Part 43: Mission 15 (Europe Route) - Operation Overlord
Back again in the Europe Route, our next mission will see Mazinkaiser and all of Liu Bei’s crew deploying as event units. Add in the Macross crew, and we set ourselves up accordingly:
Arnie
Tsubasa/Canaria
Shinn/Klan
Eida/Luna
Fei-Yen/Saya
Alto/Michel
Ozma/Luca
Off we go.
: U-Ugh... I-I’m...?
: You, who are marked by the stigma of the original sin...: …?! Y-You’re…!: If your life is a sin in and of itself… if that is a fate from which you cannot flee…: You’re wrong! I’m a free man… fate has no sway over me!: Prove it, then…: What?!: Live on, and prove your claim.: Hold onto your life. The longer you do, the closer you’ll get to the answer… to the underlying truth of the world…: …!
: Rrgh…!*Punch!*
: Hey! You gonna stay sleeping forever or what?! Get up already!
: Stop hitting him, Lt. Kaido!: Hrm… I-I’m…
: Lt. Magami, you’re awake?! Thank goodness…: Psh, took you long enough. You know how hurt I got thanks to your freak-out? You got balls making me sit around after that!: We’re… alive…?: Damn straight! We can’t bite it that easy - think of how pissed Hades would be!
: Hah, I guess so…: Oho, looks like you’re back in the saddle. : Yeah. I remembered something very important…: That I need to prove the meaning of my life… That I need to prove that I am me…: Huh? Did I hit you too hard?
Over by the Quarter’s bridge, Saya’s relaying intel that the AEU’s putting together a major counteroffensive in all regions that’ve been occupied by Garan’s Forces. The SMS (and UX) have been set up as the spearhead of that offensive, taking a stab at the Normandy base.
Lalamia remembers all the major cities close to that base – what if the worst case scenario occurs and Garan’s folks actually attack those? Then that’s all on us. As Richard sees it, this is a win-win for the AEU regardless: if it goes off without a hitch, they get all the glory; if it goes south, we’ll take the blame (not like he isn’t already used to us getting the short end of the stick).
Alto sighs that we’re all just expendable tools here, but Arnie disagrees: while it’s true that the UX has a bad rap with the world at large, as far as he’s concerned, they’ve never fought for the wrong reasons. “The world can badmouth us all it wants, we’re still fighting to protect the people’s lives… we’re fighting for what’s right,” he says. “If anything, that’s what I want to believe.”
He apologizes if that sounded too pretentious, but Alto likes the way he thinks – he also wants to believe that mercs can be just. Arnie thanks him and both pilots quickly exchange names with one another. Bobby very much likes the sight of the two young studs (Nene tells him to watch the drool).
All that aside, Ozma asks how we’ll approach our part in this operation and Zhuge Liang’s suggestion is that we simply wait for now. Doing nothing? Yes. Shinn figures he’s doing that to let Magami recover, but still…
But the meeting’s interrupted when Tsubasa calls in, yelling that there’s an emergency and asking for Scarlet. What happened? Kaido and Magami have deployed without permission.
Location: Normandy – Federation Weapon Storage Base
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: We’re under attack! Fire! FIRE!!*Machinegun!*
: Outta my way!*Slash!*
: Gwaaargh!*Dead.*
: Where are you, Garan?! Show yourself!
: Hmph… I’ve been expecting you, pilots of the skull devil. : Garan…!: Well, ya actually came to meet us? Much appreciated, geezer!
: You two amuse me. Now let us see whether you’ve the strength to claim my head!: You better not bitch about it when you lose, ya hear?! Come on!*Sword clash!*
: I approve of you willingly engaging me in melee. But you ought to know, the reach of my blade demarks the pathway to the Underworld!*Slash!*
: Gwargh!
: I’m afraid you’ll have to face me first…: Who the hell are ya?!
: I am Burn Bunnings, the Black Knight… and circumstances have led to me serving under Lord Garan’s command.: “Black Knight”…? Aah, I get it! You’re that Ace Killer guy!: Yeah, alright, I’d be more than happy to tangle with you!: Then, come and show me the arts of the Overworld’s swordfightnig!: It’s just you and me, Garan!: Aah, your eyes… they’re quite different from before, I see!: Yeah, and I’ve you to thank for opening them! All that’s left now is ending your life!*Bang, bang!*
Back to the Quarter, Monica’s already pinged the Skull Pilder having headed straight for the Normandy base. Scarlet fumes, but Zhuge Liang is quite pleased: waiting was, indeed, worth their while.
What, did he expect this would happen? Indeed; he worried that a frontal assault could lead to the neighboring metropolis coming under attack, so he figured we could capitalize on Kaido and Magami wreaking havoc on the enemy from within before making our move.
