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

Sorry, that was a poorly worded phrase on my part - what it meant was more like an UNITED guerilla, instead of all those smaller groups. I’ve fixed it.

Click to see the mission!


Ooh, now look at this sumbitch. We have a threeway tie for our top aces, but Goh manages to beat out Ichitaka and Quatre due to having a higher level (I’ve no idea what’d be the tiebreaker if they were all 16).


Spent some cash upping the Rushbird, Godannar and Jeeg’s EN supplies along with assorted stats for the non-Vardant Machinas. The Sandrock’s come in pre-upgraded to two bars, so no worries there

Mind, I’ve started feeding Infights to Kenji as Ichitaka already has a handful. Still deciding whether I’ll want to give him, Goh or Daiya that EN-Save we got… Anyone who’s beat this all the way care to opine? I’m thinking Daiya’ll be the bigger EN hog, but I’m not 100% sure…


Oh, and everyone’s deploying as event units today, so wave goodbye to your arranged squads!

Off we go.


Our mechanics are still working on getting all our units repaired after yesterday’s battle. The Machinas’ D-S.O.I.L.s are working but it’ll be a while before they’re all 100% – at the moment, only the Linebarrel and Deceive are in fighting condition. Mind, the non-Machina units are far from being at their best, Shibakusa notes, and can’t really be sent out in this state.
Even Jeeg’ll have a bad time staying together with so many of his spare parts wrecked. Nanae and Morimoto say this was bound to happen as there’s only so much repairs can accomplish when considering all the especially tough missions we had recently – to say nothing of that big Executor blast we took.
Shibakusa and Kyo see no choice but to request leave to take the Jeeg and Dannar teams back to their respective bases to get patched up, and Maki can’t well disagree. He’ll run it by Ishigami.


Cut to some time later and Shibakusa’s telling everyone what’s what; Goh didn’t think their units were in THAT bad a shape, but damage has been building up out of sight consistently. Kyo even fears that if Jeeg doesn’t get some fresh parts ASAP and keeps fighting, he’ll simply fall apart in battle.
Tsubaki can already imagine Dr. Shiba looking at their data and yelling that Kenji’s crazy way of fighting is to blame. What, him? Yes, him – he switches and tosses parts around with such abandon that they can’t keep all the spares in working condition! Shizuna’s with Tsubaki on this, and figures Kenji oughta start using his noggin more when fighting. “Oi, I know, I know! You can quit with the Stereo Nagging already!”
Still, Tetsuya (Kouji) is worried about both these teams leaving for a bit – won’t it leave LOTUS understaffed? It will, but Yamashita doesn’t see another way as we’ll be far safer getting all our mechs fixed up in one go. Alice fears that the teams might get picked off by themselves, but Yamashta says this is still better than risk units breaking down midbattle.

Shizuru approves of his foresight and he chalks it all up to paying a lot of attention to everything Reiji says. Indeed, Alice is rather impressed with the speed with which humans learn – exemplary of the potential that lies within everyone. She’s determined not to fall behind and to keep adapting her AI to her new dual role. Shizuna herself very much likes her dedication and wishes “the dumdum” could learn a bit from Alice herself.
That done, Goh and the others will be taking off and wish us luck while takin care of the place. No worries, says Shizuna – the Deceive’ll be ready to give any goon that shows up a run for their money.


As for the Rushbird, Maki says it’s not as worn out as the other units – possibly because it hasn’t been active for as long as everyone else. Quatre’s Sandrock is still good to go, too, as the Magnac Corps had brought plenty of spare parts along. And, of course Iczer-1 has no problem fighting by herself.
Seems like we got a decent bunch of units, but Izuna still hopes nothing bad happens while the others are away. Mind, Shibakusa says it won’t be long as the Dannar Base crew will be pulling out all the stops to get maintenance done quickly. As for the Build Base crew, they’re only going over to get the spare parts so they’ll return soon.
That’s a relief to Ichitaka and, with that, the teams leave. While normally Ichitaka would be using this time to train, today isn’t really normal – he and Alice are leaving JUDA HQ for a bit. Emi asks to come with, at least to stay outside while it’s all happening.
Ichitaka says she’s more than welcome – he’s sure Yajima would appreciate it too.


Cut to the Cthulhu Fortress, Sepia reports that Iczer-Σ is ready to deploy whenever – Iczer-2’s up and about as well. Then it’s time to make their desire to destroy Iczer-1 a reality and Sir Violet commands them to fight to their hearts’ content.
Still, she does remind them that their enemies on Earth are more than just Iczer-1; Sepia’s aware, having also tagged us as one of the causes behind Cobalt’s defeat. Their primary target remains Iczer-1, but Violet warns them not to get tunnel vision and make bad calls.
Sepia confirms, but still promises to destroy both the traitor and our folks as well. Sir Violet is looking forward to it, so off goes Sepia. “I’ll defeat Iczer-1 – my sister…!” Iczer-2 proclaims.


By the Jama Kingdom, Himika’s noticed Jeeg and friends splitting up and easily figures they’re headed home to lick their wounds. Amaso and Mimashi know that to mean that Jeeg’s off to get new parts at Build Base, making this a perfect opportunity to attack the place and steal the Bronze Bell.
Himika has a better idea, though: they can use this opportunity to destroy JUDA, our HQ, in one fell strike! Once the place is ashes, it’ll be so much easier to take the Bronze Bell. Mimashi and Amaso both start begging Himika for command of the operation since Ikima has yet to return from his search for Hiroshi Shiba’s own Bronze Bell.

The two minions can’t come to an agreement, so Mimashi inches over and whispers at Amaso to listen up: with Ikima gone, it’ll just be him and Himika all alone. Will Amaso let this chance slip through his fingers? Fine, he “magnanimously” agrees to stay and protect the queen.
Himika allows it and will grant Mimashi some Haniwa Phantoms – this is a rare opportunity they have, so he better destroy all the humans.


En route to the funeral, Emi asks Ichitaka what kind of person Yajima was: “he was a really righteous guy… the kind everyone could count on and looked up to. I remember how hard he worked to get strong in order to protect Kouichi… Risako always looked so happy with that.
He explains that those three had been friends since they were kids – before he even met them – so whatever he’s feeling probably pales in comparison to what Kouichi’s going through. That explains to Alice why he was so enraged after Yajima’s death.
They’ve arrived, so Yui lets them off to say their farewells.

: …Damn, you dumbass. How could you go and die like this, Yajima…?!
: …
: Yajima… Yajima…

Door opens.

: Y-Yajima…
: Kouichi! Thank god you’re safe! Yajima said he was going to speak with you and this happened…
: I was so worried you might’ve died too!
: Risako…
: Come on, Kouichi. Don’t stay way back there…
: Yajima… That Machina… it was here because I became a Factor… I’m so, so sorry…
: Kouichi…

: Did you say your goodbyes?
: Yeah. Though it was a closed casket since they couldn’t find a body…
: … All of this is my fault. Yajima’s dead because I misused my power… Even his body got…
: If I hadn’t been so angry, if I hadn’t fought like that, he…!
: Kouichi…
: …
: H-Hey, where’re you going?!
: Anywhere…

He leaves.

: Kouichi, wait! Ms. Ogawa, I’ll go and talk to him; Alice, help me keep track of him!
: OK!
: I’ll come with you… I’m the one who pushed him to this point.

Off they go.

: Kouichi Hayase… I hope you’ll manage to pull through this…

: (Yeah, I… I could never be a Champion of Justice. I was just wasting my time fighting those guys, huh…)

Bump!

: Oow! Watch where you’re going!
: Sorry! I wasn’t paying attention…
: Hmm. Well, since you apologized, I might forgive you… Just kidding! Hahahah…hahah…
: …Hm.
: Something wrong? You’re not hurt, are you?
: N-No, I’m fine. I just got a lot on my mind…
: Well, listen, my name’s Nagisa Kanou. You look like a student from around here, right? Can I ask your help with something?
: Eeh, I guess… Doubt I could help, though.
: Hey, now… I might not look like it, but I’m a sophomore in high school, alright? Maybe you could be a bit nicer?
: S-Sorry, I thought you were another middle-schooler… What do you need?
: It’s my first time in this town, see. I’m trying to find my way home but I just don’t know where anything is! Ooh, my mom and dad must be so worried…!

Time passes.

: Isn’t that just awful? Who comes up to a person and tells them to fight?
: But I did do it… I fought and saved Anna – she’s my friend, by the way.
: Wow.
: Still, I’m done with all that awful business; I even ended up in a hospital after the last time. When she tried asking me to do it again, I turned her down then and there.
: But she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She kept going “fight, fight, fight”, so I decided to just make a run for it.
: Isn’t that a huge waste, though?! If you’re able to save others, why not do so?!
: No way – I’m just a regular girl. My fighting the other day was just an accident or whatever.
: But… what if you could’ve saved a friend and didn’t? Him getting hurt would be on you, and I’m sure you’d regret it…
: What a weird thing to say. Are you really alright? You can talk to me if there’s anything, you know.
: Ah… no, thanks. I don’t deserve any of that…
: Hmm, you really are a weird kid.
: Ah! And you’ll never believe where they were keeping me! Listen to this: it was at that company—
: There you are, Nagisa. Oh, and Kouichi too.
: Quatre? You tailing me again?!
: Huh? Who’s the cute foreigner?

People walk over.

: Haah, haah… Finally caught up with you…! Damn it, Kouichi… you got really fast…
: Quatre… and Nagisa?! What’re you doing here?
: Whoa, it really is her! When’d she slip out her room?!
: What’re you all doing here…? You gonna ask me to fight again?
: Huh? Why are you…?
: I told you, I’m not doing it! I’m done pretending to be a Champion of Justice!
: Is that really how you feel, Kouichi?
: It is… It’s my fault the town go so messed up and Yajima died.
: After Emi talked to me… I realized that I don’t have what it takes to use that power…!
: (He… he’s like me… They’re pushing him to fight…)
: …
: It’s true that we can’t say you were using your powers the right way…
: Yeah, which is why I’m not getting back in the Linebarrel…
: But you still saw that what you did was wrong. That’s very important.
: Huh?
: A few years ago, I was grief-stricken over losing my father and that pushed me to make a terrible mistake, to pilot a certain MS… So I know exactly what you’re going through.
: Quatre…
: Then that’s all the more reason why you should understand, no? We’ve no right to handle any power!
: But you’re wrong, Kouichi. I have to keep on fighting because that’s the only way I can atone for what I did. And that’s why I don’t want to see you run away from this – you should now be able to use your power for what’s right.
: B-But, I…
: (He couldn’t protect his friend… that’s why he said what he did…)
: (… No, I can’t let this get to me. I said I wouldn’t fight, and I won’t. I’m just a regular girl… Besides, I need to get home – my mom and dad are worried!)

Beep, beep!

: This is Quatre.
: We’ve an emergency; Cthulhu invaders and Haniwa Phantoms are moving in on Misaki.
: Oh, for the love—… Of course they actually would attack while our guys are away…!
: You’re in danger there. Meet up with Ms. Ogawa and return to JUDA ASAP – you’re to deploy immediately when you arrive, so prepare for it.
: Yes, sir!
: Is Kouichi there with you?
: Lemme save you the trouble: no, I’m not fighting.
: Kouichi!
: …
: Well, I guess that’s that. But the priority now is for you to get out of there and find someplace safe. As for the rest, please hurry on over!
: And Nagisa Kanou’s there as well, right? I know you might think this is a trick, but it’s dangerous there – would you come back to JUDA with them?
: Is there going to be another battle? What’s gonna happen to this town?!
: We really should hurry or we’ll all be in big trouble. Here, I’ll bring you to our car.
: Hup!
: Whawhawhaaa?! What’re you doing?! Put me doooown!

Alice runs off with Nagisa.

: Kouichi, please. Come fight with us – we need your power!
: Consider it a request from me, too. Quatre and Ichitaka are the only ones who can fight right now.
: Sorry, Emi. I need more time to think… I can’t make another mistake.
: Before he died, Yajima’s last words were that… what matters is just what I want to do.
: Kouichi…
: Guys, the car’s coming. Over here!
: Kouichi, I get what’s on your mind, but at least come hunker down at JUDA! We’ll throw a few punches for you while out there!
: O-OK…


Mission 9 (Rescue Route) – A Will to Fight

: Iczer-1 and her partner are around here… Open fire, Dilos Thetas! Destroy them all!

: Hmhmhm… hahahah! Luck is on our side, it seems! Her Majesty spoke of these people, though I didn’t expect to see them attacking here.
: Who goes there?
: I am Mimashi of the Jama Kingdom and I have come to crush the humans’ headquarters. I presume you’re also after the same… We should fight together.
: Hmph… nonsense. My only goal here is to eradicate Iczer-1! If you do anything to oppose that…
: Understood; I won’t. And, in return, I tell you not to interfere when our nemesis shows his face!

: Hold it right there! That’s enough outta both of you!
: There you are, Iczer-1…
: Iczer-1, if the Cthulhu are back in action, then…
: I presume they have appointed a new commander to replace the late Cobalt.
: But won’t it be too difficult for you to fight them without the Iczer Robo?
: But I must still do so – for both Nagisa and her planet.
: Them bots got a whole lot more size than you, though, so if things go south, you better back off real quick.
: Thank you for your concern, Shizuna.

Beep, boop.

: Everyone read me? We’ll have the other Machinas repaired soon, so hold on for a bit!
: And the Dannar and Build teams have also reported that their repairs are done. They’re headed this way as quickly as they can!
: This one’s looking like it’ll be a long fight, Alice, so take care not to overheat yourself!
: My AI has been developing its combat functions nicely; I should have no problems overall!
: We’ll be deploying soon, so keep your heads on a swivel, troops.
: You listening, Kouichi? Just sit right there with your thumb up your ass and watch us work real smooth-like! Better that than having you crazy ‘zerker tagging with us!
: …
: Bah, you’re a real letdown, Kouichi. Guess we’re gonna have to run the “Champs of Justice” business ourselves. Off we go!

Alert!

: Hold on, sis! Something’s coming!
: This signal… it’s just like Iczer-1’s?


:siren: This BGM isn’t in the game, but screw it. It’s too good to be left out! :siren:

: You’re…
: A good day to you. I’m Iczer-2, your little sister…
: Iczer-2… my sister?!
: Right. I am the daughter of Big Gold, so I’m your sister.
: Big Gold…? That can’t be!
: I have been created to end you… no more, no less.

: She’s fast…!
: Very impressive, dear sister. You’re quite good…
: How’s she so fast?! I barely even saw her move!
: I’ll handle her. The rest of you please go for the Dilos and the Haniwas!
: Okey-dokey! Let’s get to it, folks!


Losing anyone’s a game over, so exercise a wee bit of caution. You’ll likely want the Rushbird to trail around Iczer-1 just to act as a safety net against Iczer-2, and do note the abundance of forests around. Setting your units there (ground level, not flying) will be an easy +15% bonus to their evasion and defenses.


Iczer-2
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Ignore Size Difference
Predict
Prevail L5
Support Attack L1
Attack Combo L1

Remember when I said there were only a handful of folks who could match or beat Iczer-1 in raw stats? Iczer-2’s your main worry among those as she surpasses 1 is pretty much everything that matters except Skill. Her skills are also, as you can see, quite good.
That’s somewhat balanced by the fact that, like Iczer-1, she hasn’t got much in range – only her Iczer Beam reaches beyond point-blank and it’s only 1-3 – so approach from a distance (packing Strike) and you’ll be relatively safe.
If you have to move in point-blank, though, absolutely pop a defensive spirit because her strongest attack will HURT.

So our units move north a bit to both draw in Iczer-2 and find cover in a nearby forest.


Enemy Phase!


And, good for me, Iczer-2 could only reach Ichitaka for her BEAM attack.

: The Rushbird’s all about being sturdy. Only way you’re getting to JUDA is over our wrecks and that ain’t happening!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGgoal5nIG8
Ichitaka: “Your eyes can keep up with her, right, Alice?!”
Alice: “Don’t ask the impossible of me, if you would!”

I’m actually surprised that hit as it was a 50%.
The other mooks are moving in but nothing else is in range.


Player Phase!


We’ll keep Iczer-1 right next to 2, safe next to Ichitaka. By the by, with Focus and inside the forest, 2 still has a 20% chance to hit her.

: Come, Iczer-1!
: (Iczer-2… my sister. Her offensive capacity is even greater than mine…?!)


Iczer-1: “If you’re also an Iczer, then you must realize who you truly should be fighting!”
Iczer-2 taking damage: “Let’s enjoy this bout for all it’s worth, my sister!”
Counterattacking: “It’s my turn next, dear sister!”


These Boya Kaengus are still so weak.


We’ll want to give Quatre some levels here to learn Bless ASAP.

: I’ve had my share of fighting in losing battles, but this is one we can’t afford to lose! Go, Sandrock!


It was only now that I realized Quatre’s Shotels don’t have the best ratings against aerial targets. Frail or not, these mooks won’t be oneshot by the Cross Smasher.


I’d rather the mooks attack our stronger folks, so I’ll keep the Deceive back.

: You good to go, Izuna? We’re only dealing with bots today, so don’t worry about holding anything back. Can’t screw things up with that dumdum watching!
: Understood, sis. No one’s getting through here!


There we go.


Enemy Phase!


As Ichitaka nabs two kills from the Boya Kaengus, the Dilos are getting closer.

: I’ll simply have to make do with my own strength until Nagisa comes around …!


We’re good on that front, though.


Player Phase!

: I believe it’s time we finished this, sister…
: !!
: Haah!

Iczer-1’s thrown waaay back!

: AAH!
: What’s the matter, Iczer-1? Surely that’s not all you’ve got.
: Urk…
: Get up! I can’t stand weaklings… if you don’t get up, then you’ll die!
: Hrrm… I-I’m not finished…!
: Better, dear sister… Now you’re worth killing. Sepia!
: Yes!
: Call forth the remaining Dilos Thetas and command them after Iczer-1.
: Right. Come, Dilos!

: Gaaah!
: Hmhmhmhm…
: Damn it, she’s in a lotta trouble! We gotta help, Izuna!
: Aye, aye, sis!

The Dilos gets blasted away and the Deceive moves in after Iczer-1.

: Are you OK, Iczer-1?!
: Shizuna, Izuna…
: I see you’re well-liked, dear sister. However, blindsiding us won’t help you for long.
: Go, Dilos! Bring down that worthless Machina!

: Waaah!
: Aaah!
: Izuna! Shizuna!
: I’ll help them!
: Oh, no, you will not!

: Rrgh…!
: Aahahahaha! We are not the only ones you’ve to worry about!
: Now just sit back and watch as your companions suffer.
: Damn it, isn’t there anything we can do?!
: We’re too badly outnumbered. If we had at least one more unit…!

: Take a look at the transmission, Kouichi. They’re all going to die if this doesn’t change. Our Machinas aren’t ready yet – only your Linebarrel is.
: Is… Is that a threat?
: Don’t be silly. This is… a sincere plea for your help.
: !!

Beep!

: Back off, Mr. Ishigami! We don’t need that guy’s help!
: We can handle this, sir! Don’t force his hand, please!
: Alice, watch the Laplace Wall. I’m gonna try making a break for it again!
: Roger that!

Boom!

: Urgh! Damn it, I can’t!
: Are you OK, Ichitaka?!
: Th-They’re…
: Kouichi…
: Hrm…! I… I know that whatever I feel’s likely just a sorry excuse for righteousness… And I know that I don’t have what it takes to be a Champion of Justice…
: But… but how could I just walk away from this? If I don’t do something, they…!
: Then… become a Champion of Justice.
: Huh…?
: Do it right this time. And be a real Champion of Justice.
: …I will!

He runs off.

: There he goes. It’s just you now, Nagisa.
: Huh?
: I’m sure that, on some level, you’ve already realized… both the strength that hid inside you, and that your parents—
: No, NO! I don’t! My mom and dad are alive, and I’m going to just go back to my normal life!
: If that’s the choice you make once you’ve accepted the truth, then I won’t stop you.
: Whether you believe anything or don’t is entirely up to you. So I’ll just tell you a bit of reality as it is.
: I don’t wanna hear anything… Help me, Iczer-1…!
: I’m afraid both your parents are already dead. The Cthulhu killed them when they attacked your town, before you even boarded the Iczer Robo.
: That’s… That’s a lie! Daddy, mommy…!
: You’ve heard news of all those missing people these past months, didn’t you? That was the Cthulhu’s doing. They infect humans and use them to attack others.
: Once infected, the hosts cannot go back to being humans, so Iczer-1 could only kill and eliminate the corpses. That’s the truth behind those incidents… and it was through those people that the Cthulhu found you back then.
: …!!
: So they set about to infect both your parents and your friends in order to kill you…
: Iczer-1 noticed what was happening, so she hunted down those humanoid Cthulhus. She saved your life.
: She… She never said anything about that…
: Because she knew what a heavy blow it would’ve been to you. She told me she would explain it all once your physical and mental injuries had fully healed… even if that made you hate her.
: Iczer-1…
: She’s now fighting with all she has to avenge your parents… she needs your strength, but refused to make a fuss.
: I think she’s just waiting… waiting for you to fight of your own free will.
: I’ve to get revenge for my mom and dad… No. I just have to help her…!

Off she goes.

: Nagisa…
: Everyone holds both justice and evil in their hearts. I’d rather not shove childish notions of justice in people’s faces, but I’m glad she turned out to have the heart of a Champion.

: Ahahahah…! Is something the matter? Surely you two can do something, no?
: Ugh… uurk…
: Hrrgh…
: Kch…
: And we won’t even need to use the Iczer-Σ… How disappointing.
: Sepia, how about you go and finish them off?
: Right!

: That’s enough outta you!
: I’m here too!
: Huh? You’re…!
: …Nagisa…?
: K-Kouichi…
: I… told you we… don’t need your help. What’re you here for?!
: I don’t really know why…
: Hm?
: I dunno if I’ve what it takes to fight, or if I can make good use of this power, or what’s waiting for me down this road… But, right now, I just want to help you guys. Of that, I’m 100% sure!
: And I… I was wrong about you, Iczer-1. I thought you were a monster who’d come to drag me into some fight and ruin my life… but that wasn’t true.
: What do you say, Shizuna, Izuna? What’d ya want me to do?
: Urgh… Please… whoop their asses…
: And come help us…! Lend us all a hand, Kouichi!
: You got it! Now you just let me handle this!
: I wanna help Iczer-1 too! I… I just need more power to do it! A lot more!
: Come! Linebarrel!!

: Please… Iczer Robo!

Both bots charge after the Dilos mob!

And pull Iczer-1 and the Deceive closer to JUDA.

: Ah—!
: Oho…
: You’re not killing my friends!
: Haah… haah…
: Hmph. So that’s how it’ll be, huh? Your partner’s beckoning you, Iczer-1.
: Na-Nagisa… You summoned the Iczer Robo by yourself…?
: Iczer-1… I’m ready to fight…!
: Truly, Nagisa?
: Yes; I want to help you. I couldn’t live with myself if I just watched you all get killed.
: Why don’t you unite with the Iczer Robo, dear sister? That’ll also give me a far more enjoyable battle…
: …
: Nagisa, I’m coming!

: Very good… Sepia, the time has come to fulfill the promise we made. I’m summoning the Iczer-Σ!
: Understood!

: That’s…!
: They still had another trick up their sleeve?!
: I’m detecting the same energy readings as the Iczer Robo. But the output… theirs is even higher!
: Ahahah… Do you see this, Iczer-1? It is my other half: the Iczer-Σ!
: Iczer-Σ…!
: We’re going, Sepia. Your power should far exceed that of the Earthling girl… In other words, their Iczer Robo is of no consequence!
: Right, Iczer-2. I’ve long waited for this and now I will destroy the Iczer Robo and avenge Cobalt!
: Iczer-Σ… Can I best it with how battered I already am…?
: No… Nagisa’s here fighting with me, along with my friends of Earth. I’ve nothing to fear from anyone!
: … I won’t run anymore. Kouichi also chose to stand and fight… and if I’ve the power to do the same, then I’ll use it to defend Earth with all of you!
: Ichitaka, Quatre, sorry for the headache I gave you guys.
: I should apologize as well for trying to press you into joining our battles…
: Forget about it… And Shizuna, Izuna, I’m gonna pay ‘em back twice what they put you two through!
: Kouichi… I’m counting on ya.
: Oh, enough with all that mirth! Come forth, soldiers of the Underworld and Haniwa Phantoms!

: You think you’re gonna scare us with that?! Come on, Kouichi – this is where we turn this whole thing around!
: Yeah!

Whew, now that was a lot of stuff going down. Nagisa’s finally joined us for good, which means Iczer-1 now unlocks her ability to summon/desummon the Iczer Robo over 130 morale (not in this mission – she’s stuck on the Robo).

Now for the actual new addition to the team:


Linebarrel (Kouichi Hayase)
Pilot Skills:
Factor
Sword Cut
Guard
Prevail L2
Support Attack L1
Attack Combo L1
Spirit Commands:
Invincible
Strike
Squad Bonus: Melee weapons’ damage +100, mobility +5

Kouichi, as you’d expect from the protagonist, is pretty good all around his stats. All that exposure to Super Robot shows gave him a case of Gekiganger syndrome in that his spirit commands aren’t really tailored for dodginess but he’ll make do (a barrier’ll be a nice safety net). That said, with a D-S.O.I.L. base level of 95, Kouichi’ll regen more than any other Machina pilot (nearly 28% and that’s before the D-S.O.I.L starts rising).
And as everyone’s been telling us throughout these missions, the Linebarrel’s really, really good. It’s got a crapton of power, good accuracy, defenses, mobility and even range now that the Executor was unlocked.
The plot says you WILL have to field him and, really, there is no objective reason not to.


Oh, and just like the Iczer Robo covers Iczer-1’s lack of range, the same happens for Iczer-2. She’s rather bulky with that Prevail L5, too, so keep that in mind. Like before, don’t attack her at point-blank unless you really have to, and, in that case, pack some defenses.


Let’s put the kid to work.

: You’ve got a lot of nerve to torment my friends like that… and you’re gonna get it all back with interest!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf4kJWnmv2I
When did Ishigami slip him that suit…?


Quatre and Ichitaka tag team a Dilos into the ground.


Ichitaka himself weakens this one, setting it up for Iczer-1.

: My sincerest thanks for your resolve, Nagisa. Please entrust your strength to me!
: OK!


Boosh. Shizuna, meanwhile, slaps a Boya Kaengu some.


Enemy Phase!


Of course.

: Sepia, now is the time to bring peace to Cobalt’s soul!
: Right, Iczer-2. We will destroy the Iczer Robo!
: Synchronize yourself with me, Nagisa. Do that and the Iczer Robo’ll know no defeat!
: Got it, Iczer-1! I’ll do whatever I can!


Iczer-2 attacking: “This place will be your grave, Iczer-1!”
Iczer-1 attacking: “Indeed, battle is inevitable when dealing with her…!”

After that, the closer Boya Kaengus start attacking/dying to people: two to Iczer-1…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqlOYZ8LXpQ
And one to Quatre, which allows us to see the dynamic finish of this.


On the other side, the Dilos are mobbing our Machinas.


No kills but Shizuna and Kouichi do a lot of damage to them.


Player Phase!


Our guys FINALLY arrive, including the folks from the other bases. As Kenji proclaims the certainty of our victory with their arrival, Goh’s raring to give the baddies a taste of the fully-repaired Godannar (courtesy of Shibakusa). Time to clean house.


Losing Kenji or Iczer-1’s a game over, so keep an eye on them (especially Iczer-1, what with that bug).


Off we go, with Kenji, Shizuru and Miu each taking a weakened Dilos. Reiji jumps right into the fray to spread his command aura, taking a Boya Kaengu.


Get to it, Yagyuu.


Just short of a kill but that’s fine – Kenji and Kyo take both.


Pop a kill for Shizuna, Iczer-1 wrecks a Haniwa with an assist from Ichitaka and Quatre gets this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvdaHc-gptA
Here’s the DK for his Heat Shotels as well.


Cha-ching! Here we go… but he doesn’t have enough SP to use it!

And you’ve got the idea, so let’s save some time. Long story short: the Boya Kaengus made the mistake of attacking stuff and got promptly wrecked by pretty much everyone, the Dilos were already on their last legs and all died to counterhits.


Player Phase!


By the time Mimashi got here, only a handful of his troops are still standing. Let’s get him off our hair before dealing with them.

: You came all the way from Kyushu just to get your ass beat by me? Oh, you shouldn’t have!
: It is you who came here only to meet your end! I’ll be taking your Bronze Bell as an offering to Her Majesty!
: Well, we can’t have both of those flying, so you’re gonna have to run back to mommy with a whole buncha nothing!


Hits from Ichitaka and Iczer-1 bring him down to size.


And considering I can’t have Quatre use Bless, I’ll just cut my losses and have Tetsuya kill him with Luck cast.

: Curse you all… How am I to face Her Majesty with just another failure?!
: Hah, that’s what you get. Now grit your teeth ‘cause we’re about to rain a lotta pain on top of ya!
: Hrrrgh… retreat!

: Alright, that’s the fatass taken care of, so let’s go and wrap this all up!
: Hold on! There’s… something else?

: Enemy reinforcements?!
: What, they sent a tiger Haniwa now?
: They can send whatever, it won’t change jack! If it’s a baddy, it’s going down!
: Is that… Baruba? Stop – he’s not an enemy!
: Are you sure about that, Kyo?
: I am. But if there’s no one controlling it, then…
: Ah?
: Grrroowrr!


Kenji: “Whoa! Just like that?!”

: What the hell! The thing just attacked me, ya moron!
: Easy, Kenji. He’s just testing your strength.
(Does Kyo know that tiger? He’s so familiar with it…)
: What, so the thing wants to know where folks stand in the food chain? Sound good – I’m gonna have to teach him who’s king ‘round here!
: As for everyone else, do your best to avoid engaging him!
: Copy that, but if it looks like Kenji’s life is in danger, then I’ll defer to my own judgment. Is that fine?
: Yes, thank you.
: You heard him, troops. Do not engage.
: Aye, aye!


You don’t actually NEED to deal with Baruba using only Kenji, but we’ll get there in a sec. Iczer-2 had already lost a handful of HP from Iczer-1, so adding in Reiji, Goh and Yagyuu gets her right in the red. We don’t have enough attacks to kill this round, though.


Enemy Phase!


As Iczer-2 gets no-sold by Ichitaka blocking her attack on Iczer Robo, Reiji shoots down a weakened Haniwa. Last Boya Kaengu goes to Jeeg, while Quatre shivs the other two Haniwas.


Player Phase!


And out you go.


Iczer-1: “I don’t want to hurt a sister of mine!”

: Your defeat is sealed, Iczer-2! Prepare yourself!
: You underestimate the Iczer-Σ if you think you’ll best us so easily!

: Their power’s unbelievable…!
: They still got that much juice left?!
: Your end comes, Iczer Robo!

: AAAH!
: Hahah… How’s that, Iczer Robo? You cannot best the Iczer-Σ even with the help of all these worthless Earthling weapons!
: Urk…
: Yours won’t be a pleasant death. Sepia, go and sate your hatred!
: Look on, Cobalt. Victory will be ours!

: …I won’t be beaten by you. I can’t!
: Nagisa…
: You killed my mom and my dad… I will NOT let myself lose to you monsters!!

: (What… what is all this strength…?)
: Hmph, you waste of oxygen… Now we end this!
: Stand firm, Sepia – concentrate!
: Roger, Iczer-2!
: We’re going, Nagisa!
: OK! I’ll keep you safe, Iczer-1!
: Haaah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoCdcr_q-L0
Iczer-2: “Die alongside you partner, dear sister!”
Sepia: “You killed Cobalt, and now I’ll kill you in turn!”
Iczer-2: “Not even ashes will remain! Disappear!”
Iczer-1: “Nagisa’s granted me her strength…! I will not fall to this!”
Nagisa: “I can’t lose… I don’t want to lose!”
Iczer-1: “Nagisa!”
Iczer-1: “Iczer Robo…!”
Nagisa: “Lend us all of your power!”

: Sepia!
: Cobalt… forgive me…! Hrk…!

: Tch! I have to stand down…!

: Iczer-Σ… Truly a foe to be respected.
: Hm…
: That was the Iczer Robo’s true power…?
: It heard Nagisa’s heartfelt wish to help and fight with Iczer-1 and answered in kind.


While we wait for Baruba to close in a wee bit more, we clean up the remaining Haniwas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZxEbfAw7t4
And here’s the DK for Kouichi’s hanzo steels. Looks pretty slick.

Fast forward a bit and Baruba’s right upon us. And if you ignore Kyo’s warning and try to attack with anyone besides Kenji:

: Grrrrr…

Casts Iron Wall, Focus and Vigor!

: I think we made it mad…
: No, on the contrary. It’s just answering our tactics in kind.
: To test the strength of every one of us?
: …

Him casting Iron Wall could be a problem but Baruba only has 8.8k HP, so you can still blow past all that with your available troops.


The plot kicks in under 30%, though, and you’ll want to take him out all the way for a B-Save part, mind.

: Grrrr…
: Whoa… This thing’s looking like it wants to chow Jeeg whole…!
: Heh, now things’re getting interesting! If you wanna wrestle, I’m game!

: Grrr…
: Yow, he just took all that on the chin and didn’t even care.
: Groowr!

Baruba charges after Kenji!

: Whoa!
: Grrrooowr!
: This crazy cat…!
: Fight him hand-to-hand, Kenji! Show him how strong you are!
: Yeah, fine! C’mere, kitty! Dynamite Kiiiick!!

: Grrr…
: O-Oi… he’s looking like he’s just toying with me…!
: Grroowwr!

: He took off?!
: And, damn, is he fast. One second and, poof, gone.
: The hell’s up with that thing…!

: Is that everything? Anything else waiting to jump out the woodwork?
: Radar and sensors are all looking clear, so I think we’re good.
: Yeesh… For a second there, I thought that would’ve been it for us.
: Thank you so much for your help, Kouichi!
: A-Aw, stop. You’re embarrassing me now…
: You’ve my deepest gratitude as well, Nagisa…
: No, I should be the one thanking you, Iczer-1.
: What about you, Alice? How’s the head?
: I’d detected several spikes in temperature during the operation, but no problems overall!
: Glad we managed to get here on time. We were already en route to JUDA when news of the enemy attack came in – I was on pins and needles the whole way.
: Hell, I was even expecting to find the Dancouga around here when we came in…
: Maybe it needed extensive repairs just like our units did?
: Or maybe they’re off on some other mission – we didn’t see them show up during the Junius Seven drop, remember?
: I guess even Champions of Justice aren’t omnipotent. Too bad.
: A very fine job today, ladies and gentlemen. Why don’t you return to JUDA and we’ll give our new members a proper “welcome aboard” party?
: Kouichi I understand, but aren’t you jumping the gun with Nagisa, Mr. Ishigami?
: No, it’s fine. I’ve already made up my mind to fight with Iczer-1.
: Ah, Nagisa…
: Hey, Kouichi, I dunno how friendly you two are, but how about taking it down a peg?
: Whuh…?! What’re you suggesting with that, huh?! Didn’t I just bail you two out, even?!
: And, FYI, we literally ran into each other on the street – you’re reading way too much into it…
: What exactly happened, Nagisa?
: Um… I just had a talk with him about stuff, you know?
: Oh! And, Kouichi, keep all that embarrassing stuff between us, okay? Can you do that for me? It’ll be our dirty little secret!
: … Hm?
: W-Why’d you have to say it like that?! And why’re you glaring at me, Miu?!
: Kouichi… I can’t believe you…
: N-Now hold on, Emi! This is a huge misunderstanding!
: Hahahah!
: (At last I see you laugh, Nagisa… Come what may, I promise to defend both your smile and your planet.)
: (Even if you are my sister Iczer-2, I will not falter.)


Ishigami makes good on his promise for a party and with copious amounts of his traditional sushi, too. Quatre hoped he’d have chosen to switch things up, but nope – he’d already had to eat the stuff yesterday, too, while Ishigami was welcoming Kouichi to JUDA, and has yet to recover.
Still, Nagisa was blown away by the tremendous amount the guy brought in and Yamashita explains that Ishigami’s got this habit of making sushi for ANYTHING even remotely worth celebrating. As she flinches over the thought of having to eat so much of the stuff, even Goh admits he couldn’t handle it either.
And that’s not even mentioning all the calories that kind of food has – Nagisa’s already worried at all the kilos she’d take in with the president serving this daily. Goh’s a bit surprised she cares about that sort of stuff, but of course she does. Is something wrong with that? No, Goh just throws his hands up in the air and leaves the subject be: “I just can’t wrap my head around the minds of teenage girls.”

Shizuru pokes him that that’s not really an “age” issue – maybe he ought to try and understand how women feel? As Goh harrumphs, Tetsuya says that that’s why his wife took off. N-No, that’s neither here nor there.
Nagisa didn’t expect the Godannar’s pilot to be a married man and wonders who could be the wife… but, since she left, that’s obviously a touchy subject that she feels is best not pried into. Iczer-1’s looking from afar and is so very relieved to see her partner getting along with everyone. Alice quickly brings her off her reverie to also partake in some sushi. Alright…


Kouichi himself is being welcomed aboard by Tsubaki, who introduces herself and tells him to ask if there’s anything he doesn’t know. They’ll all be working as a team and fighting for Earth as a whole!
The other shoe still hasn’t dropped on the fact that he really is fighting for Earth now, instead of a nondescript ideal of justice. Same for Nagisa – she knows she has much to do but it all feels so surreal. Still, Goh says that, as they fight, they’ll come to understand why they were given this strength and, in the meantime, they ought to just set their own goals and work towards them.
Kouichi’s so very touched to get advice from a big-time hero like Goh, but the guy tells him not to worry – he’s just a pilot like any other. As for Izuna, he takes the time to thank Kouichi in person for his help and even bows his head, making him all bashful.

Shizuna yells out that Izuna doesn’t need to thank him that much – Reiji and Nagisa could’ve just as easily saved them even if the kid didn’t step up to the plate. Only reason Kouichi got to do it is because he beat the others to the punch. He just got lucky, see!
Still, Izuna says it doesn’t change the fact that he DID help them out and didn’t she herself ask him to? Th-That was just a ruse to throw off the enemies! Who in their right mind would come to this dumdum for help?!
Izuna sighs that she’s being unreasonable and that really ticks her off. He’s done it now and Shizuna’s gonna give him what-for! Kouichi gets in-between them and says that, one, she shouldn’t be hitting him, siblings or not, and, two, a pretty girl like Shizuna should stop channeling that hot-headed boy inside her head and try letting her other side through.


He compounds his point by clipping her hair a wee bit up with his tie clip – nothing wrong with a teenage girl styling her hair every once in a while, right? Shizuna’s stunned for all of five seconds before yelling at him to piss right off. And, FYI, fixing her hair doesn’t change jack – he’s still a huge dumdum!
As she stomps off, Izuna following, Shizuru and Mira see that despite the kid’s admiration for Goh, he’s got a more deft touch with girls than the guy does. There’s some good potential there. Kouichi eagerly asks if they mean he could grow up to be like Goh and they confirm – though he might not want to do so on a few subjects. That goes way over the kid’s head.


And now that things have calmed down, Kenji and Tsubai want Kyo to explain what he knows about that tiger thing. Well, to start, Baruba is an Animal God – an extremely ancient man-made creature.
Kenji’s blown away by all the info he’s got but Kyo simply says he’s simply spent more time studying than others. But, regardless, the big question: is the beastie an enemy or a friendly? That all depends on whether we can actually control it or not. Sounds like a pain in the ass to Kenji but he’ll be ready to tangle with it one way or another.
The door opens up then, Emi coming in and calling Kouichi over to the infirmary – it’s standard practice for all Factors to undergo and medical check after each battle to make sure they’re all in good health. He can’t well say no, so off they go.

: Um… Kouichi?
: Wh-what?
: I… I’m sorry for what I said yesterday.
: Ah? What’d you mean?
: That it was your fault that your friend died…
: O-Oh, right… But, really, I should actually be thanking you for that.
: Huh?
: It was only because you said what you said that I realized how wrong what I did was. That’s what helped me really think of how a Factor should be and turn my life around.
: I wonder if Yajima would forgive me now…
: Kouichi…
: I see now how arrogant I was, tagging myself as “justice incarnate”… Talk about ridiculous, huh?
: So, starting today, I’ll be fighting and thinking about what justice really means.
: (He really is growing… bit by bit…)
: Then I also have to try my hardest…!
: Ah?
: O-Oh, never mind me – I’m just thinking out loud. Come on; you need to get yourself checked out and ready for the next battle.
: Y-Yeah, alright. Thanks for showing me around.
: Come to think of it, you’ve also been through a lot, yeah? Don’t forget to take care of yourself too. You’re looking a bit pale, I think.
: Ah… J-Just worry about your own business, thank you very much! You despicable little man!


Cut to the Cthulhu Fortress, Big Gold isn’t happy over Sepia’s death; Sir Violet begs her forgiveness and orders Iczer-2 to explain herself. Theoretically, the Iczer-Σ, with her and Sepia, should’ve been wholly superior to the Iczer Robo… but the thing went and somehow displayed far more strength than expected.
Iczer-2 also ponders that maybe’s Sepia’s unstable mind could’ve had a negative effect on the bot’s performance – she’ll try and draw out the full might of the Iczer-Σ by herself and, if successful, Iczer-1 and the girl are as good as dead.
With that, Violet dismisses Iczer-2 and orders her to heal her wounds in preparation for her next deployment. As she goes, Iczer-2 silently promises Iczer-1 to make her pay for this humiliation.
Big Gold then turns back to Sir Violet and raises the subject of the Jama Kingdom – she wants them contacted.


Back at Shangri-La, Masaki reports Kouichi’s entry into LOTUS. That’s gonna make it harder for them to capture the Linebarrel. Crazy-looking fat guy Riku grumbles that Katou should’ve let him handle things from the get-go instead of folks like Sawatari or that rookie.
Katou says it’s precisely because he puts so much stock in Riku’s strength that he’s assigning him a different job – after all, he should know that capturing that Machina isn’t their SOLE objective. Riku ought to use his imagination to figure that out.
The more average-looking guy, Soubi, seems to get it and has a fun thought: LOTUS as a whole fights with so much faith in their ideals and in their righteousness. And as we’re made to fight on and on and on to the point of exhaustion, they’ll show us the powerlessness of justice and drive us into despair. That is what their mission is.

