Part 78: Mission 32 - Route Split
: That book-girl is dead…? But she always looked positively unkillable…
: Al…
: (This is my fault…): (She’s dead because I just sat there with my thumb up my ass when I should’ve been fighting…): They’re… they’re gonna goddamn pay for this!
: Hey, hey! Where’dya think you’re going, Kurou?!: I’m gonna kill all those Anticross… that’s where I’m going!
: Don’t be stupid! What could you even do in the state you’re in?!: Shut your trap! Al died to keep me alive – how am I supposed to let that go?!: Can’t any of you imagine how she must’ve felt?!
: I ask the same thing, Kurou!: Do you think Al would be happy seeing you like this?!: …?!: Kurou, what you’re trying to do is just pure revenge.: And I know I ain’t Shou to be talking like this, but… all you’re gonna find is a quick death if you fight with hatred in your heart. : …: You’re not the only one who’s hurting over what happened.: But aren’t we friends?! We’ve all been fighting by teaming with each other, right?!: Joey…
: I ask that you please act carefully. It wouldn’t do to waste the life Al Azif sacrificed herself to save.: Enduring the pain is as much of a battle as anything else, Master Daijuuji.: Tsk… Al, I…: Rrrgh! GODDAMN IT!
: How’s Kurou looking?
: A bit calmer than he was before. I’ve treated his wounds as best as I could, so now he’s getting some rest.
: I suppose he’s finally starting to come to terms with Al’s death…
: …: I wonder if Al knew what her fate was…
: Maybe she did… but still chose to accept it, and entrust everything to Kurou…: Knowing that you’re going to die and still pushing yourself to keep going until the end…: Maj. Richard also felt the same way, I think.: …!: But when the time came, I…: I’d say he must’ve been happy you didn’t shoot. : Huh…?: I’m sure the Major wanted you to learn the weight of life.: Way I see it, the reason he taught you so much about professional commitment and the hardships of battle was so that you’d come to understand the pain and sorrow that comes when a life is taken, when it’s lost forever.: The pain and sorrow… of a life lost…: The Major bet on your potential to the very last second, and, in the end, he won that bet. : So you’ve nothing to feel ashamed of – on the contrary, you should be proud of how well you fulfilled his wish…: …: *Sniffles* Oh, Major...: Da… Daddyyy…
: Saya...
: “Daddy”...: I guess Maj. Richard can finally rest easy now.
: Yeah, looks like it…
: By the way, Ensign, how’s your body doing?: As surprising as it sounds, it’s doing fine.
: That shouldn’t be possible, though, no? The aftereffect of the Orphes’ warps always had you in a lot of pain.
: Still, we checked Ensign Berge’s vitals and there were no abnormalities whatsoever with him.
: Our theory is that it’s due to Saya successfully achieving a perfect synchro-overdrive with their Accelerated Particle Engines.
: Because of her…?: As we noted before, the Orphes’ warp is a form of time travel. Every moment an imperfect warp was executed, the mech and the pilot would cease to exist in this universe for a small instant.: And, as a result, that progressively eroded the pilot’s own life force. 
: Then, by executing a perfect synchro-overdrive with the Lepton Vectrers…
: Saya’s effectively nullified that momentary state of non-existence?: That’s the theory, at least. 
: Saya’s strong will has given the Orphes a new power…: Or, better put, she imbued it with life.
: A person’s Aura Power can occasionally affect the very essence of his or her machine.: Life has many mysteries, indeed…: A manufactured life like mine did that…?
: And speaking of the bot, I think the Orphes needs a new name.
: Agreed. A name to celebrate its transition from a machine that beckoned death to one that weaves life. : A new name, hm…?
: How about Odyssea?
: Odyssea…?: Yeah, taken after Odysseus, a hero in Greek legend.
: Oh, that’s the guy who built the Trojan Horse, right?: There’s that, sure, but the main reason is that the current name’s based off Orpheus and his return from Hell.: But now the bot’s not mirroring a tragic hero, but the protagonist of an ancient epic – someone who brought victory to thousands of his comrades.
: Ooh, I like that. What do you think, Arnie?: I…
Sure thing.
: The story goes that Odysseus overcame many hardships with his fellow men and, eventually, managed to find his way back to his home. : That’s something I’d like to do myself – alongside everyone, and especially you, Ms. Saya…: Ensign Arnie…*Beep.*
: Cpt. Jeffrey wants relay our next missions.: All team members are to assembly at the control room right away.
