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Aidoneus Island – DC HQ

Bian: As for our operations in north…I hear it’s been difficult, Van Vat Tran.

Van: Yes…Although Langley has fallen, we have yet to gain control over all of North America.

Van: It looks as though we will have to fight a long-term battle with the EFA. I will strengthen our network of anti-federation forces, and further shake them up from the outside.

Van: I shall inform you when I have accomplished this task.

Bian: Heheheh…I’m glad to see you so confident.

Van: …You are the one who will carry this world into the future, sir. In order to free the people from the oppression of the government…I will continue to play my part in all this.

Bian: After the fight is over…we also have to do the work of managing this world. We cannot only think about winning the war.

Van: Of course…when that time comes…

Bian: Very well. I await the results of your battle, Van.

Lorenzo: …Commander Bian.

Bian: Lorenzo, what is the UCC’s progress on Operation Moruroa?¹

Lorenzo: It is going very well. We can move into the final phase today.

Bian: Is that so? Then tell Maier that I will see him in Geneva.

Lorenzo: As you wish.

Bian: …Alder, where is the Hiryu Custom heading?

Alder: The Hiryu…you mean the former space expedition ship?

Alder: I don’t believe it will pose a problem to you, sir…

Bian: Elzam reported that the ex-Aggressor Sanger Zonvolt is aboard it.

Adler: Test pilots in prototype mechs are no match for us, sir.

Bian: But, they also have the Type-0 and Tesla Drive-equipped PTs, don’t they?

Adler: W-With all due respect, sir…you were the one who gave TLI the spec data, correct?

Adler: I often wonder why you did that…

Bian: Because I wanted a certain balance of power to be maintained in the future. In order for the Earth to have a dominant ISA force.

Adler: Our Storks and the Killer Whales aren’t enough to fulfill that role?

Bian: What we need is superior technology to outfit our mechs and vehicles.

Bian: And it is best created by those who are in a disadvantageous position during times of unrest…

Bian: For people tend to grow stronger during times of adversity.

Adler: (Our leader is counting on the enemy to supply a vital part of his army…? How foolish.)

Bian: Adler…find out where the Hiryu is headed and send Elzam there.

Bian: …And remind him not to forget his purpose.

Adler: Y-Yes, sir.

Hiryu Kai – Bridge

Lefina: …..

Sanger: All by yourself, Captain?

Lefina: Yes, I wanted the crew to get some rest…

Lefina: We haven’t fully recovered…from what happened…

Sanger: …Captain you were right to do what you did.

Sanger: But…when victory is crucial, you must be ready to draw your sword…

Sanger: If your blade exists but is never drawn, there is no point in having it.

Sanger: In order to use your weapon properly, you must steady your mind.

Lefina: …What are you trying to say, Major?

Sanger: With all due respect, you seem afraid to fight.

Lefina: …You see everything, don’t you…?

Lefina: You’re right…I must be resolved to fulfill my duties as captain…

Lefina: …But…

Sanger: …If you don’t defeat your enemies, you will surely die.

Lefina: Major Sanger…how is it that you’re so strong…?

Sanger: I’m not strong…I just don’t know how to run.

Sanger: That’s why I fight…Many think THAT is strength.

Sanger: But…I am no stronger than the commanders who sacrificed themselves to save us.

Lefina: Was it the right decision…to leave Langley?

Sanger: If we did not leave, we would all be dead by now.

Lefina: Thank you. I feel better hearing you say that…

Sanger: …..

Sanger: (The EFA can’t defeat the DC and the UCC as it stands…)

Sanger: (This will be the greatest war the world has ever known.)

Sanger: (…We need a breakthrough…something dramatic…)

Hiryu Kai – Briefing Room

Tasuku: I don’t know much about the Manhattan Crater.

Bullet: Well, the area is still off limits.

Tasuku: Which means you don’t know much about it, either.

Bullet: I know more about it than you do…!

Excellen: Okaaaaay, Miss Browning’s class is in session! I will explain about the crater…

Excellen: Now…over 100 years ago, meteors hit New York and Moscow.

Russel: Meteor 1 and Meteor 2, right?

Excellen: Oooh, very good Russel. I’m proud of you!

Katina: What are you talking about? Everyone knows that.

