Part 106: Mission 42 (Union Route) - Resurrection - Part 1
On to the Union route, where Heroman and Kurou are deploying as events. We’ve a lot less units on this side, but still plenty of squads to go:
Joe/Amalgan
Aesap/Lux
Joey/Rennie
Kurou/Kiki
Mike/Ozma
Burn/Marvel
Shou/Tsubasa
Mazinkaiser/Eida
Alto/Luca
Dr. West/Hebi
Dancouga/Canaria
Arnie/Saya
Fei-Yen/Michel
Damian/Klan
Tactician: Ruri (if you’re still on track for the Demonbane secret).
Off we go.
Location: Earth Federation Army’s California Base
: It’s been too long, Hughes.
: Yes, it has, UX! And I’ve heard of how strong you’ve all become in that time.: Which is perfect, because I think you’ll be able to put this little present of ours to good use.
: A present…?: Right; a power armor for Heroman.: “Power armor?” You had something like that made?!
: Now that’s pretty sweet, isn’t it, Joey?: I’ll have to save the full story for later, though. Your client for the day would like to explain the situation.
: Hm? You’re not the guy?*Door opens.*
: No, this request comes straight from the Federation Army’s GHQ, Joe.: Ronin?! Goddamn, it’s you!: Hahah, it’s been ages since we’ve spoken face-to-face, hasn’t it?: And I reckon you’re doing alright, eh? I’ve been wanting to get in touch with ya!
: A friend of yours, Joe?: Yeah, we’ve known each other since we were kids back on Mars.
: We used to hang out a lot back then, playing and whatnot.: And that’s saying nothing of how we owe him a ton for always helping us out.: Please, Joe. You and your group are the saviors of the planet. We’re the ones who should feel indebted to you.: And, of course, that applies to you as well, Ensign Berge. 
: Maj. Ronin, I…: Say no more. Maj. Graham has told me of how you’ve been staying true to your beliefs.: Our relationship may not be one of superior and subordinate anymore, but I still wish you all the success out there.: Thank you, sir…!: Ronin, about this request from the Feds… it’s about dealing with the Black Lodge, right?: Yes, we would like you to rout them and their mobile fortress – that Cthulhu monstrosity. : They been using its powers to drain the vitality of all denizens of cities in the region.
: It’s draining the people’s vitality…? What for?: We don’t know, but the fact is that they’ve already caused plenty of damage with that.: Normally the Union or the Federation Armies would be deployed to face this problem, but they’re currently bogged down with something else.
: What happened?: We’ve had several reports of various facilities here in California suffering attacks of unknown origin. Oddly enough, only military research facilities are being targeted.: Who’s responsible for the attacks, or their objectives, are still unknown—*BOOM!*
: Wh-What was that-robo?!
: Major Ronin, we’ve a situation! Our base’s lab is being attacked!: Hrm, we’re the next target?!: We’ll take care of this, Ronin!: But your request is to…: Hey, now, don’t be a stranger!
: Any friend of Joe’s is a friend of ours! We’re not about to leave you hanging!
: Let’s go, everyone!: Thank you all…!
: Tsk, it’s not in this lab either?!: Where the hell did they stash the G Cells they recovered…?*
* : Stop right there!
: …!: I dunno who you are, but I’ll admit you got a lotta stones launching an attack like this by yourself!
: Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be. If you try hurting anyone…
: Hmm!: …: I see you’re still the big hero, Joey.: Th-That voice…!: Are you… Will?!: Heh… Been a long time, hasn’t it, Joey, Psy?: Will, why…
: As in, Lina’s big brother? Why’s he here?: Is he under the Skrugg’s control again?!: No, I’m sure he was back to normal!: Will, where have you been all these months?! Everyone’s been so worried about you – especially Lina!: Worried about me? This walking freak-show?: But that was the Skrugg’s…: I’m not human anymore, Joey!: ?!: Reality’s cruel sometimes. But even after I came to accept that, and understood what my lot in life is, I still felt compelled to fight.
