Click to see the mission!
Time to wrap up the Surface route and we only have Joe set as an auto-deploy. Here’s how we’re going:
Fei-Yen/Mike
Shinn/Klan
Kouichi/Lunamaria
Arnie/Saya
Dancouga/Deceive
Michel/Ozma
Moritsugu/Joe
Miu/Eida
Yamashita/Canaria
Heroman/Rennie
Alto/Luca
Tactician: Moritsugu
Off we go.
: Hayase, I know this is putting you on the spot, but what do you think of Miu Kujo?
: Wh-What I… well, I think a bunch of stuff. Like why she became a Factor, and whatnot.
: That’s a good question… It’s not like her life was in any danger, so how come the Painkiller was able to make her into a Factor?
: It doesn’t really make much sense, seeing how that’s going against one of the laws that’s imposed on all Machinas.
: The laws imposed on all Machinas… I believe I know the ones. “Machina aren’t allowed to harm humans.”
: And “In the eventuality a Machina does harm a human, or finds one in life-threatening condition, then it’s to take immediate action and restore him or her as its Factor.” Correct?
: That’s pretty much it, yes.
: …
: Prof. Rachel…?
: This is just a personal hypothesis but…
: I’m wondering if the Painkiller judged that Miu Kujo was in a ‘life-threatening MENTAL condition’?
: Wait, what?!
: So the thing made her its Factor because it figured she might die if left alone?!
: I have a hypothesis of my own in that regard: that Machina alter their laws to suit their needs.
: …!
: Th-Then, the Painkiller made Kujo its Factor so it could move again…?
: I’m afraid that may be it.
: Mr. Moritsugu… just what are Machinas?
: I don’t know. All I can say is that this event has turned a niggling doubt I’ve had for a while into a full-blown question.
: And that question is… “Can we really trust our Machinas”?
: Huh?!
: …
: (And there’s also the matter of Mr. Ishigami. Can we trust you, sir? Or…)
: …
: Is everyone really cool with that Kujo chick?
: I mean, I’m kinda worried that her crazy fighting style’s gonna end up causing trouble for the rest of us.
: You’re one to talk, Joe. How many times have we had to bear the brunt of your mistakes…?
: What was that now? You got a problem, you say it to my face!
: Yes, I’ve a problem and then some! I’m sick and tired of your freewheeling attitude!
: I swear, were Sir Ylbora here, he’d put you in your place…!
: Sir Ylbora. Sir Ylbora? Alright, Gameran, c’mere ‘cause I got a piece of info to drop on you…
: What is it?
Punch!
: Oorgh…!
: That piece of garbage’s betrayed us! Quit calling him “Sir”!
: Rrrgh… Y-You insolent—!
: That’s enough, both of you!
: I’m quite sure I forbade any disputes in defense of that man!
: B-But… Your Highness!
: He is our enemy and it has been that way for a while now! There’s no room for debate here!
: Kch…!
: Your Highness…
: (I know the princess needs to say that because of her position but…)
: (She must be hurting so much inside…)
: …
: (Ylbora… you have truly…)
Cut to the C-Terahertz, Emperor The Boom has arrived and Grathan and Ylbora are there to welcome him after the long journey. Annex has heard plenty of the Ladorian warrior, but he’s now a loyal subject and Grathan attests to his skill. That said, as Charme knows, Grathan’s been having unexpected difficulties in capturing the Elshank, and she doubts Ylbora’s defection will change that.
Oh, but they’re hardly out of options yet, as Grathan says they’ve a certain new machine being developed – one built specifically to bring the Elshank to heel. It’s not ready yet, mind, which, in Charme’s eyes, is the same as being out of options. Does she have a solution, then? She does, having already dispatched a subordinate to set things up. “Please, Your Majesty, allow me, the Benikage, to take care of everything,” she proclaims.
Benikage is Crimson Shadow, in contrast to Tobikage’s Flying Shadow.
Cut to Kamata, where our crew was forced to ask Soubi to play tour-guide. He doesn’t mind it, enjoying the chance to take a look around town, but it HAS been a very long time since he’s been here. He might not make for much of a guide. As Alto’s heard, Kamata used to be the movie capital of Japan, though a lot of that, barring the famous movie theater, has vanished over the decades.
In truth, the place is very different from when Soubi used to live here, but he can still remember everything vividly – this is where he and Kaoru met, after all. And though his late wife may be gone, he’s certain she’s watching over here. “Your love for her hasn’t changed at all, huh? I can only imagine how wonderful it must be for two people to feel that way about each other,” Lina ponders. “Hahah, I wouldn’t mind getting to know a love like that myself,” Damian chuckles.
That’s something Alto didn’t expect to hear coming from him, but meeting Soubi and listening to his story got Damian thinking. Mars isn’t exactly a happy place and, having been there all his life, he never got to experience falling in love with someone. Unfortunately, Soubi can’t really give him any pointers on that – love is something that happens sudden and unexpectedly.
