: That’s right… everyone is weak – that is to say, they are human.
: That is why we can never give up hope, why we must never stop striving onwards.
: WROOOoonnng!
: !!
: THAT IS WHYYyyy we, the WILLs, must eradicate the lot of YOOoouuu! You, feeble creatures who yield to their own weakness! You, the ROOoot of conflict!
: Shut your trap…!
: WHAAaaat…?
: I said shut your trap! I don’t give a damn how OH-SO-AMAZING you are, or for how long a hunk of tech like you has been watching creatures like us…
: If you can’t listen to a single boy’s worries for even a second, then you’re a crap observer and a busted machine!
: Charge forward, Team D! You and LOTUS!
: Let’s go wild!

[i]And I reckon this is good for today. The rest of this mission will should go up on the weekend.

Oh, and if you decided to ignore the warnings and actually have someone attack Iczer-2:[/i]

: Tch, you blasted humans… you’ll intrude upon our duel…?!

After your attack…

: So you’ll resort to such dishonorable tricks, my sister…?
: No, Iczer-2! That’s—!
: Nagisa’s power is truly impressive… but alas. LOTUS, sister, I’ll rain the greatest of sorrows unto you for this.
: Nagisa, end your life.
: …

Beam!

: Th-That’s… a lie, right…?
: N-No…
: Nagisa… NAGISAAAAAA!!

So don’t do it!

Watching Wufei and Kouichi blather on about TRUE JUSTICE never gets old.

Click to see the mission!

Welcome back, folks, and it’s time to wrap up this long mission. FYI, before we start, I managed to get the BGMs from the previous update on tindeck:


Original Dancouga (Moon WILL)
Pilot Skills:
Break Morale Limit
Commander L4
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3
Unit Features:
10% HP Regen
30% EN Regen

Pretty much the same as Big Gold, Moon WILL is just as good as her, only bulkier and with a more melee focus. Good news is that his strongest attack is only point-blank range, so that makes things simpler. On the flip side, his DanZankuuga comes in single-target and MAPW flavors, the latter having the same AoE as Kira’s – watch it, or else.
Big Gold’s death has made all Dilos Thetas vanish, so there’re only his Regulus Alphas around running interference. Keep an eye on Moon WILL’s range and let him close in before you swarm. If you’re running low of EN, feel free to spend a turn parking your guys inside a ship and giving them a lift closer.
Provided your troops aren’t COMPLETELY spent, you’re pretty much on the home stretch now. Do try to keep your guys protected because, like Big Gold, Moon WILL can hurt when his Prevail gets going, and losing your guys at the home stretch would be disgraceful.

So insert here me slapping three Regulus Alphas silly, and off we go!

: Humans managed to overcome even the Insania Virus and continue to multiply… Like a SWAAAaarm of locusts infesting Earth!
: All everyone’s been doing is fighting for their lives, and we’re sure as hell not letting you put an end to all that!

: I take it your home universe has seen its fair share of interstellar conflicts.
: Such is where all organics are inevitably drawn to! It is that which I dread: WAAAAR! A war that encompasses the GAAaalaxyyy!
: But we were still able to make peace with the Boazans and befriend the Zentradi!
: If you figure you’re justified because of what you’ve experienced, then that goes both ways! And so we’ll end you and make our peace a reality!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W25qrq1X61E
Quick showcase of Moon Wakamoto’s tricks.

: You struck down the Chairman of the PLANTs, he who was once an ally, over something as paltry as a difference of opinions! I saw it all UNFOOoold!
: It’s this INNnncapatiyyy to maintain lasting cooperation that’s your biggest FLAAaaw. It is proof of your folly!
: Maybe, but we also have enough intelligence to try and avoid conflict. We’re nowhere as stupid as you take us for!
: Come on, Moon WILL. I, Tetsuya Tsurugi, will enlighten you on the depths of humans!

: NONE OF THIS NEEDED TO HAPPEN! You organics only had to know your place!
: But even in this universe, you’re already SPREEAaading across the galaxyyy… It is only a matter of time before war BEGIIiiinnss!!
: And that’s all the reason you need to kill every single living thing?!
: Well, Kouji Kabuto ain’t putting up with your extermination! Buckle up, ‘cause this is gonna hurt!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuhpVeXU0SA
And his best attack! BRRUUAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!


:siren: :siren:

: The OOoonnly future that awaits you lumps of water and protein is death and DESTRUCTIOOoonnn!
: AAaannnd! If that is the case, I’ll eradicate you before your poison sickens the galaxy as WEEeeelll!
: You don’t get to decide what our destiny is! There’s so much more to humans that just our bad side!

: All organic life is bound to turn evil… such is the AAAaabsolute truth of this universe! And, thus, it falls on me to bring death – DEATH TO ALL OF THEEeemmm!!
: You’re wrong! Evil, good, and more are all are born from the same thing: the soul!
: That’s what makes life so magnificent, and why I’ll stand with Nagisa in Earth’s defense!
: Go for it, Iczer-1! I’m there with you!

: Surrender and accept your death…! Do it, and all will return to nothing…
: Listen here, you. We’re finally seeing the light at the end of this tunnel and you think you can just crawl out the woodwork, yelling that we all gotta die because we’re “FOOOoools”? How the hell do you figure I’d be OK with that?
: It is the folly of organics that beckons wars… No more REEeeaasons are necessary!
: This talk about “organics” isn’t really my forte, but I do know that Alice’s got an organic AI and I really don’t think there’s any problem with that!
: All this time she’s learned and grown… no different from what anyone else can do! Humans might be stupid, but that doesn’t mean we stay stupid forever!

: You FOOoolish humans will never stop warring… It is part of your nature! Coded into your DEEE EHNNN AAAAAY!
: You might be right to say we’re foolish… but all of us are capable of changing for the better!
: And so long as that possibility exists, I’ll never give in!

: To make that unit a vessel for one’s hopes is such idiocy, I cannot even put it to words. Indeed, the ultimate fate of organic life… is DESTRUCTIOooonnn!
: No one here is about to let you play judge, jury and executioner with our lives. Moon WILL… I’ll destroy you.


“Target IDed: Original Dancouga.”

: Given the chaaannnce, an impetuous being like you could well become a force of destructiooonnn… And, so, it falls on me to nip it AAAT THE BUUuuud!
: Why won’t you even try talking to us?! How about you stop trying to destroy us preemptively and, instead, help us rid this world of war?!
: Don’t even try it, Nagisa…! This guy’s just like Neos: punches are the only thing they understand!

: I’ll be the first to admit that I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I can tell that a whole lot stinks about your logic!
: You…! You are a relative of TAAAaaakeruuuuu!
: Blast you, Eaaaarth WIIIIiiiiLL… If you hadn’t ignored Takeru and his kind’s arrival on Earth and instead destroyed them, the flames of war wouldn’t have been stoked SOOooo!!

: I’ll clean all OOoorganic LIIiife! Earth must be purged, or it’ll mean GALACTIC RUUuiinnn!!
: So if we’re beaten here, it’d be the same as letting the Third Impact happen… I’m not having it! No way!

: In the past, the people of your world awakened a surveillance unit left behind by an ancient civilization…
: That civilization was the Protoculture… and the fact that humanity awakened their unit is undeniable proof of its FOOoolishness! (Check Macross Zero.)
: We’re not as irredeemable as you’re suggesting! Even back in our world, we managed to bridge the gap between us and the Zentradi with song!
: I’m sure different species can all learn to coexist in one place without killing each other!

: Even the DAAaariannn people turned to invading another in the name of their own NEEeeeds!
: Your people will do the same in due time! You are SELFISH! AAAVARIIICIOUS! My eyes see the truth!
: Yeah, they tried to invade us for a while but, after it was all said and done, we all chose to coexist! What you’re doing is called cherry-picking and I’m not taking it!

: So you wish to fight me, FOOoolish organiiiiic!
: No one here “wishes” to fight anything! But we’re Champions of Justice, so we can’t just look the other way when someone’s trying to take the lives of others!

: You’ve recovered from the Rabid Syndrome… that is in DIIiirect opposition to NAAaatureee!
: You’ve overcome that which was your due via brute strength! You’ve long-since shown yourself as a destrooooyyeer of the natural order! LAAaaay down your weapons and welcome DEEEAATH! DOOOO IIIIT!
: You’re wrong! All this proves is that human ingenuity is capable of overcoming anything, not matter how difficult it is!
: And it’s with that strength we have that we’ll find peace with each other!

: Warriors of God, humans, beasts… the distinction matters not! I’ll eradicate all organics!
: Creatures who should not exist in this world… Uuunnnwanted beings… That is what you Aaaare!!
: There’s no such thing as an unwanted life! If it was born, it’s because someone wanted it!
: Your sophistry is the mark of a FOOOoool – accept it! Consider the underlying order of this universe, and you will know JUUusstice lies with the WIIIiiiLLs!
: Someone who’d do away with the future of children, who’d made them cry, doesn’t get to say he’s on the side of justice!

: I trust that my units’ regenerative abilities haven’t slipped your minds…
: Argh, why is it always that?!
: So what his regen is strong! All that means is we gotta hit him harder than it can keep up with, right?!

: Alright, ready the Final Dankuuhou!
: Tannhäuser, standby!
: TAKE HIM DOWN!!

: Do you still not see that it is UUuuselessss?! Of course, your unbridled attachment to life is HAAaardly surpriiiising…!
: How… How’s he alive after eating all those?!
: Do you have anything, Yamashita?!
: Yeah, and it’s not good! We don’t have enough firepower to overwhelm the Original Dancouga…!
: Like hell we don’t! We’re gonna try again and make it work!
: He’s right! We just gotta attack in sequence, or change our approach a bit, or…!
: … And it will still not be enough.
: What… then there really isn’t anything we can do?!
: Kch…
: No way… I refuse to accept that!
: Right. We’re not taking that answer! We can’t die here… this isn’t the end any of us want for our lives!
: … There might be something we could try.
: Really?!
: They’re probably right that we cannot defeat the Original Dancouga with external attacks.
: However, if we use all of the Dragon’s Hive energy to propel the Dancouga and strike at Moon WILL himself inside the unit…!
!! But that’s…!
: Yes, a suicide attack is about the only way to describe it. It may well cost the pilots’ their lives.
: Absolutely not; that plan is crazy! What’s the point of this if we don’t all make it back?!

: … Then we just have to make sure we all do make it back in one piece. We’re going for it.
: Aoi…?
: We don’t want to die here, so we just have to make sure we survive! It’s as simple as that!
: I’m counting on you, Eida…
: … Yes, ma’am. I confess that I’m also far from having sung my last, or enjoyed all that life has to offer…
: And, Tanaka, we’re hoping for some hazard pay once this is done.
: I’ll see what I can do. That’ll require making some additions to your contracts, of course, so I must ask that you all return safely.
: If we actually pull this off… I guess I’ll put in a call to my old man once this is over…
: All preparations are complete. We’re ready to go on your order, Aoi!

: That’s… wait…!
: We’ll set you free from this mission of yours!
: Stop! You’ll die as well!!
: Dancouga Max God! FLYYYYYYYY!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdcQP7xMwGc
Aoi: “Time to close the book on this!” > “F.S.!”
F.S.: “We’re placing everything in your hands!”
Aoi: “Let’s go wild!”
F.S. “Dragon’s Hive, discharge all stored energy!”
Johnny: “Hang tight! We’ll use the kick of the de-combination to launch the Nova Eagle!
Eida: “Aoi!”
Kurara: “Aoi!”
Sakuya: “Kick his ass!”
Aoi: “Yeah, I’ll put him down! Promise!” > “It’s OVER!!”
Moon WILL: This… This CANNOT BEEEEEEEEEeeeeeee!
Aoi: “Transcendent Beast Combination!!” > “Dancouga! MAX GOD!!”

: UUURRRUUAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGH!!

: We… we did it!
: Yes! They’re all safe! No signs of Moon WILL!
: Farewell… Moon WILL…

: All enemy units confirmed destroyed!
: No other troops detected either!
: Then…
: Victory is ours!
: Gil… you helped pave the way for this future, and it is now safe…
: Thank you so much, my friends…
: Thank you, Nagisa! Why don’t you go back to the Macross and get some rest?
: Okay. You hurry on over too, alright?

: Whew… I’m seriously beat after all that. I could really go for a massage right about now.
: Fret not, for I have procured several special massage chairs for all of you. Enjoy them to your heart’s content, please.
: This better not be another prank, or I swear!
: …… O-Of course it isn’t!
: Hey, why’d you take so long to answer, huh? You were up to something, weren’t you!
: … Reiji, would you mind letting me shoot him this time?
: Be my guest.
: N-Now wait just a minute! You’d actually kill me if you did that now!
: Reap what you sow, Mr. Ishigami. Reap what you sow.
: Ahahaha…

: Very well done, all of you… Let us leave this fortress. There’s no telling what might happen while its systems are powering down.
: You’re right. All LOTUS ships, prepared to leave the Cthulhu For—
: I will not allow it…!
: Hrm?!

: I am reborn…!
: Whaaaat?!
: Neos Gold… How?! All of Big Gold’s terminal units disappeared when we beat her…!
: Once more you underestimate me…! I am my mother’s spawn, wholly incomparable to mere terminal units…!
: But you’re still all beat up! How do you figure you can win like that?
: I do not. But I’ll make sure the lot of you’ll meet your end here.
: The hell are you on about? We’ll just walk all over you and make our way out anyway!
: Hmhmhm… You don’t understand, I see. Where do you think I’m drawing the energy I used to revive?
: You don’t mean…!
: Blah, what do I care?! I’ll just take you down again!
: Iczer-3, stop! We can’t destroy her here!
: Huh…?! What’d you mean?!

Beep, beep, beep!

: These readings are…! It’s the energy of the Moon itself! That’s what’s reviving Neos Gold!
: Her tentacles are reaching all the way to the core of the Moon…?!
: Does that mean…!
: If we destroy her, we destroy the Moon as well… and with how close the Earth is…!
: Oh, no…!
: Hohohoho…. What a shame, no? Kill me and you kill yourselves, Don’t kill me, and you’ll die regardless. We’ll all perish together with this fortress, Iczers!
: Gaah, of all the dirty tricks…!
: Isn’t there anything we can do, Iczer-1?!
: … There’s only one thing I can think of. Iczer-3, I’ll need you help!
: What do you got?!
: The only way for us to safely destroy Neos is to separate her from the Moon and sever her connection. We’ll have to pool of strength together to do that!
: Okay, sis!

: Good luck, Iczer-1, Iczer-3…!
: Hohohoho… you’re wasting your time!

: Urgh!
: Damn it…! And we can’t even attack her right!
: What’s the matter, Iczers? Weren’t you going to separate me from the moon?
: Hrk…! We’re not strong enough…!
: This is my fault….! You spent too much of your energy saving me…!
: Don’t blame yourself, Atross…! We just gotta work hard enough…!
: Stay strong, Iczer-1…!
: Iczer-3…!

RUUUUUMBLE!

: Ahahahahahaha…! DIIIEEE!!

Beam!

: What?!

: …
: Iczer-2?!
: She’s gonna bug us again now?!
: Hold on, she just attacked Neos! That’s not right for someone looking to make a mess of things, no?
: …
: Curse you, Iczer-2! You’ll also defy me, Big Gold’s spawn?!
: … My mother is dead. And I’ve grown tired of your foul tactics!

: Iczer-2… you’d lend us your help?

Iczer-2 turns friendly!

: I could not prevail against you, my sister… or against the powers of Nagisa and the humans…
: Then I’ll unearth, with my own two eyes, the truth of this strength that comes from the bonds between people…!
: Call me impudent if you wish, but I’d like to come with you, my sister…!
: Hmph… Looks like she reached the same answer I did.
: Thank you, Iczer-2…!

: With all our strength united, we should be able to bring Neos away from the Moon…! Come! We’ll attack in tandem!
: Ready!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgy2mRKd7WE
Iczer-1: “We’ll combine all our might and separate Neos from the Moon!”
Iczer-3: “Ookay, sis!”
Iczer-2: “I’ll lead the attack!”
Iczer3: “Whah?! Hey, hold up!”
Iczer-1: “We must go as well, Iczer-3!”
Iczer-3: “Aah, not you too, sis!”
Iczer-2: “Come, Neos Gold!”
Iczer-3: “There she goes again… Sis?!” > “Don’t leave me back here, siiiis!”
Iczer-2: “Here’s the first blow!”
Iczer-1: “Follow it up, Iczer-3!”
Iczer-3: “Neos… we’ll destroy you once and for all! Taaaaah!”
Iczer-1: “Focus your minds, you two!”
Iczer-3: “This is it! ICZER BOOOOOOOOMB!”
Neos Gold: “Damn you all to Hell, IIICZEEEEERS!!

: Now! All units, retreat!

: Captain, we’ve successfully evacuated from the Cthulhu Fortress!
: Hm… Now it is truly over.

: People of Earth…
: Who are you…?
: I am Sister Gray, the one who left the Cthulhu with Iczer-1.
: I see…
: Gray, our battle with Big Gold is finally over. But…
: I know, Iczer-1. You still have other battles to fight, yes?
: Yes… This beautiful planet is still under threat by other invaders.
: I thought you’d say that. I’ll look after the Cthulhu civilians still asleep within the fortress, so you are free to go.
: I just ask that you all return safely… including your sisters, Atross and Iczer-2.
: …! Ms. Gray…!
: Sister Gray… I am not an android the Cthulhu wished to be born…
: But if you were born of Big Gold, that means you are also one of Sir Violet’s daughters. In other words, you are one of us.
: Furthermore, weren’t you, yourself, who said you were Iczer-1’s younger sister?
: …
: Hey, Gray! I worked really hard over here!
: Yes, I saw it all. You’ve grown into a fine warrior, Iczer-3.
: Sister Gray, is it truly fine for us to ask of you to deal with the fortress?
: Of course. We don’t want to cause any more troubles to the people of Earth. Allow me to help with at least this, please.

Beep, beep.

: We’ve an incoming call from the Shangri-La.
: Shangri-La…? Does that mean Central’s up to something…?


At the Flag’s bridge, Katou sends us a video feed that our folks quickly recognize as their hometown, Misaki. The local populace is staring up into the sky and they’re looking mighty worried – understandable, as Katou orders the camera turned up.
The entire sky is red, and it is no sunset. This aurora-like phenomenon is happening across the globe, and it was all but surely caused by the appearance of a large space-time anomaly in satellite orbit.
Now, Isabelle Cronkite is currently relaying news of our exploits to give the people some hope and, thanks to that, panic is being kept at a minimum. That won’t last forever, Heine and Daiya know, so we better do something about this and quick.

Misato remembers that Katou told us his plan was to leave Central’s invading forces stranded between the dimensions, and it clearly looks like it’s time to put that into practice. What do we do?
In essence, he wants Kouichi, now that he’s awakened the Linebarrel, to use the Executor to rend both the Hub Dynamo and the interdimensional corridor it’s creating, trapping Central’s forces in the space between their dimension and ours. This operation will go by the name of Termino Clementia.

God I love Absolute Nova Beast. Its L animation is good, but UX’s update to it was fucking perfect, it’s one of UX’s best.

The Iczer Combination, however, is just beautiful. Iczer 3’s reactions are amazing and I am glad they were animated that way.

But oh boy, here we go, Linebarrel Anime finale on the horizon. Batten down the hatches, the shitshow is almost upon us for one last wave of bull.

Click to see the mission!


