Part 83: Mission 34 - Advance to the Beginning - Part 1
And we’re back, far away from Trailblazer/Frontier Land, where actually interesting stuff happens. We’ve got plenty of event deployments today with Kouichi, Moritsugu, Canon, Mamoru, Kenji and Sakura, which also means our available slots are rather diminished – only sixteen.
As such, here’s how we’re going:
Joe/Athrun
Heroman/Shouko
Arnie/Saya
Sun Quan/Eida
Kazuki/Allelujah
Cao Cao/Zhang Fei
Liu Bei/Rennie
Kira/Graham
Mike/Yamashita
Shou/Marvel
Mazinkaiser/Soubi (forgot to deploy Tsubasa… whoops!)
Dr. West/Ozma
Kurou/Deceive (him having a squaddie with resupply module’s even more important now that Al isn’t regenerating his MP anymore)
Shinn/Luna
Fei-Yen/Lockon
Aesap/Miu
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
FYI, this mission is the cutoff point for you to get the Fafner trio five uses of their Triple Dog combo attack, so watch it. We’re way over that, of course.
Off we go.
We’re back at JUDA and it’s time to go over what happened on the other routes:
If you kept the Vajra route: we killed one of the Anticross, but their big fortress disappeared. Ruri pledges to use all resources of the Hadou Financial Group to locate the thing and while Dr. West would love it found as quickly as that, he’s doubtful that’ll happen. And, on that note, Elsa asks him to pipe down with his loud guitar solos (“NOOOOOOOO! You’re tearing me apart, Elsa!”).
Holly and Joey explain that these two quit the Black Lodge and are now our buddies (though West says they’re just tagging along until the Anticross are dead), but Kurou trusts them enough. “Oh, you make me so happy, Darling-robo! That’s why you’re my hubby-robo!” Elsa glees and introduces herself as Kurou’s “de facto wife”.
Dr. West shakes his fist at KUROU DAIJUUJI for getting together with Elsa behind his back… but, as Denton points out, wasn’t he the one who made it so the Demonbane needed them both to work? Well, he’s clearly abused his benevolence and incredible genius to seduce Elsa! VILLAIN! And that’s why Dr. West’ll be taking to the field as well using his Super West Invincible Robot Type-28 Special! Oh, so he’ll be fighting alongside us? No! He’ll be there to make sure Elsa is kept safe from this villain!
If you kept the Arkham route: they killed Vajra and got two more Hirai characters for our pile.
More importantly, Arnie’s glad to work beside Graham again, who’s impressed at how different the Ensign’s gaze looks from when they first met. We’ve all come full circle, as Joe and Saya remember the tough fight Graham gave them back at Arkham City – if anything, it tells that he’ll be an asset to the team.
“We might have been hostile in a previous battlefield, but now we stand as comrades-in-arms, united by common ideals. And, of course, I say the same of you, Ensign,” Graham proclaims, and Arnie’s all giddy.
Oh, and there were also ELS and Setsuna got mind-zapped – he’s still in a coma, but Feldt has faith that he’ll return to us in time. Lastly, Sheryl got arrested as a spy, and the news that sent shockwaves across the Earth Sphere. As Ruri relates, though, Lacus, Cagalli and Marina are working together to try and convince the Frontier Government and the Earth Federation to reinvestigate this matter and try to clear up Sheryl’s good name. Here’s hoping it works, but then Michel wonders: if Sheryl does wind up convicted, how will Alto react?
: The YF-29… This is my new Valkyrie?
: Looks pretty good, huh? : The Frontier brass developed it from data collected in our past battles. It’s a specialized anti-Vajra prototype. : And they’ve also outfitted it with high-grade Fold Quartz taken from said Vajra. Its performance is a whole lot better than the regular jets, that’s for sure.: Fold Quartz, that stone that transmits thoughts…
: Right, so the YF-29 can pick up, amplify and convert Fold Waves into energy.: Meaning it turns the pilot’s will into power, just like the Odyssea?
