Part 47

I fear no triple-post!


Have you located Sentinel?

We have.

YEAH! Time for an all-out assault!

There's just one problem... After tracing its route and making some calculations, we made a terrible realization.

Whazzat?

"It isn't a flying fortress... it's an UNDERGROUND- oh, wait... acceleration due to gravity should be a negative vector. Never mind, it's cool."

Sentinel's cruising speed and altitude are far higher than any of our warships.

...What?

Then there's no way we can catch up with them.

I'm afraid so.

Can't say I wasn't expecting it. What good's a flying fortress if every two-bit Wanzer jockey with a base carrier's got access to it?

All that trouble for nothing...

Nothing but hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Damn it!

There might be a way, but...

But...?

Here's the thing. We recently seized control of the Society's production facilities in Machu Picchu. Engineers there have been working on reverse-engineering the Society's warship technology for our own use, and managed to put together an entirely new kind of ship... one that may give us the range we need to reach Sentinel.

We're on our way!

You don't understand...

Much of anything, really.

It's a testbed vessel. The only one we've been able to build.

So we'd have to make the attack alone.

Surely we can fit a few more people in a giant carrier? I could clear out a few of the dozen or so extra Wanzers in the back. Hell, let's leave Luven and Emil behind.

We'll have to wait until we've massed enough ships and men before we can launch an assault. I'm sorry.

I'm willing to give it a shot.

You're going to take on Sentinel ALONE?

We've got a perfect window of opportunity now.

That's suicide!

No, that's Albert.

If we miss this chance, they're going to come back stronger than ever. Think you can fight them off again?

...I doubt it. Come to Madios. We will give you the ship.

We'll be there as soon as possible!


She wasn't kidding.

The Society's old factory was located here.

Waste not, want not, eh?

More like finders keepers.

There's a landing beacon... I'm setting her down.


Yeah. I've come for the new carrier.

This way, please.

Say 'hello' to your millions of identical twins for me.


You must be Albert. So we finally meet face to face.

Sort of. Not that it's worth much in this age of videophones.

You came all this way to see us off?

Of course. How better to show our confidence in you? Given what you're facing on our behalf, it was the least I could do. Our hopes are riding on your success.

Some burden... She ready to launch?

Yes. We're about to begin the first test flight.

Everything's ready.

OK! Bring her up!


Wow!

Well, color me impressed.

She's got enough speed and power to get you to Sentinel. After that, you're on your own.

We won't let you down!

Good luck!


You can dash over to the right and grab this before the stage ends.


A ship this cool needs a new name.


Stupid character limit!


Hmm... I've got someone I'd like to visit, first.


What are you doing here?

Richard... We've finally got our hands on the Society. They're up there right now, waiting for our next move. If there's anything you can do...

My hands are tied, son. Your little stunt in Peru's got command convinced you're chasing after bogeymen. I'd like to help you, but it's going to take time...

No problem.

I'll be in touch.

NOW let's go to Sentinel.


To think this thing has been flying over our heads all this time...

I have difficulty believing no one noticed the gigantic fortress cruising across the sun at all hours.

Aw'right! Time to bust in!

Not so fast! We still need to clear that escort fleet!

It's never easy with these guys.

...Miss Royce should be on board.

Which means Genoce won't be far behind.

If we can get her out before... Forget it. Can't afford to jeopardize the operation.

......

...Albert. Should you destroy Sentinel before he arrives... Master will be forced to abandon his plans.

I'll do what I can.

This is crazy! There's no way we'll be able to stand up to that fleet in a carrier!

All right. Get me as close to the warships as you can. I'll draw their fire in my Wanzer.

A mobile shield for the carrier, eh?

I like the sound of that!

I don't. It's far too dangerous.

Give it a fucking REST! This is not a no-risk operation!

If the carrier's shot down, we're all goners. ...It'll be all right, Brenda.

......


OK! Get ready to make a pass. I'll take it from there.

You're actually going to BOARD that thing?

'Fraid so. It's our only shot at getting to the Society's leaders. Besides, chances are they're expecting a full-scale attack. A lone Wanzer's got a better chance of making it through.

All right... I'll do what I can.


Plothole powers activate! Form of... unlimited Vernier!


What do you want from me? It's a pretty nondescript level.




Not too long, either.


Go Rook!

The assault begins in earnest next time! Stay tuned!