Here we are again, fresh of clearing out two problems in one go and… you may have noticed a change here. Courtesy of my farming last mission, Rey has followed in Renton and Masato’s footsteps, and my go-to “fuck this” MAPWer is once again the top ace.
His massive kill count came with a huge cash boost, giving us a sweet 630k-ish bucks (could’ve been even more, even). Considering how enemy-heavy the final missions usually are, and my trigger-happy personality, Ichitaka and Daiya will have a hard time catching up, even with their AI magnetism.


And I put that money to very good use, boosting Iczer-2 (Crit +20, Armor +150, Range +1), Combattler (HP +1500, 1000 Barrier) and Voltes (HP +1500, Armor +150) up to 50%. Whatever cash was left was used to buff up our secondary Machinas a bit more, as well as our main ships and Luca.


Kouichi’s deploying as an event unit, and we’ve 21 slots available, so here’s how we’re going:
Dancouga/Hilde
Daiya/Quatre
Alto/Michel
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Iczer-3/Atross
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Iczer-1/Iczer-2
Ichitaka/Miu
Voltes/Combattler
Yuu/Heero
Shinn/Yulianne
Yajima/Yamashita
Reiji/Ken

Off we go.


We open up at the Flag, with our people pondering the upcoming Operation Termino Clementia. Wufei’s expecting a very tough fight as, while Katou kept an eye on Masaki, the guy and his fellows HAVE been preparing for this invasion for 20 years. Not like that makes defeat an option, of course.
Shinn and Aoi agree there: Durandal and WILL took a chance on us and entrusted the future to our care, so we have to pull this off. Especially considering the pain it was to take out Moon WILL. Furthermore, as Daiya knows, Earth is home even to the Darius people – our defeat here might well mean they’ll get turned into Machina-Humans, too.
At the very least, Zechs point out that as big as this battle might get, we “just” need to get the Linebarrel to the designated spot and victory will be ours. At least that helps ease Kenji’s mind a bit.

With the whole battle riding on Kouichi’s shoulders, Quatre wonders if he’s feeling alright. “Don’t you worry, Quatre. All I gotta do is get to the target area and chop the whole thing down with my superpowers, right? Hahaha… Yeah, I’m good… totally good. Hahahahah…”
Yeah, he’s nervous as hell – that’s really not like him, Shizuna notes. Of course, it’s also understandable to Nagisa, as the recent string of showdowns is bound to stress anyone out. Speaking of Nagisa, Alice wonders if she really should be getting ready to fight. Well, the exams didn’t show anything wrong with her, and Nagisa feels fine, so she won’t shy away from this.

: Kouichi, I’d like to sortie with you in today’s battle.
: Say what?! You know I’m heading out smack-dab in the middle of that battlefield, right? It’s crazy dangerous for you to come with!
: Besides, don’t you have your work as an Operator here?
: But I’m also a Factor of the Linebarrel. Having the two of us aboard could well increase our chances of success.
: M-Maybe, but…!
: I… I want to help protect this world you and our friends call home…
: Not because of my father, or my brother… but because it’s what I want to do…
: Emi… Alright, we’ll do this together. And don’t you worry about a thing – I’ll be there to make sure you get through this without a scratch!
: Thanks, Kouichi…
: (Kouichi… Emi…)
: Such a warm aura emanates from those two… So that is the bond that exists between humans…?
: That’s right… and it is what makes them strong, regardless of the rift between their original worlds.
: The strength that comes from those bonds, hm…
: Hey, you’ve got something that’s just as strong, no? The bond between you sisters, that is.
: Oh, I wonder…
: Psh, you’re way too clammed up, sis.

: Sorry… I know we’ve a major battle right around the corner, but…
: No, it’s no problem at all. What did you want to talk about?
: Um, well… I just want you to promise that you’ll come back safe – you and Kouichi, together…
: Even if we won this battle, if we lost you along the way, it’d just kill Kouichi inside… and then…
: Miu… why are you…
: Because I love you both… and I’d much rather see you two laughing together than being sad over losing the other.
: Miu…
: … Okay. But it won’t just be the two of us making it back together – we’ll all do so.
: Alright. It’s a promise!


Mission 36 – In The Name of Justice

: The Flag has successfully docked within the Shangri-La!
: Wooow, those two ships combined.
: Well, the Flag was, originally, a part of this ship before I made off with it.
: I appreciate the assistance over here, Ishigami, but shouldn’t you be aboard the Flag?
: Oh, my employees are all exceptionally capable. It’ll be fine… Besides, worst comes to worst…
: …
: (Brother…)
: You sure about this, Emi? You’re not gonna say anything to Katou before the battle starts…?
: Y-Yes… Our focus right now should on be putting an end to this battle as quickly as possible.
: Truth be told, in my head, I understand why he did what he did… there was no other option back then… But, still…
: Emi…

Alarm!

: We’re detecting a large gravitational anomaly within the interdimensional corridor!
: Estimated numbers of the first enemy wave… approximately 600000 units!
: Our visitors from the other side are finally turning up…

: The enemy vanguard has entered the AO!
: C-Captain, the enemy’s too numerous…!
: Calm down, Arthur, lest we affect troop morale.
: We took a vow to Chairman Durandal that we’d bring peace to the Earth Sphere… we must make it so, whatever the cost.
: Humans, your opposition is wholly pointless. Relinquish your all to Central.
: What the… that guy’s sounding so much more mechanical than during our last fight.
: I’d wager that opening that passageway to the other side has re-established his link to the Central mainframe. In other words, he is Central itself…
: It’s not just him. Central’s their collective consciousness, so it could be said that even the solders are it as well.
: So all enemies share a single mind… Well, they’re gonna have us beat in coordination, that’s for damn sure.
: That said, the bonds between us are no mere connection…! Whatever the enemy that emerges, we’ll be victorious!
: Correct. Now is the time for all of you to manifest the massive potential within every human!

Charging!

: Switch all Sphere circuits to bypass connections. Reverse all spatial burrowing waves – level E.
: Deploy the Wall of Shangri-La. Maximum output!

: A shield covering the entire planet… The Spheres also had that functionality all along?
: So they’re not just a way to poke a hole through the dimensions, but also a defense system…
: What, so they kept their best trick tucked away ‘til the very last second?!
: That’s just the kind of man he is.
: You’ve all been briefed on what to do, folks! First step is breaking into Point Helios; afterwards, the Linebarrel will use the Executor to destroy the interdimensional corridor and trap all enemy forces inbetween the dimensions!
: The fate of the entire planet is riding on this operation… Good luck and godspeed, everyone…!
: The Dragon’s Hive and Shangri-La will now reposition to intercept any new enemies that emerge from the corridor.
: Meanwhile, you can all go and give this mission your undivided attention.

: … There they go.
: Their group’s probably gonna have a hard time too. Shouldn’t we split up our forces more?
: Don’t worry about it. We just need to take care of this in a hurry and we’ll all be back home by dinnertime!
: Watch it, kid. Your Linebarrel’s the crux of this whole operation, so don’t do anything crazy!
: There’ll be a lot of fire headed your way, so we’ll do whatever we can to cover your advance!
: I got it, I got it. Thanks for the assist, guys.
: Then you’re all cleared to engage! Initiate Operation Termino Clementia!


Destroy the Glain-Neidr without losing a ship or Kouichi. Our previous bout with the MP Machinas didn’t show them in a very good light, but you’ll notice that, in big numbers, these guys can be deadly.
As before, they have a good deal of accuracy and enough skill to parry more attacks than you’d expect mooks to be able to pull off. Between them ganging up on folks, and the Strike Valleys potentially debuffing someone’s armor, your guys might just get caught in a wombo-combo (especially your ships).
Aside from a few Reeves, all enemies here have 10k+ HP, so it’ll take a bit of morale to get them dying reliably – as such, I’d recommend popping a Confuse cast or two while you advance through the first wave, just to give you some leeway. Once your morale’s good, however, they’re easily twoshotted.

As always, prioritize getting rid of the Strike Valleys, be mindful of Masaki’s MAPW, and despite his silence, note that Kiriyama’s also here. 31k HP is absolutely nothing at this point, though: a valored Double Burning Fire or Soul’d Steel God Jeeg will probably oneshot him.
Get him off your hair quick to avoid someone getting Nerve Crack’d and losing morale. After that’s done, just spread out, kill everything that’s still alive, and converge on Masaki.

Right when turn 2 hits…

: The MP Machinas are headed for Earth…!
: It’s fine! They shouldn’t be able to get through the Wall of Shangri-La!
: Hisataka Katou… your actions fall well within Central’s predictions.

Alarm!

: The energy flow from the Hub Fountain… it’s gone! The Wall of Shangri-La’s fading…!


x2

: Not good, they got down to Earth!
: If we don’t do something, and fast, everyone in the world will…!
: We’ve no other choice now, Col. Katsuragi…! We’ll have to split our forces—
: There’s no need for that…!
: Knight…?!

At New York…

Gunfight!

: We’ve got people all around the world fighting to keep Earth out of Central’s hands!
: We won’t let anyone trash what Moukaku tried so hard to protect…!
: Eris, Shukuyu…!

Yokosuka…

Beam!

: I’m only still alive because of you folks… and I’ll be putting that life to use defending everyone who lives in this world!
: Right. You leave Earth to us…!
: Gramps…! And the Katou Organization’s there too!

Cairo…

: Forward, Iron Beasts! We won’t let them blanket Earth in darkness!
: Lulu, your group has a job to see through. Keep your eyes set on it…!
: Father…!

Paris…

Explosions!

In order, these are: Yajin, Rob and Candy.

: The main gun’s down! Sub-Engine’s still operational, but…!
: Well, what now? Do we try ramming them or something?
: I suppose that’s all that’s left. We’ve to defend the civilians even if it means crashing the Queen Fuji right onto their heads!
: Easy, there! The Queen Fuji’s our shining star!
: Yeah, we can’t have you go down that easy! Let us handle this front!
: They’re all fighting… together…!
: (Do you see this, Gil…?)

Back to us!

: Col. Katsuragi, this is…!
: I know. We’ll stick to our original plan and focus on destroying the interdimensional corridor!
: Take care of Earth for us, folks…!
: Incomprehensible… Humans who haven’t undergone Machina conversion should be incapable of achieving such a unified will.
: This might go way over your head, but the human will ain’t something you force to come together!
: Every single person is capable of overcoming their differences, embracing one another and conveying what lies in their heart…
: Those are the bonds we share with one another!
: “Bonds”…?
: Hell, yeah! And I’ll show you the power that comes from those bonds! Get over here, Glain-Neidr!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnYTykteSZY
I don’t think I ever got Iczer-2’s sword on tape? Better late than never!


I’m a little BUSY here, Masaki!

: We’ve already finished our analysis of Darian technology. Not even Gaiking the Great could stand up to all 600000 of Central’s forces.
: Unite the 47 souls aboard the Daiku Maryu all you like, it’ll still be impossible to compensate for that difference.
: You’re right that having 600k goons just as your first wave is straight-up insane.
: But you’ve got the totally wrong idea about this. See, it’s never about numbers when you’re talking about souls working together.
: And, FYI, the Daiku Maryu has forty-eight crewmembers after Naoto joined!

: It’s useless to try. Nothing you do will work on the Glain-Neidr.
: He’s immune to our attacks…?!
: I bet he’s using some sorta trick on us…!
: It’s… a barrier! They’ve deployed a barrier all around Point Helios, with the Glain-Neidr standing squarely within it…!
: Are they using the energy from the Wall of Shangri-La…?!
: Give it to us straight, eggheads! Are none of our weapons gonna fly with him?!
: There must be a way around this! We’ll try and figure something out; in the meantime, you guys’ll just have to hang in there!
: Alright, but please make it quick, Rachel!


Nothing’s ever simple. Our objective now is to destroy everything but the Glain-Neidr, so just make sure you don’t get too close to give Masaki a chance to MAPW. He won’t move outside Point Helios, of course.

: I’ll destroy any enemies of justice! Righteousness is with me! I AM JUSTICE GIVEN FLESH! And I dedicate that justice to Reiji!


Excellent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyIpAZWMIqM
Yes,Iczer-2 still has Iczer-Σ, only now we can finally see its DK!


Bam, that’s one problem down.

: This isn’t over…! I won’t stop until the whole world has accepted our justice…!
: Eiji… It’s because of how I used to be that you ended up as twisted as this…! The least I can do is put you out of your misery…
: Reiji… why are you against me…?! I told you, I’m just trying to help y—!
: Hrgh…?! GWAAAAAAAAH!
: Wh-What?!
: His D-S.O.I.L. rate’s at 500%! The regeneration mechanism’s out of control!
: Reiji… I’m your only true… friend…

: Did his memories come back in those last moments…?
: Forgive me, Eiji…
: His conversion into a Machina should’ve been complete. Incomprehensible.

I wanted to have Reiji get that kill but I ran out of patience and Kiriyama was dropping people’s morale. Oh, well.

Only a handful of mooks left, and those are easily dispatched.

: You still haven’t found a way to break his barrier yet…?!
: Apologies. Just give us a bit more—

: Enemy reinforcements spotted!
: We really are at a huge numerical disadvantage…
: Oh, no…! We’re getting reports of new groups of Machinas descending at cities throughout the world!
: Damn it, are our defenses busted…?!
: And we’ve no idea how many forces they actually have… We can handle things for now, but eventually…
: This is hardly any cause for your sniveling! However grueling a battle may be, steel your spirit and fight while any life remains…!
: Ken…

: …
: Huh… The Shangri-La?
: What’s going on, Hisataka?!
: Ms. Ogawa, I’m transferring all of our staff to the Flag.
: Sir…?!
: … See ya.

: Mr. President, what are you up to that you’d abandon Earth’s defensive lines to fend for themselves…?
: My friends of LOTUS! The Shangri-La will now crash into Glain-Neidr and destroy its barrier!
: Are you serious, pops…?!
: Beggars can’t be choosers. All that matters is making sure this world endures.
: Damn… Is that really the only way…?!
: … Let’s go, Ms. Ogawa…
: But…
: We can’t let the President and the Shangri-La crew’s resolve be for naught…
: … Understood…

: Wait, please… What the hell kind of plan is this…?! We’re supposed to survive by sacrificing our friends…?! That plan sucks! I… I…!!
: Kouichi….
: Your noble spirit is simply dazzling to adults like us.
: Huh…?
: And that nobility may well wind up wounding you in the future…
: But it is also that nobility that’s slowly changing the hearts of everyone it touched… It is the single tie that binds all those hearts together…
: So whatever may happen, I want you to always stay as you are… Such is our sincere plea.
: You…
: Emi… I am sorry…
: Huh…?
: We’ll carve open the path for you, Champions of Justice. The rest, we leave in your capable hands.
: Shangri-La, full speed ahead!

The Shangri-La blasts towards the Glain-Neidr.

: BROTHER…!

: The barrier’s gone… That said, LOTUS’ forces have now diminished.
: Ishigami… Katou…
: Hayase, we can’t waste the opportunity they spent their lives to give us…!
: Yeah… I know… Watch over us, you two…!

FYI, the MP Machinas will be spawning infinitely now, so you can use this opportunity to farm some more cash. They’re not as bunched up as the Cthulhu and Mimetic Beasts in the past mission, but you can still set Rey to camp on one spawn, Kira by the other, and go to town.
My farm’s permanently closed for the rest of the game, though, because I don’t wanna abuse things (too much)! So we’ll deal with Masaki and if the Machinas get too close, we’ll have Rey nuke them and carry on.

: The Voltes V… it is a treasure trove of lost technology. Indeed, it could well be a key component in bolstering our world’s defense.
: The world you’re trying to create isn’t the one my father and his team wanted!
: Come here, Glain-Neidr! If you want the Voltes’ power so bad, we’ll give you your fill!

: Gilbert Durandal sought our technology in order to defend this world, and, so, he contacted the Katou Organization.
: The data he offered in exchange allowed for several breakthroughs in our field of genetic analysis.
: In truth, he was an exceptional individual. There was still much he could’ve contributed to our advancement.
: Shut your mouth…! I won’t let you defile his memory any more than you already have!
: The peaceful world he wanted to make real is nothing like the crap you’re preaching about!
: What he wanted was a world where everyone could live happily, where war never again reared its ugly head…
: And we’ll be making sure that’s what comes out of this!

: The three of you played a major role in expanding the Katou Organization. Even greater things can be achieved if you join us…
: No. There is no meaning behind a future that cannot be forged and tempered by the people’s own hands.
: Sorry, but I’m gonna pass too. The future I imagined was a whole lot different from what you’re selling!
: A world that’s 100% efficient… now that sounds so dull, I think.
: Individual wants, likes and dislikes beget nothing but wasted energy. If you cannot understand, then you’ll be destroyed.

: The various weapons loaded onto a Super Electromagnetic Robot enable it to face all sorts of foes.
: Join us, and defend this world.
: You talk a good game, but there’s a problem: what you’re doing right now is invading our world, pure and simple!
: And since the Combattler’s was made to defend Earth, that means you gotta go. Come here!

: Join us, Heero Yui. It’ll be simplicity itself to bring total peace to this world by way of our unity.
: You misunderstand things. The peace you offer would just be a counterfeit to the one we actually seek.
: Your opposition is a complete waste of time. The main armaments of that Gundam are beam weapons… They will not work.
: My mission is simply to take control of Point Helios. It may not be easy, but I’m not about to give up halfway through.
: Mission… That’s quite the machine-like way your mind operates.
: Again, you misunderstand. That may be my mission, but what I want is to destroy you.

: Kouichi Hayase. I’ve been watching you for quite a while now. However I could never understand the reason why Hisataka Katou had such high hopes for you, or why the Machina-Killer chose you as its Factor…
: You have no unique talents of note, your psyche is immature. There is nothing worth mentioning.
: … So what? I’m just a human, someone who’s trying to be a CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! I’d never be down with becoming a Machina!
: But what is said justice? It’s merely the preservation of the extremely limited space that you, as an individual, are capable of affecting.
: That is to say, it is simply a defensive response born of your primitive ego.
: It’s the defense of the social system individuals belong to, which seeks to remove any outside elements… “Justice” is nothing but a Pavlovian reflex!
: Your vaunted justice is a purely self-centered action meant to preserve the crude social structure you live in, Kouichi Hayase!
: And I’ll say it again: so what?!
: Why do you fight, Kouichi Hayase? Why do you try so hard to defend humanity?
: Because that’s way cooler than the alternative!
: Jeez, that guy…
: Oh, Kouichi… you really are amazing…
: Here we go, Glain-Neidr! Way I see it, you and your folks are as lame as can be!

: Did we get ‘im?!
: No, be careful – D-S.O.I.L. rate’s at 370%! He’s still going!

: We’ve a match… it’s the Glain-Neidr’s main unit: the Naked…!
: Meaning we gotta take that out, too, or we won’t be making any headway…!
: You cannot defeat us. Stop fighting, and surrender. Our goal here is not the destruction of mankind.
: The usefulness we derive of this battle is extremely limited. Cast away your obsolete values and embrace the evolution we offer.

Alarm!

: Captain, our forces are going silent across the globe! The situation’s degrading on all fronts…!
: Oh, no…!
: If you choose to continue down this path, the only result will be the absolutely pointless waste of your DNA – just as the humans of our world once did. Surely your imagination can easily reach that conclusion.
: What…?!
: Our kind was born of a failed cloning technology… humanity created us to offset the energy crisis that had reached its critical point.
: We took several steps to maximize mankind’s prosperity. At times, we were forced to eliminate potentially damaging elements…
: …
: Your DNA, individually, is worthless, but your diversity could be useful in developing our system. Join us and embrace the eternal peace we offer. There is absolutely no point in any further death.
: … No.
: What…?

