Part 31: Mission 18 (Chongqing Route) - Burning Heart, Flying High - Part 1
And we’ve arrived in Chongqing, with the famous Professor Plato thanking Bright and Douglas for escorting the D Weapons over. He invites them to have some Chinese dumplings but Bright passes. A shame, as they’re quite tasty.
A bit farther away, Kaine wonders who the old guy is, though Tap has no idea. Light’s getting a “scientist” vibe from him but can’t place him. They’re interrupted when Douglas hits them with a verbal slap for their rudeness towards the professor. NOW Kaine figures out who it is.
The door opens, bringing in Dianne and she confirms to Kaine that he’s dealing with Linda’s father. Speaking of, the girl herself is also present (the blonde) – it’s been a long while since she’s last seen Kaine. As the guy freaks out that she was here, the tomboyish Rose also steps in.
Tap and Kaine are very surprised, having thought the three of them were still working at the refugee camp. Dianne will explain but, first, a formal introduction: this IS professor Langue Plato, creator of the Metal Armors and defector of the Giganos. Kaine’s having a bit of a hard time picturing this guy as Linda’s dad but he admits she took after her mother.
Douglas rather sternly tells Kaine to treat the good professor more respectfully – he is in fact the single greatest person the Federation has in the fight against the Giganos. Plato turns serious at this, saying that he's anything but; rather, he created that which caused the whole conflict in the first place.
It could well be said that it was his Metal Armors that enabled Guiltorre to wage his war and, thus, he seeks to atone for his sins by helping expedite the end of this conflict. That is why he brought the Dragonars to the Federation. Granted, many unforeseen events happened, which led to Kaine, Tap and Light being dragged into the whole mess. For that, Plato is truly sorry.
Kaine says it’s all under the bridge and, to top it off, Tap adds that they’re just about being dismissed from duty. So, that problem’s taken care of itself.
Bright raises the question of a few rumors he’d heard before, saying that the professor had died right after the war began, but Dianne says those were spread by the Giganos; all in the interest of maintaining morale and concealing his defection. In fact, she and her peers at the intelligence bureau were the ones who orchestrated his escape in the first place.
Tap’s shocked to find that that’s her job but she reminds him that she DID tell them back during their “going away party”, before the pilots were sent to the Aquapolis. Tap figured she was joking… but, regardless, Dianne’s mission since has been to stay with Linda and keep her safe. Light and co were never told that but Dianne points to the old “to fool the enemy, you must first fool your friends” standard.
Alright, Tap gets why Dianne and Linda are here but what about Rose? To answer that, she points to the glittering insignia on her collar. She’s been commissioned as a second lieutenant, you see, as she and Linda have been working as Plato’s assistants. And, for that matter, Linda’s a first lieutenant now. It slowly dawns on Kaine that their respective girls outrank them all, still basic airmen third class.
But Rose tells them not to stand on ceremony with them – just act as they did back when they were in the Idaho. Tap, however, is concerned about something else; namely, why in blazes did Rose join the military in the first place?! He tells her she should know very well how dangerous battle can be. Why wouldn't she choose the relative safety of the refugee camps over this base?
Rose says that she's here of her own volition: “I want to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible. If it doesn’t, there’s only be more and more people losing their families, as I did…”
Tap can only stay quiet after that but professor Plato is forced to cut the conversation short. Our situation is still critical, so they need to move fast: he wants to Dragonars brought to the factory, so they can get the combat data from Kaine and the others and start the Dragoon mass-production.
These mecha, incorporating the strong points of the three Dragonars, while also being both capable of unaided flight (unlike the MP MSs) and cheap to produce, should really help swing things in the Federation's favor on the front lines.
At the end of the day, Plato says, the situation is too complex to be reversed by a small bunch of special units like ours. Despite our strength, we cannot take part in all battlefields everywhere. Bright very much concurs with him.
On the other hand, however, the Dragoons cannot contend with the more unusual kinds of enemies like the Martial Successors and their Boson Jump-equipped units, the Tekkoryu mechs or the Dolems and Angels. That kind of stuff can only still be countered by us, so there’s still plenty of work on our plate.
