Part 70: Mission 29 - Lantern ~ Light - Part 1
And we’re back, having wrapped up the route split and bringing a crazy Japanese Imperialist man topside. Not good. But we got out with two secrets earned, so that offsets it a bit. For this next mission, Shinn and Luna are deploying as solo event units, while ALL Fafners, except Michio, are grounded. Blah.
Fei/Lockon
Kouichi/Kiki
Dancouga/Eida
Sun Quan/Guan Yu
Cao Cao/Alleluljah
Mazinkaiser/Hebi
Heroman/Karen
Liu Bei/Rennie
Zhang Fei/Sun Shangxiang
Kurou/Deceive
Setsuna/Luca
Shou/Marvel
Arnie/Saya
Alto/Michel
Aesap/Miu
Ozma/Lux
Yamashita/Mike
Joe/Moritsugu
Tieria/Michio
Amalgan/Tsubasa (shrug)
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Off we go.
: How long has it been since we last spoke face-to-face, Makabe.
: …: We’ve re-checked Maya Toumi’s aptitude data. And now I know why you’re here…: Oh, but let’s leave this chat for later. As I’ve heard, the UX has just converged here at Tatsumiya, yes?: I’d very much like to see my daughter as soon as can be, you understand…: …
Over by the Fafners’ Burg, the surface team’s very surprised to hear that the Hojo Army has withdrawn from the area. The strange thing, as Aesap relates, is that they were attacking us after we made it to the surface, but, for some reason, suddenly decided to head elsewhere.
Seems to Holly like these Hojo fellas are a bunch of wimps, but Zhuge Liang doubts that’s the case: for a group that supposedly knows nothing about Earth’s geography, the way they left was very akin to knowing exactly where they were headed. “It could well be that someone here at the surface contacted them as they arrived,” he posits.
But that’s very odd for Rennie and Makoto as the Hojo Army should be a completely unknown force to anyone up here – who would reach out to them? Zhuge Liang doesn’t know, but figures we’d best presume that they already have a foothold from which to execute their invasion of the Overworld.
If you kept the Surface Route, Amalgan is frustrated that we played right in Sakomizu’s hands and helped him come here. Lux argues that the blame falls on her for failing to stop her father, but, as Moritsugu points out, beating yourself up over the past won’t change anything. Our priority now is to try and minimize the damage the Hojo Army does.
Amalgan and his rebels will all help, of course, especially since he was Sakomizu’s comrade-in-arms decades ago. He’s no spring chicken, but hopes his experience’ll be of use to us. Ozma can see from his bearing that the old man’s got skills, and Kiki and Hebi’ll be on hand to make sure he doesn’t sprain his back trying to bite more than he can chew.
: I’m ready to fight too. I’m sure I can do plenty to help with the Mark Sechs.
: But please try and take it easy, Shouko. I know you said your condition was gone and all, but…: I appreciate that you’re taking care of me, Maya, but I want to do this much for everyone.
: Shouko…?! You’re… how?!
: We don’t really know what happened…: But, from what we can tell, she was transported to Byston Well the second her Fenrir exploded.: Really… Wow, thank god for that. That’s wonderful news…!
: Yeah, it is…! You should go and find your mother after we’re done here. I’m sure she’ll be so happy…!: I will, absolutely…!
And if you kept the Byston Well Route, Romina speaks up and declares that whatever the Hojo folks are up to, them threatening the lives of innocent people is intolerable. And Lux is ready to bring her father’s delusions to a full stop when they show up again. Al and Kurou see that the princesses both have steeled their spirits – Romina herself feels resolved to push through the upcoming battles.
Damian’s decided that he wants to do more, too: he’s going to start some intensive training as a way to help our folks. Karen doesn’t want him pushing himself too hard, but Lockon tells her to trust Damian – that’s the choice he made, just as she did when she left The Boom Army to join us. Mind you, Miu’s silently not too keen on having a The Boomer fighting together with us.
