SUPER ROBOT WARS MX Walkthrough
version 1.1
by Mark Neidengard ([email protected])


This guide is intended to be one (and a half?) steps removed from a full
translation.  Please email me with all comments/corrections.


i.   Backstory
ii.  Background
iii. Special Features
iv.  Comments
+.   Walkthrough


i. Backstory

Seventy years after the inception of the Space Calendar, a series of events
occured which shook the fate of mankind.  The forces of the Earth Federation
joined battle with the "Mu", aliens who appeared without warning in
the skies above Tokyo.  This conflict, expected to become an all-out war,
ended abruptly when the Mu converted their base in Tokyo Bay into a giant
sphere, shutting themselves inside.

Thereafter, a large asteroid struck the South Pole - a catastrophe known as
the "Second Impact" which inflicted immense destruction on mankind and threw
the Earth Sphere into chaos.

Mankind then weathered the massive "One-Year War" and the "Lizard War", only
to face the simultaneous "Grips War" and "Devil Gundam Incident".  Compounding
matters further was an invasion by aliens known as the "Barm", intent on
colonizing the Earth.

Meanwhile, the "Mikeene Empire", "Youma Empire", "Dinosaur Empire", also began
their assault.  As the Earth Sphere's fate hung in the balance, the efforts
of the Federation, the Yugo, the Super Robots, the Nadesico B, and the
Neo Shuffle Alliance proved sufficient to repulse all the invaders.  A peace
accord was struck with the Barm, and the remnants of the Grips War organized
under the banner of the "Neo Jion Army" were overthrown.

However, the embers of war were not extinguished...

The declaration of war by the lunar Giganos Empire, assaults by mysterious
adversaries known as the "Angels", numerous UFO appearances, and dark shadows
of the Hisago Plan... mankind was about to step closer to its doom...


ii. Background

Welcome (back?) to Super Robot Wars, arguably the last word in playable
crossover fanfiction from the wizards at Banpresto.  In case this is your
first time at the controls, know that the core SRW games are Turn-Based
Strategy games where you can pit characters and mecha from your favorite anime
against each other, complete with real multimedia combat sequences.  Level up
the cast and gain money to improve their equipment as you head towards your
final fragdown with destiny!

So what is it I'm writing here?  The SRW games have never been officially
licensed and translated for the US market.  The rudiments of the combat system
aren't too hard to grasp, but so much of the gameplay experience comes from
seeing how the stories and dialog from the constituent series are woven
together.  These walkthroughs are not a line-by-line translation, but they're
perhaps one (and a half?) steps removed.  I also don't include too many
strategy notes (that's largely for you to enjoy discovering as the player),
and haven't taken the trouble to try and translate all the menus, equipment
lists, etc.  Hopefully these walkthroughs will do justice to the _story_, and
serve as a bit of a blog of my own take on the game while playing through it.

By way of history, the original SRW game (for the Famicom) featured Getter
Robo, Mazinger Z, and the original Gundam.  Installments 2-4 extended this
core set with a variety of additional series and some original additions,
most notably the Lord of Elemental (Psybuster, etc.) series.  SRW4 was remade
twice, the second of which (the two-parter SRW "F" and "F-Final") is now taken
as canon.  The side story SRW EX is also canonical, and Lord of Elemental
game ("Masou Kishin") is semi-canonical.  After this point, the staff rebooted
the core world view to produce SRW Alpha, and its successors Alpha Gaiden and
Alpha 2.  The backstory related above could be taken as roughly according with
the conclusion of Alpha 2 minus a few details (such as the Brain Powerd story
line and the revisiting of Evangelion).

In addition to the "original" and "Alpha" storylines, the parallel universe
SRW Impact condenses three Wonderswan SRW Compact games into a single *looong*
game.  There is also the SRW Advance and SRW R and D games for the Gameboy,
plus SRW 64 for the Nintendo 64.  Versions of games like SRWF exist for the
Saturn, but the core of SRW is now solidly installed on the Playstation and
Playstation2.


iii. Special Features

Banpresto constantly tinkers with their game engine, and SRW MX is no
exception.  Distinctive features:

 - Main character.  Yes, once again you get a main character and a partner.
   And while you don't get to pick their gender, you do get to pick whether
   they pilot Real or Super Robot pilots.

 - Favorite series.  This new concept will confer 1.5X experience gain on the
   relevant pilots and also permit you two extra notches of upgradability on
   every category of their mecha (including weapon damage).

 - Cooperative Attack and Defense
   If the pilot has a nonzero number of "Support"s left per turn, a unit in
   compatible terrain and adjacent can request additional firepower, or use
   the cooperating unit as a shield.  This is much like previous games.

 - Support Attacks
   This is a special form of Cooperative Attack where the attacking pilot
   must have the Support Attack skill.  Up to four additional units can be
   made to participate, using weapons indicated with the "Support" icon.

 - Combined Attacks
   These are special attacks involving _specific_ units which must be at
   least diagonally adjacent, and usually from the same series.  If the units
   aren't properly positioned, the attack won't even be selectable.  These
   attacks deplete the energy/ammo of both units, and grow in strength as both
   pilots/units increase their relevant attack stats.  Effective use of these
   in combat will often make the difference between an easy battle and an
   exercise in futility.  Keep in mind that Combined Attacks can be used
   Cooperatively.

 - Double Attacks
   Weapons marked with a "W" will give you the option of doing a Double Attack
   or a standard one when the following condition is met: that the target is
   _immediately_ adjacent to another enemy (the four cardinal directions).
   A Double Attack will of course use twice the ammunition, but counts as only
   a single attack for purposes of Spirit effects, AND prevents the enemy from
   using Cooperative Defense!  In return, a weapon used in Double Attack mode
   cannot be Supported or Cooperated with.

 - Battleship Attacks
   Any units you left on the bench can actually get into the act when you
   attack with a Battleship.  If it's within range, each of your benchies
   with Cooperative Attack can get a shot.

 - Status Ailments
   Long a mainstay of RPGs everywhere, Banpresto is experimenting with
   including them into the SRW series. _VERY_ few people on either side can
   actually inflict SAs to begin with, and most of the effects you can do are
   on the order of "Accuracy Down" or "Range Down".  But one enemy from
   Machine Robo in particular can cause a unit to lose its ability to
   block.  On the whole, SA's aren't handled skillfully enough to be more than
   superfluous, and it's good that they're so sparsely used.

 - Player Points
   Every enemy unit is worth a specific number of Player Points, which are
   awarded to the unit which actually strikes the fatal blow.  These points
   can be used to increase a character's stats (4PP for 1 stat point), or to
   purchase special abilities.

   Each player has six ability slots, and old abilities can be overwritten
   by new ones if they're not "key" abilities marked by a dot.  Flourishing
   in the game requires profitable use of these slots.  VERY astute gamers
   will notice that some of the combat demos during the Start screens use
   abilities that certain characters don't actually start with ;)


iv. Comments

Two areas of this game merit comment: the writing and the difficulty level.

Those who can't read Japanese may have to take my word for it, but the quality
of the dialog and synergy of the various series' plots in this game is
excellent.  I rate this as around the third best-written SRW after Alpha and
Alpha Gaiden, which is saying quite a bit.  Pay particular attention to a few
of the series whose main story has already _happened_, and whose plot is
actually being continued by the SRW staff.

As for the difficulty level, it would be fair to say that this is one of the
easiest SRW games yet, if not the easiest.  Whether Japanese customers
complained previous installments were too challenging, or that the squad system
in Alpha 2 was too complex, or what, isn't clear.  What it does mean is that
it's much easier to field "themed" teams (all Gundam, etc.) and still have a
good chance of success - hardcore minimaxers (like yours truly) will likely
find things to be waaaay easy.

That said, don't neglect the Rahxephon itself.  Just trust me on this one.
And now... on with the show!

(One final comment.  I've not gotten all the stage names down.  Maybe I'll
have to go back and do that later...)


+ Walkthrough

[I am playing on Super Robot mode for this go-through.]

(The game starts with you selecting your characters' names, their mecha,
and which is your "favorite" series.)

(See Section i. for the "Backstory".)


Stage 0a. Raihousha, Kanata Yori ("Visitors from the Beyond")

Mitall is talking to a certain mysterious person, noting that according to the
report everything is right on schedule.  The Medius is ready for launch, but
what of its pilots?  The other person, apparently female, says that the pilots
are already on standby at the rendezvous point, and that she and AI1 should be
able to handle things in the meantime.  She then asks after the Garmraid's
pilots (that's your main characters), and seems to have some reservations about
their suitability.  Mitall agrees that the test results have been less than
sterling so far, but says that all the problems have basically been traced to
inadequate power in the TE engine - not any lack of aptitude of the pilots.
He presses the point, wondering if the other person has some special kind of
reservations... especially about Aqua, who has some unspoken relation to her.
The other speaker merely opines that your characters aren't up to opposing
"that child", which apparently refers to AI1.  Mitall muses how this person
is effectively AI1's "mother", and she asks why the TE Engine was installed in
that machine... surely AI1 would have been capable of coaxing far better
performance from it.  Mitall smiles and says it was convenient timing...
especially since he hasn't been catching many fish lately.  Besides, he says,
AI1 has no way of comprehending the DFC System at present - an "unnatural"
system for controlling sensation according to the woman.  And whether she
likes it or not, Aqua's data is vital to AI1's long term success in Mitall's
view.  She disagrees, saying that all AI1 and the Rasmunanium need are the
completed TE Engine, and she's got no choice but to let the professor handle
that.

Mitall then confirms her two targets: the Nadesico B and the Ner Argama.
According to "their" Scenario, those two ships are to be the gathering point of
enough power to stop... something, and marking those two ships should yield
all kinds of useful data.  The woman sets about making contact via the closest
channels.  Mitall starts to tell her that he expects good results from her, but
reconsiders and says that it's enough if she's able to prove his theory.  He
isn't planning on sticking with "them" until whatever bitter end is evidently
in store...

Aqua asks to talk to Hugo a moment, demanding to know why he didn't follow her
orders in the test they just performed.  She _had_ given him the right data
on the drones' counterattack pattern after all.  Hugo, getting defensive,
points out to her that all the drones _did_ get shot down, and with eight
seconds shaved off the time too - what's she complaining about?  What she's
asking is why he acted on his own, and tells him plainly that she wants an
explanation or she can't keep on doing these tests.  They've _got_ to deliver
the results that Professor Zapato Mitall wants.  Hugo seems less than thrilled
to hear Zapato brought up, and Aqua tells Hugo to stop ignoring her orders.  He
says he'll take that under advisement, and she rather stiffly supposes that
anything she has to say isn't worth any more than "advisement" to Hugo, the
hotshot former Special Forces pilot.  He tells her that that's not it - just
that, had they been in actual combat, _they_ would have been shot down.  As
she falls silent in amazement, he tells her to concentrate on regulating the
TE Engine's output - he'll handle piloting and fighting in the Garmraid.
Aqua gives him the old "well excuse me for not having any real combat
experience", saying that sooner or later she'll be a Medius pilot herself.
Now it's Hugo's turn to be startled, though he won't say why.  He asks her to
go get some water, and instead of rising to her "why _me_?!" just quietly
repeats his request.  As she huffs off in search of water, Hugo quietly
swears under his breath at how things had been going so well until now.

When she returns with some water, he uses it to take some medicine - medicine
he claims is just a cold remedy.  Aqua needles him by slyly observing that Hugo
seems to have his delicate facets too, and Hugo thinks to himself that his
condition seems to have settled down again.  She tells him to get better fast,
since she won't stand for him getting her sick too.  He responds by observing
that she looks pretty cold in that swimsuit-like getup of hers, which she
hotly says is a DFC Suit.  Not that he doesn't know that.  She makes sure to
point out that she's not dressed like this cause she wants to be [...rats!],
but he observes that she seems to be tolerating it well enough.  After all, she
can get in the bath just as she is, and... that's not the point.

Whatever the point is gets lost as the sound of an explosion rips through
the base, from the direction of the hangar.  Aqua is sure it couldn't be the
Garmraid since, well, they're not aboard it - maybe the Medius Locus?  That
would be even _less_ likely, since they haven't even found a pilot for that
yet.  In any case, they hurry to Mitall's side, only to find that the hangar
door has been destroyed and the Medius Locus stolen by some unknown party.
Mitall asks them to follow the Medius, to prevent the catastrophe of it falling
into enemy hands.  Aqua knows all too well that if Rasmunanium is used for
evil the Devil Gundam calamity could be repeated (this seems to carry some
especially bad memory for Hugo).  Mitall tells them to stop the Medius at any
cost, destroying it if need be.  He tells them that he's counting on them...
but as he chuckles to himself it's clear that he isn't telling them how _much_
he's counting on them....

Elsewhere, Professors Uma and Saotome are discussing "Operation Overlord", a
plan to finally turn the tables on "them" that the Federation Army would like
Saotome's help with.  More accurately, not just the robots but the laboratory
resources of basically every Super Robot laboratory in the game.  The Army
wants to organize all the robots into a single auxiliary force, and the request
comes from General Misumaru Kouichi of the Federation space force.  This is a
name Uma has heard, and the plan is to use the Ner Argama and Nadesico B as
the gathering points for these forces.  Saotome is planning on sending his
team in as soon as the new Getter Robo is finished, and Uma agrees to lend his
support too.  Before hanging up, Uma comments on the increasing number of UFO
sightings, saying that Saotome would do well to beef up his defenses.  After
hanging up, Uma knows that stealing a march on the enemy before they do
anything concrete is important, but still has reservations.

Just then Kouji shows up, after roughly half a year away from Japan.  The last
time he showed up was to help battle the subterraneans, but his Mazinger Z is
back in a robot museum now.  Uma is impressed with how well made the TFO is
Kouji came on, a flying saucer Kouji picked up in his studies abroad in
America.  Kouji notes wryly that Dr. Shirakawa's people mistook him for a UFO,
which Uma notes is a fairly common occurence these days.  In fact, that's why
Kouji's here, to hear more about the UFO sightings near the Space Science
Lab and the Tokyo Jupiter area.  It seems Kouji's interested in trying to make
contact with the UFOs - he'd like to believe that peace can be made with the
aliens despite the number of people who hate and fear them.  He's well aware
that the peace process with other planets is tough, but points to the prior
example of the peace accord with the Barm.  Uma is glad to hear of Kouji's
resolve on this point, and just hopes that the aliens you'll be running into
from now on think the same.

Just then Daisuke comes in with something to discuss with his father.
Whatever it is is too urgent for Uma to finish his polite introduction of
Kouji... Daisuke asks if Uma has seen the moon yet, which he hasn't since it's
just rising, but... Uma gasps and asks if the moon has changed color.  It has:
to a burning red.  Daisuke tells Kouji that this is a sure sign that "they"
are coming, and recommends that Uma warn the Federation.  Kouji, understandably
confused, wants to know who this "they" are, and Daisuke tells him that this
isn't a good time for him to stick his nose in - "they" are far nastier than
the folks Kouji once fought in Mazinger Z.  Uma tells Daisuke to put a sock in
it, and then tells Kouji to rest from what must have been a very tiring
journey.  Kouji accedes, wondering what the heck the deal is with Daisuke.
Daisuke for his part has known for a long time that this day would come, but
doesn't want to ride "that thing" anymore...

The following morning, Daisuke heartily greets Hikaru, having gotten up early
in the morning to feed the horses.  He's less happy to see Kouji, asking if
he plans on continuing yesterday's conversation.  Kouji declines, observing
that Daisuke seems to have his hands full already.  Daisuke says that, if so,
Kouji should help out - presumably he can at least brush down a horse.  When
Kouji tells him he's got a question, Daisuke says up front that he has no
intention of answering it.  Hikaru hotly tells them not to spoil this fine
morning by quarreling, lest he have to quarrel with _her_ instead.  Kouji
good-naturedly agrees to chill, observing that Hikaru's so strong-willed that
even Sayaka would likely back down before her.  Daisuke tells her that her
father has been up on the roof all morning, apparently on the lookout for
UFOs after mistaking Kouji's TFO for one the other day.  Danbei for his part
doesn't see himself as slacking the horse chores, but as preparing for some
convention in support of befriending the aliens.  It's his sacred duty to
find a UFO from the next race that mankind will befriend.  Kouji can dig this
"befriending aliens" thing, earning him much praise from Danbei ("you even
came in a UFO!")  As the horse chores continue to go undone, Danbei actually
spies something heading their way.

Daisuke recognizes these, as does Kouji from the laboratory's database.  These
are the same UFOs that appeared over Tokyo, and Kouji figures that now's his
best chance to contact them with his TFO.  Daisuke yells at him not to go, that
this foe is far beyond him.  Kouji demands to know what he's talking about -
does he actually know what those UFOs are?  Daisuke says that that's not
important, and tells Kouji that if he values his life he won't have anything
to do with those aliens.  Kouji wonders if Daisuke thinks that all aliens are
invaders, and wonders if Daisuke hasn't heard about the end of the Barm war.
Daisuke has heard the story of Olban and Geroiyer's assasination of Marshal
Leon, and tells Kouji that he should regard _this_ group of aliens as no one
he'll be able to talk to.  Kouji hotly replies that Daisuke has no way of
knowing that unless he tries, and Daisuke says that _he's_ the one who doesn't
understand.  Kouji tells him to shut up and stop acting like he knows
everything, and after a moment Daisuke asks if he's really going to go.  Kouji
says that he's the type who wants to go even more if he's told not to, and
sets out as Daisuke silently fumes.  He won't answer Hikaru's question about
why he tried to stop Kouji, and muses to himself that the moon yesterday
really was the harbinger of "their" arrival: the Unified Vegan Army.  Those
demons have now come to Earth, and it seems he has no choice but to pilot
"that" again.  Not that he wants to at all... he's got the strong earth and
the beautiful green now.

As he goes all Shinji-like, Kouji launches his TFO.  He hails the UFOs, asking
for a response.  They have apparently heard him, but make no reply other than
moving closer.  Daisuke yells at Kouji to run, but not before the aliens almost
shoot Kouji down.  Kouji's feeling rather upset that these aliens really do
seem bent on invasion, and Daisuke apparently blames Kouji for his neurosis
about piloting his frigging mech.  In fact, Daisuke is royally pissed that
fate itself seems to be stuffing him back in the cockpit, and his face is so
red it looks like he's about to explode.  He gathers himself, and tells Hikaru
to take her father and run.  Uma then contacts Kouji, telling him to escape
since his TFO isn't made for fighting.  Kouji, a veteran of many such tight
pinches, doesn't want to just turn tail and run.

Meanwhile, the alien Blacky is not very impressed with Earth flying saucers.
More important is destroying the building that was gathering information about
his forces.

 On turn 2, it's clear the bad guys are aiming for the lab.  If only "it"
 could be used... but that would require Daisuke to want to fight.  But hey,
 Daisuke seems to have made peace with that, and launches Grendizer.  Kouji
 wants to know what the heck is going on, but "Duke Freed" says there's no
 time to explain.  Blacky certainly recognizes Grendizer, and isn't very
 happy to see it either.  In reponse, he launches a flying saucer beast.
 Duke Freed vows to the demons that he won't let them have one inch of this
 beautiful green land.  Blacky himself decides to flee and report this to
 Commander Gandar.

 After you mop up the aliens and Kouji almost guesses who Freed is, a new
 flying object shows up.  It's piloted by the woman from before, who along
 with a military major came to where they detected the fighting.  They've
 never seen Grendizer, a "special machine" in their parlance (meaning a
 super robot), and are detecting an unknown energy signature from it.  The
 mystery pilots decide that this is as good a place to cause trouble as the
 Saotome laboratory, and that making "them" get in contact w/ Uma's staff
 should achieve the same result.  The major then plans on showing everyone
 the true terror of the Medius and the AI1.  The woman balks at the
 description of AI1 as "terrifying", saying after a moment that emotions don't
 apply to her child.  They wait a moment for Our Heroes to show up.

 They do presently, and Hugo warns whoever is aboard the Medius that he's got
 orders to fire.  The major observes that Hugo seems to have recovered, and
 Hugo tells Aqua to unsafe their weapons.  When Aqua asks about contacting the
 base, Hugo reminds her that their mech is considered secret... though she
 figures that kind of went out the window the moment they flew off in hot
 pursuit of the Medius.  He tells her again to concentrate on handling the
 engine's output - if it turns into an outright race there's no way their
 mech can keep up.  They've got to stop the Medius here and now.  The woman
 is ready to start collecting combat data, and tells the major to ready for
 combat.  He tells her that he's no longer a soldier, and asks her to drop the
 Major bit.

 Aqua for her part is having trouble with the engine - it won't drop from the
 yellow zone... and she's got to calculate the Medius's movement patterns...
 Once again Hugo says to leave the fighting to him.  She yells back that
 she'll do her job, and he understands how nervous one can be in their first
 real battle.  The Medius' pilots note that the TE Engine seems not to be
 cooperating, and the (former) major observes that both it and the Garmraid's
 pilots are as good as junk.  The woman agrees, wondering if this is the
 best Aqua can do.  Aqua is now quite upset, fuming that this is not how
 things went in simulations.  Hugo doesn't care if things are in the yellow,
 and begins the attack anyway.

 One of the enemies has a Repair Kit.  The flying saucer beast is worth a
 Chobham Armor.

 You've got to reduce the Medius to 80% of its HP.  Don't you love plot-based
 disadvantages?

 Aqua has expected this combat pattern, but Hugo tells her to shut her mouth
 before she bites her tongue.  As they exchange blows, Hugo thinks he
 recognizes the way the Medius is moving.

 When you meet the objective, the woman is surprised to see Rejection from
 AI1.  This strikes the "major" as funny, as though it's feeling the "terror"
 of first battle.  In any case, he figures his work is done and withdraws...
 far too fast for Hugo and Aqua to follow.  Aqua figures that this is only
 to be expected, since it doesn't have a TE Engine and is therefore stable.
 As Hugo is about to resume pursuit anyway, new orders arrive... and _not_
 ones to pursue the Medius.  Instead, they're to stand by in Japan and
 join up with the Ner Argama... and thereby continue pursuing the Medius
 Locus.  This is baffling to Aqua, since it amounts to telling them to let the
 Medius escape, but Hugo tells her to contact the nearby base - if the order
 is genuine the base's people should have heard something too.

After the battle, Daisuke realizes that he can't fool Kouji and tells him that
he is indeed the pilot of the Grendizer.  Uma confides that Daisuke isn't his
real son.  Rather, he's the prince of the Vega Nebula - Duke Freed.  His
world was an advanced one of science, and peace... until the crystal cracked!
*cough cough*  Rather, until the Planetary Overlord of Fear Vega decided to
conquer the whole nebula.  Dead innocents, green worlds consumed in flame,
parents and sister burned down along with the royal palace, etc. etc.: in
other words, the usual grievances.  Grendizer was the peacekeeping machine
Freed's father built with the combined science at his disposal, but Vega tried
to use the thing in his conquest of space... which is of course why Freed
can't let it fall into enemy hands and why he fled the scene and ended up
on Earth.  Uma was merely lucky enough to find Duke, half dead, shortly after
he had landed deep in the mountains of Japan.  Thus began the fated father-son
thing, which Uma would like to keep secret if possible for now lest further
misunderstandings arise.

Of course, the Vegans are now after the Earth.  And of course, the Super Robots
have all decided to band together just now, and Uma asks Kouji and Freed to
head to the gathering point at the Ner Argama.  The good news is that they
won't have to enter the army - they'll basically be civilian contractors.
Kouji's just fine with this, since reclaiming Mazinger Z was sort of why he
came back to Japan anyway, and Freed has heard ugly rumors that more than just
the Vegans are after the Earth.  Freed isn't planning to back away from this
one though - he'll fight to protect his second homeland.

That settled, Uma summons Aqua and Hugo in.  They introduce themselves, and
Aqua has already heard quite a bit about Kouji (after all, he was all over the
TV news and such in the subterranean war).  Hugo says that at the very least,
Kouji's quite famous among those working with "special machines", and Aqua
fills Uma in on the details of their new assignment.  She tells him a bit
about the special machine she pilots, a "TE Absorber" which runs on Terminus
Energy.  Apparently Professor Mitall Zapato of Central Project discovered
Terminus Energy, which was a predicted addition to the canonical four
fundamental forces.  Kouji's heard of this, but understands it to be very
hard to collect or control.  Given that this is a ubiquitous energy, he wonders
if the Garmraid is capable of indefinite motion.  Aqua says that the TE
Engine is still unstable, so various (expendable) auxiliary power sources have
to be used as well.  It's Aqua's job to control the engine, and Kouji wonders
if that has something to do w/ her swimsuit-like uniform.  She weakly allows
that it is - it's part of the "Direct Feeling Control" system, which requires
her to reveal a bit of skin. [Excellent, yes...]

Freed then asks about the machine they were chasing.  While it lacks a TE
Engine, its armor and frame are made of Rasmunanium, a new element also
discovered by Zapato... succinctly, a metal with miraculous self-healing
properties.  Uma knows how to add up "ubiquitous energy source" and "self-
healing metal" to spell "maintenance free machine weapons", which is the
ultimate goal of Central Project.  But given the state of the two prototypes,
that's a long way off.  Aqua reiterates that the Medius' Rasmunanium can't be
allowed to fall into evil hands, lest the Devil Gundam incident recur.  She
clarifies that it lacks the self-evolving and self-replicating properties of
DG Cells off the bat, but depending on how it's modified...  The danger is
clear, and Kouji wonders why they're not off in hot pursuit right now.  Hugo
says that they don't know why they've been asked to rendezvous with the Ner
Argama in order to pursue the Medius...  Anyways, the plan is to head to the
Saotome Lab and meet up with the Getter Team.

Hugo hurries out of the room rather quickly, much to Aqua's annoyance.  He's
been puzzling about the strange order they received, which will merely elevate
the chances of them getting embroiled in battles with other foes.  Nor is there
any guarantee that the Medius will actually cross the Ner Argama's path.  Even
the very ease with which their assignment was changed bothers him.  He's sure
there's more to this case than meets the eye, and Aqua agrees given how easily
the Medius was stolen.  It must have been someone inside Central Project, but
if it was Zapato it's not clear why only the Medius was stolen - you'd want to
sell both of them as a set.  And Zapato wanted to see the lab produce good
results... unless of course the Medius has abilities that they don't know
about.  Hugo definitely remembers how the Medius was moving, but thinks it's
impossible that "that person" could have returned.

Meanwhile, at the Skull Moon base, Gandar seems to be taking the news of Freed
on Earth rather well.  Blacky gets predictably berated for turning tail on
the battle with Freed, even if it was to inform Gandar more quickly.  Balendos
is among his detractors, having just returned from literally chopping some red
Earth robot into a bloody mess in his Kuumajuu... unlike Blacky.  Gandar says
that, in that case, Balendos is to go and dispose of Grendizer at once.  He's
only too happy to comply, vowing to come back with Freed's head.  Gandar would
expect nothing less from the captain of the Vegan Imperial Guard.


Stage 0b. Fumetsu no Mashin, Getter Robo ("The Indestructible Machine, Getter
Robo")

Things get off to an abruptly bad start at the Saotome lab with the news that
Musashi is dead.  Those bastards!  At least he died a manly death according
to the prof.  Ryou and Hayato try to take the blame, but Saotome is adamant
that as the overall commander he's the one at fault.  He says that everyone
has things they're determined to do no matter who tries to stop them, and notes
that by laying down his one life Musashi saved two others.  Kouji is upset,
but Freed says there's no time for grief - the Vegans must be stopped lest
even more people end up w/ similar tragedies.  Time to grit your teeth and
think up a counter-strategem.

Interestingly, the Vegans seem ready to step up the timetable, and attack on
the spot.  Freed tells Kouji to stay put, since his TFO is of little use
against a serious enemy.  Kouji is pissed off by this, but Freed tells him
that if anger guaranteed victory all your peoples' problems would already be
solved.  Kouji refuses Freed's directive to think rationally, saying that he's
fought by Musashi's side many times and that there's no way in hell he'll back
off from this fight.  In which case, Freed knocks Kouji out cold, hoping that
he won't think badly of him for likely saving his life by keeping him from
launching.  Hugo glares and says he hopes that doesn't extend to him and Aqua
too.  Freed points out that they've already got a mission they're supposed to
fulfill, and Hugo counters that he's already had enough of entrusting his fate
to others (this is news to Aqua).  Freed will "let" him sortie, but not Ryou
and Hayato, who won't be of much use in their Getter Machines.  Freed tells
Ryou that he's got plenty of experience seeing those he loves stolen right
before his eyes.  He'd like to think he knows how Ryou feels, and tells him to
wait and prepare for his shot at the Vegan army.

Ryou hates being forced to wait and watch, and after a moment Saotome orders
Benkei summoned... it's earlier than he hoped but it's time to launch his
secret plan.  This plan involves revenge for Musashi, stopping the Vegans on
general principle, and using a brand new Getter Robo in the process!  Saotome
introduces Benkei, a trained participant in the secret project - and Hayato
angrily demands to know if he intends them to just accept a replacement for
Musashi that easily.  Saotome points out that what has to happen is for
everyone to pick up where Musashi left off, and smite the bad guys NOW.
Benkei's pleas to be allowed to fight alongside Ryou and Hayato seem to be
heeded...

Freed wants Hugo to stay and guard the base while he takes the offensive, but
Hugo points out that there's too many bad guys and that offense is the best
defense.

 On turn 2, Kouji comes out - too strong to be taken out completely by one
 punch and too manly to just sit back and watch his friends fight alone.  He
 informs Freed that the TFO was made with much blood, sweat, and tears, and
 that he can wield it far more effectively than it might seem.  If Kouji will
 go that far, Freed will stop him no longer, and apologizes for the punch.

 On turn 3.5, Balendos sends out the critter that took out Musashi, the
 Kuumajuu Grangen.  As your people prepare to take revenge for Musashi, out
 come the Getter Team in their new machine, Getter Dragon.  Saotome tells his
 people to listen carefully - their new mech is a good ten times as powerful
 as the old Getter... but it's entirely up to their skill whether it actually
 realizes that power.

 One of the bad guys has a Cartridge.  The Grangen has a Super Alloy Z.

 Balendos will flee either when the Grangen is toasted, or his HP drop into
 the yellow.

 The Getter Team informs Musashi of their victory, telling him to rest in
 peace.

A great loss, a great victory.  As your people gaze up at the first star of
the evening, they recall Musashi's seldom-seen romantic side.  After the
pensive interlude, it's....

NERV HQ, where a happy looking Kaji meets a less-than-happy looking Gendou.
Kaji reports that Unit 2 is currently being transported by the Ner Argama.
Of course, Kaji himself skipped out midway, wronging Misato in the process.
Gendou couldn't care less - he's only interested in the object Kaji's carrying.
Kaji muses that the Angel attack and raid by the Giganos made for one helluva
sea voyage, and Gendou says drily that he's seen the report.  Unit 2 seems to
be working just fine, and Kaji relates how 36 seconds before it launched, the
ship caught sight of an Angel just before losing all power.  He figures Asuka
is one heck of a pilot, and Gendou says simply that that's what she _has_ to
be.  To be sure, the Federation lost a carrier and a battleship in the
process - and the bill is headed straight for NERV 3rd HQ.  Gendou has already
spoken to the committee, and says that if an Angel has been defeated it's
a very small price to pay.  Kaji muses that everything is going according to
plan so far, and wonders whether that'll continue to be the case.  Gendou
says that that will all depend on the success or failure of Operation Overlord
which Terra is about to begin.

Kaji tells Gendou that he was right about Overlord - although it is
ostensibly targeted at repulsing the Mu, it's actually designed to steal an
artifact and certain people connected with it from Them.  That artifact is a
lost mechanical god, and Kaji wonders aloud if the rumors he's heard about
part of it being discovered already are true.  Gendou tells him that prying
that information from Barbem is Kaji's job.  Kaji then wonders further whether
Terra, which hasn't acted against Tokyo Jupiter in over a decade, has chosen
to act now because of the Angels.  Gendou figures that that's a coincidence,
nothing more.  Kaji counters that the Committee won't stay silent if Terra
steals the artifact, but Gendou says that both Tokyo Jupiter's appearance and
the Second Impact were predicted in advance.  The Committee will merely switch
to a different timetable, and the only remaining question is whether to sit by
and wait for the hands of the clock to turn, or to forcibly speed them up
yourself.  In any case, the results of Terra's operation will change the
process used - much like the way the Angel attacked Unit 2 in a location that
was not predicted.  Of course, the Angel was after the object in Kaji's
briefcase - immobilized in Bakelite, but still very much alive and somewhat
regenerated to boot.  An object most necessary to the Human Complementation
Project: the first human, Adam.

Torres informs Bright that EVA Unit 2 has been successfully unloaded.  Misato
thanks him for his help, but Bright tells her he was just doing his job.  She
also passes her thanks along to the D-Team which will take Asuka the rest of
the way, and the children of the Gundam Team.  Just after Misato leaves,
Misumaru radios in with a task from Terra, the anti-Mu planning agency.  They
want Bright's people to participate in Operation Overlord, and while the
details will follow later it's likely to be rear support for the airborne
penetration squadrons.  Which means that the Ner Argama won't have to cross
the Absolute Borderline.  The D-Team is expected to participate too, which will
delay them getting their weapons into place.  In fact, the plan is to use their
presence as a decoy to stall for time - much like the One Year War.  Misumaru
muses that lots of important matters have been swept under the rug by the
Federation (the Angels, the Giganos Empire, and so forth) but that Operation
Overlord must not be allowed to fail.  He apologizes to Bright for not being
able to fully support him in either the previous conflict or in this one.
Bright understands Misumaru's direct subordinate ship Nadesico B is tied up
with experiments for the Hisago Plan, but Misumaru promises to send it as soon
as it's free.  In the meantime, he's dispatching a bit more warpower to aid
Bright: Mazinger, Getter, and Reideen.  Moreover, Misumaru is authorizing
Bright's group to act autonomously under his direct control, and asking Gear to
to help too.  Gear was developing planetary defenses during
the previous war, but Bright had heard that they weren't actually able to
contribute to the war effort.  Misumaru says that they did more than Bright
knows, and tells him to get the details from Chief Yotsuya.  Bright doesn't
like how complicated all this is getting.  Misumaru thanks Bright for thinking
of sending flowers for his daughter, whose accomplishments during the war with
Mars Bright thinks so highly of...

News of the new arrivals begins to spread to the other pilots, not all of
whom have heard of the super robots before.  Ruu chides them to study the world
around them a bit more, and Beecher growls that none of them had the time to
do so with this mission happening so soon after the final battle with Hamarn.
Judou isn't worried about this - Beecher and the crew all promised to help
Bright until the Giganos Empire is brought down, and if a few more people
intent on fighting have to get taken down first, that suits him fine: the last
thing he wants to do is sit around and watch.  Beecher is "impressed" at
Judou's vitality, but Ruu says that that's the reason why Judou was able to
save Puru and Puru2 [hmm, vitality probably comes in handy if those twins
should become involved with one's bedroom too...]

Puru is delighted to see the big and teeny UFOs, and Puru2 wonders where the
obviously non-Earth-made big UFO is from.  Aqua for her part finds the Ner
Argama much bigger than expected, which is good since if it were any smaller
it might not fit everyone.  The ZZ kids want to know why Kouji came in a UFO
(TFO!) instead of Mazinger Z, which is still in a museum.  Kouji relates how
he made the little (T)FO at the Watson lab in America, and Ruu figures that
the thing vaguely resembles the Titans Mobile Suit "Ashmar".  Judou asks if
he built the big UFO too, and Kouji skirts around the question to introduce
the rest of the newcomers.  Aqua is more than a little shocked to see that
all these kids are Gundam pilots, meaning they're all aces.  Hugo takes this
more calmly, recalling how Amuro Rei himself first piloted his Gundam around
age 15 or 16 - more child pilots wouldn't be that strange.  Besides, he was
scarcely older than they are when he first took to the battlefield.  In fact,
the super robot pilots tend to be young too... kids are the rule, not the
exception.  Aqua now fears that she's some old maid.  Hugo asks where the new
mecha, the Dragnar, is - after all, he's got his curiosity as a test pilot.
These mecha, known as the "D" Weapons, come in three flavors, which Aqua
figures are for close, long range, and intermediate range combat.  Beecher
corrects her on the third one, which is actually electronic warfare.

Hugo wonders if these are the Federation's warm-up attempts at building a
new superiority mech, but Beecher corrects him there too - these are actually
of Giganos origin.  Their creator, Professor Plaht, brought them with him when
he defected to the Earth Federation.  Aqua supposes the pilots must be very
elite to master the enemy's ultimate weapons, and lo and behold here they are
now.  As Aqua gapes again, they introduce themselves, starting with Cain
Wakaba.  His comrade reminds him that Hugo and Aqua outrank them, but Hugo
says that he doesn't intend to stand on ceremony, especially with so many
civilians around.  Tap Oseano and Light Newman also introduce themselves,
rounding out the Three Dragnar Musketeers, a very upbeat crew it seems.  As
Aqua mulls over yet more young pilots, the inevitable question about her
outfit arrives.  She patiently explains about her DFC suit, and the D pilots
observe that Hugo's getup is far more normal (Aqua is dubious) [it's normal
if you're into Visual Kei...]

Freed fills the commanders in on the Vegan menace, saying that if things don't
change the Earth will eventually be subjugated by Emperor Vega's forces, just
like many other worlds he's seen.  When asked why he knows so much about the
Vegans when he looks like a human himself, Freed answers that his father has
done extensive research about them with only a little hesitation.  With
Operation Overlord looming, it is not good timing for another alien invasion.
The super robot pilots knew coming into this that they'd have to do all kinds
of army-type stuff in preparation for Overlord, figuring that it all ultimately
leads to peace on earth.  Douglas hopes for his part that peace can be made
with these new aliens like it was with the Barm, which provokes vehement
protest from Daisuke...


Stage 1a. Kamibito, Mezameru ("God-Man Awakens")

At the Skull Moon base, Balendos is finding out what it feels like to be
called incompetent by his superiors.  He smirks that he was merely observing
this past time, and that the score with Duke Freed will get settled sooner or
later.  Gandar is not impressed.  He tells Blacky that the Giganos Empire on
the far side of the moon hasn't yet realized that this base exists, and even
if they have they presumably don't want a two-front war on their hands.  The
plan is to use them as a shield for the Vegans' own plans, and watching the
humans deplete each other is killing two birds with one stone.  In the
meantime, the Vegans will concentrate on building their secret forward base
in Japan in preparation for taking the whole place over.  Blacky notes that
Japan is protected by a special barrier, much like the planet the Earthlings
call Jupiter.... which is precisely why now is the time to build that base,
while the Earthlings' attention is diverted.

At Terra HQ, Kunugi welcomes your people to the aircraft carrier Lily
Litvak as the chief anti-Mu strategist.  Yakumo Souichi, the second-in-command
of Terra (despite being only a Major) is also on the scene, and begins the
explanation.  Fifteen years ago, the aliens known as the Mu showed up above
Tokyo in their giant-ass fortress.  They didn't actually do much, nor did
they respond to attempts by the Earthlings to hail them.  The Federation Army
finally lost patience and attacked, touching off the First Mu War, in which the
Mu counterattacked with superweapons known as Dolems.  In a single day,
tens of thousands of Earthlings were killed.  Bright knows this, though it
happened before he entered the military.  The Federation prepared for all-out
war, but the Mu formed Tokyo Jupiter and went into hiding inside it.  This
is a spherical zone whose exterior resembles the surface of Jupiter, extending
for several tens of kilometers around Haneda Airport.  The timing of this may
or may not have something to do with the Second Impact at the South Pole.  It
also seems that a good 23 million Tokyoites disappeared in the process, and
their whereabouts are still unknown.

Terra has in fact developed a system for breaching the unbreachable barrier
around Tokyo Jupiter, the Trans-Dimension Drive Unit or TDDU.  Mecha
equipped with TDDUs have succeeded in entering Tokyo Jupiter, which keyed the
decision to enact Operation Overlord.  Terra's fighter jets will do the actual
work inside, and Kunugi wants Bright to guard the space outside the barrier...
which really means reacting to any Dolems that should emerge from inside
the barrier.  Bright agrees to get the operational details later, and
departs.  Souichi was in fact very nervous meeting the famous captain of the
White Base - and if not for being on duty would have asked for his autograph.
Kunugi is impressed too, noting that Bright's instincts seem very sharp.  He
and his mecha make one heck of a force... of course, that force is nothing but
a decoy, which Bright presumably knows full well.

Your people are fairly impressed by the size of this carrier, except for
Freed who openly doubts whether this would be enough to stop a genuine attack
by the Vegans.  Just then, Cain and his commander Ben get into a shouting
match about participating in Operation Overlord... but not actually allowed to
sortie.  Light explains that the D pilots had their pilot registrations
removed from their mecha, registrations which can only be made back at home
base.  The other D pilots aren't exactly thrilled with the way the military is
doing things, but aren't interested in bitching about it right now.  Tap is
not actually listening, absorbed in his headphones.  It turns out he's
listening to classical music, which is out of character for him it seems.  Just
then an unfamiliar girl appears and asks to listen.  Kouji is amazed at how
cute she is, and she merely makes a cryptic comment about the color of battle
and the sound of wings being torn off.  She then walks off, leaving everyone
wondering who she is (apparently some Terra staffer).  Daisuke senses something
strange about her, almost like...

Elsewhere, Ayato is starting a new day.  He meets up with his friends, but
has had the strange feeling of being watched all day.  As he gets teased
about this, he notices Torigai reading a textbook... of English, the language
of a country that no longer exists.  As the banter continues, the group
notices airplanes flying overhead and wonder if they're getting ready to
attack the aliens.  The group rattles off a long list of possible alien races
that the invaders might be [players of previous SRW games will recognize the
Einsts, Arrowgaters, etc. etc.]... but what really matters is that the aliens
destroyed the entire rest of the world outside of Tokyo (or so they think!)
Ayato is sure the aliens aren't at it again, since it's been fully three years
since the last incident in Tokyo.

Just then, one of the planes crashes nearby - and the city seems like it's
rapidly about to go to the dogs.  The group figures that they need to flee,
and fast, but Ayato is stopped by a singing voice only he can hear.  He
tells his friends to look out for Torigai and runs off, finally finding the
singer: Mishima Reika.  The two seem to have some past together, but before
Ayato can ask her what she's doing here she hears the song of the Dolems
and runs off.

Two secret service types are conferring about how the first defense line
has been breached - "it" is presumably going to be used quite soon.  They</pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
set about finding their target, who has to still be somewhere nearby.
Elsewhere Miwa is commenting that enemy fighter losses have exceeded 50%.
Cue a cryptic scene about stopping "them" from singing.  Maya, in charge of
things, isn't worried about how things are proceeding, noting that the
star of La Mu isn't shining and that the god from "outside" won't appear.

The secret service types try to lead Ayato off to see his mother, but just
then Haruka intervenes and kicks their ass... and they bleed blue blood.
After asking for and receiving his thanks for saving him, she promises to tell
him why they bled blue if he'll come with her... and everything else about the
world too.  Ayato says that he's not such a little kid that he'll go off with
strangers, and just then Reika shows up.  One of the goons is able to distract
Haruka enough to not intervene, and over her objections Ayato runs off in
Reika's direction.  She leads him to a large space somewhere underground
containing a huge egg.  As Ayato's body refuses to move, she sings again and
wills him to awaken.

Haruka is desperatiely trying to find Ayato, and the goons see Xephon beginning
to move.  Terrified, they call in to Maya.  Haruka realizes that Ayato's
inside it.  Ayato is, shall we say, not taking things too well.  He sees his
mother, also bleeding blue blood.  She thinks to herself that many sacrifices
were made and much time passed, but the time she's been waiting for has
arrived - the time for his blood to awaken.  Reika somehow intervenes, and
something encroaches from above.

Elfi is frantically calling on her radio to see if anyone besides her is still
alive.  The singing of the giant puppets is to blame, and to her horror the
Dolem D-1 appears before her.  However, Maya and her people aren't able to
control it, apparently thanks to the girl who's standing on its shoulder.
She recognizes this girl, Ishtori, and the "self-defense" forces seem to have
sent their own mech, piloted(?) by Alegrette.

 On round 2, Elfi recognizes the Aliel and demands to know what's going on.
 Haruka will explain later, and tells her to help Ayato out.

 As Ayato continues to get beaten on by the Dolem, Reika tells Rahxephon to
 sing its forbidden song, to sing so that one day all can become one.

 The net result is that Ayato goes apeshit, takes down the Dolem, cuts a
 hole in the sky, and escapes (along with Haruka and company) outside.
 Ayato's mother seems fairly confident he'll return to her one day anyway.

 Outside, your people are hanging out and noticing that not much is happening
 with Tokyo Jupiter.  Judou is staring at Tokyo Jupiter, noting that it looks
 VERY MUCH like the real thing.  Which he'd know firsthand, since Jupiter
 is where he went to hang out after settling the score with Hamarn.  That
 trip would take roughly three years, and Puru by no means would want Judou
 to go there again without her alongside.  Kouji notes that if the Hisago
 Plan works out, it'd take a few seconds to cover the distance, and Puru
 still insists on going with him.  Aqua is impressed that they can be that
 relaxed during an operation, and Hugo tells her that she could stand to
 learn from that.

 Just then, something flies up very quickly from outside Tokyo Jupiter: it's
 the Medius!  The mystery lady tells the mystery major that they can kill
 two birds with one stone - fight with your people _and_ show AI1 what she's
 sure will emerge from within Tokyo Jupiter.  The major doesn't care as long
 as he can surpass "that demon".  Hugo announces his intent to attack the
 Medius, which Bright okays.

 The Major refuses to answer Hugo's query of who's piloting the mech,
 thinking that he's better off not knowing.  He wonders if Hugo's body can
 keep up with the mech's movements....

 When you do 20% of the Medius' HP in damage, it'll heal instantaneously,
 far faster than even its self-healing metal should allow.  The woman tells
 the major that this is the power of AI1, and the major wonders if she's
 used it to tamper with the Rasmunanium.  The woman coos to the AI1 that
 it should get a good look at what it's about to see - it'll be soooo
 educational.  The AI renders the major's controls inert so that it can
 see what's about to emerge from the barrier, and he demands that he get them
 back lest he become some sitting duck.  He doubts she wants to die too.

 Your people marvel at how the Medius just stopped and started staring at
 Tokyo Jupiter.  Freed figures this is too strange to be carelessness -
 it's as though the robot _itself_ is looking at Tokyo Jupiter.
 Unfortunately, Hugo can't capitalize on this great chance, since his health
 seems to be failing him despite his medicine still being in effect.  And
 of course, it's the Rahxephon.  It _screams_, reminding the super robot
 pilots vividly of Reideen, and then flees abruptly.  Haruka appears in her
 plane and flies off in hot pursuit.  The woman tells the major that that's
 what AI1 wanted to see, though she herself doesn't know what it is.  The
 major is not pleased that the AI wants to learn about things besides battle,
 and accedes to the order to depart this battlefield.

 Hugo has recovered enough to move his arms and legs, and as he and Aqua
 prepare to pursue the Medius Elfi emerges chasing Haruka.  Unfortunately,
 numerous Mu followed her: D2 Dolems.  When Aqua asks, Bright tells her to
 prioritize stopping the Dolems and leave the pursuit of the Medius to other
 units.  Hugo isn't happy with himself for letting this chance slip by...

 One of the bad guys has a Magnetic Coating.

 After the battle is over, Elfi breaks the bad news to Bright that only
 she and Haruka are left from the Terra invasion force.  Obliteration of your
 forces isn't pretty, but Bright wonders if the true objective of the
 operation has to do with that giant your people saw fleeing the scene.

At Mutropolis, massive amounts of Mutron Energy are pouring forth from the
sacred Reideen escarpment... and this without Akira aboard the thing.  Prof.
Hibiki figures that this is much like when Reideen first appeared, but it's
unlikely to be the fault of the Youma Empire, whose leader Barao Akira
personally defeated... at the cost of Shinguji and his own mother.  Just then,
the energy goes away, and Hibiki suspects that Reideen is trying to warn you
all of something.  Akira agrees that it was positively a warning, but about
what he doesn't yet know.  To be on the safe side, Hibiki has Akira get ready
to launch - and Mari too.  After they leave, Hibiki points out to Higashiyama
that this may have something to do with what the Terra scientist was talking
about - and given how Overlord is going on it's a _rather_ strong coindicence.
Perhaps this is why Dr. Kazuki ordered the RMU system?  Gee, looks like Reideen
may have something to do with "that artifact" - who knew? ^^;;;

Meanwhile the Dolem staffers are congratulating themselves on being able to
cross the barrier into the outside world - only natural, considering that
people from the outside were able to come in.  Heck, using Terra's system,
it should be possible to stage a military conquest of the outside world now.
Maya wonders if "conquest" is the right word, and Kuuki tells her that
there can be no hesitation after coming this far.  Miwa thinks that he
doesn't understand Maya's feelings at all, and Maya points out that
if Kuuki has actually listened to Miwa's report he should realize how much
energy will be required to ferry an effective combat force outside - with
ramifications for their operations inside too.  She orders them to only
concentrate on recovering Ayato, whose escape Maya takes as her own
failure - she hadn't figured that at age 17 he was mature enough to board
Xephon.  But hey, maybe this is a good chance for him to mature too - it may
hasten the day of his awakening as an "instrumentalist".  She tells Kuuki that
Terra presumably wants the same thing, so it's only right that they "help out"
a bit.  Miwa wonders what of the ones synchronized with the Dolems, and
Maya says that losing one or two of the Mulians means nothing - in fact,
losing a thousand of them if necessary is fine by her.  Miwa thinks this is
a great sign of Maya's resolve.  I think otherwise.  She's not worried
about Xephon contacting the Mu artifact on the outside, since the outsiders'
Conductor hasn't awakened yet.  She tells him not to forget that Ayato's
awakening is the end goal, and hope, of all their plans.

Meanwhile, it seems the Rahxephon has been taken safely aboard the Terra
mothership.  Souichi is looking a bit askance at the observer from the
federation government, who seems to find some kind of "fate" in the way things
are unfolding.  Rahxephon, which Terra has codenamed 5A, and its boy pilot(?)
are slated for further studies back at base.  Said boy has just finished being
examined, and is available for chat...

Haruka is trying to placate Ayato's displeasure over having a blood test - he
points out to her that _his_ blood is red at least.  She tells him that the
ship is bound for Niraikanai, the "Island Where the Gods Dwell" in old
Okinawan.  Haruka is impressed he's heard of it, but tells him that God doesn't
live there, nor is it anywhere near Okinawa.  It's an experimental floating
city made by enlarging the islands in Kyuushuu Bay, and contains the HQ of
Terra.  Yes, Terra, the organization responsible for figuring out how to get
rid of those pesky Mu.  Kunugi shows up, telling Ayato that an official
decision regarding him hasn't come down yet - thus, until the ship reaches
Niraikanai, his movements are to be restricted.  Oh, and before he forgets, he
tells Ayato to fix the time on his watch... to the _correct_ time.  He rather
abruptly tells Haruka to take him to his room and then head straight to the
bridge, and leaves.  Haruka haltingly says that he's a bit difficult to
interact with, but not a bad person.

He then asks her what Kunugi meant by "correct" time - wasn't the world outside
Tokyo destroyed by the invasion?  She asks him if he knows the population
of the world - roughly 23 million.  She says that the correct number, including
the space colonies, is more like ten billion.  As he gapes in astonishment,
she asks him what year he thinks it is - Space Calendar year 76.  She tells
him to listen very calmly: this is actually the year 89.  She shows him her
watch, whose face is split in two to show real-world time and Tokyo time.
Apparently the flow of time within Tokyo Jupiter is one sixth of real time.
Ayato is understandably reluctant to buy this, and Haruka says that the reason
for why is too hard for her to explain - but it is the truth.  She recalls the
Mu War, which started when the Mu were doing nothing more than hanging around,
eerily.  Mankind, seeing in the Mu their own nightmares, commenced the
attack - and the rest is history.  Barely two and a half years have passed
within Tokyo - and 15 years without... and those 15 years have been full of
war.  War that the Mu were perhaps trying to hide from.  Ayato demands to
know why nothing was done for fifteen years, and then suddenly try to take him
outside.  Haruka only knows that it was an order - not why.  He asks if his
mother and his friends are still alive, inside there.  She tells him that
they are, but that that's all she can say for now.

Along the way, they run into Elfi, and Haruka tells Ayato to go straight ahead
to his room while she stays behind for some girl-to-girl talk.  Apparently
this has something to do with a meal they once shared, a meal for which Haruka
hasn't yet paid as promised and which she claims she's not received the bill
for yet.  Elfi tells her to just answer "yes" or "no" to her questions if
she wants, and asks ominously if this boy is what the blood of her comrades
was used to purchase.  Haruka asks here where she got that idea, and Elfi yells
that she wants to know if Haruka knew what Operation Overlord was for.  She
responds that their date for Chinese food next week sounds like it's off...
and apparently gets slapped for her pains.

Ayato is impressed with how richly appointed the room is, and is surprised to
see Quon, who tells him that it used to be the ship's infirmary.  He's
surprised at her blue and red eyes, and asks who the heck she is.  She says
that her eyes represent red and blue blood vessels, though of course humans
only _have_ red blood.  Why two colors of blood vessels?  Calling him Orin, she
tells him it's time to go and leads him, confused, away.

Haruka is demanding an explanation for why Ayato is being put in a detention
cell for Mulians... which is rigged to blow up the occupants if not opened
properly.  Souichi tells her that the results of the scan came back: Ayato's
nucleotides and peptides all display Mu-phase reactions.  Haruka protests that
Ayato has no idea what's going on, and that he'll be cooperative.  And anyway,
he's a red blooded human like everyone else.  For now, notes Kunugi.... not
forever.

The pilots meanwhile are staring at footage from the battle.  They vaguely
resemble some of the subterraneans of yore, but of course they have to be
something else entirely.  Ryou notes that they seem most like Reideen, the
relic from the ancient Mu empire powered by Mutron.  The Mu Empire is now
sunk to the floor of the sea by continental shift in the last ten thousand
years, but the fact that robots that old still linger today isn't all that
rare according to Kouji.  In fact, maybe old technology is cooler than modern
tech [certainly if you consider the ancient Chinese perpetual motion machine
that runs the Ryuu-Ko-Ou...]  Reideen will be showing up a bit later than
anticipated, and Light wants to know what makes your people think the enemies
were similar to it.  It's something about their overall atmosphere - seemingly
nothing your people can put their finger on.

Just then Cain bursts in, saying something terrible has happened.  His
comrades wonder if he's gotten mail from Linda, a girl who Cain developed a
crush on on the D-team's ride from the base.  Cain supposes she's forgotten
all about him, and after a brief memory lapse gets back to what's so
important - the robot that came out of Tokyo Jupiter has been sealed aboard
the Terra carrier.  Your people mull over the fact that they weren't the only
decoys to get one robot, though Hayato says that _given_ all your people
were mobilized that "one" robot must have a very hefty secret or two inside.

Hugo meanwhile seems to have recovered from his fit, which he confides to your
people happen to him now and again.  This certainly doesn't seem reassuring to
Aqua, who says that it's Hugo's fault the Medius got away - and besides, why
didn't he tell her before?  He says haltingly that there wasn't any need, which
only serves to piss her off further.  She calls him a time bomb, ridiculing
his "just leave the fighting to me" speeches.  He tells her that if she's
going to complain, he'll kick her out of her copilot spot in the Garmraid.
That makes her EVEN more pissed, and that much more determined not to step
aside.  She'll be damned if she leaves the thing before it finally yields up
good results.  Judou and Riina try to get them to stop fighting, especially
given that they're in sick bay.  Aqua offers a tight-lipped apology, and Riina
asks if Hugo would consent to undergo a medical checkup.  He says he'll pass,
though he knows it might cost him his life next time.  Aqua asks him why, if
so, he won't consent - surely he's not afraid of needles?  He asks if he
looks like that much of a kid, and she huffily tells him that for someone
younger than her he sure isn't acting very cute.  Riina tries to offer him
some medicine, but he says that he's got his own and quickly thanks them for
their concern before leaving.  Aqua hurries after him, telling him to wait,
and the ZZ people wonder if he's really okay.  Puru2 has been thinking about
these "fits" of Hugo's, and is wondering if he's been on steroids or central
nervous system control... and the dose has to be pretty darn high to produce
effects like that.

Bright's got his new orders - guarding the Japan area against Vegan or Dolem
attack.  Apparently, the base isn't ready to receive the D weapons, so Staff
HQ decided to leave them with Bright for a while to stall for time...


[At this point, you can go to Satomi, the Kantou Plain, or the Space Sciences
Lab.  I went to Kantou first.]


Stage 1b. Akumu no Gundam Fight  ("The Nightmare Gundam Fight")

Hugo is having a dream about an assault.  A voice asks for confirmation that
the bomb hit the target, complimenting an uncle on his excellent marksmanship.
But just then, an energy response is detected - more of the "army type" ones
are appearing.  A voice orders Formation D to ward them off, and then tells
Hugo to cover his back as he goes in.  Hugo mumbles to "Folia" not to go, but
Folia is determined, saying that he won't come off as lame in front of his
uncle.  A voice identifying itself as Black Wolf asks for the status ahead,
and another voice says that the main mass is beginning to regenerate.  As
their voices murmur their astonishment, Black Wolf tells all his men to
withdraw from the area at once.  They won't make it, and Folia's voice tells
Hugo to flee, ending in a horrible scream.

Hugo, screaming himself, shoots bolt upright in bed.  Hugo has been seeing this
bad dream a lot lately, and one of his fits comes upon him as Aqua's voice
from outside asks to come in.  When he can't answer, she bursts in to find his
face beet-red.  He manages to tell her that he's alright and that it will
be over soon.  When she recommends again that he see a doctor, he tells her to
leave him alone.  This she won't do, and says that _she_ will be in trouble if
something happens to him.  Whe he tells her to shut up, she says that she's
going to request that Lieutenant Douglas alter the rotation, seeing that he's
in no shape to carry out his duties.  When he yells at her to mind her own
fucking business, she yells back "Who do you think you are?!"  After a moment,
Hugo says he's heading to the bridge to find out exactly what their orders
are.

Douglas can tell right away that the two of them have been fighting, though
Hugo denies it.  He's about to tell them the area he wants them to patrol when
an alert comes in from a surveillance plane: unidentified mobile suits at
point F2309.  Torres can't believe his eyes at their IFF code: the Death Army!
The footage from the surveillance plane leaves no mistake, and yet it should
be impossible that any of them survived the destruction of the Devil Gundam by
the Shuffle Alliance.  Hugo demands to know angrily if the Devil Gundam has
been resurrected, yelling that that couldn't possibly be.  Aqua wants to know
what the heck his problem is, and Bright orders everyone to level one alert.

Your people are loath to relive this nightmare, but from thermographics the
main Devil Gundam doesn't seem to be here...

 One of the bad guys has a Propellant Tank.

 When you take out the first batch of enemies, more appear.  Your people
 begin to worry about an infinite stream of bad guys, which would be possible
 for the supposedly-destroyed DG Cells.  Just then, a certain voice asks if
 there's any sign of "it".  A certain other voice confirms this, and the
 first voice decides to clean things up here.  It's Domon, who summons
 Fuunsaiki and readies the ass-whupping.  Apparently these enemies give him
 no trouble at all - perhaps because the main body is nowhere near.  Your
 people easily recognize the King of Hearts, Domon Kasshu.  This martial
 artist from the colonies is known far and wide for his role in the final
 battle of the previous war, fought along side Ryuuzaki Kazuya.  Hugo
 recognizes Domon, though he refuses to field Aqua's questions as to why.
 He tells her to switch over to auxiliary power, since he needs precise
 control.  Aqua thinks he's questioning her abilities to regulate the engine,
 but Hugo is sure that the enemies aren't done yet - he knows them to be far
 tougher.  When she tells him he's in no position to question her abilities,
 he asks her if she wants to die here.  She agrees, but tells him to promise
 to explain later what's going on.  Domon and Rain contact Bright and tell him
 to beware lest further enemies appear - which they do in short order.  Well,
 sort of - it's the Dragon Gundam and Gundam Rose, Sai Saishi the Ace of Clubs
 and George Du Sand the Jack of Diamonds: the other members of the Shuffle
 Alliance.

 Sai actually wants to fight Domon a bit, but Domon fends him off handily and
 asks what the heck he's doing.  Though this is obviously not the time for
 Gundam Fighting, George promises to be witness and tells Domon not to hold
 back.  Domon finally agrees and tells the others not to interfere.

 Domon will note that Sai isn't up to his usual snuff, and Sai giggles a
 bit, saying that he really is going to defeat Domon this time - with his
 newfound powers.  His machine repairs itself, and more bad guys appear.
 They admit to using DG Cells, whose fabulous power Domon must know quite
 well.  George offers Domon some of that power himself, which Domon (of
 course) refuses.  He also refuses to believe that the two of them actually
 gave into the Devil Gundam, being heroes and heirs to the Shuffle Alliance
 insignia.  They understand how Domon feels, but say that they needed a power
 beyond Shuffle in order to protect the Earth Sphere.  Rain recalls this
 happening before, and figures that the same method could be used to save
 them... but Domon vows to defeat them, not save them.  As Rain watches
 aghast, Domon tells Bright to order all your mecha to attack.  Your people
 wonder if they should be helping and not attacking, but Domon swears on his
 fists that that won't be necessary.  Bright finally agrees and will take
 responsibility for whatever comes out of this one.

 George will be upset that Domon didn't even hesitate to attack him, but
 Domon says that there's no way he _would_ hesitate: even if a doll could
 imitate him, it could certainly not surpass him.  George, as he blows up,
 has to hand it to Domon's insight.  Sai is much the same.  One of them is
 worth a Shuffle Crest; the other a Booster.

 Domon realizes that it's him the bad guys are after - he's the one being
 used this time.  Bright would like to hear more from him and Rain about
 what's going on, and asks them to come aboard.

The Death Army first showed up a few days before, in the vicinity of Tokyo
Jupiter.  Rain and Domon are here to find out why, but they don't have an
answer yet.  Domon says that at the very least, one thing is clear - the
decoys were sent to divert Domon away from whatever is really going on.  And
in fact, all the DG Cells were destroyed by Domon's father Ranzou after the
Devil Gundam Incident.  The only explanation is that someone must have
obtained a sample of DG Cells during the incident, which seems simple given
all the places the DG showed up... except that Ranzou released a vaccine that
should have caused all the DG cells to apothosize.  But this new
outbreak of the Death Army seem unaffected by the vaccine - meaning you've got
no choice but to physically destroy them.  In short, these Death Army
agents are actually using optimized DG Cells, which Ranzou is sure couldn't
be made without very high technology.  To figure out who could be responsible,
it's agreed that Domon and Rain join the Ner Argama for the time being.
It gets noted in passing that the Ner Argama and Nadesico B were part of the
final battle to take out the Devil Gundam, but Domon and Rain would prefer the
full story of the end wait until later... presumably due to the certain
romantic part between the two of them...

Aqua is pressing Hugo for details about his past connection with the Devil
Gundam and the King of Hearts, when Rain and Domon come in still sweating their
"close call".  Well, they figure it'll only be a matter of time until everyone
finds out anyway.  Hugo sees Domon, and thinks to himself that if only Domon
had taken out the Devil Gundam sooner the Cry Wolves would have survived...
though he quickly realizes that such a grudge would be misplaced.  After all,
if what he's heard is true the Devil Gundam altered Domon's life as much as
his.  Hugo walks away (with Aqua still trying to get an answer out of him),
and Rain asks if he knows Hugo.  Domon has never seen him before, leaving Aqua
even more confused...


Stage 1c. Aoi Kiseki ("Blue Miracle")

At Gear HQ, Chief Shibuya has problems: a horde of Galfa have just breached
the final Federation space defense line.  The Gear defensive satellites are
now 13% depleted, and unable to keep up with the attack.  Shibuya is
dumbfounded that the enemy could break through so easily as the first
Federation fighter squadron begins its attack run.  Professor Inoue tells him
that the invaders are presumably after the underground laboratory - it'd be
best if he contacted the Federation at once to get permission to use "that".
Shibuya agrees, telling Inoue to make ready while he secures permission - when
it comes, "Operation D" will begin.  Kiyokuni is ready to do his part, and
Aiko reports that the Ner Argama is 32 minutes out on its patrol.  Shibuya
tells her to enlist their aid.

Off in Seimi City, Hokuto and his family are adjusting to their newly
moved-into home.  His mother likes the looks of the place, and is looking
forward to shopping tomorrow.  Hokuto warns his mother, something of a
klutz, not to get too carried away, and she says she hopes he can find some
friends and come to like this city too.  Hokuto, every inch the good son,
wants to help finish unpacking before going off somewhere, but his mother
decides to postpone that until Keisuke gets back from work: instead, it's time
for some sightseeing!  They'll start with the school that Hokuto will start
attending tomorrow.

At school, Ginga is practicing some kind of martial art, upset at losing to
his mother again and determined to defeat her tomorrow.  His goal is to become
as good as Ryuuzaki Kazuya and the King of Hearts [meaning he's got a LONG
way to go].  Just then Hokuto shows up, marveling at what he thinks is a
very strange dance.  Ginga informs him hotly that he's practicing Shorinji
Kenpo [the Japanese instantiation of Shaolin kung-fu].  Hokuto introduces
himself to Ginga as his mother shows up, only to be abruptly called away by
her pager.  She tells Hokuto to hurry straight home, and directs Ginga
to do the same though she's vague about why.  As the two begin to quarrel
about who's got the weirder name, the air raid sirens blare.

Ginga heads home at once, more than a little surprised to see Hokuto following
him.  Apparently Hokuto is his new next-door neighbor, and neither of their
families are home yet.  This is bad given that some robot they've never seen
before has appeared and is wreaking havoc on the city.  And it's headed their
way...

Aiko reports that the Galfa are now indiscriminately attacking the city.  The
civilian evacuation is almost complete, but the Federation air losses are now
at 49%.  Meanwhile, Kiyokuni has to travel to the scene under his own power
since the enemy attacks have severed rail lines.  Inoue laments that they
didn't build secret underground routes for the mech like the Science Fortress
has, and Aiko reports that the Ner Argama is still ten minutes away.  Shibuya
knows he needs to hold out that long, and Vega is heading to the scene in her
Valkyrie.  Vega is aghast that the aliens are headed "there" where the children
are, and thinks to herself that in the worst case she may have to use "it"
herself.  The children, who haven't evacuated yet, are mighty pissed off at
being shot at, and to Inoue's great surprise the Dendou activates.  And that
without Kiyokuni aboard it!  The kids have never seen a mech like this before,
and are apparently able to make it move.  While the others gape at this
development, Vega figures the kids were "chosen" by the Dendou.  She asks to
be linked to the cockpit so she can talk to the children.  Even _she_ is
surprised when she sees who the children are though, who for their part are
heartily arguing about why they're stuck in the cockpit and what to do about
the fact that they're under enemy fire.  Vega finally tells them they're
in the cockpit of the Gear Fighter Dendou, and teaches them how to make it
walk.  They figure she means for them to flee that way, but she tells them
that they've got to fight instead.  She instructs them to enter some
commands into the videogame-like console in front of them, and Hokuto
figures out quickly that he's using a software installer.

Hokuto is apparently a natural at this, and he tells Ginga that he wants to
try the martial arts move that Ginga was practicing earlier.  Ginga certainly
doesn't want to see his town or its people wiped out, so he agrees to try.

 The first enemy is easily defeated, but as the Federation defenses fail
 more bad guys pour into the city.  Leading them is Devil Satan 6, who is
 muttering about his bosses (who are stuck on the moon right now) doing their
 own work for once.  Devil Satan is, of course, NOT a Galfa - and he seems
 to think the Dendou is the Kenryuu - about the last thing he expected to see
 here.  Actually, he figures out pretty quickly it's not the Kenryuu, though
 he figures that if he's not careful he might jinx it and the actual one
 could show up.  He actually says to... the audience?... that it's no use
 hoping for the real one to show up, because it won't.  Speech over, he
 sets out to get the prize and his cherished Commander Ranking.  Hokuto wants
 to know how the heck he's supposed to fight all those bad guys - doesn't
 this thing have missiles or beam weapons, or a sword or bow, or even a
 yo-yo?  Or a guitar even?  It does not, in fact (at least for now), and Vega
 in desperation tells them to install command SP1.

 On the following round, your guys show up.  Ginga knows very well who the
 pilot of the God Gundam is...

 If Devil Satan fights Getter, an amusing dialog will ensue where Ryou
 exhorts his teammates to join their three hearts together.  Devil Satan 6
 says that he's got six hearts, and that 6 on 3 is to his advantage.  Freed
 has also heard of Devil Satan's people, and Devil Satan would be more than
 happy to relieve Freed of his burdensome mech.

 One of the bad guys has a Repair Kit.  Another has an Anti-Beam Coating.

 Devil Satan 6 will be very sad when you defeat him, since "he" didn't appear
 and this should have been his chance.  He's worth a Biosensor.  Once you
 defeat him, the Dendou abruptly runs out of energy, and Shibuya orders a
 recovery beacon launched right away.

At the Skull Moon base, Gandar is being informed of a new arrival on the
exact opposite side of the moon.  It's an immense fortress, and Gandar's
folks recognize its owners all too well - the enemy of all life in the
universe, the Galfa.  Blacky reports that the first Galfa wave was destroyed
by Duke Freed's forces, and that so far they haven't attempted to pester
the Vegans.  Gandar is not surprised, figuring even they would have trouble
breaching the Vegans' special shield.  Time to just watch for a while.

Devil Satan finishes relating his tale of incompetence and woe to Gigagulmei
and Deondra.  Deondra doesn't seem happy that Devil Satan has tainted the
Gyandolar's good name, and definitely doesn't want him referring to her by
the co-conspiratorial "big sis" moniker.  Gigawittar figures that his emperor's
order to use the Gyandolar seems to have been in error, but Deondra won't
stand for being treated as less than an equal.  Giga-absolute figures that
the Gyandolar are after the same thing the Galfa want: the "Data Weapon".
She freely admits this, but notes that the Galfa and Gyandolar leaders have
forged a pact - a pact she'd like them to remember.  The fortress itself
cuts short their bickering, musing at how the item the Galfa have long sought,
the lost Gear Dendou, should be found on the Earth.  And if it's there, the
Data Weapon must be there too.  However, it appears that the Dendou and the
Earthlings have not yet obtained the sacred electronic beasts - this is a
chance that won't come again.  The fortress orders the plan to annihilate
mankind suspended and all efforts made to find the Data Weapon.  The three
generals of the Galfa are orderd to send their chips to Earth, in the form of
humankind.  These avatars seem to have a few speech problems, but they're
certainly determined to carry out their orders.  Deondra figures that her
people had best shake a leg too.

At Gear HQ, Bright and Shibuya exchange the usual greetings and thanks.  Just
then the two kids are shown in and told about Gear, the anti-Galfa organization
whose mech they just joyrode in.  The Galfa turn out to be an empire of
machines bent on extinguishing all organic life in the universe.  Ginga wants
to know why the two of them have to pilot Gear's greatest anti-Galfa weapon,
and Vega shows up to take over explaining.  It's obvious to us, and suspicious
to Hokuto, that this is actually Hokuto's mom.  Ginga wonders if Vega is
imitating Char the Red Comet with her mask, which has Bright going "Now that
you mention it..."  Vega claims that the visor is necessary for her job
[say what?], and says that she's the vice-commander of Gear.  She tells the
two of them to try putting their Gear Commanders back to back, at which point
they start glowing.  The reaction is far greater than when Kiyokuni and Vega
tried, and Vega says that only people who can light up those controllers can
pilot the Dendou... and the strength of the light will become the Dendou's
strength.  Mind you, nobody knows _why_ the Dendou chose these kids as its
pilots - but she does know that these kids are necessary for the Dendou to
reach its full potential and save the Earth from the Galfa.

Predictably, the kids don't take the directive to fight the Galfa all that
well at first.  For one thing, why do they have to fight when there are so
many other strong robots?  And for another, why are the Galfa after the Earth
in the first place?  The adults reiterate that the Galfa are a race of
intelligent machines who have destroyed countless planets in their quest to
rid the universe of life.  They never give up once they target a planet, and
they've grown even stronger with the help of the interplanetary crime
syndicate Gyandolar.  In fact - they've set up shop on the moon!  Hokuto isn't
happy to hear this, and demands to know how an ordinary grade schooler is to
be expected to fight that kind of enemy.  Ginga then points out that they
managed to take out the bad guys just now, and suspects the two of them could
do it again.  The two quickly set to quarreling about whether or not they
can actually go on fighting, insulting each others' manhood, and so forth.
Vega finally loses patience and tells the both of them to shut their yap,
though she quickly apologizes.  She tells Hokuto that she understands how he
feels - yet it's also the truth that the Dendou chose him and that everyone
needs his help.  Shibuya leaves it up to the boys to decide.  Ginga feels
pretty much obligated to give it a go, and shares some words from his mother
with Hokuto: "justice without power is powerless; power without justice is
violence".  He exhorts Hokuto to use their power for justice, and Vega tells
Hokuto to believe in himself and in the Dendou which chose him.  Hokuto
finally agrees in the interest of protecting his family and everyone else
from the Galfa.

Shibuya asks Bright to take the Dendou and its pilots with him, so they can
get used to it as soon as possible.  Bright doesn't mind, but Hokuto is a bit
uneasy about fighting other humans.  Shibuya tells him that there are many
groups right now trying to dominate the world by force - groups which, like
the Galfa, threaten the peace of the Earth Sphere.  Vega tells him that
modern mobile weapons all come equipped with high performance ejection systems.
Thus, unless you hit the cockpit directly you won't injure the pilots.  After
the kids depart for the Ner Argama, Shibuya and Bright both agonize over
making children fight.  But now that the Dendou has chosen them, the only
choice is to make them fight.  That's because the Galfa will be after them now,
and should they get their hands on them, all life in the galaxy will be
extinguished.  This immediately has Bright demanding to know what the heck the
Dendou has within it, and Vega promises to tell him when the time is right -
and to do so, she'll join the children aboard the ship.

Your other pilots note that the Dendou is a bit odd for a ground attack
mech - it's more like a Mobile Fighter with its martial arts moves.  Domon was
impressed with what he saw of its movements, and Rain suspects it's got
something like a Mobile Trace system.  Cain has heard that the pilots are about
the Puru sisters' age, and just then they show up.  Ginga is _VERY_ nervous,
and finally manages to ask Domon for his autograph.  Domon actually refuses
when he hears that the kids are now part of the crew, saying that there's no
need.  Ginga should know if he's a martial artist - the King of Hearts
insignia is already graven in his heart, as proof of them fighting side by
side.  Domon walks off, leaving Kouji to marvel at Domon's rather impressive
bearing (too impressive for his clothes, it seems).  Ginga thinks Domon is way
cool, but Rain confides that he's actually nervous and not used to giving out
his autograph.  Now _Cain_ is impressed that _that_ kind of line comes from
embarassment, and Aqua wonders how Rain can tell that much about Domon.  She
says that they've been together a long time, and Aqua frets about how she
and Hugo may never reach that kind of partnership.

Inoue and Aiko then arrive, having just finished connecting the Hyper Dendou
Batteries so that the Dendou won't have to worry about running out of juice
again.  That it uses batteries comes as some surprise, but obviously something
like solar power would prove problematic on days with bad weather.  Aqua
observes that the Dendou must have very _good_ batteries, since humanoid
weapons like her own burn through them pretty fast.  Inoue observes that the
current Dendou should be just fine, piquing her interest.  The boys have to
go explain all this to their parents, and Cain manages to let slip that his
own parents have gone missing in the Giganos war.  But he's not worried about
his very strong-willed mother, which Ginga figures is much like his own mom.
When Hokuto asks, Ginga tells him he'll find out soon enough.

Back in the city, Ginga's mom Midori gets ready to scold Ginga for doing
something so bad that not the police, but the _army_ want to haul him in.
Ginga tries for some time to get her to actually listen to what Kiyokuni has
to say, though [of course] Hokuto's mom is more receptive.  Kiyokuni manages
some story about how the boys have been selected to attend a very exclusive
boys' science program, touring and learning at various cutting-edge
laboratories.  Midori is worried about potential hazards, and is quite
suspicious about Ginga's sudden interest in his studies.  But after a brief
staredown, Midori suddenly assents and tells Kiyokuni to take good care of her
child.  Hokuto's mother pleasantly asks Hokuto what he wants to do, and agrees
when he says he's going too.  They've got until tomorrow.  Ginga's little
sister wants a stuffed lion as a souvenir, and Ginga's mom plans on making his
favorite food for dinner.  Ginga's feeling rotten inside about lying to his
mom, but he knows its for a good cause...

Hokuto's mom also questions him a bit about this research "tour" he'll be on,
about whether he really wants to go on it.  Hokuto says that he'll be with
Ginga, who seems like someone he could really become friends with, plus he
feels like he's "got to" go.  His mother won't try to stop him, but tells him
to remember that she's always thinking of him.  She'll make his favorite stew
for dinner too...


Stage 1d. Kamen no Shita no Kanashiki Hitomi ("The Sad Eyes Beneath the Mask")

Maiyo is receiving orders from Dorchenov to take over the Space Sciences
Laboratory by force of arms, since it's providing civilian aide to the
Federation and may eventually become a threat.  More importantly, it's not
well defended!  It sounds like a great place to make an example out of, but
Maiyo doesn't look convinced.  Dorchenov tells him that he didn't select it as
a target without a good reason - attacking it will also cause the Ner Argama
and its D Weapons to show up, which might just move things in a favorable
direction.  Maiyo fumes to himself that if _that's_ the goal, they should just
be attacking the Ner Argama directly, and Dorchenov takes the opportunity to
remind Maiyo that it was his father who sold the D Weapons to the Federation
in the first place.  He tells him that while Marshall Giltall may have taken
a liking to him, _he_ doesn't trust him at all.  Maiyo formally tells him
that he's doing nothing more than staking his life on seeing the Marshall's
ideals brought to fruition, but Dorchenov seems disinclined to listen.  He
says that Maiyo had better take down the D Weapons if he wants to bring
closure to the debacle his father caused and restore his own good name.
Furthermore, if Maiyo continues to screw up Dorchenov promises him demotion and
forcible return to their nation on the moon.  He bids the _best_ of luck to
the traitor's son, and signs off.

Welner is furious at hearing his commander spoken of in such terms, and Karl
is more than furious that Dorchenov would shamelessly foist off this kind of
mission on their group.  Maiyo tells them to knock it off - now that they're
in the military, orders from above are absolute.  They're not finished: they
find it unconscionable that someone like that is part of the military command,
and have heard that many youngsters in the army are getting fed up with the
REMFs back at HQ.  Maiyo maintains that realizing Giltall's ideals required
using people such as those - and those on the front lines have to hold up their
end too.  Like the Gun Gem squad, Welner asks.  Maiyo doesn't answer that
directly, but tells his men to prepare for sortie - there's a larger meaning to
the assault on the lab than Dorchenov's intrigues and the designs on the D
Weaponry.  That would be more information about the aliens, who are as much
his people's enemies as the Federation is.  Maiyo is worried about what will
happen when the four-way balance of power between the Giganos, the Federation,
the Galfa, and the Vegans with their yet-undiscovered home base collapses.
This operation is to prepare for that day - which _is_ something his men like
to hear.  Inwardly, though, Maiyo is worried about this critical juncture
facing not only the Giganos but all mankind - where does everyone's future lie?

Elsewhere, Vega calls Freed aside to talk about his true identity.  She's
met and collaborated with Uma many times, and says that until three years ago
Uma had no son.  She has figured out that the Grendizer isn't likely to be of
this earth, and wonders just who he is.  He tells her stiffly that he's Uma
Daisuke, Earthling, and leaves.  He now knows that he's not going to be able to
keep up the charade forever, and ponders how Vega herself seems rather
different from the other Earthlings.  Just then Kouji shows up with a message
from Uma - he'd like Freed to return to the lab for some kind of important
business he wouldn't discuss over the radio.

