Part 20: Mission 9 - Death Caprice
We open at JUDA, and WSOs commander, Kojindani, is very surprised that Scarlet not only secured UXs assistance but also that of the company itself and Celestial Being. Hes very grateful to Ishigami for his support, but the president understands that the crisis at Machine Island is a matter of utmost importance for the world at large.
Ishigami does ask that the WSO keep the Elshanks presence a secret from the Feds, and thats no problem as the organization is wholly independent from the federal army (they also wouldnt be able to work with the UX if they werent, naturally). Still, Ishigami didnt expect the situation with the Gravity Generator to be this dire truth be told, it was only recently that the WSO pinged the Final Alarm broadcasted from the island.
The fact is that if something isnt done soon the Gravity Generator will go critical and explode, dealing cataclysmic damage to the entire planet. Well, the Elshank and the Ptolemaios should be arriving at the Machine Island soon, so Ishigami says the WSO can start their operation whenever.
Kojindani is glad and wants to go right away: theyll be deploying the Skull Force to Machine Island ASAP theyll be the spearhead for the operation to stabilize the generator.
Over by the Ptolemaios, Feldt reports that theyll be within the islands gravity well soon Mileina asks everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Lockon notices Setsuna looking a bit pensive, and the boy asks if hes heard any stories about the Machine Island.
A few, yeah, but the problem is that the whole problem with the island started back before Setsuna was even born; stories about it are now more like urban legends than anything else. Still, Sumeragi notes that the Gravity Curtain makes it impossible for anyone to see whats going on inside the place, so we might find literally anything there.
And now, aboard the Elshank, its time to review the events of the other route. Seeing how we went through everything in person, Ill just skip it. That said, here are particularly important or amusing bits:
- Zhou Yu is already up and about, courtesy of JUDAs treatment. Hes not fully healed yet, but well enough that Lu Xun neednt worry about his wounds opening from him leaving the infirmary. Sun Quan did want him to get some more rest, but the Hyaku Shiki wasnt about to sit idle with Lu Bu prowling about this planet. Ylbora has heard that he seeks to avenge his murdered lord, Sun Jian, and can certainly understand where Zhou Yu is coming from.
- Some folks are really excited to have THE Gundam Meisters of the Celestial Being working with us, and Rominas noticed that they seem quite famous on Earth to the point of having a movie made of their battles. Izunas seen said movie, even, and is very much looking forward to meeting the real ones.
- Speaking of the movie, Eida did the theme song for it and Kouichi was quite surprised to find out that this top idol is also a pilot and member of the UX. When Izuna asks, Eida explains that the Team D folks all had their memories reset after their battles ended so that they could lead peaceful lives again. Eidas fighting on precisely to combat threats to said lives.
And with that done, Sun Quan asks what kind of place this Machine Island is. Richard relates that it was established after WWII, housing several weapons construction plants and a major scientific institute for the research of new energy sources. And the big discovery made there was what was dubbed Gravity Energy. Considering how gravityll always be there while Earths still around, that sounds pretty good to Kouichi.
But, as Yamashita reminds him, WWII was two hundred years ago; since that Gravity Energy was never put to use, its likely safe to assume that the research on it went nowhere. Actually, no, Moritsugu says things were making good progress: from what he heard, the researchers put together the Gravity Generator - a device capable of converting gravity into energy - using the islands particular mineral, Odyssite, as a catalyst for it.
Then, one day, the institute was suddenly closed down. Why? No one knows for sure, but Eida notes that rumors say it was due to rather unethical research being performed within. As in, experimenting on human subjects and whatnot, Joe wonders? Eida figures maybe (while a dark cloud sets over Richard).
Whatever the case, the whole Gravity Energy project came to a screeching halt with the institute gone. Furthermore, civil war eventually broke across the island as people vied for control of the weapon plants and the Gravity Generator. But the worst was yet to come as, twenty-eight years ago, said generator went out of control.
