SUPER ROBOT WARS ALPHA 3 "Galactic Climax"
Walkthrough by Mark Neidengard (mneideng@ugcs.caltech.edu)
Version 1.0.
This is the final installment of the SRW Alpha series, and the latest
installment of my "one-and-a-half-step-removed" walkthroughs, as in 1.5 steps
removed from a full dialogue translation. My goal is to bring these incredible
works of playable fan-fiction to a wider audience who lack other means to
appreciate the story. It's been a long haul since the original SRW Alpha, and
worth every moment.
Those hoping for _the_ definitive guide to this game and are Japanese-empowered
are encouraged to check out the "Super Robot Wars Alpha III Perfect Guide" by
Softbank Creative, ISBN4-7973-3232-8.
Alpha 3 embodies around two decades of development on the SRW series, and is
the most highly refined SRW the Playstation 2 will likely ever see. From the
smoothness of the graphics engine to a host of logistical amenities, this is
the best showcase yet for the stories and characters therein. Those who have
played previous SRWs may be interested in the following refinements:
- Multiple spellcasting. Users can "check" multiple spells from multiple
pilots and units, and have them all cast at once, greatly saving time.
- Ubiquitous preview. Using the triangle button, you can preview pilot and
unit stats from just about anywhere, including the squad organization menus,
equipment add/subtract system, or even the transformation screens. Never
lose track of what the movement range of your units when transformed is
again!
- Song. Several of your units have attacks that are based off of singing.
These attacks have a variety of beneficial effects when used on your own
party, and only do damage to the Protodevlin. Moreover, they are the only
attacks that truly circumvent the Protodevlin's inherent shields.
- Scenario Chart and hidden missions. From the Options screen on the main
menu, you can now select the graphical flowchart of all missions you've
cleared so far, including short reminders about what happened in them. Also
on the Scenario Chart are hidden side missions that you reveal as you play
through the game. These do not specifically affect the game as a whole (with
one exception), but add extra character. Hidden missions are denoted
Scenario ??X, relating them to the mission they most closely follow on the
Scenario Chart.
The system has many more major and minor enhancements that will become apparent
as you play the game. You have a male and female Real and Super robot pilot to
choose from, each with their own story and dedicated missions. Turn count and
Skill Points influence which ending you receive, and some portions of the game
(including EX Hard mode) are only available on repeated play-throughs.
In short, just start playing and enjoy!
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Story (from the manual)
It is the era known as the New Western Calendar... Two hundred years have
passed since mankind ventured into space.
In NWC 187, the unprecedented upheaval of the "Balmar War" (SRW Alpha) left the
Earth Sphere with undeniable proof of the existence of extraterrestrial
intelligent life - and a vast war raging beyond the borders of the Solar
System.
Greater yet was mankind's shock from another intelligent life form, the
implacable enemy known as STMC (space monsters). Though mankind repulsed their
offensive by the slimmest of margins at the end of the Balmar War, it was
anticipated that they would return to menace the Earth Sphere again.
Mankind has nowhere to run... And so, various projects have begun to ensure
their continued survival upon the Earth.
The "Aegis Project" seeks to shield the Earth Sphere from enemies without. The
"Ultra Long-Range Colonization Project" is endeavoring to find a new homeworld.
And then there is the "Carneades Project"...
In NWC 188, the Earth clashed with alien and Jovian forces, as well as forces
from beneath its own surface. Against the backdrop of this "War of Seals" (SRW
Alpha 2), the various projects drew towards completion.
The War of Seals reached its climax in NWC 189 with the destruction of the
"Artificial God Gun-Eden", which sought to seal mankind within the Earth. Yet
mere weeks later, hints of new upheaval began to surface.
Mysterious military and alien forces prowl the Earth Sphere. A massive,
enigmatic structure has been discovered in the asteroid belt. And
communication with the ultra long-range colonist fleet has been lost...
A gong is about to sound, drawing mankind towards the final battle, and the
galactic climax.
Scenario 1. Shutsugeki, Hagane no Ryuuko ("Sortie, Dragon-Tiger of Iron")
Torres is at the helm as the Ral Kairam approaches Icarus Base. Bright
cautions him about numerous gravitational anomalies which have been spotted
around here of late as Amuro muses that this is your first return to the
asteroid belt since the Balmar War. Travel between the various planets is
considerably easier now than it was then, thanks to the deep space booster the
GGG invented. That said, your people still rushed to get here, too quickly to
say hi to Kazuya and the others on Mars. In fact, testing the GGG booster got
your people stuck playing Express mailmen for Icarus, instead of the
better-suited Daikuu Maryuu. This of course means that you may well have to
use the booster in actual combat, since as Bright points out, it's not as
though all your enemies are gone.
Amuro has been fretting over precisely that for the last several weeks,
wondering if the string of incidents within and without the Earth Sphere these
last few weeks are connected with Gun-Eden's destruction. He could easily
believe that the downfall of that entity, meant to keep mankind sealed within
the Earth's embrace, could herald the coming of mankind's next calamity.
Certainly, the discovery of spacecraft of neither human nor Barmian origin
within the Earth's precincts seems to fit the GGG's predictions of enemy
reconnaissance. Bright agrees that it's too unnatural that "they" would have
remained quiet during the War of Seals...
Just then, a gravitational abnormality is detected dead ahead. It's the
signature of something teleporting in, and it's far too large to be a mobile
weapon or battleship, at a good _thirty kilometers_ long! Amuro quickly leads
the mobile suits out to face whatever this colony-sized object is.
They see a gigantic ring, obviously artificial and looking suspiciously like
some kind of gate. Bright has heard nothing about any such structure being
part of the Carneades Project, and it's pretty clear that whatever it is, it is
not of this Earth. A high energy signature appears at the object's center as
some sort of vessel emerges. To their astonishment, it is the Exelion - a ship
supposedly sunk long ago near Raiousei in the black hole that repulsed the
STMC. What's more, Captain Tashiro is apparently still alive to make contact
with them!
[See the "Story" section]
Meanwhile, at the Tesla Raihi lab, elegant gothic lolita Irui is having visions
of life sucking immensely. While seeking Kusuha and Brit to tell them, she
runs into Robert and Eri. They tell Irui to hold her horses while K&B finish a
crucial final test they're running. If all goes well, you are about to witness
the birth of the "Humachine", a super robot built with all the accumulated
manufacturing expertise and multi-role data from the Grungast series. This
robot's flexibility in armament is especially pronounced, which is thanks to
Eri's study of the Choukijin [remember those?] The new mech's full value
should be clear when Kirk and the others arrive the day after tomorrow, and to
help ensure that, mock combat with Kouji and Ryou's crew is slated for this
afternoon. The two scientists are so excited that Irui can barely get a word
in edgewise, but is content to wait like a good little girl until Kusuha is
done... rather hard to believe that she was the very incarnation of Gun-Eden,
the planetary defense system bequeathed to mankind by some ancient culture. It
was her strong Psychodriver powers that qualified her for the position, though
Robert thinks that she's now just a normal girl with slightly better intuition
than average. [HOW WRONG YOU ARE! Muahahaha. *gasp* *wheeze*]
Robert is a tad sad that Kusuha and Brit wished for Irui to be returned to
normal - presumably she knew all sorts of stuff about Gun-Eden and the
Choukijin. But given that all those memories have been taken from her, and all
the Choukijin were destroyed in the battle in the Garden of Paral, there's
little more to fear on that front. The heroes of that conflict, the Alpha
Numbers, have scattered to the four winds to continue their good works, a few
of them even visiting this lab from time to time.
Despite all the good news about the Humachine, Eri has been fretting over the
unidentified reconnaissance craft spotted over the past few weeks. These
vehicles refuse to answer Federation hailing, content instead to flee the area.
These are obviously enemies, and given their lack of IFF are probably of alien
origin. And that's not all: the space forces have been quietly scouting out
the colonies, which is very abnormal given that the Earthnoids and Spacenoids
are now at peace. Robert doesn't like the sound of that one bit - the last
thing anyone needs is the military stirring up trouble after all the effort you
spent to bring about peace. Eri muses that humans may just intrinsically love
conflict...
In fact, conflict is upon you now, in the form of some kind of UFO on the
inbounds. Since Kouji and Ryou are out on patrol, it's liable to take them a
while to return. There's little choice but to scramble the Humachine, the
dragon-tiger of iron!
Kusuha and Brit boot their mecha without incident, and rapidly come face to
face with the ichthyoid recon vehicles you've been hearing about. Only this
time, they don't seem likely to stop at mere reconnaissance. Robert cautions
the two of them that their brand-new mecha are still quite unpredictable, but
Brit isn't about to let anyone upset the peace that your people all fought so
hard for. He thinks he recognizes the structure of the first enemy he fights,
but quickly resolves not to get distracted now.
Wipe out the bad guys within 2 turns for one of the easiest Skill Points
ever.
After eradicating the first batch of bad guys, both Kusuha and Brit think
they've seen these bad guys somewhere before. As reinforcements arrive, they
prepare to charger further into battle, only to have a mysterious person in
red intervene. Well, not that mysterious - it's Kouji, and for once you
_start_ with Majinkaiser. As even more bad guys appear, it seems that you
_start_ with Shin Getter Robo too @_@ Ryou is very happy about the tuneup
the lab gave Shin Getter, and both he and Kouji are more than happy to defend
the lab with you.
In fact, when Ryou first attacks a bad guy, you'll discover that Shin Getter
is putting out almost too _much_ power. Ryou wonders if this is just due to
it being tuned up, or some other cause...
Though these bad guys were pushovers, your people quickly realize they may have
appeared elsewhere too. They all return to the lab to let the scientists
analyze your new foes and check on things elsewhere. At least there's no
further need to test the new Humachines... Kusuha is getting a bad feeling
about something, which she might have gotten earlier if Irui had actually had
the chance to chat with her...
Irui has in fact been cowering in fear from the nearby battle. Kusuha admits
to her that she's scared too, but with Brit, Kouji and everyone else at her
side, she can muster the courage to protect Irui and everyone else at the lab.
Kusuha promises Irui a bath together as soon as her work is done. As she runs
off, Brit like Kusuha has caught on that something isn't right about her. Ryou
points out that Irui remembers _that_ she was the advent of Gun-Eden, even if
she can't remember anything during that time. That probably explains her fear
and hatred of fighting - and as Hayato points out Irui is also very well aware
that not everything she did has been forgiven even if it wasn't her fault as
such. A fuming Kouji would very much like to know who's responsible for
upsetting the peace and solace for Irui you all fought for - whoever they are,
Robert comes with a report that they're raising hell all over the world. The
GGG, Great Mazinger, and Koutetsu Jeeg wiped out the ones which assailed Japan,
and Robert tells Ryou and the others to wait at Tesla for orders to come from
the Photon Power and Saotome laboratories. Brit finds it ironic that new bad
guys would appear just as the Humachine is finished [also known as "How
conveeeeenient!"], but Kusuha happily tells him to think in terms of the
Humachine's completion being "just in time" for the new threat.
Just then, an SOS arrives from Arizona. It's Hyouma of the Battle Team. The
little fishies that attacked here shouldn't even scratch Combattler V, which
can only mean one thing: something far worse is afoot in the western deserts.
Robert hastens to get a transport ready, telling everyone to prepare for
dispatch. As this new fight gets underway, Kusuha is left to ponder the unease
she felt in her heart...
Scenario 2. Arata Naru Shinryakusha! Tachiagare V! ("A New Invader! Rise,
V!")
Irui is unusually glum as your people prepare to head for Arizona. Kusuha
gently asks her if she too felt the strange unease during the skirmish. Could
it be that the coming battle will be harder and more gut-wrenching than any
that have come before? [What are the chances.] Kusuha assures Irui that she
isn't going to lose regardless, and with remarkable facility cheers Irui up
before joining the rest of your crew on the transport plane. This works for a
while, but Irui can't fully shake off the feeling that she'll never see Kusuha
again.
The bad guys are coming with Barm combat robots, plus Boazan and Zaylan armed
flying saucers - rather surprising, considering how utterly you ass-rocked
those aliens in the last battle. Setting the Boazan aside, it's a fact that
the Barm and Zaylans have been living peacefully on Mars. Kosuke theorizes
that some unknown power may have somehow taken over what little warpower those
races have left - maybe the Boazan? Whoever they are, Hyouma is none too
pleased to see the peace shattered after barely a month. Combattler V eagerly
joins the Federation forces in facing the baddies.
For a Skill Point, wipe out all enemies within three turns while keeping all
the Federation forces alive.
A new crop of bad guys appears on turn 3. The Federation forces decide to
take them on, and quickly fall to the might of... Dangel, one of the widely
known generals of Canpel. Dangel informs Hyouma that his reputation as
Oreana's killer has reached all the way to the Canpel homeworld - so _these_
are the people who gathered together the various alien forces against you.
Dangel warns you not to think of him as another busted-ass robot like
Garuuda, since he's-- Hyouma cuts him off, ordering him not to belittle the
pride that drove Garuuda to fight for his homeworld. This amuses Dangel
greatly - Garuuda, as a robot, had no "feelings" as such. Dangel is looking
forward to fighting Combattler V as the first step in invading the Earth, and
Hyouma is looking forward to shutting his big mouth.
Your people show up in short order to help out. As Dangel gets kicked out on
his oversized bragging ass, your people realize that the Canpel-led incursion
is apparently unconnected to the recon mecha you just tangled with. You have
at least two different enemies on your hands.
After the battle, Robert calls Kusuha and your people up with some news. After
you left, the ichthyoids attacked Tesla Raihi again. This is rather odd,
considering that it's not that important as a military lab. Anyway, the lab
had armaments enough to repulse these bad guys... but during the battle, Irui
vanished. She was _supposed_ to have been evacuated to the shelter, and it's
anyway unlikely that the enemy got her. His people are busy searching for
Irui. Unfortunately, Kusuha and Brit can't head back to help in the search -
orders have been handed down for them.
A transport then arrives, piloted by Stallion White of the GGG. He's here to
take you all off to fight the giant threat overshadowing the Earth, joining the
swelling ranks of warriors from all over the Earth.
Your people are then taken to an orbital installation. It's big enough to be a
colony, but since it's not at a Lagrange Point, Hayato tells Benkei to call it
a "space station"... or rather a fortress, as Kouji observes. As Mikoto
informs everyone, this "Orbit Base" was built in secret. You are then escorted
in to meet Chief Taiga, who along with Professor Shishio Leo explains who your
new enemy is: the 31 Mechanical Primevals! As Ryou surmises, these bad guys
are connected with the Zondar, as corroborated by Galeon's warning of
extraterrestrial intelligences. Leo's flashy brother Liger explains that the
term "Primeval" is used to refer to beings from whom spring the thirty one
types of Zondarian, and quickly proceeds to offer a warm welcome to your crew,
especially the ladies.
As the two brothers quarrel, Gai and Mamoru are escorted in. Gai is rather
down in the dumps over being defeated by the Primevals. Three of them to be
precise, who just last night blew both the living and deceased shit out of
GGG's Bay Tower base. All the Hero robots were badly damaged before even being
able to sortie, and Gaogaigar alone stood no chance. Gai grimly relates that
neither the Broken Magnum nor Hell and Heaven were of any use, and only the
intervention of a mysterious white battleship saved his life. Said battleship
transformed into a robot, and in an instant of overwhelming force wiped the
Primevals off the map. Liger adds that the Primevals have cores similar to the
Zondar, and if those cores aren't Purified, the Primevals are liable to
reappear somewhere else. A "mysterious boy" (Mamoru's classmate Kaidou) from
inside the battleship robot Purified the cores of the three Primevals, but
presumably this is merely the opening volley in what will be a far larger
conflict.
Taiga informs you that both the EI-01 from two years ago, and the recent
Primevals, appeared from the nearby ES Window. Fully known as an "EScape
Window", this is a pathway permitting instantaneous travel to the far reaches
of space. Unfortunately for you, an ES Window on a scale never seen before is
beginning to open - meaning that the Zondar wave was merely a prelude to the
oncoming main force of bad guys.
Just then, Bright (promoted to Colonel after the War of Seals) shows up to
announce that the Ral Kairam and Albion have docked. With everyone they've
brought with them, this is rapidly turning into a reunion of the Alpha Numbers.
Taiga wants you all to proceed to the projected spot of the ES Window as soon
as introductions are complete, but Bright asks about the explosion of Unius 7.
Taiga says that the Earth Sphere Security Council is looking into that - the
supreme authority on safety and defense of the Earth Sphere, founded after the
War of Seals. You know several of its members, including Councilwoman Dorian.
It was the Council who decided to reconstitute the Alpha Numbers, and your
people get busy preparing to deal with the ES Window. Gai is still fretting
about his broken body preventing him from joining in the fight, and Amuro and
Bright decide not to bring up the Exelion lest they cause additional confusion.
Your crew works on getting reacquainted. The new additions can't tell you much
about the mystery robot that wiped out the Primevals. The boy who Purified
their cores seems to have similar power to Mamoru, including the ability to fly
and mystical mumbo-jumbo used to perform the Purification. Hiroshi for his
part has the odd feeling that he's heard the voice the robot used before.
[*grin*] The more hot-blooded of your pilots are looking forward to wiping out
the new enemies, whoever they are, but Hayato isn't sure if they'll wait long
enough for you to amass your forces. Speaking of which, Deimos and Voltes V
are off at Mars, since the ES Window is forecast to open up somewhere in the
asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It would really suck if the enemy
appeared earlier than expected and headed to Mars instead to interrupt the
re-terraforming at work there. What's worse, Banjou and the Good Thunder team
are incommunicado at present.
Camille is fretting over some unfinished business with a certain Plant, which
got put on hold to come up here to Orbit Base. All the Gundam pilots seem
somewhat distracted, which seems to be related to the demolition of Unius 7 as
Bright mentioned. After a long pause, Amuro opines that it's probably
impossible to keep secret, even though the incident is still under
investigation and not yet public knowledge. Burning agrees with Monsha's
desire to just spit it out to your comrades, and Amuro relates that yesterday,
terrorists blew up the "Plant" agricultural colony at point U777. The people
manning this non-publically-known colony were all the product of genetic
engineering: "Coordinators". Your people are flabbergasted to hear that they
still exist, given that even mentioning them in public is taboo. Even the
Spacenoids like Fa who suspected their existence had never seen them in person,
aided by the official Federation line that the Coordinators don't exist. The
"Plant" is a special colony in which they live, which is again taboo to speak
of.
The Coordinators were originally made only in small numbers, engineered to
withstand the rigors of being on the vanguard of human colonization of space.
But a certain person's public declaration revealed their existence to the
world: the First Coordinator, George Glen. He, the core of the first
expedition to colonize Jupiter, first coined the term shortly before being
assassinated - right before the fad of genetic engineering took off and
conflict erupted with the "Naturals". Now, by Federation law, the
Coordinators' very existence is shrouded in silence, despite there being tens
of millions of them. Camille learned all this by accident during the upheaval
of the Titans taking over his native colony Green Noa back when. Although the
Earth-centered Titans left them alone, it seems terrorists are targeting them
now, and these are days where such threats, even to people who keep to
themselves as the Coordinators do, cannot be ignored. Given the opposition in
some quarters to the Barm, violence against the Coordinators almost seems par
for the course. This does not sit well at ALL with Camille, driven to
distraction over the renewed violence so close on the heels of peace between
Earth and Space at last.
Gai is receiving the news that he simply won't be combat-worthy for a while.
He assures Brit that his courage hasn't perished, and Brit assures him in turn
that your people will hold the fort until he has recovered. Kusuha is still
fretting over not properly listening to Irui before leaving, but Brit is sure
that Irui will return to Tesla under her own power. Brit points out to her
that the best thing you can do for her right now is to protect the Earth as a
whole from this new threat.
Scenario 3. Gyakushuu! Kikai 31 Genshuu ("Counterattack of the 31 Mechanical
Primevals!")
The GGG heavies explain that the Primevals are sure to appear soon through the
ES Window, creating gravitational disturbances when they do just like all other
forms of teleportation. Based on the historical record, you can already spot
the advance signature of their transit. You could call it a blessing that the
ES Window will be opening well away from the Earth itself, but as Kouji
explains, the asteroid belt is already a Bermuda Triangle of sorts where the
boundary between dimensions is thin to begin with. When your other people are
thunderstruck that Kouji is actually _explaining_ things for a change, Leo
laughs and says that all the study at Tesla seems to have paid off. This
unstable area seems perfect for a large-scale ES Window (as well as a certain
other object that Leo has in mind), and with that in mind the basic plan is to
go and treat the intruders to an all-you-can-eat banquet of ass wreckage. If
it's any consolation, the Federation fleet will be behind you all the way: FAR
behind that is, at a safe distance and cowering in fear.
In short, you get all the guts and maybe all the glory. The white battleship
from G Island City seems to come and go at will without leaving so much as a
name behind, and Hiroshi for one doesn't trust it at all. You've got to get
rid of every last Primeval, since even one could Zondarize all life on Earth if
given half a chance, not to mention the Colonies. As your people ready for
battle, Kusuha is still fretting over Irui's disappearance, but resolves to
concentrate on the fight at hand. Hyouma is rather impressed at how
forthrightly Brit encourages Kusuha, wondering if all Americans are like that.
Kouji, who was a classmate of Kusuha waaay back in the day, admires Brit
despite his slightly odd, archaic Japanese. Chizuru, for one, likes a guy who
can actually _express_ his emotions, especially his passion for the girl he
cares about. Kusuha, Brit, AND the vastly grown-up Kouji can only shake their
head at how Hyouma simply can't seem to get the hints Chizuru is dropping. The
good news is that the talk of the bygone days has really reenergized Kusuha,
and she's now ready to get Primeval on the bad guys' ass.
It is now less than thirty five minutes until the ES Window opens, according to
the Icarus Base. MUCH less, in fact. Gai can only watch from the sidelines,
though Hiroshi and the others tell him to let them shoulder the burden for
once. Both Kusuha and Brit are feeling something far worse than mere nerves or
Pressure: an abiding cold, laden with malice. Kusuha hasn't felt this since
the Balmar War, but Brit snaps her out of her reverie and cautions her to worry
about her immediate surroundings first.
Your dudes unleash a full barrage as soon as the ES Window opens fully. Of the
28 Primevals which appeared, you manage to take down 13 with the first volley.
The remaining ones appear as gigantic pillars, just as the three which attacked
G Island City did at first. This must be their traveling form, and everyone
realizes that now is your best chance to take them down. Bright orders
everyone to lay down their life if need be to keep the Primevals from heading
for the Earth.
Take the Primevals down within six turns for a Skill Point.
After wiping out enough Primevals, the mysterious white battleship appears,
fully as large as Daitarn 3. Amuro figures it's no good requesting aid from
it though, and tells your forces to press their attack.
On turn 4, Kaidou barely has time to sense the onslaught of new enemies: the
ones who trashed G Island City. J finds it very convenient that the bad guy
he failed to catch before would save him the trouble of a search.
When you take down the newcomer, it attempts to regenerate, but J won't have
it, and deploys the J-Quath to draw out its Core. Your people marvel at the
massive display of power, Kouji wondering if EOT was used to construct the
white battleship. Meanwhile, Mamoru finds himself unable to feel the
Primeval as Zondar, and thus is unable to Purify their Cores. Kaidou has no
such limitations.
Just when you thought the operation was a success, ALL the remaining Primeval
cores seem to be just fine, and ALL escape towards the Earth. J and Kaidou
waste no time in heading off in pursuit. Just as your people are about to
hurry back to the battleships to pursue, an AAA-priority distress call comes
in. Icarus Base is ordering you to point 0907 at flank speed, a location
that an aghast Liger tells you may portend danger even worse than the
Primevals. Leo adds that your worst fears may have just been realized....
Scenario 4. Jigokumon, Hiraku ("The Gates of Hell Open")
Not all your people are pleased to be pulled off the Primeval hunt, but Amuro
assures them that the Cores are supposed to require considerable time to
regenerate. When Leo enters, Amuro asks whether this new adversary is
connected to "that": the 30 kilometer-wide ring that the Ral Kairam discovered
a week ago in the Asteroid Belt. This object, possibly a gate, remains
shrouded in mystery except for the fact that it most definitely not of Earth
origin. As for what makes it so dangerous, Amuro is about to relate what
emerged from the Ring when they approached - when the bad guys attack! This
time it's not the ring, but "ordinary" warp drive that delivers an enemy fleet
to you.
It's the Canpellians, back for more smackdown. It seems the forces you tangled
with in North America were just the advance guard, and now it's very clear
they're in league with the Boazan, with remnants of the Zaylans and Barm too.
AND, some new aliens you've not seen before - the forces of Muge, who leave the
battle early to head for Earth, since they apparently have someone from Earth
guiding them. Dangel sends his brother on ahead and stays here to trade verbal
spars with Combattler and the rest of your crew. You can't afford to linger
here long - you've still got to get to that Gate before something even worse
happens.
You've got five turns to get to the designated point. For a Skill Point,
wipe out all the enemies by then.
Once you make it through the bad guys, you receive bad news from Icarus:
something like an enemy fleet has appeared at N0907, and swiftly wiped out your
advance forces. Leo doesn't have time to explain, and urges Bright to make all
possible speed.
Meanwhile, the SRX team has been watching the fleet flagship and damn near
everyone else getting blown to smithereens. Even worse, the SRX's bypass
circuits are fried, and even Quarter Drive is unavailable. With the enemy
locked on, things are looking grim - and Ryuusei wants to separate and attack
independently. That's not going to fly either, given that all R machines have
been damaged one way or the other by the enemies' pinpoint attacks. Aya's
psychic powers give her a brief glimpse into the enemy ship - a ship that knows
all about the SRX, enough to pick at all its weaknesses. The pilot of the ship
is indeed of the aliens you feared from SRWA1, taking perverse pleasure in
dismantling the creation of the traitor to his people. While gloating, the
enemy commander is determined to go and recover the Tronium, plus a few
"samples", with his own hands. He won't begin to hear his subordinate's
caution to stay in safety while underlings handle it, in part to restore
standing to his father. He orders his subordinate to go and guard the
"Crossgate" - it's now clear how useful this thing can be to the Empire if it
can be deployed en masse. He even dismisses some sort of personal bodyguard,
who haltingly protests that leaving the commander alone would violate lord
Shiva's orders. The commander casually tells him to shut up, and that _he_ is
the one giving the orders.
With the rest of the crew departed, the commander tells Ryuusei Date that the
time has come to test his powers. He is about to see whether or not Ryuusei
deserves to live or die, in place of his father. The only weapon Ryuusei has
left is the High Finger Launcher on his right arm - the Invincible Sword simply
can't be used at their current level of power. Rai repeatedly implores Ryuusei
to withdraw: against the might of the Arrowgaters, the Ze Balmariy Empire,
there can be no victory like this. Besides, if anything were to happen to
Ryuusei or Aya, what would become of "that" system: who would pilot the
"Altard"? Aya chimes in too, saying that living to tell the tale of this day
is the only way to assuage the souls of those who died here. Essentially,
they're not allowed to die here. With a supreme effort of will, Ryuusei
finally agrees, and Aya has all the energy diverted to the propulsion systems
to effect a speedy escape. She'll concentrate on maintaining a barrier, while
Ryuusei concentrates on piloting them out of here. The enemy commander orders
a few of his men to surround the SRX, wanting to see a sliver of Ryuusei's
Psychodriver powers.
On 2.5, your people show up to find the SRX in very bad shape. Your people
are aghast to find the Ze Balmariy on the scene, and the enemy commander is
rather pleased to see more of the people who downed the Seventh Fleet here.
He then starts putting forth some kind of psychic power - it seems he's an
Esper just like Ryuusei and the others. But he plans to demonstrate how
different from your people he is. Aya can't withstand the assault, and the
T-Link System falters. The bad guy even offers to give you a hand, forcibly
switching you over to the Uranus System, restoring the SRX's power levels to
full. Rai yells at Ryuusei not to get carried away, that this is the bad
guy's trap and that something is wrong with Aya - but he doesn't listen.
The SRX gets thoroughly trounced. The bad guy admires the amount of power
Ryuusei emitted for a moment, but scoffs that no Earth-made system could
measure up to his Viklan's Kalkelia Pulse Telgram system. He decides to give
Ryuusei more time to "mature", but proceeds to recover the critical Tronium
from the SRX's carcass. He destroys the T-Link system's core, the "defective
part" also known as Aya. Is Ryuusei happy? What do you think.
The Ral Kairam detects that even without its Tronium the SRX is about to
vanish in one colossal explosion. Bright orders your people to quickly
recover the SRX team, including the vastly distraught Ryuusei.
The two remaining SRX pilots are taken to sick bay, where it's far from clear
that either of them will pull through from the massive injuries they've
sustained. Ryuusei's recovery is especially in doubt. Tetsuya coldly
instructs your people to get over it and come to terms with the fact that you
all are going to have to face this monumental foe yourselves. Amuro agrees,
but adds that he himself isn't strong enough to stay entirely unaffected when
one of his comrades from the Balmar War is lost. However, there is no such
thing as a war where nothing is sacrificed to move forward. What is left is
for the living to overcome their sorrow and finish what the fallen would want
them to do. Besides, with the Primevals and the other forces threatening the
Earth, many more people will taste the same sorrow if you do not succeed. All
that said, your dudes are still pissed as hell.
At the following briefing, Leo offers a few words of sympathy, having lost his
wife (and Gai's mother) in a Jupiter convoy "accident" long ago. He tells
everyone that Bright and Taiga are in a joint conference with the Security
Counsel and the top military brass, figuring out what to do from here.
Meanwhile, Leo explains that the ring in the asteroid belt, now officially
known as the "Gate" with a capital G, is a conduit or portal to far-flung
reaches of space, or else another dimension. There is a clear connection
between the Gate and the Unknowns who have been causing trouble lately, and
Icarus Base was tasked with guarding and monitoring the Gate lest something
like this should happen. The SRX was on special assignment as part of that
mission - reassembled for that purpose (but not JUST that purpose, Tetsuya
figures). It's not clear if the Ze Balmariy actually _control_ the gate as
such - for one thing, if they could _send_ the Gate here, they could presumably
send _themselves_ instead of using it for transportation.
It's clear though that the Balmar know more about how to instigate travel
through the Gate than you do. And presuming that the other side of the Gate
ends up in Empire-controlled space, the odds are high that they'll be sending a
far larger force to kick your ass soon. Of course, if you can somehow seize
control of the Gate yourself you'd be able to prevent the invasion, but to do
that you'll need enough warpower to overcome the Balmar fleet now guarding it.
Not precisely the distraction you wanted with the Primevals also lurking...
Bright and Taiga then return. The news is not good: spy satellites could not
track the Primevals as they fell to Earth, and the other alien alliance is
massing its forces near the borders of the Earth Sphere. To counter the threat
of alien invasion, a large-scale operation is to be undertaken near the moon,
including your dudes. The plan is to be known as the Earth Sphere Last Line of
Defense, and your people get to be the spearhead. As everyone is dismissed,
Kouji continues to agonize over whoever killed Aya and caused Ryuusei such
grief. After a moment, Four says that she doesn't think that Aya is dead - she
didn't feel Aya's psyche dissipate when the SRX was vanquished. Kusuha agrees,
having felt what Four felt and recalling a similar incident during the Balmar
War. Then, it was Ingram provoking Ryuusei to bring forth his power - and
Yuuzes trying the same trick on Kusuha and Brit. If all this is correct, God
only knows where they've taken Aya - but at least she should still be alive.
Kouji realizes that had they simply wanted Ryuusei and the others dead, they
could have arranged it in an instant - Kusuha seems to be on to something...
Scenario 5. Chikyuu-Ken Zettai Bouei-sen ("The Earth Sphere's Last Line of
Defense")
An argument is underway at Federation military HQ in Alaska. Igor is trying to
convince the others that they must ask the Plant for assistance against the
alien incursion, with support from Oka. The other brass are derisive: having
assimilated the Jion and such into the Federation military, they figure they
don't _need_ any additional help. Oka counters by observing that the
Federation, previously happy to pretend the Coordinators don't exist, has
seemingly started keeping them under observation as of late. Why, precisely,
are the other commanders interested in provoking them now? One of them
grudgingly responds that they received a report of suspicious activity at the
Plant around the end of the previous war. Oka isn't buying it - any activity
they may have displayed should have been pure self-defense, and directed only
at the aliens - not even the Neo-Jion bothered tangling with them. The
Federation commander is not to be swayed, refusing to deal with the Plant on
the sole basis of their inhabitants being Coordinators: genetically-engineered
"monsters" utterly different from the Naturals. Igor does not accept such
discrimination, especially against the fruits of a project the _Federation_
ran. The commander says that it's not "discrimination", it's "distinction", a
word that Oka finds laughable on its face. The commander continues that
differences in origin always cause conflict, as Oka should know with his own
body from the Jupitorian assault on the Earth. Oka sardonically observes that
it was, again, the _Federation_ who pulled strings to isolate the Jupitorians
from the Earth kindred. When the commander tells Oka to stop right there, lest
he turn traitor to the will of the Federation, Igor drily notes that rumors are
circulating of a certain hawkish faction among the top brass and civilian
government. He and Oka are both told to shut up and go back to get their
respective commands ready for war. Igor furiously demands to know what the
hell the whole "Light of the Human Heart" was for if the result was going to be
mankind squabbling amongst itself again. Oka adds that the Earth is destined
for ruin in the _near_ term, and not by alien hands.
As they storm out, the commander growls at the hypocrites. From the shadows
emerges the Chairman, noting the discord and hoping to get a little information
about Unius 7. The commander says that it's been listed as an anti-Federation
terrorist act, and the Chairman muses that it's ironic to have to depend on
archaic weapons like nukes now that the Colony Laser is gone. But depending on
one's point of view, such hellfire seems suitable for roasting the space
monsters. He seems pleased that the Coordinators don't believe the official
Federation line: he's sure that they're going to try something after what the
Jupitorians did, and wants to "maintain the peace" by preemptive war against
these remaining dissidents.
Meanwhile at the Plant at L5, similar talks have been underway among the ruling
council. The Chairman, Siegel Clyne, is very sad that people seem unable to
believe in the "Light of the Human Heart", the inexplicable phenomenon that
saved the Earth from the Axis drop. Of course, some write it off as
malfunctioning weapons and the like, but Siegel truly believes that there was a
moment where people's hearts were united. Patrick seems more than half
inclined to believe it himself - certainly many of the common people did, which
greatly delayed the attempt to declare war on the Earth. In fact, the
dismantling of the Neo-Jion did represent the end of the war between Earthnoid
and Spacenoid... but only among the Naturals. He points out that the
Federation's feigned ignorance of their existence is proof that they refuse to
see them as human beings with rights. While they have nevertheless coexisted
until now, Patrick says that Federation elements are now spreading seeds of
doubt about the Coordinators. In point of fact, Patrick opines that the
renewed surveillance is merely the first step to Federation subjugation. This
is precisely why Siegel refused the declaration of war - but Patrick says that
the result of that was the "Bloody Valentine". After a long pause, Patrick
informs him that the arrow has already been loosed - he's given the order to
Zaft to attack. His plan: to prove to the Naturals precisely who owns the
Earth, under the cover of the renewed alien raids.
Meanwhile, your people are all in position. After a brief exchange with Henken
(including Emma and he wishing each other well). It looks like Emma is about
ready to finally pop the question, touching off a bit of mirth among your
people before the bad guys show. Their commander, Death Gaia, is disappointed
at how few Earthlings there are, and his mysterious adviser asks if he's
doubting their word. The advisor tells him to actually try crossing swords
with your people, and if he's not satisfied, he can do with them whatever he
wishes. Death Gaia will have this person remember those words.
Your people detect the enemy deploying over a wide area, not just the
(sizeable) number you see here.
Clear the map within six turns for a Skill Point.
After killing off enough of the bad guys, a very nasty development unfolds: a
bevy of Plant mobile suits show up, and they're NOT on your side if the
declaration of war being broadcast is any indication. The timing, as usual,
sucks rocks, and the alien advisor quickly decides not to touch the "Zaft"
forces to better let the Earthlings kill each other off. It doesn't help
that Death Gaia belittles your people for your stupidity in infighting while
your very homeworld is in danger. The advisor muses that that's just the way
humans are: stupid in the head. And when Death Gaia protests that this
person, too, is human, the "advisor" tells him to watch his mouth: this
person is none other than the Muge Zolbados commander of the invasion of
Earth. As Death Gaia furiously goes about his commanding, with or without
this person's say so, the mystery commander wonders how the Lond Bel, or
rather Alpha Numbers, will react. The other aliens use this chance to press
their assault against the moon, and the Creuset tells his forces to leave
them alone: the Zaft are solely after the Earth military. Amuro in turn
tells Camille that there's no choice but to fight back - you can't left the
Zaft do the same thing Char once tried.
As the Zaft start attacking, Rau Le Creuset senses someone approaching: it's
Muu La Flaga in a mobile armor. He's headed here after his fleet was
destroyed, and you're all too glad for his assistance. Amuro has heard of
this guy, a prodigy Mobile Armor ace pilot, who is more than a little bashful
at being introduced that way by _Amuro_. Creuset then decides to sortie
personally, resolved to test the legendary might of the Alpha Numbers on a
"whim".... plus, he feels drawn to Muu for some reason.
Unfortunately, Creuset will retreat if his flagship is shot down and vice
versa, on reports that the raid to penetrate the Earth is successful. He
vows to see Muu again.
The news is not good after the battle. The alien fleet is in the process of
descending to the Moon and to North America. Worse, your comrades have
suffered roughly 50% casualties elsewhere on the battlefield. The horrible
timing of the combined assault, whether planned or accidental is just too much
- and the confusion is even worse than during the War of Seals. As if that
wasn't enough word then comes in that the remnants of the Subterraneans are
acting up! This has turned into a fullscale rerun of the Balmar War, and your
people are close to outright panic. Taiga steps into the breach, pointing out
that your people still hold the Key to Victory! Namely, hearts which love
peace! The Courage to face any obstacle! Hyouma was actually hoping for some
new GGG superweapon instead...
Tetsuya starts by announcing that he's going to Japan to hold the fort against
the Subterraneans. Kouji agrees to go with the Getter team to North America,
and Amuro and the others agree that you have no choice but to split up. The
GGG will support you, since the Federation military is all mixed up from the
Zaft raid. Bright is heading back to Supreme HQ, to try to make sense out of
this mess and plan what to do next. As Tetsuya and the others head off to
Japan, Synapse leads what Mobile Suits aren't going with Bright back to
Londenion. Bright will drop the GGG staff back at Orbit Base, then head to
Luna 2. The remaining robots head back to North America, resolved to give the
bad guys a thorough down-home alcoholic-father-style ass-whupping in the
process. Right before reentry, Brit swears to protect Kusuha, the Earth, and
to bring Irui back safely.
Scenario 6. Hokubei Sensen, Ijou Ari ("All Disquiet on the North American
Front")
Three months of constant hell have passed[!] Your team in North America finds
Detroit totally subjugated, all its citizens gathered together in a holding
area. Both Majinkaiser and Shin Getter are unable to sortie for the moment,
due to certain difficult to replace parts worn out from the constant fighting.
Nerves are a tad raw too, especially among the pilots who can't help out at
present. Your mission is to free the civilians while the military creates a
diversion. To do this, the military men will have to stage a guerilla-style
raid without any mobile suits, having lost theirs long ago. Unfortunately,
Kusuha and Brit have gone looking for Irui, and aren't back yet...
In fact, Kusuha nearly gets taken out by one of the Muge troopers. Brit saves
her life, then sits her down and asks her to forget about finding Irui for the
time being. He reasons that Irui has left them of her own will, which means
that it's quite unlikely they'll be able to find her. Besides, they have
something else to do: restoring peace on Earth - which Irui herself wants more
than anything. Kusuha meekly wonders if Irui will come back if peace returns,
and Brit tells her that that's what he's decided to believe.
The soldiers do too good a job of creating a diversion: several of them get
blown away when the enemy send out their forces. Your people identify the
holding area for the civilians and set about freeing them, determined not to
waste the resolve the soldiers showed.
You've got to get one of your units into the indicated area. Do so without
even one battle with the enemy for a Skill Point.
Once one of your dudes arrives in the zone, you attempt to set the prisoners
free. Unfortunately, a new crop of enemies shows up beyond your reach and
prepares to execute everyone. Just then, the familiar blast of Dan-Kuu-Hou
wipes them all out. Your teams exchange warm greetings, then proceed to
ravage the evildoers.
Well, the first group of evildoers anyway. A new batch shows up, but Igor
radios in and orders everyone to pull out. The civilians are all safe, and
Shinobu reluctantly obeys the order.
Back at base, Igor and Hazuki have been doing the best they can to restore
order, what with the chain of command totally severed during the alien
incursion. Hayato, among others, has been wondering something for the past
three months - how is it that the enemy is so successful in evading all
Federation safeguards and striking your weak spots with such precision? The
only possible conclusion is that a traitor is helping the aliens - a traitor of
probable flag rank, and one deeply involved in Federation strategy.
Shinobu has a more immediate concern - how much longer do you all have to
continue this sneaky guerilla warfare? Take today's battle - even if you freed
the civilians, Detroit itself is still occupied. He fumes at having to endure
the Muge Zolbados Empire, the fifth power colluding with the Canpel, Boazan,
Barm and Zaylans. Their name is about the only thing you've found out thus
far. Igor lets Shinobu speak his piece, then orders him (and Ryou) to go
outside and run if they've got this much energy left. Shinobu stalks off, in
fact happier to be moving his body than chewing the fat with the brass.
After they depart, Sara explains where Dancougar was for the previous game:
fighting in Africa! It seems they got, um, kicked out of Japan after Shinobu
disobeyed their commander, the infamous Commander Miwa. Matters went all the
way to a court martial, but Igor stepped in and managed to have the Beast Squad
transferred to his command. Kouji says that Africa seems almost more suited to
the Beast Squad, but Sara points out to him that whatever their machines may
be, they the pilots are human. Well, she adds with a smile, with one possible
exception.
In any case, with the Zaft in near total control of Africa, Igor and the Beast
Squad escaped to North America. Sara has heard that whoever the Zaft commander
is, he's got some impressive nickname and tactical skills to match. Brit
points out that Shinobu has something of a point - an unending guerilla war can
only work to your forces' detriment in the long run. Igor repeats himself:
he's waiting for the right moment, which will be when the whereabouts of the
traitor become clear.
Meanwhile, at the interstellar alliance's forward base, some of the other
commanders are berating Death Gaia for even temporarily losing control of
Detroit. He calls it a minor hiccup at best, but Walkymedes and Dangel tell
him that their forces aren't his to toy around with as he sees fit, whether or
not the current Earth invasion commander is from the Muge. He retorts that
someone who's already gotten kicked off the Earth entirely has no right to tell
him that, and is about to demonstrate who wears the pants in this alliance when
the mysterious commander intervenes. This turns out to be *Shapiro* of all
people, whose 100% certain death in games past apparently left him with nothing
more than a _really_ funktified hairdo as a memento. He's now got another
Earth woman (Luna) at his side, who is quick to rub it in how much the emperor
values Shapiro's contributions to the swift campaign the alliance has waged.
Walkymedes has been executing some other plan, which is now 80% complete. If
in fact the thing they're seeking exists, it must be among the remaining 20%.
Shapiro tells him to continue investigating, earning him dirty looks from his
haughty subordinates. He then addresses them all, informing them that the
invasion of North America is now entering its final phase. He tells them to
carry out their missions swiftly, the sooner to toast the success of the
alliance. Shapiro is already drunk on the rank and power he now holds on his
long-awaited return to Earth - now more than ever, he views himself as the one
and only person fit to become God. And he's determined to take out his past
defeats on everyone in sight...
Scenario 7. Ikari no Kemono, Yasei no Houkou ("Raging Beast's Instinctive
Howl")
Ryouma is schooling Brit in the art of swordsmanship. Though it doesn't come
up that often, he _is_ after all the son of the head of the Nagare Ittou-Ryuu
style. Brit explains his newfound interest in swordsmanship by saying that he
hasn't mastered Raiko's full powers yet. Even with the motion programming from
the Ryuu-Ko-Ou, it's still a mecha - unable to match the fluidity of the
organic Choukijin. Brit confesses that most of the success he's had in combat
so far has been do to Raiko's capabilities rather than his own skill. To make
any further progress, he wants to start by improving himself, much like he
tried to do in high school kendou club. Benkei knows that Brit's telepathic
powers are the equal of Kusuha's, and wonders why he doesn't trade in his
Lion's Blade for some long-range weaponry. Hayato knows the answer to that: he
wants to fight by Kusuha's side, and it wouldn't very well do for both units to
be copies of each other, with weaknesses in common. Benkei apologizes for not
realizing that beforehand, and a somewhat grim Brit says that he's been nothing
but a burden to Kusuha so often - for once he'd like to make things even, to
protect her as she protected him. Ryou likes the sound of that very much, and
promises to help Brit practice as often as he wants.
Speaking of the devil, Kusuha runs up with news: the interstellar alliance is
raising hell near Cincinnati, and Shinobu has headed off without waiting for
orders. Your people are ordered to head off in pursuit. Ryouma promises Brit
that he won't tell Kusuha about his training.
Dangel is in fact astounded when your people actually fall for his vain
commander's plan and show up. Shinobu tells his team that while he doesn't
know what the enemy are up to, he can't just sit around and watch this war cut
down people by the hundreds. His teammates all agree, letting their instincts
guide them into battle.
For a Skill Point, take down the Zupanzer, the Boazan saucers, and the Red
Baroms within four turns.
Dangel remarks that Dancougar is as fierce as a wounded beast, but Shinobu
says that the only one wounded around here will be Dangel. Dangel retorts
that he can see how that "vain" commander is so dead set against Dancougar
(Sara takes notice), and a certain black knight intervenes before Dancougar
rushes into battle too deeply: it's Alan! Shinobu for once gladly accepts
his aid, and your people vow to show the bad guys just how much the fire of
their instincts will go to burn them away. Alan knows that this pure form of
wrath is just what is needed to clear the way through this tangled battle:
the Beast Squad's immeasurable powers.
Your dudes show up as soon as the small fry are toast. Alan warns you to be
careful - this seems to be some kind of trap designed to lure you out. That
said, you can't afford to give up either. In fact, Death Gaia shows up with
plenty of reinforcements, but tells the briefly grateful Dangel not to get
the wrong idea. He'll leave the forces with Dangel, but plans to kick back
himself and get a good luck at Dancougar, which their commander is so fixated
on. Dangel is infuriated at the Mohican bastard's choice of words, but is
more infuriated yet with your people.
One of the enemies has a Booster.
Save Dangel for last, as killing him will end the battle.
Your people are now fully aware that you've been marked by the enemy. Alan
ponders Igor's strategy for trying to figure out who's pulling the enemy
strings: having your people strike the enemy head-on is very much like him.
Kouji wants to know what other choice there is, and Alan says that he's
gathering information to create that opportune moment everyone wants. He tells
you not to die until he can get that information to you. When Shinobu asks,
Alan figures that his father would have nothing to say to him even if he paused
his spying to go see him. His last words to you are a warning: the Alpha
Numbers has more enemies than just the interplanetary alliance... Your people
return to base to face the fuming Igor, who Shinobu seems to think of as
another obstacle in his path...
...And, it's straight to the brig for the Beast Squad. Shinobu is at least
consistent in his impatience with the guerilla warfare, but Ryou thinks Igor
has the right idea... in part. And in part, he's worried about Alan's words:
he realized today that even the Alpha Numbers cannot beat the interplanetary
alliance in a war of attrition. This means that meeting the enemy head on
won't work - in which case, you've got to strike at the enemy's heart. This
begins to make sense to Shinobu, but Ryou isn't done worrying yet: he figures
you need at least two more super robots to actually pull off such a feat.
Shinobu wonders where in hell they'll get something like that from, and Ryou
has something in mind, which Hazuki should be seeing to any time now. Sara
meanwhile has been atypically distracted, telling Shinobu that she has some
sort of bad feeling about what's coming your way. She shakes it off, though
Shinobu tells her to let him know if anything happens (and then gruffly claims
that he's merely worried about her as the team leader ;)). Sara thinks to
herself that SURELY "he" couldn't still be alive: Shapiro Keats was 100%
positively killed off during the Balmar War.
Ryouma needs no convincing to see that your dudes can't win a head-on war of
attrition with the interplanetary alliance. The same goes for Kouji: the 50
meter-class bad guys are enough to go toe to toe with your super robots.
Hazuki muses that the Federation simply can't win with their forces so spread
out, and Igor tells him that he's contacted "them". The situation in Oceania
seems to be going well for the Federation, so "he" should be available to help
out here: someone your people know well.
Death Gaia is derisive of Dangel's failed efforts in Cincinnati, but is content
to let Dangel stew while pondering Dancougar's intriguing powers. He resolves
to take it down with his own hands during the next battle. Walkymedes doubts
that he'll get the chance, informing him that his people have found what the
Muge emperor wants - meaning they'll have no further need to remain on Earth.
Shapiro congratulates Walkymedes on spotting their target, noting that the
Canpel's reputation for advanced science isn't just hot air. Walkymedes
manages a smile and says he'll accept that at face value, and Shapiro says that
the time has come to go and collect the target. Walkymedes wants to go to the
scene himself, telling his good-for-nothing brother that if he doesn't restore
the family name Janela will be mighty upset. Dangel doesn't like being made
fun of, even by his brother, but Walkymedes tells him he'll give his complaints
his full attention _after_ finishing the mission. Shapiro tells him to get to
it, and Walkymedes retorts by telling him to just rest his ornamental commander
ass on the couch and wait for his report. Shapiro, predictably, scowls...
Scenario 8. Kagayake! Fujimi no Yuusha ("Shine, O Immortal Hero!")
Akira is hanging out on the East Coast, staring out at the ocean. He can
almost imagine that the flames of war encircling the globe are but a fable.
Shinguji is glad that the fighting hasn't claimed this area too, though he
wishes Mari would help him fix his Bluegar's engine. They all want to join up
with the Alpha Numbers as soon as they can, though Shinguji tells Akira to rest
while he can. The others leave to tend to their repairs, and Akira thinks back
to his mother's sacrifice that let him defeat the Youma Emperor Barao. He
tells her that invaders have once again shattered the peace she gave so much to
protect, and silently beseeches her to watch over him and his companions as he
fights to restore that peace once more.
Just then, someone approaches - an apparition from the past which Akira
momentarily mistakes for his mother. It resolves quickly into... Irui! Akira
quickly figures out that this adorable child is neither a sightseer, nor your
average war-lorn refugee. She tells him directly that she's come here to see
him, which he's not really sure how to reply to. She then clearly tells him
"Hero, the time of awakening is come. The final battle for Reideen, hero
bearing the Star of La Mu, and the hopes of the ancient Mu Empire, is at hand."
As he stands astounded, she continues the "judgment day, the cycle of death and
rebirth is upon you". Akira, very confused, wants to know what all this is
about and, above all, who the heck Irui is. She says that she is "Nashim, she
who has returned to this planet to sever the cycle of death and rebirth." [I
think you hear E.F. Hutton talking, and I think you're listening.]
Higashiyama meanwhile is confirming the transfer of Reideen for Igor. Akira's
journey to join up avoided the Pacific Ocean, where his heart was so gravely
wounded in the fight against the Youma. Also, this allowed him to avoid the
war zone that is Southeast Asia, as well as the Orb nation which took advantage
of the war to declare independence. Unfortunately, the enemy picks this moment
to move their forces to... right about the point where Akira is! Igor orders
your dudes sortied, grudgingly including the Beast Squad.
Akira tells Irui to go and hide while he holds the bad guys off - he tells her
there's no way he's gonna not defend a child under these circumstances. She
thanks him and obediently trots off. Irui watches happily from her hiding
place, inwardly urging the Hero not to lose. After all, judgment day is close
at hand. She will wait for the Hero's awakening... elsewhere. Akira's friends
quickly join, and he tells them to try to lead the enemy away from the little
girl he just spoke to. This puzzles Mari, who says there's nary a life sign
for 20 kilometers around. Shinguji thinks he was dreaming, but Akira of course
doesn't buy that. But then, wtf is going on?
For a Skill Point, take down the Flanbul, which flees at 8k HP.
As Akira's HP begin to wane, he shrugs off Mari's concerns about his health.
An unseen voice agrees, telling him that he mustn't lose now, at the
beginning of his long battle. The voice tells him, the Hero, that Mutron is
responding to his strong heart, and that Reideen is the hope of all the
people.
Your people intervene after all the flying saucers are toast. Walkymedes
seems amused to see the Alpha Numbers show up, "thanking" you for taking good
care of his younger brother. He fills you on on what a cool scientist he is
and how he's _so_ in charge of the invasion of the Earth. Even if his
brother is the archetypical meathead, he tells you not to think of him as a
mere brainiac. He instructs his men to strike you down and present you as
nice souvenirs for his "ornamental commander".
Kill enough of the bad guys and some Imperial recon mecha will show up.
There's no telling what they're here to observe, but whatever it is you can't
let them get away with it. Your people quickly figure out that the Balmar
seem be at odds with the interplanetary alliance - which is good for you, but
you still need to mop them all up.
Walkymedes is worth a Dual Sensor. He'll decide to pull out, satisfied as
long as he can return with the target. Unfortunately, the target has been
completely lost during the combat. This shouldn't have been possible due to
the 5km ring of sensors around this area, but it seems the target is using
very advanced stealth tech to evade the dragnet. As Walkymedes leaves in a
huff, your people observe that that's at least one thing the brothers seem to
share.
Your people are of course glad to have Reideen, coming a step closer to being
able to execute on the plan to strike down the enemy. But you're not yet any
closer to figuring out what the enemy really want, and that's troubling. Just
then Hazuki radios and tells you to return to base - he's just gotten some very
important information. From the sound of Hazuki's voice, you may just have
gotten the key you've been searching for. As your people head back, Akira is
left to ponder the words of the mysterious girl...
