(part 2)

 

 

 

-White Base Bridge-

Rose: …phaww…
Linda: Tired, Rose?
Rose: Not so much tired as a little bored.
Sayla: Oh? Would you prefer to be shot at in a war zone?
Rose: Well, no, but we’re always stuck here on the White Base! There’s just not much to do here, and there’s a whole city outside! You’d think Bright would give us shore leave more often.
Eledore: Them’s the breaks, girls. Just be glad you’re somewhere with working air conditioning and plumbing.
Shiro: Oh man, don’t mention air conditioning… I’ll never be able to enjoy it after hearing Commander Kojima rant and rave…
Kai: I envy those Mithril folks and Daisaku. They get to go out and do things thanks to those missions of theirs.
Kaine: Mwaagh. Bored bored bored!
Tap: I’ve got to get to the record store soon… I’m all out of new music to listen to.
Light: I’m starting to miss the days of constant life-threatening danger. Never a dull moment there.
Julius: Whiners, the lot of you! No matter where you are, complaints! Alright, there’s plenty to do on this ship, so let’s find it!
Sanders: Lieutenant, didn’t you mention that you might be able to solve our storage problems?
Julius: By golly, you’re right! My thanks, Sanders. In all the excitement, I’d somewhat forgotten. Ohhhh Caaaaptaaaaaiiinn?
Bright: Huh? Oh, yes? What’s up?
Mirai: (Even Bright’s spacing out…)
Julius: Permission to send a message to one Professor Clarence Beckam?
Bright: Hmm… permission granted. I take it this is in reference to one of our earlier conversations about our hangar space?
Julius: Quite right.
Bright: Go on ahead. Sayla, if you would?
Sayla: Roger.

New Original Character!

Clarence Beckam: A somewhat frazzled looking scientist in his mid-thirties. An expert mobile weapons developer and researcher, the mind behind the Parthenon Project. Helpful and kind, but easily bullied and cowed. Portrait, hopefully, coming soon.

