Chapter 26

Previous Chapter: Viper Fangs | Next Chapter: GEIM System

Hagane – Hangar

Ryusei: Huh? That PT…isn’t that the R-3?

Rai: It looks like it’s complete.

Aya: Hey guys, sorry I was gone for so long.

Rai: Welcome back, Captain. Are the R-3’s adjustments complete?

Aya: Yeah, almost.

Ryusei: …..

Aya: …What’s wrong, Ryu?

Ryusei: You look upset. Did something happen?

Aya: No…I’m OK.

Ryusei: Alright, if you say so.

Aya: …..

Ryusei: Well, anyway, is the R-Series ready now?

Aya: Y-Yes…I’m making up for lost time.

Rai: (…..)

Rai: (Something did happen…but what…?)

Hagane – Briefing Room

Ingram: …And so, we’ll be heading to Geneva to defend EFA HQ.

Ingram: The DC could attack at any moment. So, stay alert.

Ingram: Any questions?

Kyosuke: Major Ingram, about the Earth Cradle…is it true that the enemy has made it their home base?

Ingram: You have sharp ears, Lieutenant. Yes, that’s correct. We have Lune to thank for that information.

Lune: Actually, it was in the data that my father left me.

Lune: …Wait, Major. If we already know, why aren’t we attacking!?

Katina: Yeah. That’s not like us.

Tasuku: …If anything, we jump into action too quickly.

Ingram: I understand how you feel, but this is an order from the Captain.

Ingram: Further, we still don’t know what the EOT Council has planned…so this is our best move.

Giado: Still, it’s a bummer.

Kyosuke: Can’t be helped. …Hopefully we can settle things with the DC sooner.

Excellen: You’re right…they have the same terms as us.

Bullet: Terms…? What terms?

Excellen: *sigh* Try to keep up. Thirty days…same terms as us, right?

Ingram: That’s right. The DC are running out of time as well.

Ingram: To solve that situation…they’re likely to take aim at EFA HQ.

Latune: …Major Ingram, may I ask a question?

Ingram: What is it?

Latune: Princess Shine…what are your plans with regards to Princess Shine Hausen…?

Ingram: If we can confirm she’s alive, we’ll save her.

Latune: …Understood.

Ingram: OK…the Hagane and Hiryu leave in one hour. Be ready.

Kyosuke: Roger.

Tasuku: …Hey, Bullet. Who’s the new girl?

Bullet: Her? I’ve never seen her before…

Kuro: That girl is Latune, meow.

Bullet: Wha? Really!?

Shiro: Yup.

Tasuku: She’s so much cuter with glasses instead of those goggles.

Garnet: Looks like my makeover helped after all.

Tasuku: With or without that costume, Latune is cute. I can’t believe I didn’t notice her before.

Leona: …Is appearance the only thing you notice about a woman?

Tasuku: Hey, I care about a lot more than that.

Garnet: Yeah, like…her measurements, right?

Tasuku: Exactly.

Leona: …You’re terrible.

Tasuku: I was joking.

Rio: Anyway, Latune…where’s you get those?

Latune: From the Princess…she said they suited me…

Rio: I see…

Latune: I wasn’t able to show her how I looked in them, though…

Rio: Don’t worry…we’ll save her.

Latune: Yes…

Hiryu Kai – Bridge

Eun: We are approaching the Takla Makan Desert.

Sean: Wait…don’t you mean Takuma Rakan Desert?

Eun: No, it’s the Takla Makan…uh oh!

Sean: Heh heh heh, I’m just kidding. We’re in the right place…

Sean: If you’re sure that’s the Takla Makan.

Eun: …I believe so…

Lefina: U-Um…XO?

Sean: Just trying to lighten the mood. But seriously, Eun…any hostiles?

Eun: …Nothing, sir.

Sean: …Hm. Any time now, I imagine…

Lefina: You think they’re waiting for us?

Sean: Yes. If I were their commander, I would defend Central Asia.

Sean: We might even run into the remaining UCC forces.

Lune: In that case, I should scout ahead.

Lefina: What…!? By yourself?

Masaki: …No, I’m going too.

Lune: ! Masaki…

Masaki: Our mechs are equipped with the Cyflash and Psyblaster.

Lefina: It’s too dangerous. If the DC see you, they’ll attack.

