Toggle Background Color



Kusuha will be heading back to Tesla Reich to continue adjustments. Neither she nor Bullet are happy about the separation, especially since Bullet says he doesn't know when his next mission will be over so they can see each other again (smooth, Bullet).



Kusuha: "I wish we could be on the same ship again, Bullet... like before."
Bullet: "So do I... well, I'd rather you were someplace safe. I'm being selfish, I know."
Kusuha: "No, I understand. I just hope we can be together again soon."

Spoiler: Tesla Reich is not "someplace safe."



Bullet promises to go visit her as soon as he gets some leave, which makes her feel a little better. There's an awkward silence as he tries to think of the right way to say goodbye, and then...



...He remembers something super important. He hands her a memory card and asks if she can deliver it to Master Rishu for him - it's video data on the Shishioh Blade-wielding Guarlion from the attack on the test site. Since the incident is being covered up, he wants to deliver the data in secret if possible. After an even more awkward silence, she agrees.



Kusuha thinks that yep, that's her Bullet, all right.

This scene is new.



Outside, the ATX mechs have been assigned the task of loading the transport themselves. Excellen grumbles about how their new captain is as much of a slavedriver as Kenneth was, earning a reprimand from Kyosuke in the process. Not present is the Angelg; Lamia is overseeing its repairs aboard the ship personally.



Bullet is silent as Kusuha's transport taxis to the runway, and it doesn't take a mind reader to guess why; he's also not in the mood for Excellen's usual teasing.



Excellen: "Haahh... well. I hope you gave her a goodbye to remember, at least."
Bullet: "Um... I just... asked her to do a favor."
Excellen: "Rrrrgh...! Bullet, have you learned nothing under my care?"
Bullet: "I know, I screwed up..."
Kyosuke: "Did you teach him anything?"
Excellen: "All sorts of things. Look, at least wave to her. OK?"



Bullet: "Wave? I... don't think she'd notice."
Excellen: "Not you, your mech! Look, put your PT's arm up like so, and..."
Bullet: "W-wait, you're serious?"
Excellen: "C'mon, all together now! A one! And a two! Aaaand..."
Bullet: "Why are you posing like that!?"
Kyosuke: "Bullet, use your flash signal. She'll be sure to see it then. Do a pose if you want."
Bullet: "Y... Yes, sir!"



Kusuha: "...! That's... the ATX team! Ha ha, the Weiss is waving! And they're signaling... G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K... thanks, Bullet..."



Kusuha: "Lt. Kyosuke's doing it too... S-O-L-O-N-G..."
Kusuha: (Thanks, everyone... I'll see you all again...)



The Ladybird leaves the area; secure in the knowledge that they've salvaged the situation, the ATX crew gets back to work.

This scene was in the original, but was the first scene before the first mission - so it went from this, to Kyosuke meeting Lee, to Lamia.

-----



Aaaaand instant teleport to Austin, Texas.



(PTX-003C, Alteisen. PTX-007-03C, Weissritter. Color, shape, and serial number don't match with my data. And the Huckebein has replaced the Lion as the Federation's rank and file... many things are different on this side. But what worries me most is that woman, Excellen Browning. It has to be a coincidence...)



Kyosuke comes by and notes her interest in their machines. Lamia's explanation is that these custom units are so much more interesting than what she sees at Isurugi. He has a similar interest - specifically, in how the Angelg doesn't resemble any existing Isurugi Industries model. She reassures him that it's all newly-developed Isurugi technology, and he seems content to take her at her word there...



...Because he's much more concerned about her maneuvers while piloting. He recognizes many of them as Aggressor techniques - not something a civilian pilot would be likely to know. Lamia lightly says that they're just the skills she was taught, and Kyosuke comes right out and says that he thinks there's an ulterior motive for her presence; they've had a similar experience before, and he's not about to let his team get burned again.



Lamia: "Please, Lieuten-enant, what are you try-ing-ing to say?"
Kyosuke: "Just that I don't think Isurugi is your only sponsor."
Lamia: (He wants me to let down my guard. Then...)
Kyosuke: (Will she take the bait? I need to try a different tactic...)



They're interrupted by a summons to the bridge. Before they go, Lamia tries to assure him that everything she's said has been the truth; after a moment, he agrees to leave it at that. She thinks that, whether "here" or "there," this man is one to treat with caution. She'll have to move very carefully in the future...

