Part 49: Mission 20 - Rupture ~ Crossing Paths - Part 1
We’re back and, if you’re on the EU route, you’ve already have your whole team again! Kazuki’s deploying as an event unit, so here’s how we’re going:
Arnie/Fei
Zhang Fei/Tsubasa (shrug)
Shinn/Klan
Sun Quan/Shangxiang
Eida/Guan Yu
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Michel/Kenji
Alto/Ozma
Mamoru/Sakura
Kouichi/Canaria
Liu Bei/Rennie
Aesap/Cao Cao
Yamashita/Mike
Joe/Saya
Lockon/Luna
Shou/Marvel
Setsuna/Luca
Kurou/Deceive
Heroman/Moritsugu
Tactician: Zhuge Liang.
Off we go.
We open up at the Celestial Being spaceship, where Kati’s currently based at. She’s showing Dog Tack and a very impressed Patrick around (and, for the Nth time, she’s a General now, not Colonel). Patrick spots this huge ball/box-looking thing and, as it turns out, that’s the AI supercomputer Veda – a system that compiles and controls information from all over the world.
Dog Tack is interested, and Kati adds that the only reason the Celestial Being were able to fight against the entire planet during the last Great War is due to them having Veda’s support. And now the Federation is allowed to also benefit from it.
A mook steps on over, bringing Kati news that the report on that has just been finished.
As Kati explains to Dog, they’ve recently found a derelict exploration vessel that drifted all the way to the Earth Sphere – the Federation figured they’d best deal with it before any accident happens. According to what the patrol fleet’s uncovered, the vessel in question is the Europa – it was sent to Jupiter about 130 years ago and, from what they can tell, there are no signs of life aboard. A wandering ghost ship, so to speak.
From its current course, there’s a chance it’ll wind up crashing into the Orbital Ring, so Kati orders the patrol fleet contacted: they’ll execute Plan D34, blasting it with GN Missiles in order to alter its trajectory.
Descartes has a laugh at this – he’s an Innovator, as confirmed by Veda itself – and immediately strikes Kati as very disrespectful. Granted, being the military’s guinea pig tends to eat away at one’s good manners.
When Dog asks, Kati’s mook tells that the Innovators are, simply put, an evolution of mankind, with enhanced situational awareness, precognition, increased Quantum brainwaves, etc., etc. But what’s most important is that, when in a field of GN particles, an Innovator can even join his mind with other’s by way of those Quantum brainwaves.
Patrick didn’t get any of that, but it doesn’t matter: the patrol fleet has reported that their missiles hit the target and they’re working on confirming that its trajectory has shifted. Descartes doesn’t need to wait for the results, however, and already tags the operation as a failure. How can he tell? No reason – he just has a feeling.
And, indeed, he’s right: a report comes in saying they registered absolutely no changes to the Europa’s course. The missiles should’ve been more than enough to pull that off, so what gives? Well, Descartes heading out there – isn’t Kati curious to see what Innovators are capable of?
Andrei and his goons are trying to shoot down the ship, but the thing is just too big for their missiles to do any lasting damage. “Don’t give up! We need to stop this thing right now or it might crash land on Earth!” Andrei yells, but the odds aren’t looking good.
Thankfully, it’s Descartes to the rescue with his Gadelaza, and he appreciates the opportunity to take out his pent-up frustration on something. The derelict ship is quickly blown away by his Innovator Mobile Armor. Very impressive.
As the folks aboard the Celestial Being gape, Dog Tack sees that he needs to tell Hazard about Veda and the Innovators. As for the Europa, it’s breaking apart and MOST of the fragments are burning away in Earth’s atmosphere… though it seems a few of them have fallen on the surface.
That strikes Kati as odd, so she figures it best to play it safe…
Cut to the California base, where Graham’s called Billy over for his opinion on said fragments, and, indeed, the scientist does concede that it’s surprising that the things didn’t burn to a crisp. But why does Graham care about them? Well, he caught wind of Kati ordering an investigation on the things and got curious. Always quick on the take, huh?
Well, as luck would have it, Billy’s being transferred to some space research institute, so he’ll let Graham know if he finds anything. That’d be great. And, since he’s already called, does Billy have news on the development of the Brave after he’d gone around testing their prototype?
Yes, they’re expected to be rolled-out by the end of the month. Billy vouches for their performance, though they’ll demand more skilled pilots than the army’s new standard, the Riots.
A dark cloud sets upon Graham’s head, and Billy apologizes for bringing up the Riots, what with those costing him two of his former subordinates’ lives. But the destruction of the Riot Squad happened after he was reassigned, right? He shouldn’t let it eat away at him – with that, Billy signs off.