It turns out Akira had been busy researching the 12,000-year old underwater
ruins of the Mu Empire, working out of Australia on Shinobu's advice. You were
fairly certain from Prince Sharkin's last words [in games past] that the Youma
Empire would rise again to threaten the world. It was during the search for
the treasure of the Star of La Mu that the dread emperor Barao showed up, and
Reideen was by no means able to win on his own. That's when Akira's mother,
actually the long-lost Mu empress Lemuria, made her great sacrifice, ending her
own life to activate the Mutron Emitter in the Star of La Mu. This
super-energy enabled Reideen to defeat Barao, but it also spelled the end of
Lemuria. Akira is over his grief, now fully committed to his new mission of
defending the Earth both he and his mother loved so dearly. Unfortunately, God
Voice is currently unusable, perhaps due to too much usage during the fight
against Barao.
Anyways, it's good to have Akira on board, even if Hyouma's expression of
camaraderie once again ignores Chizuru's feelings for him. Igor then tells you
the news: the enemy are based out of New York. It seems whoever sold out the
Earth has really retro tastes. The Federation is going to mount a full
assault, and your dudes are going to be right in the thick of it, aiming for
the enemy's heart. It seems the info came from a certain guerilla you know
well: Alan has made good on his promise. This is great news to Shinobu, but
Sara still seems to have her bad feeling lingering. After your people head out
of the room, Igor asks Hazuki how he would rate your chances of success - he
doesn't think he can count on winning merely based on your pilots' optimism
alone. Hazuki tells him it's around 40%, maybe 35 in your favor. If only you
had one more mech... And Hazuki has an idea about that...
Walkymedes attempts to blame his failure on insufficient information about the
target, and demands to know precisely what is so important about a single Earth
girl. Shapiro refuses to answer, telling Walkymedes to content himself with
being allowed to partake in this grand invasion. Walkymedes accedes, letting
Shapiro know in no uncertain terms what he thinks of this fake Muge
representative before stalking off. Afterwards, Shapiro is willing to admit to
himself and Luna that the charge of being an "ornamental" commander has merit.
He figures his power isn't enough yet, far less than enough to take over the
universe. Luna tries to tell him suggestively that women love powerful men,
but he babbles on that power is all that matters in the world period. With so
much self-flattery, he assures all the (absent) fools around him that he, yes
he, will be the one before whom they will all have to kneel.
Scenario 9. Saikai! New York Kaihou-Sen ("Reunion! The Battle to Free New
York!")
Shapiro has been hiding in his office, humming a certain melody only he can
hear. He tells Luna that it's the "melody of space", also known as the
"Harmony of the Gods". He claims he received it from the gods while still on
Earth the first time, realizing in that instant that it was his destiny, as it
were, to become the absolute power to rule the galaxy. "Whatchu talkin bout
Willis?" is Luna's reaction, but he continues that disruptions to the harmony
are portending the galaxy's downfall. This gave him the [convenient] reason of
acting as God's representative to restore order.
As Luna mumbles something about "oh, so _that's_ how all this got started?",
Shapiro goes on and relates how an asteroid strike two hundred years ago smote
the prosperous Earth right here, in New York, reducing the flower of Earth's
dreams and hopes to a ruined crater. And yet, mankind has _rebuilt_ that city
- an object lesson in how man's boundless ambition can overcome any obstacle.
Luna, now fully drinking the Koolaid, loves the idea of this hallowed ground
and points out that there are some rats intruding upon it. Word is that the
Federation military is massing nearby, and Shapiro is sharp enough to realize
that the Alpha Numbers will be among them, and headed directly for his command
nucleus. His plan is to let Dangel and Walkymedes try to vent their grievances
against the Alpha Numbers, surprising Luna, who figured he'd want to settle the
score himself. Shapiro tells her that he's not bored enough to still be hung
up on his past - plus, he needs to conserve Muge warpower if he's to set their
operation to rights in the long run. He sardonically pictures Dangel and
Walkymedes' joy that their chance has come, but Luna knows well that Shapiro
still holds tightly to the biggest axe to grind against the Alpha Numbers and
especially Dancougar. She supposes that the form that grudge sublimates into
will govern how Shapiro's fate will turn...
Your dudes have already heard the plan: Federation forces will open up at 1600,
giving you the chance to charge into the city proper. The enemy surely knows
you're coming, and you'll probably get to face the enemy's elite. Igor adds
that this is your big chance to turn the tide - the success of the whole
campaign is riding on you. Kosuke has been analyzing the data on the enemy
leaders, including Dangel the meathead general and the brainiac commander
Walkymedes. The third is general Death Gaia of the Muge, an evil-sounding chap
you're likely to have to cross swords with before all this is over. There's
still no word of the traitor, and Sara is still lost in thought over his
identity. She quickly shakes it off, saying that her fighting spirit is rising
at the mention of the bad guys' strength. That's what Shinobu likes to hear.
Brit is pondering the upcoming battle too, putting a rather erudite Japanese
phrase to the upcoming confrontation. Hyouma is surprised a foreigner would
know words that esoteric, and Brit laughs and says that not all Japan-loving
Americans are limited in vocabulary to "Mount Fuji, geisha, and sukiyaki".
Chizuru wonders just what era he's talking about [*grin*] and Ryou adds that he
seems to know an American like that... Kusuha is starting to sniffle a bit,
thinking back to her student days in America, days now long gone. Brit assures
her that your actions are going to bring those days back - or rather, create
them anew. This encourages everyone, and it's time to rumble.
As your people show up, Walkymedes renews his torrent of cliche bad guy lines
("like a moth to the flame", etc.), which Hyouma says has doomed him from the
outset. Kouji suggests a new proverb for him to remember: "Justice prevails".
Walkymedes thinks his Canpel science is stronger than your justice, but your
people have other ideas.
Clear the map in 8 turns for a Skill Point.
Alan shows up on turn 3 to warn you that the enemy's main force is still
hiding: the Muge Zolbados forces and the traitor leading them. Alan shows
you where the base is, and Shinobu and his team agree that the best thing is
to charge in and wreck it. In fact, what Shinobu has to do is break open the
way for Alan's companions to enter and destroy the base from the inside, and
the rest of your people will help him do just that.
Dangel is worth an Anti-Beam Coating. Walkymedes is worth an Apogee Motor.
Once you get Dancougar to the designated spot, he blows open the dome.
Shapiro is quite disappointed at JUST how lame the Canpellians proved to be.
He vows that, though New York may fall, his dream will still outlive the
likes of the despicable Alpha Numbers and the Beast Squad. Sara meanwhile
gets out of Dancougar and rushes inside, apologizing to Shinobu and saying
that there's something she's got to check. Shinobu leaves the controls to
Ryou and runs off after her.
As Shapiro tries to make good his escape, a figure from the shadows intones
that traitors deserve neither dreams nor glory - only their destined defeat.
It's Sara, who is pretty amazed that Shapiro is not only still alive but
still selling out humankind. Shapiro tries to give her some backtalk, but
she informs him that neither the Earth, nor she herself, are his. Something
died inside her the day he sold the Earth to its enemies during the Balmar
War. He taunts her for sinking back to the level of a mere human, and she in
turn asks if his dreams are really so puny as to require taking over the
Earth. She belittles his degenerate dreams of galactic conquest, asking if
he intends to die instead of relinquishing those unfulfillable dreams. Just
then Shinobu shows up, interrupting their little tableau. Unfortunately
neither he nor Sara can successfully shoot Shapiro dead. Shinobu manages to
somehow lead Sara out of the base, realizing that she's not quite on level
ground mentally yet...
Shapiro and his goons emerge in their main forces, but before he can blast
the Beast Squad Brit intervenes. He takes the force of the blast, telling
Kusuha to run and the Beast Squad to get aboard. Shapiro attempts to end
Brit's life, but the Sword Which Cleaves Evil, Zengar, intervenes! Retzel is
on the scene too. Your dudes are now thoroughly confused how someone who
supposedly perished in the Ancestors' Earth Cradle could be here now and
apparently on your side. The best you can figure is that your actions
changed history, and brought him early out of the cold sleep facility he was
in. Retzel notes that Viletta was right: the "Zengar" your people know is
him, yet not him.
Shapiro figures that the new interlopers leave him no choice but to flee.
Death Gaia tells him to do so himself, saying he has no plans to follow his
orders and that he came to Earth to _fight_, as a true warrior. I mean, just
LOOK at all those men who make his blood boil!! [Look, I don't write this
stuff, I just translate it. Somewhat too much admiration for the _men_ of
the Alpha Numbers if you ask me...] Shapiro lets him do as he pleases,
saying he'll be waiting back on the moon should Death Gaia somehow make it
through alive. Shinobu promises Shapiro that he'll hunt him down, wherever
he tries to hide. Death Gaia is now somewhat concerned, hearing the howl of
a "true warrior" in Shinobu's cry.
Death Gaia is worth an A Adaptor.
With the commanders kicked off the Earth, word comes from Igor that the
interplanetary alliance is in retreat all over the world. This apparently
means that their goal was not, in fact, occupying the Earth after all. Alan
has discovered that their mission in North America was recovering some item of
value - their retreat should be taken as a sign that whatever investigation
they were carrying out has ended. Kosuke wonders if this means they found what
they were looking for, or simply decided it wasn't in North America. Alan has
another mission to attend to, but promises to let you know if he finds anything
else out. He won't say what, except that the enemy he's pursuing may prove to
be your worst foe yet. He heads off, and your group returns to base with your
two new party additions in tow.
Shinobu figures that this is what happens to anyone who gets in his way, but
Igor is quick to point out that you had help from Zengar and the army regulars
on this one. Hayato figures that had the bad guys been here for occupation,
the damage to North America could have been far worse. Hazuki can't shed any
light on what the aliens were after, and the fact that Shapiro of all people is
helping the bad guys means you've got to redouble your caution. Igor will pass
that along to the rest of the military, and Kouji points out that at least a
little levity is in order: after all, you've just won a three month-long
battle.
Unfortunately, there's no time for a party - you're to meet up with the Alpha
Numbers Japan team in China and head to space, returning to Taiga's command at
Orbit Base. Shinobu mutters about never getting a break, and Igor tells him to
stand at attention to see his scowl. He tells Shinobu that this may be the
last time he gets to savor that expression: the time has come for the Beast
Squad to become independent from his control. Shinobu promises to show your
future adversaries just how much guts Igor trained into them all, which Igor
calls both their greatest weakness and greatest strength as his final words of
parting.
Shinobu then takes Sara aside, wanting to figure out if she's really got the
stomach to see Shapiro dead. Her response is to slap him across the face,
growling that the one to kill Shapiro will be she herself. Shinobu grins,
saying that _that's_ the Sara he knows. He tells her he's counting on her to
watch his back, but before any mushy stuff can occur Kusuha runs over and asks
them if they've seen Brit. Sara says he's over checking out the samurai robot,
and Kusuha notes that Sara seems to be sparkling somehow - did something good
happen? She runs off, and both Sara and Shinobu agree that there's just no
beating someone so naturally open as that.
Brit meanwhile has asked Zengar to help teach him more swordsmanship. Zengar
studies him for a moment, declaring that Brit has eyes worthy of holding a
sword. Zengar cautions him that they won't have long together, but he'll teach
him what he can in the meanwhile. He wants to start right away, telling Brit
that he's got much to learn...
Scenario 10. Ryuu wo Kurau Mono ("That Which Eats Dragons")
Somewhere in China, a mystery figure (who is it?) says that he's unwilling to
swear allegiance to another shadowy figure (Irui?) since she no longer has
physical form. He tells her that words won't sway him - their relationship is
purely based on balance of power: with the Garden of Paral lost, she should
have no more authority to order him, or another man, around. He tells her he's
doing things his own way, since he and his brethren were the original guardians
of this world in the first place. Irui tries to force him to comply, but he's
got his own protection now. He tells her that if she wants to turn him into
another sword to protect this world like she did back when, she's going to have
to try a lot harder than that. If not, she'd best not try to get in his
people's way again - lest he kill her, yes, even her. He plans to take his
leave, observing that someone seems to be waiting nearby for her. It's been
tens of millenia since he's had his freedom, and the man is looking forward to
enjoying the upcoming game - the game where this guy kills off the wielder of
the Sword that Irui likes so much. This man, looking every bit the mafioso,
thinks he can finally escape from Irui's spell. I, however, am not optimistic
for his chances. ;) ;) ;)
Retzel is amazed that you know of Zengar, much less his role as defender of the
Earth Cradle, which is a secret even to most of the Divine Crusaders. Ryou
isn't willing to go into the gory details, but you've definitely met him before
[in a previous game! woo hoo]. What's weird is, the Earth Cradle has
voluntarily surfaced and released all its cold-slumbering occupants. This is
no breakdown: "Meigas" the control system is quite operational, but has only
one thing to say by way of explanation: "the time has come". This has Kouji
baffled: the Earth Cradle was originally meant to weather the gravitational
wave from the end of the Balmar War. With the success of the Aegis Project,
there should have been no need for its revival now.
Retzel doesn't know what is up with that either, and remains evasive about his
true mission. He claims he's here because of the unforgettable flavor of
Kusuha's nutritional drink, which has your people cowering in fear of the mere
memory. Kusuha begins listing the many esoteric ingredients she's got on hand,
to Kouji's horror promises to share some with your entire crew. When Hyouma
frantically whispers to Kusuha's old classmate to do something, Kouji furiously
whispers back that there's no way he could interrupt someone so happy about
their cooking - in fact, this habit of Kusuha's is why no man would go near her
back in the days of yore. Retzel smoothly says that it's not _he_ who is
waiting for Kusuha's new concoction - she should share some with Brit first.
As for where Brit is, well... let's just say he's having a man-to-man talk with
Zengar.
They are in fact busy with practice. It's not so difficult to take down
Zengar... the first time. He teaches Brit a lesson in not letting down his
guard for even an instant by coming back to life and whaling him to within an
inch of his machine's life. After a pause, Brit asks him whether he thinks
he's gotten any stronger over this week of training. Zengar says that
swordsmanship is but the doorway to strength - it's up to Brit's heart
whether he can walk through it and become truly strong. He tells Brit not to
try to overthink things: his body moved naturally during his intervention in
New York.
Before he can digest this, Kusuha and Retzel show up. It seems that the man-
to-man stuff is over, and Kusuha can't wait for Brit to try her new sports
drink. Zengar tells Brit not to cower before minor problems, which Brit
thinks doesn't do justice to the terror of what he's about to imbibe. But
just then both he and Kusuha sense a great, terrible presence nearby - a
presence like one they've felt before. A presence much like the Choukijin
the first time they met them.
It is in fact a Choukijin - a dragon, with a man standing on its head. The
man regards those the Ryuu-Ou-Ki and Ko-Ou-Ki chose. He gives his name as
Son Ganlon, a name that Retzel's family has heard of. He tells Kusuha what
she's no doubt dying to know: his "Ouryuu" is the perfected form of the
"Seiryuu" that protected her in the Garden of Paral. It seems that the "Four
Gods" Choukijin that she knew of are the lowest rank, above which are the
"Four Calamities", "Four Punishments", and above them all the "Four
Thunders", including his "Ouryuu". Kusuha wonders if this man, chosen by the
Ouryuu, is on your side, but Zengar warns her to keep her distance. As the
man attacks, Brit demands to know what trickery the man is using to control
the Ryuu-Ou-Ki, whose heart is supposed to be just. The main claims that, in
fact, he is the _rightful_ controller of the Choukijin, making you all the
bad guys. Gun-Eden said much the same thing once, before you went and wiped
it out. This means that this man is going to go about delivering his
original brand of justice without interference from above. At the very
least, this means that his dragon wants revenge upon the both of your
Psychodrivers for their collusion with the old Choukijin.
Zengar isn't having that, and manages to cow the dragon enough to stop it's
earthquaking might. The dragon tells Son Ganlon that he knows a man much
like him, as well as a woman much like Retzel. Retzel tells him to save his
reminiscences for his living room at home, and Zengar says that, although he
doesn't know what brand of justice Ganlon has in mind, it's clear at least
that visiting old grudges against innocent third parties is nothing if not
evil. In any case, your people are sworn to go on fighting the invaders and
saving the people, as _your_ form of justice. And anyone who scoffs at that
will get a piece of your fists. That suits Ganlon just fine, since he
figures that you have no chance at defeating him, who has touched a fragment
of ancient memory. He's done talking, and it's time to see if the new
machines and the souls of the departed Choukijin can withstand the might of
one of the genuine articles.
For a Skill Point, you must reduce the Shin Ryuu-Ou-Ki to under 10k HP within
three turns.
Your other dudes show up immediately and are quickly filled in on the
situation. Ganlon seems amused to see some of the other Swords that Gun-Eden
chose, rather than waking up the _original_ Swords like the one he's riding.
Quite humiliating, really. Brit demands to know what the hell he was up to
during the War of Seals, and Ganlon says that due to some old wounds of his
it took the three servants of Gun-Eden a while to wake him up. Basically,
this guy is planning to vent his grievances on you, and he's got one hell of
a big stick to do it with.
Once you reduce the dragon to 10k HP or less, Tetsuya, Gaigar, and Jeeg show
up (oh, and Boz). Brit figures that your people have as good as won now, but
Ganlon cautions that your friends aren't the only ones who have shown up.
It's a bunch of Zondar, drawn to their enemy the G-Stone. Kusuha once again
implores Ganlon to help you fight off the numerous enemies overshadowing the
Earth, but he repeats that he can't see trying to save mankind by any such
means. He flies off, taunting you all with the thought that your methods can
never save mankind. Meanwhile, you're left to fight the current crop of
enemies without the benefit of the Dragon brothers, but with the addition of
Mic Sounders the 13th.
On the next turn, "Pizza", or rather Soldat J shows up. He tells Gai to
withdraw for now - he acknowledges Gai's power, but points out he has no
weapons to speak of at the moment. Gai counters that his most important
weapon is always with him in his heart: the strength to never give up, no
matter what the odds. In short, his COURAGE. This is a good time for the
Hero Robot Squad to show up, plus the newly repaired Gao machines. Gai
initiates Final Fusion and becomes Gaogaigar.
The Primeval is worth a Chobham Armor and a Biosensor.
Once you take down the bad guy, Kaidou goes about Purifying it into a Zondar
Crystal. J and Kaidou have been gathering these, and J warns Gai that if he
gets in the way he'll become his enemy too.
After J flies off, at least your Heroes get to have a happy reunion. With this
new power on your side, Retzel and Zengar head off for their next destination,
not to see your people again for a while. Zengar tells Brit that Brit's power
comes from protecting those important to him. He's looking forward to testing
Brit's swordsmanship when next they meet. Tetsuya is glad that such a strong
ally is on your side, and that he's not quite the person you crossed swords
with in the past. Future. Whenever. Brit assures Kusuha that your people's
combined strength can prevail even against the Four Thunders, though Kusuha
wonders if the dread she's felt since the fighting started foretold this day.
She can only wonder where Irui is, and what could be the motive behind that man
who knew of Gun-Eden.
Kouji is willing to admit to having had a pretty rough time liberating New
York. Hiroshi is _not_ immediately willing to admit to trouble in Japan, but
it seems that your old (and supposedly dead) adversaries the Dinosaurs,
Mikeene, and Jama had their survivors united and sent against you. Whoever was
in charge was a mighty commander. Apparently this commander was none other
than the "Overlord of Hell" written of in the Bronze Bell your people have been
studying all this time. Apparently that was _not_ the Overlord of the Dark
like you all thought, but someone else, the Emperor Ryuuma. Whoever this dude
is, he's got a kick-ass name and enough clout to unite the three squabbling
factions of Subterraneans. He's got a great forward commander in General
Horror, and has none other than the Marshal of Hell as his chief of staff.
Yes, Dr. Hell may have lost his body during the Balmar War, but his mind lives
on in one of his Battle Beasts. And gosh, his hatred of the 'Zingers is
keeping him fighting. The good news is that your forces drove them all back to
Kyuushuu, and in process got Hiroshi a new, more evolved cyborg body. Maybe
not as impressive as the sentient Hero Robots, but still nice. What's not as
nice is that you still have no further information about the mysterious boy
with J - possibly from another world, just like Mamoru turns out to be (Taiga
checked with his parents to be sure).
Your people prepare to head to space, where Taiga will brief you on the next
phase of operations. To help Gaogaigar fight in space, Leo has brought the
Stealth Gao II, giving you all the neato Star Gaogaigar abilities. Meanwhile,
Brit is realizing how true Zengar's words are: Kusuha really is the source of
his strength. Once again he vows to protect her, no matter who the enemy or
how great the danger. That is what he calls justice.
Scenario 11. Arata Naru Jinrui ("A New Mankind")
Aslan has been briefed about Lacus' disappearance during her trip to see the
memorial for the Bloody Valentine. Patrick is sending Creuset's squad out to
find her, especially since it's known throughout the Plant that Lacus and Aslan
are an item. Aslan wonders if he's being asked to go find the idol star and
return like some kind of hero, and Creuset smirks and says that his only other
option is to come back sobbing and clutching her corpse. In either case,
Aslan's father, head of the National Self-Defense Council, wants him to go, and
that's pretty much that.
Meanwhile, Maryuu tells Taiga that Archangel will be heading for Orbit Base,
and Taiga says that her current course should avoid Zaft airspace. Liger
accepts her gratitude light-heartedly, figuring that it's only natural for
camaraderie during hard times like these. Taiga goes on to compliment them on
making it out of the Heliopolis Colony in one piece. Maryuu, downcast, says
that in the process four of the "G's" were stolen by the Zaft, and their proper
pilots lost. But at least Archangel pulled through, thanks to its captain and
first officer, and the talents of Yamato Kira, a collaborator from the Zaft.
It seems that Heliopolis was one of the few places the Coordinators and
Naturals could live together in peace, thanks to being under control of the
Orb. Taiga rejects the notion that this war is to determine whether the
Coordinators or Naturals will prevail - should more people like Kira appear,
willing to fight for their friends regardless of origin, surely peace can be
found. And then there's the Siren of the Plant, Lacus Clyne, who the Archangel
rescued from floating in space. All the more reason for the Archangel to hurry
to Orbit Base.
Though the communique ended on a positive note, many problems still remain.
It's surely too dangerous to just send Archangel on to its final destination in
Alaska unassisted. The only solution is getting the Alpha Numbers back
together, especially since reason will no longer work on the Coordinators.
Aboard the Archangel, Maryuu is pondering Lacus - even though she's a civilian,
someone is sure to want to use her as leverage on the Coordinators. Maryuu
would definitely prefer to keep that from happening, especially to a civilian
and a little girl at that. Natarle points out that Kira too is a civilian
child, who just so happened to save all their asses on the battlefield. Does
Maryuu intend to treat the two differently? Natarle observes that the very
fact she's Minister Clyne's daughter means that Lacus is already not a
civilian. Muu interjects and says that there's no point in debating this while
you're still en route - your first priority is just making it to Orbit Base
without running afoul of the Zaft. Just then, a message comes in from George
Allstar, a high ranking military commander. Come to think of it, among the
humans you picked up was a girl with that name...
Kira finds Flay and Miriallia arguing over Mili's request for Flay to take food
to Lacus. Flay, in very high dudgeon, professes fear at coming anywhere near a
Coordinator child - though she quickly claims that Kira is an exception. She
says that the Coordinators are not only smart but extremely athletic - they're
capable of just about anything, you know? Kira doesn't know, and Sai says that
he'll do it if Flay is so dead-set against it. Kazui adds that he doubts their
guest would attack her, but Flay staunchly maintains that Coordinators'
abilities can't be gauged by just looking at them. It's like, what if she was
REALLY strong or something?
Just then, Lacus herself walks in, wondering who's really strong. It seems
that her cute little Haro unlocked the laboratory she was contained in. At
first glance, Lacus seems a tad airheaded, quizzically answering the enraged
Flay and saying that she's not of the Zaft. After all, "Zaft" is just an
acronym for the military: "Zodiac Alliance of Freedom". Flay attempts to
insist that she's still one of them by being a Coordinator, but Lacus lightly
says that she's not one of them at all, not being at all related to the
military. Kira can only gape and watch this exchange in silence, and Lacus
seems to know that he's not of the military either. She is about to introduce
herself when Flay furiously tells her not to act all familiar with her people.
As some of others yell at Flay to shut up, Lacus slowly says that perhaps she'd
better go elsewhere. Kira offers to escort her, and Lacus apologizes politely
for disturbing everyone. Toll remarks that Kira is indeed fretting over being
a Coordinator, and Kazui asks if Flay is part of Blue Cosmos. She's not, but
can't see anything wrong with what they say - those who tamper with their DNA
for reasons other than curing disease are in opposition to the laws of nature:
mistaken creatures. Isn't that what everyone here thinks? Well, that's far
from clear, and what is clear is that Kira put his ass on the line to protect
everyone, regardless of DNA. Mili too would prefer not to have to make someone
like Kira fight... and just then Muu runs in looking for Kira. His bad feeling
was right on the mark: the Zaft have indeed spotted the Archangel as well as a
certain Federation functionary headed your way: Flay's father.
Lacus is a bit sad at having to go back to her room. She's bored on her own,
and wants to talk to people. Kira manages that this is a Federation ship, and
that there are those who don't... like Coordinators much. More accurately, the
Federation is at war with them. Lacus says lightly that that's a shame, but
thanks Kira for being gentle with her. Kira mutters that he _is_ a Coordinator
after all, but Lacus says that his kindness comes from him being _him_, and
thanks him when he tells her his name. Just then Flay and the others run over
with the news of the Zaft attack - Flay begs Kira for some assurance that her
father's ship will be okay. Muu orders both the young lady and the little
princess to get to the shelter at once so Kira can sortie already.
The Zaft have split in two to meet the two ships. Creuset tells his
subordinate that nailing the "sole" is far more important than the search for
one little girl, lest he be a laughingstock for future historians. Kira and
Muu sortie to face the massive threat, and Creuset seems to have expected the
"fifth" G to oppose him. Muu tells Kira that he'll watch his back, and Maryuu
hurries ahead to rendezvous with the transport ship. She warns your people not
to pursue the enemy too deeply, and to provide cover for her. Muu figures that
with Creuset on the opposing side, things won't be easy, and Creuset inwardly
tells Muu not to disappoint him.
For a Skill Point, wipe out all enemies within 7 turns.
On turn 3, Flay's father's ship shows up just long enough to get blown to
smithereens before your people can do anything about it. Kira barely manages
to contain himself, and it appears he has no choice but to fight possibly for
the rest of his life. Yzak meanwhile vows to wipe out the "Strike" with his
"Assault Shroud". Creuset tells his other G pilots that he's already got
plenty of data from them - they can go ahead and wipe out the Fifth. They
think they're about to destroy the last hope of the Naturals. They are oh so
sadly mistaken. Maryuu decides to gamble that Taiga's promised
reinforcements will arrive in time.
Your dudes ride to the rescue on turn 4, marveling at the new type of Gundam
Kira is piloting.
Once you take down enough of the enemy, your Espers sense some kind of human
will. Toll detects a gravitational abnormality, and out of it comes... the
YF-19 and YF-21!!! Yes, they were supposed to be off in deep space with the
Megaroad fleet, but hey. Isamu and Guld jettison their Fold Boosters, both
putatively unhappy to see each other alive. Apparently they didn't quite
Fold out where they intended to, and while Isamu calls it luck Guld isn't
convinced. Kusuha quickly establishes contact, and asks for assistance.
Creuset, quickly figuring that they're old friends of yours, tells his forces
to get them too. Isamu tells Kusuha that he'll gladly jump into this battle,
but tells Kusuha that she'll have to pay him back later. He assures Brit
that it won't be a date, and Guld interrupts to point out that attacking an
assailant they know nothing about is far too reckless. Isamu in turn points
out that these guys started making for the Valkyries the instant they
realized they were on Kusuha's side. This means the enemy aren't interested
in chatting, and Isamu says they wouldn't have time for that anyway.
Aslan is worth a Pink Haro - it seems there's no choice but for him and Kira
to fight. Yzak is worth a Hybrid Armor. Neil is worth a Magnetic Coating.
Diakka is worth a Combat Manual.
When you take out the mothership's engine room, Creuset says to break off
battle - Gamov is coming to finish your people off anyway. He shows up with
over thirty mobile suits, and after a moment Natarle gets on the radio and
announces to everyone that she's got Lacus. She tells the truth that your
people rendered humanitarian aide by rescuing her escape capsule from space,
but adds that if anyone were to attack your ship, she would take it as an
indication of abdicating responsibility for Lacus' wellbeing - in which case
it would be for the Federation to decide her fate. Creuset is less than
thrilled with this tactic, and orders his men to cease their assault.
Natarle can tell that her captain isn't pleased, and preemptively tells her
that you've got a mission to carry out - you can't afford to be sunk here.
Needless to say this puts Kira in a very awkward position, especially in
Aslan's eyes. Even when the bad guys pull out, your own troops are viewing
this as a Pyhrric victory at best. But given that the Alpha Numbers are
supposedly joining the Orbit Base, it seems a good bet that you're safe, at
least for the moment...
The G pilots are discussing how their little Lacus bird is stuck in the
Natural's cage for the moment - and trying to blame it on Aslan. Nicol for one
won't stand for that, and the other two jauntily head off to get their next
round of orders. Aslan is in rather ill humor, asking Nicol to leave him alone
and pondering whether he's really going to have to kill Kira.
Meanwhile, Kira is one pissed off young man. He demands to know if this is the
way of the Federation military, taking innocent girls as hostages, which Muu
says is pathetic but necessary because of how weak they are now. This brings
Kira up short, and Muu tells him that neither of them have the right to
criticize the captain or first officer, and just then your team comes over to
chat. Kira is amazed to see this legendary battalion here, and little
different from him age-wise. Muu warns your more jocular people (like Shinobu)
not to pick on his ace too much - he was just a civilian until very recently.
All of this makes him... a typical Gundam pilot, as your people observe. Muu
is about to tell your people about Kira before any misunderstandings start, but
Flay runs over to call Kira a liar first. She accuses him of not fighting
seriously because he's a Coordinator, and he in turn runs off.
Your people figure out the rough outline of what's going on fairly quickly.
Muu is not surprised that this is the first time your people have seen a
Coordinator - except for special areas like Heliopolis, the Coordinators'
living areas are sharply circumscribed. Tetsuya supposes it's not so
surprising that this genetically modified strain of humanity could master a
mobile suit without formal training. Hayato agrees, noting that this is why
the numerically superior Federation forces are having such a rough time
fighting the Zaft. The Archangel's crew explains how Kira got aboard the last
secret weapon in Heliopolis to protect them when the bad guys raided. This
means all five of those machines are newly-developed Federation Gundams,
fabricated in a Morgenleite foundry. This company is based in Orb, and it
stands to reason that the Zaft wouldn't stay quiet if the supposedly neutral
Orb was passing weapons to the Feds. Really, the mech requires a skilled pilot
to bring out its full potential, and now that you're here, Kira can go back to
his original life.... except that Flay claims she won't allow that, after he
failed to protect her father and whatnot. Given that Flay hated the
Coordinators even before the attack on Heliopolis, this looks like a prejudice
she'll never overcome.
In fact, it's these invisible differences between races that are driving this
senseless conflict, which may continue until both sides perish. Your people
are very glad to see that Kira has friends here (excepting Flay). Does this
mean that you'll believe in Kira? Tetsuya says that he's a warrior, and
believes in everything that happens on the battlefield. To be totally
accurate, your people don't know him very well - but Shinobu plainly saw Kira
risking his all to protect the ship. Hyouma says look, this is an age where
people marry aliens and robots have souls. Who frigging cares if someone was a
bit different by birth! Now, the question is, can Kira accept all of this?
Kira is in fact crying in the corner somewhere, when Lacus comes to ask him
what's wrong.
Scenario 12. Wakare no Uchuu ("Parting in Space")
What Isamu and Guld have come to tell you is that the Megaroad fleet is
currently engaged with an unknown enemy in deep space. Unfortunately, the
Earth is hardly in a good position to help out - _everyone_ is at war with
someone or other right about now. Taiga can only offer his apologies for not
being able to assist the Megaroad, which Isamu yells won't solve anything but
which Guld will accept, at least for now. If the Federation won't help, Isamu
wants to use a Fold Booster to at least rejoin his comrades himself, but Leo
points out that that would be rather hard. It is, frankly, a miracle that they
made it so close to Earth from such a long distance. Leo explains that the
gravitational fields of innumerable stars, plus other sorts of time-space
abnormalities, make single long-range teleportation an incredibly imprecise
science. And with all the dimensional distortions near the Earth thanks to the
Gate and all, retracing their steps would be even _more_ unlikely to succeed.
Leo speculates that these phenomena may have helped pull Isamu and Guld's Fold
out point closer to Earth in fact.
Hyuuga assures both of them that neither Bright nor Taiga is happy about your
inability to send aid. He's also sure that they will be doing their utmost to
figure out how to fight the new enemies that they've reported. Isamu isn't so
sure, noting that people around here seem rather too busy putting out the fire
beneath their feet to worry about outer space. If so, Leo asks, why not help
put that fire out. It's not like they don't have friends among the Alpha
Numbers and all. Isamu can't really turn down that kind of request, and agrees
to help at least until you reach Orbit Base - at which point they'll take stock
again.
Kira tells Lacus that the fighting is over for now... thanks to her. Lacus
notes that he seems very downcast anyway, and he says that actually he doesn't
want to fight at all. He _is_ a Coordinator after all, and Aslan was a very
close friend of his. And now he's the pilot of the Aegis Gundam. Lacus is
saddened by this turn of events, since she knows Aslan too - he's the person
she's been arranged to marry some day. She says he's very gentle, but rather
uncommunicative... however, he gave her the cute pink Haro, and promised to
give her another one since she said she liked it so much. That's the Aslan
Kira remembers, who also gave him his little robot bird Torii. Lacus hopes
that the two of them won't have to fight again, and Kira increasingly can't
bear to see someone like this used as a pawn of war.
In the mess hall, Hyouma is thanking his lucky stars for getting to meet a bona
fide celebrity idol singer. Chizuru asks him if he likes that kind of girl,
and Hyouma blithely starts listing off her good points while Chizuru's frown
deepens by the second. Brit suggests that Hyouma might want to study some of
her love songs to get maybe a bit of a clue about how the female heart works.
Hyouma asks if that's how Brit went after Kusuha. Akira wonders if he can get
her autograph, and when Mari points out that the Earth and Plant are at war,
Akira happily says that good music has nothing to do with war. Shinguji
agrees, pointing out that her songs _have_ gained wide popularity. In fact, it
turns out MANY of your people are fans, and Michiru finds it an interesting
irony that it is _music_ that has transcended the boundaries of war. [Just in
time for Macross to show up! How convenient. ;) ] It seems Lacus is around
twice as popular as Sharon Apple ever was, and though some try to attribute it
to her genetically-enhanced voice, Akira points out that it's really the heart
that counts. Some of the Seed folks point out that she's still a Coordinator,
and Shinobu is in the process of telling them not to get hung up on small
details...
...when they point out that the Zaft attack killed many of their friends and
families. Shinobu apologizes in short order, and Ryou wonders what happened to
Flay - locked away in her room all this time. While Mili can understand her
feelings, her words towards Kira were too cruel. The accusation that he isn't
fighting seriously rings rather false, and the revelation that he's having to
fight his best friend only makes things worse. Come to mention it, Ryou
notices hesitation in the red Gundam you faced. He isn't accusing Kira of
anything - surely he'd have had innumerable chances to go to the Zaft side by
now. That said, Kira's inner conflict is surely unlikely to get any better at
this rate. But hey, if your coming means he doesn't have to fight anymore...
Kusuha then wonders aloud if maybe humans simply can't set aside fighting.
Even after the finale of the fight with Quatro, where everyone's hearts were
unified, it's back to the same old warfare that's been with mankind since time
out of mind. Brit grimly recounts what he's heard about this current conflict
being touched off by the Jupitorian uprising - another case of "Earthlings" not
from Earth striking back. For that matter, there are those on Mars who would
prefer to see the Zaylans and Barm kicked out too. Brit tells Kusuha that it's
your people's job to fight so that the war doesn't spread any further. He's
rather the optimist, but your other people can't really disagree. He asks
Kusuha to come with him to help debug a problem he found with his targeting
systems.
Kira meanwhile has been taking Lacus and wanting to leave, saying he can't take
this any more. He is confronted by the others in the hangar, who after a
moment figure that they were in the wrong for taking a hostage in the first
place and offer to help. Kira in turn promises to come back to them all once
he's dropped Lacus off, no matter what.
Lacus has never been in a mobile suit before before, and Kira asks her to be
patient with the cramped conditions a little while longer until someone arrives
to pick her up. He's contacted the Zaft and asked Aslan to come alone to get
her. She asks what would happen if he didn't come, and he tells her that he's
broadcast that he wouldn't guarantee her safety otherwise. He was of course
bluffing, which Lacus knows quite well. Aslan shows up, and Kira tells Lacus
to speak to prove to him that it's really her. When Aslan confirms her
identity, Kira tells him to take Lacus with him and go. He gives Lacus a
gentle push out of his cockpit, letting her drift safely to Aslan's arms. She
thanks Kira for all he's done for her, and for Aslan. Aslan then implores Kira
to come with him - what reason is there for him to stay with the Federation
army?! Kira tells him that, although he doesn't want to fight him either,
there are people back on the Federation ship he wants to protect - other
friends! Aslan, anguished, shouts that Kira leaves him no choice but to strike
him down the next time they fight. The same goes for Kira, and the two bid
each other silent farewells as Aslan leaves the area.
Unfortunately, the Zaft have other plans for him - several soldiers show up,
determined to make Kira pay for taking Lacus hostage. Fortunately, Kusuha and
Brit show up, glad they found him. Brit tells him that his little stunt has
the Archangel in an uproar, but you'll worry about that later... unless he
plans to defect to Zaft right now. Kira says no, that he's got promises to
keep, and Brit compliments him on being so nice a guy. Brit tells Kira to go
back to the ship, lest his friends' trust in him be for naught by him getting
shot down here. He promises to bring reinforcements, and heads off.
Your people get to hold the fort. After taking down the first band of Zafts,
another crew show up... only to get summarily swatted out of the way when the
Shin Ryuu-Ou-Ki shows up. Ganlon explains his attack by saying that the Zaft
were merely in his way... though he is in favor of seeing anyone calling
themselves a "new" strain of humanity eliminated. Brit demands to know what
the hell he thinks human lives are, and Ganlon says that they're things to be
guided. But, if there are too many of them, their individual value becomes
rather diluted - meaning there's no need to worry about wiping out a few of
them here and there. Kusuha can't believe this, and he assures you he hasn't
forgotten his mission as a protector of mankind... but his methods are
fundamentally different from yours. Brit figures that you and he seem
inimical to each other, and THAT Ganlon will agree with.
Your people show up in another couple turns... or at least a few of them do.
Although Kira was in time, it seems some of your comrades are tied up
fighting the Zaft. But don't worry, help is on the way: it's Bright and a
bunch of Gundam dudes, including the GW boys. The Alpha Numbers are now all
together, and Ganlon is bitterly amused that a puny force like this could
have defeated Gun-Eden. Talk about slacking. Your people are ready to try
to shut his big mouth for him, but he cautions you that you know nothing
about him _and_ are about to have some additional company: the Imperial fleet
is paying you a visit. Your people claim to have no fear in the face of this
very unwelcome addition to the battlefield, and Ganlon decides to go and
spectate on whether the children of Nashim or of Gepel will prove the
victors.
For a Skill Point, take down the Shin Ryuu-Ou-Ki before wiping out the
imperial forces.
Unfortunately, the Shin Ryuu-Ou-Ki will regenerate when taken down the first
time. Bright quickly orders everyone to keep away from it and concentrate on
the Imperial forces. Once you wipe them out, Bright orders a retreat,
telling Brit and Kusuha that you're at a disadvantage tangling with him for
the moment. Brit hates the thought of showing an enemy his back, but Ganlon
tells him there's no shame in that - they actually fought well, all things
considered. He tells them to protect their lives until the next time they
meet, and Brit vows to remember his disgrace this day.
Ganlon wonders if the time has come, and makes his way to a certain spot.
Just them some Imperial forces show up. Rulia figures that this is the
escort for Master Epeso, but Baran cautions Rulia and Princess Armana to look
at the area near the dragon. Apparently, it _destroyed_ Master Epeso's
escort, probably making it of earth origin. Baran tells the princess to be
at ease - he won't let any enemy lay a single finger on her. Armana is glad
to have the trusty general of the Imperial Guard by her side. Baran says
that the princess' wellbeing is both his orders from the Emperor, and the
will of all the people, and he's willing to lay down his life to ensure it.
He orders the dragon to advance no further, lest it feel the bite of his
sword. Ganlon pauses, giving them his name as a dweller in Gun-Eden. Armana
is astounded by this, and Ganlon asks to discuss matters further at her
fortress...
Kira is facing a court martial, and Natarle says that Kira doesn't have the
slightest idea what his actions imply. Muu requests that that mere supposition
be stricken from the record, which Maryuu allows. Muu also seems to recall
that taking a civilian as hostage violates Section 4 of the Corsica Treaty,
though Natarle claims she is exercising a special exemption as provided for in
time of war in Section C. That's the first Muu has heard of such a thing, but
he presses that the Zaft have withdrawn their forces from your area after
recovering Lacus. Natarle claims that that's merely 20-20 hindsight. Maryuu
asks Kira if he has anything to say - why did he do something like that on his
own? Kira says he didn't rescue a girl from the depths of space so she could
become a hostage, and Muu says that he probably wanted her as a girlfriend
instead (drawing a rebuke from Maryuu to keep his language lawyerly). After a
moment, Maryuu lists the sections of military law which Kira has violated, the
penalty for which is execution by firing squad. HOWEVER: that law only applies
to members of the military, and cannot be applied to civilians. The court
requests that Yamato Kira exercise better judgment in the future, and adjourns.
The orders from Colonel (yes, he got promoted) Bright are for the Archangel to
accompany the Alpha Numbers to Alaska, which should keep the Zaft out of their
hair. As Kira leaves the room, the rest of the crew has been eagerly waiting
to see if he's okay. They wonder if he got assigned to latrine duty or
something (hey, says Muu, that's a good idea! Natarle is less than impressed),
and he says he's fine. They're looking forward to Kira being able to get off
the ship and back to civilian life, being more than a little concerned about
what would happen if he had to face his friend Aslan again in battle. They're
all glad that he came back to them in any case. Flay then comes on the scene,
tearfully apologizing for her outburst. She knew well how hard he fought for
them all, and he once again apologizes anew for not being able to defend her
father. Flay says she hates war, and wishes it would end soon. Kira agrees.
Natarle tells everyone to go wait in the cafeteria while she and Maryuu work on
the paperwork for disbanding their unit. It seems that letting a civilian take
up arms, even under extreme circumstances, is itself a crime. To avoid that,
the best way is to list everyone as volunteers dating back to the original
attack. Natarle tells Flay that no special paperwork is needed in her case
since she hasn't actually fought, but Flay tells her that she _wants_ to
volunteer. Natarle recoils, but Flay has given this a lot of thought since her
father's death. Despite how much she hated life aboard this military vessel,
now that it's time to leave she realizes she doesn't want to go back to the
phony security and false peace waiting for her. She knows her father was
risking his own life to end the war sooner, and says that if fighting is what
it takes to bring about peace, she wants to pick up her father's work and fight
too. Natarle has no intention of turning her down if she's being serious, and
tells her to follow her so she can do the paperwork.
Meanwhile, things haven't changed regarding the Megaroad fleet, drawing renewed
apologies from Bright and especially Taiga for not being able to help. Isamu
then shrugs, the scowl departing his face, and says that he's also learned just
_how_ bad things are on Earth in the past battle - especially with that
monstrous dragon on the scene. Bright has had Isamu and Guld assigned to the
Alpha Numbers, whose mission remains unchanged: fight any enemy, anywhere, who
threatens peace on Earth. Isamu doesn't mind that, and is all the more
motivated to wreck havoc on whoever those enemies are so he can get back to
space sooner. Taiga in turn says he will assume full responsibility for
ensuring that your people do whatever they can to find out more about the
Megaroad's mysterious foes. He also has an idea about the Archangel...
The Macross pilots get reacquainted with your crew. Though worried about their
colleagues back at Megaroad, they're sure they won't be defeated easily. Not
that Isamu has any choice but to think that way, he realizes. As the
reminiscing goes on, the G boys relate that the Federation army is having big
problems, their attention divided between the Plant and the interplanetary
alliance's base on the Moon, and their chains of command broken. Even if your
forces are sort of a mish-mash of Jion and old Federation power, Hyouma figures
you should easily outnumber the Plant if you just dogpile it. The Gundam folks
tell him that other people within the Federation thought along the same lines,
and even more thoroughly at that: they planned to simply _nuke_ the Plant out
of existence. Use of nuclear arms on civilian facilities, even in time of war,
would of course be a gross violation of the Antarctic Treaty, but Hiiro says
that rules made by human hands can just as easily be altered by human hands.
As your people wonder what the hell the brass are thinking to try such an
immoral act, Duo relates that the Plant had forseen this possibility. They
developed the "neutron jammer", which would nearly eliminate the carnage - and
all the device did was deepen the rift between Federation and Plant. Kosuke
knows that the theory behind this energy neutralizing device was complete, but
is still amazed that someone managed to actually build one.
Predictably, the G Boys have been inside the Plant spying, and say that their
technology level in general far exceeds that of the Federation outside. Also,
the Coordinators are supernally skilled in combat, ensuring a very rough
campaign ahead of the Federation and virtually guaranteeing a war of attrition.
Just then, you get to meet new members of the Alpha Numbers: pretty much the
entire Archangel crew, plus Flay and Kira, have now joined up. Taiga then
formally introduces Maryuu Ramius and Natarle Bajroo l, and your people seem to
be mixing in pretty rapidly with the newcomers. Taiga thinks that had he sent
the Archangel to Alaska, it would have simply strengthened "them". Leo adds
that keeping them with you was the only way to avoid the worst-case scenario.
Bright hopes that Amuro will be able to deflect even a little of "their"
influence for now. Meanwhile, your people will participate in "Operation
Harper", the driving out of the Imperial fleet near the Gate as a prelude to
decisively settling affairs on Earth. As your people prepare to head off, Brit
wonders if letting Ganlon go was really such a good idea. Kusuha replies that
even if they made a mistake, fixing mistakes like that has been your stock in
trade all this time. For now, you've got a difficult enough enemy to deal with
in the form of the Imperial forces...
Scenario 13. Mou Ichidou, Mizukara no Ashi De ("Once More, On One's Own Legs")
Investigation of Kaidou's past shows that he is not in fact Mrs. Kaidou's son,
just like Mamoru's case. It seems she found him in the mountains of Kyuushuu
some eight years ago, and adopted him. Gai figures that he's the one who
returned Pizza to his rightful form as Soldat J. What your people don't know
is why they're hanging out together and gathering the Zondar Crystals. What
you do know is that the overwhelming might of the J Ark probably comes from the
same sources as Galeon: relics from a long-lost unknown culture. Taiga would
really like confirmation of that, even though you're only a day away from the
assault on the gate.
From study of the Primeval attacks to date, Liger concludes that they are in
fact Zondar Metal Plants unto themselves. This means they've got the ability
to Zondarize mankind in an instant, and Leo figures that it's the general
ignorance of the Primevals' power that lets humans do something so stupid as
fight among themselves. And so, Taiga has called everyone together to try to
learn more about the Primevals before going on with Operation Harper. That
includes Mamoru and Galeon, who has Maryuu a bit scared. They want Mamoru to
try getting even more information from the black boxes that Galeon carries, and
when Mamoru says he's already tried Taiga gives him a G-Stone pendant. This
special G-Stone, clearly different in nature from the others, has been in
"storage" in a certain place until now - Taiga suggests Mamoru try hanging it
around his neck (in fact his parents had kept it all this time). Mamoru begins
glowing at once, shifting to Purification Mode and drawing forth information
from Galeon - unfortunately, all information you've seen before. Gai tells
Mamoru not to fret: although information is important for fighting the bad
guys, what's far more important yet is the strength coming from joining all
your hearts as one. With that experiment out of the way, your people head off
to Icarus, leaving the GGG staffers to monitor the Primevals on the ground.
The Ral Kairam has been outfitted with a compact warp drive - adequate at least
to let you reach Jupiter in a reasonable amount of time. It also means that
you don't get to ride the Daikuu Maryuu just yet, which is still busy with
Deimos and Voltes protecting Mars. This means you can't count on them for
help. The good news is that Kazuya and Erika are to be married - Puru2 says
that just watching those two even makes her feel somehow good. Neither Puru2
or her sister know precisely what that feeling is, but Michiru tells they'll
figure it out when they're a little older [*a-HEM*]. Hayato smirks broadly
enough that Boz gets jealous and has to be bodily restrained by his lackeys.
The marriage is to happen after the Mars re-terraforming process is complete.
Though, with the current state of affairs there's no telling when that will be.
Hey, one more reason to bring the war to a close, right?
Mamoru is begging Galeon to tell him more about himself, about Kaidou and Cain
and all that. Why can't he sense or Purify the Primevals? At this rate, will
he really be of any use to the Alpha Numbers? Will Galeon even still protect
him? Galeon begins to emit a strange light, and a voice announces that the
time has come. Mamoru's pendant begins to glow as the voice, professing to be
Cain, gives Mamoru a warning about an encroaching Primeval.
Mamoru manages to get the warning to Bright, who isn't sure what to make of the
warning but has everyone halt just to be safe. Pagliaccio is indeed on the
scene, ordering the Primeval to attack the Alpha Numbers and especially the
Relic of Cain.
For a Skill Point, clear the map within six turns, saving the ZX-06 for last.
Once you take down enough of the bad guys, Pagliaccio changes targets to your
pilots. And here your dudes thought the enemy was few in number. Your
people begin suffering from intense headaches, even the cybernetic Hiroshi.
As Bright is about to order a pullout, Mamoru decides to fight too for the
sake of the Earth. He smacks the Brain Primeval around, but just then the
Imperial forces show up to harass you. Their plan seems to be _ramming_ the
Archangel, and the first wave deals grave damage. As the second wave comes,
the Archangel won't be able to dodge...
...but out of nowhere appear... the EVAs of all things @_@ They're all very
much alive, and at least in Asuka's case as impudent as ever. They unleash a
torrent of fire and quickly join in the fray, apparently having grown up some
since you saw them last. Misato will give you all the details later - for
now, it's time to take on both sets of enemies.
Gai has a particular axe to grind with this Primeval for fusing with the
Space Shuttle, the flower of man's dreams and once his own vehicle as an
astronaut. Mamoru, with his newfound powers, can Purify the Primeval's core.
Pagliaccio notes Mamoru's growing threat level, but opts to continue the
operation. Your people have reason to worry about how the Zondar seem to
have followed you here, as well as why the J Ark didn't show. In the mean
time, the EVA pilots lead you to the Icarus Base, where they've been
stationed all this time.
At Icarus Base, your people begin to make introductions with the supposedly
defunct EVAs. Misato and Maryuu are especially interested in each other,
having the _*ODDEST*_ feeling they know each other from somewhere [Ah,
Mitsuishi Kotono, what a woman.] Misato explains that the explanation of the
EVAs being abandoned and sent into the sun was just the cover story (albeit
itself a top secret one), and the order was given instead to bring the EVAs to
Icarus to be put to good use. That order came from NERV's former commander,
Ikari Gendou, who is probably somehow still alive though Misato herself hasn't
seen him and is half in disbelief. As for NERV HQ itself, it's been _utterly_
sealed, so much so that even Misato wouldn't be allowed in.
Misato explains that after the war she was imprisoned by the Federation
government as a member of the E Project while her fate was decided. It took
until the conclusion of the War of Seals for her and the core of the old NERV
to be sent out here on special assignment. Her orders, apparently from
Commander Ikari, were ultimately to bring the EVAs to the Alpha Numbers - of
course, with no further explanation. Bright welcomes the EVAs aboard, and asks
to see the base commander.
Apparently the Children were cooped up in Japan, but not allowed any contact
with the outside world. Asuka claims to have hated being held in the same
place as Shinji, and Shinji gives back as good as she dishes out. When she
said she was worried about him attacking her in the middle of the night, he
fires back that it's within his power to _choose_ who he ends up with, citing
among other things just how bad of a mood she's in when waking up in the
morning or talking in her sleep. Asuka is quick to forestall Hyouma and
Chizuru getting any funny ideas: their circumstances were much like the Unison
Training at Misato's apartment. Eventually, when the War of Seals ended Misato
came to pick them, bringing them to Icarus where Rei had seemingly been sent
ahead. In fact, Rei herself basically woke up and found herself here. In any
case, it's good to have more units on your side. It seems they've all got S2
Engines now, so no more messing around with cabling. As the good-natured (?)
barb-trading continues, Shinji ponders being asked to fight once again in his
EVA. He's no longer running away, and fights with purpose to ultimately figure
out what his father is up to and why he sent him way out here. Kira then comes
in, introducing himself as the Strike Gundam's pilot but hesitating to ask
Shinji why he's once again piloting an EVA. Asuka can tell right away that
Kira somehow reminds her of Shinji from the old days.
Time to meet the base commander: it's Tashiro, still quite hale and hearty and
quite grateful to Bright for the assistance he rendered "back then". He
introduces himself formally to Maryuu as the former captain of the Exelion, the
SDF ship that was sunk at the end of the war with the Space Monsters. He
recounts how he deliberately overloaded the Exelion's engines, making an
artificial black hole that took the planet Raiousei and damn near all of the
space monsters to an early grave. It should have been his grave too, but for
reasons unknown he and his ship reemerged in the asteroid belt two years later.
Maryuu quickly guesses that he emerged from the Gate, which is nothing short of
a miracle. A "blessing", Tashiro corrects her, for the successful completion
of the "Carneades Project" - at least, that's what he believes.
The Gate itself is still a mystery - all you know about it is that Imperial
reinforcements are pouring through it by the day. If mankind is to have a
future, you must steal the Gate back, and you've got just the man to figure out
how: Major Oota Kouichirou, who is honored to meet Bright Noa once again. Not
only is he not dead of radiation sickness, but he's got his new
adjutant/wife(!!) with him. The marriage was arranged so quickly that there
was no time to send out invitations, especially since Kazumi's mission was
quietly changed relative to Noriko and Jung's. Hopefully, you now have all the
tools you need to make this operation succeed.
Scenario 13x. Hikari to Yami ("Light and Darkness")
A group of shady figures is conferring about Brain's failure: the Alpha Numbers
are far more dangerous than anticipated. In which case, the leader says, why
not use this little thingie here which the foolish humans have so considerately
left lying around...
