Chapter 21

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ATX Perspective – Hiryu Kai Bridge

Kyosuke: Kyosuke Nanbu, ATX Team…reporting.

Excellen: What’s up, XO?

Sean: Right. We’ve just received orders from the Far East Brigade.

Bullet: Orders…?

Lefina: The ATX Team, consisting of Lt. Kyosuke Nanbu, Lt. Excellen Browning…

Lefina: And Master Sergeant Brooklyn Luckfield…the three of you are to transport the dismantled R-GUN to the Far East Brigade.

Lefina: Afterwards, you’ll receive further instructions.

Excellen: Well, that was sudden. What’s going on? Did they find out about what we did…?

Bullet: Which time…?

Kyosuke: What have you been up to, you guys?

Excellen: What? Don’t play innocent.

Excellen: You wagered the Alt when you bet with Tasuku, remember?

Kyosuke: …And I won that bet. What’s wrong with that?

Sean: …I don’t know what you’re mistaking this for, but…

Sean: Everyone, please take the Taussendfussler to the Far East Brigade.

Lefina: Your deeds will be recorded in my little black book.

Excellen: (She’s suprisingly old-fashioned…)

Kyosuke: Affirmative, we’ll head for the ground…what’s the current situation?

Sean: Thanks to the Hagane, the DC lost their HQ on Aidoneus Island…

Sean: …But some of their soldiers are engaging in guerrilla warfare .

Sean: And, it seems the remnants of the UCC forces have joined them.

Bullet: It’s still pretty crazy out there…

Lefina: The EDC, with General Norman Slay leading the way…

Lefina: Are trying to unify the military…but it’s not going too well.

Kyosuke: Not going well…? Is the EOT Council interfering?

Sean: I’m afraid so. Amid the chaos, Chairman Karl Schtleseman…

Sean: Is trying to use the NSC to get control of the military.

Bullet: XO, is he plotting to suppress anti-alien supporters like us and General Norman?

Excellen: So you want us to assassinate him, I get it…

Kyosuke: Ignore her…at the present time, if the Aerogaters struck, it’d be over…

Kyosuke: So, Chairman Schtlesemann reinstated the talks using his connections.

Lefina: And as a result, the EOT Council is managing Aidoneus Island.

Excellen: So, they’re getting the credit for liberating Aidoneus…wow.

Sean: …That’s how it looks.

Kyosuke: No payoff for those who earned it…that bites.

Sean: Now, please deliver the R-GUN…and thank you.

Sean: Just don’t let Lt. Excellen set the course.

Kyosuke: Roger.

Aboard the Taussendfussler

Excellen: …I should set the landing program now.

Bullet: (And yet, Lt. Excellen is setting the course…)

Excellen: Umm…the Far East Brigade is in Japan, right?

Bullet: I hear that the seafood in Izu is delicious.

Kyosuke: …..

Excellen: What’s up? Oh, right…you’re going back to your old workplace.

Kyosuke: …I don’t have good memories of that place.

Bullet: Hm? What’s this…?

Kyosuke: What’s wrong?

Bullet: It’s an SOS! From…Earth!?

Excellen: That’s quite a distance…you think it’s got a hi-tech station to reach Columna?

Bullet: …Looks like it does. It’s from the Dukedom of Riksent.

Kyosuke: The Dukedom of Riksent?

Excellen: You don’t know it, Principal Nanbu? Allow me…

Bullet: (So now Lt. Kyosuke’s the principal…)

Excellen: The Dukedom of Riksent is a small yet powerful country that lies along the coast of the Mediterranean.

Excellen: It’s lying on top of a fortune of gold…and it’s a great summer vacation spot for tourists.

Kyosuke: I see…and there’s an SOS coming from there?

Bullet: Yes…it seems they’re under attack by the DC remnants.

Excellen: They must be after their gold mine.

Kyosuke: Money to rebuild. They’re nothing but thieves.

Bullet: We can’t let them get away with this! Let’s go help!

Kyosuke: Negative on that.

Bullet: Why not!? The DC is attacking them!

Kyosuke: The SOS has been sent to everyone. The EFA will help out.

Excellen: Besides, we have somewhere else to be. I already set the course for the Far East.

Bullet: B-But…!

Kyosuke: You can’t save everyone, Bullet. Let it go.

Bullet: (Tch…!)

SRX Perspective – Hagane Interior

Ryoto: …Hey, Ryusei. Wait a second.

Ryusei: Huh? What’s up?

Ryoto: I wanted to ask you about something. Do you have the time?

Ryusei: I’m due to go out on reconnaissance in about…ten minutes.

Ryoto: So then…I can ask?

