Super Robot Wars MX Part #34 - Mission 19 - Great Wings, and Heaven's Light

Part 34: Mission 19 - Great Wings, and Heaven's Light - Part 1

Location: Tekkoryu Fortress

Yura wants some explanation as to why the twins’ bots aren’t displaying the expected amount of power. See, the Twin Lords attack requires both the Briest and Gallowin to fire their Mag-Lash and Beam Searcher weapons directly at each other. If successful, the resulting explosion will annihilate everything inbetween.
Problem is, for the attack to strike with maximum efficiency, the Si sisters must act in absolute unison. Yura demands to know how twin sisters wouldn't be suited for this task, and Lurahn reminds her how Aen and Tau’s relationship is. In truth, Lurahn was unsure of letting them take a swing at Zeorymer even before the first deployment.
Still, Yura says she has a plan and calls both sisters over.

: Tau… What happened in today’s training?

: The target was destroyed – isn’t that the point, sister?

: But if either of us charges on ahead then that’s hardly teamwork – and it’d put one – or both – of us at risk.

: What you’re doing strikes me like you’re rushing to your own death.

: “Teamwork”, you say… but, at the end of the day, my Gallowin is merely playing support to your Briest, no?

: And I’ve absolutely no intention of being your shield…!

: Tau…!

: My, my. You ladies look so much alike and, yet, grew up to have such disparate personalities.

: Never say that again, Saiga!

: Heh…

: And I’d also ask that you stop meddling in our matters.

: As you wish... The empress summons you two.

: The empress?

: Si Aen, Si Tau… I will soon depart on a covert voyage to Japan. You two will accompany me as bodyguards.

: !

: I-If I may, empress, it is far too dangerous. That land is enemy territory.

: I am aware, but I still wish to behold the Zeorymer’s pilot with my own two eyes.

: (Heh… I see how it is. Taiha’s ghost still haunts her.)

: B-but…

: Enough, Lurahn. I am headed to Japan also to shed light upon Masaki Kihara’s schemes. And to decide whether we’ll focus on recapturing… or destroying Heaven.

: …

: (Not to exact vengeance, then…? Still, whatever happens, it’ll be to my advantage.)

Location: GEAR HQ

Shibuya’s told Misumaru all that’s happened and he praises Bright and Ruri for their team’s efforts. Thanks to our work, mass production of the Dragoons has already started across the globe; with that GHQ is now hammering out plans for a massive offensive against the Giganos.
Until the details are settled, he wants us guarding Japan - buying time for all to be made ready, and that includes the Martian Successors too. Bright means to point out that Yurika is still those guys’ hands Misumaru stops him halfway: he’s already been told and just the fact that she’s alive is enough for him right now. Earth’s enemies right now are more than just the Successors and all need to be dealt with.

Ruri only has one question, then: what do we call our team? "Nahel Argama Plus Nadesico B Team" doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. He leaves it up to her to decide and while she’d want to get input from everyone, there’s no time – it’s gotta be now. And he also warns her to make it something proper, as there’ll be no undoing it once it starts getting to the lips of their enemies!
After she’s made her choice, Bright’s got no problems with whatever it is. That’s that issue settled.

You’ve eight characters to choose from, though no western letters. For expedience’s sake, I’ll be going with the default name: Magnate Ten or, if you would, Magnate X.

: “Magnate Ten”?

: That seems to be our new squad name, yes.

: Uurgh, and they didn’t even consult us? I was sure I could get them to pick “Kouji Kabuto and his Merry Friends” this time.

: “This time?”

: Aah, never mind… it’s nothing. (Toei Kouji has been trying to get that name to stick for a few games. From what I remember, he suggested it in, at least, Alpha 2 and 64.)

: Come on, now. “And his Merry Friends”? That’s way too complicated.

: What do you think would work, then?

: You wanna know?

: I’m just trying to get everyone’s take.

: Well, alright, I’ll tell you! Now open up your ears and listen to this!

