Part 105: Mission #38, Hacking Made Easy

Well, I mean, it exists the same universe that presumes the future of warfare will be heavily dependent on lumbering walking tanks.

Anyway, it's truth time, it's not going to be a long update today, if only because I'm almost out of material, since I need designs to move forward. Deal.

Mission #38, Part 1: Hacking Made Easy

Email!


: ...
: Hmm... Uncle, eh?
: Oh... Yun.
: Uncle Jose!
: Stop that.


Done and done.


Well, that's kind of, sort of like what the real state of affairs is.



We finally make it to Kunming, home of the Zhun's fiance, who may hold the secret to Tianlei's defenses. You probably don't remember that, though, seeing as the last update featured the shit wanzer, and its pilot, the Methane Man himself, Linny Barilar.





: There's no one here.
: Can we go in without permission?
: Mei Lin! Are you here?
: Who's making all that noise?
: Mei Lin!
: Zhun...? Is it really you? You're alive?
: I'm sorry, Mei Lin.
: I thought you died in the accident. Do you know how hard it's been for me last 5 years?
: I'm so sorry.
: Is my father...?
: He died. He helped me.
: I see...
: Ah, excuse me...
: Who are they?
: They're my friends.
: Nice to meet you.
: Mei Lin, did you hear anything from your father before his death?
You know, five years ago...
: What? Why?
: I'll tell you later.
: No, nothing.
: Anything at all?
: He did send me a letter 2 weeks before the accident.
: Do you remember what is said?
: Yes, Nothing important, really.
: Tell me.
: "Work is fine. Let's visit your mother's grave when I get back."
: Hmm...
: That's all?
: That's all.
: Wait!
: What is it, Yun?
: There might be a code hidden in that letter.
: What?
: Spenders do that all the time.
: Yes. An encrypted letter.
: Mei Lin, what's you mother's name?
: Liang Yu.
: Spell it out for me.
: L-I-A-N-G Y-U.
Uh...is everyone one talking in English? I mean, they can't really be talking in Chinese, because, you know, it's not a character-based...hell, let's just go with it.
: That's it.
: Okay, what about the data? Do we know where it is?
: Yeah. I do.
: Let's get started.
: Here?
: Yup. Got my cable right here. Zhun, tell me where to go.
: All right.



: You just enter the name now?
: Right.
Yun enters Liang Yu as the password. It fails.
: What's wrong?
: Hmm... It's gonna take more work.
: What do we do now?
: Is this it?
: Mei Lin, can you remember something specific about your father?
: I don't know...
: What do you mean?
: I told you already. Mei Lin's father encrypted the code in your letter.
: I see.
: Anything. Anything that comes to mind.
: There was a place we visited as a family many times. He always wanted to go there again.
: Where is it?
: Shilin. I can never go there with him again...
: Mei Lin...
: Spell it out for me?
: S-H-I-L-I-N.
: Gotcha.
Shilin fails too. I'm not sure this actually constitutes hacking.
It's no use.
: Hmm...
: Maybe we were wrong about the letter.
: Maybe. Or... combining the two words.
: What do you mean?
: I'm gonna combine her mother's name and the place name.
Shan-yun and Li-lin also fail.
: No good?
: Don't give up just yet!
Shan-Lin finally works. Yeah, that's exactly how hacking works.



: I didn't do anything. Now tell me what happened.
: Right. Your father didn't die in an accident. He was killed...
: What!?
: The military killed him after Tianlei's completion.
: My father was killed?
Listen, I don't know what part of, "Your fiance has been on the run for five years following the murder of your father and their colleagues shortly after the completion of an unprecedentedly large mobile land fortress, and now this ragtag team of foreigners needs your help to hack into a computer to help the rebels overthrow the government, and thus foil a transhuman plot to conquer to earth," is so hard to understand.
: I'm sorry. I wanted to see you and tell you the truth but I didn't want to put you in danger.
: Thank you for telling me the truth.
: The old man told me, "I want my daughter to be strong. To smile always."
: Dad... I'm happy to have you back.
: I've been on the run. I regret being the only survivor.
: Zhun, we're together now.
: I can't.
: Are you leaving me again?
: I don't want you in danger.
: You coward! I'm not afraid.
: That's right. I'm a coward. Find someone better, Mei Lin.
: You don't understand anything! So what if I'm in danger? I'm happier with you!
: Mei Lin...
: I'll be alone again without you. Don't leave me.
: Mei Lin... I'm sorry. I was wrong.
: Zhun!
: I was wrong. I was selfish.
: Zhun! I'll never let you go.
: Um... Excuse me.
: I know. I'm coming.
: You're going, too?
: Yeah. I'm going to help these guys.
: Okay... I guess it won't matter if I wait another year.
You know, a doormat like this chick deserves a crappy relationship.
: Don't worry, I'll be back in one week.
: Let's go.
: Finally... It's payback time.



Back to Guangzhou.



: Big news!
: We know complete details on the Tianlei structure.
: What?
: Really?
: Our time is here.
: What do you mean?
: We gained members after Kwang joined. The invasion of Shanghai is finally going to become a reality.
: Yes. Now is the time to end oppression.
: Good luck!
: We're getting set for the final touch.
: The final touch?
: You'll see.
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
: I'm busy right now. Can you come back later?
: You'll see what we're up to.
: Kazuki, I'm going to work hard for this country.
: Zhun, thanks for coming with us.
: Don't worry. I already made up my mind.
: You're not thinking of going to the battlefield?
: No, but there are things I can do to help you guys. I have all the information you need.
: Great. Thanks, Zhun.
: No problem.


: Alisa is waiting for us beyond Tianlei.
: I know. Don't get too impatient, Emma. Let's try to stay calm.
: Yes...
: Kazuki...
: What?
: Don't you miss Japanese food?
: Are you more concerned about food than your life?
: You know me.
: We've been with you since Japan.
: What?
: It seems so long ago.
: Why so emotional?
: You sound like Lukav.
: Let's just prevent the DHZ from building MIDAS for themselves.
: Thanks for sticking with us, Marcus.
Well, you know, it's that or face the court-martial for getting all of his former soldiers killed.
: You certainly kept me busy.
: I appreciate your help.
: It's all right. More stories to tell my family.
: I see. You've been working hard for us lately, Yun.
: Can I get a raise?
: That's beside the point.
: Hey!
: We'll pay you when everything is done.
: I'm gonna hold you to it.
: Let's hope luck is on our side.
Well, Jose, given that you're involved, I'm reasonably sure that's not going to happen.
: I can't believe you came here all the way with us.
: Everyone, I don't know what's going on, but as long as I'm here...
: Let's go.
Linny, you barely count as a person, much less a teammate.

Let's finish this up with a trip downtown.
: I never thought the government would betray us. Bunch of crooks! But you protected us. Eat up! It's my treat.
: Hurray for Kwang! Hurray for the rebels! Bring down Jie for us! Luck is on our side!
: Everyone is partying in Guangzhou. The Vice-Chairman's son is alive! Can you believe that!? Now things are getting interesting! Now we can take down Jie. Hah! There's a lot of disgruntled people out there! Jie's in trouble.
As anyone who's being paying attention recalls, 'optimistic civilian' = 'imminent calamity.'
: I'm scared! The soldiers scare me. I guess they're looking for something. They're uncontrolled and violent toward us. They even searched my home and made a mess of everything. It's not right. Aren't they supposed to protect us?
Yeah, probably. Anyway, at this point, I retire the old wanzers.

Next Time: Seven Against Tianlei! (Linny doesn't count.)