Part 39: Pacify Jack's Squad

Prayer



Before we go speak with Mastema, we're gonna do the usual and see what folks reactions to Jack/Ryan's Squad somehow getting even worse is.

So I'm hoping Zelenin comes up with a good fix for the situation.
If that makes me a failure as a soldier, then oh well. That's just how I feel.



We've taken some casualties. I think it's only appropriate that we respond in kind.
I understand what Zelenin's trying to do, but can she really pull it off...?



I know that as a doctor I shouldn't be saying this, but I really am fed up with them.



Well... I'm not high-ranking enough to veto Zelenin's plan, so I'll go along for now.
But if they're going to carry it out, they should do it quick! I'd go kill him right now if I could!



So, the Cornucopia is a very important rare forma! It doesn't seem it, but it is.



Unlock E is going to prove very important. It won't seem like it at first, but just remember this for much, much later!



But he started this dang mess, and there ain't no gettin' around that.
So yeah... I can't argue he needs to be punished somehow.



He may have the technology, but if he tries to fight us, it'll only wear him down.
I almost miss Captain Jack--at least he acted like a friend, even if it was only an empty gesture.



Not Ryan, though... His greed has gotten to his head, and what once was a squad is now merely a gang.
I heard Zelenin stopped Jimenez when he tried to kill Ryan...
I think that was a mistake.

A Scorched Nation



Let's put this Unlock E through its paces now. Because it's this one door.

And a second one immediately after it because obviously, right.



This leads to a giant empty corridor that has 3 Gate Search Es along it.



Each one gates off a fixed Gold Forma.



That's it. That's all that's here.



Though if you do get a random encounter in this particular area, it has some... interesting demon team compositions.

The Land Where The Seed's Memories Lie Buried



You may enter our sanctuary.
Farewell...



We'll use the Phase Shifter in a minute, but first there's something left to do here.

The Fear of God



A couple Original Space demons, of course. Valyrie is pretty simple all things considered. Nothing here that you can't see already except the usable version comes with Blood Ritual by default. You saw how good that is against Jack, so that the enemy version doesn't have that is probably a mercy if you just run into one having never seen it before.

Oberon is... even simpler, though. He's EXACTLY how he looks, in every single way. Ally Call is of course enemy only but that's it.



Gogmagog can be fairly dangerous as an Unknown but once he gets to the stage where he's a known quantity, he's easier to deal with. That Ice/Elec pairing makes him potentially Annoying to deal with once you know it (and if you don't know it, you'll learn that the hard way) but that's all. Also he's 300% weak to Mute for all the nothing that really matters.

Incidentally, the fuck is with those moves? Rakunda is outdated as fuck, Counter is mediocre and the only skill that uses his best stat and Shock is terribad and his Magic sucks balls.

There is one more demon in here but we'll save it for later and that's definitely not just because it didn't turn up right now.

The Land Where The Seed's Memories Lie Buried



Just gonna dive right on in to the Sanctuary now, I guess. Gotta find Mastema eventually, after all.

Master Mastema is beyond here.
Be aware that we have set snares to prevent our foes from easily infiltrating.
I pray that you make it to Master Mastema safely...

Yeah, so, the Sanctuary starts of pretty linear so we'll just skip ahead to when that cha--



oh hello again Pale Rider thats twice in rapid succession



But I definitely am not complaining about getting another Great Chakra and Kresnik's secret real reason for being here is achieved.



Hello, earliest guaranteed Riot Gun (the second/last is level... 86)! And, oh my, he bonus skilled Charge?! Bwahahahaha, yes. This is good. This is very good. It is not quite the best Source possible, but it is definitely up there.

Anyway, hello, Riot Gun is the best skill in the game (there is technically one better but you get it so late that it might as well not exist). It has a base 500 Power which is the highest of every attack bar none, costs a mere 30 MP, has 130% base Accuracy and will fucking murder the shit out of whatever you hit with it. Charge makes it ludicrously overpowered. Its one drawback is that it is Gun elemental so while it doesn't work on Everything, it can also exploit the shit out of weaknesses. Remember this. This is an important detail.