: “Asuka Langley Souryu, the Hardworking and Gutsy Second Red, and Her Loyal Servants!” (Check the Evangelion CD drama “After the End”)

: Wh-what was that?!

: It’s even more complicated than the last.

: Zip it, you! It was a joke, alright? I didn’t mean it!

: (It sounded like you did…)

: And while we’re at it, what about you, Shinji? What would you go with?

: M-Me? Umm… “Neon Squadron Evangelion”?]

: That’d work, if we only had the EVAs.

: I guess so…

: Psh. Of course, who’d ever expect this idiot to actually think up a good name?

: H-Hey, don’t give me that! I really worked my head for that one!

: And you know what they say about folks who’re quick to make excuses!

*Door opens.*

: Oh, what’s this? Another lovers’ spat going on?

: You better be joking, Megumi! How could anyone be with this idiot?!

: Still, it’s said that only good friends argue like this.

: Hey, you drop that grin and stop saying nonsense! I’d take anyone over him!

: Oof, now that’s harsh.

: Eeh… I’m used to it.

: Whaaat?! Well, I will not have people pair me up with someone like you! No way, no how!

: But didn’t you two fight together not too long ago?

: Aah?! B-But that… that was…!!

: You getting this flustered isn't helping your case…

: What did you two do, hm?

: N-Nothing… really, nothing.

: Hmm…

: But, either way, is Prof. Inoue around? I was told he had something to talk with us…

*Door opens.*

: Hello, children… Apologies for the delay.

: What do you need, professor?

: Well, you’re all pilots of Super Robots… So, in truth, there’s something I’d like to ask you about.

: That’s no problem but what for?

: It’s something for the Dendoh, really. Considering the loss of the Data Weapons the other day, I thought it best to come up with something of a contingency plan should it happen again.

: A plan, huh… You’re making backup weapons, then?

: I am, yes. I’d like to try and increase the Dendoh’s firepower for moments when the Data Weapons aren’t being used. With that in mind, I’m studying various Super Robots’ armaments…

: Like the Raideen’s God Go-Gun?

: Or the EVA’s Battle Rifles or the Gundam’s Beam Rifles?

: Yes. I’d also like to enhance its armor on top of that.

: Hmhmm… So it’d be one of those "Full Armor" things? Like Quattro’s Hyaku Shiki?

: Full Armor… Full Armor Dendoh… That actually sounds good.

Back at the Bridge, Rose passes in a call from Prof. Kenzo Kabuto at the Science Fortress Lab. He’s just finished a new weapon for the Great Mazinger but it still needs some testing; so, he’d like to request Tetsuya and Jun to make a quick stop over to help with that.
Bright sees no problems with allowing it.

Location: Last Guardian Base

They’re having a bit of a problem here – Masato has gone missing. Oki remembers that they put a tracking device on the kid, so how can’t they just ping that? Miku’s tried but the last bit of recorded data showed Masato outside the base – there’s nothing after that.
Could it be that the enemy’s kidnapped him? It wouldn’t be impossible for the Hakkeshu to slip by this base’s defenses.
Regardless, Miku’s going out to look for him – she figures she can find him by sensing his bio-pattern. In the meantime, Oki will have the Zeorymer ready for deployment just to be safe.

And it’s the twins who’ve kidnapped Masato, Aen having confirmed his identity after finding some thought-deleted government files detailing the payments made for his “parents”.
There was only one fifteen-year-old child raised in Japan with that much government scrutiny surrounding him. Masato yells that they’re wrong – he’s just plain, old Masato Akitsu!

Once they pull the cloth around his eyes, Masato finds himself face-to-face with Yura. He, of course, has no idea where he is or who any of these people are. Aen tells him to behave before the leader of the Tekkoryu, which only causes him to freak out more; Tau takes a more direct approach and punches him, commanding Masato to watch his tongue.
Yura tells Tau to back off and, without wasting time, tells what’s what: “Masato Akitsu, your life is now in my hands.” He asks why and she asks if it wasn’t he who killed Taiha – it falls on Aen to explain who that was.
But Masato’s crimes aren’t limited to just his murder – worse yet is the fact that he’s carrying out Masaki Kihara’s dying wish. There is no greater sin in the eyes of the Tekkoryu! But Masato’s never even heard that guy, Masaki’s, name and Yura sighs at how little he knows.

