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Hiryu Kai Bridge
Eun: It’s no good, Captain…Selene Base in Hadley Valley isn’t responding.
Lefina: I see…
Sean: It’s best to assume they’ve been taken over.
Ring: What about Cerevis City?
Eun: It’s surrounded by the UCC…but it’s not under attack.
Sean: Hm…we can’t expect any reinforcements from the Earth…It seems we’re completely isolated.
Lefina: ..Yes…
Sean: Well, what should we do? Wait in the Moon Cradle until things settle down?
Sean: Or charge straight into the UCC HQ in Elpis?
Lefina: …Let me think about it…
*Lefina leaves*
Eun: (Lefina…)
Sean: …..
Ring: XO Sean, don’t you think you were a bit harsh?
Sean: I know. But, a leader’s hesitation affects morale.
Sean: Captain Lefina must show her true resolve…
Ring: She’s still young. It may be too much for her…
Sean: When I was aboard this ship, Captain Daitetsu and I went through much worse.
Sean: And this is just dealing with the Earth…which can be considered our front door.
Sean: Compared to the rest of the Solar System, this can be considered friendly.
Ring: (That’s right…the Hiryu was originally made to explore the universe.)
Sean: If she can’t handle the pressure, then she should resign her position…
Sean: And we should appoint a new Captain.
Eun: …!
Eun: XO, I have some business to take care of, so I must go.
Sean: Huh? But you’re still on duty…
Eun: Excuse me.
*Eun leaves*
Sean: Eun…she’s quite troublesome.
Ring: (Well…you’re the one who caused this to happen.)
Hiryu Kai – Lefina’s Quarters
Lefina: (…..)
Lefina: (…I’ve been doing my best, but…)
Lefina: (I don’t know if…if I can be Captain anymore…)
Eun: Captain…
Lefina: Oh, Eun…wh-what’s wrong?
Eun: I was worried about you, Captain…
Lefina: …You don’t have to call me that when you’re off duty.
Lefina: You’re a year older than me…and we’re friends and classmates.
Eun: Then, I will tell you this as a classmate and friend.
Eun: I know things have been difficult…but do you think it’s fair for you to run?
Lefina: …!
Eun: Half the crew, you and I included, were trainees not too long ago…
Eun: But, we’ve come so far together.
Eun: That’s why…I don’t think it’s fair of you to quit on us.
Lefina: …..
Eun: …I must return to duty. I apologize for the remarks, Captain.
*Eun leaves*
Lefina: …..
Moon Cradle
Gilliam: …So this is the mass-production prototype Huckebein. I haven’t seen it until now.
Radha: Sir, is this Unit No. 1?
Yuan: Yes. We had to give No. 2 to the UCC…but we brought this one here.
Radha: So Unit No. 3…is it still being tested by the EFA?
Yuan: Yes. I don’t know if it’s safe now…
Gilliam: I see you’re using mass-production Gespenst MK II parts.
Yuan: Well noted…you live up to your reputation as a former Aggressor.
Gilliam: …And you’re using them to lower costs, and avoid another accident?
Yuan: Yes…
Radha: …..
Yuan: We built the MK II so that it wouldn’t repeat the tragedy that happened with the MK I…
Yuan: We’re confident in it. It’s too bad it’s tough to control.
Radha: Director, about the MK II…I’d like to take it aboard the Hiryu Custom…
Yuan: But Unit 1 has an experimental interface system installed. Did you find someone eligible?
Radha: …One person has potential.
Radha: And if we cut the Link, we should be able to use it.
Yuan: Very well. I’ll ask Miss Ring. But I’m sure of her answer.
Kyosuke: …..
Excellen: *giggle* Worried about your Alty’s rival?
Kyosuke: Yeah. It’s Dr. Radom’s competitor for the top PT…
Kyosuke: I just wanted to take a look at it.
Excellen: …You think she and the others are okay?
Kyosuke: Master Rishu is with them…I hope they’re all safe, but…
Russel: Is this where you all were?
Excellen: What’s up, Russel?
Russel: The Captain is about to make an announcement.
Kyosuke: The Captain…?
Hiryu Kai – Briefing Room
Lefina: …All of you know the current situation.
Lefina: We won’t be receiving any reinforcements from Earth…and without them we cannot defeat the UCC.
