Click to see the mission!
And we are officially through that huge route split (thank god). We lost Kazuki, though, so that’s less than ideal. Today, only Lockon is deploying as an event unit, but he doesn’t have to be flying solo, so we’re keeping everything as it was:
Arnie/Fei-Yen
Zhang Fei/Tsubasa
Shinn/Klan
Sun Quan/Shangxiang
Eida/Guan Yu
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Michel/Kenji
Alto/Ozma
Mamoru/Sakura
Kouichi/Canaria
Liu Bei/Rennie
Aesap/Cao Cao
Yamashita/Mike
Joe/Saya
Lockon/Luna
Shou/Marvel
Setsuna/Luca
Kurou/Deceive
Heroman/Moritsugu
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Grab a seat, folks, because there’s much to do today.
We open up at the Federation’s Moldova base, where Kariya’s submarine has just docked and she reports to Mitsuhiro that she’s brought the Nothung Model and its pilot. He praises her good work and adds that they’ll transplant its core into the Salvator Model right away. Until that’s done, though, he wants her and the rest of her team to stay in the sub.
Huh? Why aren’t they being given permission to enter the Moldova Base? The truth is, as Mitsuhiro tells Kariya, that the base is currently seeing some strange issues going on at the topside facilities. Depending on how things turn out, they may be forced to abandon the place.
Whatever could have happened?
That’s what Allelujah and Soma are trying to figure out. Close to the spot where the solar energy transformer disappeared, they find a collapsed mook. Is he alright? Can he tell them what’s up? No, he can’t, as his body starts turning metallic!
He mutters something about machines attacking, but nothing makes sense. Soma, meanwhile, hears a voice echoing through her head – Quantum Brainwaves? She doesn’t think so. However, her train of thought is interrupted when an empty truck starts coming their way at full speed! Soma and Allelujah dodge, but a bunch more stuff is headed their way. Seems like this is what the mook meant about machines attacking.
Allelujah doesn’t know what’s going on, but his more unhinged split-personality, Hallelujah, does: the machines are being attracted by Soma’s Quantum Brainwaves. With no time to hang around, Hallelujah tags in to deal with the situation.
And, indeed, his own Quantum Brainwaves are attracting the machines as well. Soma isn’t too happy to see him, but the three of them can talk things out later – they need to flee into the base.
: The Federation’s Moldova Base…? That’s where Kazuki’s at?
: Hmhmm, we ran the numbers on their projected course and that’s looking like a pretty sure bet.
: So he’s been taken prisoner by the Federation?
Door opens.
: Who knows? He could also be willingly helping them out.
: Mr. Mizoguchi… I didn’t expect to see you here.
: Makabe’s orders. I came over as fast as I could, but that was obviously not fast enough.
: Tsk, getting played like a damn fiddle by that little spygirl was bad enough…
: But that ain’t got nothing on Kazuki bailing on us. He was our best prospect out of all the Fafner pilots.
: And that’s the problem! Kazuki ran away because he couldn’t stand everyone looking at him that way!
: Maya…
: He didn’t want to be a tool of war, or a pilot… All he wanted was for someone to remember who he was before he started flying the Fafner…
: But none of you… none of you ever stopped to ask how he felt about anything!
: Kch… How can all of you be so selfish?! How can you talk about him like that?!
: …
Location: Federation Moldova Base – Cell
: It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Kazuki Makabe?
: You’re… Mr. Hino?
: Yes, Michio told me that you were the pilot of the captured Fafner. I confess I was very surprised.
: We’re already getting the paperwork sorted out and will have you out this cell soon enough. Just be patient for a bit longer, yes?
: …
: What… What are you going to do with me?
: Well, what is it that you want to do?
: Huh…?
: I’m a scientist, so my goal is to build the best weapons I can for the men and women who’ll be fighting out there.
: But I don’t do that to maximize the kill tally. Rather, it’s just to get as many pilots back safely as possible.
: And you couldn’t do that kind of research back at Tatsumiya?
: Correct, and that’s why I left. You also felt like you had to leave, no?
: I… I just wanted to figure out what I really should be fighting for…
: The longer I stayed there, the more I felt myself slipping away…
: In that case, why not come with me?
: Huh…? Are you asking me to help with your research?
: Hm. If you do, I might just be able to show you a different way than one of combat.
: A different way…?
