Part 85: Mission 35 - Choice ~ Decision - Part 1
And we’re back, having lost not only Sakura but, actually, Kenji for reasons we’ll see in a bit. That’s two very reliable units gone (plus Kouichi’s still on strike), and I’m not a happy camper. Shouko’s heading out as an event unit, so we adjust accordingly.
Joe/Athrun
Joey/Domyoji
Arnie/Saya
Sun Quan/Shangxiang
Kazuki/Allelujah
Mamoru/Hebi
Cao Cao/Zhang Fei
Liu Bei/Rennie
Kira/Graham
Burn/Tsubasa
Shou/Marvel
Maya/Michio
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Alto/Lux
Dancouga/Eida
Kurou/Deceive
Moritsugu/Yulianne
Fei-Yen/Lockon
Aesap/Miu
Yajima/Michel
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Off we go.
#1: No! I… #1: I can’t do it! #2: Please, Katou… It has to be done!
: But… How…: How can you expect me to just kill you, Professor…?! #2: … #2: I understand that it’s a very cruel request I’m making of you… #2: But I can’t trust anyone but you to see it done. It won’t be long before I…: P-Professor… #2: I want you to know… that bringing you into our family has given me so much joy… #2: Thank you… from the bottom of my heart…: Professor, I… I!: Gch… Uwaaaaaah!*Bang!*
: Professor…!: …?! Th-This is…: Hm… That dream again…*Door opens.*
: Excuse me.: What is it, Masaki?: It’s about Yulianne. She has gone AWOL ever since yesterday’s battle.: I see…: Our suspicions may have been right…: Yes… She was likely a spy Ishigami planted in our midst.: I suppose I’d forgotten what kind of man he is…: …: Still, the information she’s provided us with was very valuable.: And what about General Lu Bu?: He’s also left with Diaochan. Their current status is unknown.: That said, considering his M.O., I doubt he was working as anyone’s spy…: Hm, I’ll say. That man is simply looking for a place to die.: A place to die?: To live is to imagine your death…: And he can only live by confronting death in the battlefield. What a pitiable man…: …: One last thing. The Advancers have sent a request by the Hojo Army: they want an audience with us.: The group that’s arrived from Byston Well?: Yes, sir. The Advancers reached out to them as they arrived on the surface and the group has been under their protection since.: They must clearly want something to be requesting this audience.: Very well. Why don’t we lend our ears to these otherworlders?Later…
: A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cmdr. Katou.: And allow me to thank you for accepting our request.: It was no trouble. How are you finding the surface, if I may ask?
: The Advancers have been treating us well… though I confess we were all taken aback when we first met them…: Hah, that happens to everyone.: …: Regardless, in light of the kindness we have been shown…: We would like to propose an alliance between the Hojo Army and the Katou Organization.: You wish to ally with us?: I find it hard to believe that the entire military of a nation would go to war over a favor. What are you truly after?: As we have been told, your goal is world conquest.: Thus, when said conquest is complete, perhaps you would grant us sovereignty over Japan? It’s the homeland of our king.: And has King Sakomizu allowed you to make this arrangement?: I’m acting of my own initiative at the moment.: That said, the King dreams of seeing his rotted nation restored. He will not object to this.: Shinjiro Sakomizu… A loyal warrior of the old Japanese Army…: Does your ardor for your motherland burn still? Did not even your kamikaze attack snuff it out?: (This man… he knows of the king’s origins…?): But I digress. We will gladly accept your offer.: I thank you, Cmdr. Katou.: The blades of the Hojo Army will stand united with you and, together, we’ll bring victory to the Katou Organization.*They leave.*
: … Are you sure this is fine?: It doesn’t really matter. They’ll offset the loss of Yulianne, Lu Bu and Diaochan, and that is more than enough.: But, regardless, I want you to get ready to depart. We must go meet with him as soon as possible.: …: With Amagatsu Kizaki, sir…?
(on TV): You want to send Kenji Kondo back here…?