Elsewhere, Judou and the crew lead Ginga to Hokuto, who's still fretting over
whether or not to fight.  Ginga in his usual pugilistic way tells him to
get a grip and that he's got to be ready to fight the Galfa.  It's not the
Galfa giving Hokuto trouble... and Judou knows how he feels.  He, Iino, and
the others got caught up in this war themselves (though it was their own
fault for trying to steal the Z Gundam).  Sure, it was a crime, but that's
how it was on Shangrila if you didn't have cash.  Hokuto asks if Judou and his
friends are used to war as their way of life, and Judou says that he'd be
lying if he said he wasn't.  However, he thinks it's a far better way of life
than doing nothing but worry, or doing nothing and _perishing_.  Apparently
Hokuto isn't buying into that, and runs off.  Judou cheerfully says he
"isn't sure" how Hokuto will take all this, and that Hokuto's kind of worrying
has to be sorted out by the worrier alone.  If not, it'll eventually prove
fatal.

Grendizer has departed, and as Bright is trying to figure out where to patrol
next word comes in of Vegan recon aircraft near the Nasuno Plains.  Military
radar sites blanket that area, and Bright intends to head there at the first
sign of trouble.  Light says that he'll use the Maggie to connect to Sitenet to
get information faster.

Freed gets home, but before Uma can tell him what's so important Danbei and
Hikaru show up, saying that they've seen another of the UFOs from before.
Danbei enlists Daisuke's help to retrieve his best horse, Silver, who was let
loose in the confusion last time.  Freed won't allow himself to get caught up
in all this, causing Danbei to think him cold-hearted and strike out on his
own.  They of course don't know where Freed went, and he won't tell them - but
Uma says that Daisuke has been out on his business.  This isn't persuasive to
Hikaru, who demands to know where Daisuke went.  He won't tell her, and she
storms out, saying that he's no longer the Daisuke she knows.

What Uma wanted to tell Freed is that a woman still in her teens has been seen
hanging around the lab.  While Freed notes that the Vegans have many female
commanders, the guards described this girl as being similar in appearance to
Freed.  Freed of course can guess who this is, but she shouldn't be alive, much
less on Earth.  After all, he watched her die, crying out in the flames.

Just then the Giganos forces arrive, presumably after Grendizer and/or the
data Uma has about the aliens.  Uma wants to summon the Ner Argama right away,
but Daisuke says that surely the Giganos are after the D Weapons.  Determined
to hold the fort himself, he runs off, heedless of Uma's cries.  The Giganos
soldiers don't hesitate long when they see Grendizer, figuring that he may be
just the bait they need to lure the Ner Argama.

 On turn 2, Hikaru is caught outside in the attack.  Duke hastens over to
 shield her escape.  Of course, he gets his butt slapped around in the
 process.  Maiyo is impressed with how his enemy is trying to save a civilian
 without regard for the consequences, but he and Freed quickly start fighting
 about which side's governance is better for the Earth.

 On turn 3, the Ner Argama shows up.

 The following round Maggie detects some flying thingies headed your way,
 obviously bad news.  Meanwhile, Hikaru has returned to the lab and wants to
 know what the big flying saucer is all about - could its pilot possibly
 be...?!

 The Vegans show up on the next turn, led by Balendos.  He and Duke, old
 adversaries, get into quite a shouting match, which Kouji joins in.  Hikaru
 now knows that her Daisuke is actually "Duke Freed", whatever that means.

 The bad guys collectively have a Cartridge, a Chobham Armor, and a Jammer.

After the battle, Freed tells Hikaru his whole tale of woe.  He says that he
felt he had to keep his secret from those he cared for lest they get caught up
when the Vegans came looking for Grendizer.  He's prepared for Hikaru to reject
him as an alien, but Hikaru instead thanks him for thinking of them all.
She says that the person who saved her is in fact the Daisuke she knows, and
that's how she'll go on thinking of him.  For which he thanks her.

Kouji meanwhile has broken the news to the others about Freed being an alien
prince.  Ryou doesn't sound entirely surprised, and Vega thinks that Freed's
in the same boat as she is.  In fact, basically nobody is that surprised
about who Freed is - hell, aliens are everywhere these days. ^_^  IN FACT,
for the Getter Team who have fought stone monsters and giant lizards, Freed is
almost too mundane of an alien. ^_^ ^_^  Kouji starts laughing in relief,
realizing he needn't have worried, and Vega begins to think that these people
might actually be able to accept her.  Hokuto is keeping quiet though...
Freed then comes in, thanking Kouji for making his introduction for him.
Hokuto then confronts Freed with a question: does he hate the Vegans?  Do you
have to hate someone to fight them?  Freed tells him that he does indeed harbor
rage and hatred towards the Vegans in his heart... but that's not all.  He
also wishes to restore peace to Earth, his second homeland.  For that, he will
not fear to face any foe.  When he sees Hokuto still confused, he tells him
that he doesn't need to understand his own reason for fighting now - he'll
surely find it sooner or later.  And just as there was meaning in his being
granted Grendizer, there must be some meaning in Hokuto being granted the
Dendou - and he mustn't run from that.  This finally seems to get through to
Hokuto, eliciting a smile and a "I'll do my best."

Since things seem to be going well for the Dendou crew, Ginga asks Light just
who "Maggie" is.  He says that it's the D-3's voice-responsive computer.
Incidentally, the D-1's is Clara and the D-2's is Sonia.  Aqua realizes quickly
that such systems must be powered by high-level AI's, telling the D pilots
that her machine has a powerful AI too, though it's not voice-reactive.  She's
been interested in the topic ever since one of her instructors at the academy,
an expert in the field, turned her on to the subject.

</pre><pre id="faqspan-3">
Stage 1e. Hafu no Ou, Sono Na wa "Ten" ("The Ruler of the Dynasty Shall be
 Called 'Heaven'")

An imperious presence is talking to someone named Altair.  Altair's mission is
to venture to the third planet, not to obliterate all life, but to recover
the Data Weapon.  Yes: the missing Gear, Dendou has been found there.  The
fortress F-18 has already been sent, but the presense wants Altair to go too,
and get her hands on the seventh Data Weapon... and if possible, recover the
Dendou.

Elsewhere, Masato is having a rough time, being chased around by some Men in
Black.  They start smacking him around, and a voice from the shadows asks why
he's not trying to resist.  She tells him to be a man, and asks him to come
with her - so that the Zeorymer can be awakened...

At the Tekkouryuu (Iron-Scaled Dragon) Fortress, Empress Yuura pronounces that
the time has come for the fortress to be reborn.  She recalls how they all had
been scattered to the four winds fifteen years ago by one person's treachery,
and many including the emperor had relinquished their lives to the depths of
the earth.  The plan is to establish a dynasty upon the face of the Earth,
with her as its dynast.  Rockwell points out that the traitor must be
eliminated first.  That person, Kihara Masaki, stole the "Heaven" Zeorymer
those fifteen years ago, destroying the central part of the fortress in the
process.  Actually, said traitor is already dead - a foreigner dead in a
foreign land, which seems to suit most of those assembled fine.  All the eight
members seem to want to be the one to take down Zeorymer, though the Empress
seems to harbor some special feelings for Taiha.  As it becomes increasingly
clear that the Divinators (each with their own "element") don't get along
very well, the Empress orders Taiha to go after Zeorymer where it's cared for
by the Japan defense organization Last Guardian.  He is to either steal it, or
destroy it.  Saikyo figures that the Empress is pretty cold-hearted to send
her beloved to a battle he might not return from, and Taiha isn't going to hand
the mission over to any of them.  After he stalks off, it's quite unclear
whether they're wishing him actual success or not...

Taiha then privately tells the Empress that he would like to think he knows
how she thinks - her orders amount to a directive to prove himself worthy as
her lover.  He then asks her to tell him one word, that she's sending him on
this mission because she loves him.  She then sharply asks him who he thinks
he's talking to, and says that he's nothing more than the appendage of the
empire - he merely needs to carry out her orders.  He assents, and slowly walks
off as she thinks to herself that he's the one person she, as Empress of the
Tekkouryuu, couldn't bring herself to tell to come back safely.  She is _so_
in love with this guy.  [All those who expect this to end badly, raise their
hand!]

Inoue reports that the Dendou seems to be basically in good shape, and its
pilots rapidly becoming acclimated to it - thanks to Bright, Shibuya figures.
As for "the item", Eris Wilamette has already uncovered a number of clues.
And, now that the Dendou is active, the item they're seeking may well just
reveal itself, meaning the rollout of the Cell Fighter needs to be hurried.

Last Guardian then phones in, praising the achievements of the D Weapon and
passing along the message that a mystery giant mobile weapon has been
discovered at the Federation Chanchun army base.  It's already vanished, but
they have a picture... and it's something Shibuya recognizes: a Divination
Robot.  This means that "they" are on the move: "Haudragon".  Shibuya knows
very well that they'll be targeting Gear and Last Guardian, and says that
the two forces were originally one organization - is there anything he can
do to help?  Oki tells him not to worry - his people are about to activate
"that" weapon.  And they've even found a pilot, who is currently being
imprisoned as a means of elevating his fighting spirit in a short time after a
normal, unremarkable life.  Like the Dendou pilots, this kid's destiny has
been foreordained - to be a fighter.  Shibuya will send the Ner Argama to
help out should worse come to worse...

Well, the part about agitating poor Masato is working out, though he's
beginning to get disheartened instead of staying enraged at getting thrown in
the slammer for nothing at all...  Miku reports that he's in a precarious state
to Oki, wondering if this is really best for him.  Oki replies that if his
mind breaks at _this_ stage, he's probably better off.  Wouldn't you know it,
the enemies are showing up, causing Oki to order Masato released and the
Zeorymer launched.

Taiha is musing about how _this_, of all bases in Japan, is where they chose
to hide Zeorymer... where better to hide "Wood" than in the middle of a
forest.  Masato, peculiarly joined by Miku and Oki, notices the giant robot,
the agent of the secret syndicate Haudragon (short for Tekkouryuu...)  Masato
has heard that name somewhere before, and Oki tells Miku that while he didn't
make the call, the Ner Argama should be on its way.  Oki says there shouldn't
be any problem since the Ner Argama is organized much like Last Guardian, but
he *would* like to finish things before they arrive if possible.  Miku tells
Masato to believe in her [....WHY should he do that?!], and as Masato goes
somewhat berserk the Zeorymer responds to him and awakens.  It sucks him and
Miku inside it, and of course he's not terribly sure why he's there or what
he'll be able to do with the controls.  Taiha inwardly tells his emperor and
fellow Divinators to watch and see who the greatest warrior is.  It is fair
to say that Masato has no more idea what's going on than you or I do.

 Of course Masato feels like he's piloted this thing before, though he doesn't
 know when.  Taiha says that Zeorymer doesn't seem to be able to put forth
 its full power - could it be because "he" died?  As Miku is soothing Masato
 from the copilot's seat, Oki figures that his harebrained "imprison the
 pilot to harden his nerves" strategy is paying off: "gentless is just in the
 way in battle".

 On turn 3, Miku worries about Masato's nerves as the battle wears on.  Good
 thing your guys showed up just then.  Taiha isn't one to let your guys
 interfere, and uses his ultimate attack on Masato.  His plan is to immobilize
 it and carry it off... but Masato seems to be having some kind of psychotic
 episode now.  Your people are appalled at the rising energy signature they
 sense, and the Newtypes feel something very very yucky coming from the
 Zeorymer's direction.  Taiha realizes he's in deep shit, but for the sake of
 his love he can't back away from this fight now.  Masato, the psycho,
 delivers a neat line about the weakest "Wind" swirling the most annoyingly,
 and pulls out some _truly_ devastating attack that blows Taiha entirely off
 the map.

 (He's worth a Large Generator.)

 Meanwhile Masato's psychosis recedes, but he's still as confused and
 tormented as ever.  Miku urgently radios to Oki saying that Zeorymer needs
 adjustments, and asks for permission to withdraw.  As he does so, Vega
 muses over Last Guardian's secret weapon - FAR more powerful than she'd
 heard in rumors.  Just then, some strange force starts causing all your
 computers to go haywire - some sort of jamming.  Vega pricks up her ears at
 this, and Hokuto notes that the Dendou seems unaffected.  Aqua and Light
 both try unsuccessfully to make sense out of all this, and a picture shows up
 on everyone's screens.  It's a horse, similar to Fuunsaiki, but colored
 differently.  And then Gear HQ calls in to let you know some Galfa are on
 their way.

 And with the Galfa appears the Unicorn Drill, possibly drawn by Zeorymer's
 energy.  THAT is the Data Weapon, a holy Electronic Beast.  And, potentially
 an armament for the Dendou!  It's not for riding on like in the God Gundam's
 case, and Vega tells them to absolutely not let the Galfa have it - in fact,
 they need to catch it.  Everyone else will run interference for them.

 One of the bad guys has a Megabooster.

 On the next enemy turn, Knight Ouga shows up, a Black Dendou!  Vega warns
 the boys to flee for now, and wait for another chance to get the Data Weapon.
 Domon vows to take on everyone else, and tells Vega and the boys to
 concentrate on that horse lest Ouga grab it first.  Altair muses that there's
 another Data Weapon around here besides the Unicorn Drill, and heads away
 from the fight to start there first.  Vega pretty quickly realizes what he's
 up to...

 What he's up to is grabbing the Viper Whip, which seeks after someone with
 "confidence".  If the Ouga's pilot has more than the Dendou's pilots...  He
 "file saves" and installs it, hastening to try to grab the Dendou next.
 He kicks the shit out of it, but Vega won't let him have his way entirely.
 Altair is very surprised to see her, and apparently starts suffering some
 sort of discomfort [come on, she is *not* that bad looking!]  Hokuto wonders
 if this is the end, and Ginga yells at him that if he starts thinking that
 way it'll really be the end before things even start.  This turns on the
 lightbulb for him, and as his optimism grows the Unicorn Drill runs over to
 him.  Vega yells at them to file save it, which they do in a hurry.  The
 problem is that they lack enough energy for a Final Attack - if only there
 was a Cell Fighter for the Dendou available... which is where Kiyokuni comes
 in!  Eris tells him to be careful, since the thing isn't done being serviced
 yet.  The extra batteries allow the Dendou to release a heinously powerful
 blast that almost finishes Ouga.  Altair yells out that he's furious over
 what you've done to him, and withdraws - startling Vega still further.  The
 Dendou pilots are told they don't have enough energy to go off in pursuit,
 leading to a bit of pouting and an argument between Ginga and Eris about
 who's the kid around here.

 One of the bad guys has a Lamune.

Yuura gets the bad news that Taiha has been defeated.  Rularn tells her that
only Zeorymer's creator should have been able to coax such power from it.
This all has to do with the "Dimensional Linkage System" which gives Zeorymer
its forbidden powers, and only Masaki should be able to use that properly.
And he's dead.  Right?  Or maybe the "Committee" is using "that man"?  As the
Divinators quarrel over who should go next, Yuura says that she too was a
Divinator before she was chosen as Empress - AND, the Zeorymer was supposed to
be her machine.  She commands all the Divinators to steal that machine back,
lest the doors to the dynasty never open.  She gives the job to the two
sisters, while one of the others is impressed at Yuura's strength in not
shedding a single tear for her beloved.

Last Guardian has severed communications with the Ner Argama, citing a need
for secrecy.  Vega knows all about Zeorymer and its past association with
Haudragon.  She also knows about its Dimensional Linkage System, granting it
transcendingly destructive power.  Aqua feels that the TE Engine won't even
begin to measure up to that kind of power, and Rain wonders how the heck it
can _control_ that much energy.  Insofar as the Zeorymer used to be the enemy's
robot, it's a bit like the Dragnar machines.  Bright, worried about the black
Dendou and the stolen Data Weapon, asks Vega to contact Gear to figure out
what to do next.

Inoue starts by introducing Eris, who the Dendou pilots recognize and who is,
to Aqua's consternation, yet another young addition to the team.  Ginga is
still not getting along well with her, especially when it seems that she is
the one to explain what the Data Weapons are.  Inoue points out that she
attended MIT when she was just eleven [...like HELL she did!!  And as a Caltech
grad I should know!], although Benkei has never heard of what M.C. Hawking so
thoughtfully calls "The Fucking Institute".  [I say meet me at my crib and
then hang up the phone...]  [FURTHERMORE, why the hell does everone from Oshii
Mamoru on down in Japan keep mentioning MIT and not Caltech!  They're even
farther apart geographically!  Pet!  Peeve!]

*Ahem*  Kouji, in any event, has heard of That Other Institute of Technology,
and it becomes clear that Eris is *very* bright, even more so than Rain.  It
seems there are six Data Weapons: the Unicorn Drill, the Leo Circle, the Viper
Whip, the Gattling Boar, the Dragon Flare, and the Bull Horn.  Ginga has
mixed the "holy Electronic Beasts" up with the "Electronic Fairy", one Hoshino
Ruri [who has not yet graced the screen unless you count the combat demos...]
When Douglas corrects him, his subordinates wonder just _why_ he knows so much
about her.

When Eris manages to continue, it seems that the Unicorn Drill really _is_
inside Hokuto's controller.  It actually emerges, just VERY miniaturized.  It
proceeds to run around the room, though since it's "aliased" it has no
physical form.  Freed manages to soothe it due to his affinity for horses,
and Vega tells him that it was his open heart that called it to him in the
first place.  Freed adds that horses never betray those they trust, and tells
him to try calling it.  Vega continues that each of the Data Weapons confers
a different super attack on the Dendou - and if all six are brought together
the Dendou may be powerful enough to change the fate of the galaxy.  ...Which
is why you don't want the Galfa snagging more of them.  Basically, it's to be
a war between your Gear Fighters and the Galfa Gear Fighter over who can snag
all the Data Weapons, a concept all too familiar to Domon from his Gundam
Fighting experience.  He warns the kids not to let down their guard around
this Ouga character, lest it cost them their lives - though they don't seem
inclined to worry.  Eris and Vega also point out that the Data Weapons will
never leave their partner, so long as the "contract" between them and their
partner's heart is never broken.  What the Unicorn wanted was "trust", which
Hokuto had in Ginga.  The Viper responded to Ouga's "confidence", which
exceeded that of the boys.  Ginga is rather miffed at this proof of his
immaturity, and Eris sadly says that they haven't figured out yet what will
cause the other Data Weapons to appear, or where.  All that's known is that
they react to high energy, which there's likely to be a lot of by hanging with
the Ner Argama crew. ^_^

Altair has certainly risen in his comrades' estimation - or rather, they have
fallen in his, for his success in getting one of the Data Weapons.  Deondra
is musing on this, one of the two humans in the Galfa and the leader of the
imperial guard - and it seems that he outranks the fortress itself.  That
said, she plans on snagging the rest of the Data Weapons for Gades.  Altair
goes to rest from his long trip, and the other commanders begin the usual
talking behind his back.  The fortress has the right idea though - let Altair
fight the humans for now, especially since they've proven to be disturbingly
competent in battle.

Altair is wondering why the sight of Vega gave him such a splitting headache.
Is there some memory deep inside him at fault?

Vega has a question for the computer(?), which involves a ritualistic
"rouse thee from long slumber" preamble.  She asks if there's any chance her
brother Altair could have survived the war in Star Year 4085, and the voice
tells her that unfortunately the answer remains the same: 99.9% chance of
fatality.


Stage 2a. Conflict

Altair, apparently rested, informs his comrades that he's going to be looking
for the other Data Weapons on his own - he doesn't need or want their help.
After he leaves, Deondra plays this adroitly and tells the others that she has
a plan to snag the Dendou and the Data Weapons...that is, if they really want
to hear it.  When she tells them it'll cost them, the fortress says that,
if the plan succeeds, he'll be sure to inform the Emperor - meaning that Gades
will find out too and Deondra's precious "commander ranking" will increase.
Her plan is pretty elementary - cut off the Dendou's source of electricity.
They're not impressed, since they already thought of that long ago and threw
the idea out once the humans figured out how to change batteries in the middle
of battle.  Deondra tells them that they worry about pretty small things for
such big bodies - all they have to do is black out ALL of Japan [uh....]

Elsewhere, your pilots have enjoyed their first real bath in a while at Gear
HQ - the Ner Argama's facilities were apparently on the cramped side.  The
girls take their bath next, but only after extensive instructions to Cain and
Kouji not to peek.  Of course, they intend to peek anyway, but they run into
Hugo, who says that he's going to go in after everyone else is done (though
not out of dislike for taking baths).  He passes along a message from Douglas
that all the B-group pilots are to assemble in twenty minutes, telling them
not to be late.  He also tells them not to peek - if the Captain hears about it
there'll be hell to pay.  After he leaves, they realize that he too has to be
at that meeting, meaning he won't get a chance to take that bath.  They muse
over how Hugo always sneaks off to change by himself after missions, wondering
if he doesn't like others watching him or something.  But if that's true,
he'd prolly not expose his chest the way he usually does...

Just then Aqua rushes out - apparently she _can_ just get straight into the
bath without changing out of her DFC swimsuit uniform.  The problem is that
the hot water is turning into cold water... and all the lights are turning
off...

In Neo-Tokyo 3, Kensuke is asking Shinji about a story he heard of EVA-02
taking down an Angel in a scant few dozen seconds.  Apparently you can learn
all sorts of things peeking at your dad's PC, if your dad happens to work for
NERV.  Shinji is wondering what the heck happened to "classified" data, and
finally tells Kensuke that the mass-production EVA-02 he's read so much
about is in fact red, and lacks a horn like his own -01.  This seems totally
out of character to Kensuke, who says that the red machine is always the
one with the horn, always the rarest, and so forth.  Touji then shows up, and
[miraculously if you've seen the anime] does NOT blame Shinji for his sister
getting injured when Shinji fought the Angel before.  He wants to go grab some
takoyaki, but Hikari isn't about to let them go without helping clean the
classroom.  And Asuka gets into the act too, telling them that for shirking
their cleaning duties they've got to stay and clean tomorrow as well - which
doesn't sit well with Touji and his plans to watch the Osaka Titans game.
Shinji whispers to Kensuke, revealing Asuka to be EVA-02's pilot.  As the boys
buckle down and start cleaning, Hikari decides to help out by passing out
electric floor cleaners to help them get done faster (Asuka figures brooms are
good enough for them).  But just then that aforementioned blackout strikes, and
Rei shows up with word of the emergency summons.  The three of them strike out
for HQ, prepared for just about anything...

All power in NERV HQ blocks A through F is down to 8% of normal, and it's not
just NERV who's been affected.  Makoto reports that a large blackout struck
the Kantou region simultaneously - cause unknown.  At this rate one third of
Japan is going to be without power, though Ritsuko opines that it's extremely
unlikely to be the doing of an Angel.  What is more worrisome is the fact
that NERV has been hacked into for the last several days, though the culprits
haven't made it into the Magi and have always been quick to flee.  Apparently
whoever is responsible hasn't stolen any data or wrecked anything - it's as
though they're just playing with NERV.  2 to 1, the Magi themselves conclude
that it's a Data Weapon(!)

Inoue has been analysing the blackout, and concludes that equipment failure
or human error are not to blame: _someone_ is actually absorbing the
electricity from throughout Japan, and storing it somewhere.  It really _ought_
to be obvious where that place is (and it's not), and even the Galfa ought not
to be able to pull something like this.  Shibuya orders the Hyper Dendou
Batteries to be input into the power grid - the lifelines must under no
circumstances be lost.  And should the Galfa attack, you'll just have to have
the Ner Aragama shoulder the burden.  And, predictably, the enemy strike
after most of the Batteries are already gone...  The Galfa are striking a wide
radius - which coincides with the blacked-out region...

The Galfa have to marvel at the Gyandolar super-weapon which can disrupt
electromagnetism on a planetary scale.  Deondra prepares to descend to Earth
herself, saying that it wouldn't do if Altair figured out what's going on and
got to the treasure first.

The Ner Argama crew sees the Dendou enter combat, aghast that it's going to
exhaust its stock of batteries.  And, of course, Ouga heads into the area at
precisely that moment, headed for Neo-Tokyo 3.  Vega tells Bright that the
Dendou team is in pursuit, and when he says it's too dangerous for just them
she tells him to keep watch over Seimi City.

Vega reminds herself that Meteo figures that Altair is dead, and Altair figures
that the Dendou team should serve his purposes well.  If Ouga is here, the
Data Weapon must be too, and Vega informs NERV that they're about to attack the
black Dendou.  Fuyutsuki is impressed to see the Gear second-in-command on the
field of battle, and Makoto observes that her voice seems strangely similar to
Misato [ah, gotta love seiyuu in multiple roles].  Too bad the two probably
won't be able to be friends...  The EVA pilots are surprised to hear that the
Dendou is piloted by people even younger than themselves, and the Dendou pilots
are more than usually determined to take down Ouga today, even knowing how
strong he is and that they're running low on batteries.  Eris agrees, figuring
that if Hokuto and Ginga can keep Ouga busy, the rest of them can concentrate
on finding the Data Weapon.  PLUS, she's concerned that NERV didn't already
launch its EVAs - even if they're supposed to be anti-Angel weapons, it's a
bit fishy that they're not out defending their own city.

The Dendou pilots actually _start_ by installing their Data Weapon, figuring
that they might as well try taking down the bad guy in one swell foop with
their remaining battery.  The third Data Weapon reappears in NERV's computers,
but Ritsuko is fairly sure it'll head back outside soon - to its new master.

 On the second round of combat the Dendou pilots get told once again to be
 careful with their power consumption, which they don't really heed given
 they've got the Unicorn Drill on their side.  The Leo Cycle leaves the NERV
 computer and starts heading their way, but of course it'd be rather dangerous
 for them to turn their back on Ouga now.  They figure their only chance is to
 take down Ouga _first_, then save the Leo Cycle.  Too bad he dodges.  As
 Altair berates them for naively believing that fighting isn't just about
 weapons, he prepares to finish them with the Viper Whip's final attack.  Just
 then, a flying object appears, later than Gendou expected: the Fifth Angel.

 The Leo Circle disappears, and Ouga bugs out fast, telling the boys that
 they just got their butts saved.  Shinji hesitates a moment before launching,
 thinking that his father never tells him "good luck" before a mission.  Vega
 and Kiyokuni are astonished to see the Angel, and Asuka wonders why the heck
 Gendou is turning to Shinji instead of her.  Shinji tells Misato that he'll
 see what he can do, and Misato replies that piloting an EVA with only half
 resolve is...  He tells her that he's there under his own will, and that
 for the time being this is his only choice anyway.  As Shinji lifts off,
 the Angel prepares some kind of weapon and aims it at where Shinji is
 emerging.  The results are, to say the least, not good.  As they pull
 Shinji back, with his brainwaves fluctuating and his pulse weak, the Angel
 moves over and starts drilling into the geofront...

Things are in bad shape, EVA-01 out of commission and the Angel right overhead.
The thing is 100% accurate with its particle beam, making assault by any
humanoid weapons far too dangerous.  Worse yet, its A.T. Field is strong enough
to be seen by the naked eye.  The thing is drilling at a rate which would
bring it into the geofront through all the armor at 6 minutes, 54 seconds
past midnight - less than ten hours away.  Oh, and don't forget about that
power outage.

Ritsuko reports that at least EVA-01's vital systems weren't damaged, though
most of its chest armor has been melted through.  Three more seconds of
attack, though...  EVA-02 has been sealed at Gendou's orders, though it's
unclear if he's just holding it in reserve or if it was the Committee's
will.  Ritsuko tells Misato that there's more enemies than just the Angel,
and she's got to prepare for them too, which Misato does _not_ find very
convincing.  With EVA-00 in no shape for combat either due to problems in its
feedback system, and Shinji still basically in a coma, things are looking
pretty grim.  Misato would in fact raise a white flag right now if their foe
was an ordinary one.  But, since it's not...

..she comes up with a plan to simply blast the Angel from outside its range
with one HUGE FRIGGING-ASS GUN, with enough power to punch through the A.T.
Field without neutralizing it first.  The Magi are 2-to-1 in favor of this,
and there's an 8.7% chance of success, the highest of any plan anyone so far
devised.  Gendou says that he has no reason to object, and tells her to get
to it.

Mind you, there's still one little problem - you still need 180 million
kilowatts of power to pierce the AT Field [you do the math, remembering that
an average power station in the year 200x usually produces single-digits of
megawatts...]  To get this, Misato is meeting with "Prospector" from Nergal,
which he says is sort of a penname of his.  He would like to help out by
furnishing the HUGE FRIGGING-ASS GUN, but is explaining some of its problems
when the president of Nergal phones in, saying that NERV are bright enough to
fix those problems by themselves.  Besides, he can't refuse a request from a
beautiful woman.  PLUS, Nergal will get useful feedback from this field test.

Next, Misato goes to Gear to get their last two Hyper Dendou Batteries.
Shibuya would really like to keep them to fight Ouga, but Misato warns that if
the Angel isn't stopped the Third Impact will occur.  And to sweeten the deal,
Misato has a plan for holding off the Galfa as well.  That plan is for all
the laboratories across the land, plus civilians, to hook up their
electrical systems together and thereby get the Dendou going again.  Hokuto's
dad, a TV announcer, is in the process of asking everyone to chip in every
last spare battery etc. to the effort.  Your dudes' mecha were considered as
well, but you've got to be able to help fight with those.  The final problem is
Ginga, broken up after his loss to Ouga.  Vega has taken him home, but Domon is
sure he'll recover.

The Positron Sniper Rifle is ready to connect to the batteries with five hours
to go.  The Ner Argama crew are about in position too, and Gear HQ has sent in
a new power source: bicycle-driven dynamos piloted by civilians wanting to
help out.  This sounds pretty ludicrous, but it increases the chances of
booting the Dendou by a good 5%.  This is good news, but there's still the
question of whether Shinji will be willing to pilot again after what he's
been through.

Cue the Rei/Shinji scene where Rei offers Shinji the chance to quit if he
lacks the confidence to go on.  Cut to Ginga's mom figuring out right away that
he lost to someone.  She sternly tells him that _true_ defeat is when you're
defeated in your heart.  Ginga angrily tells her that _nobody_ can beat the
person he fought, and runs off.  Otome is willing to give up the battery from
her stuffed animal so that the Dendou could move again.  Her mother is
overjoyed to see that, and promises to buy her lots of batteries after the
Dendou wins.

Kensuke is overjoyed to see the Ner Argama show up, though Touji in typical
Kansai fashion makes a bad pun out of its name (inadvertently).  Touji is
glad to see Hikari helping out as well.  Danbei is getting into the act too,
as is Hikaru.  Pretty much everyone is there, including the Chip avatars of the
Galfa.  Ginga still isn't quite with the program, but Hokuto finally gets
through to him, saying that of course he's scared just like Hokuto is.  But
they've got to try - got to respond to everyone who's helping them out.  Ginga
finally cheers up somewhat, saying that he doesn't know if they can win, but
at least he'll try.  Shinji in turn admits that he's not confident at all,
but he'll do whatever he can anyway.  Asuka stays philosophical about this,
telling Shinji that he'd better kick ass after depriving her of her chance to
show her skills.  Shinji will have Rei guarding him, and basically get two
shots with the rifle - with a minimum delay of at least 20 seconds between
them.  The shield Rei has is expected to hold... 17 seconds, meaning that
he'd better make the first shot count...

Rei gets to tell Shinji that he won't die, because she'll protect him.  She
tells him further that she pilots her EVA because it's her bond - her bond to
everyone.  Shinji tells her that she's strong, but she replies that she has
nothing else.  She might as well have been born to pilot the EVA - should she
stop piloting it might as well mean her death.  Shinji recalls his life
before coming to NERV - merely pretending to live after his mother died and
his father abandoned him.  Rei points out to him that he's alive now, and
that whatever happens, he was born into this world because someone wanted him.
She says that she feels a bit jealous of that, startling him, and tells him
farewell.

The operation begins, and with all the pedal-power the Dendou looks like it'll
be bootable in 4 minutes.  Of course, the enemy show up at six o'clock high,
lead by Deondra and Devil Satan 6.  They want the Dendou and Data Weapon before
Altair can get here, and Freed recognizes them on sight.  Eris, meanwhile,
detects a strong energy response from one of the enemy vehicles - about as
strong as the energy they're trying to put into the Dendou!  There's no way
Vega or Bright are going to let all these people's efforts go to waste - the
mission is to protect the EVA and Dendou.

 Take out all enemies but Ramiel within five turns.

 After a bit of fighting Ouga will show up in pursuit of the Leo Circle.  The
 Dendou pilots are in no position to fight back or Save the thing, and of
 course all the people helping on the bicycles are now in grave danger.  Just
 as things look like they're at their worst, a mysterious man yells at
 everyone to wait.  After berating Altair for being the degenerate jackass he
 is, he informs Altair that he doesn't deserve to know his name and brings
 the Sword-Wolf smack-downage like three the hard way.  The EVA people are
 understandably wondering who the hell this guy is, but Vega thinks she
 recognizes this Chronosian.  Freed has heard rumors of this man and his
 Sword-Wolf, the successor to the Tenkuu Chuushin-Ken style: Roam Stoll!

 Roam, for his part, is quite unhappy to see the Gyandolar here, given that
 he defeated them in the previous war with his own hands.  Both Deondra and
 Devil Satan 6 apparently don't recall this at all, which is most perplexing.
 Altair is getting rather impatient at being overlooked like this, and Roam
 at length tells him that by no means will he let him have the holy Beast.

 The Dendou is finally able to boot on turn 3.  Misato tells it to go take
 out Ouga and get the Data Weapon.  As they race over, Ginga recalls his
 mother's admonition against losing in his heart.  He is now more than
 fired up, determined to protect all the people and keep the power flowing
 for Shinji.  Roam wants to fight Ouga and let them go for the Data Weapon,
 but Ginga yells out that if he runs away now he'll be running forever.
 Of course, the Leo Circle responds to "Bravery", letting Ginga snag the
 thing handily.  Altair, apparently an idiot, ignores Roam's warning that
 there's no way for him to win now...

 Devil Satan 6 is worth a Repair Kit.

 If Getter Robo fights Deondra, its pilots find out that Deondra knows about
 Getter Rays - that must mean she's one of the foretold invaders from outer
 space, right?  She says that she has nothing to do with anything as
 bothersome as that.  She'll recognize Domon for a martial artist, but not
 be sufficiently scared of him...

 Deondra is worth a Minovsky Craft.  Ouga is worth a Super Alloy Z.

 Once all the other enemies are defeated, it comes time to blast Ramiel.
 [As expected,] It doesn't work out.  Rei protects Shinji from the second
 blast from the Angel, nearly melting her machine in the process, and Shinji's
 second shot is right on the money.  After things settle down, he gently
 tells Rei not to think she's nothing besides and EVA pilot, and not to
 say "farewell" when parting from someone.  When she tells him she doesn't
 know what sort of expression to make at a time like this, he says he thinks
 she should smile.  He points out that there are other people who need them
 waiting for them, even _if_ their bonds were forged by the EVAs.

 Meanwhile, Ginga tells Roam that although he doesn't know who he is or where
 he's from, thanks.  Roam says that there's no need for thanks, and tells the
 Dendou's pilots, the chosen of the holy Beasts, not to forget the courage
 they gained this day.  Promising that they'll meet again, Roam vanishes.

As Misato reports the success of the Yashima Operation, Gendou gives her her
next orders.  As soon as EVA-00 is repaired, it, plus EVAs -01 and -02, their
pilots, and Misato herself are to be posted to the Ner Argama under Bright's
command.  Misato, stunned, asks why all three EVAs are being sent, and what
would happen if an Angel were to attack.  Gendou in his usual taciturn way
won't change his orders, and after Misato leaves tells Fuyutsuki that this
should serve as a good break for the old men on the Committee... as well as a
certain other old man.  Besides, the next Angel won't appear for a while:
contact with the Mu is beginning to throw the schedule off track - which should
work to his advantage.

Bright is musing to Misato that he never would have expected this decision.
Misato and Vega do _not_ mutually annihilate; in fact, they seem to be getting
along quite well considering they've got each other's voice.  Meanwhile,
Asuka is musing about how the Three Stooges seem to be aboard this ship too,
by which she means the Dragnar pilots.  Who are _not_ exactly thrilled to
see her either...  Meanwhile, Ginga's mother seems to have realized that he's
one of the Dendou pilots from watching the Dendou fight, and when he calls to
say his "Tour" will take him away for a while inwardly wishes him the best of
luck...


Stage 2b. Ubawareta La Mu no Hoshi ("The Star of La Mu, Stolen")

Mystery person [yeah whatever] is informing Mitall that AI1's education is
proceeding apace, and will soon be ready to go to level 3.  She also reports
that "those two" are just about to master the Garmraid.  However, she points
out that if "his" identity gets revealed to Hugo, Mitall will come under a lot
of suspicion.  Mitall retorts that it matters not what Hugo thinks of him -
he's got no choice but to obey if he wants to keep receiving his medicine.
The woman has read the reports and points out that that that medicine is
extremely hazardous, but Mitall says that he's well aware of that - and in
any case, Hugo couldn't go on living without it.  Mitall then asks _her_ if
she minds Aqua finding out her true identity, to which she responds that she
intends to keep it hidden a while longer, but that she'll use it if necessary
to gain an advantage: after all, emotional control is one of Aqua's weaknesses.
Mitall says that this seems to fit very well with her "are people useful to
me or not" view of the world, which he admits is his view too.  The Central
Project seems to be slightly behind schedule, but the frames for machines 8 and
9 are about finished.  Apparently Mitall has an in with the Committee, who are
keeping the Federation at bay regarding the theft of the Medius.  Finally,
the woman asks Mitall to remove the limits on AI1's learning abilities.  He
asks if that means she's unsatisfied with the Ner Argama, the Federation's top
class fighters, as targets.  She says she simply wants it to learn more, and
he agrees to tweak units 1 and 2, which the Federation won't notice.  And
should worse come to worse, he's set things up so that she can go to the
Giganos for further education...

At Mutropolis, Nigami the "reporter" has some questions for Prof. Hibiki
regarding Operation Overlord.  He seems a bit dubious that Hibiki wouldn't know
anything about the possible connection between his Mutropolitan technology and
the Dolems.  Apparently what he really wants to know is what became of the
"mystery machine" that emerged from Tokyo Jupiter - the machine which bears
some similarities to Reideen.  Hibiki says that Reideen hasn't sortied for
several days, and that nothing unusual about it has been reported.  Nigami then
asks what has become of the professor's wife - who Hibiki says died after the
final battle in the last war.  Hibiki is wondering who the hell this guy, who
claims he's a reporter, really is - and how does he know about his (deceased)
wife?

Just then a UFO is detected heading towards Mutropolis.  It is apparently not
"them" (Nigami wonders if "them" means the "Mu"), and while the Ner Argama is
heading to the rescue it will be slightly late.  Akira and Maria sortie to
meet whatever it is, and whatever it is isn't of "Barbem" origin, Nigami
thinks.  As Reideen sorties, he thinks that unlike the Youma Empire battle, the
5A is outside this time.  How will the Barbem Foundation react, he wonders.

 Aqua thinks she's seen these bad guys before, though she can't recall where
 and says that they only partially resemble whatever she remembers.  Nigami
 is impressed to see NERV take the step of posting the EVAs to your squad,
 figuring it's a ploy to draw attention away from themselves.

 After you take out the first crop of enemies, the Death Army shows up (no
 real surprise there).  Given that there's no sign of the Devil Gundam around,
 what the hell could they be after, Domon wonders.  An old adversary from
 Neo-America, Chibodie, shows up and figures it's only natural a Jap like
 Domon wouldn't get it.  Argo is there too, both members of the Shuffle
 Alliance.  Argo tells Domon plainly that they're clones of the real Shuffle
 members, made from DG Cells.  Photocopies, as it were, of Domon's dear
 brother Kyouji or Schwarz Bruder.  Chibodie momentarily laments that Domon
 removed any chance of recreating Bruder or Domon's Master, Touhou Fuhai, a
 year ago, but Argo says that the Devil Gundam is more than well enough to
 crank out clones of the other Shuffle members.  They tell Rain that she has
 no need to know how or why this is happening, and say that unlike Bruder
 they're perfect, unflinching soldiers - far better than the originals.
 Domon finds this amusing, saying that without the _souls_ of the Shuffle
 Alliance they're no better than sock puppets - in no way better than the
 originals!  They retort that a far greater crisis than one year ago is about
 to befall Domon and the others, but he's having none of it: he'll personally
 take down all those who would stain the name of the Shuffle Alliance.
 Chibodie halts him before he can fight, saying that that's not why they came
 here.  What they're here for is the Star of La Mu, presumably so they can
 obtain Mutron Energy.  Nigami apparently realizes what this implies about who
 is behind all this, and he doesn't like his conclusion one bit.

 Argo is worth a High-Performance Targeting System.  Chibodie is worth a
 Screw Module.

Nigami is impressed with the strength of the Ner Argama squad - every bit up
to what he's heard.  He decides to take off before his cover is blown, and
ponders as he does whether there is still "hope" left in Pandora's box.

Hibiki explains to Bright that the "Star of La Mu" is the source of Mutron
super-energy, as well as a device for unleashing it.  He tells you to think of
it as the "soul" of Mutron Energy (which Vega thinks sounds much like some
other object she knows of).  Misato wants to know in concrete terms what it
can do, and Hibiki says that while the entirety of Mutron Energy has yet to be
explained, it caused Reideen to grow tremendously in the final battle against
Barao of the Youma Empire, enough so to be victorious.  This presumably
implies a ridiculous amount of power, and Misato is reminded of the giant of
light she saw at the South Pole back when.  The scheme seems to be to use this
as fuel for reviving the Devil Gundam, though even Hibiki doesn't really know
where his wife Lemuria, the reawakened empress of the ancient Mu Empire,
has sealed it...

As Akira is getting introduced to the new arrivals, he and Asuka manage to
get off on the wrong foot over which of them is too young to be piloting their
machine.  Akira is a bit startled to find out that even younger kids than he
and the EVA crew are piloting the Dendou, and it seems that Mari's tongue is
about as sharp as Asuka's.  Shinji asks Akira why he ended up fighting in
Reideen, and after a pause Akira tells him that a year ago when the Youma
Empire appeared he heard a voice.  "Awaken, hero - thy destined time is
come" and all that stuff.  He says he hesitated at first, but has since made
peace with his destiny... a word that doesn't sit entirely well with Shinji.

The military pilots are poring over combat data, and not coming up with much.
Aqua shows people pictures of what the enemy reminded her of: the #1 prototype
from the project she's with.  She explains that machines #1 through the #5
Medius lack TE Engines, and Light observes that if you take away the six legs
the enemy mech looks very much like the #1 prototype.  Of course, #1 is rather
long gone by now and only one of them existed - but what if someone, for some
reason decided to mass-produce it.  Hugo wonders if Zapato, or perhaps the
people behind the Medius' theft, are behind this.

[Do the next three stages in any order.]


Stage 2c. Ayatsurareta Majin ("The Demon God, Manipulated")

Kouji and Yumi discuss Kouji resuming his seat aboard Mazinger Z now that the
peace of the world is threatened again.  This involves fetching it from the
museum where it sits as a symbol of peace, after the Mazingers defeated their
great enemy.  Tetsuya is off rehabilitating after the wounds he suffered -
well, more like hard training knowing him.  Yumi will have Jun and Tetsuya
join Kouji in the Argama Squad soon.

After Yumi hangs up, the other pilots mull recovering Mazinger, whose entry in
the museum was a ploy to keep those disapproving of civilians with "special
machines" at bay.  Freed wonders if Kouji is going to abandon his dreams of
colonizing space along with the TFO, but Kouji says he's merely putting them
on hold.  Once he and Mazinger help restore peace he wants to modify the TFO
to really be able to fly around the universe - and he wants Freed's help.

Kouji is flying, now ten minutes away from the Robot Museum and determined
to recover Mazinger Z before the bad guys steal it - though he presumes the
bad guys wouldn't imagine that the _real_ Mazingers are in the museum.  The
Vegans choose NOW to attack, and Balendos wants to snag Kouji to interrogate
him about Grendizer.  Kouji for his part doesn't want the bad guys finding out
about the Robot Museum, and vows to push through.

This doesn't work out at all.  Kouji gets caught, tortured a bit, and
threatened with a mind control device.  More than threatened, actually - he
is forced to tell Balendos when and where he fought his first battle and so
on.  Ultimately, he has Kouji take his "invincible" robot and fight Freed
with it.

Kouji has vanished off radar, and everyone is wondering where he went.  Cain
wonders if Kouji took a detour, though he has no idea where.  Asuka is
disappointed in him that he doesn't know, given that he and Kouji are close
enough to try to peek in on the girls bathing together (man, news travels
fast).  Asuka warns him that if he peeks at her while she's bathing he's going
to shoot blood from his nose a good four meters in the air.  [Asuka may have
jailbait powah, but she is not THAT attractive.  Who IS that attractive is
confidential ;)...]  He asks if that's going to be from the sight or from her
slapping him, and Asuka smoothly returns the subject to Kouji's disappearance.
They're fairly sure he didn't hit a certain red-light district in the area.
Misato and Vega doubt Kouji would make any detour, and (of course) Freed goes
out to investigate.

As Freed is checking around the Robot Museum the Vegans strike, and Balendos is
very glad to see Freed is here alone.  Balendos demonstrates how he's got
Kouji under his control and can torment him at will, and tells Duke to get
out of Grendizer if he wants to save Kouji's life.  Freed can't let that happen
and see this green world laid low, and Balendos figures it's only natural.
After all, this is the same man who let his sister die on their homeworld and
such.  Well, Freed still won't hand over Grendizer, so now he's got to fight
Kouji as Balendos watches and laughs.

 Reduce Kouji's HP to 60% and then Persuade him.  Balendos will yell out that
 it's useless to try to save Kouji since he's got the remote control... which
 is just what Freed wants to hear.  Unfortunately, Balendos is going to send
 Great Mazinger after Freed, and Freed knows he can't afford to just destroy
 the thing - how to stop it?  Kouji manages to murmur that its weak spot is
 under the wings - damage it there and for a brief moment only all its systems
 will stop.

 Reduce him to less than 30% of its HP, and Freed will be able to talk Kouji
 back to his senses.  Kouji tells Freed that he came close to forgetting
 something - Mazinger isn't a servant of evil, but a guardian of peace.
 Balendos is furious, pointing out that Kouji himself said that Mazinger Z
 could become either God or the Devil.  Kouji tells him to stuff it, and that
 he has no plans to become either of those.

 When you force Balendos to abandon Great, he pulls out his main forces...
 and you pull out yours.

 One of the bad guys has a Propellant Tank.  Another has a Magnetic Coating.
 Balendos has a Super Alloy nu-Z.

After the battle, Boss and Sayaka show up, along with Boss's lackeys.  It seems
_another_ set of three stooges has joined up, though Asuka doesn't want to
admit that the EVA pilots are among them.  Furthermore, Hikaru has shown up,
having vowed during the Yashima Operation to fight alongside Freed and the
others.  Freed is, shall we say, initially nonplussed at this idea, but after
pointing out to him that warfare distinguishes not between men and women, Domon
says if he's so worried about her he should just make sure to protect her.
Freed makes sense of this quickly, and gratefully accepts Hikaru's help.
Sayaka has one more thing for Kouji - his old pilot suit and helmet.

 You get to choose which he wears, his old suit or his new one.  Not that
 it makes much of a difference.

Yumi contacts Kouji's father Kenzou to let him know that the Mazingers are
all right, due to the efforts of Kouji and Freed.  Kenzou is in fact in the
middle of putting the outer armor on a new Spacer, which he'll send along to
your crew as soon as possible.  Tetsuya then comes, pleading with Kenzou to
let him join the fight too.  Kenzou refuses, saying that Tetsuya is to be
sent with new weapons as soon as Great's weakness is fixed - and to properly
wield that weapon Tetsuya has to be in top shape.  If he tried to use it now
he'd probably be knocked unconscious (must be some weapon!), and Kenzou
tells Tetsuya to concentrate on rehabilitation for now.


Stage 2d. Do Justice To

Dorchenov is talking to some mysterious dude whose people are just about
ready to launch the "Maiden Plan".  Mysterious dude wants Dorchenov to distract
the Federation in the meantime, but Dorchenov says that that would keep him
from dealing with the flies buzzing around the Hisago Plan - namely the
Nadesico B and the so-called "Black Ghost".  Mystery guy pauses, then says
that that's already taken care of, and that just to be on the safe side he'll
send some of his people for Dorchenov to use however he sees fit.  Dorchenov
thinks that that's a rather weak repayment, and Person X says that the rest of
his reward will come when they gain full control of the "Ruins".  Dorchenov
finds it ironic that the Nadesico and its heroes will be the spark for this
new conflict, and Person X says it's all for the sake of bringing a new order
to mankind.  Dorchenov inwardly thinks at this ghost of the Jovian Federation
that he'd better remember that the Giganos are to thank for their continued
survival.  But his more immediate problem is how to motivate the younger
officers who disagree with his actions - guess it's time to trot out Maiyo
again...  He dispatches his men to bring Maiyo back to the moon - he won't
let "them" spy on his movements anymore, and wants to get what use out of them</pre><pre id="faqspan-4">
he can.  He also recalls a couple people who came by the other day to request
his assistance, in the Medius Locus.  He wants them sent to the forward base
in the far east as well, unconcerned about getting data from a busted-ass mech
like that.  His only concern is to use both it and the Jovian ghosts as a
diversion until the mobile fortress and the Gilgazamne are finished.

Maiyo's men aren't taking the order to return to the Moon and effectively
abandon pursuit of the D weapons lightly at all, but Maiyo is remaining calm.
He realizes that Dorchenov wants him to keep the young brass in line, and
doesn't expect that Dorchenov would do anything like try to assassinate him in
Giltall's presence.  His men aren't so sure, based on the fact that he sent
these unfamiliar messengers, but Maiyo figures this to be a good chance to
figure out the state of the army.  In particular, he wants to see the army
brought closer together to better fulfill Giltall's wishes.  He tells the
Northstar Company representatives that he'll follow the orders, but only after
he takes care of some business here: he wants to meet a certain man in person
and ascertain his thoughts.

Apparently that person is Cain, and the message gets filtered through to
Bright.  Asuka reasons that Cain is a "VIP" to the enemy since he's the only
person capable of piloting what used to be one of their secret weapons.  The
question is, why Maiyo would want this meeting - is there some deep reason
behind it or do they simply want Cain's head on a platter.  Everyone is
prepared to ignore the request except Cain himself, who gets very hot and
bothered about "fleeing" said request.  They tell him his life will be in
danger, but he points out that he'd hardly have joined the military if he
was worried about that.  He says that he'll just take the D-1 there himself if
he has to, and then realizes belatedly that there's no way they'll let him go
now.  But Bright thinks it's actually just fine to attend this meeting - your
people need information about the Giganos, and presumably the same is true in
reverse.  PLUS, he doesn't want to see the D squad end up going off on their
own.  Along with Cain, he sends Vega and Domon, and the D-3 and Garmraid for
support.  He tells Cain to remember how important he is to everyone else...

The pilots are discussing the "Shirahime Incident", in which the terminal
colony of the Hisago Plan was attacked by a mysterious robot - the "Black
Ghost".  Ginga sounds a bit surprised to hear that colonies have ghosts too,
and Light reports that this Ghost seemingly can Boson Jump.  They explain to
Ginga that Boson Jumping is a bit like teleportation, and one of the causes of
the previous war.  Said war was over a certain "Ruins" from an ancient culture
discovered on Mars, and involved Captain Misumaru Yurika, who was lost in a
shuttle accident.  And _that_ accident was rather fishy, given she was in the
middle of her honeymoon with Tenkawa Akito.  The rumor was that someone from
the Titans was responsible, but nobody knows for sure.  Aqua then shows up,
telling Light about his recon role in the upcoming mission.  Aqua and some
of the other pilots then go looking for Hugo...

A voice is telling Hugo to remember this: within life there is death, and
within death there is life.  It tells him to find out how to live through
death, to carry out his assigned mission, and above all else to come back
alive.  It continues, saying that death has no meaning, and commanding him to
defeat his given enemy, and go on living himself.  That is the ironclad law of
the Cry Wolves squadron.  Hugo thinks to himself that he did in fact make it
through the fight with the demon alive...

Apparently Hugo has been meditating, something that Ginga has bad memories of
from when his mother tried to make him do it as part of his martial art.  Hugo
offers that his legs hurt a lot too when he started, and heads to the bridge.

The meeting with the Giganos is to happen in a temple, which Vega hasn't been
to since... before her child was born, though she quickly tries to cover up for
letting that fact slip.  When Domon sees the Northstar Company representative
who invites Cain inside, he tells Vega to be on her guard - the shit is
probably going to hit the fan.  Light meanwhile is tracking numerous heat
sources in the mountains opposite them - no real surprise there.  Given that
they haven't attacked yet, this meeting seems to be genuine after all.  Aqua
wonders if there'll be any time for sightseeing if things continue to remain
quiet.  Hugo knows quite a bit about this area from some friends of his, and
from a training period he spent in a temple nearby here.  Aqua asks if this
person was the squad leader he spoke of before, and when Hugo merely glares at
her she wonders to herself if she said something wrong.  The three of them
do their best to watch for any signs of real trouble...

Maiyo introduces himself to Cain, who is shocked to hear that this guy has the
same surname as Linda.  Vega and Domon are suitably impressed with this guy,
who certainly isn't displaying any weaknesses.  Cain asks Maiyo what he called
him out here for, and Maiyo in turn asks why Cain fights.  Cain replies that
it's not out of a love of picking fights, nor is it obedience to orders.  Maiyo
wants to know, if it's not out of loyalty to country, what _is_ it?  Cain says
that he fights to save everyone's lives.  He informs Maiyo that Maiyo's
people started this fight, and until the Giganos withdraw their hand - indeed,
until the Giganos are crushed - he'll go on fighting!  Maiyo is disgusted by
Cain's lack of awareness about his own inner strength, finding no other word
for him but idiotic.

Domon is smiling now, observing that Maiyo must have felt his own ideals
wavering in the midst of battle.  Maiyo in turn asks him why he would lend aid
to an Earthnoid, one of the ones exhausting the Earth - weren't the Shuffle
Alliance claiming to lead mankind in a better direction through their Colonial
organization?  Domon sniffs that the notion of rejuvenating mankind through
orbital mass driver strikes and other such tactics is preposterous.  It is
an impossibility for those looking down from on high to think of humanity
as a whole - something Domon learned from Touhou Fuhai, as Maiyo smiles and
momentarily acknowledges.  However, Maiyo thinks that mankind is running out
of time, in the face of the first Mu War, the Second Impact, the One Year War,
and so on.  He figures that mankind has reached the end, and that without
drastic steps it can have no future.  Vega tells him he's wrong, that this is
no time for Earthlings to be quarreling amongst themselves.  If the Vegans
and Galfa attack in full force, this planet is doomed.  And if the humans
fight amongst themselves, it plays right into the aliens' hands.  Maiyo
concludes that you all can't comprehend his ideals, and asks one final
question: is Linda traveling with the Ner Argama?  Cain realizes that this
guy really is related to Linda, but before he can answer the Northstar folks
have received new orders from Dorchenov: to capture Cain as some sort of
bargaining chip.  Maiyo doesn't like this, saying that he only met with this
overyoung pilot to find out his true nature - because he wanted to grasp the
depths of the heart of the man he might lose to in the upcoming battle should
his own resolve waver.

The Northstar tell him to probe further at his leisure back on the moon, but
before they can grab Cain, Domon intervenes.  He recognizes the Jovian
double-quickdraw technique, and tells them not to expect such petty
swordsmanship to prevail against the Touhou Fuhai style.  Vega has some
tricks of her own up her sleeve, and Cain and the others manage to flee.  The
bad guys have in the mean time dispatched their Metal Armors, and Domon
wonders if this was planned from the very start.  You certainly don't know
much more about Maiyo than you did before...  Vega tells the others to hop on
her bike so they can rendezvous with the Ner Argama.  Light and Hugo will
hold off the bad guys until they reach their destination.

 On round 1a, things go from bad to worse when the Medius shows up.  The pilot
 radios to the Giganos forces to leave the Garmraid to him, which is puzzling
 to your dudes.  Why, if the Giganos bought a Federation experimental machine,
 would they send it into combat?  Presumably they want the combat data, if not
 a shot at snagging the Garmraid itself.  Hugo figures the chance is good to
 take out the Medius, and maybe figure out who the hell is piloting it too.

 Hugo definitely recognizes the Medius's movements, and its pilot decides to
 take AI1 for a bit of a spin.  It kicks the Garmraid's ass, and Hugo realizes
 that the Medius' pilot knows every move he makes - there's no mistake now.
 Albero finally reveals himself, asking if Hugo forgot the training he did
 here.  Hugo recounts his this guy taught him everything he knows about
 fighting, then asks why the hell he's piloting the Medius - didn't he leave
 the army after...  Albero tells him he doesn't need to know: it's enough to
 know that both of them were chosen as the pilots of their respective
 machines.  Nor will he tell Hugo why he stole the Medius, and Hugo's will to
 fight is definitely on the decline.  Albero tells him to die right here and
 now if he doesn't want to fight him - there's no meaning to go on living
 with his body the way it is, is there?  He says that giving him a quick death
 will be his last duty as Hugo's former commander, and Hugo still can't
 muster the will to do much of anything.  Aqua starts yelling at him, asking
 if he really wants to die here without knowing or doing anything.  She's not
 having it, and demands that they switch controls if he won't get off his ass.
 After all, she's been trained to pilot too!  Hugo finally says that it's
 _his_ role to fight this guy - it's his only chance to "live on".  Albero
 likes the sound of this - he hadn't recalled raising someone who'd just
 choose death for no good reason.  Eldy doesn't want Aqua to find out about
 her just yet (which he's okay with), and Domon yells at Vega to hurry...

 One of the bad guys has a Cartridge.

 You should be able to reach your destination at the start of turn 4,
 summoning the cavalry.  Unfortuantely, the Northstar crew has more bad guys
 too.

 The following round, something like a black Mobile Armor Boson Jumps into
 the area.  It's either an Aestivalis or a Jovian machine, and Light quickly
 realizes that you're receiving a visit from the famous Black Ghost.  Eldy
 realizes very quickly that whatever it is, it's pretty buff, though Albero
 warns her not to let data collecting on it interfere with his battle.  The
 Northstar folks are shocked to see it here, but hope they can capture it
 all the same.  The Newtypes feel something like unsatiated resentment
 coming from it - much like a real ghost.  It won't respond to hailing, and
 Bright tells your people to counterattack if it comes after you too.

 Albero will pull out around 6000 HP, so come hot and heavy.  The AI1 will
 start displaying "Rejection", and Albero wonders if the damn thing is "tired"
 or something.  Actually it's having problems keeping the Rasmunanium under
 control - looks like's as unripe as Hugo is.  Albero makes to withdraw,
 telling Hugo that hesitation will cost him his life - he shouldn't think of
 ever trying to bring him over to his side.  Too bad you don't get an item
 out of all of this.

 One of the enemies has a Weak EWAC.  Another has an Image Sensor.

 The Black Ghost ravages the Northstar dudes like a bad snuff flick and then
 Boson Jumps out of the area.  Bright orders everyone to pull out, and in
 their wake Maiyo mentally tells Cain that only half-baked resolve won't be
 enough to defeat him...

Domon asks Hugo to tell him what went on between him, his former commander, and
the Devil Gundam - is Domon somehow at fault?  Hugo tells Domon that he
doesn't blame him, and that he understands what the real cause behind the
DG incident was.  Domon diplomatically says that he'll wait for Hugo to open
up, but tells him to remember that he'll always do whatever he can for him.
As Domon walks off, Aqua tells Hugo that she isn't planning on prying the truth
out of him either, and apologizes for some of the things she said back there.
Hugo tells her that she was right: he was once taught to "carry out his
assigned mission, and come back alive - to defeat his given enemy and go
on living himself".  He tells her that he had almost lost sight of that... he
doesn't know why his commander stole the Medius and attacked him, but now that
he's become an enemy Hugo won't hesitate any more to fight him - a lesson from
said commander, in fact.  He knows his commander isn't one to change his mind,
and says that if he hesitates when facing him, he'll die.  He also says that
today was the first day he really appreciated that it takes two people to
pilot the Garmraid.  Aqua is glad he finally grasped this, and tells him that,
like Domon, she wants to be there for him should he want her help.

The commanders are puzzling over the Black Ghost, whose Boson Jumping ability
implies a connection with Nergal or with the Jovians.  Also, it's strongly
implied that an A-Class Jumper is aboard it: a human capable of jumping
unassisted, merely by thought.  All the same, it's incredible that a machine
that small could Boson Jump, unaided by a Tulip...

The D pilots are agonizing over how Linda seems to be Maiyo's sister, making
her the daughter of the inventor of the Dragnar.  Linda herself is supposedly
at a civilian evacuation camp, and she claims her father has gone missing ever
since fleeing the Giganos.  Light figures that the good professor has gone
into hiding from the Federation, and is working on the mass-production
Dragnars.  Presumably having a traitor for a father has made Maiyo that much
scarier of an opponent - and Cain knows from meeting him that Maiyo has a
_far_ stronger resolve than you all thought.

Aqua reports to Mitall that the identity of the Medius' thief is clear, and
Mitall tells her and Hugo to keep up their pursuit... and nothing more.  Aqua
doesn't like that, and angrily points out that Albero is Hugo's former
commander - more than just coincidence most likely.  Mitall asks if Aqua thinks
he's somehow behind all this, and she points out that there's also the little
issue of the enemy mecha which resembled prototype #1.  They can't _not_ be
suspicious of him.  He tells her that he's inconvenienced by the Medius'
theft too - machines #8 and #9 are now way off schedule, and he's got to keep
up appearances for his sponsor, the Federation.  He tells her she's got to
solve this as quickly as possible, and hangs up.  Aqua realizes that the good
professor probably foresaw all this, and is unlikely to give up the jig so
easily.  Aqua, herself, is determined not to simply let others use her, and
vows to do something about Mitall yet.


Stage 2e.

In some unknown location, Brai, emperor of the Hundred-Demon Empire, is
exhorting the troops that they, yes they, are the only ones fit to rule the
Earth Sphere.  He has Marshall Hidler set in motion a plan to wipe out
humanity, proposed by Doctor Graw.  Infighting among the humans and invasion
from space (and elsewhere?) makes the Earth a ripe target, but one problem
remains - the island fortress lacks enough energy to operate at wartime
levels.  To solve this crisis, Graw wants to snag the Getter Amplification
Reactor Saotome just developed.  Whether Hidler will be able to actually
invade the Saotome lab is another question...

Meanwhile, Yuura is being informed of a new threat: the Ner Argama squadron.
They'll be a problem later if not now, and that will go double if the
Zeorymer actually joins up with them.  Yuura agrees to nip this one in the bud
by dispatching "Fire" and "Water", and Saikyo is glad to hear that one way
or the other his enemies will be defeated - be they the Zeorymer or the other
Divinators...

Meanwhile, Oki is informing Masato that he's actually a testtube baby, unique
in the world and born for one purpose: to pilot Zeorymer (just like Miku).
Looks like he doesn't have much choice other than fighting Haudragon, and
wonders who provided the sperm and egg to make him.  And if it were the same
people as in Miku's case, does that make her his sister?  When Miku shows up,
she brushes aside Masato's disinterest in fighting Haudragon: it's his destiny
to combat them.  He demands to know how she can accept so calmly the fact that
she was _only_ born to pilot the Zeorymer.  He blurts out that humans are
supposed to fulfill all kinds of purposes, but trails off... and Miku tells him
that all humans live according to the destiny they've been given.  Essentially,
_their_ destiny just so happens to be piloting Zeorymer...

Just then report comes in of the bad guys attacking Saotome Laboratory,
including two Divinator Robots heading that way (and not to Last Guardian,
oddly enough).  The Ner Argama is inbounds but can't get there first, and
Oki says he doesn't care that they'll make contact with the Zeorymer if
Divinators are involved.  Poor Masato gets dragged along for the ride.

Saotome has doubtless heard speeches about world domination and supplanting
humanity before, and he's not happy to hear one again from Hidler.  The Ner
Argama actually arrives first, and Saotome quickly tells everyone to keep the
bad guys from making off with the Getter Amplification Reactor, an opposing
invention to the Dinosaur Kingdom's Getter Neutralizer.  Hidler is very
forthright about wanting to use Getter Rays for world domination - none of this
jibber jabber about new world order or revolutionizing mankind.

 After you wound Hidler, Shi Ein and Shi Tau show up.  Neither group of bad
 guys is inclined to mess with the other...

 Hidler will retreat if his HP are reduced to 9000-ish or less.  He's worth a
 Chobham Armor.

 After a couple more rounds, the Zeorymer shows up.  Tau wants to try to snag
 the Zeorymer and win the empress' favor, but Ein reminds her that their
 orders only concern the Ner Argama.  Tau isn't listening to her sister very
 well, and it's probably lucky for her that Masato isn't fully into this
 fighting off the bad guys bit yet.  He seems to have accepted the fact that
 he has nowhere to go home to at least, and Miku tells him to let her worry
 about the targeting.

 These girls have MUCHO hit points, and they'll vanish around 16k.  Without
 jumping through some serious hoops, you'll have to content yourself with
 just chasing them off for now.  Zeorymer will take off too, leaving your
 people wondering what kind of pilots are aboard it (Misato has some idea...)

Saotome judges that the Hundred-Demon Empire won't launch a full scale assault
for a while, given that only the laboratory itself had been targeted.  Your
people are quick to note they must be looking for ways to mass-produce their
weapons, and Saotome figures they'll come after every source of super energy
in the world [i.e. in the game...]  And guess where the most obvious menagerie
of super energy is - you guessed it, the Ner Argama squadron!  Saotome will
have the Federation tighten its defenses, and tells your people to be on guard
too.  Misato leaves the Getter pilots a bit of time with Saotome, returning
first.  The pilots tell the departed Musashi of their new enemy, and that as
they go on to this new fight they will never forget Musashi's brave spirit.

Brai had half-expected Getter to get in his way, and tells Hidler he'll let
him off easy this time on account of the data he gathered.  He instructs Graw
to step up production of the Hundred-Demon robots, and has a plan to have
Getter and friends take out all the _other_ obstacles in his way.  And when
the right time comes, he wants to have enough warpower to attack in a massive
wave.  He warns Graw however to be sure not to tip the humans off to how much
energy he's gathering...


Stage 2f. Kikaijin no

Barbem is telling Kouri that it's taken fully forty years to bring their work
to fruition, and not to worry about their ability to produce the requisite
number of... whatever it is.  However, whatever "it" is uses parts they've
picked up from some of the Fossil Beasts - sad failures at creating gods, but
quite serviceable as puppets.  And, given a certain squad with special machines
and artificial humans among it, "it" should make for a perfect distraction for
both him, and the enemy - NERV's apparent strategy.  He suggests to Kouri that
his Terra also lend that squad the Rahxephon - if the Mu attack there instead,
that will in turn buy _him_ time.  After all, the Ner Argama squad has already
demonstrated that it can play the role of Pied Piper just fine.  Besides, Zeele
and Barbem both pretty much know each other's cards, thanks to a certain
Scroll - and he's quite sure that Zeele won't be able to comprehend the
Rahxephon System.  Without two instrumentalists, NERV wouldn't be able to make
use of the thing, and Barbem wouldn't expect Ikari Gendou to up and just
physically wreck the Rahxephon... especially after he leaked certain
information to help Gendou use the Rahxephon against Zeele.

Kunugi and Ayato aren't exactly speaking freely to each other, and Kunugi
at length announces that examination has determined that nothing is wrong with
Ayato's body.  Ayato for his part isn't happy about being imprisoned for all
this time, and asks shortly to know if Kunugi is suggesting that escapees from
Tokyo aren't human.  Did they think his blood was going to turn blue or
something?  Kunugi tells Haruka to show him to his new quarters, but Ayato
doesn't want her laying a finger on him.  Itsuki, from the science section,
offers to guide him instead, which Haruka can only answer with sad silence.

It seems he and his assistant Koyoko are studing the "D1 Aria" sung by the
Dolems.  Itsuki explains that Nirai is the artificial island they're
on, built to study a certain set of ruins.  Kanai is the city atop it where
this base is, hence the somewhat facetious name "Niraikanai".  It seems that
Quon is Itsuki's younger sister - and is not happy with the doctors around
here, who can't seem to figure out why she's feeling poorly.

Itsuki shows Ayato to the house where he'll be staying... "temporarily" most
likely.  He leaves Ayato to introduce himself, telling him that he'll come
pick him up later.  Rikudou and Megumi, the owners of the house, greet their
new guest.  Meg is in fact Haruka's younger sister, meaning Haruka lives here
too.  Meg starts showing Ayato around, explaining that she like her sister
works for Terra - but Rikudou, a retired archaeologist of some repute, does
not.  Meg seems almost disappointed to hear that Tokyo is just another city -
she expected something weird to be going on given the, um, Jupiter thingie
and all.  Tokyo Jupiter has existed since before she was born, and her sister
keeps vowing to return there someday.  In fact, she was born there...

While Rikudou schools Ayato in accepting the cards he was dealt, Kouri
returns from his little conference with souvenirs for his staff.  He calls
Kunugi in for a little chat, who then passes along to Ayato that he's being
ordered to fight the Mu.  This predictably goes over like a lead balloon, given
Kunugi's reason that Ayato has to do this is merely because he can enter
Rahxephon.  Ayato wants to know why _he_ has to fight when there's all those
mobile suits and super robots and such already - alien invasion or no alien
invasion.  Kazushiki figures that Ayato is sure acting his age, and Itsuki
figures it's only natural, considering that Ayato hasn't actually been treated
all that nicely to date.  As Quon interjects with a bit of poetry, the bad guys
attack, and the Ner Argama is still a ways off.  Ayato says that he hopes
these folks aren't planning on making him go out to fight these fearsome foes
from fifteen years ago, and Kazushiki asks him what the hell else he thinks
Terra pulled Operation Overlord and brought him to Niraikanai for.  Ayato
fires back that he never asked anyone to do any such thing, and the impatience
of Kim, calling him a spoiled brat, is only making his reluctance stronger.
She demands to know what the hell else he thinks he can do besides pilot
Rahxephon (fucking plenty!), and wants to know why in funk _he_ of all people
had to be Rahxephon's pilot.  Itsuki amiably says that while he'd normally
tell both of them to go stand in the hall, it's not exactly the time for that.
He informs Ayato that he won't force him to fight, but asks if him if he
won't stand by inside Rahxephon, just for argument's sake.  Haruka shouts that
Itsuki has no authority to say that, but Kunugi concurs to her shock.  With
the threat of standing in the hallway WITH buckets of water hanging over his
head [^^;;;], Ayato reluctantly agrees to get aboard Rahxephon after Itsuki
promises him he won't have to fight.

The Ner Argama will show up in three minutes.  Ayato asks Itsuki if he's
really doing the right thing, and Itsuki assures him he is - the Rahxephon is
an important subject for research, and Ayato's a pacifist after all.  Koyoko
tells Itsuki that Ayato will be really mad if he learns the truth - truth
which Itsuki hasn't told Ayato simply because he hasn't asked.  Koyoko asks if
he has any problem with _her_ telling Ayato, and Itsuki responds that he won't
give him to her - only adults can understand just how far the "truth" and
"happiness" are apart.  Meanwhile, Elfi is in the air, ready to take revenge
for her friends and quite sure she doesn't need help from some child.  Meg
confides to Ayato that Kim lost both her parents in the Dolem attack...

 On turn 2, a bunch more D2's show up, along with the D1 Dolem.  Elfi's Alpha
 1 is about to get seriously ravaged when Reika shows up abruptly _inside_
 Rahxephon and leads the damn thing into battle.  As portentious statements
 fly from the cast, Itsuki won't give Koyoko a straight answer about whether
 he foresaw this, saying only that _he_ certainly didn't force Ayato into
 battle.  Ayato seems to have abruptly changed his mind, telling Kim that
 he's doing this because, well, because he can.

 Your dudes show up on turn 3, but Reideen has mysteriously started operating
 already.  Akira is *fired* *up*, and somehow Ayato's machine starts
 resonating with his.  Apparently Akira didn't _board_ Reideen - he sort of
 materialized inside it.  As Quon spouts more poetry about divine birds with
 light on their heads, Itsuki realizes that the fact that Reideen, not the D1,
 is causing Rahxephon resonance may mean they need to relabel their IFF a
 bit.

 One of the bad guys has a Repair Kit.  There's also a Super Alloy Z and a
 Biosensor.

Kouri and Kunugi are glad that this battle went so well - wishing a bit that
they'd had this kind of good fortune 15 years ago.  Kouri had suspected that
something like the Reideen-Rahxephon phenomenon would occur, but was still
surprised to see it actually happen.  He tells Kunugi to just bide his time and
watch for now...

Your people are learning about this Rahxephon doohickey, and are quite shocked
when you hear that they want to attach Rahxephon to your squadron.  After all,
it's supposed to be Terra top secret... but Kazushiki tells Misato that, much
like Gendou is thinking, Terra wants to draw its enemies' attention afield.
Congrats, you've now got more enemies to fight!

Meanwhile, your pilots are puzzling over Reideen's strange reaction.
Apparently something like this happened once before, during Operation Overlord
and before Akira joined your group.  These two super robots don't appear to be
_enemies_, but they didn't appear to be friends, either.  The thing that
worries Akira is the girl he saw standing on Rahxephon's shoulder, garbed in
gold.  As the pilots fret over just how DANGEROUS it is on a robot's shoulder
in the middle of battle [Giant... Volvo?], Akira realizes he was the only one
who could see her.

Haruka breaks the news to Ayato that she, he, and Megumi are to be posted to
the Ner Argama in three days' time... along with Rahxephon.  Itsuki says that
this is surely a great opportunity for all kinds of sightseeing, and maybe to
learn a bit more about Tokyo too.  Besides, there's plenty of kids Ayato's
age to hang out with - he thinks Ayato should be able to make some good
friends, including Reideen's pilot.  Itsuki professes ignorance of the
connection between Rahxephon and Reideen, and Ayato says he sure as heck has
no clue (Itsuki is privately not surprised at all).  At least Ayato seems to
be a bit more resolved about piloting Rahxephon now...

Kazushiki is consulting Barbem about the Rahxephon dispatch, which Barbem
tells him is not his to poke his nose into.  He tells Kazushiki that without
the Star of La Mu, Reideen's song has no way of reaching Rahxephon, and says
that if he wants to know more he should ask Queen Lemuria, i.e. Hibiki Reiko,
directly.  Of course, he figures he has some hint of what she and the other
ancients are thinking...


Stage 2g. Kiki E no Countdown  ("Countdown to Disaster")

A mystery voice is commenting to Altair that he's sure taking his time -
apparently some superior of his.  The voice says it will give Altair knights
with which to capture the Dendou and the Data Weapons.  Left unchecked, its
powers may grow too great to control.  It reminds Altair that this fight is
not Altair's alone...

Misumaru has filled Bright in on plans to develop and mass-produce the
"Dragoon" Metal Armor.  Advance units are already under construction, and
Misumaru wants you to head to the site to furnish the data from the Dragnar.
This is the mission the Dragnar folks were originally trying to accomplish,
and if all goes well should put the military in a far better position to
oppose the Giganos.  Douglas sounds almost sad at the thought of the three
pilots having their codes erased and relieved of their duties, but quickly
says that he'll be more than glad to see them gone.  Vega then comes in, saying
that a program to track down the Data Weapons has been developed at Gear HQ -
she wonders if she could go with Eris to pick it up.  Bright gives his
permission, and Misato suggests that Vega take some extra guards with her, just
in case.  Vega wants Hugo, Domon, and their respective computer-loving
female counterparts to come along, and Misato wishes her a safe trip.

Inoue has been soliciting advice from experts all over the world on how to
track the Data Weapons, and has a long list of improvements suggested for the
software.  All the prominent super robot scientists chipped in, along with
Domon's father and the Terra-sponsoring Barbem Foundation.

Meanwhile, Domon is schooling Ginga in kung fu.  Ginga, for his part, takes
his educational beating like a (miniature) man and happily tells Hokuto that
he's a far cry from Domon's skills.  Domon tells him that he's got great
talent, and that if he keeps training he'll make a wonderful Gundam Fighter
some day.  Ginga gets all starry-eyed, longing for the day he can take down
mecha barehanded too.  Hokuto is more than a little incredulous about taking
down a MECHA bare-handed, but Hugo shows up and says that he's seen actual
military footage of Domon's teacher, Master Asia taking down a mobile suit
bare-handed.  He tells a gaping Hokuto that he was more than a little shocked
himself the first time he saw it, and Ginga says that people like that may be
more common than Hokuto thinks - like maybe Vega, who seems content to fight
the Galfan weapons with nothing more than a glorified motorcycle.

Time to test the software, now about 80% complete.  The boys unleash the
Data Weapons.  Eris tells them not to _really_ run away, giggling slightly
as they nod at her.  As she starts it, it seems like there's some kind of bug,
shocking since she's checked this time and again with Rain and Aqua.  The
Data Weapons vanish just as the bad guys attack - it's the Death Army!  Time
for Vega and the crew to sortie until the Ner Argama arrives.  Eris doesn't
have the time to tell the boys that their Data Weapons are missing...

Hugo checks to see if there are any huge heat sources nearby (there aren't),
and your people wonder what they're doing here - last time, they were after
the Star of La Mu.  This time they seem to be after the Data Weapons, which
could be merged with the DG Cells via their computer virus-like abilities.
It quickly becomes clear that the Data Weapons are on the loose, and Eris
blames herself for the buggy tracking software.  Domon quickly forestalls
the blame game, saying that taking these enemies down comes first.  Vega
realizes just how bad things could get if Ouga shows up now, and your dudes
resolve to take the enemies down fast.

 The Data Weapons show up to the West on turn 2.  While everyone is glad to
 see them back, Eris puzzles over how in the past the Data Weapons appeared
 at the Zeorymer's base and in Neo-Tokyo 3: places with large amounts of
 energy.  Does that mean there's a lot of energy here too?  Anyways, the boys
 have to hurry and collect the Weapons while the rest of the party holds off
 the bad guys.

 One of the bad guys has a Propellant Tank.

 Just as the boys are about to save their Weapons, the Galfa send in their
 knights, plus Altair.  Obviously the boys are in a jam without their Weapons
 loaded, and before Domon can intervene a mysterious voice yells out that
 Domon will have to deal with him first!  The voice belongs to Michelo
 Chaleot, a man tainted by DG Cells in the previous war and one of the Devil
 Gundam's four great generals.  This guy is supposed to have fallen by Sai
 Saishi's hand on Lantao Island, but it seems he's back from hell to take
 Domon on.  Altair observes that they seem to be similar beings, but Michelo
 tells him that he's not here out of friendship - he's here to steal the
 Data Weapons.  Of course, Altair isn't about to allow that, but his first
 mission is snagging the Dendou.  This the knights do, and the Data Weapons
 and Vega head off in hot pursuit, leaving Domon and Hugo to face Altair and
 Michelo.  Well, Michelo has no reason to be here now either, and takes off.
 Ouga does not know just how much of an ass-pounding he's about to take from
 Domon.

 Though you lose this battle, the bad guys have a Megabooster and a High
 Performance Radar.

Spy satellites have traced the Dendou to the enemy's main base on the moon.
You've now got a major dilemma - head to space to rescue the boys and keep the
Data Weapons out of enemy hands, or work on handing over the Dragnar data to
get that mass production started.  Bright's got a plan, and has all the pilots
gather in the briefing room.

Apparently that "bug" in the tracking program was put there deliberately,
designed to forcibly remove the Data Weapons from the Commanders.  This is some
_seriously_ high level work to have escaped everyone's notice, not to mention
to be able to manipulate the Data Weapons at all.  Nobody has a clue who could
be responsible, but Domon has found out one thing: whoever is responsible for
the Bug must have something to do with Michelo, whose arrival was ever so
conveniently timed.  Eris still thinks it's her fault, but Hugo says that the
fault isn't hers alone - it's also his and Domon's fault...

