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In the Earth Cradle...
Axel: "The Inspectors have taken North America, huh?"
Lemon: "So it seems."
Axel: "Even on this side, I guess the Federation just can't handle their tactics."
Lemon: "Don't be too hard on them. The same thing happened to us."
Axel: "I know. But not this time, though."
Lemon: "We're better-prepared now. That's why we came here, after all..."
Axel still considers it a dangerous gamble, but Lemon is supremely confident; she's taken the data W17 sent her and combined it with what they've learned from the Wildfalken to make a new and deadly custom Ashsaber.
Axel: "You sure about this? Just copying the strengths from a bunch of different units doesn't mean you'll end up with a strong mech in the end."
Lemon: "Maybe the results will speak for themselves. Have a little faith in my talents, hmm? Once the Rapiecage is finished, maybe I'll even let you ride it."
Axel: "'Patchwork,' eh? I like the name, but the Soulgain's all I need. Why not send it to W17? We can field-test it when I fight her."
Lemon: "Hey! You know we can't allow that."
Axel: "Just joking. I haven't had a decent fight since the jump. I just want to face somebody with a little backbone again."
Axel: (My grudge against Beowulf... there's no place for it on this side.)
Somebody's in denial.
Original version:
Lemon: "Once [the Rapiecage] is complete, I want you to pilot it.
Axel: "No thanks. I don't want anything to do with a mech that's just a knockoff of one of theirs. Let your dolls or one of the School kids have it."
Lemon: (It looks like he still has a grudge with Beowulf. I hope it doesn't take him in the wrong direction.)
-----
In the wake of the Inspectors' arrival, Vindel has surprised Van by recommending that the NDCs continue with the third phase of their strategy as originally planned, ignoring the aliens completely. Van is immediately opposed, reminding Vindel that he called the NDCs together because he believed the Federation would never be prepared for the aliens' arrival in time; with the aliens here, it's too late to worry about that, and preventing them from spreading beyond North America is now of utmost importance. Vindel counters that the Feds will keep the Inspectors contained for a time; they'll have to split their forces to do so, making this the ideal time for Van to push to the heart of Federation power and force them to surrender - with his own power thus consolidated, Van will be well-positioned to drive the Inspectors out.
Van: "You speak as if you already know the outcome."
Vindel: "I'm just looking at the data we have."
Van: "....."
Vindel: "Colonel Van, you may never have a better chance to seize the capital."
Van: "No. We'll adjust our lines to deal with the aliens first. Phase 3 can wait."
Vindel: "Is that your decision as commander?"
Van: "Of course it is."
Vindel: "...Very well."
Vindel leaves Van in silence.
Van: (Are you starting to show your true colors, Vindel Mauser? With the aliens at our gates, we must hold to the Divine Crusaders' true mission. Establishing a military government will mean nothing if we allow the aliens to gain ground in the process.)
Van: (We should appeal to those in the military who share our dissatisfaction, and... no. We must join hands with the EFA, if need be, and focus our full attention on repelling the invaders.)
-----
Elsewhere in the Cradle, Vindel meets with Lemon and Axel. By Lemon's judgement, the Inspectors won't make their next move for a little while, and Vindel notes with satisfaction that the pieces of their machine are moving smoothly. Lemon thinks it might be time to recall W17; now that the W-Series is in mass production, she wants to keep the Numbers closer at hand. Mentioning the Numbers reminds Axel of the First Jumper; there's been no report of success from W17, but it's unthinkable that he would simply remain idle while events play out.
Original Axel's reaction to learning that W17 hasn't succeeded yet is to scoff that this proves she's just a worthless doll, like he'd said all along.
In any case, Vindel is firm: W17 will remain where she is, as a failsafe of sorts. Axel is concerned about this, having heard that there was some trouble, but Lemon assures him that she'll be fine - although perhaps she was designed a bit too delicately. Axel is silent for a moment, then says that while he doesn't want to doubt her work, the 10-series Numbers were a bit...
Vindel: "...In any case, I want to verify our counterparts' level of strength."
Lemon: "I wonder... do you think we might convince them? The Hagane and Hiryu Kai, that is."
Axel: (Lemon...?)
Vindel: "I doubt we could do it now. But once the situation has been made clear... if we can make them understand what lies ahead."
