Part 38: Mission #36, The Halls of Exposition

Important voting information at the end of this post!

Mission #36, Part 1: The Halls of Exposition



We finally made it to Shanghai! Surely this will be the end of our travails!



And we even make it to the Ravnui embassy. Just to remind you, the ambassador from Ravnui evidently has the ability to fix this entire situation.



: I'll get Sir Bal. Wait here.
: Finally! I can get some rest.
: Yes. We'll be safe here.
: I want to take a shower.
: ...
: What's wrong, Kazuki?
: Yeah. Why the scary look on your face?
He's thinking about Pham taking a shower. It fill him with...feelings...feelings he does not understand! And that fills Kazuki with rage!
: Don't you think Liu is acting strange? It started when we met the Imaginary Numbers in Wuhan. And why is security so tight here?
: They're preparing for the Hua Lian Rebels.
: Yeah, and I'm sure Liu has bad days, too.
: ...
: Sorry about the wait. Sir Bal is out. He won't be back until tomorrow.
: We have to wait until tomorrow!?
: They have some rooms for you. Get some rest. I still have work to do. I'll catch with all of you later.
: I'll show you to your rooms. Please follow me.
: Wait! I need to talk to Liu.
: You'll follow our orders here. Now please follow me.
: Stay quiet in your rooms.
: I'll show you to your rooms.



: Too bad I'm alone here with you.
: This is too strange...
: You're still thinking about that!?
: It's like we're being confined!
: Ahh, you want to go experience the excess of Shanghai, too! Don't worry, we'll sneak outta here!
: Be serious! Liu became really aloof when we got here. This embassy is strange.
Listen, just because all of the security guards look like mad scientists, the leader is known as 'Sir' Bal, and the fact that you're confined to your rooms doesn't necessarily mean that something horrible is about to happen!
: Don't worry about it! I'll sneak out and take a look around. Do you want a souvenir?
: Just don't do anything stupid.



Elsewhere, the girls are having their own discussion.
: We're being watched. Kazuki isn't just imagining this. Something is up with this embassy.
: Yes. It's like we're being confined.
: Why wouldn't they let us out?
: Maybe there's a good reason...
: But is this any way to treat a guest!? This embassy is hiding something.
: I wonder what Kazuki and Ryogo are doing?
: I hope they don't do anything rash.
: Kazuki and Ryogo? They're useless. We have to do something on our own.
: What are you going to do?
: I'm... trying to figure that out right now.
: Do you want me to take a look around?
The fact that Miho is by far and away the most capable member of our team makes me wonder if there's ever been a less effective RPG party in video game history.
: It's too dangerous!
: Oh, I'll be okay!



Outside the embassy, a couple of wanzers wait...



While, up above, Ryogo does his best Solid Snake impersonation.



: Hey, it's a piece of cake.
: ...
: Huh?



: Yeowch!
: Oh, did I step on something?
: Me, it's me...
: Oh, Ryogo, it's good to see you!
: I don't care! Just get off...
: What're you doing here?
: What about you, Miho? Where are you going at this time of night?
: I sensed something suspicious, so I came to investigate.
: So we were thinking the same thing. Well, cool! Let's go together!
: Okay! I was actually a little lonely, to tell the truth.
: Heh, me, too.
Now they can be lonely...together. Also, how is it that these are two of the three smartest members of my party?



: He'd better not be fooling around...
: Umph!
: !?
: Good evening!
: Miho!? Why are you coming in through the window?
: Don't worry about me. I came here to tell you something for Ryogo.
: What is it!?
: Ryogo and I took a look around, and this place is crawling with soldiers!
: Soldiers? Are they DHZ?
: No. They're either called Real or Imaginary Numbers. They're watching us. Something is up!
: Where is Ryogo!?
: Ryogo went to retrieve our wanzers.
: Will he be okay by himself?
: He'll be okay. Oh, and I'll give you this!
: What's this?
: It's a small communicator. We'll be able to contact each other with this.
: How did you get this?
: The police department seizes lots of things! I borrowed it just in case!
: ...
I do believe that Kazuki has finally figured out that there just might be more to Miho than meets the eye.
: I'm heading back to my room.
: You're going out the window?
: Oh, and... Be careful with Liu. He's hiding something. Good night!
: What is she...?



: They haven't done much, sir.
: ...I see.
: Commander Liu, Sir Bal is asking for you.
: I'm coming.



: Liu...
: You're back. I'm sorry; I didn't notice.
: Never mind. I just got back. Did you get what I asked for?
: Yes, sir.
: I didn't get MIDAS, but I got something as good instead. Lukav will be back soon, too.
: Lukav is?
: Yes. When he returns, my dreams will be realized.
: ...
: And chairman Jie wants to see the girls.
I can't think of anyway that can be construed to be a good thing.
: The chairman himself?
: That coward... He won't trust me until he sees them with his own eyes. That's why he's so easy to manipulate.
: I will bring him to you now.
: Thank you.