Bright has been talking with Misumaru, apparently about using the Nadesico to
effect the Dendou's rescue.  Misumaru reminds him that it has its own duty to
perform, and that after the Dendou is safe it'll have to return to it, and says
he'll send them to Bright's location stat.  The plan is to split your forces
in two to achieve both your objectives, and the Nadesico will handle
transporting those headed to space.  Misato warns you all that the division
of units will only be announced once, so you better write this down [or, let
me do it for you ;)].  Those going to the moon are the Gundam team (including
Domon and Rain), Kiyokuni, and Eris, all people well suited to fighting in
space.  Their objective is strictly recovery of the Dendou, not destruction of
the enemy base itself.  Everyone else, including Rahxephon, will be staying
on the ground.  Hugo, however, can decide whether to do the transport route
or the moon.

 [Transport route will be marked with a "T", and moon route with an "M".]


Stage 3Ta. Futatsubasa ....

At the Skull Moon base, Balendos informs Gandar that he's discovered
Grendizer's weak point, and has just the man to exploit it: Commander Jigura,
one of the Vegan imperial guard.  Jigura wants to cut the introductions short,
saying that Vega's getting pissed off at the delay and that he's more than
looking forward to throwing down with Grendizer.  Jigura, quite the hot shot,
opines that a conehead like Blacky probably wouldn't understand what this
weakness that Balendos discovered is, and at Balendos' command gets right down
to work.

Conveniently [^^;;;], Uma has just finished some gadget to support Grendizer.
Since you've got a bit of time before joining up with the Rahxephon, Misato
persuades a hesitant Bright to let Freed go pick up this "Double Spacer",
though he insists on sending Kouji and the Getter Team along to guard him.

Kouji's ecstatic to hear that the Double Spacer, a support mecha designed to
combine with the Spacer, is finished.  Better yet, this thing has a shorter
transformation time than the Spacer alone, making it less vulnerable [hint,
hint!]

Rahxephon is now only five minutes away from the Ner Argama, and Bright sends
Misato out to meet Haruka and the crew.  Apparently the two have totally
equivalent positions in their respective organizations, and even appear to be
the same age... and the similarities don't end there.  Haruka manages to
tear herself away from bonding with Misato and introduce the rest of the
crew.  Akira and Ayato seem to be not so much bonding as staring at each other
in shock, but hey.

Meanwhile, someone is approaching the Space Sciences Laboratory, muttering
about the response of their Freed royal pendant getting stronger due to
Grendizer's presence here.  This person, sounding female, is determined to
steal the guardian of Freed back from the demons...

The new Double Spacer is actually smaller than the old Spacer, but for that is
far more maneuverable.  Kouji says that he'll pilot the Double Spacer in the
combination test, managing to inadvertently slight Sayaka as a "partner" in
the process.  Hikaru thinks she's up to the job too - and pretty soon Boss
and his goons get into the act too.

Just as Kouji is about to go check on the Double Spacer test, the mystery
girl from before pops out and starts blasting away with her ray gun, prepared
to not forgive the demons who ransacked her home world and blah blah blah.
This gets cut short when Freed shows up and tackles her, and after some
squirming around on the floor it becomes clear that this is none other than
Grace Maria Freed, Duke Freed's long lost little sister!  She somehow wriggles
free and runs off, vowing to steal back the Grendizer before all is said and
done.

Everyone sorties, just to be on the safe side, and as Freed tracks down Maria
she goes on a long tirade about how the Vegans invaded her world and killed
both her parents and her older brother.  She heard all this from her second
father, the man who brought her away from Freed, who unfortunately got killed
before they got clear of the Vegan invasion.  Freed starts begging Maria's
forgiveness, but before he can finish the bad guys show up, calling him out
by name.  Jigura quickly wrecks the Spacer, gloating over the 7.5 defenseless
seconds Grendizer requires to separate from the Spacer.  And without the
Spacer, Grendizer is at less than half strength.  This all while Maria
belatedly realizes that her brother is still alive.  Kouji wants to run to the
rescue, but Jigura has other enemies for him to play with.

 On turn 3, Maria pilots the Double Spacer to save Freed's bacon.  You either
 have to take out all the bad guys or get her over to Freed's side (the
 former is like trivial).  The trick now is to get the timing down for the
 combination maneuver, which could prove fatal to Maria if done wrong.  The
 Getter Team are old hands at this tricky kind of maneuvering, and help coach
 Maria through the timing.  Jigura isn't impressed, and sends out more bad
 guys, but the cavalry has arrived too.

 The bad guys have a Propellant Tank and a Screw Module.

Maria and Freed get to have the tearful reunion action, with no hard feelings
over how Freed (inadvertently) left Maria behind to protect Grendizer.  Haruka
seems more than a bit sympathetic to this tale of siblings separated since a
tender age, and the normally hard-nosed Ben has tears in his eyes.  Maria is
introduced to the rest of the crew (including a fiercely moved Kouji).

Freed entreats Bright to let Maria stay with your crew - her skills as a pilot,
among other things [?_?;;] should prove quite useful.  Those other skills
involve her power: Precognition!  She's not some walking weather forecast, but
when certain things are to happen in the future [like, say, when the plot
demands it], she'll know ahead of time: an ability that maybe one woman in
a hundred on Freed had.  Bright happily will permit her aboard first and
foremost as Freed's beloved sister, with the precog part as a happy extra.


Stage 3Ma. Yureru Senki, * Kioku

The second-generation warship Nadesico B shows up, right on time.  This
ship, built after the war three years ago and a participant in the Barm
conflict, is commanded by none other than Major Hoshino Ruri, the "Electronic
Fairy", the youngest captain in history.  Aiko sounds miffed that Inoue left
out how beautiful Ruri is, and Inoue responds drily that Aiko seems to have
quite the vested interest.  Aiko responds that Ruri's appeared in womens'
magazines and is pretty famous throughout Gear HQ - in any event, it's a damn
good thing she's on your side.

The Nadesico crew, for their part, are marveling over how the Gear base is
genuinely built beneath an amusement park [hmm, shades of Betterman, hmm....]
Harry, the good little boy, seems a bit bent out of shape about how eager
Saburouta is to meet some new hot babes - he says he _thought_ all the former
Jovian soldiers were brave, upright men.  Ruri cuts Harry's rant short,
reminding him that time is short.  She even tells him to abbreviate the
greeting the other side, and to set course for the moon as soon as the new
arrivals are aboard.

Judou is impressed to see that the Nadesico B's captain is someone around his
age (Beecher thinks its all over for him if someone younger than him is a
captain).  Aqua hears her biological clock ticking louder than ever now.  Eris
is amazed and honored that Ruri has heard of her and her accomplishments at
MIT, and after agreeing to fill Ruri on in the Data Weapons inquires who the
people are in the picture by Ruri's chair.  Ruri replies that they're family -
Beecher wonders if they're her older brother and sister, which she says is
close enough to the truth.  Eris knows who they are - the Nadesico's former
captain and crewman Yurika and Akito, supposedly killed during their honeymoon.
Ruri tells Eris to feel free to ask Harry anything unclassified about the
Nadesico.  Saburouta congratulates Harry for finding a girl his age: his first
step on the rose-colored road to... well, you know.  Rain and Domon offer their
thanks for the Nadesico's help in defeating the Devil Gundam, and Saburouta
recalls with admiration the "cry of the spirit" that Domon made right before
the battle finished.  One hell of a way to tell Rain he loves and wants her,
and before long Aqua gets told that maybe she'll hear that from someone (due to
that nifty "uniform" of hers and all).  Harry, predictably, is hotly
embarassed, saying that since he's not an Aestivalis he can't change his
reactions. [see the movie O_o;;;]

Speaking of Aestivalises [O_o;;;;], your people show Ruri the footage of the
Black Ghost.  The committee from the Hisago Plan is aware of the ghost, but
apparently out of apathy they have officially labeled it as some mis-
identification.  Getting to the bottom of what really happened is part of
the Nadesico's job, but for now recovering the Dendou comes first...

Meanwhile, the Dendou boys and the Galfa are both marveling at the disparity
in size.  Ginga doesn't like to hear that he's especially puny among humans,
and Hokuto cautions him against doing anything rash right now.  Altair, the
Ouga's pilot as they quickly realize, shows up and announces that the Data
Weapons are currently not in the Dendou.  In order to capture them as they
pursue their erstwhile masters, he plans to send said masters (the boys) to
the emperor - after all, the boys _were_ chosen by the Dendou for whatever
reason.  He leaves the boys in the Galfa's "care" until he captures the
Data Weapons, warning the Galfa that the boys' companions will presumably come
to try to get them back.

The boys get thrown in the brig, and as Ginga yells Falgos tells fellow jailer
Salios to let the boys shout all they want - it's not like they can actually
escape or anything.  Hokuto recommends settling down and waiting for the right
moment, whether that be an escape on their own or a rescue from outside.  Ginga
points out that they saw a RIDICULOUS number of warships, but just then Vega
shows up and springs them from jail.  It seems she stowed away inside the
Dendou's maintenance hatch, and had just used a nifty gadget in her mask to use
Altair's voice and have the lookouts go and actually charge the Dendou's
batteries from the Ouga.

The real Altair shows up just then, but Vega manages to barely avoid his sword
thrust.  Altair mutters about how the Galfa, for all their enormity, can't
keep tabs on two kids and a woman, and Vega tells the boys to get to the
Dendou while she holds off Altair.  She manages to catch Altair's blade, giving
the boys time to run, but Altair presses his attack and manages to knock off
her mask.  Upon seeing her face, Altair collapses in some kind of pain - giving
her a chance to flee too.

The Nadesico shows up and handily Gravity Blasts the first wave of bad guys.
Ruri's plan is a rapid point assault to give the rest of the team a chance to
break into the base, but they receive a call from a rapidly fading Vega saying
that the Dendou is in the process of escaping.  Ruri changes the plan to
rapid deployment once the ship gets close to the enemy base to buy the Dendou
time to escape.

Your people marvel at the enemy fortress, which sort of resembles a gigantic
Funnel.  The good news is that you don't have to fight it directly, just to
hold off anything coming near you and buy time for the Dendou.  Harry warns
Saburouta not to stray too far from the Nadesico, and Hugo tells Aqua
he's damn ready to do this, determined not to repeat the same experience again
(again? she wonders).  The Galfa don't want you to interfere with their duty,
promising to stain this white ground red with human blood - yeah whatever.

 On turn two, the Galfa realize their prisoners have slipped their cage, and
 all the bad guys including the Gyandolar are to be dispatched.  And what is
 Altair doing at a time like this??

 On turn three, Ruri notes a signature on her console and observes that "they"
 really care about their masters - the Data Weapons are on the scene, meaning
 the Dendou can't be far off.

 Take out all the bad guys and the Dendou will appear, with the enemy in
 hot pursuit.  It's the Gyandolar and the ever-comic-idiotic Devil Satan 6.
 Unfortunately, the Dendou is surrounded (and thus you can't use the Gravity
 Blast), and Ouga shows up to make things even worse.  The good news is that
 the boys won't give up, and the better news is that Domon and Hugo won't
 give up either.  The best news yet is when Devil Satan's worst fears are
 realized and a certain platitude-spouting ally of Justice appears.  This time
 he sternly lectures the bad guys that fighting is only permissible to save
 one's loved ones, and those who would abandon their own well-being to win
 such a fight are called "heroes".  Oh, and the bad guys _still_ don't deserve
 to know Roam Stoll's name ;) ;) ;)  Altair grouses mightily and installs his
 Viper Whip, but Roam just decides to respond in kind, becoming Vikung-fu in
 the process.  Devil Satan says that that's just... unfair.  And Roam opines
 that that's precisely the sort of word that suits Devil Satan to a "T".  Is
 this guy cool or what?

 Ruri was expecting the Data Weapons to show up, not Roam, but Roam tells the
 boys to call the Data Weapons, keeping Altair from interfering.  After the
 boys recall their Data Weapons, everyone has to get to the Nadesico within
 three turns so that escape can happen - no great climactic finish for this
 battle (awwww).

   You can also end the battle by taking out all the enemies, which may be
   necessary if, for instance, you run out of the Dendou's energy and can't
   get the Cell Fighter to it in time...

 Altair runs if his HP get into the red, citing more bad headaches.  He's
 worth a Thruster Module.  Both the Gyandolar commanders are very nonplussed
 to see Domon, yet another martial artist, attacking them.  Devil Satan is
 worth a Cartridge, and Deondra a Chobham Armor [#weak!]

Roam goes away after the battle, promising to see you all again.  After
checking that the boys are okay, Domon tells the Nadesico crew about Roam:
that he's from some planet called Chronos and wields some martial arts style
called "Tenkuu Chuushin-Ken".  Nobody knows much more than that, but Domon
can tell enough to know that he's a severe badass in combat.  As everyone
digests this rather ringing endorsement (coming from the King of Hearts and</pre><pre id="faqspan-5">
all), Eris has to apologize again to an irate Ginga for the escape of the
Data Weapons.  After some soothing from the other crew members, Ginga asks
Eris if she _really_ feels all this was her fault.  When she tearfully nods,
he finally smiles and tells her, in that case, to perfect her program so that
the remaining Data Weapons can be found.  He tells her that it's not a question
of him forgiving her or not - if it was okay for others to get mad over every
little mistake, he'd be in everyone's doghouse every day of the week.

As Vega hands over data about the enemy fortress, Ruri announces that the
Nadesico will return to its mission of investigating what really happened
during the Hisago Plan incident.  This includes, but isn't limited to, the
Black Ghost.  Vega commits your dudes to helping out.

Meanwhile, Giltall thanks Maiyo for his persuasive words to the junior
officers, heading off a probable revolt.  Maiyo wants no thanks, informing the
marshall that the junior officers are all quite willing and able to lay down
their lives to see his ideals brought to life, now that their doubts regarding
the senior officers are cleared.  That said, there _is_ a certain faction
among the senior officers which is an exception - and if that exception isn't
corrected, Maiyo believes that this whole mess will recur.  Giltall asks what
Maiyo is getting at: Dorchenov.  Maiyo inquires why the marshall allows
Dorchenov's excesses, secret plots and provable contact with the remnants of
the Jupiter Federation.  Maiyo believes that Dorchenov will become a stumbling
block to the Giganos if left unchecked, but the marshall replies that Maiyo
presumably realizes that such men are necessary if the roots of evil in the
Earth Federation are to be severed.  In effect, Giltall is advocating the
use of a _controlled_ amount of poison: the Jion empire proved that without
extreme measures the order of the Earth Federation cannot be upset.  He feels
that the Earth has passed the point where the natural flow can save it, and is
prepared to go down in history as the greatest fool since Giren Zabi himself.

Just then, Dorchenov bursts in and demands to know why the junior officers have
received no punishment.  Giltall will do no such thing, especially since those
officers have done nothing _material_ to disturb the unity of the Giganos
Empire.  Dorchenov calls this thinking naive and too similar to the Federation,
but Maiyo informs him politely that those same junior officers swore their
undying allegiance to Giltall in his presence: he therefore judges punishment
unnecessary.  Dorchenov tells him he has no right to say any such thing, given
his father's traitorous handing over of the D weapons and his own difficulties
recovering them.  Maiyo says he intends to take responsibility by striking
the appropriate enemies of the Giganos, and Dorchenov orders him to La Vie En
Rose to steal a new mobile suit supposedly being constructed there.  After
Maiyo leaves, Dorchenov wants Giltall to authorize mass production and mass
firing of mass drivers before the mass-production D weapons become a threat.
Giltall will not hear of it, saying he's got other measures to use against the
Federation.  Dorchenov figures that Giltall isn't taking things seriously
enough, and decides that extraordinary measures may be necessary...


Stage 3Tb. Bright you now

[You can either go to the Shaolin Temple, or Peking first.  I did the former.]

You've got two possible routes: a northerly one along the Yellow River, or a
southerly one.  The former is likely to incur fire from Giganos forces which
have landed in that area.  The southerly route, on the other hand, would take
you close to the HQ of the Tekkouryuu.  Bright opts for the Northerly route,
which is near enough to several Federation bases to get help if worse comes to
worse.

Algo Garski has just arrived at the Shaolin temple, greeting Sai Saishi for
the first time since the Barm war.  The Shuffle Alliance can't afford to
remain silent with "it" active once more, and Allenbie is in fact en route to
the temple as they speak.  George and Chibodie are in space, planning to
rendezvous with Domon.  Just then, Algo attacks Sai - quite probably one of
the imposters that Domon had mentioned.  Sai isn't one to back down from a
fight, telling his assistants that this is the first real fight he's had in
ages.

 After you take Algo down to <50% of his HP, Sai will wonder what's wrong with
 him - his technique seems to have slipped.  Algo says that he'd love to
 attack at full strength, but the circumstances have changed.  Sai seems to
 know what he's talking about, saying that he knew whether or not he was
 dealing with the real Algo as soon as he crossed fists with him.  This _is_
 the real Algo, and the fake Algo and Sai are lurking nearby in the bushes.
 Time for a showdown between the originals and the copies, who claim they've
 obtained more power than the originals ever had.

 Once you damage one of them past a certain point, the bad guys make a great
 show of regenerating.  They inform the good guys that they have no way to
 win, and will just end up exhausting their own powers by trying.  Sai and
 Algo digest this for a moment, and Sai then says mischeviously that the
 Shuffle Alliance seems to get pretty badly underestimated these days.  He
 and Algo _switch_ opponents - power now opposing finesse and vice versa.  The
 clones figure this won't help, since they've got power that the originals
 don't... but the originals figure that _they_ have powers the clones don't
 either.  The Ace of Clubs and Black Joker show their insignias, warning the
 bad guys not to be too sure they can win.

 Fake Sai is worth a Repair Kit.  Fake Algo is worth a Shuffle Crest.

 Once Sai and Algo beat down their regenerating opponents, the monks are
 overjoyed to have witnessed the power of the Shuffle Alliance.  Sai and Algo
 would like to figure out who's the better fighter once and for all, but
 more bad guys have shown up instead, most annoyingly Michelo and his
 Gundam Heaven's Sword.  Sai isn't worried, saying that battles with defeated
 dudes always reach the same result.  Michelo taunts them with the question
 of why they, and the Devil Gundam, have revived now, which of course he
 doesn't plan to answer.  But before he can even try to off our heroes, a
 certain sailor-suited Gundam shows up in the name of love and justice: it's
 Allenbie and the Nobel Gundam.  Michelo isn't entirely impressed, threatening
 to resurrect Walter with "that person's" august powers.  Can our heroes beat
 this person's identity out of him, or will his "Silver Leg" spell their
 doom?!

 The Ner Argama shows up the next round to do some doom sealing of its own.

 Unfortunately, all the pounding the snot out of him won't get him to tell
 you who's behind the cloning.  He'll only say that the end of the world is
 coming, and that all your powers won't be able to stop it.  Say this for the
 guy - he's very good at running away.  Apparently this "end of the world" has
 to do with what will happen if the DG Cells are allowed to multiply and
 mutate out of control.  EVERYTHING will get assimilated together, and that
 includes the Vegan armies on Earth too.  Eventually, it'd spread to other
 worlds, devouring them too.  Of course, the Shuffle Alliance isn't about to
 let that happen...

 Fake Michelo is worth a High Performance Targeter.

As the Shuffle members get reacquainted with Bright's crew, Bright tells them
that Amuro should be joining up with the Nadesico B in space, hopefully
meeting up with Chibodie in the process.  Camille is still convalescing - he's
regained consciousness after his little episode, but he's currently in no
shape to fight.  At least he's reported to be healing apace, so there's cause
for optimism.  Sai recalls the Gundam Union that happened after the last
war, during which Amuro was made to do _something_ that had him crying on his
pillow for weeks afterwards.  Sai won't say what, and quickly arranges to make
everyone his famous Chaohan dish in the remaining time before departure.

Misato and Haruka have ducked out of the conversation to ponder the Nobel
Gundam - something about its "unique" design has them deep in thought.  After
much scrutiny, Misato asks Allenbie if it can throw its tiara or something,
or some "in the name of the moon" business.  Everyone else is clueless.
[And if _you're_ still clueless, go look up who Misato's seiyuu is ;)]

The crew digs into the meal with much gusto.  Hugo is amused at Aqua's
hesitance to eat the tasty frog, or sea snake dishes.  He and Hayato fill her
in on all the wacky foods people all over the world eat, though Hugo warns her
to steer clear of the mushrooms on the roof.  As she realizes Hugo's led a
much more fascinating life than she thought, the chowing down continues.


3Mb. Blue Meets White

[Play "La Vie En Rose" or "Amaterasu Station" in either order - I'm doing
them in that order].

Gort has news for Amuro which he thinks will be of use to him: a Psychoframe!
It seems that Neo Jion contracted Anaheim to make it during the previous war,
and with the defeat of Hamarn by Yugo and the Federation the thing was
supposedly sealed away within Anaheim itself.  And Nergal, evidently, went
through some illegal channels to snag it, though Gort won't own up to that.
He merely tells Amuro that the thing isn't supposed to exist - meaning it's
entirely up to Amuro what he does with the thing.  Amuro wants to know what
profit motive Nergal has in this little transaction, and Gort says that it'll
be enough if Amuro uses it in the mech he's working on and joins up with
the Nadesico B - which is fine with Amuro, who was planning on going and
hooking up with Bright's unit soon anyway.  Amuro tells Gort to say hi to his
president for him, and tells Chain that it's time to put the finishing touches
on the nu-Gundam.  She wonders if Nergal Heavy Industries' chairman is to
be trusted, and Amuro says that while he's never met him he _has_ heard that
Akatsuki once rode aboard the Nadesico A during battle.  He'd like to think
that this little "present" is the doing of someone who understands what's going
on on the front lines.  Chain respectfully submits that she's not heard many
good rumors about Akatsuki, but Amuro figures that "he" would probably have
done the same if he was on the other side.

Emily summons Amuro to the bridge, informing him that the Nadesico B is on its
way.  Domon's father Professor Kasshu is on the scene, eager to get the newly
finished Rising Gundam to Rain given that she, like his son, is determined to
fight.  Emily admits to being somewhat jealous of Rain for being together with
the one she loves, even if it is in the midst of battle.  Her beloved happens
to be Bright, who she for obvious reasons doesn't get to see that much.  Unlike
Amuro, she only got to see Domon's lusty confession of love on tape, but still
relishes an experience like that.

Unfortunately, the relish will have to wait since Giganos Metal Armors are on
the inbounds.  Maiyo orders La Vie En Rose to disarm and surrender, offering
60 seconds before commencing his attack.  Amuro recognizes the Giganos ace,
and is told that the Nadesico won't arrive for another five or six minutes.
He decides to hold off the bad guys in his nu-Gundam until the Nadesico shows
up, saying that he can't allow it to fall into enemy hands.  He tells Chain
not to worry, and to put the other mecha into Protection while the personnel
retreat to the shelters deepest inside the colony.  Amuro figures out where
the Nadesico is going to come from, figuring he's got four turns to get there.
Maiyo, puzzling over this new mecha, recognizes Amuro's personal mark.  As his
troops begin to tremble in fear over the legendary ace, Maiyo figures he's
in luck - he always wanted to meet Amuro once.

 Maiyo will ask why Amuro, hero of the Yugo and Calaba, would fight him.
 Amuro responds that the Giganos are little different from the Neo Jion.  As
 the bad guys manage to get near La Vie En Rose, the Northstar dudes show up
 again with a bit of unasked-for assistance.  When they inform Maiyo that
 they're here to distract the Nadesico, Maiyo allows them to do as they want,
 which they were going to do with or without his say-so anyway.  As Amuro
 figures he has no choice but to fly back, two mystery voices tell him that
 that won't be necessary.  It's the Gundam Rose and Gundam Maxtar, and its
 pilots Chibodie Croquette (Queen of Spades) and George Du Sand (Jack of
 Diamonds) [not necessarily in that order].  George is, unsurprisingly, here
 to protect this frigging big rose of space.

 Amuro makes it to the spot just as the Nadesico shows up, offering to
 assist La Vie En Rose.  Domon's companions lightly chide him for being late,
 and note that things seem worse than just the Devil Gundam being resurrected.

 Enemy booty includes a High Performance Targeter, and a Lamune.

 All the random lackeys will retreat if Maiyo is defeated, so deal with him
 last.  He flees at somewhere around 8000 HP, so save at least one big attack
 if you want what he's got: an Anti-Beam Coating.

After punting the bad guys, the Nadesico docks at La Vie en Rose to the
grateful smile [that's a smile??] of Emily.  Ruri is all business, requesting
and receiving reprovisioning for her ship.  Domon is mildly surprised to see
his father here, and Professor Kasshu tells Rain to do everything she can to
help Domon out with the newly-finished Rising Gundam.  He, like everyone else,
is quite nonplussed to hear that the DG Cells have been somehow revived.
Chibodie and George haven't seen a trace of the Death Army or the Devil Gundam,
including their search of Neo-Japan which the DG once tried to possess.  It
seems the Death Army only appear on the surface, and the hope is that Sai
and the crew will find some clues before the Shuffle Alliance is reunited in
full.

Kasshu confirms Rain's hypothesis that the DG Cells have been modified by some
unknown craft - not only is his vaccine ineffective, the DG Cells seem more
active than before.  He plans on continuing his analysis, but there are too
many unknowns.  All that is known is that someone is trying to revive the
Devil Gundam, which means the Shuffle Alliance's job is clear - beat the thing
down and prevent the previous tragedy from recurring.  Domon tells his father
that he's going, for his master's, Kyouji's, and Schwartz's sake, as well as
his own.  And this time, he _will_ defeat the demon!

Meanwhile, it looks like the nu-Gundam and Amuro are a good match from the
combat data.  Amuro wants to take it with him, making any final adjustments
aboard the Nadesico, but Chain rather plantively points out that although
Amuro designed the thing, she's the one who's been doing the maintenance -
won't he take her along too?  He firmly tells her no, adding that when the
Dragnar are mass produced the Federation is planning to launch a full-scale
strategic assault on Giganos itself.  When that happens, La Vie en Rose will
become in very high demand as a resupply point.  He asks her to wait here for
his return, and to help Emily in his absence.


Stage 3Tc.

High King Vega isn't pleased with Gandar over how the plans to take over the
Earth are entirely behind schedule.  He isn't in a mood to hear excuses about
Grendizer or the Galfa, and says that his people have but a little time left.
It seems the Vegatron Wave is moving faster than anticipated, meaning that
they _must_ manage to make the Earth theirs.  Vega tells Gandar that he'll send
him a Gilgilgan, and orders him to use it to wipe out everyone standing in his
way.  Said Gilgilgan is a terrifying beast, feared from planet to planet for
its vast destructive power. [Watch me yawn.]  Blacky begs Gandar to let him
sortie, vowing to control the Gilgilgan and restore his good name.  Gandar
allows him to try, and Balendos clearly has other ideas...

Meanwhile, Bright has altered course at Misato's recommendation to avoid
contact with the Giganos.  However, those pesky Vegans start attacking instead,
presumably trying to lure your people out.  According to the emergency dispatch
your people received, some gigantic life form is wreaking havoc - and if
Freed's fears of it being some big space monster are realized the regular
forces could be in over their head.  Douglas doesn't want to change course,
pointing out to Freed that your group aren't the only Federation forces in
this fight - it would be rather bad to win this battle but allow the entire
course of the war to go astray.  Freed is prepared to go alone if he must, and
after a moment Bright orders your whole force to level one alert.

Blacky is pretty much letting the Gilgilgan rampage as it wants, urging it to
wipe out the city now that the defense forces are gone.  Blacky is overjoyed
at the reports of two machines headed his way, figuring them for Mazinger Z
and Grendizer - exactly the ones he wanted to lure out.  However, the two
machines actually turn out to be Great Mazinger and Diana A - who can't seem to
agree about exactly how much to battle Blacky and how much to simply hold the
fort until the cavalry arrives.  Blacky figures Super Alloy nu-Z and Photon
Energy should make good eating for the Gilgilgan and takes off.

 You should be able to take down the space lizard in one full turn.  The
 Ner Argama then shows up, warmly greeting the rehabilitated Tetsuya.  He for
 his part complains that that lizard was far too easy for practice.  He
 dismissively recounts how the Vegans called it a "Gilgilgan", and says that
 the thing was far too puny for any such grandiose name.  It takes Ryou to
 point out that the Gilgilgan is still very much alive.  It starts actually
 draining Great Mazinger's energy, and transforms in the process.  Freed
 recognizes this beast, and implores Bright to issue the order to retreat.
 The Gilgilgan is indeed a space critter that consumes energy and metal to
 grow - attacking it the wrong way will just make it stronger.  He says you
 need to fall back and devise a plan, which is good enough for Bright.

While the Gilgilgan snacks on metal and power, Freed tells everyone the rumors
he'd heard of this creature back home: a bioweapon made by some ancient race
that he'd never actually encountered until now.  Oh, and it's destroyed
several planets along the way.  If it's a "weapon" it can presumably be
controlled (somehow), but if left alone for long it'll be just as invasive and
hard to take out as the Devil Gundam was.

Misato figures that the only way to go is the "overinflated balloon" strategy.
Basically you've gotta pump lots of energy into it from multiple sources in a
short time period - which is basically what you do every battle, except for
the timeframe part.  Basically, you've gotta do it in a single turn, or it'll
just ingest the energy and get stronger still.  To get things set up, someone
will have to play decoy, and Tetsuya wants that role as a form of payback.

Ryou voices opposition to this, saying he doesn't want to see Tetsuya out
there alone.  This raises tensions, though Tetsuya manages to ask calmly enough
for the reason.  Ryou, speaking bluntly on purpose, tells Tetsuya that
his little incident is the result of Tetsuya's own erroneous self-satisfaction.
Tetsuya notes drily that Ryou and company came rather late to the party
themselves, but Ryou says that had Tetsuya _actually_ killed the thing to
begin with, none of this would have happened.  Ryou says outright that he's
been worried about Tetsuya's grandstanding for a long time, noting that it was
also responsible for the wound Tetsuya suffered in the final battle against
the Mikeene.  Benkei and Freed both try to stop this argument, but Ryou says
that until Tetsuya rethinks things he has no intention of fighting by his
side.  Tetsuya, saying only that he understands, walks off with Jun frantically
trailing behind.

Misato had feared something like this would happen, and Freed tells Ryou that
he's gone too far.  Ryou heads off to tend to Getter, telling the others to
fill him in on the operation later.  As the others debate whether to intervene,
Asuka recommends against it - Ryou and Tetsuya presumably already know quite
well how much hurt each other has caused.  Cain isn't buying that one bit,
but Kouji absolutely is - he says that there's no need to either intervene or
to worry, as you'll see soon enough.

Misato returns to planning, saying that you all have to prepare something the
Gilgilgan likes as bait.  As Light and the D-3 just computed, it seems plain
old iron is what it loves - so the bait will be iron ore.  Now, the question
is what mecha to use to haul the stuff around with, since most of your machines
are made out of all these fancy space age materials.  But there _is_ one
mech which is actually made of low-grade iron - the Borot!  Freed thinks it'd
be too dangerous for Boss on his own, but Misato has more than just the iron in
mind for selecting him - including how easy it is to escape _from_ the Borot.
After a bit of buttering up from the ladies, Boss agrees to this dangerous
mission.

In fact, he's really quite good at taunting the big nasty space monster.  The
plan is to have him lure it into a steel mill, where Misato expects it to halt
and start snacking.

 Once you do any damage at all to the Gilgilgan, you've got to finish it off
 within the same turn or lose the battle.  This is very easy.  What sucks
 is the Vegans show up as you're about to finish the thing off.  Ryou is
 desperate to finish it off lest you repeat what happened before, and Blacky
 is equally desperate to recover this loaner from the High King.  Jigura
 points out to him that if the Ner Argama falls here, Vega won't mind the loss
 of a Gilgilgan or two.  He suggests that Blacky feed his Mother Burn to the
 Gilgilgan if he wants to make it even stronger... and if Blacky doesn't buy
 that he's free to do whatever he wishes.  The end result will be the same,
 Jigura figures.  Blacky tells Jigura to take care of your people, and Jigura
 silently tells him to take the blame for all this.

 The Gilgilgan is worth a Space Alloy Gren.

 Just as it looks like your carefully-crafted operation has been wrecked by
 this unexpected turn of events, Tetsuya pops out after having finished
 emergency repairs.  He merrily forestalls whatever Ryou is about to say,
 saying that there'll be plenty of time for talk after the Gilgilgan is toast.

 Jigura doesn't mind losing here, since it's someone else's responsibility.
 He's worth an Apogee Motor.

As you might expect, Tetsuya took Ryou's words in the spirit they were
intended, recalling in them the lesson he learned in the Mikeene War: that he
isn't fighting alone against his foes.  "Peace" is to be protected by all.
This is what Kouji expected, based on how well he knows Tetsuya and Ryou.
After all, what are teams of (supposedly) invincible robots for, if not manly
friendship among the pilots, and that includes Freed too!

The Dragnar pilots' mission is almost over, and only Cain seems affected by
the prospect of the team being dismantled.  They decide to give their mecha
one last washing, determined to have them squeaky clean for their final
parting.


Stage 3Md. KIMI NO OMOIDE   ("Your Memories")

Misumaru sadly finishes his visit to his daughter's grave, wondering if she and
Akito are happy together...

Meanwhile, the Nadesico's crew is finally getting a look at the Violet Report's
data, including a picture of the Black Ghost.  It is indeed the same mech your
people saw in Tokyo, and since it's plastered all over the TV news there was
really no need to hack into the Federation military to get a copy of the
Report in advance.  The fact that it took as long as it did for the committee
to give you the copy of the report is what Harry thinks of as harrassment...
not that this is the first case of people snubbing the Nadesico for its deep
ties with Nergal, where Misumaru can't see.  The scary thing is that a mere
8 meter robot is capable of Boson Jumping - that technology isn't known to
exist in either Earth or Jovian hands.  In any event, it seems the main sites
the black mecha is after are anti-Nergal elements, who seem to have
something to do with the Hisago Plan.  Ruri figures that Amaterasu is the next
most likely place to get attacked, and wants to go to the nearest Terminal
Colony Takiri.

Ginga meanwhile is trying to puzzle out precisely what the Hisago Plan is.  Ruu
explains that it's a plan to create a Boson Jump network spanning the entire
solar system.  To make this work, the so-called Terminal Colonies have Tulips
built into them.  Amuro adds that the Tulips are giant "gates" built by the
ancient Martian culture, allowing even non A-Class Jumpers to teleport.  Ginga
seems to be envisioning some kind of ski-jump or something, and Amuro explains
that the Hisago Plan overall amounts to constructing a sort of interplanetary
"freeway" - and the construction was actually complete before the Grips and
Barm wars.  And thanks to their construction being supervised from outside the
Earth Sphere, they survived reasonably unscathed - and since they're vital to
defending against alien invaders, even the Neo Jion and Giganos haven't tried
to mess with them.  Unfortunately, the Hisago Plan was never brought fully to
fruition, meaning there's only a route between the Earth and Mars so far.  The
fact that someone is attacking the Terminal Colonies suggests that that person
may not like the Earth being defended against outside invaders...

The Nadesico safely makes its way to Amaterasu, a colony entirely unlike
Judou's native Shangri-la or Domon's Neo-Japan.  Judging from its name, George
expects something hidden about Amaterasu in reference to the Ama no Iwato
legend.  [Capsule summary: sun goddess goes into hiding due to actions of her
brother Susano-no-Ou, has to be lured out of a cave by a celestial strip-tease
courtesy of the Ama-no-Uzume, the world's first idol star.  See Key the Metal
Idol and _The_Pink_Samurai_ for more details.]  Ruri orders the
Nadesico to hold its position instead of docking, saying that it's usually
best to study things from a bit of a distance.  She wants to go greet the
guardians of Amaterasu, and asks Vega and Domon to accompany her.  Sounds like
a good choice of body guards to me.

The rather boisterous Azuma isn't exactly giving Ruri a warm welcome, though
as Vega and Domon introduce themselves Yamasaki at least realizes who he's
dealing with.  Azuma wants to know what the hell you all are doing here, and
apparently doesn't like seeing a full-grown woman (i.e. Vega) cosplaying.
[Is this guy totally insane?]  After he asks if she's a fan of the Red Comet or
something, Ruri inquires what's wrong with a Federation army vessel stopping
by a Federation colony.  He fires back that this is the very center of the
Hisago plan, and demands to know if she's obtained proper permission.  Domon
says that it's because they got permission they're here, which doesn't exactly
ease Azuma's mood.  Ruri tells him that Boson abnormalities have been detected
ever since the Shirahime incident - should it be the result of improper
maintenance of the Jump System, of course the nearby space lanes and colonies
could be affected.  Thus, it was deemed that an emergency check-up was in
order.  Vega lightly suggests he think of it as having his electric meter read,
but Azuma is insistent that the Hisago Plan is flawless.  Yamasaki attempts
to placate the brigadier general, pointing out that maintaining peace in space
is what the Federation is for and recommending that they do whatever they
can to satisfy this obviously dutiful Major.  He proposes that the brigadier
show them just how well he and the wondrous Boson Jump system work, so that
they can return to Earth satisfied.  Ruri doesn't seem exactly thrilled to
hear this, and Azuma yells that he's going to put a time limit on your stay:
he can't stand the thought of modified humans walking all over his station.

Saburouta surprises Harry badly while he's browsing Amaterasu's data in his
window bowl.  Harry laments how his captain is out getting scorned by the
station people, but amidst the banter Saburouta reminds him that he'd better
use the time the captain is giving them to hack away and figure out what's
really going on.

When Ruri informs Vega that Azuma's description of her is correct, Vega
realizes that at this stage only humans whose DNA had been altered could
withstand Boson Jumping unaided.  She's impressed that Ruri has accepted such
a fate so calmly.  When Domon asks, Ruri figures that they've bought enough
time for Harry - who has found a block in the station that wasn't on the public
blueprints.  This is probably what is drawing the Black Ghost's ire, and as
they probe more deeply they find experimental results from Jump tests - on
humans!  None of it has been made public, and on the list are several A-Class
Jumpers.  Just then, the windowing OS goes crazy, innumerable windows popping
up which read "OTIKA". What could be going on?!  Saburouta seems to have some
idea...

Yamasaki seems to have expected this time to come, and silently bids farewell
to the blustering brigadeer.  Ruri wonders if Harry screwed up somehow, but
Harry reports that this is Amaterasu's computers fighting amongst themselves.
He says it's as though the computer in the private block of the colony is
trying to make its existence known - or maybe is just laughing at everyone.
Ruri ponders the letters "OTIKA", then realizes in shock that, backwards, they
spell "AKITO".  Ruri announces that she's returning to the Nadesico, telling
Harry sternly that the enemy is coming.

Yamasaki is talking to some unnamed person, both of whom realize "he" is
coming.  They don't know if Nergal is behind it or not, and Yamasaki says
that it's a bit early for his companion to be suited up.  He's content to
watch from the shadows for now, and "they" will apparently be leaving in five
minutes.  Vega meanwhile is racing through the base with with everyone aboard
her bike, and having a blast in the process.  Ruri muses over her prediction of
enemy assault being correct - but what was that script?  A code?  A
coincidence?  After all, he - _they_ are supposed to be...

The Black Ghost shows up, apparently intent on attacking Amaterasu.  Hugo
points out that its actions that helped you before don't necessarily mean it's
your friend, and he can't decide yet whether this thing is actually friend or
foe.  Azuma is intent on flaying the meat and breaking the bones of the
invader - and he authorizes firing in and around the colony, uncaring of the
damages that may result.  Ryouko is on the scene in her Aestivalis, figuring
that one of her is more than enough for this adversary.  Ruri returns and
orders the Nadesico to switch to combat mode but not to interfere for now -
she rather suspects the colony hardly wants your help.  Azuma says "damn
straight", and Chibodie wonders aloud if this big-mouth will actually be okay.
Amuro doubts that there's just one enemy mech, and tells everyone to get ready
to launch in case.  Ruri tells Harry to try hacking Amaterasu once more, with
the keyword "AKITO".  Ryouko figures that the one enemy before her is just
a diversion, but she's more than happy to be diverted.

 As Ryouko attacks, she somehow recognizes her enemy's movements.

 After sustaining a few hits, the Black Ghost purges its outer armor, and
 Ryouko wonders if her enemy thinks he's frigging Gekiganger or something.
 The pilot makes what might be an amused snort, and abruptly vanishes.
 Instead, a bunch of new "Batta" units show up - weapons employed by the
 Jovian Lizards.  Saburouta figures these to be camouflage while their master
 tries digging for buried treasure, and Harry detects someone else besides
 him hacking into Amaterasu.  Ruri suspected as much, and tells everyone to
 wait just a bit longer.  As Azuma fumes further, Hatch #13 opens - a hatch
 he didn't know existed.  Shinjou did, however, and tells the brigadeer that
 this farce has come to its end.  He muses over this black machine and the
 unfulfilled human wishes impelling it, finally declaring to Azuma that he
 and his people are the enemies of Earth, Jupiter, and all those who dwell in
 space: the Martian Successors!

 Vega notes that this all fits, since the Jupiter Union had the most
 information about the ruins on Mars.  Things have just gotten even worse than
 you could have expected, and Ruri orders everyone to sortie, to better learn
 the enemy's _true_ objective.  Ruri wants you to enter the base and make
 your way to Hatch #13.

 One of the bad guys has a Repair Kit.  Another has a Magnetic Coating.

 As soon as you set foot inside the base, you run into more of the bad guys
 you saw in Tokyo and at La Vie en Rose - looks like they're in league with
 the Martian Successors.  Ryouko wants to know what the hell these guys want
 so badly, and Ruri tells everyone to hurry to their destination.

 One of the bad guys is worth a Solar Sail.

 When you reach the gate, Ruri belatedly reacquaints herself with Ryouko,
 offering to guide her inside.  Ryouko realizes in surprise that Ruri must be
 hacking into the system, and she calmly replies that the enemy was doing it
 too, plus it was an emergency.  And by the way, it was Harry who actually
 did the deed.  Ruri is about to ask a favor of Ryouko, but the Black Ghost
 shows up first.  It pays your people no heed, instead wrecking a path deep
 inside the colony with Ryouko in hot pursuit.

 Ruri requested that Ryouko forcibly wire-connect with the Black Ghost to
 allow Ruri to speak with whoever is aboard it.  After a few pleasantaries,
 Ruri asks who the pilot is - could he possibly be...?  The pilot tells Lapis
 to crack into the password, and informs Ruri that he's got no time - she can
 watch if she wants.  Inside the door, your people are shocked to find a
 ship answering to the description of the Nadesico A.  And that's _far_ from
 all, as Ryouko's rising fear clearly shows.  Ruri, unable to calm Ryouko
 down, describes the ruins from Mars, that which the Jovians and Earthlings
 struggled for in the Lizard War three years ago: the black box behind
 Boson Jumping.  This is apparently the true nature of the Hisago Plan, and
 a very distraught Ryouko tells Ruri that "they" can't reach the afterlife
 like this - why the hell is _this_ here?!

 Lieutenant General Kusakabe shows up, yelling that this is for the future of
 mankind.  The Black Ghost's pilot warns Ryouko to watch out on her left -
 the Martian Successors are apparently intent on taking over this base.  They
 declare that they're about to destroy friend and enemy alike who linger in
 the area, and Ruri, after checking that Harry's got all his data, orders
 everyone to pull out immediately.  The Black Ghost's pilot tells Ryouko that
 this isn't her fight, and to flee.  He informs Ryouko that "he" is coming.
 "He" is apparently Northstar, who asks if the Black Ghost's pilot is willing
 to die in front of his woman - a woman who will never come back to him.

 Your people get the shock of their life as the Ruin unfolds to reveal Yurika
 within.  Ryouko realizes who the Black Ghost's pilot is, but Saburouta
 forcibly drags her out of harm's way.  Ruri makes no answer to Ryouko's
 impassioned pleas that Akito and Yurika are still alive, ordering the
 Nadesico to depart at once.

She demands Ruri to say something in the face of all they've just seen - why'd
she give the fucking order to withdraw?  Ruri at length says that first
everyone has to accept the truth, and then figure out what to do about it.
She can't believe that Ruri is taking this so calmly, but Ruri orders Harry to
send a report about all this to Misumaru.  Rain conjectures that Yurika has
somehow been organically fused with the Ruins, and is in some kind of coma.
Rain figures there's a very good chance Yurika could be returned to normal,
based on an experience she herself once had.  Ruri decides to return to Earth
and rendezvous with the Ner Argama, telling an angry Ryouko that, _were_ there
no other enemies to be fought, she would in fact try to rescue Yurika straight
away.  Besides, without more information about the Martian Successors it's
more than a little risky to barge right into what is now their home base.
Beecher figures things haven't sunk in for Ruri, but Judou testily tells him
that Ruri is in fact the one suffering worst right now - whose picture does
he think Ruri has next to her captain's chair?  About all your people can do
is press forward as normal, and support her as much as possible.


Stage 3Te. Burning heart, flying high

Professor Plaht thanks your commanders for transporting the D Weapons, offering
them some Chinese manjuu to eat.  As the D pilots puzzle over this rather
strange scientific-seeming guy, they're surprised to learn that this is none
other than Linda's father.  In addition to Dianne, Linda and Rose are on the
scene too.  Plaht is of course the famous fugitive from the Giganos and
inventor of the Metal Armors, and Cain is amazed that he's actually Linda's
father.  Plaht laughs and says that Linda takes after her mother, and Douglas
rather sternly tells Cain to treat the good professor more respectfully - he
is in fact the single greatest asset the Federation has in the fight against
the Giganos.  Plaht turns serious at this, saying that he's anything but an
asset - on the contrary, he created that which caused the whole war in the
first place.  It was his Metal Armors that enabled Giltall to wage his war,
and he says that he must atone for his sin by trying to end this war even a
second faster if at all possible.

This is also the guy responsible for bringing the D Weapons to the Federation,
and in the process inadvertently mixing Cain and the others up in this whole
war.  Cain tells him not to worry about that, Tap adding that they've gotten
quite used to their role by now.  Bright asks about the tales of Plaht
perishing, which Dianne says were spread by the Giganos to maintain the iron
resolve of its troops.  In fact, it was Dianne and others of the Information
Bureau, plus a certain other person, who enabled Plaht's escape.  It seems
her job has been watching over Linda, which comes as yet another surprise to
the pilots.  Linda tells him playfully that, to deceive the enemy, you must
first deceive your friends.

It also seems that Rose has been commissioned as a second lieutenant while
the pilots were away.  Moreover, Linda has been made a _first_ lieutenant.
Meaning the girls outrank the guys, though Rose is quick to tell them that
she wants to remain friends with them and not stand on ceremony.  Tap is
bothered by something else though - why'd they enter the military at all?
He tells her she should know very well how dangerous battle can be - why
wouldn't she choose the relative safety of the refugee camps over this base.
She says that she's here of her own volition, trying to bring the war to a
speedier conclusion and prevent more people from losing their families, like
she did.

Plaht asks that the Dragnars be brought to the factory quickly, so they can
get the combat data from Cain and the others and start the mass-production
Dragoon assembly lines.  These mecha, capable of unaided flight and cheap to
produce, should really help swing things in the Federation's favor on the
front lines.  He tells Bright that times are too grim for a small number
of highly capable machines to outlast an enemy with numerous mundane ones...
that said, there are enough _special_ enemies like the Martian Successors or
Angels that there's every reason for Bright's squad to still exist: it's
appropriate to fight fire with fire.  Plaht wants you to hurry, lest the
enemy special forces who have been attacking show up again - a group he
expects to mount an all-out assault on the hated Dragnars now that the Ner
Argama is here.

The fact that they haven't been overwhelmed yet is thanks to a certain hotshot
pilot, who walks in on cue.  It's that sunglasses maven, the master of
disaster, Kinpatsu Kouzou in training, Quatro Bagina!  Turns out he was the
other reason the good professor was able to escape from Giganos.  Bright is
understandably startled to see Quatro on the good guys' side again, and
Quatro says that while it's true that Hamarn's battle didn't result in the
Federation making any improvements, he also doesn't want to see Giganos become
a second Neo-Jion.  Besides, it seems that this era still needs a man like
him - an answer he wonders if Bright is satisfied with.  Bright is more than
satisfied, and is glad to see the "Major" back by his side.

The D boys will have their pilot records removed after all the data is
extracted from their mecha.  While this will mean the pilots will be discharged
from the army, Douglas informs them that they'll also have to spend the rest
of the war under military supervision in an installation somewhere.  Light
figures this is only natural, since they've been in contact with a military
secret - in fact, they'd probably have been put in front of a firing squad
under ordinary circumstances.  Cain isn't thrilled to hear this, but as Light
points out their life expectancy will get a _whole_ lot longer as a result.
Dianne tells him that the upper brass also value what the pilots did, and
that they're all eligible for special military pensions of a good $2 million
a piece.  Of course, they _do_ have another option - to stay in the military
and continue fighting as part of the Ner Argama squad.  In that case, they'd
be awarded the Salem Medal (a heroic thing), but lose the $2 mil.  Tap rather
badly wants that money for his family and all, but Cain asks for some time to
think it over until tomorrow, when the data extraction is over.  Light feels
likewise, and Tap hotly runs off after them.  Douglas genuinely doesn't know
whether they'll stay on or not, but he allows momentarily that he'll be a bit
lonely if they do leave after all they've been through.

After some time, the D pilots rejoin the rest of your team.  Tap is quite
secure in his decision to depart, saying that he wasn't getting mixed up in
these battles because he wanted to.  Of course, for that matter neither is
Akira, but Freed tells him to lay off - none of your people has any right to
stop them.  Tetsuya, with his usual tact, says that better cowards leave the
ship straight away, causing Cain to demand to know what the hell he means by
that.  Tetsuya says that he meant nothing other than what he said, and when
Freed says that nobody can blame someone who has an opportunity to leave
fighting behind, Tetsuya observes that that doesn't apply to people who possess
the _means_ to fight effectively.  He says that people who would voluntarily
walk away from a battle to protect what they hold dear are nothing if not
cowards - and points out that there are people in this world who die without
ever protecting what's important to them.  This seems to turn a lightbulb on
for Cain, but Tap says blithely that unlike Tetsuya he wasn't here because
he wanted to fight, but because he wanted to live longer.  Tetsuya asks why
he didn't simply flee before now - surely he had many chances to do so.
Tap can't answer that, and Kouji and Freed tell him to leave it be - if there
is to be a parting of ways, at least let it be with a smile.  Tetsuya puts in
one last word: that if the pilots leave the Dragnar now, they'll regret it for
the rest of their lives.  Tap says that he'd regret it if he _didn't_, and
leaves the room first.  Light observes that this seems to be the very
definition of walls talking to each other, and Tetsuya notes drily that he had
figured the Dragnar pilots for people with more guts than this.

Plaht is quite impressed at the pilots' data: it's no mere accident that
they've lived this long.  Linda informs Plaht that "those" mechs' frames have
all parts attached - all that remains is to arm it.  Her swift work has
exceeded his expectations, and they should be ready for a test run tomorrow.
Too bad all that work will be for naught.  Dianne reports that while the pilots
are still pondering their decision, it seems that Tap alone is likely to step
down.  Rose fumes that that guy just doesn't have a clue what's really going
on, but Linda doesn't want to twist their arm, even if it does make the three
mecha worthless.  Plaht asks Dianne to call the pilots to him - not to tell
them "that", but to get their opinion of the Dragoons using the transplanted
Dragnar data.  In a full blown mock battle.

Jin has brought some guests to Gun Jem, who claim to want to help them in
their experimental machine.  Upon hearing Albero Est's name, Gun recalls
hearing it somewhere before - but as he tells Min he can't put his finger on
where.  Albero's companion introduces herself as Eldy Mitty, and Jin tells
Albero that if he gives her to him he'll be useful to her in _all_ kinds of
ways.  Albero flatly refuses, and Jin, incensed, tells him that he'd better
watch his back on moonless nights.  Min is, to say the least, hardly impressed,
and when Gol says he's a bit jealous his partner Ganan tells him to just try
and team up with her.  As Min berates Gol as an overstuffed gorilla, Ganan
brings the banter to a halt with his machine gun, telling Gol to mind his
manners in front of their guests.  Min cautions Eldy that this squad may be a
bit rough for a well brought-up lady like her, but Eldy tells her not to worry:
her upbringing isn't as nice as it might look.  Min wonders aloud how long
Eldy's bravado will last, and Eldy says it only has to last until her work here
is done, at which point she'll leave.  Jin _adores_ her spirit, and isn't
afraid of the "elderly knight" glaring at him.  Said elderly knight thinks to
himself that this is an even more lawless bunch than he'd heard, as Gun
finally remembers where he'd heard Albero's name before.

He recognizes the former commander of the Cry Wolves squadron, supposedly a
special forces group of exceptional skill.  Jin supposes that the fact this
commander is here means that he either betrayed his unit, or that that unit
got wiped out somewhere along the line.  Gun doesn't so much care about his
past, but rather about what he intends to do now.  Albero says that he simply
wants to collect combat data from tangling with the Ner Argama squad, and has
no intention of stealing any of Gun's men's glory.  Jin asks if Albero isn't
just trying to use them as some kind of decoy, and Albero offers to become
the decoy himself, letting the rest of them lie in wait wherever they see fit.
He'll even withdraw as soon as Gun's men come out, and even promises to pay
Gun twice the provisions and rations his men expend.  Gun likes the sound of
that, and tells Albero that he'll leave it up to him where to lure the Ner
Argama's units to.  Albero is to contact him when he's figured this out, and
Gun's men will decide whether to take him up on it.

Cain likes the feel of the Dragoon, asking the professor if it's been powered
up relative to the Dragnar.  Light figures the Giganos will be no match for
these things.  When Cain asks what will become of the Dragnars themselves,
Plaht says that they'll be dismantled as soon as the data extraction is
complete.  He tells them that data gathering was their original function
anyway, and now that the D boys have piloted them for so long they've become
hard for other pilots to handle.  Tap is just as happy to hear that, Light
takes it philosophically, but Cain is quite upset, reminding the others how
often those machines have saved their asses.  Tap figures there's nothing to
be done, and Light points out that their data will live on in the Dragoons -
their legacy won't disappear entirely.  Cain, unsatisfied with this, asks the
professor if there isn't some way to keep the Dragnars in a museum or something
instead of just tearing them apart.  Plaht tells him that the Dragnar are
weapons - and hanging onto an unused weapon is nothing but a waste... though,
if they stay in the Army that wouldn't occur of course.  Tap isn't happy to
hear that, worried about his $2 million, but Cain tells him to go right ahead
and leave if he wants.  He tells Tap that, unlike him, he actually has a heart.
Tap fires back, wanting to know what the hell Cain is thinking falling in love
with some machine, and Douglas tells all three of them to shut it and get on
with the test.

This will consist of AI-controlled Metal Armors to destroy, which Cain
elaborately acknowledges.  Douglas wonders if Cain and the others will be able
to do all that well their first time out, and Plaht says that these mecha are
designed to be easy to pilot; otherwise, they couldn't exactly be called
"mass-production" models.  Of course, for that, they've also got a few
limitations...

 Your dudes wipe out the bad guys, but take far longer than expected - how
 is that possible when their very data is being used by the Dragoons?  Plaht
 observes that this must be the fault of the Dragoons, and is content for now
 with having learned of this weakness.  Rose tells the pilots to return to
 the hangar, which will spell the end of the Dragnar too.  Tap is still very
 eager to get out, and gets even more eager when enemies are sighted: a good
 fifty of them, heading straight for the base.  Quatro asks Bright to leave
 the defense of the base to him and to send his forces out to meet the enemy.
 Cain yells out that he wants to go too, telling Tap that there's no way he
 wants to be the only person diving for cover.  As the Ner Argama departs,
 Quatro again tells Cain and the others to withdraw, lest they be caught up
 in the battle.

 Of course, it's a bit late for that, and the Gun Jem squad shows up - looks</pre><pre id="faqspan-6">
 like the Ner Argama just got snookered.  Gun's men are far from impressed
 with these puny-looking shiny new mecha, Min opining that they're a hundred
 years too soon to beat her.  But, it'll only take ten minutes, Gol responds
 [mo' ron, mo' ron].  Ganan has to hand it to Albero - for all his big[?]
 talk, he sure did a good job on the decoy front, and Gun has Jin jam
 communications so the Ner Argama can't be called back.  It doesn't take Cain
 long to realize that if he and the others don't participate in the battle,
 Linda and Rose and the others will be in danger too.  Plaht for his part
 orders Linda to get "those three machines" ready for launch - although
 they've not been tested yet, they _were_ developed expressly for Cain and
 company: there's nothing for it but to bet on their skills in battle.  He
 notifies Quatro of his intentions, and Quatro in turn orders Cain and friends
 to the rear.  When they initially insist on full participation in the
 fracas, he tells them that Plaht will be sortying some new mecha that need
 guarding for now.  They wonder who the heck the pilots are since they've
 not heard of any new test pilots coming to the base, and Quatro says
 cryptically that the pilots have been here all along.

 Gun notes that the pilots seem to be doing better than he thought, but that
 they're still no match for him.  As Gun thought, these things are pretty
 easy to defeat despite their impressive exterior, though Cain complains that
 this is his first time riding one.  Gun figures that that's just too damn
 bad, and Cain desperately wishes he had his Dragnar back.  As Gun is about
 to chop Cain in half, a certain mysterious figure yells at him to halt.
 Roam's lecture today is about how those who get drunk on their own power
 always lose to people stronger than them, only to sink into regret.  That's
 what they call "dispirited", apparently.  This is more impressive coming
 from someone who's standing ON his pupil's very head!  Oh, and the bad guys
 STILL don't deserve to know Roam's name!

 Blah blah light in darkness blah blah justice amidst injustice blah blah
 sword wolf etc. etc.  You know the drill by now, although Gun's men
 probably don't judging by their reaction.  Quatro wonders who the heck this
 guy is, and all Cain knows is that the dude always makes the BEST entrances.
 Roam tells them to leave this guy to him, while Cain and the others seize
 the power of their new Dragons.  Quatro realizes what he's talking about,
 and yells at Cain and the others to get their ass to hangar three NOW.
 They'll find out why when they get there, assuming they want to live that
 long that is.  Tub's not pleased about this turn of events, but realizes
 he's got no choice now.  Gun figures this was all just an elaborate ruse to
 let them flee, but Roam says that they haven't fled at all - and he'll keep
 Gun occupied until they return.

 On the next turn, the pilots wait while Plaht opens the hangar, expecting
 their Dragnar to be inside.  Tap says that this is the last time he does
 this, but Cain tells him to stuff it: he realizes that there's nowhere he can
 live in safety as long as the Galfa, Tekkouryuu, and whatnot exist.  That's
 why he's vowed to beat them all down with his own hand.  Tap demands to know
 why he's so intent on decreasing his life expectancy, but Light says that
 no man can know what fate awaits him upon the morrow - PLUS, he's not
 entirely comfortable with the thought of younger people than him trying
 harder than him to win this war.  Tap demands to know what about the $2
 million, and Light happily tells him to go off and run his business by
 himself.  Cain, after telling him to shut his hole, says that he's getting
 something worth far more than a measly $2M anyway - and Tap stops him before
 he can say the cool line that he knows is coming.

 Plaht then finishes setting up the new mecha - which are the Dragnar, just
 rather altered and powered up in anticipation of permanent posting to the
 Ner Argama squad: the D-1, and D-2 Custom!  The D-3 looks the same, but its
 internal armor, avionics, and so on have been strengthened: it's a machine
 whose fight comes from deep within.  Cain's enthusiasm manages to even
 persuade Tap to come along, and Linda is telling the others outside to
 believe in Cain and the others' ability to open a path to the future.  As
 the reborn Dragnars triumphantly launch, Douglas has a moment of "don't you
 realize there's no turning back?!".  He quickly collects himself, ordering
 Patendon to sortie with Newman and summon the Ner Argama physically.

 The next turn Albero shows up, with your men in hot pursuit.  This is what
 Albero really came here for, and Eldy says that she wants to get her hands
 on "that".  Albero is surprised: he thought Eldy wanted to power the Medius
 with a perfected TE Engine.  Eldy thinks to herself that the report says
 the only way to make "that machine" work is to synchronize it with natural
 energy.  If only she can make use of it, her AI1 will grow even more.  After
 a pause, she tells Albero that getting their hands on that propulsion system
 is Mitall's orders, and the only method to overcome "that demon".

 Hugo isn't going to let his former captain chat in peace.  Albero wonders
 if Hugo can really avoid Albero's sword, and Hugo responds that it was
 Albero who taught him not to hesitate when fighting his "enemy".  However,
 Hugo is determined to have Albero answer why he returned to the battlefield.
 Albero supposedly left the army as his way of taking responsibility for
 losing all his men but Hugo.  That should have been his repentance to all
 Hugo's comrades, and Albero's own son!  If so, then why is he back?!  Albero
 says his reason isn't really worth mentioning [but, since Hugo asked...]
 It's the natural reaction of anyone who's had something precious stolen from
 him: revenge, and revenge on that demon.  Albero knows that Hugo knows of
 the demon which annihilated the Cry Wolves' revival.  But Albero isn't out
 to defeat it - he's out to _surpass_ it.  Albero cuts the conversation short,
 and tells Eldy he's going to push to the limit this time.  She doesn't mind,
 saying it's necessary for "his" and AI1's maturation.  He tells her not to
 let AI1 Reject him this time, and as she gets a dangerous glint in her eye
 she tells the AI1 that the more pain it endures, the stronger it will become.
 She inwardly tells it that though its physical form will be destroyed in the
 process, she'll let it itself escape.

 When Hugo and Albero fight, Albero won't tell Hugo _why_ he wants to
 surpass the Devil Gundam.  Hugo says that this won't bring his son, Folia,
 back, but Albero is well aware of this.  He plans to send Hugo to where the
 rest of his men are.  Have Hugo take him down, and Albero will be pleased:
 he tells Hugo he'll keep appearing before him, engraving scar after scar
 into each other's bodies.  Just then, Eldy overrides the Rasumunanium, but
 Aqua is ready this time.  Eldy notes that while the repair process is
 complete for now, there is still major damage lingering in the frame.  She
 concludes that further combat is impossible, and tells him to let AI1 do
 the running away, complete with a vast array of dummy explosions, chaff, and
 so forth.  Aqua recognizes the little machines that come forth from the
 Medius and self-destruct, as the work of her former teacher.  She knows all
 about the false explosion's signature that made it look like the Medius
 self-destructed too.  Aqua wonders if her teacher is aboard the Medius, but
 thinks she can't be, because of her theory...

 Gun will flee if his HP reach the red zone.

Freed asks Roam, of the Chronos nobility, what he's doing here on Earth.  Roam
says that it's all the provenance of the Sword Wolf, and departs, promising to
meet your people again.  Meanwhile, the D pilots announce that they're staying
after all.  The other pilots are backing Cain up, all of them agreeing that
without each other they'd all be dead.  Cain notes that everything seems to
have gone according to Plaht's plan, but Plaht says that it's Cain and the
others who actually made the decision - that said, Linda is sure to be
delighted.  Douglas is happy too, and tells the pilots to hold down the fort
for everyone.  He himself has been transferred to one of the transportation
bases.  The pilots finalize the paperwork for transfer to the Ner Argama,
which happens to include a promotion to ensign for them all!  Bright says he
vouched for them, and that he expects even greater things from them from now
on.  This is pretty impressive, considering that to do this the D pilots just
jumped *six* ranks, though the banter about who has to say "sir" to who just
got a lot more complicated (and both Rose and Linda are still their superior
officers).  Plaht tells them not to forget who they themselves are: they have
a rough edge that the "model student" Dragoons lack - something that the
Dragnar can hone to a fine pitch.  As they leave, Plaht ponders the question
of whether mixing them up in this war was really for the best.  As Quatro
looks on in silence, Bright recalls all the young people he did that to - all
of them managed to find their own reason for fighting amidst the worries and
wounds that go along with battle.  He believes Cain and the others have some
such reason which motivated their decision to fight - and Plaht rededicates
himself to doing everything he can to help bring this war to a speedy
conclusion.  Dianne will be staying with Plaht, but Linda is going to be
joining the Ner Argama's crew too.

Aqua explains to Hugo that the Medius is clearly powered up versus the last
time you encountered it, probably thanks to the Rasumunanium.  It's unthinkable
that Albero could be responsible for that, meaning there must be at least
one more person aboard it in Hugo's mind.  Aqua recalls that the Medius was
only spec'ed as a single seater, and tells Hugo about one of her instructors
at the academy who explained about how to camouflage an escape.  Hugo naturally
wonders if that person could be also aboard the Medius, but Aqua says she's
sure that instructor isn't the sort to do such a thing.  Having said that, she
recalls that there's a definite link between said instructor and Zapato.  But
if she was involved with the Medius' construction, it ought to have become an
unmanned weapon equipped with a tactical AI - that was what her instructor
was seeking.  After a moment, she asks Hugo whether the "revenge" Albero spoke
of was for...  He reluctantly tells her that it's precisely what she thinks:
the Devil Gundam is what destroyed his former squadron.  Hugo, for his part,
doubts that revenge on the Devil Gundam is Albero's only reason for returning
to the battlefield he voluntarily left: the DG's revival only became apparent
after the Medius was stolen - meaning that Albero probably learned of the
revival after becoming its pilot.  But neither of them have a good guess as to
what Albero's ulterior motive might be.

Linda tells Cain that she somehow knew he'd stay in the military - that he
seems to be... "seeking" something he's close to finding through the battles
he fights.  Cain asks why Linda is working with the military, when she used to
hate fighting so much the last time they were together.  She says that she
hated fighting because she hated her father, hated him for inventing the
Metal Armors that precipitated the war and for widening the conflict by
defecting to the Federation.  But she understands that this is the answer
he arrived at after much agonizing - and she doesn't want to see her own ideals
end up as nothing more than that.  She decided to put herself in the position
of having to fight, in the hopes of broadening her viewpoint.  Cain likes the
idea of action instead of indefinite pondering the imponderable, but Linda
says she still hasn't entirely forgiven her father - especially for their
family being torn apart.  Cain admits to her that he's met her brother, but
Linda asks him not to ask her anything about him - to wait for her to one day
tell him everything.  But hey, they good news is that they'll be together all
the time now!  Light interrupts whatever romance is about to start, along
with the rest of the cast.  After welcoming Cain to the fold, you hear that
the Nadesico will soon arrive, with some new faces too.

Cue the reunion between the two sets of pilots, making sure each other is okay
and all.  Ginga wishes you all could have seen the escape from the Spiral
Castle, and Ryuuzaki Kazuya, long out of contact, is apparently doing just fine
too.  Kazuya, lest you forget, is the guy Domon fought in the finals to
decide who represents his space colony in battle - a master of karate and the
pilot of Battle Lord Deimos, who was present at the final battle in the Barm
War.  Oh, and did we mention his lover is the [angel winged!] Representative
Erika of the Barm?  This guys is what you could call a HUGE CELEBRITY, who had
been living on Mars.  To explain why he's come to Earth and joined your team,
Kazuya's old friend Kyoujirou and poofy-haired friend Nana step up to the
plate.  Oh, and that katana Kyoujirou has isn't just a fashion statement - he's
handy enough with it that the Shuffle members figure he ought to be Gundam
Fighting or something.  The fact that the Shuffle Alliance is back together
shows just how bad the Devil Gundam, plus various problems in space, have
gotten.

Bright and Misato get the briefing going, pausing first to introduce Hoshino
Ruri, everyone's favorite golden-eyed, lolicon-inducing electronic fairy.  As
it were.  You also get to meet the suave Saburouta and short-tempered naive
boy Harry.  The short version of what's been happening in space: Mars has been
taken over by force of arms.  Would that it had been more pesky aliens - the
culprits are none other than the "Martian Successors": remnants of the Jupiter
Union, under the command of Lieutenant General Kusakabe.  Kusakabe has been
missing ever since a coup d'etat ousted his "fight to the last man" faction
from power, but it seems he's been quite busy.  In point of fact, many of the
members of the Hisago Plan were secretly on his side, part of a grand scheme
to gain control of all forms of teleportation technology.  That also caused
them to take over Little Barm [how the hell did that happen?!  Those who played
SRWA2 might recall just how many people that thing held...], though it turns
out to be a good thing Erika left its warp drive busted after the previous
war.

What's not so good is that Erika is being held hostage to force the warp drive
to be repaired.  The Successors have taken over all the key facilities
connected with Boson Jumping, and are most likely behind the disappearance of
several A-Class Jumpers over the past few years.  That would seem to include
Akito and Yurika, who Ruri and the others have recently met...  In any case,
the Federation has no A-Class Jumpers left, letting the Martian Successors
Jump unimpeded into Federation facilities and take them over too.  The fact
that they haven't exactly overrun you just yet means that they haven't gotten
full control over the Jump system - but you sadly don't have the luxury of
just barging into Mars and whupping their ass.  They've joined forces with the
Giganos, who from Amuro's fight with Maiyo seem prepared to stop at nothing
to take down the Federation.

How can you get rid of the Giganos without giving the Successors the time they
need to master Jumping?  It seems you've got an unlikely "ally" - the Vegans
and Galfa, plus the other subterranean powers squabbling over the Earth.  What
the top brass want you to do is stall for time while a deeper scheme of theirs
percolates - and with the addition of the Nadesico your group makes a very
VISIBLE target.  And your first port of call will be Japan.

Ryouko pulls Light aside, introducing herself and asking him to show her any
data he's got on the Black Ghost.  She rather brusquely refuses to tell him
_why_ she's interested, and when Ruri adds her "request" Light drily notes
that he can't really say "no".  The virtual certainty that Akito, like a
family member to them both, is aboard the Black Ghost certainly isn't sitting
easy with her... what was happening to him and Yurika for these past two years,
presumably in the Successors' hands?


Stage 3Me. Kasei Kara no Choubousha ("Fugitive From Mars")

Jun is recounting Lieutenant General Kusakabe Haruki's history to himself.
Most prominent member of the Jupiter Union during the Lizard War, he was a
central figure among the power elite who knows the truth of Shiratori Tsukumo's
assassination - that is, Brigadier Akiyama and crew who he sees before him.
Kusakabe was also an advocate of resistance unto the last man for the Jupiter
Union - until unseated by a coup d'etat.  That coup's motto was "Passion Is Not
Blind Faith", and Kusakabe had taken to the battlefield himself in that fight
before going missing.  Ruri's data shows clearly that he's back, and with
numerous co-conspirators: military men, government figures, and many scientists
behind the Hisago Plan.  Misumaru notes drily that it seems the Federation was
made to undertake the Hisago Plan at Kusakabe's bidding, and Jun continues that
his primary backer was the anti-Nergal Crimson Group.  Prospector briefly
laments that had Azuma been a bit more cooperative, this all could have been
nipped in the bud, and Jun reports that the Successors have busily been taking
over all the Terminal Colonies, plus Mars itself and its Ruins.  Their main
hideout seems to be the "Iwato" ruins at the North Pole.  Making matters worse,
they've somehow captured Little Barm [how in funk do you conquer that shit?!],
with no known escapees.

It's clear that the bad guys want to monopolize all forms of teleportation,
though at least the Little Barm's warp core was never repaired after the war.
Of course, the Successors must also be behind the disappearance of the various
A-Class Jumpers: not just "those two", but Ines as well, who's been in a bit
of a suspicious airplane accident.  Akiyama observes that sealing away Boson
Jumping is only rational - Kusakabe knows quite well how dangerous it can
be.  Jun angrily says that that's _rather_ small comfort to those on the
receiving end, and Misumaru asks Akiyama what sort of man he, one of
Kusakabe's direct subordinates, figures Kusakabe as.  Akiyama describes him as
a passionate lover of justice - a man who would die for his ideals.  His flaw
was the firm belief that his own ideals are the ideals of everyone in general.
Akiyama is sure that Kusakabe's next move will be to use Boson Jumping to take
over assorted Federation facilities, and Jun wants a top level alert issued
immediately.  Prospector tells him to calm down - Kusakabe hardly has full
control over the system yet.  Jun demands to know how he could possibly know
that, and Misumaru points out that if they _did_, this base would already be
toast.  Of course, it's just a matter of time, and the clock is likely ticking
faster if the Successors have aligned themselves with the Giganos.  At least
it's unlikely that they'd use Little Barm for military purposes - not only was
it totally disarmed after the war, but many Jovians were moved greatly by
Rihitel's death... not that that wouldn't prevent them from holding Erika
hostage to force its warp drive to get repaired.

As everyone patiently explains to Jun, your best move is to bide your time for
now.  The Vegans and Galfa should do a good job of mucking things up for the
Successors for now - meaning your best strategy is guerilla warfare until
the battlefield becomes clearer.  Jun still wants to see the full might of the
Federation massed, but Akiyama tells him that the Federation has better things
to be doing with its time right now (like the Angels, the Mu, etc.).  Akiyama
notes with some amusement that a former Nadesico crewman isn't in
a good position to criticize the use of guerilla tactics, especially since
that's how the Lizard War was won.  He's got something on the burner in any
case, though he needs the Nadesico and Ner Argama to buy some time before it'll
be done.

Maiyo and his men receive word that the Nadesico B has headed to Earth to
join up with the Ner Argama squadron.  They also hear that Cain and friends
have their new Dragnars, and that the Dragoons have begun mass production.
Evidently that stain on the Giganos, the Gun Jem squadron, wasn't up to
stopping them.  Maiyo's men implore him to let them launch and take down the
Nadesico, but Albero intervenes and wants the assignment himself.  Dan
recalls how Albero used to command a certain now-annihilated squadron, and
Albero tells Maiyo that he's hanging with the Giganos for one purpose only:
accumulating combat data for his mech.  He explains that he'll be headed to
Earth shortly to join up with Gun, and before he does he'd like to get a bit
of actual combat in.  Welner figures that kind of selfish reason has nothing
to do with his men, but Maiyo lets Albero go to it.  Albero says he'll handle
the external enemies, and tells Maiyo to keep the internal enemies off his
back.  The other officers wonder if he's referring to Dorchenov, and Maiyo
realizes that if an outsider can perceive this much Dorchenov must be very
close to rocking the entire boat.  Something must be done about that guy...

Just as the Nadesico is going to enter the atmosphere, hostile mecha are
discovered heading your way.  Some have Giganos IFF codes, but one has no
IFF signature at all - meaning it's at least not a friendly.  Had it been
a Galfa Gear HQ should have notified you - maybe it's Vegan?  Mind you, those
mecha won't actually be able to interfere with the reentry at that range, but
just to be on the safe side Amuro asks to see footage of them.  What they
see shocks them...

It seems that Ryuuzaki Kazuya has lots of bad guys in hot pursuit.  With Earth
only a step away, it seems they're surrounded.  That said, they're sure as hell
not going to give up - and Kazuya says he's damn well not going to die until he
sees Captain Bright again.  Albero isn't sure why he's helping chase a random
special machine when their target is the Nadesico, but Eldy says that Deimos'
power plant would prove most instructional to AI1.  She actually wants him to
capture the thing, which doesn't seem to make sense since the Medius is
intended to run on a perfected TE Engine.  Eldy seems to recall that Deimos
used its Deimolite to become energy itself during the final battle against the
Barm - surely that could help AI1 mature!  Right?  She tells him that Mitall
has ordered them to snag the Deimos, and that it's one of the methods he might
use to surpass "that demon".  As it looks like the bad guys are moving in for
the kill, Kazuya tells the others to flee while he lures the enemy away.  They
of course don't like this, and he of course tells them not to forget their
real mission.  He assures Nana that he's not planning to die, and Kyoushirou
is prepared to believe in him.  They've got to get to a certain point to
escape...

 He's not actually in much danger.  Albero on turn 3 will tell him that he
 wants Deimos' power supply, and that he won't kill him.  Kazuya of course is
 still determined to reach the Earth and won't exactly just hand over his
 mech.  But fortunately he's got a secret ally - it's Domon, who shows up to
 help, saying with a smile that their duel from the Colony Martial Arts
 tournament isn't over yet.  He yells at Kazuya to remember that battle, where
 the two of their fists fought to a standstill, and says that he _will_
 have Kazuya live through this fight if for no other reason than to let them
 finish their duel.  This sounds great to Kazuya, and Eldy wants to know what
 the hell just happened to Deimos' energy output.  She can't fathom why anyone
 would built a robot that responds to its pilot's emotions, saying that all
 such things ought to be removed at once from all weaponry.  She even blames
 the incomplete destruction of the demon on such equipment, but Albero points
 out that the resurrection of the DG is _also_ a result of human emotion
 at some level.  She counters that preventing such mistakes in the future is
 what she's making AI1 for, but Albero tells her that she doesn't have a
 clue how humans or the human mind works - which is why she removed the DFC
 from the Medius in the first place.  She claims she doesn't entirely fault
 his logic, else he wouldn't have been chosen as pilot.  He tells her that
 he doesn't have time to argue with her, and that Domon showing up means
 Hugo can't be far behind - he's going to carry out his original mission
 when he does.

 The Nadesico will show up when Kyoujirou reaches the spot.  On one hand, the
 more the merrier in keeping each other safe.  On the other hand, the
 Nadesico has now missed its reentry window, and Harry points out that Domon
 doesn't really need the help especially since he's got Fuunsaiki to help
 him get back to the Ner Argama.  Ruri says that Harry's quite correct, but
 that any information you can gather on the Martian Successors is crucial.
 Plus, she doesn't want to regret not saving people she could save later.

 See the other path for Hugo's interactions with Albero.  If Amuro fights
 Albero, he'll feel how strong Albero's machine, or rather, Albero's will, is.
 Albero for his part figures that fighting Amuro should be most educational
 for the Medius.

 One of the bad guys has a Super Alloy Z.  Another has a Cartridge.  Albero is
 worth a Megabooster.

As in the case in the other path, the Medius will use dummies and other
avoidance tech to flee.

Erika is telling Kusakabe _again_ that she can't give him the secrets to the
Little Barm's warp drive.  Shinjou is also asking, and none too politely, but
Erika says that as long as the Successors want to use Little Barm for their own
selfish resons, she as Little Barm's representative won't reveal the secrets
to them.  Shinjou says he's not being selfish at all, all he wants to do is
smash the Earth to smithereens with the iron hammer of justice - a perfectly
just battle!  Erika informs him that all his rhetoric doesn't erase the fact
that those who would steal the lives of others cannot be anything but _un_just.
She tells him that he ought to abandon Mars and Little Barm at once and hand
himself in to the Federation.  Kusakabe admires the spirit of Marshall Rion
and Commander Rihitel's relation, and mentions the rather odd fact that
although his group calls themselves the "Martian Successors", they're actually
hanging out at Jupiter... where many of them lost their lives in the Barm War.
He tells her that many of his people are in awe of the now-legendary death of
her brother, who died as any true warrior and commander ought...  But that was
only possible because he struck down the traitorous Olban.  Erika counters
that her brother is _also_ guilty of countless innocent Earthling deaths, and
that it was his desire to repay that debt that led him to lay down his life.
Shinjou testily tells her that they're _admiring_ her brother, and she angrily
asks him if he's prepared to do what her brother did - would he end his own
life in recompense for the lives of others he's ended?

She asks if they've ever heard the proverb "Passion Is Not Blind Faith"
(something Kusakabe knows all too well), and figures that the border between
her and him is likely unbreachable forever.  The Successors then inform her
that if she doesn't help them repair the warp drive, they'll end the lives of
all the Barm, including of course her own.  Is she willing to sacrifice all
the people [at least 1 billion at last count...] who she led across the far
reaches of space to get to this point?  When she doesn't cave in on the spot,
they also add that they've sent out pursuers for Kazuya, planning to use any
and all means necessary to secure her cooperation.  Just as they did to Yurika.
Erika digests this, and then says "fine", informing them that Kazuya is far
from being someone they can take down so easily.  He is, in fact, a guy who
would go on fighting for justice even if he was the last man alive.  His
bravery and dedication inspire the masses, and his fists annihilate injustice.
So, it is to be a battle of justices, and Kusakabe orders Erika imprisoned,
though treated courteously.

