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Video of this chapter

First thing’s first, we need to select our protagonist.


Our male choice is Raul Gureden and the female is Fiona Gureden. In terms of this game, they are the same person and an only child. It’s only in the OG games where they’re siblings.

The “canon” timeline for this LP will be Raul’s story. Fiona will appear in the route splits I don’t take. The vast majority of their dialogues are the same, so if you see Raul’s face in a combined route stage without a quote that includes Fiona, assume that they’re saying the same thing. Though don’t expect to see this much outside of stages that focus on the OG plot.


Here we can verify the MC’s name as well as the name of their mecha. I’m keeping the default, which is the Excellence. We’ll be seeing how that one looks and works soon enough.


Now we can name the MC’s two friends. The male is Raji Montoya. The female is Mizuho Saiki.


Sticking with default names for both timelines of course. Let’s get this show on the road.


A century has passed since humanity bilt multipurpose habitats, space colonies, and begane relocating there.

The conflict between those living on Earth and those living in space gave rise to numerous battles. Eventually the space colony Side 3, calling itself the Principality of Zeon, launched a war of independence against the Earth Federation.

This war, which would later be known as the One Year War, marked the beginning of a conflict between Eartnoids and Spacenoids. As a result, the Earth and the colonies suffered heavy blows and the global environment changed drastically.

The people, exhausted by endless conflict, established a unified Earth Sphere nation baked on the principle of complete pacifism and, for the time being, the fighting between Earthlings came to an end.

However, as if waiting for the Earth Sphere to grow tired of fighting, various invaders appeared from within and without the Earth. The Earth Sphere Unified Nation, which was reducing its military forces based on a policy of total pacifism, was powerless to resist them. But Robots built in various research institutes rose up and fought back.

This incident led to criticism of how powerless pacifism is, and a coup d’etat broke out. The Earth Sphere Unified Nation was overthrown and the New Earth Federation government was established, led by Dekim Barton.

After that, the New Earth Federation wiped out the invaders. But they could not come to terms with Neo Zeon, led by Char Aznable, and war began once again…

The year is Space Century (SC) 141. Combat experiments of a new multipurpose mobile weapon were about to be carried out…


[Lunar Base, Deck]
Raji, Mizuho. The engine and frame are in good condition. But if I fall down, it’ll be serious.
(Raul Guredan)

quote:

We’ve finally come this far. Raji, Mizuho, how’s the frame and engine?
(Fiona Guredan)

No abnormalities with the Time Flow Engine. Time particle levels maintained at 100.
(Raji Montoya)
No abnormalities in the Excellence Frame. The drive system and power balance are OK.
(Mizuho Saiki)
Okay, perfect. The rest is on me.
We’re counting on you, Raul. We’ve spent two years building that “Time Flow Engine” based on blueprints left by our parents. If we fail here, what will they say from the afterlife?
Something like “Sloppy!”. They’d be angry for sure. They were so stubborn…
But that’s not all. If we fail here, we’ll stop getting development grants and all of our research will be in danger of being lost forever.
I know that. That’s why we developed a humanoid mobile weapon powered by the Time Flow Engine.

quote:

You’ve done a perfect job. Now it’s all on me. If we fail, it’s my fault.
Please do your best. We worked really hard to create this “Time Flow Engine” based on blueprints our parents left behind.
I know. It’s been tough for both of us to get this far.
Um… We’re not done yet…
Mizuho is right. If we fail here, we’ll stop getting development grants and all of our research will be in danger of being lost forever.
That’s why we made the Time Flow Engine power a humanoid mobile weapon frame.

With the war continuing, it’s hard to get grants for technology that can’t be used for military purposes, so we had no choice.
Without funds, we can’t do research. It all depends on this actual test. I’m counting on you, Raul.
I know. Excellence Argent Fighter, standby. OK… GO!


Combined Route Chapter 1: Trial Weapon


The Excellence’s cockpit is a fighter jet.
Hm.
(Federation Soldier)
It’s an escape pod to bring back battle data, but it is equipped with weapons.


