Click to see the mission
Okay, let’s deal with this quick so we can move on to more important things. Tieria, Alto, Setsuna and Fei-Yen are deploying as event units, so here’s how we’re going:
Dancouga/Deceive
Yamashita/Canaria
Arnie/Saya
Talisman/Hebi
Kouichi/Kiki
Ozma/Lux
Moritsugu/Eida
Shinn/Luna
Michel/Klan
Amalgan/Allelujah
Aesap/Miu
Tactician: Moritsugu
Off we go.
We open up at the Frontier, and Howard’s very grateful that we heroes decided to help them. Of course, the Vajra are too big a problem for us to simply ignore, as Moritsugu notes – they’ll have to be dealt with sooner or later. Now, about the fortress that’s headed for Earth, Mishima figures it’d be faster to just show us a picture of it.
What we see is worrisome, as the fortress is stupidly huge – more like a planetoid, in Shinn’s eyes – and from what Howard’s been briefed, it was lost to the Vajra about a century ago. Their current theory is that this flock of Vajra also came to this universe in pursuit of the Frontier Fleet, just like the other flock that’s been harassing us.
Howard says that while the Frontier’s still investigating what’s what, the issue at hand is eliminating the Vajra inside the Boddole Zer before they cause any trouble. How do our odds look? Well, Saya points out that our Valkyries have been equipped with new Reactive Munitions and we’re expected to be receiving help from the Federation Army, but Tieria thinks that’s unlikely to be enough to offset the enormous numerical disadvantage we’ll have.
In other words, Sumeragi sees, we’re not going to win this if we try to outlast them – we need to find a way to destroy their nest entire. Well, as luck would have it, Mishima says that their investigation has revealed that the fortress has an inactive nuclear reactor inside. So if we can get in there and blow the thing up, we can take care of that problem in one fell swoop.
But how are we going to break through the swarm of Vajra and get inside to begin with? Ah, but Mishima wouldn’t have asked for our help if they didn’t have something in mind; and that plan revolves around Luca’s RVF-25, with its custom Aegis Pack.
You see, the pillar that supports the humongous Vajra flock is their ability to communicate with each other via Fold Waves. It’s what enables them to coordinate perfectly and adapt to pretty much any strategy we throw at them. On the other hand, Tieria sees, if you can find a way to jam their communications, that coordination goes right out the window.
Mishima appreciates a quick study, adding that the Frontier’s successfully developed a device capable of doing just that. It’s still undergoing trials, but he’s certain a prodigy like Luca can make good use of it. And when the Vajra are all weakened, we go inside the fortress and blow up its nuclear reactor. That’s the overall gist of the operation, and Arnie figures the rest’ll come down to our own teamwork… Only a certain guy disagrees, figuring he’s all we’ll need to pull this off.
It’s Descartes, having been dispatched by the Federation to assist with today’s op. Mishima’s heard of him as the guy responsible for dropping the Europa, so it speaks well of his skill. Tieria isn’t listening, though, as he quickly pings the guy as not even an Innovade, but an Innovator.
Descartes’s a bit disappointed that he didn’t get a chance to meet with Setsuna, our own Innovator – he wanted to get his take on the idea of certain entities resonating with the Vajra. Is Descartes implying the things have allies? Who knows; that’s for other people to look into, and Descartes figures it’ll be a moot point once he’s destroyed all of the buggers.
Pretty confident guy, Lockon sniffs, but, again, Innovator.
: Hrk…! cough, wheeze.
: The V-Type Infection in your throat’s getting worse. You know there’s only one way to fix this…
: What, to undergo surgery and have them cut out my vocal chords? Is that what you’re suggesting…?!
: I’m not doing it. I’m not giving up on my voice…!
: I’m sure you remember that the contract we made was that you’d just be a stand-in until Code Q1 was located…
: But I’ve always been singing of my own volition! If the options on the table are death or going mute, it’ll take death!
: Even if that means you’ll never see him again?
: I…!
: Oh, dear, what will it be? Will you abdicate your role as heroine to another…?
: Wh-Who…?!
Kicks door!
: Get down!