Kaine and Tap are in deep thought after hearing all that but, regardless, professor Plato turns to them and says that, once the Dragonars’ data is in, their mission will be done. Which means their pilot registries will be cancelled – just as promised.
With that, he figures it’s best if we hurry: recently, an elite Giganos elite squadron has been attacking the Dragoon factories. Plato figures it’s Gon Jem – the “Disgrace of Giganos” – and his hated crew; once they hear of the Nahel Argama’s arrival, they’re expected to mount an all-out attack.
Kaine’s surprised that the base is doing so well despite facing these attacks and Plato says it’s all due to a rather skilled pilot. He should be arriving any second now…
And arrive, he does: Lt. Quattro Bajeena! He and Bright haven’t seen each other since the Gryps War’s Operation Maelstrom, and the captain is surprised to find him here.
It seems like he assisted in the professor’s escape and has been leading the Chongqing base’s defense team ever since. Still, Bright wouldn’t have expected Quattro to still be working with the Federation…
“It’s true that the Federation didn’t improve even after its battle with Haman… but I cannot sit by and watch as the Giganos Empire becomes a second Neo Zeon. Moreover, it seems this era still needs the strength of a man like me,” he says. Bright will not complain if he’s offering to help us again – Quattro’s more than welcome!
Later, Douglas reports how the Dragonars are already having their combat data taken in. That’s a load off Kaine’s shoulders, finally. After it’s all complete, it’ll be time for them to be discharged… granted, until the war’s actually over, they’ll have to stay under military supervision in an installation somewhere.
Kaine asks what gives but Light figures that’s to be expected: they HAVE been in contact with a military secret. In fact, they'd probably have already been put in front of a firing squad under ordinary circumstances. Kaine still isn’t happy but Dianne says this was the best that could be arranged, so he’ll have to make do with it.
Still, Tap asks, that means they won’t have to fight anymore, right? Right, they’ll be taken off the Nahel Argama team; Light also figures being cooped up in some base instead of out in the field will also greatly increase their survival chances.
Dianne also tells them that the upper brass values what the pilots did, and that they're all eligible for special military pensions and a reward after their discharge. How much? A total of two million bucks a piece.
Tap’s ecstatic: with that kind of cash, he could get his whole family living the good life and even start his own business. Indeed, that’s ONE of the options being presented to them.
Douglas says that the other option is for them to remain in the military and keep on fighting as part of the Nahel Argama team. In that case, they’d even be awarded the Salem Medal which is pretty much reserved for war heroes… but they’d forfeit the cash.
Tap scoffs at that “choice” and outright refuses, but Kaine doesn’t seem as certain. What gives? They just gotta hang on inside some base for a bit and, boom, two million bucks. And they won’t even need to fight anymore!
Still, Kaine is doubtful. He asks Dianne how long it’ll take to get their registries deleted and, considering it’ll take the better part of today to get the Dragonar data, it’s expected to only happen tomorrow. In that case, Kaine asks them to let him think his answer until then – Light also makes the same request. As they leave, Tap runs in pursuit and not in the best of moods.
When Dianne asks, Douglas confesses that he doesn’t know what they’ll choose. Still, it’s only thanks to those three that they managed to deliver the units intact. Even though those three have been a major headache to him, Douglas admits that he’ll miss them if they leave.
Oh? Does that mean he’s rooting for them to stay? N-No, of course not! They’ll obviously keep on being a pain in his ass if they don’t quit, so Douglas wants them gone pronto.
Hmhmm…
Back to our crew’s lounge, everyone’s watching as the Dragonar team returns; Kouji explains to Light that everyone was curious to see how things would go with them. Tap figures their choice is made and proclaims that they’ll be taking off.
Akira asks if he wouldn’t reconsider it but Tap sees no reason: it’s not like he started doing this because he gets a kick out of fighting. Akira doesn’t either but… Daisuke tells him to let it be. If this was their decision, then we haven’t the right to oppose it.
“Yeah. It’s best that cowards leave the ship ASAP,” Tetsuya sniffs. Light only sighs at his razor-sharp tongue but Kaine doesn’t appreciate it. Is he calling them cowards? Tetsuya doesn’t see how he could’ve made it any clearer but, again, it falls on Daisuke to try and calm things. If people don’t have to fight, then they shouldn’t.
