Part 91: Mission 37 - The Living - Part 2
: All enemy units have been repelled!
: Have we heard anything from Arnie and Saya?!: Nothing yet. It looks like they set their unit down by the nearby forest…
: Then we should help them with their search!
: No, stay where you are. I’ll go after them.: Or, better put, I need to go after them.
: Alone? That’s too dangerous. We’ll help—: I’ll be fine. You have a more important job: to teach them the sorrow that comes from battles. And the best way to erase that sorrow…
: “Them”…?
Location: Army of Mankind’s Weapon Development Lab
: SO Bartland, we have received word from the Special Mobile Troop sent to attack Tatsumiya.: It seems they failed in securing the Nothung Models.
: That doesn’t matter. The Festum’ll be as good as defeated once it’s activated…
: All systems are functioning steadily. Mark Nicht… activation successful!: Well done, Yukie. It’s only thanks to you that our Salvator Model’ll see the light of day.
(on TV): Thank you, Mitsuhiro…: Gch…!*Alarm!*
: …?! Sir, there are abnormalities in the pilot’s bio-graphs!: That’s to be expected. We administered – on her request – a sub-lethal dose of Activion to speed her integration with the Fafner. : Please carry on with the experiment. This needs to happen for mankind’s future to be saved!: (And, above all, for Mitsuhiro’s dream to be realized…!): We must respect her wishes. Proceed to phase two of the experiment.: …: What is it? Why aren’t you resuming the experiment?: We…: We have learned all we needed of this place.: What?!
: …: Wh-What?! How did a Festum get in this base?!: It disguised itself as a human…! A Master Type Festum?!: We will use me to acquire your emotions and your power.*Tzzzp.*
: The Festum… it disappeared?!: Where did it go?!
: N-No! Noooo!: You are me.: It’s going after the Fafner…!: Damn it, eject the cockpit now! Save my Fafner!: The controls are unresponsive! It’s blocking out all codes we send in!: Y-You accursed Festum…!: Th-The Salvator Model’s taking aim at us!: What?! Yukie, what’re you doing?!: I-I’m not…! I can’t control…!
: The Festum… It’s Assimilating her?!*Craash!*
: N-No… Stop! This unit is mine and Mitsuhiro’s dream… Please, don’t do this!: We will use me to further comprehend emotions.*Power uuuuup!*
: My… dream… The dream I’ve dedicated my life to creating… This is how it ends…? Hah… hahah…: Ahahahahahaha! HAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!: S-Stop! I’m begging you!: STOOOOOOP!*Blaaaaaast!*
: Worm Spheres…?!*Tweeep.*
: Hrk… A new signal’s Crossing with the Siegfried System…?: Everyone, be careful! There’s… something incoming!
: Is that… a Fafner?!
: It’s the Salvator Model…: A new one, made as the polar opposite of the Mark Sein and my father’s wishes. I didn’t think they’d finished it…!: Its ID code is Mark Nicht…! A unit made to deny all that is…!
: But why is that Fafner with the Festum?!
: I’ve killed it…: I killed his dream… with my own hands…!
: Yukippe?! Is that you piloting it?!
: Hold on, something’s wrong with her…!
: Hate… hate… hatehatehatehateHATE!: AAAAAAAAAH!
: We have learned “hatred” through me. 
: It’s that man we saw at the Moldova Base…!
: The humanoid Festum…!
: All vitals within the Mark Nicht have vanished…: Yukippe…!: Damn it, you idiot…! Is this how you wanted to go?!: We will use me to eradicate you.
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: Th-The hell is that…?!
: There’re roots coming out of that Fafner!
: It’s roots are spreading throughout the island… It’s—!
: A-Alert! The Festum’s roots are destroying the island’s inner blocks one by one!
: What?!: E-Everyone, hurry… if he’s not stopped… ALVIS will…: Gwaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
: Soushi?! What happened?!: The Siegfried System has been disconnected! We can’t get through to him!