Sean: …..
Gilliam: (It IS quite an uphill battle…)
Katina: (She better not suggest we surrender…)
Lefina: …But, I do not plan to stay in the Moon Cradle.
Lefina I would like to do what we can with this ship.
Gilliam: Then, what do you suggest?
Lefina: We’re going to retake the space station Columna.
Katina: Columna? What’re we gonna do with that?
Lefina: We can control the communication satellites from there.
Lefina: With a Net Worm, we can revive the satellites.
Gilliam: So, we’re going to take back the satellites stolen by the DC and the UCC…?
Lefina: Yes. That way, the EFA should be able to gain an advantage.
Sean: (…Excellent decision, Captain. You bounced back quickly…I’m very impressed.)
Lefina: But, this mission will be dangerous with a low chance of success.
Lefina: The enemy knows of the value of Columna and will be guarding it.
Tasuku: We’ll need nine lives for this one…
Bullet: But, if we can do it, it’ll help with the war effort.
Tasuku: Yeah. But enough of that…
Tasuku: Hey, Ms. Excellen. You wanna bet?
Excellen: On what? My heart? Oh, you’re so s-w-e-e-t!
Tasuku: Not on that! I’m talking about the mission!
Kyosuke: You’re on. All we have to do is what we always do.
Tasuku: You too? J-Just so I know…Which side are you betting on?
Kyosuke: The long shot, of course.
Tasuku: R-Really? Ooohhh boy, we’re in for it now.
Kyosuke: …What’s that supposed to mean?
Lefina: Viletta, Radha…you two must stay here at the Cradle.
Viletta: We’re going too. You need all the help you can get
Viletta: And…Radha and I are experts in creating Net Worms.
Lefina: But, you’re civilians. We can’t…
Radha: It’s okay, Captain. I’ve grown attached to this ship…
Radha: And, I haven’t been able to fully convey the wonders of yoga to all the crew members.
Excellen: If she ever does, we’re in trouble…
Viletta: …Anyways, we’re coming.
Lefina: Thank you…
Sean: No, thank YOU. Now the ship is more lovely than ever.
Lefina: …XO?
Sean: …Ahem. Let’s prepare to set sail.
Radha: Bullet, can I have a word with you?
Bullet: I-I’m sorry, but I’m too stiff for yoga…
Radha: Um…you don’t have to look so scared…
Chapter 13: Vanishing Trooper
Moon Cradle Exterior
Eun: Captain, we’re leaving the Cradle. So far, so good.
Lefina: Alright.
Yuan: Um, Captain Lefina…I have a favor to ask…
Lefina: What is it?
Yuan: When you take Columna, please forward this mail…
Lefina: Is it a confidential document?
Yuan: N-No…it’s nothing, really. But, if you have the time…
Lefina: I understand.
Ring: To Rio? You worry too much.
Yuan: Miss President…aren’t you going to send Lt. Irmgard anything?
Ring: Why…!? I-I have no reason too!
Excellen: Ooh! Could it be…Miss CEO has a boyfriend?
Yuan: That’s right.
Ring: Yuan!
Yuan: But, he cheated on her…so she’s not talking to him.
Excellen: …A lover’s quarrel?
Kyosuke: …Excellen, don’t anger such an important ally.
Yuan: Please, ma’am…isn’t it about time you forgave him?
Ring: No way. If I let him off the hook…he’ll get conceited.
Yuan: (But all he did…was have tea with a female employee…)
Ring: Goodbye, Captain Lefina…and good luck.
Yuan: Viletta, Radha…you two be careful, OK?
Viletta: Of course.
Radha: Mr. Director…please take care.
*Well, that killed the moment*
Eun: Captain, enemy units are approaching!
Lefina: So they noticed our movement…!
*Enemies Spawn*
Lefina: All units, deploy at once!
*Prep screen, Units deploy*
Tasuku: ? Where’s Bullet?
Russel: He…I don’t know? He was talking to Radha a minute ago.
Tasuku: Speaking of which, she’s not here either.
Excellen: Ooh, could there be…romance blooming?
Katina: Those two? Yeah right. He’s probably stuck in a yoga pose.
Russel: …Th-That’s highly possible…
Sean: Judging by their formation…I think they’ll attack in waves.
