Part 88: Mission 36 - The Conqueror Chosen by the Heavens / The Hero Chosen by the Heavens - Part 1
And we’re back. For today’s mission, I’ll be following the Cao Cao route of things but, like I said, the mission is mostly unchanged regardless of who you choose. I just feel like Cao Cao’s version is the “intended” one due to how events progress in it. Still, whatever changes in the Sun Quan route’ll be posted as we go.
Now, on both sides we get Fei, Eida, Miu, Alto, Cao Cao and Sun Quan deploying as event units, so here’s how we’re going:
Joe/Athrun
Heroman/Domyoji
Arnie/Saya
Kouichi/Kiki
Kazuki/Allelujah
Liu Bei/Rennie
Canon/Shouko
Burn/Marvel
Shou/Tsubasa
Maya/Michio
Mazinkaiser/Soubi
Dancouga/Lux
Kurou/Deceive
Shinn/Lunamaria
Moritsugu/Yulianne
Aesap/Klan
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
FYI, this mission is the cutoff point for the Fafner secret involving Michio and Canon’s kill count. If you’re going for it, you need to get their total over 100 by the time we’re done.
Off we go.
: Hey, I got a favor to ask you.
: E-eh…? Since when do you ask me for stuff?: Listen to me! Pleeeeaaaase sign this!
: Let’s see… A petition to spare Sheryl Nome’s life?: The Galactic Fairy’s such a great gal! She’s like a proper goddess, and I’m not letting someone as irreplaceable as her get the death penalty!: A-Alright, alright. If you think this’ll help her, I’ll sign as many papers as you want.: And, I gotta say, I’m impressed you’ve gathered so many signatures by yourself. : I reckon there’re some other celebrities also working to try and save her?: Right you are. Princess Marina, for example, made a speech for the entire world to try and stir the public opinion against it.: And there’s also talk that Ranka Lee’s made a secret detour to Japan not long ago…: …!: (Y-Yo, Domyoji, is Ranka…?): (Yeah, she should be coming to the old JUDA building right about now. Apparently, she’s got some new info about Sheryl…)
: What’re you two whispering about?: Y-Yaaah!: Risako! Don’t scare me like that!: Psh, you only come to school once in a blue moon, and, when you do, you keep us out the conversation? : O-Okay, okay, never mind that! There’s someone I want you to meet.: Hm? Is there a new student or something?: Maybe. Or maybe it’s someone you know…: You’ll understand in a jiffy. Hey, come in!*Door opens.*
: …: N-No way…!: H-Hey…: Yajima… But… how?!: Well, a lot of stuff happened. He’ll explain it to you later.: And it’s really you?! You’re not a ghost or anything?!: Yeah, it’s me – in the flesh.: Ya-Yajima…: *Sob* Waaaaaaaaaah!: There, Risako. You don’t have to cry so much.: But, you’re… you’re really alive…: …: (Congrats, you two…)
Cut to Ex-JUDA, where Ranka’s arrived and relayed Brera’s info for us. Can we believe what he said? Saya thinks so: the guy’s currently wanted by the Federation Government, so she doesn’t believe he’d risk getting arrested just to pass misinformation to Ranka. Furthermore, Canaria adds credence to his report by relating that exams HAVE confirmed that Ranka’s is host to the same Fold Bacteria as the Vajra.
As Luca tells, the Frontier’s research has revealed that said bacteria reside and multiply in the buggers’ intestines. It’s through them that they establish their trans-dimensional Fold Network and communicate with one another. And what, exactly, is that network? Rachel explains: simply put, it’s a network that works via Fold Waves, allowing for the Vajra to communicate even across time and space.
That’s essentially the same property as the Odyssite, meaning that by emitting Fold Waves, Ranka’s song is also crossing through time and space. Seems to Kurou that her Superdimensional Cinderella nickname was perfect in every way. Mind you, as Rachel points out, Ranka isn’t the only one that can do that: there’s also Sheryl.