Lemon: "Not while they believe they have a chance, then."
Vindel: "Nobody willingly strays from a road they believe leads to victory."
Lemon: "Fair enough. So, who should we send? W15? W16?"
Vindel: "I will go."
Lemon: "You? You're planning to use the Zwei?"
Vindel: "That's right."
Axel: "Are you telling me System XN has been repaired!?"
Vindel: "Regarding that..."
The door opens, signalling the triumphant return of Dr. Chin-butt. Remember this guy? We'll be seeing more of him now. 
Egret: "...While System XN is not yet online, there's no problem with the normal functions."
Lemon: "Dr. Feff."
Egret: "Vindel, the Zwei is fully equipped. You may sortie at any time."
Vindel: "Good."
Axel: "...All right, Vindel, who the hell is this guy? And I thought we weren't letting anybody know about the System, much less work on it."
Egret: "How rude. Am I not helping you, despite knowing your origins and motives?"
Axel: "....."
Lemon: "Well, we needed his technical expertise. He's been a great help, in fact."
Vindel: "We needed his intellect to adjust System XN. But this should remind you of our top priority, yes?"
Axel: "Yeah. Finding the First Jumper - finding Helios."
Lemon is concerned about Vindel going out alone, but he doesn't share those concerns; besides, she has her own work to do adjusting Sophia Nate - or rather, Magus Gebo. Lemon isn't convinced, given that the Hagane and Hiryu Kai are stronger than before as well. Hearing this, Axel decides that he'll go out as well; he wants to check on W17, and stretch his legs a bit as well. The Soulgain is still in the shop, though...
Axel: "I'll use the Rath. Of course, depending on the situation, I might end up taking W17 out of commission..."
Lemon: "Didn't I tell you to cut that out? Besides, she may have a thing or two to say about that."
Axel: "Heh... I'm going to go get ready, Vindel."
Axel leaves, and Vindel asks Egret if the Children are ready. They aren't, and won't be for some time, but he has something else for them instead: one of the School's children, newly readjusted by Dr. Setme. He leaves to introduce Axel to his new wingman.
Lemon: "...Dr. Feff's 'children.' I don't think I'm ever going to like them."
Vindel: "Their abilities don't change, regardless of your feelings. For my part, I do see worth in them."
Lemon: "How?"
Vindel: "Created only to achieve a shared objective, but each one having their own will... it has a certain beauty of its own."
Lemon: "...."
Vindel: "Is your W-Series not the same?"
Lemon: "No. I don't like their having individual personalities. It can be an asset, but it's too unpredictable."
Vindel: "I don't see your meaning. If they can obey their directives, that is enough."
Dropped from the remake is a little bit where Vindel asks if Lemon is worried about W17, and ends up reassuring her that everything has been going to plan.
Vindel: "Then I'll be going."
Lemon: "Be careful. On our world, this is where our mistakes began. Maybe... this time..."
Vindel: "It won't happen again."
-----
Cuervo: "Bronzo 27."
Bronzo 27: "What is it, Dr. Cero?"
Cuervo: "I want to introduce you to your new partner."
Bronzo 28: "....."
Cuervo: "He's Number 28. The same class as you."
Bronzo 28: "....."
Bronzo 27: "I'm Bronzo 27. Nice to meet you."
Bronzo 28: "....."
Bronzo 27: "What's wrong?"
Bronzo 28: "...This is my partner?"
Bronzo 27: "Hey! What's that supposed to mean!? Is there a problem with me!?"
Bronzo 28: "Th-that's not what I meant!"
Bronzo 27: "Then what did you mean? Go on, spit it out!"
Bronzo 28: "W-well, um... you've... got a huge rack."
Bronzo 27: 
Cuervo: "H-hey, you two, please try to behave..."
Bronzo 27: "I-I'm sorry..."
Cuervo: "The two of you will be training together from now on. So you need to get along."
Bronzo 27: "Y-yes, sir."
Cuervo: "Understand, Bronzo 28?"
Bronzo 28: "Y-yeah, okay."
Bronzo 27: "So I'm number 27, and you're 28... I guess that makes me your big sister."
Bronzo 28: "No it doesn't..."
Bronzo 27: "Well, I'll let you off the hook from before. Anyway, nice to meet you."