: We managed to sneak into the base thanks to Hallelujah’s help, but…
: Humans turning into metal, driverless trucks chasing us around… Just what is going on here…?
: Hold on, someone’s coming. Hide!
: This is the Mark Elf… but it is not us. (Idun)
: It is not us, no. It is in front of us. (Mjölnir)
: (What are they talking about…?)
: We will diverge here. We will have me take action…
Tweeeooop.
: (H-He disappeared…?!)
: (Those two… they’re not human?!)
: We will have me take action as well…
: Hold on, if you would.
: …
: The core of the Mark Elf is a fragment of the Mir that came active at the Machine Island two hundred years ago.
: Mir, that which once sunk mankind into the depths of despair… is now mankind’s only hope.
: We are having me agree with you.
: Agreeing with someone doesn’t equal comprehending someone, though.
: Do you understand why I haven’t told Mitsuhiro about you two being here?
: One part knows, another does not. Diverging possibilities result in human individuality.
: The opposite is also true. I, as an individual, chose to diverge towards a different possibility than Mitsuhiro’s.
: And that makes you Festum so interested in understanding us, humans.
: (Did he say “Festum”?! That woman…?!)
: And you had yourself side with me.
: Not quite. I’m just following the dying will of Akane Makabe… the woman you once assimilated.
: Akane Makabe is no more.
: How about we make sure? I’d like you to meet with Kazuki Makabe. Perhaps that might actually mark the start of a new divergence? One the likes never before seen by either humanity or the Festum…
: …
*:tfrxmas:
: Nobody move.
: ?! You’re…?
: Allelujah Haptism, of the Celestial Being.
: Soma Peries, also of the Celestial Being.
: Oh, the Gundam Meisters…
: I’ve some questions to ask you about this base and this woman…
Powering up!
: Hmm, our theory was right. We’ve only just set in the Mark Elf’s core and we’re already seeing a tremendous increase in the power-gain.
: What unit is this…?
: The Fafner Salvator Model, Mark Sein…
: Mark Sein…
: It means “to be”. It’s proof that we, humans, are here.
: …
: And you’ve been researching the Festum in order to finish this unit?
: Not just the Festum. I’ve gathered and researched anything that showed promise.
: It’s for that reason that I had my men recover a fragment from the exploration vessel Europa.
: A fragment…?
: I theorized that it would have an alien organism within.
: And I was right. The strange phenomena you encountered topside? I’d wager the fragment is the cause…
: ?! Is that all you have to say…?! Look at how many people died because of your research on that thing!
: Are you telling me this mech was so crucial that you’d do something as thoughtless as that?!
: That’s right. But the Mark Sein’s now complete, so this base’ll have served its purpose…
: All that remains is Kazuki Makabe…
: We are not willing to allow me to meet Kazuki Makabe.
: What…?
Alarm!
: Wh-What’s going on…?!
Beep.
: Alert! Alert! We’re under attack by the Festum!
: Detecting several Alhenteris and Grendel-types materializing! All personnel are to evacuate into the shelters immediately!
: The Festum…?!
: Our preferred divergence has initialized its action.
: But why?! Does your Mir reject our Mir?!
: We have no such concepts as acceptance or rejection.
: We will revert the universe to nothingness, and in doing so, move ourselves to a higher dimension.
: Revert the universe to nothingness?! That’s what you Festum are after?!
: …
: Sorry, Allelujah. But it looks like my plan has ended in failure…
: Mr. Hino…
: But we cannot allow the Mark Sein – the savior of mankind – to be lost here.
: There’s a boy held prisoner inside this base. If I might make a request, I’d like you to break him out.
Location: Federation Moldova Base – Submarine
: We can’t get in touch with the lab?!
: Impossible…! Yoji, are you seriously turning on us now?!
: (Dad’s turned traitor…?)
Beep!
: Dr. Bartland, what’s the meaning of this?!
: The Festum are attacking; I believe they noticed what we’re after. We’re going to abandon the base!
: “Abandon”?! But what about the Salvator Model?!
: We’re already assembling all research data. All we’d need is a new core and we could build another one straight away.
: And when we do, it’ll be strong enough to wipe out the Festum.
Bloop.
: Start flooding the dock! Prepare for emergency departure!
: Hey, hold on! My dad and Kazuki are still—!
:tfrxmas:
: Don’t move!
: ?! Yukippe, you…!
: Do as she says, please. I’d rather not have to kill you too.