“You mean suddenly like a girl falling out of the sky on top of you?” Joey wonders aloud. “Bahaha, you talking about Kurou and Al? Now that’s some crazy talk—” Damian starts having a laugh but is interrupted when a car nearly runs him over! Alto’s warning lets him jump out of the way, but who the hell is driving that thing?! No time to wonder, as the car backs around and tries getting Damian from behind.
This time, someone else shoves him out the way and he gets off with just a scratch. Said Good Samaritan was knocked out, but Lina’s already taking care of her.
She wakes up in short order and is more than a little confused. Sounds like Damian’s got his wish, though, as the first thought through his head once he sees her is: “What a beauty…”
Back to JUDA, Rennie’s seen the girl, and very much agrees that she’s a real looker – Michel, of course, heard there was a new babe in town and couldn’t just ignore it. Lunamaria figures she must be with the Federation, but Domyoji’s not too sure of that. Miu asks if he finds it weird that a soldier threw herself in danger to save another, but, no, that’s not what’s bugging him.
Regardless, Eida’s more worried about the car that attacked Damian which, apparently, turned out to be unmanned. As Maki relates, JUDA’s already picked the car up and will be running tests, and Izuna sees a parallel with Allelujah and Soma’s report of the rampaging car at the Moldova Base. Problem is, Rachel says, there’s no evidence of ELS traces on the car. Curious and curiouser.
: Hey, thanks a bunch for what you did back there. You really saved my hide.
: I’m glad you’re safe.
: Hah… I was born and raised on Mars, so, if anything, I’m made of pretty sturdy stuff!
: See here? Everything’s A-OK with me!
: (“Born and raised on Mars”… Then this man really is…!)
: But never mind me. What’s your name…?
: O-Oh, I’m… I’m called Karen.
: Karen, huh? Well, I’m really sorry that you got hurt because of me.
: No, no… it’s no problem. I’m doing fine as well.
: And, Karen, are you a soldier by any chance?
: I’m curious, because I can’t really picture anyone literally jumping in front of a car to save a complete stranger.
: … I’m sorry, what happened back there’s a bit of a blank right now.
: Still, I’m very grateful for what you did.
: If you ever need help with anything, just ask, alright? I owe you my life.
: …
: Hm? Something wrong?
: N-No, it’s just that…
: You’re a very kind man, aren’t you?
: …?!
: H-Heheh, well, I guess I am? B-But, um… as kind as I might be, you’re the real gem here…
: …?
: O-Oh, right! I’ll go and get you something to drink!
Damian leaves.
: …
: Lady Benikage, this is Karen speaking. I’ve successfully infiltrated JUDA and made contact with the target.
: Have you now? Very well done. Now bring him to the specified location and eliminate him.
: Eliminate… do you mean kill him?
: What else could I mean? I’ve told you time and again, Karen: Benikage’s kunoichis have no room for emotions.
: Y-Yes… I understand, my lady…
Door opens!
: Hey, Karen, I found some coffee, but I don’t know if that’s your thing…
: ?! A-Ah, yes, thank you.
: Huh? Were you talking to someone?
: Oh, right – soldier. You have to report back to your unit or they’ll get mad, right?
: Y-yes, that’s right. I managed to get in touch with them… and it looks like I need to head back right away.
: In that case, lemme give you a ride over. Never know when another crazy car might be waiting around the corner.
: No, um…
: Please, don’t worry about it! I wanna at least do something to repay you for saving my life!
: …
: (I’m a kunoichi… I need to throw away any and all emotions or…)
Back to our crew, Arnie asks what’s gotten Domyoji suspecting the girl. Well, something feels off about this whole thing – is he implying the thing with the car was prearranged? But, then, what would she be after? Well, Damian’s an excellent infiltrator, so it’s not too farfetched to think there are people who’d like to kill him and make it look like an accident.
Sure, but, as Miu points out, Karen SAVED him. Saved him, indeed… but now that Michel takes the time to think about it, the timing of it all kind of seems a bit too perfect. And, Saya notes, it’s standard practice for spies to wait until another lowers their guard before exploiting that opening.
But that’s enough speculation: Maki calls in and has the results of the car analysis. Well, what is it? The ELS really had nothing to do with this – the car was being controlled wirelessly. Crap. And Ogawa runs in with another tidbit: they’ve just detected transmission being made from within JUDA – it’s on The Boom Army’s frequency. Double crap.
Seems to Ishigami that Domyoji’s suspicion was right on the money. When Michel asks, Lina tells that Karen should be at the infirmary now… only, no, there’s no one there. We’re too late.
: Are you sure this is okay? I mean, just taking a plane without anyone’s permission…
: I’m just borrowing it for a bit – and to give my savior a lift, even. It’s all good.
: Heheh, thank you, then.
Fly away!
: Aah… the moon looks so pretty from up here.
: Oh, yeah, it’s a full moon tonight.