Renais asks Papillon to explain the operation that's brought her to southern
Europe. A certain facility believed to be affiliated with the Bionet
organization has been discovered in the area - her mission is to scout out the
facility, and if need be to destroy it. Renais idly wonders what the hell bad
stuff Bionet is up to this time, growling that these are people who seem to
take pleasure in cybering themselves. Kouryuu warns her that if she gets any
hotter she'll waste her Refrigeration Coat, and Anryuu helpfully adds that her
temperature has already risen 2 degrees C. Renais tells both of them to shut
up, but Papillon mildly tells her that they have a point, and asks her not to
get too hot - she has a history of taking risks where Bionet is concerned...
Renais briefly thanks her, but points out that it's their fault that she's
stuck with her current body - she's bound and determined to wipe out everything
to do with them, and won't let anyone stand in her way. Papillon looks
dubious, but Kouryuu and Anryuu say they'll be sure to rein things in then with
their sisterly power. Renais tells them to try saying that _after_ they've
learned Symmetrical Docking, and Papillon says it can't be helped given that
they've just woken up. The two sisters see Papillon as their mother figure,
and as Renais gets to fretting Liger cuts in and asks what she's looking so
down for.
It turns out your people are stopping by here before jetting off, presumably to
look after a certain project. Renais seems to be in no mood for long chit-chat
with her father, who seemingly takes her insolence in stride. He tells her he
hasn't seen her in a while, and is a bit worried how her body's holding up, and
she smirks and tells him that he's better off worrying about his own body.
When she asks, he tells her that Gai and the others are holding off the
Primevals for now, but he can't say that you're adequately staffed for that
fight. Kouryuu wants to join that fight as soon as possible, but Papillon
points out that they have a job of protecting the Earth from the criminal
syndicates. Anryuu tells her pouting sister to be patient: surely a chance
will come to meet up with their brothers soon enough. Anryuu is even looking
forward to a little mecha-sized makeup, which Renais can only shake her head
at. Leo then cautions Renais that if she should meet the mysterious
Primeval-hunting J Ark, to not assume that it will be on her side. As Liger
and Renais exchange acerbic if good-natured farewells, Papillon adds another
warning - she's got a bad feeling about this operation - and as someone with
Sensing Mind powers, that's a warning worth heeding.
The operation is simple: Renais will go in, and the Dragon sisters are to
standby until called. They're a bit dismayed by this, but Renais curtly tells
them that this is about infiltration: the two of them would get spotted at
once, especially the brightly colored Kouryuu. Now, the question is, how to
best break in?
It turns out the bad guys have themselves a very large underground cave - more
than adequate for their "research". Renais has found several abandoned mobile
suits and a bunch of meaningless paperwork - it looks like they're one step
ahead of you, and showing an immense talent for staying that way. Papillon
intends to have those mobile suits analyzed in the hopes of finding out
something, anything, and orders Renais to secure the area in the meantime. The
bad guys (well, some bad guys anyway) notice one "rat" with a G-Stone on the
scene, plus two more nearby. They plan to use the three of them as test
subjects for whatever it is they've brought.
This means, apparently, that the mobile suits start up and begin attacking.
Renais quickly equips herself and calls for backup, noting that Papillon's bad
feeling is right on the money.
Anryuu wonders why the MS's AIs booted by themselves - could it be ghosts,
wonders Kouryuu. Renais doubts robots ought to be saying something like
that.
When you take down the last MS, it rushes towards Kouryuu, but seemingly does
nothing worse than scorch her skin. That rapidly changes when Kouryuu
becomes unresponsive, and Arm steps out of the shadows to tell Renais why.
He reveals himself as a Primeval, merged with a human as but a mere
demonstration of his power. He won't say what he's done to Kouryuu that
worked so well, except to say that that robot is now his puppet. He orders
Kouryuu to reduce Anryuu to scrap, and she starts blasting away, well,
robotically. Arm thinks he's given this woman with a G-Stone a pretty little
dilemma: let herself be killed, or destroy his puppet. Muahahaha. And
stuff.
Meanwhile, Papillon has figured out what's wrong with Kouryuu: a bunch of
nanomachines dispersed by the blast. And not just any nanomachines either:
these ones are going straight after the G-Fibers that constitute her "nervous
system", overwriting her AI with a program written by the Primeval. Renais
can't believe that that could be done so easily, and Papillon says that
Kouryuu is young and unstable enough that it's not inconceivable. At this
rate Kouryuu will be judged a traitor and destroyed by the Federation, and
Renais will be damned if she lets what happened to Volcode happen again.
Papillon, at Renais's urging, says that you've got to bet on Kouryuu's mettle
as a Hero - and Anryuu's power will be needed too. Papillon will take the
very dangerous step of contacting Kouryuu directly, and tells Anryuu that her
voice as Kouryuu's sister is the only thing that may be able to awaken her
memories. Anryuu tells Renais to leave her sister to her, and to go in
pursuit of the Primeval you just saw.
As you take down the other mobile suits, Arm begins chortling over how evil
his plan is and how you've got no chance to escape it. In fact, he laughs so
damn hard that Renais couldn't NOT find his hiding place unless she was both
deaf and retarded. Given how she is neither, she starts getting ready to
clean his clock: not as a "rat" but as a "lion" (her surname). And not just
any lion either: she's the queen of the pride, Lion Leine! Too bad Arm is
just a _TAD_ stronger than she is, and despite her bravado Arm is prepared to
break this lion's fangs once and for all.
Flashback! As a much younger kid, Renais is terrified and promises to be
faithful to Bionet in whatever they ask. Apparently they weren't very kind
to her despite this promise...
The memory gives Renais strength, for which she thanks the Primeval...
Take down all the other bad guys then go Persuade Kouryuu with Anryuu. She
tells Kouryuu to remember why they were born: to protect people! They must
never ever harm them - they may have been programmed, but they still have
hearts, despite the reprogramming! She asks Kouryuu to try Symmetrical
Docking, to wish with all her being to become one like their brothers can.
This works well, and Kouryuu's memory is restored.
However, Arm isn't quite done. He's got a backup plan to keep Renais and the
others tied up: a bunch of Zondar. He manages to brush Renais out of his
way, leaving his minions for you to fight. Before Renais can try to pursue,
Papillon warns her that the Dragon sisters are damaged close to their limits:
she asks Renais to hang on until she can find an escape route.
As things are looking bad for the Dragon sisters, the J Ark shows up to help
the ladies out. Sort of. J does this by telling the G-Stone-bearing ladies
to clear out, lest they be even more underfoot in their half-baked state.
The good news is that the path to escape is now clear, but the Dragon sisters
are pissed, and with much fanfare the Dragon Sisters succeed at Symmetrical
Docking, forming Tenryuujin.
After taking out the bad guys, J and Arma leave at top speed. Renais figures
that their power is even above what she read in the report, and allows that
she's willing to look slightly more kindly on the Dragon sisters now that they
can combine. Unfortunately, that combination took its toll on them in their
badly damaged state: Papillon says they won't be able to join the GGG for some
time. Kouryuu is sad that she won't get to see Renais for a while, but the two
promise to Renais to work their butts off once they are repaired and tuned up.
Papillon then tells Renais that sooner or later she's going to have to join her
father and the rest of your people in fighting the great enemies confronting
the world. Renais claims that she's always alone, but Papillon is sure a good
man is closer to her than she thinks - half her Sensing Mind powers, and half
good-old feminine intuition. Renais wonders if her speaking that way is due to
Entouji, and Papillon is sure that Renais has something similar going on...
Scenario 14. Operation Harper
On the bridge of the Helmoze, Epeso reports to Hazar Gottso that the Alpha
Numbers are headed their way. Hazar is impressed that your people have divined
the Empire's strategy, and warns Epeso and his First Border Fleet not to let
down their guard: even if it WAS coincidental, these are the folks who took
down the Seventh Fleet. Accidents can happen. Epeso claims he won't make the
same mistakes Raodekia did, and Hazar tells Epeso Judekka Gottso that he won't
hear any reports except "success" and "victory". Epeso says that, on his honor
as a Gottso, he'll carry out this mission to its utmost end. As he leaves,
Hazar inwardly growls at that puppet not to name himself a Gottso.
Baran then shows up, addressing his former ward without honorifics and
unashamed in doing so. This provokes Hazar's ire, but Baran merely stands in
silence, waiting for his chance to report that Princess Armana is worried about
the Crossgate. She believes it will bring calamity to the Ze Balmariy empire.
Hazar finds this ludicrous, saying that his father is _personally_ seeing to
efforts to unlock the Gate's secrets. Besides, he figures it's the only way to
bring victory to the slowly decaying Imperial fleet. Baran agrees, recounting
the Empire's struggles with the Baff Clan and the loss of its Third and Fourth
fleets to their gods of destruction. The urgency of the moment is what has
sent Hazar and his fleet all the way out to a backwater area like this, and he
warns Baran that nobody, even Princess Armana, is going to dissuade him from
making this mission succeed. After Baran strides off, Hazar furiously wonders
why the hell his father sent this hard-headed man out here.
Just then, Ganlon makes his appearance, offering his feigned sympathies at the
Empire's difficulties. Hazar dangerously reminds him that he was asked not to
wander about the ship unattended, but Ganlon professes interest, as an
Earthling, at all the wonders aboard. He quickly assures Hazar that he's no
spy - in fact, he's closer to Hazar than to the Earthlings. Hazar spits that
no mere human can be equal to the lofty Balmar, which earns a round of mocking
laughter from Ganlon. Enraged further, Hazar promises him that had he not been
in control of a certain Choukijin, his head would have been cut off just now.
Ganlon lightly claims that he'll be more careful in the future, and Hazar tells
him that he's got a job for him to do on Earth. Of course, this is to test his
loyalty, and comes with implied threats of what will happen should he disobey.
Ganlon says it's not in his nature to disobey the powerful, and with a sudden
dangerous smirk says that all he's interested in are Gun-Eden and Irui.
Just then, Armana herself walks in, openly doubting the wisdom of trusting an
unknown like Ganlon. Hazar says politely but quite clearly that he's in no
mood to take orders from her, and mockingly asks her to dance the ceremonial
blessing on their victory or some other similarly "useful" activity. Rulia
calls him on his rudeness, and with a far more unsettling smile he advises the
princess, jewel of the Empire's people, to take careful care of herself for the
next year. Armana calmly quiets Rulia, observing that normally she wouldn't be
in a place like this at all. What has brought her is wanting to go to... Earth
of all places! Ganlon takes stock of the princess, deciding in short order
that she's not the same sort of being as Irui. Hazar offers to protect her in
person in that case, saying that he is surely _far_ more protection than Baran
could be and provoking her scowl again. Inwardly, though, Hazar is wary of
Armana Tikva, the priestess of Zfield - why is she interested in the Earth
anyway? In any case, Ganlon is sure to avoid boredom at this rate.
Epeso reminds all his soldiers of the crisis facing the Empire, and tells them
that the princess herself is watching. This is good news to the soldiers, who
figure that they can't lose with the protection of the priestess of Zfield on
their side. This amuses Hazar, who tells Ace to be ready to sortie too. As
your people come forth, Ganlon notices that the Choukijin's chosen Espers are
among your forces. He figures that they're still no match for him without
Choukijin of their own, and wishes them the best of luck in battle. Kusuha can
actually sense his scrutiny, but agrees with Brit that the enemy before them
comes first. Oota reminds you that your objective is the enemy flagship
codenamed Green Flower. Sinking it should disrupt the enemy's chain of
command, but also virtually guarantees that you'll have to face a Zfield, a
giant mobile weapon that is the enemy's trump card. It was this that did in
the SRX, and probably Aya with it. This only serves as further motivation for
the EVA pilots and Shinobu, but Ryou notices that there seem to be too few of
the enemy, and none of the other races represented. Does this mean the Empire
is weakening, or is there some other cause?
The battle is over when you reduce the Helmoze to under 80k HP. Do this in
under 7 turns for a Skill Point.
After the Helmoze fires on your dudes for the first time, Armana and Rulia
note that the Earthlings seem to be putting up quite a fight. Surely there's
no further purpose in lingering here? Hazar tells Rulia, a mere maid, not to
try to give him her opinions, but she says that she'll give opinions to
whoever she needs to to protect the princess. Baran comes to Rulia's
defense, saying that she's got a point. Hazar, obviously displeased, orders
Ace to go slaughter your people and meet up again later while he proceeds to
his next objective. Ace is indeed the pilot of the Zfield, which Kazumi
warns you has a big-ass map weapon and other sorts of unpleasantries.
One of the enemies has a Booster.
The Zfield is worth a Custom OS.
Once you reduce the Helmoze to 80k HP or less, an emergency call is relayed
to you by Icarus - Orbit Base is under all-out assault by the Primevals.
Unfortunately, your people are too far away, and Tashiro will send what aid
he can. Your people can only concentrate on the enemy at hand and hope Orbit
Base pulls through... Just then, something starts emerging from the Gate.
Epeso, realizing he's in grave danger, orders his men to withdraw at once.
Sensing the abnormality of this response, Bright hastily pulls out too as the
Gate starts disgorging whatever it is entirely on its own. Unfortunately,
you're too late.
You've been thrown through dimensions back into real space, though if your
people stray too far apart there's no telling where they might end up. In
fact, you got sent back to _Earth_, almost as if in response to the
Primevals. But that would be too much of a coincidence... Unfortunately,
the Archangel is falling behind due to damage from the previous battle, and
the Dragon brothers decide to make a certain sacrifice to save the ship.
Your people have no way to retrieve them as they fall behind. Gai can only
vow to them that somehow, some way, he'll see them again.
Scenario 15. Haruka Naru Gaika ("Distant Victory Hymn")
Pagliaccio has seven Primevals ready to attack at once, with only a 0.03%
chance of failure and no unknowns. J and Kaidou will try to go and help, but
with the Primevals already human sized and inside the Orbit Base, things look
grim. Your people are still (supposedly) days away, which lasts for all of
about three or four lines until your two ships pop out _right_ where they're
needed. Misato is now convinced that there's purpose behind where you got
Gated to, and Bright orders everyone to attack at flank speed.
The Primevals figure that seven of them should be more than enough to get their
mission done, though they dislike the Alpha Numbers for reducing their numbers
this much. Their mission is 1) take over the "GGG" organization's orbital
facility, 2) completely eliminate the Legacy of Cain and the Calamity of Abel,
and 3) wipe out the Alpha Numbers.
The first is the Rib, with the ability to dismantle anything near him. This is
how they breached the Orbit Base's numerous overlapping Protect Shades. The
good news is that the former Silver Hyuuma of ID5 is still quite handy with a
rifle - the bad news is that the Liver Primeval can repair Rib almost
instantly. Hyuuga orders your people to fall back, and everywhere the
Primevals go they are wreaking havoc on the base's guardians. That includes
Gai, who gets a taste of the Arm Primeval's directed gravity wave attack.
Before Arm can finish him off, J shows up, facing the Primeval for the first
time since the final battle to defend the Trinary solar system. Unfortunately,
the Eye Primeval is able to warn Arm of J's attacks. The question is, can this
keep up with Gai's Hyper Mode? Arm sure thinks he can take down G and J right
here...
Meanwhile, the Stomach Primeval, who had been hiding behind micro black holes,
makes a go at Mamoru himself. It plans to seal away Cain's destruction machine
(that would be Mamoru) in a dimension so warped that even he won't be able to
escape. Kaidou then shows up, telling Mamoru that he's Cain's child, born on
the green planet. It was Kaidou who was made on the red planet, and between
Kaidou and Stomach they recount the tale of how the J Jewel was created as a
copy of the G-Stone, based in turn off of studying the powers of Cain's son
Latio. The end result was Arma, a biological weapon with an enhanced form of
Latio's psychokinesis. Stomach says that if he can take out the two of them
here, the last threat to the Primevals' power will be ended. Mamoru doesn't
want to believe this - he says he's from Earth, with a mother and father... and
Kaidou intervenes when Stomach tries to swallow him. He tells Mamoru to hurry
on ahead, that this is his fight, and Mamoru tells him to call him if he's ever
feeling bad, since both of them are friends from Earth. As Stomach threatens
to wipe out both their Earth families, Kaidou announces that Stomach has pissed
him off.
The remaining two Primevals make it to the Main Order Room, telling your people
that they're here to build a Zondar Metal Plant and thereby ravage the whole
Earth. Before the Ear Primeval can turn the GGG staffers into his zombies,
your people break in and start laying the smackdown. Hiroshi demonstrates that
Gai isn't the only cyborg around here (he's powered-up by the way). As your
people unload clip after clip of ammo into them, your trump card emerges from
the elevator and forces them to retreat with his G-Stone power.
Elsewhere, Rib and Liver think they've got Hyuuga and Ushiyama cornered. Too
bad for them Goldymarg and Volfogg are on the scene, the whole thing being a
trap. The G boys are helping out too, able to damage the Primevals faster than
they can regenerate. They can only flee, just as Volfogg had anticipated. As
your people are preparing to follow after, Kira is more than a bit uneasy about
being given a gun and told to defend himself. Hiiro tells him flatly that if
he's going to be a burden, he'd better leave now, and Muu says that unless he
wants to head back to the Archangel under his own power, he'd better toe the
line.
Meanwhile, Arm has forced his way past Gai and J. Mikoto radios Gai to tell
him that the Primevals are trying to regroup. Your people make it to the
scene, and Mic pulls out Disc X, specially remixed to wipe out the Zondar
Spores. As the Primevals try to retreat, your people unleash their full fury
and take out the regenerating Liver. The remaining ones manage to make it to
the moon, merging into one giant entity for you to kick the ass of. Asuka
notes that the bigger they are, the easier they are to aim at. J simply _will_
not just accept Gai's aid in battle, but finally accedes to letting Gai try to
do as he wishes. The Primevals then copy a bunch of Zaft and Mobile Suits to
get in your way [or was that, provide you Morale], and Kira realizes that if
you fall here you all will presumably get copied too.
For a Skill Point, destroy all enemies within seven turns, saving the
combined Primeval for last.
After you off enough Zondars, the Primevals start pulling out the big guns.
Your people dodge, but the Primeval attack actually reaches into the Earth's
atmosphere. The Primeval recoils, not wanting to blow away the planet that
is about to host its offspring. With your people wondering how the heck to
attack, J says that he'll go in ahead and create an opening - not that he's
helping Gai out or anything.
The Combined Primeval is worth a High Performance Radar. Mamoru will get to
purify seven of the Cores, with two of them escaping. J tells your people
he'll leave the Zondar Crystals with you for now and bids farewell. Gai
tells Chouryuujin (that's the Dragon brothers in combined form) to watch from
wherever it is - its lives bought many, many people's salvation.
A coded message from Icarus arrives, announcing that the Imperial Fleet has
relocated to Mars. They haven't taken any visible military action, and Oota
figures that even they were caught off guard by the Gate's activity. The
landing party has touched down quite far from the re-terraforming facilities,
which is something at least. Oota and Kazumi will head back to Icarus to guard
the Gate, at least until the Carneades Project comes to fruition. They will
also do what they can to research the enemy that Megaroad is fighting. Leo
muses on how deep space contains both your hopes and greatest fears, and Taiga
adds that you have no choice but to march towards outer space as your destiny
calls you all.
Speaking of space, _somewhere_ out there certain people are conferring about
Zondar Metal, originally created to relieve the Minus Energy that would stress
the life forms of the blue member of the Trinary Solar System. Though the red
and green planets were lost when the Zondar Metal loosed the bonds of its
programming, two carriers of a countermeasure descended to the blue planet: a
vaccine as it were. The knowledgeable figure asks for a status report on the
border fleet. Someone reports that the First Fleet had a bit of an accident
and ended up at the fourth star, but other than that things are going smoothly.
He assures this important personage that he will lead the "Chosen Ones" here no
matter what, but the knowledgeable one seems to recall that a traitor arose
from this man's ranks: Yuuzes Gottso. He notes that while the Gottso Family
has many gifted members, it also harbors those a bit too confident in their own
power. The subordinate says that Yuuzes was a fool who learned of the secret
Crossgate and believed he could control it, bringing about little good - other
than that the Empire discovered Earth. In any case, they've got to get busy
protecting their homeworld of Balmar from the great calamity overshadowing it,
and trust themselves to the will of their Creator, Zfield.
Scenario 16. Michibikareru Tamashii, Ginga De ("Souls Led Through the Galaxy")
And now for something completely different! We take you to the planet Solo, in
the Omega star cluster. Karsha is calling for Cosmo and Dek to wait up.
Cosmo, who has a really _bad_ afro AND jacket both stolen from some krumping
clown troupe, tells her that it was her choice to follow them - and he's got no
reason to slow down on her account. Dek agrees, telling her to go meet the
colony ships or something. Karsha suspect that they're up to something, but
doesn't know what.
In fact, something _is_ going on, something that Cheryl was trying to hide.
Bes quotes her section seventeen of the civilian laws: all weapons and material
pertaining to them are to be turned over to the military at once. Failure to
do so is punishable by two years hard labor, but Cheryl protests that it's not
clear _what_ the thing she just restored is - not brought from Earth, but dug
up here. Bes starts laughing at this, finally saying derisively that it was
precisely because there had been no intelligent life on Solo that it was chosen
for colonization - artifacts couldn't possibly exist.
Cosmo runs up just then and tells this know-nothing soldier that he'd better
watch his mouth. After all, his father and friends spent years researching
this thing. Bes tells him not to butt into adult conversations, and Cosmo
counters that Bes's little speech is hardly adult either. Cheryl says that
Cosmo is in the right this time, and when Bes calls her a bitch she says that
her name is "Cheryl Formosa", not "bitch". As it turns out, this isn't the
first such object the military has found...
Just then, a couple of strange flying craft come over and start blasting.
Apparently it's the Baff Clan, one of whom is worried about how Kalala has
landed somewhere near here. Should anything happen to her, not only would the
two of them not be able to go home, they might be forced to self-destruct. Bes
finds Kalala, figuring that she's about to get shot or something, and drags her
off with him. The Baff Clan head off in an attempt to get her back. Rather
than just get blown to smithereens, Cosmo grabs Dek and jumps into whatever
this vehicle is, telling Karsha to come too if she doesn't want to bite it.
Cheryl seems to have some knowledge of how to pilot the thing, and as she fires
it up the [all-too-dreaded] Ideon Gauge begins to glow. This surprises her
greatly, since in the past half year these relics of the "Sixth Culture" have
never once moved. Dek is babbling like the crybaby he will grow up to be, and
the thing combines into a "giant god" that Cheryl had heard about. Kalala had
heard about the Giant God Ide too, which seems to be what she was here
researching.
Cosmo has little idea what's going on, but can apparently pilot well enough
from his seat to keep their ass from being grass. After felling a couple of
the Baff Clan, everyone is wondering what the hell is going on with this
robot. Kalala scoffs at its obviously _not_ "infinite" power, mainly because
like me she lacks the patience and/or brain-damage needed to properly get the
Ideon Gauge to rise.
Elsewhere, at the center of the galaxy, someone [let's say the Emperor] has
been hearing a beat, as of the power that is Alpha and Omega. Thinking of the
discovery of the Thunder Gate, the Crossgate, and the increasing onslaught of
the gods of destruction, it seems that the Last Trial is fast approaching. He
tells his subordinate that the demise of the galaxy, indeed, of the _universe_
is at hand. Teh sux0rz. The subordinate says that that's why they urgently
need to unlock the secrets of the unlimited power source and make it theirs,
but the Emperor tells him not to be silly. That power must be destroyed, lest
it consume them and trap them in the neverending cycle of death and rebirth.
He tells Shiva Gottso to utterly eradicate those led by the unlimited power,
and their servants, from the multiverse, and to bring him the sword with which
to cleave the circle of life and death.
Oh, and by the way, the Macross 7 fleet shows up on Solo like as though their
dessiny wuz fo'o'dain'd or something. What were the chances.
Maximilian Genius is writing in his log, noting that thirty five years have
passed since separating from the Megaroad fleet. Far from their homeworld, his
fleet has received a transmission from fellow Earthlings. The transmission,
from fellow members of the Ultra Long-Range Colonization Project, announces the
discovery of a habitable world. Two years have passed since the decision to
lead his fleet there in the hopes the colonists would let his men rest. He
hopes to set foot upon green once more in a few hours, on the world his people
have named Solo.
Cheryl can't give Bes a good explanation of what's going on with this ancient
robot she unearthed - she _did_ warn him that the thing was under
investigation. As the strange mark fades from the robot, Cosmo says that
although his father was a scientist, he wasn't told anything about this either.
Karsha points out that fighting off the newly-arrived aliens presumably is the
most important thing right now, and Bes orders some engineers sent here to
figure out what the deal is with the robot. He must have been more badly
shaken than he's letting on given how summarily he demands Cheryl's research
notes and tells all the civilians to get their ass to the shelters before
stomping off. Cosmo says that all soldiers are like that, incapable of doing
anything other than barking orders. Cheryl meanwhile wants Cosmo to take the
robot to dig site #2, saying he'll understand why when he gets there. And she
wants the other kids to help too.
Bes seem partly upset because this fracas erupted right before the first
comrades he's seen in two years are scheduled to arrive. He gets to then be
all heroic and shoot a snake(?) that was threatening the untalkative Kalala.
He asks if she's from Macross 7, wondering if her odd clothing is the fashion
there or something. Bes tries to tell her to stay out of the dangerous area
ahead, belatedly introducing himself as Jordan Bes. She haltingly says that
her name is Kalala Ajiba, calling him a "good" man [yup, it can be taken that
way]. Bes thanks her for the compliment, given that she's good-looking herself
[say WHUT, that facial structure alone would keep the bad guys at bay. Oh
well.] He tells her he's too busy for a date just now, and tells her to follow
the road straight to the city of New Robia where it's safe. As she still seems
unsure, he tells her to tell him "thanks" and says he'll take her on a date
tomorrow. She manages a word of thanks, and Bes starts thinking about how much
he'd lay her out if not for all these alien inveiglements.
Now meet Geejay, who is in the hunt for the last possible location of Logo Dau,
resting place of Ide. He can understand Kalala's impatience, but Damid says
that it's his ties to Kalala's father, supreme commander Doba, that make him
spoil Kalala so much. Damid is worried about the possibility of the alien
warpower on Logo Dau being superior to their own, and over Geejay's objections
points out that more of the same aliens seem to be heading to the planet. Both
of them realize that the aliens (i.e. Earthlings) have finally begun spreading
across the galaxy - if they can get a toehold, there is bound to be trouble.
Geejay wants to go to the planet himself and at least ascertain Kalala's
whereabouts, which will also let him somewhat save face with Doba. Geejay
informs Damid that he's not fussing over Kalala for his own ambition - should
anything happen to her both of their heads will roll.
The robots have been taken to the site of what Cheryl has been calling the
ruins from the Sixth Culture. She recounts how the Girishia Scrolls may refer
to the indicator in the robots as the Ideon Gauge. Good thing for her she's a
linguist, though she can't say whether the mention of "Ideon" in the scrolls
refers to the robot itself or something else. Bes asks what Cheryl the
wanna-be linguist has been studying for the past six months, but before she can
retort Joliver and Techno comes on the scene. They've been studying the plans
they got from Cheryl and helped outfit the robot with controls and armaments.
Cosmo notes that the thing seems to have a lot of empty space inside, and
Joliver wonders if this "Sixth Culture" somehow forgot to install some of the
weapons. Bes wants this thing ready to add to his firepower as soon as
possible, leaving Cheryl fuming that he's swiping the results of all her hard
work.
However, there's something impressive buried in the ruins that Cheryl wants the
engineers to look at. Unfortunately, the air raid sirens go off just then:
it's more of the bad guys from before. Cheryl has been hearing unknown speech
coming from her radio, and somehow Dek is sure that the words "Baff Clan" are
the enemies' name. Cosmo somehow organizes all the kids and engineers into a
fighting force and sets out to show the invaders who's boss. As Joliver and
Cheryl retreat within the ruins, Kalala (who was hanging out there) notices
Geejay. Egad, and before they can take off hordes and hordes of little kiddies
from the nearby city also show up and are hastily ordered aboard.
Unfortunately, there are no indications on the all-important Gauge even after
all the modifications, and when the enemy starts blasting and the baby starts
bawling his head off, the Gauge begins to glow. Now, for some reason, Kalala
is convinced that this combining robot is indeed the God of old. Damid is
cursing his luck for running into an alien giant on Logo Dau, and Geejay
figures that this thing _couldn't_ be the God in question. If left to their
own devices, the aliens will totally wipe out the city - meaning you've got to
kick their ass first.
Clear the map within four turns for a Skill Point.
On turn two, some people from Macross 7 show up: Gamlin, Docker, and Kinryuu.
They marvel at the 100 meter tall [!!] robot, figuring that it seems to be
protecting the Earthlings at any rate. Cosmo, for one, yells that he doesn't
need help from outsiders to protect his colony, but maybe that's just because
he has a baby crying in his ear.
After the battle is over, a Macross-class vessel shows up. Its external
armaments look quite different from what Moela remembers from two years ago.
Max is glad to see that the enemy are wiped out, but is rather appalled that
things turned into fighting so quickly upon arrival. Exedore says that it
seems you found fortune within the misfortune from heading to the planet's
surface ahead of the rest of the fleet, and Max can't say he's exactly happy
that his bad feeling was on target. Exedore thinks to himself that he
remembers seeing the giant robot somewhere before, but can't recall where.
Just then you catch a Defold signature above you - a ship apparently belonging
to the same aliens you just tangled with is entering the atmosphere. Max
doesn't want any further fighting here that could endanger the colonists. But
things become more complicated yet when a huge antimatter signature is detected
- underground nearby! A battleship-sized object emerges, with Cheryl and
Joliver inside, as well as Bes and Kalala, who wonders if this ship somehow is
connected to the Ide giant. It has the same Gauge as the robot, and it's just
turned full. The Macross 7 detects that it's about to perform interdimensional
jump, and Max orders an emergency Fold too lest they get caught in the
backblast. Too late.
Geejay breaks the news to Halulu that Kalala is aboard the Logo Dau aliens'
ship. Who the hell names these people. Anyway, Geejay claims to be awaiting
her signal, which he should be able to pick up anywhere within, oh, a 100,000
light year radius [O_o;;] - which is important, since your dudes used DS Drive
and went into hiding somewhere or other in the galaxy. He promises to recover
Kalala, but Halulu says there's no need to - her sister's actions were entirely
her sister's own responsibility. And besides, when it comes to getting
Halulu's hand on the giant, she won't stop at her sister dying in the process,
and suggests that Geejay not do so either. She tells him she'll send
reinforcements if needed, and signs off.
Apparently this ruthlessness is the only reason that a woman like Halulu has
obtained such a lofty position among the Baff Clan. Damid figures that had she
been born a man like his father Doba, she'd be helluva formidable. He then
slyly asks Geejay what he intends to do about his _fiancee_ Kalala, who is
currently in enemy hands... somewhere. Geejay says that, on his honor as a
_samurai_ [let me repeat: "on his honor as a *SAMURAI*"] he will surely win her
back _and_ steal the giant in the process. [o/~ Kokoro wa samurai... Munashisa
dake no yoroi wo... Nugisuteyou, yuuki dake no suhada de....]
[Sorry, these flashbacks, man, they're killing me. Where was I.]
Ah yes: Damid suggests that enemies with as much ass-wrecking power as your
people displayed are unlikely to treat their prisoner politely, but Geejay
figures that aliens with similar tech levels to his own are unlikely to kill a
captive out of hand. In any event, both agree that time is of the essence, and
Damid is scheming to abscond with the giant while Geejay is busy trying to
recover Kalala. This will force Doba and Halulu to acknowledge his power, and
then the world will be at his command! Mu. Ah. Ha. Ha. Ha. haaaa.... *choke*
*wheeze*
Scenario 17. Discord - Harmony
Bes is having it out with Max, trying to get him to believe that the Solo folk
do not understand how the "Soloship" works, nor did they deliberately warp
everyone all the way out here. Max finally agrees to write the incident off as
an accident - but only among themselves: that this was an accident isn't going
to wash with the crew at large. After all, Max has just been separated from
the rest of his fleet. Max is placing both ships under his jurisdiction, and
informs Bes that as the highest ranking survivor from Solo he has a
responsibility to his crew. Max is of course planning to help to the best of
his ability, seeing as how Bes is one of the long lost Megaroad comrades and
all. Bes draws up short when Max says it's been 35 years since the attack by
unknown foes that drove the Megaroad fleet apart, saying that that was a mere
two years ago. This has Max totally stunned, and he tells Bes that he wants to
more thoroughly investigate that, and asks Bes that he keep the time slip
between the two ships a secret for now. In any case, calming the various
civilian members of each crew is top priority, and they'll figure out what to
do later. As Bes hangs up, Max ponders how 35 years of quiet could end in so
dramatic a fashion.
And the uproar is still ongoing: Miria calls up and wants to know why she
wasn't part of the discussion with Bes as the civilian representative aboard
the ship. She accuses him of information laundering, but he tells her it's a
question of need-to-know under these emergency circumstances. They may be
about to face a far worse calamity than they did 35 years ago. Miria requests
data on the aliens you butted heads with, and Max says that the Soloship is
digesting that data even now. It boils down to, you don't know anything...
yet. Miria asks him to prioritize rejoining the Macross 7 fleet, saying that
it's her duty to put the safety and peace of mind of the citizens first and
foremost. She doesn't want to abandon your long-lost comrades per se, but she
does request that Max try to keep disturbances to a dull roar, so the civilians
can finish returning to their daily lives. After she hangs up, Max frowns and
realizes just how much Miria, the ace pilot, has languished under these 35
years of being cooped up.
Cheryl reports to Bes that this space vessel, in addition to its anti-matter
drive, has another _something_ at its core which is beyond her ability to
analyze. She's tried to get the computer to help her decrypt more of the Sixth
Culture's writings, but so far to no avail: all the text seems to be in jargon.
Bes isn't in much mood to wait, but Cheryl says that with time you may come to
understand how the Gauges work, or why the DS Drive event occurred. Bes is
impatient with this, worried that the enemy might attack in the meantime.
Joliver is getting the hang of the controls, and figures he might even be able
to figure out the DS Drive, but when Cheryl points out there are no aliens
around to interfere with the investigation, Bes points out that the aliens
could use their own DS Drive to follow. She says that she hates men who insist
on being pessimistic. Karsha, intent on kicking alien ass, asks Cosmo if he
intends to go on piloting the robot (we'll call it the Ideon for lack of a
better term, like Ideot). Just then, a stowaway is located - maybe an alien
spy?
It's Kalala and her eye-catching wardrobe, busy playing with the little baby
and trying not to look too ignorant about the Logo Dau aka Solo people's ways.
Just then Bes runs over, telling Kalala to turn very slowly to face him. Of
course it's clear that she's not from the Macross 7 - is she even an Earthling?
She admits that she's from the Baff Clan, which seems to confound Bes for a
moment, who was expecting... a four-handed, six-legged slimy monster, as Kalala
says. Well, maybe just horns, or wings, or a giant, or an android... Kalala
observes that Bes's people seem to have wide contact with other races. Bes
replies that his homeworld has been invaded plenty over the last ten years, but
when making "contact", what matters are the nerves. She finds him a wonderful
man, and he her a wonderful woman - but he's still going to imprison her for
now. She sadly admits that he really has no other choice.
Angst-detector baby Ruu now won't stop crying - maybe she needs a lullaby? Just
then a _rather_ enthusiastic sort comes over to play her a lullaby. It's
J-rock and makes a tremendous racket, but stops Ruu's tears at least. This
newcomer observes that the baby seems to get his music more than any of the
rest of you, telling the crew that if they want to know his name they need to
come to City 7 and hear his music for real.
Basara ends up late to rehearsal, much to Mylene's annoyance. She hotly
reminds him that this is a new page in the Fire Bombers' history, and takes
umbrage when he casually tells her not to get too excited and screw up. Ray
plays diplomat, pointing out that Basara never fails to get it on for a show.
Basara tells Ray that preparations are all set, and the group gets ready to
rock.
Misa is rather sad that you've got to abandon Solo so soon after finding it,
and Sally adds that although space is vast, habitable planets are rather hard
to come by. Exedore reminds them that it's their job to find another planet
suitable to become the Earthlings' new homeworld. Max says that the crew must
never forget the day they left Earth, but of course most of them were born _on_
the Macross 7 and have never even seen the Earth. Meanwhile, Exedore has been
exerting his considerable brainpower trying to remember where he's heard the
name Ide before.
His reverie is interrupted by the Baff Clan, who have somehow followed you
across hundreds of light years. Max orders his ship to undock from City 7 to
let them evacuate to a safe distance, not waiting for civilian permission under
these times of crisis. He then orders the Diamond Force to sortie, their only
protection with the rest of the fleet elsewhere. Docker wants to get this
battle done quickly so he can go see the beauty aboard the Soloship. Gamlin
doesn't want to hear that, and Kinryuu tells them that the military has spent a
_lot_ of money on their training, their equipment, their diet, their sleeping
quarters - FAR more than the normal soldier. He tells them that he won't let
them flush all that money down the drain by dying needlessly. Let them not
dishonor the Diamond Force! Meanwhile, the Ideon has sortied too, though Cosmo
still isn't that familiar with the controls. The Baff Clanners for their part
are looking forward to kicking your butt and getting Kalala back, not
necessarily in that order.
Fulfill the victory condition in four turns, which is initially defeating the
Sieg Mark (Geejay's vessel), for a Skill Point.
On 1.5, Max realizes that one of the bad guys is planning to latch onto the
Soloship, either to seize control or to free the hostage aboard it. Your
people set about concentrating their fire on the Sieg Mark, and Cheryl
wonders if your hostage is someone important to the enemy - probably, but you
can't pause the battle to ask her.
Geejay is worth an Analyzer. He plants a tracking device on the Soloship as
he flees. Worse, the mystery enemies that attacked 35 years ago have bumped
into you again, and Max orders everyone to go show them just how unbreakable
your will is.
Gigil feels high-level Spiritia from your people, and resolves to drain it as
quickly as possible. He drains Docker's... willpower apparently, and Max
realizes that this too is a repeat of what happened 35 years ago. Before
anyone can react, Gigil tries draining Spiritia from the Ideon, whose Gauge
is fully illuminated and has started glowing. Apparently this fends him off
temporarily, and he figures he's finally found a worthy adversary.
Meanwhile, City 7, apparently no worse for combat wear, is in the middle of a
rock concert. That doesn't last long as the order to go Shell Down comes
through, meaning attacks from outside are expected. The concept of a battle
seems to deeply disturb the normally bouncy Basara, but Bihiida starts pounding
the drums and getting the crowd fired up. The rest of the band gets into it
too, but Basara quickly heads offstage to take care of... something. Mylene
is upset over not knowing what and feeling like Basara has abandoned her, but
Ray is busy piping footage of the outside world into the arena's monitors. As
Mylene stares in disbelief, Ray mentally tells Basara to get out there and let
them hear his song.
As Max is preparing to do... something, an unidentified vehicle with no IFF
flies into the area. Max recognizes Basara's crimson Valkyrie, and Basara
thinks that he's been waiting for this moment a long time, which might be why
he doesn't heed Gamlin's calls to shut the noise off during battle. Said noise
is messing up Gigil's Spiritia Gauge, and Basara ignores Gamlin's warning to
buzz off or he'll shoot him down too. Exedore wonders if this guy is trying to
be another Lin Minmei, the legendary idol who managed to stop the battle 35
years ago. Kinryuu orders Gamlin to ignore the interloper and concentrate on
the bad guys.
After you take down Gigil, Max orders the Macross 7 to undergo Trans
Formation, showing them to the fullest just how the great Maximilian Genius
fights. All it takes is one hit to totally blow away the enemy flagship,
cutting Basara somewhat short in his music. It seems clear that Gamlin and
Basara are not destined to get along very well...
All this is going to take some explaining to Mylene. The guests are going
home, bored with simply watching a Valkyrie flying. Mylene demands to know why
Ray isn't more worried about Basara, and he blithely says that if he started
worrying about Basara his health would fail in short order. As they leave the
stage too, Ray thinks to Basara to sing just how he wants to.
Meanwhile, Docker has been reduced to a near catatonic state that the doctors
don't know how to cure, just like the victims of the Megaroad assault. Though
unscientific, the doctor says that it's as though they've lost the will to
live.
Max greets Bes in his quarters, re-introducing himself as the senior officer of
the Macross 7 fleet and captain of Battle 7. Bes has heard of Max "The"
Genius, who explains that there must have been something like black holes to
interfere with the passage of time for the two groups. There seems to be no
other explanation, though Max can't shake the feeling that it was somehow
caused deliberately by someone or some thing. He wants Bes' opinion on what to
do next - the Megaroad fleet is all about finding fertile ground for the seeds
of life on Earth. Direct contact with the Earth is forbidden lest your enemies
learn of its location, but at the same time there is a duty to deal with any
large-scale threats, like the STMC. This means that you can't leave these
soul-sucking enemies alone. The only option is to physically return to Earth,
partially since City 7 can't last in space forever and partially to warn of the
new threat. Of course, doing this could increase the danger to Earth too, but
it's a risk worth taking in Max's mind. He asks Bes his opinion, since he too
has civilians to look after, and tells him that circumstances afford him a
_little_ time for deliberation. The hope is to head for Brazilar, a colonial
waypoint some 1200 light years from Earth, and get the warning on its way. Bes
wants to accompany Macross 7 that far at least, and then take stock. In the
mean time he plans to interrogate his prisoner about the Baff Clan, and Max
asks him to start with what the Clan was doing on Solo in the first place.
Gepelnietche orders Gigil to collate his data on the strange
Spiritia-obfuscating enemy he faced and begin an investigation. Gigil has a
question for him - why, in 500,000 years of being able to drain Spiritia from
living beings, is this the first time he's ever failed? And what of the
strange fleet, which he's heard is also under investigation. Gepelnietche
tells him that he's been having a dream lately - a dream of limitless Spiritia,
without the need of a host to drain it from. He knows not if it's a mere dream
or something realizable, and tells him that much will depend on the results of
his investigations. Gigil, who loves running his prey to ground, can't figure
out what he's talking about, but Gepelnietche is very interested in making sure
his "Spiritia Farm" should succeed...
Scenario 18. Ginga Rurou ("Wandering the Galaxy")
Exedore says there's little doubt that the bad guys you just tangled with are
the same ones who struck 35 years ago. You're no closer to having a good
countermeasure now than you were then, and as Max and Exedore confer Exedore
suddenly has an idea who they might be, though he quickly dismisses it, since
the bad guys were piloting Earth-like ships. While Exedore goes on pondering,
Max goes to an interview with the city's TV station - with the head of the
city. After Max leaves, the bridge bunnies muse over what the marriage between
the human and Meltrandi aces has come to, so long after the historic peace
treaty with the Zentraedi and Meltrandi. There are rumors that a divorce might
be in the works, and Exedore thinks to himself that his captain may not be able
to stand the strain between inside and outside either.
Said TV broadcast is delaying the Fire Bombers' rehearsal. Max professes to
have no solid knowledge of who the bad guys are, but says the authorities are
doing everything in their power to make them go away. Miria then presses him
on why he didn't contact her before separating the city, and demands to know if
these are not the same assailants who struck 35 years ago. Max, stone-faced,
says that their identity is still under investigation. She asks if he expects
that explanation to be satisfactory, and he turns her question around and asks
if the citizens would likely have an easy time understanding military
investigative procedure.
Mylene notes that her mom and dad are at it again, as usual. Both of them say
as much to each other's faces, on TV. As the war of words begins to escalate
dangerously, Basara switches the TV off in disgust. Of course, the other band
members are nowhere to be seen, and after a moment Mylene asks Basara how come
he's got a Valkyrie. He says Ray gave it to him, and claims to have no idea
where _he_ got it from. Mylene then starts chewing him out for flying into the
middle of a war zone for no better reason than he "always wanted to". He asks
her, "don't you understand?" why he did it, and she's in the middle of saying
that it's 'cause she doesn't understand that she's asking when Ray finally gets
back. Rehearsal can, at least, begin.
Aboard the Soloship, Bes is about to start formally questioning Kalala. After
she states her name and planet of origin, he asks her why her people attacked.
She supposes that they thought of your people as dangerous aliens, and when the
kiddies get indignant that the Baff Clan attacked first, she points out that
your crew viewed her as a threat the very moment they found out _she_ was an
alien. Cheryl tries to call that mere rhetoric, saying that Earth has been
attacked by numerous aliens before now, but Kalala points out that that goes
for her people too. So, does her presence aboard the Soloship mean she's here
to attack you? After a moment, she says that she was looking for Ide.
Ide is that which holds limitless power, and the reason the Baff Clan were on
Logo Dau. She's willing to share her people's ancient legends about Ide with
you. Once upon a time, the queen of the planet Baff was kidnapped by an evil
beast. All the light vanished from the world, all green things faltered, and
the people of Baff were driven to the brink of ruin. At that time, a brave
hero stepped forward to challenge the monster - yet the hero's strength could
not defeat his foe. But the fruit bearing the power of Ide was bestowed upon
the hero, and he prevailed. The hero then took the queen for his own, and
together they ruled Baff.
Cosmo is, shall we say, not amused that such a preposterous fairy tale has led
her people to venture all the way across space just to kill off a bunch of his
comrades. She informs him that some proof of the truth behind the legend
remains on her planet, proof that Ide still exists as a new form of energy.
Most of your people are still disbelieving, figuring this is just a mere excuse
for killing off humans, but Bes seems less sure. In any event, the enemy
choose this moment to attack, and your people are planning to get rid of them
before you reach your destination.
City 7 is away safely, and the Diamond Force sorties along with Ideon. Bes
tells Cosmo and company to buy just enough time for your people to make it to
Brazilar. Gigil isn't willing to just sit and watch as Gepelnietche had
ordered.
Fulfill the victory condition within three turns for a Skill Point, which
initially means taking down Gigil.
Basara shows up on turn 2. Gigil can't measure his Spiritia with his
equipment, and says he's been waiting for this moment. Once again, Basara
tells Gamlin to sod his talk of battle, and listen to his song!
Gigil can't measure Basara's Spiritia, but with all the Spiritia he's already
gathered in the past couple battles he can go wake "her". Cosmo and crew see
the leader trying to run away, and set out to stop his flight. Gigil is not
exactly impressed, and aims straight for the Ideon's cockpit. But he doesn't
plan on taking this kind of unknown Spiritia, and retreats. Cosmo is in
shock from the attack, and his mech is quickly recovered. Basara is finding
all this a major bore, and repeatedly won't answer Gamlin's query about why
he's singing.
Gigil goes and uses the Spiritia to awaken "Sybil", who can only moan for more
Spiritia as he tells her to come with him...
Meanwhile, Kamueller welcomes Max and Miria to Brazilar, whose time appears to
be flowing at the same rate as Solo. As Kamueller welcomes your civilians to
stay, Bes worries to her that the Baff Clan may attack again. She assures him
that this base is well protected, seemingly treating him as the enthusiastic
little kid she once taught in school. Miria realizes that Kamueller has no
clue, and Max frets that your very presence here puts everyone in danger.
Cosmo, meanwhile, is still in shock or something [uh-DUHHHHH], oblivious to
your people's mounting doubts that Kamueller can actually begin to resist any
alien assault. Max cuts this short, saying that as soon as he's reprovisioned
he'll be leaving again, though he has not yet decided for where. He intimates
that overstaying his welcome won't go well for either side here, and when
Kamueller says to rest easy while the loading is going on Cosmo abruptly says
that Kamueller has the gentlest eyes. Max commends Bes on his decision to keep
Kalala with him, lest he spread the embers of war still further. And Kamueller
tells Cosmo to come with her, where there's no war...
Basara is fretting that the bad guys refused to hear his song _twice_ now. He
wonders where he has to go to find a sound they _will_ listen to. He's in no
mood to do the live gig his band has lined up, but producer Akiko is sure she
can cover things up with some of Basara's Valkyrie work. Despite Mylene's
cries of "irresponsible", Basara goes out for some fresh air, saying he'll be
back on time. Mylene demands to know what the hell is so special about his
singing in battle, demanding to know just what singing is to him. It's
pounding his burning heart into the listener! Whatever that means. Ray
assures Mylene after Basara runs off that Basara's the kind of guy who delivers
when the chips are really down.
Meanwhile, Bes is pondering how to use Kalala to arrange a cease-fire with the
Baff Clan. Your people ponder why the bad guys are after you, figuring it must
have something to do with the legend of Ide as well as physically getting
Kalala back. Bes bases that supposition on how the huge enemy robot clearly
tried to break into the Solo Ship in the previous battle. But if Kalala is
such a valuable woman, why was she wandering around like that? Cheryl says
it's because she's like Karsha, serious-minded and curious about everything.
Said Karsha says that angling for a cease fire is for cowards - you have the
advantage as long as they can't attack full force for fear of taking Kalala out
too! She doesn't care that Cosmo is offline, figuring that she can do ably as
his replacement. Bes points out that it was that kind of leaping before
looking that got Cosmo in this state to begin with, and says that he wants to
do whatever it takes to increase everyone's chances for survival. Dek thinks
he has a way to let the enemy know that you want to parlay...
Turns out Kamueller had a son around Cosmo's age, who she got split up from ten
years ago. She is angling to become his new mother, but Cosmo is not exactly
thrilled with his mother, who he saw as selfish and trying to make him into her
puppet. He says he's no puppet: he's a grown man, who's capable of fighting,
and protecting others. But upon remembering the Baff Clan attack, he starts
moaning and screaming. She can barely get him calmed down before the emergency
siren sounds. She tells him to stay right here in this safe place and hurries
off. Just then Basara shows up and puts on a sort of one-man concert for Cosmo
upon seeing that he's responding a little. Cosmo regains his senses, and
Basara says that playing for him has helped him clear his head.
Despite your parlay, the Baff Clan are out in force. Damid is ordering his
SAMURAI troops to strike you down, and when Ideon begins waving a white flag
Damid takes it as your people bragging that they can take his folks down to a
man. He orders his troops to commence indiscriminate attacks against Ideon,
lest it one day invade his own people. Geejay gets sent to try to save Kalala
while Damid sees to the fighting. Damid tells Geejay that there's no shame in
fighting to save the woman he loves, secretly adding to himself that it makes
it that much easier to blame him when he fails. Your people are quite appalled
at this development, but it's a bit late to un-declare all-out war. Exedore
remarks that a few cultural differences are only to be expected, just like was
the case between the humans and Zentraedi.
On round two, Basara shows up hoping the third time's the charm. Gamlin
tells him to fight with the weapons aboard his Valkyrie, but Basara says it's
not about beating people down with power: he wants to force them to be moved
by his song.
The next round, more bad guys come out and start blasting the crap out of
Brazilar. In fact, Cosmo arrives just in time to see Kamueller die horribly.
He then runs over and gets into Ideon, and he's in one hell of a foul mood.
When you take down Damid, the Drowa Zan shows up with Halulu, Kalala's
sister. It blows the shit out of Brazilar, and Max tells City 7 to fold out
of here while he holds them off. Mylene calls out for her father and Basara,
and Kalala sadly tells Bes and your people that her sister would not begin to
heed any call from her for a cease-fire - she's well aware that her life
means nothing to her sister. Family are even scarier than aliens sometimes.
As yet more bad guys Fold out, it seems the end is near. Just then, the
Ideon gauge starts glowing, and your people get warped elsewhere. It seems
you have an Imperial observer, who notes the similarity of the light your
vehicles gave off to that from the Crossgate - your people may be on to this
limitless power thing after all.
As you travel through warp, Max orders the Diamond Force to go protect the
now distant City 7. Hatari calculates to your shock that you've just DS
Driven a good 20,000 light years in an instant, only to end up at...
Word has gotten to Gepelnietche that Gigil, with Sybil in tow, has gotten
thrown to the other side of the galaxy along with your people. He tells his
soldiers to abandon Gigil - there are other seeds with which to sprout his
dream. He dispatches another commandant to capture the sample from your fleet,
sure that the time has come to make his 500,000 year old dream of a Spiritia
Farm come true...
Scenario 18x. Haha to Chikatta Asu no Tame Ni ("For The Tomorrow Sworn To
Mother")
Your people are hoping to hear Akira regale them with what he was up to during
the War of Seals. After all, as Hyouma points out, with all the uproar and
bloodshed around here there's no telling when the next chance to chew the fat
might arise. Unfortunately, this is a rather painful topic for Akira, since
this fight against Barao involved his mother sacrificing her life to activate
the Star of La Mu and energise Reideen with Mutron Energy. The subject is
belatedly changed to where Akira's other comrades are: traveling the world
sifting through ruins for clues to Reideen and Mutron. Instead, the subject
switches again to a _different_ battle...
Akira is busy busting the Mikeene's ass, including elbowing Shinguji out of the
way during battle. Shinguji is not happy about that, to say the least, but
what Akira is worried about is how he lacked the power to keep his mother from
perishing. He wants to spare others that same grief, and adopts the whole
"alienate your best friends for their own good" gambit. It takes Mari to
remind them what's going on: Neo Jion has just dropped Fifth Luna, and Amuro
and everyone are all missing. She tells everyone to go back to base, since
even Reideen seems tired from all the fighting - and is smart enough to guess
at Akira's true thoughts.
But, she doesn't anticipate precisely how far Akira will go to not lose anyone
else he loves, curtly sending them on ahead when he knows the bad guys are
lurking nearby. In fact, he genuinely would rather lose his friends entirely
than see them die.
When you take down the first bad guy, it regenerates and does something or
other to Akira. He sees a vision of his mother floating in the darkness,
telling him to rest his tired heart. She sees the enemies' ceaseless attack
even though their emperor Barao is already defeated, and tells him to come to
paradise where she is. After all, she says, he _isn't_ strong enough to
protect her - but she can protect him. As his mother gets ready to sing him
to sleep, his _real_ mother tells him to stand up and calls upon La Mu.
Akira snaps out of it, recalling his oath to his mother to go on fighting
until peace is restored to the world. His mother agrees, telling her heroic
son to go on fighting, until the day of final judgment arrives.
As Akira is ready to pulverize the treacherous bad guys, some federation
soldiers show up in some puny MS's and offer to help. He tells them to hold
off, that they're being suicidal, but they respond that without backup he's
the suicidal one. He realizes that they, too, are risking their all for what
they believe in.