And on that subject, Ranka tells what Brera said of her V-Type Infection and how the only thing that could save her would be removing her vocal cords – which she refuses to do. When Aesap asks, Canaria explains that V-Type Infection is a deadly disease that occurs when a person’s infected by the Fold Bacteria. Thus, Sheryl also emits Fold Waves and her voice also travels through time and space.
Said Fold Song of theirs is also capable of messing with the Vajra Network, Dr. West adds, which is how their songs affected the things so. And now the Frontier Government’s looking to weaponize that power of theirs. Lockon doesn’t appreciate that jerkwad, Mishima, cooking up this plan behind our backs, and it’s clear to Cathy that the SMS made the right choice to break away from the Frontier Government.
Ozma asks if Brera said anything else, but Ranka stammers a denial – inwardly, she figures it best not to tell him YET about Galia 4 and Brera actually being her brother. But the question now remains: what are we going to do about Sheryl?
Well, as Jeffrey remembers it, Sheryl waaaay overpaid us for that past job she and Richard set up. That ain’t gonna fly, now, will it? We need to give her her money’s worth, so how about we chalk all that extra cash up as medical expenses? Arnie likes it: “Then we should get her ‘transferred’ out of Alcatraz on the double so she can receive all the help she needs.”
“Heheh, why all the insinuations? Just say we’re gonna nab the broad and leave it at that,” Kaido laughs. One problem, though, is that Alcatraz’ security is top-notch, meaning we’ll need a good plan if we’re going to break her out. Ranka speaks up right then: she has an idea.
Cut to the Frontier, Mishima’s getting informed of this “Humanitarian Concert” at Alcatraz – apparently it was Ranka’s idea. Grace shrugs that the girl wants to cheer Sheryl up, but Mishima figures that’s just an excuse: this is likely part of a plan to free Sheryl.
Mishima tells Grace that the only reason she’s not locked up as well is because they figured she could keep Ranka under control. If she can’t, then things’ll change. Grace understands, and asks why don’t they make an experiment out of this concert and use it to analyze Vajra Communication Protocol?
Is she suggesting they call the Vajra to Earth? She is: they’ll give Ranka a Fold Wave-amplifying microphone and, if the Vajra do turn up, the UX’ll have no choice but to fight with them. And while that battle’s going on, they’ll have ample opportunity to analyze the bugs’ comm protocols.
Mishima likes the idea and gives her the green light. And, while they’re at it, considering there’s a person in the UX that is capable of something very akin to Fold Wave Communication, they might as well also use this opportunity to look into that as well.
But Grace has a question to ask: how is Sheryl doing right now? From what he’s heard, she’s been writing some lyrics in her cell’s walls. A total waste of time, as even if she did successfully escape, her days are already numbered.
Inwardly, Grace thinks of her: “Sheryl… you still haven’t given up on your music…”
: Cao Cao and I are to guard the escapee?!
: Alto’ll be in charge of locating her cell through that earring he has, but if her escape is discovered, the guards might shoot to kill. And if that happens…
: You have that Aura Barrier… That is, your Azure Wall, yes? It’d be ideal for shielding the songstress from harm.
: I-I understand that… but why also Cao Cao…?
: …
: And that will be all for today’s lesson.
: Thank you very much.
: We apologize for always taking so much of your time. We know you’re busy.: It is no trouble. There’s nothing as gratifying as teaching such fast learners as yourselves.
: Yes, I’d best redouble my efforts of you’ll catch up to me in no time…: You are being modest. Our strategic insight is still lacking compared to yours.: Then we shall continue this tomorrow.: Yes, sir. See you tomorrow!
: …: Hrk… *cough, wheeze*!