Riku sniffs and asks if Soubi’s implying his imagination’s lacking; no, he’s just suggesting he use it to also think up some fun stuff. Regardless, Katou’ll let both Riku and Soubi have their shot soon enough and Masaki sees no issues with that.
Riku’s all giddy, eager to display the power of his imagination to Kouichi; whereas Soubi wants to make him realize how, ultimately, justice and ideals are all illusions. Wufei’s looking on with a (deeper than usual) scowl: “This man… why does he loathe justice and ideals this much?”

Definitely give the E Save to Daiya, he’s one of the more EN needy people in the game. The E Save targets are him and Aoi first, then Kouichi (HE NEEDS IT BY THE ENDGAME), then Go, the Mazins, Jeegs, and Vs, and after that give it to whoever.

I love how the Executor shot in L is this big, massive thing… when the anime at one point properly noted (as in the manga) that doing that was a massive waste of power for the Executor.

Fun facts time! Balba as its own unit actually wasn’t in K. Like, straight up wasn’t. He showed up totally randomly out of the blue as a fucking attack for Jeeg on like the second to last stage (Ignoring that a certain other unit got the equivalent of that attack when you get it around the midpoint… K’s balancing is straight up fucked, yo.) without any buildup. In L, they actually DO have him show up ahead of time, because L gives a shit about Jeeg’s plot and K did not.

Click to see the mission!


Back again and things are still tied up. The enemies seem to like going after Ozma just as much as the Voltes and Combattler.


The Daiku Maryu crew comes preupgraded at 2 bars, so I spend some of the cash mainly to get Daiya up to speed, along with some buffs to Voltes.


As for squads, I just made a few changes to accommodate the new folks:
Tetsuya/Jun
Ichitaka/Dick
Kouji/Boss
Combattler/Puria
Daiya/Yanma
Zechs/Noin
Voltes/Canaria
Heine/Klan
Ozma/Luca

Alto and Michel are going out as event units.
Let’s get to it.

: Hah, you’re not going anywhere today!
: You guys’ve been raining on our parade ever since we got back to Earth, but that’s coming to an end!
: Take care of them, Sting, Auel, Stella. And remember that we can’t afford any more failures.
: OK… I’ll do my best.
: Our path’s completely cut off!
: We’ve 4 MSs available, including Athrun’s… we can’t win against them all.
: What do we do, then, captain?
: We’ll disperse them with the Tannhäuser – that’s the only way we’re breaking through their lines.
: Copy that! Tannhäuser, standby!

Wiiiiirrrrr!

: We need to bring down the Minerva this time – any more failures and it’ll only worsen Orb’s standing with the Alliance. There’ll be no more chances if we don’t turn this around here and now!
: The ship’s defenses are thinner towards their portside, so engage them from there!

Orb’s Murasames blast forward.

: Oh…? I suppose we might as well go and back them up with that, then. Auel, Sting, you and your two squads harass the Minerva from starboard; Stella, you take portside!
: Aye, aye, Neo!

Off they go.

: We’re being outflanked!
: Captain, the ship has no room to even alter its course!
: Urk, they’re too numerous for us to manage!
: Shinn, the two of us’ll open up a path for them. Rey, Luna, cover us!
: Y-Yes, sir!

: Beam blasts?!
: Huh? Where’d those come from?!

: That’s… the Freedom! Kira?!
: …
: What happened?! Status report! Now!
: Yes, sir! Several presumed warning shots rained throughout the battlefield… Then, right after, the Freedom and…
: Wait, what did you just say?!
: This is Cagalli Yula Athha, Representative of the United Emirates of Orb! All Orb troops are to cease hostilities and retreat immediately!
: C-Cagalli?!
: For real?!
: Exigent circumstances demanded that I, the daughter of Uzumi Nara Athha, depart my homeland, but that changes not the fact that I still am Orb’s Representative!
: And I command you with the full authority of that title! This battle does not align with our nation’s principles, so any and all troops are to cease fire and retreat!
: Urgh…!
: Cagalli…
: (The Archangel, the Freedom and Orb’s princess. I don’t know if she’s really who she claims to be, but I wonder what he’ll do…)
: U-Um… that’s, err…
: (Not looking good there… but even I didn’t see this coming. I’ve to do something to turn this around or we’ll be done.)
: Do you not hear me, soldiers of Orb? Do you not understand what I’m saying?!
: The Archangel… they’re helping us?

Beep, beep!

: Captain, we’ve unknown bogeys coming in fast – many of them!

: Those units…! Everyone watch out!
: Even more uninvited guests…! All troops, change of plans! We’ll make a temporary retreat and reorganize!
: Don’t need to, Neo! Those things aren’t moving anywhere on the same level as a Mobile Doll – we can handle them!
: Yeah, them Valkyries we saw in space flew way better.

The kids move in.

: Stop, you two! That’s a feint!

Two of the unknowns blast forward!

: What?!
: Sting, Auel, watch out!

: GAAAH!!
: AAAAH!!

: AUEL!!
: … Sting, retreat! Do it or you’ll end just like him!
: They got Auel…?! What about Stella?! She alright?!
: No signs of an explosion, but she’s not responding! We’ll just have to believe in her now!
: Damn it all…!

: Yuna Seiran, what are you doing?! Recall your troops or they’ll die for nothing!
: A-Ah… Retreat! Retreat!

: Wh-What the hell are those…?!
: Do you know anything, Kira?!
: Not much… All I’m sure of is that they’re up to something and that’s sending our world down the wrong path.
: What…?
: And I…!


Kira: “I won’t ignore those who’d twist our world…!”

: …
: That’s the Freedom…! What kind of person’s piloting it…?
: Regardless, we’ve at least managed to avoid the worst case scenario. What happens next depends on the Archangel, though.
: To the ZAFT battleship Minerva: we don’t wish to fight you. My weapons are down and I’m headed your way.

Cagalli (in her Strike Rouge) moves up to the ZAFT group.

: As Orb’s Representative, I’d like to beg your forgiveness for our unannounced volley and the confusion we brought to your battlefield.
: Psh, still got that silver tongue at the ready, huh? And weren’t you supposed to be kidna—

Beep, beep!

: C-Captain, another hostile’s just popped on radar!
: !!


:siren: :siren:

: Huh? That’s not an MS or an Arma…!
: Based on the readings I’m getting, I think it’s with those unknown units.
: Now this is a nice surprise to find during our tests. Everyone who’d displayed “potential” during the Great War, all together in one place.
: How is the prototype doing? Can it manage some combat?
: Currently operating at 80% capacity. The question is whether the throughput can keep up with them…
: Well… I’m a bit queasy over having it face the Freedom, but just avoid doing that and it’ll be fine. In terms of “potential”, hmm… Have it focus fire on the ZAFT unit and the Strike, I guess.

The unit blasts forward.

: That thing’s fast!
: Rey, Lunamaria, the Unknown’s headed for the Impulse! Support Shinn!
: R-Roger!

Moves right past Kira, towards them.

: …! It’s gonna get both Shinn and Rep. Athha like that!
: …

Takes aim!

: I’m not going down here! I…I made a promise to Stella that I’d see her again!

: Aaah, magnificent! Behold, “potential”! But, unfortunately, those actions had already been inputted. Engage!
: What?! I can’t shake him!
: That unit’s movements… Athrun!
: I know! I’ll cover Cagalli!

: Urgh…?!

: Athrun!

: Hrm…! ZAFT pilot, are you OK?!
: The Freedom… Why did you…? W-Wait, forget me – that guy’s more important! He shot down Athrun!

: Raaaaaargh!!

: Oh, very nice! His handling changed from how it was a few moments ago! That’s certainly the “potential” that’d pave the way to the future!
: Excellency, we’re past the thresholds. Neither the AI nor the unit can withstand much more.
: Just when things were starting to pick up… I suppose about now is when I should go and ask Prof. Grife for his help.

: Cagalli, we’re exposed here. Bring Kira back and we’ll leave these waters right away.
: Good luck on your voyage, Cpt. Gladys.
: Huh…?

: No signs of hostiles in the surrounding areas, captain!
: Have Rey recover Athrun while the Impulse searches for the downed Gaia. We’ll leave here as soon as that’s done.


Over by the Minerva’s sick bay, Shinn’s explaining to Talia how the Gaia’s pilot is the girl he met elsewhere. He doesn’t know much about her, but could see from the get-go how much she’d suffered because of war.
Still, as the Gaia’s pilot, she’s an Extended of the Federation: even cursory scans showed various issues with her body. Despite all that, Shinn made a promise back then: “that I’d keep her safe”. Arthur gets in touch to relate that we’re drawing very close to Diokia and Talia tells him to handle our approach.
Once we reach port, the girl’ll have to be taken off the Minerva – one, they can’t keep her aboard as a captive indefinitely, and, two, the ship isn’t equipped to care for someone like her. On that note, Stella wakes up and is rather confused. Shinn, however, is very relieved: “You’re alright, Stella! Don’t worry – I’m right here! You remember me, right? Shinn?”


Maybe not, as the girl flips out: “I don’t… I don’t know you! Neo! NEOOO!!”
Talia explains to him that, according to intel received, the Extended are biological CPUs raised by Blue Cosmos – thus, it’s very likely she’s been on the receiving end of various mental adjustments, including to her memories. She can’t remember him.
This is precisely what she was talking about and says that, when Stella disembarks at Diokia, they’ll try and find a way to help her. Shinn slowly confirms.


Back to the Quarter, Lady Une’s briefing us on Operation Carnival: we’ll be headed towards Diokia, where we’ll take part in the PLANTs show for peace. In summary, we’ll be joining the PLANTs to appeal against hostilities between humans. It also helps that the Daiku Maryu’s quite well-liked by the general public, so our voice should carry far.
But what, exactly, are we supposed to do in this “carnival”? Maybe bike stunts, Hyouma ponders? Chizuru not too sure about this as she doesn’t really know any tricks to entertain folks. Thankfully, it won’t be that sort of stuff: we’ll be making a show with our own bots. Ichitaka didn’t expect that, but Kouji says it wouldn’t be unheard of as Japan even has the regular aerial acrobatics and mock battles by the SDF.
Mind, while Diokia is currently occupied by ZAFT, this event will not involve the military in the slightest as a way to not antagonize the Earth Alliance. With orders for us to get ready to depart soon, Une cuts off.


Heine’s a bit at loss for words over LOTUS’ recent activities: first a movie shoot and, now, we’ll take part in a carnival? He doesn’t think less of us because of it, of course, but this isn’t exactly what he expected we’d be using our cutting-edge ships and units for.
Daiya is all for the idea of putting up a show for the entire world and he figures our folks’ll like it too. Alice agrees: our mission is to put a smile on everyone’s faces. It’s with that mindset that we fight? Heine doesn’t quite know what to think…


Well, Sheryl figures she’s keeping her end of the bargain as Alto’ll have his chance to fly around for fun. Yes, it’ll be part of a show and kind of a mission but Alto’s given up trying to complain. More importantly, why does he have to work with her again? Does he have a problem with that? Plenty! For one, Alto doesn’t like having to carry her up the stage with his Valkyrie!
Still, Grace said it’d maximize the impact of her entrance, so they’re going with it. So Sheryl hops inside the Valkyrie’s cockpit – no, she doesn’t ask for permission – and finds it actually more spacious than she expected. Before Alto has a chance to yell, she spots her earring hanging within. W-Well, isn’t the thing supposed to be a good luck charm? He figured he needed to strap it somewhere.

Sheryl says no, though: he needs to carry it on his person the whole time or it won’t work. Her objection’s interrupted when a hacking cough starts – she says she just got a bit choked up and it’ll pass.
It’s then that Luca comes in, looking for Michel – they can’t find him. Alto figures the womanizer’s out trying to score with some of LOTUS’ women, but Luca doesn’t seem so certain. Klan’s also around and seems to have an idea.


Cut to Diokia, Lacus Meer’s already here and ready to sing so that everyone may enjoy a life of peace. Athrun’s looking on, somberly seeing how hard she’s working to help stoke the anti-war sentiment, though Luna’s a bit dejected with him. She’d hoped he’d be happy to see his “ex-fiancée” after all this time and had half a mind to ask her to cheer him up.
Athrun asks if she thinks he’s depressed that the Saviour’s wrecked – while he isn’t HAPPY with it, he’s not going to agonize over it. Indeed, Athrun figures he did what he had to do as Orb losing Cagalli would only make things worse over there. Luna tells him not to speak like that, as it strikes her as very reckless – problem is, Athrun says, an inept man like him can’t speak or fight in any other way.

And speaking of reckless, how’s Shinn doing? Athrun figures he must be going through a tough bit with seeing Cagalli again and what happened with Stella, but Luna says he’s got Rey there with him. She figures she shouldn’t intrude.
The convo’s interrupted when Meyrin comes with some big news: Durandal’s coming here! Athrun inwardly thinks that this is too sudden to be related to the Saviour’s destruction – he must have something to do planetside.


And Talia very much didn’t expect him to turn up, though this wouldn’t be the first time he surprised her. Durandal first salutes Rey, who’s so very happy when “Gil” praises his good work. As for Athrun, he’s heard of the difficulties he’s faced after making it back to the Minerva; he’s also been briefed of what happened in the previous battle, including that mysterious organization that seems hostile to the Alliance, Orb and PLANTs.
Athrun does apologize for failing to live up to Durandal’s expectations – even losing the brand new prototype – but the guy’s just happy everyone’s in one piece. Moreover, he thinks Athrun did the right thing. Finally, Durandal’s also heard much of the very nervous Shinn and Lunamaria and invites the crew to come have a meal with him.


Amidst the food, Durandal’s rather interested in Shinn’s opinion that this war’s to blame on some selfish groups like the Blue Cosmos – he won’t say it with absolute certainty, but he thinks their presence makes it impossible to NOT have conflict.
Durandal concedes his point that there are people around who’re simply unwilling to tolerate the existence of certain things – but what if he told him that there are folks, behind the scenes, manipulating and profiting off this conflict? Without war, there’s no need for weapons and, thus, there’d be no profits. Thus, in the eyes of those people, wouldn’t it be in their best interest to have war?
Indeed, throughout our history, there have been those who’ve cried for bloody murder, for intolerance, for vengeance, who see war as merely another industry, and who’ve moved to expand it accordingly. All for their personal gain.

They’re called Logos and Durandal is sure that their hand is behind this conflict – they’re the Blue Cosmos parent organization – and while they remain in power, war will continue between the Earth and PLANTs. Durandal has long sought to do something about them, but it is certainly no easy task. He knows that even Lady Une, a former OZ operative, has been having difficulties as she tries moving against them at the UN.


Athrun asks Durandal what he thinks of the Archangel’s activities, but he turns the question back at us. He’d especially like to hear Athrun’s own opinion, seeing how he fought alongside that ship in the last war.
Well… Athrun doesn’t think they’re enemies – hell, Kira even saved Shinn in that battle. The problem is that things have been happening at such a breakneck pace that they haven’t had a chance to stop and talk to each other about what’s going on.

Durandal understands and, if anything, is more concerned about those mysterious enemies that started showing up around the Earth Sphere. If the Archangel’s pursuing those, that’s good, but there are still plenty of things that we can’t really decide one way or another without talking to them. This subject doesn’t pertain only to Athrun, so Durandal would like to ask that, if we manage to get in touch with the Archangel, that we let him know.
That being said, he invited them here because he wanted to speak with us. Luna’s still a bit nervous but she has something she’d like to ask. Durandal’s more than willing to answer, but begs that she relax – the night’s still young, after all.


By Diokia’s storage area, the mooks have just found a rather big piece of cargo that wasn’t in their registries. A soldier reports hearing that it’s equipment for the upcoming show – apparently Sheryl’s crew’ll come pick it up later and wanted to store it here ‘til the evening.
The officer in charge sees no problems with it, but is a bit miffed that they decided to spring this in the eleventh hour. Still, they’ll have to put up with it.
As they leave, Brera confirms to G that everything’s in place and ready to go. The larva’s also in position within the expected area of effect. With that, G asks him to come back and is very much looking forward to Operation Carnival – what an amusing coincidence that our op had the same name as their plan.


Sheryl’s already arrived and is being shown around the stage – she didn’t expect something so grand for a so-called “carnival” but it goes to show how big Lacus is in this world. Maybe less so recently, though, as Sheryl heard that the public interest for this has been a bit akin to expectations.
She’s still coughing, but chalks it up to a bit of weariness over the recent workload… and she gets halfway through giving some instructions before fainting right then and there! Grace scrambles to her rescue, but, inwardly, her reaction’s a bit different: “Everything’s going according to plan”.


And, over by the Quarter, Elmo rushes in calling for Ranka: Sheryl’s fallen ill and Grace’s called, asking for Ranka to replace her.
The girl’s a bit taken aback by the idea, wondering if she could handle something as big as that. But she remembers what Alto said before and quickly jettisons those doubts out her head – she’s going for it!


Talia and Jeffrey are seeing each other for the first time since Junius Seven – the whims of fate are surprising, indeed, for them to be here at the same time – and she’s also honored to speak with the captain of the Daiku Maryu.
They heard Durandal wanted to talk with them and, Talia thinks, he’s backstage right now.


Indeed, he’s just finished talking with Meer, who promises to sing her heart out as Lacus’ stand-in. As he wishes good luck and takes off, Meer’s still impressed with beloved Lacus is by everyone, and while she’s a bit embarrassed to be impersonating her, her desire to lift up everyone’s spirits is very real. So she’ll try her best to, like Lacus, touch the people’s hearts with her song and bring a speedy end to all this violence.
Bobby and Ranka come in right then to get some quick makeup done, and the girl’s blown away to see “Lacus”. She’ll be singing soon, too, so Meer gives her the room while she goes and prepares.
Bobby could hear the nervousness in her voice, and Ranka figures even big stars like Lacus can get a bit antsy face a big stage like this. He’s not so sure about that…


Cut to the infirmary, Alto’s grumbling at Sheryl not taking care of her own health – how unprofessional – and she can’t well disagree. She does apologize for pulling the plug on his air show with this but Alto tells her just to rest. They’re expecting some ruffled feathers, but Ranka’ll cover for her.
Grace explains that she’s agreed to represent the Frontier in her stead, so Sheryl tells Alto to get out there and cheer for her. This is Ranka’s debut show!


Back to the dressing area, Alto’s doing just that – he’ll be watching among the crowd. He tells that Sheryl isn’t doing too good, but she still took the time to insist he be here for her.
And Ranka’s very grateful: “it’s only thanks to you that I decided to step onto that stage. And I’ll sing with all my heart – I want this huge crowd to listen to my song!” That’s the way and Alto tells her to leave it all out there.
As the call ends, it’s almost go-time. She hasn’t had time to rehearse, but Bobby knows she’ll knock it out of the park. The big stage awaits.


Out there, the Voltes, Combattler and Gaiking teams are running the show with their yoyos, spinning tops and rolling dinosaur ships. The crowd seems to be really digging it, and Ichitaka’s a bit sullen that he didn’t have any cool tricks to show with the Rushbird.
Zechs tells him not to sweat it as he’s not alone on that subject – only those guys had experience with this sort of stuff. Ichitaka wishes he and Kouichi could be up there on stage, making people happy as a team.
Zechs and Noin have heard of Kouichi and that he recently got picked up by JUDA (after an “accident”). The prospect of seeing his buddy again’s lifted Ichitaka’s spirit in a hurry, though Noin tells him to relax and enjoy the present. Seems like it’ll be Ranka and Lacus’ turn up stage next.

Luca brings the ZAFT crew over and Shinn quickly recognizes Ichitaka as the guy who tried to help him and Athrun at Junius Seven. Mind, his greeting comes with that traditional Shinn-esque attitude, which earns him some scolding from Luna – he might be worried about Stella but that’s no reason to be disrespectful. He says he’s not being disrespectful… it’s the whole “respectfulness” thing that doesn’t click with him.
Either way, after a quick introduction, Shinn explains that Yamashita and Goh told him of what Ichitaka wanted to do back then, and they figured they’d meet him in person once Luca said he was around. The two of them would also like to thank LOTUS for the assist at Junius Seven, but Ichitaka figures they’d be better off thanking Zechs or Noin – he’s too shy to handle that.
Regardless, Shinn’s thankful that Ichitaka and LOTUS cared to help them. Ichitaka gets all flustered, and Luca suggests they all watch the show together. It’s starting, so they better cheer Ranka good!


Meer gets on stage, greeting all the peace-loving people gathered here (Athrun’s still a bit sour with her impersonating Lacus). Following some words of thanks to LOTUS for the show, she gets ready to sing… and the alarms go off! The base is under attack – right now, yes!
Zechs scrambles everyone back to the ships, Shinn and co. also moving to deploy.


Mission 9 (Retreat Route) – Operation Carnival


Surprise, it’s the Alliance. They got wind of Durandal being here and are moving in for the kill – anything tries leaving the base, it gets shot. Orb troops are also around, very dejected, Yuna telling them not to worry about stuff like “collateral damage”. Getting rid of Durandal’s their one-stop ticked to world peace!
Trowa is still with them, pondering how it’s Logos controlling the Alliance from the shadows. These roots dig deeper than he expected, but it is not his mission to expose them.


Our folks deploy and Talia says Durandal’s getting everyone in the base into the shelters – we’ll need to hold the line until that’s finished and stop any Alliance soldier from getting too close. As Jeffrey tags the area, Alto sees that Ranka’s still around the stage. “Get to the shelter already… Hurry!” he thinks.
As Heine sees that the Minerva’s running short on troops and ponders how much they’ll be able to help here, Ichitaka notices that Michel isn’t around. Alice says he wasn’t feeling too good, so he’s being kept in reserve. Guess it’ll be up to us to handle this.


Kill everything without losing any ship, Alto or letting an enemy into the Diokia Base. Not too difficult provided you know what’s coming: you’ll want to send a handful of units down center, angling a bit to the left, while your more hardhitting folks head towards the Alliance.
Orb’s Murasames are a priority as they can fly and move quickly, meaning it won’t take long for them to close that distance. Their AI seems to prioritize moving, too. Form a solid wall and work your way out, focus-firing on the more distant Zamza-Zahs and Gells-Ghes due to their barriers (note that the former still have a MAPW, as does Trowa).

So everyone just goes forward.


Enemy Phase!


Same for the Murasames, Windams and Daggers.


Player Phase!

: No pushing! Please line up one-by-one! Everything’s all right!
: Shelters #4 and #5 are already full?! Then there’s only one left for all these people…!
: Prioritize the civilians’ safety! Use any available facilities, even those for officials and VIPs!
: M-Ms. Lacus wouldn’t take shelter at a time like this… What should I do, then…?
: Wh-What’s going on, Lacus?!
: Ranka! Didn’t you hear evacuation alarm?!
: I did, but how could I just leave everyone behind?!

: Aaah!
: Don’t panic! LOTUS will keep this area safe, so please remain calm!
: (This isn’t good… At this rate we’ll have a frenzy on our hands…!)
: I… What I can do is…
: … I’ll sing to them!
: Huh…
: I know there’s so much you can do, but I’m just a singer myself. And even if I’m a newbie, I’ll be professional about it! All that I can do… is sing to try and calm them down!
: (If Alto’s out there fighting, then I’ll fight too…!)
: Hold me to the edge of the galaxy!


:siren: :siren:

: Hrm? Who’s singing…?!
: Suimen ga yuragu…♪
: This voice… Ranka?!
: Ranka, you…

: What? The attacks ceased…?
: (All those panicking people… they’re just listening to her now…)
: What’s going on?! Why do I hear music?!
: Heh…

Tweeep.

: (That’s… space-time is trembling?)

: A Vajra?!
: Y-Yes, sir! We’re pinging an uncommon De-Fold signal!
: It’s…!
: (Magnificent… The boundaries between parallel worlds are nigh-meaningless to the Vajra…)
: (The plan was just for Q1’s voice to stimulate the larva, but this is far better than what we expected.)

Bing!

: Do I secure the girl?
: (There’s been no change to the plan: securing Ranka Lee is a secondary priority. Disregard this command in case the primary objective can’t be carried out.)
: But she’s—
: (We’ve only seen one emerge thus far, so she’s no more than the subject of a hypothesis. She is not a priority. That’ll be all.)
: Copy that.

Bloop.

: (Still, that girl… If Q1’s voice can, in fact, make space-time tremble and influence the Vajra…)
: Damn those bugs… we thought we’d taken out all the one who followed us into this world, but I guess there some left?
: Skull Leader to all units: save the questions for later! We’re lucky it’s only one of them… so take out that Vajra right the hell now!


Well, we’ve got Ranka singing over the entire battleground now. Sadly, J-pop is not J-rock and, as such, we get no morale boost. Oh, well.
After Tetsuya and Jun cut these Murasames down to size, Rey and Luna move in.

: Gil’s in there, leading the civilians… I’ll protect this base with my life!

: If what the Chairman said is true and this war was caused by those Logos guys… then they’ll find that no one here’s gonna keep on dancing to their tunes!


There they go.


We can’t reach the Vajra just yet, but we can handle this wing of attackers.
Noin missed her target, mind…


But that’s fine. Ozma takes the leader, spreading the command aura, and Shinn moves in for the other kill.

: Both Stella and the Chairman are at Diokia! I’m not letting you do anything with the place!


There it goes.


This group here falls to Heine/Klan and Voltes/Canaria.


Enemy Phase!


The Alliance’s NE wing is starting to draw dangerously close, but they also choose to attack Lulu. She deprives the leaders of 3 groups of most of their HP.


Couple decide it’s a good idea to attack Hyouma.


It’s not. The Dagger gets oneshotted, the Windam barely hangs on.

Trowa and the beefier are mooks are moving in, but are out of range (same for the lone Vajra).


Player Phase!


Grace watches as the resonance is on the verge of reaching its apex and orders the “Dimension Eater” to be detonated. Meanwhile Brera’s to escape and await orders. With things going so incredibly well, all that remains is to tear down the fabric of space-time and let the larva’s cry echo throughout their world (that is, the Macross’) and to its brethren.
With the Fold Waves as a beacon, the Vajra will be led to this world en masse, and she takes even a link with the Queen to be possible. Within Diokia, Durandal confirms all civilians evacuated and is about to call Ranka and Lacus to come with when the Dimension Eater goes off in a purple explosion.
Our people have no idea what just happened, but Luca pings a small Fold rift being opened by the city’s storage area. And it is quickly followed by a bunch of other Fold signals emerging nearby – Monica tags them as being the same as the Fold made by that lone Vajra.

A bunch of the buggers warp in, including a few Knights, and Hyouma isn’t amused by enemies capable of turning up in the blink of an eye. Things just went south in a big way, Dick sees, and even more so when a Vajra flies into Diokia.
It makes a beeline for Ranka and takes her back to one of the Knights, which quickly leaves the area.


Alto’s on the verge charging head-first towards the things (ignoring Ozma’s warnings) when Brera shows up and blocks him: “You don’t deserve her,” he says and flies off. Alto recognizes his Valkyrie as the one from when the Vajra captured Luca and blasts away in pursuit to try and get Ranka back.
Ozma isn’t happy with anything that just happened, but also remembers Brera’s ship from Alto’s previous report. Lulu wants to have the Daiku Maryu follow but Michel finally gets in touch and says he’ll do it – the red Valkyrie’s pretty good and, plus, he was kept in reserve for emergencies like this, right?
Lulu allows it, so off goes Michel. Juzo can easily tell that something’s off with the guy, but Ippei says we can only count on him – meanwhile, what we can do is end this battle in a hurry. That means keeping Diokia safe while also wrecking the new Vajra.
Jeffrey, meanwhile, tells Monica to try running a trace on the escaped Knight Vajra and to make sure we don’t lose Alto or Michel’s signals.


Well, so much for Ranka’s debut. But, hey, at least she’s not being hunted down by a robo ninja in this game.
Priority is still the Alliance mooks as a bunch of them can reach the finish line by their next move.

: Did they chase the Minerva all the way here or are they after the Chairman…? But whichever one it is, we’ll defend this base to the death!


Bam.


One for Rey, one for Lulu.


Her Flame gets stronger after that!


The Windam leading this team was summarily shot down by Heine. Its squaddie immediately follows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPyw8n7e93I
By the by, a carryover from K is that pretty much everything but a couple of Daiya’s attacks have a dynamic kill. Someone at Banpresto really liked Gaiking LOD (as they should).


Kills for Tetsuya and Jun, Boss and Hyouma.


No more nearby threats to Diokia.


Ichitaka and Zechs’ll handle the last pair of Murasames, while Ozma (just in case) takes the lone Vajra that started all this.

: Alto… I swear to all that’s holy, if anything happens to Ranka…!

: These are two numerous to be stragglers from the flock that attacked the Galaxy…
: And that red unit… it looked like YF-27, so I should probably get in touch with company headquarters again.


Alright.


Enemy Phase!


Shinn and Lulu get harassed by the Zamza-Zahs, hitting back with varying degrees of pain. One gets too close to Kenichi and Canaria, though, and is gunned down.


Excellent.


On the other side, Zechs and Ichitaka are holding the line just fine against the little Vajra.


Player Phase!


Following a big hit from Lulu, Heine moves in.


Luna and Rey handle the Gells.


Right on time.


And Trowa’s deciding to be a dick, Support Defending mooks that I could easily kill. Time to get rid of him.


Let’s see how you like this!


And he’s very dead. I’ll make a video of this when I use it against something that won’t cheat me out of a DK…!


He figures he’s fought enough that no one’ll suspect him. The issue now is finding where Relena’s at.


By the Vajra, Ichitaka and Jeffrey each take a kill – the latter gets Invincible.


Next.


Ozma and Luca nab a nearby pair too.

And now this is pretty much clean up. The Alliance mooks are too far away to stand a chance at making touchdown and the Vajra are too frail to withstand my everything.

Cliffs notes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmCmtXi9xAA
“Anyone who doesn’t wanna die has one second to get out my sight!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld9cxRV4OUQ
Everything the Gaiking does is so satisfying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfw23yE-ibk
Zechs’ strongest weapon here, since I could.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x01OAMYzKw
Also since I could: FAAAAAACE OPEN!

And that’s the end of that!


As for Alto, Monica pings him bogged down by the red Valkyrie and unable to pursue the Vajra.

Brera flies around, Alto TRYING to keep up.

: Pull yourself together, Alto! You’re not flying like you usually do!

: Hmph, child’s play.
: Damn it, Ranka’s gonna get away!
: “Ranka this, Ranka that”… is it just about her? May I remind you that our mission was to protect a base filled with people! Have all these battles been just a secondary concern to you?!
: Screw you, Michel! It’s never been anything of the sort!
: Hmhmhm… Too slow.

: Urk!
: Keep him still, Alto! I can’t get a bead on him…!
: Shut up! I know!

: !!
: That’s it! Keep him right there and I’ll end it!
: Stand down! If I can catch him, then I can do this myself!
: Hah, just let me handle it. Be it with women or bullets, I always hit a bulls-eye.

Rifle charging!

: (Sis… I…)

: …?!
: My right engine?! Michel! The hell are you doing shooting me?!
: All that talk and you screw it up?! Or was that on purpose?!
: Hrk… Of course it wasn’t!
: …

Brera gets his Valkyrie up straight and blasts away.

: Damn it, Ranka! RANKAA!!
: …


Things aren’t doing too good now. The Quarter and Daiku Maryu are trying to figure out where the Vajra flew off to before going after, and Durandal offers to personally accompany us and help since he feels somewhat responsible for what happened.
Jeffrey tells him not to as it was only thanks to his efforts that the civs were mostly unharmed, but he still says we’d have had a much simpler time dealing with the Vajra if the Alliance hadn’t turned up around here. Plus, it was he who invited the Frontier guests over in the first place.

Speaking of, Sheryl runs in in a panic, having just heard what happened to Ranka. She slowly grunts at Jeffrey that she’s fine enough, and rather angry at Alto for letting the girl get kidnapped under his nose. He should be coming in soon, so she tumbles off to the hangar.
Still, Durandal says he and Lacus are as worried as Sheryl and hopes that Jeffrey’ll allow them to help. Furthermore, he’d also like to speak with Heine a bit.


Ichitaka and Alice confirm that both Alto and Michel are doing fine – Hiyoshi was more than a bit worried at how he’d cope if those two ended up dead. Still, Tetsuya reports that they lost those Vajra due to the red Valkyrie.
So much for Alto’s unauthorized rescue mission, Puria sighs… but Daiya figures we’ll manage to get Ranka back as our ships are already tracking the buggers down. Granted, Ozma is beside himself with worry in the meantime.


A bit later, Michel and Alto have returned and the former isn’t doing too good. Klan tells him to keep his chin up as it’s only a matter of time before we figure out where Ranka’s at. It’s not the Ranka business that’s gotten him down, though, but that friendly fire incident – Klan only needed to take a look at the hole in Alto’s VF-25 to have an idea of what happened.
Speaking of Alto, Luca’s trying and failing to keep him from immediately getting in Michel’s face: “What the hell was with that shot?! Are you trying to get me killed?!” Michel says nothing, and Alto doesn’t appreciate the silent treatment – say something, damn it!
Luca tries arguing that it’s only human to make miss a shot or two but Alto’s not one bit interested in losing his life over one; besides, the guy doesn’t “miss”! Didn’t Michel always go on and on about how he got his “sniper sense” from his sister? Or, maybe, screwing up’s the only thing that’s in his blood?!

Michel snaps at that and straight up punches Alto. It falls on Ichitaka, Hyouma and Daisaku to break it off, but Alto isn’t having it: “Lemme go! If he’d just kept his head together, Ranka wouldn’t…!”
Things stop when Ozma runs in and punches both men – what the hell is fighting one another going to achieve? Tetsuya joins in, asking if Alto thinks he’s the only one here who wants to save Ranka. Did he ever stop to think of how hard Ozma’s struggling to keep his personal feelings in check, not just today but also during the movie shoot battle?


Sheryl stumbles in right then and she seems to be taking a turn for the worse. Still, she tells Alto that he needs to save Ranka before crumbling to the ground. Alice yells that she shouldn’t be walking around in her condition; and despite what she might say, Alice’s sensors pick up several problems with her: excessively low temperature, fatigue and more.
She calls up Canaria, who says they’ve got plenty of room to take Sheryl in, so Alice lifts the indignant singer up and carries her away. Michel’s taking off as well, telling Ozma that he’s going to do some training and make sure he doesn’t screw up again. That’s fine, but Ozma wants him to take a few people with.
Heine’s looking on, sighing that he won’t be leaving the Quarter on a lighter atmosphere. Wait, what? See, Durandal’s requested that he transfer over to the Minerva to supplement its dwindling forces – they’ve no flight lead now that Athrun’s lost his Savior. Still, he very much enjoyed working with us, short-lived as that might’ve been.

Kouji tells him not to get so bummed out – it ain’t like him – and figures, when things with the Alliance settle down, the PLANTs will likely join up with LOTUS. Heine confirms that Durandal said the same, but whether or not he himself’ll get back with us is a different story. He’d very much prefer to be dealing with the Jama Kingdom and Cthulhu and whatnot, mind, and Daiya figures we’ll see each other again as it comes to that.
Well, Heine would’ve liked to give everyone a proper farewell, but this doesn’t quite look like the best time for that. He merely asks them pass a message to Alto: “don’t let love blind you to your duty.”


By the Quarter’s firing range, Michel’s missing a whole lot; Ippei sees that he’s not himself and asks what happened. Well, how familiar is Ippei with his personal history? Not much – no one would even gossip much about him. Klan sees where this is going and asks if it’s about Jessica.
Michel says absolutely not – he’s just been going to bed by himself lately and that’s made him all lonely and whatnot. Maybe Klan would care to come on over tonight and remedy that? No one buys his story and Ippei asks how that Jessica fits in Michel’s past. Ippei can’t even look at him right now – he’s looking even worse than after that time they fought.
Still, Michel asks them to quit meddling in his business, as they’re not helping him calm down. Juzo argues that we can’t just ignore him, either, but Klan takes a more pragmatic approach of calling him and idiot and punching him. Even micronized, her fists still hurt plenty…


Some time later, back at the hangar, Alto’s staring at Sheryl’s earring – it’s already been a while since he “borrowed” it. His train of thought’s interrupted when Ranka’s Aimo starts playing through the thing!


Cut to the bridge, he’s just told them about it; Alto’s sure he heard Ranka’s voice and it wasn’t just his mind playing tricks. Her song was seemingly coming from a specific direction and Luca’s pinged faint Fold Waves being emitted that way. Do you think that’s…?
A call comes in from Japan’s SDF right then: it’s our friend Igarashi and he reports that one of their patrols just found the beasties we were looking for. It’s a flock of Vajra about west-southwest of the Okinotori Islands and their numbers, varieties and signals correspond to those that emerged at Diokia.
Seems like we have our target, so Jeffrey commands the Quarter and Daiku Maryu to go after.

Ah, I fucking love how the Chaos, the Abyss, and the Saviour get blasted right before their combat debut in this game, when K very conspicuously lacked sprites and animations for those units. It really makes you wonder…

The fun thing about Flame is that it’s literally just Brave as that was in the Alphas and W (and maybe BX? I dunno.). The only difference is that only Daiya hits level 9 - well, Daiya and Proist, but she doesn’t count.

Every time I watch Hydro Blazer’s Dynamic Kill, I remind myself that both K and L give you Shinryu Hydro Blazer well after you get the thing, but it’s on his moveset from day one as a DK and on his moveset before that move in both games from the Death Fire combo.

EDIT: Chaos, not Forbidden. Wrong set of three evil Gundams.

Click to see the mission!


Here we are, closing off the Rescue Route. Quatre had a bit of a sprint in the last mission, securing himself as our top ace. Ichitaka and Kenji are now tied for the second and third place.


Kouichi, as you might guess, will be a very recurring event deployment, so I gave him an extra pip on everything – you might as well boost everything since, one, he’s not the best at dodging despite the Linebarrel’s size and, two, there’s always that 50% boost to squad bonuses.
Remaining cash goes into giving Goh, Ichita and Jeeg some boosts here and there.


Putting out squads back together after they got all messed up last time, we’re going with:
Jeeg/Kyo
Ichitaka/Miu
Reiji/Quatre
Iczer-1/Yagyuu
Yamashita/Shizuna
Shizuru/Tetsuya

Goh, Mira and Kouichi are deploying as events.

: … Are you there, weasel?
: You called, Prof. Grife? Have you decided to cooperate?
: Hmph, I simply felt like calling, though I’m surprised you answered so quickly. Guess you don’t have much to do with your life.
: Not at all. I actually keep quite the busy schedule.
: So you say, but not busy enough that you can’t stay planted in front of a monitor apparently. Maybe I ought to call you up at random and mess with your sleeping hours?
: I hope you won’t, as I’d prefer to keep the unpleasantries to a bare minimum. Mind, I might start considering it if you continue being so unreasonable.
: What’ll it be, then? Drugs? Hypnosis? Or just plain old torture? Do your worst! I’ll kick the bucket before you even get started!
: Please, you need not worry. I’d never do anything taxing on your body.
: Why don’t you take a quick nap, Professor? And do look forward to when you wake up.
: What are you up to, weasel?!
: Could I ask you to stop calling me that? You don’t know my name or even seen my face.
: Next time you call me… could you please go with “Mr. President”?
: Wh…at…? Hrk… my head’s going…!

Thud.

: Excellency, the brain wave scanner is ready.
: Very good. You may start right away.


Back at JUDA, Maki and Rachel have called Ichitaka over as they’ve found some info that’s seemingly related to sponsoring Grife received in his research. It’s not much, but it’s a first step! Now, does he remember those nixed upgrade plans for Alice that they found while analyzing his painting? They found a commonality among all those plans.
See, the nixed plans would’ve all used materials created by a single enterprise: GreAT Corporation. And they mean ALL the materials, down to the tiniest bits. Ichitaka’s heard of that company: “Providers of your every need, from groceries to toilets!” Rachel isn’t sure about that slogan, but they ARE known worldwide as a very prolific company. Still, Maki says that where GreAT truly struck gold and grew into a huge multinational was as a manufacturer of mechanical parts.
As it turns out, they apparently supplied the professor with everything he needed for absolutely free – and he needed a lot of stuff. GreAT even gave him items they don’t usually manufacture, so it’s pretty clear there was something going on between Grife and that company.

But Maki and Rachel couldn’t find what reason there was to cause the professor to call off the whole thing as suddenly as he did. It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the quality of the materials, though.
Still, if we can figure out what Grife was researching, we might figure out why he was kidnapped and by whom. Rachel’ll have JUDA’s intelligence department look into GreAT and even poke around other companies that might’ve done some industrial espionage into the guys.
Ichitaka’s very thankful, but Maki tells him to save it until they’ve finished their work. In the meantime, Kouichi’s waiting for him.


Outside JUDA, everyone’s already waiting for Ichitaka and Kouichi. Yamashita suggest them watch it as, were this a mission briefing, Reiji would’ve been piiiissed. Kouichi promises to treat him to some curry bread by way of apology, and Ichitaka says it was his fault. Regardless, Ishigami tells them to let it go and beckons Miu to speak.
She officially welcomes Kouichi and Nagisa to LOTUS’ living quarters, and Nagisa’s rather surprised at how fancy the place looks for housing some pilots. The LOTUS folks have it good, she sees!
And there’s even a big fluffy dog around the place, which Nagisa is so enamored with. Looks a bit too old to be a watchdog, though…


Actually, it’s the dorm manager’s pet but we’re free to think of it as one of the team’s mascot. Wait, dorm? Wasn’t it supposed to be some living quarters for the pilots? Yamashita explains that, originally, this was JUDA’s company dorms, but they figured it’d make a good place for the LOTUS folk.
Goh says the mechanics also live here, though they’re back at the Dannar Base at the moment. In other words, these dorms house everyone working with LOTUS. Does that mean Emi’s here, too, Kouichi wonders. She on his mind? N-no, not really.

Either way, Ishigami hands over the card keys to their rooms and Nagisa and Iczer-1 take off to take a look. Ichitaka offers to show Kouichi around as the building’s rather unique shape makes it a bit difficult to get around.
Ishigami stops shot a bit upon hearing they’ll be going together. There a problem? No, he’s just worried about potential injuries. Huh?