“Once again I’m forced to watch my men leave this life while I remain… Perhaps I’m just not meant to lead others,” Graham mulls. “They had some rough edges, but there was undeniable potential in those two… Ensign Berge, Lt. Spencer…”
: …: Hrgh… aah…! Arnie, why did you—?!
: Huh…?! Wh-Where am…?: Oh, thank goodness… you’re awake.: Y-You’re…?
: My name’s Ayul – Ayul Dylan.: “Dylan”…? Are you Prof. Novel’s…?: Her daughter, yes. It’s good to meet you, Lt. Spencer.: We feared we were too late by the time we found the wreckage of your Riot, but it looks like my mother’s surgery was a complete success. That’s truly a relief.: Prof. Novel… saved my life?: Is there anyone else here…? Did my subordinates of the Riot Squad also make it? : Th-That’s…: They’re all gone… aren’t they?: I-I’m so sorry…: …: It’s all my fault…: Lt. Spencer…: I went and lost my mind. Maj. Graham and Prof. Novel warned me again and again, and I still did it…: But I couldn’t forgive him…: My old friend threw his lot in with terrorists… and I just couldn’t forgive him…!: …: Do you still resent him…?: I do. And I also wanna take him down to avenge my subordinates. But I’m too weak to do anything now…: No, you’re wrong. My mother said there’s much strength inside you, Lt. Spencer.: The professor said…?: You’re someone my mother needs… Please, would you fight together with us? : Will you help us in the battle that’s about to begin – a battle that’ll lead the way to the future…?: A “battle that’ll lead the way to the future”…? 
Cut to ALVIS, Mizoguchi brings bad news to Makabe: Kariya’s run off, taking with her a ton intel, from the Fafner’s systems to details on the pilots. Essentially, she made off with decades worth of data. Yumiko doesn’t understand why Kariya would do that, but Makabe already suspects Mitsuhiro’s the one behind it (Yumiko flinches).
Mizoguchi’s suspects the same, as this is too intricate to be anyone else’s plan. That said, he does chide Makabe for getting played by the young woman – he warned him about this. Regardless, what’s done is done and Makabe wants to prepare for the worst, so he tells Mizugochi to grab his team and head for JUDA.
Yumiko can’t do much but quietly grunt at Kariya: “What a stupid thing you did, Yukippe…”
Location: JUDA Outskirts
SRW UX - Separation
: …
: Is there a problem, Kazuki?: Toumi… No, I…: Something happened between you and Minashiro?: …?!: You two seem to have drifted apart lately…: …: Soushi said the Fafners are what’s important to him. I tried to understand him, but I just couldn’t – at all.: Kazuki…: I wound up injuring his left eye back when we were kids. I’ve been trying to at least stand in for that eye ever since…: But he’s changed so much. We’re all just tools of war for him…: …: Toumi… can I ask you to remember who I am?: Huh… Where did that come from?: I’m scared that I might eventually get used to all this fighting. And I… I feel like I’m slowing changing into someone else…: …: I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to stay the same forever.: But what I know for a fact is that we’re all still here, aren’t we?: Toumi…: No matter how you might change… I’ll always remember you, Kazuki.: Thank you…: Listen, I need to head back, but I want you to sit down with Minashiro and talk things out, okay?*Maya leaves.*
: …: Are… you there…?: You… are not here. Or, rather, you can’t be here. : ?! Ms. Kariya… when did you get to Japan?!
: Kazuki Makabe… I can grant you a new home – one that would suit you…: A new…?
Inside JUDA, Mileina relays a message from Ian – apparently the Zabanya and Harute Gundams are both undergoing their final checks and should be ready to take to the field very soon. So that’s a new Gundam for Lockon, but the other one’s meant for Allelujah.
Shangxiang didn’t know there were other Meisters than him and Setsuna, but, from what Joey saw in the movie, there are four in total. Izuna saw it too, and remembers how awesome the scene where the four Meisters charged the enemy army was. Seems to Joe that the Celestial Being are pretty big heroes on Earth, but Lockon points out that reality wasn’t anywhere as pretty as the movies made things out to be.
And then some: thanks to Kiriyama’s shenanigans, we’re more despised by the world than being seen as heroes. True, whatever we try to do, folks spin it against us – getting those new Gundams won’t do much for us if we’re not welcome anywhere.
But, on the subject of the Gundam Meisters, where are the remaining two? One is no longer in this world (Lux apologizes for asking), and the aforementioned Allelujah is currently traveling the world with his sweetheart. Last Feldt heard of him, they were headed for Eastern Europe, but there have been no contacts in several days.
Sumeragi doubts we’ve anything to worry about those two, but asks her to try calling them every now and then just in case.