Erika gets to go back to prison life after all this time, even reuniting with
her old nurse Margarette.  Marge [^^] is concerned that Erika would take her
own life as some sort of sign to the people, but Erika says that that's the
farthest thing from her mind in this battle where survival equals victory.  To
commit suicide would be to admit defeat and to shut out all hope.  Besides,
when Kazuya told her "I'll save you no matter what", she was quite prepared to
believe it.

Meanwhile, Giltall will not authorize using the mass drivers again despite
Dorchenov's impassioned pleas and the fact that the Dragoons are in mass
production.  Dorchenov accuses Giltall of being a coward to develop scruples
now instead of simply enacting the Giganos' ideals.  Giltall tells him that
such an action would not just cost the blood of people, but of the Earth
itself.  It'd be environmental catastrophe on a grand scale, and there's no
point in turning their homeworld into an uninhabitable lump.  He tells
Dorchenov that defeating the Federation is a very different goal from sullying
the gem of a planet, and he plans on keeping the mass drivers as nothing more
than a threat.  Dorchenov figures that the Giganos will be finished at this
rate - he's got to _do_ something...

Kazuya fills your people on on what the Successors have been up to, including
Erika's capture by the Northstar group who prevented Kazuya from rescuing her
when he fled.  He asks Ruri to let him join the squad, to let him rescue Erika
and thwart the Martian Successors' plans.  Ruri will allow that, but your
people tell him that things have gotten far worse on Earth than he knows, so
the process of rescuing Erika may take a little while.  It takes Kyoujirou
reminding Kazuya that Ruri surely wants to rescue Yurika as much as he wants
to rescue Erika to bring him around.

See the other path for Aqua and Hugo's conversation about Aqua's instructor,
as well as the reunion conversation.  Basically, you're catching up on the
other path and watching Sayaka make a jealous ass out of herself over Maria.

One new twist is Amuro's reunion with Char, the first time since the Grips
War.  Char wonders how Amuro can greet him with a smile given that he's still
piloting, and Amuro says the same is true both ways.  Amuro gently tells him
that he can admit that the war with Hamarn tired him out - after all, Hamarn's
designs on taking the reigns of humanity via the machinations of the Zabi
House resembled Char's own.  Char won't deny that, and Amuro says that he saw
in Char a certain hesitation over his ideals after watching Neo Jion defeated
right in front of his eyes.  Char asks if he got that idea because he thinks
Char wants to follow in Hamarn's footsteps, and Amuro says that at the very
least he wouldn't want to contemplate that with things the way the are now.
Char agrees with Amuro that before humanity can be led anywhere all the various
threats confronting it must be eliminated.  And given that that's why Char is
back in the cockpit, Amuro certainly won't disparage that - in fact, he's even
counting on Char's skills in battle.  Char finally smiles, saying the same of
Amuro.


 [Of the two paths, I kept the Moon route].


Stage 4a. Idai Naru Tsubasa, Soshite Ten no Hikari ("Great Wings, and the Light
 of Heaven")

Rularn is explaining to Yuura why the Twin Road isn't achieving its
expected firepower.  This weapon, designed to deliver simultaneous fire and
water attacks, depends on the Shi sisters operating in perfect unison.  Yuura
demands to know how twin sisters wouldn't be automatically suited for this
task, and Rularn reminds her that those sisters aren't on the best of terms.
Yuura has a plan, though, and orders the sisters brought to her.  Those sisters
are busy arguing about the outcome of today's training, with Aen telling Tau
that she's in too much of a hurry: almost as though she's rushing towards her
own death.  Tau retorts that there's no way in hell she's just going to let
herself play support or even shield for her sister.  Saikyo shows up, sounding
amused that the two women with identical faces grew up with such disparate
personalities.  Tau tells him never to say that again, earning her a derisive
snort and word that the Empress is calling.

Yuura orders both of them to Japan to act as her guards - rather dangerous
given that Japan is the home base of their enemy.  Yuura wants to see the face
of Zeorymer's pilot, leading Saikyo to suspect that she hasn't given up on her
quest for revenge for Taiha.  She warns Rularn not to try to dissuade her,
and says that she's also interested in learning what Masaki is scheming - and
in deciding whether to steal back the Zeorymer or to destroy it.  That's not
the "revenge" slant Saikyo expected, but he still figures that it'll work to
his eventual advantage.

Misumaru thanks Bright and Ruri for their squads' hard work.  Thanks to the
mass production of the Dragoons, staff HQ is now hammering out plans for a
massive offensive against the Giganos.  Until the little details are settled,
he wants Bright guarding Japan - buying time for all to be made ready, and
"ready" includes the Martian Successors too.  Misumaru forestalls Bright's
condolences for his daughter, saying that it's enough for him to know that
she's alive.  Ruri asks Misumaru what to call this new joint unit, since
"Ner Argama Plus Nadesico B" starts sounding unwieldy.  He tells her to decide
right away (without spending the time to consult the others), and to make sure
there's nothing bizarre about it lest it come back to haunt her later.

 [The default is "Magneito Ten".  I'm calling my crew the Shinden-Kenpuu-Tai.]

Your other dudes digest the new name, which Kouji wanted to have be
"Kabuto Kouji and his Merry Friends", which Asuka figures is an impossibly
hard to pronounce name [some of you might recall a certain EVA game...].
Asuka and Shinji are soon quarreling over what they think the new name should
be, and the Rah folks figure they must be _pretty_ good friends if they argue
this often.  Asuka and Shinji won't talk about a certain double-attack they
did together, and after a brief pause Inoue shows up to get the opinions of all
the super robot pilots on a matter concerning the Dendou.  He wants to come up
with a contingency plan should the Dendou ever lose its Data Weapons again, as
well as strengthening its armor: a "full armor" version, as Asuka points out.
Professor Kabuto then calls in, saying he's finished a new weapon for Great
Mazinger.  Bright agrees to send Tetsuya and Jun to him.

Masato has gone missing, leaving the base and disappearing from the view of
the tracking system he carries.  Miku is worried that the Divinators have
kidnapped him, and says that she's going to go try to track him by his bio-
pattern, which she can sense.  Oki will have Zeorymer ready to launch, just in
case.

Masato has indeed been captured by the Shi Sisters, who have found out from
federation records who he is.  He of course has no idea what they're talking
about.  They then take him to meet Yuura, who announces that she'll take his
life in return for him taking Taiha's.  Apparently this is the _less_ grevious
sin he's committed, the more grevious being being descended from a certain
traitor to the Tekkouryuu.  Of course, he has no idea what she's talking about,
and getting more flustered by the moment Yuura tells him that if he wants to
know his connection to Masaki it'll cost him his life.  That's fine with him,
if it'll make this whole mess he's found himself in clear.

Yuura explains how the Tekkouryuu is a secret organization bent on world
domination, using giant robots which only respond to the bioelectricity and
brain waves of their pilots.  Fifteen years ago, this Masaki guy arranged for
a test-tube baby who would become the Zeorymer's pilot, and stole both the
test-tube and Zeorymer, blew the crap out of the Tekkouryuu's fortress, and
fled.  The young Yuura was in fact supposed to be Zeorymer's pilot, and Masato
realizes that he is none other than that test-tube baby, a cursed man.  Cue the
"is that the only reason I was born?!" angst action.  However, before Yuura
can end his life, Miku comes in, guns blazing, and tells Masato to run.  Aen
delivers a good solid kick, which Miku apparently ignores entirely.  Tau has
no better luck, and as Miku tells Yuura her name the two of them make good
their escape.  Yuura yells at the sisters not to worry about her, and to make
DAMN sure they kill those two, using their Divinator Robots if they have to.

Gandar warns Balendos that he's about out of chances, and that any more
failures will get him executed.  Balendos scoffs at that, saying that he and
Gandar are of equal rank, but Gandar says that _he_ is the commander of the
Earth invasion - and he _will_ have Balendos obey his orders as long as he's
at the Skull Moon base.  Balendos opines that his failures are the result of
the men Gandar has loaned him - i.e. Blacky.  He then tells Blacky not to
fret, he's got an ace up his sleeve that could allow even Blacky to clear his
name.  Gandar admires how smoothly Balendos operates, and Balendos prepares
to attack the Science Fortress laboratory.  Blacky is worried that that's
where Great Mazinger is, but Balendos is sure nothing Great Mazinger could do
can prevent whatever he's got planned.  First Great Mazinger, then Duke Freed
will fall before their might.  Gandar tells Balendos that this is his last
fight, and says that he'll handle all the camouflage for the operation.

The new weapon for Great is the Great Booster.  All Tetsuya has to do is master
using it and his attack power should go wayy up.  He's not going to get much
time to practice, however, since the bad guys attack right away.  The rest of
your people are busy at Sanjima dealing with an attack there.  Kabuto tells Jun
to launch and draw off the enemy attacking here until he can finish setting
up Great Mazinger.  Tetsuya is worried that only one enemy vehicle is headed
here - there must be more to it.

 After Jun acts on turn 2, Tetsuya implores Kabuto to let him sortie.  He
 receives permission, but is told that he can't use the Great Booster because
 its docking mechanism isn't finished yet: using it now would have a very
 low chance of success.  The first enemy gets taken down without incident.

 Well, until it gets back up again.  And another bad guy shows up from
 above, which Tetsuya thinks is unfair.  Plenty more enemies show up too,
 and Balendos tells Tetsuya that they're all after _him_.  Tetsuya wonders if
 he's here to try to steal Great Mazinger again, but Balendos says there's no
 need for that any more.  He and Blacky tell Tetsuya not to expect any help
 from his friends, but Tetsuya happily tells them not to underestimate him.
 He figures he's more than enough for one or two monsters.

 Unfortunately, Tetsuya's attack does _nothing_ to his adversary.  Kabuto
 realizes that the corona of light surrounding this bad guy is absorbing
 Tetsuya's energy - none of your attacks will work on the Pikudrone.  The
 bad guys clearly think they've won, but Tetsuya starts to chuckle and
 recalls what Kouji would say at a time like this - "barriers're made to be
 broken!"  He asks Kabuto to launch the Booster, and Kabuto agrees after some
 hesitation.

 The bad guys want to finish Tetsuya off, but Ryou and the others won't
 permit that.  They've already taken out the enemies they faced at their
 base, and say the rest of the squad will arrive any minute.  Tetsuya fills
 them on the Pikudrone, and Hayato quickly figures out that the Pikudrone is
 being controlled from the Mother Burn - damaging that might give you a chance
 against the Pikudrone itself.

 On turn 3, the Shi sisters show up.  Tau is not pleased to see aliens where
 Masato and Miku ran off to, but Aen reminds her to concentrate on the task at
 hand.  Tau fumes over the faint difference in the order they were born which
 split them into an order "giver" and an order "receiver" - just who decided
 that anyway?  As your people watch uncertainly, the rest of the squad shows
 up to this already messy battle scene.  The Shi sisters realize they'd
 better use their mecha, and Aen orders Tau to get into formation with her.
 Asuka recognizes the girls with the combining mecha, and tells Shinji that
 it's time to respond in kind.  She figures it a) looks so cool and b) would
 be a waste to use all that special training only once.  They pull off their
 neato combo attack, and the Shi sisters get smacked around ruthlessly.  Tau
 is refusing to follow Aen's lead, saying that she doesn't plan to die as
 nothing more than a backup for her sister.  Shinji reminds Asuka that they'd
 better get back to the motherships and reconnect lest they run out of juice.

 After another round of this, the Zeorymer shows up.  Masato is handling
 things okay, having apparently "accepted" the fact he can't do anything else
 but pilot this thing.  Aen figures it's time to take down Zeorymer once and
 for all with the power of their combining mech, but Tau says that she's more
 than enough of a match for it on her own.  Aen reminds her that the Empress
 is watching, and they actually decide to work together.  But they can't
 finish the job, and a suddenly sinister-eyed Masato asks if they think he
 really didn't take into account a cheap little trick like that.  Miku tells
 Masato to lead the sisters towards the ocean lest they risk hurting your
 people in the process, but Masato says that on the contrary, having your
 people here makes it easier to take down Fire and Water.  He frankly doesn't
 care what happens to your people.  Tau refuses Aen's order to transfer all
 her remaining power, saying that her machine would become immobile and
 and that her sister would just use her as a shield.  She thinks her sister
 wants to kill her - despite them having the same face, the rest of them is
 too dissimilar.  She couldn't stand how they looked so alike and yet were so
 different.  Why wasn't there only one of her... when there _should_ have
 been!

 Aen of course intervenes, getting blasted and then telling her sister that
 it's precisely because they've got the same face that she loves her.  Masato
 figures the farce is over, and deploys a truly unpleasant map weapon.  Your
 people are aghast at this show of force, and Aqua realizes that the pilot
 is acting totally different from before.  Bright orders your men to guard it,
 but Masato, saying there's nothing left to discuss, vanishes.

 The Great Booster will get launched when you first attack the Mother Burn.
 This will in fact destroy the Pikadrone in one hit, so cast magic
 accordingly.  Even the smug Balendos will be astonished at this new
 development.

 The bad guys have a Lamune, an Image Sensor, and a Super Alloy Z.

 Blacky will be determined not to die here even when his ship is blown up,
 but Balendos is more concerned about his own skin.  From his airship, he
 glibly promises to tell Gandarl what Blacky's death was like - that "Blacky
 chose to take responsibility for the failure of this operation by laying
 down his life."  Your people are pretty disgusted by this kind of behavior...

The grim news of the Shi sisters' fate [how ironic ^^;;;] reaches the
Tekkouryuu, and Saikyo figures that the Zeorymer is close to realizing its
true power.  Rockfel wonders if it's "that" system at work, or perhaps some
kind of change within Masato himself... or maybe the other pilot Miku.  Worth
checking into in any event, if the rest of the Divinators don't destroy it
first according to Yuura's new orders.  Mugura demands that he be the next to
go forth, and Saikyo scorns the hatred and vengeance hidden behind his mask.
Mugura informs him that one more word out of his mouth will earn him some of
that vengeance himself, and Saikyo glibly tells him not to mind when he talks
to himself.  Besides, as Mugura _surely_ realizes, this is no time for internal
strife.  Mugura, the Rose of the Moon C'Est La Vie [what the FUCK KIND OF
TITLE IS THAT?!?! >_<#####] vows to ghost the Zeorymer the next time he meets
it.


 [Do the next three missions in any order.  I'm going in the order stated.]


Stage 4b. Strange bait.

Deondra doesn't like to be told she's slacking on the Data Weapon hunt from
someone hanging out safely on the moon.  Guljios tells her that Gades is upset,
and that she's soon to be demoted, which Devil Satan thinks is pretty weak
considering that Guljios himself is in danger of the very same thing.  They
confirm that Roam is the one getting in their way, and Devil Satan recounts how
one of the enemy boys said something weird about the two of them already being
dead, of the Gyandolar already being defeated.  This strikes Guljios as odd
too, and he promises to inform Gades.  For that matter, Deondra wonders if the
Data Weapons Gades has ordered them to collect will really be of use to the
Gyandolar.  She recounts that although it's said that the one who gathers them
all will be king of space, the only mecha actually capable of using them seem
to be the Dendou and Ouga.  Could it be that the Galfa emperor is pulling the
wool over their eyes?  Guljios won't tell her more than that the Data Weapon
hunt is Gades' direct order, and that the Earth is a far larger mountain of
treasure than Chronos ever was.  Deondra tells Devil Satan to get ready to go:
they're heading to Earth, to roll the dice on where the Data Weapons will
show up next.

Yumi contacts Kouji, saying he wants to give Mazinger Z a full round of
maintenance before things get any worse in the battle.  The good news is that
Kouji won't be going alone.

Graw tells Emperor Brai that, while mass production of the Hundred Demons
mecha and Hundred Demons soldiers is going at an accelerated rate, it'll still
be a while before the requisite number are ready.  Hidler reports that the
Federation and Giganos are still exchanging skirmishes, with the Mu and
Tekkouryuu seemingly quiet.  In space, the Martian Successors are active, but
haven't really _done_ much yet - same for the aliens.  Hidler suggests that
this is the ideal time to act, but Brai tells him that he who laughs strongest
laughs last, and that what's important now is building their strength.  And
as part of that, Brai wants to get his hands on the Getter Ray Amplification
Reactor and the Photon Power Reflex Reactor, plus whatever powers the Zeorymer.
And to do that, he orders Hidler forth...

Kouji and the crew are home, including... Maria!  Who claims she wanted to see
where Kouji lived, and also doesn't want to leave Kouji and Sayaka alone
together.  Sayaka is clearly the #lamer of the two, and Kouji wonders what
Sayaka is so upset about.  Maria notes that Kouji doesn't seem very bright for
not figuring the reason out himself, but believes there's still hope.  Boss is
jealous.

With Kouji's help, the maintenance has gone far faster than anticipated, all
thanks to Kouji's experience building his TFO.  Yumi compliments him on taking
after the family business so much, saying that with a bit more work he might
even surpass Juuzou and Kenzou.  Kouji isn't so sure about that, and is in
any case very busy tryig to restore peace to the world for the time being.
Kouji asks about what appears to be a new Photon Power rocket engine in the
next hangar over.  He asks to try it out, marveling at its power.  Yumi says
it's even greater than what Great is using, and wants to use it on Mazinger
some day.... [*coughcoughMajinkaisercoughcough*]

Just then the Gattling Boar shows up, disturbing the computers.  Kouji has
Yumi notify your people at once, but the Gyandolar show up just to make things
worse.  Apparently Deondra guessed a Data Weapon might show up here in response
to the high energy being generated in that building over there.  When Devil
Satan notes that the energy worked as bait, Deondra gets some kind of idea,
suppressing it for now.  Kouji prepares to fend the Gyandolar off until Ginga
and Hokuto arrive.

 On turn three, a new enemy arrives: a hefty group of Hundred Demons forces.
 Deondra tells her men to ignore them.  The enemy are planning a single
 major offensive, but it seems the Chronosians have other ideas.  Well, Drill
 manages to scare the Data Weapon off, but at least that means the Gyandolar
 won't get it.  Deondra of the lascivious laugh and Reina of the blue (but
 cute!) body (and pink lips! according to her comrades) trade barbs for a bit,
 and then Devil Satan figures that as long as Roam isn't around they have
 nothing to fear.  Jet isn't so sure, and says that his sword will never get
 rusty as long as he has these guys to keep cutting down.

 The cavalry shows up two rounds later.

 The bad guys have a Repair Kit, an Anti-Beam Coating, and a Biosensor.

The Data Weapon has gone off somewhere, but with the battlefield secure the
Chronosians head off for their rendezvous with Roam.

Your people are puzzling over these new allies(?), apparently from Chronos,
who include transforming cars and planes among their number.  Asuka is actually
a bit bothered by how illogical the Chronosians seem: full-fledged robots
popping out literally out of nowhere, people from god-knows how far away in
space speaking Kansai-ben.  She says that that's what's is referred to as</pre><pre id="faqspan-7">
"peculiar", and figures that it's bad enough that the Gundam Fighters are all
that weird.  Sai wants to know what she means by that, and she points out that
they seem to love doing stuff like _glowing_golden_ in the middle of battle
and whatnot.  In any event, you now know that there's _two_ sets of bad guys
after the Data Weapons, not to mention the power-source seeking ones.  Better
find those remining Data Weapons fast...

Ruri, hearing Erika's troubles getting the Data Weapon tracker program
working, agrees to have Omoikane help out, at least while battle isn't in
progress.  Meanwhile, Deondra hears again from Altair that the Data Weapons
are only of use to him and the Dendou - even if she manages to snag one it
won't do _her_ any good.  He goes on, telling her to keep her hands off them
and let him do his job, then leaves.  Deondra tells an indignant Devil Satan
to let Altair blab all he wants - besides, she realized something important
from Devil Satan's words.  Specifically the word "bait", which she thinks
explains why Gades sent them here in the first place.  It's high energy that
the Data Weapons are drawn to, and what could be higher energy than the High
Libido?  [Isn't that an interesting question...  hey, that's what they call it,
capiche?  Someone's naming scheme needs to get sacked....]


Stage 4c. Futatsu no Kao wo Motsu Otoko ("The Man With Two Faces")

Masato has shut himself away in the Zeorymer's cockpit, refusing to respond
to Miku.  Miku recalls that, much like the battle with "Wind", Masato's
personality seemed to change - explaining his indiscriminate attack on "Fire"
and "Water".  Oki wonders if he "conditioned" Masato too well before sticking
him into Zeorymer, or perhaps it's "him"... except "he" is supposedly-  In
any case, this has just made it a lot harder to handle attaching the Zeorymer
to your squad, which would have the benefit of protecting Zeorymer and its
propulsion system from more than just the Divinators.  Your squadron
serves two purposes: drawing the enemies' fire, and using the various secret
powers of its members to protect each other's secrets from those same enemies:
where better to hide a tree than in a forest!  Oki says that with this many
powers mingling between alliance and opposition, there's no good way to prevent
those secrets from getting shared within the squad, and some groups like Terra
and NERV already have each other scoped out to begin with.  Furthermore, it
would be safer for Masato and Miku themselves to be among a moving squadron
than stuck at this base, and Oki has already put in a word or two to people in
high places to try to further ease the transfer of Zeorymer to your squad.

Just then Masato comes in, still in shifty-eyed mode, bad mouthing Oki and
Miku and your squad in one fell swoop.  He tells Oki not to order him around
or think he can control him - he'll be doing what he wants from now on.  The
Divinators strike again, and as Masato stalks off to face them a visibly shaken
Oki recognizes Masato's look and speech... but how could that be?!

 Masato is not very impressed by "Moon", and asks Miku if all is ready.  When
 she doesn't respond, he dismissively figures it won't matter as long as
 everything operates normally.  He tells the very eager Ritsu that the night
 doesn't need a second moon - especially since it's Heaven that he's talking
 to.

 On turn three, Masato returns to normal, understandably puzzled to find
 himself in Zeorymer.  He vaguely remembers telling Oki that he was going to
 sortie, but says that that wasn't his will.  He begs Miku to tell him what's
 happening to him, as Ritsu wonders how the hell this thing managed to take
 down three of the Divinators.  Oki's already sent for reinforcements, but
 Ritsu intends to take advantage of this situation while he can.

 The cavalry arrives on turn 4.  Opinions are sharply divided on whether this
 thing is actually on your side or not, but Freed promises that he'll take
 Zeorymer down himself if it actually is your enemy...

 Mugura will flee at 13k HP.  He's worth a Biosensor.

 Unfortunately, your problems aren't over: the Hundred Demons are at it
 again, still on their power source stealing jag.

 One of them has a Propellant Tank.  Hidler is worth a Dust Filter.

Last Guardian contacts Bright about transferring Zeorymer, which obviously
doesn't go over terribly well at first.  Yet another type of flavoring for
the bait your group has become it seems.  Bright asks how he can be expected
to take Zeorymer on board, and Oki points out that the EVAs and Rahxephon
pose similar dangers.  Haruka and Misato inwardly think that they can't
entirely refute that.  Oki asks Bright to believe that, like Gear, his people
are indeed working towards peace on Earth... and that Zeorymer's small details
are still secret.  After he hangs up, Bright figures that one or two more
secrets around here won't break the bank - in fact, this gives him one more
bargaining chip to use with the top brass... hopefully towards the goal of
figuring out what's really going on...

Miku and Masato introduce themselves, met immediately by glares by some of the
crew, and others discussing them right in front of their faces.  Masato
scarcely seems like the pilot who opened fire in your people's direction, and
the ever-perceptive Hayato quickly conjectures that Masato may be
schizophrenic.  Masato can only stare downwards with furrowed brow, and Freed
asks them but one thing: why are the two of them piloting Zeorymer.  Miku
says that she's trying to stop the schemes of Haudragon, and Masato haltingly
says that it's his fate... that he has no other choice.  Shinji realizes that
this is much like him, and Freed says that he'll welcome them to the crew.
Miku thanks him and efficiently escorts Masato away.

Maria asks her brother if this is really for the best, and Freed observes
that "best" has nothing to do with it.  These two will be fighting alonside
the rest of you from now on.  He repeats what he said earlier for the benefit
of those still skeptical: if the Zeorymer shows any treachery he'll steel
himself to personally take it down.  Hayato comments that by then it may be too
late, if the thing is at full power that is.  Aqua realizes that he's right -
the thing seems to be using something much like a TE Engine and all the
untapped power that implies.  Tetsuya is worried about all the unknowns
surrounding Last Guardian and Zeorymer, which is said to have been built by
Haudragon itself.  What if Last Guardian is secretly dealing with Haudragon?
Freed counters that Zeorymer has had plenty of opportunities to take you all
down before this - even if Masato is to be suspected, more information is
clearly necessary.  Domon concurs, saying that getting hung up on the "truth"
in front of one's eyes can prevent one from seeing the real truth hiding
behind it.  This he learned from Schwarz Bruder.  And for that matter,
something about Masato's eyes reminds Domon of Schwarz's, his brother Kyouji's
shadow's eyes...

Misato explains about the Dimensional Linkage System powering Zeorymer, a
system which channels unlimited amounts of energy from another dimension.  Not
much is known about it, but Misato has obtained a bit of info about its
creator, Professor Kihara Masaki.  She's not met him, but remembers her father
mentioning his name.  Her father, Professor Katsuragi, was the discoverer of
Super Solenoid (S2) Theory... and one of the victims of the Second Impact
fifteen years ago.  Quatro, from the timing, perceives that this Kihara must
have been a member of NERV's predecessor organization.  In fact, fifteen years
ago he's supposed to have died under mysterious circumstances... and maybe
there's some faint hope of digging up the truth there.  It may be that
Haudragon and NERV are connected somehow, which would just be _oh_ so joyous
news...

Saikyo is berating Mugura's bullshit "moonshine", which Mugura might take from
the Empress but certainly won't take from him.  Yuura halts their argument,
saying that other forces have now swung into motion and that preparations
for their hope, the Hades Project, must take precedence.  She sends Rockfel
out to gather information, inwardly thinking that she won't accept Masato and
Miku's continued existence.  When the time comes, she'll use all the power of
the Tekkouryuu to wipe them off the face of the Earth.


Stage 4d. Time Limito wa 90-byou

Hugo is recalling the conversation where Albero announced the mission to stop
the Devil Gundam.  This is where Hugo was told to find life within death, to
fulfill his mission, and come back alive.  He told Hugo to remember all he
has learned, and to keep a level head - and to come back alive, along with his
son and the rest of his fellow soldiers.

In the following battle, the Devil Gundam survived a direct hit from the
special energy cannon Urube gave Albero.  In fact, it's more active than ever,
and the Death Army's numbers are ever increasing.  As things went from bad to
worse, Hugo got to see Folia made into a zombie right before his eyes.  All
the pleading with Folia to recognize him didn't avail much, and Hugo awakes
with a start, gasping and reaching for his medicine.  Said medicine isn't
working very well now - and eventual paralysis is the only result.  He
figures he needs even stronger medicine from Zapato if he's going to fight
Albero...

He runs into Riina, who implores him to let her give him a check up.  He
still maintains that he's fine, but she tells him he's lying - he's just using
the medicine to cover up the pain.  She tells him that her brother, as well as
Aqua, are worried sick about him, and says that if he'd just let himself be
examined they could heal his body.  He finds this bitterly amusing, and once
again maintains that he really is fine...

Your people are being posted as sentries along the coast in response to
sightings of Giganos recon aircraft in the Far East area.  Your post will be
Niigata, a city now abandoned after the first wave of Giganos violence.  The
biggest concern is the possibility of a Giganos forward base on the mainland.
As the pilots banter about this new assignment (and the possibility of Gun
Jem showing up), Aqua is wondering where the usually punctual Hugo is.
Moreover, it appears that Aqua (who's interested in older guys) and Light are
the single pilots here, since Linda has Cain and Rose has Tap.

Your pilots are having a pretty carefree job so far, except for Hugo and his
usual illness striking again.  Cain is telling Hugo to go back and rest if
he's feeling poorly, but the Medius shows up too quickly for that to happen,
eluding the D-3's sensors in the process (no mean feat).  Albero tells Eldy to
radio "them" that their target is in sight.  Hugo, despite his condition,
intends to fight anyway...

 Albero can see that Hugo's movements are sluggish, asking if his medicine
 is wearing off or something.  Hugo says that that's not his affair, but
 Albero says that Hugo's body, like Hugo's machine, is just another defective
 piece of junk.  Poor little man, doomed to suffer all his life.  Hugo yells
 that Albero is no better in that regard.

 Unfortunately, taking Albero down won't work, he'll just fully heal agian.

 On turn two, Light warns that the Giganos will be here in 30 seconds.  The
 hyenas show up on cue.  They're more than happy to leave the busted-ass
 Garmraid to Albero, concentrating their attention on the Dragnars.  Maggie
 computes you've got to hold out for another 90 seconds or so until the
 Nadesico shows up.  Hugo knows that your only chance for survival is to
 retreat towards where the motherships will show up, even if Cain doesn't like
 the idea much.

 The main enemy force shows up next turn.

 When you damage the Medius to yellow or below, it will stop moving.
 Unfortuately, so does Hugo, who apparently has overdosed on his medicine
 with symptoms that Eldy recognizes.  The consequences are likely fatal, but
 Albero isn't planning on finishing the job.  He decides to pull out, stating
 as his reason that leaving Hugo alive until the Medius is completed is
 necessary anyway.  He gruffly adds that he didn't raise Hugo to be some
 weakling who would die at a time like this...

 All told, the bad guys have a Super Repair Kit, a Booster, and a Weak EWAC.

It's now clear that Gun Jem and his lackeys haven't given up on taking down
the Dragnar pilots, but happily the Dragnar pilots aren't ones to be taken
down easily.  Meanwhile, Hugo is still refusing treatment, even after taking
some kind of medicine in the middle of combat.  This is all _very_ weird,
since there's no way he'd have been chosen as a test pilot if he had some kind
of preexisting ailment or injury.  Well... unless you ignore something that
happened to Kazuya: an accident that left him totally paralyzed(!)  The good
news for him is that he managed to somehow fully rehabilitate himself, but
Hugo's case doesn't seem to be that pretty...

Aqua demands as Hugo's partner to know what the medicine he takes is, telling
him in no uncertain terms that it's not just his problem.  He doesn't want
to tell her, and she tells him to stop being so goddamn secretive.  When he
still refuses to tell her, she tells him to do whatever he frigging likes
and storms out.  Hugo doesn't like doing this to her, but thinks that she
must never know what's wrong with him...

Aqua runs into someone who has a good idea of what she's going through: Rain.
She explains that Domon used to be very much like Hugo, burdened with his
fated battles against his master and the Devil Gundam.  Naturally taciturn
anyway, Domon told her little of himself at first, and they quarreled so often
that Rain sometimes doubted that she was his partner at all.  But what she
learned after all was said and done is that Domon was doing everything in his
power to keep her from worrying unnecessarily.  Rain thinks that Hugo will
open himself to Aqua when the time is right, and asks Aqua to consider what she
can do now to offer Hugo support.  While being able to say everything to each
other is all well and good, there are times where support without words between
partners is crucial too.  Aqua slowly accepts this logic, saying wryly at the
end that it's her job anyway to look out for Hugo as a younger man in her life.

Hugo, meanwhile is asking Mitall for stronger medicine, well, closer to
_telling_.  Mitall asks if Hugo would rather try fighting the Medius without
the medicine he makes, and Hugo states flatly that if something happens to the
Garmraid Mitall himself will be the one to feel the loss... assuming of course
that Mitall isn't already dealing with Albero under the table.  Mitall
maintains that his plans have been all messed up by Hugo's former commander's
theft of the Medius, and asks if Hugo has forgotten the debt he owes him for
saving his life.  Hugo snaps back that he never asked Mitall for any
salvation, and Mitall seems prepared to let the matter slide.  It _is_ true
enough that he needs Hugo, or at least needs Hugo's data to build an upgraded
TE Absorber (which is news to Hugo).  He agrees to procure new, stronger
medicine for Hugo, without side effects even.  After he hangs up, Hugo has the
unpleasant realization that his usefulness to Mitall will end with the
completion of this new mech.

Mitall passes word of the new medication on to Albero and Eldy.  Albero seems
almost happy to hear that Hugo will be able to fight on even footing, and Eldy
asks if he in fact intends to defeat Hugo.  He _does_, and views it as part of
surpassing the Devil Gundam.  As Eldy accepts this, Albero thinks that
revenge and surpassing are his goals... but not his _only_ goals.  And until
_all_ of them are achieved, he'll keep using Eldy and AI1 for all they're
worth.


Stage 4e. Mugen Kairou  ("Infinite Circuit")

Zeele recounts how Angels #3 through #7 have shown up right on schedule, only
to get waxed by the EVAs.  The problem is that Angels #8 and above haven't
shown up at all - even allowing for some error in the schedule, things should
_not_ be taking this long.  This is why Gendou has assigned the EVAs to your
squad.... which will also buy him time to recover the Lance.  Some of the Zeele
members don't like how your squad also contains such unknowns as Rahxephon and
Zeorymer, Rahxephon in particular.  One of the members says that the breath of
"that old man" clings to it - should the thing reawaken "commotion" does not
begin to describe the results.  The council don't want these mecha coming
anywhere near Central Dogma, or even being brought into Neo-Tokyo 3 at all.
Gendou points out that your squad also serves to minimize the damage they all
know is coming - Terra surely appreciated this when they dispatched Rahxephon.
One councilman figures that the Barbem actually _allowed_ Rahxephon to escape
as a way of testing Reideen and the other super robots, much like Zeele is
tolerating Zeorymer.  After a moment, chairman Kihl says that permitting the
power buildup in your squadron is unavoidable, given the change in their
scenario caused by the Mu showing up.  Not, he notes, that things should have
been any different to begin with.  Gendou isn't so sure, but Kihl tells him
to remember that Zeele needs no "Tuner", nor any new scenario that Gendou might
dream up.

Gendou relays Zeele's doubts about admitting your squad to Neo-Tokyo 3 to
Fuyutsuki.  Gendou has made it sound like the visit is just for more harmonics
testing and new armaments, and is in no hurry to try to snag the Lance: the
Committee is less nervous this way.  Of course, that won't continue to be the
case for long...

The EVA pilots haven't been back in a while, and are explaining what a
harmonics test is before heading off to NERV HQ.  Rei has already gone ahead,
and the rest of the EVA folk have to hurry off too.  Looks like the plans for
shopping and yakiniku are going to have to wait...

Rei is piloting EVA-01 for a change, which she says smells like Shinji.  As
Ritsuko tells her to return to -00, she observes that Rei's synchro rate is
pretty much the same in either machine.  Gendou thinks this means that "that
project" is feasible now, and leaves the rest up to Ritsuko as he departs
before EVA-01 and -02's pilots appear.  "That project", the Dummy System, is
something Maya isn't terribly happy about - but something which Ritsuko says
is necessary for people to go on living.  Maya says firmly that while she'll
trust her mentor's words and intends to do her job, she is by no means
satisfied.  Ritsuko observes that it's going to be hard living with everyone
else after this, knowing that they've become tainted.

Misato, Shinji, and Asuka show up - late once again.  Ritsuko smoothly shakes
off her gloom, and hears from Misato that the kids have been sent straight to
their EVAs.  None of the three of them can wait to get this test over with
and return to hanging out w/ the rest of your squad, but Ritsuko says that
Misato may have to delay her yakiniku plans some, on account of the *500*
pages of reports waiting for her to fill out.  As Misato feels her yakiniku
and beer eluding her, Ritsuko says that Kaji has also stopped by, and asks if
Misato wants to invite him along too.  Misato, obviously hesitantly, says no.

Meg is dragging Ayato around shopping, though shopping for _what_ isn't quite
clear.  When they bump into Miku, they both vehemently deny they're on a
"date".  Masato also denies being on a date with Miku, who claims to be merely
showing him around.  Meg manages to rope Miku into shopping with her, and
Masato will sit this one out with Ayato.  After a moment, Masato asks Ayato
what he thinks of him, obviously worried beyond Ayato's first "well, you're
a fellow pilot" response.  Ayato can identify with hesitation over being
forced to pilot someone else's big-ass robot, and says that from what he's
heard many of the squad members are in the same boat there.  Akira and Mari
then show up and invite the boys along to a feast with other members of the
crew, and Masato, with some hesitation, accepts the invitation too.

Miku meanwhile has helped Meg pick out a necktie as a present for her, um, err,
supervisor back at Terra.  Meg feels somewhat jealous of her older sister's
easy social graces and girlish foolishness, such as her longstanding crush on
a boy she once liked.  Meanwhile, Haruka and Vega have brought Amuro to dinner
at some restaurant.  He's eager to head back to the ship and figure out squad
assignment details, but Haruka says that she's asked Quatro to handle that for
now.  Amuro is seeming a bit slow on figuring out that at LEAST one of these
women is interested in him, but just then the rest of the crew shows up too.
This is going to be one hell of a bill, which Haruka and Vega agree to send to
NERV... but the enemy seems to have other ideas.

Meanwhile, the synchro test results are in, and Shinji gets to hear "You
Are Number One".  Asuka isn't exactly thrilled to hear this [though she takes
it better than in the anime], but that aforementioned enemy assault provides
a ready distraction.

The enemy is some unknown type of D1, and Gendou has word sent to your squad
that they need only sortie the three EVAs and Rahxephon.  Misato wants to know
why - if there are numerous enemies, your people ought to have a numerical
advantage too...  Gendou replies that he need not explain himself to her, and
tells her to follow his orders.

This new Dolem is just sitting there, not attacking like before.  George
wonders if it's here for something different (like what, sightseeing?! asks
Chibodie).  Faced with little alternative against this unpredictable foe,
Bright complies with Gendou's wishes, keeping the rest of your forces on
top alert.  With Misato still at NERV HQ, Vega will have to assume command
of the scene.  Her voice sounds EVER so much like Misato when ordering EVA-01
to sortie.  Meanwhile, Misato is demanding that Gendou allow "that machine"
to be sortied too - EVAs aside, Rahxephon, the D1's target, is clearly in
danger.  Gendou won't budge, and Misato furiously wonders what reason he could
have.  Fuyutsuki then asks Gendou if he's sure - this is a very dangerous
gamble.  Gendou figures this is worth it, since if things work out it will
solve two of his problems at once.  Vega meanwhile orders your people to try
to keep the D1 out of the city if possible, and Asuka too-happily recommends
Shinji to lead the way, unless of course he's not _confident_ enough or
something.  She seems shocked when he actually goes through with it, perhaps
carried away himself with Misato's praise.  As Shinji says that fighting is a
man's job which he intends to do, Ritsuko observes that Shinji seems to have
grown quite a bit in his time with your squad.  Misato is planning on scolding
him when he gets back instead, and Ritsuko observes that Misato would make a
very good mother.  Ayato also wants to be a forward, saying that it's
precisely because of the D1's unknown powers that he was ordered out here in
the first place.  Asuka tells the two such glorious personages to go out there
and show everyone how cool they are, which Ayato snaps back is presumably
what Asuka herself wishes she could be doing.  Asuka is predictably unhappy to
hear that, but is willing to do her job as backup along with Rei.

The D1 springs into action pretty quickly, making contact with the Rahxephon
and starting some kind of strong pulse between the two (and Ayato isn't taking
it well).  This is just like the Jupiter incident, and Ayato's heart rate is
dropping rapidly, his FH suit's life-saving equipment apparently not active.
The Rahxephon and D1 are now in sync, but Shinji tries to intervene and help
Ayato.  The D1 starts singing at Shinji, with predictably bad results.

The controllers watch aghast as Shinji's synchronization begins to go berserk.
Ritsuko realizes that this psychic attack against the pilots may be some kind
of attempt to peer inside their hearts.  Bright orders the other two EVAs to
pull Shinji and Ayato away from the D1, but the D1 turns into some kind of
circuit within which nothing can be observed... and it's rapidly expanding to
engulf EVA-01 and Rahxephon.  Ruri quickly observes that it's too late for
your people to sortie - what you see before you is no longer the D1, but
merely its shadow.  She believes it best to retreat and figure out what to do
next, and no one can really argue.

As usual [for this kind of situation], all communications are cut off to the
two unfortunates.  While they probably aren't _dead_, Miku thinks they're
stuck in some alternate dimension.  The good news is that both mecha have
life support on board, so the pilots should be okay... assuming you get to
them before their life support runs out.  Asuka proceeds to happily blame
this whole mess on Shinji and Ayato being too full of themselves and ignoring
the mission plan, nastily blaming it on bad influence from the rest of the
group.  This nearly earns her a beating from Ryouko until Miku... and Rei!...
say that this is no time for arguing.  Asuka demands to know why Rei is so
unhappy about Asuka badmouthing Shinji, and Rei asks her if she pilots her
EVA to have others praise her.  Asuka denies this, saying that she wants to
be able to praise _herself_!  Misato then enters, telling both of them to shut
it.

She agrees with Asuka insofar as Shinji acted on his own, and she plans to
scold him for it when he comes back.  She introduces Ritsuko to explain how
the rescue is going to work.  She figures there's just one way to salvage
your poor comrades from the Dolem: drop every last one of the 992 N2 mines
they've got onto it.  At the same time, the remaining two EVAs will use their
A.T. Fields in synchrony, to disrupt the Dolem's circuit for 1/1000th of a
second.  That will be enough time for all that energy to destroy the Dolem,
though God only knows what will happen to Shinji and Ayato in the process.
This isn't what Vega would call a "rescue" operation, but Ritsuko says that
it's the only conceivable operation within a short time frame.  Your crew
aren't exactly happy, but based on their past successes at rescuing people
they're more optimistic than they could be.  Masato hesitantly asks Misato if
Zeorymer's Dimensional Linkage System could somehow help rescue the two of
them.  Unfortunately, nobody really knows how that system works right now: it's
too much of a black box to depend on in this operation.  That said, Misato is
very grateful to Masato for suggesting it.

The rest of your people have to keep watch for the Mu and other Dolems, who
seem quite likely to show up at this rate.  Misato, apologizing for stepping
on Bright's toes, will be in command along with Ritsuko.  Oh, and by the way,
as Kyoujirou tells Nana, those N2 munitions are R-E-A-L-L-Y powerful - if the
timing gets screwed up, you can kiss not just your dudes but the whole damn
city goodbye.

In private, Misato wants to know what the hell Ritsuko is thinking with her
operation.  Ritsuko says she's prioritizing recovery of EVA-01 above all
else, even if its body gets rather damaged in the process.  In fact, she
doesn't particulary care whether Ayato lives or dies as a result, earning her
a vicious slap across the face.  Snarling, she reminds Misato that EVA-01's
loss was your squad's fault [like hell it was], and Misato yells back,
demanding to know what the fuck is so important about EVA-01 that she and
Gendou would go so far to protect it.  Just what the hell are the EVAs,
anyway?!  Ritsuko tells Misato that she's given her all the information there
is, but Misato fires back that she's lying, else the higher ups would never
approve a plan like this.  Ritsuko asks if she'd rather try using the
Dimensional Linkage System - it, like her father's S2 Theory, was made in
pursuit of a source of limitless energy.  Averting her face, she tells Misato
to believe in her for now.  Misato fumes over all the things she doesn't know
about the Second Impact, the Human Complementation Project, and Adam...

Haruka meanwhile is consulting Itsuki about any other possible way to save
the two pilots.  Itsuki thinks that it mainly depends on the two pilots
themselves whether they can be saved, saying that there's a _reason_ why
they've been separated from the others.  Haruka tells him to put things from
the past in the past tense, but he says that at least to him, it's the
past progressive tense.  He understands where she's coming from, that to her
time stopped fifteen years ago and that she hoped that by entering Terra she
could have Terra start time moving again.  But it didn't move time for him,
even though he badly wanted it to - badly wanted Haruka to be able to break
away from her past.  He says that the two of them have both changed... but
_he_ has not.  As Haruka begs him to stop, he says that he feels a bit jealous
of "him", in more ways than one.

As Haruka says sadly that they're running out of time, he agrees to share his
ideas with her.  He says that the best way to open a closed door is to use the
key - yes, the other key which resonates with Rahxephon.  As the lightbulb
turns on for Haruka, Itsuki cautions her that this is only his gut instinct,
with no data worthy of the name to support it.  But it's certainly better than
doing nothing at all.

The question is, where is Akira?  Apparently he's been asleep nonstop since
the previous mission, tormented by dreams of... his mother, by the shadow.
She tells him that his destiny stands on the brink of a major shift, one which
he must ascertain with his own eyes.  The voice says that a certain one may
or may not become his enemy, and tells him to listen to its voice along with
Reideen.  Mari bursts in, waking him up, and he hastily gets ready for the
mission.  As he prepares, he realizes that the voice was indeed his departed
mother - but what was she trying to tell him?

MEANWHILE [fuck this text is long!!], Ayato is back in Tokyo.  His friends
apparently aren't aware of anything out of the ordinary happening, and Haruka
is there too.  Ayato realizes all this has to be some kind of dream, but the
Haruka here tells him that the other reality is the dream.  She tells him that
it doesn't matter whether he's dreaming of a butterfly or whether the butterfly
is dreaming of him.  If he feels this to be reality, that's what it is.  In
fact, this is his big chance to free himself from all the heartache and pain
of fighting... and more to the point, it's his chance to have his way with
her, older woman or not!  He insists that he's not holding back, but she
tells him he's merely telling himself that, just like "that other boy" (what
other boy?)  She tells him that the music is written, but there's no conductor.
She demands to know if the Star of La Mu sparkled, which of course doesn't
make much sense to him....

M-E-A-N-W-H-I-L-E [*gnashing of teeth*], Shinji is having his own delusion,
stuck on the train as are so many Japanese people for so much of their life.
He's facing the other "him" inside of him.  Which is the "him" who is seen
by others and which is the "him" who sees himself being seen by others is
not immediately clear.  Making things less clearer yet is that there's an
Ikari Shinji inside the hearts of everyone he knows - and they're _all_ the
real him!  It seems the main problem is _this_ Shinji is afraid of those
other Shinjis, thus he closes himself off inside, satisfied with whatever puny
little shred of happiness he can find.  Everybody does this, and Shinji says
that there's too many painful things in the outside world for him to live
any other way.  Poor Shinji, despite hating having to fight, is piloting EVA
because he figured he has no choice.  Supposedly this is an excuse, an attempt
to run away from the past graven in his memory.

Shinji then appears at Ayato's house, both of them facing Ayato's mother.
Shinji's a bit envious of someone living with their mother, since his own
mother was lost in some mysterious accident long ago (long enough he doesn't
remember her face).  Amazingly, she knew Shinji's mother indirectly: the
famous biologist who came up with the "Adam Begetting Eve" theory.  Shinji was
unaware that his mother was any sort of scholar, but this woman asks if he
had not in fact witnessed the moment his mother vanished... during a test of
the Evangelion.  Shinji vehemently says that he's never seen any such thing,
but she tells him that that's merely what he's convinced himself of.  Shinji
says that his mother... smiled at him.  She repeats that Shinji could stay
here, free of all pain - but that would mean being all alone.

She then turns her attention to Ayato, telling him that he was born to be the
rightful conductor of Rahxephon.  But conductors are only worth something if
they follow the score - he's still too young for improvisation.  Especially
since he can't really control Rahxephon, especially given all the doubts
clouding his mind.  He can stay here, never to be threatened by the holy bird
from the forgotten star again.  Ayato asks what Shinji intends to do, but
Shinji is already gone, perhaps called by his mother (since that's what
mothers do), but she'll be content if _he_ stays with her.  Lucky for him
Reika is on the scene, and Masato finally recalls that his mother, though
promising to be there for him, was never really there when he needed her most.
He runs off, and she can't figure out why her son won't do as she says.

It's T-30 seconds, and no sign of activity from the D1.  Your people keep
counseling each other against giving up hope, as the bombers streak towards
the scene.  Unfortunately, some D1's and D2's have eluded the guards at Tokyo
Jupiter and are heading toward the scene.  Akira, at Haruka's request, seems
to have some special mission whose explanation will have to wait.  Misato
realizes that the Reideen-Rahxephon resonance may somehow help, and allows it.
Akira is glad, saying that whatever happens next it's his duty to see it
through... plus, there's something he has to confirm.

Looks like the bad guys want to either haul off your trump cards to Tokyo
Jupiter, or destroy them entirely.  Gendou and Fuyutsuki now know clearly that
the Mu are your enemy.  Asuka and Rei have to make it to the D1, and the
rest of you are to wipe out anything standing in their way.

 This battle is simple: either get Asuka and Rei over beside the D1, or else
 wipe out everything else and it'll happen automatically.

 The bad guys have a Cartridge, a Haro, and a Chobham Armor.

Everyone else will flee, except Reideen, who feels Reideen's power swelling.
Is this what his mother was telling him about?!  Ayato is wondering where
the hell he should go and who the heck was calling his name.  Reika seems to
be a very good singer, and Ayato breaks down crying, saying he wants to go
back to the real world.  She's not so sure it _is_ the "real" world, and he
says that he doesn't care if it's real or not, but he's disgusted by this
place which definitely _isn't_ real.  This may even be the world he desired,
but this isn't the world he _wants_.  He doesn't exist here, doesn't have time
to be alive here... but she cuts off his pleas.  She tells him that the truth
waiting in the real world is something he may not want to face.  But if he's
determined anyway, prepared to accept it - and if there's people out there who
really want him back, like what Shinji wishes for... then that person will
stretch forth their hand to him.  Even if in the form of a god, and even
though that person may stop the wheels of time.  She tells him to leave under
his own power, his own will.  He thanks her...

The planes are just 60 seconds out, and Akira is still trying to figure out
what Reideen is telling him.  Just then, Reika appears on the D1, telling
Reideen to sing its forbidden song so that eternal light may be granted unto
the land.  Reideen God Voices the Dolem, causing _physical_ damage to it and
opening a crack that allows Shinji and Ayato to break free.  There's no
telling precisely _what_ is going on right now since all meters are basically
pegged.  It's nice that Reideen broke the Dolem's circuit and all, but
Rahxephon and EVA-01 look ready to go on some Rodney King-ass rioting at any
moment.  Fortunately, it's the D1 which gets to be sung at and ultimately
become a Shinji snack.

Stare aghast, if you will, at the full fury of EVA-01.  Little did you know
that it's got the BUNNY INSIDE(tm), and could care less about things like
being out of power.  Asuka wonders just what the hell she's piloting, and
Ritsuko wonders what the hell she and NERV made themselves a copy of.  Gendou
just watches behind glowing glasses.  Misato knows that the EVAs aren't just
a copy of the First Angel, but wonders just what NERV intends to do with these
things once all the Angels are defeated.

Zeele asks Misato why she resisted having Shinji questioned directly about
his involvement in this incident.  She says that Shinji's emotional state is
highly unstable right now - having him appear here hardly seems wise.  They
ask if this incident was not proof that the Mu were trying to contact Shinji
directly, and she says that from his report it seems that Shinji was more or
less an innocent bystander in this irregular incident.  That would assume
that Shinji's memory is correct, but Misato says that no trace of external
editing of his memories is evident.  They point out that with the EVA's
AC Recorder inactive, there's no way to confirm that, and ask her to confirm
that the Dolem attempted to examine Shinji's memories.  Misato wants to know
why they'd try to contact Shinji or EVA-01, but they tell that she's not
allowed to ask any questions.  As they let her off the hot seat, she realizes
that they didn't ask her anything of Rahxephon or its pilot... there _is_
some connection between EVA and the Mu, but what?  And with Kaji nowhere to be
found right now, this may be her only chance to do some checking of her own.

Kaji, in fact, is about to sneak a peek inside Central Dogma, though he doesn't
much have the stomach for it after what he's just seen in the battle.  Still,
he like Misato figures this is his only chance.  Misato, of course, finds him
and pulls her gun, telling him to freeze.  He compliments her on her promotion
to Major, which she dismisses as a "reward" for past services mainly intended
to keep her quiet.  She asks him what he's really up to since returning here,
and observes that he might ask her the same question.  He says that he
certainly wanted to see her face again, in addition to some other business.
She asks if _this_ is his real job, or whether he's just moonlighting.  Looks
like he's a double agent for the intelligence branches of both NERV and the
Federation, and he asks her if she's doing this on Gendou's orders.  She
tells him that she's here of her own will, and that if he keeps on moonlighting
he'll die.  He tells her that Gendou is using him, so expects he'll live a
bit longer - but he does want to apologize for keeping things from her.  The
problem is that Gendou and Ritsuko are _also_ keeping things from her.  He
hastily swipes his keycard, opening the final door to reveal...

..something VERY weird.  THIS is what everything since the Second Impact has
revolved around and stemmed from: Adam.  Misato, who had just told Kaji not to
underestimate NERV, now tells _herself_ the same thing...


Stage 5a.  Meifu e no Tobira ("The Gates of Hades")

Rockfel figures that the Federation's mass production of Dragoons is going to
put a serious crimp in the Giganos' style.  Saikyo supposes that this'll be the
calm before the storm, when the Giganos use their trump card: the mass drivers.
Though they haven't used it until now because they're trying to _conquer_ the
Earth, if things begin to turn badly against them it's far from out of the
question that they might change their minds.  He observes drily that letting
the Giganos destroy key points on the Earth with their asteroids would make
their own job far easier.  Meanwhile, the Martian Successors continue to
skirmish with the Federation, and the Hundred Demons are busily building up
their own forces.  The Galfa are still after the Data Weapons, and the Vegans
have apparently launched some plan to wipe out your squad.  The Mu, after the
Dolems they just sent, haven't done anything else of note.

As of right now, the things obviously in the Tekkouryuu's way are the
Federation army, the Giganos army, the Hundred Demons empire, and the Zeorymer.
Saikyo tells him that he's forgetting about Zeele and Barbem, smugly doubting
their lack of _visible_ resistance.  All he'll say is that he regards them as
the true enemy, and Rularn inwardly curses him for noticing.  Yuura figures
that Zeorymer is their number one enemy - defeat it and nothing can stand in
the way of the Hades Project.  Rularn points out all the foes she's
overlooking, including the aliens, but she sniffs and says the aliens haven't
done anything hostile yet.  As for the Hundred Demons and your squad, the
Divinators should be more than enough to take you out.  FURTHERMORE, Rularn
really wants to get his hands on the Zeorymer and study its Dimensional Linkage
System - there's too many mysteries hidden within.  Ritsu wants another shot
at the Zeorymer, but Saikyo says that only _his_ machine is a suitable match.
Rularn points out that Omzak the "Thunder" isn't ready yet, but Saikyo asks
if Moon, Earth, and Mountain think they can seriously take Zeorymer on.  Those
pilots aren't going to take that from someone who hasn't actually tried facing
Zeorymer himself.  Yuura stops the argument, and sets up a new plan.  While
one of the Divinators lures out your squad, Rockfel is to capture Miku and
bring her here.  And Ritsu is to strike down Zeorymer while Miku's gone.
She warns him that repeated failures are impermissible, and brushes off
Rularn's concerns that some of those mecha aren't exactly well suited to fight
your people.  Rularn counters that expending warpower before their final plan
is highly unwise, and pledges to prepare someone to act as decoy for your
squad.

It's Northstar, who seems to think a lot of himself from his grandiose self-
introduction.  Yuura is singularly unimpressed by someone who would call
himself a servant of Hades in front of _her_, though he figures that that makes
him all the better suited to serve her.  Saikyo can tell from his bearing that
he's not from Earth, and figures him for a refugee from the Jupiter Union.
Rularn wants to let this guy sow confusion among your people, and _then_ Yuura
can act as she wills.  Yuura asks if he can actually be trusted, and Rularn
wouldn't have brought him otherwise...

Rularn, after all that, then asks Northstar what he's _actually_ up to.  He
says that he and his people are to act as a diversion, and as divine justice.
AND, by doing that, to buy time for the Successors to achieve their goals.
Rularn isn't convinced, figuring that the Northstar crew could have attacked
your squad on their own if that was all.  Why contact the Tekkouryuu?
Northstar curtly refuses to answer, saying that he _will_ have Rularn repay
the debt of two years ago (where Northstar technology helped revive the
Tekkouryuu fortress - who knew that Cadillac had a hand in this!)  Northstar
hints to Rularn that he's seen what Masaki is really up to, and tells Rularn
to send in the Divinators when he thinks best, since Northstar is leaving
_now_ for Japan.  Mind you, Northstar now knows the precise location of the
Tekkouryuu fortress...

Meanwhile, it seems _Camille_ is ready to get back in the saddle.  Fa doesn't
want to see him do this after what happened to him, but he says that it's
precisely because of what happened to him that he's going.  He knows that
history is about to repeat itself, despite what he knows are Fa's best efforts
to keep the news from him.  Camille grasps what's going on just from turning
on the news or surfing the net - knows that Judou is fighting.  He makes no
attempt to blame Fa for what she's done, but says that he must go, for the
sake of all of those who supported him as well as all of those who have
perished in this war.  And, to know "that person's" true feelings.  He tells
her that unless he can end this fighting, he'll never escape from Scirocco
and Hamarn's curse.  Fa for her part is determined to stay in the military,
close to Camille, and figures she can help even if she no longer pilots a
mobile suit.  In return, Camille promises that after this war he'll stop
piloting mobile suits for good.  But before Camille can even get out the
door, a Nergal employee shows up with something to give him...

Bright and Yotsuya are discussing the mess in Neo-Tokyo 3.  It isn't clear
just what the Rahxephon, EVA, and Reideen have to do with each other, but it
is clear enough that they'll be one of the keys to the upcoming battle.
Yotsuya asks Bright what he intends to do until the grand counteroffensive,
Operation Moonraker, begins.  Bright will continue patrolling Japan, picking
up a few odds and ends in the process to help in the coming battle.

Aqua has been poring over the energy signatures of all your various units.
No one of them stands out as an energy source that would draw the Data Weapons,
and it may be necessary to expand the scope of the tracking software.  Ruri
asks for all the records of where the Data Weapons have appeared for the last
twenty years.  They first showed up seventeen years ago, and the most frequent
sightings have been hear Hoshimi City, where the Dendou was.  Remember that the
Dendou was only activated recently: this cannot be a coincidence.  _Something_
in that city is drawing them, something _only_ in that city for the past
seventeen years.  Eris has some idea what that might be...

Kazuya has observed some slight fluctuations in the Dendou's movements, which
apparently stems from differences in the two pilots' styles.  The Dendou's
basic moves are patterned off of Ginga's Shaolin kung fu, which Hokuto is
having to pick up by imitation as he goes along.  Kazuya is quite impressed
at this nifty feat, and Inoue says that their good combining skills are one of
the reasons for the Dendou's power.  And to close the remaining gap, Hokuto
has to become a martial artist too.  Luckily, there are two top-notch teachers
in the squad to help him make up for lost time.

Apparently the training is to be done in the Deimos and Dendou, with Domon
coaching and Kazuya acting as opponent.  This is an opportunity that martial
artists the world over would kill to have.

 Kazuya explains that your punches should not be directed _at_ an opponent,
 but behind them, as though passing through the opponent.  Sai is impressed
 at Hokuto's instincts, and Domon figures that Hokuto is every bit as cut out
 to be a fighter as Ginga.  Chibodie figures he must get it from his parents,
 who must be incredible fighters whoever they are.

 Reduce Deimos to 50% or less of its HP, and Ginga the uber-martial arts fan,
 vows to one day enter the colony tournament and give Kazuya and Domon a run
 for their money.  Kazuya likes the sound of that, telling Ginga to train
 himself and become a strong man who can protect those needing protection.
 It is that which allows one to fully bring forth their power, and as Ginga
 ponders what his protectible thing might be Hokuto has to remind him that
 Kazuya's thing is his lover Erika.  Kazuya repeats his vow to save her one
 day, but before too much angst can occur, some bad guys show up.

 It's the mobile weapons of the Martian Successors, which is a bad sign
 indeed.  About the only good news is that they didn't come by Boson Jump,
 but Kazuya realizes they're probably here for Deimos.  He tells Hokuto and
 Ginga to guard the city while he draws the enemy's fire.  The boys want to
 help too, but Kazuya is quite sure he knows who'll be showing up for him
 next.

 On the next turn, lots more bad guys show up, but one of your allies appears
 too: Camille!  Unfortunately, Northstar and his goons show up in short
 order too, threatening Erika's life as the usual ploy to get Kazuya to hand
 over Deimos.  Kazuya dares him to try it, if he thinks such tactics will
 actually work on him...

 On the next turn, Akito shows up seeking revenge.  He tells Northstar that
 he's merely taken him up on his invitation, which Northstar figures is a
 pretty foolish way to jump into the fire.

 Your people show up next round, Akito still ignoring them all.  Luring your
 people is what Northstar had in mind to start with, and now he's just
 waiting for his chance to escape.

 Taking down Northstar will cause his lackeys to flee too.  If Domon fights
 him, Domon will say that he's never seen Northstar's techniques anywhere
 before - not surprising because Northstar is an assassin.  All those who
 have witnessed his Art are now in hell.  Akito will go off in hot pursuit,
 and your people are unable to follow his Boson Jump.  Ryouko wonders what
 the hell happened to Akito...

Meanwhile, it seems someone in Zeele has a request for Rularn.  He's reluctant
to do whatever it is, but the Zeele dude reminds him of the sin a certain man
committed fifteen years ago.  Rularn thought that the previous emperor and
Zeele had that worked out already, which is why Zeele is calling this a request
and not an order.  The Zeele guy says he doesn't want to be in the way of the
Hades Project, and says that if Yuura is already sending the Divinators to
Japan it ought to be quite convenient.

Rularn passes word that the Northstar crew have sucessfully decoyed your
squad, and that according to them the Giganos are about to commence full-scale
invasion of Japan.  Yuura figures that this is their chance, and dispatches
her men on the previously arranged mission.  After a moment, Rularn voices a
suggestion - the best place to lure your squad seems to be Neo-Tokyo 3.</pre><pre id="faqspan-8">
He hastily explains that the EVAs are going to be a threat to the Tekkouryuu,
in particular because the three in your squad's hands are merely a precursor
to mass production.  If she wants to stop that, now's the time to wreck NERV
HQ.  Yuura buys this, and orders your squad led into Neo-Tokyo 3.  Rockfel will
snag Miku thereafter, leaving Ritsu to tackle Zeorymer...

Some Gyandolar reinforcements have arrived at the Spiral Castle, including
Ashura, holder of Commander Ranking Number 1, and Bug, wielder of Tenkuu
Chuushin-Ken's Electromagnetic Poison-Hand-Blade style.  These are some
especially mighty folks among the Gyandolar, and when Altair says he doesn't
need the help Deondra spits back that someone with a track record like his is
in little position to talk.  He says that that's about to end today, when he
settles the score with the Dendou and grabs the remaining Data Weapons.  He
tells both Deondra and the Castle to butt out, and behind his back Deondra
tells Bug to let him talk - he may prove useful to their cause yet.  Deondra
tells the Castle that she'll be heading to Earth meanwhile, offering to
defend for it any glory that Altair might otherwise snag himself.

Ashura says hi to Devil Satan 6, _formerly_ of Commander Ranking Number 1, and
Deondra asks him if Guljios had anything to say.  Guljios said that the
probability was very high from what he's heard on his end, and Gades has
also voiced his approval.  That means that Gades and the Tenkuuma Castle will
be on their way.  This means that the Gyandolar will be bidding the Galfa a
none-too-fond farewell, and Deondra tells the rest of her people to get ready
to slip away under the guise of sortying.  Ashura is to head to Earth and
find some bait for the Data Weapons - Deondra expects that the humans will
figure out what that is too soon, and it sounds like a race against time.

It's the triumphant return of teh Camille.  Fa is still back with the Yugo,
and Camille is glad to see Ruu has taken such good care of the Z Gundam.
He's happy to see Amuro too, but smiles die when he sees Quatro.  Amuro shoos
everyone else out while Camille asks him a question: why is he here.  So many
people died, believing that Char had the power to change the world.
Camille, himself, believed that, and wants to know why Char Aznable is being
some pilot when his rightful work ought to be elsewhere.  Char tells him that
this age does not yet need his other powers such as Camille describes - too
many things stand in the way of mankind being led down a better path.  He
freely admits to Camille that he's in this squadron to see that those
obstacles are dispatched.  He tells him that he can't afford to stop fighting,
so long as people like the Titans exist who would endanger the Earth Sphere
through force of arms.  And, a task lies before the living - a task which will
atone for the dead.  After some thought, Camille tells Char that he'll believe
in him once more, but when this battle is done...  Char promises him that
he'll ascertain where to fight his battles thereafter.

Your squad receives orders from the Far East Base to guard the Sea of Japan
against an anticipated Giganos invasion.  You're going to have to worry about
more than just Gun Jem at this rate.  The growing force of Dragoons won't
deter this invasion - the mere presence of the Dragnars will actually invite
it.  A diffuse attack seems likely, and that would be the last thing you need
right before Operation Moonraker.  This may delay your return to Gear HQ some,
which is a shame because the Data Weapon tracker has been finished and the
item that has lured the Data Weapons is now clear.  Bright will send the Gear
team with the Nadesico, along with Domon for protection against Ouga showing
up once more.

However, the Giganos, aided by Divinators, have already shown up on the Sea
of Japan.  Misato figures this is just coincidence, and realizing that the
Divinators are after Zeorymer recommends leaving it at Last Guardian for a
while as bait.  The D boys are worried about the Giganos, and Misato tells
them they'd better get ready to launch, because she's going to send them out
to greet the Giganos as sure as she knows precisely where they are.
Basically, your squad is getting split up into four...


 [The next three missions are Gear, NERV, and Dragnar.  Do them in any order.]

Stage 5b. Hikari ni Michibikareshi Monotachi ("Ones Guided By the Light")

It seems the Data Weapons are attracted to the Meteo Cube, which powers Meteo.
Yotsuya thinks it's a dangerous gamble to use the thing as bait, since they've
already lost one of the things, but Vega says that if the Galfa beat you you'll
lose everything anyway.  Ginga offers that he wouldn't want the Leo Circle to
get lonely, and Yotsuya agrees to unseal the Meteo Cube.  It is in fact, pretty
darn teeny for something that would power Meteo, and Inoue cautions against
judging by appearances.  This thing is a conduit to vast amounts of power that
your scientists have yet to fully fathom.  Apparently this is one of _two_
you've got left - one is enough to keep Meteo running almost indefinitely.

Your team gets in position, cautioned by Vega that Ouga will positively show
up here.  Everyone else's mission is to provide cover for the Dendou while it
snags the remaining Data Weapons.  What Ginga and Hokuto have to do is throw
the capsule containing the Meteo Cube on command: the cube will overload and
make a _very_ bright light that should lure the Data Weapons.  When this
happens, Ruri has calculated that you'll have roughly 120 seconds...  But the
Galfa aren't prepared to wait that long.

Altair wonders how Vega knows his name, suffering once again from some kind of
anguish.  She says that her name is Vega, but that that name no longer holds
meaning - just as his name no longer does.  She vows to take him out herself,
as the only way she can make up for the past.  He demands to know who the hell
she is, but Vega figures that she has no choice left - for his sake as well as
everyone else's.

 On turn three, the Data Weapons approach, and the Meteo Cube plan works like
 a charm.  Now, you've just got to keep Ouga away from the Data Weapons long
 enough for the Dendou to snag them.  But just then Ashura and his goons show
 up, apparently finding in the Meteo Cubes another source of High Libido.
 He could care less what Altair does with the Data Weapons, and Altair hastily
 saves one of them.

 [Why the fuck didn't your people wait until _after_ Altair and company's
 asses were kicked??  Oh well.]

 Bug is worth a Super Alloy Z.

 Ashura thinks he's going to beat the location of the last Meteo Cube out of
 you, but a mysterious figure has other ideas.  It's Roam, with a lecture on
 the light which shows the true goodness and badness in one's own soul,
 otherwise known as a "mirror".  Are we surprised that Ashura doesn't deserve
 to know his name?  Didn't think so.  Roam now knows precisely what Gades'
 goons are up to, and is in no mood to let them have this other source of
 High Libido.

 Altair refuses to die before getting his hands on the Data Weapons, meaning
 he replenishes his HP if reduced by a few thousand.  Even if you actually
 reduce him to 0HP (which you _ought_ to be able to do), he revives, so
 apart from the XP and $$ you get from doing that it's probably a waste of
 time.  The Shuffle members will be quite impressed with Altair's fighting
 prowess, and he with theirs.  If Domon in particular fights him, he'll
 demand to know what Altair is hiding behind his mask, what false self.
 Altair tells him it's none of his concern, and Domon will vow to shatter
 whatever illusions Altair surrounds himself with this his fist.

 Once you snag the remaining two Data Weapons, Altair and the boys decide to
 settle things once and for all.  He's worth a Long-Range Radar.

When you kick Altair's ass finally, his headache gets worse. A voice tells him
that the time his sealed memories return is the time he dies, and whoever it
is tells him that he can't allow him to die just yet.  Ouga then abruptly
vanishes.  Vega has little time for lamentation, telling everyone that they've
got to hurry and help out the rest of your squad elsewhere.  Domon asks if
Roam would add his strength to your group, and Roam replies that there's
something he must check out first.  But, when the time is right...  Vega asks
him what the High Libido he spoke of is, but he vanishes before making an
answer.


Stage 5c. Shikumareta Hikigane ("A Rigged Trigger")

The enemy are blasting Neo-Tokyo 3, and the Federation forces are tied up
with Giganos forces elsewhere.  Fortunately, Misato radios in to say that
her forces are on the inbounds - your people just have to hold out that long.
Makoto grumbles that this would never have happened if the budget for self-
defense hadn't been cut, NERV's HQ being rather weakly defended against foes
besides Angels.  Gendou tells Fuyutsuki that this is probably some kind of
warning from the Tekkouryuu, although he's positive they know what he really
has planned.  If they were serious, they'd be using N2 munitions or infantry
troops.  This can only mean they're after the Zeorymer.  And in fact, when the
Zeorymer doesn't appear, Rockfel is kind of unsure what to do next.

 When Rockfel is damaged beyond a certain amount, or on turn 3.5, she receives
 word that Zeorymer has been spotted elsewhere.  As she leaves, Gisou
 tells her to be careful.

 After "Mountain" is sufficiently damaged, he taunts your people and prepares
 to use his trump card, a nuclear weapon.  As your people watch aghast, Gendou
 is quite positive this guy won't be able to actually use his nuke - there's
 a safety attached...

 One of the bad guys has a Repair Kit.

 Mountain will flee at 15k HP or less, making him pretty hard to get rid of.

Your people get ready to pick up and quickly head off to support your
comrades.  Ayato asks if Shinji doesn't need to say goodbye to his father,
and Shinji says he doesn't have time, plus his father presumably doesn't plan
on speaking to him anyway.


Stage 5c. Mougeki, Dokuhebi Butai ("The Onslaught of the Poison Snake Squad")

The Yellow Mountain squad is getting their asses handed to them, their
Dragoons little good against Kanan and his men.  Jin is willing to admit that
the Dragoon is a good machine, but if it's got a bad pilot, it's not much
good.  As some of the others impatiently wait, the surviving Yellow
Mountaineers flee, leaving Gun Jem's men to torch the city.  Well, that was
their plan, until your people show up.  Your people note that this squad
doesn't seem to know when to quit, although Cain is quick to notice that Gun
Jem himself is missing.  Freed tells him to focus on the enemies right in
front of him for now.

 All of this is actually a plan to lure your people close enough for Gun Jem
 to attack.  He thinks he's pretty handy with a sword, and figures that even
 the vaunted Shuffle Alliance couldn't dodge what he's packing.  Cain isn't
 responding after the attack, and the bad guys think they've finally got the
 upper hand when no heroic assistance for your people shows up immediately.

 The following round, Roam's companions show up.  Gun doesn't deserve to know
 their name either, and Gun infers from how uncute they are that they must
 be companions of "that Kabuki dude" who he fears so much.  They're here to
 help, and Cain could sure use some of that.  He's okay, but his mech isn't.

 The bad guys have a Propellant Tank, a Jammer, and an Apogee Motor.

Roam's companions apologize and depart quickly.  Light figures everyone had
best rejoin the group - given what they've just faced, everyone else is
probably having a pretty rough time too.


Stage 5e. Gekke no Sangeki ("Tragedy Beneath the Moon")

Mitall is ready to roll out his newest mecha creation, and wants Eldy and
Albero to figure out if your main characters are suitable to be its pilots.
Eldy asks if that means she's welcome to dispose of your people if they aren't
up to a certain level, and he tells her not to be ridiculous: both of them are
very important components of a whole.  Losing them would make the whole
project late, though Eldy says that defective parts can never be anything other
than that.  Mitall tells her not to be so sure, and likes what he saw in the
data she sent him.  As for the new TE Engine for the Medius, one of the two of
them was destroyed in a test accident.  The second has been installed in this
new machine: thus, overhauls for the Medius are going to be... quite... late.
Eldy demands to know if this "accident" is his idea of reining her and AI1
in, and with a narrow-eyed smile he tells her that it was just that: an
accident - no plot of his.  In response, she says that she'll steal the TE
Engine from their current machine, in order to test how well it interfaces with
the Rasmunanium.  He tells her to do as she pleases, since whatever data she
gets will prove quite useful to making Machine #10.  He warns her not to steal
your pilots' lives along with the TE Engine, and Eldy reluctantly agrees.
Eldy fumes over Mitall's apparent determination to oppose the will of the
Committee, and figures that the AI1 and Medius won't last much longer either.

Albero enters, and she tells him of the order to destroy the Garmraid.  She
says that Hugo and Aqua are also to be "disposed of" in the process, and
Albero pauses before voicing his assent.  He warns her to make sure AI1 is
complete before the mission: as Eldy ought to know by now, Hugo and Aqua's
inner strength must not be underestimated.  Eldy says that that isn't like
him: is he actually acknowledging that they have some power?  Eldy is counting
on AI1, and on Aqua's confusion when her identity is revealed...

Miku tells Oki that Masato has been stable ever since his little incident.
Oki is glad to hear that, but decides that Masaki still poses a threat to the
whole anti-Haudragon plan, and must therefore be eliminated.  Masato walks in
on this, asking Oki just _who_ he thinks is too dangerous?  What precisely was
he planning to do to him?  He mocks Miku's concern for him as his "partner",
telling her to just own up to the fact that she's fallen for him.  He tells
her that she's a doll, who only needs to worry about doing what he tells her.
Miku, furious and in tears, runs off.  Unsurprisingly, Rockfel abducts her in
short order.

Your other pilots compare notes, realizing that Haudragon is highly likely to
strike during all the chaos elsewhere.  Benkei figures that everyone better do
a good job of protecting Masaki, and Hayato doesn't seem convinced...

Meanwhile, Hugo wants Aqua to simulate what the Garmraid is like with its
TE Engine unregulated.  She starts worrying about the engine overheating, but
he says that before it does there should be a moment when its power output
rises.  This is all for the sake of defeating the Medius, whose Rasmunanium
makes any prolonged attack pointless.  Aqua is _very_ dubious about this whole
plan, but after a moment agrees to run the simulation.  She recalls for him her
promise to Rain, to do everything she can for him as his partner.

Rularn is examining Miku, astounded at what Masaki has apparently wrought.
He hastily tells Yuura that she will require further examination.  Yuura
recalls that that Zeorymer, stolen those fifteen years ago, ought to have been
designed for a single pilot.  But why does it now require Masato and Miku
together to pilot it, unlike any of the other Divinator mecha?  Rularn stammers
that the key to that is probably within Miku herself, and Yuura reminds him
that their ultimate goal is to turn this world into a Hades that they'll rule.

Saikyo compliments Rockfel on her successful mission, and she in turn on how
his mech finally seems finished.  She observes that his machine seems
incapable of bringing forth the "power" he's so proud of, and he sniffs that
the light of the Moon can't reach the depths of Heaven.  In any case, Saikyo
figures that he's got far bigger fish to fry than the busted-ass Zeorymer.
He asks Rockfel what her shocked expression is for - is she tired from talking
to the emperor?  Surely there are more profitable people for her to spend her
time with than some little girl like that.  He tells her he doubts Yuura has
any deep plan for Miku, merely wishing to slowly torture Masato's partner to
death as part of her revenge for her unrequited love.  Rockfel is amazed at
his temerity, but he tells her that the emperor's days may be numbered - would
she be interested in hooking up with him instead?  He promises to give her a
better deal than what she's got now, and as she wavers Mountain's pilot
rushes in.  Saikyo pooh-pooh's the idea that he's being in any way
treacherous, and walks off.

[What we have here is a classic case of "bad bad guy tries to seduce good bad
girl, while good bad guy who secretly loves her tries to keep him away."  She
can presumably do better than bedding either of them, but that's a separate
issue.]

The Divinators have now started their assault, though Masato seems to know
exactly what they've got planned.  Oki wants Masato to leave the Divinators to
Deimos and the other members of your squad stationed here, but Masato thinks
he's more than enough of a match for them.  He tells Oki to keep the others
out of his way.  Ritsu meanwhile blows the entire earth covering of the base
away, demanding that Zeorymer come out so he can have his revenge.  Oki tells
everyone that their only choice for now is to let Masato go out alone.  This
will solve a certain puzzle as well...

 The first time Zeorymer is in combat, your people quickly notice that
 something is different - parts of Zeorymer aren't glowing, and its reflexes
 seem slow.  Everyone calls for Miku to stabilize Zeorymer's engine, but of
 course there's no answer from her.  Oki orders everyone to figure out where
 Miku is, and to get ready to sortie just in case.  Masaki repeats to him to
 keep everyone out of his way, and says that he can call Miku back any time
 he feels like it.  What the heck is that supposed to mean??

 Masato reverts to his normal personality after a couple rounds, wondering
 what the heck he's doing inside Zeorymer.  Oki establishes contact with
 him, explaining that Miku has been kidnapped by Haudragon.  He tells Masato
 to fight on without his subpilot while he sorties Getter and the rest of
 your dudes.  Oki realizes that Zeorymer's lack of power must be somehow
 caused by Miku's absense, and wonders what the heck Masaki has planned.
 Masato is realizing what his other self is mixing him up in.  As the rest of
 your people show up, Hayato says that, current Masato aside, he doesn't
 trust the "other" Masato one bit.  Ryou asks what the heck he's talking
 about, and Hayato tells him to ask Masato himself.

 Just then, to make matters worse, some Northstar dudes show up to act as
 decoys for the Nadesico.

 On the next round, the Medius appears, and Hugo decides to set his plan in
 motion to take the Medius out.  Albero tells Hugo that it's time for him to
 fulfill his true role: to be feasted on by the Medius.  It's time to settle
 the score, which Hugo says is all due to the Medius.  Albero tells him to
 screw his head on straight - this Medius is a machine designed to surpass
 the Devil Gundam, and Hugo yells that that's _precisely_ what he's talkking
 about.  He demands to know what Albero wants with even more power than the
 Devil Gundam, and Albero plans to answer by killing him.  Hugo tells Aqua to
 bring the TE Engine to full power, all the way past the yellow zone.  This is
 what Eldy wanted to see, and she waits to spring her surprise.

 The Nadesico shows up on the next turn.  Unfortunately, this also provokes
 Ritsu to fire his ultimate attack.  Oki can't figure out why Masato is
 having such trouble: Masaki told him that Miku was only needed to regulate
 the flow of data within Zeorymer.  But it's clear that her presence is sorely
 missed: what secret is hidden within her?!  As Ritsu gloats about his
 impending destruction of Masaki's Zeorymer, Masato yells out, demanding to
 know why Ritsu hates Masaki so much.  It's not because Masaki is a traitor,
 but because Masaki effectively ruined Ritsu's life.  He's lived all these
 years behind a woman's face - years of training and preparing for battle.
 He tells Masato that there are times when one must join with that they
 detest most (Masato is having trouble identifying with that).  He found out
 at a certain point that Masaki had created him, created this woman's face
 that he's stuck behind.  In fact, ALL the Divinators are artificial life
 forms created by Masaki, and Ritsu has found the source code for the program
 Masaki built into them.  On cue, they were all to suffer a certain trauma,
 and set about destroying each other - such as the unrequited love between
 Yuura and Taiha, the sisterly hatred between Aen and Tau, and now his own
 female face.  Ritsu has sworn that Masaki's plot will not come to fruition,
 and he's about to fulfill that pledge.  He tells Masato, the inheritor of
 Masaki's blood, that he's as good as toast...

