Click to see the mission
Here we are again, and we’ve just lost both Kouichi and Moritsugu – they’re not available in our units list. The Deceive is deploying as an event unit, though, so we adjust accordingly:
Arnie/Ozma
Tsubasa/Canaria
Shinn/Klan
Liu Bei/Sun Quan
Guan Yu/Eida
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Michel/Kenji
Alto/Fei-Yen
Mamoru/Sakura
Kazuki/Zhang Fei
Yamashita/Mike
Joe/Saya
Rennie/Luca
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Here we go.
: Hayase! Can you hear us, Hayase?!
Bzzzt.
: Still nothing… we really can’t get in touch with him. My guess is the Linebarrel’s comm systems are being blocked.
: …
: Hey, Yamashita… was it really Moritsugu who did him in?
: Yeah… I made it over to their fight and saw everything…
: Moritsugu cut down the Linebarrel and left with it!
Like so!
: But why…?
: There’s only one possible answer: Mr. Moritsugu was the spy leaking JUDA’s classified data to Kiriyama.
: No way! He’d never betray us for him…!
: I understand how you feel, but we need to consider the facts… like, for instance, how he and Kiriyama have apparently been friends quite a while.
: …
: Gah, first Ylbora and now him? The hell is up with those guys?!
: But, if anything, we know that Ms. Kizaki is doing fine, so I think we can presume that Kouichi also is.
: …!
: Hm? How do you figure he’s safe because she is?
: By rights, Machinas only have one Factor – that’s a pretty universal rule among them…
: But the Linebarrel is unique in that both Ms. Kizaki and Kouichi are its Factors.
: Oh, that’s right. Machinas and the Factors share their lives, so…
: If anything happened to Kouichi, it’d also affect Emi due to their link with the Linebarrel.
: …
: But is it really that big of the deal that the Linebarrel has two Factors?
: As I remember, the Deceive also has two people piloting it, no?
: Sure, but that was a later modification that Mr. Maki made to the cockpit.
: Put it simply, a Machina having two folks inside is a whole different animal from it having two Factors.
: Hmm, yes, I can see why the Linebarrel is said to be special.
: But, in any case, this is still a very difficult situation we find ourselves in.
: Damian’s out looking for Kouichi, so I guess all we can do right now is wait until he calls back…
: (… Hayase…)
: Ah, the Linebarrel… Excellent work, Reiji.
: Please, it wasn’t any trouble.
: What a reliable man you are, Moritsugu.
: Now we just need to pry open the cockpit and drag the Factor out…
Cockpit opens!
: Haaaah! Moritsuguuu!!
Punch!
: …
: Ooh.
: Are you feeling better after that, Hayase?
: Wh-Why didn’t you try to dodge it?!
: Alright, settle down, little Hayase.
: Who’re you?!
: Eiji Kiriyama, president of Kiriyama Heavy Industries.
: You’re…!
: Easy, now. Before you get any ideas of punching me, I’ve something you should see.
Beep.
: That’s… my house! And Risako, and Domyoji’s…!
: You can see where this is going, yes?
: Whether your dear friends and family are still alive in the next hour is entirely up to you.
: You’re scum! What the hell are you after that you’d do something like this?!
: The Japanese people now look at JUDA Corp. and see it, and the UX, as a threat to their peace. And so my company – a company that personifies JUSTICE – steps into the limelight, ready to stand up to that threat!
: We’ll answer their worries and calm them down by bringing JUDA squarely under our control – plus the UX and the alien mechs, of course.
: “Personifies “justice”? Is that a joke, you sleazebag?!
: Hmhmhm… Not at all. I am a Champion of Justice…
: And I already have enough power to back that up, see!
: Th-Those eyes are…!
Cut to the Federation Parliament, the footage of the UX attacking the Martian Development Bureau’s units is making quite the splash with the generic members. The Elshank and its forces really ARE invaders! As the Union president watches in silence, Hazard says this proves that our people are openly acting against the Federation! Does Ronin still dare say that the Elshank and its people are friendly?!
The generics are buying it, and one of them says they can’t ignore JUDA either – that company is the UX and aliens’ co-conspirator. The parliament must endorse Kiriyama’s request and have the Federation Army send troops to help subjugate JUDA!
Klaus speaks up, asking everyone to calm down: it’s far too rash to mark JUDA as hostile with no other evidence than Hazard’s footage. Shirin agrees, and adds that she suspects said footage to be a fabrication from the Martian Development Bureau. Hazard objects to her nonsense and demands she present proof.
Well, surely he’s heard that Shirin and Marina were attacked by terrorists not long ago, yes? He does and remembers that the UX were behind it. Only, no, Marina says that the UX and Celestial Being were the ones who saved them from the attackers. Moreover, they have the testimony of one of the captured terrorists, who stated that the ones who orchestrated the attack was—
“The terrorist you speak of committed suicide in his cell yesterday,” Hazard cuts in. “And we have his last words on record: ‘We were under the UX’s orders’… Such guilt he felt over his crimes. The UX are truly a monstrous lot to have pushed a man over the edge like that.”
Shirin can do nothing but grit her teeth, as Hazard exhorts the parliament to make a decision. Surely they can see that evil forces like JUDA and the UX cannot be tolerated anymore, lest the Earth Sphere further plummet into chaos!
Hester speaks up, agreeing with Hazard’s point and declaring that JUDA Corp. must be disarmed immediately. A wise decision and, on that subject, Hazard also suggests that they send official investigators after Orb: Cagalli’s ties to the UX can no longer be disregarded as mere rumors, no?
And, for that matter, she’s coincidentally absent today. Where could she have run off to? “I’d like to propose a Federal Inquiry be opened in regards to Ms. Cagalli Yula Athha!”
