Toggle Background Color



Sleigh: "Ibis... just what, exactly, was that performance out there supposed to be?"
Ibis: "....."
Sleigh: "You understand, right? If we don't show our worth, our project gets disbanded, immediately! Your mistakes are going to ruin everything!"
Ibis: "I know that! I... I..."
Sleigh: "If you know that, then show some results. Otherwise, you're not qualified to pilot the Series-77..."



Tsugumi: "That's a bit blunt, Sleigh... but you're right. Ibis, you know that this is the critical time for us."
Ibis: "I know... even I can understand that!"



Sleigh: "And she turns tail and runs. Hmph."
Tsugumi: "I know she's trying, but..."
Sleigh: "Trying isn't good enough. Better that she quits now before she gets hurt."
Tsugumi: "You're probably right... it's best not to pursue an impossible dream."
Sleigh: "It won't matter. I can pilot the Alpha prototype myself."
Sleigh: (Don't worry, brother... I'll make your dream a reality!)
Tsugumi: "....."



Excellen: "Oh, hey! It's that experimental mech from before. What was it called again? Marion?"
Bullet: "Calion. Keep calling it that and Dr. Radom's going to have you tied up."
Excellen: "Ooh, I didn't know this side of you, Bullet. Does Kusuha know?"
Bullet: "Wh-wh-what are you...!?"
Excellen: "Oh, there you go again with that same reaction. You should shake things up a bit."
Lamia: (I'm not part of this conversation...)



Sleigh makes her exit before she gets forced to deal with Excellen.



Excellen: "That girl... that was the Million's pilot?"
Tsugumi: "Um... it's called the Calion, actually. And you're right, she's a test pilot."
Excellen: "She's got quite a scowl on her."
Tsugumi: "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Browning, she's just tired. This was her first combat."



Excellen: "Oh, I know how that is. Everybody gets all tense for their first time. I'm sure Bullet knows what I'm talking about, right?"
Bullet: "Did you say something, Lieutenant?"
Excellen: "Oh? Ah, to be young again, to indulge in the sweet, forbidden..."



Excellen: "...Wait. Bullet! You didn't react at all... I guess I'll have to give you another 50 points."
Bullet: "You're too kind, Lieutenant. Not that it makes a dent in the thousand you took away."
Lamia: "Miss Exy, I do not beli-ieve this conversa-ation is appropriate."
Tsugumi: "...I'm sorry?"
Excellen: "Oh, don't mind her. It's just a lovable quirk of hers."



Tsugumi goes on to introduce herself, and conversation turns to Project TD - a frame meant for interstellar travel. Indeed, the Calion wasn't even supposed to be a fighter in the first place, but a deep space exploration vessel, whose pilots were trained as astronauts rather than soldiers. Bullet comments that it seems a bit small to head so far into space by itself. Tsugumi elaborates, saying that there were plans to put residential and exploratory modules on it as well, but the drive module is the important thing at the moment - all preparation for the day humanity begins to explore outer space in earnest.



Tsugumi: "...But now the Calion is just another up-and-coming weapon design."
Excellen: "Not really surprising... now that President Midcrid's recognized the existence of the aliens."
Tsugumi: "But at its heart, Series 77 is designed for peaceful applications."
Lamia: (Peaceful? Ridiculous. A weapon is a weapon, no matter how it appears. Like myself...)



Kyosuke comes in to tell the team that they're resupplied and ready to leave. Tsugumi thanks him for the timely arrival, but he just regrets that they weren't there in time to save the Huckebeins.



Excellen: "Well, even if they're the mass-produced model, they're still Vanishing Troopers at heart. That's just what they do."
Bullet: "P-please don't say that. I'm piloting one of those, you know."
Excellen: "Hmm... you might disappear, too..."
Bullet: "I'm serious..."



The team says its goodbyes, and Tsugumi wishes them well.



Tsugumi goes to see Filio in his office and deliver the day's results. Sleigh's performance exceeded expectations; no surprise there, and Filio's quite proud of his sister. Ibis, on the other hand, lagged behind, and he falls silent at this. Tsugumi is quick to move on to the positive: the data makes it clear that the Calion can outperform the Guarlion in combat, meaning there should be no question as to the project's worth.



Filio: "Combat performance. Should we really be happy about that?"
Tsugumi: "Major?"
Filio: "Bian Zoldark believed that for humanity's survival, a strong defense was needed for the Earth sphere. I agreed... and so I designed the Lion."
Tsugumi: "....."



Filio: "The fighting is over now, but the war still holds us in its grip. Is Series 77 doomed to an existence of battle?"
Tsugumi: "Filio..."
Filio: "Sorry, Tsugumi. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. But watching the Calion and Lion fighting each other..."



Tsugumi hopes to avoid more of that by relocating the project. It's quite clear that the Houston base isn't safe any longer; today's attack aside, the enemy's use of Project TD's Boost Drive design indicates that somebody is stealing their data. She believes that Tesla Reich will be a better home. Filio has memories of the place, but isn't sure that they'll welcome him, given his past work for the Divine Crusaders; however, Tsugumi has already been in contact with Jonathan Kazahara, who has voiced no objections.



Tsugumi: "After today... you need some rest."
Filio: "Tsugumi..."
Tsugumi: "Filio, let's finish collating the data tomorrow. I'll stay close until you're asleep."
Filio: "You need rest as much as I do. Were you really all right with working here?"
Tsugumi: "Of course. I want to help you..."
Filio: "Thank you, Tsugumi."
Tsugumi: "Always remember, Filio. Your dream and mine are the same."
Filio: "I know. TD. The Terrestrial Dream... we can't let it end like this."