Well then, let’s go!




It didn’t do much damage.

quote:

As expected, these armaments didn’t do that much.

It doesn’t have that much fighting power.
Don’t expect too much from a mere escape pod.
But…
Watch this!

quote:

The power of the Excellence is revealed after you equip a frame. Fiona, please return to the lunar base.
…Just a sec. I’ll destroy this and then come back.

You aren’t gonna…
Excellent Argent Fighter, Block Change!
I knew it!


Let’s go!




If you do it like that, it has some decent attack power.
…
Raul, that’s the form that combines with the frames. It’s true that it increases attack power, but your mobility is almost nonexistent.
But unless you do it like this, you can’t really show it off.
Exactly. What do you think?
…It’s a flying Moai…
Dude…

quote:

The combat power of the Excellence Argent Fighter isn’t to defeat the enemy, but to keep them at bay and keep yourself alive.
Okay…

Raul, please return to the lunar base. We will begin combat experiments using the frames.
Roger.


No abnormalities in the frame’s drive systems. Time Flow Engine output between 70% and 80%. Time Turbine working fine. Raji, how about you?
No abnormalities here either. The Time Flow Engine… While various power sources get energy by turning a turbine with steam, this one turns the turbine with the “flow of time” itself… If an engineer who only knew conventional wisdom heard this, they’d be rolling on the floor.
Don’t worry about it. Pioneers have always been laughed at while they were alive.
I’d like to be recognized while I’m alive.
Let those who want to laugh laugh. I’m sure they’ll change their minds when they see this thing in action.

quote:

But this thing actually moves.

That’s right. It’s the result of more than ten years of collecting and researching time particles in the orbit of one of Saturn’s moons.
…
Yes, of course it’s also thanks to Mizuho developing the Excellence’s frames.
Thank you, Raul. Now we’ll begin the combat experiments. Launching the target drone.


Even though it’s just a test, the enemy’s weapons are loaded with live rounds. It would be disastrous if you let your guard down and let the cockpit be hit directly.
I know. Testing with live ammo is tough, but if we don’t do this, we won’t be able to make a good impression on the New Federation.
Raul…
What?
…It’s nothing.
…It’ll be fine. Trust your frames a little more. Let’s go!

quote:

Testing with live ammo is tough, but if we don’t do this much, we won’t make a good impression. Experimental units are hard.
Fiona…
What?
Don’t push yourself. I can’t continue this research alone…
It’ll be fine. I don’t want to turn into stardust.
Just because you’d be alone doesn’t mean you have to drag everyone else down with you.
You talk too much.





Please return to the base for a moment. We’ll replace the frame.
To the anti-air frame? Shouldn’t we call it anti-space in this case?
We won’t get that far with our current schedule.
Roger.


This one is the “Gunner Frame” and is primarily used for shooting. It’s not good at close range combat, so you’ll need to keep your distance and engage in a shootout.






Now for the next frame. Come back.
You’re as cold as ever. You could have spared a compliment you know.

quote:

You’re as unsociable as ever, Mizuho.

Sorry, what was that? I wasn’t paying attention.
Never mind. Heading back now.


This one is the Cosmodriver Frame, designed to operate exclusively in outer space. It should be easier to move around in compared to the previous frames.






Impressive.
The energy supply from the Time Flow Engine is a little weaker. Of course it won’t recover immediately, but…
It can’t be helped. The Time Flow Engine is still a prototype. More importantly, what’s the Fed's reaction looking like?
Not as bad as I thought it would be. I guess that’s because there are precedents for frame replacements and a core block system.
Sorry for not being original.
Don’t worry about it. We just need to get some great results in this field test. Alright, bring out the final enemy!

quote:

What are you talking about? You’re doing great.
But…
Don’t worry about it. We just need to get some great results in this field test. Bring out as many enemies as you want.

Time to carry out the final test.
Roger!


That’s a lot for just one Excellence. But if it wasn’t this much, it wouldn’t be a proper demonstration.

quote:

Even if it’s just a demonstration, there’s still a lot of targets. I have to try hard not to fail.