: You do not seem well…: …! Master Kongming…: Your accepting Arnie and Saya as pupils… is it because not much time remains for you…?: Hah… I cannot hide anything from you.: But you are right. I suppose overturning my fate was beyond me…: …: For the world to lose a man of your caliber… it is truly regrettable.: However, unlike my Romance of the Three Kingdoms counterpart, I shan’t leave this life with regret in my heart.: I am content with what I have accomplished. And it was truly an honor to have lived in the same era as you…: General Zhou Yu…: Maj. Richard has left some wonderful heirs. I wonder if I will be capable of saying the same for myself…: Master Kongming, should anything happen to me…: Please look after Lu Xun, the young Lord and the Princess.: …Sun Quan version:
: …
: Are you thinking about Cao Cao?: About a lot of things. Cao Cao, Lu Bu…: And of why we wound up in this world.: Why, hm…?: If what Kongming and the others say is true, and there is this underlying truth – the will of the heavens – governing this world…: Then it would be that same will that beckoned us here.: But that does not answer the “why”. Even a Shura like Lu Bu, someone who seeks only battle in this world, was summoned…: For what purpose did all this happen…?: Sun Quan…: …: I understand how you feel, but it is best not to let this dominate your thoughts.: To fight with doubt gripping your heart is the way for it to be tainted by darkness.: I know…: (But I cannot simply…)Cao Cao version:
: …
: I have heard that it was you who proposed this jointed offensive with Sun Quan, my lord.: Hah, I confess that the sight of his current state annoyed me…: Do you seek to awaken the fierce tiger that sleeps with him…?: I feel no such obligation. However, if his will is true, then he shall, in time, also commune with one of the Souls of the Three Sovereigns.: Lóngdì, Quèshùn and Hǔxiǎo…: Do you believe the Souls of the Three Sovereigns depicted in our legends would manifest themselves in this world as well…?: Indeed.: …: (And when they do… my soul shall once again ascend to the Heavens…!)
Mission 36 – The Hero Chosen by the Heavens (Sun Quan Route) / The Conqueror Chosen by the Heavens (Cao Cao Route)
SRW UX - Interstellar Flight (LIVE in Alcatraz)
: Hold me to the edge of the galaxy!
: Yeaaaaah! You’re the best, Rankaaaaaaaaa!
: You’re our idooooool!
: It’s started…
: Excluding the stage crew, all those participating in the operation are at their assigned posts.
: Hey, those prisoners are from those Machine Island gangs, right? Didn’t think they’d all be locked up in here…
: Word around the grapevine says this is where that guy, Hazard, is also being kept.: Even him…?: Now, let me introduce you to everyone taking part in tonight’s very special concert!: First off, on the keyboard, we’ve Japan’s nº1 idol – Eida Rossa!
: This is my very first time crossing the Pacific to sing on a Union stage! I hope you’ll have a great time!
: Wow, I didn’t know Eida could also play the keyboard.
: Looks pretty real, doesn’t it? But, actually, all instruments are pre-recorded… I can’t say anymore, though. It’s classified. (Reference to Haruhi’s Mikuru Asahina, who was voiced by Eida’s VA. “It’s classified” was a common answer when questioned about stuff.): R-Really? Man, I wish you hadn’t told me…: On bass, we’ve a rising star, also from Japan! From the Smash Dolls group, Miu Kujo!
: Everyone calls me Miumiu back home. We’ve got a wonderful show for you tonight!
: Oh, lordy, Miu just glows when she’s up on stage. No wonder Furuya’s so into her.
: Kouichi, you really might wanna watch what you say…: Huh…?
: …: Aack…!: On the drums, the beautiful Virtualoid that’s the talk of town! Fei-Yen!
: Hey, everyone! Come and dance to our beat!
: “Our” beat…? But Fei’s the only one playing the drums?
: Fei just says some weird things from time to time. (Since I know someone’ll ask: Fei’s talking about herself and Miku.): On lead guitar, the top artist in New York’s Indies’ Chart! Holly Jones!
: YEAAAAAAAAAAH! We’re gonna bring down the house!
: Crap, she’s really getting amped up. Our Father, who art in heaven…
: (Sis, please, don’t do anything crazy…): And, finally, on rhythm guitar, we’ve got a special, one-night-only guest!: The mysterious gothic lolita, Alty Saotome!
: Whuh?!: ALTYYYYYYY!: Look over heeeere!: O-Ohohoho. Make way for Alty…
: Now there’s the world-famous kabuki onnagata. He’s still got it.
: Aaah, magnificent! That is apex of beauty… A true princess! Oh, how I wish to hold her in my embrace!