Bronzo 28: "Yeah... same to you."
-----
Bronzo 27: "Huh? Even our names are weird?"
Bronzo 28: "Yeah. Dr. Cero is Cuervo Cero... Granny Agilla is Agilla Setme. Old man Adler's name is Adler Koch. But all we get is a class and a number. What's up with that?"
Bronzo 27: "But those are our names. Nothing we can do about it."
Bronzo 28: "It just doesn't seem right. And what about before we came here? What happened then?"
Bronzo 27: "You're the only one who has time to worry about stuff like that."
Bronzo 28: "No, Latooni said the same thing."
Bronzo 27: "Huh? You mean Latun 11...?"
Bronzo 28: "Yeah. The other day she was crying 'cause the old man was picking on her again. I told Big Sis about it, but..."
Bronzo 27: "Oh... so she was crying again?"
Bronzo 27: (No wonder... Number 11's the only one left from the Latun class.)
Bronzo 28: "I just think it's weird. Why don't we have names like Dr. Cero's?"
Bronzo 27: "Th-that... um... I guess I don't know? I mean, Dr. Setme and Magus Kenus have always called us that."
Bronzo 28: "....."
Bronzo 28: (But it's weird... we had names, before... why can't we remember them?)
-----
Agilla: "Bronzo 27."
Seolla: (No... my name is Seolla Schweitzer...)
Agilla: "Bronzo 27..."
Seolla: (No... I'm Seolla. I'm Seolla...)
Agilla: "Listen carefully, Bronzo 27. Bronzo 28 is gone. Number 28 has died."
Seolla: (Number 28 is gone... his name is... Arado... Arado Balanga...)
Agilla: "Bronzo 28 is gone."
Seolla: (No, Dr. Setme... his name's Arado...)
Agilla: "Number 28 is gone."
Seolla: (It's... Arado...)
Agilla: "Number 28 is gone."
Seolla: (Arado... his name...)
Agilla: "Bronzo 28 is dead."
Seolla: (His... name...)
Agilla: "Bronzo 28 is dead. He was killed by Federation soldiers."
Seolla: (He's... dead...? Bronzo... 28... is...)
Agilla: "That's right. Number 28 is dead."
Seolla: (Dead... he's gone...)
Agilla: "So you must forget about Bronzo 28... every last detail..."
Seolla: (Forget...)
Seolla: (Forget... forget... forget, forget, forget, forget, forget, forget...)
-----
Egret watches as Agilla Setme goes through the delicate process of restructuring Seolla's mind. He sneers that with all the trouble these emotions and memories are causing, one could hardly blame Adler Koch for abandoning the Boosted Children. Agilla merely laughs, responding that memory and emotion can be a source of great power - even if they're false. As she makes the final adjustments, Egret still finds it all ridiculous, thinking that his sons have no such need.
Seolla: "....."
Cuervo: "Seolla..."
Seolla: "Good morning, Doctor."
Agilla: "How do you feel, Number 27?"
Seolla: "I'm fine, Mother."
Cuervo: "Mother?"
Agilla: "Heh heh heh... but of course, Cuervo. Bronzo 27 is my beautiful daughter."
Cuervo: "S-Seolla... about Arado..."
Seolla: "Arado? You mean Arado Balanga?"
Cuervo: "Y-yes. That's right. He was---"
Seolla: "Arado Balanga was the Federation soldier who stole Lat from us. He's my enemy. I know all about him."
Cuervo: "Seolla...!"
Egret: "Bronzo 27, do you understand your next mission?"
Seolla: "Yes. Kill Arado, defeat the Hagane's defenders, and recover Lat and bring her home."
Egret: "Good. The Wildfalken is ready for you. You'll be flying alongside Vindel's men."
Seolla: "Understood."
Seolla leaves.
Agilla: "...Heh heh heh... as you can see, a complete success."
Egret: "Hmph. Brainwashing and suggestion are a sight to behold."
Agilla: "My time at the Institute for Cerebral Science was not a total waste... though their facilities cannot compare to ours."
-----
Seolla: "Captain Almer. Master Sergeant Seolla Schweitzer, reporting for duty. I look forward to working with you in today's mission."
Axel: "...A bit young, aren't you? We're going to be in the vanguard; it'll be dangerous. You realize this?"
