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Aidoneus Island
DC Soldier: The 8th Panzer Division took over Barlane Base. They’re now taking out the remaining enemy forces.
DC Soldier: We got another request from the EOT Council. I sent them the Archive Eater virus.
Bian: As for our operations in the north…I hear it’s been difficult, Van Vat Tran.
Van: Yes…not all of North America is in our hands.
Van: I hope that my next report will be more favorable.
Bian: Very well. I await the results of your battle, Van.
Van: Yes sir…
Lorenzo: Commander Bian…
Bian: Lorenzo, what is the UCC’s progress on Operation Moruroa?*
Lorenzo: It is going very well. We can move into the final phase in four days.
Bian: Is that so? Then tell Maier that I will see him in Geneva.
Lorenzo: As you wish.
Bian: Adler, what is the status of Izu Base?
Adler: They’re readying their second Noah-class battleship and gathering PTs, sir.
Bian: Heh heh heh… so they’re readying themselves for a war.
Adler: Sir, Commander Laker is not to be underestimated.
Adler: He successfully negotiated to have Project SRX developed in Japan…
Adler: And he put the 2nd Noah-class ship under his jurisdiction.
Lorenzo: You give them too much credit. Our forces are ready to break the Far East Brigade.
Adler: Maybe so…but it will never do to be reckless.
Lorenzo: Like you are never reckless? You recruited that idiotic outsider Tenzan.
Adler: That wasn’t a mistake…he has the skills we needed.
Lorenzo: That said, I’m not impressed with how you tipped your hand before playing it.
Bian: Colonel…that was an order I gave out. Say no more about it.
Lorenzo: Yes, sir…
Bian: …Adler, now is the time. If we can seize Izu Base, we can obtain the Hagane and SRX Project prototypes.
Adler: Keheheh. Who will be leading this attack?
Bian: …Elzam.
Elzam: Sir.
Bian: I will give you a new AM, the Guarlion.
Bian: Use it to take out the Far East Base.
Elzam: Yes sir.
Bian: Tear through the battlefield with your “Black Tornado”.
Elzam: Yes, sir.
Adler: …..
Scene Shift – Izu Base – Laker’s office
Laker: …Captain Daitetsu, it’s been awhile. Have your wounds healed?
Daitetsu: …Not fully. But don’t worry, I don’t plan on dying.
Laker: I see…
Daitetsu: You called me here to talk about another battleship…the Hagane, correct?
Laker: Yes. It’s the 2nd Space Noah class combat carrier…
Laker: Currently, it’s being readied in the underground dock.
Laker: And, Daitetsu…I’d like you to be the captain of it.
Daitetsu: …Very well.
Tetsuya: What’s our attack target?
Laker: DC Headquarters, on Aidoneus Island.
Tetsuya: !!
Daitetsu: …With just the Hagane?
Laker: Yes. Being constructed as part of the ISA initiative, it was equipped with a Tesla Drive, which enables space navigation, atmospheric flight, submersible diving…
Laker: And with its stealth coating and Tronium Cannon, I believe it is our best option for attacking Aidoneus directly.
Daitetsu: …In other words, slip under the enemy’s eyes and cut their throat?
Laker: We believe that the DC and UCC will eventually target our own headquarters in Geneva…
Laker: So we’re going to attempt to strike their center first.
Daitetsu: I thought that the enemy was focused on suppressing resistance in Europe and North America.
Laker: That’s true, but we don’t have time for that. With how the UCC has conquered almost all of space…
Laker: They could launch attacks from above at any of our bases on Earth. We need to accomplish our goal before that.
Tetsuya: But can such a reckless…
Daitetsu: Perhaps the enemy won’t see it coming because it is so reckless… But there is one thing that worries me.
Laker: What is it?
Daitetsu: Where is the 3rd Noah-class battleship?
Laker: …The testing of the 3rd ship was conducted by the EOTI.
Laker: By now, it must be…
Daitetsu: …Right. Okay…let’s do the strategy with the Hagane.