 ... but Masato scoffs at the notion that he's Masaki's heir.  Just who does
 he think Masato is?  Ritsu charges his J Kaiser, figuring that without
 Miku Zeorymer is _toast_.  This greatly amuses Masato, who says that any
 missing pieces can simply be called back, and yells at Zeorymer to recall
 its Dimensional Linkage System.  Miku is, um, back [WHAT THE FSCKING HELL?!?]
 and apparently ready to go to work, and Masaki tells Ritsu not to expect
 a pleasant death.  Utterly evaporated is closer to the truth, and his last
 word is "father".  Masato declares loudly that he's Kihara Masaki, not his
 goddamn father [oh man, da reverse Star Wars action!  Feel the pain!]  Eldy
 tells AI1 to get a good look - that's the kind of power it's going to gain
 one day.  Albero does not seem very thrilled...

 Masaki, telling all the Divinators to dance in the palm of his hand, abruptly
 vanishes.  For now, you've got some remaining enemies to worry about.

 The bad guys have an I-Field Generator, an Image Sensor, and a Cartridge.

 After you reduce Albero beyond a certain number of HP, the Medius begins to
 become unstable.  Eldy tells him to let AI1 handle things, but he won't let
 some tin can face Hugo.  She then reminds him that their goal is stealing
 the TE Engine, but he tells her to shut up, this is _his_ fight.  As the
 two quarrel, Hugo and Aqua realize their chance has come, and Aqua cuts the
 TE Engine's limiter.  Even after the massive blow, the two continue arguing
 about who should be in control.  Eldy will not see AI1, her child, die, and
 won't let anyone stand in her way.  Aqua meanwhile tells Hugo that he's got
 34 seconds before the Garmraid becomes totally inoperable.  Eldy then tells
 them that she won't let them kill her child, revealing her identity to Aqua
 at last.  Aqua seems _somewhat_ surprised, but Eldy promises to show her the
 difference between Aqua and her child.  She overrides Albero's controls,
 doing something to the Rasmunanium, and Hugo realizes he's got to strike
 before it heals completely.  Aqua warns him that something's different about
 the Rasmunanium's signature this time, but he tells her not to let her
 concentration waver, lest she be defeated.  Aqua can't predict what'll
 happen next, and Eldy tells the Medius to use all that it's learned.  It
 transforms into... something resembling the Devil Gundam.  This was NOT in
 Albero's contract, and Eldy blithely tells him that he had no need to know.
 He demands a full explanation afterwards, and the Medius strikes the
 Garmraid in an attempt to steal the TE Engine.

 The Garmraid takes that full in the chest, and although Aqua is intact the
 forward section where Hugo's seat is is totally gone.  Albero figures he's
 finally given Hugo peace, and Eldy taunts Aqua with her own failings that
 led to this.  Does she understand why Eldy piloted the Medius in secret?
 Yup: precisely for a time like this.  Eldy blithely recalls teaching Aqua to
 always think rationally, no matter what the situation.  She says that, much
 like she did when Aqua was in school, she'll give Aqua another chance, a
 chance to pilot another TE Absorber and challenge her Medius again.  That is,
 if Aqua can muster that much resolve.  With the TE Engine in hand, Eldy
 figures it's time to go, and Albero simply sits in silence.

Hugo and Aqua have been recovered, and Hugo's in very bad shape indeed.  Well,
that's what it seems like until Rain's miraculous medical care seems to have
saved his life after getting crushed inside the cockpit.  The other G pilots
figure that Hugo must have the devil's own luck, and Vega is about to break
some bad news regarding that when a package shows up for you via transport
plane, courtesy of one Zapato Mitall from Central Project.  Vega knows that
not even the military have had word of the Garmraid's destruction yet, so how
the heck did Mitall find out so fast?  Ruri will allow the plane to dock,
though she orders guards posted.

Aqua shows up to Hugo's bedside, very apologetic over her role in this mess.
Hugo tells her not to let it bother her: he was certainly shocked when he
found out his former commander was aboard the Medius too.  Aqua's more worried
about Hugo's body, which turns out to be cybernetic.  He says that broken
pieces can always be replaced, and tells Aqua that he didn't mean to lie to
her or the others - he just didn't want people worrying about him.  He says
he's not bothered by his mechanical body, that it was necessary to "go on
living"... and this is his comeuppance.  He explains that Mitall took his
near-deceased body in and remade it so that Hugo could test pilot a TE
Absorber.  Aqua protests that modern medical tech should have let him be
fully healed normally, but Hugo says that the predecessors to the Medius
required specially fortified pilots to operate - Mitall essentially made him
into a piece for his mecha.  His medication prevents his old-fashioned body
from rejecting its new-fangled parts, and that's the hold Mitall holds over him
to force his participation in the project.  As Aqua apologizes further, Hugo
says that whatever the trigger may have been, he's now working on the project
under his own will - not to let Mitall control him, but so that he can live
through all this and come out on the other side - as his penance to his dead
comrades from the Cry Wolves.

Aqua figures that Eldy made a number of personal modifications to the Medius'
project specs.  She explains that Eldy is a developer of combat AI's and
operating systems, not a direct collaborator with Central Project but
supposedly part of a different top-secret team within the military.  Aqua felt
much affection for her teacher: an independent woman, a gifted scientist,
someone who holds firmly to her own ideals.  To Aqua, who ran away from home
out of a hatred for doing what others told her, Eldy was more than an ideal.
But now, Eldy has stolen the Medius, becoming Aqua's enemy and nearly depriving
her of the man she loves.  Why would her teacher do that to her, to them all?
Why do she and her teacher have to fight?  This is all too much for Aqua, who
feels totally lost.  What Hugo does know, after a moment, is that unless Aqua
fights Eldy, her life is forfeit.

What the Medius and its pilots have done until now is essentially testing them,
but the next time, it'll be for real.  Aqua doesn't think she can fight her
teacher, but Hugo is determined to fight Albero.  He now knows how Aqua feels
about Eldy, but has no idea how Eldy feels toward her.  He points out that
Eldy seems perfectly content to manipulate Aqua's emotions as part of her
battle, and says that unless Aqua can cut the ties that bind her to her, she'll
die.  Aqua doesn't want to cut those ties, nor does she want to die.  What she
wants is to talk with her teacher once more... and if that proves no good,
she'll...  Hugo tells her to prepare herself for that time, and says that in
any case the Medius is far too dangerous to be left alone, else it become
another monstrosity like the Devil Gundam.  Aqua too believes that that thing
needs destruction.  The real problem is now Mitall - all this stuff seems to
indicate that he's plotting something behind the scenes, and now Hugo doubts
the whole purpose of the Project...

Mitall walks in right then, commenting that that's a pretty cold way to
talk about someone behind their back.  He tells Hugo that he's gotten a report
about the incident, and has brought Hugo some spare parts... along with
TE Absorber #9.  He shows Aqua the spec notes, which include some new
support mecha (Animaleets) shaped like a bird (Hiou) and a wolf (Rouga).
Apparently, the new Garmraid can rearrange where these things attach on,
effectively "transforming" for different kinds of terrain and offensive
capabilities.  In the process, who is the pilot will also change.  The thing
also has an upgraded TE Engine, though Mitall still won't call it a finished
product.  Hugo and Aqua uneasily mull this, and you get to pick what this
new machine is named (the default is Garmraid Blaze).  Mitall tells the two of
them to get cracking on mastering this new mech as soon as he's done
"repairing" Hugo, and Hugo asks why the timing of Mitall's visit is _this_
nice and neat.  Is he plotting something, possibly in league with Eldy?  He
professes innocence, saying that the Rasmunanium isn't supposed to be able to
do what it did with its limiter installed either.  Hugo asks if he's supposed
to believe that, and Mitall says that he has no choice, especially if he wants
to do what must be done next.  Their orders are still to destroy the Medius,
and Hugo is willing enough to accept the Garmraid Blaze... as well as the
"repairs" on his body.

Yuura demands to know why Rularn didn't tell her that he knew Miku wasn't
human.  He can do nothing but apologize, and Yuura declares that there's not
a moment to lose, the Hades Project starts right now!  The world is to be
made into Hades, everyone but the people of the Tekkouryuu are to be
slaughtered, and Yuura is to become the empress of it all.  She expects her
three Divinators to destroy the entirety of Japan, which quite frankly sounds
like a lot of work.  After the Divinators head out, Rularn asks if this is
really Yuura's desire - she used to be opposed to the whole idea.  Rularn
leaves at her command, and Yuura thinks that while destroying the world is her
wish, when she voices it it gives her pain... as though it's not the real her
who wishes it.  Would Taiha understand all of this?

Masaki is back to back-talking Oki and Miku [the _real_ Masaki from games past
needs to come and kick his smirking ass.  But I digress.], saying that
"Masato" no longer exists.  The reason he made Zeorymer is so that _he_ could
become the emperor of Hades, but he expected someone to make an attempt on his
life somewhere along the line.  That's why he cloned himself and registered the
clone as Zeorymer's pilot, programmed to recover his original personality the
first time he sat in the cockpit.  It seems Masaki may be here to stay...


Stage 5f.

Zeele ponders how the Tekkouryuu have entered into the final phase of their
plan, possibly because of "that man"'s actions.  Some of the committee members
are worried that their various countermeasures may not measure up, and that
even Zeele itself might get affected.  On the other hand, they're a vital force
for the time to come, and their loss now is unacceptable.  Kihl wants to
"fix" the schedule a bit, which would mean letting "that man" do as he likes.
But if he, who knows part of the overall plan, were to go to the Barbem, Zeele
would definitely feel it... but Kihl feels that a man who wants to open the
door to Hades with his own hand is about the last person on earth who would
go seeking the Barbem.  In fact, he's more like Zeele itself, and Kihl says
that sooner or later this man's wish will come true, even if the man won't
admit that fact.

Oki has received word that three Divinators are headed to Japan, which means
that Omzak the "Snow" has been finished, a mech supposedly capable of
vanquishing even Zeorymer.  This may be Haudragon's last stand, and Oki says
that the Zeorymer has been released from Federation control back to his own.
Your squad gets to face the Divinators, while Zeorymer is sent to wipe out
Haudragon HQ.  Miku nods, saying she'll go inform... "him".  Oki realizes
that the upper brass are trying to make his group take the fall for this one...

Miku implores Masaki to sortie the Zeorymer, asking why he stole Zeorymer if
not to stop Haudragon from running amok at a time like this.  Masaki asks her
if he actually looks like that much of a protagonist, and a protagonist who
would gladly sacrifice himself in battle like your squad members.  He tells
her he stole the thing purely as "insurance" for his designs to become lord
of Hades.  He looks at Miku, voicing doubt that her body really is made out
of growing memory silicon and "praising" how well her AI is capable of acting
human.  She angrily points out that he made her, and he harkens back to his
premonition of death, whether or not he stayed within Haudragon.  He wanted
to steal Zeorymer and its power source from the ones responsible, so that he
could salvage "God" from the other side of the door.  Miku doesn't like how
he calls her "maturing garbage", but he slaps her and recalls how he figured
that the Hades Project would be resumed sooner or later.  He left his "blood"
on both sides, knowing that whether Haudragon or the Federation won, he'd
still be alive.  He's planning to sortie, but only AFTER the Divinators
wreak their havoc, and after he's cast the old men who tried to use him, plus
their teeming hordes from the Black Moon, into Hades.  He says that even if
he should fall to the Divinators, at that very moment his other self within
Haudragon would become the lord of Hades.  Is there any game better than this:
the whole world at stake, caught between his two selves?

Miku asks who his clone on the Haudragon side is, and as a headache strikes
him he says there's no need for a doll to know.  He tells her not to touch him
(which she ignores), and Oki comes in to once again request Masaki's help on
behalf of the Japanese government.  Masaki asks what would happen if he
refuses, and Oki says that he'd regretfully be forced to mind control him.
Masaki asks Oki if he really wants to kill him a second time, saying that Oki
shot him fifteen years ago... _after_ taking Zeorymer and its pilot-registered
testtube baby from him first.  Just as Masaki expected.  He then used Miku as
an agent and raised the test-tube baby, never realizing the true nature of the
Dimensional Linkage System.  Masaki calls Oki naive for thinking he could
organize Last Guardian and go to all this trouble just to fulfill his own
wishes.  He mockingly tells Oki "good job" and says that there's one thing he
has to do to become lord of Hades: destroy Haudragon!

Saikyo is telling the other Divinators to follow him to take down Zeorymer,
which for all they know might be getting upgraded or some such this very
moment.  They can wipe out Japan any time they want, but not if Zeorymer still
threatens them.  Rockfel admits that there's logic to Saikyo's words, even
though Yuura said to keep their hands off Zeorymer.  Looks like the Mountain
may not come to Muhammed, but will go where Rockfel leads.  Saikyo even
manages to convince them all not to report in to Yuura, but before they can
do much of anything your dudes show up.

Hugo and Aqua remind each other of their new roles in the new mech (long
range should be handled via Aqua's "S" form), and Saikyo immediately notices
that Zeorymer isn't with your squad - what if it's heading for Tekkouryuu
HQ right now?  Gisou says this sounds like Saikyo's gotten scared, and
tells him to just sit there and watch (which is just what Saikyo had in mind).

 It seems Rockfel is prepared to follow Saikyo's lead, which will let Saikyo
 head to the Zeorymer base by himself when more help shows up.

 The next turn, some new beastie turns up, which has the Data Weapons in an
 uproar.  They actually sortie, actively hostile to this newcomer.  Saikyo
 doesn't care who this thing is as long as it's going after your people,
 planning to wait for Zeorymer to show up.

 The following turn, the Galfa show up.  Saikyo doesn't like the looks of
 this, since your people are now totally stuck here.  The following turn, he
 prepares to head off to do his dirty work when the Zeorymer shows up.  It
 was _supposed_ to be wiping out Haudragon HQ, but hey.  Hayato wonders which
 Masato is at the controls, and Masaki says that all the remaining Divinators
 are no match for him.  Saikyo then takes a potshot at Rockfel, wanting to
 make a deal with Masaki.  He says that his Proton Thunder is the only force
 which can resist Zeorymer... or, thought of differently, together they could
 be unstoppable.  Mountain's pilot hates this treachery, but Saikyo figures
 there's nothing some missile-toting fool can do to stop him.  Gisou for
 his part, is prepared to use his nukes, but Rockfel intervenes out of love.
 Rockfel doesn't care that she's being used, and Saikyo mocks this so-called
 love of Gisou's.  Whatever is causing Masaki's headache seems about ready to
 tear him in half - he can't stand the thought of "love" among the
 Divinators, all clones made from the same sperm.  They're not even siblings,
 but basically the same person - and he's their creator, the lord of Hades!
 Rockfel asks the obvious question: "so what?"  She says she fell in love of
 her own will, and won't let Masaki deny her love for Saikyo.

 Once you damage the enemy beastie enough it will go berserk and start
 attacking the Data Weapons.

 One of the enemies has a Crest of the Wolf.  Another has a Seimei Shrine
 Charm.  Another has a Repair Kit.

 Damage Gisou enough and Masaki will blow Rockfel completely away.  Still
 plagued by a headache, he manages to tell Gisou to stop resisting unless
 he wants to end up the same way.  As Gisou and Saikyo team up, Masaki really
 loses it and somehow blasts them both.  Masato somehow returns to normal,
 but Zeorymer abruptly disappears.  With the enemies gone, Ruri recommends
 returning to Gear HQ to care for the Data Weapons.

It seems that the Galfa emperor sent Ragou himself, though his subordinates
at the Spiral Castle aren't entirely sure why.  The Castle nervously tells the
emperor that Ragou seems every bit as ferocious as usual, if not more so.
Galfa says dismissively that it's bored from being cooped up so long, and tells
the Castle to leave it be for the time being.  He implies that if the other
Galfa screw up, he'll feed them to Ragou next.  Apparently some formerly
undefeated personage has been sealed inside Ragou by the emperor, but what?
Whatever is going on, Ragou badly damaged the Data Weapons if the urgency of
Rain and the others in trying to save their lives is any indication.

Meanwhile, with the Divinators gone, Yuura figures she has no choice but to
use her last resort.  Rularn doubts she could push that button, the Yuura he
knows is kind-hearted, and would not wish for the end of the world.  He
tells her that she's being manipulated by Masaki's ghost: she, like Masato,
is a clone made from Masaki's cells: a pawn in Masaki's scheme.  She demands to
know why he let her live this long, knowing that, and he says that he wanted to
see Masaki's reincarnated selves destroyed.  But why did Rularn stay so close
to her then?  Rularn murmers that Yuura is truly beautiful, and Yuura is left
to ponder what it all means...

Back at base, Masato realizes that he's neither "Masato" nor "Masaki".  He
was supposed to fully become Masaki by accepting Zeorymer's programming, but
for whatever reason he couldn't.  "Masato", the boy who grew up ordinary these
past fifteen years, couldn't be erased.  The foolish boy who threw Masaki's
schemes askew is still here.  Masato brokenly wonders who he is, and when Miku
tells him he's Masato, he marvels at her gentleness.  For that matter, all the
Divinators possessed noble hearts...  Why is it that everything he created is
so gentle, when he himself is so dirty?!  Miku tells him that it's because
something inside him is beautiful, imploring him to come away from Zeorymer and
live with her in peace.  Masato replies that he'll never truly have peace while
his other self is alive among the Haudragon, and Oki shows up to say that
Masato has a phone call from Yuura, leader of the Haudragon.  Masato goes to
take the call, has his true and final duty.

Yuura, figuring Masato now knows the truth, tells Masato that whichever one of
them wins this final fight will be the true lord of Hades.  She has her
finger on the button that will destroy the whole world, and tells him to come
to her if he wants to stop her pushing it.  Masato says that he can't run from
this: he's got to settle the score with his other self and escape from Masaki's
terrible curse.  He doesn't want to get Miku any farther mixed up in this, or
your squad for that matter, and tells her to stay behind.

Masato figures that he and Zeorymer are enough to settle this, and figures that
as long as your squad is still around the world will be okay in the long run.
Oki sees him off, asking if there's anything he can do.  After a long pause,
Masato tells Oki to tell your squad that Zeorymer vanished along with its
destiny.  Miku shows up anyway, telling Masato that she has memories of the
structure of the Tekkouryuu - she should be able to get him where he's going.
She implores him to take her.

Masato shows up, but before the battle with Yuura can start some Northstar
goons show up, telling him that his Dimensional Linkage System is a major fly
in their ointment.  They vow to take him and the DLS, but Masato quietly
asks them to stay out of his way.  Yuura and he face each other, and Masato
says at length that he's about to become the _true_ lord of Hades.

Your people feel the shockwave of a HUGE explosion, which left behind a very
uncomfortably-shaped cloud where Haudragon HQ used to be.  None of the sensors
are any good, and it seems kinda unlikely that even Zeorymer could live through
a blast like that.  Bright orders your people to the scene.

Masato and Miku are still okay, though Zeorymer is now immobile.  Masato
bitterly wonders if this is his fate, to sacrifice everything the Tekkouryuu
wished for only to live on himself.  He actually wanted to be destroyed along
with Zeorymer, alone, but Miku points out to him that he's _not_ alone.  He
still figures he and Zeorymer should have perished to atone for Masaki's sins,
but Miku tells him that this is his, or rather _their_ destiny.  He has to
live on, shouldering the burden that Masaki made... and he knows well of those
whose plans to destroy the world parallel the Hades Project.

Unfortunately, that little explosion there lured in the Gyandolar, who were
looking for a good place to move to.  They do this with amazing speed all
things considered.  Guljios comes out of the newly-landed Tenkuuma Castle,
complimenting all the Gyandolar on their good work.  They're about to take
Masato's lunch money, and Guljios tells a nervous Devil Satan not to worry
about Roam - should he appear now, the full might of the Gyandolar will be sent
out to crush him.  Actually, that's not much of a deterrent.  Roam's got a
nifty fable about a shooting star rising to meet a bad star, causing the bad
star to lose its light and collapse.  That's what some people call
"punishment", and others call getting medieval on the ass of Transformer-ripoff
punks like the Gyandolar.  Especially since said punks can't remember Roam's
name, which like the zillion or so times before, he's not willing to reveal to
them.  Moreover, he's got friends on the scene to help liberate Zeorymer.

Guljios seems amused to see Roam and the crew again.  Roam is _not_ amused to
see Guljios, or rather Gades and crew back from hell, "I shall return" or
otherwise.  Guljios figures that this planet is destined for the same fate as
Chronos as long as they've got this castle thingie here, and Roam counters
that even if heaven permits this evildoing, he and his sword will not.
However, that'll be a story for another day - though Roam promises that that
day _will_ arrive.  Deondra asks if it's worth that much to him to save the
life of this boy, and Roam says that he thinks he's coming out pretty darn
well in this deal.  Masato almost can't believe he's being rescued, and Guljios
wryly notes that this would seem to be Roam's turn to "I Shall Return".  He
vows that the next time Roam shows up here, it will be his last.

Gades thanks his faithful servants for their work, inquiring as to the
whereabouts of this new High Libido.  Deondra has tracked it to the Galfa's
plans, though Gades observes that there appear to be a few obstacles in the
way.  Ashura asks permission to go forth and strike down Roam's crew, and
Gades says that he doesn't want people around him who are just talk with no
show.  He orders all his commanders to go forth and bring him the head of
Roam Stoll, as well as the High Libido which grants eternal life.  Anyone in
the way is to be forcibly eliminated.

At Gear HQ, Hayato asks Masato who he is.  He replies that he's both Masaki
and Masato, but that he didn't become the lord of Hades.  He firmly says that
he'll live as Masato, and Hayato finally smiles and agrees with Ayato that
Masato has at last found himself.  As your people welcome him, Masato muses
that Masaki probably sought peace in a world destroyed - peace which Masato
has refused.  He's got friends here, he loves the world so the world will love
him back, etc. etc.  Oh, and he's got Miku too [bonus!].

Unfortunately, the ending of this one story has brought forth the beginning of
another.  Your people apparently do deserve to know the names of Roam Stoll
and friends, and after they thank them for all their help Roam tells them
that the Sword-Wolf has led him here to Earth.  The Sword-Wolf turns out to be
[and btw they didn't actually explain this in previous SRW games ^^;;] a sword
which Roam can summon out of thin air.  Its interdimensional powers guide this
troupe of legendary warriors from Chronos, apparently for the sake of
"justice".  Cain is impressed Roam can say that and be perfectly serious,
though Jet adds that in _practical_ terms it means that they're here in pursuit
of the Gyandolar.  Roam seems a bit sad that your people have heard a bit about
this crime syndicate which is aiding the Galfa, and Drill figures it means that
the Gyandolar's misdeeds have reached truly galactic proportions.

Your people want to know what the Gyandolar want on the Earth so badly they'd
send their main base.  Roam allows that the Gyandolar probably wouldn't mind
getting their hands on the power of the Data Weapons, but says that their true
objective is the High Libido - a treasure whispered of on Chronos.  Said
treasure is supposed to grant eternal life, and Ryou wonders if such a
Chronosian treasure would really be on Earth.  Whether or not it actually is,
the Gyandolar are positively here and positively raising hell.  Your people
and Roam's quickly agree to fight side by side.  What's odd is, Roam and
friends already _defeated_ the Gyandolar - oh well, you'll figure out what
happened sooner or later.  Misato recommends returning to Gear HQ to continue
healing the Data Weapons, and Roam suddenly pricks up his ears at the mention
of their assailant - if he's right, you'd better *hurry*.

Eris is explaining that the Data Weapons, which are after all some massive
programs, have been infected with some sort of "virus".  Roam shows up,
telling them that Ragou is rumored to be the personal pet of the Galfan
emperor: a demon which spreads fear and ruin wherever it goes.  The viruses
seem to have destroyed about a third of the two Data Weapons, and everything
Eris and the others can do is only slowing the spread down.  Domon and Roam
agree that there may be a way: antivenin is usually made from the animal that
produced the poison to begin with.  The boys are determined to head to the
moon straight away, to haul the beast out of the Spiral Castle with their bare
hands if they have to.  Roam likes their spirit, and Vega and Domon are also
prepared to go to the moon to help them.

Misumaru approves this plan, allowing Bright to divide his forces in two.  He
cautions bright about the Giganos activities on the moon: Operation Moonraker
has been approved, and he doesn't want to provoke the Giganos prematurely.
In fact, the part of your squad sent to space will be asked to take part in
Moonraker once their current task is done.  Ruri will be in charge of the
space contingent, which will include the mobile suits, Deimos, and so forth.
Hugo and Aqua can choose to go to space or stay on the Earth.

 [See routes *S and *E.]


Stage 6Sa. Break through the Falcon

Ruri is going to give everyone some free time until the space launch, telling a
somewhat startled Vega to let Ginga and Hokuto head home.  Ruri all but insists
that Vega take advantage of this chance to go home too, causing Vega to wonder
if Ruri has guessed her true identity.  Harry figures that the Nadesico is his
home, and, blushing, denies that that's because Ruri is here.  Ruri ponders how
the Nadesico is where her home and family are...

Judou wants Riina to stay here and help out Eris, since they're the same age.
Riina says that she can't write complicated code like Eris can, but Judou says</pre><pre id="faqspan-9">
that there are other ways for her to help out besides that.  In return, Judou
vows to return just like he always does.

Hokuto is glad to be home with his mother and grandfather, not minding his
father's absence too much.  His mother has fixed him his favorite stew, which
Saionji says is the first thing Hokuto's mother ever made for him.  As Hokuto
chats about his supposed "educational" tour, he frets about his Data Weapons
suffering.  Saionji is glad to hear that Hokuto's been making new friends, and
then asks what Hokuto would do if someone told him to fight the various enemies
facing mankind right now.  Hokuto says that he's not sure... he'd probably be
pretty scared, but his father told him that there's times when the only way to
live on is to fight.  He's pretty sure he'd fight if he had to, and Saionji
seems quite happy with that answer.  Hokuto's mother asks if she could have a
few moments alone with Saionji, and Hokuto happily heads off to his room.

Saionji then muses about Hokuto's maturation as the destined pilot of the
Dendou.  Hokuto's mom is sad about seeing her son thrust into battle, but
Saionji says that everyone has it equally bad in this war.  Nobody would _want_
this for their children, and he would take that burden away from them himself
if he could.  But the Dendou has chosen, and unless they all protect this
planet, those children will have no future at all.  He's learned to hate the
Galfa in the seventeen years since she came to the Earth, and will be damned if
this world meets the same fate hers did.  He tells her to stop hanging her head
- she can't fight that way, and all feelings eventually take physical form.
Should she be gloomy and sad, eventually the children will lose their way.  He
asks if she'll be able to fight Altair without hesitation should she meet him
again (she slowly says yes), and tells her to go forth and protect the children
and this world.

Midori is surprised to see her son home too, saying that his abrupt comings and
goings are a lot like her reporter husband (currently somewhere off in Spain).
Midori delicately asks how things are going for Ginga, wondering if he isn't in
any kind of danger with all the uproar around the world.  Ginga says
confidently that the Dendou and your squad will surely prevail, and Midori says
that both his sister and she herself are supporting Dendou every day.  At that
point, Ginga nearly breaks down and confesses that he's a pilot, but Midori
tells him that as long as he's doing okay she's fine with whatever he's doing.
She promises that he'll always have a home to come home to.

Meanwhile, Maiyo is briefing Giltall on the ground troops' report on Federation
activities.  Giltall realizes the Federation is readying their
counteroffensive, and Dorchenov once again begs him to use the mass drivers.
He says that Giganos forces are being driven back to their HQ on the moon, and
Giltall tells him to use the iron will of the troops to defend the base, even
if it costs them their lives.  When Dorchenov doesn't get the message, Giltall
tells him not to make him repeat himself, and Maiyo notes that your squad is
said to be heading to the moon.  They would form the core of this
counteroffensive, so if they can be struck down ahead of time it would surely
prove a great blow to Federation resolve.  Even slowing them down would be
advantageous in Giltall's book, and he orders Maiyo to take his best men and
strike.

In fact, scarcely does the Nadesico make it out of the Earth's atmosphere
before Maiyo's men attack.  Ginga doesn't like wasting time here, but realizes
it's necessary to reach their ultimate goal.  Besides, this will take the heat
off the other forces who are getting Moonraker started.  Maiyo's men are aghast
at facing the top two aces from the Jion war, and Maiyo wonders why the Red
Comet would point his bow at the Giganos.  He tells his men to consider such
worthy opponents as their good fortune, ordering everyone to protect the road
to the moon with their lives if need be.  Harry says that your people have
fifteen turns to break through lest the mission to save the Data Weapons get
off schedule, and Quatro tells everyone to do it in seven.

 Maiyo calls up Char, wanting to know why he's here, after the Zabi House has
 already fallen.  Char's ideals of revolutionizing mankind should be one and
 the same with Giganos's.  Char tells him that Giganos is in too much of a
 hurry: what mankind needs right now is not a violent revolution, but for
 someone to perceive where the flow of mankind's time is headed.  All people
 are granted but a brief time in this world, and until someone can discern the
 meaning behind that fact, all attempts to force a revolution will merely
 result in that revolutionary's destruction - just like Jamitof and Hamarn.
 He says that the Giganos are on the same path - their vaunted "iron resolve"
 only produces fear and hatred in those subjected to it.  Char is quite
 confident that your squad can liberate people from that fear: the Giganos'
 mass drivers, far from being a "sword which cleaves evil", are merely an
 instrument for turning back the clock.  And that's why Char is here - to stop
 people like Maiyo.  He tells an obviously skeptical Maiyo that the age to
 come will not be built by some cabal of old men, a fact he learned from
 Camille and Judou.  Maiyo says that Char should have learned from the One
 Year War and the Grips War that the foolish multitudes need governing,
 prompting Amuro to ask why the Giganos insist on using mass drivers.  What
 use is there in ruining the environment and ending countless lives?  Maiyo
 says that they're just there to balance the threat of the Federation [ooh,
 Cold War brinksmanship!], the proof of which is that Giltall hasn't
 authorized their use since hostilities began.

 Amuro says that that's no guarantee that they won't be used again, and rather
 doubts that the initial round of strikes was the necessary birth pains of a
 new era.  He accuses the Giganos of self-righteously inflicting their own
 revolutionary vision on others, and Camille adds that the Giganos are
 pointing their swords the wrong way.  Maiyo at length figures that your two
 sides are mutually exclusive, but Saburouta isn't so sure.  Roam astutely
 points out that if Maiyo's resolve was _truly_ unbendable, he wouldn't have
 asked your people his question in the first place.  He tries to insist that
 he has no indecision, but Roam vows to smash it wide open with his fists.

 One of the bad guys has a Propellant Tank.  Another has a High-Performance
 Scope.

 Kyoujirou has an interesting quote for Maiyo: "That which brings greatest
 misfortune to man, is man".  He tells the "Hawk" of the Giganos to change his
 name to "vulture" if he plans on fixing the world by making others cry.
 Judou meanwhile certainly doesn't think the Federation is good for the
 Spacenoids, but swore the day Hamarn was defeated that he'd never let someone
 try to _force_ change ever again.  Char doesn't mind that nobody believes in
 him any more - his job now is to protect the young ones who will lead the
 next age.  In fact, even if he doesn't step forth, someone, sooner or later
 will... in fact, a time is coming when everyone will step forth together!
 Roam adds that the Sword-Wolf led him to lend his strength to your people;
 thus, they're on the side of justice.  He tells Maiyo that the world the
 Giganos is trying to build, floating on the tears of many lives, will
 eventually sink.  He's worth a Thruster Module.

 As soon as the Nadesico reaches the appointed spot, your mission to the Moon
 continues.  Which is good, since the viruses are on the attack...

Word reaches the Spiral Castle of the Dendou's impending invasion.  Ragou is
going nuts as your force, depleted by two Data Weapons no less, approaches.
Ragou's rage is so fierce that the Castle orders the entire block containing it
sealed - leaving 2300 mechanical beasts to become its lunch.  Better than
letting the emperor know Ragou got hurt in the previous battle, and the Castle
orders Ragou kept inside the castle until your forces arrive - should anything
happen to it, all of their lives are forefeit...


Stage 6Ea. Akaki Ryuu no Kagayaki ("The Red Dragon's Radiance")

The Vegans have a deal for Brai, which at first sounds implausible given that
the Vegans are here to take over the Earth and all.  Zuril, chief scientist, is
also in overall charge of these negotiations, and tells Hidler to mind his
manners when addressing him.  Brai halts Hidler's tirade, and starts by
complimenting the Vegan ambassador on actually finding this hidden base.  The
implication is that the Vegans could in fact _attack_ this base if they felt
like it, though Zuril diplomatically says that he seriously doubts the Vegans
would escape unharmed were they to actually fight the mighty Hundred Demons.
He points out that both their people share a common enemy, and Brai figures
anyone with enough guts to come into his house alone might actually be worth
signing a truce with.  In particular, that enemy is your squad, who alone among
the pitiful humans pose any sort of threat.  However, Brai's cooperation in
striking your squad down is contingent on the Vegans actually showing him their
might - for instance, part of your squad is hanging out at the Saotome lab
right now.  This strikes Zuril as good timing, since he's got this energy
neutralization field gadget he'd be happy to install in any sufficiently large
vehicle the Hundred Demons might have to loan him.  Brai looks forward to
seeing him destroy the Saotome Lab, saying that the Vegans are more than
welcome to the spoils that will bring.  Glar happily escorts Zuril, looking
forward to studying Vegan technology up close.  Brai meanwhile tells Hidler not
to worry - he doesn't trust the Vegans at all, but is curious about whatever
exigency made them come to him for help.  Brai figures to use the Vegans to
help solve all his other problems (Mu, Giganos, etc.)

Saotome has summoned the crew to his lab to upgrade the Getter Ray control
apparatus in Getter G... or at least to try.  He says that Getter research is
advancing on a daily basis, and while he doesn't like using Getter Rays for
combat, he figures that defeating evil in battle amounts to the same thing as
using Getter tech for peace.  In fact, you get to put this to the test right
now!

Hidler tells Zuril that this is the Getter lab they've tried so often to
topple, without success due to Getter's friends always getting in the way.
Well, those friends aren't here right now (though they'll be here shortly,
thanks to a distress call by Aqua), and the bad guys think they can finally
win.  Hayato's not surprised to see that the Vegans and Hundred Demons have
joined forces, and your people have to hold out and keep the bad guys from
reaching the lab.  [This requires a modicum of finesse.]

 The first time you tangle with the main bad guy, you find out that he's got
 that energy absorbing field protecting it, AND that it's loaded with
 explosives to take out the lab.  The Getter team doesn't want to let that
 happen, but one Hayato's legs gets shot.  All the same, you've got no choice
 but to hold out until the Ner Argama shows up.

 If you can hold the thing off for another two turns, the Mother Burn returns
 to watch your (futile, they think) resistance continue.  Aqua knows _how_ to
 breach the bad guy's field: hit it with a sufficiently large amount of
 energy.  Hugo and Aqua can't produce that much energy at the drop of a hat
 even with their new mech, so they plan to try to enlarge their TE Sphere and
 physically restrain the beast until charging is complete, but Saotome figures
 that now's the one and only time to test out his new invention.  He tells the
 Getter Team that they've got to use the new weapon he's installed in Getter,
 untested though it may be: the Shine Spark!  This requires concentrating all
 the Getter Machines' energy into Dragon at once, and the three pilots have to
 match their timing to within a tenth of a second.  The others are worried
 about Hayato's injury affecting his timing, especially when they've only got
 one shot at this, but he's determined to make this work even if it breaks his
 injured leg entirely in half.

 Of course it works, and of course Hidler's astonished insults fall on deaf
 ears.  And of course the rest of your dudes show up just then.  The bad guys
 have some reinforcements too, but it's unlikely they'll do much good...

 When the Mother Burn gets blasted, Hidler wants to stay to fight to the
 bitter end, but Zuril wants to pull back, saying there's nothing more they
 can do here today.  Plus, this was only the opening salvo...

 The enemies have a Screw Module, a Cartridge, and a Megabooster.

Saotome thanks your people for once again saving his butt, but Bright says he
only did what's right.  Freed is worried about the Vegans joining forces with
the Hundred Demons, but Tetsuya figures any such alliance will crumble soon
enough under the weight of self-interest.  Freed sure hopes he's right...

Meanwhile, Hidler wants to know what the hell Zuril was doing back there - why
did he withhold some of his forces?  Zuril says blithely that he figured he
could win with that few forces, and says it's an honor that Hidler would be
counting on his warpower that much.  Brai forestalls any further argument,
though he cautions Zuril that a failure is still a failure - he wants Zuril to
go all out from the get-go next time.  Zuril will keep that in mind, and has a
request for Brai: Super Alloy nu-Z, the rare metal Great Mazinger's body is
made out of.  The only place to get that is the Science Fortress Laboratory,
and Zuril wants Brai's people's help in wrecking the place.  Hidler doesn't
like Zuril's smooth tongue and figures he can't be trusted, but Brai orders him
to work with Zuril on this next operation.  Zuril figures that with this idiot
Hidler's help, the nu-Z is as good as his, thus completing one of his missions.
He can feel himself taking the stuff back to the Skull Moon Base already.


Stage 6Mb. Kagayaku Yaiba wa Bokura to Tomo ni ("The Shining Sword Is With Us")

Your people are ready with an ultramagnetic net.  The Galfa figure that your
people must have lost your senses to come calling like this, and reiterate
not to let Ragou outside, lest the Dendou injure it and the emperor get
pissed.  This means that your people have to lure it out, and Vega reminds
everyone that this is not supposed to be some final fragdown - as soon as
Ragou emerges, you're to lure it directly to the net.  Assuming, of course,
that they can stop arguing about what to _call_ this operation! [^^;;;]

 Word comes of the virus' acceleration a couple turns in.  Camille has to
 remind the boys to concentrate on their mission and not become too impatient
 in the quest to lure Ragou out.

 By the way, note that this is the first [and possibly only] battle where
 Status Ailments really come into their own.  Be warned.

 Keep up the battle and Ragou will go berserk.  The Spiral Castle dispatches
 some goons to try to bring it back, all to no avail.

 When you get Ragou into position, you're about to extract its data when
 the Gyandolar show up, trying to imitate Roam.  When your people don't
 immediately reveal the location of the Meteo Cube, Devil Satan 6 sends out
 Bug, the evil Tenkuu Chuushin-Ken user.  Roam defeated this guy in the
 past, but apparently Guljios rebuilt his sorry ass and sent him back for
 revenge.  Roam is about to send him straight back to hell, but Devil Satan
 6 wrecks the Ultramagnetic Net, letting Ragou rampage once more.  As the
 lives of the Data Weapons hang in the balance, the boys vow that they won't
 fall here.  Happily, Ritsuko calls up Gear HQ at that point with some
 additional antiviral stuff to help save the injured Weapons' lives.  Eris
 and Riina will do what they can, and Riina wills her brother to hurry.
 Judou, sensing her urgency, suggests that your group resort to its usual
 old tactics: just kick Ragou's ass and then collect its data.

 Reduce Ragou to less than 10% of its HP, but don't kill it.  When this
 happens, it'll go even more berserk than before, attacking Dendou and
 depleting all its energy.  It looks like the end has come, both for Dendou
 and for the injured Data Weapons, but a glowing girl shows up and says
 that she'll grant them a new power.  Leo and Unicorn magically appear on
 the scene, and the girl says that the King is coming if they but call its
 name: "Kiba".  This causes the Unicorn and Leo to merge into the
 Overbeast Lord, which Vega hastily arranges to merge with the Dendou.
 The resulting Final Attack, of course, blows Ragou entirely out of the water.

 The bad guys have an Apogee Motor, a Cartridge, and a Biosensor.

Your team gets to praise the two boys for all their hard work which summoned
the Overbeast Lord to them.  Time to head off hastily and help out in
Operation Moonraker!

Dorchenov is STILL at it about the mass drivers, and Giltall tells him to get
his sorry ass to the front lines instead of bitching.  Dorchenov pulls a gun
on him, which Giltall calls disgraceful.  Of course, Dorchenov shoots Giltall,
and of course, Maiyo rushes in to find his leader bleeding all over the
carpet.  With his last words, Giltall says that the mass drivers must not be
used on the Earth.  AND OF COURSE, Dorchenov blames the shooting on Maiyo,
and of course Maiyo's loyal lackeys break in with all guns blazing and
save him...


Stage 6Eb. Bouaku no Yoroi Musha ("The Ravaging Knight")

Min wants to know what the enormous Metal Armor they just brought into their
hangar is.  It's Gun's trump card, the Gilgazamne: the very latest in a certain
line of mecha being secretly tested throughout the Far East.  Somehow, he
convinced the scientists developing it to let him have it, and is quite proud
of its matching sword armament.  Jin gets a pensive look, and explains that
according to the rumors he's heard this mech uses a biofeedback system that
vastly decreases control latency and improves agility.  That assumes all the
bugs are worked out of it, and Gun tells Min not to turn sissy on him like the
dudes at the lab.  He needs power to take down the Dragnar and your squad, and
he doesn't mind betting on an unproven mech to achieve it.  His pride and
stubborn resolve won't let him hear of backing away from this one, despite
Min's highly uncharacteristic misgivings (feminine intuition?).  To buy time
for the Gilgazamne to get fully configured, Gun has Ganan and Gol slow your
squad down.  They can't guarantee that they won't simply _wipe_out_ your squad
first, and Min fervently hopes they do so Gun never has to use this new mech.

Linda has been analysing combat records of Cain and Gun, and has concluded that
there's no way Cain could beat him in a one on one fight, no matter what the
circumstances.  This serves as an unfortunate reinforcement for a nightmare
Cain had, though he doesn't want to let on.  Linda is astute enough to note his
lack of sleep, and cautions him that Gun may well be seeking some final battle
now that the Giganos forces are nearly finished in space.  Cain tries to put on
a brave face, hating to see the sadness in Linda's eyes.

Cain is really into training with the Gundam Fighters, but it doesn't seem to
be going well if Sai's 138 consecutive "deaths" tally is right.  He's been at
this for three days straight, and some of the other squad members are wondering
whether Cain can actually learn "mikiri": "anticipating" an opponent's strikes
this way.  Domon intones that such anticipation involves avoiding an opponent's
blow by a paper's breadth, and that attack and defense are the two sides of
that paper.  Miku adds that the way one fights in battle depends heavily on
whether or not you can see your opponent's attacks, and it's pretty clear
that mikiri is not something you can just pick up in a few days.  This type of
dodging by a paper's breadth is impossible if you've got even the slightest
bit of fear - you must have absolute faith in your technique.  And while it's
true that Cain has made it out of some dreadful scrapes in his D1, it's not to
be hoped for that he'd achieve truly complete confidence in a mere few days'
time.  Asuka wishes that Domon would hurry up and tell Cain himself that, and
your other people muse over whether Cain is doing himself any good with all
this practice.  After all, there may well be no need to oblige Gun in a
close-combat contest when you've got ranged weapons.  Shinji wonders if Cain
just hasn't figured that out yet, and Domon says that neither can Cain beat
Gun this way, nor would he likely want to.  What Cain needs in the battle is
not so much swordsmanship as _heart_, though perhaps not Meikyo Shisui, the
mirror-like stillness of the pool of one's heart that Domon learned from
Schwarz.  What he _needs_ is desperation, discovering the roots of his own
life force beyond the fear and naivete - and Domon is quite confident that
George and Sai can bring that forth in Cain.

As Cain gets beaten the 144th time, he asks for another round.  George and Sai
tell him he'd best abandon the phrase "one more time" - in a real battle, you
don't get to come back from the dead for more.  He realizes that quite well,
and knows that Gun will be his personal grim reaper unless he can master
mikiri.  And, lo and behold, Gun's men are coming _right_ _now_.  George stops
Cain from sortying with the crew, saying with a smile that if Cain was planning
on going to die he'd rather Cain devote his life to practicing with him.  Tub
and Light tell him to go on practicing, knowing that he'll only get one chance
in the actual battle.  George says that Cain must surely have his reasons for
not wanting to lose: comrades, people near him, and especially the precious
flower by his side.  Cain likes the sound of that, saying that he now
understands why George gets to be his teacher.

There's a lot of the bad guys, though Gol has to be reminded that he's here
to buy time for Gun, not to go running too far ahead.  Freed tells your people
not to underestimate the bad guys' resolve, especially with their mother
country under such duress on the moon.  Your people notice that Gun is missing,
and Cain's companions really hope Cain figures out mikiri fast.

 Once the initial bad guys are wiped out, Gun and some more lackeys appear.
 The giant Metal Armor the bad guys have looks like some kind of knight in
 armor.  Gun is FURIOUS to find out that you killed his lackeys, and will
 cast a few choice spells.

 On the following round, Gun gets tired of fighting all your guys and decides
 to go straight for the head.  Your people are quite nonplussed at how agile
 his gigantic mech is, and the Ner Argama suffers a grevious blow.  But as
 Linda and everyone else scream for help, Cain sorties.  It seems he's
 finally learned mikiri, handily parrying and counterattacking Gun.  Your
 people are quite impressed, and George says Cain is using his Oui Mu-shu
 quite well.

 One of the bad guys has a Repair Kit.  Another has an Image Sensor.  Another
 has a Weak EWAC.

 Reduce Gun Jem to half his HP and he'll go berserk, presumably due to the
 control system overwhelming his senses.  One of your people suggests leaving
 him be and watching him self destruct, but Cain and Allenbie figure you've
 got to put paid to him now, or he'll go on haunting you forever.

Your people catch their breath after the fall of the Gun Jem squad, hoping
that the Giganos don't have more of those Metal Armors stored up somewhere.
When Linda thanks Cain for saving the day, he tells her to thank his teacher
George - who in turn says that Cain's innate samurai talent, plus the
princess waiting for him, did the trick.  Cain doesn't know the word for
"princess" in French, and Asuka isn't going to tell him...


Stage 6Mc. Moonraker

The Nadesico docks at La Vie En Rose to resupply, hearing from Emily that
the Dragoons have penetrated all the way to the Giganos' third defensive line.
This is faster than expected, and Emily notes that the enemy's resistance
seems to have abruptly gotten much weaker.  Amuro remembers something like this
happening long ago at A Bao A Qu, when Giren Zabi was assassinated.  What if
the same thing is happening with the Giganos?

Maiyo's men are helping him escape, and are amazed to see their mecha unharmed.
It seems they've got some help from others in the Army, who urge Maiyo to
flee before the Federation forces make it the rest of the way through.  Maiyo
is expecting Dorchenov's forces to be waiting outside this hangar, and tells
his men to escape while he opens a path for them.  To their surprise, he
says he's planning to stay behind, and fulfill Giltall's wishes by destroying
the mass driver.  His men of course protest that they want to go on fighting
by his side, but he orders them to go, adding that they are to gather what
sympathizers they can and wait for a chance to rebuild.  His men reluctantly
comply, showing him the spot that has to be destroyed to take down the mass
driver.  Since the thing is already in a firing cycle, he's got five turns
before it fires.

 Dorchenov isn't happy to see Maiyo heading to destroy his trump card, and
 orders his men to prepare his Metal Armor - he'll take Maiyo down himself.
 His mood isn't improved when he hears that the Dragoons have broken through
 the final barrier.  He tells his men to die rather than abandon their
 defeses, and is infuriated still further that Northstar doesn't seem to be
 living up to his promise of aid.

 On turn 2, Maiyo figures he's come far enough and orders his men to retreat.
 Dorchenov shows up, once again accusing Maiyo of treachery and shooting
 Giltall, and Maiyo figures this could make a fitting end for the Blue Hawk.
 He's prepared to lay down his life in order to take out the Mass Driver.

 Once the Mass Driver is taken out, Maiyo tells Dorchenov that his life is
 forfeit, with the Federation this close.  Dorchenov says that that's his
 line, and that if he does nothing else he'll send Maiyo to hell first.  As
 Dorchenov's forces blast Maiyo, Maiyo figures that he's done everything he
 set out to do: he has no regrets.

 Your people show up, and Dorchenov furiously orders all remaining Metal
 Armors to try to stop you (note that he doesn't stick around).  Your
 people are kind of amazed to see the Mass Driver already out of commission,
 and realize that there is some kind of internal strife plaguing the Giganos.
 Your mission in any case is to reach the core of the facility.

 When you get one of your minions inside the facility, Dorchenov will dispatch
 more guards, figuring that even if he loses this facility he still has
 "that"... whatever "that" is.

 Once you actually breach the door, Dorchenov proceeds to flee the scene.
 Some of Northstar's goons show up, saying that they won't let your people
 take out Dorchenov, who still is of some use to them.

 When you break down the final door to the inner sanctum, who should be there
 but Northstar!  Smiling his shit-eating smile, he tells you all that you've
 won this battle.  Kazuya is predictably not happy to see him, powering up
 and going on the warpath to get Erika back.  When Northstar tells your people
 that he's going to keep you company for a while, Akito (who still refuses
 to answer Ryouko's cries) warps over first.  Northstar observes that this
 vengeful person still seems to be floating on the ocean of despair, and Akito
 says that once he defeats Northstar that'll be over too.

 When Northstar is reduced to 50% or less of his HP, he says that he's done
 mixing it up with you and vanishes.  Akito goes off in pursuit, leaving
 Ryouko and Ruri to lament.  However, there's not too much lamentation since
 the Giganos phone up to announce their surrender.  Quatro is quick to point
 out that things aren't totally finished yet - the Giganos still have one
 more stronghold left, and until that's taken out their resistance will
 likely continue in guerilla fashion.  Vega tells a somewhat disappointed
 Ginga that you've still done a lot of good here, removing the threat of
 the mass driver and throwing the Giganos chain of command into chaos.

 A few of your people are then posted as guards.  Aqua and Hugo muse on how
 Albero didn't show up - maybe he's down on Earth with the Gun Jem squad?
 As Ginga and Hokuto banter about taking a shower when they get off duty and
 wonder if they should have the Data Weapons help patrol, a bunch of Galfa
 warp out from nowhere and proceed to start smacking around the Dendou.
 Altair's there too, but he's not here to frag down with the Dendou.  He
 contacts Vega on the executive radio channel, asking why the two of them have
 to fight - the two of them are siblings.  He asks if she's forgotten the time
 they spent together on their homeworld, and asks her to come with him to
 make all that's wrong right.  As Vega heads towards him, Hokuto tries to
 intervene and gets blasted by Altair, who tells him to stay out of his way.
 When Hugo tries to pursue, Altair repeats his warning and starts carpet-
 bombing the place from a Galfa ship overhead.  Hokuto yells at Altair to give
 Vega back, and Altair furiously yells back that it's because of the two of
 them that Vega is...  That Vega is _what_, demands Ginga.  He claims that
 it's because of them and Dendou fighting that Vega is made to suffer and
 the universe thrown into chaos.  Altair demands to know why you foolish
 humans desire blood that much, desire chaos that much?!?  Fortunately, this
 goes right over the boys' heads, and Hokuto once again demands Vega back.

 Unfortunately, Altair out and says that Vega is his little wayward sister,
 dragged into fighting on a side she shouldn't be fighting for, that of the
 true enemy and its pilots.  He tells them that if they keep on piloting the
 Dendou, they will become the true destroyers of space, and their will to
 fight wavers.  This in turn causes the Data Weapons to leave them, and
 Altair hastily saves them himself with a few additional words of scorn for
 the boys.  As they wonder despondently what to do, Altair prepares to take
 out this other Gear that so threatens the peace of the universe.

 Roam isn't having that, and pops out to tell Altair not to think he can
 mislead the hearts of others forever with his power and self-serving lusts.
 Violence cannot separate hands firmly holding each other - this is what
 people call a "bond".  Altair SO doesn't deserve to know Roam's name.
 Rather, Altair is quite pissed that Roam has pulled this routine on him
 _three_ times now, but Roam is determined to let this person and his head
 full of false memories feel the full force of his Fists of Justice.  He tells
 Altair that his memories of the Dendou being the true destroyer are absurd -
 the only destroyers around here are the Galfa.  Altair's attempts to argue
 are cut short, and he flees during a rash of explosions.

 The bad guys have a Jammer, a Lamune, and a Weak EWAC.


Stage 6Ec. Kanraku no Soko e no Shoutaijou ("Invitation to the Depths of
Defeat")

Helena is reporting that the Vermillion Test which broke into Terra went
quite well.  All it will take now is swiping a bit of combat data to allow
mass production to begin, and Barbem tells her to send "that" to your
people - it should get him plenty of good data in a short amount of time.
Helena also tells him that she knows where the Star of La Mu is - all she
still has to investigate is how to open the door.  Barbem is sure that "she"
is the key to that door, but given that she managed to hide that fact even from
him for so long, he supposes that they may have no choice but to bide their
time for now.  His answer is to send "them" to "that land", and examine what
results.

Helena is dispatched to Mutropolis, which has Professor Hibiki on edge.  It
seems she's here to study the Mutron ruins beneath Reideen's mountain -
something Hibiki has refused many times before.  She assures him her interests
are purely scientific, but just then the enemy attack: numerous heat sources
inbounds under the earth and in the water.  It's the Death Army, and Hibiki
wishes they'd stop trying to raid him for the Star of La Mu when it isn't even
here (Helena seems to have other ideas about that).  Helena says that while
she's got help on the way, maybe it would be a good idea to bring in your
squad.  That "help" is Elfi, who certainly didn't expect to see Helena Barbem
here.  The mech Elfi is piloting is a "Vermillion", although Helena claims
that this humanoid weapon is not actually a mass-production Rahxephon.  Hibiki
is uneasy about the thing, but all Elfi cares about is that her combat results
continue to rise, as Helena says she expects of her.  Elfi wants to face the
Mu without Ayato's help (fat chance!)

 On turn two, the scientists realize that the Death Army seem headed not for
 Mutropolis, but Reideen's mountain.  Maybe they're after the Mutron ruins,
 and Helena tells Elfi to keep the bad guys away from said mountain: the
 "cradle of the divine bird-man".

 On the next turn, Michelo and more Death Army goons show up.  Elfi thinks
 she can still fight all these guys, but just as they're about to prove her
 wrong a mysterious figure intervenes.  This person tells all these walking
 dead that the other souls in Hell are getting tired of waiting for their
 return.  It's Kiral Mekirel, the Grim Reaper here to take the dead back
 to their appointed place.  Michelo asks what this dude thinks he can do,
 but Kiral says that his eyes see nothing but the fires of hell burning the
 bodies of the dead he hunts.  He plans to bury his lethal blade deep within
 Michelo's chest, and thereby allow him to reach Paradise.  He informs
 Elfi that he and she have to hang on a little longer until Domon shows up.

 Take down enough of the enemy and your people will show up.  Domon and his
 friends are pleasantly surprised to see Kiral on the scene in his Mandala
 Gundam.  Hibiki tells his son that the bad guys seem to be here to try to
 find some clues to the Star of La Mu in the ruins, and tells your people
 to keep them out at all costs.  Reideen's energy output unexpectedly rises,
 a warning of something... but what?  Elena says that she wants to run
 this as a joint exercise with the Rahxephon and Vermillion, but for some
 reason Rahxephon is refusing to move.  With no other choice, your people
 press on, and Helena figures that Rahxephon is warning of the divine
 birdman about to recover the radiance of the stars. [Um, yeah.]

 Take out enough of the enemy and Michelo says that he's not gonna pull out
 easily today - "its" resurrrection is very close.  He refuses to tell your
 people whether he's talking about the Devil Gundam, and sends you a little
 invitation to Defeat.  Among the new arrivals are some Gundams, including
 Chapman (one of the DG's four generals) in the Grand Gundam, and Allenbie's
 old Volta Gundam!  Michelo orders her to give her body and mind to "it"
 just as in old times - everything will go just as she wants it to.  Allenbie
 hasn't forgotten the lessons Domon and Rain taught her, and she has no
 intention of getting back aboard that thing.

 The bad guys have a High Performance Scope, a Super Repair Kit, and a
 Long Range Radar.

Thanks to your people, the bad guys did no more than scratch the mountain -
the ruins within are safe.  Rahxephon is still out of commission, and Haruka
is sure it's due to something around here.  After making introductions, Elfi
and Helena explain that the Vermillion is to be mass-produced as one of
Terra's weapons against the Mu.  Kiral is also going to hang with your crew,
and Helena requests that Bright head back to Niraikanai to check on
Rahxephon... "just to be on the safe side", and over Haruka's objections.


Stage 6Md. Niji wo Koete ("Over the Rainbow")

The Dendou pilots are in a _serious_ funk, like George Clinton but whiter.
The whole business of Vega being Altair's little sister and them being the true
destroyers of the universe is a tad hard to swallow, but Roam tells them that
their Data Weapons didn't leave them because they're the bad guys.  They left
because they felt the boys' hesitation, and Kyoujirou tells Ginga that it's
entirely up to him whether he actually ends up as some Destroyer or not.
Kazuya explains that power knows neither good nor evil - it's how the power
is used that matters.  That said, the boys can't fight anymore, and Roam tells
the two of them to rest and recover for now.  The good news is that Vega's
life is likely not in danger if she really is Altair's sister... and the bad
news is how Ouga has all the Data Weapons.  The boys quietly walk away, broken
in a way your people have not seen them before.  Roam notes that true strength
is not a matter of being undefeated, but of recovering when defeat comes.
Even he doesn't know whether the boys can manage that, and the plan is for the
Nadesico to return to Gear HQ...

The boys haven't been home in a long time, and Hokuto is rather surprised to
find that his mother isn't home.  His surprise grows when Kiyokuni shows up
to take him to Gear HQ - despite this being Hokuto's time off, he tells
Hokuto that someone is calling him...  Ginga gets taken along too (and none
too happily), and Yotsuya tells them there's a person they're to meet.  In
fact, they're not alone - Hokuto's father Keisuke is here too, at Saionji's
behest.  Saionji tells his son-in-law and the boys that he's fully aware of
how Hokuto is Dendou's pilot.  Keisuke, frowning, requests a full explanation.

Saionji explains that mankind became aware of the Galfa seventeen years
ago, though tales of a vast empire of machines bent on destroying mankind
seemed very far away at the time.  Opinions at the time were deeply divided,
prompting Saionji to create Gear, waiting for the day it and the Dendou the
Earth had been blessed with could fend off the evil.  The truth comes out about
Vega being Hokuto's mother, which unsurprisingly comes as a great shock to
everyone involved.  Hokuto in particular is having trouble processing this
revelation, and Saionji confirms that Altair really is Vega's older brother...

Ginga, who can't much stand this anymore, plans to go tell his mother
everything, refusing Kiyokuni's offer to intercede.  Ginga struggles to broach
the subject with his mother, and manages to ask whether people he fights
against are as sure they're on the side of right as he is when fighting.
Midori supposes so, and tells Ginga that in a _genuine_ fight, _both_ sides are
"right".  In fact, it's the fact that both sides think they're right that
leads to fighting in the first place.  She tells him that what matters is why
he fights - and that if he isn't fighting for the right reasons nothing will
ever get accomplished.

All indications are that both boys have totally lost the will to fight.  The
sad fact is that you can't wait around for them to recover now that Ouga has
all the Data Weapons.  Yotsuya shows you all an image of a giant spaceship
which appeared in lunar orbit two days ago.  Odds are good that this is
the Galfa mothership, and that Vega's aboard it... but you can't know for sure
since the Federation assault on it was badly outnumbered and faltered.  To
make matters worse, the Ner Argama squad can't be called upon to help out
since they're on a strategically important mission of their own.  Looks like
the Nadesico squad will have to go it alone, and possibly without the Dendou
at this rate.  Ruri has an idea for someone to help them, and asks to use
Yotsuya's phone...

Ginga and Eris come over to Hokuto's house, where Keisuke greets them.  Hokuto
is still in shock, but when Keisuke serves stew he starts breaking down and
wanting the stew his mother made.  Ginga, after a long pause, tells Hokuto to
come with him to save his mother.  He says that, while he still has no clue
what's really going on, he _does_ know that something's very wrong - whether
or not Vega's really Hokuto's mom, and whether or not the Galfa are on the side
of right, there's no way that Vega getting carried off like that could be
right.  Getting increasingly agitated, he tells Hokuto to stuff his face so the
two of them can get their asses moving and have some of his mom's stew for a
change.

Hokuto gets with the program, and both boys are adamant that they want to be
part of the operation to save Vega.  Yotsuya tries to protest that the boys
don't have any weapons to fight with, but Inoue coughs a bit and shows all
the armaments he's been at work on behind the scenes (beams, rifles, missiles,
yo-yos, etc.)  Inoue gets the satisfaction of saying "I thought something like
this might happen, so..."  Your people are either on hand or have sent email
advice on how to use all these weapons, though a Certain Someone(tm) isn't
available to give yo-yo advice (fortunately Ginga has practiced that on his
own).  Ginga is looking forward to hauling all this junk over to Ouga and
hashing out once and for all which side is right in all of this.  With all the
doubting over, all that remains is to pick up this helper Ruri has called upon
and then storm the bastion.

Apparently, Ruri has summoned two reinforcements: Ryouko's fellow Aestivalis
pilots.  One of whom, Hikaru, is happily employed as a shounen manga artist -
and she makes your people help her finish her manga chapter before aiding in
the fight.  Izumi meanwhile has been working as the matron of a bar, having
not lost her touch for deadpan punning...

Midori takes Ginga out back of the house before he goes on another trip.  She
proceeds to demolish a stout tree with one blow of her fist, telling Ginga
to remember that "power lies in the heart".  That lesson learned, the new
arrivals reintroduce themselves to the cast.  Hikaru was delighted to have
Roam on hand to pose for her burning heart manga drawing [O_o;;].  Yotsuya
finally gets around to explaining that not only Vega's fate, but indeed the
fate of the whole world is riding on this mission.  With all in readiness, your
people sally forth!

Vega has been stripped of her "visor" and wig, making her more beautiful than
ever according to Altair.  He says that he's got a reason why he can't remove
his mask, and isn't surprised if she doesn't believe him right away.  She wants
to know why her brother would hook up with the Galfa of all people, and he
says that it's thanks to the kindness of his master, who's sealed his memories
away.... his excessively painful memories of the demise of their homeworld.
His master figured that he was far better off forgetting such things, but
upon him seeing her again his master gave it all back to him.  He figures he
WAS better off without knowing that his only beloved sister would side with
the despicable humans and turn against his lord, the Galfan emperor.  He again
regales her with a speech about humans being the root of all chaos and
destruction in the universe, which she tells him is a false memory.  It was
Galfa, the life-preserving computer gone amok, that attacked their planet in
the first place.  He yells that she's merely been made to think that by the
despicable humans, and then says more calmly that he knows neither of them
are likely to get anywhere by talking.

In fact, his plan is to get the seventh and final Data Weapon and become the
true king of space, a lesson which he figures even she and her mistaken
upbringing should recall.  Vega, already saddened, is surprised by this: there
should be only six Data Weapons.  He replies that the seventh is a bit
different from the others, and that his lord thinks Vega has the clue to it.
Vega wonders aloud if this has anything to do with the image of a shining blade
she saw when Hokuto was born, and Altair demands in fury that she give him the
clue as her penitence for the error of her ways.  She tells him that she
doesn't know, and that even if she did she wouldn't give it to him.  This
earns her a slapping, and Altair coldly tells her he won't ask any more.
Instead, he plans to go kick the asses of the humans who have just shown up,
and then take her to the Galfan emperor so that his power can correct her
memories.  Vega still belives in the power of humanity...

The Galfa are debating whether or not to intervene, knowing that Altair will
brook no attempt to help him.  Giga-gurumei figures that if they play their
cards right, not only the humans but Altair himself can be removed as
obstacles.  Altair sorties his forces to meet you, making for a very target-
rich environment.  Roam councils Hokuto against impatience, and Ginga recalls
his mother's teaching as Izumi's bad puns continue.  Your mission is to break
into the ship, rescue Vega, and blow this ship to kingdom come.

 When you take out the first wave, reinforcements arrive from the Moon.
 Altair predictably doesn't want Giga-gurumei's help, to which Giga-G replies
 that his master is merely concerned about Altair's welfare.  Altair finds
 this grimly amusing and demands to know what Giga-G is up to.  He claims it's
 all about taking down the Dendou, but secretly Giga-G thinks that all sorts
 of strange accidents can happen on the battlefield.  He blasts a hole in
 Altair's ship, figuring that Altair can't hold out much longer and waiting to
 see the end of Ouga and Dendou.  Basically, the big hole in the side of the
 ship means your people have no time to waste in rescuing Vega.

 When you get someone inside the ship, Ruri has the Dendou head inside to
 search for Vega.  Everyone is sure the enemies are lurking somewhere inside,
 and Altair decides to end the farce and just have everyone show up.  This is
 what Ginga was expecting, but he _wasn't_ expecting all the Data Weapons to
 be fighting on Ouga's side.  Everyone is in agreement that the best way to
 break their contract to Ouga is to kick its ass, so the Weapons can return
 to the boys.

 Altair tries to tell the boy who calls Vega his mother that his memories are
 false.  Ginga tells him to go stuff it: _his_ are the false memories.
 Hokuto insists on protecting Vega, which causes Altair to falter until he
 hears the Galfan emperor reassure him that the emperor will protect Vega.
 Once you reduce Altair to 20% of his HP, he tries to order the Unicorn and
 Leo to destroy the Dendou.  As the boys cry out in a moment of burning heart,
 the Data Weapons cease their offensive.  Ouga is furious at this, retreating
 to where Vega is.

 Inside a box is a Super Alloy Z.  Inside another box is a Haro(!)

 When your people break into the core of the enemy ship, you find some Galfan
 holding a struggling Vega.  Ouga is torn between saving her and getting
 in the Dendou's way.  He recalls seeing the light of Arctus long, long ago,
 which the Galfan emperor tries to tell him is the light of the fires of
 war that mankind has spread.  Altair demands to know why Vega is crying
 when the emperor has kindly saved them after losing their home.  The
 emperor however gets carried away in his vainglory, and Altair breaks free
 of his grip.  His mask falls off as he blasts Vega's captor.  He notes
 ironically that he's unfit to be called Vega's "brother" any more, but
 favors her with a smile at long last.  The enemy ship, now out of control,
 is heading towards a rather nasty atmospheric reentry.  The boys tell the
 rest of your squad to hurry on ahead back to the Nadesico, and Amuro agrees:
 the best they can do is to defend the Nadesico from any further assailants
 from the Moon - lest the boys have nowhere to return to.  The boys manage
 to rescue Vega, but Altair wants to stay where he is.  When the Data Weapons
 show up, he tells them to look after Vega.  He yells at the Dendou to go,
 as an almighty explosion rocks the ship...


Stage 6Ed. Kessen!  Daikaijuu  ("The Final Battle vs. the Great Sea Monster")

Boss and his lackeys aren't having much luck fishing (try, none at all).  Boss
laments that not only won't the fish keep them company, but EVERY single girl
in your squad has turned them down too.  It seems they were skeptical about
taking an ocean cruise on the none-too-watertight Borot, despite Boss's
somewhat unauthorized "borrowing" of a Screw Module to keep things afloat.  The
Terra staffers watch your people at play with a mixture of envy and disdain,
though Souichi in particular seems charitably inclined.  Just then, a report
comes in from Great Mazinger about some unidentified object heading for
Niraikanai - and it's not a Dolem.  Nor is it likely to be an Angel, although
the report states that it looks like a life form and that it's moving at very
high speed through the water.  Kunugi orders DEFCON 2, and Kazushiki seems
eager to watch Kunugi's handling of the battle, apparently waiting for him to
slip up.

The underwater defenses _hit_ the thing, but don't slow it down at all.  As
Kunugi goes to DEFCON 1 and scrambles your squad, Boss and friends try to
retreat... but can't make it before the sea monster emerges.  Lucky for them
Tetsuya shows up in hot pursuit... and unluckily for them Tetsuya's Navel
Missiles have no effect.  The monster in fact swallows Boss whole, and then
blasts the factory section before fleeing at incredible speed under
water.  Kazushiki figures this to be some major show of Kunugi's incompetence.

This same monster also raised hell in Kyuushuu, and is now somewhere in the
waters west of Nagasaki.  The various professors are holding an emergency
session to figure out what this thing is, but nothing has come of it yet.
Tensions are high between Tetsuya and Kouji, but Freed tells them not to</pre><pre id="faqspan-10">
argue: what you've got to do is figure out how to take the monster down and
rescue Boss and the others.  The Nadesico sadly can't help out since it's busy
fighting the Galfa and Martian Successors... leaving your people to figure out
how to stop an enemy that shrugged off that Navel Missile.  Tetsuya testily
explains to Kouji why he didn't use the Great Booster, and Misato backs him
up: the monster is apparently full of petroleum.  Had Tetsuya just up and
blasted it, the damage to Niraikanai would have been massively worse.

Kazushiki tries to take the opportunity to berate your people for their late
and ineffectual response to the threat, but Asuka proves useful for a change
by merrily pointing out that Terra's response was even _less_ effectual.
Kazushiki sniffs that your people best watch out lest you get eaten too, and
Cain idly says that the "white snake" is likely to get eaten first.  Bright
cuts this chatter short, verifying that your people have been given
discretion over hunting this beast and ordering everyone to move out.

Kunugi meanwhile reports that this creature is likely some kind of survivor
from prehistoric times and not some kind of alien.  Kunugi is ready to hazard
a more specific guess, but his commander cuts him short: "the ears have walls,
and hats, eyes".  He tells Kunugi that this is unconnected with other events,
and says that this is merely an act of God... or perhaps punishment from God.
He laments that Terra can't fully cooperate with your squad on this one, and
says that he's done all he can just by gathering all the scientists together.

The Hundred Demons have their eye on this paleolithic menace too, but Zuril
meets Hidler's recommendation of catching it with scorn: just how does he plan
to capture a creature impervious to normal weaponry?  Zuril proposes _using_
it instead: he knows quite well that your squad will be sent to confront the
creature.  His recommendation is to strike your people when they're depleted
from the undoubtedly fierce battle, and this strikes the other Demons as a good
idea.  Brai gives Zuril charge of the operation, but tells him to prepare his
own troops - Brai isn't convinced that Zuril isn't just trying to wear out
the Hundred Demons' own resources.  Brai also gives Hidler a squad, telling him
to get rid of Getter Robo.

It seems the creature is called a Dragonosaurus, an "unidentified mysterious
animal" or UMA.  Who comes up with this crap?  Anyways, unlike the yeti or the
Loch Ness Monster, this thing is very real and quite resilient: it regrew a
severed head after a recent Federation attack.  That puts it into the same
class as Dolems or Angels, and Uma figures that something or other must have
brought about a sudden change in it, and Kenzou adds that it may be humankind
itself responsible.  He figures it quite likely that spilt oil, along with
biological and radioactive waste, are the likely culprit.  [Man, when did this
game become a Greenpeace ad?!]  Domon recalls his master's words about how
those who soil Nature will eventually receive in kind.  It's been determined
that the Dragonosaurus responds to certain sounds, and using that it's being
lured onto a small island.  There, it'll get ensnared in a _very_ strong net,
hopefully letting your people finish it off.  The preceding spate of Federation
attacks have shown that as long as you don't damage it too much at once, all
that oil inside won't ignite, and the island in question has been abandoned
since the Second Impact.

As for saving Boss, the plan is to send someone _inside_ the Dragonosaurus,
without their mech.  As Freed wonders about the wisdom of this plan, it turns
out that Miku has volunteered - she's more uniquely qualified than the others
know.  With all settled, Cain is looking forward to your people catching this
_very_ big fish.  But Bright has something to say to Kouji and Tetsuya as
he receives reports of the plan commencing.  He tells the two of them that
should any member of his team (meaning them) lose control of their emotions,
this whole operation could well go awry.  Just then Rose picks up a
transmission... from Boss of all people!  He's in perfectly good health, and
asks your dudes to come rescue him quick.  Tetsuya vows to do so just before
the transmission fades, and Kouji apologizes for his previous words.  The
two of them are ready and raring to team up and beat this monster, and Bright
is glad he didn't have to deliver his full lecture to them.

The monster is en route, and to start things off Getter is to attach the net
once the monster reaches the target.  After that, Miku will go in and fetch
Boss and the others, and then the rest of you can blast the crap out of it.

 Unfortunately, things get messier when the Vegans and Hundred Demons show
 up.  Hidler urges his troops forward, to the irritation of Jigura.  Zuril
 tells him that once Grendizer is defeated, _anything_ could happen.  Jigura
 knows what he's talking about, and is looking forward to a bit of demon
 extermination himself.

 The bad guys will start attacking the Dragonzaurus, and you'd best not let
 them damage it beyond 10% lest it explode and the whole mission be for
 naught.  When you take out enough bad guys Zuril gets pissed off and sends
 in reinforcements.

 The next round, the Dragonzaurus actually starts flying.  You've still got
 to lure it onto the target area, which may take some finagling to get right.
 When you do, Miku goes to work.  She fishes Boss out in short order, who's in
 no shape to fight.  The Dragonzaurus is pretty pissed off at being caught
 in the net, and as it breaks free Saotome notes that it's only fitting that
 this misbegotten spawn of mankind's waste should be finished off by the
 paragons of man's science.  That's your guys in case you didn't notice.  Go
 ahead and waste it, as your people lament how they may be the cause of the
 beast's suffering in the first place.

 The bad guys have a Megabooster, a Shuffle Crest, and a Repair Kit.

Savor the Pyrrhic victory over Mother Nature for a while as your people vow to
end this war quickly and get back to being conservationists.  Gag me with a
spoon.  And Pave the Whales!


Stage 6Me. Tachikirareta LOOP ("Severed Loop")

It looks like the Galfan ship is going down, with both Ouga and Dendou on it.
This is the way the Galfans like it, but not the way the Gear folks would
prefer.  They can get long-range imagery, but no communications due to the
reentry.  Nothing to do but pray your people are okay.

The Nadesico reaches the spot where the Galfan ship is projected to land, and
they've seen no sign of the Dendou making its way out of the ship.  As everyone
tellies Harry not to give up hope, the ship crashlands with a very righteous
explosion.  Only _after_ that does the Dendou show up, perfectly fine and
with Vega in tow, just as the boys promised Amuro.  This is very good news to
the folks at Gear HQ.

Vega is also glad to be alive and united with her son, but isn't so happy
when she remembers the brother who shared her hair and eye color.  As Vega
breaks down crying, Ginga yells that he's gonna forgive the Galfa even LESS
than before... which is good since the Galfa seem to have shown up in hot
pursuit.  They appear to have something up their sleeve - something that's
sapped your people of their energy.  Eris recognizes this EM Interference
Wave, which is preventing the Data Weapons from assuming physical form.  All
your people's energy is being drained, and the only hope is to take down
Giga-gurumei and his cheap little trick.

 Everyone will run out of energy by turn 2.

 Irritatingly, the Gyandolar will show up a few turns in.  They're gleefully
 prepared to exploit this chance when Giga-gurumei tells them not to stick
 their big noses into his business, lest he kick their ass too.  Deondra
 sniffs at this, and tells her men to be sure to take out Roam once and for
 all - but someone is determined to intervene.  It's Altair, very much alive,
 and very much pissed off now that he's finally free of his captors' bonds.
 Using Viper Drive, he proceeds to start smacking Giga-gurumei around,
 breaking the battle field.   This certainly pisses him off some, but the
 Gyandolar still think the odds are on their side.  This changes when the
 Ner Argama shows up, puzzled but glad to see Altair on the side of good for
 a change.

 The bad guys have a Mars Donburi, an Image Sensor, and a Psychoframe.

 All the bad guys will flee if Giga-gurumei is taken down.  Once he is
 defeated, Ouga will collapse, and Altair is rushed to sick bay.

Altair gets to meet the Dendou's pilots and congratulate Vega on what a
wonderful planet this is before succumbing to his wounds.  He tells the boys
that they can have Ouga, and that they're to use their strength to defeat
the Galfa.  The Data Weapons appear, and he tells them to join their new
masters.  He falls silent, but Saionji tells everyone not to worry - Altair
has merely fallen asleep.  He tells a worried Vega that he won't let Altair
die - Altair has more to do in his life.  Altair gets left in Gear HQ's care.

Your dudes fill each other in on what happened on the other path.  It's clear
from the Psycommu-like system in Gun Jem's Metal Armor that the Giganos are
past the point of caring what they do to win.  Linda hears of her brother's
exploits in destroying the mass driver, and she's sure her brother is okay
somewhere.

Saburouta is interested in Getter's new finishing move, joining with
Kiyokuni to explain how such attacks have to have a MANLY, heartfelt name.
Introductions continue, leading to an unpleasant scene wherein Ginga has
heard of Kiral, a Gundam Fighter specializing in assassinating his opponents
before the actual Gundam Fight can even begin.  Kiral speaks persuasively of
how his fight with Domon showed him the error of his ways, offering to let
Ginga strike him as further penance for his past sins.  Ginga won't hit an
unresisting target, and somehow realizes that Kiral doesn't seem to be a bad
guy after all.  With the bad feelings out of the way, things proceed...

..to Amuro, who's studying the Vermillion and noting that it looks an awful
lot like Rahxephon.  Elfi explains that that's only natural since the Barbem
built the thing from their Rahxephon research, but Amuro was actually thinking
that it looks more like a Dolem... he shrugs it off as just his imagination.
Amuro also passes along a message that everyone is to return to Niraikanai,
possibly something to do with the currently unsortiable Rahxephon.  Elfi
opines that Rahxephon seems to be a pretty unreliable weapon, unsuitable for
trusting peoples' lives to.  Amuro would agree, _assuming_ Rahxephon is in
fact a weapon.  He points out the link between it and Reideen, and says that
it may be that Rahxephon has some thought process of its own that led it to
not fight.  Elfi blithely says that that's all the more reason for Rahxephon
to be buried - and she'd fill in the grave in her Vermillion.  Amuro tells
this junior officer that while he knows her comment is occasioned by her
thoughts for her comrades, and not pride or vainglory, Rahxephon's disposition
falls to Commander Kunugi, not her (or him).  Amuro opines that all ultimately
depends on Ayato's will to fight, and lightly cautions Elfi not to get too
worked up.  As she walks off, Amuro thinks to himself that he can see where
she's coming from - just why _is_ Terra making Rahxephon and Ayato fight,
anyway?


Stage 6Ee. Kishi, Honou to Sora Yori ("Knight from Flame and Sky")

Boss is doing okay, but apparently the Nadesico squad is not, as Cain rushes
in to tell your people.  This is the other half of the last battle of the
other path, where the Galfan mothership is headed for reentry with the
Dendou stuck inside!  Your people are heading straight to the scene to meet
up with the Nadesico, but introductions will have to wait some.  Refer to the
other path for how the Dendou is okay and for the sad scene with Vega.

The bad guys pull their Battle Field thing, making life start to suck somewhat
for you.

 Damage Giga-gurumei enough and the Gyandolar reinforcements will show up,
 followed quickly by Altair.  They will all run away when you _kill_
 him, so keep that in mind.

 The bad guys have a Mars Donburi, a Super Alloy Z, and a Megagenerator.

See the other path for the Altair hospital scene.

Your people have their reunion, passing along among other things the news that
it was the Blue Hawk, not them, who took out the Mass Driver according to
rumor.  It's also rumored that he's the one who killed Giltall, and then fled.
Cain doesn't want to hear this with Linda on the scene, but Hayato and Haruka
both have the same theory, based on the fact that word of an _assassination_
wouldn't be likely to easily leak from within a group like the Giganos.  Which
can mean only one thing: someone _wanted_ it to look like an assassination, and
wanted Maiyo to take the blame.  As for who stands to benefit most from this,
the natural conclusion would be Giltall's successor, to whom Giltall may have
somehow been in the way.  Cain, who's fought Maiyo many times, always found
him to be a very fair-and-square kind of guy who would never resort to
something like assassination.  Your people try to console Linda that Maiyo is
surely alive somewhere, and Camille relates that the remaining Giganos forces
are gathering in their giant space fortress.  The score is therefore not yet
settled, but Cain haltingly tells Linda that he expects to meet Maiyo again if
they go on fighting the Giganos...