Gunshot!
: Hmhmhm… Not quite. You’ll have to aim better than that.
: (What…?! I missed at this range?! No… was I made to miss?!)
: And what kind of greeting is that, rushing in and shooting at someone? Didn’t mommy teach you some manners…?
: Are you a Frontier spy… Are you even human…?
: Oho, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, you know.
: (She knows about us…?!)
: But, no, I’m just a simple fan of the beautiful Galactic Fairy.
: Which is why I absolutely must talk to you. You see, I know a way for you to keep both your life and your music.
: You… can help me…?
: You were meant as a stand-in until the real songstress was found…
: Then all you have to do is a little switcheroo. And, luckily, there’s a way for you to take the role as leading singer for yourself!
: Isn’t that right, dear manager?
: …
: What does she mean, Grace…?
: … There is a way to save you, just like she said.
: It’s to transplant all the blood and organs of a person that’s immune to the V-Type Infection onto you…
: But then the donor would…!
: Ahahahah! Bingo! That would be the lead singer’s cue to exit the stage!
: Come on! Come on now! What will it be, Galactic Fairy? Do you have a hankering for that forbidden fruit?
: …
: Hmhmhm, the choice is entirely up to you. I’ve told you the truth and that’s my part done…
Swoooooosh…
: She disappeared?!
: I’m going after her!
Leaves.
: Sheryl, are you alright…?
: Grace… were you telling the truth back there?
: I was… and it’s certainly a way to save both your life and your voice.
: But the person that’s immune to the V-Type Infection…
: Yes, her life and her voice would be forever lost in exchange…
: Code Q1… The Superdimensional Cinderella, Ranka Lee, would lose everything…
: …
: Goodness! Everyone’s here…!
: Well, we were in the area for work.
: Hey, Ranka! It’s been a while!
: I hope we’re not bothering you or anything, turning up right before your show starts…
: Of course not – I’m so happy to see you guys! Thank you so much for coming!
: Pii!
: Heheh, Ai-kun’s also happy that you’re here, I think.
: Here, Ranka, a friend asked me to deliver this to you.
: Ooh… what a beautiful bouquet! And there’s a card? Let’s see…
: ‘Good luck on your first solo concern!’ by Furuya!
: Ah, that’s Hayase’s friend.
: Though, if I remember, he said he was a huge fan of mine…
: Eeh… Apparently, his explanation is that he’s only expanding the list of singers he’s a huge fan of…
: Hm, wonder if we should call that being open-minded or just playin’ both sides…
: Hahahah, I think he’s just a fan of Idol singers in general.
: Speaking of, I’m a bit surprised you wanted to come with us, Setsuna… Can it be that you actually like Idols?
: No way, that’s just…
: … To tell the truth, Ranka Lee’s had my interest for a while now.
: Ah…?
: Oh, I did not see THAT coming!
: (What is there to her song…? What is it that’s resounding with them…?)
: Well, what do you know, Ranka? You’ve got the Innovator’s seal of approval!
: Eheheh… I don’t even know what to say. Are you guys staying for the show?
: Sorry, we can’t… We’re setting off for a mission in a few, you know how it is…
: Oh… right, I guess so…
: But it’s fine. You’re all fighting to help the whole world…
: Ranka…
: Then, Ranka, why don’t you hold onto this?
: It’s… some mini-wireless microphone?
: It’s a prototype our company’s just made.
: Wear it, and it should transmit your song to our units in real-time.
: Real-time transmission through space with that tiny thing? Pretty impressive…
: All thanks to the Fold Quartz that’s installed in it.
: Fold Quartz? That’s the stuff they use in some of our Valkyries’ gear, right?
: Hmhmm. These stones have the natural property of being able to transmit people’s minds.
: We figured we could use that property for a bunch of other things – that’s how we came up with that mic.
: It transmits people’s minds, huh? Kinda sounds like that Odyssite.
: (People’s minds… their thoughts… Then maybe the stone in Sheryl’s earring is…)
: Thank you so much, Luca! I’ll give this concert 200% and make sure my song finds its way to you guys!