: I said no… No way in hell…!
: Our advancement and your prosperity are intertwined. Why do you seek to safeguard the status quo? What is your reason for it…?
: Because even with all the pain this world brings, there’re so many people just trying to live their lives to the fullest… and I want to keep those people safe!
: That’s all there is to it…! I reckon that’s a whole lot easier to understand than your nonstop yacking…!!
: Hah… this guy…
: Honest to a fault, huh?
: Still, that’s exactly the kind of answer I’d expect from him.
: We’ve got to follow his example, then! One last push to keep this world and everyone in it safe!
: So you’d rather fight and die as humans? Very well. Then we’ll eliminate you and all you seek to defend…!


Naked (Masaki Sugawara)
Pilot Skills:
Machina-Human L9
Sword Cut
Commander L1
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
Attack Combo L3
Mech Features:
Sword
Override

Good news is he lost his MAPW, bad news is he got a major boost to everything else. That said, he hasn’t anything you haven’t seen before. Bit stats, over 100k HP, his Override attack is 3-8 (so you’re better off attacking up-close), Prevail L9 and Machina-Human L9 will give him a major boost, the works.
Truth be told, taking aside his Override, you should approach him as you did Big Gold and Moon Will. Just come packing Strike and you’ll be fine – your stores of SP should still be plentiful.
If you want some extra safety, pop Confuse, wait a turn for the units spent killing the Glain-Neidr to return and swarm him for a simple enough kill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoJ4tPukC7g
And while we wait, here’s the combined attack with Kira and the Eternal. Athrun’s version is pretty much identical.


And they got too close.

Now just to showcase Masaki’s best attacks and we’ll be off.

: The Dancouga’s black box bears the vital data of all life on Earth.
: But for a device meant to be a reservoir of the seeds of life, it’s also equipped with superlative defensive measures… That is hardly an efficient use of it.
: Back off, cowboy. This is none of your beeswax!
: Hate to break it to you, but we vetoed that “Dancouga playing Noah’s Ark” plan.
: We’re now a sword of hope! One that’s transcended even the gods themselves!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EaDYOzR8O8

: I confess I was stunned over the intel I received on the Mazinkaiser.
: Indeed, the representative of the United Nations Government is proving himself to be a tremendous asset to our advancement.
: Seems to me that you’re so hung up on raw power that you ain’t seeing what really matters!
: What’s actually important isn’t a bot’s tech or the power it has, but the soul of its pilot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHHW5_aJGbY


:siren: Alright, no more putting this off; you folks are GOING to hear it now! :siren:

: We’ve acquired more than enough information on the Plasma Drive from past battles.
: Your role in this has ceased. Join us.
: Sorry, but only an Okusaer’s able to combine with the Dannar. I’m not about to join with any Machinas!

: Why do you reject unity? Are you afraid of losing your “self”?
: That’s not the point…!
: Don’t pretend. Humans are horrified by change – both of their world and of themselves – and so they run from it.
: I just told you that’s not the point!
: This planet is home to all my friends, to my dad, and so much more! That’s what pushes me to fight with the EVA…!

: A support-oriented machine such as yourself is no different from a Machina-Human: devoid of superfluous emotions, wholly proficient at combat.
: You… You’re wrong!
: Your reactions are merely pretenses of actual emotions. That’s easily inferred even from just the data GreAT presented to us.
: Shut up.
: Yuu…
: Seems to me that you couldn’t understand the first thing about my grandfather’s research. That’s why you need to use humans to further your own development.
: And that will be your downfall… We’re going, Haruno.
: Roger!

: I’m certain you’re aware that Ranka Lee’s songs stopped affecting the Vajra when her emotions were in disarray.
: Emotions are erratic. Relying on such things will only lead mankind to destruction.
: And who is trying to create a society where she wouldn’t be able to sing the way she enjoys? What you’re trying to do will only make her sadder!
: I’m not having it… Just as I don’t want to fly through a fake sky, I won’t fly through a real one with fake emotions within my heart!

: Why did you try to have Lacus killed?!
: The Super Coordinator and the Songstress of the Battlefield… Analysis during previous battles had deemed you both to be obstacles to our purposes.
: And, indeed, that analysis was right. Here you stand against us only because you were allowed to survive past Operation Angel Down.
: There are so many people in this world that don’t wish for war; just as there are those who don’t want to be turned into Machinas.
: But you decided it’s humanity’s destiny to live as machines, and would impose that on others. I refuse to accept that!
: Your acceptance or not is irrelevant. The troops Central has at our disposal outnumber yours massively. Resistance is futile.
: Is it really…?
: Unfortunately for you, it is not in our nature to simply surrender.
: And so I’ll keep on fighting you and Central to the bitter end!

: The Cthulhu are a threat to Earth. We’ll eliminate your vessel as well.
: Iczer-1’s kept us safe! You can’t push her away just because she’s an alien – that’s just wrong!
: But they may not turn out as the Zentradi. Undefined factors must be removed.
: Argh, you knucklehead!
: If you mean to victimize this Earth to safeguard your own, then I won’t hesitate to fight back…!
: Masaki Sugawara, I’ll strike you down!

: I’d intended on observing you for a while longer, Kenji Kusanagi. To further study the energy of the Bronze Bell, and the source of your own strength…
: What am I, your homework?! I don’t want any dudes staring at me!

: Vardant, the Blue Terror. Central’s mightiest Machina…
: Still, that has also served its purpose. Our forces no longer have any need for the Vardant.
: Whereas our world has no need for something like Central…! I’ll wipe you off the face of the universe, Masaki Sugawara…!

: Imperial Valley, Cannon Valley, Strike Valley…
: All of those weapons were created by Kral Grife’s brain. Such a productive, reliable item will be very useful in furthering Central’s development.
: …!
: Easy, Alice. We’ll be playing right in his hands if we lose our cool.
: Let’s just go with the usual plan: kick his ass and make him spill the beans on where the professor’s being kept!
: Right!

: Do you have any idea how boring the world you’re trying to make sounds? How are you okay with that?!
: Emotions beget fluctuations in efficiency. Such factors must be uprooted in order to maximize usability of limited resources.
: I can see where you’re coming from: even the Frontier Fleet’s been struggling with our dwindling resources…!
: But you can’t look at human lives like that! It’s not something to just be managed!
: This talk’s getting too complicated for me, but I agree with whatever Nagisa’s said! And that means you got a whooping coming your way, old man!

: …
: All that talk and this is what you got, ya chatterbox?!
: …

Overrides behind you!

: Wha—
: Kouichi, get back!

: Gch…!
: Huh…? Emi…?
: Are you… alright? Kouichi…?
: You’d sacrifice yourself to shield him? But that, too, is pointless. A lone unit, even the Linebarrel, will not turn the tide of this battle.
: You underestimate… humans too much… The strength of human emotions… exceeds your… imagination…!
: …
: Don’t talk, Emi! We-We’ll take care of your wounds!
: Kouichi… Please… be a real… Champion of…Jus…tice…

: …
: E-Emi…! Stay with me…!
: Her… her Factor signal’s… vanished…
: I-Is she…!
: Emi… tell me this isn’t real… We swore we’d all make it back…!
: No…! You’re still too young to see the afterlife…!
: Emi… I said… I said I’d keep her safe… W-Why…!

: The Linebarrel’s D-S.O.I.L is…! Its data is… just like that time…!
: I… I…!
: UWAAAAAAAAH!!

: The Linebarrel’s…?!
: Oh, no, he’s…!
: He’s done it… It’s truly awakened…
: EMIIIIiiiiii!!

Here are the few convos we didn’t get:

: Wufei Chang, your true agenda was all within Central’s predictions.
: Then you should have killed me when you had the chance. I wager you would’ve preferred to have taken over the world yourself, without having to be vigilant about myself and Hisataka.
: I wouldn’t have been able to install the Spheres as efficiently as I did without Hisataka Katou’s assistance. Unproductive acts are always to be avoided.
: And that’s all the reason you needed to remain passive for twenty years while the world around you burned time and again? You disgust me, Masaki Sugawara…!

: What the hell are you doing, Kiriyama?! What happened to your justice that you’d team up with the Machina-Humans?!
: My justice will transform this corrupted world – this misguided world that refused to embrace Reiji’s justice!
: And you actually think I’ll put up with that?! I won’t, Kiriyama… not with what you’re doing, or your twisted justice!

: Eiji…
: Are you angry, Reiji…? Sorry… Still, we can’t give up on our justice, right?!
: I’ll go and change the world! Just you wait, Reiji!
: You are a real CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! The Chosen One! He who cannot be hurt!
: You’re wrong, Eiji… I can never amount to a Champion of Justice. I can only bury our mistakes for good.

God, is the Naked an underwhelming boss. They heavily buffed it from the manga, but that doesn’t change that it isn’t in any way physically imposing.

Also I think Kitei no Tsurugi being the OP sucks for two reasons. On one hand, it’s pretty much the one bad song on Linebarrel’s otherwise god tier soundtrack. On the other… late in the show, it gets an alternative version that’s slowed down and has tone changes… and it sounds decent. (Vocals are still a thing though.)

Click to see the mission!


We’re back, with Rey’s rampage showing no signs of stopping. At the very least Daiya is only 6 kills away from overtaking Ichitaka.


Cash from the previous mission was spread all over the place, really: special note goes to our other Machinas, which I buffed just in case. Also, I also gave Rey an extra pip in his weapons, because I’m that shameless.


All Machinas are deploying as event units today, meaning our deployment slots are reduced to 15. Here’s how we’re going:
Dancouga/Hilde
Daiya/Quatre
Alto/Michel
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Iczer-1/Iczer-2
Ichitaka/Hilda
Voltes/Combattler
Shinn/Yulianne

Also, make sure you deploy Sawatari, Yulianne or Wufei if you’ve been following the Linebarrel secret to this point.


Mission 37 – Flower of Steel

: I… I…!
: UWAAAAAAAAH!!

: The Linebarrel’s…?!
: Oh, no, he’s…!
: He’s done it… It’s truly awakened…
: EMIIIIiiiiii!!
: Kouichi’s heart is… crying…?
: But there’s something else… self-hatred over failing to protect Emi…
: Kouichi…
: A machine whose specs are influenced by the pilot’s emotions is nothing but inefficient… our world has no need for such a thing.

The front MP Machina goes after the Linebarrel.

: Kouichi, watch out!
: RAAAAAAARGH!!

: The enemy Machinas stopped…?!
: Is it one of its powers as the Machina meant to counter all machinas…? It can paralyze them with just a yell…?!
: HAAAAAAAH!!

: “I’ll be a Champion of Justice”… “I’ll keep everyone safe”… What a load of garbage…!
: I couldn’t even keep one girl standing right in front of me safe…! GOD DAMN IT!!

: UWAAAAAAAAH!
: This ain’t good – he’s totally lost it!
: Kouichi, please! Control yourself!
: Don’t let those emotions overwhelm you, Kouichi! It’ll destroy you…!
: Stop this, Kouichi!
: I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you…!
: He immobilized us. However…

: …?!
: We are already through analyzing that Machina.

: Hrk…!

: Their units are moving again!
: Any further conversation would be a waste of resources. Engage and destroy LOTUS.
: Roger… All will be joined as one…
: Urgh, is that all you can say? Ya sound like a total idiot…! Get over here – we’ll bring you back to reality!
: Col. Katsuragi… Kouichi’s condition is worrying but we cannot afford to retreat from this.
: Yeah, I know. Troops, provide cover for Kouichi and eliminate all nearby enemies!
: We’ll absolutely need the Linebarrel to destroy the interdimensional corridor, so keep it in one piece at all costs!
: Yes, ma’am! We’ll do this for Emi, too…!
: Kouichi, you have to get back to your senses…!
: I’ll kill you… I’ll kill you…!
: S…to…p…
: Don’t… become… like me…


Destroy Masaki, don’t lose any ships or Machinas. In truth, I’ve heard stories of how tough this mission could be, but I found there are plenty of ways to keep things nice and simple.
First and foremost, as you might expect, Kouichi will jump straight into the massive mob of enemies up ahead. Thankfully, he’ll auto-cast Strike, Zeal and Iron Wall, so he and the Linebarrel’s regen shouldn’t be in too big a danger unless you’ve been neglecting them for the entire game.

Still, that’s no reason not to be proactive about this (especially since he’ll steal a lot of your cash if you let him): rush your troops up top, cast Confuse the first turns when the incoming tide’s the strongest, and carve your way through the enemies.
This mission’s pretty much the same as the previous one, only you have to keep an eye on Kouichi. As always, drop the Strike Valleys ASAP to stop them from debuffing your armor (and Kouichi’s) and then start twoshotting the MP Machinas. With no MAPWs to worry about, you’ve a lot more freedom of movement.


Here he comes.

: EMIIIIII! GODDAMN IT!!
: Your performance may have increased, but there’ll be no victory for you here.


Most of the MP Machinas will stay put for the first turn, so Kouichi won’t get mobbed too hard while you’re still approaching.
Soubi’ll start attacking him right away, though, so you’ll want to do this straight away:


:siren: Secret Alert! :siren:
You must have Sawatari, Yulianne or Wufei convince Soubi. Afterwards, you’re free to wreck him with anyone.

: Soubi, what the hell happened…?! You always had your own reasons pushing you to keep on fighting, didn’t ya?!
: Ki…ll…
: Please… kill… me…! If you don’t… you’ll…
: Soubi… you…
: … Stop whining and be a man!
: Wufei…?
: Choosing your own death is the coward’s way out…! If you truly deem yourself a man, then stay true to your ideals and fight for as long as you draw breath!
: Damn straight – pull yourself together, Soubi! We know you ain’t a enough of a wimp to let that junk control you…!
: Remember, Soubi! Remember who you really are… and what you wanted to do!
: What I… wanted to do…
: What I wanted was… to protect… the world she loved… throughout… her life…

: GWAAAAAAAAARGH!
: Noise detected in our collective consciousness. Source identified as Soubi Nakajima. Correcting.
: All must join the whole… so that all may know harmony…
: Soubi… I ain’t giving up on you! I promise we’ll bring your old self back!

And now we’re free to kill everything unabated. Masaki seems to always prioritize Kouichi, so that’s less of a problem for us.

: It’s… the power of his Flame is growing even higher?
: If you can feel that, then you should know what’s up: that’s what’s called the human heart! And it’s way more than just a cog in a machine!


Rinse! And! Repeat!

: Uurk… Sawatari… Yulianne…
: Soubi?! You’re back?!
: Then get your ass off that thing and tag in with us! The Talisman’s waiting for ya too…!
: Thank… you… but I think…this is… the end… I can only… entrust things to you…
: A shame… I wish we could all… be together again…

: …?!

: Sorry, Soubi…
: But we’ll see you again someday…

: Why do you still refuse the harmony we offer? The crux of your plan, the Linebarrel, is in tatters.
: … Emi’s told us about the world you want. She said there are no flowers there.
: Your information is incorrect. Our world simply preserves and maintains the flora that is deemed necessary.
: Only you don’t have any right to decide what is or isn’t necessary in any world! I’d never put up with that kind of arrogance!

: A kabuki dancer such as you should be well aware of the value of paradigms built upon the collective wisdom of others…
: Sorry, I don’t. I left my family precisely because I hated all that formality and tradition!
: All so that I could fly across the skies a free man, with no shackles around my hands!

: “Great”… “Hero”… both words are lacking in objectivity as standards of evaluation.
: Maybe to you, but not to humans. Those words mean a whole many things to us…!
: They inspire us, stoking our fighting spirit and keeping our hope alive!

: Iczer-1, Central’s collective consciousness can also provide the synchronicity you desire.
: Mine and Nagisa’s synchronization is no mere union of minds.
: The kindness within her turns to strength for me to wield… that is what our synchronization entails!
: Win this, Iczer-1! I believe in you!
: Here we come, Central!

: Using the Godannar to fight in the void of space… how utterly illogical.
: Still, it doesn’t jibe with me to just sit on my hands! I’m a pilot, so I’m ready to fight whoever, wherever!
: And that goes double when the enemy’s someone trying to trash our planet!

: Ain’t nowhere for you to run off to now! Tell us where the professor’s at!
: Doing so would be detrimental to Central. I cannot tell you.
: Moreover, victory is still squarely within our grasp. The remaining 540000 of our forces will emerge from the interdimensional corridor before long.
: Which only means we gotta take you out before that! And then we can take our time finding whatever hole GreAT’s hiding at!

: This is our world and we won’t let anything happen to it! Stop your attack…!
: But there’s always a limit to the strength of humans. The SEED and Zentran genetic factors could never truly safeguard the Earth Sphere.
: Which is just perfect for you, isn’t it? Your speech is just a smokescreen to hide what you’re really after: expanding your influence!
: I see that not even Central could be free of very human greed!

: We have to keep at it until Kouichi carries out his mission…!
: The probability of that happening is zero. Kouichi Hayase himself no longer has any hope for this mission’s success.
: That’s not true…! Even I’m still here, carrying on fighting!
: So I know that he will find a way to make it happen!

: Kenichi Go. We are the form the humans of our world wanted to assume.
: And do you think saying that’ll make me accept you forcing your “unity” onto others?! The truth of the matter is that you started a war with the New United Nations Government!
: Our expansion will lead to growth, and then to harmony.
: Hah! So said all conquerors in history!
: We never shied from fighting invaders before and that hasn’t changed to this day! We’ll end all of you here and now!

: I know Kouichi’ll pull through when all the chips are down!
: That human cannot even control his emotions. Why do you put so much stock in him?
: Why? That should be plenty obvious!
: …?
: It’s because he’s our friend!
: There is… no logic to your reasoning. Incomprehensible.
: Well, you better figure it out quick or this’ll end with our boots up your cyber-butts!

: Did… did we do it?
: …
: No, not yet…! That Machina’s still going!
: AAARGH! Why! Won’t! You! DIIIIIIIE?!
: Amagatsu Kizaki’s design philosophy is incomprehensible. Overcoming your obstacles by way of power born of raging emotions… It is an unrealistic strategy to rely on such dubious variables.

: We’ll now eliminate it.
: What—?! He merged with that crazy-huge thing?!
: If I had to guess, that is the primary unit of Central’s collective consciousness…

Beep, beep!

: These numbers are unbelievable…! It’s giving off energy readings on a massively different scale from any other mobile units!
: So you’re the Final Boss…! GOOD!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSERMcTGHcc

: Urgh…!
: Status on the Linebarrel?!
: Still alive, but he can’t—!
: Damn it, Kouichi, stop this right now! Wake the hell up!

: All will be one with the whole… Resistance is futile… join us…
: Not good! He’s going to finish off the Linebarrel!
: KOUICHIII!

: Hrk…! We’re not dying again that easy…!
: Yajima…?!
: Calm down, Kouichi.
: I know what you’re going through, what it feels to hate yourself for failing to protect someone dear…! But you can’t lose sight of who you are!
: Emi didn’t save your life so that you’d go down this path! Open your eyes!
: …!
: Kouichi… I’m sure this isn’t what you really wanted to do…!
: I-I’m…

: Huh…?

: Kouichi…
: Ah… E…mi…?
: You made a promise to me, didn’t you…? That you’d be a Champion of Justice and keep this world safe…
: So what are you doing…? How could you lose all control simply because I died…? How can you call yourself a Champion of Justice?
: I’m sorry…
: You really are despicable… But that’s why you meant so much to Mr. Ishigami, to my brother… and to me… my dear Kouichi…

: Was that… a dream…?
: …
: You’re a real tough girl, Emi… but you knocked some sense back into me.
: You let your emotions wrest control of your minds… Humans are, indeed, deeply flawed beings. That is why you must be managed by us…
: Yeah… humans might be as flawed as you say.