Ryusei: Sure. What is it?

Ryoto: It’s about the T-LINK System installed in the Type TTs and the R-1…

Ryusei: What about it?

Ryoto: How much do you know about the system?

Ryusei: Let’s see…it was described to me as a special maneuvering system, like an auxiliary FCS system.

Ryoto: …..

Ryusei: Something wrong?

Ryoto: I have reason to believe it’s more than that.

Ryusei: Huh?

Ryoto: I don’t know the details, but I believe that the T-LINK System responds to the pilot’s brain waves.

Ryusei: Brain waves…nowadays, wouldn’t a device like that be commonly used?

Ryoto: If that’s the case, then why are so few mechs equipped with the T-LINK System?

Ryusei: …..

Ryoto: If it’s something anyone can use, you’d think that it would be equipped to more mechs and aircraft.

Ryusei: Maybe only a few T-LINK Systems exist?

Ryoto: I don’t think that’s quite it. Not that the system itself is limited in number…

Ryoto: But the people who can actually use the T-LINK System are limited in number.

Ryusei: What?

Ryoto: Maybe…to use the System, you need to have a special quality.

Ryusei: And you’re saying that you, me, Aya and Rio all have this quality?

Ryoto: …..

Ryusei: Maybe you’re over thinking it.

Ryoto: (I wonder…)

Ryusei: …I have to go now. Is that all?

Ryoto: Y-Yeah. Take care of yourself.

Mediterranean Sea

Ryusei: …No sign of any DC remnants around here.

Latune: Yes…they seem to have retreated to Central Africa.

Ryusei: Those guys want to keep the war going even though their leader is gone.

Latune: …..

Ryusei: What’s the matter?

Latune: I was thinking about what Dr. Bian said…

Ryusei: About how the Feds tried to surrender to the aliens?

Latune: Yes…what do you think, Ryusei?

Ryusei: …I don’t want to believe it.

Latune: …..

Ryusei: But, I don’t think that all the top brass is like that. Otherwise, the SRX Project wouldn’t be moving forward.

Latune: …..

Ryusei: There’s something that Major Ingram told me. The R-Series was made in order to fight against the Aerogaters…

Ryusei: I still believe that.

Latune: Yeah…

Ryusei: …Y’know, you’ve changed.

Latune: Huh?

Ryusei: I’ve been talking to you a lot lately. You were always so quiet in the past.

Latune: Is that strange…?

Ryusei: Not at all. And I also liked those clothes Garnet made for you.

Latune: Th-That…I don’t plan on wearing them again…

Ryusei: Why not?

Latune: I…it’s too embarrassing…

Ryusei: Alright, if that’s how you feel.

Tetsuya: This is Steel 2. Tetsuya Onodera speaking.

Tetsuya: Ryusei, Latune. Please return to the ship. We have an emergency situation.

Ryusei: Are you talking about the Kurogane!?

Tetsuya: No. We’ve received an SOS from the Dukedom of Riksent. They’re under attack.

Ryusei: !

Hagane – Bridge

Tetsuya: Have you contacted the Riksent defense forces?

Eita: No sir…they went silent after the SOS.

Tetsuya: I see…

Ingram: They must be under attack by the DC or the UCC.

Tetsuya: Yes.

Eita: But, why would they go after Riksent?

Eita: It’s a small country that’s politically neutral…

Rio: It has beautiful scenery and a lot of history…I spent a summer there.

Eita: A summer? Wait, are…are you rich?

Rio: N-Not really.

Ingram: There are a lot of gold mines in Riksent.

Ingram: The DC may be after the gold to fund their operations.

Tetsuya: Captain, what should we do?

Daitetsu: We can’t ignore their cry for help. We make for Riksent.

Tetsuya: Yes, sir!

Castle Riksent

Joyce: Princess! Where are you!?

Joyce: Princess Shine, please answer me! Do not worry an old man!

Shine: …Calm down, Joyce. You’re a royal butler…you must act in a dignified manner.

Joyce: We have no time for that! Enemy forces have surrounded the castle!

Joyce: You must flee immediately!

Shine: Joyce…they’re after me…aren’t they?

Joyce: W-Well…

Shine: Then…I cannot flee. I must stay here and protect my country.

Joyce: Please listen, Princess. They’re not only demanding gold.

Joyce: They’re also demanding you as a hostage.

Joyce: We can give them the gold…but, we cannot surrender you…

Shine: I’m not a chicken! A-Ahem, I am not afraid…!

Shine: I won’t disgrace the Hausen name by fleeing…!

Joyce: Princess, we’re losing ground. The situation is overwhelmingly dire…

Joyce: Our soldiers are dying to protect you.