Seolla: "Yes, sir! For the glory of the Neue DC!"
Axel: (First the dolls, now this kid... what kind of war are we fighting, with these people?)
Axel: "One thing before we leave, Sergeant. Leave the SMSC Angelg and the Gespenst Mk. III to me. The others are all yours."
Seolla: "Understood!"
Axel: "Then step lively and get ready for launch."
Axel leaves, and Seolla sees Ouka waiting in the hangar. Ouka wishes badly that she could go with her, but the Rapiecage is still being adjusted, and she needs to be present. Seolla promises that she'll bring Latooni back safely.
-----
At Aviano...
Marion, Kirk, and Tsugumi are scrambling to get all of their adjustments done with the limited time they have available. Kirk tells Tsugumi to focus on getting the Fairlions assembled, while he and Marion work together to get the Type-3 online. There's also the AM Boxer frame, but Kirk needs the help of Robert Ohmiya in Izu to get that job done.
Tsugumi: "At Dr. Kazahara's recommendation, we've selected Lt. Brooklyn and Lt. Kusuha to pilot the Type-3... but who are you putting in the Wildwurger?"
Marion: "Hmhm... I think you can take an educated guess."
-----
Our educated guess is in the process of getting the crap kicked out of him by Lamia in the simulator. He tries to appeal to her for a time out, but she just says that there's no such thing in war and finishes him off.
Katina: "Arado! How many times are you gonna get shot down!?"
Arado: "Um... about fifteen, I guess?"
Katina: "Think you can be smart with me? That's one lap around the base! Shake a leg!"
Arado: "Y-yes'm!"
Excellen: "It's time for the rankings. Jurors, if you please, the scores for today's dance?"
Ryusei: "Hmm... 40 points?"
Kyosuke: "I'd give him 20."
Katina: "10 points, and that's a gift!"
Excellen: "Wow, talk about a tough grader!"
Marion: "Then I want your real opinions on him."
Ryusei: "Like we guessed, I don't think beam weapons are suited to him."
Kyosuke: "Offense looks like his strong point. He needs a bigger weapon than the Alt has, though."
Katina: "Like a sword. An actual long blade."
Marion: "Out of our current machines, what would suit him best?"
Ryusei: "Um... it'd have to be the R-Blade, I guess?"
Kyosuke: "It makes sense. Agile, but with a focus on close combat."
Katina: "Shit, I was about to paint it, too... well, if that's what we decide, I'll turn it over."
Marion: "All right. I'll take all this under advisement. Good afternoon."
The crew sets to speculating about what that was for; Lamia immediately suggests that Marion's trying to figure out how to equip the Wurger. Kyosuke guesses that she's going to use the Revolving Bunker that was deemed too heavy for the Alteisen, though Ryusei figures that if he'll be using the R-Blade, maybe it'll be a new blade tonfa. Maybe even a Chainsaw Tonfa! 
Katina: "If you're a man, all you need is your fists!"
Excellen: "Um, Katina... you do realize you're a woman, right?"
Katina: "The hell? We're talking about Arado here!"
Arado: "Lt. Katina! I finished my lap!"
Katina: "Good work."
Arado: "And, uh... Lieutenant Kusuha came, too..."
Kusuha: "Thanks for helping him out, everyone."
Excellen: "Ooh? What brings you here, Kusuha?"
Kusuha: "I heard Arado and Lamia were in a special training session, so... I brought them something to drink."
Excellen: 
Kyosuke:
Katina:
Lamia: 
Ryusei: "K-Kusuha... that drink... it's not one of, you know..."
Kusuha: "Of course! It's my special nutritional recipe."
Arado: "Aw, Lieutenant. You didn't have to do that for me!"
Ryusei: "D-Dude, you don't realize what you're---"
Arado: "Huh? What?"
Lamia: (What's he talking about? Is it poisoned? No, that would make no sense.)
Kusuha: "I'm confident in this one. Ryusei, everyone, would you like to taste?"
Ryusei: "N-no, I'm good."
Katina: "I'm good too!"
Excellen: "Uh, Kyosuke and I just drink canned coffee... I... guess?"
Kusuha: "Is... is that so?"
Arado: "Well, then it's up to me! Here goes!"
Ryusei: "W-Wait!"
I'll get the stretcher.
