Part 29: Mission 15 (America Route) - The Invaders - Part 1
Back to the America route, where Kurou and Heroman are deploy as event units AGAIN. At least you can pair the latter up with someone.
Arnie/Saya
Aesap
Shinn/Luna
Heroman/Setsuna
Kazuki/Eida
Lockon/Koyo
Tactician: Richard
Now forward!
Minami’s just finished talking to the Union’s president and will await a positive reply to his proposal. She and her aide figures the guy knows about the White House’s ties to the UX, or he wouldn’t have been so forceful in his pitch. But how did he come across that kind of information?
Seems to the president that the Union also has groups scheming in its shadows – groups that could threaten the Federation as well. She calls for NIA’s special agent Axel Hughes, wanting to have him look into this matter.
Cut to the Skrugg mothership, Gogorr’s meeting with Experiments #1 and #2. How do they feel? #1 feels fine, but #2 feels like a million bucks – power’s rushing through his body and he wants to fight right away.
That works for Gogorr, who says they’ll take part in the next operation. There, they can fight to their heart’s content; #1 confirms levelly and #2 is very grateful to GOGORR-SAMA. With that done, he sends them out to their target: that annoyingly persistent bunch in Arkham City.
Speaking of, over by the Hadou manor, Keisha reports the Skrugg’s progressively spreading invasion of various cities. Many sleepless nights are in store for said cities’ neighbors. And the question remains: how do the army and the government plan to deal with this crisis? She signs off and Psy shakes his fist at the goddamned Skrugg. Lina STILL hasn’t managed to get in touch with her brother, and really hopes he’s safe.
Erebos suggests we go and attack the main Skrugg ship and blow it to smithereens (“They’ll be all like ‘KA-BOOM!’”), but Shinn points out that we don’t have the manpower to attack an enemy HQ. They’ll have far too many enemies for us to deal with. Mind, if we found some sort of weakness to exploit, he might change his mind.
Speaking of, where have Denton and Rachel ran off to? Arnie figures they might be able to come up with something for us. From what Psy’s heard, he and the genius girl are working on some project in the underground hangar. A new invention? Maybe, and Psy hopes it won’t be some weird gadget again.
Denton’s very much enjoying having the Hadou Financial Group supplying his budget – he’s got all the supplies he’d ever need and knows THIS one will be a stunning creation (and not a dud like before). Rachel’s also confident that it’ll be finished surprisingly fast, as their work’s been on point since this project started. So, what is it his “stunning creation”? From what Mileina and Lasse see, it looks like a guitar and a giant speaker.
Well, Denton tells them that he just needs to get this baby running and they’ll have the Skrugg beat as easy as 1,2, 3! Feldt doesn’t look confident…
Back up top, Kurou’s unusually silent. “Are you still worried about that annoying child, Kurou? In truth, I would think her not being mad to be far greater cause for concern.” Al harrumphs. Kurou agrees, but says last time wasn’t like the others – Ruri was REALLY angry back then.
True, as Sonya and Lockon remember that she wouldn’t even listen when he tried to apologize, only giving him that slap. Looks like it’s serious this time. Kurou feels awful and, while Winfield apologizes for his lady’s behavior, admits that he really trashed the Demonbane last fight. “Still, that’s no reason to hit you,” Koyo objects. “While I don’t know how valuable that mech is, the life of the person fighting with it has got to be more important.”
On the flip side, as Soushi points out, the Demonbane’s an irreplaceable weapon – losing it due to the pilot’s recklessness is not acceptable. “That’s exactly what I’d expect to hear from the guy who just watched Shouko kill herself to protect the island, Soushi,” Koyo sniffs. Kurou tells them both to cut it out, as one fight in our crew’s more than enough.
Winfield apologizes again, and begs that Kurou remember that the Demonbane is very special to Ruri. It IS her only memento of her grandfather, after all.
: …: “It may be true that the world is filled with evil. However, it’s also true that there exists a justice that loathes that evil.” : That’s what my grandfather said that day… when my mother and father had been murdered by the Black Lodge…: But, justice—*BOOM!*
: Wh-What?!
: Hmhmhm… Fooound yooou.: ?! AAAAAH!!
Mission 15 (America Route) – The Invaders
: This isn’t good! The manor’s surrounded by Skrugg!
