Part 112: Mission #44: I Can't Believe It's Front Mission 3!

Mission #44: I Can't Believe It's Front Mission 3!


Meh. Linny gets an email too.




I'd be upset, but there's something about that little Methane Wanzer standing in field of destruction that warms my heart.



: People are gathering in Wuhan as they learn about our victory.
: We should take advantage of this momentum to invade Shanghai. Emma, explain the mission.
: There are 2 possible routes to Shanghai.



: Then, through Huangshan to Wuzhou. And down the Changjiang river to Nanjing. We can take Shanghai either way, just prepare for a tough fight.
: In the end it's gonna be an all out fight. That's the kind I like best!
Good to see Marcus is still a psychopath.
: Stop joking around. I'm not like you barbarians, I want a peaceful solution.
: Yes, until Shanghai, I want to keep as much in reserve as possible.
: Then let's make a diversion and attack from both sides.
: Split our forces in two?
: Yes, but the enemy must do the same.
: Haha! It's beyond me!
: Doesn't surprise me Marcus doesn't get it.
: Like you do, Ryogo.
: Okay everyone, first clean up at Nanchang. At the same time move the LSTs with the decoys along the Changjiang.
: What decoys?
: Ryogo, you don't know? Inflatable tanks and wanzers.
That sounds like something out of a bad early 90s children's movie.
: By now they know our progress and are sending everything to Nanchang. And at Lake Poyang, we'll switch our main force with the decoys in the LSTs.
: I get it, we'll switch the real thing for the decoys!
: Then the decoy force will move to Huangshan via Nanchang. The main force in the LSTs can then stroll into Nanjing.
: If the enemy believes our objective to be Wuzhou they'll hit the decoys. Then the main force can take a lightly defended Nanjing.
: If all goes well most of the enemy will go after the decoys. Then our forces can take Nanjing with no losses and move onto Shanghai.



: Wait! Using a whole battalion will cause enormous civilian casualties!
I prefer to think of it as minor correction to the census figures.
: Who are you?
: I'm Liang Hua, a former Changli Army squadron member. We must abort the mission if innocent people's lives are at stake.
: Our members will evacuate the civilians.
: Can they be trusted?
: Of course. We don't want civilians getting hurt.
: Okay.
: It's Emma's plan. I'm sure it'll be a success!
: The plan is perfect. I hope everything goes well during the mission. I need to get ready. Excuse me.
: Emma, I understand the plan. But who will be the decoy squad? It's a very dangerous role.
: We'll be the decoy.
: Emma!?
: Are you serious!?
: That's fine with us, but are you okay with it?
: It's my plan. I'll take full responsibility for it.
I don't know if volunteering other people for a suicide mission counts as 'responsibility'.
: Hey, but that's not what I want!
: Emma! Don't decide everything by yourself!
: Do you have a problem with my plan?
: That's not what I mean...
: I can do it on my own.
: Hey, Emma! ...She's gone. What's up with her?
: She's probably worried about her sister.
: Go, Kazuki. You're the only one who understands Emma. You gotta talk some sense into her!
: We can't turn on each other now. Resolve all conflicts now.
: It'll take time to gather our forces. I'm going to get some rest.
: Get going!
: This is gonna be a big deal. I'll give you this to train with. It's the battle data from the underground oil field. How's training going?
At this point, I swapped in new wanzers, I tell you more, but we won't be seeing them this mission.