Lefina: I think so too. We have to get out of here.
Lefina: Within 8 minutes…
*Escape area highlighted*
Lefina: The ship must arrive at this point and leave the area.
Kyosuke: We have to clear a path for the Hiryu Kai.
Excellen: O-kay! Let’s give it a try!
*Conditions shown, Battle starts*
*Turn 2 enemy phase, more foes spawn in*
Sean: As I thought…and I’m sure there’s more on the way.
Lefina: All PTs, defeat any enemy units in front of the Hiryu!
*Turn 3 Enemy Phase, more enemies appear*
Tasuku: Tch! At this rate, the Hiryu will be swarmed with enemies.
Kyosuke: I know…but we have no choice but to keep pushing forward…!
*Less than 7 enemies remain, two carriers spawn*
Eun: More enemies! A new type of battleship!
Lefina: The escape point had been surrounded…!?
Sean: This isn’t good. If we stop here, we’ll be sitting ducks.
Lefina: Tch…! Then, we have to hurry and destroy…
Eun: Captain! There’s a mech on the catapult!
Lefina: !
*Huckebein MK II catapults onto the battlefield*
Kyosuke: That’s…the Huckebein MK II…!
Excellen: Wow! Is Bullet in it!?
Kyosuke: …It’s operational?
Bullet: Ugh…Tch…! It’s hard just to keep it still…
Radha: Even without a Tesla Drive, it rivals the Weiss in mobility.
Radha: So, make sure your movements are subtle, OK?
Bullet: O-OK…!
Excellen: Hm? Radha’s with you?
Excellen: W-Wait a sec! Bullet, how shameful! Ms. Browning won’t allow that!
Bullet: Huh? B-But it can’t be helped…
Tasuku: What I want to know is how can two people fit in one PT cockpit?
Russel: Y-You don’t mean…
Bullet: U-Um…Radha. Are you okay in that…position?
Radha: You won’t have to worry about me. I’m very flexible.
Bullet: (That pose scares me…)
Radha: Now, Bullet…concentrate. And I’ll help you out.
Bullet: Huh? Help me out…?
Radha: Meditate. Become one with the machine…
Radha: And feel the enemy’s presence…their movement…
Bullet: …..
*TK Link*
Bullet: ! What is this feeling…?
Viletta: (…His powers are starting to bud.)
Viletta: (It was the right decision to send the ATX Team the Type TT.)
Bullet: …I can feel something…is it the enemy…?
Radha: That’s it, don’t lose that feeling, Bullet.
Bullet: OK. Here we go!
*All enemies defeated or Hiryu Kai reached destination*
Sean: Captain, we’ve reached our designated point.
Lefina: Full speed ahead! We’re escaping from this area!
Hiryu Kai – Hangar
Tasuku: Not bad, Bullet.
Bullet: Well, I only did it thanks to Radha.
Katina: Heh, better be careful with the Huckebein, Bullet.
Bullet: What do you mean?
Katina: The one before it…in other words, the MK I…
Katina: It was the first Personal Trooper equipped with EOT.
Tasuku: EOT..the alien technology found inside Meteor 3?
Katina: That’s right.
Katina: The MK I’s power source was something they called the ‘Black Hole Engine’.
Bullet: Black Hole Engine…
Tasuku: Sounds like trouble to me.
Katina: It was. Actually, it was worse.
Katina: The Huckebein went crazy and exploded…wiped out the entire base it was being tested at.
Bullet: !
Katina: The test pilot survived, but with some major injuries…
Katina: The Huckebein was then nicknamed the ‘Berserk Trooper’ by some, and ‘Vanishing Trooper’ by others…
Katina: Still, doesn’t look like the MK II has a Black Hole Engine…
Katina: But it never hurts to be careful, y’know?
Bullet: …..
Katina: If you’re scared, why not let me pilot it? I can handle danger…I even like it.
Tasuku: Ha, I wouldn’t mind it blowing up in that case!
Katina: You say something, Tasuku? You wanna vanish too?
Tasuku: I was joking…
Bullet: …Lt. Katina, I’ll master the Huckebein MK II.
Bullet: In order to survive this war…!
Katina: Heh, with that spirit, you’ll be just fine…keep it up.
Bullet: Yes, ma’am!
Vanishing Trooper End
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