: Actually, the request comes from him. He wants to stay with Sakura…
: Kenji…: And I don’t think we should discard any options. Maybe their strong spirits, the strong feelings they have for each other, can help us find another alleyway to take…?: Okay, I’ll allow it. Send him back to the island along with Sakura Kaname.: Thank you, sir.*Beep.*
: Sakura… She’ll get better, won’t she?
: I’m sure she will. Tsubaki’s been helping my mom and it looks like her research is making progress…
: And she’ll have Kenji right there with her, too.
: Still, the fact remains that we have just lost two Fafners and Canon’s Babylon Model is severely damaged.
: Furthermore, the Linebarrel is sealed away. One cannot deny that this is a heavy blow to our forces. : …
: Speaking of, what was that black Linebarrel anyway?
: We’d previously seen it change color when Kizaki piloted it, but…
: According to Prof. Rachel, the color change is a result of its Counter Nanomachines activating.
: “Counter Nanomachines”?: She said it’s a system meant to protect the Factor from the resulting burden of the Override’s continuous teleportation.
: Right, because the Override’s also a type of time travel, just like the Orphes’ warp. The process probably eats away at his life like what happened with Maj. Richard and me. 
: That’s true. Kouichi did almost push himself over the edge during that mess with the nukes.: But, from what we’ve seen, the Counter Nanomachines can only be activated when Kizaki’s in the pilot seat…
: Emi’s the only one who can do it? Kouichi can’t?: So far, yes…
: If you ask me, I think that’s because of Kizaki’s dad. He’s inside the Linebarrel, so he’s trying to protect her.: Just as you’re protecting Arnie’s life when you’re both in the Odyssea, Saya.: …!: …
: Even that kill-crazy robo-dad still cares for his daughter, then? Hmm…: But what are we going to do now? Kouichi still hasn’t come back, right?: And there’s also the matter of Canon…
: …: My Fafner really is a total loss, then?
: I’m afraid so. The main frame’s core components have taken too much damage to fix.
: On the flip side, you really should thank all your lucky stars that you weren’t hurt when your mech got as trashed as it did.: …
: Cheer up, Canon-robo…
: Um… Couldn’t she use Sakura’s Mark Drei or something?
: Yeah, and I’m sure Sakura would also like that, rather than leaving the thing to collect dust…
: Unfortunately, that’s not possible. From what we’ve been briefed, it takes someone implanted with Festum genes to pilot a Nothung Model – no one else will work. : Then, if I were implanted with those…!
: That’s out of the question.: Why? The other pilots all had that procedure done, no?: Kazuki and the others are different: the Festum genes were implanted before they were actually born.: Trying to do the procedure afterwards can, at worst, kill the subject.: …: And there’s just no other way for me to pilot the Mark Drei…?: I’m sorry…: I see…: Then I can’t fight anymore…
: Canon…
: Psh, so much’s going down the drain and Kouichi’s still gone! The hell’s he doing?!
: We haven’t heard anything from him since he stormed out Ishigami’s office…
: His reaction’s not unreasonable, though. His own unit almost killed his teammates…
: …
: And, to top that off, the friend he thought was dead actually turned out to be alive…
: It was all too much for him to take in, I think. It would be for anyone…
: I suggest we leave Hayase to Domyoji.
: Domyoji?
: We saw him leave to go talk to him. I’d wager he’s got something in mind…: Some way to get Kouichi back on his feet, maybe…
*Punch!*
: You little…! Why did you keep quiet all this time?!*Punch!*
: Why do you think?! I couldn’t accept what’d happened to me!*Punch!*
: W-Why are those two fighting?! Go stop them…!
