The Let's Play Archive

Super Robot Wars MX

by Brunom1

Part 33: Mission 18 (Moon Route) - Fugitives From Mars


We open up in a secret location, with young Jun recounting the history of Jovians. General Kusakabe, leader of the old Jovian Federation, preached relentless opposition to Earth; that is, until a faction of moderate officers ousted him after finding out the guy ordered the assassination of a fellow Jovian soldier, one Tsukumo Shiratori.
Genpachirou Akiyama was part of that faction’s leadership and gets quite nostalgic over hearing that history lesson. He still remembers their old motto of “fervor is not blind obedience” – quite the impactful line, Prospector quips.
After Kusakabe was ousted, he went into hiding… until recently, that is. Genpachirou apologizes on behalf of his fellow Jovians but Misumaru isn’t angry. Regardless, data sent by Ruri shows that Kusakabe has quite a few supporters in his crew, including (but not limited to) soldiers, politicians and scientists involved in the Hisago Plan.

Misumaru notes drily that it appears that all the work the Federation did for the Hisago Plan was for Kusakabe’s own benefit. Jun sighs that that’s how it all turned out, yes; furthermore, according to Ruri’s intel, the main advocate of the plan itself was the Crimson Group. It seems that said Anti-Nergal corporation has been working with Kusakabe since the Lizard War.
They’d ordered the Nadesico B to look into the Hisago Plan in order to find out more about this but, of course, now they know that even the folks in charge of the plan were involved. Prospector briefly laments that had Azuma been a bit more cooperative, this all could have been nipped in the bud.



Jun reports that the Successors have busily been taking over all the Terminal Colonies an securing the Martian airspace. Their main force returned from Amaterasu with the Boson Jump Core and have set up shop at the Hisago Plan’s central point: Iwato, the ruins at the martian polar cap.
Which means, Prospector notes, that the Boson Jump unit has returned home. Everything’s looking pretty bad. And what about Little Baam, which had moved over the Mars? Jun figures its already fallen under the Martian Successors’ control. Any escapees? Unknown, but Jun isn’t hopeful.
Still, it’s pretty clear to Genpachirou and Prospector that the Successors’ first objective has been to take over all forms of warp-based transportation. Little Baam has that warp drive but, thankfully, the thing had been broken at the end of the Baam War and Erika, the Baamian leader, never had it fixed for fear that it’d be misused again. That’s a silver lining for us.

On the subject of the disappearances of various A-Class Jumpers, Prospector is quite certain that the Successors are behind them in order to secure their monopoly of Boson Jump tech. So, they were behind not only Yurika and Akito’s “accident” but, also, Ines’ plane crash? Prospector thinks so and that means we’ve no A-Class Jumpers on our side. Plus, with the control unit under their control, we’re essentially blocked from any Boson Jumping.
Genpachirou isn’t surprised at this course of action, as Kusakabe always preached the danger and importance of Boson Jumps. Jun angrily says that that's rather small comfort to those on the receiving end and Genpachirou can only agree.



Misumaru asks Genpachirou what sort of man Kusakabe is, considering he used to be one of the guy’s top officers. He describes him as a passionate lover of justice, a man who would die for his ideals. His biggest flaw is the firm belief that his own ideals are the ideals everyone else should have.
Genpachirou is sure that Kusakabe's next move will be to use Boson Jumps to take over assorted Federation facilities in one fell swoop and Jun wants a top level alert issued immediately. Prospector tells him to calm down - Kusakabe hardly has full control over the system yet. Jun demands to know how he could possibly know that, and Misumaru points out that if they did, this base would already be cinders.
Of course, it's just a matter of time and Prospector figures the Successors have allied themselves with the Giganos to keep the world busy while they get things sorted out with the control device. However, once that’s done – or if they manage to repair Little Baam’s warp drive – they’ll attack in earnest.