Clarence(H):  Hello hello hello! If it isn’t Julius, my favorite test pilot! What can I do for you, Lieutenant?
Julius: It’s been a while, Professor. I hope I’ve been giving you adequate combat data?
Calrence(H): Adequate combat data!? Julius, you must be joking. Your help has put this project ahead of schedule immeasurably!  But, as for the reason of your call…?
Julius: Ah, yes. You’re aware of my current post, correct?
Clarence(H): Of course! You folks are the talk of the town up here in the colonies.
Julius: Well, then, that simplifies matters. You see, Clarence, we’ve got…. Space issues. The White Base’s hangar and the Daiku Maryu’s docking facilities are filled to the brim with all manner machinery. … and we’ve got a hover truck duct taped to the top of our bridge.
Clarence(H): Sounds… unpleasant. What can I do to help?
Julius: If I recall, you have some acquaintences who are out of  work transporters?
Kaine: (Transporters? What’s he mean?)
Light: (Essentially, the modern day equivalent of merchant ships. It’s hard to get materials from one place to another up in space, so the folks who captain the vessels have a pretty lucrative career.)
Clarence(H): Aha, yes. Nina and her crew… About them… they’re… not really out of work anymore.
Julius: They’re not? I thought that it was too dangerous with the war raging on and all that…
Clarence(H): Well, um… that stopped them for a while, but then they got… rather bored. So now they’re back to work.
Julius: But how…?
Clarence(H): Sorry to say, I sort of helped them out. I modified their carrier into a full-blown battleship. Now they’re sort of pirates-cum-smugglers-cum-transporters.
Julius: …you did -what now-?
Amuro: P-pretty sure that breaks some sort of regulation…
Clarence(H): Yes, indeed. But I didn’t have much of a choice. That crew of hers… they’re kind of scary.
Julius: Very well, very well, very well!  Would it be possible to enlist their services? We need some extra storage space, here! I’m looking into booking some of those move-it-yourself vans!
Calrence(H): N-no need to yell, Julius. I think I’ll be able to get them to help out if I pull the right strings and push the right buttons…
Julius: Ah, wonderful! You’re a lifesaver, good doctor! Um, if this does work out, any objections?
Bright: We work with a giant blue dragon on a regular basis. What do you think?
Julius: …you’ve grown so bitter, my captain. So bitter.
Clarence(H): Also, Julius… it’s been reported that column 2 has been stolen, and you engaged it in battle. What can you tell me?
Julius: Ah… yes. That. I wasn’t even aware the machine had been finished…
Clarence(H): Like I said before, your contributions have put us far ahead of schedule. We rolled it out early. Of course, since it was stolen, it’s not like we can pat ourselves on the back…
Julius: All I really know is that it’s fully operational and that the one who stole it is Zackary Hughman.
Clarence(H): Z-Zackary?! … I see…  I thought he died in an accident, but that always did strike me as strange…
Ryu: Hold on a minute, guys. Just who is this Zackary?
Julius: An old acquaintance of mine. We were both a part of the Parthenon project, but during one of the test flights in a prototype model, he got into an accident and was presumed dead. …nobody really mourned his passing, sad to say. Something of a hyperactive jerkass, if you pardon the coarse language.
Ryu: So that’s how you knew him. And now he’s popped back up to steal from the project he worked for? What a scumbag.
Clarence(H): Let us say that loyalty was never in that one’s vocabulary. Then again, neither was inactivity. At any rate, it makes sense. That explains how easily it was stolen.
Julius: Can you tell me anything else about it, Professor?
Clarence(H): Unfortunately, no. Whoever he’s working for has outfitted him with some very advanced jamming technology- we haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since before the Genesis Event.
Julius: Hm. Bad luck. One more thing- how are the rest of the columns coming along?
Clarence(H): Splendidly. We should have 3 and 4 rolled out by the end of the month- and I’ve seen to it personally that they’re heavily guarded. …oh dear, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to something. Damn it all, the radioactive material does not go there! Come back here!
Kai: …interesting fella.
Hayato(Gundam): That’s one way of putting it. He seems a little frazzled.
Julius: That’s Professor Beckam for you. He can never give just one thing his full attention, so he’s always a little overwhelmed.
Karen: Well, that’s one problem solved, hopefully. I was just hoping for an extra hangar, but it looks like those transporters have a full blown warship to work with. We could always use more firepower.
Julius: Quite so… (Zackary Hughman… how bothersome. It’s my duty to recover the Hephaestus- he doesn’t know what kind of weapon he’s toying around with…)

Footsteps

Ginrei: I’m back, everyone!
Ryu: Ah, Ginrei. How’d it go back at the IPO base?
Ginrei: Oh, fine, I guess. They needed me to help work out some bugs in the GinRei Robo’s control scheme…
Amuro:G-Ginrei Robo?
Ginrei: Yes… it’s a support unit we designed to help out Robo in battle. We haven’t had any reason to use it yet, but… we need all the firepower we can get right now.
Kai: You don’t seem very happy about it.
Ginrei: …you’ll see why when we deploy. I think more than a little alcohol was involved in the design’s conception…
Julius: Oh dear.