Shinn isn’t too happy that the guy apparently made sacrificial pawns out of two of our guys, but of course he didn’t. He’s already got a plan in place and ready to go. What does he mean? Tsubasa calls in again, relaying a message from Liu Bei’s team that they’re breaking into the Normandy Base as we speak.
Wait, when were those guys sent out? Richard sees the ghost of Sun Tzu saying that “all warfare is based on deception”; ergo, Zhuge Liang secretly put together a support crew for the SKL duo but kept us in the dark as a way to not tip off the enemy.
“Sun Tzu also says: ‘when campaigning, be swift as the wind; as unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt’. And now it is time for us to make our move,” Zhuge Liang proclaims. “A counteroffensive executed in this land once marked the turning point in a great war… So what say you we mirror that famous operation?”
Sounds good to Scarlet and Jeffrey, who command our team towards the Normandy base. This mission will go by the name of…
Mission 15 (Europe Route) – Operation Overlord
: Urgh…!: What’s the matter? Surely that’s not the best you can offer.: Heheh, you’re pretty dang good… I’m getting all tingly over here!: Haah, haah…: Hmph, how disappointing…: Say what now? You ain’t feeling it with a 1v1ing us?!: Look at this man. You may have fully recovered from your wounds, but he clearly hasn’t.: …?!: There is no thrill in claiming the head of such a person.: Hmph, are you going senile? Flesh wounds like these won’t…!: Call forth the skull devil!
: What…?!: It is already clear how this bout will end. But if you also pride yourselves as warriors, then I command you to show me the full depths of your spirit!: Burn!: Yes, my lord!
: Garan!: Hmph. If you will not board your unit, then you will die!: Heh, fine. We’ll do this your way since you care so much!
: Magami, Pilder On!: I-I got it!: Here goes!
: U-Urgh…!: Magami, you’re really…!: Don’t sell me short…! I’m not about to be a burden!: You refuse to show the enemy your back despite being on death’s door. Your resolve is to be commended… However!
: Gwaaargh..!: Magami!: (Can you truly not stand up to your fate, Erbsünde…?): I… I have to… prove it…!: I’ll live on… and prove that I am me…!: It’s over!
*Burn’s pushed back!*
: What…?!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: Behold, the Octagon’s Volunteer Corps!: Oho…: Y-You… why are you here?!
: Now what kind of welcome is that? Aren’t we all buddies here?
: And we could not simply watch our comrades be sent to the afterlife!: If it is your inescapable fate to carry on doing battle…: Then we shall share in your burden and overcome it together!: …!: Heheh, well, ain’t you a big ol’ hero… but I like the cut of your jib!: Hah, how quaint. Then show me how you’ll stand up to fate!
: Ooh, boy, here comes the swarm of mooks!: Ain’t no turning back now, got it, Magami?: Of course I do! I won’t let neither them nor my fate get the better of me!: Let’s get to work, then! This whole area’s about to become a brand new circle of Hell!: Anyone who don’t wanna live anymore can step right up!
Kill everything, don’t lose anyone. You have until the START of turn 4 to kill Burn and get his Skill Part, before the plot takes over and you lose the goods. Problem is you’ll need morale to pull that off, which means sending your guys deep into the enemy lines (where Burn can start cutting you up).
It’s risky, as there are plenty of enemies and evasion decay can really screw with Liu Bei’s crew (especially Zhang Fei, who only has Invincible for defensive spirits), and it’s also a tight squeeze if you haven’t massively upgraded these guys. Still, build up enough morale, position your folks well to use their best attacks (especially Zhang Fei, who needs a buffer of 3) and maximize supports. I barely missed it because I thought the plot kicked in at the end of turn 4, not the start…
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: Justice is not with Garan! Surely you realize that!: “Justice” is ultimately a creation of the victors… It is something that’ll be decided only by those who live through this battle!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDdgem6BvwY
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers: I hope you won’t mind entertaining us for a while!: I show no mercy, not even to those that are wounded. Make your peace and face me if you dare!: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, guy! Ya never know when someone might come along and break them eggs on your face!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C3_izKZTI0
Here’s Burn’s strongest weapon.
And the next turn...
: Lord Garan, their companions are inbound.: Hmph, ignore them.: Hm? But…: I do not need to maintain this area anymore. All I care to do now is verify whether or not I have truly found my nemesis!: … SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: Alright, bring it on! I’m gonna put you six feet under!: Hm, you are quite the thug, aren’t you? You have my attention, though doing battle with me will be the last mistake you ever make!
: Why is someone as mighty as you helping a man like Garan?!: Because I am forsaken. Devoting myself as a knight to my new lord’s cause is all that remains to me!