Lune: Probably. The Cybuster did go up against the Granzon…

Masaki: And she’s the daughter of the DC Commander.

Lefina: I know, but there’s only two of you…

Sean: Still…I think some reconnaissance is a good idea. Because…

Masaki: We’ll draw the eager ones out, right?

Sean: Yes. So, you two will be…our bait.

Lune: Fine with me.

Lefina:Okay, but if you get in over your heads, you have to retreat.

Masaki: Yeah, don’t worry about it.

Hiryu Kai – Hangar

Lune: Thanks for coming with me, Masaki. Sorry if I forced you.

Masaki: Nah, I have some business of my own with the DC.

Lune: I see…trying to cover up how worried you are, huh?

Masaki: About the princess, maybe…I know you can take care of yourself.

Masaki: Besides, I don’t want you to take down the DC without me…

Lune: Is that so…

Masaki: What’s up? Let’s move already!

Lune: Hey, wait up!

Hiryu Kai – Bridge

Lefina: You want to utilize the Huckebein 008L?

Katina: If we use that mech, it would really enhance our forces…

Sean: But, the 008L was sealed away after its counterpart caused that accident.

Sean: I don’t think there’d be a reliable way to use it.

Katina: …..

Lefina: …I guess the Lieutenant is still as ill-tempered as ever.

Sean: It’s a matter of pride. Pilots for those kinds of mechs have to be skilled.

Lefina: Well, she’s not that bad…

Sean: (Even so, the top brass wouldn’t trust us with two superweapons…)

Hiryu Kai – Hangar

Russel: Um…excuse me. Have either of you seen Lt. Katina?

Leona: No, I haven’t.

Russel: I see…

Garnet: …I’m really sorry, Russel.

Russel: For what?

Garnet: Isn’t it hard for you, working under Lt. Katina?

Russel: Heh…I’m used to it now.

Leona: If you ask me, she’s not fit for her position.

Garnet: …That was certainly frank.

Leona: It’s true.

Russel: Well…she does have her good points.

Garnet: I see. I suppose she takes good care of Tasuku.

Leona: That’s actually her method of punishment. Just the other day…

Garnet: My, Leona…seems like you’ve been keeping a close eye on him.

Leona: N-Not really…

Katina: (…I don’t get it…do the Captain and the XO think I’m not experienced enough?)

Russel: Oh, Lt. Katina…anything wrong?

Katina: …It’s nothing.

Katina: Huh? The Cybuster and Valsione just took off!

Russel: Those two were assigned to reconnaissance.

Katina: Reconnaissance…

Katina: Ready my mech! I’m going!!

Russel: What!?

Garnet: W-Wait, Lieutenant! What are you doing!?

Chapter 26: His Resolve

Takla Makan Desert

Masaki: Kuro, you see anything?

Kuro: Something in the area is jamming us.

Masaki: Jamming?

Lune: I doubt it’s a coincidence. Look alive.

Shiro: Right.

Kuro: Don’t jinx it…what if an enemy really shows up?

*As if on cue…*

Kuro: See, told you so!

Shiro: Oh c’mon, it’s not our fault!

Siebel: Tch…I didn’t expect to run into them in the drop zone.

Siebel: But, defeating those two will allow me to gain points with the DC…

Siebel: (And, once Adler and Sanger are out of the picture…)

Siebel: (I’ll be the new DC Commander…!)

Kuro: What now, Masaki!?

Masaki: Hold ‘em off until the Hagane and Hiryu get here. OK, Lune?

Lune: Alright! I’m going to settle this with the DC on my own terms!

Masaki: Hey hey, you mean “we” and “our”…right?

Lune: Huh?

Masaki: I told you. I have my own score to settle with the DC.

Lune: …..

Masaki: Nothing good has happened since they showed up.

Shiro: Yeah. We’ve circled the Earth enough times looking for them…

Kuro: Shiro, don’t poke the bear.

Masaki: Anyway! I don’t know what they want, but I won’t let them have it!

Lune: OK, Masaki.

Masaki: Alright…let’s do this!

*Conditions shown, Battle Starts*

*Turn 2 Enemy Phase, Ambush units surround the Valsione*

Lune: ! I’m surrounded!?

