Part 12: Mission 6 - The Sad Eyes Beneath the Mask
Maillot is receiving orders from Dorchenov to seize the Space Science Institute. While it’s a civilian building, it is cooperating with the Federation and its alien research could boost the army eventually.
More importantly, it's not well defended. So, destroying it will make a fine example for any other labs thinking of helping the Federation. Maillot doesn't look convinced, though Dorchenov tells him that he didn't select it as a target without a good reason. Attacking it may well draw over the Nahel Argama and the D Weapons too.
Maillot fumes to himself that if that's the goal, they should just be attacking the Nahel Argama directly. Regardless, Dorchenov does remind Maillot that it was his father that sold the D Weapons to the Federation. While Marshal Guiltorre may have taken a liking to him, Dorchenov doesn't trust Maillot at all.
Maillot formally tells him that he's doing nothing more than staking his life on seeing the Marshal's ideals brought to fruition, but Dorchenov just sneers at him. He says that Maillot had better take down the D Weapons if he wants to bring closure to the debacle his father caused and restore his own good name.
Furthermore, if Maillot continues to screw up Dorchenov promises him demotion and forcible return to their nation on the moon. “Best of luck to you, son of the traitor,” Dorchenov huffs before signing off.
Werner is furious at hearing his commander spoken of in such terms; to say nothing, Karl adds, that Dorchenov would foist this shameful mission on their group. Maillot tells them to knock it off – so long as they're in the military, orders from a superior are absolute.
Dan isn’t satisfied, however, appalled that a slimeball like Dorchenov is part of the Giganos command. Karl’s even heard that many of the young officers are getting more and more dissatisfied with him and the taint that’s spread in the upper echelons of their army.
Maillot maintains that realizing Guiltorre's ideals requires employing people such as those. Just the same, those on the front lines will sometimes be called upon to carry out less-than-honorable missions. Like the Gon Jem squad? Maillot is silent at the comparison but tells his men to prepare for sortie – regardless of Dorchenov’s designs and the D Weapons, there’s another reason why they should capture that lab.
That would be more information about the aliens, who are as much their enemies as the Federation is.
From what Werner’s heard, the Federation, Giganos and Gulfer are currently just observing each other – the Feds have blockaded the area around the Gulfer fortress. And there’s still the matter of the Vegan’s hitherto hidden base. A very fragile balance of power has spread across the lunar surface and the gears of war will dart into motion at the slightest provocation.
The success of this mission will provide essential information for that moment and Maillot asks his men to remember: everything they do is to secure the Giganos’ future victory.
Still, Dan wonders how long Marshal Guiltorre will continue to maintain his stance of just observing how things’ll play out. Maillot has confidence he’ll act when the time comes but… Karl sees that something is on his mind but the captain will not tell. The priority now is the present mission: capture the lab and destroy the D Weapons.
Inwardly, he thinks to Guiltorre that the situation about the Earth Sphere is already reaching a point where one cannot afford to remain passive. There is a path that humanity is meant to tread but the question remains: where is it?
Elsewhere, Vega has called Daisuke aside. She apologizes for doing this but she wants answers regarding who he actually is.
You see, Professor Umon has often helped GEAR since their organization was formed – Vega’s met, and talked, with him on several occasions. And she remembers that Umon had no son when she saw him three years ago.
So, who is Daisuke really? The Grendizer does not seem to be an Earth-made machine, either…
Daisuke cuts in, reiterating that he’s Umon’s son and running off.
Outside, Daisuke is realizing that he's not going to be able to keep up the charade forever. “Still, that woman, Vega… she has a rather different aura to her than the other Earthlings. Could she also be…?”
Just then Kouji shows up with a message from Umon - he'd like Daisuke to return to the lab for some kind of important business he wouldn't discuss over the radio. Time to go get Bright’s permission.
Elsewhere, Ginga is looking for Hokuto and Judau and Iino point to deck #2. When they get there, the kid seems rather deep in thought. He’s physically fine but something is obviously bothering him.
