Part 2: Mission 1 - Prologue (PSP Version)
The PSP version has quite the lengthier prologue compared to the PSP version. Instead of opening up with Mitall, we start with some extra stuff. Adding the initial wall of text here just for convenience's sake:quote:
Seventy years after the inception of the Space Calendar, a series of events irreparably shook the fate of mankind.
Creatures from a parallel world, the “MU”, suddenly appeared in the skies above Tokyo and engaged in battle with forces of the Earth Federation. This conflict, expected to become a world-encompassing war, reached an abrupt end when the MU erected an unknown sphere around the area, centered on Tokyo's bay, shutting themselves inside.
Right after, a large asteroid struck the South Pole – a catastrophe later dubbed the "Second Impact" – which inflicted immense destruction on mankind and threw the Earth Sphere into chaos.
Mankind weathered the "One Year War" and the "Lizard War", and when peace seemed at hand, the Earth Sphere was engulfed simultaneously in the "Gryps Conflict" and "Devil Gundam Incident". Compounding matters further was an invasion by aliens known as the "Baam", intent on colonizing the Earth.
Meanwhile, the "Mycenae Empire", "Devil Empire" and "Dinosaur Empire" also began their assault. As the Earth Sphere's fate hung in the balance, the efforts of the Federation, the AEUG, Super Robots, the Nadesico B, and the New Shuffle Alliance proved sufficient to repulse all the attackers. A peace accord was struck with the Baam, while the Neo Zeon Army, which sought to act in the aftermath of the Gryps Conflict, was soon defeated.
However, the embers of war were not extinguished...
With the declaration of war by the lunar Giganos Empire, assaults by mysterious foes known as "Angels", numerous UFO appearances and elusive shadows surrounding the Hisago Plan, mankind was about to step closer to its doom...
: Wolf 1 here. We’ve arrived at the designated area.
: TMC, copy that. Stand by until the Medius’ launch preparations are complete. (MXP has added a generic scientist guy but I haven’t access to that portrait. So, we’ll have our good friend Kazami act as his stand-in.): Wolf 1, roger.: Additionally, you’re to manage the TE Engine via the DFC System instead of manual control.
: Huh? The briefing didn’t say anything about that…: But those are Prof. Zapato’s orders.: Then I request some extra time to make some readjustments to the system.: Request denied. The test will proceed according to the planned timetable.
: But…!: That’s their way of telling us to adapt and think on our feet. Our evaluation’ll take a hit if we can’t do as told.: Psh, like you care what the professor thinks of you.: …It’s not like that exactly.: But you’ve already got a good track record, so you’d be fine. Me, on the other hand…: If you’re so worried about your personal evaluation, then go and do your job to the letter. : I say the same. Make sure you follow my instructions, alright?: I will… if I take them to be better than my own judgement.
: You’re still being like that?! What do you think I’m here for?!: To keep the output of this mess of an engine stable.: Right. Keeping the TE Engine regulated is very complicated…
: B-But that’s not all I do!: It’d be better if you did only focus on that, though. Leave everything else to me.: Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not a third wheel here, you know!
: Then how about you get our output to stay in the blue?: I-I know.: TMC to Wolf 1. We’re launching the Medius.: Wolf 1, roger.
: The Medius Locus… It can move decently enough even without a pilot, I see.: Yeah.: And this might be a mock battle but the professor’ll be very disappointed with us if we lost here.: (…I’m not doing this for his benefit.)
: Wolf 1, we’re now initiating the procedures.: Roger.: We’ll also be performing tests of the Lasmunanium’s self-regeneration functions today. Don’t hold anything back.: Meaning you won’t complain if we shoot the Medius down?: I won’t… though that’s assuming you’ll actually manage to do that.: Hmph…: Mind you, there’s been a small change of plans. The Medius’ weapons are carrying live ammo.
: What?! Won’t that make this essentially an actual battle?!: Correct, so you two had best perform well or else.: …!: Is something the matter? Have you no confidence in yourself, Aqua Centrum?: No – I can do this! I know I can!: Then I’ll be expecting some fine data from this.: (I can’t let myself get cold feet over something like this…!)
: We’re going, Aqua!
: Aye, aye!So you actually have a bit of a prologue battle here, requiring you only to bring the Medius under 70% HP. Waiting to the third player phase will also work.
