Part 59: Mission 33 (Moon Route) - Over the Rainbow - Part 1
:
:
: Ginga, Hokuto
: God DAMN it!
*Punch wall!*
: Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!
*Again!*
: Stop that, Ginga please !
: I I dont understand anything I dunno whats what anymore
: Vega was Altairs sister and were destroyers, bringing war to the whole universe
: Did Did the Leo and the others leave us because were the bad guys ?
: No, youre wrong
: Dont you see, Ginga, Hokuto? The Data Weapons reacted to the confusion that stirred in your hearts.
: Our confusion ?
: Thats right the Data Weapons adored the strong, beautiful hearts you two possess. Thus, when you lost your spirit over Altairs words, their connection with you was broken.
: But what if were really destroyers, like he said?
: Thats entirely up to you.
: Huh?
: Power is neither good nor evil all that matters is how it is wielded. So if you use the Data Weapons for a just cause, the Dendoh will never be a destroyer !
: But but
: We were finished. We cant fight anymore
: Ginga, Hokuto
: Take a break for today you two need to rest.
: But Vegas
: If shes Altairs sister, then I dont think her lifes in danger.
: The bigger problem here is that the Ogre now has all of the Data Weapons
:
: Chin up, you two! Its not like you to be like this!
:
: Lets go
*The kids walk off.
: Tch this is bad
: Will they be alright ?
: Ive never seen them this bummed out
: Theyve managed to overcome hardship time and again but
: But now it looks as though their very core has been broken.
: True strength is not standing undefeated rather, it is the capacity of standing back up when defeat occurs.
: And can they do that?
: I do not know.
: By the looks of things, the Nadesicos headed back to GEAR HQ to try and think of our next move.
: Those two need something to help heal the bruises in their hearts
: Or, at least, the inner strength to move on despite those bruises.
Location: Hoshimi
The boys havent been home in a while, wondering if theyll be sent into battle again. Lacking the Data Weapons, Hokuto isnt sure of what they can do. Bidding a quick farewell, Ginga steps off.
When Hokuto enters his home, he realizes his mom isnt around odd. The doorbell rings right then and its Kirakuni: hes come to pick Hokuto up. Despite this being the kids time off, Kirakuni says theres someone whos calling him to GEAR HQ.
Over by GEAR, Kirakunis brought both kids and Gingas not happy to have been hauled off after just getting home. Did something happen? Shibuya says theres someone Hokuto should see and, from the door, in comes Keisuke, his father.
Hokutos shocked to see him here but Saionji says he called him. Keisuke doesnt really know whats going on but Saionji says hell explain everything; he turns to Hokuto and confirms that, yes, he knows everything and includes the kid being chosen as the Dendohs pilot.
Keisuke didnt and hes very surprised to hear that his son is working with the Magnate Ten, though Saionji tells him not to blame the kid. Rather, blame them for imposing this secret on him in the first place. Still, the truth needs to come out now.
Saionji explains that Saionji and some others became aware of the Gulfer seventeen years ago. Tales of a mechanical empire bent on destroying mankind throughout the universe seemed very far away at the time, though. Some believed the story, others didnt, and folks couldnt decide on what to do.
Thus, Saionji set out himself to build GEAR, an organization made for the purpose of preparing for the day it and the Dendoh the bot theyd been entrusted with would defend Earth. This proves to Eris that the Dendoh, indeed, is an alien mech.
Moreover, Hokutos mom had also pledged to fight if the day came when the Gulfer attacked: as both a pilot of the Dendoh and as GEARs vice-leader, Vega.
The kids and Keisuke are predictably shocked by the bombastic reveal sweet Orie was Vega, and fighting in battles? Indeed, which is to say that Altairs kidnapped both Hokutos mom and one of GEARs commanders at the same time.
Orie had previously told Keisuke that all the times she went away from home were to take care of Saionji but that was just a cover story the two of the cooked up. Still, Saionji hopes he can understand why she did it and how much it pained her.
Hokutos a bit dazed right now and Shibuya apologizes for keeping such a thing from him. The kid turns to Saionji and asks if what Altair said was true it was. She IS his sister.
Later, Kirakunis brought Ginga back home and offers to explain the situation to his family but, no, Gingas had enough chit-chat for now. Hell explain things, later. As he walks inside, Midori asks where hed gone off to.
