Part 51: Mission 21 - Welcome Home ~ Friends - Part 1
And we are officially through that huge route split (thank god). We lost Kazuki, though, so that’s less than ideal. Today, only Lockon is deploying as an event unit, but he doesn’t have to be flying solo, so we’re keeping everything as it was:
Arnie/Fei-Yen
Zhang Fei/Tsubasa
Shinn/Klan
Sun Quan/Shangxiang
Eida/Guan Yu
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Michel/Kenji
Alto/Ozma
Mamoru/Sakura
Kouichi/Canaria
Liu Bei/Rennie
Aesap/Cao Cao
Yamashita/Mike
Joe/Saya
Lockon/Luna
Shou/Marvel
Setsuna/Luca
Kurou/Deceive
Heroman/Moritsugu
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Grab a seat, folks, because there’s much to do today.
We open up at the Federation’s Moldova base, where Kariya’s submarine has just docked and she reports to Mitsuhiro that she’s brought the Nothung Model and its pilot. He praises her good work and adds that they’ll transplant its core into the Salvator Model right away. Until that’s done, though, he wants her and the rest of her team to stay in the sub.
Huh? Why aren’t they being given permission to enter the Moldova Base? The truth is, as Mitsuhiro tells Kariya, that the base is currently seeing some strange issues going on at the topside facilities. Depending on how things turn out, they may be forced to abandon the place.
Whatever could have happened?
That’s what Allelujah and Soma are trying to figure out. Close to the spot where the solar energy transformer disappeared, they find a collapsed mook. Is he alright? Can he tell them what’s up? No, he can’t, as his body starts turning metallic!
He mutters something about machines attacking, but nothing makes sense. Soma, meanwhile, hears a voice echoing through her head – Quantum Brainwaves? She doesn’t think so. However, her train of thought is interrupted when an empty truck starts coming their way at full speed! Soma and Allelujah dodge, but a bunch more stuff is headed their way. Seems like this is what the mook meant about machines attacking.
Allelujah doesn’t know what’s going on, but his more unhinged split-personality, Hallelujah, does: the machines are being attracted by Soma’s Quantum Brainwaves. With no time to hang around, Hallelujah tags in to deal with the situation.
And, indeed, his own Quantum Brainwaves are attracting the machines as well. Soma isn’t too happy to see him, but the three of them can talk things out later – they need to flee into the base.
: The Federation’s Moldova Base…? That’s where Kazuki’s at?
: Hmhmm, we ran the numbers on their projected course and that’s looking like a pretty sure bet.
: So he’s been taken prisoner by the Federation?*Door opens.*
: Who knows? He could also be willingly helping them out.
: Mr. Mizoguchi… I didn’t expect to see you here.: Makabe’s orders. I came over as fast as I could, but that was obviously not fast enough.: Tsk, getting played like a damn fiddle by that little spygirl was bad enough...: But that ain’t got nothing on Kazuki bailing on us. He was our best prospect out of all the Fafner pilots.
: And that’s the problem! Kazuki ran away because he couldn’t stand everyone looking at him that way!
: Maya…: He didn’t want to be a tool of war, or a pilot… All he wanted was for someone to remember who he was before he started flying the Fafner…: But none of you… none of you ever stopped to ask how he felt about anything! : Kch… How can all of you be so selfish?! How can you talk about him like that?!
: …
Location: Federation Moldova Base – Cell
: It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, Kazuki Makabe?
: You’re… Mr. Hino?: Yes, Michio told me that you were the pilot of the captured Fafner. I confess I was very surprised.: We’re already getting the paperwork sorted out and will have you out this cell soon enough. Just be patient for a bit longer, yes?: …: What… What are you going to do with me?: Well, what is it that you want to do?: Huh…?: I’m a scientist, so my goal is to build the best weapons I can for the men and women who’ll be fighting out there. : But I don’t do that to maximize the kill tally. Rather, it’s just to get as many pilots back safely as possible.: And you couldn’t do that kind of research back at Tatsumiya?: Correct, and that’s why I left. You also felt like you had to leave, no?: I… I just wanted to figure out what I really should be fighting for…: The longer I stayed there, the more I felt myself slipping away…: In that case, why not come with me?: Huh…? Are you asking me to help with your research?: Hm. If you do, I might just be able to show you a different way than one of combat. : A different way…?
: We managed to sneak into the base thanks to Hallelujah’s help, but…
: Humans turning into metal, driverless trucks chasing us around… Just what is going on here…?: Hold on, someone’s coming. Hide!
