Super Robot Wars Alpha Walkthrough
by Mark Neidengard, mneideng@ugcs.caltech.edu
version 1.0
This walkthrough for Banpresto's Super Robot Wars Alpha is a summary of
dialog sections of the game, enhanced with strategy and combat notes.
The level of detail is one (and a half?) steps removed from being an
actual dialog translation. One sore point is the Romanization of names,
many of which are difficult or impossible to map directly to English
equivalents. I have made what efforts I can to research "official"
spellings, and ignored those where I thought they were brain-damaged.
In cases where the _meaning_ was made explicit I ended up going with the
intended spelling even when the Japanese pronounciation was bunk (the
Angel Heiro being the main case). The exception to this exception is
Rebi Torah, whose first name would just sound too wrong pronounced "Rabbi".
A useful companion for game mechanics such as birthday/attribute tables
and double-motion level list can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/kusuha_mizuha/main.html
For this walkthrough, I played the Super Robot route with a female
main character. While I followed all paths I could, the ones I kept while
moving on are:
10 - South Atalia
21 - Hong Kong City
30 - Defeat Israfel by Force
31 - Shoot down the projectile
42 - Lean Horse, Jr. route
51 - Lar Kairam route
58 - Axis route
S1. Kotetsu no KOKUPITTO ("Cockpit of Steel")
Banpresto Presents: Super Robot Wars Alpha
December 14, New Western Calendar 186, 7:45 A.M.
In the vicinity of the solar system's tenth planet, "Zeus"
Federation Special Space Force SDF's Zeroth flagship "Exelion"
The game starts out with the Exelion facing a group of unknown assailants at
Zeus. Only the Exelion is left out of the battleship class vessels, and
the supporting mobile suit battalion is all but destroyed. Oota tells the
captain that he's not facing Arrowgaters or giant-type aliens, but more
likely the same sort sort of beings that sunk the Luxion seven years ago.
The vice-captain tells Tashiro that their warfighting power is decreased too
far and that a retreat is necessary. He responds that they can't do that
lest the aliens find out the location of the Earth. Kazumi tells Noriko and
Jung that unless they can stop the aliens here the whole Earth sphere will
be toast. Jung doesn't need to be told that, and Noriko is badly afraid of
the enemy. Oota reminds them all that if they don't use their training and
fight they'll all die.
After the first round of combat, you detect the gravitational signature of
something warping out into the area. It's a large force of Arrowgaters,
to everyone's dismay. Tashiro realizes that if you lose here the only other
thing that can stop them is the SDF-1. He orders the vice-captain to raise
all reactors to critical and plans to ram the enemy if worse comes to
worse. Then the back-story begins.
In the past, the Earth Sphere was divided into two great powers: the Earth
Federation government and the group of Space Colonies floating in the
heavens. The colonies were originally under the dominion of the Federation,
but as time passed and the colonies increased in number, those living in
space began to see themselves as a people apart. In year 179 of the New
Western Calendar, the colonies most distant from earth (Side 3) named
themselves the "Jion Dukedom" and instigated a revolutionary war against the
Federation. The pilots of the humanoid combat machines of the Jion side
started out strong, but the conflict quickly grew into a stalemate. However,
at the moment the Federation's final "Star #1 Operation" was initiated, a
gigantic object appeared out of nowhere in the L5 quadrant, smashing the
greater half of both sides' forces and falling to Earth on South Atalia
Island. Both sides, whose forces were greatly depleted, took the incident as
their cue to sign a cease-fire, ending what would later be called the One-
Year War.
After the war, an investigative team (EOTI) headed up by Dr. Vian Zoldark
examined the object fallen to South Atalia Island and concluded that it was
an ultra-largescale space battleship created by some undiscovered culture.
This discovery implied the existence of another intelligent lifeform besides
humanity, and that some sort of large-scale war was being waged somewhere
outside the solar system. However, the leaders of the Earth Federation
refused to accept this, and planned to increase the Federation's military
strength solely for the maintenance of their own power. Amidst this, Vian
Zoldark foretold that sooner or later the Earth would become embroiled in the
struggle, stating that "Humanity no longer has anywhere to run ." He then
founded an organization (the "Divine Crusaders", "DC") to manufacture
war machines to counter the alien threat, based around the Extra Over-
Technology (EOT). At the same time, the Federation Special Space Force
(SDF) was established, based around the ultra-largescale space battleship.
However, doing so required enormous amounts of resources, resulting in
economic downturn throughout the Federation.
Most of the citizens were never informed of the existence of other intelligent
life, and various factions began to resent the pressure brought to bear by
the Federation government, especially those native to space (the "Spacenoids").
This lead to a series of anti-Federation movements springing up. And as
though summoned by the chaos on Earth, the Jion Dukedom army which had fled
to the asteroid Axis were reborn as the "Neo-Jion Army" and began conducting
operations. In response, the higher Federation brass established the
"Titans" Special Weapons and "Oz" Special Forces units. They began acting
to suppress the remnants of Jion and the anti-Federation activities of the
Spacenoids.
At the same time, the "Kyouryuu Empire" and "Youma Empire" appeared on the
Earth and began assaults throughout the land, although they were smashed by
the revival of "Mazinger Z", "Getter Robo", and "Reideen". Dr. Hell, a
collaborator of the Kyouryuu Empire, and the Youma Empire's Prince Sharman
began to accumulate military strength in preparation to reestablish their
kingdoms.
And in the New Western Calendar year 187, the Earth was surrounded by an
atmosphere of intrigue as the plots of the various organizations swirled
around...
Back to the story! Kouji's just gotten out of a _very_ fatiguing day in
school. Your character points out that finals are coming up and if he doesn't
study his ass off he's gonna fail. Kouji points out that he had no time for
studying with all the fighting he had to do against the Kyouryuu Empire, and
asks to borrow your notes (no such luck). Sayaka then shows up, figuring that
Kouji probably forgot about a conversation they had yesterday: namely that a
new super robot that the DC designed was coming to the lab. Kouji's gonna go
home and get the Pailder, so he tells her to go on ahead. It'll be Kouji's
first time in Mazinger since fighting the Kyouryuu, so he bids you farewell.
Just then, the evacuation sirens sound. Your SO then shows up to tell you
that Mecha-Beasts have showed up! Kouji's gonna get the Pailder and use it to
chase away the beasts while everyone evacuates, but you worry that the cockpit
fighter of Mazinger can't do much by itself.
Kouji points out there's no time to go get Mazinger Z, and plans to hold
the Mecha-Beasts off until the army arrives. Your characters worry a bit,
and then discover that a plane crashed nearby. Unfortunately, your SO
seemingly gets caught in the crash, and while you worry you notice something
in the plane...something that's calling you. It's a robot you've never seen
before. You can either jump into the robot or look for your SO.
If you jump in, the robot teaches you to drive it directly to your brain.
You get a combat round before Kouji shows up. If you don't, Kouji gets
a combat round and then angsts about how the plane fell on the school -
and then another round to realize he's being unmanly waiting for the army
to come back him up. Either way, you become the pilot of the Grungast
type II.
Skipping the basic explanation is worth a Skill point.
Ashura is apparently trying to kill Kouji, since that'd mean the end of
Mazinger Z. He's still alive and squares off against Ashura. Ashura tells
him that this operation is based on Mazinger's weak point: trying to kill
not Mazinger, but its pilot. Ashura will only try to attack Kouji during
the battle, so if you're in the battle too you can attack without fear.
However, once you defeat Ashura, you learn that there's another group
attacking the Photon Power laboratory, where Mazinger Z will be useless
without Kouji to pilot it.
Go to S2.
S2. Majinga Z Zettai Zetsumei ("Mazinger Z in Dire Peril")
At the Photon Power laboratory, the Mecha-Beasts have appeared! Worse,
contact has been lost with the Grungast type II and it is believed lost.
Kouji's brother Shirou berates himself needlessly, and Prof. Yumi has to
remind him that Kouji's protecting the people of the city is far more
important than the safety of the lab. Sayaka goes out in the Aphrodite A to
buy time while Kouji hurries to the scene...and Boz, who even Sayaka says
isn't really to be depended on. Boz seems to recall popping out under similar
circumstances before, and you're reminded that Boz has the replenishment device
and Sayaka the repair device. Brocken thinks his plans to destroy Mazinger Z
and take over the Photon Power laboratory and all its resources are on course.
...Until your two units show up on turn 2.
Move Kouji to the Photon Power Laboratory so he can fuse with Mazinger Z.
Luckily, the turn you make it to the lab you'll get to go again with Z.
However, if you _don't_ combine with Mazinger Z, you'll get a Skill point.
After the battle, Shirou is still angsting over how he broke Kouji's bike the
other day. Prof. Yumi then enquires about how you are able to pilot the
Grungast type II, and tells you and Kouji to head immediately to the Far East
supply base. Kouji gets pissed off that you're likely to get punished for
using the Grungast type II without permission when the army didn't lift a
finger to help, and Prof. Yumi says he'll try to put in a word with the
commander there, who is supposedly a reasonable man. You agree to go, and
Kouji and Sayaka insist on coming along too. Yumi then thinks to himself that
Prof. Shirakawa and Robert told him that only people with a special quality
could operate the Grungast...and that the test run today was supposed to only
use the Basic Motion Program. Could it be that your ability to pilot it isn't
just a coincidence? (what are the chances...) Go to S3.
S3. GETTA CHIIMU Shutsugeki Seyo! ("Getter Team, Sortie!")
You angst about why you're still alive when your SO is most likely dead,
and Kouji has to ask you to slow down since Mazinger can't fly. Sayaka says
that her father and Prof. Morimori are working on some sort of countermeasure
against flying Mecha-Beasts. Just then, the Grungast type II informs you that
there are enemies about. You switch back to flight mode and fly off after
them, almost as though the Grungast is controlling you...Kouji and the
others are off in pursuit. Meanwhile, the Getter Team is getting back together
for the first time since the Kyouryuu war. Dr. Saotome informs you all that
he's just heard that the Photon Power laboratory was attacked by Mecha-Beasts.
The news that Mazinger chased them off is immensely cheering to the Getter
Team, although this quickly fades when they're told that among Brocken's
forces was a Mechazaurus, seemingly proof that the remains of the Kyouryuu
Empire are still around. However, because of the increase in Getter Rays
from space none of the members of that race should be alive. Saotome figures
Dr. Hell has gathered all the remaining plants from the Kyouryuu Empire and
is trying to grow them. The obvious thing to do is team up with Mazinger Z
and smite him - however, Saotome isn't worried about a small-scale problem
like that...he perceives something entirely beyond their experience
overshadowing the Earth Sphere. He says that many things have happened since
the so-called "One Year War" was called off...the Kyouryuu and Youma Kingdom's
attacks, Dr. Hell and the Meganoid's rebellion, the terrorist acts perpetrated
by the mysterious B.F. Organization... And he believes that all that was
nothing more than a precursor to something much, much bigger calamity. The
One-Year War was called off by the "meteorite" that fell to the Earth; had it
continued, the world would have probably been destroyed....but why the war
would have been canceled just because of a meteorite is rather mysterious to
them all. Hayato says that it's probably because of a third party, someone
that's an enemy to both Jion and to the Federation...and something bigger
than the Kyouryuu or Youma. This seems a bit implausible to Musashi - Michiru
thinks the enemy might be aliens, but Ryouma reminds her this isn't some SF
novel. Hayato thinks there may be merit to this however...given the special
forces at the Far East base and the laboratory in Tokyo which seems to be
working on anti-alien defenses. Saotome admits that he believes in the alien
theory himself. Although the new Getter Robo had recently passed its trials,
it's not yet ready for actual combat, which has the Getter Team sad; Saotome
needs the Getter reactor in Getter Dragon to study the increase in Getter
Rays. After all this blather, a Mekazaurus approaches the lab. It turns
out there's no time to combine and take out the Mekazauruses one at a time,
so you have to use the Getto Machines individually.
You must take all of them out in the first round of combat. After you
do this, more enemies will appear and your people will automatically
proceed with the combining test. More enemy reinforcements are on the way,
so don't waste energy and use the Missile Machinegun to help you. Once you
beat down the three enemies (I recommend using Getter-1 for air, Getter-2
for land, and Getter-3 for water like you're supposed to), many more enemies
appear! Luckily, so does the Grungast type II and the Mazinger folks.
After the battle, Gorgon bitches about his plans to get the Getter Ray data
going awry from the sidelines. He figures if he can unlock the secret of
Getter Rays, he won't have to let Dr. Hell rule the world. Meanwhile, in
secret, Ivan has been doing some spectating of his own and gathering data.
Saotome has heard of the Grungast type II - a super-robot codeveloped by the
Federation and the DC; it's the successor to the original Grungast made at
the Tesla Raihi lab. It's outfitted with a special device that links with
the pilot's consciousness, although Saotome doesn't know the details. Hayato
asks permission to accompany you to the Far East base, since he's interested
in the SRX (Super Robot Experimental) Project and believes it will have great
relevance to the incidents above. Saotome then gives him a document to hand
to the military there. Go to S4.
S4. JION Sairin ("The Second Coming of Jion")
The commander of the base is a bit astonished that the pilot of the
unmanageable Grungast is a high schooler. In the ensuing discussion between
your dudes and the commander, Kouji offers to take whatever punishment is
in store for Ari onto himself. The commander then tells you that no punishment
is in store; rather, they want to know more about your ability to pilot the
machine, since not just anybody can do so - and they wish to collect combat
data. In short, they want you to be the Grungast's test pilot. You needn't
even enter the army, merely work as an affiliate of the Photon Power Lab.
You have a choice to accept right away or consider longer.
The document turns out to be the concept paper for Shin Getter Robo, a version
that surpasses even Getter G. Just then, the forces of Jion attack, or more
properly, Neo-Jion. Hayato explains that Jion wasn't entirely wiped out when
the One-Year War was called off, and the commander tells you that they've been
scheming for revival in Axis ever since. Evidently the Titans are asleep at
the switch for letting them land on Earth. They've split in four groups:
Australia, Central Europe, the South Pacific, and the Far East archipelago.
The last has a Zanzibar-class battleship and ten mobile suits - far too little
power to actually oppress the area. Their objective must be something else.
Kouji offers to attack them, and the rest of the team follows suit. Kouji
is all set to attack, but some new signature is approaching from underwater.
Note that your people were supposed to retreat and avoid combat...
If you've got at least 3 Skill Points, the Black Trinary will use a special
group attack on your character - the Jet Stream Attack.
Kill at least one member of the Black Trinary to get a Skill Point.
On round two, the Burdo appears - it's Ashura, who was meeting with the Jion
to hand over a certain object. The transfer is done by turn three, at
which point Ma-Kube and his goons depart and leave Ashura to finish you
off...or something. He remarks as he departs that there aren't that many
people this easy to manipulate, to which Ashura responds that she's the one
doing the manipulating. Happily, Ryouma and Musashi show up too.
After the battle, it's clear that Dr. Hell is scheming something in concert
with Neo-Jion. It's rather fishy too that the Titans, whose job it was to
fight off the Jion, are nowhere to be seen. Go to S5.
S5. SHIIKURETTO NANBAAZU ("Secret Numbers")
On the way back to base, you detect somebody being attacked by the enemy.
You can tell this because you can sense something like animosity via the
Grungast. Kouji says you're sounding more like an Esper every day, and
the flying formation that gets detected on radar seems to bear this out.
Kouji remarks that an army that doesn't do anything in an emergency is
useless. Sayaka thinks that there must be some reason the forces from the
base haven't dispatched, but not knowing what this is you go and attack anyway.
It's the Youma Empire's forces which caught a returning patrol, the Copelander
squad from Mutropolis.
Enemy reinforcements arrive on turn 3. More arrive on turn 4, making you
wonder if there's any end to them. Then, the SRX team appears on the
scene, and Ryuusei starts arguing with the others about breaking the order
to remain hidden: he doesn't want to see you all get pounded right in front
of his eyes. Ingram finally decides that actual battle testing is a good
opportunity - and they notice your Grungast type II. Ingram starts
thinking that everything's going accoridng to plan. You start feeling pain
in your head, possibly from someone in the SRX team... Meanwhile, Aya, one
of the two patrol people who seems to be psychic herself notes that there's
way too much powerful psychic energy in the area.
After the battle, you meet the SRX team members, first of whom is Date Ryuusei.
He's a big fan of Mazinger and Getta. Ingram then tells Ryuusei to knock off
the chitchat and tells you you needn't thank them for the help and not to
mention them to anyone. You realize that your headache is due to him.
Ingram hurries everyone off, but not before Ryuusei gets a picture of him
next to Getter and Mazinger. Hayato theorizes (correctly) that they're from
the SRX Project, trying to make the ultimate Super Robot. Kouji notes that
their machines seemed more like mobile suits. People then go back to their
respective bases. Go to S6.
S6. Aagama Gekitsui Meirei ("The Order to Shoot Down the Argama")
Back at the Far East base, Commander Oka is hearing from Jamaican that
Neo-Jion has begun full-scale oppressive war on the Earth. Jamaican
explains that at their current strength the Titans have a hard time stopping
this many Jionians...which he blames on the anti-Titans movement. Oka
retorts that the Titans are nothing more than the private army of General
Jamitov and Colonel Basque, to which Jamaican replies that the Titans were
only founded because of the regular Army's incompetence. He also tells an
astonished Oka that the Titans are soon to assume control of the whole
Federation Army and plan to attack Jion. Oka informs him that the heavy-
handed Titans are just going to arouse the Spacenoid's ire, to which Jamaican
states that the Spacenoids are the enemy. And, that a detachment of them
landed near South Atalia. Jamaican says that if the Spacenoids get their
hands on the EOT stored there, a far greater tragedy than a colony drop will
occur. He orders Oka to attack a supposedly Jionian ship with a Federation
IFF transponder headed towards the Far East base, and refuses to tell Oka
any of the details of the Titans' operational plans. He warns Oka that
Jamitov himself is interested in the goings-on there and that he'd better
deliver if he values his position. Your dudes, having just gotten back,
wonder what the fuss is and are more than a little skeptical about why Jion
would send a lone ship to attack the base. You get to decide whether you
think it's an enemy or not. If you think it's friendly, it'll just be you
going out at first; if not, Kouji will be with you.
Thinking it's hostile will be worth a Skill Point.
It turns out to be the Argama, which Hayato correctly identifies. Duo
emerges, although Bright tells him not to attack the Far East base - that
their enemy is the Titans who have been disrupting things in the colonies.
Duo replies that Yugo is really an anti-Earth Federation group, and that the
normal army isn't likely to understand their objectives. Duo insists that
the base and the army are his enemy anyway. If you thought they're the
enemy, you get two turns until the real enemy arrives. If not, Duo will
attack you for trivial damage and you get confirmation that they're
friendly...and the real enemy pops up right then and there. That's Brocken
and some Neo-Jionians under Mashmar who tells Brocken not to order him
around. He tells Gordon (who's feeling rather unlucky being sent here) that
he has to fight with all his heart to lead the Earth Sphere in the proper
direction and to win freedom for the Spacenoids.
If Quatro and Mashmar cross swords, Mashmar will demand to know why Char,
the Red Comet, has become their enemy... Brocken attacking
Getter Robo will also cause Ryou to demand to know what Brocken's plans are.
He doesn't respond. Kouji will threaten to use his head as a rugby ball,
continuing from his previous threat to use it as a soccer ball (Brocken is
not impressed).
Oka apologizes after the battle for suspecting the Argama; Bright isn't mad.
Oka had heard that Bright had been tapped to command the 13th Independent
Batallion's Whitebase, but due to various circumstances Bright is in with Brg.
General Brecks Forer's Yugo. Quatro says that their objective is to free the
people of Earth from the oppression of the Federation army and the portion of
the Federation government who supports them. Oka asks Quatro what he intends
to do after the Titans and Neo-Jion are defeated: peace seems to be the
eventual goal. Oka is greatly relieved to hear this, and explains his past
objections to the founding of the Titans are based on the fact that the Titans
are opening great rifts between the Earth and space. Bright says that they
came to the Far East base to solicit Oka's tacit approval of the Argama's
operations. Quatro says they intend not to cause any inconvenience as they
attack the Titans and Neo-Jion on their own initiative. Oka, no idiot, says
that he's only too glad to help those who are actually performing the army's
stated mission, which is to protect the peace of the Earth Sphere. The pilots
then take some time to get acquainted, and Boz gets made fun of for not
revealing his real name - and Duo gets made fun of for his weird Gundam. Go to
S7.
S7. RETTSU KONBAIN! ("Let's Combine")
Bright and Oka confer further about the contact between Jion and the Titans;
added to the contact between Jion and Dr. Hell, this is turning bad fast.
The objective of this strange-bedfellows situation seems to be the same thing
that canceled the One-Year War on South Atalia island...the Alien Star Ship
(ASS) and the EOT associated with it. All the pilots are greatly shocked to
learn of the existence of the aliens (although Sayaka gets to remind Kouji
that the term "flying saucer" isn't used anymore). Bright and Oka explain
that what everyone thinks was the "metorite" that stopped the One-Year War
is really a giant spaceship, and that its investigation was entrusted to the
EOTI. As the pilots realize that the calamity Saotome spoke of was an
upcoming alien invasion, Oka tells them that not only Getter but many other
robots had been prepared for the eventuality. Basically, the approaching
alien conflict, sure to involve the Earth, means that the Earthlings don't
have time to be fighting amongst themselves. Oka tells you that Vian's ideas
about preparing to fight the aliens largely got back-burnered because of the
large amount of money required to rebuild after the One-Year War. Quatro
observes that Jion and the Titans are both aware of the aliens' existence,
which is probably the driving force behind their efforts to unify the Earth -
and why they want the EOT from the ASS-1. Camille asks Quatro why he can
speak so definitively, and Duo observes that he's Jionian. The crew realizes
that protecting South Atalia is of utmost importance, and doubts the efficacy
of the Federation army's protective squadron stationed there. Ota explains
that that force, the SDF, has a special status independent of the rest of the
army, and is top secret. The SDF will only act to protect the ASS and the
EOT - even actions by the B.F. Organization or Jion in other areas of the
world won't stir them. However, Bright observes that three years ago at the
SDF's founding the army shouldn't have had the resources to spare to create
them - Oka tells you that the Divine Crusaders, with help from various
members of the military industrial complex, created the SDF to oppose the
impending alien invasion. The DC are apparently an organization devoted to
robot engineering just like the Tesla Raihi lab in North America, but really
is devoted to studying the EOT itself. And to protect those secrets, they
were allowed to be a special unit. Apparently even Jamitov, head of the
Titans, was unable to oppose the SDF's founding - and countering the SDF was
the Titan's rationale for joining forces with Neo-Jion.
After all this blah-blah, some enemies show up, whose identity Oka can't
reveal even to you - merely that this base must constantly be on guard against
them, which is why they couldn't sortie their own forces in the previous
battles. The enemy starts heading for the Nangen Connection - time for
battle! Except first the Combattler Team gets to wonder why they're being
kept waiting at the lab. The prof. shows them Combattler V, which they'll
pilot to save the Earth. It turns out that the enemy are lead by Garuda, in
search of Ultramagnetic Energy. The Combattler Team's helmets project the
means of controlling their Battle Machines directly to their brains, and
after a few rounds of combat Nangen tells you to Combine. However, since
you've all just met, you can't do it. When the Argama shows up after a few
more rounds of combat, you realize that the enemy are neither Neo-Jion nor
the Titans.
After another round or so of combat, you get another chance to combine
Combattler V. During the combat, various members of your team will observe
that Garuda's ship doesn't seem to be of Earthly origin. After you defeat
Garuda, he bitches about how he'll never be able to explain it to his mother.
After the battle, Nangen explains that while Combattler V doesn't use EOT
itself, it does use Ultramagnetic technology. He then asks if you'd be
willing to take the Combattler V and the crew aboard the Argama. He explains
that he wants the pilots to get experience, and from what Oka has told him
you all are the ones most likely to be at the front lines. Bright worries
that the Nangen Connection will be left defenseless, to which Nangen replies
that Combattler V isn't the only Ultramagnetic super robot. Evidently, the
crew hasn't yet fully decided who the leader is, but it looks like something
will work out. The pilots continue discussing things, including the fact
that attacking airborne enemies is best done by airborne allies. You then
receive word from Oka to head to the floating city in Tokyo Bay. There is
the DC Japan base, and Prof. Shirakawa Shuu wants to examine the Grungast.
It seems like you should be able to get various information there, and
buiding up a support pipeline for your independent operation is a good move.
Go to S8.
S8. Shutsugeki! Sono na wa JYAIANTO ROBO! "Launch! It's Name is Giant Robo!"
Camille encounters Duo composing some sort of log about the preceding events.
Many of your team are making ready to head out for some sightseeing, although
Camille decides to stay behind and hold the fort while working on his Gundam.
You have a choice to go with them or to head to the DC headquarters instead.
Going with them is worth a Skill Point.
Meanwhile, in Yokohama, Tetsugyuu and Ginrei are trying to keep Yasunishi Eri
safe and get back to the Greta Garbo. Apparently Taisou isn't supporting
them this time, but someone else is supposed to. Eri is apparently being
targeted by the B.F. because she was part of a team that investigated some
newly-discovered ruins in China and discovered something that was apparently
an ancient Chinese weapon. And not just a sword or bow either, but something
entirely more fantastic...and before you find out what, Ginrei insists that
they hurry the good doctor off to somewhere safe. And they literally run
into Sayaka and the others - causing Hyouma to remark that Chinatown even
has people (like Ginrei) in China gowns.
Just then, one of the B.F.'s robots closes in! In it is Q-boss, who insists
that if Eri wants to continue her research she'd better do it with the B.F.
Ginrei is about to use her special power to help them escape, but Tetsugyuu
won't let her. In a recreation of the first ep. of Giant Robo, Daisaku is
hiding with GR in a boat and has the group run for the bridge. Q-boss is
shocked to see GR here, as are Tetsugyuu and Ginrei. You get to fight Q-boss
with GR, and afterward Albert the Impact sees you, along with Ivan.
Apparently the kidnapping attempt was just a plot to lure out GR, and Dr.
Hell is already at work figuring out the weapon. Albert has serious
reservations about having someone as untrustworthy as Dr. Hell working with
them on the research, even though it was Big Fire's order. Ivan questions
his loyalty (briefly) and Albert wonders if the operation really _is_ part of
Big Fire's plan. In any case, Ivan has stolen the plans for the new Getter
Robo as a way to counter Dr. Hell. Also, they're hacking into the DC base
for data on the Grungast and the Hyukebein - they figure even Shuu won't
notice. Albert plans to continue his inpection of NERV, and tells Ivan to
take care of Robo. Out pops Ivan in Uraenus with several other B.F. robots.
If you stay behind, you'll get to use the Argama and more of your units in
combat, although you'll get the Combattler V if you go along.
Your people show up on round two. Musashi is astonished to see Daisaku
hanging off the side of Robo's head. The fact that this B.F.-designed robot,
which had gone missing, is here is very surprising.
After the battle, GR flies off towards the Far East base. Hayato only knows
that GR had gone missing along with its designer, Dr. Kusama. Ryou realizes
that Daisaku is most likely Kusama's son. Bright points out that too much
has been happening lately, and you decide to start gathering data on the B.F.
Bright also informs you that Shuu wants to see you in his office when you
arrive. Go to S9.
S9. Kaze wo Yobu Mono ("He Who Calls Forth the Wind")
You worry about whether it's okay for you to go on piloting the Grungast.
Bright tells you about an old friend of his who once worried about the
same thing under similar circumstances. This friend eventually found his
answer and his reason for fighting, and "you" will have to find your own
answer. You meet Shuu, who is in charge of the DC's Japan branch and is an
"overseer" of the SRX project, who has Robert H. Oomiya with him. Shuu
thanks you for all the data they got from the Grungast - you try to say
that it's because the machine is good, but Shuu informs you that only someone
with your psychic powers could pilot it. You then try to deny that you've
got ESP, but when you feel a strange "something" from Shuu he tells you that
that feeling is proof of your abilities - which required him reading your
thoughts. He tells you that he's not your enemy (at least for now), and
explains that a special device in the Grungast unleashed your latent psychic
powers - the "psychic perception amplification device", or "T-Link System."
Robert tells you to get the details of this still-experimental system from
Dr. Kobayashi and Major Ingram. Kobayashi is at the DC base on South Atalia,
and Ingram (as you already know) is one of the SRX test pilots at the Far
East base. You are told that neither the army nor the DC had any pilots
capable of handling the Grungast, and are requested to keep piloting it.
You could refuse, but then certain steps would be required...so you decide
to keep using it to find your own answer. You ask if it was predetermined
that you'd be the pilot, and Shuu says it's just coincidence. After you
leave, Robert presses Shuu about the point, citing a report that says the
T-Link system is supposed to have a high probability of activating in
desperate circumstances. Shuu claims that he's not so great a madman as to
_deliberately_ crash the Grungast into your school (although Kobayashi
apparently had something to do with your "selection"). Robert doesn't like
all the mysteries surrounding Shuu, or his unclear objectives. Shuu says
his objective is the understanding of the EOT and completion of the SRX
machines. Robert will buy that for the time being, and asks about the IPO
report of ancient weapons dug up in China. Shuu tells him that the two
weapons had already been stolen by the time they arrived at the site - the
probability is high that they're combat robots. Shuu states that it was the
B.F. organization, as indicated by the traces of their hacking into the
DC's computers...the plan is to either steal or destroy the machines if they
become operational. Robert says Shuu makes it sound easy, although it might
in fact be for the Granzon that Shuu constructed...
Upon returning to the ship, you learn of a communique from Oka stating that
the Titans are gathering at Jaburo in South America - their objective may
not be monopoly of the EOT, but rather oppression of the Federation Army
upper brass. Although somewhat unthinkable, that means a coup de etat, and
the rapid start of a war with the colonies. Emma observes that the war is
already in progress, and is already worse than the One-Year War. Bright is
puzzled why such a thing would be necessary due to Jamitov's pull with the
brass, but Quatro figures it's a ploy to eliminate all resistance to the
Titan's activities, and maybe even gain control of the Federation legislature
as well. Even worse, the congregation of Titans at Jaburo means South
Atalia is undefended against Jion encroachment, except by the SDF. The
plan is apparently to make Jion fight the SDF, whose details aren't even
known to the Federation army - and then have the Titans swoop in when both
sides are weakened. Since everyone in Yugo will be branded traitors if the
Titans take over, you contact Brg. General Brecks to try to form a plan.
As news of the impending attack spreads, many politicians and military men
are already making deals in secret with the Titans. He agrees with your
assessment of the Titans' aim. Should this succeed, an internicine war with
both sides using EOT is the only possible outcome. He tells you that Henken
has already set out for Jaburo with a detachment, and asks you to join them.
Kouji is depressed that the army is using him, and Sayaka reminds him that
Dr. Hell is working with the Jion. Just then, you catch some strange signature
up ahead on all sensors unlike anything you've seen before. It's a pillar
of light from the ocean, from which something is emerging...shaped like a bird.
Nobody can figure out what it is, but you are pretty sure it's not an enemy...
Meanwhile, Masaki asks Kuro and Shiro if they've found any trace of Shuu
(they haven't) and gets rather pissed at Garuda's detachment who seems to
think he's their enemy. Kouji demands to know who Masaki is, and gets told
to stay out of the way. Unfortunately, the Psybuster's Plana Converter got
broken in the shift to Earth, so Psyflash is unavailable and combat can
only be sustained for a short time.
After a round of combat, Ingram shows up. He identifies the Psybuster as
the AGX-05, but notes that it's not like Arrowgater machines - meaning
it's one of the Elemental God-Machines that Shuu spoke of. Kuro notes a
REB scan, indicating someone checking them out. Masaki points out that
only Ra-Gian's should have the technology - the cats think it's unlike to
be Shuu, and Masaki agrees. Ingram starts rhapsodizing about how the
Psybuster is the very soul of EOT tech. Kouji recognizes Ingram's mech
from their last meeting. Ingram says he's going to help you out (Duo is
somewhat upset at hearing his name). After the next round of combat, you
detect an unknown flying enemy batallion on the inbounds - Arrowgaters,
which show up on the enemy turn and apparently want data on the Psybuster.
Garuda is upset with these, the Empire's intelligence forces, and Masaki
thinks that the surface is having big troubles of its own. As you trade
words and blows with Garuda, he tells you that conquest of Earth is but a
single step toward their ultimate goal. If you attack with Ingram, you
find out that he and the other Campbellians are the ones in charge of the
Imperial Army (Garuda is astounded he knows that).
After the battle, Masaki and the cats lose consciousness, having used up too
much Plana. Ingram asks Bright to take them aboard the Argama, which he does.
He's taken to the infirmary, where his condition is diagnosed as simple
exhaustion and he's confirmed to be 100% Earthling. Duo thinks maybe he's
an enemy spy (though admits to himself he's in no position to say that ^^;;;)
Investigation of the Psybuster reveals it was made with technology comparable
to EOT, and poses no apparent threat. Kosaku then pipes up that it may not
have been made by technology, but by magic. That sounds unscientific at
first, but its powerplant is based on a totally different theory than that of
the Mobile Suits, and it emits energy similar to living beings. Ingram says
that he doesn't know much about it, except that one of the machines from the
Far East base once had contact with it - leaving a signature record in the
database. Ingram goes on to explain that what you just fought were automated
weapons deployed by the extraterrestrial intelligence, codenamed "Arrogaters".
Preliminary investigation indicates that they were the ones who sent the
ASS-1 to Earth. He can't tell you the details of the SRX Project, but asks
you to think of it as a plan to counter the alien invasion. He then tells
your character that he was shown the Grungast's combat data and that you
show an unusual ability to use the T-Link system. You realize that your fate
is deeply connected to Ingram, just as it is to Shuu. Ingram says they'll
check out Masaki and the Psybuster tomorrow at the DC base, so he asks you to
watch over him until then and departs. Your dudes remark that he's a
formidable and inscrutable man, a top researcher in EOT and a skilled pilot.
Then comes a transmission from Oka. The Titans are jamming communications
from South Atalia, so its current state is unknown. Given that your
rendezvous with Henken is two days away, Bright solicits the crew's opinions
of what to do next - in effect, whether to take on the Titans or Neo-Jion.
Going to Jaburo would help smite the Titans but would make gathering info
on Neo-Jion harder. Conversely, going to South Atalia would solve a lot of
the mysteries about EOT but might make you late to the rendezvous. You can
decide here which of the two branches you can follow.
To go to South Atalia, go to SA10. To go to Jaburo, go to SJ10. Note
that the South Atalia path has the potential for two more Spirit Points
than the Jaburo path for comparable amounts of money and gear.
Meanwhile, Garrison is meeting Banjou, who is resolved to join in the fight.
According to the latest data, although the SRX Project's Grungast and
Huckebein and the Beast Machines are on schedule, everything else is a bit late.
Garrison comments that only one machine of the R-series is finished. Banjou
plans to head to the Far East base for a face-to-face with Oka and Ingram.
Also, Garrison tells him that contact has been lost with the Exelion out at
the tenth planet. They figure it couldn't be the Arrowgaters, but is either
"that" enemy, or else some totally unknown third (or is it fourth?) party.
SA10. Mezame yo, Yuusha! ("Awaken, Hero!")
In the Youma Kingdom, Belostan is bringing the Fossil Monster Bustodon back
to life. Sharkin has his doubts about reviving a fossil monster that's been
already defeated, but Sharkin explains that now's the perfect time to finish
Akira and Reideen off now that Akira is still wounded from the last battle.
And, since Getter and Mazinger aren't currently in Japan, this would be the
best opportunity to attack, kill Akira, and obtain the Mutron. It seems that
the defeated beast's hatred makes it several times as strong now that it's
been resurrected. Sharkin plans to go out in the Gante to see the end with
his own eyes...
Back at the Far East base, Ingram is explaining to Oka that all the SRX
machines who participated in the "combat exercise" are doing well. That only
leaves the R-3 and the Tronium Engine used in the SRX combination process to
straighten out - these have stalled the R-series at the final stages. Oka
remarks that at least the G and H series machines have been rolled out.
Ingram notes that while both test pilots under him seem quite skilled, Ryuusei
could use a bit more actual combat experience; Oka attributes this to him
being a normal high school student until six months ago. Ingram disagrees,
citing you as an example, although Oka remarks that the SRX project hand-picked
them. Ingram then goes to take the AGX-05 data to the DC branch office.
Elsewhere, a rather informal Ryuusei is unwinding from all the training
and explaining the results to Aya, although Rai tells him that his headache
probably comes from rattling off the name of his weapons every time he fires
them. Banjou pays them a visit (his reputation precedes him), and shocks
the pants off of Ryuusei the mecha otaku. Banjou wanted to talk with
Ingram, but of course he's not in at the moment...instead, it's the Youma
army heading for Mutropolis. And [unsurprisingly] Reideen can't be launched
at the moment to fight them. You have a choice to attack head on or sneak
up.
Sneaking up will give you a Skill Point.
At the battle front, things are looking grim for Our Heros(tm). Reideen is
over 90% damaged and Akira hasn't even regained conscious yet [^^;;;]
Ryuusei will show up on turn two. Banjou will show up in the Mach Attacker
on turn three, telling Ryuusei not to lose heart at the enemies. On turn 3.5,
another Gante will appear. On round 4, a mysterious voice saying "Reideen"
over and over will call to Akira. It tells him that it was made long, long
ago to fight the Gods of Destruction that follow the current enemies.
Akira reawakens to fulfill his destiny as a hero.
After the battle, the other SRX pilots show up, berate you for disobeying
orders, and express their thanks that everyone's okay. Akira explains that
Reideen called to him to fight against the God of Destruction coming from
the sky. After thanks are passed around, Rai preempts Ryuusei's attempt to
get his picture taken with Reideen and tells him that he already took it.
Banjou then invites Aya to South Atalia with him and tells her to work on
the R-3 there. Farewells all around. Go to SA11.
SJ10. Amuro Futatabi ("Amuro, Once Again")
You realize that it's unlikely that your encountering the Grungast was
just an accident, and that Shuu and Ingram are hiding something. You resolve
to live long enough to figure out what's really going on around you, and some
of the other crew show up and try to cheer you up. Emma explains that she left
the Titans a while ago because of meeting a certain person - Amuro Rei. A
person who, even though he seemed tired of going on living, still continued to
dream. She found out that it was Amuro only later upon talking to Quatro. She
figures what really charmed her was the atmosphere of the Argama: an assembly
of people that crosses institutional boundaries. And that Amuro is expected to
seek this place out too. You can then go to either the infirmary or to the
hangar. The former will bump you into Duo who observes that someone who sleeps
with cats isn't likely to be an alien spy. The latter will bump you into the
Combattler team. Kosaku has found a pair of cats passed out in the cockpit -
Hyouma remarks that Masaki is one weird dude to keep them there. The team
analyzing the Psybuster hasn't had much luck figuring out how it works...
Given you still have time left, Bright heads toward Cheyenne. Quatro is
worried about being attacked by the Federation army base there, but Bright
wants to get Amuro to join you. Bright explains that Amuro is an observer
of a Gundam development project, apparently under extremely heavy supervision
and as a virtual prisoner. Quatro wonders whether Amuro can be of any use to
you under such circumstances, and Bright asks him to check that out himself
as you get closer. Although a fight may well be in the offing, Bright asks
Quatro to avoid combat if at all possible. Camille and you come along as
well.
At the base, Amuro and Chris are discussing the NT-1. She thinks he should
be the one to pilot it, although he says that he fought enough in the One-
Year War and that he's acclimated to his life now. When Chris says he's as
good as a prisoner, he warns her to watch her language since this room is
being monitored too. Chain shows up and asks him about the new model Gundam
which, like the NT-1, is only intended for Newtype use. It's currently
being built by Anaheim Electronics at the Von Braun moon base. Amuro remarks
that the Gundam construction projects all over are proof that the Earth is
brimming with some sort of unrest, although it's none of his business...
Incidentally, Amuro mentions that he's heard the Titans are monopolizing the
Psycommu technology developed by the Jion during the One-Year War. He has
Chain ask October of Anaheim where they got something like a Psychoframe.
And, Chain tells Amuro he has a visitor...
It's Kobayashi Frau and Katsu, who have lots to talk to Amuro about. Katsu
asks Amuro why he isn't working with the Kalaba where his father is. He
further confronts Amuro with the fact that he's simply afraid to lose his
current lifestyle, which is why he's letting the army tell him what to do all
the time. Amuro admits his current life is hell. Katsu has figured out that
the Titans are going to take over not only the military but the Federation
government itself at this rate. Unfortunately, at this point a certain
set of gun-totting dudes show up and inform Amuro that he's just been placed
under arrest, although he proceeds with the NT-1 startup test under their
guard.
Outside, your team is lurking and watching the test. Quatro's plan is to
break in and carry Amuro away. Camille is worried about fighting the regular
army, but Quatro says they'd have to fight them anyway and that he should
concentrate on fulfilling his mission. It seems there's a group of Titans on
the scene who plan to attack the base. They learn that the Argama is on the
inbounds, probably after Amuro, and the order is given to shoot on sight.
Amuro thinks he can't do anything under such circumstances (the army guard
agree)...
It's a battle, and the goal is to get someone onto the base. When you
do, Rozamia shows up with some goons to try to get rid of you. She thinks
Yugo is going to drop a colony on the Earth and is fighting to prevent that
from ever happening again (hence her "The sky is falling!" spiel). Amuro
then snookers his guards and they prepare to sortie the NT-1 and the mech
being stored underground...As you attack Rozamia, she rants about how she
won't let you drop the sky - your pilots get a very strange sensation while
fighting her.
After the battle Bright picks Amuro and the others up. After a bit of
pleasantaries, Amuro says he hasn't gotten his old intuition back but he's
willing to do what he can to help. Amuro then has the scene with Quatro from
SA13, as well as a near copy of the Gundam sightseeing scene. Frau then
tells Bright that she's going with Katsu to Hong Kong to be with Mirai, and
Bright tells Amuro that he'll be counting on him in the coming fights. Go
to SJ11.
SA11. GANDAMU Goudatsu ("Gundam Theft")
The cats have just woken up, and in turn wake Masaki from dreams of defeating
Shuu. Shuu's whereabouts are now unknown, as is the condition of Feir and
Monica. Masaki plans to wait for his chance and then escape in the Psybuster.
Masaki then has a brief conference with Bright, where he finds out that Shuu
is in Japan. He then bails, promising to pay your group back for their
help someday. At Quatro's advice, Bright lets the Psybuster take off -
which it does at appalling speed. After that, you receive a AAA call from
Trinton base in Australia - a base for test pilots and their machines...and
for nuclear munitions banned by treaty. The call is probably due to the
Neo-Jion forces attacking. Bright figures that the SDF should be able to
hold off the Titans for a while while your group heads to Trinton - plus
General Cowen of Trinton is part of the anti-Titans movement and should aid
your cause.
At the base, the enemy mobile suits are detected coming in fast. Since most
of the friendly mobile suits are on manouvers, there are few that can fight.
Cowen says it's just like the One-Year War and thinks that the Jion are
after a certain object...and Shapiro agrees: the GP02A Sysalis, armed with
a Mk.82 nuclear warhead. Its theft would not only bring nuclear danger to
the Earth, but cause trouble for the top brass who developed it in defiance
of the treaty - a political if not a military defeat. Shapiro tells Cowen
that he trained his Beast Machine troops for real combat and offers to sortie
them, saying that their ultimate enemy is far more terrible than the Jion and
that they'd be better off dying here than at its hands. Shinobu, rousted
out of bed by the alarm, gets into a round of badmouthing Shapiro for his
acting superior - the rest of the team manages to get him to calm down as
Keith and Kou show up. Of course the GP-02 boots up, and of course Nina calls
for someone to stop it. And of course Kou jumps in the GP-01 to stop him.
Masanda is a bit worried going against a nuclearly-armed opponent on their
first battle, but Sara thinks it's a great chance.
In case this isn't sounding like Gundam 0083 already, it's Gatou at the
controls of the GP-02. Shapiro doesn't particularly care about the GP-02
itself, and thinks it'll be a good lesson for the upper brass, saying that the
army as it is now has no chance against the Arrowgaters. Keith flips out when
he finds out that the Nightmare of Solomon is the enemy, but Kou realizes he
can't back down. Cowen tells Kou to stand down and let the Beast Machines
handle it.
During the battle, Kou gets berated by Gatou for not being a man. On
round two, the Beast Machines appear. Once Gatou gets damaged enough, he
orders Kou to look at the larger picture and tells him that he can't
understand the need for Jion's guidance of mankind. At which point the
special forces of the "Blue Giant" show up ready to kick ass - at this
point Gatou escapes. Shinobu remarks rather drily that he wouldn't be
surprised if the "Red Comet" were to show up too. Monsha, Burning and
Keith appear, and after a bit of an argument between Keith and Monsha the
battle continues. In another couple of rounds you show up.
It is possible to get a Skill Point during the battle but I'm not sure
how I did it. Kill all the enemies as fast as possible I guess. ^^;;;
After the battle, the rest of your people get the bad news about the nuclear
theft. As to why such a thing was developed, Cowen explains that while the
Titans were working on strengthening the Gundam itself with the Mk.II project,
they were working on high-capability custom Gundams. The GP-01 was a high
manoueverability machine intended for combat either in gravity wells or in
space, and the GP-02 was intended to counter the sort of foe who ignored the
treaty and used nuclear weapons. Quatro observes that no plans to steal such
a machine were in the works while he was at Axis, and that the theft indicates
some sort of internal leak...probably the Titans. Shapiro then explains a
bit about how the Beast Machines are intended as anti-alien weapons, just like
the Personal Troopers of the SRX Project. Cowen requests that you handle
the recovery of the GP-02, in return for which he can help give your group
some official military standing to assist you in your task. Shapiro also
asks for his Beast Machines to accompany you. Afterwards, as Nina and Mora
are preparing to set up shop in the Argama, Kou apologizes to Nina for his
inability to recover the GP-02 and for messing up the GP-01.
As the Argama is making ready to follow the GP-02 as soon as its course is
known, a quarrel is brewing in the briefing room between Monsha and Kou.
Monsha is trying to belittle Kou's ability; Kou, for his part, isn't being
arrogant. Then Nina shows up and says that Kou's ability is awesome. Monsha
still won't shut up and tells Kou that a kid like him who let the GP-02 run
off, and lacks combat experience, couldn't hope to be slated as the regular
pilot of the GP-01...that it'll be either he or Burning who'll get to pilot it.
At which point Shinobu tells him to shut up since he wasn't at the battlefield
at the time. Shinobu certainly isn't cowed by Monsha's big talk, although
Burning shows up and puts a stop to the argument. Afterwards, the other
pilots are a bit puzzled about the fuss...and in the case of the Combattler
pilots who can't switch machines at all, a bit jealous. Boz offers to let
them be subpilot for him (they think he should just get some cats or something
like Masaki). Just then Shapiro shows up and abruptly demands that all pilots
who had contact with the Arrowgaters give him copies of their combat data and
delete the master files - and if they resist he'll have them arrested. He
disses Oka and Bright and tells them that only qualified people should be
allowed access to the data. When your people aren't inclined to follow his
orders, he tells them that the Argama has been granted military status, which
they haven't heard of yet. You then have the choice of going with him to
get debriefed or not. The crew wonders if all the people of the SDF are like
that too, and you council them not to leap to conclusions. Camille tells
everyone that even Newtypes are subject to such misunderstandings, the proof
of which is the fact that many of them were forced by the military to fight,
as in Amuro Rei's case. Sara also momentarily suspects Nina of giving the
GP-02 to Jion since Nina knew the name of the pilot. Go to SA12.
SJ11. Shiroi MOBIRU SUUTSU ("The White Mobile Suit")
Insert the whole Masaki departure thing from SA11. Directly afterwards,
insert the whole Titans-succeed-in-supressing-Jaburo thing from SA12, with
Amuro saying some of the lines. Oka moves the rendezvous with Henken to the
Far East base and tells you go head to Central Europe in the meantime to
investigate a new batallion of Jion, which is apparently using mobile suits
neither of Federation or of Jion design. Your job is to figure out if they're
working with the "third party" supporting the Jion. Also repeat the stuff
about how the European base was wiped out by a single Gundam-like mobile
suit, although that's not among the ones you're searching for. The suits seem
to belong to the Vespa, and they're investigating heat signatures inside a
factory in an area they thought they already secured. Inside are Romero and
Nyung - the factory is not a factory at all. Suzie is with them, and
recognizes the beam rotor sound from the mecha as that that burned her hometown
down. Marpet asks for permission to blast off to protect everyone hiding in
the base, which he's denied since his leg is injured. But he persists, and
leaving Usso to protect the others as he sorties in one of the V-Gundam's core
fighters. After one round of combat Usso freaks and hops in the other core
fighter. Katejina mounts some dumb objection about how killing each other
should be left to the adults, which the other kids echo, but Usso shows his
Burning Heart(tm) and sorties. He manages to combine with the first other
piece of the V-Gundam, but the "boots" get wiped out by one of the enemy
units. You have to hold on until the other "boots" are dispatched.
This works out after one more combat round. Cronwell is not pleased to see
you, but Usso gets pissed and starts firing, scaring away Cronwell. Now
it's time for an all-out assault! The Argama shows up one round later,
and Quatro wonders why a Gundam developed on the moon is here on Earth.
However, on the enemy turn Pipinieden shows up on the opposite corner of
the map.
Defeat Meche for a Skill Point.
After the battle, the people of the Riga Militia thank you - this is a group
of anti-Federation Spacenoids. They do a lot of work on Gundam development,
including collaboration with Anaheim. After noting that the "V" for victory
is somewhat auspicious for both the V-Gundam and Combattler V, your group
finds out that the V is a mass-production upgrade not of the GM, but of the
Gundam itself. The Riga people take pride that they built the V independent
from the army, but profess no knowledge of the Deathscythe - looks like
they weren't the ones who built it... Unfortunately for them, during a secret
gravity test they ran into the Jion troops. The Lean Horse Jr. which brought
them to Earth has since headed for Hong Kong, where the Hazan Foundation who
supports them is. Otis then tells you that the machines being used were of
Jupiterian origin (they repeat the explanation in SA12). Your group then
muses that a change of scenery from the Earth may cause people to think of
themselves as a breed apart naturally. Quatro remembers that when he was in
Axis the dealings between Jion and the Jupiterians were strictly in trade for
Helium-3, but now there seems to be military cooperation too...or perhaps
it's just Giren up to his old tricks. In any event, Katejina shows up again
and bugs you about letting her and the children get off here, babbling about
how her hometown was better of destroyed by Jion than living under the
Federation tyrrany - and that she never asked for your help. This rightfully
upsets the rest of your people, but Bright is ready to go along with her
request.
Romero and Otis and Astonage get to reminisce, and the old guys plan to stay
with you and continue testing for the sake of the V-Gundam no. 2 still on the
moon. They give you some money too. Thank god Usso is planning to stay on
the ship. Usso's fellow kids try to persuade him not to do it, but he says
that by riding with the Yugo he should get some clues about what happened to
his parents, who were part of some anti-Federation movement. He invites
Shakti, whos parents are also missing, to come with him. It turns out that
Usso doesn't actually want to fight per se, but Odelo points out to him that
if he stays he'll probably be forced to. Odelo slips a few BS lines about
how he doesn't want to die and how Katejina (Usso's first love??) is leaving
too. Usso's resolve sort of wavers... Go to SJ12.
SA12. Yabou no Otoko ("The Ambitious Man")
Shinobu asks if you're the pilot of the EOT-based mech and observes that
you're still a little kid, although you observe that you're not that much
younger than he is. He tells you to stay back and let him worry about the
fighting, and then explains that Shapiro is a major asshole. Unfortunately
Shapiro and Sara are around and overhear him, and Shapiro tells him that he's
strong-willed but far too immature to beat him, on all fronts. If you
agreed to meet with him before, he takes you and Sara to the briefing room
to look at the data from the Arrowgater fighting. He observes that the
mecha the Campbellians were using wasn't part of the "AGX" series, the codename
for all the confirmed Arrowgater mecha. This new mech is more like the B.F.'s
robots or the Mecha Beasts - it came from a different culture. This means
that the Arrowgaters, as Shapiro forecast, are actually a force composited
from different races. He tells you that the enemy are far greater in scope
than you know, and that although they've been surveying the Earth for the
past two years they could subdue the place in an instant if they so chose.
For such reason, he has continued to advocate the deployment of weapons to
counter the aliens. However, the SDF have ended up fighting not aliens, but
other humans. Although the SRX project and the Beast Machines have been
started, five or six machines don't stand a chance against the enemy. He
says that the Earthlings are currently content with understanding just a small
fraction of the aliens' technology - despite the fact that [he thinks] the
best way to counter the aliens is not with EOT, but with technology unique to
the Earth. Thus the Beast Machines, which use no EOT and are designed to
draw out the combat potential of humans' wild instincts. He says it's not
clear whether they can combat something like an AGX-07 or not, and when Sara
protests that that's what the SDF is for he warns you that the the SDF was
not founded to fight the aliens. It was merely to guard vessels like the
ASS-1 and the Exelion which were intended for escape from the Earth. In
other words, they have no intention of fighting the Arrowgaters. Shapiro
tells you of cities situated inside the ASS-1 and the Exelion, which Sara
can't believe due to crew size limitations. Basically, the SDF is intended
not to protect the Earth, but rather these Noa's Arks...in which case, the
rest of the humanity can perish as long as the rich and powerful can escape
aboard the ships. He says that such an escape, and the chance to pursue
unlimited evolution of mankind in space, seems like the best option....you
think to yourself that this guy is even more dangerous than the Titans or
Jion.
After all that talk, Mora is working on Sara's mech and notes that it seems
to be broken and can't be dispatched for a while. Shinobu observes that this
is pretty convenient for a certain person, although he won't give any details.
You then get an emergency transmission from Oka. It turns out the Titans
have succeeded in subduing Jaburo, and with only two or three vessels. It
appears they had some help, not from Neo-Jion or from the Arrowgaters, but
possibly from an unidentified group of mobile suits who attacked the White
Base back before the Gundam crew met Kouji and the others. Quatro thinks
they might be the Jupiterians: people who helped develop the resources of
Jupiter's energy along with the federation. In any case, with the top brass
neutralized you all expect to be treated as traitors by the military, unless
they could somehow spread the word to the world that the Titans had joined
forces with Jion. Brecks might be the one to do it; in any event, Oka wants
to make your group a batallion under the direct control of the Far East base.
This would, at least on paper, make you all soldiers. Apparently, more and
more Jion units are landing and the Titans doing nothing about it, resulting
in more and more army units being lost. With the Titans trying to grab
more and more power, at least this move will keep you from being branded as
traitors. Oka tells you that this won't make his or Cowen's position any
worse, since they've already been marked for opposing the Titans' foundation.