While the Tekkoryu suffered in the underside of the world, Masato went on about his carefree life, ignorant of it all – ignorant of what Masaki had done. Masato wants to know now and asks who Masaki is and how he’s connected to him.
Yura warns that if he knows the truth then she WILL have to take his life but Masato doesn’t hesitate. He wants to know why he’s deserving of this treatment and, more importantly, who he truly is.

: … As you wish. Over fifteen years ago, we, the Tekkoryu, were in the process of assembling an army of giant robots with which to conquer the world.

: …

: Our Hakke Robos were designed so that they could only be piloted by people with the appropriate bioelectric and brain waves patterns. Masaki Kihara built the Zeorymer with the Tekkoryu... and registered a thereto unborn test tube zygote as the pilot.

: He stole both the Zeorymer and said test tube, destroying the other Hakke Robos and our base in an explosion while he fled…!

: …

: By rights, I was to be the Zeorymer’s pilot.

: And the zygote that Misaki Kihara stole…!

: Yes, it was you. Masato Akitsu… you accursed man!

: I was built to pilot the Zeorymer…? Down to a genetic level…? That’s really all I am…?!

: …

: Please, tell me! What… Who am I, then?!

: You’re no one – merely another of Zeorymer of the Heavens’ parts… It’s pilot.

: !!

: … I warned you, yes? That your life would be over if you knew the truth.

*Cocks gun.*

: Uugh… ah…!

: Your blood is cursed… Die.

*Blam!

: !

: … Found you, Masato.

: Th-That voice…!

: Who goes there?!

: Hurry, Masato – run!

: Miku?!

: I won’t allow it!

*Kick!*

: …

: What?! How did she feel nothing from my blow?! Is that a special suit? …No, that’s not it!

: Out of the way, sister!

*Biff!*

: …

: What in blazes…? Are you even human?!

: … Masato, let’s get out of here.

: Y-yes…!

: Who are you?!

: Miku Hirumo… pilot of the Zeorymer!

: …!

: I’m taking him back with me.

*Blam! And Masato and Miku run off.*

: You won’t escape!

: …

: Empress, are you alright?!

: Do not worry about me…! Kill those two immediately, and make doubly sure of it! Use the Hakke Robos if necessary!

: Understood!

Location: Skull Moon Base

Gandal warns Balendos that he's about out of chances, and that any more failures will get him executed. Balendos scoffs at that, saying that he and Gandal are of equal rank; still, Gandal says that HE is the commander of the Earth invasion - and Balendos will obey his orders as long as he's at the Skull Moon base.
Balendos opines that his failures are the result of the men Gandal has loaned him - i.e. Bracky. The guy himself, of course, tries to protest being made a scapegoat but Balendos tells him not to worry: he's got an ace up his sleeve that could allow even Bracky to clear his name.

As Bracky lies very thankful, Gandal quietly sniffs at how skillfully Balendos passed the buck of all his failures. Balendos orders a deployment, with the Science Fortress Lab being today’s target. Bracky is worried, reporting intel that the Great Mazinger’s returned there, but Balendos says it’ll be fine: he knows what the machine is capable of and nothing it has will work against what he’s got planned.
First Great Mazinger, then Duke Freed and his cohorts will fall before their might. Gandal tells Balendos that this is last chance, and says that he'll handle diversionary attacks for the operation. While Bracky swears to give 200% for this, Balendos sneers at the fool.