With that done, Setsuna approaches Sumeragi: there’s something bothering him. Specifically, it’s about the fragments of that derelict ship that fell to Earth yesterday. Do we know where those wound up? Not really, as the most we heard was that the Feds were conducting an investigation on the things.
Is he feeling something? “I don’t know… This isn’t unease. More like anxiety over the something that’s about to happen,” Setsuna says, which sounds to Lockon that his Innovator Sense is tingling.
But that’s a talk for another time, as the alarm starts blaring. Ogawa calls in with bad news: the Mark Elf has just launched. Did Soushi order him to sortie for something? No, no such orders were given – there’s absolutely no reason to deploy right now.
Sounds like an unauthorized sortie to Moritsugu… Hell, he can’t even rule out this being a desertion, depending on the context around it. Maya can’t believe it.
: …*Beep.*
: Having second thoughts…?: No, I already made my choice.: Besides… I felt like I would just stop being me if I stayed that course…: Right. That wasn’t where you should be.: He always said that the true reason why the Fafners were built should be known…: (“He”…?): Let’s get going then. Your new home is waiting…: …: (This is for the best… I know it is!)
Mission 20 – Rupture ~ Crossing Paths
: This is…
: *Yawn* Where are we…?: Ch-Cham…?! Why are you inside the Mark Elf’s cockpit?!: Oh, hello there, Kazuki. I was playing hide-and-seek with Erebos and I think I fell asleep…: Hide and…! Now what am I gonna do? I can’t bring you with me…: …?! : Kazuki, what is this place? It’s scary… like there’s no life flowing around here…: Now that you mention it… Is this the ruin of a city or something?: Ms. Kariya, do you know what place this is?: As you noted, it’s what remains of a city – one that was destroyed during the Festum’s first assault, thirty years ago…: The Festum…?!: And since then the people have faced away from the truth, dedicating themselves only to building false paradises on Earth. : But, in the end, it was just that: false. What they created wound up actually being a beacon for a new calamity…: What do you mean? That Tatsumiya’s actually calling over the Festum?: Correct. And that’s why we’ll create a new paradise. : A new paradise…?: Hey, Kazuki. Do you hear something coming from that heap of metal over there?
*Whoooom.
: Huh? No, I’m not hearing anything from it—
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens: ?! Festum…!: What… What are they doing here?!: Ms. Kariya, we need to run! I can’t take all those by myself…!: No! We can’t leave this place!: Huh?! B-But…!: Fight, Makabe! That’s an order!
: Ka-Kazuki, what do we do?: Hrk…! I don’t even know if I can do this without the Siegfried System’s support!: But I don’t have any other choice…!
If you’ve kept Kazuki upgraded and leveled, these Grendels shouldn’t be much of a problem – especially with nearby forests providing +15% boosts to your evasion and defense.
And, no, unfortunately Cham doesn’t show up as a subpilot.
SRW UX - Shangri-La
And then next player phase…
: I’m too outnumbered to win this…! (Settle down, boy – you’re fine.): Hang in there, Kazuki! I’m sure everyone’s coming over to help!: …: No, there won’t be any help coming…: Come on, aren’t they all your friends? You have to believe in them!: You’re wrong, Cham. The truth is… I left them.: Huuuh?! You left?!: …
: More of them?! Are the Festum calling each other, or is something drawing them in…?!: That sound… It’s that sound coming from over there, I’m sure! Listen… do you hear it?*Whoooom.
: I hear nothing, Cham!: Damn it, way this is going, we…!
: …?!: Th-That’s…!
SRW UX - Shangri-La
: Hmm, these Sphinx-types don’t seem to be all that…: Look, Kazuki – they look just like the Fafners! They’ve got to be friends!: I guess, but… are those Fafners?
: Triple Six, have you confirmed whether or not the target’s been assimilated? (Canon): Hey, no formalities, alright? Drop the codename and just call me by my name: Michio. I’ll also take Mr. Michio, Master Michio, or…: You’re my superior officer, sir. It wouldn’t be right to address you like that.: You’re always so stiff, jeez…: But, fine, whatever. How about we also take this chance to see what the Nothung Model can do?: What’s going on…? Just what are those units…?: Makabe, your focus should be on repelling the Festum! Hurry up and get to it!: Y-Yes, ma’am!: Bah, what a slave driver!
