Part 8: Mission 3 - The Deity Awakens - Part 1
Location: Skull Moon Base
Gandal has heard of Balendos’ retreat against the earthlings and is very disappointed with the captain of the royal guard. The guy insists he was merely observing and will truly finish the job next time (Gandal doesn’t buy it).
Bracky asks Gandal what they should do about the Giganos – their base is on the other side of the Moon. He wants them left alone for now. Thanks to the cloaking shield, they haven’t noticed the Skull Moon Base’s presence yet – even if they have, it’d be foolish of them to fight a war on two fronts.
The plan is to use them as a shield for the Vegans' own plans, letting the humans deplete each other. Two birds with one stone. In the meantime, the Vegans will concentrate on building their secret forward base in Japan in preparation for their global conquest.
Bracky remembers hearing that there’s this odd, Jupiter-like barrier in said Japan and is a bit queasy – that is precisely why Gandal says Japan in perfect for them. The Earthlings are all focused on that barrier and will not notice them constructing their base. Meanwhile, he wants Bracky to get to work planning their next attack.
Location: TERRA HQ
Kunugi, TERRA’s commander of military operations, welcomes Bright to the aircraft carrier Lydia Litvyak. Souichi (the younger one), the second-in-command of TERRA, is also on the scene and ready to detail Operation Overlord.
Fifteen years ago, the aliens known as the MU suddenly showed up above Tokyo in a humongous fortress. They didn't actually do much, nor did they respond to attempts by the Earthlings to hail them. The Federation Army finally lost patience and attacked, touching off the First MU War. The MU responded with superweapons called Dolems and, in the span of a single day, tens of thousands of people across the world were killed.
Bright remembers it well, though it was before he joined the army. The Federation prepared for all-out war, but the MU formed Tokyo Jupiter and shut themselves inside it. This impassable dome, whose exterior resembles the surface of Jupiter (thus, it is the Jupiter within Tokyo – Tokyo Jupiter), extends for several tens of kilometers around Haneda Airport.
The MU haven’t done anything outside since it first emerged, though there are some who suggest a connection between their arrival and the Second Impact happening shortly after. All speculation, mind.
Regardless, there were about twenty three million Tokyo denizens inside the dome’s area and their status was unknown… until recently.
TERRA’s research has advanced enough and they’ve developed a way to breach the previously unbreachable barrier: the Trans-Dimension Drive Unit (TDDU). With it, they were able to send units to scout out the inside of Tokyo Jupiter and, thus, decided to do Operation Overlord.
TERRA's fighter jets will do the actual work inside, and Kunugi wants Bright to guard the space outside the barrier... which really means reacting to any Dolems that should emerge from within. Bright agrees to get the operational details later and departs.
As he goes, Souichi lets out a sigh of relief; Kunugi asks if he was nervous. “Of course. How could I not be, when I was going to speak directly to THE Bright Noa, captain of the White Base? Were I not on duty, I would have asked for an autograph,” he says.
Kunugi is impressed too, noting that Bright's instincts seem very sharp – he wouldn’t be captaining a Gundam-loaded ship if not, of course. And adding the Japanese Supers to his team will make for an even mightier force, Souichi thinks.
Still, said team is meant as no more than a distraction for what they’re truly after and Kunugi figures Bright is well aware of that. They’re all distractions, as a matter of fact, which is why the next operation NEEDS to be successful. Souichi is confident that Cpt. Haruka Shitou will pull through.
Aqua and Benkei are very impressed with this mighty carrier, even bigger than the Aquapolis (it can’t fly like the Argama, though). Inwardly, Duke is still a bit uncertain whether all this firepower would still be enough to face the Vegans if they attacked in earnest.
Their attention is dragged over to the Dragonar folks having a shouting match with Ben. Seems like they have just gotten the memo that they’ll also be participating in Operation Overlord and Kaine is NOT happy – this isn’t what he signed up for.
Still, those are the orders and, as soldiers, Ben says they’ll have to comply. What about cancelling their registration on the Dragonars, then?! That’ll have to wait until they get to Chongqing – later.