: Hmm, I’m not sure if that’s the best way of putting it…: While it’s true that the Fold Quartz has similar properties to the Odyssite, what it amplifies is strictly Fold Waves.: Still, we’ve found that some humans are capable of emitting Fold Waves, and those do carry the will of the emitter within…: Of course, only Sheryl and Ranka are capable of that feat thus far. : …: Hah, you’re thinking “I’ve no special abilities of my own – being a pilot is all I’m good for”, aren’t you?: …?!: Listen here, Alto. No one gets to say what goes with your life but yourself. It’s your own will that shapes it all.: So listen to yourself and decide what kind of role you want to take.: … What kind of role I want…
Location: Tokyo – Cemetery
: This is your friend’s grave, Hayase…?
: Yeah. He was a real busybody, and, thanks to this huge idiot, wound up dying way too soon…
: Hayase…
: But that idiot’s now a Champion of Justice who fights for the entire world. I think Yajima’d be happy with that, no?: Hahah… I hope so.: Either way, we better head back. Should be almost time for our next mission.: Sorry, but you’re gonna have to go without me.: Hm? Something up?: Nah, it’ll just be a bit. I’ll get back before the next op.: If you say so. See you there.*Everyone leaves.*
: …: Alright, are you gonna keep spying from that corner or am I gonna have to drag you out? Who are you anyway…?
: …: It’s good to finally meet you, Domyoji…: Y-You’re…!
: Kouichi and the others went to visit the graveyard, huh…?: We should go, too, next time we’re at the island.
: Right. I’m sure your father would also be very happy, Sakura.
: Happy, huh…
: Is something wrong, Sakura?: No, it’s just that… my dad was a soldier; he worked protecting Tatsumiya from harm…: And he died fighting the Festum…: I’m so sorry…: I believed that I could honor my dad’s memory by taking out as many Festum as I could by myself… but I’m just not strong enough to do that. : So I can’t help but wonder if my dad’s actually happy watching this…
: Oh, don’t worry. I’m certain he is!: Shangxiang…
: My father also died in battle, you see…: But he was a very strong, very kind man, and always looked to keep his family safe.: And that spirit of his lives on within me and my brother.: His spirit lives on…
: Right. And heroes never really die while their spirits stay inside people’s hearts.
: …: If your father’s in your thoughts while you’re fighting, Sakura, then I think that honors him plenty. : You must always think of those that are dear to you while in battle, I say…: (Those that are dear to you…): Alright… you might be right. Thanks, Shangxiang. : Heheh, don’t mention it.: U-Um… chief!: Wh-What?! Why’d you get so riled up…?: I… I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna be just like your dad was!: Huh?! Where’d that come from?!: Wh-What I mean is… Mamoru and I’ll handle the fighting, so you don’t have to go at it that hard…: What was that now…? Are you looking to retire me or something?: N-No, I… I just mean that I’ll work at it and get even stronger than Kazuki…: A-And then I’ll protect you!: …?!: A-Are you stupid?! Did you hit your head or something?! I don’t need anyone protecting me!*She leaves.*
: Sa-Sakura…!*Door opens.*
: Hey, we’re back… Uh, did something happen?
: Kenji tried making his move on Sakura and, well, it didn’t go too good…: Ah…?: …
: Kenji, don’t you think you should just straight-up tell her how you feel? : H-How I feel?!: I mean, saying stuff like that isn’t gonna fly with her. Sakura doesn’t like people who beat around the bush. : …: (That’s easier said than done…)
Location: JUDA – Underground Facility
: You said you wished to speak with us, Mr. Ishigami…?
: Yes, there’s something I’d like you folks to know. Especially after your little pow-wow with Hisataka Katou …
: You’re aware of that, hm?: You didn’t really need to jump through all those hoops, of course. : If you had questions, you just had to ask me.: It takes information from more than just one source to piece together what the truth is. And I was going to question you eventually. : I see… Then I believe this should answer one of those questions.*Hangar opens.*
: Th-That’s?!: It’s my Machina… Judah. 
: The president’s own Machina…: It’s a Machina that specializes in information collection and analysis. All of our company’s systems are connected to it, which functions as the core to everything.