: I wonder what life is like for the people up there. A place like that must be so peaceful – no war, no hardship…
: Have you never been to the moon, Karen?
: I haven’t, no… All my life has been about training, ever since I was a little girl. I didn’t have the freedom to do as I pleased…
: You’ve been with the Federation since you were a kid?
: Y-Yes… I have…
: Hmhmm… You haven’t had it easy either, huh?
: I grew up on Mars and resources were as scarce as can be, so the grownups all took a very “safe” approach to life. Every day I’d wake up and things never really felt right.
: That’s why I eventually left my village and wound up joining the Elshank.
: And you weren’t scared of doing that…?
: I had my friends with me, so I mostly just felt like I’d freed myself…
: I think I’m a bit jealous of you…
: Tell you what, then. I’m gonna find a way to bring you to the moon!
: R-Really? But… is that something you can do?
: Yeah, don’t worry! I promise I’ll make it happen!
: Whatever childhood you had, you get to choose the life you have in the present.
: What I choose…
: Absolutely. Every person, whoever they might be, is free!
: …
: I wonder if I really can do that…?
: ‘Course you can! And I’ll help you!
: Th-That is… if you’d like to go with me…
: I do, yes. I look forward to us traveling to the moon… together…
Mission 28 (Surface Route) – A Moment’s Encounter
Moves forward a bit.*
: Is this spot good for you, Karen?
: … I’m sorry.
: Eh? Sorry…?
: I… I can’t do it! You have to run, Joe!
: “Joe”?!
: Wait, back up, Karen! What’s going on?!
: The Boom Army…?! An ambush?!
: …
: Hrm… Get outta here, Karen! Quick!
: L-Lady Benikage!
: Karen, I vividly remember teaching you that failure is unforgivable. Who in blazes is the man you brought?
: What do you mean, Lady Benikage…? My orders were to bring Joe…
: Karen, why’re you talking with that Boom Army lady…?
: And I’m Damian, not Joe…
: Huh… I-Is that true?!
: Eliminate that man and go find Joe.
: P-Please wait, my lady! There’s no need to kill him, is there?! J-Just give me another chance to make this right!
: Then I’ll kill him myself.
: Uwaaaaah!
: L-Lady Benikage, please! I… I—!
: Rgh! What is this?!
: Looks like we got here in the nick of time! You okay, Damian?!
: Joe, is that you?!
: Joe…?!
: The only piloting that machine is the real Joe Maya?!
: Damn it, Karen, you were followed? But fine… we’d prepared for such an eventuality!
: Karen, return! Return and fight them!
: Damian, hurry back to the ship!
: Hate to break it to you, but it’s pretty dang clear that girl’s a spy.
: N-No, you’re wrong! This is all one big mistake! She was trying to save me again just now!
: Damian…
: Karen, come with me!
: …
: What are you doing, Karen?!
: Y-Yes, Lady Benikage…
: Karen…!
: (Is this really what I want? What am I supposed to do…?)
: (That man… he was…!)
: Guys, please, you have to save Karen! She… she’s not…!
: Oi, Damian, I swear…
: … Okay! Spy or not, we can’t really back away from this!
: So we’ll just roll up our sleeves and try to make it work!
: The enemy’s all gunning for Joe, so keep an eye on the Kurojishi!
: In the meantime, your primary target’s the enemy commander. Concentrate all our firepower on her and let’s bring this battle to a close ASAP.
As he said, losing a ship or Joe’s a game over, and downing either Charme or Karen’ll move the plot along. If you’ve been on track for Tobikage’s #2 secret, though, you’ll want to approach this carefully (if you’ve gathered 150+ kills with Joe, Mike and Rennie, of course):
Secret Alert!
Tobikage secret #2 – 5th and 6th step: do not attack Karen at all. Don’t let her take damage by support defending either. Furthermore, destroy Charme with Joe.
So, yeah, if you’re trigger happy with your counter attacks, you’ll want to be mindful of what you’re doing – Karen’ll get on the offensive immediately and you’ll have to just dodge/defend through everything (if anything, she’s not very accurate). As mentioned above, be mindful of her support defending. Other than that, it’s the standard foray against The Boom enemies, so you know what to expect.
And, of course, you really don’t want Tobikage coming in before you down Charme or he can really screw this secret up for you.
Skeleton (Charme Veker)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L5
Support Attack L2
All Attack L2
Command L2
Mech Features:
Sword
All-Canceller
Charme’s voice actress: Eiko Yamada (other roles: Shotaro in Tetsujin 28, Mai in Dragon Ball, and some more).
Like Grathan, but better in every way: Charme isn’t as good as Ylbora since she doesn’t have the Ninja skill, but her stats are good all around, so don’t underestimate her.
We’ve fought plenty of Skeletons before, though, so you already know what to expect. She’ll happily hang back from the battle for a long while, so you just need to close in when you’ve the morale and wrap things up.