Speaking of, our folks have heard that she’s become the Painkiller’s Factor, and despite her telling them not to, everyone’s a bit concerned over how she’s doing – not just because of how quickly she gained a ton of power, but also due to how she was at Innsmouth. “Well, I was kind of confused at first, but… now I’m very grateful,” she says. Grateful, how? “Because a girl like me now has the power to change this world,” Miu adds under Kouichi’s watch. “We’d best work extra-hard as Champions of Justice, right, Hayase?” R-Right…
Inwardly, Tieria ponders Miu wanting strength as a way to promote change to the world. Setsuna feels that her will to fight is legit, but there’s also something dangerous within her – her will to live is wholly bound to another person, no different from how he used to be.
After this, both routes converge:
*door opens*
: Welcome back, everyone. You look like you’ve been through a lot.: And you, Saya? How’ve you been?
: Tsubaki Minashiro…
: I see you’re doing good, Tsubaki… and who are these girls with you?: Ah, they’re Seri and Rina. We became friends while you guys were away.
: Eheheh… to tell the truth, I was very nervous after getting assigned to ALVIS. But just having Tsubaki around makes it easier to hang in there!
: Laying it on a bit thick, Rina…
: Ah, just hanging out with the other girls and talking the afternoon away. I think I’m a bit jealous. 
: ?!: I-It’s Eida Rossa! The actual Eida Rossa! I can’t believe you’re really one of the UX!: U-Um, and you are…?: I-I’m Hiroto Doma! My dream’s to someday be a top singer just like you, Eida—: Quiet yelling and calm down, would you?!*Punch!*
: Ooow! What’d you do that for, Seri?!: Because you barely know her and you’re already bugging her!: Why can’t you be more like Akira here? Look at how calm and composed he is.: Huh, now that’s true. That’s a very grown-up vibe you give off, Akira.
: …: (Actually, he is pretty excited right now; they just can’t tell since Akira’s mute. There’s no fooling his sister’s eyes, though.)
: Well, ain’t this a lively bunch. Still, they all look like good kids.
: Hmhmm. Tsubaki’s found some fine friends.
: Speaking of lively, the mood around the island’s a bit different.: I saw a bunch of booths and paper lanterns set around, so maybe there’s a festival going on or something?
: That’s right – we’re having our annual summer festival today.: The events are different each year, but we always wrap it up by floating paper lanterns out to sea.
: Paper lanterns… Ah, yes, it’s nowadays that we have the Obon Festival in the Japanese mainland. : I’ve heard of that… it’s an event meant to honor the souls of the dead, right?: Right, and that means everyone around the island’s pretty busy trying to get stuff set up on time. 
: Well, in that case, how about I go and lend them a helping hand?
: Come on, Kurou! Ditch that kid and let’s go help them out too!
: Hrmm! The audacity of this newcomer! Keep away from my partner!
: Gaah... why can’t you find someone else to go with? All this nonstop work’s gonna leave me a broken mess…: I’m more than willing to join in too. I’ve helped put together a handful of festivals before.: Well, thank you kindly, everyone. I’m sure we’ll have everything done so much sooner with your help.*Door opens.
: Can… Can I come too…?: ?!: …: It… can’t be…: Mom… I’m home…: Shou…ko…?
: We met up with her at Byston Well. As it turns out, she’d never died in the explosion…: I’m… here… mom…: A-Aah… Shoukoooo!: I’m… so… so sorry… I should never… have said those things to you…: No, don’t worry about any of that… you’re back… and that’s all that matters…: Mo…ooom….: Waaaaaaah…!: You say you’ll keep fighting with them…?: Yes. I want to keep this sky safe… to keep Kazuki and my friends safe.: And I’ll do the name you gave me justice that way…: Shouko…: Then just promise me one thing. Promise that you won’t make us have to mourn you again…: Okay… I promise, mom. 
: …: Canon…: A mother’s reunion with her thought-dead daughter. What a touching moment. : Don’t you agree, Maya?: D-Dad…?!