: Whereas we promise you we’ll trash that Vajra nest. That way you can sing without worrying about the bugs.
: Huh…? Your mission’s an attack on the Vajra…?
: Is there a problem, Ranka…?
: …
: U-Um… Are you really sure the Vajra are evil?
: Where’d that come from…?
: Well, back when I was trapped inside that Vajra…
: I know I was supposed to be scared, but… I just had this feeling of familiarity. Like I was home, surrounded by family and friends…
: Hey, are you listening to yourself? These are the Vajra we’re talking about.
: But…
: Yeah, the reports we’ve gotten have shown that they’ve got really tiny brains and aren’t all that intelligent…
: But does having a tiny brain mean they don’t have a heart?
: Does a singing cricket have no feelings, no heart at all? Do these flowers feel absolutely nothing?
: Ranka, you…
: But, errr… Even if they DO have a heart, they’re still attacking us for no reason, you know? We don’t really have a choice here.
: Yeah… Way too many people have lost their lives because of the Vajra.
: I just can’t bring myself to believe that creatures that’d do stuff like that have a heart…
: …
: I… I guess you’re right… Sorry, I shouldn’t be bringing this up right as you’re heading out.
: Don’t worry about it. And whatever happens, we’ll protect the fleet and this world from the Vajra.
: And that includes you, too, of course.
: Thanks…
: (But there was a resonance between the Vajra and song. I felt it…)
: (If we can pry open another way – one that doesn’t involve violence – then the future of mankind might just…)
Mission 33 (Vajra Route) – The Hour of Dialogue
: That is a nest, alright… there’s a ton of them…!
: The more spectators, the better, I say! I want my song to get through to all of them!
: What’s gotten Fei this hyped-up?
: Well, we’d previously established that her song was effective against the Vajra.
: Right, so we asked her to lead the charge to speed up our operation.
: Her song is effective against the Vajra? It’s just like when Sheryl or Ranka are singing, then.
: …
: Hmph… You’re awful chatty when the enemy’s sitting right up front…!
Descartes blasts ahead.
: Descartes Shaman, Gadelaza! Moving to engage the enemy vanguard!
: Cpt. Shaman, wait – that’s too dangerous! Don’t break formation!
: Wh-What the…
: The Federation’s Innovator’s that strong…?
: These pests are hardly a match for the power of an Innovator…
Woooom.
: Hrgh…?!
: Huh… This sensation was…!
: Th-That’s…!
: Kch… There’s a voice ringing through my head… What’s going on?!
: What happened, Erebos?! What voice?!
: Something’s wrong with Fei and Setsuna… What in blazes…?!
: B-Be careful… It’s…!
: The ELS?! Why now…?!
: A-Aargh… gaaah…!
Descartes heads after the ELS group.
: Fed, what’re you doing…?!
Wooooooom.
: My…head…!
: Are you the ones MESSING WITH MY HEAAAAAAD?!
: Rrrgh… The noise! There’s so much noise!
: You’re in too deep! Come back…!
: This is bad! They’re gonna nab him if we don’t do something!
: Artillery strike on the ELS mob! Clear an escape path!
: I-It’s not working! There’re too many of them…!
: The Gadelaza is…!
: Th-They’re… fusing with my unit… grargh…
: Uwaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
: Tch…!
: Friendly’s gone from radar! Unable to verify if the pilot’s alive or not…!
: No… way…
: They killed a real Innovator like he was nothing…
: That’s enough quivering! Don’t forget what we’re here for!
: Hrm… So, we’ve to deal with the Vajra and the ELS?! It won’t be easy, but we gotta find a way to make it happen…!
: To think we’d wind up finding both these creatures… But those are still enemies we’ve to destroy.
: Our mission remains the same: make our way towards the center of the fortress and eliminate anything that’s in the way!
Kill everything, don’t lose a ship, Setsuna, Alto, Luca or Fei-Yen. The start of this mission’s the more dangerous part simply because you’re caught in the enemy’s pincer attack. Way I see it, the simplest solution is to just head a wee bit north of the starting area and let the enemy come to you until you get a good morale lead.