Finally, while I won’t be allowing Tobikage to come over, he does get reactions from the boss lady.
When he first turns up:
: That’s the machine the Emperor spoke of… Tobikage!
And when he fuses:
: Oh…? So that’s how it combines with the Ladorian machines. Hmhmhm, what a curious system.
Now off we go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jEfKZoSGA4
And here’s Miu’s solo attack with Pard.
: You heard what Damian said, didn’t you?! And you’re still gonna fight us?!
: But, I… my code is…
: Screw your code! Listen to whatever your heart’s telling you!
: I’m detecting no signs of life inside that unit…? Then it’s no different from a Shaman or a Banks! I’ll destroy it in short order!
: Give me a sec and I’ll make you realize what a big mistake you just made!
: Huh, so The Boom Army also has some warrior ladies? She better make this worth our while, then…!
: According to Men’s Tokusatsu Monthly, female commanders often rely overly on trickery, though…
: And you take me, the Benikage, to be as your book describes? The truth may be more crushing than you expect!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whd9-Prmm0s
: You’re forcing a battle onto people who never wanted anything of the sort! Why the hell are you doing this for?!
: For the prosperity of Planet The Boom, is why! And you Earthling worms have no right to object!
: We could have ended your sorry life in a heartbeat had Karen done her job properly, Joe Maya!
: Do you have any idea what you and your plan have put Damian through?!
: You wanna kill me, you come and do it legit, not with some bullcrap trap…!
: Gch… not bad. I can see how you gave Grathan that much trouble…
: Talk while you can ‘cause I’m about to finish you off!
: Hmph, moron. Now! Unleash the plasma!
Tzzzzzt!*
: Hrk…! What?!
: Urgh… the Kurojishi can’t move…!
: What is going on?! Status report!
: We’re detecting some sort of EM Field all around this area! It’s immobilizing our units!
: Hmhmhm… this is my Plasma Binding technique! And I’d wager even the Elshank can’t move anymore.
: Tsk… I never thought they’d also have something like this!
: We might’ve failed to assassinate Joe, but your death will serve us just as well, Romina!
: Aaah!
: This isn’t good…! Are there no options available for us?!
: Hrrrmmm… N-No, nothing’s working! The Elshank’s controls are inoperable!
: Damn it… you gotta be kidding me…!
: U-Uurgh…!
: Karen…!
: Ahahahaha! Oh, this was almost too easy! Now, Romina…
Charme flies over to the Elshank.
: You’ve shown yourself a very tenacious woman, but not enough that you could stand up to the Benikage! And now your blood will coat my sword.
: Your life is mine!
: Grrr, we can’t move out of the way!
: Kch…!
: A-Aah…! The Elshank’s—!
: Damian, I…!
Grab!
: Rrgh! Let me go, Karen! What do you think you’re doing?!
: Lady Benikage, please stop! I beg you!
: Not only did you fail your mission, you now sympathize with the enemy?! I order you to destroy the Elshank now! Do that and I’ll spare you…
: No, I can’t do it!
: That was not a request, Karen! Have you forgotten what you learned as a kunoichi?!
: No, but I’ve also learned that everyone can choose the life they have in the present… That every person is free!
: And that’s why…!
: Karen?!
: You mean to destroy yourself along with me?! Karen… you’re a fool!
: Karen, are you…? Stop! Someone stop her! Quick!
: I’m so sorry, Damian… but I’ve made my choice…!
: Karen, don’t!
: (We might not visit the moon together… but I’ll at least keep you alive. Damian…!)
: Thank you…
: And goodbye!
BOOM!
: Karen… this is just a joke, right? I mean, we were gonna go to the moon together, right…?
: Hahah, yeah, that’s gotta be it. This is a joke… right?
: Karen, please, answer me! Uwaaaaaaaah!
Tzzzt.
: Control has been restored to all Ultimate Cross units!
: That girl… she sacrificed herself for Damian…
: The Boom Army…! You’re gonna pay for what you did!
: The Plasma irradiator is destroyed and my unit’s taken massive damage… Blast you, Karen! You…!
: Do you need some help, Lady Benikage?
: Th-That’s…!
: Ylbora… very well. Show me what you can do.
: Heh… Indeed, I will.
: Ylbora…!
: Goddamn, this guy just doesn’t know when to quit!
: I have found what I must stake my convictions on – what I must see through.
: Though I doubt you could ever understand, Joe.
: And you think I care? You better walk on over to Princess Romina and apologize to her right now!
: I’m afraid not, Joe! This is the battle I chose for myself!
: Hrm… We can never get a word in edgewise with that guy!
: (Ylbora… just what are you thinking that you’d bear your weapon against us?)
: Troops, I know you guys don’t need a reminder, but you can’t hesitate – no matter who we’re up against! Engage and destroy the enemy reinforcements!
: I ain’t holding anything back, ya hear me, Ylbora? You took at shot at the princess and now I’m pounding you into the dirt!