It didnt explode, but Saya figures thatd probably have been better than what happened: a massive amount of energy poured forth, draping the entire island and its surrounding waters in the Gravity Curtain. Thus, no one has been able to go anywhere near the place for nearly three decades. And what happened to the people of the island? Unknown, though Mike presumes the worst (punctuating it with a rather obscure reference that I dont care to think of a way to translate. Rennie doesnt appreciate his dark humor, though, and punches him).
Ylbora wonders if they can really get that substitute for the Kylhasium from a location in such a state. Possibly, but Richard says thats a a treasure hunt best saved for AFTER weve managed to safely break through the Gravity Curtain.
: Gravitational anomalies confirmed. Were initiating our approach to the AO.
: A-Are they really sure our ship can withstand the Gravity Curtain ?
: Something wrong with you, maggots? By the look on your faces, Im guessing youre about to piss yourselves and run home to mommy!
: B-But Cpt. Scarlet! You heard what happened to the Death Caprice Squad, right?! They were sent there a week ago and thereve been no news since
: Do you seriously think they would kick the bucket that easy?! And what you really should be worried about right now is the fact that, if this fails, the entire planetll go up in smoke!
: The honor of the Skull Force is on the line here, so we will stabilize the Gravity Generator! Now man the hell up and show me that marine spirit!
: O-Oorah !
: I can't hear you! Sound off like you got a pair!
: OORAAAH!!
*Beep.*
: This is the Gren Falcon Squad to the Ptolemaios and Elshank. Our ship will now engage the Gravity Plasma barrier field and break through the Gravity Curtain!
: Both ships are to take formation beside us, with the Ptolemaios engaging its GN Field to bolster our barrier.
: Roger that.
: Dont screw things up, please. Wed take a real pummeling if you folks went down!
: Well watch your back once were in there, Lt. Yuki. I know you can do this.
: Y-Yes, maam! All my training has been in preparation for this day, so I promise I wont disappoint!
: Hah, attagirl. Gravity Coil, charge! Were going in!
*BOOM! Alarm!*
: Waaah!
: What happened?!
: Th-That was Were being shot at from the surface!
: From the surface?!
: Direct hit on the portside engine! Its out of control! Preparing for emergency landing !
: Lt, watch out!
: Wha?!
*BOOM!*
: Urgh !
: ?! Captain !
Mission 9 Death Caprice
: Argh Th-This is
:
: Captain Cpt. Scarlet!
: N-No she shielded me !
: This is the Ptolemaios speaking! Gren Falcon Squad, please respond! Whats your status?!
: Lt. Yuki here! Our carriers taken major damage and Cpt. Scarlet is gravely wounded! She needs urgent medical help!
: What did you say ?!
: Wh-What are those ?!
: Raaaaargh! Bow down before Lord Garan, Kibas whelps!
: Shut your trap and die, old man!
: Th-Those robots are fighting each other?!
: I dont believe it the civil war is still going twenty-eight years later?!
: Huuh?! Whore those there?!
: Hmph trespassers from the outside world? Great! Glory and richesll be ours once we bring back their heads!
: A-Aaaaaah!
: Shaff, are you all right?!
: Kch They start shooting before even figuring out who we are?! These guys are crazy!
: We cant take this much concentrated fire! Gameran, deploy Joe and the others!
: Th-The crash from the emergency landing has left our ship half-buried! We cant launch them!
: Wh-Whaat?!
: Things are just as bad here! The hatch in the MS Deck isnt opening!
: What, so our ships are now our giant coffins? Youve gotta be kidding me.
: Repair teams are already working as fast as they can, but itll take several minutes before either ship can deploy troops!
: Several minutes?! Those creeps are rushing us down right NOW!
: ?! The Wingle ! Lt. Yuki, whatre you doing?!
: Ill hold the enemy at bay! You go and get your ships operational again in the meantime!
: Thats insane! What do you think you can do against all those?!
: I know its insane, but its either this or us getting wiped out!
: Wingle, Tsubasa Yuki engaging!
: Lt. Yuki!
: (Hold on, Captain ! I promise Ill keep everyone safe with your Wingle!)