: H-How…!: Hmhmhm… it’s been a while, hasn’t it, girls?: “It’s been a while”…?!: What, exactly, are you doing here?! Last I remember, you ran off on us and the island!: What an awful way to speak to your father… And, for that matter, are you sure you’ve the right to criticize me?: What’s that supposed to mean…?!: You’ve been a very bad girl…: I mean, falsifying Maya’s pilot aptitude data? Tsk, tsk.: …!
: Falsified data…? That’s…: A very serious crime for anyone in the military. I doubt that’s any different here on this island.: Sis… did you really…?: …: And according to ALVIS’ rules, the punishment for your crime is exile.
: “Exile”…?!: Oh, but there’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ll take care of everything once it’s done. *Door opens.*
: Hmph, so this is what he was after…: Mitsuhiro…: Dad? Mr. Mizoguchi…!: What do you need, Makabe?: You don’t have the authority to determine anyone’s exile. : We’ll organize an inquiry commission, and, then, decide on what to do.: You can’t sweep this under the rug, Makabe. The truth’s already out in the open…: Sis…: …
: This commission seeks to shed light on the recent allegations of forgery of Maya Toumi’s data to display an inaptitude to be a pilot due to a physical handicap. : Also, understand that you do not have the right to remain silent when questioned.
: First we’ll verify if the data in question is our original. If so, then you’ll be treated as a crime suspect. Understood?: Yes…
: Then the accuser may step forward to present his arguments. Mr. Mitsuhiro Bartland, if you would.: What arguments are there to be made? The fact that she tampered with Maya’s aptitude data is as clear as day. You might as well begin the deliberation right away. : I trust you see that as well, Chizuru.
: Mitsuhiro…: Patience. According to the petition, there are others that we must hear first…: What? But I only accused Yumiko.: Then we’ll move to question the next defendants. : …: …: Wh—?! You’re?!
: How could this happen to Lady Yumiko…
: The hell’s wrong with their dad, even? He’s with the Army of Mankind, right?
: That man feels really yucky! What kind of a person takes his own daughter to court?!
: I wager his plan is to have all three Toumi women exiled from the island. : Maya’s aptitude as a pilot is actually quite high, so he likely wishes to bring her into the Army of Mankind. : Th-That’s awful…!
: But did Yumiko even do something that bad? She was just looking out for Maya. : Yeah, this stinks! And how can that guy be trying to pull his own daughter into battle…?! 
: Unless something’s done, Maya, her sister and her mother’ll be forced to leave the island… What can we do…?: The kids are also suspects?! What is the meaning of this?!: We falsified Toumi’s data.: I deemed that, from a tactical standpoint, allowing Maya Toumi to be a pilot would be detrimental. Thus, I falsified her data and had her removed from the roster.
: Same goes for Mamoru, Sakura and me! We each had our reasons, but the gist is that we all overwrote her data!
: Hah, these kids…: Rrgh…: On whose orders are they doing this…?
: No one’s… they’re over there of their own will.: Their own will…?: Yeah.: Oh, dear, so the conjunction of their behaviors culminated in the fraud. And, with that, the gravity of the crime is effectively split between all of them. : This is ridiculous! There’s absolutely no evidence to support their claims!*Objection!*
: … I can attest that they altered the data. That should be sufficient evidence for you.: Tsubaki Minashiro…?!: She’s the most impartial being on this island. If she vouches for Kazuki and the others’ actions, then their statements are beyond doubt.
: Tsubaki’s an “impartial being”? What do you mean?: You don’t know? She—*Alarm!*
: …! What is it?!: Solomon’s issued a warning! We’re detecting a Festum within block #7!: There’s a Festum inside the island?!
: Come again? Solomon isn’t IDing the Festum that appeared as an enemy?: That’s right.
: Solomon is, essentially, a system meant to detect and inform us whenever one of them emerges. So why is it not marking this one as a threat?