: JUDA and Judah…
: It could well be said that this Machina is the company itself…: Then, Mr. Ishigami, you’ve been taking advice from this Machina?: “Advice” isn’t the word I’d use. More like guidelines.
: Guidelines…?: You should understand what it entails, Tieria. After all, you’re part of the Quantum Supercomputer Veda…: …!
: What do you mean?: Every outcome that occurs is a result of the sum of various events. : With that in mind, I ask you this: what if you knew what events needed to happen for a given outcome to occur?: Then you’d be able to bring about whatever outcomes you desired…?: Exactly. And that is what Judah does.: In other words, this Machina allows you to put together whatever future you want?!: I don’t raise a future from scratch, no – I just choose from the available options.: Just as the Celestial Being used Veda’s predictions to put together their plan on how to accomplish Aeolia’s project…: …: Mr. Ishigami, if you’re trying to use this Judah to take control over our future and our destinies…: I don’t fancy myself God, Tieria, and I’ve no intention of taking His throne. : I believe I’m in the same boat as Aeolia Schenberg, once he realized what future awaited humanity, way back when.: …: Then, Mr. Ishigami, what are you using Judah for?: Hmhmm… If I may borrow your own words, Master Kongming…: I’m trying to get a glance at the center of the spider’s web…: At the center…?: You could also say I’m trying to find the underlying truth of the world.: Even if the first link in a chain is pure happenstance, I can influence the events that follow it and, eventually, arrive at the outcome I want.: A prime example would be Ensign Berge here. His enlisting with the UX was a result of a sequence of various events…: …!: Then, you and Maj. Richard…?!: You were stringing things along since the battle at Arkham City, so that I’d end up right where I am – where you wanted…?!: Now, now, that’s not quite it. Your being here right now is first and foremost fruit of your own will…: As I said, the first link in that chain is pure happenstance.: Don’t give me that! You just said very clearly that you can choose what future comes to be!: And, if that’s the case, if I hadn’t been shot down at Arkham—…: Then, I believe… it would be your friend, Jin, standing here with us.: …?!: Wh-What…?!: What I mean is that whether it was your own will that set the wheels in motion, or if it was your friend’s, the end-result would be the same…: Or, better put, Judah would steer things in a way that would lead to the same end-result.: It is as he said.: Th-That’s…: Mind you, what Judah does is simply provide guidelines for one of an infinite variety of different possibilities. : But it cannot outright create someone’s fate from scratch. We may choose events that lead towards a certain outcome, but the beginning, the first link of the chain, is always beyond our control…: …: In which case, this unease we have felt since coming to this world… those strange “coincidences” that seemingly bind us were influenced, but not created by you.: Indeed, the origin of it all is the underlying truth of this world…: It is the will of the heavens that lies at the center of the spider’s web…: The will of the heavens…: …: Then… For what did Jin and I…: I’m sure you have plenty to say, but I’d like you to understand just one thing.: The outcome I’m trying to bring about is one where humanity is saved. : …: And I swear to you that that is no lie. So I hope you will trust me for now…: …: Very well. And what is the next “event” that needs to happen?: I appreciate how to-the-point you are, Moritsugu. The next event…
: Is a surprise attack on the Katou Organization’s production plant.
: These are the new Arma models, huh? It took a while, but they’re finally ready.
: Hm… Never did I expect the day to come where I’d be making these.
: Ain’t it a bit of a waste, though? I mean, if you just plugged an AI into these things, they’d practically be Machinas, no?: Indeed, but these were made specifically to be Armas, not Machinas. Take that as some food for thought, if you would.
: It makes no difference to us. We need only crush the foe ahead of us. : (Yeah, if we can beat those guys with those, I don’t care either…)
: Commander, we’ve analyzed the intel Yulianne gave us. They’ll be attacking us – soon. : Very well. Then let’s begin our preparations. : (That is, our preparations to reach the truth… to reach the beginning…)
: You wanna talk now? I’m kind of busy getting ready to launch.: Um, I… You know… It’s just that, I…: You, what?: I-I’m gonna try and prove in this next battle that I’m the strongest guy here…: And if I do that, I’d like you to be my *mumble*…!: …?!: You idiot… We’re not like that at all. You don’t have to take on way more than you can handle for me.: I can totally handle it!: No, you can’t! You’re a helpless coward and a bigmouthed flirt! You’re like the complete opposite of my dad!: But, still, I…!: So don’t go out of your way for me. Because if I ever lost you, I…!: ?! Sakura…: …: I’m gonna give this everything I’ve got… I won’t let my Altered Consciousness get the better of me again!: Kenji…: (That’s it. One step at a time…): (Just take it one step at a time and even I can make it…!)
