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Ibis has been helping Tsugumi with the adjustments to the Gold and Silver frames. The chief apologizes for dragging Ibis into this, but the design is a Lion derivative like the Project TD units, so she's willing and able to chip in. She's noticed some systems not included in the Astelion, though. Tsugumi notes that Dr. Kazahara had those added in; it seems the Director predicted the current situation to a degree.



Ibis: "Huh? She's using this in the next operation?"
Tsugumi: "Yes. And we've never done an activation test..."
Ibis: "You don't approve, Chief?"
Tsugumi: "Of course not. Even if she wasn't a princess, she's still a child. She's had no training. How can we send her into a battlefield?"



Ibis: "I... do understand her feelings, though."
Tsugumi: "You do?"
Ibis: "Wanting to protect something. If that's how she feels, she'll fight, even if she's a child. No matter who tries to stop her..."
Ibis: "You know what I mean, don't you, Chief?"
Tsugumi: "....."
Ibis: "So... I want to help her."



Tsugumi: "...All right, Ibis."
Ibis: "Huh?"



Tsugumi: "It's not my place to stop her from fighting. The mechanic's job is to give the pilot the best mech they can. That's how I can keep her safe."
Ibis: "Chief Takakura..."
Tsugumi: "I can get through the adjustments if I rush, I think. Give me a hand, Ibis."
Ibis: "You can count on me! I have confidence in my strength!"
Tsugumi: "Really? Then I'll let you handle the heavy lifting, too."

-----



Leona: "You want me to take the 008L?"
Ring: "It's all yours. It has some history, but you'll make good use of it in the operation."
Leona: "But... that's your mech, Ms. President."
Ring: "And I'd like to fight myself, but the situation doesn't allow it."
Leona: "Very well... then I'll take care of it until your return."



Ring: "...Return?"
Irm: "Heh. You're always like that."
Ring: "Irm..."
Irm: "When the job's done, you'll come back, right?"
Ring: "...Right."



Radha: "Ms. President..."
Ring: "This is something I can't leave to everyone else. Mao Industries is my company... and it's my job to take it back."
Radha: "Understood. It sounds like you've made up your mind."
Irm: "Well, let's focus on now now, Ring."



Ring: "I know. I'll be off for Paris, then. Take care of things, all of you."
Radha: "We will. Be careful."
Irm: "Just make sure you don't miss your entrance, okay?"
Ring: "Heh. I know that well enough."

-----



The briefing proceeds for the recapture operation. The first stage will involve a diversionary strike by the Shirogane on the outer perimeter. Meanwhile, the Hagane will approach from over the Mediterranean. Their intel suggests that there are a few Rhinoceros-class carriers around the royal palace. The Hagane will split its own troops into a diversionary force and a strike team; a swift strike at the enemy flagship should force a surrender or a withdrawal.



Irm: "So who's the strike team?"
Tetsuya: "Major, I'll leave that to you."
Kai: "Of course. We need a unit with cohesion between frontal power and rear support. Ryusei, Rai, that will be you."
Rai: "Understood."
Ryusei: "This time I'm taking the forward position."
Rai: "Got it."



Irm: "No surprises like last time, okay, Rai?"
Rai: "...No."
Viletta: "Ryusei, don't forget what I've taught you."
Ryusei: "You got it, Chief."



Kai: "The rest will be the advance party. Now, Ibis..."
Ibis: "Y-yes, sir?"
Kai: "Given your frame's capabilities, I'd like you to be the one to lure the enemy out. Are you up to that?"
Ibis: "Okay. I'll do it..."
Kai: "Good. Then, Ryusei, Rai, your objective will---"



Shine suddenly bursts into the room, surprising everybody.
Shine: "Would you hear a request?"



Daitetsu: "...What is it, Your Highness?"
Shine: "Please! You must allow me to participate in liberating Riksent!"
Daitetsu:



Everybody boggles, and she explains that she's determined to free her people with her own hands - as Rai once told her, they are hers to protect. That still leaves the obvious question of how she's going to do any of this ...



...But Tsugumi comes in with an answer to that, displaying some schematics on the screen. And everybody boggles again.



Leona: "This is part of the Lion series?"
Tsugumi: "Yes - the Fairlions, Types G and S. The Duchy of Riksent commissioned them from the Tesla Institute. They were originally meant for ceremonial purposes, but..."



Latooni: "But, that design is so..."
Arado: "...Girly."
Ryusei: "So cute..."
Irm: "...Yeah, that's the old man's hand at work, all right."