Let your dodgier guys hang to the east and deal with the ELS, lest your Supers go the rest of the mission on fumes. Make good use of Command Auras and AoE skills when you can to increase your chances of not getting plinked, and as your morale gets good, you can start heading up and dealing with the bigger guys.
[url=LPix.org UX - Lion.mp3]SRW UX - Lion[/url]
[url=LPix.org UX - Envoy from Jupiter.mp3]SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter[/url]
: I feel something – like their mind – flowing through the Quantum Brainwaves…
: Talk to me! Why did you come here?!
: Hrgh… The flow of information is just too great to try and parse their thoughts…
: We’ll need to find another way if we want to talk with them…!
: Kch… Is this the ELS’ mind that Setsuna told us about? It’s echoing through my head…!
: Goddamn, these things are kicking up a storm in our brains! Get the hell outta my face!
[url=LPix.org UX - Lion.mp3]SRW UX - Lion[/url]
: (What if Ranka’s right, and these bugs really do have a heart of their own…?)
: (No, I can’t think that way – they’re still the enemy! They’re the ones who wreck our towns and kill our people without any provocation! And I won’t stop hitting back while they keep with that…!)
[url=LPix.org UX - Linebarrel.mp3]SRW UX - Linebarrel[/url]
: Sorry, Ranka… I’ll be honest, I don’t really know what’s going on inside these things’ heads.
: But they’re hurting people, so that doesn’t leave me with any choice! I gotta fight them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbKsnEzTT8s
Did you know you can shoot down the incoming ELS? Moritsugu’s command bonus is particularly good against them because it REALLY makes your guys likely to proc something against the incoming swarm (the ELS don’t have a high Skill stat, either).
And when turn 3 rolls over…
: Hrm, there’s no end to them! We can’t keep this up forever…!
: We’ve our hands full with just the Vajra! Adding these things on top is just…!
: I’m going in!
: Are you nuts, Setsuna?! Not even you can take them all on by yourself!
: No, I’ll engage the Raiser System and spread the GN Particle mental-affinity field!
: You’re going to try and communicate with the ELS?!
: What, you think you can get through to those things?! There’s no way…!
: If we let the fear of not being understood, of failing to communicate, stop us from taking the first step, then nothing’ll ever change… Our world will never change…!
: ?!
Setsuna moves into the mob of ELS.
: Uooooooooh!
[url=LPix.org UX - Envoy from Jupiter.mp3]SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter[/url]
“Hrgh…! Who are you?!”
“What are you looking for?! Why did you come here?!”
“Answer me!”
: Talk to me! What are you after…?
[url=LPix.org Gundam - Noise.mp3]OOOooooOOOOOoooooOOOO[/url]
: …?!
: What’s wrong, Setsuna…?!
: A…gh…
: Gwaaaaaaaaaaah!
: The ELS are fusing with the 00 Raiser!
: Stop them, or they’ll do to him what they did to that pilot!
: Everyone forward! Rescue Setsuna!
: Crap…! We can’t even get close to him…!
: Setsuna’s not the only one in trouble… We’re all on the way to getting overwhelmed and wrecked at the pace we’re going…!
Alarm!
: ELS fusion rate with the 00’s at 90%! It’s reaching the cockpit!
: An…swer…me… What… are you…!
: Setsuna, you’re still…?!
: Gaaaaaaaaah!
: Hrm… ELS! Can’t you tell that he’s trying to talk to you?!
: And, yet, all you care about is consuming him…!
: Alto…!
: Are you really just mindless hunks of metal?! Do you feel absolutely nothing at all?!
: Rrrgh…aaaaaah…!
: Fusion rate: 95%! We’re not going to make it…!
: SETSUNAAA!
: Wh-What…?!
: All those ELS were brought down in the blink of an eye…!
: …
: I know that attack… It’s!
[url=LPix.org UX - You Are Similar to Me.mp3]SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me[/url]
: …
: The Freedom… Kira Yamato!
: ELS, aliens… I’d like to think that even you are trying to protect something…
: But if that pushes you to set fire to our world, to shut down the path to our future, then…!
: Athrun…!