Masaki: They’re going for the Valsione…!

Siebel: (Bian’s daughter…she’ll only get in my way.)

Siebel: (That makes her my primary target…*chuckle*)

Siebel: Attention! Focus all fire on the Valsione!

Lune: You dirty–! Try facing me like a real man!!

Siebel: I’m not like Sanger, my dear…there are no rules in war.

Siebel: Victory is the only factor that means anything.

Lune: And you’re supposed to be a Commander!? All you did was surround me!

Lune: You call that a strategy!?

Kuro: …I would advise against making him angry.

Lune: Don’t worry. That’s how you defeat people like him.

Siebel: …Y-You little…! You‘re nothing!

*More enemies appear*

Kuro: Figures…

Lune: Predictable…!

Masaki: Well, looks like someone could use a new strategy.

Lune: Obviously!

Siebel: Why I…! Crush the Valsione immediately!!

*Battle resumes*

*Turn 3 Player Phase, Gespenst MK-II arrives*

Masaki: I wasn’t expecting backup to arrive so soon! Who is that!?

Katina: I knew you’d get yourself into a jam!

Masaki: Katina! You came alone!?

Katina: I came to get results! I don’t know how you expected to do this on your own!

Lune: …Speak for yourself.

Siebel: *chuckle* Don’t worry. You’ll be gone long before backup arrives!

*Even more enemies appear*

Shiro: Not again!

Masaki: What happened to a careful and strategic approach?

Katina: That’s OK. I like it better this way.

Katina: Would you rather turn tail and run?

Lune: Never! I’m going to settle this with Siebel right now!

*Another Gespenst MK-II appears*

Russel: Lt. Katina!

Katina: Russel!?

Russel: I’m here to assist you!

Katina: What are you saying!? You’re disobeying orders too!?

Katina: I don’t need your help! Return to the ship!

Russel: …I am your subordinate. I will serve by your side.

Katina: Russel, you…

Kuro: Masaki, we received word from the Hagane! One minute to their arrival!

Masaki: OK, everyone! Just hang in there a little longer!

*Battle resumes*

*Turn 4 Player Phase, Battleship arrives, Alteisen deploys, Prep screen, Units deploy*

Kyosuke: Made it in time…! Everyone’s still alive.

Katina: Kyosuke…!

Kyosuke: Lieutenant, you’ve gone too far this time…

Katina: Tch, you’re hardly one to talk to me that way.

Siebel: Their command ship is vulnerable! Bring it down!!

Siebel: That would ensure my status in the DC!

Excellen: Only that idiot would say that kind of thing out loud.

Excellen: Men should shut up, and do what they’re saying, y’know?

Bullet: Lieutenant…that statement is contradictory.

Siebel: …Your days of making a fool of me end here…!

Lune: Then, your cheap tricks will end here too!!

Leona: Siebel Mistral…

Siebel: Huh!? You’re…

Leona: Whether or not your life is worth saving…is something I’ll decide for myself.

Siebel: H-How dare you! You surrendered to the EFA!

Leona: I realized what I was meant to accomplish…

Leona: You’re too bind to see any part of the big picture.

{If Aya was deployed in the R-3}

Ingram: Aya, any problems with the R-3?

Aya: No. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.

*Conditions updated, Battle resumes*

*Turn 4 Enemy Phase, Grungust Type-0 and yet more enemies appear*

Siebel: Huh? That unit’s…!

UCC Captain: Lt. Col. Lily, we’ve finished our descent.

Lily: We’ll handle things here. Majors Sanger and Siebel are to head for the Earth Cradle.

Siebel: (That wretch…! Is she going to take all the credit for this…!?)

Sanger: No, I will take care of the enemy forces.

Sanger: Lt. Colonel, you should continue onward.

Lily: And leave you alone…!? Do you have a death wish!?

Sanger: I won’t die until my duty has been fulfilled.

Siebel: …I’m not leaving. I have a score to settle.

Lily: …Understood…I hope you both know what you’re doing…

*All reinforcements except Sanger leave*

Siebel: Sanger…I won’t let you take credit for this.

Sanger: Whatever you say.

Siebel: Hmph. I don’t trust you.

Sanger: I don’t want the credit. But remember…it’s every man for himself.

Siebel: That what I’ve always believed.