-Classroom-

Nuke: Hey! Guys! Get a load of this!
Mari: Hm? What’s up, Nuke?
Mucha: Word on the street is that we’re planning the class trip today!
Cammie: Class trip? Is that an annual thing?
Kyouko: You’re new to this school, so I guess you wouldn’t know. Every year at about this time, we go on a vacation of some kind as a class. It’s tons of fun!
Sousuke: So, sort of like R&R?
Sayaka: …yeah, sure.
Rock: A class trip… wow, I can’t wait!
Kenji: Meh. It’s not all that great. We’ve gotta go through all that trouble of assigning everyone to do something. And then I forget what I’m supposed to do and Tsubaki goes berserk.
Kyou: …you wouldn’t have that problem if you’d just take the time to remember.
Kenji: Yeah, yeah.
Sousuke: Interesting. Division of labor to optimize efficiency and maximize enjoyment. A good strategy.
Ginga: Aw come on. Not everything is a strategy, man.
Cammie: Well, I guess that’s something to look forward to. Oh, guys, have did you watch last night’s Gundam Fight? It was amazing! It was Japan’s Domon Kasshu against France’s George DeSand!
Kouji: I caught it, yeah. That Shining Gundam is a pretty impressive piece of machinery! I’m no expert like you, but I think that Kasshu guy might just go all the way.
Keita: Yeah, it sure is something! I heard that all of this year’s Gundams have been outfitted with new technology to give them real destructive capability… and then there’s Amuro’s RX-78.
Hinoki: …maybe it’s just because I’m stupid, but it strikes me as odd to use a spectator sport as a testbed for new weapon’s technologies…
Sousuke: It’s not entirely unheard of, actually. In history, there have been several inventions and discoveries originally intended for civillian use that have seen large amounts of military applications- and conversely, many military technologies have found their way into everday-life as well.
Cammie: Oh, who cares?! This is the best Gundam Fight yet! The Shining Gundam’s great, but I love the Gundam Rose, too!
Mari: That George DeSand -is- pretty dreamy.
Cammie: Nonono! That’s not what I’m talking about! Those Rose Bits it used… how did that work? I’ve never seen remote weaponry like that!
Keita: I know, I loved that! It was like it had independent beam rifles… but Domon still managed to win. That guy must be the real deal.
Daisaku: I’ve actually met him before. He was a very skilled fighter, though… he wasn’t very polite.
Cammie: Y-you met Japan’s Gundam Fighter?! When? How?! Why!?
Daisaku: C-calm down! It was shortly after we joined up with the White Base, actually, in India. He helped us deal with an illegal arms dealer, Michelo Chariot.
Keita: Ooohh, right. There was a lot of controversy about that, let me tell you!
Cammie: Aww, man, I bet I was stuck in the Zone right around there. I’m so jealous.
Sousuke: Hmph. I don’t see why you would be. That man is insufferable and a terrible soldier.
Sayaka: Well, he’s an athlete, not in the military… right?
Sousuke: There are… extenuating circumstances.
Kaname: Hey, everyone, can I have your attention please?
Kenji: Oh, here we go…
Ginga: Quit whining.
Kaname: Hey, are you even listening!?
Keita: We’re listening, we’re listening! Can we just get this over with?
Kaname: Oh for Pete’s sake… I knew I shouldn’t have volunteered to be class rep… Anytway! I had a feeling things would turn out like this, so… I came prepared! Take a look!
Kouji: Eh? A notebook?
Ryouma: Wait, wasn’t she running around taking notes before class began today?
Kaname: Yep, yep!
Akira: That’s our Kaname for you.
Michiru: She’s a model class representative, alright!
Kaname: Yep, yep! Yes, just leave it to me!
Hinoki: (…isn’t she getting a little too excited…?)
Cammie: (I just hope she doesn’t get so worked up she comes down with a cold or something before the trip even starts…)
Kyouko: (I’m embarrassed to be with my best friend…)
Kaname: Hey, shut up! …now, let’s get on with the announcements. Now, I know we’ve had some… problems in the past with Kenji forgetting his assignments.
Kenji: Yeah, yeah, rub it in.
Kaname: So I’ve thought ahead this year… and put him, Boss, Nuke and Mucha in charge of our meals.
Kyou: …heh heh. Brilliant.
Hokuto: There’s no way that Kenji could ever forget about food. We’re in good hands!
Kenji: Alright! Now we’re talking!
Boss: Just leave it to us!
Kaname: Ryouma, Hayato and Musashi are in charge of luggage.
Ryouma: Fair enough.
Hayato: …fine.
Musashi: Leave the heavy lifting to me!
Kaname: Let’s see… Hokuto, Ginga, Daisaku… you’ll be in charge of communications.
Daisaku: Roger! I’ll do my best! (…does she know about my watch?)
Ginga: Sheesh, what a pain.
Hokuto: Come on, don’t gripe. We’ve all got to pitch in.
Kaname: Kouji, Cammie, Keita and Hinoki are in charge of event planning.
Kouji: Hehe, I’ve got this! That’s my specialty!
Cammie: Well, um, I’ll give it a shot… I’m kind of new at this.
Keita: Eh? Why me? I don’t know anything about this…
Hinoki: We’ll manage.
Kaname: …and that leaves the garbage… nobody ever wants to be in charge of that, so… Sousuke! You’ll be Garbage Officer.
Sousuke: …
Kaname: Is something wrong?
Sousuke: I don’t recall accepting this duty.
Kaname: A-ah. You see, the newest member of the class is always in charge of the garbage.
Sousuke: Is that so? Very well, I accept.
Rock: U-um, doesn’t that mean I’m Garbage officer too?
Kaname: W-well, I suppose so, if you want… it really only needs one person…
Rock: Okay, I’ll give it my best shot!
Sousuke: Roger that.
Kaname: (…that kind of backfired…)
Akira: (There’s no tradition like that and you know it!)
Kyouko: (That was kind of mean of you, Kana-chan.)
Kaname: (Oh, give me a break! He accepted!) At any rate! Any objections?!
Cammie: Doesn’t look like it…
Kaname: Then, dismissed!
Sousuke: … I am unfamiliar with the duties this entails.
Rock: Don’t worry, I can help out! Fireman was a waste disposal robot, so I learned all there is to know about it from him!
Sousuke: Is that so? Thank you.