: You…: If you folks are the light in this story, then I’m the darkness. An inhuman creature, skittering in the shadows…!
: And just what is said dweller of the darkness doing attacking these laboratories?!: There’s more going on that what you see. Things are already in motion beneath the surface.: But I want to make one thing perfectly clear: don’t get in my way again, or I won’t cut even you any slack. You’d do well to remember that!*BOOM! Away!*
: Hrm! He ran off…: (Will… Just what are trying to do?)*Door opens!*
: Guys, we’ve more bad news!
: What is it this time?!: Arkham City… It’s been attacked by the Black Lodge!
: What?!
: So, Doctor, how fares your project?
: Oh, it’s faring quite well, thanks to all the vital energy Cthulhu’s taken in.: Yes, it’s only a matter of time before it wakes up.
: Excellent. Excellent, indeed. G’s powerful flesh should make for the perfect substitute for the C Priestess. : Hm. With the Tyrant still missing, we need your research if we’re to have full control over Cthulhu.: We trust you will not disappoint, Doctor. : Hmhmhm, oh, but I assure you my G won’t be a mere substitute. : Indeed, it’ll surpass your C Priestess in all regards… just wait and see.
: Didn’t you get those G cells from the Army of Mankind, though?: And last I checked, you also owed those folks for saving you. Don’t you have any problems ditching them and shacking up with us again? : Hmph, isn’t it your creed to “do what thou wilt”?: All I care about is getting payback on the UX and Dr. West! And I’ll do anything to make that happen!
: Hey, fivehead! That’s my prey you’re talking about!: They killed Caligula… and I’m gonna kill them back if it’s the last thing I do!: Regardless of who will actually strike them down, you’ll both have your chance soon enough. : Titus has already left, so you are to prepare to set out right away.: Heheheh, you better say your prayers!: ‘Cause I’m coming for you, Ultimate Cross!
: What’s the situation around town, Winfield?!
: Cthulhu has already left, but it’s injured several people.: And, indeed, it appears the ones afflicted had their vitality taken away.
: So, their MO is to show up in somewhere, take the vitality of whoever’s nearby, and then vanish?
: The reports of Will’s attacks started right around the time when Cthulhu reappeared. : Coincidence, or is there some connection between them?: I’m not sure about that…: Will’s always been a bit of a jerk, but I never took him as someone who’d be down with hurting all these people. : Yeah. I’d like to believe in him…: The NIA’s already started an investigation. I’ll let you know if anything turns up.: Please do.: … Hey, are you going to tell Lina about this?: I…*Door opens.*
: Aah, now that really hit the spot! You can always count on the rich and famous to have the biggest and baddest baths!
: Heh, you can say that again.: …: Hm? Did something happen? Everyone’s looking to serious.: N-No… nothing at all!: Oh, Joey, you’re always so jumpy.: (I’m sorry, Lina…)*ALARM!*
: Wh-What?!*Beep.*
: Red alert! Several Black Lodge mobile weapons are approaching Arkham City – fast!
: Is Cthulhu coming back here?!
: Waltzing in while we’re around, eh? They’re asking for it now!
: Hold on! We’re also detecting an intruder inside the base!: But… I think it’s just the one?!: Just one? Could it be Will…?
: No, it ain’t! These readings we’re getting are…!: …! Everyone get back!
*Craaaaaaaash!*
: Hmhmhm… You evaded my attack. I am glad I did not misjudge you…: You are…!
: Winfield, the warrior. I have come to challenge you once more.: Titus of the Black Lodge…!: I’ll take care of this one, my friends. Go and intercept the forces outside!: Are you sure about this…?: He has challenged me personally. Etiquette dictates that I accept.
: Hm, I suppose that was a foolish question to make of you.: Alright. Good luck, man!*Everyone leaves.*
: You have my gratitude, Winfield. Now, let us begin…!: En guarde!
Mission 42 (Union Route) – Resurrection
: Hurry up, now! You people better work those legs or you’ll end up a pile of steaming goo! Hyaahahaha!
: Mwahahahahahaha! My new and improved MR-1 is running just perfectly! Let’s tear this city apart!