 [I'm keeping the Earth route, despite the fact that it misses out on a Haro
 and a Psychoframe.]


Stage 7a. Hemisphere

As of today, control of the M-type weaponry has been transferred to the Barbem
Foundation.  Itsuki doesn't seem to like how Barbem's plans are proceeding, and
drily asks what is to become of Ayato.  Kazushiki dismissively says that that
screwed up child can get stuffed into some orphanage if he doesn't work out
as a good "match" - after all, they have the "original" in their possession.
They all look at Quon, who asks if she's going somewhere.  Helena tells her
that she's going back to her real home, which Itsuki seems anything but happy
about.

Meanwhile, NERV receives the very bad news that their second HQ has _vanished_
entirely.  Aside from satellite footage, nothing is left - and this right on
the heels of Shinji and the others being recalled here.  So much for EVA04 and
everything within 49km of it.  It's not entirely clear what caused this
alarming turn of events, be it internal mistake or external sabotage.  Misato
opines that it was caused by playing with things they don't understand, and in
any case the newly-repaired S2 Engine is gone.  The folks overseas are sending
EVA-03 to NERV HQ - guess they don't want to get disappeared too.  Misato huffs
that it was _they_ who insisted on the rights to build the things in the first
place, and Ritsuko notes that anyone would start getting cold feet after seeing
a few thousand of their people disappear in an instant.  Misato asks if Ritsuko
is planning on using her Dummy contraption to test-boot EVA-03, and if that's
why Rei has been summoned back as well.  Ritsuko says that she'll decide how to
boot EVA-03 _after_ consulting Gendou.

The dummy system is a digital copy of Rei's personality, though since you can't
digitize a soul as well it's just a fake: a machine made to emulate a person.
Gendou could care less so long as it fools an EVA into thinking that a person
is piloting it.  Gendou tells her to install it in EVA-01 and EVA-02, though
she cautions that it's still got some bugs to be worked out.  He says that the
Federation is bringing EVA-03, and tells her to handle the rest.  This will
involve tapping someone to be Fourth Children.  Gendou tells Rei that she can
come out now, so the two of them can have dinner.

Ritsuko tells Misato that they're using a test-pilot for the boot-up test,
which surprises her since she hasn't received any report from Marduk saying
that Fourth Children has been found.  Ritsuko explains that the official report
will arrive tomorrow, and Misato, eyes narrowed, asks if Ritsuko is keeping
more secrets from her.  When she sees who the pilot is, she realizes that it's
going to be very difficult to explain all this to Shinji, who knows best how
rough it is dealing with EVAs.  If possible, she'd prefer to spare Shinji any
further suffering, but Ritsuko points out that such children are necessary if
everyone is to go on living.  Is that her way of telling her to shut up with
the platitudes, Misato asks.  Ritsuko doesn't answer directly, but says that
Shinji will be kept here until the test is complete.

Souichi is looking for Ayato, and Elfi suggests that he might be back in his
room drawing like he usually is.  Souichi wonders if Ayato is at Rikudou's
house, and Elfi takes the opportunity to propose removing Ayato from your
squad, saying that he's a civilian after all.  Souichi points out that almost
everyone in your squad are civilians, but Elfi thinks she can fight the Mu
quite adequately on her own with Vermillion, without needing Ayato or
Rahxephon's help.  Souichi frowns and tells her that Terra has no need for the
Vermillion, and when she gets mad he points out to her that at the very least
_Terra_ isn't a military organization.  She demands to know what his military
ranking is then, and he says that Terra's only objective is self-defense.
Vermillion is obviously a first-strike weapon, and Elfi challenges him as some
naive brat who doesn't realize that what the Earth needs is power to strike
down its enemies.  He counters that it needs power to _protect_ its people,
and tells her that he opposed the Federation military's Operation Overlord,
itself an act of aggression.  She furiously accuses him of giving his tacit
approval to her comrades' deaths, saying that there's a word for such people:
"hypocrite".  He asks if she knows just how many people she killed with the
missiles she fired inside of Tokyo Jupiter, and when she says that she only
killed Mulians demands to know how Mulians are any different from humans.
She says it's "obvious", and he asks if it should be "obvious" to him that
she and Ayato are different too.  This brings things to a halt, and he
begins an apology, only to refuse to answer Elfi's questions about whether
Ayato has begun to exhibit Mulian characteristics.  Ayato then shows up,
and Souichi hastily ushers him out, leaving Elfi to stew.

Ayato asks Souichi if what he just said is true, and asks who he is.  Souichi
says that he is him, and says that only a small part of Terra knows that he's
a Mulian.  Ayato's not so sure, having vaguely heard people laughing behind
his back, laughing at the Mulian who's being used only because he can control
Rahxephon.  Souichi, downcast, murmers that he himself is pretty pathetic.
Ayato doesn't want to hear too many of Souichi's platitudes, but Souichi says
that every person has a place where they can be themselves.  He tells Ayato to
remember that he thinks of Ayato has his comrade as he walks off.  Haruka then
shows up to find Ayato musing on the sea, how its waves come and go, even after
he's dead.  Haruka is sad that Ayato doesn't believe in her, and tells him the
same thing Souichi did, that being a Mu or a human doesn't matter.  As he muses
that this ocean probably goes all the way to Tokyo, Haruka tearfully demands to
know what's wrong with things the way they are now - haven't they always made
it through okay?  He tells her to stop it, recalling how she promised to show
him the truth before leading him out of Tokyo and seemingly has been deceiving
him all this time.  He says that he'd have been better off staying in Tokyo,
calls her a liar using a very distant personal pronoun, and walks off.  Haruka
is deeply wounded by the distance in his choice of words [though she won't say
why!!  ARGH.]

Ayato then returns to Rikudou's house, surprised to find Quon there as well.
Rikudou plans to leave to see an old friend, telling Ayato to lock up if he
leaves.  Quon smiles at him, saying it's because she met Orin.  He accuses her
of smiling at him because she knows his secret.  He angrily tells her that
he's a blue-blooded Mulian, and she says that if that's the case, so is she.
Ayato is shocked by this, demanding to know why everyone can talk to _her_
like she's a real person, and why Itsuki called her his little sister.  Quon
isn't listening to him, but tells him to take her away to where they're being
called: to Tokyo.  He says he can't because of the barrier, but she points out
that he _emerged_ from the barrier just fine - he ought to be able to go back
in.  This turns on a light bulb of sorts for Ayato [a very low-wattage one I
should think], and he comments that the barrier was actually inside him all
along.  He longs to see Tokyo, to see the real him, though she warns him he
may not find an answer.  That's fine with him...

Itsuki shows up to see them off, seemingly expecting the call that Quon is
hearing.  When Haruka shows up, he asks her to let them go.  Quon thanks
her "brother".  Haruka asks why he's going, and when he apologizes tells
him not to.  He apologizes again, and Itsuki realizes that Ayato wants to
discern everything with his own eyes.  Ayato doesn't know what he's going
to see, but he wants to decide whether to live as a Mu or come back as a
human.  Haruka yells at him to come back to everyone, not as a "person" or
as a Mu, but as himself.  Ayato notes that she really is different
than Itsuki, and as he apologizes again Haruka falls silent, saying only
that she believes in him, despite the chances he might betray her.  He
tells Itsuki to take care of Haruka, since he's planning to look out for
his "sister".  Quon tells her Orin to come along, and Ayato and Haruka
exchange good byes.

Rahxephon's launch comes as a major shock to Kazushiki, who demands to
know what's going on.  Kunugi asks what Souichi what he would do in his
place, and Souichi says that they should probably follow procedure B-3 in
the manual.  Kunugi says that that's the right answer, which infuriates
Kazushiki who wanted an answer from Kunugi directly.  Rahxephon makes
tracks, and Kunugi stays silent as Kazushiki and Helena try to arrange for
the Vermillion to be sortied in pursuit.  Helena adds that your squad are
the only ones capable of catching Rahxephon, and Kunugi says that your
squad isn't a means of striking your own comrades.  Kazushiki scoffs at this,
opining that Kunugi seemingly lacks the faculties to comprehend what's
going on.  He plans to charge the Mulian Ayato with first-degree treason,
and as much as dares Kunugi to object.  Kunugi says nothing one way or the
other, and it turns out that Rikudou's old friend is the head of Terra!
Rikudou asks whether it was really best to let Ayato go without telling
him anything, and Shirou admits that he isn't sure.  Rikudou says gently
that Ayato is already plenty old enough, but Shirou says that at the very
least, he himself doesn't deserve to tell Ayato "that".

Bright is unenthusiastic to say the least when Kazushiki tells him to
take your people and capture Ayato and Quon.  Elfi wants to know why
Kazushiki is giving the orders, and he claims to have special dispensation
under these circumstances.  Bright informs Kazushiki that his squad is not
under Terra control, and that he cannot fulfill Kazushiki's request.
Kazushiki claims that he's already taken the matter up with the Federation
and that the orders should arrive shortly.  Or is it the case that Bright
cannot strike an enemy?  Bright asks what proof there is that Ayato is the
enemy, and Kazushiki casually drops the fact that Ayato is a Mulian,
greatly surprising your people.  He claims that it's only a matter of time
until Ayato's blood changes from red to blue.  Vega, after a moment, asks
what that changes - Mulian or human, he's still your comrade.  He tells her
as an alien to butt out, and Kyoujirou has to stop Kazuya from getting into
an argument with this jackass over the same thing.  Kazushiki proceeds to
insult everyone who's not a perfectly normal human in your squad, and Bright
brings a stop to it by saying that he's heard Kazushiki's request.  Kazushiki
then adds that all that matters is recovering Rahxephon and Quon - it matters
not whether Ayato is alive or dead.  He warns Bright against doing anything
on his own judgement and then hangs up.  Amuro and Bright are in agreement:
your squad will IN FACT act on its own best judgement of Ayato, and Bright
adds with a smile that shouldering responsibility is what he's there for
after all.  He orders everyone to get ready to sortie, and that they're
going to follow Rahxephon.  Haruka has a request for Elfi before the sortie...

Only now does Ayato start wondering what the heck he's doing.  He wonders
what'll happen if it turns out he's not human, and Quon assures him that
_both_ of them are human.  Ayato asks if Rahxephon is hers, and she shakes
her head - hers is something different.  As they reach the D-1 area, a Dolem
appears... to lead them inside?  Yup, according to Quon.  Your people sortie
as soon as they've got Ayato in sight, and Bright tells them to hold their
position.  Elfi isn't sure about all this, but Bright tells her it's her job
to try hailing Ayato, which she hesitantly agrees to.  Quon says that
everyone is here to see them off, but Ayato isn't so sure, especially given
that Reideen is involved.  Reideen for its part isn't reacting at all, almost
as though it knows what Rahxephon is about to do.  Elfi contacts Ayato,
ordering him to return to base and saying that this is her last warning.  Ayato
is incensed at that, and demands to know what'll happen if he doesn't heed it.
She says she'll shoot, and Quon says that she's refusing Ayato's music.  Haruka
is actually aboard the Vermillion, and tells Ayato _not_ to return, saying that
if he returns now...  Elfi tells her to cut it out, or a slap isn't all she'll
get, and after a long pause Ayato tells everyone that he wants to know the
truth - about himself, about his mother, about Tokyo Jupiter... that's all.
Elfi asks what the point would be of finding all that out now, and Masato
thinks he can sympathize, as someone who lived all his life not knowing who or
what he is.  He figures he was better off for finding out the truth, at least
for now.  Elfi asks if he's recommending she let him go - if he _does_ go...

Just then a bunch of Dolems show up, as Puru2 expected prepared to escort Ayato
inside.  Freed observes that you'd better get rid of them, since you won't be
able to follow Ayato inside, but Haruka is confident that Ayato would return,
and Akira is too.  Elfi wants an explanation, and Akira points out that Ayato
managed to return with Shinji back when - and he'll believe in Ayato now.
Bright orders everyone to attack the Dolems, and Quatro double-checks that it's
okay to let Ayato go.  Bright agrees, saying that it seems that it's not your
people who need to discern the truth.  In other words, says Quatro - it's too
early to find out what's inside Pandora's box.  Sounds good to him, and after
worrying about what'll become of the rest of your people Ayato heads for
Tokyo Jupiter, with Elfi furiously demanding if this is his answer.

 On turn 3, Ayato hears some music, from the D-1 Dolem, and announces that
 he's turning back.  Quon starts singing, opening the gateway.  She bids the
 birdman of the lush forests farewell, saying that she's got the Mu guardian
 from her side and wishing the eternal brilliance of the stars upon them
 both.  As Akira watches in astonishment, both it and the D-1 disappear.
 Bright orders his men to inform Terra that they've lost Rahxephon, and are
 proceeding to engage the enemy.  Bright thinks to himself that the die is
 cast, and now the rest is up to Ayato.

 One of the bad guys has a Minovsky Craft.  Another has a Lamune.  Another has
 a Super Alloy nu-Z.

 As Bright orders everyone else back, Haruka asks Elfi to follow Ayato, which
 is possible since the Vermillion can penetrate the barrier too.  Elfi says
 that she can't use the TDDU with a normal passenger aboard, and from her
 previous journey inside the barrier Haruka is prepared for the pain.  She
 thanks Elfi, who sniffs a "don't mention it", and Bright radios them to wish
 them good luck.  Others add their good wishes, and Elfi says that she wants
 to go drinking with Misato when they all get back.  Vega agrees...

Ayato seems to be in some expanse of nothingness, wondering where Quon and
everyone else is.  Reika says that she's right over there, popping out of
nowhere pretty much.  It turns out that Xephon appeared in the Zeon Shrine,
stationary and showing no signs of reverting to stone form.  Ayato is
surprised to see his mother, plus lots of other dudes, one of whom says
that Quon is in bad shape due to not having her Life Module replaced for a
long time.  Maya impatiently says that she knows why she's ill - she only
wants to hear about results.  Ayato is left to ponder whether this is in fact
the truth.

Haruka and Elfi are now in Tokyo, land of a thousand kekkais! [ahem, wrong
tour brochure!  Yo dessiny wuz fo'o'DAIN'd, mothasucka!  Gomen.]  Overhead,
they see Dolems keeping watch over the city, something Haruka hadn't noticed
before.  Elfi wonders why that sight doesn't bother anyone, and Haruka wonders
if the Mu's mind control has gotten even stronger.  She tells Elfi that she
has a guess about where Ayato is going, and can even lead her there - after
all, she grew up in this city.  Elfi wants to know one thing: why is Haruka so
hung up on Ayato?  She hesitates, saying only that he's a very important
person...

Ayato sees Quon in a hospital bed, claiming to be okay and just a little
tired.  Ayato's mother then walks in, glad to see him back after so long.
Quon asks to hear Maya's voice, and Maya asks her why.  Quon seems
to realize something, and the two exchange words in some strange language.
She tells Quon that she'll be back later, and tells Ayato to head on home
first, and that she'll join him presently.

Ayato finds his friends waiting for him, glad to see him after only "one
month" away.  Ayato thinks to himself that it's been half a year on the
outside, and Hiroko at least has been worried sick since none of the
teachers would say a thing and seemed not to care about Ayato's
disappearance.  She wanted to see him again and ask him something, but
she has no idea _what_ to ask.  Ayato asks if the teachers said
anything about Reika's absence, and to his surprise none of them seem to
be able to remember such a person existing.  Hiroko is earnestly trying
to remember, demanding to know if she's weird for her half-memory or if
everyone else is weird for not sharing it.  She asks Ayato to tell her,
and he apologizes, saying he's got to go.

Haruka has led them to a certain middle school, where she and Ayato used
to walk home together, study together, and raise flowers together.  She
loved Ayato, and when Elfi asks if she still does she smiles and says
that she's just some woman twelve years older than Ayato is.  Elfi sighs
at this, and not unkindly says that she's ridden in Haruka's boat this far -
she's willing to go the rest of the way.

Ayato meanwhile isn't looking good.  In fact, it's looking like he's being
mind controlled or something.  His mother tells him that this world was
made _exclusively_ for him, but that since he left to become a true
Instrumentalist, this world has changed.  It no longer needs to suit him, and
he manages to ask just what his mother is up to.  She replies that she and
hers are what humanity calls "Mulians", but that most of them can't yet
come here - only a few of them have been salvaged from the outside.  Those
blue-blooded people won't go on living unless they can synchronize with Dolems
or the people here.  In short, the Mulians are people too - not some kind of
monster.  Ayato is one too, but Maya won't say whether the father she
claimed died when Ayato was little was _also_ one.  She only says that she
loves Ayato, and he tells her to assume her "usual" form - the leader of the
Mulians.

Hiroko has a lot on her mind, like blood changing colors, or everyone
around her going crazy.  She's very afraid, calling out inwardly for
Ayato.  She's in fact walked to his house, only to meet a large group of
military-looking guys and Torigai, who tells them that she's got nothing
to do with them.  He tells the military folk to get their ass inside
already and make their report to Maya-sama.  As Hiroko realizes that
he's been fooling her all along, he seizes her, pleading crazily for her
to forget about Ayato and come away with him.  She decks him, only to
see his blue blood.  Telling him to stay away, she runs off...

In the hospital, Quon utters a verse about a boy's breath gleaming
silver-gold in the pathless forest at the time of awakening.  She begins
singing, as Kuuki reports that Xephon has started up and is acting far
more independently than it ought to.  Maya orders him to stop it with
the Alegret and Metronome, and he also reports that another dimensional
egg has entered the city.  Maya cuts off his opinion of what it might
be, saying that "she" is singing and ordering him to send some people to
the hospital.  She turns to Ayato to tell him that she's returning to
military HQ, but Ayato has, in the meantime, disappeared!  [You fo'got I
wuz a NINJA, mothafucka!  -Sifl, "Sifl&Olie"]

Ayato is running away, realizing that he can't stay here.  He runs into
Hiroko, who's badly injured.  She asks him to make sure that her blood
is red, sounding very relieved when he says it is.  He tells her that he
can't, mustn't stay here.  She tells him to take her with him, begging him
not to leave her alone.  He agrees, and she tells him she's very glad she
waited for him to come back for her.  With Dolems all around, the two
run through the streets - and Ayato is very surprised to see Rahxephon,
apparently coming for him.  Ayato yells that he's got to get out of this
place, calling for Rahxephon though it's about six inches in front of his
nose.  They hop in and head off, leaving Haruka to whimper in his wake that
he's gone.  She's like, REALLY broken up over this, but Elfi manages to
point out that she'll have infinitely many chances to study or garden or
whatever with him once they, too, get their butts OUTSIDE and away from
all the Dolems.

Maya receives the word that Xephon and the Terra machine have left, and
that "she" vanished as well in a dimensional bubble.  Kuuki asks her to
give the order to pursue, especially since that mechanical god is outside
as well.  She says that the Star of La Mu has yet to shine, that it seems
to be waiting for guidance from Ishtori, and watching to see what Ayato
will do.  Kuuki tries urging her, but she tells him not to talk to her
right now, or else she'll kill him.


Stage 7b. Inochi no Yukue ("The Whereabouts of Life")

Maya receives a report that the folks outside are probably to stage 13
of Case S of their schedule, given the time difference and stuff.  However,
the Mulian interference _might_ have delayed things somewhat.  Maya
thinks that step thirteen is supposed to be an important factor in the
outsiders' "Key"'s development.  She thinks there's no need to try to
interfere, and asks if it's true that someone else left Tokyo with her
child.  Torigai confirms this, and Maya says that they'll use "her"...
which Torigai is not entirely happy with but agrees to anyway.

The Zeele members confer about Rahxephon's *second* emergence from the
barrier - maybe the "Key"'s awakening is near.  They muse over what to do
to their schedule in light of the recent events, with member "B" worried
that Gendou may try to do something different with EVA-03.  This is
worrisome because Gendou currently holds this side's "Key".  Worse, the
old man they're most worried about is ready to spring his machine weapon
on the world - the so-called Demon.  Kihl figures that all they have to
do is activate their existing contingency plans, but "B" is worried that
that man, like Masaki, knows a bit of their plans.  If he actually joins
forces with your squad, things could get ugly.  Kihl agrees to ring the
bell named Eldy Mitty...

At Gear HQ, Elfi and Haruka get the news that Rahxephon has again
disappeared.  After emerging from Tokyo Jupiter, it was last seen headed
south before being engulfed in an electromagnetic storm.  The Federation's
recon planes are on the lookout, but for now Bright plans to return to
Gear HQ and wait.  Vega counsels Haruka to cheer up - after all, it was her
who said to believe that Ayato would return to them. Your people can do
little but hope Ayato is able to overcome whatever trial is before him...

Misato is aghast to learn that the boot-up test for EVA-03 has been moved up
two days at Gendou's orders, concerned about the pilot's state of mind.
Said pilot is already attending lectures on how to control the EVA, and
Ritsuko tells Misato that she should know how urgently they need EVAs they
can field in battle under these circumstances.  Misato observes archly that
the timing is _very_ convenient for all this: the speed of receiving EVA-03
and finding its pilot is incomparably faster than with EVA-02.  Ritsuko
says that that's a reflection of how urgent their situation is - nothing more.
Misato hardly looks convinced.

Misato then goes to visit Kaji, hoping he has some idea what's going on.  He
observes that it's not like her to depend on others, and she responds that
she's got no time to keep up appearances these days.  She asks him to tell
her what's really going on with Marduk - how was Fourth Children found so
fast?  He tells her to check up on Code 707 - the number of Shinji's
school!  Marduk does not in fact exist at all - it's just a front for NERV
itself... meaning for Gendou.  In return, Kaji asks Misato for the combat
data on the Medius Locus, explaining that he's run across a rather troubling
name on the list of people involved with developing the Magi: Eldy Mitty.  He
knows that she's also involved with the Medius, and supposes that she was
some kind of consultant in the early days of NERV.  Misato agrees to give him
the data on the condition that he allows her to tell Hugo and Aqua.  He'll
leave that to her discretion, but tells her not to tell anyone else.  She
agrees.

School lets out for Shinji and his classmates... excepting Touji, who's been
scarce lately.  Maybe he's visiting his sister?  Kensuke asks Shinji about
some data he came by (by pilfering his father's computer) about EVA-03 being
completed in America.  It's supposedly going to have a boot-up test tomorrow,
but unfortunately for Kensuke, Shinji genuinely has not heard a word about it.
Nor does he know about who'll be piloting it, though Kensuke wishes he could
have a shot at piloting once or twice.  Shinji obviously can't make that
happen, and Shinji has _also_ not heard a word about the second HQ and EVA-04
vanishing.  Kensuke gathers that maybe this is something that Shinji has no
need-to-know about, and apologizes for all the weird questions.  All Shinji
knows is that he's waiting for orders to return to your squad.  As Kensuke
heads off home, Shinji is left with a very bad feeling about this EVA-03 and
its unknown pilot.  Just then Touji shows up, wanting to talk about
something with Shinji...

Asuka and Hikari are fussing over a box lunch Hikari is making for Touji.
She's obviously got a thing for Touji, and everyone except the Three
Stooges (that would be Shinji, Touji, and Kensuke) know.  Asuka notes
that Shinji's especially naive, with no idea how to interact with people,
but Hikari isn't so sure - she thinks he's grown a lot since transferring
in.  He's still quiet, but at least he's started speaking without being
spoken to first.  Asuka allows that he's got plenty of influences like
that around him, and asks Hikari what she sees in the hot-headed Touji.
Hikari says softly that it's his gentle side - a side that Asuka might
not have seen.  Asuka reflectively says that with the world in the shape
it's in, Hikari'd better tell him how she feels fast - there's no telling
what tomorrow will bring.  She doubts Hikari wants to regret it later.

Touji asks Shinji what it felt like the first time he piloted an EVA - was
he scared?  Shinji asks why he wants to know, and Touji says that he's
been selected as EVA-03's pilot.  Shinji is stunned, and Touji explains
that someone named "Akagi" from NERV came and spoke to him today.  She
promised him that his sister would be cared for in NERV's hospital if he
agreed to pilot - a place where she can receive far better care.  Touji
was willing to put himself through all this for his sister's sake, but now
that it's the day before he's to board the thing he's very, very scared.
He wonders if he can do what Shinji, Rei, and Asuka can.  Shinji ponders
a bit, and then says with a smile that while he was quite scared at first,
he had the whole staff of NERV backing him up - they've saved him many
times.  Plus, he's got many heartening companions in your squad.  He says
that if even _he_ can do it, surely Touji can too.  Touji apologizes for
asking that kind of question without regard for Shinji's feelings...

Ayato has put Hiroko up in a hotel, getting ready to leave for his
"part time job" with the big wide-eyed robot.  He cautions her not to
go out alone this close to Neo Tokyo-3 (a Tokyo she doesn't know).  When
he says he'll be back by evening, she asks if he's doing this out of some
sense of responsibility.  He denies this, saying that he knows very well
that they can't go on doing this forever.  He just wants time to think,
believing that he'll see what to do next if he just has time.  He
promises her that one day he'll use Rahxephon to get (Torigai) Mamoru and her
family out of Tokyo, and leaves.  She can't recall her father or mother, and
wonders who she is - is she not human?  Is that why her blood is blue?...

EVA-03 is now in position in NERV HQ, and the test will begin in a few hours.
Ritsuko thinks things are right on schedule, except for how the test was
_supposed_ to take place in Matsudai in case something goes wrong, as
Misato reminds her.  Ritsuko says that nothing will change by stating the
obvious, and asks Misato to go get Fourth Children.  Misato says that
Shinji is bringing him, and that Touji apparently fessed up to Shinji on his
own.  Misato would like to believe that Shinji is a bit easier at heart as
a result - a convenient interpretation, Ritsuko notes, and Misato grimly
agrees.

Shinji is about to walk Touji to NERV, when Asuka and Hikari show up.  Asuka
hauls Shinji off to a convenience store, leaving Hikari and Touji alone.
Hikari says that she's got two sisters named Kodama and Nozomi [thus making
them the Shinkansen sisters!!  I'm torn whether to admire or revile this
naming scheme...] who she always cooks for.  She says that she may not look
it, but she's a pretty good cook.  You can see where this is going, and
Touji promises to help her out cooking someday.  Right now, he's got to
go somewhere he can't talk about yet - but when he gets back, he'll tell
her everything.  He wants to make up for all the fights they've had until
now...

Things are going smoothly one minute before ignition, almost too smoothly
for Misato's liking.  Ritsuko finds that odd, pointing out that EVA-03
will be posted to your squad if everything goes well.  Misato muses
that between all the super robots and four EVAs, your squad could well
destroy the world if it wanted.  Ritsuko agrees, musing further that
perhaps that's what it was created for.  The test actually seems to
succeed [my god O_O], but just then some flying objects are detected headed
towards the area.

It's some Dolems, including a type of D-1 not seen before.  It's likely
they're either after EVA-03 or the currently-missing Rahxephon.  It's
clear that the Federation can't make it in time, and Misato shows up wondering
what the Federation recon planes are up to.  There's an unusual amount of
electromagnetic storm activity, but it seems now that the Dolems aren't
headed directly for NERV HQ.  Gendou orders all the EVAs sortied, including
EVA-03.  Misato protests that its pilot hasn't been fully trained, but
Gendou directly orders her to sortie it.  Fuyutsuki points out that the
danger of EVA-Dolem contact is clear from previous events, and EVA-03 all
the more so, but Gendou scoffs that Mu interference can change anything.
In fact, this is a good chance to discern what they're really up to.

Ayato returns, having raised enough money to pay for train fare for them to
leave this place.  Hiroko is noncommital about dinner, and after a pause
looks Ayato earnestly in the face and asks him... well, she can't get past
"Lately, I..." but it was a good try anyway.  But wouldn't you know it,
those pesky Dolems are headed right this way!  Ayato explains that those
weird things over there are Dolems, the enemy.  And the other weird things
are Evangelions - apparently, not the enemy.  He quickly notices the
new EVA, and starts getting a strange feeling.  Touji for his part is
prepared to fight to protect all that he holds dear, and isn't one to
hide behind the other kids.

 With the first wave of Dolems gone, Hiroko asks if Ayato knows the
 pilots of the EVAs.  She realizes that he's got people in this world
 who are waiting for him, but that she has no one - no one but Ayato.
 It appears that everything has gone alright, but Touji is being rather
 quiet.  TOO quiet, and Rei sharply tells Shinji to get back.

 The hammer has finally fallen: an Angel has infested EVA-03.  The control
 room can neither halt it nor eject the Entry Plug.  The pilot's vital
 signs are still detectable, but...  Gendou orders EVA-03's designation
 changed immediately to the Thirteenth Angel, ordering the other EVAs to
 destroy it.  Gendou fills Shinji in on this fact, and Shinji really wants
 to save Touji - but how?  Asuka barely survives a direct attack, and
 Rei and Shinji have to try to stop the damn thing from long range...
 except Shinji wants to save Touji, not attack him.  The problem is that
 Touji's not at the controls.  As Ayato wonders what the hell is going
 on, Gendou tells Shinji that he's the only one left - he's to defeat the
 enemy.  Shinji is determined to save Touji somehow...

 Once you reduce Bardiel to 70% of its HP, EVA-01's life support systems
 get damaged.  Misato orders the synchro rate cut to 60%, but Gendou tells
 her to wait.  He asks Shinji why he won't defeat the Angel [I'm fucking
 trying!  Double damaged Maglock-E only does so much!]  Shinji says that
 he's willing to die rather than kill a friend, and Gendou orders EVA-01's
 synchro cut entirely.  He orders it switched over to the Dummy Plug, over
 Ritsuko's objections that it's not ready.  The EVA is on internal power
 now, with 142 seconds of juice left - more than enough time in Gendou's
 estimation.  This is about to get UGLY.  *VERY* *UGLY*.  Ayato can tell
 from way off to the side that this is something that mustn't be used,
 but Gendou won't heed Shinji's pleas to stop.  Ayato realizes that he's
 got to stop this thing, or Shinji himself will be toast.  Rahxephon
 shows up on cue.  Ayato had thought back in Tokyo that he had nothing...
 but now he realizes he's got something to protect: all his friends,
 including Shinji.  Hiroko has all kinds of stuff to tell and ask him,
 wanting him to know more about herself - and says that she'll be waiting
 right here for him, forever if need be.

 Shinji is frantically trying to stop his EVA, yelling that this wasn't why
 he piloted the thing in the first place.  This isn't why he's lived this
 long.  Ayato gets in the way of the next attack, fending it off handily.
 He yells at Shinji to stop, that the two of them together have to stop
 "it".  Rahxephon does _something_, and both EVAs fall silent.  While EVA-01
 has simply exhausted its batteries, there's no telling why Bardiel is
 immobile.  Gendou tells Fuyutsuki that Rahxephon just showed you a glimpse
 of its "Tuning" powers (in the musical sense).  Fuyutsuki doesn't know what
 to make of the fact that this is the _second_ time that EVAs and Rahxephon,
 supposedly inimical forces, have resonated with each other.  Gendou gets a
 massive smirk on his face, saying that the Committee will have to totally
 rewrite their schedule again now.  He orders the operation concluded and
 tells everyone to recover EVA's -01 and -03.  He wants Rahxephon brought
 inside too, along with its pilot.

 The bad guys have a Propellant Tank, a Large Generator, and a Biosensor.
 You have to pick these up manually for this battle.

 Misato radios to Ayato, telling him "welcome back", and "thank you".  She
 thanks him for making it in time, and he's about to voice a request about
 Hiroko when a new Dolem appears and apparently grabs her.  Ayato is
 determined to protect her anyway, and she despite her new white robes has
 things to tell him too.  He's determined to protect her, and doesn't know
 that his first blow is making her scream too.  He is REALLY determined to
 protect her in fact, and proceeds to pummel the shit out of the Dolem.

 Unfortunately, it seems Hiroko took the brunt of it too, crying out her
 goodbye to Ayato in a _truly_ epic way...

Shinji is in a very bad mood, refusing to come out of the Entry Plug.  He's
pissed off and still has 185 seconds of power - enough to destroy a good
half of NERV HQ.  The operators are desperately telling him that if Gendou
hadn't done what he did, they might all be dead.  Shinji yells back that
that doesn't matter: his father tried to kill Touji, with his hands!
Gendou refuses to answer this, instead ordering the LCL presurre raised to</pre><pre id="faqspan-11">
the maximum and saying that he has no time for childish temper tantrums.

Laser cutters will be needed to forcibly extract EVA-01's pilot.  Rahxephon
has been recovered as well, but there's no sign of its pilot.  Gendou
leaves Ritsuko in charge of Rahxephon...  Misato calls in to Haruka to
let her know that Ayato has been found by a special forces group that
followed him to a hotel.  The person they found there, formerly
synchronized with the Dolem, was already dead.  Haruka remembers Hiroko
quite well - from fourteen years ago.  Ayato was (understandably) in
tears when they found him, and unfortunately it's not likely Misato can
let Haruka see him.  It was all she could do to retain custody of him
by saying that he's a member of your squad, and she tells Haruka that
she'll protect him no matter what.  _Commander_ Kazushiki of Terra has
requested transfer of Rahxephon and Ayato, since Kunugi was relieved of
his command to cover for her and Bright.  She tells Haruka to leave
Ayato to her for the time being - she'll do everything in her power
to help him.


Stage 7c. Otoko no Tatakai ("A Man's Fight")

Rikudou is apologizing for all that Kunugi has had to go through.  He
shrugs this off, observing that he's a bit envious of his teacher's
carefree outlook on the color of one's blood.  Rikudou, after a bit
of mirth, points out that with visitors from whole other planets
showing up these days, blood color seems like an awfully small thing
to worry over - and it's your squad who proves this on a daily basis.  This
is of course why Kunugi protected them - and for the sake of what lies ahead.
Rikudou then offers some especially good sake to Kunugi, who gladly accepts.

Asuka and Rei are discussing Shinji - whether he'll ever recover mentally,
and how soon he'll regain consciousness.  Asuka observes rather sadly that
all the positivity Shinji got from your squad's people doesn't seem to have
helped much this time.  Rei asks if she's worried about him, sparking a brief
bout of "what, me worry about HIM?!" before Asuka allows that she's in fact,
worried - but only because Shinji's a comrade of hers and all.  Asuka finds it
a bit strange to see Rei worrying about other people, and wonders if Shinji
is dreaming right now - something Rei has apparently never done.

In Shinji's dream, he finds himself explaining himself - how he couldn't
forgive his father for betraying him, and not understanding him.  Rei asks
if he tried understanding his father's feelings, which Shinji says is
impossible since his father never talks to him.  Not about his mother, not
about Touji - nothing!  And then he went and tried to make Shinji kill Touji,
without even trying to save him.  Had Ayato not intervened, Shinji would have
done something he could never take back... and he won't forgive his father
for that.  Shinji implies that he won't pilot anymore, but Rei says that
that's just more of his usual running away from unpleasant things.  Shinji
demands to know what's wrong with that, saying he can't take fighting anymore
given how it's brought him to the brink of killing his friends.  Rei points
out that "that person" didn't run away - he came back, to protect what he held
dear.  True that he wasn't able to, but nevertheless, he's...

Shinji finally wakes up, wondering if she's talking about Ayato.  Touji
greets him, and eases some of his anxiety by telling him that Touji's wounds
aren't serious, and he's in no danger of psychological pollution.  He tells
Shinji that Gendou wants to see him, and apologetically tells him to come with
him.

Elsewhere, Kazushiki has come to see Ayato [oh gawd *braces for impact*].
Kazushiki informs him of the shake up in the chain of command, saying that
Kunugi is under house arrest after his competence as commander was called into
question.  He asks if Ayato is afraid, and Ayato acidly allows that he is:
he knows quite well that Kazushiki can do whatever he wants to him.  Kazushiki
is drily satisfied that Ayato knows the magnitude of what he's done, and
says that whether or not Ayato is a Mulian, he's hated him from day one
(Misato grudgingly admires his directness).  He continues, saying that he
considers himself a fair person, willing to use things while they remain
useful.  Ayato says that he's of no use... _except_ for piloting Rahxephon,
as Kazushiki points out.  He tells Ayato to be grateful that his crimes have
been lessened by him taking out the D-1 and the individual synchronized with
it.  Ayato angrily asks what he thinks Hiroko is, and he sniffs that all
Mulians are the enemy.  Not people at all.  He tells Ayato to come back with
him to Niraikanai, but Misato intervenes, informing him that Ayato is
currently attached to your squad.  She tells him to get permission from
your squad's commanders, Bright Noa and Admiral Misumaru if he wants to haul
Ayato off.  He's impressed that she would cover for a Mulian, but she informs
him that she's covering for a _person_ named Kamina Ayato.

Ritsuko is being similarly difficult towards Helena, referring her to Misumaru
if she wants Rahxephon back.  Helena, eyes narrowed, figures that NERV seems
in need of a bit of help for their shoddy "gods" anyway, and wonders just what
about Rahxephon Ritsuko wants to study.  Ritsuko mildly points out that that
cuts both ways, and Itsuki asks them to halt their staring match-err,
conversation.  He says that while he understands her position, he doesn't plan
to return empty handed - instead, he'll be hanging around here until permission
arrives.  She agrees, warning him that his movements will be severely
restricted in the meantime.  After Ritsuko leaves, Helena admits that Ritsuko
is living up to her reputation, and Itsuki thinks Ritsuko might be a lot more
like him than either of them know - based on an old proverb about women with
frown-lines having an unrequited love.  Helena observes that it's a good
thing that Rahxephon's instrumentalist returned, and assures him that Quon is
back at her grandfather's place right now: where she belongs.

Gendou sees Shinji, pointing out all the crimes he's committed.  He asks if
Shinji has anything to say, and Shinji counters that his father's the one who
seems to have something on his mind.  Gendou says that he's the one asking
the questions now, and Kaji has to physically restrain an infuriated Shinji.
Gendou asks if Shinji would be satisfied by hitting him, and Shinji yells
that he neither wants to pilot EVA, nor remain here, anymore.  He doesn't
want to see his father's face ever again, and Gendou tells him to get out,
as a disappointment.  He points out that he'll likely never see him again
once he returns to his teacher's place, and that suits Shinji just fine.  He
strides out, and Gendou phones to have Third Children removed from EVA-01's
records, having Rei pilot instead with the Dummy Plug backing her up.

Kazushiki then shows up, observing that there seems to be a bit of trouble
brewing.  Kaji knows this guy, and it doesn't seem to be a pleasant
association.  Kazushiki gets right into his request for Ayato and Rahxephon
back, saying that he doesn't want Gendou dealing under the table.  He's
referring to Misato, claiming that like Kunugi Gendou doesn't seem to have
firm control of his subordinates.  Gendou smirks, saying that that's true of
Kazushiki as well.  He tells a startled Kazushiki that Terra's chief has
already paid him a visit, to say that Ayato is now under Misumaru's
discretion as a member of your squad.  He blithely tells Kazushiki to go talk
directly to his commander if he's got any questions about this, and
Kazushiki leaves him in a flustered huff.  Kaji notes that every organization
seems to have its loose cannons...

Itsuki is paying Ayato a visit meanwhile, fully expecting to go home empty-
handed.  Ayato apologizes for not protecting Itsuki's "sister", and is
pleasantly surprised to hear that Quon is doing just fine.  Itsuki says that
he can't protect her either, making them rather alike.  Itsuki asks if Haruka
is doing okay (he thinks so), and laughs when Ayato asks if the two of them
are involved.  Itsuki informs him that Haruka has only had one man in her
thoughts all this time - a man who hasn't even noticed.  Ayato thinks that
that's terrible, poor Haruka, and Itsuki says that that's quite cruel of him
to be able to say so easily.  He thinks that he and Ayato really _are_ alike,
not that that should come as any surprise.  Rather tragic, actually,
especially since both of them bear the Xephon mark.  Especially since Ayato is
his _brother_.  [SHOKKU!  @_@]

Shinji is bidding his farewells to Misato, quite firm in his resolve.  Misato
reminds him that his movements are going to be severely restricted, and after
a moment Shinji asks why Touji was chosen as EVA-03's pilot.  Misato tells
him that all the pilots were selected from among his classmates - as she
found out only recently, the whole thing is a setup.  She says that no amount
of words can make right the mishap involving Touji, and tells him openly that
she had invested her own dreams, hopes, and goals into him - knowing the
burden it was for him.  That said, every single person in NERV had no choice
BUT to entrust their future to him - and she asks him to remember it.  Shinji
asks what those goals and dreams are: to bring peace to man?  To crush man
underfoot?  Given that no one life is worth more than another, isn't that
rather selfish of her?  She says that it might be, and tells him that she'll
leave his passcodes active back to HQ.  He tells her not to bother - he
won't pilot EVA again.  Bidding her farewell, he walks off.  Misato ponders
this "good of mankind" bit of hypocrisy that's been her superficial motivation
all this time.  But perhaps all she's really been trying to do is get revenge
for her father's death.  Her reverie is broken by her celphone, and she
hurries back to base.

It seems some D-1's and D-2's are on the inbounds, making Fuyutsuki grumble
that the Mu are awfully busy these days.  Gendou orders everyone to level one
alert, but orders the EVAs to stay caged.  Gendou knows that Terra won't be
opposed to him using Rahxephon, and will settle accounts with Misumaru later.
He's sure that Ayato wants a shot at the Dolems anyway, and suspects the
enemy is acting on some timetable of their own.  If he's right and the
_real_ heavies are coming, he can't afford to sortie the EVAs just yet.

Kazushiki still somehow thinks he can do a better job of fending off the bad
guys, but isn't sad to see the Dolems focusing their energies here.  After all,
that takes the heat off of Terra - at least until a certain operation goes
into effect.  He doesn't care what becomes of Rahxephon here, figuring that
its job is only to buy time until this next operation anyway.  Itsuki is
going to stay behind, having things to discuss with Higashiyama and Hibiki
before this operation anyway.  Plus, he wants to see NERV's plans in action.
The good news is that Ayato is in fairly good spirits - he doesn't want to
lose anyone else to these beasties.  Ayato knows he has to hold out until
reinforcements arrive, and that might take a while...

 Whoever is aboard the D-1 seems to know Ayato by his Mu name Orin, and
 starts smacking him around, demanding to know if this is all the bearer
 of the Xephon mark has.  The person asks him what he wants to do - to
 protect people, Shinji and everyone else.  Reika then asks him who he
 _really_ wants to protect, and an image of Haruka pops into his mind.
 That seems good for a pick-me-up, and now Ayato is bound and
 determined to protect her and everyone else too.  He'll never let
 what happened to Hiroko happen again, and the pilot of the D-1
 doesn't seem to be willing to forgive whatever Orin did wrong at just
 that.

 To make matters worse, an Angel has just appeared.  AA defenses have
 proved useless for stopping it arriving in the skies over Neo-Tokyo 3,
 and it starts cross-blasting away.  And wouldn't you know those pesky
 Dolems are getting in Ayato's way as he tries to intervene.  The
 D-1's pilot isn't planning on letting Ayato protect anyone, wanting
 him to feel the pain he's put Maya and him through.  Gendou now
 authorizes EVA-02 to sortie, but since it can't make it to the surface
 it gets deployed inside the Geofront.  EVA-00 can't launch yet, and
 Gendou has Rei go out in EVA-01 with the Dummy System backing her up.

 Shinji's resolve not to pilot again is wavering, and by chance he runs
 into Kaji.  He's gone through a lot of trouble to find Shinji despite
 the security people's presence, and asks Shinji to come with him for
 a while.

 Asuka finds out quickly that Zeruel's A.T. Field isn't being neutralized like
 it should.  Worse, EVA-01 won't start with Rei aboard it.  Gendou orders her
 launched in EVA-00 and EVA-01 restarted with the Dummy Plug.  Rei is willing
 to go despite EVA-00's weakened state, saying that if she dies there are
 replacements.  Asuka is _determined_ not to lose, but determination isn't
 availing much.

 The Dummy System is being rejected too, and Gendou asks Fuyutsuki to look
 after things a moment.  Shinji is watching all this going down, still
 having decided not to pilot EVA.  Kaji tells Shinji that since his little
 part time job went public, he has nowhere to be during battle.  As for why
 he's _here_, he says that he hasn't been doing the sort of job that lets
 him decide the place of his death.  Shinji is startled by the mention of
 death, and Kaji tells him that it's said that when an Angel makes contact
 with Adam, slumbering deep beneath them, all of humanity will be
 obliterated: the Third Impact.  Only the EVAs, who have the same power as
 the Angels, can prevent this.  Rei then shows up, without a rifle, and
 grabs the Angel, intending to self-destruct with an N-2 munition.

 Well, actually, she used an A.T. Field to protect herself, but the Angel
 is seemingly okay too.  Things then go badly for Rei, and HQ continues to
 take a pounding.  The Angel actually heads right for the bridge, and
 Ayato's mysterious adversary is determined to force Ayato to watch his
 friends die, but an even more mysterious figure stands in the Angel's way!
 His latest lecture is on how people with something they truly love in their
 hearts can surely protect that thing, even if it costs them their life.
 That's what people refer to as "manly", and obviously Shinji needs to be
 taking notes here.  Roam's plan is to buy everyone time to escape,
 whether or not any attacks have worked on the Angel to date.

 Your people then show up too, and they could give a damn less what color
 Ayato's blood is.  Cain lectures Asuka on not wanting to accept help
 at times like this.  You've got to take down the bad guys and protect the
 Geofront, and Shinji is still feeling unfulfilled...  And as Roam finds
 out, it seems only EVA-01 can defeat the damn thing.

 Roam won't give up, even though he can't scratch the Angel.  Kaji tells
 Shinji that while he's stuck where he is, Shinji is not - he has
 something that only he can do.  He tells Shinji not to be strongarmed
 by anyone, but to choose and act on his own... lest he regret it later.

 When you get rid of the mystery D-1, its pilot grumbles that Orin's pain
 will continue until he awakens.  Meanhwile, EVA-01 is refusing the
 Dummy Plug and Gendou and Rei by extension, and Gendou has no idea why.
 Gendou inwardly wonders what Yui(!) is thinking, and Shinji shows up,
 yelling to Gendou that he's EVA-01's pilot.  The Angel's attack becomes
 more fearsome and even the stalwart Roam gets blasted aside, but just
 then Shinji emerges.  He's, shall we say, _really_ upset.  So upset
 that he doesn't realize that he's running out of power.  Getting nearly
 killed off only serves to aggravate him further, determined to prevent
 everyone from dying off right here.  Just then, _something_ happens.
 Say hello to Yui, AKA EVA-01, psychopath extraordinaire!  Shinji's
 synchro rate has passed 400%, and Ritsuko realizes that "she" has
 awakened.  Roam rightfully wonders what the hell is happening, as EVA-01
 starts _eating_ the Angel (rather poor table manners too, to top it all
 off!)  EVA-01 is ingesting the Angel's S-2 engine, while poor Maya is
 rebooting everything she's eaten for the past week.  It then breaks free of
 what everyone thought was armor, but which Ritsuko calls its "restraints" -
 restraints that are supposed to let your people control its true power.
 Now free of that spell, EVA-01 can't be stopped by any power you wield.
 Itsuki is fairly aghast at this being that's supposed to Complement the
 world, and Kaji comments that Zeele _won't_ take this sitting down.  He
 wonders if Gendou's all-encompassing scenario includes this little
 development...  Gendou and Fuyutsuki agree that everything is finally
 getting started.

 The bad guys have a Super Repair Kit.

Kihl is not pleased to hear that an EVA has obtained an S-2 Engine.  This is
far outside Zeele's scenario, and some on the committee are wondering if
giving Gendou NERV was a mistake.  Kihl says that Gendou's the only one who
could have carried out all their plans.  The problem is that two of the EVAs
are out of commission, HQ is half-wrecked, and Central Dogma is practically
exposed for the world to see.  There's no telling how much time and money this
will take to fix, and one member opines that Gendou needs a bell tied around
his neck.  Kihl says that there _is_ a bell, but that it didn't ring.  They
say that an unringing bell is of no use, and Kihl says that he'll make sure
the bell acts like a bell from now on.

Kaji asks how Gendou plans to explain all this to Zeele, and the plan is to
seal EVA-01 away until otherwise ordered, since it's no longer under your
control.  Kaji figures that that should do the trick, but inquires about how
Gendou's son is still stuck inside the thing.  Yes, the bridge team is trying
to eject the Entry Plug, without success.  When they finally get an internal
picture, they find that Shinji is gone - totally dissociated into primordial
soup: the true nature of 400% synchronization.  Misato wants to know what the
hell EVA is that it could do that to Shinji, and Ritsuko says that there's no
other way to put it than that EVA is an object that man fashioned in the image
of man.  Misato is furious at that, yelling that all they've done is copy
what they found at the South Pole.  Ritsuko says that it's no mere copy -
it's imbued with human will.  And just whose will is that, demands Misato.
Ritsuko doesn't give her a straight answer, which earns her a slap and an
order to do something about all this.  Misato yells at her that since she made
this thing, she damn well better take responsibility to the end.

Oh, and Rei is still alive, thinking of Shinji.

As for salvaging said Shinji, it turns out his soul is still inside the
Entry Plug, along with the building blocks of his body.  The plan is to
reconstitute his body and put his soul back in - which is pretty astounding
if you think about it, but that's apparently why it's good to have the Magi
around.  Misato realizes well that this is all just conjecture, but it's all
any of them have to go on.

The committee figure that while their schedule has been immensely delayed,
the blue-blooded folk are getting a lot of mileage out of the situation...
as is the Metosela.  Kihl figures the time has come to awaken their trump
card: Tabris, center of their scenario.  This person(?) wakes up, hearing
the songs of Orin and the others.  It thinks that the ceremony of life and
death is about to begin again...

Shinji is having more visions, this time of his younger self crying.  He sees
his father telling him to be a good boy at his uncle's house.  Shinji asks
where his mother went, and Gendou tells him that she died, which Shinji says
is a lie.  Gendou tells him that he saw it with his own eyes, and tells
Shinji to fight in the EVA he pilots.  Shinji yells that he doesn't want to,
having gotten the _distinct_ impression that his father didn't want him
around any more.  As he's busily yelling at his father to stop, Asuka's
wondering what's been happening to Shinji these past three days.  She hopes
Shinji isn't going to be like that forever, though when Kaji shows up she
tries to pass it off as joy that she gets more "screen time".  He tells her
to be honest every once in a while, lest she never find a boyfriend.  Asuka
hotly denies that she's covering up anything, and yells that the only boyfriend
she wants is Kaji.  Kaji tells her that that's the spirit - while Shinji is
surely fighting some desperate battle right now, she's got to be brave
herself.  Kaji walks away...

Ritsuko has set everything up in three days, though as she tells Maya it's not
as though this is the first time people have tried this.  All the data is
left over from ten years ago - from an incident during EVA's development that
happened before she came to NERV.  However, her _mother_ was present for it...
And the last time, the attempt failed... right around the time Gendou himself
changed...

Kaji has gone to see Misato, who's preoccupied enough to not lock her own
front door over Shinji's condition.  She did check into Shinji's school in
the interim though - ALL of Shinji's classmates are qualified as pilots.
Just how far does NERV's reach extend, anyway?  She doubts Kaji will just
spit out the truth, but asks anyway: why is Adam, supposedly the destroyer
of man, being stored underground?  What is Gendou trying to do with it anyway?
Just what is the Human Complementation Project?  Kaji tells her to calm down,
but she demands to know how Gendou and Ritsuko can be so calm when Shinji's
in the state he is.  Just what the hell is NERV's real objective, anyway?
Kanji then tells her to shut up a moment, take a deep breath, and close her
eyes.  He wants her to forget about NERV, if only for a moment.  She angrily
asks what he's thinking - there's a right and wrong time for stuff like that!
She tells him to get out, which he's willing to do, but first he tells her
that his feelings haven't changed in these past eight years - he's loved her
all along.

Shinji seems to be getting bored stuck here all this time, and a strange
figure appears, telling him to follow her.  He realizes that it's his mother,
who tells him he's gotten so big and grown-up.  Shinji asks her forlornly
where she's been all this time - he's been so lonely without her.  She's
been _here_ all this time, waiting for him.  She knew he'd be here, and tells
him he's got nothing to worry about any more.  He'll be with her forever now,
but he says he's got to go back and pilot EVA, and fight, and win.  His mother
tells him he's fought enough, been wounded enough for others.  His mind and
body must be torn to shreds by now.  She tells him it's okay to stay here with
her forever.

The salvage attempt begins, and a figure of Misato appears to Shinji, telling
him that he no longer belongs to himself alone.  They all have no choice but
to trust their futures to him as EVA's pilot.  Ritsuko's figure appears too,
telling him to fight, that they can't lose him now.  Kaji chimes in, telling
him not to run or turn his face from the truth.  Gendou adds his opinion that
cripples are of no use in the fight over whether humanity will live or die.
Asuka tells him to fight, as one of the chosen few who has to defeat the
Angels.  Gendou says that Evangelion is the only thing that can defeat the
Angels and protect mankind from the Third Impact.  Shinji denies all this,
determined to stay where he is forever.

Things have basically gone belly up for the staff, and as the temperature
starts rising in the Entry Plug, Ritsuko frantically has everyone shut
everything down.  The plug ejects, _without_ a fully formed Shinji.  Meanwhile,
an interesting ball of blue fire [possibly borrowed from the set of Vampire
Princess Miyu] asks Shinji if he wants to become one with it.  Over his
objections, it's inviting him to a world without pain or sadness.  DEFINITELY
borrowed from the set of Vampire Princess Miyu.  Bring on the schoolgirl
vampires!  Well, _someone_ is grabbing Shinji anyway, since he's yelling for
whoever it is to let him go.  He tells the fire that it's not his mother,
yelling for his real mother to save him.  Which, miraculously, seems to
work...

..though not from Misato's perspective, since she's bitterly lamenting how all
this science can't save a single human being.  As she yells in agony for
EVA-01 to relinquish Shinji, we see a bit of a flashback, where Gendou asks
Yui if their child will be able to live in this hell on Earth after the
Second Impact.  Yui corrects him, saying that as long as there's a will to
live, anywhere can be heaven.  For the living, chances to be happy exist
everywhere.  Gendou agrees with that, and Shinji, listening to all this, finds
that his legs are frozen in place despite his wish to run to where his mother
is.  Yui sees that he can't come to her, and wonders if where Shinji really
wants to go is across the wide ocean behind him.  She tells him that she'll
always be watching over him, wherever he chooses to go.  She tells him to
decides for himself where that is, and says that she hears a voice calling
him from across the sea.  He begins to hear, smell a person - Misato.

Some time later, Kaji has been on an errand for some armaments for the EVAs -
four sets, meaning that everything seems to be back to normal.  Nigami is
marveling at Kaji's detailed knowledge of your squad (which he says dates
back to his school report days), and figures that that's not _all_ he's
interested in.  He's also got a thing for the occult... for example the Mu.
The two spies coyly agree to trade reference materials...


Stage 7d. Katsu Chikatta Heiwa no Tame Ni  ("For the Peace We Once Swore")

The Spiral Castle is trying to think of a way to keep both Gears and all the
Data Weapons from falling into your people's hands.  It's planning to go
directly to Earth [ooh aah oh].  Meanwhile, Misumaru has passed along the
plans for your people's role in the "Baglacion Plan", named after Pyotr
Ivanovich Baglacion, author of some great Soviet counteroffensive in WWII.
[Watchu talkin bout Willis!].  The general idea is to take all the mass-
production Dragoons and MS's and strike the Galfa, Vegans, surviving
Giganosians, and the Martian Successors in one fell swoop.  All the fun gets
off the ground a week from now, but before that Meteo reports that the
Spiral Castle is headed your way, ETA 12 hours.  Bright and your crew have to
rush to the scene.

Inoue has finished retrofitting Dendou to be piloted by a single person, just
as Ouga can be.  The idea is to mechanically actuate the second controller,
and with all the engineering worked out the question is who will pilot which
machine.  Hokuto volunteers to pilot Ouga, his "uncle"'s former mech.  The
outlook seems bright with two Gears and Six Data Weapons between them.  Vega
notes that to stop the Spiral Castle, the only hope is to break in and
wreck it from the inside: the so-called "Screw-Nail Operation", and your
people will be the tip of the screw.

Ginga asks to leave a bit, showing up to his house to speak to his family...
but since he forgot to change clothes, he ends up confessing that he's Dendou's
pilot.  His mother, who knew all along, is very glad he finally confided in
her.  His little sister, meanwhile, marvels at the Data Weapons, glad to see
that Ginga kept his promise to bring her a lion (not that they're stuffed
animals, but hey).  His mother gladly sees him off, making sure that he
remembers her admonition that "Power comes from the heart".

Meanwhile, High King Vega has just shown up on the moon, greeting his troops.
Gandar, after making his greetings, asks why Vega has come in person when
preparations to take over the Earth are nearly complete anyway.  Zuril
agrees, saying causally that his king could just have easily remained at ease
back on planet Vega.  The king spits back that the planet Vega has been lost:
utterly obliterated from the universe.  He shows his lieutenants footage of
the Vegan satellite Zeta 4, where the Veganium is mined to provide the better
half of Vega's energy.  Unfortunately, the unthinkable happened and one of
the Vegatron mines exploded, setting off a chain reaction that blew Zeta 4
to pieces.  The resulting Vegatron radiation bombardment reduced the planet's
surface to a dead wasteland.  Making matters worse was the fragments of
Zeta 4, which fell into the same orbit as Vega and pretty much smashed the
crap out of what was left.  King Vega took the few who survived and came
to the Moon, meaning that this whole invasion process is now literally a life
or death struggle.  Gandar and Balendos both start arguing about who will
lead the attack on Duke Freed, who can be expected to confront the Galfan
Spiral Castle, but Vega asks if the two of them can even accomplish that after
all their failures.  He says that a man he's brought with him will be in
charge: Morse.  A prince of the now-dead planet Moore, and member of the
royal guard, Morse supposedly went missing with his Jigajiga in a space storm
long ago.  Yet he made it back alive from the blackness of space, and Vega
tells him that he's more than worthy to be commander of the royal guard.
This means Balendos is fired, and gets a long time to ponder his inadequacies.
Morse meanwhile considers it his sworn duty to eliminate Duke Freed on behalf
of Vega, who saved his life after the destruction of his planet.  After he
leaves the room, the other commanders are openly skeptical that the prince of
a world who resisted the Vegans, AND Duke Freed's best friend, is actually
suited to this mission.  Zuril and Vega figure there's no need to worry, since
as Rubina comes in to say, Vega has overwritten Morse's heart.  She doesn't
seem very enthusiastic when Vega relates that the new memories make Freed out
to be the culprit.

Interestingly, an argument breaks out between Rubina and Vega over her desire
to go see Duke, which is why she's come to the Earth in the first place.  Vega
has his guards haul her off, despite the fact that a) she's the princess, and
b) she's got something important to tell Duke.  It seems that she was sent to
Freed while she was young to keep the Freedian king off-guard, and that that
was when she developed a thing for the Duke.  The two were even engaged, as a
gesture of lasting peace between the two worlds.  Vega leaves Rubina entirely
in Zuril's care, telling her to put her to work if he so wishes.  Zuril is
caught quite off guard by this, managing a breathless word of thanks.  Balendos
still wants permission to sortie, and restore his good name as (former?)
commander of the guard.  Vega will let him follow in Morse's wake, telling
him that should obstacles disappear he shall have his position back.  But
should he fail, he'd best not show his face before Vega again.  Zuril
smirkingly tells Balendos that a certain robot army is all raring and ready
to go, which is why he joined forces with the Hundred Demons.

Your people are heading full steam for the Spiral Castle, but the Vegans up
and intervene.  You can't afford to let the whole Screw Nail Plan get behind
schedule, so you'll have to just punch through at full speed.  However, the
bad guys are hailing you - it's Morse, demanding that Freed show himself.
Duke is predictably bewildered at Morse's rage, and desperately tries to
figure out how to deal with his best friend, who's now firmly on the enemy
side.  It takes Domon to point out that if he truly believes in his friend,
he has nothing to fear - he's going to go right over there and match wills
against Morse.  Domon tells Tetsuya that he'll cover for Freed if he should
fall behind, saying that he knows all too well the pain of fighting a close
friend who doesn't know the truth.  The commanders figure that you've got
5 turns worth of free time, and Duke vows to either convince his friend, or
kill him with his own hands by then.

 This should be VERY easy.  Duke will try to refresh Morse's memory on the
 wonderful peace accord their worlds shared, the wonderful science they
 studied together at the academy.  They learned together, played together,
 becoming the very best of friends, even swearing to meet each other after
 splitting up at the downfall of Freed.  It seems that a stronger shock than
 this will be needed to crack the mind control, and Freed vows to take down
 Morse's beastie to achieve that.  Your people decide to spend the time now
 to help, knowing that things will only get rougher for themselves down the
 road.

 It's not clear if this helps, since he runs off before you can tell if he
 has returned to normal.  Freed heads off in hot pursuit.  He has in fact
 regained consciousness, and has Duke's muffler wrapped around his neck to
 this very day, despite the hypnosis he's been put through.  Freed asks him
 to join forces with you, and Morse is more than happy to do so if it will
 help take down the Vegan king, who he tells Freed is on the Moon right
 now.  Their reunion is broken up by Balendos, but they return to the
 battlefield quickly.  Morse tells your people that he plans to atone for
 what he's done in battle, but Balendos detonates a self-destruct
 mechanism he's attached to his machine.  Morse decides to hurl himself upon
 the enemy, yelling to Freed where Vega is located and saying that he won't
 forget their friendship even in death.

 Your people are really ready to show Balendos what-for, but he's got a
 surprise up his sleeve - an army of pseudo Great Mazingers.  Of course,
 he's modified them to be more dangerous than ever, and of course they lack
 the human heart that _really_ makes the Super Robots super, as Tetsuya
 gleefully tells him.

 Jigura has a Space Alloy Gren.  Balendos has an Apogee Motor.  The flagship
 has a Megabooster.

With the bad guys defeated, your people hasten off to the Spiral Castle.
Freed vows before Morse to return peace to the galaxy, and take down Vega with
his own hand.

Rubina meanwhile is cooped up, looking at the blue planet Freed is fighting to
protect.  Zuril then comes and gives her the bad news about Balendos' loss
and Duke Freed's continued good health.  That means she's still got a chance to
tell him about his homeland, and Rubina hardly thinks that the likes of Zuril
will prevail against him.  As she storms off, Gandar ridicules Zuril's
inability to compete with the attractive Duke Freed.  Zuril angrily retorts
that once Freed is gone he'll easily be able to win the girl's heart.  One
thing they both agree on is that the next battle is going to be the big one,
now that the location of the Skull Moon Base has been revealed by Morse.
Fortunately, the special shield enveloping the base will make its _precise_
location impossible for the humans to discover, so the best plan is to wait and
see who wins the battle of the Spiral Castle... whoever it is, the Vegans will
come out ahead.


Stage 7e.  Shuukyokyu e no Rasen Kaidan ("Spiral Staircase Towards Conclusion")

Your people break through to the Spiral Castle, matching velocity and preparing
for assault.  Federation forces elsewhere are having a bit of trouble with the
Galfan forces, but have successfully kept them from returning to interfere.
This leaves you to deal with the Sprial Castle, whose fall to Earth would be
every bit as destructive as a colony drop - and given that the Galfa can
probably alter their course to land on whatever they want (say, Tokyo Jupiter
or NERV HQ), there's no telling what could happen.

 The bad guys have little of import to say (at first).  You want to beat them,
 they want to beat you, they stand in your way for destroying the main
 reactor, etc. etc.

 One of the bad guys has a Mars Donburi.  In a secret room is a Haro.  Another
 bad guy hs a Psychoframe.

 Once you beat the two sub bosses, the seal is broken on the main reactor as
 the Spiral Castle rages.  It accelerates the descent, meaning you've only
 got four turns to take it out before it really pounds the Earth.  Ginga
 recalls his mother's admonition in the face of these seemingly insurmountable
 odds.  The Spiral Castle isn't finished though - he tells Ginga that even
 if he's defeated, the emperor will just send more like him to the Earth.
 Given that - why would you humans fight on, only to fight and fight some
 more until eventual death or defeat?  Hokuto is pissed that the Galfa came
 and picked this fight with you without understanding what it is you're
 protecting.  Jet says that this is a mere machine, made to follow orders -
 human hearts are beyond its comprehension, and Ginga refuses to answer
 until he's kicked the castle's ass.

 When kicked in the ass, the Spiral Castle starts going HAL-9000, unable to
 grasp what the humans would be trying so hard to protect.  While the
 answer will be different for everyone, what Hokuto and Ginga are trying to
 protect are promises they made - to come back, and to save the Earth.  And
 so forth.  Protecting something without form truly does not compute, and
 the castle vanishes in an almighty explosion.


Stage 8a. Bye-Bye Jupiter

The RMU System and T-J Busters are all ready and waiting for the Terra
operation to begin.  Barbem seems impressed that this planet of trifles can
muster the power to hide the truth, and isn't terribly concerned about the
direction the planet is headed: eventually the time will come for the miko
(shrine maidens) to appear before them.  He thinks they're prepared to wait
that long, but Helena isn't so sure the "demon" will act according to their
plans for long.  A necessary evil, and not one to be overly concerned about.
Besides - it's Quon's time.  He tells Orin to show him her symbol, and she
tells Ernst that she met "them", and they've grown up a lot - more than she
has.  Barbem tells her that they, like her brother, are ones incapable of
becoming Orins.  He asks if she's seventeen yet (come and gone for her), and
says that that means she's more than qualified.  She asks what he would
have her do, and he asks her to play for him a beautiful melody.  She seems
mildly amazed that he's letting her choose the music, and she elects to
play "Narkal Sisters" [??]

Aoi Jun is none too pleased to hear Kazushiki telling him to have your
squad participate in Operation Downfall, especially when they're preparing
for Baglacion as well.  Kazushiki plies him with his usual sinuous sarcasm,
but before Jun can get too upset Brigadier Akiyama intervenes, offering him
some of the watermelon Terra's commander dropped off.  Kazushiki is surprised
that his commander contacted them already, but Misumaru is prepared to heed
the request... with a condition: Kazushiki is to have no say in personnel
matters.  His own commander has already signed off on that, which has
Kazushiki quietly fuming.  Misumaru cautions him not to do anything untoward
with his precious staffers, and Kazushiki agrees and signs off.  Prospector
laments how much harder this guy is to work with than his predecessor, and
notes that many voices in the military figure Downfall is too dangerous, and
should be stopped.  He sincerely hopes that Kazushiki doesn't try to hurry on
ahead, like Chief Miwa once did, and Akiyama allows that that possibility
is high.  As Jun renews his objections, Misumaru cuts in and asks how the
"C" is coming.  Prospector says that it'll take a bit longer, but will
certainly be in time.  The problem is how to transfer it, especially with
the enemy on the verge of discovering its existence.

Thanks to Screw Nail, the moon has become quieter - and there's ample reason
to suspect that the assassins will either go after the "C", or else after
Ruri herself.  Akiyama has taken some steps to prevent that, and Prospector
adds that it would take people to actually move the "C" anywhere.  The
Successors and Giganos seem to be biding their time: the "calm before the
storm", as Prospector observes.  And this storm will catch _everyone_ up in
it...

Rikudou now has a lot of guests, who seem to be more interested in his antique
Japanese house and bath than in social graces ^_^  Rikudou doesn't mind the
company, and he too has received some watermelons to share.  As the people try
to pile into the bath (warning Touji not to peek), Rikudou leaves Ayato
with a request before heading out for a while.  That request was to give
Kunugi some watermelon too.  Kunugi has been under house arrest all this time,
keeping a bird named "Michiru", after a girl.  As Ayato falls silent in
surprise, Kunugi says haltingly that Ayato would have been sent to an
orphanage long ago if it wasn't for Haruka... if not executed for stealing
the top-secret Rahxephon.  Ayato says that he knows that, which earns a
"Fine, then" in response.  Ayato then asks something that's been bothering
him a long time - is it really true that Kunugi's house has roses that bloom
blue?  Now it's Kunugi's turn to look shocked, asking where the heck Ayato
heard that from.  From Itsuki, and others in Terra.  After a moment, he
begins chuckling, wondering why Ayato would ask something so foolish.  He
tells Ayato that he's been had, and Ayato for his part is glad to see
Kunugi smile for once.  Kunugi asks Ayato if next time, he'd be willing to
share a meal with him...

There's a lot of grumbling among your pilots at being at Whitesnake's beck
and call for this, Dunball, Downhill, whatever it's called plan.  George
tells everyone that _this_ codename was originally attached to the American
plans to invade Japan at the end of WWII.  Kazushiki and Souichi come in to
start the briefing, and Kazushiki explains that this will be both his first
and last operation as head of Terra.  This is because this plan will deprive
the Mu of their barrier, which has kept the interior as a pocket dimension
traveling down a different Feynman Diagram from your own [wtf kind of
mangled physics is this??  Well, at least they've heard of a F.D....]  The
plan is to use the same theories that gave you the TDD used by the Vermillion
to resonate with the barrier, to destroy the barrier.  As for the energy needed
to run the thing, Mutropolis has chipped in the RMU System, which as Itsuki
(also present) explains is a high output generator inspired by Reideen's
power source.  The generator is effectively a counterfeit "Star of La Mu",
radiating Mutron Energy - and Akira is astounded that his father would make
such a thing.  The six T-J Busters needed for the operation are already
complete, and arrayed in a 97km diameter ring around Tokyo Jupiter.  Once they
deploy their linear field, your people are to lead the charge inside and
wipe out the Mu in one swift stroke.

Kazushiki then takes time out to tell Misato that Misumaru has approved his
command of this operation - she won't have her way like last time.  Kim tells
Megumi that Kazushiki was the one who recommended your squad for
this dangerous assignment, and Cain grimly tells everyone to get cracking.
There's no telling what kind of tongue-lashing you'll get if you do a half-
assed job.  Kim then asks Megumi to deliver a notebook to Haruka, which she
apparently forgot in the command center.  As Meg looks around for her sister,
she decides to sneak a peek inside, finding a very young Haruka pictured
right next to... Ayato.  Megumi, sadly murmurs that it's no fair - her sister's
way older than her, and there's no way Meg could... win...

Shirou meanwhile is busily lamenting all the things he's done wrong, giving
both Sleeping Beauty and the Black Egg of Neriya to Barbem.  Rikudou comforts
him, saying that everyone follows a different path through life - as he
realized when Maya first turned seventeen.  She woke up to the fact that
she was Sleeping Beauty long before her fated prince arrived, and Shirou
moans in anguish that he thought he had no other choice back then - he had
to do anything he could to make Zeele's Complementation Project even slightly
slower.  When Rikudou tells him not to blame himself, he answers that the
age seventeen qualification to be an Instrumentalist is running out - they
have very little time left.  Very little time while Ayato remains a person,
that is - and Rikudou is sad the two of them didn't get to spend any of that
living like a normal family.  In any event, the two competing Projects afoot
are going to force time to move again, and it remains for Rikudou to see which
will achieve all its goals, if in fact the goals are different at all.  Shirou
knows he's in the same boat.

Haruka has been lingering outside Ayato's room, and he asks her to come
inside, apologizing for seemingly avoiding her since returning here.  He's
painted a painting, and asks her to be the first to see it...

The following morning, your peole are on standby one hour before the operation.
Megumi is a bit distracted, but Amuro and Bright are ready to react to any sign
of the enemy.  Quatro notes that it's time to open Pandora's Box, wondering
if your hope will really be left inside it.  Camille meanwhile has a very bad
feeling about all this, a bad feeling which the psychic Maria shares.
Kazushiki meanwhile has been reading a report from the Science division, a
report which he claims indicates no particular problems.  Souichi knows
inwardly that that can't be the case, and things are interrupted by a code
AAA message for Kazushiki.  He's momentarily shocked by the contents, then
starts smiling at the strategem the higher-ups are pulling.  As Souichi asks
what's wrong, Kazushiki thinks he'll be damned if he pulls back now.  He
orders Kim to move up the timetable for Downfall by one hour, and Souichi asks
why the order has come down to do that.  Kazushiki tells him that he doesn't
have a need to know, and orders things to get going immediately.  Both
Souichi and Itsuki are obviously not liking this.

Harry is shocked when the word comes in, and Ruri perceives that something
must have happened at a fairly high level to make this change - higher than
Terra's commander.  Ruri counsels everyone to obey the order for now, despite
the distinctly fishy weather surrounding it.  And hey, you had to take down
this enemy sooner or later anyhow.

With all systems go, Kazushiki gives the order to begin, relishing the
imminent downfall of the Mulians.  As the barrier begins to be pulled apart,
Ayato yells that this won't work, apparently afflicted by some unseen
force.  The energy from within Tokyo Jupiter is rising rapidly, and the Time
Differential Effect with it.  Ayato then sees a vision of Reika, greeting
him on a "path" intended for the so-called Mu and the Instrumentalist of
Xephon's use: the "Orins".  Quon is surprised to see the shadow of Ayato
meanwhile, wondering who he's been called by.  He's been called by her, and
by the egg - called because she's got to return.  This isn't Ayato at all,
but someone who knows about her, her Xephon mark, the song she's found
for herself, and God knows what else.  He wants to become one with her, and
she wants to be by his side too.  Reika meanwhile is _also_ Ishtori like
Quon, a signpost towards Ayato's true face that he has yet to see.  This
world he sees, this world where she is, the world the two of them will make,
is his thanks to his Yoroteotoru mark.  Ayato isn't of a mind to come with
her - she's not in the pictures he paints, nor in his wishes.  He didn't paint
for her, and won't go with her - but she says that whether or not he wishes
it, it will happen eventually.  She says that there's one more chosen one
besides the two Orins, and wonders whether you all will turn the hands of
time and lead the people living in the two worlds, grant eternal light
to them alongside the light of the song of La Mu... or, leaving the score
unfinished, return them to a sea of mud.  She says that this world is about
to face a time of endings and beginnings, of death and rebirth - she tells
him to remember that he only has a little time left.  He repeats that he
won't go with her, that he only wants to protect everyone, and the world.
Pausing, she tells him that she'll be waiting ahead...

Well, looks like Kazushiki has done what no one has done before, breaching
the previously impervious barrier entirely.  Kim interrupts the maniacal
laughter to inform him that a floating Mu city has appeared above New York.
Oh, and above Moscow, Hong Kong, Istanbul... and more are appearing every
second.  Itsuki realizes that the world is beginning to bifurcate rapidly,
asking his commander how you all are to respond to this new development.
Kazushiki furiously demands to know of Itsuki what's happened, but a batch
of D-1's cuts his whining short.  Kuuki, commander of the Mu forces and
formerly of the Federation Military, thanks you all for freeing him from the
temporal hell.  He orders you to disarm and give him EVA-01 and the Star of
La Mu immediately.  This gets your people's FULL attention, and Vega quickly
wonders why Rahxephon isn't on the list.  Misato figures that they want
EVA-01 to stop the Human Complementation Project, but what about the Star of
La Mu - why do they want it?  He says that he'll give you all 24 hours, and
warns that a _great_ misfortune will come crashing down on your heads should
you refuse.  Kazushiki furiously orders your people to strike this traitor
down, and Ruri points out to him that if you make a wrong move here the Mu
cities will start raining down death on the Earth.  He yells that he's her
commander now, but she informs him that she doubts he's big enough to shoulder
the responsibility.  He furiously screams at her to follow his orders, but
Souichi tells him that that isn't going to happen.  A communique has come in,
and Kazushiki has just been stripped of his Federation command and position
atop the Terra frontline hierarchy.  Effective immediately.  Souichi says
that he presumably knows the reason why: he ignored both the warnings from</pre><pre id="faqspan-12">
the Science branch and the order to halt from the top brass, leading to this
result.  Unfortunately, as your people are about to haul him off he enters a
code to start launching SAMs at the enemy.  Kazushiki screams that this is
what happens to people who screw with him - just punishment for the wrongs
he's suffered.

Of course, the bad guys take the opportunity to start shooting.  And of course
you've got no choice but to shoot back.

 Note that Kuuki has significant map weaponry at his disposal.  And he flees
 at 40% of his 79k HP.  You should be able to do that much damage if you're
 skilled enough ;)

 The bad guys have a Lamune, a Minovsky Craft, and in Kuuki's case a
 Megagenerator.

Even if you kill his smirking ass, he tells you to heed his warning, unless
you want the whole world to suffer what Niraikanai did [What!  They barely
scratched the paint!  Anyways...]

Torigai opines that Kuuki is overeager, and wonders why Kuuki and not he
was put in command.  Maya tells him that his duty lies in protecting Orin,
and in seeing through the Yoroteotoru mark.  Miwa takes the time to ask
her commander if this is really the best way to bring about a better world.
All her commander says is not to worry - she is in fact doing the right thing.
As she relents reluctantly, Torigai snorts at the notion of the "right thing".
He still isn't planning to forgive Ayato for killing Hiroko...

Elsewhere, Midori is setting Otome's mind at ease about the big flying stuff
overhead - surely Gin-chan will set everything to rights.  Right?  Minato
meanwhile is gaping at the news report ordering _everyone_ to head for the
evacuation shelters.  The return of the cleavage seems imminent now!

What also seems immiment is the final assault by the Hundred Demons, who see
in the worldwide chaos a chance they'll never get again.  The plan is to lure
your squad away and then attack the Getter lab with the main fortress,
stealing the Getter Ray Amplifier in the process.  If they can do that, no one
can stand in their way...

Kazushiki is being confined until people arrive from the Federation to
assume custody.  More Mu cities are popping out all the time, and while they
themselves seem immobile there's great panic amongst the people beneath them.
The military is out in force to help maintain order, and a state of emergency
exists everywhere.  Amuro and Quatro know that things are only getting worse
without the Mu lifting a finger, but Itsuki says that it's even _worse_ than
that.  The Mu world is in the process of trying to overlay itself on top of
yours right now, thanks to the removal of the barrier that kept the two
worlds separate.  And since two objects can't occupy the same space at the
same time, if the two worlds join entirely they'll both annihilate each
other.  That goes for all the people too.  Misato is aghast, and Itsuki asks
her why - isn't this why NERV is proceeding with the Human Complementation
Project, powered by EVA-01?  This is news to everyone present, and he
continues that while that may not be all there is to it, it certainly _does_
serve as a counter to the Mu's plans, as the Mulians probably know quite well.
Which is probably why they kept attacking Neo Tokyo-3, now that Misato thinks
about it.

Ruri asks about any other way to prevent the worlds from fusing, and Itsuki
says that it may be theoretically possible to re-erect the dimensional barrier
using the T-J Busters.  He won't call it an _optimal_ solution to re-isolate
Tokyo, but figures it's about the best that can be done under the
circumstances.  Unfortunately, one of them was just lost in the enemy attack,
and even were all six intact it's not clear whether enough energy could be
amassed to power them.  Itsuki knows this, and says that if all the energy of
Neriya Shrine were unleashed, or if the _real_ Star of La Mu were used...
Unfortunately, the enemy won't give you time to ponder, since some D-1's are
headed for Niraikanai.


Stage 8b. Koko Yori Eien Ni ("From Here to Infinity")

Mitall and Eldy are conferring about the massive Mu onslaught, and about how
the committee's plans are liable to enter their final stage.  As he mentioned
before, Mitall isn't planning on sticking with the committee to the bitter
end, and orders her to come back to him with the Medius so he can begin work
on the tenth TE Absorber, the "Model X".  It's to be based on the Medius, but
outfitted with the Garmraid Blaze's improved TE Engine - and with its
completion Central Project will achieve one of its main milestones.  Eldy asks
if the Model X is to be outfitted with her AI1, and Mitall says that he wasn't
planning on it.  When she asks why, he tells her that she ought to know the
answer to that better than anyone... and when she professes ignorance he
reminds her of the unexplained fluctuations in the AI ever since the Medius'
transformation.  These are like unto human emotions, or perhaps "desires", and
prove that AI1 is seeking deeper meaning in things outside its indicated
parameters: studying, or rather attempting to physically absorb, them.  Eldy
asks what the problem with that is, and Mitall professes doubts about her
sanity: at this rate, AI1 is on pace to equal the monstrous Devil Gundam.
She repeats her question about what's wrong with that, and says that she wants
to see her child grow and evolve, looking forward to what waits ahead.  He
says that that's not what his project is after, saying that it's strictly to
prove his theory correct, as well as bring him fame and fortune... lest he be
unable to continue his research.  This is why he is using, and being used by,
the military and the committee.  He scoffs at Eldy's derision, noting that the
two of them are much alike and saying that they ought to be working more to
further each other's projects.

