Part 123: Pre-Intermission 1

Pre-Mission Adjustments

Deathscythe Hell

Limit | 335 -> 367

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: Good morning, Judau... You're up early.

: Breakfast has been great lately, so I find myself getting up earlier.

: ...That's pretty practical of you.

: Hey, it's good bread, and it's first-come, first-served.

: You mean the bread Loran's friend Keith cooks, right? I like it, too.

: (.........)

: Garrod, what's up? You're carrying two loaves of bread...

: Ah... W-well, this is...

: I get it. You're bringing it to Tifa, huh?

: Eh? E-er, uh... Maybe.

: You're always such a big softie.

: Hey, girls love getting treated that way.

: The way I figure, you want bread, you should get it yourself.

: That'd make it easier for you to get more, huh?

: Exactly!

: You just don't get a woman's heart.

: Yo, Garrod. Has Tifa told you anything about you-know-what?

: ...Not yet. Got a problem with that?

: What's got you all angry? Or did you and her have a fight?



: Wh... what's with you?

: ...No kidding, you come running when conversations like these come up, don't you?

: Oh, lay off. So, what base are you at?

: Base...? We don't have that kind of relationship...

: Yeah, uh-huh. Bringing meals every day? You have to be making some progress, right?

: Progress...?

: Getting her ready, bit by bit?



: Ahahaha, he's red as a tomato!

: But, in all seriousness, it might be better to keep doing little things until you sort your own feelings out. It wouldn't do to see anyone crying later...

: (.........)

: But you could also wait, and give things time to settle themselves.

: But time can be a harsh mistress sometimes.

: (.........)

: Geez, that scared me... Those two suddenly popping up like that...

: They just said their peace and walked off.

: Anyway... Strike while the iron is hot. Besides, acting on emotions is what you do best.

: Garrod... I'm rooting for you.

: Me, too.

: Uh, yeah, sure. I'm going to Tifa's room!

And away he goes.

: He ran off.

: Yeesh. Doesn't look like we'll see progress any time soon.

[SCENE CHANGE]



: Wh-what is it, Miss?

: Where are you going?

: Um, to see Miss Kihel...

: Again? You two have been joined at the hip lately.

: I-is that right...?

: You're not hiding anything, are you?

: N-not particularly... (Could Miss Sochie know about Lady Diana...?)


You know, let's tell her the truth. Her sister is in danger, after all.

: Miss Sochie... Um, well...

: What?

: (No, I can't... If she learned that Lady Diana was here...)

: What's up?

: N-nothing...
Fantastic.

: Forget that, there's something I want to ask.

: What is it?

: Why don't you refuse to pilot the White Doll?
Uh, Sochie? Loran isn't piloting the Turn-A anymore.

: We're in a war, so someone has to do it. I have to do my part, too.

: It's too bad for the Militia, hm?

: Huh?

: You don't go out on the front lines too often on your own initiative.

: (.........)

: Entrusting the White Doll to someone like that is such a waste of resources.

: Hey, I go out when it's necessary.

: So you say, while chasing my sister's behind.

: Th-that's not fair... I worry about you, too!

: Don't keep thinking of me as the girl that comes after my sister!

: I don't think that of you at all! I...

: Don't you?

: (.........)



: S-sorry.

: Oh, so you weren't meeting up with her alone?

: No? What of it?

: Nothing, nothing.

: Okay, let's go, Loran.

[SCENE CHANGE]



: Yes. The Innocent's headquarters is not here, in North Ameria... It is believed that it exists in Gallia.

: Gallia... That's where Tetsuya, Kenichi, and their friends got sent.

: In Inglessa, they believe it's populated by savages. In reality, though, it has people like Jiron, Elche, and their group...

: And it's the continent that the Innocent have the strongest grip on...

: Yes. The Innocent's leader, Arthur Rank should be within their headquarters, on that continent.

: But... Do you really think war between the moon and the Earth can be averted just by talking to him? I mean, there's the Fort Severn incident to consider. They really want a fight with the Moon Race.

: The Innocent are not all bloodthirsty, nor are the Moon Race.

: I can tell that just from looking at you... Going to Gallia now would just be walking right into a hornet's nest, wouldn't it?

: Yes, you're right. How do you plan to reach there, Lady Diana?

: (.........) I plan to find a way to go, even if I must go alone.

: Y-you can't go there alone!

: But I cannot borrow all of your strength, either. Either way, we must hurry... There are limits to how long Kihel and Lt. Harry can keep Phil's group in check.

: You're right... If only we knew how Miss Kihel was doing... The Diana Counter is being controlled by the military, and spreading war further...

: Yes. That is why...

: (.........)

: But... reckless actions won't change anything.

: (.........) Diana, Loran... Could you leave this part to me?

: To you, Ryouma?

: Yes... I'll come up with something. Please don't do anything hasty until then.

: But... I couldn't possibly impose upon you so greatly...

: Yes, you already have that Dinosaur Empire to worry about...

: ...I know. Hayato's right, we have to ascertain their plans soon... And we still have to find my comrades, Musashi, Sayaka, and others...

: If that's the case...

: But I've had enough of endless cycles of war like those in my time. If I can help avoid war between humans, by working together with you guys...

: Ryouma...

: Very well, Ryouma. I shall rely upon your words.

[SCENE CHANGE]



: (I can't go to Hayato or Bright or the others for advice... Hayato could be right... My thinking might just be too naive...)