Joyce: Please, for their sake…don’t let them have died in vain.

Shine: …Joyce. There…is no other way. I must go to them.

Joyce: Wh-Why!?

Shine: I must protect my people and Riksent…I cannot abandon my responsibility to them.

Joyce: …..

Joyce: (Princess Shine, you’ve grown into a courageous leader…)

Joyce: (But….our enemies…will not care about that…)

Shine: Besides…help is on the way. I can feel it…!

Joyce: ( ! She already senses it…she… She truly is a Hausen…)

Joyce: (…I just pray that the EFA gets here in time to rescue her…)

Chapter 21: Brave Princess

Dukedom of Riksent

Tempest: (Kidnapping a princess this young is too much, even for the DC…)

Tempest: (Why does Adler even want her?)

Tempest: (No…I cannot hesitate. That is the reason I lost to the Hagane.)

Tempest: (To get revenge on the EFA, vengeance for my wife and child…I will do what I must.)

DC Remnant: Major Tempest, there’s a transmission from Riksent.

Tempest: …So they’ve finally given up.

Joyce: Major Tempest Hawker…I am the royal butler in service to Her Majesty Princess Shine, Joyce L’Dhal.

Tempest: I don’t care who you are. What is your answer?

Joyce: The princess will meet your demands.

Tempest: Smart move.

Joyce: However, you must promise not to harm her.

Tempest: Of course. Her Majesty’s life will be perfectly safe.

DC Remnant: Major! An EFA transport ship is approaching!!

Tempest: !

*Hagane arrives*

Tetsuya: Did we make it in time!?

Tempest: Ha…how fortunate. I didn’t expect to see them here. Now I can pay them back for my humiliation at their hands!

Tempest: Attention Hagane! If you value the lives of the Princess and the people of Riksent…

Tempest: Disarm and surrender immediately!

Ryusei: You’re that guy from last time…!

Latune: …Tempest Hawker…

Ryusei: So now you’re taking hostages! Is that how you further your cause!?

Tempest: I already told you. All I want is revenge on the EFA.

Tempest: For that, I’ll do anything! So if you don’t comply, she WILL die!!

Shine: Oh, whatever!

Tempest: !

Shine: Just try and hurt me! I’ll kick your butt!

Tempest: Enough…!

Giado: She doesn’t seem too scared. And dat’s an Aggressor she’s talkin’ to.

Irm: Still, we’d better act quickly.

Ingram: Right…all PTs with high movement, rescue the princess. Everyone else, destroy the enemies.

Ingram: The castle entrance is located at this point.

*Point highlighted*

Ryusei: So our main objective is to reach that point?

Ingram: Yes. You must get there before any enemies do.

Ryusei: Roger!

Tetsuya: Deploy all PT Units!

*Prep screen, Units deploy, Conditions shown, Battle starts*

*Turn 4 Enemy Phase or Tempest’s Stork gets attacked, Barrelion reinforcements arrive*

Ryusei: What the!?

Tenzan: Hey! It’s the Hagane! Nice to see you. Let’s continue our game!

Tempest: Tenzan. What’re you doing here?

Tenzan: Adler ordered me to help you.

Tempest: …..

Tenzan: It’s nothing personal. That old kook just doesn’t want the princess to get away.

Tempest: …You must obey my orders, then.

Tenzan: (Heh, things are pretty hectic here… I’ll just use that as a cover to sneak in.)

Tenzan: OK, OK! Let’s get it started…the battle for the princess!

*Battle resumes*

*Further damage Tempest’s Stork*

Tempest: Curses! Let’s retreat for now!

*Stork escapes*

{Shoot down the Stork}

Tempest: I can’t believe it! We couldn’t get to her!

{Stork explodes, Tempest escapes}

*Unit arrives at destination*

Eita: Captain! We have the princess!

Daitetsu: Good. Now take out the remaining enemies!

Tenzan: Arrrrgh, they got the best of us. Adler should’ve just let me handle this.

Tenzan: Oh well, let’s take it easy then.

{Ryusei VS Tenzan}

Ryusei: Tenzan! So, you’re still alive!

Tenzan: Of course. I won’t die easily. Let’s keep on playing!

Ryusei: Forget it, your game’s about to end!!

{Ryoto VS Tenzan}

Tenzan: Yo! I’m surprised to see you alive!

Ryoto: The DC’s war is over! Stop helping Adler!

Tenzan: No way, man. The game isn’t over yet!

*Shoot down Tenzan*

Tenzan: Well, consider this a gift from me to you…as a memento of our reunion.