Eldy notes that he's not supporting her AI very much, and he counters by asking
what she plans to do by creating another Devil Gundam: destroy the world and
humanity?  She claims that all she wants to do is see her research come to
fruition, but Mitall tells her that research is only worth doing if someone is
around to appreciate the results.  She thinks it's plenty if she herself
remains to admire the results, and Mitall points out that that's mere self-
satisfaction.  Eldy then says that AI1 is her child, which she gave birth to -
and she won't let anyone else have a say about it.  He calls her way of
thinking dangerous, all the more so since it's influencing the AI, and says
that that's precisely why the AI needs a little tune-up.  He tells her once
more to dispose of Albero as the culprit behind the Medius' theft, who forced
her to come with him, and return to the lab.  She agrees, but thinks privately
that both her AI will be in jeopardy if she returns, and she herself will be in
jeopardy for disappointing the committee.  She actually doesn't care about
herself if her child is okay, and thinks that she needs a power above any TE
Engine.

Albero comes in, asking what the new orders are.  Eldy claims that the orders
are to attack the Garmraid Blaze, and denies that she'll be returning to the
Project afterwards.  Albero declines to press her about this, openly doubting
that she'd tell him the truth anyway.  He informs her that while he doesn't
accept her AI, he plans to fulfill his mission to the end.  When she asks him
why he's participating in Central Project at all, he reminds her of his resolve
to restart the time that the Devil Gundam stopped for him, and surpass the
tragedy he underwent.  He has no hopes for the future - all he wants is to
settle the score with "it", or rather, with himself.

At Terra HQ, Kunugi is directing what seems sure to be a futile stand against
the oncoming Dolems.  Shirou shows up despite precious little time remaining
for evacuation, and asks if he's determined to go through with this.  Kunugi
calls this a "thorn" in his memory, one which must be removed.  He says that
he can't let "that man" have this island, sure that "he" is the kind of man to
try to make an example out of it.  He thanks Shirou for inviting him to
be part of Terra, and asks him to take care of things later.  Your people
are trying to rush to the scene, but orders have been issued to keep you
away...

Kuuki is drily "impressed" at his former subordinates' control of the
battlefield.  Apparently this is a grudge match from fifteen years ago, when
Kuuki ordered the use of strategic H-bombs and Kunugi actually carried that
order out.  And in the process, he killed his daughter.  Kuuki gets the
maniacal laughter action going at Kunugi's fruitless assaults.  Your people
show up to find the island in wreckage, and Bright orders your people to
attack while Kunugi's safety is confirmed.

 The Medius attacks on turn 1.5.  Albero and Hugo trade barbs for a while, and
 Hugo says that he and Aqua will handle the Medius.  Aqua promises Domon that
 they won't let the Medius become another Devil Gundam, and appeals to her
 former teacher to return to her former self, before it's too late.  Eldy
 isn't having this, and tells Aqua she hates how pushy she is: raised with a
 silver spoon in her mouth, never having to work for the things ahead of her.
 Eldy blames all this on how self-satisfied Aqua is, and says that she has
 only one use: providing the DFC data for AI1 to study.  As Eldy prates on
 about how wonderful the Medius is, Hugo and Aqua are now certain that Mitall
 was behind the Medius' theft, but Eldy repeats her whole line about not
 caring what happens to her, or Albero or Mitall for that matter, as long as
 AI1 lives.  Despite all this, Aqua _still_ wants to settle this without
 fighting if possible - and Hugo has to point out to her that that's playing
 right into Eldy's hands.  Hugo for his part isn't planning on going along
 with this farce any longer: Mitall may have given him half his body, but
 he sure as hell didn't give him his soul.

 When you first damage the Medius, you'll find out that its recovery rate
 is even higher.  It then launches some little satellite mecha, much like
 the Devil Gundam.  But, as Rain knows, a major difference between the DG and
 this is what the core and control mechanism is.  In this case, it has an AI
 instead of a human mind, and Rasmunanium instead of the DG Cells.  That
 human mind left the DG vulnerable to acts of will, like Master Asia's
 salvation of Domon in the final battle.  Which is not to say that the Medius
 has surpassed the DG: its AI is in turn controlled by a _different_ AI which
 is free of any dangerous "fluctuations"... and Eldy says that that bit of
 knowledge will cost you your lives.  Domon is having none of this, saying
 the Eldy is just one more person caught up in the allure of the DG Cells,
 without understanding one bit why the DG was made in the first place, or what
 his master tried to use the thing for.  Such a person can't hope to defeat
 your people in Domon's view, and Albero figures he's entirely right.  He
 says that the AI is just a subsystem, and that it's his job as pilot to
 bring out the Medius' true powers, just like it's Hugo and Aqua's job to
 bring out their machine's power.  Eldy wishes she had a TE Engine too so
 she could just surpass all these folks and be done with it...

 Making matters _even_ worse, the Hundred Demons show up.  As your people are
 wondering how the hell to deal with this, you finally get a transmission
 from Terra HQ: it's Kunugi, who orders everyone to get the hell out of
 Niraikanai.  Souichi questions this reckless order, but Kunugi says it's
 not reckless: it's the way to minimize the damage and maximize the effect.
 Souichi realizes that Kunugi intends to use "that", and Kunugi reminds
 Souichi that he and your squad have something else to protect.  Souichi
 reluctantly says that he'll protect it, and Kunugi tells him to get to it...
 and do what he could not.  Itsuki concurs with the order, telling Bright
 only that it's dangerous to stay here.  Your people have four turns to get
 out.

 One of the bad guys has a Propellant Tank.  Another has a Biosensor.
 Hidler has a Crest of the Wolf.

 The Medius Locus regenerates fully at a hefty *37k* HP.  Inflicting that much
 damage at once is a tall order, but not *impossible* if you're sufficiently
 studly ;)  ...Unfortunately, reducing the thing to 0 HP is not enough to
 get rid of it, meaning all that hard work earns you _donut_.

 Once you've gotten rid of all of the Hundred Demons (why were they trying so
 hard to beat you anyway??), Itsuki has Bright withdraw everyone.  Albero
 wonders what the heck is going on, and the dying Kunugi tells Bright thanks.
 Bright says that that's his line, and Kunugi tells Ayato that if he ever
 sees him again he'll keep that promise for dinner.  Your people make tracks
 at maximum speed, but when Albero tries to follow Eldy says she's detecting
 some indecipherable energy from the nearby shrine.  Kuuki thinks your people
 have just thrown in the towel, and goes over to verbally torment Kunugi
 some more.  Kunugi has a gun in hand, and Kuuki thinks he's still on a
 futile quest for revenge for his daughter, telling him that he could have
 taken Rahxephon from him at any time, but as his former commander had given
 him the chance to hand it over first.  Oh well.  Kunugi at last tells him
 that it's time to end this, and activates the Jupiter System.  As an
 automated warning tells everyone to get away from the center of HQ, Eldy is
 marveling at all the wonderful energy, which much resembles the Jupiter
 effect.  Kuuki realizes far too late that he's been had, and all the insane
 laughter he can muster won't save his ass now.

Itsuki, glasses aglow, calmly explains to your aghast crew that that is
indeed the Jupiter phenomenon - Kunugi laid down his life to eliminate the
Dolem.  Both he and the beautiful island, so close to God, are toast, and
Bright, overcome, orders your entire team to a moment of silence for Kunugi.
Ayato somehow heard Kunugi's final words: "protect them".

Shirou takes the news very hard, and Rikudou says that Kunugi has left
this world's future up to Ayato and the others... and left it up to them to
witness whatever end things come to.  The Federation military has sealed
everything off around Tokyo, reporting that the civilians are apparently
continuing their daily lives, unaware that the barrier has been broken.  It's
probably thanks to some Mulian mind control that they haven't tried to leave.
And one more thing: the black egg, once buried in Carn Mutiara island, has
returned.  Rikudou says that if Quon contacts the Mu again, that egg will
turn out like Rahxephon... and if more of these Hiranibura's keep appearing,
the world is toast.  Shirou is planning on using the T-J Busters and RMU
Systems in the way your people suggested, and has the Federation notified.  He
also asks all members of Terra to gather at Lilia Ritovak.

Quon is feeling sad, telling Helena that she's about to part from her friends,
Helena included.  She starts singing and apparently shows up in Hiranibura,
as her _sister_ Maya realizes.

Eldy finally returns to base to find Mitall waiting.  He's gone over the
data he automatically received from the battle, and is quite shocked that the
Medius could give birth to Frons's and Telgum's on its own.  He certainly
never equipped the Medius with such things, and Eldy doesn't seem to be
forthcoming with the details.  This is all the more proof that AI1 is
dangerously close to running amok, though Eldy claims that it's merely
"evolution".  Mitall reminds her that he's not planning on seeing the
Committee's scenario all the way through, which she says she remembers.  He
tells her, if so, to immediately dispose of Albero, erase AI1 from the Medius,
and power it completely down - Machine #10 has no need of it.  All this earns
him is a gunshot from Eldy, acting not on the Committee's orders, but on her
own initiative to protect her "child".  Albero hears the gunshot, which Eldy
explains as Mitall's punishment from the Committee for trying to turn the
project to his own ends.  She is eager to go off and teach AI1 all sorts of
new things...

Meanwhile, it seems Hundred Demons have taken the opportunity to attack all
over the place... but this is surely not the main enemy offensive.  Something
else is surely in the works...


Stage 8c. Kami Yo, Hyakki no Tame ni Nake ("God, Weep for the Hundred Demons")

Brai is rather depressed at Hidler's unfortunate end, especially given how
the operation to take over the world had just begun.  Graw counsels him not tO
let himself be too depressed, and has hurried to finish the gravity control
device he's been working on using the time Hidler bought them all.  With all
in readiness, Brai tells Graw to get Zuril and his forces for the final battle.

The more intelligent people on your squad aren't being fooled by the numerous
Hundred Demons raids across Japan.  Amuro knows that these attacks, while
numerous, are rather feeble: this must mean that the main force is about to
strike.  Cain and some others want to take this chance to get rid of some of
the small fry demons in the meanwhile, but Hayato tells them all not to
underestimate the bad guys.  He explains that while he's not _scared_ of these
demons per se, he would like to think he knows how scary true final battles
can be.  When the enemy brings it this time, they'll have the fear of death in
them - and will be staking their entire future (and yours, for that matter)
on the outcome.  He chastens the naysayers by asking them if they're prepared
to do what Kunugi did, to throw themselves in harm's way if that's what it
takes to win.  He's pretty sure the enemy has that kind of resolve, but the
lack of diplomacy in how he puts it has your squad, still reeling from Kunugi's
sacrifice, that much more on edge.  Most of your people would much prefer to
_go_ and face the main enemy force - if you knew where the mobile enemy
fortress is, which you don't.  ...until _just_ now!

The damn thing appeared in, of all places, Tokyo Bay.  It's frigging MUGE,
and it's flying straight towards the Saotome Lab.  Getter Liger is the only
machine you've got that can intercept it, and after a moment Bright lets them
undertake this incredibly dangerous task.  Hayato leaves the crucifix he
always wears with Michiru, saying that its chain has broken and asking her to
fix it.  He promises her that he'll return as Ryou leads the team forth.

The poor Dragoons of the Red Arrow squadron are in no position to slow down
the Hundred Demons fortress.  The gravity control device of Graw's, which is
how this thing can fly, is also apparently quite handy for wiping out the
small fry in the way.  No help seems forthcoming from Zuril, and Brai says that
if he plans on betraying him he'll just put him on the list to get a
bitchslap next.

However, their path to the laboratory isn't quite clear yet, as Getter Robo
shows up.  Brai figures this is just one more moth drawn to the flame, and
orders his forces forth.

 Many more bad guys are sent out on turn 3.  Saotome tells them to return to
 the lab, but Ryou knows there's only one chance: to take out the core of the
 fortress.  Unfortuantely, Getter Liger's cockpit gets blasted, and Hayato
 is thrown outside, if not toasted entirely.  Your people show up, and
 this time Saotome INSISTS that Ryou and Benkei return to the lab, despite
 their desire to take revenge for Hayato.  Your other people will do the
 revenge part.  Brai's not done with you though - he's got a clone of the
 Dragonzaurus.  The goal is still the same - kick all their asses.

 On 3.5, the bad guys start blasting away with their gravity cannons, aiming
 right at your flagships.  The barrier surrounding the enemy fortress is
 too difficult to breach from the outside, and the only hope is to disable it
 from within, but who would undertake a crazy mission like that?  Of course
 Domon and Roam charge right in, with Ruri telling Harry to scan the inside
 of the fortress as fast as they can.  Brai figures the two of them simply
 don't know the Fear, but your people have other ideas.

 Meanwhile, Saotome is furiously working on fixing Liger, which will take a
 bit longer.  He's decided to pilot Liger _himself_, vowing to never let
 what happened to Musashi happen again.  He tells Ryou that the good guys
 don't always win - but in this case, they _must_ win, and come back to tell
 the tale.

 Take down enough of the bad guys and the enemy will decide the time has
 come to settle the score.  The bad guys are now aiming at the Nadesico, but
 while the Distortion Field won't stop the onslaught Ruri isn't worried:
 your people just found the core of the enemy ship.  Roam gets a hearty
 laugh at Brai's expense, taking time out of his busy schedule to lecture
 these demons who would scorn God-fearing people.  Even if God himself will
 not show His face, a heartful person will one day take God's place in
 visiting Judgement upon them.  This is what's known as "Divine Retribution",
 and BOY is it a motherfucker!  Even Brai, glorious emperor of the Hundred
 Demons Empire, doesn't deserve to know Roam's name ^_^ ^_^

 What's more, it seems that Roam and Domon had a bit of help: it's Hayato,
 who took the extreme chance of simply jumping onto the Hundred Demons
 fortress when that giant hole was blasted in Getter.  Brai won't get to
 enjoy his indignation over this turn of events since the renewed Getter
 comes forth, being joined by Roam and Domon.  But the Vegans choose that
 point to make their belated bid at "assisting" the Hundred Demons.  He
 drops off three space monsters and takes off, promising to meet Brai
 again in the event of a Hundred Demons' victory.  With everything going bad
 for him, Brai orders the Combined Hundred Demons robot sortied, vowing to
 finish this himself.

 The bad guys have a Large Generator, a Super Alloy nu-Z, and a Super Repair
 Kit.

 Brai will be in denial over his loss, of course.  Defeating him will also
 take everyone else out, so I recommend saving him for last.  Apart from his
 "large" numer of HP, he's pretty damn puny.

Hayato kept his promise to Michiru, telling her to keep the crucifix she fixed.
The plan now is for the Gear team to return to HQ for something regarding the
seventh Data Weapon, which is what the Galfa are really after.

Elsewhere, at Tenkuuma Castle, a mystery figure has broken through the
dimensional barrier and come inside.  This man, Zero, comes before the
emperor (who is understandably skeptical about his good intentions) to offer
his help on behalf of the Galfan emperor.  Gades has heard of this guy, the
top Galfan commander, and it seems he's brought some friends too...


Stage 8d. Zero or Infinity

Subaru asks Zero where he went - he's been out looking for clues about the
seventh Data Weapon.  He's already found Ouga though, and has gotten good
mileage out of the Chips belonging to the former Galfan commanders.  However,
he figures their roles are now over, and is about to let them rest
"forever" when Subaru stops him - surely as fellow Galfans they must have other
uses.  They're eternally grateful to Subaru now, and Zero tells them that
he's got a job for them in that case...

The Dendou has yet to find the elusive Seventh, the final key to the prophecy
that whosoever gathers the Data Weapons together will become the king of
space.  Whether or not that's actually true - the Galfa seem to think so,
meaning they're sure to show up on Earth again.  Vega tells her brother to
concentrate first and foremost on healing his wounds, and he cautions her in
turn that if the Galfans come again, "he" who is called the right hand of the
Emperor will likely be among them.

As the Gear people take a break, Zero and his new assistants steal in and
swipe the two Gear Commanders.  Zero claims that the white one Altair was using
is actually Subaru's, but doesn't want to return just yet.  Instead, he has
the Chips try to attack Ginga and the others as they return from their lunch
break.  This doesn't go well when Ginga busts out his Shaolin skills, and they
flee to the best of their abilities.  Ginga and Hokuto head off in pursuit,
with Eris going to inform the commander.

The bad guys are able to hide out long enough for Subaru to show up.  The
Gyandolar are on orders to help out, having finally figured out that this
world is every bit as dangerous as Chronos was.  The boys quickly summon
Dendou, but Ouga won't actually respond... to Hokuto.  But it won't fully
respond to Subaru either - it seems to be torn between the two.  Subaru is
rather petulantly insisting that Ouga is his as the Gear staff are desperately
trying to figure out what's going on.  Ginga is going to try to keep Ouga
from being drawn to Subaru, but the Gyandolar of course have other ideas...

 On turn 2, Vega tells Hokuto that he's got to get aboard Ouga, lest the
 thing just fall over from a lack of clear control.  Hokuto, inspired,
 brings out the Unicorn Drill and rides it to get into Ouga.  He quickly
 installs his commander, to Subaru's astonishment.  Subaru is wondering if
 Zero lied to him, and Devil Satan figures it's back to the whole "Ouga chose
 the kid over you" business.  Subaru furiously tells him to shut up, but
 Devil Satan has one thing to tell this little spoiled brat - if he wants
 something, he'd better go get it under his own power.  That's what he calls
 "being a man"... well, an evil man, but still.  Subaru didn't need Devil
 Satan to tell him that (or so he thinks), and is ready to throw down.

 Subaru will tell Hokuto that Ouga belongs to the son of the Galfan emperor,
 namely, him!  He'll tell Ginga that he's got the White Commander, which
 is supposed to be safely locked away in the base.  He'll flee at 60% of his
 HP, and is worth a Mother's Stew.

 When he hits 60%, the Gyandolar begin their real plan and start blowing the
 crap out of Gear HQ.  There are intruders in the command area, and the
 explosions have reached all the way to the hangar.  Vega rushes off to the
 rescue, but it's already too late.  Zero has put Meteo into a coma, just
 as he did back in the invasion of Arctos.  He tells Vega that he's got
 the White Commander, and unlike the Spiral Castle doesn't like doing things
 the roundabout way.  He wants to settle the score here and now, and Yotsuya
 orders all non-A class employees to evacuate NOW.  Zero's going to have a
 bit more trouble though, because Altair just showed up.  He tells Vega to
 help the boys get the White Commander back while he buys time here.  That's
 going to be hard though, since Zero has made a certain promise back then.
 THEY are going after the other Meteo Cube, and even more bad guys show up to
 try to restrain the Gears.  Zero summons his own Gear, and telling Altair
 how fragile humans are blasts him.  The Gyandolar then blast Meteo and
 grab its power source, and then haul off Ouga.  It looks like all is about
 to be lost...

 Zero tells Vega that the Gears and Data Weapons are far too dangerous to the
 Galfa - he plans to simply keep them in protective custody so they can't
 be used against them.

 Fortunately, your dudes show up next round (better late than never, huh?)
 Vega fills everyone in, downcast that she couldn't protect Hokuto or
 prevent the theft of Meteo.  Roam tells her that all you need to do is
 steal it back.  For now, the Gyandolar need to be defeated first.

 The bad guys have a High-Performance Radar and an Apogee Motor.

Unfortunately, the bad guys have what they want, which includes Hokuto.  Ginga
and Vega are _most_ unhappy.  At least Altair is okay, but the Dendou and Meteo
are going to be out of commission for some time, even with Omoikane's help.
Roam perceives that Zero is the one behind the thefts, as well as the
renewed alliance with the Gyandolar... this guy is one mean adversary.  Subaru
meanwhile is Altair's "little brother", his successor as Ouga's pilot.  And
he's human to boot, though no one's sure where he was taken from as a child.
After all, the Gears will only work for humans.  Vega wonders if it's a
survivor from Arctos, and Altair knows that Zero foresaw Ouga's rejection of
Subaru, which is why he stole the Commanders.  The first problem is that your
people can't track the Galfa to their interdimensional fortress.  The second,
bigger problem is that the Galfa will likely try to use Hokuto against you -
using the same technique that once turned Altair against you all.  Bright
tells the strategists to get busy for what will undoubtedly be the final battle
against the Galfa when you go to get Hokuto and the Meteo Cube back.  You've
got to finish this before the Mu, Giganos, and the Martian Successors get
things in gear.

Gades is now much closer to his dreams with the Meteo cube in hand, and as
Ashura's reward his Commander Ranking #1 is made permanent.  Deondra is mildly
miffed at that, and Zero, instead of a reward, wants Gades to answer a
question - what is he planning to do now that he's got the Cube?  Guljios
thinks that question is rude, but Gades is happy to answer it: his reason for
gathering together all these hyper energy sources is to obtain eternal life.
Zero observes that the Meteo Cube alone can't do that, which Gades agrees with:
which is why he wants Roam and the others defeated, so he can plunder the
Earth's numerous energy sources to supplement it.  Zero wryly expresses doubt
that that's the only reason he's having the Galfa's cooperation.  Gades wonders
why - aren't both races mechanical life forms who want to see the humans
crushed?  Zero concedes that point, but says there's one fundamental difference
between the two races: the _Gyandolar_ have come from a different universe.
Zero sounds sure that returning to that other universe is Gades' other
objective, but Gades, impressed by his insight, says that he's wrong.  Rather
than go back to the previous universe, Gades wants to go _forward_ to yet
another universe.  Zero finds that odd, wondering why someone as powerful as
Gades would want to flee the Earth.  Because this whole universe, Earth
included, is headed for its doom, Gades says.  Zero, quite skeptical, asks
if God is supposed to bring that about.  Gades chuckles at the mention of
"God", saying that Zero could think of it that way.  He tells Zero that
while he may not know it, there is a great will to this universe, known by
many names: "Infinite Power", "Instrumentalists", "Precognition", and so on -
children's stories which do, in fact, exist.  That power has brought this
universe through innumerable cycles of "Death and Rebirth" to get to this
moment - and Gades seeks with the High Libido to break free from that cycle.

As for the Seventh Data Weapon, if it can't deliver him the power he wants,
he'll be more than happy to let the Galfa have it.  Zero himself plans to
stay by Gades' side for a while to lend a hand, since _his_ objective is
elimination of the Dendou and the humans.  And, elimination of Gades too when
the time comes...

Subaru meanwhile isn't sure he likes Zero's plans to use Hokuto in the
upcoming fight - he'd rather be piloting Ouga himself.  Of course, he can't,
and it seems that Hokuto's memories have been altered so that Subaru has
assumed Ginga's place... as we learn when Hokuto slips and mentions Ginga's
name.  At that, Zero quickly has Subaru ushered away so the Chips can
brainwash Hokuto some more.  Subaru _very_ uneasily tries to do his part to
keep Hokuto happy long enough to pilot Ouga for the Galfa...


Stage 8e. KURONOSU no Daigyakushuu ("Chronos Strikes Back!")

Hokuto is bothered by something - he thinks he's met the Chips somewhere
before.  They bumblingly try to shrug it off as Zero and Subaru come in.
Zero tells him the time has come to defeat the Dendou, which Hokuto seems
more than happy to do, especially for Subaru's sake.  But he asks, after the
Dendou is defeated, for Subaru to come with him somewhere fun to play - this
green planet they've come to is far more fun than this gloomy castle.  As
Zero tells him he may get his chance very soon to defeat the Dendou, Hokuto
keeps miscalling Subaru "Ginga".

Your people are planning to go to the Gyandolar main base, using the Zeorymer's
Dimensional Linkage System.  Altair cautions Vega that Hokuto's memories will
become harder and harder to restore the more time passes.  Vega is still
reluctant to fight someone she loves, which makes her a good mother in
Altair's view.  He assures her that her child isn't as weak as she fears, and
asks her to bring Ginga to him.

He wants to check on Ginga's resolve before the misssion - can he fight Hokuto?
Can he defeat Hokuto?  For Hokuto, even if his memories are fake, will surely
come prepared to defeat him.  He tells Ginga that Hokuto will be _very_
strong, and unhesitant in his attempt to defeat the Dendou.  If Ginga isn't
prepared to do the same, he is already fated for defeat.  He tells Ginga to
focus his heart on the battle, since he is the only one who can restore Hokuto
to himself, as the only other chosen Gear warrior.  His lecture done, Altair
tells him he can go, but Ginga has something to say first.  He's not going out
there to _fight_ Hokuto, but to save him!  Altair likes the sound of that,
wanting to believe in this strong child of the Earth.

Masato and Miku have found the Tenkuuma Castle, and guide in the rest of your
people.  Guljios actually wants the others to lead your people inside the
castle, where he already has a trap waiting.  Misato meanwhile recommends
flying both flagships inside right away, hoping to steal the initiative.
This will at least make it easier than usual to repair and reprovision inside,
and in return for limited movement at least the enemies' exterior guns won't
be able to reach you.  Ruri opens the path with a Gravity Blast...

..only to find an alternate dimension, made by Guljios' sorcery.  Guljios is
all to happy to tell you that you won't be able to proceed unless you defeat
him, which he figures you can't do.  And even if you can, he's quite sure
that you can't take down Gades with the Meteo Cube's power at his disposal.
Cain points out that you've kicked the asses of innumerable people who said
much the same thing, and all that remains now is to make the same thing
happen again.  As the bad guys talk more trash, Guljios summons the ghosts of
the previous commanders who your people have offed.  This means one thing:
a very target-rich environment, thanks to Gades' power.  Guljios tells all
these forces THIS TIME to take down the son of Kirai.  Roam is totally
not having this, and with an EXTRA heartfelt invocation of the powers of
heaven and earth assumes the form of Vikungfu.

 One of the bad guys has a Super Repair Kit.

 On turn 2.5, Ouga shows up to the usual Ginga angst over Hokuto's
 brainwashing.  Ginga knows what he's got to do though, and asks Domon not to
 intervene as he tries to bring Hokuto back to his senses.

 Guljios, pleading to Gades, will vanish when vanquished - looks like he's
 not quite dead yet!

 Smack Hokuto around and he'll switch Data Weapons, only to have his mind
 control begin to weaken.  Subaru and Ginga get into a shouting match over
 who he should listen to.  Ginga and Hokuto get ready to use their final
 attacks against each other.  Camille and the other Newtypes who were rescued
 by similar means are behind him.

 By the way, it's not possible to kill the Galfans - they're blocking, with
 Iron Wall, and have plot-powered regeneration.

 When you reduce the Ouga to less than 10% of its HP, Zero realizes how
 close Hokuto is to recovering his memory.  He then goes over and blasts
 Ginga, prompting the two Gears to use their final attacks on each other.
 It's nearly a double-knockout, but Ginga goes over and tells Hokuto to quit
 moaning in pain - after all, Ginga's hurting from all this too!  Ginga
 calling Hokuto an idiot for the second time seems to do the trick.  Zero
 tries to use this chance to take Dendou out, but Hokuto has other ideas.
 After getting somewhat wounded, Zero evenly informs Subaru that Hokuto is
 back to being his enemy, meaning there's no further reason to remain.  He
 bodily hauls the protesting Subaru away, leaving the rest of your people
 to wonder why the kekkai hasn't yet vanished - was Guljios lying, or is
 this Gades' power?

 Making matters worse at the end of the battle is that Reina vanishes -
 apparently by Gades' power.

 The bad guys also have a Psychoframe.

Roam frantically wonders how to find Gades and Reina when he hears his older
brother Galdy's voice.  He tells Roam that he had not passed away back when:
Tenkuu Chuushinken, the martial art of the heart, has preserved his spirit
long after his flesh has departed.  He tells Roam to unleash the power of
Galdy's Shooting Star, which their father entrusted to him.  With the power of
these two swords, Gades and Guljios' kekkai can be cleaved.  He tells Roam
to go forth and defeat Gades, and save Reina and the world, in their father's
name.

Reina has in fact been brought face to face with Gades.  It seems that _this_
Gades has come from an alternate spacetime continuum, which explains why
Roam and company were so sure they already defeated them.  In Gades' past, he
activated the High Libido in the final battle against Chronos, abruptly getting
tossed into this dimension... which the humans call Tokyo Jupiter!  This is
when Gades realized the existence of an underlying will of the universe, which
resonated with his power.  To escape from that will's influence and gain
eternal life, Gades began preparations to use the High Libido once more.  The
problem is that even the Meteo Cube isn't enough - he needs even greater
power to live forever.  Reina is actually feeling sorry for this guy, since the
Gades she recalls defeating said the same thing.  She says that obtaining
eternal life avails nothing - life's finiteness is what makes it valuable,
makes it beautiful.  Gades, irritated, blasts Reina briefly before Guljios
pesters him for more healing.

Guljios isn't quite prepared for what Gades does to him though: conferring
what Gades calls "true glory".  In other words, absorbing him into Gades' own
body, to share eternal life.  Gades tells Reina that his body is telling him
he wants her to join with him in eternal life too, and her pleas obviously
don't stop anything.  A Mysterious Figure(tm), however, does.  Said person
informs Gades that _anyone_ has within them such limitless power as can move
the universe.  Yet those exist who would turn that power to destruction and
death: the greatest choice in life being whether to use power to create or
to destroy.  The heart which seeks not to shut out the light, origin of all
living things - that is what people refer to as "love".  Now GADES deserves
to know Roam Stoll, son of Kirai Stoll and head of the Chronos family's full
name!  The evidence suggests that Gades is not going to appreciate what Roam
has in store for him.

 Once you reduce his HP to 80% or less, he regenerates, telling Roam that
 he's not the Gades Roam thinks he defeated.  Of course, this isn't the Roam
 Gades knows either, especially with that second sword in hand.  Roam
 informs Gades that High Libido isn't destructive energy - it's creative
 energy!  He then unveils a new attack, wiping out Gades in one hit! @_@!!
 Roam says that whatever time, whatever world Gades is in, Roam's going to
 put the whupping on his ass, as his duty as inheritor of Tenkuu Chuushin-Ken.

 Gades is worth a Haro.

Everyone, including Hokuto, makes it out of the collapsing pocket dimension.
Time to return to Gear HQ to prepare for Operation Baglacion - time to wipe
out the remaining bad guys!


Stage 9a. Dearest

Misumaru springs an unexpected piece of bad news on you: the Nadesico is to
be moved away from the front lines.  Your people doubt you can fight
effectively without it, but all Misumaru can tell you is that this is for the
sake of "future operations".  Misato isn't buying it, but Bright accedes and
passes the order to return to Misumaru's place to Ruri.  Misumaru isn't quite
finished, however, and goes on to tell everyone...

..about the Nadesico C, which is undergoing final checks at Nergal's moon
base!  The old Nadesico crew is being sent on a special mission as part of
Baglacion - recovery of the Ruins.  The bad guys are aware of this plan,
however, and just picking up the Nadesico C is likely to not go easily.  The
operation starts in three days' time, but before heading to the moon, Ruri
asks permission to take a detour.

Ruri is picking up more of the old guard, whic for some reason has Harry all
up in arms over the prospect of disturbing their retirement.  He goes as far
as to ask Ruri if he's that unreliable [in bed? utterly.  Pixy Stick junior
grade mother- ...anyways.] which Ruri won't answer.  Harry bursts into tears,
running away (without paying) and leaving Ruri to point out that even Harry
ought to realize how in need of help they'll all be in the next battle.  Harry
is [too sexually inadequate to deserve to be] jealous of Ruri's old comrades,
but there it is.  Which makes it all the more ironic when he face-plants into
Minato's ample cleavage [see the anime].  Minato has been expecting this
addle-brained little twerp (who is utterly lost by this point), since Ruri
wrote of him as her little high-spirited brother in her letters.  Ruri then
appears on cue to take him back.  Minato and Hou-Mei are both considering
Ruri's request to return, realizing after seeing Ruri that she's pushing
herself far harder on this one than she's letting on...

Ruri meanwhile orders Harry to perform a long-range jump at 0800 tomorrow to
the moon, to do final checks on the Nadesico C.  She tells him that an
A-Class Navigator will assist him, and announces that she's going to back to
rendezvous with the Ner Argama.  She tells him to give Omoikane her regards.

The Successors have gotten their success rate up to 98%, and Yamasaki explains
how it was done: a popular shoujo manga called "Ururun".  The upshot is that
"dreams" are what's been messing the system up until now - the dreams of the
biological interface unit (i.e. Yurika).  Rather than simply trying to
override them, he got the idea of mixing in some romantic imagery with the
images the Navigators are inputting, making them seem to be part of a date...

[This is very disturbing, and very effective.  See the movie to get the full
idea...]

Northstar Jumps to his men, proof that they no longer need the power sources
of the Zeorymer or Deimos.  This means they can now go back to their original
mission regarding the doll/experimental subject, Lapis.

Harry seems a bit awed to meet Ines, an A-Class Jumper.  She won't answer
him whether she was on the original Nadesico, but tells him to relax while she
handles the imaging.  As they Jump to the Moon, Ruri and Minato are at Akito's
"grave".  Ruri deliberately didn't see Harry off, saying that she doesn't want
to say "goodbye" to someone she cares about a third time.  Akito then shows
up, as Ruri recounts what she should have realized earlier: that all the
A-Class jumpers were kidnapped by the Successors to use as input devices for
the jump system.  She says flatly that she has no idea what Akito endured
these past two years, which Akito finally responds to by saying that she's
better off that way.  Ruri doesn't even want to know, but she does ask why
Akito never told her he's still alive, a tremor creeping into her voice.
Akito says there was no reason to, drawing an angry retort from Minato.  As
she tries to demand an apology from him to Ruri (given that he took Ruri into
his household back when and all), Akito draws his gun and points it in
Minato's direction.

He's actually pointing it at Northstar, who tells him to come with him and
his men.  Akito's gun seems ineffective, and Akito tells the other two to run.
Not that they really can under the circumstances.  Northstar tells his men to
kill the woman, but to catch the golden-eyed white fairy, product of man's
craft.  He muses that the Earthlings sure like playing at genetics, much like
the Tekkouryuu did.  When he tells Ruri to become an experiment in his glorious
lab, she realizes that these are the people responsible for kidnapping the
A-Class jumpers.  He admits this freely, saying that he's the shadow of the
Martian Succesors, committing his atrocities for the good of the order to come.

This provokes an outburst of laughter from a certain man with long black hair,
and manly, outmoded speech to match.  He ridicules the Successors' "new
order", observing that a new order may well be born at the end of all their
destruction and chaos.  But this doesn't profit Kusakabe anything, or so he
says.  Northstar isn't inclined to take the word of one who has betrayed
the Martians and become Nergal's dog.  Gouto is on the scene as well, and
Tsukihime orders Northstar to withdraw from this, what ought to be a peaceful
resting place for the dead.  Northstar asks what will happen if he doesn't,
and Tsukihime says that he'll send him to hell.  Northstar dispatches one of
his lackeys to take Tsukihime down, but Tsukihime counters easily, saying that
the Double Battou-jutsu of the Mars Federation is not meant for assassins.  He
punctuates his point by snapping his assailant's neck, announcing his intent
to wipe out Northstar's entire crew.  Still smirking, Northstar withdraws his
forces.

As Ruri and the others mull over this unaided Boson Jump, Akito tells Ruri
that the Successors have compromised Yurika, and that Kusakabe's all-out
assault is near.  That's why he has something to give her - his personal ramen
recipe.  Ruri, shocked, tells him she can't accept it - Akito will need it for
when they rescue Yurika.  He tells her flatly that he doesn't need it, that
the Tenkawa Akito she knows is dead.  He wants her to have it as proof that
he once lived, which she angrily says is just him talking big.  He tells her
that she's wrong, calling her Ruri-chan at long last and showing her what
hides under his visor.  After everything they did to his head, his senses are
all out of whack... especially his sense of taste.  With a bitter smile on
his face, he observes that he's become some kind of manga character who starts
glowing when his emotions mount.  He tells her he can't make her ramen any
more, slowly walking away.

Baglacion is now underway, and the Nadesico C is awaiting the old crew's
arrival at the moon.  The most likely enemies in your way to the moon are
the Giganos and Martian Successors.  Minato is furious that a certain
troublesome little girl has come along, but Gouto tells her there's a very
good reason for him having her along.  She's the younger sister of the Martian
hero Tsukumo - and if left unguarded she might well be the next target of the
successors.  Prospector and Hou-Mei watch the departure, along with a certain
other person who's here on a separate mission.

Subaru is pissed off about Hokuto's regression, despite Zero's promise that
he had been "reborn".  He says that the loss of Hokuto and Ouga is of no
account, but Subaru continues pining for Hokuto, and Zero figures that this
kid too may be of no further use.  He knows he's running out of time, and
tells Subaru he's leaving on his next mission.  He asks Subaru to understand
that this mission involves defeating the Dendou, Ouga, and all your other
dudes too.  Subaru insists on coming too, vowing to defeat Ouga by his own
hands if it's to be defeated at all.

Kusakabe meanwhile informs Dorchenov that his forces are going to initiate
Plan Kou at 100 hours.  He adds that Yurika is being used as the interface,
making Dorchenov muse over how her former role as peacemaker has turned to
sowing confusion.  Dorchenov figures that the Federation, still reeling from
the Mu's appearance, should be easily subjugatable once the Successors start
sending in their mobile weapons.  Kusakabe says that your squad still lingers
as an obstacle, but Dorchenov figures they can't do jack shit without an
A-Class Jumper on their side.  He asks Dorchenov to take out the Nadesico C
just to be on the safe side, promising certain material rewards in return.
Dorchenov is congratulating himself on hiding out in his little asteroid
field, and receives a report that the Federation is massing to attack his
mobile fortress and the Vegan base.  He tells his men to attack your group,
which is preparing to sortie, and says to be sure to include the new mass-
production machines (even though they're not fully debugged yet).  He also
says to use "that", meaning a certain woman who's been hanging around...
That woman is Aoi Wakaba, who he hopes to use for spin control...

Your people's hopes for a safe passage to the Moon are dashed almost
immediately when the Giganos units show up.... but hey, at least it's not
those pesky Boson Jumping Successors.  Cain is on the scene, and tells the
Giganos not to get cocky just cause they've been gone for a while.

 Once you defeat the starting enemies, more show up, riding the same
 Gilgazamne type that Gun Jem had piloted.  Your people plan to wipe them
 out all the same, but then a female voice comes on the radio, announcing
 that Dorchenov wants peace talks.  It's a voice certain people on your
 squad know well, but Amuro and Char know that this is just a ploy to stall
 for time until the Successors get their next operation together.  The voice
 belongs to Cain's mom, and the enemy sure don't _look_ like they're planning
 on a cease-fire.  Bright hastily radios HQ, while Cain gets some executive-
 level transmission telling him to surrender his mech if he wants to see his</pre><pre id="faqspan-13">
 mother alive again.  As the enemy get ready to attack again, Cain is torn
 over what to do...

 On the next turn, Zero and Subaru show up.  Hokuto isn't thrilled about
 fighting this guy since he's a human, but Ginga reminds Hokuto that he's also
 a Galfa.  Hokuto realizes that this boy is probably being controlled just
 like he was, and wants to help save him.

 Reduce the Legacy to 30% or less of its HP and Subaru's mind control starts
 to slip.  Zero tells Subaru to rest himself, taking control of his mech and
 proceeding to try to kill off Hokuto with it.  In fact, the Legacy grabs
 Ouga and won't let go, and Zero tells Subaru that it's set to self destruct.
 He says blithely that this way Subaru will accomplish his mission, even at
 the cost of his own life.  Subaru is now rather confused, but Hokuto uses his
 Data Weapons to blow a hole in the Legacy, telling Subaru to jump to him.
 Hokuto yells that Subaru is his friend, and Subaru manages to jump just in
 time.  Zero takes this all philosophically, saying that mankind's fate is
 sealed anyway before disappearing.

As your people get ready to resume their journey to the Moon, Puru2 gets a very
bad feeling - something is coming.  Margarette and Erika are brought before
the jump controller by Yamasaki, who says he wants them to be witnesses to this
historical undertaking.  He tells Erika that he doesn't need her drive system
now, having obtained another princess.  Erika is of course aghast at seeing
what's been done to Yurika, and _rather_ hates hearing Yamasaki gloating over
how much effort it took to "satisfy" her.

Kusakabe then launches into a grandiose speech about how the time is now to
bring about a new order to fend off threats such as the Galfa.  He figures
that the Federation is threatening the order of the universe, and that while
his people are "evil", they're also raising the curtain on a new order, a new
world.  The bad guys fan out to all the important Federation buildings and
bases, as well as to try to stop your people.  Your people stare aghast at
the bad guys and their completed Boson Jump system, but just then another
object Jumps in - a very large one.  It's Harry, who proceeds to blow the
bad guys to kingdom come.  He's got Uribatake with him, who was lurking on the
moon because he "figured something like this might happen".  This is one
crazed mechanic, and your people hastily rendezvous, awaiting a fuller
explanation.  All except for Cain, that is, who heads on ahead after checking
that everything's okay here...

Meanwhile, Maiyo and those loyal to him have been hiding out somewhere near
the Earth.  Maiyo is doubting his own ideals now, suspecting that the mission
he inherited from Giltall has devolved into nothing more than a revenge that
his men are unfortunate enough to have been caught up in.  They stridently
protest, calling this fate and assuring him that his ideals are pure and
correct.

Your people manage to piece together what happened to Cain - his mom's
being held hostage, he's got to go save her, blah blah blah.  All this just to
salvage a bit of Giganos honor over the stolen Dragnar machines seems a bit
much, but that's the kind of lame-o's you're dealing with.

Subaru seems to be doing okay, and his hair has been liberated[!!!]  Rain
cautions Hokuto to be careful, since although this guy is physically okay he's
had quite a shock.  Ginga is pretty pissed that the Galfa would use kids
like this, waxing somewhat inarticulate in his frustration.  Roam notes that
Subaru seems to be in a different position than Altair, who had suffered
Galfan mind control.  This kid was raised since birth as a Galfa, brought up
believing the Galfan ideals were correct.  Domon knows what this must feel
like, to have all your ideals overthrown in an instant - that's what happened
when he learned his master was one of the Devil Gundam's commanders.  Your
people will have to go very slowly, teaching him one thing at a time so he
can absorb it all.

Your people first try to get him to absorb some dinner.  Subaru is mostly
silent, though he seems somehow fascinated when Hokuto thanks his mother for
bringing her stew to the party.  Subaru at length marvels at this strange
thing called "food".  When Ginga asks incredulously what the Galfans did for
food, Subaru haltingly says that Galfan "food", that which conveys nourishment,
wasn't something which excites the tongue like this.  As everyone laughs at
Ginga's antics at getting more of Sai Saishi's cooking, including Subaru
after a moment, Vega things that everything will be alright...

Cue the wacky music for the start of "Naze Nani Nadesico - MX Edition"!  Your
crew are... _perplexed_.  Char stoically notes that important information is
supposed to be embedded in this goofy show, and counsels everyone else to
bear with it.  Ines is about to explain why Boson Jumping is so central to
the Successors' plans for a new world order when Ruri asks a question: isn't
Ines supposed to be dead?  Ines turns the mic over to Nergal president
Akatsuki, the "droopy eyed womanizer" as the tabloids portray him.  Apparently
he was responsible for faking Ines' death as a way of getting her away from the
Successors after her abduction.  Ruri asks if he's a good or a bad person, and
he dodges the question by saying he's got to take another call.

Of course the Successors are raising hell, and of course Akatsuki is prepared
for them... with a concert, featuring Meg-tan! [--;;;;] instead of the
Federation central committee  Prospector is on guitar, Hou-Mei on keyboards,
Admiral Misumaru himself is on drums, and Akatsuki Nagare is the special
guest.  The bad guys try to pronounce "divine judgement" upon him, but their
bullets bounce harmlessly off a Distortion Field surrounding him.  He tells
the soldiers not to underestimate a rich guy like him, and says he's called
them all here to tell them to knock off this foolish fighting.  After all,
no organization who would try to take the Federation council hostage can
claim to be God's messengers on Earth.  Quoting a famous poem, he advises
them "not to die"... and before the soldier can make Akatsuki die instead
another voice advises him to disarm, like the people outside have already
done.  Akatsuki and friends point out to these soldiers that the same thing
has happened to their comrades at their other targets - the attack has failed.

Well, with the terrorist acts suppressed, it's time for phase 3 of Baglacion.
And all this is thanks to Akatsuki and Misumaru readying things behind the
scenes.  Your people will be split up, to spearhead the Federation offensive.
Attacking the Giganos stronghold will be the Ner Argama, Gundam team, Dragnar
team, and Getter team.  Recovering the Ruins will be the Nadesico C, Aestivalis
team, Roam's crew, and Kazuya's crew.  And attacking the Vegans will be the
Mazinger team and Daisuke, Reideen and friends, and the G Gundam folks.
The remaining teams will return to NERV HQ and shore things up on Earth.

[Do the next three mission in any order.  I'm doing them in the order listed.]


Stage 9b. Starlight Serenade

Word reaches Maiyo that the final assault on Dorchenov is about to start.  An
unexpected helper has shown up: it's Min, from Gun Jem's squadron... the lone
survivor to be exact.  Min is sick of Dorchenov's shit, so she's come to
Maiyo's place in hopes of getting some revenge on your squad, but Maiyo tells
her that his forces are poised to strike Dorchenov, the corruptor of Giltall's
ideals and threatener of the Earth.  He points out that Dorchenov has ignored
the Mu and instead planned even greater mayhem towards the Earth.  Min sounds
impressed, saying that she's never met someone this dumb before in her life
(which she claims is a compliment).  She wants to know how the captain of the
guard came to think this way.  He tells her that one must experience defeat
once in order to understand what strength and weakness are... maybe his fight
with Cain and your squad was of value after all.  Min, shaking her head,
murmurs that this guy really _is_ stupid... but that's why she likes him so
much. [^^;;;]  Looks like the Blue Hawk has just garnered another stupid
ally...

With the Mu quiet for the moment, your people can concentrate on the Giganos
fortress, which advance attacks have failed to damage much.  Professor Plaht
and Douglas show up, planning to help with the assault on the fortress.
Douglas at the very least is quite furious that Cain has taken off on his own,
saying that by rights this ought to earn him an execution for dereliction of
duty.  And if he actually surrenders to the bad guys, he'd best not complain if
Douglas kills him himself.  He tells an incredulous Camille that he's a
soldier, and values his duty above any familial ties, and Quatro forestalls the
counterargument for now.  Bright agrees, rather shortly telling Camille to
accompany Light and the Getter team on their recon mission.

The recon group has managed to get close to the fortress, hidden from sight by
the D-3's jamming.  The plan is to get the data you need and leave, which will
take until turn 5.

 You're supposed to sit still, but that doesn't seem wise.  The first bad guy
 you wipe out will tip off the enemy, and the D-1 will head towards you,
 though you can't be sure who's at the controls or if they intend to fire.
 Have Tap or Light persuade the pilot.

 It is indeed Cain, who seems to have defected, saying that he's got no choice
 because of his mother.  Dorchenov tells him to get with the program already
 and kick your dudes' butts, and as Cain writhes in indecision several
 Gilgazamnes appear.  You have no choice but to withdraw for now, and Tub
 tells Cain to come back as soon as he's saved his mother.  Your dudes are
 even willing to lie or risk their own safety to protect him...

Of course, Dorchenov isn't going to let Cain actually see his mother
since he's got more for Cain to do... though he'd be willing to
consider it if Cain can wipe out your squad.  Cain furiously tells
him that if anything happens to his mom, he's dead meat, and
Dorchenov drily says that he can't hear the yelping of a whipped dog.

Plaht explains that the scary thing about the mobile fortress is that
it is, well, mobile.  VERY mobile in fact, enough so to be used like
a battleship, though according to the data you gathered it seems the
guidance system needs a bit of work.  It turns out that many parts of
the fortress have thin armor because of all the gun emplacements:
dodge the cannons and you're home free.  The plan is the old attack the
outside attack the inside strategy, like Screw Nail except with a
_traitor_ involved as Hayato observes.  Tap is about to deck him, but
Ben intervenes, takes the blow, and then offers a suggestion: combine
the destruction of the fortress with rescuing Cain's mother, which would
bring Cain back to them.  He wants to go himself, and Camille is willing
to help.  He tells the annoyed Douglas that Douglas could never
understand what it's like to see your own mother's blood, to see her
flesh being torn from her bones.  Douglas claims that he's lost many
subordinates he loved as dearly as his mother in that fashion, and spits
that war is the process of supressing those emotions.  Camille demands
to know if he insists on abandoning those who could be saved because of
such rhetoric, of subjecting Cain to the same torment he himself faced.
Quatro adds his voice to the debate, noting that he was present when the
Titans killed Camille's mother.  Bright gives Cain, Tub, and Light the
green light to go get Cain back, saying that he's going to thoroughly
lecture Cain on the error of his ways _afterwards_.  Tap and Light are
amazed nothing more severe is in store, and Bright says he doesn't
plan on reporting any of this provided they do things right. =)

Dorchenov dispatches his considerable forces to meet you head on, including
Cain who is desperately trying to figure out how to save his mother.
Your people are loaded for bear and intent on making the rescue succeed.

One of the bad guys has a Solar Sail.

Once you get either Tap or Light inside, the other will join him.  Light
will frantically search for Cain's mom as more bad guys appear.  Bust open
the door and you'll rescue Cain's mom.  Cain is overjoyed(??) at the news,
and rushes over for a tearful reunion.  Cain gets a nice little slapping
for all the worries he's caused his mom, and Dorchenov rushes over to try
to cut things short.  Cain, however, has nothing more to fear with his
mother back in hand, and an unexpected ally shows up: it's Maiyo!
Dorchenov demands to know what Maiyo is doing, and Maiyo tells the traitor
to ask himself.  Dorchenov STILL refuses to admit who really shot Giltall,
and Maiyo yells that he's got the truth within himself.  Dorchenov isn't
finished though, he prepares to call down all the remaining Metal Armors in
this place to seal their doom, saying that Giltall fell before him because
of the law of the jungle.  He owns up to the assassination, which somehow
impresses your people greatly.  Dorchenov goes on with a long list of why
Giltall wasn't fit to govern the country, including his reluctance to use
the mass drivers.  After a while, the Dragnar pilots AND Maiyo are giggling
furiously.  Dorchenov, furious, orders his elite SP squad to come in and
finish you all off, but oddly enough no one comes.  Light has in fact been
rebroadcasting this whole speech throughout the base, and it's doubtful
anyone will listen to him anymore.  Moreover, he doesn't even control the
base itself, now that Maiyo's men have finished planting explosives all
over.  Cain and the crew are ready to pursue the fleeing Dorchenov (not that
he's got much of anywhere to go with the fortress surrounded by the
Federation), but Maiyo says that striking him down is his job.  He tells
his sister that he doubts he'll ever see her again, and entrusts her safety
to Cain.  But in fact, everyone decides they want to go after Dorchenov
except for Maiyo's men.  Game on again!

..and again, and again.  Fucking tedium aplenty (or, PP and money aplenty
depending on your outlook).  Eventually you'll find Dorchenov, who is
wondering why everyone is evacuating when he hasn't given the order yet.
Of course he won't give up, and even thinks he can rebuild all this if he
can defeat you.

One of the bad guys has a Mars Donburi.  Inside a container is a Biosensor.

Dorchenov stubbornly refuses to die, even though his Gilgazamne is already
inert.  Maiyo orders all the remaining Giganos soldiers to flee the fortress
and surrender to the Federation.  The Dragnar pilots decide to pull out from
this fortress, no more than a hunk of scrap, leaving Dorchenov behind.  He
is now one delusional mo-fo, and about to meet his doom.

Cain's now back in the fold, as is his mother.  She tells him that he's no
longer the child she knew - he's now a full-fledged man... who gets by with
a little help from his friends.  Although she's an avowed Neutral, she tells
Cain to go on fighting if that's the path through life he's found.  He says
that he doesn't exactly relish fighting, but does want to see what lies at
the far side of this battle now that he's come this far.  Moreover, Cain
doesn't want to see Maiyo take off so fast, but Maiyo is determined to leave,
promises to ignore his past actions aside.  He tells Linda to apologize to
their father for him, but said father shows up with Amuro and Quatro at his
heels.  The meeting between the resolved Giganos idealist and traitorous
scientist isn't exactly light-hearted: both sides have goals they're
firmly devoted to.  Blaht tells his son that he is still young, with an
obligation to shape the Earth's future with his own hands.  Maiyo says that
his role has died along with the Giganos empire, but Quatro says that the
only thing which has died is the "Blue Hawk" - the man named "Maiyo Plaht"
mustn't die too.  Maiyo asks if Quatro is asking him to live with his shame,
and Quatro says that it's up to him whether he considers it "shame", but
that his strength is vital to your people now.  Amuro adds that with the
Giganos military gone, Maiyo and his companions should be able to accompany
you all with no problems.

Quatro says that there is a time and place for putting one's destiny on hold
for the greater good, and Maiyo asks him, as the "Red Comet", whether he
actually expects the day to come when he'll resume his destiny.  After a long
pause, Quatro says that he can't answer that question now.  But he does intend
to take the correct path should that day arrive.  Maiyo is satisfied with
this, and resolves to cast off his old title much as Quatro has done, while
retaining the soul of the Giganos within.  He offers his strength, not to the
Federation, but to his mother planet - as do his subordinates.  Min comes
along for the ride, swiftly whipping the Junk House stooges into shape bringing
her refreshments...  With the newcomers settled in, Plaht, Ben, and Douglas
head off to Federation Space Command, promising to be responsible for Mrs.
Wakaba's safety until the fighting is over.  Mind you, she's "Miss", not Mrs.
News of the Giganos defeat is spreading throughout the Earth sphere, and Bright
hastens to the Moon to meet up with the rest of your units.

Stage 9c. Kimi no Omoide ni Sayounara ("Farewell to your Memories")

Erina tells Akito that Ruri has rendezvoused with the Nadesico C, and is about
to jump to Mars.  Akito figures that the battle is as good as won, and Erina
agrees that Ruri plus Omoikane should be invincible.  This means that Akito
and Lapis' combat data proved useful, since the Nadesico C was the real focus
of Baglacion.  It might be able to stand up to the Galfan homeworld itself,
to say nothing of the Successors' puny might.  However, Akito says that your
people mustn't be exhaused before that fight, and heads off for his own
personal revenge.  Erina says that "revenge" is the farthest word from what
Akito used to be, and Akito says that the past is the past, and the present
is the present.  He thanks her for the repairs, and she haltingly says that
she was just carrying out Akatsuki's orders...  Ines wonders if the score
can really be settled quickly, having strained herself considerably sending
the entire Nadesico C to Mars.  Mr. super mechanic extraordinaire can't
offer much more than moral support.

Word has reached the Successors that their coup d'etat has failed utterly.
One of the soldiers shows footage of Tsukihime's stirring speech about how
now is not the time for fighting one's own kin.  Of course, Kusakabe and
his staffers are quite astounded, and Erika tells them to give it all up:
it's obvious they've lost.  Shinjou furiously refuses that idea, figuring
that he's still got strength and ordering his men to phone in some Giganos
reinforcements.  But just then, something even more astounding happens:
someone _Boson_Jumps_ into the area.  Erika solemnly says that "he" has
come, her boyfriend Kazuya.  Indications are that the Successors are in
for a severe ass-beating before all is said and done.

It is indeed the Nadesico, and Ruri wastes no time taking over the
Successors' systems [ooh, glowing like some manga! ^^;;;]  Your forces
wait, poised to sortie if need be.  Ruri leaves Harry in charge of all
the Nadesico C's systems while SHE invades all the Successors' systems.
It takes Minato to tell him to be a man and just accept the assignment.
Ruri then greets the Successors, saying that she's here to arrest Kusakabe.
Kusakabe grants his hawkish lieutenant license to fight to the last man,
telling an incredulous Erika that he's got a reason why he can't withdraw:
an ideal every bit as unshakable as her brother Rihitel once had.  He
tells her that she's free as of this moment, and tells her not unkindly to
leave at once.  Addressing all his men, he says that this is to be the
final battle.  Your people are about to begin the assault when Northstar's
men materialize near the Nadesico.  Ruri is unconcerned, saying that "he"
will deal with them.  Akito shows up in short order, and silently answers
Northstar's desire to settle the score.  Ruri, surprised, sees Lapis Lazuli
for the first time, introducing her to her friend Omoikane.  Lapis tells
her of her birth in a Nergal lab, that she's Akito's eyes, and ears, and
hands, and feet, and his...  Well, the bad guys try to interrupt, but
Ryouko and her crew sortie.  She says that anyone who interrupts the
manly fight will get kicked by a horse all the way to the River Styx, and
her "horses" introduce themself in order with more of the usual banter.
Ryouko isn't the only one fired up here: Kazuya is in postseason form,
though as he tells Roam he's going to let Akito have the satisfaction of
finishing Northstar off.  He figures Akito has the far bigger score to
settle, and as a man wants to see Akito get the chance to settle it.
That said, he's more than looking forward to pulverizing everyone else.
Erika contacts Kazuya, immediately understanding that she's to go and
rescue Yurika.

 Northstar taunts Akito, saying that he must be scared and ashamed.  Even
 in armor, he has no way to protect the weakness of his heart.  But
 damage him past a certain point and Akito and he will decide it's time
 for Final Throwdown.  Akito sheds his external armor, wrecking
 Northstar's entire shit and getting him to repeat Miyazawa Yukino's
 favorite motivational quote: "no one will pick up your corpse when you
 die."  He calls the attack marvelous before choking eloquently on his
 own blood.

At this point, Kusakabe will throw in the towel, heeding Ruri's request
to stop the bloodshed.  Ruri will guarantee his men's safety.  Kazuya
is finally reunited with Erika, holding her in his arms once again.
Kyoujirou waxes poetic with an old quote about "flowers have roots, and
birds have nests" - the long journey that began on Mars has ended there
once more.

Yurika is even doing okay, her usual airheaded self.  She notes that
everyone has gotten older, and wonders where Akito is.  Akito has in
fact left, though it's unclear precisely why.  Ruri is sure that he'll
come back, saying that if he doesn't it'a simple matter of following
him.  After all, he's very precious to her.

[What a short-ass battle, after the death march that was the Giganos
debacle.  Maybe I was supposed to pick a fight with Kusakabe's fleet of
battleships?  Turns out Kusakabe's got a Psychoframe...]


Stage 9d.  Ichirin no Hikari to Midori no Hoshi ("The Circle of the Sun and the
Green Planet")

Rubiina is trying to go to where Duke is, having heard that he's headed
for the base.  When Vega tries to stop her, she angrily retorts that
Duke only became Vega's enemy _after_ Vega destroyed Freed.  She points
out that the same can be said of the Earthlings: they're only
_counter_attacking.  Vega says that with their homeworld gone, taking
over the Earth is the only option, but Rubiina disagrees: Freed is
recovering after being contaminated with Vegatron radiation - she had
come here to tell Duke this.  Vega tells her in no uncertain terms that
he's determined to become the ruler of the whole galaxy, not one to be
content with holing up on a single planet.  Rubiina responds in even less
uncertain terms, saying that she'll do what _she_ thinks is best, and
runs off.  Vega is feeling so misunderstood.

Just then Zuril runs in to inform Vega that the asteroids under Vegan
rule are in full revolt.  Vega irritably tells him not to bother him
with such stuff: he's to put down the rebellion with military force as usual
and immediately execute those responsible.  Unfortunately, with so
much military force concentrated on taking over the Earth, putting
down those revolts will _not_ be a swift process.  Vega is hating the
timing, and orders Zuril out to drag Rubiina back if he has to: once
the Earth is taken over he'll go back and personally put down the
rioting.

The mass-production Great Mazinger has arrived, all but identical to the
regular one except for the Scramble Dasher being absent.  Your people
almost instantly start talking about ways to distinguish it from the
mass production types the bad guys have, Maria getting into the act
and wanting to pilot it.  As Tetsuya's ire rises, it seems that Duke
is feeling somewhat out of it, and readily accepts the suggestion to go
lie down.  Hikaru goes to check on him, and Domon somewhat awkwardly
asks Maria to stay back to give them some time alone.  Kouji recommends
they get to work on the second Great Mazinger, and Rain and Allenbie
congratualte Domon for having grown up enough to have some romantic
intuition (thanks to Rain no doubt).

Duke Frood is brooding as expected over the upcoming showdown with the
destroyer of his homeworld and murderer of his parents.  He's so upset
he's ready to burst, but he runs into the passing Kiral, who says he's
interested in a little idle chat since Duke says he's not busy.  He can
sense the fury and hatred within Duke's heart, saying that there are
some things his unseeing eyes can see quite well.  He says that these
emotions can grant strength, but even if one's adversary is defeated,
they cannot make one a true victor.  Duke protests, saying that Vega
deserves even more hatred than he can muster - defeating him is all
that he can think of.  Kiral asks whether that will really satisfy
Duke's heart, repeating that Duke's feelings may grant strength, but
amount to an obsession with the past.  He says that true victors must
see beyond that to the future, which seems to start getting through
to Duke.  He continues, saying that when his eyes first lost the
light, he hated his life, his world, and other people to the depths of
his being.  Under the nickname "Kiral the Grim Reaper", he set about
assassinating his opponents before the Gundam Fights could begin - a
truly ravaging demon indeed.  As Duke marvels, Kiral says that when
he fought Domon, he saw a new light: the bonds that bind people
together, and hope for the future.  He's more than well aware that
what he's done can never be atoned for, but he's chosen to live with
his shame and do what he can anyway rather than pay with his death.
Smiling, he tells Duke to treat all of this as nothing more than
idle ramblings as he begins to walk away.  Duke refuses, saying
that he will instead ponder the words.  Kiral smiles further at this
earnest person, telling him to agonize to his heart's content: the
light will surely shine upon him when he's through.  At last, he
reminds Duke to remember that in the midst of his agony and
wandering, he still has his friends.

Duke wonders what waits beyond his rage and anger, and as if on cue
Hikaru walks in.  She asks him what he's thinking about, and wants to
know what he plans to do once this fight is over and he doesn't need
to pilot Grendizer anymore.  He hadn't given it any thought, but
says he wants to go back to helping his father back at the ranch.
Hikaru thinks that suits him just fine, and Duke muses aloud that,
after all, this whole fight is about making it through to whatever
is after it.  He thanks her for reminding him of this crucial fact,
and asks her what she plans to do.  She thinks a moment, and says that
she wants to do whatever Duke wants to do, forever and ever.  He's
quite looking forward to seeing her on the ranch too, but there's
this little detail of the bad guys to deal with first...

A single enemy vessel is headed your way, though it's not clear what
its purpose is.  Duke sorties, saying that his vessel is best suited
for keeping lookout in this debris-filled space.  Kiral tells Kouji
not to worry - Duke has shed his indecision.  Domon asks if Kiral
gave Duke some advice, and he says that the vast majority of the
credit should go to Hikaru.  Duke confronts the mech, astounded to
find out that Rubiina is aboard it.  Rubiina tells Duke that she
hasn't come to fight, asking him to follow her so she can tell him
something.  Duke is satisfied after seeing her present her back to
him, willing to accompany her.  Your people want to know who the heck
this is and why Duke is willing to trust her, and Duke lets on that
this is the person who would have been his wife if not for the war.
Saying he wants to trust her, he disappears.  Tetsuya is figuring that
capturing her would be a great way to find out the enemy base, but
Hikaru and Kouji want to believe in Duke the way Duke seems to believe
in Rubiina.  Tetsuya, uncharacteristically, yields to this thinking,
and your people can but sit and wait.

Before Duke will let the love-lorn Rubiina come near, he asks for some
proof that it's really her.  Rubiina recalls a boating trip they took
back when, when Duke said she was beautiful like a red flower.  Duke
remembers this, remembers how Rubiina was to be his bride.  However, he
says that that old Duke is dead, and he's now her enemy.  Rubiina
doesn't see him as the enemy, but Duke points out that her father had
his parents killed.  Rubiina admits to being at a loss to hear him say
so, and can only apologize.  Duke recalls further that his planet was
poisoned by Vegatron radiation and made into a dead world, but Rubiina
tells him that the devastation was not absolute.  During the trip to
earth, she made sure of this with her own eyes, and shows him a
photograph.  Duke can see that the eerie Vegatron glow has faded, and
Rubiina urges him to stop fighting and return with her to Freed.  She
says that at this rate the Vegan army will destroy everything in its
zeal to occupy the Earth.  The only way to get her father the King to
stop the fighting is for them to join hands.  She says further that
many worlds under Vegan control are already in revolt, which is why
she doesn't want any more needless fighting.  She implores him to
return with her...

..but Zuril intervenes, making a good-faith effort to end Duke's life.
Duke of course thinks it's a trap, and won't hear Rubiina's pleas to
the contrary.  Rubiina tries to prove it by getting in Zuril's way,
and takes a blaster ray bolt in the process.  Zuril is aghast
at having shot the king's daughter, but quickly blames the whole thing
on Duke before running off.  Rubiina is very happy Duke is okay,
ignoring Duke's plea not to talk to tell him the location of the Skull
Moon Base.  She tells him she wanted him to believe in her, and he
says in anguish that he already believes in her, which is why he came
here in the first place.  She asks a favor of him: name the first red
flower on Freed "Rubiina" when the planet is verdant once more.  She
promises to bloom every spring and return to him, saying that she'll
always be by his side...

Is Duke upset over this?  Well, your dudes keeping watch outside
won't know for a while, but they are surprised to see a Mother Burn
appear from nowhere near the meeting place.  As it speeds off,
Duke emerges, telling everyone how Rubiina died.  It seems that
most of the good Kiral's little speech did has worn off, and it's
patently clear what kind of self-destructive path he's off on now.
Your people frantically head off in pursuit.

Zuril returns, blaming Rubiina's death on Duke Freed.  Vega is all
broken up over the incident, but he'll give Zuril a chance to take
revenge for Rubiina when Duke shows up... and adds that if Zuril
can't beat Duke, he'd best not show himself anymore.  Duke vows to
strike down all the Vegans, pondering that he may not get to see
the first flower as Rubiina had requested with his own eyes.  He
thinks his only choice is to fight on in the midst of his fury if
he wants to defeat the Vegans.

 Help arrives on turn 3.  With much impassioned speeches, they
 return Duke to a more placid trained killer.  Time to kill the
 bad guys together!  And in fact many more bad guys show up,
 including some imitation Greats that, while Tetsuya is pissed off,
 he's forced to admit make the "Ancestor" mark on his mech useful.

 Once both the commanders are defeated, the infuriated Vega comes
 forth himself.  As Tetsuya observes, he's got the same tired
 speech about how it's not over until you defeat him - how he can
 somehow reclaim everything he's lost.

 One of the bad guys has a Super Alloy nu-Z.  Another has a Super Repair
 Kit.

 Once damaged beyond a certain point, Vega vows not to die alone - he plans
 to crash his fortress into the Earth that Duke Freed loves so much.
 The resulting Vegatron poisoning would repeat what happened to Freed, and
 Domon is gonna let _that_ happen over his dead body.  It's now a race to take
 Vega down before he reaches the edge of the map.

 He's got a High Performance Radar.

 Vega goes out like a bitch, and Duke can finally breath a sigh of relief
 for all the people whose hopes have been riding on his shoulders.  He
 thanks all your people for helping him rediscover what true courage is.

Duke has something to tell your people: Freed is coming back to life.  This
is a rather enviable life force that Freed has, but Duke isn't planning on
returning just yet - as Daisuke Uma, he's got a duty to help the Earthlings
finish their battle.  Now that he's seen the light beyond the darkness, he can
fight without second thoughts, both as Duke Freed and as Daisuke, and Kiral
says he can clearly see Daisuke's smile.  Hikaru will even get to go with Duke
too, which is cause for much happiness everywhere except North Carolina [;)]


Stage 9e. SHI TO Shin Sei ("An Angel is Born/Death and Rebirth")

Baglacion is entering its final phase, and the Giganos, Martian Successors,
and Vegans are about to be rendered harmless... leaving the Devil Gundam, Mu,
Galfa, and Angels to deal with.  The aerial Mu cities now number 56, with
more popping up all the time.  No one can scan or infiltrate them, and they're
not _doing_ anything visible.  Tokyo is also silent, and those believed part
of the Mulian chain of command are all whereabouts unknown.  Fuyutsuki figures
that you've got a week until the Mu world totally merges with the real one.
It would be fair to say Operation Downfall merely hastened the Mulians' own
plans, which the Committee is likely to respond to with schedule changes
of their own.  Misato explains that the Terra and Reideen staffs are readying
the T-J Busters to reerect the dimensional boundary, which ought to be ready
six days from now.  Calculations show that you've got about two chances in
three of success, assuming the Busters don't get wrecked.  To prevent that,
old man Barbem himself has dispatched mass-production Vermillions, and Gendou
has orders for Misato about what to do with the EVAs.  -00 and -03 are to
maintain their present position.  -02 is to undergo final synchro tests to
confirm the suitability of its pilot (Misato wonders what the heck that means),
and -01 is henceforth sealed - no further sorties.  Gendou feels no need to
explain why, and Misato suspects uneasily that it has something to do with
its awakening...

Itsuki is working with Professor Hibiki on the T-J Busters, and quickly asks
Hibiki to tell him the whereabouts of the Star of La Mu, so they can put it
in the system and raise the probability of success to 100%, lest both worlds
be annihilated.  Nigami (or at least that's what he's called when he's in this
getup) has been on the scene for a while, with the same question in mind.
He tells Hibiki that if Itsuki is asking, it's a bit questionable to keep his
lips sealed.  Hibiki finally lets on that it's been here the whole time,
buried under the monument.  Nigami chides Hibiki for keeping this secret all
this time, but Hibiki counters that Nigami has plenty of secrets of his own.
After all, Hibiki's getting support from Nigami's Section Six, plus Federation
Intelligence, PLUS the Barbam Foundation and many others.  Nigami sounds
sarcastically impressed that Hibiki hasn't had the Star stolen by now, but
Hibiki informs him there's a very simple reason behind it: _no one_, not even
he or his son, can actually touch the thing.  Given how the Star appeared and
helped Akira wipe out Barao, ruler of the Youma Kingdom, that seems rather odd
that even _Akira_ can't touch it, and Nigami wonders aloud if Lemuria is
behind it.  She is in fact, since as she told only Hibiki before the final
battle with Barao, Reideen is destined to fight many more foes than just the
Youma.  Her seal was so that those other foes won't be able to steal the
thing, which turns out to have been a pretty good idea.  Now, whether that
fated foe of Reideen's is Rahxephon or not remains unclear, though Hibiki
thinks it's _probably_ the Mu.  The problem is that part of the ancient
writings discussing the connection between the Mulians and La Mu has been
damaged, probably by the Barbem, so no one knows for sure.  The Star itself is
in an alternate dimension behind a door in the ruins beneath the monument...
and Lemuria is the only one who can open the door.

Hibiki, despite Nigami's objections, will _not_ try to summon Reideen back
here prematurely to gain Lemuria's permission to use the Star.  For one thing,
no one really understands how it works, and trying to use it to power the
T-J Busters might result in something even worse occuring.  Nigami dismissively
says that it seems the fate of the world is in Hibiki's wife's hands, but
Hibiki says he's wrong: the fate of the world lies in the hands of each and
every one of its residents, and _they_ have entrusted everything to your
squadron.  This is finally getting through to Nigami...

Asuka's synchro rate has been falling steadily, and Ritsuko suspects it may
have something to do with being left out of Baglacion.  It seems to be a
matter of pride, and of the other pilots catching up to her on the test scores.
Ritsuko thinks to herself that they may have no other choice but switching
to Fifth Children at this rate.

Shinji tries talking to Asuka and suggesting that she stop presurring herself,
making Asuka rather defensive that Shinji would compare his former self to
her.  But Shinji, surprisingly level headed, stops in the middle of Asuka's
brewing rant and heads home, leaving her to ponder alone.  Asuka then runs
into Rei, who after a very long silence tells her that her EVA won't move
if she doesn't open her heart.  Asuka demands to know if _she's_ closing
her heart, and Rei says that she is, saying that the EVAs themselves have
hearts.  Turns out Asuka is fuming (partially) about being left out of
Baglacion, and Rei points out that there are other things for her to do.
Asuka grimly notes that all she's been doing is the same test, over and over
again, but Rei says this is all to prepare for the day of recreation, when
the two worlds become one... a day that is about a week away, in fact!  Asuka
furiously yells back that Shinji and your squad will take care of that
themselves - no one has a use for them anymore.  Waxing ironic, Asuka figures
that her time has come, now that Shinji and even the doll-like Rei are
sympathizing with her.  Rei informs her that she's not a doll, but Asuka tells
her to shut up: she does what other people tell her to do, doesn't she?  If
Commander Ikari told her to die, would she?  Rei says "yes" unhesitatingly,
earning her a wide-eyed, white-knuckled slap from Asuka.  This _extreme_ doll-
like-ness is what Asuka has hated about Rei all along, and in fact Asuka hates
just about everybody at the moment.

Misato is being filled in about Fifth Children, who like Rei has no past
history listed.  He's come directly from the Committee, not Shinji's school.
As Misato wonders if Kaworu is intended as a replacement for Asuka, Makoto
tells her that EVA mass production units up to #13 have begun construction all
over the world.  He thinks they're probably to fight the Mu, but Misato says
that the Mu are in an unassailable position: attack from your side is
unthinkable.  The two of them ponder the vast sums of money swirling around for
the two regular EVAs being repaired, as well as this new set.  Misato
wonders if this is the hastening of the Schedule that Gendou was talking about,
and Makoto wonders if this is some attempt to cope with multiple Angels coming
at once... or perhaps with the "out of turn" Angels 6-12 which have been
suspiciously missing from the callsigns.  There have been rumors that they
might all emerge at once, but Misato is sure that the delinquent Angels will
stay delinquent: there's no turning back the hands of time.  Makoto wonders
what she means by that, and Misato says that none of this amounts to a reason
to covertly develop more EVAs - there must be something else.  Something else
that they're not meant to know.  Makoto has been bothered by one more thing
he saw in the budget, a line item called "MX" or "Model X" that's apparently a
different weapon system than the EVAs.  He's not sure if it's a different
anti-Angel weapon like the Jet Alone [see the TV series] or whether the
budget itself has been doctored, but he'll check into it for Misato.  The
final disturbing point is that Kaji has been missing for some time...

Misumaru has contacted Vega with the news that Baglacion has succeeded, and
your squad are all okay.  Your other pilots find this very good news, but
that's tempered by the knowledge that they've only got a week until the world
is over... unless Itsuki and the crew can reerect the barrier around Tokyo.
That won't hold forever, but if it buys time to pulverize the Galfa before
tackling the Mulians, it's all good from Ginga's perspective.  Everyone is
to return to your flag ships and get ready for the final fragdown with the
Devil Gundam and Galfa.

Asuka is talking to her EVA, telling it that it's her doll and that it should
only do what she tells it to.  She wonders why a weapon needs a heart when
that would only get in the way, and figures she's kind of silly for talking to
a machine in the first place.  But a klaxon gives her little time to reflect.

It seems the Dolems are ignoring the T-J Busters and heading straight for
Neo Tokyo-3, which probably implies that the Human Complementation Project is
the greater threat to them in Misato's view.  Neither the Federation army nor
the Vermillions have lifted a finger - probably protecting the T-J Busters.
In fact, it was probably the Barbem's strategem to leave NERV unprotected.
Gendou orders your dudes, plus all the EVAs other than -01 sortied.  The Mu
may be trying to confirm the existence of Fifth Children, or maybe they're just
trying to destroy NERV's trump card.  In any case, Gendou has "that boy"
under surveillance.

The leader of these Dolems demands that Orin come out, as well as those which
failed to become gods.  He's resolved to stop all their times here and now.
Everyone's ready to go, but when Misato tries to have EVA-02 back up the
others, Asuka furiously launches first.  Misato will tolerate it, and Ritsuko
and Maya both realize that this is Asuka's last chance.  The Dolem pilot
feels slighted that NERV won't sortie EVA-01, and your people all recognize
the ulra-fast Dolem that caused trouble here before.  Haruka is among the
people who have sortied, saying that she doesn't want to hide behind others'
protection forever.  Elfi realizes that Haruka wants to protect Ayato, and
tells her not to get too far ahead lest she distract Ayato with worrying
about her.  Haruka is more than happy to be a backup, unlike Asuka who
manages to quarrel with around half your squad before telling everyone to
leave her alone.  She knows this is her last chance...

 One of the bad guys has a Super Repair Kit.  Another has an Apogee Motor.

 Once you take out all the helper Dolems, the D-1's pilot decides the time
 has come to crush the hearts of the EVA pilots.  He dispatches the same
 kind of Dolem used on Rahxephon and EVA-01, which proceeds to go over to
 Asuka.  The D-1 pilot wants the world not to be "Complemented", but
 "Tuned", and the EVAs are the last obstacle.

 The assault continues on Asuka's heart, rendering her totally unable to
 pilot her EVA.  Misato tries to tell Asuka to return, but Asuka says
 she'd rather die here than obey the order to retreat.  It's unclear
 whether the Dimensional Linkage System can help, and Shinji wants to go
 help Asuka out even though there's a danger he might bet victimized too,
 as Gendou points out.  Asuka is being made to relive her painful
 childhood, which she wants to grow up out of as soon as possible.  She's
 not her mama's doll, she can think for herself, but really doesn't want her
 mother to commit suicide...  As the pollution rises, Gendou orders Asuka
 recalled immediately.

 Ayato is going to intervene to prevent the same thing from happening to
 Rei, but it seems his old friend Torigai is the one at the D-1's controls.
 Ayato gets the unpleasant revelation that Torigai has merely been
 supervising him instead of being his friend, and Torigai definitely blames
 him for Hiroko's death.  Irritatingly, this actually seems to succeed in
 demoralizing him, and the Dolem tries peering within Rei's heart.  Rei
 is quick to discover that the Dolem is actually lonely, which is why the
 Mulians' world is trying to fuse with your own.  Of course, Rei seems to be
 lonely too, which is why she starts crying.  THIS prods Gendou into
 action, and he orders EVA-01 sortied to help protect Rei along with
 Rahxephon.  Fuyutsuki cautions that the Committee won't stand for this,
 but Gendou points out that the Committee hastened things themselves by
 pulling the Fifth Children and mass production crap.  Besides, it's the Mu
 who are directly impeding his plans, and therefore you need to settle
 their hash before anything else goes wrong.

 The tricky part is that the Dolem is now part Rei, and it wants to become
 one with Shinji.  The real Rei won't stand for that, and she runs over to
 contain the Dolem with her A.T. Field.  It seems that Rei is determined to
 die to protect you all, and Torigai is pretty sure that this means his
 world will win.  Kaworu shows up though, pointing out that that's far from
 clear yet.  The Mulians' ownership of the future is worse than tenuous,
 and Kaworu tells Torigai that he, like himself, is merely a visitor.  He's
 in fact an Angel, sent here by the workings of the peoples of the white and
 black moons.  As Torigai gasps in astonishment, Kaworu says that he can't
 play tunes like Ayato can, mainly because he's not been given an
 instrument.  But he _does_ like music, and even without an instrument, he
 _can_ sing.  Torigai is pretty pissed now, but Kaworu says that he's got to
 go on living, so the ceremony of death and rebirth can be repeated, and to
 let you all decide the course of the future.  He is, in fact, none other
 than a trial offered by that which is called "God", to mankind.  He tells
 Torigai that it's the height of arrogance to think that the entirety of the
 world could be Tuned, and asks him to stop trying to torment the others,
 saying that Shinji is small-hearted - just like Torigai himself.

 There is a Haro in a container.