: Indeed, you and Canon will have much to do to help us secure a new core…
: Hrm…!
: …
Alarm!
: Huh? Is there no one out there?!
: Ooh, what’s going on now?! Didn’t that guy say we were going to get out of this cell?!
: Kazuki…? You there, are you Kazuki Makabe?!
: Wh-Who are…?!
: Get back! We’re going to blow up the door!
Boom!
: cough, cough…! Ah…! They did it, Kazuki! The door’s open!
: You’re… Cham, right? The Mi Ferario?
: You know me?
: Oh, what’s this…? It’s like there’re two different Auras coming from each of you…
: …
: Just who are you two?
: We’re friends with Setsuna and Lockon. You know them, right?
: ! Then you’re with the Celestial Being…?!
: Right. Yoji Hino asked us to come and rescue you.
: Mr. Hino…? What about him? What’s he going to do?!
: That’s…
Cut to JUDA, Ogawa says an emergency transmission just came in for the UX from the Federation’s Moldovan base: Order UX-E9… commissioned by Allelujah Haptism. That means Emergency Level 9, meaning it’s a top priority request for the UX.
Lockon doesn’t know why Allelujah’s sending a request for us… but it turns out it’s from Hino. Mizoguchi and Toumi are very surprised to see him, and their being here simplifies things. Hino introduces himself as a former ALVIS scientist – Allelujah passed him this code. So, what does he need?
“I don’t think this base will be around for much longer. So I’d like to request that you come here and save both Kazuki Makabe and the Fafner Salvator Model,” he says. That’s quite the request considering it was Hino’s people who took Kazuki in the first place. Moreover, since this is a “request” for the UX, what would our compensation be, Richard asks.
“The future of all mankind” Hino declares, and that gets Richard’s attention. “I’ve confidence that your group and Kazuki will be capable of making good use of the Mark Sein. And, in doing so, you’ll create a brand new divergence – one that’ll bring about the future of mankind. “
With precious little time remaining, he really hopes we’ll take his request… and the comm drops.
static
: I suppose this is it…
: …
: What is it? Why aren’t you leaving?
: We will be here soon. You are alone.
: Are you concerned for my life?
: Li-fe…?
: Hah, I see… You’ve also opened the door. I’m glad to see that…
: …
: Listen to me, person who once called herself Akane Makabe. I want you to deliver this unit to the ALVIS boy.
: We will not allow me to meet with Kazuki Makabe.
: Then just give him the Mark Sein. I ask that you do this so Akane Makabe’s enduring wish passes on to him…!
: …
Tweeeooop.
: Thank you…
: A new hope will sprout with destruction as its seedbed. Forgive me, Michio…
Click.
(on the comm): Yoji made a request of the UX?!
: Yeah, and apparently he blew himself up to try and take the Festum along with him.
: God…!
: Minashiro, we have to go and save Kazuki! You’ve got a plan, right?!
: No, it’s impossible… We could deploy right now and we would never get there in time.
: Maybe not. If we use the Quarter’s Fold System, we could get halfway around the planet in one second.
: …?!
: The Elshank is also capable of travelling through wormholes. So if we deploy immediately…!
: B-But…!
: Why are you even thinking twice about this?!
: Shouko… she didn’t hesitate for a second when it was time to set out and fight for Kazuki – for us – didn’t she?!
: …
: I’m certain that what Kazuki sought was not mainly to flee from battle. Rather, he simply needed time to find himself.
: So we need to go and pick him up. Here, with us, is where he belongs…
: Y-You…
: Besides, the guy said the payment for this gig would be “the future of all mankind”. Not the kind of stuff you can pass on, right?
: But we’ll need your strength if we’re gonna do this, Soushi. Will you come with us…?
: …
: But I…
: I’m sure you’re the one Kazuki really wants to come get him.
: So when he’s back with us, I want you to look him right in the eye and say…
Mission 21 – Welcome Home ~ Friends
BOOM!
: ! Something exploded in the underground…?!
: Do you think that was Mr. Hino…?!
: Hrm…! It’s that voice again…!
The GN-X III sets forward!
: I-It’s coming this way!
: Is it going after Marie like that truck did…?!
: It’s too fast! We can’t get away!
: …?!
: Gundam Zabanya, Lockon Stratos! Not sure what’s going on here but that’s the target sniped down!
: Lockon!
