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Video of this chapter
I’ll go over the units when we get to the battle map.
No intermission changes quite yet.
Last time, a test flight of a new mech, the Excellence, was horrifically disrupted by a freak accident. Or was it an accident? Regardless, Fiona and the gang decided to board the Nadesico B.
[Nadesico B, Bridge]
The Hisago Plan?
You don’t know about it? It’s a research project to put Boson Jumps to practical use.
I was too busy developing the Excellence’s frames…but I thought Boson Jumping was already being used.
It’s not completely usable. The Boson Jumps that we currently use are incomplete. Right now we can only Jump through a medium called a Chulip.
Well, we use what we can. Of course research is still being done to make it more accessible.
In other words, you’re creating a huge transportation network by placing these “Chulip Stations” all over the place and connecting them with Boson Jump “routes”.
That’s a good analogy. Easy to understand.
It’s true that right now the only Boson Jump route is between Earth and Mars, but eventually we should be able to travel throughout the entire Solar System.
Amaterasu, where we’re going now, is a terminal colony on the Martian side. We can get there by Boson Jump, so it’s perfect.
But doesn't Boson Jumping have an effect on the human body?
Yes. In order to avoid that, we need to cover the ship’s hull with a high-power Distortion Field when jumping. Just think of it as a barrier.
Now that I think about it, I recently read an article somewhere. It said that only A-Class Jumpers can Jump without a Distortion Field. And that all currently confirmed A-Class Jumpers have died in freak accidents.
…
…?
Let’s not talk about that. The Captain was raised by a married couple of A-Class Jumpers for the past few years.
Ah…
Don’t worry about it. By the way, where’s your friend?
If you mean Raji, he’s in the engine room. He’s crazy about anything energy related. I’ll bring him over.
…An energy otaku…
[Nadesico B, Engine Room]
A Phase Transition Engine. A system that absorbs a vacuum and converts it into energy, so its power drops in the atmosphere. But it can constantly supply energy in a vacuum. It’s this characteristic that allows it to continuously supply energy to the Aestivalis series. But this wasn’t created by human hands. It was obtained by analyzing technology from ancient ruins on Mars. I believe that the only power that’s worth having is one that we create ourselves, so I’m not the biggest fan.
There you are. We’re about to Boson Jump, so come on.
Perfect timing. I want to see how the engine works at the moment of a Jump.
Captain Hoshino wants you on the bridge. Won’t you learn more there?
Let’s go to the bridge right now!
You’re so opportunistic.
[Nadesico B, Bridge]
By the way, when you came to help us, you mentioned a ghost robot. What’s that about?
You don’t pay attention to the news?
We were too busy making final adjustments to the Excellence and the Time Flow Engine.
The Hisago Plan’s terminal colonies have been attacked one after another recently. All we know is that the culprit is a small mobile weapon.
And the media is getting carried away by calling it a ghost robot.
…Is Amaterasu likely to be the next target?
I don’t know. And…
And?
…We’re approaching the Chulip and will soon Boson Jump.
…It seems like the Nadesico’s purpose isn’t to guard Amaterasu. It seems to be something else.
They’re the military, so they probably have missions they can’t tell outsiders about.
Perhaps, but I’m more interested in learning when we can resume our research.
Please be quiet.
(Why are they letting outsiders onto the bridge? Especially during a Jump.)
Well then, let’s get started. Distortion Field, maximum output!
Confirming route to Amaterasu by way of Takiri, Sayori, and Tagitsu. Deploy optical barrier!
Everyone, please perform a final check.
Communication lines closed.
Life block preparations complete.
Energy systems OK… I see, so that’s how it works.
Whoa, don’t butt in! Seriously… Shipboard alert status pattern B.
No abnormalities in field output. Everything else is all OK!
Level increase. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10…
Jump.
[Explosions. The screen shakes]
wh-what the heck? A battle’s in progress!?
Ah, it seems someone is trying to capture the station.
Communication from Amaterasu.
Hey! Who the hell are you? You morons just Jumped in at the worst time!
(Azuma) (He’s on the monitor)
It’s me.
Oh what? It’s just a brat.
This is the Test Battleship Nadesico B, part of the New Earth Federation Space Forces 4th Fleet. I’m the Captain, Lieutenant Commander Ruri Hoshino. You must be Brigadier General Azuma, the man in charge of the Amaterasu colony.
Yes. We’re a bit busy here. Stay out of our way!
Um… Might we be able to help?
Don’t do anything unnecessary! Just shut up and watch!
[He hangs up]
He hung up…
So he’s that kind of guy.
He seems a bit hot-headed.
Hari, what’s the current situation?
Y-yes… The Amaterasu colony is currently under attack by an unidentified mobile weapon. Could it be that!?