Klaus groans that they got completely outplayed by Hazard, who’s now vying to oust Cagalli from power with that Inquiry. Ruri and the others had thought it best for her to hide, out of concern for her safety, but her absence today backfired massively.
As Ronin knows, Hazard and co. are planning to get the ball rolling on their “reform” of the Federation Army with JUDA and Orb getting taken out of the picture – and, if successful, there’ll be no one capable of opposing them. Is there nothing Marina and the others can do? For now, Shirin says, all they can try is to stall the establishment of the Inquiry commission.
Ruri herself will work the financial angle, getting in touch with all the various companies that support the various members of the parliament and try to get them to help us out. They need to buy as much time as can be to put together our counteroffensive against Hazard.
From what Klaus has heard, the Union President has an agent, Axel Hughes, conducting an investigation into things, but there’s no telling if that will find enough to sway the parliament. Shirin figures our best shot right now is Alex Dino – here’s hoping he’ll make it in time…
(In the EU Route, Shirin says Axel told her he’d be coming to Japan to try and gather more info. He’ll let her know if anything turns up, but the question is whether or not that’ll happen before it’s too late… Alex is still their better shot, though we don’t know how much he’ll be able to prod the PLANTs into action.)
Cut back to JUDA, Shirin informs Ishigami that they couldn’t stop the Federation from joining on the operation to subjugate the company. Still, he’s already grateful that they even tried. Shirin isn’t throwing the towel just yet, though: they’ll consolidate their efforts and stand against Hazard and co. as best they can. With wishes that she doesn’t do anything crazy, Ishigami ends the call.
Seems like Kiriyama’s attack on us is already a certainty and folks the world over will be joining in on the fun. Things are looking dire to Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu: whether we win this or not, we’ll be enemies in the eyes of all of society. “Why?! We have done nothing but fight for the sake of the people!” Liu Bei and Sun Quan are pissed, but it doesn’t change our situation.
Kurara watches on and, inwardly, doesn’t think we’re being untruthful. At the rate this is going, though, we’ll go down as villains anyway.
In the EU and JP routes, Zhang Fei/Kenji ponders that maybe Moritsugu saw this coming and decided to make a run for it. Guan Yu/Sakura slaps him upside the head, telling him to mindful of other people’s feelings (Yamashita). In the US route, Erebos sighs that this is just the time when Moritsugu’d be real useful if he was still around; Lux chides her tactless insinuations, but she wasn’t trying to insinuate anything…
Regardless, the question remains: if Moritsugu did turn against us, how are we going to fight him? The guy is crazy strong, as everyone remembers.
Yamashita’s been quiet all this time and while Shizuna understands that he took quite the heavy blow, he can’t stay bummed out forever. Yamashita shushes everyone – as it turns out, he was actually poking at Moritsugu’s personal computer, trying to restore the purged data.
Too much about this whole thing strikes Yamashita as weird. What does he mean? Wasn’t he the one who saw Moritsugu beat and take Kouichi away? “If you ask me, Hayase’s the one confusing me the most,” Yamashita says. Domyoji can see what he means: as hotheaded as Kouichi is, it’s very odd that he didn’t even contact us after Moritsugu turned traitor. While he was fighting the guy, he could still have sent us an emergency transmission.
Do they mean Kouichi intentionally didn’t contact us? “Did Hayase want to lose and get captured?” Kizaki wonders. That’s a possibility that Yamashita’s considering, which is why he’s probing Moritsugu’s computer for any clues.
And he’s got something! What is it? We don’t get to find out yet, but it sounds like it explains much.
: …
: What the hell are you thinking, Moritsugu…?
Door opens.
: Hello there. I’ve your meal.
: You… You were with Moritsugu and Kiriyama…
: Oh my, did you forget about me already? After everything we’ve been through? You’re breaking my heart…
: Huh…?! Wh-What are you talking about?!
: Hmhmhm, my voice still doesn’t ring any bells… honey?
: Ho…ney?
: Waaah! You! You’re with the Katou Organization! What’re you doing here?!
: A woman has plenty of secrets, you know. Here, have a little somethin’ somethin’.
: …?? What’s this?
: Oh, you were just so cool and manly when you punched Moritsugu…
: So I figured I’d bring you a small treat for that.
She leaves.
: A treat…?
: “I-Investigation Report – Reiji Moritsugu”…?!
: … Good luck to you, then. Make sure the entire world gets to see all of JUDA’s plans.
: I will, and thank you for your support of the media’s work.
Kiriyama leaves.
: You sure about this? I really don’t like obeying that shifty-looking fella.
: Oh, it’s fine. You never know what might be waiting around the corner…
: Huh, feeling pretty peppy today, aren’t we?
US route only:
: Besides, this’ll help us inch closer to the truth, too.
: Agent Hughes has already started his investigation here in Japan, so we should do some work of our own.
Back to common ground:
: If only those guys were around right now…
: What guys…?
: Eerr… Wait, who was I talking about?
: Hahah, are you feeling alright? Have I been working you too hard?
: …
: (What’s going on…? I feel like I’m forgetting something really important…)
: … Yes, the people at JUDA are objecting to that footage as a fabrication.
: No, from what I saw of them, I wouldn’t say they’re lying…
: … Roger that. I’ll carry on with my investigation.
Boop.
: Hmhmm, so your gut tells you they’re innocent?
: …?!
* *
: Hey, hey, a gun’s no way to greet a person. Isn’t that right, Ms. “Hiromi Tachi” of JUDA’s secretarial staff?
: Or perhaps I should call you Ms. Kurara Tachibana of Metro PD’s public safety division?
: … Who are you?
: A professional colleague, you might say. At the very least know that I’m on your side.
