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Erial Warfare Research Institute – Command Room
Raikou: …And that’s the topography of the area surrounding this Warfare Research Institute.
Xenia: And with regards to sensors?
Raikou: Naturally, they’ve been deployed. However, if our enemies use Invisibility Enchantments, then there’s nothing we can do.
Xenia: Well, we don’t have the technology for that either, so I guess that’s that. And?
Raikou: What do you mean by “and”?
Xenia: Don’t play dumb. We’ve yet to hear the details of your Ogaine Project.
Raikou: …I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss that.
Xenia: Look, I’m not asking you to fork over confidential info. Can’t you at least give me an overview?
Raikou: I don’t have the authority to do that.
Xenia: Then bring me to someone who does.
Raikou: Impossible. We won’t be able to make it back in time to intercept the enemy.
Xenia: Oh come on! So you expect us to fight while being in the dark about what we’re protecting?
Raikou: I cannot reveal state secrets to anyone, not ever your group.
Demeksa: State secrets, huh? Then I guess it can’t be helped.
Xenia: Uh…well, yeah, I guess.
Mio: Y’know, I hate to go there, but…you know we’re not obligated to help you guys, right?
Raikou: I am aware of that.
Goshin: Are you certain of that, young lady?
Mio: Eh? Um…Mr. Order?
Goshin: Just call me Goshin.
Mio: Goshin, just what do you mean by that?
Goshin: Exactly what I said. If I recall, it’s the duty of the Antiras Squad to fight threats to all of La Gias.
Goshin: Are you saying that you’ll just toss that aside?
Mio: It’s up to our discretion if this terrorist operation is an actual threat.
Goshin: It sounds like you’ve already decided that it isn’t.
Mio: I’m trying to say that we don’t have enough information to make that call.
Mio: How can you expect us to come up with effective countermeasures if the thing we’re supposed to protect could be anything from tofu to a lump of steel?
Goshin: Tofu? That soft, white food from the surface country of Japan?
Mio: Huh, even people in Erial know what tofu is?
Goshin: Yup. I tried it once, and I thought it was pretty good.
Goshin: But talk about tofu aside, you’ve made your point. Okay, I’ll tell you what I know, though it ain’t much.
Raikou: Goshin!?
Goshin: Quit being so stubborn, Raikou. Can’t you see that they’re trying to act in our best interests?
Raikou: Let me remind you that leaking classified military intel is a serious felony.
Goshin: Well, what about military intel that isn’t classified?
Raikou: I…suppose not.
Goshin: And I’d doubt that any information a peon like me knows would be classified.
Raikou: That’s not our call to make.
Yuno: …Confidential Designation No. 10093, The Ogaine Project. The following information can be declassified if the situation demands.
Yuno: One, the name of the Ogaine Project. Two, the purpose of the Ogaine Project and the origin of its name.
Goshin: That’s our Yuno. Her powers of memorization always impress.
Raikou: …Very well. I shall tell you the purpose of the Ogaine Project.
Raikou: The Ogaine Project’s goal is to develop countermeasures against the Antiras Squad.
Mio: Us?
Raikou: The Antiras Squad’s power, especially that of their Masoukishin, is too great. That heavy concentration of power runs a high risk of upsetting the balance.
Xenia: I think otherwise. One great power is more easily managed. Having two of them means you’ll have to balance both.
Raikou: If that one power is just.
Xenia: Are you anticipating a fight us?
Raikou: At the present time, no. I’m speaking of ten or twenty years from now.
Raikou: Organizations and the people within them can change over time. There’s no guarantee that the Antiras Squad won’t eventually become tyrannical.
Xenia: I can guarantee it.
Raikou: I’ll need more than just your word.
Xenia: The presence of the spirits, then. They won’t let their powers be misused. Hence, the Masoukishin.
Raikou: …Not necessarily. The spirits aren’t infallible.
Xenia: No being is infallible. That’s just an objective fact.
Raikou: So you’re asking me to unilaterally believe you?
Xenia: You don’t have to believe a word I say. But please, believe in us based on our past actions.