You mean the rumored ghost robot?
Amaterasu is fighting back, but they seem to be at the mercy of the enemy’s mobility.
Anything else besides that mobile weapon?
I’ve spotted what appears to be a spaceship behind us… That’s all.
Don’t they have too few forces to destroy an entire colony?
A little while ago, a single mobile suit almost completely destroyed a Federation base, but that was only with a nuclear weapon.
If we had nukes, we would have used them before this melee occurred.
So they have a different goal then?
Hari, hack into Amaterasu.
Are you sure?
I’m sure. Fiona, can you lend us your strength?
I can’t say no. Is the Excellence ready?
It is.
Well, I’ll be off then too.
Captain, are you sure?
Yes. Besides, don’t you want to see the enemy’s true objective?
[Amaterasu, Command Room]
How are you struggling this much against one mech!? Just shoot it down!
[Screen turns on]
Don’t yell at me! I can’t concentrate!
(Ryoko Subaru)
Stop making excuses! Aren’t you the captain of the Amaterasu Defense Force?
The enemy mobile weapon has invaded Amaterasu.
What!?
Dammit! I’m giving chase!
Gate 13 is open. Enemy mobile weapon is hacking us.
Gate 13? I’m not aware of a thirteenth gate.
It has to be that, Brigadier General.
(Professor Yamasaki)
Huh? What do you mean, Yamasaki?
This charade is over. That is to say… Human obsession…
…Wh-what are you plotting? Who are you? You’re not a Federation soldier, are you?
Enemies of Earth, enemies of the Jovian Federation, enemies of Neo Zeon, enemies of all corruption in the universe…
We are the Martian Successors!
(Haruki Kusakabe)
You!? …Haruki… Kusakabe!
We, the Martian Successors, will occupy the Hisago Plan!
The Defense Force’s Aestivalis entered Gate 13 in pursuit of the mobile weapon.
(Martian Successor Soldier)
I don’t care. Activate the trap. Shoot them down together with the unmanned weapon.
[Aestivalis, Cockpit]
[Explosions and shaking]
Hah. Hah. What are these things!? Where did that black mech go?
[Monitor turns on]
It’s been a while, Ryoko.
Yeah, it’s been two years. You look well. I heard the Nadesico was here, but you’re still as reckless as ever.
You’re impressive, Ryoko.
Heh. Just because you took down a drone doesn’t mean you get to brag.
It looks like a trap to randomly eliminate intruders. I’ve deactivated the traps. I’ll show you the way.
Sorry… Oh, you’re taking advantage of the confusion to hack into the station?
The enemy is doing it too, so it’s an emergency. By the way, Hari is the one doing it.
Captain, you’re so mean.
We’ve got information about the enemy’s movements. The Nadesico is heading that way, so please join and guide us if possible.
Understood… Wait, are you planning on bringing the Nadesico inside!?
It’ll fit.
Nadesico B Route Chapter 2: Martian Successors
They really did come in with the Nadesico.
The enemy mobile weapon should arrive here soon.
Okay… Hmm. Is that a new model?
It’s a prototype. Not in production yet.
Well, whatever. Don’t slow us down.
She’s a strong-willed girl. How cute.
Argh! What are you talking about?
Many enemy units confirmed. Incoming!
Goddamn drones. They’re still active!
Fiona, due to energy supplies, Aestivalises can’t go too far from the Nadesico.
I know. Leave the ones that are further away to me.
Let’s go over the new units first. No matter what frame you selected for the Excellence in the previous intermission, it will deploy in the Striker frame. So without further ado…
[Excellence Striker Frame]
The Striker Frame is meant for melee combat in gravity. It utterly sucks at space combat with that C space terrain, so it’s not advised to deploy it on those chapters. It’s down to preference if you want to use this over any of the other terrestrial Frames later as it’s not that bad at what it wants to do, which is to get in close and punch the enemy in the nose.
[Nadesico B]
This battleship is a giant EN black hole. Its two attacks use up more EN than it regenerates and its Distortion Field uses up even more EN every time it gets attacked. If you can upgrade its EN and give it EN related parts, it’ll be a powerhouse. But considering this game, it’s not playable for too long.
[Super Aestivalis]
The Aestivalises are in general small and quick machines that thrive off of dumping their EN into medium powered attacks and damage reducing barriers, and then regaining all their EN from being close to a Nadesico battleship. They’re decent at this role and serve as excellent battleship guards and support attackers and defenders. It helps that the Nadesico battleships are quite good at being in the front lines, so they can shine more.
[Aestivalis Custom]
In essence, the Aestivalis Custom is the same as the Super Aestivalis but with a slightly different loadout.