Fafner Megatherion Model (Michio Hino)
Pilot Skills:
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L2
All Attack l1
Command L1
Spirit Commands:
Strike
Invincible
Mercy
Squad Bonus: Exp +10%, Accuracy +5 (Exp +20%, Accuracy +20, Crit rate +20)
Michio’s voice actor: Hideyuki Hori (other roles: Virudhak in SRW Z3, E-Selda in OGs MD, Schwarz in G Gundam and several more)
Fafner Babylon Model (Canon Memphis)
Pilot Skills:
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L1
All Attack l1
Spirit Commands:
Alert
Strike
Fighting Spirit
Squad Bonus: Accuracy +5, Crit rate +10 (Accuracy +20, Crit rate +20, Mobility +10)
Canon’s voice actress: Sanae Kobayashi
Canon as a pilot is pretty good, her stats being pretty much on par with Kazuki for everything but Ranged; Michio is a bit worse, being on par with Kenji. The problem is that the Babylon and Megatherion simply cannot hold a candle to ANY of our Fafners – as is right now, they’re pure squaddie material.
Worse is the fact that not only is Michio not spectacular at dodging, making his lack of Focus quite the hindrance when the Festum are his primary enemy (like Zhang Fei, Invincible is his main defensive spirit). He’s meant as a sniper and you absolutely don’t want him in a position to get mobbed and assimilated.
Canon is a very good dodger, however, so you can have her lead the attack with Kazuki… but, as these things go, it’s not that simple.
Secret Alert! Fafner Secret #3 – 1st step: Michio needs to kill 3+ of this batch of Festum.
Not difficult since you should still have Grendels left, but the problem is that it leaves him in position to get tagged by the bigger ones. Keep him close together with Canon not only to spread that command aura around, but so that she can intervene with a support defense in a pinch (and set him in a forest!).
And, of course, Michio and Canon’s kill count is also tied to this secret: they must have a total of 100 combined kills by the end of mission 36. You ARE keeping those spreadsheets nice and tidy, right?
SRW UX - Shangri-La: Are you there…?: I was, but not anymore…: “And the ten horns which thou sawest, they and the beast shall hate the harlot. They shall make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh…”: “And burn her with fire…!”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fm_RAl1oY4
“Festum…! You can turn up as often as you’d like, I’ll always put you down!”
SRW UX - Shangri-La: Are you there…?: “Are you there? Are you there?” You monsters sound like a broken record!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvkFnLmLxCY
If anything, the Megatherion’s strongest attack has no morale requirement, so he doesn’t NEED to close in to attack.
Canon defending Michio: “Save your games for after the mission, Triple Six!”
Canon taking damage: “Gaargh! Bloody Festum… are you trying to assimilate me…?!”
Michio attacking: “And the core is… Ah, over there!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl-58oSu3V8
And, what the hell, here’s Canon’s best attack too.
All in all, Michio got like 6 kills, so consider that requirement checked.
: Looks like it’s over.: Ms. Kariya, are those Fafners…?: …: Do it, Triple Six.: …?!: Way ahead of you…!
: Waaaah! Why is he attacking us?!: They’re… They’re not friendlies?!: Moving to capture the Nothung Model!
: Aaargh!: Kazuki! Stay strong, Kazuki!: R-Rrgh… Who… Who are you?!: Don’t make this take any longer than it has to!: Hold on, Canon! I’m picking up a big heat signature… It’s—!
SRW UX - Life Goes On
: Kazuki, you there?! Get your ass over here right now – I’ve got a punch waiting for you!
: Shinn, that’s really not the best approach…: Are those their motherships?!: Look, Kazuki! They’re all here!: Ah…: Now you do your part! Call out to them and say “Heelp meeeeee!”: Heey, Shou! Yoo-hoo! Can you hear me?!
: That voice… Cham? Why are you in the Mark Elf?!
: Kazuki, who are these people?! Was your plan always to meet up with them and flee?!: No, no! See, he did want to run away, but not with these guys, he got tricked by them and trapped! But he just wanted to leave, and—: Alright, Cham, slow down because you’re not making much sense!: Baah, you’re such a dummy, Shou!: This isn’t good… I didn’t expect them to get here so quickly…!
: (That’s one of ALVIS’ transport ships…!): We’ve got the target secured. Better make like bananas and split!: Roger that.
: Stop!
: Wh-What…?!
: We’ve Festum Sphinx, Alhenteris and Grendel-types, dead ahead!: What is going on…?! What are the Festum doing in a place like this…?!
: There’ve been no reports of the Festum ever appearing anywhere outside of Tatsumiya or related facilities in these past thirty years…
: But the fact is that there are plenty of them right in front. Our only option is to fight.
: Fight… but what about Kazuki?!: The deserter is irrelevant.
: What did you say there?!: Minashiro… This is why Kazuki left…!: …
: I’m afraid this conversation must wait! All units, deploy immediately!
: (?! What am I feeling… it’s like some kind of pulse?)*Whoooom.*
: (That’s… Is that part of that downed exploration vessel from Jupiter?): (But why is it making the Festum react like that… Wait, no… are they calling out to each other?!): Kazuki weighs heavy on our minds, but we must first turn our sights upon the Festum!: Set forth, but be sure to exercise caution!