: And why did you reach out to me?
: I’m just trying to figure out the truth. The world depends on it, you know.
: So I figured that, maybe, you’d be keen on a little intel exchange?
: …
: (His bearing… he’s a trained man. He must be with some intelligence agency… and, if so, there might be no harm in talking with him.)
: It’s not too great for us to stand out here talking, I think. How about I get you something to drink? I know a great coffee place not too far from here.
: Fine. But if you ever approach me from behind again, you’ll be getting a bullet instead of coffee.
: I’ll keep that in mind.
: Damn it, I don’t have time to be twiddling my thumbs here…!
: I gotta get out and tell everyone about this…!
Door opens.
: Yo, Kouichi. You’re doing okay, I take it?
: D-Damian…?! How did you get here…?!
: What do you mean ‘how’? I used to roll with the Martian Guerilla, remember? I could sneak in here blindfolded.
: But never mind me. I’ve got something important to tell you.
: Something important…?
: Yeah, those folks Kiriyama had watching yours, Risako and Domyoji’s homes? JUDA’s intelligence department’s taken care of ‘em.
: Really?! Ah, that’s a relief…
: But… how did you know they were watching our homes? Or that I was locked away here, even?
: Yamashita poked through Moritsugu’s computer and what he found in there explained pretty much everything.
: On Moritsugu’s…? Then that file was right and he really is…!
: Kiriyama’s already starting his attack on JUDA, meaning he and many of his troops are headed that way. Your orders are to trash this place while they’re gone.
: Trash this place… What, just me?
: Nah, relax. You’ll have a real powerhouse of a partner and he’ll be here any second now…
: Waaaaaaah! Th-The hell…?!
: cough, cough…! Making your entrance by busting through a wall… overkill much?
SRW UX - Linebarrel (Full Intro)
: That’s… the Vardant?!
: Apologies for the delay, Hayase…
: “Apologies”…? Wait, you’re that powerhouse partner he mentioned…?!
: I did open up saying you were going to have to fight with me, no?
: …
: Argh, you little… If this is what you mean, you should’ve said “fight together with me,” dang it.
: Hah…
: There’s a whole lot I want you to explain, but that can wait ‘til later…
: I’m really ticked off today, and I feel like going ballistic around here!
: Come, Linebarrel!
Mission 19 – Judgment at Dusk
: Alright, boys and girls, I do hope you’ll put up a good fight. This is my TV debut, after all.
: It’s that unit that attacked around my village…!
: So it’s the Katous up first, huh? Battle stations, everyone!
: We can easily handle their Armas with our Nerve Crack!
: Right on, don’t cut ‘em any slack! Give those guys a real nasty one!
: If I may hazard a guess, the Katou Organization is likely only trying to stall us until Kiriyama and the Federation’s forces arrive.
: Troops, try and preserve as much resources as possible in anticipation of enemy reinforcements!
[i]Kill everything, don’t lose the Deceive or a ship. Same fight we’ve had with Yulianne already but, as Kongming said, we’ll have more stuff incoming. Same map as the previous mission, so have fun driving your guys across that bridge again.
As usual, just be mindful about Yulianne debuffing your armor and everything’ll be fine. If I wasn’t recording convos, this is precisely the moment where I’d send the Fafner kids up top and let them all take kills for their secrets.
And right on the next enemy turn…[/i]
Over by Tokyo, Aoi’s watching Isabelle report on the battle between JUDA’s mechs and the troops sent after it.
All this robot-on-robot action is giving her some major déjà vu, as Isabelle relates that JUDA Corp. has, indeed, shown itself to be a front for a terrorist organization! “Urgh, I’ve got nothing…! Why do I always have this nagging feeling that I’m missing something?!” Aoi groans. “Just what is this unease I’m feeling in my heart…?”
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: Hell are you doing here?! Did the Katou Organization sign up as Kiriyama’s goons now?!
: That would be telling. A bit of mystery adds to a woman’s charm, you know.
: How about I teach you what human sensuality is about, robot girl?
: Um, no, I t e n d to pass on people that are full of themselves, thanks.
: You cheeky…!
: Oh, dear, so it’s not a demon today but the big, bad devil? Maybe you could go a little bit easy on me?
: Do what now? Who d’ya think you’re talking to, eh?
: If you think batting your eyelashes at the devil will give you an edge, prepare to be disappointed!
: You figure you can take us on with the Linebarrel and Vardant gone, granny?!
: …
: You call a lady a granny, you better be ready for the consequences…!
: This should be good enough, I think…
: Now let’s just hang back and see how things pan out.
: That looks like the last of the Katou Organization’s Armas, but…
: Right. Now comes the main event…
Alarm!*
: We’re picking up several heat signatures on radar! They’re headed this way – fast!
: There he is…!
: Time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. Let’s see how you’ll fare against the Jinrais and my Machina, the Pretender.
: A Machina…?! Eiji Kiriyama’s a Factor too?!
: I’m starting to get the picture… He built the Jinrais around his Machina’s tech.
: Now how about we get this Christmas party started?!
: Aaaah!
: Hrk… Damn, the folks piloting them Jinrais have been really well trained!
: N-No, that’s not it! There’s… There’s no one aboard those!
: Huh…?! Do you mean those…
: Are all being remote-controlled…?!
: Hah, now ain’t that some good news! If those’re drones, we just gotta take out their control systems…!
: Ah, I get it. We’ll use the Nerve Crack to overload them with fake inputs…!
: Oho, I don’t think so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs7b-XeOpl4
: U-Uwaaaaaargh! My… My arms!
: What’re ya on about, Izuna?! Your arms are fine!
: Wired Nerve Cracks are so passé. They don’t hold a candle to wireless ones.