: What I wanna know is how a Festum went and appeared inside the island just like that!: …
: Perhaps this is not a case of it “appearing”, but of it having always been there?: The Festum was always inside the island… Do you think it’s…?: Yes, the Festum has been identified as… Kasugai. 
: What… But why is Koyo…?!
: I’d heard that boy was in a coma, too…
: Does this mean that his assimilation’s progressed since then…?*Run in!*
: What are you doing, Makabe?! Send out your forces and destroy that Festum now!: …: Hold on, what’d you mean “destroy” it?! That’s Koyo over there!: Wrong, that’s a Festum. It’s a mortal enemy of mankind.: And what’re you getting at?! Even if that Festum’s Koyo, or if Koyo’s a Festum, or, or…: Argh, I don’t even know what I’m getting at!
: Whatever, the point is we know Koyo’s not our enemy!
: You’re…: Makabe, you’re the one in charge of the island so give the order. You know what must be done.: …: Why’re you not saying anything, dad?! You’re not seriously considering…
: Psh, forget him! We’re going, guys! I’m sure Koyo’s headed over there!: Yeah!*Everyone leaves.*
: Wait, I…: Hrgh!: Shouko?!: I-I’m fine… Please, Maya, go after Kasugai…!: … Okay, I’m on it!*Maya leaves.*
: Sakura… She hates the Festum so much, but she’s still…: Makabe, I’ll go and keep an eye on them. And if worst comes to worst…: No, let me do it. I’m not of this island, so I should be the one to get my hands dirty…*Canon leaves.*
: Canon…: Hey, they all ran off! What about the rest of us?!: You…: One moment, Cmdr. Makabe.: Shinn…?: I’ve a favor to ask – for Koyo Kasugai.: … Out with it.
: Shou…ko…: Haah, haah… I figured you’d be coming here, Koyo…: Right, he was looking for Shouko’s grave.: Come on, Koyo. Let’s head back inside.: …: …ryon… ru…: Koyo…?: Everyone… ru…n… They’re… co…ming…: Koyo, what are you…: Oh, no… Do you mean…?!
Mission 29 – Lantern ~ Light
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens: Th-The Festum?!*A Sphinx flies right after the cemetery!*
: It’s coming this way!: Do they want to get us… No, I think they’re after Koyo!: What?!: We’re gonna lose him to the Festum too…? Were my mom and so many others not enough?!
: Are you there…?
: Wh-Whose attack was that?!
SRW UX - Life Goes On: It’s the Destiny and the Impulse?!
: Luna, they just finished repairing the Impulse, so don’t try anything crazy with it. Hang back and I—: No, I won’t!: ?! … Okay, then back me up and we’ll take him down in one pass!: Roger! We’ll show them what ZAFT Reds can do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0n9MQI5GmU
: We’re safe…?
: Luna, you…: You told Kazuki before that you need to do everything in your power to keep those that are dear to you from becoming casualties…: And I feel the exact same way, Shinn.: Luna…: I don’t want Kazuki and the others to go through what we did… so I want you to share this burden with me.: After all, I am your partner!: … Yeah, we’re not the people we were back then. We’ve changed, bit by bit.: And it looks like everyone’s coming over, so let’s keep this up and kick the Festum off the island!
: Kazuki and his peers are away, so the only Fafner available for deployment is Michio’s.: We face the Festum today, so do your best to support one another in combat. Troops, deploy!
: Why are you guys here? You know we’re trying to help Kasugai, right…?
: Don’t get us wrong, we’re only here to destroy the Festum that appeared.
: But that’s not the end of it for some of us, of course.: Koyo may have been tagged as a Festum, but we’re still not going to turn our backs on him!: We’ll handle this, Kazuki. Grab Koyo and run!: Yes, sir!: You’re not taking away their future, Festum! Not Kazuki and his friends’… and not Koyo’s!: They want to protect a Festum-ized human?! Calling that insane would be putting it mildly!: Tell me you haven’t bought into that idea, Makabe!: …: Accepting beings that are different than ourselves…: It’s that choice that leads to a new path, Mitsuhiro.: A new path…?