Ginga stammers for a bit, so she decides to drop the question. Its been some time since hes been home, so why not play with Otome for a bit? While he does, shell make her ow special stew for dinner.
Ginga still seems bothered and, when Midori asks, he slowly presents her with a question: whenever he fights, he always thinks hes in the absolute right but, then, his opponent also feels the same way, right? Midori nods, saying thats how it usually goes.
But, then, whos actually in the right? Midori says both sides are in the right in a fight; it's the fact that both sides think so that leads to fighting in the first place. The important part is what lies at the foundation of his certainty. For what does he fight for? If hes not doing it for the right reasons, then it wont amount to anything.
Ginga ponders all that and Midori tells him to keep thinking while he eats.
Back at GEAR, Aikos worried at the huge shock Hokutos received with all this. Ginga has it just as bad, Kirakuni points out, having all but lost his will to fight; Saburouta figures thats understandable, having been dubbed the ultimate evil and watching the Data Weapons leave them.
Its a difficult situation but Quattro and Amuro know that we cannot afford to sit and wait for them to recover now that the Ogre has all the Data Weapons, an immediate response is necessary. With that in mind, Shibuya asks Aiko to bring IT up on the monitors.
IT being the thing that bombarded us two days ago: a huge warship that suddenly warped around the moons orbit. All things considered, Shibuya believes Altairs in there rather than the Spiral Castle meaning thats where well find Vega.
Kirakuni wants to go rescue her right now, in that case, but Shibuya and Ruri tell him to hold his horses. The Federation already sent a fleet to attack the thing but hordes of RoBeasts quickly tore them apart. So, if we wanna tangle with the thing, we better be ready to risk everything we have.
Harry wants to call the Argama over to help, as they should be around the Far East region right now. Unfortunately, Shibuya says theyre currently busy with another major operation if theyre called away from it, itll mean major problems.
So its just be the Nadesico for this and, worst case scenario, we might not even have the Dendoh available. Things could very well go south for us, Quattro sighs.
After a bit, Ruri asks Shibuya to make a phone call: she might be able to get us some additional help. So, she goes and calls up the secretary of Nergals president.
Ruri, please dont do this to me !
: Oh, hello, Ginga, Eris
: Good morning to you, Mr. Kusanagi
: Hows Hokuto ?
: Still the same
:
: Here its from my mom
: Ah stew? We should eat it before it gets cold, right, Hokuto?
:
: Hokuto
: Thank you for this, Ginga.
: It its nothing I
: Come on, Hokuto You need to fill your belly with something
:
: *sniffles* Kch aah
: Hokuto
: I I wanna eat my moms stew
:
:
: Aah uuh
: Lets go get your mom back !
: Huh ?
: Honestly, I still dont really understand whats what but this? This is 100% wrong!
: I dunno what to make of that sister business or the Gulfer being in the right
: But Vegas still your mom !
: And theres no way kidnapping her like thats good for peace in the universe or whatever !
: Ginga
: So hurry up and eat, ya big idiot! Cmon! Crying here wont help anything!
: And youre not gonna turn down my moms stew, right?!
:
:
: Alright !
Back to GEAR, Shibuyas very surprised to hear that the kids want in on the operation not only to rescue Hokutos mom but, also, to get a few answers. This means kicking the Ogres ass which is a problem, considering theyve no Data Weapons.
Inoue has the solution handy, though!
He went and finished that plan of his, an emergency measure for a moment the Dendoh found itself lacking the Data Weapons. This essentially meant slapping as many weapons as he could onto the thing: a missile launcher, a beam rifle, yo-yos (!) and a bow.
Aiko had wondered what hed been tinkering in the factory all this time and Inoues earned a whole lot of points with Ginga now. True, Aikos surprised the guy saw that far ahead. And now Inoue gets the chance to say the words that define scientist dudes in anime, the ones Ryouko knows means someones about to be left very miffed: I thought something like this would happen, so
Still, its a whole bunch of weapons for the kids to master in a short while good thing weve got a lot of experts around. Judau and Camille can teach them how to handle long-range weapons like the missiles and beam rifle, while Inoues got a whole written lecture from Akira, Ayato and Rain on how to use the bow.