: What…?!
: Let me spell it out for you. My Machina’s called Pretender, but that’s just something of a codename.
: It’s actual name is… Deceive IV!
: De-“Deceive”…?! Then that attack just now was….!
: W-Wireless… Nerve Cracks!
: What will you do now, my friends of JUDA? If you choose to surrender, that’d be fine…
: But, personally, I’d much rather you kept on fighting – just so everyone could see what miserable fools you are!
: Not good…! All troops, cover the Deceive! Cut the enemy’s party short!
And now we get to walk aaall the way across the pond again to make it to Kiriyama’s posse. The Jinrais, of course, are made of studier, dodgier and stronger stuff than the Katou Armas, but they’re ultimately still mooks. Make good use of Luca, Yamashita and whatnot to boost your numbers if you wanna really play it safe and command auras aren’t cutting it.
The Deceive’s immobile thanks to Kiriyama’s attack and losing it means a game over, but that’s only a problem if you’d let it parked by JUDA, whereupon the enemy can reach it in decent time. I brought it all the way to attack Yulianne, so it’s far out of Kiriyama’s range.
Pretender (Eiji Kiriyama)
Pilot Skills:
Factor
Prevail L4
Support Attack L2
All Attack L1
Hit & Away
Mech Features:
10% HP Regen
Kiriyama’s voice actor: Sho Hayami
Kiriyama’s actually a dang good pilot, with a special focus in accuracy and evasion (though, like Masaki, his stats aren’t as absurdly high as they were in L). The Pretender itself is rather dodgy and offers decent range, though his best is only 1-3; mind you, what you really wanna watch out for are his 2-6 Nerve Cracks, which’ll apply morale and SP down, and HALVE all your stats. Thankfully, its accuracy modifier is only +10.
Being evasion-focused, however, means the Pretender isn’t too bulky and will easily fall in a single round of concentrated fire – just avoid rolling the dice with some liberal Strike/Focus casts.
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWlOqCvQ0rw
Alto sets it up with his Beam Cannons, and Kiriyama’s prized prototypes catch a bad case of leekage.
: Ho-hum, is that really the best you’ve got…?
: This is bad…! We gotta turn this around or…!
: …
Beep.
: Damian, how are things going over there?
: We pretty much have taken over Kiriyama Heavy Industries!
: The Linebarrel and Vardant are leaving right now – they’re headed your way as fast as can be!
: They’re leaving only now… How’re they gonna make it in time?!
: S-Sis… take the Deceive’s controls…
: Huh? What’re ya up to, Izuna…?
: We’re not winning this by being picky with our options…!
: And in that case…!
: Gaargh… Aaaaaah… AAAAAH!
: You shot the Nerve Cracks into yourself…?! But if you do that—!
: Look at that… Thrown caution to the wind, have we?
: He wants to overwrite the enemy’s mental attack with one of his own?!
: But that’s too much for anyone’s mind! Izuna’ll…!
: F-Forget about me… We need to… keep this place safe…!
: B-Besides… I’m sure that Hayase… will come help us…!
: Izuna, you…!
: Let’s go… Deceive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu13mBmklb4
Izuna: “You say wired Nerve Cracks can’t beat wireless ones…? How about we put that to the test?!”
Kiriyama: “Huh… That’s surprisingly good for an antique…!”
: He used the Nerve Cracks to control the downed Armas…?!
: Whoa, they can actually fight like that?!
: Do you see it now, Kiriyama?! There’s some lag to your wireless Nerve Cracks, but not in my direct connections! It’s you who can’t beat me!
: You know what? You’re starting to annoy me…
: So how about I wrap this up right now?!
Kiriyama flies straight southwest!
: ?! Stop him! He’s targeting Mr. Ishigami’s office…!
: What…?!
: No… we’re not gonna make it!
: …
: Aiiieeeee!
: Bye-byeee!
Missiles!
: Hayase… help!
SRW UX - Linebarrel (Full Intro)
: Wh-What…? Why the hell are you here?!
: Do you even gotta ask…? It’s because I’m a CHAMPION OF JUSTICE!
: …?!
: Hayase…!
: Gaah, that dumdum really kept us waiting…!
: Hahah, what an entrance, Kouichi… You’re becoming more and more Championly by the day!
: I was sure I was gonna be too late, even flying as fast as I could…
: It was you, wasn’t it, Kizaki? You called the Linebarrel over!
: No, I—… Um, I mean… Yes, I guess I did!
: The Linebarrel’s capable of warping through space even with a Factor aboard…?!
: (That ability was just like the Orphes’…!)
: Looks like we made it.
: Moritsugu…!
: Reiji?! What’re you doing here…?!
: It’s over, Eiji.
: Wh-What…?
: Kiriyama Heavy Industries has already been taken over. You’re done.
: …
: Hah… hahahah… I get it. You were planning on betraying me from the start…! But you’re wrong…!
: ?! The Federation and even The Boom Army…?!
: I just have to make it through this and everything else’ll follow…!
: That also applies to us, however!
: My friends, this is all-out war! Summon forth every ounce of your might!
: You got it! I’ll give him an eyeful of the power of JUSTICE!
And, yay, Reiji and Kouichi are back already! Losing either of them’s a game over, but you really shouldn’t have that happen unless you actively try to.
Kiriyama’s far from our group again, so we’ll need to close in again – downing him ends the mission, so we’ll save that for after everything else is gone. Of note, the new batch of guys are close enough to start blasting whatever’s by the bridge.
In the JP and EU route, when the next turn rolls over…
: Still going at it, eh? I confess I didn’t think you’d last this long… That being said!
: A-Aah! How could he have more troops lying in wait…?!