: This is the Mark Elf… but it is not us. (Idun)
: It is not us, no. It is in front of us. (Mjölnir)
: (What are they talking about…?): We will diverge here. We will have me take action…*Tweeeooop.*
: (H-He disappeared…?!): (Those two… they’re not human?!): We will have me take action as well…: Hold on, if you would.: …: The core of the Mark Elf is a fragment of the Mir that came active at the Machine Island two hundred years ago. : Mir, that which once sunk mankind into the depths of despair… is now mankind’s only hope.: We are having me agree with you. : Agreeing with someone doesn’t equal comprehending someone, though. : Do you understand why I haven’t told Mitsuhiro about you two being here?: One part knows, another does not. Diverging possibilities result in human individuality.: The opposite is also true. I, as an individual, chose to diverge towards a different possibility than Mitsuhiro’s. : And that makes you Festum so interested in understanding us, humans.: (Did he say “Festum”?! That woman…?!): And you had yourself side with me.: Not quite. I’m just following the dying will of Akane Makabe… the woman you once assimilated.: Akane Makabe is no more.: How about we make sure? I’d like you to meet with Kazuki Makabe. Perhaps that might actually mark the start of a new divergence? One the likes never before seen by either humanity or the Festum…: …*
: Nobody move.: ?! You’re…?: Allelujah Haptism, of the Celestial Being.: Soma Peries, also of the Celestial Being.: Oh, the Gundam Meisters…: I’ve some questions to ask you about this base and this woman…
*Powering up!*
: Hmm, our theory was right. We’ve only just set in the Mark Elf’s core and we’re already seeing a tremendous increase in the power-gain. : What unit is this…?: The Fafner Salvator Model, Mark Sein…
: Mark Sein…: It means “to be”. It’s proof that we, humans, are here.: …: And you’ve been researching the Festum in order to finish this unit?: Not just the Festum. I’ve gathered and researched anything that showed promise.: It’s for that reason that I had my men recover a fragment from the exploration vessel Europa. : A fragment...?: I theorized that it would have an alien organism within. : And I was right. The strange phenomena you encountered topside? I’d wager the fragment is the cause…: ?! Is that all you have to say…?! Look at how many people died because of your research on that thing!: Are you telling me this mech was so crucial that you’d do something as thoughtless as that?!: That’s right. But the Mark Sein’s now complete, so this base’ll have served its purpose…: All that remains is Kazuki Makabe…: We are not willing to allow me to meet Kazuki Makabe. : What…?*Alarm!*
: Wh-What’s going on...?!*Beep.*
: Alert! Alert! We’re under attack by the Festum!: Detecting several Alhenteris and Grendel-types materializing! All personnel are to evacuate into the shelters immediately!: The Festum…?!: Our preferred divergence has initialized its action.: But why?! Does your Mir reject our Mir?!: We have no such concepts as acceptance or rejection. : We will revert the universe to nothingness, and in doing so, move ourselves to a higher dimension.: Revert the universe to nothingness?! That’s what you Festum are after?!: …: Sorry, Allelujah. But it looks like my plan has ended in failure…: Mr. Hino…: But we cannot allow the Mark Sein – the savior of mankind – to be lost here.: There’s a boy held prisoner inside this base. If I might make a request, I’d like you to break him out. 
Location: Federation Moldova Base – Submarine
: We can’t get in touch with the lab?!: Impossible…! Yoji, are you seriously turning on us now?!
: (Dad’s turned traitor…?)*Beep!*
: Dr. Bartland, what’s the meaning of this?!: The Festum are attacking; I believe they noticed what we’re after. We’re going to abandon the base!: “Abandon”?! But what about the Salvator Model?!: We’re already assembling all research data. All we’d need is a new core and we could build another one straight away.: And when we do, it’ll be strong enough to wipe out the Festum.*Bloop.*
: Start flooding the dock! Prepare for emergency departure!
: Hey, hold on! My dad and Kazuki are still—!*
*
: Don’t move!: ?! Yukippe, you…!: Do as she says, please. I’d rather not have to kill you too.: Indeed, you and Canon will have much to do to help us secure a new core…: Hrm…!
: …*Alarm!*
: Huh? Is there no one out there?!
: Ooh, what’s going on now?! Didn’t that guy say we were going to get out of this cell?!: Kazuki…? You there, are you Kazuki Makabe?!: Wh-Who are…?!: Get back! We’re going to blow up the door!*Boom!*
: *cough, cough*…! Ah…! They did it, Kazuki! The door’s open!: You’re… Cham, right? The Mi Ferario?: You know me?: Oh, what’s this…? It’s like there’re two different Auras coming from each of you…: …: Just who are you two?: We’re friends with Setsuna and Lockon. You know them, right?: ! Then you’re with the Celestial Being…?!: Right. Yoji Hino asked us to come and rescue you.: Mr. Hino…? What about him? What’s he going to do?!: That’s…
Cut to JUDA, Ogawa says an emergency transmission just came in for the UX from the Federation’s Moldovan base: Order UX-E9… commissioned by Allelujah Haptism. That means Emergency Level 9, meaning it’s a top priority request for the UX.