Ginga sees right through him and figures Hokuto is still fretting over having to fight. The kid sighs that it’s not as easy for him to make his peace with this as it was for Ginga. Ginga himself tells him to man up – the Gulfer are attacking and they need to fight back. It’s that simple!
Hokuto understands that just fine and won’t hesitate to do so… the problem is getting mixed up with the war at large. Judau knows exactly how that feels, what with him and friends also being dragged into the Neo Zeon conflict when they tried to steal the Z Gundam from the Argama.
Yes, that’s a crime, but it’s what one’s gotta to do survive in the Shangri-La Colony. It’s a hard life and you can’t do it on your own – far different from Earth. Ginga understands, knowing that even water and air are stuff that the Colonies need to purchase.
Hokuto asks if Judau and his friends are used to fighting in wars as a way of surviving. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. Still, I think it’s a better option than just sitting around, worrying… or just dying, without managing to do anything against it,” Judau answers.
Hokuto still can’t wrap his head around that and runs off. Iino wonders if he’ll be fine and Judau isn’t sure; however, the kid himself will need to find the answer his questions. If not, it'll eventually prove fatal.
Meanwhile, the Grendizer has departed and Bright is passing orders for their next patrol. Douglas raises the point that Vegan recon crafts have been sighted near the Nasu Plains – is it wise to let Duke go by his lonesome?
Bright argues that military radar sites blanket that area so we’ll answer in earnest if anything crops up. Light, then, offers to have “Maggie” connect to the area network in order to speed up our info intake. Douglas agrees.
Daisuke soon gets home, with Umon glad to see him well. Before he gets to talk about whatever’s so important, Danbei and Hikaru enter and are surprised to see Daisuke around.
Seems like they came over because they saw another UFO prowling about – same one as last time. Taking that into consideration, Umon asks both Danbei and Hikaru to stay in the lab just to be safe. Danbei is quick to take him on the offer and asks for Daisuke's help to retrieve his best horse, Silver, who ran off when the UFO passed by. They want to go looking for it ASAP, as he shouldn’t be too far from home yet.
Daisuke apologizes but says he has other business to attend to; Hikaru is surprised at this, considering Silver is his favorite horse. Danbei, however, gets mad with getting the cold-shoulder and stomps out.
Before Hikaru runs after him, Daisuke asks her to stay inside – that UFO business has him worried. She’s a bit cross with him, though, noting that he doesn’t seem himself; for instance, never told her or her father that he was leaving. Would he care to tell where he’s been since the previous UFO mess?
Daisuke can’t do it, of course, which only aggravates Hikaru further. Umon tries arguing that Daisuke’s been working on an errand for him… And that’s something they need to hide from them? Inwardly, Daisuke’s sorry for keeping his Fleed origins a secret but it’s in their best interest – and in his, too.
Hikaru asks again: Where has he been? Daisuke’s not budging and that sets Hikaru over the edge: “This man here is not the Daisuke I know! It’s someone else!” she yells and runs off.
Daisuke is dejected but was ready for this from the moment he decided to fly the Grendizer once more. Right now, he’s as much Daisuke Umon as Duke Fleed… and his Fleed half has a duty to do. Regardless, what was it Umon wanted to talk to him?
Well, over these past few days, the institute’s guards have spotted someone snooping around. A Vegan spy? Well, they said the person looked like a teenage girl.
Duke wouldn’t be surprised to see a young woman as an officer in the Vegan army but the thing that caught Umon’s attention is the report that she had eyes just like Daisuke’s. The guy’s shocked expression tells Umon that he might have an idea who it is.
“It can’t be… She couldn’t be possibly be alive and here on Earth…! I… I watched my sister die, crying and screaming amid the flames…” Daisuke thinks.
And then the alarm sounds – we’ve Giganos troops on approach. Daisuke doesn’t know why they’d attack here but Umon figures they may want the Grendizer or their data on the aliens. The professor wants to call the Nahel Argama but Daisuke stops him. The Giganos are after the D Weapons and it’s also possible they’re attacking here to lure them over – worse, they might try threatening the lab itself in a bid to destroy them.
