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Aidoneus Island
Bian: I hear the Barrelions were defeated by the Hagane, Adler…
Adler: M-My apologies sir. But, we’re working to refine the units…
Bian: *chuckle* That ship is strong. We cannot sink it with half-hearted attacks.
Adler: Th-Then, grant us permission to attack the Hagane…
Bian: Very well. You have until the invasion of Central Europe begins to sink that ship.
*Bian leaves*
Adler: (…Against a ship like that, a normal attack won’t work…)
Adler: (Therefore, the time has come to use him…)
Hagane – Bridge
Eita: Captain, encrypted message incoming.
Daitetsu: Encrypted?
Eita: Yes. It’s not from the EFA, it’s from Mao Industries…
Tetsuya: Mao Industries…the Personal Trooper manufacturer?
Eita: Yes…it was transmitted from Columna Space Station.
Tetsuya: Columna? But, it was taken over by the UCC…
Daitetsu: It seems our comrades managed to take it back. We’ve gained some ground in this war with that.
Eita: But, who could’ve done it…? Didn’t the UCC blanket all of outer space?
Tetsuya: Perhaps there are resistance fighters out there.
Daitetsu: (Hah, it can only be one man…Sean Webley of the Hiryu Custom.)
Daitetsu: Eita, who sent the message?
Eita: It was sent by Yuan Meilong…addressed to Rio Meilong.
Eita: (Rio’s father? So he wrote her an encrypted message…)
Daitetsu: Yuan…concerned as always.
Eita: ? Would you like to see the message sir?
Daitetsu: No, it’s alright. Give it to Rio. In person, please.
Eita: In person…? A-Aye…Captain.
Hagane – Analysis Control
Rob: Aya, let’s begin the R-3’s T-LINK contact. Level three this time.
Aya: OK.
Rob: Use connectors 1 through 23. T-LINK startup in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Aya: Psy-clutch, connected. T-LINK contact, established.
Rob: Link coefficient at 10…20…25…Level one, clear.
Aya: …..
Rob: 30…35…Level two, clear.
Aya: …U-Ugh…
Rob: 40…45…
*Overload*
Aya: Nnn…Aaa…Aaaaauuugh!!
Rob: !! Th-The current’s reversed!? Cut the T-LINK!!
Aya: …..
Rob: Aya! Hold on, Aya!!
Rob: (That does it, it’s too dangerous to perform adjustments when we don’t have the necessary equipment aboard the Hagane…)
Hagane – Medical Room
Kusuha: She’s ailing from fatigue. She’s got a bit of a fever now, but she’ll be fine after you get some rest.
Rob: Good…that’s good to hear.
Aya: I’m sorry, Doctor…
Rob: No, I’m the one who should apologize. I pushed you too far…
Aya: But…I can’t neglect my periodic T-LINK contact.
Rob: …..
Rob: (Why only her…? Ryusei has never needed them.)
Kusuha: Well, Aya, I think what you need now is some rest.
Aya: No, I must prepare for the Aidoneus Invasion.
Rob: No way. You heard her, you need to take it easy.
Kusuha: Yes. Please rest until your fever breaks.
Aya: But…
Kusuha: …If you’d like, I can make you a special energy drink…
Aya: Ah!? Uh, I don’t…
Kusuha: Oh, that…I’m improving the taste.
Aya: I-I’m really not thirsty. Besides, you’re right, I should get some rest.
Hagane – Training Simulator
Irm: Hmm…three kills, 65% damage, 90% fuel consumption, and total time was 654 seconds.
Rio: How is it, Lt. Irm? My PT simulator results…?
Irm: Well…you completed the mission, but you died on your return to base.
Rio: R-Right…I crashed on my way back.
Rio: (…I should’ve played the Burning PT game like Ryusei…)
Irm: Besides…why do you want to pilot a PT?
Irm: It’s much more dangerous than being an operator.
Rio: I…originally aspired to be a pilot. Due to the influence of my father’s job.
Irm: I see…
Rio: Ms. Ring is a personal hero of mine. And…
Irm: And?
Rio: I know that the Aerogaters are coming. Also…I can’t forgive the DC.
Irm: Can’t forgive?
Rio: I can’t say that I can define what justice is…but I can’t forgive those who trample over peace with war.
Rio: The DC is evil. I cannot believe that there is anything right with what they’re doing.
Irm: …Well, at least you have an answer. I should get going.
Rio: Thank you for your time, Lieutenant.
Eita: There you are, Rio.
Rio: What’s up?
Eita: We received a message, and it’s addressed to you.
Rio: A message…to a battleship during a war? Who sent it?
Eita: Yuan Meilong.
Rio: ! My dad!?
Eita: I’ve heard about him. But, what exactly does he do? He used an encrypted code from Mao Industries…
Eita: Is he an executive there?
Rio: Huh? W-Well…it’s a long story. Anyway, thanks for the message.
Eita: S-Sure…
Hagane – Ingram’s quarters
Ingram: You want to postpone the adjustments?