When you engage the Medius:
: Our output’s skirting the yellow zone, Aqua!: Give me a second and I’ll get it back in the blue! Just keep the enemy away for a bit!: Are you crazy?! If we try backing out now, we’ll be destroyed!: You’ll be fine – just do as I say! I’m sending you the optimal MP data! (Motion Pattern?)
: No, I’m going in!: H-Hey! Hugo!!-After the battle-
: OK, we might be able to pull through like this.: Stop talking and get back to the engine. Our output’s out of whack.: That’s because of your crazy piloting! Use the MP data I sent you!: This isn’t a simulation – your textbook approach won’t fly.: What did you say?!: …They’re as bad as always, hm?: I’m afraid they’re just bad fits for one another.: I expected their conflicting personalities to clash from the start. Those two were chosen solely due to their respective aptitudes.: Still, they won’t be capable of yielding better results than AI1 like this.: Hmm… We’ll see about that.Once you get the Medius’ HP lowered:
: Hm? Hugo, the Medius’ movements are…: Something’s off, yeah. Maybe the mech’s having some troubles?: Prof. Zapato, we’re detecting some abnormalities with the Medius Locus’ control unit.: And the Lasmunanium’s self-regeneration?: We’re getting only minute reactions.: Hm… Then it really is impossible to fully control it without AI1.: What do we do, then?: Call a stop to the engagement and have the Cerberus/Garmraid and Medius Locus return immediately.: Yes, sir.: And once they’re back in the lab, we’ll load AI1 into the Medius. Make sure you call and let her know.: Understood.: …Hugo, they’re ordering us back to the lab. Looks like something really is wrong with the Medius.
: Hrm…!: What is it?
: …Nothing.: …: (The medicine’s not working…? No, that can’t be…): …: (If the Medius Locus is already finished… this might not have ended as well as it did with an actual, skilled person piloting it…)
: I suggest you lessen that tough guy act, Hugo Medio.: Sorry but I don’t feel like subjecting myself to any more of your “treatment”.: Not treatment; adjustments.: …: I still need you up and about to work as the TE Absorber’s test pilot… and, for that to happen, you need some readjustments. : The medicine alone will not hold against unforeseen events.: I rather take my chances with the stuff than with your brand of treatment.: That won’t work forever. There's a limit, you know.: Even if I underwent your treatment, I’d still need to keep taking the med, right?: Correct. Your body’s not exactly that of a common human, after all.: …Then I’m good. Just give me a refill.: As you wish.: …This is more than what you usually give me.: Consider it a small bonus – I’m not a monster. Besides, I’d much rather not lose a fine soldier like you.: Hmph, a fine speech for someone who’s always giving me the bare minimum dosage.: Could you simply stop with that attitude and take the medicine before your body seizes up?: …*Hugo leaves.*
: You know that he’s likely to have difficulties doing his job like this, right? Wouldn’t it be better to just force him to undergo the readjustments?: No… This is good enough for the time being.: Easier to keep him under control?
: Hm. That medicine is my leash around that wounded wolf’s neck.
Following that, the woman Mitall called enters the room and wonders if “dog” wouldn’t be a more appropriate word for Hugo. Mitall asks if no one saw her come here and, indeed, she confirms.
Either way, Mitall’s seen her reports and things seem to be progressing nicely on that front. On the flip side, tests on the Medius have shown less-than-stellar results without AI1 installed – especially regarding control of the Lasmunanium. When the woman asks, Mitall confirms that he’s giving her proposal the green-light and asks her to get AI1 set up ASAP. As for THAT man, he’s already waiting at the rendezvous and the woman figures she and AI1 can get that far on their own.
The woman confirms that Hugo and Aqua were picked as the pilots and isn’t too excited; Hugo’s riddled with problems and Aqua is… her former student, Mitall quips. Is the woman feeling a bit guilty now? No, she doesn’t believe that Hugo and Aqua would make for suitable opponents to her child. Mitall does sigh that she kind of IS the thing’s foster mother.
Regardless, the woman asks why the TE Engine was installed in that machine – if he’d let AI1 handle it, it’d be getting far better results than those two. Mitall says it’s a small handicap, as the balance of forces between is already askew. To say nothing of the fact that AI1 wouldn’t really be able to make sense of the DFC System. The woman calls that system absurd, depending on sensorial input for control.