-GGG HQ-

Hyuuga: Eh? A school trip?
Volfogg(H): Yes. The destination is Okinawa, and they embark in two days.
Taiga: I see…
Leo: What do you think, Chief?
Taiga: …I don’t like grouping together so many important personnel in one place like that, but I’m not sure it can be avoided.
Ushiyama: Mm. Preventing so many students from going on a trip like that would cause a pretty big uproar.
Mikoto: But Rock, Daisaku and Sousuke are all going too, so shouldn’t it be all right?
Entouji: Volfogg can track their progress and follow if necessary.
Volfogg(H): It would be no trouble.
Taiga: Hm. Very well. Provided we are cautious, things should turn out alright.
Swan: We also heard from Colonel Testarossa that they destroyed an enemy base they thought was after Kaname Chidori, right?
Hyuuga: Mm, true. I think we’re in the clear for now. Still… it’s dangerous.

-Jumbo Jet-

Keita: Awwwessoooome! This one of the latest models of commercial airliners! It’s huge!
Hayato: I admit, it’s rather impressive.
Kenji: Hehehe. The seats are nice and comfy, too. And this is only coach! Plenty of room to stretch your legs.
Hokuto: It’s a little strange… this school must have a lot of money to charter a flight like this.
Kouji: Yeah, we’re always doing stuff like this. I’m not complaining!
Cammie: I’ve never been to Okinawa before… wonder if it’s anything like Hawaii.
Hinoki: The climate should be similar, at least.
Kyou: Much like Hawaii in comparison to the mainland United States, Okinawa maintains a distinct culture apart from that of mainland Japan. I imagine it’s somewhat analogous.
Ginga: Who cares about all that?! It’s Okinawa! It’ll be a blast!
Kaname: The view from up here is beautiful!
Kyoukou: I just know I’m gonna come home from this trip with a ton of new pictures.
Akira: This plane is pretty nice, but there’s not a whole lot to do up here…

Screen rumbles

Musashi: Uwa! T-turbulence?!
Ryouma: Most likely. Calm down.
Sousuke: (But… it’s strange. The weather is clear…)
Musashi: Y-you know I’m not a fan of heights!
Ryouma: Aw, come on. Compared to piloting the Getter Machines, this is like a walk down the street.
Musashi: G-guess so.
Boss: Haw haw! The Borot doesn’t have any shocks, so by now, we’re immune to bumpy rides!
Nuke: Speak for yourself, Boss…

