Part 10: Mission #10, Why Not Declare War on the Philippines?

Okay, I think I have wanzers for everyone at this point. So, I'm closing submissions until the next shop opens up.

Mission #10, Part 1: Why Not Declare War on the Philippines?



: Reporting. The enemy got away, and one of the scientists was kidnapped. We lost the Philippines attack squad as a result..
: How unusual to see you fail.
: I won't make any excuses. I'll take punishment.
: It doesn't matter. One scientist won't affect our plan. The faction within the JDF that might form an obstacle, though. Seek them out and crush them.
Okay, here's a recap of the current political situation in the game. Japan is a member-state of the OCU, which, for the political science fans among you, appears to be something like a more integrated version of the European Union, except on the Pacific Rim. Sasaki's faction, however, wants Japan, and not the OCU to be able to builds more MIDAS bombs. There's also another faction of the Japanese military opposed to him. Got it?
: Yes, sir!
: Kuroi, don't disappoint me.



: You're so impatient.
: Don't we have the information?
: We got the data. We still need to decipher it.
: That's right. We'll figure out the flight record now. I'll tell you as soon as I know something.
: Fine...
: That's fine with me! I'm exhausted. Let's get some sleep.
: Hey, Ryogo! We're still being chased by the JDF. Can't you be more serious?
Yeah, fuck you, Ryogo! A real wanzer pilot doesn't need sleep!
: You're so uptight. You have to play hard and sleep tight, right, Alisa?
: Sure, you're either playing or sleeping.
: That's not all. I also eat.
: He's all instinct, isn't he?
: No, he's just a moron.
You'd think Kazuki would be nicer to the guy who risked his life to help save Alisa...but then again, you don't know Kazuki.
: Go to your room. You're distracting me.
: We'll handle everything from here. Why don't you look at our military's web site?



: You're still worried about that? There's nothing we can do.
: I'm not worried about you! Alisa, is this okay with you?
Er...aren't we on the run because Alisa helped the bad guys build a bomb?
: I'm still a bit confused, but... I can't leave MIDAS alone.
: Um... I think so, too. We're the only ones who can stop what Japan is going to do.
: I guess you're both right.
: Yeah. It's not like you can come up with a solution.
: Neither can you!
: Hey, stop it, you two. Don't start fighting. We have to work together from now on. You guys are so immature.
: Let's just let things unfold on their own.
: I think we should get some rest.
: She's right. I'm sleepy. This place is tiny, but I guess the 4 of us can manage. Good night...



: What!? No way!
Well, Ryogo, you gave it your best, but there was no way that Kazuki was ever going to let that happen.
: Quit babbling and follow me.
: Hey, stop pulling! See you later, you two!
: You should rest, too, Alisa. We don't know what awaits us.
: Thanks. I'll do that.



Get your mind of the gutters, people....



Alisa has the most boring recurring dream in human history. Throughout the scene, there's the sound of girls singing. First, we see a fireplace.



And then a kitchen.



And a field of flowers. Final Fantasy VIII started with a FMV of a similar patch of flowers, and ever since that day, the sight of flowers makes me break out in a cold sweat. Terrified that the next 40 hours of my life are going to be stolen from me, never to return.



And the door, which symbolizes the end to this nonsense. Frankly, you can probably piece together most of what's going on here based on information we already have.

: Alisa! Alisa!
: ...?



: I'm fine. I was dreaming of my childhood.
: I'm glad you're okay. Kazuki went to the bridge already.
: I'll be there!
: There's no rush. I just woke up, too.



: Kazuki. Take a look.



: What's this?
: The list of transports that left Atsugi and their cargo. 2 transports left for Taal Base in the Philippines.
: What's the cargo?
: The list says supply and crew. And this is the list of passengers.
: ! These are the people I worked with at the lab!
: They're scientists from Yokosuka Base?
: And they were researching MIDAS?
: Yes, but not the main research. They were working peripherally on using MIDAS as a bomb.
: So they don't count.
What? Yeah, Ryogo, the guys working on a weapon of mass destruction totally aren't important at all.
: The main staff died in the Yokosuka Base accident. They're going to continue the research with these survivors.
: Meaning!?
: MIDAS was sent to the Philippines.
: Let's go get it!
: Um... That may not be so smart...
: I agree.
: Why?
: Kazuki, you need to calm down. Think. Are you going to declare war on the Philippines?
Hey! We could take 'em! The Philippines aren't so tough...
: We can't just sit here and watch!
: Sure, but fighting the enemy head-on isn't the only way.
By the way, keep in mind Liu's position is, "Hey, let's not wage a war across the Philippines." Let's see how long that lasts...
: What do we do, then?
: Sit back and watch.