Kill everything, dont lose any ships or Tsubasa. Unless youve really upgraded the Wingle, its far safer to hang back as Tsubasa getting mobbed is a quick way to get a game over. The Garan and Kiba forces will attack each other as well, and while losing out on money and kills isnt the best, its the safest way to approach this mission especially on a fresh game.
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: You wont take any of my friends or Cpt. Scarlets lives on my watch!
: Women arent made to be warriors. You taking up a blade will do nothing but delay the inevitable!
Next turn
: Haah haah
: (We need Lt. Yuki in order to stabilize the Gravity Generator. Shes too important to die here !)
*Beep.*
: Saya, stay on this private channel. Can you still engage the Lepton Vectrers' synchro-overdrive?
: The Lepton Vectrers?! Major, are you?!
: Yeah, Ill use the Hell Stringer and warp the Orphes outside the ship!
: You cant! Need I remind you that your body is already
: Im aware now do it! Pressure set, safety lock released!
*Beep, beep.*
: Haah, haah Just a bit more I just need to buy them a little more time!
: ?!
: Heheheheh! Youre selling us short, babe!
: Your life is now mine!
: Kch !
: Lt. Yuki, run!
: (Cpt. Scarlet please lend me your strength!)
: Lt ?!
: DIIIIEEEEE!
: Huh ?!
: Th-The hell was that?!
SRW UX - Roaring Deathblow
: Haah, haah I made it!
: Thats Maj. Richard! How did he get outside?!
: (Does he have something akin to a Machinas warp system ? No, that was )
: (This reading I saw this before, back at the Center City battle )
: (Is the Riots Proton Generator resonating with the Majors unit ?!)
: Ge-Generator inner pressure, all green no abnormalities with the accelerated particles Hrgh!
: Major ?!
: I-Im fine ! Lt. Yuki and Ill keep stalling the enemies while you folks sort things out!
: Can we still not deploy?!
: Itll take just another two minutes!
: Work in progress! Work in progress!
: Please hurry ! Something is clearly wrong with him!
: (M-Make it work, guys because I dont think Ill hold out for long !)
Losing Richards also a game over. Hes come in with max morale, but almost no EN and SP, so dont go crazy there either. Keep playing it safe for another two turns.
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Hyaahahaha! A woman! Weve got a woman here! Come and have some fun with me, girl!
: Underestimate me and youll be sorry! Cpt. Scarlet taught me how to fight and now youll see exactly what I can do!
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness
: Haah, haah Come on Hang in there for just a bit longer !
Next turn
: Aah?!There are so many of them !
: Psh, the hell is this?! Some outsiders making a mess around my turf?! (Kiba)
: Looks like their boss is here !
: I dunno who youre with, but you aint leaving here with your life!
: H-Hrk !
: Major !
: Th-This is pretty bad ! Argh !
: Major! Stay strong, Major!
: HYAAHAHAHAHA! Youre done! DIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!
: Hrm ?!Wh-What?!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Gyaaaaaaaah! B-Boss, i-its that devil the skull devil !
: ?! The skull devil?!
: Heh We come here looking for a good fight, and who do we find but little Yuki? (Kaido)
: Are you still alive in there, Yuki? (Magami)
: The Kaiser ! Lts. Kaido and Magami?!
: Do you know them, Lt. Yuki?
: Avatars of death and decay... Harvesters of skulls, Hades ferrymen !
: They are the missing Death Caprice Squad, the ones WSO sent here a week ago
: And that unit is Mazinkaiser - the devil!
: The devil Mazinkaiser?!
: Here you are, Skull-face! Your heads mine for the taking today!
: Didnt learn your lesson last time, did ya, Kiba? Or are ya just that much of a masochist?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeAu3FOqnlY
: Gwaaaaargh!
: Heheh, howdya like that?!
: Switch out, Kaido. I cant take any more of your clumsy attacks.
: Aaw, come on, Magami!
: Dont pout. Ill educate you on how a real professional does things.
*Switch!*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fYIIefeDU4
: A-Argh !
: This is how a professional fights.
: That unit switches fighting styles in relation to the pilot?!
: Heh, heheheh Not bad, not bad, Skull-face! But the funs just getting started!