: How could they get so close without anyone noticing…?!
: Communications through the manor are down! Quickly! We must make sure the lady is safe and sound!
: Okay! Lead the way!
*Bang!*
: Urgh!*Dead.*
: Good shot! Then again, you are a sniper.
: Yup, how would I earn my keep if I couldn’t land these, right?
: The rest of our team’s headed for the Ptolemaios! We should also hurry on over!
: Aesap, from your right!*Sword clash!*
: I know, I know! Quit yelling in my ear, Cham!: Bah, I’m just trying to be useful! Shou’s not around, but I can still help you!: You beasts waste your time! Surrender!
: Wh-What should we do?! We’re getting mobbed!: Allow me, please! Observe… secret technique: Toccata! *Atatatatatatata!*
: Gwaaaargh!*Dead.*
: Huuh?! He took down a Skrugg with his bare hands?!
: A pendulum step followed by a perfect counterblow… that looked like a boxing technique…!
: Maybe, but he’s far exceeded the level of simple boxing.: Now I see why Ruri Hadou needs no one but him accompanying her. He’s that strong.
: Hm… You are quite the interesting man to find in what I’d expected to be a dull mission.
: Who—?!: Get back!*Machinegun fire!*
: S-Setsuna! You can’t just shoot anyone who…!: Hmph. That firearm will avail you not against me…: Wha…?!
: Y-You’ve got to be kidding me! He parried all the bullets?!
: This dark, loathsome aura, and your scent… you are a sorcerer!
: Indeed. My name is Titus, named among the disciples of the Black Lodge and one of the Anticross…: Anticross?! : 'Tis they who are the mightiest sorcerers of the Black Lodge! They who answer directly to Master Therion!: We can’t waste time on this guy, Al! We gotta find the princess!: You are too late. My associate should be taking her captive as we speak.: What did you say…?!: Their target is Ruri Hadou… So you were the ones who cut the manor’s comms?!: Master Daijuuji, time is short. I’ll take care of this while you hurry after the lady! The rest of you should head for the Ptolemaios!: But if we leave you alone…!: Please. Sorcery is not the only way for one to become superhuman. I will show this man the absolute zenith of the art of battle.: Alright… Don’t die on me!*Kurou runs off.*
: I’m coming with you, Mr. Daijuuji!*Runs!*
: W-Wait!*Flies!*
: Hmph, is that the fist-fighting that passes for sport in this country? Fool… you intend to do battle with me unarmed?: Boxing is humanity’s ultimate art, refined over countless years…: And if you would berate it as a mere sport, I shall endeavor to educate you on its techniques quite thoroughly, Mister Bushido!*Tentacles (of course)!*
: Hahaa, I’ve got you.: Wh-What are these disgusting feelers?!: Now, let’s see… how should I kick off our fun time, hmm?: N-Nooooo! Winfield! Help!*Kick door open!*
: Piss off, freak!*Slashes tentacles!*
: Hrgh…?!: Mr. Daijuuji…?!: Are you alright, princess?!: Kurou Daijuuji…! You’ve got some nerve getting in the way of my fun!: You are another Anticross, are you not?!: Oh, yes. My name is Tiberius. Charmed.: This man… what’s this dreadful Aura emanating from him?!: Eeeww! He’s even got tentacles dangling around his mask! Yuck!: Oh, now that is so very mean. My babies are so very excited to see you, even!: No one’s into tentacles nowadays, freak! Now get ready for some pain!*Back outside…*
: Heromaaaan… ATTACK!
: Haah, haah…
: Stay strong, Joey! Everyone’ll be here soon!: I-I’m fine! I’ll keep them at bay until they arrive…!*Beep.*
: All units have finished being set-up! Ready to deploy on your order!
: Kurou’s group will handle the situation inside the manor. We need to focus on dispatching the Skrugg!: Take them down, troops! Don’t leave even one of them around!
Kill everything, don’t lose the Ptolemaios or Heroman. The Skrugg are still the same, so let’s deal with them and try to forget Awful Tentacle Clown. You’ll have to spread you guys out some because the Skrugg are primarily split across the east and west sides of the map.