: Alright, over here’s my room so yours should be just around the corner.
: Thanks much, Ichitaka.
: There’re a bunch of devices around the rooms, but it all comes with a manual, so you oughta be able to figure it out. Anything you don’t get, just call and I’ll come over.
: Hey, I’ll be alright – I’m not a baby.
: Yo, Ichitaka! You said you bought this new manga, right? Can I borrow it some?
: Oh, Kenji. Sure thing, just gimme a sec to get it.

Couple minutes ahead…

: Let’s see, 203… 203…
: Ah, here we go!

Cha-chunk!

: OK! From this day onward, this shall be my cas…tle…?
: !!
: Waaaaaaaaa?!
: (Why… Why’s Emi in my room… naked?!)
: What is it, Kouichi?!
: Something happen?!
: Y-You…
: Gch?! Emi?!
: Hu-Huuge…!
: You’re all despicable!!

Slap! Slap! Punch!


So, Kouichi’s back at the infirmary while Ichitaka and Kenji got off with some slight bruising. Nagisa’s not amused, as she thought the Cthulhu had attacked again. Rachel shakes her head at them, but Ichitaka insists he’s just an innocent victim here. Is he? She’s inclined to think otherwise, looking at Kenji: “I’m hurting a bit, but it’s fair price for the great view. Heeheehee…”
Maybe Tsubaki should give him some more serious bruises, then? N-No, he was just kidding! Just kidding! Ishigami is so very apologetic to Emi, saying he “made a mistake” when handing out the card keys. Uh-huh, and what was he telling Ichitaka about being worried about potential bruises? Did he give the wrong keys on purpose?! Perish the thought! He’s the president of JUDA Corporation and would never do such a thing!
Yui tell Emi and the others not to worry as she’ll extract the truth from Ishigami. He yells that it’s all one huge misunderstanding – look into his eyes! – but Yui says she’ll hear his excuses at the office. Now march!

Yamashita sighs at the crazy CEO they have and at least Shizuru sees that Ichitaka and the others fell in the guy’s trap. It’s actually somewhat impressive, as the guy arranged it so Kouichi’s arrival in the room coincided perfectly with when Emi ended her bath.
Shizuna wouldn’t put it past Ishigami to have abused his security access to gather intel and set up this “surprise”. Wait, does that mean he could have risqué footage of everyone?! Thankfully, no, as Rachel explains to the panicking Ichitaka and Kenji that there are no hidden cameras around – he likely figured out Emi’s bath time from the water and electrical data.
“Psh, lame. And I was just thinking of asking the guy for a quick peek,” Kenji sighs. Tsubaki and Emi aren’t amused. Despicable, indeed.


By the Dannar Base, Shibakusa and the other mechanics have finished getting the Goh Okusaer all set up and Kiriko apologizes for calling them all the way back here. No problem, as just servicing one unit was pretty easy – much more so than the work they had to do on all our units. The actual problematic part comes now, though, and Momoko knows: the Goh Okusaer is a lot harder to control than the Neo, which is why they’d stashed the thing away.
Konami says she’s got it the other way around, as the Neo Okusaer was made BECAUSE the Goh Okusaer put such a heavy strain on the pilot. And who’ll pilot it? They’re considering Shizuru and Shibakusa figures she could handle it. Kagemaru asks if Kiriko would be fine with that, as he knows she was considering her daughter for it. Still, he won’t press her on that subject.
Kiriko takes Anna to be a pretty good candidate – even taking away her parental bias – but she’s still gone and Kiriko doesn’t know if she’ll return. Best not to put all their eggs on that basket, so Shibakusa will get the bot ready for Shizuru to use and will have it shipped to JUDA.


But there’s a new problem as an emergency call comes in: it’s Shukuyu, who reports that they’ve spotted the Menage Zero. It managed to shake them off and is headed straight our way! How the hell did that happen? Momoko gets some footage and they spot Lou’s Cosmo Diver.
The girl was supposed to be on our side, but she started blasting Shukuyu’s group and that’s how the Menage Zero got by. Lou’s been missing for two months already, having gone off in pursuit of the Menage Zero – Kiriko’s happy she’s safe but working together with the enemy isn’t the best.
Regardless, the Zero tends to show up wherever Mimetic Beasts do which means there’s a pretty good chance our area’ll be attacked by the things. We better watch it, thinks Shukuyu. Kiriko thanks her for the update and asks how her partner’s doing – he wasn’t hurt by the Menage Zero, was he?


No, Moukaku is still combined with her. He’s fine… and, then, he isn’t, promptly going crazy as all get out, demanding to know WHERE IS THE MENAGE ZEROOOOOO!
As the feed gets cut, Kiriko seems to have an idea of what happened. Knight and Ellis Valentine, as well as the Dancouga, should be around Dino Base, so Kiriko asks Kagemaru to get in touch ask for their help over there. The Dragon’s Hive guys owe us one. But what happens next…?


Back in town, things haven’t been a whole lot better for Anna: she’s been kicked out of ANOTHER apartment and just lost her job. Whatever will she do? Pinpin’s still around, but she hasn’t anything more for him to eat. This calls for a new job, fast.
Last one was at a restaurant that actually paid pretty nice, though she ended up punching the manager after he yelled that she needed to shorten her skirt about 10cm. Pinpin meows and she agrees that she wasn’t in the wrong there. Still, life sure is tough out there for a regular girl and she’s starting to regret running away from home… but there’s no place for her in the Dannar Base anymore.
And, to make things worse, she hasn’t seen Nagisa since that robot attack. She hopes she’s alright… An Eida add playing nearby, announcing a Christmas tour, reminds her of seeing one of these when she was last with Nagisa. She could go for an idol lifestyle right about now, as it’d mean she could stop looking for part-time jobs…


A voice suddenly asks her to wait a moment – is she actually getting scouted?! Her name’s Anna Aoi, she’s 17 years old, and her specialty is cooking sukiyaki! Actually, no, it’s Goh’s little brother Suzaku Kururugi Shinobu… and what was that about sukiyaki? N-nothing at all, pay her no mind, bye!
She doesn’t go far before Shinobu stops her from running. Anna yells that she’s not going back to Dannar Base, but Shinobu actually says that’s totally fine. He’s watched her work so hard, for so long, by herself, and he’s reached a point where he can’t just watch it all in silence anymore.
He’s on the verge of asking her to come with him when a bunch of explosions rain on his parade. What’s going on? Mimetic Beasts, and they’re coming for them!


Mission 10 (Rescue Route) – Engage, Godannar

: Anna, we need to run! It’s too dangerous here!
: Hold on! That’s…!

: Goh…!
: Anna, hurry! This way!
: …
: There you are, Mimetic Beasts! Sorry, but we’ll be keeping this town safe from you!
: Goh, there’s a good chance the Menage Zero’ll also turn up. If he does, don’t rush him by yourself, please.
: I know, but the Cosmo Diver… Lou’s also with him. If he shows his face, I’ll want to settle that score here and now.
: (His defeat to the Menage Zero left deep wounds in his spirit… They should be healed, but…)
: Nagisa, please keep on standby until I summon the Iczer Robo (130 morale).
: OK, you got it.
: Kouichi, weren’t you hospitalized after Emi’s punch?
: “Hospitalized”, he says… Heh, don’t worry about me. I’m pretty hardy, you know.
: All Factors carry D-S.O.I.L nanomachines inside their bodies, and those heal any wounds pretty much instantly. So depending on our D-S.O.I.L.’s activity rate, we’re almost unkillable.
: Aah, I see how it is – you guys are pretty much all supermen and superwomen, then.
: Our enemies are dead ahead. Cut the chatter.
: Alright, time for a good ol’ fashioned Mimetic Beast extermination. Let’s jump right in there!

Beep, beep!

: Wait a sec there! Some new heat signals incoming!
: … Here he comes.
: …

: That’s it, alright… the Menage Zero!
: And the Cosmo Diver!
: Lou…?! She was with the Menage Zero these past two months?!
: Don’t let them close in on you, Lou! (Ken)
: Roger!
: Here I come, Mimetic Beasts! Haah!

: You’re not the one!
: Menage Zero…!
: Away. We’ve already had our duel, and you’ve been found wanting.
: What?!
: So stay there and do not interfere with my battle!
: I can’t do that. Rather, I’ll take down those Mimetic Beasts, you, and get Lou back!
: If you won’t heed my warning, then I’ll give you no quarter!
: !!
: Goh, wait! I’ll go in first!

: Aargh!
: Don’t, Mira!
: As you wish. I’ll start with you, then!

Ken steps towards Mira.

: Mira, get back!

The Godannar powers down.

: Goh!!
: Can you move?
: Y-Yes, I’m fine… my unit’s falling apart, though…!
: Pull back to base. You can’t fight after that!
: But…
: Hurry! Do you want me to lose my nerve again?!
: …!
: Don’t push your luck, Mira – pull back. We’ll take care of Goh.
: Alright… stay alive, everyone.

: The Okusaer…!
: Come on, Anna! Let’s get out of here!
: No, I have to go…
: Go where?!
: Ah…
: (That’s right… Where would I go? There’s nowhere I belong… I still act like I’m a pilot, but I’m the one who ran off like that… and I’ve know that for a long time.)
: (Yet… What’s this I’m feeling?)
: Anna, you don’t have to force yourself to fight! Being a pilot’s not who you are!
: Just forget my brother and we’ll go live in peace!
: …You’re wrong. I want to pilot a robot…
: Huh?
: I’ve just remembered something… Ever since I was a kid, before I even met Goh…I’ve always dreamed of being a pilot…!
: Anna…
: (I’ve been lying to myself all this time… I’d been projecting my insecurities as a pilot onto Goh and twisting my own dreams…)
: (I’m not as good a pilot as the others, so I blamed everything on Goh’s past and ran away… I didn’t lose where I belonged – rather, I’d turned my back on my dream!)
: … Shinobu!
: Yeah?!
: Take me back to the Dannar Base! I’m no running anymore. I’ll fight!
: Are you sure about this, Anna?
: Absolutely. If I ran away now, I’d regret it the rest of my life!
: … Alright. Come on, Anna. I’ve left my bike not far from here!
: OK!
: How’re you holding up in there, Goh?!
: I’m fine, but the Dannar’s drive systems are out. I’m running some makeshift repairs, so you folks’ll have to handle this by yourselves for a bit! Sorry!
: (I need to hurry… I’ve a responsibility to get to Lou and scold her for what she’s done!)
: Troops, cover the Godannar and destroy the Mimetic Beasts and the Menage Zero. Feel free to disregard the Cosmo Diver.
: We gotta fight the guy that beat the Godannar to a pulp before…?
: Kouichi, your heart-rate’s rising. Are you afraid?
: N-No way! I was just thinking that this is the perfect guy to take down on my debut!
: Hah, I reckon you’re doing OK if you’re running your mouth like that. Watch our backs and we’ll watch yours, rookie.
: If you choose to retreat without any issues, I’ll allow it… Oppose me, however, and you’ll find only death!


Destroy everything while protecting Goh and Kouichi – the former’s your biggest risk as you can’t even cast spirit commands with him. Ken’ll ignore him while there are Mimetic Beasts to kill, but the beasties themselves won’t; so either jump in there and keep them away, or keep a group like Ichitaka/Miu near him as a safety net.
You’ll eventually have to deal with Ken and he’ll retreat under 8k HP. As Reiji said, you COULD totally ignore Lou, but, of course, there’s a catch – suffice to say you’ll want to leave Ken and Lou for last. For now, don’t kill her and don’t bring him below that HP threshold.


Blade Gainer (Ken)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Predict
Prevail L4
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L1


Cosmo Diver (Lou Roux)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L2
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2

Ken’s pretty good, in that he’s about tied with Goh on most stats (he’s got a bit more on some, less on others) and the Blade Gainer’s both beefy and hits decently hard. Not as hard as Iczer-2, but still. His main issue is the same as Goh’s though: very short range. The best he’s got is 1-3 and we have a lot of folks who can beat that.
Prevail and Predict means he’s rather accurate, but he’s not all that dangerous. If you wanna take him out, though, you’ll have to go with the standard practice of having someone bust Fighting Spirit with a support from Ichitaka or whoever.
As for Lou, she’s not all that great. Better range than Ken but way less stats, power and resilience.

But, as I said, we’ll be ignoring them for now and moving everyone towards the Mimetic Beasts.


Enemy Phase!


In come the little guys.


HEY!

: Please stay out of our way! I don’t want to fight you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oExYoNGu1w
Youcameaftermegoddamnit.
Still, there’s no problem with us taking potshots at her – it’s only Ken that runs off after a point. Speaking of, he runs over to Lou’s side.


Player Phase!

: Eh? Did Mira comeback?
: Look again, Kenji. It’s similar to the Neo Okusaer, but that’s a different unit!
: Is that… the Goh Okusaer?! Mira, why’re you piloting that thing?!
: It’s not Mira in here!
: A-Anna?!
: I’m back, Goh! And I’m here to help!
: Absolutely not! Get off this battlefield!
: I’m so sorry, Goh… I know—
: No, you don’t! Do you have any idea the trouble you’ve put everyone through running off for over two months?! How many people were endangered?!
: I’m really sorry! I just—
: No, what you did was inexcusable! You’ve no right to pilot that robot!
: You don’t think I know that?! That’s why I didn’t come back all this time!
: Hey, hey, hey, hey! We appreciate any extra help, but can anyone explain what’s going on?! Just who’re you?!
: We’re talking, if you can’t tell! And who are you? What’s your deal with Goh?
: Keeping it short, the girl piloting the Goh Okusaer’s Anna Saruwatari… Goh’s wife.
: Whaat?! But she looks not that much older than us!
: Wait up, did you say Anna…? Anna Aoi?!
: Nagisa?! So you were alright… thank goodness.
: I am, yes, but never mind me! How’re you a pilot and married?! Was that why you said all that weird stuff back then?
: Um… I might’ve kept a few secrets. Sorry!
: We don’t have a lot of time to catch up now, but I’ll fight these with you!
: Stop right there! I haven’t okayed your reinstatement!
: Uurgh! You’re so pigheaded!
: While you’re very irresponsible!

Beep!

: That’s enough bickering, you two. This is hardly the time for that, don’t you think?
: Professor! Why’s she in the Goh Okusaer?!
: Because I felt it was necessary. Besides, weren’t you waiting for her to come back?
: That doesn’t mean I want her reinstated as a pilot!
: The Dannar Base is part of LOTUS, so you don’t get a say in this matter.
: And what you should be focusing on right now is on finishing your repairs!
: … Roger that!
: I also have plenty to say to you, Anna. Normally, like Goh said, you wouldn’t be allowed in that cockpit.
: … I know.
: Then you’d best pull your weight and then some if you want to redeem yourself!
: Yes, ma’am!
: And, Anna, that mech was set up for Shizuru to use, so it might not be the best fit for you. I reckon the seat, in particular, will be too wide, but just bear with it for now!
: Shiba!
: No worries. I can fight just fine with it!
: And keep the Plasma Drive at level 6 or lower – any more than that and you won’t be able to control it!
: Roger!
: The rest is up to you, folks!
: Copy that. All troops, engage and destroy the Mimetic Beasts and Menage Zero!


Goh Okusaer (Anna Saruwatari)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L3
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
Spirit Commands:
Alert
Iron Wall
Strike
Mech Features:
Angel Wall
Squad Bonus: Mobility +5, money earned+10%

At least Anna gets the claim the “Goh Wifebot” to show Mira what’s what. The bot itself is, as you might expect, the Neo Okusaer but better.
Anna and Mira themselves are pretty similar, with slight variations in stats. Anna’s clearly built as the more defensive pilot with that Iron Wall, while Mira’s more offense-oriented with her Accel and whatnot.
The loss of Accel isn’t too good for Goh, but we’ll have to make do – if anything, the Goh Okusaer’s squad bonus will get movement+1/+2 at 50/100% upgrades, so you can compensate for it some. Extra money’s always nice, too, especially with how the AI’s drawn to big HP pools.

Also, take note of this:

:siren: Secret Alert! :siren:
You’ll want to take Lou down with either Anna or Goh (when he’s back). Remember, she’ll run off when Ken does, so handle her first.


So let’s get to work. Kenji follows up Reiji’s initial attack.


There goes the leader.


Yagyuu can’t quite finish the leader off, so Yamashita takes it.


Enemy Phase!


Here they come.


Four groups get weakened. Kenji takes a kill and, of course, Ichitaka’s ever the mook magnet: he takes two kills (because I held back) and weakens many more.


Ken also draws in a lot of attention.

: You’re in my way! Move!


All three groups of Type 13 Mimetic Beasts run in and Lou readily support defends him twice. Make sure you take that into account as you hit back on her attacks.


Player Phase!


Goh’s finished his repairs and is back in action. Kagemaru wants him to combine with the Goh Okusaer right away but Kiriko says it’s too soon: she wants to see if the girl can actually handle the unit.
Furthermore, Goh outright refuses to combine with Anna. Kouichi looks on at how angry the guy’s gotten since his wife came back. Will he be alright?


Moving along, with stuff softened up, we can go to town. Goh takes one, Anna guns for another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le9_vzqsuvs
Her barrier holds even better than Mira’s with her stats. Yamashita and Shizuna claim this group’s survivor.


And we need to clear the area around Ken and Lou, lest the things do too much damage for comfort.

: I’ve really been reborn this time!


Kouichi can shrug off damage just fine, but these beasties draining his EN’ll make for an annoyance if it piles on.
Jeeg, Ichitaka and Shizuru get rid of the last mooks by that area.


Iczer-1 and Yagyuu are holding the line down here. One kill for the former.


Enemy Phase!


Here come the big ones.


He takes two of the little guys when they attack.
Cut back to Ichitaka, the enemy mob is still failing to do any lasting damage – one for him, one for Miu.


Player Phase!


Lou’s already around 30% HP, so let’s deal with her quickly.

: Get off the Cosmo Diver, Lou! There’s absolutely no reason for you to be fighting!
: You have a family, Anna, so I don’ expect you to understand how I feel…!
: And don’t you have a family too? What about me and Goh?!
: … No, I don’t! Leave me alone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf6lRdJpEOU

: Why are you with the Menage Zero, Lou?! Come back to the Dannar Base!
: You never taught me anything – rather, you always treated me like a kid! I won’t go back to living with people like that!
: Quit being so selfish, Lou! You are a kid and that means listening to the grown-ups!

: Lou! Get off the Cosmo Diver and lets all just go back to the Dannar Base!
: No, I won’t…! I won’t go back until I’ve avenged my dad…!
: Lou!
: Can you move, Lou? Pull back.
: OK!

: LOU! Damn it, why aren’t you listening to us?!

With that done, we’ll simply spend the turn clearing out the remaining Beasts (focus fire the bigger ones) and move to take Ken out.

Fast forward!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HzdVxtLU1c
Iczer-1 herself gained a new strongest attack now that Nagisa’s with her!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUJbfygFjsI
And here’s the ACTUAL full power Executor blast plus DK – I’m sure the city’ll be fine.


Ken had actually taken quite a beating over the fight (he did try attacking my guys once or twice), so he’s rather close to his threshold by the time I get to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_8Co4iGjK8
Listen, it’s written the way it’s written. Best I could find was a JP forum suggesting it’s like Strike+Slash.


I actually needed to spend one more turn trying to get him into a better position. Goh can’t pull the necessary numbers without combining and Kenji’s doing pretty well, so I decided to give this kill for Kouichi.


Ichitaka: “Lemme handle this, Kouichi!”


And we get a Predict skill part and some nice cash for our troubles.


Kouichi also learns Assail (突撃 – can use pre-movement attacks after moving) and Prevail L3.

: Hmph. I won’t fall to… urk!
: (Wh-What… my body’s… Is this…?!)
: (No… I cannot die yet, not before I’ve carried out my mission. I…!)

: And that’s a wrap. The Menage Zero ran off but the town didn’t take a whole lot of damage, so I reckon that’s a pretty good way to end things.
: Hold on now. Remember last time, when there was one Mimetic Beast hiding around?
: Hm. It’s too soon to let our guard down.

Beep, beep!

: I knew! Got one on radar – it’s…

: Right under the Godannar!
: Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!
: What?!
: Watch out, Goh!

: Thanks, Kouichi. I owe you one!
: Sorry, Goh, I didn’t get there fast enough…!
: …
: You’ll need to use the Twin Drive to take that one out, Goh, Anna. Combine!
: But Professor…
: Sorry, Mr. Moritsugu, but can you just play along?
: …As you wish.
: Troops, support the Godannar’s combination! Once it’s complete, immediately engage and destroy the Mimetic Beast!
: Roger that! Come on, Goh!
: No! I won’t combine with someone as irresponsible as you!
: You’re still stuck on that, you blockhead?! Weren’t you so very willing to combine with Mira?!
: Don’t bring her into this! I can count on her, unlike you!
: Aargh, that’s IT! It was because of that attitude of yours that things went south for us!
: What?! So it’s my fault now?!
: Oi… There they go again…
: Who has a lovers’ spat while a whole battle’s going on…?
: I hate how rude you are! And I hate your chin! Why’s it so big for no damn reason?!
: And I can’t stand how bratty you are! Or how self-centered you are! Or how long your baths take!
: Oh, speaking of baths, I hate how you like to just get out and waltz around the house naked!
: While I can’t stand how preachy you are! You’re a senior in high school, for crying out loud!
: I hate, hate how you only change your socks after a few days!
: It annoys me to no end that you’ve so much more money saved up than me!
: And it REALLY grinds my gears just how nice you are to all women you meet!
: Um… I don’t think we should be listening in on this…
: But we should still watch them. Do you not feel it, Nagisa? The beautiful emotions irradiating from them…?
: Huh…?
: And could you not start eating dinner before I even sit at the table?!
: Well, I don’t care what you think!
: Right back at you!
: Oof… they just keep going and going.
: I don’t give a damn about whatever you say, because I already knew you inside out!
: … Alright! Let’s combine, Anna!
: OK, Goh!

Both bots pull back.

: Huuh?! What just happened? Weren’t you fighting?!
: Drive change, GO!
: Drive change, GO!

: AAAH!
: Crap, the Plasma Drive’s gone over level 6!

: WAAAAH!
: She really can’t control it?
: (Goh, Anna… Prove to us all the strength of the ties that bind you!)
: Get in there, Goh! Show how a big-time hero does things!
: B-But the chances of a successful combination like that are…
: Um… It’s 50%!

: No, it’s not! It’s 200% with the two of us!
: (I-I won’t let this beat me… I’ll master the Goh Okusaer… and surpass her! I… I wanna outshine Mira!)

: Keep at it, Anna! I swear I can handle whatever you dish out! If you’ve got the spirit of a pilot, then fly with all your heart!


:siren: :siren:

: Goh!
: Anna!

: Dannar… ON!
: Revolveeeer… OPEN!

: Godannar! TWIN DRIVE!!
: …Hah…
: They pulled it off!
: Daaamn, their power’s just filling this whole area!
: Must be nice…
: I feel it now… I’m back!
: We’ll take him out with a single punch, Anna!
: Aye, aye!
: HAAAAAH!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMxJTPHh87w

: We did it, Anna! … Hey, Anna?!
: Passed out, huh…?
: Do I zap her?
: No, just let her rest. I’ll keep watch ‘til she comes to.
: … Welcome back, Anna. This is where you belong.
: (Welcome back, Anna… But now your real fight begins…)
: Any Mimetic Beast signals, Yamashita?
: All clear. I think we’re good.
: Good, ‘cause I’m hungry as hell after that. Let’s get back to JUDA.
: We should, yeah. And I guess we’ll have more sushi waiting now that Goh’s wife came back.
: Hahah… Guess I’ll have to wait ‘til later to have Anna’s homemade cooking again. All the better for her to rest, I guess.
: Hold on please.
: What is it, Professor?
: I’ve something important to speak of. Mr. Moritsugu, can you all stop by the Dannar Base?
: Bad news, I presume?
: It’s about some information that just came in. I don’t meant to rain on your parade, but this needs to be spoken of.
: Understood. We’ll head to the Dannar Base right away.

Had we attacked Ken with Goh, they had this convo:

: I’ll be beating you this time, Menage Zero!
: Fool. Fight as many times as you’d like, it won’t change the outcome. You cannot defeat me!
: I’m not the same man I was when I lost back then! Come on!


Anna wakes up at the Dannar Base infirmary and is welcomed by a very relieved Nagisa. Iczer-1 greets her as well and, when she asks, Kouichi explains where they are. Anna, realizing she fainted, wonders if that might’ve angered Goh. Speaking of, Nagisa’s still annoyed that she didn’t say anything about being married and wants to Anna to come clean now that stuff’s calmed down.
Anna, apologizing again, says she WANTED to tell her but also wanted to avoid the fuss that’d obviously come if her schoolmates found out about her marriage and being a pilot. Nagisa figures having an argument that the entire town can hear would make for an even bigger fuss, but hey. Anna asks that she forget that.
Hearing that the big hero from the War of Giants walks around home naked and doesn’t change his socks kind of crushed Kouichi’s idealized CHAMPION OF JUSTICE image, though. “Oh, no, Goh isn’t anywhere near that kind of perfect superman,” Anna laughs. “He can’t do anything without me.” Well, Goh DID say that he was just a pilot before.

Kouichi introduces himself properly to her and apologizes for stealing her spotlight, saving Goh from what surprise attack. On the contrary, Anna thanks him a lot for doing so and Nagisa has a laugh at the flustered kid. Still, Iczer-1 inwardly notes that he’s acting like a fine Champion of Justice now – he’s long-time wish has been granted.
Shinobu runs in, glad to see Anna’s OK. He takes a look around and notices that Goh isn’t here. Just what is he doing? His wife just came back. Iczer-1 explains that he’s been called to the command room by Kiriko.


So, what she wanted to speak to us about relates to Max and Moukaku – Ichitaka and Miu recognize those names as other heroes of the War of Giants. Max, in particular, was presumed KIA in said conflict five years ago, but was recently-ish found in a near-death state INSIDE a Mimetic Beast and brought back to life.
As it turns out, Mira explains, she went through the same thing and had been absorbed into a Mimetic Beast five years ago. That’s the first Ichitaka’s ever heard of that, though Kyo figures making an announcement of these miraculous returns would’ve raised all sorts of inopportune questions. Not to mention that Mira had lost her memories until not too long ago and, even now, her body’s still in bad shape.
In Max’s case, however, as soon as he came back to life, he stole the Core Gunner and went to kidnap Mira (though she doesn’t remember much of the event). And the guy was acting crazy when it all went down, and while Goh figures the guy resented him some, the man he saw then was completely out of control.

Why would he resent Goh, Kenji wonders? Because Max was in love with Mira since forever, but, five years ago, she got together with Goh. Yet he failed to protect her during the war, and Max never forgave him for it.
In the end, Shizuru says they captured Max, his body displaying myriad abnormalities, and tried to figure out what had happened. Kiriko has some bad news, though: both Max and Moukaku have just died. The latter having shown the same physical abnormalities and loss of mental control as Max – it’s pretty clear that their death was caused by the worsening of whatever condition they had.


Mind you, Kagemaru remembers that Shadow, an operative of Silicon Base, also displayed the same symptoms but barely managed to survive. Yet another heroine of the War of Giants, Yamashita sees.
Kenji was thinking that that disease affected those who’d been absorbed by Mimetic Beasts, like Max, but Moukaku and Shadow hadn’t been, right? Indeed, Kiriko will explain and turns on a video: it depicts the so called “Insania Virus”, a RNA virus that infects humans and the Mimetic Beasts are its vectors. Mira’s getting worried.


Next video is of Max, taken just moments before his death. When Shizuna asks, Kiriko confirms it: he got like this because of the Insania Virus. The disease itself is called Rabid Syndrome and it is caused by the thing. Good news is that the Insania Virus is innocuous to nearly everyone, except in some specific cases.
Reiji knows what’s coming: she wants to tell us about said specific cases. Namely, the Virus becomes active when the carrier displays unusually powerful fighting instincts – thus, the Rabid Syndrome occurs. From what they’ve seen, the odds of an infected person are extremely high especially amongst male pilots. Women CAN display the Syndrome but it is very rare – Shadow was a special case in that she took male hormones.
Seems to Yagyuu that the Insania Virus is a biological time bomb the Mimetic Beasts developed to kill their natural predators. And here comes the kicker: as Kiriko said, the virus is transmitted via the beasts and, as such, anyone who’s fought the things could potentially be infected… and we’ve fought them plenty.

Yamashita freaks out: does that mean we could all be infected?! Indeed. Alice protests that she’s regularly checked everyone’s health and no one was displaying any symptoms, but Kiriko explains that the virus hides amid the host’s neurons. Plus, cases of it going active are exceedingly rare, so common exams won’t pick it up.
Meaning Kiriko wants everyone in LOTUS to undergo specific tests to check who’s infected and the chance of the Insania Virus going active. We can’t risk losing anyone else to the thing. Miu’s really scared now, but Kagemaru tells that even if we’re infected, we shouldn’t be at a big risk of it going active. For real? He wouldn’t lie about something this serious – now go get tested.


A nondescript time later, the results are in: while there are some of us who are already infected, we, indeed, aren’t at a risk of it activating… except for Goh. He’s actually very likely to trigger the Rabid Syndrome. See, Goh pilots the same kind of robot as the two people who’ve fallen to the disease and, worse, he’s by far the person who’s come into contact with the most Mimetic Beasts.
Thus, Kiriko has no choice: “Goh, you are to step down as the Godannar’s pilot. That’s a direct order.” Goh flips out, but Kagemaru reminds him of what happened to Max – if he keeps fighting, that’s how he’ll end up as. Are they ordering him to retire as a pilot?! More like they want him to take a vacation – a potentially long one – until we’ve figured out a treatment for the thing.
Goh still isn’t happy, so Reiji has some intel to relay to him: it seems that when Moukaku lost control, he went and started attacking his own allies. Unable to contain him, the Dragliner and Dancouga had to kill him. In other words, Moukaku died at the hands of his own friends.

Kiriko confirms that there was no other way, and Kagemaru raises the point: were Goh to go on a rampage with the Godannar, who would be forced to stop him? Goh easily sees his point. That doesn’t mean he’ll have to part was with LOTUS, mind, as Kiriko has reassigned him as a pilot instructor and tactical advisor for the team. Still important duties, only not in the battlefield.
As for the Godannar, Kiriko’s having Shizuru take over as its pilot – it wouldn’t do to leave the mech stored away. This may only be temporary, but until we’ve a better idea of how to treat Goh, we’ll have to treat this as a proper reassignment.
Shizuru’ll now have to undergo training to learn how to combine with the Okusaers and she promises to work hard such as to not hamper the team. With that done, Kiriko apologizes to Reiji for demanding we come over and relays her regards to Ishigami.
As we leave, Kiriko is worried about the LOTUS folks that stayed in space – specially the Combattler guys. She asks Momoka and Konami to get in touch with any and all countries – including the PLANTs – and help them set up their Insania Virus tests.


Kouichi’s very bummed out over what happened to Goh, and while Yamashita understands how he feels, staying like that won’t help anyone. Still, he can’t stand the sight of the guy getting hung out to dry as if he were some rookie like him. Isn’t there anything we can do?
Izuna says Goh’s been working by himself, wholly focused on his new jobs, so he doesn’t think anyone could get to him, really. The guy’s likely doing that to drown out the bad, and it’s hard for Ichitaka to see him like that.
That’s worsened, even, by the fact that he and Anna had finally managed to reconcile. We now need to be there for him and Tsubaki and Miu tell everyone not to look so down, lest Goh feel responsible for it.

All he has left at the moment is his work, so maybe we can lift his spirits some by working hard to improve ourselves with him. Yamashita makes special note for Kouichi not to screw things up on pilot training and disappoint Goh!
Well, he and Ichitaka figures a tag team of Reiji and Goh training them oughta make for some damn good progress on us – we’ll have both skill and strength covered. We’ll have to strive to keep that positive attitude until a cure’s found, Miu says, and Shizuna is certain it won’t take long for that with JUDA on the case.


Anna’s off in the pilot sim and the seat’s just perfect for her, compared to what the Goh Okusaer had. Well, Shibakusa says she’s still young – give a few years and she might get a butt to rival Shizuru’s. Just give him a holler if the seat starts getting too tight!
Touko and Nanae yank at his ears for talking like that to a married woman, but he swears that he didn’t mean anything like that – kids these days read too much into things. Nagisa shows up as Anna starts training (having some difficulty).

She’s working pretty hard and all signs point at Mira being the cause. From what Nagisa’s heard, the amnesiac Mira’s mind had regressed to an infant-like state and Anna took care of her during that time; she didn’t stop even after finding out that she was Goh’s ex, even.
Problem is, when Mira made a full recover during Anna’s absence, she became her rival in both work and love. The two women don’t seem ready to have an honest talk with one another, and Goh isn’t exactly in a condition to arrange that sort of thing.


Now we’re left with one woman who came back from the dead to find out he ex married someone else, and the other woman who’s developed a complex over the previous one. Complicated stuff.
Speaking off, Anna’s getting trounced by the sim. Shibakusa says he understands that she’s working hard to make up for us losing Goh, but she’s not beating an S-Rank simulation – especially considering how hard it is to handle the Goh Okusaer.

Anna’s not having it, though, saying she’ll only hold us back if she can’t deal with this – she’s got to recover from her absence and get used to her bot in preparation to combine with Shizuru. Again!
Shibakusa sighs and does as told, Touko and Nanae worried over how hard she’s pushing herself. “I’ve never seen Goh look so sad before… I wanna be able to help him. I wanna support him! And, for that, have to get a lot stronger!” she thinks to herself. “Goh… I’ll work hard, and I’ll fight enough for both of us!”

Oh Godannar, you silly, silly thing. Fire Soul Break is one of the coolest finishers out there though so I can accept you.

What I can’t accept is the Linebarrels anime bungling things up once more. The other thread brought up part of the issue with the “Kouichi walks in on Emi” scene, but that’s actually missing another facet of the greater scope. See, Ishigami SENT HIM TO DO THAT. In the manga, this ends up providing a lot of character development, and was all according to Ishigami’s plan, because in the manga Ishigami is basically Gendo Ikari stuffed in a blender with Evil Fanfiction Dumbledore and a whole bunch of Actually Being A Good Guy And Doing Good Things after having been given a basically nigh-omnipotent computer to predict the future with that desperately wants to save the world and personally became the devil to do so - JUDA, in the manga, is named after it, and it named itself that after Judas, The Traitor. And in the anime he’s a fucking idiot and spends most of his onscreen time doing really stupid shit that is actively detrimental to saving fucking anyone.

(Also what the anime calls D. Soil was never named in the manga, it was just called nanomachines. Though… honestly that doesn’t bug me so much. It’s still the same shit, they just bothered giving it a name, no problems there.)

I am sad about Mokaku dying like he did in the show though. I’m actually fairly certain he survived K, and considering K has absolutely abysmal rates of “people who don’t join you surviving” that’s amazing. That said, he and all the other foreign teams never join you despite apparently fighting alongside you in some battles (but offscreen), and unlike Z3 they didn’t even bother giving a rational reason as to why the fuck they don’t. I’m also sad about how L handles the mech Lou is piloting right now, but honestly that’s a much more minor issue (and one that existed in K, it just didn’t matter in K) so we’ll get to that when we hit the late 10s and early 20s.

Click to see the mission!


Alright, time to close off the Retreat Route. Still a tight race between our top aces, but it won’t really matter as I’ll be keeping the other path (better cash, drops, secrets, etc).


We’ll be having a water-centric mission next, so you’ll want to make sure as many of your guys as possible can be airborne or move properly on water:
Tetsuya/Jun
Ichitaka/Puria
Kouji/Boss
Combattler/Dick
Daiya/Yanma
Zechs/Noin
Ozma/Luca
Klan/Canaria
Voltes/Sayaka

I had Puria tag in with Ichitaka due to her allowing the partner to fly, and while I would’ve given Kouji the Crab Bunker for the underwater movement, I found that I’d rather have Daiya serve as my underwater hunter. The Gaiking moves farther, has better range, and hits harder overall than the Mazinger.
Alto and Michel are deploys as event units.

Let’s get going.


We open up with Luca managing to hook Ichitaka up with a call to JUDA, where he, Rachel and Maki have the same convo as before related to the GreAT Corporation and Grife’s cancelled research. Luca’s personally interested in why the professor cancelled the project if the supplied material wasn’t faulty – it’d be good knowledge, what with his work at L.A.I. Of course, our folks don’t know the answer.
Moreover, they also relay information about Yajima’s untimely death. Ichitaka would really like to speak with Kouichi about that, but we’re already gearing up for our offensive against the Vajra, so there’s no time. He’ll talk with him once he’s back at JUDA.
Once the call ends, Ichitaka tells of how Yajima helped him get over his depression after his parents died. Hearing that the guy’s dead doesn’t even feel real – they were together at school not too long ago. Inwardly, Luca wonders what he’d do if Nanase, Alto or Michel died… which is why he needs to do everything in his power to make sure that doesn’t happen.


Alto’s ran through some exams by the Quarter’s infirmary and Canaria expects him to be 100% in ten days – he didn’t get hurt much in the previous mission (and subsequent fight with Michel). Sheryl left in a hurry before he came over; maybe she didn’t want him to see her in that weakened state.
Canaria also figures Alto has some grievances to vent about Michel, though the guy figures this isn’t the place for it. Alice suggests he’ll feel better getting it all off his chest rather than bottling things up – it’s just the three of them in here and Canaria figures everyone’s entitled to grumble once in a while.
Alto sniffs that he’s not grumbling: he’s angry at Michel for being such a screw-up. The guy’s entire thing is hanging back and blasting stuff and he can’t even be relied on to pull that off?! If all he wants is to make some cash and flirt with women, the he oughta be elsewhere. Why the hell is someone like him working with the SMS?

Canaria says everyone has a reason to being here, and both she and Alice figure that it’s same with Alto; the girl heard how he volunteered to join the SMS, even. Inwardly, he ponders how he didn’t like being an actor, how he wanted to defend the Frontier and fly across the sky – but, still, he’s not here because he enjoys fighting or to escape from his family.
Klan, then, enters the room with Juzo and Ippei in tow, and they can see by his frown that he’s thinking about Michel. And how could he not, when the guy almost got him killed? That’s understandable, indeed, but Ippei asks him to first listen what Klan has to say.
Is she going to tell him about that, Canaria wonders, and Klan asks Alto if he cares for Michel. Does he hate his guts, want him to drop dead, Juzo also asks. Of course not, damn it. Then Klan wants him to listen up.


Michel lost his parents at an early age, so he was mostly raised by his older sister, Jessica – they were very close. Alto figures Klan would know, having been friends with the guy since they were kids. Indeed, and she remembers that Jessica was a great sniper… however, during one mission, she wound up shooting a friendly. Worst, he was her superior officer and lover.
Worse STILL, he’d broken up with her right before said incident, which raised a lot of questions with the army regarding intent. Jessica was court-martialed and, ultimately, killed herself. Ippei and Juzo only now found out that about this, too, though Ippei knew there was something.
So Michel took on her mantle as a sniper and Klan figures he’s still looking for the truth behind that friendly fire incident.


Later on, we’re just about ready to start our operation and Jeffrey’s giving us the rundown: our two objectives here are to destroy the Vajra flock and rescue Ranka. Alto will be leading the charge to bust inside the Knight Vajra the girl’s inside, Michel backing him up.
Durandal and Meer, by the Daiku Maryu, wish us the best of luck and to make sure we all make it through this alive. Kenichi’s sure that the two pilots will bring Ranka back, though Michel has a question for him: “if both Ranka and Earth hung in the balance, you’d pick Earth, wouldn’t you?”
Where’d that come from? Well, Michel’s heard that, in the past, when the Boazanians took his father hostage, he and the rest of the Voltes team were willing to let him die in order to protect Earth. Kenichi says they were backed against a wall there, which is why they had to make such a horrible choice.
“But you’ll have all of us right there with you. So you and Alto think only of saving Ranka, and let us handle everything else,” he says. “Right – because we’re a team… friends, even,” Megumi adds. Michel’s still looking a bit uneasy, though.

Ichitaka can see that he still hasn’t patched things up with Alto, and Alice confirms to Luca that the guy’s been told what happened. Ichitaka doesn’t know what’s up and Alice tells him to get Michel’s permission first. She won’t gossip about private matters! Well, he’s not about to pry but it’s tough to see the two guys like that.
Dick, however, thinks things are going to get very amusing. Daiya and Puria don’t appreciate that, especially considering how he attacked them way back when, but he says that’s not what he was getting at – he’s not getting a kick out of our issues. Regardless, Dick worrying won’t amount to anything.


Zechs asks if Ozma’s got no issue with this set-up and, indeed, he understands that having an unstable sniper and an attacker that doesn’t trust the guy watching his back wouldn’t really fly. That said, it seems to him that said attacker had a bit of a change of heart. Did Zechs not notice the glimmer in Alto’s eyes, Noin wonders.
Apparently not, and Zechs sees he isn’t leader material.


Somewhere hidden, G’s in a call with Mishima who’s not too happy that they’ve openly used a Dimension Eater – something L.A.I. was developing – on Earth’s surface and, if that wasn’t enough, in close proximity to one of the PLANTs bases. Still, the bugs’ network is now up and running, and surely Mishima understands the significance of that.
He does, though he wanted more time. Thanks to their shenanigans, Prof. Kentarou has started questioning if someone’s leaking their technology. G argues that they only had a limited window of opportunity when Ranka’s Fold Waves reached the necessary level and the boundaries could be brought down. Mind you, that whole battle wasn’t part of the plan.
Furthermore, G says they’ll soon begin preparations to bring the Galaxy over, so he won’t need to worry about anything when it happens. Isn’t it best to speed things along, presidential hopeful Leon Mishima?

Fine, Mishima says they’ll proceed to the next step of the plan as soon as Ranka’s back at the Frontier. They ARE interested in seeing to her safe return, right? Yes, though G’s group still isn’t sure how important the girl is – he figures they’ll confirm if she is or isn’t the “Little Queen” with this next battle.
Well, Mishima’s had his eye on her – the survivor – for some time, and would rather not waste the effort. They’ll try not to disappoint him.