Mission 34 – Advance to the Beginning
: Yaaaaah, mommyyyy! I’m scaaaaared!
: (Oi, that idiot… What happened to all that attitude from before?)
: Pull yourself together, Kenji! The enemy base is dead ahead!: Yeah! You’re gonna prove that you’re the strongest and convince Sakura to give you a shot, right?!: *Sob*
: Enemy production plant in sight. Moving to attack!: That ain’t happening!: What…?!
: The Katou Organization…!: Heheh, took you long enough to get here! Ya kept us waiting!
: What is the meaning of this?! I thought this was supposed to be a surprise attack!
: Yet the enemy has such a bevy of troops waiting for us…!
: Do you think they anticipated our move?!
: Hahahahahaha! We already knew everything you’re up to!: You sought to attack at our flank… and it is too late to regret your poor choices!
: Now, take up arms and face us! I demand that you make my heart beat faster!
: You accursed Shura…! I shall end your life today!
: Everyone launch! Quick!
Is this a bad time to say that I completely forgot to set Alto in a team? He’s not available at the intermission menu (since he only gets his new unit in the prologue), and I didn’t realize it until later.
We’ll see his YF-29 next mission, I guess.
: Crap… And here we were, figuring we were finally gonna catch them unawares!
: Hey, you guys know where Moritsugu went? I haven’t seen him in a bit.
: Apparently, Mr. Ishigami gave him another mission to go on…
: Another mission now, of all times?
: You don’t think he’s been leaking info behind our backs again, do you…?
: No way! And I thought we cleared up that he wasn’t spying on us – it was just one big mix-up!
: Forget about him and focus on the enemy!: (An enemy ambush… Is this also another of Mr. Ishigami’s required “events”? In that case…): My friends, your mission remains the same. Repel the enemy and seize control of the target structure!
Destroy everything, don’t lose a ship, Kouichi, Sakura, Canon, Kenji or Mamoru. We’ve had this battle plenty of times before, so you know what to expect. Lu Bu’s as dangerous as ever, but, oddly enough, he’ll only cast Soul under 30% HP this time; many of our guys know Valor now so, if you’d like, you could probably down him before he does that.
Do keep this in mind, though:
Secret Alert! SD Gundam secret – 4th step: have Cao Cao down Lu Bu.
Simple enough.
Destroyer Robo (Dr. West)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L4
Support Attack l2
Support Defense L1
All-Attack L2
Spirit Commands:
Invincible
Strike
Fighting Spirit
Daunt/Exhaust
Mech Features:
Gun
Repair Module
Squad Bonus: Armor +100, Money +10%, A in Water (Armor +150, Money +20%, S in Water, EN +75)
I confess I got a giggle out of that S in Water.
Dr. West makes for a surprisingly effective Squaddie, truth be told. His Destroy Robo’s quite tanky and the Squad Bonus it has gives plenty of decent stuff; his weapons have good enough stopping power, furthered bolstered by his L size, and their range covered isn’t bad at all.
On the flip side, he’s sloooooooow as molasses and really wants someone providing him with flight and/or Accelerate (especially since his Tornado Crusher can’t be used on aerial targets without). Regardless, you could do a lot worse than him.
SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD
SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens
“CHOU-HISSATSU! GOOOUSPAAAAAAARK!”
SRW UX - Deus Machina*Warring guitar solo!*
: HAHAHAHA! I cut a fine figure against the blowing wind! Here I am, genius scientist DOCTAAAAAAA WEST! (Cyborg 009 OP lyrics.): And now begins my glorious quest to educate the unenlightened masses of the world of the magnificence of my Destroyer Robo!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vcSPA8-leY
Adding this video so you can finally hear Dr. West’s guitar solo in action.