On that subject, Misumaru asks what are the chances they’ll use Little Baam for military purposes? Unlikely, as Genpachirou relates how the place was completely disarmed after the war ended. Plus, many of the Jovians were deeply touched by Admiral Richter’s heroic death – Kusakabe wouldn’t slaughter the Baamians.
Still, he’ll likely Erika hostage in order to force her people to repair the warp drive. Jun asks how we’ll react to that and Genpachirou suggests we wait and see for now. Jun doesn’t like it but Prospector explains that the Successors will need time and they’ll also need to contend with the Vegans and Gulfer.
That said, it’s not like we won’t be doing anything. In this situation, where friend and foes aren’t yet clearly defined, they’ll apply guerilla tactics to disrupt the Successors as much as they can.

Jun wants to see the full might of the Federation massed and while Genpachirou knows how he feels, the army has too much on their plate for that, what with the Giganos, Gulfer, MU, Hundred Demons, Tekkoryu, Vegans and Angels.
When Jun continues to frown, Genpachirou notes with some amusement that a former Nadesico crewman isn't in a good position to criticize the use of guerilla tactics – isn’t that how they brought the Lizard War to a close?
He's got something on the burner in any case, though he needs the Nadesico and Nahel Argama to buy some time before it'll be done.



Location: Giganos Empire



Dan comes bearing intel that the Nadesico B is headed for Earth to join up with the Nahel Argama team. There’s also word that Kaine and friends have their new Dragonars, and that the Dragoons have begun mass production.
Obviously the Gon Jem squad failed to take them down – Dan takes this to mean that they, the Practice Squad, are the ones who must make that happen. Karl requests that Maillot give the order to deploy, so they can sink the Nadesico and cut our team’s forces in half.
He’s considering it but, right then, Albero walks in and asks to take that mission. Maillot’s surprised to see his Kyoto cooperator up here in space and Dan exposits the stuff about the Cry Wolves. As before, Albero says he’s working with the Giganos to gather data with the Medius.

He explains that he'll be headed to Earth shortly to join up with Gon Jem but, before that, he’s got a little “souvenir” he’d like to pick up. Werner figures that kind of selfish reason has nothing to do with the, but Maillot gives Albero the go-ahead.
Albero sneers and says he'll handle the external enemies, and tells Maillot to worry about his internal enemies. After he leaves, the groupies wonder if he's referring to Dorchenov and Maillot realizes that if an outsider can read this much, Dorchenov must be very close to rocking the entire boat. Something must be done about that guy...



Back at the Nadesico, we’re just about ready for our atmospheric reentry when the alarm sounds. Harry pings an ongoing battle at a nearby sector: one of the parties is the Giganos but the other is unknown. It’s not broadcasting an IFF, so Vega ponders that it may not be friendly.
Can it be the Gulfer? No, as Vega says GEAR HQ would’ve gotten in touch. Vegans, maybe? Who knows but, at this range, they won’t be able to reach us in time. Ruri agrees and wants to continue our descent but Amuro, just to be safe, wants to check some satellite videos of the battle.
Once it comes in, Domon and Rain are shocked.



Mission 18 (Moon Route) – Fugitives From Mars



Kazuya, pilot of the Daimos, finds himself is a rather precarious position with his team. They were hiding their IFF in hopes of slipping by hostiles but that obviously didn’t happen.
Nana’s very worried but afro samurai, Kyoshiro, tells her to calm down – Earth’s right there. Yes, their ship just got totaled, but they cannot give up; they have to make landfall and report what they know. Kazuya agrees, unwilling to die until he’s found Bright.
Meanwhile, Albero isn't sure why he's helping chase a random Super when their target is the Nadesico; Elde says it’s important, though, as the Daimos’ power source would make a valuable sample for AI1. She’d like to have it, if possible.
There’s the same convo as before only, this time, Elde’s seen some footage from the end of the Baam War, where Daimos unleashed all his Daimolight and the mech itself became energy for a moment. That’ll be good to help AI1 grow. Ultimately, Albero agrees and tells the Gebais to wear it down, whereupon the Deins will capture the mech.