SRW UX - JOEY AND HEROMAN
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: They have begun…
: Will we really cast our lot in with these people…?: Hm. However, 'tis not solely for the purpose of returning to Mirisha. : Indeed, I will find and behold with my very eyes the “underlying truth” of this world that that woman spoke of… : … SRW UX - My Fate
SRW UX - Shangri-La
Kill about half the enemy troops and…
: More Skrugg…?! Were they hiding out in the neighboring areas?!*Beep, beep!*
: And we’re detecting even more of them coming straight for us!
: Way this is looking, it’s only a matter of time before they get here!: Damn it, what’re we gonna do now?!
: Joey… Help!
: IT’S FINIIIIIIISHED!
: Professor! You talking about that thing you were working on?!: Exactly! We’ll put our secret anti-Skrugg weapon to use and send them all packing!
: “Secret anti-Skrugg weapon”? Do you mean that guitar and the giant speaker?
: We’ll explain everything later! Let’s go and give it a try!: Come on, Psy! Let the world hear the first cry of our great invention!: Well, I guess that’s the best shot we got! I trust you, professor!
*Guitar solo!*
: Ggwaaaaaaagh!*All Skrugg lose 10 morale!*
: The Skrugg are in pain?! What’s going on?!: Hmhmhm… I had an epiphany during our battle with Dr. West!: The Skrugg reacted very strongly to the music of his guitar. Ergo…!: We figured that high-frequency sound would be a more effective weapon than even missiles against them!: Oh, wow, that’s an amazing discovery! That’s why you two are the resident geniuses!: And it looks like the Skrugg within the manor are also being weakened by the sonic weapon. : Heheh, are they now? Then get a load of this, Skrugg!: Hrrnghaaaaa! Wh-What weapon is that?!: W-We’ve no choice…! Send them in!
: …
: Skrugg reinforcements?! But those don’t look like any that we’ve seen…
: There’s the white one – our enemy…: Engage and destroy!: Those two Skrugg are looking at me and Heroman…?!: Worry about that later, Joey! We gotta focus on just dealing with the enemy!: O-Okay!
Experiment #01
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L3
Support Attack L2
All Attack L1
Mech Features:
Gun
20% HP and EN Regen
#01’s voice actor: Makoto Yasumura (other roles: Shozo Tadokoro in Rinne no Lagrange, Dan Gotanda in Infinite Stratos, and some more)
Experiment #02
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L2
Support Attack L1
All Attack L1
Mech Features:
Gun
20% HP and EN Regen
#02’s voice actor: Akiyo Suyama (other roles: Ichiro Ogami in Sakura Taisen, Zagi in Tales of Vesperia, Physica in Macross 7 and some more)
Skrugg midbosses, but still Skrugg. #01’s clearly the better of the two, packing more of everything #02 has, but he still can’t take a hit worth a damn (courtesy of that SS size).
Their accuracy gets a decent boost thanks to their size and their power is appropriately good, but we’ve fought way stronger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JywQPfssQs
And here’s the #01’s best attack since he chose something he could hit.
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness
: The fact that they are fielding these new types of Skrugg shows what a nuisance they see us as!
SRW UX - JOEY AND HEROMAN: He’s strong… this guy is nothing like the Skrugg we fought before!: The white one… it’s our enemy! The Skrugg’s enemy!
#02’s easier to take out, but #01 has a Psy’s Skateboard we can take.
: The new Skrugg are immobile! Now’s our chance!: HERE GOES!
: Gyaaaaaaargh!: H-Hrrgh…!*Mask shatters!*
: Gwaaaaaargh!: A-Aah…!: N-No… brother?!: Hrrm…: N-No way… that Skrugg is Lina’s missing brother?!: Which would mean… is Nick the other one?!
: Urgh…
: They… were they converted into Skrugg?!
: And I don’t think that’s all. They also seem to be under some mind-control…: But that’s… why?! 
: Wait, something’s up with them!: Hrk... Rrrgh…!*Beep!*
: We’re calling for a stop to your mission. Retreat, Experiments #1 and #02!: R-Roger…!: We won’t forget this, humans…!
: No! Will! Come back!
: They retreated…?!: I’ve finally found you again… why… why did this have to happen to you?!: Lina…
: The battle’s still not over, people! Bring down the remaining Skrugg!: U-Understood…! SRW UX - Shangri-La
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEI1eeUE5o
Aesap got really trigger-happy with his High Speed Evasion during this mission.
And we take out the rest of the Skrugg right on this turn.