: Nah, Hayase needs this right now. He’s gotta put things in order with Yajima.: And this is how they’re doing that…?! A brawl?!: Yeah. And it has to be Yajima. This is the only way we’ll exorcize what’s haunting Hayase…: Do you have any idea how hard I’d been driving myself, all because I thought you died for me…: But here you are, alive again – and you even have the same power we have, to boot! What did I do all that for, then?! It was all for nothing!*Punch!*
: “For nothing”?! What about those people you protected?! Where do you get off saying they meant nothing?! Grow up!*Punch!*
: Haah, haah… Then…: Then, tell me, what the hell am I supposed to do now?!
: What matters isn’t what you should do. It’s what you want to do.
: …?!: What do you want to do, Kouichi…?: I… I…: …: I just want to be a Champion of Justice…: Then just be one. It suits you, I think.: Okay…: Kouichi… You’re not someone who can only be protected anymore. : So I want you to protect me back whenever I’m in trouble…: Yajima…
: You made up through a fist-fight? Talk about old-fashioned…
: Still, it looks like getting everything out in the open helped them sort things out.: Haha— Oooww…: Sorry if we had you guys worried, but we’re good now.: But… how? How did that help you?: Because we’re all a bunch of idiots here. Honestly, I couldn’t tell beforehand if it was gonna work or not.
: You have to break down the excess and single out what actually matters: “what do you want to do?” as they always say.
: Yeah, first you get that sorted out and then you worry about the rest!: (What do I want to do…?)
: To sum it up, it’s a guy thing, then?: Owowowow! Don’t poke me, Erebos! I’m still hurting all over!
: Hayase… I’m so sorry that I never told you about my father…: …: I’m sorry, too, Kizaki… because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive your dad for what he did.: I know…: But I also did some thinking. If we can choose our fate, like Mr. Ishigami said, then…: I think your dad must’ve chosen his fate too.: My father’s fate…?: Right. I’m sure there must’ve been some reason for him to head down this path – one that had him drive you to tears, to do all those monstrous things…: And I wanna find out what that reason is!: Hayase…: Kouichi, go and speak to the Linebarrel.: If you can’t forgive what he’s doing, then face him head on… and set him straight with your justice!: Yeah…!: Kizaki… Can you come with me to the Linebarrel?: Okay…!: (Hayase’s resolved to stand up to his fate…): (And I…)*Alarm!*
: The alarm…?!
: We’ve an emergency! : Several mobile units have been detected heading this way! We believe it’s the Katou Organization!: The Katous?!: Kouichi, you and Kizaki go for the Linebarrel!: B-But…: What, you don’t think the Neo Hayase Corps. can handle this?! Trust us, dude!: Yajima, Domyoji…!
: Are you done making out, ladies?! The enemy needs killing!: Aye, aye, ma’am!*Everyone goes.*
: Everything’ll be alright, Canon. Just stay here and wait for us.: …: Hrm…!*Canon leaves.*
: Hey, Canon! Where’re you going?!: I’ll go after her. You guys go and get ready to deploy…!
: (I don’t belong in this team, with Michio, Kazuki and the others, if I can’t fight… I shouldn’t be here…): (But, I…!)
Mission 35 – Choice ~ Decision
: The Linebarrel should be sealed away beneath the JUDA building…
: Hmph… They would merely seal away that which they cannot control? Pathetic!: Amagatsu Kizaki! You shall awaken once more by our hands!
: They’re looking to steal the Linebarrel today?!
: But we cannot allow it to fall into the enemy’s clutches! All troops, launch!
: (The Katou Organization was always so committed towards destroying all Machinas, but they want to steal the Linebarrel…?): (What for? Just what is the Linebarrel – what is Amagatsu Kizaki…?)*Beep, beep!*
: Huh?! Watch out, the Katou Organization isn’t alone! This signal is…!
: The Hojo Army?! Why are they with the Katou Organization…?!
: (My money’s on The Advancers being hard at work again…)
: You’ve allied yourself with an army of the Overworld, Sakomizu?!
: …
: What’s it look like?! We and the Katou Organization’re gonna take over this idiotic world together!
: Our Aura Machines are also getting a lot stronger now that we’re in the Overworld… No one’s gonna stop us with this power on our side!