As Kaine balks, Kouji and Duke ask what’s this about “cancelling their registration”? Light gives them the rundown: when they first flew the Dragonars, they got registered as the pilots and the only way to undo that is with some special systems that’re only in the Chongqing base.
Until that’s done, no one else can fly the things; the combat data within is also locked away. Makes sense to Kouji that they have all these safeties in place as these ARE highly classified mechs. More insight he gained in his studies in the US.
Either way, Kaine and company’s mission was to take these mechs that were registered to them and bring them, and their data, over to Chongqing. That was what they signed up for, so being asked to take part in this operation goes way beyond the original contract.
Daisuke understands how he feels but that’s the situation the world is in now. Kaine gets that he’s being selfish as hell to wanna bail on this with the Giganos, Vegans and MU prowling about… still, he’s not happy.
Ben points out that kids younger than him are working their asses off on the Nahel Argama and Light agrees, saying they can’t put on a bad show for them. It’s their job as the older guys!
Kaine’s actually surprised that he’s no problem with this and while Light IS getting fed with the army’s way of doing things, he knows complaining won’t help. All they can do is stay alive until they reach Chongqing. Kaine still grumbles, and Light has a laugh, having figured he was made of sturdier stuff than this.
: Psh, you better watch that big mouth… And, Tap, what the hell are you doing?!
: …♪ 
: … He’s off in his own little musical world, I think.
: Well, I guess someone’s gotta do this. Hup!
: Hey, what gives?! Give my headphones back!: Oho, now this is a surprise. Classical music?: Ya got a problem with that? I like listening every now and then.: It’s a bit too late for you to start showing some hints of intelligence, you know.*Someone walks over.*
: Huh?
: La-la? (her name is Quon, FYI)
: Hm?: So...: “So”?: So cute…!: Easy there, what are—
: Let me hear…: Huh? The headphones?: Yes…: W-well, sure…
: … The color of battle… the sound of wings as they start to spread…*Quon walks off.*
: The hell? She just left…: What just happened?
: Who was that girl…?
: No idea. She didn’t look like a soldier but…
: Judging by her clothes, I reckon she’s one of TERRA’s folks.
: …: (There was something strange about her… Almost like…)
Location: Tokyo Jupiter
We open up with Ayato at the start of a new day – signs point it’ll be another normal day.
Regardless, he shouldn’t keep Mamoru and Hiroko waiting.
As he walks down the road, he seemingly feels something but sees nothing. Is he imagining things? Hiroko and Mamoru call out to him and ask why he’s just standing there; Ayato say he’s got the feeling that he’s being watched ever since he left home.
Hiroko praises him for being so popular that he’s apparently got a stalker, then. Or maybe he’s just paranoid? Mamoru cuts in and tells them both to hurry – they’ve mock tests today. Ayato notices that he’s carrying a certain book around; what is he studying? English… not that any English-speaking country exists anymore.
Hiroko chides him that studying on the verge of the test won’t do much but Mamoru believes in working hard until the very last second. Ayato is more relaxed but, as Hiroko knows, he can put in some effort when the mood strikes him – in particular, his paintings.
The conversation is cut short when an airplane flights overhead. They’ve been going back and forth all morning, Mamoru says. Hiroko read in a magazine that there’s fear of another alien invasion and the rumors as to what the identity of said attackers are as varied as they come: Guests, Aerogaters, Shadow Mirrors, Ruina, Einsts… (The PSP version lists: Inspectors, Shuras, Duminus, Fury, Zukunft…)
But the point is that due to alien invaders, the entire world outside of Tokyo went up in smoke. Could they be coming over for round two? Ayato isn’t too sure the aliens are at it again, as nothing’s happened since the Tokyo battle and that was a whole THREE years ago. It, somehow, feels longer than that to Hiroko.
That’s not important now, as one of the planes crashes nearby.
An explosion rocks the town and the kids wonder if another invasion is really happening. Regardless, Ayato says they need to run away from here. That is until Ayato hears someone singing nearby. Hiroko hasn’t heard anything but he’s sure he heard it and runs after the source, telling her to stay with Mamoru.