You CAN get Riot Gun earlier than this, of course, via Skill Changes. The easiest way is to get Mana Aid from something since that has a very good chance of changing into Riot Gun if/when it does skill change.

The Fear of God



Speaking of which, here's a good example of both sides of that.

Anzu is a weird, bad demon who decides that he wants to main Agility. The stat that is the least useful. Good job, Anzu. Everything else is visible and boring, though his Source does give Void Elec which is... something I guess.

Xiuhtecuhtli is a little more interesting because by default he cannot hurt himself. At all. His basic attack is Gun elemental (don't question it), his only skills are Fire and Gun... He also decides that, yes, Agility is the stat he wants the most but at least his Str and Mag are kind of decent as well to balance that out somewhat. And his Source gives Void Fire which is also something.



Sarasvati is kind of simple but also kind of... not? Her best stat is Luck, bizarrely, though her Magic is a very close second. The usable version has Samarecarm by default as well as Mabufudyne and Mediarama which is definitely A Thing. Her source is two-thirds a waste of time and one-third Void Ice.

Pachacamac is easily better in your own hands than the AIs because then he doesn't have Strainoma. A bad worthless skill that inflicts Strain on one target. Also Pachacamac is immune to Strain for all the nothing that matters. Also also Pachacamac's source gives Debilitate and Void Curse.

Also also also I know that he's an Incan god but Pachacamac just sounds like an actual name for an actual Pokemon more tha anything else. Probably doesn't hurt that it's fun to say a lot in succession.

An Honor Befitting that Name



And hey, let's throw in the Enemy Searches for good measure. Garuda is weak to Gun and Ice, resists Expel, nullifies Wind and reflects Fire. He doesn't reflect extra damage unlike, say, Pyro Jack though. No ailment resistances so he gets turned into a rock.

His source gives Repel Fire so, uh, that's something that might be nice if/when you hit level 71.



Heimdall is the actual enemy search demon here; Peri is just a friend he invites sometimes. Speaking of Peri, she's weak to Ice, nullifies Expel and Drains Fire. Plus she has a beautifully high magic stat, but has no offensive magic. She has Diarahan and Paraladi and that's it. Peri, what are you doing?

Heimdall is a bit weird and gimmicky. He has two skills that are pretty niche and uncommon, which we'll see later I'm sure. He's weak to Fire, resists Ice and Curse and immune to Expel but his only ailment resistance is to nullify Sleep so he goes down like everyone else.

Both Heimdall and Garuda have a 27.5% chance to turn up solo and a 20% chance to turn up with their buddy. How convenient. Pale Rider accounts for that missing 5% of course.

The Land Where The Seed's Memories Lie Buried



Right so, anyway, there's a terminal and healing spot near the entrance. For once I understand the reasoning behind this being so close to the entrance. Or at least I think I do.



Those who cannot sublimate their wills to a higher calling should leave this place.



Amidst this illusion, I cannot even find the path forward...



There are humans who capture and torture demons...
Humans truly are cruel beings...
It is not too late; serve us and we shall show you the correct path.

Right so, we're definitely in the right spot for sure and even these guys are clearly sick of Jack's Squad at this point. Even if it is for different reasons than why anyone else is.



But, uh, yeah. The reason that Terminal and Heal Spot are there is because this is a small teleport section. Most of them just drop you back over in front of the Terminal.



There is only one path further in and the number of teleports is very few and far between. It's really, REALLY easy to get through this spot as a result.



Progress in that previous section is just a straightline, for example. It's so weird.



But if we take the path around the side, it brings us to a door that is locked. It's not an Unlock door but an Alignment locked door! If your alignment is not Law, it won't open.



The only thing inside is a Magic Incense anyway. It's not worth fretting about, so it's not too big a deal.



Doubling back to the one line of progress, we can get to another alignment locked door which... gives 2 Mahama Stones. That's... okay, and saves time and money so I can't complain about that.



Following the main path, we can get to this room. There's a special door right here; it's that thing on the opposite wall.



Unfortunately, it is currently obstructed by this guy.

I have heard the void of our Lord.
It was faint, but I heard it very clearly.







When that time comes, you will no longer find me here.