: Hmph, as strong as a bull, and about half as bright! Switch out, Magami!
*Switch!*
: Alright, come one, come all! Theres plenty for everyone!
: Every single one of you will get to see Hell up close. Because
: We are Hell!
And dont lose the Mazinkaiser SKL, either.
Mazinkaiser SKL (Ken Kaido, Ryo Magami)
Pilot Skills Kaido:
Prevail L5
Support Attack L1
All Attack L1
Infight L1
Pilot Skills Magami:
Prevail L5
Support Attack L1
All Attack L1
Gunfight L1
Spirit Commands Kaido:
Guts
Invincible
Spirit Commands Magami:
Sense
Focus
Iron Wall
Mech Features:
Sword/Gun
Switch Pilot
Squad Bonus: Mobility +5, Accuracy +5 (Mobility +20, Accuracy +20, Armor +125)
Kaidos voice actor: Shintaro Asanuma (other roles: Toshikazu Asagi in MJP, Kyo Sogoru in Zegapain, Shulk in Xenoblade and several more)
Magamis voice actor:Satoshi Hino (other roles: Sai in Naruto, Cyborg 004 in the Cyborg 009 movie and several more)
The SKL stands for SKULL. This Mazinkaiser is a lot more flexible than the other Mazingers weve dealt with in the past, and while it wont get any game-breaking combination attacks, its still pretty dang powerful.
As you saw above, Kaidos more of the standard Mazin pilot in that hes melee and defense oriented, while Magami is, surprisingly, range and evasion specced. In fact, Magami has an Evasion stat on par with Alto.
As far as the bot itself goes, while the overall stats are the same between each mode, Kaidos has a bit less range, chugs more EN and hits somewhat harder. Magami is the opposite: more range, cheaper attacks and is slightly weaker.
In truth, you can go with whichever you want, but the norm is usually to use Kaido for bosses and Magami to hunt mooks when we eventually start facing Festum again, you want to dodge reliably. You dont have to commit to one of them as your main pilot, mind, as upgrades and Skill Parts are all shared between Kaido and Magami, so you can switch out whenever.
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: And its showtime! Lets see you dance!
: Impudent devil! On the honor of the Garan Forces, Ill strike you down!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Curse your ill luck for running into me. Now, Ive a question: where would you like to be shot?
: Whaat?! You sonuva !
And, finally, the next turn over
: The Ptolemaios has been repaired!
: The Elshank is also good to go, Sir Ylbora!
: Good. Then deploy the combat machines immediately!
: Finally, we can get out there!
: The enemys coming at us in pairs. Well form squadrons of our own and engage them on equal footing.
: Form squadrons ?
: Ill take care of it this time. All units, team up with your assigned partner and set out to the battlefield!
: Yes, sir!
: Are you alright, Major?!
: I-Id never buy the farm at a place like this, girl !
: Elshank, please recover Maj. Richard!
: Both the Major and the wounded WSO soldiers have been brought aboard!
: Send a medical team to the hangar immediately!
: Ms. Saya, I know you might not be too confident in working with me but I swear Ill fight to the best of my ability!
:
: Ill put my trust in you right now, Ensign Berge. Lets go!
: Well repay these villains in full for all that abuse!
: Shangxiang, please, dont go too far ahead! We must pool our strengths together!
: Hey, Hayase! You better not hold us back, ya hear?!
: Right back at you! Make sure you keep up with the Linebarrel!
: Oh, wow, I got paired with Moritsugu! Now Im really raring to get going!
: Heh Im counting on you out here, Yamashita.
: Watch my back, alright, Rennie?
: Well, I am the only one who can keep you out of trouble! Dont worry about a thing!
: Mike, if things start getting dicey, just give the word and Ill switch to the front whenever!
: Hey, now, Im a real man here! You know how pissed my brod get if I sent a girl out ahead?
: You go plowing the front-lines, Setsuna! Ill hang back and start sniping stuff down!
: Roger that Engaging the targets!
: You punks need a lesson in pain! Ill kill the lot of you myself!
: Your main targets that unit! Take out the leader and the remaining forces should scatter!