Arado: "It's... it's delicious! Gimme another!"
Katina: "A-are you serious!?"
Arado: "Oh yeah, it's refreshing and soothing at the same time!"
Kusuha: "I'm so glad... here's yours, Lamia!"
Lamia: (According to my data, Kusuha Mizuha has the same telekinetic power as Lieutenant Brooklyn. Could she have guessed my identity? But... Sergeant Arado isn't showing any ill effects...)
Kusuha: "Wh... what's wrong?"
Lamia: (This is bad... if I refuse so soon after transferring in, Beowulf might suspect me. If anything happens, I'll have to formulate an antidote.)
Kusuha: "You... don't have to drink it if you don't want to..."
Lamia: "No, I will."
Kusuha: "Aah! Lamia!?"
Katina: "She's out cold!"
Excellen: "So it wasn't just a fluke after all..."
-----
Later they have to explain everything again to Viletta. The group marvels a bit at Arado's iron stomach (or maybe just his defective taste buds). Kusuha gloomily says that she's going to have to give up on her health drinks, though Excellen tries to be encouraging; after all, Lamia's already up and about and better than ever (just like Masaki back in the first game), so if she keeps Bullet around as a poison taster, everything should be fine!
Anyway, the comic hijinks interrupted the real reason Masaki and Kusuha came by - they've been meaning to tell Ryusei about the help they got from Elzam Ratsel Feinschmecker in escaping from Tesla. Neither one bought his story, naturally, and the Huckebein Mk. III he was riding clinches it; that unit was under development at Mao Industries, but was given to Elzam for field testing. (At least according to Gilliam.)
Excellen asks where Handsome Sr. has gotten off to now, and they tell him about his plan to deliver the new Grungust to "somebody." Given that the Type-3's main feature is a new type of Zankanto, they can guess who he meant - but does that mean he's taking it to Wodan Ymir, and the enemy? Privately Rai thinks that he may be planning to "give" it to Archibald Grims instead...
Tetsuya comes on the intercom to summon all pilots to the briefing room.
-----
Lee takes a report that Federation reconnaissance has picked up NDC units at point N1008 - worryingly close to Aviano. His displeasure deepens when he learns that the recon units were from the Hagane and Hiryu Kai, and that Lamia Loveless and Arado Balanga are still among them.
(Sending an unaffiliated pilot and an NDC defector to scout for the enemy? Those fools...)
Mission 26: Shadows Revealed
Arado: "Point R1101 reached, nothing to report."
Lamia: "....."
Arado: "Um. Miss Lamia? Are you okay?"
Lamia: "Yes, there are no abnormalities in my digestive system."
Arado: "Digestive... system...?"
Lamia: (Strange... my muscular fatigue is fading. In fact, I feel better than ever. That drink must have --- wait, if I acknowledge that it may have helped, I might have to drink another...)
An enemy patrol appears: the Wildfalken, leading a group of Gespensts. Seolla recognizes the Angelg and R-Blade, which means the Hagane must be close; she orders one of her underlings to notify Axel at once. Lamia recognizes the main force yet again, but she still hasn't received her orders to return.
Arado: "Come on, come on... come in, already!"
Lamia: "Sergeant Balanga? What are you do-oing!?"
Arado: "Seolla might be in there! I've gotta let her know I'm okay!"
Lamia: (The same reaction as Latooni Suvota? I... do not comprehend.)
Arado: "Damn it, what's the frequency!?"
Lamia: (I can't let them make contact. ASRS, J mode, engage. I am sorry, but...)
Arado's comms immediately give way to static.
Arado: "What the---!? I can't get through!"
Seolla: (If we can isolate the Hagane, I can rescue Lat!) "All units, avoid the Angelg! Focus fire on the mass-produced R-1 unit!"
Arado: "Fine! I'll take it on up close and see if it's her!"
Arado starts to move forward.
Lamia: (He's putting himself in grave danger with no reason to believe he'll succeed. What is he thinking?)
Arado: "Lamia, leave the Falken to me! I have to help her!"
Lamia: "...Do as you like. Don't let her escape."
(This is pointless. What am I doing. Now I'll have to cover him. What's wrong with my processes?)
The original version just has Lamia reassuring herself that she's not one of them, so there's no need to interfere.