: But that doesn’t mean we need any of your management!
: Because as flawed as we are, we know how to work together! And when we do, there isn’t any problem we can’t overcome…!!
: … Looks like he’s back to his regular idiotic self.
: Still, that’s how he’s supposed to be!
: I’m really sorry, guys… I know I’m the stupidest guy around, but I wanna ask you for a hand… Help me keep this world safe…!
: Pshaw, you don’t even need to ask!
: Yeah, what kinda CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE we’d be if we didn’t help out those in need?
: And, of course, it’s the Corps members’ duty to help out their leader!
: Same goes for those of the JUDA Special Forces!
: And his classmates, and his friends of LOTUS!
: Hmph… You now understand what your justice truly means. My strength is yours, if you’d have it.
: Everyone…
: You can never unite your minds like ours. However many of you there are, you will remain powerless before us.
: You’re selling humanity short, fatass…
: We’ll show you all the strength we have – the strength that’ll keep our world safe!


Central
Pilot Skills:
Machina-Human L9
Break Morale Limit
Commander L4
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3

Central is pretty much on part with Masaki in terms of stats, only with more HP and a focus on range and defense. He’s got a cone-shaped MAPW attack which can be dangerous… if not for the fact that it takes 130 morale to use and there are no enemies left. Central’s appropriately hard-hitting and bulky, too, but nothing that’ll survive one round of focused fire.
Just wait a turn to get your guys back and squish the Borg Hivemind into submission.


Finally, Kouichi now has full control of the Mode-C which sets his D-S.O.I.L. at Infinity (actually at the 150 cap), meaning he’ll be regenning a whole lot. His attacks get a power boost, but the better ones are rather EN hungry, so EN-Save could be good on him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj2Fe5K6gfI
And here’s Central’s strongest attack. Now we go!

: You keep grumbling about growing and expanding… What’dya think you’ll find beyond all that?
: Everlasting peace. A world where no strife is born out of clashing values…
: That’s a great speech coming from the ones who attacked our world in the first place.
: And it’s pretty clear you won’t stop here. You’ll keep on invading other worlds in the name of your brand of “peace”.
: We’ll say this as many times as we gotta, Central…
: We are humans! It may look like we enjoy looking for trouble, but you’re one pain in the ass we never asked for!

: Humanity will ascend to newer heights if it joins with us. We represent your inevitable evolution…
: Maybe, but you know what? I just straight-up don’t like your whole shtick.
: If you want Earth, just come out and say it instead of trying to sell us all that crock!

: There’s nothing left for us to obtain from Amagatsu Kizaki’s engineering. You will be eliminated.
: Underestimate us at your peril, big guy!
: We’ve also been fighting alongside Kouichi and our friends all this time!
: You’ll see what the teamwork of JUDA’s Special Forces is all about!
: What I want to do now is just help everyone through this…! And I’m ready to face anything to make that happen!
: Your turn, Reiji! Put the cherry on top, and make it a good one!
: All of JUDA Special Forces will now engage the Central collective consciousness! I only have one order to our troops… do not die!

: Embrace us. Both humanity and Central wish for Earth to develop.
: A perfect society, where nothing is wasted… It is only under our guidance that humanity can grow with the scarce resources available.
: I already told you to get bent with that talk! A life where I can’t eat and have fun with my friends ain’t one worth living!

: We’ll need to cut all the way through the center of that thing… Stay strong ‘til we can get that done Linebarrel…!
: It’s useless… Your unit has nowhere near the energy required to destroy the interdimensional corridor.
: Doesn’t mean we’re just gonna give up and let you get us out!
: I’m gonna keep on fighting to the very last second! I can already picture Emi calling me “despicable” if I didn’t give this everything I got!

: The enemy Machinas have stopped moving!
: Kouichi!
: Yeah! I’m ending this!

: How were we defeated… by these flawed beings…? Is this truly due to… the strength of human emotions…? That which exceeds our… imagination…?

If there were any enemies left, they’d be self-destructing!

: The enemy Machinas are…!
: But you’ll rue what has happened here… Your own hands… will cause the end of this world…

: The giant Machina is confirmed gone…! We’re also not detecting any more gravitational anomalies…!
: We did it…!
: Our world is safe…!
: Emi… was I a real Champion of Justice…?

Alarm!

: What is it, Ms. Ogawa?!
: We’ve gravitational anomalies coming from Point Helios again!
: It seems the shockwave of that explosion has destabilized the dimensional structure in and around the corridor…!
: If it isn’t stopped, both worlds will obliterated at a quantum level and be fused together!
: N-No…!
: Then everything we’ve done was for nothing?!
: … I’ll go and cut straight through the center of that hole. That should stop it…!
: You can’t! Do you have any idea the enormous amount of energy it’d take for that?
: Besides, even if you do destroy the corridor, you might end up trapped inbetween the dimensions…!
: Stand down, boy! You still have much of your life ahead of you! A mission as dangerous as this falls to a dead man like me!
: No, I’ll handle this.
: Kouichi, you…
: “I don’t have the power to do anything”… For so long I believed that, living my life doing absolutely nothing…
: But what you need isn’t power… but just a strong wish to do something!
: And what I want to do is to keep this world and everyone in it safe… That’s why I’m going! That’s what my justice is about…!!
: … Rachel, initiate the Final Phase.
: But the complete Shangri-La was supposed to act as the medium for the energy…!
: The Vardant and I will take up that role…!
: Final Phase…? “Medium for the energy”?
: You got one last trick up your sleeves? Spill the beans, then.
: It’s an emergency program of Project JUDA involving gathering the energy of all Machinas and relaying it all into the Linebarrel…
: Then what are we waiting—
: But… as soon as it is finished, the Machinas’ D-S.O.I.L. will run completely dry, and the units themselves will grind to a halt… If that happens, they’ll be unable to sustain the Factors’ lives.
: …!
: That matters not… Link the Vardant to the Linebarrel…!
: Transfer all of mine and the Painkiller’s energy to Kouichi too…!
: I already died once… if this’ll help keep everyone else alive, then it’s not a bad deal…!
: Are you guys sure about this…? If you do that…
: You’re not the only one who wants to protect this world, Kouichi… We’re all ready to risk our lives to make it happen!
: Okay…! Then trust in me and I’ll make this happen…!!

: Good luck, Kouichi…!
: Here it goes…
: Project JUDA Final Phase… engaged…!!


:siren: :siren:

: …
: …
: Sorry to put this on you kids…
: Is there nothing we can do other than watch…?

: Huh… Central’s Machinas?!
: They’re still kicking?!
: Looks like the gravitational anomaly is also affecting the Machinas’ network. They’re out of control…!
: This isbad! Yamashita and the others are sitting ducks while they’re charging their energies!
: … Heh, guess there is something for us to do.
: This beloved Earth of Nagisa and our friends will not meet its end like this! It cannot!
: Then it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.
: Leave these things to us, Kouichi. You’re the MVP here, so make sure you close this off with style!
: Ichitaka…!
: You won’t be risking your lives alone. We’ll keep you safe, whatever it takes…!
: You heard ‘em, kid! So you guys worry only about wrecking that bigass hole!
: Sorry, guys…!
: We’ve four minutes left until the energy charge is finished! Hold on for just that long…!


Aaah, you didn’t think that was the end of that, did you? No, not quite.
Still, this can be simple enough… or it can be hard, depending on how you go at it. We’ve 24 teams of MP Machinas, and they’ll be trying their damnest to reach our Machinas and start cutting them down – and those guys can’t even cast spirts to defend themselves (if you haven’t kept them leveled/upgraded, you might be in trouble if you let the Machinas close in).

But they don’t move too far and their range is still hot garbage, so it’ll take them a bit to get there. Most of your guys are speedy enough to reach and twoshot them, so the order now is to run interference. Your main worry should be the southernmost Machinas, since those will likely ignore all of your nearby guys and run straight for the kill.
Spread out your guys, have Kira, Rey and whoever else can MAPW try and find a good spot in the middle of the western and eastern roads, setting up a couple killing grounds. If you want to risk making some extra money, downing all Machinas will summon forth a fresh batch. Your resources might be wearing thin, however, so, instead, I’ll advise simply to kill everything but one, surround it, and wait out the rest of the timer.

All Machinas lose 20% HP!*

: Gah…!
: You guys alright?!
: I-I’m fine! What about you all?!
: The Hind’s hanging in there…!
: Stay focused, Hayase! Our teammates will cover our backs!
: Skull Leader to all units! If the Final Phase falls through, it’ll mean not just the end of Earth but of everything as well!
: They’re taking a pummeling from the gravity waves coming out of Point Helios, too, so don’t let any of the rampaging Machinas reach them!
: Yes, sir! Not even one’s getting through here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QkPjdyJ-qY
Oh, and here’s Iczer-2 Full Power and her incredibly smug DK! :smugdog:

The Machinas lose 30% HP!

: Urgh…!
: Damn it, even if we can keep the Machinas at bay, those waves are too much!
: This isn’t good… We’re not massing as much energy as we expected…!
: Kch…! Come on, Hind… Just a bit more…!!
: If we had two… no, if we had just one more Machina…!
: Then please use my life as well!
: Huh…?
: This signal… It’s the Talisman?!

: The Talisman…?! You’re alive, Soubi?!
: I am. The Talisman saved me from the brink of death… this foolish man who lost himself to the darkness…
: And do you mean to come with us?
: I understand that I’ve no right to ask that… Still, it was only thanks to you that I’ve remembered the justice and the ideals I once had.
: So I want to use this life to help you… No, to help the entire world!
: His eyes… I think he’s speaking the truth.
: Whatever mistakes you made before, you just have to atone for them… Go, Soubi…!
: Now this is a nice twist…! We’ve got all the Machinas we need!
: You should be good to go with that! Just one more minute until the energy charge’s complete! Hang in there, everyone…!
: Just one last push, folks! And once this is wrapped up, we can all find a nice island on the Caribbean to kick back and relax…!
: Absolutely! We’ll have to bring Sheryl and Ranka, too…!
: But first we’ll make sure the Final Phase is a smashing success!

And the last minute passes, the lone surviving Machina throwing a tantrum while we pin it down.

: All Machinas are done charging their energies!
: Alright…! All troops, pull back or we’ll be caught in the shockwave of the corridor’s destruction!

: You’re up, Kouichi…!
: Yeah…! I swear I won’t let everyone’s lives and wishes be for—

Alarm!

: We’ve a new gravitational wave incoming! And it’s an even bigger one than before! Watch out!


x3

The last MP Machina is destroyed!

: It’s too strong…! The Linebarrel is in no state to handle something like that…!
: Kouichi, run…!
: Not happening! Come on, Linebarrel! Hang in there just a bit more…!

A.T. Field noise!

: Rrrrgh…!
: Shinji…?! Asuka, Rei?!
: What’re you three thinking?! Even your A.T. Fields might not be strong enough to handle those!

: You gotta pull back…! You guys’re gonna get caught in the middle…!
: N-No…!
: Shinji…?!
: You’ve helped me so many times before. I was always overwhelmed by everything around me, but you still helped me… Even when it meant getting yourself hurt…
: That’s why… now it’s my turn to help you, Kouichi…!!
: Shinji…
: And I couldn’t well hang back and do nothing when Stupid Shinji here’s decided to be all heroic…!
: This might be too much for a lone EVA, but the three of us together should be able to hold out for a bit…
: G-Go! Quick, Kouichi…! Destroy the corridor while we’re keeping the gravity waves back…!!
: Everyone’s lives and wishes are in your hands, Kouichi! Use them to save our world…!
: Go for it, Kouichi! Show us how strong a real CHAMPION OF JUSTICE is…!!
: Guys…!
: Hayase… even if you do feel the pain of others, if you cannot save them from that anguish, then there is absolutely no point… no point at all…!
: So go and protect this world Katou and Mr. Ishigami died keeping safe…!
: Just as the two of them did… I, too, believe you can be a Champion of Justice…!
: … I understand!
: Let’s go, Linebarrel…! The two of us, with the help of all our friends, will tear down that hole…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAnJhMPjVdg
Kouichi: “I want to protect this world… and everyone who lives in it!” > “That’s what my justice is about!”
Reiji: “All units, transfer your energy to the Vardant!”
Miu: “Kouichi… take everything I have!”
Yajima: “I already died once… if this’ll help keep everyone else alive, then it’s not a bad deal!”
Yamashita: “Turning our lives into energy, just like real heroes, huh? Now that’s cool!”
Izuna: “Kouichi… I know you’ll pull this off!”
Soubi: “Kouichi, everything is in your hands!”
Reiji: “Urk…! Hrrgh…!” > “GOOOO!!”
Kouichi: “This… is our! JUSTICE!!”

: Did… did it work…?
: The Hub Dynamo and the interdimensional corridor have disappeared… our connection with the Highly-Probable World is cut-off… but…
: We’ve lost… the Linebarrel’s signal… And the remaining Machinas… have gone completely silent…
: N-No…
: You’re kidding me, right…? KOUICHIIII!!

: …
: … Wa… up… Ko…
: …Hm… E…mi…?
: …! Emi?!
: Good morning, Kouichi…
: Emi… how are you…?!
: The Linebarrel saved me using what little energy it had left…
: It did… I’m so happy to see you again, Emi… I really am…!
: Kouichi…

Some time later…

: But what are we going to do now…? The Linebarrel’s used all of its energy, so we can’t cross the dimensional boundaries…
: At least the battle’s over, so we can think this through nice and easy… I mean, there’s still GreAT around and we don’t know where the Frontier flew off to, but our friends can handle that…
: The battle isn’t over quite yet…
: …?!

: …
: Wh-What’s that Machina…?!
: (That Machina… is it a Linebarrel from another universe…?)
: The battle is yet to end… there is one whose song of destruction beckons chaos into the world…

Tweeeep.

: Huh… an image just popped in my head… it’s… space? And is that the Frontier Fleet…?
: It’s awful… the Vajra are attacking… everyone’s gone…
: What you see is likely to happen in the near-future. However…

: The Linebarrel’s D-S.O.I.L.’s back online…! And the Linebarrel’s readying a dimensional warp by itself…?!
: Wings and the wishes they bear turn the song of destruction into a song of hope…
: What does that mean…? Just what should we do…?
: The future isn’t set in stone… What matters isn’t what you should do… but what you want to do…
: Those words are…!

: Who are—

: … Are you satisfied with this, R335?
: Yeah. I’m sure they’ll keep this universe safe…
: And didn’t I tell you not to call me that? My name is…

: We saved the world but… but this isn’t a win… not at all…!
: Kouichi… Emi… everyone…

Beep, beep.

: …! We’re detecting the Linebarrel…!
: Huh…?!

: The Linebarrel…!
: Hey guys… we’re back…!
: Kouichi Hayase and Emi Kizaki, reporting for duty.
: They’re both alright!

Bloop.

: That’s…?!

: Emi!
: And it’s not just Kouichi and Emi… Satoru… Miumiu… they’re all alive…!!
: Everyone’s alright… thank goodness…!
: Well, dang, they cheated death once again…
: Maybe God’s decided to let us have this little miracle?
: No… it was no miracle. Their spirit and determination made this happen…
: … To think I’d be given life again… Is it still possible for a man like me to protect something, I wonder…?
: Now that is a nonsensical question…
: Huh…?
: He’s right, Soubi. You already helped protect something, no?
: Us… and this world, see.
: Soubi Nakajima, was it? The Katou Organization’s now working together with us. That sad, Cmdr. Katou himself is gone, so what you’ll do is entirely your decision.
: I… I also wish to accompany you. That is, if you’ll all allow it…
: Eh, why not? I’m feeling a pretty gentle aura coming from him.
: And the fact is that, without you, the Final Phase would’ve ended up in smoke.
: So stick your chest out, why don’t you? You’re a lifesaver, for crying out loud!
: … Thanks… all of you…
: (I’m afraid I must carry on living in this world for a while longer… Please wait for me until then, Kaoru…)
: A Champion of Justice…
: Reiji…?
: So many people believed Hayase would come to be a Champion of Justice… and, indeed, he protected this world…
: A Champion of Justice only appears when the people believe one to exist…

: And here he comes! Here’s the hero of the day!

Door opens.

: Th-Thanks…
: Jeez, where’d you go back then? You had us all worried sick!
: Seriously. If you were alive, you should’ve gotten in touch and let us know!
: Come on, you know I couldn’t get in touch with anyone!
: Speaking of that, how did you manage to find your way back to our world?
: Well, the truth is…

Fast forward!

: You saw the Frontier Fleet destroyed by a Vajra attack…?
: Sure that wasn’t just a hallucination or something…?
: The two of them having the exact same one’s a bit strange, no…? And I’m also a bit worried about what that Machina said…
: The vision you two had may just be quite real…
: What do you mean…?
: We’ve just received word that the Frontier Fleet’s found and arrived at the sector with the Vajra Homeworld. Combat’s already started by the looks of things.
: What…!
: And there’s more. On that same sector… they’ve detected the Fold Waves produced by Ranka’s song…
: ?! Ranka’s song…?!

Couple of convos we couldn’t get due to the limited deployment slots:

: In your debut battle your inefficient approach put your allies in quite the predicament. The best way for you to avoid repeating such missteps is to join us…
: You’d deny all the possibilities of someone’s future over one mistake?!
: More often than not mistakes are repeated. Central will not overlook such a risk.
: You just don’t get anything, do you?! I’ve grown after meeting Nagisa and the others! I’m not who I was back then!

: Masaki Sugawara… rather, the Central collective consciousness. There is no future for you.
: A prediction from the Zero System…? It will not come true.
: No, I don’t need to ask Zero to predict something as clear as that. And the reason I know… is because I’m a human…!

: Join… us…
: I’ll put you out of your misery… that’s the least I can do for you…!

: We’ll close the book on this ourselves… we owe it to you as your old teammates!
: Forgive us…!
: Soubi… we all wanted to talk to you again…!

Using Godannar to fight in space makes perfect sense, it has an A rank in L while combined. (It had a B in K, as a lot of units tended to, which was a bad thing for a lot of reasons.

Oh, Final Phase. You’re probably the best wholecloth invention of the manga overall. Fun fact, though - despite Soubi being very dead and his Machina being on Earth at the time (it got wrecked when Anime Painkiller unlocked the butterfly wings), it also provided energy for the attack, which is why it does if you get his secret. Talisman, truest of bros.

Info about it in L - as a “red” combo, everyone only needs to be within 3 squares. The EN cost is only for Linebarrel, and it might seem like a small amount by that standard, but it has a secret cost - on use, it lowers the D-Soil of every involved unit by a full 140. So keep it in reserve as a silver bullet. It IS the strongest move in the game by a solid amount, though, as its Base Power maxes out at a truly ridiculous 11249 power (for comparisons sake with absurd units - post-Shinka 15 upgrades Z3-2 maxes at 12100 for Chou Tengen Toppa GDB and Double Inazuma Kick. Ideon Sword ALL and Ideon Gun MAP in Alpha 3 have 12000, Ideon Gun ALL has 15000. It’s not bad by those standards)

Oh, yeah, uh, also, fun bit of info. That conversation at the end didn’t happen in the anime. It was made up wholecloth for L. What DID happen was Kouichi, Emi, and Linebarrel flying past another Kouichi and Emi who were in what appeared to be a “Linebarrel”. Spoiler warning for real - that “Linebarrel”? Turned out to be something debuting in the manga many years later. Say hello to Deus Ex Machina, the final boss of the manga and the reason for the timeskip.