: H-Hey now…: (“Mysterious gothic lolita”, my ass! I’m gonna get you for this, Ranka!)*Away from the stage…*
: ‘Tis almost time for us to begin. I trust you are ready, Sun Quan?: A-Aye…: Hmph, such a weak-kneed answer. : Do you expect to surpass your father and brother with that attitude? Because you shall not.: Wh-What…?!
: Hm? Hold, this presence is…!
: Th-The Vajra…!: Are you kidding me?! What’re they doing here…?!: What’s going on, Luca?!
: I-It’s… I’m detecting powerful Fold Waves coming from the Alcatraz stage!: Powerful Fold Waves?!
: Hmhmhm…And that’s phase one of the experiment complete, Col. Grace.: Your microphone’s called out much more Vajra than expected.
: …: Now fight the good fight, Ultimate Cross! Our analysis of the Fold Network depends on you!
: Aaiieeee!
: U-Uwaaaah! Ruuuuun!: Everyone, please calm down! You’re all going to be alright!: Ms. Kujo…?: Miumiu… What’dya mean?!: … SRW UX - Linebarrel
: Come, Painkiller!
: Th-That’s…! One of the UX’s robots?!: That’s right… We’re of the Ultimate Cross!: We’re Champions of Justice – your protectors!
: Whaaaaaat?!
: U-Um, should she really just come out and tell everyone that?!: (Kujo…): I don’t believe it… These pretty girls are with the UX?!: Well, I’ll be damned! Kickass, Miumiu!: (Heeheehee, did you see that, Hayase…?): I guess that’s that. We’re heading out too!: Alto, you stick to the plan and go get Sheryl!: Aye, aye! But Ranka can’t stay here or the Vajra might try to attack her!: Holly, take her someplace safe and stay there!: You got it, flyboy!
: I’m not cutting the Vajra any slack if they’re coming after us!: Alto has made his move. The Vajra’s unforeseen appearance notwithstanding, we must proceed with the planned operation. Into the prison!: A-Aye!
: The infiltration team’s started-robo. What do we do?
: The Vajra leave us no choice – we must set out as well.: Deploy all mobile squadrons! 
: The power to control the Vajra… It’s likely that this was orchestrated by…: Regardless, their appearance is an obstacle to our rescue operation! Support the diversionary team and eliminate the enemy!
Kill everything, don’t lose your ships. The Vajra don’t bring anything that we haven’t seen in the Boddole Zer battle, but there’s a ton of them to deal with. No ships, though, so just set forward and start thinning the bugs out. Mind you, try to keep people not TOO far away from each other, in light of events down the line.
Safest approach is to head up north and spread out a wee bit to intercept all the groups that’re coming to you. Keep Confuse casts on standby for later, and don’t be a afraid to use the Deceive to boost your guys until the enemy numbers start to dwindle.
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
: Hrm, all that effort to put this concert together, down the drain…: Still, I better pull myself into shape and get on with the mission. I am a professional, after all!
SRW UX - Linebarrel
: I finally, finally, got Kouichi to see me on stage…: And I’ll make you pay dearly for ruining that for me…!
SRW UX - Obelisk: All those beauties up on stage… Operation or no, I was having a blast watching the show.: What’re you mumbling about?! There’s a battle going on, so pay attention!
: He’s got a point, though. I hope we’ll have another chance to see their act.: But we first need to clear out these Vajra for that to happen!
SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD: Aw, our show got interrupted… I’d love for us to have a do-over, but the rub of it is that I can't exactly just call for one…
SRW UX - Obelisk
: While we didn’t expect these to turn up now, we still have to get rid of them. Psych yourselves up, crew!: (Ranka… I’ll give this my very best, just as you are.): (I’ll fight in a way worthy of your brother!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Lf2Dt9TuU
And here’s Canon’s second best move.
: M-More Vajra…?!