Unfortunately, we dont have anyone that can teach them how to attack with yo-yos but Gingas an old hand with the things, having trained tricks with them over the years! Hokuto thanks Inoue for setting this up and hes glad the project DID come in handy. The firepower wont compare to the Data Weapons but its still good.
Ginga is looking forward to hauling all this junk over to Ogre and hashing out once and for all which side is right in all of this. And then well bring Vega/Orie back home safely.
Kazuya likes the look on their faces, with Kyoshiro noting that their souls really were strong enough to overcome the bruises in their hearts. Ginga says theyre nowhere as impressive as that theyre just set on keeping fighting.
He and Hokuto arent going to lose heart again, so they ask everyone for a hand in beating their weak spirits into shape. Drill is more than willing to help temper these kids, though Jet warns that their training is a difficult one they better not regret it later. Not at all!
All thats left now waiting for the helpers Ruri contacted to arrive and well be as ready as can be. Shibuya tells everyone to stay on alert well be headed for the Gulfer ship as soon as preparations as finished.
Location: Ōiso City
Some of our folks are helping round up one of these helpers, both very condecorated pilots, with a suspicious old man (as Leina dubbed Prospector) having sent them to a certain house. Seems like the guy is an important aide in Nergal, though, and hes gone after the other pilot in order to speed things up.
Rom wonders what this ex-pilot is currently doing and Ruris eager to see his reaction when he finds out.
As soon as she hits the doorbell, Hikaru steps out, super excited to see Ruri again after all this time. When Harry asks, she introduces herself: Hikaru Amano, manga artist for a hotblooded shounen magazine.
She calls them inside, having heard everything from Prosp. Leina asks if shell join us and, yes, she will provided we help her with a little something first.
Prospector, meanwhile, is picking up my nemesis Izumi. Shes been working as matron of a bar (unexpected), having earned the place quite a reputation due to her bad jokes.
While its been a long while since theyve piloted, Prospector is confident she and Hikaru have still got the goods. Ive got the foods
Back in Hoshimi, Gingas already taking off life is busy when youre in science camp, etc, etc. Still, before he goes, Midori calls him out to the yard and proceeds to tear a huge tree in half with a single punch!
Ginga being sufficiently blown away, she tells him to remember this: strength comes from the heart. Yes, maam!
Turns out Hikaru and Izumi were part of the Nadesico As Aestivalis team back in the Lizard War Quattros heard much of them and bids them welcome. Hikarus hyped to meet both the Red Comet and White Shooting Star, which Izumi promptly turns into a pun. They havent grown at all, Ryouko sees.
Hikaru threatens to whoop her ass again in Natural Lychee ~ Love Love Battles (a Nadesico Magic Princess character) and Ryoukos willing to take that challenge it aint gonna end like last time, no sir. When Jim asks, Beecha explains its a beat-em-up game and Ryouko got crushed by Hikaru before.
As the girls start fighting, Prospector is amazed to see that Hikarus reflexes, control and overall vision as just as sharp as they were years ago. Well, what kind of manga artist isnt a gamer? Hikaru plays stuff every day which is why shes always missing her deadlines, Ruri points out.
Indeed, Jet notices that the group sent to pick Hikaru up seems rather worn out and Saburouta explains that they spent all night helping her work. She had only one day left to turn in a whole fight scene, so
That wasnt the case with Rom, mind, who Leina says Hikaru used as a model: he had to strike several poses, yell a whole lot and heresy of all heresies proclaim his name aloud. But what was she gonna do, when hes so much like the protagonist of her story? Being an unbeatable martial artist, who cares loads for his little sister, with a cool catchphrase made him perfect!
Seems like Ruri made the right call in sending him along, though Roms distant stare seems to disagree.
Regardless, Shibuya starts the briefing with a warning: its not only Vega's fate, but, indeed, the fate of the whole world thats riding on this mission. The enemy holds a massive force but hes confident in our victory best of luck to us all.
Keisuke pulls Hokuto aside for a bit, apologizing for being unable to do anything more than simply root for him. Thats more than enough for Hokuto, who promises to bring mom back so he oughta just sit back and wait, Ginga adds.
Prospector will be heading back to Nergal and Ruri thanks him for the help. It was no problem and, if she needs anything else, she has but to call. And with that, were off.