“But those who have the means to fight are a different case. Throughout the world there are people who die without ever having a chance to protect what is dear to them; those who voluntarily walk away from that battle are nothing if not cowards,” Tetsuya protests and it seems to cut deep with Kaine.
Tap, however, argues that he never joined this war of his own free will – every bit of fighting he’s done thus far has been merely in order to survive. Tetsuya asks why he didn't simply flee all this time, then. Surely he had many chances to do so.
Tap can't answer that, and Kouji and Freed tell him to leave it be - if there is to be a parting of ways, at least let it be with a smile. Tetsuya puts in one last word: “if you leave the Dragonars now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your lives.”
Tap figures he’ll regret it if he doesn’t leave, so Tetsuya tells him to do whatever the hell he wants. Sounds good and Tap steps out the room. Light observes that this seems to be the very definition of walls talking to each other, and Tetsuya notes drily that he had figured the Dragonar pilots had more guts than this. Kaine seems twice as uncertain now.
Professor Plato peruses the Dragonar combat data and Kaine, Tap and Light exceeded all his expectations; Dianne sees that it wasn’t by chance that they survived this long. Indeed, they managed to make great use of the Dragonars’ proficiencies.
On that matter, Plato asks Linda about a certain other job that’s being done right now – the frames and parts have already been replaced, only the weapons are left. Quite faster than expected and Linda chalks it up to the production line the professor set up beforehand. They should be ready for some startup tests tomorrow… though this work might be for naught.
When Linda asks, Dianne relates how Kaine and Light needed time to think, despite Tap’s desire to bail out. Rose sighs at how the guy doesn’t get it at all but Linda doesn’t want to force any of them – even if it’ll mean wasting those three units.
Plato asks Dianne to call the pilots to him. Not to tell them about "that", but to get their feel on some Dragoons that had the Dragonar data ported into – what he has in mind is a small mock battle.
We cut elsewhere, finding prettyboy Jin reporting to uglyman Gon Jem that a certain duo has arrived. From what Gon’s been told, they want to use their time with his squad to put a certain prototype through its paces?
It’s the Medius crew and Albero confirms; when he introduces himself, Gon figures he heard the name somewhere. Min (pink hair) asks if they know each other but, no, it’s Gon’s first time meeting him. Still, the name is familiar, though he can’t place it… Jin quips that the years may be catching up to him.
Elde Mitte introduces herself at Min’s request and Jin’s quick to leer at the pretty lady. Would Albero care to “lend” her to him? He’ll make it worth his while.
Albero flatly refuses and Jin doesn’t like his attitude – he better watch his back on dark nights. It’s Min’s turn to take a jab at him, sniffing at how unsightly his jealousy is.
Goru, with his massive chin, is jealous of Albero and Ganan suggests he can always go and get together with Min. “Get real! Who’d ever want this fat gorilla?!” she snaps; Goru, who seems to be a bit touched in the head, freaks out and starts yelling that HE’S NO GORILLA!
The guy starts firing wildly with a machine gun and Ganan tells Goru to mind his manners, lest he worry their guests… like Elde is, right now. Min figures their squad’ll be a bit rough for a fine lady like her, though Elde tells her not to worry: her upbringing isn't as nice as it might look.
Min wonders aloud how long Elde's bravado will last, and Elde says it only has to last until her work here is done, at which point they'll leave. Jin sighs that spirited women like her are his type but, again, Ganan tells him to drop it. Her elderly knight is watching.Jin is more than willing to throw down but, inwardly, Albero is a bit surprised that this is an even more lawless bunch than he'd heard.
It’s then that Gon Jem remembers where he heard the name Albero Est – the commander of the Cry Wolves squad, special forces of the Federation filled with pretty skilled folks. But, with said commander here, Jin has to wonder whether he turned traitor or if his crew got wiped out.
Gon doesn't so much care about his past, but rather about what he intends to do now. Albero says that he simply wants to collect combat data from tangling with the Nahel Argama squad, and has no intention of stealing any of Gon's men's glory.