-Jumbo Jet, some time later-

Kyouko: Yaawwnn… oh, ‘scuse me.
Kenji: Man I’m bored! Aren’t we there yet?
Kouji: I’ve been to Okinawa before, damn it, and it doesn’t take half this long!
Rock: Hey, Daisaku. Okinawa’s an island, right?
Daisaku: Of course!
Rock: All I see out the window is a coastline with lots of mountains…
Keita: Huh? That sure is weird.
Sousuke: …
Kaname: Looks like we’re landing…
Keita: Hey, look out the window! RK-92s!
Sousuke: !! Arm Slaves?!
Kyou: …we appear to have landed in some sort of military base.
Gauron(of Full Metal panic): Attention, passengers. Due to unavoidable circumstances, we have been forced to land here.
Teacher: H-hey! We weren’t told anything about this!
Sousuke: (…it can’t be. That voice!?)
Gauron: Furthermore, everyone, I would like to ask you all to be our hostages in this exciting political drama.
Daisaku: H-hostages!?
Kouji: Y-you must be joking!
Gauron: Take a look out the window- those gentlemen with the heavy weaponry and the Arm Slaves are here specially to welcome you! Now, don’t make any sudden moves or try to escape, or they will shoot you without mercy.
Sousuke: …I see. Well done.
Keita: Eh?
Sousuke: Pay me no mind…

-Tuath De Danan Bridge-

Tessa: …we were taken in completely. We destroyed that base exactly to avoid something like this…
Kalinin: It seems our enemy is greater in scope than we imagined.
Tessa: This organization took four hundred innocents hostage to kidnap one person…
Kalinin: If you excuse me for saying so, Captain, that might not be the case. There are several MVPs aboard that plane.
Tessa: Yes… the Lemniscate Knights. And they chose a politically unstable area to make rescue more difficult…
Kalinin: Yes. According to our information, that area has changed hands between Federation and Spacenoid control many times in the last month alone.
Tessa: Do you think it’s possible to release the hostages safely?
Kalinin: Without Kaname Chidori and the rest of the Lemniscate Knights, yes.  However…
Tessa: In this case, they’re too valuable to take chances with… we should try to negotiate diplomatically. Let’s wait and see what happens for a while. I don’t believe anyone is in immediate danger yet.
Kalinin: I agree. Also… the enemy has several deadly poisons inside its body. …this organization may have bitten off more than it can chew.
Tessa: …I see… then, let’s wait for his communication.

-Jumbo Jet-

Gauron: Hey, you over there.
Kaname: …
Gauron: Yes, you, the pretty one with the long blue hair.
Kaname: What is it…?
Gauron: I’d like you to come with me for a bit. We’re sending out a video to the mass media, and we think you’re good material.
Kaname: Oh, no, you don’t want me. I’m just an ordinary girl…
Gauron: I’m telling you to come with me. Don’t hesitate.
Kaname: Hey, wait a minute!
Rock: I-if you need someone, take me!
Gauron: Ho? Sorry, kid. I’m just not interested in little boys.
Teacher: Wait! If you’re going to take one of my students, I must insist that I go in their place!
Gauron: My my… aren’t we a feisty bunch. It wouldn’t make much sense, now would it? This is for the mass media.
Teacher: That’s a poor excuse, you coward!
Gauron: Goodness you’re noisy.

Guncocking noise

Kaname: …! D-don’t…
Teacher: A-ah…
Kenji: H-hey! Why I oughta teach that bastard a lesson-
Kyou: Wait, Kenji! We can’t do anything in this position!
Kenji: Grr…

Crashing noise

Sousuke: Ah, excuse me. I dropped my tray.
Gauron: …! (That kid… nah.)
Sousuke: …
Terrorist: Gauron, let’s go! It’s time!
Gauron: Got it, got it. We don’t need these guys anymore, anyway.

Footsteps

Kyouko: Kana-chan…
Kouji: Goddammit! I can’t believe we just had to sit there! If I had my pilot suit on, those guns wouldn’t have stopped me…
Sayak: No time for wishful thinking, Kouji! We’ve got to figure something out!
Keita: T-that was good thinking, Sousuke… you saved the teacher from that guy…
Sousuke: I did a stupid thing…! Damn it!

Running footsteps

Hinoki: Where are you going, Sousuke?!
Sousuke: All of you, stay here! I’ll handle this!
Musashi: H-he’s gone…
Kyouko: What did he mean, he’ll handle it…?
Daisaku: L-let’s just say there’s more to him than meets the eye at first.