*Barrelion explodes, Tenzan escapes*

*Clear the map*

Eita: Enemy units have abandoned Riksent.

Daitetsu: Good…send our PT units to secure the princess.

Tetsuya: Yes, sir.

Hagane – Bridge

Joyce: Thank you, Captain Daitetsu Minase. You have saved our country.

Daitetsu: I’m happy to hear the princess is OK.

Joyce: I can’t express how grateful I am to all of you…

Joyce: The late Duke and Duchess have entrusted me with her well-being.

Daitetsu: Then, her parents are…

Joyce: Yes…they have passed…

Daitetsu: …I see.

Daitetsu: (Just like my granddaughter, she lost her parents…)

Tetsuya: By the way, where is her Majesty?

Joyce: Hm, now where could she be? She was here just…

Eita: She left the bridge a short while ago.

Joyce: Wh-What…!

Tetsuya: Eita, why didn’t you stop her?

Eita: Huh? She told me not to say anything…

Tetsuya: …You idiot! Find her!

Eita: Y-Yes, sir!

*Eita leaves*

Joyce: M-My apologies. I told her not to go running off while onboard this ship…

Daitetsu: Don’t worry about it. Kids her age are very curious.

Joyce: Y-Yes…

Ingram: Pardon me, Sir L’Dhal…may I ask you something?

Joyce: Yes, of course.

Ingram: The attacking forces were after Princess Shine…why exactly?

Joyce: W-Well…

Ingram: We’ve driven the DC remnants into a corner…

Ingram: So for them to go after the princess, they must want something that she possesses…

Joyce: …..

Joyce: …Very well. I do not wish to hide any secrets from you…

Joyce: It’s true…Princess Shine possesses a special ability.

Tetsuya: Special?

Joyce: Yes. It has been passed down through her family…and it has manifested strongly in her.

Tetsuya: Do you mean…she has some otherworldly power?

Joyce: I suppose you could say that.

Tetsuya: (M-More fantasy talk…)

Ingram: (TK Power…? No, not that. I didn’t sense it from the princess.)

Joyce: To put it simply…she has precognitive abilities.

Joyce: She can‘t always see the future clearly…

Joyce: But, Princess Shine’s powers are much stronger than that of her parents.

Ingram: Interesting.

Tetsuya: Is that why the DC remnants were after her?

Joyce: Her parents did contribute funds to the EOTI Institute…perhaps, they somehow discovered…

Joyce: But…for military purposes…I don’t think it’s possible to…

Ingram: Well, it’s not impossible…

Ingram: Applying her powers to a mobile weapon’s man-machine interface…

Ingram: Would create a mech that could anticipate an enemy attack and move accordingly.

Joyce: Th-That can’t…

Ingram: Former DC Vice-commander Adler Koch is an expert in such research.

Ingram: So even though we managed to defeat the DC remnants this time…

Tetsuya: Are you saying they might come back for her again…?

Joyce: …..

Joyce: …I have a request. Would you please take her highness somewhere safe?

Daitetsu: Hmm… If the Major’s right…

Daitetsu: We must keep our foes from taking the princess.

Tetsuya: But Captain, where can we…?

Daitetsu: I’ll talk to Laker regarding this.

Some time later

Laker: …I see. I understand the situation.

Daitetsu: I wonder if that’s why they’re really after the princess.

Laker: You’re very concerned about her. Does she remind you of your granddaughter?

Daitetsu: D-Don’t be ridiculous. They’re not even the same age.

Laker: Ha ha…age doesn’t matter. Well…we can take care of her here in the Far East Brigade for a while.

Laker: It’s safer here than in Geneva where the EOT Council is.

Daitetsu: I appreciate it.

Laker: Also, the R-Series needs more adjustments. Have the Hagane return to Japan with the princess.

Daitetsu: Affirmative.

Hagane – Briefing room

Aya: …So, we can’t visit the castle after all?

Latune: No. The Hagane will be leaving for Japan immediately.

Aya: Oh…that’s too bad. I wanted to see some of Riksent’s art and antiques…

Ryusei: Art? Why?

Aya: Well, it’s…I just really love to visit museums. And…

Ryusei: Ha, you love to visit museums. That’s a good one.

Aya: What? What do you mean by that!?

Ryusei: Ow, ouch! Don’t pull my ear!!

Garnet: Anyways…I think it would be great to be a princess.

Aya: Oh, yes. It’s every girl’s dream.

Ryusei: Ha, you’re a bit old for that…

Aya: WHAT!? Would you just keep your mouth shut!?

Ryusei: Ow, I-I told you, don’t pull my ear!!

Garnet: A princess like her must have a lot of pretty clothes.