: ALVIS has gone silent – their comm systems might’ve been destroyed!
: What about Sakura and Kenji?! Are they safe?!
: Guys, you need to move fast! We only have five minutes until that Festum has devoured all of ALVIS!
: Meaning we need to destroy the Mark Nicht within that time frame! Do whatever it takes!
: J-Just five minutes?!: Maybe that’s insane or impossible, but we still need to do it!: (Hold on, Yumiko…! I swear I’ll protect you both!)
And now you have five minutes to take out Idun’s Mark Nicht – worse, all your Fafners have lost their connection to Soushi, so they can’t use his spirits. Still, this is simple, provided your guys are close to where Idun spawns and, above all, you saved enough SP to deal with his Mind Read L3.
Fafner Mark Nicht (Idun)
Pilot Skills:
Mind Read L3 (+50% to evasion/accuracy)
Support Attack L3
All Attack L3
Mech Features:
Assimilation L2 (Threshold is 100 morale)
All-Canceller
Mitsuhiro’s big evil Fafner comes fully equipped to zap you from far, far away – and it can obviously do that very accurately with Idun’s massive stats and Mind Read L3. Evasion is also at an all-time high, and it has a 6x6 MAPW centered around it, which’ll also debuff your Accuracy and, of course, is also capable of assimilating your guys (it takes 130 morale to use, mind).
How easy this fight goes depends solely on whether or not you have the SP to reliably get a hit in, as Idun’s lack of Prevail’ll make his 80k HP drop faster than you can say “ouch, Mitsuhiro got punk’d”. If you don’t, then… good luck? Put those command auras in place, set up support attacks, and pray the RNG smiles on you. At least try to keep Idun under 130 morale to avoid everyone getting MAPW’d and attack him at least under range two, since his best attack is range 3-8.
Since we’re so close, we’ll quickly take out the other Festum and then turn our sights on him. Idun isn’t the most hot-blooded guy, as you can probably tell, so he won’t get much morale from us dunking on his mooks.
SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me
: Hatred has been born in the Festum… and humans only have themselves to blame…: But I know that people can change for the better, which means you can as well…!
: I will use us to return all of you to nothingness.
: Your jibber jabber’s really getting on my nerves, guy!: We have learned hatred from you. Now we will bless you with it.
: S-Stop…! People… aren’t comprised of just hatred!: Please, listen! You have to understand!!
: A-Ah…
: Ayul, you’re awake? Get up, quick!: Wh-What… There are golden roots all over the forest…: I don’t know what’s going on either. These Festum roots are spreading through the entire island…: C-Captain, behind you!: Hrm?! Damn it!*Shoot gun!*
: Come on, Ayul! We stay here and these roots’ll grab us as well! Run!: O-Okay…!
*Boom!*
: I guess they’re all fighting right now, huh, Sakura…
: …*Door opens.*
: You’re still here, Kenji?!: Mom…: Everyone’s already left for the shelters! Come with us!: …: No, I… I’m staying here with Sakura…: What’re you talking about, Kenji?!: If I stay, I’ll end up like Sakura, right…?: That doesn’t sound so bad…: Stop being an idiot!*Slap!*
: Ah…!: Look at everyone fighting out there! They still have faith in their future!: What about you? Don’t you have faith in your future?! In Sakura’s future?!: I-I…: Come on, you dummy. You still have plenty to tell Sakura, don’t you?: Yes…: Hurry, we’re out of time. We have to—*Boom!*
: W-Waah…!: ?! Kenji, get back!*Roots grab her!*
: G-Argh…!: M-Mom…!: H-Hold on, I—: Forget about me… Get the kids… and run…!: B-But…!: D-Don’t let… the new life in you… disappear…!: M-Ms. Kondo!: I won’t let them… hurt the kids… or the hope that… was born here…: …: Come on, Kenji!: W-Wait! My mom is…!: MOOOOOOM!*Dragged away.*
: Gosh, that dummy… Always so helpless…: Live… Kenji…
*BOOM!*
: The 2nd CDC’s systems are going down! The roots are still spreading!