Katina: Meteors 1 and 2…they devastated New York, Washington DC, and Moscow.

Katina: But those cities were never rebuilt, right?

Excellen: Well, I guess today’s lesson is over, class.

Russel: …And then Meteor 3 fell on Aidoneus Island a few years back…

Russel: All three meteors must be connected somehow.

Tasuku: That doesn’t make sense. If the Aerogaters sent Meteor 1 and 2…

Tasuku: Then why’d they wait a century to finally invade?

Katina: He has a point. They don’t seem very patient to me.

Kyosuke:(The Aerogaters…Meteor 3…an invasion…)

Kyosuke: (Now I see things clearer.)

Kyosuke: (The bug-like mechs we encountered…were mobile weapons with extra-terrestrial intelligence.

Kyosuke: (Then, Project AXT…No, all PTs and AMs were created to fight them…)

Kyosuke: (Our true enemies aren’t the DC or the UCC…)

Kyosuke: (It’s the Aerogaters. It’s hard to believe though…)

Excellen: Hm? What’s wrong, Kyosuke?

Kyosuke: Oh, nothing.

Kyosuke: (But..is that really the case? I need more info on this…)

Excellen: Let’s leave him alone for now…

Excellen: Anyways, the remaining EFA forces are gathering at the Manhattan Crater…

Excellen: So that’s where we’re going too.

Excellen: To honor the courage of Commander Greg and the others.

Katina; …Tch, there’s no courage or honor in dying…

Kyosuke: …..

*Alert Sounds*

Katina: ! What!?

Hiryu Kai – Bridge

Lefina: Are you sure!?

Eun: Yes ma’am! There’s a battle taking place at the Manhattan Crater!

Sean: They were lying in wait…and we couldn’t know that, because satellite imagery is down.

Lefina: XO, flank speed to the rendezvous point! Deploy all units!

Sean: Yes ma’am.

Sean: (…I wonder if our delay will turn out to be good or bad.)

Chapter 8: Separation

Manhattan Crater

Operator: C-Captian! W-We’re the only survivors!

EFA Captain: N-Nonsense! The entire fleet…was annihilated…!?

EFA Captain: By that small number of enemy units…!?

Tenzan: Ahaha…sorry, we don’t take prisoners.

Tempest: Blame it on the EFA if you’d like…

Tenzan: It’s game over for you all!

EFA Captain: Aaauuuggghhh!!

*All EFA forces are wiped out*

Tempest: All done. Now…time to fight the Hiryu Custom…

Tempest: No, time to fight Sanger Zonvolt!

*Speak of the devil*

Lefina: Wh-What…!?

Eun: The entire fleet was annihilated….!

Sean: We were too late…!

Sanger: This is Assault 1! Deploy the ATX Team!!

*Type-0 deploys, prep screen, remaining units deploy*

Excellen: Ayayay…they completely wiped them out?

Kyosuke: Efficient as always.

Sanger: …They knew our plan…!

Tempest: Your comrades aren’t here…

Tempest: So I’ll send you to hell to see them!

Sanger: Major Tempest…!

Sanger: You will only weaken the Earth’s defense forces if you destroy us…don’t you understand that!?

Tempest: The EFA is no match for the Aerogaters anyway…

Tempest: Only the DC forces led by Commander Bian can save the Earth.

Tempest: However…my only concern is to destroy the EFA.

Tenzan: I’m just here to enjoy the game.

Sanger: So then, you only care about having fun…!

Tenzan: Ha! You’re pretty cool. Too bad you’re my opponent.

Tempest: Sanger…you have no right to preach to me when you fight for the corrupt EFA.

Tempest: You cannot comprehend the vision of Commanders Maier and Bian.

Kyosuke: He thinks he knows everything.

Excellen: But the DC…it sounds like they have an entirely different reason for fighting.

Sanger: Assault 1 to all units! We can’t expect reinforcements. We must deal with the situation ourselves!

Katina: Good! That’s what I planned to do all along!

Excellen: OK!

Bullet: Assault 3, roger!

Russel: Octo 2, roger!

Tempest: …How foolish of you, Sanger. That fleet was your only hope.

Tempest: You have no lifeline now. Why fight?

Sanger: …That’s exactly why.

Tempest: Very well.

Sanger: Tempest…! Remember, the cornered rat will bite the cat!