As your group agrees and prepares to continue heading to South Atalia, Oka
tells you that due to the Titans the European base has already fallen silent.
Apparently the work of a single Gundam-like mecha. And...you finally find
the Neo-Jion forces.
Try to get rid of the GP-02 for a Skill Point. Get rid of Cima for another.
After the GP-02 either gets destroyed or reaches the ship, the Jion forces
depart and a Mecha Beast from Dr. Hell shows up, which Ma-Kube had ready
for just such an occasion...and it's got Large Regeneration!
After you kill it, Viletta and a bunch of Arrowgaters show up. She notes
that Earth culture isn't advanced as her Balmar culture is, but that you
have finely honed warcraft...and that you've got some machines that use the
same military tech as they do. Shapiro notes that the new vehicle is
clearly a combat machine and thinks it's a great opportunity to understand
with what the aliens will eventually overpower the earth. Your people
begin to realize that the aliens are a diverse group, and Shapiro and Sara
sortie. Bright demands to know what Shapiro is up to, and orders him to
return at once. He refuses, thinking this is a magnificent chance...a
chance to infiltrate and use the aliens, and become the ruler of all space!
Looks like he hasn't learned his lesson since the original SRW series >_<
Worse, Sara vows to go if he's going. Your character feels some sort of
unrest, and Shapiro and Sara defect to the enemy side - saying that he
exists solely to dominate the universe and that his talents are beyond your
comprehension, etc. Viletta thinks to herself that he seems similar to
the crew at Jupiter and that he may prove useful. Sara tries to go along
too, but at the last minute her Vernier thrusters give out and she gets
left behind.
After the battle, Quatro asks Sara if she's prepared for what's to come. She
is. She is to be imprisoned until you return to the Far East base and Oka
decides her fate. Shinobu demands to know what she was thinking, to which
she retorts that he doesn't understand her feelings after all. At Bright's
threat, Shinobu backs off. Your crew mulls over these latest developments
and asks you whether you'd be interested in helping them write an epic about
it all. Hayato then begins to think that there's some particular reason why
you all are running into so much trouble. All the incidents of the past are
all building up toward something very big and very bad, it seems. Hayato
has a theory that all these incidents didn't just happen, but were _caused_
by someone or something. He doesn't know who or what, but it's pretty clear
that the fall of the ASS-1 was the trigger. You can then decide whether
you agree with this assessment.
You then find out that the Jion detachment was unable to breach the SDF's
defenses at South Atalia. So the EOT and the ASS-1 are still safe, although
there's still lots of other problems remaining. You then get a Yugo
transmission from Kobayashi Hayato, who's part of the Kalaba and been going
around to the various bases hit by the Jion and Jupiterian forces and
gathering the surviving battle power. Things are a mess because the Titans
aren't lifting a finger, but as a result the anti-Titans movement is also
growing bigger. He wants to meet with you and let you all, especially Quatro,
meet someone. They're on the American west coast, so you head there. Go to
SA13.
SJ12. Tatakai wa Dare no Tame Ni? ("Fighting is for Whose Sake?")
Usso plans to stay with you after all. He entrusts Odelo with looking out
for Shakti and Karuru and says to use his house or whatever. Katejina tells
Usso not to grow up into a scary person [wtf kind of advice is that??] and
they finally leave. Quatro doesn't remember anyone with the name Evin in
Yugo, but that may not be conclusive since many people use aliases. Bright
doesn't intend to make Usso fight... Unfortunately, a new Jion force shows up
heading fo Kasaleria, which is where the kids just went. Usso hops into the
Victory and rides off to the rescue. Wouldn't you know it's Fala trying to
find the recovery signal for Cronwell's escape pod! It seems he's the little
brother of the queen of Jupiter, and if something happens to him they'll
never explain it to Kagachi or Scirocco - although Pipinieden figures she's
just worried about keeping her reputation as a commander clean. As they come
to investigate Usso's house, Katejina is at it again proposing that they try
to get the Jion to take them in, saying it's preferable to living with the
Yugo. She thinks that the Earthnoids will eventually lose to the Spacenoids
and figures now's her chance to hook up with Jion. Odelo tells her to stuff
it just as Usso shows up.
After the first round of combat Cronwell shows up and takes the folks in
the house hostage. He tells them not to make him shoot them, and tells them
all he wants to do is return to his unit. The Argama shows up on turn 2;
more enemies are coming in a turn so be careful. It's Rakan and his goons,
fresh from repressing Northern Europe. Fala bitches that Neo-Jion doesn't
seem to trust the Jupiterians, and wouldn't let them participate in the raid
on South Atalia.
After the battle, Usso learns that Katejina was taken away by the Vespan
soldier - or rather, she went with him of his own accord, according to Shakti.
Usso and Odelo start fighting about the fact that Odelo let her go, but Marpet
stops them. You get the opportunity to scold or placate Usso, either way
things get settled and the rest of them end up staying on the ship as the
safest place.
Since things are going from bad to worse, Amuro and Quatro recommend returning
to the Far East base to regroup and meet with Henken. However, Bright wants
to rendezvous with the Kalaba first and seek additional sources of support.
Go to SJ13.
SA13. Kanojo ga Mita Ryuusei ("The Shooting Star She Saw")
At Jaburo, Jamitov finds out that the Jion failed to overcome South
Atalia. Apparently about half of the Jion forces were destroyed, while about
20% of the SDF were lost. Jamaican is worried that something should be
done about the remaining Jion forces lest they start doing something outside
the plan, but Jamitov isn't concerned. Jamaican also confirms the Jion theft
of the GP-02, which is part of robbing Cowen of his influence. Basque seems to
think that Jamitov's plan of waiting for the various sides to erode each
other's warpower is going well - at the proper time, they plan to strike and
get the EOT and ASS-1 for themselves. However, Basque says he can't find it
within himself to trust Scirocco, given his signature in blood on the treaty
with Jamitov and his refusal to decend to Earth. Although the Titans now
hold Jaburo, they haven't yet conquered the Far East base or Treize's forces
in Oz; Treize is marked as someone as dangerous as Scirocco. Jamitov doesn't
think Oz will act, but Jamaican says that he's been contacting the DC and SDF
behind the scenes. Jamitov thinks that all will be solved if they can just
breach the SDF - and tries to figure out how.
Having arrived at the meeting point, your people detect something plummeting
to Earth from space. It's clearly not a sattelite or a meteor, but the fact
that it's entering the atmosphere without any sort of shielding would melt
any normal Mobile Suit... Duo realizes it may be a Gundam dispatched by another
colony. And then a MS batallion appears - from OZ, the private army of the
Romfellar Conglomerate (although they're theoretically part of the army).
For some reason your group seems to be an obstacle to Oz, so it's off to
battle. Duo recognizes the Tallgeese, and recalls that his other mission is
to take out Oz. Zechs tells you all to stand down or be fired upon, since
you're in Oz's way and your actions are merely spreading the flames of conflict
farther. Zech's order comes neither from the army nor from the Romfellar,
but from Commander Treize of Oz. He continues that you all don't realize how
dangerous a group you really are [I sense a demonstration about to happen >}]
and that you're about as bad as Neo-Jion. Duo thinks about his mission to
watch over the Argama and sink it if it turns on the colonies. Your dudes
protest that you're fighting for peace, and Zechs counters that his country
which advocated Absolute Pacifism got destroyed by the Federation Army. He
also notes that the world must be unified under Oz to fight off the oncoming
alien threat. You then can agree or not agree with him; either way your
group as a whole realizes that you can't just leave things up to Oz. Quatro
also asks Zechs how long he intends to go on doing what he's told and wearing
his mask - mentioning that there was once a certain other person [*a-HEM!*]
who did the same.
At that point, Hiiro shows up with orders to blow up his enemies. Your ESP
isn't convenient enough to know if he intends to attack, but Duo is pretty
sure he won't (intuition he says...) Treize realizes that the winged Gundam
and the scythe-bearing one were sent by the colonies to take out Oz and the
Titans, as per Treize's information.
Amidst the battle, Rilina comes out and tries to catch sight of the Mobile
Suit that looked like a shooting star from her window. She's unafraid of
death. Noin and her men show up on round three. On round four, Amuro and
the crew show up. After you destroy all the enemy, Hiiro tries to kill
you - have Duo Persuade him.
After the battle is over, Pargan manages to convince Rilina to stop watching
the battle - so she goes over to where the Wing Gundam crashed and runs into
Hiiro. Hiiro can't manage to kill her off and bails in the ambulance a la
Gundam Wing ep. 1. Insert Rilina being a total space case.
Back at Oz HQ, Zechs tells Treize that he stopped the fighting at a level
the Titans and Romfellar wouldn't have any reason to suspect. Treize
apologizes for making the Lightning Count fight a losing battle. Including
the machine Zechs saw, there are now five Gundanium mobile suits come down to
Earth. Gundanium - a material far more durable than Gundalium, only
manufacturable in space... Zechs notes that all such suits including the Wing
Zero, are called "Another Gundams". According to Treize, they are the
perfect executioners for the fools in the gravity well who try to monopolize
all the authority. Apparently they need your people to do something in the
remaining time before Operation Dibreak starts...
Amuro explains that he had been stationed at the Cheyenne Base in North
America under heavy guard, helping develop a new Gundam, but that the base
had been attacked by the Titans and the Gundam stolen. Luckily, the Kalaba
were able to fish Amuro out, along with the NT-1 and its pilot. Hayato
says that Camille is the second coming of Amuro, which makes him very bashful.
Amuro also says that his old intuition hasn't been recovered yet...
Amuro then goes to meet with Quatro, asking him why he returned to Earth.
Quatro asks him if he'd be satisfied with the answer that he came to laugh
at him, and tells him that the best he can say is that he hopes Amuro will be
the person everyone expects him to be. And that Lalah's soul is floating
around the Earth. Amuro notes that if only the treaty had been signed sooner
Lalah wouldn't have had to fight and die in the war. Quatro says that it was
her destiny, and that simplifying things like that is the only way to fight in
space...and to live through the oncoming alien calamity. He then asks Amuro
if he intends to hide away from his true calling and aid the Federation or
the Titans, to which Amuro responds that his resolve was just demonstrated in
the previous battle.
After that, Marpet meets a group of your dudes who have come to sight-see on
the fabled "White One" of the Federation. You meet the V-Gundam's pilot,
Usso Evin and learn that his homeland was destroyed by the Jion and the woman
who was with him and his companions (Katejina) got taken off by the Jion.
Chris then gets to chide all the Amuro fanboys among your crew - she worked
under him on the development of the NT-1, a prototype for a Gundam that only
Newtypes can use. The real thing is being built on the moon by Anaheim
Electronics. Duo notes that there are really a lot of top aces from both
sides of the One-Year War gathering to the Yugo...
Shinobu then goes to see Sara in her cell, asking if she still wants to follow
Shapiro and betray the others. She responds that all men are alike: not
satisfied with dominating a single other person, they want world domination.
He tells her not to run out on the group later, and bumps into Kouji on the
way back. He then tells Kouji not to call him by his surname, since it
reminds him of a certain obnoxious Prof. Hazuki...
Hayato announces that he's going to go back trying to accumulate warpower and
to wrest the reins of the army away from the Titans. He plans to try to get
some sort of symbol with which to combat the Titans through public opinion.
And that person is of the Peacecraft family of Sank Kingdom, which was
destroyed over ten years ago by the Federation Army. He doesn't intend to
employ Absolute Pacifism, but he thinks they should be useful to counter
at least the Jion and the Titans. Bright for his part plans to return to
the Far East base and strengthen his forces. Duo figures the time has come
to split up and head for South Atalia for reconnaisance, since it looks
like the Yugo won't become the colonies' enemy any time soon. Your character
runs into him and asks if he's really going and if he'll be back. He says
the next time he might be the enemy - which you're sure won't happen. Go to
S14.
SJ13. Tsubasa wo Motta GANDAMU ("The Winged Gundam")
Insert Jamitov conversation from SA13.
Amuro notices Haro looking for Usso - Usso notes that Amuro built the original
Haro. Amuro notes that it's been customized considerably and asks if Usso
did it (it was his father). Amuro says it's his instinct that they're with
the Riga Militia, based on certain advanced modifications to Usso's mobile
suit. It seems that Usso's parents must have been Gundam scientists. It
seems that Astonage is finishing modifications to let Usso and Haro fit better
in the V, and Amuro tells you that although it's not the greatest thing to
have Usso piloting at least it means more warpower for the Yugo. You can
then ask about Gundams or about Newtypes. If Gundams, Amuro dispells a myth
that he knew how to pilot just by sitting in the cockpit, saying he read the
manual as he sat there since his life literally depended on it. He also
dispells certain other exaggerations in the history books, saying the reason
he survived was because his instincts and his machine were better than other
people's. He adds that Newtypes aren't Espers or anything, but normal people.
[yeah wrong] If you ask about Newtypes, he says you might be one since you had
such good luck your first time in the cockpit... being a Newtype means you've
got sharp senses to help survive in battle, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
And that if you go to space, Newtypes start seeing certain things more clearly.
He tells you that while you've got good senses, you'd best not try to follow
in his footsteps unless you want your soul bound by the Earth's gravity well
and by the souls of those you kill.
You hear from Kobayashi Hayato at last. After some pleasantries he says he's
heading to Australia to recover the survivors of the Jion attack on the
Trinton base. At least the SDF managed to fend off Neo-Jion's attack on
South Atalia. You plan to meet up on the American west coast. Just then,
you catch something plummeting toward you from high above. See the parallel
passage about the Wing Gundam in SA13, including the running into the Oz
batallion lead by Zechs. Who gives you the same old speech - basically, just
see SA13 for most of the details.
After you get rid of Zechs and company, a bunch of Arrowgaters show up.
Luckily the Beast Machines and some other mobile suits show up on the
next round - give thanks to the Kalaba. There's a misunderstanding that
they're the enemy right away and Sara is under suspicion of treachery due
to the whole Shapiro thing. Plus, Kou is still bent out of shape due to
the theft of the GP-02 and gets yelled at some by Shinobu - he actually gets
the clue and starts expressing Burning Heart(tm) again. BTW, if you have
Ari fight Viletta, you find out that the Grungast is made with tech from
the aliens, which causes Viletta to think that "that person" carried out
his mission successfully. Note that Viletta will run away if more than
like 75% of her hit points are lost. The business with Rilina watching the
battle is going on too.
It appears that successfully killing Viletta is worth a Skill Point. ^_^
Rilina has the same scene as in SA13 with Hiiro. Likewise do Treize and
Zechs have their conversation. Burning and Shinobu then explain about the
theft of the GP-02 to Bright. Everyone agrees that this is a serious problem,
and Hayato wants Burning and his men to join the Argama to give it a legitimate
excuse so the military won't criticize it - the recovery of the GP-02. You
also get a description of the history of the Beast Machines (see the SA series
for more details). The details of Shapiro's defection come out, raising
worries of them being given Federation military secrets - also, Bright agrees
to have Sara confined aboard the Argama for the time being. Plus, Mora tries
to cheer Nina up after all the thefts, and she manages to perk up quite a bit
when she runs into Amuro. Keith tells Kou that Nina may get stolen by
Amuro, but Kou's already absorbed by studying the V-Gundam.
Afterwards, more of your dudes mull over the details they still don't know
about the Arrowgaters. Shapiro's defection worries the Getter team a lot.
They note that the Arrowgaters' actions seem to be more surveillance than
actual combat, since they should be able to crush the Earth in one fell
swoop if they were serious. Shinobu and Sara then have their SA13
conversation at her cell. Hayato also decides to search for the Peacecraft
scion as in SA13. Plus Duo leaves. Go to S14.
S14. Chichi to no Yakusoku ("A Promise With Father")
At the far east base, Go the Scholar is meeting with Oka, and he has one of
the Nine Great Emperors in tow: Taisou the Spiritual Buddhist. Information
is scarce about the mysterious robot dug up in China due to the destruction of
facilities by the B.F., so Prof. Eri's data is all they can count on. The
good doctor is being guarded by Ginrei and Tetsugyuu, and Daisaku is helping
with Giant Robo's maintenance. Tetsugyuu isn't dreadfully happy about being
saved by Daisaku, but Taisou starts pounding some sense into him. Daisaku
reminds them that their mission isn't over yet and it falls to Ginrei to shut
Tetsugyuu up. After Ginrei and Daisaku leave, Taisou and Tetsugyuu have their
"Daisaku's only 12" conversation from Giant Robo ep. 1, asking whether they
could have done what Daisaku has to do at his age. Taisou says that if there's
anything they can do for such a child, it would be to not let him grow up into
a rotten adult...
Go thanks Daisaku for his work rescuing the others. Daisaku reiterates that
his father's last wish was for him to use Giant Robo to save the world from
the evil hand of the B.F. Go has also brought a certain item from Peking
that Ginrei asked for - he says that once it's done being outfitted, it'll be
ready to be launched in case anything happens. When Go looks at the data from
the thing unearth in China, he's shocked at first, although realizing that
the ruin was Shiyuu-chou he realizes that it's a definite possibility. Shiyuu
was the greatest of the war gods in Chinese legend. Having been defeated by
the legendary Yellow Emperor, this great demon had been sealed away.
Shiyuu-chou ("Shiyuu's Grave") is where he was sealed. It must be admitted
that they accidentally dug this thing up. Go is still amazed that Ultra-
Mechanical Men (aka Super Robots) existed those two thousand years ago.
Nevertheless, Eri saw the dracoform and tigerform mecha with her own eyes.
Both machines seemed functional, although the more detailed investigation got
derailed by the B.F.; it seems that the B.F. is working on resurrecting them.
While held captive, she was researching their propulsion systems, which
seemingly exploit the rotation of the five elements for power - in short a
perpetual motion machine. This probably means that they're intended as
entirely autonomous weapons, and even if the B.F. can't awaken them by itself
Dr. Hell probably can. Dr. Hell's Mecha Beast knowhow gained from his past
exploration and reawakening of them will probably be quite useful here. Go
begins to have doubts as to why B.F. let the likely treacherous Dr. Hell have
the machines to examine and hasn't attempted to eliminate Dr. Yasunishi.
Just then, the enemy arrive! It's some opponent they can't detect on their
sensors: the ever kick-ass Albert the Impact!! They can only scramble one
Jigan, and it gets blown to smithereens. Go realizes just how much trouble
they're in - Albert decides to go and take out Daisaku and Dr. Yasunishi. Go
plans to take her and the other Agents and evacuate the base...in the Ginrei
Robo! [my god, they watched the G.R. omake...@_@;;] Albert attacks and sort
of scratches the Ginrei Robo, with worse to come as Taisou intervenes. Albert
tells him that he's here to get rid of Daisaku and Yasunishi, but since the
Argama isn't here and Taisou is, he'll have to set aside their duel until
later and work on another of his missions first. He leaves things to Ivan,
who prepares for the death blow...except that Giant Robo launches by itself.
It's the whole Auto-Guard Circuit thing from Giant Robo ep. 1. Ginrei says
she'll fight alongside Daisaku and has Go and Tetsugyuu take the doctor
somewhere safe.
During the battle, Daisaku reiterates his promise to his father to Ivan,
that he's fighting to see whether or not happiness can be obtained without
sacrifice. Ivan agrees that Robo will save the world - that's why B.F.
made it: to help unify the world. Ivan won't tell Daisaku the reason why
the world has to be unified, just that Daisaku has to die. More B.F. robots
show up on round 1.5. The Reideen shows up on round 2. When you blow up
Ivan's mech, he says that at least he bought some time.
Defeat all B.F. enemies before turn 5 for a Skill Point.
After you defeat the D.C., Wu-Fei shows up to wreck the base and lower
Federation warpower. Quatre is here too, apparently on the same mission.
Quatre is a bit worried about fighting against the Argama, and Wu-Fei figures
that if Char is with the Argama a second or even third Titans might be
possible. Don't let them onto the base. Thankfully the Argama shows up
on the next turn.
Oka thanks you after the battle, but says that things are going from bad to
worse on the surface, with most important sites destroyed by Jion or the
Jupiterians and most of the survivors restrained by the Titans. Quatro
remarks that the Kalaba's efforts are just a drop in the bucket. Bright
says it's an exact reversal of the situation seven years ago at Odessa. To
stop the designs of the Titans and Jion, your batallion is now taken on under
the Far East Base's jurisdiction and rechristened the 13th Independent
Batallion, the Lond Bel. At this point Daisaku, Ginrei, and the Copelander
squadron join you. As for the Mecha Beasts, Sara is to be let continue as
a pilot - the word from their designer is that the Shapiro thing is a barrier
the whole team will have to overcome in order to combine and show the true
power of Dancougar. Daisaku says goodbye to Taisou and Tetsugyuu, who are
taking Go and Yasunishi back to the Peking base to work on countermeasures to
the Chinese mecha. Taisou tells Daisaku to remember that he's got strong-
hearted allies when he's in the midst of battle. He also tells Daisaku to
protect Ginrei, and that Daisaku will know what he means eventually. As the
crew mulls their new unit name, Shinobu worries a bit that Sara will be able
to fight when the have to face Shapiro, although he and the others resolve to
have faith in her. Meanwhile Kou and Kouji are in the hangar, admiring the
new acquisitions: Kouji admiring Ginrei Robo and Kou admiring G.R. Kou
figures that getting such a monsterous machine as G.R. to move would require
either a fusion reactor like the Gundams or else a fission reactor. Daisaku
says that yes, Robo is fission-powered. Usso plans to introduce Daisaku to
the other kids, since they're all around the same age. Kouji asks Daisaku
if he got G.R. from his father and tells him to treasure it, since he got
Mazinger Z from his grandfather. Kouji and Kou both want to end the fighting
soon and let the kids lead a normal kids' life again.
You then walk in on Amuro, Camille, and Nina putting their heads together
about data for the Z Gundam. It's a convertible machine based on data from
the Mk.II and the Type 100, and is currently en route via Henken. It seems
they're pondering the Wing Gundam, which was even able to survive reentry
unassisted - data from it would help the Z a lot. Meanwhile, on the American
West Coast, Hiiro is busy hacking his way to a bona fide student transfer
record. The >70% damage to the Wing is all taken care of, and his analysis
puts the Argama's crew at a comparable threat level to Oz. He's being ordered
to follow the Argama around and check out NERV, meaning he has to pull out of
school. Just then Rilina shows up, chatting with Hiiro for the first time
since his entering school. She's figured out that he's the pilot of the
winged Gundam. He reminds her he's going to kill her, and she says if she's
the last person he'll kill she'll gladly let him. Hiiro can't bring himself
to do it and flees. Poor Rilina... Go to S15.
S15. Shito, Shuurai ("Angel Attack")
Sara's out of confinement, and tells Shinobu that she'll demonstrate her
resolve to fight as a member of the team in the next battle. Shinobu warns
her that if she pulls anything again he really will shoot, and she responds
that both of them will probably feel better then. Mora observes that the
two aren't being honest with each other. Sayaka then finds Kouji and
recommends dropping by the Photon Power lab while they're still in Japan -
and that there may be a countermeasure to flying Mecha Beasts ready. But
before he can ask, an unknown object is detected heading for Hakone, where a
new city is being built - basically, "they" have finally appeared. The alert
is put out that the first of the Angels is on the loose. This is the enemy
that the Far East base has been on guard for all this time. Oka tells you
that if worse comes to worse he'll have to have the Lond Bel help out: you
can either sortie now or wait for orders.
Waiting for orders is worth a Skill point.
At NERV headquarters, the bridge crew is watching the Angel's advance, a trial
that according to Gendou is unavoidable for mankind. The Angel's activity is
proof that the STMC has begun moving. Gendou says that they're not the ones
who will choreograph the end and beginning of everything. Regular army units
have engaged the Angel, but of course they're going to be of no use. Gendou
orders Unit-00 to be rebooted, but Ritsuko objects that after the last little
experimental failure it's going to be hard. Gendou says to use explosives to
clear out the Bakelite if need be and Fuyutsuki reminds Gendou that they
haven't been transferred command authority yet. Gendou figures Oka won't use
a N2 mine inland and that the authority will surely be transferred to them.
He orders Rei to be woken up to buy time until the replacement pilot arrives.
Ritsuko is impatient waiting for Misato to bring Shinji back... Oka is
demanding an all-out attack to stop the Angel. Given that the Angel is
entering area D2, the only choice seems to be the N2 mine, but Oka won't
authorize that in a populated area. You guys then sortie, and although Oka
doesn't know the Angel's capabilities, he tells you it's headed for Neo Tokyo2
and that you should head there. Everyone at NERV thinks the Federation has
given up and that even EOT weapons can't stop it. They need the self-defense
systems to make up the two minute gap between the Angel's arrival and Unit-00's
sortie. Gendou observes that the usual people will be showing up to watch
the Angel, and NERV.
Misato is wondering why she got lost now of all times, and Shinji is finding
the phones dead. Think EVA ep. 1. Albert is also on the scene, determined
to find out whether the Angels are really mankind's enemy as Koumei has stated.
Have Albert attack the Angel - he can't hurt it but it can't hit him either.
He notices its A.T. Field and the techs at NERV are totally shocked to see
a person fighting it. Fuyutsuki notes that the observers got to the Angel
first. Gendou plans on using this to buy time, saying that only "they"
(the Magnificent Ten) could pull off something this ludicrous. Keep up the
assault if only to hear Albert keep badmouthing the Angel. After two rounds
Unit-00 is ready to reboot. Last time trying this lead to Unit-00 running
amok, this time it's operational but not much help in combat. Albert sees
the EVA and goes back to taking notes, saying that only at times like this
does NERV act. Misato finally finds Shinji, and is shocked that Unit-00 is
operational. Your dudes show up next round, observing that the Angel almost
seems to be alive...and searching for something. Gendou contacts you and
tells you you can't defeat the Angel and to go away. All your units start
out at 120 Morale, so you can actually get to your more powerful attacks.
Recall that the A.T. Field will negate all attacks that do less than 4000
points of damage...
Misato explains to Shinji about the Angels and hurries to HQ. Unluckily
some Arrowgaters pop out on the next turn - they seem to be watching the
battle. Unfortunately, right after that Unit-00 starts going into collapse.
It gets recovered. You should be able to defeat the Angel before anything
else happens...or so it seems. Unfortunately, it heals itself...and Gendou
tells you again to leave.
After the battle, you learn that Rei is gravely injured and Unit-00 is
unusable. Insert more stuff from EVA ep. 1 and Bright being puzzled over the
directive to evacuate. Go to S16.
S16. Houkou, EVA Shogouki ("The Howl of EVA-01")
Continuing with EVA ep. 1, Misato is lost with Shinji. Ritsuko finds them
and starts filling them in on how the Angel is apparently much like the EVAs
in its learning and other abilities. Misato is amazed that the Federation
Army had a force capable of facing the Angel head-on. Ritsuko tells her
that it was a mixed force of so-called super robots and machines from the
SRX Project, a project with robots that might even be able to _defeat_ the
Angels and EVAs. Shinji then gets introduced to Unit-01, and reintroduced
to his father who says to sortie. Insert Shinji being a wimp and Gendou not
giving a damn. Neither does the Angel, although you have a choice to get in
or not - if not you get berated even more. If you do, EVA will shield you
from the falling beam and all.
Your forces think they have no choice but to continue the assault. If Shinji
is piloting, a top-priority order is invoked to get you to go away. This
level of order can only be invoked by someone as powerful as a General...
Now it's EVA-01 on the scene. Shinji manages to walk, and you can fight the
Angel...
Get Shinji defeated and you get berserk mode....which will hose the Angel
in a single attack and freak out everyone watching. As your people try to
come to terms with this, you realize that EVA-01 didn't system down when
it was defeated, but rather went berserk. All your Newtypes agree. Bright
decides to return to the Far East base since your work here is, evidently
finished. Albert comes out of hiding and acknowledges that the EVAs are
for real. With this newfound knowledge of NERV's objective and the Lond Bel's
combat power, he leaves.
EVA-01 gets recovered and Shinji hasn't been all that injured...physically.
Gendou then gets grilled by Seele. Only this time, they bug him about what
to do about all the spectators, and Gendou figures that they have the same
information from the Scrolls, and that realizing they lack an Egg they'll
come calling. Gendou plans to send the EVAs to the Lond Bel, as a way of
luring the Angels over there and keeping things at HQ on schedule. Gendou
tells Fuyutsuki of the meeting and says he's taken appropriate precautions
about Seele - both the DC and the SDF, fighting poison with poison in
Fuyutsuki's analysis. He's worried that the strong poison known as Shuu and
Ingram may turn on NERV. It turns out that a certain sample and a certain
Unit-02 and its pilot have left Germany and will be at South Atalia in about
a week. Gendou announces the plan to send the EVAs over to them, and says
that as long as they can get the Lance of Longinus they won't have to worry
about holding down the fort...
S17. GR tai GR2 ("G.R. vs. G.R.2")
Back at the Far East base, Oka is mulling over the fact that although the
Angel was defeated, the losses were too great. Then a transmission arrives
from Colonel Basque in Jaburo. He tells Oka plainly that Oka's actions so far
are clearly treason toward the Titans: serious ignoring of orders, establishing
the Lond Bel without Jaburo's permission and furthermore comprising it mainly
of members of the anti-Titans group the Yugo. Basque orders the disbanding of
the Lond Bel if Oka doesn't want to be court martialed. Oka tells Basque that
he has no need to heed an order to disband the successfully anti-Jion Lond Bel
from the Titans who haven't been doing a single damn thing to stop them. Oka
reminds Basque of the amount of damage Jion has caused on Earth, and Basque
says that's why the Titans have to reorganize everyone. Oka is not impressed,
and asks if Basque intends to send a detachment of Titans to the Far East base,
into a region crawling with innumerable assorted enemies. He further tells
Basque to tell Jamitov that no matter whether he assumes control of the army,
the Far East base won't be his pawn. The Lond Bel get back and Oka laments
that the army wouldn't have taken such losses if they'd known more about the
EVAs. Bright is skeptical that NERV will cooperate with them, but Oka breaks
the news about the Titans becoming more directly confrontational. He tells you
that to fight against them you'll need the help of the DC and the SDF. He
tells you you should head to South Atalia since the Titans have been jamming
their transmissions.
Everyone is gathered reviewing the data from the fight with the Angel. They
realize it's like a life form, or perhaps more than that. Akira notes that
Reideen was giving him some sort of warning about the Angel, causing Shinobu
to wonder if Reideen has its own will (Akira's heard its voice, so it
probably does...) Your people wonder if the 12,000 year old Reideen _knows_
the Angel or the EVAs, but Amuro notes that it probably just remembered
something much like them. Perhaps the Angels have something like a soul
within. Akira recalls how Reideen told him it was made to fight the Gods of
Destruction coming from afar. The best you can figure is that the Gods of
Destruction are probably the Arrowgaters, and that the Angel was simply
similar to them somehow.
In the hanger, the mechanics are chatting about all the new robots. Daisaku
recalls that G.R. weighs about 1500 tons, whereas the Combattler V weighs
a mere 550 [O_o;;]. Apparently this data from Haro comes because Haro and
Ropet have been exchanging a lot of info...maybe the Argama's belly really
will fall out under all that weight. Usso hears from the other kids that
some cake is ready, but Daisaku still has maintenance waiting...
Suddenly, something believed to be a B.F. robot starts heading for Tokyo,
probably after DC HQ. Unfortunately, Daisaku thinks he's the only one who
can defeat B.F. robots and heads out ahead. Either the B.F. is trying to
steal the EOT or get info on the SRX Project. It turns out that it's
The Dazzling Cervantes from the Magnificent Ten - who's here to take
something the DC have built: the Granzon! Shuu asks what the B.F. want with
it, which Cervantes doesn't know since it's Big Fire's will. Shuu ends up
refusing, and Cervantes says he has no choice but to take it by force with
G.R.2. Daisaku then shows up and is shocked to see the first enemy Robo
ever fought still alive. Cervantes tells him to give back Robo, to which
Daisaku replies he'll defeat the B.F. and return peace to the world all by
himself. Cervantes doubts he can do that all alone. Shuu is hyped to
watch a deathmatch between G.R.1 and 2.
During the battle, Cervantes asks if Daisaku has found an answer for his
father and laments the cruelty of making Daisaku do all this. Gorgon then
pops out claiming to want to help, although Cervantes doesn't buy it for
an instant. Cervantes tells him to use his free time to resurrect the two
machines instead, and Gorgon responds that they're almost awake. Luckily
a few of your people show up on the next turn. Next round Brocken shows
up with orders to use his flying Mecha Beasts to take out Mazinger Z. He
also tells Gorgon to return to base, which Gorgon refuses to do. The
theory is that Mazinger is screwed if he has to fight flying enemies over
water.
Gorgon will leave if G.R.2 is destroyed - if you defeat Gorgon you get a
Skill Point.
Your dudes proceed to lecture Daisaku. More accurately, Kouji yells at him
for thinking he's the only one fighting the B.F. and Daisaku runs off.
Kouji admits afterwards that he's a bit out of sorts since Brocken and
Gorgon figured out Mazinger Z's weak point...and that Daisaku reminds him of
himself from the past. Bright then asks Shuu why the enemies came, and Shuu
responds that perhaps they were after the EOT. Shuu then asks if you met
someone named Masaki, and learns that his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Bright then pops the question about whether the SDF would be willing to help
the Lond Bel. Shuu then promises that he'll help not just with you and your
machine, but on all fronts. Shuu thinks that things are really starting to
go his way...
Ginrei then finds Daisaku and procedes to help him feel better, while
reminding him that he's not fighting alone. Your people then eat all the
goodies that Shakti and the others were baking before the sortie. You
find out that Ropet has a tea-maker installed internally. You also get to
discover that Kou doesn't like carrots when it turns out that it's a
_carrot_ cake. You then run into Daisaku and convey the fact that Kouji
sees himself in him. Kouji shows up with cake for the two of you and all
is forgiven.
Bright then takes a call from Oka (and wishes he'd eaten the cake _after_ it
was over). It turns out Henken is about to arrive, so it's time for you to
go and pick up new stuff. Kouji still wants to go back to the lab, and the
Getter Team offers to accompany them. You go along too.
Meanwhile, back at B.F. Headquarters Hanzui says hi to Albert, as does
Kawarazaki. Albert says that had Daisaku not had some unexpected help, he
would have eliminated him. There's also tidings of Cervantes and G.R.2 being
beaten by the Lond Bel. Albert says the Lond Bel are better than the regular
Army but that they're little more than a ragtag batallion. Hanzui can't
figure out why Big Fire has directed people as high as the Magnificent Ten to
assault the Lond Bel, or why those two machines were given to Dr. Hell.
Neither can Kawarazaki, who's also worried about Seele and Nerv becoming a
threat. As Albert wonders if this operation is really at the will of Big
Fire, Koumei the Strategist shows up to explain. As the three begin to
question Koumei about why it seems he's having them deliberately give the
enemy a chance to become strong, he tells them to just watch and see.
Go to S18.
S18. Kurenai Inazuma, Sora Tobu MAJINGA ("Scarlet Lighting, Mazinger Flies")
At Dr. Hell's hideout, the good doctor is telling Ashura that the Genocider
F9 flying Mechabeast is finished (Ashura likes the name). Hell is worried
that Yumi will soon finish a means for Mazinger Z to be able to fly, and tells
Ashura to concentrate on destroying it before that happens. Settling the
score with the rest of the Lond Bel can readily be done later - he's already
got a plan in the works for that. Ashura tells him that Mazinger has split
off from the Lond Bel to return to the Photon Power lab, and he orders her to
attack it with the Genocider F9 immediately. Brocken then shows up and says
that he's got the Mekazaurus plant they stole from the the Kyouryuu Empire
working at full tilt on the ressurection of the Chinese machines. Hell thinks
that those two machines will make the Lond Bel, the Titans, Neo-Jion, and
everyone else bow before them.
Back at the Photon Power Lab, Ryou is saying farewell to Kouji and preparing
to head back to Saotome. Just then, you begin to feel some stirring in your
breast - but your friends convince you you're just being a worrywart. It
turns out that Yumi is currently at Tesla Raihi - working on finishing the
thing Kouji wants most, the Jet Scrander! It's already finished being
built, but there was a problem in final testing, hence Yumi's trip, although
there's some further reason Yumi had to go himself rather than corresponding
via email. He should be back and the Jet Scrander installed by tomorrow
in any event. The old guys offer to work on the Grungast type II while fixing
up Mazinger: you can say yes or no.
Saying yes is worth a Skill Point.
Kouji leads you to hanger 6 where the JS is being stored - both of you like
it on first sight. Kouji thinks the JS is far better than a girlfriend,
which Sayaka isn't terribly thrilled to hear. Boz wants to fly too but
Kouji just tells him to attach a giant baloon or a missile or something to the
Borot. You figure out that since the JS has its own catapault, it must dock
with Mazinger Z in autonomous flight. And just then, _something_ howls nearby.
You hear it echoing from the neighboring hangar 7, which contains a
new kind of Photon Power engine that was sealed after an accident long ago.
You wonder if the engine is actually moving, but Sayaka is sure it was just
an earthquake. Neither Sayaka or Kouji have ever actually _seen_ the inside
of hangar 7. Kouji thinks to himself that while he doesn't want to doubt the
old guys, he thinks that something other than an engine is stored in there...
something bad. Your intuition keeps bugging you, as though something's
happened to the Getter team, or else that the thing in hangar 7 is going to
emperil you all.
Yumi gets back and says he's solved the problem. However, even Prof. Smith
at Tesla thought it'd be difficult to investigate the power of the Photon
Power Reflex Reactor in the state it is now. Yumi has high hopes for
eventually mating it to a Photon Power engine, but says that the JS must take
higher priority for now. Apparently the vibrations from hangar 7 have
increased in frequency - Yumi says that Smith thought the mysterious circuit
in the plans for the Reflex Reactor looked like an autonomy device, in
short, that "it" might have a will of its own... Kouji and the others get
back, and it's time to test the JS.
The Pailder has been upgraded to the Jet Pailder, which is now more
manouverable than before, and the Aphrodite A is now the Diana A. Sayaka
returns to base, but just then the enemy attack! Apparently timed to
coincide with the JS's development by the looks of it. Seeing they're only
terrestrial foes, Kouji wants to go out w/o the JS, but Yumi thinks its a
trap and can't authorize launch; he thinks the JS is the true objective.
Yumi wants to rely on the lab's defensive barrier until the JS is done, but
Kouji can't bring himself to do that.
If you agreed to have the Grungast serviced, it won't be with you just yet.
Kouji knows this is a trap too but can't let the about to be finished JS
get wrecked. The Mecha Beasts won't move, so go and kill them. More will
appear in a way that draws you farther from the lab. You have no choice
but to play along. Kill them and the flying Ghouls will appear, along with
the Genocider..._s_! Boz sorties to help Kouji...and self destructs!!
There's no answer from him either... Assuming you had the Grungast get
reoutfitted, all its armor which had been taken off for repairs reassembles
_by_itself_. You then sortie, saying you can't forgive yourself for letting
things happen like they did back when. Diana-A sorties too. Two turns
later you get to dock with the Jet Scrander - Kouji promises to make
Ashura pay for pissing him off this much. Luckily one round later the SRX
team shows up. You realize that there's more enemies to come, and near
lab too. Next round, you prepare for launching the JS, but a new Genocider
shows up and blasts it...but it's made out of Ultra-Alloy Z like Mazinger
so it's still fine.
After the battle, everyone laments Boz's death, but he's still okay. Sort of
anti-climactic, but all to the good in any case. Your people chat for a while
(Ryuusei wishes his R-1 had a JS) and find that Ingram's already gone off on
another mission. It also comes out that your Grungast is part of a sister
series to the R-types...although the Huckebein series is more closely related.
You can then ask about either the SRX Project or about Ingram. You learn
that Ingram is a pretty bossy commander but very smart and skilled at PT
control. It seems that Ingram was once part of the Helium gathering opertion
at Jupiter, and that he's the one who suggested using ESPers for the SRX
Project. Ryuusei then talks about the T-Link system and says that he's sort
of like an ESPer, but he can't do psychokinesis or things like that.
Apparently Ryuusei was scouted by a secret aptitude test disguised as the
"Burning PT" arcade game - he's the national champion at it. Ryuusei concedes
that it might all be something Ingram set up (just like your case).
Kouji then asks what's really in hangar 7, and Yumi says he can no longer
conceal it from you. In that hangar is a prototype for Mazinger Z outfitted
with a Photon Power Reflect Reactor. Kouji's father Juuzou was part of the
same exploration team to Bardos Island that Dr. Hell was on, and caught wind
of Dr. Hell's ambitions - and thus decided to build a machine to stop them.
Unfortunately, controlling the Reflex Reactor is hard and it went berserk
during a test and killed Kouji's parents. Yumi says that Kouji will
probably never pilot the prototype, or rather that he must not. He then
tells Kouji that both sides of the war powering up more and more will just
lead to more innocent people getting caught up in the struggle.
Dr. Hell is not pleased at this turn of events, but Brocken has a plan: steal
the new Getter being worked on and turn it against the Lond Bel. He plans
to also use the two Chinese machines in case the Lond Bel show up to stop
the theft. Go to S19.
S19. Gekitotsu! GETTAA ROBO vs. GETTAA ROBO G
("Clash! Getter Robo vs. Getter Robo G")
The Getter Team has just gotten back to the Saotome lab, where they meet
Michiru and give her a birthday present. Ryuu tries to ask about Getter
Dragon's combatworthiness, but just then Jack King butts in. He was
apparently asked by his father at Tesla Raihi to guard the lab while you were
gone. Apparently only Hayato has heard of Texas Mack before... He speaks
a rather amusingly accented Japanese, but supposedly is good in combat. In
the hangar, you see two Getter Dragons, one for Ryou etc. and one for
experimentation on the Getter Ray phenomenon. This means that you can get
your Dragon back, but outfitting it will take all day. Hayato is a little
worried about all the Getters in the hangar (including what seems to be the
Proto Getter). You're introduced to Benkei, who's been training to be a
Getter pilot so much he practically lives in the simulator. Benkei asks
Musashi to show him how Dai-Setsu-Zan-Oroshi works, but Musashi (who may be
feeling a few job-security issues just now) isn't willing to cough it up. He
runs off in a huff, and Ryou goes to try to console him. Hayato then
confronts Saotome about why he built more Getters and says he can't be fooled
as easily as the others. He surmises that leaving Getter Dragon behind
wasn't to forward any research but merely to help having another one built,
and that the plans he handed to Oka were for a totally new kind of Getter.
Saotome admits that he's researching Shin Getter Robo ("shin" = "true").
Shin Getter will theoretically be able to draw upon the full unlimited power
of the Getter Rays. However, it won't be ready for a while yet - all they've
got is a prototype for the Shin Getter powerplant, and they won't be able to
start it without a large amount of Getter Rays, enough so that just naturally
gathering those that fall from space wuold take several years...which was
why they needed the Dragon's Getter Amplifier. Hayato is worried that the
product of all this work will prove to be a real monster, and Saotome admits
that if possible he doesn't want to use the Shin Getter in combat, since the
timing of the increase in Getter Rays makes it seem like someone almost
wants him to develop Shin Getter, as though that person is saying that without
it the oncoming calamity can't be averted. Just then, a delivery arrives
from "DC headquarters", an unexpected one...
Musashi gets to angst about whether he isn't needed after all, which Michiru
manages to cheer him out of. Unfortunately, he still couldn't quite tell
Michiru his feelings for her. And then the enemy attacks! And Getter Dragon
has just booted up and is wrecking the lab, as Megazauruses assault. Well,
it's the experimental one, but it's still dangerous since its armor is
actually fortified vs. the original. Unfortunately, the catapaults to launch
the G Getto Machines are wrecked. Musashi has jumped into Getter Robo and
is going to buy time until Getter G can be launched. Everyone is worried
about whether Musashi really _will_ eject when the time comes...
Defeat Brocken before G is launched for a Skill Point. Actually, if you
attack and are damaged beyond a certain point (one Getter Beam from
Brocken should do), Musashi self destructs as his last act to protect
Michiru and the others, which should take out the experimental Getter.
Everyone is greatly shocked. You can then launch the Getto Machines, and
Saotome tells you all not to die too. You launch, promising to show Brocken
the true power and fury of Getter, but he prepares to down you with long
range guided missiles, along with the lab.
Then ensues a _super_ kick ass sequence where the team successfully lures
off and destroys all the missiles! However, Brocken was planning on that
and _lots_ of enemies show up. Brocken tells Gorgon to buy time while he
escapes, and while Gorgon doesn't like being ordered around he finds it
worth it to see the Chinese machines in action. Texas Mack emerges to
help you too. On the next round, the rest of your crew arrive. Don't let
any of the enemy touch the base, and kick their ass.
Once you eliminate Gorgon, Brocken shows up again and promises to send you
to Hell. He also tells Kouji not to get conceited just because Mazinger
can fly. The ESPers feel some great oppressive feeling...and a rumbling
throughout the atmosphere, even Kouji has a bad feeling. Out come the
Ryuu-Ou-Ki and the Ko-Ou-Ki!! It's the Chinese machines, and they seem to
be almost alive. You sense that they're in pain, although most of your
team finds the fact that they're conscious hard to believe. Ryuusei
reminds them that the Grungast's T-Link system amplifies telekinetic power
You realize that they're being controlled, and that if you shoot down the
Ghoul they probably won't attack you. My advice is to take down Brocken
_fast_ (use Surveillance and check out the Chinese machines' specs if you
don't believe me).
After Brocken is defeated, the Chinese machines become motionless and you try
to converse with them. Suddenly, there is a great swelling in psychic
energy and Ryuusei starts being able to feel it even without using his
connectors. You're just a little ways away from being able to connect with
their consciousness, but just then they run off.
You then find out that Musashi is still alive, somehow getting blasted free
in the explosion because the separation device activated. He's badly wounded,
but will still live. The others think he's merely just very lucky, but
Hayato suspects for a moment that Getter itself decided to do that... It
sort of sucks that the enemy now has data on Getter G, but your lives are more
important than that. You have been unconscious since the battle and are
being looked after by Ryuusei in the infirmary. Apparently the excessive
amount of linking you did tripped the T-Link system's "breaker" and caused
you to black out. You wake up again, leaving Ryuusei with the distinct
impression that your TK is stronger than his. You ask what happens if you
overuse the T-Link system, and he says that although he's not sure it probably
would mean either the system goes out of control, or your psyche gets
destroyed, or both.
It's now time for everyone to head to Neo Tokyo2 to join the rest of the crew.
Ryuusei the robot otaku hopes he can come back and sightsee more of the
Getters later, but he comes along to Neo Tokyo2 to see the new Gundams and the
fabled Evangelion. Texas Mack comes too. You should now have the Re-GZ
if you have 7 or more Skill Points, and the Z Gundam. Go to S20.
S20. Kessen, Dai-2 Shin-Toukyou-Shi ("Deathmatch in Neo Tokyo2")
You receive an order from Gendou to put in an appearance at NERV. Amuro,
Quatro, and Bright go to meet them. Meanwhile, it seems that Shinji has
run away from home. Ritsuko reminds Misato that their future depends on
entrusting the EVAs to Shinji and the others. Ritsuko's figured out that
Shinji probably feels he isn't needed any more since the Angels can be
fought without his help, and informs Misato of the loan of EVAs and personell
to the Lond Bel. Misato realizes that this is a ploy to lure the Angels away
from Neo Tokyo2.
Meanwhile, your dudes are shopping for provisions in Neo Tokyo-2. Hyouma is a
bit uncertain about he, a pilot, being made to do shopping, but others of
your folks comment that it's important to do something other than just non
stop fighting. Kou wonders if it's really okay for you all, who've been
allowed inside NERV, to then be let on the loose - Ginrei points out the
Security detail watching you. You compliment Ginrei on her female spying
skills, to which she says flattery will get you nowhere. Ryuusei wants to
go to a toy store to buy a 1:100 scale Getto Machine boxed set. It seems that
models have really been advancing lately, and Ryuusei's even got a Mazinger
Z with Hover Pailder. Ginrei goes back to the Argama with Kou and Daisaku,
and the rest of you head to the store.
Meanwhile, Shinji has just figured out that he's run away from home, and
wonders why his father called for him if he apparently isn't needed to fight
the angels. Your dudes are on the way back from a successful mission,
noting that the toy store is lucky to have survived given all the fighting
in the area. Kouji notes that they were just barely able to take out the
Angel even with all their power combined. Shinji figures out who you are,
as your dudes muse that if the "big purple robot" who did so well against the
Angel would fight with them, things would be a lot easier. Shinji realizes
that just _maybe_ your dudes can use him [shock! amazement!] Just then,
you realize that _something_ is coming. Luckily all your dudes decide to
hurry back to the ship.
Meanwhile, Bright, Amuro and Quatro introduce themselves to Gendou, who tells
them he's got orders for them. Bright asks Gendou if he has the authority
to command them (he does) and Quatro notes that NERV has supreme authority
where Angels are concerned. He tells you that he's loaning you EVA-01 and
its pilot. Basically, Gendou is telling you to take EVA-01 and fight the
Angels, and brooks no real discussion. Bright wonders if this is because
you're the only group who seems to stand a chance against them... Quatro
notes that Angels aren't the Lond Bel's only enemies and Gendou assures you
that you'll only be subject to his authority during Angel attack. Amuro
asks for more information about the Angels, and is told only that they're
mankind's enemy and that if they're not all defeated mankind will perish.
And that the EVAs are weapons made to fend them off. Amuro and Quatro note
that you're not being told anything more than you need to know, and that any
additional information might actually turn you against NERV. Gendou observes
that such insight is only to be expected of the two greatest ace pilot
Newtypes from the One-Year War (Quatro wonders how the heck Gendou knows his
true identity). Gendou also says he'll send support staff for EVA-01 so you
won't have to handle it cold. Gendou then receives a call and it's an
Angel attack. Quatro realizes now that the Angels are clearly after
_something_ in the area...but what? Bright offers to sortie, but Gendou has
you wait on top alert until asked for, saying that your weapons won't
affect it and attacking carelessly will merely get you wiped out.
Back in the control room the Angel is being tracked and Ritsuko tells Misato
that Shinji came back of his own will and is ready to launch. Shinji
assures Misato that he's piloting of his own will and that this is all he
can do now. Unfortunately, the whole torroidal reactor thing happens, timed
to hit Unit-01 as it launches, toasting him in one hit. It then moves to
the Zero Area and intends to directly attack NERV HQ.
Your dudes then hear that EVA-01 got taken out by a single beam shot from
the Angel, which amazes Shinobu since the EVAs have the same strong barrier
as the Angels. That means that the armor on all your other units will be
about as useful as paper - so how are you supposed to defeat it? Maybe if
you could read its motions ahead of time and dodge it... Burning points to
the optimism of the kids and tells all you soldiers to stay positive. Misato
and Ritsuko get introduced to Bright, Quatro and Amuro. Misato wants Amuro's
autograph, and figures that the only reason outsiders like them were let in
is to tap the expertise that won the One-Year War. They've been sending out
dummies and such, and all get destroyed by the Angel's particle beam. The
bridge crew has figured out that any target that gets closer than a certain
range gets attacked by the beam with 100% accuracy. The A.T. Field seems
quite solid too; Amuro asks what the A.T. Field is and notes that the EVAs
seem to have that among other things in common with the Angels. Ritsuko
can't tell you much about the EVAs, but she says your guess is correct, and
that your group disproved the notion that the A.T. Field is _entirely_
unbreachable by conventional weapons. In short, a powerful enough attack is
required. Bright finds out that the Angel is trying to attack NERV HQ and
wonders why, although he realizes he can't expect an answer. It'll arrive
in less than 10 hours. EVA-01 had its armor badly melted but luckily nothing
vital damaged; another three seconds and it would have been all over though.
EVA-01 will be repaired in another 3 hours, and seemingly EVA-00 can be
launched now, although they're worried about feedback. Not good.
Quatro reaches the conclusion that the only hope is to attack it with a high
powered attack from outside its range, as had Misato. The MAGI report
2 agreement, one 1 provisional agreement - 8.7% success rate. Gendou has
no reason to object, and tells Misato to go to it. Ritsuko reminds her that
NERV's positron rifles don't have the juice, and Misato tells her of a certain
very high powered weapon under development at a certain place researching
the EOT-based Tronium Engine: the Hyper Tronium Buster Cannon. However, since
the HTB cannon is still under development, she plans to use its predecessor,
the self-propelled positron cannon. Ritsuko is worried that the SRX Project
will cooperate, and Misato tells her that Gendou is pulling the necessary
strings.
Monsha isn't optimistic that all this will work. Bright says that the Lond
Bel's duty will be to guard the two EVAs from attack by other enemies -
the possibility that the Titans or Neo-Jion would want to attack the nearly
indefensible positron cannon is high. Camille asks where the energy for the
cannon will come from, and NERV has apparently arrange for a large Getter
Reactor to be sent from the Saotome Lab, one that can deliver ten times the
power of Shine Spark, twice. Kouji's also heard that a Photon Power
Reflex Reactor is being sent to NERV too, despite not being controllable
since its invention. PLUS, something large is being brought over from the
Nangen Connection to help - useful to protect the EVAs. Whatever it is has
Ultramagnetic coating and should withstand up to 20 seconds of the Angel's
attack. Everyone is happy to see all this technology from throughout humanity
coming together like this.
Ingram and Gendou have their first meeting in a year. Fuyutsuki is concerned
that the Tronium Engine will actually work - Ingram assures him that while
all Tronium tech isn't fully understood yet, the Tronium Engine has already
surpassed the experimental stages, and that work is being done to miniaturize
it and use it as a generator. However, you only get two shots: more than
that and the Tronium Engine will explode and take out everything in a 50km
radius. Apparently, just using the fabulously expensive Tronium Engine for
this at all will burn it out. Ingram assures them that they have his full
support and that noone exists who can derail their "plans".
With the clock ticking down, all the pieces are in place and the self-
propelled positron canon has been converted into a positron sniper rifle.
Zero hour is 0000, codename the Yashima Operation. Shinji is conscious again
but Ritsuko worries if he'll ever pilot again. Rei meets Shinji and gives
him the details of the operation. Shinji says that although he resolved to
pilot once, he lacks confidence and doesn't know if this operation will
succeed or not. Rei tells him that if he doesn't want to pilot, Rei will
take over in EVA-01. Ritsuko tells him that the operation will work in
theory, but that they won't know until they try - that nothing this powerful
has ever been fired before. Shinji agrees to do it, and gets briefed.
Shinji wonders what happens if he misses the first shot, and Rei promises to
protect him. As the operation starts, Rei tells Shinji that she pilots the
EVA becaue it's her bond - with everybody. She says that she's nothing else,
that she was essentially born to pilot the EVAs, in fine that she has no
reason for existing if she doesn't pilot them. Lo and behold, Sharkin and
a bunch of goons show up to try to interfere. Sharkin says he knows enemies
like the Angel and foretells that you can't hurt it...so he's here to just
finish you off. Apparently the Youma Kingdom's archives contain prophecies
that such beings would appear on the Earth.