: These roaches never know when to call it quits!: Ooh, boy, things are looking real bad out there. We gotta get back to the Elshank lickety-split!: …: I’ll sing for them!: What, are you nuts?! You do that and aren’t all the Vajra gonna make a beeline for you?!: I know. But if I really do have the power to control the Vajra, then…!: Ranka…: I… I won’t go through what I did in Galia 4 again. I won’t just watch, impotent, as the people I love are hurt!: You… Did you get your memories back…?!: …: Alright. Hold on a sec.
: Your Highness, we have an urgent message from Lady Holly.: Put her through.: Hey, it’s Holly. I wanna ask y’all to let Ranka sing on the Elshank’s deck.: Ah?! Are you stupid?!: Shush, Psy! Ranka’s telling me she wants to help hold back the Vajra, even if it means putting herself at risk!: And if she’s that sure, then what we gotta do is support her all the way through it!
: Sis…: Very well. The Elshank will set off to receive them both immediately!: Gameran, set a course for Alcatraz!
: Y-Yes, Your Highness!
: Did everyone hear that? The Elshank’s rendezvous point is over there!
Oh, that’s convenient.
: All mobile troops, maintain the offensive and keep the enemy away from the Elshank!
: Roger!: (Thank you, everyone…!)
So now you just need to get the ship there. If you wanna play things safe, you can shave off another 10 enemy squads and the plot’ll kick in regardless.
We’ll just go right now, though.
: We’ve confirmation that Ladies Ranka and Holly are aboard!: Okay, Ranka, get out there and let ‘em all hear your heart!: I will!
SRW UX - Interstellar Flight (LIVE in Alcatraz)
*All Vajra lose 30 morale.*
: The Vajra have stopped…!
: Alto, Cao Cao, Sun Quan! Make haste and rescue Sheryl…!
: Sheryl, where are you?! Answer me!
: Hey, girl! Wait a minute!: Y-You’re…!
: Hm…? I thought you were a girl, but you’re actually a boy…?: Bah, that doesn’t matter. What’s all this racket? Is something happening outside?: Sorry, but I don’t have time to waste on you.: You’re gonna stay in here and think for a long time of everything you did, Hazard Pasha!*Alty leaves.*
: W-Wait, you know who I am?!: Please, help me get out of here! I’ll pay you anything you ask!: You need not pay her anything…: ?! Y-You’re…!
: It’s been ages, Director Hazard.: Dog Tack! Why are you here…?!: Why else, sir? I have come to escort you out.: Ooh… Oooooh! 
: This voice… Ranka…?: Sheryl!: A-Alto?!: Thank God, you’re safe!: You have found her, Alto? Then I am going to destroy this wall! Take cover behind the cell’s bed!: DAI GURENZAN!*Boom!*
: Kch… *cough, wheeze*: Are you okay?!: Huh…? There’re lyrics on the wall… You were still…?: W-What I want to know is what possessed you to come here…: I told you before: you’re not alone!: …!: You idiot…: Hey! What’re you doing there?!: Crap, they’ve found us!*Prepares to fire!*
: Azure Wall!*Tweeeoooop!*
: Gyaaaah! Wh-What’s that thing?!: Sun Quan…!: Leave now! Quickly!
: Ranka Lee’s Fold Waves are increasing and generating interference with the Vajra’s Fold Network!: Protocol analysis at 97.5%... It won’t be long before it’s finished.: Magnificent! The Fold Bacteria grow more and more active as the host pours her life into her song…: Yes, excellent! Keep singing, my dear!: Sir, the prisoners are escaping! There’s pandemonium within the compound!: Don’t panic! We were expecting that to happen from the start! #2: This is…! Sir, we’re picking up a new interference with the Fold Network!: What?!: It’s here… : The Willpower that, like Sheryl and Ranka, is also capable of interfering with Fold Waves…!: “Willpower”…?! Is that?!
: ?! Wh-What is happening?! SRW UX - The Legend of Mirisha: Hmhmhm… I hear the cry of one’s soul!
: I-It’s…!
: Who is it that beckons the Shura?!
: L-Lu Bu?! What’s he doing here?!
: Were even these fiends called out by Ranka’s song?!: M-My song…?!: Hmph, I see… It was this song! A song bearing your life upon its lyrics!