It's time to our show on the road. I'm sure it will work out terrifically for the people of the Philippines.



And here's our current position in the Philippines.



: This area is not under government control.
: Huh? What are you saying?
: Looks like a command center.
: This is the rebels' headquarters.
: Rebels?
: Are you the DHZ platoon that entered the harbor on a submarine?
See, if you've been keeping up with the internet, you know that this guy is Vice-President Bamarm, leader of the anti-OCU rebels.
: Commander Bamarm, I'm a DHZ military agent, Liu.
: What's the DHZ doing here? Are you here to watch us?
: No, nothing like that. I'm here on assignment. I need your help
in executing the mission.
: You're asking for our assistance? That's fine, but we'll ask for things in return.
: I understand.
: Can we trust them?
: Yes. Don't worry about it.
: What do you need us to do?
: I need you to invade Luzon.
So, when Liu said not to declare war on the Philippines, I suppose what he really meant was, "Get a joint resolution authorizing the use of force, instead."
: !? Are you kidding? How long do you think it took us to get this far?
: I know that.
: Then you understand what you just said is foolish.
: Yes. But that's what I need you to do.
: Tell me the reason.
: You know the Taal Base.
: Yes. It's an OCU navy base.
: MIDAS was carried into it.
: !? The new bomb from the USN!? But I haven't heard anything about it!
: I'm sure they haven't notified the Philippines government. Japan and OCU Australia are behind all this.
I think we all knew that this whole scheme had the stench of Vegemite about it.
: Japan? You mean the accident in Yokosuka Base was...
: That's right. Japan tried to make a copy of MIDAS and failed. The OCU demanded MIDAS after learning the truth behind the accident.
: We're fighting for our people's freedom. Our activities are posted worldwide on our web site.
: The OCU is going to research MIDAS without notifying the other countries. I'm sure the Philippines government doesn't know about MIDAS.
: I see. Now they're trying to make a copy in the Philippines.
: They're repeating the same mistake of Yokosuka Base. We have to stop MIDAS before that happens.
: Okay. I understand the situation. But we don't have enough forces to invade Luzon.
: Don't worry about that. DHZ military will back you up. Once the mission begins, the DHZ fleet can jump in.
That...that doesn't sound right.
: Are you going to start a war with the Philippines!?
: If we invade Luzon, you'll become the Philippines government. Where's the problem?
Liu is a different sort of spy. Most spies would try to retrieve the bomb in a daring nighttime operation. Liu...he plans to help invade that the Philippine capital and then bombard the holdouts with naval support. Solid Snake, he is not.
: The OCU won't keep their silence.
: They were silent about MIDAS. There's room for negotiation. Now is the time!
: I need to confer with my colleagues. You can rest a bit in this city, Show the guests to their room!
: Yes, sir! Follow me.
: You must be tired. Get some rest. If you want to know the military's movements, check their web site.
: I'll show you to your room. Please follow me.



Didn't you learn anything from Star Wars? You can always trust the rebels.
: Don't worry about them. Besides, we can't retrieve MIDAS without their help.
: So the DHZ and the rebels are friends?
: That's about right. The rebels want independence from the OCU. The DHZ is helping them. We get something in return for that, of course.
: The underground oil field in the South China Sea...
: You're a smart young lady. Our military receives a part of the profits from the oil field.
: What a relationship.
: I'm sure Bamarm wouldn't want to ruin this relationship. He'll help us.
: Kazuki, please don't do anything rash.
I like how she says this apropos of nothing. She knows that Kazuki's apt to fly off the handle at any time...
: Don't worry. Liu says they're fine. We'll be alright.
: I didn't know the Philippines had so many problems.
: They're trustworthy. We need Bamarm's help to retrieve MIDAS.

Meh. Let's go back to the control room to see if Bamarm has anything else to say.

: I can't make a decision right away. Our fate depends on it.
: You can resupply in town.
I can? Neat. Well, I think I'll cut it off here....

Next Time: The Future Mrs. Angst McRage!

Lotish, I'm upgrading your wanzer design for you!