Rob: That’s right. Currently, Aya can’t handle a high-level T-LINK contact.
Rob: We should at least stop testing on the Hagane, and wait until we’re back at Izu.
Ingram: I cannot permit that.
Rob: Are you sure? Wouldn’t it be better to have a full-fledged adjustment after the operation?
Ingram: Not really. At least in Aya’s case.
Rob: Either way, she is…
Ingram: The other one is ready to use it.
Rob: …..
Rob: I’ll admit your expertise, but I cannot always agree with your methods.
Ingram: …I’ll keep that in mind.
Ingram: (…I wonder if I should search for backup subjects…)
Hagane – Rio’s quarters
Rio: Okay, dad…sending a personal message to a battleship…you must be crazy.
Yuan: …Ahem. A-Ah, Rio…how are you?
Rio: …..
Yuan: I won’t say anything…about you leaving us and joining the army.
Yuan: But…don’t you want to come home?
Yuan: Your mother and I, we did our best to nurture you…yet you still joined the military…
Rio: (…Here he goes again.)
Yuan: But, just like your mother, you’re as stubborn as an ox…
Rio: …
Yuan: So be it…but please don’t become a Personal Trooper pilot.
Yuan: I understand you look up to the president of my company…
Yuan: But I worry about you being assigned to the Hagane.
Yuan: You’re just like your moth—Oh, I said that already.
Yuan: A-Anyways, I hope you’re OK, that’s all.
Yuan: So, please come back to home after the war. Your mother and I are worried about you…
Rio: …..
Rio: …You never change, Dad. But, thank you…for worrying.
*Well, that killed the moment*
Rio: ! Enemy alert!?
Hagane – Bridge
Eita: Enemy AMs, incoming!
Tetsuya: The DC are attacking more frequently. They must be getting serious…!
Eita: But, they’re not deploying as many AMs this time sir!
Tetsuya: What…!?
Daitetsu: This could be a trap. Keep your guard up.
Tetsuya: Yes sir!
Daitetsu: All hands, Battle Station 1! PT units deploy!
Hagane – Hangar
Giado: Scramble! Ready the mechs!!
Ryusei: Major Ingram, what about Aya!? She still has a fever!
Ingram: Luckily, there aren’t many enemy mechs out there. You guys will have to cover for Aya.
Rio: S-Sir!
Ryusei: Rio! What’re you doing here!?
Rio: Major Ingram, let me sortie in Aya’s PT!
Ingram: What…?
Ryusei: A-Are you crazy!? You’ve never piloted a PT!
Rio: Well, I’ve trained in the simulator. So let me sortie in place of Captain Aya!!
Ryusei: Don’t be stupid! You can’t just go from the simulator to a real battle!
Rio: Wait, isn’t that exactly what YOU did!?
Ryusei: Y-Yeah, but…
Ingram: (…This is a good chance to test Rio’s abilities…)
Ingram: Very well, you have permission to sortie.
Rio: !
Ryusei: A-Are you serious, Major!?
Ingram: However…be careful out there. Okay?
Rio: Y-Yes sir!
Chapter 15: Thomas’ Trap
*Hagane appears*
Eita: Enemy units incoming!
*Enemies appear*
Tetsuya: There definitely aren’t as many as usual…
Eita: Could there be an ambush unit?
Tetsuya: Rio, do you see anything on the radar?
Eita: She’s not here, sir…
Tetsuya: Well where is she…?
Thomas: *whistle* So that’s the Hagane. The rumors were true, it’s one nice ship.
Thomas: I’d attack it with full force, but I have to preserve old man Adler’s honor.
Ryoto: C-Captain Thomas…are we going to attack that ship all by ourselves!?
Thomas: Of course we are. Don’t chicken out on me now.
Ryoto: S-Sorry sir…
Thomas: Geez, you were hand-picked by Adler himself to be a pilot…
Thomas: Just follow Tenzan’s example, for crying out loud.
Ryoto: But, I just can’t fight like him…
Thomas: Man, you still don’t get what war really is.
Ryoto: Sir?
Thomas: Listen, fighting in war is like…placing a bet in a thrilling game of life or death.
Thomas: So just have fun, like you’re playing Burning PT.
Ryoto: I-I can’t…!
Thomas: Plus, a situation like this makes the game a bit more interesting. Am I right?
Ryoto: …I don’t get it.
Thomas: (At least he’s a chicken who speaks his mind…)
Thomas: Ryoto, we need people like you if we’re going to protect this world from the aliens.
Thomas: You said that on Aidoneus Island, didn’t you?
Ryoto: …!
Thomas: We’re the good guys. They’re the bad guys. So don’t hesitate to shoot them down.
Ryoto: …..
Thomas: (Good to ourselves, that is…no point in telling him directly.)
Ryoto: (Is this really the right thing…?)
Eita: Captain, the PTs are ready to go!
Daitetsu: Good, deploy them!