: The hatred in their hearts is growing stronger as their Aura Power does…!
: That's exactly what happened back in our world!
: Rouri, Kanamoto… Are you really that far gone?!: On your command, Lord Masaki.: …: We’ll be counting on you and your troops. Forward!
: (The Linebarrel is Hisataka Katou’s primary target… and it is also a key for us to unlock one of the mysteries of this world…)
: Ladies, gentlemen, do not allow the enemy to encroach upon the demarked area. Keep the Linebarrel squarely out of their reach!
Kill everything, don’t lose a ship or let any enemy into JUDA HQ. We’ve got forces coming in from the NE and SE, so you’ll want to spread your guys accordingly – the Katous are bulkier in general, so send more guys that way.
Do note that while the bosses will all move in from the start, they’ll prioritize your guys, while the mooks will always make a beeline for JUDA, so focus on the little guys first, especially the flying Aura Machines. Speaking of, while I didn’t bother checking, I’ve a sinking feeling they’ve really gained a power boost from being in the Overworld – a couple mooks hit the Quarter and did about 4-4.5k a pop, which is a ton.
Regardless, the first waves are the more complicated but once your morale gets going, you’ll be tearing through these guys quickly. Remember that Kotto and Masaki still have their MAPWs and you’ll be fine.
Alto’s YF-29 Durandal F is pretty much a straight upgrade to his Messiah, carrying even the same Squad Bonus. There isn’t really much to be said here: it’s got more of everything. I suppose I could mention that he now has his ISC Maneuver, which means he can use his finisher post-movement. The Battroid version is still stronger, mind, and has 4 shots, while the ISC Maneuver costs a hefty 50 EN to use.
Apparition (Yajima Hideaki)
Pilot Skills:
Factor (Base value is 50)
Prevail L4
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
All-Attack L1
Hit & Away
Gunfight L2
Spirit Commands:
Snipe
Focus
Strike
Ideal (casts Fighting Spirit on self and adjacent allies)
Mech Features:
Gun
EM Camouflage
10% HP Regen
Squad Bonus: Ranged attacks +100, Accuracy +5 (Ranged attacks +200, Accuracy +20, Range +2, A in Air)
Yajima’s voice actor: Go Shinomiya (other roles: Seishiro Kusanagi in SRW OE, Lee and JB in 00 Gundam, and some more.)
A pure sniper as he was in L, Yajima’s still pretty reliable but he can’t really hold a handle to Maya, Miku, Mike (in the Kaima) or even Lockon. Still, he can make for a pretty good squaddie for any of them and should be an easy fit. His stats are certainly good enough and his squad bonus makes him pretty much perfect for any ranged attacker.
And I forgot to take a picture of Domyoji, so you’ll be spared of my ramblings for another mission. To sum it up, though, he’s a pretty great squaddie too, with his Squad Bonus boosting both ranged and melee weapons.
SRW UX - Deus Machina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWtEDl66vOM
And we start shooting but stuff’s still mostly closing in. Events trigger with every new turn, so…
: (Michio, everyone… good luck out there!)*Door opens.*
: …: Canon… Did something happen?: You have it, don’t you? A medicine that implants one with the Festum genes?: Wh-Who told you—?!: Michio mentioned it a while back. He said that, in the event someone was infected by the Mir’s toxin, it’d be possible to inoculate them through the injection of the Festum genes.: Th-That’s…: And considering how many times this squadron has fought the Festum, it’s pretty safe to assume that you’d have some of that for use in an emergency.: I’m taking it.: Wait! That’s used only as a last resort—*
* : Don’t move!: …?!: Canon, you…!: …: This is what I chose…Carrying on outside, we’ve got plenty of stuff in range.
SRW UX - Linebarrel: I have been reborn as a Factor… and I’ve taken plenty of time to come to grips with it. : But from now on I’ll be fighting as part of the UX!: I’ll do so not only for me, but also to protect his home…!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1NwqJU0QYM
: Hayase’s steeled himself and is off to settle matters with the Linebarrel…: Then I guess I better get to work too! Can’t have you folks making a mess out of that!