Or to put it simply: everything past this door is locked off until New Game+. This is fairly annoying but also vaguely kind of understandable but not really. It's really annoying to me right now because this means we cannot complete the maps of any floor of Grus until then!



As long as your spirit is pure, Heaven shall welcome you.
You will become beings wrapped in light, as we are.



Stability gives man peace and composure.
All those living yearn for stability.
Now, let us create a world that values stability and balance.

The NG+ door is located very close to these guys who just... generically proselytize. More important is that there is only one teleporter past this room which brings us nicely to...

Law Theme



What do you think of our holy fortress? We are consolidating our power.
And it seems you have business with me again today.



We have another severe problem.
Not with demons... with humans.

> You explained the struggle between the investigative team and Ryan's squad.

I see... The desire to make all others your own...







Mastema sure is acting an awful lot different since the first half of the game, huh...?

...Very well.
It is possible to have them see the errors of their ways and turn to the Lord.
How...?



An... angel's hymn?
The songs of the angels have guided the sons of man since ancient times.
The guidance of the messengers surpasses any worldly temptations.
So you're going to save everyone with your voice, Mastema?
Sadly, my voice has no more power to affect the hearts of man.
The times have changed, and the hearts of man have changed with it...



THe same is true for the angels here. Man's heart is hardened against their guidance, too.
But be not afraid. Though the power of my song is lost, I have other powers.



To bestow power upon humans by transfiguring them and welcoming them into the heavenly host...
That is given unto me, Mastema, leader of His armies.
Under this power's protection...
You may become angels yourself, sons of man.
We can... become angels...?



In many cases, humans have been given greater power than the other angels.
The song of humans pleases Him and has the power to repel evil.



To ascend to angelhood is the ultimate bliss man can achieve.
Inextinguisable sadness, never-ending doubts... All of man's suffering can thus cease.
The power of angels... It can take away my sadness...?
Not everyone can withstand the transfiguration, mind.
If the heretical, the blasphemous, the impious attempt to undergo the process..



Then, too, he who becomes an angel will walk a different road than that of mankind.
If, for instance, your crew should be able to return to Earth, you yourself...
Please consider it seriously before you make your decision.

> Mastema stepped forward.

Then may I ask for your answer?
I'll do it.
Oho!



Remember, once you have been transfigured, your destiny is forever sealed...
Do you have such a steely will? Are you truly certain?
I'm prepared.
Wait, Hitonari.



Hohohh! Both of you volunteering... What a marvelous surprise.
But one will suffice.
When I consider both of you...





I understand. I am grateful to be chosen.
Don't worry, Hitonari. It's just that I'm powerless right now. So...
I had my doubts about the Schwarzwelt investigation after a while.
Even if we did find a way to return to Earth...
Morever, even if we did find a way to destroy the Schwarzwelt...



Even without the Schwarzwelt, humans could destroy themselves... Our species would die out.
Now... I have a chance to attain the power to fix our mistake and guide the people.



Zelenin. I have seen your resolve.
Ahh, my Lord... my judgement was correct. The soul of Zelenin is about to be reborn as an angel of salvation!
Now, Zelenin. Come to me.
...Hitonari.



And what's sad is that they didn't need to lie. They only showed us our true faces.
The disaster the demons hope to unleash is something born of none other than humanity.
None of which is to say that I believe humans are beyond salvation.
We still have it within us, if we choose, to climb to higher peaks.
I'm going, Hitonari.

Silence

> Zelenin walked toward Mastema.



> Zelenin died of asphyxiation!

Now, Zelenin. Close your eyes and place my finger on your brow.

> Mastema began chanting...
> A bright light enveloped the area...



Law Theme





How do you feel?



...Wow, that suit looks so dumb. From the ridiculous ruffle-y rectangles on the sleeve to the giant popped collar.

To the realisation that the collar is just a HEART that's been folded to look like a taco and I just... wow. What a lazy, low-effort "angel" design.

I shall become a corrective light for these corrupted lands, as well as for mankind.



Our Lord must be quite pleased to witness the birth of an angel like yourself.
...Well, Hitonari?
What do you think of my rebirth?
It's awe-inspiring.
I am no longer human... I am sure it is difficult for you to think of anything else.