As the call ends, G gets in touch with Brera, who says he’ll be arriving at the target area soon. Then he’s to carry out his initial mission accordingly. In the meantime, G’ll get ready to return to the Frontier.
Regardless of what happens, the plan should proceed apace.


Mission 10 (Retreat Route) – At the Tip of the Muzzle


And we’ve managed to catch up to the Vajra flock. Alto can still hear Ranka’s song, though it’s coming from behind this batch. In that case, Lulu orders everyone to thin out the Vajra numbers and clear a path ahead.
As Ozma tells everyone to watch not just our backs but that of our teammates, Alto gets a private call from Sheryl. She’s still a bit woozy, but has a request for him: “promise me that you won’t die, that you’ll come back safe.”
Alto promises, and to bring Ranka in tow as well. Forward!


Kill everything, don’t lose a ship, Alto or Michel. As I mentioned above, the main issue with this mission that that there’s a lot of water. Barring Kouji, most of our guys can fly just fine but the issue is that the Big Vajra groups have both one that’s flying and one that’s grounded. The grounded one will be underwater, meaning those’ll be so much harder to take out.
That’ll be Daiya and Yanma’s primary job this mission: going from one Big Vajra group to the next and hunting the underwater target. They can easily oneshot with their cheap attacks the things if they focus-fire.

Everyone goes forward.


Enemy Phase!


Ditto.


Player Phase!


As always, Ozma’ll be leading the charge with his command aura.

: Alto’ll be going in real soon, Ranka… Please be safe!

: The Vajra show a lot of difference between one another… Is this how they each evolved or…?


We’ll deal with these soon.


The Big Vajras all moved on land but Daiya’ll already start going after his assigned targets.

: Even after all the times I’ve fought these things, I still can’t handle how freaky they look. The Demonic Beasts are way nicer!


Yup, he and Yanma can oneshot just fine and that’s what they’ll be doing.


But we can have our other folks help out with these right now. Zechs and Klan have also tagged a few Big Vajras.

: I need you to keep a close eye on those things, Alice. Can you do it?!
: Yes. My AI has been developing its combat functions nicely; I should have no problems overall!


Puria takes it.


Following up on Zechs and Noin.

: Ranka’s life’ll be in even more damage if we waste time. Let’s hurry through this, Kenichi!
: And since we got size on our side, we oughta go straight for the big guys!
: You got it! These Vajra’ll get an ample taste of the Voltes’ power!


Bam.


Next!

: I need to break through these Vajra first! Die!!


”If survival comes down to us or you, then I…!”
And that’s a double kill.


And Kouji’ll like need a bit of time to reach the front lines after this, so let’s have him help out now.

: Hah, Mimetic Beasts, Vajra, it’s always the same ol’ thing. Let’s wrap this up quick!


Just shy but Tetsuya takes it.


And one more.

: We’re not getting Ranka out of there if we don’t give this 100%, Hyouma.
: And she’s been inside that Vajra for too long already. We’re running against the clock here!
: Got it, got it. We’ll keep our future superstar safe from these evil crickets!


Again, fell just shy of a kill.


Enemy Phase!


Aaand I moved my ships a bit too close… thought my Supers being up front would’ve goaded the AI, but nope! Lulu gets some bad rolls, too, so no kills.
The second wave of Vajra is drawing in.


Player Phase!


She does get payback, though. Jeffrey takes a little one.


Get in there, Michel.

: …I’m a sniper. I’ll at least carry out my job to the letter…!


Ozma and Luca, Ichitaka and Puria, Klan and Kouji each take a kill from the weakened buggers.


Only reason I didn’t send Daiya to oneshot that submerged Vajra is because I don’t want him hogging the other nearby mooks.
Either way, Kenichi and Hyouma clear out the remains of the first wave and that triggers the plot.


Alto’s noticing that Michel still isn’t doing too hot, though the guy says he’s just trying not to get in the way. Alto doesn’t wanna fight again, does he? No time for that as Cathy pings another flock of Vajra entering the area.
It’s the main batch and our folks tag the Vajra where Ranka’s being held. It’s Alto’s turn to get in there and, as usual, Ozma threatens him with Hell should anything happen to Ranka. Not that he needed any incentive to see this through.
Out there, Ranka’s calling out for his help.


Like in mission two, we need to get Alto adjacent to the target Knight – wrecking it is also a game over.

So we take a few steps forward.


Enemy Phase!


Tetsuya and Jun get jumped by a Big Vajra, though we can afford enough EN to Thunder Break it to death.

: Hrk?!
: (What’s going on…? Why am I hurting inside…?)


I’m sure it’s nothing. We keep weakening stuff and Ichitaka oneshots another little Vajra.

: Aargh! I-It hurts…!
: (Why? Why do we fight…?)


Oh, no, you didn’t.


Boosh. And Lulu also takes a kill.


Player Phase!


As Daiya and Yanma go fishing, Kouji and Tetsuya pop a couple of the weak Vajras to get their Mazin Power running.

Let’s skip forward a bit here since we need to get through this wave before having the way clear to Ranka.
One thing to note…


The Knights have a MAPW!


But they chose their targets poorly. The things have a decent bunch of HP but fall quickly against concentrated fire – especially if you bust out combined attacks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtw8zx2cqsA
Like Daiya and Lulu’s!
I confess to be a bit disappointed at this one compared to Sanshiro’s masterful “pick up the damn ship and smash it against the enemy!”


One turn later, Alto moves in. Make sure to cast Focus just in case your guys are lagging behind.

: In position! Hold on, Ranka – I’m coming!

: No, you aren’t…!
: What?!

: Where the hell did he come from…?! Michel, back me up! I can’t move in with this guy hounding me!
: …

Targeting… while Brera literally flies circles around Alto.

: Kch… He’s too fast…!
: It’s the Unknown from the reports…! Its reactions are too good for the unit to be a drone, but the way it’s moving is…
: Impossible for any human to withstand. Regardless of training, those insane movements would quickly make anyone faint. It’s likely the pilot’s…
: Are you gonna say he’s a cyborg or something?!
: You’re gonna have a hard time trying to take him head-on, Alto!
: I know that, Hyouma…!
: You listening, Michel? I’ll lure him into your scope!
: Don’t! It’s too risky!
: Are you scared you’ll miss? “Always hits a bulls-eye”, isn’t that how it is with you? And I heard that was the case with your sister, too!
: …?!
: Did Klan–? Urgh, that huge gossip…!

: What?! Damn it, get off me!
: Can’t believe you fell for it twice… but you’re not getting away this time!
: Tch…!

: Alto!
: Structural integrity of Alto’s unit down 50%!
: Urk… This red Valkyrie, I swear…!
: Shoot, Michel! Surpass your sister!
: Shoot…!
: Shoot… Shoot, Michel! SHOOT!
: … Hrm…!

: Wha—?!

: Alright, and now…!

: Rrgh… I won’t—

Beep!

: You’re too damaged to continue with your mission. Retreat and make preparations for the next phase.
: …Roger that…

: Just who’s that guy…?
: Concentrate on the Vajra, guys. Carry on with your offensive!

Rinse and repeat everything we’d been doing. Ignore Ranka’s Knight, have Daiya hunt whatever’s underwater and kill, kill, kill.

And one turn after Alto’s gone in…

: Where is she…? Why’s nothing ever simple…?!
: SHAAAAAAA!
: Hrk! Screw these Vajra!

Machine gun fire! Boom!

: !!

Dead.

: How many of them are there…?! Ranka! RANKAA!!

Elsewhere…

: Huh… I can see them all fighting…?

[quote]: Hrk! Screw these Vajra!

Machine gun fire! Boom!

: !!

Dead.[/quote]

: Sniffles No… This is so sad… Stop it… Please, stop this…
: We wish to convey…
: Huh…?
: To all of you…

: ?! This song… I understand… I’ll pour what I feel into my music… like I’ve always done…
: Aimo, Aimo…♪

: I hear music…! This way!

BOOM!

: RANKA!
: Alto?! Is that really you?!
: Ranka…!
: SHAAAAA!
: You goddamn monsters…! You locked her up in this weird bubble?!
: STOP!!
: Eat this!!

Bang!

:!!
: Ugh… aah…!

: Alto!
: Is Ranka safe?!
: She is, yeah! All thanks to you guys!
: Brother… everyone…!
: Aalrighty, then! Now we can stop holding back and wreck the rest of the Vajra!
: Yeah, let’s bring the whole curtain down on this group!
: Huh… What are they…? Captain, the Vajra seem to be confused for some reason.
: Confused…?
: Captain!
: That’s just the opportunity we need. Troops, muster whatever strength you still have and destroy the whole flock!

Go forward and kiiiiiiiiiiiill! :black101:

: A-Alto…
: Keep quiet for a bit, Ranka! This’ll be over soon and then I’ll set you down, so hold on ‘til then!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boyFsO-JahU
And here’s Kouji and Tetsuya’s Double Burning Fire with the dynamic finish!


That’s all the Vajra gone and Ranka’s confirmed safe – a thorough success even from a humanitarian POV, Durandal says. Even Ozma lets out a few tears of joy as he thanks us all.
Seems to Hiyoshi that even the big bad man can get choked up a few times, though Kenichi points out that the kid’s eyes are looking a bit red to. N-No way – he’s a MAN, so he’ll hang tough! And if Ozma was a manly man, he’d do the same! Them’s fighting words and Ozma figures he now has free rein to go to town on the Voltes Team during training.
Alice herself notes that Alto and Michel seem to have sorted out their differences today, so we just took care of two birds with one stone. Klan agrees, very glad that things turned out as well as they did.

And, with that, Lulu calls everyone back to the ships. Alto finally gets to ease up after all the nonstop hardships and asks if Ranka was scared in there. The girl’s crying too badly to answer, though he says the battle’s over - everything’s fine now.
“No… you’re wrong…” she sobs inwardly. “I don’t… I don’t understand… Why…?”


Michel still doesn’t know what was going through his sister’s mind when she pulled the trigger back then, and Luca and Alto quickly catch up to him. Alto praises his shot and invites him to go elsewhere – staying in the hangar 24/7 won’t help anyone relax after a big mission.
This is actually the first time he openly calls the guy Michel instead of Mikhail, and Luca’s happy with their progress. Alto prods the kid to quit grinning and move or they’ll leave him behind.
Michel, meanwhile, ponders that while he doesn’t know what his sister was thinking, he might figure it out someday.


And, some time later, we have a surprise waiting at the Quarter’s briefing room: Brera! Ozma wants the guy to explain what’s going on, but he is sticking to what he’s already said: he’s Lt. Brera Stern of the Macross Galaxy’s Antares Squadron. He’ll be accompanying the Quarter for a bit, and that is all he’s at liberty to divulge.
We’re to take the pilot of that red Valkyrie aboard? Ichitaka doesn’t think so, but Jeffrey says his affiliation checks out and the powers that be deemed he wasn’t a threat. Yeah, right, and we’re supposed to just forgive and forget all the times he messed with Alto? Hyouma at least wants the guy to apologize for all that… but he just keeps quiet. Is he not at liberty to apologize, maybe?!
Alto moves in, wondering what all the yelling is about, and Hyouma grunts at Brera coming aboard the Quarter like he owns the place. Hearing his voice, Alto’s immediately knows him to be the pilot of the problem red Valkyrie.

Regardless, that’s the way it is. More importantly, Jeffrey says we now have to conduct a few simple exams throughout the entire team after our battle with the Vajra (same ones Alto previously complained about having to undergo nonstop while hunting the things in space). If the Quarter’s facilities are deemed not up to the task, we’ll have to do it at the Frontier.
Kouji now sees the issue with fighting the buggers, but Luca said it needs to be done as we always run the risk of picking up a hitherto unknown disease. Boss sighs that he should’ve thought to slap some anti-bacterial coating on the Borot, though that strikes Kouji as the least of his bot’s problems.
Tetsuya tells them to zip it and hustle over to Canaria’s infirmary.


And everyone seems to be doing A-OK, much to Kenichi’s relief as we can’t well get taken out by stuff like disease. Hyouma’s just about to call it a day when Franken, Daiya calls him Franklin, the Daiku Maryu’s doctor, says he wants the Battle Team to take a different exam as well.
Said exam is for the Mimetic Beasts’ Insania Virus, what with the Combattler team having been helping the Dannar Team for a while, and we get the same rundown as the other path regarding the Rabid Syndrome and whatnot.
Of note is that Durandal saw fit to accompany Franklin to the Quarter as he figured his knowledge as a geneticist would be useful in regards to said RNA Virus (he replaces Kiriko as the expert here, really). If anything, his demeanor shows Zechs that this is a serious matter.

At length, everyone is doing just fine, with practically no chance of triggering the Rabid Syndrome, and Noin relates the information about Goh’s much higher risks. We’ll get more details once we’re back at JUDA.
Seems to Ichitaka like stuff on the other side was just as bad as this one.


Now, the Quarter is just about to reach Japan and this’ll be where Durandal and Meer need to part ways – that said, they’ll give Sheryl and Ranka a lift to the Frontier. Jeffrey wishes them safe travels, but Durandal figures they’ll be fine: Japan has, as you might expect, a history of opposition against any and all nuclear strikes, so they’re very sympathetic to the PLANTs.
Plus, Durandal also has someone he’d wanted to meet so this seemed like a good opportunity to do just that.


Ichitaka’s disappointed that Sheryl and Ranka are leaving, but they can’t well hang around now that both the movie shoot and anti-war concert have been dealt with. At the very least Alice is happy to see that Sheryl’s looking much better.
Well, she couldn’t stay bedridden forever and while her original plan was to get back to work tomorrow, it seems the Frontier government has ordered her quarantined to take a few exams. Guess she’ll be bedridden for a bit more once she gets back there.
Ranka’s also received the same order, though Alto figures it stands to reason they’d want to run some thorough scans face her abduction by the Vajra. Ranka sighs and Luca tries consoling that, while it’ll be boring for a bit, she’ll be able to get back to her normal life without any worries if the tests show nothing.

Luca would know, even, as Kenichi points out he’s the experienced one here in terms of Vajra abduction (feels odd for Ranka to have him be her senpai in this matter). Whichever the case, Daiya wants Ranka and Sheryl to get plenty of rest to put on a live concert for the whole crew next time.
Sheryl ponders she’ll have to make that happen before the Frontier figures out how to get back to its original world, then. She’ll get us begging her not to leave (Ichitaka’s just about at that point already, mind, but he’s not telling)!


As for Brera, it seems the reason the guy came over was because the Frontier Government assigned him as a bodyguard to the singers, so he’ll be leaving with them. Hyouma still doesn’t trust the guy one bit and Sheryl admits that she doesn’t really know what’s up with him.
Oh, and before she leaves, Sheryl tells Alto to keep that earring safe – if he loses it, she’ll make him pay big time. Ranka’s quietly taken aback by this tidbit of information, though Alto says he’ll take good care of it. Only reason they could rescue Ranka was because of the thing!
Their shuttle’s just about ready to depart and a flustered Ranka rushes out to get her luggage in. It’s about Sheryl’s time to get going, too, as she figures she’s kind of overstayed her welcome, but Kouji’s looking forward to seeing her in the Frontier. Alto just asks her to take it easy up there – she’ll try.

When she goes, Ichitaka immediately realizes he forgot to get her autograph – so much for his chance at showing off to his schoolmates. While info on the Frontier’s still heavily regulated, Sheryl’ll likely be getting famous due to the movie. Only a matter of time before she’s THE singer on Earth as well.
Jun isn’t as certain as Ichitaka, however, as Ranka’s star seems to be on the rise due to the stuff that happened with that same movie, her kidnapping and subsequent rescue. Megumi presumes the press will be all over her and the girl’s office is apparently looking to market her as the “Superdimensional Cinderella”. All in all, it won’t be easy sailing for Sheryl.
Hell, and that’s saying nothing of Lacus, with her legions of fans, and Eida, who, despite losing some popularity due to recently cancelling a few shows, still has a lot of passionate fans of her own. There are plenty of rivals in the pop singer market. One way or another, Megumi at least hopes Sheryl’ll make a full recovery.


Durandal, Meer, Sheryl and Ranka have made it to Tokyo, though it’ll only be tomorrow that their shuttle’s leaving for the PLANTs. Thus, he’s seen fit to rent them all rooms at a first class hotel for the evening. Sheryl doesn’t mind, though Ranka’s a bit in awe at the fancy place.
In the meantime, Durandal needs to take off to make good on an arrangement – the girls can go and have dinner without waiting for him.

By the coast…

: (What a dreary landscape… Over a decade has passed, yet the scars of the Second Impact do not fully disappear…)
: (Actually, no… it would have been nigh impossible to even restore this once dead ocean without their… without the technology from the other world. It’s for that reason that we’re all alive.)
: You’ve arrived a bit sooner than expected, Chairman Durandal.
: I’ve come alone. Consider it a gesture of good faith on my part.
: Good. This way, please.

While Sanshiro’s combo was pretty amazing, I have to give credit where it’s due, since I haven’t hit the point in the original where that combo happened so I don’t know what the context was - the scene in Gaiking LoDM was amazing. The Daiku Maryu crew spent the entire day at an abandoned amusement park that happened to be somewhere in Darius because ?, Rosa (the glasses girl who’s the DM’s subpilot/vice captain) spent the entire time taking notes on the loops of the roller coasters and those giant “put everyone at the edge of a giant circle and spin really fast in the air” things, and then they used that data to turn the Volution Mode - previously designed as pure defensive - into a giant, whirling, energy coated death wheel (see also the @2 Gaiking/DM combo).

And then that got tested because Vestaanu, one of the enemy generals, decided to ram the fucking thing. And then Rosa named the fucking thing “Spinning Coaster Attack” on the spot, and Daiya went “FUCK MAN GOTTA GET ME SOME OF THAT SHIT” and used the Zector Hook to hammer throw a mook into the battleship while naming his version “Big Wheel Coaster Swing”. It was pretty fucking amazing, as things in LoDM were wont to be.

(As an aside, for the real fun combos, do the Superior Stinger/Daiku Maryu ones. Those are just fucking silly.)

And hey, look at that, we’re done with this route split finally! Now everyone’s together, and we can take the focus away from Macross, SEED Destiny, and Linebarrel for… a little bit. Unfortunately I think Iczer also gets the short stick here (L kind of gives that to the Iczers in general unfortunately). On the plus side, next stage is a new series introduction… albeit one that was handled a little poorly, as I think its sort of filler altogether and would have preferred a different series, but oh well.

Click to see the mission!


And we are back, having finally joined our two big halves into one overwhelming force of destruction (except those ZAFT nerds, but whatever). Since I kept the Rescue Route, we have a very tight race for first place: Ichitaka’s magnetism kept him just one kill ahead of Kenji and (I’ll never get used to this) Quatre, who are tied.


All of my money went straight to upgrading the Frontier folks (who came in empty – only Alto got a pip in weapons). Meanwhile, Daiya got his promised EN save, while Alto chugged three of the Gunfights I’ve been saving since he’s our first major range-oriented protag.
Kouichi, meanwhile, took one of my Predicts to, majorly, boost his Accuracy (though dodging a bit more reliably is always nice).


And coming back from a route split begets the age-old tradition of rebuilding a big chunk of your squads. At the very least it doesn’t take nearly as long as it did in Z1 or the Alphas:
Jeeg/Kyo
Ichitaka/Miu
Reiji/Quatre
Iczer-1/Puria
Kouji/Yagyuu
Tetsuya/Canaria
Ozma/Luca
Alto/Michel
Zechs/Noin
Daiya/Yanma
Shizuru/Anna
Dick/Klan
Combattler/Deceive
Voltes/Mira
Yamashita/Tetsuya Kouji

I can’t believe it actually took me this wrong to realize what a waste it was to leave Canaria hanging out with Klan – she’s a perfect fit for Tetsuya. Then again, I WAS just setting whatever in anticipation to having to redraw stuff when we got back together.
Kouji still needs flight, so it’d be either Puria or Yagyuu and the former’s mobility bonus would’ve kinda been wasted on him. If the stars align, we’ll see the Mazinger pop a Double Image!
And I figured, since we have plenty of room, that Dick and Klan can work well enough to hold a squad of their own.

On we go.


The Quarter and Daiku Maryu have just arrived at JUDA, Ishigami bidding them a warm welcome. Jeffrey had already heard plenty about the man and even Garis mentioned the prez to be a very capable man.
They do him much honor, though there’s a lot of intel to be exchanged regarding the status quo abroad. Cathy warns that we need to decide what to do carefully, lest it turn the entire world against us; Jeffrey also agrees, remembering that the SMS was placed in LOTUS as a way to minimize the UN’s distrust towards the Frontier. If we make the wrong move, it’ll only mean trouble for the fleet (and the PLANTs, even).
Ishigami concurs, though he is appalled that people would fight one another with all that’s going on. People are so very shortsighted. But, regardless, Yui has just established a line to the ships’ databases, so they’ll start their meeting.


And, as usual, we get to hear about whatever happened in the path we didn’t take. Considering we saw it all, I’ll skip most of it but I can point out particularly amusing bits. Mind, at the end of it all, Emi comes in after Daiya – Naoto is here looking for him. Expected, considering Daiya didn’t have time to talk to him before rushing to space.

  • Noin’s already gotten assigned as another instructor to our rookies, and Ichitaka’s very taken with the beautiful soldier. Though he quickly stops himself, remembering the hell a beauty like Yagyuu puts him through in training – Noin might work him just as hard if he gets too uppity!

  • Michel’s still calling Alto “princess” and the guy’s still very much triggered by it. Getting over the friendly fire incident didn’t immediately make them best friends, you see. Michel, meanwhile, is a lot more interested in Shizuna – that’s a cute hairpin she’s got. He’s “feeling a bit woozy” after the sight of her, so maybe she could lend him a shoulder ‘til the infirmary? Yeah, right – that ain’t happening. And it’s not a hairpin, but this stupid necktie Kouichi gave her… is he her boyfriend? NO! Shizuna stomps off, and Michel figures his teasing went too far.

  • While Daiya’s talking about the situation in the Darius World, Kenji saunters over and wants to see Lulu. Still meeting with Ishigami, which is a major bummer and he’d been looking forward to seeing the beautiful captain. Daiya doesn’t know what Kenji has in mind, but explains that the girl’s about his age. Well, crap – nobody corrected him, so he’d always assumed she was a real bombshell with a fine bod. Daiya suggests he check with Shizuka for that “fine bod” business.


Daiya quickly apologizes to his friend, who came over to JUDA right after some NEX folks said he’d returned. Still, he wants to hear all about Daiya’s trip to space. Well, getting to see their blue world from up there was something else, that’s for sure.
And since he’s here, Daiya figures Naoto could also tag along while he gives everyone a tour of the Daiku Maryu. He doesn’t see any harm in it, so the kid’s very up for it.


Ichitaka and Kouichi are blown away that they get to be in THE Daiku Maryu – high five! Becoming CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE was the best thing ever. As Shizuna sighs at the two fanboys, Daiya tells them to keep some of that enthusiasm for the rest of the tour since this is just the hangar! There’s still the kitchen, the bridge, Sakon and Lulu’s rooms and more.
Dick suggests we skip Sakon’s place as, science-obsessed as he is, the guy can’t be bothered with anything else. The room’s a dump, really, and Daiya figures Sakon could potentially starve himself to death if the rest of the crew didn’t keep an eye on him.
Nagisa dashes in right then, running uncharacteristically late after waiting to see if Iczer-1 and Anna would tag along (they couldn’t). Michel immediately does a double take at the sight of her – Nagisa? Alto figures he’s trying out one of his playboy routines on a LOTUS girl: “Seriously, what would the Nyan-Nyan waitress be doing… looks at Nagisa… here?”

Daijiro couldn’t tell them apart, that’s for sure, and the girl’s getting a bit uneasy over the people staring at her. Michel apologizes and asks if she could tell them her name - she does, though immediately warns him not to get any funny ideas. She’s not giving him her phone number!
Still, it’s clear that Nagisa Kanou isn’t the Nagisa Kasumi they know – not that Kenichi expected otherwise – but, even so, they look tremendously alike. “It doesn’t seem like we’re dealing with a ‘Highly Probable Being’,” Emi ponders to herself.


Still, everyone’s here now, so Daiya calls them to keep going… or, he would, if Shizuka didn’t walk up to ask him to help carrying some Zolmanium.
But he’s gotta show the others around! If he’s got that much free time on his hands, then it’s all the more reason why he should help with this. Rosa offers to take over the tour while he gets to work – she offers a quick apology to us, but says things are rather hectic with the resupply operations going on.


Elsewhere, Naoto’s managed to get himself lost aboard the ship. He soon runs into Yanma’s crew, who tag him as the kid Daiya always spoke so much about. And if he needs a guide, they’ll do it! Naoto doesn’t get a chance to say anything.
Cut to a bit later, Yanma explains that they’re always at Puria’s beck and call, what with her being the “older sister” around here, and they’ve always wanted a new baby brother of their own. So, Haccho commands, Naoto is to address them all as “bro”! Whuh? Ayup, starting right this instant, Naoto is now part of their trio! … But how can it be a trio if there’d be four of them? What, that’s not right? What should they call it, then? Buby has no idea.

Hey, they’ve been walking around for a while now and Daiya’s group is still nowhere in sight. Which is why they are GUIDING him, Haccho protests. Before Naoto grows a hernia, Sakon walks over and says Rosa was looking for the kid over thattaway.
The kid thanks him and tells his bros that they’ll have to conclude their own tour another time – he runs off. Buby’s surprised he really called them his “bros”. He’s a good kid, Sakon assesses, which is why the three men should do their best not to mess with him much.


And Naoto can’t find his way, reaching a dead end. He does hear some voices nearby, though, so maybe they can help. And he finds Alice having a talk with Rongo – seems like something’s wrong with him, and she’s rather appalled Franklin didn’t notice it.
Rongo says the guy isn’t at fault, since the Daiku Maryu doesn’t give everyone check-ups every day; to say nothing of the fact that he deliberately avoided going to the doc. Still, his injury is quite grave (back when the ship first came to this world)…
But Rongo says he’s the ONLY one who can turn the Daiku Maryu’s rudder. If he’s bedridden, the ship’ll be grounded and he presumes Alice, a subpilot, knows where he’s coming from. She does, but being in charge of the team’s health care makes looking the other way quite difficult for her.
Naoto walks in right then, and Rongo immediately pulls him closer and asks him not to tell anyone what he heard. Consider this a promise between men, as Rongo can’t stop right now.


And now we jump straight to Neo Tokyo 3, where the PA’s declaring a state of emergency – all phone lines are down. Seems to Shinji that this meeting isn’t happening, wondering what his dad could be thinking by calling him over this suddenly.
He turns around, thinking he’d seen a girl nearby – there’s no one. Never mind that, though, as the entire area starts shaking. An earthquake?!

: Don’t let the Angel take another step! Stop it, whatever it takes!
: Yes, sir! Engaging!

: We’ve a confirmed hit!
: …
: No, we don’t! It didn’t do anything!

Pweeeoop!

Sachiel keeps moving eastward.

: WAAAH!!

: Sorry I’m late! Get in the car! (Misato)
: Huh?!
: Hurry!

Misato starts driving away.

: Keep firing! We can’t let him through!

: …
: Why the hell is nothing working?! The Armas’ weapons can’t do anything against that thing?!

: D-Damn you… my men…! You’re not getting away with this! I, Igarashi Shinobu, will end you if it’s the last thing I do…!

Beep, beep!

: That’s enough, Igarashi. Pull back immediately – we’re deploying an N² mine.
: What?! But then the town’ll—
: The civilians have already evacuated due to the state of emergency. Your group is all that remains.
: C-Copy that!

: An N² mine?! They’re using something like that?!
: The SDF is desperate, trying to save face. You need to evac that area right now! (Makoto)
: Understood. Hold on, Shinji!

: What’s it look like, Igarashi? How’s the Angel?
: It took that N² mine right on the chin. No way it—
: …
: What the… hell?!
: What’s going on, Igarashi?!
: …Target remains. We’ve some damage confirmed, but it’s only a matter of time ‘till it recovers…!
: I-It can’t be…!

By NERV HQ…

: Urgh, our ace in the hole was… Damn that monstrosity!
: Not wholly unexpected for a conventional piece of weaponry. Still, a N² mine only barely managed to immobilize the 4th Angel… Its regenerative abilities are enormous. (Fuyutsuki)
: They are self-sufficient, near-perfect life forms. It shouldn’t come as a surprise. (Gendou)
: The ones who consumed the Fruit of Life…
: Hm. And they’d destroy us, the ones who consumed the Fruit of Knowledge.
: This is hardly the moment for the SDF to be butting heads with us. It’s a disaster out there.
: …
: Commander, we’ve an urgent message from the government!
: What do they want?
: They’ve transferred control of this operation to Gendou Ikari, commander of NERV!
: Whaat?!
: …

: NERV?
: Right. We’ve a private paramilitary organization operating under the UN’s supervision.
: And my dad works here, right?
: Hmhmm. Do you know what he does?
: All I heard was that it’s something important – something that keeps mankind safe.
: (“Keeps mankind safe”… So dad is kind of like Kouichi, when he protected me? …No, I doubt it…)
: Are we going to see him?
: We are, yes. I’m taking you to NERV HQ, our hidden base.

: Well, this operation is now in your hands. Show me what you can do.
: Roger that.
: None of our weapons did any lasting damage against the target, Ikari. Do you seriously think you stand a better chance of winning?
: Winning this is precisely what NERV is for.
: Hmph…
: … Fuyutsuki, take care of things here.
: A family reunion, three years later?
: Hm…


Ishigami’s a bit worried if mankind can beat an enemy that shrugged off an N² mine, but Lady Une says we MUST beat it or it’ll be the end of everything: “And I’d wager it was for that reason why our predecessors actively studied the parallel world’s tech,” she adds.
Victory or bust is the name of the game, and with command of the operation transferred to NERV, Une wants us to move to help ASAP.


Back at NERV, Shinji figures his dad will want him to do something – he wouldn’t have sent that letter if there wasn’t anything. Misato sees that the boy’s got some issues with his father, same as her, really. As the elevator door opens, an annoyed Ritsuko Akagi is waiting: they’re twelve minutes late and time’s running short.
As Misato apologizes, Ritsuko introduces herself to Shinji as the head of Project E’s first science division, and beckons them both to follow.

: There’s something I want to show you, Shinji.

: A-Ah!
: Our “Ultimate All-Purpose Humanoid Decisive Weapon”… The Evangelion Unit #01, an artificial human created by man.
: It is the humanity’s ultimate weapon.
: Is my dad also involved with this?
: I am.
: !!
: It’s been a while.
: Dad…
: Hm… Deploy it.
: “Deploy”? But the #00 is still on lockdown… Wait, you’re not talking about the #01, are you?
: We’re out of options. And Shinji?
: Yes?
: You’ll be piloting it.
: Huh…?
: …
: Dad… why did you call me here?
: That should be obvious.
: You’re telling me to use this to fight that thing I saw?
: I am.
: No, I’m not doing it! Why do you even care after all this time? I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me!
: I called you precisely because now you’re needed.
: And why do you need me?
: Because no one else can do this.
: … I can’t do it either. How do you expect me to pilot something I’ve never seen or heard of before?!
: We’ll tell you how.
: But… No, no way! I’m not a pilot – I can’t do this!
: You need to get aboard right now. If you won’t pilot… then leave!

BOOM!

: It’s found us.
: Shinji, we’re out of time.
: Get in…!
: No… I know I came all the way here… But I just can’t do any of this!
: And why did you come here, Shinji? You can’t run away now - not from your father… and, most of all, not from yourself.
: I know that! But you’re asking the impossible!
: …Fuyutsuki, call Rei.
: Can we use her for this?
: She’s not dead yet.
: … Very well.

Call ends.

: Rei…

Beep!

: Yes?
: We can’t go with the spare. You’ll be deploying once more.
: Yes, sir…

Beep.

: Switch the #01’s core unit with the L-00 type and reboot it!
: Roger that. Cancelling current operation; preparing to reboot. (Maya)
: (I knew it… No one actually needs me…)

Door opens.

: Hrgh…! Haah, haah…
: (Huh, someone’s hurt? A girl? Why is she…)

BOOM… and Rei drops to the ground.

: Aargh!
: Are you alright?!
: Haah… urgh…
: (She’s bleeding…! Are… are they actually having her pilot that thing… because I won’t?!)
: (I… I can’t run away. I can’t run away. I can’t run away. I can’t run away…!)
: Okay, fine! I’ll do it! I’ll pilot!

: Flooding Entry Plug. Establishing second contact, linking interface… No abnormalities in the A10 neural connection. Charging LCL – everything is nominal.
: Fixate all thought configurations around Japanese. Primary contact is also nominal.
: Opening communications channel. Checklist: all clear up to #1405. Synaptic synchronization rate: 41.3%.
: Without even a plug suit? Very impressive.
: All harmonics are looking nominal. No abnormalities.
: Then we are ready!
: Prepare to launch!!


Mission 11 – Prelude to Battle


I normally don’t care all that much for this BGM, but this arrangement is pretty decent!

: … Do we proceed, commander?
: Of course. There’ll be no future for any of us if the Angel isn’t destroyed.
: Are you sure about this, Ikari?
: Hm…
: Everything ready, Shinji?
: Yes!
: Final safety device, release! Evangelion #01, lift off!

: Shinji, try and focus on walking for the moment.
: (Walk…)

The #01 takes a step forward.

: (Walk…!)

Again… and Sachiel moves straight for him!

: The Angel’s closing in on the #01!
: Aah—!

: Uwaaaah!!
: Calm down, Shinji!
: How are the EVA’s defense systems?
: Unresponsive!
: The Field isn’t deploying!
: It’s not working?!
: Shinji!

Beep!

: We’ve various signals on high speed approach to the battle zone!

: That’s… LOTUS!
: What now, Ikari?
: Let them do as they want… We’ve to verify the distortion.
: Is it true, Reiji? Is Shinji really piloting that Evangelion thing?!
: It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it is very likely.

Beep!

: That’s… We’re being hailed by NERV!
: Put them through!
: This is Misato Katsuragi of NERV’s operational division speaking. Please respond, LOTUS.
: Captain Lulu of the Daiku Maryu. We’ve already been briefed on the situation: how superficial attacks won’t hurt the Angel, how it can regenerate itself… and how it must be defeated, lest it trigger the Third Impact and destroy all of mankind.
: (Ishigami’s told them, I see…)
: That’s correct. We’ve deployed our Evangelion #01 to fight, but it’s the pilot’s first battle, so he’s having difficulties. So I propose that we all engage the target in tandem - please assist us, LOTUS!
: Our mission is to maintain peace in the Earth Sphere, so I see no reason to refuse.
: Alright, then we’re good! Shinji, we’ve some friendlies here to back you up! Work with them and destroy the Angel!
: Doesn’t that mean that I don’t need to fight anymore, then…?
: No, an Angel can only be beaten by an EVA. It won’t go down otherwise.
: You chose to do this, no? Then keep with it ‘til the end.
: …Alright…
: (He’s always looking to others for direction… I guess that’s fruit of the environment he was left in.)
: That enormous monster is called an Angel, yes? The mere sight of it tells how strange a being it is.
: All Angels have a powerful barrier called A.T. Field, so we can’t let this battle drag on or it’ll wear us down. Engage it with caution!
: Pshaw! If we’re dealing with a barrier, that calls for my Mach Drills! I’ll handle the timing, Kyo, Tsubaki!
: Hold on… This isn’t the same as the Dai Kaengu from before. Be very careful, Kenji.
: (I can feel something close to a magical barrier, but the fundament behind it is clearly different… What is that A.T. Field…?)
: Sorry, Naoto, we had to drag you along into this.
: Don’t worry about it. This is a big deal for humanity, right? Makes sense you had to scramble in a hurry.
: Shinji, I’m coming to bail you out! That’s how I’ll atone for the mess I did!
: I’ve got your back, Kouichi!
: Keep an eye on the Plasma Drive level, Anna. I know having to match each other’s pace isn’t easy, but we’ll have to make do.
: Aye, aye! I’ll work twice as hard to cover for Goh!
: …
: (I… I have to do this. I can’t… run away…!)


Destroy everything, don’t lose a ship, Shinji or Kouichi; not too difficult, though Sachiel’s a pretty tough costumer. Don’t try to engage him right now as your guys haven’t the morale for it – instead, send everyone northward. Shinji, meanwhile, should just hold the line and defend.


Evangelion Unit #01 (Shinji Ikari)
Pilot Skills:
Sync Rate – increases accuracy, evasion and A.T. Field strength the higher it gets.
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
Prevail L2
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
Attack Combo L1
Spirit Commands:
Alert
Strike
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
A.T. Field – blocks all damage under 3000, increased by sync rate
Umbilical Cable – If connected to a ship or a special type of building, recovers all EN at the start of a turn, but can only move up to 10 squares away from where it’s connected. If unconnected, the unit will lose 1/3 of its total EN per turn, with it being treated as shot down if EN reaches 0.
Berserk
Squad Bonus: Mobility +5, Accuracy +5, Land terrain rating = A

The EVA-01’s pretty dang good, as you might expect. Not so much right now, but it’ll get there as the game goes on. The Umbilical Cable might seem limiting, but it’s still a full EN recharge, we’ve pretty bulky ships around and 10 squares is plenty of distance; the A.T. Field itself always makes the EVA a nightmare for mooks, though you can only reach its traditional 4000 damage block if your sync rate is over 96% (baseline is 3000 at 50%, 3100 at 51-55%, increasing by 100 every extra 5%).
Do note, however, that all weapons used by an EVA or Angels will outright bypass A.T. Fields, so don’t rely on it when facing the guys. Finally, while this isn’t important now, remember that the EVA-01 has a B rank in space, so you’ll absolutely want to pair him up with someone that fixes that.
As for that Berserk skill… suffice to say that you really don’t want the EVA-01 getting shot down.

Small tangent: the Sync Rate itself works kind of like the Factor skill, in that it starts at a set value on deployment and changes as the battle goes on. The deployment value’s calculated by the formula % = pilot baseline + (lvl/10). Shinji’s baseline is 50.
You get +1% for every shot that hits an enemy or every attack you dodge/block with A.T. Field, +2% for shooting an enemy down, -1% for taking damage and -2% for missing.
Finally, the Sync Rate’s effect on your accuracy and evasion works on the formula % = (sync rate – 20)/4. That is to say, if your rate dips under 20%, your numbers will actually go down, so watch it.


Sachiel, the Fourth Angel
”Mech” Features:
A.T. Field (Strong) – blocks any damage below 4000
30% HP and EN regen

No surprises, really; just a hard-hitting, big blob of HP with a barrier that all but requires your folks to have decent morale to pop it. Its range goes up to 1-6, so you’ll want to keep your distance a bit to draw it over to you.
Shinji absolutely can’t take this thing on by himself, and with it being capable of bypassing his A.T. Field, you’ll want to keep a very close eye on him. At the very least Sachiel follows the standard AI guidelines and will focus on the beefiest unit nearby, so Shinji’ll stop being a priority once we get close.


So let’s poke the bear a bit while the rest of our crew moves upwards.

: Take a look, Shinji! I’m a real CHAMPION OF JUSTICE now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD3FzBDzxAY

: No damage! Something like a physical wall blocked the attack!
: Anything we can do, Kyo?!
: I believe the barrier has a fixed limit to what it can block. If we can generate a greater force than that, we should be able to pierce it.
: The EVA’s also capable of neutralizing the A.T. Field too.
: Misato!
: Shush, the situation’s too bad for you to rant about keeping secrets. That might be important, sure, but letting the Third Impact happen would be a lot worse.
: Psyche yourselves up, people! Break through the Angel’s barrier and drop him straight into the afterlife!
: You got it, Goh!


Enemy Phase!


Lot of damage on a defending ship, but it beats the thing tearing Shinji a new one.


Player Phase!

: AHA! I’ve found you, Jeeg!
: The Jama Kingdom! You starting up trouble outside of Kyushu again…?!
: You may have beaten Ikima and Mimashi, but your fun ends here! Now that I, Amaso, have taken to the field, you…
: Err… What in blazes are you fighting?
: An Angel, and we’re real busy with it, so we ain’t got time to play with you!
: Silence! Her Majesty would be livid if I returned empty-handed!
: (Especially since I went out without her permission…)
: Urgh, if you care that much, then get over here! I’ll make this quick!

And here’s our delivery of morale! Now we just ignore Sachiel, clear things out, and then converge back on it.


Even with little upgrades, the Valkyries are still VERY hard to hit – especially inside Ozma’s command aura.


Daiya and Kenichi take these. Hyouma and Shizuna wrap up the nearby Ozma’s targets.


Right nearby, after Reiji starts it off, Iczer-1’s team takes a pair.


The annoying thing is that the Boya Kaengus have juuust enough HP to avoid being oneshotted by our weaker attacks.
Kenji and Kouichi take these.


Enemy Phase!


You cheeky sumbitch – she was almost outside your range!


While Hyouma and Shizuna each take, respectively, two and one kills, Reiji gets harassed by Amaso and random goons.


At least the one goes down. Nearby, Kouichi takes a Boya Kaengu, while Tetsuya and Canaria tear up two whole squads.


Player Phase!


Alright, she’s outside of Sachiel’s range. Remind me prioritize giving Lulu some levels because she’s a great supporter – come level 24, she’ll learn Bless and that’ll be REALLY nice (I’m not using Sayaka, so only Quatre has it right now).


Dead.


You’d think Shizuru being the main pilot would result in the Godannar get locked out some of its attacks, but you’d be wrong. The thing still has all of its attacks!

: Our overall force can’t be dragged down because of me… I’ve to do this right, not just for myself, but for Goh! I’m the official pilot right now!


And it still hurts a lot.


The Boya Kaengus are thinning out, so Ozma and co lead the offensive against the Haniwas next. They all go down in two decent hits, so it doesn’t take long at all to clear this out – only watch out for Sachiel’s big hits and Amaso’s Dai Kaengu sapping away your SP.
With that in mind, let’s speed things up a little.

: Jeez! You brought out a ton of Haniwa Phantoms with you, huh?
: Victory will be mine, whatever the cost! And then I’ll be richly rewarded!
: The hell do I care about your reward? We’re not going down for bunk like that!