: Isn’t there any way to stop them other than killing that guy?!
: If there is, we don’t have the time to find out! Focus on pushing him back – every minute counts!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmX0GD1BC6o
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens: We will return all to nothingness via the hatred we learned from you.: I guess what he’s feeling is what Yukippe felt in her last moments, huh…?: Then this is the least I can do to honor you, Yukippe. I’ll wipe out the hatred you birthed and this blob altogether!
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter: You have enabled us to comprehend hatred. And I’ll use this emotion to destroy you.
: Sorry to tell you, but comprehending hatred doesn’t mean you’ll succeed at that!: See, we have a lot more emotions that just that inside us! And you’re not strong enough to destroy those!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW28lurwD3I
And here’s Idun’s strongest attack.
: 80% of the island’s functions are down! The Festum roots are showing no signs of slowing down their spread!
: We only have two minutes left… If we don’t hurry, the people of the island will all…!
: Throw everything you have at that thing, troops! SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: We will use me to deliver hatred unto you.
: If you are a deliverer of hatred, then I’ll oppose you as a glimmering moon shining over all!: My light shall dispel the darkness within the people’s hearts!
SRW UX - Dunbine Flies
: Shou… That Festum’s really scary…
: The Mark Nicht, a Fafner cloaked in hate…: Leaving these emotions loose will only bring about more catastrophes! I’ll cut down the hate within you!
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter: It was through your blessing that we learned hatred.: Yoji Hino worked hoping that it’d be possible for both humanity and the Festum to have a future!: And he entrusted that vision of the future to us! If we’re going to make that a reality, then we cannot be destroyed here!
: The Festum roots are approaching the shelters! We only have one minute before it reaches them!
: We cannot tarry any longer! All units, concentrate all your firepower on the Mark Nicht!: This isn’t over yet! We’re not giving in ‘til the very last second! SRW UX - Lion: I will use us to bless you all.
: Hrk, how the hell are we supposed to get through to these things?! How do we make them understand how we feel…?!
SRW UX - Shangri-La.: We will use me to return all to nothingness.: You’d take even more from us… just as you took my mom…?: But I won’t let that happen again! I’ll keep Soushi and everyone on the island safe from you!
And he drops a Holly’s Favorite Guitar.
: …!
: D-Did we do it…?!
: No, not yet!
SRW UX - Mark Sein: …
: A-Aah! All damage we did vanished in a second…
: It might look like a Fafner, but it’s a Festum behind that armor-robo!
: Rrgh, this frickin’ monster!: We will use me to accelerate our offensive.
: The Festum roots are burrowing through the main block’s bulwarks!: If they get through, all remaining systems will fall in short order!
: Crap, are we out of options?! : No, if it’s actually a Festum in there… then I’ll try and Assimilate it with the Mark Sein!*Heartbeat.*
: Grgh…?!
: What is it, Kazuki?!: M-My body…: It won’t move…!
: Don’t tell me… Is your Assimilation triggering?! : Hrm… Soushi, Soushi…! SOUSHIII!: We will use me to deny all that you are. 
: U-Uwaaaaah!
: Th-This ain’t good…!
: (Curses… Not even the Elshank can withstand a barrage like that for long…!): (What am I to do?! If I summon the Zerokage now, I might be able to…!): N-No… I still haven’t…!: I’m not losing them to these freaks…!: (Michio…! Save us!): Raaaaaaargh!*Grab!*
: ?!: You’re not denying anything! My dream…: My new dream is here! Mine and Yumiko’s new dream! : (…?! Michio, you…!): TAKE THIS!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpl_q8uJj7k
: Gwaaaaaaaargh!
: Michio…?!