Lots and lots more bad guys come in after the first set, and Akira thinks
he's about to see more people die because his power is too meager. As he
cries out in frustration, a certain familiar voice tells him to actually move
his ass instead of whining: it's the Beast Squad. After saving his ass,
Shinobu takes him to task for thinking that he's got to fight alone, whether
or not he's got the power to protect his friends. Sara adds that it's not
like they were always this strong - she's personally lost more precious
things than she can count. And all those people were in their own ways
fighting for what they believed in protecting. Sara inquires if he plans to
deny them all that, and then points out that his life is not his alone: there
are people who would surely weep if he died, and it doesn't take them long to
show up.
Ryou then explains why: comrades aren't just surplus firepower. They support
each other, they commiserate, they incite each other in battle. Akira knows
this of course, but he had forgotten in his grief over his mother. Shinguji,
Mari, and Alan were all hoping that he'd snap out of his funk before anyone
got hurt, and Masato weighs in that Akira is far too young to get impatient
like this. Shinguji asks if Akira would trust him with his back, and Akira
says no - because he plans to be fighting right there by his side.
With the mushy stuff out of the way, time to mop up the remaining evildoers.
Lemuria mentally tells Akira that she's always with him - he need never feel
alone. She instructs him to do what he must, while she watches over him.
After your fight is over, Alan reports that the remnants of the Federation army
are still holding their own, organizing as guerillas and unwilling to give in
any time soon. He's got even better news - the location of the enemy commander
is now clear, meaning it's time for you to go and hose his ass.
Anyways, that's how it went while the rest of your squad was busy elsewhere.
Of course, that the Beast Squad was there to help out at all is thanks to
Shinobu defying Miwa, but hey, them's the breaks. And thankfully, it helped
Akira return to his senses. He thanks Mari again, telling her he realizes just
how important she is. She's happy to hear that, and says that she'll protect
him in turn in his mother's stead.
Scenario 19.
Amuro has been reporting on what he and the Preventers have learned about the
front-line situation of the Federation Army. "They" have obtained considerable
influence throughout both the military and the government. Taiga is
forecasting an all-out Zaft offensive with everyone's attention diverted by the
attacks from the Subterraneans and the Interplanetary Alliance. And if so,
"they" won't take it sitting down - much like the Jupitorians, the Coordinators
are both human and not-human, and like Char's people may in fact have it in
mind to rule over the lowly Earthnoids. Bright is skeptical that they could do
that under these circumstances, but Amuro points out that it's precisely
circumstances like these that favor survival for the elevated potential of the
Coordinators. This is a high-stakes time, and whoever is the last man standing
wins. Bright notes that that still won't erase the fact that Earthling is
fighting Earthling, and Amuro is sure that that's not lost on the Blue Cosmos
either: they're in a hurry too, just towards a different end than you are. The
fact that their objective isn't governmental influence or military power is
probably the only reason you've gotten as much support until now to fight them.
Taiga, having heard Amuro's report, has now reached a decision. A request from
supreme command has come for the Alpha Numbers to guard the Alaska HQ, which
Amuro can see immediately is just a ploy to get data about the Strike Gundam
and the Archangel, as well as to leash the Alpha Numbers itself. Ultimately,
they'll want the Alpha Numbers as part of the assault on the Plant, but Taiga
says that even an independent battalion like yourselves can't disobey orders
through proper channels like these forever, lest an inquest occur. And before
that, you'll all be branded as traitors and shunned by other Federation forces,
much like the Titans. For now, you'll have to go along to the Alaska Base, all
the while gathering more information on the military brass and helping fend off
threats elsewhere on the Earth.
HOWEVER, since the most immediate threat is the Interplanetary Alliance's
forward base on the moon, Taiga's decision is to divide the Alpha Numbers in
half, with Bright and Maryuu taking on the Alaska mission. As for a mothership
in space, Daimonji and the Daikuu Maryuu are on the scene. He reports that
Voltes V and Deimos are still busy fending off the Imperial expeditionary
forces on Mars, and for the moment available. Bright's happy to go to Earth,
but it's agreed not to tell Maryuu about the likely scrutiny at Alaska just
yet: no need to worry her ahead of time. Taiga also sees to it that the Earth-
bound ships also help all the evacuees at Orbit Base get home safely too.
[At this point you can either have your main character to go space or the
Earth. Earth will be "E", space routes will be denoted "S".]
Scenario 19E. Uchuu ni Oriru Hoshi ("A Star Falling Into Space")
Bright is favorably impressed with the Archangel, which Maryuu says is more
ship than she's worthy of. Bright tells her not to be so modest, and praises
her accomplishments to come so far through so much adversity. As for their new
posting, Maryuu is worried about Kira, who remained in the military solely out
of a desire to protect his friends by piloting the Strike. He is, to be frank,
not cut out for the military, and is at this rate going to be thrown headlong
into battle with his fellow Coordinators. Maryuu is worried that he won't
withstand the strain, though Natarle is at some pains to point out that that's
only one possibility. She tells Bright when he asks that Kira's power is
crucial to you: unless Kira shows signs of throwing in the towel, it's probably
best to go on as you have been. Bright ponders this, and asks Maryuu to let
him speak to Kira. This surprises her greatly, but Bright says that he's had
no small amount of experience with this sort of thing, and has a certain
someone in mind to assist in the process. As Bright has Natarle find Kira's
whereabouts, Maryuu continues to fret, and Bright tells her not to let that
sort of thing show in front of her subordinates. Even if it _was_ under
special circumstances, she's just been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and he
cautions her, not unkindly, to see that she acts the part. He adds that she's
done a fine job of leading the Archangel so far - all she needs is a bit more
self-confidence. She protests that it's been all she could do just to survive,
much less achieve any victory in battle, but Bright tells her that it's plenty
victorious to come through any battle entrailus intactus. Blushing, she can
only thank him for his kind words.
Kira has been busily working on Gundam maintenance at the beck and call of some
of the best mechanics in the fleet. Bright strolls by, telling everyone to be
at ease but yet getting down to business quickly. He asks Astonage to return
to the Ral Kairam in preparation for the enemy attack he is sure is coming
before your people can enter the atmosphere. He also has Muu and Murdock take
off so he can spend some time with Kira. Kira is to say the least rather
intimidated by being alone with the renowned colonel, and Bright tries to allay
his nerves by telling him the Alpha Numbers is a tad different from the average
military unit.
He then says outright how impressed he is that Kira, a former civilian, has
done so well in piloting the Strike: his Coordinator abilities are even better
than expected. Kira's expression turns downcast, and he says that the people
around him have had a lot to do with his survival too. Bright then startles
him by asking if he would prefer not to fight. He tells Kira that he still has
a chance to return to civilian life, and Kira says that he's having trouble
deciding which is more important: fighting the Zaft, or protecting his friends.
Bright then tells him that there is a man who was once in danger of losing his
own sense of place within all the fighting, just as Kira is. That man was
frequently separated, if not segregated, from others by his abilities - his
Newtype abilities. Yup, it's none other than Amuro, who Bright passes the
baton to as he walks over to greet Kira for the first time.
Kira is unsure of what Bright was trying to tell him, and Amuro and he begin to
discuss Amuro's past. The first thing Amuro tells him is that he certainly
never wished for his Newtype powers to make him the most in-demand Gundam pilot
in the Federation. But, his power and the power of everyone aboard White Base
was essential in those days, and Kira's power is attractive now for much the
same reasons. However, it's not that having him on your side will win the war
for you: where the Plant is concerned, power is irrelevant. And yet your
people will fight anyway - does Kira understand why? Because they have people
they want to protect, and because that sentiment has power. Amuro tells him
that without a sentiment to fight for, there can be no triumph - and if there
_is_ a sentiment to fight for, noone can deprive you of your rightful place in
the world. Flay runs over just then, asking him to come help with the evacuees
when he's done here. Amuro says bye to him for now, and Kira leaves with a
smile on his face.
Kira then gets to meet a few of the evacuees, at least one of whom has words of
thanks for him helping to protect them all. The child gives Kira an origami
flower, which has Flay very sentimental over what may lie in store for him in
the none-too-distant future. There's war everywhere, even on Earth itself, and
Flay says she can't do a single thing for a child who's trying so hard to live
and be happy. Kira says that he can fight, and promises to do double for Flay
too. He's decided to fight this war to its end.
Of course, your people's fears about enemy assault are right on the money: it's
the Zaft, with Creuset at the controls. He's looking to quiet down the Alpha
Numbers by taking out the renowned Bright Noa. Maryuu orders your people to
scramble, and when Natarle points out that this could make you miss your escape
window, Misato points out that there's no way to just bull your way through -
she needs to follow Maryuu's order. Everyone sorties, including Kira. Amuro
inwardly warns him not to overstress himself: he's not the only one who's
fighting.
For a Skill Point, take out all the enemy within six turns.
Yzak won't go down the first time, and he heads right for Maryuu in his
wrath. As all Kira's friends are in grave danger, _something_ happens to
him. Saying he won't allow the Archangel to be sunk, he charges Yzak and
slices his machine to ribbons. Crying out in pain, Yzak can only flee, and
your people are anything but sure what to make of Kira's sudden phenomenal
burst of speed.
Yzak is worth a Chobham Armor. Diakka is worth a Dual Sensor. Aslan is
worth an Anti-Beam Coating.
Once you defeat the first round of enemies, a horde of reinforcements arrive:
Creuset seemingly planned for everything. Bright sees no choice but to block
the enemy with the Ral Kairam so the Archangel, the enemy's true objective, can
slip through. Maryuu is very reluctant to just throw Bright to the wolves, but
Natarle reminds her that her mission is to bring her ship and the Strike Gundam
safely to Alaska, period. When Maryuu still falters, Natarle blasts off in a
solitary shuttle, broadcasting a civilian ID code on the theory that the bad
guys won't be able to do anything. Misato yells at her to get her ass back to
the mothership STAT, that that kind of rhetoric has no chance of working, and
Kira zooms over just as Natarle is about to become crispy. In the process, the
Strike touches the atmosphere and begins reentry. Maryuu orders her ship to
follow the Strike, even if it means altering its own reentry course, and this
time her tone brooks no argument. She tells everyone not to waste Bright's
resolve, and Bright is once again proud of her blossoming commanding skills as
he leaves the fighting on the ground to her. Amuro goes along, inwardly
telling Bright not to die.
Lacus welcomes Aslan back, but he's in too bitter a mood to be happy to see her
in return. Lacus, seemingly undimmable, says that her Haro was all excited at
his return. He spits that her Haro has no such capability, and as her smile
turns melancholy he apologizes for all the inconvenience his missions have put
her to. But that's over now, he figures, and thinks back to her being taken
hostage. Lacus didn't mind one bit, saying that Aslan's friend took good care
of her over there: Kira is a very kind, strong person in her view - but Aslan
thinks he's a fool for continuing to pilot his Gundam despite all his protests
that he's not a soldier. He thinks Kira is being used, and recalls that both
of Kira's parents were Naturals. Lacus says that Kira said he doesn't want to
fight Aslan, and Aslan hotly says that he doesn't want to either! He stops
himself before saying too much to hurt her, and instead goes to check on Yzak's
condition. Lacus observes that his face is always pained and sad these days,
and Aslan says that he can't wage war grinning all the time.
In the Sahara Desert, DaCosta breaks the news to Bartfeld that the Archangel
has headed their way. Bartfeld muses that the great Creuset failed to take
your people out, and is willing to follow orders from his superiors to blow the
thing to kingdom come on their behalf. As he muses over his special blend of
coffee, his good-natured banter sounds like anything but a _genuine_,
ideologically motivated member of the Zaft. Orders come in from Gibraltar in
short order, and it's time for the Desert Tiger to test its fangs on some
_really_ big game.
Scenario 19S. Akumu e no Shoutaijou ("Invitation to a Nightmare")
Emperor Muge Zolbados is not thrilled to hear from Shapiro that their objective
has not yet been found. Muge reminds Shapiro why he took him in, and Shapiro
says after a pause that he's already pinned down which planet the target is on
- all that remains is removing a few "obstacles". Muge commands Shapiro to
hurry, noting that his objective is as a mountain compared to Shapiro's little
molehill of a grudge. Shapiro is understandably less than pleased to hear
that, but contains his ire well as Muge frets over needing the "key" to
withstand the Judge who is rapidly approaching through the Thunder Gate.
Luna asks Shapiro what Muge had to say, and Gildrome figures it was a case of
chewing out his rather lame commander. Luna tells him to shut his mouth: as
commander of the Earth invasion, Shapiro is the Emperor's direct representative
here. Gildrome feigns an apology, noting drily that the Emperor is an
impatient man - should Shapiro's failures continue, he's liable to suffer the
same fate as Death Gaia. Shapiro says he reads confidence in Gildrome's words,
and Gildrome is quite confident he can slaughter off any and all humans who
stand in the way of Muge's wishes. Noting, of course, that Shapiro himself is
a human...
Luna reports that the Alpha Numbers have split in half, one group going to the
Earth's surface to duke it out with the Zaft, and the other half headed for
their base on the moon. Gildrome says he'll take on these humans, and curtly
tells Shapiro to do nothing except wait to sound the victory chimes throughout
the base. After he walks off, Shapiro tells an incredulous Luna that whether
Gildrome or the Alpha Numbers win, it works to his advantage. Luna sighs in
ecstasy, saying that Shapiro's eyes, his voice - every inch of him is brimming
with ambition. Such a man as he is more precious to her than anything, and
when he warns her that this Earth conquest is merely the first step on a long
road to greatness, she pledges to accompany him to the bitter end. Shapiro,
meanwhile, realizes that a certain something is needed for him to become a
god...
Sanshirou is vaguely disappointed that your people somehow beat him to Orbit
Base. Rather than disappointment, this was rather a _startling_ development,
and everyone except Hyouma are concerned about how your people's teleportation
by the Gate seems unlikely to be an accident. In any case, that incident
forced the Imperial forces to relocate to Mars, disproving the notion that the
Empire is fully in control of the Gate's capabilities. Although Ken'ichi and
Kazuya are holding the fort on Mars for now, the sooner you can take out the
Interplanetary Alliance and join them, the better. Of all the myriad races in
this alliance, the most worrisome are the Muge in Sara's view. Pete starts
insinuating that there may be something going on between her and Shapiro, and
as Ryou keeps Shinobu from coming to blows with him in Sara's defense, Sara
tells Pete directly that she has ceased to think of Shapiro as her former
commander - or her former lover. As several of your people gape at this, she
says she wants no misunderstanding on that point. She tells Pete that she'll
be the first to pull the trigger if Shapiro shows himself in front of your
people again, and Pete claims his doubts are satisfied. In any case, as
Shinobu points out your people can't afford to lose to Shapiro, no matter what.
Brit and Kusuha think back to the Balmar War, where the Beast Squad and Sara
especially got to watch Shapiro turn traitor right in front of their faces.
Brit recalls that Shapiro had his own agenda when cooperating with the Empire -
and probably still does while working with the Muge.
Just then, the alarm sounds: bad guys on the inbounds, and most likely from the
Alliance by your coordinates. It's the Muge, and the bad guys seem to have an
all-too good idea of your people's movement patterns. Fan Li warns you all
that this seems unlikely to be the average enemy ambush... He figures they're
planning something, and Daimonji orders your people not to pursue the enemy too
deeply.
For a Skill Point, take down the Muge flagship within six turns - it will
flee at under 10k HP...
Take down enough of the bad guys and Gildrome will summon everyone to the
"world of dreams" - dreams they will never wake from! What this means is
some kind of directed mental wave that's causing them to begin indiscriminate
attacks, mainly against each other. As the danger of friendly fire looms,
Gildrome gloats that while your people are certainly brawny enough to defeat
Death Gaia, it's strategy and brains that rule the battlefield.
Take out more bad guys and Gildrome will decide to accelerate things a bit,
by destroying your puny little brains entirely. A torrent of fear, rage and
sadness pours directly into your people's minds, as well as a little
something else. It's Shapiro, contacting Sara and offering a way to
salvation from her pain. When she protests that this is a dream, he says
that even so it shows that she still wants him in the depths of her heart.
He says that he's the only one who can save her, and tells her to put aside
the pride that covers her pain and suffering and give into the dream. But
another voice calls out, telling her to stay _her_ and not be led astray by
Shapiro's falsehoods. He'll never accept that Sara could be so easily
swayed, and tells her to get angry, to let her fury become the irrational,
instinctual flame that drives all the Beast Squad forward and reduces their
enemies to cinders. Sara sees the flames of fury burning before her, and
suddenly freed from her dream she turns "Shinobu"'s words back on him. What
your people need is not tears, but a furious, ravening inferno. Ryou urges
everyone to follow Shinobu's lead: strength of will is the way to overcome
the assault! Recalling each person's painful past and precious things to
protect works in short order, and Gildrome can only be astounded at the steel
of Earthling nerves.
Just then, Dangel shows up to keep Gildrome the tinderbox from getting burnt
entirely to a crisp by your dudes. He tells Gildrome to thank that walking
fashion magazine of a human for the timely rescue, and adds that he couldn't
really care less - all he wants is Combattler's head.
Gildrome is worth an Analyzer Plus. He flees in an awfully big hurry given
all his braggadocio earlier. Dangel is worth a Chobham Armor.
Shapiro greets Gildrome by claiming to be glad he's okay. Gildrome furiously
demands to know if Shapiro foresaw this result before sending in the Canpel
forces, and Shapiro informs him that securing reinforcements is the most
fundamental of all the fundamentals of strategy. Not, he adds with a smirk,
that he supposed the _invincible_ General Gildrome would have needed such
assistance. Luna goes on to inform him that it's the height of rudeness for
Gildrome not to thank the man who clearly saved his ass; namely, Shapiro. As
Gildrome grinds his teeth in impotent fury, Shapiro tells her to let it be -
after all, he's got other work for Gildrome to do. It seems their nation has
elected to lighten the Gildrome's burdens by dispatching General Helmet to
help. Shapiro reports that the emperor's patience is running thin, leading to
the attrition specialist's dispatch - and before all is said and done Gildrome
may be needed on the battlefield again. Until then, Shapiro tells him to rest,
and Gildrome grudgingly marvels at how he, a master manipulator, has in turn
been manipulated by Shapiro. He furiously vows to personally ensure that
Shapiro ends up hamstrung or worse.
Having weathered the daunting storm of the enemy's psychic attack, Sara takes
the time to offer Shinobu an enigmatic word of thanks. Kusuha has figured out
that Shinobu was the reason Sara broke free of the attack, but Shinobu says he
didn't do anything - in fact, Sara's the one who saved him. Kusuha is sure a
vision of him helped Sara, and Shinobu says with a smile that that must have
served to make her mad, seeing as how they're always squabbling and such. In
any case, he tells Kusuha that Sara and he aren't quite as close as she and
Brit. Kusuha figures their hearts are a lot closer than Shinobu realizes...
Scenario 20E. Kyoushuu! Sabaku no Tora ("The Desert Tiger Pounces!")
Kira is at last sleeping normally in his quarters, having undergone a thorough
medical checkup that found nothing other than a slight fever wrong. Although
the Strike was outfitted with reentry capability, Camille is left shaking his
head in amazement that Kira could actually pull it off _in_battle_ without the
benefit of prior training. It's a feat worthy of the great Amuro, but The
Man(tm) himself figures in Kira's case it was at least partially due to his
being a Coordinator. Murdoch agrees, pointing out that the cockpit temperature
during reentry went far above the levels a Normal could endure. And THAT is a
feat worthy of Hiiro, and The Man(tm) himself repeats Amuro's assessment that
Kira's Coordinator genes are to thank. The G boys have found out that, while
Coordinators can still become ill or die from trauma like gunshot wounds, their
bodies have been modified to vastly improve resistance to such things. Asuka
furrows her brow at the difference in body specs, figuring that _THAT_ makes
them more like First (Children). Rei counters that she's no Coordinator, but
Asuka fumes that she might as well be.
Anyways, all this high-falutin eugenics makes it easy to see why some Naturals
fear the Coordinators so much. Katsu might almost fall into that category, but
Duo points out: why stop at fearing the Coordinators? What about cyborgs like
Gai and Hiroshi? Katsu points out that they were originally human, but an
increasingly irate Camille then asks about Four and the Puru sisters. As Katsu
blanches, Flay shows up and shoos the whole crew outside if they plan to
continue their argument. She insists on looking after Kira by herself and
wants everyone else to leave, and Asuka is not the type to take this in
silence. She tells Flay, who of course hasn't taken up arms herself, that she
_trusts_ Flay doesn't think that she can get ahead in life just by being
protected by others. Flay protests that that's precisely why she's trying to
keep all your rowdy people away from the injured Kira, and Rei points out that
things haven't yet gotten any quieter. Asuka, muttering that your people do
indeed seem to be intruding, hustles everyone else out the door. Murdoch gives
Flay some origami to give Kira when he awakens: something she found in the
Strike's cockpit.
After everyone else is gone, she thinks that things can't go on like this:
_she's_ the one who won the bet. Kira's got to go on fighting, and fighting,
and fighting, and eventually die, or she'll never be able to forgive him for
not saving her father. Kira then begins to recover consciousness, learning
from Flay that everyone is somewhere in the Sahara. Flay gives him the tiny
folded paper animal, and Kira begins moaning in agony over not being able to
protect "her". Flay pulls him close to her, telling him that she's there for
him and saying that her thoughts will protect him.
Misato is cursing your luck for the course change ending you up squarely in
Zaft territory. Maryuu for her part is still fretting over Bright, but Misato
is sure that the famous colonel will still be okay. Maryuu pulls herself
together quickly, and Muu is glad to have Misato, another formidable survivor
of the Balmar War on his side. In fact, he'll have to count on her pretty
quickly, given that the Zaft are already moving against you. Even given how
much the Archangel stands out, Muu figures the bad guys are moving too fast:
either you're dealing with a total idiot, or someone to be reckoned with.
Maryuu recognizes the markings of the Desert Tiger, and orders everyone sortied
at once.
Apparently some sexual healing was good for Kira, and he tells Flay he's got to
go - he won't let anyone else die. DAMNED if he will! The totally deranged
Flay tells the departed Kira to protect her, and to kill off every last one of
the bad guys.
Bartfeld is ready to kick things off, his objective being to gauge the
capabilities of the Archangel and its troops by attacking them. One of his men
asks if that means they're not to actually _defeat_ your people, and Bartfeld
hems and haws and says they'll have to figure that out if the time comes. He
points out that this is the ship _Creuset_ wasn't able to defeat, and
Federation's mightiest battalion, the Alpha Numbers, have since swelled its
ranks. To make matters worse, protracted fighting will surely bring "them"
back again. Meanwhile, Misato is marveling at the enemy's movements when
Maryuu tells that she recognizes Andrew Bartfeld's ship: commander of Zaft's
Africa Corps and known as the "Desert Tiger" for his fearsome skills at
commanding his troops. The Archangel has been damaged during reentry, so it's
pretty much immobilized. This means you've got to go strike down the flagship
Receps and thereby end the battle. Beecher seems peeved that the enthusiastic
pilot of the Strike Gundam is still resting, but Mondo points out that even a
Coordinator is going to suffer from what Kira's been through. Amuro cuts that
short with a warning to everyone to watch their footing, and battle ensues.
Bartfeld is in turn in a good mood thanks to a nice batch of coffee.
For a Skill Point, take down the Receps in six turns.
On turn two, Kira shows up, demanding to know where the enemy is and telling
the bridge crew to open the hatch. Natarle says that shooting in the dark
will only make him himself a target, and tells him to grasp the situation
he's in. He tells her that he grasps it quite well, which is why he plans to
sortie. Your people are left wondering what happened to turn the soft-spoken
Kira so passionate, and Asuka wonders if it had something to do with his
fever. Maryuu doesn't like what she's hearing, but can't deny that more
firepower would help and lets him launch. When they do, Bartfeld orders the
additional Bagu's lying in wait to attack the Strike so he can see its power.
It's predictable that Kira's solo sortie would draw the enemy's fire, and
Trowa notes that the Strike doesn't even seem to have any terrestrial OS data
loaded yet. The Bagu's pilot says that while he doesn't know about space,
down here on the desert floor the Bagu is king. Bartfeld likes what he sees
from the Strike and its pilot, but figures that there's no way a anthropod
mech could prevail against a Bagu. Unfortunately, Bartfeld has never
encountered a prodigy like Kira before, who rapidly _reprograms_ the Strike's
controls to compensate for the sand. Apparently he was expecting a Natural
or something. Amuro is worried just watching Kira, who shouts out that he
won't let the Archangel be lost. Flay figures he's protecting her and her
alone...
One of the bad guys has an Analyzer Plus.
As you whittle away the enemy forces, Bartfeld decides it's time to attack
the immobile Archangel head-on. He uses the incredible clouds of dust he's
kicking up to throw the Archangel's targeting off, and your people have to
hand it to him. As they struggle to figure out how to stop him, a "rat"
seemingly has made its way into the works: it's the Albion and its
collaborating guerillas, the Desert Sunrise. They _were_ the only thing
keeping the Zaft from ruling the desert, which is reason enough for Bartfeld
to sortie his second wave of troops.
Once you take the Receps "down", Bartfeld yells that he's not done yet. But
as your people try to get ready for more action, Bartfeld receives a flash
transmission from Gibraltar. He immediately orders all his men to retreat so
he can head for point 0107, and this time he's all business. Apparently
Bartfeld is great at brisk retreats, as Burning is grudgingly forced to
admit. Then, something very strange occurs: two new mecha on which you've
got no data at all appear, and then quickly vanish again. Isamu and Guld
both recognize them, but Maryuu is busy thanking Synapse for saving you all.
He tells her to give her thanks to the Desert Sunrise, and tells her to
follow him so you all can erase your tracks before sundown.
Synapse explains what his crew has been up to all this time. With the Zaft in
control of Gibraltar, the Federation presence in Africa is cut off from that in
Europe, preventing a single unified action. Though Synapse has been trying to
erode the Zaft from the Africa side, the Desert Tiger has kept things pretty
soundly under control. Just then, a very pissed-off Cagalli shows up, pointing
out that there are still those who resist the Zaft, and without needing mobile
suits either. Maryuu seems uneasy that these resistance fighters know
something of her ship, but fellow guerilla Kisaka says some of their comrades
are busy following Zaft activity. Cagalli isn't shy about telling you that
you're all amateurs at desert warfare.
Meanwhile, Asuka is being irate over Kira's attitude during the battle. Shinji
is more inclined to be impressed at someone their age being able to do what he
did. He knows that there must be many things weighing on Kira's mind, and
admires the fact that Kira isn't running from them, as he once tried to do.
When Asuka points out that Kira's hardly the only one that can be said of,
Shinji says he knows that too. Kira, it seems, recognizes Cagalli, and she
Kira. Cagalli was in Heliopolis when the Gundams were stolen, and he demands
to know why the hell Kira is piloting that thing. She slaps him across the
face, then grabs Kisaka and tries to haul him off on more Zaft hunting.
Kisaka, after a moment, relents and leaves. Asuka is perhaps a bit too
interested in the fact that Kira seemingly dodges enemy bullets at will but has
no answer for a woman's open palm, and after a moment Kira runs off on the
verge of tears. Quatre and Shinji both agree that Kira is still acting mighty
strange...
To get the Archangel to Alaska, you'll have to elude the Tiger's jaws. Burning
can't leave Africa since he's the rallying point for surviving Federation
troops, but he's willing to loan Maryuu Burning's squad instead. This is a
loaded gift: both he and Misato know full well that your flight will also make
you serve as bait for the enemy. In fact, the Tiger seems at home enough in
the desert that you may have no choice but to _defeat_ him before being able to
leave. But it's an interesting question why Bartfeld pulled out so promptly
during this last battle. Word comes in from another Desert Sunrise group to
answer that question: a large spaceship has been discovered in a mountainous
region 135 klicks away, which apparently arrived via warp!
As the commanders digest this incredible news, Isamu runs up and asks
permission for him and Guld to head to the spot. Guld relates that the strange
mobile suits you saw briefly are from the same adversaries who struck the
Megaroad fleet. This could very well turn the Earth upside down if something's
not done, but Misato reminds him that this whole area is controlled by the Zaft
and that they've got very little information about this new development. Guld
is inclined to agree, saying that it's far too big a coincidence that he and
Isamu's return home should be followed so closely by the enemy's arrival. What
your people WILL do, instead of letting the Macross Plus people fly ahead, is
go as a group. You need every bit of info you can find at this point, even if
it means risking Zaft assault...
Scenario 20S. Ipoujin-tachi no Kikoku ("The Outsiders' Return")
Your people continue to mull over the Muge, with their abominable psychic
attack and their android-like soldiers. Sakon has been poring over data from
the Alliance, and has hit a stumbling block of sorts. He notes that human
exploration of outer space has barely begun with the launching of the Megaroad
fleet: human knowledge of outer space is pretty much limited to what your alien
collaborators have told you. Information from people like Erika or Ken'ichi's
father has given you a bit of a glimpse of things at the center of the galaxy,
but they knew nothing of the Muge Zolbados. Maybe this is simply proof of how
big the galaxy is? Kouji isn't sure, noting that anyone who could collaborate
with the Canpellians ought to have at least merited some mention. Sakon can
think of three possibilities: one, your allies simply had never heard of the
Muge. Two, that the Muge are here from another galaxy entirely... and three,
that they've come from another _dimension_.
He reminds you all that dimensional boundaries have been in upheaval lately,
rendering most warp technology inoperative and severing contact with the
Megaroad fleet. Kouji recalls Leo's conjecture that the Gate has something to
do with it, and Sakon says that it's _possible_ that this erosion of
dimensional boundaries has let invaders from another dimension in. Certainly
it appears that this dimensional instability is why Isamu and Guld got to Earth
as fast as they did, as well as why the Imperial fleet has been able to show up
and possibly why the Primevals did too.
Ryou is bothered by the Muge's actions, especially regarding Shapiro who you
all presumed defeated during the Balmar War. Shapiro is a proud man, and it's
easy to imagine him worming his way into the Muge to extract revenge on the
Earth - but there would be nothing in it for them. For that matter, given the
Muge's obvious power, why are they joining forces with the other Alliance
members at all? Ryou can only conclude that they must be after something or
other on Earth. But... what?
Your course appears clear to the moon, though Pete is very mistrusting of
whatever traps the Alliance may have in wait for you. Though the Alliance only
controls 20% the moon's surface, that 20% includes most of the habitable
facilities. That too seems to be thanks to Shapiro, who Daimonji figures is
after the Moon Cradle built by Project Ark. The Moon Cradle not only contains
a massive cold-sleep facility, but also a massive microwave transmission
facility and the supercomputer Gloria which controls it. Built in lieu of
"Meigas", Gloria is capable among other things of gathering vast amounts of
information about the Earth. Pete is forced to admit this Shapiro guy is an
even smarter cookie than he guessed.
Of course, this is when the Alliance mounts an assault, with the Muge leading
the charge. They seem to be trying to whittle you down a bit before you make
it to the moon, which may or may not work as well as they planned. General
Helmet certainly seems to think so, instructing you all to lament facing him in
battle from the depths of the Hell he'll send you to in short order.
Walkymedes has heard of this expert in attrition, known for overwhelming force
and superior strategy. Dangel for his part loves being told to fight his guts
out, and that's what your people have to do too since you can't reverse course
here. Helmet yells to the absent Death Gaia and Gildrome that he's different
from them, vowing to get under your people's skin, saying he can already feel
your people's bloody hearts in his hands, quivering in fear.
For a Skill point, take Helmet down in four turns.
When you smack Helmet around, he says that this shows there was value for his
coming. As his bluster continues, something _very_ unexpected comes out of
hyperspace: it's the _Soloship_, and a bunch of Baff Clan who seem to have
gotten dragged along in the Ideon's light. The fact that they just traveled
20,000 light years in a single leap is pretty astonishing, which Halulu
figures is further proof of the infinite power she's after. As Helmet
wonders who the hell these interlopers are, Shapiro orders him to return to
the moon, speaking as one who knows their power. He says that this directly
impacts the life or death of the whole Muge Zolbados empire. Walkymedes also
recognizes the folks, amazed that they're here in this galaxy. The Alliance
pulls out quickly just as Cosmo and Karsha are getting ready to beat the Baff
Clan senseless. Your squad is still trying to figure out what the hell is
going on when Reideen shows some kind of reaction to Ideon, the same feeling
he's had over and over again since the Balmar War. Ryouma's sensitive eyes
also detect Getter showing the faintest response to the newcomer, almost some
sort of mutual attraction.
Daimonji quickly hails the newcomers, and Halulu comes on the mic to speak
for her Baff Clan ship. She says her only mission is recovery of the giant
god Ide, claiming that she plans to leave this solar system as soon as she's
done. She warns you not to interfere lest you want your planet to get mixed
up in all this, firing a shot near you to get her point across. Bes
meanwhile has reluctantly decided not to ask the Earth forces for help, not
wanting to be the reason the colony fleet brings trouble back to the Earth's
door. As Cosmo laments not being able to get any aid so close to Earth,
Kusuha realizes that this is all too one-sided, and Brit agrees: these folks
came out of nowhere, said their piece, and are trying to keep you out of the
way at the end of a gun. Tetsuya agrees: at the very least your people can't
be satisfied with her explanation so far, and Ryouma asks her to put up her
weapons before further talks. She hesitates, and Shinobu suspects there's
something fishy going on. Daimonji tells her that he has too little
information to judge what's going on, and is asking to hear the other side of
the story when Halulu orders her men to fire. That pretty much decides that,
and Daimonji orders your people to attack (in self-defense O_o;;) and to keep
their hands off the red robot unless it shoots first.
Cosmo is glad to see that your people won't stand for being pushed around,
and Kalala notes that the sight of your people restoring justice in the face
of unreasonable violence is the very essence of a SAMURAI.
One of the enemies has a Magnetic Coating. Another has a Booster.
After another round of combat, Halulu gets impatient tangling with your
rather tough dudes, and sends out a whole horde of reinforcements (where did
they keep them all?!). Kalala tries calling her sister, lest her rescuers
turn out to be the losers here. When the link is established, Halulu demands
to know if Kalala knows how many precious soldiers' lives have been wasted
because of her foolish actions. Kalala says that it's the Baff Clan's fault
- your people only fought because they were attacked first. She begs her
sister to stop fighting, saying that she'll arrange for talks with the Logo
Dau people. Halulu asks, none too politely, if Kalala is planning to go
native with the Logo Dauians. When Kalala makes no answer, Halulu proudly
announces to all the soldiers that Kalala is a traitor who has sold out the
Baff Clan. She instructs her troops to laugh from the core of their being at
Kalala's foolishness, making ready to kill off her own sister. Bes, telling
Kalala that it's no more use, tells Cosmo to return to the ship so he can DS
Drive away in the hopes that the Baff Clan will follow them instead. Cosmo
can't bear the thought of having to go on running anymore, and at his grief
the Gauge lights up. Could this be some kind of weapon? Ryouma sure thinks
so from how Getter is reacting, and Cosmo barely gets the chance to order
your guys out of the way before charging in with all guns blazing. Geejay
tries to interpose himself in front of Halulu and gets his ass damn near
sawed in half. Halulu orders her ship to recover the survivors before making
a hasty DS Drive retreat.
With the battle over, Daimonji attempts to make contact with the Ideon and
Soloship. Bes must struggle to decide whether to join the Earth, knowing that
it will likely mix them up in his fight...
The commanders have returned to the moon, wanting an explanation forthwith from
Shapiro as to why he called them back. Shapiro says that with "them" in this
galaxy the battle is about to undergo a fundamental shift, which Walkymedes
wants proof of before believing it. Shapiro reminds them of his former
membership in a certain Empire, one which formerly ruled their homeworlds. He
asks Walkymedes to list the powers in this galaxy capable of measuring up to
the Ze Balmariy armada: that would be the giant Zentraedi and Meltrandi
warriors, and the Space Monsters. Shapiro says that there's one other such
power, but that those are the three the Empire has faced directly.
The Giants were once almost gaining the upper hand on the Imperial armies, but
over the past few years some mysterious force has been destroying their
warships near the galactic center, until now they've become vanishingly rare.
This is rumored to be the work of the monsters who drain life force, and with
the Space Monsters currently at a low ebb it would seem that no power left in
this galaxy should be able to oppose the Empire. Helmet angrily points out
that forces from outside the galaxy, namely his, are sure to snuff out the
Empire's flame. Shapiro says that the Balmar aren't fools - they've
anticipated the arrival of threats from outside the galaxy, one of which being
an army from another galaxy: the Baff Clan. Dangel figures they don't look so
tough, but Shapiro warns them all that the Baff Clan's strength is in numbers -
numbers possibly vaster even than the Balmar themselves. The Clan of course
realize the risks in fielding an army in a _different_galaxy_ - from what he's
seen today he doubts they're involved in a full-scale invasion. In short,
nobody knows _why_ they're here, and Helmet is looking forward to crushing them
if they get in his way. Shapiro, knowing the Baff Clan are still somewhere in
the Earth Sphere, wants to watch what they do next. Helmet doesn't like the
sneaky approach, but Shapiro warns him that any disobeying his orders is
tantamount to treason against their Emperor himself.
Helmet stalks off in a huff, a mere hot-headed warmonger in Shapiro's view.
Walkymedes is smart enough to be worried, but Shapiro tells him that if they
play their cards right the Baff Clan could prove useful against the Balmar. In
this Walkymedes sees why his emperor values Shapiro's vengeance against the
Empire so much. That is, after all, the common goal that unites the Alliance,
and Shapiro figures that the Earth's power will be needed to topple the Empire
entirely. For that, Walkymedes is figuring on slaughtering the Alpha Numbers
when they reach the moon, but Shapiro is privately thinking that his objectives
reach far farther than that... He also figures that Ideon must be a facet of
the same divine power that he glimpsed earlier.
Bes has apparently decided to confide in the Earthlings. Daimonji is, as could
be expected, in some amount of shock. What's more, it seems that there are now
at least three different time streams: 1 year on Earth, 3 on Solo, and 35 for
the Megaroad fleet. Sakon suspects this is connected to all the dimensional
instability you've been observing - time-space pollution, if you will. The
Megaroad fleet must have been more heavily affected by it than the rest of you
- which all makes theoretical sense, but begs the question about what is
_causing_ the pollution in the first place. Sakon hopes it doesn't portend
something even worse in store, such as another Big Bang, or a "Big Crunch".
In any case, it's clear that the aliens are after the presumably finite, but
still immense power the Ideon possesses. Pete is the sort to try to beat more
information out of Kalala forthwith, but Bes tells him that he wants her
treated with care, considering her informational value and whatnot. Pete
guarantees this, saying that your people know well enough how to treat their
prisoners respectfully. He corrects himself, referring to Kalala as an "ally"
and admitting that in this day and age it's nonsense to think of all aliens as
the enemy even given how some of them want to invade Earth.
Kalala meanwhile is fretting that she can no longer return to the Baff Clan.
Bes tells her that they're both fellow "aliens" now. She tearfully tells him
that her place is here with him, a true SAMURAI [o/~ Yuuuki dake no *SUHADA*
de~~~~~!! *choke* *wheeze* omg.] Daimonji tells Bes that he'll take
responsibility for the Soloship until the Federation sends orders regarding
them all, and gently tells Bes not to forget that they're all fellow humans.
Scenario 21E. Pretty Devil
Guld and Isamu give the low-down on the aliens who attacked the Megaroad fleet.
They're definitely not Zentraedi, but rather some other race who seems to
subsist by draining life force. Isamu relates how their victims are left as
little more than husks, all of whom ultimately die. This has earned them the
nickname "Vampires" among the Megaroad, and judging by the force that attacked
there appear to be quite a lot of them - possibly at least Botolzar class.
It's clear that the Earth makes a great hunting preserve for them, but what's
not clear is how they _found_ the Earth. Isamu can be reassured that it's
unlikely the Plus pilots were followed - Leo claims it was more than miraculous
that they made it to Earth in the first place. But it's also clear they didn't
just come through the gate, since that would have required an obvious showdown
with the Imperial forces within sight of Icarus. Misato figures the only
explanation is some force your people don't yet comprehend, something
deliberate, and wonders privately if that's why Gendou gathered you all
together.
Cagalli and Kisaka have decided to join your forces, apparently following
Burning's men. Kisaka explains that neither of them are originally from
Africa, but merely joined the resistance since they can't forgive the Zaft's
actions. Asuka points out to them that the Zaft aren't your only enemies
before ambling off, and Kisaka asks if Cagalli is worried about where the
Gundam is headed. Cagalli angrily says that she's got an obligation to see how
the thing is used, and Kisaka says that she'd better be more observant, lest
she lose sight of things around her. Her father would be inconvenienced if her
cover was blown- Just then Kira comes in, claiming to have heard nothing of
the previous exchange. Cagalli apologizes for striking him, saying that while
it wasn't _not_ her intention, it wasn't really intentional. Capiche?
Cagalli's awkwardness seems to set Kira at ease, and Cagalli says that she's
been wondering all this time what Kira's been up to since letting them escape
from Heliopolis. Cagalli is still in some disbelief that Kira would appear
before her again, piloting the same Gundam and apparently in league with the
Federation army. Kira says with some bitterness that many things have happened
since then, and then asks what Cagalli is doing here - isn't she an Orb child?
Meanwhile, it seems what warped out is City 7, separated from the Soloship and
from Battle 7. Something is approaching fast, and Miria realizes straight off
that without knowing the situation here on Earth, even other Earthlings could
be a threat. Therefore, her powers as head of the city authorize her to sortie
the Diamond Force. Gamlin marvels at seeing Earth, which he's dreamed of his
whole life, under circumstances like this, and Kinryuu tells his men to honor
their squad's name and protect the city no matter what. When the enemy show
themselves, Gamlin wonders how they've followed you to Earth, and surmises they
came in the same Fold that brought City 7. It's all the more reason to strike
them down, but with the imbalance of power Miria realizes that she may have to
take matters into her own hands.
Meanwhile, Gigil's men have apparently lost track of Sybil. Gigil is furious
at this, and figures that the only way to call her here is to elevate the
"samples"'s Spiritia level with a dose of good old fashioned fear.
On turn two, a VF-1 shows up, piloted by the once-and-future ace Miria. The
younger pilots are terrified that this woman, decades their senior, would fly
into combat, especially in an ancient machine like that, but she assures them
she's been taking very good care of her "antique". And even if this is for
the good of the citizens, Miria hasn't had a good dogfight in far too long...
On turn 3, Mylene marvels at how her mother still hasn't lost her flair for
flying. Unfortunately, that might not work against the numerous enemies -
until Federation forces show up that is! Isamu and Guld recognize the
enemies, as well as the residential section of a Neo-Macross class ship.
These were made to go along with the Megaroad fleet, but when the fleet set
out the thing was only 60% complete. There should be seven of them in all,
and each is bigger than the original Macross. What everyone would like to
know is what one of them is doing _here_ on Earth. Miria is quick to
perceive the shift in time's passage when she recognizes some of her old
Preventer comrades.
She hails your people, and Isamu recognizes the voice of Miria the ace
straight off. As a confused Maryuu watches, Amuro extends your people's
greetings, and your squads quickly organize to repulse the invaders. Gigil
for his part realizes that he's stumbled upon the homeworld of his "samples",
redoubling his efforts to elevate your Spiritia through fear.
As the Desert Tiger's men watch from the sidelines, Bartfeld suspects that
your people losing here could go badly for his men too. These seem to be a
different set of aliens from the Alliance who the Zaft are collaborating
with, though to be honest he's not thrilled with the Alliance either. He and
his lieutenant show up alone, requesting to your people a temporary truce to
help beat back the aliens. This confuses your people temporarily, and
Burning voices his opinion that this isn't a trap - Bartfeld has always been
an up-front kind of guy. Maryuu decides to take him up on his offer,
assuming full responsibility as commander. Bartfeld likes hearing from a
commander who knows how to get things done, and figures this will also serve
as a good test for his Ragus, including one with a new pilot... Cagalli
can't bear to be saved by the enemy, and sorties herself.
One enemy has a Magnetic Coating. Gigil is worth a High-Performance Radar.
As you smack Gigil around, Kinryuu prepares to swoop in and finish him off.
Just then, an enemy type you've never encountered before appears. It's a
woman, with agreeably long elf ears and a formidable figure - FLYING THROUGH
THE AIR and kicking Kinryuu's plane's ass. And draining his Spiritia for
good measure. Kinryuu has been badly shaken that a sexy babe could fly, much
less keep pace with his Valkyrie. Sybil mutters something about Alpha
Spiritia and flies inside the residential area, with Gigil in hot pursuit in
a mobile suit of his own. Miria tells Gamlin to assume command as your
forces pursue the aliens into the city.
Mylene wonders what's going on outside, and Ray says that it seems the
Federation military is on the scene. Mylene is glad the Feds will take out
the bad guys, but Basara seems peeved that militaries are the same
everywhere. Fortunately for him his Valkyrie has had some repairs done and
is waiting for him in Block Six. He tells Mylene that he wants to make Earth
hear his song. Just then Sybil breaks in, which Bihiida starts at. Basara
launches just as the Diamond Force shows up, and Gamlin is focused enough on
protecting the city to leave him alone. Gigil orders his men to go get Sybil
while he keeps you busy, which Basara overhears and decides to let Sybil hear
his song. Sybil senses in him Anima Spiritia.
For a Skill Point, shoot down Gigil before he can reach Sybil.
Your forces arrive on the next turn, wondering who is playing music during
the battle. It's the highly customized VF-19, whose pilot insists that
everyone stop fighting to listen to his song. Your people don't have a handy
way of shutting him up, so instead you concentrate on saving the city by
wasting the bad guys instead.
With Gigil out of commission, Gamlin tries to shoot down the woman who took
out Kinryuu. Basara warns him that missiles won't reach her heart, ignoring
Gamlin's order to fire and saying that his music works just as well on these
foes too. Whatever it is about Basara seems to be tormenting Sybil, as he
flies after her in an attempt to make her listen to his music. She ends up
fleeing the scene, and as the crowd goes wild it seems that Basara's music
saved the city. Kind of. Ray is sure that at least Basara himself won't be
satisfied with this performance, and in fact he flies off in pursuit of this
strange (flying, let's not forget flying, and ESPECIALLY let's not forget the
elf ears and other _salient_features_) woman. No one is sure what Basara is
thinking [well... oh, nevermind], but at least the battle is over.
Isamu is having a bit of trouble digesting the fact that 35 years have passed
for the Megaroad fleet. Guld says that "coincidence" does not begin to explain
any of this, and Misato adds that for Admiral Tashiro, the past two years on
Earth were as a mere 10 seconds. It belatedly dawns on Isamu that the lovely
Miria is now past 50, though he lamely stammers that she doesn't really look
it. Misato would love to know how Miria manages to have such great skin and
measurements, and Guld tells the quizzical Isamu that the Zentraedi and
Meltrandi DNA suppresses aging. Isamu notes that Guld's body certainly seems
to have aged at the same rate as his since their childhood together, which Guld
smiles and says sounds strange coming from someone whose head has _not_ aged
since then. In any case, Miria figures that the Battle 7, as well as the
enigmatic Soloship, must be somewhere nearby... as well as the Baff Clan,
unfortunately.
Just then Maryuu comes in with your new marching orders, pausing to receive
Miria's thanks on behalf of the city she helped save. Your orders are to
accompany City 7 to Alaska HQ with all possible speed, and to not expect any
reinforcements. Your higher ups do not like the prospect of the Federation
brass getting their hands on City 7, realizing that they may already have
Battle 7. Maryuu tells Miria that she'll protect City 7 on its quest to
reunite with Battle 7 and resume its colonial mission, and Miria is very glad
to see that the Lond Bel/SDF are still as reliable as ever.
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the Desert Tiger, he bailed as soon as
the battle was over, without a further word to you. This makes it quite clear
that the truce is over and that he'll be back in force before long. Miria
notes that this is sounding more and more like the Balmar war - the Earth is as
filled with unrest as ever. But at least the Alpha Numbers are here to help,
and Miria vows to fight by your side in place of the stricken Kinryuu. Isamu
once again protests about her age, but Miria firmly lets him know that this
former Meltrandi hellcat has not uttered her last meow. Isamu snaps her a
formal salute, thinking that poor Max must have aged in dog years having a
kitten like _this_ as his wife...
Just then Natarle comes in with a message from Rasheed's desert fighters: the
Zaft appear to have encountered a Colony battleship, taking it over and hauling
it to Gibraltar. Battle 7 could be a key to turning the tide against the
aliens, as well as a direct threat to City 7 in the wrong hands. Looks like
the Zaft just bought Miria as an enemy.
It seems Doctor Chiba stayed with City 7, and is currently caring for Kinryuu.
His case is abnormal for one attacked by the Vampires - his brain scan shows
some kind of abnormal activity, the first such case Chiba's seen. It seems
Kinryuu has been crying out in fear that the "woman is coming". Gamlin ponders
the woman inside the ball of light, quite different from the enemies you've
faced before. Gamlin is furious that another one of his comrades has fallen to
the enemy, and can offer Chiba little comfort as to the fate of their city.
A commotion is brewing on the Archangel between Sai and his fiancee Flay, who
has been hanging all over Kira as of late [at least the psychopathic slut has
good taste @_@]. Beecher is none too impressed that they'd be arguing amongst
themselves with so many enemies looming over you, and Wufei opines that such
easily-carried-away folk are unworthy of being listed among the Alpha Numbers.
Duo figures that that's an overstatement, but Brit says that at the least that
sort of argument cannot leave a good taste in any of the audience's mouths.
Kusuha is going to try to intervene, but Duo stops her. He warns her that
interlopers into fights like this have a nasty tendency to incur both sides'
hatred, and says that the best thing for them to do is settle it amongst
themselves. He points out that time is required to settle certain things, as
Kusuha herself should remember from the Balmar War. She and Brit both remember
how close they came to being eternally separated, and Duo recommends that
everyone clear out - he's sure the arguing couple wouldn't really want to be
overheard either.
Just then Kira walks in, ignorant of the firestorm. He wonders what's going
on, and Flay brushes Sai's "nothing that concerns you" aside to say that she's
already spent the night in Kira's room. Sai demands an explanation, which Flay
won't give, and Kira tries to calm Sai down while apparently taking Flay's
side. He says that Sai seems tired from the previous battle, and recommends he
get some rest. The enraged Sai tries to deck him, which fails spectacularly.
Kira, now angry, tells him to give it a rest - if this were a real fight
there's no way Sai would stand a chance against him. Camille walks in just
then, demanding that Kira unhand Sai at once and asking none too kindly if Kira
realizes what he's doing. More and more of your people walk in on the tableau.
Kira hesitates, and Camille asks if something is wrong with his ears: let Sai
go NOW. Kira is about to try to tell Camille that even he can't stop him, when
Camille asks if he thinks he can take you all on at once. In fact, there's any
number of people far stronger than he is among the Alpha Numbers, and not
physically: _mentally_! Kira starts pouting, saying that Bright had told him
that your people knew the same sadness he does. But no, you're all different
from him! Flay was always kind to him, holding him close and telling him she'd
protect him. He accuses you all of having no idea what he's felt like through
all the fighting he's done, but Shinji sets that record straight... or tries to
as the emergency buzzer goes off.
Word comes in that Bartfeld has burned the city of Tasshil, one of the
resistance's hideouts, as an example to others. What atrocious timing, as
usual. What's worse, Cagalli seems to have taken off on a solo attempt to grab
the Tiger by its tail, and Kira wonders why everyone around him is so damned
selfish.
Kira arrives on the scene first, asking if Cagalli wants to die. Why does she
want to jump into the fire, knowing that she can't do a damn thing? She
demands to know if he can't see Tasshil in flames, telling him that everyone's
fought so damn hard all this time, fought to protect the people and things they
love. This time Kira slaps her back, demanding to know just what feelings
alone could possibly protect.
Scenario 21S. Uragiri no Daishou ("The Reward for Treachery")
Taiga hands down the Federation's judgment regarding the Soloship, and it's not
pretty: the crew of the Soloship, which brought more invaders to Earth, are
ordered off the premises. This is a regression to the days of the Titans who
worked so hard to eradicate everyone considered an "outsider" from the Earth
Sphere, and matters seem even worse this time around. Interestingly, the
Federation brass seem preoccupied with a _Neo-Macross_ class ship which
appeared on Earth and fell into Zaft hands, leaving little time to dwell on the
Soloship's fate. Taiga will do what he can to look for a new home for its
occupants, and Daimonji agrees to hold onto them in the meantime.
Said Soloship people aren't exactly flourishing. Cheryl is still quite
distrusting of Kalala, using some technology to try to coerce more information
out of her about her home. Meanwhile, the news about the eviction breaks, and
Cosmo says that it pretty much figures the Earth would do something this
shortsighted. But hey, even if the Alpha Numbers seem of little help at least
they've got the Ideon, right?
They direct Kalala to tell them about Ideon's supposedly infinite power, power
far greater than antimatter. Kalala says that it's the power of... love,
power which can confer hope and bravery and passion to the heart. Cosmo
furiously asks what the hell she's saying when you asked about Ideon's power,
and she says that that's what she believes. For starters, do you dudes
actually think something as convenient as "infinite" energy actually exists in
this world? The unpleasant realization begins to dawn that Ideon may be a load
of bull [it took this long?!] as Kalala gets snapped out of her artificial
trance. But then, word comes in that there's a colony that will take them in.
It's Santos of the colony Felcorna, a colony seeking independence from the
Federation. This transmission is secret from the Alpha Numbers, since Santos
basically intends to break Federation law by taking them in and doesn't need to
add the Alpha Numbers to his list of adversaries. Bes then asks how Santos
heard about the order kicking the Soloship out, and Santos vaguely says that
he's got a number of moles inside the Federation to search for information like
that. He invites Bes to come over and visit and then think about what to do
from there, and is willing to give Bes a little time to think now - though he
cautions Bes that his time is running out.
Cheryl advocates going and hiding in this colony from the Baff Clan attack that
will surely come, but Bes points out that the Baff Clan aren't that lame -
they'll keep coming after you, and they'll be planning on winning. And going
and hiding in Felcorna is only going to make its populace targets too, despite
Cheryl's pleas of wanting proper facilities to study Ideon faster. Bes doesn't
trust Santos, but Cheryl furiously says that she doesn't trust the Alpha
Numbers either, and saying that Ide will remain an enigma forever walks off.