You're told that EVA-01 won't be able to do any normal attacking during
the battle, although it still will have its A.T. Field...but you can't
let it be attacked for fear of the positron sniper rifle getting wrecked.
Don't let your dudes get within the radius 10 of the Angel's weapon. After
a round of combat, Ingram shows up to help - a man who even NERV's
intelligence branch can't get much info about.
Defeat all the enemies within the four rounds before the EVAs fire for a
Skill Point.
After you defeat the other enemies, the EVA-01 and the Angel shoot at each
other and miss as per the TV series. Rei protects Shinji from the Angel's
second strike, and hits with his. He then rescues Rei and tells her not to
say that she's nothing else but an EVA pilot. When she says she doesn't know
what to do at times like this, Shinji tells her to smile. [Aww. ^_^]
Afterwards, the damage to Neo-Tokyo2 is worse than before and the EVAs both
need some repairs, especially EVA-00. This may postpone the deployment with
the Lond Bel for a while. Plus with Unit-02 coming from Germany even more
money is going to get eaten up. Misato wishes people wouldn't worry about
money, but Ritsuko says that that's unavoidable since the rest of mankind
apart from the EVA team needs money to survive too.
While the EVAs are getting fixed, Gendou has something else for the Lond Bel
to do, which he tells them to think of as an order. It seems that EVA-02
is being sent to South Atalia by sea (Bright wonders if the SDF and NERV
have some connection). Gendou reminds Bright that he wanted to go there
anyway, and picking up EVA-02 gives them a legitimate excuse to do so.
You'll pick up EVA-00 and EVA-01 afterwards. After the meeting, Ingram,
who's now part of your unit, explains that this will raise the probability
of contact with the Angels. You then get a transmission from Brecks, who
tells you that Axis will reach the Earth Sphere in one week's time.
Apparently Neo-Jion is getting ready to get serious, and a change in the
action of Jion units has been observed. Apparently they've deployed a
sattelite over point L5, apparently to watch some troops sent to Earth there.
Amuro thinks that maybe they're trying to recapture the former Jion space
port of Solomon, although that's also a stronghold of anti-Titans resistance
that Jamitov seems to be trying to eradicate. Your people realize that the
GP-02's nuclear weapon might be one of the few things that could actually take
out the troops there on Konpei Island. Brecks asks you to send someone to
space to look for the GP-02, and for the latest unveiling from the Z and V
Projects - he wants you to pick up some of those machines in person. Brecks
tells you that a ship from the Riga Militia is in Hong Kong now, and just to
put a few of your people onto it.
You then hear from Hazuki, who's just gotten back to the Far East Base
because of a little problem. Oka answered a summons to Jaburo, and is
probably being held prisoner since no word has been heard from him. It
seems that Oka went there all alone without telling anyone. It turns out
that Oka is the 17th Successor to the Kouga-ryuu Ninjitsu, and that he
probably just feigned answering their invitation to espy their capabilities.
Oka is probably okay, but the base is still lightly defended due to the losses
in the Angel attack. He asks you to at least send the Mecha Beasts back to
help out. Hazuki wants to do a final test on the Mecha Beasts, the nature
of which he'll explain once you get back.
Your team is therefore to split into three. Usso joins those going to space
in the hopes of finding out more about his parents. You can then decide
which path you want to follow. To go to space, head to SS21. To go to the
Far East base, go to SB21. Go to pick up the EVA-02, go to SE21.
SS21. HON KON SHITI ("Hong Kong City")
You arrive in Hong Kong and find the Lean Horse Jr. It's a large ship with
a big beam shield on it, very different from the Argama. Camille tells Kou
that the Riga were able to build it thanks to support from Anaheim and Mao
Industries, as well as various others. Odelo asks why such a battleship
doesn't get attacked for being so openly in port. Marpet says it's because
Hong Kong is a a special protection zone which, like the others on Earth,
has fighting strictly prohibited. Also, it's a hotbed of anti-Federation
and anti-Titans sentiment. In particular, the Lean Horse Jr.'s dock is owned
by someone who's been helping you thusfar, hence the Victory-type Gundam you
see there. Olifar, one of the Rigan pilots, explains it's intended for use by
a commander, with strengthened commo gear. Olifar is a bit startled by how
young most of you are, but he definitely respects your abilities. Burning
is chatting with Gomez, who's rather curious why so many children are coming
along; Nyung explains how they're refugees and how they can help out on the
ship even if they're non-combattants. Nyung recalls that the White Base once
had kids on it too - maybe it's destiny for Gundams to be accompanied by
children. Gomez tells you you'll pick up the new machines at Rapian Rose.
Just then Garrison shows up and says hello. Nyung has heard that the
Romfellar Conglomerate has been pressuring the Hazan Foundation lately -
Garrison agrees and says it's a bit of a faceoff between the backers of
Oz/Titans and SRX/SDF/Yugo. Garrison also tells you that a group of Titans
have landed nearby, probably intending to attack the Lean Horse Jr. You've got
to take off before they stop you.
The kids are changing the baby in what looks like the briefing room, as the
captain and crew come in. Shakti and the others apologize profusely but the
captain isn't upset. After the briefing Nina says she wants to collate the
GP-01's combat data before attaching the Full Vernier thrusters. Monsha
offers to help, but Nina and Kou agree to work together. Keith notes that
Kou is doing pretty well for himself, and Monsha wonders if Kou even knows
what deference to his senpai is (Keith doubts he does). Monsha is really in
a bad mood due to a lack of skirts to chase on the ship. Olifar tells him
that all his subordinates are beautiful girls, but that they're also wild
mares and very difficult to work with.
Fa comes to you looking for Camille, thinking of helping adjust the combat
data for him. You suggest trying the hangar, and when she asks you note that
your machine does all the adjustments on the fly, instantly. You can either
search for Camille at the launch catapults or at the hangar entrance.
At the catapults is worth a Skill point.
As you go there, Camille realizes someone is watching him. He says he'll be
heading out for a moment and will be right back. You try telling him you're
supposed to be on standby, but he leaves by car. Arriving in the city, he
wonders what the abrupt sensation he feels is - something he's felt in
previous battles. He then runs into Four, who asks for a ride to the old
city. He gives her a lift, and while driving they see a bird flying. When
he asks her if she likes birds, she replies that everyone likes to fly. They
introduce themselves - Four's name comes across as a bit harsh sounding,
while "Camille" comes off soft. Neither seem to be totally happy with the
names they've been given. She jokingly offers to go with you for a drink, and
then says she's really looking for someone - him. She's been assigned to
make contact with him by the Lond Bel's enemies, but can't bring herself to
strike. Just then Burning calls and tells him to get back to the ship
immediately due to a Titan force approaching. Apparently they aren't going
to heed the protected area status, which was why everyone had been put on
standby. Four gets off, and Camille tells her she'd better flee. She
responds that she's got a mission too, and says she'll probably see him again.
After he leaves, some "black machine" calls to her.
It's Bran and lackeys, who aren't happy that they can't contact Four after
she ignored their orders and went to the city. Bran comments that these
Fortified Humans (Rosamia included) are hard to handle. The Psycho Gundam
has just begun to boot, and Ben tells Bran that Four has been told that she'll
be given her memories back if she follows their orders. Apparently she's
the "fourth" Fortified Human to be built in the Murasame lab. Bran gives his
men permission to fight in the city to attack the Riga Militia's ship. Ben
reminds him that they were told to avoid combat in the city, and Bran says
it's no longer the age where such rules can be respected. Gomez says that
since the Titans started this fight, your people have to fight back, which
Garrison agrees with. He also offers to handle cleanup for Gomez, who thanks
him and says that the Riga Militia and Lond Bel will always be at Garrison's
boss's service. Gomez orders all units to avoid excessive use of force
within the city.
You have to hold out for 8 turns. On turn two, Olifar's subordinates
return to join the fray. Junko Jenko and her fellow pilots are ready to
kick ass (or something). Olifar orders them to protect the Lean Horse Jr.,
and when Monsha drools too much Burning tells him to keep his eyes on the
battle. If Camille left, he returns on round 3. The Psycho Gundam pops
up on 3.5 - everyone is shocked at its appearance and all you really can
figure out is that it's not a military mech. Ben reminds Four about their
deal, and Camille thinks for a moment that it's Four riding in the Psycho.
Rather than a mobile suit, this mobile armor is going to "summon a calamity"
according to Camille.
Attack Four with Camille and then Persuade her twice. This is necessary
for her to join you later. Camille tells Four she mustn't pilot it, and
she responds that this is the only way she can regain her memories, and
that someone like Camille with a family could never understand. As Camille
persists, she gets a bad headache, asks if Camille (or is it the Psycho?) was
made to torment her, and then runs off.
After the battle, there's some wishful thinking about not getting attacked
on the way to Rabian Rose. Olifar is thanking his lucky stars that the Lond
Bel were around, and when Monsha gets cocky Junko tells him that he's not
the only one with combat experience. Monsha doesn't back down from the
members of the Shrike Squad, but Romero says that among all the famous people
in the Lond Bel, Monsha is most famous for chasing girls. Whereas, the
Shrike pilots _are_ interested in Usso, who piloted the Victory on his first
try.
Fa goes to try to console Camille, asking if he knew the pilot of the black
mobile armor; Camille doesn't want her to bug him. Fa wonders if the reason
he left the ship was to meet her - he says it wasn't and repeats that he
doesn't want her sticking her nose in. Go to SS22.
SB21. Kemono wo Koete, Hito wo Koete, Ideyo! Kami no Senshi!
("Beyond Beast, Beyond Man, Come Forth, God's Warrior!")
Shinobu reports to Hazuki that everyone is back. He tells you to go see
Profs. Hamiru and Oomiya right away. Shinobu then asks Hazuki where he's
been since the Beast Machines dispatched to Australia, but before he can
answer Igor berates Shinobu for his casual tone. It seems Igor is here to
hold the fort in Oka's absence - and that he was a very harsh taskmaster back
while the Beast pilots were in training. Igor is going to punish the Beast
pilots for a variety of past misdeeds, especially Sara for her past attempt
at treachery. Your people protest that there's no reason to bring up events
from the past and that Sara's already served her punishment, but he insists
that it's precisely in times of crisis like this that soldiers must respect
the rules - so you get to spend time in the stockade. After they're gone,
Igor tells Hazuki that he realizes he's being too strict but that he has to
right things with them or the Beast Machines will never unleash their true
power. He emprisoned them to try to heighten their concentration and cool
their heads before battle. Hazuki notes that their response rates with their
machines are already above normal, and that removing them from the front
lines may be dangerous. Igor agrees, but says that they have to make them
do "that" at all costs.
In the stockade, your dudes stew over how Igor is getting cocky in Oka's
absense, and run into Gerarl, who got imprisoned for letting some civilians
into his machine to save them from an enemy attack. Gerarl believes that he
was in the wrong, and says that Igor's strictness is surely the sign that
he's burdened by some great duty of his own. Meanwhile, you chat with Robert,
noting that there's a lot of Personal Troopers in the hangar he summoned you
too. He's glad that someone besides Ryuusei is interested in discussing
robots. Two of them are the original Grungast and a modified copy of it which
is to serve as the base for the Grungast type 3. Besides those are the
machines that Ingram used to use in the PTX Project: the Biltsubein, and the
Gespenst and Gespenst mk.II - sister machines to your Grungast in a sense.
And over in the corner, sealed, is the Huckebein - it seems another machine
of the same make once caused an accident during testing, earning it the name
"Vanishing Trooper". The one you see here is being repaired. The Huckebein
was the first Personal Trooper made with EOT, and is powered by a Black Hole
Engine...but in the aforementioned accident, it vanished and took out an
entire base with it. You then run into Kirk Hamiru, who along with Rai
are two of the only three survivors of the accident. He tells you that he has
some modifications to do and mentions that since you tripped the breaker of
the T-Link system your connectors have been damaged and may cause headaches.
He recommends getting Kobayashi Kenzou at the South Atalia DC base to fix it.
His manner is rather cold, and Robert tells you he's been very busy since
someone named Shot Weapon went missing from the development staff. Evidently
you can expect some "additional armaments" waiting for you at South Atalia
too.
Meanwhile, Rai is telling Igor about a base that was wiped out by the
Arrowgaters with narry a struggle while everyone else was occupied by the
Yashima Operation. It was a base where the mass production Gespenst mk.II
was entering use, an anti-alien Personal Trooper squad having just been
formed. Since no other bases were attacked, the only explanation seems to
be that the aliens knew where to strike. Rai believes this pinpoint strike
is a message from the Arrowgaters to stop the futile attempts at resistance.
It seems a certain Shapiro had been working at that base, and the R-series
and Beast Machines seem next on the chopping block.
During all this, Shinobu is having a nightmare in the stockade about being
shot by a firing squad. Sara tells him that if not for the Lond Bel, that's
quite possibly where their actions were leading them toward. Gerarl confirms
to them that what they've got to do is keep themselves more collected and
they'll be okay, and Igor shows up to announce a sortie and move to the
final stage of the Beast Machine project.
Gerarl is now flying three of the four Beast Machines inside the Midea, with
Shinobu flying outside for lack of space. Actually, it's due to there being
a booster stowed as well, the use of which Hazuki will explain once you get
to the proving grounds. Just then, a group of Arrowgaters shows up in Koufu
City, probably after the Special Neurology Lab located there. Your people
want to head to the scene, but Hazuki tells them to remember what Igor just
told them. Hazuki tells you you mustn't disobey orders and that Igor will
surely send someone else there. Gerarl can decide to head there or not.
Heading there is worth a Skill Point.
If you head there, Gerarl says that he's human more than he's a soldier and
Hazuki remembers that there's a higher percentage chance of pulling "that"
off in real combat. Gerarl says he'll take full responsibility for whatever
happens.
Hazuki realizes that the bad guys are in fact after the Special Neurology
Lab, which is where the T-Link system was developed by Kobayashi. Hazuki
thinks the aliens are after the data on Psychodrivers. Your people aren't
sure who leaked the location of the lab, but one thing is certain: the enemy
need killing.
After two turns, the Arrowgaters will seemingly start pulling out. After
another round, Sara recognizes the enemy's activities as Shapiro's plan to
assess their abilities. Shinobu says that whoever their enemy is they
have to smash them.
After you defeat the small-fry, Sara worries that they were just there to
deplete your resources and that the real threat is coming up. Akira then
senses a terrifying, black-willed enemy approaching you. Lots of them,
as it turns out. It's Viletta, who says it appears the samples and data
have all been collected thanks to Shapiro. Shapiro tells her that the
Beast Machines are designed to turn the ferality of humans into power and
that if left alone to bring out their true power they'll be very dangerous.
Viletta tells him to take your people out. Sara tries to get him to come
back, but Shapiro says that anyone who betrays him must die. Your people are
in desperation over what to do, and Hazuki tells your people he'll unlock a
system hidden within the Beast Machines waiting for them to be ready. He
unlocks the THX-1138 lock [^^;;;;;;;;;;] and enters the keyword Dancougar.
All the machines begin to go berserk and a voice calls out to surpass
the fury of beasts and the anger of men, and reawaken god's soldier. Which
Shinobu does. The other pilots are whining about how their machines won't
stand the stress and use their bypass circuits, causing the unification to
fail. Gerarl orders them all to return to the ship so they can escape.
Gerarl then orders one of his men to take Prof. Hazuki and escape, so that
the machines have another chance at formation. He promises Hazuki that
he'll make it succeed, and then contacts Akira and tells him to assume that
formation once more. He then says that the heros in the history books are
simply the ones that wanted to stand out - the real heros are the ones who
support them. He prepares to self destruct, and says that it's good that
at least once in a life of menial, undemonstrative tasks he got a chance to
do something like this. This time Akira convinces the others to let
Shinobu do as he pleases, and they combine. Shinobu is appalled, Viletta,
enraptured. The subsequent round, you and Rai show up.
When Dancouger fights Shapiro, he will try to convince Sara to give him
the Dancouger and he'll spare at least her life. If you attack him, he'll
tell you that he realized that even with EOT Earth can't win, and that he'll
prove it to you.
Defeat Viletta for a Psychoframe. Shapiro will depart if damaged beyond
a certain amount; you'll need to double-damage something like Dan-Kuu-Hou
to kill him. He's worth an Apogee Motor. EACH is worth a Skill Point.
After the battle, your people mull over the new ability of Dancouger and
the death of Gerarl. But you don't have time to mourn, since more Arrowgaters
have appeared on Miura Island. Hazuki will return to base while you go meet
the threat, and tells you not to be reckless just because you can now combine.
Shinobu doesn't intend to be all that careful. Go to SB22.
SE21. Senshi-tachi ("Warriors")
Your people are 30 hours away from South Atalia assuming everything goes well.
Sleggar is happy to be heading there, but Bright is worried about the
excessive secrecy practiced by NERV. It's not clear what NERV's connection
to the SRX Project is, but it appears that the EVAs are too different from
the other EOT machines to be of the same lineage. Sleggar observes that when
the EVAs are mass-produced, they may well be as dangerous as the Angels. It
seems that EVA-02 being taken to South Atalia means that it will help fight
the Arrowgaters...
Ingram tells you that the Grungast's weapons are going to be upgraded at the
DC HQ at South Atalia, and that as a preliminary the targeting software has
to be rewritten. Also, that tripping the T-Link breaker has damaged the
TK connectors and may cause you to get a headache while linked. You then
ask him directly if he arranged for you ride the Grungast (see SS26 for this
conversation).
Just then some strange vibration strikes the ship! The Argama is wrapped in
a strange light, all sensors offline. The next thing you know, you've gone
from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to some sort of forest, and one with
plants you've never seen before. Moreover, there are absolutely no Minovsky
Particles here, so most of your sensors are useless. At which point, Drake
and his goons come to meet you - he's impressed that Silky Mau's power was
great enough to bring a battleship the Argama's size (although it's smaller
than his Will Wips). Shot tells him that it was probably just a result of
Silky's power interacting with the strong Aura Power of people inside. There
seems to be some ambiguity about exactly why the Aura Road that brought you
here opened, and Drake tells Shot to research it some more. Shot says that
it would probably be advantageous to get the ship to work with Drake before
the invasion of Rau. Your dudes are very nervous about all the giant
insectoid weapon-like thingies, but a transmission comes from the Will Wips
on a Federation frequency. Drake (king of A...yes, _A_ -_-;;;) requests to
speak to whoever's in charge - Bright goes to meet along with a few of the
others and leaves Amuro in charge.
Drake and Shot introduce themselves - Shot and Ingram recognize each other.
Shot explains that the world you're in now, Biston Well, exists between the
land and sea of the the surface; however, the two aren't directly connected.
Drake says that he's trying to unify this land to quell the conflict that
has been ongoing for many years, and Shot explains that he built the Aura
Battlers to help out. Unfortunately, mass producing these mighty weapons
takes time, and there Drake asks for your help - and promises to return you
to the surface once all is said and done. Several of your people think that
this guy is clearly no better than the Titans and that dudes like him seem to
exist in every world. Bright asks for time to confer in another room, and
Shot asks Ingram to come to his lab for a bit.
Shot explains that Biston Well is a land which could be called the homeland
of souls, although he suspects Ingram doesn't care. Shot says that this is
the only place the Aura Battlers can be created, and Ingram observes that
from what he's seen they seem to use some very different power source from
anything on the surface. Shot explains that they draw upon Aura Power for
unlimited energy. Aura Power, generated by living beings, is even more
powerful than the psychic energy that Ingram and Kobayashi were studying, and
has a very large influence on things in this world. Shot says that after
coming here, he realized that analyzing the power hidden within humans is far
more important than trying to understand alien technology. Ingram is sure
that that's not Shot's only objective - Shot says he wants to combine aura
tech with EOT to make an even more powerful weapon. Ingram asks if he merely
intends to aid Drake's military take-over, and Shot says that's only a means
to the end of eventually bringing Aura Battlers to the Surface. His plan is
to foster the confusion and mass produce the Aura Battlers until the Aura
Road can be opened by anyone - at which point, the Aura Battlers can be
brought to the Surface and deployed against the aliens. Ingram is not really
impressed with this, but Shot tells him to take some time to thik about it.
And to remember that you can't return to the surface without his help. He
also asks if Ryuusei is part of the SRX Project (Ingram won't say) and says
that Aura Power becomes stronger the greater the peril one faces. Ingram
admits that he wants more information on Aura Power, but that he must return
to the surface.
Bright asks for opinions. Ginrei doesn't like it at all, but Quatro says
that Drake's idea of bringing peace via force isn't entirely a lie. However,
since the method is no different from Jion or the Titans he sees no reason
to cooperate. Ryuusei says that it's always the bad guys in robot anime who
try to unify the world with robots and that he doesn't want to help anyone
like that. You decide to blow this joint, but just then a rather peevish
Cham shows up and tells you to take your surface machines and leave. Your
people are surprised to see a "fairy", but she informs you hotly that she's
a "Mi Ferario" [whatever ^^;;]. Just then Drake apparently tries to subdue
the Argama by force without waiting for a response. Cham is very relieved
when it becomes clear you're not Drake's allies. Cham then goes to fetch
Nii, who unlocks the room you're in and helps you escape and then goes to
free Rimru. Lucky for you Shou is coming to save your butt! He tells you
all to get into the Dunbine's hand, and Ryuusei immediately starts asking
questions about how it works. Burn resolves to punish Shou as a Knight of A,
and berates Todd the Surfacedweller when he says to watch out for the Argama.
Unfortunately, the Argama's engines are busted and she can't move.
On turn 1.5, Nii gets to Rimru but is stopped by Drake's wife Luuza. She
won't let her daughter Rimru go with Nii, and Nii is forced to leave lest
Rimru get shot - he vows to return.
If Shou fights Todd, he tells Todd that Surfacedwellers helping the Biston
Wellians will only make the conflict worse. Todd says that he'll simply
kill Shou and end his worries. You hae to do this to recruit Todd later.
Keen and Nii show up on round 3. Drake will flee on 3.5. Burn is worth a
Magnetic Coating, as is Todd.
After the battle, you thank Nii and the others for the help. You get the
explantion of how Drake is a Bad Man summoning lots of people from the Surface
to add to his private army. Evidently Drake needs Surfacedwellers because
they have greater Aura Power than the Biston Wellians - Ingram thinks to
himself that Aura Power must be close to Psychic powers and that Ryuusei and
you were probably why the Argama was summoned). You find out that both Shou
and Marvel are from the Surface. Nii is glad that you didn't turn out to be
like Shot, who's cooperating with Drake for his own ends. Nii observes that
surface technology is only making the conflict within Biston Well expand, and
that they can't mix you all up in it any more. Both Marvel and Shou intend
to stay in Biston Well until Drake is stopped - Cham is glad that a Holy
Knight like him is staying (Holy Knights are those with especially mighty
Aura Powers, who are supposed to save the world). Shou doesn't think he's
any sort of savior, but he does think he's got something that needs doing in
this world. Nii is going to go seek help repairing the Argama in Rau. Go
to SE22.
SS22. GANDAMU, Hoshi no Umi E ("Gundam, to the Sea of Stars)
Camille asks if it's your first time in space (it is) and says that although
he was born on the moon, it's still pretty overwhelming. You feel like your
senses are becoming sharper, as do the other Newtype-esque people. Kou
thinks that if it weren't for Gatou's theft he and Keith would probably still
be on Earth, and Camille notes that this will be their first space combat.
Camille explains that the first big difference is the sense of sight: with
no air, depth perception gets screwy. Also, you have to watch all of space
around you, unlike on Earth where enemies are unlikely to come from below.
Camille goes on that the best thing is to try mock combat for yourselves, but
that avoiding needless use of your Vernier thrusters is important. Kou and
Usso are aware of how important using "AMBAC", i.e. moving your machine's
limbs and torso, is to supplementing the Verniers. Your group then goes to
get briefed by Burning for space mock combat.
The two of them will assume command of all the machines, and Monsha and the
Shrike Squad are supposed to help the first timers, or more accurately Monsha
gets Keith and Kou while the Shrike Squad gets Usso. Also, Burning prohibits
use of the GP-01 until you reach Rabian Rose since it's not outfitted for
space combat. Kou then tries to modify the GP-01's thrusters for space, but
Nina tells him that that won't really mean much. Kou persists, and Nina
wonders why Kou is so hung up on the GP-01. Kou hopes to prove to Monsha that
he's fit to be its pilot by getting the GP-01 spaceworthy, and Monsha shows up
and yells at him that it's more important to get a feel for space than it is
to be hung up on a single machine. Nina tells Kou not to treat her GP-01 as
a mere tool, and tells him that not even Amuro could pilot it under these
conditions. Kou runs off in a huff.
Meanwhile, Usso has gone to the bridge to see the results of the mock combat,
and overhears Gomez and Burning talking about the leader of the Riga, Gene
Jahanam. Usso recalls seeing that that word means "monster" or something
(it's an alias). Apparently all the people in the inner circle of the the
Riga use that name to help fool the Titans. Gomez says that even the man
who gave him command of this ship named Hangelg uses the Jahanam name; this
is the same name as Usso's father. After chiding Usso for listening in,
the adults seem pessimistic that it's really his father. Junko hopes that
it's the genuine article. Shakti then meets Usso, who's about to tell her
the good news until he recalls that he hasn't found out anything about her
mother yet. She feels that her mother must be somewhere in space, and asks
him if he intends to keep fighting in mobile suits when he finds his parents.
Monsha then insists on one more mock combat with Usso since he lost to Usso
in the first round. He also insists that Keith and you come along too. You
can go out for training or not.
Going out for training is worth a Skill Point.
Your group is out so far you can't see the mothership any more. You then
sense the enemy approaching, and Haro detects combat levels of Minovsky
Particles. It's Cima, who is worried about being attacked after escaping
from Oz until she sees there's only four of you. She then thinks that
she could make a deal with anyone if only she could get the Grungast. Monsha
tells Keith and Usso to go and fetch the mothership while he and you hold
the bad guys off, but they want to fight by his side or whatever.
Your dudes show up on round three. More enemies are inbound, and Kou is
pissed that he can't launch. It's the Vespa, with Cronwell in command.
They were supposed to head back to Jupiteris, but seeing as how there is
a treaty between Jupiteris and Neo-Jion they can't just ignore the battle.
Cima doesn't seem terribly impressed that the Jupiterian prince and the
"Space Wolf" Godwald are here. The next round, the remaining members of the
Shrike Squad show up to help you. Then Kou insists on going out, saying
he can't forgive himself for not fighting while the others are. Nina tries
to give him a disk, but he doesn't have time to install it. Sadly, Kou
is about to get blasted.
Defeat Cima for another Skill Point. Note that she'll run off if more than
50% of her HP are lost.
After the battle, everyone tells Kou that the GP-01 is as good as lost, but he
manages to pilot it to a controlled crash landing back in the Lean Horse Jr..
Nina and Gomez manage to convince Burning not to throw the book at Kou.
Meanwhile, Ruu Ruka has come along with with the Shrike Squad. It seems that
she and Fa trained as pilots together. It seems that Ruu is a member of the
Z Project, working on the ZZ, and the core fighter she brought with her is
for that ZZ. Everyone then is called to the bridge quickly to see the Jion
formally broadcasting something. It's Delaz, the gist of whose long-winded
speech is that the Spacenoids should be free of the Federation tyrrany. The
proof is the existence of the nuclear-armed GP-02. This is a major political
blow to the Federation government. But Gomez wonders why supreme Jion
commander Zabi Giren doesn't appear on the broadcast; either there's no
reason for him to show or else there's some reason he can't. Your dudes
realize that you have to find the GP-02 before Jion uses it on the Federation.
You and Nina remind Kou not to think of the GP-02 as only his problem. Go to
SS23.
SB22. Tatakai no Umi e ("To the Sea of Battle")
Igor is just being informed that the group of Arrowgaters is approaching
Ooshima Island - he realizes that they've been informed as to the special
thing there too. Your people are rushing to the scene, but it may take some
time... At Big Falcon, Mitsuyo is breaking the news to Prof. Hamaguchi that
the Arrowgaters will be showing up in less than ten minutes. He is amazed
that they found the base despite the Ultramagnetic jamming device they use.
Yotsuya is there, and says that the only choice is to let the Combattler
team handle things - Hamaguchi agrees but says that if worse comes to worse
they may scramble the Volt Machines too. Mitsuyo informs her son Ken'ichi
that his team may be scrambled, and neither he nor his siblings are happy.
They demand to know why they've been forced to endure all this hard training
and isolation. Megumi (the _18th_ successor to the Kouga-ryuu) is the only
one not perturbed, since she already knows the reason that the two
scientists for some reason won't just spit out. When they finally spit it
out, the reaction is mixed disbelief and some rebellion ("why do we gotta do
it?") Mitsuyo tells you all that this base was designed as part of plan by
Yotsuya, Oka, and many others to help fend off the Arrowgaters, and that's
not all. The quarrel that starts among the potential team members gets cut
short by the appearance of the bad guys.
Apparently the missing Gou Kentarou has been captured by the Arrowgaters,
which is how they know about the base. Do-Zhul thinks that destroying this
base will improve their position and might even win them command of the
batallion from Oreana on Campbell. Jungle doesn't agree, saying everything
is for his Lord Hinell, and for the liberation of his homeworkd of Boazan.
The Combattler team shows up and notes that the enemy they're facing it
totally different from any they've seen before.
Your people note after a round of combat that the enemy isn't moving and
may be laying a trap. The Voltes people discuss the Combattler team, and
Ken'ichi asks to be allowed to sortie too. Thinking that there's no
meaning unless all five of the machines sortie, he says he can't grant
permission. As you close to range, the bad guys try to shoot down Combattler
V by destroying a single Battle Machine - thus follows a plot sequence you
can't dodge, thus knocking you out of combination. Yotsuya realizes that
the bad guys were aiming for the Ultramagnetic Generator. Kosaku reports
that although the internal damage is light, they won't be able to combine
again unless they can get an infusion of Ultramagnetic Energy from outside.
Worse, both Hyouma's arms seem broken! The Voltes team finally unifies its
resolve and amidst doubts about how they've never piloted the Volt Machines
before they launch. They launch, shock your team and the bad guys, and
are told how to "Volt In".
The next round, reinforcements that Do-Zhul had prepared show up. Hyouma
pleads with Yotsuya to find some way to let them recombine, even if it
means that his arms will be ruined. Hamaguchi says to use the unfinished
Ultramagcon to let them recombine, although it might get destroyed in the
process. Hold out one more round and you recombine. One _more_ round and
more of your people arrive. Jungle is worth a Hybrid Armor if killed.
After the battle, "The Prophet" says that the end of the world is coming soon
and that the dead will rise from their graves to bring misfortune to all. He
says that the sky and the land will be darkened, and that the first country
to be destroyed at the hands of the Great General of the Dark will be Japan.
He also says that the only one who can stand against the Great General is the
Fortress of Steel, Mazinger Z.
Meanwhile, both Hyouma's arms look like they're in unrecoverable shape, but
Hamaguchi prepares to operate on the double. Hyouma greets Ken'ichi warmly
and tries to assuage his regrets over not being able to fight better. Insert
everyone berating themselves for not being cooler and preventing Hyouma's
injury. Rai mentions a way to fix his arms, using ultra-high tech that the
SRX Project has developed: give him cybernetic arms. Shinobu is worried that
he'll be able to pilot after that, but it seems Rai's left hand is already
cybernetic, so no worries there. Rai's already put through the request and
Prof. Oomiya is already heading your way to perform the operation. Rai notes
that the techniques used won't make Hyouma any stronger than he was previously.
Your crew also notes that Megumi from the Voltes team is _Oka_ Megumi, General
Oka's daughter. She asks if her father is doing well, but Hamaguchi cuts you
off and sends the team in for more training. As Megumi wonders if something
happened to her father, an emergency call comes from Igor: the Argama has
disappeared! He doesn't know anything other than it suddenly vanished from
contact - with no indications of a fight. Akira notes that if all your
enemies learn of this, they may mount an all-out assault on Japan; the Far
East base is already on full alert. Megumi then asks Hamaguchi for news of
her father, and is told of his probable capture in Jaburo. Noting that he's
a ninja, both Hamguchi and Megumi are sure he's okay.
Meanwhile, Gorgon is addressing the Great General of the Dark, telling him
of the infighting among the humans and that the Lond Bel has thusfar been
repulsing the Arrowgaters' advances. Gorgon also notes that Mazinger Z, who
Dr. Hell has struggled with so hard, is among them - the General realizes
that Lond Bel are the only ones who could foul up his plans. Noting that
the Lond Bel are currently split up and part of them have gone missing,
Gorgon has a plan to annihlate Japan. First have Dr. Hell's Mecha Beasts
take out the key Japanese cities and thus spread out the remaining super
robots. At the same time, the General's Combat Beasts will attack the
Photon Power lab and destroy Mazinger Z - accompanied by those Chinese robots.
The General grants his permission, saying that Japan is a veritable fortress
and also has much high technology concentrated there. He plans to get his
hands on that tech, and turn the citizens into soldiers via brain operations.
The Arrowgater problem he will solve later. He says he may well sortie
himself during this operation to see his foes' power with his own eyes. Go to
SB23.
SE22. ERE no Reiryoku ("Ere's Spiritual Powers")
It seems Biston Well is split into pro-Drake and anti-Drake forces, although
there are a few neutral nations too. Rau is the chief of the anti-Drake
countries. After building the Will Wips, the first country Drake destroyed
was Mi. Rau's king Foizen is preparing to fight back, but is liable to get
beaten down. The reason why is that until Shot introduced the Aura Machines,
the tech level of Biston Well was like that of Middle Ages Europe. Marvel
explains that because Aura Power (which varies with emotional state) has such
incredible power in this world, the residents of it naturally grew to be
calm and even-tempered, unlike the Surfacedwellers. Ingram realizes that
when the Aura Battlers are brought to the surface, their full power may well
be unleashed, and that Shot knows this. Shou and the others plan to help
protect the Argama until repairs are done and search for a way to return it
to the surface - the plan is to go to Rau and seek aide.
On the way, Marvel and Shou explain how the souls of those who died on the
surface end up here - that this may be the "Heaven" spoken of in various
legends. Which, as Amuro observes, means that Drake is an evil bringing
Trouble to Paradise(tm). Amuro also observes that the surface is doing even
worse than Biston Well. You wonder if your SO has been reincarnated here -
Ingram has no time for this. It's his view that people are simply destroyed
when they die. You press him on this point, but all he'll say is that
emotioal wounds will lead to death on the battlefield. Just then, the
batallion that attacked the Argama shows up, with Galaria with them in a
new kind of Aura Battler. The enemy is worried about you getting to Rau.
All you have to do is get to the upper-right edge of the map.
Todd must fight Shou again to be recruitable later.
Get everyone out of there in 5 turns or less for a Skill Point.
After the battle, you encounter someone in the midst of the mountains: Ere,
queen of Mi. She's been training out here to strengthen her powers ever
since her country was destroyed. You feel a mysterious power within her, and
she accidentally upsets Shou as she says that the summonings of people from
the surface are merely a means to a great calamity. She was born with a
high level of spiritualist powers, meaning she is somewhat precognitive.
Which means that she sees ill-omened black clouds beyond Drake's military
invasion which will engulph the whole world. Which might include the surface.
Only those with good Aura Power can save the world - she believes you are
such people. Unfortunately, she does _not_ know how to open the Aura Road,
only that all things intrinsically attempt to return to their rightful place.
Ingram is a bit skeptical of this, and Ere notices _something_ about him...
She tells Ingram that even a troubled Aura like his will eventually reach its
rightful place. She also tells you that she senses troubledness from you
too, but that as long as you keep your hope all will be opened to you. Nii
offers to help escort her to the king of Rau, but she says she'll get to her
grandfather who opposed her parents' marriage under her own power.
Meanwhile, Bishot, king of the allied nation of Ku, calls up Drake with an
invitation to the dedication of the Gaea Galing. Drake figures that Bishot
is just using the late construction of his Aura Battleship as an excuse to
watch the invasion of Rau from the sidelines. Luuza offers to take Rimru and
answer the invitation, but Shot is worried they'll be taken hostage. Luuza
isn't worried, and thinks that this is actually a good chance to find how
things in the Ku Kingdom stand. Rimru protests, but Drake tells her that the
only way to end the conflict in Biston Well is to use military force to force
a solution. After they leave, Shot tells Drake that Na has finished a new
kind of Aura Battler and the Gran Garan. Drake really would like the Argama
to fight against them, and observes that Todd has been missing since the last
fight. Shot says that this is just more proof of how powerful they are, and
recommends having Burn put in charge of capturing the Argama since he will do
anything to ease his wounded pride. He and Galaria will be put in charge,
and Shot then discusses tests on the Spriggan and Bubulee, the latter of
which he plans to put Rimru's music tutor Musie Poe into. Although she
doesn't believe in fighting, she has very high Aura Power. Drake voices
concern that the Aura Battlers can beat the Argama, and Shot says that, well,
the Lond Bel _are_ basically the toughest fighting force on the Surface...
Go to SE23.
SS23. Shidou, DABBURU ZETA ("ZZ's First Steps")
Kou is still worrying about the incident as your group approaches Rabian
Rose. Nina promises to convert the GP-01 to Full Vernier mode as soon as they
get there and tells Kou one of the things that makes an excellent pilot:
using one's aptitude to get the most out of the machine. She says that's
why he lived through his fight with Gatou. She tells him that he's as
talented as Amuro if not more [yeah right!], and to keep in mind the things
that only he can do.
The kids then wonder what kind of place Rabian Rose is: Marpet explains that
it's a gigantic dock put together by Anaheim Electronics, shaped somewhat
like a, um, rose. [^^;;;] Usso asks why the Yugo and the Riga Militia can
use a facility owned by Anaheim: it's because Anaheim is using you all to
test their new mobile suits. Marpet explains that the more war spreads,
the more their products will be needed - hence their willingness to cooperate.
Shakti seems not to like the sound of that and retires to her room to rest.
As you arrive, Emily comes to greet Nina - greetings are exchanged and Nina
starts getting ready for the Full Vernier modification. Emily asks Nina to
show Camille to her office later to discuss the ZZ. Keith is a bit
disappointed that Kou won't be going with him to drink at a bar, and Emily
recommends he invite a girl along to the cafeteria, whose food is good and
includes sweets. Too bad for him Mora is all busy with the modifications too;
he decides to take the kids instead. Emily mentions the fact that there are
other children here, refugees from the colonies that Jion has oppressed.
Judou and Beecher are on the scene, impressed that the Lean Horse Jr. has
arrived. It's sure to have lots of famous mecha in it, that could be sold
for a good price so that the lot of them could live somewhere better. The
rest of his gang is here too, and they think this is their chance. Then
Riina shows up and demands they all stop leading Judou down the path to
evil. She says that she'd rather not go to school if it would mean her
brother's ruin. She feels she has to stop them from stealing the mobile
suits somehow...and literally runs into you and Usso and the others. She
tells you of her brothers' plans, which shows you just how bad things in
the colonies are. You wonder how to stop the theft before it happens, and
Odelo offers to try to persuade Judou's gang.
Back in the hangar, Romero is working on installing an "Overhang Pack" to
improve the Victory's firepower and explaining to Camille that the next
version will be even cooler. The mods to the Zeta are done, and Emily comes
to ask Camille something - to serve as the test pilot for the ZZ. She tells
him she wants his opinion as a skilled pilot and Newtype, which doesn't
make him all that happy since he doesn't want to be treated like a combat
machine. However, he's willing to accept the assignment.
Your dudes finally catch up, and Odelo swings into action. Well, he doesn't
manage to do anything but get punched as Judou and the others break into the
dock, but Judou _does_ get stopped from stealing the Z by Camille...but he
breaks out with the ZZ's core fighter. Judou resolves to earn lots of money
and come back for Riina as he makes off with the fighter. Camille heads off
in pursuit as Usso goes to report to Burning.
Judou plans to hold off Camille while the others escape. Unfortunately, some
real enemies show up, lead by Mashmar and Kyara. Mashmar plans to smash
your people as a prolog to Gatou's glorious charge, or something. Since
Kyara is around as an observer, Mashmar demands that his brilliant fighting
be recorded and shown to Hamarn. For some reason Kyara is having big trouble
with her machine...and her body seems to be burning. Judou and friends plan
to fight the people who wrecked their home, and don't heed Camille's warnings
to return to base. Judou then takes on Mashmar one-on-one and sort of
scratches him. As Mashmar realizes he can't really hit Judou, Camille notices
a strange feeling - that Judou may be a Newtype. Camille tells him to go
back to the battleship and rejoin with the rest of the ZZ Gundam. Judou
thinks he can probably trust Camille. The rest of the _dumbasses_ refuse to
heed Camille's warning to pull away from the battle.
Get Judou back fast for a Skill Point.
A couple of your people sortie on turn 2: Usso and Kou. When you dock the
ZZ, Mashmar orders Gordon to go fight it to see how strong it is. Judou
will hose him with one hit. Mashmar then tells everyone to concentrate on
the ZZ.
Judou is grateful to survive the battle but wonders what the feeling of space
he had from within the cockpit is. Judou realizes it's all over for him and
returns to Rabian Rose, rather than get attacked by the Jion. Camille agrees
to take full responsibility for the incident in return for overlooking the
gang; Emily will decide what to do with them. Camille takes the beating for
the unauthorized use of the ZZ, and that's the end of it. Judou doesn't
want to see Camille beat up, but Fa warns him that what Camille did saved
him from military punishment: at worst, death by firing squad. Judou then
resolves to work off his debt to Camille on your ship, and tells the others
to stay here. They say he has no reason to fight, but Judou says that
something inside him changed while fighting the Jion...that if he doesn't
do something, they'll have to keep running forever.
You and Keith are discussing how Judou is being made the ZZ's pilot since he
could handle it the first time in the cockpit like Amuro and Camille. Just
then you run into Shakti, who's worried that Usso's started to enjoy fighting
lately. She's worried that he'll soon be a scary person, but you tell her
that Usso hasn't forgotten what's important: that he's fighting to protect
her and all the other kids. That settled, they go to get all the kids and
head to the cafeteria for the famous parfait. It seems the Shrike Squad are
here filling up on the parfait too.
Gomez is finalizing transfer of Judou with Emily, when a transmission from
Brecks comes in. Since the new machine is acquired, he tells you to head to
Konpei Island, since the probability of the GP-02 appearing there is high.
There's also bad news: the Argama disappeared near Japan. According to the
report, there were no indications that it was shot down. He'll let you know
when he finds out more, and tells you to stop the nuclear attack on the
military gathering at Konpei at all costs. Go to SS24.
SB23. MAJINGA tai Ankoku Dai-Shogun ("Mazinger Z vs. the Great General of the
Dark")
At the Photon Power lab, Shirou is trying to find Kouji to give him a
birthday present. Sayaka forgot all about that due to all the fighting and
thinks Kouji must have too. Just then the alert sounds and Yumi tells
Kouji that Mecha Beasts have started attacking key Japanese cities -
although Tokyo itself hasn't yet come under fire. Just then some unidentified
object is detected approaching Tokyo, and although it may be a trap Kouji
sorties. Sayaka and Boz will guard the lab, and Kouji has to tell Shirou
to save the present for later. It seems it's Dante, come from beneath the
bowels of the Earth to take Kouji's life on behalf of the Mikayne Empire.
Mazinger gets to fight the Battle Beasts by himself for a while.
Kill Dante for a Skill Point. He'll retreat if more than around 50% of his
HP are gone.
After Dante is gone, Kouji notes that they managed to partially melt the
Jet Scrander despite it being made out of Ultra-Alloy Z. Yumi then calls you
to say that the lab is being attacked by unknown mechanical beasts, Sayaka
and Boz have already been taken out, and something's happened to Shirou. The
prophet then prophecizes the end of the world again, that Mazinger Z will
be made to savor the pain of death at the hands of a dragon and tiger.
Back at the lab the damage is pretty severe and Shirou needs a blood
transfusion immediately or he'll die from injuries sustained while trying to
go and retrieve Kouji's present. Kouji insists his blood be used despite
being tired from fighting. Mazinger Z will take some time to fix, and if
the lab is attacked in the meantime it's the end. Who could the enemies be?
Shirou's operation is a success, and now you just have to wait for him to
regain consciousness. When Kouji mentions the Mikayne Empire, Yumi recalls
something that Mazinger Z's creator, Kouji's grandfather said. That the
old Mikayne Empire, while generally believed destroyed, lived on underground
in the form of the General and his troops, waiting to reestablish their
kingdom. Boz wants to take Mazinger and his inexpensive Borot to fight these
guys, but Yumi reminds them that Mazinger is in the shop and that they're
currently as good as helpless.
Then the bad guys start heading for the lab - the federation brigade that
tried to stop them got wiped out. Sayaka goes to find Kouji and encounters
him talking to a photograph about how he can't just sit still even though
Mazinger is still damaged. He admits that he's actually afraid to go out,
but he entrusts his life to Mazinger and asks forgiveness for going out while
Shirou is still suspended between life and death. Just then Shirou wakes up
and tries to give Kouji his present, but Kouji's off to launch. Yumi then
tells Kouji that launching in his condition and with Mazinger incomplete
would mean his death. He's prepared for this and says he'd rather die along
with Mazinger. He then meets Sayaka who gives him Shirou's present and says
not to die - it's a music box.
Well, looks like it's Gorgon, here to gloat how Kouji fell for his
operation: the dual objectives are to destroy Japan and to destroy Mazinger
and the Photon Power lab. Kouji says this is what he always plans, although
Gorgon reminds him that noone will come and save him today. Kouji hasn't
given up, but out come the Ryuu-Ou-Ki and Ko-Ou-Ki. This may the final battle
for Mazinger...
Once Kouji is wounded beyond a certain point, Great Mazinger appears, as
do more of your dudes. They tell Gorgon that they wrecked all of Dr. Hell's
machines. It turns out it's not possible to destroy the Chinese machines,
even by removing all their HP. Just do around 6k points of damage to them
and they'll flee - Yumi figures it's that the control system for them is
incomplete.
Dante will give you a Chobham Armor. Gorgon is worth a Propellant Tank S.
After you beat down all those guys, the General himself shows up - a force
of malice even greater than the Youma Empire dudes according to Akira. He
is impressed by your display of valor and has come himself to fight with
you. He'll run away if he sustains more than 50% damage, but killing him
is worth a Skill Point and a Ultra-Alloy Z.
The General says he looks forward to the time when your group and his have to
settle the score as he leaves. Kouji marvels at Tetsuya's Great Mazinger;
Tetsuya says it's a brother to Mazinger Z and that they'll meet again
sometime, and bails. Kouji wonders who the heck made it...
Yumi is thanking you all when a certain person shows up to meet him: Kenzou
(who helped herald the Great Mazinger's appearance)! He had supposedly been
killed in the test of the Photon Power Response Reactor, but Kenzou says that
his father Juuzo saved him with cybernetic technology. He turns out to be
the one who developed the Great Mazinger, and pledges to work with Yumi to
protect the Earth. He also asks that Yumi keep his existence secret from
the others for a while to avoid disturbing their fight. Kenzou plans to
return for a while to the "Scientific Fortress Laboratory", a research
institute founded with help from the Far East Base and Prof. Vian of the DC.
It is there that the Mass-Production Mazinger project is underway to help
save humanity from its enemies. Kenzou and his father were both well aware
that Mazingers can be used for either good or evil depending on the pilot,
although he says that there's still a means of fighting even a Mazinger in
the hands of evil at the Photon Power Lab. He says that he'll tell his sons
the whole truth when peace is restored.
Kouji is then assailed by a Sayaka who is very glad he's still alive. Your
people realize that although there's new foes, you've got lots of new allies
too. The news that the Argama is missing doesn't sit well with Kouji, but
there's nothing immediately to be done. The Voltes team plans to return to
Big Falcon for additional outfitting and more training - actually everyone is
going back to their respective bases for a bit except you, who get to mind
the store while Mazinger is being fixed. Go to SB24.
SE23. Na no Kuni no Jouou ("The Queen of Na")
Your dudes decide to take a break. Ryuusei is exhausted because Ingram
ordered him not to use the autopilot while in R-Wing mode. Ryuusei admits
to not being good with airplanes or aerial combat just yet. Ingram berates
him for inefficient piloting and orders him to check his Balancer during the
break. Ryuusei, with no time to rest, tells you that Ingram is a harsh
taskmaster and was supposedly the strongest PTX team leader at the Far East
base. PTX was the anti-alien Personal Trooper project prior to the SRX
Project. Ryuusei is giving it his best so as not to let his captain and other
senpai beat him - he's a deeper thinker than many give him credit for. You
think that you can't let your powers only be used for the SRX Project's ends
forever either.
Meanwhile, Shou is worrying about what Ere said...that no matter how hard he
tries, all he may be doing is just prolonging the conflict. Marvel reminds
him that Ere also said that good power would save the world, but Shou says
that his own powers are puny. Nii tells him that if he acts for good he
should gather more and more power. Just then, Cham spots a big ship coming
from the Northwest - not the Will Wips. Everyone jumps in their macines.
It's an Aura Battleship, although Amuro or you can't feel any hostility from
it. Aboard it, Kawasse is telling Shiela that it's a mixed batallion before
them. El and Pel are sure that it's bad people that Drake summoned, but
Shiela chides them that not all people from the surface are bad - and that
she feels an extremely strong Aura Power from among them. A good Aura Power,
belonging to a Holy Knight. Nii announces his origin and intentions, and
requests that the battleship do the same. Shiela decides to talk to you all
directly. The Biston Wellians are awed to be spoken to by the "Holy Virgin".
Nii explains things to Shiela, but then Musie and Shot and the goon squad
show up. Shot figures it's a good chance for a test of the Spriggan and the
Bubulee, and tells Musie to see whether her Aura Power will work on Shou or
not. You can either guard the Gran Garan or let it escape.
If you do the former, you'll lose a skill point unless you defeat Shot.
The latter is worth a Skill Point.
Before the battle starts, Todd shows up in the Dunbine and attacks Shou.
On round two, you get the Bilvine. Musie is worth a Biosensor, Shot is
worth a Psychoframe.
After the battle, Shiela tells Shou of the Legend of the "Wings of Lean",
which speaks of a Savior which will appear. She says that he may be that
savior and to please lead Biston Well toward righteousness. Shou says he isn't
any Savior, but that he wants to clean up the mess caused by the Surface
in Biston Well. Kawasse observes that the surface machines are even more
powerful than rumored, and Nii says that if Drake gets his hands on them
things will _really_ start sucking. Amuro thinks its best if your people get
the heck out of Dodge as soon as possible, and Shiela thanks you for your
concern and prudence. However, you tell Shiela that even if you hadn't been
summoned, Biston Wellians like her would still be increasing the conflict
by building such things as the Gran Garan. Kawasse gets indignant, but
Shiela asks your name and says that you must have experienced much sadness in
battle. She says your doubts are quite well founded, but that they have no
choice but to fight poison with similar poison. She intends to destroy all
Aura Battlers as soon as the battle is over. You ask what happens if the
battle drags on, and Shiela says that the consequent increase of Aura
Battlers would cause people like the king of the E Ferario to simply expell
them all from Biston Well...probably to the Surface. Ryuusei realizes that
if you meet him he might send you back now, but Cham says that not even the
Mi Ferario see him that often. Shiela agrees and says that she believes this
is a trial given to them by the souls of the deceased - that the fighting is
engendered by the link between Biston Well and the surface. Amuro realizes
that the mutual influence makes it even _more_ imperative to return, but
unless this king Jacoba Aon will see you... Nii intends to press on to Rao,
but Shiela offers to see to the Argama herself, saying that now that the
Gran Garan's existence is clear Drake won't try anything stupid. Go to SE24.
SS24. SOROMON no Akumu ("The Nightmare of Solomon")
You're having trouble finding the GP-02 due to lots of Jion decoys and wreckage
from the One-Year War; none of them seem willing to attack Konpei. Kou
says he can't rest despite the repeated dispatches until he stops Gatou.
Judou is a bit irritated at being tricked into dispatching (he was told it
was a test of the ZZ) but Camille reminds him that if Jion uses a nuke here
there's a high probability that the colonies will get irradiated. He then
leaves the hangar and runs into his old gang. The little morons want to
steal the whole damn flagship, although they claim they're simply worried
about Judou. Your dudes begin to wonder if the whole thing wasn't just a big
piece of disinformation, but you and Usso are sure the GP-02 is around
somewhere. You find it on the dark side of Konpei - in the opposite direction
of where you are. Since the GP-01Fb is the fastest, Kou gets sent ahead to
try to stop Gatou - you go too. Gatou is there with Kalius at his side,
although Gatou says that this is far enough and to retreat. Gatou then makes
some noble speech about how he mustn't waste all the deaths of the Jion
soldiers and how he's back to Solomon at last. At which point he blasts
the group of battleships gathered on the map with his nuclear map weapon.
You two show up just too late, and you are beset by the souls of all those
who died in the blast. Kou then rushes on ahead and engages Gatou in a battle
of warrior spirit! Kou tells Gatou that while he may be satisfied, you all
from whom he stole the GP-02 can't rest until you get it back. He says he
understands this, but tells Kou that you've just become a gear in the great
war machine and that someone like that couldn't understand the peril the
Earth faces.
On round two, Gremy appears and compliments the nuke's destructive power.
He tells Gatou to meet up with General Dozul who's heading this way to
help take over Solomon. The vast amount of goons he has will make killing
Gatou tough. However the rest of your people show up on round 3; they're
all shocked at the destruction and Nina wonders why Kou and Gatou have to
fight each other.
Defeating Gatou is worth a Skill Point. Hope Kou's got Nekketsu and an
upgraded main gun on his GP01... If you succeed, Gatou says that he's still
won today and that he's renewed Solomon as a place of Jion glory. Gatou
is also worth an Anti-Beam Coating.
In any event, your people all have to flee before Dozul arrives. You make
it, but Konpei is back to being Jion's mobile base Solomon. Gomez tells
Burning to tell all the pilots good job and to get some rest. Brecks
contacts you and tells you you did well, despite Nyung's protest that your
group wasn't able to stop the GP-02. The next Jion objective is surely the
theft of the ASS-1...and they're already working on that operation now, by
stealing a colony from Side 4 and dropping it onto South Atalia! Of course,
that might end up wrecking the ASS-1; Brecks doubts Giren Zabi came up with
this one and is worried that it might be more Jion disinformation. He asks
you to head to Side 4 and see whether the rumor is true. Mora has to work
to convince an angsting Kou to get out of the cockpit, telling him that
something's wrong with Nina and not just that it's because the GP-02 she made
fired the nuke.