: Party’s over, dirtbags!
: We won’t let you cause any more destruction!: I’ve been waiting for you, Ghost! … Err, what?
: Didn’t he look a bit different before?: Mr. Hughes gave Heroman a new power armor! And we’ll stop your rampage with all the power it has!: Psh, you actually believe that dinky armor can take on my souped-up MR-1?! Nonsense! 
: Is it, now? That power armor contains not just the NIA’s know-how but ours as well!: I say, nonsense is you thinking your dinky robot could stand up to it!: That’s enough chit-chat! All of you have an appointment with the meat grinder!: You give yourself too much credit, brat!
: Deploy all squadrons!
: I don’t see Cthulhu anywhere… I guess they sent these over specifically to get rid of us.
: Winfield will dispatch the Anticross within the base! : The rest of us should concentrate on destroying the Black Lodge assailants!
Destroy everything, don’t lose a ship, Kurou or Heroman.
What we’ve ahead is standard Black Lodge fare, with Claudius taking point and Minami hanging back to snipe at us. We’ve dealt with all this stuff plenty of times before, but remember to take care with Minami’s debuffs (especially his Armor Down).
Secret Alert! Demonbane secret – 9th step: set Ruri as your tactician and take out Claudius with Kurou.
Easy money.
Finally, Power Armor Heroman is a frame you can set him on which is pretty much a straight-upgrade to his base form – everything has been boosted, from power and range to defensiveness.
That said, while his best attack IS 200 points stronger than Heroman Combination, it’s also pre-movement, so that’s a hit on usability. Another issue is that his size grows from SS to S, meaning it won’t be as dodgy as it usually is, and it still can’t take all that much punishment.
Mind you, that doesn’t really matter since the armor works on the usual “added gear” rules, in that if the unit gets shot down, it’ll revert to its base form, get a full refill and keep going (which you can also trigger manually via the new Armor Purge command).
All in all, this is a nice bonus for Heroman to get and any downsides are negligible at best.
SRW UX - Roulette: You feel it too, don’t you, Heroman? Everyone’s poured their hearts into these parts…
: Hmmmm…!: Then, let’s get going! We’ll keep this town safe – all of us!: Heromaaan, GOOO!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1co39vHLT8
Armored Heroman also gets a couple of new animations on top of his brand new attacks.
SRW UX - My Fate
SRW UX - Deus Machina: And here’s my favorite dumbass plus the traitor’s wind-up doll… I’ve finally found you!: And now you’re both gonna get an up close and personal look at what Hell is like!
: Threats never work on someone who’s in love-robo!: Your games have gone on for way too long, brat!
Heroman OST - MADNESS: I still haven’t forgotten the humiliation I went through at your hands! And now I’ll pay you dimwits in full!: Yeah? And when you get your ass kicked by us, the whole dang world’ll know that you’re the biggest dimwit around, you self-styled genius!
And when you’ve either downed 7 enemy squads or dealt damage to Minami:
: HAHAHA! Is this the best your science can do? Look at this balding buffoon! Look at him and laugh! : SILENCE! I’ve had it up to here with your antics, but no more! I’ll have you groveling at my glorious feet today!: Open your eyes and observe my newest success!
Heroman OST - MADNESS
: What’re those things?!: Mwahahahaha! These are the legacy of the Skrugg! The ultimate bio-weapons, the Chimera Soldiers!: The Skrugg’s?!
#1: U-Urghh… p-pa-a-a-ain…! #2: S-Somebody… h-e-e-lp!
: Wait, are those...!: Hmhmhm, yes! They’re all earthlings that were captured and modified by the Skrugg!: Their project was supposedly scrapped by the aliens, but I found and successfully bound them to my will! #3: N-No-o-o... It… hu-u-u-rts…!: Hm? Oh, I suppose there’s still a smidgen of their old selves left. But that can be fixed…!
*Beep, boop, beep.*
#3: Gaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
*All Chimera Soldiers get +30 morale!*
#2: … #1: Kill… kill!: H-How can you do something so inhuman?!