So, Duke sets out to deal with this mess by himself.
Mission 6 – The Sad Eyes Beneath the Mask
In come Maillot and his posse, ready to capture the place. That is, until the Grendizer flies out of the dam and blocks their path.
Werner tags the Super Robot and is surprised the lab had such a thing hidden (It’s a lab in Japan – that’s standard issue, dude).
Karl’s running its data against that of the scouts and they see that it’s part of the Nahel Argama’s crew. Perfect, it’ll make for fine bait for the D Weapons. As Maillot sends his group forward, Duke plants his feet on the ground.
We’ve troops to the west and the main group to the north. I’ll have Duke head west first in the interest of time.
With their shields, these Gebai MAFFUs are still just bulky enough to survive a oneshot.
Enemy Phase!
The northern mooks are closing in, while Duke kills two on his side: the weak one and a Gebai that had the bad luck of eating a crit.
Player Phase!
In comes Danbei, crying out to Umon that he can’t find Hikaru. She’s still outside and, in fact, is caught right in the middle of the battlefield.
As the Practice folk are surprised to see a civilian walking around, Duke rushes in to try and cover her.
Werner huffs at him for willingly exposing himself like that but Duke is busy telling Hikaru to run off.
“Ah?! H-How do you know my name…?! And your voice… I know that voice…” she blusters, right as Karl orders everyone to blast the Grendizer. Duke holds under the barrage and Hikaru will need to confirm who the pilot is later; he, once more, tells her to bail while he shields her escape. She’s already very certain of who it is after hearing his voice, though.
As the Practice groupies keeps shooting, Maillot is rather impressed: “His situation is dire and, yet, he’s still risking his life to defend a civilian. Though you are an enemy, I applaud our actions.”
Duke isn’t throwing in the towel yet, refusing to yield to those who’d destroy the Earth’s nature with their Mass Driver. Maillot sees it the other way, dubbing those who live under the Federation’s depraved rule as the true destroyers of the environment. Earth cannot persist if not under the rule of the Giganos – of a fine leader like Guiltorre. Ruin is all that awaits otherwise!
Duke refuses to accept any rule built by sacrificing lives and nature, though, and the fight goes on.
Still no easy oneshots – the mooks can barely chip that Grendizer’s paintjob, though.
Enemy Phase!
Maillot and his groupies disregard the Super Robot standing in their faces and it falls on the Gebais to make do.
It doesn’t take. That’s another kill for Duke and damage all around.
Player Phase!
The Nahel Argama flies in, much to Duke’s surprise. Douglas didn’t expect the Giganos, not Vegans, to be the ones attacking here – it’s a good thing Light had Maggie keep a close eye on things.
When Kouji asks, Duke says he’s still holding fine and requests that we help defend the lab. Maillot is pleased to see the Dragonars showing themselves but Kaine is raring to put a stop to their rampage.
I gave a Haro to Domon, because the game wasn’t easy enough. Now he can run farther than Fuunsaiki and with much better range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zs7BFAYgS0
Here’s some kung fu to start your day.
Everyone else closes in while Duke backs away to lure the Giganos over.
And since we didn’t do it before, here’s a quick overview of the minibosses:
Jagd Gelf MAFFU (Werner Fritz)
Pilot Skills:
- Support Attack L1
- Support Defense L1
- Counter L1
Reb Gelf MAFFU (Karl Gainer)
Pilot Skills:
- Support Attack L1
- Support Defense L1
- B-Save
- EWAC (Strong)
- Jammer
Gelf MAFFU (Dan Krueger)
Pilot Skills:
- Support Attack L1
- Support Defense L1
Maillot’s groupies are a worse version of our Dragonar guys. Werner is a long range attacker, Karl provides buffs and Dan… is there. Their lack of Prevail and major stats makes them pretty simple as far as named enemies go – if there’s one thing I can advise on, is to focus on Karl first. Getting rid of his EWAC makes things even simpler.