Judou goes back to berating the gang for sneaking aboard the ship. He tells
them it's ultra-dangerous here and to get off at Side 4. The rest of the
gang is shocked that Jion would use nukes and tells Beecher to quit his plan
to hand the Lean Horse Jr. over to them. Meanwhile Kou finds Nina and hears
her say that everything's over now because of the accident caused by the
Gundam she built. She wants to go back to Earth and take Kou with her, but
Kou says that the Lond Bel will probably have to fight the Arrowgaters and
that the plans of Gatou and his people aren't over yet. Nina tells him not
to mention Gatou and that Kou wasn't originally part of the Lond Bel. Kou
says that his fight won't even be over if Gatou is gone, and that he's heard
from Emily of the GP-03. Nina tells him that if he goes in deeper he won't
be able to forget the fighting even if he wants to - that she's scared of
that happening to him. She just wants to forget this whole mess... Go to
SS25.
SB24. VORUTESU Saishi Kaisei ("Voltes, Death and Resurrection")
At the Campbell Army hideout, Oreana is inquiring about the appearance of
another Combattler V-like robot in Japan. Garuda is complaining about how
the Empire reneged on its promise to let this group handle the battle and
instead sent in their own rookies to get slaughtered by Voltes V. Oreana
says that if they don't eliminate Combattler V soon their position within the
army will be emperiled - Garuda's men are already working on figuring out how
Ultramagnetic Energy works. Do-Zhul shows up, who Miia was unable to stop
due to his special status in the military. He claims to have a plan that
will enable Oreana and her son Garuda to eliminate the V's, information
extracted from a certain prisoner of his. He says that Ultramagnetic Energy
comes from magnetons conducted by the "crown coils", which are outfitted on
machine #1 in each robot; the others are only able to combine because of this.
Though defeated last time, it was proven that disrupting this apparatus is
possible, and now Do-Zhul plans to fight Ultramagnetic Energy with more of the
same. Apparently Oreana had been planning this too. Garuda demands that
Do-Zhul give them the Anti-Ultramagnetic Energy generator, but Oreana tells
him to wait. She tells Do-Zhul that she's only helping him because her mother
planet is being held hostage, and distrusts Do-Zhul just handing them such
information. She doesn't think that he's really a legitimate army person.
His identity revealed, he requests an alliance with Oreana: his true
objective is to get rid of Hainel at the secret order of Zu Zanbajil from
the Boazan Court. Oreana can't trust him right away, since he might just
be sent to test their loyalty to the army - he says in that case, just report
it to the army at which point he'll probably be executed. Oreana ponders
a bit and requests that Do-Zhul prove he can defeat the V's as proof of the
alliance - and then they can talk.
Back at Big Falcon, the scientists are wondering what to do now that the
bad guys seem to know the weak point of the V's. With Yotsuya's help, they're
working on countermeasures, including a new kind of Ultramagnetic Energy
generator. It seems that Oomiya's operation was a success and that Hyouma
is recovering well. Mitsuyo then discusses how the Voltes team still needs
more training and that she's going to begin another round in 30 minutes.
Hyouma tells Oomiya that his arms are doing great and that he is ready to
pilot again. Chizuru tells Hyouma not to push it, and he wonders if she's
_only_ worried about him as the main pilot. Yotsuya then shows up and asks
Oomiya to take a look at the Ultramagecon that they're working on. Knowing
that the bad guys have figured out V's weak point, Hyouma wants to go and
do something, but Chizuru tells him that pushing it at this point won't
accomplish anything and that their machines aren't yet ready. Oomiya makes
a very helpful suggestion to the scientists, impressing Kosaku. At this
point you can either prioritize outfitting the Battlejet or the Battlecruiser.
Prioritizing the Battlejet is worth a Skill Point.
Back at the hideout, Jungle is wondering where Do-Zhul went. He claims he
was testing new soliders - apparently Hainel has been waiting for him. He
pales visibily at the thought that his plans are discovered, but manages to
pass it off as nothing. Hainel is in a bad mood and demands to know what
Do-Zhul is doing about the V's. Kazarine tells him that another failure will
be impermissible. Do-Zhul mentions the Anti-UME beam, and says he has another
psychologically-based plan to deal with the Voltes team: love! Hainel notes
that while humans are lower lifeforms that lack horns, they have enough
culture that worries about love are conceivable in them. The plan is to
posit Kentarou as a traitor against his wife and sons. Actually, he's going
to use a cyborg he made that merely looks like Kentarou.
Time for Voltes team to do training. Hiyoshi is still a bit slow, and Ippei
bitches about having a kid in the cockpit, rather insultingly at that.
Ken'ichi and the others stick up for him, but here come the bad guys. They
try to combine, and Do-Zhul springs his scheme. Voltes V gets broken up, and
before they can recombine Ken'ichi's machine gets blasted. Hamaguchi
realizes that the bad guys have anti-UME weapons. Ken'ichi intends to fight
by himself if he has to but the rest of the team recommends retreating.
Hamaguchi has summoned help and says that the Volt Machines just have to buy
time. But anticipating this, Do-Zhul springs phase two! The fake father
says fighting the bad guys is useless and that he came to pick them up. Do-
Zhul threatens to kill Kentarou if the Earthlings fight back.
There is ongoing confusion over the fake Kentarou. Hamaguchi's plan is to
entrust things to the Combattler Team as soon as they're ready to launch.
Lots of your people show up on turn 3, and immediately ask for proof that
it's the _real_ Kentarou. Do-Zhul gets more and more nervous and his ruse
is found out by all your ESPers. As Do-Zhul presents "Kentarou" for
inspection, Akira scans and confirms that it's not a human. It seems
Hamaguchi asked them to check Kentarou's authenticity before they got here -
he was certain that the real Kentarou would never sell out his comrades.
Out then comes Combattler.
Offing Do-Zhul is worth a High Power Targeting Device.
After the battle, Hamaguchi tells Ken'ichi that it really does appear that
his father is being held by the aliens. Ken'ichi and the others take new
resolve to protect the Earth and eventually save their father.
Congratulations to everyone who helped bring about victory. Robert says
he's glad to help out and tells Hyouma not to make Chizuru worry (he's
figured out that they're in love). The next phase is for all the scientists
here to contact the Nangen Connection and work on powerups for both machines.
Meanwhile, Do-Zhul reports to a very unhappy Hainel that his plan failed.
Just then a transmission arrives from the Helmoze: it's Rebi, who notes that
Hainel has failed repeatedly just like Garuda. Hainel doesn't try to make
excuses, but Rebi tells him to take his forces and return to the Helmoze. It
seems this is an order from the august Raodekia Judekka Gottso [^^;;;;],
supreme commander of the battleship forces. Hainel is willing to heed, which
reassures Rebi - who thought that maybe Hainel had gone and formed an
alliance with the Campbellians or something. Hainel is revolted at the very
thought, and very pissed that a little girl is ordering him around. At least
his objective seems to be the eventual freeing of his people - a noble
enough goal. Hainel orders Do-Zhul to take out the V's while he's gone.
Do-Zhul realizes that things will go easier with the Campbellians while he's
gone. Go to SB25.
SE24. OORA ROODO ("Aura Road")
Burn is explaining the plan to capture the Argama to his men. Surfacer
Jeril is a bit upset she and Aren are being kept in the second unit despite
the importance of the mission. Burn tells her it's becaue of his pride: he
can't go around relying on the Surfacedwellers for ever. Jeril tells him
that that pride is why Shou keeps kicking his ass and that he should use
Jeril and Aren who'll make him win. Galeria doesn't take kindly to this,
although Jeril notes that Galeria is probably the one most pissed at being
put into the second squad. After some verbal sparring, Galeria reminds Burn
that the second squad will act if necessary.
Bright is getting antsy since Amuro hasn't contacted them yet, but Quatro
says that it's probably just because this isn't the Surface and that
transmissions probably work differently. Quatro then has something to
discuss in private with Bright: he's worried about Ingram. Bright says that
he's a gifted pilot and a very skilled head researcher, but... there's many
mysteries about the SRX Project and even _more_ surrounding him himself.
Quatro had tried secretly running a background check, but all records before
two years ago are gone. Duo had said that he had returned from Jupiter...
could he be a Jupiterian spy?! Quatro says that that's a real possibility,
although he's never done anything unprofitable for you. What he's worried
about is his actions aboard Drake's ship: it looks like he's quite interested
in Aura Power. But Ingram always prioritizes the SRX Project, as when the
Psybuster appeared...something must be going on. Quatro says that all
that's really clear is that you can't let down your guard around him,
especially since his true objective is unknown...however, there is something
similar about your machine, the R-series, and the Aura machines: the fact
that they draw upon human life force. Quatro thinks Ingram has some sort of
plan hinging on using their life energy, and that hanging with the Lond Bel
is a good way to further it. Just then, the engine repairs are done and
Bright tells Quatro he'll keep their conversation in confidence.
It's time for a change of the guards. Daisaku and Ginrei report no changes,
but no Amuro either. Emma notes that just waiting is rough. Kris is a bit
pessimistic about beign able to return to the surface, but Daisaku is
positive. Just then, Drake's forces attack.
Reinforcements show up on turn 2. Burn swears revenge on Shou, and Cham
gets some very bad feeling, much worse than the threat posed by Burn. On
round 3.5, the second wave show up. Aren, Fei, and Jeril aren't impressed
with how badly Burn sucks. Jeril says Galeria has split off to get rid of
Shou so Burn's defeat won't be so bad. On round 4, something scares Cham
badly - it's Galeria. She goes over to Shou and feels her Aura Power
expanding infinitely. The rest of your psychic-esque dudes feel some
amazing power building up over there. All the Aura Battlers start shining.
Galeria is bent on bloodlust, and Amuro realizes the Aura Road is opening.
Ingram thinks that if the Aura Battlers are thus brought to the Surface,
the conflict there will spread even farther, and maybe then "they" can be
beaten. Shou keeps telling Galeria to stop lest Biston Well expell them,
but she's to crazed to listen. Everything is then absorbed by light.
Every "boss" you kill is worth a Skill Point. Burn is worth an Apogee
motor.
After the battle, go to SE25.
SS25. KUROSUBOONU BANGAADO ("Crossbone Vanguard")
You reach Side 4 but find only colonies in their prescribed orbits. Judou
thinks he saw an explosion from Frontier Side, and the Shrike Squad thinks
they saw it too. Then comes a distress signal from that direction, and
your ship races off to the rescue. Cecily is watching a battle in the brewing
and hears a ringing in her ears as though the earring her mother had left her
is speaking to her... Seabook is with her and notes that the two groups of
mecha are duking it out; he resolves not to get killed just cause it's
convenient for the adults. Billgeet is wondering who the hell his opponents
are since they're not from Neo-Jion - he says at this rate, not just the
SNRI ("Sanari") lab but the entire colony will get overwhelmed. It's the
Crossbone Vanguard, and Dorel notes that the Federation Army is so weak that
there was no need for them to join forces with Neo-Jion. They're looking
for someone named Vera Rona, but Zabiine takes a little time to find her...
inside the SNRI lab where sources say a new mobile suit is being developed.
This isn't good for Cecily and Seabook who happen to be hiding there. It
seems that Cecily is "Vera" and recognizes Dorel Rona. Cecily asks why he's
here and he says he's just carrying out his grandfather's orders. Dorel
finds out that Seabook is a classmate of Cecily's and tells him to come along
with them for his own safety (Seabook is not thrilled). Cecily finally
accedes and tells Seabook not to worry - he's worried plenty about her going
away with a bunch of soldiers who attacked the colony they live in. She
thinks to herself that if she doesn't his life will be in danger. She leaves
and Seabook thinks it's almost like a kidnapping. Dorel plans to pull out
as soon as things settle down, but Seabook is just getting acquainted with
the conveniently located Formula 91 Gundam...
Watch as the Crossbone forces maul the lame Federation Troops. Once the
F91 emerges, Bilgeet is flabbergaasted that Seabook could pilot it without
any advance preparation.
Attack Dorel with Seabook for a Skill Point. You have to do it immediately
before he leaves with Cecily.
Seabook will ask Zabiine if the only reason they attacked the colony was
to get Cecily; she says of course not but won't tell you what her other
reasons are. She does say however that Cecily is the Queen of the Crossbone
Vanguard. On round 3, Zechs and Noin show up; they figure with this few
troops they can't be planning to drop _this_ colony on South Atalia. Zechs
decides to see just how firm the resolve of this group and their Cosmo
Nobility Principle is. [For those of you who've seen the horror that is
the F91 movie, get ready for the incomprehensible stuff to start now...]
On the enemy turn, Jion reinforcements arrive. Zabiine figures they're
here to see how good they are, and the Jion commander Iria's assesment isn't
all that high. Iria has heard that the Crossbone Vanguard's leader "Steel
Mask" has been dealing with the Jupiterians under the table and isn't to
be trusted.
Your people show on on the next turn: right next to the Jion forces. Zechs
will pull out at that point.
Defeat Iria for a Biosensor. There's also a High Power Radar in the works
somewhere.
After the battle, Nyung tells Gomez of another Jion force heading towards
Frontier Side: the forceful oppression of the people is just a matter of time.
Your people figure the F91 is a keeper and ask Seabook to join up with the
Lean Horse Jr. Seabook then tells his story to Nyung and Gomez, who figure
out that the Crossbone were out to recover their queen. The Cosmo Nobility
Principle states that the Rona Family were chosen to rule (or something).
Your people figure that Seabook must be "special" like Camille and Usso, and
offer him the chance to be the F91's pilot. Seabook remembers his family
still in the colonies, but realizes that he'd just cause them trouble if he,
having fought the Crossbone, went back to them; he takes the assignment.
Meanwhile, Judou's former gang is just figuring out that Jion intends to
take over all the colonies. Beecher also _finally_ figures out that he was
moronic for thinking of selling your battleship to the enemy - Riina reminds
him that she said as much from the start. You and Seabook are just walking
past discussing all the young pilot aboard when the gang's secret is out.
Seabook asks the captain to let them off at a safe colony, but of course
such a thing no longer exists. The gang says they want to stay with Judou
and you agree, saying that he can protect them with his power. Gomez gives
them permission, saying one or two more kids won't matter now - however he
forces them to help out with all the custodial and cooking duties. Luckily,
you finally find Henken and prepare to take on new provisions.
Meanwhile, Bilgeet is bitching about how the normal army lacks good mobile
suits while something little better than a guerilla unit has a whole slew of
the latest and greatest (he got picked up by your forces). Usso and
Camille pour over the specs to the new Victory-2 Gundam (with built in
Minovsky Drive!) You then find out that Bilgeet used to be one of Monsha's
subordinates in his old unit. It seems that when you go back to Earth to
rejoin the other Lond Bel, the Shrike Squad will stay in space; they say a
fond farewell to Usso and tell him to treat Shakti with care.
Henken agrees with your plan to return to earth and says that that's what
Brecks is doing now that Jion is taking over the colonies: sending his
forces to rendezvous with the Kalaba and reformulate a counter to the Titan/
Jion threat. Henken wants you to rendezvous with the Argama (it's been
found again) when you go; it's currently taking the three EVAs to South
Atalia under NERV's orders. You should now have the V2, as well as the
White Arc replenishment fighter. Go to SS26.
SB25. SHAAKIN Akuma no Tatakai ("The Battle of the Demon Sharkin")
Sharkin is begging Barao for forgiveness, which is not very forthcoming until
Belostan intervenes (getting minorly zapped too). He says that if Sharkin
will stake his life on one last attempt to eliminate Reideen all will be
well - and Barao apparently agrees. Time for Sharkin to try to exact revenge
on Hibiki Akira! Gorgon is skeptical that the Fossil Beasts of the Youma
Kingdom will be enough to defeat Reideen, and after introducing himself
explains that with all of Reideen's comrades it's gotten much harder to defeat.
Sharkin finds this persuasive, especially considering that the Mikayne
Empire hasn't had any more success at invading Japan than he has. Gorgon
offers to lend Sharkin some extra troops, in return for some help in
eliminating Mazinger Z. Gorgon smirks to himself, thinking that at least
this will buy him some time.
Meanwhile, Akira is getting congratulated by the folks back at Mutropolis.
Given that the Argama is still missing, Akira is going to be holding the
fort - he says that he can't rest easy until the Argama comes back and that
he's worried about why Sharkin has been so quiet all this time. Meanwhile,
Sarumaru is working on a way to interface with Reideen's memory device
(which has been in operation for 12,000 years...) Everyone wants to try to
find out more about Reideen's past and about the prophecy that Reideen told
Akira. Sarumaru wish they could get assistance from the ravishing (and smart!)
Prof. Yasunishi... And suddenly they catch a secret broadcast from the
Youma Empire! It's Sharkin, who tells Akira it's time for the final battle
between them. He requests a duel and says that if Akira refuses his men
who are already on their way to Tokyo will turn the place into a sea of fire.
Akira goes to face the challenge, even if it is a trap, and Kamamiyadera has
Sarumaru contact Kouji and the others too. Mari doesn't try to stop Akira,
but pleads with him to come back alive.
At the battlefield, your people notice some of the Battle Beasts and realize
that the Youma and Mikayne Empires have joined forces. Just then Great
Mazinger shows up, saying he's been waiting for the return of the Battle
Beasts. Tetsuya tells Akira to leave the Battle Beasts to him and
concentrate on his duel with Sharkin.
On round three, many more of your people show up. Kouji wants to chat
with Great Mazinger's pilot, but Tetsuya tells him to worry about the
enemy first. On round 3.5, Wufei shows up and notes that much of the Lond
Bel is still left despite the Argama's disappearance. You try telling him
that you have no reason to fight with him, and he says that the fact you're
in league with the DC is reason enough, since the EOT-monopolizing DC will
eventually emperil the colonies. He demands some sort of guarantee that
the Lond Bel/DC won't become like the Titans and Oz. If you fight him with
your character, he won't hear your claim that you don't seek domination,
and says that he'll decide whether you're in the wrong or not.
After you defeat Sharkin's Fossil Beast, he says he'll have to fight you in
person. He comes back as a big heinous beastie. Once you kill him he
says that even if he dies his kingdom will live on and wishes glory to Barao.
Akira complements him and wishes they had been on the same side. He gives
you a Repair Kit S. Tetsuya and Jun pull out, saying that once their
current mission is over they'll fight with the Lond Bel and explain
everything then.
JUST at that point, the Argama and some Aura Battlers materialize out of
nowhere. Shou is piloting one of them, and had just been in the middle of
a fight with Galeria... he realizes that he's come back to the surface, in
Tokyo. Insert lots of everyone realizing everyone else is back. Cham
figures that the combined Aura power of Galeria and Shou opened an Aura
Road to the surface.
You can Convince her with Shou - this is important to getting her to join
you later. Shou keeps telling her that she can't win on her own, but she
says if she can just finish him off her work is done. But Shou reminds her
that fighting where Drake won't hear of it is meaningless.
Insert debriefing about how the Argama has been to Biston Well, got mixed up
with the nefarious Drake, etc. (See SS26 for details). Cham adds that people
with especially strong Aura Power are called Holy Knights. Ryuusei asks
Kouji if he isn't startled seeing a fairy, and Kouji responds that with all
the other stuff he's seen it's no big deal. Shou tells Bright that he wants
to find a way home, since if left alone Drake and his Aura Battlers will
destroy Biston Well. Cham asks if Shou doesn't want to go home, and he says
that his parents would't believe him anyway and they're probably glad that
he's gone. Bright says that the Lond Bel have to return to their original
mission, but that the Biston Wellians are more than welcome to stay aboard.
Ryuusei welcomes Rai, although Rai says that he'd have preferred to stay
separate because he always gets into trouble around Ryuusei. Insert Rai/
Ingram/Ryuusei bit about reduced Tronium Engine output and training from SS26.
Also insert you asking whether it was coincidence about her piloting and
condolences for your SO. You then get a directive to return to NERV HQ
at once, and an emergency message from Igor from the Far East base. You
learn of the nuking of Konpei and the virtual takeover by Neo-Jion. The
Titans, who probably knew of the whole incident, suffered no losses - now all
both sides have to do is invade South Atalia. Moreover, Neo Jion has been
using the Crossbone Vanguard to oppress the colonies - and that a small
colony has been stolen. Colony drop time...if it's not just disinformation.
It could all just be a plot of the Jupiterians too - and the balance of
power of the three militaries revolves around South Atalia. Anways, off to
NERV you go. Go to SBE26.
SE25. Toukyou Joukuu ("Above Tokyo")
Your crew find themselves back on Earth, all apparently normal. There is no
trace of Shou or the others, who Bright thought must have come too. Ingram
thinks to himself that probably all the vehicles in the battle must have come.
You wish that you could have popped out at South Atalia instead of the Japan
Sea. Just then you detect small unknown machines fighting above Shinjuku:
must be the Aura Battlers. Quatro persuades you to head there forthwith.
Cham asks Shou where they've come to, with all the square stone castles all
around. He tells her it's the Surface and that the Argama must be near. He
then contacts Galeria, and tells her they're on the Surface and that they
mustn't fight in this residential area. She isn't prepared to believe Shou
at all and attacks him. Shou insists on not fighting here and says that
their combined Aura power probably triggered the Aura Road opening.
If you want to recruit her later, Persuade her now. He reminds her that
defeating him where Drake won't see is meaningless. Just then, a bunch of
bad guys show up, scaring Cham. Galeria thinks it's just more tricks, but
Shou tries to tell her they're his enemies too. More or less, it's Ashura
and Brocken here to get their asses kicked some more. Brocken places a
bet with Ashura of which of them can destroy more of the city until the Lond
Bel shows up. Whichever side wins (the Iron Cross Army or the Iron Mask
Army) will be the top brigade of Hell's forces. Ashura accepts and orders
her Genocider F9's to attack the Aura Battlers. Cham volunteers to help
Shou fend off the bad guys. Shou asks Galeria if she can't feel the evil
Aura from those machines and if she can at least postpone their duel until
the bad guys are defeated. But Galeria, whining about she's from Biston
Well, vanishes. Just then Marvel, Nii, and Keen show up and volunteer to
help too.
On round 2, the Lond Bel shows up, giving Brocken a major shock. Oddly
enough, there's also _Mio_, spectating on the battle from right next to the
R-1's leg. Ryuusei wonders aloud (through the PA system evidently) who
the cute girl down there is, and Mio says such old-fashioned flattery won't
work on her. He says that's not the point and to go somewhere safe: he's
letting her into the cockpit. She says he's better looking than she
thought but that such forceful invitations won't work on her. He gets
indignant but she's just joking and promises to run off somewhere safe.
She then tells the audience of the game that this is just a special cameo.
[^^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;] But she suspects she'll be seeing
"you" again sometime, somewhere....
Next round, the super robot crew shows up. Insert reunion speech, Kouji
wondering where the hell you were, and Ryuusei wondering why the hell you
got all those new robots and combined lots of them while was gone - he
tells Kouji that he'd better have it all on tape! [Kouji doesn't - Ryuusei
is crushed]. A couple rounds later, Gorgon and his goons show up too.
A couple rounds after _that_ Trowa and Quatre show up. Quatre notes that
Trowa's machine resembles the Sandrock and thinks that the Titans, Jion, Oz,
and the Lond Bel keep getting more powerful, soon to victimize the powerless
colonies. Quatre asks Trowa who he is and what he wants, Trowa just goes
and makes an entry in his log. Quatre decides to fight alone, although he
fears he might lose.
Brocken is worth a Propellant Tank. Ashura is worth a Hybrid Armor. Trowa
is worth a High-Power Radar. Quatre is worth an Anti-Beam Coating.
After the battle, Bright explains the whole Biston Well thing. Insert your
dudes not being all that startled. See SB24 for Shou's decision to help out
on the Surface until a way is found to return to Biston Well. Insert
explanation of what the super robots were doing in the meantime. The report
of Shapiro's treachery surprises Ingram, especially the attack on the Special
Neurology Lab - and you notice his surprise. Add more explanation of the
Mikayne Empire, and Great Mazinger (Ryuusei is stoked). Add explanation of
the whole Combattler/Voltes thing. Hyouma gets chided for butting in all the
time, and he says all robot teams have to have someone like that (Bright
agrees ^^;;;;;;;;;) Add Rai/Ryuusei/Ingram conversation from SS26.
Bright then congratulates Akira on settling the score with the Youma Empire -
Akira says Sharkin is downed by that the empire is still alive and well. See
SB24 for the NERV/Igor message you get next. Go to SBE26.
SS26. Umi Kara no Marebito ("Oddity from the Sea")
On the Argama, Torres is telling Bright that the Lean Horse Jr. should be
arriving shortly - no interference with their landing is expected. Your
people look forward to the new mobile suits they were supposed to have picked
up and are thankful they picked up EVA-02 okay. Now if you can only make it
to South Atalia unmolested... Evidently the Argama has been gathering many
machines, including Voltes-V and Shou in the Dunbine(!!!) What it boils down
to is that you need a larger ship. Meanwhile, Kouji and Ryuusei are
admiring EVA-02 and feeling happy to be alive for such an influx of new mecha.
Given how EVA-00 is yellow and -01 is purple, the appearance of red -02 means
according to Ryuusei that all they need is a green and a pink one to be a
true team of heros! Ryuusei goes on that it looks like all the EVAs made so
far seem to be in the same class. Just then Asuka shows up and tells him
he's wrong: EVA-02 is the first "real" production EVA unlike the prototype -00
and -01. Asuka then makes fun of Mazinger Z and pisses Ryuusei off before
finding out that Shinji is the Third Children. But then something attacks:
something underwater that moves _fast_. It's an Angel, and Asuka seizes
the chance to show off her talents. Everyone gets ready for battle, and
Cham and Shou discuss how the Angel is not a creature of the Surface. As
your other people ponder, Asuka (who's forced Shinji to ride with her; he's
not totally thrilled) says it's her turn.
Defeat the Angel with Asuka in three turns for a Skill Point. You should
be able to do it easily in two.
More enemies show up, lead by Captain Gufga who Amuro recognizes. Bernie
Wiseman is among them, who resolves to shoot down at least one Gundam so
he'll be accepted as more than just a rookie. Your dudes show up on the
next round to wreak even more havoc.
Have Chris take out Bernie as a step toward recruiting him later. He'll
give you a Repair Kit.
There's also a Propellant Tank. Plus, if you fight Rafu, you fight Ral
with Dancougar, you tell him you're paying him back for what happened at
Trinton: he gives you a Hybrid Armor.
After the battle, Ingram is amazed that the three EVAs are really with your
group; however, he realizes that the Angel just now was not after them but
rather something else. Akagi runs into him and thanks him for his help
during the Yashima Operation. He says he's interested in the EVAs since
even the Arrowgaters can't make weapons that dangerous. Ingram then meets
Kaji, who's been secretly ordered by Gendou to keep an eye on Ingram. You
then learn that the Argama actually _went_ to Biston Well, summoned by
someone named Drake. He has been summoning many people from the surface to
make them Aura Battler pilots; it seems Surfacedwellers have stronger Auras.
If Drake found out how things stand on the Surface he'd probably want to
rule it too... Ingram and the other SRX pilots discuss how their Tronium
Engines are underpowered and they have to make up for it with their own
skill - all except for Ryuusei's R-1 which uses a fusion engine just like the
Gundams. Ingram then says that "plus parts" to power up the R-series
machines are in final checks at DC HQ, but only for the R-2 and R-3. Once
the R-3's T-Link checks out, a certain something will become possible -
Ryuusei has to train all the time until they get to South Atalia, and Rai will
watch him to make sure he doesn't fall asleep or something; he says that if
Ryuusei's TK level is too low all their lives will be in danger.
You then ask Ingram if he planned for you to ride the Grungast, and he says
it happened by coincidence. He offers you condolences about your SO, which
he says he knows about because anyone can look that sort of thing up. You
still have some sort of headache around him, realizing that he's still hiding
something in some dark corner of his heart. Ingram thinks to himself that you
should doubt him, you should harbor animosity toward him...which will cause
you to...something. [^^;;;;]
To haul around your whole crew, you borrow the Lean Horse Jr. from Gomez, who
heads to Hong Kong with Olifar and the others of the Shrike Squad to follow
Breck's orders to contact the othe Kalaba. Fond farewells for Usso, and then
Cham starts playing baby sitter. Given all the kids, Riina thinks they should
hold school sessions, which Judou doesn't really want to hear. Asuka offers
to teach (after all, she did attend German college at age 14), and in the
process Kaji and Misato meet each other. Refer to EVA T.V. series for how
well they get along at first (hint: not well) and Asuka finds out that Shinji's
the one who piloted Unit-01 with no prior experience.
However, something terrible has happened, and Nii calls Shou up to the
bridge. But you don't get to find out what until next mission. Go to S27.
SBE26. Kurenai EVANGERION ("The Scarlet Evangelion")
Gendou is talking on the phone, saying that "that" problem has already been
taken up with the Committee, and that a certain piece of luggage is afloat on
the Indian Ocean and should reach South Atalia in two days. He tells
whoever it is (it is Kaji) to watch over a certain sample and keep an eye on
Ingram. Bright then comes, and Gendou transfers EVA-00 and -01 and all
necessary support personell to the Lond Bel. Bright then goes off to
rendezvous with EVA-02 and take her to South Atalia. Fuyutsuki wonders if
they'll really be able to lure the Angels away - Gendou says that's what
EVA-01 and -02 are for.
Insert introductions by the EVA "staff" and pilots. Misato is surprised that
Bright isn't surprised to be introduced to the EVA pilots due to their
tender years. Amuro tells her that there's lots of pilots in the Lond Bel
not yet 15. He adds that they've got some grade-schoolers and a fairy girl
from another world. Misato is rather dumbfounded and thinks that the Lond
Bel are even weirder than she'd imagined. Ritsuko just thinks that it's
bizarre. All the formalities out of the way, the Argama sets forth.
Your dudes question Shinji as to whether his unit is really a robot. He
says he's heard it's an artificial human, but doesn't know too much. As your
dudes argue over this revelation, Rei excuses herself. Shinji explains that
she's unsociable toward everyone and rarely says a word - although Kouji
points out to Shinji that she spoke to him (rare! ooh). Hyouma asks what
the Angels are, and when Shinji has to say he doesn't know he starts worrying
whether he'll be able to get along with all these folks. Ryou notes Shinji's
worrying and tells everyone to lay off and thanks him for his bravery during
the Yashima Operation. Shinji thinks that it's been a long time since
someone praised him, and smiles.
Burning then contacts you and fills you in on the goings on in space. Kris
asks if Neo-Jion has gone after Side 6, but it seems they haven't yet (she's
from Side 6...) Burning then says that they've acquired the ZZ, V2, and F91
and plans a rendezvous. Given that the meeting point is off course, you can
either meet the EVA-02 first or meet the Lean Horse Jr. first.
The former is worth a Skill Point.
Assuming you do the former, Ritsuko handles the EVA transfer while Misato
goes to say hi to Second Children. Your dudes are surprised that EVA-02 is
red and Ryuusei says that if it had a horn like -01 it'd look like Char's
Zak. You observe then that if Quatro got into it, it'd be the literal Red
Comet. This startles the others, who say you make it sound as though Quatro
is actually Char - you don't know yourself why you said it. Actually, if
the EVA was green it would look like a regular Zak. See SS26 for Asuka's
rebuttle and introduction (and Ryuusei getting upset).
See SS26 for the setup for this battle with the Angel.
Kill the Angel with Asuka in under three turns for a Skill Point. After
it's gone or at three turns, Ral's batallion shows up. Bernie is worried
about being seen as a rookie - ice him with Kris so you can recruit him
later. On the next round the Gundam brigade shows up from the Lean Horse
Jr.
Bernie's worth a Repair Kit. Lar is worth a Hybrid Armor - there are
Propellant tanks in some of his subordinates in the Zamels.
After the battle Ingram is surprised that all three EVAs were sent here. But
he also realizes that just that won't lure the Angels...there's something
else. He then runs into Akagi, who he remembers from an EOT conference once.
He says he's interested in the EVAs since even the Arrowgaters can't make
weapons this dangerous. Insert the whole Kaji intro scene from SS26, plus
the Lean Horse Jr. handover scene, plus the lots-of-kids/Cham-babysitting
scene. And finally, go to the bridge to see the terrible thing that happened!
Go to S27.
S27. MASHIN Tenkai ("Machine Deployment")
Bright shows you four sattelite photos, taken roughly the same time: it's an
Aura Battleship. It moves without a Minovsky Craft - Ritsuko says that the
Biston Well tech is definitely something to be respected. Among the four,
two are the Gran Galan and the Will Wips - the other two are probably the
Goraon and King Bishot's recently built Gaea Galing. It looks like it wasn't
just Shou and the crew who were brought over via the Aura Road - Amuro
wonders if Shiela's prediction of Biston Well expelling the Aura Battlers
has come true, although it could be Jacoba or someone else entirely. The
Will Wips is in the Bay of Mexico, the Gran Garan is at the Kermadik
archipelago, the Goraon is on Easter Island, and the Gaea Galing is at the
Marquesas archipelago. The latter three are located at the points of a
triangle surrounding South Atalia. The closest is the Gaea Galing. Just then,
word comes in that the Will Wips has started fighting the Titans - yet more
trouble for an already troubled Earth [and surely it's too much to ask for
the bad guys to take each other out]. Shou and Nii note that they can't
allow the Gaea Galing to meet up with the Will Wips, and that they need to
contact Shiela and Ere - Misato says that world war may be near. You can
choose to keep schedule and go to South Atalia, or to head to Marquesas.
The former is worth a Skill point.
Assuming you choose to stay on schedule, Shou asks permission to head to
Marquesas himself, and Ingram agrees and is given command of the detachment.
Meanwhile, Bishot is puzzling over the strange Aura Battler-like machines.
Luuza is with him and tells him that they must be machines from the Surface.
Bishot apologizes for mixing her and Rimru up in this mess. At the same
time, Masaki is wondering why the hell the enemy always attacks according to
the same pattern. The cats berate him and tell him it's his fault that they
missed Japan and have made at least 10 circuits of the Earth. Well, it was
20 the last time, so maybe there's hope ^^;;; Kuro tells Masaki that even
being bad with directions has to stop somewhere. In any case, Masaki figures
that the mysterious vessels intend to attack, although he can't figure out
where they're from. One of the knights hails him as an Aura Battler and
demands identification - Masaki informs him that he ain't an Aura Battler.
He tells them that he doesn't have time to worry about them, but that if they
insist on picking a fight he'll take them on. The Three Red Knights then
use a special move called "Tripler" (Masaki wonders if they meant to say
Black Trinary...), but it doesn't accomplish much. The Knights are shocked
and wonder if the spirits are somehow protecting the Psybuster.
On round two Shiro worries about being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Bishot commands that the machine be captured unharmed if possible, for use
in case he has to betray Drake. On round three, you detect something
approaching at high speed - it's your guys. Ryuusei is so overcome by
admiration for the Psybuster he can barely speak. Masaki wonders why
Ingram knows his name and Shiro suggests maybe he heard from Shuu. Masaki
then thinks he's the enemy, and when Kuro tries to pacify him he says that
he doesn't need help from anyone who's got dealings with Shuu. Kuro then
informs him that if he gets that hotheaded every time Shuu comes up, he'll
never be able to save Ra-Gias, and that Ricardo won't be able to ascend(?)
then. Masaki realizes he can't repeat mistakes from his past and cools off
a bit. Ingram is glad Masaki listened to him, and procedes to try to
contact the Gaea Galing. He asks what Bishot's objective is, and says that
if it's merely return to Biston Well that he should stand down immediately
and prepare for discussion - and that failure to comply will cause them to
be seen as enemies and attacked. Bishot is a bit cowed, since he's heard
of the power of the Surfacedwellers who beat back Drake's forces. However,
Luuza the bitch tells him not to show any weakness and that if they can
just rejoin the Will Wips taking over the Earth should be easy. She then
tells him that if a king doesn't have ambition, the soldiers won't follow
him. He then tells Ingram that unfortunately he can't accept his demands
and that they must fight.
The Gaea Galing will leave if you do more than 50% of its hitpoints.
Killing it is worth a Skill Point. Actually killing this guy is a serious
pain in the ass. I recommend spending lots of money to power up the
Bilvine's Hyper Aura Slash, and even then you may need a Critical hit...
Dar is worth a Repair Kit. Nyet is worth a Propellant Tank. Galamity is
worth a Chobham Armor.
After the battle, the cats recommend that Masaki follow Ingram's orders;
he agrees and says that with them this low on Plana they're not likely to be
able to escape. He agrees to "rest a bit" on your mothership. Bright is a
bit depressed that a fight with the Biston Wellians seems inevitable, but
Misato and Burning say that there's still a chance that they'll listen to
reason. Masaki is being questioned by Quatro and the others, and Amuro says
that he doesn't think he's an enemy. Misato doesn't either since he's cute,
but Maya says that probably isn't relevant.
Seabook, Camille, and Shou are pondering the Psybuster and noting that it
seems more like an Aura Battler than a mobile suit. Shou thinks that the
"wings" on its back may work like the Aura Combatter, which gathers Aura from
the atmosphere and converts it into power as well as amplifies the pilot's
Aura. However, the Psybuster is clearly made from some metallic substance
not from Biston Well - it must be from yet _another_ world. Ryuusei is more
interested in the EVAs' power source anyway. They've got a plug coming out of
the back, but surely they don't run on electricity... actually, they do as
Ritsuko pops out of nowhere and tells your people. Meanwhile, one of your
people accidentally steps on Kuro's tail, eliciting a very unhappy response:
and they talk to your people and explain that they're Masaki's familiars.
Ryuusei is not entirely impressed by their vanilla naming scheme (Kuro&Shiro
= "Black&White"). The cats then pass on a word of thanks since Masaki isn't
the sort to do so himself. As the cats go off in search of Masaki, your
people are left rather stunned, although Ritsuko thinks they're cute.
Masaki is telling another group of your dudes how he came from Ra-Gias in
pursuit of Shuu. He notes that you don't seem that surprised - Quatro tells
him that your people just got back from Biston Well themselves. Having
heard that Shuu is still at the DC base in Tokyo, Masaki prepares to storm
off again, but Ingram tells him to stay put and that independent action during
such turbulent times is extremely dangerous. Ingram then explains that your
people are deeply connected to the organization Shuu works for, and that
you're heading for DC HQ right now. If Masaki stays with you, he'll meet
Shuu soon enough. Masaki says he doesn't have time for that, but Ingram
reminds him that he said that the last time, failed to get to Japan, and
ended up here. Ingram then explains that both he and Shuu are members of
the anti-alien SRX Project, and that for the completion of the R-Series plan
Shuu may well come in person to South Atalia. Masaki ponders this, and then
agrees to hang with you, which will also allow him to pay you back for saving
him. Ingram feels smug for being able to research the Psybuster before Shuu
and the others.
The Aura Battlers are then angsting over what to do about the fact that Rimru
was on the Gaea Galing. Nii is angsting that that ship has to be shot down
now that it's allied with Drake - he promises to save Rimru if at all possible
and Shou says he'll help. Bright then grants permission for Masaki to join
(Quatro thinks it's best he stay here given the issue with Ingram) and says
that he got through to Shiela. The Gran Garan and the Goraon will meet you
at South Atalia.
Meanwhile, the Titans get a transmission from Scirocco the Jupiterian.
Jamitov is pissed that a colony was apparently stolen by Neo-Jion and says
that that wasn't in the treaty (although the stealing of Solomon was).
Scirocco says that according to his investigations the news of the colony
theft is merely conflicting information. Jamitov is worried about the colony
getting dropped on Jaburo, but Scirocco tells him that if Giren had any such
intentions Jaburo would be long since toast. Scirocco suggests that with
Neo-Jion solidifying things in space now would be a great time to attack
South Atalia, but Jamitov tells him of the appearance of strange unknown
forces on Earth - that a whole batallion of Titans were killed fighting them.
Scirocco offers to send a batallion of Jupiterians to Earth, although Jamaican
says that it seems like some Jupiterians have already been mixed in with the
Jion forces that landed. Scirocco explains that the Jupiterians are not one
monolithic organization. Given the Lond Bel's actions with the EVAs and all,
Jamitov figures there's no choice but to join forces with Oz and get rid of
both the Lond Bel and Oz in one fell swoop.
Scirocco realizes that Jamitov is beginning to catch on, but is sure that
he doesn't know about Giren's plan to use a Jupiterian mass driver to wipe
out the SDF, and that that will be the wedge driven between the Titans and Neo-
Jion. Just then Fara gets back, saying that while she had a difficult time
on Earth it was necessary for deceiving "them". Katejina is with her, who
apparently enlisted out of love for the Jupiterian queen. Scirocco tells her
she's got good eyes and that the future will be built by strong women like
her. Scirocco tells Fara to take her Vespa squad and return to Jupiter,
which strikes her as odd since phase one of Operation Crane hasn't yet
finished on Earth. Scirocco says it's Fonse Kagachi's orders and that "they"
have probably appeared within the solar system. He says to use the Crossgate
Drive so that there'll be no time loss. Scirocco himself plans to stay on
Jupiteris and keep an eye on things. Go to S28.
S28. EOT no Shima ("The Island of EOT")
South Atalia is finally in sight. It looks odd, like half of it got broken
off. Misato notes that that's where the ASS-1 fell. Now that ship is
situated at the center of the city - a good kilometer long, such that Daisaku
thought it was a factory. Amuro is rather taken aback at seeing once again
the thing that ended the One-Year War. Sleggar starts reminiscing about
how back in those days Amuro was called the "Federation's White Comet", riding
in the Original Gundam. You sight a bunch of aircraft at the airstrip that
are seemingly the SDF's anti-alien machines - little different from the
ancient F-14. Hayato wonders what about such machines actually embodies EOT,
and wonders further why EVA-02 has to be stationed here. Ingram then takes
you and the SRX team to DC Headquarters. Bright is going to take Quatro and
Misato and head to SDF HQ, and Amuro stays behind to oversee an overhaul of
all machines.
Commodore Gloval introduces himself to Bright and the others. While the
pleasantries are underway, Claudia reminds Gloval that the bridge is a No-
Smoking area. Misato says that they'll be testing the S-type armaments for
EVA-02 to make sure it's capable of space combat; Gloval says that all
matters concerning the EVAs are up to her and to use whatever facilities she
needs. Quatro's ears perk up at this and wonders if EVA-02 is being sent to
space. Gloval explains then that they are in the bridge of the ASS-1, which
has been reborn as the SDF-1 Macross thanks to the SDF and the DC. He
explains that not only is it a battleship to fight the aliens, it's an
"escape pod" for the Earth according to the Earth Escape Project. Bright is
shocked and asked why such a plan was drafted. Gloval explains that as the
EOT began to be researched, the true scope of the Arrowgaters became clear
and that it was judged that Earth had no chance of winning - hence an escape
route from Earth was necessary. Bright asks if therefore SDF is not actually
about fighting aliens at all but simply escaping, but before Gloval can
answer you get word of an Angel approaching. Gloval is loathe to send out
the anti-Arrowgater Valkyries, so Misato says that her people will sortie.
Misa tells all Valkyrie squads to wait on alert (Claudia bets that Roy will
bitch about that one...)
Since all other machines are being overhaulded, only the EVAs are available
for a while. Asuka wants to use the opportunity to show everyone how cool
she is, but Misato says that this isn't Tokyo-2 any more. Asuka gloats over
how Rei is on backup, and gets smug when Shinji tries to stick up for her.
Don't let the Angel land. Kill it with Rei for a Skill Point. Kill it
with _Bright_ for two. Either way, once dead it splits into two. The
umbilicals of EVA-01 and -02 are cut, so there's no choice but to have
them get recovered. 12 of your units dispatch, and take out the Angel.
However, it's still alive albeit immobile. Time to regroup.
The Angel is currently 26% recovered and will begin moving again in 5 days:
the same day as the Macross's dedication ceremony. Shinobu recommends just
kicking its ass, but several people tell him that that's what you just did
to no effect. Asuka and Shinji start quarreling over whose fault it is
the Angel is still around, and Misato worries that if she can't come up with
some way of getting rid of it her people won't have any standing left.
Treize is chatting with Gloval about how the Lond Bel didn't get rid of the
Angel. Gloval says that since it's more dangerous than the Arrowgaters, this
is unavoidable and that they've still got time to straighten things out. It
seems Treize has come in person to clear up the "misunderstanding" that Oz,
like the Titans, simply wants to get its hands on the EOT. Further, he says
that he came here on his own, without the knowledge of the Romfellar
Corporation. Treize wonders where DC commander Vian Zoldark is - Gloval says
that ever since he went to Jupiter a month ago he's been missing...along
with his daughter Ryuune. Therefore, Gloval is currently in command. Seeing
that Gloval isn't convinced yet, Treize lays forth his thoughts. He's
opposed to the Earth Escape Project, since turning ones eyes from battle is
the way of the defeated. Gloval responds that the SDF must not fight
against anyone other than the aliens if at all possible. Treize tells him
on his way out that info he's acquired says that Neo-Jion intends to use a
mass driver on the island...however, since Giren wants the Macross, it's
not thinkable that a regular mass would be used for the attack... Go to S29.
S29. Kokoro ni Nenjiru Mienai Yaiba ("A Blade Harbored Unseen Within the
Heart")
Kenzou is telling Aya that although the R-3 is finished, she probably can't
withstand combat with the SRX at her currently level of TK - nevertheless,
he has to send her. Aya, his daughter, agrees to go and says that by
piloting the R-3 she hopes to ascertain her reason for living. And, so that
the deaths of her sister Mai and her mother won't be in vain.
Meanwhile, you and the SRX people are discussing the Angel - you observe that
it's almost like their powers are evolving. Ryuusei wishes he could have
gone out, but Rai tells him that the result would have been the same. In
any case, the R-1 is being modified just like the R-2. As is the Grungast
type 2, with something called the Kei-To-Shun-Gokken. Anyways, Ryuusei
asks Rai if he's seen Aya, who supposedly came here with Banjou - he hasn't.
It seems that she's actually the _leader_ of the SRX team and the pilot of
the R-3. Just then Prof. Kobayashi shows up and hails your people. He
apologizes for the abruptness but needs to have Rai try powering up his new
R-2 Powered; and asks you and Ryuusei to come with him to DC HQ for
readjustments of the T-Link system. Ryuusei can't imagine the bleak
atmosphere surrounding this guy to be from the same bloodline as Aya.
During the test, Kobayashi is impressed by how strong your two dudes' abilities
have become. He complements Ingram on the dangerous but ultimately successful
tactic of hardening those abilities with actual combat experience. Ingram
says that, after all, he broke a bone getting Ari into that machine. He
says that Ari and Ryuusei are proof that true Psychodrivers are about to be
born - all you have to do is wait for them to reach full bloom. Kenzou says
that at this rate it won't be just a dream to activate the Uranus System
under their own willpower. He says that their research is in its final
stage and that the day when humans overcome their limitations is close at
hand. Ingram suggests hastening its arrival! According to theory, the
pilots' power is heightened the more threatening the situation - so all they
have to do is _create_ such a situation, just like when you first piloted the
Grungast.
After the test, you and Ryuusei are unwinding when you see Masaki, possibly
lost. Masaki had been wondering if Shuu was around, but he's nowhere to be
seen. Ryuusei remarks that for a while, Shuu had been missing - Masaki
thinks that during that time, he was in Ra-Gias. You try asking Masaki what
his relation to Shuu is, and he tells you it's none of your business,
although he apologizes for his bluntness - he says that when he can finally
get control over his feelings he'll tell you. All he does tell you now is
not to trust Shuu...or Ingram. He says that people like them always have a
hidden agenda - a fact that Shuu made him realize. He admits to not knowing
much about Ingram, but says his instincts say he's dangerous. Ryuusei is
pretty sure he's wrong, and Masaki says he hopes he's wrong too...
Ingram gets a transmission from Kirk Hamiru. Apparently something bad is up
at the Far East base: _someone_ stole two new H-series machines: Red and
Second. Ingram already suspects the culprit - a former subordinate of his
from the PTX days. It's not known why he did it. In any event, they've
been branded as traitors, and might show up on South Atalia. Ingram laments
that things don't always go according to plan, but thinks that he can actually
exploit this...
How, is that he sends the SRX people on patrol, ostensibly to guard against
"various organizations" who are after the EOT. Ingram says to think of it
as a test of their machines, and that they have discretionary permission to
fire upon any enemies they encounter. Rai thinks that Ingram's phrasing
makes it sounds like he _expects_ enemies to appear. Ryuusei asks Rai how
his machine is doing, and although the Tronium Engine is still unstable the
firepower's greater. Ryuusei got a Psychic Field just like the Grungast
type 2, plus a new T-Link Sword. Rai thinks that, like Aya's R-3, the R-1
has now been made into a full Psychic-class mech. Ryuusei thinks that the
sword feels like something a Super robot would have, and decides to call it
the Tenjou-Tenge-Nendou-Hasai-Ken ("Heaven-and-Earth Psychic Crusher Sword").
Ryuusei asks you about your new weapons, but you say you feel something
approaching. Not sure if it's friend or foe, but the T-Link response is
unmistakable. You seem to recall this feeling from before, and Rai finally
confirms - they're Huckebeins! In particular, the Huckebein Mk.II and
Huckebein EX. Rai's left hand is hurting and you realize that they've got
T-Link systems too. Irm comments that the SRX team seems splendid on first
sight, and your SO(!!!!) says that if they're connected with Ingram they
can't be just any Personal Troopers. However, it's too late now that the
Huckebein went berserk during an experiment, and that they can't let Ingram
manipulate the SRX project for his own ends any more. Irm asks your SO if
he's really sure about this, that once they attack there's no going back
(he's sure). Irm is sorry about making him go along with this, but if he
had let you participate in the SRX Project back when, his nerves would have
been fried by the excessive stimulation...that "that" man thought of him as
nothing but a sample. He also says not to mess with the Grungast, that he'll
take care of it himself - he really just wants to avoid contact between the
two pilots.
On round two, Rai confirms weapons lock - meaning they're hostile. You say
you know the pilot of the blue machine, but can't figure out why your SO,
who's been missing, would be here in a Huckebein. Irm tells Rai when
they fight that his objective is the destruction of all SRX machines.
You have to attack your SO thrice. The first time, he professes not to
have ever met you before. The second time, he reiterates this and you say
you have to figure out some way to avoid combat. Attack him a third time,
plus attack him with Ryuusei and Rai, then Persuade him. You tell him that
you have no reason to fight him, but he says he has a reason to fight you.
You ask him to tell you that reason, and that if it's something you can
do you'll do it - he is amazed. He then gets a very peculiar sensation
like something's been thrust through his heart...and completely loses
control of his machine. Irm bitches that he shouldn't have let the two
of you come in contact, and disappears too.
Doing this is necessary to get your SO later.
After the battle, Aya welcomes your people back. She apologizes for not
showing up sooner and that final adjustments to the R-3 took so long. Rai
thinks that that's because its Plus Parts got badly damaged during the
operation in China. Seems she'll be joining you in the Lond Bel too! Ingram
shows up and asks for a report. Ingram is not surprised that it was
Irmgalt Kazahara, and Rai asks why he took such action. Ryuusei recalls that
Irm was a former subordinate of Ingram's, and asks him why the SRX's and the
Grungast were sent to meet them - he claims not to know either. Rai wonders
why you claimed to know the pilot of the other machine. Ingram says that
he's anothe test pilot he scouted from among the civilians, and that while
it wouldn't be surprising if you and he had met before it's probably just a
mix-up on your part. Ryuusei doesn't buy that but Rai tells him to keep his
mind on his mission. Ingram agrees [>_<;;] and mentions that the time has
come to start practicing for the ultimate: combination of the R-series. Rai
realizes that Irm realized some secret truth about the SRX Project and
therefore fled the military. Rai knows that the R-series is dangerous, but
that by itself isn't enough - he realizes there's more to be found out...
Meanwhile, you confide in Kouji that your SO is still alive. You tell him
about meeting him while on patrol, and that he seemingly lacks memories of
when you were in high school together. You already tried checking with
Ingram about him, but at the time Ingram had feigned ignorance. Kouji is
damn sure that something fishy is going on and says he'll go check himself,
but you stop him and say it's enough that he's alive. Kouji says that if
it's the person he knows, he's surely being used by Ingram for something.
You resolve to save him even if he doesn't remember you.
Shakti brings Misato, hard at work on operational plans, some tea. Ritsuko
observes that Misato seems dead-ended. It turns out that Ritsuko has an
idea...although one proposed by Kaji and Ingram. Flash to briefing. From
analyzing the data, there are two ways to beat the Angel. The first is to
use the EVAs in synchrony to destroy the two separated cores at once. To
do so, they'd take the remaining time and have Asuka and Shinji train to be
in perfect synchrony. Bright is skeptical, but Amuro thinks they're better
together than they look. Misato isn't entirely confident herself, but...
The other way is simply brute force, by machines strong on both offense and
defense. That would mean your machine, Getter Dragon, the Bilvine and the
Psybuster. You get to pick which to do: to attack with EVAs, go to SE30.
For brute force, go with SF30.
SE30. Shunkan, Kokoro Kasanete ("An Instant Where Hearts Are Merged")
Misato breaks the news to Shinji and Asuka that they'll be living in the same
room for five days. Asuka doesn't like this and complains that you never
know when Shinji might try to rape her (Shinji thinks he wouldn't do that even
if she asked). Asuka doesn't want to let the others handle it, but Misato
tells her that both EVAs have to act in concert to destroy both cores at once.
Meanwhile, the rest of your people are in an uproar over the news of Asuka
and Shinji living in the same room. Most of the people are worried about
Asuka, but Kouji echos Misato's sentiment that Shinji doesn't have the guts
to go after Asuka anyway. Although, he does agree to go check - Ken'ichi
warns him not to disturb Shinji since he's preparing for an operation. He
promises not to make direct contact, and instead outfits Usso's Haro with a
transmitter; Cham gets to go and open the door. However, upon seeing the
matching clothing Cham spills the beans and Misato has to explain to the crew
what Shinji and Asuka are doing. Asuka and Shinji try demonstrating the
dance they're working on....and it isn't going well. After Kaji shows up
and surprises Misato, Asuka complains that she can't come down to Shinji's
level, and Misato has Rei demonstrate that she can do it. Seeing that she's
upstaged, Asuka runs off crying, and Kaji tells Shinji it's his duty as a man
to go off after her.
Shinji finds her and tells her that she'd be best not thinking of it just
being her who's fighting the Angels. She disagrees, saying she has no
choice but to pilot and defeat the Angels, lest she be cast off as useless.
Shinji points out that the whole reason they've been entrusted with this
training is that the other people view them as important - if not, someone
else would have gone after the Angel long ago. Upon getting back, they seem
to have finally got things synchronized, and Asuka, who wants to take a
shower, tells Shinji to get in too. He's a bit flabbergasted, and she asks
if he isn't interested in seeing her naked (she says that she may not look
like it, but her breasts are actually pretty big...) Shinji replies rather
testily that he bets she's just waiting for him to say yes to get an
opportunity to deck him, and that he can at least tell when he's being made
fun of. She says he's being pretty cheeky lately, to which he replies it's
because of living with her. She showers first, and Shinji goes later. After
he comes out, he finds Asuka asleep - he thinks she's just an ordinary girl
while sleeping. In her sleep, she murmers "...Mama...why'd you have to
die..."