: Then we’re forced to make a choice and take a stand…!
: To protect the future of all mankind!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqthbob_IHI
: Wow… Those are…
: The two super aces from the 2nd Alliance-PLANTs War…
The two bots fly over to Setsuna.
: A-A Gun…dam…
: Get here and bring in the pilot! He’s in too much risk!
: Allow me. I’ll take it from here.
: You’re…!
: Have the medical team dispatched! Hurry!
: The boy’s in your hands!
: Maj. Graham Aker?! What’re you doing here…?
: It’s been a long time, Ensign Berge. We’ve a lot of catching up to do, but…
: That’ll have to wait until we’re through this mess! I trust you two Gundams are also ready to go…?!
: We are. This is what we returned to the battlefield to do!
: To clear the way for our future – with our own two hands!
Strike Freedom Gundam (Kira Yamato)
Pilot Skills:
SEED
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L1
Counter
All-Attack L1
Spirit Commands:
Sense
Focus
Mercy
Snipe
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Beam Shield
VPS Armor
Hyper Deuterion Engine
Squad Bonus: Ranged attacks’ power +100, Accuracy +5 (Ranged attacks +200, Accuracy +20, S in Space)
Kira’s voice actor: Soichiro Hoshi (other roles: Brera in Macross F, Sanada Yukimura in Sengoku Basara, Chaos in Xenosaga, and a ton more)
Infinite Justice Gundam (Athrun Zala)
Pilot Skills:
SEED
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L1
Command L1
All-Attack L1
Spirit Commands:
Sense
Focus
Accelerate
Justice (正義) – reduces own EN, MP and Ammo cost to 0 for the next turn.
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Beam Shield
VPS Armor
Hyper Deuterion Engine
Squad Bonus: Melee attacks’ power +100, Mobility +5 (Melee attacks +200, Mobility +20, S in Space)
Athrun’s voice actor: Akira Ishida (other roles: Tellius, Mekibos and the Machinery Children in SRW OGs, Kaworu in Evangelion, Gaara in Naruto, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars and a ton more)
We’ve been through this THRICE ALREADY! Big huge stats on Jesus, only pilot who I’d consider can give Maya competition for best sniper, fan-fire MAPW as in L and W, etc. etc. Use him as a lead (get him Hit & Away), unless you just don’t like his face – still recommend at least making him a squaddie.
Athrun is Kira -1, and with a melee focus. Still pretty dang good. Only new thing is that his Phantom-01 actually has a MAPW version that hits 1-8 in a straight line.
[url=LPix.org UX - Linebarrel.mp3]SRW UX - Linebarrel[/url]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVkju5DSXug
And here are the Valkyries new Reactive Munitions.
[url=LPix.org UX - Envoy from Jupiter.mp3]SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter[/url]
: I’ll sink my feet into the ground and fight any enemy that threatens peace, even ones I cannot fathom! Such is my pride as a soldier!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEWcG9tBZ3o
First time we fight one of these buggers, so here’s it in action.
[url=LPix.org UX - You Are Similar to Me.mp3]SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me[/url]
: I’m ready and willing to shoulder every burden now that I’ve returned to the battlefield – the burden of our lives, of our resolve and our future!
: The man standing here isn’t the son of Chairman Zala or Alex Dino! I’m Athrun Zala of the UX, nothing more and nothing less!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDyWR3k_Z6M
And here’s Graham’s new strongest attack, with his Sol Brave mooks to help!
: All ELS in the sector are confirmed destroyed!
: Now we can follow our original plan and focus on the Vajra!
Mind, as you start dwindling the Vajra numbers…
: Tsk… This isn’t working. We kill one and three more crop up in its place!
: (They still haven’t activated that device of theirs…?)
: …
: There – the concert’s started just now! If all goes right…!
[url=LPix.org UX - Interstellar Flight (LIVE in Alcatraz).mp3]SRW UX - Interstellar Flight (LIVE in Alcatraz)[/url]
: ♪~
: That’s…!
: Ranka’s song!
: Nice, the Vajra are slowing down…!