Ryusei: "But why are there two?"
Tsugumi: "They utilize a special man-machine interface - the W-I^3NK System."
Radha: "W-I^3NK System?"
Tsugumi: "That's right. It enables the Type-G and Type-S to move in perfect harmony."
Irm: "I'm guessing... the Type-G is calibrated for Princess Shine, to take advantage of her precognition."



Irm: "Which means the Type-S... is for Latooni."
Latooni: "Huh!?"
Irm: "Through the W-I^3NK System, the Type-S can function as a support unit for the Type-G. Well, more of a control unit, actually."
Tsugumi: "Th-that's right... you have a good eye, to pick that up from the schematics."
Irm: "Nah, I just know how my old man thinks."



Daitetsu: "...So you intend to use the Fairlion in this operation, Your Highness?"
Shine: "I do. I... understand it's a brazen request, but..."
Arado: "But Princess, do you realize what you're---"
Shine: "I'm aware of the risks. Please, let me help. My people helped me to escape... I would like to repay them for it."
Ibis: (Your Highness...)
Latooni: (Just like me... the Princess has people she needs to save...)



Latooni: "...I'll use the Fairlion."
Shine: "...!"
Ryusei: "H-hey, wait a minute, Latooni..."
Latooni: "I know it'll be dangerous, but I understand how Her Highness feels."
Ryusei: "O-okay, but..."
Latooni: "The Fairlions, and the W-I^3NK System, were designed for us. With their help, I'll keep her safe."

please stop saying wink system



Daitetsu is silent for a moment, then asks Tsugumi to elaborate on the Fairlions' defenses. They're outfitted with energy fields and hyper jammers, and Latooni will make good use of their high mobility. Satisfied, the captain consents to Shine's participation.



When Kai asks if he's sure, he replies that even a little more power in their squad could make the difference - and he can hardly turn down such an earnest request. Resigned, Kai assigns Ryusei and Rai to assist Latooni in supporting the princess. With that matter settled, there's little time left, and the pilots disperse to prepare for their approach.

-----



Riksent



Archibald: "Oh-ho... so the Federation is making a move, is it?"
NDC: "Sir. They seem to be mobilizing to invade Riksent."
Archibald: "Not surprising. Then we should prepare for them."
NDC: "Yes, sir. What should we tell the civilians?"
Archibald: "Ah, yes. Close the roads, don't let them leave."



NDC: "What if they get caught up in the battle?"
Archibald: "Oh, that would be unfortunate, wouldn't it? Colonel Van did order me to minimize casualties... in other words, I doubt he'll miss a few. Hmhmm..."

-----



Soldier: "Move it! We've got to get it to the shelter before the enemy arrives!"



Yuuki: "...What is this?"
Soldier: "Sir! Request from Major Grims, sir. We're to haul this container to the city shelter."
Yuuki: "Container? What's inside?"
Soldier: "I'm told it's food, sir."



Yuuki: "Show me."
Soldier: "I-I can't, sir... it's the Major's orders."
Yuuki: "....."

-----



Mission 27: Supersonic Fairy

Atlus went with "My Fair Lions."



The Hagane has broken through the third defensive line; it looks like they're just planning to plow straight through to the palace. Archibald notes with amusement that their captain is as bullishly straightforward as ever. He asks for the status of the blockade; the civilians have remained where they were, inside the city.



Carla: "Major, why aren't we evacuating the civilians!?"
Archibald: "Ah, yes... should an emergency arise, we can use them as shields."
Carla: "What the hell!? Is that how you fight a war?"
Archibald: "Carla... I suppose you'll tell me that this isn't a game. But I beg to differ."



Archibald: "If you truly want to protect the poor townspeople, then you had best stop the enemy before they get here. Then we'll have no need for a shield... will we?"
Carla: "Ugh! You---"



Yuuki: "That's enough, Carla."
Carla: "But---"



Yuuki: "If you're not willing to do what's necessary, you'll never last on the battlefield."
Carla: "I can't believe I'm hearing this!"
Yuuki: "We're past the point where you can think like that. And don't forget... you're the one who chose this road."
Carla: "I enlisted because I didn't want anyone else to end up like me!"
Yuuki: "That's not something you can decide. Just do what you can to minimize casualties."
Carla: "...Understood."



The Hagane reaches the city. Daitetsu orders the flight unit to rush the Randgriths stationed on the palace grounds and draw them away, without letting battle take place within the city walls. Time is short; we have at most five minutes to accomplish this before the enemies behind us start to catch up.



While everybody else makes plans to clear a path for Princess Shine, Arado thinks that these should be Archibald's forces - which means Lieutenants Yuuki and Ricarla are here. He doesn't want to fight them... but how will they free Riksent without it?