-----



Lee informs the ATX team that they'll be the Shirogane's primary strike force for the foreseeable future (to Excellen's chagrin - no rest for the weary). One of the bridge operators has just picked up some DC mechs, relatively close by - there's a high probability that they're headed for the base at Houston.



Kyosuke: "Are we going to Houston, Captain?"
Lee: "No, we have our orders. Set course for the Mexican plateau."
Bullet: "What!? We're just going to turn our backs on Houston!?"
Excellen: (Here we go... Bullet, when will you learn?)



Lee: "Ensign Luckfield. Just what sort of education have you received before now?"
Bullet: "!?"
Lee: "Obey a superior's orders to the letter. That's the core principle of the military. If you do not, you disrupt the chain of command, damage morale, and throw the larger strategy into disarray. There can be no success in battle unless every soldier performs their given duties with efficiency."
Lamia: (Of course. A soldier must do as they are told.)



Bullet: "I-I know that. But if the DC remnants are moving on Houston..."
Lee: "Our mission is to subdue the enemy forces believed to be hiding in Mexico. If we change course to Houston, we waste both time and materials. Furthermore, the base has its own defense force. There's no need for us to go."



Bullet: "But Captain!"
Lee: "Open your mouth again and I'll have you thrown in the brig."
Bullet: "I'm not afraid of---?!"
Kyosuke: "Enough, Bullet."
Bullet: "!"



Lee: "To think that you were the core of our forces in the L5 campaign. It's... unforgivable."
Bullet: ("Unforgivable?" What's he talking about...?)



After a moment it's Kyosuke's turn; he reminds Lee that Houston has a squad of the new MP Huckebeins (getting Lamia's attention), as well as hosting an experimental fighter project. He suggests that the enemy mean to gather information on the new machines - perhaps even to steal them. Lee has heard the details about the theft of the Valsion, and given that the Houston base is the most lightly-defended in the North American region, it's likely that they're teeing up for a repeat.



Lee: (It's possible. And if it means Kenneth is in my debt, so much the better. We need to plan ahead...)
Lee: "Then the ATX team will sortie at once and move to Houston."
Kyosuke: "By ourselves?"
Lee: "That's right. It was your suggestion, so you can see it done."
Excellen: (Ouch. Where have I heard that before...)
Lee: "The Shirogane will continue to Mexico as planned. When you've dealt with the issue, rendezvous with the ship there."
Kyosuke: "Sir..."

-----



Meanwhile, in Houston...



Mitsuko Isurugi has called the Houston base to observe the progress of Major Filio Presty's Project TD. Everything seems to be on schedule, and they'll be proceeding with test for the Series 77, code Beta prototype - the Calion. She's been looking forward to the results - the entire event will be recorded, as any number of potential customers will be very interested in the Calion's performance.



Filio: "Is it absolutely necessary to have weapons on the Series 77?"
Mitsuko: "Of course. Didn't you pay attention to President Midcrid's address? Aliens are an official threat to humanity now. It's only common sense to prepare to fight them in outer space. A child could figure that out."



Mitsuko: "But you should know all about that from your time in the Divine Crusaders, shouldn't you?"
Filio: "But Project TD's original purpose was---"
Mitsuko: "It was seven years ago, but you couldn't have forgotten the attack on the Hiryu at the edge of the solar system. You wouldn't send your beloved sister out there unarmed, would you?"
Filio: "....."
Mitsuko: "Wasn't it because you agreed with Bian Zoldark that you joined in the Lion's development?"
Filio: "But to repurpose Project TD for military use..."



Mitsuko: "This would be a good time to remind yourself of where you stand. Without my intervention, your little project would have died with the Divine Crusaders. Without my intervention, you would now be in prison, for treason. Yes?"
Filio: "I am grateful for your support. But..."
Mitsuko: "Do you understand? Your sponsor is not the Federation; it's Isurugi Heavy Industries. And I have no intention of throwing good money after bad. I decided Project TD had the best chance of producing the next Federation mainstay... so I'll be watching the Alpha prototype, our new Lion, very carefully."



Filio: "I understand..."
Mitsuko: "Good. Have a pleasant afternoon."



(Alpha, Beta, and Omega... is Series 77 doomed to be under military control?)