-Plane Cargo Hold-

Sousuke: Alright, here’s my bag… damn it, where did I… there it is.

Opening noise

Sousuke: !! (There, under the trash bags… they won’t be able to see me.)
Terrorist 1: Are you sure there’s enough in there?
Terrorist 2: Yep. They may be small, but they pack a punch. See that red cord there? Plug it in.
Terrorist 1: Alright, plugged in.
Terrorist 2: Okay, that’s enough. That should do it. Walkie-talkie communication is forbidden within 30 meters.

Footsteps

Sousuke: …!!!! Damn it, as I thought… bombs! I’ve got to get going…

-The Base-

Sousuke: Sergeant Sagara, B-3128, Urzu 7.
Tessa(H): Mr. Sagara, are you safe?
Sousuke: Captain! Yes, I am fine.
Tessa(H): Thank goodness.
Kalinin(H): Sergeant, describe the situation.
Sousuke: They appear to be planning to eliminate all of the passengers to cover up Kaname Chidori’s kidnapping and cripple the Federation’s special forces unit. The bombs they have placed are extremely difficult to disarm. I do not have the tools or the expertise to try.
Tessa(H): I see. We’ll plan a countermeasure immediately.
Sousuke: Yes Ma’am.
Kalinin(H): Sergeant, at this point in time, the passengers and the Lemniscate Knight’s safety is a priority over rescuing Chidori.
Sousuke: Roger that. Lieutenant Commander…
Kalinin(H): Hm? What is it, Sergeant?
Sousuke: The leader of the terrorists… it’s Gauron. That is all.
Kalinin(H): !!!!
Sousuke: Ending transmission.
Terrorist: …don’t move.

Guncocking noise

Sousuke: !
Terrorist: Turn around slowly. Now tell me who you were communicating with!
Sousuke: …I was communicating with…
Terrorist: Hm?
Sousuke: Ha!
Terrroist: Oh no, my gun…!

Sound of fisticuffs

Terrorist: Did you think you could beat me when I was unarmed!?

More fisticuffs

Terrrorist: Uwaagh! Kugh….

Tasering noise

Sousuke: I can use this man’s weapon…
Terrorist: D-damn you, who are you…?
Sousuke: The garbage man.