So this map is the introduction to indoor maps. Their main feature is the addition of impassable walls (you can still shoot through them though) and individual tiles that regen HP and EN per turn. Normally these maps require you to fight your way to the end where a boss is either waiting or will spawn in. The enemies in this map are weak, but if an Aesti gets damaged, don’t be afraid to put it in the Nadesico or sit on a recovery tile for a few turns. The Nadesico especially might want to sit on a recovery tile since it’s a giant EN hog.
Once you get to the end of this corridor and all the initial enemies are defeated…
Alright. We won’t be interrupted for a while now.
Ryoko, they’re here.
Hehe, you’re finally here. I’ve got you right where I want you.
I don’t want to fight you right now. Captain Hoshino has something to tell you.
Hello. I’m Lieutenant Commander Ruri Hoshino of the Allied Space Forces. Sorry for being pushy, but since you locked out all window communication links, I’ve asked Fiona to relay this for me. Um… Please tell me. Who are you?
Lapis, password analysis…
Hey, say something!
…We don’t have the time. Just look.
…Wh…What!?
…
(Yurika Tenkawa)
Is that…a bust?
Ruri, are you seeing this!? What’s that!?
Ryoko, calm down.
What is it! Tell me, what is it!?
The shape is different, but it’s the same as those ruins. The ruins on Mars that both Earth and Jupiter were targeting during the last war. The Boson Jump’s black box… So this is the true nature of the Hisago Plan.
Ruri… They won’t rest in peace like this. Why the hell is this thing here!?
It’s for the future of humanity!
(Hokushin)
Hokushin…
I see. If you’re here, then you’re the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Hey, don’t just talk like everyone knows what’s happening!
Ryoko-chan, run!
Ryoko-chan… You’re… Akito? You’re Akito, right!?
Get away from here!
(Akito Tenkawa)
DIE!
We get one more unit for this part here, but we don’t get to keep it. I’ll still talk about it now anyway since it’s playable.
[Black Serena (High Mobility and Aestivalis Custom)]
The apex of the Aestivalis series. When you can put some upgrades into the Black Serena, it’ll never get hit and be able to deal out decent damage. There’s also a chance of Akito Boson Jumping to avoid attacks once he hits the 120 will threshold. With the High Mobility armor, the Black Serena has three different forms, and therefore three different HP and EN pools. If you purge, you won’t be able to go into a more armored form, so watch out. Also it’ll only get the normal Aestivalis EN regen treatment when in it’s in its Aestivalis Custom stage.
Hokushin and his men all have barriers of their own, so your own damage will be reduced. When they get above 120 will, they’ll also start Boson Jumping to negate attacks heading at them, so don’t prolong this battle any longer than you need to.
And there’s some boss dialog too.
Between dusk and dawn, a starry spiral stretches, shaped just like a gourd, reaching the heavens above. Do you wish to die in front of your woman?
Mmmmm…
Hokushin, I never thought that you, who’s alway been doing the Jovian Federation’s dirty work, would be involved with this.
Poor Saburota Takasugi. You forgot about your mission and cause and ran after a woman!
Like you need to tell me!
Hokushin retreats at 30% HP (3000). Try to beat him if you can, which is easier thanks to Akito coming with Valor. Although any exp gained on Ruri, Ryoko, Saburouta, or Akito won’t matter in the long run. The money is nice, but don’t kill yourself over trying to end him. The grunts drop pocket change as well.
The battle ends when Hokushin is defeated or forced to retreat, as any remaining enemy will flee.
Akito Tenkawa. It seems the God of Mars is very fond of you. I’ll let you live for a while longer… Retreat!
Old fashioned as always.
…
Hey Akito! Wait. Wait!!
He’s dangerous.
[A monitor turns on]
My apologies for the occupation. We will not detonate and abandon Amaterasu. Everyone, be it enemy, ally, or civilian, flee this place!
Well they’re being honest.
Hari, did you get the data?
Yes!
Okay then. Takasugi, please recover Fiona’s mech.
My friends! Let me go back! Yurika and Akito are…
Captain’s orders. Sorry.
Ruri, respond. You’re listening, right? You’re watching, right? They’re alive!
It’s tough when you don’t know their circumstances. I don’t know what to say…
Are you just going to let them die again? Dammit. DAMMIT!
[Nadesico B, Bridge]
Takasugi’s unit just recovered Fiona’s mech. Hmm? There’s one too many.
It’s Ryoko. Move the Nadesico. We’ll leave this area at maximum power!
[Explosions as the screen turns white]
Thank you for your help on Amaterasu. I’m Ryoko Subaru and, as you can see, I’m an Aestivalis pilot.
Nice to meet you. Do you know Captain Hoshino?
I used to be on the Nadesico with Ruri and the others. The original one. …By the way, where’s Ruri?