Ayato looks around and finds a girl singing. He tries warning that it’s dangerous here but, soon after, recognizes her: Mishima...Reika.
They seem to know each other and are very surprised to have just run into each other like this. Still, whatever the reason this happened, he figures the more, the merrier… but, then, what was she doing here?
Before he gets an answer, Reika speaks of hearing a song – a Dolem – and runs off.
Elsewhere, two nondescript secret agent types are conferring about how the first defense line has been breached – Maya is going to have “that” deployed.
Time is of the essence, then, so the agents move to locate their target – it should still be nearby.
Miwa (young girl) confirms that half of the invading crafts have already been eliminated and Kuki asks Maya (older woman) if it’s really alright sending Allegretto out. Indeed, Maya says it’ll be fine – no awakening will happen without “Ollin”. And even if it did, it wouldn’t be able to sing.
What if THAT mechanical god from the outside world – Mu’s Guardian – were to appear? “That’d be no problem either,” says Maya. “The Star of La Mu shines no more.”
Kuki seems apprehensive and Miwa reports that said Ollin has been spotted and Maya orders to have him brought to the temple.
Ayato has followed Reika towards something of an underground passage but, before he can get his bearings, those agents come to pick him up – his mother summons him.
They say there’s no time to explain and, when Ayato still wants to know what’s going on, pull a gun on him. Before they drag him away, however, someone jumps out of the shadows and knocks out both men – from the fresh wounds on their faces, Ayato sees that the agents’ blood is blue!
Ayato turns to his savior and asks who it is: “Oh, right… Just think of me as a do-gooder, yes?” Haruka says. Ayato is confused and she figures he at least could thank her for saving him – he does.
Haruka needs only take a look at his face to see that he’s curious as to why the blood of those men had such a color: “I’ll tell you… IF you come with me. And not just about the blue blood but about everything in this world.”
Ayato says that he's not such a little kid that he'll just go with strangers and, besides, he’s got to find his friend. Haruka sighs that that’s a shame… and moves to try and knock him out, figuring ignorance is bliss.
Before she does so, however, Reika appears out of thin air – much to their surprise. One of the agents takes this opportunity to blindside Haruka. As she reels back, Reika runs off again and Ayato goes in pursuit. “No, stop! Ayato!” Haruka calls out as he leaves.
: Reika, wait! Reika!!
: …
: Wh-what is this place?! We’re underground but I can see the sky…: Ayato… there.: Huh? An egg…?
: U-Urgh! My- My body’s?!
: …
: LAAAAAAAAAAAA…
: Gch! Graaah…!
: (Awaken… Ayato. Awaken.)
: Rah…Xephon…!
: Ayato, where are you?! Answer me!
: Ah! That’s--!
: The Xephon moves…?! L-Lady Maya!
: …: Ayato…! Are you inside that thing?!: Aah…ah…! Hah…hah…hah…hah…: Wh-what is going on…? Aah…! What’s happening?!: Urk! UWAAAAAAAAAAAH!*Crash!*
: !
: L-Lady Maya!
: …: Lady Maya, you’re hurt…!: I’m fine.: M-Mom…? Your blood’s…!: (You’ve awakened, Ayato.): !: (So much time has passed… So many sacrifices.): Huh?! What are you talking about, mom?!: (I have waited for this: the moment where your blood would awaken.): ?!: (Come, Ayato… My—): …: You are…!*Ruuumble!
: Wh-what?! From above?!
Mission 3 – The Deity Awakens
: Someone answer me! This is Bunga Mawar speaking! …Damn it, am I the only one left?!
: And it’s because of her… Because of that puppet’s song!*Ruuuuuumble!*
: What?! Reinforcements?!
: That’s… a D1 Dolem?!: Is that what I saw just now…?
: *sings aria*: Wh-what?!
: We’ve a quantum condensation reaction! FD phase shift increasing! 