: Kazuki, are you okay?!
: Toumi… guys!
: And we’ve brought you guys a new mech: the Gundam Harute.
: Afraid hearing about your trip’s gonna have to wait, though. Hop aboard, you two!
: …
: I’m dragging you into another battle… I’m sorry, Marie.
: It’s all right. It wouldn’t be right for me to run off alone, especially since I’m their target.
: We’ll fight them together, Allelujah!
: Thank you, Marie!
: Kazuki, I’m sending you the coordinates Hino marked. The Mark Sein should be there, so hurry!
: O-Okay!
: …
: Huh….?! There it is again, just like in that last fight! I’m hearing a voice calling out to something!
: I can’t tell you much, but I do know that it’s not people controlling those units.
: It’s likely those were hijacked by something like an alien organism.
: An a-alien organism…?!
: And they’re the ones drawing the Festum over…?!
: Engaging Federation units will very likely come back to haunt us later… but I suppose that’s neither here nor there at the moment.
: Troops, engage and destroy the Festum and the Federation units with due haste!
: Roger that! Gundam Harute, Allelujah Haptism!
: Soma Peries!
: Moving to engage!
Kill everyone, don’t lose your ships. Pretty much a rehash of the previous mission, only with jacked GN-Xs thrown in the middle. Standard Festum tactics apply, so carry on as usual – of note, the base structures will provide 10% evasion bonus, so that’s something to offset their Mind Read.
Gundam Harute (Allelujah Haptism/Soma Peries)
Pilot Skills:
Super Soldier (超兵) – activates at 130 morale, granting an accuracy and mobility bonus that increases in proportion to morale. +5% at 130, with added increments of 5 until +25% at 170.
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L1
Predict
All Attack
Spirit Commands – Allelujah:
Accelerate
Sense
Assail
Spirit Commands – Soma:
Focus
Attune (感応) – casts Strike on target ally.
Trust
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Transform
GN Field
GN Drive
Trans-AM
Squad Bonus: Mobility +5, EN +50 (Mobility +20, EN +100, Movement +2)
Allelujah’s voice actor: Hiroyuki Yoshino (other roles: Hazar in SRW Alpha 3, Sofiro in Rinne no Lagrange, Yuto in Inazuma Eleven and many more)
Soma’s voice actress: Arisa Ogasawara (other roles: Holly in Heroman, the Haros in 00 Gundam, Panty in Panty & Stocking and a few more)
And here’s, IMO, the second best 00 Gundam. Allelujah’s meant to go zipping across the battlefield and start cutting stuff, but the Harute opted to play it safe and get an even split of long and short-range weapons. Still pretty powerful and survivable, and he makes a good fit for pretty much any Real.
Not too sturdy, even with that GN Field, but that’s only a problem if stuff manage to get a hit in and that’s not very likely with Allelujah’s good evading skills, Super Soldier and Soma’s added spirits.
The Harute may not measure up to top tier units, but it’s right there with Graham as a squaddie you can easily switch to the front whenever. If anything, his Squad Bonus and Accelerate are very welcome.
Oh, and Lockon’s new Zabanya is a straight upgrade to the Dynames with more of everything: more guns, more damage, more Haros!
: Oookay, time for the Zabanya to step into the limelight.
: There isn’t anything I can’t snipe down with this baby!
: Go, Lockon!
: Go, Lockon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YFSz05UWnw
Damn it, Luna!
: … [Noise]
: Huh… What is it?! If y o u ’ v e got something to say, then say it loud and clear!
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: (I’m glad you’re safe, Kazuki…)
: (But what am I supposed to say to him if he comes back now…?)
: I don’t know if the answer we found through our journey is the right one, but…!
: Yes, they need our help right now. So let’s go, Allelujah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlC3h1A28EA
: Hold on, Kazuki! We’re coming to pick you up!
: Cham’s still with Kazuki… Tsk, I’ll give her a big talking-to once she’s back!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: … [Noise]
: What sensation is this…? Is that a voice I hear…? No, it’s…!
: … [Noise]
: What are these things?!
: No idea. But I’m feeling something like a voice coming from that machine!
: … [Noise]
: Something’s echoing through my mind… I knew it. It’s the exact same thing I felt from that fragment!
And when all GN-Xs are dead…
: The voice stopped…?
: Yeah, you’re right. I don’t hear it anymore!