Click to see the mission!


Here we are again, having cleared the Linebarrels finale, leaving only the Vajra left to be sorted out. Has there ever been an SRW player that went “Oh, boy, Macross Frontier”? But we gotta do what we gotta do. Rey is still king and I’m 100% sure he’ll continue to dominate throughout these last four missions.


The game DID decide to throw you a bone if you recruited Soubi, as the Talisman already comes 50% upgraded and his bonus is pretty dang good: Armor +150, 1500 Barrier, +20% Exp and +20% money. You can easily fit that in any Super Robot team – especially ones that aren’t too EN hungry, like the Rushbird.
And I still had plenty of cash left, so I also got the Vardant (crit rate +20, +25% chance to dodge attacks) and Hilde’s Taurus (+20% money, armor +150, 1500 Barrier, HP+1000) up to 50% as well. Hiroshi’s slated up next.


As you might expect, Alto’s deploying as an event unit, so here’s how we’re going:
Dancouga/Hilde
Daiya/Deceive
Kouichi/Quatre
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Iczer-3/Ken (this is actually a bad call because both the Blade Gainer and Dannar only have a B in Space if they’re not in Twin Drive. I didn’t remember that, though)
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Iczer-1/Iczer-2
Ozma/Luca
Ichitaka/Mil
Voltes/Combattler
Yuu/Heero
Shinn/Yulianne
Yamashita/Yajima
Reiji/Soubi

Let’s wrap this up quick!


As it turns out, Brera had been under Grace’s leash this whole time and she laughs at him even thinking that he could run off with Ranka, his sister! Was his plan to escape her grasp and run off elsewhere? Tsk, tsk – he ought to know that he is, and always will be, her puppet. All that remains now is to put the finishing touches on the “Little Queen”.
Ranka herself isn’t looking too spritely, as Brera reports that they’ve already analyzed 92.3% of the Vajra network’s protocols. Grace sneers at how it used to be impossible to make sense of those protocols in the past, and all they needed to analyze it was to use Ranka’s mind as a medium.

Regardless, Brera asks Grace to return to the Dulfim and they spot the Frontier fleet off in the distance. Grace points out to Ranka the invaders about to attack the Vajra homeworld and tags them as the enemy. It falls on her and her brother to defend this beautiful world!
Brera agrees, saying it’s the only way they can atone for what happened and Ranka slowly confirms.


Back to us, Lam confirms to Alto that they’re detecting Fold Waves produced by Ranka – Aimo is playing throughout that sector of space. Seems to Kouichi that Ranka’s song was the “song of destruction” they were warned about but Alto yells that that’s absolutely not true.
Still, Haruno argues that her song DID, at time, beckon and even energize the Vajra. We saw it happen at her Mihoshi show, even, as Michel remembers. On the other hand, Alice points out, she often CALMED the buggers down as well. As Emi ponders that bit where the song of destruction turns into a song of hope, the fact remains that the Frontier Fleet is in major trouble. We can’t let Kouichi’s vision of it being destroyed become real.

Now, Luca says we’re getting ready to go after the Frontier by following the path of Fold Waves straight to the Vajra homeworld – combat’s likely already occurring. Even if we don’t like Mishima, we can’t well sit still and let the Fleet’s civilians get slaughtered. And we need to save Ranka as well, as she’ll likely be in quite the fix even with Brera “escorting” her.
One added thing that does have Misato worried, however, is how that Machina told Kouichi that the “song of destruction beckons chaos into the world”. That might be a warning of how, if we don’t control this quickly, it’ll mean danger not just to the Frontier but to everywhere else as well.


And Lady Une gets on the phone to agree with her: with the Vajra’s confirmed ability to travel unabated between parallel worlds, if they’re antagonized, it’s quite possible they’ll go on a rampage across both universes – worst case, across all of them. So Une wants us to get ready to deploy and engage depending on how things are looking on-site.
And Mina lets us know that we’ve just gotten a bead on the Vajra homeworld, so we’ll be warping straight into the fray in a bit – we should make it in good time to save the Frontier, Kentarou hopes. Izuna does wonder if we can actually stop the Vajra, and not even Shizuna can refute his worries since we might not have any option other than fighting them.
Will we need to kill all the Vajra? That’ll be a tall order since this IS their homeworld – we should expect them to be extremely numerous. We got a small taste of it back at the Island 3 battle, and Trowa’s expecting a very tough fight as there’s only so much anyone can do when 100 enemies pop out for every one shot down.


Well, in case the Vajra show themselves to be less-than-friendly, Sheryl will be on board to help us out. She remembers what Mishima told her, that the V-Type Infection means her song will now affect the Vajra. True, but Quatre and Luna worry about how straining it’d be on her – she should rest and let us handle it.
Alto knows telling Sheryl not to do it won’t actually work, and she’s glad he knows her so well. Before she leaves to prepare for when the battle begins, she turns to Alice and figures she should leave her stash of “Witch Craft” medicine with her.

As Sheryl takes off, Alice is taken aback by what she sees: there shouldn’t be this much medicine left. Is she trying to make her condition worse? A quick search of her data banks shows that that’s exactly what Sheryl’s doing. See, previously compiled data suggests that the more the V-Type Infection inches closer to actually killing her, the greater the effect her voice will have on the Vajra.
Rey ponders how much pain she must be right now, but Kyo worries more than just that: Sheryl’s essentially on her deathbed, so who knows how afraid she must be.

: I don’t have much time left… but it won’t be long before he can save Ranka…! Please let me hold on until then…!
: Sheryl, I’m coming in.
: (…!! I can’t let him see me like this… I’m Sheryl… I need to be that cheerful, unflappable Sheryl Nome he knows…!)

Door opens.

: Sheryl…
: You’re worried about me singing, aren’t you?
: Truth be told, yeah…
: Well, I’m also worried about you.
: …
: And if I’ve any way I can be useful, then I want to be out there fighting with you.
: Sheryl… I’ll make it back. I swear I’ll survive and return.
: Because I’ve come to realize… that people can’t fly by themselves. They shouldn’t.
: … You’ve finally realized that, huh? Shows how slow you are.
: Hah… I won’t deny it… Sheryl, I—
: … Don’t. Whatever you might be about to say, I don’t think I’d be able to sing after hearing it.
: And I’m guessing this battle will have us both staring death in the eye, right, Alto…?
: Yeah… both of us will…
: Then make sure you come back in one piece – and with Ranka in tow, of course. Once all that’s done, then I’ll hear what you have to say.
: Sheryl…
: And don’t you forget, Alto: it’s not everywhere you find a great woman like me…!
: Heh… You got that right…!


Mission 38 – True Begin

: These bugs are getting too uppity for my tastes…! Are all units equipped with the MDE Warheads?
: Yes, sir!
: Then hold nothing back! Don’t let go of your triggers, men!

: Yes, that’s it…! We can win this even without their songs!

Beep, boop.

: Hhmhmhm… You seem quite pleased with your new toys.
: Who is it?!
: It’s been a while, hasn’t it, “Your Excellency”? I trust the president’s chair is to your liking?
: Grace O’Connor?!
: (It can’t be…! I ordered her put down after she stopped being useful…!)
: Hmhmhmhm…

: Wh-What…?! Ranka Lee… A giant Ranka Lee?! In space?!

: What… The Vajra are being led by Ranka’s song…?! What is the meaning of this, Grace?!
: I’m afraid the galaxy only has room for one ruler… and that is not you.
: Mr. President!
: Don’t give them an inch! Use the anti-ship warhead, the Dimension Cutter!

: There are too many of them, Mr. President! We can’t…!
: Damn you straight to Hell, Ranka Lee…! You accursed Vajra puppet!

: Is the Frontier Fleet safe?!

Looks at the Frontier.

: By the looks of things, their vanguard ships are already down, with only the Battle Frontier hanging in there…
: Captain, the Frontier Fleet is standing by at the rear of the sector! There aren’t many, but we’re also detecting several ships around Island 1!
: What possessed you to take on this insane quest, Mishima…?!
: Hey, hold on! Is that—
: …
: Ranka…?!
: What the hell?! But I thought she was only ¼ Zentran…
: Visual data confirmed… she’s over 1000m tall.
: That ain’t a Zentran – that’s on the level of a legit giant!
: Regardless, our first priority is to have the Battle Frontier leave this area. Cpt. Welder, get in touch with them!
: This is a message to the Battle Frontier as well as all NUNS forces! Stop engaging and evacuate this sector immediately!
: The Macross Quarter…!
: Do not listen to him, Captain! That’s our promised land – our Frontier – dead ahead! Carry on with your attack!
: Yes, sir…!
: Stop! That man is a traitor who killed President Glass! He has no right to give you any orders!
: !
: Killed the former president? What in blazes is he on about…?
: Yeah; big surprise there, eh?
: And we’ve evidence to prove our claims. Monica!
: Yes, sir!

Beep!

: This data is…!
: You can’t talk your way out of this one, Leon! It’s time you paid for murdering my father!
: Th-There must be some sort of mistake! I-I’m—
: Arrest this man at once!

Grab!

: Wh-What are you doing?! Unhand me! Unhand me this instant!!

Off he goes.

: … Captain, take this not as advice but as a request from a compatriot: let us handle this battle and retreat from this sector right away!
: U-Understood… and I’m sorry…!

: Your father can rest easy now, Cathy.
: Thanks, but we can celebrate later. Right now we have…
: To do something about Ranka and her Vajra-controlling song…
: LOTUS, engage and repel the Vajra from this area. We need to make sure the Frontier Fleet is safe!
: Roger!
: And, Alto, we’re leaving Ranka up to you. Go save her!
: Ranka…! I’ll be coming back with you or not at all!


First order of business is to have Alto close in on Ranka and use the Convince command on her. Losing him, a ship or outright destroying Ranka is a game over, so focus on the Vajra first and build up morale.
The buggers don’t bring anything new to the table, as accurate and dodgy as you’ve come to expect, especially since Ranka has a command aura that can further boost their numbers – deal with them accordingly and don’t be afraid to pop a Confuse or two. FYI, if you get their numbers under 12 before talking to Ranka, they’ll just respawn so you can use this to farm some cash (the Vajra aren’t worth much, mind).


Ranka Lee
Pilot Skills:
Break Morale Limit
Commander L4
Prevail L7
Attack Combo L3

Giant Ranka is actually pretty powerful: big stats and HP and her skills are pretty much everything she needs to be a pain. She only has two attacks, both range 1-7, and the MAPW version hits just like Canaria’s MAPW (7 alternating lines), so approach from where she can’t blast you.
All things considered, though, she’s just a big blob of HP and can’t dodge worth a damn, so her high HP pool will go down fast enough (especially once you debuff her armor).

: RANKAAAAAA! Can you hear me?! Can you hear us?! We’re coming to get you!

When the second enemy phase rolls over…


Ranka is still singing and Grace gets on the mic to tell the screaming Alto that the girl only listens to her now. As Kouichi recognizes the singers’ manager, Grace notes that both Ranka and Brera act only to serve her cause now – they won’t hear our cries. Nagisa and Iczer-2 see where she’s getting at: mind control.
Oh, but this was the only way for Ranka to atone for her crimes. She didn’t know what to do, so Grace lent her a hand with that. When Ozma asks what she means by that, Grace pokes fun at Ranka’s self-proclaimed brother being so clueless. Did he never question why the girl’s song worked with the Vajra despite her not having the V-Type Infection?
Well, we don’t really know much about the things – as Eida notes, we’ve just been fighting back as they attacked. Well, here’s the deal: the Vajra are transdimensional beings who use Fold Wave-emitting intestinal bacteria as a way to relay information to one another. When humans are infected by those bacteria, however, it doesn’t attach itself to their own intestine – rather, it goes straight to their brain, and eventually kills them. That’s what the V-Type Infection entails.

However, if one is infected by the Vajra bacteria while still inside the womb, the child and the bacteria will turn to coexist… and that is what happened with Ranka. The girl’s mother didn’t realize what had happened, and it led to the tragic events of 11 years ago, when the Vajra attacked and destroyed the 117th Research Fleet. As Cathy remembers it, said fleet was tasked with capturing the then-mysterious Vajra and researching them – after the bugs destroyed it, Ranka and Ozma were the only survivors (which is what Ozma meant when he spoke of failing to protect Ranka’s family before).
But that doesn’t explain to Ozma how Grace says that’s Ranka’s fault. Simple: the entire incident happened because the girl unwittingly summoned the Vajra with her songs. All the human and Vajra blood that was spilled is on her hands – even Grace had her body destroyed in the incident, which forced her to take on a fully mechanical one. Of course, she only made it here because of that, so maybe it was for the best…

: You bitch… Then you revealed everything to Ranka and used her trauma to control her, didn’t you…?!
: Hmhmhm… I appreciate what a quick study you are.
: But I think that’s quite enough talk. Go, Little Queen… show them all your power.
: Hrk…! The Fold Waves are getting stronger?!
: Sis, look!


:siren: :siren:

: The Vajra are going crazy…! Is Ranka’s song doing that?!
: It’s not just her! The Vajra Network is also amplifying her voice!
: Damn it, is there no way for us to get through to her?!
: Don’t lose hope, Shinn!
: He’s right, Shinn! Call out to her!
: O-Okay…! RANKAAAAAAAAA!
: You too, Luna!
: I’m sure you never wanted to sing songs of destruction, right?! RANKAAAAA!!
: Call her too, Alto! If your voice can’t reach her, then no one can!
: Ranka! RANKAAAAAAAA!
: …


Eh, that’s fine.

: …
: There’s too much we don’t know about Ranka’s current status… but if her song is energizing the Vajra, then we can’t let up our offensive…
: Still, I’m positive that Alto will be instrumental in stopping the giant Ranka’s song.
: Alto, please hurry…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh5cw2WVmxs
Here’s her only attack. And when their numbers go below 12…


Even more Vajra spawn, and Dearka’s getting worried: we’re as outnumbered as we were against Central. Miriallia yells at him not to whine on an open channel – what if troop morale starts tanking because of him?
Regardless, Alto needs to hurry and save this captive princess – if Ranka can’t count on any knight, then another princess will do!

And on the third player phase…

: This ain’t looking good… we need to do something about that song or the Vajra’ll just keep getting rowdier.
: … If she’ll use Ranka’s song to destroy the world, then I’ll stop her even if I have to use force… even if I have to take her life…! That might be all I can do for her—
: Heeey! Don’t give up before you even try, stupid!
: Sheryl!
: Took me a bit, but I’m finally ready to go. And more importantly…
: I told you to come back with Ranka in tow, didn’t I?! I’ll lend you a hand, so you go and save her!
: Sheryl…! Sorry, I’m on it!
: Yeesh, what a pain you are…

Whip-crack!

: … Come on, everyone! Listen to my song!!

: …! The Vajras’ movements have grown slower!
: New Vajra are arriving at a third of their previous rate! We’re also not seeing any of the coordination they were previously showing!
: Now’s our chance to thin out their numbers! Head over to Ranka, Alto!
: Roger!


Done.

: Ranka, pull yourself together! They’re using you to try and kill us!

: Stay away from my sister!

: I won’t let worms like you hurt her!
: “Sister”?! You’re her… No, that doesn’t matter! Weren’t you supposed to be protecting her?!
: I am, both Ranka and this planet…
: This is…! Alto, we’re picking faint Fold Comm Waves coming from that Valkyrie!
: And it’s linked to…

Looks at the second plane.

: There! The signal’s coming from that other Valkyrie!
: You’re also being controlled…?! Wake the hell up, Brera! Ranka doesn’t want any of this!
: Stop your attack right now! If you don’t, I…!
: Our orders are to protect the Vajra homeworld from you invaders! Scatter across the edges of the galaxy!

: Gaah!

: Alto!
: …to…Alto…
: That voice…! Ranka… Ah, I’ve got it…!
: Alto, you alright?!
: Y-Yeah! But never mind me: that’s not actually Ranka! Everyone take that fake out!
: A-Are you serious?! You really want us to do that?!
: I heard her voice loud and clear…! That’s not the real Ranka!
: If you’re so certain, then we needn’t pull our punches. All units focus your attacks on that false idol!
: I won’t allow it…!


So now we need to wreck Ranka (a shame L doesn’t let us see DKs, so this is hardly as fun as it is in Z2). In the meantime, Kira guns down about half the Vajra flock for a nice payday.

: …
: You won’t be using Ranka’s image for your schemes anymore!
: All LOTUS units, the sooner we expose what’s actually behind that illusion, the sooner we can end this and protect the Fleet from the Vajra! Get to it!


Bam.

: Alright! The singing’s stopped!
: The Ranka image is fading…!
: Come on and show us your true face!

: That’s… the Battle Galaxy?!
: “Galaxy”… as in Sheryl’s home?! But I thought it was destroyed by the Vajra…!
: (You called them over to this world, Grace…?!)
: But their jig is up now that they’re out in the open. Once you spot a ghost, you can go and cast him out!
: The Lt. is right. Even if we must face the Galaxy, retreat is not an option!
: This is it, troops. They’re the ones confusing the Vajra – destroy them!


The Battle Galaxy’s got all of Giant Ranka’s skills, only also picking up Shoot Down (which it can trigger rather often) and a level in Prevail. As you might expect, it’s very bulky with that size, Pinpoint Barrier and Prevail combo, and it’s attacks are all very long range and powerful. Keep an eye out for its Macross Cannon MAPW as well – it hits in the same pattern as the Quarter’s.
As always open with Yulianne and go to town. If you didn’t burn all your SP in these first three turns (and you shouldn’t), it can still easily be destroyed in one round.

But we’ve spent some of our attackers this turn, so we’ll clear out some of the last Vajra.

: I’ll protect Ranka and this planet! Scatter across the edges of the galaxy, invaders!

Once you get the Galaxy under 50% HP, or kill enough mooks…

: Where are you, Ranka…?! I heard the cry of your heart back then… Just call one more time and I’ll find you!
: “If you think, you shall not bloom. Don’t think, and you shall…”
: (…to… help…)
: …! Over there?! Quarter!
: Sound wave coordinates confirmed!
: Good, then the Macross Quarter will engage the Galaxy at close range! Take us in, Bobby!
: OK, boss!
: Quarter, Sheryl, do you copy? I can go and save Ranka but I need your help to do it! Sing and wake her up!
: You got it. Here goes…!


:siren: My favorite Frontier song and the main reason I’m a card-carrying member of Team Sheryl! :siren:

: OOORYAAAAAAAAA!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFjh-MJj1c
Jeffrey: We’ll pry open your way in, Lt. Alto! Save our songstress!

: Now, Alto! Get in there!
: Hurry on up, princess!
: Haaaah!

: …
: Ranka, do you hear me?! Do you hear Sheryl?!
: … Ugh…
: Open your eyes, Ranka! Take back your song from them! Your real song!
: Al…to…

Snap!

: Alto!

Machinegun fire!

: Ranka, are you okay?!

Fly on over!

: … I am!

: Skull 4 to LOTUS! Ranka is safe!
: I’m so sorry, everyone! I’m really, really sorry…!
: Ranka… Thank God…!
: Don’t worry me like that, girl…!

: Hrk… R-Ranka…?
: Brother!
: … My link with Ranka allowed me to break free of their control as well, I think. Thank you, Alto Saotome.
: Oh, thank goodness! Then come with us, brother!
: Of course!

Brera tags in with Alto’s team.