: I’ve given up on everything to set a new course for my life. Someone like you isn’t capable of breaking my spirit or my resolve!
: But do give me your best shot, Joe!
: Didn’t you ever stop to consider how the Elshank crew would feel having their commander turn traitor?!
: I swore that day that I wouldn’t think twice about hurting anyone if it’d allow me to carry out my beliefs!
: Could you look Gameran in the eyes and still say that…?!
Kouichi attacking: “What the hell is your problem…?! Aren’t you even gonna give us an explanation?!”
: What’re you after joining a group of cowards like The Boom Army?!
: And what would telling you accomplish? Here’s some advice, though: those who cannot grasp what another is thinking will find no victory in battle!
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: Can an aimless, unresolved fighter like you bring himself to attack me?
: I’m not the man you once knew. If you’re standing before me as an enemy… then I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on you!
Arnie attacking: “If that’s the choice you made, then I’ve nothing to say to you!”
And Ylbora gives us a Michel’s Glasses (Accuracy and Ranged +10, Skill +5).
: Did we get him?!
Ylbora flies to the SW.
: Hrgh… Hardly! I’ve turned my back on my homeland, my prestige and everything I once knew… your resolve could never measure up to mine!
: Fine, Ylbora, we’ll do this your way and put this to bed today!
Joe goes after him.
: Then, come, Joe! I’ll crush you first!
: A shortsighted fool like you isn’t capable of protecting Her Highness! You never see the big picture!
: Big frickin’ deal! You can cry about the big picture ‘til the cows come home, that doesn’t justify hurting the one you were supposed to be helping!
: And that, right there, is why I say you’re shortsighted! You don’t realize that some things have to be done, even if it means accepting certain sacrifices be made!
: Wh-Who?!
: A mere attack jet dares fire on me…?
: Do not intrude on my battle!
: Stop! The one piloting it is…!
: What…?!
: Ylbora… Are you going to shoot at me?
: Princess Romina?!
: Princess, the hell are you thinking?!
: There, I’ve taken a shot at you… doesn’t that makes us even? It’s not too late for you, Ylbora…!
: Your Highness, you must know that there are times where you mustn’t be so kind…!
: Offering amnesty to a traitor reflects quite poorly on you!
: What’s wrong with you?! The Princess is trying to help you!
: But it’s not that simple! I’ve something that I need to see done!
: And what is it that you cannot do it on our side?!
: Why can’t you simply work with Joe and the others?!
: (Again… Again, you choose Joe Maya…!)
: (They…)
: I… I will not be your subject any longer! I cannot!
: Why do you have to be so stubborn…?!
: But, if that’s the case, I have a duty as princess of Planet Ladorio to end your life!
: Princess, stop!
: Hrgh… I’m at my limit…
: But that was very good, Your Highness… I am your enemy, after all…!
: Ylbora!
: It’s too dangerous to go after him, Your Highness! Please return to the ship!
: (Ylbora, you…)
: Radar is detecting no more The Boom Army forces!
: Their new commander, she said her name was Benikage, right?
: Her breaking out that new weapon really took us by surprise. That was a very close call…
: Yeah… I don’t even wanna think what would’ve happened if her subordinate hadn’t turned on her…
: And she sacrificed herself doing so…
: That girl, Karen… she was willing to do anything to protect Damian…
: Gch… aahaaa…
: Why… Why does this always happen?! When does war ever stop…? Damn it all!
: Karen… Kareeeen!
: KAREEEEEEEN!!
: Your Highness, are you safe?!
: I am. And I apologize for worrying you, Shaff.
: Your Highness… please promise me you’ll never do something like this again!
: Princess, there are a bunch of people who care for your wellbeing. Do you have something you’d like to say to them?
: Yes, I do. My friends, please listen… I am done looking back to the past.
: In the present, however, our battles continue. And we’ll likely have to endure watching many others come to harm.
: I must steel my resolve and accept that hardship. Thus, I will don this combat uniform and fight shoulder-to-shoulder with you.
: Your Highness, what are you…?! I beg you reconsider!
And here’s this route’s cosmetic secret (which doesn’t transfer into NG+): top option keeps Romina in her combat uniform, changing her portrait and cut-in, bottom option sets her in her normal dress. The choice doesn’t have any tangible consequence beyond that, so choose whichever you’d like.
Mind, if you keep the Byston Well route, she defaults to her normal dress.
Use the combat uniform:
: I will not repeat myself.
: Wearing this uniform symbolizes my commitment to this.
: But Your Highness…
: It’s the proof of your resolve, eh, Princess? Sounds good to me.
: … Thank you, Joe.
Continue to use her dress:
: Hmm, I dunno. We all see how you feel as clear as day but, honestly, that uniform kind of doesn’t suit you, Princess.
: Joe…
: We’ll all carry your resolve with us as we go out to fight, so I say you shouldn’t change who you are, princess.