Huh…?
What’s wrong?
There’s too many. I wasn’t planning on releasing this many…


Uwaaa!
What the heck was that?
There was a sudden explosion! Uwaaaa!


What’s wrong? Is it an emergency?

quote:

Raji, Mizuho! Are you okay? What happened?



It’s starting all of a sudden? You haven’t given me the signal yet.
We haven’t started the program yet.
So there is something wrong… I have no choice. Stop the program. Stop the test!
On it! …What!?
…Oh no… The battle program isn’t running. It’s running on its own!
What!? It’s running out of control!?

quote:

Hey, even if this is supposed to be a real battle, at least tell me when it starts.
Eh? What’s…happening!?
…Impossible… The battle program isn’t running. It’s moving on its own!
By on its own… You mean it’s out of control!?



It’s dangerous here. Please wear a Normal Suit.
Is there anything you can do?
No, they won’t accept any orders. We can’t stop them from going berserk.
We’ve sent out a distress signal. Please do something to hold them off!
Waaaaa!


Raji! Mizuho!
…Mistakes exist…
Because mistakes exist, there is truth.
…Who are you!?
I am the one who makes mistakes…
I am the one who causes mistakes…
My name is…


Raji! Mizuho!
Uwaaaa!
Kyaaaaa!
I’ll save you both right now!


…Thank you.
We’re not out of the woods yet.


I know, I have to do something about these guys…

quote:

At this rate, we’re going to get destroyed. This is one hell of a test!



The first mission is to defeat all enemies. They’re weak and they won’t deal much damage to the Excellence. You just need to hold out for reinforcements. But speaking of the Excellence…


[Excellence Cosmodriver Frame]
The Excellence is the main protagonist’s mech in this game. Its key feature is the ability to swap out frames depending on the situation. In gameplay terms, you would have to go into your battleship and swap there, but the option still exists.
The Cosmodriver frame meant for space combat. In space, it’s pretty good at medium-long range. Its best attack, Fairies, are range 3-7 and would be your bread and butter if it didn’t require 120 will to use. That’s not a problem in this map since you start there, but in the early game, maps end well before you get to that threshold. By the time you do get to 120 will consistently, there’s a better frame to use in space. Otherwise, the Cosmodriver frame is just average.
The Excellence can also eject from the frame and fight in its fighter form. This does grant a full HP and EN heal. The fighter form kinda sucks, so you should instead use it to rush to the nearest battleship and swap out for another frame.

Stick the Excellence on top of the base. If the enemy does hit, the terrain will heal you at the start of every turn. It’ll also provide EN regen every turn, so don’t be afraid to overuse the Fairies. If you’re really anxious about getting hurt, just use the spirit Focus (+30% hit and dodge chance).

After fending off these rogue AIs for a turn…


…It’s cramped.
It can’t be helped since there’s three people in a one-seater cockpit. Kyaa! Where do you think you’re touching!?
S-sorry. It was an accident.
They’re still coming! Just apologize later!

quote:

Raji! Why are you touching Mizuho’s butt at a time like this?
It was an accident! Anyway, they’re still coming!


And after one more turn, or if you manage to defeat all the enemies…

Are we still not getting any help!?
Oh, is that them?


The distress signal came from around here…
(Hari Makibi)
Isn’t it from them? It looks like some kind of scuffle is going on.
(Saburota Takasugi)
You’re right. A mobile suit and some other machine I’ve never seen before are fighting. Maybe it’s the ghost robot that attacked Shirahime.
If you’re here to help, please hurry up!

quote:

Why don’t you stop talking amongst yourselves and help us!?

Hari, it looks like the distress signal came from that unknown unit. This is the New Earth Federation Forces 4th Fleet Test Battleship Nadesico B. Did you send that distress signal?
(Ruri Hoshino)
I’ll explain later, so please help us! We’re already doing our best with a prototype unit!
What a cutie. Captain, I’ll go and help them.