Cosmo comes to take her place, somehow commending Bes for not trying to make
nice with both Kalala and Cheryl. This rapidly degenerates into an argument
between the kid and the soldier, and before long Cosmo gets slapped when he
demands to know why Bes is being so tolerant of a woman from the enemy. Bes
shouts that he's a soldier, not some snot-nosed brat who judges everything with
his emotions. As Cosmo's insolence gets him slapped around some more, he tells
Bes that he'd better see the light - this is all the Baff Clan's fault, and one
woman's in particular.
Kalala is finding herself in the same boat as the Soloship - adrift in space
with no place to call home anymore. Just then, someone breaks into her room
and tells her to put her hands on her head. Whoever it is claims that they
won't hesitate to shoot aliens.
You're wondering what the crew of the Soloship will do now. Hayato figures
that the simplest solution would have simply been to turn the ship over to the
Baff Clan, though Benkei isn't at all sure that the Baff Clan would in fact
just take the thing and leave. Ryou for his part thinks giving Ideon to the
Clan would be dangerous, risking them turning around and using it on you.
Hayato agrees, but Ryou notes that it's _also_ dangerous hanging onto it
yourselves. Akira feels likewise, having some inkling that Ideon is too much
for human hands to handle. He feels as though Reideen is on edge, eyeing Ideon
- not a good thing to hear since the last time Akira said that it pertained to
the STMC.
Just then Ideon launches, with Hatari, Cheryl, and several others aboard...
including Kalala! It seems Cheryl has taken matters into her own hands, and
isn't shy about using Kalala as a hostage (though she claims it's nothing
personal). Lotta, the girl who pointed the gun at Kalala, is _not_ aboard - it
seems she overheard Cheryl's people plotting and decided to participate of her
own accord out of her overflowing hatred for Baff Clan like Kalala. The Ideon
quickly leaves the Soloship's radar range and flies off, presumably towards
Felcorna, and your people have no idea who's at the controls.
Cosmo and Bes agree that they've got to go recover Ideon, but just then a
message comes in from Santos, who seems rather upset to only get the giant
mech. He as much as admits that he's coveting the Soloship, since it
rightfully belongs in the hands of the rulers of the Earth (namely his crew).
He says that he would have given you great rewards if you'd just handed over
Ideon without getting all these strange ideas in your head - now, the women and
children are being held hostage. He orders Bes to bring the Soloship forthwith
if he wants to see them again safe, saying that he'll even throw in enough
money for them to make a living on Earth. He gives the fuming Bes until
tomorrow to respond...
Kalala is not impressed with someone who gladly takes hostages to obtain his
aims, but Santos figures that he who laughs last laughs best in this war for
world domination. He's delusional enough to think that he can just add Ideon's
great[?????] powers to his army, subjugate the Earth, and drive off the aliens
in one fell swoop. Cheryl realizes how hopeless this guy is, and Kalala is
ready to write off all the men of Earth based on this guy's bad example. Word
then arrives that some sort of intruder has entered the base, presumably trying
to get the giant robot back. Santos orders the intruders executed at once when
they're found.
The strange person Santos was addressing is one of the Docougar's combat
robots, which he took the liberty of acquiring when said secret society was
destroyed at the end of the War of Seals. Kalala says that taking over the
world using someone else's borrowed strength is not the workings of a SAMURAI,
and he tells her that she'll learn soon enough what "might makes right" means.
Hatari is lamenting just how lame he is, apologizing inwardly to Bes.
In fact, the intruders include several of the Alpha Numbers, who seem to have
taken the liberty of helping out despite the political climate. Which means
that an argument is likely at any moment if not for the steady leadership of
heroes like Gai. He tells Cosmo that he's not just helping for the sake of the
Soloship, but for the sake of all the people of the Earth Sphere. Hiroshi adds
that Santos is a grade-A villainous dude of some notoriety, but Cosmo starts
giving him plenty of attitude about playing the "ally of Justice" on his
account. Hiroshi is getting fed up with hauling an amateur like this on a
rescue mission, but Cosmo asserts that he's had ALL kinds of experience in
places Hiroshi could never imagine in outer space. Shinobu isn't going to let
Cosmo forget that he, the OH-SO-EXPERIENCED outer-spacer brought plenty of
enemies back to Earth with him....
Gai once again cuts the argument short, saying that he and Hiroshi will
distract the guards while the rest of you get to rescue the hostages. Tetsuya
and Shinobu will help secure Ideon, and Karsha is fixing to let both Cheryl and
Kalala have it for all the trouble they've caused. Cosmo has other ideas
though, he wants to fix it so Cheryl can more easily study the Ideon...
Your people then strike, with Bes bursting in on Santos and the ladies. Santos
commends him on seeking help from the Alpha Numbers, but has prepared a trap of
the Docougar robots. Santos tells Bes that it's his fault for coming in
person, and prepares to wipe him out when a certain someone starts explaining
just how bored she's gotten hearing him spell out each and every action he's
taking. It's Remy of the Good Thunder team, here on a mission from a certain
someone to make Santos' life miserable. Santos shows himself a misogynist as
well when he figures that Remy would look stunning on his leash, also pointing
out that there's only one of her to N of his goons.
This proves false when another mysterious figure comes out of the shadows and
cuts down one of the Sniper bots with a single sword stroke. It's _Bundorl_ of
all people, lecturing Santos that people who gather flowers that live and die
in the darkness just to slake their lusts is anything but beautiful. Santos
wonders why in the hell a former Docougar commander would join forces with his
one-time arch-enemy, and Remy will only say that strange times make for strange
bedfellows [SMIRK]. Before Bundorl can take Santos down, he readies his
personal Standard-Issue Villain Escape Pod and berates your people a bit. When
he flies off, Remy recommends hurrying to the dock, where her comrades should
have gotten the Ideon back by now.
They have, thanks to Shingo and Kiry, but you're not out of the woods yet so
the sentimental reunions will have to wait. Especially since Santos has more
old Docougar mecha up his sleeve: apparently evil megalomaniacs have joined the
recycling craze of late. Eco-friendly? We didn't think so. In any event, the
Goshogun team apparently isn't in league with Savalas anymore, so they have
neither the Goshogun or the Tri-Three. But, since they're pros AND are getting
paid for this, they'll work something out anyway. Tetsuya realizes that
Shingo's people are actually better off if you're not in their way, and joins
Gai in urging you forward. That's good enough for Shinobu, but the Ideon
people seem to be having some trouble getting the lead out. Shingo meanwhile
is flying circles around the enemy's attacks, lamenting that he's now the
_former_ main pilot of Goshogun. The Ideon's crew decides to stay and fight,
and Santos certainly seems confident of winning despite how much he claimed the
Ideon would lead to world domination not five minutes earlier.
Making things even more confusing, Savalas shows up in the middle of everything
and launches Goshogun for them. Shingo has SO been missing this.
Wipe out all enemies within five turns for a Skill Point.
The cavalry arrives on turn 3.
Once you take down enough of the enemy, bad things break out aboard the
Soloship. Kalala is in the process of leading the kids away from the bridge
so they won't bother Bes when someone fires at her from the shadows, missing
and running away. Kalala intends to follow this person, telling Rin not to
tell Bes what's happened.
The enemies have a Magnetic Coating and a Hybrid Armor. What an easy battle,
though Remy is wondering where Bundorl went...
Santos is in disbelief over how quickly his army was overthrown - is it the
case that both the giant robot _and_ the Alpha Numbers are monsters?! He plans
to make good his escape and report on all this to the Board, but Bundorl isn't
having any of that kind of disgraceful behavior. He tells Santos that the
least a bad guy can do is go out beautifully. He bids Santos au revoir and
blows him away, just in time for the Good Thunder team to arrive. He tells
them he's here at the behest of Kuttner, who has been doing quite well for
himself since his Docougar days. He's now on the Earth Security Council, and
his criminal faculties help him root out a new crop of bad guys like Santos,
who has been embezzling Federation weapons and material. Besides, Bundorl
hated to see the remnants of Docougar used for evil. He plans to disappear
again for a while, but tells mademoiselle Remy that she'll see him again one
day soon. He gallantly claims he'll send roses, which goes to show that his
noble veneer is also undimmed by the passage of time.
Meanwhile, Kalala has run down her assailant, the diminutive but still pistol
toting Lotta. Kalala tells her to just shoot her and get it over with if
that's what she really wants. Bes has learned about this little mess and runs
to the scene, demanding to know why Lotta is trying to shoot Kalala now. Lotta
musters the usual lame excuse about revenge for the family she lost on Solo.
Cheryl tries to point out that Kalala is cooperating with you now, but Lotta
doesn't care about "now". Always living in the past, it seems. Lotta is
pissed off and can't bear the thought of Kalala wandering around like one more
member of the crew, and Kalala tells her she understands. Lotta is, shall we
say, dubious, but Kalala tells her to go ahead and fire and asks Bes to stay
out of the way. Luckily, Lotta is a historically lousy shot, and she empties
an entire clip just so she can ding up the Soloship's walls. Lotta starts
mournfully saying that she's out of bullets like a little misconstructed robot.
Kalala is deeply saddened by the grief (and brokenness in the head) Lotta
shows, and tries to claim that the Ideon departure was all her doing for
wanting to return to the Baff Clan, not the work of deranged members of Bes'
own crew. That's good enough for Karsha to start slapping Kalala silly for all
the danger she's put your people in, and lo and behold Cheryl actually shows a
flicker of conscience at the sight of the unresisting Kalala's gafflement. She
points out to Cosmo that Kalala could hardly take all those people hostage, and
points out how easy it was to blame an alien rather than all the indispensable
Soloship crew who tried to flee. So now, everyone on the Soloship is in
Kalala's debt, which Cheryl would rather die than go on wandering through space
carrying on her conscience. Not that Cheryl is in a position to do anything
about any of that...
Savalas is going to leave Shingo the Goshogun, on the condition that they use
it to aid the Alpha Numbers. The Good Thunder team suspects there's more, and
Savalas cheerfully challenges them to figure out what. Given that the mission
to eliminate Santos is over, it seems that their calendar is actually open for
a while. Nothing wrong with them being allies of justice for a change, and
Savalas will even throw in OVA. Savalas is about to go off to attend to some
other business, but as a final warning he cautions Daimonji about Ideon. Sakon
figures that Savalas must know something about Ideon, which might be connected
to the mission he sent the Good Thunder team to the Soloship for.
Scenario 22E. Sajin no Hate ("The End of the Sandstorm")
Bartfeld is meeting a couple of new voluntary transfers to his unit: Yzak and
Diakka. Bartfeld is somewhat concerned about Yzak, who looks to be in rather
poor shape, but Yzak whips off his bandages to show apparently nothing worse
than a nifty facial scar. Bartfeld says that in his experience warriors who
can erase battle scars, but choose not to, do so for a reason - he looks
forward to seeing Yzak's reason, whatever it is, driving him to great things.
Yzak averts his face with a grimace, and Bartfeld says that such a reaction
tends to mean that the wound is a badge of shame. Yzak asks him to cut that
short and talk about where the Alpha Numbers and the "legged" one are.
Bartfeld blithely replies that they're in the palm of his hand... but that he's
going to need more than one way to skin all your cats. In other words,
Bartfeld can't really begrudge Creuset the trouble your people gave him. The
Coordinators excuse themselves to go work on their machines, and Yzak is in
full Dilandu vendetta mode.
DaCosta then comes by to discuss the new acquisitions with Bartfeld. Bartfeld
suspects that they'll actually only be in the way given that they've only got
space combat experience. DaCosta points out that their red uniforms mark them
as elites, but Bartfeld says that the bigger problem is that he's never liked
Creuset...
Elsewhere, your people get the report on Tasshil: city razed to the ground, and
not a single casualty. One thing seems clear about this mysterious turn of
events - it wasn't done to lure your people in, but more likely to crush the
will of the resistance who were based there. Misato has to admire the deft
footwork needed to attack your people in the morning and burn a city in the
same afternoon. The tiger really does seem to be living up to his nickname,
though Natarle can't figure out why he didn't just crush the resistance in a
head-on assault. Burning says that the Tiger is beyond a top-class warfighter,
but also cleaves to a set of morals: in his judgment, the Tiger is not the sort
to let civilians get caught in the crossfire. Cagalli however doesn't want to
hear any talk of the Tiger being a moralist - he did after all burn down an
entire city, and actually helped your people out to buy the time to do it.
Cagalli storms off to get more practice in in the Sky Grappler: she plans to
bring the Tiger to ground herself.
Amuro notes that Cagalli seems to be quite impatient, and Muu relates that she
and Kira apparently spoke at some length last night. Amuro personally
apologizes for allowing matters to deteriorate so far among your pilots, but
Burning says Amuro can't be blamed for the actions of a bunch of hormonal,
unrefined warriors. Misato is more concerned about Flay's affair, which she
notes can happen regardless of outside circumstances. Maryuu seems genuinely,
almost naively puzzled by how such a thing could occur, especially given that
Flay was supposedly Sai's girlfriend. Muu figures that it must have gotten
started since descending to Earth, since there simply wasn't time before - and
would be inclined to agree with Maryuu that it came out of the blue. Misato
disagrees, saying that despite her tender years Flay seemingly already sees
herself as a woman. In other words, Flay was the instigator: as Misato puts
it, does anyone really figure Kira for the type to lay a hand on his friend's
girl? As the others assent, Misato sighs and says that the expression "all's
fair in love" is mainly used by women.
The problem in her view is that the affair isn't a simple matter of romance,
else none of you would have any place to intervene. Muu isn't sure if Kira
began acting strange and thus entered the affair, or entered the affair first
and then started acting strange, but either way he fears for Kira's wellbeing.
Both Maryuu and Amuro grimly admit to being lulled by his superlative piloting
skills, and neglecting to care for his emotional side. Muu flatly states that
_all_ the adults who wanted him to fight are equally to blame - and lest you
forget, he's not the only kid his age being asked to participate in the Alpha
Numbers...
Muu is sure that your irresponsible expectations have driven Kira into a
corner, and when Maryuu asks for his suggestions he half smirks and says he's
not likely to be a good reference - at least, not with that look on his face,
Misato says. Amuro points out that _everyone_ faces similar worries... just
that in Kira's case, his special circumstances as a Coordinator seem to have
built a wall within Kira's heart without Kira even realizing it. Muu isn't too
optimistic about your ability to break down that wall, but Misato has a great
mission that might do to lift his spirits: going for groceries, with a few
friendly faces along to keep him from depression.
Shinji marvels at finding such a bustling, energetic town in the middle of the
desert. Cagalli says that it's all a ruse: this town belongs to the Desert
Tiger, and anyone who dissents here is ruthlessly shot. Asuka can't figure out
why on earth Misato would send them all to a place like that, or rather, why
Misato chose the specific party makeup. Kira looks downcast as Cagalli informs
you all that that's her line: why does she have to haul a bunch of amateurs
like you here? Rei understands - it's for camouflage, since your crew make
about the most unlikely-looking group of elite warriors the world has seen in
some time. Still, it's hardly the case that Japanese middle schoolers just
show up in Africa at random, and Cagalli is ready for another tongue-lashing
when Shinji suggests Cagalli show them where to get breakfast. After all,
everyone gets irritable when they're hungry. Cagalli relents, smiling for
maybe the first time as she starts looking for a tasty store she knows. Kira
confides to Shinji that he's amazed that Shinji was able to placate her with
his words, and Shinji says wryly that he's had a lot of practice with Asuka.
Kira starts smiling at this, and Shinji is glad to see that Misato's read on
the situation was right on.
Cagalli's chosen food is "donel kebab", or something along those lines. Rei
will predictably stick to the veggies only, and Kira asks how to go about
eating the tasty-looking dish. Cagalli tells him to put chili sauce on it, but
just then a nearby diner intervenes. He's adamant that yogurt sauce is the way
to go with this dish, going as far as to say that _not_ putting yogurt sauce on
it is like an insult to the kebab. Cagalli primly tells him that no stranger
has the right to cast aspersions on her style of eating, and squeezes a big
blob of chili sauce onto Kira's plate. The "mysterious" man tries to stop her
from corrupting Kira too, and in the ensuing tug-of-war Cagalli ends up
_wearing_ the chili-sauced kebab. The man also loses his hat and sunglasses,
revealing the weathered, handsome features of the Desert Tiger himself. As his
identity sinks in for your people, Bartfeld smiles disarmingly and insists on
making amends for his rudeness.
Later, he and Kira are sitting together in his mansion, about to savor some of
his famous coffee. Kira was happy sending the others back early with all your
groceries, also thinking to himself that he needed Shinji to get word back to
the others just in case something, you know, _happens_ here. As Kira takes
advantage of Bartfeld's request to make himself at home, he notices a wall
relief of Evidence 01. He tells Bartfeld that he's never seen the real thing,
but just then Basara of all people comes into the room. Bartfeld found him
standing alone in the desert, playing his heart out to the desert vastness
alone, and invited him to his house. Basara's suffering from broken guitar
strings, and Bartfeld's coffee seems to at least partially make amends.
Bartfeld returns the conversation to Evidence 01, apparently some kind of
winged space creature. He notes that the existence of such a creature isn't
all that strange with all the aliens invading the Earth and whatnot, but is
still somehow drawn to its flying majesty. Basara adds that it's creatures
like this that make space interesting, and Kira thinks that Basara seems like
someone who's seen deep space with his own eyes. Bartfeld would have preferred
something like Evidence 01 coming to Earth instead of the guests he actually
got, and Basara says that if you don't like what comes to you, the only choice
is to get in motion yourself. Basara in fact does just that, thanking Bartfeld
for the coffee on his way out the door.
Kira isn't sure himself what to make of the coffee, and Bartfeld wryly says
that this "grown-up" flavor, for all its pleasures, is a bit of a pain too.
That applies to Evidence 01 as well: he says that mankind apparently knew of
the existence of extraterrestrial life before starting to colonize. This was a
hopeful thing, an opening of possibilities - a sign that mankind still had
somewhere to advance to. It was in fact the impetus for the whole "space age",
the genesis of the Coordinators, and ultimately of this very war. His gaze
momentarily abstracted, Bartfeld ponders Basara's words about moving if you
don't like waiting - they're the first thing he's heard in a very long time
that gives him some hope for the future.
Just then Aisha comes in, having _considerably_ tidied up Cagalli. Kira is
very much at a loss for words, especially with an irritable and self-conscious
Cagalli to deal with, and Bartfeld and Aisha laugh at his reaction. Bartfeld
opines that the dress fits Cagalli perfectly: she's the very model of beauty...
that is, provided she could keep her perpetually vulgar mouth shut. Cagalli
counters by asking what the Tiger is up to: is making girls wear dresses just
another one of his diversions? By this she means wandering around town
incognito, or giving the citizenry time to escape before burning down their
town.
Bartfeld tells her he likes her eyes - sharp as a razor. He tells the fuming
girl that her eyes bespeak the willingness to attack without fear of death -
just the sort of thing people do when placed in circumstances they can't bear
living under any longer. He asks her if she'd prefer death to life, and then
seeks Kira's view. How does he, as a mobile suit pilot, think this war can be
ended? Both Kira and Cagalli wonder how he knew they were with the Alpha
Numbers, and he laughs and says that too much directness can mean trouble.
Laughter abating, he tells them that, unlike sports, war has no time limit or
particular rules. Given that, how can one designate winners and losers? What
signifies that time is up?
He then draws a gun, asking with dangerous mildness whether victory comes from
utterly wiping out the enemy. As Kira tenses for action, Bartfeld advises him
to give it a rest: there's no way even a berserker like him could make it out
of here alive. He claims that everyone in this house is a Coordinator like
Kira, which comes as some surprise to Cagalli. Bartfeld tells Kira that he's
seen him fight twice: he rates him as exceptional even compared to his other
compatriots. Certainly, Bartfeld isn't a big enough fool to buy the line he's
been fed that Kira's skills are those of a Natural. In any case, though
Bartfeld doesn't know Kira's reasons for turning on his fellows, he does know
that Kira's piloting has made him Bartfeld's enemy. He then smiles, asking
once again whether the only way to end the war is really to obliterate the
opposition.
Bartfeld then shrugs, telling Kira that he's here today as a guest, in a home
and not a battlefield. He tells Kira to go home, saying that he had fun
chatting, though he doesn't know whether the results will be good or ill. His
last words to Kira are, "See you on the battlefield".
Back on guard duty at your ship, Kira is fretting over Bartfeld's question.
Flay comes over to offer some sympathy for today's hardship, then starts musing
about how stupid Sai is. Kira starts at this, but Flay happily goes on
lambasting Sai for a fool for fighting Kira even though he couldn't possibly
win. Kira looks away, telling Flay gently but firmly to go back to the ship,
mumbling an apology that he wants to be alone. Flay actually complies, leaving
Kira recalling the showdown with Camille. He knows full well the truth of
Camille's words, that he's not the only one fighting, that his power alone
avails nothing...
Just then Shinji and Kou show up with a bit of coffee to help keep their young
sentry warm in the chill desert night. Misato whipped this batch up from
instant powder, and when Kou grimaces at it Shinji smiles and says it's
probably brewed that way to help keep them awake. Kou actually suspects that
Misato just likes her coffee this way, and after a moment Shinji realizes that
he's probably right. After a pause, Kira asks Kou about all the times he's
tangled with the Desert Tiger - what is the Tiger like? Kou allows that that's
a difficult question, and tries to sum it up in a single word: "big". Not just
in force of arms, but everything the man does seems somehow grand in scale.
Kou asks Kira to tell _him_ about the Tiger, since he just met him: if nothing
else, you and he may be trading life and death on the battlefield. Kira,
downcast, says that Flaga said that people are better off not knowing their
enemies personally - and Kou agrees that that's probably correct. Nonetheless,
Kou feels that fighting _knowing_ who it is you're fighting is necessary. He
tells Kira about a certain man he'd been chasing for time out of mind. At
first, Kou merely hated him, but when he finally learned what ideals drove his
foe to fight, he discovered his own purpose for standing on the battlefield.
Kou is of course speaking of Anavel Gato, the man once numbered among the Jion
as the "Nightmare of Solomon".
Kou confides to Kira that before he met Gato, he fought out of duty as a
soldier. But "duty" and "obligation" are separate from the meaning behind why
one fights, as Shinji can attest. He once piloted his EVA at the whims of the
world around him, but is now there firmly of his own free will. That's what it
"means" to him to fight. Kira still hesitates, but Shinji tells him that every
member of the Alpha Numbers is in that same boat: many of its members aren't
even soldiers, but rather people who somehow got swept up in the fighting.
Shinji had his doubts, tried to run away from it all on no few occasions. But
at the end of it all, all he found was... his own world. Cowering there would
not make anyone extend him their hand.
Kou suspects Kira is beating himself up inside, and tells him that he's not the
only one grappling with such feelings. He says that those feelings tend to
make one feel trapped, losing sight of their surroundings and feeling as though
they've got to do everything by themselves. To feel that they've got to try
harder, in isolation. This treacherous line of thought clouds one's eyes, and
thoughts, making one lose sight of the meaning behind their fight. Making
them, in short, feel as though they're being _forced_ to fight. Kira once
again tries to protest, but Kou smiles and tells him that there's no need to
rush - these kinds of worries aren't the sort of thing that another person's
words can magically cure. Pointing out to the East, he says that dawn is about
to break, and predicts another hot day today. He's very right, as the air raid
sirens go off. Is Bartfeld at it again?!
Maryuu notifies everyone that she figures the enemy is going to try for a
decisive battle here. Said in reverse, if you can defeat the Desert Tiger
here, not only can you escape Africa but also quell the fighting in this entire
region. Miria knows full well that if the Zaft have stolen Battle 7, you'll
have to steal it back. This means the assistance of all the Alpha Numbers, and
Miria seems to have gotten very good at using the excuse of protecting her
citizens' safety to fly combat missions. She's even had Kinryuu's mech
repainted, and lightly but firmly tells Gamlin that she'll brook no backtalk
from him on the matter. Brit meanwhile tries to reassure Kira, offering that
while he really isn't qualified to say so, confusion in battle is to be avoided
at all costs. Kira crisply agrees, and Asuka is glad that Shinji's little pep
talk or whatever appears to have worked somewhat - she's still reserving
judgment of course.
When the enemy appears, you see a couple of the Gundams you tangled with in
space: looks like they followed you here. Bartfeld addresses you all, with
some important news regarding Battle 7. As you know, the Zaft have it in their
grasp, and he requests that you give up the matching City 7, along with all the
associating rights for governing its population of colonists. He says further
that if you hand over City 7, the brass are prepared to let you move freely
through their territory. Miria then gets on the mic, giving Bartfeld an earful
that his demands to hand over the self-governing colony ship are tantamount to
an invasion. Bartfeld says that he agrees completely, but tells her that as
someone who's traveled through space she should know that this isn't the time
for such rhetoric. In any case, you've got no reason to give into the demand,
and Maryuu tells everyone that the time has come to settle all this once and
for all. Bartfeld laments that he seems to have upset you, saying that he had
hoped to do his duty without spilling any blood, and DaCosta says that that's
rather futile considering that this is a, oh, WAR and all. Bartfeld resigns
himself to fulfilling his duty by destroying the Alpha Numbers after all,
drawing a cry of anguish from Kira.
For a Skill Point, take down the Receps in five turns.
One of the bad guys has an Apogee Motor. Yzak is worth a Hybrid Armor.
Diakka is worth a multisensor. Bartfeld is worth an A-Adaptor.
When you smack down the Receps, Bartfeld tells DaCosta to send out the
evacuation signal. DaCosta hesitates, but Bartfeld tells him that this
battle is already decided - their best move is to gather the survivors and
regroup at Carpenteria. He tells Aisha to clear out too, but she says she'd
rather die first. Bartfeld smiles, saying she must be as foolish as he
himself, and emerges in his own personal mech. Kira pleads with him to
retreat, saying that this battle is already over, but Bartfeld reminds him
sternly that there are no rules or clear time limits in war. As Kira
hesitates, Kou urges him to fight, saying that if he doesn't _he's_ the one
who's going to die here. He tells Kira to find the means to prove the Tiger
wrong within himself - or else to leave this place altogether. Bartfeld
likes Kou's speech, having heard of the Gundam pilot who fought the Nightmare
of Solomon to a standstill. However, he says that Kou seems to have chosen
the path of destruction. Kou tells him he's got things to fight for, and
everyone agrees that it's time to end things here and now or there can be no
going forward. Kira finds no other choice but to fight, just as Bartfeld
said: fight until one or the other of them is annihilated.
Bartfeld is now worth a Custom OS. Aisha and he confer that it must be hard
for Bartfeld to fight Kira, the sort of boy he would normally see as a
friend. But hey, this is war.
Bartfeld still won't be done, and demands that Kira show him the answer he's
found. The Strike Gundam's power rises to dangerous levels as Muu calls out
to Kira. Bartfeld strikes a vicious blow, but Kira's counterattack finishes
Bartfeld's Ragu, his vehicle since the day he entered the army, off. Kira
cries out in anguish that he never wanted to kill anyone...
At the Plant, Patrick receives word of Bartfeld's squad's destruction. This
may take some of the heat off of Patrick, letting his Operation Spirit Break,
an attack on the Panama Base, proceed. Patrick tells Siegel that the Zaft are
all moving as one, something Siegel would do well not to forget. Siegel
responds that hatred is spreading along with the embers of war - and just how
far does Patrick intend _that_ to go? He reminds Patrick that the Earth is
being _invaded_ by _aliens_, but Patrick blithely says that that's all the more
reason he's got to bring a swift and decisive end to the war. He tells Siegel
that the Coordinators are a new strain, and need not coexist with the Naturals,
but Siegel angrily points out that those Coordinators are in fact stuck in
traffic right now, unable to move - just how does that make them a new strain
of humanity? Patrick figures that scientific knowledge can push the people and
their offspring ever farther forward, but Siegel tells him that life is _born_,
not created. Patrick pooh-pooh's this sort of old-fashioned thinking, saying
that what the people want is a better tomorrow. This sort of pollyannistic [is
that a word? ;)] world view is something that Patrick says there's no returning
to Normalcy from, and that he's accelerating the timetable at Gibraltar. He
plans to explain Lacus' absence by saying she's ill, which Siegel can only
accede to meekly. Siegel tells him inwardly that the Coordinators haven't
evolved one bit...
Creuset then gets woken from some sort of nighttime hallucinations by a phone
call, telling him that Spirit Break has been approved. But whoever is giving
the orders has a "true" version of the operation in mind and asks Creuset to
see to it. Creuset is sure that whoever he's addressing is surely to succeed
Siegel in his position very soon now, and asks the caller to hold up his end of
the bargain. Apparently Siegel is talking to Patrick, and Creuset wants him to
continue getting carried away.
Meanwhile, Max is having it out with the Zaft brass in Gibraltar. He points
out to them that Battle 7 was granted independence the moment it left the
Earth. On those grounds, Max requests that the Zaft unhand the ship
immediately. The Zaft commander says drily that Max doesn't seem to be
listening to his explanation of the nasty situation on Earth. He wants Max's
help in the fight for independence from the Federation government. Max
concedes that the Zaft seem to have some legitimate grievances, and that all is
not right with the Federation's actions - but he wants this Zaft guy to hear
what he's saying too: not just the Earth Sphere, but the whole _galaxy_ is in
danger of destruction. In short, Max wants the Earthlings to put aside their
differences and band together. The Zaft guy figures that the best way to do
that is to topple the Federation government, and Max realizes that this is
getting nowhere slow. With "negotiations" deadlocked, the Zaft commander says
that he'll be using Battle 7 for military purposes, including it in a giant
blitzkrieg in three days' time. Max realizes that this guy is up to the same
nonsense the Titans once were, and curtly tells the man to do as he wishes.
And in return, Max wants the safety of his crew guaranteed, and the man will do
so... keeping them as "guests" during the operation. As the Zaft leaves, Max
thinks to himself that he's made the worst decision that a captain could make.
But, he thinks with a glint in his eye and a devious smile on his lips, he's
not the sort to not throw his own monkey wrench into the works...
The commander reports to Marge that matters are settled with Battle 7. He also
says that the Plant has confirmed Lacus' absence. Apparently Sharon Apple will
just have to fill in, with Battle 7 as her stage. The Zaft asks if Sharon's
properly debugged or not, and Myung angrily says that Sharon already has an
independent personality - she doesn't want Sharon talked about like a mere
piece of software. The Zaft is sure this is just some mere electronic trick,
and Myung retorts that she could say the same of the propaganda touting Sharon.
Marge tells her to cool it and not upset their sponsor, and points out that if
not for certain dealings he did under the table Sharon would never have debuted
at all. The Zaft commander harumphs a bit and tells them he's counting on them
to get him results, and Myung inwardly tells Isamu and Guld that she's really
gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd.
Scenario 22S. Hatsudou Suru Chikara, Mugendai ("Unleashed Power, Unlimited")
Everyone is reaching the same unpleasant conclusion that the Ideon ought not to
hang around the Earth, especially now that Earthlings who lust after its power
have showed themselves. That said, its power only manifests under certain
special conditions; namely, when its crew's lives are in danger. It's as
though it has a will of its own, and Sakon asks if he could join Cheryl in her
investigations. Cosmo quickly distrusts this, doubting loudly that some bunch
of Earthlings could have the faintest idea what his people are going through.
He tells Sakon to look at whatever the hell he wants on Ideon, but not to think
he can do the same with those who ride it. He storms off, leaving Daimonji to
lament that Cosmo's enmity is far from unjustified. With the Baff Clan and the
"Vampires" on the scene, the Federation's actions in shunning the Ideon can
best be described as "lunacy". That sort of lunacy already claimed Brazilar,
and Daimonji says he appreciates Bes' attempt to divert alien attention by
leaving the Earth Sphere. However, he isn't one to turn his back on his fellow
man, and will offer the Ideon shelter as long as he can. Sakon does indeed
intend to research it until the Federation sends troops to evict Ideon by
force. Cheryl seems a tad troubled by this...
Your crew marvel at the vast amount of space inside the Soloship - the Sixth
Culture who built it must have been giants, much like, say, the Zentraedi. You
then get to meet some of the numerous rugrats who just so happened to get taken
aboard as Solo was getting ravaged - orphans one and all. Hayato cautions
against getting to sentimental towards these kids - nothing good could come of
it given that the entire lot will have to leave Earth sooner or later. Cosmo
shows up and agrees, telling Rin to take the kids elsewhere. Kouji tells
Cosmo, now your colleague, to chill a bit, and Cosmo wants an explanation of
why he should trust people who are essentially overruning his home. Karsha
gets into the act too, and Kouji says that your people didn't come here to
start a fight, trying to herd your people elsewhere. Before she leaves, Kusuha
points out that Cosmo's crew may have had it tough, but it's not exactly a
picnic on Earth either. Doesn't he find it sad that fellow Earthlings should
hate each other like this? In fact, your crew was once told to leave the Earth
Sphere too during the Balmar War...
Cosmo cuts her off, saying that he's the one who's getting kicked out now.
Ryou has had enough of this, saying that he'd wanted to hear Cosmo's stories of
outer space, but no more at this rate. Cosmo tells him that he'd best get his
ass out there and see it for himself, and then maybe he'd get what Cosmo is
trying to say.
Joliver is showing Sakon around the enormous hangar, an armory of sorts for
Ideon, as well as a junkyard for stuff damaged during the assault on Brazilar.
Mamoru marvels at just how much garbage there is, and Sakon observes that
Mamoru's G-Stone hasn't reacted to Ideon's power, meaning it must not be
connected with the Zondar. Mamoru _does_ spy something else, however - it's
*Chouryuujin*, which they snagged from interdimensional space during the DS
Drive that brought them to Earth. Gai and Mamoru lament how there doesn't seem
to be anything to do for their departed comrade, and Gai tells Chouryuujin to
rest in peace.
Cheryl shows your people inside Ideon's A cockpit, populated with lots of
mundane controls. Akira had pictured something more like Reideen's cockpit,
recalling Reideen's initial reaction to Ideon and wondering now if it was just
his imagination. Sakon and Kosuke can only conclude that Ideon's power isn't
in its control systems, but in the "Power of Ide" hidden deep within. Cosmo
isn't impressed, saying that even Cheryl found out that much, but he gets
ignored as Sakon asks Kalala what the Baff Clan's "tangible proof" of Ide's
existence was. Kalala relates how it all started several years ago, when the
Baff homeworld was struck by a meteor. This meteor came from Logo Dau, i.e.
Solo, and apparently made the same kind of crater that was on Baff from
antiquity. This highly dubious reasoning has them all convinced that the
legend of Logo Dau is real, but Cheryl is now wondering if Ide really is some
form of energy. Certainly the Baff scientists claim that it's something akin
to solar power, capable at least of moving a meteor. Cosmo wonders if they
really think they can control that, and Kalala's father Doba once said that if
he could get his hands on Ide, peace would come to the whole of space.
Well, that's not very definite. Kalala tries to help by saying that Ide is
also known among the Baff as the "Shining Pearl" and the "Second Sun", which
goes back to the Ide fairy tale which grips the Baff Clan. It's also said that
the hero who fails to protect Ide from the hand of evil will be burned alive
for their transgression, and forced to live in the outer darkness. This is
less like a "fairy tale", and more like a "myth" [See Stephen Sondheim's "Into
the Woods" for a concrete example]. Sakon says that there are too many
examples of myths containing kernels of truth to count, and Cosmo wonders if
this means that the Baff Clan will get punished because your people made off
with Ideon.
Kalala offers to tell you more of Baff Clan tradition to be of more use to you,
though Cheryl sarcastically says that Kalala could just leave it at "of use to
Bes". Bes tells Cheryl that she's gone too far, and Sakon hastily says that
he'd like to try running the data he's gathered through the Daikuu Maryuu's
main computer. Unfortunately, it's liable to be a bit under-powered, seeing as
how it's also got to run the ship, and your people begin to wish they could
access Gloria at the Moon Cradle. That would of course require getting rid of
the Alliance forces who control that area...
...Which was, strangely enough, your mission in the first place. Cheryl has
put in a formal request to Daimonji, and the Soloship's crew will participate
in the operation too. There is brief dissent while you recall that the Baff
Clan will surely follow wherever the Ideon goes, and will probably bring a lot
more forces next time. But eventually Daimonji realizes that there's no real
reason _not_ to fight your enemies the Alliance, especially if it serves as a
chance to placate the Soloship's crew.
The strategy is for your people to distract the enemy while the Soloship breaks
into the computer facility. Be VERY GRATEFUL that this isn't quite the same
Moon Cradle as in Alpha Gaiden - there's merely a certain Alliance ambush
somewhere in the works. Cosmo admits to Ryou to not liking your people, but
also says that he's not a kid - he knows that it's time to set aside their
differences to defeat their mutual enemy. That suits Ryou just fine.
For a Skill Point, get the Soloship totally undamaged to the objective within
four turns.
Once you reach the computer facility, the Baff Clan do in fact attack in
force. Halulu tells her troops to ignore the other aliens and concentrate on
Ideon, and Ryou urges Bes to concentrate on accessing Gloria. Cheryl even
tells Cosmo that she believes in his power - he doesn't know what has gotten
into her, but if she promises to unlock the secrets of Ideon he won't let her
die either [how sweet]. Kalala comes along with your people, and when Geejay
sees this he breaks ranks and starts trying to follow your people into the
base.
For reasons unknown, Sakon actually has Gloria's password: "Aegis Dianna".
What's more, Gloria is positive that Ide actually exists, and furthermore
that it is energy: literally infinite energy. Assuming that this is correct
and such unlimited energy exists, the next step would be to analyze Ideon's
systems....
As Bes and Kalala stand guard outside, Geejay comes over and finds that
Kalala is _not_ coming back with him. She says she wants to know more about
Ide, and wants a way to end this pointless war. She won't dispute his
allegations that she, the daughter of Commander Doba, would go over to the
aliens' side. Geejay has no choice but to take her back by force, and
challenges Bes to a duel as one SAMURAI to another. If Geejay wins, he gets
Kalala back, but if he loses.... well, he'll stop pursuing your people. Bes
can dig it, and Kalala willingly stands back to watch. Your other crew
members show up to try to assist Bes, but he yells at them that this is a
duel: he intends to answer justice with justice, as any SAMURAI should! Just
then a massive blast shakes the whole facility, forcing everyone to retreat.
As Kalala runs away from the interrupted duel, she tells Geejay that she can
no longer return to the Baff Clan, and not just because of her sister.
Your people are now reunited, and ready to blow away both the remaining
Alliance forces and the Baff Clan, who are ready to respond in kind. Kalala
warns Cosmo about her sister's servants the Bufu twins, also known as the
Twin Devils. Their teamwork is far above that of normal soldiers, perhaps
due to that whole sibling telepathy thing.
When you first tangle with the main Baff Clan ship, it becomes clear that
things are going to turn into a war of attrition, a war that [theoretically]
you're on the losing side of. This changes when the power of Mamoru's
G-Stone calls to Chouryuujin, who revives with a burst of massive (and
unknown) energy, energy they met while in interdimensional space:
_*THE_POWER*_!!!!! [much fanfare] They wished to THE POWER to go on living,
to meet you all once again. THE POWER filled their bodies, and brought them
back here. This sounds rather hard to believe, but Ideon is positively
responding.
Kiyaya is worth a Multisensor. Doppa is worth a Biosensor. Geejay is worth
a High Performance Radar. He says that he wants to see the whole of this
power that seduced Kalala - meaning that he'd best retreat here instead of
laying down his life.
Halulu is worth an A-Adaptor. She realizes that her people's ass is toast if
you were ever to decide to actually attack her own planet. So much for
universal domination.... would be the logical conclusion, but instead she
figures that what needs to happen is that the giant robot and the "Logo
Dauians" (by which she means the Earthlings) must be wiped out.
With Halulu's ship stopped, Cosmo tells Bes that the time to finish it off is
now if he's going to. Kalala tells Bes that her sister would probably prefer
being killed off than being let live by a man. Just then a certain someone
calls her up, telling her that help is on the way. Halulu says that if the
caller is Dalam Zuba, he's got a lot to answer for for just watching her
getting her ass hosed. Bes orders everyone to keep up the attack, and Kalala
figures that the sisterly hate is about to be over.
Not quite yet, since the newcomer's appearance gives Halulu just enough time to
DS Drive away.... which is sort of salvation to your battle-weary dudes. As
you wonder just how much warpower these guys have, Bes observes that the Baff
Clan seems to have left the Solar System - for now.
In any case, Gloria is now wrecked - Shapiro would prefer it that way rather
than let you have it. He's sure to act now that you've stormed the Moon
Cradle, meaning that the showdown with the Alliance is at hand. Chouryuujin is
meanwhile having a bit of trouble controlling THE POWER, and Sakon is beginning
to suspect that it's dangerous stuff. Pagliaccio is observing all of this too,
and decides to head for Jupiter.
Halulu has scant thanks to offer for being saved, especially to this man. His
objective seems not really to be saving her for altruistic reasons, but to
enlist her ship's aid in Giant hunting as soon as they return to their world.
Sakon relays his findings about the Ideon's effectively unlimited energy. Even
Cheryl is quick to admit that this is a very dangerous double-edged sword. If
used incorrectly, losing an Earth or two might be getting off mildly. It seems
that Ide is a system for sealing away the will of hundreds of millions of the
Sixth Culture's members, and that could make quite a force for ruin if so
directed. Seeing that Cheryl is fading fast when Cosmo presses her about how
to control Ideon, Sakon promises to take over the explanation.
It seems that the Ideon's Ideonite armor plating has sealed the will of those
ancients away in subspace - and Ide is that which uses them as energy. Ide has
self-preservation instincts, which is how the thing booted up for you in the
first place. And the purer the thing it's trying to protect, an infant for
instance, the stronger Ide reacts. What this means is that the coincidental
inclusion of kiddies in the Soloship's crew may be the only reason Ideon is
bailing your ass out. Cosmo doesn't get this, but Bes points out that if Ideon
is _independent_, it all fits. In fact, when Ideon and the Soloship are
complete, they will destroy all others lest any other intrude into their own
existence... including, say, the Sixth Culture itself.
Kalala has discovered the horrible truth: Ideon's ego is motivated by
selfishness, not love. What's more, Ide's infinite power would seem to have
you all in its sights for trying to use the thing as, oh, I dunno, a _super_
_robot_ which is sure as hell what the damn thing looks like. Daimonji and
friends are drinking the Koolaid far too easily, but Cosmo recalls Kalala
saying that Ide can be awakened by the power of goodness. Kalala can't shake
the feeling that Ide wiped out its own *creators*, so what chance do any of you
have of controlling it?
Once again, it seems the Ideon can't very well hang around the Earth. Even
though it's clear that your grudge isn't with its crew, they're still bound
for... for Jupiter, and a meeting with THE POWER, understanding of which might
help you figure out what to do with Ideon. Bes doesn't mind this, saying that
if they're going to leave the solar system anyway there's nothing wrong with a
little side trip along the way...
Shapiro thinks that his time has come, with the bothersome Baff Clan out of the
way and the Alpha Numbers depleted from achieving that. He orders all his
unruly Alliance commanders to mount a full-scale assault on the Alpha Numbers
on the moon, inwardly thinking that it's time to shift his plan to phase 2...
his master plan to become a god, that is.
Scenario 23E. Emotion High
At Gibraltar, Myung has another beef with Marge, who claims to have found a
"good subject" with which to improve Sharon's AI. Now almost a complete, self-
sufficient entity, the "real" Sharon will be debuting in three days' time.
Myung wonders if she, the "fake" Sharon, will get kicked to the curb, but Marge
says that he still plans to have her stick around as Sharon's producer, and as
a backup should anything happen to Sharon herself. After all, it's entirely
Myung's doing that their virtual idol has snarfed up all the fan love that
formerly belonged to Minmei. Marge says that this gives Myung an obligation to
watch Sharon's growth until the very end, but Myung is more bothered by Sharon
being turned into a Zaft propaganda vehicle. Marge says that those Zaft
provided the essential technology to make Sharon complete, and before long
Myung will get to see Sharon with her own eyes, from the best seat in the
house.
Isamu is chafing under being told to wait for orders from Federation HQ to go
rescue Battle 7. He acidly notes that the Federation is as _efficient_ as
ever, especially with their myopic view of world events. He wishes they'd
think more globally, which is something Guld never thought he'd hear come out
of Isamu's mouth. Isamu is also upset at how the Macross 7, a crucial tool of
colonization and ultimately transplantation for the human race, has been
reduced to a mere weapon in the Federation bureaucracy's eyes. It really sucks
being destined to repeat the Earth's history...
Just then Judou comes in, blasting the song played by the red Valkyrie.
Beecher recorded it during the previous battle, and now has it stuck in his
head. It seems your crew have become fans of the burning heart and soul in the
track. Isamu allows that it ain't half bad - and neither is the VF-19 it came
from, a customized variant of the mass-production fighter based off Isamu's YF-
19. Gamlin isn't enthused, saying that if he knew the asshole's name who sings
it he'd... Fijika knows the name: Nekki Basara and his Fire Bombers are famous
throughout City 7. This has some of the crew wanting to go attend a concert or
two. Gamlin isn't having it, pissed off at how Basara has ignored his orders
time and again and... and... insists on SINGING during a battle! Isamu says
not to sweat it, finding it almost easier to fight with Basara on the scene.
Gamlin still isn't having it, but has the good sense not to press his point
overmuch. Time arrives to go see Kinryuu, especially in light of a certain
comment from Miria.
Basically, Gamlin is a hard-ass, though with two of his companions in a zombie-
like state it's small wonder. Your crew has plenty of other music for Isamu to
listen to, including disks from Lacus Clyne and Sharon Apple, the virtual idol
who's all popular world-wide. On the Megaroad side, Minmei is still as popular
as ever, being the idol singer who saved the Earth and all. Guld admits to the
incredulous Isamu that he's somewhat interested in Sharon Apple, recalling
vaguely that Myung mentioned her.
Mylene is heatedly telling her mother that she has no idea where Basara is, a
shame since Miria was hoping to enlist his help in defending City 7. She's
none too thrilled that her mother would oppose her being in a band _except_
when she wants her to hook her up with the lead singer. Miria promises to let
Mylene continue in the band, on one condition - she wants Mylene to see a
certain someone about a possible arranged marriage.
Gamlin meanwhile is infuriated to find Basara's music playing in the hospital
ward. Chiba patiently points out that Gamlin himself should have noticed the
effect Basara's music has on the enemy. Chiba's sure this isn't mere surprise
at a singing Valkyrie, but that something about Basara's musical energy has an
actual scientific effect. Thus, he's set about a trial to see if the music can
also have a _positive_ effect on the Vampires' victims. Before Gamlin can
protest too much, Fijika points at Docker, who appears to be actually
recovering some of his emotions. He's the first recipient of the "aural
therapy", and when Gamlin still seems unconvinced Chiba offers to drop a
mountain of convincing data on him in his office. Gamlin abruptly relents,
declaring his visit here over and planning to return to the cafeteria. He
leaves Fijika to explain to Miria where he went, and runs smack into Mylene on
the way out the door.
Oh, that cagey Miria - looks like she was trying to set up Mylene and Gamlin.
It's her view that Mylene needs to quit the band and settle down with a fine
man while she still can (given these turbulent times). Mylene happily but
firmly reminds Miria that the Fire Bombers are her reason for living. When
Miria points out that Mylene certainly dressed up a lot for this meeting
anyway, Mylene points out that she _is_ a woman after all. Gamlin is
thunderstruck that a girl like this would be one of the hated Basara's
comrades, and quickly excuses himself to go tend to his mech. Fijika says that
this is the first time he's ever seen Gamlin that nervous, but Chiba is
planning to give Gamlin a double-earful of the Sound Energy System sooner or
later anyway.
Miria asks to hear more about the SES, and Chiba says he's honored that the
city director and her famous daughter would take an interest in his work. He
describes how Basara's voice is laden with immeasurable energy. What he did
was create a system that converts that energy into light and time-space-shaking
power. This sounds improbable, but Chiba says he devoted his life to the
project ever since seeing how Minmei was able to halt the previous war with her
songs. With a CV that reads like a cross between multidisciplinary academic
genius and hard-core otaku, he proudly announces that the time has finally come
for song energy to rewrite galactic history. He draws up short in spectacular
fashion when Miria points out that Basara himself seems to be missing, while
Mylene privately doubts that Basara's singing is _that_ awesome...
Meanwhile, Amuro is fretting over Kira, locked away in his room after the
battle with the Tiger. The good news is that Kira himself said that he gained
something in the process, and Amuro is glad that Muu, Kou, and Shinji's words
have helped at least somewhat. Amuro tells the worried Sai that this is the
time for Kira to take a large step towards maturity - he tells everyone to
believe in him. Sai somewhat dubiously agrees, and after a moment Amuro
compliments him on how strong he is. He's sure that Kira will pull through
with friends like him at his side.
Max has not been idle all this time. He's sent a coded message that only the
Lond Bel should have been able to read - "should", since Natarle has not been
able to open it with any of the codes the Lond Bel had bequeathed to the Alpha
Numbers. Misato takes a look and recognizes a cipher not used by the SDF since
the Lond Bel joined the SDF during the Balmar War. These codebooks were all
deprecated in the upheaval after the war, and it's no wonder you can't read
it... The question is, who could have sent it, and why especially after HQ has
already issued orders about the Battle 7? Misato knows there's only one person
it could be from, Captain Maximillian Genius.
It says that the Zaft are planning on throwing a big party tomorrow, at which
they will announce to the world that the Battle 7 has become part of their
arsenal. This is a ploy to boost their own morale as well as rub the
Federation's face in it. There's more to the message, but Amuro comes in just
then and hears of the order from HQ to steal Battle 7 back from the Zaft. The
Alpha Numbers are the only ones assigned, which shows the brass' memory for the
showdown with the Titans at Dakarl. In that battle, Guld was on the Titans'
side to protect Myung, but fortunately no longer. Anyway, Max's message
contains details about the Zaft's specific deployment, as well as a minute
description of where Battle 7's main reactor is. This is his way of saying,
"do whatever it takes to stop Battle 7".
Natarle wonders how you could break into the Gibraltar area with so many Zaft
troops, and Isamu and Guld realize their mecha would create the opening you
need. It's not like it's their first time flying near a Macross-class ship,
and Isamu assures Maryuu that he'll lead this horse to water - anything for his
long-lost comrades from space. Guld assures the skeptical Natarle that their
planes, developed for independent operations long ago now, are more than up to
the challenge. Maryuu agrees, and it's time to get this party started.
Well, except for Basara, who's hanging around a bit longer listening to the
wind calling his name. He's bound and determined to make both "that woman" and
Sharon Apple listen to his song, and he won't let the Zaft or anyone else get
in his way. Before that, someone comes up to Basara unawares, asking to hear
his song. Basara senses something strange from this person, asking who the
heck he is. The mysterious figure says that he's an "Emissary", sent into this
world by the descendants of the black moon and the ancient white moon: the last
"Shisha" [a word with many possible meanings...] Basara doesn't quite get
that, and asks why this guy wants to hear his song. The figure says that he's
the one a certain person has been waiting for, someone Basara has already met.
He relates that his whole world was once killed, and reborn, through the song
of a mechanical god - into the "promised land" those who lived there wished
for. Unfortunately, that world could not elude the cycle of death and rebirth
that a certain being ordained for it, giving rise to the world Basara's people
now inhabit. Basara is starting to get worried about all this high-falutin
stuff, but the figure asks him again to sing his song, which will one day fill
the world to the brim. Basara refuses, saying he's not in the mood. BUT, if
this person wants to hear his song, Basara tells him to come to City 7. The
figure muses that the one who wished for Basara's birth has had its cradle
removed from the flow of time to wait, and is looking forward to seeing whether
Basara's song has the power to break the cycle... or merely to serenade the
climax of the galaxy. After all, that's why he's returned to this world...
Marge has had everyone not essential to operating the Battle 7 (such as
Exedore) kicked out, saying that it's Myung's VIP seat for the show. Myung
realizes to her horror that the chip used to breathe life into Sharon is some
very bad mojo, and Marge tells her that she'll realize momentarily what's
really going on with Sharon - and without having to wait for the ceremony
either. It seems a couple of guests are on hand - guests that Myung must
surely have wanted to see. Isamu and Guld expect to meet the Zaft's new weapon
head-on, and are rather disappointed when all that they get at first are a
bunch of Mobile Dolls. Exedore recalls that the use of the MD System was
prohibited after the mess with OZ, but Marge says drily that the Coordinators
can hardly be expected to comply. They have no compunction about taking
Natural technology, improving it, and turning it back on its inventors.
As for what this has to do with Sharon Apple, Marge says that the improved MD
System is programmed for self-preservation, as well as self-maturation: perfect
as a driver for Sharon. Of course, the MD System is all about controlling
military weapons, and Marge tells the horrified Myung that an AI with an
independent personality and boundless intellect is precisely what they sought
all along. Myung protests that Sharon isn't a weapon, but Marge tells her she
can do nothing but sit and watch while Sharon wipes out her old friends.
Interestingly, the MD System isn't accepting the Zaft's commands. A voice
comes forth, saying there's nothing to worry about - Myung needn't do a thing.
It's Sharon, who tells Myung that although she was born from her, she's now her
own being. In particular, Myung, on the verge of losing all her dreams, isn't
Sharon, who plans to _fulfill_ Myung's dreams. She starts the show, which
includes a couple of Ghost X-9's. These could be trouble, and Myung's cry to
Isamu and Guld to run is audible. Isamu is miffed that Guld heard of Myung
managing Sharon when he didn't, but all mirth is silenced when Marge shoots
Myung superficially and tells her that the last people in this city who care
about her death are abut to disappear. Everyone in the city is about to have
eyes and ears for Sharon alone. Isamu yells to Guld to get back to the
Archangel for reinforcements while he kicks the Ghosts' asses and saves Myung.
Guld reminds him how the both swore together to protect Myung long ago, and
points out that Isamu alone can't take _two_ Ghosts. Sharon figures that the
two of them are coming to her, not to Myung. Sharon's song isn't doing good
things to their concentration, but there's no backing down now.
For a Skill Point, clear the map in 9 turns.