: Hrrrmmm!: Heheh… Y-You’re not going anywhere…! One more hit and you’re done…!
: W-Watch out! Michio, eject right now!*Grab again!*
: …?!: Where’re you off to…? Yumiko… is over there…!: I promised I’d survive… and make my way back to her…
*BOOOM!*
Angela - Separation (Piano Version): …
: Y-You’re kidding…: Wh-Where’s the Mark Ein… Where’s Michio?!: …: We’ve lost the Mark Nicht’s signal… and the Mark Ein’s…
: N-No…!: A-Aaah… No...no…!: MICHIOOOOOOOOO!
: Sis…: …: He promised me he wouldn’t die… He said he always keeps his promises…
: Yumiko…
: …
: Canon…: This isn’t the first time I lost a teammate. It just turned out to be Michio today…
: It’s alright to cry.: ?!: Because people are capable of shedding tears…: …: R-Rrgh… Mi-Michio…: *sob*… Uwaahaaaaaa…!
: (Someone who’s been with you for so long is suddenly gone one day…): (This is what war is like…)
: …: If I may ask, what happened to Ensign Berge and Madam Saya? How fared their pursuit of the Army of Mankind soldiers?
: They have yet to return. I believe the ALVIS personnel are looking for them right now.
: Those two are very capable people, so I’d like to think they will be fine…*Door opens.*
: Here you are…
: Kazuki, your eye…! (It may be hard to see in the tiny portraits, but Kazuki’s right eye is red, instead of his usual brown): …
: Is that due to the Assimilation…?: Don’t worry. Dr. Toumi’s given me some medicine, so I can still see normally. : Kazuki…: Can you guys come with me? I think my dad has something to tell us about Soushi. SRW UX - Prologue: Ayul, are you okay?!: Y-Yes…: Looks like the Festum attack has stopped for now…: But, look… all the trees in the forest are in full bloom. And it’s not even close to being the season for it…: You’re right… I wouldn’t expect the Festum to have energized them, but…: This happened because the Mir came into contact with life…: Who goes there?!*
* : I was hoping to meet with you, Jin, Ayul…: Who are you…?: You… You’re Tatsumiya’s core!: Yes… And, like you, I’m also trying to learn more about life…: Of course, the three of us aren’t the only ones.
: …: Arnie…!: Been a while, Jin…
: They are…
: Tsubaki Minashiro… Did you guide the four of us here…?: I did. I wanted your lives to touch one another…: Our lives…?: Years ago, the Mir in Japan took the ability to be parents from people because it did not comprehend what life meant. : So, in order to protect those people from death, it took away life. : They kept people from being born in order for them not to die…?: But the Mir is in the process of learning about life. That’s why all these flowers are in bloom.: My mother gave the Mir of this island life, just as Akane Makabe did for the Festum – they who used to be her enemies.: In the same way the Odyssite within you has given you both life, Saya, Ayul.: …!: Then, you’re also…!: A creation of Novel Dylan…: “Saya” and “Ayul”… both names mean “life”.: The same name… the same existence…: …: Jin… did you know about this?: …: Talk to me, Jin! Why do the four of us need to fight each other?!: Just what is it that you’re trying to accomplish?!: If you knew… it would cause you more pain than you’ve ever felt before.: What…?!: Jin… you are very familiar with sorrow.: …: And you’re fighting to try and find an answer for it…: An answer for the sorrow…?: If a world filled with war saddens you, then what do you suppose is the best way to erase that sorrow?: …: It’s to make your enemy understand that sorrow…: That’s right. And Akane Makabe was the first one to think of that extremely simple, yet enormously complicated solution.: Akane Makabe… Kazuki’s mother, who was Assimilated by the Festum…: Unfortunately, the Festum learned about hatred before they learned of sorrow…: But I believe you can still accomplish that, yes?: You want us to teach “sorrow” to the Festum…?: …: Let’s go, Ayul. There’s nothing more to be spoken here.: Jin, wait!: …: That sorrow of yours… Is that burden not something you could share with me?: Arnie…: …: There’s no turning back the hands of time…: Our eyes are no longer set upon the same future…*They leave.*
Jin…
(on TV): Why didn’t you take part in today’s attack, Ylbora?