: …
: (Again, just like the previous battle… If I’m right, then the alien organism Allelujah spoke of is…)
And when turn 3 rolls over, or you down three Festum teams…
: …
: What’s that guy doing in a place like that…?!
: Huh? Do you think he’s one of the base’s personnel…?
: We have learned all we needed of this place.
: We will use me to eliminate all that is not us.
: Aack! H-He transformed?!
: He looks like…!
: Are you there…?
: A Festum…!
: This should be the place Mr. Hino said, but…
: Look, Kazuki! There’s someone there!
: ?! It… It can’t be…! That’s…!
: …
: M-Mom…?
: Yoji Hino has asked me to deliver the Mark Sein to you.
: The Mark Sein… He did?!
: We will not allow me to diverge any more.
: Mom, wait! It’s you, isn’t it?!
: No, Kazuki… I don’t think that’s a person…
: Huh…?
: Akane Makabe is no more. I am what you call a Festum.
: …?!
: I am giving Mir’s vessel to you, child of ALVIS.
: Board it. I am leaving.
Tweeeooop.
: Sh-She disappeared…?
: Mom, why…
: Gwaaaaaargh! Goddamn, that guy’s strong!
: He’s on a completely different level from the other Festum we’ve seen…!
: Do you think he’s their leader?!
: Everyone focus all your fire on that big Festum! We’re going straight for the jugular!
: Y-Yes, sir!
We only need to destroy the Idun Sphinx-Type to end the mission, but we wouldn’t want all the cash and kills from the other Festum to go to waste, right?
Besides, your troops are likely to be far from him and it wouldn’t do to get caught in a pincer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Rswe8H71w
Argh, it’s still their turn!
Idun Sphinx-Type
Pilot Skills:
Mind Read L3 (that’s +50% to his evasion/accuracy)
Support Attack L2
All Attack L1
Mech Features:
HP and EN Regen L2
Assimilation L2 (Threshold is 100 morale)
All-Canceller
Idun’s voice actor: Mitsuaki Madono (other roles: Yuuki in SRW Alpha and OGs, J in GGG, Celrick in SRW X and many more)
No more games, now you’re gonna deal with a fully armed and operational Festum Boss.
That Mind Read plus massive stats everywhere important (and S rank on land) means he’ll likely get VERY good numbers against anyone not packing Focus. His attacks are high-powered and while 100 morale Assimilation isn’t too bad since we built up plenty of morale, if you leave enough Festum around, they might just beat someone enough to get him closer to that threshold. And, if you remember, a Festum gets a full heal when it grabs someone – don’ let it happen.
Thankfully, Idun’s threat is reduced by the fact that he has absolutely no defenses outside of his Mind Read. If you can get enough people (with Strike) to close in, he can easily be downed in a single turn.
Except…
: We do not understand your actions.
: You use human words, assume our shape…
: But if you don’t understand us, then why are you trying to act like us?!
Uh, oh.
: Say what…?!
: We will not accept anything that is not us.
: Our attacks are doing nothing to him…?!
: Hrm… What’re we gonna do now?!
Power uuuuup.
: A Fafner…?! But that type is…!
: Th-This feels… totally different from the Mark Elf…!
: Kazuki…! Is that you aboard that Fafner, Kazuki?!
: Soushi, I…!
Tweeeooop.
: Mom…!
: A-Am I going nuts… Akane?!
: No, that’s not a human… it’s a Festum!
: A Festum assumed Akane’s form?!
: I have one final observation to make.
: We have limited your existence.
: We are in the process of understanding human individuality.
: We do not understand you.
: That is fruit of your own denial.
: Wh-What’re those two talking about?!
: I am… us.
: Then why do you use words?
: I have ceased diverging. We are supposed to be one, so why are we having conversation?
: …
: The other Mir was meant to have joined with us, but it was not so. And because of its existence, I am becoming me. Just as you are becoming you. That is what I had to tell us.
: …
: We do not approve of you…
: !!
: Th-That Festum…!
: I-It ate… It ate my mom!
: Rrgh… AAAAAAAAAH!
Kazuki bumrushes Idun!
: You… you killed my mom!!
: Kazuki, stop! You can’t fight like that! Don’t let an Aura of hatred take control of you!
: …
: U-UWAAAAAAH!!
: Not good! The Festum’s trying to assimilate him!
: Kazuki…!