Albero offers to play decoy and lure the Nahel Argama while the rest of them lie in wait to attack. They don't even need to attack, but in that case, he'll withdraw. Finally, Albero even offers to pay Gon double for whatever he and Elde consume here.
Gon likes the cut of his jib and looks forward to seeing what the ex-Cry Wolf can do. He’ll, indeed, leave it up to Albero to draw the Argama team away; Gon tells him to make his own plan and execute whenever it looks good. Though they may or may not go along with it, depending on how they feel like. Albero harrumphs a confirmation.
Mission 18 (Chongqing Route) – Burning Heart, Flying High
Time for the Dragoon test and Kaine really likes the mech. It’s supposed to be even stronger than the Dragonars, even, and Light figures the Giganos will be shaking in their boots with these on the Federation’s side.
On this subject, Kaine asks Plato what will become the Dragonars themselves after they’ve left the army. They’ll be scrapped as soon as data collection is complete since they WERE originally made solely for that purpose; and since the mechs systems and whatnot have been fine tuned for these three pilots, it’d be very difficult to find new guys.
Kaine is mad that the Dragonars are being fired but Tap just shrugs at it. Light looks at it like they’ve reached the end of their life spans but Kaine isn’t taking it: “How are you guys OK with that? Think of all the times the Dragonars saved our asses!”
Tap knows but says that’s the way it is and, at least, Light points out that the Dragonars’ data will live on in the Dragoons; so it’s not like they’ll vanish completely. Even so, Kaine’s not letting this go. When Tap wonders when he’s gotten so attached to the things, Kaine protests that he always cares for stuff that’s helped him.
Professor Plato cuts in, ready to start the test, and Kaine asks if it wouldn’t be possible to stash the Dragonars away in a museum like the Mazinger. Plato tells him that the Dragonars are weapons and hanging onto an unused weapon is nothing but a waste.
But what if they stay in the army? Will the mechs be spared then? Light is a bit taken aback by how quickly Kaine’s making his mind and Tap still refuses to stay, reminding Kaine that their reward and pension would go up in smoke.
“Well, good to see that I’m not as cold-hearted as you two! Those Dragonars helped us so many times and they’re about to get trashed – but so long as you have your cash, it’s all good, right?!” Kaine yells. “And what the hell are you doing, playing white knight to some mechs?!” Tap fires back.
Douglas interrupts, telling all three of them to shut it and get on with the test. This will consist of AI-controlled Metal Armors to destroy, which Kaine moodily acknowledges. As the targets pop out, Douglas wonders if Kaine and the others will be able to pull this off since this is their first time piloting Dragoons.
They should, as Plato designed them to be easy to handle – wouldn’t make for a good mass-production model otherwise. Of course, because of that, they've also got a few limitations...
Ben has faith in those three and asks them to give their last mission everything they have.
For MP units, the Dragoons have a lot of stuff going on. They pretty much blow every UC Gundam grunt bots out of the water. On top of having equal stats to the Dragonars (and higher armor), they’re packing both short and long range weapons from the D-1 and D-2. The D-3 bit has given them all strong EWACs and jammers so, yes, these are absolutely game-changers.
As always, share those EWAC auras around to conserve SP.
: (God damn it… Isn’t there anything we can do for the Dragonars?)
The Gebais’ shields still keep them from being oneshotted.
Tap, as always, likes to take things on the chin.
The distant mooks are new: Dein MAFFUs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv2yuHupzYk
And here’s the Dragoons’ stronger weapon.
Enemy Phase!
Now, it’s cleanup time. All but one mook are weakened and that one just got oneshotted by a crit from Kaine.
And there they all go.
Linda confirms all targets down, though Rose reports that it took longer than the estimated time. But, how, Douglas asks? These units were tuned with their data, so there shouldn’t be any compatibility issues. Professor Plato sighs that the fault may lie with the Dragoons themselves.
Regardless, this served to identify a problem to be studied so Plato calls an end to the test. As Rose calls everyone to the hangar, Light figures the end of the line for them – and the Dragonars – is right around the corner now.
Tap sees the bummed look in Kaine’s face and tells him not to get any ideas – he’s still 100% leaving. But that’s a matter for another time: the alarm sounds, signaling an enemy raid. All the more reason for them to haul ass to the hangar right the hell now, Tap figures.