: Didn’t see this coming, did we? Whoops!
The Riot C’s move up.
: They’re also going after JUDA Corp…!
: W-We can’t last like this…!
: No, don’t worry… they have made it in good time!
: Wh-What?!
SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate
I’d figured this was a regular BGM, but it turns out this is the local ‘big goddamn heroes’ theme, so here it is!
: That’s… the Ptolemaios!
: Here we are at last! All troops, mission start!
: They’re under fire from the Federation! Is everyone okay?!
: Looks like a real mess they’ve got on their hands, but it might be winnable with us here to help…!
: Agreed. Setsuna F. Seiei, moving to break the enemy offensive…!
: Hmph, I see several flies gathered in a swarm… However, none of them shall be a match for me!
: (Cao Cao…!)
: (He was also brought to this world, just as we feared…!)
: Shoouu, Japan’s jampacked with robots too!
: Yeah, the enemy’s got a ton of machines I’ve never even seen before! They’re not taking me down, though!
: I’ll cover your six, Shou!
: Yeesh, we just got to Japan and we already gotta fight?
: Still, we’re here to join up with the UX, so we better make a good first impression!
: Aye, teach this uncouth mob of foes to fear yours and the Demonbane’s might!
: Come on, Heroman! They need our help!
: Hmm…!
: They’re all here!
: Alright, things are looking way up already! Let’s buckle up and take out the rest of the enemy!
: Th-This can’t be happening…! I refuse to accept it…! I won’t!
: Because… Because, then… wouldn’t this mean I’m the villain here?!
: Of course you are – anyone with half a brain could tell you that! So you better get ready to pay the piper, Kiriyama!
And I kept on killing stuff, nice and easy… until I underestimated the Riot Cs. Remember when I said that the fresh arrivals were in position to immediately reach whatever was by the bridge? They did: the Elshank was there.
Overconfidence is an insidious killer and I’d come to take Romina’s barrier for granted. The mooks had already plinked away at her HP, and when I decided to try (and fail) at a double kill with the Riots… catastrophe.
Tobikage
Pilot Skills:
Double Movement
Ninja L9
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
Support Defense L3
Break Morale Limit
All Attack L3
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Bunshin no Jutsu
Say hello to THE best pilot in the whole goddamn game: Tobikage has massively HUGE stats everywhere, and beats everyone we’ve encountered thus far, ally or enemy, by a mile.
He will not be killed by the enemy – they won’t even get anything above single digits % to hit (and that’s before accounting for Bunshin no Jutsu) – as that maxed out Ninja skill means he has +28% to his evasion and accuracy numbers, plus an S size AND S ranks everywhere. Tobikage’s gigantic Skill stat, big modifiers in his weapons and Ninja’s +20% boost pretty much means he’ll crit everything he attacks, too.
Tobikage’s weapons are very powerful, but the enemies in this mission are bulky enough that he won’t be oneshotting them with his weaker ones, meaning he’ll have to use his Double Movement to reap an enemy duo per turn… unless he gets a bit of morale, then he will oneshot, and that’ll be two pairs he’ll take per turn.
If you mess up and Tobikage arrives, you have one option if you don’t want him to take away a ton of your money and kills: get Joe, Mike or Rennie to eat something that sends them below 30% (a MAPW might work, if enemies won’t cut it). If you can’t, then you’ll need to rush and minimize your losses, which isn’t the simplest as Tobikage moves very far, very quickly, and the enemy AI will gang up on him if nothing interesting is in sight.
Oddly enough, the US team only get their pre-battle convos in the JP route, despite the fact that they’ve just joined in the EU route as well.
: How can they say Richard, Saya and their friends are terrorists, enemies of the whole world? That’s got to be some sort of mistake!
: Come on, Heroman! We have to put an end to this fight! Heromaaaaan… GO!
It begins!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvBQkhVYFus
His second weakest attack, at base morale, and he nearly oneshotted two mooks despite the chain-attack damage penalty (10%, even with All Attack L3). Of course, he does kill them both on the rebound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW091hJAX4s
The new arrivals come in with 120 morale, so I could bust out Shou and Marvel’s combined attack with only a couple of kills!
: Stop zipping all over the damn place! You say you wanna fight, you get over here and fight me mano a mano!
: Here’s some advice for you, son! Being able to think on your feet and adapt is key for life in society!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: A villain like you dares masquerade yourself as just?! I won’t allow your evil to carry on for another minute!
: So this is one of those miniature Gundams I’ve heard so much about? I’m pretty sure my company could cook up something brand new after we’ve had a chance to poke around your insides!
Liu Bei: “What justice is there in a world that isn’t what the people desire?!”
: A brat like you is a Champion of Justice…?! You’re just a snot-nosed middle-schooler!
: Hah, you underestimate what a middle-schooler can do!
: That’s another kid inside that robot? Kids ought to do as the grownups say, you know!
: “Because you’re kids, and we’re grownups”…! That’s just an excuse people use – both back at the island, and outside it – to force their decisions onto us!
: The sky of Earth belongs to earthlings! Hurry on out of it, alien!
: In that case, take better care of that sky and stop staining it with your foul play!
: JUDA’s my new home, and I’ll make sure it stays in one piece!
: Then, please, stop fighting back! I’ll bring JUDA into my company and its Special Forces will come with!
: A last-generation mech from the Great War… do you seriously think you can down my Pretender with that?
: I’m an old hand when it comes to fighting transformable units! And I know exactly how to deal with them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LfA6hZNH08
Here’s Kiriyama’s best trick.
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: Your cheap tactics will never make us back away! Try and pull whatever stunts you’d like, they won’t work!
: Hmph, quite the holier-than-thou speech coming from a terrorist!