Location: Mark Sein’s Cockpit
: …
: Kazuki! Kazuki, wake up!
: Gh… I-I’m…
: Ah, thank goodness! You’re back!
: It’s been born.
: ?! Y-You’re…?
: But it’s only just appeared. You are on the verge of causing the core to be reborn, Kazuki…
: The “core”? What are you talking about…?
: Wait, hold on. What are you talking about?! Are you speaking to someone, Kazuki?
: Huh…? You can’t see her, Cham…?
: …
: Soushi…!
: Pull yourself together, Kazuki! Soushi’s not here!
: (My mind isn’t crossed right now… Then this Soushi I’m seeing must be…!)
: Are you there…?
: Y-You’re…!
: Wh-What’s going on?! The Fafner sunk into that lava-esque mass?!
: No, that’s the Fafner trying to devour the Festum!
: Yoji, what the hell did you create?!
: And Kazuki’s in there?!
: I don’t know… But by the looks of things…!
: Let’s join as one, Kazuki.
: Soushi…
: Everyone used to be one at the beginning…
: We came from somewhere vast and distant… and then everyone was brought apart.
: Assimilation is the way back to that distant place, a way that’s coded into our bodies…
: I don’t exist anywhere. So I want to get back to where I can be one with you…
: Soushi, you…
: Assimilation is one option, but it is not the only one.
: A way to go back and a way to go forward are both coded into our bodies…
: Which do you choose, Kazuki…?
: I…
: I was afraid…! I was scared of myself for hurting you when we were kids, Soushi… That’s why I ran!
: “Soushi hates me, doesn’t he?! He wants me to fight until I’m dead, doesn’t he?!” I told myself!
: Kazuki…
: Believe it or not, Soushi is actually grateful to you.
: That precious wound made him who he is. It is proof that he is who he is…
: Still, I… I wanted to just disappear! For so long, I wanted that to happen!
: Day in and day out, I felt like everything would be better if I disappeared! But… but I also wanted to apologize to him…!
: Then why don’t you apologize to him? Stand face-to-face with Soushi and talk – talk until you understand each other!
: Cham…
: Conversation proves that we are each our own persons. You are you, he is he, and I am me.
: Conversation…
: Are you there? Or do you wish to not be?
: I… I just want…
: I just want to talk to Soushi again!
: …
: Soushi…!
: You have shown the core the path to follow. And, for that, I thank you…
: …?!
: I-It’s…!
: The Fafner’s come back from within the lava…?!
: Kazuki…!
: …
: Soushi…
: ! Kazu… ki…
: I want you to cross our systems. It should work the same as it did with the Mark Elf.
: You left… and now you expect me to just nod along…?
: Soushi, I always went into battle and did as you told me… but I never really understood the meaning behind your words, or what was going through your mind…
: But now… Now I think I understand, at least a little…
: What, exactly, did you understand…?
: That… That you’ve been suffering all this time.
: …
: Soushi’s been suffering…?
: You’d always worked to protect our island, even back when none of us knew any better…
: You’ve carried that pain alone, kept it deep inside… as you did when we lost Shouko and Koyo.
: And you never once let it show…
: …
: (He’s crying…?)
: Kazuki, what is the ID code of your unit…?
: It is the Fafner Salvator Model…
: Mark Sein!
: Registering it for system crossing… Hold for five seconds.
: Soushi…?
: Enrollment complete. Initiating crossing!
: Kazuki… Do you see what I see?
: Yeah… I do!
: Then let’s go!
: Goooo! Maaaark Sein!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY47PTxU8II
: Wh-What kind of attack was that?!
: It ate the Festum… No, it assimilated them?!
: …
: Tsk, we’ve got even more of them!
: More enemies! More enemies!
: But I think with Kazuki and that Fafner on our side…!
: Get to work, maggots! Huddle around the Mark Sein and pound the remaining Festum into submission!
: Hell, yeah! With that new power of his on our side, we’ll have the Festum gone as easy as 1, 2, 3!
And, bang, Kazuki just got promoted from “good” to “how did the devs not see how broken this is?”-tier.
The Mark Sein, as you’d expect, is a straight upgrade to the Mark Elf – it follows the same weapon pattern, only with more stats everywhere. What has changed significantly, however, are its features. First you’ll notice it has the Norn System, meaning it now has a 1500 barrier for times the RNG gets sassy, and then you see… Assimilation L3.