: And the Xephon’s FD phase conversion coefficient… It’s awakened…?!: Why…? Why are you not listening to me, Ayato…?: … : The girl on the Xephon’s shoulder…! Is it… Ixtli…?: …: That’s the defense corps’ weapon…? It’s coming to attack me?!The objective here is to destroy the Allegretto without losing anyone but the plot kicks in if Ayato takes too much damage.
Chensing Type 2 (Elvy Hadhiyat)
Pilot Skills:
- Prevail L2
- Support Attack L1
- Counter L1
- Assisted Attack L1
- Accelerate (5)
- Focus (15)
- Invincible (20)
- Resupply Module
That’s totally a Falken from Ace Combat – it’s just missing the nose laser!
Regardless, I like Elvy as she falls in that oh-so-common group of characters that can pull their weight but lack stopping power to be top tier. She dodges well, is accurate and he ranged stats are decent. The Chensing itself is pretty dang dodgy in itself, as you’d expect from a plane, bolstered by an S size.
The Resupply module suggests Banpresto might see her as a support unit but I reckon she can fill the bit of pint-sized harasser almost as well as the TFO. She just exchanges a bit of dodginess for higher attack power.
RahXephon (Ayato Kamina)
Pilot Skills:
- ???
- Prevail L2
- Sword Cut
- Shield Defense
- Strike (20)
- Focus (10)
- Harmonic Field (when over 120 morale, reduce all incoming damage by 1500)
- Shield
Ooh, baby, the RahXephon is strong as hell. Not so much right now as it only has one attack but, as we get going, it’ll be one of your best Supers. And that’s not even touching upon it being the first unit to unlock the Shield + Barrier invincibility cheat code. Once Ayato’s morale reaches 120, it’s game over for anyone not packing a barrier piercing attack.
The kid himself is also a very competent pilot, though his defense is a bit on the low side; that’s likely to make up for the mechs’ own defenses but, with some mobility upgrades, the RahXephon can be made to dodge rather reliably.
Now, I’ll be moving Ayato a wee bit back so he can bait Allegretto closer to Elvy. He could take her on his own but what’s the fun in that?
Enemy Phase!
Thank you.
Player Phase!
Haruka flies over in her Aliel, relieved to see that Elvy is still in one piece.
More importantly, Elvy wants explanations as to what’s up with that weird unit that showed up. Haruka says that’ll have to wait and asks her to cover Ayato.
Aaah, one more…
Aliel (Haruka Shitou)
Pilot Skills:
- Suppoert Attack L1
- Support Defense L2
- Mechanic – Increases HP restored by the repair command by 20%
- Trust (10)
- Focus (10)
- Rouse (30) - +10 morale to all adjacent pilots
- Cheer
- Repair Module
- Resupply Module
Haruka’s the good type of support: she can keep herself alive by dodging well, comes with a small, flying unit and actually isn’t too bad on the attack. The Aliel needs a few upgrades to be really dodgy but Haruka’s command list already makes it the best pure supporter we’ve had so far.
Might as well have Elvy open the attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HEoUXkkhHY
And here’s Allegretto’s aria SFX.
The Aliel has some pretty good range for a support unit, though!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7XQ84SxgoQ
: Urgh…! We can’t keep going like this…!
: …: Huh?! Reika?! How are you on this thing’s shoulder?! I thought you ran away!
: Sing, RahXephon. Sing your song – the forbidden song!: ?!: Sing, so that, one day, all may be united…!: Reika…?!*Allegretto charges in!*
: Aargh! Reika… Reika!
: She’s… she’s gone…! 
: Gch…aah…!: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
: The Xephon’s quantum condensation field has reached immeasurable levels: 12+!
: It’s resonating with the aria…?!: HAAAAAAH!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_eeSLLQ7jk
: Haah…haah…: It’s…!: Quantum field has gone dipolar! It’s merging with the boundary and forming a corridor!: What the…! There’s a hole in the sky…!: Is it trying to break through the barrier?!: !: Elvy, we need to get out! Right now!: R-roger!
: The Xephon’s transposed the barrier.: What?! It got outside?! With Ollin…?! This is a disaster…: …You may go, Ayato. I know you will return to my side… Along with Ixtli…Second part of this mission will be up in a couple of days!