Raikou: Hmm…
Goshin: She’s got a point there. It’s true, the actions of the Masoukishin have been impeccable so far.
Yuno: Yes, based on their current history, the Antiras Squad’s behavior matches their foundational principles.
Raikou: …And yet, there is information to the contrary.
Xenia: Ah, and might the source of that information be a PR department based in Southern Shutedonias?
Raikou: Yes, it is.
Xenia: That’s classic misinformation. Do you actually believe that garbage?
Goshin: Remember, young lady, you were on one of the sides of that conflict. Do you expect people who weren’t directly involved to see things that way?
Xenia: …You’ve got a point there, pops.
Goshin: First off, I’m not that old. Second, you should know that the Southern Union has a sizable PR campaign. They could tell a hundred lies and make them all appear to be true.
Mio: And the South’s campaign extends even to this country?
Goshin: Yeah, it’s all over the Holo TV and Information Networks. And they never have anything good to say about you guys.
Xenia: …We’ve been careless.
Xenia: We only just started our counter-intelligence operations, and as a result we’ve lost the initiative on media coverage.
Goshin: A little research will show which side is in the right, but the average person’s not gonna do even that much.
Xenia: You’re right…we’ll need to do something about that.
Raikou: In any case, that’s all that I can say about the Ogaine Project. Are you willing to aid us in our defensive operation?
Xenia: Well…I don’t like that it’s a countermeasure against US, but it’s not our place to interfere in the domestic affairs of another country.
Mio: You wouldn’t happen to be developing a giant robot?
Raikou: !?
Mio: Ooh, was that a bulls-eye?
Raikou: …I cannot say.
Goshin: Dear me…
Mio: Eh, I don’t care that much. Just don’t go starting any fights you don’t need to.
Raikou: Our country has no such intentions.
Goshin: …Well, at the present.
Demeksa: *ahem* I think we’d better get ourselves ready. If the information is accurate, the attack will be starting soon.
Mio: Oh, that’s right. Let’s get move a on.
Raikou: Right.
Chapter 23: The Ogaine Project
Outside of the Warfare Research Institute
*Zamzeed and Nors Rei sortie*
Mio: …Y’know, this place looks more like a secret base than a research institute.
Goshin: You’ve got a point, kid. I can easily see the resemblance.
Mio: Can it shift into a defensive form?
Goshin: …I’m surprised. How did you know that?
Mio: ‘Cause it’s a pretty common feature.
Goshin: Huh…looks like the surface is more advanced than I thought..
Raikou: Cut the chatter. We’ve got incoming.
*Enemy forces arrive*
Ongaredd: The Antiras Squad again…they always seem to be running underfoot.
Xenia: Ongaredd!? You’re the terrorist group in Erial?
Ongaredd: Terrorist? We would prefer to be called a guerilla unit.
Xenia: It’s the same thing in the end.
Ongaredd: Quite the contrary, actually. We are now members of the Southern Shutedonias Army.
Ongaredd: So you see, we are simply carrying out the will of the Southern Union’s government.
Raikou: The will of the South’s government!? Is this a declaration of war against our country!?
Ongaredd: That may be the case, depending on how the current situation develops.
Ongaredd: After all, the Kingdom of Erial is attempting to create weapons that are prohibited by the Union.
Raikou: Ngh…w-what evidence do you have to support such an audacious claim!?
Ongaredd: I think your response is proof enough. We already know every detail about the Ogaine Project.
Raikou: What did you…
Ongaredd: The Ogaine Project is, in short, an attempt by the Kingdom of Erial to manufacture their own version of a Masoukishin. Am I wrong?
Raikou: …..
Ongaredd: Hmmm, I’ll take your silence as an affirmation. It is true that Langran’s Masoukisihin pose a significant threat to the neighboring countries.
Ongaredd: I understand why your country would want a countermeasure against them. However, we cannot overlook the Ogaine Project.
Ongaredd: As it is, the Masouksihin have cause a great amount of damage to the surrounding countries.
Ongaredd: And the Ogaine Project’s goal is to develop strategic, humanoid, general-purpose weapons, similar to the Masoukishin.