Location: Near Earth
Back at the Gulfer ship, Vegas now without her mask and wig shes as beautiful as she was so many years ago, Altair muses. Hes still got his mask on, though, and she asks if he really is her brother; he confirms he is, though there is a reason why he needs to keep this on.
At Vegas silence, Altair says its understandable that she doesnt believe it immediately; he knows, having been just as shocked as she is now to see that his sister was alive. Still, Vega wants to know why hes sided with the Gulfer. Moreover, why didnt he say anything until now?
He didnt say anything because he didnt remember: the Emperor had sealed his memories away. Altair bore witness to the end of their homeworld, so the Emperor thought it better to deprive him of those painful memories. All out of concern for his wellbeing, of course.
However, those memories started coming back when he saw her again, causing him pain. Thus, the Emperor decided to return them all to him. Still not knowing WAS something of a blessing to him.
After remembering, came the realization that his long lost sister the one whom he still loved, even after losing his memories of her had been fooled. The EVIL HUMANS misled and turned her against the Gulfer Emperor, the one whod saved their lives and who fights for nothing but peace across the universe!
He remembers the day their world, Arktos, was destroyed by its warring populace and how it was the Emperor came to their rescue truly, humans are a terrifying force of destruction, sowing chaos across space. And, thus, Altair set out to remove them from the universe in the name of both the Gulfer Emperor and universal peace.
Vega protests that hes wrong: all those memories of his are a fabrication! It was the Gulfer Computer a machine made to manage the ecology of Arktos that attacked their world after it ran amuck! No, thats just what she was MADE to think! By these vile humans whod bring endless mayhem to the universe!
He understands that itll take time to break the indoctrination imposed upon her; but, unfortunately, the Gulfer cause demands haste. Altair must seize the 7th Data weapon the one said to have the power to control the fabric of fate before it falls into the humans hands. Yes, the SEVENTH.
Altair recalls the old Arktos legend that he who obtains all the Sacred Electronic Beasts shall rule the universe. The seventh Data Weapon is the last, and greatest, key to bringing about the true power of a GEAR, something wholly impossible even with the other six.
Vegas confused, having thought there to be only six Data Weapons Altair says it is somewhat different from the others. But, more importantly, the Emperor said Vega has a clue as to how they can find it.
She wonders if hes talking about the image Hokuto and Ginga saw when Kiba came to life but, when Altair asks, says she knows nothing. Altair doesnt buy it, demanding she tell him everything as a way to atone for all her wrongdoings!
Vega doesnt budge, yelling that she wouldnt tell him even if she did know anything HE is the one whos mistaken, whos being fooled. No matter how many times he repeats it, those memories of his arent real!
Altair snaps at Vega to shut up and slaps her. She still doesnt understand and, in that case, hes done talking to her; rather, hell go and destroy all the humans responsible for sending their lives down this path!
And as the alarm sounds, hell be getting his chance to do just that seem we havent learned our lesson. But, fine, once this battle is over hell take her to the Gulfer homeworld and the Emperor will set her memories to right.
Meanwhile, she can stay in this room and observe the humans defeat. As he leaves, Vega says back only one thing: Brother, I have faith in the true strength that lies in all humans
Over by the Spiral Castle, the Gigas have spotted a new attack being made on Altairs Aldebaran warship looks like its the Dendohs group, this time. The Castle knows we wont be repelled as easy as the previous attackers and Giga Gurumei figures this is a good opportunity for them.
The Castle argues that Altair would never allow them to intervene in his battle, but thats not exactly what Gurumei is getting at. Their friend is in for a difficult time, so if they play their cards right
Hmmm The Spiral Castle decides to let him handle it, then. Gurumei promises to rise to the occasion and eliminate ALL their obstacles.
Thats a bigass ship!
Mission 33 (Moon Route) Over the Rainbow
Our people quickly enter the warships sector and Altair, figuring were here for Vega, is just as quick to launch troop s to intercept theyll put a definitive end to all this today. An intimidating (not really) number of Gulfer deploy, with Hokutos mom being right through that mob.
Rom councils Hokuto against impatience: though his heart may be of fire, maintain in it the stillness of water. Kazuya also suggests Ginga keep his mothers words in mind and hes good to do: time to rescue Hokutos mom.