You won't have your umbilical cords attacked to enhance your manoeverability.
So you'll only have 3 or 4 turns, and you're supposed to defeat both of them
in the same turn.
Defeat them both in the same turn for a Skill Point. Do during the _first_
turn for two.
After the battle, Asuka says that Shinji's risen a bit in her estimation.
Meanwhile, the Macross's bridge crew are discussing how the detonation of the
Angel has altered the shoreline once again. They're all glad that they've
got the Lond Bell on their side and didn't have to slip the schedule for the
dedication ceremony. Just then, a very nervous Kim says that Giren Zabi has
just opened a transmission to the Macross. Bright is a bit surprised that
he's still alive. Giren says he doesn't have much time so he'll come right
to the point. He requests that the SDF stand down and hand the ASS-1 over
to Neo-Jion within three hours, or else South Atalia will be attacked via
mass driver. He says that depending on the mass of the mass he can restrict
damage to the city - Quatro wonders how the hell they got such an accurate
weapon as that. He says further that the Earthnoids should not be the only
ones to monopolize the EOT, that the ASS-1 and the EOT belong in the hands of
the chosen, the Jion. He says that it'd be a shame to drop a colony and
damage the ASS-1; Bright asks hotly if that's any justification for using a
mass driver. Just then a 1 meter object is detected coming from space - it
seems it's not just a bluff. Misato has two suggestions: either shoot down
the incoming mass, or use all three EVAs A.T. Fields to deflect the mass.
Seeing as how the ASS-1 can't move for another five hours - and the fire
control for the Macross's main guns isn't fully operational yet. To shoot
down the mass, go to SS31. To stop it with the EVAs, go to SE31. Everyone
goes to red alert, including evacuating civilians just in case.
SS30. Seirei Hyoui ("Spirit Possession")
[btw the Psybuster has a Special Ability of the same name]
The cats are informing Masaki that they lack the parts necessary for repairing
the Psybuster. Masaki realizes that something has to be done, or he'll
never be able to beat the Granzon. Ritsuko comes on the scene offering some
milk to the cats, and Masaki gives them permission to go. Meanwhile, Asuka
and Shinji are going through their synchro training (see SE30) but things just
aren't working out.
A few of your people have been called to a morning meeting about how to
defeat the Angel. Masaki hasn't made it yet, since he's still having doubts
about how he, the Psybuster's chosen pilot, can't seem to make it live up to
its potential...or keep his promise. Cham pops up, and Masaki goes to the
briefing. It's explained why the strong attack/defense people were chosen.
And it's time for the mission.
You find out on turn 2 that the Psybuster won't move. Misato tries to have
the Psybuster recovered, but Masaki says that if he pulls out now he isn't
fit to be the Psybuster's pilot.
Destroy both pieces within the same turn for two Skill Points.
Once you destroy the Angel, a bunch of Arrowgaters will show up, lead by
Viletta. At the range they're at, the immobile Psybuster is in peril.
She plans to get her hands on the Psybuster's Laplace Computer, and Masaki
realizes that this is just like "that time" when he couldn't do anything
to prevent old man Zeoroot from being killed. Masaki pleads with the
Psybuster to move, and then as Viletta prepares to attack starts laughing.
He recalls how Senia and Wendy once told him that the Elemental God-Machines
may unleash unlimited power, but only depending on the pilot. He says
that he hasn't really matured at all since back then, and that he has to to
get the Psybuster to respond. Viletta asks him if he's prepared himself,
and Masaki says hell yeah and that he'll stand his ground even if the
Psybuster won't move. Just then a strange phenomenon happens, and what the
cats call "Possession" occurs and all your weapons are back online.
After the battle, Masaki is a bit out of it after being possessed by Psyfis,
the guardian spirit of the Psybuster. Your people are fairly incredulous,
and the cats can't even really believe that Possession would happen on the
Surface. Masaki is unconscious, and might even have died from using too
much Plana - recharging his Plana is the only option, but Wendy isn't
around. Masaki comes back around, and says that things feel different from
the last time he was Possessed...and that they didn't manifest the same
level of power as he did when fighting the Granzon back when. He says that
last time it felt like Plana was being drained from him, but that this time
it felt like power was being loaned to him by the Psybuster.
Insert gratitude and threatening speech by Giren from SE30. To stop the
mass with the EVAs go to SE31. To stop it by shooting it down, go to SS31.
SS31. BUUBII TORAPPU ("Booby Trap")
Everyone is shocked that Jion is using a mass driver. The plan is to use the
HTB Canon on the R-Gun, powered by Getter Robo (similar to the Yashima
Operation). Just to be on the safe side, they're having the EVAs ready just
in case so they can at least protect the Macross. The plan is called the
Hahaya Operation. Gloval is a little sad that anti-alien technology is
getting used on other humans, and Claudia says it can't be helped since the
enemy were the ones that moved first.
As your people are getting ready to execute, satellites detect a mass coming
toward you...but it's not from the mass driver! It is in fact an enemy
battleship, which the _Macross_ detects and shoots down entirely automatically.
The crew is totally shocked at this, since nothing remotely like that has
ever happened before. Unfortunately, part of the ship is left and it's
heading your way. Gloval realizes that the aliens have used a booby trap on
you, just as the Germans liked to do during WWII. Evidently, it was set up
to respond to _other_ aliens who were enemies of the Arrowgaters. As the
Valkyrie squadrons prepare to scramble, you get to send out your dudes too.
Your people notice that it's not the Arrowgaters, and that they're overflowing
with battlelust. Your people watch as the Valkyries emerge, and show that
they're transformable. And then a bunch of battleship-class beams are fired
in your general direction, badly damaging the city and sinking the Prometheus.
More enemies will show up on turn 2.5.
Once you defeat the enemies, the Gran Garan and the Goraon will show up,
causing a stir until explained away. Unfortunately, it seems that the first
wave you just destroyed was only a decoy. The Macross is almost ready for
takeoff, and it doesn't seem that anywhere besides South Atalia has been
attacked so far. Ere and Shiela are worried that perhaps they shouldn't have
come, but Gloval says it's for the best that "foreign" influences are
concentrated at South Atalia to keep the remainder of the Earth Sphere from
getting involved too. You can either move your people to the Macross's flank
or guard it directly.
The latter is worth a Skill Point.
As final checks are in progress, Gloval is thinking it's ironic that South
Atalia, once the greatest stronghold on Earth, is now its most dangerous
locale. Go to SS32.
SE31. Kiseki no Kachi wa ("The Value of Miracles Is...")
It's two hours until the mass driver firing, and it's clear that you won't
be able to evacuate everyone. To doubts that Jion really will fire such a
weapon at you, Misato comments that these are the same people who dropped a
colony seven years ago. Just then two vessels approach your defensive
perimeter, quite a shock until you find out it's the Gran Garan and the
Goraon. Gloval gets his speech from SS31 about limiting outside influence
to South Atalia. Shiela and Ere think that they've been expelled from
Biston Well for a reason, maybe to see you guys again.
Meanwhile, Shinobu is bellyaching about having to leave the operation up to
the EVAs. Your other people aren't entirely able to assuage his doubts;
Masaki has minor doubts too and thinks that if all else fails since he can
do Spirit Possession now he can just use Cosmo Nova...
Elsewhere in Macross City, Hikaru is wondering where the heck Focker is. A
bit like Shinji before him, Hikaru notes that the evacuation order has been
given, a war is about to erupt, and he can't find the person who summoned
him here. Focker finds him and apologizes for being late. He tells Hikaru
to come with him to the Macross, saying that all the civilians on this island
including him were chosen for a certain purpose. Hikaru knows that Focker is
up to something, especially when Focker asks if he likes airplanes - by which
he means fighter aircraft. Focker is a bit apologetic to Hikaru's father,
who he promised he'd return to the team once the One-Year War was over, but
says that once you pilot a fighter you can never go back. Just then, the
two run into Min-mei and brother Kai-fan, who are evacuating and none too
pleased about it. Focker then shows him the new fighters, and offers Hikaru
a chance to fly it - once the emergency is over. Just then Focker gets called
away and tells Hikaru to stay put in the cockpit till he gets back.
Misato explains the operation to the EVA pilots, including the part where if
they fail it's za endo. And that only God really knows what their chances
are. Asuka says it's gonna take a miracle to pull this off, and Misato says
that miracles only have value when you cause them. Asuka asks if blocking
the mass can even be called an "operation", and Misato admits that it can't
really...and that the pilots can refuse if they want. They're all in.
Misato then says that they've all got a chance to compose a will according to
the regulations. Asuka refuses, saying she doesn't plan to die. Rei
refuses, saying there's no need. Shinji refuses too, and Misato promises to
take them all out for steak once all is over. After Misato leaves, Asuka
and Shinji ponder why Misato thought kids nowadays would be happy at that
kind of treat. Rei says she won't be coming, since she hates meat [where have
we heard that before? ^_^] Shinji asks Asuka why she pilots the EVA: she
says to show her talent to the world...something like proving her existence.
He says he's already asked Rei, and doesn't know why he himself pilots.
Asuka asks him if he's stupid, and he says maybe he is...
The EVAs deploy. See SS31 for the description of the "booby trap".
Scrambling the Valkyries is going to take some time due to the preparations
for the mass driver attack, and the Lond Bel were tied up helping with the
civilian evacuation - looks like the EVAs are on their own for a while. And
there's so many enemies that Asuka says it really will take a miracle to get
rid of all of them. She tells Shinji that she hopes he's not thinking of
chickening out, since there's nowhere to run. Shinji says, and I quote:
"Nigecha dame da." Yes, he mustn't run away [and neither can you!!]
Even more of them will show up on turn 2.5. On turn 3 the Valkyries will
show up. Cue thermal attack from SS31. More of them oun turn 3.5. On
round 4, Misa demands to know why the mech Hikaru is in hasn't launched.
Hikaru tries to tell her that the launching system was damaged and that
he's not soldier, but Misa isn't having it. So he launches, causing Focker
to be quite surprised and somewhat nostalgic. Focker explains how you've
got Fighter, Bioroid, and Gerwalk modes available. The rest of your dudes
show up on turn 5 - Shinobu tells Shinji that he's impressed he stayed and
fought instead of running away as he figured.
Note that if you go this way Hikaru will have the VF-1J instead of the
VF-1A.
See SS31 for what happens after the battle, including the chance for the
Skill Point.
SS32. KAUNTO DAUN ("Countdown")
Here come the bad guys, lots of little ones and a mothership. The Valkyries
and the Lond Bel get to fend off the Forces of Evil!(tm). Focker tells his
men not to get shown up by the Lond Bel - Hikaru is a bit doubtful of whether
you can really protect the Macross from the enemy. Focker starts reminiscing
again because of flying alongside Hikaru, who insists that he isn't the
person he used to be. Misa tries to tell them to shut up, and Hikaru asks
who the old lady is. Focker is roundly amused by this, Misa is not.
After one round of combat, the Macross tries to take off but the Gravity
Control System gets rather unhappy and they crash, meaning they'll have to
use normal propulsion. Unfortunately you don't even have 60% of your rated
power, and can't escape the atmosphere at this rate. More bad guys show up
on turn 2.5. On turn 3, Hiiro and Duo show up. Hiiro's mission seems to
be to find out what's going on inside the ASS-1, but he's being tight lipped
and making Duo think he wasn't worth saving. Actually, he does say that
during the confusion he's slipping aboard the ASS-1, and Duo enthusiastically
helps out with the Deathscythe's Hyper Jammer.
During this battle, more enemies show up as you kill the existing ones.
More thermal attacks on turn 4. Gloval orders the untested Fold System to
be used as a last resort to save the ship. He plans to Fold next to the
enemy and attack as soon as he Defolds. Just then a _shitload_ of new
enemies show up. On the next round, Quatre and Trowa appear, realizing that
if the ASS-1 gets toasted the colonies are next; guess there's no time to
investigate it and DC HQ after all, gotta fight the bad guys! Unfortunately,
Wu-Fei is along too and says who cares if they get wrecked. Trowa points
out that since his mission is to see the inside of the ASS-1 it would sort
of suck if it got wrecked first. Whereas Wu-Fei plans to attack the ASS-1!
Shooting down the enemy flagship is worth a Skill Point.
Once the Fold happens, we get to see what the Zentraedi have to say about
all this. Exedor is rather unhappy to see that the vanguard have been wiped
out. Britai is amazed that the Earthlings would dare to Fold so close to
the Earth's surface. Exedor says that the ship appears to resemble an old
type used by the Imperial Navy. A "high" probability that it's powered by a
Tronium Engine. Exedor is a bit dubious that the Imperial forces which have
preceded them to the Earth have kept their hands off it, but... Britai figures
they want the Tronium Engine to help fight the Zentraedi. Exedor then shows
Britai a certain video taken during the combat - he notes that the Earthlings
seem to have Miclone Size machines just like the Empire, although their
military tech level seems lower. Well, "lower" except insofar as they just
wiped out the advance military units. Exedor figures that their fundamental
combat potential is higher than the Imperial machines, and that there may be
some special properties involved in the Earth army. This may be why the
Imperial forces have their eyes on the Earth, and Exedor says that there's an
old saying among the Zentraedi not to lay a finger on the planet where the
Miclones dwell. Exedor says that they'd better be careful pursuing the
battleship - he senses something special about this world... plus contact
with the Miclones outside of combat is strictly forbidden. Go to SS33.
SE32. SUPEESU FOORUDO ("Space Fold")
Min-Mei tries leaving the shelter to get the prize from her audition, despite
Kai-Fan's objections. This battle is very similar to SS32. Just as the
battle is starting, Min-Mei manages to get mixed up in the action... She and
Hikaru get a look at the enemy...who look like giants.
On round two, Min-Mei regains consciousness and immediately starts worrying
that her hair is messed up. Focker checks up on the girl, saying that he
doesn't really care whether Hikaru is okay. Insert the "old woman" thing
from SE32; Min-Mei recommends to Hikaru that he apologize in the process.
On round 3, insert Macross faltering into the air. More enemies on turn
3.5. Insert Hiiro/Duo on round 4. Thermal attack stuff on turn 5.
Remaining three Gundam Wing boys on turn 6. Like SE32, this battle features
near-infinite enemy replenishment.
Make sure to kill the enemy flag ship for a Skill Point.
Same Britai/Exedor conversation after the battle. Go to SE33.
SS33. TORANSU FOOMASHION ("Trans-formation")
The Macross Defolds, and it isn't near Earth any more... lucky for you you
managed to pull all the support vehicles with you! Gloval freaks, realizing
most of the units out there aren't equipped for space, and orders them
recovered immediately. Vanessa tells him that you're apparently in the
vicinity of Pluto. Gloval says not to panic and that you should just be
able to Fold back, but then comes a report that the Fold System is wrecked.
He orders a meeting in two hours to figure out what to do next...
Amuro is thinking that he never expected to return to space like this.
Quatro asks him what's wrong, and that he expects Amuro feels a little strange
getting back to it after all this time. Amuro merely says that it feels a
little too cold in this area of space. Emma then reports that all the
Terrestrial machines will be converted to space mode within two hours. Shou
reports that the Aura vehicles seem to be able to use their Aura power to
move around just fine in space. The EVAs will work in space too, although
switching over to the S armaments will take a while.
Bright then gets back from the meeting and says that it's been decided to
return to the Earth Sphere under normal power. All the vehicles have been
placed under SDF command. It's gonna be a loooong trip... Meanwhile, your
people are admiring just how huge the Macross is inside, and how it's got a
fully self-sustaining city inside as befits its role as an escape pod for
Earth. Shinobu note that it's so big that one could get lost, when Focker
shows up with Masaki in tow, who was trying to get to Briefing Room #1 where
the others are. Shinobu says that they're gonna have to walk him around on
a leash, and Masaki says he's not an EVA or anything. The cats chime in that
they don't like being fastened to things either. Just then Asuka shows up,
takes offense at referring to the EVAs as being on a leash, and insults
Masaki for getting lost at his age. Misato is about to introduce your people
to the SDF members you're going to be working with, but Focker preempts her
and says it's nice that the two sides, full of young members, look like
they'll get along together.
Meanwhile Boz is wondering how to modify the Borot for space, and Ryuusei
points out that it's not even airtight. Daisaku is in a fix too - he wants to
fight by Robo's side, although Sayaka says he could always just use his watch
from inside the ship. Guess they gotta outfit some kind of cockpit for
Daisaku. Aya shows up and points out that people piloting non-airtight
machines could always just wear...spacesuits!
It looks like there won't be any problems with heading for Earth, although
the energy pump for the main cannon was destroyed along with the Fold System.
However, Misa suggests that they exploit the modularity of the Macross to
connect the cannon section directly to the Reflex Reactor section. In
other words, transform. It worked in simulation, although Gloval is still
worried about damaging something if they tried it in practice. There's also
a certain amount of barrier energy to be had, although not enough to cover
the entire ship...it's the Pinpoint Barrier system! Just then, you detect a
Defold ahead of you: it's the aliens. Do what you can until the Lond Bel
reinforcements are done being outfitted for space. Britai and Exedor are on
hand, and Britai orders the theft of the Macross in the hopes of getting a
Tronium Engine.
More enemies keep popping up, making you worry about being able to run or
even survive. You eventually decide to transform - you can do so after
either 3 or 5 turns. 5 is worth a Skill Point.
An analysis of the enemy's motions suggests that they're trying to draw you
away from the Macross - you think you can't take them up on it. Also,
since the main cannon is going to be fired, you should get your dudes out
from in front of the Macross lest Bad Things(tm) happen to your dudes.
That being said, if you can shoot down Britai's ship before the
Trans-formation, you get _3_ Skill Points!
In the final phase of the battle, the Macross transforms, suffers a failure of
its main cannon's energy system, and then is forced to used the "Armed Attack",
which consists of focusing the Pinpoint Barrier system directly in front of
one of its arms, and ramming that into the enemy. Your pilots outside are
overawed. Duo, inside, is merely bruised from the unexpected motion. Quatre
and Hiiro seem to be mostly unharmed too. Duo's gonna start by fixing his
Deathscythe, which got trashed during sneaking aboard - Hiiro just walks off
silently. Quatre is going to gather information, to find out the true purpose
for this ship's construction, plus find Trowa and Wu-Fei, who got split up
during sneaking aboard. Duo does the smart thing and suggests to Quatre that
they therefore split up, gather information, and then pool it when they meet
up again. Go to SS34.
SE33. AAMUDO ATTAKKU ("Armed Attack")
This is basically SS3. Insert foldout sequence, Amuro/Quatro sequence,
outfitting ships sequence. Meanwhile, the Valkyrie pilots are wondering
where Hikaru is, since they can't find his Valkyrie. They split up to look
for him, and Max checks in the Lond Bel's hangar. There he meets Ryuusei and
Rai. Max and Rai trade stories about how each other are called "genius
pilots", Max saying "Gee, I didn't know I was a genius" (note his last name:
"Jiinus". Meanwhile, Min-Mei and Hikaru are wandering around lost: evidently
his compass is out of whack and not getting him to the bridge very fast.
Just then, a mouse startles Min-Mei and she jumps into Hikaru's arms...she
apologizes, but he says he doesn't mind. Unfortunately, Hikaru carries a
joke about it being the mice's house a bit too far, and Min-Mei passes out.
Now all your normal crew are looking for them. The suggestion is made to
go recruit the Newtypes and other psychic(tm!) people to look too, and Kuro
asks if Masaki or Shiro have come back yet... everyone figures that Masaki
got lost looking for the lost people too. Cut to modify for space/spacesuit
scene. Insert scene about the only way to use the main gun is to Trans-form.
See SS33 for the contents of the battle, including the chance for 1+3 Skill
Points.
After the battle insert GW boys scene. Currently, the Macross is dead in the
water but life in the city block is quickly returning to normal. Plus,
someone's jamming Fold transmissions so you can't contact anyone else - this
is only possible for someone with comparable technology... You worry that
you can't count on backup out here, and then remember about the Exelion. Too
bad contact was lost with it the other day. The chances seem good that it's
still intact though, so the bridge crew starts making every attempt to get
through to it.
Hikaru and Min-Mei are still lost, and Hikaru compliments her on a song he
overheard her singing. Min-Mei says that she's been doing all sorts of
performance arts since middle school; Hikaru has only been flying planes.
She says that it's wonderful to really throw your heart into one thing. He
asks her what she wants to be - she says a wife, and he says he's sure she'll
make a fine one. Unfortunately, they're currently stuck and help hasn't
arrived yet. She worries that maybe everyone thinks they're dead, and says
that if they really die they'll make good food for the mice - he tells her
not to say such things. She wanted to wear a wedding dress at least once
before she dies - he says to do so at her wedding, and wonders if maybe that
could be with him. She replies that if both of them are going to die anyway,
why don't the two of them just fly out into space together. He's sure that
help will come, but she accuses him of just being afraid to die. He admits
that his only real talent is flying, but that never the less, he ____s her.
She apologizes, and just then Duo blows up a wall and shows up, trying to
make his way to the next block. He's just come from running into some dude
with a cat in tow (^^;;;;) and is surprised to find even more people here.
He wonders if he was intruding ("No, not at all...!") and tells them to go
back the way he came from and take that Masaki guy with them since he's so
bad with directions even Duo is worried about him. Oh, and he tells them to
keep meeting him a secret.
So, Focker finally finds them, and accuses Hikaru of being a cockroach who
can live through anything. Kouji marvels further at Masaki's lack of
direction sense - he says he doesn't get lost because he wants to and Shiro
is feeling lucky to be alive. Min-Mei is amazed to see the actual city inside
the ship, and Focker offers to show her around - Hikaru is amazed that girls
can change so rapidly like that. Go to SE34.
SS34. Kakusareta Satsui ("Hidden Bloodlust")
It seems life is returning to normal in the city inside the Macross. Insert
SE33 stuff about jamming. Misato comes and tells Gloval it's time for the
meeting. Misa describes how there are two alien powers at work: the mixed
species Arrowgaters and the giant-type alien army. And by the examination of
the SDF, these forces have been clashing for hundreds of years. Shiela and
Ere ask about the small fragment of memory regarding the giant-type alien
ship, and wonder if the ASS-1 was built by the Arrowgaters. Gloval says that
this ship was clearly left on Earth as a booby trap for the giant-type
aliens, to force the Earth to become embroiled in the conflict. Misato
wonders why the aliens simply maintained surveillance for two years instead of
overwhelming the Earth at the outset. Gloval says that since their real
enemy were the giants, the Arrowgaters probably just wanted to keep the
Earth's damage minimal so they could be useful in combat - and then came in
to take over when the Earth's ability to resist was at its nadir. Misa adds
that the aliens seem very interested in the special properties of Earthlings,
including all the machines that move under super energy sources like the
Aura Battlers or the Newtype-related vehicles. The reason they mostly toyed
with the Lond Bel instead of confronting you head on was presumably because
they didn't want to destroy something that could become a weapon for them
later. Gloval then speculates further that they captured important people
from Earth to study, and inserted some of their agents to keep an eye on
things...he asks what Ingram thinks about this, and after a pause he says it
sounds plausible.
Meanwhile, your dudes are enjoying some R&R and marveling at the Macross's
city. It's got everything (parks, library, etc.) A TV station is going to
be launched, and to commemorate it a Miss Macross Contest is going to be
run. Kakizaki says the Lond Bel have lots of beautiful women, and that some
of them should apply - Chris, who is with them, says she's not into that
sort of thing. Your people then mull over who else might work (if Asuka and
Sara keep their mouth shut, noone'll know about their rough personalities...)
Ginrei, the Biston Well queens, and even Cham are suggested...
Ingram sends for Aya, telling her that in four hours the SRX team will
perform a combination test. She protests that the leg section R-3 doesn't
have its Plus Parts yet, plus the R-2's Tronium Engine isn't up to spec.
Ingram responds that to a TK-powered machine the legs are a mere ornament,
and that for the test they won't need full power from the Tronium Engine.
She still isn't convinced and admits that she can't drive the T-Link system
to full with her TK. Ingram says they have no time, and that they need the
power of the SRX system to fight the Zentraedi, err, giant-type aliens. She
says that failure will be irreparable, and he responds that they simply have
to not fail. She says that while she's merely a lab rat, she can't bear to
see Ryuu and Rai get mixed up. Ingram's orders don't change, but he tells
her that if worse comes to worse he'll protect her. She is surprised by
this, and says she'll do her utmost to live up to his expectations and also
not waste her sister Mai and her mother's death. Ingram thinks after she
goes that she's just one more flawed product due to her human heart's
sentimentality.
Aya breaks the news to the other SRX team members. Rai is worried that
there'll be no legs, but Ryuusei says that's no big deal in space. Masaki
asks what it is that they're going to do, and before Ryuusei can say much
you guess that it's combination into a super robot. Ryuusei is feeling like
his thunder is stolen a bit since there are already so many combining and/or
transforming robots in the Lond Bel, and insists that his group's
combination will be cool too. He's proud of the name "Variable Formation"
he came up with - Aya says it's typical for him. This is supposed to be spoken
like the "Let's Combine" phrase for Combattler V - an indispensible part of
super robot combinations, according to Ryuusei. As the team makes ready,
Masaki asks Aya if something good happened to her since she's happier than
usual. Ryuusei wonders if it's something to do with the meeting with Ingram:
she gets mad, and Kuro finds that suspicious...
Time for the test! After final checks, Ryuusei shouts out "Be Together"
just because he always wanted to (and gets massively yelled at by Rai for
stealing lines), and as he's about to do it right unidentified bad guys show
up. There's only two of them, but Ryuusei senses a strong presence in the
white cross-shaped one, and you agree. It's Rebi, who detects the two ESPers
right away. Ryuusei demands to know how she knows his name - she says that the
surveillance branch of her Ze-Balmariy Empire already recorded data about them.
It's Shapiro's fault mainly. He's here, and he's been told Ingram's identity
and true objective from the kingdom. Ryuusei insists that they combine,
despite the danger, lest they get defeated. Too bad the Tronium Engine
experiences some kind of problem and they have to split up again. Aya is
however unconscious, perhaps due to the T-Link breaker falling.
After one round, Ryuusei demands to know why Ingram isn't fighting - he
says he'll stay by Aya's side and protect her. On the next round, Rebi
starts feeling a strange psychic pain, perhaps becuase Ryuusei's psych is
overwhelming her own. Ryuusei is trying to rouse Aya, but without
success. Ingram figures it's the end of the line, and pops up as a bad
guy, saying he'll kill her painlessly. Rebi tells Ingram that he's carried
out his mission well. Ryuusei demands to know why Ingram blasted her, and
he says he merely disposed of an imperfect ESPer. Rai figures Ingram
betrayed the Earth just like Shapiro, but Ingram says he's from the
Arrowgaters to begin with. He was sent to study the special powers of
Earthlings. He then tells a disbelieving Rai that he never felt any sort of
emotion for the SRX team beyond interest in them as samples. He tells
Ryuusei to hate him more, and that only then will the true Psychodriver
powers that Ingram had been seeking become manifested. Ryuusei is ultra
pissed and Ingram says he'd better try to resist if he doesn't want to
die.
Ingram tells Ryuusei as he attacked that he only put him on the SRX team
for his power to be of use to the Arrowgaters, just like he did for you.
For Masaki, he asks if Masaki will chase him like he does Shuu, and Masaki
says damn straight and that people like them, left alone, will cause
countless deaths. He says that he and Shuu are merely acting in accordance
with the cosmic flow, and that Masaki is a fool who must die for not
understanding that. Masaki says he's fine with being a fool but that he'll
defeat him anyway in the name of the Psybuster.
Jungle shows up on turn 4.5 to pick Rebi up. He'd actually like to get
rid of her, but that would endanger Hainel's position, so he's going to
play by the rules for the time being. More of your dudes show up on turn
5 - they had been on patrol. Ryuusei breaks the news about Aya - nobody is
happy to hear it. Jungle sends forth a "Armored Beast Warrior" to fight
with Voltes V, saying that Ten-Kuu-Ken won't work on it. He's right.
However, just as he's about to deal the final blow, Rebi orders everyone to
retreat. Jungle protests that there aren't many chances to take out Voltes
V, and she asks him if he's planning to disobey Raodekia's orders. He
grudgingly agrees, but informs Voltes V that it can no longer prevail
against his army. Rebi thinks on the way out that Ryuusei and you might
be formidable...if you live long enough to reawaken. Just then, Ginrei
detects life-signs from the wrecked R-3.
Defeat Ingram for a Skill Point and a _Haro_! Shapiro is worth an
Apogee Motor.
Bright and Kaji are sad but not entirely surprised about Ingram. This means
lots of information has been leaked to the enemy. Info about NERV too, thinks
Kaji - does Gendou know of this? Perhaps he did know yet kept Ingram on the
loose...just like Gendou does for Kaji. Or maybe he made a deal for some info
from the Arrowgaters... Anyway, it seems that while Aya's life is not in
danger, she incurred much nervous damage. The R-Gun seems usable too after
some repairs. Gloval then temporarily forbids use of the R-series, saying that
noone knows what sort of tricks Ingram may have planted in them. Quatro
cautions that there may be the possibility of another accident like the
Huckebein Mk.I, but Ryuusei doesn't want to just sit around and let Ingram get
away with it. Gloval says that Engineering will conduct a thorough check of
the machines, but until the results are in the SRX Team is grounded. Ryuusei
tries to protest, but when Rai holds him back with his artificial hand Ryuusei
gives in.
The Combattler team puzzles over the news that there are enemies unaffected
by the Ten-Kuu-Ken. According to Kosaku, there shouldn't be anything it
can't cut due to the way it uses Ultramagnetic energy. Ippei suggests that
maybe the opponent was made out of some special alloy or other: Megumi
remembers that Jungle said the Armored Beast Warrior used Maxingal Alloy.
Ropet announces that no such substance exists on Earth, and that apparently
the Ultramagnetic Energy Generator can't cut it. This presumably means that
Combattler V won't be able to affect it either. Kosaku says that unless they
can get a UME generator more powerful than the Ultramagnecon they may not
be able to win. This sucks, because the old guys who invented the system are
all back on Earth... Ken'ichi thinks that his father, captured by the aliens,
might know something.
Ryuusei is feeling very down - you can try to comfort him or let him be. If
you try to comfort him, he says that maybe he sort of felt this would happen
sooner or later. You say that you had had some vague idea that he was using
you all. He says that he really had believed in Ingram, that he believed
there was some other explanation about you and your SO getting involved.
And Aya had believed too... You say that the only thing for it is for you
all to defeat him, so no more tragedies like this will be repeated. Ryuusei
realizes that his problems are small compared to you, whose SO is now
the enemy too. You say that now, you're the only people who can stop
Ingram's ambition now.
Meanwhile, at Jupiter, Yuuzes thanks Ingram for all his hard work surveying
and analyzing the Earth Sphere. However, before Ingram sees Raodekia, Yuuzes
asks why in the year since Ingram's going to Earth no analysis results were
sent his way. After all, Ingram found the super natural resource that the
7th Fleet of the Ze-Balmariy Imperial Galactic Surveillance Army has been
seeking for so long: Tronium! This is a rare metal which is lightweight and
gives rise to enormous energy. Of couse, the source of it (the planet Tron)
was destroyed more than 100 years ago during the war with the Zentraedi.
Currently all of it that's left is within the old battleships. He believes
that the ship fallen to Earth contained some, but Ingram claims he found no
traces of it in the Macross. As Ingram leaves for his meeting, Yuuzes thinks
to himself that Ingram can't hide anything from him...and realizes that
there was indeed Tronium on Earth.
As Rebi announces, it's the advent of the high muckety muck grand poobah dude
Raodekia Judekka Gottso. He calls Ingram before him, thanks him for his work
and gives him command of the 2nd Fleet. Shapiro is peeved since Ingram now
outranks him. Prince Hainel of the Boazan Army reports first: his army was
able to use the Maxingal Alloy to seal Voltes V's deathblow move. He
complains that Rebi's withdrawal order prevented them from dealing the final
blow, but Yuuzes says that the decision wasn't wrong and Raodekia says that
eventually V will be a powerful force for fulfilling the Empire's ends.
Raodekia tells him that if it can't defeat the Armored Beast Soldier he can
do to it what he likes since he doesn't need weak soldiers, but if it can he
has to let it be. Next, Viletta says that the Zentraedi main battleships are
nearing the solar system. Shapiro is shocked that the forces in the solar
system to date were evidently just advance guards. Raodekia observes it's
been ten years since his forces clashed with Zentraedi battleships and
predicts that it's going to be an even fiercer battle this time. Yuuzes
says that they have to hurry the assimilation of the Earth army. Viletta
asks what to do about the Macross, and Raodekia says to bring it to Jupiter
where his Helmoze is stationed. He says he'll include them in his forces if
they prove potent in battle. Go to SS35.
SE34. Tenteki to no Souguu ("Encounter with One's Natural Enemy")
The Exelion is 73.7% fixed, meaning a 56.2% chance of getting back to the
Earth Sphere. Tashiro and the vice-captian are eating dinner, which Oota
interrupts with the report on the unidentified aliens they encountered the
other day. They're the same kind as those that sank the Luxion 8 years ago:
the (S)pace (T)errible (M)onster (C)rowd, or Space Monsters for short.
Tashiro thinks they might be the giant-type aliens' weapons instead, but Oota
is quite positive that their lifelikeness makes them something else. Tashiro
is inclined to believe the words of Oota, the only survivor of the Luxion.
They agree that if the Space Monsters attack earth, the Arrowgater/giant-type
problems will seem puny by contrast. Speaking of the giant-types, several of
their ships have Warped Out near the Absolute Line of Defense, and are
shooting it out with the Arrowgaters. Looks like the Arrowgaters really were
trying to get the Earth mixed up in the fight. Basically, the prophecy of
Vian Zoldark was right on the money. Tashiro wants to report, but the
Arrowgaters are jamming Fold transmissions so he decides to head to Mars
instead on Oota's advice.
Meanwhile, Noriko is engaging in some self-training so she won't be a burden
on her "big sister", although it's apparently not going well. She's
determined however. Then she spies Oota and Kazumi having an argument.
Kazumi demands to know why Noriko must be sent to real combat, when she's
incompetent and might likely die. She says that she's forced to fight by
Noriko's side as her partner. Oota says that he has no intention of keeping
Noriko cloistered, and Kazumi dissolves their partnership. As Kazumi storms
off, she runs into Noriko and tells her she's doing this for Noriko's sake.
Oota tells Noriko that he chose her and Kazumi for the talent he saw in them,
that they can be the ultimate pair. He believes in their potential, and
exhorts Noriko to believe in it too.
Noriko is feeling really down on herself when she runs into [of all people]
Isamu Dyson, who says he can't leave a woman alone who's depressed. She
doesn't recognize him because he's a test pilot of the next-generation
main combat fighter, the YF-19. He's on the ship for a trial of the YF-19 vs.
a competing design, but since the other design hasn't arrived yet he has no
chance to do much. He gets her to tell him the reason for her depression,
and offers to be her partner from now on in return for introducing him to
her "big sister" sometime (not, as Noriko thinks to herself, that Kazumi is
actually related to her...)
The Exelion successfully warps toward Mars, where they hope to run into Gloval
and the Macross. However, midway through they get attacked by _someone_.
This is astonishing, since they're in subspace Newtonian physics shouldn't
apply. You can return fire or not.
Not returning fire is worth a Skill Point.
Either way you still get pounded, and are forced to Warp Out near Pluto.
Much of the Top squadron is wrecked, but three machines can still sortie.
Noriko gets told by Kazumi and Jung to stay back and guard the Exelion.
On round 2, Isamu pops out in the YF-19 and teams up with Noriko. The
Macross and your dudes show up on turn 3.
Tashiro tells Gloval that after leaving the astroid belt, they headed to
Zeus to guard againt alien invasion, but were assailed first by the Space
Monsters - all the fleet except the Exelion were lost. Gloval is not
happy to hear of a third power from outside the Solar System. Tashiro says
he needs more information about the Space Monsters, and was planning to head
to Mars...although the Exelion is currently rather hard up. Gloval tries to
offer to accompany him, but Tashiro says that he can't let a ship with
civilians aboard like the Macross get mixed up in such a fight and that a
purebred warship like his should be able to fend off the Arrowgaters and
giant-types. Tashiro then voices the suspicion that the Arrowgaters, and
possibly the giant-types, have some sort of foothold _inside_ the Solar
System - he tells you to be careful.
Isamu then asks on the Macross about the other experimental plane from
Project Supernova, the YF-21. Misa has heard of it, a plane with compact
Barrier and Fold capabilities that even the Macross hasn't been outfitted
with yet. It seems the YF-21 was on South Atalia for secret testing when
the Macross Folded - it may have gotten caught up. Actually, in the worst
case Isamu may have one the contest by default. It's not even clear if
South Atalia itself remains at all.
Oota introduces himself and the three top Top pilots as part of the Lond Bel.
Although they have an important role in defending the Exelion, Oota wants
them to get more front-line combat experience in preparation for a "crucial
obligation" they must one day fulfill. Noriko then has to say goodbye to
Isamu, who tells her to give it her best shot.
Focker gives Hikaru some ribbing about living with Min-Mei; Hikaru tells him
to quit spreading rumors and that Min-Mei is living with her brother Kai-Fan,
but they _are_ under the same roof. Focker says you never know what might
happen between men and women, although given Hikaru's disposition he figures
he has nothing to worry about. Focker then asks Hikaru to enter the military
and fly at his side like old times. He says that it's the only way to protect
Min-Mei, and that the Macross could really use pilots, especially ones as
gifted as him. Hikaru then asks if women change from day to day, and Focker
perceives that Hikaru is in love.
Noriko is _amazed_ to see all the fabled super robots gathered together -
she says her otaku's blood is boiling. Kazumi is forced to agree, although
Jung isn't impressed. Jung _is_ impressed however by the full-blown city
inside the Macross. Kazumi says that that's only befitting for a "colony"
ship, although Jung corrects her to "escape pod for Earth". Just then, Masaki
and Kouji come in discussing the all-female additions to the team. Noriko is
super happy to meet Mazinger Z's pilot and ecstatic that the fortune teller
she consulted was right about good things coming her way. Kazumi wonders how
she knows about Mazinger Z despite being aboard the Exelion all this time.
Masaki is impressed at how famous Kouji is - he replies that he was on TV a lot
when he was a new pilot. Kouji also realizes that there'll be real commotion
if Noriko and Ryuusei get together...
Hikaru breaks the news that he's entering the army to Min-Mei. He says that
he may not be able to see her much, but she tells him that he can come visit
whenever he's off duty. He replies he'll do that if he's still alive, and
she tells him that that's what all the soldiers who come to her store say.
He thinks, I guess I'm just one more soldier then... Go to SE35.
SS35. SATAN FAITO ("Saturn Fight")
Exedore is explaining to Britai that something strange happened during the
battle - many warriors who got close to the Macross and received some sort
of sonic transmission became unable to fight. Britai wonders if this is
supposed to be the Miclones' special power, and Exedore says a more
thorough investigation is in order. Britai agrees to alter the plan taking
place on the sixth planet. Meanwhile, the Macross hasn't been able to
contact the Exelion. Gloval says that that ship, built using far more
advanced EOT than the Macross, shouldn't have been sunk so easily - the fact
that they can't contact her is probably just due to jamming from the
Arrowgaters. Who, it seems, are probably going to keep watching the humans,
unlike the giant-types who are in a hurry. The focal point of the conflict
is surely, you guessed it, Saturn. Reoutfitting all the Valkyries to VF-1S
mode will be finished by the time you reach Saturn: this is the threshold
of the aliens' influence and you realize that if you can get past it the
path back home should be open.
Several of the women come to see Aya in the infirmary, saying Ryuusei asked
them to do so. Aya had wanted to be alone, and is surprised to hear how
depressed Ryuusei was that he couldn't protect her. Sara tells Aya that
once she was in the same boat (Aya had heard about this) and that she only
found out after the fact that all Shapiro loved was himself. She says that
her primary reason for fighting is defeating Shapiro with her own hands, and
that perhaps peace on Earth comes second. Aya wonders if Sara is telling her
to fight Ingram - Emma tells her she's got to decide that for herself. Rekoa
tells Aya that while everyone has their own reasons for fighting, everyone
has in common the fact that that they're fighting to protect someone. And
that Rekoa might even leave the Lond Bel if she found something important to
her. Sara tells her to find what's important to her - Aya is uncertain
because thoughts of Ingram are still within, telling her that there was some
reason, that it's all some sort of mmistake. The very fact that Ingram went
back to the Arrowgaters is what makes her uncertain as to what she should
believe in and what she should do. Sara tells her then that she should
search, and that everything will become clear when she sees Ingram again.
The crew are discussing how Macross's internal city seems to be fully
functional. In fact, the TV station is now operational and Lin Min-Mei was
chosen as Miss Macross. Max says that that's all anyone talks about, and
Hyouma comments that since her cuteness is genuine it's only natural that
she'd rise so quickly to top idol. In fact, she's _so_ popular that your
people are stuck waiting in line for tickets to her first concert. Masaki
wonders where everyone gets the time to stand in line like that, and says
that he wouldn't do anything so lame - he asked Beecher ahead of time. More
or less, everyone's all giddy since Min-Mei's debut concert is today. Sayaka
wishes she'd bought a ticket, and Hikaru gives her his since the Skull Squad
has a scramble drill today. Kakizaki wishes they'd at least been told before
they bought the tickets - apparently Focker is in a bad mood too because of
that. The Skull pilots hand over their tickets in return for your people
buying the CD Single only sold at the concert. Amuro claims not to have
bought a ticket and returns to the Lean Horse Jr. with a smile on his face,
but your other people suspect he bought some anyway. Masaki also goes off to
invite Ryuusei to the concert, in an attempt to cheer him up.
Ryuusei and Rai, at that time, are hearing from Astonage that no problems
showed up with the R-series that the SDF's technology could detect. Thus,
they can sortie again and even fight Ingram. However, there is some system
installed in the R-1 and R-3 whose purpose is unknown, linked to the T-Link
system. A device installed in your machine too... Ingram probably emplaced
it himself, but it's made with Earth technology and doesn't appear dangerous.
The only choice is to ask Dr. Kobayashi about this black box. Masaki shows
up then and invites Ryuusei and you to the concert. Rai tells him to go to
it, although when Ryuusei tries to thank him he says he's merely sick of
seeing Ryuusei moping. Astonage laments not getting a ticket too...
Then it's Min-Mei's concert. She's glad to see so many people gathered for
her first concert. Kouji is able to yell Min-Mei's name _very_ loudly due
to his being a giant robot pilot, embarassing Sayaka [^^;;;;]. Masaki is
dubious of the logic, but some of the other pilots (including Ryuusei) get
into the act too. Min-Mei asks everyone to forget the hard things they've
endured in the month since leaving the Earth, and have fun tonight. Time for
her debut song, "My Boyfriend is a Pilot". Too bad the enemy attack and
sort of spoil the effect. Lo and behold, Kouji forced Shinji along, carrying
a bouquet for Min-Mei, but since everyone will probably have to scramble
Kouji hastily says Shinji can have it instead [^^;;;;;]
Destroy all enemies before reinforcements arrive for a Skill Point.
After you defeat all enemies, a new batch show up and two infiltrate the
Macross. It appears the first wave were just a decoy. You can either pursue
the enemies who have penetrated the Macross, or attack the reinforcements.
The former is worth a Skill Point. If you do, Hikaru disappears from the
board in pursuit of the enemies within the ship.
Just then, a new ship defolds and it's time for the Macross to transform.
Go to SS36.
SE35. INGURAMU no Shin'i ("Ingram's True Intent")
Fold transmissions to Earth won't work due to Arrowgater jamming: looks like
they've penetrated the Solar System farther than everyone but Tashiro thought.
Insert briefing about the miscellaneous Arrowgaters and the giant-type aliens.
The Macross's faint combat record of the giant-types is proof of a large-
scale war between the two sides. Gloval explains that the old-type battleship
Macross was left on the Earth as a booby trap to embroil the Earth in the
conflict. Since the Arrowgaters want the Earthlings to help fight back the
giant-types, they chose to watch these past two years instead of taking over
the world by force... and waited for a chance to subdue the Earth with the
minimum of military force. Evidently the aliens are also fascinated by the
various super robots powered by various kinds of super-energy that the Earth
possesses. The Lond Bel was being spied upon (and running into the
Arrowgaters so often) because the Lond Bel was likely to become a pivotal
battle force for the Arrowgaters at some stage. Gloval asks Ingram what he
thinks of the possibility that the Arrowgaters have snatched some Earthlings
and secretly replaced them with investigative agents - Ingram says little
besides acknowledging that such a thing is likely.
Focker asks Hikaru how his military training is going (it's going fine) and
tells him that he's been posted to Focker's squad - which is now wholly part
of the Lond Bel. While it sounds great to become part of this supposedly
invincible batallion, it also means getting sent to the front lines. Just
then Min-Mei shows up and hears from Hikaru of his posting with the Lond Bel.
Focker excuses himself and tells Hikaru to show up to Lond Bel newcomer
training in four hours. Min-Mei tells Hikaru that her uncle and aunt entered
her in the contest to become "Miss Macross" for the contest commemorating the
opening of the TV station within Macross's internal city. Min-Mei's always
dreamed of being a singer... Hikaru isn't terribly happy, but Min-Mei tells
him he's just jealous and asks him to support her as she goes off. Hikaru
thinks to himself that he might not live to see tomorrow, much less her...
Insert Ingram/Aya bit from SS34. Insert breaking the news to the other SRX
folks and Masaki and you. This battle is basically identical to SS34.
If you attack Ingram, he'll tell you that he manipulated your SO's
memories to get him to attack you, in order to bring out your maximum
psychic potential - he asks you to be grateful to him that your SO didn't
end up dead in the process. Making your SO your enemy is also to bring
out your maximum potential. You demand to know why - if it's to fight
the giant-types; he doesn't answer.
Defeating Ingram is worth a Haro and two Skill Points. Defeating Shapiro
is worth an Apogee Motor.
Insert everyone figuring out what Ingram was really all about, plus
disappointment that Ten-Kuu-Ken has been defeated. Likewise, insert your
choice whether to comfort Ryuusei. Insert further the scene in Raodekia's
court. Go to SE36.
SS36. RIN MIN MEI ("Lin Min-Mei")
Three guesses which hapless anime heroine's life is in jeopardy as this
battle begins, and the first two don't count. Here's a hint, her brother
Kai-Fan doesn't seem very happy with the job the army is doing keeping the
aliens away. Assuming you did the heroic thing and had Hikaru charge in,
he'll be on the scene and wondering what the heck civilians are doing here.
Oops, Misa's voice comes in and tells you that the Macross is going to
transform in three turns - time to save those pesky civilians before then.
Get to the indicated spot on the map by Turn 3. Hikaru will try to rescue
Min-Mei but get caught some internal louvers during the transformation. But
wait, it's Quatre, here to defend the defenseless! Lay waste for a few
rounds. Quatre realizes that there are many enemies and that the Macross's
defenses seem to be focused on the battle outside. He decides to self-
destruct and hopefully take some of the bad guys around him out, when the
cockpit's hatch opens - is the Sandrock telling him to get off? Just then
the Lond Bel show up, note that it's the Gundam that attacked the Far East
base, and realize that it has no intention of fighing against the Lond Bel.
Well, some people realize it anyway - Shinobu is all suspicious, or maybe
he's just upset that Min-Mei's concert got wrecked like Hyouma, who plans to
exact his revenge ever so lovingly upon the unfortunate aliens.
After the mayhem concludes, Quatre tells everyone his name. Amuro asks him
to stand down and accompany the rest of the group back to base - he complies.
Quatre explains to Gloval and the others that he was sent from the colonies
to destroy various ultra-tech and EOT oriented facilities...well, more
precisely to pinpoint and if necessary take out anything which threatened
the balance of peace. His targets were the Titans, the EOT facilities in
Japan, the Far East base, and DC HQ along with the ASS-1 Macross. Evidently
he figured out upon vising South Atalia that leaving the aliens up to their
own devices would put _all_ of humanity in danger. Quatre then agrees to
help you all, but not just for the sake of humanity - he wants to meet up with
the other Gundam Wing pilots whose roles and independent mission profile is
like his own. He wants to win them over to a unified humanity standing
against the aliens - although if possible he'd prefer it if, however unlikely,
the fight with the aliens could be avoided altogether. Amuro adds his weight
to Quatre's request. Misato is a bit dubious, but Gloval says that Quatre's
statement about unity is correct, and that he's not the kind of child to lie.
Misato concedes that he does seem honest and cute, but isn't quite comfortable
when Gloval asks if she has a thing for younger guys.
In any case, the plan is to hook up with the Jupiterians and repair and
resupply the Macross. Both Quatro and Misato are opposed to this, seeing as
how they're effectively a different species and quite likely behind some of
the unrest on Earth anyway. Gloval is aware of the risks, but says that
humans should join hands regardless, and that the Jupiterians likely know
more about the aliens than your people from the Earth Sphere would. Quatro
has a bad feeling about it, and Bright says that you've got to plan for the
worst just in case.
Meanwhile, Hikaru and the civilian he rescued are stuck somewhere in the dark.
He's totally shocked when he finds out it's Min-Mei, and asks for her
autograph. Too bad his radio got wrecked in the process of becoming sealed
in this area. Hikaru goes to check out the premesis. At that time, the
rest of your people are realizing the two of them are missing and mount a
search&rescue effort. During this, Shinji gets asked why he's carrying around
a bouquet - is it for Asuka or Rei? Haro compliments him on being a real
stud; he of course denies it. As everyone heads off to search, Shinji meets
Asuka who asks him if it's a bouquet for her. She teases him a bit, then
gets a bit peeved at how he's so quick to apologize for himself. And gets
peeved more at why everyone's so hung up on Min-Mei. Shinji says that's
probably not a good way to think, and when Asuka tells him not to lecture her
he tells her that he's thought for a while that her unyielding way of living
is going to tire her out. This _really_ upsets her, but he tells her that
he used to be the exact same way, but that being with the Lond Bel lets him
feel like he's in his element. She digests this, and then demands the
bouquet - she says she'll put it in water and keep it alive.
Hikaru and Min-Mei (who insists on calling Hikaru "Mister Ensign") are still
stuck. Hikaru can't find any exit, and can't blow up the super-carbon walls.
Min-Mei then says this is sort of a good thing, since it's a break from her
overfull schedule. Just then, the Macross leaves Saturn's orbit, causing
both of them to become weightless due to a malfunctioning gravity unit in this
block. After a bit of the usual physical comedy while getting oriented to
Zero-G, Min-Mei decides she likes being weightless and recommends going off
to check the area again in the hopes of finding something interesting.
At the same time, Bodolzar summons Britai to answer for apparently plotting
to contact the Miclones behind his back. Britai explains that it was
determined that the Miclones in question were a new type (i.e. not the Empire's
troops), and he therefore proceeded with a survey. Bodolzar orders them to
present more information, and Exedore shows the footage that the Zentraedi
people who infiltrated the Macross captured. Like the Empire, these Miclones
have both men and women living together - and these ones created some sort
of sonic wave utterly unlike anything in the Empire, which rendered Zentraedi
soldiers incapable of battle. _Plus_, the Macross being an old battleship is
likely a source of Tronium. Bodolzar orders Britai to capture some samples
of the enemy Miclones. Go to SS37.
SE36. MISU MAKUROSU ("Miss Macross")
Insert Exedore telling Britai about the weird sound crippling stuff. Then
we find your heros discussing the Miss Macross Contest. Shinobu is pretty
impatient that everyone is dinking around while there are enemies on all
sides. Max points out that the citizens of the city have been through all
sorts of hell and it might be good to improve their morale. Several of the
guys figure Asuka and Sara could win if they keep their mouths shut and don't
let others see their true colors... Masando tells Shinobu he's gonna be killed
if it gets out he said so. Amano, Ritsuko, Emma, Rei, and so on get suggested
as possible contenders. Ippei gets branded an otaku for suggesting Rei, but
he says people should think of it as him having superior taste [in which case,
why didn't Misato get nominated?? *ahem*] Hikaru is a bit jealous of the
thought of Min-Mei entering and being chosen. In any case, since the concert
is happening when the crew isn't on call for scramble they plan to go.
Shinobu will invite Ryuusei, who's rather depressed from the little incident
back when.
Cut to The Girls cheering Aya up. Cut to the R-series being given a clean
bill of health, modulo Ingram's black box. Cut to the contest, which is a big
hit. Asuka echos Shinobu's objection, and you echo Max's rejoinder. Shinji
asks Asuka why she didn't enter - she responds with why _should_ she enter
an old-fashioned contest that only judges people based on their exterior.
Hyouma points out that she's here to watch anyway; she tells him to shut up
and that it'd be boring if she entered since she'd be a sure win anyway.
Shinji figured she'd say that, and Shinobu yells at both of them to take
their lovers' quarrels elsewhere so he can concentrate. Just then, Hikaru
gets paged - you can answer it or not.
Answer it for a Skill Point.
If you answer it, Misa asks where you are (inside the city) and tells you to
go attack the aliens who are heading for the Macross. He wonders why those
on scramble duty aren't going to it, but Misa tells him it's an emergency and
asks him if he's really a soldier. Too bad he'll miss Min-Mei's debut...
As he heads to his plane, Min-Mei gets Kai-Fan to promise to be her manager
if she wins.
This battle is much like SS36. Before the action starts you get to see the
Zentraedi observing the co-ed living arrangements. Hikaru is dumbfounded
that the enemy actually managed to penetrate the ship and is glad he was
late to launch. Misa orders him to keep the enemy from invading the concert
hall.
On round two, two unknown Gundams appear! It's Quatre, out to defend the
defenseless again. Duo is kind of along for the ride, although he realizes
that appearing now makes their infiltration of the Macross meaningless.
Well, it could be a good test of the modified Deathscythe...
Camille, Amuro, and you show up - Duo loses his chance to run away, and is
forced to be amiable toward his old companions. Amuro asks Quatre to stand
down and come with them, which he does. Hikaru is feeling a little down
for not being able to see Min-Mei's debut when Focker comes on the scene in
very high dudgeon and informs Hikaru that Min-Mei won! Hikaru starts feeling
more down at the thought that Min-Mei's new world of acting, singing, etc.
will take her farther and farther from him. Misa shows up at that point and
starts taking him to task for altering the list of who was on scramble duty
without permission from the bridge - he gets upset and says he'll take
whatever punishment he's assigned and runs off. Misa had just wanted to thank
him for repulsing the enemies within the city...