If you wanna have Shinji go long, you’re gonna have to unplug the EVA. Just make sure you’ve a ship nearby to plug him back in before the third turn (move him adjacent to it, and select the Connect command).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwvOc3Y2a9U

With pretty much everything dead, we move our sights to Amaso.

: Their leader must be very confident in himself to stand at the brow of his own warship…!
: That might be a trick. Keep an eye out, Kenichi!

: Curses, this isn’t good… Then I’ll at least use all this chaos to sink the Daiku Maryu! Go, Boya Kaengus!

: Captain, the Jama Kingdom’s engaging us at close range!
: No, it’s a kamikaze attack! Evade and counterattack, Rongo!
: U-Ur…gh…!

: AAH!!
: What happened, Rongo?! You evaded far too slowly!
: Hmm, it’s sturdier than I expected. But what if we went straight for your damaged bits now?!

: The Daiku Maryu’s at risk! Airborne teams engage and destroy the enemy attack pods!
: While our bigger units focus on immobilizing the Angel!
: Daiku Maryu, full speed retreat!
: A-Aye, aye…
: Rongo…?

Door opens.

: Rongo! … Listen, he’s hurt too badly to do this!
: What?!
: Rongo’s…?!
: B-Boy…!
: Was it after our arrival at the surface…? Let me see it!

: It’s pretty bad…!

: Destroy Platoon, cover the Daiku Maryu!

: WAAHAHAHA! Nice try, but you missed one!
: The Boya Kaengu’s Suicide Run! Now that story sounds like a blast!

The mook starts moving in.

: LULU!
: …Urk!

: The rudder… it moved! I could move it…!
: Naoto… you…
: Rongo…
: Boy… When you’ve got your hands around that rudder, you’re the Daiku Maryu itself! Take this… And get your Flame burning red hot!
: O-Okay!
: Rongo, are you alright?!
: Yeah… I’m hanging by. It’s not me flying the Daiku Maryu around, though – that’s that Naoto kid!
: Naoto?! You can’t! This is too dangerous for you!
: Sorry, but I’ve already made up my mind. I broke my promise to Rongo, so this is the least I can do…!

: Troops, support the Daiku Maryu and eradicate the remaining enemy!
: (That boy’s about my age and even he’s trying so hard… I… I have to do something…!)

: Jeeg! Today is the day I’ll destroy you and take your Bronze Bell!
: Goddamn, shut up! If I got a coin every time you guys said that, I’d be a millionaire by now!

: The Big Shooter! Jeeg’s power’ll be cut in half if you’re gone!
: But you won’t have your way that easy. I’ll be keeping both the Earth and the Bronze Bell from your clutches!

: Listen here, you! If we don’t take out that Angel, all of Earth’ll go down the drain, so quit bugging us!
: Will that mean the annihilation of humans? Then I do not care! Even if you survive through this, we’d simply kill you all!

: You ready, girls? Let’s get in there and turn his guts into Swiss cheese!
: Yeah!
: Roger that, Captain!
: Bring in as many of you mosquitos as you’d like, you’re not grounding me! GWAHAHAHA!

: I got a big score to settle over what your buddy did at Misaki. You’re not him, but I’m not picky – come get your due!
: I like your guts, kid. And I’ll like it even more after I’ve squished it to mush!

: How’s your analysis going, Alice?
: This is the same model of ship we fought before, with some minimal discrepancies.
: I see no problems at all with us engaging via the same tactics!
: You think I’m the same as those two? Well, don’t! You’re about to get an eyeful of just how glorious I am!

: This guy, I swear… He couldn’t have picked a worse time to start this!
: I must destroy Jeeg this time or Her Majesty’s going to be so angry with me!
: Oof, poor guy… Guess it’s not easy being a mid-level worker even in good ol’ Evil Corp!
: Hrrrrm! I haven’t sunk so low that I need to be pitied by the enemy!

: Bring us straight to starboard! If the rudder starts pushing, you push it right back the opposite way!
: A-Aye, aye!
: We are in your hands, Naoto!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqSBU9GsJ78
Considering what I said about having to get Lulu up some levels, I’ll be having her take Amaso out. Might as well show off hers and Puria’s combined attack while at it!


Aaay, a bigger command aura! Rosa also learns Spirit.

Other folks did have lines for Amaso, mind:

: I’ve never seen you before. Let’s have a little game, you and me!
: Shinji, you don’t need to fight anything but the Angels.
: I know, but I can’t just ignore them either…!

: Too bad, guy – I’m an old hand at getting in ships’ faces. You’re going down!
: Gaah, blast this noisy fly…! I’m going to stomp you into paste!

: Mimashi told me about you! Said you were as weak as you’re tiny!
: But not anymore… So long as I’ve Nagisa by my side, I will not be beaten!


Amaso’s pretty mad at himself for this screw-up, though not as much as Himika. Deploying with a bunch of Boya Kaengus and Haniwas without her say-so is a major offense. Himika orders him to return NOW – he’s to be punished with extreme prejudice.
Amaso stammers for a bit, before complying; inwardly, though, he hopes he can get her to kick him some. Regardless, that’s him off our hair.

: I-Incredible… They pierced the A.T. Field!
: Shows that it wasn’t luck that’s helped them defend Earth all this time…
: …

Iczer-1 solo:

: It’ll be very difficult to defeat this one without the Iczer Robo… Nagisa, prepare to deploy.
: Got it. Be careful out there, Iczer-1!

Iczer Robo:

: This planet is home to so much life, and I will not see it destroyed! Even if it costs me my life, we will prevail!
: Let’s go, Iczer-1! I’m sure we can beat that thing together!

: This isn’t like the Vajra, but… is it another living weapon?

: Take this guy out, or the world ends… I’ve no idea what’s going on, but I’m not gonna let this freak run amuck!

: So what you got a barrier! That thing’s gonna be cracked open like a walnut when I’m done!

: My guess is that red ball’s its weak spot. And while I dunno if we can pop its barrier, we’ve got nothing to lose taking a swing there!
: I feel the same! Let’s go and make this Decisive Battle a brief one!


Ichitaka: “Time to give Shinji a hand with his mission!”

: First I get it to start walking…! Then… attack…!

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

: Ken!
: I know. We’ll pour our energy all in one spot and tear down its barrier!

: Hyouma, I can’t even begin to analyze this one!
: Tch, so this is an Angel…? I think we’re strong enough to take him, but it’s still gonna be a tough cookie…!

: This monster’s got a totally different aura to it than the Demonic and Iron Beasts… What… What am I feeling…?
: … No, I can’t let it get to me! My flame’s telling me to take it out right now!

: S-Say what?! It’s regenning everything!
: We really need to destroy the core or the Angel’ll just keep going…!
: Shinji, target the core. You are the only one who can both neutralize the A.T. Field and attack at the same time.
: But that’s…! You’re asking me to do what everyone in LOTUS couldn’t…?!
: Hold your horses! I’ll handle this!
: This stupid kid…
: There he goes again…
: Shinji, that’s you in there, right?
: Huh… Kouichi?! What’re you doing here?!
: Eeh… a bunch of stuff happened, you know. But that’s not important. Listen, when you were getting transferred, I totally ignored you, right? Do you think you could forgive me for that?
: Ah…
: I’ll go and find a way through this for you. Then you won’t need to do any of this scary business. That OK with you, NERV?
: B-But that’s—
: No… I’ll do it…
: Shinji, you…
: I am scared… and I don’t really understand what’s going on. But my dad… he said that…!
: YAAAAH!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOOnVpmheWY
They made it a special animation!

: Shinji!!
: Life support has gone critical!
: Report!
: The sync graph has reversed, pulse is flowing backwards!
: Cut the connection!
: We can’t! It’s rejecting our signal!
: What about Shinji?!
: No response on the monitors – status unknown!
: The #01’s gone silent! (Shigeru)
: Misato?!
: It’s over… Abort the mission! Prioritize the pilot’s safety! Force-eject the Entry Plug!
: Also not working! Nothing’s responding to our commands!
: What did you say?!

: UWOOOOOOO!!
: He’s alright?!
: The EVA’s reactivating… but that should be impossible!
: Oh, no…
: It’s gone berserk…?!
: UWOOOOOOO!!
: … Victory is ours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVuysznzwF0

: Angel… confirmed destroyed…
: Wh-What the hell… He just wrecked the thing…!
: The way it’s moving… it’s like a wild animal…
: (Evangelion… Seems it still holds plenty of secrets.)
: The EVA-01 has ceased all activity!
: Recover it and rescue the pilot immediately!

: Radar and sensors are clear. That’s the end of that.
: Angels, huh… We got briefed so fast, I’ve about a truckload of stuff I don’t get about those.
: Not just them. The sudden transformation that Evangelion went through… an actual Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
: We’ve plenty of questions that need answering now, that’s for sure.

Beep!

: Then how about we go and get you some answers for those?
: Do we head towards NERV, then?
: You don’t mind, do you, commander?
: … It’s fine. LtCol. Katsuragi, I leave this matter in your hands.
: Yes, sir.
: You know they’ll be less than happy if you bring them into the Geofront, Ikari.
: No matter. They’ll have no cause for complaints if there aren’t any major deviations from the script.

: I don’t know this ceiling… Where am I? When did I get on this bed…?

Door opens!

: Oh, you’re up!
: Huh…
: Whew, that God… For a sec there I thought we had another one go in a coma.
: K-Kouichi… Ichitaka… What are you two doing here?
: “What”, he asks… Didn’t we fight together not too long ago? Or did you forget?
: Ah… you’re right… I was piloting the EVA.
: Fate is a very strange thing, indeed. I sure didn’t expect that two of your friends were with LOTUS.
: I was just as surprised when I found out about it all.
: And… there was that Angel…! What happened to it?
: Um, you kicked its ass? What, you don’t remember that too?
: I don’t, no… I passed out before I even knew what was going on…
: (Passed out? It couldn’t have been some system controlling the pilot, right…?)
: Well, if you can’t remember, that’s probably for the best. Having memories of the time you went crazy is the sort of stuff that haunts you forever – trust me.
: We’re still investigating why the EVA acted on its own after you lost consciousness. That being said, before it all went down, you were fighting very well for someone with no prior experience.
: …
: Hm? What’s up?
: … I remember something. When the Angel attacked me, I thought I’d died… I don’t want to go through anything like that again.
: Shinji…
: (Of course he’s scared… we got him aboard the EVA and straight into live combat without really explaining the situation… But we’ll still need him to fight what’s to come…)
: Think you can stand up, Shinji?
: Huh? Y-Yeah…
: Then come with me and your friends for a bit, please.


The SEELE fellas aren’t really differentiated from each other here, so I can’t tell you who is speaking…

: The 4th Angel attacked and was eliminated, the Third Child has been acquired and the EVA-01 was rolled out… LOTUS’ activities and their influence over the Third aside, things are mostly proceeding according to plan.
: Though the tremendous cost of repairing the #01 was beyond our expectations.
: A rather small concern when faced with the suspended Unit #00.
: Slight imperfections are acceptable if it’ll be ready to engage the 5th Angel when it emerges.
: You needn’t worry. Now that the #01 has been assigned to active duty, the #02 and its assigned pilot are undergoing tests in Germany.
: Make sure that the construction of the #03 and the others also proceed as planned.
: It is your mission to see that NERV and the EVAs are put to proper use. We hope you will not disappoint.
: Indeed. Eliminating the Angels is but a single part of our covenant with Lilith.
: The Human Instrumentality Project… Our ultimate goal is to see it brought to fruition.
: Understood. May everything proceed in accordance to SEELE’s script…

: “Mostly according to plan”, indeed.
: The general outline is still the same, but there is a 13th variable not depicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
: So a deft touch is required. What do you have in mind?
: I’ll be assigning the EVA-01 to LOTUS. I find it unlikely that their actions will align with SEELE’s will in any way.
: More so than the Alliance or the old OZ, certainly. But what about the schedule?
: It does not matter. The script may have been devised from the information sent to us, but it is being distorted. If we cannot confirm the reason why, then…

: What do you think? It’s a pretty nice view, no?
: It is.
: That’s our town, Neo Tokyo 3. And you kept it safe.
: I… kept it safe…?
: You did, Shinji. This beautiful landscape is only here because you fought for it.
: But even if I wasn’t around, LOTUS was still here, no? I’m sure you would’ve figured out a way to win eventually…
: Still, it is what it is. Your memories might still be a bit fuzzy, but it was you who beat the Angel.
: And you bailed me out there, too. If you hadn’t stopped me, I reckon I would’ve had a real bad time.
: So thanks, Shinji.
: Huh…?
: Please, Shinji. Help us and keep this town safe… keep the entire world safe, even. The EVA needs you.


Back to Gendou’s office, Fuyutsuki’s explained to Lady Une that while the Evangelions were said to have been made to fight the Darius, they were actually to fight the Angels all along. The Darius appearance, around the time of the Second Impact, made for a good excuse for all the cash being moved around.
Une wonders if this was actual reason why the old UN supported the development of the Dancouga and the mass-fielding of Armas, but Fuyutsuki figures at least that Igor Concern – or, better put, F.S. himself – doesn’t share this objective. As proof, Gendou points out that the Dancouga was nowhere to be seen in the battle with the Angel.

But we don’t have the full picture of all that’s going on, mind. With the Katou Organization having already been active by the time the Second Impact hit, the reconstruction that followed it resulted in technology from “the other side” spreading across the entire world.
As a result, we saw the development of various new weapons: far more durable and powerful MSs, the Dancouga and its mission to prolong conflicts, etc. All of that’s very much in accordance to Logos’ desires, Gendou says, but there are likely other forces at work behind all that – forces we haven’t been able to ID.

Une’s a bit surprised that the guy knows about Logos, but lets it be and asks them to explain what the Angels are. Furthermore, why are they assigning the EVA-01 to LOTUS? Gendou says that the Angels need to be defeated or there’ll be no future for anyone – it’s all there in the report he gave her.
As for her second question, the eradication of the Angels is NERV’s mission and they’ve all seen that LOTUS is capable of standing up to the things. Assigning it to work with us simply seemed like the best way to increase their odds of success.


”But don’t you think the suspended EVA-00 alone won’t be enough to defend NERV HQ?” Une asks. Gendou stops short for a split second – is she aware of Dogma and its secret? She knows only a few things, after an independent investigation of the Preventers.
Then she should understand that there’s more to this than what she sees, and Gendou says he’s only doing what he deems best face it all. He sees no problems with sending out the #01, and, plus, he’ll also be assigning the #00 to us after it’s reactivated.
Of course, Une’s a bit iffy with taking the bot after it went ballistic. She wants to make sure that the #01 can be worked with, and Ritsuko’s on hand to help with that. While the events of the last battle are still under investigation by NERV, she explains that there’s always a non-zero risk of the Evangelion running berserk due to its inherent characteristics.

But if it puts such a heavy burden on the pilot that he can snap and lose control, couldn’t they have made the EVA a drone mech like a Mobile Doll, Lady Une wonders. Unfortunately, Gendou explains, someone needs to be aboard for the EVA to generate its A.T. Field, which is in itself necessary to neutralize the Angels’ and allow engagements up close.
Ritsuko also adds that since we don’t know what kind of abilities any Angel might hold, the A.T. Field is the bare minimum defense the EVA has against them. Une sees that it all comes down to NERV’s mission to defeat the Angels. Fine, she accepts the EVA-01 and Gendou’s son into the team.
As the call ends, Fuyutsuki’s amazed by the Preventers’ intel-gathering capabilities. Or maybe there’s a mole in NERV? Still, Gendou knows she’s not an enemy, so it matters not what she does. Plus, he already imagines it’s “him” who’s feeding her intel.


Aaay, welcome to the job, Shinji and Misato (Ishigami’s got poppers, even)! Kouichi’s so very happy to have his buddy back, Shinji explaining to Shizuna how they went to the same school.
Of course, Naoto’s also being celebrated today as the 48th crewmember of the Daiku Maryu – he’ll be taking over as the ship’s pilot until Rongo’s back to full. The kid’s stammering a whole lot, annoying Puria. Say it like a man! HE’LL BE WORKING AS THE DAIKU MARYU’S HELMSMAN! GOOD TO BE HERE! Better. Daiya’s a bit sad his friend ended up getting dragged into this, but is also glad to have him on board.
Ozma’s watching on as we add more kids to the team, and Zechs suggests that he could always train them to alleviate his concerns. Ozma’s figures it wouldn’t do for a newcomer like him to try and drill the others, but Alice says he needn’t worry about standing on ceremony with this group.


Case in point, Misato’s happily introducing “her baby” to everyone. Shinji’s still a bit shy, but Kouji tells him to come on over – Quatre figures we’ll all be great friends. Naoto himself is already a fan, amazed at how much ass Shinji kicked in the last fight – Shinji’s his role model now (that alone gets a smile out the kid).
Shizuru herself likes the new additions – Shinji and Naoto are so cute, it’d make anyone want to protect them. Did she give up on the older men of the team, Shizuka quips? The age gap might be a problem, mind. No, she didn’t mean it like that.
Regardless, Shizuka didn’t come here to have a laugh; she just wanted to check up on Shizuru, what with her having to learn how to work the Godannar, training Anna and whatnot. What, who does she think she’s talking to? This is nothing to Shizuru!

Now, with how big LOTUS has been getting, Ishigami thought there’d be a lot of people around who wouldn’t know each other. So, he had an idea for something of an icebreaker: we’ll have a biiig welcome party, and, as a little game, everyone’ll showcase their secret talents!
The whole event’s tonight, with Yui helping set it all up. Alice doesn’t quite know how to make sense of the weird turn things took, and Ichitaka wonders if he could go with some card or magic tricks…


Turns out JUDA’s got a whole shopping center within the building as a way to allow company employees to find whatever they might need without having to go all the way into town, Miu and Yamashita explain. And Ichitaka sees that they’ve got stores of pretty much everything, from regular groceries to luxury items.
That makes this the perfect place for folks to find stuff with which to showcase their skills:

  • Rachel’s looking for some makeup and silver shoes;

  • Juzo wonders if he and Michel should buy some BB guns to show off, but that idea’s a no-go. Something they showcase every day wouldn’t be a SECRET talent, right?

  • ”Hey, Alto,” Puria pokes him, “don’t ya think this Miniskirt Cop costume would look real good on ya?” NO WAY IN HELL! He’s not wearing that!

  • So, Shizuna needs a spangled suit, a bowtie and a paper fan… Is she gearing up for a Manzai show, Naoto asks? Gaah, how’d he know?! Boss says it’s not that hard to guess with what she’s buying. “Rrrgh, crap! Now I’m gonna have to think of something else! Come on, Izuna!” she stomps off, but Izuna has a question: isn’t their Manzai routine pretty much the only thing they have to show?

  • Megumi’s found a few shurikens to use, so now she just needs something to throw them at. Yagyuu herself has her lightning-fast iai strike, but what can she cut? Maybe a carpet?

  • Kouichi thinks everyone’s taking this WAY too seriously, but Yamashita and Rachel say no! How’s he going to make it out there with that wishy-washy attitude?! W-Well, what’s Yamashita doing, then? That’s classified info, though he already has everything he needs. Kouichi might have a way out, though, as Emi approaches: could he help with her presentation?

: Okay, let’s kick off our welcome party for the newcomers to our LOTUS family! And I’d like to begin with a toast to everyone’s health and LOTUS success… Cheers!
: Cheers!
: Chug, chug, chug… Haaaah! Whoo! Now this is living!
: M-Misato…
: Now how about we start with our talent show?
: Guess I’ll go first, then! I can recite all the stations in the Tokaido railway by heart! Tokyo, Shinbashi, Shinagawa, Kawasaki…
: All the stations prior to the Second Impact…? It takes quite the expert to pick that.
: We’re up next! Let’s rock!
: OK! Hello, there! I’m Izuna!
: And I’m Shizuna! We’re twins, but we don’t really go outta our way to look so much alike, see…
: Still, every day someone comes over asking “Are you the boy? Is Izuna the girl?”
: Yep, yep.
: I guess it’s ‘cause I’m loudmouthed, always frowning and walking all awkward-like… No wonder folks think I’m a guy…
: Yep, yep.
: You’re not supposed to agree with me, stupid! Flying Drop Kiiiick!

*Bash!

: Ooow…!
: Daaaah! Jumping! Piledriver!

Craaash!

: Gaack!
: Wh-What are they doing…?
: I think they decided to mix up Manzai with wrestling for something of a comedy brawl?
: Well, it’s something only someone with a Factor’s healing abilities could do…
: Carrying on, we’ve Rachel Calvin versus Kosuke Kita! The genius girl versus the brilliant boy!
: I’m winning this one, Kosuke!
: I say the same!
: We’ll be asking questions from the grad school world championship quizzes of the past ten years. First question: who is known for the discovery of superc—
: Heike Kamerlingh Onnes!
: Correct! Second question: what diagram plots the absolute magnitude of sta—
: The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram!
: Correct!
: Not bad, Kosuke.
: You, too. But this competition’s just getting started!
: They’re not even listening to the whole question before answering…
: I’ve the sinking feeling they’ve memorized all questions ever given in those tests.
: What the Christ…
: Let’s keep going with sweet Emi Kizaki’s magic show! And assisting her will be our very promising rookie, Kouichi Hayase!

: Good luck, Emi, Kouichi!
: Yup, leave it to me!
: Good evening, everyone! For my trick today, I’ll be sawing Kouichi in half!

: Ooh, the old sawed body trick…? Impressive!
: When did she get her hands on a prop that big…?
: No! As you can see, I am not using any props at all!

: W-Wait a sec, Emi! Aren’t you really gonna cut me in half if you go with that?!
: Don’t worry. I saw this show on TV and, much to my surprise, the severed body was as good as new when they put the box back together.
: N-No, that was a trick! Emi, stop!
: Dang, Kouichi’s really selling it!
: I’m not acting! SOMEONE HELP MEEEEEE!!

Some time later…

: How’re things, Shinji? You settling in with the whole LOTUS ambiance?
: I am, yes. Everyone’s looking like they’re enjoying themselves, too…
: Though I was a bit surprised that you guys have parties like this.
: You thought we were messing with you?
: … Kind of…
: Listen, our work here doesn’t really allow for any screw-ups. We’re expected to succeed, and if we don’t, the whole world’ll give us crap for it…
: Most folks would probably say this isn’t worth the hassle. But, still, no one else could pull it off – only we can.
: … I’m quoting Mr. Ishigami here, but I think it shows what we are, and why breaks like this are needed.
: Here you are, Shinji. Having fun?
: Ah— I am.
: Hmm, yes, you’re sounding a lot more relaxed. Come on, then! Let’s go party, party, paaartyyy!
: Guess you gotta, Shinji. I’ll see you around.
: (Misato… and LOTUS… They’re actually good people…)
: (Ok, maybe I went a bit too crazy there… Still, a big party like this is totally where people’d get like that. Y’know, being transparent and all.)

Off they go.

: Now that I think about it… I don’t see Reiji anywhere. Where is he?
: What’s up, Yamashita?
: Wah! … Oh, it’s you, Alto. Don’t sneak up on people like that. (Alto and Reiji have the same VA)
: I wasn’t sneaking – you weren’t paying attention. If it was Reiji—
: Do you need something, Yamashita?
: Ah, Reiji! Where have you been? We got this whole party going on, and you ditch us like that?
: We’ve just received a message from Kiriyama Heavy Industries - an invitation for the unraveling of their newest prototype.
: Kiriyama…? It’s a new Arma, then?
: … I think so. The CEO, Eiji Kiriyama, was very vocal of how it’d “change the course of history”.
: Aah?
: I should go and report this to Mr. Ishigami. Try not to take things too far tonight.
: Y-Yes, sir!
: (… If Eiji’s on the move, then…)

And the paywall’s up on SA, so…

While Godannar does have all of its attacks, they’re also all on markdown. There’s a decided drop in power while Shizuru’s the main pilot, so watch out for that (though not enough to make it a bad unit.)

Custom death animations are not entirely rare in this game, and 01’s is only somewhat special by that metric. It would pave the way to UX’s fifty billion of those, though.

Oh, and I almost forgot - the part in the Linebarrel anime where they SAWED KOUICHI IN HALF. For fucking comedy, right?! Because that’s goddamn funny, right? And before you ask, yes, he actually got fucking ripped in half by a chainsaw (fortunately offscreen, but it very much happened) and the show treated it like it was humorous.

(EDIT: The show also had Shizuru literally break his dick at one point, IIRC when they first met. Physical slapstick has its place, but there’s a whole load of violence out of nowhere in the anime, and it’s all aimed at one character at that. And it’s clearly causing them pain. The anime in general has issues with its tone, not helped by having humorous jokey chapters within seconds of serious non-joke chapters that were originally kept seperate, but that is another of the reasons why.)

[details=Click to see the mission!]


We’re back, and our top aces aren’t looking too different: Ichitaka’s got a small lead, though Kenji and Quatre and trailing right behind.


On the upgrades’ side of things, I’m still playing catch-up with the SMS crew. At the very least the main units now have a pip in their weapons.


For squads, all the Linebarrel mechs and the EVA-01 are event deployments, so we shift a couple thing around. Ichitaka and Quatre team up, while Tetsuya Kouji gets stuck with Jun (it seemed appropriate). Everything else is the same:
Jeeg/Kyo
Ichitaka/Quatre
Iczer-1/Puria
Kouji/Yagyuu
Tetsuya/Canaria
Ozma/Luca
Alto/Michel
Zechs/Noin
Daiya/Yanma
Shizuru/Anna
Dick/Klan
Combattler/Deceive
Voltes/Mira
Tetsuya Kouji/Jun

Off we go.


We open up in the Quarter, where Alice just checked Sheryl’s old room and found it so very dusty. Michel says they haven’t really had time to clean up since the girl left, but Alice isn’t having it: this must be cleaned!
The maid side of her AI’s flaring up, Quatre sees, and she wants to get started straight away. And, no, she needs no assistance! Well, alright, but Michel asks that she let us know if Sheryl forgot anything around here.
“OK! Now, let’s see… Disorderliness level, confirmed. Room, IDed… Engaging!” Alice proclaims and gets to work. Seems to Michel and Quatre that all the combat exposure is having an effect on her maid AI.


Later, by the dorms, Ichitaka’s running for his and Kouichi’s first return to school in a while. As the two rush out, Quatre will also be tagging along – not only did the paperwork for his “transfer” not get processed yet, Emi’ll also be attending the Misaki Middle School now. So, he’ll be following as her bodyguard.
It’ll be her first time going to school in this world, but Quatre’s certain she just needs to do as she did when getting together with LOTUS and she’ll get along with everyone quick. Shinji, however, won’t be coming with; he’s already moved to another school and, more importantly, he’ll be undergoing pilot training today. On that subject, Misato comes over to pick him up.

With him gone, Rachel confesses to be a bit worried about Shinji: while no one expects folks be 100% adapted to this from the get-go, something still seems off with him. Like he keeps this wall around himself.
Her train of thought’s interrupted when Alice arrives – she’s finished, and is so happy that she got to do some real cleaning after so long. That said, she DID find something in Sheryl’s room and is looking for Michel to hand it over. He’s likely at JUDA’s mall, Rachel figures, since he mentioned going shopping with the SMS crew.


And, indeed, they’ve just finished, though Ippei grumbles it would’ve been way faster if Megumi didn’t insist on browsing around some fancy stores. She was just looking, though, so shush: they still wrapped things up in time. And Klan suggests he accept the fact that some girls like window-shopping.
Michel has a laugh at Ippei getting schooled by her, though shifts his sights to Alto: what’s he doing on his phone? Just some pre-briefing stuff. Hmhmm… and here Michel was, so sure that he was trying to get in touch with Ranka.
Alto grunts that the girl’s too busy with her work to be easily reached on her cell. Why not send her an e-mail or something, then? Or would the content be too risqué? Something he wouldn’t want the army’s censors to see?

As Alto denies it loudly, Alice finally catches up to them. She has something she wants to give Michel (hint, hint). Klan’s mind immediately runs wild, and she demands an explanation – what exactly would he be “taking” of Alice’s?!
Calm down; it’s just about her cleaning the Quarter’s rooms. Klan breathes a sigh of relief, and hurries out along with Alto and the others. Now, Alice found something that she figured belongs to either Sheryl or Grace: a medicine capsule. Luca had told them that the girl was taking some meds, though the brand, “Witch Craft”, isn’t anything Michel’s seen at the Frontier.
From Alice’s professional opinion, the med looks rather strong to be commonplace stuff – maybe it’s a Macross Galaxy brand? Michel takes it and will see if he can’t run an analysis to see what it is. Alice appreciates it as, while it may be strange for an android to say this, she has a bad feeling about it.

: Stealth disengaged. We finally have a lead on them.
: Yeah…!
: The island ahead might be a vanguard base for the professor’s kidnappers. And even if it isn’t, we should find some sort of clue in there. Let’s get going.
: (I’d call it a win if we could at least figure our why they took gramps…)

: There’re plenty of them.
: And it makes no difference for the two of us.
: Right, no one can stand up to us and the Straybird… Engaging.

: We’ll deal with the remaining ones next.

Beep, beep!

: Hold on. I’m detecting something…

: … A new model?
: Still, nothing to make us falter.
: Hmhmm.
: Oh, now this is nice. The Imperial has just been completed and its debut battle is against him? Excellent.
: Take a look, Prof. Grife: you’ve front-row seats to the battle between your grandson and the unit your genius helped perfect.
: …
: Your Excellency, do you wish us to continue analyzing his brainwaves…?
: I believe we can skip that for today. This is such a special little show… we should let the Professor have the full experience, no?
: …
: We’ll start with the new one, then. Here we go.
: Roger…!

Yuu gets tossed waaaay back.

: Wh… What…?!
: It read us like an open book…?!
: Not just… That unit outguns us by a whole lot…!
: That’s harmonie préétablie at work. There was no other way for this to end.
: Can you hear me, little Yuu?
: …! You’re my grandfather’s kidnapper…?
: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please refer to me as “Mr. President”, if you would.
: Why did you take him…?
: I’m afraid that’s not for you to know. See, this bout just now proved that you two don’t amount to new “Potential”.
: Hmm… but if you still want answers, I more than welcome you to grow stronger and try again. Of course, do note that depending on your actions, you may as well consider the Professor’s life to be forfeit.
: Stop being cryptic and get to the point… What do you want…?!
: That’s all for you to think very hard and figure out.
: What will you do, then? Where, exactly, is the “Potential” that could save dear Prof. Grife, I wonder…?
: Urk…!

: Your Excellency, regarding the Imperial’s mass-production…
: We’ve run plenty of tests, and the results are quite excellent. I say you may go ahead with it. And now…


On the way to school, our folks run into a startled Risako – where have Kouichi and Ichitaka been? They haven’t come to school since Yajima’s funeral! Quatre tries getting her to calm down, but she was also worried about his absence. What happened? …And what about this girl that’s with them, the one who was shacked up with Kouichi?!
As Emi stutters a bit, and Risako lets out a deep sigh. The three of them vanish from school, and, when next she sees them, they’re bringing along Kouichi’s girl… she’s feeling SO left out, and now even Quatre’s taking part in it!
P-Please, she’s got it all wrong—


”Heey there, Risako! Lookin’ pretty cute today!” this guy yells and walks over… and, yo, this new girl’s pretty cute too. She a friend of hers? Risako stomps that she doesn’t know the girl and tells him to ask Kouichi.
And she runs off then and there. Oh, well! “Hey, there, miss! Mind telling me your name?” Emi Kizaki, and he is? “The guy with C- grades, A+ moves, and a master’s degree in love: Makoto Domyoji, at your service.”
Now, Kouichi hasn’t been around of late, but he was kicking all sorts of ass before, no? Domyoji’s heard how, from one day to the next, Kouichi got strong as all hell, and he couldn’t help but wonder: how strong exactly?

Crazy strong. Stronger than him? Damn straight – wanna see for himself? Absolutely. Kouichi asks Emi, Ichitaka and Quatre to hang back a bit (and not to help, in the latter’s case). Quatre’s not too keen on this, but it’ll be fine: Kouichi’ll just do enough to give this guy an idea of the extent of his strength.
Kouichi moves to punch him, and he’s pretty fast… NOT! Domyoji dodges, counters and knocks the kid to the ground. “It can’t be…! Kouichi’s a Factor…!” Emi gapes quietly, as Domyoji tells him to get back up – wasn’t he supposed to be strong?

As Kouichi tries and fails to connect a hit, Ichitaka turns to Quatre and asks what the hell. How’s he getting beat this badly? Well, Quatre’ll concede that Kouichi’s strength and speed are superhuman, but the way he attacks is…
Kouichi gets knocked on his ass again, and Ichitaka understands: Kouichi’s approach is all brute-force, and it’s blowing up in his face. Indeed, that makes him very easy to read, though Quatre’s still very impressed with the ease Domyoji manages to counter him.


Domyoji does concede that Kouichi’s pretty strong and quick, but he’s got no idea how to fight right. What a letdown. “In that case…” Kouichi grunts,” I’ll show you my real power! Come! LINEBARREL!”
Yes, he went there. The mech materializes right in the street, and Domyoji’s jaw hits the ground – he told him he was crazy strong! Someone who’s less-than impressed, however, is Emi: what is he thinking, calling the Linebarrel smack-dab in the middle of town?! Erm… he wasn’t really thinking there.
There’s one other thing, though:

: Yooo…! This is so awesome, Kouichi!
: Ah?
: This is that mech that’s been all over the news, right? The one who’s been protecting the whole world from terrorists…?
: And you’re the big-time hero piloting the thing? For real?!
: …
: I know that face – I’m right, right? Wow, I had you all wrong. I… no, wait, we are gonna be your support crew!
: “We”…? You don’t mean—
: Yeah, I do: me, Emi, you and the transfer student here – Quatre, right?
: (Me?!)
: (And me too…?!)
: Listen, I really wanna help. I consider it my responsibility as someone who knows what’s what now!
: Domyoji… You say that, but I get the feeling you actually want in just to have some fun.
: Not “some”! A whole LOT of fun!
: Hah… Alright, sounds good! You’re in, Domyoji!
: Nice! You can count on me, Kouichi!
: (Wh-What just happened?! They were at each other’s throats a second ago, and now they’re friends just like that?!)
: We’ll do whatever we can to help you out… We are the Hayase Corps!
: Well, hey, that actually sounds like fun! I’m in!
: And, of course, I’ll be the Corps’ glorious leader!
: Alright, then come along with me! P.E.’s up first, and we’re gonna tear it all up down there!
: Hell, yeah!
: Hold it right there, Kouichi!
: Huh?
: What about the Linebarrel? You’re the only one who can move it, and none of that explains what possessed you to call it here in the first place!
: O-Oh, I forgot about that…
: You… You’re positively despicable!


Cut to Kiriyama Heavy Industries, the boss himself is counting the enemy forces gunning for Earth – the Cthulhu, Darius, Jama Kingdom, Mimetic Beasts and the Katou Organization – and how humanity had to lay the duty of facing all those on LOTUS’ shoulders. He’d like to take this opportunity to thank our present representatives for our work.
But while he and his company do not doubt our capacity, it is simple fact that we cannot be everywhere at once – what would happen if the enemies attacked across the entire world? We couldn’t handle all that. And while the platoons of Armas that all nations deployed to face the Darius have been rather successful in their purpose, those are NOT strong enough to face the leaders of the Katou Organization or the Angels!
Ritsuko, also present, sniffs that he was the one who incited army to send Armas after the Angel, and wonders if it was to help him advocate the necessity of his prototype. Talk about shameless profiteering.

Regardless, even GREATER strength is necessary both to lift us from this dire situation and to protect the lives of the SDF soldiers on the field. It is with that ardent wish in his heart that he now unveils his new model – fruit of a wholly new design philosophy: the HFX-19 “Jinrai”!
Yamashita seems impressed, while Reiji watches in silence, and Kiriyama proclaims that he’s set up a mock battle with the current Arma models the SDF uses as a means to showcase their capacity. We’ll see just how HUGE the difference is between them.
And, indeed, the things tear the old Armas apart. Ishigami and Yotsuya see that Kiriyama’s boasts are well founded.


Meanwhile, back at JUDA, Shinji’s running the simulator and wants Misato to up the difficulty a bit. Well, aren’t we eager today? Not really: “But I think this is what Kouichi and Ichitaka would do,” he says. Fair enough, and Misato won’t say no, as the sooner they can get Shinji acclimatized to the EVA, the better.
As he goes on, Noin ponders the new kid: there are a lot of unknowns surrounding him. Tetsuya (Tsurugi) agrees, noting how he’s only been into combat once, and how, when he beat the Angel, he’d lost consciousness.
Misato adds that piloting an EVA involves an extremely particular process. With that, she’d like to ask that the two drill instructors wait a bit before taking Shinji under their wing. Noin is very fine with that, as she couldn’t come up with a training regimen for someone who’s yet to grasp the basics.

Inwardly, though, Misato’s ill at ease: the abruptness of how the Third Child was chosen, the Angel’s attack happening around the same time – almost as if in sync – and the order to transfer the #01 to LOTUS despite the fact that another Angel’ll come soon… So much feels out of place here.
While Shinji, in the sim, recites “Target in the center, pull the switch”, another thing Misato didn’t expect is that he came up to her and willingly said he would pilot the EVA. Let’s just hope things will continue to go as smoothly.


Our group’s just returned from class, and Kouichi’s getting accosted by Rachel. What kind of idiot is he to summon the Linebarrel just because he lost a fight?! And she was in the middle of servicing the thing, too! Kouichi apologizes, though Shizuna has revised her opinion on his stupidity – for the worse.
Quatre chalks it up to the kid not liking to lose, and while Goh says that’s a good thing, he still ought to use his head a bit more. Kouichi apologizes more. Goh’s one to talk, Anna quips, reminding how often he goes ballistic if he’s backed against a wall when fighting… granted, now he can’t fight AT ALL.

Foot in her mouth, Anna says she’s sorry and silently kicks herself for not thinking before saying stuff, especially when she knows how much Goh’s hurting. Worse, the guy’s also silently drawing the conclusion that Anna wants Goh, the pilot.
When Miu asks, Quatre explains that while Emi came back with us, Yui called her up to work on some combat data. Rachel very much likes Emi’s work: it’s fast and it’s reliable, so it helps the mechanics keep our units perfectly tuned.


The door then opens: “Excuse me, I’d like to speak with Kouichi Hayase of LOTUS,” says Hisataka Katou (!) himself. As everyone flips out over the enemy boss turning around, he also introduces his comrades Masaki Sugawara and Wufei Chang, which he figures will make for quite the emotional reunion for Quatre.
As the Wing boys glare at each other, Kouichi demands to know what their enemy is doing here. Can he imagine the reason why, Katou wonders. How the hell could he make sense of whatever’s going on in their heads?! Well, that’s not good at all, thinks Katou, as the power of imagination is at the root of life itself.

Imagination allows one to predict outcomes, to figure out what is or isn’t within your capacity, to plan for the future. “Those who lack that capacity are no different from livestock in a pen.” Kouichi and Ichitaka yell out a “what are you on about” in unison, and Katou tells them to imagine. Indeed, only with imagination will one be able to survive the coming era.
Quatre turns to Wufei and asks if he shares in this guy’s vision – is that why he joined his Organization? Wufei says his views are the same they’ve ever been… this is a struggle for JUSTICE, and, moreover, he has not capitulated to the Katou Organization. What does he mean by that, Goh interjects, as the boss himself named him a comrade.

“Hmph… I’ve nothing to say to a man who won’t fight,” Wufei sniffs, and Anna quickly gets in his face. Who the hell does he think Goh is?! Wufei tells her to shush, though, as this isn’t the time or place for her man to speak his mind. If she’s a pilot, she should understand what that place is.
Back to Kouichi, he still doesn’t know what Katou’s here for. Did he sneak in just to make this insane speech? “No, I’m here for the Linebarrel, he says levelly. “Time and again we’ve tried to capture the Linebarrel. However, in the meantime, you have been developing as a Factor capable of unleashing its abilities… Which is why, as a sign of respect, I have come here to meet with you in person.”


Katou signals Masaki to give him “that”, bringing out a suitcase. A bomb?! Katou tells Shizuna that it is nothing so boorish – just a simple gift. The case is filled with Castella cakes! Oh, but would Kouichi and the others worry about eating something presented by the enemy? That’s fine, he’s more than willing to take a bite of one – it’s pretty good!
Psh, like hell Kouichi’s scared of anything! He grabs one to eat… “Hrk! Aah, it’s spicy! Is… Is this curry flavored?!” Anna also takes a bite and, indeed, they’re all curry flavored. Not exactly what Kouichi imagined, is it? While its outward appearance is of sweet pastry, the contents aren’t limited to what we see.
The moment one forgets to imagine, the world grinds to a halt. Kouichi ought to be more observant, more inquisitive, and more contemplative. And Katou shall provide him with the information he needs: “imagine, with your very own brain, what the future will look like.”

What the hell is wrong with these guys? What are they after?! “To conquer the world,” Katou immediately answers. Now pay attention: all of the Machinas, Linebarrel included, in the hands of JUDA or the Katou Organization, as well as the tech used to restore this planet’s dead oceans following the Second Impact, are all byproducts of Over Technology that simply does not exist in this word.
So where did it all come from? From a world in a different time and dimension. Our two worlds lie adjacent to one another, amid a recurring cycle of death and rebirth, each holding a unique history and never meant to interact. It is what we perceive as dark matter, and Katou and his peers call it the “Highly Probable World”. The high what now? Ichitaka can’t even wrap his head around the name.
Regardless, the Machinas were sent here from that other world with the purpose of invading and, ultimately, subjugating it. As a matter of fact, the Katou Organization is meant to be the vanguard of that invading force – Katou himself having come to this world to lead the effort. That is to say, from our point of view, Katou is a visitor from a different dimension.


Kouichi turns to Izuna and Shizuna – did they know about all this? They all did, and were expecting Ishigami to tell him about it before long. Katou wants to make one thing clear, though: HE is the only member of the Organization that came from the Highly Probable World. All others are from this side, who simply share in his ideals.
Shizuna sniffs that he likely tricked them into tagging along, prompting Wufei to scoff at her “woman’s rationalization”. “What’chu say, fivehead?! You wanna say that to my face and see what happens?!”
CARRYING ON, Katou notes that with the might of his world, conquering this one would’ve been an absolute walk in the park… but there are a few special circumstances, certain steps that need to be taken. What does he mean? “If you want to know more, then I ask that you join the Katou Organization.”