: Hmph… Much is said of your strength, yet I confess I did not expect it to run this deep. And in that case…!
: Wh-What the?!
: This light… it’s Aura Power?!: Do not falter! If that’s the light of his Aura… that is, the power of his soul, then I know the same lies within us!: The power of the soul…?!: Haaaaaaaaaaaaah!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: …?! Th-That light is…!: Liu Bei… you…!: To arms, my friends! Now we manifest our justice for all to see!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: Gaaaaaaah!: Haah, haah…!: Did we get him…?!: A-Astounding… to think I’d happen upon opponents of this caliber…!
: Withdraw, Burn!: My Lord…?!: You are not meant to die yet – not until you’ve a chance to cross swords with your true nemesis again! Am I wrong?: …?! Hrm…!
: Your determination was abundantly clear, indeed! I’ll now take it upon myself to face the lot of you!
: Psh, pretty intense for an old man!: Garan! I’m coming to end you myself…!: Let us begin, then…!
: Hrm…?!
: Pinpoint Barrier, output is stable. No issues in any of the ship’s blocks!
: Looks like we made it right in the nick of time! Battle stations!
: My friends…!: Hahahah… you’ve rammed your way in here with your ship? Your group gets more amusing by the minute…*Tweeep!*
: ?! W h o ‘ s there?!
: Something wrong, Fei?!: Some...one… w a t c h i n g…: (This sensation… is it Sleeping Beauty?!): S l e e p i n g… Beauty?: (No, she has yet to arrive at the truth about herself… Whose presence am I feeling, then…?!)
: ...
: (Seems we’ve someone with real unusual powers here… Better not hang around too long…): Come, I’ll happily face you all!: But, of course, you’ll have to make it to me first!
: Those are Riots! They really commandeered them…!
: No abnormalities detected in their accelerated particle readings. It appears their engines, unlike the one you piloted, have limiters installed.: These are the official production models…: I never thought I’d actually be staring down Riots someday!
: Troops, the Macross Quarter is unable to go farther than this!: Strike down Garan with due haste and then return here! Forward!
Take out Garan, don’t lose the Quarter or the SKL.
Garan’s the same as he was in the previous mission, but his Riot Cs are way better than his regular troops. The northern and southern batches are running solo and will move in right away, so you’ll want to use those to feed morale to your newer guys.
After that converge with our vanguard team, deal with the inbound western group of Riots (these are in pairs) and, as they go down, Garan should finally be moving in, whereupon you can swarm him.
SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit: Riot, the first wings Jin and I won for ourselves…: Fighting them as enemies isn’t something I ever hoped for…!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKUplsLxGWc
And here’s Klan’s best attack.
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit: Hmhmhm… I see the fate that awaits you on the horizon. And it is to suffer in the bowels of Hell!: My fate isn’t yours to decide, and threats won’t make me flinch!
“Battles are supposed to be fought for peace! How can battle itself be anyone’s goal?!”
SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD: S o m e o n e… is still w a t c h i n g me. I ‘ m curious... W h a t should I d o?: That’s the way, Sleeping Beauty. Seek out the truth behind your own being…! : Such is the fate that’s been bestowed unto you!
: What’s the matter?! I long to hear your melody of Hell, yet it still eludes my ear! : (“Melody”…? Does he mean the Hell Stringer? How does this man know about it…?!)
SRW UX - Life Goes On
: Your war has gone on for too long… and I’m putting an end to it!: I like your pluck, boy! But all it’ll get you is death at the tip of my spear!
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers: Hear me, masters of the devil! What is it that you pursue with the strength you have?: The words “just cause” mean nothing to us. What it all comes down to is that that’s just an embellishment people use to fool themselves and others!: We fight because we want to, and we crush because we want to! That’s it, guy!
SRW UX - Obelisk
: I’ve already seen everything I needed about the way you move. This ends today!: At least you’ve attitude, if nothing else. But what can a whelp like you hope to accomplish here?!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: Why do you seek battle so doggedly, Garan?! I’m certain a man like you could…!: Because there is nothing a warrior desires more than battle! This pride I feel as a warrior is proof that I am alive!
“Garan… the people would know no joy in this world you desire!”
And we get a Magami’s Marksmanship Teachings from him.
: Hrrgh…?!: Now!: Switch out, Kaido!
: Your life ends now, Garan! SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
: U-Urgh…! Very well done, skull devil!: You are, indeed, my nemesis! The fated enemy whom I’ll risk my life to conquer!: “Fated enemy”…?!: So live on! Survive! And someday… pit yourself against me once more!: I’ll be waiting… at the gateways of Hell, the crux of my fate…!