Turns out that, no, that’s not an event-only thing: Kazuki can now beat the Festum at their own game and absorb any of them, regardless of HP, if their morale dips below 120 (!) after ANY attack… and his weapons debuff enemy morale by upwards of 30 (it takes a bigger bite the higher the target’s morale)!
The cutoff point is 142 morale: unless a Festum is over that, they’re getting zapped (it counts as a kill). And then Kazuki get a full refill of his HP and EN. It doesn’t work against non-Festum enemies, of course, but just sic the boy at any batch of the blobs and watch him go to town. Getting 200 kills with him just became far simpler.
Case in point.
: Soushi… I’m done running!
: I’ll take my mom’s wish, your pain, all of it onto myself!
: Then let’s do this together! Our minds… are now one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phxtru8_Z_4
Mwahahaha!
Now, Kazuki’s alone up top with a whole bevy of Festum, and while he could solo them all (except Idun), the Fafner trio and Heroman still need kills. So I’ll content myself with having him solo only A THIRD of that group while our folks are slooowly making our way across the map.
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
And that’s the fifth use of Triple Dog, so chalk that secret requirement done. As far as kills go, the trio got another 18, pushing their tally to 84 (halfway done!). Heroman took another 11 today, bringing his total to 42.
Now for a quick attack showcase while I trash all surviving Festum and converge on Idun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfLKdcjIww
Lockon now has funnels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnGEVifHy0E
Cao Cao’s best attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVkq9aUnqLk
Allelujah’s Trans-AM attack!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14dBs5VfJ_I
And both Hypaaa Aura Giri daaaaaaa!
Be patient, you.
: How’s that guy a Festum… Think he used to be human?
: Do not hesitate, Kurou! He may be capable of understanding human speech, but that does not mean he is willing to parley with us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I_o4nvpfpw
Here’s Idun’s strongest attack – yikes! Also:
Kurou vs. Festum: “Gaah, so they only look like they’re made of gold?!”
: …?!
: We’ve confirmed damage on the large Festum!
: Our attacks are working now?!
: You don’t think… that the Mark Sein’s exerting some sort of effect on that Festum’s core?!
: Don’t know, don’t care! Now’s our chance to chomp that orange jelly!
: Concentrate all your attacks on him, my friends!
: We reject the divergence of possibilities.
: What’s wrong with these things…? They finally decide to say something different, and it’s all just a bunch of nonsense?!
: We reject your actions.
: I suppose the Machine Island hasn’t a monopoly on people who aren’t willing to listen.
: And? They all die just the same! Come on!
: We will eliminate all that is not us.
: So you wanna kill everything. Then quit beating around the bush and just say so like proper enemies!
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: We do not accept anything that is not us.
: So what?! Nothing’d ever be born if all it took to stop it was for someone to reject it!
: If you can understand what we say, then listen to us! We only came here to rescue our friend—
: We do not agree with your proposal.
: Tsk… So we really do have to fight?!
Idun drops a Monthly Shounen Adventure King (accuracy and melee +10, defense +5). The Festum are reading Goubine!
: …!
: Now, Kazuki!
: I’m on it! Deeeyaaaaaaaaah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mgeeKWBqnA
“You won’t take any more from us, Festum…!”
“So long as I have everyone…” > “I’ll be HERE!!”
: H-He did it…
: He engulfed that Festum whole…
: That’s the power of the Salvator Model…!
: Radar is clear! All enemies have been successfully destroyed!
: Haah, haah… Rrgh!
: Kazuki?! Are you okay?! Stay with me!
The Elshank flies over to the Mark Sein.
: Kazuki, open your hatch!
Open.
: Look, Kazuki! Maya’s here!
: Gch, Toumi… Are you there…?
: I am… I’m right here!
: I… it wasn’t fighting that scared me…
: I was just… scared that I would disappear…
: I understand how you feel…
: I spent so long thinking I’d be better off not existing anymore, but… but now I was scared of it…! sniffles
: Come home with us… then we can talk again, right?
: Because if we don’t, I feel like that’s when we’d all really stop existing as each other…
: So let’s talk again and again…
: Sniffles Waahaaaaa…!
: Phew… Least everything turned out okay.
: Absolutely. I was so worried about Kazuki for a while there.
: You’re one to talk!
: Heey, I worked really hard out there, okay?!
: …
: Kazuki!
Punch!
: Urk!