Shizuna asks if the guy’s trying to scout them, but no – his organization only needs Kouichi and the Linebarrel. Before any answer can be given, Rachel has a question for him first: what is the Linebarrel? It is clearly different from the other Machinas, in its D-S.O.I.L., its performance, abilities – everything.
Of course it is: unlike the other Machinas, which are simply weapons of invasion, the Linebarrel was designed to be special from even the planning stage. Indeed, it was designed and constructed by a scientist known far and wide as a true genius: Amagatsu Kizaki.

Wait, “Kizaki”? Indeed, Emi, who came to this world with the Linebarrel, is his daughter. In other words, she’s also a denizen of the Highly Probable World. That info hits everyone hard, and Kouichi has to ask: is she with Katou and his goons?
No, quite the contrary: Amagatsu opposed them, and Emi took up his dying wish and came here. Katou does wonder if someone being from the other world is all it takes for us to question their bona fides. What do we think about the Frontier Fleet, then? Because they’re ALSO all from the same world as Katuo… isn’t that right, Luca?


Luca steps out of hiding, and asks Katou to clarify as he only got here halfway through the conversation. Hmm, Katou expected him and the Frontier’s brass to have already realized that they all share the same origin – was he wrong? Or maybe keeping the sorry state of their homeworld under wraps is how things work on the Fleet?
Luca tries playing it cool, asking if he needs to answer that, but Katou quickly sees that he doesn’t really know what’s up. So he’ll give him a snippet of information to munch on: his group started taking action after the Frontier Fleed had already left Earth. When Masaki pokes him, though, he figures that’s all he’ll say.
That’s good, because Kouichi’s already satisfied with the knowledge that Emi and the Frontier folks aren’t the enemy. Moreover, he would never join an invader from another world – he’ll destroy Katou and his Organization as a CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! Katou has a laugh at that: what exactly is justice to someone like Kouichi?

“Shut your mouth! You killed Yajima, so what makes you think you’ve the right to speak of justice?!” Kouichi snaps, and him using the “J” word annoys Wufei. “Are you implying that you have that right, then?”
One way or another, Katou says this is good enough for today – they will be seeing each other eventually, though. What, does he think he can just walk away from this? Absolutely.


Masaki gets on the phone and says that the commander is heading back. Right then, a ton of Armas emerge all around the place to cover the guy’s exit – when did all these manage to get here?! Wufei says our vigilance was shoddy (even we could pull a stunt like this), but what Shizuna doesn’t understand is why none of the alarms were set off. “Kouichi Hayase, if you wish to know the actual meaning of justice, then you’ll come to the Katou Organization,” Katou says and takes off.
As Kouichi fumes, Goh confesses that he never imagined the enemy boss would come to JUDA in person – seems to Rachel that the power of their imagination is a whole lot higher than ours, then.
Still, Luca says that the silver-lining is we managed to attain some critical information and wonders if the Frontier government might know stuff about the Katou Organization’s background that we don’t. More importantly, says Ichitaka, if folks managed to come to this world from the Highly Probable one, then it’s likely there’s a way for Luca and co. to find their way back.
That’s a matter for another time, mind, as Kouichi wants to chase after Katou right the hell now!


The group that went to Kiriyama have just returned, and imagine Yamashita’s shock when he saw Katou Armas leaving the area. Reiji asks what they were here for, Miu and Goh telling him how Katou himself came to try and recruit Kouichi (Reiji goes silent upon hearing that).
Regardless, Luca wants to report all we heard to Jeffrey, Lulu and Ishigami, and Ichitaka asks him to note the glaring security cock-up that happened here. We need to figure out how they managed to slip in without anyone noticing. Reiji says he’ll go over it later, but, right now, he wants everyone ready to deploy.
Why the rush? Noin ponders that there might’ve been more to this “visit” than what we saw, and, right on cue, Yui sounds the alarm: the Katou Organization is attacking an Alliance base at Vladivostok.

Ishigami notes that the troops that left here were headed that way too. While we don’t know what they’re after, it’s possible both groups will join up there, so we need to head on over as well.
Izuna raises the point that the Alliance is kind of hostile to us, but Ishigami counters with the fact that our mission is to defend peace throughout the entire world. So even if the Alliance is the one being attacked, we have to prioritize pushing the Katou Organization back. Fair enough.

And I think that’s quite enough for today. Oof!

The rest of the mission should be up in a couple of days.

See you then![/details]

So this whole “Linebarrel tech from another universe” shit? That’s all anime original. The manga was very, very different in this regard. I’m fine with that for L because it’s what allows the whole parallel world setup that they use for a few things - though seriously where the shit is Dual Parallel Trouble Adventures we should have had that over Rebuild of Evangelion - but in the anime… well, it’s pretty fucking stupid.

On the plus side, even the anime can’t fuck up Domyouji. Only slightly screw with him later on. Though with that said, next arc is… well, it’s going to be painful, I’ll be honest. It’s where the anime fully diverges from the manga, and god it hurts me inside to think about.

Click to see the mission!


Mission 12 – After-School Visitor

: We ran slightly late. The operation’s already proceeding as planned, I see.
: This is where the first Sphere’ll be set, right?
: That’s right.
: Want me to take out the rest of the trash, then?
: … No, I’ll handle them.

: Hah, that’s the Glain-Neidr for you…
: I’ll begin setting the Sphere. Take care of LOTUS when they show up.
: Copy that… Come on over whenever you’d like, LOTUS…
: (Indeed, come, Quatre. If you say your struggle’ll save Earth, that is!)

: There they are! …Aah? Wait, it’s the Dancouga?
: No surprises there. We can leave that one to the R-Daigun.
: He’s right. We’ve no need to waste our resources dealing with it.
: Seems we weren’t quick enough – they’ve the whole area under control.
: And they brought a real big one along for the ride too.
: Is it a new type of Arma…?
: No time for questions now. Let’s try and wrap this up quick, before that pain-in-the-ass turns up!


Noooo, don’t do that! Send the Dancouga far, FAR away because you don’t wanna goad the Katou guys to attacking en masse – especially the new guys. The Dancouga can’t handle that kind of attention without Iron Wall, and, more importantly, you want them to hang back as much as can be.

So insert two turns of me moving far, far away : first turn, only a handful of Armas start moving in; second turn, the rest of the smaller Armas (but not the named guys).


Player Phase!

: It’s—!
: Yeah, there it is, alright – the R-Daigun!
: Everywhere we go, it’s there… These run-ins of ours are trying my patience.
: If you ask me, my patience wore out ages ago. So now we’re gonna wreck it along with the Katous, and get ourselves some answers!
: You talk a lot for someone who doesn’t understand the point of this battle…

: Ah… It disappeared!
: Damn it, where is it…?!
: I can’t get a bead on its location! It’s using some powerful jamming device!
: Sure this is alright, Masaki? We’re also running blind here.
: Yes, it’s fine. It’ll be over quickly.
: “Quickly”? Now that’s a shame… The Dancouga finally awoke to justice, and I was so looking forward to making it slooowly savor how powerless it actually is.

: !! Behind us?!

: Gaah!
: Urk! I’ll handle this!
: No, I’ll do it!
: Not the time for bickering, if you can’t tell!
: All of you, shut up!
: And how’re you also getting angry going to help, Aoi? Calm down!
: If being calm won battles, I would’ve become a frigging Zen master already! If we don’t do something, it’ll—!
: You’re already panicking over something like this? What a joke.
: …!

: AAAH!
: Victory is mine. And, with it, the Earth will be saved…

: We… We lost to the R-Daigun?
: That’s…
: Goddamn it!

: Oi, it didn’t even finish ‘em off!
: It won’t wield its blade against a foe which has lost the will to fight. The R-Daigun also trails the path of the samurai.
(That’s where you’re wrong. Were that the case, it wouldn’t explain why it held back against them all the times they fought).
: Well, the jamming’s gone. Get that Sphere set up already so we can go home, Masaki.
: I still need more time to finish things. Carry on guarding the area.
: And the Dancouga?
: I need only set the Sphere – if that succeeds, everything else is a nonissue. Deal with it as you would.
: “The Earth will be saved”…? How’s us losing going to save…?
: I can’t… Everything’s… foggy…….

: Are all friendly units already gone?!
: And we got all the bosses hanging around again…
: Shows how important this op must be to the Katou Organization.

Looks at the Dancouga.

: Is that the Dancouga?! It’s busted all over!
: This is LOTUS speaking. Come in, Team D.

: Megumi, check for signs of life!
: Already did, and they’re fine – just passed out, by the looks of it.
: Damn these Katous!
: You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Ichitaka Nagumo. It wasn’t us who attacked the Dancouga.
: Huh?
: This transmission… There, it came from that Arma!

Looks at the Glain-Neidr

: A-Are you serious…? There’s an Arma that stupid huge?! It’s bigger than the Gaiking, for crying out loud!
: That’s no Arma… It’s a Machina, like ours!
: What about that other new guy? Same with him?
: The Talisman…! I heard the Katou Organization found and won over its Factor before JUDA could get to him!
: You make it sound so bad… I simply realized that true justice lies in the future Cmdr. Katou’s guiding us to.
: It’s truly regrettable that a man of your caliber wound up taking his side.
: You say that because you don’t know how many times I was betrayed by your vaunted justice. I don’t regret any of my choices.
: (I see… The reason for his distaste of justice and ideals is easy to grasp, once it is brought into the light.)
: It’s been a long time, Ishigami.
: Masaki…
: Eh? “Long time”?
: I’ve picked up the torch you left behind. Now I lead the 1st Unit.
: So you do… And since the Glain-Neidr’s out on the field, I presume Katou’s finally getting serious about things?
: I suppose so. Do you think yourself capable of stopping our plan?
: I don’t know what said plan is, but I’ll see that it goes nowhere with the full might of LOTUS.
: Then it’s time to put our cards on the table.
: Hey, prez… You wanna explain what that talk was about?
: Save the chit-chat for later and focus on the mission – we’ve no time to waste now.
: Captain, I’m detecting an anomaly coming from the giant Machina. It’s generating some sort of dimensional distortion!
: This may not give us anything, but try running an analysis! Lt. Angeloni’s report did say that their technology shouldn’t be too different from ours.

Boooweeeeep!

: … This is… Captain! It’ll only be a few minutes before space-time around that Machina is made permanently distorted!
: What?! How long exactly?!
: I can’t tell you for sure…!
: Meaning we need to take that guy out ASAP or something really bad’s gonna happen?
: And we don’t even know what the time to beat is? Well, isn’t that fun…!
: Troops, focus all your fire on the Glain-Neidr!
: Um… Shouldn’t I have deployed too?
: Sorry, Shinji, but I want to wait and see how things are looking for a bit.
: …Understood.
: (I knew it… Misato doesn’t trust me either, even after I showed her that I was willing.)
: Change of plans, then. Yamashita, you’ll provide covering fire with your artillery strikes and gather intel from the battlefield with your Reflector Cores. Hayase and I will lead the charge against the Glain-Neidr; Kujo, you watch my six.
: Yes, sir…!
: The remaining troops will engage the defenders and the Glain-Neidr when possible. We cannot afford to concern ourselves with the Dancouga, understood, Nagumo?
: Is that the only way right now…?!
: Forward, then! Open fire!


Mission Objective: Shoot down the Glain-Neidr
Mission Failure: Any battleship, Reiji, Yamashita, Miu shot down, or if the Dancouga Nova is EVER attacked.

So, yeah, ignore what Reiji said because you absolutely need to care about the Dancouga – if even a single enemy decides to take a shot at it, you lose. No, it makes no difference if you heal up the bot to full (I know from experience). One attack = game over.
You can’t afford to be careful here: rush, rush, rush all your guys as close to the enemies as possible to try and give them other stuff to target (they like going after Reiji since he has more HP). At the first turn, you’ll only have a few guys get in place, so you’re at the mercy of the AI playing ball and going after your guys. After that, everyone should be in place and all you need to do is form a nice wall to block the enemy’s advance.
And, if you’re curious, it makes no difference where Aoi was before the event: the R-Daigun’s attack will always knock her back to the same spot on the map.

The first two rounds are the worst because while the Katou bosses aren’t too beefy, they all have command auras – so you’ll be staring at some decent %s. Once they start going down, though, things become a lot simpler. Masaki won’t move from his spot until turn 8 hits (no, you don’t lose since the even’tll happen anyway), so you’ll have to make the trek across the entire map.

Now, a quick look at the new stuff the Katou Organization has brought to the table today:


Jack Smith
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Predict
Commander L1
Prevail L4
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
Attack Combo L1

Salute this man, glorious Iczer-4!
Jack is exactly what he looks like: just some guy, on foot, with a katana. While his stats aren’t as massive as Iczer-2, he’s still quite the fearsome “pilot”… That said, his single attack right now isn’t too powerful. Worse, it’s range is 1-3, so he’s easily sniped.
Prevail L4 aside, he’s not too tough to bring down – just make sure you pack some hit % boosts, because that Predict + SS size combo (plus the likelihood he’ll be in someone else’s Command Aura) will make him rather difficult to hit otherwise.


Talisman (Soubi Nakajima)
Pilot Skills:
Factor
Commander L1
Prevail L3
Support Attack L1
Attack Combo L1

The first of the Katou Organization’s Factors we have to face, Soubi doesn’t bring much we haven’t faced yet. As a pilot, he’s about on par with his peers, but with a slight edge on defense.
The Talisman itself is a mix of ranged attacks and debuffs (mobility down), and is a bit bulkier than Sawatari and co., but still nothing we can’t handle. Just remember that he’ll regen some due to being a Factor.


Glain-Neidr (Masaki Sugawara)
Pilot Skills:
Factor
Commander L1
Prevail L3
Support Attack L1
Attack Combo L1
Mech Features:
Nullifies Beam Attacks

And now we have Masaki, piloting the mother of all RB-79 Balls. Masaki is, BY FAR, the bigger threat here as you might expect. His stats are a whole lot higher than all the other Katou midbosses, and the Glain-Neidr is tough (though not as much as Sachiel).
On the offense side of things, Masaki’s can either blast you with lasers or blast an entire area with lasers. Not very creative but the single target version will hurt if it connects, while the MAPW carries a +30 accuracy modifier and hits everything in a 5x5 area around the Glain-Neidr. Not fun.
Only a handful of your guys can outsnipe him, so you’ll likely need to take a few hits on approach – just make sure you don’t get in his MAPW range before you’re going for the kill, and make sure you don’t use Beam weapons.

Now, before we get going, keep the following in mind:

:siren: Secret Alert! :siren:
Do at least one of the following:

  • Have Kouichi shoot down Soubi.
  • Shoot down the Glain-Neidr within 7 turns.

Akurasu doesn’t mention the second option, but I checked two JP wikis and they both had that one noted, so I’m pointing it out. Granted, the first option is so much simpler and there’s absolutely no reason why you need to rush Masaki down, so I’ll be going with that one.


So, like I mentioned before, send everyone forward as far as they can go and right in the enemy’s face.


Miu finishes that one off.


And do keep in mind that, as ordered, Yamashita cannot be moved off that spot. He can still attack if stuff get in range, mind.


Enemy Phase!


The vanguard midbosses are moving in.

: I am Soubi Nakajima, captain of the Katou Organization’s 2nd Unit! I’ve no personal beef with you, just so we’re clear – this is all for the world that’s to come…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPIONWogfPo
He and Miu drop another two mooks that attack, while Kouichi slaps another pair away.


Player Phase!


OK, so now we need to bash ourselves against the incoming tide and push it back – get rid of all the nearby mooks and get that wall of units set to prevent anyone from going after the Dancouga.


Oh, and here’s Shizuru and Anna’s combined attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1yplbML66M
What, no DK? Guess it’s only for when Goh gets back in the thing.


Spreading out, Kouji and Alto’s groups claim the mooks Reiji and Kouichi previously weakened.


And the AI always likes to go for Ichitaka, so let’s bring him right up front.


Once you take out any of the named guys, get the Katou units under 11 or turn 8 rolls over…

: Hrm?! An ambush… They’re stealth?!

The four new Armas vanish.

: S-Stealth Armas? How the…!
: I see how it is… These appear to be the same types as the one who showed up by JUDA HQ.
: Meaning it won’t be easy to find them…!

: …!
: They’re so fast…!
: And they’re ignoring the Painkiller, going straight for the Vardant?!
: Destroy the enemy from the top-down, starting with the leading units… A textbook approach, but an effective one.
: RAAAARGH! Get away from Reiji!
: Y-Yamashita?!

Yamashita dashes towards the new enemies.

: Don’t leave your post, Yamashita!
: I… I should have noticed those units…! I was the one gathering intel – it’s my fault you’re in this situation…!
: Yamashita, hold on! That’s—
: GODDAMN IT!

: Uwaah!
: …You imbecile!

: R-Reiji…!
: Why did you not listen to my orders?
: B-But, Reiji, you…!
: …

: R-Rei… ji…?
: Now you’ll have to stay put. At least you can still serve as a turret.
: I-I…!

: …
: H-Hey, I know Machinas are tough and all, but isn’t it still dangerous to leave him immobile?!
: The mission remains the same.

: Shinji?!
: I should be able to keep him safe with the EVA’s A.T. Field… right, Misato?
: In theory, I guess that’s right, but…
: … Then I’m going in!

Shinji tags in with Yamashita, and the Stealth Armas blip back to Masaki’s side.

: (Wanting to wait and see backfired on me…)
: LtCol. Katsuragi?
: I’ll talk to him later. I guess I’ll see how he does, and then decide what do to.
: Understood.
: Shinji, I already mentioned this during practice, but the EVA has a very limited energy supply to operate with the Umbilical Cable unplugged.
: Remember that you can plug it back in if you’re next to any allied ship. And while you have several power supply buildings available when fighting in Neo Tokyo 3, you’ll have to make do without today.
: …
: (Is he listening?)
: Will Shinji and Yamashita be alright…?


And we can’t lose Shinji either. That’s fine since the A.T. Field’ll hold well enough, but that is not the case with the Hind-Kind! He’s at 10 HP and, if attacked, Shinji’ll only be able to support defend him if the mooks decide to focus fire - if not, he’s gone!
In other words, heal Yamashita to full and carry on. It’s not an auto-game over if he gets attacked, but he IS still at 10 HP.


Shinji can’t move, either, but he’s got a new weapon for extra range – we’ll see it in a bit.


And Yamashita takes the kill, despite his gimped morale.


Jeeg and Voltes each nab a kill, Gaiking moving to further close our wall.


Boosh!


And here we have it. Soubi’s the only unit who can attack the Dancouga and, as far as I can tell, the midboss AI won’t go after it if there’s anything nearby.

Next turn we’ll tear through them.


Enemy Phase!


And I may have overestimated the Valkyrie’s mobility… or underestimated the boost the Katous get from each other’s command auras.


Ow. At least they’ve Prevail…


For instance, Jack gets a 50% chance to hit against Iczer-1, which I don’t think I’ve seen happen before!

Catch-all convo first:

: LOTUS… Is a foe capable of satisfying me within your ranks…?

And for Iczer-1:

: I have heard that one of LOTUS’ collaborators came from space, and is a renowned swordswoman…
: I understand now… You’ve modified your whole body – that is how you’ve gained this strength.
: Indeed. And I now challenge you to see whose is superior…
: As you wish. To arms!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ0qQb47Yd8
And, by the by, if you wish to DISHONOR THE SAMURAI SPIRIT, you can still summon the Iczer Robo to this:

: It is truly a shame… I’d hoped to cross blades with a swordswoman like you in the flesh.
: Sure about this, Iczer-1? That guy’s looking like he really wants to fight you.
: Well, I suppose dueling with him wouldn’t be an issue if you’ll allow it.
: That man… He strikes me as someone who fights and lives solely by the sword.

I won’t be summoning it before Jack’s gone, though – that’d be absolutely disgraceful.


The other midbosses all lose a decent chunk of HP next. And the AI also follows the plan, Ichitaka and Quatre claiming 3 mooks.


Down south, Combattler and Shizuna are also big targets.


Two kills for them.


Player Phase!

And with a solid wall in place, most mooks wrecked or destroyed, all we have is spread and kill. Prioritizing a few midbosses will make things simpler as you deprive others from the command auras.
A decent bunch of our guys now know Luck, so you ought to prioritize them getting the midboss kills (unless someone really needs the exp). Quatre’s my only Bless cast still, and he’s saving it for Masaki.

Forward!

: Much is said about your skill with the blade. We duel!
: His physical ability is beyond superhuman… I accept. Come.

: Huh… No way! Is that a man?
: Is that all the power of your imagination amounts to? I’d expected you to be somewhat different since you’re part of LOTUS, but it seems I was mistaken. What a pity!

: Th-The hell? Am I going crazy, or is that a guy?!
: My strength far exceeds that of a Machina! Prepare to meet your end!
: Yo, are you serious? The Katou Organization has their own Iczer-1?!

: There’s nothing to be gained by staying here further… That said, I shall at least bring the blue Machina’s head back with me.

Jack rushes the Vardant down!

: He’s after Reiji?! Oh, no, you don’t!

: What…! He parried them?!
: Throwing daggers… A fine prize, these. I trust you’ll allow me to borrow them for a bit.
: …!! Kujo, pull back!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3WojUkXfW8

: That wound… So that’s why you’ve such extraordinary physical ability.
: …

: Your body itself is an Arma…
: Allow me to introduce myself properly: I am Jack Smith, captain of the Katou Organization’s 6th Unit… And you are?
: Reiji Moritsugu, Head of JUDA’s Special Forces and assigned to LOTUS.
: Reiji Moritsugu… I hope we’ll have a chance to duel again someday. Farewell!

: The guy might look like a regular person, but he sure as hell gave us a lot more trouble than one. Talk about a tough fight.
: You should try and fight a Zentradi with that attitude and see if it lasts, Alto.


Heey, Izuna learned Attune from that.


Dmitri can’t keep on going, and is forced to back off.
Daiya’s rather miffed that despite how important this whole thing seems to the Katous, we still have no idea what they’re actually trying to do. But Sakon tells him to chill, as it’s his and the other eggheads’ job to figure it out.


That’s too much punishment for Sawatari’s Arma to take – time to head back.
And he better stay gone, roars Kenji.


And that’s all Yulianne can enjoy for today, “unfortunately”.
If anything, Misato’s impressed with how skilled they are at making their escape – shows that they’re really pros.

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

Oh, and here’s Shinji’s better weapon right now: a big ‘ol gatling gun. It even gets a dynamic kill!

: The Vardant… this’ll be a tough enemy to fight. Still, I can’t just let you through here.
: That’s fine. I’ll just make you back off.

: Factor of the Painkiller… I need you to die for the world that’s to come.
: I’m also fighting for the world… and that’s why I won’t stop! Ever!
: Then, come! I’ll make you sing some beautiful tunes!

: Our main target’s that chubby Machina, meaning we ain’t got time for any others!
: But it’d be really dangerous to ignore the Talisman because of that!
: You’ve an idea of how dangerous I am, I see. Now let me give you some pain to match that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGqek2Q4iOM
And here’s Soubi’s best attack.

: So now I’ve to fight the famous Linebarrel, huh? Your regenerative abilities seem pretty high… but I wonder how long that’ll last you.
: The Linebarrel isn’t your run-of-the-mill Machina, guy! You’re about to get an eyeful of the power of JUSTICE!
: Justice this, justice that… You know, you’re starting to turn my stomach!


Kouichi: “Why the hell are you helping out these creeps from another dimension?!”

: Ho-hum, I wanted to mess you guys up, and now I’m the one who got messed up…
: Oh, well. I guess I’ll just wait for my next shot with bated breath.

: Soubi Nakajima and his Talisman… We’ll be fighting him again, it seems.

: What is the Katou Organization up to, Wufei?! I don’t mean to deny your justice, but there’s absolutely no point to this battle!
: You’ll know if it really is pointless or not in due time. Now fight me!
: Wufei!
: That’s enough of your yammering, Quatre!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnFFBWavsDc
Quatre: “Wufei… I guess we need to fight after all.”
Wufei: “If you can’t grasp the point of the battle I wage, then your peace is bound to crumble to dust, Quatre!”

: LOTUS! The Spheres being set and Katou’s actions overall are essential to the world at large! I’ve looked into his eyes… and I am fully convinced of it!

: Huh? Wufei… What did you mean by that?
: “Spheres”… Maybe those are related to the dimensional distortion the Katou Organization’s causing?
: (I’m also convinced of something, Wufei. That you’re, once again, fighting for the sake of the world…)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGMBcfEkNr8
By the by, while clearing out the Stealth S Armas, I took the time to show off ANOTHER Gaikign combined attack. This is the new one he got with Puria when she switched to the Superior Stinger!

After those guys are done, it takes a few more turns to get all the way across the map to reach Masaki.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6wJKnL6vUg
And while that’s happening, the guy decided to take a potshot at Kouji. Right after this, turn 8 rolls around:

: It’s…! Space-time is settling in its distorted state!

: Huh? What’s that black orb thing…?
: Damn, we were too late!
: Our mission is complete. All troops, withdraw.
: Belay that. I think you’re slightly confused, Masaki. The order now is: “Stay put and carry on fighting.”
: But Commander…
: We can’t leave the Dancouga at large. And with the R-Daigun gone, we must take it upon ourselves to dispose of it.
: But, of course, exercise a modicum of restraint. I’m in no way interested in losing any of my precious captains.
: … Copy that.
: Hm… He still wants to fight?
: Better for us, then. More of them we wreck now, the easier time we’ll have down the road!
: Troops, continue your offensive while still taking care to protect the Dancouga!

: Don’t get in our way, Reiji Moritsugu. That’d be what’s best for the world.
: … I cannot do that. Rather, I’m putting a stop to you!

: I’ll also do my part against you!
: Painkiller, a point-defense model of Machina… Your M.O. with it is inefficient.

: Hey, fatso! I’m coming to pull the plug on whatever the crap you’re doing to space-time!
: And if you don’t stop, there’ll be some awful images coming into your mind!
: Go right ahead – if you can, that is.

: I’ve no idea what you people are up to, but I’m putting a stop to that distortion!
: … The Linebarrel. Kouichi Hayase.
: (I though he was just an average boy… but the Commander assessed him as having “exceeded his imagination”. What convinced him of that?)


Masaki counterattacking: “That’s quite the inept Factor you chose, Linebarrel.”
Jerk! I just forgot that the big Executor blast still counts as a Beam attack!


Speaking of, Goh points out the Beam immunity – gotta use weapons that aren’t that. Moreover, he sees that the thing can attack over a wide area, so we can’t stay clustered up.

Game, I’m starting to think you don’t trust me. Kill!

: We lost more than our original estimates, but the objective was still met. Retreating.

: What’s the situation, Monica?
: No signs of any hostile. The battle’s over.
: So… Did we win?
: I wonder… They did manage to get that weird thing in place. You could well chalk this up as a loss.
: Still, we just need to trash the thing and it’ll be all good, no?
: I seriously doubt that. The Katou Organization wouldn’t have left it here if it could be so easily destroyed.
: Rachel, can you put together a research team to investigate this orb… the Sphere, I think the called it.
: Yep, they’re already headed your way!
: Then let’s take in the Dancouga and wrap this up fast. Hanging around an Earth Alliance base could come back to haunt us later.
: Woops, I don’t think sooo!

: Wha— They had another stealth Arma around?!
: How do you do, LOTUS? The name’s Riku Ousei, captain of the Katou Organization’s 8th Unit. I came here to test the power of your imagination.
: And seeing how confused you’re looking, I’m guessing none of you could imagine my plan.
: Riku Ousei, you said? What are you going to with the Dancouga?
: Imagine, why don’t you? Or maybe I’ll just tell you, since you’ll see it in a few seconds: the Dancouga is about to get sprayed all over the countryside by my Yaoyorozu’s Shinkahia orbs!
: And you think we’ll just let you do that?!
: Naoto!
: Aye, aye! Piercing Zolmanium Bullets, fire!

: Heheheheheheh…
: What the— It didn’t even scratch him!
: You guys really don’t have any imagination at all. The thing that exploded there was the Yaoyorozu’s special armor – I imagined you’d try something, so I came prepared.
: ‘Course, it won’t hold forever and then I’d be in trouble… So how about I go and pop the Dancouga in a real pretty explosion right now? Buh-byyyeeeee!

: Wuh?!
: It’s you whose imagination is lacking.
: Who said that?! Show yourself!

: You’re… The R-Daigun?! But why? Weren’t we on the same side?!
: Why don’t you go and imagine the why?

: Wh-Wuaaaaaaah!

: What just happened?!
: That red bot from before showed up and saved the Dancouga… At least that’s what it looked like.
: I don’t understand…
: Shinji, you guys OK over there?
: Y-Yes. We managed…
: …
: Yamashita, I’ll come speak with you later.
: Reiji, Yamashita’s… Wait, hold on! You’re injured! Was it when that guy, Jack, attacked…?
: It’s no problem – I was born without a sense of pain, you see. Small injuries won’t stop me from doing my work.
: We’re heading back to JUDA. Recover the Dancouga, Evangelion and Hind-Kind ASAP.

And here are the convos we didn’t get – Yamashita didn’t get a chance for any of his, since they only show up before the event:

: Hey, Horns, you’ve gone a bit on the straight and narrow, haven’t ya?
: Damn straight! I’m not the same man I was before!
: Heh, ain’t that something. Then get here and let’s see how much fun this new you’ll be!

: Linebarrel… I’d previously held back due to my orders, but no more!
: I’ve finally figured out how I really should be using my powers. No way in hell I’m getting dropped now! Bring it!

: Hey, there, Linebarrel boy… I’m here to play again.
: Sorry, but I’m in a hurry. This is gonna have to be the last time we fight!

: The way you fight bugs me like no one’s business, Vardant!
: … A calm and precise analysis of the situation is necessary to accomplish one’s mission. Becoming emotional is the way of failure.
: Drop the act, guy! I can tell you’re just like me!

: Reiji Moritsugu… Your swordsmanship is said to be the best in LOTUS. Show it to me!
: Fine. Let it carve into your mind, along with the horror you’ll feel!

: Oh, dear, Reiji… Are you going to fight me?
: … Of course I am. Come on!
: Do go easy on me, hunk…

: An artillery Machina… Meaning you can’t really do anything if I close the distance, right? What if I just don’t sit still, even?
: I can’t leave this spot…! Reiji told me not to!

: Whaa?! A man? But… my sensors are picking up an Arma…
: You cannot free your mind of bewilderment… Then die!

: Time passes, and your slow ass is always lumbering around. I’ll make this quick!
: Close-range battles might not be my thing, but I’m another proud member of our Special Forces! I’m winning this!

: Start shooting, boy. Do you think you can hit me?
: Getting a kick out of me, eh…? You better take me seriously, or you won’t live to regret it!

: The Machina with the Reflector Cores… I’ll be ending you, and stopping your data collection!
: Not happening! What you’ll be doing is getting a taste of the Hind’s full powe!

: Gather intel from the battlefield and provide artillery support… That’s the job Reiji personally assigned me, and I will see it done perfectly!

: You won’t be conquering any of the world while we’re still around!
: You’ve got poise, girl, I’ll give ya that. But you still ain’t messing with our Op!

: Imagine, oh, powerless one. Imagine your suffering and defeat at my hands!
: I won’t be beaten, and I won’t surrender! Here we go, Painkiller!

: Hmm… Reiji had someone cover him? Now that’s rare.
: Do you know him…?
: We’ve at least known each other for longer than you have, girl.

: Wh-What’s up with you fighting us on foot, pops? That’s some bad joke right there!
: Your confusion is understandable, but I will still spare you no quarter!

: That’s the captain of the 4th Unit, sis!
: I know, I know! Blast him with the Nerve Crack and we’ll sort ‘im out later!
: Your illusions ain’t gonna mean jack if the cords can’t touch me! Get over here!

: I can’t let them get any closer to the Glain-Neidr!
: Too bad for you, we’re real stubborn – you’re not stopping us!
: We’ll be bringing an end to your operation!

: And what could a non-combat Machina do to me? Could you at least make for a little bit of fun, I wonder?
: You’re really gonna be sorry ya underestimated us! Izuna, show granny a big, ol’ nightmare!
: Got it! Here goes!


At JUDA, just as Ishigami was calling the Dragon’s Hive to inquire about the red Dancouga, he received a message from Tanaka’s boss transferring the Dancouga Nova to LOTUS. Quite the surprise. Tanaka does apologize for the suddenness of it all, but the transfer should’ve occurred a long time ago – things took longer than expected because of the bosses, see.
Ishigami isn’t mad in the slightest, considering how often Team D already helped us on their own, but the timing of it all is at least curious. Tanaka can’t well answer that, what with him not being in on the take.
Either way, Ru (the shrink) will also be headed our way soon, and Tanaka needs to get going – he’s got another call. Ishigami did notice something odd in this conversation: Une said Tanaka answered to F.S…. but he just mentioned having “bosses”. Who’s the other one?


By the infirmary, it’s up to Alice to tend to the Dancouga folks, much to Aoi’s pain. Still, she’s got to get it all patched up quickly. At least the silver lining, thinks Kurara, is that no one got hurt too badly. Still, they made it through only by the skin or their teeth and it was a complete loss – Johnny and Sakuya aren’t happy.
Since this is a rare chance to speak to them outside of battle, Goh would like to ask why exactly they’re fighting in the first place – none of us know much about the Dancouga or its mission. Well, as luck would have it, Aoi says they don’t know either. They just get orders on what to do, and even their handler gets those from the top.
Then, Miu asks, they wouldn’t know why the Dancouga suddenly started going all champion of justice, instead of just prolonging conflict like before. Johnny says they wondered that shift themselves, but haven’t gotten any answers yet.

And speaking of sudden changes, Ishigami calls in to relay the news of their transfer to LOTUS. It happened out of the blue, sure, but Ishigami points out that he and Lady Une had been trying to make this happen for a while now.
Kurara sees no issue, considering they’d already been ordered to fight with us several times before, but Aoi’s still annoyed that the boss (as always) made this call without caring anything for what they want. They’ll just have to make do with that as part of their mission as CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE, Ishigami shrugs.


Fine, Aoi’ll go along with it so long as stuff’s exciting! “Exciting”? Pretty much, yeah: all of Team D look back on the lives they lead before being scouted/kidnapped to be the Dancouga’s pilots and think this job is WAY more exciting than what they did. Well, they’re a lot more blasé about things than Alto expected.
Why does he think that? Kurara needs only take a look at the hot blooded Tetsuya (Tsurugi) and Hyouma glaring over to see why. They are kind of breaking the mold, huh? Well, Aoi’s “sorry” to have dashed their expectations and, on that matter, the loss to the R-Daigun isn’t hitting her particularly hard. They’re still annoyed, mind, but not broken over it.

Goh’s not feeling that “I WON’T LOSE NEXT TIME!” vibe coming from them, but Aoi assures him it’s not like that. Like she said, she’s excited for another round with the R-Daigun. Now, she turns to Alice and asks if they’re free to go.
Well, she’s patched them up enough, so it should be fine… In that case, Emi beckons them to come with – she’ll show them to their rooms. With them gone, Shizuru ponders their uninterested attitude. Kouji’s not about to complain about molds being broken, but it still a bit weird to him.


Reiji, meanwhile, is taking Yamashita to task, asking why he left his post. He was worried about Reiji, yes, but the guy himself doesn’t remember ever assigning him to support him – that was Miu’s job. Plus, it was his actions that led to Shinji violating his own orders to help him. Surely Yamashita can see that.
Speaking of Shinji, while Misato’ll say that he did a good job fighting today, she also can’t praise him much for it. Things turned out fine in the end, yes, but that doesn’t justify what he did – were that the case, Yamashita wouldn’t be in this situation either. Shinji’s looking rather sullen now, but Ichitaka tells him to keep his chin up – he did good. The boy’s determined to keep working at it, at least.
That’s all Reiji had to say (Yamashita’s really bummed out), but Kouichi isn’t letting it end like that: “What’s so bad about folks worrying for their friends”?! It hampers the execution of their mission, that’s what.

Kouichi isn’t taking that answer, but he’s interrupted when Tsubaki runs in. She tells him and Ichitaka to stop fawning over the Dancouga and come help her buy another batch of sushi for Ishigami… Oh, Reiji and Misato are here too? Yes, but they’ve already said what they needed, so Misato sends them off.
And, hey, Shinji considers himself a proper man, right? Then he should go and help Tsubaki carry the groceries as well. Alright, he’ll try, and, when asked by Ichitaka, Yamashita slowly says he’s good to help.


Mishima has just gotten back to Cathy regarding some stuff she asked him to look into. Both Brera and the Galaxy Fleet are tagged as confidential, and he didn’t have clearance to look into them – he’s “very sorry” he couldn’t be of help. And what about the info we discovered about the Katou Organization being the vanguard of an invasion from their own world?
Mishima professes to have been very surprised by the revelation that it is possible to make a controlled jump from one world to another. That’s given them a glimmer of hope and Prof. Kentarou’s looking into it.
But that’s not what Cathy was asking about, of course. What she wants to know is why there isn’t any information on the Frontier’s databases about Katou’s parent organization being from their Earth? Because it’s top secret, obviously – in truth, even Mishima isn’t fully aware of the situation.

What he does know for sure is that, at some point after the Frontier set sail, their Earth came under attack from an unknown force and the conflict drew to a stalemate. And what did he do when he found out about that? Well, the Frontier’s government obviously got in touch with the New United Nations Government, but the guys simply ordered them to keep going about their business – it would’ve been dangerous to stir things up further.
Only a very small number of people, including Pres. Howard, have been able to contact Earth after that, and even then they don’t get decent responses. Do note that, with contact with the Earth government effectively cut off, the approval of the use of Reactive Weapons was left at the discretion of the fleets’ highest authority.


Regardless, that’s all she wanted to ask Mishima about, and he has another appointment to take care of. “I apologize for how abrupt this was, Leon,” Cathy nods, but he just hopes that was enough to alleviate our concerns as we need to keep up our good work on the front lines.
With the call over, two things bother Cathy: one, he didn’t correct her for calling him by his first name while on official business (as he usually does), and, two, he was clearly lying to her face regarding Brera. Mishima’s not his normal self, clearly – he seems anxious, excited. And while Cathy doesn’t know what he’s hiding, she’ll do what she can to find out.


And Quatre’s just finished reporting on what Wufei’s up to. He doesn’t think he’s turned traitor, rather, he’s hoping the guy’s infiltrated Katou’s group like Trowa and the Alliance.
Une would like to believe that too, but we’ll just have to see. With that, she asks Ishigami to gather up everyone as she has something to tell us.


And so he does. What’s it all about? Well, Une has some bad news for us: it’s not circulating in the media just yet, but intel’s just came in that Relena’s been missing for a while. Last anyone heard of her, she was going to lodge a formal protest with the Alliance for their attempted nuclear strike on the PLANTs.
Does she have any suspects, Kyo asks, and Une says it’s very likely the Alliance is behind it, though they haven’t any solid leads to move on anyone yet. Still, Zechs already sees Djibril’s hand behind it all.
Next up, regarding the “Sphere” the Katou Organization set up in the previous battle, Sakon relates that the research team we sent over reported that the space inside the thing is wholly closed off to the outside – there’s no way to interact with it. And while Rachel mentions that they could confirm that there’s some object inside it, they don’t know what it is.

Sakon hypothesizes that that Sphere could be kind of like a Death Cross Point to the Katou Organization’s main force, something that’ll enable them all to come to this world? Well, Maki says these could be the “certain steps” that Katou mentioned – they set up a surveillance system to watch the thing around the clock, just to be safe.
Not knowing what’s up with that thing makes it twice as ominous to Ichitaka.


Only one last subject to touch on: Ishigami would like to explain his relation with the Katou Organization. Tetsuya himself wanted to inquire on that, and Kouji asks if what Masaki said about succeeding him as the captain of the 1st Unit was true. Ishigami knows that we’re likely asking ourselves if he used to be one of Katou’s men – would we like to know the truth?
Very much so, as Dick wants to clarify whether he’s a traitor to the Katou Organization or to us; and while Goh understands that secrets are par for the course at the top of big groups, this is something that needs to be clarified. Fair enough, so here’s the truth: Ishigami used to be one of the top officials of the Katou Organization, and all the Machinas JUDA currently has (barring the Linebarrel) were stolen by him when he left their fold.
Nagisa’s appalled that their boss turned out to be one of the bad guys, but Izuna asks her and a dumbstruck Kouichi to hold on. He’s not with them anymore, which is why he helped Lady Une with LOTUS and all, right?

Ishigami begs out forgiveness. He didn’t want to keep it a secret for so long, but this isn’t something easy for him to speak of – back then, he seriously believed that Katou would bring peace to the world. “Oh, how young and foolish I was!” Ishigami howls, and no one knows what to say to his over-the-top melodrama.
Still! Ishigami says that even if mistakes were made, anyone can take their remorse to heart and start over! Kouichi protests that he can’t handwave all that away just like that, and Shizuru agrees: he can’t just act so nonchalant when he could’ve come clean about it all this time.


Tetsuya (Tsurugi) isn’t also 100% convinced by Ishigami’s story, though he says we’re all free to gun him down if he ever turns traitor. There’s no need to be so distrustful! Lady Une says she can vouch for him… though she admits one could easily take her, a former OZ operative, of being in cahoots with him.
Daiya does raise the point that the Daiku Maryu’s Captain Garis used to work for the Darius Army; Iczer-1 herself is also a traitor to the Cthulhu people. And Johnny also figures we can’t give Ishigami too much crap for being nonchalant, since that’s pretty much how he always is.

Ishigami bawls that everyone’s so mean – hasn’t he been working so hard to help them all become good friends? All of his pranks were especially planned, out of LOVE, for that! “Hey, your parties are fine and all, but I’m gonna pass on the pranks!” Ichitaka objects.
Fine, no need to let this revelation change what’s been working just fine. Kenji at least is glad that folks eased up, as he couldn’t handle everyone being on edge… mind, Mido figures he could still stand to actually be a bit more serious about things. Blah, why do stuff always end up biting him in the ass? Maybe it wouldn’t be like that if he changed his ways, Tsubaki says.