Lockon doesn’t know why Allelujah’s sending a request for us… but it turns out it’s from Hino. Mizoguchi and Toumi are very surprised to see him, and their being here simplifies things. Hino introduces himself as a former ALVIS scientist – Allelujah passed him this code. So, what does he need?
“I don’t think this base will be around for much longer. So I’d like to request that you come here and save both Kazuki Makabe and the Fafner Salvator Model,” he says. That’s quite the request considering it was Hino’s people who took Kazuki in the first place. Moreover, since this is a “request” for the UX, what would our compensation be, Richard asks.
“The future of all mankind” Hino declares, and that gets Richard’s attention. “I’ve confidence that your group and Kazuki will be capable of making good use of the Mark Sein. And, in doing so, you’ll create a brand new divergence – one that’ll bring about the future of mankind. “
With precious little time remaining, he really hopes we’ll take his request… and the comm drops.
*static*
: I suppose this is it…: …: What is it? Why aren’t you leaving?: We will be here soon. You are alone.: Are you concerned for my life?: Li-fe…?: Hah, I see… You’ve also opened the door. I’m glad to see that…: …: Listen to me, person who once called herself Akane Makabe. I want you to deliver this unit to the ALVIS boy. : We will not allow me to meet with Kazuki Makabe.: Then just give him the Mark Sein. I ask that you do this so Akane Makabe’s enduring wish passes on to him…!: …*Tweeeooop.*
: Thank you…: A new hope will sprout with destruction as its seedbed. Forgive me, Michio…*Click.*
(on the comm): Yoji made a request of the UX?!: Yeah, and apparently he blew himself up to try and take the Festum along with him.: God…!: Minashiro, we have to go and save Kazuki! You’ve got a plan, right?!: No, it’s impossible… We could deploy right now and we would never get there in time.
: Maybe not. If we use the Quarter’s Fold System, we could get halfway around the planet in one second.: …?!
: The Elshank is also capable of travelling through wormholes. So if we deploy immediately…!: B-But…!: Why are you even thinking twice about this?!: Shouko… she didn’t hesitate for a second when it was time to set out and fight for Kazuki – for us – didn’t she?!: …
: I’m certain that what Kazuki sought was not mainly to flee from battle. Rather, he simply needed time to find himself.
: So we need to go and pick him up. Here, with us, is where he belongs…: Y-You…
: Besides, the guy said the payment for this gig would be “the future of all mankind”. Not the kind of stuff you can pass on, right?: But we’ll need your strength if we’re gonna do this, Soushi. Will you come with us…?: …: But I…: I’m sure you’re the one Kazuki really wants to come get him.: So when he’s back with us, I want you to look him right in the eye and say…
Mission 21 – Welcome Home ~ Friends
*BOOM!*
: ! Something exploded in the underground…?!: Do you think that was Mr. Hino…?!
*OooOOOoooOOOooouuu.*
: Hrm…! It’s that voice again…! *The GN-X III sets forward!*
: I-It’s coming this way!: Is it going after Marie like that truck did…?!: It’s too fast! We can’t get away!
: …?!
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter
: Gundam Zabanya, Lockon Stratos! Not sure what’s going on here but that’s the target sniped down!: Lockon!
: Kazuki, are you okay?!: Toumi… guys!
: And we’ve brought you guys a new mech: the Gundam Harute.: Afraid hearing about your trip’s gonna have to wait, though. Hop aboard, you two!: …: I’m dragging you into another battle… I’m sorry, Marie.: It’s all right. It wouldn’t be right for me to run off alone, especially since I’m their target.: We’ll fight them together, Allelujah!: Thank you, Marie!: Kazuki, I’m sending you the coordinates Hino marked. The Mark Sein should be there, so hurry!: O-Okay!: …*OooOOOoooOOOooouuu.*
: Huh….?! There it is again, just like in that last fight! I’m hearing a voice calling out to something!: I can’t tell you much, but I do know that it’s not people controlling those units.: It’s likely those were hijacked by something like an alien organism. 
: An a-alien organism…?!
: And they’re the ones drawing the Festum over…?!
: Engaging Federation units will very likely come back to haunt us later… but I suppose that’s neither here nor there at the moment.: Troops, engage and destroy the Festum and the Federation units with due haste!: Roger that! Gundam Harute, Allelujah Haptism!: Soma Peries! : Moving to engage!