*Gespenst MK II TT appears, Prep screen, Units deploy*
Rob: Rio, if you’re in trouble, turn on your TC-OS’s auto mode and escape immediately.
Rio: Y-Yes sir!
Rio: (But…I’ll hold out as long as I can…!)
Eita: H-Hey, Rio! What’re you doing in a PT!?
Rio: We’ll talk later! Just cover my shift!
Eita: Wa-Wait a minute!
Rio: Over and out!
*Conditions shown, Battle starts*
*Rio VS Enemy*
Rio: …I’ve made my decision…I’ll do it!
Rio: I won’t let the DC win!!
{Rio VS Ryoto}
Rio: I’ll show you that I can fight in a PT!
Ryoto: I-I’m not…I’m not going to die here!
*Anyone VS Thomas*
Thomas: You left your ship to face me…I’m honored.
Thomas: But, you’ll never defeat Thomas Bright!
*Turn 2 Enemy Phase*
Ryoto: Why won’t you help us, Captain!? Are you abandoning us!?
Thomas: Idiot. I gotta stay back to command.
Ryoto: But…!
Thomas: Don’t complain to me when you haven’t even shot down one PT.
Ryoto: …..
Thomas: The pilot of that PT seems to be a rookie, so why don’t you start with that?
*Rio’s unit highlighted*
Thomas: If you can shoot that one down, I’ll help you against the Hagane.
Ryoto: (H-He…doesn’t care about his men at all…!?)
Ryoto: …Yes sir, Captain. I’ll do it!
Thomas: Good.
Thomas: (I still have doubts about Adler’s plan…but I’ll see it through.)
*Battle resumes*
*Shoot down Thomas*
Thomas: Tch! Don’t get carried away!
Thomas: If I didn’t have this order from Adler, you’d be dead…!
*Guarlion explodes, Thomas escapes*
Ryoto: C-Captain…! I have to get out of here…!!
Ryoto: !?
Ryoto: W-What…? The engine’s stalled!? The-the mech is…going down!!
*Ryoto crashes*
Eita: The enemies are retreating!
Tetsuya: What’s going on? Any signs of reinforcements nearby?
Eita: Negative. They’re the only ones who attacked us.
Daitetsu: …..
Eita: Captain, one of the enemy AMs crashed into the water. Your orders?
Daitetsu: …Capture it. We might be able to get some information about the DC from the pilot.
Daitetsu: However, inspect the unit with caution, and keep this area secure.
Eita: Affirmative.
Aboard the Hagane
Ryoto: …..
Tetsuya: (So this is the AM pilot…)
Ingram: (…There’s no doubt. This is one of the missing players…Ryoto Hikawa. Did the EOTI get to them first?)
Ryoto: …..
Tetsuya: …What is your name and rank?
Ryoto: …..
Tetsuya: If you’re wondering, you do NOT have the right to remain silent.
Ryoto: …..
Tetsuya: If you call yourself a soldier, then speak up!
Ryoto: Y-Yes sir…!
Ryoto: I-I’m…a Master Sergeant in the 15th DC mobile force…and my name is Ryoto Hikawa…sir.
Tetsuya: Good…you’ll be treated as a P.O.W., according to EFA regulations. Clear?
Ryoto: …P-Prisoner of war…? Oh, that’s right…I’m your enemy…
Tetsuya: …..
Tetsuya: …Eita, put him in the brig. We’ll interrogate him later.
Eita: Affirmative.
Masaki: Was that the pilot of the fallen Armored Module?
Rio: Yes…
Masaki: He looked sort of weak. Not much like a soldier.
Rio: …..
Masaki: What’s up, Rio? Thinking about that guy?
Rio: Kinda.
Masaki: Oh…is he your type?
Rio: ! Don’t make fun of me! What would make you think he’s my type!?
Masaki: Hey, take it easy. I didn’t mean to upset you…
Rio: (But, still…why would he join the DC…?)
Rio: (He doesn’t seem like the kind who volunteers for a war…)
Hagane – Hangar
Ingram: …How’s that Lion we captured?
Rob: I looked at it outside of the ship…no problems so far.
Rob: It crashed due to a problem with the thruster.
Ingram: Any sign of hidden explosives?
Rob: Not sure. But, the pilot, he doesn’t seem like a kamikaze.
Rob: If this is a trap, wouldn’t a Net Worm be more likely?
Ingram: …..
Rob: Well, Major…what do you want to do with the Lion?
Ingram: We’ll take it.
Rob: I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring an enemy mech onboard…
Ingram: We need all the firepower we can get. And flying mechs are especially valuable.
Rob: Well, that’s true…
Ingram: Also…aren’t you interested in the miniaturized Tesla Drive?
Rob: Oh, certainly. If we can utilize it, our entire fleet of PTs can go airborne.
Ingram: So, it’s decided then.
Rob: Yes, but I’ll continue to inspect the Lion. Just in case.
Ingram: Very well, I’ll leave it to you.
Thomas’ Trap End
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