Cut to the Quatre debriefing, with Duo included this time. Quatre says he'd
like to fight with the Lond Bel now that he's seen what kind of group you
are, that you aren't likely to attack the colonies despite your great combat
power. Quatre also wants to unify with the other 4 pilots of the Gundams
from the colonies - insert "we can win if we cooperate" speech, as well as
the Misato/Gloval exchange that follows. Add plans to connect with the
Jupiterians. Also, cut to Bodolzar's debriefing of Britai. Go to SE37.
SS37. JUPITORIAN ("Jupiterian")
Finding Hikaru is taking a long time. During that time, Min-Mei is explaining
how her parents threatened to cut family ties if she didn't obey them, and
she called their bluff and left home to pursue her singing career. She's a
bit regretful and hopes they're doing okay, and Hikaru has no news of Earth
to reassure her with. Hikaru asks her about a rumor about Min-Mei and her
costar on the TV show "On Nights When I Want to Cry". She tells him it's
just something blown out of proportion by the media, and tells him that the
love scenes look so authentic because she's acting. Strictly business. But
when he's still skeptical she offers to demonstrate for him. He hesitates
a bit, and then responds to her declaration of love in kind. WOULDN'T YOU
KNOW IT that's just when the rest of the crew breaks down the wall and
catches the two in the middle of a kiss.
In any case, the Macross is now within commo range of the Jupiter colonies.
Just then, a large object is detected heading in your direction: large meaning
20km across. It then disappears from view, although the nuclear pulse
signature it left behind makes it likely it's some kind of spacecraft. Note
that even the Exelion is only 7km long. Well, all you can do is not let
down your guard. Someone named Fonse Kagachi from Jupiter contacts you,
he's the effective leader of the Jupiterians. Gloval introduces himself and
requests repair and resupply - Kagachi agrees with one condition. The
Jupiterian queen Maria wants to meet with the Macross's higher-ups. Gloval
agrees and says he'll bring one person with him - he knows it's a trap, but
the need for supplies is pressing and it's also a chance to unravel the
mystery of the Jupiterians. He leaves Misato and Bright in charge in case
something happens to him.
As the order to go to Level-1 battlestations circulates, Usso figures that
the Jupiterians really must be the enemy...and he notices Shakti being
troubled. She's being feeling some strange sensation growing stronger as the
ship approaches Jupiter, a gentle, warm, familiar feeling...
Maria wants to thank you all for protecting the Earth - Kagachi recommends
complete cooperation with the Macross now that the whole of humanity is in
peril (despite their old campaign to become independent of the Federation
government). Gloval wonders when the heck the Jupiterians annointed a queen
and doubts that they, supposedly behind the turmoil on Earth, will just
help out that easily. Kagachi says that they have various pieces of info
about the giant-type enemies due to being the farthest away from Earth -
Misa wonders if the giant-types have actually shown up on Jupiter...but the
colonies seem undamaged; so where did the info come from? Kagachi will have
the info delivered later; he tells Gloval and Misa to go wait in a room he's
prepared and that he'll have Jupiterian mobile suits guard the Macross.
Bright accedes to this but gets your people ready to go just in case.
Chronokul is impressed at the SDF-1, commenting that the Earthnoids have been
progressing quite well with the EOT. Katejina is with him - their mission
is to take over the Macross by themselves and she's not covinced they can
do it alone. Sara is with them too, and when Chronokul says all they have to
do is take the nerve-center she replies that he should watch what he says.
Chronokul has heard that Sara is one of Scirocco's minions, but he figures her
for an observer from Kagachi. He plans to take over the Macross and show
Scirocco a thing or two. Just then, one of the Macross's pilots happens by:
it's Usso, who is _really_ surprised to see Katejina! She of course had been
taken away by the Neo-Jion back when. Chronokul is rather shocked to hear
that the Lond Bel are here - and Haro notes that Chronokul's carrying a bomb.
Masaki is on the scene too, and sees right through the little "defend the
Macross" ruse. Chronokul has Sara contact the mobile suits to conduct a
take-over by force. Katejina tries to escape before Usso can get her to say
why she's helping the Jupiterians.
On round 1.5, Tashiro (the other one) will show up and tell Chronokul to
break through your people and follow the Macross with all possible speed. It
seems that Vian Zoldark is being held hostage, and Ryuune is being made to
fight the Macross to keep him safe (she doesn't know where he's being held).
Aya recognizes the Valcione, the second Super Machinery Humanoid that Vian
made. Horray for the cats, who intercept Tashiro's transmission and reveal
that Ryuune is being coerced. Masaki plans to contact Ryuune if at all
possible. Sara bails for some special mission of her own.
Then Katejina comes over to chat with Usso. She says that the way the
Argama's crew did things would leave the Earth with an eternally grim
outlook, so she came to Jupiter to learn how they do things. She claims
that humanity can't progress as things are now, and tells Usso that he gets
carried away and can't see what's going on around him. Of course, he
ignores her and tells her to open her eyes. Usso insists that there's
something wrong with them fighting each other, but Katejina says she
intends to blast him regardless. Choose wether to shoot her or not; the
latter is WORTH A SKILL POINT.
Have Masaki Persuade Ryuune. He tells her that the Jupiterians can't just
get rid of the commander of the Divine Crusaders so easily, and tells her
his name. Ryuune then announces that the Valcione (R) is damaged and that
she's returning to base.
Chronokul is worth a Biosensor. Katejina is worth a Hybrid Armor. Tashiro
is worth an I-Field Generator!
After the battle, the Jupiterians are maintaining silence - and no word from
Gloval or Misa either. Or rather, not until Kagachi contacts you again.
He accuses the SDF of sowing confusion upon the Earth. He orders the Macross
to stand down entirely and divest itself of all combat personell within three
hours, else they'll mount an all-out attack. Things aren't looking too good
for Gloval and Misa... Such a blatant declaration of war means they're
pretty confident in their warpower... Bright has Misato assemble the Lond
Bel, saying that if Duo got out of the Jupiterians' base he should be able to
get back in. The plan is simple: snag Gloval and Misa and split, while at
the same time ascertaining just how strong they really are. Camille is
worried about the fact that the Vespa pilot Usso met (Katejina) ought to have
taken two years to reach Jupiter from Earth. Not only does this mean that
the Jupiterians have Fold capability, it means that they've got a _production_
version when the Macross's is still experimental. Looks like the Jupiterians
got the tech directly from the Arrowgaters. Duo figures the Jupiterians got
in on the take early, and says that Hiiro and Trowa are still in the base,
investigating the connection between the Jupiterians and the Arrowgaters.
The infiltration team congeals...you'd better install Boosters and all on
them for added speediness.
Shakti feels like someone is calling her, maybe her mother? Sara pops up and
introduces herself. She was sent by Queen Maria to take Shakti to where her
mother is...her mother, the _queen_. Shakti feels bad about bailing on
everyone, but you know how these things go [^^;;;] Go to SS38.
SE37. Mokusei Kara no Toubousha ("Fugitive From Jupiter")
Hikaru congratulates Min-Mei on her victory in the Miss Macross contest. She
still can't quite believe she won, but before Hikaru can ask her on a date
he realizes she has to hurry off to singing lessons. Poor Hikaru. Insert
SS37 20km object scene. Except this time, some sort of ships launched from
the object toward your ship... they're ships from the Earth by the IFF.
And by the registry, it's the DCSMH-02, DC's Super Macinery Humanoid #2,
better known as the Valcione-R. It's being pursued by some bad guys, and
Gloval orders the Lond Bel to launch on the theory that enemy of Ryuune's is
likely an enemy of the SDF, despite the possible repercussions with the
Jupiterians. Should the Jupiterian machines decide to attack you, it'll
mean giving up on resupply and simply leaving. Ryuune is having trouble
controlling her machine, but she realizes she has to contact the Lond Bel lest
an even more dangerous group of adversaries appear. Well, the Lond Bel show
up, and Chronokul's threat to kill Vian falls on deaf ears: Ryuune was told to
escape by herself by Vian. Actually, she knows quite well that they can't
kill such a valuable dude so easily - Katejina is appaled by Ryuune's attitude
[like we care, beeyotch!!] Ryuune concedes that Vian wasn't always the
greatest father, but that if anything happens to him she'll follow the bad
guys to the uttermost part of hell. Chronokul tells her that she's now been
branded a traitor - she informs him that that's what she was from the outset!
Ryuune's transmitter is broken, and Chronokul tries to order the Lond Bel out
of the area. You can decide to rescue the Valcione-R or to withdraw.
Withdrawing is worth a Skill Point.
Actually, you just pretend to withdraw and see what the bad guys do next. You
request the Valcione to be handed over as DC property at a scheduled bargaining
meeting later - Chronokul is not a cool dude at all and summons a bunch of his
good buddies, some Arrowgaters! Among whom is Rebi (oh joy) who congratulates
Chronokul on smoking out the Lond Bel. Rebi plans to take out Ryuune, who
is dangerous since she can neutralize Rebi's spiritual barrier (Ryuusei
wonders if he's next). Ryuusei then offers to deal with Rebi himself while
everyone else fishes out the Valcione.
Attack Katejina with Usso and she'll start getting sanctimonious about how
humans aren't worthy to live on the Earth and how everything will be
renewed when all humans are eliminated and their brightly-shining souls are
reborn.
Attack Rebi with Ryuusei twice for two Skill Points. She'll tell him that
she doesn't need to tell him where Ingram his, since he's going to die here.
Contact with Ryuusei causes her some sort of pain. Note that she runs
away if more than around 50% of her hit points are lost, so defeating her
(worth one more Skill Point) is quite hard.
Katejina is worth a Psychoframe. Rupe is worth a Biosensor. Dogul is
worth a Hybrid Armor. Chronokul is worth an I-Field Generator.
Ryuune is very surprised to see the Macross all the way out at Jupiter. It
seems she, like her father, is an old friend of Gloval's. She figures her
father wouldn't be dead so easily, but Gloval is concerned that his
whereabouts are unknown and berates himself for not stopping Vian when he
went to Jupiter back when. Ryuune caught wind of plans for a large-scale
invasion of the Earth by the Jupiterians - time for your people to make it
home _fast_. She'll help you out, since saving the Earth is both her and
her father's objective.
Your people discuss the latest developments, including the news that the
Jupiterians have reorganized themselves into a monarchy. Perhaps it's the
distance from Earth and its turmoil that made the Jupiterians no longer
"Earthlings" and led them to join forces with the Arrowgaters. Seabook
realizes that the Crossbone Vanguard, with similar aspirations of royalty,
may be connected somehow, in which case Cecily should be around somewhere.
Kou realizes that the dudes you just fought, you fought before - meaning
the Jupiterians have to have functional Fold capability, proof that the
Arrowgaters gave the Jupiterians some EOT...and better EOT than the DC and
SDF have too.
Your people are then noting how the Valcione-R looks almost like a real girl.
Hyouma observes that with it, the Ginrei Robo, and Diana A, you've got the
Three Giant Sexy Robots. Masaki is wondering where the pilot of a machine
like the Valcione-R is...when Ryuune appears and asks if he's complaining,
Masaki says instead that it's nice to see the pilot is as cute as her
machine. It turns out that Vian went to Jupiter to emplace a giant radar
on the tenth planet, and Ryuune went to help. The Jupiterians wanted to
exploit the brain of the great genius robot designer. Masaki complements
Ryuune on her smile and she starts getting really misty-eyed (the cats wonder
if she's weak against flattery) and asks Masaki if she can join him for
dinner. Looks like Ryuune's in love and Masaki doesn't know about it...
if Wendy finds out there may be trouble.
Ryuusei is brooding over how it felt like Rebi was being controlled by
something...that he thought he heard a voice calling for help, although she
quickly returned to normal. Camille thinks that sounds just like Four.
Ryuusei asks Camille if he's stupid for wanting to save the enemy, and Camille
tells him that it's not as though their reason for fighting is just defeating
the bad guys. Camille confides his ideas about Four being controlled by the
PsychoGundam and says not to give up hope... Go to SE38.
SS38. Teikoku no Jou'ou ("The Imperial Queen")
You've got about 2 hours until the Jupiterians mount their all-out attack.
Misato is on the bridge ostensibly conducting procedures to disarm - this is
just to get the enemy off-guard. As your people prepare for the infiltration,
Usso finds out that Shakti is gone. Everyone doubts she could have left the
ship... At that time, Tashiro is telling Kagachi about the progress of the
Earth Cleansing operation - the Angel Halo is 70% done and should be ready
for testing once enough Psychicers are gathered. Kagachi comments that it
will either be the Savior that sets everyone's soul at ease, or else a sort
of ark that will carry humanity's genes into the future. Tashiro points out
that it's basically a wide-range T-Link system originally designed by Vian -
Kagachi says that whether it works or not all boils down to Maria and the
other Psychicers. Although, as Tashiro thinks to himself, Vian is no longer
on the scene... However, they've only got about 40% of the requisite number
of Psychicers; it seems Scirocco hasn't been sending enough. Kagachi plans
to loan Scirocco some of the Imperial Surveillance Army to help out, to
Tashiro's displeasure. Kagachi realizes that the Macross is just stalling
for time - like the Jupiterians themselves. He says that as a mobile,
combat-worthy colony the Macross is too useful to destroy. Plus, the
Arrowgaters want it, which is odd to Tashiro since the thing is 100 years
behind the state of the art.
Gloval and Misa are discussing the Jupiterians. While Maria seems sincere in
her wishes for peace, Kagachi isn't. Gloval anticipates the disarmament
demand, and Misa says they really shouldn't have come. Gloval says it's too
early to be sure of that, and by making contact a long-standing doubt of his
is laid rest. Just then Maria shows up. She mumbles something about how
souls drawn in by gravity, seeking peace, can't work together, which is why
Maria-ism is necessary. In fact, she's still deluded into believing that
she and her people are acting in mankind's best interest, even to the extent
that the problems caused by the Jupiterians on Earth are "expedient". That
being said, she sends the two of them to the spaceport to use her private
shuttle and return to the Macross. She says that _if_ her people are indeed
headed down the wrong path, external judgement will be necessary. And your
people are the only ones capable of such a task. She tells you to hurry,
lest "they" appear on base.
Your dudes have made it into the outermost block safely, and expect trouble
as they move farther in. Oddly, Usso feels Shakti's presence. You and Aya
are able to sense Gloval's presence somewhere within this block. There are
four points where they could be - get to them all within fifteen turns.
The bad guys show up on turn 2.5 - as does Ryuune who was told by her father
to escape by herself if necessary. See SE37 for the full details. On
round 3 Hiiro and Trowa show up - have Duo and Quatre Persuade them. Quatre
tells Trowa that the enemy is too large and that only by joining forces can
they win - he agrees. Duo asks Hiiro if he saw "the thing" in the base,
the thing that their Gundams alone can't take out. Hiiro agrees to
cooperate at least until you return to the Earth Sphere.
Rebi shows up on turn 8. She says it's convenient having the same kind
of power since it lets each other know that they're around. See SS37 for
the ensuing dialog.
Katejina is worth a Psychoframe.
When you rescue Gloval and Misa, she tells you to remember that their goals
are the same as yours: the continuation of humanity. Just then, someone
attacks from outside - you don't know who but you use the opportunity to
escape. It's some sort of unknown enemy that just defolded - very similar
to the giant-type aliens, but apparently different(!) Claudia has the main
gun ready to fire 98 seconds ahead of schedule. 87 seconds for Focker and
the others to return, so Bright is informed that the Macross will be taking
off in 90 seconds. Misato doesn't know who the new foe is either, but thanks
to them you manage to effect your escape from the Jupiterians...
Cut to scene from SS37 about Jupiterian royalty. Quatre explains the doubts
held by some in the colonies that the Earth's EOT was being prepared to
rule the colonies - and thus the dispatch of the GW Gundams. Meanwhile,
Masaki is feeling depressed for not being able to help Ryuune save her father.
She tells him not to worry, and that her father always told her to go forward
regardless of what happens to him. Ryuune explains about the radar project
from SS37, and falls for Masaki as well. Also insert Ryuusei/Camille
conversation, except this time Usso comes in at the end still looking for
Shakti. Ryuusei doubts she could be outside the ship, but Usso explains how
he felt her presence during the battle. Nobody is sure how she could have
gotten to where the enemy is... go to SS39.
SE38. Jinrui wo Michibiku Mono ("The One Who Guides Humankind")
Kagachi/Tashiro conversation from SS38, except this time the report is that
the Macross is fleeing from Jupiter space after the conflict with Chronokul's
forces. Again they discuss the value of keeping the Macross intact, despite
the fact that it is now known of their alliance with the Arrowgaters and
Ryuune's departure. Maria then comes to inquire about her little brother
Chronokul(!)'s battle with the Lond Bel. Kagachi tells her that the Lond Bel
showed no indication of complying with Maria's ideals - she had been sure
that the Lond Bel would have been able to understand the importance of keeping
Mother Earth safe. Kagachi spouts a line about souls entrapped by gravity
being incapable of understanding Maria-ism; Tashiro realizes that Maria is
just Kagachi's puppet. Kagachi then orders Tashiro to go off in pursuit of
the Macross and take it over - ostensibly to get Shakti back, whose presence
Maria felt during the last engagement.
Meanwhile, Hikaru has come to watch Min-Mei filming her new movie - and
brought some of your other dudes with him. Min-Mei is a bit surprised to see
other rubber-neckers: Focker tries to say that he and Hikaru had planned to
come alone but had gotten mobbed. Really, he had wanted to let Hikaru and
Min-Mei have some time alone together, but on the set that probably wouldn't
have worked anyway. Min-Mei says she's got time since she's on break, and
notes that the name of the film she's starring in is "Little White Dragon",
or "Shao Pai Lon" in Chinese. Kouji asks if it's a kung-fu flick - it is.
Between her musical and theatrical debuts, Min-Mei seemingly hasn't had a
single day off - Hikaru is a bit sorry to hear that. Kai-Fan then shows up
to call Min-Mei to the next scene...he seems a bit unhappy to see soldiers
around, but thanks Hikaru for saving Min-Mei anyway. He then asks Hikaru
what's so good about the military, and tells Focker that he doesn't like the
army or fighting and that conflict brings about nothing. Kouji can't let
that slide, and points out that had your dudes not been fighting the Macross
would have been wiped out long ago. Kai-Fan responds that thanks to that
he got flung all the way to the tenth planet and mixed up in the fight with
the aliens. Judou tries to protest that everyone is in the same boat and
that they're fighting to get back to Earth, but Kai-Fan excuses himself and
half-drags Min-Mei along.
Meanwhile, Duo and the others are trying (and failing) to get Usso to cheer
up. Having his first love(?) join the enemy is bad enough, but something
seems wrong with Shakti too. See the SS path for her warm, familiar
feeling speech... At that time, the Bridge Bunnies(tm) are discussing
Min-Mei's new film, which will use CG to make up for the lack of on-location
filming. Vanessa points out that Min-Mei seems to be going out with Hikaru,
but the others are sure that they'll break up: pilots and idols don't go
together or something. Just then something defolds and attacks [kyaa!]
Several Mobile Suits have penetrated the city, so go attack them!
Renda informs Iku that the enemy hasn't detected them yet - he replies that
that's thanks to the Arrowgaters' teleportation tech. Sara splits off to
attend to the princess with Iku's blessing. The bad guys are trying to head
for a certain roadway to further their plans of taking over the Macross.
Just then, Hiiro and Trowa show up (through the very hole the Jupiterians
blew in the side of the ship!) and agree to help Quatre and the others on
the theory that they can't let the Jupiterians acquire the Macross.
Reinforcements arrive on turn 3. Iku is worth a Repair Kit.
After the battle, Suzie asks Shakti if it's safe to go outside again: she
wants to go change Karuru's diaper. As soon as she's gone, Shakti feels
someone calling her. Could this familiar feeling be her mother? Of course
it is, as Sara points out to her as she pops out from nowhere [kyaa!]. Sara
explains further that she's a servant of Shakti's mother, Queen Maria, and
takes Shakti back to meet her. Shakti is sorry to leave Usso and the others,
but you know how these things go.. [^^;;;]
Meanwhile, Shamy is telling Gloval that although the Macross has a spot of
pretty fierce damage, few people got hurt. Misa passes on a report from
Bright that the two mystery Gundams are in the same situation as Quatre and
Duo, and Gloval thinks that they're mainly responsible for the Macross not
falling to the enemy. Luckily, Trowa judges it most expedient to aid you
all for now, although Hiiro is close-mouthed as always. He's willing to
follow orders in any case. Meanwhile, Duo and Quatre ask where the heck Trowa
and Hiiro were - they were in the Jupiterians' base gathering info while
the Macross drew near. They found out that the Jupiterians have a 20km-long
fortress prepared for a full-scale invasion of the Earth, to take it over
and possibly cleanse it of all humanity. Looks like they're every bit as
dangerous as the Arrowgaters.
Usso is now bumming since Shakti has gone missing. People are splitting up
to search for her within the ship, but Ginrei noticed that during the battle
one of the mobile suits disappeared quickly. Could it have carried off
Shakti?! Could this be just like Cecily's case?!?! What are the chances.
In any case, this is more bad news for Usso... Go to SE39.
SS39. Shumatsu e no Zensoukyoku ("Prelude to the Finale")
Aboard Britai's ship, Exedore informs Britai of a battle between Imperial
forces and some Meltrandi near Jupiter. Britai notes that this means the
delay of Bodol's fleet too is due to the women. Exedore says that that's
not the only reason - some unknown group of adversaries has been destroying
ships and the Commander-in-Chief is busy gathering information about them.
Britai says this is all the more reason to hurry with gathering Miclone
samples. To Exedore's disbelief, Britai orders Kamjin's detachment to be
dispatched - "Kamjin the Ally-Killer". Britai is aware of his past, but
figures he's the best to go against the Miclones.
Meanwhile, Hikaru is getting grilled about his relationship with Min-Mei.
Monsha in particular is peeved that Hikaru seems so out to lunch about it.
Focker asks what Min-Mei, everyone's idol, tastes like - Maya comments that
they're all filthy and leads the other Bridge Bunnies(tm) off elsewhere.
Hikaru protests that nothing happened during the week he was stuck with
Min-Mei, and gets increasingly pissed when the others won't believe him.
Focker finally believes him but questions his manhood; Hikaru hasn't heard
from Min-Mei since, to his sorrow. Just then, he gets paged, a family member
has just ended up in the hospital. He hurries off (the others realize they've
been duped) and finds Min-Mei despite her best efforts to disguise her
appearance. After making sure she's okay with being with him, Hikaru
promises to take her out to have fun this evening. She wants to go to the
observatory lounge; instead, he takes her out in his Valkyrie. After
cruising through space a bit, she confides to him that she's begun to hate
her life - that she sometimes wishes to go somewhere where nobody knows her
name. Just then, Misa catches up to them - she can't believe Hikaru would
use his Valkyrie for personal pursuits. With Misa is Kai-Fan, who orders
Min-Mei back and tells Hikaru that if word of this gets to the media her
singing career is finished. He says that he's already taken the matter up
with the higher brass, and that he won't show any mercy toward Hikaru.
Hikaru says he's prepared for that, and is ready to go back when a giant
warp-out is detected: the Exelion, which is bigger than even the Macross.
Looks like she's been pretty badly damaged.
After the usual checks for damage, the Exelion's vice-captian reports the
presence of the Valkyries to Tashiro. Just then, enemies warp out at 6
o'clock. Tashiro can't believe they found the Exelion without using radar.
The Top squad scrambles, and Oota orders them to keep any of the small
life-forms away from the ship. Meanwhile, Hikaru remembers belatedly that
he's in a trainer and that they've got to get away from the battle fast.
Reinforcements arrive on turn 3. Focker momentarily berates Hikaru for
causing more trouble, and then says this is the way for men to get the
girls. He's also drunk. Your guys aren't sure what the big thingies
attacking the Exelion are, but Focker resolves to get rid of them regardless.
Kamjin will show up on turn 6. He was in the mood for some mayhem, but
he can't disobey Britai's orders. They capture Misa and Kai-Fan and run
off. Hikaru, and then the rest of the Skull squad (and you) go off in
pursuit. Immediately after, Ere and the Reideen show up. Ere can sense
nothing but destructive instinct from the enemies. As your other dudes
deploy, the Reideen powers up (the SRX people feel enormous psychic pressure
from it). Reideen tells Akira to fight the beasties.
After the battle, Tashiro explains to Gloval about how they ran into the
beasties once before - see the other path for the ensuing conversation about
the STMC. Tashiro says he's going to continue patrolling between Jupiter
and the tenth planet since they have too little information on the STMC,
although as in the other path the Top people join your group to increase their
combat experience in preparation for their "heavy obligation"... And once
again, Noriko's otaku's blood is boiling when she sees all the mecha etc. etc.
Jung gets into an argument with Shinobu about being a girl pilot, but Noriko
hits it off with Ryuusei right away. They arrange to show each other their
garage kit collections [O_o;;;;;]
Gloval then asks for Bright's help to search for the Skull Squad...who have
probably been captured by the Zentraedi. The Bridge Bunnies(tm) are all
worried, but Claudia believes that Focker will rescue Misa and come back as
though it were all nothing. Gloval elects to halt the Macross here and
wait for word from the Lond Bel. Go to S40.
SE39. FAASUTO KONTAKUTO ("First Contact")
See SS39 for Exedore/Britai conversation about Meltrandi and Kamjin.
Afterwards, Misa is telling Claudia (and Focker) that Hikaru isn't suited to
being a soldier, and that men who choose the wrong job will be unhappy their
whole life. She thinks it's in Hikaru's best interest for him to switch jobs.
If that happens, Misa will never be able to win him over, but Misa tells
Claudia that she's thrown away her feminine side long ago [yeah whatever].
Hikaru and Kou come in to turn in their patrol report, and Focker tells
them both to sit and have a drink. Misa excuses herself - you can either
leave or not. If you don't, Focker lectures Misa that she should act a bit
more feminine, regardless of her lofty military training. He's quite drunk,
and tells Hikaru and Kou that occasionally they need to use force and not
waste their time worrying over every little detail of their girls' feelings.
Focker is going to continue, but Hikaru receives a phonecall from "a family
member" who he claims has gone to the hospital, and leaves abruptly.
He meets Min-Mei, who finally managed some vacation time and said she wanted
to see Hikaru. She seems unhappy, and Hikaru plans to cheer her up by taking
her for a spin in a Valkyrie. This is very similar to SS39, including Misa
and Kai-Fan butting in. This time the Zentraedi show up first. Kamjin
orders his men to snatch Misa and Kai-Fan first, and he stays behind to take
care of Hikaru.
Reinforcements show up on turn 2: it's Focker and crew and he's drunk again.
Kamjin is worth a Booster - killing him will cause all the other enemies
to leave. Kill him by turn 3 for 2 Skill Points.
After the battle, the Macross waits for the Lond Bel to follow Hikaru and
the others as per SS39. Go to S40.
S40. BIGGU ESUKEEPU ("Big Escape")
[Note: by this point, regardless of path you should now have an
"Andromeda-Yaki" in your inventory. It shows up earlier on the SE path but
should exist from either. And no, I don't know if this is skill-based or
what. ^^;;]
Your people are on Britai's ship, uncertain of their fate. Hikaru
apologizes for getting Min-Mei into this mess, but she says it's okay. Focker
observes that they don't look like they're planning to kill you, but Kai-Fan
with his usual optimism says there's no guarantee of that. He's actually
even more optimistic about your small fleet being able to defeat the great
big super-giant honkingly large Zentraedi ships... Focker says that doing so
is the job of the SDF and the Lond Bel, and when Kai-Fan calls him an idiot
he replies that he'd rather be an idiot than someone who falls by the hand of
the enemy without doing a single thing. Misa meanwhile is wondering why the
Zentraedi don't mount an all-out offensive on the Earth if they've got so
much warpower. Could it be that they, like the Arrowgaters, are seeking
something on Earth? Max says that all you've got to do is get your
Valkyries back and you'll be able to escape - and he has a transponder so he
knows where they are. Just then the giant Britai and Exedore show up, with
their translator system online. Britai asks why male and female Miclones
live together on Earth as in the Empire - your people are clearly puzzled as
to the point of the question. Britai presses the inquiry: why is there not
strife between men and women? Exedore asks why you all are Miclonized - are
you the spawn of the Empire? Misa finally says that unlike Britai and co.,
Earthlings are that size since birth. This puzzles Exedore, who wonders if
Misa is referring to "production". Focker concedes that birth is something
accomplished by the labor of men and women - which evidently does not compute.
Focker then tells Britai that it's far preferable to hold women close than
to fight with them, and demonstrates on Min-Mei. Exedore and Britai are
completely shocked. Focker says that's not all they do - they even kiss and
stuff! When Focker hesitates to demonstrate, Britai gets irate and picks up
Min-Mei to demand a demonstration. Decide who wants to demonstrate on
Min-Mei: Kai-Fan, or Hikaru. Assuming you chose Hikaru, Min-Mei demures only
a moment and then says it's okay if it's with him. Britai is at a loss for
words, and Hikaru and Min-Mei are kept in separate rooms.
Your people are more puzzled than ever what the big deal is. It seems clear
that the Zentraedi and the Meltrandi females are at war with each other for
some reason. Kakizaki points out that the Zentraedi are at war with the
Arrowgaters, and you surmise that the Meltrandi probably have their own
military and engage in a three-way conflict. Just then, some kind of attack
strikes the ship - everyone's unhurt, and although you aren't sure who's
responsible everyone heads for their ships. It is in fact the Meltrandi, and
Britai is upset that they were allowed to invade his ship; too much attention
was spent on the Imperial forces it seems. Exedore notes that all they
have to do is return the two Miclones who haven't run off yet to the
Commander-in-Chief. Your people get to their machines, which are okay, and
prepare to fight their way out. Kakizaki in particular isn't all that happy
getting stuck with Kai-Fan. Focker tries to tell the others to go ahead while
he searches for the other two, but nobody wants to split up - everyone will
go outside and then search from there.
One of the soldiers in the west portion of the screen has a Min-Mei Doll.
On round 2.5, Miria shows up and starts taking out some of the soldiers.
Max is really looking forward to fighting her... On round 3, you learn that
the ship is planning to fold - you've now got five turns to get out.
Defeating Miria is worth a Megabooster. If you do it with Max, it's worth
a Skill Point too.
After getting everyone out of the ship, Hikaru appears. He was able to
escape with Min-Mei due to the shock of the Meltrandi attack, but he got
split up from her during the ensuing dash to the Valkyrie. He is about to
head back deeper inside when the ship Folds.
Meanwhile, the bridge crew are wondering where Focker and the crew are -
patrols haven't found them yet. Just then, a transmission from them arrives:
they're okay. Your people then digest the news that the Zentraedi are
fighting their own females as well as the Arrowgaters. From an analysis of
Misa's report, the odds look good that they may be some sort of engineered
bioweapon - perhaps engineered to fight the Arrowgaters, or the Space Monsters.
Misato and Ritsuko are ordered to continue their attempts at analysis.
Focker is then breaking the news that Min-Mei has fallen into the Zentraedi's
hands. He says that since they're interested in Earth, Min-Mei's life is
probably not in danger. Kouji wonders what "interested" means and wonders if
they want to hear her singing. He and Hyouma vow to find Min-Mei the next
time they run into Britai's ship. Focker tells them to check in on Hikaru
too later, since he's greatly depressed.
Misa gets to Hikaru first. He asks her if she's come about punishment for
unauthorized use of the Valkyrie - she tells him that she's not, since at
Focker's word no inquiry into that will be pursued. Hikaru wonders if
Min-Mei is okay, to which Misa says that the Zentraedi seemed scared of you
all and that until the reason for that become clear Min-Mei will probably
be kept alive. Misa then apologizes for not considering Hikaru's feelings
and always putting her job first - he's very surprised to hear her say such
a thing. He asks if she's come to cheer him up (she half-denies it) and he
says not to worry, that he'll rescue Min-Mei with his own hands. Misa gets
called to the bridge, and Hikaru thanks her, which impresses her too.
On the bridge, it seems that you've caught an SOS coming from the Sera Base
on Mars owned by a certain Space Development company. The base was
supposedly mothballed after a Meganoid uprising last year, and its members
supposedly wiped out on the way home. Note that this is a _big_ base, and
all its equipment and provisions were left as-is when it was abandoned. Time
to head for Mars! Misa is a bit downcast, thinking that Mars is where ensign
Raibar was. Go to S41.
S41. BAIBAI MARUSU ("Bye-bye Mars")
Exedore informs Britai that the Miclone ship has arrived at the fourth planet.
Kamjin had been sent to the Sera Base to send a false SOS to the Macross,
which appears to have worked like a charm. The plan is to capture the whole
Macross alive with a tractor beam - and Exedor has some doubts that Kamjin
will go along with the plan quietly. Britai tells him that steps have already
been taken. Meanwhile, the Macross has come into the vicinity of the base.
Gloval asks Misa if the SOS is still ongoing (she's a bit distracted; the
SOS is still on) and decides to send some people ahead to scout, just to be
on the safe side. They launch a "Cat's Eye" surveillance vehicle. Gloval
really wants to conduct repairs, especially to the main rocket, but Ere has a
bad feeling. Just then you hear that the Cat's Eye has caught sight of some
unidentified dudes. The radar response was too brief to discriminate what
they were exactly, but they seem to be 100m-long fighters. It's the
Zentraedi. The base itself seems to be untouched, so the Destroids are being
sent to gather supplies and the Valkyries are being sent to guard them. The
Lond Bel will stand guard around the base. As Bright explains the situation,
Ryou tells Bright that the Getter Reactor has been acting strange lately: to
conduct repairs, Bright has them sitting this one out. Asuka then observes
that Mars isn't a very cheerful place - Kouji agrees and says it looks like
the site of some kind of Final Battle. Everyone feels as though some kind
of strong enemy was hanging around. Duo says that they're making it sound
like they've fought here before - Hayato says that the whole planet has been
sealed since the Meganoid Rebellion. Meganoids are cyborgs designed for
work in space; it was Mars where they were being tested, and it was Mars
where they went berserk. Hayato says that the one who solved the problem was
Hazan Banjou and his invincible steel man Daitarn-3. Banjou was an
acquaintance of Ryuune's dad and a sponsor of the DC and SRX Project. Noriko
is way jealous of Ryuune for having the chance to actually ride in Daitarn-3
(Asuka figures Noriko for another Ryuusei). Anyway, Banjou is really rich
from ore found on Mars and would be a great help both financially and
combat-wise.
As the reprovisioning begins, Misa says she wants to go to the surface to see
if it's actually survivors who are sending the SOS. You can let her go or
not.
Not is worth a Skill Point.
Assuming you choose "not", Gloval apologizes for not letting a crucial
staffer go into danger, she in turn apologizes for her request, and thinks
to herself that there's no way Raibar would still be alive. As your people
begin patrol, Misa is still not herself. Meanwhile, one of the Zentraedi
pilots can no longer control himself and reveals the ambush before the
tractor beam can be activated. Kamjin blows the guy away for doing so.
The Zentraedi will commence attack on turn 1.5 now that they've been
discovered. More Zentraedi will show up on round 3 - it seems Kamjin has
been used as a decoy. Misato recommends blowing up the underground nuclear
reactor to cut the tractor beam - Misa is internally horrified at the
thought of the base Raibar was in being blown up. Just then, a coded
transmission arrives, saying the base is scheduled to blow up in 5 turns.
This is a battle with infinite aliens, some of whom will appear on the
East and North sides of the base, so beware.
Defeat Kamjin for a Chobham Armor and a Skill Point. There is another
Minmei Doll among some of the other aliens.
Banjou will show up in Daitarn-3 as time is running out to help you. It
appears it's he who set the bases' reactor to overload. Gloval is shocked
to see him here, but talk will have to wait. Your dudes are marveling at
Daitarn-3, and Banjou says that while his introduction was late as always,
he'll have to get that much more medieval on the asses of the bad guys.
^_^
After the battle, Misa apologizes for making Claudia worry and says she was
reminded of her first love. Banjou and Gloval are both surprised to see
each other. Banjou says that the Earth has been pretty chaotic since the
Macross's departure. The Neo-Jion/Titans alliance fell apart and the two
sides are fighting... currently, in space there's the Neo-Jion/Arrowgater
battle, and on Earth there's the Titans/Biston Well battle. At least it
appears that the Zentraedi haven't attacked the Earth yet; after the Macross
went, neither they nor the Arrowgaters have showed themselves in the Earth
sphere much. Banjou had been checking to see if the Arrowgaters were mucking
around on Mars instead when he met you, and says to go ahead and use the
resources left in the Mars base.
Meanwhile, it looks like the 120m-long Daitarn-3 simply won't _fit_ in the
hangar! Astonage figures the only choice is to strap it to the belly of the
Lean Horse Jr., but Noriko says that the Daitarn-3 always comes flying to its
owner when called, so shouldn't it not matter where it's stored? [^^;;;]
Ryuusei is greatly impressed by Noriko's knowledge, but she says it's the
basics of the basics (Astonage isn't sure what basics those are, but...)
Noriko goes on that with Super Robots, bigger is better - and she wishes she
could ride in something that big one day. Astonage says to give it a rest
or else even the Macross won't fit the results, and Ryuune says that while
size isn't everything her father liked the Daitarn-3 too. Ryuune confides to
Ryuusei that since his father was a super-robot otaku, she was trained since
a very early age in how to pilot them. Ryuusei thinks that makes Vian a
great dad - Ryuune doesn't thinks so, but admits that she is appreciating it
right about now. Banjou shows up, wonders what the status of the _truly_
giant robot being developed aboard the Exelion is, and congratulates Ryuune
on being freed from the Jupiterians (too bad Vian is still missing). Banjou
recalls that the over 200m-long machine is called the Gunbuster...a machine
that could even outmatch the Zentraedi or the Space Monsters. Your people
are awed.
Flash to briefing. Banjou has three huge rockets which will be used to send
the three mother ships off on separate missions. The common goal is to
unify humanity against the storm of adversaries facing it. The Lean Horse
will go to Axis to negotiate with Neo Jion. The Gran Garan will go to the
Moon and enlist the help of the Yugo and the Riga Militia to get the colonies
in line. And the Goraon will return to the Far East base and enlist the
help of DC and the IPO to get the Titans and Biston Well armies in line.
To go to Axis, take SA42. To go to the Moon, choose SM42. To go to the
Far East Base, choose SF42.
SA42. AKUSHIZU Kara no Shisha ("Emmisary from Axis")
Raodekia is having a pow-wow about your people launching at his ship the
Helmoze. He realizes from the report that your people have finally become
aware of their own situation and started taking appropriate steps. Viletta
reports that the Zentraedi and the Meltrandi appear to be fighting each
other. Plus, the Meltrandi en route to Uranus from Jupiter are under attack
from the Zentraedi and the Imperial forces - looks like the Solar System is
becoming the battlefield. Plus, she reports that the Macross crossed swords
with some unidentified life forms (Yuuzes wishes she'd kept her mouth shut).
It's clear that the life forms aren't of the Earth - they've been beaten
back for the time being anyway. Raodekia asks Yuuzes if he knows anything
about the life-forms, and upon hearing he doesn't orders Yuuzes to start
investigating immediately. He then orders his fleet to begin full-scale
war on the giants - Yuuzes wonders why Raodekia is hastening to fight them:
could the last battle with them be at fault? He thinks that rather than
fighting the giants, the top priority should be developing Psychodrivers and
acquiring the Tronium - else there will be no way to oppose the "Gods of
Destruction". Ingram ponders a moment, and then mentions that he's heard the
Zentraedi are a bunch of uncultured barbarians, and that he's seen data
claiming that a "culture shock" attack should work on them quite well. Yuuzes
tells him that was during the previous war: that culture is that of the
ultimate authorities on the homeworld of Balmar, the "Spirit Empire" and its
twelve tribes. The Spirit Empire's long dominance has actually caused the
Empire's culture to regress: although foreign culture has been imported, the
Balmar culture itself is only bent on fighting like the giants. Shapiro
wonders if, therefore, the Earth's culture could deliver the requisite culture
shock - Raodekia says that the Macross will demonstrate that one way or the
other. Which, as Yuuzes confirms, is the reason why the Empire hasn't really
attacked the Macross. Raodekia orders Viletta to take Rebi and Shapiro and
go to the Zentraedi and Meltrandi outside the solar system and make them
fight each other more. Ingram is sent with Hainel to Earth to undertake
unification of the Earth's armed forces. Raodekia says human resources are
necessary, but that that excludes non-combattants and those who resist. Anyone
who foments rebellion against the oncoming Imperial domination must be
eliminated. Plus, vigilance must be kept over the Jupiterians, the Boazans,
and the Campbellians: Scirocco, Kagachi, Oreana, and Hainel aren't _fully_
loyal. Ingram thinks to himself that these folks are pretty clever, turning
the ire of the dominated ones against the giants. After Raodekia retreats,
Yuuzes asks about the machine weapon Ingram made by fusing Earth and Imperial
technology. He cautions Ingram that Ingram isn't capable enough to understand
the Crossgate Paradigm System. Ingram won't admit to having emplaced this
unto the Astranagun - Yuuzes decides to let the matter slide but reminds
Ingram that _he_ is the one who saved Ingram from drifting in space and gave
him his new knowledge. After Yuuzes leaves, Shapiro asks Ingram if he isn't
a Balmarian after all (apparently, not). Gotta watch out for this Ingram
person even more closely it seems.
Meanwhile, Yuuzes asks Rebi why here Kalkeria Pulse is down since the last
battle. She mentions that contact with you and Ryuusei seemingly tried to
bring forth something from inside her. Yuuzes tells her not to worry, that
she was born with a special power that makes her the savior of the Ze-Balmariy
Empire. Given that all her powers are already unleashed, she is invincible...
but since you and Ryuusei are about to fully unleash your powers too, Yuuzes
tells her to kill the two of you off and thereby eliminate the source of her
headaches...and for the sake of Raodekia.
Ingram breaks the news to Hainel that he's to head back to Earth. Hainel
points out that Raodekia is spewing out rather capricious orders, and Kazarine
says that such orders are rude to Hainel, commander of the Earth Invasion
Army, even if Raodekia theoretically running the overall show. However,
Hainel tells her not to say such things, and that as the child of a traitor
he has no real choice but to obey. He agrees to head to Earth, especially
to check on Do-Zhul who's still there. Ingram then says he's going to act
separately - Hainel is a bit surprised because he thought Ingram was his
commander, but he says that Ingram's actions are none of his business anyway.
Kazarine wonders if it's wise letting Ingram on the loose, and Hainel says
that if Ingram's actions cause problems for the Imperial army, it's that much
more convenient for his Boazan. He tells Jungle to take their ship to Earth
while he goes to chat with Gou Kentarou.
...Who is lamenting to his sons that the Boazan have started making weapons
with the Maxingal alloy. He realizes he has to somehow get the plans for
the new Ultramagnetic Generator, the Ultramagnetic Weighting Cannon, to
Dr. Hamaguchi. Hainel comes and tells him that they're heading for Earth
where he can see Voltes and Combattler defeated for good. Kentarou asks
why Hainel fights - it's to free his oppressed mother planet and to save the
lives of Boazan's subjects, a matter which a mere Earthling has no right to
even mention. Kentarou says that Hainel is being used as nothing more than
a decoy for the Boazan emperor, Zu Zanbajil - who treats Hainel's posting
beneath Raodekia as nothing more than a way to have the heat taken off his
own back. Hainel yells at Kentarou to mind his station, and that the emperor
of Boazan is a great person who gave him command despite being a traitor's
son. Hainel says that he doesn't know his father's face, but that he doesn't
want to since his father is responsible for his mother's death and for all
sorts of hardship for Hainel himself. Hainel then gets pissed that Kentarou
pities him, and reminds Kentarou that he's only alive because he's a good
scientist. Hainel leaves, and Kentarou pleads internally that Hainel not
fight Ken'ichi and the others. But hey, he may get his chance to hand over
the plans.
Meanwhile, the Lean Horse Jr. has caught sight of the Yugo's ship Lar Kairam.
Henken welcomes you back and tells you that Solomon and A Baoa Qu have fallen
to the Neo Jion, and that the Federation's regular army is essentially wiped
out. However, in the process Yugo got stronger, which is why you get the
Lar Kairam and a bunch of new mecha. Of course, you also get a dirty job
coming up, after which Bright says he'll go to Neo Jion to try to negotiate
a cease-fire. Henken is very pessimistic that the Zabis will listen, but
Quatro says things have gotten so bad there's no choice but to ally with
them - if humanity doesn't cast off its ego all that awaits is DOOM!! Anyway,
Henken wants the Lean Horse Jr. to stay on the Moon, where some Jupiterians
have descended in preparation for invasion.
Judou and Ruu discuss how cool (and rich) the Yugo are to have given you all
this neato stuff. You remind them that all the new toys are just further
proof of how you all are stuck on the front lines. You then remember that
a new version of your machine was being developed too, although you don't
know whether you'll get to pilot it. Katsu and Amuro have a reunion: Katsu's
mother wasn't too happy about Katsu becoming a pilot. Amuro has Camille
introduce Katsu to the others. Amuro is worried that Katsu will do something
reckless on the battlefield, but it's a little late to worry now. Anyways,
you've got the nu-Gundam now, although it'll take about ten days to set up.
Amuro runs into Chain again, who is glad Amuro came up to space again. Amuro
says it's more like he was hoisted there by others, but all's well that ends
well. There was a little promise going between Amuro and Chain from back
at the Cheyenne base: you can say you remember or forget it. It's the
promise to go on a date upon meeting in space. If you say you remember,
Amuro tells her that he'll make good as soon as the fighting is over (she's
very happy). Chain also tells you that Anaheim is working on an armaments
improvement for the nu-Gundam, which should be sent along to the Lar Kairam
as soon as it's done.
By the way, you _MUST_ say you remember if you want to get the HWS upgrade
for the nu-Gundam later.
Fa checks on Rekoa, whose fever has relented. Rekoa says that she's tired out
from all the fighting. Before she joined Yugo she was a guerilla fighter for
environmental protection - her only memories are of battlefields from her
youth. Whenever she thinks about what she should be doing and all she gets
tired. Fa tells her to rest until you all reach Axis - Rekoa says she will
but warns Fa not to become a woman like her. As Fa leaves, Rekoa comments
that her room is one that isn't waiting for anyone to return to it.
Torres catches sight of a huge spaceship shadowing your course: it's the
Jupiterians. The ship was originally for transporting Helium3: the fact that
they aren't attacking you yet means they're probably headed for Axis too.
Focker says it's weird they're not using warp to get there: are they planning
to attack? Kagachi and Scirocco are planning to take down the Arrowgaters
from inside, so they probably want cooperation.
Quatro thinks the nu-Gundam is a good machine: it was worth leaking info about
the Psychoframe to Anaheim apparently. Amuro is working well with the
Psychoframe in the nu-Gundam; Quatro thinks that a white Gundam does suit
Amuro after all. Camille tells Katsu to guard the Lar Kairam, but he wants
to come to the front lines and doesn't want to heed Camille's warning.
Meanwhile, Scirocco is impressed at how fast the Lond Bel are moving, but
realizes that now the secret about the Jupiterians and Arrowgaters is out
their only chance is allying themselves to the Neo-Jion. As the Jupiterians
prepare to attack, Rekoa thinks she heard something, as does Scirocco.
Rupe is worth a Propellant Tank S. Broch is worth a Chobham Armor. Sara
is worth a Biosensor.
On round two a battleship is detected in the area: reinforcements in two
more turns. It's the Neo-Jion, in particular the Gwadon. Quatro wonders
if "she" is aboard the ship. She is in fact Hamarn Karn, here on behalf
of Giren Zabi. She tells you all that you're interfering on Axis airspace
and that if you don't intend to fight Axis to stand down. She wants to
conduct negotiations aboard her ship between the three sides. Scirocco is
willing to comply - Bright realizes their objective really was to contact
Neo-Jion. Quatro points out that your objective is to bargain with Neo-Jion,
and that you can't afford to lose any warpower here. You have a choice to
accept or deny Hamarn's offer.
Accept it as a step toward recruiting Hamarn. Turn it down and you can
fight Scirocco - defeat him for a Skill Point.
You accept, although Quatro wonders what Hamarn is scheming. Judou
notices something is up with Hamarn, that she's not like Scirocco.
Quatro says he'll go negotiate with Hamarn - he tells Bright to stay with
Amuro aboard the Lar Kairam in case something goes wrong. He takes Camille,
Judou, Akira, and Emma with him to help see through interfering psi. Rekoa
wants to come along too to do something to help - plus she's an infiltration
specialist. Quatro tells Amuro to take care of things if something happen to
him, although Amuro asks him to remember that noone can replace him, or at
the very least that Amuro isn't the politician Quatro is.
Ryuusei has a _really_ bad feeling about the three-sided negotiations. You
do too. Beecher and his gang of thugs overhear this, and _of_course_ decide
to do the boneheaded thing and sneak aboard the Neo-Jion ship out of concern
for Judou. Riina wants to come too, but Beecher tells her to stay with Iino
and El abourd the Lar Kairam.
Hamarn has the other entourages waiting in separate rooms. It's just her,
her subordinate Gremy, Scirocco, and Quatro. She states the belief that both
sides wish to enlist Neo-Jion's aid and asks if that's mistaken. Scirocco
says that at the very least he was going to. Quatro agrees, saying that he
believes forging an accord with Neo-Jion is necessary to oppose the aliens.
Scirocco admits that the Jupiterians are currently in league with the
Arrowgaters, but states that their ultimate objective is removing all the
aliens from the solar system. Hamarn is prepared to join forces, but demands
that both sides disarm, disclose, and hand over all their weaponry to Neo-Jion.
Quatro is quite shocked and asks if she means for them to all fall under
Neo-Jion's jurisdiction. She say of course, and says that Neo-Jion must be
the people to lead the opposition to the aliens. Scirocco thinks this is
foolish and that Neo-Jion is ultimately just one more group of dudes whose
souls have been caught in the Earth's gravity well. Quatro asks if Hamarn
expects his people to accept the Zabis assuming control of the Earth Sphere,
she asks in turn if Char intends to fight the aliens alone. Scirocco says
he can't accept the proposal, and when Hamarn asks what he's doing he replies
that he came to recommend to Neo-Jion surrendering to the Jupiterians. He
says that his people are about to begin the genocidal Earth Cleansing
operation against Earth humanity - and that if Neo-Jion doesn't surrender
they'll be on the hit list too. Gremy recommends mentally to Hamarn that she
eliminate Scirocco right here and now; she responds that that would give the
Jupiterians an excuse and that they should wait a while longer. Scirocco says
that in light of his and the Arrowgaters' power there should be only one
answer. Hamarn says that Scirocco's proposal is interesting but that he
seems to have forgotten where he is. Just then Scirocco uses EOT to teleport
away - Hamarn is pissed. Scirocco tells Hamarn to regret the despair she's
called down upon herself in the time to come. Gremy commands all ships not
to let Scirocco escape.
It seems Scirocco teleported to where your dudes are, due to the limited
range of the teleporter. Camille recognizes Scirocco, and Emma tells Camille
to move so she can blast him. But Rekoa goes and gets in the way instead.
Rekoa thinks to herself that Scirocco called her, and he tells her that these
days need strong women like her and to come with him. Rekoa then turns her
gun on your people, and Sara shows up to lead Scirocco away. Rekoa doesn't
heed Camille's warning of Scirocco's danger, and goes with him on the theory
that she has a "self" that she doesn't want others abridging. Basically,
the Jupiterians get away - Hamarn says that she'll see them on the
battlefield sooner or later. She then tells Char that she wants him to go
with her to Axis...in front of the others, who hadn't known Quatro was _the_
Char Aznable. Quatro tells Hamarn that he already tendered his answer, unless
she wants to make him tell Giren Zabi in person. She informs him that Giren
is at A Baoa Qu and Dozul is at Solomon: only her and Mineba are at Solomon.
Quatro wonders if she means to have him tell his true feelings in front of
Mineba - she tells Char that as he should know well, her plans aren't for
Earth Sphere domination by the Zabis. Judou tries to object and gets
complimented for showing some potential like Camille. She says that the
Newtypes should agree with her - Judou feels a strange feeling like she's not
the enemy even though she is... but he resists her attempt to control him and
calls her his enemy anyway. Hamarn has Gremy lock you all up and head her ship
for Axis. She tells Gremy to leave the Lar Kairam be, since they won't lift a
finger while Char and the others are here. Gremy wonders if he should report
the contact between Hamarn and the Red Comet which cast off Jion to Giren.
Go to SA43.
SM42. JUPITAA GOSUTO ("Jupiter Ghost")
Insert the whole Helmoze conversation, including the bit with Rebi. Include
Ingram/Hainel conversation and Hainel/Kentarou conversation. Kawasse then
informs Shiela that you've gotten to the Moon. The Riga Militia's guidance
beam is steering you safe and sound to the Neo Technetium base. Shiela's
advisors are advising her to get some rest, but she says she's got to get
the people on the Moon and the colonists onto your side as fast as possible.
Your people are glad to be back to the Moon, although they wonder why the
base that was destroyed in the Huckebein incident is now apparently intact.
Nina explains that after the incident two years ago Anaheim took the site
over and rebuilt it rapidly into a development and testing center for mobile
suits...at least on the surface. It's really the base for the Riga Militia.
Milly comes and greets you all after explaining what technetium is. She
recalls that Kou is supposed to be the test pilot for the GP-03, but Nina
seems distracted by something. She then says she has something to tell Usso,
and wonders if Marpet could come along too. She leads you to Mueller, Usso's
mother. She explains that she had no choice but to carry the plans for the
Victory Gundam to the Moon in person, and won't ask Usso to forgive her...but
he says that the Gundam has helped him a great deal. Marpet decides to leave
and handle the provisioning for the Gran Garan by himself, telling Usso to
enjoy being with his mother while he can.
Usso starts telling his mother how scared he was the first time in the
Victory Gundam - he hates being in situations where he doesn't know what he's
doing. His mother tells him that by doing so he will come to understand how
adults do things. He retorts that he doesn't have to do anything to know he
doesn't like how Neo-Jion and the Jupiterians do things. His mother presses
questions about how the V and V2 work, and when he asks why tells him that
those machines are there to protect the Earth. Usso says that it's just
coincidence he's lived this long, but his mother says that that's one _big_
coincidence and that talent must have something to do with it. Usso wonders
if she and his father made him study just so he could end up like this - she
tells him that they didn't force him, and that he's not their child alone.
Apparently the night before she gave him birth some fluffy thing appeared in
a dream and said that she would be given a Newtype [say what? Mokona? the
Easter frigging bunny?]. Even Usso's father the realist believed the dream.
Mueller says that while the fighting must be really tough, she believes that
people's abilities are something very lofty. Usso says that's all well and
good, but he couldn't protect Shakti, who's missing and probably with the
Jupiterians now...