: So yours is a variable unit just like our Valkyries, eh? Sounds like fun! Come try your hand with me!
: Please, Earth’s machines would never be outdone by those of aliens!
: Eiji… if only I’d noticed your twisted sense of justice sooner rather than later…
: Actually… I had noticed it, but I was afraid of losing my dear friend. So I went about pretending nothing was wrong…
: No, my justice isn’t twisted at all! I am not in the wrong…!
: Your game of make-believe is over, Eiji. We’ll save you from your delusion…
: Come now, an outdated mech like yours could never beat a cutting-edge model like mine.
: Outdated, you say?! Come here and we’ll see if wired Nerve Cracks really can’t beat wireless ones!
: Hrgh… No… This can’t be…!
In the JP route, he, instead, has his flip-out now:
: Th-This can’t be happening…! I refuse to accept it…! I won’t!
: Because… Because, then… wouldn’t this mean I’m the villain here?!
Common ground:
: Take a look, dear viewers! It looks like Mr. Kiriyama’s machine has taken significant damage!
: ?! Wh-What are you doing…?
: Cut the transmission! I didn’t tell you to show this!
Beep.
: We are journalists, sir. All we do is showcase the truth, whatever it might be.
: Hrm… So even mere journalists like you are standing against me?!
: …
: Well, dang, that broad’s got some major guts, eh?
: (Isabelle…!)
: It’s time you accepted reality, Eiji.
: Neither one of us can ever amount to Champions of Justice.
: Wh-What did you say…?!
: …
: A-Ah, I see how it is, Reiji! What you really want is to get revenge on me, huh?!
: Yes… you want revenge on me for getting your sister killed!
: His sister…? What’s he talking about?
: You’re right in that if I did the deed myself, it’d only amount to base revenge. But that’s why I won’t be the one who’ll actually save you…
SRW UX - Linebarrel (Full Intro)
: … It’ll be Hayase.
: ?! Moritsugu…!
: Wh-Why, Reiji?! He’s just a stupid teenager! Why are you looking out for him?!
: How’s he any different from us?!
: The difference is simple…
: People look at Hayase and truly believe him to be a Champion of Justice.
: …?!
: Hayase…
: Do it, Kouichi!
: Get going, Hayase! Toss that guy’s plans into the trash!
: Ya gotta do something after being talked up like that, right?!
: They’re right, Hayase… ya gotta wrap this up…!
: G-Guys…!
: I ask that you finish off Eiji Kiriyama, Hayase. Please.
: Moritsugu… are you sure about this?
: The only way he can be saved is if he’s beaten by a real Champion of Justice…
: And if you succeed…
: Then I’ll also believe you to be one.
: Reiji…?!
: … Alright, roger that.
: … I guess there’s no talking with you, Reiji. But maybe you’ll open your eyes with this brat out the picture…!
: And in that case…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inq11B_kzTg
Captions are available.
: Urgh…
: I-Is it over…?
: …
: Reiji… there’s just one thing you got wrong.
: I only wanted to be your Champion of Justice…
: … I know. But I didn’t want that of you.
: I would’ve been happy with you just being my friend…
: I see…
: Reiji… I wish we could back to how things were…
: Eiji Kiriyama… if only he’d used that dedication for something different…
: …
: Moritsugu…
Back at Tokyo, Saji and Louise are watching Isabelle’s report on Kiriyama’s failed attack at JUDA. When she asks if something’s up, he says it’s nothing.
Saji remembers how the Celestial Being’s armed intervention brought significant change to the world two years ago – yet, Setsuna and the others are still out there fighting…
By Moldova, Allelujah and Soma Peries have also seen the news. Should they go and help out Ptolemy, she wonders? No, Allelujah says they’ll call for them if need be. Besides, he’d like keep her out the battlefield if possible.
Cut to JUDA, Isabelle wraps up her report, noting how JUDA and UX’s excessive might will continue to draw the eyes of society at large. As Sakuya cuts the recording, she wonders if our guys really are these “enemies of the world” the powers that be say we are.
Axel Hughes is around and praises her journalistic soul, Isabelle thanking him for keeping her network out of Kiriyama’s control and able to work unhindered. In the EU and JP routes, Axel hadn’t reached out to them yet, so Sakuya asks who he is and why he helped them. His answer is the same in both accounts: he just wants the undiluted truth to be brought to the world.
Sakuya figures doing so’ll help with whatever his job is but, while Axel gives a vague confirmation, he won’t complain about it since divulging the truth IS their actual work. And since in for a penny means in for a pound, Isabelle figures they need to get to the bottom of this JUDA/UX business.
In the US route, the convo with Axel stays the same until the “undiluted truth” bit, where Sakuya is the one to question whether JUDA and the UX really are the enemies of the world. But, as Axel notes, finding answers is precisely Sakuya and Isabelle’s craft, no? Absolutely, and Isabelle stakes her confidence as a journalist on it.
Back at Ishigami’s office, we get the bombastic news that Moritsugu is now the new president of Kiriyama Heavy Industries! Apparently the company board, led by Kiriyama’s dad himself, officially dismissed him and appointed Moritsugu as his successor.
Ogawa asks if Ishigami knew this would happen, but no: all Moritsugu told him is that he wanted to “settle accounts with Eiji Kiriyama” before taking off. He never expected the guy would wind up taking up the entire company, though.
Apparently Moritsugu and Dad Kiriyama had been working on this plan for a while. Info on all of it was left behind in his computer, so we found out the truth when Yamashita hacked in: his betrayal of JUDA was just a ruse to gain Eiji Kiriyama’s trust.