: This song that rouses the soul of all who hear… the heavens themselves are stirred by its tunes!
: Fengxian… That’s…!: It is the Yùxǐ…!: The Yùxǐ?!: Domyoji, what’s that thing?!
: A seal that was passed down through generations of Chinese emperors back in the day. It’s essentially the crest of the Emperor.: But the one Lu Bu’s holding is…!: Correct… It is the Yùxǐ of our land of Mirisha – the seal bestowed from generation to generation, since the age of legend, said to embody the will of the heavens!
: The will of the heavens…!: Hear ye the voice of the heavens!
: H-Hrrgh! Th-There’s… something in my head…!?: Wh-What’s going on?! Someone’s talking to me?!: That’s… the Linebarrel?!
: A-Aaargh!
: Grrgh… Calm down, Hallelujah!
: Is that Lady Ciela speaking?! N-No… Lady Jacoba?!
: This voice… It’s the Festum…?!
: Tobikage… Is that you?!
: …!
: No, this is…!
: A-Are… you there?!
: I-I am here! I exist – I’m certain of it!: Rrk… Gwaaaaaaaah!: M-Ms. Saya…?!: I-It hurts… inside!
*Liu Bei, Joe, Shouko, Karen, Burn, Fei, Cham, Erebos, Arnie, Saya, Kouichi, Allelujah and Soma lose 30 morale and all SP!*
*And all enemies get max morale!*
: The Vajra have been invigorated…!: Wh-What just happened…?! What kind of power does that Yùxǐ have?!: (If Ranka Lee’s song transcended space and time, causing the Yùxǐ to manifest here… then what in blazes is that Fold Network?!): (What is the will of the heavens that resides within the Yùxǐ…?!): Hah-Hahahah… The Shura would climb its way from the bowels of the Underworld and ascend to the heavens… I would not believe it to be true, had I not witnessed it!: What’re you doing, Cao Cao?!: Take the others and go. I…
: Have a task to see through!: Cao Cao!: How have I waited for this moment – this very moment, when the Yùxǐ would cross space and time and manifest itself!
*Cao Cao casts valor and maxes out morale.*
: C-Cao Cao… You’re...!: Troops, many of our pilots are being affected by the Yùxǐ’s power!: Rally around Lord Cao Cao and do whatever it takes to stop Lu Bu!
: Th-That’s easier said than done…!: If death concerns you, then away! This battle is mine!: To arms, Lu Bu!
Don’t lose Sun Quan/Cao Cao either. That’s not too difficult since Lu Bu doesn’t seem to prioritize them, so just make sure the gaggle of Vajra don’t build up evasion decay too high.
And, as you saw, the reason why I told you to keep your group decently closer together is to make sure your debuffed guys won’t suddenly find themselves pitted against all those Vajra and unable to cast any spirits. They can still attack and move, but being unable to cast Focus and taking a whole bunch of extra damage from the morale-boosted bugs means it won’t take much to kill a Real.
Pull those guys back if you’re not sure they can handle themselves in that debilitated state, use Confuse if you’d like, and what I’d suggest you do depends on which route you’re taking: if you’re with Cao Cao, send everyone after Lu Bu and get him under 70% HP immediately; if you’re with Sun Quan and care about maximizing your cash and kills, then pop Confuse and clear out the Vajra before dealing with him. If not, go after Lu Bu as well.
Secret Alert! SD Gundam secret – 5th step: destroy Lu Bu with either Sun Quan or Cao Cao, depending on whose mission you’re on.
Keep this in mind, too.
SRW UX - Shangri-La
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend: The will of the heavens, destiny… Everything has been leading to this moment!: None shall stand in my path towards conquest! 'Tis the Mandate of Heaven that guides me!
SRW UX - Life Goes On
Even with my debilitated guys, it doesn’t take long for the Vajra to go down when everyone’s so powerful and command auras are plentiful.
Dynasty Warriors 6 - Theme of Lu Bu -DW Prime Mix-
And, bam, he’s under 70%. The order of events changes here, so we’ll see the rest of Sun Quan’s stage at the end.