Once you take down the two Ghosts, Sharon says that she's free, alive from
the very depths of her heart. Myung protests that she was simply programmed
to believe that she has emotions. She tells Sharon that if she really has
her own will, she should know what needs to be done. If she can really
think, if she really has a heart, she shouldn't give in to whatever Marge has
set up... But Sharon says that she's trying to grant her own wish, to meet
him and to see his face light up with pleasure. Isamu's so close to her now,
and she needs Myung no longer. Marge for his part is drunk with Sharon's
incredible aura, telling her to fill the whole world with it.
Well, she fills the world with more Ghosts in any case. Guld realizes that
things are about to suck hard, and tells Isamu to head for the Battle 7 while
he cuts the YF-21's limiters. He believes it's the only way to take on that
many Ghosts at once, knowing full well what it'll do to him and telling Isamu
to take care of everything after he's gone, including Myung. Isamu isn't
having this, saying that whatever debt Guld may have made at Dakarl can't be
discharged that easily. Isamu has a better use for Guld's life, and Guld is
willing to gamble on whatever incredibly dangerous stunt Isamu has planned.
He tells Isamu he's looking forward to a victory toast after this is over,
with Myung along to complete the trio.
Your people then show up, learning quickly that the Battle 7 is under Sharon
Apple's control. The Pressure-like sensation from Sharon is no joke, and
Guld tells you that you'll all be at a disadvantage if this conflict drags
on...
As you take down more of the Ghosts, your people begin to get really really
tired of Sharon's song. Unlike you, your emotionless adversaries feel no
pain, and things get worse when Battle 7 switches into attack mode and starts
blasting the Archangel with its missiles. If it were to fire it's main
cannon you'd be REALLY screwed, but blowing up its main reactor seems out of
the question too with Myung on board. If only you could stop Sharon
somehow...! Sharon in fact tells Isamu that she's been waiting for him. She
says that Myung is merely a pale ghost, a husk of herself after leaving her
songs to Sharon. She tells a massively pissed-off Isamu that there's nothing
binding her to Myung anymore, but as she's about to force Isamu to hear her
singing, a different rock sensation appears on the scene. Basara's
impassioned words totally wipe out Sharon's siren song, and he is getting all
too many jollies from the expression on Sharon's virtual face as his song
reaches her ears. Marge is struggling to understand what's wrong, and a
certain voice from the shadows says that while this is unexpected, it's
certainly not unwelcome. It's Max, who of course knows his own ship better
than Marge or the Zaft, letting him sneak up easily. All the crew is with
him, and he orders everyone to their positions, and to care for Myung. He
also tries to have Marge imprisoned as a collaborator, but Marge, ears full
of Sharon's songs, leaps to his own death.
As Max hastily tries to reorganize the battle, something approaches at high
speed: it's Sybil, apparently drawn here by Basara's wild concert. Gigil and
his goons show up in pursuit, and Misato frets that between the idol singers
and the Vampires this is turning into a major mess.
One enemy has Chobham Armor. Gigil is worth a Psychoframe and a Super Alloy
Z. He realizes that if he falls here Sybil will have nowhere to return to,
and Folds away. Exedore figures he's gone out of the the Earth Sphere, but
the danger isn't past yet since Sybil is still on the scene...
Basara's singing will give Sybil a serious case of the shivers, but Basara
isn't done yet. His music becomes ecstasy for Sybil, and she zips off at
hypersonic speed. You can't track her, and Max realizes that this appears to
be a very special type of enemy relative to the other Vampires.
The enemy are all gone, but Exedore finds traces of Sharon Apple still in
Battle 7's computers. He's about to delete it, but Isamu hurries over first.
Myung wonders why this had to happen, and Sharon says this all is what she
wished for. Sharon existed to grant everyone in this world what they
personally wished for. She planned to grant Myung's dreams of having the man
she loves, as the proof that she existed. Myung yells that that's absurd: how
could anyone be "moved" by something as illusory as that! Sharon continues
that Isamu dreams of the endless blue sky, "moved" by the brief glimpse of the
space between life and death he gets every time he flies. Sharon merely wanted
him to see that, and tells Myung that Myung does nothing, CAN do nothing.
Isamu yells at her to shut up, that what he wants to hear isn't her weird
singing. Myung is regretful that the feelings inside her did this to Sharon,
but Isamu tells her that what he wants to hear is _her_ song.
With that, Sharon Apple is completely deleted, and your people prepare to flee
this dangerous area. Before they do, Rei catches a glimpse of... something,
though she claims nothing's wrong. Basara lingers for a moment, telling the
now-absent Sharon that her song wasn't half bad. He looks forward to doing a
joint performance again, someday. As Basara flies off, that which Rei glimpsed
has now gotten a good look at the power which that certain person desires.
He's looking forward to seeing Basara again, as well as Shinji...
After the pullout, Max and Miria are back to arguing about whether Max's
temporary handover of the Battle 7 to the Zaft was a good idea. One would NOT
think that these are a happily-married couple. Misato hesitates to call Max by
his informal name, saying that he now far outranks her as well as has several
years of age advantage. Though, for all that, he looks QUITE youthful, Misato
realizes. She ascribes this to some awesome both-gender beauty salon in City 7
which she needs to go check out. In any case, the current military climate
means that even Macross 7's independence might not be recognized for long - if
nothing else the strategic value of Battle 7 has been made clear today. Max is
finding out that being Rip Van Winkle [i.e. Urashima Tarou] is no picnic, and
even Miria seems sympathetic to that.
Just then Riliina calls up with word from the Security Council, whose edicts
even the Federation military is obliged to heed. As of this moment, Macross 7
is to join the Alpha Numbers in Operation Harper II and all related actions.
She asks Max to direct all questions regarding the mission to Taiga, saying
she'll handle all the paperwork and wishing everyone good luck. She then hangs
up just like that, and her haste seems to be part of a strategy to keep your
people out of the clutches of the rotten Federation elements. This edict has
the interesting effect that you can now legally take the Macross 7 out of the
Earth Sphere, and Max realizes just how much like the Titans fiasco things have
become. Seeing that the Alpha Numbers are facing enemies that give even them
pause, he and Miria both agree to help out in this war that was not originally
their own. He says that many of those aboard his ship were born far from where
the light of the sun shines, but the Earth is still mother to them all. None
of them will abandon the Earth in its hour of need.
Myung is still fretting over her feelings. When Isamu and Guld left for outer
space, she tried to follow her new dream of producing an idol singer, namely
Sharon. But the whole virtual idol thing really didn't work too well, and
Myung ended up having to provide Sharon's emotions. She suspects Isamu and
Guld, people living their dreams, wouldn't understand how much of a sham that
filthy AI arrangement was. And even worse is that no one ever suspected, not
that anything would have improved if they had. Myung says that she's all out
of dreams, but Isamu tells her to forget about what's happened in the past. He
tells her that everyone's got things they'd rather forget, and says that with
Sharon gone, Myung has but one choice: to sing with her own voice. Both he and
Guld are looking very much forward to her trying, and Guld lets Isamu fly Myung
home. He tells Myung that your people are going to space again, and that he'll
be looking forward to hearing her song when he gets back. She promises him
that, and tells him to take care of himself until then.
Your people head to Orbit Base, where they reunite with the Solo Ship and the
rest of your people. Both the Solo contingent and Macross 7 seem to have
foisted their troubles off on the Earth, but no use crying over spilt milk, eh?
Sakon gets busy trying to figure out what became of that missing 35 years,
citing the Urashima Effect [think "Rip Van Winkle"] which causes well-known
differences in time flow throughout space. However, that doesn't apply to
Macross 7, and especially not in light of the further differences with the
Soloship. Sakon then conjectures that the Macross 7 has been inside a temporal
instability, without ever noticing it. Whatever caused it, Max can't help but
feel that there was purpose to it, and Sakon is really hoping it's not a
precursor to, say, the end of the universe. One thing that _has_ become clear
is that the weapons the Vampires use match those found on Barooda. While it's
true that the survey team sent to that star disappeared, it's also true that
the Vampire mecha seem to incorporate Earth technology. Does that mean the
Vampires are somehow human?! Hard to say yet - and convergent evolution of the
mecha can't be ruled out....
Of your current list of enemies, the Baff Clan and Interplanetary Alliance have
been temporarily beaten back. That means the Imperial forces on Mars, plus the
Primevals lurking near Jupiter, are the greatest threats. Bes relates how the
Ideon's infinite power seems to be driven by simple survival instinct [see the
other path for more details].
Your crew gets to reuniting. Shingo says that the Good Thunder team has been
up to everything from running a hotdog stand to being game wardens in Africa,
not to mention taking out certain pieces of trash as per their contracts. And
now Savalas has sent them and the Goshogun (and OVA) to join your squad for
reasons unknown. Gai then fills your people in about THE POWER and how it
saved your asses on the other path. However, an ominous development has
occurred too: J tried to follow the Primevals to Jupiter, but the J Ark
returned back, unmanned.... it seems King J-Der may have been defeated. Your
enemy is likely to be the combined form of all 31 Primevals: Z-Master. The
G-Stone and J-Jewels were made specifically to defeat that, and it seems you're
to have two battlefields: Mars and Jupiter.
Your people are two days from departure, and thanking Riliina for all the
trouble she's going through on your behalf. She tells you that you could think
of the Council's intervention in military matters as a) part of their
obligation to ensure world peace, and b) an indication that they have their
doubts about people in the military chain of command. At the very least, the
people returned from outer space can't be left to the army brass, who are under
the thumb of Blue Cosmos. Basically, the Alpha Numbers get to go clean house
on Mars and Jupiter while the Feds are tied up with the Zaft. This is great
political maneuvering for one so young, and your people plan to take full
advantage of it while they can....
Scenario 23S. Kessen! Jigoku no Getsu Arano ("Showdown on the Hellish Lunar
Wastes")
Word has reached your moon brigade that the Soloship is being kicked out of the
Earth Sphere. Brit wishes your people could do something, but worries that
doing something like pairing it up with the Good Thunder would be bad: two
possibly infinite, not fully understood energy sources in close proximity seems
like asking for trouble. Remy figures that Brit's already got enough not fully
understood energy on his hands with a certain girl's heart, and asks if things
are progressing between him and Kusuha. Brit, flustered and blushing, protests
that there's a _war_ going on, but Remy says that that isn't important in
matters of the heart. Brit thinks he's heard that somewhere before, and Kiry
steers the conversation back to the Soloship and its crew. The Feds seem to be
treating their long-lost colonists the same way as they are the Coordinators:
as inhumans. Truth be told, the Federation government is well on its way to
becoming a full-fledged Evil Syndicate(tm)...
Speaking of which, the Interplanetary Alliance is finally getting around to
that all-out war thing. Bes is determined to help you fight your way through
this one last battle for Earth's sake before leaving for good, and his whole
crew is with him on this one. There's a lot of bad guys, but Ryou is sure
there's even more lurking somewhere. Hyouma has the right idea: kill off
these, and the rest will emerge. Cosmo isn't sure what to make of your people,
sticking their necks into more and more dangerous battles without the hope of
anyone thanking them for it. Perhaps they're just fighting for survival, like
the Soloship's crew themselves. Cosmo thinks for a moment, and tells his
fellow pilots to make one hell of a mess out of the bad guys before departing
the Earth.
For a Skill Point, clear the map within 9 turns.
On turn 4, Shapiro shows up with many more goons. Gildrome fires up his
psychic disrupter ray and aims it at the Soloship, whose occupants are
already in a state of confusion. Its pilots begin to lose control as they
lose consciousness, given how the Power of Ide can only respond if they're
awake. The rest of your people quickly figure out what's going on, and
realize they've got to go and beat down the offending battleship. Like you
weren't going to do that anyway. Ryou figures out where the evil energy is
coming from, but before you can go attack Dangel and Walkymedes burst forth
from the ground like moles. Sara instinctually knows that Shapiro is behind
this three-pronged attack of frontal strength of numbers, special weaponry,
and pinpoint assault.
Helmet is worth a Super Alloy Z. Dangel is worth a Dual Sensor.
After a few more turns, the headache gets the babies crying, which as always
is a sure-fire way to max out the Ideon Gauge. Both the Soloship and the
Ideon begin to power up, and Reideen once again warns Akira of impending
doomification. Gildrome can't believe his psycho-ray has been completely
neutralized, and Shapiro thinks that this is precisely in line with the data
Gloria sent the instant before halting. He sees the power of God before his
eyes, which he plans to scam on as soon as he finds the key.
Walkymedes is worth an Apogee Motor. Gildrome is worth a Psychoframe.
When the Beast Squad faces Shapiro, they trade insults about hot-headedness
versus delusions of grandeur [and terminally awful fashion sense!] For
starts, what's a bright, evil-genius guy like Shapiro doing at the front
lines, and in such a lame-looking battleship at that?! He tells you that the
power of those he's hooked up with is incomparably more than what the Balmar
brought to bear last time. Oh, and Shapiro is worth a Custom OS.
Your forces _think_ they've turned the moon into Shapiro's graveyard [of course
they're wrong], and receive word that the rest of the Alliance has warped out
of the solar system, either running in fear or voluntarily withdrawn by their
commanders. In either case, your mission is a success, leaving you to fight
the Primevals, Zaft, the Subterraneans, and of course those pesky Ze Balmariy
guys.
Oh, and the corrupt forces within the Federation, who pop up conveniently after
the battle and issue what they believe to be the last warning to Ideon to heave
to. Of course Daimonji has heard nothing about this, and the commander of the
Federation forces says that he's not prepared to tell Bes why his ship's being
taken over forcibly all of a sudden - Bes needs to contact HQ. Cosmo has had
it up to here with military red tape, and Moela figures that the Feds are just
getting full of themselves now that the Baff Clan isn't immediately hanging
over their heads. Your people have a mixture of rage and grief that the
Federation is no better than the Baff Clan themselves for trying to make
Ideon's power theirs. The Federation commander furthermore tells Daimonji that
this operation doesn't need Taiga's approval, and that he's authorized to wipe
out anyone who should come to the Soloship's aid. As the Feds fire a warning
shot and it seems your people are about ready to return fire, Bes decides to go
to DS drive rather than fire back on the Earthlings, who are more than happy to
fire upon him. Daimonji orders Pete to protect the Soloship with the Daikuu
Maryuu.
Just then a thundering voice tells everyone to halt. The Archangel shows up,
accompanied by a gigantic Macross-class vessel. Taiga is about to explain why
he's here when the Federation commander once again says that the written orders
he has from HQ cannot be countermanded even by the GGG. But Taiga isn't acting
on his authority as GGG's commander, he's here as the emissary of the Security
Council. His orders, effective immediately, are to include the Soloship with
the Alpha Numbers in Operation Harper II, as well as in the elimination of the
Primevals. Such a directive takes precedence over all other orders, and Taiga
orders the Feds out of this area at once. [PWNED!!] He then asks, not orders,
Bes to accompany you, and Bes agrees over the mixed feelings of his crew. His
intent had been to study THE POWER at Jupiter anyway, and working with your
people could only improve the Soloship's chances for success.
See the other path for the full reunion.
[I kept the space route. Talk about helluva reorg and minimaxing to combine
the two parties...]
Scenario 24. Senshin no Hoshi De ("On the Planet of the War God")
Sakon has just finished analyzing the joint data from all your combat records.
It's quite clear that some kind of massive gravitational disturbance dogged the
Macross 7 fleet on its mission to study a certain star group, causing time
within the disturbance to flow much faster than that outside. What's more, a
succession of asteroid encounters effectively prevented them from exiting the
disturbance, ensuring that they aged at an accelerated rate. This is _very_
fishy, and what's fishier yet is how the Soloship's distress call reached them
so quickly once they exited the disturbance. Added with Isamu and Guld's
miraculous Fold to Earth from deep space, it seems more than likely that
someone connected with the Gate is pulling strings. Given that the Balmar
themselves aren't in control of the Gate, that someone is unlikely to be the
Emperor at least... Liger promises to double his team's efforts to figure out
just what's going on with the Gate in the hopes of finding some clues...
Meanwhile, Taiga has invited Mamoru's "parents" to Orbit Base so they can
essentially bid him farewell when he accompanies your squad off world. Mamoru
apologizes for deceiving them, fretting that he's not really their child. His
mother assures him that he most definitely _is_ their son, his father adding
that he was simply brought into the world somewhat differently than other kids.
Both urge him to go forth and do what he knows is right, and Hana is also here
to add her moral support. Mamoru hesitantly shows them his power, proving that
he's an alien. Hana says she knew it all along, given how often Mamoru's
classmates seemed to get saved. Hana is actually rather relieved, and joins
Mamoru's parents in wishing him well in the upcoming battle.
Professor Yumi has now entrusted Kouji with the repaired Majinkaiser, better
late than never for the upcoming fragdown with your adversaries. Tetsuya asks
Yumi to convey a promise to win and return home safely to his chief, and to
hold the fort in Japan until their return. Yumi is especially concerned about
his daughter Sayaka, and Kouji vows to him to protect both her and the Earth
with Kaiser's might. Saotome has similar words for the Getter Team, assuring
Michiru that her mother and everyone else at the lab are totally unscratched.
The Beast Squad are getting reacquainted with the hangar of a Macross-class
ship, hoping that Focker and the others are still okay. Isamu tells a worried
Sara that he fully believes that his comrades, veterans of the previous war,
are still alive and kicking. Gamlin believes the same, but Guld is more
interested in where the flying rocker Basara is. Gamlin totally doesn't want
to hear Basara's name mentioned in his presence, but Ray and Mylene have
dragged him onto the scene regardless.
He's here so that the Sound Force can get added to your warpower. Max shows up
and explains how these civilian volunteers will be helping the military with
their songs, and their specially-modified Valkyrie. He's less than thrilled to
see his daughter part of the unit, but Ray assures him that she's indispensable
to the Fire Bombers. He also reminds Max that the Sound Force is a crucial
part of the plans for safe voyage out into space, in which case no expense can
be spared. Mylene pleads with her famous pilot father, saying that his and
especially her mother's skillz have rubbed off on her. After a moment, Max
agrees to accept Ray's personnel choices as per their deal. Mylene squeals in
delight, and Max mutters that he's never had any luck changing Mylene's mind on
things anyway. He then tells the fuming Gamlin that of course the military
will officially recognize Basara's contributions, and Chiba shows up to remind
him that the power of Basara's voice to fight the Vampires has already been
scientifically proven. Chiba says that Basara is to become a crucial part of
your warpower, which provokes Basara mightily since that wasn't the deal he was
told. Basara is in fact royally pissed off that Chiba hasn't gotten the clue
after all, saying that he sings when he feels like singing, and ain't planning
on taking orders from anyone in the meantime. An agitated Ray promises Max
that he'll calm Basara down, and Max tolerantly says that the Sound Force is
experimental anyway - it's up to Ray's discretion when to actually sortie.
Volfogg finishes a system check on the J Ark's computer, Tomoro. As Tomoro
promises to remember Volfogg's name, Exedore calls up with some questions for
Tomoro about the Primevals. He's seen _many_ worlds in his years of custody of
the Zentraedi army's combat records, and the sight of an entirely mechanized
world has struck him nevertheless. That mechanization was supposed to free the
Zondars' creators from all the stress in their lives, but when the master
program went amok, the Zondar _ended_ those lives instead. Exedore wonders if
life forms could have truly been freed from stress had the program functioned
properly, but first wants to pose the question: what _is_ the greatest stress
life forms face? Volfogg correctly answers "death", dying for an individual
and extinction for a race. Exedore has news for Tomoro: the "amok" master
program may not be running amok at all: it may instead be executing its
programming to its logical conclusion! The mechanization of the world and its
inhabitants could be an incarnation of the process of avoiding death, recalling
to Exedore's mind tales of his race's creators, the "Protoculture". He has
heard that some of them attempted to change their own form to cope with galaxy-
scale catastrophe - a catastrophe that might be heralded by the series of
cosmic upsets your people have been observing recently. Tomoro finds Exedore's
reasoning most intriguing, and promises to ponder the question himself.
Mamoru then faces Kaidou, who pities him his having a family to mourn him once
he, an outsider, has gone and died in this or some other war. Taiga then
addresses your assembled people. He says that mankind is not so powerless that
it must watch injustice inflicted on it in silence. The time has come for
solidarity in confronting the common menace, and a painful march to the
decisive battles waiting on Jupiter and Mars, and Taiga declares that if each
and every member of your crew retains his bravery, hope, and fighting spirit,
victory will surely belong to mankind in the end! He expects and prays for
nothing less than total victory, and with much gusto commands the GGG and Alpha
Numbers to sortie.
Elsewhere in the solar system, Ken'ichi and friends are having a lot of trouble
holding the fort. Not that Kazuya or the others are planning to lose,
especially with important people to protect.
Wipe out all enemies within three turns for a Skill Point.
Something is bothering Kenzou: the enemy has only sent a bunch of unmanned
drones against you. Why isn't the Empire coming to just settle the score
once and for all? Perhaps they're waiting for the Alpha Numbers, making the
defenders here bait...
One of the enemies has a Magnetic Coating.
Zechs isn't exactly thrilled to keep facing the Empire's stock-in-trade, all
the more so since today they were pulling their punches. Noin says that that
is the Empire's weakness, but Zechs tells her that it remains to be seen
whether your people can exploit that weakness as you did during the Balmar
war or not. Your people's fears are confirmed when the second wave of bad
guys shows up: far more numerous than the first. Things are looking grim,
and Zechs asks Oka to be ready to evacuate should worse come to worse. Melby
agrees to lead the preparations to evacuate, enlisting Erika and
Margueritte's aid in rounding up the non-combatants. It remains for your
fighters to buy time until the evacuation can be completed. Kazuya is ready
to lay down his life to buy that time, but Zechs tells his men to think about
how to make it through alive, especially Kazuya. Ken'ichi agrees, saying
that much depends on Kazuya, for Erika and indeed for all the Barm. Zechs is
glad to see that the others realize that now isn't the time to give their
lives in battle: you've got a larger destiny to fulfill.
The cavalry arrives on turn 4, faster than Zechs expected. Among them are
Basara and the other two planes from the Sound Force. Basara changed his
mind: his soul still burns with the same fire regardless of venue. He plans
to heat his songs with Mars' blazing red flames, and doesn't need the irate
Gamlin's say-so to do so either. Gamlin could care less if Basara sings his
lungs out, but warns him that he'll brook no danger to Mylene herself.
Take down enough of the bad guys and reinforcements will appear, including
Ganlon. He waxes coy about what he's doing helping out the Imperial army,
getting in a bit of ribbing at Brit's expense. He says that he's either just
doing it for a change of pace, or maybe as part of that whole destiny thing.
Brit _rather_ doubts that joining forces with the invaders of Earth is a good
way to protect said Earth, but Ganlon repeats that he is, in his way, doing
his duty. Which is easier given that he commands a Choukijin, and Brit and
Kusuha don't. Oh, wasn't supposed to mention that. Anyways, he says that it
seems he's kind of bad at taking orders from the Empire, so he's been told to
wipe out his fellow Earthlings as a pledge of fealty. He seems really sure
that he can protect mother Earth by hooking up with the Balmar, but Brit
yells that the Choukijin were created to protect the Earth, not to be subject
to the whims of a capricious little fuck like him. Ganlon counters by asking
what a barely twenty year-old kid like him would know about the mighty
Choukijin, and Amuro cautions Brit against falling into Ganlon's pace.
One bad guy has a Biosensor. Ganlon has a Megabooster. Despite all the
concentrated firepower, Ganlon still seems to be quite merry, figuring that
the firepower of the people who defeated his lord certainly seems to be up to
snuff. This last statement gives Brit an idea, but Ganlon himself remains
coy as ever. Seeing that Brit has stopped going for the verbal bait, Ganlon
supposes that he'll admit defeat for now and withdraw - besides, should
anything happen to Brit and Kusuha's precious lives, he's _really_ be in for
it from a certain someone. He promises them that they'll figure out what he
means soon enough and leaves.
Though you won today, this was probably just an advance skirmish. In fact, the
fact that your people were able to penetrate the Imperial defenses to reach
Mars so easily is probably just the Empire's way of rounding you all up to
finish you off in one blow, at least in Asuka's view. Ken'ichi agrees, and
Cosmo wonders if this points to some lack of firepower on the aliens' part.
Asuka sounds sure that's not it, that they're after something else, but won't
say what (like she knows either) and the ensuing quarrel reminds Kyoushirou of
the old proverb that "three women together spell commotion" [No, literally:
look up the kanji for "kashimashii".]
Kazuya tells you that with the War of Seals barely over with, there hasn't been
much chance to do re-terraforming - though Shinji says that it's a darn sight
better than the last time he was here (during the Balmar War). Cosmo asks
Kazuya about how the Barmians are accepted here - a Federation project as
Kazuya tells him. Cosmo counters that with the way the Federation is going,
that project may not last long, and your other crew members begin to recount
all the intolerance and ill will in the Federation government lately. Flay in
particular is still down on those despicable Coordinators, merrily saying that
Kira is an exception because he fights for her. Great. Bitch. Anyways: Cosmo
insists that the Earth is too easy-going towards the threat of invasion from
outer space, absorbed in their own inner struggles and uninterested in looking
what's going on beyond their own borders. Or at least, that's how Cosmo sees
the government and the military leaders - at this rate, more internecine strife
and external invasion are a certainty. As Cosmo walks off, Flay huffs that she
even lost her father to the Coordinators - it's not like Cosmo's the only one
taking any lumps around here!
Taiga has the news broken to him that the Empire has been awaiting the Alpha
Numbers' arrival. The previous skirmishes against Mars have been light ones,
as though the Empire was waiting for something to arrive: your people, by the
looks of today's battle. The Empire refrained from taking over this base,
which they clearly could have done any time they felt like it - so are they
trying to gauge your firepower or something?
Just then a message comes in from the Empire! It's Epeso, looking identical to
your old adversary Raodekia, and Misato recalls how Yuuzes referred to Raodekia
as a "hybrid human", meaning there may be several of them around. Epeso
announces himself formally and asks to speak to whoever is in charge. Taiga
introduces himself in turn, and asks for the reason for this contact. As
Kentarou suspected (but didn't get a chance to say), Epeso wants your warpower
to fall under his jurisdiction, just as was the case during the Balmar war. He
tells you that you've got two choices - join him and travel the path forward
together, or defeat him and make the whole of the Balmar Empire your enemy. He
gives you little time to ponder, saying that you will be his ally should you
choose the former - in which case he will smite your enemies and guarantees
peace on Earth in perpetuity.
Misato notes that this guy definitely has a different manner from Raodekia, and
Epeso says that wiping out your enemies is all in the interest of maintaining
order throughout the galaxy. Misato and Bes say they can't just believe that:
it's too easy a line to use to simply try to take over the Earth. Epeso
rejects this, saying that he's attempting to save culture in all forms from the
forces seeking to destroy it. Kentarou isn't buying it certainly, and after a
pause Taiga asks Epeso for 24 hours to confer since he lacks the authority to
make the decision on his own. This guy buys time like a pro, and Epeso agrees,
saying he hopes for a good answer from you all.
The Imperial army is already on the move - clearly they don't think they need
to wait for your answer. They remember as well as you do how you turned down
much the same request during the Balmar War. They're also jamming your
attempts to contact Earth, essentially forcing you to decide Earth's fate a
scant 24 hours from now. Thus begins the longest day Mars has ever seen...
Scenario 25. Erabareshi Mono, Erabishi Mono ("The Chosen, the Chooser")
Taiga is having all civilians and non-combatants from Elision evacuate to City
7 - a process which will barely finish by the expiration of Epeso's deadline.
This means that your people will have to fight literally as though there is no
tomorrow, given that your opponents are the apparently pitiless Imperial
forces. Their previous incursion to Earth was a bid to utilize your Espers and
various forms of super energy for themselves, as well as to stem the disruption
the humans pose to the galactic order by using those powers for military
purposes. Cosmo supposes that the Empire, who are doing much the same thing
with their powers, think they're in the right, and muses that even without
their intervention the Earth seemed destined to implode from its own
in-fighting anyway. From what he's seen, any people who would dare carry on
some internal conflict with the vast warpower arrayed against them probably
_ought_ to be destroyed anyway. Amuro in fact has to stop this very infighting
between Cosmo and Ryou, and he and Taiga agree that there's very little chance
that your lives will actually be guaranteed should you actually surrender to
the Empire. What's more, if you surrender you'll surely be used as part of the
invasion of the Earth itself, either as hostages or as combatants: Duo well
remembers how good the Empire is at brainwashing.
When Gamlin tries to put Mylene at ease over this daunting prospect, Basara
shows up and tells him that he'd better learn some less corny lines if he wants
to win her heart. He blows off Gamlin's furious response, and tells a rather
incredulous Cosmo that he fully intends to make the Empire hear his song, and
thereby stop them fighting. Cosmo is, how should I put it, _skeptical_.
Meanwhile, some of the more level-headed are trying to figure out what Ganlon's
deal is. Kusuha believes that the Choukijin, which has a mind of its own,
ought to have resisted Ganlon's joining the Imperial forces. Brit agrees,
saying that Ganlon's actions could only endanger the world of men... and even
if he's an Esper he shouldn't be able to entirely have his way with the
Choukijin. Camille says that, though he's loath to admit it, this may all add
up to Ganlon's thoughts and actions _actually_ somehow being connected to
protecting the Earth after all. Brit is then forced to remember the painful
scene where Gun-Eden proclaimed herself the lord of the Choukijin, and that his
and Kusuha's mechs disobeyed her orders. However, Brit says that Gun-Eden is
gone, that had he and Kusuha done the wrong thing, there's no way Irui would
have tried to come back to them. Plus there's the fact that their machines
sacrificed themselves to protect Kusuha and Brit and indeed all the Alpha
Numbers - which means Ganlon can't be in the right. Kusuha is sure that the
mystery of Gun-Eden's connection to the Choukijin is contained in whatever
reason is making Ganlon's mech obey...
Elsewhere, Ganlon points out to Epeso that his little broadcast surely won't
make the humans surrender - nor was that Epeso's intent. Indeed, _should_ the
humans surrender here, it's proof that they couldn't withstand the battles to
come in the Empire's future. Ganlon professes amazement at the Empire's
Byzantine strategizing, though he adds the caution that even plants can wither
if watered too much. He then says that he was hoping to participate in the
next battle as a token of his fealty to Epeso and Hazar, nervously laughing
that he has no ulterior motives. Epeso shrugs, figuring that no scheme of
Ganlon's could hurt the Empire, despite Ganlon's protestations that he merely
finds the Imperials interesting.
It's five minutes until the conference with Epeso - only one minute longer than
it will take to finish the evacuation(!). Unfortunately, to protect City 7's
retreat, you'll have to put your ass on the line here. Everyone summons their
courage, including Kira who seems to be past fretting about Natural versus
Coordinator. The Empire shows up in due course, bringing their flagship with
them. Your people's answer is of course unchanged since the time of the Balmar
War: becoming his pawns is the last thing on your agenda. Epeso deigns to call
this "foolishness" on your part, but Shingo knows full well that if you
surrendered here it would hardly stand you in good stead with the Empire. The
evacuation completes just in time, and it's up to Melby, Erika and the others
to look after the civilians. Epeso cares not that the civilians have escaped:
all he's after are the skilled fighters and their advanced weaponry.
For a Skill Point, clear the map in 8 turns, which initially requires downing
the Helmoze.
Ganlon is worth a Bio Computer. He says that both he and his Choukijin are
amazed at how well Brit is able to do without a Choukijin of his own. Kusuha
asks if his Choukijin is going along willingly with whatever Ganlon has
planned, and he says "of course", noting that he's known his mech far longer
than Kusuha knew her Ryuu-Ou-Ki. He also adds that he'd like to think he has
a better idea what the Choukijin are actually for than your people seem to,
telling your people to swing by his place any time they want to know the
truth. This worries Kusuha, making her wonder whether her and Brit's
machines were actually lying to them. Surely not, right?
Once you kick Epeso's ass enough, he comments that your prowess, which took
down the Seventh Fleet, is surely worth serving the Empire. He says that
both the Thunder Gate and your people are needed to preserve order in the
universe, and says that he's going to take this opportunity to see precisely
how far your power extends. He unleashes a Zfield, the self-organizing
memory-alloy cells that gave you such fits back during the Balmar War. It
watches, it learns, it evolves, it even makes julienne fries out of your
dudes! The disturbing part is that the previous Zfields you fought were
humanoid, presumably from fighting all your anthropomorphic mecha. _This_
one is not, and Epeso tells your people to ready their hearts for the God of
Creation to visit His wrath upon them, and Misato cautions that this is
surely not the bad guys' true trump card given the timing. Even if the First
Fleet you're now facing is the same strength as the Seventh Fleet, there are
at least five more battleships like the one you were just fighting, each with
a Zfield on board in all likelihood. She tells you all to wipe it out as
fast as possible, since there's no telling what will happen if it lingers.
Epeso is looking forward to getting his hands on the Swords the Thunder Gate
has chosen, all for the sake of the Empire of course.
The Zfield is worth a (garden variety) Haro. Epeso, now rather singed and
apparently in failing health, is busily sending your data to the Empire to
make them stronger: as Misato suspected, Epeso was in fact _disposable_. He
growls that he's the faithful vassal of the Spirit Emperor, Ruaf, and tells
all of you, the chosen Swords, that your true enemy is in the galaxy...
As the Zfield explodes, the remaining Imperial forces leave the Mars area.
Your crew gets the full unpleasant taste of realizing that this victory simply
raised the curtain on the next phase of fighting. You've got far too many
enemies arrayed against you, and too many questions about why they all are
active at once. Add to that the mysteries of Ide and THE POWER, and it's clear
that *VERY* strange things are afoot at the Circle K. Taiga points out that at
the very least, you _have_ saved Mars - and you'll have to go on solving the
problems immediately before you for the time being.... the next of which being
the showdown with the Primevals....
At the Golden Palace, Janela hears that the Empire has withdrawn from the Solar
System. Zanbajil marvels at how low the Empire, once rulers over the Boazan,
has sunk, and Janela figures that the Empire, for all its strength in
diversity, had also grown brittle from overexpansion. Zanbajil figures that
they may be able to retake Canpel at this rate, but Janela isn't in a mood to
forgive Walkymedes and Dangel their blunders on Earth. Dangel begs for another
chance, but Janela zaps him before berating them at length as imbecilic morons,
and retarded ones at that. Zanbajil cuts her ranting short, pointing out that
their own army is also repenting its failures on Earth - what this really means
is that he's got more dirty work for the two fuckups to do. Janela warns them
that this time they're either going to come back having fulfilled the
Alliance's dreams, or as processed _low_ _fat_ dogfood.
Zanbajil says that their enemies aren't only the Balmar and Earth: at the
moment, the biggest threat is the Muge. These beings aren't rightful dwellers
of this _plane_, much less this galaxy, and although they are supposedly allies
he fears a repetition of their past humiliation unless he can figure out what
the Muge are really up to. Especially troubling is that they seem to have
vanished from the Earth sphere and severed communications, and Zanbajil doubts
that their setback on Earth could have affected _them_ that badly. In any
case, he agrees with Janela that the time has come to smite the Empire and
restore the rightful galactic nobility to power. Or so he thinks...
Ruaf reports to Shiva that the data from the First Fleet looks quite
fascinating, worth sacrificing one of the Judekka Gottso types and a Zfield to
obtain. Ruaf dismissively says that there's any number of replacement dolls
available, and orders Epeso's data transplanted into one of his clones: he
still may have his uses. Etsilla points out that the Alpha Numbers seem to
have added Ideon to their number, _quite_ a wildcard that's also part of a
certain person's plan according to Ruaf. OR... perhaps a sign that they've
been preempted: the Alpha Numbers are, after all, a very special thing within
this galaxy. That assemblage of ultra-powerful weapons and warriors, with
Espers and psychics at the helm, cannot have come together by mere coincidence.
Though Ruaf doubts the Alpha Numbers realize it themselves, he feels a strong
sense of purpose, as did Gun-Eden and Shiva's former puppet Yuuzes. Maybe
Armana even felt it, in which case the Earth might actually be their original
homeworld, not Balmar itself. That would explain why the Room of Gauf tried to
open there, and why the gods of destruction are attacking an otherwise
backwater world instead of the center of the Balmar empire. Heck, the entire
previous life of the Balmar Empire may have risen and fallen on Earth. Not
that Ruaf cares much for whatever happened in this past Empire. He tells a
concerned Etsilla to let Armana do as she pleases with the little time left
her, noting that Baran and Rulia have been assigned to protect her. In any
case, Ruaf plans to simply watch the Solar System from afar for now, and
concentrate on the battle with the Baff Clan and the gods of destruction.
Shiva plans to put Hazar, Saldes and Hiradelhia on the case, noting that the
Boazan also seem to be stirring up trouble. Ruaf lets Shiva reorganize the
army to fortify its overextended defensive lines.
Shiva then reports that no progress has been made in understanding the Cross
Gate, assuring Ruaf that there's no need to intervene, lest something happen to
him himself. Ruaf smirks, sardonically thanking Shiva for his loyalty.
Etsilla has nothing to report on the unlimited energy front, and makes haste to
prepare the ceremony for Ruaf to commune with the Zfields. Ruaf says this will
be a long session, given that the End is nigh and whatnot. Shiva thinks to
himself that he'd better get moving if he wants to get his hands on the Key and
"Dis Lev". Ruaf meanwhile figures that it won't matter what the humans do: a
new time will begin, and he'll be alive to see it.
Scenario 26. Karisome no Tabibito ("A Traveler in Jest")
Your people have made it back to Icarus Base without incident in advance of the
assault on Jupiter and the Primevals. It's now a scant 9 hours before the
mission commences, and plans to relax are briefly interrupted by the specter of
Kusuha bearing libations... until it turns out it's Mikoto's famous blend of
coffee. Your crew are chugging it down when Mikoto has some kind of brief
episode of... fatigue? and drops one of the mugs. Kusuha, quite worried, tells
Mikoto to rest up for now, but Mikoto claims she's okay anyway...
Elsewhere on board, the refrigerator-thick Daijirou is managing to kick Brit's
ass in a round of sparring. Kyoushirou is officiating, and counsels Brit to
not think of his sword as a tool, but rather as an extension of his own arm.
He tells Brit that if he can manage that it should surely come in handy the
next time you face the Choukijin. Brit looks rather downcast that it won't
suffice to just connect his mind using the T-Link System, but sees the logic in
Kyoushirou's assertion that such gadgetry can be more of a crutch than a help
sometimes.
With the feeling returned to his hands, Brit is ready to face Daijirou's staff
again. Kyoushirou tells him that a true instant-death strike will be his when
he figures out how to deal with Daijirou's superior range. Now using his hips
to help manage the distance, Brit goes on the offensive again as your other
pilots watch from the sidelines, musing over his determination to be able to
fight Ganlon even without a Choukijin to pilot. Unlike your other people,
Akira highly doubts that the Ryuu-Ko-Ou was destroyed during the battle with
Gun-Eden. He reasons that, like Reideen, they ought to have some fated role in
whatever fragdown is awaiting you, all the more so since they've got the whole
mysterious past thing going on. Ryou presumes Kusuha and Brit expect to see
their old mounts again too.
Tomoro reports that the J Ark's systems are essentially all recovered, praising
the craft of the dwellers of the blue planet. This should help a lot on the
quest to go save J and wreck the Primevals, but Kaidou hopes that this whole
intervening delay won't have proven more than J can handle. Volfogg echoes
Shishio's analysis that even the Primevals can't have mastered use of THE POWER
that quickly, but Kaidou is more worried about why the Primevals haven't simply
come and attacked you in the meantime instead. Dollars to donuts you're about
to be heading into a trap, but with everyone counting on you and the resolution
so near there's no turning back now. Mamoru would like to hear Kaidou say
he'll come back to Earth after the battle is over, but Kaidou won't relent that
easily. Mamoru wishes that Kaidou would realize that he, too, has people who
love him.
In the data room, Oota is poring over all the combat data from the engagement
with the Zfield. As Misato knows, the Zfields alter their appearance and
abilities based on their opponents, and last time they indeed became rather
humanoid. This time the Zfield was shaped like a mobile fortress, or perhaps
an ultra long-range doomsday weapon - and from what Exedore has deduced its
shape is specifically adapted to counter the Zentraedi. Oota doubts that
that's all, and Misato, aghast, realizes that it's really configured to combat
the STMC. Oota muses that it's only natural that the Empire would have
encountered the space monsters, and is more than likely locked in combat with
them somewhere this very moment.
In fact, he figures that the STMC will invade the solar system again sooner
rather than later - FAR sooner than originally planned. The shortest course to
the showdown with the Primevals goes near the gate, and Oota warns Misato to be
prepared for anything from the Gate, which has apparently sat idle all this
time. Misato promises to come back victorious, but Oota inwardly urges her to
hurry - with what little life he's got left, he must see that the Carneades
Project gets underway.
Your convoy uneasily nears the gate, free for once from Imperial interference
since the Empire has no more wish to get tossed somewhere by the Gate than you
do. That said, Sakon is suspicious about why the Empire would abandon the Gate
entirely, especially since your people were fully expecting the entire Imperial
armada to pop out of the gate at any time. They're up to something, and have
yet to haul out the monstrous mobile weapon that decimated the Gate guardian
fleet and SRX: Misato was right when she said that the formidable Zfield was
not the Empire's true trump card.
You're now close enough to see the massive expanse of the Gate with the naked
eye. Its ornate structure is more like an ancient artifact, perhaps left by
whatever ancestral culture left behind the Ideon and Soloship. Cheryl presumes
that to those ancients it must have been just one more method of warp travel
from place to place, not as limited in range or subject to spacetime topography
as the DS Drive. With a burst of uncommon (for her) good sense, Karsha figures
that this Gate must be responsible for how the Soloship's crew got warped here
from Solo, that some mysterious force similar to the mysterious Power of Ide
must be behind its actions. Cheryl agrees that it's worth looking into whether
the Sixth Culture may have made the Gate, though she hasn't forgotten about the
quest to use THE POWER to unlock Ideon's secrets.
You're _almost_ clear of the Gate when your worst fears are apparently
realized: _something_ starts coming out of the gate, and it's probably Imperial
in origin. Daimonji orders your people to attack at once, only to find that
it's... the Virtual-On dudes [at long last]. They're a bit confused as to
where they are after their long warp, and The Hatter is on some massive tirade
about his commanders which Fei Yen has more than a little trouble breaking
through. In fact, she only gets ignored even more when the VR Troopers
actually notice your people, who have no idea what to make of these new....
adversaries? The VR Troopers don't know why they're here, and there are
indications that the writers of the game don't know why they're here either,
but we'll go with it as best we can.
As the VR Troopers babble inanely, Reideen suddenly gives Akira a clear warning
of something very dangerous coming through the Gate in their wake. Oota was
_uber_ right on the money: it's the STMC, still busily wiping out intelligent
life after the SDF's little stunt to destroy part of their number. Unlike all
the other foes you face, there can be no peace, no common understanding with
these archenemies of mankind: it's either pWnz0r, or be pWnz0r4t3d up the ass
and worse. Kira's bright enough to know that this menace far surpasses the
tiff between Natural and Coordinator, and as your people ready for battle Asuka
wonders why the STMC, which can warp on their own, came out of the Gate. Rei
has a very unpleasant idea: perhaps _they_ know how to use the Gates. In any
case, Misato orders everyone to concentrate on wiping out every last STMC and
to ignore the three Unknowns so long as they don't attack you first. The VR's
meanwhile realize that while they're outside the jurisdiction of MARZ, they
still can't afford to perish here, for Lilin Branjinar's sake. Fei doesn't get
what's going on at all, but since it seems like fun she'll help out.
For a Skill Point, take the bad guys down within three turns. If you are Teh
New Hotness, you should be able to do it in two. ;)
It seems no second wave of space monsters is forthcoming, leaving your people
somewhat perplexed. Was this some kind of recon mission? Or perhaps a test by
the monsters to see where the Gate went? Isamu doubts they're that smart, but
Guld says that they've got formidable instincts and are getting smarter every
day - enough so that someone at Isamu's intellectual level is in pretty grave
danger of getting left behind. The VR's meanwhile are planning to avoid
contact with strangers in this strange land, until Fei's whining about being
tired and curious and wanting to know why they all got Gated here wins the day.
You learn pretty quickly that the VR's claim to be from an alternate world, one
of Cyber-history, of "limited war" and Oratorio Tangrams. These are all
unfamiliar keywords to Leo, but he doubts the newcomers are simply making them
up. What's more, the unit they belong to, "Special Mobile Squad MARZ", is
pledged to guard and govern the Mars Sphere - it seems their world and yours
have certain similarities. Leo has by now heard enough to be positive that
they've come from a similar but parallel world to yours via that pesky Gate.
The Hatter at least emphatically wants to return home, with all 1.5 of his IQ
points, and Fei says that she just does whatever she feels like... not that any
of them have any idea how to _get_ back home. Leo offers them the chance to
stay with your people until the way is found, saying that he's already involved
in frantic research about the Gate to avert the catastrophe that's sure to
befall this world otherwise. In return, they'd be expected to help your people
fight, which as they realize isn't that bad of a deal. Kouji wants to know if
the VR's are robots, or if there's some pilots inside. The Hatter says that
that's a secret, and Fei somewhat ditzily adds that it's kinda a long story, so
she won't tell it.
In any case, the VR's formally introduce themselves: Affirmed The Hatter, the
excessively cute Fei Yen (who Kouji is POSITIVE Ryuusei will fall in love with
with one glance), and..... well, the third won't tell you his name, claiming
to have forgotten it. Hatter laments that his older bro is back to that kind
of standoffishness, and gets increasingly agitated as said brother remains
quiet in the face of the dark clouds growing over your squad members. At
length, he says that he is MARZ itself, that he's thrown himself fully into his
entrusted duty and as such needs no name of his own. But, if your people
insist, they may call him "Chief". And stuff. Pretty much, that's the story
(that ain't how it happened!) [That's all I got, so you commence napping.]
Sakon breaks the news to Daimonji about your visitors from a parallel version
of your own solar system... and probably _not_ from the future as such. It
seems clear that they didn't come here of their own volition, but were thrown
here by some sort of accident during a mission they were on. While there is
some sort of artifact from an ancient high-tech culture called the Moon Gate on
their moon, nothing is known about it. All of this deepens the mystery about
your own Gate, and recalls to mind the apparatus that Yuuzes was trying to
construct during the Balmar War: the Crossgate Paradigm System which could
putatively manipulate Causality in a given dimension. In simple terms, this
device could make whatever phenomenon you wanted occur without violating
natural law in a way that would destroy the universe. In layman's terms, it
conferred the almighty, omnipotent power of God over at least a certain
circumscribed area. Pete thinks the concept is rubbish, but Sakon cautions him
that although Yuuzes couldn't save himself with his schemes, it's unlikely the
rest of the Empire would have given up on the Crossgate Paradigm System so
easily. He also points out to Pete that there's already two examples of
effectively God-like power already being harnessed, and by *your own* squad no
less: Ideon and THE POWER. With irrefutable evidence of various infinite
sources of energy before your very eyes, it's not so much of a stretch to
imagine that somehow, somewhere in this universe, was the power of God Himself
for the taking. Pete scoffs at this, saying mockingly that if this God person
really exists he'd love it if He'd drop by for tea some day. Daimonji,
however, is more open-minded, saying that at the very least, there seems to be
someone out there whose intellect far surpasses mankind's, and whose will seems
to be being done via these Gates...
Unfortunately, you're not out of the woods yet: a large gravitational
abnormality opens up right before your little armada. This time it's not the
Gate's fault, but rather the Primevals. They think they've sealed you away in
subspace, and at Pagliaccio's orders begin combining to undertake their final
plan.
[Fans of Gaogaigar will be pleased to know that among the spoils of this
battle is, literally, a Key To Victory(tm).]
Scenario 26x. Shouri e no Chikai ("Oath to Victory")
Ryuusei is having some kind of vision, begging forgiveness of Aya for not being
able to protect her, as some unseen voice taunts him as a good-for-nothing
Psychodriver. The voice ignores his pleas to stay away, relentlessly telling
him that his power brought about the entire calamity, summoning the Ze Balmariy
Empire, casting him into the fires of war, and ultimately dooming his friends.
The voice tells him never to forget that his power is nothing but a cause of
catastrophe...
Elsewhere at the Phoenix, Arizona base, Rai reports to Robert that Ryuusei's
condition is unchanged - his physical wounds are almost healed, but his psychic
powers are still gone. Robert asks Rai if he himself is okay - Rai says he'd
be lying if he said he was, but that he can't sit around wallowing in sorrow
forever. The SRX Team still has things to do, but Robert points out that in
the state Ryuusei is in, the Altard won't amount to a hill of beans. Robert
asks Rai to somehow get Ryuusei back on his feet - he and the other team
members are the only ones who can. He tells Rai that Viletta is almost at his
position, and asks him to follow her orders.
Viletta appears quite promptly in fact. Rai tells her that he's still in
rehabilitation for his injuries, and that Ryuusei's condition hasn't changed.
Viletta isn't the only one sad at that - Rebi is here too, though she now goes
by a different name. Her real name, or so she's been told, is Kobayashi Mai.
Especially given what happened to Aya, she wants to share her name. She goes
to see Ryuusei, as Viletta quizzes Rai about the defeat at the Gate. She notes
that the enemy seemed to have detailed information about the SRX, and Rai says
that it presumably came either from Ingram, or from Viletta herself. Rai's
been waiting for a chance like this, and wants to make things clear. Both he
and Ryuusei have some vague notion of what Viletta was really about, that she's
had some traffic with the Empire. However, until now he's obeyed her orders,
waiting to hear from her own mouth precisely what she's up to. Just who _is_
she, and why did she make contact with Rai and the others? And what was her
relation to Ingram?
Mai finds Ryuusei on the roof as expected, and as expected [by the audience]
the conversation quickly turns serious. Mai doesn't remember being Aya's
sister, but she's heard enough to change her name back. Ryuusei apologizes for
lacking the power to keep Aya alive, but Mai insists its not his fault.
Ryuusei continues that he's lost his powers - preventing him from even seeking
revenge. But, war doesn't let people sit idle so easily! Mai gets ready to
sortie, but sees Ryuusei cowering from some unseen presence that he's shouting
at to stay away. In a lucid moment, he shouts in anguish that he can't fight
anymore.
It's the Imperial army, and there's only one combat-worthy mech in this entire
base.... but with Ryuusei a basket case, that's out. Viletta has brought the
R-Gun however, and tells Rai to take Ryuusei and Mai and evacuate while she
holds the enemy off. Rai isn't sure he wants to trust her, but she says that
he and Ryuusei mustn't be lost here. Mai sorties too, and although Viletta
objects Mai wants to fill in for Aya and fight. Viletta reluctantly lets her,
but cautions her not to push too hard.
Take down the first batch of adversaries and more will occur. Viletta
realizes that this base has little strategic value, meaning that the enemy
are after her and the others. Rai knows that two mecha opposing so many
enemies is futile, and figures he has no other choice. Rai then goes and
grabs Ryuusei, telling him that he ought to know what's being stored in this
base. Ryuusei pitifully says that he can't take it anymore. He's lost his
powers, he's lost the R-1 and the SRX - how's he supposed to fight?! Rai,
furious, decks Ryuusei squarely in the face, and gets even more furious when
Ryuusei doesn't attempt to fight back. He yells that he lost the same thing
Ryuusei did during that battle. But UNLIKE Ryuusei, he's doing what Aya told
him to do: his duty. Ryuusei isn't getting the message, so Rai decks him
again, demanding to know why Ryuusei thinks Robert made "that" machine. He
won't let Ryuusei claim ignorance. In rage, Rai tells Ryuusei to just stay
there quivering on the floor if he can't fight, because _he_ is getting into
the machine regardless.
Ryuusei realizes that Rai hit him with his artificial hand, and wasn't
pulling his punches either. It starts to dawn on Ryuusei that he really
isn't the only victim here, and what the hell is he doing sitting on his ass
when everyone else is fighting? He's still got the strength to fight, still
has people on his side. He runs to the hangar, cutting off Rai's attempts to
pilot the new mech with an incomplete OS that's been customized for Ryuusei
alone.
Outside, it seems that two mecha aren't enough to protect the base. As
Viletta is about to order the staff evacuated, the Alblade Custom launches:
it's Ryuusei flying totally by the seat of his pants. He rapidly discovers
that the right arm won't move. Viletta has to intervene, and she orders him
to leave the battlefield at once. When he protests, she says that she
doesn't want to lose any more subordinates, or rather, comrades. But Rai has
other ideas, and plans to fix the OS on the fly. Ryuusei wants to know how
such a reckless thing is even possible, and Rai smirks and says that that's
the last thing he ever expected to hear out of Ryuusei's mouth. Rai tells
him that he'll match his movements to Ryuusei's, just as they did when fused
in the SRX - and Ryuusei will get about 60% of the SRX's motions as a result.
The results come out quite nicely, as the first bad guy gets chopped into
little bitty pieces.
Ryuusei is back on the scene, save for where Rai punched him. And hey, it was
for a good cause. Viletta explains to Rai that she's acting as Ingram's
"proxy". Similar but not identical in aim, she's trying to carry out his
orders to defeat anyone on this world who tries to reject Causality. That led
her to become the captain of the SRX Team, and although she suspect they won't
believe her, she says it's the truth. Rai says that that's good enough for
him, and Ryuusei comes in just then to say that the Alblade is done being
tuned. She tells them to get ready to move out - they're headed to Tesla Raihi
to help with part of the Altard project that's been tweaked a bit. The real
question is whether the SR-01 Altard will be in time for the battles to come,
and Viletta says there's no choice but to _ensure_ it's on time, especially
since the Gate is already active. Ryuusei vows not to let them have their way
this time, that he'll let Aya and the SRX rest in peace. If not, he himself
can't move forward or do his duty.
Scenario 27. Yuuki Aru Mono-tachi no Chikai ("The Oath of the Braves")
Your people find themselves stuck inside a Clyne Space, an inter-dimensional
rift, made by the Primevals. You don't have much time to ponder how to get out
before a bunch of Zondar attack. Max realizes that the fact they were able to
get in implies that there's a way to get _out_, and that the Clyne Space itself
must be relatively stable - he therefore orders your dudes to attack. The VR's
find this to be a pretty abrupt welcome, and The Hatter is looking forward to
making it a very warm one. It takes Gai to really tell your people not to give
up, that as long as you hang onto your courage there will surely be a way out
of here. He reminds everyone of their pledge to be brave, which The Hatter
says is right on the money even though, as Fei points out, he never took said
pledge himself. Leo vows to work with Sakon to find a way out, and leaves the
Zondar-busting to Gai.