Perhaps it is because I know I am under His protection...
Now, let us go to where Jack's squad dwells.

Welp, back to the Red Sprite we go with Zelenin's awful new design to... help?

Silence



Is that... Zelenin...?

Law Theme



Though you may be startled and confused to see me as I am now...
Be not afraid. I am, as ever, a member of the team.
Zelenin has this kind of aura that wasn't there before...



I have been saved by a righteous power, becoming more righteous and more powerful in kind.
I can... do more for you all than I could before.
Do not worry about Jack's squad...



She's... trying to save us by sacrificing herself...
How noble...



Chaos Theme



Is she doing this for our sake, or hers...?
Jimenez... if only I had the power to restore you to your proper form.
Unfortunately, it seems I do not.
I will subdue Jack's squad.
You should rest.
Could you not talk to me unless you absolutely have to?



Go ahead and handle Jack's squad... if you can.



Though your physical makeup has changed, you may proceed with the mission as planned.
We will now travel to Jack's Squad HQ.
All hands, take your positions.

Silence



I know we're in the depths of Hell itself, but...
Where is this all going...?

Didn't you hear Arthur? Jack's Squad HQ.

Prayer



Before we go see how we're going to deal with Jack's Squad, we'll see what everyone else thinks about Zelenin's new clothes.

I hope this doesn't affect the rest of the crew...
Or... is it those two who are right in this case?
Did they evolve into forms suited to this world and get a leg up on the rest of humanity..?
I just don't know anymore. What's right, what's wrong...



Then again... she and Jimenez both have gotten stronger by giving up their humanity.
When you look at it that way... We're weak... the weakest creatures in this world...
Well, then again... Are humans really that weak...?
I wonder how long we can keep our sanity in this nightmare...



I wouldn't mind having the chance to examine Zelenin's angelic form, either...
Every inch of her body, a thorough medical inquiry from head to toe...
Heheheh... You don't think that sounds blasphemous, do you?



You're not a little jealous?
Not really.
Yeah... someone as strong as you would have no reason to be.
I'll be frank: I'm very, very jealous of them.
I mean, they made the choice to become superhuman, and then acted on it!
I wish... I could be like that...



She's a beaut, but... somethin' about her don't quite si right with me.
...She doesn't feel human at all. I get the shivers lookin' at her, and not in a good way.



...But I think it's okay. We just believe in different things.
As a scientist, I believe in the scientific method over all. And those two had their own beliefs.
That's how I see it, at least. It's simple, really.



On the battlefield, angels of mercy and angels of death are the same. They both come for you.
I hope Zelenin hasn't become our very own angel of death.

Right, so Jack's Squad HQ... again... Hopefully this'll be the last time. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't, but I will still be annoyed!

A Rotten Nation



I must purify them...
Tadano... will you bear witness to my newborn power?
I shall make these rebels repent of their deeds.
Fear not and trust in the power I have received from the Lord...

> Zelenin headed deeper into the field...

Well, we already know where the Lightning is and there is absolutely nothing new in the HQ, surprise, surprise. Let's just go pay Ryan a visit.

Silence





Listen now to the grand hymn of guidance!

Law Theme



> Something is happening behind the hatch...





We have killed humans we were meant to help!
We were wrong... How sinful we have been...
O Lord, we repend our sins!
Please... Forgive us...!
Repent your sins, sons of man, and cast away your demons.



The voice of Zelenin!
Hallelujah! Zelenin!
Hallelujah!

> The members of Jack's squad are praising Zelenin...

Remember back in Delphinus when Zelenin was the first person to shittalk the MK Gun existing and how brainwashing is kind of sort of Super Fucking Evil? Because I sure do.

And yet. And yet!



Though the contribution is small, I am sure He is pleased to have more believers.

> Jimenez appeared...

Fear



Zelenin! Did... did you do this!?
This is my power. The power of the Lord...
They have received guidance...
They see now the correct path in life.
"Correct path"...?
Looks more like they all went nuts to me!





I dunno, I think in this case Jimenez is completely in the right here.