No surprises today, just a bevy of Festum to dispatch and with more coming in from the SW corner of the map. Spread your troops around accordingly and take them out as you’ve done before.
Skeleton (Karen)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L3
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L2
All Attack L1
Spirit Commands:
Scan
Alert
Focus
Mech Features:
Sword
Repair Module
Squad Bonus: Exp +10%, Accuracy +5, A in Space (Exp +20%, Accuracy +20, S in Space)
Karen’s voice actress: Saeko Shimazu (other roles: Yuri in Dirty Pair, Four in Z Gundam, Rag in Xabungle and some more).
Eh, she’s not as useful as Shouko at all. Her stats are not great and the Skeleton has “eh”-level stopping power (it’d be stronger than the Bakuryu and Houraiou IF they didn’t have that combo attack), but the main problem is that her Squad Bonus and spirit commands don’t really do much to set her ahead of the pack.
There’s no good reason to use her, really, but at least she gets to be happy with Damian – and that’s what this was all about!
Forward!
SRW UX - JOEY AND HEROMAN
: “He’s not a human, so we don’t have to save him”… That way of thinking is just wrong!: Whatever a person might be, it doesn’t change the fact that he or she’s still someone’s friend!
SRW UX - Love Survivor
: You’re dealing with me, ya hear?! Keep off Kazuki and Koyo!
SRW UX - Lion
: Lending each other a hand is what teammates do! I’ll hold these blobs at bay while Kazuki and co. are helping their friend!
SRW UX - My Fate
: Human emotions are capable of even prying the Aura Road open, so I know Kazuki and his friends can get through to him…!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD98vLNuC1U
All of the Nanajin’s attacks gained some extra flair to them, apparently.
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
: Trying to save their Festum-ized friend… Yeesh, those kids are nuts. 
: Still, I can dig the fire they’re showing here! So how about we answer in kind and go wild!
SRW UX - Life Goes On: I’m sure their voices and their hearts’ll reach Koyo! And if you’re set on trying to stop that, then you’ll answer to me!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdGWT2hAKQ
And as you kill enough stuff, the plot carries on…
: O-Over here, Koyo!: Tha…nk you… for… sav…ing me.: Of course, Koyo. We—: …o…mi… Toumi...?: Koyo...?: Kazuki... I saved... Toumi… didn’t I…?: …?! Koyo, you’re…: I’m so sorry, Koyo… I couldn’t rescue you in time back then…: Thank… you… Saku…ra…: Gch…! I-I… *sniffles*: Yes, you saved Toumi, Koyo…
: Damn it, they’re throwing everything and the kitchen sink at us today! We can’t keep this up forever!
: Are they all really being drawn to Koyo Kasugai?!: …: What is it, Kasugai?: Are… you there?: Koyo, those words…!
: Did his assimilation by the Festum progress even more?!: Oh, no…!: …: I don’t know what madness has taken you over, but the truth is there for all to see. This is what happens to all those that are assimilated.: Your “new path” is just an illusion, Makabe.*Beep.*
: Your orders, Makabe? Way this is going, the kids are gonna be in a lot of trouble!: …: …: That’s enough, Kazuki! Koyo’s already gone! That thing doesn’t even have any feelings!: No, you’re wrong! Koyo thanked us just now!: Hah…: Are you suggesting that Koyo’s still in there?!: (?! I get it. You’re…): Koyo told Sakura “thank you”! His mind isn’t gone yet!: A person who’s been assimilated thanked someone?!: That’s… impossible…: Then you go and take Koyo’s mind back from them! We’ll buy you as much time as you need!: I’m sure your voices’ll get through to him, to the human mind inside him!
: Forget about precedents and whatnot! Tear down that impossibility and make it real!: Guys…: Yeah, I’m not giving up on him! We will bring back his mind!: (What happens next is all up to you. Koyo’s in your hands, Kazuki!)