Kyosuke: (But, we must also plan for retreat…)

Kyosuke: (I’m sure the Major’s looking for a way out.)

*Conditions shown, battle starts*

{Tempest VS Sanger}

Sanger: …..

Tempest: Anything you want to say, Sanger? Your EFA lifeline is gone…there’s no hope for you now.

Sanger: There is no need for words…my enemy is in front of me…!

{Defeat Tempest}

Tempest: Agh! You got me…!

Tempest: I have no choice…I must escape!

*Guarlion destroyed, Tempest escapes*

Tenzan: Wait, what? And you call yourself an Aggressor! That makes me laugh!

Tenzan: Oh, well…that leaves more for me…

*Message arrives*

Tenzan: What…? A AAA-class order…?

Tenzan: You gotta be kidding! A direct order from our commander to retreat!?

Tenzan: …..

Tenzan: I have no choice. Adler’ll have my head if I don’t.

Tenzan: Whelp…see ya, Hiryu Kai! I gotta go!

*Tenzan retreats*

{Or defeat Tenzan}

Tenzan: Tch! Game Over already!? I guess I’d better go, then!

*Guarlion explodes, Tenzan escapes*

Tempest: Tenzan…all you’re good at is running your mouth. As expected of a civilian-turned-pilot.

*Message arrives*

Tempest: What…? A AAA-class order…?

Tempest: A direct order from Commander Bian…he wants us to retreat…?

Tempest: …I have no choice. I’ll deal with you next time…!

*Tempest retreats*

*Either way…*

Eun: They’re retreating!

Lefina: But…why?

Sean: I don’t think…that they intend to let us go free.

Lefina: !

*Guarlion Trombe and others appear, cue Override*

Katina: Tch! We’re being ambushed!!

Bullet: Something’s not right! If these guys are reinforcements, why did the others retreat!?

Excellen: Maybe it was a sacrifice bunt?

Bullet: But who were they sending!?

Excellen: Uhhh, us to our doom?

Kyosuke: A trap? Or…

Elzam: So that’s the Hiryu Kai…and Sanger Zonvolt with the ATX Team.

Sanger: !! The emblem on that black mech…!?

Elzam: It’s been a long time, friend.

Sanger: Elzam V. Branstein…it IS you.

Elzam: Once members of the Aggressors, now enemies…how ironic.

Sanger: Indeed. If Colonel Kar-Wai Lau could see us now, he would be ashamed.

Elzam: Still…he taught us about the alien threat by risking his life.

Elzam: He also taught us that the EFA’s not capable of defeating it.

Sanger: But, you’re creating chaos in the world by fighting the EFA…

Sanger: You realize that, don’t you.

Elzam: Of course I do.

Sanger: …!

Bullet: Why is the Major talking to the enemy…!?

Kyosuke: …A former comrade…? Then, it must be…!

Excellen: Hey, the emblem on that black mech…

Excellen: Isn’t it the same emblem of the Branstein family?

Katina: ! Branstein…!?

Bullet: I’ve heard that name before…

Katina: Of course you have! That’s the name of the UUC Commander!

Bullet: Ah…!!

Sean: No doubt about it. That’s Elzam V. Branstein…

Sean: The ace pilot of the Aggressors and eldest son of the UCC Commander, Maier V. Branstein.

Kyosuke: (The Major’s former comrade.)

Excellen: He’s the elite of the elite. Got that, Mr. Bullet?

Bullet: Y-Yes ma’am…!

Excellen: He’s quite a pinch hitter.

Kyosuke: They want to destroy us here at all costs…Major!

Sanger: Don’t worry. We’ll defeat anyone who stands in our way…!

Elzam: You never change, Sanger…

Sanger: This is Assault 1. I’ll hold them. Get the Hiryu Kai out of this area immediately!

Lefina: Huh!?

Sanger: Captain, they’re going to keep coming. And that man alone is hard enough to kill…!

Sanger: Just go and let me handle this…

Kyosuke: No…we’re staying, Major.

Kyosuke: …We can seriously weaken the UCC by defeating him.

Elzam: That’s true. But, it’s not enough. You’re actions are too much of a gamble, rookie…think it through.

Kyosuke: The more you think with your head alone, the less you end up understanding.