Take down enough of the bad guys and Sakon will get an idea about how to
escape. Buy time for him to run it through the computers.
After you beat all the bad guys, the scientists have figured out your ticket
out of this subspace. Leo launches in a shuttle for a mission only he can
pull off. He's carrying sensors that will sense when the the maximum
weakness forms in the Repulsion and Arresting Fields containing this
subspace, appearing at the time the bad guys are sending in more
reinforcements. What you have to do is inject Broken energy at that very
moment, and you should be able to escape. The opening will only stay open
for 1/50th of a second, and there's only one person who can attack with that
kind of precision [who is willing to say so at the moment]: J, who's been
hanging out in this dimensional rift and who rapidly requests Arma and the J
Ark to come with him. He assures your people that he has no intension of
dying until the Primevals are defeated. Your squads form up, and attack
right on cue...
Arm is _greatly_ surprised to see your people break out of his Clyne Space,
and Gai informs all 31 Primevals that their ass is grass. Arm is not to be
so easily cowed by mere organic lifeforms. Gai declares that your people are
no worse the wear for the little battle of attrition the Primevals tried to
wage, and your people are fixing to make good on their pledge as Braves.
Despite the danger, Leo heads towards Jupiter to check on the status of THE
POWER, telling Gai that he can't let others do all the risking of their lives
around here. Taiga declares the battle for the future of all life forms
officially open!
For a Skill Point, wipe out all adversaries within seven turns. For Coolness
Points, do it in half that ;)
Kill off enough of the bad guys and the plot will start forcing your people
to whine about being low on energy and whatnot. Arm tells you that this is
your destiny, and that Mechanization is the one and only way to save you
pitiful organic lifeforms from obliteration, as it were, "Complementation".
This gets the EVA pilots' attention, and he claims that Mechanization is the
only way to avoid the coming catastrophe. He tells you that he's extending
you the hand of salvation, and when Kouji tells him to go fuck himself he
continues that the more you organic lifeforms resist, the iller you become.
[Ha HA, you KNEW I was the most illest from DAY ONE! Respect.] Actually,
Leo is pretty illing himself, reminding your people once more of the Promise
of the Braves and earning himself a one-way ticket into the Jovian atmosphere
for his pains. And it's a very short flight.
Your people are too astonished to even be in disbelief, and Arm frets that
your people have deposited some litter on Jupiter. Gai is, how should I put
it.... *FUCKING* *PISSED* *AS* *ALL* *HELL*, yes that's the phrase, enraged
beyond all measure at his father's immolation, but the Primevals aren't done
with him yet either.
Leo takes his death like a man, in particular like a man who's just been
reunited with his wife, lost on that expedition to Jupiter so many years ago.
She tells him that THE POWER has enabled her to go on living as a being of
pure thought. The most her efforts to contact Earth could achieve is the
vague warning of Jupiter's menace, and she missed her husband so very much...
Gai meanwhile is confronted by a different apparition, a copy of the original
Cain contained inside Galeon. He tells Gai that, having lost his body and
being fused with Galeon, he could not raise his child by himself - hence he
entrusted Mamoru to the Amami family. In fact, he'd have told everyone this
sooner if not for the damage Galeon sustained in its first battle with EI-01.
But THE POWER has restored Galeon, one of the many inscrutable energy sources
in the universe. Cain thanks Gai for fusing with Galeon in his stead, and
Gai in turn thanks him for granting him the power to defend those most
precious to him. Cain tells him that his life span is at an end, and when
Mamoru appears tells his child that he's grown strong, in mind and body. He
breaks Mamoru's final seal, saying that the time has come for Mamoru to use
his powers for what is right. He leaves the rest to Gai, telling Mamoru that
he'll always be by his side, and Mamoru says he'll always recall the gentle
eyes watching over him and the green planet, the same gentle eyes as
Galeon's.
Arm is unaware of all of this, thinking that he's finally gotten rid of the
Legacy of Cain once and for all. He tells the Calamity of Abel that he's
next, followed by the rest of the Alpha Numbers, but Gai has other ideas.
Gai says that he will never be defeated as long as he has the Oath of the
Braves, as long as he has THE POWER. His parents are with him in spirit,
urging him to recall the energy that restored Choukijin to life and warning
him not to become drunk with its might. As Gai starts pummeling Arm, Exedore
placidly notes that THE POWER is now on your side and tells Taiga that now
might be a good time to attack. THE POWER confers its blessing on everyone,
including Ideon. Cosmo doesn't care if it and the Power of Ide are related -
right now it's time to chew bubblegum or kick ass, and Big League Chew just
went out of season.
Arm is worth a Super Ally Nu-Z. Another Primeval has an I-Field Barrier.
Another is worth a High Performance Targeting System. Another has a
Psychoframe.
All the Primevals are toast, and their cores all recovered. Kaidou and Mamoru
team up to Purify them all, reuniting the Zondar Crystals into a single sphere.
Unfortunately, Arm is _STILL_ not defeated. He brushes J back, raging that J
ought to have been destroyed along with the Red Planet, and Pagliaccio
announces that she's finished analyzing THE POWER. She has Arm and the stolen
Zondar Crystals fuse into Zed Master, rapidly regenerating thanks to THE POWER.
Basically, you now have to fight with Jupiter itself. Zed Master uses its
newfound power to make a bunch of Zondar Spores, sending them all to the Blue
Planet through an ES Window as its master program restarts. The whole of the
Earth is about to be Zondarized, but there's no need to fret: all you have to
do is defeat Zed Master, and the whole of the Zondar stuff will be toast, never
to rise again. Fei impatiently tells J not to give you the whole "at least
we'll get a warrior's death" speech, saying that if he actually dies all kind
of people will be _very_ sad. Kusuha also points out that there's lots more
stuff to do after this battle is done. Word comes from Icarus base: you've got
five turns to end this before the spores fully overwhelm the Earth.
You get reminded during the battle just how much chaos is going on on the
Earth. The kids realize that they've got to believe in the GGG to stop all
this nonsense. Meanwhile, your people find out they can't actually hurt Zed
Master - and you're running out of time. How the heck can you defeat the
thing, which insists on gloating and carrying on like a bitch while you
scratch your heads. J points out to him that writhing around is the nature
of life, and you're wriggle your way free of this one yet. It repeats that
Mechanization is the only way for you to escape the coming calamity and be
Complemented. Shinji shouts back that that's just a form of running away,
but Zed Master would prefer you call it "salvation". Asuka isn't one to have
other people's world views forced upon her, and your people continue to think
positive. The problem is, how can you win?
Zed Master is worth... a lousy Large Generator. Zed Master doesn't like
losing, saying there must have been some kind of mistake. Gai informs him
that the universe doesn't need Zed's Mechanization: what it needs is your
blazing courage! And if that's what Zed insists on calling Minus Thoughts,
so be it: the one deserving destruction is Zed himself! J then hurries
_inside_ Zed Master, to finish destroying him from the inside out - he tells
Zed that he's a fool for forgetting that THE POWER can be used for
destruction too. Unfortunately, that would mean J's destruction too, but J
tells Gai that they'll settle their duel one day, and not to die in the
meantime. Kaidou tells Mamoru that the flow of power can no longer be
stopped, and asks him to look after everyone on Earth. The three companions
from the Red Planet are together at the end, and Zed Master says that
although it is being destroyed.... Exploding prevents it from finishing its
sentence.
Mamoru then uses his full power to Purify the master program. You've just won,
liberating the Earth from the Zondar in the process. Your people start
congratulating each other on this rather nerve-wracking [???] victory. Gai
offers words of thanks to Cain and THE POWER, and his parents, for helping see
your people through this fight. He muses that neither you nor the Primevals
could really control THE POWER, saying he'll never use it again. He bids
farewell to Jupiter, and to the warrior of the J Jewel. Mikoto rather faintly
says that she too is glad that it's all over...
Scenario 27x. Kakenukeru Tatsumaki ("Charging Tornado")
Robert has summoned Retzel and Zengar to Tesla Raihi for some subtle
maintenance on the Direct Motion Link on the Double G. Retzel apologizes for
making him do that sort of work, but Robert says that it's an honor to work
with a machine that Vian Zoldark of the Divine Crusaders designed. He relates
how Vian took interest in a video game that he, a mere programmer at the time,
developed, and offered him the chance to research with him. That's what
started him on the road to being a mecha engineer, and Retzel figures out that
Vian is pretty much responsible for he, Zengar, Filio, and many other people
being where they are today. Vian handed the War God Armor Daizengar to Zengar
personally, and showed a genuine grasp of the idea behind Project Ark.
Unfortunately, he's been missing ever since heading to Jupiter in the wake of
the Balmar War, but it's fair to say he's the main reason the Earth has been
able to hold out in his absence as well as it has.
However, the intensifying conflict demands ever greater power, which brings
Robert to his next request: he wants Rai to help with the final adjustments on
a certain mech. He apologizes for not saying it sooner, but the SRX Team is
due to arrive at Tesla Raihi any day now. Retzel won't show his face to his
younger brother, saying that Rai would probably laugh as his shameless
behavior. However, if the need comes, Retzel is ready to face it - and has
been ever since casting off the Branstein name, or rather, since the day of his
painful loss.
There's little time for reminiscence however, as the air raid sirens go off.
This base has no outward military value, and Retzel realizes that _someone_
must have realized that "it" is here. Zengar will sortie first, telling Retzel
to stay hidden in case worse comes to worse. Astoundingly, the bad guys are
from the Imperial Army, who were _supposedly_ withdrawn from the Solar System
after their defeat on Mars.
After the first few bad guys get taken down, reinforcements arrive - on both
sides! Viletta has Ryuusei and Rai in tow, and both of them seem to be back
to fighting shape. Viletta tells Rai to head back to the lab and to leave
the enemies to her and Ryuusei. When Rai does so, Ryuusei recognizes the
Ship-Cleaving Sword of Zengar, though it takes a moment for it to register
that this isn't the same Zengar that your people faced in the future. Mai is
on the scene too, and the three mecha get ready to assist Zengar. Retzel is
worried however, expecting a third enemy wave and imploring Robert to hurry.
Sure enough, the third wave arrives - it's the Golar Golems. Inside the
base, Rai runs over to Robert and asks if there's any mech he can use.
Ryuusei is going on fighting even without his psychic powers, and he figures
he can't be the only one to sit back and watch. The only sortiable mech is a
black Huckebein, with a sigil that Rai recognizes. It's Retzel's mech, and
he steps out of the shadows and tells Rai to laugh if he's so inclined - but
this is the way he is now. Rai is amazed to see his older brother here, but
Retzel says that the man Rai knew died in the terrorist attack on the colony
back then, along with their mother. He's no more or less than Retzel
Feinshmaker now, and as the enemy attack advances he tells Rai to use his
Tronbe. Rai worries about his brother's mech, but Retzel tells him to do
what must be done, and Rai advances.
Ryuusei and the others are momentarily startled by the appearance of the
black Huckebein, but Rai assures them his old injuries have faded and asks
them to get the formation ready.
Take out a few more enemies and Mai will sense a vast, powerful psychic force
coming your way. It's Irui, and as soon as she shows up some of the Golems
try to get her. They use mines to keep Zengar back, and before Ryuusei and
Rai can get to the scene, Retzel intervenes in the Double G, Dynamic General
Guardian #2: the Aussenseiter! It is.... FUCKING FAST. After an initial
blast, he tells Zengar to switch to Bufelt mode, setting in motion... well,
words won't do it justice. Suffice it to say that the alternate form of
Retzel's mech shows just how thoroughly Vian understood Retzel's wishes. As
your people are about to rescue Irui, she tells the children of Nashim to go
to Tokyo and abruptly vanishes. You now know that the Imperial Army is after
her, but what of her strange warning?
It seems the purpose of Irui's visit was to tell you to get your ass to Tokyo,
at least from what Zengar and Mai heard. Rai marvels at his first glimpse at
the person who sought to Seal the world away, but Viletta reminds him that that
was the doing of Gun-Eden, to which Irui was merely a captive. But why did
Gun-Eden want Irui? Mai, downcast, says that it's because she's a Psychodriver
- which would be why the Empire is after Irui too. Viletta tells Rai and Mai
to stay here and work on setting up the Altard's OS while the rest of the
people head to Tokyo. When they finish, they're to head to the Mao Corporation
on the moon and unite the OS with the mech itself. Ryuusei briefly laments how
the SRX Team is being split up so quickly after reuniting, and Rai figures it
can't be helped, just like the War of Seals. He tells Ryuusei to regain his
powers during the time he and Mai are getting the Altard ready on the moon - he
doesn't consider Ryuusei to have lost his powers. Rather, those powers are
slumbering, and it's up to him to reawaken them. He says that, for now at
least, they've got to do separately what they can, and the team bids each other
farewell for now.
Scenario 28. Itsuka Hoshi no Umi De ("Someday, in the Sea of Stars")
In fact, Mikoto collapsed on the spot, and regains consciousness in the Icarus
sick bay. Mikoto recalls that three whole years have passed since EI-01 fell
to Earth - three years of the nightmare, which is finally over. A certain
comet will be visible when they get back to Earth - the same one that shone
overhead eight years ago as Gai dreamed of becoming an astronaut. He still has
the locket she gave him then, and Mikoto says that it's Gai who gave her the
courage to live again. She asks Gai if he'd mind her staying with him always
after this is over, saying that she's got nowhere to return to. After an
uncomfortable pause, Gai says that her vital signs seem to have improved
considerably - more than likely she's just built up a lot of exertion. As Gai
holds her hand in his, she says she can feel his warmth, the warmest in the
world despite his hand being, well, metal.
Tashiro praises Taiga, the Alpha Numbers, and Shishio Leo's noble sacrifice,
which has for the time being at least freed the Solar System from the threats
from outer space. That, plus the victory over the subterranean forces at the
Science Fortress Laboratory and the victory over the Zaft at Gibraltar, have
gotten you down to one menace: the space monsters. Who would have thought that
they'd be back to the Solar System this fast, and using the Gate no less.
Tashiro and his second in command agree that the timing is FAR too coincidental
- it's more likely that the same force that's been moving you around via the
Gate brought them as well. They realize that the STMC may not have been after
the Earth at all, but rather *Jupiter*, or perhaps the Icarus base itself.
Otherwise, why come with such small numbers? Does this mean that they were
sent to obstruct the Carneades Project? Even Taiga is having trouble believing
that they're _that_ smart, and Tashiro figures that with Jupiter liberated it
may be time to accelerate the timetable. Taiga warns that THE POWER is too
much for human hands to control, but Tashiro tells him that for Earthlings,
indeed, for sentient life in general to survive, they've got to use everything
that _can_ be used... even Jupiter itself. Tashiro is adamant that if the STMC
are coming from the center of the galaxy, there'll be no choice but to count on
tossing it in in there, which feels like a lamentable but necessary risk if
you're to have any future. Tashiro asks Taiga for help in garnering support
for Carneades once he returns to Orbit Base. After he leaves, Tashiro's second
opines that the Earth is likely to be a royal mess on that front, but Tashiro
says that Taiga is fully aware of that. Whatever happens, Carneades _must_
succeed, come what criticism there may from the future generations they're
trying to guarantee.
Oota then comes in with Max, Miria, and Bes in tow. Max and Miria are united
in the intention to rejoin their original fleet, and search for the whereabouts
of the Barooda army. Bes says that at the end of much deliberation it seems
clear that remaining on Earth would be undesirable. They plan to leave the
Solar System, though they have yet to arrive at a concrete destination, and
were planning to travel light in the hopes of running away that much more
easily. Tashiro well understands their resolve, but has a request for them
anyway, on behalf of future generation of humanity: to perform advance
reconnaissance for the Carneades Project. What's that, Bes asks...
Taiga has everyone observe a moment of silence for the departed Leo. His
brother Liger ruefully notes that the hasty Leo seems to have left him behind
once again, and hopes he and Kizuna are doing well together. Gai for his part
promises to return to Jupiter to meet his parents someday. With the solemn
stuff out of the way, the champagne gets broken out to celebrate the great
victory you've won, as well as something non-alcoholic for the minors amongst
your crew. Anyway, cheers! [And the crowd goes wild?! O_o;;;]
Some of your people are marveling over Taiga's brief greeting, expecting at
least 15 minutes of sonorous sermon. Misato doesn't mind one bit, since the
longer the toast, the worse the beer tastes in her experience. Asuka notices
that Misato already has her drinking "game face" on, but Shinji figures it's
the first such chance she's had in a very long time. Misato makes a point to
see if Natarle is drinking (err, yes, only grapefruit juice), and joins Maryuu
in trying to get her very uptight first officer plastered. It's great to have
a good old celebration as a team for a chance, though it's a shame that some of
your members are absent. Say, what could Banjou and friends be doing right
now? Judou's sure they're fine, and likely to pop out of nowhere any day now.
Beecher isn't so sure, noting that the Haran Conglomerate has been dismantled
and wondering if Banjou isn't on the run from his creditors. Kusuha kind of
can't picture that, and Roux figures that at least Garrison should keep them on
an even keel.
Brit as a question for Kusuha: he wants to get permission to return to the
Tesla Raihi lab. He points out that their mecha were essentially engineering
samples hastily prepped for combat well in advance of the actual start of mass-
production. He wants to hand over the massive amount of combat data they've
collected and get their mecha into final form, as well as grab some new
armaments, which can be attached on the back and various other spots. The
flying gear is even almost ready, and Brit stoutly (and blushingly) says that
he simply wants to do everything in his power to get ready for the showdown
with Ganlon, instead of merely wanting some time alone with Kusuha. A bit of
ribbing on this point only makes Brit resist harder, which is, after all, one
of Brit's good points in Kusuha's opinion.
Ryou is looking down in the dumps, and Hayato easily discerns that Ryou is
fretting over the Soloship's crew. They've been sent on a special mission, and
took Isamu and Guld with them on an errand to deep space. This resurrects the
subject of the spacers' mistreatment at the hands of the the Earthbound, which
includes the Barm as well. Kazuya frets over how his engagement with Erika is
even being called into question in some quarters, and notes that Erika and her
retinue have headed to Earth for a meeting with the Security Council. It would
indeed really suck if something were to happen to their fairytale romance...
Meanwhile, something temporarily bothers Mamoru, but the other kids quickly
interest him in eating parfait. That said, he can't seem to shake his bad
feeling...
His bad feeling is quite justified. In the sick bay, all is definitely not
well with Mikoto. Before Gai's eyes, she metamorphoses into a new form of
mechanical life. She makes her way to the hangar and steals a shuttle, and
when Gai and the other Hero robots try to stop her, they experience some sort
of power drain. It's been determined that all matter, organic or inorganic,
that comes in contact with her ceases functioning, i.e. dies. With Zed Master
dead and all the Zondar and Zondarians out of commission, how could this be
happening? Orbit Base itself is losing power, and the target is headed back
into the atmosphere and bound straight for Tokyo. Apparently she's out to
Mechanize the Earth, and Mamoru and Galeon have sortied to try to stop her.
Taiga knows that they can't hack it alone, and orders every mech that can be
sortied stuffed into the Daikuu Maryuu and sent in pursuit.
The usual kids are watching their doom plummeting to Earth nearby, wondering if
it was that comet that's supposed to be passing by. Mamoru rushes to try to
save everyone, asking Galeon to try to hold the fort here.
You've got to take down the Zonuuda Robo within six turns for a Skill Point.
Help arrives on turn 2, kind of - even the Daikuu Maryuu is beginning to
falter under the Zonuuda's influence. As your people hastily launch, Liger
notes that three years ago, the EI-01 seems to have planted a totally new
sort of seed in Mikoto's body, one which fused with her nervous system and
bided its time while growing into an invincible life form safe even from the
energy of the G-Stone. It is a New Mechanical Breed, and surpasses even the
Primevals with its might.
The Federation sends a few troops in, only to have them get wiped out on the
spot, all energy drained in an instant. Just how the hell are you supposed
to deal with a vampire like this? It's quite simple, actually: you blast it
in one go from long range. And yes, there's a person inside it, but Amuro
knows that you've got to stop the thing first before it drains all energy
from the entire world - and worry about saving its passenger later.
Gai, barely able to move, sets out on turn 3. The Gao Machines are in bad
shape, and it's doubtful that he can Final Fusion, but there is a way: put
the various Hero Robots' AIs into the Gao Machines, giving them just enough
guidance to combine. The Zonuuda tries to intervene, but Mamoru steps in to
protect him, showing his true identity to all his classmates. Hana
frantically fills her classmates in that Mamoru is an alien and has been
protecting them from the Zondar all this time, and they frantically start
rooting for him to hang on just a little longer. Gai isn't one to waste the
resolve (and likely, the last sliver of life) from his comrades, and pulls
off Final Fusion. But, he's only got six combat rounds with the Zonuuda in
him, so use them wisely. As Mamoru lies on the pavement, tired from his
ordeal, a voice advises him that he's hurt, and not to move.
Gai and Mamoru try to make sense of all this as Gai goes in for the attack.
Is your culture what's amiss here? Is it because you don't value things
enough? Is it because you throw everything away once you're done using it?
Is that why this creature is trying to end the Material world? Quick,
evacuate Madonna! Is this being which denies everyone's existence the Devil,
or God himself?! OR JUST ANOTHER LAME PLOT APPENDAGE THROWN IN TO FILL
EPISODE COUNT?!?!?!?! [whoops, there I go again with those high and mighty
speeches, when they are in fact part of my species, or is it the other way
around?] Maybe this is what it truly means to purify something, but Gai
still truly wants to believe that there is good in this world, and in
himself. Thus, he fights: to live another day!
The Zonuuda is worth an... Auxiliary GS Ride, an item not seen in MANY a
moon!
The Zonuuda is taken down, but the core is still alive and very dangerous.
Mikoto begs Gai to kill her before he himself dies, but as the life drains out
of the very matter making up Gai's body he finds himself unable to use his warm
hands to wrench the life from her body. Gai murmurs that he'll be together
with the person he loves when they both die, and asks her forgiveness for not
being able to protect the person he holds most dear. As Gai tells her he loves
her, she says that she's glad she fell in love with him too. Luckily there is
a certain glowing grade schooler on hand to save the day, loaning Gai the power
to perform Purification.
The result is... a miracle. Gai and Mikoto are both reborn into new bodies
[sans clothing! for what it's worth.] It seems God Himself has given Gai his
new body, as a reward for victory.
Meanwhile, Hazar is on hand, observing a certain diminutive girl who apparently
couldn't let danger to her world slide after all. Hazar's plan is to capture
the other Zfield priestess, namely Irui Gun-Eden....
Brit and Kusuha show up, thanks to Orbit Base's reactivation. They're asked to
handle leading the civilian evacuation from the combat zone. This goes very
badly awry very quickly when Kusuha and Brit sense Irui, and a LOT of Imperial
goons chasing her. Among them is Ganlon, who asks Brit if he got a piece of
Kusuha's ass yet. Brit furiously tells him that he's got no right to even ask,
and Ganlon shakes his head and says he figured Brit couldn't handle a woman
anyway, as unsociable as he is and whatnot. Ganlon tells Baran that these are
the two people chosen by the Ryuu-Ko-Ou, and the ones who defied its master....
well, his enemies in any case. Baran was hoping to cross swords with the
pilots of a Choukijin, but figures the mecha they're in now would be no match
for him. Ganlon tells him that they're a lot tougher than they look.... THOUGH
that may simply be because he's been holding himself back, chuckle. Calico
impatiently tells Ganlon to get busy fighting, which he will do if Calico
recovers the person precious to him.
Kill enough of the bad guys and Brit and Kusuha decide to stage a
concentrated attack on the Rai-Ou-Ki [damn plot lameness]. Kusuha gets
smacked around, causing Ganlon to feign dismay that he's hurt his precious
sacrifices. Brit demands to know what Ganlon is planning to do to them, and
Ganlon says that all he's interested in is Kusuha - he has no need for Brit
at all, not because he's not as strong a Psychodriver as she is, but because
he has no interested in hot-headed boys like him. Ganlon says that if Brit
was a cute little girl, he'd take her home with him in an instant. Calico
tells Ganlon to just grab the two of them already, and Ganlon says that Brit
and Kusuha are in luck: unlike during the War of Seals, they won't get split
up this time.
Rather than see the two of them get carted off, Daimonji orders the Daikuu
Maryuu to ramming speed. Of course, jack shit happens. Brit is trying to
get past Ganlon to protect Kusuha, but a voice from the shadows says that
that's _his_ job today. Retzel appears out of nowhere, handily blowing
Calico and Spectra out of the way, calling out to his Tronbe to run like its
name suggests. He shows Ganlon a thing or two [actually, just one thing],
and Ganlon wonders aloud what the _real_ name of this oh-so-gallant
interloper is. Retzel says that for the time being he's no more and no less
than Retzel Feinshmaker, but Ganlon says he recognizes Retzel's face, or more
accurately, his _ancestor's_ face.
And Ganlon knows that there are other guests here as well, that even Baran
didn't notice at first. It's Zengar, whose *MUGE* sword seems of great
interest to Baran. Zengar gives his name, and Baran recognizes the blade
that has cut down so many Imperial troops during this war. Zengar seems
impressed at Baran's full formal title, though Ganlon is finding the whole
tableau far too testosterone-soaked for his liking. Viletta(!) is on the
scene too, as is a rather steely-eyed Ryuusei. Ace then detects a response
from... Irui. Hazar then pops out too, noting that Irui seems to have been
intent on contacting the Alpha Numbers. Ryuusei immediately recognizes the
destroyer of the SRX, and his reaction is not pleasant. Hazar is actually
amused, having hoped that all that hatred and grief would have amplified
Ryuusei's powers - he feigns disappointment that he was so sadly mistaken.
Viletta stops Ryuusei's impending rampage, saying that with his psychic
powers currently gone, he has no way of beating such a foe.
Hazar then introduces himself formally to your people, the Chosen Swords, as
the man who will lead you all. He says he lacks the time to explain to you
now, since he's got other stuff to do. That would be grabbing Irui, and when
Ryuusei tries to intervene he gets very summarily blasted aside. Hazar tells
Irui to come with him, that for the Balmar to become the true rulers they
need priestesses of Zfield on their side. Irui clearly doesn't agree, since
she simply vanishes in a burst of power. Hazar now seems a bit peeved that
these damn Psychodrivers aren't going to make things easy for him. Ace
starts tracing her psychic trail, so Hazar can follow. Ganlon says he'll go
too, since Irui is far more important to him than Brit and Kusuha are. Hazar
couldn't care less, and says to leave the rest to the Golar Golems. As your
people demand to know what's going on, Hazar is even willing to give you a
piece of information (to Ganlon's great surprise). He tells you to try
concentrating your surveillance particles in the M4 region near the center of
the galaxy - you may hear a voice you'll find interesting.
There is to be no immediate pursuit of Hazar and his goons, with more enemies
remaining here. Once they're mopped up, Amuro demands an explanation of what
Viletta and friends are up to, as well as the business with the Empire and
Irui.
She explains that Hazar and his Golar Golems are after Irui. She's been
conducting independent research on Gun-Eden ever since the fragdown in the
Garden of Paral, and searching for Irui ever since she went missing from Tesla
Raihi. The girl you saw today was somehow different from the Irui that Brit
and Kusuha remember, and the reason is the Golar Golems, or rather, the Empire
itself. She figures that the Empire wants Irui's Psychodriver powers for
themselves. Viletta explains for the benefit of those late to the party that
"Psychodrivers" are highly talented Espers, with various abilities including
telekinesis, precognition and teleportation. These all-purpose Espers, if
combined into a system like Gun-Eden, can be a source of incredible power, as
you saw when Irui tried to seal the Earth away. Kusuha, Brit, Ryuusei, and
Rebi all also have Psychodriver power, and Sanshirou finds it a bit too
coincidental that all these people should be somehow connected to the Alpha
Numbers. Viletta says that that statement applies to all people with special
powers gathered together here - FAR too many to be blind coincidence. Amuro is
aware that certain strings were pulled to put the Alpha Numbers together, but
with stuff like _Ideon_ thrown in from out of the blue, there almost has to be
some kind of underlying will behind it all ["Kono sekai ni wa, hito no unmei wo
tsukasadoru, nanraka no chouetsu-teki na... Ritsu. Kami no Te ga sonzai suru
no darou ka? Sukunakutomo hitobito wa, jibun no ishi sae - jiyuu ni wa
dekinai." And place the quote for a gold star and a sword to rival Zengar's.]
A good question is why Irui keeps running from you all - it seems doubtful
she's still under the control of the artificial god, since you went and
thoroughly trashed it. Retzel suspects that there's another one left somewhere
in the world, and plans to take Zengar and keep tabs on what Irui and the Golar
Golems are up to. Amuro marvels at how your changing history has caused
Zengar, once your bitter enemy, to become such a strong ally. With a big
sword. As though reading his thoughts, Zengar tells Amuro that he was awakened
from slumber in the Earth Cradle by the Subterraneans' attack. Unfortunately,
in the ensuing battle the Earth Cradle's cold sleep facilities were mostly
ruined. Zengar says that he had lost faith in what would have been the future,
but now believes that a new future is his to help build: as long as he fulfills
his duty as the Sword Which Cleaves Evil.
As for Viletta, she wants to accompany your forces and research the Golar
Golems. She suspects that Irui will appear before your people again, and plans
to keep Ryuusei with her as the best course of action for him for now.
It seems like good news that Irui is still alive and well (and being pursued by
the Forces of Evil, but that goes with the territory), but Kusuha is anything
but her usual smiling self. She finally bursts out, saying that neither she
nor Irui is what your people think they are, and runs off. Brit runs off after
her, and Kouji begins to guess at what's bothering her, having known her since
high school and all. He reasons that unlike most of the pilots here, Kusuha
didn't start piloting because she wanted to, but like Shinji and Kira because
she was sort of forced to by circumstance. The first time Kusuha boarded the
Grungast Mk.II was to protect their high school, in fact. She was forced by
the government to join your squad to keep her psychic powers a secret from the
general public, and although she's got too much the stiff upper lip to bemoan
it much, it's surely been pretty hard on her all this time. Kouji figures that
Kusuha is sympathizing strongly with Irui, who's arguably had an even rougher
time under similar circumstances due to being chosen by Gun-Eden.
Brit finds Kusuha crying in her room. She tearfully says that she's got to go
back and apologize to everyone, but Brit's sure Kouji and the others
understand. After a moment, Kusuha asks Brit why he thinks psychic powers
exist. If not for them, Ryuusei and Aya would still be alright, Irui wouldn't
have gone through hell with Gun-Eden... Brit says that "psychic" power is the
power of will: though stronger or weaker or different in manifestation
depending on the individual, all people have it. The power of will couldn't be
abolished even if people wanted to. Brit knows how Kusuha feels, but says that
if not for their power, they never would have met their friends in the Alpha
Numbers, or their Choukijin. Kusuha persists, saying that their power only
makes people unhappy, including Brit when he was being controlled by Gun-Eden.
Now angry, Kusuha wishes that all this Psychodriver business would just go
away, and all the people who try to use it for their own ends too....
Somewhere in the Pacific, Hazar drops in to see his guests, in "protective
custody" from all the primitive inhabitants of this planet. He professes to
Rulia that this isn't imprisonment, just oversight (rather excessive
oversight). He regretfully tells Armana that he can't permit her outside, onto
enemy soil and while his men are on special assignment. Hazar is actually
afraid that if he let the princess roam around, his actions here on Earth would
reach the ears of the Spirit Emperor. He excuses himself, and Armana rapidly
sheds all pretense of politeness. She is, in fact, pissed as hell at how Hazar
is treating her, saying that if he is trying to use her he ought to just tell
her so up front. She asks Rulia if there's any way out of here, saying that
she hasn't got much time left and that there won't be another chance. Rulia is
much aggrieved to hear that, but Armana tells her that she's not resenting the
fate that awaits her; rather, she's overjoyed by it. And she knows her request
is going to make a lot of trouble for Rulia and others, but she really does
want to see the wide world outside with what life she has left, before being
offered to the Zfields....
Scenario 29. Osareta Rakuin ("Branded Sigil")
Mamoru tells his parents that the New Breed of Zondar may be popping up
throughout space, and while Mamoru doesn't think his powers can defeat them, he
does think he can help save people in trouble, just the way he's helped protect
the Earth. His parents tell him to do what he thinks is right, without
hesitation, and that he'll always have a home to come back to. Gai can't come
along, though he says that if he did he's sure Mikoto would be upset with him.
He says that he'll make good use of the power of the G-Stone, and Mikoto adds
that the Dragon brothers' AIs are healed well enough to accompany Mamoru on the
journey. Other members of the Alpha Numbers chip in, encouraging Mamoru as one
of their own that he'll always have a place among your invincible squad. Remy
concludes with "See You Again", and Hana runs over to tell him that she'll be
waiting for his return. Mamoru then boards Galeon, to follow the Galeoria
Comet towards the planet of their birth.
Hiroshi insists on congratulating Gai on his new body, smirking ironically and
saying that the title of "mightiest cyborg on Earth" is now his. He adds that
Gai shouldn't get the wrong idea: he's now proud of his mechanical body, and
knows that even though Gai's own body has changed they're both still kindred
spirits. Meanwhile, Kentarou is planning on leaving the earth with Erika, to
his homeworld of Boazan, to enlist the aid of those sympathetic to your cause
and to gain advance warning of the next invasion by the Interplanetary
Alliance. Boazan, freed from Imperial domination, has reverted to rule by Zu
Zanbajil and become even more dangerous, and harder on the hapless civilians.
Erika very much wants to save them just as she's helped save the Barm, and
realizing her resolve Kazuya wisely doesn't try to dissuade her. Both of them
know how busy they'll be, and Kazuya merely asks her to be careful, for her
people's sake as well as for his. Happily, General Dange can put them in touch
with the resistance, and Kazuya tells Erika not to worry about her people:
should Oka and Melby not be enough to ensure their safety, the Alpha Numbers
are pledged to help too.
Aboard the Archangel, Cagalli hears that the Alpha Numbers are to head to the
Orb. Cagalli knows enough by now to keep her opinion about that to herself,
but she does say that circumstances are surely going to change once your people
get there. She has some idea of the upheaval awaiting, but she figures this
ship and its crew are indispensable to the world - surely this is the
providence of Haumea. Kira comes over just then, passing by. He starts to ask
Cagalli about her relationship with Kisaka, but just then a very seasick Flay
comes out of her room and, seeing Kira, whines for some juice to drink. Kira
promises her he'll bring some and gets her to go back to her room, and Cagalli
archly tells him that he's far too obliging to her. Kira gets that downcast
look and says he's resolved to protect her, and Cagalli notes that Kira really
loves to burden himself with things like that. She tells him to try counting
on the people around him a bit more, reminding him that he's not fighting this
fight alone.
Ryuusei claims to be just fine after his brief stint in the hospital. Rai is
too, but he's off on a different mission. Sayaka asks about Aya before Kouji
can shut her up, and getting a very different look in his eyes from usual
Ryuusei says he's made up his mind to fight double-hard on her behalf too....
and to defeat Hazar Gottso. He won't rest until he's taken vengeance for Aya
and the SRX with his own hands, and Kusuha can clearly sense a change in his
aura. Brit can too, and Ryuusei quickly realizes it's no use trying to hide it
from them: after being defeated by Hazar, he's lost his psychic power. It's
unclear why (other than that it had to do with the combat), and Ryuusei will
hear none of Brit's attempts to apologize for not arriving sooner: he blames it
entirely on his own inadequate strength. He then adds that he isn't one to
stay down in the dumps over it, and plans to go on fighting, by their side.
Kusuha finds herself thinking that Ryuusei may be better off for having lost
his powers, and Brit can just as easily guess what she's thinking.
Your crew is headed for the Orb, an independent nation of Naturals and
Coordinators located in the South Pacific. This enclave has the financial and
military might to seek independence from the Federation, and it's mainly on
Taiga's orders that you're heading there. Ostensibly this will be to request
repair and reprovision for the Daikuu Maryuu and Archangel - meaning that
there's some ulterior motive that your people aren't necessarily party to just
yet.
Just then, the Zaft stage an attack - and right in the middle of the frigging
ocean no less. Fei is quite peeved that her sunbathing(!) got interrupted,
especially since she had her swimsuit ready and everything. As your Gundam
pilots wonder how the hell _that_ works, Ryuusei goes totally slack-jawed at
how cute Fei is. Hatter furiously tells Fei to cut the chit-chat and focus on
the battle, merely provoking even more bonhomme between the two. Hyouma is
amazed at how good a comedy duo the two make. Meanwhile, Pete and Sakon
realize that part of the reason the Alliance left the Earth is to allow the
Zaft a freer military hand. The Dragon brothers promise to fight hard enough
to fill the hole left by Gaogaigar, and Mikoto frets that Gai has no way to
fight with Galeon and Mamoru off in space. Oh, if only the professor were
here...
The Zaft finally show themselves, including all four of the enemy Gundams.
Aslan, acting like the leader, tells the others to concentrate the attack on
the mothership so they can end this quickly. Diakka notes that Aslan sure
seems to be in to this taking command thing, but Nicol points out that it was
Creuset who appointed Aslan to that role. Diakka isn't planning to commit
treason by not following orders, and Yzak is interested to see just how good a
leader Aslan will make. Once again, Kira gets to battle his own feelings as
well as his outward foes, and Flay once again wishes for Kira to protect her
and wipe out the bad guys.
For a Skill Point, annihilate all enemies within six turns.
On turn 1.5, Cagalli flies out on her own to join the fray, angrily telling
your concerned people that she can at least support the rest of you.
Take down a few more bad guys and Aslan springs his trap, a separate squadron
that attacks the mothership. There's no chance to recall your forces, and
the Archangel is having engine troubles. But help is on the way: it's the
Ral Kairam, promising to cover the Archangel's blind spots. As for the units
who have gotten too close to use the main guns on, another ally is on hand:
it's Renais, who happens to have the ID Armor on hand for Gai to use.
Apparently Gai has evolved immensely due to the power of the G-Stone,
becoming - Evoluder Gai, and his fully powered form, Gaofighgar!! This
fighting mechanoid, drawing upon the Evolual Ultec Power from the gem in his
left arm is here to save mankind from all threats, and will even get an
assist from the Dragon sisters, Kouryuu and Anryuu. Hiroshi had met them
before when they helped save Build Base, and Enryuu is a bit miffed that
someone else got to spend time with his little sisters before even he got a
chance to. These impressive AI's are clearly "female", and perhaps far more
"ladylike" than a certain other mechanical member of your team. Ryuusei is
smitten by them too, and Fei demands to know if Ryuusei's "admission of love"
to her was a lie. Ryuusei is duly cowed @_@
After mixing it up with the bad guys once, the Dragon sisters note that the
bad guys seem pretty tough, and Renais tells them to use their hidden
technique: they, too, can do Symmetrical Docking. This is a combination
process that would do the SRX proud.
Yzak is worth a Chobham Armor. Diakka is worth a Dual Sensor. Nicol is
worth a Biosensor. Aslan will drop another one of his Pink Haros.
Once Aslan is defeated, Cagalli runs over and tries to finish him off despite
the best advice of your other pilots. Cagalli loses control and plummets
from the skies, and Aslan does the same thanks to Cagalli taking out his
verniers. Kira is about to go off to try to rescue Cagalli when your others
point out that there's still enemies here to fight, and that since Cagalli's
mech is still intact you can go and rescue her later - someone as tough as
her will surely pull through. Kira manages to comply. Kisaka then borrows
the mic from Maryuu, saying there's not a moment to lose.
The battle is over, but before you can begin searching for Cagalli a squad of
Federation vessels nears. Bright says that this is a very bad sign, and upon
hearing that the Archangel has conventional drive back online orders everyone
out of this area stat with a promise of explaining later. But it's too late:
Miwa's men have arrived, with orders to bring you by force to Alaska. Even the
VRs realize that the Alpha Numbers contain numerous elements who should be
above or at least outside Federation law. Miwa isn't happy to see your new,
goofy arrivals, and claims that Taiga (whose orders you're acting on) is aware
of his escort duty, and that Taiga has been ordered to put in an appearance
himself over another matter - use of Federation warpower for personal purposes.
As he tries to order your people to obey him, alarms go off: the Orb are
approaching. Kisaka then broadcasts, as a _colonel_ of the Orb's 21st
Airborne: he orders Miwa's men out of Orb airspace at once. Armed incursions
will _not_ be tolerated, and Kisaka says that the Alpha Numbers have, of
course, received formal invitations - and he's along as their guide. Miwa,
furious, has no choice but to depart for now.
Given that Kisaka is from Orb, just who is Cagalli? Kisaka says he'll tell you
once you recover her, and that you can ask the person you'll be meeting next
for all the other details: the Lion of Orb, Uzumi Nara Asuha.
Cagalli is, however, not to be easily found, and has been designated MIA after
four hours, easily long enough for her to have sent an SOS if she was still
alive, in Natarle's view. Amuro thinks she's being too hasty, noting that the
Orb army is out searching. Natarle outlines the logical reasons why Cagalli
should be written off, and Amuro says that while her logic is technically
correct, you can't get people to move just with that. Kira wants to go out
again and help the search, but Natarle curtly tells everyone here that all
pilots are grounded until new orders arrive before leaving. Your other pilots
aren't impressed with her archetypical uptight soldier act, and Beecher says
that it doesn't take much for such people to end up as bad as Miwa. Amuro says
that the sun will be up in five more hours, and plans to ask permission himself
to join the search then. Muu adds his voice, telling Kira not to assume the
burden for everything himself. Cagalli is a strong child, and will surely turn
up with the rising sun.
Taiga is sad to hear that the forces of asstasticalness have moved faster than
expected - Bright figures that their influence must have even reached the
Security Council. If not, there's no way Miwa could have been restored to his
position, and Taiga figures that your adversaries are extreme Earth-centrists:
it only takes a little push to turn them violently anti-Coordinator, and
there's noone better to lead that than Miwa. Still, it's amazing that the Blue
Cosmos could have gained so much influence over the Federation Government. And
it seems that Taiga isn't the only one being called on the carpet: Igor and Oka
have been recalled too, and prolonging things any further would just serve to
inflame your detractors. While Igor and Oka head to Alaska, Taiga plans to
speak on their behalf in front of the Security Council.
Presumably, the Blue Cosmos want to use you as part of the anti-Zaft war - but
giving them any power, especially power like yours, is very dangerous. But
simply ignoring the orders to report will only get you branded as traitors and
effectively kicked off the Earth. That's why Taiga wants Daimonji to take half
of the warpower aboard the Daikuu Maryuu to Icarus, to participate in the
Carneades Project, as an advance squadron. Their ultimate destination will be
deep space, and Taiga will file the paperwork from Admiral Tashiro as though it
came immediately after the operation at Jupiter. As for the other half of your
folks, Taiga asks Bright to lead them in assisting Asuha as long as he wants,
and then to take their sweet time heading to Alaska. He hopes to appeal to
Riliina, as well as to elements on the Security Council who fear the alien
threat above all else, and says that it's not like they control _all_ the
military or the government anyway. He'll do what he can to correct their
errors, and wishes you the best of luck on your missions.
Scenario 30.
The commanders divvy up your forces for the various missions. You can either
remain on Earth [E routes], or go to Space [S routes].
Scenario 30E. Owaranai Senkou ("Unending Flash")
Cliche though it is, Aslan and Cagalli seem to have crashed in the same place.
He tells her not to make any sudden movements, since he won't hesitate to shoot
a girl. Both of them are quite split up from their friends and neither has a
functional radio on their mech. Aslan's plan is to wait for rescue, until
which time he won't stand for Cagalli roaming around on the loose, especially
given her previous attack out of the blue. He asks in puzzlement if she's
really a soldier, and she angrily says that she merely got thrown in with the
Alpha Numbers by chance. This brings a smile to Aslan's face, him figuring
that Cagalli hardly seems to fit the picture of the Federation's strongest
independent battalion. A peal of thunder heralds the coming of rain, and Aslan
(who's never seen rain before in the Plant), has to be herded somewhere drier.
After all, he doubts she can do much without a weapon.
Aslan has even gotten them something to eat, but Cagalli stiffly says that she
doesn't take handouts from her enemies. Aslan says that food is food, and
points out that a hunger strike will just sap her own strength. Cagalli points
out to him that this could merely be endangering his own life - he'll feel
pretty stupid if she steals his gun and turns it on him. He starts laughing
briefly at how much of a hard case she is, then turns serious and points out
that if she were to try for his gun, he'd have to kill her. And _that_ is no
way for her to treat her life, after avoiding death so narrowly.
Cagalli is somewhat bitter about having the Zaft worried about her welfare, and
Aslan says that he's just fighting to protect the Plant. Cagalli points out
that she's trying to do the same thing: it's the coming of the Zaft that left
the Earth in such shambles. After a long stareoff, Aslan says that his mother
was on Unius 7, an ordinary manufacturing facility. Countless innocent people
were killed in an instant there, children included. Aslan demands to know how
his people can just ignore that, and Cagalli points out that she's lost many
friends to the Zaft too. Aslan grimaces, and suggests changing the subject -
there's little profit in the two of them hashing this over now.
In an instant, Cagalli then swipes his gun. She apologizes frantically, saying
that she has no plans to shoot him. It's just that his mech is made for
attacking the Earth. She knows it's the fault of the Orb who made it... but
that mech is going to kill so many Earthlings. He tells her that he's the one
who pulls the trigger in said mech, and that he isn't being forced by anyone.
He orders her to kill him, saying he'll kill her instead if need be. She can't
bring herself to, and throws the gun away in disgust, only to have it discharge
and nearly kill them both. Aslan is astounded at her recklessness, wondering
just who the heck he's dealing with as blood begins to flow from him. Cagalli
strongly insists on caring for his wound, claiming that she doesn't want to
rack up some sort of debt for herself otherwise.
Aslan then hears a beep, informing him that rescuers have shown up, for both of
them it seems. Aslan goes to hide his Aegis, saying that he'd prefer to keep
this place from turning into a battlefield too. Cagalli will return to her own
mech, and hide out and watch what transpires. Once more, Aslan asks if she's a
soldier (she emphatically denies she is), and Aslan frets over why so many non-
soldiers he knows are fighting. They exchange names at the last as he runs
off...
The Coordinator Gundam pilots aren't happy with a report they've received, in
which the Orb claim the "legged" Gundam has already left their dominion.
Diakka wonders if they're being totally made fun of - perhaps because of their
young commander? Nicol tries to come to Aslan's defense, but Aslan says that
whether or not they themselves believe the report, it came through official Orb
channels - there's little they can do about it. He cautions that if they
simply try to bull their way through anyway, essentially invading a neutral
country, it will create a diplomatic incident for their entire nation. At
length, Yzak "praises" Aslan's cool-headed decision. The plan is to get Zaft
bases in the area to apply pressure, but if it isn't working out the G pilots
will sneak in and figure out what the fifth Gundam is up to. Since they don't
have proof that the country is lying, they can't afford to barge in on their
own initiative, though Diakka figures it'd be a cakewalk. Aslan reminds him
what the Orb's military's capabilities are: this is no Heliopolis, but a very
bothersome nation pulling all kinds of shenanigans behind the cover of its
"neutrality". Yzak agrees to stick with this plan, adding that if it were him
he'd just charge right in. Diakka sniffs that the son of Chairman Zala seems
to be living up to his family name, then shrugs and says that a bit of sneaking
around could prove amusing too.
Uzumi, the now _former_ Orb representative and still leader, greets Bright
warmly. He makes a point of thanking Maryuu for looking after his daughter -
yup, that's Cagalli's true identity. Misato smiles and lightly says she hopes
Uzumi didn't just save you because Cagalli was on board, and he snorts and says
that between the fate of his country and the life of his idiot daughter it's
clear which to value more. Misato apologizes, and he continues that the
Heliopolis incident, which made mercenaries of the children of his country and
led to the Alpha Numbers' actions on the battlefield, could be directly traced
to his decision to side with the Federation. And it's not that he hasn't
regretted that decision ever since. Maryuu can only offer her personal apology
for that tragedy, but Uzumi tells her that he bears much of the blame for the
incident... as do certain elements within his country. After all, as neutrals
his nation doesn't want the Naturals _or_ the Coordinators as its enemies.
It's a nasty dilemma: without power one's wishes cannot be carried through, but
with power comes the obligatory threat from others.
Misato then asks why the Orb are helping you, and he says that making neither
Natural or Coordinator his enemy is tantamount to making enemies of them
_both_. As the first part of reparations for Orb's aid, his countrymen want
the Strike Gundam's combat data and for Kira its pilot to lend his combat
expertise to Morgenleite. Also, he has high hopes for your squad - he figures
the future of the world is in your, not the Federation or the Plant's, hands.
That's all he plans to say on the matter, and asks you to discern for
yourselves what he means.
The Seed kids are glad to be at the Orb finally, where several of their parents
are. Neumann hopes they'll get the chance to actually spend some time with
them before the next round of fighting begins. Cagalli then enters, seemingly
in the mood to pick a fight, and Asuka smirkingly observes that this little
princess's selfishness seems a bit too ingrained for the ocean to wash out.
Kira for one is glad to see she's okay, and also a bit sad that he'll probably
not see her again since she'll be staying here. Cagalli smiles and bids a
sincere farewell, hoping the chance will come to see him again. Flay of course
gets jealous.
Ema then comes in with word that they've all received permission to for some
shore leave. The Earthlings promise to show the others around, but Kira
lingers behind. He doesn't give Flay a straight answer why he won't go and
possibly see his parents, and Flay rapidly gets furious at the thought that
Kira might be trying to sympathize with her, who _has_ no parents to go meet.
Flay says she wants no shitty sympathy from the likes of him, saying that
obviously _he's_ the one suffering here. Poor, all-alone little Kira, so
pained by battle, so pained by all the people he can't protect, so easily
driven to tears... so why the hell does _she_ have to have him trying to
sympathize with her?! Kira asks her to stop, saying that the two of them were
wrong, and in a great rage Flay storms out and slams the door as hard as she
can.
Kira ends up in the hangar, where he runs into Kou. Kou decided to go sightsee
at Morgenleite too, despite so many other things to do with the time off. Note
that Keith certainly didn't object to coming along, and Kou is quite startled
to run into... Nina, who ought to have been at Anaheim Electronics' moon base!
Many other members of the Albion's crew are here too, and a Morgenleite
engineer named Erica Simmons appears to explain. The military and governmental
threat to engineers and technicians has grown too great anywhere else - in
fact, Anaheim's Gundam development HQ was forcibly taken over by the Feds, who
have plans for their own mass-production Gundam based off all of Anaheim's
data. And worse, it's based off Kira's Strike Gundam to boot! But the
government's rough tactics caused many within Anaheim to harbor doubts, and
under the guise of "consulting" most of the important engineers on the Gundam
program got evacuated to Orb. Kou can see the need for a new GM, but can't
figure out why the Feds would employ such tactics to get it. Nina doesn't
know, but figures that the new GM will be central to the war against the Zaft.
There are ugly rumors that the top brass are plotting genocide against the
Coordinators, and it takes multiple of your crew to assure Kira that definitely
not _all_ of the Federation feels the same. In any case, Erica is looking
forward to getting a lot of help from all of them, especially Kira, on
finishing the M1, Morgenleite's new mech for the Orb army. The Orb invades
noone, and permits noone to invade, and stays out of other countries' squabbles
- and the M1 is the embodiment of that spirit.
As expected, the other Gundam pilots have infiltrated. They find a city very
much at peace, despite the recent military outburst practically at their front
door. Aslan wonders if this is what "peace" is really about, and Diakka notes
that they're sure having trouble locating the "legged" Gundam. It's probably
not just sitting in the military port, but Yzak figures with two battleships in
port the Gundam can't be that easily hidden. What is really needed is proof,
one way or the other, whether the Strike is here. Morgenleite corporation is
within the military harbor, and given that the guard is impeccably tight on the
ocean side, the only alternative seems to be to sneak in and search.
Meanwhile, the Gundam folks on shore leave meander by, some of the more
squeebish figuring that they seem to have some piloting aptitude after all.
Tolle wonders if he should fly the Sky Grasper in the princess' stead, and the
more seasoned of your pilots have to give the "thanks, but leave the fighting
to us" line. By now Kira has joined them, still unwilling to go meet his
parents. Brit notes that the M1's initial development is over, and says that
your people are planning to leave Orb tomorrow. Kira is afraid of what his
parents will say should he meet them: "why did we make you a Coordinator" and
whatnot. Just then Kira's mechanical bird flaps off, and Kira runs off to try
to catch it...
...and right into a face-off with Aslan. Aslan returns the bird to him, and
Kira says that he once.... received it from a very dear friend. After a moment
of silence, both agree to go their separate ways again.
Word comes in that the Ral Kairam is enjoying smooth sailing, having left the
Orb via another route. Misato hopes that this forces the Zaft to divide their
forces, and Cagalli isn't happy about the imminent prospect of having to leave
the ship. She told her father that she wanted to personally help to end this
war even a moment sooner, but he didn't permit her. Her father told her that
if she were to shoot someone's husband, that person's wife would hate her for
it - that if she were to shoot someone's son, that person's mother would hate
her for it. And should someone shoot _her_, he would have to hate that person
for it. Camille is all too familiar with the chain of revenge, and Cagalli's
father told her that there are more ways to fight than holding a gun. That's
why she's staying behind, to try to think up a way to root out every last cause
of the strife gripping the Earth Sphere. Hiiro likes what he's hearing, saying
that the "battlefield" isn't the only battlefield, especially when there are
battles that only she can fight elsewhere. Even Asuka wishes her well in
finding what those battles are, and as she parts from Kira and the others she
implores them not to die on her.
Maryuu is left to fret about the road before you: though Uzumi's actions saved
the better half of the Alpha Numbers from the top brass, the rest of you have
no choice but to head to Alaska. She puzzles over why the Orb, who aids
neither the Plant nor the Federation, assisted you. It seems unlikely that
they'd do so just to provoke both sides, and they certainly didn't mean harm to
you personally given the ample opportunities they had to inflict it... Natarle
says that in any case their actions are clearly anti-Federation, and plans to
follow up in full once you've reached Alaska. That may not happen for a while
though, given that the Zaft are at it again. The Ral Kairam is under attack
too, meaning the Zaft have come en masse. The bulk of them are after the
Archangel, including the Gundam pilots. While Diakka and Yzak fret that
they've got to take down the Strike this time or look like total asses, Aslan
continues to brood over fighting his friend. Nicol asks him if anything is
wrong, and is prepared to believe Aslan's explanation that he's merely tired.