Finally, Ritsuko calls in right then to let us know that they’ve finished repairing the EVA-00 – Ishigami likes, as it’ll make for another boost to our forces. Moreover, she tells Misato that Rei’s all healed up and ready to fight, so she’ll be coming over as well. That’s great news, especially considering how hurt the girl was last she saw her.
Ishigami’ll set up transport for Neo Tokyo 3 tomorrow to pick them up, some supplies and to finalize Shinji’s transfer to the new school. Misato thanks him, and is anxious to see Shinji make new friends there.


Cut to Shangri-La, Masaki’s congratulating everyone on the good work today successfully setting up the first Sphere. Sure, but Sawatari knows this means they’ll be working to get more of the things placed throughout the world. Yulianne asks if he can’t explain to them what the Spheres’ are being set up for, but Masaki just goes silent.
She and Wufei ask why the silent treatment. Is this above their paygrade, maybe? Sawatari himself is also curious as to what Masaki and Katou are up to. Furthermore, Dmitri and Soubi point out that all of them are here in this Organization because they’re endorsed Katou’s cause as their own; surely it’s not asking much that they also be in on the take, right?
Being somewhat mysterious about things is good as it leaves some room for their imagination to run wild, Yulianne concedes, but the incessant secrecy can lead to misjudgments like Riku’s. And as a result, they lost the Yaoyorozu.

Masaki assures them that Katou will explain everything when the time is right – he couldn’t take that away from the commander. Sawatari and Yulianne sniff at being given the run-around, so Masaki concedes to telling them something: the Spheres will set the future of this world in the proper path.
So be at ease and know that Katou’s ideals will not betray them!

: Soubi Nakajima… I see now the reason for your contempt towards justice…
: I also saw something today: you ranting about your own justice again.
: But the Commander is leading us to “true justice”, no? Will your personal justice take you down the same path as it, I wonder?
: I don’t know if it’ll be the same… but I am fighting in the name of true justice.
: Well, don’t worry – I won’t dismiss your dear justice. We’re comrades, after all.
: Hmph… Me, comrade of a man who’s forsaken the illusion he called justice? Don’t be ridiculous.
: Excuse me…?
: Does your brain still work? Then use it and ponder the essence of yours and Katou Hisataka’s justice…!

Wufei leaves.

: …


Cut to Katou’s office, he’s apologizing to Riku for not having imagined what he was going to do. Riku takes the blame upon himself for going against his orders and deploying without permission – all because he deigned to imagine what Katou himself wanted.
Katou says his imagination isn’t to blame, though Riku will have to work with a regular Arma for the time being. That’s fine, and the guy leaves to try and improve his imagination.


Katou gets called on the phone by, strangely enough, a woman named Vladimir. She called to explain the R-Daigun’s intervention – she didn’t want it to happen, but there was no other way.
See, while Vladimir would have liked to have finished the Dancouga off then and there, “he” wouldn’t have been too happy about it. Regardless, she says her plans are already 80% complete, so they’ll be laying low for a bit.
That’s fine, and Katou asks her to wish the pilot a good vacation. Vladimir doubts the girl will actually rest, what with how busy she is. True enough, Katou laughs.


Finally, at the Dragon’s Hive, Tanaka ponders how the Dancouga will be facing even harder battles now, but F.S. says they MUST grow stronger and stronger if they’re to prevail against “them”.
“If they do not ascend as high as they must,” F.S.’s hidden friend mulls, “it will mean the end for everything.”

This stage actually combines, like, three fights from the anime. One which was anime exclusive and took place in a series of cliffs near a Katou base, which provided a lot of interesting attack imagery (most of which got into L, including the Nerve Crack Fist being an attacking thing). One of which was the sphere battle, which was also anime exclusive though it replaced a few fights in the manga. And one in orbit with Yaoyorozu’s pilot, which condensed like three fights in the manga. I have no problem with L doing this.

However, this brings me to the horrid changes this stage is going to start revealing. To start with, Jack’s debut in the manga didn’t have him picking up one of Painkiller’s knives - he picked up AND SWUNG one of Vardant’s fucking swords to actually damage Vardant with, which is awesome and badass and was never in the anime and that is a crying shame. Soubi is literally 100% a different character and misses all the cool stuff from the manga, including the really important bits of his character that would go on to be important later in the story. His mech is pretty different too - that ranged attack is anime exclusive (also it’s Tail Of Kingdom IIRC). And Ishigami didn’t steal Vardant, Deceive, Painkiller, and Hind - Vardant was found by Reiji in an extremely important character moment which will be unused in the anime as a part of his shellacking, Painkiller of course didn’t enter the scene until much later, and Deceive got an origin story after the timeskip (and well after the anime finished airing) which turned out to be highly important overall to Shizuna and Izuna.

Also seriously fuck anime Ishigami, he’s an overdramatic asshole. If this scene had come up with manga Ishigami he would have dropped pretenses, gone absolutely serious, and explained absolutely everything they needed to know. He also wouldn’t have been a chronic prankster, but what can you do, Manga Ishigami is just the fucking best character (and to no one’s shock, he’s probably one of the best secrets in UX - up there with Lu Bu and Zwarth).

EDIT: Jack’s giant sword swinging in action. Notice that you don’t see the sword hit the enemy, because UX understands scaling (Jack, compared to basically everything except Lu Bu, Diaochan, and Heroman enemies, is small, and that sword is just normal sword size compared to most mechs. You shouldn’t be seeing a giant sword hit something.), and that there’s an enemy shown in the DK version that isn’t in the anime but is a bit spoilery for the manga.

[details=Click to see the mission!]


And we’re back, Ichitaka having secured a rather comfortable lead up top while Quatre and Kenji remain tied. I’ve yet to grown used to seeing Quatre’s face here.


On the money side of things, Daiya (weapons, HP, armor), the Nagahama duo and Dancouga took most of the rest (+1 to main stats).

Skill parts, Kenji’s still hogging Infights, while I remain uncertain if I want to save my Gunfights for when Heero and Kira EVENTUALLY join, or if I’ll keep handing those to Alto (who’s already at L3). Maybe I’ll give them to Shinji, since all but his knife and absolute strongest attack at ranged? Hmm…


Kouichi, Shinji and Ichitaka are deploying as event units, so we adjust accordingly:
Jeeg/Kyo
Reiji/Quatre
Dancouga/Miu
Iczer-1/Puria
Kouji/Yagyuu
Tetsuya/Canaria
Ozma/Luca
Alto/Michel
Zechs/Noin
Daiya/Yanma
Shizuru/Anna
Dick/Klan
Combattler/Deceive
Voltes/Mira
Tetsuya Kouji/Yamashita

Forward!


The mechanics are having breakfast and are hyped to get to work. They need to stay well fed too as, like Shizuka points out, the whole team’ll be in trouble if they’re starved and down for the count. Johnny himself is also sharing the meal and finds it quite good – he’d like to get the recipe for it.
And with Team D’s arrival, Shibakusa has a warning to the other mechanics: see, they’ll also be handling the Dancouga’s maintenance and the thing, like so many other mechs, has a bunch of black boxed bits. Meaning everyone’ll need to be extra-careful as they start tinkering with it.
Touko and the others are up for it, which is good as Kurara and the others can’t really tell them anything about the stuff. That’s fine to Shibakusa – it comes with the territory.


A girl walks into the dorm right then, though she’s not another of Daiya’s friends as Shizuka assumes. It’s Ru Riruri, of course, the Dragon’s Hive psychiatrist and she’s just been sent over to join the rest of Team D. Ruriruri? No, Ru Riruri!
Shibakusa scratches his head at another kid, but Ru says she’s 15 years and 3 months old, so she’s no kid! Regardless, she was planning on getting to work straight away and asks where the rest of LOTUS us. At school, Johnny points out, since so many of them ARE students.
A shame, since Ru had everything ready to start her work on Yamashita and Shinji especially – indeed, Shizuka agrees that everyone’s been somewhat concerned for those two. Well, best Ru can do is wait by her office.


Cut to Ishigami’s office, Emi’s just been informed that she’s being assigned to the Daiku Maryu as an operator. She’s rather surprised by this, but Reiji says she’s the only one who could take Yamashita’s place handing the flow of battlefield intel; mind you, Yamashita isn’t losing his job, but Reiji wants to take precautions in case we see a repeat of what happened last fight. Rachel’s sure Emi can handle it just fine, and the girl agrees.
While Kouichi ponders this shift, Goh apologizes for holding them both here – they’ll be rather late for class now. Still, Emi says this was important. Kouichi ask what she’d like to do, as they’ve already lost a chunk of today’s class, but Emi still wants to experience as much as this world’s school as she’s able to.

Kouichi’s still wrapping his head around the fact that she’s from a parallel dimension, but his mind’s brought back to reality when Emi insists that he won’t learn anything if he doesn’t go to school.
What’s she getting at by that? Well, Ishigami’s told her that boys, Kouichi included, lose touch with their humanity as they grow – so Kouichi needs to work hard to use his intellect and maintain his reasoning and self-control! Indeed, Ishigami nods that, at the kid’s age, he’s less of a human and more like a wild beast.
“Could you please stop teaching her nonsense, Mr. Ishigami? You’re confusing her,” Yui sighs, and, indeed, Emi doesn’t understand how she’s confused.


Over by the mess hall, Tetsuya’s busily lecturing on how to deal inscrutable foes. It’s advisable to make simple strikes, though that doesn’t mean doing so haphazardly – as our more melee-educated fighters know, it’s very important to manage your center of gravity.
Alto isn’t melee-educated, but he knows the importance of your center of gravity when dancing… and is very annoyed with himself that his mind always drifts towards that. Nagisa pokes him, asking what the connection between center of gravity and attacking is, but he tells her to ask Anna. The Goh Okusaer should handle more similarly to the Iczer Robo than his Valkyrie.
Well, she would’ve asked Anna but the girl is currently soundly asleep by her corner. Also tries shaking her awake, but all that gets is her wishing Goh a good day – seems like even asleep, she’s always thinking about her husband.

Michel and Tsubaki tell him to let Anna be, as she’ll likely be studying all this stuff during her regular training. Tetsuya himself sees no issue with letting her rest since she’s been training extra-hard every single day. Yeah, he could hear them whispering and is not happy! 20 laps for everyone – 5 for Naoto and Nagisa since they’re not military!
What, Kenji too?! But he didn’t do anything! There’s no “I” in team – in the battlefield, one person’s mistake can lead to all their deaths! Boss groans that Tetsuya’s spending too much time with Sakonji, but the man isn’t picky of who he learns training techniques from if they work.
Well, Daiya won’t complain and dashes out the door to do his laps. Naoto explains that he’s been training a lot, so he’s getting plenty strong – Tsubaki suggests they get to it as well, as the sooner the laps are done, the sooner they can rest.


Cut to Neo Tokyo 3’s middle school, Shinji’s not really enjoying it too much. Misato said he’d make new friends here, but all he got was a bit of chit-chat from random folks when they found out he was with LOTUS – they don’t really CARE about him as a person. Rei, now healed, isn’t speaking much either.
And, after this, Shinji’ll have the same routine as yesterday: train, get a little pat on the back… then he’ll likely have to fight, and be scared, again… But his grumbling is cut short when a boy, Kensuke, comes over and asks him to come with for a bit.


What’s going on? It’s Touji, who really, really wants to kick Shinji’s ass some. Kensuke explains that his sister got hurt during the Angel’s attack; and while Kensuke himself figures it wasn’t Shinji’s fault, Touji doesn’t really have anyone else to vent on, so…
“I… I didn’t even want to be piloting that thing,” Shinji grunts, “And I still did everything I could to protect this city…!” Touji doesn’t appreciate that and, yelling that Shinji didn’t protect jack, knocks him to the ground.


“… Why did I get beat up just because I piloted the EVA…? And aren’t there so many people who can fight even if I don’t do a good job…? Why do I even have to go through this…?”


And the Misaki Middle School kids have just made it back to JUDA. Kouichi groans that Domyoji’s been going crazy with that “Hayase Corps” thing, and approached him today looking to put some big event together. Ichitaka figures it’s all good and, from what he’s heard, he’s looking at doing a party with Risako and Furuya (who’ve also joined the Hayase Corps).
This party talk is sounding too much like Ishigami for Kouichi’s taste – hopefully Domyoji won’t ask to make a crapton of sushi. On the flip side, Miu comes in and she thinks all that sounds like fun. Yamashita’s also came back with her, and Ichitaka asks if he’ll be coming for today’s later training session? He thinks he and Alice have been getting pretty good!
Unfortunately, no, Yamashita passes on it – ask Miu to spar – and takes off then and there. He’s not as bummed out as he was yesterday, but Kouichi can see that he’s far from better. That’s no surprise to Ichitaka, of course, considering everything Reiji said.

Miu herself wonders if he’ll be alright, as she’s never seen him like this. Have they known each other for long? Yes, though they didn’t speak much back then: “I was with him at JUDA’s medical institution before we became Factors. It was only kind of recently that we actually started talking to each other.”
And what was she doing in a medical institution? She tells Kouichi that she was really hurt after an accident, and it was JUDA that treated and helped her recover to full. Her fighting with a Machina has been sort of how she’s repaying them for all that.
Emi presumes that Yamashita’s bound to have some story like that as well…


By the Dannar Base, Luna’s relating that a batch of MSs has gone haywire and it’s looking like the things got jacked by Mimetic Beasts! Sounds unbelievable, but Kiriko posits that they’ve evolved to develop this ability, just like that one before with jamming capabilities.
None of the Mimetic Beasts fought 5 years ago, in the War of Giants, had any skills like that, so the only explanation is that the survivors have been adapting themselves to better fight their natural enemy – humanity. The speed with which they’ve evolving is mindboggling to Yotsuya.
Regardless, Luna says that the batch of haywire MSs fled from an Earth Alliance base in North America and was headed towards Japan – we should be careful. Kiriko thanks her for the info, and will pass it on to JUDA. Here’s hoping the Mimetic Beasts are done evolving.


Kouichi finds Yamashita sitting by himself, and takes a seat nearby. Hey, why did he become a Factor? Well, that came out of nowhere. Still, Kouichi heard of how he was hospitalized at JUDA and stuff.
Yamashita confirms: “I was born with really crummy health… I went through a bunch of treatments, but, in the end, becoming a Factor was the only way I could survive.” So he’s also doing this to repay JUDA for helping him?
Somewhat, but there’s something else: “When I was undergoing treatment, one day I saw Reiji piloting… and that made me want to be like him,” Yamashita ponders. “I wanted to be strong enough to stand rock solid even with no one else around… to be strong like him…”
Still, he’s ever grateful to what Ishigami did to him – it’s the only reason why he gets to enjoy high school nowadays. Wait, HIGH school? Yeah, he’s a freshman. Th-Then, he’s one year older than Kouichi? He was sure the guy was at the very least the same… And he’s been acting all casual-like with him, dropping his honorifics and stuff. For shame!

Yamashita doesn’t mind that at all, of course, but Kouichi’s now reflexively appending honorifics; he tries making small talk, but his newfound formality doesn’t feel right to Yamashita. “Bah, everyone’s worrying too much about me just because I got a bit bummed out,” he grumbles. “Listen, I’m fine already, so you guys can chill. Alright?”
Well, Kouichi’s relieved to see him getting back to his usual self… which only makes the formality all the more irksome. What did Kouichi eat that made him such a mother hen?
“Oh, don’t say that. What kind of a man do you take me for?” Kouichi balks; “A stupid one, that’s what,” Yamashita fires back… “I’m just kidding. Thanks, Kouichi; I am feeling better now.”


Some time later, word’s gotten around that Yamashita’s doing better. Thank goodness, as it was really hard for Nagisa to watch a friend hurt like that – still, she thinks Reiji could stand to mull over how he gets his point across.
Either way, Ichitaka’s off to try and convince Yamashita to spar with him one more time. When Hyouma asks what’s gotten him so gung-ho, he says watching how hard Anna’s been working kind of lit a fire under him.
Kouji just hopes Anna won’t take things too far.


Speaking of, Anna and Shizuru are in the hangar… and it all sounds rather sexual (as you’d expected from Godannar; but I am nothing if not professional, damn it!).
Things are going a bit too fast for comfort for Anna. They’ve only just started, though; it’s a bit strange because it’s her first time – she’ll get used to it. It’s not that simple, though… Ah—
See that, Anna needs to pay attention. But it’s so sensitive… Don’t be scared now – time to take things up a notch! No, wait! She can’t handle this! CRAAAAAAAAAAASH


Yeah, it was the simulator and Anna’s just caused her Plasma Drive to explode. In real life, she’d be dead now, Noin says. Seems to Goh that she’ll need more time before she’s fully acclimatized to the Goh Okusaer’s Drive.
“It’s like trying to play the piano and cook at the same time,” Anna grumbles. If she can’t handle it, Noin figures they can always ask Mira to take her place. NO, she’ll do it! SHE’LL BE FINE! Shouldn’t she take a break, at least? No!

Shizuru objects that overextending won’t make her learn this any faster, but Anna says she’s doing so such thing. “This is all I have left… If I can’t do it, then I wouldn’t deserve to be here!” she proclaims.
Noin likes what she hears, and asks if Shizuru’s good to keep going. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ve been piloting since you were a child,” Shizuru boasts. Hah, apologies then – they’ll start over from the Level A program!


So off they go, and it’ll be a while: Anna’s movements lack control, and the only when the pilot’s flying well will the machine move well. Furthermore, she needs to keep her flow of energy under control. Goh watches on, quietly wishing Anna good luck and apologizing to Shizuru – this is all he can do while grounded, and he’s not happy.
But the alarm starts sounding, Yui informing that the Mimetic Beast-hijacked MSs have just been spotted on radar. Noin tells Goh to board the Daiku Maryu while everyone else gets ready to launch.
The fact that the things developed the capacity to hijack MSs bothers Shizuru, but Anna’s sure there’s no enemy we can’t beat if we work together!


Cut to NERV, Rei and the EVA-00 have officially been handed over to Misato’s care – the Daiku Maryu should be coming over soon, so they’ll leave when it gets here. While they wait, Ritsuko asks how Shinji’s doing. Misato tells her not to worry, as there are plenty of kids his age with LOTUS: she’d like to think that those fellow teenagers will manage to help him out.
And Shinji’s certainly not doing so hot after his run-in with Touji, back in the simulator and mumbling his “Target in the center, pull the switch” chant over and over. Getting beat by a classmate during his first day in the new school isn’t great, and Ritsuko wonders if the security team’s doing their job. Misato confirms they are, yes.
Mind, Shinji didn’t get hurt too badly, and she figures they shouldn’t intervene in his personal life if they can avoid it. The issue here is that the kid’s more problematic than she anticipated, and Ritsuko sees what she means: it could be than Shinji’s simply not suited towards making friends.

She compounds her point by pointing at the “Hedgehog’s Dilemma”: even if a hedgehog wants to snuggle with another for warmth, the closer they get, the more their thorns hurt one another. The same applies to humans in general, and Ritsuko ponders that Shinji may be unwittingly keeping others away in order to avoid that pain. Still, dealing with all that is part of growing up.
But this conversation will have to wait, as the alarm sounds: Maya reports an unknown being spotted, with a Blue Analysis Pattern. That means the next Angel has come, so Misato orders everyone ready to launch.
Rei quietly confirms, even she’s saying more than Shinji is. Misato says LOTUS’ll be here soon and asks him to lend a hand with protecting Neo Tokyo 3; the best answer she gets is an “…Understood.” Not looking good.


Mission 13 – A Reason to Fight

: (Why am I piloting this thing again? I’m even being hated because of it…)

: Intel sent by HQ tells that those MSs hijacked by the Mimetic Beasts are apparently also headed this way. All in all, we might have an ambush in our hands, so everyone make sure you don’t get tunnel vision with the Angel.
: Psh, talk about a heavy workout to have after lunch.
: Well, I figure you’ll be fine if you’re making jokes about it.
: Emi, this will be your first real engagement. How are you feeling?
: I’m fine, ma’am, and happy to be here.

Beep!

: The 5th Angel has entered the combat zone!

: Here it is…!
: And we don’t even know how useful the data from the previous Angel will be against this one. What an annoying enemy…
: Hey, Shinji. You’re gonna have to finish this one off too, so show us what you got!
: Target in the center, pull the switch… Target in the center, pull the switch… I’ll try my best.
: And here’s our first official fight as part of LOTUS. Get your head in gear, Aoi!
: All four of us also need to bring our A-game for this!
: Yeah, this isn’t your everyday enemy!
: Alright, I hear you! Now let’s go wild!


Take out the 5th Angel, don’t lose Shinji, Rei, Kouichi, Ichitaka OR any ship. Quite the list of guys to watch over, but they are all very survivable… provided you bring in your ships to bait Shamshel. If you don’t, he’ll likely tear Shinji a new one!
And, same deal with Sachiel, we can’t really take the thing out until we get a morale boost, so we’ll instead work towards the sure-to-arrive Mimetic Beasts – send everyone due west. It’s quite the long trek, so you’re advised to at least have your land-bound units hitch a ride aboard a ship.


Shamshel, the 5th Angel
Mech Features:
A.T. Field (Strong)
30% HP and EN Regen

Same deal as Sachiel, though it exchanges slightly less range for more everything else. Bait it to follow your group with the ships and, once your morale is good enough, swarm and destroy.


Evangelion Unit #00 (Rei Ayanami)
Pilot Skills:
Sync Rate
Shoot Down
Shield Defense
Guard
Support Defense L2
Attack Combo L1
Spirit Commands:
Focus
Iron Wall
Attune
Mech Features:
Gun
Repair Module
A.T. Field
Umbilical Cable
Squad Bonus: Armor +100, HP +500, Money Earned +10%, Land Terrain Rating = A

This might well be Rei’s best outing in SRW, and simply because the devs understood what players will have her be 99% of the time: a defensive support. She’s tough as no one’s business and makes an absolutely perfect partner for pretty much any Super.
Repair Module gives her a 10% regen to the squad, the armor and HP bonus further bolster her group (if the leader is focus-fired, she can support defend to all but certainly no-sell any attack that isn’t a boss’) and the cash bonus means you can use that extra bulkiness to send someone forward, tank-kill everything and rake in.
Her only weakness is that the #00 lacks in attack range (best is 1-3, with her rifle), but I’m still inclined to say that she’s the best defensive support in the game.


As everyone moves onward, I have Shinji and Rei unplug from the nearby building and switch to this power station over here.


Enemy Phase!


And Shamshel’s already taken the bait.


Here’s its only attack – it HURTS.


Player Phase!

From the cliff-face on the northern edge of the map…

: Woow! This is 100% awesome! It was so worth stepping out the shelter to come here!
: Look, there’re the Machinas and the Macross! And a bunch of other mechs I never even seen before! Aah, someone pinch me!
: Least you’re clear ‘bout what you like…
: Listen, we’ve no idea when there’d be another attack, so we couldn’t let this chance slip by!
: Psh, guess not… And the new guy’s piloting that purple thing with the horn?
: Yeah, that’s the Evangelion Unit #01!
: Then I reckon we’ll see if he’s actually busting his ass to protect this city.

: The Earth Alliance?! They must be here to help us!
: Easy there, Naoto. What’s the read on them, Shizuru?
: We’re detecting Mimetic Beasts… Looks like those are the jacked MSs.
: They got here pretty fast, didn’t they? I didn’t know Mimetic Beasts could be in a rush.
: Seeing how they can now hijack units, we should presume that they’ve developed other unknown skills. Exercise extreme caution, people!
: But remember that the priority target is still the Angel.
: OKAY! Let’s get to work!


Since Shinji and Rei are already there, they’ll be leading the charge.


By the by, none of these mooks will ever pop either of the EVAs Fields (when they manage to connect).
Kenji’s the only one who gets in attack range, and he finishes Shinji’s target.


Enemy Phase!


Rei’s a VERY tempting target for the enemy AI, which is annoying with her short range. She weakens a handful, but most mooks are too far away.


By the by, these mooks are called Fat Boys.
Hyouma and Shizuna take a kill.


Player Phase!


There are a handful of dangerous mooks here in the form of sniping Zamza-Zahs, but they’re far behind enemy lines. Considering how bulky they also are, making a beeline for them with low morale is risky.


So we’ll just grin and bear it.


Rei’s weakened mooks make for easy kills at least – our morale’ll rise pretty quickly.


Ozma, as always, is leading the charge, so Zechs hops into the command aura to follow up.


Following that, Alto and Iczer-1 each take a Windam.


Finish this one off, why don’t you.

: … Take a look, Anna. I’ll show that no matter how hard you try, you cannot surpass me as a pilot!


Bam.


Kenji, Rei and Shinji each pick and destroy a Taurus.


Enemy Phase!


Seems I brought Daiya a bit too forward, and the Zamzas didn’t like that – they all converge on him.


It leaves him hurting a bit, but nothing he can’t handle (he at least hits back twice as hard).


And the weakened mooks fall in droves: one for Quatre, Shizuna, Hyouma, and Noin. Shinji and Aoi, meanwhile, are cleaving through the MSs left and right (each takes three kills), as they can oneshot them even in regular hits.


Hey, thanks, Lulu still needs some levels.


We’ll just be one level short of her learning Bless by the time this mission ends.


Player Phase!

: Ah! That’s—!
: Yes, it is! The Straybird!
: Yuu! My bro!
: That’s the bot Ichitaka told us about?
: …

Ichitaka moves by the Straybird.

: Bro, did you find the… No, wait, that’ll have to wait – we’ve a bunch of enemies over there! Lend us a hand, alright?
: Haruno, I’m sure we can defeat the Angel and the Mimetic Beasts with your help—
: … Is this all the resolve you have?
: Huh?


Yuu: Haruno, are you ready?
Haruno: I am, Yuu. Let’s begin…
Yuu: See now how weak you are…!
Haruno: Shifting into the Imaginary Road.
Yuu: Here I come, Ichitaka…!
Haruno: So that really is all it amounts to with Alice’s support?
Ichitaka: Wha—
Alice: Haruno, what are you doing…?!

: Urk! B-Bro?!
: What the, a sibling rivalry now?
: Ichitaka… your fighting days are over.
: Wh-What are you doing, Yuu…?
: You two can’t make proper use of the Rushbird. You’re an amateur as a pilot… and Alice’s AI is nothing but lacking.
: Haruno, what do you mean?
: We’re telling you to surrender and hand over the Rushbird. Surely you can presume that much.
: We can’t do that, no way! I need the Rushbird!
: Then I guess we’re done talking.
: If you won’t accept our terms… then we’ll have to take it by force.
: Wh-What the hell are you thinking?! There’s an Angel right there! If you don’t know what that is, we can tell you!
: I told you: we’re done talking.
: … All units, the Straybird’s a threat to our current operation. You are to treat it as you would any other enemy – and that’s an order.
: I guess there’s no other way around it. Humanity’s hanging on the knife’s edge here, so anyone who gets in the way has gotta go.
: You… You’re telling me to attack?! Just give me one more chance to talk to him!
: They themselves have declared that they won’t parlay with us.
: Still, I know there’s something going on with him! You can’t tell me to just take him out!
: Nagumo, can you even afford to worry about others right now? The Straybird has got its sights fixated on you.
: If you’ve got time to mull over nonsense, then pull yourself together and focus on the task at hand!
: “Nonsense”?!
: And if you can’t do that… then leave. LOTUS has no place for those who can’t fight.
: R-Reiji…!
: Heey! You can’t talk to him like that!
: This is not the time, Hayase!
: Oh, no, I’m saying it! Ichitaka’s always took Yuu as a brother-figure and he’s worried about him!
: Are you really so thickheaded that you don’t get what it feels like to care and worry for your family?! That’s not something you can just tag as “nonsense”!
: …
: Kouichi…
: Or maybe someone like you can’t feel the pain of others too?!
: … Eliminating the Angel is our top priority. All troops are to form up around the #01.
: Heey! I was giving you crap, you know!
: Yes, I could see that.
: Psh… Fine, then I’ll handle this! Ichitaka, you absolutely can’t take out your brother… or, rather, that crazy Prof.’s grandkid!
: Huh?
: Just fight him and look for a way to wrap this up without dropping the guy! Let’s show him what our justice’s all about!
: Sorry… And thanks, Kouichi!
: But how will we go about this…? The Straybird’s performance is beyond my ability to process.
: Then we’ll think of something together!
: Yeah, didn’t the lesson go that melee hits are good when you’re fighting someone and don’t know what tricks he’s got?
: Pretty sure he was talking about enemies with barriers and special armor, numbskull!
: No… that’s not a bad idea actually. It’s a lot easier to kinda hold back a punch than a shot!
: Still, it’s gonna be real tough pinning that guy down while dealing with the Angel.
: That doesn’t sound like you, Mister. Those who don’t give up always win, right? You’re not going to be saving your dad from the Darius with that wimpy attitude.
: Dick… Yeah, you’re right. The second you give up, then it’s all over!
: Get to it, people! Don’t make the same mistake I did!
: ……
: But be very careful, everyone! The Straybird’s speed is extraordinary!
: Here I come, bro…!

So now we got two bosses to deal with, but I reckon this is enough for today.

Rest of the mission is nearly done, so keep an eye out for it tomorrow.

See you all then![/details]

[details=Click to see the mission!]
So now we need to reduce the Straybird under 30% - shooting it down is a game over. That’s not really a problem, since the bot has plenty of HP:


Straybird (Yuunagi Grife, HL-0 Haruno)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Shoot Down
THAT’S IT!

Well, what can I say? The Straybird is more offense-oriented than the Rushbird and is somewhat dodgy, though it has ABSOLUTELY no defenses worth mentioning. Its attacks are long range and will do more damage than anything we’ve fought thus far, mind, so come packing some sort of defensive spirit.
Yuu’s a pretty good pilot too, but his Skill list is so very gimped to (probably) showcase that he might not be as resolved to do this as he proclaims.

Regardless, he’s quite far away from our main group, so Ichitaka will be spamming Accel and leading him over. In the meantime, the mooks have already been cut to half and the other half will follow these two turns – the Zamza-Zahs are now top priority lest they MAPW us.

Fast forward!

: Goh left the Dannar in my care – I can’t sully its reputation!

: I need to work twice as hard now that Goh can’t fight!
: Time to show the results of my training with Shizuru and Noin!


Here’s the dynamic finish for Iczer Robo Full Power while we’re at it.


And, hey, did you know that the Quarter also has a DK for when they use the Macross Cannon Buster Cannon as a ship? I didn’t!

And now to deal with Yuu.

: Bro, work with us just a bit… is what I’d say, but I doubt you’d listen.
: …
: Yuu, Haruno, please! None of us want to fight you!
: If you don’t, then get off the Rushbird. It’s that simple.
: Sorry, Professor…! I’m gonna have to get a bit rough with your Straybird for a sec!


Haruno: “Get off the Rushbird, Ichitaka…!”
Yuu: “It belongs to me…!”
Shinji supporting: “I have to help Ichitaka…!”
Alice: “Straybird, in sight!”
Ichitaka: “We’re up against Yuu… he’s not just going to sit there and let us hit him!”
Yuu: “So this really is your best, Ichitaka…?!”

: Hey! You think just because you really want the Rushbird that right and wrong don’t matter anymore?!
: …
: Your silence speaks volumes, you know!
: No, I’m just not obligated to say anything. We’re going.
: Copy that. Engaging via Variation C of the Anti-Combattler V pattern.

: So that’s a speedy birdman bot? Gonna make for a good prelim to our rematch with the R-Daigun.
: That might be oversimplifying things, but I suppose more experience is never a bad thing.
: We can’t let others gather data on us beyond what’s necessary. Let’s end this ASAP, Yuu.
: Right.
: Well, it’s way easier to fight someone who’s apathetic than the opposite. Here we go, guys!

: We’re only after the Rushbird! If you don’t want to get hurt, keep away!
: We’ve no business with you.
: What, and I’m supposed to shut up and do as told? That attitude tells me you’re a real crummy big brother!

: Ichitaka always spoke a lot about you… But if you’ll be a problem, then I’m gonna have to beat you up! Don’t make me!
: LOTUS… Seems there’re more bleeding hearts in their group than I thought.

: Hah! The stronger the enemy, the more hyped I get to rumble with ‘em! Fly over here, birdie!
: He’s one of those who fights with his instincts?
: I confess that that’s the sole subject I can’t learn. Still, it could be worth our time to fight him.

: Hyouma, that unit has quite the superlative mobility! Keep your eyes peeled!
: Psh, you think I’m gonna get slapped around by some rando coming out of left field? Hell, no!
: We should try and get some live combat data from this one. It could be useful to us.
: Fine, but only so we can take the Rushbird.

: This guy… His moves are on par with Brera’s?!
: Meaning you just have to go at it the same way you did before. Don’t slip up now, princess.
: Who are you calling princess?! And I don’t need you reminding me to watch it!
: …Come!

: Why are you keeping quiet?! If you got stuff to say, then come out with it!
: If you don’t, you’ll wind up doing something you can’t go back on. And then you’ll regret it for the rest of your life…!
: Talking wouldn’t amount to anything.
: That’s a bunch of crap when you won’t even give it a try!

: … Please stay out of our way.
: It’s you who’s in the way… move!

: We really can’t manage them all at once…
: It’ll only get worse the longer this goes. We should try and end this in a single stroke.
: Understood.

: Output rising… and stable.

*Yuu moves faaaar away.

: What’s going on? Is he running?
: No, he’s not.
: I agree – the guy’s gearing up for an attack.
: Then, Alice, gimme an estimate!
: O-OK!
: Too late.

: Hrk! I couldn’t even react to that!
: You lack the support of a proper combat AI, meaning every single move you make is flawed. You two cannot win against us!
: While you’ve been going about your everyday lives, we’ve thought only of saving the Professor!

Faaaar away!

: Monica!
: Their unit has massive speed and maneuverability for a manned model!
: I knew it… Going easy on him is simply putting us in danger.
: Nagumo, you see how strong he is, right? Just let us take care of him as we should.
: Gch… Is there really nothing I can do…?!
: No, don’t throw in the towel yet!
: It’s fine, Kouichi… Taking a look at things, it’s clear that what Yuu said was right from the get-go.
: Oh, don’t give me that! What do you want to do right now, huh?! Are you really fine with just calling it quits like this?!
: Kouichi…
: We gotta prove to Reiji that our justice isn’t in the wrong, don’t we?!
: Y-Yeah, you’re right!
: That’s enough of your nonsense.

Agaaaaain!

: Urgh…! But I’m not gonna be able to do jack if I can’t keep up with that speed of his…! Any ideas, Alice?!
: If we can close the distance with him in the time it takes to charge his attack, then…
: That won’t work – he’ll just blast away to another spot!
: Let’s end this in the next run, Yuu. Is that fine?
: Do it. We’ll break his spirit with this strike.
: Understood – initiating charge.
: … Alice, is it possible to control the Rushbird’s barrier manually?
: Y-Yes, I can somewhat manipulate its energy absorption functionalities…
: Then the only way I see for your unit to attain greater speed than the Straybird would be propelled via a high-pressure energy blast. According to my calculations, the Linebarrel’s Executor would be best suited for this…
: Oh, I get it! If the barrier absorbs the thermal energy, leaving only the kinetic energy through, then…!
: Now that’s a wild and reckless plan… I like it.
: Nice one, Kosuke – that’s why you’re a legit genius! Let’s do it, Ichitaka!
: Yeah! Time for the gamble of a lifetime!
: …
: What’s up, Alice? I’m gonna need you to handle the barrier, while I concentrate on bashing him into the dirt!
: But if I make any mistake in how I control the barrier, we could both end up dead…
: If the barrier’s too strong, we won’t get any extra speed and we’ll be easy pickings for Yuu; if the barrier’s too weak, we’ll be on the receiving end of the Executor’s shot. Even a specialist would find this difficult – there is absolutely no way an amateur like me could do it…!
: STOP WHINING!
: !!
: It’s not about what you can, or can’t do! You just have to do it!
: Take me, for example! Controlling the Plasma Drive is like trying to play the piano and cook at the same time, but I’m doing it!
: (Control Parallelism… associating… Cooking… Maybe like this, I…)
: Understood. Many thanks, Anna. I… I’ll give it a go!
: (“Stop whining”… She also said that to me before…)
: Well, looks like everyone’s on the same page now. Let’s get to it, then!

: Kouichi, keep the Executor’s output steady at 97% and fire on my signal, please.
: Gaah, I got my own set of limitations to work with too? … Well, guess I better bring home the goods after acting all confident!
: Charge complete in T minus 8… 7…
: You two got this, Kouichi, Alice…
: (Not too strong or it’ll burn, not to weak or it’ll be undercooked…)
: … You’re done.
: Now, Kouichi!

: GOOOOO!!

: HERE IT COMES!!

Ichitaka’s blasted towards the Straybird!


Alice: “We’re closing in on the Straybird – fast!”
Ichitaka: “Thanks a bunch, Kouichi! This is the resolve we have, Yuu!!”


Alice: “I won’t be beaten either, Haruno!”


Ichitaka: “LIGHTNING FIST!”


Yuu: “What…?!”

: …!
: We did it, Alice! Didja see that, Kouichi?!
: Hell, yeah, I did!
: ……
: It seems we underestimated them somewhat. We must retreat and reorganize.
: Hrm…
: Hold on, bro! What… What happened to the Professor?! Do you know anything?!
: That’s none of your business…! Next time we meet, I will be leaving with the Rushbird…!

: Bro…
: Signal lost…
: Easy come, easy go, I suppose…
: We’ll need to discuss how we’ll deal with him in the future – we can’t afford to do whatever strikes our fancy every time.

I enjoy the fact that the bot’s barrier actually has plot significance and isn’t just a feature that’s there. On the flip side, Kosuke, wouldn’t it have been safer for everyone to have used, like, a Dankuuhou instead of the city-slicing beam sword? Or maybe had the Rushbird hitch a ride on the Great Booster?

Either way, we’ve another target to kill!

: This one’s kind of like a giant protist… And while it’s looking as tough as the last one, at least it’s better than the Vajra in that I can see its weak spot right there…!

: Don’t suppose there’s a magazine with info on the Angels, right, Johnny? Some “Men’s UMAs Monthly” or whatever?
: I’m not subscribed to it, unfortunately, but they haven’t run any articles on the Angels anyway.
: The hell, that’s an actual thing?!
: Whatever – this is still just another mission for us. And we’re going to tackle it like the pros that we are!

: Think you’re gonna weird me out with your freaky looks? Not happening!
: I’ve had crazy stuff like ghosts and reptiles come my way, and I never even got chills while beating them to kingdom come!

: Kosuke! Is this Angel’s A.T. Field as strong as the last one’s?
: Yes, it is. So when you go attack it, give it everything we’ve got!

: Dunno how proud you are of them super-sharp tentacles, but you’re gonna learn that chopping Jeeg up don’t mean squat!

: Target in the center… And then…
: That’s it, just like you practiced, alright?
: Yes…

: Haah, haah…
: What kind of technique is that…?
: I-Isn’t his fighting kind of all over the place? He was trained, right?
: You see a lot of recruits get like this. Normally, they wouldn’t be allowed to sortie, but…
: Eh? Why’s the new guy’s bot all lethargic?
: Uh, oh… Think it’s because of your punch?
: Z-Zip it, you!

: Daiya, it seems the Angel’s weapons are limited to his tentacles, but don’t let your guard down! We don’t know if it has other tricks up its sleeve!
: No idea what it might pull, huh? Heheh, now I’m even more excited for this!

: Is it down?!

: No, we haven’t stopped it yet!

Shamshel rushes forward.

: Shinji, watch out! Evade!
: Huh?!

: Gaaah!

The EVA-01 is knocked north of town.

: Shinji, are you alright?!
: The Umbilical Cable’s disconnected!
: The EVA’s switched to its internal power supply!
: How damaged is the #01?!
: Nothing major – it’s still functional!
: Hrrm…!

Shamshel goes after him again.

: Captain, he’s in big trouble!
: Ready the Piercing Zolmanium Bullets! Draw the Angel’s attention!
: Lulu, wait! There’re people right by the EVA-01…!
: Ah—Aaaaah…!
: Eeek…!
…!! It’s…!
: Shinji’s classmates?! What are they doing there?! They can’t engage with those two nearby!

Shamshel steps over.

: Gch!

Slash!

: Why aren’t they attacking…?! LOTUS is just sitting there!
: They can’t attack because we’re here…!
: The #01’ll be running out of energy soon!
: Shinji, bring those two into your cockpit! Pull back once they’re aboard and let Rei handle the Angel!
: ?!
: Do you two hear me?! Get in inside the EVA, quick!
: G-Get inside…?!
: Hurry, Touji!

In they go.

: Wh-What the?! The thing’s filled with water!
: Ooh, where’s my camera…?!
: Alright, they’re in. Pull back, Shinji! Rei… cover him as best you can.
: Yes, ma’am.
: Hey, new guy, didn’t you catch that?! She told you to run off!
: I can’t run… I can’t run… I can’t run…!
: Ah?

: Yow, he threw the Angel right off!
: The power an adrenaline rush at work, maybe?
: That’s enough, Shinji! Retreat via Extraction Route #34!
: (Fighting scares me… and piloting the EVA even got me hated by others – it’s awful.)
: (But… running now would be even worse. Everyone here has it just as bad; and that girl, Ayanami, might also end up getting hurt again.)
: (If I ran, no one in LOTUS would accept me. Dad wouldn’t either…So I—!)
: I can’t run…!

Shinji charges after Shamshel.

: Shinji, that was a direct order! Retreat! Shinji!
: The #01 only has a few seconds left of energy!
: Haaaaaaah!!

: The EVA-01’s powered down.
: We’ve confirmation that the target has been completely destroyed.
: Haah… haah… haah…
: (Ikari… Ya’ve been this scared all along? And ya kept on fighting…?)
: Attaboy, Shinji!
: Sniffles… aah…
: H-Hey… Shinji?
: LtCol. Katsuragi, recover the #01. The civilians need to be brought to safety, too.
: You’re right. Bring back the #01 immediately!