So, who’s the one who made this cute girl cry?
…I always thought that the Jovian Alliance soldiers were serious and brave people.
Hey, I’m brave.
Captain Takasugi!
Captain, I’m counting on you.
Captaaaaaaaaaain.
(Saburota is a 大尉 “Taii” or a military captain while Ruri is 艦長 “Kancho” or the captain of a battleship. Both translate to Captain.)
Is it okay to be saved by someone like that?
What about over there? Another ship has arrived.


This is the Ra Cailum from the New Earth Federation Independent Unit Londo Bell. We’ve received your distress signal.
(Bright Noa)
Please help us. It seems the program on our test drones have gone haywire. It’s attacking on its own!

quote:

This is the New Earth Federation Weapons Development Division. Drones used for combat testing have gone haywire. Please help us right away!

Understood. I’ll hear the details later. Send out the mobile suits immediately.
Amuro. Re-GZ. Launching!
(Amuro Ray)
Kayra. Launching as well!
(Kayra Su)


Even though they’re drones, they’re using live ammo. Be careful.
Understood.
You were always quick on the uptake.
…I think that it’s normal… Even the people being rescued have a different attitude than us...
Well then, shall we go as well?
Captain Takasugi, don’t get carried away and stray too far from the Nadesico B. You’ll lose your energy supply.
Since the Aestivalis receives its energy from the Nadesico, if I get too far away, I’ll lose my energy quickly. Even though I’m a Jovian, I know that much.


More of them!?
Did those drones start up on their own?
Man, what a combat test!

quote:

Since they’re moving, we don’t have much choice. What the heck is going on!?


We’ve got some new units, but besides pointing them out, I think it’s best if I go over them in the next chapter.


To the west, we’ve got the Nadesico B and the Super Aestivalis. All Aestis in this game have the trait where they run out of energy super quickly, but if they’re close to a Nadesico battleship, they regain full EN at the start of every turn. They’re also speedy, fragile, and hold a barrier. The Nadesico is a battleship that, aside from that Aesti EN property, can fire massive gravity blasts for a lot of damage.


To the east, we’ve got the Ra Cailum, a Re-GZ, and a Jegan. The Ra Cailum is a standard battleship, slow but bulky. The Re-GZ is more powerful in its BWS form, but when destroyed or on demand, can purge its BWS and fight like a normal mobile suit. The Jegan is a bog-standard mobile suit with no thrills.


Defeat all remaining enemies. You could really do this in your sleep.

Victory should come at no surprise. It’s only the first chapter after all.


The drones have fallen silent.
We’re finally done.
So what do we do now? Surely we can’t go to both ships.
Which one should we have protect us?


Get protection from the Nadesico B
>Get protection from the Ra Cailum

This is the first route split of the game and will determine mutually exclusive endgame secrets as well as what happens in the epilogue.

For our “canon” playthrough, Raul is going to board the Ra Cailum.


We’ll protect them.
Understood. I pray for your safety.


[Ra Cailum, Bridge]
I’m Bright Noa, captain of the Ra Cailum. And you’re… part of the New Earth Federation’s Weapons Development Department…
I’m Raul Guereden. Mobile weapons test pilot.
Raji Montoya. I’m in charge of the engine operations system.
Mizuho Saiki. I’m in charge of frame development and mechanics.
Um… Were there any other survivors?
We did a search with the Nadesico, but we couldn’t find any. It seems you three are the only survivors.
Um, what about our mech? There should have been a few spares.
We were only able to recover one. The frame was pretty much ruined though. The engine looks fine, so we should be able to fix it.
The Striker Frame. All the other frames were destroyed.
…I see.
Mizuho, don’t be so depressed. We can just make more.
I guess…
Let’s just be happy that we’re alive.
Right. Let me introduce you. This pilot is Captain Amuro Ray.
…I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before.
It’s unusual for you to be a soldier and not know of the captain. I’m also a pilot, Kayra Su. Nice to meet you. Your mech is called the Excellence, right? Let me ride it later.
It’s a military secret, so…
But Astonaige and the other mechanics are looking at it right now.
That’s a problem!
I’ll tell you what. The plan is we’re stopping by Von Braun to get supplies before we head into battle. We’ll drop you off there.
Understood.