On Bright’s command, Torres reports a force of about fifty Metal Armors some thirty kilometers east of the base and they’re headed right this way; looks like they really are coming to level the whole place. So, Quattro asks Bright to leave him to guard the base while the Nahel Argama team intercepts the enemy.
Bright agrees and is already leaving when Kaine asks them to wait – he’s coming with. The enemy’s coming right over, so how can the three of them, alone, be running off to take shelter? Duke and Sai, however, object that there’s no need for them to fight anymore, so they should let us handle it.
As the Nahel Argama takes off, Quattro deploys with a bevy of Dragoons and tells Kaine and co to head inside. If they stay here, they might be drawn into the battle proper. Tap doesn’t need to be told twice but they’re interrupted when another alarm sounds: it’s the enemy!
The Gon Jem squad pops out of the woodwork with a bunch of troops and, seeing the actual Gon Jem command units here, Quattro now realizes that the massive force due east was a feint.
Gon is very happy to see the shiny Dragoon prototypes here to welcome them, though Ganan takes them to be rather puny-looking compared to the rumors. Min agrees: those things are centuries away from being able to tangle with them.
Jin confirms that the Nahel Argama took Albero’s bait hook, line and sinker – grandpa's got skills to back his attitude, Ganan admits. With that, Gon has Jin jam the base’s comms to stop us from being called back.
Indeed, when Rose tries, she can’t establish a line with the ship.
Now that all hell has broken loose, Kaine only sees one option: they need to join in on the fight as well or Linda, Rose and everyone else will be in serious danger. Tap doesn’t like it but he concedes his point.
Th Gon Jem squad is moving in and Linda knows the situation is very much against the defenders, so professor Plato makes a request of her: “have those three units ready for launch immediately.”
Dianne asks if he’s going to have Kaine, Tap and Light use those for this and, indeed, he is. After all, those mechs were developed with that in mind. They haven’t been tested yet but Plato says they’ll just have bet on their capacity of overcoming hardships.
The professor gets in touch with Quattro to let him know what’s up, asking that he buy them time to get the machines ready. He’s surprised but sees that we’ve no other choice right now and confirms.
With all that in mind, Quattro asks Kaine’s group to keep at the rear; Kaine’s not having it, asking Quattro’s team to watch THEIR backs. Light agrees, saying that they’ve a lot more experienced handling Dragonar-style mechs than the faceless mooks that the lieutenant’s brought.
Quattro insists, telling that Plato will be sortieing some new prototypes that need guarding for now. “New prototypes? He had something other than the Dragoons here?” Kaine asks; “And who did they choose as the pilots? We didn’t hear of any new guys coming around!” Light adds.
“No, the pilots are already here,” Quattro huffs and Kaine doesn’t get the message. But, whatever, the priority now is keeping the base safe, so Quattro’s off to lead the charge.
We can’t lose any named guys but the Dragoon mooks are freebies. Which is good because while their units are fine, they will get trounced by any of the Gon Jem guys.
It’s still their turn but only Ganan and Jin’s mooks start coming in – still out of range.
But that actually helps speed things up because the plot kicks in precisely at the player turn following the Giganos’ arrival!
Player Phase!
: Oho… these guys ain’t half bad – I reckon they musta made it through some tough bits. : Still, to me… they got more openings than swiss cheese!*Gon Jem charges after Kaine.*
: Wh-what the hell?!
: Damn…! Wakaba, pull back!: Hahahaha! Too late for that, sonny!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dDC-ufFj4
: Uurgh...!
: K-Kaine!
: Not good! Light!
: We can’t cover him against that! Kaine, you have to back off right now!: Crap…! The Vernier’s wrecked…!: Wahahaha! These things really ain’t all that, eh?
: Bite me! This is our first time piloting these!: Aw, boo-hoo! Sucks to be ya!e: Damn it…! If we had the Dragonars with us, then…!: Say yer prayers, sonny! I’m about to chop ya up but good!
: HOLD IT!!
: Wh-wh-wh-wh-whozzat?!
: W-Where are you?! Show yourself!
: It’s…?!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM3590frEY
Captions are always available.