SRW UX - Love Survivor
: This isn’t simply about my duty as a soldier. I wage this battle to also help blaze a path for our future!: And I’ll fight for the boy as well, in his struggle to communicate with the ELS…!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZMHzxyebos
While we’re quickly cutting Jack down to size, I take the time to show off the DK in Kira’s Funnels and Graham’s GN Beam Rifle (Full Output). And depending on which route you kept, Kira, Athrun or Kurou also have pre-battle convos but they’re the same ones from the previous mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galSQqHyx8Q
Fine, I suppose I should show you off too. In truth, Kira and Athrun’s units look pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkshfdQi888
And, of course, Jack decides to start triggering his Camo instead of letting Shinn run him through!
I would’ve loved if Luna actually got the kill, but alas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX9zBnfdYlw
Fine, you wanna get cute? Then you’ll help me show off the Odyssea’s version of Hell Stringer!
And we take Jack’s Glass of Milk as a prize (Skill and Defense +10, Accuracy +5).
: Hrk… That I’d be forced to retreat before having a chance to challenge Reiji Moritsugu… Curses. Our showdown will have to be postponed…!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: Psh… This dinky Arma just ain’t cutting it against them!: I need something stronger… a whole lot stronger! If I just had that, then…!
Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-
: Hahahah… Your skills have improved, Ultimate Cross! : Yes, excellent! This thrill! This scorching excitement! It ignites—MY SOOOOUUUUL!!
: Watch out, folks, don’t let that monster tag you with that attack! Make sure you dodge it good!: I need dodge nothing!
: Lord Sun Quan…?!: I will kill him, even if I must surrender my life to do so…!: Father! Brother! This Koteito has been passed down through generations of the Sun Family, and now I beseech that you grant it your strength…!
*Casts Iron Wall and Drive.*
: B-Brother…?!: Oho…!: Young Lord, don’t! You cannot set off to battle with hatred in your heart…!: Come, Lu Bu! FACE ME!: Hmhmhm… I accept your challenge, tiger cub! To arms! Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-: Lu Bu! You… I’ll end you if it’s the last thing I do!: Hmhmhm… Yes, I see well the pitch darkness swirling within your soul!: Wh-What…?!: I wonder, will you willingly join the ranks of us Shura in order to strike us down?!: S-SILENCE!
Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-
And that’s both of them down!
: Hrrrmm…!
: Fengxian…!: Hahahah, I see… So that is the foundation of your souls!
: The foundation of our souls…?!: Indeed, I believe Hisataka Katou did not waste his time advocating that you imagine your deaths!: What’re you on about?! Do you know something?!: Hmhmhm, but you must not stop here!: Rouse the flame of your life brighter still! The Heaven I seek awaits further ahead…!
: ?! Stop, Lu Bu—…!: Fengxian… What was it that you noticed?
: …: What am I supposed to do to defeat him?! How can I crush that Shura…?!: Brother…
: All Katou Organization troops have been routed!: Okay, now all we gotta do is trash that factory…*Kouichi moves towards the building.*
: Wh-What’re these things?!
: We’ve no data on those units! Maybe they’re a new Arma model from the Katou Organization?!
: A new Arma?!: They went and had all these new mechs waiting for us…?! The hell is going on?!: Is this whole thing just one huge trap…?!*Heartbeat.*
: Ah…?!: What is it, Hayase?!: Ki…: Wh-What voice is that…?!: Ki… Mach…: C-Come again…?!: Hayase, what’s going on?!: I-I dunno…! The Linebarrel just stopped moving!: Hmph, you’ve finally awakened…: Indeed… The ones standing before you were originally meant to be Machina…: So, please, fight to your heart’s content, Counter Machina… Or, better put…!: Amagatsu Kizaki…!
: The Linabarrel’s turned black…?!
: Yeah, it’s what it did when Kizaki was piloting it before…!
: B-But the aura it’s giving out is…!
: Yeah, I have a very bad feeling about that!