: Roger that. We’ll be right over!: We should do the same, Ms. Saya. : Right…!: (When Jin and Ayul attacked us, they executed a synchro-overdrive with their Accelerated Particle Engines.): (Technology that’s supposed to only exist in the future now exists in the present…): (Does that mean that Novel Dylan actually is making use of time travel…?)
And our next mission comes as a request from the Frontier Fleet – straight from the President’s Office. Our target is a Boddole Zer-Class fortress, which the Vajra have used as nesting grounds. A what now? As Klan tells, it’s a type of Zentran fortress with several hundred kilometers in length. If the Vajra are nesting there, who knows how many we’ll find.
Worse, according to intel sent by the Frontier, said fortress is slowly headed towards Earth – should it make it here, the damage will be immense. But, of course, there’s the matter of the Black Lodge and their Cthulhu-ball right on top of Arkham City. As Cao Cao notes, if we leave here, they’ll get on the offensive again.
Only option Sumeragi sees is to split the team in half: one to stand guard in Arkham, one to clear out the Boddole Zer Fortress. Arnie sees no problem with that assessment, figuring Richard would’ve agreed with that suggestion.
The more ground-combat oriented units will stay in Arkham: which makes for the WSO, the Elshank, the Fafners, the SD Gundams, Heroman and the Classic Aura Battlers. Of course, Kurou’ll also be staying here since, as Ruri points out, the Demonbane’s immobile. Everyone else is headed up top.
But what about Arnie and Saya?
Time for another route split, but this one’s very short – only a single mission.
Participate in the Vajra Mop-Up Operation
Wings of Rean
SEED Destiny
00 Gundam
Dancouga Nova
Fei-Yen
Linebarrel
Macross Frontier
Secret Alert! x4 Take this route if you’re on track for these secrets: Linebarrel’s (4th step), 00 Gundam #1 and #2 (4th and 2nd step, respectively), Macross F (4th step).
Stay and Defend Arkham City
Dunbine
Tobikage
Fafner
Demonbane
Heroman
SD Gundam
Mazinkaiser SKL
Secret Alert! x4 Take this route if you’re on track for these secrets: Demonbane (6th step), Fafner #2 (2nd step), Heroman (3rd step), Tobikage #1 (6th step).
Also have both these route flags raised, so I can keep whichever I want. I reckon that’ll be the Arkham route, simply because it’s got more series I enjoy.
Pick the space route and Arnie figures they ought to head up there as, judging from the sheer scale of the fortress, we could use as many extra units as we’ve got. Saya’s fine with the idea, so Jeffrey commands the troops to set off immediately. Inwardly, Alto thinks back to Sheryl and Ranka, wondering that they’re doing right now.
: You wish me to teach you the Art of War…?: Yes, please. We’ve set ourselves up as Maj. Richard’s successors, so we want to be capable of providing tactical commands like he did. : Though we’re not sure how capable we’ll be at it, of course…: I see. That is a fine spirit you two display.: And if you are so certain, then I would gladly agree to your request. : Thank you so much.
: And I suppose that means you two are now my fellow pupils! : Oh, wait... That also means I’ll need to go the extra mile to set an example, right?: Hmph, I do not remember teaching you to be feckless…: It is due to that attitude that regardless of how much time passes, you— *cough, cough, cough*…!: Master…!: I-I am fine. Just a slight chest congestion…: …: Um, if you’re not feeling well, then you don’t have to…: Worry not. In fact, the prospect of new pupils is making me feel even spritelier than usual.
: General Zhou Yu…: (My lord Sun Ce… please, grant me strength for just a while longer…)
Over by the Frontier, Howard’s being told that we’ve agreed to help – granted, Mishima was certain we would, what with the SMS being personally involved with the battle against the Vajra. Howard’s feeling a little bit queasy for this operation, though, as there’s something to be said against stirring this literal hornet’s nest.
Mishima agrees with him in that they’ve never seen a bigger swarm than the one nesting in the Boddole Zer – but that is precisely what makes this such a major opportunity. What it all comes down to is Fold Quartz, a mineral capable of relaying thoughts across time and space… and the things can only be found with the Vajra, as it’s inside their bodies that the mineral’s refined.