As Torigai flees, he tells Ayato that the day is not far off when he'll stop
being a person, and Torigai is determined to see that day.  Meanwhile, there
was no sign of EVA-00's Entry Plug being ejected, and Ritsuko isn't sure
there's going to be anyone for the recovery teams to recover...  Gendou
doesn't seem to like being saved by Fifth Children, and Fuyutsuki says that
it must be "him" who let Fifth outside.

Quon starts, hearing a song she's not heard in a very very long time.
Maya realizes what this means - it's the beginning of the last Movement.
The Committee meanwhile is confident that your squad, plus the Medius Locus,
can take whatever else the Mu can dish out, though Zapato's death has
complicated things some.  Councilman B is sure that Eldy won't be able to
escape their strategems, and notes that once the "Demon" is defeated the Medius
and them will serve no further purpose.  Besides, as written in the Dead
Sea Scrolls, there's only one more Angel left.  This means that the promised
time is close, after all these sacrifices.  Like, say, EVA-00 - a foul-up that
Gendou ought to be fired for, they feel.  Councilman A figures there needs to
be some kind of sacrifice to stop Gendou - someone who knows the truth.

Even Misato doesn't know Rei's whereabouts or condition, since EVA-00's
recovery was conducted in secret.  She tells your people that she's not
keeping anything from them - _she_ is the one Ritsuko and the others are
keeping things from.  Shinji somberly tells Misato that for some reason, his
tears aren't coming at a time like this, and it seems that Asuka has been
hospitalized, in a coma all this time.  After a round of everyone telling
everyone else it wasn't their fault, we switch to Haruka, who's trying to
console Ayato.  Ayato finds himself unable to paint the picture he wanted to
show her.  Why have all these people been lying to him all this time - what
are they trying to make him do?  What is he, anyway...

Fuyutsuki is musing over Ayanami Rei, product of his despair and now the
incarnation of Gendou's hopes.  He bitterly notes that it seems impossible
for Gendou to forget, and after a pause asks if Gendou's son is to become
their Orin.  Gendou doesn't know yet - perhaps only EVA-01 does.

The rest of your pilots are to maintain status quo and patrol the area -
after all, with three of the EVAs as good as toast, this place wouldn't stand
a chance in an attack.  The bigger question is what the deal is with
Fifth Children, who your people distinctly got the (correct) impression was
chatting with the Dolem pilot back there.  Masato can't explain how, but he's
sure Kaworu isn't a Mulian, but rather a created being like himself.  The huge
shock then comes, that Rei is... okay!

Rei is wondering why she's still here, why she's still alive.  For what
purpose - for whose sake?  Shinji is the first on the scene, tearfully happy</pre><pre id="faqspan-14">
to see her alive.  She doesn't seem to remember how she saved him, explaining
this by saying that she believes she's the "third".  She tells him to go, to
not be worried about her.  Kaworu then meets her, saying that both of them
have been granted bodies like unto the Lilim to live on this world.  She asks
the very good question: "who are you?"

Gendou has ordered First to be kept as is, and the other Children under
surveillance only.  Fuyutsuki has had the Magi chugging away on analysing
Kaworu's data, figuring that he's probably... whatever.  He also warns that
Kihl and the others are likely to bitch about Rei still being alive, but
Gendou says that he's thrown them a different piece of meat.  In any case, the
Mu and Fifth are both unwanted guests... the abominable key needed to unlock
the door, as Gendou puts it.

Ritsuko is apparently the bone Gendou threw the Committee.  Kihl says he wants
to proceed farther, but that he doesn't want to cause her any more pain.
Ritsuko says she isn't feeling anything in particular.  One member
compliments her strength, seeing why Gendou likes her by his side.  Another
points out that it was Gendou who hung her out to dry here, sending her in his
stead to answer about the pilot of EVA-00.  It seems to bother her that she's
being used instead of Rei as the questioning begins.

Meanwhile, Kaworu has positively unbelievable synchro stats.  Maya wants to
rush the data to Ritsuko, but Fuyutsuki says that she's busy with another
matter right now.  Misato, frowning deeply, tells the staffers to start by
accepting what they see, and then trying to figure out the cause.  Shinji and
Touji are complimenting Kaworu on his amazing sychro numbers, and Kaworu asks
to go home with Shinji because he's "interested" in him.

Shinji is startled when he sees Kaworu and Rei, and Kaworu asks why he
momentarily shied away from contact - is he afraid of people touching each
other?  Shinji says he used to be, but now...  Kaworu notes that some people
try to avoid knowing others too much, so that they can't be betrayed and
can't hurt each other too deeply.  Despite all the advances he's made as part
of your squad, he can't fend off the loneliness forever - all people are
alone.  Only by learning to forget can people go on living.  Forgetting what
the world was once like, all the trials, sorrows, pain...  As Shinji wonders
what the heck he's talking about, Kaworu muses further that the human heart
always feels pain, making it seem that life itself is pain.  Yet that's
necessary to stop the world from collapsing.  He asks Shinji if it hurts him
to fight to keep the world in once piece, and says that hearts are fragile
like glass: especially Shinji's.  But Kaworu has a plan, to fix Shinji with
his LOVE!  He was born into this world to meet Shinji [or so the yaoistas
would have you believe -_-;;;], and only a phone call from Ritsuko saves
Shinji from taking some of that LOVE into one or more bodily orfices.  Kaworu
thinks after Shinji's gone that the truth hurts, but that Shinji must find a
way to accept it, like that Orin.

The Committee has released Ritsuko, though they figure they can get some use
out of this participant in the EVA program for a change.  They figure they're
doing this for the good of mankind, to ride out the coming calamity.  That's
why they've got eight EVAs built and four more coming soon.  Meanwhile, Makoto
has swiped some data from Maya without her knowledge.  What it shows about
Kaworu quickly demonstrates why Maya can't publish it: it should be
theoretically impossible.  Sadly, it just means that the mystery has deepened.
Misato gets a message that Ritsuko has returned, telling Makoto that they'll
have to continue this later.

It seems that Misato has taken the liberty of locking Ritsuko's passcode out.
Ritsuko realizes that Kaji had a hand in this, and Misato is determined to
see what Ritsuko's been hiding from her.  Ritsuko doesn't mind, so long as
Shinji comes too.  That's fine by her, and they go into a graveyard of EVAs,
destroyed ten years ago as rejects.  This is also the place where Shinji's
mother vanished.  She tells Shinji that while he might not remember it, he saw
the incident with his own eyes.

She leads them further within, reaching the center of the Dummy Plugs.  Ritsuko
says she'll show them the truth: zillions of Reis suspended in LCL.  Nude.
Ritsuko says that this is a factory where the biological cores of the Dummy
Plugs are made.  These are merely spare parts for Rei, which Ritsuko says
people happily tried to acquire after picking up a God.  Thus, they were
punished fifteen years ago: the Second Impact.  As a result, the newly
acquired God vanished back then, but this time people are trying to resurrect
God by their own hands; hence, Adam.  The EVAs are God-replica people made
from Adam.  Yes, people - humans... without souls.  Souls are put into them,
salvaged from a world apart from your own.  Rei was the only EVA into which
a soul was born naturally, making the Room of Gauf empty.

In short, all these Reis here are soulless puppets, just like the Dolems.
Ritsuko hates them, and is going to wipe them out.  This is gross looking in
the extreme.  Ritsuko claims she knows very well what she's doing: destroying
things that look like humans but are not.  And heck, she even lost out to such
a thing - how much shame has she had to endure for "his" sake?!  She doesn't
care what happened to her own body, but when it comes to "him"...  Breaking
down in tears, she agonizes over how stupid both she and her mother were.
She tells Misato to kill her if she's so inclined - in fact, she herself would
be happier that way.  Misato says that _that_ is what makes her foolish,
musing bitterly that the tragedy that is Evangelion seems to have caught her
up in it too.  Shinji meanwhile is now wondering whether what he felt from
Rei is really his mother.  Just what is his dad doing with his mother and Rei
anyways?  What should he himself do?  He wants someone, anyone to tell him how
to face Rei again...

Kaworu says that humans cannot create something from nothing, cannot even
exist without aid.  After all, they're humans, not gods.  Kihl says that
there's another group of people besides his crew trying to reopen Pandora's
box.  That would be the blue-blooded folks, as well as Ernst Von Barbem.  Plus,
there's a man trying to shut the box before "hope" comes out of it.  Kaworu
rather sharply asks if _that_ is what the Lilims call "hope", and Mr. A says
that hope has a different form for everybody.  That's because hope only
exists within the human heart, though Kihl's people are trying to make hope
assume physical form.  That's what their foremother, the false Inheritor
from the black moon, Lilith got started.  Adam is the real Inheritor from the
lost white moon.  Adam's soul has been put into Kaworu, but his flesh is in
Gendou's hands, making Gendou (or Shinji? unclear) just like him.  Kihl wants
Kaworu to carry out their Human Complementation Project, or rather, their
"Trans-Dimensional Complementation Project" before the blue-blooded folks can
perform their music.  He's to make everyone _one_, freed of the cycle of life
and death and holding onto a new future.

Well, hey, that's what Kaworu's here for and all.  But it will fall to Shinji
and the others to decide, not the Committee.  Kaworu then says hi to
Ishtori, wondering if she's come here to try to stop him.  He tells her he
doesn't plan on interrupting her melody, since "he" doesn't want that either.
Worried, she asks what he is choosing to do, and Kaworu says that that
depends on his and her Orins' decision.  But what about the "Lance" needed to
make all that come true?  Kaworu merrily says that neither his side's god,
nor her side's god, really needs its heart pierced by any spear.  Which means
she can't stop him, and neither of them can do much but wait to see what the
appointed people choose to do.

This is fucking long as hell, so I'm going to start eliding.  If you're playing
this game and STILL haven't seen EVA, GTFO and rent it if the following
makes no sense. ;)  Kaworu fires up EVA-02, leading to the whole fight in
Central Dogma.  Big surprise, the big Stay Puft thingie in the basement
is not Adam, but rather Lilith herself.  Guess she let her figure go to pot.
Did I mention the nice music?  Did I mention the angst?  Ah, but this time
the crew's all here.  Turns out the Dimensional Linkage System is the door
to the Room of Gauf, which the original Masaki didn't want in the hands of the
Committee members.  In fact, Masaki tried to open the door himself, but Masato
has vowed never to end the world like that.  The same goes for the Gear pilots,
whose Seventh Light Kaworu says is within them.  Vega wants to know what the
heck he knows, but he tells her she'll find out sooner or later.  He tells
your people that your hearts are small, but strong - that's why you deserve
to get your hands on the future.  He tells Ayato to bless his heart with
his song - that's what he needs to be worthy of his Yoroteotoru.  If he can't,
he'll be forced to Tune the world.  Kaworu says he's got the same destiny
as Ayato, as does Shinji.  All this stuff up until now has been to decide who
gets to stand at the center of the world, to decide the flow and repetition.

Kaworu tells Ayato to sing his forbidden song, handed down of old, the song
which once opened the Door of Gauf and awakened him - the song that will lead
the Lilims to the Promised Land.  He asks Ayato once again to bless his heart
with his song, and your people realize that if he doesn't the Third Impact will
occur and everyone will becom road pizza.  Or something.  Kaworu thinks that
while the Lilims will never escape their destined deaths, death and life are
at the same place: the destined destruction is also the joy of birth.  All
humans must do is keep hope alive in their hearts.

 Kaworu knows something about AI1, and says that Hugo and Aqua may see him
 again when they face it.  He asks Masato if he plans to use the Key again,
 which Masato has no intention of doing.  In that case, all that's left is
 closing the door.  Kaworu won't tell Ayato much about himself, but says
 the answers he sees are within himself, and the time for him to find them
 out draws near.  He says that this world might become filled with his songs
 then.

 He thanks Ayato, saying that he had hoped he would stop EVA-02.  Had he not,
 he might have gone on living with "her".  He says that it's his destiny to
 go on living, even if humans should fall.  But now, he can die.  And since
 life and death have equal value, his own death is his only true absolute
 freedom.  Ayato, after a long pause, does the deed.

Shinji angsts some more over the loss of the only person who ever told him
he liked him.  Misato points out to Shinji that life is only for those with
the will to live - Kaworu wanted to die.  That may be cold, but that's the only
way to pull through.

The Rahxephon folks are staying at Terra to help with a certain plan, and the
EVA folks are, in a word, not in any shape to travel either.  The rest of your
crew is reforming in space....


Stage 10a. Shourishatachi no Banka ("Anthem for the Victors")

Barbem has received a troubling report that contact has been lost with "them".
Helena suspects that the "mother" has regenerated completely, which is in its
nature as Barbem muses.  He tells her to leave the thing alone: "that man"
has bought more than enough time for him.  Besides, his plans are going so
smoothly that he no longer needs "it" as a weapon of last resort.  He's
confident in his countermeasures so that "it" won't come back to bite him,
namely your people.  He then tells her that it's high time she "prepare",
saying it's her turn.  Whatever it's her turn for, she goes about it rather
reluctantly...

Contact has been lost with the Giganos base on the moon, as well as a large
area around it.  It seems highly doubtful remnants of the Giganos forces could
steal the base from its Federation guardians, especially with their leader
toasted off by Baglacion.  Domon seems worried, and as if on cue Domon's
dad radios in to say that an emergency has broken loose.  He's been studying
some irregularities in the Giganos on behalf of the Federation, and has
realized something dreadful from the data: the Devil Gundam has "occupied"
the Giganos fortress.

This raises the question of where the DG has been all this time, since the
Death Army and the commanders have been nowhere in sight.  Kasshu says there's
no time to worry about that now: the revived DG is more powerful than before.
And given the nature of where the DG has taken up residence...  Bright orders
everyone to hurry to the scene at top speed.  This is because the DG now
has access to a Mass Driver, and Ruri adds her people to the charge.

Michelo has been waiting for Domon to show up, and it seems from the energy
signature that he's not alone.  Michelo dismisses your people's concerns
about destroying humanity, saying that they'll all be toast sooner or later
anyway.  What he _is_ up to he won't tell you until you're already dead.
That suits Domon just fine, since he was planning on wrecking everyone here
anyway.  Michelo tells Domon to come on over so he can send him to the same
place where Schwarz and Master Asia are, but Domon ridicules this.  That's
because those folks, plus Kyouji, are within his own heart.

 Defeat enough of the bad guys and more will emerge - and will continue to
 do so until you defeat the main body.

 One of the bad guys has a Mars Donburi.  Michelo has a Shuffle Crest.
 Allenbie's old machine has Ultimate Cells.

 After you pummel the bad guys to a certain point, Albero shows up, apparently
 to get revenge on the Devil Gundam by surpassing it.  Though he claims
 otherwise, Aqua demands to know what that could mean other than absorbing
 the Devil Gundam.  Eldy backs up Albero's story of wanting to defeat the
 Devil Gundam, saying that this is the last mission they were given.  But
 with Zapato gone, given by... who?  Eldy won't tell Aqua, and says that if
 they can stop the DG here AI1 and the Medius will truly become inseparable.
 Sai doesn't like the sound of that at all, and is prepared to fight her
 along with the Devil Gundam.  Hugo stops him, not asking your people to
 believe Albero but pointing out that the DG is your biggest obstacle - until
 you remove it you can't move forward.  It seems it's to be a truce until
 the DG is defeated...

 Once you defeat the three bosses, a high energy signature is detected from
 the Mass Driver.  The Death Army all withdraw, drawn into the Mass
 Driver as "it" is about to appear.  It does indeed appear, with Urube at
 the controls.  He agrees to tell Domon what he's really up to, as a sort
 of souvenir he can take to Hell with him.  Apparently, when Urube was
 "defeated" the last time, his cells were gathered by someone who, like him,
 was interested in the three theories behind the DG Cells.  These people had
 studied how to make the DG Cells even stronger, and managed to obtain a few
 samples before Kasshu released his vaccine.  In short, this Urube was
 reconstructed from part of the original, but in accordance with the
 "Self-Evolution" part of the theory this Urube is stronger than the original:
 "Super Urube" in other words.

 Your dudes are actively pissed off that he'd choose that lame a name for
 himself, but the irritation only grows when he lets on that it was the
 Barbem who resurrected him.  Yes, Ernst Von Barbem, Terra's patron, has been
 pulling the strings in a way that even NERV's mystery backers might envy.
 Urube has no idea _why_ Barbem would bring him back, but in return for his
 shot at vengeance on Domon, Barbem asked him to steal the Star of La Mu.
 Supposedly he wanted it to wipe out the Mulians, but Urube cares little for
 that - all he wanted was the massive amount of energy needed to revive the
 Devil Gundam.  This explains all the raids he's pulled, and what he plans to
 do now that the DG is resurrected is use the Mass Driver to shoot the thing
 into the Earth and remake the entire planet into DG Cells.  This is a
 surprisingly simple, easy to understand plan - and is all the more dangerous
 for that simplicity in Ruri's view.

 Albero takes a moment to point out that none of this will work without an
 organic core for the DG, adding that it's only natural he's here for
 revenge, since the weapons _Urube_ gave him to use against the DG back when
 are what resulted in his squad's virtual destruction.  Hugo realizes that
 this makes it mostly Urube's fault that Folia and the others bought the farm,
 though Albero points out that that it was Albero himself who actually pulled
 the trigger.  Urube doubts that Eldy's crappy copy of the DG can defeat the
 real one, whether or not it needs a biological core.  As for _his_ DG, he
 plans to absorb all of you to become the biological core he needs (not that
 your dudes will go along with this).

 As you find out when you attack Urube enough, their regeneration is even
 studlier than before, and in fact they're just gaining energy from your
 attacks.  Ruri discovers that although their abilities are stronger than
 before, the structure of the bad guys is the same.  The Grand Master Gundam
 is functioning as the DG's power source, so all you've got to do is damage
 it severely enough that it can't regenerate fast enough.

 Damage him enough, and he increases his regeneration speed yet again,
 starting to counterattack your dudes even more.  If power can't defeat him
 alone, it seems that spirit will have to do.  The Shuffle Alliance forms up,
 getting ready to use "that" technique.  Domon's master taught him that the
 Earth is the greatest life of all, and he will by no means forgive those
 who would soil it.  Your dudes then pull out Shuffle Alliance Fist, which
 does a collosal amount of damage and almost singlehandedly saves the day.

 But when you take Urube down, he pulls off his last resort and actually
 offers himself as the DG's biological core.  The annoying part is that even
 when you defeat that 150kHP monstrosity, Urube isn't down for the count.
 Domon and Rain then get on the scene and pull off the coolest attack in the
 entire series, Sekiha Love-Love Ten-Kyou-Ken!

Even as he's going down in flames, he taunts your guys.  You've still got those
pesky Mu to deal with, plus the Galfan home world which is headed your way.
But hey, at least the DG is toast and the mass driver is powering down.  Albero
tells Hugo that it's not all over yet - Hugo's got to make sure the DG Cells
are truly removed from all the world.  He and Eldy take off, leaving the
score unsettled...

Meanwhile, the long-range satellites have confirmed that the Galfan homeworld
is indeed nearly at Earth.  Misumaru is rather impressed that they were able
to haul the thing all the way over here, and Akiyama says that a special shield
has kept the planet hidden until now.  Its course steered it away from Jupiter
and Mars, so they were of no help.  In fact, the Galfan world is now between
Mars and the Earth, and your dudes will have to step up to the plate again.


Stage 10b. Kibou, Sore wa Saigo no Gear ("Hope, Which Is the Final Gear")

All the DG Cells seem to have been eliminated, though just to be on the safe
side Kasshu is making a new vaccine with Nergal's help.  Ruri figures that
Barbem is done using DG cells anyway, else he'd have done more to try to
obstruct you.  Indeed, like Albero he probably planned to abandon them all
along.  Speaking of Albero, what's he going to do with the Medius now that the
DG is toasty?  And what about Eldy?  No one is sure....

We see a flashback where Aqua encounters Eldy working on an early version of
AI1.  Aqua's impressed with what she sees so far, and figures that it's almost
a shame Eldy is so into her work - plenty of guys seem to be interested in
her.  Eldy sniffs that she's not interested - this AI is everything to her
right now.  But what about the students?  Who knows, Eldy says, especially
given that she'll be leaving the Academy soon on a secret project.  She asks
Aqua if she really intends to become a mecha pilot, and Aqua says she wants
to bring forth results with her own hands - she doesn't want to be a bird in a
cage forever.  Eldy figures that that's a waste - if she stayed inside and
maximized what she already has, surely she could find greater happiness.
Aqua just doesn't see it that way, and Eldy tells her to remember the following
advice: she's a gifted student, but her weak spot is failing to control her
emotions.  If she can't learn that, it'll cost her her life... Turns out
this was a dream, and Aqua too wonders what Eldy is up to.

A transmission comes in from Misato for Aqua and Hugo: Zapato has been found
dead, most likely by Eldy's hand.  Misato has been worried about Central
Project, and did some digging into it - Eldy's name was on the list as an
outside consultant on the construction of the Magi.  Aqua realizes that this
is where Eldy got the idea for her AI, and Misato says there's still a
possibility Eldy is involved with NERV and Zeele.  It's not clear if they
issued Eldy her order, but it's true enough that the murder she committed
has brought Central Project to a virtual standstill.  Misato will try to find
out if that was Eldy's decision, or someone else's, and Hugo wonders why he
and Aqua weren't informed sooner if Central Project has been all but cancelled.
Misato suspects that Central Project itself has some deep connection to Zeele,
something the Federation Army doesn't know about.  Misato will contact them
when she knows more, and tells the two of them to concentrate on their
mission for now.  This gets deeper and deeper...

..and the worse news is that the Galfan planet is here.  But Altair and the
Chips are on hand to help command the operation, having just arrived from
Earth.  Altair is still blaming himself for what he's done to many worlds,
even though he was brainwashed by the Galfa, and is determined to make up
for it at least in part by helping guide this operation.

As the briefing begins, Altair explains that the Dendou and your people's
power will be needed to completely defeat the Galfa, meaning destroying the
Galfan emperor at the heart of the planet.  The tricky part is getting to the
emperor: Galfa has a satellite which generates an impregnable barrier around
the planet itself.  The Third Federation Fleet will have the job of disabling
the satellite, so your dudes can concentrate on the Emperor.  Unfortunately,
you can't just have the Nadesico Boson Jump in and hack their systems - it's
far too dangerous, and the Boson Jump needs to be kept back as a last resort.
It's enough that you can physically attack the bad guys, and Ginga for one is
more than ready to do it.  Subaru is feeling a bit lost, but Altair points out
that he's got a new home now: your squadron.  Subaru is determined to help
fight too - his knowledge of the planet may prove of some value during the
battle.  Altair likes the sound of that, and has him hang with Vega, his new
"sister".  Duke reminds Altair of one thing before the battle: there are people
who will cry if any misfortune should befall him.  Roam adds that given such
a person exists, Altair will surely be able to atone for his sins by going on
living.  Altair thanks them for their words.

Your people receive the code words "Tora Tora Tora" [of all the phrases.. -_-]
meaning the operation is a go.  The Galfa forces are in pursuit of the fleet,
making this your chance.  Your people have to be careful with their course:
pinpoint landing is required lest you all fail.  The first wave of opposition
appears, but Subaru cautions you to think of this as a mere prologue.  As
your people summon their courage, Harry pinpoints where you've got to get to,
and you've got to get there within eight turns.  In particular, you've got to
get both battleships there.

 Zero shows up on turn 3, and starts blasting the crap out of the Nadesico.
 But Ruri won't give up - "that person"'s memory must live on in this ship.
 In fact, Akito shows up, telling Zero that even he can't keep up with Akito's
 movements.  He blasts Zero, then hastily asks Ruri for orders.  The orders
 are to keep the Galfa off your back.  Ruri will give Akito his recipe back
 if they both make it through this alive.

 Once you defeat Zero once, he instantly regenerates, and Eris finally
 realizes what Zero is: another object constructed entirely of data.  This
 means that you have to ignore him and press on to the goal.

 Once you get both battleships to the indicated point, Zero tries to prevent
 the Gears from following.  Vega intervenes to save Hokuto, but loses control
 of her vehicle.  Everyone heads towards the planet's surface, Zero very
 confident of victory.


Stage 10c. W-Infinity

Having come this far, there's no turning back.  You're pretty much surrounded
by foes, and Zero has shown up to taunt you some more.  Cain points out that
for all Zero's boasting, _no one_ is truly unkillable.  It takes Maiyo to get
the words out right though.

 One of the bad guys has a Mom's Stew.

 Of course, Zero doesn't die the first time you kill him.  Ginga won't give
 up, quite willing to blow Zero away endlessly if that's what it takes.  Zero
 isn't buying it, but your people point out that human logic has brought
 them this far - somehow, somewhere, Zero fears the humans.  Zero isn't so
 sure about that, especially given how people like Akito seem to need all
 that armor.  Akito counters that he no longer needs armor around his heart,
 but Zero isn't finished yet.  He brings forth _several_ Spiral Castles.

 Defeat him a second time, and he regenerates again.  His advice is to give
 up all hope, and Ginga just wishes that Hokuto was here right now.  Even
 more bad guys show up, and some Spiral Castles are leaking out into space:
 there's no way to halt their offensive.  The only way to defeat Zero would
 be the seventh Data Weapon, but where are Hokuto and the others?

 They're finding out that Galfa was originally a computer meant to protect
 life, and that greenery and water are its fundament.  Even now, when out
 of control, it's trying to do that mission.  Yes, this is what remains of
 Arctos, Altair and Vega's homeworld.  All those dependent on Galfa for
 maintaining their environment perished when it got delusions of grandeur -
 their destiny for their sin.  They can't let the Earthlings suffer for that
 too, and far off they hear the battle beginning.  The problem is that Zero
 may in fact be unbeatable, according to Arctos legend.  She recalls the
 seven guardian gods who dwelt from of old with the Arctosians, as their
 strongest protectors by contract.  Basically, beating Zero will require
 the seventh Data Weapon to break the seal on the ancient protective power,
 and something Kaworu said about that power being inside Hokuto catches her
 attention.  Hokuto, hearing the battle continue, tells everyone to go join
 your friends - he may not have the seventh Data Weapon, but he can't just
 give up on it yet.  This seems persuasive enough...

 Your people are still duking it out with Zero, and things aren't going
 any better.  Zero starts chuckling, saying that you humans would all be so
 much better off without this word "hope"... that way you'd just capitulate
 peacefully.  Zero then changes forms and goes after Ginga again, doing pretty
 righteous damage.  Ginga still hasn't given up yet, and before Zero can
 finish him off Ouga shows up.  As Hokuto asks Ginga to fight by his side
 once more, something very strange happens.  It appears the final Data
 Weapon is here and about to assume its rightful form: a phoenix.  This thing
 is now prepared to fulfill the contract with these new warriors.  She is
 after hope, which is limitless power, and the Gear pilots have PLENTY of
 that.  As they save the Phoenix, Roam observes that it seems to be High
 Libido incarnate [o/~ Pure energy...].  The attack that's about to follow
 comes from the Infinite Layer that Zeorymer taps into, but why did it appear
 now?!  It's all that hope your people have, and to Zero's great annoyance
 Altair has his own copy of the Phoenix.  This is the last chance the seventh
 god has given him to atone for what he's done, and Altair isn't going to let
 that chance slip by.  What's more important is that Zero is merely the avatar
 of the emperor - you must defeat _him_ before you can defeat Zero.  Altair
 resolves to hang out and fend off Zero while the rest of you go and take down
 the Emperor underground.

 Get Dendou underground and it'll break the seal.  This will expose Galfa,
 the king, of the planet and indeed of the Universe(tm)!  Time for
 lots of screaming back and forth before the Phoenix does her job.  The
 result is one FREUDIAN sword, and your people realize that what they have to
 do is destroy Zero and the Galfan emperor on the same turn.

 Once you've done this, all the remaining Galfa units will halt.  The Data
 Weapons remind you that they'll always be with the protectors of the world,
 that is, of life, and all the Data Weapons scatter "to the future".

 Oh, and the Emperor is worth a Solar Sail.


Stage 10d. Tamashii no RUFURAN ("Soul's Refrain")

News of the Galfan defeat reaches the Federation.  Your squad is on the way
back to Earth, about a day away - and the Nadesico C can't use its
Transposition Engines at present.  So, space seems well in hand - the question
is what to do about the Mu.  The Terra plan is proceeding apace, but the odds
of success haven't increased any.  The Mu haven't done anything yet, but it's
just a matter of three days before the world may end.  Akiyama has also heard
a disturbing rumor that the commander of the Far East forces has been quietly
replaced - to someone no one has heard of.  Akiyama was unable to find out
anything about his past, and the guy hasn't physically shown his face to his
lieutenants.  Given the timing, it seems that whoever is beind this is either
Barbem or Zeele, and Prospector agrees to look into it himself.  After
Prospector leaves, Akiyama passes along one more piece of information: Akito
has rejoined your squad.  He says he'd love to sit in on the reunion ramen-
eating session, which Misumaru can quite understand.

Rikudou is visiting Hibiki for the first time in quite a while, sent to help
with the operation.  It seems to be a rather busy little gathering, but
Rikudou makes sure not to get underfoot.  Souichi then calls in for a report:
it's becoming impossible to keep the truth of the Mu situation from the
general public.  He suspected as much, and announces that the plan is now
entering its final phase, and is now called Doolittle.  The guards around
the T-J Busters are to be left as they are, and Rahxephon is also to stay
put for now.  Megumi is a bit worried given that your squad isn't here, but
Souichi tells her not to worry: the rest of the military are doing everything
they can to make the plan succeed.

Rikudou has found himself lost, but in his wanderings he runs into... Maya
of all people!  She tells him, her father, thank you, and goodbye, and Rikudou
realizes that it's about to hit the fan.  Meanwhile, Itsuki is talking to
Haruka about his brother.  He reminds her that he himself has the same marking
that Ayato has, but that his time at age seventeen is long since past.  Haruka
responds by saying that she knows he works for Barbem, given the mission of
obtaining the Star of La Mu.  When he asks why she doesn't report on him, she
says sadly that she doesn't sell her friends.  In response to this friendship,
Itsuki tells her that he and Ayato were twin Orins that Barbem created.
Once upon a time, Barbem got his hands on twin girl Orins that the Mu sent
into this world.  One of them was put into suspended animation in Niraikanai,
providing the genetic code that created the boys: Quon.  Itsuki says that he
really wishes she had been able to go on living as a human.

Quon is rather sad, especially since Torigai's song has become muddled and
confused by his hatred.  Quon starts prophecying all the people who are about
to start moving against them, life and death's melodies intertwining as the
door is opened...

Meanwhile, the NERV staffers are nervously sitting around on level one alert:
all entry or exit from NERV HQ has been prohibited.  This is odd because the
last Angel has been defeated - there should be no more enemies left for them.
Makoto figures that everyone will be transferred to Terra, since if Doolittle
succeeds the result will be a protracted war with the Mu.  And should Doolittle
fail, there's always that Human Complementation Project thingie...

Meanwhile, Misato is reading about how that plan involves merging all life
into a single organism to avoid the two intersecting worlds... using not
Adam and NERV, but the EVA Series.  She knows this is her only chance to dig
deeper, and she takes it.  Kaji meanwhile has been hanging out behind the
scenes, saying that while that prevents him from seeing the performance, it
does let him watch all the gadgetry that makes the stage management work.
He even knows Juumonji's true name, a consequence of his efforts to figure
out what's really written in the script.  Kaji called him out here because,
as Juumonji already observed, the finale is quite near - he figures the two
had best spill their guts if they both want to make it to the final reel.  In
return, Kaji wants Juumonji to tell what he knows to a certain person - an
old flame of his as Juumonji knows well.  Kaji is aware that his time is nigh,
and Juumonji isn't about to deny him now.

Kaji says that the scenarios guiding the two sides were originally one and the
same, though it's unclear who first wrote them.  Kaji says that it's been
theorized that the same people who built the Martian ruins wrote them, but
there's neither the time nor the means to prove that now.  The problem is
the people who decided to put the writings (may as well call them Divine
scriptures) into practice.  Kaji continues that this kind of play is
meaningless without an audience to appreciate it, and the very scale of the
play was what was supposed to lure the audience in.  The problem is that many
different organizations raised the curtain on their own version of the script -
at the sime time, and on the same stage.  And the result was two Deus Ex
Machinas, as it were - two automated gods, who have made it impossible to
conclude the play.  But the two Gods vanished from the stage, leaving the other
players behind to shut themselves up in the Room of Gauf.  This troubled the
producers of the play, and they tried to forcibly drag the actors out of the
Room.  But then they went berserk, even claiming they owned the theater,
leaving the sponsors no choice but to seal the entire theater.

[Are you following this so far?]

They did this with some new Deus Ex Machina they developed using the power
of god, and the finale of all this was written in the "hidden Dead Sea
Scroll".  The problem is that there's multiple copies of that document: at
least one in this world and one in Mu-Mu Land [^_^].  That's why the Barbem/
Mulians and Zeele know each other's lines, and why the same play has been
playing simultaneously in both worlds.  But then the old Deus Ex Machina
appeared in this world, thrown here by Barbem's black egg.  Thus did the
Mulians, in danger of losing their theater, fixate on this world.  And thus
did three different troupes begin struggling to gain ownership of the
theater.  Those being Zeele, Mu, and Barbem.  Well four, really, counting
Gendou's own NERV faction.  But the script for this conflict is incomplete -
inescapable given all the missing sections in the hidden Dead Sea Scroll.
Plus, some people have decided to ad lib, messing things up further.  This
made the play even more confused than before, resulting in whole scenes being
dropped and whole characters never even getting an entrance (namely the
delinquent Angels).  And now, yet another Deus Ex Machina is coming to try to
make sense out of it all: EVA-01, Reideen, and your squad.  Gosh, seems like
Kaji and Juumonji are on the same page!

So what all the competing groups are after is to rebuild the theater nearing
its final curtain call, and moving on to the next stage.  That's the rationale
behind the Trans-Dimensional Complementation Project, but there are two ways
of going about that: "Complementation" and "Tuning".  And it's up to the
Deus Ex Machina to decide which of the two ways will be used - though the
spotlight of the Star of La Mu has yet to be switched on.  Kaji says he'll
let Juumonji guess about whether Kaji is searching for a third option, and
Juumonji shares the information that the Far East Base's First Division has
gotten the order to move out.  This new commander will be there in person, and
their objective is the "box".  With your squad still a day away, there's not
a moment to lose.  Kaji responds in kind, saying that the commander is likely
to choose Mutropolis as the best place to watch from.  The two split up,
cautioning each other about the dangers that lie ahead - after all, even the
people back stage have a duty to see the play through...

Zeele figures Mu is about to go into action, with consequences that even
Lilith will feel.  And since Barbem knows this already, Lilith can't be used
for Complementation.  They want to use Lilith's avatar, EVA-01, though Gendou
says that runs counter to Zeele's scenario.  They claim their only aim is the
Trans-Dimensional Complementation Project, but Fuyutsuki says that mankind
exists only to give rise to the EVAs.  The EVA Series in turn exists so that
mankind can advance to a new world.  Zeele says that there's no need for
clinging to the ark called "EVA" so urgent as to require casting off human
form.  They claim this is all about the pangs of death equalling the joy of
birth - about gods and man all dying so they can eventually become one,
overcoming the end of the world.  Gendou counters that death brings about
nothing, and Zeele says that they'll grant Gendou death.  Fuyutsuki counters
by saying that humans exist because of their will to live: that's what she
who entered EVA of her own free will wished for.  Gendou agrees, saying that
the shit is about to hit the fan.

The Mu have begun an all-out attack on all the T-J Busters, as well as NERV
and Terra's mobile HQ.  The T-J Busters must be saved at all costs, and
Souichi orders Elfi to head to Mutropolis at once - the Mu are certain to
head for the Star of La Mu and Ayato.  Elfi reluctantly complies, and
Souichi tells Kim and all the RMU system engineers to evacuate too.  He tells
her that this is vital for Doolittle to succeed, and promises her that he'll
return to her.

Meanwhile, the folks in Mutropolis see a transport heading their way,
presumably from the Barbem.  This is going to get really messy, and the order
for Rahxephon to launch is given.  Reika then appears, confirming for Ayato
that the time has come.  Reika is afraid, as though she was actually human.
Ayato says he's in the same boat, noting that he's got people he wants to
protect now, which he hadn't realized for a long time.  He asks her to come
with him, to help him protect "her".  She thanks him for his warmth, and
he tells her that neither of them are weapons - they're players of instruments,
playing songs that will fill all the world.  Haruka and Megumi show up to
wish Ayato well, and Meg feels much better after telling Ayato that she
loved him briefly, but no more. [O_o;;]

Haruka meanwhile is seeing that Ayato is finally taller than her, saying that
she's loved him all this time.  She's not sure he remembers how she went out
with him when they were fourteen, since his memories have been edited.  He
doesn't remember being her first love, but he does know that he loves her now.
He apologizes for all he's put her through.  The tearful confession is cut
short by the air raid sirens, and he tells her to hurry and go, promising
to return.  She promises in turn to wait for him, forever if need be.
Ayato is resolved to protect her this time...

Helena tells him that his Xephon is incomplete.  He was born to bring forth
a completed Rahxephon, and she tells him that he's come to the point of no
return.  This has nothing to do with being human or Mulian: it's one's
consciousness and will that last forever.  This is his fate, and he meets it
standing up.  Itsuki wonders why the Star of La Mu hasn't shone yet - is
Lemuria planning to watch all this in silence?  All the civilians are
evacuated, so it's all up to Ayato now.

There's a lot of bad guys, and Torigai is determined to kill off Ayato before
he fully grows into his sigil, wanting to grant him the pain of losing the
thing he's trying to protect.

 Elfi shows up on turn two, determined to try to go on living whatever her
 "destiny" might be.

 No help from the Federation is forthcoming, and the rest of your squad isn't
 supposed to be here until tomorrow.  Helena says that this is Armageddon,
 and no one can escape.  She thinks the time is near for the final melody to
 be played - the moment she's waited forever to see is close at hand.

 After a couple rounds of this more bad guys appear, having Ayato totally
 surrounded.  It looks grim, but Ayato isn't done trying to protect Haruka
 yet.  Meanwhile, NERV is under severe attack electronically.
 Misato comes on the scene to hear about order 801, ordering the dismantling
 of NERV.  Ritsuko is holding off the hacking into the Magi, but you expect
 physical attack next since NERV has both Adam and Lilith.  Ritsuko manages
 to keep the intruders out for the next 62 hours, while outside the Mu
 attack rages... except in Hakone.  It seems the old men are trying to lower
 the curtain themselves.  Zeele, realizing they can't break through the
 666 protection, send in the Thunder to physically occupy NERV HQ.

 Basically, NERV's final enemy is human, and Gendou orders everyone to
 battlestations.  Lo and behold, the commander of this whole mess is none
 other than Miwa, the perfect person to lead this kind of assault and
 apparently salvaged by Zeele.  He figures that NERV is trying to use the
 Mu attack as cover to cause the Third Impact, which makes you the enemies
 of mankind.  He doesn't care if Zeele is using him, since he's using Zeele
 back: he plans to execute you all as traitors here, and regain his former
 position as commander.  And then he'll force all the aliens out of the
 solar system.  This guy is going to be executed for sure if you live through
 all of this, and Gendou orders Maya to hang up.  Miwa responds by
 commencing the attack.

 Misato, realizing that the bad guys are after the EVA pilots, orders them all
 stationed in their EVAs.  Rei's missing, and Shinji's dragging ass getting
 to his mech.  As the attack contines, Gendou looks serious and asks
 his "teacher" Fuyutsuki to look after things.  Fuyutsuki accepts, telling
 Gendou to say hi to Yui for him.

 What follows is straight out of the EVA movie, with some extensions for the
 Mulians and Zeorymer as explained above.

 It turns out that former Haudragon dudes are among those attacking NERV.
 Asuka gets her turn at being shot at first, and like in the movie she
 _really_ doesn't want to die.  Lucky for her her mother's spirit is in her
 EVA, and she can use her A.T. Field to attack.  It doesn't matter when her
 umbilical cable is cut, and she will _NOT_ be beaten by the likes of
 Miwa's men.

 Once said men are beaten, the EVA Series shows up, which is very bad news.

 Like the movie, Asuka beats up on them all, and Misato bids her tearful
 farewell to Shinji.  However, there's a difference - someone is there to
 protect Misato, a "dog" just like the soldier holding the gun.  It's
 Tsukihime!

 Asuka is still in deep shit though, but luckily someone stops the
 dismemberment, someone even the EVA Series must heed.  His lecture is on
 how the situation in battle can change in an instant: so-called "divine
 intervention"!

 It seems Seiya's rushed repairs on the engines were in time.  Your dudes
 are about to lay into these overgrown eels, when EVA-01 emerges in a burst
 of energy.  He's decided what to do, and who to protect.  Domon says that
 he shouldn't berate himself anymore, but rather make up for lost time.
 Shinji agrees, and Fuyutsuki realizes that this turn of events is precisely
 the Deus Ex Machina called for in the script.

 The EVA Series have a Space Alloy Gren, an I-Field Generator, and a Super
 Repair Kit.

The EVA bridge crew watch nervously, wondering if the EVA Series will revive
again even after feeling your wrath.  The military forces who invaded the base
are starting to retreat, but Fuyutsuki doubts Zeele has given up entirely.
The Mu offensive is still going on too, and there's no telling what's going
on with the T-J Busters.  It seems all the four Scenarios are still vying for
supremacy...

Gendou tells Rei that the flow is going in their favor, but before he and Rei
can go much of anywhere Ritsuko shows up, gun drawn.  She tells Gendou that
she's altered the Magi's programming while setting up the protection, and
says that Zeele's plans cannot be complete with the EVA Series disabled.
Gendou says that the Dead Sea Scrolls themselves are incomplete - so this is
the natural result.  Ritsuko notes that the EVAs were supposed to have been
made from Adam so the plan could succeed, yet the results are plain.  Did
Gendou and Yui foresee this way back when?  This must be why Yui waited inside
EVA-01, for Shinji's future.  Gendou then recommended the Human Complementation
Project to Zeele after lying about Yui's disappearance, and even got the
approval of the old men.  Thus Gendou claimed to be trying to free everyone
from the ceremony of life and death, all the way until the ruse became
unsustainable.  Gendou says that _now_ is the time to Complement everything,
lest all end.  Ritsuko counters that even if the world dies here, it will
just come back to life again - that's the fundamental law of nature.  Gendou
merely doesn't want to accept it - doing instead things that only a god should
do, by the work of his own hands.  She says that Gendou wanted to see the new
world waiting across the destruction with his own eyes - the "end result"
of Complementation, or Conducting, or whatever.  Ritsuko claims that she
herself cares not about the result - she just wants to be the one to end things
on her terms.  She merely doesn't want to recognize what Gendou is trying to
do, and tells Rei to die along with her mother.

Too bad for her her little plan to remote-detonate the base doesn't work:
Caspar betrays her.  Her mother has chosen her "man" over her own daughter,
and Gendou wastes no time blowing Ritsuko away, her last words to call him a
"liar".  Gendou has Adam with him, and tells Rei there's no other way for him
to meet Yui again.  The forbidden fusion of Adam and Lilith is the only way
to avoid the Tuning and he says that the world is about to ring with the
song of life and death sung by Ishtori In Yoryotoru.  He says there's no time
left, that Rei's A.T. Field can no longer hold her together.  He then tries
to unlock Rei's heart, so all souls can become one...


Stage 10e. Haruka Kuen no Kanata ("Across Infinite Time")

Eldy is exalting over the Devil Gundam's destruction - all she needs to do
now is get her hands on the Star of La Mu.  She fawns over her beloved AI1,
telling it that even the mechanical gods won't be able to get in its way and
that Complementation and Tuning are meaningless.  She tells AI1 that the
time has come to unleash its true powers - it's no mere component for the
ModelX, as Central Project had planned, nor a process in Zeele's schemes.  It
itself is the true Model X, the end and beginning of everything [say what?] as
well as her precious little child.  She wants to see what it's going to be
when it grows up, and says that she's about to remove Albero Est, the final
impediment to it achieving its true glory.  AI1 doesn't seem to like that,
and as Eldy struggles to figure out why Albero comes in, telling her it's
time to go do their final job.  His _revenge_ is over, but he's still got
things on his mind.  Eldy pulls out her gun, figuring to herself that she
should have done this when Albero first suggested helping Hugo out.  Albero
sardonically asks if she plans on eliminating him like she eliminated Zapato,
and she says that he's nothing more than AI1's pilot - something no longer
needed as AI1 is about to take the final step.  She has one final question for
him - just what did he do to AI1 anyway?  He starts chuckling, gleefully asking
why AI1's own parent can't grasp such a simple thing.  He hasn't done a damn
thing - as though he, a "mere pilot", could!  As for why it refused Eldy's
words, he tells her that AI1 learned what a mechanized weapon is supposed to
be by studying his combat with Hugo and Aqua.  In other words, it's the
_pilot_ who brings out the best in the machine through his technique, strength,
and emotions.

Eldy isn't buying it, saying that an emotionless AI is the best way to run
such a weapon.  If so, Albero asks, why did Zapato put the DFC system into
the Garmraid?  Why was Aqua chosen as its operator?  Zapato knew well what
Albero was just talking about, which is why he salvaged Hugo and rebuilt him
into the Garmraid's pilot.  It was because of his belief in the necessity of
human controllers that the Model X had its AI removed and was remade</pre><pre id="faqspan-15">
specifically for Hugo and Aqua to pilot.  Eldy doesn't like the thought that
her AI is inferior to Aqua, and says that she won't have it!  Unfortunately,
she's nowhere near good enough to actually _shoot_ Albero, and he delivers a
thunderous bitchsmacking that would do M.C. Hawking proud.  However, he won't
kill her - she, like him, is an essential part of the Medius.  He will,
however, force her to do as he says, and that means fulfilling their final
duty, and making something good come out of his blood-soaked past.  She's not
in much position to refuse...

Meanwhile, the Ner Argama is rushing towards Rahxephon at top speed, all
hands praying that they're in time.  Torigai and Helena are both trying to
tell Ayato meanwhile that the time has come to accept his destiny.  He's
in a rather bad mood, telling them that _he_ decides how he lives, not them.
After all, he's got something he wants to protect badly enough he'd even cast
off his humanity: protecting her is the entire reason he's able to remain
who he is.

Ayato... _changes_ a bit, and Helena says that no one can stop him now, not
even himself (Itsuki seems dubious).  Helena figures it's time to leave this
place, and show the old man what the end is like.  Torigai figures that his
role as Ayato's protector is over, but still wants to kill him before
anything else happens.  That could be a bit tricky as Ayato starts vaporizing
his ass, and far above Quon says that the time has come for the melody to
resound throughout the world.  Time for everyone to get Tuned!

Your psychic dudes hear the song, and Akira realizes that Rahxephon's
awakening has begun.  Nadesico tracks an energy response coming from Rahxephon
that resembles all the super power sources your dudes use put together.
Amuro knows as well that it's Ayato, and Ruri orders your people to join up
with Bright as soon as you're done searching for survivors at NERV HQ - there's
no telling what will happen now...  But what you've got to do is stop whatever
is going on.

Zeele figures that Orin has fused with Ishtori, gaining the Yoroteotoru and
beginning the granting of their wish.  That's their only choice, given that
EVA-01 is byond their reach and that Gendou is about to fuse Adam and Lilith.
Quon is telling her "other half" not to fear as their powers bring about order
and unity across the two world.

Those damn EVA Series have started up again, and are trying to attack the
Nadesico.  Fuyutsuki sends the message for the Nadesico to not attack, but to
fend them off with its Distortion Field.  Cue lots of Weird Ass Shit involving
the EVA Series ceremony from the movie.  Tsukihime shows up and ushers the
bridge crew to the Nadesico, telling them that Misato has already been
taken there.  Of course that leaves...

..Gendou and Rei, who refuses to take Gendou to where Yui is.  After
all, she is not Gendou.  She won't wait for Gendou, and hurries off to where
Shinji is.  Lilith welcomes her back [glorp], and immense energy begins to
emit from Central Dogma.  It's a pattern Blue A.T. Field, but is unmistakably
human.  Fuyutsuki is smart enough to not delay the evacuation any more, but
something rather unnerving is in store anyway...

Okay, clearly they spent most of their graphics budget on this section.  It
is Uber-Rei(tm), which understandably scares Shinji out of his wits.  She's
got Lilith's egg, the black moon which is the source of all life.  As her
Anti-A.T. Field grows, Shinji comes more and more unglued.  But then Kaworu
appears before Shinji, telling him as the chosen one to shut the door of life
and death that leads to the Room of Gauf - before the world becomes filled with
sadness.  Before loneliness buries the hearts of man...

Misato tells your stunned people that _that_ is a human, or more accurately,
another possible form for humankind.  It's also the source of all life
promised an existence on the Earth.  Fuyutsuki explains that the seeds of life
on Earth, the white and black moons, came from another planet according to the
Dead Sea Scrolls.  For that matter, everyone else from other planets might be
of similar origins - though whether the same people who made the Martian Ruins
are responsible can't be proven.  THOUGH, it would make sense as a means to
connect far-flung solar systems via teleportation.  In any case, Fuyutsuki
tries to explain that the number of alternate worlds has been steadily
increasing since this world's beginning, and Altair explains to Ginga about
the other worlds in which he never met Hokuto, never beat the Galfa, etc.
Kouji gets the gist of this - you've now come to a point where the universe
itself can't bear the weight of all these parallel worlds, likening it to a
_giant_ balloon that is getting overinflated.

Fuyutsuki says that that explanation will suffice, and your people are
wondering if they're all going to inevitably die no matter what they do.
Not quite, says Misato - the ancient-type dudes figured out a way to ride out
the annihilation of the universe, and sow the seeds of life into the future.
That way is to dismantle the strong A.T. Fields that keep individual minds
separate, returning all life into a primordial state that awaits the next
chance at rebirth.  That is, pressing "Reset" on life, before "Game Over"
appears.  Ryouko thinks this sounds like a pretty shitty deal, but Misato
continues and says that the eggs containing that life are much like the
game's "save data", with multiply-redundant back ups.  The tricky thing is
that current humanity was just supposed to be the precursor to the white moon
people being born.  But for some reason, the white moon didn't activate, and
the black moon people got free rein.  And some of those people tried to
reactivate the white moon by themselves, but fucked up the seal-breaking
process and set in motion a series of trials to determine whether the black
or white moon people would have a future: the battles with the Angels.

In fact, this trial process has been going on for a long time, as recorded
in the database of the hidden Dead Sea Scrolls.  And the process in question
is the Human Complementation Project, whose Schedule or Scenario those Dead
Sea Scrolls governed.  This is why NERV knew when and in what form the Angels
would come, well, a few people within NERV anyway.  This means that Fuyutsuki
knew that Touji's EVA would be possessed by the Angel, and Camille starts
angrily demanding an explanation.  Fuyutsuki forestalls this, pointing out
that by allowing that to happen the Mu/Barbem side's schedule began to differ
greatly from NERV's own.  That's why a good half of the Angels didn't even show
up, and Fourth Children met an unexpected fate (namely, still living).

He goes on to explain how Barbem has his own copy of the Scrolls and his own
project based on them.  That's why the inauspicious meeting between your world
and Mu-Mu Land happened [god damn j00, ice cream van!].  Breaching this
supposedly unbreachable dimensional barrier required the two Rahxephons,
central to the Trans-Dimensional Complementation Project and instrumental
[ha ha, get it?! ^^;;;] to Tuning the world.

MEANWHILE, the Vermillion has been recovered but Rahxephon has sort of...
vanished.  Haruka is all broken up about Ayato leaving, but she hears a voice
calling her.  She finds him on the beach, and he tells her that he and
Rahxephon have now become one.  He says that he's not alone any more, and that
he can go on existing as himself... though he's no longer a "person".
Rikudou then shows up with Megumi in tow, explaining what Ayato has become:
the force that supports all life (according to Western Mexican legend anyway).
Actually, Ayato has another half, whose singing he can hear: Quon, his
blood relation.  As Haruka pleads with him not to go, Ayato says that he's
glad he was born as a person, able to learn so many things, and to see Haruka
once more.  He says his final goodbyes, saying that the person most important
to him is calling him.  He vanishes, and Haruka won't let this sit - he was
the person she loves most.

Maya thinks her role as Conductor is now over.  She tells Quon to guide
Ayato well, and your people in space are quite surprised to see two
Rahxephons appear before them.  LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~~~!!!!!!! [*choke* *wheeze*]

Nigami figures Armageddon has surely come given that three winged gods are
assembled in one place.  Professor Kamina now gets to see the son he created
with his own hands in action.  He says, agonized, that he doesn't know how
valuable it is for one to go on living as a human in this world that's trying
to change itself as they speak, but that it's quite clear what each remaining
person ought to do now: go on living anyway.  Nigami says that Gendou thought
the same way, and when Kamina says that there's something he hasn't done yet
Nigami says that it's not his job: Nigami is the one who does all the dirty
work.  In return, Nigami asks him to do his final job as commander of Terra:
Operation Doolittle.  Nigami knows that Kamina readied it despite Hibiki's
objections, but Kamina says that it would require the Star of La Mu to make
work.  Nigami points out that the WORLD IS ABOUT TO END, and maybe it would
be advisable to try everything he can try.

Haruka herself has taken up singing, singing a song that both she and Kamina
once liked.  Haruka laments losing Ayato a second time, and this time for
good, but Megumi tells her not to give up, to go and find what she's lost once
more.  As many times as necessary, which is what your squadron taught them.
Haruka makes an amazingly quick recovery and runs off, and Rikudou tells
Meg that, once again, she's too cool for her own good.

Helena and Itsuki go to Barbem, apparently to kill him off.  Who they shoot
is Kazushiki, who doesn't at first believe that he can be killed.  Helena
tells him that he's "D", as in "Designer's Children", or "Dolem".  Helena
says that she made him as her puppet, and since D also stands for "incompetent"
[ah, multilingualism] she says he's no longer needed.  Itsuki is aghast at
what Helena has just pulled, but he can't quite finish his outraged sentence.
Nigami shows up then, telling him to finish what he _really_ ought to be doing
over at Mutropolis.  Itsuki gets with it and runs off, and Nigami lightly
tells Helena that he's here to interview her, to find out the truth at long
last.

He asks her what it is she wants to do so badly that she's actually replaced
her own body in a bid for prolonged life.  Helena says that "this girl" gladly
offered her body to her, and admits that the Vermillion, as well as the Dolems
and Devil Gundam were all insurance for her, to make sure that the world ended.
Not that any of them did a damn bit of good.  She tells him that she merely
wanted to see what she could see ahead of her in life, and it was only natural
that she build the Rahxephon System while hanging out in Mu-Mu Land.  That
would put her age at, oh, several thousand years old - twelve thousand to be
precise.  She's waited all that time for Universal Calendar year 74, December
28 - the exact date in the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Besides her and Zeele, one other
person knew that date: Lemuria, using her precognition.  Meanwhile, when
Helena came to this world, she ended up helping build Reideen to make up for
the Rahxephon system she lost... and Lemuria saw right through it, and kicked
her out of the Mu kingdom.  Helena grumbles that she never expected Lemuria
to be able to Sing too, but says that the Star of La Mu is about to become a
nonproblem with both Rahxephons active.

Nigami wants to know how this game of Helena's is supposed to change the world,
and she says that that's up to the two bearers of the Yoroteotoru.  All she
did was build the system - a statement that sounds to Nigami like a god's.
Helena thinks that's only natural, since the system she built is in charge of
the world right now - it's her divine right to see where everything is headed.
Nigami isn't so sure: other players on the scene include Zeele and your
squad: the final outcome is far from decided.

For instance, Ayato is consulting Hibiki and learning that all the T-J
Busters are in one piece.  Hibiki says that the Star is still sealed, and
Ayato says that as soon as it appears, Doolittle is to start, and this world
is to be protected by its unbreachable barrier before the Mu world encroaches
upon it: "Terra Jupiter" as it were.  This probably means not saving the
people off-world, but he figures it's far better than _everyone_ dying off.
Rikudou knows what Ayato is getting at, but tells him that it's a bit too
early to put that plan into action.  After all, your squad still has a chance
to affect the outcome!  Hibiki is sure that his wife is thinking the same
thing, which is why the Star hasn't been unsealed yet.  He asks Ayato to
try believing in all your people, which includes both Hibiki's and Ayato's
own son.  Kihl, meanwhile, seems pretty sure the ceremony will go through
without a hitch.

Akira doesn't know what to think, how to stop the end of the world.  Fuyutsuki
says that the two Rahxephons are about to become the sacrificial gods that
will save the world's residents from the cycle of killing each other.  Their
songs will both destroy the world and lead to its renewal: this is the
ceremony of life and death.  Ruri asks very simply how to stop it: you gotta
wipe out the Rahxephons as well as the EVA Series, or all of you will
positively turn into orange goo.  Kazuya doesn't like the idea of attacking
Ayato, and Misato recommends starting by pummeling the EVA Series first.

 One of the bad guys has a Psychoframe.  Another has a Mars Donburi.  Another
 has a Megagenerator...

 On 2.5, two very annoying people show up - the Omzack, the only one of the
 Divinator Robots capable of withstanding Zeorymer, and Miwa in a Gilgazamne.
 He's still bent on punishing the "traitors", and it seems your people have
 to deal with (misguided) revenge as well as saving the world.  Miwa berates
 your people at some length, and Kazuya, who had believed until now that Miwa
 had _some_ sense of wanting to protect the world despite all he put Erika
 and him through during the Barm war, is now convinced that Miwa needs to
 be utterly obliterated.

 As for Saikyo, Masato frets when he dies that this is yet another result of
 the program he created back when.  Miku tells him not to fret - this time,
 Saikyo bought the farm because he's a genuinely bad person, not because of
 anything that Masaki did.

 On 3.0, something else shows up - the Medius Locus!  Hugo wonders if Albero
 is trying to gain the forgiveness of his past comrades by killing you all
 off, or alternately, by trying to surpass the Devil Gundam.  Albero says
 that that's merely Hugo's interpretation, but Hugo counters that it's
 obviously Albero's too.  He tells Albero that Albero has no comprehension
 of what their departed comrades would wish the living to do - rather than
 the pain of death, Hugo chooses the pain of life!  One can die any time they
 wish, but that just amounts to running away - and whether it's self-
 satisfaction or not, Hugo won't do it.  Besides, wasn't it Albero who taught
 Hugo to always come back alive?

 It was in fact, and Albero has a reason he accepted the offer of piloting
 the Medius - to go on living by striking down the enemies of all life on
 Earth, beginning with the Devil Gundam.  Eldy can't believe he's got such
 a lame rationale, but Albero seems quite sincere.  He neither expects nor
 requests Hugo's forgiveness, but plans to help you out for now.  Eldy, for
 her part, says that she doesn't want to lose AI1, and your people's quick
 debate ends in deciding to trust them for now.  Eldy doesn't like all this,
 but figures the odds are good that the Star of La Mu will appear since
 Reideen is here.  If only she can get her hands on that, the Medius will
 be...

 On turn 3.5, who should show up but Torigai!  He can't deal with a world
 without Hiroko [whose fault is that really other than his own?  I mean,
 come on now...]  He thinks he can kill the God.  Statue.  Thingie.  Whatever
 Ayato is now, Torigai wants some comeuppance and doesn't seem to be swayed
 by how utterly incapable he is of even scratching him...

 When you kick Torigai's ass, Ayato takes one final potshot(!) at him,
 putting the kaibosh on Torigai's little vengeance jag once and for all.  j00
 r34pz0rz whut j00 s3W, m0th4phUk4!!!11!  Muahahahaha.  Anyhowz, he goes out
 like the bitch that he wishes he could be, Hiroko the last vision he sees.

Well, now you're down to the last two adversaries(?), the Rahxephons.  How
you stop them is the question, and Eldy is _sure_ that the Star of La Mu will
have to appear.  Ayato is wondering whether he's died, or been born, stuck
in some peculiar spot that apparently has a very small furniture budget.
Quon is there too, strangely familiar, and he asks her if she knows who he is.
She stays silent, and Ayato ponders how he knows, and is known by, no one.
Quon finally speaks, telling him that that's how he tries _not_ to know, by
pretending not to look.  She asks how long he plans to keep that up...

..and to outside appearances, the two gods are silent - talking to each other
perhaps.  The commanders tell everyone to remain on station, as Elfi shows up
in her Vermillion.  She's frantically searching for Haruka, who is apparently
missing...

Quon orders Ayato to get out of the birdcage he's built for himself - it's
okay to know, to try to find out.  Ayato wants to, but thinks no one can
understand him the way he is now.  Quon demands that he accept himself,
other people, his surroundings, and the feelings of the world.  And above all,
he's to accept himself, and her, bravely.  She asks what he wants to protect,
what he chooses - where is the world in which he'll live?  What doesn't he
want to lose?

Apparently all this talk is boring Quon, since she LA's Ayato.  He responds
in kind, and your people are now frantic trying to figure out how to a) stop
the ceremony of life and death, and b) save Ayato's ass from la-ification.
Just then, Haruka shows up between the two Rahxephons, only to get blasted...

..and show up in some dream sequence where Maya berates her for existing.
Had she not, Ayato would have had a much easier time, being unaware of the
world outside.  Maya says that it would have been enough for her alone to
love Ayato - it was her responsibility for tormenting Ayato, as his creator.
She should have been Ayato's only support - the one who gave him everything
in life.  But Ayato found a world of his own - a world with Haruka in it.
A world _together_ with Haruka.  She informs Haruka that Ayato no longer wants
Maya to share his sorrows - what he wants is what should have been a long-
forgotten memory, and the new memories he made with her.  Maya tells Haruka
to get the hell out, to go suffer _together_ with Ayato already if she really
wants to pain him that much.  After all, she's the only one who can.  Haruka
tearfully thanks her mother-in-law(-to-be-not-really???)  Maya says to
herself that here, at the finale, the melodies have become warped.  She trusts
the rest to the other Mu, the miko, Lemuria.  She asks that she guide
everyone to a new earth, the promised land.

Ayato is finally getting his head straight, and the thing he wants to
protect/not lose/choose/et. cetera turns out to be Haruka and your squad [how
conVEEnient!], and a world for everyone to live in.  Quon tells him to just
up and do so then, and not to worry about what befalls her.

Shinji, meanwhile, has been living in fear of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Rei.
The real Rei, along with Kaworu, have shown up to explain to him that he
hasn't _died_, but rather he's about to chart the course of a new world.
Shinji says that he used to hate himself, the self that neither tried nor
accomplished anything.  The self that should have just run away.  But nothing
good came of running - it was as though he himself didn't even exist.  Shinji
is willing to risk everyone's A.T. Fields hurting each other, but is concerned
what will become of Rei and Kaworu.  They'll go on living with the other Orin:
_their_ new choice and new path.  Shinji asks what they, within his heart,
really are, and Rei answers: hope - hope that people can one day understand
each other.  Which, as Kaworu yaoifully points out, goes along with the word
"love".  Shinji objects that that's superficial, selfish delusion, and even
prayer-like.  It can't last, and he expects to be betrayed, cast aside sooner
or later.  BUT, in an amazing change of heart, he relishes the chance to try
again - even if what he fears happens, at least it'll be "genuine".

Ayato can neither run away anymore, nor wants to try.  But he's not sure how
to proceed, and Quon tells him to relax and let her handle it.  And in
return, she asks him to be gentle with her. [O_O!!]  Haruka seems to understand
that the time is come to GTFO of the way, and Ayato "gently" deprives Quon
of numerous hit points.  She responds in kind, and your people, still frantic,
want to know how to stop the two of them before they run out of power and the
world is gooified, or whatever.  Just then, Lemuria pops up in Akira's head
and announces the time has come to unseal the Star of La Mu.  She says that
they've made their decision, not to Complement or Tune, but to lead the
world to the promised land.  And that includes the people of the white moon
too.  Lemuria tells Akira to fulfill the final duty of Reideen, and with the
brilliance of the Star of La Mu, stop Quon's song.

Reideen seems to know how to do this all on its own, and after a nifty little
incantation Akira's mother grants him the power to sing the forbidden song,
the song that will grant eternal brilliance to the world.  With all due
respect to Kamiya Akira, his singing voice could use some work.  But the
results speak for themselves, and before vanishing Quon says that she's heard
the most important song of all: everyone's feelings.  All the melodies resound
in her breast, filling the whole world with new song.

Helena, down on earth, is utterly furious: this isn't what she wanted to
see!  She expected her creation to make a new world, and Nigami says that it
seems there was a HUGE twist at the end of the play.  That's all thanks to
the biggest Deus Ex Machina in history: your squad.  Helena was soooo sure that
your squad were mere players, but Nigami observes that sometimes, that's how
the cookie crumbles.  He tells her that it's time for her to leave the stage,
lamenting briefly that such a unfitting sound will mark the finale... [Just
remember: God made man, Colt made man equal.  And non-gooey.]

Kihl and Zeele are agape that their hopes and wishes should assume _this_
shape.  Gendou shows up, telling them that they should have realized this
from the start.  After all, that's why they're all here.  Kihl furiously says
that this can't have been what Gendou wanted either.  Gendou allows that it
was not, but all their wishes, like the world itself, are in a bit of a state
of flux just now.  He says that all of them merely didn't want to accept this
outcome, and Kaworu(!) continues that all of them were merely trying to flee
the world before they got hurt.  Rei(!!) then continues that they were afraid
of that which neither had fleshly form, nor was even visible to the eye -
and this is what they get.  Zeele says that they've still got their last trump
card to force Complementation: "them".  Gendou says that that's why your squad
exist as Deus Ex Machina.  Kihl wonders if your people can actually stop
"them", but Gendou says that it's time to lower the curtain they've prepared
before finding out.  Gendou tells Yui that he's about to come to her side,
and his last words are to tell Shinji that he's sorry.

Shinji managed to hear that somehow, and Fuyutsuki realizes that Gendou is
gone.  It would seem that everything is over, but Eldy isn't quite done yet.
She switches AI1 to full automatic, and tries to snag the Star of La Mu.
Albero isn't having that, and shoots her.  Unfortunately it's too late,
and the Medius starts going agro.  I guess it managed to grab the Star, and
your people start detecting the absolute boundary forming...


Stage 10f. Yakusoku no Chi ("The Promised Land")

Erika is being brought to Federation command.  Akiyama reports how all contact
has been lost with the Earth as of 11:12 today.  That means the entire Earth
Sphere is in a state of high alert, and it's not hard to see why: Earth
itself now resembles... Jupiter!  This is the whole Terra Jupiter thing that
Operation Doolittle likely brought about using the Star of La Mu, although that
operation wasn't supposed to start yet...  Guess only your dudes know what's
going on...

Actually, they're pretty puzzled too, dazzled by all the quasi-Chernenkov
radiation caused by dimensional graph reversal.  Even _they_ can't contact the
surface of the Earth, but at least they've recovered Akira in one piece.
To figure out what's going on, Bright has your dudes sortie.  Fuyutsuki
figures that this must be a third form of ending the world besides
Complementation or Tuning.  He says that Barbem and Zeele, figuring their
plans might somehow go awry, prepared a number of extreme backup methods to
achieve their goal.  That included the Devil Gundam fiasco and the "AI1 Plan".
Yes, Zeele was behind Central Project and sponsoring AI1 all along.  Its true
mission was to eliminate the Angels, Dolems, and anything else standing in
Zeele's way.  The complete system, the "Model X", features that high-grade
combat AI, plus the DG Cell-like Rasmunanium and the TE Engine.

Now, the Medius Locus is _not_ the MX, and Zapato actually defied the
Committee and planned Unit 10 to exclude the AI (earning him a case of lead
poisoning courtesy of Eldy).  Still, no one expected the Medius to absorb the
Star of La Mu and carry out the process by itself.  In short, _it_ created
this space.

The Medius shows up on cue, but if its occupants are still alive they don't
answer your hailing.  Aqua detects an unparalleled amount of energy emitting
from the thing: the Mutron energy has made the Rasmunanium reach its true
potential, resulting in massive structural changes.  As for who's at the
controls, it would appear that AI1 is on the rampage - and it lanches a bunch
of drones in response to the threat your people seemingly represent to its
scenario.  Fuyutsuki says that the Medius bears all the malice of Zeele and
Eldy, and with its controller gone the Medius will likely try to absorb
everything into itself.  He tells Cain that while there's no _proof_ that
wrecking the Medius will return the Earth to normal, it's worth trying.  Your
dudes realize that this may all be for naught, but of course they're not going
to give up now.

 When you blow away the Medius, its core remains, expanding seemingly
 without bound.  This is the A.I. _itself_, seemingly made of Terminus
 Energy.  The Jupiter field is beginning to collapse, and in the worst case
 it could generate the anti-A.T. Field that will gooify everyone which Shinji
 managed to avoid: exactly as Zeele wanted.  Except, as Fuyutsuki points out,
 a sea of LCL lacks the power to regenerate life - it's nothing more than a
 world of death.  Even if Complementation occurs as a side-effect, there will
 be no life afterwards.  What blows worse is that Eldy is still alive,
 resurrected by AI1.  She seems overjoyed at seeing the conclusion that AI1
 reached, not caring that that "conclusion" is the conclusion of all life on
 Earth.  Aqua still clings to the belief that her teacher can be saved, but
 Eldy tells her in no uncertain terms that that's not to be - Eldy has
 decided of her own free will to make you all disappear.  Aqua finally
 summons the resolve to take Eldy down, saying that the lessons your squad
 have taught her far outweigh Eldy's own tuition.  Hugo asks one thing:
 what became of Albero?  She won't say, except to muse that he's either dead
 already or maybe assimilated into part of AI1.  Eldy berates Albero's whole
 "always come back alive" philosophy, but Hugo points out that Eldy's own
 philosophy seems to be flawed.  After all, why are your people here and
 the Medius (or most of it anyway) defeated?  She and her shitty little
 PDA have no hope of comprehending how it's the will to live that wins
 battles.

 As you duke it out with AI1, it's clear that _if_ you're to defeat it, it's
 going to take a long-ass time.  Just then, Akira starts hearing a song:
 the astute members of the audience may have been wondering how long it will
 take for Rahxephon to show up.  Ayato is stabilizing the sounds that pervade
 this space, and tells your people to let the world resound with their songs.
 Reika tells Eldy that her sounds cannot reach Ayato, or disrupt his songs.

 As your people pound away, Aqua points out that unless you destroy this thing
 utterly, AI1 will be able to regenerate infinitely often.  Hugo starts
 seeing dead people, telling him to defeat his enemy and go on living.  Hugo
 looks momentarily downcast, it seems Albero's final mission is clear.

 Once you FINALLY take down the horrendous AI1, Eldy urges it to merge with
 her completely and continue its regeneration forever.  However, it rejects
 her, and Albero shows up to tell her that AI1 learned something in these its
 final moments: the power of mankind, and the destiny of the defeated.  Eldy
 furiously yells out that that can't be, but Albero tells Hugo that he has
 no regrets.  Now the deaths of Folia and the others can be atoned for, and
 he tells Hugo to live, to come back alive - that's the iron-clad rule of
 the Cry Wolves.

He self-destructs AI1, meaning your mission is complete.  But what about the
world you're stuck in now?  Ayato addresses Haruka, saying that he's going
to live between time and time, an observer of its flow.  Once he starts
watching, all the discordant melodies engulfing you now will disappear.
He himself has to remain here so that all the worlds don't become filled with
noise.  Haruka wants to stay with him, but he tells her he chose for her to
live, so that won't be possible.  He bids you all farewell, the people who
will follow after him.

Your people are now back in orbit above the Earth, it seems, though it will
take some time to restore communications.  But an object flies over to meet
you: the Nadesico B, with Yurika at the helm!  You win and win big.

And so, the great play reaches its lauded finale, and the world is filled with
the sound of applause.  Which is what Nigami _wants_ to write, but the words
aren't really coalescing for his article.  Kaji shows up, having more than a
little trouble finishing his own summary of events.  Both of them know they've
got to keep plugging away at it for the sake of future generations.  Nigami
is surprised Kaji is still alive, given that the Committee wanted him dead,
but Kaji says that his cue to come onstage the final time was strangely
delayed.  Besides, his lines got stolen by someone else - someone that both
men know well: Gendou, who lowered the curtain himself.  Kaji has now lost two
places he used to call home, and he has to decide whether or not to try the
third one.  He does know where he's going though, and plans to tell "her" the
words he couldn't say eight years ago.  [SWEET!  *EVA fan heart fulfilled!*]

Camille fulfills his promise to Fa to return, telling her that he's gotten a
home for the two of them on the moon, away from all the fighting.  In the
process, he tells her that your squad has been dissolved - many of its mecha
need to be either dismantled or sealed away.

..Like the Dragnar for example, which will be dismantled as Doctor Plaht said
they would waaay back when.  With the Dragoons in production, there's no need
for these formerly enemy Metal Armors.  There's to be no display in a museum
for them, and Plaht says that this is the destiny of all weapons that have
outlived their usefulness.  Dianne then comes in and informs the three pilots
that they're free men.  She's doctored the paperwork a bit and Plaht has
talked to the brass, so there's no worries about maintaining secrecy or
whatnot.  So it's off to the civilian life that they avoided before, with the
girls in tow too.  Cain seems to take the loss of the Dragnar especially hard,
but this time he too is resolved to go along with everyone's plan and leave
the military.  Plaht asks Cain to take care of his daughter, and Cain agrees,
noting that Plaht is probably to be his father-in-law.  The guys say goodbye
to Maggie the D-3, Sonia the D-2, and Clara the D-1, their weapons
throughout the war.

Oki announces the decision that's just come down: Last Guardian is to be
disbanded, and Masato and Miku are to be tranferred to the Federation
military.  But as for Zeorymer itself, Oki leaves it up to Masato whether or
not to totally dismantle the thing.  He tells Masato not to worry about what
will happen, and Masato asks him to proceed.  This means that his past will
be completely erased, and Masato thinks he can bear that thanks to his bonds
to your squad, and especially to Miku.  Miku agrees, and Oki says that he'll
probably never see the two of them again.  They all bid each other farewell...

Terra has moved into NERV HQ, and Fuyutsuki is now playing second fiddle to
Souichi.  They've made things look EXACTLY like Terra used to, which Fuyutsuki
says is only natural since the Terra staffers outnumber the remaining NERV
staff by a goodly margin.  Souichi has decided that the EVAs are to be
thoroughly sealed and stored in the deepest part of the geofront.  And on
top of that, the new Terra HQ is to be built, and the EVA facility will
become the new Central Dogma.  Terra will continue its role as an anti-DUMA
research organization, and as the EVAs' guardian.  Fuyutsuki notes that the
EVAs are no longer usable by anyone or any Project - rather, they're an
eternal proof that mankind existed.

Touji is still slacking with the school chores, hoping to go home early to
catch the ballgame between the Titans and the Giants, and Hikari is having
none of it.  Asuka says that it's a wonder the two of them are going out with
how much they argue, and Shinji quotes the old saying that "fond hearts argue
loudest".  Asuka has given up on Kaji, hoping to find a new boyfriend - and
NOT Shinji, or so she says.  She and Shinji start quarreling, and it seems
the two of them are getting along "better" than ever! ^_^  Meanwhile, Shinji
is feeling a bit stunned to be back at school as though nothing had ever
happened - he wishes his father and Rei were here.  Just then he briefly
spies Rei and Kaworu, realizing that they're still alive too in some other
world.

Itsuki has been running a search of the Mutron ruins, trying to find out what
might have become of the Star of La Mu.  He's pretty sure it's still around
_somewhere_, though the data indicates that it's not where it used to be
anymore.  Hibiki agrees, saying that the fact they're able to go on leading a
normal life here is the ultimate proof.  Mari concurs, figuring that Akira's
mom is surely watching over them from somewhere or other.

Rikudou is hard at work repairing his classical Japanese house, and getting
Meg and Haruka to help out.  Haruka meanwhile is goofing off at the beach,
thinking to Ayato that everyone has returned to Niraikanai.  Though the HQ
is gone, her memories of him remain.  Just then, a mysterious person shows up
asking for directions, recently arrived from Tokyo.  Haruka agrees to show him
around, and this mysterious person says that his name is Kamina Ayato...

Hokuto is back to living at home and going to school, leading his double life
as Dendou pilot.  The same goes for Ginga.  As the two muse about the new
school year, Hokuto passes along a message from Altair - he and Subaru are
working on resurrecting Arctus, using Ouga to help out with the agriculture.
Just then, a call comes in for them to help out a large ship caught in a storm.
This stuff might mess up their school career, but it's hard to complain too
much about that...

Roam and the crew are preparing for a quiet departure from the Earth, though it
won't be forever.  Duke's going with them, but says he'll return to Earth once
Freed is revived - all the better to sign a treaty between the two planets.
Kouji plans to come visit at some point in a flying saucer, a MUCH bigger
version of the TFO that he's drawing up plans for.  Sayaka plans to accompany
Kouji to the Watson Lab in the US to help work on it, and tells Maria not to
worry: their little "duel" over Kouji will be on hold until all of them are
together again on Freed.  As preparations finish, Hikaru has a flower she
wants Duke to take with him, and make bloom on Freed.  He promises her he'll
show it to her someday.  None of your people say "farewell", all believing
that they'll see each other again some day.

Bright and the crew send a "good luck" message to Freed as he leaves.  They're
headed to La Vie En Rose to pick up their new ship, the Ral Kairam.  Bright
says that Misumaru moved the rendezvous from Anaheim's moon base to cut
travel time, and adds that it's certainly more convenient for Amuro and Chain
that way.  Both Amuro and Bright realize that this is where things get hard:
it's far easier to _obtain_ peace than it is to maintain it.  But that's
precisely what the new squad, the Lond Bel, is to do.  To replace Camille
and Judou, Maiyo and his men have signed on, though Bright realizes there will
be a mountain of paperwork to get both the army and the government to accept
these former Giganos soldiers.  But fortunately, they have an ace up their
sleeve, an Ace named Casbar Rem Daikun who's on the Federation government...

Judou and the Puru sisters are finally able to head off to Jupiter, and Rain
has helped them by modding their Gundams a bit.  What they'll be doing is
restarting the Hisago Plan and constructing an advance base - a replacement
for one of the many Terminal Colonies destroyed by the Successors.  In fact,
Quatro is in charge of the new Hisago Plan, which is why Judou and crew
elected to help out.  Soon, the solar system will be a lot easier to navigate!

Kazuya is having a bit of a scheduling conflict with the next colony martial
arts tournament, though Erika tells him she can see to it that he doesn't need
to stay on Mars.  She and Kyoushirou figure it's the least they can do for
him after him saving them all these times, and point out that many many
people are looking forward to his showdown with Domon.  Of course, to get to
that point Domon will have to fight his way through the other Shuffle members,
but that sounds like a piece of cake at this point ^_^

The old and new Nadesico crews have different missions now, but they can see
each other pretty much whenever they want to.  Ruri will be heading out, but
she gives Yurika Akito's recipe - or tries, and Yurika tells her she's got
to give it to Akito in person when she sees him next.  After Ruri leaves,
Akito shows up, to retrieve something he'd forgotten...

Aqua tells Hugo that Central Project has been cancelled, and their mech is to
be sealed away.  They don't have to remain in the military though - they're
free to do what they please, a very generous outcome that Misumaru and Bright
pulled very hard for.  Hugo will be staying in the military, and on Douglas'
invitation will be working as a pilot instructor, passing on what he learned
from Albero and from being in your squad to future generations.  Aqua had
been thinking of returning home, but upon hearing of Hugo's plans has reached
a decision herself: to stick by his side.  She wants to become an instructor,
instead of always being the instructee.  She says that although meeting
her instructor Eldy caused her a lot of pain, it's also the reason she's here
today - she wants to become a teacher whose students can one day say as much.
Besides, she's his partner - if the need for the Garmraid ever arises again,
it would suck for the two to be apart.  She tells him to take it easy for a
while though - like Akito, his body has only recently been mended.  But Hugo
says as she knows, a bit of pushing the limits is unavoidable ^_^

 CREDITS ROLL!

 [Yes, Kamiya Akira voice acts damn near every series in the game...]

 THE!  END!