: It’s the effect of her song! Its Fold Waves are jamming the Vajra’s inner communications!
: Don’t let this chance slip by our fingers, troops! Break through their lines and trash that fortress!
[url=LPix.org UX - Envoy from Jupiter.mp3]SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter[/url]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKqDzsUrilA
Hey, did you know the Quarter gained a new final attack during mission 24? I only now realized it! 
[url=LPix.org UX - You Are Similar to Me.mp3]SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me[/url]
: It’s possible our fighting’ll eventually bring about new sorrow… And I understand that there’s no such thing as a 100% righteous battle…
: But I’ve made a decision to help pave the way for our future! And I won’t look back!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbpKvynI2M
And as you dwindle the Vajra numbers again…
: The enemy’s defensive lines are falling apart! We’ve our way into the fortress…!
: …
: L-Look at the size of that thing…! Think it’s the boss of their hive?
: Tsk… And, of course, it’s blocking our path inside!
: Meaning we won’t be getting in the fortress until we trash it!
: Still, we’d have to do so sooner or later. This hive will not fall while the leader stands.
: Right on! So let’s suck it up and get to work!
Vajra Bishop-Class
Pilot Skills:
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
All-Attack L1
Mech Features:
Fold Barrier
30% HP and EN Regen
All Canceller
Big blob of HP but the lack of Prevail means we can tear it down on one turn. The problem is getting in range, as it’s very well equipped to blast all your guys – complete with a MAPW that blasts in a 1-8 arc (mind, it can’t hit in the column straight in front of the Bishop) – but, thankfully, it’s not too accurate.
If you still have a Confuse cast available, pop it on approach, clear off the remaining Vajra and drop the Bishop to end the mission. If not, your Reals should be safe from the MAPW, so just make sure your Supers and ships are flying inside the blind-spots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBfH3mOQws8
Here’s the thing’s strongest move but, more importantly, Arnie’s first own-screen usage of the warp skill!
Now, the plot kicks in once you get the Bishop under 50% HP and that’s when the pre-battle convos actually start playing. So, to save on space and keep things flowing nicely, let’s jump to it now and then we’ll get the battle rolling properly.
: Blah, the boss-bug’s really making us work for it…!
: …!
: It doesn’t know when to give up…!
: Gch…!
: You okay, Luca?!
: I-I’m fine, but… that attack just wrecked my transmitter…!
: Damn, the Vajra are feeling better…!
: Because Ranka’s song stopped…?!
: Never mind that, we’re already running low on resources! If they call in a new mob of Vajra, we’ll be in big trouble!
: I’ll do it!
Fei moves in front of the Boddole Zer.
: Fei…?!
: I don’t really know what’ll happen this time… I’m kind of scared it won’t help, but if there’s a chance my song can get us through this…
: Then I’ll sing! I’ll sing for Ranka, for Setsuna… for everyone! I’ll put all your emotions to song!
[url=LPix.org Higuchi - Believe.mp3]Chieko Higuchi - Believe[/url]
: This wavelength is…!
: It’s very similar to Ranka’s Fold Song?!
: Look… the Vajra’re being subdued by her song!
: One last push, people! Time to finish the leader off!
: Monsters entranced by song… I can appreciate the different side you’re displaying, but this is still an opening I need to exploit!
: Their songs, their emotions, make it through to anyone who listens, no matter who that is…
: And, in that case, I know what I must do!
: Even in a different time and in a different battlefield, there’s always power to song – to the voice of a songstress that prays for peace!
: And I’ll also do my part for as long as their feelings remain with me!
: I won’t stop until all our emotions get through to you. And that includes Ranka, Setsuna’s…
: And that girl’s emotions too!
: So it wasn’t just a one-time thing – Fei’s song really works on the Vajra. But how? Is there some hidden power to her, Sheryl and Ranka’s music?
: I’m not wasting this opportunity! I might not know what kind of power their songs have, but the feelings packed in those lyrics are as clear as day – and they won’t be for nothing!
: Well, dang, Fei’s song really is just as effective as theirs. Now, I get that you’re digging the music so much its got you stunned, but I’m gonna have to cut that short!