: Liu!? Where have you been?
: Sir Bal wants to meet you. Follow me.
: Wait! What's going on? Why do I get called in by myself!?
: It's not just you.
: Kazuki...
: Alisa!?
: Hurry up! Sir Bal is waiting!
: Sir Bal? What happened? Tell me what's going on!
: Keep quiet. If you don't want Alisa hurt, you'll follow my orders.
: Let's go, Kazuki. We'll know what's going on when we get there.
You know, as we get further into this game, I'm starting to think that the reason that Kazuki is so overprotective of Alisa is because Alisa seems to have no sense of self-preservation.
: All right... Fine!
: Kazuki...
: What's wrong? Hurry up!



: Thank you.
: Lukav!
: He's the USN agent!
: ! Emma...
: ...Alisa. I knew you'd be here.
: Liu... The first Real Number. How nice to see you here.
: Really? You certainly did a great job of using the USN to keep me from coming here.
: I know... but I couldn't stop them. I'm just a soldier in the USN.
: I bet you were the one who sent them my way. Were you trying to take credit for my work?
: I have no interest in such petty things.
: What's going on!? Why are there USN people here?
: Liu... Why? Why is my sister here?
: You really don't know anything? Liu, I didn't know you can be so deceptive.
: Liu! Tell us!
: Follow me and you'll see.
Wait secrets are about to be revealed? Find out next time, in Mission #36, Part 2: I Call Shenanigans!

Wanzer Vote!

Vote for one wanzer Alisa, and one for Pham!

A. Alisa
_{Choose one!}

Choice #1: Bad Science
Color: White
Submitted by: IceMole

Parts
Body: Shunwang 1
L. Arm: Tieqi 4
R. Arm: Kyokei Mk 108
Legs: Genie
Backpack: BPT9MAX
Computer: COMB652

Weapons
L. Shoulder:
L. Hand: Nissai 90MF
R. Shoulder:
R. Hand: Chongta 3

Smasher sez: Christ, why do you people insist on giving characters weapons they have no experience with? And, is that a Kyokei arm with a burst weapon? And a computer designed to make it go off as often as possible? I thought I made it clear what the effect of Hit or Miss was!

Choice #2: Lanzer
Color: Whatever
Submitted by: Mehuyael

Parts
Body: Lanze (38)
L. Arm: Lanze (15)
R. Arm: Lanze (15)
Legs: Lanze (59)
Backpack: BPT9MAX (30)
Computer: COMC654

Weapons
L. Shoulder:
L. Hand: Heavy Shield (28)
R. Shoulder:
R. Hand: Mk 22 Spike (32)

Smasher Sez: Well, at least Alisa has minimal experience with melee weapons. Perhaps not the most imaginative design, but I suppose, at the least, it'll last.

Choice #3: Mjolnir
Color: Light Grey
Submitted by: jng2058

Parts
Body: Genie
L. Arm: Lanze
R. Arm: Whisk
Legs: Zenislev
Backpack: BX002 (x2 Missile Reloads)
Computer: COMG10

Weapons
L. Shoulder: None
L. Hand: MK10 Shield
R. Shoulder: Nightingale
R. Hand: MK9 Baton

Smasher Sez: I guess this is the best design from a technical perspective, but, well, I'll be honest, Senor Gad, I have a moral objection to the pimping of blogs....therefore, I cannot endorse this design.

B. Pham
_{Choose one!}

Choice #1: Stuck Up
Color: Purple Camouflage (S.D.: Unless we're fighting in a dance club, this is kind of an oxymoron.)
Submitted by: tanasinn
Weight Power
Body: Lanze 39 206
R Arm: Wude 3 15
R Weapon: Mk12 Fist 35
L Arm: Wude 3 15
L Weapon: Mk22 Spike 32
Legs: Lanze 59
Backpack: BPT9MAX 30 90
Computer: COMC654

Total Weight: 225
Total Power: 296

Smasher Sez: The spirit of the Berzuki lives! Although, I have no idea why you wouldn't give her the parts she needs to use Double Punch.

Choice #2: Striker
Color: Forest Camo
Submitted by: Gideon020

Body: Tieqi 4
Left Arm: Zenislev
Right Arm: Genie
Legs: Vinedrai
Computer: BTP9MAX
Backpack: COMG10
Left Arm Weapon: Huosai 2
Right Arm Weapon: Mega Buster

Smasher Sez: I'm going to go out on a limb, and suggest that Gideon meant the Big Buster and that he's just been playing a bit too much Megaman. Anyway, he originally designed this for someone else, but it suits Pham better.

Choice #3: Miserable
Color: Yellow
Submitted by: A dead man! You hear me, thetruegentleman, you're a dead man!

Parts
Body: Whisk (45)
L. Arm: Wude 3 (15)
R. Arm Kasel M2 (15)
Legs: Enyo Mk109 (18)
Backpack: BPT9MAX (30)
Computer: COMB652

Weapons
L. Shoulder: Quill (81)
L. Hand: Odin M98 (42)
R. Shoulder: Yunsheng 34 (109)
R. Hand: War Hammer (18)

C. Submission Reform!

Do I

A. Keep the first-come, first serve policy

-or-

B. Open submissions followed by a vote

-or-

C. A hybrid solution, with some number of the slots being first-come, first-served, and the rest being put to a vote

Vote! You have 24 hours!