The project's chief engineer Tsugumi Takakura enters to tell Filio that the test preparation is completed. Both pilots are on standby, though Ibis has an elevated heart rate. Filio is sure that she's just excited, but Tsugumi isn't satisfied. With its twin Tesla Drives, the Calion is probably beyond Ibis' skill to operate, and it would be better to do the test only with Sleigh. Filio notes the objection, but stands firm; the test will involve two units as planned.



Tsugumi: "Major... why is Ibis Douglas still on the project? If we're only going to have two test pilots, there has to be someone more qualified..."
Filio: "Enough, chief. You'll see in time."
Tsugumi: "But..."
Filio: "Someday you'll recognize the gift that she has. And I think that gift is what we - what all humanity - need most."
Tsugumi: "Filio..."
Filio: "It's almost time. Shall we?"



Mission 7: Wings to the Stars



The test begins, and both Calions take off. Both machines seem to be functioning well. Their pilots, on the other hand...



Staff: "04 is falling behind 01."
Filio: "Ibis, accelerate. Take Formation 23."
Ibis: "O-Okay!"



Tsugumi: "Formation 23 confirmed. There's some instability in 04's handling."
Filio: "Ibis, you're still a bit nervous."
Ibis: "I'm not...!"
Filio: "Loosen your shoulders. Imagine you're about to have a bite of your favorite cheesecake."
Ibis: "...Okay."



Filio: "Just relax. You're going to do fine."
Ibis: "Thank you, Filio... uh, Major."
Sleigh: "....."

Video



Tsugumi: "Sleigh, lead off and Ibis will follow."
Sleigh: "Understood. ...04, follow my lead."
Ibis: "R-Roger!"



Tsugumi: "Airframes appear stable. Then we'll do the weapons test. 01, approach the target."
Sleigh: "Roger. Sleigh Presty, beginning run."
Filio: "You're rather calm about this, Sleigh."
Sleigh: "...Worrying doesn't serve any purpose."












Staff: "01, target destroyed."
Filio: "And in a single pass..."
Staff: "Yeah. But that's to be expected; she's number one, after all."
Filio: "Yes. My sister is quite talented, if I do say so myself."



Tsugumi: "Now, 04, approach the target."
Ibis: "....."
Tsugumi: "Ibis!"
Ibis: "O-Okay! Ibis Douglas, attacking!"



"I can't lose to Sleigh... I can't!"



Pictured: Ibis losing to Sleigh.



Ibis: "Ugh... damn it!"
Staff: "04, target remains."
Filio: "Is there a problem with the Calion's output?"
Staff: "No, the gravity accelerators are fine. It's a pilot error."
Filio: "...Is it, now."
Tsugumi: (What did you expect...)



Ibis: "I... I'm sorry! I'll make another approach!"
Filio: "Don't worry about it, Ibis. We have the test results that we need."
Ibis: "But!"
Filio: "Your top priority is getting used to the Calion, as soon as possible."



Tsugumi: "Major, we're wasting time. We need to move on to the next test."
Ibis: "Wasting...!?"
Sleigh: "The chief is right. We don't have time to wait around for you to get it right."
Ibis: "Kh..."







No sooner have they retrieved the drones than the alarm sounds; an enemy force has broken through the base's defenses in no time at all. At its head is Major Archibald Grims, who thinks it's a stroke of luck that the Federation pilots still aren't used to piloting their Lions.



Archibald: "So... that's the fruit of Project TD."
Grunt: "Major Grims, what should we do about those aircraft?"
Archibald: "Yes, leave them be. They're not our prey today."
Grunt: "Sir!"
Archibald: (Though they would make a fine trophy for Colonel Van...)



The base commander raises Filio on the line; until they can get their PTs onto the field, the Calions will have to hold the enemy off. Filio immediately balks at this, but the commander isn't hearing any objections; both Calions are equipped with live rounds, and if that's all they've got, that's what they'll have to use. Filio still tries to protest, but Sleigh goes over his head and readily accepts; this will be a good chance to show what their project can do.



Sleigh: "Ibis, go back to the hangar."
Ibis: "B-but..."
Sleigh: "I'm saying you'll just get in the way!"
Tsugumi: "Sleigh's right. Ibis, come in for a landing."



Ibis: "I can do this! I'll show you...!"
Tsugumi: "Ibis!"
Filio: "All right, Ibis. But both of you, be careful."
Sleigh: "Understood."



Ibis: (I'll show you... I can't let this be the end! I have to reach the stars!)