Laker: …I’m sorry, Daitetsu. I’ve just placed a great burden on your shoulders.
Daitetsu: Don’t worry about it. I was the captain of the Hiryu when it was attacked by the Aerogaters…
Daitetsu: And now with all the men I’ve lost aboard the Shirogane…I’m ready to fight for all their sakes.
Tetsuya: Captain…
Daitetsu: Let’s go see our new ship, Vice-Captain.
Tetsuya: Yes sir.
Izu Base – Underground Hangar
Rob: Ryusei, let’s begin the R-1’s target adjustment.
Ryusei: Roger. Holograph targets, on.
Rob: I’ve sent you the data drones. Practice until you can lock onto them automatically.
Rob: Forget what you know about Burning PT.
Ryusei: I got it.
Rob: And remember, the R-1 has a faster response time than the Gespenst. So be careful—
*Blackout*
Ryusei: Aw come on! The main system went out again!
Ryusei: Will this thing ever work!?
Tech: The R-1’s system is down!
Rob: Shut off the main power and find out what the cause is.
Tech: The T-LINK System has been overloaded, sir.
Rob: What…? I never turned the TC-OS on. Are you sure about the TP level readings?
Tech: W-Well…I’ll check it again.
Rob: (Did it “react” to Ryusei…?)
Rob: (Or…could it be that the System is monitoring the pilot…?)
Rob: (Regardless, the R-1 isn’t ready yet…)
Izu Base – Briefing Room
Ryusei: The Wildraubtier?
Rob: Yes, it was the first variable Personal Trooper. And it’s the prototype the R-1 was based off of.
Ryusei: …..
Rob: What’s wrong? I thought you would be more excited.
Ryusei: …Rob, when do you think we can activate the R-1?
Ryusei: We gotta increase our forces, or Japan will be taken over by the DC…!
Rob: …Fine tuning the T-LINK System is taking time. It’s not usable as it is now.
Ryusei: T-LINK System…Oh yeah, that’s the supplementary system for the normal FCS control.
Rob: …You weren’t told anything else?
Ryusei: Nope. And it wasn’t mentioned in the manual either.
Rob: (…What’s going on? What reason could they have for not telling him the truth…?)
Irm: Ah, Ryusei. I heard you were taking the Raubtier?
Ryusei: Yeah.
Irm: Watch out. It has a history of crashing during its test runs.
Ryusei: Wh-What…!? Is that true, Rob!?
Rob: I’m afraid so…it has several problems with its variable system…
Irm: Yeah…poor Kyosuke had to test pilot that mech.
Irm: Though the real fault lies with Lieutenant Colonel Hans Weber…
Ryusei: Lt. Col. Weber…that old grouch?
Irm: Hey, watch what you say.
Irm: That old grouch has demoted a lot of guys he didn’t like.
Rob: Irm would have a much higher position than he has now if he wasn’t constantly running afoul of the Lt. Colonel…
Irm: You can take those career advancements. I prefer a more comfortable position.
Ryusei: …Hey, Rob. Is the Wildraubtier safe to pilot?
Rob: I’ve fixed the problems, for now.
Ryusei: …For now, huh?
Rob: Ryusei, the Wildraubtier is in the Hagane.
Rob: I need to do some adjustments, so I’ll meet you there.
Ryusei: Oh, okay…
Izu Base – Underground Dock
Rio: Sooo…this is our ship, the Hagane…kinda cool right?
Kusuha: You’re interested in this kinda thing too, Rio?
Rio: Yeah… probably because of my dad’s job.
Ryusei: So this is the Hagane…its bow is different from the Shirogane.
Kusuha: !
Ryusei: !
Kusuha: R-Ryusei…!
Ryusei: K-Kusuha…! Is that you!?
Rio: What? Do you know this guy, Kusuha?
Kusuha: Y-Yes…we went to high school together…
Rio: Ohhh…well, I’m Rio Meilong. I’m an operator on the Hagane. Nice to meet you.