Altair isnt too worried about a GEAR devoid of all Data Weapons it is no more than a worthless puppet and, now, itll vanish alongside the rest of the Magnate Ten!
Hikarus pondering her return to the battlefield not as bad as being in deadline Hell, though. Still, Saburouta knows this is quite the difficult problem to tackle on their first go-around after all these years. Are they really OK?
Hikaru tells him to just watch her go, Izumi noting that no one ever forgets how to ride a bike. Puns, puns, puns and Ryouko tells her and Hikaru to get their head in the game, lest they get wrecked. Puns. Hikaru suggests Izumi stop before she wear out her welcome (too late.).
Ryouko yells at them both to shush. Were trying to rescue Hokutos mom here, so they better put their game faces on right the hell now. Pun.
Ruri asks Izumi wrap it up as the enemys engaging. Ryouko apologizes to Hokuto for how insensitive those two are but he doesnt mind that was just to try to lighten the mood, right? Hikaru laughs that she worried for nothing, it seems, and Izumi IS ready to put her back into this. So, chop-chop, lets go get Vega back!
Amuro lays down the plan: well cut our way through the defenders, head inside the ship, rescue Vega and blow the thing to kingdom come. As Hokuto asks mom to wait just a bit more for him, Ruri gives the order to attack.
Losing the Dendohs a game over, of course, but that should never be a problem. It should be noted, however, that this is the cutoff point for that secret I mentioned back at the start of the game.
If you havent gotten forty kills total across Hokuto and Ginga, you need to do it by this missions end. Theres a few more steps to this secret but well get there in a jiffy.
Oh and weve got this nice insert song from Dendoh as a BGM for the stage its also the default theme for our new toy:
The Full Armor Dendoh! As Inoue said, its better than the baseline Dendoh (though it lacks a MAPW) but weaker than the Data Weapon forms.
On the flip side, and true to its name, it is by far the Dendohs bulkiest form, having earned +1400 HP and +420 armor. All its weapons have very fine range and accuracy modifiers, made very spammable due to its HUGE ammo stores. This thing makes for a great mook sweeper, so pop Hokutos Iron Wall, move it ahead and go crazy.
And thats exactly what Ill do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbDdHLxWaaw
Chou
I had room, so Iinos back ah, and I almost forgot.
Aestivalis Custom Hikaru (Hikaru Amano) / Aestivalis Custom Izumi (Izumi Maki)
Pilot Skills Hikaru:
- Fortune
- Support Defense L2
- Guard
- Counter L4
- Support Attack L1
- B-Save
- Focus (15)
- Trust (30)
- Alert (10)
- Lucky (30)
- Valor (40)
- Iron Wall (30)
- Daunt (40)
- Focus (15)
- Alert (10)
- Strike (15)
- Valor (40)
- Mercy (5)
Izumis Voice Actress: Miki Nagasawa (other known works: Maya in Evangelion, Monique in MS IGLOO, Cream Panda in Anpanman and many more)
Yaay, weve the Three Angels back together and theyre still middling. The girls are all competent pilots but they still havethe same issues as in W, being unable to match our frontline guys. Their biggest damage comes from their ONE (not two) combined attack and thats not enough when theyre going up against the Dragonars, who do everything they do but better.
Youll still want to field them when facing Successor mechs but theyre low priority deploys against anything else. You can absolutely take them to the endgame, of course, but there are much better units to consider using these three slots in.
But, hey, at least theyre not Saburouta.
Forward.
While the Gulfer may have numbers, over half their units are these baseline RoBeasts makes me wonder how the Feds lost when theyre supposed to be packing Dragoons.
Hugo and Aqua do the same, she earning a boost to Gunfight and learning Rouse as her final spirit.
Everyone else is walking over.
Enemy Phase!
Pretty much all Gulfer go after the Dendoh (though I only let them kill a couple). This allowed me to capture all their other attacks on tape, so here they are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjieHHcYfY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EJ6g5i9KJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNZCKqBp8gc
The more distant RoBeasts are holding back, mind.
Player Phase!
Ah, what the hell, you can show off against this guy.
: Let's do this! Don't fall behind just 'cuz you've had a long blank in your careers!