: Now let’s keep up the pace and wrap this up! You’re up, Ranka!
: Sing, Ranka, and with your heart this time…!
: Your sorrow, your anger, your joy… pour everything you feel into those lyrics…!
: Alto, brother, Sheryl… Thank you, all of you! I’ll sing with my all heart, so please…
: Hold me to the edge of the galaxy!

: The Vajra stopped…?
: The little bugs weren’t angry at all! They saw that we didn’t come here to fight them!
: Indeed… There’s so much more to us all than combat…
: Today we’ll put an end to this conflict. That is how we’ll atone!

: Several heat signals emerging from the Battle Galaxy!
Those are… The Galaxy’s Ghost V9 drone fighters!
: Not just, I even see some VF-27s!
: Don’t worry about those – our target’s the Battle Galaxy itself, men!
: Aye, aye!
: And we got a real powerhouse taking our side, too! You’re not dunking this world into chaos under our watch!
: Let’s do this, Galaxy…!
: … Everything’s in place, it seems. Then…

: …?! That Valkyrie escaped?
: Don’t waste time pursuing fleeing enemies. Our primary concern is the Galaxy itself.
: Focus fire on the enemy forces dead ahead! It’s time we brought this to a close!

The Ghosts and VF-27s are as dodgy and accurate as the Frontier variety, so a Confuse cast will probably be very helpful.


You can always do this, too, of course. Destroying the Galaxy ends the mission, so you might as well make as much money as you can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghFYLO1GIm0
And, as promised, here’s the ACTUAL ending plus the DK to Final Phase.
FYI, I had a big laugh over that mook actually trying to block with his dinky shield.

: Never in my life did I think I’d have to tango with a Battle-class…
: Still, I’ve heard talk of a Pro who weaved through a Macross’ AA batteries with just a prototype YF-19, so you won’t hear any complaints from me!

: They say the Battle Galaxy is the core of the Galaxy Fleet’s escort armada… and that ship is somehow in cahoots with Grace? What the hell is going on with the Galaxy Fleet…?!
: No idea… but the Battle Galaxy is unmanned, by the looks of it.
: You think the Fleet’s civs have no idea any of this is going on?
: It’s possible. And, if so, maybe the S.O.S. we got from the Galaxy before warping to this world was also fake…?
: Damn that Grace… she’s been playing us from the start…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFTrKPO3qYM
And here’s the Galaxy’s best attack before we run it into the ground.

: I’ll fly where my heart takes me, and I won’t let any of them pin me down! So don’t worry about a thing, Ranka – just keep on singing!
: Okay!

: Skull 4, hurry! If we give them an inch, we’ll have another wave incoming!
: Brother!
: Sing, Ranka. And as you do, I’ll be fighting in your name!

: The enemy’s size is four times our own, but that’s no reason to let ourselves be intimidated!
: OK, Boss! We’ll more than make up for that difference with our raw skill!
: (Still, it’s just the Battle Galaxy…? Does that mean the other ships of the Galaxy Fleet weren’t called to this world…?)

: We did it! That red Macross’ stopped dead in its tracks!
: Now, Cpt. Welder! Destroy the Galaxy!
: Aye, aye! Mina, time for our crazy little trick!
: Main engine, output rising!
: HAAAAAAAAAAH!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rw2UQzhWSE

: It’s over…!

The two remaining enemies retreat.

: And we’ve exorcized the other ghosts as well…
: That’s the end of that, huh, Johnny?
: Right. Looks like we somehow managed to avoid all-out war with the Vajra, all thanks to Ranka and Sheryl’s songs…
: And we’ve confirmation that the Frontier Fleet is also safe!
: Whew… thank God that vision didn’t come true…
: Then I guess we just gotta fly over to the Frontier and—
: …
: … I have it…!

: Wh-What the?!
: Did something happen?!
: We detected a massive Fold Wave, far bigger than anything we’ve seen!
: Hrgh…!
: Sheryl, are you alright?!
: I-I am!
: (Please… just a bit more…!)

Screeeeeeeeech!

: I-It’s!

: Shyaaaaaaaaaaa!!

: What the hell?! The Vajra’re attacking again!
: Didn’t you say the Vajra understood what we were after, Iczer-3?!
: I dunno what’s going on! They weren’t angry, so why are they…?!
: Ranka…
: Why are you doing this?! Stop! … My song isn’t getting through to them?!
: Hmhmhm, you’re wasting your time…

: What’s that huge-ass thing?!
: Hear me and obey, Vajra!
: The transdimensional lifeforms, those that even the Protoculture feared, adored and ultimately deified to the point of mimicking their form… the power of the Vajra is all mine!
: Grace O’Connor…!
: She’s in that giant Vajra…?!
: Kneel before me! I am she whose power rivals God, she who rules over fate itself!

Couple of convos we missed:

: Oh, dear, you’re coming after me? I suppose you can, if you want to…
: But it won’t do you any good, I think.

: I’ve also released the Judah System on all my drones!
: Simon, John, Peter! I know your true power is more than a match to the Galaxy’s new models!

Since everyone important is pretty much upgraded to 50% and we still have two other missions, plus the finale, I figured we could do what we did in MX and pick our favorite unit to make HUGE. I’ll be recording the Macross F finale today, saving the cash earned in that mission and 38 to spend on whoever wins.

Feel free to pick your one favorite unit from any of these:

  • Rushbird, Straybird
    
  • Mazinkaiser, True Great Mazinger
    
  • Linebarrel, Vardant
    
  • Iczer-1, 2, 3
    
  • Alto, Ozma, Luca, Michel, Brera's Valkyrie
    
  • Kenji, Jeeg
    
  • Destiny or Legend Gundam
    
  • Godannar, Blade Gainer
    
  • Dancouga Nova
    
  • EVA-01, 02
    
  • Wing Zero
    
  • Combattler, Voltes
    
  • Gaiking
    

The vote should remain open until it’s time to run mission 40, which should be around Tuesday at most? Make that Sunday. I’m rushing through this so I can get my 魂イイィィィ on immediately.

Make sure you bold out your vote. If you prefer, feel free to post your vote on any of mission 38’s youtube videos as well - I’ll count them.

Gaiking Za Gureato

Edit: Oh, an update. Whoops.

So the Quarter’s new attacks are actually really fucking powerful, it can breach 7000 at max upgrades and the only other things that do that require partner bonuses, combined units, or combination attacks.

53192 damage, seems legit.

After tallying the votes on all threads, Daiya managed to snag victory over Iczer-1 by a single vote.

Remember this day as the moment we gave a kid unlimited power.

Click to see the mission!


And Daiya’s managed to both catch up and gain a rather sizeable lead over Ichitaka in the last mission – the Vajra really didn’t like him. Still won’t cover the 70-kill gap that separates him and Rey, but 2nd place is 1st place to those who’ve been earning kills legit for the entire game!


We’re saving our money today, so it’s straight to the deployments. Alto and Brera are deploying as event units, so here’s how we’re going:
Dancouga/Hilde
Daiya/Deceive
Kouichi/Quatre
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Iczer-3/Soubi
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Iczer-1/Iczer-2
Ozma/Luca
Ichitaka/Miu
Voltes/Combattler
Yuu/Heero
Shinn/Yulianne
Michel/Cagalli
Ken/Lou

Let’s get to it.

: Kneel before me! I am she whose power rivals God, she who rules over fate itself!
: “Rivals God”?!
: I now share a direct connection with the Vajra Queen… and her command is absolute among her spawn. In other words, the Vajra will do anything I say.
: And it is all thanks to you, Ranka… You’ve my deepest gratitude.
: …!
: What’s that supposed to mean?!
: Grace O’Connor saw that Ranka’s song could communicate with the Vajra, so she analyzed it and used the result of that research to decode the Vajra Network’s protocols.
: Hmhmhm… Her abilities were essential towards realizing my theory.
: You… you used Ranka for something like that?!
: I did, yes. But I’ve no further need for her song now that I’ve established my connection with the Queen…
: Go forth, Vajra – my eyes, my ears, my hands and feet… My mighty talons!

: I won’t let you have this your way, Grace…! Tabi no hajimari wa… ♪
: I’ll help, Sheryl! Kisetsu ga yabukete… ♪

: Aaaah!
: Ranka!
: The Vajra aren’t listening to them…?!
: I told you: the Queen’s command – that is, my command – is absolute. It won’t be undone by a couple of girls’ wailing!

: So you’re not even going to consider how they feel and just force them to obey you?! Can’t you see how terrible that is?!
: “Terrible”…? You’re telling me to consider the feelings of creatures that have never shown any semblance of having such things…?
: Oh, please! These are brainless, emotionless, hivemind creatures that communicate via bacteria! You’ve absolutely no grasp on the Vajra’s true magnificence… just like Ranka’s mother, Ranche!
: Their magnificence…? Does that have something to do with that theory you mentioned?
: My research, yes… To establish a galaxy-spanning mental network for all of mankind, centered around Fold Quartz and cybernetic implants.
: And with the Vajra, my dream can be made a reality… a superdimensional network where the minds of every person can communicate and interface with one another instantly!
: Once humanity has achieved this, it’ll rise to its pinnacle as a species! It’ll be reborn as a unified entity, and I’ll use the Vajra to destroy anyone who refuses conversion!
: … That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard all week. How did you figure this “pinnacle as a species” deal was ever a good idea?
: What did you say…?!

: So everyone would hear any thoughts I had? Oh, no, no, I’m going to pass on that! I wouldn’t want folks to know when I’m going “Ooh, that guy’s hot”!
: Humanity might have set off into space, but that didn’t change our nature as humans. We find love, marry one another, have children and pass on our songs and our culture. Feelings take root and are relayed to others…
: That’s what it means to live… mundane things like that. We don’t want or need your “superdimensional network”!
: Your approach is too much like Central’s! And, worst of all, I really don’t like how you think you’re the only one in this world who’s just!
: I didn’t expect philistines like you to understand my grand designs! After them, my Vajra!

: Drop your princess at the Macross, Alto! We’ll reorganize while you’re doing that!
: Y-Yeah, I’m on it!

: Sheryl!
: Ranka…! Thank goodness you’re safe. Things would’ve been way too dull without my rival.
: Ahahaha, I guess so.
: How’s that, Sheryl? Promise made, promise kept.
: Oh, yes, you… Do you have any idea how worried you had me…?
: Yeah, sorry about that. I mean it.
: Sniff So long as we’re clear, that’s fine…
: Sheryl, are you crying…?
: Shush, you! Now get back out there! I’m extending my moratorium on hearing you out – consider that your punishment!
: … Alright, I’m off!
: (I still need to sing…! I need to stay alive… and sing…!)
: Sheryl…


Mission 39 – Journey’s End

: (Don’t let me down yet, good-luck charm…! You helped me save Ranka, you can get us through this…!)
: I trust everyone understands what’s at stake? Failure here would mean the Vajra bearing down not just on this world, but in all parallel ones as well…!
: We cannot allow her to fan the flames of war across the universe again!
: Damn straight. And so we gotta take the fight to her!
: All units, engage!


Take out Grace, don’t lose any ships, Alto or Brera. This one’s pretty much a repeat of the previous mission, only you’ve more Vajra and Grace is a far stronger boss than the Galaxy. Same strategies apply, though: be liberal with your Confuse casts (especially in the first rounds), spread out command auras and don’t be afraid to pop Strikes since the buggers are still very dodgy.
Do make sure to keep an eye on your Supers and ships, because the Vajra have pretty long range and they can rain death upon an unprotected unit – until you get their numbers down some, always be ready to cast Iron Wall and a couple of heals.


Vajra Queen (Grace O’Connor)
Pilot Skills:
Break Morale Limit
Commander L4
Prevail L9
Attack Combo L3
Mech Features:
Dimensional Fault
10% HP Regen
30% EN Regen

Pretty much a straight upgrade to the Battle Galaxy, the Vajra Queen has more of everything and 200k HP. Grace’s stats are pretty high but, thanks to her not seeing fit to buy Ignore Size Difference, her aim will take a hit against our guys – if you’re running Confuse, even your supers will have a not-insignificant chance to dodge.
In truth, what you really should watch out for is her MAPW with strikes with the same AoE as Canaria’s. That means if you’re sending some of your frailer guys down below, take the time to count where the safe zones are. Her strongest attack also has a lengthy 3-9 range, so be especially mindful with your ships.
That Dimensional Fault is something we’ll see in a bit – just be mindful that it’s a barrier and that combo attacks bypass it. But even with it and that Prevail, 200k is still easily doable in one round for our folks.


VF-27 Lucifer-γ (Brera Stern)
Pilot Skills:
Shoot Don
Sword Cut
Shield Defense
Counter
Hit & Away
Ignore Size Difference
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L1
Attack Combo L1
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate
Sense
Snipe
Confuse
Soul
Squad Bonus: 25% chance to dodge attacks, Mobility +15, Movement +1

You might not like Brera as a character (I don’t!), but there’s no denying that he is one of the strongest Reals in the game. First and foremost, he’s pretty much unhittable combining the Valkyries’ natural evasiveness wit S ranks in Air and Space, and a flat 25% chance to outright dodge. Secondly, his weapons are strong as no-one’s business, long range (and he comes with Hit & Away, you see that Kira/Heero?!) and, better yet, they’re all ammo based and have plenty of shots.
As a pilot, Brera already comes loaded with everything he needs, except B-Save, and his stats are appropriately high where it matters. Objectively, there’s no reason not to field him and he might just get even better soon enough.

Regardless, let’s start heading south. Like I said, don’t worry about spending your SP (you’ll get a refill soon).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUKgDuZ_GaE
And we’ll see more of Brera’s tricks as we go along.


Hrrmm.

: With but a single command from me the Vajra will immediately swarm across the entire universe.
: I don’t care what happens to me… And while I still don’t know how much power the EVA has, I will make sure that my friends and the people of Earth are kept safe from you!


HA!


Once the enemy’s down to 23…

: Urgh, there’s just no end to them!
: Our ammo stores won’t last forever in this. The situation’s looking bleak.
: Our forces can’t handle a war of attrition against these things…!
: What about Ranka and Sheryl? Are their songs doing anything?
: They’re still singing as best they can, but…
: The Queen’s massively strong Fold Waves have built a rock-solid network across the entire star system…!
: So their voices just aren’t enough to overpower the Queen’s commands…?!

Beep, beep!

: This is…Sheryl’s vitals are going critical?! She can’t take any more of this…!
: What?!
: Hrk… Sorry… Ranka, Alto…

Collapse.

: Sheryl! You have to hang in there! I can’t do this by myself…!
: And, at the end of the day, this is all the vaunted “power of song” amounts to. The legend of Minmay, of Fire Bomber… All of those were nothing but illusions.
: No… is there really nothing we can do…?
: Don’t give up.
: She’s right – you can’t!
: Lacus! …Um, there’re two Lacus…?
: Her name is Meer; she acted as my stand-in for quite a while. I believe you two met at Diokia.
: No, I was just an imposter… But the emotions I wanted others to feel were real – what I carried within my heart was real. And, so, I wanted to sing despite everything…!
: You also feel the same way, don’t you, Ranka? Then you can’t lose hope!
: Meer…
: Our voices will support your own, so go and sing. Let all here listen to your heart…!
: We all managed to understand one another before, so I know you can get through to the Vajra as well, Ranka!
: Okay, brother. And thank you, Lacus, Meer. I… I’ll keep singing!

: That’s… some Vajra stopped attacking!
: Ranka’s Fold Waves are growing to rival that of the Vajra Queen…
: Ranka, your song is…
: Stand up, Sheryl.
: Ranka… It’s over for me. There’s nothing left…
: I poured everything I had into that song… but I couldn’t do anything…
: You idiot!

Slap!

: …!
: Think! How do you figure I managed to fly as high as I did?! It’s because you were there to help me!
: And the same goes to Alto – you also gave him the strength he needed to fly!

: What… My body, my head… the pain is gone?
: The light of the Fold Waves are…
: Grace said that the V-Type Infection is caused by the intestinal bacteria that support the Vajra mental network…
: You helped the Vajra realize that you’re not their enemies, so they stopped attacking your body. They’re trying to coexist…
: Alto…
: Sheryl, you said that if you had any way you could be useful, then you wanted to be fighting with us…!
: And we’re all still here, fighting together! So, please… come on, Sheryl! You…
: You are both my wings!!
: Let’s all fly together again, Sheryl!
: Ranka, Alto… thank you…!

: Let’s get to it, then! One duet between the Galactic Fairy and the Superdimensional Cinderella, just for the Vajra!
: Make this one the show of your lives, you two!
: Of course – who do you think I am? Come on, Ranka!
: Ready, Sheryl!
: LISTEN TO OUR SONG!!


:siren:

: The Queen’s protocols aren’t working?! Their songs are that powerful…?!
: Still… it’s all pointless!

: Captain, incoming!
: Hrm!
: …!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyhxBYOJs4U

: Th-They…!
: The Vajra protected us?!
: Our song got through to them…! They saw how we felt…!
: Thank you… thank you so much!
: What garbage! I am your Queen, Vajra! Obey my command!

: They’re still coming.
: But it all boils down to Grace O’Connor. She’s fused with the Vajra Queen, so if we can take her out…
: Then we could to set the Vajra free, yes!
: That is to say, our target should only be the Vajra Queen… or, rather, that woman herself!
: You heard it, people. It’s been a long road getting here, but it all comes down to this…
: To all warriors who stand on this battlefield, all those who bear pride upon their wings: forward!
: Here goes! Charging Love Heart!
: Come on, Klan! We’ll win this and pry open the way to our future!
: Aye, aye! Just don’t fall behind!
: Let’s go, Skull 4.
: Yeah!


Patience, people. I need the cash to max out our favorite unit, so those other Vajras have to go. You might notice that big 0 popping by Grace, however.

: Our attack didn’t connect…?!

Beep, beep!

: That’s… a dimensional fault?!
: You mean those Fold Faults we heard about? She’s using that as a barrier?!
: I did say that the Queen’s power rivals that of God, no?
: Kch…! Can none of our weapons get through that?!
: Damn it, and we gotta find a way around that barrier if we wanna take her down…!
: Isn’t there any way to neutralize it…?
: (Oh, no… we need to do something or our future – Alto’s future – will be taken from us…!)
: (More, Sheryl…! Put more of your soul into that song! I’m sure this is nowhere near the best you’ve to offer…!)
: (Because… because you’re Sheryl Nome!)
: (I can’t let this be the end! We need to win or I’ll never be able to tell him everything I feel!)

: Pyui!

: …! The… The Vajra are neutralizing the dimensional fault…!
: Impossible! Why are you opposing me?! The Queen’s orders should be absolute…!
: You still don’t get it, Grace? It’s because the Vajra do have feelings!
: We’ve confirmation that the dimensional fault has been weakened! We should be able to attack the Queen now!
: The Vajra are putting their lives on the line to give us an opening! Focus fire on the Vajra Queen!
: Let’s do this, everyone!
: We can’t waste this chance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLLuthY9RTg
19 missions later, I can finally show the DK for this attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs-PO_0Wixc
Also this one, 27 missions later.


The girls are still singing, with the songs changing every turn.


Oh, you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FS6NiEUFZE
Goh takes a decent-ish hit from this, but everyone else dodges.


But in two turns, the remaining Vajra are all gone and we can finally focus on Grace.


:siren: :siren:

: Power over destiny itself is something no human should have!
: Which is why I’ve abandoned my human form… or, better put, why I had to abandon it.
: You mean your conversion to a fully mechanical body? But you’re still human, like any of us!
: Not anymore, now that I’ve attained the power of the Vajra!
: Wrong! Whether they’ve power or not, humans are always still human! And that applies to you!