: Those who become drunk on their own strength are fated to be undone by those with even greater might…: And, at that point, they shall curse their ignorance.: That is what people call… mortality!
: Where is he?!: H-He’s…!: Huuh?!: C-Colonel! He’s on your head! 
: Waah?! Who the hell are ya?!
“You do not deserve to know my name!”
: Where there is darkness, there is light. Where there is evil, there is justice…: The emissary of the heavens, Kenryuu, has arrived! : Shut your trap! You’ve got balls picking a fight with the Gon Jem Squad!: Ya came to the wrong neighborhood! This ain’t no place for weirdos!
: However, I refuse to overlook villains such as you lot…! Just as I will not forsake those who fight in the name of justice!: Say what?! Then I’ll just kill ya first, ya bigheaded sumbitch! 
: He… He came to help us?
: Just who is that man…?!: I don’t know a whole lot… but he always shows up at the right time.
: Go; allow me to handle this. The power of the new dragons awaits you…!: Power of what?!: (Is he talking about those…?): There’s no time for doubt! You must go and lay claim to that new strength by your own will!: Ah? Huuh?!
: Wakaba, Oceano, Newman! Hangar #3 – now!
: You, too, Lt.? What’s everyone yelling about?!
: Is there something in that hangar?!: You’ll see once you get there. And if you want to survive this, you’ll do as told!: A-Alright! Tap, Light, let’s go!: R-Right!: Rrrgh, I don’t really have a choice now, do I?!*Kaine, Tap and Light run into the hangar.*
: Psh, ya put on that whole show just for them to run off? It ain’t gonna help with jack, though!: They did not escape… rather, they’ll return and soon! And until then, you’ll have to contend with me!: Works for me! Put up yer dukes!While I could have Rom tangle with Gon Jem, it’s wiser to bring him back to cover Quattro’s team. This is also good to draw in the midbosses.
Speaking of Quattro:
Full Armor Hyaku Shiki Kai (Quattro Bajeena)
Pilot Skills:
- Newtype L4
- Sword Cut L5
- Shield Defense L5
- E-Save
- Focus (10)
- Mercy (5)
- Fury (30)
- Valor (40)
- Anti-Beam Coating – Beam damage reduced by 700
Quattro, as you’d expect, is a great pilot. He and Amuro go back-and-forth between stat advantages but they’re pretty much tied – it’s only in the Melee stat that Quattro has a decent advantage (though Amuro’s eventually a lot dodgier due to his stronger Newtype skill).
You can absolutely field Quattro and that’s especially true here because he has an actually GOOD default unit. The FA Hyaku Shiki blows its original frame out of the water, being superior in all accounts – even mobility and that usually goes down in FA units.
The only problem, however, is its average attack power. First off, its best attack is the MAPW which isn’t too useful against bosses and, worse, it’s got no combined attacks. This puts it behind the Z, ZZ and even the Qubeleys in raw damage potential… but, in truth, the same also applies to the Nu (which is still stronger than the FA Hyaku Shiki).
Summarizing: this is a great mook-hunting MS which’ll lag a bit behind against bosses. Not a problem here since they’ll all die easily but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re playing MXP.
Let’s get to work. With the Dragoons’ EWACs, Quattro’s in a very safe position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1sjguK5Ww0
Almost but not quite.
Meanwhile, Rom moves on over and takes aim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFEaxhZ6Nv0
ROM STOLL, BANZAAAAAAAI!
Enemy Phase!
The generics will, of course, jump at the chance to steal our kills.
They can also outright oneshot Giganos Metal Armors if they get a lucky crit, so that’s three Dauzehns for them. Quattro manages to take one.
The Dollas play ball and go after Rom, though. I’ll try to refrain from making any “holla, holla” jokes.
Once Rom reaches 130 morale…
: Oh, heaven and earth… fire and water… Grant me power!
: PIIIIILE FOOOOOOORMATION!!
: VIIIIIKUNGFU!
: Did he…?!
: No idea, but that was so cool!
: Hmm… Maybe I should have thought of a flashier way to introduce the Dragoons…? (This line only appears if Plato is back at the command center, after the following event.)