But why would Kiriyama’s father oust his own son? From what Yamashita gathered, the old man noticed how twisted Kiriyama had become – getting in bed with the Katou Organization, becoming the Pretender’s Factor – and did this in hopes that it’ll help his son turn over a new leaf.
Joe, however, isn’t sure what Kiriyama really wanted to get from all this. His overt reason was to take over JUDA and claim a bigger share of the military industry, but Kouichi thinks his actual reason was just that he wanted to help Moritsugu.
Kouichi tells them of the file Yulianne gave him, which told of how Kiriyama and Moritsugu used to be best friends back in the day. Kiriyama, however, wanted to be the sole influence in the guy’s life, so he orchestrated things so that his sister, Yuriko Moritsugu, wound up being killed.
That explains to Kenji why Moritsugu said it’d just be base revenge if he took out Kiriyama himself. But, rather, he fought to try and save his old “friend’s” life - that makes absolutely no sense to Ogawa and she figures it’s a guy thing.
When Toumi asks, Richard says Kiriyama was picked up from the battlefield by his father and taken abroad. Saya figures any legal measures wouldn’t amount to much when the culprit’s a Factor, but perhaps this’ll be for the best if Kiriyama uses this opportunity to reflect upon himself and correct his course through life.
Regardless, that’s that issue taken care of… but not the one regarding JUDA’s secret being exposed to the entire planet. We are all now officially enemies of the world…
: Yamashita, about what happened…
: Why didn’t you tell me anything? If you’d just explained what was up, I…
: I know I had to bring Hayase into this, but today’s battle was personal matter…
: So I didn’t want to involve the rest of you. My original plan was to keep things from blowing out of proportion.
: But things did get blown out of proportion anyway, didn’t they?!
: Yes, they did… I made a mistake.
: Then I want you to promise me that the next time anything happens, you’ll let me know…
: Yeah, I promise.
: Damn it… It might’ve all been an act, but I can’t stand the thought of you turning traitor… It sickens me…
: Yamashita…
: I am truly sorry for everything. And you did very well in protecting JUDA during my absence.
: Moritsugu~…
: Hey, don’t cry. We’ll be leaving soon, right?
: “Leaving”…? Oh, for Hayase’s Christmas Party?
: It’ll also be something of a welcome party for the Union/Europe groups. You’ll be there, right? It’d do you well to have fun once in a blue moon.
Everyone’s blown away by the huge party and banquet Moritsugu put together for us, and Kurou isn’t one to waste free food – he’ll eat enough to cover a whole week! While Al shakes her head, Kurou tries pouring more stuff into Joey’s plate, much to the kid’s embarrassment. He already has enough!
These guys sure don’t look anything like what Joe envisioned the heroes who took out the Skrugg, and Rennie thinks they’ve just found a bigger food aficionado than Joe. Hardly, as Joe’s just fussy about food— damn it, Mike, you’re not supposed to mix food that takes chili sauce with stuff that takes sesame sauce! Fussy, indeed…
Setsuna’s off in a corner and Lockon prods him to do stuff. This is a PARTY, so how about having some fun? Or is there something on his mind? Maybe, maybe not, but Setsuna tells Lockon and the others to don’t worry about him and go have fun themselves.
As he leaves, Mileina notes that he’s been getting progressively more distant nowadays. But he is the first Innovator, a new strand of mankind as Aeolia Schenberg proposed, so maybe he’s sensing stuff we don’t even know is there? Hmm…
Nearby, in the US route, Sima Yi is pleasantly surprised that he has a chance to drink with the people of the Sun Army again. Again? But weren’t they at war with each other? Not always, as Zhou Yu says: there was a time when they fought under the same banner.
That’d be the campaign against Dong Zhuo, a highlight in Romance of the Three Kingdoms only, as Domyoji points out, in our world, that happened about a century before Sima Yi started making rounds. The guy himself has read the book, and it shows the subtle differences between the history of our world and in Mirisha.
Speaking of, there’s also the somewhat different Byston Well that Lux comes from and the one Marvel and Shou know of. Seems that even different worlds are capable of having parallel versions of themselves, Eida notes, and it all sounds very complicated to Shizuna.
Still, it’s quite amazing to Maya how people from those different worlds are now fighting side-by-side. “Different worlds, hm…?” Cao Cao mulls under his breath. Sima Yi’s just as pensive: “All of Creation possesses two sides to itself… Whatever could there be in the void between the layered worlds…?”
In the JP and EU route, Shou tells of how he’s also a native Overworlder who wound up in Byston Well with many others – only it was a different Byston Well from the one we visited, of course. Indeed, Lux notes that she’s never heard speak of many of the nations he mentioned, but Erebos can attest that his and Marvel’s units are legit Aura Battlers.
Seems to Aesap that there are both common elements, like that Jacoba Aon we spoke to, and different elements (like with Jacoba being a mushroom lady, and alive). Even different worlds are capable of having parallel versions of themselves, apparently – that’s a tough concept for Shinn to wrap his head around.
Still, it’s quite amazing to Maya how people from those different worlds are now fighting side-by-side.
: That becomes even more significant from our standpoint. Here we have previously hostile rulers now standing together in battle.
: Wei, Shu and Wu, once bitter enemies, now forced to ally with one another… Isn’t that something?
: Indeed… fate is an amazing thing.
: …
: …
: Hmph… Does the thought of doing battle beside me upset you so?
: I wouldn’t say “upset” is the right world. It just feels… odd, having you here with us…
: If it helps, the feeling is mutual.
: However, right now we are all drifters from a different world… ‘Tis better to disregard the past and tread through this together than by our lonesome, no?
: …
: (Cao Cao, “an unscrupulous hero in chaotic times”… Your words may ring true, but I wonder what sort of purpose lies in their shadows…?)
: …
: Is something wrong?