: You need only look at it objectively and you’ll see what the love you feel truly is: electrical impulses bouncing about your synapses. It’s as simple as that.
: What I’m doing is creating a network around that… so there’s nothing to be afraid of, you see.
: … But there are always some things that humans have to protect.
: I’ll set humanity free – they won’t need to concern themselves with such trifles.
: You can’t. They’ll always be there – within people – even if we cannot see them.
: And those who understand that have a duty to fight for all that is worth fighting for!

: Hey, granny! Don’t you see how much your control is hurting those little bugs?!
: Even without my control, they’d still be bound to the Vajra Queen. One way or another they’d fight you, so this makes no difference, don’t you think?
: Wrong! Ranka’s managed to befriend the Vajra!
: Purely an illusion born of the Fold Waves in her voice. The Vajra hold no such feelings…!
: I’ve seen plenty of animals and you know what I felt in them? A heart filled with kindness!
: And I feel the exact same thing coming from the Vajra!

: I confess I was somewhat worried when I was first informed of the Cthulhu. I thought I’d need to revise my plans…
: But, thanks to your group defeating all of their monsters and weapons, things have actually turned out quite simple. Much appreciated.
: Now the Cthulhu should only have non-combatants left in their ranks…
: Are you thinking of forcing your cybernetic implants on them too?!
: Of course. My plan is to accomplish that which not even the Protoculture could in all of its 500000 years of history: to unify the galaxy.
: Grace O’Connor… I cannot turn the other cheek to your insanity!

: I hope you didn’t expect me to forget how you were the one forcing Brera to do all that stuff!
: But once our minds are part of my network, human bodies will simply be terminals meant for physical actions, concurrently belonging to every person.
: And you seriously don’t see how bad that is?! There’d be no individual freedom is this world you’re preaching!

: Were you the one behind the attack at Mihoshi?!
: No, that was not part of my plan…
: I’d wager some Vajra eggs had been laid and incubated in secret. Once they established a link with Ranka’s psyche, they ran amuck.
: What… are you suggesting Ranka wanted all that destruction to happen…?
: Hmm… I wouldn’t go so far as to say she consciously wanted it, but the fact is that the girl’s surging emotions did affect the Vajra.
: The Vajra are feared as very unpredictable creatures… and I’ll use their threat to fuel the unification of the galaxy!
: What you were supposed to have done was help protect mankind from that very threat!
: But, instead, you were blinded by their massive power and wanted it make it your own! Something like that could never benefit humanity!

: Even you are completely powerless before the Vajra. Surrender…!
: The paparazzi are gonna go wild over this: manager to the stars signs up as manager to a horde of crazy bugs…
: Not exactly, Juzo. We just gotta take her out, and things with the Vajra might just take a turn for the better.
: Here we go, Combattler! We’ll keep galactic peace safe from that lady!

: Mechanical gods, born again from ancient times… and Kouji Kabuto, pilot of the Devil that destroyed them all.
: Were you willing, I would’ve easily allowed you to join Brera as my enforcer. Truly a shame.
: “Were you willing”? Them’s some fine words when you were just yelling about how you were either going to force people to obey and kill those who didn’t!
: You’re just another wannabe dictator and Kouji Kabuto’s always ready to run those into the dirt!

: What a surprise to find that you’re such a rotten person, O’Connor.
: Had I known you were like this, I’d never have taken my eyes off you at that Idol Contest – or even back at that movie shoot.
: But you couldn’t, which shows how limited humans are while they remain bound to their physical bodies!
: And so it falls on me to guide humanity to greater heights! I’ll make this a magnificent world!
: Hmph… I don’t think so. It’s your yearnings as a scientist that fuel your plans… and there’s something dark at the core of it all!
: I’d never believe anything you say before you find a way to fix that!

: Why do you stand against me…?! With this power at my disposal, all of humanity could come to share and unite their minds! We could be freed from strife, hunger and from our physical limitations!
: Because I couldn’t really play my haggling mind-games if things got like that.
: Because there’s no greater feeling that searching and finding the one you love.
: Because it wouldn’t feel right to have other folks help me set things straight with my old man. I wanna talk to him mano a mano after how long that’s gone on for.
: Because while I don’t like always having to watch my back, I really don’t like the idea of everyone getting courtside seats to all of my private thoughts.
: … And there you have it. Team D is 100% against your plan – the bad outweighs the good thrice over.
: Why… Why can’t you see how magnificent it’d all be!
: Listen, if you like the sound of that, more power to you. But where we draw the line is when you decide to start imposing your dream on everyone else!
: We’ve all got stuff we want to do and you’re not stopping us. And we’ll start by bringing peace back to this world!

: This world you’re trying to create sounds as boring as watching paint dry. There’d be no thrills and excitement there!
: Once you’re connected to my network, you’d be together with your beloved regardless of the distance between you. Surely that world also meets your desired standards.
: Sorry, but I like understanding folks with my fists, not with some crazy brain-mixing tech thing. It feels way more satisfying that way, see!

: Vajra Queen, dead ahead…
: I can see what a tender-hearted boy you are… but I assure you the world that awaits will not be one that saddens you.
: A blade will strike down those who oppose the conversion of mankind, yes, but it will not be wielded by pilots like you. It’ll be the Vajra who do so.
: It is not just us, pilots, who bear scars in our hearts. Every human has them, and those can never be erased…
: Oh, don’t worry. Whatever pain you might feel can be easily erased once you’re part of my network. Any unpleasant emotions can just be exchanged.
: I refuse to accept any world that shows such disregard to human emotions. Grace O’Connor… I’ll kill you…!


“Target IDed: Vajra Queen.”

: How did you feel when you lost your parents? Were you sad? In pain?
: But those emotions don’t need to hold any sway over you. Just allow me to free you from your human flesh!
: Hey, keep your nose outta folks’ private life! Mr. Ishigami did that, sure, but he never went too far and it was always to help us! You? You’re just being a creep!
: I’ve often heard that people grow by facing and overcoming their sorrows. Doing away with that and making everyone happy all the time would just be detrimental to humanity!
: This impudent puppet…! Your emotions are all fabrications! You’re no different from the bugs!
: Alright, listen here, you…! You and your rotten standards got absolutely no right to deny Alice’s life!

: Why do you insist on doing something like this?!
: Scientific curiosity has pushed humanity into making tremendous evolutionary jumps in this word as well…
: You were born from that same curiosity, Kira Yamato, the Super Coordinator. Surely you can see that.
: “To go the farthest, to climb the highest”… it’s for that reason that you hijacked the Vajra’s network?!
: …That’s right. What I want is to realize my theory and to lead humanity to its pinnacle!
: Then what do you have to say about the turmoil I feel inside your heart?!

: So you’ve been tricking us since forever, eh?!
: Only because you are so easily tricked. How many times has that happened to you? And I’m sure it’ll happen again and again.
: Zip it! I can be tricked a hundred billion times, that’s not making me stop believing in people!
: Doubting everyone you meet is no way to live your life!

: You’re still alive, Michel Blanc…
: Lucky me, huh? FYI, I don’t want you calling me “Michel” anymore, thanks.
: You said your entire body was cybernetic, right? Did you do some hacking to look into my sister and my friends’ lives?
: I did, and it yielded so much useful intel.
: You’re sick…!

: Do you honestly think your lone Valkyrie can stand up to the Queen? Imbecile.
: Maybe, maybe not, but when it comes to defending the two most important ladies in my life, I’ll always give 100%!
: You sound like a teenager. Someone with your age ought to be smarter than that.
: Sorry, but I’m no grown-up. I’m just a brute trying to do what’s right!

: Step forward, worms… The Macross embodies your hope and I’ll tear it to bits with the Queen’s power!
: We’re going in, crew! Our target’s Grace O’Connor!
: Aye, aye!


Jeffrey: “We are here to turn your ambitions to dust, Grace O’Connor!”

: Ranche’s bloodline never stops being a bother, does it?!
: I won’t let you use Ranka for your schemes again! And I’ll never go back to being your puppet!
: Sadly, I don’t need you or the girl any more. I’ve the Vajra and their power to serve as my sword and shield!

: This is the end of the road for you, Grace O’Connor!
: Foolish boy… how easily you lose control to fleeting emotions. Of course you’d reject what I’m doing.
: But your youthful zeal will eventually be sullied by the muck of reality, smothered by the common men!
: Even if that happened, we’d never give up hope…! Rather, hope is what we give to ourselves and to others, and you’re not taking it away!


Alto: “I’m not about to be sacrificed for your plans!”

: The Vajra Queen’s stopped moving!
: Why don’t you understand…?! I represent the pinnacle of human evolution!
: “Evolution”?! All you’re doing is preying on the Vajra!
: Indeed, inching closer and closer to one’s pinnacle is a facet of an ideal evolution.
: But you have no right forcing that evolution onto others!
: Plus, while your superdimensional network may sound good on paper, it’s easy to see that it’d result in a world where you stand at the top of said network.
: Every system needs an administrator… the Vajra themselves could never be controlled without the Queen’s own network!
: Do you understand what I’m saying? If the Queen dies here, the Vajra will be leaderless and will go berserk.
: What, so you first jack the Queen and now you’re threatening us to let you stay there?!
: … No, it’ll be fine. Grace has fused herself with the Queen’s head!
: Aim there, Alto! The Vajra’s heart isn’t in their head, but in their venter!
: That’s where they sing from!
: I see…! Then if we just destroy the head, we can finish this without killing the Queen…!
: Now the tides turn in our favor… It all comes down to you, Alto Saotome!
: Show us all how well you dance!
: I’ll cover you, Alto!
: … Alright!
: Go, Alto!
: Seal the deal and make it a good one!
: The future of the galaxy!
: And our hopes!
: Everything is in your hands!
: HERE I GO!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqEb9VGE72E
Alto: “Brera!”
Brera: “I’m on it. Come on, Alto!”
Alto: “Haaaaah!” > “ATTACK!” > “Now, Brera!”
Brera: “Grace O’Connor… I’ve realized something while I was connected to you.” > “That, wherever they are, humans are always alone!” > “But!”
Alto: “It’s because we are alone!” > “That we can… LOVE ANOTHER!!”

: …

: …

: The Vajra… are pulling back…
: And, now, our long battle with them is finally over…
: (Thank you, everyone… It’s only because of you that we can now live like this…)
: (Goodbye… Grace…)

: It’s beautiful…
: So this is the Vajra’s homeworld…
: That’s a really pretty planet the little bugs call home.
: And the Frontier people might have to make this their home as well.
: Really, Luca?
: Courtesy of Mishima’s crazy plan. The Fleet’s energy reserves are pretty much spent, so it’s too risky to try and go elsewhere.
: Of course, that’s assuming the Vajra will let us stay.
: I’m sure it’ll be fine. Ai-kun and me managed to understand how each other felt.
: Pyui!
: How the Vajra feel, huh…
: Right. It’s not quite like ours, but the Vajra do have feelings of their own.
: But they couldn’t understand why humans live separated from one another, why we’re always acting differently. But I could communicate through Fold Waves, so they tried to “save” me from these unfamiliar humans.
: That’s the reason why they kept fighting us…? A misunderstanding?
: How very ironic. While we were focused on the combat itself, they were just trying to save a perceived friend.
: They say dogs never forget those that are kind to them, and that it shows that they’ve far purer souls than humans. Guess that also applies to the Vajra.
: But that changed when they felt Sheryl singing. She wasn’t me, and so they realized that humans are different from each other…
: They realized that we’re beings that need to actively convey our feelings in order to understand one another.
: In a way, this was a repeat of our encounter with the Zentradi. Two different civilizations finding one another, clashing due to the wide gap between us…
: But we can bridge that gap, no? Just like our ancestors did.
: That all depends on what we do.
: Brera Stern… so Ranka’s real brother had lost his memories and was enslaved by Grace…
: I guess that means I’m being relieved from my post.
: How can you say that, brother?!
: Ozma Lee, you are Ranka’s real brother.
: Brera…
: I’ve only known Ranka when she was a small child, and over these past few months. I’ve none of the past you’ve shared with her… and I don’t know how to make pineapple cake.
: And I’m sure she’d really miss you if you left her life like that…
: Right, you can’t go, brother…!
: Her brother over the years, her real brother, her soul brother… whichever one of these you are, it doesn’t change the family ties between you.
: Unless you’re suddenly bothered by this, I see no reason for you to say “no”.
: You’re right… Ranka…
: Oh, brother…!

Later on…

: Hey, Ranka.
: Ah, Nagisa… I’m so sorry for worrying you like that.
: It wasn’t just her, you know. There were a ton of people who were worried.
: Huh? Um… are you Nagisa’s sister?
: Ahahah… I knew you’d say that…
: I’m also Nagisa – Nagisa Kanou.
: Oh, so you were the one who was kidnapped when I was down on Earth!
: I’m glad to see you’re okay! But… if I may ask, how are you related to Nagisa?
: It’s a bit of a long story, so we’ll have to save that for later. Blah… having that mental network would actually be pretty handy right about now. Then we wouldn’t need to explain anything.
: Now, now, don’t try to take the easy way out. Besides, it’ll be pretty fun to tell her all your stories, right?
: Speaking of, there’s something I don’t get. The Vajra are creatures that don’t need to communicate with words, right? Then just what was that song of yours to them, Ranka?
: It was a love song.
: A love song?
: My mother taught it to me when I was a kid and I never forgot it.
: See, every tens of thousands… or every tens of millions of years, even, the Vajra meet with a flock from another galaxy. That song is their mating call to them.
: “Aimo, Aimo”… it means “my darling, my darling”.
: A love song played once every tens of millions of years… How romantic.
: Sheryl, look!
: … Ah, here comes that idiot.

Thruster noise.

: (The sky… this is what Ranka and Sheryl made possible for us. A real sky, awash with freedom…!)

Below…

: There he goes… I don’t think I’ve ever seen him fly that way…
: Maybe you two should go after him? You are both his wings, after all.
: …!!
: I-I’m sure that idiot didn’t mean it that way!
: Sure, sure, we can go with that. Becaa~aause if that was a real confession… hoo, boy.
: Well, keep at it, you two! Patience is a virtue – especially for you girls!
: I’m telling you, you got it all wrong!

: Um, Sheryl…
: Hm?
: I’m not about to lose to you. Not in singing, not in love!
: …!! Hahah, I’ll take you up on that challenge!

Up above…

: … Is that Ranka and Sheryl?
: Thanks… both of you!

Jeeeet!

: Sheryl…
: This is where it all begins…!
: Aimo… Aimo… ♪


Some time later, back at the Quarter, Kentarou reports that while things are far from perfect with the Fleet, the new provisional government is keeping it all running. Birler confirms that they’ll be immigrating into the Vajra homeworld – their investigation has shown that the place is completely suited to support human life.
Now it’s just a matter of letting things settle down with the Fleet and the immigration can begin in earnest. Of course, they’ll first need to carefully negotiate with the Vajra, but Birler is confident. Things are finally starting to look up.
But never mind that for now: Lam’s receiving an emergency Fold transmission from the Dannar Base.


It’s Kiriko, but her message is coming in too broken up: “……Earth is……They……. All bases……destroyed…….requesting… immediate help……….”
The message cuts out right then, but we got that part about bases being destroyed. How? Central’s gone, all other major enemy factions as also dealt with; we didn’t spend that much time away from Earth, either. Plus, Earth was still being covered by the SDF, the Katou Organization and all the other groups.
Speculation won’t get us anywhere, though, so Murrue asks Misato that we need to get back there immediately. Misato’s loathe to pull Jeffrey away from here after they’ve finally found a new home, but the captain was going to give us a ride back anyway. The Quarter’s already been charging up energy for a Fold back to Earth, and it should be ready soon.
As Jeffrey commands his crew to psyche themselves up and prepare for their return voyage, Yuu sees the writing on the wall: “Bases all across Earth destroyed… can it be…?”

“She’s just a human. Humans are only human.”

Also, interesting thing that this game briefly brings up in a few conversations, which isn’t elaborated on outside side material and the movies (due to vastly different events) - “Grace O’Connor” is a prisoner inside her own body. Between installing her cybernetics and the start of the show, the leaders of the Galaxy Fleet took control of her body from her, leaving her incapable of doing anything of her own volition. In the show this is only briefly alluded to in the finale, but it is very canon.

Oh yeah, and have to love that GC tier “welp, we finally finished killing this big bad series villain. Now we can go home and rela-FUCK everything is on fire!” ending. Be ready for the beginning of the Nintendo Handheld team’s fetish of handing an upgrade at the end of the second to last stage of the game.

Click to see the mission!


Two missions left to go, so let’s not waste time. Rey continues to crush the competition, nearly a full 100 kills ahead of the competition, but what you might notice is that Jesus decided to bump off Ichitaka out of 3rd place. I haven’t been abusing his MAPW anywhere near as much as Rey’s but I guess I did enough.


And you wanted Daiya to become HUGE, so here it is. On top of having stats to rival ships and Real robots, and enough firepower to reduce several nations into a smoldering crater, Gaiking the Great’s Squad Bonus has been buffed once again: +250 Armor, +25 mobility, 2000 barrier, +2 movement.
Daiya straight-up can no longer be killed.


Finally, as you might expect, Ichitaka and Yuu are deploying as event units, so we adjust accordingly:
Dancouga/Hilde
Daiya/Deceive
Kouichi/Quatre
Lee/Norza
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Rey/Cagalli (we’re back on land, and the upcoming enemies have a lot of fliers)
Kouji/Sawatari
Tetsuya/Canaria
Kira/Athrun
Iczer-3/Soubi
Goh/Yanma
Eida/Anna
Iczer-1/Iczer-2
Ozma/Luca
Heero/Michel
Voltes/Combattler
Alto/Brera
Shinn/Yulianne
Asuka/Lou
Shinji/Dearka

Off we go.

: De-Fold and Warp Out successful. All LOTUS vessels are confirmed present.
: No abnormalities with any of our ships. The Flag’s navigation systems are all green as well.
: And… no signs of hostiles?

Looks around the trashed map.

: What… what the hell happened here…?!
: It’s… awful…
: The whole area’s destroyed… There’re no signs of people, either.
: Can we establish contact with any of our facilities…?!
: We’re trying the Dannar Base, Build Base, and all science institutes – no one’s answering us!
: No one at all…?! You don’t mean…!
: We need to assess the situation on the double. I can’t even imagine how much damage’s been done across the globe.
: Satellite communications are down, though. The regular comm channels are being jammed as well…
: So the enemy first cut off all intelligence networks and then moved to conquer all relevant locations in one fell swoop…? But how could anyone…
: It’s not that impossible, you know.
: What…?
: Think back to Kiriyama’s coup of Japan. All it took was enough planning and he managed to take over the entire country rather quickly.
: But this one was an assault on a global scale. No one should be able to—

Alarm!

: We’re detecting a unit on high-speed approach! IDed as… GreAT’s!

: That unit… HL-1?!
: That’s correct, Ichitaka Nagumo.
: Wait, if you’re here… Was your group the one behind all this destruction?!
: Who else but we could have done it?
: But this isn’t something you could’ve pulled off easily. Mind telling us what kind of trick you used?
: It was nothing special, really. As you may know, GreAT is a manufacturer and distributor of all kinds of electronics for the entire world…
: All it took was causing all those to shut down simultaneously. That’s it.
: I get it now…! Then the reason Prof. Grife scrapped those upgrade plans for Alice using GreAT-made components…!
: Was because he noticed those parts were faulty, and realized GreAT couldn’t be trusted…!
: I am not privy to such matters. But, regardless, all major Earth nations, as well as the PLANTs, are already under our control.
: Did you raze those nations to the ground, like you did this city…?!
: How many innocent people did you kill…?!
: I ask that you calm down. You may find it hard to believe, but civilian casualties were almost nil.
: But Central is already defeated. Control of your Earth should have returned to the hands of the United Nations Government.
: Yet, here you are still attacking our world. What reason do you have for doing this?
: Before you have your answer, I have something to show you.