: We’ve all enemies confirmed destroyed. I think we can shift back to yellow alert.
: Yuu… Where did you run off to?
: Well, he sure wasn’t like you told us. Even if he didn’t want to work with us, I was real surprised when he started firing.
: First things first, we should leave the area and give room for the people to leave the shelters.
: We’ll guide both your ships into NERV’s docks. It might be a bit cramped in there, but we’ll be happy to have you.
: Roger that.
: Um… Is Shinji alright?
: Physically, he’s fine… Less so mentally, though…
: Speaking of, he was acting kinda weird today.
: Sorry about that. He’s just been through plenty.
: LtCol. Katsuragi, I’d like to request permission for several pilots to enter NERV HQ.
: Hmm, I didn’t run that by the Commander, so—
: Permission granted.
: (…! Commander…)
: You’ve my gratitude. I’ll contact your people once we’re in.
: Heh… So that’s how it is.
: Eh? What is?
: Hey, that works for us! We can go and check up on Shinji!
: (That’s exactly why Reiji got us permission…)
: (And it went right over the kids’ heads, huh?)

And, quickly now, here are the handful of convos we didn’t get:

: We’ve an Angel in our hands, so nothing but our strongest attacks will have any effect. Please be careful.
: You got it – we’ll throw everything we have at it!

: You guys wonder why the Angels are all coming to this fortress of a city…?
: Wonder later. We need to take it down before it does even more damage!

: I’ll pave the road for you, Shinji! Back me up, Emi!
: I’m not your private operator, so please don’t get any wrong ideas about this!
: … That said, I can appreciate the way you’re trying to encourage Shinji. Paving a whole road… It’s wonderful that you’d go so far for him.
: And you tell me not to get any wrong ideas… but I’ve no time to fire that back at her. In we go, Linebarrel!

: I reckon you thought you were gonna blindside us with these, but I’m actually an old hand at fighting MSs! And I’m ready to delivery your usual dose of death!

: Why did you ignore my orders up there?
: I’m sorry.
: Not to mention how incredibly dangerous it was to fight with your friends aboard the EVA!
: I understand.
: This better not happen again, understand?
: Yes.
: Are you even listening to me?
: I am – every word… But what does it matter? We’ve won. I’ll pilot when you tell me to, and that’s good enough, right?
: I don’t really have a choice, anyway. I have to pilot the EVA – that’s the only reason why dad called me here. So, yes, I’ll pilot. If that’s what everyone wants, then that’s fine with me.
: What about you? Is this what you want?
: I know I’m not cut out for this… and I’m sure the others do too. Still, Ayanami was hurt, and you and dad—
: Okay, stop! This doesn’t have anything to do with anyone else! Whether you want to carry on piloting the EVA or not is a choice for you, yourself, to make.
: If you don’t want to, then you can just leave. You’re free to go at this however you want, so do that.
: …

Misato leaves.

: (It’s my choice to make…? I…)

: Apologies, but this is as far as you may go.
: I see… Well, thank you for the help.
: Dang, I guess that’s it for us. We can’t look anywhere else.
: Where’s Shinji at, I wonder?

: That voice… was it Kouichi? (He’s farther down the hall.)

: Yamashita finally got off his funk, and now we got Shinji’s having his own problems…
: Why’d you need to bring that up again, huh? And, FYI, I just got a bit shaken up from what Reiji said.
: He’s got a sharp tongue, that’s for sure. Still, while he doesn’t come out and say it, don’t you think that he acts like that because he cares?
: It’s said that Noin is so hard on her trainees because she doesn’t want them to die. I’m sure it’s the same with him.
: Speaking of, what about Shinji’s dad? I dunno what to make of that guy and his blunt attitude.
: Must be the same case as the others, no? He wouldn’t have let us in here otherwise.
: Yeah, the guy’s gotta be all tough ‘cause he’s the boss, but he still can’t hide that he cares for his son.
: We don’t really know what’s going through his mind, but I’d like to think that too.
: Well, it only makes sense, right? Every dad cares for their kid.

: (My dad… cares for me…?)

: That said, I still don’t think Reiji needs to talk to folks like that.
: Um…
: Heey, Shinji! We were looking for you!
: You saved the day again. Guess we really do need you around to beat the Angels.
: But, I…my classmate’s sister hurt in that other battle. And it was because I piloted the EVA…
: You’re looking at this the wrong way, Shinji. It’s because you piloted the EVA, that she only got hurt.
: Yeah. If you hadn’t, everyone, including us, might’ve wound up dead.
: Remember what I told you before? That the whole world’ll give us crap if we fail, so it might feel that this work isn’t worth the hassle?
: We’re not asking you to gloss over past screw-ups – like Kouichi does, with that time he tore through a town – but at least don’t torture yourself over it.
: Seriously, he was downright mean that day, calling us all phonies and whatnot.
: Sh-Shush, you two…! I do regret all that, and I’m trying to make up for it, OK?!
: Still, in my opinion, it’s actually very good that you’re thinking of the people who got hurt and the things that got destroyed.
: You’re wrong… all this time I’ve just been scared of getting hurt while fighting…!
: Shinji…
: I don’t understand how you’re all willing to fight with someone like me…
: Because that doesn’t matter.
: …
: What do you want to do, Shinji?
: I… I…
: I want to stay with you…! I’ll pilot the EVA and make my dad…!
: Then that makes you part of our crew.
: Okay…!


By the command center, Fuyutsuki ponders Shinji acting beyond what was predicted (they seemingly expected that). Might it be due to “the variable”? Still, Gendou says all that did was accelerate the Schedule – next, they’ll push him to get a bit closer with Rei. The plan is still the same.
“These poor children, their fates lying predetermined face a hitherto unseen script,” Fuyutsuki sighs. “How cruel it all is.”


Maya reports to Misato that Shinji’s friends have been examined and are ready to be sent home. That said, before they left, they asked to speak with Shinji.
The kid’s surprised to hear that, and Daiya wonders what’s up. Didn’t one of those guys punch him a few hours ago? Well, we might as well go together – and if they try running their mouth again, Kouichi’s got a few choice words for them!

: Huh? Punch… you?
: Yeah, and don’tcha hold back or I ain’t gonna feel right.
: That’s just the kind of guy he is, you know. Consider it a favor to him.
: But…
: Go for it, I say – he literally asked for it. Or, if you don’t feel like it, I could do it for you.
: And who the hell are ya? I’m apologizing to Ikari here, so butt out!
: I think that’s for the best, Kouichi. Besides, you’re a Factor, remember?
: Hurry up and do it already!
: Hrm… Hah!

Punch!

: Oof…! Alright, now we’re even! Sorry I socked you there, Ikari.
: Guess we’ll see you around! Thanks again for saving us today!
: Hey, wait! At least tell me your names.
: Touji… Touji Suzuhara.
: And I’m Kensuke Aida. Pleased to meet you.
: Make sure you give us a holler next time you’re coming around!
: And good luck with that “Defender of Peace” job!

Off they go.

: All’s well that ends well, right, Shinji? That’s that problem taken care of.
: Yeah.
: (I wonder if I’ll ever be able to talk like that with dad…)


Back to the Quarter, Reiji says Ichitaka won’t be punished for his violation of orders today in deference to a request from Goh, though warns that he’ll get no more free passes. Moreover, Ozma warns that letting amateurs try crazy stunts is a recipe for disaster, so “if you wanna go beyond the impossible, then get yourself way stronger.” (Ozma’s VA is Kamina, FYI.)
While Ichitaka confirms, Nagisa asks if he has any idea why Yuu attacked us. He doesn’t, of course, still finding it all hard to believe. Still, what’s certain is that he wanted the Rushbird, though we don’t know what for.

Kosuke wonders if maybe it’d give him some clue towards finding Grife, but Ichitaka figures Maki and Rachel would’ve found it if it was there. It’s very likely to Alice that Yuu and Haruno know a lot more than we do, and Ichitaka sees that they’ll need to get some answers out of them the next time we meet.
Mind you, Ozma warns that not only will today’s trick not work again, they wouldn’t let him try again in the first place; in other words, Ichitaka need to beat him legit next time and that means training, training, training. Alice, of course, is ready to help with that. That’s good, and Noin wants to get going as soon as we’re back at JUDA.

Inwardly, though, Alice is a bit worried: “Haruno’s a full combat-specced AI, unlike me… It was pure luck that we managed to overwhelm the today. I’m nothing but a hindrance to us defeating the Straybird and getting them to talk… If Ichitaka’s to win this, I…”
Nagisa notices Alice staring out into nothing, and asks if there’s a problem. The girl’s reaction is as distraught as Anna, so Nagisa can see there’s something and is always willing to listen. And if it’s a subject she couldn’t wrap her head around, Nagisa suggests she go and talk with Ropett or Iczer-1 then.
Alice thanks her for the advice, and it was just her way of thanking her for the regular check-ups. Thanks to that, Nagisa realized she’d been putting a bit too much weight – looks like she’s gonna have to start going on a diet with Chizuru and some other girls…


Back at NERV, a nondescript time later, they’ve just finished readjusting the EVA-01 and Shinji’s free to go. As he does, though, he spots something in the distance: Gendou and Rei talking and, even stranger, the guy’s actually smiling. He never smiles for Shinji…


So the two EVAs have been successfully loaded onto the Daiku Maryu and the ship’s ready to leave. Yanma’s happy with this at it means we’ll be able to deal with the Angels wherever they might show up. More important to Boss and co is finding Rei, mind.
She’s elsewhere in the hangar, just getting acquainted with Megumi, and Dick is already trying his moves with the “cold-eyed beauty”. Does she like white lilies? They suit her to a T, symbolizing “purity” and “virtue”. All that earns him is a stare, so maybe she didn’t care for his pick.
Alto and Daiya suggest he stop, lest he fancy getting stuck in detention – maybe he and Michel getting a time-out would give our girls some tranquility. That’s a no-no, so Puria tells him to shush and apologizes to Rei on behalf of her crewmate.

Shinji does take a chance to ask what she was talking with Gendou before they came aboard the ship – they seemed to be pretty chipper. “He was just asking me to work hard carrying out my mission with LOTUS,” she says… which bums Shinji out, as Gendou didn’t speak with him at all.
Regardless, can he ask her one other thing? Doesn’t she get scared of piloting the EVA? He heard that she got injured pretty badly after some experiment, so he was wondering if she’s really fine. “I’m fine, yes,” she answers matter-of-factly.
But Shinji worries about the ever-present risk of his EVA going berserk again, of them dying at the hands of the Angels. “Aren’t you Cmdr. Ikari’s son?” Do you not have faith in his work?” Rei asks; “I try to have faith,” Shinji answers back, “But I’m not really sure on that yet.”
Why? Why not, with a father like that?


And that earns Shinji a slap before Rei walks out the room. Michel asks what the sound was – it echoed through the whole hangar – and Boss tells what happened. Now that’s odd, as Rei struck Michel as a very docile type when he was checking her out. Maybe she’s more tomboyish than we thought, Juzo wonders.
No, Iczer-1 was watching and explains that Shinji just said something that struck Rei as unforgivable. What, the thing about having faith in Gendou or not? Why did Rei get so angry about that, Miu wonders? Who knows, but, if you ask Daiya, a son not trusting his father is a very sad thing – that trust is supposed to be unwavering, come high or low.

On the flip side, Dick heard of how the kid was sent away and neglected by Gendou for many years now. And, when they finally meet up again, daddy-o doesn’t really seem to care that much? It’s not too unreasonable that there’d be trust issues here.
Sakuya’s also heard stories and they say Dick also didn’t get along with his father. Pretty well-informed for a rookie… though Dick immediately recognizes the Kamon surname and knows that they’re in the same boat. Sakuya makes do as a free-spirited homeless man, mind, and thinks this subject best left untouched.


Regardless, Dick didn’t mean to diss Daiya’s philosophy, but father and son can quickly drift further apart once separate. Kenichi disagrees: “However far away from each other they get, the bond between a father and son never breaks! I’m sure it’s the same for Shinji and his dad.”
That’s what Daiya’s talking about and is certain that Gendou believes in Shinji – they’ll work it out. This talk might sound good on paper, but Alto figures the reality is that the kid was pushed away by Gendou.

We’ve quite the heated debate in our hands, Shizuka sighs, and Shinji’s once again bummed out over being the cause of that. Shizuka tells him not to worry, as those guys could always use a chance to express their feelings and think about how things are with their fathers (good or not-so-good). That’s not a bad thing.
And with all this talk going, Ru finally steps onto the scene and requests to speak with Shinji – Shizuka assures him that the girl can manage whatever ails him. That’s right, she’s a professional at her job!


Elsewhere, Yuu and Haruno are reassessing their plans. First priority is to take the Rushbird, second is to give Ichitaka a taste of utter defeat.
In the meantime, Haruno will use the data accrued today to adjust their tactics. As for Yuu, he’s inwardly thinking only one thing: “The Rushbird is mine…!” [/details]

Formatting’s broken a few times on the first post for the Youtube links.

Do remember that while the Executor does make bridges its bitch (it’s not QUITE a city-buster… in the anime, at least. Though it isn’t in the manga either. Yet.), the Dankuuhou was introduced as literally taking out an entire army at once. And that army was fairly diffuse.

I like how they have a bunch of people with varying degrees of father issues talking (Shinji, Dick, Sakuya, the Go brothers). That sort of stuff is cool.

Fixed the links - thanks.

And I suppose the Executor shot wasn’t being fired at its full output, so fiiiine.

[details=Click to see the mission!]


Here we are again, and, surprise, Quatre’s been bumped off the top ace list by Iczer-1. Ichitaka still has a four kill lead, while she and Kenji are tied.


Cash money goes to upping Alto’s (he’ll likely see plenty of action) and Great Mazinger’s weapons, while Shinji and Daiya get a few boosts here and there (FYI: on barrier units, armor > HP as a pip on the former can be the difference between a block or not).


All of the Godannar folks are event units today, so we switch things up a bit:
Jeeg/Kyo
Reiji/Klan (not ideal but it’ll serve for now)
Dancouga/Rei
Iczer-1/Puria
Kouji/Yagyuu
Tetsuya/Canaria
Ozma/Luca
Alto/Michel
Zechs/Noin
Daiya/Yanma
Kouichi/Quatre (HP bonus means Kouichi regens more and the EN regen is always nice for him)
Shinji/Yamashita (their weapon spread is pretty similar, and the Squad Bonuses complement each other well, so they’ll fit together nicely)
Combattler/Shizuna
Voltes/Dick (better than wasting Klan’s +mobility on a super, and, hey, Double Image)
Ichitaka/Miu

Forward!


We open up at the Frontier, where Grace tells Sheryl that she couldn’t find much about the Galaxy: the main island was severely damaged when the Vajra attack and they had to perform and emergency Fold. Where they ended up at is anyone’s guess, though the question may be purely academic and, Sheryl sighs, we ARE in a different world.
Grace tells her not to look so glum, though, as she heard rumors that a way back may not be impossible. In that case Sheryl wants to leave the hospital right away and show everyone that she’s still going strong, but Grace vetoes that. She’s still running a fever and, as such, her whole agenda’s been cancelled until she’s made a full recovery.

Sheryl doesn’t like that, saying she can’t skip out on her work any more than she already has. “Are you scared, maybe? I suppose that’s understandable; Ranka’s been growing more popular by the day, plus, Lacus and Eida’s have quite the rock-solid fan-base,” Grace thinks.
Sheryl tries playing it cool, and Grace tells her not to worry: as soon as she’s better, she’ll have more gigs than she’ll know what to do with. Grace takes off, leaving an annoyed Sheryl behind. Why is she being hospitalized for so long? If I was only because of her fever, she’d already be home…


And Grace gets her evil face on to have a laugh: Sheryl, that is Faery 9, is already finished.


And Alice’s just approached the JUDA eggheads with a request: she wants her AI modified to a full-on combat configuration. Rachel is very much against the idea as doing so would require formatting her mind – her memories, everything she’s learned, would be gone. Still, Alice wants it done as she’s not confident she can properly assist Ichitaka in battle the way she is.
Maki understands where she’s coming from, but there’s a problem: making that switch now wouldn’t change her performance at all. See, throughout all her exposure to combat since this started, Alice’s current AI has already grown to the point where it’s actually better than the old combat AI that Grife had designed.

Alice didn’t expect to hear that, so Iczer-1 suggests that she have some faith in her own potential. Rachel agrees: she’s certain that Alice will be able to handle the Straybird when it shows up again. Furthermore, Iczer-1 reminds her, we’ll all be there to help so she shouldn’t see this as a fight she’ll need to face alone.
Indeed, Iczer-1 ponders that she also has her own rival to defeat – Iczer-2 is out there and we’ve no idea when she might strike again. And, for that matter, the Cthulhu have been strangely quiet since their last assault. What could Big Gold be planning?


Rest of our folks are at a park near JUDA, playing with some miniature practice bots (though Kouji’s having a hard time controlling is, crashing into Boss). Shinji’s not too sure about giving that a try, but Misato suggest he go for it. Everyone needs to have some fun, and Rei, of all people, taking part in the game. Why not follow her example?
Shinji’s a bit surprised, asking the girl if she knows how to control these things. Her answer is a short denial – she might still be angry over what he said about Gendou. Ru DID say he didn’t have anything to worry about, but yeah…
Shizuru sees that folks are starting to get the hang of the bots, but that’s no reason to relax – they can still get hurt if they mess around too much. And once everyone’s ready, we’ll be moving to a game of soccer WITH the practice bots! Kenji asks why, and she says it’ll both help them adapt more easily in case they need to switch units and, also, bolster teamwork.

Hyouma and Kosuke can see that training like this is how she managed to handle the Godannar as quickly as she did, but what Kenji wants to know is why she brought out this soccer thing. He’s only just now figured out how to get the bot moving right. Not so with Anna, though, who’s been working with these things since she started training and is an old hand at manning them!
But, wait, Hiyoshi objects, doesn’t that mean that any team with Anna’ll have a big advantage? Not quite, as Shizuru promises to enter the other team as a way to keep things balanced.


Noin looks on at how much Shizuru’s putting on her plate, Zechs figuring she’s doing this to offset her deficiencies with the Godannar, help Anna train, relax our crew and improve ourselves all in one stroke. What’s bugging Misato is how much JUDA’s rolling in cash to be able to afford all these training robots.
She’s actually a bit jealous – maybe they could send some of those big bucks to NERV? The budget they get from the Japanese government sure doesn’t cover all they need. Odd, as Zechs would expect the organization responsible for preventing the Third Impact to be rolling in it.

The Dannar and Build Bases don’t get a lot of kickbacks, either, but Misato still finds it strange how especially unfriendly the Japanese government is to NERV. Maybe it’s due to Gendou’s abrasive personality?
Noin isn’t too sure, inwardly thinking that there could be people who don’t want NERV growing too strong, and, thus, keep their cash flow limited. That’s not Logos, mind, as she’s heard those guys have cut all contact with NERV for some reason.
Misato was actually hoping to get some info out of this exchange, but quietly sees that no one’s talking. Or could it be that these old Preventer agents don’t know anything about SEELE?


Some time later, training’s all done. Even Alice rushed on over to take part in it, and she explains to Chizuru that she wanted to get any pilot training she can. Ichitaka worries that she’s overworking herself since she already has so much to do, but Alice explains that Ru’s arrival reduced some of her workload. So, she has some new free time and figured she’d spend it with us.
Well, if she’s not pushing herself too hard, then there’s nothing wrong with that – we were just taken aback with how suddenly she arrived. Either way, Shizuru asks how everyone felt handling different units – difficult? Very much so to Ichitaka, who’s glad he could at least make do with the Rushbird.
Indeed, Kosuke agrees that while this was mostly a game, it’s clear that there’s a big difference when you’re running a simulator and actually piloting something. Alto himself managed to get around once he got the hang of it – maybe the princess is a training bot savant, Michel quips.

That’ll be all for today, then, and Shizuru asks everyone to keep what we’ve learned in mind as there’ll be more come tomorrow. Boss strikes a pose, saying he’s already looking forward to it – he’s always willing to learn – and, judging by the Combattler folks’ agreement, most of today’s team will be present tomorrow. For today, however, Shizuru still has some addition training with Anna, so they both take off.


Everyone’s beat, with Chizuru and Tsubaki already making a beeline for the bath with the rest of the girls. Kenji and Boss immediately smell the OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME. What’re they grinning there for, Puria asks. Nothing, nothing! Certainly nothing naughty… oh, crap, Boss has a nosebleed.
Tetsuya can see their minds are going places, so he says the girls will have the private bath while Kenji and Boss stay at the public one. Mind you, Reiji’s already there so Tetsuya hopes they enjoy the scalding-hot water the guy goes for.
Kenji thought that was just a crazy rumor, but, nope, Kouichi took a dip once and it seriously felt like Hell. Perfect, says Tsubaki, as maybe the heat will help sterilize their dirty minds – Shizuna and the others will be relaxing plenty while they burn, though. Please waaaaaait!


Ranka’s songs can be heard playing throughout the dorms and Ichitaka sees that she’s really getting famous – lot of folks are talking about her at his school. Not just there, even, as Nagisa saw in the news that the whole world is coming down with Ranka Fever, even the Earth Alliance nations! Pretty impressive to Kouji that her music is crossing boundaries that words couldn’t.
Quatre warns against getting a prejudiced view of the Alliance nations, though, as while the military might be around Blue Cosmos’ tentacles, the civilians themselves are in no way as narrow-minded as them. Moreover, Kyo adds that there were plenty of countries that didn’t have a choice in whether they joined the Alliance or not (like Orb, for instance).
Hell, Miu figures the Alliance military could be talked to normally, but it’s the fear that fills their minds that takes away any room for dialogue. Sayaka would rather we drop this dark subject, and just be happy that Ranka’s music is finally getting around.

Luca himself is amazed at how fast she grew into a star, and Alto takes it to show that she’s the real deal – she wouldn’t have made it otherwise. Indeed, Johnny sees that she’s got it all going for her: she’s got real talent, the camera loves her and she has some major marketing force on her side.
As Aoi smirks at his businessman spirit still going strong, Johnny explains to Daiya that everything points to Ranka’s manager himself being someone who’s actually devoted to showing how great her music is to the world. Daiya remembers the old guy from before, and agrees that he had this spark in his eyes while he worked.


This talk reminds Kouji of how beautiful that island they filmed at was – he’d like to go back there once things calm down. Boss himself would like to see a sequel to that movie, still starring Ranka and with Sheryl making another theme for it… And, speaking of, what happened to Sheryl? Shizuna knows how big of a deal she is at the Frontier, so it’s very weird that she hasn’t done anything lately.
Ozma related that she was going to undergo some exams after returning to the Frontier, but she seemed well enough when she left us. Why hasn’t she been discharged yet? Maybe they’re just being cautious and having her take an extended rest, Nagisa wonders.
Yui calls in right then, for Alto, saying a video disk arrived for his group from Mishoshi Academy – it was sent by Nagisa (Kasumi) and Nanase.


So Alto plays the disk, Nagisa greeting him, asking if everyone’s doing fine, and immediately scaring our Nagisa with how much she looks like her. At least now she sees why Michel and the others were so confused when they first met her. Nanase chimes in, reporting how Ranka told them of how hard we’re working down on Earth and how it’s totally a flu that’s kept us from coming back (Luca gets all wistful at the sight of her).
Seems that Ranka cooked up a story to avoid outing Alto and co as mercs, and while the girls wanted to get in touch with us directly, civilians are currently forbidden from contacting Earth – thus, the video disk.

And, as a special guest for this, they’ve called in Ranka to leave a message as well! She’s doing fine herself, as is her work, though she’s a bit sad she can’t see Alto; after Nagisa reminds her, Ranka notes that she went to see Sheryl and the girl looked bored out of her skull. So, she’d like to ask Alto to record a video himself to help cheer her up.
Oh, and since we “know” some of those LOTUS guys and they’re friends with Sheryl, maybe he could ask them to join in on that? And that’s it for the call, Alto and the others saddened to hear that Sheryl’s still hospitalized. Megumi can see how she, a singer unable to sing, would be bummed out – she’s in the same situation as Goh, Tetsuya Kouji sees. Alto better get to it right away, he thinks.


And it’s time to check in with Djibril again, who proclaims himself to not be the kind of man that gets hung up on the past – doesn’t mean there isn’t a limit to his patience regarding Neo’s string of failures, though.
He understands that losses are inevitable in war as the enemy can grow desperate, and sometimes thinks go awry… but orders are only given out because their success is necessary, and they must be accomplished. Neo says he understands, in which case he better start producing some results – else Logos’ plans will start going south.

Now, regarding his next mission, they’ve just completed the construction of the Destroy Gundams, so they’ll be sending them his way. Had the Phantom Pain successfully taken out the Minerva back when they could, none of this would be necessary, but, fine, they’ll roll with it.
He’ll also be sending him the Gundam Heavy Arms – the pilot’s a loyal Blue Cosmos soldier – so Neo needs to get the western Eurasian front pacified NOW. He can do that, right? Inwardly, Neo ponders the two Destroys he’s getting; one will have to go to Sting, and the other will inevitably have go to Stella who an “agent” rescued at Diokia.
Oh, what an unpleasant job he has.


Cut to Kiriyama Heavy Industries, where the CEO’s conferring with a suspiciously Katou-like portrait. Jinrais have been deployed in bases throughout the country, so they’re ready to proceed to the next phase.
Indeed, all preparations are complete and they’re poised to take action at the appointed time – they’ll soon free this country all those incompetent politicians and bureaucrats! The speaker will be looking ward to it.


And, uh oh, Domyoji is here and Kiriyama tells him to make ready to deploy – he’ll be leading the Jinrai troops. Domyoji is very grateful, while Kiriyama is busy counting his chickens: “Soon I shall rise to be the leader of this nation. Hmhmhmhm…”

BASH!

: That’s it! Now put some “oomph” into it!
: Yes, ma’am!
: Hesitation makes you an easy read! Have faith in yourself and attack!
: Yes, ma’am!
: And keep an eye on how fast the Plasma Drive’s turning! You won’t be able to combine with how it is right now!
: I’m sorry, ma’am!
: If you’ve got time to apologize, then concentrate on your handling!
: Yes, ma’am!!
: Here we go! Drive Change, GO!
: Drive Cha— WAAAAH!!

BOOM!

: And the combination’s a failure… both units are trashed.
: I’m so sorry! I’ve been screwing this up so much…
: No, this one’s on me – I ran my mouth for too long. And I think this is enough for today. Good work.
: Thank you very much!

Anna takes off.

: …Whew, alright. I could also use a breather, I think…
: …
: Mira? What are you doing here?
: … Hard at work until late, huh?
: Anna’s the one who’s been working hard – I’m just lending her a hand.
: Hm…
: She’s really giving this all she’s got, likely hoping to bring some peace of mind to Goh with it.
: … I’ve been bringing dinner to Goh’s room these past days, but he won’t even say a word to me.
: Reminds me of how he was five years ago after he lost you… Actually, no, it’s not that bad right now.
: Huh…
: Back then, it was like life had lost all meaning to him. He’d wake up, eat, and go to bed… that was all he did every day. He was dead in almost every sense of the word.
: … He really loved you with all his heart.
: Goh…
: But, before anyone realized it, he met that darling girl and even got married… Her strength played a major role in helping him go back to who he was.
: … Five years that are a blank to me, but where so much happened to him.
: Mira…
: Did I lose him in those five years…?
: … You’ll be fine. I, on the other hand, didn’t even try fighting in the first place.
: Shizuru…
: Actually… I just didn’t have the courage to fight – the courage to speak what I felt out loud…
: And that’s why I’ve decided to help Anna become an even better pilot than me. Then I’ll be able to make peace with everything.
: That’s why you’re doing all this for her…?
: …Ah, never mind. Forget I said anything, alright? If Anna got wind of that, I’d lose all respect as her teacher.
: (I… I don’t think I could be like you, Shizuru…)

Alert!

: The alarms?!

Beep!

: We’ve an emergency! Mimetic Beasts have been sighted at the industrial complex by the Dannar Base! LOTUS is to deploy immediately! Repeat…
: Urgh, and here I was hoping to get a shower and some sleep…!
: Let’s get going, Shizuru!


Mission 14 – Nighttime Deathmatch


Misato is NOT happy with these things interrupting her beauty sleep (that’s gonna give her wrinkles!); Kenji himself is having a hard time moving with how much his burnt skin stings, but Kouji suggests he be glad that’s all he ended up getting. He oughta to check in with Alice once this is over.
Letting this industrial complex get trashed would have far reaching consequences, so Reiji commands us to deal with the Mimetic Beasts before that. Shizuru’s eager to wrap this up fast and Tetsuya Kouji’s got her back. Goh himself is cheering Anna on, and she’s ready to get to work.


Don’t lose the ships, Shizuru or Anna. This mission’s pretty simple, though the few water areas might some Mimetic Beasts a bit hardier (but that’s why we have Daiya and Kenji around).
I’ll be sending about 1/3 of my troops down SE to deal with the things, but the remaining will stay up here for what’s to come. In hindsight, this was my inner Skill Point voice telling me to rush, but I reckon the simpler (albeit slower) way would simply be to park my guys at the NE corner and let the mobs come to us.
Regardless, this still isn’t too dangerous (especially if your vanguard guys are immune the EN drain).


Player Phase!


Fast forward a full turn and our guys are here. I sent the Valkyries, Voltes, Combattler, Zechs and Iczer-1 over.


That’s one of her, Michel, Dick and Shizuna.

The plot’ll kick in when we get the mooks under 15.


Enemy Phase!


And Dick’s team takes a pummeling, though nothing TOO bad. On the flip side, they take 4 kills, while Hyouma and Zechs take another – that pushes us past the threshold.


Another batch of Mimetic Beasts pop out of the woodwork, much to Tetsuya and Mira’s annoyance. Ichitaka hopes that’s the last of them, but in comes new heat signals. More of them? No, it’s Ken and Lou (Anna isn’t happy that she’s still with him), and he immediately charges after a specific Mimetic Beasts.
The thing readily slaps him away, but Ken is undeterred: “This sensation… You may change your form, but I can tell who you are! I have long waited for this day!” Ken’s been searching for this particular Beast for a long time.

Shizuru’s just about to move after him when Kiriko phones in and tells us to keep away: we cannot risk stimulating his fighting instincts recklessly. Goh sees where this is going, and, indeed, the ferocity he’s displaying right now means he runs the risk of triggering the Rabid Syndrome. And if he loses control, there’ll be no stopping him.
Kurara and Aoi figure she means what happened with Moukaku, so Reiji tells everyone to focus solely on the Mimetic Beasts. We’re to minimize our attacks at the Menage Zero as much as we can.


Our objective now is to kill the Type 18 Mimetic Beast, and it’s not actually that more of a threat than the regular ones.


It only has 13.3k HP, and nothing to fall back on. That said, you’ll want to have plenty of morale to go around by the time you kill it.


The new Beasts are mostly moving in, while our southern detachment is hard at work: Ozma takes another kill.
Mind you, Lou and Ken won’t attack us either, so be careful they don’t steal your kills.


Player Phase!


Off go our sniper boys.


Yamashita doesn’t hit quite as hard, unfortunately.


Underwater mooks means Daiya gets to lead the charge, while Ichitaka and Aoi each take one of the flying Beasts by our ships.


Survivors are promptly hunted down, lest Ken take them.


Bam.


Oh, and down south, I’m having Combattler take the front with Iron Wall. His and Shizuna’s boosted HP will all but guarantee the AI comes running and their immunity to debuffs makes for prime tanking material.


While Alto and Ozma’s teams both take some weakened targets, Zechs follows up on the Voltes crew.


Alright.


Jeeg’s combined weapons work just fine against underwater targets, mind, so he can very easily oneshot these.


Oh, why not? Reiji and Kouichi’s teams are dodgy enough.


And that’s three kills for Jeffrey.


Enemy Phase!


And the AI sticks to the plan perfectly. The southern group SWARMS Hyouma, he and Shizuna raking in a total of 7 kills. Iczer-1 takes two, while Zechs takes in another one.


Oh, and this guy decides to go after Ozma just because.


That’s one for him and Luca. And, by the by, Daiya just took another 3 underwater mooks up top.


Ken’s plinking away at stuff.


Player Phase!


And that’s pretty much game for us. Only a handful of mooks are left, and they easily fall to Kouichi, Jeeg, Daiya and Aoi. Now we’ll wreck the Type 18 and get things moving.


Here comes the moneeeeeeeey!

: The new Mimetic Beast has started to regenerate!
: Psh, the thing’s as much of a pain as the rest of ‘em!
: Stay away from that one! It is mine! HAAAAH!

Ken moves after the Type 18.

: The only thing my blade cannot slice is myself! ROSAAAAAA!

: What the—! A robot came out of it?!
: That Beast had something like that inside of it…?!
: What is that bot…?
: It belonged to someone very dear to Ken.
: Someone dear to him?
: … And he’s been searching for it all this time?
: We meet again at last, Celleblader. How have I waited for this moment… If only I could see you again, Rosa…
: …
… Lou, do you think you can pilot it?
: Ah?
: We cannot well leave it here. Will you pilot it or not?
: … I will!

Lou moves over to the Celleblader.

: … Sorry, Diver, dad…

: This is the machine of Ken’s beloved… Here we go, Celleblader!
: Let us combine, Lou!
: Aye, aye! Celleblader, GO!!
: Blade Gainer – Twin Drive!!

: Th-They combined?!
: HAAAAH! DIIIIIEEEEEE!!

: Wow…
: That’s how strong he actually is…?!
: Haah… Haah… Rosa… I’ve finally, finally crushed it… Urk…grgh…GWAAAAAH!
: Ken?!
: ?! Something’s wrong with him!
: Is that… Did he trigger the Rabid Syndrome?!
: Oh, no! Anna, get away from there!
: GRAAAAAAAH!!

: Shizuru!
: A-An…na…
: Shizuru, is something wrong?!
: Her mental graphs are all dipping!
: Captain, recover the Dannar! I’m headed to the hangar!
: Daiku Maryu, full speed forward!

: Shizuru! Shizuru, you alright?!
: …
: She’s passed out… I’ll get her to the infirmary.
: Dr. Franklin… take care of her, please.
: I will. Leave it to me.
: Menage Zero… you’ll pay for this!

: We’re going, Dannar!
: Goh, you’re…!
: Goh, get back immediately! You cannot fight!
: No… I need to settle this with my own two hands!
: And what will you do if you also fall to the Rabid Syndrome?!
: I’ll take care of this before it comes to that!
: Anna, stop him! That’s an order!
: Please don’t, Anna! If you love me as my wife, then you won’t do that!
: Stop him! Now!
: Even if I tried to stop him, I doubt he’d listen! Best way out of this is to settle things quickly so he can get back!
: And we’re bring Lou along with us!
: Took the words out of my mouth.
: Mr. Moritsugu!
: … I haven’t the authority to stop him. If anything happens, I shall take full responsibility and handle it accordingly.
: Oof, now that’s cold.
: Alice, can I ask you to keep a close eye on Goh for any signs of the Insania Virus?
: Yes, sir!
: And Ms. Kizaki, I am counting on you to provide tactical insight to both minimize damage to the compound and the duration of this battle.
: Copy that.
: We’ll help you too!
: Hrm…!
: I suppose all we can do is pray that the virus doesn’t go active… Attack, all of you!
: I’m sorry, mom!
: We gotta make this the quickest showdown in history, then!
: And we’ll pay back what he did to Shizuru twice as hard!
: This all ends today!
: I… I’ll kill you all!!


Blade Gainer Twin Drive Mode (Ken, Lou Roux)
Pilot Skills:
Sword Cut
Break Morale Limit (気力限界突破 – morale limit increased to 170)
Predict
Prevail L9
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L1

Crazy-ass Ken is bulky as hell with that Prevail L9 and is, by a significant margin, the hardest-hitting enemy we’ve found. That being said, he’s not too dangerous because he still suffers from his original problem of very limited range: 1-3 is his best, and many of our guys can reach beyond that.
Do note that he’ll be very hard to dispose of if you let him take a dip in water, so draw him out if that’s the case.

Let’s get right into it.


:siren: Can’t believe it took me three whole games to get some Akira Kushida going here! :siren:

: Take a look, Goh! I’ll take this guy out, and bring both Lou and some peace to you!
: You, defeat me?! Don’t make me laugh! The likes of you are no match to the Blade Gainer!

: … I can’t be beaten. I cannot show myself defeated, not to Goh, not to her…!
: I see the doubt festering in your heart…. You’ll inflict not even a single wound on me in that state!
: I’ve no doubts about how I feel…!

: Bring it on, Menage Zero! I’m here to wreck heinous baddies like you!
: You amuse me… But I haven’t the time to play with you!

: How dare you hurt Shizuru so, Menage Zero! I’ll make you pay for that even if I have to succumb to the Rabid Syndrome!
: Your resolve also runs that deep, hm…? As you wish. I’ll face you in earnest out of respect for that!


Goh: “I’m taking Lou back, Blade Gainer!”

: No… I’m not done yet!
: Ken, that’s enough!
: Don’t talk back to me!
: !
: Please… Lou… Let me… fight to the end…
: Ken…
: UWOOOOOO!!

: GAAH!!
: Goh!

Anna moves after him.

: Stay away! I won’t let you hurt him!
: Anna, don’t! I… I couldn’t bear to lose you!
: Oh, Goh… what would you do without me? You would forget to change your socks, you’d be scarfing down sweets, waltzing around naked after taking a bath…
: You’d oversleep all the time if I wasn’t there to wake you up, too! You… You can’t do anything without me!
: Anna…
: Which is why I wouldn’t die like this. I still have so much to help you with throughout our lives! So, I… I’ll always be here with you!
: …
: (She’s the one Goh leans on today… If I hadn’t died five years ago, that might’ve been me…)
: Then… you’ll die together!
: Goh, let’s combine!
: Alright! Drive Change, GO!

: Dannar, ON!
: Revolver, OPEN!

: Godannar – Twin Drive!
: Yeah! They got their twin drive going!
: (I want nothing but for the one I love to be happy… Goh living a long life, finding someone new and being happy with her are all in line with that…)
: (So why… why does it hurt so much…?)
: We’ll put an end to this before the Plasma Drive reaches its limit!
: You got it!
: DEEYAAAAA!!
: HAAAAAAH!!

: They did it…!
: It’s like he never left the pilot seat…
: Guh…!
: Ken!
: Lou, I’m sorry…
: Don’t. I chose this…

: W-Wait! You’re not— Urk!
: Goh?!
: I-I’m fine. Don’t worry about it…!
: Are you sure, Saruwatari?
: Yeah, it’s nothing!
: You’re not pulling our leg, are you? You know what you’re not supposed to go too far here.
: I told you, I’m fine! Have some faith in me!
: Goh…
: Now let’s go…! I’ll take out every one of these monsters!
: Goh…


Done!


That’s all Mimetic Beasts confirmed destroyed, and Goh’s looking pretty tired. He’s sweating a lot, too. Alice isn’t detecting the Insania Virus coming active yet, but Goh isn’t 100% fine either. Kiriko calls Goh and Anna back to the Dannar Base to run some exams right away.
Anna apologizes to Reiji for having to take off like this, but he doesn’t mind – actually, he already expected this. Ichitaka hopes Goh’ll be fine, but at least Sayaka points out the silver lining that he didn’t trigger the Rabid Syndrome.
Indeed, Michel figures our main concern now should be Shizuru – he fears she had a concussion or something. Tetsuya Kouji is sure she’ll be up and about real soon, though.


At the Dannar Base, the exams have already come in: Goh’s body is showing signs of tremendous stress equivalent to the Rabid Syndrome. While his mental fortitude is holding for now, Kiriko knows there’s a limit to that. So what will happen to him? Well, he should stabilize if he gets plenty of rest, but if the Insania Virus flares up again, he’ll go full-on Rabid Syndrome and it’ll be impossible for him to recover.
All in all, Kiriko tells Anna that Goh can NOT pilot the ever Dannar again – it’s the only way to save his life. Kagemaru steps in, reporting that they’ve recovered the Cosmo Diver and that they could transfer it over to LOTUS for us to use. There’s the matter of who’d pilot it, and while Kiriko would normally choose Shizuru, she’s already manning the Dannar.

On cue, Franklin calls the Base with news: while Shizuru’s still alive, her situation is critical. Honestly, he doesn’t know if she can be saved and, even if that happens, she’s in a coma and her chances of coming out of it aren’t looking good.
The news hits Anna hard, knowing Shizuru’s in that state because she shielded her…

: …
: Shizuru… Why…!
: This has gotta be some sick joke…! You’re saying she might never open her eyes again?!
: Her internal wounds were far greater than the external ones. I’ve done all that I can, but…
: But… maybe you got your diagnosis wrong, right, Doc? Right?!
: She… She said she was going to continue our training tomorrow…
: You can’t go back on your word, Shizuru! Damn it, why’s any of this happening?!
: Damn it… that son of a bitch, Menage Zero…!
: (Shizuru… What will Anna do without you around…?)

Door opens.

: Shizuru!
: …
: This… This is my fault…! If I was better at controlling the Goh Okusaer, none of this would’ve happened… I… I… AAAAAAH!!
: Anna…
: Shizuru… Shizuru… I’m sorry…!

Door opens.

: Pull yourself together, Anna. This comes as a heavy blow to everyone, not just you.
: Professor, how’s Goh?
: …
: Don’t do this to us, Prof… Nothing happened to him too, right?!
: … He’s fine, somehow. But there’ll be no going back if he has another outbreak.
: What…? The Insania Virus has grown that strong?!
: It’s only his strong mind that’s kept him from breaking.
: It’s all because of me… I should have stopped him, or fought harder, or, or…!
: Anna… We all did everything we could out there.
: And while I know that won’t make you feel any better, beating ourselves over what happened won’t bring Shizuru back.
: Guys…


At the Daiku Maryu’s bridge, Goh’s back and apologizes for the worry him rushing out with the Dannar caused us. He’s being allowed to continue with us as part of our advisory team, but he’ll need to take it easy. Ichitaka’s relieved, as losing Goh would’ve hit him hard.
There are still no prospects on a cure of the Rabid Syndrome, Franklin and Rosa sigh, despite the fact that JUDA and all other major scientific institutes working to try and find something. It might be a while until any breakthroughs, unfortunately.
But another problem comes in right then: “Captain Lulu, we’ve an emergency transmission from JUDA!” Emi yells. The scene ends as Lulu takes the call.[/details]