: Very well… Thank you, Joe.
: (Psh, why’s Joe always so nice to her and no one else?!)
: …
: Damian…
: … Why? Why did Karen have to die? Damn it… damn it…
: …
: So, what was the story with her? Who really was that girl, Karen…?
: She was a spy for The Boom Army. Only she ultimately turned on them… sacrificing herself to save Damian’s life…
: Yet, her last words were “thank you”, so…
: …
: I promised that I’d take her to the moon. There was so much I wanted to show her.
: I promised her we’d go together… Karen… Forgive me, Karen…!
: Uwaaaaaaaaaah!
But if you did the secret…
: …
: Damian…
: I couldn’t stop her… I…
: Karen… I told you we’d go to the moon together, right? I promised you…
Door opens.
: And I haven’t forgotten that promise.
: ?!
: Damian…
: Karen?! Is that really you…?!
: Yes…
: But how…?
: We found her unconscious at the edge of the battleground.
: I remember… seeing Tobikage at the time of the explosion, and next thing I knew…
: Tobikage?! You mean it saved you…?!
: But more important than that, I’m so sorry, Damian… I tricked you. I don’t deserve to be here, talking to you like this…
: No, you don’t have to say anything to me.
: You’re alive… and that’s all that matters.
: Thank you, Damian…
: Really? So you’re saying you want to fight as part of the UX?
: That’s right…
: That’d mean fighting The Boom Army, though – your old comrades…
: That’ll be no problem. I’ve already made up my mind on this.
: I’m no longer that girl who simply carried out whatever orders were given.
: Now I want to choose the life I have, and what I’ll make of it.
: Hmhmm…
: And also… I want to help Damian however I can!
: Karen…
: Alright, then, Karen – you’re in. But there’s a catch.
: That you scratch “self-destructing” from your list of acceptable tactics.
: Already done! And thank you so much!
Alarm!
: What happened?
: We’re detecting powerful space-time vibrations. Their location is… above Tatsumiya.
: Tatsumiya?! What’s going on there?!
: Hmm… Oh, this data is…!
: Yes… it matches the pattern we recorded when the Aura Road opened.
: Come on, Yamashita. Get everyone ready to deploy.
: Y-Yes, sir!
: Several heat signatures have appeared in the airspace above Tatsumiya… we’re IDing them as belonging to the Hojo Army!
: And… there are also multiple signatures belonging to UX units!
: Set off, Ultimate Cross! Your destination’s the island of Tatsumiya!
And, back at the ALVIS ICU, Tsubaki pokes Koyo.
Now, we’re over halfway through the game and I just realized I’m sitting on pretty much my entire stock of NG++ bucks. We might as well put them to use, so, as is tradition, I’m calling a vote to decide on the units we’re going to make HUGE (I’ll likely do another as we move closer to the endgame, to comport the later additions and whatnot).
Here are your options:
- Orphes
- Linebarrel, Vardant, Painkiller
- Demonbane
- Mark Sein, Mark Drei, Mark Fünf, Mark Sechs, Mark Destiny
- Nanajin
- Fei-Yen
- Bilbine, Dunbine
- 00 Raiser, Zabanya, Harute
- Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Quan
- Mazinkaiser
- Heroman
- Alto’s Messiah, Macross Quarter
- Dancouga Nova
Since I’m sitting on 24mil robobux and it takes about, oh, 1/1.2mil to fill out all 10 bars on a pattern C bot, I’ll let you guys pick TWO units to be maxed out.
Either make a post in the SA or lp.zone threads, or leave a Youtube comment on any of the Mission 28s videos, send me a PM, whatever works. Voting will be open until May 7th.
And, finally, we had to skip a bunch of convos since we couldn’t attack Karen, so here’s everything:
: If you go ahead and kill Damian, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!
: A kunoichi needs no emotions… That’s how I was raised…!
: But now you’re not so sure, are you?!
: There are still different paths you can take, so you can’t give up!
–
: That group is not where you should be! I’m sure there are many different ways you can live your life!
: Wh-Where I should be is…
: Please! I don’t want to see neither you nor Damian coming to regret how this ended…!
–
: Damian cares so much about you, so why do we need to fight?!
: I took a vow to live as a kunoichi of Lady Benikage! And I cannot break that vow!
–
: You might’ve started this as just another spy… but that’s not the case now, is it?
: I’m a kunoichi! My life revolves around my mission and fulfilling it…!
: But you’re not alone in this! There’s someone right there who trusts you, who believes you can be more than that!
–
: Are you just going to stomp over Damian’s heart like that…?
: I-I’m a kunoichi… sympathy for others is forbidden…
: What a sad girl you are… you can’t even bring yourself to express how you really feel…!
: How long has it been since we last spoke face-to-face, Makabe.
: …
: I’m ready to fight too. I’m sure I can do plenty to help with the Mark Sechs.