: I dunno... I'm drawing a blank here--
: Ah-ah-ah! None of that right now! Bad jokes are NOT part of the bargain!
: Sometimes, when you wanna tell a joke... You just gotta barge-in...
: Yeesh, you guys haven't changed a bit, have you?!
: Totally!
: Admit it... You're toadally green with envy... Heeheehee...
: Forget that and let's hop to it-- I mean, let's go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlakksZcALA
I like you, Hikaru. You make no puns.
Rom, Kazuya, Kyoshiro and Iino each finish one of Gingas weakened Faitas.
Meanwhile, Camille and Judau get to work on the rightmost Orbiton group.
Enemy Phase!
Having given them a bit of room, the leftmost group closes in on Quattro.
I hold Quattro back to stop him from killing everything.
On the other side, Camille takes a kill and leaves all three remaining Orbitons on their last legs.
Player Phase!
Weve got incoming contact from the moon another batch of Gulfer, led by a type of unit different from the RoBeasts and Knights weve seen before. Gurumei gets in touch with Altair and says theyre here to help, though the guy predictably tells him to piss off.
Gurumei argues that he was sent because the Spiral Castle was concerned with Altairs safety. That line only elicits a wry chuckle from him, asking what Gurumei is truly up to. Supporting Altair, of course, and destroying the Dendoh. Thats it.
Gurumei prepares to attack, inwardly sneering that mistakes DO happen in battle after all, he can just write this up as a little accident if therell be no witnesses around!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H62CPy611S8
Well, thats a huge hole blown on the side of Altairs ship. Our people have no idea whats going on werent we these guys targets, Kirakuni wonders aghast. It wont be long before the Aldebaran goes under, Gurumei thinks, so all he needs to do now is hold back and watch as the two GEARs fall in battle.
Gurumei runs off, further confusing our people. Are the Gulfer fighting against each other? No matter, Jim points out that we now have our way in. Still, the attack did quite a lot of damage and Quattro figures theres a possibility itll be pulled into Earths atmosphere.
We gotta get Vega out of there before that happens, then. Theres even less time to waste.
Secret Alert!
If youve been getting kills with the Dendoh kids, heres the next step of the secret: the Dendoh needs to be the FIRST unit to get inside the Aldebaran.
Easy, really.
Especially since I do it right away. Do make sure to have the Dendoh packing Iron Wall, mind.
: Captain, the Dendohs made it inside the enemy warship!
: OK. Theyll lead the search.
: Aye, aye!
: Where are you, mom ?!
: Judging by how these things go, Id say Vega will be behind a door at the innermost part of the ship. So, first, keep moving in, look for any destructible passageways and investigate within.
: Roger!
: Hm?! Hokuto! Ahead!
: Thats quite enough, Dendoh !
: Hah, we werent thinking itd be that easy! This is where the ball really gets rolling!
*Switches back to regular Dendoh*
: Bring it on, Ogre!
: I applaud your valor in making it this far. However, that is hardly enough for you to emerge victorious.
: ?!
: File Load! Unicorn Drill! Leo Circle! Dragon Flare! Gatling Boar!
: Aah!
: Th-The Data Weapons are helping him !
: I suppose that was to be expected !
: Unicorn! Dragon!
:
:
: Leo! Boar!
:
:
: Do they not recognize Hokuto and Ginga?!
: Altairs their new owner. The Sacred Beasts have no choice but to obey his command.
: But !
: Wh-What do we do, Hokuto?! I cant fight them!
: Kch !
: Damn it worst case scenario, would our only option be to destroy them?
: No! Weve worked so hard to save the Leo and Unicorn just the other day!
: Shes right! The Ogre, not the Data Weapons, is who we should fight!
: I agree with them. If we defeat Altair, we may cancel the contract hes made with the Data Weapons and bring them back to their side.
: Hokuto, Ginga fight the Ogre. Take back your Data Weapons.
: The rest of us will support you and work on searching for Vega. Are we clear, everyone?
: Rrroger that!
: Izumi, Hikaru! Dont do anything to the Data Weapons, got it?!
: Because theyre friends with those two, right? Okie-dokie!
: Forward, Data Weapons! Seize the Dendoh and, then, Ill destroy it! Ill bring peace back to the universe!