Ryusei: Uh, right. But seriously, Kusuha…what are you doing here…!?
Kusuha: Ryusei…one day your e-mails just stopped coming…
Ryusei: Th-That’s…
Rio: …What do you mean?
Kusuha: There are a few different reason for why I’m doing this…
Ryusei: Kusuha, don’t tell me…you’re also a part of the Hagane’s crew…!?
*Convenient alarm*
Ryusei: ! Wh-What!?
Izu Base – Command Center
Operator 1: AM units detected, crossing the 5th defensive line!
Sakae: Are those the same units we’ve been tracking for a week!?
Operator 1: No sir! There appear to be more this time!!
Sakae: What!?
Operator 2: Commander! The leader of the attacking forces is on the line!
Laker: Put him through.
Elzam: This is Elzam V. Branstein of the DC 19th Mobile Force.
Sakae: (Branstein…!? The same one in the UCC…)
Laker: Laker Randolf, commander of the Far East Brigade.
Elzam: We don’t intend to negotiate. Disarm immediately and hand over the Hagane and SRX prototypes.
Laker: I refuse.
Elzam: Either surrender or die…the choice is yours.
Laker: I choose neither.
Elzam: …Very well. Then we’ll proceed to attack.
Sakae: Scramble all units! Protect the base and the Hagane!
Operator 1: Commander Laker, there’s a call from Captain Daitetsu aboard the Hagane!
Laker: Daitetsu…?
Daitetsu: Daitetsu here. I’ll be launching the Hagane now.
Sakae: Y-You can’t!
Daitetsu: The enemy is here for the Hagane. We can’t let them capture or destroy it.
Laker: Which is why we can’t play into their hands. Besides, the Hagane isn’t…
Daitetsu: To the DC, we’re practically sitting ducks. Laker…we must launch the Hagane now!
Laker: …I understand. Best of luck, Captain…
Chapter 8: The Hagane
Izu Base Exterior
*All ally units destroyed*
Operator 1: Both the 2nd tank battalion and the 302nd Air Squadron have been wiped out!
Operator 2: Enemies sighted in Area 20!
Sakae: Are Major Kai’s and Major Ingram’s squadrons ready yet?
Operator 1: They’re launching now!
*Schutzwald, Wildschwein, and Gespesnt MK II deploy, Prep Screen, remaining units deploy*
Giado: Cha, look at dat! Dey’re good!!
Latune: Yes…
Garnet: They seriously mean business this time. Then I must make it up…!
Giado: Make what up?
Garnet: Make up my mind!
Giado: Ha…I’ll just show dem what I got!
Garnet: What you’ve got…? What is…
Giado: My FIGHTING SPIRIT!
Garnet: Oh, that. I was hoping you were going to take your shirt off…
Kai: What did I tell you two! Keep your mouths shut during the mission!!
Giado: S-Sorry ‘bout dat, Major.
Kai: …Good. You can hit on each other after we’ve completed the mission.
Giado: …Yes, sir.
Kai: You’ll be transferring to the Hagane soon. So look alive.
Giado: Roger that, sir.
Kai: Now…Ghost 1 here! This is where the Hagane will come out!!
*Area shown*
Kai: The Hagane launches in 4 minutes…protect the exit at all costs!
Irm: Roger!
Kai: Major Ingram, how is the Wildschwein?
Ingram: …Ready to go.
Kai: Hm…? Where is Master Sergeant Ryusei?
Ryusei: What’s going on, Rob!? Why can’t the Wildraubtier be dispatched!?
Rob: The motor joints aren’t working. You’ll die out there.
Ryusei: But, the Hagane!
Rob: You aren’t skilled enough! I can’t let you take it!
Ryusei: Then, let me take the Gespenst MK II!
Rob: You can’t…! With the damage your Type TT has sustained, it’s inoperable…
Ryusei: This is stupid! Of all times…I have to sit here doing nothing!?
Rob: I’m taking the R-Series and the 009 to the Hagane! Hurry!