Location: Science Fortress Island

And the new weapon is the Great Booster, which’ll provide quite the increase to the Great Mazinger’s destructive power. All Tetsuya needs to do is master it.
He better do it quick, then, because the alarm sounds: something’s approaching. When Kenzo asks, Jun reports that it’s only one and she takes it to be a Vegan. The rest of our squad’s busy with another attack happening in Mishima, so Kenzo asks Jun to handle it as he still needs time to get the Great set up.
Tetsuya smells fish around this lone attacker and tells her to be careful. Jun will, promising to keep the lab safe.

Mission 19 – Great Wings, and Heaven’s Light

Off goes Jun to stop the Vegan’s advance, while Tetsuya cheers her on.
It’ll be a bit before the Great Mazinger’s ready to deploy, so Kenzo asks him to just keep calm and get ready to sortie.

Any part of the lab provides a defense/evasion boost while also giving 20% HP and EN regen, which’ll make Jun quite resilient. We don’t want the enemy getting that, though, so just set her right at the edge and hold that chokepoint.

Enemy Phase!

Here it comes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQCAWVcllug
This thing’s name is Bong and it shoots its knees as missiles!

Player Phase!

Almost there.

Tetsuya wants to get out there not only to help Jun but also to rejoin our crew as it seems several other labs are suffering Vegan attacks.
Kenzo accedes and lets him sortie, though he won’t have the Great Booster ready – he’s yet to finish the docking system’s adjustments. If he launched the thing now, the chances of a successful connection to the Great would be very low. Fine, we’ll leave that for later; Kenzo’s moving the Great Mazinger to the launch pad right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ogl9Xkrvs
And there goes Tetsuya, apologizing for the delay and calling Jun for a join offensive.

Well, it’s not like the Bong’s already at death’s door.

There it goes.

The thing falls to pieces and Tetsuya’s happy; they wouldn’t need the Booster to deal with something like this. Kenzo warns them to watch it, though – the thing’s still going! Right then the monster picks itself back together and, worse, a new beast drops right on top of Tetsuya.
He gets blindsided and isn’t amused with such a low tactic. Bracky shows up with a bevy of saucerbeasts, yelling that there’s no such thing in combat. Looks like Jun was right in assuming that the attackers were Vegans and Balendos proclaims Tetsuya to be their target today.

See, he got a very thorough read on the Great Mazinger’s tricks when he jacked it and knows how to counter it. Tetsuya’s heard from Kouji about what happened and he asks if Balendos is here to try and steal the Great again. “No, I don’t need to anymore,” he answers and Tetsuya wonders what he means by that.
Regardless, Bracky gloats of how our allies are all busy with the other Vegan assaults so we’d best not be hoping for backup. Tetsuya tells pinhead there not to underestimate him – he and Jun are more than capable of dispatching one or two monsters by themselves!

Aah, the Vegans got themselves the old Toei standard: the Pikudron. We can’t move, though, so we’ll just grin and bear it.

Enemy Phase!

The UFOs start closing in and the Bong trades blows with Jun. The Pikudron, however, always goes for Tetsuya.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmR_xoil9dY
Another attack I never got to show before.

And the thing took no damage. What the hell? Kenzo figures what’s up: like the Gilgilgan, this thing absorbs the energy of our attacks via the light that drapes its body. In other words, we can’t damage it, gloats Bracky.
Tetsuya flinches and Bracky wonders where his attitude went? It’s still there, as Tetsuya ponders what we’re dealing with: that light is, in essence, a strong barrier. Laughing, he thinks of what Kouji would say against something like this: “If that’s a barrier, then we just need to break it to bits.”
With that in mind, he asks Kenzo to ready the Great Booster for deployment: he means to use it to go right through the monster’s defenses. Nothing else would work. But did he forget what Kenzo said? With the incomplete set up, the chances of him successfully docking with the thing are minimal.

Still, if we don’t do something to turn this around, then our defeat is a certainty. Balendos said he was privy to every weapon the Great Mazinger currently has, which means it’s very possible none of the things would be able to win this.
Once again Tetsuya asks Kenzo to ready the Great Booster – he’ll dock with it manually. Kenzo’s still worried but decides to trust in Tetsuya’s skill; but we’ll need to keep holding the line until everything’s ready.