Falguen MAFFU (Maillot Plato)
Pilot Skills:
- Prevail L3
- B-Save
Maillot, as a Char Clone, is obviously dangerous. As dangerous as something gets in MX, that is. He’s very accurate, dodges reliably (further boosted by Prevail and, possibly, Karl) and can do significant damage to even a Super – at the early game, he may even oneshot a Real.
He’s a bit of a glass cannon, though – if you’ve the SP to cast Strike, your Supers will tear through the Falguen’s unimpressive armor. Just don’t underestimate him and you’ll be fine.
Enemy Phase!
Duke now has enough morale to oneshot Gebais. There go the last two.
The Practice folks are STILL not moving.
Player Phase!
Hikaru’s made it back to the lab; as Danbei stands very relieved, she turns to Umon and asks about the robot that saved her. She remembers it flying out the lab during the last battle and wants to know if the pilot is…
Back to our folks, Light’s getting some worrisome readings. After Maggie checks it, Light warns everyone that he’s pinging several flying objects heading our way – likely enemies and Maggie’s positing that they’re aliens.
As Duke wonders if it’s the Vegans, Ginga wants to know who this “Maggie” is. That’s a question for after the battle’s over, Light says.
Fine, you don’t wanna move? Let’s see how you like this!
: Even a heavily-armored Super is powerless face our teamwork!
: Do not make light of the Grendizer! If you’re set on doing this, then I’ll sink my feet into the ground and bring your offensive to a screeching halt!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug-Lq6nZEqg
All these kills have given Duke the morale to bust out his strongest attack.
Everyone else keeps lurching towards the Giganos.
Enemy Phase!
: Why is the Giganos Empire attacking the Space Science Institute?!
: You’re working with the Federation! That’s all the reason we need!: Then let me ask this: why are you involving civilians into your battle?!: If you’re fine with harming innocents to make your ideals a reality, then I’ll readily risk my life to stand against you!
: This machine is different, even among other Super Robots…! Is it not Earth-made?!: That’s right! The Grendizer is Planet Fleed’s guardian!
: “Planet Fleed”?! Then, you are…
: Earth is my second home… And if you’ll defile it, then you’ll have to get through me!: (This man… He risks so much for Earth, despite the fact that he’s an alien…): (However, I’ve no choice but to destroy him – it is my duty as a soldier of the Giganos Empire!)
Ow!
: Anyone who allies with the Federation is our enemy!: I fight for what I believe is right – for Earth! The Giganos harm nature, threaten the peoples’ lives and, so, I will not turn the other cheek to you!
Player Phase!
Well, that was a wee bit close for comfort but our people are in range now. Let’s get these goons dead before anyone gets a chance to be clever.
: Let’s do this, Blue Tri-Stars!
: No, no, Judau. They’re called the Practice Squad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9QwmSPQpqg
Werner also has the honor of eating a barrage of missiles from Vega. She did more damage to him than the Dragonar units!
The groupies’ defeats go the same as usual: Dan and Karl go CAPTAAAAAAAAIN and Werner promises to win the next bout. Blah, blah.
Judau does learn Luck from this, though, which is always nice. Cue one more turn of getting everyone in place to kill Maillot, as he’ll run off when under 30% HP.
Enemy Phase!
Here come the flying objects Light spoke of and, indeed, it’s the Vegans; this is the first time Judau and co. are seeing the new aliens. Balendos is leading, vowing to end Duke and the Grendizer today.
Duke shakes his fist at him, promising things won’t go “as they did before”. Roux and Kaine are surprised Daisuke’s acquainted with the Vegan and Light takes it to mean they had scrapped once before he joined with us.
Ryouma isn’t so sure, getting the feeling that Duke’s vendetta with the Vegans goes back way more than that. Regardless, Kaine is annoyed that now we’re also being accosted by these “Vega weirdoes”… prompting Vega’s lips to narrow. When Ginga asks, she says there’s no problem and asks the kids to help guard the institute.