[Ra Cailum, Cabin]
What will happen to us…
It depends on how much the New Federation values the Excellence and the Time Flow Engine. If only that accident didn’t happen…
It wasn’t an accident…
Eh?


[Ra Cailum, Bridge]
It’s just as I heard. According to the communication records on the Excellence, there was a conversation between the pilot and an unknown voice.
(Astonaige Medoz)
It wasn’t a conversation. More like one-sided talking.
They could have made it look like an accident, but instead they sent this message to the pilot. What were they thinking?
Is there any special technology in the Excellence?
The frame itself is really well made, but it’s not that impressive technological-wise. The issue is in its engine.
The engine is special?
To be honest, I’m not sure. It lacks a fuel tank.
That’s ridiculous. An engine that doesn’t need fuel?
It’s not that strange. I heard that the Phase Transition Engine on the Nadesico and other ships takes in a vacuum and turns it into energy.
And that’s not all. The engine is still running and producing energy. When I saw it, it made me think of a perpetual motion machine.
Perpetual motion… It couldn’t be. That’s literally impossible.


[Ra Cailum, Cabin]
I see. If what Raul says is true, then someone must have set this whole thing up. Are they after the Excellence and the Time Flow Engine?
It’s probably the engine. The Excellence is too weak to be considered unique technology.
…Are they interested in the original purpose of the engine?
Original purpose?
They never told Mizuho the reason why my father developed time particles… The particles control the flow of time and the energy supply system that uses them exists to create and power a specific thing.
What thing?
…A time machine.


>Get protection from the Nadesico B
Get protection from the Ra Cailum

Fiona, on the other hand, chose to join the Nadesico B.


In that case, we’ll take care of them.
Understood. I pray for your safe voyage.


[Nadesico B, Bridge]
I’m Lieutenant Commander Ruri Hoshino, Captain of the Nadesico B, a test battleship belonging to the New Earth Federation Forces 4th Fleet. And you’re the New Earth Federation Forces Weapons Development Department…
I’m Fiona Guerden, a test pilot for mobile weapons.
Raji Montoya. I’m in charge of the engine operation system.
Mizuho Saiki. I’m in charge of frame development and mechanics.
Um… Were there any other survivors?
The Nadesico and Ra Cailum conducted a search, but couldn’t find any. It seems you three are the only survivors.
Um, what about our mech? There should have been a few spares.
Captain Takasugi was only able to recover one.
The Striker Frame. All the other frames were destroyed.
…I see.
We should be happy that we’re still alive.
Let me introduce you. This is Lieutenant Hari Makibi, who serves as the ship’s assistant first-in-command.
And I’m Taburota Takasugi. Vice Captain and combat leader.
…I am a Captain too.
(大尉)
Hey, are you unhappy with me being a Captain?
No, I have no complaints about your track record and abilities… It’s just your attitude…
As long as you’re competent, I don’t care about your personality.
Please be a little considerate.
Uh, so what’s going to happen to us?
This ship is currently heading to the Terminal Colony Amaterasu. You’ll be handed over to a Federation facility there.


[Nadesico B, Cabin]
What will happen to us…
It depends on how much the New Federation values the Excellence and the Time Flow Engine. If only that accident didn’t happen…
It wasn’t an accident…
Eh?


[Nadesico B, Bridge]
Hari, maybe we’ll keep those three on the Nadesico.
Eh?
They said it was a prototype weapon. Excellence, I think? I think it would be better for us to use them rather than leaving them alone.
I agree.


[Nadesico B, Cabin]
I see. If what Fiona says is true, then someone must have set this whole thing up. Are they after the Excellence and the Time Flow Engine?
It’s probably the engine. The Excellence itself is too weak to be considered unique technology.
…Are they interested in the original purpose of the engine?
Original purpose?
They never told Mizuho the reason why my father developed time particles… The particles control the flow of time and the energy supply system that uses them exists to create and power a specific thing.
What thing?
…A time machine.