Player Phase!

Bracky and Balendos enjoy that everything’s going swimmingly and are about to send the Pikudron to finish Tetsuya off when Ryouma intrudes in proper Rom-esque fashion.
It took a little bit but the Getter Team’s here to back them up. What about the Saotome Lab? They’ve already repelled the Vegans there and Michiru reports that the Nadesico and Argama should be arriving here soon enough.
That’s good but Tetsuya warns that the situation won’t turn in our favor if we can’t beat the Pikudron; he explains what’s up with it and of his plan to break through its barrier. Ryouma agrees to help buy Kenzo the necessary time and Hayato suggests we set our sights on the Mother Burn.
It’s likely the monster’s being controlled from there so if we do any damage to the UFO, the creature itself might flinch for a bit. Sounds good!

Ryouma rushes over and, with an assist from Tetsuya, gets rid of the Bong. That’s an extra Sword Cut level for him.
Jun and Tetsuya wallop some UFOs, seeing how the Pikudron’s a waste of time.

Enemy Phase!

Go away. The saucerbeasts themselves are standing by.

Player Phase!

Kenzo and Bracky ping stuff approaching but it’s not our crew – it’s the Si sisters. Tau huffs at them running into aliens before finding Masato and Miku, though Aen warns her that they haven’t the time to waste on these. Their priority is finding and killing those two ASAP.
Tau grunts an affirmative but, inwardly, she’s grumbling: “She was born first and I a scant few moments later… that difference defined us as ‘commander’ and ‘commanded’. Who in blazes decided it should be so? Who was it that determined that the younger sister must obey the eldest?”
Hayato’s getting worried at our progressively worsening situation but Michiru notes that they don’t seem to be interested in attacking. Maybe they’re searching for something?
Aen detects the runaways up ahead as Miku calls Masato to a certain area. It doesn’t look too safe for him but Miku says it’ll be fine – help’s coming right over.

: There it is, Tetsuya! The Magnate Ten’s arrived!

: Alright! Now we stand a much better chance…!

: Hrm, they’re here already?

: That’s a Mother Burn…! So their actual target was the Science Fortress Lab?

: I bet it’s Balendos – that guy knows a lot about the Great.

: … We won’t be able to simply ignore them now, will we, sister?

: Then there’s only one option – we’ll attack them all with the Twin Lords. Take formation, Tau.

: …

: Those two are the ones who attacked us at the Saotome Lab before…! Well, if we’re dealing with a pair of enemies, then we might as well use our trick!

: Asuka… You don’t mean, that?!

: “That”?

: Are you stupid? What we did to beat the 7th Angel back then!

: Huuh? You want to do that?!

: Of course! We trained so hard to get it all figured out, we might as well use it more than once!

: Get what figured out? What training?

: Um… Asuka and I lived together, wore the same clothes and—

: You lived together?!

: Was that…

: What you were embarrassed about some time ago?

: Err, yes… It’s that.

: Hmm, then am I safe to assume that stuff took place?

: Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I kept an eye on them.

: What, really?

: Watch what you’re saying, idiot! You’re giving them totally the wrong idea!

: But that’s what happened, no?

: Did you just give me backtalk?!

: Um… If you’re going to fight, shouldn’t you do it to the enemy?

: Y-yeah, I guess.

: You better not have forgotten the timing, Shinji!

: I-I got it!

: The Evangelions…! Get in position, Tau – quickly!

: (…The Twin Lords has both units attacking in tandem but it is, ultimately, a technique for the Briest’s Mag-lash to deal the finishing blow… My sister destroys the target and I simply provide support.)

: What are you doing, Tau? Don’t you remember what happened last time?!

: !

: Here goes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0ILIts5SmY

: Urk…! Tau, why?!

: I… I refuse to be no more than your support…!

: Tau…!

: There we go! That’s the stuff!

: But our cables are loose now – we need to get back to the ships and reconnect ASAP, Asuka!