Beep.

: …
: What the…?!
: …
: …
: F-Father! Ms. Relena!
: …
: And they are not the only ones. Prof. Kiriko Aoi, Prof. Senjiro Shiba… all of Earth’s top scientific minds are squarely in our hands.
: …
: That’s… Professor!
: You! What did you do to them?!

Bloop.

: Please, do not worry. They’re all simply asleep… for now, at least.
: …?! Who the hell are you?!
: Why, I’m certain Hisataka Katou told you all about me.
: Then, you’re…!
: I never had the pleasure of meeting most of you, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Ludo Gloria, president of the New United Nations Government…
: Though, in this world, perhaps my claim to fame is as GreAT’s founder.
: True, I remember reading about you in “Men’s Business Monthly”.
: And with introductions out of the way, let us return to your previous question, Col. Katsuragi. The reason why we’re still attacking despite Central’s defeat is quite simple: I want this Earth.
: Wha— Then it’s the same damn thing as that bucket of bolts?!
: Not quite, little Satoru Yamashita. My ultimate goal is world peace… mind you, by that, I mean the world I’m from.
: While Central wanted this world to sate its thirst for expansionism, I need it to help my resource-starved people.
: And is that the reason why you were nowhere to be seen during Central’s offensive?
: Not quite. If I simply wanted to make this world my own, I could have simply kept cooperating with Central. No, I actually had faith – faith that you would be capable of destroying Central!
: You had faith in us…? What are you getting at?!
: Oh, I see how it is…!
: He’s just like Mr. Birler, who’d cooperated with Grace and Leon for a while, despite his motives being completely different from theirs…!
: Very good. Even if various groups share an objective, it’s impossible for their motives to fully match one another. I’d wager that’s the same with you, no?
: So substantial revisions were then made to the plan – our own plan, not a joint one with them.
: What I’m getting from this, then, is that you saw things were going south for Central, so you decided to ditch your old allies.
: I never thought of Central as an “ally” to begin with. Though we had a cease-fire in place and exchanged technology with them, it was always meant as a temporary measure.
: “Temporary”?! But weren’t you the one who rose to power with those peace-talks with Central?!
: That was only possible because Central itself deemed they were much more likely to bolster their collective growth by exploiting humans, rather than carrying on a war of attrition with us.
: In truth, said “cease-fire” included several lopsided deals, like us having to look the other way to the Machina-Humans’ trespasses into our territory – not that the people were privy to that, of course.
: Central agreed to back our version of the story in return… but, really, it was only a matter of time before the hostilities resumed.
: So your political power was built on lying to your people? Now you’re a real piece of work.
: Dreadful business, I know. But, still, I am very much interested in establishing friendly relations with your group.
: As you saw, the professors are all safe, so I hope you’ll take that as a proof that I’m speaking the truth.
: … Get to the point. What are your demands?
: I’m glad you’re quick on the take. First things first, I’d like for us to have a nice, peaceful chat.
: I’ll be waiting for you at the Dannar Base. We’ll even hand the professors over once you’ve arrived – the sooner you do, the better, of course. Now, if you’ll excuse me…

Beep.

: Message has been delivered. We hope you’ll choose wisely, LOTUS.

: GreAT’s unit has left the airspace…
: …
: “Dreadful business, I know”… You’ve got a lotta nerve using that word…

Looks at the wrecked city.

: Is this what someone looking to “establish friendly relations” does…?! If this isn’t “dreadful”, then what is?!


Back at the Flag, Anna wonders what Gloria could be up to with this invitation; Mira and Athrun smell an obvious trap, but the guy has hostages, so we’ll just have to play along. Thankfully, not ALL of our allies have been captured and Sally manages to get in touch – she’s doing fine, and had to cobble up a comm device that could bypass the jamming and reach us.
Regardless, she confirms what we already feared: GreAT’s taken over nearly all military installations throughout the world, and while there are pockets of resistance, things aren’t looking good. Yagyuu still can’t believe they pulled off something like this. Even with them being able to shut down all electronics, how did they manage to deploy all those forces as quickly as they did?
Sally says GreAT has access to a warp device, so it wasn’t difficult for them to take advantage of the myriad bases’ failing defenses and walk right in. No one was in any condition to stop their blitz.


Kaji calls in and also relays the intel he’s available: GreAT has positioned those same red units we fought before in various strategic locations across the world. Misato’s surprised to hear from Kaji, but, no, she wasn’t worried – she’s too busy to worry about him. But he assures her that the intel’s legit: he personally came face-to-face with one of the GreAT units.
That takes Misato aback somewhat, but Kaji assures her that he’s well. And she shouldn’t look so uneasy, lest it affect Shinji and the others. Whatever the case, Yuu sees that GreAT’s mass-produced the unit we saw at Orb and Daedalus Base, and Kenichi’s expecting a tough fight if those have been deployed throughout the planet.
Worse, as Kaji relates, all countries are pretty much focused on trying to safeguard whatever they have left and can’t send troops to assist – we’re on our own, and he apologizes for not being able to help. But it’s fine and Misato asks him and Sally to stay safe.

As the call ends, Yuu approaches Misato: it’s very likely that the warp device GreAT’s using was created by Prof. Grife. As we heard before, those guys are using Grife’s brain as a tool to develop their own forces, and Haruno says it was theorized that the Dimensional Converter installed on the Rushbird and Straybird could’ve served as a basis for a warp device; the professor never went ahead with that since, one, he didn’t have the budget for it and, two, he didn’t care for the sponsors’ plans for the device.
Of course, GreAT had the budget and their Boazan brainwave scanner made convincing Grife a nonissue. And that brings us to the problem at hand, as GreAT now has all the greatest minds of Earth at their disposal. Yuu fears they’ll eventually get brain scanned as well, and the longer we take, the stronger our enemy will grow.
Plus, once GreAT figures the captives have served their purpose, they’ll likely be disposed of. We need to hurry, not just for our own sake, but for theirs as well.


Mission 40 – The Wings of Time

: Come on, come on… show yourself…!

: Welcome, my friends. I knew you’d accept my invitation.
: Yeah, here we are! Now hand over the professors!
: Patience. Before any of that, I’d like to extend my gratitude to all of you: the data we attained from you was exceedingly helpful in our conquest of Earth.
: HL-1, show it to them, if you would.
: Yes, sir… Fire!

: What the…! That was one of those Dimension Eater bombs?!
: Not exactly, it was miniaturized… that was an MDE Warhead…!
: And that is not all. We also have this.

Photon Beam Noise!

: What…! That was the Mazinger’s…!
: Your technology, and the tremendous effort you’ve put into perfecting and mastering it, is truly a sight to behold.
: So you not only analyzed our tech, you can now use it as your own…?!
: Didn’t your mom teach you that if you don’t give up, your dreams will all come true? And I have certainly never given up.
: I’ve believed in myself, I’ve always persisted, and, now, my dream is about to come true.
: Oh, drop the window dressing. What it all comes down to is that your “dream” is taking over the world, isn’t it?
: You’re free to look at it like that, if you like. But I think a group like yours, so unrelenting and dedicated, can understand where I’m coming from.
: But what about the common masses, those who do nothing but rely on your protection and savor the sweet fruits of your labor? Do those people deserve having guardians such as you? They know nothing of duty and obligation, always coasting on the peace you earned with your blood…
: So your point is: “we’re both hardworking sorts, so you should join me”. Are you actually serious?
: Do you find it strange? I’d like to think that I only amounted to a capable statesman because I understood the importance of belief and hard work.
: But what did all this rampant mobocracy, dominated by its shortsightedness, ever give you? War. Even now something as mundane as the correctness of genetic manipulation cleaved society in half, pitting man against man – twice.
: But that’s…!
: … Don’t, Shinn. We can’t deny the history of our conflict…
: But I value hardworking men and women like you quite a lot!
: While things may be a bit topsy-turvy right now, I’m confident I’ll create a peaceful society in due time. In fact, it’s already happening on the other world.
: Or can you stick out your chests and declare that, yes, the people would be happier if the old status quo was simply restored? Can you say that that is better for society than being ruled by me…?
: Without a shred of doubt!
: What…?

: If you let someone rule the world, who’ll be there to stop him when he makes a mistake? And, as a matter of fact, you’re already completely mistaken!
: Do you seriously think everybody is wrong, except you? You look too old to be acting like such a huge baby.
: I’ve been wrong more times than I can count… but I managed get back on the right track because I had friends around to stop and correct me!
: And when things got tough, they were always there to help me make it through.
: Ludo Gloria… do you have people like that? People whom you trust with all your heart?
: Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s fine. Because we can only appreciate what’s right when we’ve personally worked to find it.
: And that’s how people grow, from the day they’re born ‘til the day they die!
: Like the Chairman and Grace, you’re in way too much of a hurry to push society into being “perfect”, into reaching the “pinnacle” of its evolution!
: What humanity needs is time! And so long as people never lose the bonds they share with each other, there’s no way we won’t find a bright future waiting down the road!
: I suppose our negotiations have broken down… how unfortunate. Still, I am truly grateful to you all, so…

: He did have an ambush waiting for us.
: Consider this a small token of my gratitude. I hope it’s to your liking.
: And now I bid you farewell, my friends of LOTUS…

Bloop.

: Enemy data matched… Several non-GreAT units identified.

Looks ahead.

: Windams… and those are equipped with nuclear weapons…!
: And they’ve even got some Ghosts. At least they’re not Ghost V-9s.
: I think it’s fair to say that what we have here is a showcase of everything they studied over past battles.
: Hah, but they’re not beating us with just these…!
: We’re already old hands at being outnumbered, after all…!
: Misato, what about the hostages?!
: I’ve just sent a rescue party after them! Let the pros handle that while you focus on bringing down the enemy forces!
: Take care of my grandfather and the others, please…!
: The EVA has its A.T. Field because it’s meant to protect others… I’m sure of it! And I’ll make sure both Earth and everyone in it stays safe!
: Ichitaka, all meters are in the green – no problems at all!
: We’re winning this…! We’ll beat that guy and yank Earth right out his hands!


Destroy everything, don’t lose your ships, Rushbird or Straybird. We’re back again in the Dannar Base map but, thankfully, the enemies are pretty much all around solid ground – no need to worry about the goddamn water. That said, there are a lot of trees and cliffs, so your land-bound units will certainly take longer to get places.
As the scene told us, you’re staring down at a mob of myriad Earth-made mooks: Windams, Destroys, Jinrais, Ghosts, Fat Boys and the usual GreAT units. Honestly, this isn’t really hard so long as you prioritize a few things: other than the Strike Valleys, pay special attention to the Destroys due to their powerful attacks, so you’ll want to get them quick or they’ll build up the morale to MAPW.
The new Nuclear Windams… honestly, I didn’t see them do anything different. Maybe it takes a bunch of morale for them to use said nukes, but they’re all front and center, so you’ll likely kill them first.
All in all, you’ve done this song and dance several times before, so get to it. Do make sure to kill everything and save your SP by the time you take out HL-1, though, yes? Being able to rain valored attacks (and MAPWs, especially) will make things a lot simpler for you.


Any problems you might have, just throw Daiya at it until it goes away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5lunEl230U
Heey, I finally had room for one of the SEED Flunkies! By the by, while Dearka’s best attack is tagged as the shotgun, this is actually the Hyper Impulse Long-Range Sniper Rifle and I’ve no idea why they didn’t use that name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2F3BSSjsdE
And, also, here’s the DK for the other one of Jeffrey’s new tricks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikhYLee4mdA
And after seeing it used in events twice, I FINALLY remember to get the DK of the last of Mode-C’s attacks on camera! :toot:
It’s pretty hard for a bot to look intimidating when it’s glowing in neon pink, I have to say.


Back to the drawing board with your bot!
FYI, I’d advise taking an extra turn if necessary and making sure you’ve all your units hanging by the Dannar Base before you down HL-1.

: You might be able to use our tech, but if you think that means you can make good use of it, think again!
: The effort it took to master those isn’t something you can copy that easily!
: True, we can’t install those in the Imperial Valley just yet. But it is only a matter of time. Just a bit longer and both myself and the Imperial Valley will receive the necessary upgrades.
: Then we’ll just have to take you down before that happens…! You’re not using the professors’ smarts for evil – not on our watch!


Ichitaka: “We’re not about to get dunked on by a puppet like you!”

: We’ve finally made it…!
: If we can successfully rescue the captives, all that’ll remain is a frontal assault at GreAT.
: And you presume things will simply go according to your plans? There is no “potential” left in you – at all.
: Now that’s a very mechanical prognosis. And I’ll be happy let the bonds built between us prove you wrong…!


Haruno: “Her AI is the same as mine…”
Yuu: “But at the end of the day, she’s just a puppet. You’re nothing like her!”

: You truly are strong. But both my unit and I have made plenty of advancements since our battle at Daedalus Base.

: That’s… a D-S.O.I.L.?! No, wait, these readings are different…!
: As you might have expected, a machine like me wasn’t compatible with the principles behind Factors. That being said, nanomachines work just fine and we finally perfected our faulty emergency repair system.
: You sure did your homework, I’ll give you that… But on the flip side, the way you brag about tech you stole really grinds my gears.
: Then let me show you something that’s wholly original.

: Our experiment at Orb may have failed, but let’s see how it performs this time.

HL-1 starts zipping all around our people!

: It’s what they used against me…!
: And your previous tactic will not work again. There’s no way for you to stop the D-Converter.

Zips around some more!

: Enemy unit’s temperature is rising…! Space-time distortions detected!
: It’s just like that time…!
: Damn it, and they already analyzed the trick we used before, so we can’t go with it…!
: Kosuke, there anything we can do here?!
: Give me a minute! I’m looking into it!

Zip, zip, zip, zip.

: Our estimates say we’ve about 180 seconds before her engine goes critical and explodes…!
: Now what?! Alice, you got any ideas? You always do!
: I-I’m sorry… I can’t think of anything that’d work!
: … Haruno, are you confident in your ability to control the Dimensional Converter?
: If I’ve your support, I believe I could maintain as much as thrice our current output.
: Thrice, with my support… but if we’ve them as well…
: What are you thinking, Yuu…?!
: Ichitaka, link our units’ Dimensional Converters together! If we use the Straybird’s wings and the Rushbird’s Dimensional Converter in tandem, we might have a shot at this!
: But controlling both Converters running simultaneously is impossible! You, yourself, came to that conclusion!
: And if we fail, we’ll destroy this entire region!
: Haruno, the two of us can manage up to thrice our regular output. But with those two… with Ichitaka and Alice…
: I believe that we can pull it off. We can control both Converters at the same time and manage an output over five times stronger! Think you can do it, Ichitaka?!
: Doesn’t matter what I think. If we don’t make it work, we and the professors are all dead… So we’re just gonna have to pull it off!
: B-But…!
: And ya know what, Alice, I think we’ll be alright. We worked really hard to get here, so have faith in me… in us!
: We’ll take everything we learned ‘til today – from Yamashita, Miu, Goh, Shizuru, Tetsuya and Noin – and bash her upside the head with it!
: …! Okay. I’ll show her all I’ve gained throughout this… every last drop!

Zip, zip, zip, zip.

: 60 seconds!
: Gonna have to ad lib this, then! HERE GOOOOES!


:siren: :siren:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uEBDOg6mUw
Yuu: “Ichitaka, the Straybird’s wings are yours!”
Haruno: “We will manage both Dimensional Converters flawlessly!”
Alice: “This is it… Now we draw upon everything we’ve learned through these battles!”
Ichitaka: “Wh-Whoa…! That’s a lotta power…!” > “Alright… Let’s do this, Alice!”
Alice: “Diverting all energy to the Rushbird’s defense and propulsion systems!” > “Control… established!”
Ichitaka: “And… there! I’ve got it too!”
HL-1: “Master Gloria… Forgive…me…”

: We… we did it! Yuu, we did it!
: Yeah… this win’s all on you…!
: Data link terminated… Receiving combat data.
: …?! This signal is!

: Gah, they called the ones they spread across the world over?!
: And the pilots are all…
#3: Combat data received. Moving to eliminate targets.
#2: Combat data received. Moving to eliminate targets.
#1: Ours is a flawless squadron, comprised of wholly uniform soldiers. No strategy is beyond our capacity.
#1: Whereas your motley crew and your slapdash approach to combat are mired in the chaos of emotions and individuality. You cannot win.
: Yeah, we’ll see about that! It’s because we are so different that we can boost each other to do better and better!
: For all you’ve learned, there’s something essential that you just don’t seem to get!
: It’s the reason why Central failed…
: And why Big Gold could not prevail against us…!
: It’s something that comes with being human, and we’re about to give you an eyeful of it!
: The rescue team should have all the professors safe shortly! Bring your souls together and fight on, everyone!
: Aye, aye! Come on, people!


And this is why I told you to save as much SP as can be. You might expect the MP HL-1s and Imperial Valleys to be watered-down versions, but you would be WRONG. All twelve are all exact copies of the original and can be just as deadly, especially if you leave the all running prevail.
We’re not going to give them a chance to do that, though: low morale means they can’t use their long range weapon, so we’ll draw them closer, straight into Kira and Rey’s AoE and blast away. If you took your time before killing HL-1 and brought your guys closer, you’ll be in good position to throw everything and the kitchen sink at them, allowing you to kill them all in one round.
If you can’t, just take out as many as can be done and finish off the rest. They still don’t have MAPWs, at the very least.


But we do.


They spread out enough that Kira couldn’t blast all of them, but he could still tag half of the squads.
After that, it’s straight clean-up – you may now go all-out with your SP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o60shomLtko
Oh, and it took me until now to remember that I never showed the DK of the Iczelio Boomer.


And we’re done.

: Alright, I think that was the last of them!
: And we also have confirmation that the captives inside Dannar Base have been rescued. Everyone is safe!
: Thank goodness mom and the others are alright…
: Whew… That’s the end of that, at least for now.
: Professor! PROFESSOR!! Do you hear us?!
: Hrm… Ichitaka…?
: Yeah, it’s me! And Alice, Yuu and Haruno, too! We’ve been fighting as part of LOTUS, a UN force, and—
: Gch… LOTUS…?
: Oh , damn it all…! Who’s in charge there?! Get me in touch with your captains! Hurry!
: What’s going on?!
: We need to escape right now! This whole area’s about to get blown to kingdom come!
: What…?!

: The HL Platoon was beaten… Very well done, LOTUS. That being said, it’s exactly how I expected things to play out.
: Your defeat was sealed the second you assembled on that spot. And now you and everything within dozens of kilometers will all become very familiar with concept of “scorched-earth policy”… courtesy of my ultra-long range artillery.


:siren: :aaaaa: :siren: :aaaaa:

We’ll see this attack later, since it cuts out plenty here!


“Hmhmm… I believe a reward is in order for defeating HL-1.


“Though I truly regret having to do this…”


“Oh, unwavering warriors who defended this world from so, so many invaders…”


“I now grant you eternal rest…!”


“Take them, Galtdeus!!”

: This is… we’ve an enormous energy reading at satellite orbit!
: What?!
: All units, emergency retreat!
: There’s not enough time! Incoming!
: …!

: Farewell, Guardians of Earth…!