*Conditions shown, Battle starts*
*Turn 3 Enemy Phase, enemy reinforcements appear*
Ingram: Enemy reinforcements…!
Giado: What kinda mech is dat!? I’ve never seen dat black one before!
*Focus on Guarlion Trombe*
Latune: …It’s flying without wings…
Latune: Possibly a new type of AM for proximity fighting.
Irm: Looks like a command unit. It has an insignia on it.
Rai: (Black mech…Insignia…)
Kai: (Could that be…him!?)
*Guarlion Trombe moves next to Rai’s unit*
Giado: Wh-What!? That speed!
Elzam: Heh…
Rai: That mark…it’s the Branstein insignia!
Elzam: It’s been a long time, Raidiese.
Rai: I know that voice…Elzam!?
Elzam: Now my brother, show me what you’ve learned since you left…
Elzam: Show me and my Trombe!
*Combat*
Elzam: Can you dodge the attack of my Trombe?
*Rai evades*
Rai: I’ll show you!
*Combat end*
Elzam: Hm… You’re a little better than I remember.
Rai: …Why did you join the DC…!? Are you prepared to sacrifice even more innocent lives!?
Rai: Just like you did with my sister-in-law!!
Elzam: …!
Rai: Do you think starting a world war is right!?
Elzam: Show me, then, what you think is right…
Rai: What!?
Elzam: You ran away because the weight of the Branstein name was too much to handle.
Rai: That’s it…! I…have had enough of your mouth!
Elzam: That’s the spirit.
*Elzam falls back*
Giado: Wh-Who…IS that guy!?
Aya: Rai’s brother…!?
Rai: …..
Kai: He’s Elzam V. Branstein…also known as the “Black Tornado”.
Kai: We were once part of the same Special Battle Instruction Team.
Garnet: Right, the Aggressors…
Latune: It was an elite PT pilot unit that created the TC-OS a few years ago…
Giado: Then, he’s…
Irm: Yes. An ace UCC pilot…
Irm: And the son of Maier V. Branstein, the UCC commander.
Ryusei: !? Then, Rai is…!
Laker: What’s the status of the Hagane?
Operator 1: They just finished loading the supplies, sir!
Laker: Send our remaining units to the exit. Protect the Hagane at all costs.
Operator: Roger that!
Laker: (It’s all up to you now, Daitetsu…!)
Eita: Attention all units, repeat, attention all units! The Hagane will launch in 90 seconds…
Daitetsu: Start the auxiliary engine!
Tetsuya: Yes sir. Auxiliary engine, start!
Tetsuya: Output at 100…200…300…
Rio: Urgent message from HQ! An MAPW shot from an enemy submarine is approaching Izu Base!
Tetsuya: What!?
Rio: The base can’t intercept it!
Tetsuya: The DC…! They intend to destroy the base along with the Hagane!?
*Mastery condition revealed, Battle resumes*
{Ingram VS Elzam}
Elzam: Hm…he pilots the Wildschwein well…very impressive.
Ingram: This man is an excellent pilot. He certainly lives up to the Aggressors’ name…
{Irm VS Elzam}
Irm: So I’m up against the top ace of the UCC!? Let’s see what you’re made of!
Elzam: In a hurry to die, are we? Guess it’s unavoidable.
Irm: I’m no ace, but I do have confidence in my skill. It won’t be that easy!
{Latune VS Elzam}
Latune: …I’m positive…this man is…
Elzam: She’s young for a pilot. Then, she must be a graduate of ‘The School’…
{Kai VS Elzam}
Kai: I never thought we’d meet like this!
Elzam: I, for one, have been waiting for this moment, Major Kai…
Kai: We’ve been comrades since the Aggressors…we know each other too well.
Elzam: Yes, and that’s why I’m going to beat you, old friend…!
*Turn 5 Player Phase*
Rio: Large missile approaching, targeting this ship!
Tetsuya: Captain!
Daitetsu: Never mind that! Activate the Tesla Drive!
Tetsuya: Y-Yes sir!