: Hahah Sorry, folks, but you aint snagging my prey!
And, finally, now we just need to kill Kibas Bakuryuki. But hes so far back that you might as well kill everything else as well.
Squads work the same way they did in L: you can have your main and sub unit attack their respective targets in the enemy squad, or converge on a single one. Or you can have only one attack, and the other defend, evade keep that in mind when feeding kills to secret-relevant characters.
As for Squad Bonuses, each unit in a pair will share its bonus with the other, and vice-versa. For example, in Joe and Rennies group, they both have S ranks in Air and Earth due to each others bonuses. Certain features, like the regen from Repair/Resupply Modules, will also affect the partner.
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
SRW UX - Linebarrel
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Dont chicken out on me, now! Come and try taking the Kaisers head, why dont ya?!
: Why, you! Im gonna put you in your place, Skull-face!
: Hahaha, yeah, here we go! Thats the kinda attitude a fighting mans gotta have!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bebY8Pleio
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Bring it on already! Ill trash every last one of you!
: Insolent whelp! Neither of youll be leaving here with your lives!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ7X7VmSpHo
Chain attacks are still in the game in the form of the All Attack skill, but now youre no longer limited to C-Weapons. Any attack can chain, so long as the pilot has the skill and hes running solo.
SRW UX - Love Survivor
Bakuryuki (Kiba)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L3
Support Attack L1
All Attack L1
Mech Features:
Sword
All-Canceller
Kibas voice actor: Nobuyuki Hiyama (other roles: Gai in Gaogaigar, Haken in SRW OGs and EF, Shiro in 8th MS Team, Azrael in SEED and a ton more)
Bulky, bulky, bulky Kibas got a ton of armor and defenses, so that 50k might just be enough for him to survive being killed in one round. All-Canceller means our debuffs wont do jack, so you need to just throw whatever you can at him and start wearing the Bakuryuki down.
Its strongest attack is range 1-3, so try to attack from beyond that if you can. If you cant down him in one round, thats fine, as hell usually focus on high HP targets like the Kaiser and your ships they can take the hit just fine.
SRW UX - Linebarrel
: You got the face of a demon, eh? Then get over here and show me what you got!
: Oh, I will! And what Ive got is gonna blow your mind!
SRW UX - Love Survivor
: So this is their boss? Its like Im looking at an animal running wild!
: Works for me, cause I can never get of enough of ripping zippy punks like you to shreds!
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: We didnt come here to fight anyone, so why are you attacking us?! This whole thing is ridiculous!
: Hmm? Why?! Because its fun, crap for brains!
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness
: (Ive to end this battle ASAP, or the Majors body will !)
: Heheheh, I see someones in a hurry! And thats an express ticket to Hell in the battlefield!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: HYAAHAHAHA! A woman?! Youre gonna try to take my head with those skinny arms?!
: Hrm I wont be beaten! Our defeat here would mean the end of the entire world!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: Heheheh I dont pull my punches even when Im up against midgets!
: Yet another foul Shura who seeks nothing but battle?! You are as bad as Lu Bu!
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter
: You dare come waltzing into my turf?! Thats gonna be the last mistake of your life!
: Its impossible to talk to this man And, in that case, Ill also show no mercy!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Hmhmhm Yeah, this is it! Ive been waiting for a battle like this!
: Think you can keep up with me, Skull-face?!
: Oh, boy, Kibas really let loose now!
: Heh The three of us are men who only feel alive while fighting
: So a friendly little fight to the death is right up our alley!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpCggE7Gmb0
Captions are available.
Our reward for beating him is a Kaidos Hand-to-Hand Teachings (Melee +10, Defense and Evasion +5)
: Hrgh If you think Im going down from that, think again!
*Bloop.*
: B-Boss! The bulk of Garans army is on the move!
: What?! And Garan?! Is he coming over?!
: Were pinging his mech! Looks like he is, yeah!
: Tsk, we couldve rushed the Octagon if hed just sit on his ass and watch things play out like he always does !
: You guys lucked out Im letting you keep your sorry lives! If we meet again, though, youre all dead! DEAD!