Excellen: Hey, Kyosuke. Isn’t that…?

Kyosuke: Yeah…no doubt about it.

Sanger: (Regardless of the current state of the DC…I cannot ignore my fate.)

Sanger: Listen well, warriors of the Hagane and Hiryu!

Sanger: My name is Sanger! Sanger Zonvolt! The sword that smites evil!!

Sanger: Unless you can overcome the power of my Type-0, I will not allow you to pass!!

Ryusei: Wh…Who’s this guy!? And that huge sword…being carried by a Grungust!?

Irm: It’s that new prototype with augmented sword abilities…

Leona: The Grungust Type-0, piloted by Major Sanger Zonvolt.

Masaki: ! Isn’t Sanger…!?

Excellen: Yup, the former leader of the ATX Team.

Rio: H-Him!?

Excellen: It’s been awhile…a long while. But he sure hasn’t changed.

Bullet: Major Sanger! There’s no reason for us to fight!

Sanger: Bullet…I thought I taught you that once you step into battle…

Sanger: Your only concern is victory!!

Bullet: But, we should be working together to fight the Aerogaters!! With our combined strength…

Sanger: Enough talk! If that’s what you believe, then back it up with your actions!!

Bullet: !!

Excellen: …Bullet. Can’t you see you’re not going to convince him?

Bullet: B-But!!

Kyosuke: That’s enough, Bullet. I’ll settle things with Sanger.

Sanger: As you wish. Come then, Kyosuke Nanbu!!

Kyosuke: Let’s do this, Sanger…!

*CG showdown between Alt and Type-0, Conditions update, Battle resumes*

{Masaki VS Siebel}

Masaki: You guys won’t stop us!!

Siebel: I am tired of being a mere battle commander.

Siebel: Once I succeed where Bian had failed, my status will be assured!

Masaki: You’re doing this just to get promoted!? Pathetic!

{Lune VS Siebel}

Siebel: If I let you live, you’ll interfere with MY DC!

Lune: You’re getting a little ahead of yourself, Siebel!

Lune: Besides, there won’t be a DC left once we’re finished!

{Katina VS Siebel}

Katina: I remember you from space! I should thank you for all you’ve done!

Siebel: Enough!

{Rai VS Siebel}

Rai: Looks like you chose the wrong path, Siebel Mistel…

Siebel: That’s big talk coming from a traitor to the UCC!

Rai: I abandoned the Branstein name before the war had even begun. You wouldn’t understand…!

{Leona VS Siebel}

Siebel: If you agree to come back with me, you don’t have to die…

Leona: I might have extended the same offer to you once.

Siebel: What?

Leona: Your fate was sealed as soon as you abandoned the UCC!

{Excellen VS Siebel}

Excellen: Why hello, Mr. UCC remnant.

Siebel: I won’t let a female like you address me like that…!

Excellen: I just did…let’s see you do something about it!

{Kyosuke VS Sanger}

Sanger: To meet me head-on in battle…I thought my Master was the only one who had the courage…

Kyosuke: …I’m nothing special. Anybody can be brave if they want to be.

Sanger: Yet, the government…and the EOT Council didn’t even try to stand up to the aliens.

Kyosuke: …Is that why the DC betrayed us?

Sanger: Enough. You don’t fully understand everything that’s happened…

Sanger: And I refuse to say anything more! Now we fight…!

Kyosuke: …..

{Excellen VS Sanger}

Excellen: Hey, Boss. How are things?

Sanger: …I see you haven’t changed.

Excellen: Oh, I have. Isn’t that what you wanted?

Sanger: …In some ways you’re more perceptive than Kyosuke. Pairing you two together seems to have paid off.

Sanger: But, enough talk. Let’s see how much you’ve improved…!

Excellen: Even if you didn’t answer my question, I’m ready, Boss!

{Bullet VS Sanger}

Bullet: Major! Talk some sense into the DC!!

Bullet: We humans need to unite, and start fighting together!

Sanger: You’re too soft, Bullet!

Bullet: !

Sanger: You’re too weak to defeat them, no matter your numbers!

Sanger: Your entire team can barely stand up to me!

Bullet: Major Sanger! Are the aliens your enemy!? Or are we!?

Sanger: You are!!

