Part 6

I'm going here first because I think it makes more sense, plotwise. The only person who said otherwise withdrew, so I'll just feel free.


Forgive me for contacting you in the middle of a mission, but our forces just downed an enemy transport in your vicinity. We believe there may be critical material aboard. Can you investigate?

We're on our way!

"Oh boy, investigating!"

Ready, Brenda?

Hate to break it to you, but the forest here's playing merry hell with my scanners.

It'd be faster if you searched by Wanzer.


Randolph suggests, the guerillas are bound to show up.

OK!

I'm trying to figure out if I missed a screenshot or something there. Seems like she just says OK for no reason.

Let's try to finish our investigation before the enemy arrives.

So.. the definition of forest is pretty broad in Cenktrich. There's not exactly a high density of trees here.


Wait... what's this?

Chemical weapons! Could the rebels be THAT desperate?

He can tell this just from looking at the unlabeled nondescript capsule-things. That's either impressive or suspicious.


What the fuck? Hey!


Government mercs!

There they are!

Blast! ...At least the pods are still intact.

After a plane crash, even.

All right, form up and move out! 10,000 dollars to every man who returns with a pod!

I'm on it!

Albert! They're going after the pods!

I can SEE that!

Understood. Leave it to me!

Thus begins the funfun pod babysitting mission. Luckily, you don't actually have to save them to win, it just gets you more cash at the end of the mission.


This is what Brenda can do for you. 10 times per map, you can call her in the bomb enemies. It only works outdoors, but can be quite powerful. It's nice for now, but I'm looking forward to some of our future pals.

For your reference, any one of those missiles would instantly kill those enemies, while the laser would take a few seconds of concentrated fire.


One of them managed to carry a pod way over to the right before I got him. I figured the other one was gone, but I got lucky and the mission ended right after.

Our forces will take care of the rest.

At least we don't have to worry about this stuff being used on civilians.

If only that were the case, ma'am. We suspect the guerillas are mass-producing these.




You can see that protecting the pods is worth big bonuses.


Think they were gearing up to transport those pods somewhere?

Well, they were in a transport when they were shot down...

Good question. My guess is that plane was headed for the border.

That's ridiculous! What'd they stand to gain from that? ...Opinions, Lieutenant?

I don't concern myself with the details, ma'am. I just follow my orders.

Just a regular model soldier, huh?

Well, I...

That's NOT a compliment.

Keep this up, and you'll make Clark show some sort of emotion or facial expression!

Forget it. We'd better start looking for their main base. If the lieutenant's correct, they may have more nerve gas stashed away.


A few new levels opened up, but I'm finishing this job, first.


The inhabitants may have some leads for us, sir. However, I would recommend leaving your Wanzer on the outskirts.

Aren't you accompanying us in?

Ma'am, I'm an army officer. I'm afraid I can't afford to be seen with you. It's a question of image.

Fine. I'll get going.

Sorry.

Take care!


I can see a few people outside now.

Let's hope we're not wasting our time.

Look at that. This place is more of a forest than the forest.


This isn't going to work.

Well, the immediate area'a clear...

All right. Guess I'll continue on foot.


He's very easily startled.

Relax! I'm with the government.

Whew! You scared the life out of me! What brings you this far out?

I'm looking for some leads into local guerilla activity.

Oh, wonderful! Please, feel free to ask around! We're happy to help!


Yeah, I saw 'em skulking around the woods. Looks like they were moving some kinda capsule.

What is WRONG with his eyes?


hidden in the forest... scary!

No, no. Manufacturing plants are very friendly once you get to know them.


out of our homes.


They need to hurry up and put an end to those creeps!

But you... but I... just met... how?


Gah! You, too!

What's up?

It's the guerillas? They're at the village outskirts!

...what?

That is NOT the kind of "What?" I expect from you, Albert. I'm very disappointed.

Hurry! This way!




Well, it's not so much a stone as it is a pod of nerve gas, but you know.

That pod... nerve gas!


"Oh shit everyone! Get out of town fast!"


ruse like that? Tell your guerilla buddies to keep trying!

Alright, then. Ignore the giant purple death cloud. See if I care.


I could fight them out here, but that's not a very cool backdrop.


Much better. Note that he is using a shield. I don't care because if I must use the laser then I should at least take advantage of its special power.


Did you...

This is the guerilla's doing.

The guerillas! I heard rumors that they were getting more violent in their attacks, but to stoop to this...

Yeah, I saw three of you die while I was running. What's up with that?

Those villagers will need medical help...

I'll take care of it. Listen, they've probably gone north to Ehren Hill... Could you...?

Don't worry. I'll get them.

Thank you.

I got 630 monies and 84 EXP for that. I'm posting the shots for a good reason that you will see in a moment.


You had a close call.

Too damn close for comfort.

That pod must have been manufactured at their main base, sir.

This won't be the last attack... You can count on that. We have to find the main base and destroy it!

Let's get going!


One new mission has opened up. First, though, I went back to the Alpine Forest and did enough killing you level up.


I gained 252 EXP for that, resulting in...


The Repair Field makes a healing area for you. The Flamethrower is... well, a flamethrower. The Armour Plate takes up the special weapon slot, but increases your max HP.