: Kizaki… No, I just got stuff on my mind…
: About what happened today?
: Yeah… I was sure Moritsugu was gonna try and take revenge on Kiriyama. But it didn’t turn out that way – he forgave him instead.
: And I thought, “could I have done that if I was in his shoes”…? That guy’s really amazing…
: He is, yes…
: And I know that he asked me to do it, but I can’t help but wonder if it really was right for me to take Kiriyama out myself…
: I don’t think you need to worry about that. You did the right thing.
: Really…?
: Really.
: Well, alright… But, there’s one thing that became 100% clear.
: And it’s that Moritsugu’s on a different league than me, both as a Factor and as a person… And I’d like to surpass him someday.
: Hayase…
: Huh? Speak of the devil, is that him over there…?
: He told me that he was going to pay for the hall and then he was heading back to JUDA.
: Whaa?! Crap, gimme a sec, then! I gotta go thank him for the party!
Off he goes.
: Ah, Hayase…
: …
: Moritsugu!
: Hayase…? Something the matter?
: No, I… I just wanted to say “thanks a bunch” for this.
: Don’t worry about it. It’s the least I could do to make up for the trouble I caused.
: But did you run all the way here just to say that?
: Um… No, I…
: Hah…
: Hayase, that punch you gave me earlier… It was truly painful.
: ?! Moritsugu…
Finally, back at New York, both Hester and Mitsuhiro saw Kiriyama’s assault at JUDA go down, and they’ve confirmed without a doubt that the Fafner Nothung Models are all with the UX.
Hester says they need to put that plan in action and Mitsuhiro confirms that everything’s good to go. First, they’ll recall the spy at ALVIS back to Japan and then they’ll move to secure a Nothung Model. “Humanity has very little time left. Everything depends on the Fafners…” Hester says.
FYI, the Fafner trio got another 10 kills today, bringing their total to 51 – we’re a third of the way there!
And since Joey’s FINALLY rejoined legit, I can start getting kills with him again: his total is currently 23, so there’s a lot of work to be done. Thankfully, his cutoff point is waaaay down the line.
Now, lines we didn’t get or that were in other routes:
: Ah, one of the Celestial Being’s Gundams! Your group was a an evil force upon the entire world and I won’t have you getting in the way of my justice!
: Everyone has their own understanding of what’s right. That being said, I refuse to accept your definition of justice!
–
: Why, it’s been ages, little boy. Have you bulked up a bit since then?
: Yeah, we’ve been through our own share of close calls! Let’s get through another one, Heroman!
: Hmm…!
–
: Oh, dear, it’s the hunk with the Deus Machina. Do you remember me?
: You’re one of those guys that attacked Arkham City! But I’m not the same guy I was back then!
: Indeed, you are not. Let her behold the might you have developed!
–
: Moritsugu would never get together with scum like you, Eiji Kiriyama!
: Oops, looks like you don’t know anything…
: No, Reiji is together with me. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles, son!
–
: Fancy meeting you here, grandpa.
: You again? I won’t allow any of you to take JUDA – that’s the place I’ve to defend now!
: Hmm, what a spirited man you are… You do justice to the “Talisman” name, I see.
–
: Justice is with me! Yes, I… I am a CHAMPION OF JUSTICE!
: What a powerful soul… No, this Aura surrounding him… it’s pure hatred!
–
: The Nanajin and I’ll put you right in your place!
: Ah, it’s one of those Aura Battlers? But you won’t be outclassing my Pretender when it comes to mobility!
–
: A serf like you dares masquerade yourself as just?! I shall personally tender your due judgment!
: So this is one of those miniature Gundams I’ve heard so much about? I’m pretty sure my company could cook up something brand new after we’ve had a chance to poke around your insides!
–
: A despicable man like you dares masquerade yourself as just?! Your evil must be punished, and I’ll see to it myself! I swear it by my name as Sun Quan!
: So this is one of those miniature Gundams I’ve heard so much about? I’m pretty sure my company could cook up something brand new after we’ve had a chance to poke around your insides!
–
: Huh, so he can transform into a flying machine? That’s just like Lu Xun and his Swift Swallow form! (Lu Xun’s Zeta Plus)
: Princess, please! I beg that you don’t compare such a man to me!
–
: Looks like the Japan crew picked up some new faces while we were gone. We better look good for our return, then!
: Look good! Look good!
: Alrighty, then! Now let’s make it like the Lockon Stratos name suggests and start sniping stuff!
–
: Kurou, my master! If what stands before your eyes strikes you as unacceptable, then take in hand the blade that smites evil and wield it as you see fit!
: Aye, aye! Evil will never prosper anywhere inbetween the earth and the heavens!
: Here we go, Demonbane, the innocent blade!!
–
: Hey there, villainess. What kinda cards you got up your sleeve today?
: You’ll see, Mr. Nameless. First things first, though, I’ve a score to settle with you after Iwate!
–
: Our Aura Machines’ engines are growing stronger after coming to the Overworld…!
: Just make sure you don’t get taken over by negative emotions and you won’t go Hyper! All we need to do is cut down the enemy’s delusions…!
: That’s right! Get them!
–
: So it wasn’t just my dad’s country… even Japan’s turning into a battlefield!
: Yeah, there’s war everywhere we look up here!
: And we’re fighting to change that! Come on! We’ll bring this battle to a close with all of the Nanajin’s power!
–
: May victory be yours, my Lord.
: Hah, observe, Sima Yi. My crimson flames shall reduce them all to ash.
A question in the SA thread about Cham’s capacity to be a subpilot for both Shou and Marvel led to the discovery that her appearance in the various attacks is an overlay on top of the base animation. That, in turn, inspired MajinZenki: