Part 78: Chapter #19: Final Battle

The next battle is kind of neat just due to the scale of it, and the last mission....well, it's a trip.

Chapter #19: Final Battle
_{Note: Not Actually the Final Battle}

Briefing



: Bastion, this is a perfect situation! Your appearance is certain to rally the Kingdom Army...and when the battle has been won, tales of your heroism will spread across the Continent!
: Which will make it easier for me to unite the Continent after the Empire has been quashed.
: Don't start planning too far ahead, Bastion! We have to win this battle before we do anything else!

Interview



: Our association with Sadira has not exactly been a beneficial one, Bastion. In fact, it's been an utter disaster.
Yeah, but so has been this Let's Play, still gotta play out the string, though...
: Do you think that Sadira will allow us to sample some Imperial cuisine when we reach the capital?
: The only action I've been seeing lately is on the battlefield. Do you think my sideburns have gone out of style?
: Bastion, you're too nice to tell Sadira to leave us alone, so I will gladly do it for you!
: What's wrong, Bastion? You need to show me your fighting spirit!

Mission



Here it is, the biggest battle in the game. Ten Sharkings plus Duyere and Faulkner versus Bastion's crew plus some Kingdom allies.
: This must be the vast majority of the Kingdom Army.
Now Bastion implied last chapter that this was the biggest battle in the history of the Continent, and, although this is the largest number of ATACs in the game, it's still being fought by less than 30 people, which seems....really, really low.
: Well, this is a surprise...Prince Bastion and the others!
: Your Highness!
Galvas apparently has a spare Serata lying around, because I stole his original ATAC fifteen missions ago.
: Where have you all BEEN?
: It's a very long story, Duke Zeira.
: Perhaps that's best saved until after we've decimated the Imperial Army, then.



Yeah, that's right no Zulwarn, and only two more Sharkings than last time.
: It's Sadira and her new 'friends.' Strike them down, Faulkner! Every one of them!
: Are you certain, Your Highness?
: I no longer have a sister, Faulkner. She died when she betrayed me. The woman inside Sylpheed is but a traitorous wench!
: Mmmmm. Harsh. I like it. Your wish shall be executed exactly as you desire. Show no mercy, my magnificent legion! Destroy them all!



Duyere celebrates his eternal suckiness by plunging directly towards the Kingdom Army. The Kingdom AI, as always focused on the weakest ATAC it can find, which is going to make this battle very easy, as there are about a dozen ATACs weaker than Reyna, wipes him out before I even get a chance to move.
: Damn it all!



Boom!



Anyway, the Sharkings arrange themselves in three groups, one of four on the far edge, one of three in the middle, and, as is seen here, three Sharkings near your starting position. The other two groups will be focused on the Kingdom ATACs until they kill every single one of them. Now, depending on how well the Kingdom Army fares, that may mean that you have to deal with five or six Sharkings coming at you at once at the end of the battle. At the moment, however, it's just my six against three Sharkings. At this point, that's no challenge at all.



And down goes another.



Okay, now here's the most variable part of this battle. There are seven Sharkings against the mass of Kingdom ATACs, Zeira, and Galvas. There are a ton of variables here, so exactly how the fight shakes out depends on a lot of luck. Up until this playthrough, I'd never seen the Kingdom Army knock off a single Sharking, this time, they killed two, and Zeira survived the battle. Still, it's better to assume that the Kingdom ATAC will get killed without accomplishing anything.



After a bit, Faulkner will go after the nearest enemy ATACs, that is, your ATACs. If he were in the Zulwarn, that'd be a serious problem. He's not, and you can clearly see the difference.

: It has been a long while, Bastion. Where did you acquire that unusual ATAC? It appears to be an attempt to replicate the Ultragunner. And a rather pathetic one, at that!
: There is nothing pathetic about the TICTAC! Not even the Ultragunner can match its power!
: Liar!
: If anyone is pathetic, Faulkner, it's you! You stole the Ultragunner, and yet you aren't able to activate it!
: Shut up, boy!
: Tell the truth, Faulkner--doesn't the sight of the TICTAC remind you of your poor hygiene?
Yeah...we're all just coasting to the finish line at this point.
: I've lost?! I shall remember this, and I shall gain my revenge! I swear it on my burning soul!



Kind of disappointing, really. Also, you can see the second group of Sharkings about to run into my troops in their pursuit of a Kingdom ATAC.