In that case, Howard presumes he has a plan for them to prevail against such odds and, naturally, Mishima does. You see, he’s taken care to match the day of the operation with Ranka Lee’s concert. Inwardly, Mishima schemes: “Now is the time to play that particular card. Which, in turn, means it’s almost time for the other songstress to exit stage left…”
Cut to Aprillius One, Lacus informs Rubens that REQUIEM has been fully repaired and can be fired at any moment. Mind you, the prospect of that doesn’t make her happy. “A weapon is defined solely by the people who wield it – depending on who that is, it can be a positive force. The REQUIEM is no exception” Rubens argues.
Lacus sighs but agrees to move past her unease since, as both she and Rubens understand, they cannot afford to stop for any reason. With a wish for both of them to continue their good work, Rubens hangs up.
: …
: Lacus…: I preach about peace, yet I hold a gun in my hand…: I’ve made my share of bad choices and this might just be another one… Still, at this moment we need strength with which to sever the chains of this unending strife…: Right, we’ve a responsibility to do this…: If we just turned away from it, everything we said to Chairman Durandal about being prepared to face the hardships ahead would be one huge lie…*Door opens.*
: That’s right… by themselves, neither strength nor wishes are enough…: You’re…: Athrun…
: …: There are things you have to protect, even if it means setting off to another battle…: You may understand that it’s a painful path to follow but…: But we’re ready to face it in order to protect this world.: I understand, Athrun. I feel the same way you do…: Kira…: You’re ready to stand up and fight once again, aren’t you, Athrun…?: …: I’d like to ask you something. Give us the power to carry out our wishes one more time… the Freedom and the Justice…!
And Eida gets her second tactician bonus - +10% attack power to all ranged weapons – while Arnie gets exactly the same ones Richard had.
Or Arnie might decide to stay in Arkham, figuring dealing with the Black Lodge ASAP is the top priority now. With that done, Ruri orders her maids to get the Demonbane fixed with all haste. Not that the thing’ll move with Al gone, but Ruri at least wants it ready to go – her grandfather would’ve done so.
Chiaki and Denton’ll see to it, and Joey sees that even in this seemingly desperate situation, no one’s given up hope yet. So he’ll continue to believe that Kurou’ll recover from his injuries and find a way to fight with us again.
Again, Arnie asks Zhou Yu to teach him how to tactics.
: Gathered disciples! The treachery of the Grand Master, Master Therion, is as I have explained!: When I think of all our comrades who have been sacrificed to his madness, my heart bursts with rage and grief!
: And, thus, we of the Anticross have judged him as a traitor ought to be. 
#1: M-Master Therion is… #2: The Grand Master…?!
: There’s no cause for concern. No cause at all, I say.: The god, Cthulhu, has already been beckoned into this world and the means of controlling him are in our hands. : And with our powers, the C Project can reach its true completion!: Now is the time to renew your conviction! Comrades, the Word of the Law is…!*
* : The Word of the Law is Thelema!*Dissenting Guitar Solo!*
: Now you stop right there!
: … What is your business, Doctor?
: Wow… he’s scary-robo.
: Hmph… I just heard your speech and it was nothing but self-serving nonsense! : You rant that Master Therion betrayed us, but this was all your plot, wasn’t it?! You’re the traitors here!: Oh? Are you implying you will not obey us traitors? I never imagined you were so loyal.: I’ve no loyalty! A genius is always alone! I don’t grovel before anyone!: However, I find you all repugnant! Just because you were his lieutenants, you think you can—*Stab.*
: Gch… uargh!: D-Doctor…!: I’ve had enough of you, Doctor.: Rrgh… you little…*Collapse.*
: Doctor! Stay with me-robo!: I can understand that you are rather agitated following Kurou Daijuuji’s defeat. Everyone here understands you saw in him a hated warrior…: However, we must restore order as quickly as possible, and that means troubling elements must be dealt with summarily. : But I am nothing if not merciful… I’ll put you both out of your misery quickly. : You won’t kill him-robo!: Spell Cannon: “Dig Me No Grave”! Fire!*Blaaaaaast!*
: Ｔｈｅｙ‘ｖｅ ｅｓｃａｐｅｄ．．．: Should we not give chase?: Hmph, no. There is nothing he can do against us.: Besides, we already have a suitable replacement for him.: We trust you will rise to our expectations, Doctor…: Hmhmhm, absolutely…
: You may count on me, Dr. Minami, scientist extraordinaire…!
And Ruri’s also unlocked her second bonus, which provides +20 SP to everyone.