Rio: Steel 2 to all units! Clear away from the Hagane’s exit point!
*Any unit on the exit point moves off*
Tetsuya: Main engine ignition in 10 seconds…9…8…7…
Tetsuya: 3…2…1…0! Main engine ignited!
Daitetsu: Launch the Hagane!
*CG Cutscene of the Hagane taking off*
Operator 1: The Hagane has cleared the exit!
Sakae: Y-Yes…!
Eita: Successful take-off! Main and auxiliary engines are OK!
Daitetsu: AMM, prepare to launch! Shoot down the missile!
Tetsuya: Roger! Steel 2 to all units! The Hagane will take down the missile!
Ingram: Affirmative. All units, protect the Hagane.
Elzam: …They got it into the air. Looks like the threat of the MAPW was effective.
Elzam: Then it’s time to change my strategy. All units…target that ship.
Elzam: Destroy the Hagane’s anti-air weapons before the missile reaches this airspace.
*Conditions updated, Battle resumes*
*Defeat all enemies*
Elzam: …The missile has arrived. You’re finished.
*Elzam retreats*
Eita: Relative distance to the missile is 5000 meters!
Eita: Control for our anti-air weaponry is malfunctioning! Auto-aim is out as well!
Tetsuya: Then we can’t shoot down the missile! We have no choice, activate the energy field!
Eita: Our current output can’t hold off the explosion!
Tetsuya: Then, use fighter jets to—
Daitetsu: It’s no use. Enemy jets are just outside of the sector. They’ll open fire at any of ours.
Tatsuya: Tch…!
Ingram: (We have to shoot it down somehow…)
Tetsuya: There must me another way!
Rob: Vice-Captain! If we have accurate ballistic calculations and the R-1’s Boosted Rifle…
Rob: We can shoot the missile down!
Tetsuya: With a rifle!? You’re crazy if you think that can be done!
Rob: The R-1’s T-LINK System can enable the pilot to trace the missile’s flight path!
Rob: And if we adjust the timing…!
Daitetsu: Alright, let’s do it.
Tetsuya: Captain!
Daitetsu: Prepare to deploy the energy field at the same time with the shot.
Tetsuya: Y-Yes sir!
Rob: Ryusei!
Ryusei: Roger! My rifle is ready and loaded! Let’s go!
Ryusei: T-LINK System, full contact! Syncro adjuster, set! Alright, Boosted Rifle in position!
Rio: Please, Ryusei…!
Ryusei: OK! R-1, start!
*R-1 fails to start*
Ryusei: Wh-What!?
Rob: The system’s down!? Ryusei, try again!!
Ryusei: C’mon! Come on, R-1!!
Eita: The missile’s range is 4000 meters!
Rob: Ryusei!
Ryusei: Crud…c’mon R-1! Please move!!
Ryusei: Why are we here!? Tell me, R-1!!
Ryusei: Aren’t we here…to protect everyone from the DC and the Aerogaters!?
Ryusei: Isn’t that what you were made for!? R-1, answer me right now!!
*R-1’s CG activation*
Ryusei: It moved…its moving!!
Rob: Ryusei, I’ve sent you the ballistic data!
Ryusei: O-Okay…I got it!!
*R-1 appears, MAPW appears and moves across the map*
Rob: Get ready, Ryusei! You can’t afford to miss!
Rob: Remember, the T-LINK System is synced with you!
Ryusei: Alright…!
Ingram: Ryusei…”visualize” striking the missile. Shoot with that intention.
Ryusei: Yes, sir!
Eita: Less than 3000 meters! Approaching rapidly!
*Combat*
Ryusei: I’ll blow it up with this shot!!
*Missile taken out, Combat end*
Operator 1: Target Missile, destroyed!
Laker: The Hagane…what’s the status of the Hagane…!?
Sakae: D-Did…did they make it…?
*Hagane lifts off*
Operator 1: I-It’s…the H-Hagane! The Hagane is all right!!