: I know, I know!

: … Looks like we’ll need to manage both enemy groups at once.

: Right. Deploy all troops!

Mission Objective: All enemies shot down
Mission Failure: Great Mazinger or any allied ship shot down
Just don’t let Tetsuya get mobbed and you’ll be fine. I’ll be keeping Shinji and Asuka to deal with the sisters, though I’ll be sending the Nadesico over to plug them back. We still need to attack Balendos and he won’t move.
Now, I’ve five missions (including this one) to get the Z and ZZ folks average level over 25. Quattro’s already there but not the others, so it’s time to buckle down and get them big kills.

But not against the sisters. I sent the Dragonar team over to help against Aen just to be safe.

We only need to do a bit more.

Most of our team heads towards the lab, Beecha and Elle kill stuff with help from Hugo and Vega.

And I still like to get Ginga/Hokuto at least one or two kills per mission.

Everyone else moves forward.

Back with the EVAs, Asuka takes point against Aen.

: Hey, idiot! I’m going in!

: I can see, you know!

: Cocky fools! I am more than capable of dispatching you worms by my own!

: (This isn’t going to work…! Even if we executed the Twin Lords like this, we…!)

Add one more Unison Kick to the mix and Aen’s under half HP, which triggers the plot.

: Ah! Sister, it’s!

: !!

: What is that mech…?!

: Zeorymer of the Heavens, a Hakke Robo… the ultimate weapon of Last Guardian.

: Your intelligence department is very well informed.

: That’s all basic stuff, no?

: But aren’t Hakke Robos our enemies?

: Yes but that one was stolen from the Tekkoryu – all by the hand of a single man.

: …

: There you are, Zeorymer of the Heavens…!

: It came here after Masato Akitsu and Miku Hirumo…?!

: … Is everything OK? You can do this, right, Masato?

: Heh… Hahahah…

: Masato?

: I understand now. Piloting this is all I can do.

: …

: Now is the time to bring forth the true power of our Hakke Robos! We’ll end him with the Twin Lords!

: No!

: ?!

: I will personally claim his head with my Gallowin today!

: !

: We cannot defeat the Zeorymer without the Twin Lords, Tau!

: I can do it and I will!

: The empress is watching us!

: Urk…!

*Tau and Aen move afar and get in formation.*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmgXZvv0_Ds

: We didn’t destroy it?!

: …!

: …Did you honestly think I wouldn’t expect that little trick? Hmhmhm…

: Masato?!

: Your timing as off, Tau! What happened?!

: …I’ll make up for it!

: Huh?!

: I… I’ll crush the Zeorymer!

: Hmhmhmhm…

: Gch! Hrrrmm!

: Masato, this battle might hurt the Magnate Ten as well! Lead the enemies to the ocean!

: That’s unnecessary…!

: ?!

: Rather, having them here makes it easier to impede the movement of Flame and Water…!

: What are you saying, Masato?!

: It’s not my problem what happens to those “Magnate Ten”…

: Tau! Transfer all of the Gallowin’s energy into the Briest! I’ll destroy the Zeorymer with the Twin Lords at full blast!

: Hrm!

*Tau rushes the Zeorymer*

: Oho… You’d challenge Heaven by your lonesome?

: Tau?!

: Sister… if I transferred all power to the Briest, then the Gallowin would be immobile. Once that happened… you were going to use me as a shield, weren’t you…?!

: How can you even think such a thing?!

: You mean to kill me, don’t you?!

: !

: Though… Though are faces are the identical, everything else is far too different…! We were supposed to be one and the same and, yet, our nature and our skills are so dissimilar…!

: …

: Why do we both have this face? We look too much alike… and I could never stand that! I always asked myself why I wasn’t the only one!

: I… I wish I was the only one!

: TAU!

: I, Si Tau, will defeat Zeorymer of the Heavens!

: Hmhmhm… Water can only fall from the Heavens. The opposite… is impossible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5_2EAeWFk
Captions are available

: Aen! Why did you—?!