Kyoshiro spots the mooks coming in for the kill and Kazuya tells them to make a run for it – he’ll hold the line while the head into Earth. Nana doesn’t like it one bit but Kazuya tells her to remember what they actually came here for.
She still yells against it, asking if Kazuya wants to throw his life away. Kazuya thinks for a bit and says hell, no – he’s survived all the stuff up to this point, right? He promises to rejoin them and, together, they’ll get back to Erika.
Kyoshiro is willing to believe him and argues for Nana to consider what’s been going on with Kazuya during all this. Wracked by heartache, he fled from Mars and made a beeline to Earth – all so could save not just Erika but the entire Earth Sphere. Just as he did during the Baam War.
Nana understands, which means they need to survive this and fulfill their mission. Kyoshiro tags the exit spot and off they go, though Nana makes Kazuya promise not to die.

: Alright. Troops, open fire!
: Come on, then!




: I, Kazuya Ryuzaki, won’t bend my knee to your kind!



Mission Objective: The Gulver FXII reaches the marked spot
Mission Failure: Any friendly unit shot down

Ohohoho, you fucked up, Albero; Kazuya could solo this whole damn mission if I wanted him to. To make things worse for them, they allowed him to park over a resupply satellite which is constantly restoring 20% HP and EN on top of giving a defense boost.
Kyoshiro knows Accelerate, so send him past the blockade (with Nana using Focus, just to be safe) and he’ll reach the point in three turns.



Gulver FXII (Kyoshiro Yuzuki/Nana Izumi)
Pilot Skills:
Spirit Commands - Kyoshiro:
Spirit Commands – Nana:
Mech Features:
Kyoshiro’s Voice Actor: Kazuyuki Sogabe (other known works: Psycho Mantis in MGS, Milan in Turn A, Android #13 in DBZ and several more)
Nana’s Voice Actress: Konami Yoshida (other known works: Umi in Rayearth, Hana in Gaogaigar, Dorothy in Gundam 0080 and several more)

Take everything I said about the Cell Fighter, and apply here. The Gulver is dodgier due to being smaller and having S ranks in air and space but, in contrast, Kirakuni and Eris are a better pilot/support duo (only by a little bit, mind).
But screw them, they’re not the important guys here.


Daimos (Kazuya Ryuzaki)
Pilot Skills:
Spirit Commands:
Kazuya’s Voice Actor: AKIRA KAMIYAAAAAAAAAA

The third member of our kung-fu trinity, Kazuya always is a monster of a pilot. He’s bulky, he’s powerful, he’s accurate and he REALLY likes to parry stuff. His post-movement range isn’t the best but his “weakest” attack (it’s got 3200 power, which is still pretty strong) is 1-7, pre-movement.
Kazuya’s meant to jump right in and start kicking everything’s asses, just like Rom. The biggest issue here is EN consumption and that can be fixed. Always use Kazuya.



Only a trio of Draus in Kyoshiro’s way, so we’ll have him tangle with one.








Yeah, whatever.



You!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW7mxLfSwO4
Kazuya says screw your shield.



”Is that all? You better not hold anything back!”
Elde sees that Kazuya’s as strong as the data suggested but Albero isn’t surprised – this IS the guy who brought the Baam War to an end.



Enemy Phase!



Amusingly, because Albero told everyone else to stay put, the other Draus don’t do anything against Kyoshiro since he’s out of range of their pre-movement attack.



Daimo-shaft only has two shots, so Kazuya limits himself to leaving all Gebais in the red and taking nearly no damage (which’ll be healed come our turn).


Player Phase!



Bye.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzO3qEEoxlA




”Come on! Keep ‘em coming!”
Kazuya’s still going strong, Elde sees, and Nana ignores the building massacre to still worry about him. Kyoshiro tells her to focus, as they need to take care of themselves right now.



Enemy Phase!



There go the last two Gebais.


: This should be enough time, Albero.
: Hm… Move in and capture the Daimos.
: I won’t be beaten…! I can’t!
: I tip my hat to your spirit… Kazuya Ryuzaki.
: !
: But don’t worry. I’ve no intention of killing you.
: What…?
: Our interest lies with your Daimos… specifically, it’s power source.
: Its power source…? Why? What are you getting at?!
: You don’t need to know why. Just be quiet and come with us.
: Not happening! I have to get to Earth – for Erika, too!
: … Of course, he’s not going to obey.
: Then we’ll just have to use force…!
: HOLD IT!!
: Hm?!