: Fei’s song is also getting through to them… Are the Vajra really reacting to the emotions in her lyrics…?
: But… but that’s a question for another time! If we let these guys go, Earth’ll…!
: Are they acting like this because they heard Fei’s song…? Are they actually being moved by it…?
: No… No, look at everything they’ve done – all the people they’ve killed! These things are heartless…! They have to be…!
: …!
: That Vajra’s still kicking…?!
: The enemy’s movements are very sluggish, though. Now is when you attack…!
: You’re—…!
[url=LPix.org UX - The Target.mp3]SRW UX - The Target.[/url]
: It’s that Galaxy Valkyrie – Brera’s…!
: This is Antares 1 to the UX. I’m moving in to assist you.
Brera flies after the Bishop.
: He says “assist”, but it’s looking more like he’s trying to take the thing out by himself!
: He’s not, because I won’t pass this on to someone who just got here! I’m going too!
: Don’t stray from the team, Alto!
: But we can’t let up either, or we’ll miss the opening Setsuna and Fei gave us!
: I figured you’d come… Back me up, Alto! We’ll wipe out every single one of these Vajra!
: “Wipe them out…”
: (Setsuna was ready to risk his life trying to communicate with an alien species…)
: (Meanwhile, I…)
: If you’re not going to attack, then leave!
: ?!
: Someone who’s not willing to pull the trigger when needed has no business being here…!
: …
: No, I’ll do it! I’m here, right now, as a pilot…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUEMo5hPHpQ
: (That’s…!)
: Aaaargh!
: Hrm…!
Kira flies over to Alto.
Any surviving Vajra and ELS run away now.
: Where’s Alto?! Is he alright?!
: Yes, he’s fine.
: Hrgh…
: He seems to be a bit injured, but I don’t think his life’s at risk.
: I see… Thank you for bailing him out of that blast.
: Mission complete. Returning…
: Stop right there, you! The hell’s wrong with you, ignoring a wounded wingman and taking off…?!
: My Valkyrie’s also damaged. Besides, I’m sure you’ll get him back to your ship and patch him up.
: …
: That is all.
: Always such a friendly guy, eh?
: Delta 1 to all units, the mission is a success. We’ve confirmed the target’s destruction and we’re detecting no signs of any enemy forces.
: Repeat, there are no signs of the enemy. Halt combat operations and set a course back to the ship…
: (That Vajra sent out a massive Fold Wave when it died…)
: (The direction it went might just be…)
Back at the Frontier, Luca reports everything that happened – the data collected has already been passed on to the lab for analysis. As the call ends, Mishima is so happy: the outcome of the operation was far better than what he and Howard anticipated. The bugs won’t be running roughshod around them any longer!
“Rejoice, Mr. President. The day the Frontier Fleet ascends to glory is nigh,” Mishima gloats to Howard, before shifting to his inner monologue. “And that calls for a little something to be done first…”
: Well, that battle was as tough as we figured it’d be. And the ELS surprise appearance sure didn’t help things…
: Right. Not only did we spend a lot of resources there, the bigger issue is our injured teammates.
: How’re they doing?
: There wasn’t anything major with Alto – just some superficial wounds. He’s being treated and should be discharged from the hospital soon.
: On the other hand…
: It’s not as simple for Setsuna, right?
: He’s suffered severe brain damage from the massive flow of information that poured in when he tried sharing his mind with the ELS’.
: He’s currently in a coma, and it’s anyone’s guess if he’ll ever recover…
: He…
: But what possessed him to even try that sort of thing…?
: I suppose he was just trying to find a way to communicate with the ELS.
: A way that didn’t involve fighting…
: …
: Setsuna…
: Feldt, I know you’re worried about him, but you should also get some rest…
: We’re moving in to dock at Island 1 now, so why not take some time off while we’re there?
: No, I want to stay here a while longer…
Door opens.
: You’ve been looking for a way for people to better understand one another, and now you’ve even tried reaching out to the ELS…
: Blazing a trail for our future… that’s what your fight’s always been, isn’t that right, boy?