Ongaredd: If your country seeks to attain such power, then we of the Southern Shutedonias army will stop you by force!
Mio: You talk a big game, but the truth is you just don’t like the idea of another country becoming more powerful than your own, right?
Demeksa: It would seem that way.
Ongaredd: Your words wound me. It’s only natural to feel threatened when the military power of nearby countries abruptly rises.
Ongaredd: Moreover, if that power is in the hands of a nation of death merchant such as Erial, then severe action must be taken.
Ongaredd: …However, if you agree to cooperate with the Southern Union, I may not have to take such drastic measures.
Mio: Yeah, there we go. Thinly-veiled threats combined with an offer to join the dark side.
Ongaredd: Well, what do you say?
Raikou: Ordinarily, I would report the situation to my superiors…but instead I’ll answer you here and now.
Raikou: I wholeheartedly reject your offer!
Ongaredd: Do you now? I suppose negotiations have failed. We’ll have to resolve the situation with force.
*Further enemy forces arrive*
Deming: My goodness, did you really think that negotiations would have succeeded with that arrogant attitude of yours?
Digo: Eh, I like this method better anyway, much more fun.
Mio: Wuh-oh! He had that much firepower hiding in the wings!?
Raikou: Fear not! We shall fight alongside you!
Mio: OK! Just leave it to us
*Battle Prep, Stage Begins*
{Xenia VS Drep}
Xenia: I wonder if the Euleed is destined to always fight against us…
Drep: …..
{Shoot down Drep}
Drep: Even the Euleed can’t stand up to them…withdrawing.
{Shoot down Digo}
Digo: Dang it! Another loss! I know they say you get more out of failure than success, but it just plain bites that we keep losing like this!
Digo: Next time I’m gonna win! Remember that!
{Shoot down Deming}
Deming: Argh…Ongaredd needs to work on his powers of persuasion.
Deming: I suppose there’s no point in remaining here. Please excuse me.
{Xenia VS Ongaredd}
Xenia:Fancy you bringing out our dear old friend the Euleed.
Ongaredd: Yes, our Shutedonias has succeeded in mass-producing the Euleed.
Xenia: Geez…General Kirks’ really left behind’ legacy just won’t die…
{Demeksa VS Ongaredd}
Demeksa: Um, this may be none of my business, but when negotiating, you may want to be less coercive.
Ongaredd: Nonsense! The most important part of negotiating is to seize the initiative!
Demeksa: Okay, but that doesn’t mean much if said negotiations break down as a result.
Ongaredd: Grr…
{Shoot down Ongaredd}
Ongaredd: Kuh…I must commend your strategy of focusing fire on the enemy commander. We’ll have to retreat for the time being.
{When only 3 enemies remain}
Ongaredd: It looks as though we’ve lost our edge in numbers. There’s no point in fighting any further. All remaining units withdraw.
*Regardless, Ongaredd withdraws with any remaining enemies*
Back inside the Command Room
Mio: I sure didn’t expect those guys to know so much.
Raikou: Our military secrets must have been leaked…
Goshin: Well, no sense in crying over spilled milk. We’ve had a lot on our hands as it is.
Sumera: Do you think there’s a traitor in our army?
Raikou: Betraying secrets to another country is a capitol offense.
Goshin: I don’t think that’s what happened. My suspicions lie with those who want the budget for the Ogaine Project to be cut.
Sumera: The members of the Land Party…
Goshin: They certainly excelled at being an opposition party…
Xenia: Looks like the Kingdom of Erial has it’s own share of domestic issues.
Mio: Well, no matter how good your CEP is, you’ll always end up with stray bullets.
Goshin: …Were you a member of the military, young lady?
Mio: Nah, just your run-of-the-mill civilian.
Goshin: So why did you make a military analogy?
Mio: I thought it’d be easy for you guys to understand.
Goku: Master recently decided to be a military otaku.
Mio: Yup. I’ve had the urge growing on me for awhile, and I’m starting to really sink my teeth in.