: Yo! What's up, Ryouma? Why the long face?

: Hey, Garrod...

: You look like something's eating you.

: What are you up to?

: Me? I'm going to visit Tifa. Tifa's good for hints on what we should do now.

: (A hint...) Garrod, would you mind letting me see her, too?

: Uh... I guess there's no reason to say no. Sure, come with me.

: Thanks.

: (.........)



[SCENE CHANGE]



: Yes...

: Dah! Dah!

: No, Karl! Be good. You'll mess up Tifa's drawing.

: (.........)

: Sorry, he doesn't know any manners...

: ...I don't mind...

: (.........)

: (.........)

: Um...

: Um...

: !

: Shakti, you first...

: N-no, please, you first, Tifa.



: Garrod...

: Garrod... And Ryouma, too.

: Please pardon the intrusion, Shakti.

: Tifa, have you figured anything out yet about you-know-what?

: Yes... See this picture?

: Let's see here...

: (What is it a picture of...?)

: A picture of the coast? And, what's this? Some weird crag...

: ...If you go there, you may learn something...

: Have you found anything else?

: (.........)

: Even Newtypes can't completely predict the future, Ryouma.

: Oh, I see...

: ...I'm sorry.

: N-no, there's nothing to apologize for. People aren't there for others' convenience.

: (.........)

: Well, it'd help a lot if we knew where to find a coastline with a crag.

: Why not ask someone familiar with geography?

: Oh yeah! Old man Sid's been all over the place, he might know!

: (The coast, huh... It might end up leading us to the Gallia continent.)

: (.........) Hey, uh, Tifa...

: Yes...?

: Next time, want to come to the cafeteria for breakfast like everyone else?

: But...

: You have to come out of your shell sometime, y'know...

: !

: E-er, uh, haha... What am I saying...?

: (.........)

: I'm... starting to see why Tifa doesn't have much contact with others.

: Shakti...



: (.........)

: Your power gets used by others to bring misfortune to places you don't even know... I can tell that much...

: (Oh yeah... Shakti was in the Jupiterians' Angel Halo during the Balmar War...)

: But, people can't live all alone.

: ...I understand what you're saying, Shakti. That shutting away your heart is painful...

: Tifa...

[SCENE CHANGE]



: Yeah.

: It's well-drawn, isn't it?

: Yup, it's Tifa's hidden talent.

: Sid, does this coastline with a crag ring any bells?

: Hmm, let's see...

: Old man Sid... Isn't this a coastline in Southern Inglessa?

: Hey, now that you mention it...

: Coastline... Is it facing our Gallia continent, by any chance?

: Yeah, the direction it's facing is towards Gallia.

: Could this be telling us to go to Gallia?

: (.........)

: You're saying that if we go there... We'll find something that will help us accomplish our goals?

: If we trust Tifa's abilities.

: Her power is the real thing. You of all people should understand, Lieutenant...

: (.........)



: Bright, let's have the Preventers head there. Some of our missing crew might be there.

: You have a point. Have the crew prepare to depart.

: (If this winds up leading us to Gallia, it could accomplish what Diana wants.)

: Then, Captain Bright... The Freeden will join you.

: Does that go with your objectives?

: We move according to Tifa's words. They're like a compass.

: ...That's how we've done things ever since we met her.

: Then I guess we'll join you, too.

: Oh, are you certain?

: Yes, we've got no more reason to go to Fort Severn.

: And it might be best to get back to Gallia.

: Yes, we're close to making enemies out of the Innocent...

: (.........) But if you all go to Gallia, it will drastically reduce our military power.

: But if you think about it, it could work out better this way.

: Why is that?

: The Innocent and the Moon Race... They're all interested in the Argama and the Freeden's Black History technology, right?

: Yes, but...

: If everyone goes to Gallia, their attention might also be drawn that way.

: And so we become bait...

: Since they want to get their hands on the GX and the White Doll... If we go to Gallia, they follow us there, right?

: It could change the battlefield in a major way.

: ...I see. That could make it easier to reopen negotiations with the Moon Race. And with the Mountain Cycles, even the Militia should be able to defend itself quite handily. Then, Captain Bright, Captain Jamil, Lady Elche... We Militia will remain here in Kingsley and continue excavation of the spaceship.

: Roger that.

: Lady Elche, I leave Laura and the others in your care. Please take good care of them.

: Understood, Sir Gwen.

: Sarah, step up preparations for the Freeden's departure.

: Roger that.

: Well then, everyone, do take care... I shall be awaiting your safe return.


[SCENE CHANGE]



: Yes, sir. They seem to be bound for the coast facing towards Gallia.

: Gallia, that's the continent where the Innocent are headquartered.

: They don't want to join hands with the Innocent, do they?

: Impossible. Fort Severn's Innocent attacked them, remember?

: But with us here, the Earthnoids could decide to join forces.

: (.........)

: We can't let them go without a fight. Let's prepare for full pursuit immediately.

: But that would go against Lady Diana's orders.

: (.........) I don't think it's possible to gain control of the Sunbelt through Lady Diana's methods.

: Lieutenant Commander!

: Consul Milan, we've come to this Earth on a one-way ticket. We can't return to the moon. On top of that, if Agrippa and his group are up to something... We'll be isolated here, and just destroy ourselves!

: (.........)

: In a worst-case scenario, I'd like for you to understand... We might be forced to declare the establishment of the Sunbelt nation alone.

: What...? You, you couldn't be implying...