: Shinn! You can’t just walk up and punch him like that…
: Do you feel that? Does that hurt?! I’ll let you off the hook with that bit of pain this time.
: But you need to learn how to rely on others at least a bit! Aren’t we all fighting together here?!
: Yes, sir…
: He’s got it right, Kazuki. We’re a team, yeah?
: If something’s bothering you, then come and tell us about it.
: Thanks, everyone…
: Well, aren’t we loved around here.
: Um, Mr. Mizoguchi… Do you know how my mom died…?
: Akane… she got assimilated by the Festum shielding Fumihiko from them…
: Then… could a part of her really have remained inside that Festum…?
: That’s certainly a possibility. Akane was one of a kind, in that she questioned if we shouldn’t try to understand how the Festum feel.
: How the Festum feel…? My mom said that?
: It’s because of her that I decided to carry on this research.
: I see… Thanks for telling me, Ms. Toumi. I feel a bit better hearing that.
: And I reckon he should be here any second now…
Door opens.
: …
: ! Soushi…!
: Let’s talk, then.
: Ah…?
: What, now…? Right in front of everyone?
: I don’t mind them. Now let’s talk to our hearts’ content.
: It’s not that easy, you know. Besides, this isn’t the best place…
: Don’t worry. Look, we have a table and chairs right there. That should allow you to talk in comfort.
: That’s really not what I meant…
: Hm? Are you dissatisfied with something?
: I suppose we could have a refrigerator here with food and cold drinks. It’d be extremely convenient for conversation-making.
: …
: You’re so clueless…
: Snort
: Pfeheheheh…
: Ahahahahahaha!
: Wh-What is it?! I’m just trying to have an honest conversation with Kazuki…
: Yeah, we get it. Ya really were looking him straight in the eye there.
: Right, that was really good! I don’t think we’ve anything to worry about here!
: B-But… I haven’t said anything yet…
: Not at all. I’m sure if Domyoji was here, he’d say “Aah, it’s gone”.
: What’s gone…?
: The so-called “evil spirit” he said was housing inside Kazuki.
: Only Soushi was just as afflicted, of course.
: But those spirits aren’t there anymore. I think these two are much closer, and have a much better understanding of each other, than ever before…
: …
: …
By the Ptolemaios, Mileina’s welcoming Allelujah and Soma back aboard. Soma likes her new hairstyle, and Mileina proudly proclaims that she’s blossoming into a grown woman. Sumeragi thanks them both for the assist back there, also apologizing for pulling them into it.
But, as Soma notes, she was the one who wanted to go there in the first place – she felt something strange coming from that base. And that’s saying nothing of the fact that those machines all seemed to be drawn to her Quantum brainwaves.
Well, as a matter of fact, that wasn’t an isolated occurrence: Sumeragi’s getting reports of similar events happening throughout the entire planet. Moreover, all said events happened in rather close proximity to the crash sites of the Europa’s fragments. Looks like Hino’s theory was correct. And everyone, including Lockon, has a real bad feeling about this.
But the bad news don’t stop there, as Feldt chimes in with an urgent transmission from JUDA. What is it? The Katou Organization’s making a clandestine broadcast to all of Earth! Feldt pulls it up on the monitor:
: Ladies and gentlemen of the world, a good day to you. I am the commander of the Katou Organization, Hisataka Katou.
: Th-The commander…?!
: This man is the leader of the Katou Organization…?!
: We are going to draw a line down this world.
: An impassable barrier, a new balance, separating those with imagination and those without, those who will live and those who will die.
: What is he getting at…?
: And in order to make that line perfectly clear, we are going to bestow the greatest of oppression onto all of humanity.
: To put it in simpler terms, we are now declaring… our conquest of the entire world.
: C-Conquest…?!
: And, of course, we have claimed ourselves suitable weaponry for such a purpose.
: This should be all the evidence you need.
Alarm!
: Captain, we’ve got trouble! A satellite weapon from the Union has shot a laser at the surface!
: What did you say…?!
: The island of Haifan by the Philippines is… it’s gone!
: That… That island was completely destroyed…
: What’s going on…? Why am I getting this sense of déjà vu…?
Flash!
: Ah…?! Wh-What did I feel just now…?!
: …
: I have to go… to that island. I don’t know why, but, deep down, I feel like I’ve known it since forever. The island, it was called…
: Dragon Fang… Island…