: Hmhmhm… Oh, it just breaks my heart to have to fight some familiar faces…: Still, this is my debut battle with the UX, so I have to make it a good one!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL4DCkKiim8
SRW UX - The Light of Life ShinesOh, and it should be noted that Saya’s BGM changed when we unlocked the Odyssea and I only noticed it now!
SRW UX - Love Survivor
I took care to get rid of one of these dumbasses quick before they had the morale to use their combo attack.
: Damn it, wasn’t my Aura energy supposed to have been boosted?!: Am I just not strong enough…?!
: Tsk… We’ve got some coming from over there too!
: Relay troops to intercept them at once!*Alarm!*
: Detecting a powerful energy reaction coming from above!
: H-Hrrgh…!: Where… Where’d that come from…?!
: Hm, you’ve finally shown yourself…: Hisataka Katou…!
: They’ve withstood the Shangri-La’s bombardment… You do justice to your reputation as heroes. 
: Katou…!
: Heheh, so the boss-man himself is jumping into the fray? I love it!
: It goes to show how much they want the Linebarrel!: You were all of great use for our plans… but I’m afraid your part has ended now that he’s awakened.: And I am here to remove you from the world’s stage!: Now I just have to inject myself with this and I’ll be able to pilot a Nothung Model…: Canon, stop! Think of what might happen! You might even die, remember?!*Door opens.*
: I thought you’d be here, Canon…: Shouko…: Why are you doing this…?: …: When I tried to disappear along with the island, Kazuki said I had to make my own choices…: Youko also told me that I had to figure out how to live without orders…: But neither of them were telling you to do something like this, no?: How do you think my mom would feel if you went ahead with it and lost your life?: I suppose… she would be sad. As would everyone else…: And it’d sadden you, too…: …: But I must still do this…!: … Okay.: Ms. Yumiko, please let her do as she wants.: Shouko?!: I know what she’s feeling. For so long I was always sick, never able to do anything to help the island or the people I loved…: Shouko…: It was my own will that let me be here today…: I chose to stand up to my fate, to overcome it and to stay here…: And I know you’ll do the same, right, Canon?: …: I have thought long and hard about this and so many things…: And there’s only one answer I found…!: Don’t! Canon, stop this!: I am here…: And I’ll continue to be, along with all my friends. That’s what I choose…!*Inject!*
: Aaiieeee!: The Linebarrel isn’t something you are equipped to handle.: (Ishigami… Whatever future you might have your eyes set on, you will not make it real…!)*Katou and two mooks close in on JUDA!*
: Gch… This is not good!: Ishigami! I’m taking Amagatsu Kizaki!: …
: M-Mr. Ishigami…!
: Wh-What…?!
SRW UX - Shangri-La
: We made it…!
: The Mark Sechs… but the other one is…!: …
: The Mark Drei… Is it—?!: I’m borrowing your Fafner, Sakura…
: So that I can protect this place… where all our friends are at!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfGPMjM2i1M
: Canon’s piloting the Mark Drei…?!
: You implanted yourself with the Festum genes?!
: Canon, you…: We’ll talk about it later!: Canon’s here, and that’s all that matters!
: Roger. Canon, provide support.: Thank you, Maya…: Canon, you know what to do, right?: Absolutely!*Canon tags into Shouko’s team.*
: All your tricks won’t change the future, Ishigami!*Beep.*
: I presume you’re talking about the future you know?: What…?!: I’m sure you’ve already noticed it, but there’s a major difference between the future you saw, and the future my eyes are set upon…: …?!: Ishigami… You cannot mean…!: (Kunio Ishigami and Hisataka Katou… What are they talking about?): Now, ladies and gentlemen of the UX, I have a new request to make of you.: Please set forward and remove them from these premises!
: That goes without saying! Everyone focus fire on Katou’s Arma!: Copy that!