: Maj. Graham…
: (Graham Aker… the Ensign’s former superior officer…)
: You look well, Ensign.
: Maj. Graham, I…
: You’ve no need to explain yourself, Ensign.
: ?!
: I only have to look at you to see that you’ve uncovered where your beliefs lie, and what path to follow…
: …
: Now, Maj. Ronin’s pulled some strings, and I’ve also been assigned to work with the UX – effective immediately.
: Then…
: Yes, we’ll ride together once more. That said, it won’t be as subordinate and superior officer, but as comrades-in-arms.
: You got it…!
: It’s been a long time, Lunamaria, Shinn…
: Good to see you again, Athrun. And…
: …
: Here we finally are…
: I’d always wondered when we’d meet again like this…
: I’m sorry it couldn’t happen sooner, but there’s always so much to do. Still, what I told you back the first time we met is still true to this day.
: Let’s fight together, Shinn. We’ll try and make sure those flowers are never wiped out again… and even if they are, we’ll carry on replanting them…
: Kira Yamato…
: Exactly. That’s what we’re all fighting for.
: So, you’ll be coming with us too, Athrun?
: I am. Glad we’ll finally be able to fight shoulder-to-shoulder, Lunamaria.
: Hahah… And I promise you I won’t be dragging anyone down this time, Athrun.
: As for you, Shinn, you’ve done a great job.
: Are you pulling my leg? Do you know how hard things’ve been for us…?
: Shinn…?!
: But I guess they say hardship is the best teacher, so there’s that.
: I hope you’re ready to buckle down, because there’s a lot of learning in store for you, too, Cpt. Athrun!
: Ah…
: … Aye, aye. You can count on me, Shinn.
: He’s a good man.
: Huh…?
: Athrun’s told me of how hard Shinn tries to make his dreams real.
: Um… Are you really going to trust us to watch your back? You, Kira Yamato, the Super Coordinator…?
: Yes, and not just to watch my back. All of us are trusting you with our strength, our emotions and our wishes.
: That’s the path we chose to follow in order to shape our future…
: And the path Setsuna would also like to take.
Location: Frontier Fleet – Hospital
: Sure you should be hanging out here? Don’t you have work to do?
: Shush, you. It’s not everyday I visit the infirm, so how about some gratitude?
: Hahah… Yeah, thanks…
: But are you really okay? I heard you were hurt pretty bad…
: They’re giving me the full regenerative medicine treatment. Still hurts a bit, but I’ll be better soon enough.
: I see…
: Something the matter, Sheryl…?
: Your wounds’ll be healed, and then you’ll go flying again.
: That’s the plan. Flying’s what I live for.
: Alto, um…!
: I don’t want you to be a pilot anymore. You don’t have to be out there, risking your life…!
: ?!
: There are plenty of pilots around, but there’s…
: There’s only one Alto Saotome, you know…!
: Sheryl…
Door opens!
: Hey, Alto, how are you…
: Ah…?! Sheryl…?
: Ranka…?
: …
: I guess I’m interrupting something… I’m so sorry…!
: W-Wait, Ranka…!
- :tfrxmas: *
: Don’t move!
: Wh-What the hell are you…?!
: As much as I would’ve loved to watch this drama some more, I’m afraid that’s not in the cards.
: You’re the president’s aide… What do you want with me?!
: With you? Nothing at all. My business is with this girl.
: Isn’t that right, False Songstress…?
: …
: Sheryl…? What’s going on…?
: …
: Sheryl Nome, you are under arrest for a grand total of twelve crimes, including suspicion of espionage and violating the Statute of Secrecy!
Both Graham and Athrun are tacticians, and already come with their second bonuses unlocked: both have +25% chance of activating defensive skills, but Athrun boosts melee weapons’ damage by 10%, whereas Graham boosts counterattack damage by 10%.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, when Arnie and Saya attack anything, they have the same convo they did in the other route:
: Ensign, I’ll assume control of both our units’ engines once we’re combined. I’ll try and make sure it all operates as best as can be…
: Don’t worry about it, and don’t hold anything back! It’s your being here that brings our units’ full power to light! Here we go, Orphes/Odyssea!