: But please try and take it easy, Shouko. I know you said your condition was gone and all, but…
: Shouko…?! You’re… how?!
: We don’t really know what happened…
: Yeah, it is…! You should go and find your mother after we’re done here. I’m sure she’ll be so happy…!
: Welcome back, everyone. You look like you’ve been through a lot.
: I see you’re doing good, Tsubaki… and who are these girls with you?
: Eheheh… to tell the truth, I was very nervous after getting assigned to ALVIS. But just having Tsubaki around makes it easier to hang in there!
: Laying it on a bit thick, Rina…
: Ah, just hanging out with the other girls and talking the afternoon away. I think I’m a bit jealous.
: ?!
: …
: Well, ain’t this a lively bunch. Still, they all look like good kids.
: Hmhmm. Tsubaki’s found some fine friends.
: Speaking of lively, the mood around the island’s a bit different.
: That’s right – we’re having our annual summer festival today.
: Well, in that case, how about I go and lend them a helping hand?
: Come on, Kurou! Ditch that kid and let’s go help them out too!
: Hrmm! The audacity of this newcomer! Keep away from my partner!
: Gaah… why can’t you find someone else to go with? All this nonstop work’s gonna leave me a broken mess…
: We met up with her at Byston Well. As it turns out, she’d never died in the explosion…
: …
: H-How…!
: Falsified data…? That’s…
: “Exile”…?!
: Hmph, so this is what he was after…
: This commission seeks to shed light on the recent allegations of forgery of Maya Toumi’s data to display an inaptitude to be a pilot due to a physical handicap.
: First we’ll verify if the data in question is our original. If so, then you’ll be treated as a crime suspect. Understood?
: Then the accuser may step forward to present his arguments. Mr. Mitsuhiro Bartland, if you would.
: Mitsuhiro…
: The hell’s wrong with their dad, even? He’s with the Army of Mankind, right?
: That man feels really yucky! What kind of a person takes his own daughter to court?!
: I wager his plan is to have all three Toumi women exiled from the island.
: But did Yumiko even do something 
: Same goes for Mamoru, Sakura and me! We each had our reasons, but the gist is that we all overwrote her data!
: No one’s… they’re over there of their own will.
: Tsubaki’s an “impartial being”? What do you mean?
: Come again? Solomon isn’t IDing the Festum that appeared as an enemy?
: Solomon is, essentially, a system meant to detect and inform us whenever one of them emerges. So why is it not marking this one as a threat?
: What I wanna know is how a Festum went and appeared inside the island just like that!
: Perhaps this is not a case of it “appearing”, but of it having always been there?
: I’d heard that boy was in a coma, too…
: Whatever, the point is we know Koyo’s not our enemy!
: Psh, forget him! We’re going, guys! I’m sure Koyo’s headed over 
: Shou…ko…
: Are you there…?
: Luna, they just finished repairing the Impulse, so don’t try anything crazy with it. Hang back and I—
: Kazuki and his peers are away, so the only Fafner available for deployment is Michio’s.
: Don’t get us wrong, we’re only here to destroy the Festum that appeared.
: But that’s not the end of it for some of us, of course.
: Human emotions are capable of even prying the Aura Road open, so I know Kazuki and his friends can get through to him…!
: Trying to save their Festum-ized friend… Yeesh, those kids are nuts.
: Damn it, they’re throwing everything and the kitchen sink at us today! We can’t keep this up forever!
: Did his assimilation by the Festum progress even more?!
: Forget about precedents and whatnot! Tear down that impossibility and make it real!
: They’ve got the right idea – you can’t just go “he’s assimilated” and figure that’s the end of that…!
: Kazuki and his fellows have left to rescue their friend! And so it falls on us, their comrades, to support them in their endeavor!
: Kazuki and the others are trying to talk with Koyo Kasugai. But what outcome is waiting at the end of it all…?
: You blobs never learn, do ya? We might be missing the Fafners but that’s no prob… I’ll cut you all to ribbons myself!
: Kazuki and his friends are calling his mind, his soul, back here… And if you’re looking to stop them, then…!
: Though he is no longer human, they would still call him their friend…
: I was, but not anymore!
: Look, Koyo’s stopped…!
: His presence’s changed…?!
: A Festum that cannot assimilate others… This is nothing short of a miracle!
: Do you think he’ll wake up again?
: Tsubaki, you speak like you know everything there is to know about the Festum…
: The island’s guardian deity…
: But the point is that you’re someone, and how you were born is just a footnote.
: You’ve got a real attitude problem, don’t you?
: Seriously, where’d you stash your time machine, guy? The 12th century must be missing you.
: SO Bartland, we’re ready to depart.
: The Festum’re going to attack the entire planet…?
: How can you say such a thing?! Would that truly satisfy you?!
: If something happened to you again… Well, Youko would be very sad…
: Look at how all their lights mesh together. It’s so pretty…
: That might just be what the past Japanese had in mind when they started doing this festival.