Goshin: …He one of your familiars?
Mio: That’s correct. Fascinating, right?
Goshin: Fascinating…and a little weird.
Mio: Eh, I’ll take it.
????: You certainly are a unique one, young lady.
Mio: Thanks…uh, who are you?
Raikou: Doctor Fieldnau!? When did you get here?
Manji: Just a few minutes ago. If the Ogaine Project is being targeted, it’s only natural that I, the head of said project, should be here, yes?
Mio: So you’re the guy in charge of the Ogaine Project?
Manji: Indeed I am. And if I’m not mistaken, you are… Mio Sasuga of the Antiras Squad.
Mio: Eh? Oh, yeah.
Manji: And the rest of you are Princess Xenia, Demeksa, Gaen, and…um…
Gennady: Gennady I. Kozyrev.
Manji: Ah, yes, of course. So, is the rest of the squad with you? Particularly Wendy?
Xenia: Wendy’s not with our group. She’s headed for Solatis Shrine. Why? You know Wendy?
Manji: Yes, I do. What a shame…I was looking forward to seeing her again…
Manji: *sigh*
Xenia: What’s with the sigh? Nevermind, I have more important things to ask you.
Manji: Ah, yes. I’ll answer whatever questions I am able.
Xenia: What kind of design are you using for the Ogaine Project’s Masouki?
Manji: Hm?
Mio: Hey, Xenia. Dial it back a bit. You’re kinda putting the cart before the horse.
Xenia: Huh? Aren’t you curious?
Mio: I am, but shouldn’t we first ask about the Ogaine Project’s potential to be a threat?
Xenia: I still think learning about the design is important.
Manji: Ah well, design aside, it’s part of my job to make sure that the Ogaine Project does not pose a threat to La Gias.
Manji: So you need not worry about that. I give you my word.
Mio: That sounds like a line a con artist would use.
Manji: Such harsh words. Though I will admit, words can be cheap.
Manji: Very well, I’ll share one piece of top-secret information. I’m sure you’ll have no issues trusting me afterwards.
Raikou: Wait, Doctor! You can’t do that without the permission…
Manji: There’s no need to be so obstinate, Raikou. I’m the one in charge, so I’ll take responsibility for this.
Raikou: …You say that, but you’ll end up trying to avoid the consequences, won’t you?
Manji: Precisely, and I’m confident that I’ll manage to do so once again.
Raikou: …Proceed.
Mio: So, what is this top-secret information?
Manji: Ah, yes, of course. Simply put, the Ogaine Project’s Masouki will be contracted with high-ranking spirits.
Xenia: What!? Making a contract with a high-rank spirit…so it’s the same as a Masoukishin!?
Manji: That’s correct. Although, the contract can’t be completed until we meet a certain condition…
Manji: Sadly, I can’t speak with regards to what that is.
Mio: So if it’s like the Masoukishin in that way…they’ll have their own wills?
Manji: Exactly. Unlike low-rank spirits, high-rank ones choose their heralds. Said heralds will be unable to go against the spirits’ will, hence they will be unable to use our creations for evil.
Xenia: Well…that’s mostly true, but it’s not an ironclad guarantee. It all depends on the spirit with which the contract is made.
Xenia: That aside, I’m surprised that you have contracting technology in this country. I thought it could only be made at the Academy.
Manji: That’s why we won’t pose a threat to anyone. Are you now willing to trust my word?
Mio: Well, since you went so far as to tell us all that, I guess we can trust you.
Xenia: Yeah, at least for now.
Manji: Well then, as a mark of our new friendship, I say we have a welcome banquet. Do you have the time for that?
Mio: U-Um, I guess? But I have to ask…why does everyone have a look on their face?
Raikou: *sigh* The doctor is well known for his banquets…
Goshin: Hey, I don’t mind ’em.
Sumera: …If only the doctor wouldn’t insist on reciting poetry.
Xenia: Well, it’s not like we’re doing anything else today.
Mio: I wonder how the others are doing. Especially Masaki and his group.
Xenia: Yeah…hope things are going well.
The Ogaine Project End
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