Bullet: Tch…! Then, I don’t think we have a choice..I’ll beat you!!

Bullet: I’ll follow the path I believe in!!

Sanger: That’s more like it! Now’s your chance, Brooklyn Luckfield!

{Leona VS Sanger}

Leona: I’ve found my purpose, Major Sanger!

Leona: And I believe that I’m making the correct decision…!

Sanger: …You’d stake the Garstein family name on this?

Leona: Yes…!

Sanger: Very well. Let’s see what fate has in store for us!

Leona: Are you saying Major Elzam–no, Elzam thinks the same way!?

Sanger: No more questions! If you’ve chosen your path…it no longer matters!

Leona: …!

{Defeat Sanger with Bullet}

Sanger: Well fought, Bullet. Defeating my Type-0 in combat…!

Bullet: Major! I understand where my path will lead!

Bullet: So I won’t kill you! You have to help us fight the aliens!

Sanger: …I still have a mission to accomplish.

Bullet: A mission!?

Sanger: Bullet! Geneva is a more fitting stage for our final battle!!

Bullet: Major!!

{If Kyosuke defeats Sanger}

Sanger: Tch…! You managed to defeat the Type-0, Kyosuke!

Kyosuke: …This is where it ends…! It’s over Sanger!

{Continuation of the previous condition, or if anyone besides Kyosuke or Bullet defeats Sanger}

Sanger: …You were able to stand against me after all. …Good. Otherwise, you would have been weaker than we anticipated.

Kyosuke: I told you I would settle this…so drop the self-righteous act…!

Sanger: …The EFA could use more people like you…

Sanger: But, my mission is to stand in your way…!

Kyosuke: If you just want to die…I can make that happen, Sanger…!

Sanger: That can wait…! A stage better suited for our battle…would be Geneva!!

*Regardless of who defeats him, the Type-0 explodes and Sanger retreats*

Kyosuke: Sanger…!

Siebel: Hmph, nothing but talk. But, that’s typical…now kill them all!!

*Kill Siebel*

Siebel: N-No!!

Siebel: I didn’t survive the entire DC war just to die here!

Siebel: I-I was supposed to outlive Bian and Adler…I was supposed to lead the DC…!

Siebel: I-It’s not supposed to happen like this…!

Siebel: This isn’t…Uaaaaagh!!!

*Stage ends upon his death*

Hiryu Kai – Hangar

Katina: Ouch! R-Russel…what the…heck!

Russel: …..

Garnet: H-Hey, Russel! What’s going on!?

Giado: Did…did he jus’ hit de Lieutenant?

Excellen: …Hoo boy. I think Russel finally snapped.

Excellen: Shouldn’t we do something, Kyosuke?

Kyosuke: It’s probably best not to get involved. …And I’m sure Russel had a good reason to do that.

Katina: Russel…!

Russel: …I’m sorry. But, I have to…I have to make you listen to reason!

Russel: Stop being so selfish. You’re not the only person fighting this war.

Katina: …..

Russel: Now is not the time to be worrying about your track record or what mech you’re piloting.

Russel: We should be working together to be fighting the DC and the aliens.

Katina: …..

Russel: …It’s my job to protect you, and I intend to do it.

Russel: But, if you won’t let me…then there’s nothing I can do!

Katina: …..

Katina: …You’re right, Russel. It was my fault…

Russel: Lieutenant…

Excellen: …I guess everything is settled.

Kyosuke: Yup.

Excellen: Well, I still think they work well together…wouldn’t you agree?

Kyosuke: Yeah. And I’m glad Russel can stand up for his beliefs.

Excellen: I guess, even though it took physical pain to get her to listen.

Excellen: Hey, Kyosuke…would you keep…me in line like that?

Kyosuke: Too much trouble. Besides, I think Radha’s yoga does the job just fine.

Excellen: *sigh*

Bullet: …..

Excellen: Something wrong, Bullet?

Bullet: Nothing’s changed…Major Sanger is still our enemy…

Excellen: That isn’t your fault. Once he’s decided on something, he sees it through to the end.

Excellen: Still, you have to believe in him, Bullet.

Bullet: …What do you mean?

Kyosuke: …He mentioned a more fitting stage for battle…

Kyosuke: So, my guess is that the DC forces are aiming for Geneva.