Seabook spies something that looks like heavy armor for a Mobile Suit, but
sized small for something like a V or the F-91. He and Sayaka run into Otis,
who says that those "assault parts" are for the V2. You can equip them
after the next battle with the "Outfit Unit" command! However, the effect
isn't all positive, so you should only use them as necessary.
Meanwhile, Professor G has fed Duo some info about unmanned weapons to
conquer the colonies, codenamed "Bugs". He tells the other GW people that
he's been ordered to investigate these things as probably part of the
Jupiterian Earth Cleansing plan. Noone knows what kind of weapon they are,
but if the Jupiterians are using them they're _some_ kind of bad news. Duo
isn't going to totally abandon the Lond Bel, but he _is_ good at the sort of
mission he's been sent on. Trowa goes to help Duo with his investigation
while Hiiro goes to check on Oz, his original target. He's worried that Oz
hasn't been doing much lately. Quatre goes to check Jupiterius. After the
other three have left, Hiiro is going to his machine to launch when Shiela
shows up (and almost gets mistaken for Rilina). She doesn't intend to stop
him, but asks him to promise after his mission is over to come back to you
all. He says he can't promise, but he'll remember her words.
Milly introduces Kou to the GP-03, or rather to part of it, the Stamen. He
notices a tail binder, and she tells him that that allows the Stamen to link
to the Armed Base "Orchis", becoming effectively a Mobile Armor. Kou notes
that this system with the Stamen as the core seems fundamentally different
from the Re-GZ's Back Weapon system; Milly says that in a sense it's
diametrically opposite to the way the V2 is set up. All in all, the whole
GP-03 system is codenamed the Dendrobium. Milly asks Kou to get ready to
start testing the Stamen.
Meanwhile, Nyung is telling Burning about a rumor circulating in the city
on the moon of a "Jupiter Ghost", probably something from the Jupiterians.
Evidently an unkown battleship and Mobile Suits have shown up around Neo
Katalhena, but they weren't captured on radar and no trace was found upon
inspection. Boz is convinced it's ghosts in the shape of a battleship,
and Masaki is reminded of the armored undead Ruozor can summon in Ra-Gias.
Anyway, the rumors say that the Jupiterians are scheming for the cleansing
of humanity from the Earth: this seems to parallel the Earth Cleansing plan.
Ryuune notes that the lack of radar contact and all suggests EOT. Time for
your people to go check it out. Your people aren't sure whether this is
worth it, but you use the T-Link system and find the enemy! It's Chronokul,
who is really pissed to run into the Lond Bel before the operation starts.
He and his goons wonder how you found him despite the D-Stealth system they
were using. Anyway, they'll have to endure your attacks until preparations
for blast-off are complete.
When Katejina and Usso cross swords she'll tell him that he's not cute at
all, she's got a grudge for him bearing such suffering at an early age.
Killing her is worth a Biosensor [and a lot of satisfaction].
Taking out Chronokul will give you a Skill Point and an Anti-Beam Coating.
He says he can't allow the Earth Cleansing plan to fall behind and has all
ships retreat to regroup.
Well, the bad guys seem to be gone for the time being, but Burning cautions
Monsha that they're probably just going to pull their next stunt. Just then
Nyung contacts you and says there's an emergency: contact is being lost with
one colony after another in Side 4, which is where Seabook and Bilgeet are
from. Although unconfirmed, this seems to be the work of the Crossbone
Vanguard. The Riga Militia's forces dispatched to the scene have also gone
out of contact too. Time to head to the scene. Go to SM43.
SF42. Chichi yo Chikyuu wa Chikai ("Father, the Earth is Nigh")
Same Helmoze stuff as in SA42, plus Hainel's chat with Kentarou. Except
this time Kentarou wonders if this is the time to use the small explosive
charge he's got hidden in his tooth. Anyways, your people are glad to be
back on Earth after their month aboard the Macross. Bel wonders if Biston
Well is on the blue planet you all are about to land on, Ere says it's okay
to think so. Cham tells Bel that Biston Well can't be seen from here - it
can only be seen once the Aura Road opens up, as Marvel notes. Banjou notes
that this group may have the toughest mission of all. Garrison contacts you
and after the requisite greetings says that various groups have started
attacking the Far East in earnest. This makes sense since various super-
science and EOT facilities are located there. Luckily, Garrison is at the
Far East base (which is still intact) with Igor. Igor says that with the
help of the Kalaba etc. they've held off the enemy so far, but unless you
all head there right away it's just a matter of time till things fold.
The V pilots are mulling over the need for a new Ultramagnetic generator.
Both teams agree that Kentarou was probably captured by the bad guys. Just
then, you detect a single saucer from the Boazan forces heading your way.
Time to scramble and intercept it. It's Kentarou, who is in a hurry to give
the plans to somebody before he's followed. Just then he sees his children
in the V's and thanks God for the meeting. Needless to say your dudes are
astounded, although they're also wary of a decoy like the time before.
Kentarou figures this out quickly and says they don't have to believe him,
but that they should take the plans he'll transmit them and show them to
Hamaguchi. Just then Hainel shows up and uses a tractor beam to get Kentarou
back. He tells your people that he wouldn't do something so unfair as to use
a decoy, and your people angst over not believing Kentarou at first.
Don't bother attacking Daimon and Saimon, you can't hurt them. Both Jungle
and Hainel are worth a Skill Point. Hainel is also worhth an I-Field
Generator. Get rid of Hainel, and Garuda and his forces will appear. They
want to get rid of Hainel, but figure that now is not the time: they'll
have other chances.
Do-Zhul is worth a Minovsky Craft. Garuda is worth a High Power Targeting
System.
Your people are very sorry they couldn't rescue Kentarou, but very glad they
got the plans for the Ultramagnetic Weighting Cannon. Daisaku tries to get
them to cheer up, but they tell him he wouldn't understand their feelings.
Asuka wonders why everyone in the Lond Bel seems to have a father complex.
Ken'ichi gets pissed at this, but Ippei gets in his way. _He_ has had enough
of Ken'ichi and the others acting like spoiled brats and is quite ready to
throw down with them. He asks Ken'ichi if he's heard what happened to
Daisaku's father, that Daisaku's father was killed right before Daisaku's
eyes during the flight from the B.F. and entrusted with saving the world with
Giant Robo. Ippei informs the others that compared to Daisaku they're doing
great...heck, there's lots of people like Masaki and Ryuusei who don't have
a father at all. Come to think of it, neither does Ippei.
Meanwhile Hyouma asks Kosaku if the Ultramagnetic Whatchamacallit Cannon
will really let them win in battle. Kosaku's looked at the plans and says
that the new gadget will indeed up the ultramagnetic output quite a bit, so
much that there's extra energy that could cause the Weighting Cannon to
explode if something isn't done about it. Hayato says it's the same deal
as with the Ultramagecon, and that there's nothing for it but to entrust the
thing to Hamaguchi and Yotsuya.
Ken'ichi then goes to apologize to Daisaku - Daisaku says not to worry about
it and that he wants to help rescue Ken'ichi's father. He tells Ken'ichi
that there will surely be a chance and to cheer up. Unfortunately, something
terrible is afoot on the bridge. Ere's just heard from Shiela that the
Jupiterians have just commenced indiscriminate attacks on the colonies.
They're using some sort of machines which only kill humans. Ryou wonders why
they'd do that if the Arrowgaters wanted Earth's warpower to supplement their
own - Kaji says that that's exactly why they'd want to take out all
noncombattants to prevent the threat of revolt. Basically, it's the sign of
full-scale invasion by the Arrowgaters now that the Zentraedi or Meltrandi
have appeared within the Solar System. Ritsuko wonders if this was triggered
by the Arrowgaters finding out about the appearance of the STMC... Ryouma
wants to go to the colonies aid, but Ere and Misato persuade him that if
the Arrowgaters really are making their move, things need to be taken care
of on Earth too. Go to SF43.
SA43. PURU to AKUSHIZU to ("Puru and Axis and...")
You haven't heard back from Quatro yet - the departure of the Jupiterians
makes it look like Scirocco's negotiations didn't go through. Before Bright
can answer Amuro's question about whether he things Quatro succeeded, the
Gwadon starts moving, heading for Axis. Bright says it's most likely the
case that the negotiations failed, and that there was probably no hope of a
cease-fire with the Jion anyway. Amuro supposes that Quatro would never have
cooperated with the Yugo if Jion were the sort to listen to reason. Just
then El bursts in (despite level 1 battlestation status) and tells Bright
to follow the ship since Beecher, Mondo, and Riina are aboard it out of
concern for Judou. Bright is really pissed that they'd do something that
stupid, but Amuro says you've got to follow the ship anyway. So you do, at
level 1 alert.
Judou is upset at your treatment, as though you were hostages. Akira tells
him that that's exactly what you are. Emma and Camille are putting their
heads together over Rekoa - all that's clear is that she went with Scirocco
of her own volition. Gremy shows up and tells everyone to come with him
quietly, and they won't get hurt. Judou fakes an illness and tricks Gremy
so that he can escape, promising to call help. Then, Hamarn introduces you
to the rightful heir of the Zabi House, Queen Mineba Zabi. Your people are
surprised to see a mere child; Quatro thinks that this child, raised in the
asteroid belt since the One-Year War, has finally returned to Earth. Mineba
remembers Char, that he used to play with her...which was when she was only
two! She thanks Hamarn for watching over her for so long, and that it's
finally time for Axis to escape the domination of the old Zabis and begin
to move. Hamarn tells you not to misunderstand: their objective is the
salvation of all souls ensnared by the Earth's gravity, and that Giren isn't
the man for the job. Mineba says that the Zabi House must be reborn through
new blood. Quatro asks Hamarn if she intends to take over Neo-Jion - she
tells him to be careful how he chooses his words, and that she's not going to
take it over so much as return it to sane governance. Mineba asks Char to
lend her his power, that the true prosperity of the Spacenoids depends on
the revival of Jion. Char is extremely upset that Hamarn raised Mineba in
this fashion; he asks her what's the point of raising someone with such
a biased soul. Hamarn replies that Mineba is the person who must stand at
the pinnacle of the Spacenoids as the epitome of the new Zabi House, and
wether Char isn't the one who's got things mixed up. Both Emma and Camille
point out to Char that the reason you all came here was to negotiate a cease
fire, and demand to know where his usual calm went. Hamarn demands that
everyone cease this rudeness in Mineba's presence and tells the guards to
return everyone to the prison. She then tells Mineba not to worry, that
Char will return to them. Mineba asks what happens if he doesn't...
Judou has meanwhile escaped, but doesn't know how he'll rescue the others.
Just then, he runs into Puru, who hails Judou and asks if he isn't looking
for her. He doesn't recognize her and tries to hurry off, but she hangs on
tight and demands to come with him. He asks if she's from the Shangri-La
colony, but she says she's born and raised in Axis: this is her first time
seeing the Earth this close. Judou _really_ wants to hurry and rescue your
dudes, but Puru asks him to kiss her. He asks if this isn't a bit sudden,
and she tells him he's funny. Just then Gremy spots them - Judou is peeved
that Puru attracted attention to him, but Puru offers to lead him to the
space dock so he can get outside. Judou promises to play with her later, so
she leads him.
At that time, Bright is planning the infiltration of Axis and rescue of the
hostages. Noriko wonders if Quatro and the others are okay - Yamadera informs
her that they're going to rescue them precisely because they're not okay. The
division of labor is decided, and it's time to execute. Bright tells everyone
here that their job is to distract the enemy. Gremy is peeved that he's
lost sight of both Judou and Puru - he asks Iria how the Newtype squad's
search is going. There doesn't seem to be adequate cause to send them against
your people, but Gremy is worried about the report he heard from his spies
that Hamarn expressed a desire to overthrow the Zabi House in front of Char.
With this treachery against Giren now in the open, the Newtype Squad has to
be completed as soon as possible. Well, he orders Iria and the others to
slay your foolish people.
On round two, your dudes show up and try to sneak into Axis. However, Iria
notices them. Gremy realizes your intent, but thinks this may be his chance
and dispatches D Squad to take them over. Iria wonders why only D Squad is
being dispatched, and wonders if Gremy _wants_ your people to succeed.
Gremy intends to exploit the Lar Kairam while everyone's spread thin, get
his hands on the Nanai Newtype lab, and get rid of Hamarn.
On round 3, Puru and Judou pop out into space. Judou wonders who the heck
Puru is that she can pilot her Quberay, and wonders further if the red Zak
he's in is Char's. Amuro is sure surprised by it, and tells Judou to go
back to the Lar Kairam and let him handle things. Clearly, Puru isn't
obeying, so Gremy will use Psycommu to control her externally. Amuro tells
Judou to get away from her, but that he won't do - Amuro then tells him that
his voice should be able to help her break free. Persuade Puru with Judou
and she'll come back to you.
Gremy is worth an Apogee Motor. As your dudes get close to Axis, Rakan will
pop up with goons. He wonders what Gremy was doing leaving Axis undefended,
and says he'll defend the place himself.
Iria is worth a Propellant Tank, as is Kyara. Rakan is worth a Hybrid
Armor. Defeat all enemies for a Skill Point. The operation is over once
you've gotten the infiltration squad onto Axis. Gremy realizes he can't
take over the Lar Kairam any more, so he has his people retreat into Axis
too. Judou says Puru mustn't go to Axis anymore, and says to come with him:
she says she'll go anywhere he goes.
Go to SA44.
SM43. Uchuu ni Saku Youka ("Bewitching Flower that Blooms in Space")
At Cosmo Babylonia, Zabine announces to the Commander-in-Chief Carozzo that
he's brought Cecily. Carozzo tells Cecily that she should remember his
voice and she asks him to take off his mask. He replies that he's a pathetic
man whose wife was taken by "that" Shio. Thus, he is sworn to enact old
man Mitzer's ideals: he began a fight against his weak self then. Cecily
recognizes this manner of speech and stubbornnes as none other than her
father. He tells her to forgive him his pledge to keep the mask on until
the Cosmo Babylonia is completed. Cosmo Babylonia is that dream that the
Rona House has held for a thousand years, a dream to make mankind live
forever. By means of a system erected not by the Federation or Neo-Jion
governments but by the Rona House, the chosen humans will live in an ideal
society. Cecily wonders if this system is different from the Cosmo Nobility
Principle that the Crossbone Vanguard has thusfar so ignobly advanced with
force. Karozzo tells Cecily to go to her grandfather, who is calling her.
Karozzo then asks Dorel to report how things were in his absence. Things
will take a little longer for their Mobile Suit batallions to come together
to the extent initally planned. The joint operation with Neo-Jion has stopped
at the minimum required amount of warpower - Karozzo says that their
cooperation will no longer be necessary. Zabine points out that it's
currently rather long odds for their forces to beat Neo-Jion; Karozzo says
not to worry and that that warpower is already on hand. Zabine wonders if
the Steel Mask is referring to his Top Secret "Raflesia Project", or perhaps
the things code-named "Bugs". Or maybe the mysterious squadron that attacked
the Frontier-Side colonies...perhaps the rumors that Steel Mask has dealings
with the Jupiterians aren't entirely false. Karozzo orders the commencement
of the operation to take over Frontier IV.
Meanwhile, Jire is happy to report that the first use of the Bugs managed to
"cleanse" 3 million people from Frontier I in only three days. Karozzo
orders the Bugs to be sent to the Moon and the Earth as soon as the takeover
of Frontier IV is over. Carozzo notes that this is easily more than enough
power to carry out the requisite part of the Earth Cleansing operation...now,
all they have to do is wait for Raflesia to reach full flower.
Just then, Kawasse detects the Crossbone Vanguard. Seabook is told they're
heading for Frontier IV - Shiela orders everyone to launch and prevent the
attack on the colony. There's the possibility that you all won't make it
in time from your current position. You can either send Seabook and other
combat-heavy machines on ahead first, or have everyone go together.
Sending Seabook ahead is worth a Skill Point.
Zabine is asking Cecily how her Begina-Gina is. Cecily says it's easier
than some of the other machines - Zabine wonders if she's a true Newtype.
She asks not to be labeled like that. Your people make it in time, but Dorel
orders his people to prioritize taking over the colony. You can't just rush
in after them lest you be ambushed. Seabook and Cecily sense each other,
and you sense some overwhelming evil that's about to appear.
Have Seabook Persuade Cecily. Seabook asks her if she really intended to
return to the Rona House, and she says no but that that was the only way
to save him back when. Her piloting the Mobile Suit is because she thought
she had no other choice - Seabook tells her she can still make it and to
come with him. Zabine gets upset when Cecily defects and says this is
all because the old man was so caught up with Cecily. If Zabine attacks
Cecily, she says she learned how many people get sacrificed when the ones
leading humanity go mad. Zabine will tell Seabook if the two fight that
he's clearly a force for calamity that is leading the Rona House astray.
Zabine is worth a Psychoframe.
On turn 2.5, a mobile armor appears that resembles a red flower: it's the
Raflesia, the evil thing that everyone felt. Wu-Fei shows up on turn 3 in
a Gundam "similar to the ones Duo was driving." He perceives that the
Raflesia is controlling the Bugs and won't have any more of it.
When Seabook and Carozzo cross swords, Carozzo wonders if Seabook is a
Newtype with the way he moves. Seabook says he can't let Carozzo live, and
Carozzo says he's put on his mask because he doesn't let individuality
and passion interfere and thereby strengthened his ego. Besides, if
Seabook was ordered to kill 9/10ths of humanity he'd end up like this too!
Seabook isn't having this kind of excuse. Taking out the Raflesia is worth
a Minovsky Craft.
It seems that the Raflesia's destruction has caused the other dudes invading
the colony to flee...as does Wu-Fei. Go figure. Bilgeet doesn't like
Cecily joining you, but she says that the attacks on the colonies were her
grandfather's idea and you say that Cecily surely just got caught up in
events. Between the Newtypes and the Crossbone Vanguard Bilgeet is ready to
bail, but Burning tells him to shut up. Shiela says that clearly Cecily has
been through a lot, and although she was with the enemy she's welcome to stay
on this ship, which isn't part of the Federation army.
Cecily is still very stricken by remorse, but Seabook says it's okay to stay
here. Shiela then tells Burning that negotiations with Neo-Jion failed; he's
not really surprised. Plus, the Riga Militia has delivered the disturbing
news that some group of mobile suits has appeared and started causing trouble
on Side 7. Apparently, the group contains a Gundam...could it be Hiiro and
the others? You think it's weird that the colonies are being attacked if
it's Hiiro...Kouji agrees, since Hiiro and the others were trying to defend
the colonies. Time to collect more info on this Gundam...and head to Luna2.
That's where Oz is based - despite them being the enemy and unlikely to just
help you, Shiela says that you'll need help to fend off Neo-Jion and the
Jupiterians. Plus, Gloval had said that Treize had once before been helpful
toward your dudes. Oz probably won't help you, but it's worth at least
asking, and the mystery Gundam will be along the way. Go to SM44.
SB43. Seishi Shita Yami no Naka de ("Within the Halted Darkness")
Beauty abruptly hugs Banjou when you all get back to the Far East base.
She tells Reika that their little promise to hold back is off, but Banjou
tells her to hold off at least _some_ in front of Queen Ere - who tells him not
to worry. After the pleasantaries are concluded, you learn things suck on
Earth given the Titans and the Biston Well forces, the latter of whom seem to
have fixated on the Far East and are sending forces this way. Ere figures
that Drake heard about this place from Shot and planned his attack as a
result. The V's are being sent back for modifications so they'll be out
for a while. The EVAs need to go back to NERV for inspection and new
weapons: the Goraon will carry them.
You break the news about Ingram to Robert. Between him, Shot, and Shapiro,
members of the SRX Team seem to be causing all sorts of problems: ironic that
those who worked on machines to save people should become the enemy. You ask
where Irm and your SO are despite knowing that your SO doesn't
remember you. You say you don't care about yourself, and only want to free
someone else who was being used like you were. Robert doesn't know where
they are; he figures they're following Ingram on their own. He can guess
where they'll show up next though: the IPO Peking Base, where a new SRX
Machine is undergoing final checks. The test is being run there since the
Far East base is a likely target for the bad guys...and Shuu himself is
there. You thank Robert for the info, and he tells you to remember that
whatever else happens, he'll never betray you or Ryuusei.
Gendou says hi to Banjou, who it seems is an old acquaintance of his. He
notes from Misato's report that the EVAs were capable of fighting on equal
terms with the STMC...at least with the ones you encountered. Misato wonders
why he asked: were the EVAs made specifically to be able to fight the STMC?
He tells Misato that he's already secured permission from the Council for the
armaments upgrades she requested, and tells her to begin the outfitting as
soon as the tests on the EVAs are completed. Banjou asks how the Human
Complementation Project is going, but Gendou says there's no need to tell
him. Gendou further warns Banjou that even he, Banjou Kenzou's son, had
better keep from poking his nose into NERV's affairs. Banjou says it's
been some time since he's heard that name - Gendou replies that it seems
Banjou has exhibited all the capabilities that Dr. Banjou had planned for in
his artificial evolution laboratory. Misato wonder what the heck is up with
both of them.
Kaji then hands over the object he's been carrying with him all this time,
frozen in Bakelite but still alive: the object necessary for the Human
Complementation Project. The first human: Adam. Gendou notes that Ingram
has gone back to the other side: Kaji says that if the Arrowgaters start
moving it'll mean that they have a source of information comparable to the
Dead Sea Scrolls. Gendou is derisive: all the trump cards are in his hands,
and like the Council the Arrowgaters can't do a thing. Kaji asks about the
possibility that the Arrowgaters have their own Complimentation Project
going. Gendou says that if it can be proven that some fundamental link
exists between the Arrowgaters and the things of Earth, it'll mean that the
answer NERV arrived at will be correct, not the Council's. Gendou says that
the harbingers of the end, the STMC, have already appeared: all that remains
is for humans to determine by their own hands what sort of resolution will
result.
Asuka is about to leave Daisaku and go to school with "First" and Shinji.
Of course, the little "excursion" to the tenth planet messed up the paperwork
something fierce. Shou says to leave everything to him and go off to school
already - she was planning to do that anyway. Daisaku asks Shinji why he
hasn't seen his father yet - Shinji says he doesn't want to. He doesn't
know what he'd talk about...and perhaps he hates his father.
EVAs 3 and 4 have just been cleared for real combat, almost as though timed
to Misato's return. It seems that Marduk has found the pilots. Misato asks
for more info to be gathered. Ritsuko tells Gendou how Rei's soul's data
has been copied for use in the EVAs, although they're nothing more than a
digital fake. She reminds him that the Dummy Plug is merely a machine that
imitates a pilots' thoughts. Gendou says that's fine as long as it works
and to input the data into EVA-01 and EVA-02 despite the one or two problems
remaining. Maya admits to not liking the Dummy Plug very much - Ritsuko
doesn't either but says it's necessary for humanity to survive. Maya says
she respects Ritsuko and intends to perform her job, but she's not satisfied.
Ritsuko tells her that compulsive fastidiousness makes it hard to live among
others, and that Maya will understand when she finally feels dirty.
Just then, a blackout strikes NERV HQ. Backup power won't work, and commands
to connect emergency power to the Magi and Central Dogma aren't entirely
working. Ritsuko, who was doing a test with the EVAs, says it wasn't her
fault. It's very odd that the mains and the backups both down at once:
Gendou says it's not so much that the breakers tripped as that they were
_made_ to trip. It'll take at least 8 hours until things are back to
normal, and wouldn't it suck if an Angel were to attack just now... Fuyutsuki
says that the geofront was designed as a colony that could survive independent
of the outside world - it's simply not conceivable that it could be deprived
of all power like this. Someone did it to figure out how the circuitry works
by reckoning from the path taken to restore service, probably the Council
or B.F. Ritsuko has run some dummy programs on the Magi to make it harder
to penetrate there. Fuyutsuki can't believe that the first blow against NERV
is wrought not by the Angels but by other humans - Gendou says that humans
are their own worst enemy. Maya notes that despite the ceased A/C and the
hot, stale air Gendou and Fuyutsuki are still at their posts: Fuyutsuki
points out that they've got an unfair advantage (see the TV series).
Abe spots one unknown object heading your way. Of course, it's an Angel.
Cham thinks it's weird cause it's got so many eyes. Garrison observes that
NERV seems to be suffering a blackout, which is why they're not responding
yet. While you don't know what's up with NERV, you strike to prevent damage
to the city. The three pilots then act out the corresponding scene from
EVA with Asuka becoming the "leader".
On round two, while crawling through the ventilation ducts, Shinji asks
why the Angels are called that, and wonders why you all are fighting them.
Asuka calls him an idiot and says it's only natural to fight big, nasty
beasties who pop out from nowhere and attack.
On round 3, you realize that the Angel is trying to melt its way into the
geofront with acid: it'll make it within four turns. Worse, here come a
group of Aura Battlers, probably Drake's. As the NERV people realize
they're under assault, Gendou goes to the cages to help get ready for
launch - he believes the pilots will arrive.
On round 3.5 or whenever the Angel is defeated, Shou recognizes Todd. Todd
says that Shou's got the devil's own luck and he expected Shou to be dead
long ago. Burn tells Marvel and Shou that he's going to pay them back for
what they did to him in Biston Well. You can't let the battle expand
any further! If Shou fights Todd he tells Todd that all Todd's powered up
is his hatred. Burn blames Shou for the loss of his knighthood and says
that the only way to let Drake readmit him as captain of the Knights is to
come back with Shou's head - when you trash him he can't believe he lost.
Great Mazinger will show up on turn 4, saying that as usual things seem
rather unrestful in this town. He was evidently ordered to save your
dudes' butt, not that they should need his help anyway. Asuka then starts
picking on Rei for being the model student who Gendou favors, telling Rei
not to get conceited because she's being treated special. Rei says she's
not getting conceited, or being treated specially.
Todd is worth a Propellant Tank S, as is Burn.
Defeat the Angel before the EVAs launch for 2 Skill Points.
After the battle, the power comes back on: one less thing to worry about.
Meanwhile, Kaji's made his way into Central Dogma, the core of NERV HQ, and
to its heart, Terminal Dogma. After all, had this chance not occured getting
in would have been completely impossible. Misato shows up and with gun to
his head asks if this is his real job or just part-time. Misato knows that
Kaji is both a member of NERV's intelligence branch and of the Federation
Army's EOTI division. He asks if he's here on Gendou's orders, and she says
it's her own volition...and that if he continues his part-time job any
further he'll die. He says that Gendou's still using him, so he'll pull
through - but that he's sorry he kept things from her. She thanks him drily
for all the help with suggestions for operational plans, and he tells her
that Ritsuko and Gendou are keeping things from her too. ...And opens the
door to reveal...a big thingie on a cross. Kaji says that this is Adam, that
which triggered the Second Impact, and the beginning of everything. Misato
wonders why the First Angel is here, and notes that NERV isn't as soft as
even she thought.
Gendou tells Banjou that he's sending the EVAs out with the Lond Bel again.
Banjou thought that they were indispensible for the Human Complementation
Project, but Gendou tells him he doesn't need to know why they're being sent
anyway. Banjou notes that everything is moving according to Gendou's own
private schedule, and after a moment Gendou tells him that if he finds out
too much Banjou will just hasten his own death. Banjou says that he won't
die so easily, at least until he figures out NERV's true objective.
Asuka finds Kaji, but he's in a hurry with something. It seems he's got the
synchro data of the EVA pilots...and a photo of Fourth Children. Asuka is
astounded at his identity. Meanwhile, an alarm sounds and Misato heads to the
control room, evading Ritsuko's question about where she was. Ritsuko tells
her that NERV's #2 base in Nevada just disappeared. EVA-04 and all the
research facilities within 89 kilometers have been lost, along with several
thousand people. Aoba says that from the time schedule this must have been
an accident in the testing of the S2 Engine, which was rather unlikely to
work in the first place. But the odd thing is that it didn't explode, it
_vanished_, probably taking everything with it into the Sea of Dirac. So much
for the S2 Engine: Misato blames it on people using things they don't
understand and Ritsuko reminds her that that goes for the EVAs too. EVA-03
is being sent to NERV HQ - seems the Federation Army doesn't want to lose its
base too. Misato finds it a bit irksome that NERV HQ is being forced to do
all the heavy lifting; Ritsuko says in light of the tragedy it's not too
surprising. Misato asks if they're going to boot EVA-03 with the Dummy Plug:
Ritsuko says it's still too dangerous and that they'll use Fourth Children.
Evidently, Ritsuko got the data before the official announcment, and says
that she and Misato are going to be taking a break from the Goraon for the
test. And that she's not particularly hiding anything from Misato. Misato
is startled to see who it is, and Ritsuko says that the candidates _are_
being concentrated in "that" school after all. Misato says that while
Asuka won't matter and Rei is an exception, breaking the news to Shinji will
be tough. He's the one who knows best how bad things come from associating
with the EVAs.
Shinji is telling Kensuke that he's working with the Lond Bel and that he
won't be able to see him for a while. Kensuke is a little jealous, and Hikaru
tells Shinji to take care. Hikaru doesn't know where Touji got to, since
he's been away from school for a long time and therefore unable to eat the
box lunch she's made for him. Rei meets Touji, and says she knows about him.
He says it's rare for others to be worried about him - and that the person
she should worry about is Shinji. Go to SB44.
SA44. RIINA no Chi ("Riina's Blood")
Judou is pissed to find out that Riina went to Axis - El says that she snuck
onto the Gwadon when they weren't looking. Judou is about to storm off and
go back to Axis for Riina, but Ru tells him that going alone is too dangerous
and to leave it to Amuro and the others. He runs into Puru, but tells her
that he's just gotten busy and he'll play with her later. Everyone asks Puru
to let Judou go since Riina is the most important person in Judou's life, his
younger sister. Puru notes that Judou isn't her "older brother" exclusively
and says that's sort of no fun. Time for her to help Judou.
Meanwhile, Hamarn has summoned Char alone to ask him what he really thinks
of the decayed Federation, having now seen it from the inside. She says
it's clear the Federation is not in the right and asks if Char wouldn't like
to help refound Jion with her. He concedes that the Federation government
as it stands now has no right to control the Earth Sphere. However, the
question at hand is not how to govern people, but how to make it through
alive. Hamarn says that all people need do is fight the aliens under Jion's
flag. He replies that that's just a repetition of what happened seven years
ago under the Zabi House - she wonders if that holds true even if Jion were
to be purged of the Zabis. Char wonders how she can say that since _she's_
the one who brought Mineba into things. Just then Mashmar comes in and
tells Hamarn that several Lond Bel mecha have invaded. Hamarn begins to get
an inkling of Gremy's scheme and decides to go forth herself. Mashmar is
very surprised at this, but Hamarn reminds him that they're the strongest
batallion in the Federation Army and not to be beaten easily.
After she and Mashmar leave, Nanai Migel comes to see Char from the Newtype
laboratory. He tells her that he's now Quatro Bajina (and not Char) and
wonders if she's here to try to persuade him too - she says she's here to help
him escape. She tells him that Jion is about to be pulled in half by the
struggle between the Zabis and Hamarn. She was ordered by Giren when he went
to A Baoa Kur to watch over Hamarn, since he knew of her schemes. However,
she believes that the rightful ruler of Jion is neither Giren nor Hamarn...
In any case, she's prepared a new-model Mobile Suit for Quatro and wants him
to flee Hamarn's clutches; she's already freed the others. She says she's
praying that one day the true guiding light of Jion will return... Quatro
says he only wants to see where humanity is going with his own eyes.
Camille and the others have made it to the city within Axis - it's safe to
conclude that not all of Neo-Jion are acting in concert since you all were
able to escape. Beecher and the others spot Camille's crew, only to get
yelled at for pulling such a dangerous stunt. Just then you catch wind of
the Lond Bel attacking Axis. Your dudes have indeed made it inside - Amuro
tells them to hurry through the fortress portion and into the city. Hamarn
recognizes Amuro, who in turn recognizes Hamarn. Hamarn tells everyone to
destroy the invaders and protect Mineba. Steiner asks Bernie if he heard
that, and says not to try too hard since dying here will be meaningless.
Bernie wonders how long the war will last since there are rumors of an alien
invasion...
Judou shows up on round 2 and asks if Riina's been found yet. Amuro tells
him to calm down and that he won't find Riina like that, and Hamarn says
that Judou has disappointed him by being this much of a child. He mock-
apologizes for being so much of a kid that he can't be rational when his
sister is in an enemy base. Hamarn tries to tell him that it's the
Federation government that's put him through all this, but Judou says that
that doesn't make her side right. She asks rhetorically what the stupid
humans have been doing all the years she sat quietly watching space in the
asteroid belt: sullied the Earth, that's what! Thinking of nothing but
fleeing the alien threat! Judou ponders this, and Hamarn says that she's
getting through to his heart after all, and Judou vows not to become hers.
She concurs, saying that while he's a Newtype he's too unaccustomed to
riding the flow. He doesn't care about the Newtype business, all he wants
is to save Riina. Hamarn is pissed at him for getting her hopes up at
first and betraying them at the end...she says he's just like Char!
Convince Bernie with Chris. She'll tell him to stop wasting his life and
to consider whether Jion is in the right. He says there's no time to think
about stuff like that on the battlefield, and she informs him that it's
because Jion's people are like that that the war will never end. She says
that if this meaningless fighting continues the Earth will be invaded by
aliens. THIS IS WORTH A SKILL POINT.
Once one of your units gets into the city area, Quatro will appear in the
Sazabi. He says that he's prepared to be apart from Hamarn as long as
she refuses to reconsider her ideas. She says that the negotiations are
deadlocked, but that he won't be able to save humanity with how he does
things. He believes that the Lond Bel now has the power to break open that
problem - she demands to know what a single batallion can do. Camille
recognizes Quatro instantly, and Iria recognizes them. She grabs Riina and
holds her hostage to tell Char to get out of the Sotherby. Your people are
appaled at the unfairness and Judou demands to know if this is how Hamarn
does things. Focker decides to agree to the demand to disarm, and Hamarn
says that you all will never save humanity that way. Focker says obviously
the Jion side will end up sacrificing all of humanity. Just then Puru shows
up and says she won't forgive those who torment Judou...and blows Iria
clean away. Unfortunately taking Riina with it, it seems....Akira begs
Reideen to manifest, and Hamarn begins to feel something ugly causing her
skin to prickle. Judou goes berserk, and Hamarn is quite amazed that he
could inspire such pressure onto her. He's dangerous..._too_ dangerous!
Just then, Mashmar spots something heading this way quickly: the Reideen.
Akira tells Amuro he'll carry the others: time to escape Axis _now_.
Judou doesn't want to listen to that, but Amuro says it's not clear that
Riina's dead yet and that you all can't afford to lose him now.
You can Convince Hamarn with Quatro, and should if you want to recruit her
later. You tell her that trying to dominate others is just like the Zabis.
She says that even if the Federation manages to get rid of the aliens, their
weak government mustn't be allowed to rule. He tells her not to jump to
conclusions and informs her that people will eventually be renewed and that
for the time being survival should be the top priority. She says that his
soft outlook will change nothing. If you attack her with your character,
Hamarn recognizes you as a Pressure to exceed Judou - and asks why someone
so powerful is part of the Federation. You say you're part of neither
the Federation nor Jion, but are trying to figure out a way for the human
race to survive. She tells you not to lecture her with the same stuff
Char is spewing out, but you point out that revolutionizing humanity will
be meaningless if humanity is all dead.
Nii is worth a Repair Kit. Lance is worth a Propellant Tank. Mashmar is
worth an Anti-Beam Coating. Hamarn is worth a _Haro_; note that she will
leave (and damage her attacker on the way out) if she takes more than a
certain amount (50% ?) of her damage. NOTE that actually taking her out
will cost you FIVE Skill Points (plus an opportunity cost of 1 or 2 more)!!
On the other hand, if you get everyone outside in 17 turns or less, you
get 2 Skill Points. Get everyone outside by turn 18 for 1 Skill Point.
After the battle, Judou has locked himself away in his room and won't answer.
El tries to blame Puru for interfering, but you tell her to shut up. You
can either meet Judou or not. Assuming you choose to talk to him, Puru comes
with you too. You two go into his room and Puru apologizes for the accident.
Judou tells you to leave, that he doesn't want to see anyone right now. He
tells you that _you_ may have overcome a lot of hardship, but he's not that
strong. He says that Riina's happiness is more important to him than peace
for mankind. You inform him that Riina won't come back just by him being
depressed, plus Riina would get depressed looking at him the way he is now.
Puru says she'll try to fill Riina's role and begs him to cheer up. You
tell Judou that he has to decide what to do next, but to remember that the
longer the fighting continues the more people will get to savor misfortune
like Riina's. Judou wonders what he can do for her.
Camille asks you how Judou is - you say the shock is great and he may leave
the ship. Ryuusei says it's no real wonder, but Rai reminds everyone that
the Mobile Suit had an ejector pod. If you see Iria again on the battlefield,
it'll be proof that Riina is alive. Just then, Judou shows up, says he's
sorry for making everyone worry, and when Bright offers to let him off the
ship says he's going to keep on fighting. He's been thinking of what he
could do to make Riina happy, and has realized that he mustn't let anyone
else end up like him. He says he wants to help bring things to a close
sooner, and that he's fighting for his own sake so he doesn't want any thanks.
He's convinced that Riina is still alive, and plans to save her.
Just then, a large mass appears before the ship. Your psychic dudes know it's
like no enemy you've faced yet - Ryuusei wonders if it's Rebi. Warships have
launched from Axis, probably following you. Go to SA45.
SM44. ZERO to Yobareta GANDAMU ("The Gundam Called Zero")
On Luna2, Lady is telling Treize that due to the Lond Bel the Jupiterians'
Earth Cleansing operation has fallen behind schedule - and also due to the
Lond Bel the Frontier IV takeover got cancelled and the Raflesia got sunk.
The Bugs' whereabouts have been unknown since they took out the Winner House's
mining sattelite. And with the appearance of the Bugs came a certain Gundam,
with capabilities similar to the Wing Gundam, but better. It's already
attacked several colonies, and Treize wonders if it's "that" machine that
was developed several years ago. He orders Lady to investigate. Also, the
Romfellar Conglomerate has been pressing Oz for the test results from the
Mobile Doll System - Treize wonders if the Romfellar are adamant on forcing
them to use such an inelegant weapon. He says that he'll make sure they
stop at just being tested and that there's no need to use them in actual
combat. Lady informs him that the Gran Garan is headed toward Luna2 - he
ponders how he should greet the batallion that's maturing into the strongest
combat force in the Earth Sphere. Just then Hiiro and Trowa break in and
demand to know if Treize is Treize (he is - he's never met them directly
before). He commends them on making it through Luna2's guards and into his
office, but Trowa says it feels more like he let them in deliberately. Hiiro
asks what Treize wants, and Treize says they presumably have a lot they want
him to hear, such as the Gundam that's attacking the colonies.
Meanwhile, Duo has snuck in and finds that Oz has more warpower stockpiled
than he thought. Just then, he spies a Leo with tubes and cables running to
its cockpit - and whatever it is shakes him badly. Just then, Hilde finds
him...he's disappointed that he was spotted by a girl, but she says gender
doesn't matter and that she's fighting for peace on the colonies. Duo says
he is too, and wonders why the two are enemies if both have that objective.
She wonders if he's pleading for his life, and although he repeats he's not
her enemy she says she's pledged her life to Oz. He asks who her enemy is:
the organizations at the center of all the battles on the colonies? He points
out that after the Titans, Jupiterians, and Neo-Jion got active everyone on
the colonies stopped smiling and says he's fighting to bring those smiles
back. Yet now he finds the colonists deliberately casting away their smiles -
he wonders when the colonies went insane. He then tells her that she can't
cut it as his enemy, but finds some similarity between himself, who's taking
on the whole world, and Helde. She says not to make fun of her, and he
says that both of them are funny in the head. He tells her that many colonists
are going to start dying, and that they should each go on living as hard as
they can by the path they believe in. He tells her to leave Oz, because
things won't be this nice on the next battlefield he meets her on.
Your people are nearing Luna2 - and they think Hiiro and the others are
probably there. Ryuune wonders how they know, and Kouji says it's because
their objective is taking out Oz and the Titans; he figures they've snuck in
and planted bombs or something. Shiela asks to open communications to Luna2,
but just then you catch sight of a bunch of Mobile Suits from Luna2 heading
your way. Seabook wonders if negotiations are hopeless, but Shiela says
she'll negotiate anyway and that all combat is prohibited until she gives the
order. She announces who she is and that she has no intention to fight and
requests that the soldiers be withdrawn. Treize asks first to hear the
reason why she's here - she says she wants his help in stopping the Earth
Cleansing operation. He regrets he can't accept, because preventing the
Jupiterian invasion (or the alien invasion) under the Earth Sphere's confused
state is impossible. Shiela knows that, which is precisely why she's making
the request. Treize acknowledges the Lond Bel's combat power, but says that
what the Earth Sphere needs is not military power but someone to lead the
people. Even if the Lond Bel risk their lives in battle, the people at large
will just view it from the standpoint of a disinterested third person: each
and every person must realize they have nowhere to run and rise up on their
own. Therefore, it's impossible to preempt the coming threat. Shiela asks
if it is not all your duty to become the sword and shield of the many.
Treize says he presumes the Lond Bel plan to achieve world domination or at
least world unity with their growing power - Shiela says all they want to
do is save all the people at once. Treize responds that that's just like
the bystanders, and that the only way to unify the people is by force.
Treize says that Oz is cooperating with the Jupiterians (your people are not
happy to hear that) since they have the greatest power on the "Earth" side -
with that fighting the Arrowgaters and giant-type aliens should be possible.
He's aware that the Jupiterians are in league with the Arrowgaters, and
that's all the more reason, plus the fact that Scirocco seems to be thinking
along the same lines as him. Treize says that conflict can't be expunged from
the world, and therefore all that's necessary is for the strong to lead
the world - he says that people even enjoy being dominated by the strong.
And he says that he's got some people of yours who agree with him: Hiiro and
Trowa. You can either fight Oz or surrender to it - Shiela says that she
can't assist the Jupiterians who would indiscriminately attack the colonies
and the Earth. He says that's the correct decision for her, since by fighting
people justify their own existence. Shiela says to try to avoid hitting
Hiiro and Trowa if possible.
On round 2.5, you sense an aura laden with sadness and hatred. It's the
Wing Gundam!...except that it looks different. Treize thinks that it
really is the Wing Zero, the Gundam the Wing and Tallgeese are patterned
after. Quatre is piloting it and tells Oz he'll destroy all their
weapons. Quatre is off his little rocker and determined to destroy all
the weapons that have distorted space; he says that his family's mining
sattelite was destroyed by the Bugs. He wonders what his parents, peace
loving folk who worked for a brighter tomorrow for the colonies, had done
wrong. He says that there's no need for things which are in conflict, so
he'll obliterate all of them. He tells you all to not appear before him
again or he'll kill you too. Hiiro asks if that's all he's got to say,
and says that he fights for what he believes in, and will kill Quatre, who
says he'll kill him back. You say that you'll Persuade Quatre since you
perceive he's got something like your T-Link system controlling him.
Persuade him and he'll tell you to go away. You tell him he's not the only
one with a painful past, but that you won't let yourself be buried in
sadness like him: you'll overcome anything. He says he's not strong like
you, but you tell him to quit being such a spoiled baby and that he's a
member of the Lond Bel too. He snaps out of it and realizes that he had
gotten into the Gundam to exact revenge...
Persuading him is worth a Skill Point.
At that point, Kawasse tells Shiela that you're at a disadvantage to fight
against Oz any more than this [say what?? those panzies got their asses
kicked in _how_ few rounds????] So everyone including Quatre gets the
order to retreat.
Treize, upon hearing that the Gran Garan has withdrawn, says he believes
Shiela understood his message. He says it's just as well that the Wing Zero
is gone, since it's not something Oz or the Romfellar should possess. It'll
pass to its rightful owner sooner or later. Hiiro is back, but Trowa has
either gone missing, or his machine took a hit and he's drifting in space.
As Treize had ordered, Lady has arranged for his Gundam to make its way to
the Lond Bel. Treize calls Hiiro and shows him the way he can go on living:
the Epyon which he developed. Treize says this machine will shows its pilot
the form of the enemies it fights, as well as its own future. Treize believes
it's right for humans to go on fighting, or at least that he has to find his
own answers through combat. But he has no time - this machine can bestow
blessing on the victor and the defeated. He tells Hiiro to show him his
fight, and his future. Treize further tells Hiiro of an Absolute Pacifist
state, the Sank Kingdom, that was wiped out 13 years ago and survives in the
form of the anti-Earth Federation group Kalaba. Treize wants Hiiro to bring
the queen Rilina to him in return for Hiiro getting the Gundam. Treize
figures that they'll have to get serious if Oz had hold of their symbol.
Hiiro understands that Rilina is to be made scapegoat, but accepts the mission
anyway. Treize warns him not to be the victor in this Gundam, that he wants
Hiiro to come back as the defeated.
Meanwhile Quatre is brooding that he's done something that can't be undone
and committed an unpardonable sin. Shiela tells him that while it may not
be much comfort, there's no help in crying over spilt milk. What's important
is what to do now, and your dudes are prepared to welcome Quatre back. Quatre
says that the Wing Zero shouldn't have been reawakened in this age, and
explains that the Zero System it contains was designed to be a man-machine
interface greater in power than even the Psycommu. It keeps track of the
state of battle and prioritizes winning above all else: in short, it inputs
the "future" situation directly into the pilot's brain. Unfortunately, it
won't stop for the pilot's limitations - but go on destroying everything
classified as an enemy. You note that the T-Link system and Zero System are
very similar. Quatre implores you to seal away the Zero, that it mustn't be
used in this age. Go to SM45.
SB44. Akai Kami no Onna ("The Red-Haired Woman")
Drake learns from Shot that the Goraon is back on Earth: it made contact
with Todd's group which was sent on reconnaisance to Japan. Drake had thought
it had left the stage along with the Macross long ago, but Shot says that
one mustn't underestimate the power of the Macross and the SDF - looks like
plans to take over Europe and the Far East should be hurried. Drake says
all he needs the super technology from the East for is opening the Aura Road,
and then he'll be the ruler of two worlds. Shot says that even in the worst
case scenario, if the aliens do attack they can always retreat to Biston Well.
Drake tells Shot to remember that he intends to take over the aliens too in
the end. Shot thinks to himself that that's far easier said than done and
that he, a participant in the SRX Project, knows the magnitude and terror of
the Arrowgaters better than anyone...but maybe it'll be possible to waltz in
after the aliens and humans have fought each other and rule both. Bishot's
Gaea Galing is fighting the Titans in Europe and seems to be winning. Drake
figures that Bishot, the ruler of a kingdom, is probably starting to get
delusions of grandeur, unless Luuza is successfully controlling him. Shot
thinks to himself that Drake evidently hasn't heard the rumors that Luuza is
in league with Bishot and planning mutiny. Drake tells Shot to take over
the Far East base while Bishot has the Titans tied up.
Banjou informs Igor that the EVAs will be sent once again with the Lond Bel -
he doesn't know why, but they're crucial warpower, even if they occasionally
do something totally nutsoid. Tetsuya will be hanging with the Lond Bell too,
since "that" project that Kouji's father is working on has been advancing.
Also, he notes that the Lond Bel are split up and probably a bit short on
warpower - Jun reminds him to watch his language but Igor says it's okay since
Tetsuya has been protecting the Far East base in your absence. Just then
Hazuki receives a transmission from Big Falcon and the Nangen Connection:
the Ultramagnetic Weighting Cannon is a success, and the V's are done being
outfitted. Plus, Prof. Saotome called to say that "that" machine is almost
ready and to have the Getter Team head to the lab - Shin Getter Robo is nigh.
Banjou wonders how the heck Saotome intends to control it if it's as powerful
as in the plans. Just then Shou shows up and says that Ere has had a
premonition: a great malice is overshadowing the base. Aura Battlers and a
red-haired woman are threatening you with a great, dangerous power. This
may refer to Drake's army and Jeril Kuchibi. Ere says the Aura power is far
too strong, but Marvel is sure none of the Surfacedwellers Drake has could
be as strong as that - Shou reminds her that all sorts of weird things happen
on the surface. You then catch sight of them on radar.
You get discomfited as the T-Link System responds to the enemy Aura - you're
not sure you can endure battle like this. It's Shot, and Ere accuses him of
polluting Biston Well with machines. Shot says that the work he did while
still on the surface was very helpful in building the Aura Battlers. Robert
wonders if they are like the R-series in terms of bringing out people's hidden
powers; they are. Robert asks why Shot doesn't use them for the sake of
the Earth (typical of him) and Shot says that he's not so stupid as to fight
enemies he has no hope of defeating. Plus, it's not as though Biston Well
is a separate planet... He orders some of his goons to attack you and others
to take over the base; Jeril says she'll take on Shou and he tells her not
to be careless.
On round two, Galaria (presumed dead) shows up. Shot tells her to attack
the base, but she doesn't feel like it. She tells Shot that he's forgotten
the goal of unifying Biston Well and is merely spreading chaos on the
Surface for fun. On round three, you sense something coming - you can't
tell whether it's friend or foe, but you're better off assuming the latter.
That person is Yazan and some Titans, here with Jamitov's final warning.
Refusing to hand over the base will mean the entire Federation is your
enemy, and you may even get nuked. The fact that you've gotten this
ultimatum means that the Titans have their back to the wall too. You can
either hand over the base, or not.
Handing it over, though foolish sounding, is worth a Skill Point. If you
do this, Igor says that he can't let the Titans use nuclear force that would
involve numerous civilians. Shinobu counters that once they've got the
base there's no telling what they'd do, but Igor says this is an order and
if he disobeys his posting to the base will be void. Banjou sees what
Igor's strategy is and tells Igor that he can't heed the order. Igor then
releases them from Far East command, and Banjou tells everyone that you've
just gotten license to do whatever you want (not that you were ever really
obligated to follow orders anyway). Yazan sees the writing on the wall and
tells everyone to withdraw if they don't want to be caught up in the
nuclear strike. He says that Jamitov just might do it for all he knows.
Alan shows up on turn 4. He knows who Shinobu is, and says that he'll fight
on your behalf so you don't lose the Far East base.
When you defeat Jeril, she'll come back in giant form - her Aura power has
made her machine get all gigantic. She vows to take out Shou, who says
last rights for her. Jeril is worth a Biosensor. Shot is worth a
Psychoframe. Muji is worth a Booster.
Your dudes are amazed at the hyperization of the Aura Battlers; you say it's
a force of raw, overwhelming evil such as you've not felt before. You say
you're amazed that such power could be controlled, and that it almost tripped
the T-Link system's breaker. Shou isn't really sure what happened either,
but says that Jeril couldn't control her own Aura power - the other Aura
Battlers realize that self-destruction awaits them too if they can't control
their Auras. Hatred and fury cause that Aura power to become abnormally
amplified, and Cham asks if that can happen to Shou too. He says he's no
exception, and reassures her that he'll prove he can retain control. You
realize that you too can end up like her if you misuse your power. Just then
the V's show up and apologize for keeping everyone waiting...and notice that
the battle's already over. Asuka tells them they're late, despite flying
here at full speed. But thankfully the V's can now cut the Maxingal-coated
bad guys. Alan tells Shinobu that the Beast Machine, or rather the whole
Lond Bel, will be destroyed unless "that person" reconsiders. Shinobu asks
who "that person" is, and tells Alan to wait up. Alan asks what Shinobu will
do if he doesn't wait, and tells him he'd better learn that technique alone
won't let him pilot his machine. So departs the Black Knight of Calaba,
whose voice Banjou sort of recognizes...
Hazuki asks Igor if the black knight was in fact his son - Igor replies that
he has no son. Saya then contacts Igor on an emergency channel: a mysterious
explosion has taken place at the Photon Power lab. He's still investigating,
but abnormally heavy Getter Index is detected from the area. This was
probably triggered during the bootup test of the new Getter. The Goraon
squad gets sent to investigate as the base maintains its alert.
Meanwhile, Fuyutsuki at NERV HQ has just heard of the explosion. Aoba
confirms that the Getter Index is over 400 times normal in the area.
Fuyutsuki says this is bad, since the blast is near where EVA-03 was sent for
testing: there is a high probability that the Getter rays will adversely
affect EVA-03. Getter rays cause life to evolve, which means... Gendou
says that the final stage of evolution is self-destruction: death itself.
Gendou says this is good for his crew, although bad for the Council. Go to
SB45.
SA45. Shikkoku no Tenshi Kitarite ("The Jet-Black Angel Cometh")
Hamarn has just learned from Mashmar that Gremy's squadron launched without
permission at Reuruler, accompanied by Nanai Migel and the Newtype squadron.
They didn't respond to calls from Axis. Hamarn wonders if Gremy thinks she
hasn't expected this, and Mashmar asks if he really was sent by "that man"
from A Baoa Qu to keep an eye on her. She says yes and that that's precisely
why she showed her true intentions in front of "him" and Mineba. With that
in the open, Giren's pet Gremy had no choice but to act that way. She
explains that while Mineba is currently the center of Neo-Jion's morale, she
may one day become an impediment to Giren's control. After taking over the
Earth Sphere, Giren probably plans to make Mineba and maybe even Dozul
disappear. When Mashmar is skeptical, Hamarn reminds him that Giren is the
man who assasinated King Degin seven years ago. She says that as the various
factions reach toward their various goals, the internicine war within the
Neo-Jion is only going to get fiercer - especially since the lingering
influence of her father Maharaja Karn is in Giren's way. She says this is
the perfect time to show their intent, and that it's time to launch their
Mobile Suits too. Just then she senses something, but claims it's nothing.
Hamarn felt it too, a pressure that's not Amuro or Char, or Scirocco...nor
the birth of a new Newtype. Time to be even more cautious...
Your dudes note the apparent falling out between thieves. The Lar Kairam
needs to bail (i.e. get to the South edge of the board). Focker tells
everyone all they have to do is escort and not do anything reckless; Hikaru
says that's not very convincing coming from him. Gremy says to attack the
Lond Bel while attempting to conserve their warpower - he explains that
the Delaz fleet has failed in its "Stardust" operation and is nearly
wiped out. Therefore all of his people must regroup at A Baoa Qu. Rakan
says he thought Gremy was conserving power to smite Hamarn, he says of course
for that purpose too. Gremy says he won't forgive Hamarn for turning on
Giren, and that that's the mission he was given too. Nanai says that it
seems that the rumor that Gremy has Zabi blood in him isn't just a rumor.
Meanwhile Rezun is sure that "conserving" warpower will never beat the Lond
Bel. Gyunei thinks if he can take out the batallion with Char and Amuro in
it he can rule Neo-Jion [what a moron].