Kyosuke: I have one mission, to defeat my enemy.

Elzam: That’s quite the steadfast nature…though not very intelligent.

Excellen: Kyosuke’s not really a thinker…

Excellen: This guy’s quite interesting. Don’t you think, Bullet?

Bullet: I won’t…I won’t run this time. I’ll fight…I’ll fight my way out!

Excellen: Well, this young man is ready to fight. I guess there’s no turning back now.

Elzam: Heh…you’ve got a good crew there, Sanger.

Sanger: …yes, but that’s not enough…to survive the impending battle.

Elzam: Then, what is? Only battle-tested soldiers can defeat the Aerogaters.

Elzam: Our idealism alone isn’t enough of a “dramatic trial” to prepare them.

Sanger: …!

Elzam: Now, you have a choice…

Elzam: Surrender, or die. Choose well.

Sanger: Elzam, you…!

Elzam: Can’t choose, Sanger? Then, you over there…which do you choose?

Kyosuke: Neither. I’m here to fight. If I lose…

Kyosuke: I’m prepared to die.

Elzam: Good answer. Then, your fates are sealed…prepare for this!

*Conditions update, battle resumes*

{Elzam VS Sanger}

Sanger: Elzam!

Elzam: Why do you hesitate, Sanger?

Sanger: What…!?

Elzam: You’re a simple man. You’re fighting style tells all.

Elzam: …You know full well, don’t you? We’ll never survive an alien invasion this way.

Sanger: …!

*Defeat Elzam*

Elzam: To have defeated my Trombe…I see how you’ve managed to survive for so long…!

Sanger: But, you weren’t fighting me with all your might…!

Elzam: Ha…unfortunately, I’m not good enough to hold back on you.

Sanger: …What are you hiding from me, Elzam…!?

Kyosuke: …Sir? What are you thinking…?

Sanger: Elzam, what are you trying to do? What are you trying to tell me?

Elzam: …If you really want to know…then I’ll tell you.

*Guarlion Trombe destroyed, Elzam escapes*

Sanger: …..

Excellen: Oops, he got away. Hey boss! You’ve got some explaining to do…

Sanger: …I see. So that’s what you wanted, Elzam…

Sanger: You’ve chosen to walk a thorny path…

Kyosuke: …Major?

Sanger: Kyosuke, I…I must go after Elzam.

Kyosuke: Major, we shouldn’t risk it. We’ve got to evacuate this sector…

Sanger: …I now know what I must do.

Kyosuke: !?

Excellen: Uh, boss? Is he serious, Kyosuke!?

Kyosuke: What is this!? Major! What are you…!

Sanger: …Take care of the others, Kyosuke.

*Sanger leaves*

Eun: Assault 1, do you copy!? Assault 1, respond!

Lefina: Major Sanger, why…!?

Eun: It’s no good…! We’ve lost Assault 1…!

Katina: The…Major’s betrayed us!?

Bullet: Don’t be ridiculous, Lieutenant!!

Bullet: The Major would never do such a thing! That’s just not possible!!

Katina: …I hope you’re right.

Lefina: Flank speed! Head for where the Type 0 disappeared!

Sean: Wait, Captain. What if we’re surrounded by enemies?

Lefina: But, we can’t just leave the Major!

Sean: From the way he sounded…

Excellen: …Kyosuke.

Kyosuke: Yeah, he may…

Sean: …Not be coming back…

Lefina: N-No…

Kyosuke: …..

Excellen: Kyosuke, the boss…I mean, Major Sanger doesn’t make rash decisions like that…

Excellen: I’m sure he has something in mind.

Kyosuke: …I know. But…

Sean: Captain, we must evacuate from here.

Sean: This area is already under the control of the DC.

Lefina: …..

Eun: XO, there’s an encrypted message!

Sean: Encrypted…? From who?

Eun: I don’t know, I’m having trouble decoding it…

Gilliam: Hiryu Kai, do you read? This is Major Gilliam Yager.

Gilliam: I repeat. This is…

Sean: Gilliam…Major Gilliam Yager?

Lefina: You know him?

Sean: Yes…just like Major Sanger and Major Elzam…

Sean: He was a member of the Aggressors.

Lefina: …!

Separation End

¹ Moruroa is a location in France used for nuclear weapons testing.

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