You fucked up now, son.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzrIFXVcyk4
Two of my favorite MX things, in one video: Rom and that loud-as-hell Giganos mook.
Player Phase!
: Professor Plato! Our Dragonars are in here, right?! We need them ready to launch like yesterday!: Patience. We’re raising the hangar right now.: This is the last time, Kaine! Once this battle’s over—: Shut it – I’ve already made my choice here! : Even if I left the army, there’s no way I could live in peace with groups like the Giganos, Tekkoryu and Gulfer around! So I’d rather go and get rid of them myself!: And what about all the risks? This’ll only make it more likely for you to get killed!
: That’s all up to fate. No one knows what tomorrow’ll bring…: Besides… it really wouldn’t feel right to bail on this when even kids younger than us are working so hard. : And the reward?! That’s two million dollars! Two million!: To hell with that, is what I say!
: Sorry, Tap. You’re gonna have to turn businessman by your lonesome.: Argh, you’re both idiots! How the hell can you throw away two million bucks?!
: Because we got something way more valuable than that.: Oi… you’re gonna make a speech about friendship, camaraderie and all that, aren’t you?: Ah? You know what I’m getting at, then?*Ka-chunk!*
: There. The set-up is finished.: Wh-what the! The D-1’s different!: My D-2, too…!: And the D-3… actually, it’s the same?: What’s with all this, professor…?!: When they made it here, the Dragonars fulfilled their duty as prototypes; afterwards, the idea was that they’d become fixtures of the Nahel Argama team. With that in mind, we decided that they needed an increase in firepower. : Thus, we gave them upgrades.: Then these are…!: The Dragonars, reborn – the D-1 and D-2 Customs. In my eyes, these are their proper forms… and they are yours.: Wooow! Creeps like that guy, Gon Jem, are gonna be no problem with this baby!: Um… and what about my D-3?: Though it looks the same on the outside, its internal armor and systems have all been enhanced. : I guess that makes sense. This IS a mech that fights with what’s inside.: Alright! Time for the reborn Dragonar Team to lift off!
: Hold on now. If you head out with the custom models, won’t it give the idea that you’ve given up on leaving the army? Are you alright with that?: You can ask me two hundred times and I’ll always pass on it!: We wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t made up our minds on that.: Hrm.. but…: … Tap.: F-Fine, fine! I’m coming with you!: Are you capable of this? I know it’s all rather sudden but…: Heheh… Ain’t the first time this has happened, right?: Hah, true. Then, please, get aboard ASAP.
: What the hell are Kaine and the others doing in there?!
: You’ll know soon enough. Very soon…
: “Very soon”?: Yes. I have faith in them… That Kaine, Tap and Light will, of their own free will, help pave the way for our future!: “The way for our future”…?: … Are we clear? The remodeled Dragonars have all had their output and mobility increased, so be very careful not to lose control.: Roger that!: Very well, then. Open the hatch! Let the true dragoons take flight!
: Uh?! The hell?!: Here we go, Dragonar!!*All three Dragonars charge forward.*
: W-Whoa! This girl’s got a whole lot more power, alright!: Hah, they’re not custom models for nothing!: A-Are those… the Dragonars?!: These are still the Dragonars, yeah, but we are the Dragonar commando unit reborn!
: They managed to get them up and running, huh…?
: N-New Dragonars…?! When did they make those?!: Prof. Plato had devised the upgrade plans while he was developing the Dragoons. So all that was left was wait for the main ingredients to arrive.
: … Those morons. There’s no going back now that they’ve gotten on those things…!: L-Lieutenant?: But… that’s exactly what I’d expect of them. 2nd Lt. Patterson, coordinate with Airman Newman and contact the Nahel Argama. : I’d rather not leave all this up to those three any more than we already have. Too risky.: Y-Yes, sir!: Lt…: We went through hell to get these Dragonars all the way here… so we’ll do everything in our power to keep them flying!: Yes, sir!: Pfeheheh… so they changed a bit. That don’t mean anything! : Come on, people! Rip them kids apart!: Yeah, keep talking! We’re gonna be pulling the plug on your party right the hell now!: Go forth; show me the strength of the new dragons!: Right on! Let’s do this thing, Tap, Light! : Aye, aye!