Whether she likes it or not, though, Mitall says Aqua's data is vital to AI1's long term success. She disagrees, saying that all AI1 and the Lazmunanium need to display their full might is a perfected TE Engine. Still, Mitall and those two are needed to make that happen, so she’s little choice.
Either way, it’s time for them to get to work. Mitall then confirms her two targets: the Nadesico B and the Nahel Argama. According to the Committee’s script, those two ships are bound to be the focal point of a major deterrent force and keeping them tagged will let them gather a whole lot of useful data. The woman concurs and moves to close in to them.
Mitall starts to tell her that he expects good results from her, but reconsiders and says that it's enough if she's able to prove his theory. He isn’t planning on sticking with “them” until the end.
: …: Hey, Hugo! Where the hell have you been?!: Do I really need to answer?: And then some! Did you forget we were going to have a review session after the test?!: Oh…right.: Urgh, I swear… I looked all over for you, you know! The gun room, the training range, your bedroom…: You went in my bedroom?: Of course not! A young girl can’t enter a bachelor’s bedroom by herself before marriage!: Huh… that’s surprisingly old-fashioned of you.: Well, excuse me. And where were you anyway?: At Prof. Zapato’s office.: Didn’t the two of us present our report to him, though?: Yeah but I had some private business with him after that was done.: Hmm…: …I assume you still wanna have that review session?: I do. Why didn’t you use my MP Data in the last battle?: Because there was no need to.: No, no, you’re not getting away with that kind of answer! I know I chose the right course of action back there!: I’m not saying you made a bad choice… but it wasn’t the best one.: Oh, but of course. Who am I to say anything to Mr. “Ex-Special Forces”. My instructions are clearly not worth much to someone like you.: Listen, the fact is that I am the one piloting the unit. Meaning I’m the one who decides what we do, or don’t do, in battle.: Are you suggesting I’m getting in your way?: First you need to get used to managing the Engine’s output with that DFC System. Once you’re good with that, we’ll talk.: Hmph… fine. I’ll show you that I can keep the output under control and send precise instructions at the same time. And, eventually, I’ll be piloting the Medius and—: Hrm…?!: What is it?: (My body’s…!): Hugo?: Sorry but… can you grab me a glass of water?
: Huh? What am I, your waitress?!: …Please.: What’s gotten you so serious now?: …: Psh, alright. Just water, then?: Yeah…: (The medicine’s not lasting as long…?): Here – your water.: …Sorry for asking.: Are you thirsty or something?: No… It’s just to take my medicine.: Medicine for what, exactly?: It’s just… for a cold.: Cold, huh? I guess you’re more delicate than I thought.: …Is that a problem?: Not really.: (There… it’s stopped.): Well, just make sure you get better quick. I really don’t need you getting me sick, too.: Says the one walking around in a swimsuit. How can you not catch a cold?: This is a DFC Suit! Not a swimsuit! A DFC Suit!: I know that.: Bah…! I’m not wearing this because I like it, alright?: Still, you seem rather OK with it.
: Well, sure, I can just jump into the bath with it and…: B-but that’s not the point!*BOOM!*
: What?! An explosion?!: It came from the hangar!: Are we under attack?!: Maybe the TE Absorber is…!: First things first – we need to find the Professor right now!*ALARM!*
: Urgh! The hangar’s hatch was destroyed?!: What’s going on, Professor?!: It’s the Medius…! Someone’s stolen it!: !: Oh, no…! Who could do this?!: We’ve no choice – you two must pursue it. If that unit falls into enemy hands, it’ll be a disaster…!: R-right…! If the Lazmunanium is misused, we could potentially see a repeat of the Devil Gundam Incident from a year ago…!: (The Devil Gundam…!): Understood, professor! We’ll get the Medius back in our hands!: Please do. The Garmraid/Cerberus will be ready to launch soon and, if need be, you’ve permission to destroy the Medius.: Y-yes, sir!: I’m counting on you.: (Yes, very much so… Hmhmhmhm.)After this, the story goes the way of the PS2 version and you’re sent onto the missions related to your chosen bot.