On round two you detect a gravity signature - Ryuusei says he's felt this
pressure before. Amuro feels it too, a feeling neither good nor bad, but
tells you and Ryuusei to worry about guarding the Lar Kairam. Hamarn and
her dudes show up on round 2.5. She asks why Gremy launched and he tells
her of the Delaz Fleet's fate. She then asks why he didn't consult her,
and he sees if he can pit her against the Lond Bel. Just then, something
warps out...a presence the SRX Team recognizes: Ingram! He says that the
chains of fate must be stronger than he thought seeing as how he's run
into you again. Ryuusei tells him not to move, but he says that neither
can you defeat him as you are now, nor is there any reason for him to fight
you. Ryuusei says he's got a reason to fight him, and Ingram says he
recalls teaching him to assess conditions on the battlefield correctly.
Ryuusei won't listen and attacks anyway, and gets his ass kicked. Ingram
says that the machine seems to be up to its specs, but that there are some
problems regulating the power - and that he nearly lost a sample as a
result. Ingram tells Ryuusei that he just felt the power of the Astranagun,
the ultimate humanoid weapon he built. Ingram then tells Hamarn that he
came on behalf of the Arrowgaters to negotiate, but she cuts him off and
demands to know why she should believe him. He agrees and says that as a
test of the Astranagun he'll take on whoever she likes. She figures that
just like Scirocco she can't trust him, but that she can use him. She
tells him to fight whoever comes after her, and Gremy, figuring his time is
near, tells his men to fight her as a traitor.
If you attack Ingram, he says his goal is to unlock all the secrets of
humanity's hidden human powers and make them his. You doubt that's enough
justify all of this, and he tells you to defeat him if you want to know the
truth - and if you want to escape your destiny. You yell at him for
concocting that destiny for you. If you fight him with Amuro he'll tell
him that he hooked up with the Lond Bel to collect data from your machines.
Gyunei is worth a Psychoframe. Gremy is worth a Minovsky Craft.
Get the Lar Kairam out within six turns for 2 Skill Points.
After the battle, you can't detect any sign of pursuit - it's believed that
Ingram's machine entered Axis. Quatro is upset that he messed up the
negotiations, but Focker says anyone else would have achieved the same result
and Amuro says not to assume all the blame himself. The Far East Base
contacts you and Igor says that negotiations fell through with the Titans
and Biston Well army too. Your other people stopped the Jupiterians and
Delaz Fleet's colony drop plan(!). So space should be good for a while but
Earth nastier: the Titans, Drake, and the Arrowgaters are stepping up the
assault. Plus, the B.F. and Dr. Hell haven't been seen for a while...time
to reconvene all your warpower at the Far East Base. You are then asked to
contact Robert. Cut to the conversation with Robert from SB43. He wants
you to come to Peking to get the new machine made just for you.
Ingram is telling Hamarn to hand over all research materials about the
Newtypes and Fortified Humans, in return for information about the Arrowgaters
and Jupiterians. She says it sounds like a good deal and asked if it isn't
unadvantageous for him - he says there's no _personal_ demerit for him, and
that she and others who have opposed Giren have no reason to refuse. She
says that someone like him who's betrayed both the Lond Bel and the
Arrowgaters is quite capable of joining Giren's side. Ingram responds that
Giren's role ended 7 years ago and that he's no longer necessary. By "role",
he means that the war Giren caused back then caused humanity to progress
quite nicely as weapons for "his people". He says that if Giren tries to
swim against the tide, he'll simply have to take Giren out with his Astranagun.
Hamarn considers that that black machine is what gives him confidence to
oppose anyone he pleases, and that it's not a good idea just now to make
Ingram her enemy. Go to S46.
SM45. Kyoushuu, Soushi Genkai-ten ("Assault, The Final Safeguard")
Kawasse tells Shiela that a Gundam seems to be being delivered to you.
Quatre is surprised to see his Sandrock, which he thought he had hidden in
some space junk. Kouji wonders if it's been rigged somehow, but Kou says
that other than the fact that the self-destruct device is gone it has no
other abnormalities. Quatre is not sure what to make of this, and just then
Keith comes to tell you that the Delaz Fleet has stolen a small colony!
Looks like they snuck in while you were distracted. So _that's_ what they
were up to all this time...and they even used dis-disinformation about the
colony theft [clever!] and used the nuclear attack on Konpei as camouflage.
So this is the true nature of Operation Stardust, and the target is likely
either Jaburo or Dakarl. The colony is now halfway between the Moon and
the Earth, guarded by the Delaz Fleet, and will impact in 14 hours.
Actually, you have only 9 hours after which it can't be stopped, so you've
got to hurry. Ryuune says there must be some final step necessary to get
it to fall where it should, and if you can use that you should be able to
keep it from falling. Kouji wants to just blow it up, but Ryuune says that
unless you could totally obliterate it it would just fragment and fall to
Earth. So basically, you've got to wreck Delaz's fleet and stop the colony
drop.
Kou looks for Nina, who wasn't in the hangar. She's moping about how
Gatou will be participating in the operation, and wonders if there's no way
to stop Kou from fighting with him. Burning then outlines plans for the
operation and puts Kou in charge of changing the colony's course once Delaz's
bunch are taken care of. Keith is worried that this will work, and Kouji
says your group specializes in wrecking things fast...although Masaki says
that that could be taken to mean you can't do anything _but_ use force. You
guys have done this before, although everyone's got a bad feeling.
Duo has come to stop the colony drop, but look at all the guards. Wu-Fei
thinks that many guards mean nothing to his reborn Nataku. Duo says it's
coincidence they met each other again and that Wu-Fei hasn't gotten any more
likable since their last meeting. Delaz asks Gatou if those are the Gundams
sent to Earth by the colonies (they are) and opens a channel to them. He
tells them they should be on the same side trying to free the Spacenoids from
the Earthnoids, and that he has to demonstrate the Sword of Damocles that
hangs over the Earth. Duo says that while this sounds good he's just acting
like the Jupiterians, and Duo says that mass murder can't be just. Delaz
reminds them that they've sacrificed people too, and Duo says that that's why
he pilots, and Wu-Fei agrees: to achieve the greatest results with the least
casualties. Delaz says that they can't do anything with that few mecha, and
Duo informs him that Jion changed nothing with the One-Year War. Delaz
responds that that's why this operation has to succeed, and Duo tells him
he has no right to judge and sacrifice other Spacenoids, or the Earthnoids.
Time for a contest of strength to see who's right; Wu-Fei says they're
unnecessary existences and that they're suitable opponents for Nataku.
Your dudes show up on turn 2. You've got to get Kou onto the colony within
6 turns. Reinforcements are on the way so be careful. Cima comes on
turn 3, and attacks Delaz! She says her next volley will be aimed for
the bridge, and says that she will indeed drop the colony, but on the Far
East Base, since she's made a deal with the Jupiterians. She plans to
get rid of that which the Jupiterians fear, and bid adieu to the Jion that
can't see her brilliance. Delaz thinks it's all his fault for guiding
someone who lacks their own will. Delaz then tell Gatou to go forth, to
stand atop his corpse and achieve their goals. "Sieg Jion!"
Kalius is worth a Chobham Armor. Kelly is worth a Hybrid Armor.
Finish the battle by killing everyone but Gatou for a Skill Point. Kou
will go into the colony and Gatou will pursue, and is followed by Nina.
Gatou prepares to perform his final duty so that those coming after him
will have a shot at life. Nina tells him he's already done enough and to
stop all this; he says that the operation is a success and that the colony
will fall. Gatou says that the Delaz Fleet put everything into this, and
even the mighty Lond Bel can't stop it. She asks him why he appeared before
her again after disappearing suddenly that day long ago. He wanted her
to forget about all the time he spent on the Moon waiting for things to
become ready - she tried, or rather had forgotten about it. Gatou has
devoted all to the resurrection of Jion and says that maybe she's the true
target of Operation Stardust. Just then, Kou shoots him. Nina tells Kou
there's no more reason for them to fight, but he tells her to move and that
she should know what Gatou just did. She says that she had had no choice but
to watch their duel until one fell, and that she prayed that this would
never happen. He demands to know if her feelings for him were all a lie -
she can't answer. Gatou then says that their duel shouldn't end like this,
and that he can't be finished here either. Everyone has to escape, lest
they get trapped by the colony's fall.
The colony can no longer be stopped, and is falling for North America.
Just then the cats detect an abnormality on the Spirit Radar and
gravitational sensors. You detect something and tell everyone to flee.
At A Baoa Qu, Giren learns from Sharia that the colony had made it onto
course, but that someone attacked it and destroyed it completely. And
_not_ the Lond Bel. Giren thinks it must be the Arrowgaters using some
heretofore unknown EOT weapon. Sharia then says that Delaz died in battle
and that Gatou lead the stragglers back to base. Giren thinks that the
Operation Stardust wasn't his only plan for Jion, and that he won't waste
Delaz's death.
The results of analyzing the colony's destruction are in: a micro-singularity
did it. Kouji requires Usso to dumb down the science. Nobody knows who
did it, but they're glad the colony is gone...except Masaki who's sure that
was the Granzon's Black Hole Cluster weapon. He wonders what Shuu thinks
he's doing. Plus, the attack was launched from the surface - Seabook wonders
why Masaki is so upset. Haro says that it was fired from Peking - so Masaki
hurries off with the cats.
Nina sort of apologizes to Kou, but he says not to say anymore. He has no
right to pry into her past and no desire to do so either. He asks in return
that one day she tell him the whole truth. Duo finds out that Quatro was
in the mysterious Gundam and notes where Trowa and Hiiro went; Duo wonders
what will happen now. Quatre says it's all his fault but Wu-Fei says he's
acting like a girl as usual. Duo tries to protest but Quatre says it's all
because his heart was weak and Wu-Fei says that all the worrying in the world
won't bring Trowa back to him....that they've still got many enemies and no
time to be crying. Quatre agrees eventually.
Ryuune asks Shiela where Masaki went - he just launched the Psybuster.
Kouji calls this reckless, and Sayaka says he's calling the kettle black.
Masaki actually bothered to get Shiela's permission first(!). Your dudes
are mainly worried about him getting lost on the way to Peking - he even gets
lost inside the Gran Garan it seems. Igor then contacts you, thanks you
for calming down space, and says that the surface will get worse. He tells
you of the muster at the Far East Base and you head there with all speed.
Cut to SA45 conversation between you and Robert. Go to S46.
SB45. Kami ka, Akuma ka ("God, or Demon")
Kaji tells Shinji of EVA-04's disappearance during the test of the S2 Engine.
EVA-03 has been taken to Matsushiro for testing after the Getter blast, and
Misato and Ritsuko are there too. Before Kaji can tell Shinji who the pilot
of EVA-03 is, Abe informs everyone that you've reached the Asama mountain
range, where the labs are. The Getter Index is still 400 times normal, high
enough that even your people are likely to be affected. There's no
response from the Saotome lab, and Ere feels an intense power concentrated
in the area...it's dangerous here [um, yeah ^^;;;]
Meanwhile, EVA-03 appears to be usable in actual combat, although Misato's
"that's great" lacks enthusiasm. Ritsuko reminds her that EVA-03 will be
posted to the Lond Bel afterwards, but Misato says that with four EVAs and
all the super robots, the Lond Bel could destroy the world if it chose. She
hasn't broken the news to Shinji yet - she plans to do it after the test.
Phase one of the test works out, and you pass the absolute border line into
phase two. Unfortunately, things start sucking at that point - and the test
can't be halted. It's an Angel. NERV HQ tracks an explosion at Matsushiro
and an unknown moving object in its wake. It's got pattern Orange, but isn't
confirmable as an Angel. Gendou orders the signal sent to halt its motion
and an override eject of the entry plug - these aren't acknowledged. The
pilot has respiration and a heartbeat, but not much else. Gendou orders it
reclassified as the thirteenth Angel. It's headed towards the Saotome lab.
Gendou contacts the Goraon and assumes command, telling them to cancel their
investigation into the Getter blast and to sortie just the EVAs against the
threat.
Ere tells Shinji and the others of the approaching Angel from Matsushiro.
You haven't been able to get through to confirm how Misato and the others are.
Asuka tells Shinji that just worrying won't solve anything, and Shinji is
worried about facing the Angel by themselves - but that's Gendou's direct
order. Daisaku wants to know why defeating the Angel is more important than
trying to save Ryou and the others, and even Banjou is pretty pessimistic
considering the state of the lab. Why _is_ the Angel heading for the lab
anyway? Jack can't stand doing nothing and is about to check out the lab
himself when the Angel appears. It's the EVA-03, possessed by an Angel.
Shinji realizes that another kid his age must be piloting it, but before
Asuka can tell him who the Angel takes her out.
Gendou will ask Shinji on round two why he doesn't fight at full force -
Shinji says he's got to save the pilot. You can choose to either do as
Gendou says, or not. NOT is worth two Skill Points, but attacking will
let you get Touji on your team later. If you attack, you say you'll save
the pilot no matter what and figure you have to weaken the Angel to get the
Entry Plug out.
Either way, if you get taken out Gendou will order things switched over to
the Dummy System. You tell Shinji to stop the EVA, saying that a system
that must not be used is in operation. Gendou, as in the anime, doesn't
heed Shinji's cries to stop. Everyone is aghast, and Daisaku says he
can't accept this as "unhappiness to overcome the times" (a line from the
anime). He's going to launch, but Banjou is going to launch instead and
stop EVA-01. Just then, something rises out of the wreckage of the Saotome
Lab: Shin Getter Robo. EVA-01 halts, and the Getter Pilots are a bit
shaken up after their flight. Well, you absorbed energy from the Getter
Reactors of all those Proto-Getters so it's little surprise... Saotome is
still alive and thanking his lucky stars that he only set the Shin Getter
Reactor to 1/10th of full power. Shin Getter tells Ryou that "EVA-03" is
an Angel, and also tells him to use Stoner Sunshine to burn away the evil
from within the Angel, and thereby give it new life.
Your dudes are astounded that you could take out the Angel in one hit, and
Hayato wonders what would happen if you used full power. Shinji is worried,
but Ryou tells him that Shin Getter saved the pilot.
It seems that the Getter Index has fallen back to normal, all absorbed by
Shin Getter. Saotome explains how starting Shin Getter required immense
numbers of Getter rays, hence the cascading of all the Getter Reactors.
Saotome had thought that Shin Getter would absorb all that energy, but
evidently it didn't, hence the explosion. Saotome is sort of amazed that he
came out okay too despite the high Getter Index. Banjou wants to know what
sort of thing Shin Getter is that it has such power...a god? A demon?
Saotome says that he's sure of something - the purpose of his life was to
complete Shin Getter. As he told Hayato before, the abnormal Getter
phenomenon occured at the same time he decided to build Shin Getter...it
could be a coincidence, but he doesn't think so. He feels like somebody was
telling him to build, that without Shin Getter the aliens and space monsters
couldn't be defeated. Hayato adds up all the instances where Getter has
saved life, and wonders if it's got its own will...what is it trying to have
yo do?
Kaji finally tells Shinji who EVA-03's pilot was (Touji). Shinji can't
believe that his father made him attack, but Kaji says that that was
unavoidable under the circumstances...had Shin Getter not shown up Shinji
would have been defeated. The other pilots try to get Shinji to get over his
father-antipathy complex, which involves Rei slapping Shinji and Shinji
running off. It seems Touji will live, but he's been sent to NERV's central
hospital for observation. Luckily, Misato and the others at Matsushiro just
got off "wounded" rather than dead.
Ere then learns that the Jupiterians' indiscriminate attacks and the colony
drop have been stopped, but that the negotiations with Neo-Jion have also
failed. Igor tells her of the space-better-Earth-worse thing and of the
muster at the Far East Base. There is a message from Robert for you to pick
up the new Grungast, and also to send Ginrei and Daisaku back to the IPO
Peking base for a bit. Go to S46.
S46. Ryuu to Tora ("Dragon and Tiger")
At the IPO's Peking Base, Chuujou asks Shuu how the final checks on the
Grungast Type Three are going - he says that the Tronium Engine isn't
delivering its rated power and at this rate its power will be beneath that
of the Strike and Type Two versions. Evidently Ingram was the only one who
really knew how to get the Tronium Engines to perform - Go asks about using
an Antimatter Drive or Black Hole Engine like the Granzon, but Murasame pops
up and says that's too dangerous. Chuujou wonders when Murasame got back
(just recently), and Murasame says that the EOT-based Black Hole Engine
would be better off not used since it's technology passed along by the
Arrrowgaters. Go sees this as a flash of insight into the Huckebein Mk.I
incident that destroyed the Technetium base: it wasn't an accident but
something deliberate. Murasame is sure there was a flaw in the design - a
flaw that Ingram didn't tell the Earthlings about. Chuujou wonders why he
would have done such a thing - to preserve the Arrowgaters' technical
superiority? If the humans had found the fault, they would have gained much
knowledge and new technology; even if they didn't and caused the accident,
they would still harbor fear toward the Arrowgaters. And the accident did
happen, and as a result much EOT was researched - making humans more and more
into warpower for the Arrowgaters. In short, you've been used by the
Arrowgaters and Shuu, who's been quiet all this time, thinks that that
can't be forgiven. Murasame asks Shuu if he hadn't realized early on about
the defect and what Ingram's true identity was - he says Shuu's absence at
the Huckebein Mk.I's test is proof. And that furthermore, the Granzon doesn't
use a Black Hole Engine, but an Anti-Matter Engine. Shuu says it's just
coincidence and that he's going back to the Far East Base. He explains that
Robert is coming to take his place, and that certain annoying problems would
happen if he remained here.
Masaki has actually found the base, but Shuu seems to be already gone. Masaki
says that can't be and that this is where the Black Hole Cluster was fired
from. Kuro wonders if Shuu knew Masaki was coming and fled, but Masaki says
Shuu isn't that kind of guy. He simply _can't_ figure out what Shuu is
scheming for. Meanwhile, Go presents Ginrei her new mecha, with uprated
combat potential. Ginrei thinks to herself that the design and naming haven't
improved any, and Daisaku wonders if Robo is going to get powered up too.
Go says there aren't any plans to do so, and Daisaku complains that he won't
be able to defeat the Lond Bel's enemies as things stand now. Tetsugyuu
asks why Daisaku is so upset and wonders if he's still mistaking Robo's power
for his own. He repeats his comment that Daisaku is just a brat without
Robo, and Daisaku tells him that _that_ is why he wants Robo to get powered
up. Chuujou then tells Daisaku that by orders of HQ Robo is being sealed
away, and that there's no reason to explain why. Daisaku protests that it's
always been best to have Robo with you up until now, and wonders if it's
because Robo was built by the B.F. Taisou then shows up and tells Daisaku
that the chief judged it was too dangerous to let Daisaku keep fighting. He
says that the world is headed more and more towards its destruction, and
that the Lond Bel and IPO have to stop it. _Which_ is why he wants Daisaku
to be in the reserve, in case something happens to the Lond Bel and IPO.
Daisaku still wants to fight alongside everyone, since that was the mission
he was entrusted with by his father. Chuujou repeats the order to seal
Robo away and says that anyone who doesn't follow orders will be kicked out
of the Experts.
Daisaku gazes at Robo and wonders why his father built it with the B.F. He
asks his father for answers, but his "father" is silent as always. Ginrei
shows up and reminds Daisaku that Robo is the pivot of the IPO's power...but
Daisaku still feels like he's all alone. She explains that Tetsugyuu's
comment was just made out of jealousy, and that Daisaku is a great Expert.
Robert explains to you that the Grungast Type 3 is made with the knowhow from
the R-series, and that it's a two-part machine with strengthened weapons..
but that it's not usable in combat yet due to the Tronium Engine being
incomplete. Robert asks you to be patient a little longer and that he's
getting help from Prof Yasunishi Eri, who managed to figure out those Dragon
and Tiger machines for the B.F., and _those_ were powered by perpetual motion
machines. You then ask who the other pilot is supposed to be, and then Eri
shows up and introduces herself. She says she's continuing her research
here to combat the great threat presented by Dr. Hell's control over the
Ryuu-Ou-Ki and Ko-Ou-Ki. She refers to your previous contact with them and
says that it's been determined they have something like souls and that it
wasn't possible for Dr. Hell and the B.F. to actually awaken them. Thus,
they're overriding them from the outside... The fact that you were able to
TK link with them says that you've got what it takes to control them properly.
Robert says this is quite possible, and says that his research uncovered
evidence of super-weapons used for city defense: those super robots. You
regard this as the stuff of ancient history, and he agrees - for people two
thousand years to pull that off makes the Elemental God-Machines, EOT, and
Aura Battlers look like small pototatos. But given that these machines _do_
exist, there's no choice but to believe. Plus, it looks like the Reideen
was made a good _12,000_ years ago, so.... Eri explains that there's a
high probability that the Ryuu-Ou-Ki and Ko-Ou-Ki were originally designed
to protect cities and thus to protect people; in short, that they may actually
be bona-fide Super Robots. It seems that this "soul" like thing may be an
autonomous circuit that lets them determine for themselves what is "good".
And because the B.F. and Dr. Hell are "evil", they couldn't awaken them.
Of course, there's no proof yet, which is why they want you to T-Link to them.
In short, they want you to Persuade them, so that they can become even more
powerful forces for your side than the Grungast Type Three. You're not sure
about this since you couldn't even Persuade your SO, but recalling the
"noise" that may be the machines' pain you agree to try.
Just then, something attacks the base. Daisaku realizes he can't use Robo,
and Go tells him he's sorry but that the B.F.'s objective is too... But
he gets interrupted as the Fabulous Fitzcarraldo appears, one of the
Magnificent Ten. Fitzcarraldo says that the defenses on a base like this
can't stop the Magnificent Ten, and offers to break the seals on Robo...
although Robo itself will be cut in half. Just then Murasame intervenes...
Ashura is here to grab Eri and Robert, but can't just overlook the SRX Team's
machines either. By which she means Irm and your SO. Irm tells your
SO to not worry about him and to hurry and make contact with you. Irm
says that you and your SO were probably raised to be warpower for the
Arrowgaters, and now that Ingram's defected your SO mustn't fall into
enemy hands. Plus, the SRX Team's machines are now the only way to defeat
him. Your SO worries how he can face you after what he's done... Irm
says that your abilities would have remained buried except for Ingram, and to
give him the blame for not stopping Ingram. Well, at this rate maybe the
whole SRX thing can become a means of saving the Earth after all. He says
that men and women aren't logical, and that if he feels sorry toward you to
use that as power today...although he can't say much since he wasn't able to
help Rin. He yells out impressively to go forth and fight for tomorrow!
Just then your dudes show up, but your SO won't directly answer you.
Chuujou and Taisou realize what the bad guys are up to and has Taisou and
Tetsugyuu guard the two professors. Just then, it seems that one of the
Magnificent Ten did something to the Grungast Type Three. Murasame tells
Daisaku to run as Fitzcarraldo savages Murasame some. Fitzcarraldo says that
he's here to destroy the Grungast Type Three, since it's not necessary for
reawakening Ryuu-Ou-Ki and Ko-Ou-Ki. Fitzcarraldo looks like he's doing a good
job of wrecking everything by himself, but the Dazzling Cervantes and GR-2
are here too! It looks like their real objective is taking GR back to the
B.F. Daisaku tells Chuujou that he'll fight and that he can't obey orders
that will sacrifice others, that if that's what being an Expert means he
doesn't want to be one.
On round 1.5, Irm tells your SO to hurry up and head for base, but
your SO doesnt' want to abandon him - and he's heard that the T-Link
System has the power to draw the enemies to itself. He says it's his turn
to protect Irm. On round 2.5, the Chinese mecha are back, as is Brocken.
Your SO intends to draw everyone to him, and wishes he could have said
at least one word of apology to you. You and Masaki figure this out and you
vow to protect him this time. But Brocken sicks Ko-Ou-Ki on your SO anyway,
and gloats about how all your dudes suck. You freak out and begin to
attack - Robert yells at you to stop lest you activate the Grungast Type
Two's Uranus System, which neither the mech or your body could withstand.
Your mech isn't working as it should, and Ryuu-Ou-Ki comes to attack you.
Your machine won't move, and you plead with it that you can't be finished
here. The Chinese machines won't attack, and your machine switches over
to the Uranus System....what are you linked with? You hear your SO's
voice asking if you are the one who touched its soul with such enormous
psych. Is Ryuu-Ou-Ki talking to you, nope, you're just T-Linked to them. It
explains how it was reawakened by the attack it just did, and that its duty
is to protect humanity. It informs you that your incredible psyche gives you
the right to command it but says that to truly awaken its Five-Fold Powers,
you need someone else too...and that someone is your SO! It asks you to
chant, and the two Chinese machines combine in a very spectacular fashion.
Brocken and Ashura are dumbfounded, but Fitzcarraldo says everything is
going as Koumei said. Eri and Robert are impressed, and you tell them
it's name is Ryuu-Ko-Ou, and your SO demonstrates its other form,
Ko-Ryuu-Ou [damn Chinese naming schemes ^^;;;] You'll talk later with
your SO, so for now wreck the bad guys.
Cervantes will try to tell Daisaku that the B.F. needs Robo to protect the
Earth from the aliens and that until he returns Robo Earth has no tomorrow.
Daisaku will say that that's not what his father intended, else he'd never
have run from the B.F. He also says that the B.F. won't be the ones to
save the Earth, that he and the Lond Bel will do it (Cervantes says he's
being conceited). When you defeat him, Fitzcarraldo says it's pathetic for
a member of the Magnificent Ten to lose like that, but since their goal of
awakening the Ryuu-Ko-Ou was met, they'll pull out. Brocken and Ashura
say they have a plan going and that even without the Chinese machines
they'll still get rid of you.
Ashura is worth an Ultra-Alloy Z. GR-2 is worth an Ultra-Alloy nu-Z.
Brocken is worth a Propellant Tank S.
After the battle, Irm tells your SO to fight with you in the Ryuu-Ko-Ou.
Although he may not be in a position to say it, he tells your SO to not
worry about the past. He then apologizes to you for not stopping Ingram
faster - he says he'll settle the score with Ingram and asks you to take care
of your SO.
Robert then tells Chuujou that the Chinese machines seem to be linked to your
and your SO's consciousness - in short, only you two can use them. Go's
injuries are light thanks to Murasame. At Robert's suggestion, parts from
the Grungast Type Three will be worked into the Chinese mecha for even more
mayhem! The plan is to take the T-Link system from the Grungast Type Three's
cockpit and use it to firm up the link between you and the machines...and
isn't it lucky that the Type Three was a two-part combiner too! Chuujou is
worried that the personalities of the mecha will react poorly to the
modifications, but Robert says that those personalities have been quiescent
ever since the combination...at least you know that they intend to fight
by your side.
You tell your SO you don't intend to criticize, but you just want to know
one thing: you can ask about the SRX Project or about nothing at all. Either
option you choose, your SO will tell you that he doesn't know much about
the Psychodriver powers you have, but he's heard that if they're fully
unleashed the user will stop being a person. And the T-Link system is built
not only to draw out TK, but those Psychodriver abilities as well. Also, it
has the ability to draw enemies in - it amplifies your psych and broadcasts it
into the area to enable you to locate enemies and such. But simultaneously
that subconsciously draws the enemies in - in other words, the stronger you
are, the closer the enemies will come. Perhaps this is done to put you in
danger of your life and thus force your Psychodriver powers to the fore. Your
SO doesn't remember anything before entering the SRX Project, and realizes
that even what memories he does have may be a fabrication...but you tell him
to stop saying things like that. What's important is not what's past, but
what you'll do from here on. Whatever Ingram was planning, you want to use
your power so that everyone else can live. So you ask him to fight alongside
you in Ryuu-Ko-Ou, and reassure him that that's the whole reason you met...or
at least that's what she'd like to believe. He thanks you as you leave.
Daisaku apologizes to Chuujou for not realizing that the B.F. were trying to
get Robo back. That was why Robo was to be sealed...and Daisaku says he's
not qualified to be an Expert since he disobeyed orders and launched Robo
anyway. Tetsugyuu likes how Daisaku said that, and Chuujou pronounces his
punishment: he's expelled from the Experts. Ginrei and Taisou think this is
too harsh, saying that had Daisaku not fought GR-2 the Peking Base might have
been destroyed. Chuujou says that he still disobeyed and therefore should
be punished, and Taisou says to punish him and Tetsugyuu too for letting the
Magnificent Ten in in the first place...Tetsugyuu doesn't want to be lumped
in, and Taisou asks him then if he could have stopped GR-2 by himself.
Daisaku says it's okay and that he's the one who disobeyed. Chuujou then
tells Daisaku that he's to transfer to the Lond Bel, with Robo, and asks if
he understands. He tells Daisaku that the fate of the world will not be
determined by the IPO or by B.F., but by the Lond Bel - or so he believes.
He tells Daisaku to fight alongside the Lond Bel and prove that Dr. Kusama's
actions were not in the wrong. He tells Tetsugyuu that he'll explain to
Ryou-Zan-Paku (the IPO HQ) and orders Gin-Rei to go to the Lond Bel too,
along with Masaki, as soon as the outfitting of Ryuu-Ko-Ou is finished.
Tetsugyuu is a bit gruff, but tells Daisaku to call him and Taisou whenever
he needs help, since if he dies nobody can move Robo any more. Go to S47.
S47. Otoko no Tatakai ("A Man's Fight")
Shinji is refusing to eject the entry plug and rejecting pleas that the
Dummy Plug was necessary. As Hyuuga continues trying, Shinji says not to
upset him any further and with the 185 seconds of power remaining he could
still destroy half of HQ. Aoba realizes that Shinji just might do it, and
Maya says that if it were not for Gendou's decision everyone might be dead
now. Shinji insists that Gendou was trying to kill Touji with Shinji's own
hands. He demands to know from Gendou why Touji was chosen for EVA-03 and why
Gendou had Shinji attack it. Gendou orders the LCL pressure raised to the max
and says that he has no time to humor a childish tantrum. So much for Shinji's
little rant [punk!].
Asuka thinks that Shinji may not recover from this one - she had thought
that he had been making some progress with the nuturing of hot-blooded dudes
like Kouji and Hyouma, but... Rei asks if Asuka is worried about him and
she demands to know why she should be. Rei just looks at her, and she
concedes that she is a bit concerned, since he's a companion who she's
fought beside all this time. But she says not to misunderstand, and says
it's rare to see Rei worrying about someone else. She figures Shinji is
probably dreaming now, and asks if Rei doesn't dream.
Shinji is dreaming...of trains. Shinji tells a Rei that he did what he did
because he couldn't forgive the father who betrayed him, that his father
doesn't understand his feelings. Has Shinji tried to understand his father's
feelings? He concedes that that may have been Gendou's only choice, but he
demands to know what all that had to happen to Touji. He says that his
father made no attempt to save Touji and simply tried to eliminate him as
an Angel from the start - he figures his father regards him and Touji as mere
objects. He says that his father has no idea how he's felt fighting all this
time...so why should he understand his father's feelings! Shinji says that
he'll go the place where it's okay for him to be: the Lond Bel.
Gendou tells Shinji that his disobedience of orders and so on are criminal
acts and asks if he has anything to say for himself. He says he wants to
leave and Gendou says fine, get out. Gendou asks him if he's running again,
but Shinji says he doesn't plan on that, that he at least understands that
he and all humanity have nowhere to run to anymore. Thus, he's returning to
the Lond Bel even if he can't take the EVA with him. Gendou asks if he
really thinks he can do that, and Shinji says he won't be the him that he
was forever. He says he has no plans to fight where the father who was
going to watch Touji get killed is. Gendou makes a phone call and says that
Shinji is through - EVA-01 is to be configured with Rei as its pilot in
basic mode with the Dummy Plug as backup. Banjou shows up and asks if
Shinji's removal was part of Gendou's plan (Gendou's surprised he got in).
He asks Gendou why the EVAs were posted to the Macross; was it a space
combat test? Yes - the EVAs are designed for all sorts of combat, including
space. As Gendou notes, that's not what Banjou really wants to ask - he
really wants to know whether the EVAs were made to fight the STMC, and
whether the Human Complementation Project is intend to help withstand the
coming STMC assault. The STMC are expected to show up in increasing numbers,
and mindlessly attack sentient life...and if they really got active even
the Zentraedi and Arrowgaters couldn't stop them. Did Gendou know about the
STMC and the threat they pose from the outset, and build the EVAs to counter
not just the Angels but them? Gendou says there's no reason to answer.
Insert the caution to Banjou from the SB path. Gendou tells Banjou to leave
now, and that out of respect for Banjou Kenzou he'll overlook this little
illegal intrusion.
Misato tells Shinji that she, Asuka, and Rei are staying at NERV. She tells
Shinji that he can't return to the Lond Bel, because he knows NERV's secrets.
He asks one final question: why was Touji picked as the pilot for EVA-03?
All the candidates for Fourth Children were Shinji's classmates...everything
was arranged beforehand, just like the situation with "you". She tells
Shinji that what's been done can't be apologized for with words - but she
says that she's put her dreams, wishes, and objectives onto Shinji. She
tells Shinji to remember that all the people of NERV had no choice but to
entrust him with their futures. He says that's pretty selfish, but she
says she'll leave all the passcodes open for him - he says quite certainly
that he won't be back. She notes that he's gotten much more forward since
going to the Lond Bel. Just then, an Angel attacks to ruin Shinji's little
escape. It's already broken through all defenses and is now attacking
Neo-Tokyo2 directly. One shot breaks right through 18 of the special
defensive armors. Misato shows up and says that launching the EVAs to the
surface won't make it and that you've got to launch EVA-02 within the
Geofront to attack it there. Gendou orders Rei launched in EVA-01 with the
Dummy Plug to back her up. Rei realizes that this can't go on, and EVA-01
won't start. Gendou realizes that she intends to reject him and orders the
Dummy Plug used. Rei is then launced in EVA-00, saying that if she dies
there's always replacements. Once more the Angel attacks - once _more_ and
all the armor will be gone.
Asuka says she doesn't need Shinji to handle business, and the Angel attacks
her without mercy - Misato quickly has all the nerve connections cut.
EVA-01 won't accept the Dummy Plug, and Asuka has to be retrieved. In
short, EVA-01 won't accept the Dummy, that is, Rei.
On round 3, Shinji realizes everyone is going to die, and Banjou realizes
that the Lond Bel won't make it in time. Shinji sees Banjou, who asks
what he's doing here and tells him to run. Banjou knows why Shinji stopped
being a pilot, and knows further that Shinji wanted to return to them.
He likes that, and says that Shinji's done well until now. Banjou can't
just sit around and watch this, and plans to summon Daitarn like always,
and yells his line about destroying evil. Fuyutsuki wonders if the evil
he speaks of is the Angel, or NERV. Shinji wonders if he doesn't have to
do anything himself...
The following round, a massive gravity wave is detected within the Geofront.
This acts as a sort of barrier: someone is emerging from hyperspace:
Ingram. Banjou says hi and says that he hadn't wanted to believe Ingram
was an Arrowgater until he saw it with his own eyes, but the machine
Ingram is in leaves no doubt. His Astranagun is based on knowhow from the
Valcion series, the SRX Machines, and the Elemental God Machines, plus the
Arrowgaters' technology. Ingram admits that that was one of his reasons for
connecting with the DC and SRX. He says he's here to know the truth, that
it's said that if the Angels contact the Adam said to be slumbering here
humanity will perish, and that the only thing which can stop this are the
EVAs which have the same kind of power. He's here to see if this is true,
and has no plans to fight you. Things now _really_ suck, and Gendou
excuses himself a bit.
The _next_ round, Shinji shows up and says to let him pilot EVA-01. Gendou
asks why he's here, and he says he's EVA's pilot. Shinji then pops out in
what Ingram calls the "abominable" EVA-01.
It is possible to get the S2 Engine in this battle, but I'm not sure how.
Having the Angel kill Shinji is one way I suspect.
After the battle Ingram says that, just as Gendou schemed, a counter-force
has appeared...which means Gendou has done a good job of deceiving the
council. However, NERV's objective is now clear to Ingram...humans only
enemies are other humans. God doesn't determine our fate.
The Seele obelisks are conferring about whether it was a mistake putting
Gendou in charge of NERV. Kail wonder what Gendou is thinking, and someone
else notes that he's about to find out EVA-01's true identity, and that of
the Arrowgaters. Yet another abominable existence. To make sure that the
plan is carried out, they've got to tweak something...
Asuka is really upset that she couldn't do anything and that she lost to
Shinji. Banjou walks in (Asuka thought it was Kaji) and wonders if she's
feeling powerless or like a loser. He informs her that had she not fought,
Shinji wouldn't have gotten into EVA-01. She asks if that means she's
Shinji's stepping stool - and he says no, Shinji got in to save her, Rei,
and everyone else. It's an unalterable truth that Shinji was only able to
fight because everyone else was there.
Gendou is going to be sending Shinji to the Lond Bel; Banjou asks if this is
to distract the Council and he doesn't answer. Banjou asks if that's the
only answer he can expect from Gendou (it is) and Banjou prepares to leave.
But Gendou stops him, and thanks him for buying them time. Banjou says he
just did what was natural, and thinks it's very rare to be thanked by
Gendou. Go to S48.
S48. Dare ga Tame ni Kagami wa Odoru ("For Whom the Mirror Dances")
The Lond Bel is basically all assembled - summary time! Shiela says the
colony drop was averted, but that the Jupiterians are likely to get aid from
Oz. Bright asks about the mysterious explosion that took out the colony -
Shuu says that of course Masaki knew who did it, since that person is Shuu
himself. Banjou thinks that the rumors of the Granzon being an ultimate
anti-alien weapon appear true. Bright's group found out about the Neo-Jion
rift between the Zabis and Hamarn, but failed to negotiate a cease-fire.
Bright concedes that Quatro was "responsible", but said that the result would
have been the same had he done it himself. Also, Ingram appeared to Bright,
as he did at NERV HQ. Focker had thought he was supposed to strike the Lond
Bel, but it looks like he's up to some design of his own - especially in
light of his contact with Hamarn. The Titans and Biston Well dudes will
continue fighting, but it looks like both sides are trying to take over the
Far East. And let's not forget about the Zentraedi and Meltrandi - as Vian
had predicted, Mankind has nowhere to run. At this rate, humankind or even
the Earth itself will be toast. Shuu points out that there is a way out -
surrendering to the Arrowgaters...although it will probably mean that
everyone except for combattants will be slaughtered. Since noone is willing
for that to happen, the only choice is for the Earthlings to fight all the
aliens by themselves. But for that to work, someone has to take over all
the other rival organizations and unify things. Shiela thinks that Shuu is
talking like Treize, and Shuu recommends that the SDF and Lond Bel concentrate
their power and seize world domination through force and fear. He says that
this is the destiny of those who have the power. Amuro and Banjou point out
that this is just like the Titans and Neo-Jion and that a government founded
on fear can't beat a fearful situation; Shuu agrees but says that humanity,
which constantly struggles with itself, can't manage a peaceful solution.
He also points out that there can be no peace treaty with the Zentraedi or
the STMC. You have four options: 1) abandon the Earth and flee the solar
system, 2) have the Lond Bel and SDF stage a reign of terror and unify the
Earth against the aliens, 3) surrender to the Arrowgaters, or 4) do nothing
and await destruction. Shuu thinks to himself that the fifth option is
NERV's Human Complementation Project. Shiela says you all can't choose any
of them, and acknowledges that this may not be wise. She thinks it's your
destiny to become the sword of all the powerless ones, and fight off the
invaders. World domination is, after all, not what the SDF or Lond Bel have
been fighting for. Shuu figured you'd say that, and says that you'll need
two people to convey your will to the people. One is Rilina Peacecraft (yes,
_that_ Rilina Peacecraft from Sank Kingdom), and the other is the son of
Jion Daikun, Kasbar Rem Daikun: _also_ known as Char Aznable. Shuu thinks
you may be able to unite the world if you can use their power properly.
Shuu then leaves for DC headquarters, saying problems would ensue if he stayed
here. Ere asks if he would lend you all his strong powers, but Shuu says
he has to repair South Atalia as quickly as possible...and that he's the
only one who can order himself. He figures he'll see you again later.
Kirk and Robert tell the SRX team that the Plus Parts for the R-3 are finally
in: you can finally combine! The Plus Parts were at South Atalia, but they
were saved from damage by being underground. Aya's father is okay too, and
is at South Atalia. Kirk says there are two problems left: one, that Aya
can't drive the main T-Link system to full drive...but now that Ingram's
gone this cause of repeated failures can't hold you up. Kirk says that
Ingram's machine is made with data from all your humanoid mecha and probably
surpasses them all. Ryuusei and the others are determined to combine and
defeat Ingram. The other problem is the R-2's Tronium Engine, which without
Ingram is hard to work on. Tronium is apparently a rare metal that the
aliens used to use for propulsion - ether dating puts the Macross at 100 years
old. Kirk tells Ryuusei that it's likely something stopped the source of
Tronium, which is why it's not in use now. The small amount of remaining
Tronium was used in the R-2, the R-Gun, the Huckebein Mk.III, the Grungast
Mk.III, and the Sniper Rifle used in the Yashima Operation...so only one
container is left. Everyone would like to know why Ingram didn't give such
a precious thing to the Arrowgaters. Robert can't guarantee that the
Tronium Engine will be stable at full power, and if it overheats the resulting
blast will be several times that of a nuclear weapon. Thing will work at
80%, but Robert lets it slip that that will only let them do "normal" combat.
In order to link with the HTB cannon in the R-Gun, you need full clout.
Ryuusei says to hurry ahead at 80% then.
Kirk scolds Robert for nearly letting slip the true purpose of the R-series.
A Tronium Engine, the Uranus System, and Psychodrivers: all of them dangerous.
Robert wonders if they're really doing the right thing - Kirk says if they
don't finish their work Ingram will steal everything and mankind will
definitely be wiped out. Kirk tells him he has to go on lying to Ryuusei and
Rai until the end.
A coded Fold transmission comes in from the Exelion: the Gunbuster is
finished! Oota orders the Top team to come and get it directly. The
Exelion seems to be out at Saturn. To get there, you can use the three
sublight boosters at the base: just like when Noriko examined the Luxion.
Orbital launch is prone to enemy attack, but launch from the surface is
even harder. Hazuki advises having very fast, very powerful fighters
protect the boosters for their launch. At the briefing, Focker explains why
extremely fast machines are necessary. In short, you have to use the Getto
Machines, Battle Machines, etc. only. Tetsuya says the rumors he's heard
of Lond Bel's reckless operations seem true. Focker offers to have him
leave, but Tetsuya says he's been trained since childhood for this kind of
operation and is glad to do it, though he doesn't know about the others.
Time for a test of the Shin Getto Machines it seems. You should be okay with
only fighters, since that's all the enemy should have either.
The three "Moby Dick" units stand ready, five turns before launch. The timing
will come from the protective units. so all they have to do is hang on.
Shinobu notes that you have more "fighter"-type vehicles in the Lond Bel than
he realized. Just then, lots of Arrowgaters attack. The Top people want to
help out, but your dudes instruct them to leave the defense to them and to
be sure to bring back the Gunbuster.
Defeat all enemies within 4 turns for a Skill Point.
After this easy battle, you wish the Top people well and return to base. Go
to S49.
S49. Shinro ni Koumyou, Tairo ni Zetsubou ("Ahead, Glory; Behind, Despair")
Oota tells Tashiro that the final check on the Gunbuster's Folding Reactor
and the pilot training will take a bit longer. It's been three days since
Noriko and the others arrived, and in all honesty Tashiro would like to
return to Earth without using the Gunbuster. It's been decided that Noriko
and Kazumi would pilot it. Tashiro asks why Jung wasn't included, and Oota
says it was patterned after those two from the start. Just then, the YF-21
defolds near you, impressing the bridge crew. Oota is training Noriko in
combat tactics, and she's not fast enough for him. He tells her that in
3 minutes enemies could make it from Mars to the Moon. He tells her that
only she can protect herself, but that sacrificing others for that purpose
is inexcusable. She has to work that much harder if she both wants to
protect herself and her companions. Jung is a bit upset that Oota had planned
to not use her from the outset.
Guld then introduces himself as the YF-21's test pilot. He explains to
Tashiro how the General Galaxy company and the parts of the DC base that
were undergroud were undamaged when the Macross Folded away from South Atalia.
He says that his people contacted the Macross and tested the Fold booster
to get here. Guld is then introduced to Isamu - the two are very surprised
to see each other. The vice-captain tells Isamu that Guld's machine uses
the latest in EOT and that he can't slack off; Guld says it'll be a waste of
time anyway, that it's a waste of a capable machine giving it to an incapable
pilot. Isamu is not pleased. The vice-captian tells Tashiro that it seems
the two pilots know each other, although they're not on the best of terms...
Kazumi then asks Oota how long he intends to keep Noriko being a pilot - he
says until the end. Kazumi says that the Gunbuster was built to her, and
that Noriko doesn't cut it, although he tells her to stop being conceited.
He informs her that the Gunbuster requires the two of them, and that if
she's got enough free time to worry about Noriko she should spend it polishing
herself. She tells him that he's the one being conceited and asks him why
he's so sure people can do what he thinks they can. She says that she's
more than enough by herself to be a tool of his personal revenge, and not
to involve Noriko. She's going to leave, and he asks if that's all she's got
to say. She claims that Noriko won't be able to live through the fight
humans are preparing for, with everything at stake. How could someone who
can't even protect herself protect others? She says that spilled water
won't return to the cup, but he tells her that spilt water can always be
scooped up again.
Time for a comparison flight of the YF-19 and -21, and a little play involving
the Gunbuster. Since there's no enemies in the area, you proceed with
the YF-19/21 trial. Several drones will be fired for mock combat to test
the abilities of the two planes. Guld has to shoot down at least 80% of the
drones - he says he'll shoot down 100%. The drones are Arrowgater Bugs,
captured and reoutfitted. Guld says he'll show Isamu what difference in
ability looks like, and shoots down the drones before they can fire. Isamu
says he's doing well for someone who showed up late. Guld responds that he
won't give Isamu Myung or the project...Isamu says to do whatever, but that
he won't relinquish the project. They get into a shouting match that gets
cut short by Oota, and Isamu says it's okay to have more drones than during
Guld's turn. Oota says to avoid excessive confidence, but Isamu says it's
okay as long he brings home the results. Oota obliges, and Isamu says there's
nothing Guld can do that he can't.
You should be able to take out all the enemies - you can use your map weapon
to help.
Oota will note with some admiration that Isamu isn't just all talk, and now
it's time for target practice. Isamu takes out the first target, telling Guld
he's too slow, and Guld says he's switching to collecting combat data. Oota
orders the test to continue, but Isamu says he can't hear well because of
noise.
Fight Guld and he'll tell you you're worthless. You can't protect anything,
you can't surpass anything. He asks why Isamu left he and Myung after the
incident 7 years ago - Isamu says it's none of his business. You can try
to blow Guld out of the sky: if you _do_ it's worth a Skill Point and a good
deal of personal satisfaction.
Whether you succeed or not, lots of bad guys Defold, led by Miria. She has
her people try to surround the Macross and hopes that the Miclones who
defeated her are inside. Your dudes can't believe how accurate and close
they have come. Isamu will be glad to hear that the enemy are all women,
since Guld wasn't enough of a challenge.
When Isamu crosses swords with Miria, she'll note that he's good but not
like the "other", and he'll observe that she's quite good too. On the
next round, only Jung will be able to launch. The vice-captain worries
that you'll lose just because of attrition, and Noriko cries out to Jung.
Jung says that these kind of enemies are nothing, and this may be her last
blaze of glory since she wasn't chosen to pilot the Gunbuster. Isamu tells
the Exelion to prepare to warp out while the two of them are holding the
enemy off, since at this rate the Exelion will just be sunk. He tells
Tashiro to just jettison an AVF-style Fold Booster before leaving and all
will be well. Tashiro objects, but Isamu says he'll surely bring Jung back
and to get going. Noriko says there's no guarantee that Jung and Isamu
will come back alive, but Tashiro notes you can't afford to lose the ship
now. Noriko asks if he's telling her to abandon her comrades and run, and
says that if they can't save Jung and Isamu here they'll never be able to
save humanity. Jung says that Tashiro is right, and in exchange Noriko
_better_ make the Gunbuster turn out well. Isamu tells the "genius" pilot
Jung to not forget if they get sunk it's all over, and she reminds him
he isn't the only genius.
You find out on the next round that you've got to accelerate for at least
0.12 parsecs for emergency warp. You've got to get to the "northwest" edge
of the board to accomplish this. On the next round, the vice-captain tells
Tashiro that the ship is foundering badly and most weapon systems are
offline [wtf?!?! The damn thing looks perfectly fine to me...] Coach
asks Noriko if she's okay just sitting by and watching her companions get
killed. He tells her anyone can sit back and cry, but there should be
something only she can do: if she doesn't understand that she's not qualified
as a pilot! Noriko ponders whether she'd cry if noone came back and she
was all alone, and if she's going to die. She can't let all the people
who've died until now die in vain, and runs off. Oota gives Kazumi
something and tells her to run after Noriko: the bootup key for Gunbuster.
He says she needs it and to get going! The next half round, reinforcements
appear.
The next turn, the Exelion gets damaged by....nothing at all! But it seems
to be pretty bad anyway. Tashiro orders full power and that you're going
to break out of here. Just then, out comes the Gunbuster (despite not
being finished) and Noriko says she'll just ram the enemy if all else fails.
She's to concentrate on the main bad guys. Noriko and Kazumi seem to be back
on good terms, and it's time to hose ass.
Get the Exelion to the edge of the map quickly for two Skill Points.
Miria is worth a High Powered Radar.
After the battle, the vice-captain tells Tashiro that the Vanishing Motor
is acting up after that combat and warp - keeping going any more is extremely
dangerous. Tashiro had wanted to get to the Icarus base in the asteroid belt,
but he decides to halt and make repairs here. Isamu then complements Noriko
on how she's grown up with the Lond Bel and thanks her for saving his life.
Isamu is quite impressed at the Gunbuster, and wonders if they had the cash
to build it why they didn't mass-produce the YF-19. Kazumi informs him that
one giant Gunbuster is better-suited to fighting off the STMC. In which,
case, he says they should mass produce the Gunbuster - Jung says that plan
is already underway. Noriko tries to apologize about the Gunbuster piloting
business, but Jung says not to mention it, offers her thanks for saving her
life, and says she's piloting a new machine too: the mass-production
Gunbuster "Sizzler Black". It's got less firepower but more manoueverability,
which suits her better anyway. Isamu notes that with the Gunbuster being
mass produced, the AVF may not be necessary after all...
The vice-captain announces a message from the Anti-Space-Monster Research
Laboratory: it's been determined that the STMC have come all the way from
the galactic center. Worse, after contact with intelligent life they've
started laying their eggs in young stars, swelling their numbers. Tashiro
wonders if that's why so many stars have become red giants this year. Oota
says that it seems they're out to get intelligent life where it lives, which
includes the Earth. Tashiro and the vice-captain disagree and think that
they're merely after young stars to raise their young - and Oota persists.
Maybe humanity is a sort of bacteria within the galaxy, and they're the
lymphocytes [yucko]. The vice-captain says that the report summarizes that
the activities of intelligent life mean nothing to the galaxy, as though you
were garbage. Tashiro says that if this is true, _all_ intelligent life in
the galaxy is in danger...meaning Vian's prediction of "nowhere to run" for
humanity has come true. You don't have _time_ to fight the Arrowgaters and
giant-types, and Tashiro wants to get the information to Earth as soon as
possible. Oota recommends sending the Top members, plus the AVF members,
back to Earth since they can warp/fold and since the Lond Bel will understand
the situation. Looks like it's finally time for the SDF to fulfill its
mission...but will humanity be able to ride this one out? Go to S50.
S50. VARIABURU FOOMESHON ("Variable Formation")
Kouji is learning that the B.F. attacked the Science Fortress Laboratory.
The lab itself is fine, but some top-secret plans and data were stolen...
for the Mass-Production Great Mazinger. Kouji wants to know why such a
project would be in the works, and Tetsuya tells him it's to fight off the
alien invasion. Kouji can't believe this: Mazingers can be gods or demons
depending on who pilots them. Tetsuya says that the director of the lab
(and here he nearly lets it slip it's Kouji's father) is well aware of this,
but says that the mass production is necessary anyway for humanity to live.
Kouji complains that B.F. now has those plans, and Tetsuya says it's bothering
him why a group like the B.F. would leave behind _evidence_ of the theft.
It should have been easy to make it so that nobody could tell what they stole.
It's quite likely that they're deliberately telling you all that they stole
the plans, but why? Kouji wonders if this is somehow connected to the
prototype Mazinger which slumbers sealed in hangar seven at the Photon Power
lab. Just then, Duo and Quatre run in in a big rush to tell you that a
Gundam was in a transport ship...the Wing Zero!! Now Kouji is in a tizzy,
and explains hastily to Tetsuya what the Wing Zero is. Mind you, the Zero
should have been sealed away...so who was riding it?
Miliard Peacecraft introduces himself to Bright. Camille feels like he's met
this guy before, and Quatro and Cecily recall that the Peacecrafts were the
royalty of Sank Kingdom which the Federation Military wiped out of North
Europe 13 years ago...the country which preached Absolute Pacifism. Miliard
recognizes Cecily, and says that the Peacecrafts and Ronas had dealings back
when. Kai recalls that if Cecily is Vera Rona, she should be the queen of
the Crossbone Vanguard - she says that Seabook helped her get out. He says
that between her, Seila, Shiela, and Ere, Bright's built up quite an
assortment of royalty. Kai knows Miliard through the Kalaba - he's been
searching for Peacecrafts on orders from Hayato for some time. He found
Rilina quickly with Garrison's help, in the hopes that she'd become the
Kalaba's symbol. The condition was that at the same time the Kalaba would
begin agitating for Absolute Pacifism. Quatro observes that a military
outfit like the Kalaba seems unsuited to this...but now that the Titans have
control they're just a resistance movement anyway. Kai says that Hayato needs
Rilina to become bona fide in the eyes of the people, and recommends that
Quatro, who seems accustomed to the comforts of being a pilot, could learn
something from her. Bright gets Kai back onto the subject: how he couldn't
find Miliard. Interestingly enough, Miliard himself showed up to the Kalaba
in the Zero. Shiela asks why he's piloting that Wing Zero, and he asks her
indulgence not to answer. He says that he's revealed his true name because
he's dealing with the Lond Bel, and Kai says he's helping the Kalaba gather
warpower. Cecily asks if Rilina knows of this, and Miliard says his hands
are already stained with blood and thus he can't meet her. All he can do
now is to help her in secret....which is why Kai brought him here. The
Kalaba are currently assembling an anti-Titans brigade at their main base in
the Sank Kingdom...but the Titans and the Romfellar Conglomerate know of this
and are putting pressure on. Kai has info that the Titans are planning an
all out attack soon...which is why they haven't tried to attack the Far East
base recently. Miliard wants the Lond Bel to help fend off the Titans.
At that point, Igor reveals some ultra-top-secret info sent by Chief Oka,
who is currently emprisoned by the Titans. Kai is impressed that that ninja
could send info while in prison. The info is that Jamitov int