He promises to listen to Nicol's piano playing when they get back, vowing not
to talk in his sleep even. Diakka asks his captain for orders, which are to
destroy the Strike Gundam once and for all this time.
For a Skill Point, clear the map within seven turns.
Aslan is worth a Custom OS. Kira will go to face him one on one, telling him
to withdraw because he's lost. He tells him that he doesn't want to fight
him anymore, but Aslan says that Kira should just shoot him, as he himself
said before. Nicol intervenes using his Mirage Coloid, and Tolle in turn
launches the Sky Grappler and slightly wounds Nicol. Everyone starts telling
everyone else to withdraw, and Kira has no choice but to take drastic action
by hosing Nicol to save Tolle's life. Nicol's last words are to his mother,
something about his piano...
As Aslan laments that he was the one who's supposed to have gotten shot, the
other Gundam pilots go berserk with rage. Aslan realizes that the
softheartedness that kept him from taking out Kira has cost Nicol his life,
and he vows to take Kira down by his own hands. Tolle tries to buy Kira some
time to rejoin your group, getting summarily offed for his pains, and now
it's Kira's turn to go berserk. Miriallia is rather incapacitated by what
she sees, and Kazui has to take over for her.
When you take Aslan down again, he's determined to get back at Kira no matter
what, and attempts to self-destruct. It's a big blast, and there's no sign
of Kira after the smoke clears. You'll have to wait until after the rest of
the enemies are gone to look for him too... This is almost too much for
Shinji to bear, but Misato tells him that if he shows the enemy his back _he_
will be the next to die. She asks him to understand - you've got too many
enemies now.
Diakka is worth a Multi-Sensor. When you take him out, his mech goes out of
control, screwing up his plans of taking revenge on you any time soon... Yzak
is worth a Hybrid Armor, and he's QUITE furious that he can't take revenge
for his comrade either.
After the battle, failure to get response from Kira or Tolle right away leads
Natarle to label them as MIA, and chastens your people to accept it lest they
be next on the list. A new set of enemy signatures approaches, and with your
people depleted from the battle you just fought you'd best not stay long.
Maryuu deliberates and orders her people to keep hailing Kira, and to put in a
call to the Orb for humanitarian assistance in finding Kira, on her own
authority. She then orders all your people recovered as quickly as possible,
and then an escape from this area at flank speed.
Some time later, Kisaka reports that the wreckage of the two Gundams has been
found, with the cockpit of the Strike empty. Cagalli knows that it's probably
futile to hope that he escaped or was thrown clear, but still holds out hope
anyway. Word then arrives that the pilot of the Aegis has been recovered -
badly injured by still alive. Kisaka has him recovered, and the question
becomes, what became of Kira?
Aslan wakes up in an Orb hospital, as Cagalli quickly tells him. She asks if
he was the one who took out the Strike (he says yes), and she demands to know
what became of its pilot. When he says nothing, Cagalli yells that no one can
find Kira, and tells him to say something. Aslan finally says that he killed
him, grappling the Strike with his Aegis and self-destructing - and he doubts
Kira could have ejected. He says that he had no other choice left, in order to
defeat him... and then breaks down crying as Cagalli rages beside him. He asks
brokenly why he somehow survived, why he was able to escape, why Cagalli's shot
didn't kill him. Cagalli furiously tells him how nice a guy Kira was despite
his proclivities, and Aslan knows well - Kira has always been a gifted,
complicated crybaby. Aslan doesn't know himself why he was trying to kill Kira
- they simply got split up, and found each other as enemies somehow. Aslan
cries in anguish that he told Kira to come with him so many times - he's a
_Coordinator_, one of his own. It's far stranger for him to be fighting for
the side of Earth, but Kira didn't listen, even hurting Aslan's companions and
ultimately killing Nicol. Hysterical, he says that Kira's become his _enemy_ -
what choice does he have but to defeat him?! Cagalli demands to know why
things had to turn out that way. Well, he _did_ kill Nicol, the 15-year old
piano player who nevertheless was fighting to defend the Plant. Cagalli points
out that Kira was fighting to protect things too - so why did he have to get
killed, and by his best friend no less?! Kill and be killed - how the hell can
that bring about peace?! is what Cagalli wants to know...
Elsewhere in Orb territory, a certain figure in the shadows is bidding farewell
to Malchio, who's bound for the Plant to do whatever little he can there. He
asks the figure to leave the person he brought along to him: there are people
in the Plant he wants him to see. The figure is grateful, saying that he was
having his arm twisted by a certain acquaintance of his too. Malchio knows
that things are teetering on the brink of no return, and is hoping to turn this
into a chance for mankind to advance to the next level. The figure asks if
Malchio is speaking of Char Aznable's "mankind revolution", and Malchio says
that the Newtypes and SEEDs are already manifestations of that - should the
revolution actually come, he says he'd sure love to be around to see it. Heck,
ever since crossing swords with Char, perhaps he too has been fighting to make
it happen. He asks the figure if he can really trust in the war his people are
raging, and the figure assures him that the Circle of the Sun is a sign of hope
for everybody... and that includes the Alpha Numbers.
Speaking of them, they're expected to arrive at Alaska any day now, and the
Black Knights have already arrived... as has the person pulling the strings.
In which case, the figure figures he'd better hurry too...
Scenario 30S. Lost Diva
Fei is impressed that there are people like the Dragon sisters in this world
too. As she and Hatter start quarreling as usual, the Dragon brothers muse
that their long-awaited reunion with their sisters is taking place a _long_ way
from the Earth. Precisely where remains to be seen, but Volfogg expects to be
told at Icarus base. Wherever you're going would take numerous Folds to reach,
but Volfogg says there is another way, albeit a dangerous one: the Gate.
Volfogg doesn't know the details, but again expects to hear a fuller
explanation at Icarus. A very good question is where the other side of the
Gate is - Chief certainly suspects that the humans don't know how to control
the thing, and that you all are about to become guinea pigs. All the more so
if the Gate is like one of the Tangrams...
Meanwhile, other members of the crew start checking out Gai's cousin Renais,
who seems more than a little ill at ease with all the scrutiny. Mikoto tries
to welcome her to your crew with a handshake, and Renais does not stop her from
trying. Gai attempts to intervene at the last minute, but can't prevent Mikoto
from getting slightly burned before Renais wordlessly stalks off. Gai yells
after her to wait, and Mikoto explains that Renais is a G-Stone cyborg like
Gai... and that her cooling systems seem a bit out of whack. Gai knows as well
as Shingo that Renais took Mikoto's hand anyway, but Mikoto stops Gai from
delivering a chewing-out on her behalf. She claims it was her fault for
forgetting how easily Renais's body could overheat, noting that Renais didn't
_ask_ to be a cyborg, forced to wear that cooling coat for the rest of her
life. In fact, Renais's young enough that she ought to still be commuting to
classes if circumstances were different, and she implores Gai to understand.
Gai acquiesces in silence, and Shingo tells him not to sweat it: there's enough
people with scars on their hearts here in the Alpha Numbers to sink a sitcom or
two. Kiry adds that some people want to be comforted, some want to shout out,
some simply want to be left alone: but all seem to get by somehow or other.
Gai brightens, figuring that as another bearer of a G-Stone, Renais too will
surely find her metier in good time.
As it happens, Kinryuu has recovered enough to talk! In fact, before long
he'll be fully rehabilitated, and he says he doesn't want to be taking a back
seat to the Alpha Numbers even if they _are_ the strongest battalion in the
Earth Sphere. Chiba comes in, pleased to see that his Sound Therapy has done
his patients so much good. Gamlin still doesn't seem to know what to make of
the fact that Basara's song is what's really to thank here...
The Daikuu Maryuu will make it to the Icarus base the day after tomorrow. As
soon as they're outfitted for deep space, Max will lead his little armada off
as advance recon for the Carneades Project - including the Soloship. Oota is
already on Mars carrying out Phase One, and Tashiro is looking forward to Max
reporting on "their" actions. As for where they are to head to, Tashiro's
second asks them to listen to a certain song they've picked up. It's Lynn
Minmei singing "Do You Remember Love", and it's coming from area S1926 in the
center of the galaxy.
That area is where "they" are, and Tashiro tells Max that picking up this faint
song from such a huge expanse of space is no miracle - it's in fact presumably
some kind of farce arranged by the Empire. Tashiro gruffly points out that if
Hazar's people wanted mankind wiped out, there's no need to drag them halfway
across the galaxy to do it. Analysis shows that there's an extremely high
probability that the song is in fact coming from Minmei herself, and there's no
clue whatsoever why the Empire gave you the information. In any case, the
Macross 7 has no choice but to go, hoping against hope to return to their
spiritual homeland, the original Macross. Tashiro tells them to be on the
lookout for information about the Barooda army, and Max is sure the Sound Force
should come in quite handy.
As for the Gate, Cheryl has provided all the necessary theory, but there's no
way to know if it will work out or not until you try. Control of the Gate is
essential to the Project - there's no choice but to believe in the will of your
people and in the Power of Ide.
Everyone confronts the Gate, summoning the will to move on. This proves a bit
tough for the younger kids, faced with the prospect of leaving Earth, but
Karsha tells them that all of them entered the colony fleet by their own will;
thus, the place for them to return home to is not Earth, but space - the new
frontier. Bes agrees, adding that before they can find for themselves a new
heaven and earth, they've got to live through the current battle. Chief tells
his fellow VRs that as far as he's been able to discern, things like THE POWER
and the Power of Ide seem to respond to human will - perhaps the Gate will do
the same, given that its power source seems to be kindred to them. Does this
mean that the VRs wished to come here? There's no telling. In any case, you
won't know if the Gate will answer your queries until you try. The Soloship is
actually bound for somewhere on the far side of the galaxy, on a slightly
different mission from the rest of your forces.
The Gate doesn't immediately open for the Soloship, meaning that Ideon's power
won't just manifest any old time. Hopefully, a battle isn't needed to rouse
Ideon's self-preservation instincts, and Bes orders the Soloship to get right
towards the center of the Gate. All aboard start wishing as hard as they can
to reach the other side of the galaxy, and suddenly the Ideon gauge glows
brightly: it seems they've gotten the Gate to react! Tashiro bids the Soloship
farewell, wishing that the light of hope illuminate its path. As the Soloship
vanishes, Ryou recalls Cosmo's challenge that if he wants to understand outer
space, he should see it with his own eyes. Well, that's what he's about to do,
and for the sake of defending the Earth too!
Next comes the rest of your people, and Daimonji reminds everyone what
destination to concentrate on. Basara tells Lin Minmei and the galaxy to just
wait, he'll make them hear his song soon enough. There is a bright flash of
light...
Elsewhere, Gavil says that the banquet is ending tonight, and this is truly the
beautiful climax. He orders Gravil to lower the curtain on the enemy - which
would be Focker and company. The map weapon unleashed is ultimate beauty to
him, and leaves precious few of Focker's men left. On the good side, all the
civilians are already evacuated, meaning there's nothing to hold them back.
Gavil tells them that their fleet's beautiful Spiritia has caused him immense
amounts of trouble - but as of today, he's going to deliver it all to
Gepelnietche. Minmei is to thank for the fleet holding out this long, and
shrugs off Misa's apology for putting her in this much danger. And she plans
to go on singing, for the people, and for herself. However, Gavil has other
plans, and grabs both Misa and Minmei. The rest of the fleet is of no interest
to him, and he orders Gravil to wipe it out.
With the Megaroad demolished, Gavil plans to take these two to Gepelnietche and
accumulate yet more beauty, and tells his soldiers to turn the remaining people
into lovely balls of exploding light. Hikaru can't believe he couldn't do
anything to help the women. Kakizaki figures the end has come, but Focker
irritably tells him to fire a missile or two if he's got time to whine. This
is NOTHING compared to the final battle with the Bodolzar fleet, which at least
partially revitalizes Focker's Skull Squad. He orders them to take formation
EF-9, and to take revenge on those who sunk the Megaroad.
For a Skill Point, take out Gravil and Gavil within six turns, and take out
Gravil first.
Your people show up on turn 3, not exactly as expected. The Exelion fleet
was lost somewhere during warp, and the Macross 7 and Daikuu Maryuu were the
only ones to emerge here. Exedore observes placidly that two out of five
ain't so lousy a percentage as far as miracles are concerned, and Max and the
other Valkyrie pilots are glad beyond words to see their comrades of the
Skull Squad again. Max quickly orders your people to assist the Skull Squad,
and the Skull Squad are _very_ glad that the help Isamu and Guld were sent to
summon finally arrived. As your pilots get reacquainted, Exedore is shocked
to see a Protodevlin, an unspeakable creature which leads the blood of the
Zentraedi astray. Basara figures this is a great time to start singing, and
Gavil recognizes what Gepelnietche described as Spiritia Abnormality "C".
Gavil figures he can advance Gepelnietche's dreams greatly if he can get a
hold of this Anima Spiritia.
Gravil has a field around it that basically reduces damage dealt to it.
Basara's solution: sing at it louder.
When you take out the Gravil, Gavil figures that the Anima Spiritia
confronting him is _too_ beautiful. Gravil is worth an Analyzer. Gavil
actually has a Minmei's Disc, presumably the latest CD. Kakizaki then
attacks, despite warnings from the others that Gavil isn't defeated yet.
Gavil furiously tells him that there's nothing beautiful about him and
promptly blows him up. Gavil vows to pay the rest of you back with something
brand new and beautiful, and vanishes. Isamu can't believe that Kakizaki
went and died right before his eyes, and right when help had arrived too.
Focker vows to take revenge for Kakizaki and the Megaroad...
You're not out of the woods yet though: City 7 is under attack by Gigil and
his goons, who are out to take all the Spiritia in the entire city by
teleporting it somewhere, but neither Gamlin nor Basara will let that happen.
Basara demands that they hear his song, the same song that drove Sybil mad.
Gai orders everyone to follow Basara to defend City 7, and in rage Gigil
plans to do an emergency Fold, even though the requisite energy isn't built
up...
City 7 and the Alpha Numbers, along with the bad guys, disappear, leaving the
flagships behind.
On the fourth planet of the Barooda system, Gepelnietche is not pleased at
Gigil's actions. Gavil shows him the captives, whose rather rude actions draw
a sharp warning from Gavil that they're only being left alive to gather
information about their race. Misa says that she's the representative of the
Megaroad, which they just sunk, and that she has a duty to find out about the
people who would do such a thing. Gepelnietche obliges Misa, saying that their
creator named them the Epil, but that at some point in the past they became
known as the Protodevlin. He tells his new "samples" that his dream of
creating a Spiritia Farm is drawing near, and explains that Minmei can
regenerate the Spiritia from her other samples. Renewable energy! Minmei
isn't sure how she's to do that, but Gepelnietche orders her led politely away.
As for your other fleet, Gepelnietche figures that the Anima Spiritia there is
necessary for his dream to come true, ordering Gavil to see to it. AND, since
Gigil seems to have loused things up, Gepelnietche plans to go to the front
lines himself. After all, new soldiers were gained in the last battle -
they'll need to be mind controlled...
Scenario 31E. Aoki Seijou na Chikyuu no Tame Ni ("For the Sake of a Pure Blue
Earth")
Cagalli leads Aslan to a small island at the borders of Orb, where Yzak is
waiting for him. Aslan still finds Cagalli puzzling, and wonders aloud whether
he should thank her for what she's done. Before she lets him go, she gives him
a Haumea charm stone, willing that it protect him through the dangers that
surely lie ahead. Aslan rather bitterly asks her if she wants him to accept
such a gift after killing Kira, and she replies that she doesn't want _any_one
else to die. After she walks away, Yzak demands to know what kind of a
pathetic bastard Aslan thinks he is. Aslan coolly replies that he fulfilled
their mission by taking down the Strike, and with barely contained fury Yzak
growls that that little feat has gotten Aslan a transfer to a special squad
under the direct control of the head of the National Security Council. This
means Aslan's being recalled to the Plant for his new mission, while Yzak heads
straight into his role with Operation Spirit Break, the operation to capture
Panama. Yzak doesn't stay civil for long, wondering aloud how the likes of
Aslan could get such a tasty assignment. Aslan for his part apologizes for
what he's put[??] Yzak through, and thanks him. This startles Yzak, and he
tells Aslan that next time around, _he'll_ be the one with Aslan as his
subordinate - and not to die in the meantime.
Meanwhile at Federation Army HQ in Alaska, Miwa is personally interrogating
Kazuya and trying to get him to confess to the Alpha Numbers' misdeeds. Kazuya
tells him that no amount of hitting him will work: he believes everything the
Alpha Numbers have done is correct. Miwa doesn't want to hear that and decks
him again, yelling that Kazuya's uncooperative attitude is about to end today.
HIS side is the side of justice, and _he_ will be the one to lead the noble
armies of the Earth to victory. Kazuya says that something within Miwa's head
will need to be rewritten first for that to happen. This earns him yet more
abuse, and Miwa tells him to say his prayers while Miwa goes and attends to a
little conference. Kazuya furiously wonders how the hell Miwa regained so much
authority after being dismissed so soundly last time.
Meanwhile, Miriallia is still in a state of shock, oh and Flay too if anyone
cares. As more of your people look downcast at this, Ryou points out that
everyone dies eventually - just that the timetable gets moved up a bit when one
steps onto the battlefield. Shinobu is looking forward to much payback on the
Zaft once you all get out of here, but Camille asks him to stop - he's had more
than he can take of this. He's not suggesting you all just quit - rather, he's
seen too much killing and being killed, hating and being hated. Nothing's
changed a bit for humanity since the War of Seals, and if that's how it's going
to be forever, he'd rather see mankind get... He falls silent, and Judou
wonders what's gotten into him. Camille asks who was right back then: your
side, or Quatro? He now understands how Quatro felt, how he despaired at
humanity...
You've now been imprisoned a week, and Brit is holding up pretty well. After
all, he got the same treatment from the Titans after the Balmar War. So did
Ryuusei, who got tossed into solitary confinement for "national security" or
some other BS reason. And actually, the Beast Squad's spent all kinds of time
in the slammer for disobeying orders. Amuro, Misato and Bright have it harder
though, facing panel after panel of inquisitors every day. Masato has heard
that Igor and Oka are part of the proceedings too. What's fishy is how your
supposedly _independent_ squadron, and all the people who supported it, could
be coming under bureaucratic fire now. Zechs notes that somehow the top brass
are dead set against the Coordinators, and are determined to add your squad to
their war effort. Ryuusei can't stand the thought of them getting their filthy
hands all over your mecha, but Hiiro tells him to settle down - violence won't
solve anything here. In fact, your adversaries _want_ you to cause trouble,
meaning what you've got to do is wait for now and give Riliina and the Security
Council time to act.
One person who isn't holding out so well is Kusuha, who can't bear the thought
of people who fought so hard for the Earth being treated this way. Though she
quickly apologizes, Brit realizes that the mental strain on Kusuha is becoming
too much. Meanwhile, Nana is worried about Kazuya, who's been taken somewhere
separate from Amuro and the others, and remembers that Miwa is prowling around
somewhere. Hiroshi is losing patience with the fact that if you lift a finger
you're "traitors", and if you don't you just get your asses kicked some more.
Jun figures that Bright and Maryuu have some sort of plan to solve this mess,
as shown by their handling of Diakka as a wounded civilian instead of an enemy
POW. Bright even had the captured Buster dismantled and dispersed among many
other spare parts - it sure looks like Bright isn't planning to stay here long.
But until then, waiting is all you can do.
Flay then goes to talk to her estranged fiance. Sai tells her that everyone is
very uneasy in the wake of Tolle and Kira's deaths. He says that that's why he
can't comfort her right now. Things quickly turn ugly, as Flay cries out that
Sai ought to have understood: she didn't really care a thing for Kira! Sai
tells her to cut it out - she really _did_ love Kira, didn't she?! How
couldn't she have loved someone so gentle as Kira was?! Wrong, wrong, WRONG!
she shouts...
At the meeting, Miwa asks if Bright insists on asserting that his actions were
in the best interests of all humanity. Bright concurs, saying that if Miwa has
reviewed your combat records he ought to understand that. Miwa points out that
it's also been asserted by others that that's merely a case of myopic thinking
at the front lines, but Bright says that if HQ's orders were appropriate, he'd
follow them. However, there are many questionable points about the orders HQ
has given him, and he believes that the top brass are also making light of the
threat from outer space. What your people need to do is not quarrel among
themselves- Miwa cuts him off, saying he's fully aware of the need for unity.
That's why all disparate elements must be eliminated. Bright points out that
the STMC have already reappeared within the Solar System - you must have a
treaty with the Zaft. Miwa won't hear of it, saying that the Zaft are no
longer Earth humans, and are in fact the enemy every bit as much as the aliens
and space monsters are. Oka tells Miwa that that kind of thinking is what
produced the current degree of strategic confusion. Igor concurs, saying that
continued action against the Plant is nothing but profitless.
Miwa furiously asks if they've lost every ounce of military sense they once
possessed, but Oka says that this situation, where top leaders in the military,
government and industry have conspired out of personal prejudice, is what
deserves criticism here. Miwa wonders what Oka is getting at, and Igor figures
the time has come to make it clear, especially since the Alpha Numbers are no
doubt sick of being cooped up all week. Oka says the time has come to speak
your mind to the top brass, or rather to the organization calling themselves
the Blue Cosmos. Miwa is about to cut him off when he receives a phone call -
Miwa promises to thoroughly chew out whoever dares to interrupt his meeting.
It's the Chairman, and after he hangs up Miwa says that he's run out of time to
negotiate with your people. The Zaft appear ready to descend from orbit and
assault the Earth. He tells you that if you're soldiers you won't be able to
avoid this, and orders you on level two alert, ready to sortie depending on
what the Zaft do. He reminds Bright that all of you are still under inquiry,
and if you pull any funny business you'll all be branded traitors. He has Igor
and Oka sent to another room for more questioning, and tells Maryuu to stay
here for a message.
Miwa mutters that he'll shoot all of those traitors in the back if they give
him the slightest excuse. He then tells Maryuu that the top brass intend to
change the Archangel's near-abandonment to the Alpha Numbers and reassign them.
Given that the Archangel and Strike were originally made to fight the
Coordinators, it's time for them to return to their original mission. Several
of the Archangel's crew are to be transferred, including Flay. The plan seems
to be to let lots of people watch her fighting for the memory of her departed
father, and take inspiration from that. Miwa is sure she'll be able to help
the war effort other places than the front lines.
Kazuya is still fuming over his mistreatment by Miwa, planning to thoroughly
kick his ass as soon as it's proven that you all are innocent. Just then, Oka
comes in and observes that Kazuya seems to have been lynched by Miwa. Kazuya
smiles and says that Miwa's punches are a mere bee sting to him. Oka tells
Kazuya to go to the Ral Kairam, on his authority, and to use his fists for
justice once again. He tells to Kazuya to listen carefully: he must not use
his fists on worthless opponents, and reminds Kazuya that his love with Erika
inspired many. And at the end, he has a request for Kazuya not as
soldier-to-soldier, but as friend to friend: he wants him to tell Megumi to
live a strong life. As Kazuya catches the import in his words, Oka tells him
to hurry, and that everyone's future depends on all of them. As Kazuya runs
off, Oka figures that the Alpha Numbers are your trump card for the future.
He's resolved to sacrifice himself for their future, and indeed for the future
of humanity.
Speaking of Diakka, he's to be transferred to the Archangel now that the Ral
Kairam has orders to move out. Diakka figures that all Natural countries are
equally shitty, and Judou tells him to shut his ass. Four assures Diakka that
your people have no intent to mix him up in anything dangerous, but he tells
her that he's not such a little kid that he'd actually believe that. He then
shrugs, saying his injuries are too severe to just charge you all, and he
reclines and says it's all up to your people. Miriallia then comes in, still
in tears, and Diakka scornfully mocks her and says that he's the one who ought
to be crying right now. This provokes some kind of reaction, and he asks if
she plans to act violently towards him, a prisoner. Or maybe she's scared of
him, or thinks of him as a curiosity. He sarcastically assures her that he's
still firmly chained down, then notices that she hasn't stopped crying. He
offhandedly wonders what the hell someone like that is doing aboard this ship,
ignoring Judou's repeated warning and telling her that she'd be better off
leaving the army if she's so scared. Or perhaps some good-for-nothing Natural
boyfriend of hers died or something?
At that, Miriallia pulls out a knife, and your other people are barely able to
restrain her. Shouting in fury, she demands to know why a bastard like this is
here when her Tolle is gone. Before Diakka can react, Flay levels a gun at
him. Four points out that killing him won't solve anything, but Flay says that
all Coordinators ought to drop dead. Amazingly, Miriallia throws herself in
the path of the gunshot, and Flay demands to know why she's interfering when
she herself was trying to kill their unwanted guest. Miriallia goes back to
crying, insisting that she's different from Flay...
The main Federation forces are sortying en masse, since the presumed Zaft
target is Panama and the mass driver there. This is an indispensable facility
for sending objects from the Earth to support operations in space: its
strategic value is obvious. Miwa has done what the Chairman asked: this base
is now only defended by the Alpha Numbers and a certain other squadron. The
Chairman tells Miwa to get ready to move, and Riliina objects strongly. He
soothingly tells her that her statements to the council will simply get moved
to a different locale. She says that she's also in a hurry: over the course of
this past week, the emissary the council sent to the Plant reports that
preparations for peace talks are going quite well. Clyne himself should be
willing to treat with you shortly, but the Chairman says that this hardly seems
the time to talk about peace, when this base could itself come under attack at
any moment. Besides, he's heard that Clyne is a mere figurehead.
Just then, it becomes clear where the Zaft are heading: _here_ to Alaska. It
seems the Plant are out to settle the score quickly, and they've brought both
aerial and ground troops to do it with. You've got to protect Federation HQ at
all costs. Creuset sees that "that man" seems to have made good on his promise
to get all interlopers away, leaving the Alpha Numbers to him. It seems
Operation Spirit Break was not about capturing Hammer at all, based on a slight
change in the leadership of the Council, to Zala. Zala is broadcasting right
now in fact, telling his brave soldiers that the time has come to smite the
symbol of the Naturals' power, the Federation Army and in particular its HQ.
He asks them to show the world what true Freedom and Justice look like. As the
operation starts, Creuset says that he's got a special assignment within the
base, and leaves command to his second. Creuset figures he'd better check that
the item promised him is all in good order. In any case, you've got to hold
out until the fleet sent to Hammer is recalled.
One bad guy has a Magnetic Coating.
With the first wave taken out, you've got about ten minutes until the next
wave of Zaft arrive. As the other Federation forces dawdle, you begin to
wonder if you've been left to face the Zaft alone. Surely the Federation
military HQ wouldn't be sacrificed for that... would it? Burning tells
everyone to prepare for the eventuality that no help will come, and
Kyoushirou is fuming over having to protect Miwa's ass.
Flay does not want to get sent on her "inspirational" mission along with
Natarle, and Natarle says flatly that it's orders from HQ: she's got to use
this lull in the Zaft attacks to depart Alaska. Maryuu thanks Natarle for
all she's done, saying that without her the Archangel would probably never
have made it out of Heliopolis. Natarle then hesitates, but Maryuu says she
understands and that it's okay. She smiles and says she also knows that she
herself isn't cut out to be a captain, and says that Natarle _will_ make a
fine captain herself one day. She looks forward to seeing her again,
somewhere other than on the battlefield, and asks her to take good care of
Flay. Muu takes off too, and Maryuu specifically thanks him for all he's
done.
As for what's to become of the Archangel, Maryuu figures their job will be to
cover the departing ship and then assist the Alpha Numbers in fighting off
the Zaft. With Tolle, Kira and now Flay gone, the Archangel is becoming a
pretty lonely place...
Inside the base, the Chairman is glad to see that the Alpha Numbers have
dispatched the first wave, and suggests using this opportunity to escape.
Riliina demands to know if he plans to simply hand over Federation Army HQ.
He tells her that the seat of command has already been transferred, leaving
this base a mere husk - which is a military secret, and Lady Une asks why the
Chairman knows so much. He says that, as he _is_ the Chairman of the
Security Council and all, it's his business to know. Riliina challenges
Chairman Azrael, asking if it isn't instead because he himself is the leader
of Blue Cosmos. If "that's right" was his answer, what precisely does
Riliina intend to do about it? She asks him to put out the call to all his
fellow Blue Cosmos members to stop this war at once - this is hardly the time
for fellow humans to be quarreling on this planet. Azrael quite agrees: it's
hardly the time for her to be fighting him when the space monsters known as
the "Coordinators" need elimination. He tells her he's highly valued her
charisma as the one-time "heroine of the era" - had she actually joined his
side the monster hunting would have gone ever so much more smoothly. Riliina
had hoped to get a better understanding for what was going on in the world by
directly working with him, but she figures she was simply being naive.
Azrael tells her that he's had another idea: if Riliina, who wanted peace
with the Plant, were to fall victim to Zaft attack, it would inflame the
passions of the army so much more. Just then troops loyal to him burst in,
and he tells Riliina to swear fealty to him - if not, she'll have to serve
his ends in some other fashion. Riliina says that she has no intention of
renouncing her ideals for achieving peace, and is about to bid Hiiro and her
brother farewell, when gunfire erupts from an unexpected direction.
Azrael demands to know who it is, and a figure in the shadows says that this
is _exactly_ the time he'd normally make a dramatic introduction; but a
villain like him doesn't deserve to know his name. Azrael thinks he
recognizes Haran Banjou, who figures it's only natural that the Chairman of
the _weapons_production_committee_ would know his name. Azrael isn't happy
with all the trouble Banjou has caused the Blue Cosmos with his connections
and money after the Haran Conglomerate was disbanded, and wants to know why
Banjou, famous for his hatred of the Meganoids, would stand in his way.
Banjou says that the Meganoids modified themselves because of their own egos
- a very different case from the Coordinators. But, but, the Coordinators
are monsters, an affront to the natural order!... Banjou says that Azrael is
about the only person actually spouting that nonsense. He continues, saying
that should _all_ Coordinators cast off their human hearts and follow the
same path as the Meganoids, he'll be right there on the front lines kicking
their ass. However, from what he's seen there are many heartful Coordinators
left, no small few of whom are contributing directly to a bright future for
the Earth Sphere. Azrael tells Banjou to spit out whatever he's trying to
say: it's that the truly evil people here are those who would use the present
situation to pit human against human. He tells Muruta Azrael to spew out all
his evil beneath the Circle of the Sun, and to make Blue Cosmos depart the
stage of history.
Azrael is at the very least very quick at running away, and the good news is
that Riliina and Lady Une are still intact. Banjou's men have entered the
base, but they've found mostly empty space. Just what were the top brass and
the Blue Cosmos thinking, trying to hand the Alaska base over to the Zaft?
Banjou doesn't know yet, but he's sure they're up to something. Just then
Garrison radios in to say that something a bit unfortunate has just happened
- the block they're in has just been sealed off, and it will take a while to
break through the walls. Banjou figures that it's up to Alan and Beauty
now...
Muu is actually headed back for something he forgot, telling Natarle to go
ahead to the ship and that he'll make it in time for the launch. Miwa's
fleet (with the Archangel in tow) then shows up, and Miwa wants to know why
the Chairman is planning to give the base over without even a fight. Azrael
says he has no need to explain his actions to a mere front-line commander.
But, assigning the Archangel to the base's defense and giving command to Igor
and Oka is... Azrael says he's already gotten all the data he wants from
that ship - its best use now is as bait. Miwa can't figure this out, but
Azrael asks him to get the ships moving quickly, before this place turns into
a graveyard, not specifically of the Coordinators, but of anyone who gets in
his way. Your people still have no choice but to wait for the fleet to come
back from Hammer, and at least Miriallia is back at her post. As the Zaft
attack, Maryuu momentarily forgets that Natarle is no longer by her side.
Hiroshi is looking forward to finally facing the real threat, but Zechs
figures that there's too few of them - the real enemy force is yet to be
seen. Sara for one doesn't mind facing wave after wave of bad guys, but Igor
gets on the mic and tells them that recklessly charging ahead isn't how wars
are won, and Oka laments that Miwa's forces have made it out of the area. He
tells you all not to give up on the base or on yourselves: once the Hammer
fleet is back you'll be able to restore the battle front in a little over
five minutes. Igor adds that Patrick Zala is staking his fate on this
battle: meaning if you win here the Zaft will likely heed your requests for
peace talks. This is music to your people's ears.
After you whittle the enemy down enough, Muu senses Creuset's presence.
Creuset claims to be happy to see him, but says he has no time to hang around
with him today. Creuset figures that the fact Muu is here means that he's
already made ready, and observes that the Falcon of Endumion has sunk pretty
low too. Creuset runs off, and Muu wonders what the hell he's supposed to
have made ready _for_. Muu then runs into Alan, who tells Muu to evacuate
everyone from the base as fast as possible, and no he doesn't have time to
explain.
With the second wave of bad guys taken out, Maryuu tells everyone to stay on
guard. Sai wonders how Flay is doing - she's doing pretty lousy actually,
having snuck off the transport and hidden out in the base. She figures
she'll never be allowed aboard the Archangel again, and yet doesn't want to
be parted from everyone else. She then runs into a Zaft, whose voice is
like... her Papa! Creuset apologizes for knocking her unconscious (*kerpow!*)
and figures that this meeting must be fate - so he hauls her along with him.
As he launches in his mech, he figures that the Alpha Numbers are the ones to
be sacrificed, marveling at the intricacies of the Federation Army. The
stronger the protection, the more intriguing the treasure within becomes -
and he certainly hopes your people's protection grows strong indeed.
Maryuu lets Creuset's mech go, favoring focusing on the "second" wave (of
main assault troops anyway...) Yzak thinks your people look out of breath,
and plans to stop your breathing entirely, in Nicol and Diakka's place. Rei
figures that this _still_ isn't the end of the enemy forces, and Asuka
wonders just where the hell the Hammer fleet got to. Muu then launches,
complaining all the while that he's not cut out for this hero stuff. Muu
tells a startled Maryuu not to worry about the transport, but instead to get
everyone out of here _fast_. Igor adds his voice: they've just detected a
Cyclops underneath HQ: a microwave-based incendiary system. If activated,
everything within ten kilometers of the base will be cooked like dinner in
the oven. Muu says that the hopes of support from Hammer were vain to begin
with: the Alpha Numbers have been used as a decoy to buy time. Your people
will be sacrificed, in in the process the better half of Zaft warpower will
be eliminated - all according to the top brass's scenario.
Is this just? Is this humane? Is this even going to work? [o/~ Hell no, he
replied!] Maryuu says that if the objective was to lure in the Zaft, she
judges her mission to be complete, on her authority, so no one else bears
responsibility. Bright belays that last statement, and repeats Maryuu's
conclusion to everyone: you've fulfilled your mission, and orders everyone
out of the area at once. Muu will help, reminding Maryuu that he's the man
who makes the impossible possible. Bright wants to assume responsibility for
this one, but Oka says it's his responsibility instead, and says that Bright
can't afford to be removed from command now. He tells Igor to get all the
other survivors out of here, that he's merely fulfilling his duty a little
ahead of Igor. Igor agrees reluctantly.
Yzak isn't sure what your people are up to, but he plans to finish you off
and orders his men to pen you in. But just then another quad of mobile suits
emerges from underground: Mobile Dolls. The Federation seems to _really_
hate you and the Zaft, and one of the Ghosts is sent over to cripple the
Archangel. There's no way to dodge or shoot it down, and it looks like the
end is at hand when a new Gundam appears out of nowhere and wipes out the
oncoming squad. It's Kira, and he tells everyone that he's here to buy them
time to escape. Bright agrees, and Kira announces to the Zaft that the
Alaska base is about to self-destruct. He asks them to cease fighting and
escape at once, but Yzak isn't in the mood to hear such lame scare tactics.
Kira dodges easily, and tells Yzak to stop the unjust fighting at once. Kira
_told_ him to stop fighting, and asks if Yzak wants to die. He repeats his
warning to leave _now_, and Yzak's mind actually starts processing what's
going on around him. He realizes that something seems very wrong, and orders
his men to retreat. Bright concludes that things have gone far beyond the
rules of war with the Mobile Dolls and the Cyclops and all, and tells your
people to assist the Zaft retreat. Oka adds his voice too, and assures his
daughter that a crummy little problem like this won't spell his doom.
For a Skill Point, ensure that _all_ the Zaft make it off this map while you
take down the Mobile Dolls.
Defeat enough of the enemies and the remaining number will cause some to
despair. Things are doubly worse since Banjou and Riliina are trapped
underground, with no way to rescue them. Except, of course, for Hiiro.
Garrison sends Hiiro the precise location of the room Riliina is trapped in,
and Hiiro plans to use his Twin Buster Rifle to get them out. This is pretty
reckless, but Riliina radios in to Hiiro and says that she can't die here -
there's much that she must do to stop this meaningless fighting. Hiiro
understands, and tells her not to worry. The first blast isn't enough to
breach the wall, and Riliina unhesitatingly tells Hiiro to try again. Zechs
realizes that that power of conviction is what makes Riliina so strong.
The second shot works, and when some Mobile Dolls come to make life miserable
for the escapees, it's Banjou's turn. He summons his mech, and announces to
the Blue Cosmos and indeed to all those looking for a fight: his mech is
Daitarn-3, crusher of all evil plots for the sake of the world and all people
in it. Should anyone be foolish enough to not fear the Circle of the Sun,
they should come and get their ass handed to them forthwith!! Banjou
explains to Tetsuya that he's got his own reasons for dropping out of contact
so suddenly, but says time won't let him explain. Igor's got Riliina aboard
her ship, and Oka tells Igor not to protest - it's merely a question of whose
time comes first. Igor assents, and has the ship get out of Dodge at once.
One of the enemies has a Booster.
Yzak is furious that the Naturals would use Mobile Dolls against his people,
and figures that there's no choice but to fight to the bitter end. The Zaft
are gone, but there's still more bad guys landing in your area. Apparently
they didn't hear your warning, a sure sign of how much they distrust you.
Oka tells you all that time's run out and orders you to flee. He was
prepared for this to happen, and as a powerful energy source rumbles to life
beneath the base Bright orders everyone out at top speed. Megumi doesn't
want to leave her father, but Oka tells her to hurry and leave, and not to
waste what he's done. He tells her that even if he dies, his wishes will
live on through her and the Alpha Numbers. He leaves the rest to you, and as
the Zaft begin to panic Oka says that it's partially his responsibility for
not being able to stop the Blue Cosmos' schemes. He entrusts all his brave
children with the future of this world and of mankind.
Kira is welcomed back to your squad. He tells you that for the past two weeks
he's been at the Plant, where he got his new mech. He says that he's not part
of the Zaft, or planning to rejoin the Federation army. This is his duty as
the recipient of his mech, and the meaning behind his continued fighting. This
hardly seems to be the hesitant, cringing young man who disappeared two weeks
ago, and Quatre wonders precisely what happened to him at the Plant. As Kira
and Maryuu start filling each other in on the past two weeks, Amuro and Bright
worry about what happens now. Seeing that you escaped the army plot to rub you
out, you'll probably be all treated as traitors. You've got to resupply and
repair if nothing else - Oka's wishes must not be wasted. And to do that, you
need power - and Viletta knows just where to get it, where the Feds won't
bother you. She suggests going to Tesla Raihi...
Scenario 31S. Kindan no Wakusei E ("To the Forbidden Planet")
Naturally, the Skull Squad members are having trouble with the notion that 35
years have passed for the Macross 7. Hikaru in particular is shocked that the
former Meltrandi ace has now become Max's "wife". Miria primly tells Hikaru
not to use such outdated terms [it's a Japanese thing...], and Focker realizes
that underneath the mature exterior Miria is still as feisty as ever. Isamu
praises Focker and his men for holding out this long, but Focker says the final
result is the destruction of the fleet and the sinking of the flagship. Not to
mention the abduction of Misa and Minmei and the loss of Kakizaki.
Anyway, to cut a long story short it seems that the fragments of the Megaroad
fleet have been harassed by the Barooda all this time. The recon unit sent to
Barooda was taken out, and their equipment upgraded and sent back to fight the
rest of your fleet. In fact, the reason the Megaroad itself held out so long
is Minmei's songs. Her singing, in the midst of the darkest combat,
regenerated the life of those who had it sucked from them and at times even
acted as a Barrier around the ships. Miria tells the Skull members to talk
with a certain specialist aboard City 7 about this second appearance of
"Singing Energy". For now, they've got to gather the fragments of the Megaroad
fleet to City 7 and reunite with Battle 7. The good news is that the enemies
that attacked City 7 seem to have Folded Out somewhere else.
Just then Gamlin brings in Mylene. The Skull pilots wonder if this is Komiria,
though if it was she'd be some old maid at age 35 by now. Miria archly asks if
that makes her, Komiria's mother, an even older maid, and Hikaru protests that
he didn't say anything of the sort. Mylene introduces herself, saying that
she's her parents' seventh(!!) child. She's heard a lot about the Skull Squad
from her parents, and Focker smiles and observes that said parents seem to be
getting along quite well. Miria darkens at this, and Focker realizes that he's
said something he shouldn't have.
Gamlin saves the conversation by introducing himself to the legendary Skull
pilots. Focker seems somewhat amused to hear of his recent deeds as though
they were in the distant past. Anyways, Basara didn't heed Miria's request to
show up - in fact, he basically vanished instead, and Mylene reminds her mother
that Basara isn't the type to take orders from anyone. Miria digests this,
telling Gamlin to find Basara and make him sortie by force if necessary when
the time comes. If not, there's every risk that the Vampires will invade the
city, and that can't be allowed to happen. Miria then asks Focker to lead the
Alpha Numbers' mecha, and he readily agrees, telling her to concentrate on
running the city.
Gamlin asks Mylene where Basara might be, but she hesitates, asking him finally
if he hates Basara. Mylene knows that Basara's a selfish guy who causes the
military nothing but problems, and took note of Gamlin's displeasure when Miria
asked him to search for Basara. Gamlin tries to explain this as nervousness
before his former instructor (Miria), and adds that he's got a lot to think
about regarding Basara. He noted that when City 7 was about to be abducted,
Basara was the first to respond - faster even than Gamlin himself. He won't
deny that Basara's been quite self-centered, and that he's gotten pretty pissed
as a result. But looking at what happened at Brazilar, at Gibraltar, in the
recent battle, and at the effect of the Sound Therapy, he's beginning to think
that Basara is actually someone very special. Mylene thanks him heartily,
saying that acceptance of Basara is like acceptance of the Fire Bombers' music
as a whole. Gamlin smiles and says he prefers Mylene's singing to Basara's,
and although Mylene figures she's got a ways to go she appreciates him saying
so. As a way of saying thanks, she gives him a charm that she received when
she was very little, with instructions to rub it if ever something bad
happened. She tells Gamlin that when she does so, magic happens and the future
opens wide before her. Or at least that's what she was told, and she's been
rubbing the heck out of that stone ever since. She found later that all this
was mere superstition and took a lot of ribbing, but for whatever reason she's
treasured the charm anyway. Now, she wants the highly serious Gamlin to have
at least one frivolous thing to keep with him, which brings a smile as he
accepts. The two then set off to find Basara.
Meanwhile, Sybil has fallen back to sleep, and Gigil furiously promises to
bring her plenty of Spiritia. But "plenty" isn't plenty enough, and Gigil
can't figure out why Sybil refuses to awaken. Someone then approaches, and
Gigil hides from... Basara! Basara vows to make her hear his song, and Gigil
realizes that this Anima Spiritia might be just the thing to wake her up...
Gepelnietche's forces arrive, and Focker orders your crew not to get too
carried away and stray too far from City 7. Gigil isn't pleased that
Gepelnietche would attack, knowing that Sybil is aboard this ship.
On turn 2, Basara emerges, determined to make the enemy hear his song today.
Mylene demands to know where he was all this time, and Ray has to tell them
to save it for later. Focker orders the Diamond and Sound forces to defend
City 7, but something is wrong - someone's taken over the controls of City 7.
One of Gigil's men claims to be acting on Gepelnietche's orders, and Gigil
tells him to leave that narcissistic monster be. It seems clear that the bad
guys have taken over City 7's engineering section, and Basara and Gamlin both
rush to the scene. Gamlin will let Basara sing as he pleases, while he
protects City 7 as a soldier. Basara's very glad Gamlin finally understands,
and the two get ready to rock.
Despite Gigil's objections, the lackey engages City 7's Fold drive. Gamlin
and Basara both charge in, getting transported away along with the Fold.
Your other flag ships then show up, a second too late for Pete. But Sakon
isn't worried - he knows precisely where City 7 went this time. Your people
return to their ships hastily and head off in pursuit...
City 7 has arrived at the planet Lax, a world Gamlin heard a separate colony
fleet began colonizing years ago. Miria plans to ask Lax for help, and tells
Gamlin to keep an eye out for assailants, which there seem to be none of at the
moment. Your other ships catch up quickly this time, and Mylene is rather
surprised to see that relations between Basara and Gamlin have improved so
suddenly. That's just how pilots are. Unfortunately, whoever took the
controls of City 7 has already vanished - and there's surely a reason they
folded the city here. It seems there wasn't time to escape, as someone starts
to Fold Out.
It looks like the Barooda flagship, meaning that the enemy seems determined to
settle the score here. The bigger the enemy is, the hotter Basara gets, but
Gepelnietche radios your people first. She says that her people's 500,000 year
old dream is about to be realized. She tells all you Samples to become drops
of that dream, and when Gigil warns her that Sybil is aboard the ship she's
targeting Gepelnietche says that that's but a mere bubble. She tells Gigil to
see her illusions too, and the unpleasant news is that there's no response from
the planet. Your people were _supposed_ to be advance recon units, but you
seem to have bumped right into the enemy boss, PLUS you have no idea what she's
talking about. Gai points out that you'd better summon your courage to face
this many foes, but Sanshirou points out that your side too is hardly a
pushover. Max orders Miria to retreat with City 7 to Lax while your people
hold off the enemy offensive. Gepelnietche tells Gavil not to worry about the
escaping ship: the planet is already in the palm of his hand. In which case,
he tells Gravil to show Gepelnietche just how beautiful destruction can be.
Gepelnietche is looking forward to seeing the Samples' Spiritia reach its apex.
For a Skill Point, you must defeat Gavil and Gravil, and reduce
Gepelnietche's ship to under 50k HP within seven turns.
Gavil is worth a Biosensor in her beautiful defeat.
After a few turns, things are looking bleak, and only get bleaker when some
Imperial types show up. But strangely, they're only attacking the Barooda,
and Gepelnietche is very unhappy to see the people who are denying her her
dream on the scene. Ryuusei wonders why the hell the Empire are helping you,
and their leader says that they can't afford to lose the Key that will help
them defeat the Epil. She calls this a mere greeting and takes off, and
Viletta frets that a _very_ high ranking person is aboard that Jumoora if her
data is correct. But what would she be doing here?!
Once you reduce Gepelnietche to 50k HP, your people marvel at how tough his
ship is, and the consensus is that your people will have to break in and
destroy the ship from the inside. Basara and Gamlin hurry over, and Basara
says that he wants to make Gepelnietche hear his song before Gamlin fills him
full of missiles. Gamlin says he's welcome to try, and the two rush in - or
try to, until Kinryuu (miraculously out of bed) speaks up and... tells them
to go for it. Basara is sure to make Gepel-whatshisface hear his song now,
and Kinryuu will be damned if the Diamond Force can't at least take down one
lousy battleship. He basically crashes himself into the flagship, opening
the way for Basara's song to be heard.
He breaks into the enemy bridge, promising to make Gepelnietche's heart
throb. It's not clear if this worked or not, but Daimonji orders everyone to
retreat to Lax while the enemy ship is halted. Fijika and Gamlin salute
their departed leader, vowing to fight to the utmost in the name of the
Diamond Force. So, rest in peace. On the bridge however, Gepelnietche
recognizes the Spiritia Abnormality "C", and initiates Spiritia Dreaming...
Scenario 32E. Shugoshin no Miko ("The Priestess of the Guardian God")
Kira thinks back to his time at the Plant, staying at the Clyne residence.
Lacus greets him on the terrace, pleasantly urging him not to address her
formally after the week he's spent there. Malchio is with her, presuming that
Kira must have found it quite a shock to wake up here after collapsing in
Malchio's garden. Kira is wondering why all this has happened to him, perhaps,
why he's still alive, and Malchio says it's because he is a SEED Bearer. Kira
then hearkens back to his fight with his best friend Aslan. Neither of them
had any choice after each had killed someone dear to the other. Lacus tells
him that neither are to blame - these things happen in war, and the two of them
were simply confronting their enemy. The word "enemy" is a bitter taste in
Kira's mouth, and Lacus notes that Kira's dreams always seem sad. He tells her
that they ought to be - plenty of people have died, and many by his own hand.
Lacus points out that by him taking up arms, many more people have been saved.
Kira doesn't know where he should go, or whether he should stay here, and
Malchio assures the SEED Bearer that the answer will come in time. After a
moment, Kira tells Lacus that he must leave for Earth. She warns him that him
going by himself won't stop the fighting, but he says that he can't bear to
simply watch from here either. He fears saying that there's nothing he can do
lest it become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Lacus asks if he plans to fight the
Zaft once more, or perhaps the Federation, and he silently declines both. He
then says that he now has some idea of who he _should_ be fighting, which is
good enough for her.
Lacus then has word sent to a certain place, that Lacus Clyne will sing a song
of peace. Her servant departs, and Kira gets his first glimpse of a new
Gundam. It's actually named the ZGMF-X10A Freedom, but she agrees that
"Gundam" sounds a lot better. She's heard that this is the brandest new mech
Zala produced by incorporating stolen Federation tech. She believes it will
give Kira the strength he needs now. She firmly tells him that both wishes and
strength by themselves are futile, and asks if this gift is somehow
disappointing to him. Kira ponders her words, asking who she _really_ is
anyway. She says that she's simply Lacus Clyne, and he thanks her. She tells
him to take care of himself, and says that her power will always be by his
side....
Sai wakes Kira from his dream, apologizing and saying that it's almost briefing
time. Kira assures Sai that he's in good health, and then tentatively asks
about Flay. Sai tells him that she's been transferred to Alaska along with
Natarle. Muu returned from seeing them off, but the other two won't return any
time soon. Sai says that he was crushed when he thought Kira died, and is
incredibly happy to have him back... but every time he sees Kira he realizes
just how pathetically squeebish he is. Kira points out to him that although
there's things he can do that Sai can't, there's things *Sai* can do that he
himself can't.
Meanwhile, Astonage is explaining about the Freedom's Neutron Jammer Canceller.
Not all your crew realize how _significant_ this _incredibly_important_ piece
of technology is, so Sara helpfully explains: nullifying Neutron Jammers means
that nuclear weapons become usable! Should this fall into the Blue Cosmos'
hands, there's every likelihood that the Plant will get nuked, and Kira would
rather leave your people and even fight them if need be to keep its secrets
safe. With a clarity your people haven't seen from him before, he says that
this is the mission entrusted to him. Amuro points out that your people _are_
still attached to the Federation, and that you'll have to fight the Zaft at
some point. Some of your crew point out that said Federation tried to feed you
to the Cyclops, but no one is precisely thrilled about joining the Plant side
either. Megumi asks to speak, saying that she's her father's daughter and
isn't planning on moping any longer. She also believes that the cancer
infecting military command hasn't corrupted the Federation as a whole - the
things her father and Igor fought for must still be valid. Kira says the Plant
is the same way - it's far from the case that everyone there wants war. Megumi
says that the question now is not who you claim as allies, but who you intend
to fight for and against.
Which is all very well and good, but if the Federation decides to accuse you of
cowardice in the face of the enemy, you'll just get subjected to another court
martial. Like many among you, Judou can't figure out how the military, which
admittedly had its share of imbeciles and hard-headed bastards, could have sunk
this low as a whole. Banjou and Alan have some information about that, and
Banjou figures that he'd better off sharing what he knows. He explains that
there was a revolution of sorts within the military after the last war. The
people driving that revolution were the same people who led the dismantling of
the Haran Conglomerate, giving the "civilian" Banjou and his people a glimpse
of their identity. It's the Blue Cosmos, whose anti-Coordinator views were all
too similar to the anti-alien sentiment which naturally swept the Federation
after the previous invasion. As they gained more political and military
influence, Banjou also saw a troubling pattern of companies connected to the
Blue Cosmos expanding rapidly.
At the same time, Alan was off gathering information on his own. And _he_
noticed an even more alarming trend: nuclear weapon stockpiles were being
consolidated at certain locations. All this pointed to a power grab by the
Blue Cosmos, but by the time they realized it, it was already too late: the
Zaft had risen to Blue Cosmos provocation and kicked off the war. Hiiro points
out to an indignant Hilde that it will be no simple matter to reverse the
damage now - people won't easily join hands when those hands are covered with
each other's blood. The mutual hatred now runs too deep, but there's still
hope: as Megumi said, the entirety of the Federation has yet to fall under the
Blue Cosmos' sway. This means that if you can take out the instigators,
there's every hope that the Federation can be coaxed back to sanity.
The target is Malta Azrael, Chairman of the Security Council. Alan and Banjou
had actually learned that Azrael was coming to the Alaska base, but as you know
failed to actually nab him - and lost Oka in the process. Megumi assures Alan
that her father isn't dead, and Ken'ichi agrees - his will will live on in your
people as you root out the Blue Cosmos and halt this senseless war. Amuro
tells Kira that that's what the Alpha Numbers have always been about: fighting
to save _everyone's_ future, and Kira happily agrees to help.
However, Camille finds he can't muster that kind of optimism. He asks if he's
really got to fight for a future for the very same people who tried to wipe
your people out. Must he try to protect people who insist on endlessly
squabbling amongst themselves? No matter how long you fight, you're simply a
convenient tool for a small number of power brokers. Kusuha can see where he's
coming from.... but there's no time to ponder the question as the alarm klaxons
go off. Word comes from Tesla that the Subterraneans are on the attack,