: And you still call yourself a scientist?!: Wring your fists at me all you want! If it’ll help me get payback on you, I’ll readily become a god, a devil or whatever else works!: You piece of trash!
: Minami… you’re not human! When I get my hands on you, I’ll cut you to ribbons!: Waahahahahahahaha!
: Eh?! Wh-Who did that?!
SRW UX - Roulette: …: (Will?! What’re you doing here…?!): You poor people, twisted by the Skrugg into inhuman things…: The best I can do is put you out of your misery…!: That voice… Is that?!: I don’t know who you are, but if you’ll be a problem, then you’ll also get a sip of the bitter cup of my revenge!: Ensign, he’s…!: Yeah, I know.: Guys, ignore that guy in the black armor! Take out the rest of the enemies!: (Will, what you’re doing is…!)Will’s gotten a boost to everything he had way back in Act 1, so he can handle the Chimeras on his side easily (though you still don’t want him taking your kills and cash). And you don’t even need to babysit him, as he’ll just heal up in case he gets downed.
Now, I’m going to deal with Claudius now rather than later to get him off my hair before the Chimeras close in.
SRW UX - Deus Machina: You got some nerve showing your face around here again! But at least I won’t have to look at it once I’ve ripped it apart! Go, Celaeno Fragments!: Oh, brother… I knew you were different from the actual master, but I didn’t think it was this much. : Your wind’s an electric fan’s breeze compared to that guy’s! I won’t even feel enough of it to cool off! (Reference to Laban Shrewsbury, who has the legit Celaeno Fragments grimoire and not a mere copy like Claudius.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-fY9biEFPc
I finally got Claudius’ best attack on tape!
SRW UX - Roulette: I got a score to settle with you too!: I’ll start by tearing off the arms and legs off your white pile of junk, and then I’ll take my time blowing pieces off it! Your death’s gonna be one for the history books!: Ignore him and keep at it, Heroman! I’ll block whatever attacks he sends your way!: Ooooooo!
SRW UX - Dunbine Flies: Sit right there, you… After I’ve plucked off your wings, your arms and your legs, I’ll find some place to skewer you onto like a nice little bug!
: Yaaah, he’s scary! Is he going to do that to me, too, if we get caught?!
: Life isn’t your plaything! And all someone who can’t control his emotions’ll find is an early grave!
SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!: There you are, you piece of crap ninja! There won’t even be a body to bury by the time I’m finished with you!: Who’re you calling a piece of crap, eh?! The only crappy thing here is that attitude of yours!
SRW UX - Lion: You think you can take a stab at me with those lame wings?! You can’t be serious!
: Here’s some advice for you: let your emotions run too loose and all you’re doing is making it easy for the enemy to read you!
SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens: First I’ll reduce you to a whimpering mess, and then I’ll kill you! You’ll die ruing the day you decided to mess with us!: It’s for you that the bells toll today! And once you get to Hell, you’ll repent for all the blood on your hands!
Shigotonin Arnie attacking Anticross: “Even an upside-down crucifixion would be way more than you deserve!”
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: Hrrrrgh! These goddamn worms!!
: Kch, he’s still kicking…!: You’re not killing me with garbage attacks like that! I’m gonna rip you all apart ‘til there ain’t even dust left – just like you did to Caligula!: No, I’m afraid your playtime’s over.: ?!
: …: Y-You’re…!
: Spell Selection: Cannon Spell. 
*Cast Big Magic Missile!*
: A..aah… Cali…gu…la……
: I-It took out that Deus Machina with a single shot…
: The Nanajin’s shaking… It’s afraid of that thing?!
: What the hell is it…?: It’s Nero, the Tyrant-robo…
: Nero?
: A sorcerer who used to be with the Anticross but ended up betraying the Black Lodge…: The Tyrant’s powers are said to rival those of Master Therion himself!: And what’s it doing here…?: …
: Huh? It left?!
: Worry about it later! There’re still enemies that need killing!