Ginga calls Hokuto to follow his lead but the kid is still bummed out, uncertain of what he’s to do. Balendos, meanwhile, tells his mooks to ignore the Giganos and focus on their actual targets: the Grendizer and Space Science Institute. Everyone stands ready to help Duke but Iino ask that he keep his wits about him.
Hikaru has been listening in to this whole thing and has confirmed that it’s Daisuke piloting the Grendizer. But why did Kouji and others call him Duke Fleed?
And Maillot wastes his time trying to hit the TFO. The Vegans are slowly closing in.
Player Phase!
Alright, time to clip this purple bird.
: Bring it on, ya blueberry! : I’ll concede that you’ve come far, boy… But this is where it ends!: Words alone won’t make it happen, guy!
: This Gundam… Is that Domon Kasshu, the King of Hearts?
: That’s right, Giganos! You’ve made an enemy of Earth’s nature and its peoples and I’m bringing you down in the name of the Shuffle Alliance!
: Like you, I also believe my ideals to be righteous! And I’ll end whoever stands in my way!
: I’ve no data on this one… A new model?
: Damn it! Blue Falcon, Hawk or whatever you are, get down here and fight me mano a mano!
: But Ginga… He wouldn’t really be a “hawk” if he fought on the ground. 
: Hey, keep your nose outta this if you’re gonna nitpick! Let’s go!
: What are you attacking the Space Science Institute for?! This is a civilian lab!: You criticize what you don’t understand, child! All of this connects to our overall strategy!: And that’s all the reason you need to do this crap…?! I guess the Giganos’ Blue Hawk is just another regular jarhead after all!
: Attacking the institute while we were away, eh? Now that’s a cheap shot and a half! So much for the famous “Blue Hawk”!
: I will bear such disgrace… all in the name of the Giganos’ victory!
: Why are you attacking a civilian laboratory, Giganos?!: I’m not obligated to answer your questions. I will simply carry out my mission!
: He’s so agile…! I can see why they call him Blue Hawk!
: Taking him in a battle of a speed will only get us an early grave. We’ve to find a way to immobilize him first!
: You really don’t need to micromanage me, you know!
: Damn it, he’s too fast – I can’t get a bead on him!: Amateur! You know not how to make proper use of the D-2’s firepower!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_NbuybeDXY
How about now? And Maillot also had words for Light and had Kaine fought him again, there’d be another:
: D-3…! Destroying this one will cut the D Weapons’ capabilities in half!
: Urk… He’s pretty sharp. Talk about a tough cookie!--
: I’ve had it up to here with you! If you’re gonna hound us like that, you oughta change your name to “Blue Mutt”!: Hmph… It appears that the only thing that’s improved was your big mouth.
: Say what?!: You do not see the gap in our skill, I think. And those like you, who mistake recklessness for courage, stand no chance against me!
Maillot knows when he can’t keep going and orders a retreat.
On the Vegan front, the Minifoos are falling in droves. Light scores three kills.
And I’m still trying to be nice to the ZZ kiddies.
Levels are still a sparse…
We can’t take out Balendos yet but Ginga, Kouji and Ryouma take away a chunk of his health.
: You oughta give up before you catch a big case of death, Balendos!
: Blast this mini UFO… I’ll be turning you into a pile of slag!: Let’s see you try, then! But you’re in for a world of hurt if you don’t take me seriously!
: Attacking us again?! I see you didn’t learn your lesson the last time, Vegan Empire!
: You’ll pay for underestimating our might, Getter Robo! I’ll send the lot of you straight to Hell… Just as I did to that man, Musashi!: You bastard… You’re gonna pay for that!
Enemy Phase!
They just never learn. At least Kouji has another batch of dialogue.
: Heh, I’m amused that you dare face me with that sniveling UFO… What is your name?: Kouji Kabuto! The man who’s gonna kick you straight out of Earth! You better remember it!: Hmhmhm… Oh, I will. I’ll file it under “harebrained buffoons”!: Why, you little…!
Some more exp for the kiddies.
Boom.
Player Phase!