: Everyone has a past, no…? This felt like a good opportunity, so I made a lantern myself.
: “Jones Family”…? Is that for…
: …
: You guys made one too, hm…?
: No one gets a proper burial when staging an armed intervention against the world. But at least the soul still passes on after death…
: We made one for our father and Sun Ce too.
: Liu Bei, your lantern’s for…?
bring in Romina if you’re still gunning for the other Tobikage secret 
: Hey, stoking your inner fire’s all fine and good, but you don’t wanna push yourself too hard and screw up when it actually counts, right?
: And I can’t believe how well you keep your cool under pressure thanks to that “altered consciousness” business…
: Take care around Michel, Maya.
: Psh, I swear… between Michel, Hayase and others, we got way too many folks ‘round here who’ve no idea how a lady’s heart works.
: He did, yeah. I saw him leaving with Moritsugu, Kongming and some others.
: I hope the day finds you well, my UX friends.
: You…
: That’s not the question, though – not really. The question is: pointless or not, could I just throw my hands in the air and do nothing? Could I live with myself doing nothing…?
: Oh, don’t be a stranger, honey. What’s a little secret get-together between enemies?
: Why?! The machine has been restored to perfection, so why isn’t it activating?!
: All units, deploy and support—… Urgh!
: Why am I the only one on standby, Minashiro?
: Because it’s too soon to send you into actual combat. Stay in the hangar and wait – if worst comes to worst, we’ll bring you in.
: What happened to all your pride and your feelings for the Princess?! I want an answer, Ylbora!
: I’ll spare no quarter to any foe who seeks to do us harm, even if said foe used to be an ally!
: Such tenacity… What is it that impels him so?
: Rrm?! What just happened to him?!
: Where’d that unit come from?!
: Y-Ylbora was taken into that machine?!
: Z-Zerokage?!
: …
: N-No way… that invincible ninja bot was…!
: Wha—?! The Zerokage’s vanished!
: Oh, come on! You mean we’re gonna have to eyeball this?!
: We’re not making any headway here! Isn’t there anything we can try?!
: Hm, she might just be able to take him by surprise…
: Toumi…?!
: Joe?!
: Besides, you couldn’t get the thing to move before, right?
: This is the end of the line for you and your evil, Grathan!
: He’s going to ram them?!
: What’s she doing in a place like that?!
: I am Annex, Emperor of The Boom Empire and ruler of the galaxy.
: Your comic timing could really use some work, ya blueberry!
: Plus, I’m not so sure that your video of that huge fleet’s legit.
: Wh-What’s going on?!
: UX, you must head towards the Machine Island on the double!
: …?! Graargh…!
: Lord Garan, our scouts report that those men have returned to the Machine Island.
: It seems they call themselves Ultimate Cross now.
: The group we met in the outside world, hm? I can hazard a guess as to why they are here… the Gravity Generator.
: The new weapons are already in order. We are prepared to depart on your command.
: Hmhmhm… it has been a while since my heart has throbbed so. How much stronger have you become since our last bout, Ultimate Cross…?
: Unfortunately, yes… the Gravity Generator already looks to be in critical condition.
: The frequent gravity discharges coming from it have triggered volcanic eruptions and tore crevices across the whole island.
: The Octagon’s keeping together thanks to our barrier, but even that’s just delaying the inevitable…
: We wouldn’t be in this situation if we knew that, don’t you think?
: But, whatever the case, the point is that Earth’s magnetic field’ll be torn apart by the gravitational collapse if something isn’t done soon.
: Lady Aila, I presume the Octagon and island won’t go unaffected if we do shut down the Gravity Generator?
: He’s pushed his body too far over the years. His cardiac functions, in particular, are severely debilitated.
: Are you feeling well, sir?
: Odyssite? What’s that?
: A unique mineral found only on this island. The Gravity Generator works by using it as a catalyst.
: …
: And that taboo is…?
: …?!
: Maybe that’s why they did what they did – to rebel against it…
: Wh-What is that racket…?!
: Hah… Do I look like that sort of person to you?
: Damn straight! And that’s ‘cause we… are HELL!
: Hey, what gives?! Why isn’t the Demonbane out here?!
: Then you won’t mind if we lend you a hand, right?
: Y-You’re…!
: We’ve got almost no time before the Gravity Generator breaks!
: What a powerful spirit…! He may be misguided, but his Aura Power has been honed to the Nth degree!
: Are you done talking…?
: Magami, you…!
: I am! I clawed my way from the bottom of Hell!
: Gch… that sonuva…!
: Ooooh!
: This son of a bitch…!
: Th-The Kaiser…!
: It combined with the Wingle’s wings!
: Hrm… Wh-Where…?
: The Neutrino Generators seem to be running nicely.
: Yes, they are. We should be ready to attempt a synchro-overdrive next time.
: The Neutrino Generator… the new Accelerated Particle Engine developed from the Proton Engine…