Not the best idea they ever had. The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice that Zeira and his cohorts actually managed to kill a Sharking by themselves.



And Galvas kills another! It's a banner day for the Kingdom Army!



Still, that's as good as you can expect the AI to do. But...the enemy Sharkings won't attack you as long as other, weaker ATACs are still around, meaning that unless you've really fucked things up, you're just not going to be in any real danger. Giving the player a ten-ATAC human shield was probably a bit excessive.



And that is the last of the Sharkings in Vanguard Bandits.

: Duyere and Faulkner have retreated to the Imperial capital...



Uh, well, no, I mean, a lot of other people died because of Sadira, but we're good.
: Your Highness, thank you for saving General Thomson. We knew that he and his men were trapped within Eiza, but the Empire was too strong on the front lines...and we were unable to send troops to aid their escape.
: Yes. In spite of the difficulties you encountered, you have helped many. I'm quite proud of you. However, our celebration shall be short-lived if the Empire is allowed to make more Sharkings.
: Then let us formulate a plan and quickly set it into motion. I suggest we split into two groups and invade the capital from opposite directions.
: Doesn't it seem logical that we should stay together, Reyna? It would seem to be safer...
: I agree it would be somewhat safer...but dividing our numbers hedges our bet somewhat.
: How so?
: Even if one group is attacked by the Imperial Army, the other can still safely proceed.
: Mmmmm. I see what you mean. Even if one party is engaged, the other is left free to advance!
I love that this game is somehow making it sound like some sort of brilliant strategy to attack from more than one direction at a time.
: We can attack what remains of the Imperial Army while you sneak into the capital!
: I should have known better than to try and fool you, Duke Zeira!
: It's settled, then. We shall proceed according to Reyna's plan, unless someone has a better suggestion. Galvas?
: Reyna's plan is a fine one, Duke Zeira. I am ready to depart.
: Excellent! Let's go!
: Your Highness! Fight with strength and honor in the battles to come. Remember the face of your father.
: Thank you, Galvas.



Meanwhile, Faulkner has come to realization that they're still contractually obligated to appear in one more battle.
: From the looks of them Faulkner, it will take weeks before they are functional. Perhaps months.
: We don't have even a day to waste, Madoc! The Kingdom Army is about to invade the capital!
: There is no way for me to expedite the repair process, Prince Duyere.
: Then what will do, Madoc?! Allow the Kingdom to claim our mighty nation without a fight?!
: Faulkner, your words would be just as effective at a lower volume, perhaps moreso. However...I have several prototypes of an ATAC design which is even more powerful and effective than the Sharking. This ATAC is unbeatable. This ATAC is unstoppable. This ATAC is a work of art!
: You have several of these ATACs?!
: Indeed, Duyere, I do. I shall join you and Faulkner on the battlefield to aid you in learning the controls, and to savor our victory!
: Is that a wise idea, Madoc? I recall that your hemorrhoids were flaring up not long ago.
: It was my arthritis, I can sit just fine! If you want the use of my ATACs, I suggest you allow me to join you.
: Fine! Now let's hurry up and activate them before the Kingdom arrives!
: Is there no one left in this world with any patience? Walk this way...



: You did it, Bastion.
: Did what?
: Once you've conquered the Empire, your power will be acknowledged by the entire Continent!
: Bastion, if you conquer the Empire, I won't have anywhere to go!
: That's alright, Sadira.
: What do you mean?
: Because Bastion will have to throw you into prison for being a member of the Imperial family.
Tough but fair.
: What?!
: Milea?!
: I was just trying to ease her fears, Bastion...and I'm telling the truth. You MUST imprison her!
: I'm not going to prison, Milea! Unlike YOU, Bastion values my friendship!
: All your friendship has brought to Bastion is life-threatening combat. Why would he value that?
: I must admit that Milea IS correct about all the unnecessary combat you have led us into.
: Bastion! Tell this girl how important I am!
: Do you really think of yourself that highly, Sadira?
: Of course! I've always had confidence in myself!
: But don't you know the difference between confidence and egotism?
: All I know is that I'm telling the truth! Why should I be ashamed about that?
: (I give up, Sadira. You will NEVER change. What a pity...)
Kind of a shame you only realized that after we killed everyone in Nordilain, but, hey, you eventually got there!
: Welcome to my home!
: Somehow, Sadira, I think you're the only one who's welcoming us here. All I want to do is find Faulkner...and have my revenge.

Next Time: The Only Logical Conclusion!