Bullet: Oh…

Masaki: Why would the old man drop a hint to the DC’s final objective?

Excellen: Well, Masa…the boss isn’t twenty anymore. In fact he’s almost thirty.

Masaki: …That IS old.

Excellen: I don’t think he’d be happy that you said that.

Bullet: …Do you have any idea what he’s planning, Kyosuke?

Kyosuke: I have a hunch. But, who knows if I’m right.

Kyosuke: The only way to find out is to go to Geneva ourselves…

Earth Cradle – Command Center

Adler: …Siebel is a casualty then?

Lily: ….

Adler: Hm…no matter. He was unimportant.

Tenzan: (Like you’re one to talk.)

Hans: …Is the Geneva plan on schedule?

Adler: Of course. As soon as the princess is ready…and her specialized mech…

Adler: The day of my rise to power is nearly here….Keheheheh.

Tenzan: Yo, old man. Unit number one or number three…give me one of them.

Adler: What?

Tenzan: Tempest Hawker is the pilot for unit two, right?

Tenzan: So, give me one of the others. I’ll be able to kill anyone who stands in my way.

Adler: (Hmmm…it’s still too early to put Shine in the GEIM System…)

Adler: (But, he might be able to handle it for the time being.)

Adler: (Besides, he was recruited to gather data…)

Adler: (He and Hawker are expendable anyways.)

Adler: Alright. I’ll give you unit three.

Tenzan: Awesome! Leave it to me!

Adler: Hans, Lily…not much time has passed since you joined the DC.

Adler: Prove your loyalty by stopping the Hiryu and Hagane. Got it?

Lily: …Understood.

Hans: Yes, sir…

Earth Cradle – Hibernation Chamber

Sophia: Dr. Feff…how long are you planning on keeping the DC at the Cradle?

Egret: …..

Sophia: It will be targeted by both the EFA and the aliens.

Sophia: You’re risking humanity’s future on this. And I believe you’re making a mistake.

Egret: But, the Cradle’s main computer, Magus Gebo…the Machine Cell for Earth regeneration…

Egret: And the Machine Children for defense all have yet to be completed.

Egret: That’s why we need Adler to be the Keeper of the Cradle.

Sophia: But…

Egret: Heheheh…don’t worry. Once the battle begins, we’ll close the Gate of Magus.

Sophia: You don’t mean…

Egret: Yes…the Earth Cradle is ours.

Egret: The EFA, DC, and EOT Council…they’re all out of luck…

Sophia: …..

Earth Cradle – Command Center

Soldier: …Major Sanger, we’ve repaired your Grungust Type-0.

Sanger: Excellent.

Soldier: …Anywhere other than the Earth Cradle, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Soldier: What happened? Who did so much damage to the Type-0…?

Sanger: …My former subordinates.

Soldier: …..

Sanger: I can take it from here. Get some rest.

Soldier: Yes sir.

Sanger: (… I know Kyosuke is headed for Geneva…)

Sanger: (…Then, this place will not be a war zone. Good.)

Sophia: …I guess you aren’t going to stop this nonsense.

Sanger: You must be…the one in charge here…

Sophia: Yes, I am Sophia Nate.

Sanger: Please don’t worry, Dr. Nate. We won’t fight at the Earth Cradle.

Sophia: Huh…?

Sanger: Things may get rough…but we’ll keep them under control.

Sophia: …Aliens are threatening all of mankind…

Sophia: Why are people wasting time fighting each other?

Sanger: …..

Sophia: …Is this what happens when we try to plan for the future…?

Sophia: We’ve chosen cryogenic stasis in the Earth Cradle.

Sophia: Yet Adler Koch has proposed armed unification…we can’t have it both ways.

Sophia: So…

Sanger: …Dr. Nate. I have a mission that must be completed.

Sophia: What mission?

Sanger: Like you, I must follow what I believe in…

Sanger: To ensure mankind’s survival…that is my mission.

Sophia: …Isn’t that just an excuse for humans to continue fighting?

Sanger: Maybe. But…I don’t need you to understand my mission.

Sanger: Though as part of my mission, I will defend the Cradle with my life if necessary.

Sanger: So you need not worry about that.

Sophia: …..

His Resolve End

Previous Chapter: Viper Fangs | Next Chapter: GEIM System