: That’s…!
: Can it be…?!
: Heh… I didn’t expect him to be around here…!
: It’s been a while, Kazuya Ryuzaki!
: D-Domon… Domon Kasshu!
: Yes… I’ve come to lend you a hand!
: But why did you…?
: Because of our previous showdown. We never quite decided who the champion of the Colonial Tournament was!
: You…!
: Remember our battle…! Every blow we exchanged with each other!





: We’ve to survive through this if we’re to settle that matter, Kazuya Ryuzaki!
: Of course – that’s exactly what I want!



: Ah?! The Daimolight energy… What in blazes are these readings?!
: Hah, that’s his fighting spirit at work, see?
: That’s impossible. While the God Gundam’s equipped with an emotion-energy system, he—
: The Daimos is a mech that unites man and machine. It is possible.
: Machinery that directly reacts to a person’s emotions… that’s senseless. Unreliable components like those should be stripped from weapons – even the Devil Gundam was ultimately destroyed because that hadn’t been done.
: Still, it’s back now. Isn’t that also due to human intent and emotion?
: And control units like AI1 exist precisely to eliminate the chances of such mistakes being made.
: Hmph. You’ve no clue about the human will or the essence of power, do you? I bet that’s why you had the DFC System removed from the Medius.
: I’ll concede that you’re somewhat correct, yes. It’s for that reason that I chose you as the pilot.
: Well, whatever; having this debate won’t get us anywhere. If the God Gundam’s around, then Hugo should also be here soon. When it happens, we’ll carry out our original mission.
: Understood.



Player Phase!



Kyoshiro reaches the marked spot and the Nadesico arrives (though it would’ve happened if you also did some damage to Albero).
When Domon asks, Chibodee says they couldn’t let him hog the spotlight; Kazuya’s also a friend of theirs, George adds. Furthermore, Beecha points out, what would be of the martial arts community if they lost both Domon and Kazuya here (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA).
And, to top it off, we’ve some pretty big fans of theirs here – like Ginga. Harry asks if they really needed to make this detour, as it messed up their reentry and Domon DID bring Fuunsaiki so he could meet up with us later. Ryouko asks what kind of man he is to be talking like that but Harry only stammers that he’s trying to think of the big picture.
Ruri agrees with him but figures Kazuya’s group has intel on the Martian Successors, so we need to get that right now. Furthermore, she doesn’t want to regret not saving people she could save later.



As everyone deploys, Hugo goes and has the same convo as the other side with Albero and off we go.



The leftover Draus make for some good experience for the ZZ kids. Iino gets a boost to Newtype.



Beecha’s back in the Hyaku Shiki and he’s gotta catch up to Mondo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlPhrH2oQgA
Aaay, Saburouta’s still got his Super Robot spirit.



Ryouko and Rain already reach the Deins.



As everyone moves onward, Domon guns for the farthest mook. We’ll try and draw in Albero’s group closer.








That’s a very dead Dein.


Enemy Phase!



Kazuya’s hanging by his private satellite and the troops are very willing to walk over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCt09r7mh-w
HO-ATAA!



Judau and Hugo each wreck a Drau that looks at them wrong.



Player Phase!



Finally! I’ve been looking for a chance to use Domon’s MAPW but everything died before I could!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5bdBe3KKiw
I miss you, Master Asia!



Domon gets another level, learning Assisted Attack L2. I normally wouldn’t be letting him hog all these kills but I can’t help myself.



Puru and Ginga take the last mooks, so all that’s left is Albero.



: I don’t really know the whole story here, but if you’re gunning for us, then I’ll give you what for!
: Chibodee Crockett of the Shuffle Alliance… I’ll gladly take this challenge! See, my vendetta also extends to you!
: Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?!
: I'm done chatting, I'm afraid!















: Whatever your problem is, your attacks are being a real pain in our butts!
: In truth, I’ve no issue with your group… Still, I swore that I’d make the Medius perfect – I will not suffer the grief of that day again!









: Fighting you will be very education to the Medius, Amuro Ray!
: He’s strong…! Is it because of his mech’s power…? No, it’s because of his iron will!