I’m connected to Captain Bright of Londo Bell.
We’re also seeing an increase in ships withdrawing from the front lines to support the Martian Successor’s coup, forcing us to reconsider our strategy… We don;’t have any resources to send you.
(He’s on the phone)
It’s the same for us. The New Earth Federation is in disarray right now. It seems that the units that can move have no choice but to act independently. I’ll leave Neo Zeon to you.
Then the Martian Successors are all yours.
Okay. Later.
(They hang up)
So basically we need to recruit on our own.
This is horrible… Look at this! I’m reviewing the data from Amaterasu and they were doing human experiments on Boson Jumps there! They kidnapped A-Class Jumpers and any potential candidates!
That Hokushin guy has been doing some nasty stuff behind the scenes since the Jovian Federation days. I’m sure he’s responsible for the kidnappings too.
Akito and Yurika were also kidnapped by him… Dammit!
Tenkaway was fighting alone… Well, he might be getting some help somewhere, but still…
Even so, wasn’t that coup d’etat very well executed?
Just look at the list of people who defected to join the coup. They were all people who were involved in planning the Hisago Plan. Both military and political personnel alike.
Rather than defecting, they were members of the Martian Successors from the beginning, weren’t they?
In short, the New Earth Federation must have started the Hisago Plan for Kusakabe’s sake. And I know it was for camouflage, but they hired a lot of ignorant soldiers like Brigadier General Azuma and me… Dammit!
Now that you mention it, whatever happened to Brigadier General Azuma?
I don’t know… I hope he’s alive, that stubborn old fool.
Going back on topic, Kusakabe’s plan is monopolizing political and economic control through Boson Jumping, right? He once spoke about the dangers of Boson Jumping many times.
He may see it as justice, but in the end he’s just being controlled.
Um… I don’t know the details so I don’t quite understand… What was that flower-looking part attached to that statue of a woman?
To answer that, I need to explain a bit of backstory. Let me keep it brief. In the early days of space exploration, those who wanted independence for the Moon were secretly expelled by the heartless people on Earth.
Those people found ancient ruins on Mars and started attacking the Earth using some of that technology. That’s the Jovian Federation in a nutshell. But in the end, it was just a battle that borrowed technology from some old ruins. It didn’t last long and eventually they sued for peace.
And so this ancient technology is now being deciphered and studied by both Earth and the Jovian Federation.
These are the Boson Jumps and Phase Transition Engines.
Fiona, what you were asking about is the control device for Boson Jumps. The Computation Unit.
It’s something we should have destroyed in the last war. Dammit!
…There’s no way that Boson Jumps could be used casually or for large-scale research projects if the control device was gone.
…It wouldn’t be surprising if the project itself was already started by the Martian Successors since they had the Computation Unit.
In the end, we were made out to be clowns…
The woman who was fused with the Computation Unit and turned into a statue is Yurika Tenkawa. Her maiden name is Misumaru… She was the one who opted to eject the Computation Unit and is one of the few A-Class Jumpers.
Tenkawa… Wasn’t that…
She’s the wife of Akito Tenkawa, the pilot of that black mobile weapon.
…
…He was trying to save his wife, wasn’t he?
…
…Could it be the A-Class Jumper couple that raised the Captain were…
Can we leave that somber topic there?
Who are you?
Excuse me. I’m Prospector, from Nergal Heavy Industries, the company who made the Nadesico.
Prospector?
Is that your real name?
No no. It’s more like a pen name.
Captain Bright’s squad can’t move and this won’t end on its own, so I’ve decided to ask for your help.
You asked Nergal? Are you sure?
Hahaha. You can trust me for now. So the main problem is the lack of staff. After all, the enemy is just over 20% of the New Federation Army. If we rush in carelessly, we’ll be squashed.
So a surprise attack by a small elite force?
That’s the only option.
Are you able to gather skilled people at such a convenient time? It might be better if we did this ourselves…
I’ll be fine. Think of it like a small class reunion.
A class reunion… It couldn’t be!?
I see.
[Nadesico B, Deck]
Are we going to help the Nadesico? I’d rather resume my research as soon as possible.
They say haste makes waste. If we can achieve some results here, we might be recommended by the Nadesico. In the end, that would be more advantageous.
The Excellence’s frames will be the ones being evaluated.
Have you forgotten about the battle at Amaterasu? The Nadesico’s Aestivalis series has a supply range problem.
With the Time Flow Engine, we won’t have to worry about that.
Yes. Being with the Nadesico is just the chance we need.
So we can show a clear difference in characteristics? Sounds good. Either way, it doesn’t change the fact that we can continue our research.
Right. I’ll tell Captain Hoshino that we’ll cooperate. Mizuho, are you fine with this?
Yes.