: He ran away…? No, that looked more like he felt this was enough…: …: (The gateways of Hell… the crux of Garan’s fate…)
And we cut to New York, where Marina and Shirin are watching the news reporting the AEU’s successful recovery of the Normandy base, as well as repelling Garan’s Forces throughout Europe. It’s like this on all channels: the AEU did everything, with absolutely no mention of the UX or, even, the Frontier Fleet’s help.
Still, despite the rampant propaganda, there’s another worrisome story making the rounds: one concerning suspicious activities from Orb’s Rep. Cagalli Yula Athha. It even mentions her ties to the UX and Arcadian Project – an average journalist would hardly be privy to all that, so Shirin doubts one wrote this.
Rather, it seems clear to Marina that someone is manipulating the news to his or her advantage… and a man agrees with her suspicion.
Shirin introduces him as Axel Hughes, agent of the NIA (an intelligence agency that answers directly to the Union president), and he’s currently conducting an investigation on the less-than-savory elements within the Federation army and government.
Does he mean the Martian Development Bureau? Not just, as Shirin says information control of this level would be beyond even them. She and Axel suspect there’re more people scheming in the shadows of the Bureau, and the agent needs their assistance in revealing the truth to the entire world.
Marina understands where he’s coming from, but isn’t sure if she could be of help. Axel is sure, however – Marina’s an ambassador of the Federation, and Shirin’s renowned for her work as a freedom fighter with Catharon – so he asks that they lend him their considerable might.
Back to the Quarter, Tsubasa has no idea what Garan was up to with all this: he was on the verge of conquering all of Europe and now he’s pulled everything back almost without a fight. Kaido has no idea what’s going on through the geezer’s head, but Magami’s rather silent.
Fei-Yen is off in a corner, thinking: she’s certain there was someone watching, surveying, her during our battle… and she feels like she’s forgetting something really important. What could it be? Still, what she does know is that everyone here is so nice to her, so she wants to work hard and not only help us out, but also to bring us happiness.
Nearby, Arnie ponders that Garan’s sure to have collected more than enough data on the MP Riots, and fears that he might start making more with his production plant at Machine Island. Does he think it likely that Garan’ll try another invasion?
Magami, however, speaks up: “No, I’m rather certain he won’t set off into the outside world again.” What makes him say that? He just knows that that’s the case. Well, Kaido doesn’t care to make sense of what’s going on inside Magami’s head either, but tells him not to think too hard and blow a gasket again. Sounds good.
Now, with this done, what’ll be the UX’s next mission? Richard’s just received a request from ALVIS – the Fafners are finally done being set-up and ready to come work with us, but they want our help with a certain operation first. Ozma enters the hangar and says the SMS will help us with that: the powers that be have allowed them to keep working together with the UX.
Guan Yu sees no downside for us in having more capable warriors at our flanks, but Eida finds it odd. The Frontier now has that treaty with the AEU, yet they allowed the SMS to work with a “terrorist” group like ours?
Well, Michel figures all the Frontier government wanted with this was to get intel on what’s going on at Earth, so they likely don’t care so long as that’s being done. Um, is that something they should tell us about? Canaria says they’re mercenaries, not spies, so they have beliefs of their own. Alto points out, as Arnie said before, that mercs can also be just, right? Way Zhang Fei sees it, we’re all one big bundle of concentrated JUSTICE!
While that’s going on, though, Zhuge Liang is deep in thought: “Our groups’ encounter happened like clockwork… as though drawn to one another by some force. Is that something the will of the heavens, or, perhaps…”
Signs point to “no”, as we cut to the Rubens Foundation, where the boss is happy to hear that the Macross Quarter has joined up with the UX – right as planned. That’s another hurdle cleared, and well worth the money invested. A speaker on the phone says they don’t mind playing fixers, but they do ask that Rubens refrain from becoming a problem to their agenda.
That request goes both ways, of course, and Rubens wonders if the speaker shouldn’t save his baseless suspicions for after his group’s made progress on their little plan? The speaker huffs an affirmative and cuts the call. And, with that done, Rubens sets his sights on the next task at hand: securing the lost “requiem”…
Finally, back to ALVIS, they finally have the Siegfried System’s terminal ready to be used, which’ll allow the Fafners to operate far beyond the island. Toumi’s not too keen on sending the kids to work with the UX, but Makabe says there’s little choice: even if they stayed here, they’d have to contend not just with the Festum, but eventually with the Federation army as well.
With that in mind, he figures it best to have them learn as much as they can from a group that’s managed to survive through such hardships. And, then, we have the same scene we did in the other paths, with Makabe wanting Tatsumiya be moved, Kariya reporting the uninhabited island being found in their path, and them deciding to send a team to investigate the place.