: Very good, Kazuya Ryuzaki. Your strength, and the Daimolight data, will be fine food for the Medius!
: “Food”…? You’re not a Giganos, are you?
: Tell me! What did you attack me for?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVtkTjEoMR0
DAIMO KIIIIIIIICK!



More Prevail for Kazuya. Notable drops are a Super Alloy Z, Cartridge and Megabooster (Movement +2)



Events also play out as before, with the Medius escaping via Elde’s explosion.
That’s all enemies gone, so Ruri has Harry restart out descent into Earth.



Location: Martian Polar Cap – Iwato Ruins



Kusakabe, as expected, wants Erika’s cooperation but she’s firmly refusing to surrender Little Baam’s warp drive to him. Shinjou asks her to consider the situation as Little Baam is already fully under the Successor’s control – the device itself IS theirs already.
But the thing is still broken since the end of the Baam War and that’s the way it stayed all this time. Indeed, and Shinjou demands the Baamians apply their know-how and get the thing fixed. Erika doesn’t budge, so long as they intend on using the device for their selfish agenda.
Shinjou says their cause isn’t selfish at all, everything they’re doing is to crush the Federation – it is a righteous battle! Erika informs him that all his rhetoric doesn't erase the fact that those who would steal the lives of others cannot be deemed righteous. Furthermore, she tells Shinjou that they ought to abandon Mars and Little Baam at once and hand themselves in to the Federation.
Kusakabe admires the spirit of Marshal Rion’s daughter and Admiral Richter’s sister, willing to risk even her own life for what she perceives as being just. At length, he notes that while they’re called MARTIAN Successors, they originally lived in Jupiter; it was there that many of his people beheld the end of the Baam War.



And his point is? They observed her brother’s final moments, and saw in him a true warrior and commander. Erika would rather they not glorify Richter’s death but Kusakabe notes that had he not struck down the traitorous Olban, the war wouldn’t have ended. Thus, his spirit, courage and resolve left a deep mark on all the Jovians.
Erika counters that her brother is also guilty of countless innocent Earthling deaths, and that it was his desire to repay that debt that led him to lay down his life. Shinjou sniffs that they're admiring her brother, and she angrily asks if they’re prepared to do what her brother did? Would they end their own lives in recompense for the lives of others they’ve taken with their acts?
She asks if they know the words "fervor is not blind obedience" and, of course, Kusakabe does. Well, Erika takes both their groups to be wholly irreconcilable and that’s that. Shinjou then puts the Successors’ cards on the table: they want the warp drive fixed and if the Baamians won’t comply, then they can’t guarantee their safety. And that includes her.

Kusakabe can see that her spirit won’t break easy, even against such threats. But what about the other way around? She’s the beloved leader of all the Baamians, the one who, after a long voyage through space, secured a new home and now leads them. Surely the people themselves would accept ANY demand, if it meant Erika’s safety.
Erika frowns at their filthy tactics, though Shinjou says that those who trail the path of righteousness must remove those who’d impede their trek. Kusakabe declares that Erika will be under arrest and if the Baamians do as told, then no harm will come to her or them.
Erika stands firm and Shinjou asks if she’d remain so if she knew danger about to befall Kazuya? Kusakabe knows of how he, and his companions, escaped Mars for Earth; of course, pursuers are already catching up to try and seize him. The Successors will use any and all means to secure victory – just as they did to Yurika.

At length, Erika tells them to go and try to do whatever they want with Kazuya. She’d abandon even him for her morals? “No. Kazuya isn’t the type of man to simply bow down to you people; he’ll go on fighting for what’s right even if he’s the only one left. His bravery and conviction inspire many… and his fists will always destroy evil,” Erika proclaims.
Kusakabe is willing to pit their righteousness with hers and Kazuya’s – time will tell which will be victorious. Kusakabe tells Shinjou to lock her up, but to do so courteously.