: The hells he smoking to take that kinda attitude? What a complete idiot.
: Hmph, look whos talking
: Eh? You wanna run that by me again?!
: Lt. Kaido, Lt. Magami! What has the Death Caprice Squad been doing this past week?!
: What weve been doing, she asks. Whats it look like?
: We all got dragged into this islands war as soon as we arrived. Everyone but us is dead.
: Least its not a total loss like your Gren Falcon Squad, right?
: E-Excuse you! Cpt. Scarlet was wounded, but shes still very much alive!
: What, shes still kicking? Stubborn broad, that one.
: Wouldnt you miss her angry shrieking if it was gone, though?
: Hah, maybe, maybe. Butch women like her aint too bad, I guess.
*Tweeep.*
: ?! This is !
: Hm? Whats up, Setsuna?
: Something Somethings headed this way!
: What was that?!
: That one? Is that the devil from the outside that Lady Aila spoke of? (Hurricane)
: It sure looks like it! But what about those other people? Im sensing a very strong power coming from all of them just like Shou's!
: Ch-Cham, wait! You cant just fly outside like that! Its dangerous! (Flash)
: Wh-What the?! Theres a tiny girl flying around that bot?!
: I-Is that a fairy ?
: Heheh, all Overworlders think fairy when they see their first Ferario!
: Im Cham! Cham Fau, a Mi Ferario!
: Overworlders? Ferario? Everything you just said made absolutely no sense to me!
: Well explain everything soon. But know that we are not your enemies.
: Wed like to ask that you accompany us back to Lady Aila to the Octagon.
: Octagon That man we just fought also mentioned it
Over by Garans castle, the boss man has heard of Kiba running off in a panic and he tells Himiko that thats good enough. Theyll carry on observing how things progress and biding their time impatience is the quickest way towards defeat in war, after all.
After a while, Garan asks what she thinks the outside world will be like: does she want it to be a land where theyll all find peace, or one of endless strife? Honestly, all Himiko wants is to find out the truth about the world itself. The truth? Why were we born? Where are we headed ? We might just be able to find some semblance of an answer when Sleeping Beauty' awakens, she ponders.
However, Garans vision, his dream, is one of a warrior: hell take up the burden of subjugating and restoring this hell on earth and, in due time, usher in a world of peace.
Location: Octagon Ailas Chamber
: So this is the Octagon
: Therere only women in here what a weird place.
: Oh? Do you have a problem with women?
: N-No, not at all B-but please dont hold me so close! Your boobs are !
: Easy, cowboy. Youre gonna drool all over the floor!
: Hurricane, stop pestering our guests! (Misty)
: Ahaha Im just playing around!
: In any case, were all happy to have you at the Octagon. All these visitors from the outside have really helped liven up the place!
: By visitors from the outside, do you mean Cham as well?
: Yes, but there are also some machine-looking people, just like them.
: Your Highness, do you think shes talking about us?
: Gundam, machine-looking everyone keeps calling us nonsense, but do they care? Nope!
: But theres no other way of putting it
: Setsunas really gonna have to watch what he says around you folks, I think.
: ...
: Regardless, could people that look like us be
: Ooh, the food is great, the girls are all so pretty This is the good life, bro!
:
: Am I imagining things, or did that voice sound very familiar ?
: Hey, you feel like staying here for good? Because Id be 100% on board with that! (Zhang Fei)
: There you go, making inane suggestions again Why cant you stop and think for five seconds before opening your mouth? (Guan Yu)
: Whatd you say there, furface?!
: Settle down, both of you! We must all (Liu Bei)
: Liu Bei! Zhang Fei, Guan Yu!
: ?! Why, if it isnt Sun Quan! What are you doing here ?!
: Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu the protagonist of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and his sworn brothers finally step into the spotlight
: Hmm. I presume you were also transported to this world from the Battle of Red Cliffs, yes?
: Ack! That feather fan, that serene attitude It cant be!
: A pleasure to meet you all. I am Zhuge Kongming, chief strategist of Liu Beis army. (A.k.a. Zhuge Liang)