: The Linebarrel’s moving on its own…?! What the hell is going on?!: Ki… the… hina… Ll… Mach…
: Kill the Machina.: Huh…?!
*The Linebarrel turns neutral!*
: …: L-Linebarrel, you…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVDAFM3Dt8
“What’s happening to you, Linebarrel?!”
: Gwaaaaaaaaargh!
: Wh-What…!
: It’s just like…!: A demon…!
: Kill the Machina.: S-Stop… STOP!
: Gaaaaaaaaaah!!
: it’s aiming directly at their cockpits… and the pilots inside…!: I said stop! Those’re people in there!: Kill the Machina. Kill the Machina. Kill the Machina-a-a-a-a-a.: Shut up! Stop saying that! Those aren’t Machina!
: A-Aaah!
: Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
: And the way it’s attacking…!: Continuous teleportation… It’s using the Override!: Please… stop…!: …
: Wh…?!: STOOOP!!
: Urgh! Wh-What…?!
SRW UX - Linebarrel
: That’s far enough, Linebarrel.: Or, rather… Amagatsu Kizaki.: Moritsugu…!: Hang in there, Hayase. I’ll put a stop to him shortly.
: W-Wait, what did he call him? Amagatsu Kizaki…?
: As in, Emi Kizaki…?: Listen up. The Linebarrel is no longer under Hayase’s control…: Its original Factor, Amagatsu Kizaki, has taken over… Simply put, the will of Kizaki’s father is controlling it now.: And his primary goal… is the destruction of all Machina.: The will of Kizaki’s father…?: I don’t have the leeway to explain everything. Your orders are to help me stop the Linebarrel and rescue Hayase.: S-Stop it…? You want us to fight a monster like that?!: Pull yourself together, Kenji!: …?!: Were you lying to me when you said those things before?!: If you’re making promises, then at least have the decency of sticking with them!: S-Sakura…!
: Not being capable of protecting what’s dear to you is something that’ll haunt you for the rest of your life… Fight, Kenji!: Do not run, and do not fret, Kenji! Goubine stands with you!: Let’s go… We’ll save our friend!: G-Guys…!: …: O-Okay… I’ll do it!: I promised Sakura… that I’d be stronger than anyone else!: Kenji…!: Steady yourselves, troops… Now begins our mission to destroy the Linebarrel!
Destroy the Linebarrel Amagatsu, and you can’t lose Moritsugu either. Taking him out ends the mission, but we don’t want all those moneys and kills to be wasted, do we? Get rid of the Katous too.
Linebarrel Amagatsu
Pilot Skills:
Factor – it doesn’t show on the list, but the effect is very much in play. D-S.O.I.L. rate is at 160%, so he’ll regen 80% of all damage taken!
Double Movement
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
Break Morale Limit
Counter
Predict
All-Attack L3
Mech Features:
Gun
Override
10% HP Regen
All Canceller
Amagatsu, as you can see, isn’t playing around. He’s got massive stats everywhere, all the skills he could possibly need and, if you didn’t see it above, will outright regen 80% of all damage you do on every attack.
He’s also very trigger-happy with that Override, so make sure you come in with Strike (and defensive spirits, of course) – especially since he has S ranks on all terrains. At least his ranges aren’t too good, as he can only use his weakest attack at 3+, with his Override attack being point-blank.
Also, that regen means he’ll also get a lot of mileage out of Prevail-Land once he starts dipping his feet into it, so don’t give him a chance: lower his HP enough and then hit him with a valored finisher to take him down all the way.
But, if anything, Amagatsu is a gentleman and will not go after your guys while the Katous are around, so just make sure you kill as many as you can before he gets a chance to shred them all.
Like so.
SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me
Between us and Amagatsu, the Katous’ new Armas are done by the next player phase.
: That’s all the new models. Now, if the thing would just settle down, that’d be great…: …*
* : Kill the Machinas…
: The Linebarrel’s switched targets to our Machinas!
: I guess it’s really not going to let up until all of those are destroyed!
: Then your orders are the same, maggots! Bash the Linebarrel upside the head and make it shut down!