: This was Hazard’s plan. I simply did not care to get involved in it.: Besides, the Emperor never actually intended to fight in earnest, did he, Lady Benikage…?: …: Very well. But here’s some friendly advice: you’d do well to remember why you’re still here…*Bloop.*
: …: (I know why. I have sworn allegiance to The Boom Army in order to save Her Highness’ life…): (Whatever may happen to me matters not. There's nothing I won't do to safeguard her life...): I trust you also feel that way, hm…?: …
: What… What happened here?!
: There are Festum Roots everywhere…!
: Do you see that part where the roots are thickest? : Soushi Minashiro is in there.
: What did you say?!
: Then, the Festum were looking to neutralize the Siegfried System…: Is Soushi safe…?
: The enemy lost its core before Assimilation was complete, so we believe there’s a good chance he’s fine.
: Doesn’t look like the roots are going anywhere, though. How are we going to get him out?: We’ve found Ms. Kondo’s research data and are using it to look for solutions. But it’s going to take some time…: Damn it… And Soushi’ll have to stay there in the meantime…?: Ka-Kazuki… are you… there…?: Y-yeah, I am…! I’m right here, Soushi…!: Thank goodness, he’s okay.
: Wait just a bit, kiddo! My supremely ultimate intellect will cook up some glorious device that’ll have you out before you kno—: We have been searching for you through me.
: …?!*Flash!*
: …
: He’s…!
: That Festum from before…! You still live?!: I seek similar beings through us.
: Graaaaaaaaaaaaaah!: Soushi?!
: He’s…!
: He’s taking Soushi!
: Move!*Bang, bang!*
: …: Kch… Our weapons don’t work on him?!: Ga-aaaah…: S-STOP!!
: Ka…zu……..ki…: Soushi… this can’t be happening… Hey! Do you hear me…?!: We are leaving, child of ALVIS. We seek your blessing.*Flash!*
: They’re gone…
: The Festum, and Soushi…
: Goddamn it…! We were right here and couldn’t do anything to stop him…!: I’m going after him…: Kazuki…?: I’m going to save Soushi! I have to! He’s waiting for me…!: And where will you even go?! The whereabouts of that Festum are wholly unknown to us!: I…: The denial of existence is also the affirmation of destruction. However…: I-It can’t be…
: How are you here…?!
: The factor called potentiality never fades, which signifies a connection with the affirmation of existence.: …: M-Mom…!
REJOICE, FOR THE PROMISED TIME IS UPON US!
Our tacticians are starting to unlock their 3rd bonuses, and, unfortunately for the rest of them, Zhuge Liang has decided to stop hiding his power level. Now he claims his rightful place as KING: his new bonus ups all our terrain ratings by 1 level. And I mean ALL terrain ratings: unit and weapons. Your guy has an B on land? Now he has an A. His weapon has an A in Air? S.
And, in SRW, boosting a weapon’s terrain rating results in a boost of, approximately, 10% added damage. In other words, during our turn, good ‘ol Kongming gives everyone a free, no questions asked, +20%-ish damage, on top of boosting everyone’s hit and evasion %s, and they still ignore all size penalties.
Zhuge Liang is the greatest tactical mind in all history!
Oh, and the only convo we missed today was Michio vs. Jin, because I wasn’t about to send him out into the sea:
: I now have something worth fighting for… something I’d never give up on.: And if anything stands in my way, then I’ll go over it… no matter the sacrifices that’ll entail.: Well, what do you know? Turns out I’ve got something I’d never give up too.: And that’s a life – a hope – that I’ll keep safe come hell or high water!