She just made Jack's squad surrender to us without a single loss on either side.
Thanks, Zelenin... Glad there won't be any needless bloodshed today.
Now, let's go make a survey of what's inside the Lightning.
Tch... so who's next, Zelenin...?





Especially the demons they were using...
Hey... Ryan! Where all the demons!?
...O Lord... Forgive me... Forgive... my sins...
Hey, I'm talking to you, man! Answer me!
...Ryan. Take us to where you store the demons you captured.
......! Of course, Zelenin.
The demons are this way...



Now then, Hitonari. Let us visit the captive demons...



They were using the medical equipment? What bastards...
Release the demons.
Yes. As you command...

> Ryan and the other members of Jack's squad released the demons.









I'll kill you all!
Stop. I will not allow you to harm these people.
They have heard my song and faced their foolishness.
I understand your anger over the selfish actions of these sons of man...



Leave this place.



Fine. We'll leave... Just don't sing anymore.
That song is dangeorus. It's too much for us.





I'm thinking of looking for a place we can take the victims of these experiments to recuperate.





If we talk to her about our situation, I'm sure she'll treat us with kindness.
Anyone who wishes to go there, come with me.



Where are they going...?

Grus; Grendel made that fairly clear!

> The demon turned to you and spoke.



You saved us... but it was from a situation caused by your own kind. I offer no thanks.
It is true, though, that we have underestimated humans thus far.



Goodbye.

> The demon left...



Thanks a lot!





Oh no, now whatever will we do? Slime's gonna hold a grudge!



Thanks for what you did.

> The demons left, following their leader.



I'm gonna chase after them.
I'm a victim of the same experiments...



...Don't worry. I'll be back.
Laters.
And hey... be careful of Zelenin.

> Jimenez followed after the demons...



Hitonari. We have utterly pacified Jack's squad.



You should return to the Red Sprite to make your own report.
The situation has been resolved.

> Zelenin left.



All crewmen who have completed their assigned duties, return to the Red Sprite.
I have approved the independent missions of First Lieutenant Zelenin and Crewman Jimenez.



Gonna make a Sleipnir real quick. He's not great but he's needed later for Odin so we'll do it now. Like, jeez, look at those stats. Sleipnir, please. The real messed up thing here is that Sleipnir is the earliest demon that comes with Luster Candy by default. His Source does not give Luster Candy.

It also doesn't give anything good other than War Cry.

Malevolence and Benevolence



Now to resume our main objective of investigating the Schwarzwelt.



She really has been reborn as an angel...



Besides, you call that a miracle?
Looked more like brainwashing to me...
I analyzed the range of frequencies emanating from First Lieutenant Zelenin's vocal cords.
It was inconsistent with that of a human, and I could find no match in my libraries.
I can only say with certainty that it is some sort of resonating signal that directly affects brain waves.



I observed some similarities in their wavelengths, but her power is vastly more intense.



There are many unknown factors, but one might see it as First Lieutenant Zelenin's unique ability.



Well, that's one hell of an understatement.

A secondary observed effect of causing harm to demons has also been reported.
These two data points suggest that she can be extraordinarily useful.
...Alright, Arthur, I get ya.
I'm satisifed for now that Zelenin isn't our enemy.
Now for the data we have collected on sector Grus.



It is possible that this may be a hint as to the whereabouts of the Exotic Matter.



Any other details? Like, maybe where we can find it?
The position of Maya and the energy signature we believe it to be are still unknown.
The illusory nature of this sector is proving to be a hindrance to our investigational efforts.



We must extract information from him by whatever methods prove effective.
Carry out your duties as you see fit.





The "Sanctum"?



There's a band of demons hiding out there.
If Maya's hideout is connected to the Sanctum...
You'll have to go through there before you can get to it.
But don't worry.





If you use this forma and download it to the Main App...
Then you should be able to get into the Sanctum too.
In the shape I'm in, I don't really give a rip about escaping anymore, but...
Tadano's always helped me out.



I don't need it. I can go in and outta there anytime I want, thanks to my new form.



Crewman Jimenez, thank you for finding this forma.
I cannot officially encourage your tendency to act independently.



Tch... spoilsport.



Crewman Hitonari, take this forma to Irving in the lab.
Once your Main App is upgraded, resume your duties.