Kill everyone, don’t lose your ships. Pretty much a rehash of the previous mission, only with jacked GN-Xs thrown in the middle. Standard Festum tactics apply, so carry on as usual – of note, the base structures will provide 10% evasion bonus, so that’s something to offset their Mind Read.
Gundam Harute (Allelujah Haptism/Soma Peries)
Pilot Skills:
Super Soldier (超兵) – activates at 130 morale, granting an accuracy and mobility bonus that increases in proportion to morale. +5% at 130, with added increments of 5 until +25% at 170.
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L1
Predict
All Attack
Spirit Commands – Allelujah:
Accelerate
Sense
Assail
Spirit Commands – Soma:
Focus
Attune (感応) – casts Strike on target ally.
Trust
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Transform
GN Field
GN Drive
Trans-AM
Squad Bonus: Mobility +5, EN +50 (Mobility +20, EN +100, Movement +2)
Allelujah’s voice actor: Hiroyuki Yoshino (other roles: Hazar in SRW Alpha 3, Sofiro in Rinne no Lagrange, Yuto in Inazuma Eleven and many more)
Soma’s voice actress: Arisa Ogasawara (other roles: Holly in Heroman, the Haros in 00 Gundam, Panty in Panty & Stocking and a few more)
And here’s, IMO, the second best 00 Gundam. Allelujah’s meant to go zipping across the battlefield and start cutting stuff, but the Harute opted to play it safe and get an even split of long and short-range weapons. Still pretty powerful and survivable, and he makes a good fit for pretty much any Real.
Not too sturdy, even with that GN Field, but that’s only a problem if stuff manage to get a hit in and that’s not very likely with Allelujah’s good evading skills, Super Soldier and Soma’s added spirits.
The Harute may not measure up to top tier units, but it’s right there with Graham as a squaddie you can easily switch to the front whenever. If anything, his Squad Bonus and Accelerate are very welcome.
Oh, and Lockon’s new Zabanya is a straight upgrade to the Dynames with more of everything: more guns, more damage, more Haros!
: Oookay, time for the Zabanya to step into the limelight.: There isn’t anything I can’t snipe down with this baby!
: Go, Lockon!
: Go, Lockon!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YFSz05UWnw
Damn it, Luna!
SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD: … [Noise]
: Huh… What is it?! If y o u ’ v e got something to say, then say it loud and clear!
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
: (I’m glad you’re safe, Kazuki…): (But what am I supposed to say to him if he comes back now…?)
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter: I don’t know if the answer we found through our journey is the right one, but…!: Yes, they need our help right now. So let’s go, Allelujah!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlC3h1A28EA
SRW UX - Life Goes On
: Hold on, Kazuki! We’re coming to pick you up!
SRW UX - Dunbine Flies
: Cham’s still with Kazuki… Tsk, I’ll give her a big talking-to once she’s back!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: … [Noise]
: What sensation is this…? Is that a voice I hear…? No, it’s…!
SRW UX - My Fate: … [Noise]
: What are these things?!
: No idea. But I’m feeling something like a voice coming from that machine!
SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter: … [Noise]
: Something’s echoing through my mind… I knew it. It’s the exact same thing I felt from that fragment!
And when all GN-Xs are dead…
: The voice stopped…?: Yeah, you’re right. I don’t hear it anymore!: …: (Again, just like the previous battle… If I’m right, then the alien organism Allelujah spoke of is…)And when turn 3 rolls over, or you down three Festum teams…
: …
: What’s that guy doing in a place like that…?!
: Huh? Do you think he’s one of the base’s personnel…?: We have learned all we needed of this place. : We will use me to eliminate all that is not us.
: Aack! H-He transformed?!
: He looks like…!
: Are you there…?
: A Festum…!: This should be the place Mr. Hino said, but…: Look, Kazuki! There’s someone there!: ?! It… It can’t be…! That’s…!: …: M-Mom…?: Yoji Hino has asked me to deliver the Mark Sein to you.: The Mark Sein… He did?!: We will not allow me to diverge any more. : Mom, wait! It’s you, isn’t it?!: No, Kazuki… I don’t think that’s a person…: Huh…?: Akane Makabe is no more. I am what you call a Festum.: …?!: I am giving Mir’s vessel to you, child of ALVIS. : Board it. I am leaving.*Tweeeooop.*
: Sh-She disappeared…?: Mom, why…
: Gwaaaaaargh! Goddamn, that guy’s strong!
: He’s on a completely different level from the other Festum we’ve seen…!
: Do you think he’s their leader?!
: Everyone focus all your fire on that big Festum! We’re going straight for the jugular!
: Y-Yes, sir!