Part 122: Mission #54: A Moment of Silence

Ah, Front Mission 3 thread. After over a hundred missions, it's fair to say that both you and I and eager for this game to end. Unfortunately, we're really that close to being done yet.

The next (and final) parts list will be up tomorrow. Capskye, I would consider a personal favor if you reserved your pilot and parts before the start of the build to make my life easier. And yes, I've got the super-wanzer and its beam rifle ready.

Mission #54: A Moment of Silence



: Lukav, what are you doing?
: You're friends did well. But their welcome has expired.
: You're going to kill Kazuki!?
: It's not like you had to fight Kazuki head on. Why would you do such a thing?
: Kazuki always surpasses my expectations. He might jeopardize my plan later on. Better to get rid of him while I have the chance.
That would be a more compelling line of reasoning in a game with a protagonist capable of even minor successes.
: Why use us to lure him?
: I want to see his reaction. I want to see him realize defeat. You'll be the audience.
When did Lukav become a Bond villain?



: Where is he!? Where's Lukav!?
: Well done, Kazuki. I welcome you.
: Where's Emma and Alisa!?
: Relax, they're right here.
: Emma! Alisa!
: Who would've though you'd fight all this way for these two? I don't understand you. You're all so irrational.
Wait, didn't Lukav go through an insanely complicated plan of his own to capture Emma and Alisa.
: Even at the cost of one's life, there are those you protect.
: Are there such things that are more valuable than you're own life? Intriguing... Then come and take them back! ...and sacrifice your own life.
I think Lukav isn't exactly firing on all cylinders today.



Kazuki, Yun, Marcus and Dennis are up. A power-packed squad to be sure, but that's because I'm always a bit paranoid about alternate losing conditions, which will become clear a bit later...



Topple Shot goes off. I guess it works fine on any wanzer not designed by Dr. Video Games 0071. Anyway, I don't think it's a good skill anyway, since it can't combo, and if you're even halfway decent at tactics, the enemy won't have many chances at counter-attacking anyway.



Then again, you can't really topple a four-legged wanzer anyway, you just kind of make it stumble a bit.



Marcus almost kills an enemy with a single blow. And, keep in mind, a Shunwang is quite a bit stronger than, say, a Shangdi. FORESHADOWING!



Meanwhile, Yun is finally breaking out of the slump she's been in for the last dozen missions and is doing serious damage again.



Well, Capskye, you want to give Dennis a good wanzer...lots of luck to you.



Ah, it's nice to finally get back to Yun getting good combos.



For the record, when I say not to use your melee wanzers to fight melee wanzers, it's more of a case of "do as I say, not as I do."



Well, Dennis had over a two-in-three chance of forcing this guy to surrender instead of killing him, but, well, Dennis just can't help being Dennis.



Dennis kills Lukav in the upset of the century.



: You continue to surpass my expectations... But if you kill me, the women will die as well. You will share the same fate as the base.



It's Liu! And he's kind of technically on our side!
: Liu!?
: You've gotten sloppy, Lukav! Sir Bal has ordered your death!
: What!?
: Liu!?
: You're next! I'll avenge Sir Bal! I'll kill all Imaginary Numbers!
: Oh no, he's going after Emma!
Bummer. Oh, well, I suppose Liu wouldn't be the first named character I've killed for no real good reason.
: Don't move! Get in the way and you'll get some, too! Imaginary Numbers were all failed products. I'll destroy them all so that Sir Bal's honor may be preserved!
: Stop Liu! Don't let him get close to Emma!



Ah, a new losing condition.



Okay, you see that cage on the right-hand side of the screenshot? That's the flashing point, so Liu's pretty close. In fact, he could probably reach it in two or three turns. There's only one problem with Liu's diabolical plan...



And his name is Marcus.



: Don't you understand that the Imaginary Numbers are dangerous!?
: You're wrong! Emma and Alisa are not a threat!
I mean, they did create a bomb that already incinerated one city, but Kazuki's probably pretty sure that's not likely to happen again...probably.
: Don't be fooled by their looks! They're puppets!
: No, Emma and Alisa are human! They're not just puppets.
: Such imbeciles...
: We can't stop Lukav's plan unless the Imaginary Numbers are destroyed...
Liu! You took off your sunglasses, making you not evil! It's kind of shame you only have about ten seconds to live. Then again, one rifle user is plenty...
: Lukav's plan!?
: Boy, stop it if you can! Otherwise, it's all over...



Beautiful. Marcus wins MVP for demolishing Liu.