Sakae: W-Wow…
Laker: There it goes. The Hagane…our only hope…
*Hagane leaves the map, Elzam returns with DC grunts*
DC Soldier: Major Elzam! The enemy ship is breaking away! We gotta go after ‘em!!
Elzam: No need to chase them.
DC Soldier: Why not!?
Elzam: Our mission is complete. All units, return to base.
*Grunts retreat*
Elzam: You survived, Hagane…as did you, Raidiese.
Elzam: I look forward to seeing you next time.
*Elzam retreats*
Waters near Izu – Hagane Bridge
Eita: Enemy retreat confirmed. Course to line 5, clear.
Eita: All PT units and all fighter except for Major Kai have returned.
Rio: Captain, there’s a message from Commander Laker.
Daitetsu: Read it to me.
Rio: “I wish you luck on your mission. Godspeed.”
Daitetsu: Okay…everyone, we’re going to Marquesas to take down the DC headquarters!
Tetsuya: Aye aye!
Hagane – Hangar
Rai: (…I knew I’d be facing Elzam during this war…)
Rai: (The UCC allied themselves with the DC…)
Ryusei: Rai, you…I didn’t know your father was the commander of the UCC.
Rai: …So, what? Do you consider me an enemy now?
Ryusei: What, no, I don’t think that at all. I’m just surprised…
Rai: …Listen. I don’t care about my father, or my brother.
Rai: All I care about is my duty.
*Rai leaves*
Ryusei: (He has to fight his own family…}
Giado: Ryusei, I owe ya one. You saved my life.
Ryusei: Nah, I was just doing my job…
Giado: I mean it, mon. Dat was some move. Shooting down that missile with a rifle.
Ryusei: It was all R-1 and Rob’s ballistic analysis. I just pulled the trigger
Latune: …..
Garnet: Hm? What’s that, Latune?
Ryusei: ?
Garnet: Latune says only a talented pilot could have pulled that off.
Ryusei: Huh…?
Latune: …..
*Latune leaves*
Ryusei: …She’s quiet, isn’t she?
Garnet: Yeah…it’s kind of a long story. But she’s a nice girl once you get to know her.
Ryusei: I see.
Aya: Ryu, there you are. We’re wanted in the briefing room.
Ryusei: OK.
Hagane – Briefing Room
Ingram: As of today, the SRX Team will be assigned to the Hagane…
Ingram: You’ll join the mission to seize Aidoneus Island.
Ryusei: Eye-Donuts Island?
Rai: …Aidoneus Island.
Ryusei: Oh yeah, that one. I think I…yeah, I’ve heard of it before.
Rai: Aidoneus Island is where Meteor 3 crashed seven years ago.
Ryusei: Meteor… Oh, I remember now. It was big news back then.
Ryusei: So what’s so important about this Meteor?
Ingram: This is classified information…
Ingram: We discovered alien technology in Meteor 3…
Ingram: Extra-Over Technology…EOT, as we call it.
Ryusei: E-O-T…
Ingram: Yes. It’s far superior to our own technology…
Ingram: It revolutionized our military forces.
Ryusei: Where did EOT come from…?
Ingram: EOTI, the researchers of Meteor 3, believe that it came from the Aerogaters.
Ryusei: EOTI…they’re the ones who made the Granzon.
Ryusei: Then…the Granzon is a super robot made with EOT…?
Ingram: Possibly. The EOTI was headed by Bian Zoldark, who reorganized that group into the DC…
Ingram: The DC headquarters is based on the Meteor 3 crash site.
Aya: Rumor has it, the island is now a military fortress.
Ryusei: So, the Hagane is heading straight into the lion’s den…
Ingram: Unfortunately, we calculate the probability of success at…
Ingram: 9.7%.
Ryusei: Wh-What…!? That’s it…!?
Rai: …I look forward to the challenge.
Ryusei: D-Do you…do you know what that means!? A nine in ten chance of failure!?
Rai: I like those odds. They suit me just fine.
Ryusei: Y-You…
Aya: (Rai…)
The Hagane End
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