Erika reunites with her servant, Margaret, who’d also been jailed, and tells her what’s going on. She’s just as outraged that they’d take Erika hostage to force the Baamians to fix the warp drive.
The princess is rather silent and Margaret tells her not to be considering anything stupid such as taking her life to not burden the people. She won’t allow that. Erika isn’t about to do that, though, as life itself is the ultimate victory – by choosing death, she’d be conceding defeat and doing away with all hope.
Besides, Kazuya swore to her that he’d return and she believes he will. Erika isn’t a stranger to this sort of suffering due to the battle between Earth and Baam – it was by not giving in that they managed to emerge victorious. And they must do so again. Margaret is proud of what a fine lady she’s become; Rion and Richter would be overjoyed if they were alive.
Inwardly, Erika tells Kazuya that she believes he’ll save the Baamian people. Meanwhile, to Richter, she promises to do everything in her power to defend them and the future he secured.



Back in Giganos, Dorchenov is freaking out: they need to Mass Drive the crap out of Earth before the Federation starts fielding the Dragoons it’s now mass producing!
He tells Guiltorre that several other generals agree, and doing so is the best way to secure a quick and bloodless (to the Giganos) victory. Guiltorre doesn’t budge, though, reiterating his previous decision that the Mass Driver will not be used again.
Dorchenov asks why he is being so lenient. Sacrifices must be made if they’re to make the Giganos ideals a reality! However, using the Mass Driver would mean not only that the peoples’ blood would be spilled but that of the world as well. Large-scale Mass Driver strikes would destroy nature and pollute the land – there’d be no point in what they’re doing if they end up turning Mother Earth into a barren rock.
He tells Dorchenov that their enemy is the corruption in the Federation, not the world itself. Earth is a treasure whose beauty must be preserved and, thus, he plans on keeping the Mass Driver as nothing more than a threat.
Dorchenov is further appalled: “Uurgh…! Giganos will be finished if the tide doesn’t turn! I have to do something before the Feds attack…!” he thinks.



Aboard the Nadesico, Kazuya relates the situation with the Successors and Erika’s capture by Kusakabe’s group of assassins (them Hokushin guys). It was because of their intervention that Kazuya was unable to rescue Erika when he fled Mars.
Nana consoles him that there was nothing he could have done in that situation and Ryouko sees that they went through the same we did. Kazuya asks Ruri to let him join the squad, so he can rescue Erika and thwart the Martian Successors' plans. Ruri allows it but warns that it may be a bit before we can head to Mars.
Kazuya demands to know why, considering we’re dealing with terrorists with teleportation tech – if they don’t do something and quick, Earth’ll be finished. Problem is, Saburouta says, we have a whole lot of other problems that require just as much attention and we’re returning to Earth now precisely to also boost our forces.

When Kazuya still bristles, Domon explains that the situation on Earth is worse than he imagines… there are many foes we need to dispatch. And there’s time before the Successors can. Kyoshiro also argues that Ruri’s obviously in the same situation as him, wanting to rescue Yurika ASAP, so he’s not the only one having a hard time here.
That gets Kazuya to calm down and he apologizes for his yelling, though Ruri doesn’t hold it against him. First off, once our descent is finished, we’ll head to GEAR HQ.



Cue the scene between Hugo and Aqua, and here begins the process of getting our folks up to speed on everything that happened on the other path. I’ll skip most of these but, some amusing notes:




: It’s been a long time, Char. Since the Gryps War, wasn’t it?
: Have you come to laugh at me for remaining a pilot?
: That applies to both of us, no?
: …
: You can be honest with me. The battle against Haman worn you out, hm?
: You noticed…?
: She wanted to take the reins of humanity under the guise of acting in the name of the Zabi family… Her methods notwithstanding, you empathized with her desires as you fought, didn’t you?
: … I won’t deny it.
: And because of that, you seem to be unsure of what you should do after witnessing Neo Zeon’s defeat.
: You’re worried I’ll take up Haman’s torch, is that what you’re getting at?
: Hmm… I’d rather not think about that with the way things are now. Zeon fell but the Giganos rose right after… they’re the problem at hand.
: Right. This era is mired in a continuous loop of conflict – a loop that must be broken if humanity is to be guided in a better direction.
: And, so, you remained a pilot…
: In that case, I’ll say no more. I look forward to working with you again, Char.
: Me too, Amuro.