Garnet: Hey, hey Lat. Why don’t you wear that dress one more time?

Latune: Huh? But…what about my mission…?

Eita: Uh…

Aya: Yes?

Eita: Ah, have you ladies seen Princess Shine?

Aya: No…

Garnet: Don’t tell me she’s lost inside the ship, like Masaki?

Eita: Well…y-yes…

Hagane – Hangar

Rai: (The Kurogane…Elzam and that battleship are still missing.)

Shine: You there.

Rai: (What is he up to now that our father’s dead…?)

Shine: You! Hey! Heeey!

Rai: …Hm? Princess Shine…what are you doing here?

Shine: I’d like to see more of the ship. Therefore…I would like you to give me a tour.

Rai: I’m busy at the moment. Someone else will have to do it.

Shine: I said I want YOU to give me a tour, okay!?

Rai: Princess…do you really think you can force me to follow your orders?

Shine: !

Rai: If you believe that your family’s status as royals can get you anything you want…you’re sorely mistaken.

Shine: H-How dare you speak to me like that!

Rai: My apologies…now if you’ll excuse me.

Shine: Please wait! Ahem…what is your name?

Rai: …Raidiese F. Branstein.

Shine: Branstein..a-are you perhaps…?

Rai: …I really must be going.

Shine: …..

Shine: (My father said…the same thing…)

Hagane – Briefing Room

Irm: What!?

Rio: Is that true!?

Aya: Yes. Princess Shine will be accompanying us back to Japan.

Ryusei: So we’re basically going to be bodyguards for a princess?

Shine: That is correct.

Aya: So everyone, remember your manners.

Giado: R-Right.

Shine: Ah…where is Sir Raidiese?

Latune: Sir Raidiese…?

Giado: Is she talkin’ about…

Garnet: Rai?

Ryusei: Uh, yeah.

Shine: You there.

Ryusei: M-Me?

Shine: Yes. Do you have some spare time?

Ryusei: Y-Yeah.

Shine: Then would you please look for Sir Raidiese?

Ryusei: Huh? Why me…?

Shine: Because I do not know my way around this ship.

Shine: I am truly sorry to inconvenience you…but could you do this for me?

Ryusei: Y-Yes ma’am! Right away!

Garnet: Well, Miss Princess…you sure know how to give orders for one so young.

Aya: And to Ryu, no less…

Irm: It’s a pity to be a common citizen…

Hagane – Ingram’s Quarters

Kusuha: …Kusuha Mizuha reporting.

Ingram: Come in.

Kusuha: Um…what did you want to talk to me about, Major…?

Ingram: You’ll begin your PT training tomorrow.

Kusuha: Huh!? Wh-Why!?

Ingram: Because you have the potential for it.

Kusuha: Potential..!?

Ingram: Yes. It was part of the special test conducted at the same time as the medical examination.

Kusuha: (Examination…I don’t remember the doctor saying anything about this…)

Ingram: You’ll undertake a special training program from the SRX Project to help you master your new mech.

Kusuha: But sir…I’m a nurse. I can’t just become a Personal Trooper pilot…

Ingram: You know what our current situation is like.

Kusuha: …..

Ingram: In preparation for the battle against the Aerogaters, I need more people to pilot the mechs created in Project SRX.

Kusuha: Still, how can I…

Ingram: I’ll say it again. You have it in you.

Kusuha: …..

Ingram: We must win against the Aerogaters. That in turn will save the human race.

Ingram: Kusuha…lend us your strength. You can do this.

Kusuha: …..

Earth Cradle

Egret: …Welcome to my sanctuary, the Earth Cradle.

Adler: Spare me the pleasantries. How is your progress?

Egret: The hatch is done, but the central walls are still under construction.

Egret: And the main computer, Magus, isn’t finished yet.

Adler: You’re behind schedule. Can we use the Machine Cell?

Egret: It won’t be operational for another year.

Adler: Another year…? That’s too late. We’ll be conquered by the aliens by then.

Adler: Bring Dr. Sophia here now. I want to talk to her.

Egret: She’s been working hard on Magus. She hasn’t left the central block in weeks.

Adler: I don’t care. I am the new commander of the DC!

Egret: …If you call her away now, it’ll slow the progress on Magus.

Egret: Do you really want to delay the production of the…you-know-what?

Adler: Rrgh… Fine, I see your point.

Adler: I need that and the princess’ powers to achieve world domination.

Egret: About that. Her location is…

Adler: I know. She’s currently being transported to Japan.

Egret: You received word from your spy?

Adler: Yes. Now it’s all up to him.

Brave Princess End

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