: R-Roger that…! SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD
The Chimeras have 9.6k HP, which is more than you’d expect from Skrugg-based mooks, but they still don’t have much in the way of defenses (though evasion and accuracy are appropriately high).
SRW UX - Roulette: This has to be dealt with now. Ignore it and it’ll be too late for everything…: I’ll destroy any tech that’s come from them! Not even one scrap of it can be left around…!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV-gbbYGMAg
SRW UX - Roulette
: (The legacy of the Skrugg… I can’t believe they’re using these as weapons…): (They… They don’t even care about how much Will’s suffering!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJLGsUQEmPU
Heroman gets his own version of that attack.
It doesn’t take long to beat the Chimeras down with our morale already in good shape and a healthy dose of Focus and Strike casts. After that, it’s just Minami.
Heroman OST - MADNESS: How dare you send the greatest genius of mankind to prison! But now is payback time – and you’ll be paying with interest!: So, not only you didn’t learn a thing from last time, you figured you’d double down on that stupid beef of yours?!: But, fine, I’m up to do this your way again! You better start clenching, ‘cause I’m dunking you right back into the slammer!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ7gdCghJVw
A-HA! I have finally managed to get Tobikage’s double image on camera!
Heroman OST - MADNESS
: Gaze upon all this overwhelming power! Nothing is impossible when you pair my gifted intellect with the right technology!: Technology isn’t meant to sate your personal wants! It’s to try and make the world a better place, even if just a bit!
Heroman OST - MADNESS
: I’ve got you at laaaaast! And this time I’ll pick you apart piece by piece – both my thirst for revenge and my thirst for knowledge’ll be getting their fill!: You’re free to hate us if that’s what you want… but I won’t put up with it if you start causing trouble for others because of that!: Come on, Heroman!: Hmm!
Heroman OST - MADNESS
: You show your ugly mug at last, Dr. West! Unfortunately, there won’t be another time as I’ll be putting this long-lived hatred of mine to bed here and now!: Hmmm… nope. I still don’t remember you at all…: But you’ve guts to try and pick a fight with me. I suppose I could humor your challenge and waste a few minutes bashing you into the dirt!: You stuck-up little punk rocker…! I am the one true genius of this world! ME! DOCTOR MINAMIIIII!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAG12R1qp1U
And here’s Dr. West’s strongest attack. Minami drops another Dr. West’s Favorite Guitar.
Dr. West attacking Minami: “Why, you little…! You're stealing my schtick!”
: Gyaaaaaah!
: P-Professor… we can’t take much more!: …: You’re mine!*Will dashes after Minami.*
: Hah! Got you!: …! Stay away from them!
: Gaaaah! I-I can’t…move…!: It’s that thing he did before…!: Bwahahahaha! You jumped right in my EMP’s range!: D-Damn you…!: Heheh, but I’ll make sure your death is quick and painless. You better be grateful!: I-I can’t die here… I…: Even if I’m not cut out to be a hero, I’ll still protect her…!: …!: Diiiieeeeee!: Stop!
: H-Hrrk…!
: Joey?!: S-Stay out of this, Joey! I told you, I—: This isn’t about who’s the light and who’s the darkness! : What…?!: What matters is putting a stop to this guy, and keeping everyone… SRW UX - JOEY AND HEROMAN: And keeping Lina safe!: Y-You…!: Joey…: …: I’m going in… If you’re tagging along, then hurry up!: Go for it! Heroman and I can handle it!: What’re you two rambling there?! But, fine, you can die together!: He’s coming, you two!: Haaaaaaaah!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KaoAAZjK6g
And here’s Armored Heroman’s strongest attack.
: Yaaaaaaaaaaaah!
: Dr. Minami, frame damage’s past the 90% mark. Further combat’s impossible.: Aaaaargh, you hateful little urchins! But this is far from over!: Just you wait! I’ll have even greater power at my disposal once it has been restored!
: “It”…?! : Is he the one with the G Cells…?!
: G Cells…?: …: (I knew I wasn’t wrong. That man was…): (Why are you doing this, brother…?)