: Kazuki...
: Why are you being so impatient?
Berzuki has never seemed so far away...
: I want to rescue Alisa as soon as possible! Aren't you worried about her!?
: Of course I am! But we can't sacrifice our friends, either.
: I'd die for Alisa!
: That's enough! What would be the point if you died? You think Alisa would be happy about that!?
: Kazuki...
: You're both very important to me. Don't say things like that. We'll rescue Alisa. Trust me!
You know, it's weird. Kazuki was creepily obsessed with Alisa last branch, but this time, he doesn't really seem to have any sort of urgency in rescuing her.
: It's so strange... You always make me feel better. How do you do it?
: I'm just saying what I feel.
: Thank you.
: Making a girl cry before a mission?
: W-What? Oh, you're...!
: I'm Liang Hua, Mr. Mercenary.
That's Mercenary-san to you!
: I'm not a mercenary. I'm Kazuki, and she's Emma.
: Okay. I'll try to remember.
: I don't care if you kill yourself in a war. Just don't bother us! We've protected our land all our lives. You destroy the soil when you fight. Think about where your food comes from! I can only till the soil. But you think hard about what and whom you're protecting.
I'll never fight to protect the soil! Never! Soil is the enemy of all mankind!
: The rebels took control of the supply base. I can't believe they did it so easily. I'm happy to see those military pigs go. I wanted to show you how those pigs ran away!
: Are you a Hua Lian Rebel? I thought so. You're better looking than military soldiers. You look like you have a purpose in life. The Hua Lian Rebels are always fighting. I want a Hua Lian Rebel officer for a husband. Or someone rich. Whichever I find first.
: I-I'm surprised to see you here. I thank you for all the hard work you've been doing for us. A-Are you meeting Miss Liang Hua here...? U-Um, never mind. I really love Miss Liang Hua... Oh. Please forget what I just said.
Son, I can't forget what I didn't pay attention to in the first place.
: You were loud about protecting the civilians in that meeting earlier.
: I don't want innocent people getting hurt. It's silly to compromise their safety to protect the country.
: But you're a soldier.
: Is that so strange? I became a soldier to help people. I thought it was the best way to serve the country. How can you protect the country if you can't even protect the people? But my ideal runs contrary to the DHZ's philosophy.
: That's why you joined the Hua Lian Rebels.
: I'm a traitor to the military. I don't care as long as I can save people.
: You're a strong woman.
: I have to be, to protect everyone.
: Sergeant, it's time.
: Okay. I'm counting on you mercenaries!



: Everything is okay now.
: I'm sorry, everyone.
: No problem! I believe in you, Emma!
: You were the one who complained.
: Shut up!
: About the decoy mission...
: We'll do it. We trust your plan.
: After all, we're the only ones who can handle the job. Bwa ha ha ha!
Oh, Marcus you're so crazy...in a very literal sense.
: There it is, Kwang.
: Okay. Our main forces are ready.
: The LST squad is also ready.
: Let's begin the mission!
: The main and the decoy forces will move to Lake Poyang. LST squad will move to Chang Jiang River!
: Let's go!



Ah, Lake Poyang, I'm taking it on faith that such a lake exists in the real world.



: Where are they going?
: A battalion is moving south. I believe they are heading to Nanchang.
: They think they're ahead of the game. They're going to Nanchang, to Huangshan and then to Hangzhou.
: The Changli Army in Nanjing is standing by. The Huangzhou and Nanjing squads will take care of them.
: Don't disappoint me again, General. Destroy them before they reach Shanghai.
: Yes, sir.



: Unload the decoy! Set up the decoy! Hurry it up!
: Dude, Zhuwen's awfully enthused.
: The operation seems to be going smoothly.
: Yes, now we can hope that the enemy falls for this.
Our balloon-based strategy can't fail!
: We can't let our guard down yet. If they see us, it's over.
: Enemies approaching!



Damn, the one weakness of the Hua Lian's strategy: basic reconnaissance from the enemy!
: A recon plane!? It can't be allowed to escape with the info! Shoot it down!
: Yes, sir!



: If it crashes, the pilots will escape.
: Hurry to the crash site and capture the pilots!



: Careful. I bet they're still nearby.
: Tch, we have to go out there without protection.
No we don't! We always use Wanzers, even in the most ridiculous of occasions! There's no need to stop now!
: Hurry Kazuki! Pay attention, or they'll get away!



No wanzers this mission, which would be fine if dismounted combat were good, or even anything more than perfunctory. You might be wondering how the hell we're supposed to win if we're outnumbered but have the exact same equipment as the enemy.



As you can see, each enemy only has half the amount of health as your pilots. Although, technically, it's more like 60%, since every has a pistol that does exactly four damage, so, more accurately, they will be killed after three hits, whereas your guys can each absorb five, which narrows the advantage somewhat, as does the superior number of shots they can get off in a turn. Still, given enough time...



...you'll win. There's not a whole ton of strategy involved in this mission.



I win MVP.



It would have been faster had we used our wanzers...

Next Time: Divide and Conquer