And I might as well show this. There’s one enemy left and Beecha’s right in front, so he can bust out his Mega Bazooka Launcher MAPW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UryWwmPKbR8
Like in W and others, the MAPW play out as an actual battle scene!
And I could let Duke take this kill but, screw it, he’s had more than enough and Kouji’s lagging behind.
And done. The bad guys collectively have a Cartridge, a Chobham Armor and a Jammer.
Finally, Duke had some choice words for Balendos:
: Come and face me, Balendos! : Enough posturing, Duke Fleed. This world will be your grave!--
: Have you Vegans already manage to build a base within the Earth sphere?!: You’re pretty sharp. Still, what do you think you can do with that knowledge?: I’ll tell you: I’ll find it, march right in there and tear your evil designs to pieces even if I've to go it alone!
Balendos goes down screaming. He’s probably still alive.
With all enemies gone, Bright orders the ship down to receive everyone back.
Over by the lab, Duke has to come clean with Hikaru about his identity as an alien, the destruction of his world by the Vegans and his escape to Earth.
He says that he felt he had to keep his secret from those he cared for, lest they get caught up when the Vegans came looking for Grendizer. He's prepared for Hikaru to reject him as an alien – it wouldn’t be unreasonable, what with the fresh scars made by the contact with the Baamians – but she instead thanks him for thinking of them all. She says that the person who saved her is, indeed, the Daisuke she knows.
Duke thanks her for understanding but reminds that he’s not really Daisuke, the Earthling. Still, she likes the person Daisuke Umon so she’ll keep calling him so. He’s grateful for that.
Kouji confirms the story to everyone, adding that Duke’s a prince even. Ryouma already had his suspicions and Vega thinks that Duke's in the same boat as she is.
As a matter of fact, no one’s too surprised by this: Judau, Kaine and Light were already adding one plus one, seeing how different the Grendizer is from Earth units and Daisuke’s sudden transformations prior to battles.
If anything, Tap is relieved to have these questions put to bed. Kouji was expecting a bigger reaction than that, Light asking if he thought knowing the truth would change our opinion on Daisuke.
As Ginga and Aqua put it: the existence of aliens isn’t that surprising nowadays, especially with the Baamians around. Hayato actually thinks they’re a bit mundane, considering the subterranean monsters and dinosaurs we’ve fought before.
Kouji starts laughing in relief, realizing he needn't have worried, and the Getter Team is quick to chide him for not telling us sooner. As he apologizes, Vega looks on with hope: “These children might actually accept us…”
Duke then comes in, thanking Kouji for explaining his situation. He seems a bit queasy but Kaine tells him not to be – he’s Duke Fleed and Daisuke Umon. Everyone’s good with that.
Hokuto then walks over with a question for Daisuke: does he hate the Vegans? Do you have to hate someone to be able to fight? “I admit that I’ve anger and hatred for the Vegans within me… But that’s not all that drives me, Hokuto. My wish is to see peace restore to my second homeworld and it is that what pushes me to stand fearless face any enemy,” he says.
Hokuto still isn’t too sure but Duke says he needn’t be right now. He’s confident that the kid will find his answer sooner or later. Furthermore, he’s also certain there’s a reason why Hokuto was entrusted with the Dendoh – same as him receiving the Grendizer. So he shouldn’t face away from it.
Hokuto will think on that but at least promises to do his best. Seems to Judau that he might pull through.
With that settled, Ginga turns to Light and asks if he can tell who Maggie is now. “Oh, it’s the D-3’s interactive computer,” he answers. For that matter, the D-1’s is called Clara and D-2’s is called Sonia.
Aqua realizes that this would have to be a high-level AI and Light confirms, saying they’re even capable of speaking to the pilots. When Kaine asks, Aqua says her interest stems from the fact that the Garmraid’s also equipped with a slight AI – though it’s not interactive. And that’s saying nothing of the fact that her instructor at the military academy was an AI expert.
Regardless, Vega calls everyone back to the Nahel Argama as we need to get ready for departure to our next patrol area. Daisuke and Kouji follow right along.