-Jumbo Jet-

Ginga: Mwaagh! I can’t stand it anymore! We’ve got to do something!
Hokuto: C-calm down, Ginga. Sousuke said he’d handle it.
Kenji: But he’s just one goofball sergeant against an entire base of thugs!
Kyou: Don’t understimate that man, Kenji. Social graces are not his forte, but he’s no goofball.
Hayato: However, the fact remains. As long as we’re on this plane, the entire class is in danger.
Musashi: Eh? How do you figure?
Michiru: Surely the enemy knows who we are? We’ve made no secret about it.
Ryouma: That’s true. We’re kind of local celebrities…
Kouji: T-then in that case, they must be aiming for us as well Kaname, like Mithril thought they might?
Hayato: Exactly. Even for our own sake’s, we cannot die here.
Cammie: Alright then. Let’s think of a plan.
Boss: Whaddya suggest!? We’re unarmed and surrounded by terrorist goons!
Cammie: Let me think… let’s take stock of what we do have to work with. Several garden variety female high school students.
Mari: L-less of the garden variety!
Sayaka: I’ve had combat training, but without a weapon, I can’t do anything…
Cammie: Two soccer stars, a semi-pro judo wrestler, three guys who are entirely too good at racing motorcycles, Boss and his flunkies, a technology nut, Kyou and Hayato, and four normal children. Now, what can we do with that…
Rock: Um, excuse me…
Cammie: Not now, I’m trying to think!
Daisaku: But, Miss Cammie, I think we can-
Cammie: Please be quiet, Daisaku! If only we had some way of letting the rest of the world know… where… we…
Daisaku: …
Cammie: Wow I’m stupid.
Nuke: Eh? Whatcha mean?
Cammie: Daisaku’s watch!
Kyou: Of course- I should have thought of it before. Cell phones are impossible to use here because of the signal jamming, but…
Daisaku: This watch’s communication technology is absolutely state of the art. It’ll still work fine! And I can call Robo with it!
Hokuto: Hey, Ginga, the Gear Commanders… we can call Dendoh with it!
Ginga: H-hey, you’re right! I’d forgotten all about that! Usually we just run for the Daiku Maryu when he have to launch…
Kouji: Alright! Now we’re getting somewhere!
Akira: But, even so, we still need to keep the civillians safe. Even with both Robo and Dendoh on the scene, it’d be easy for them to just target the plane and kill everyone still inside…
Tsubaki: Then we’ll need a distraction of some sort, right? Like, even more of a distraction then two giant robots out of the blue.
Hokuto: …Unicorn!
Ginga: Eh?
Hokuto: When we first found Unicorn Drill, it took the form of a computer virus. But it can also take a physical shape if we file load it…
Hayato: I see…! We can use the Unicorn Drill to disrupt the base’s computer system and effectively cripple them.
Rock: Um, guys…
Kenji: What’s up, Rock?
Rock: Well, I’m a robot.
Tsubaki: …oh yeah. He is, isn’t he?
Michiru: I blame all the tension. It’s easy to forget obvious things in situations like this.
Kyou: So let’s review our plan. First, Daisaku uses his watch’s communication to contact headquarters. After we’ve informed them of the situation… wait, exactly how far away are we from Japan?
Rock: Let’s see… if I use the teleportation module Dr. Light installed, I should be able to find out exactly how far away we are… huh? That’s weird…
Hinoki: What’s wrong?
Rock: Well, we’re really not that far away at all. I wonder why it took so long to get here…
Hayato: The hijackers probably went as far to Okinawa as possible to throw off suspicion until the last moment.
Rock: I see… anyway, going at full tilt and allowing time for preparation… the Daiku Maryu and the white base should be here in about… an hour and fifteen minutes.
Daisaku: Alright! I’ll send the message right way!
Kouji: We’re counting on you, Daisaku!
Ryouma: We’ll keep watch to make sure none of the terrorists overhear us. Not much else we can do…

-Daiku Maryu Bridge-

Ruru: Yawn…
Garis: Tired, Ruru?
Ruru: Oh? Not really, captain. Just daydreaming about going to Okinawa.
Daiya: Kinda wish I had signed up to go back to school now… I had forgotten how much fun those trips are.
Puria: Whine whine whine. Come on, there’s plenty to do here.
Ruru: Hm…? Captain! There’s an emergency transmission from Daisaku!
Garis: I see! Put it through!
Daisaku(H): Captain Garis? Do you read?
Garis: Affirmative! What’s the situation!?
Daisaku(H): I’ll try to summarize…

Short break

Ruru: Oh no! That’s horrible!
Daiya: Damn it! Let’s get moving, right away!
Rosa: Captain!I’ll assemble the rest of the unit.
Garis: I’m counting on you! Daisaku, we’ll prep Robo and Dendoh for launch. Call them when you judge the situation merits it!
Daisaku(H): R-roger, Captain… are you sure?
Garis: The situation might change before we get there. I trust your judgment as an expert of Justice.
Daisaku(H): A-alright, understood! Daisaku out!
Ruru: C-captain! Emergency message from Mithril’s Colonel Testarossa!
Garis: They must have gotten wind of this as well…
Tessa(H): Captain Garis, we have a situation…
Garis: We’re aware- Daisaku has already briefed us.
Kalinin(H): I see… I knew planting several agents would have its advantages.
Garis: Deputy Captain Rosa is currently assembling the rest of the Lemniscate Knights. We’re preparing a rescue operation.
Tessa(H): I see. The Tuatha de Danan is already en route. We’ll rendezvous there.
Garis: Understood.
Kalinin(H): Captain Garis…use the utmost caution. At the head of these terrorists is a very dangerous man. His name is Gauron.
Garis: Gauron…?
Kalinin(H): This person has been linked to over thirty terrorist incidents in the past 20 years, and he has participated in at least 2 bombings and 4 abductions.
Garis: Hmm…a perilous foe, then?
Kalinin(H): Very. He was already presumed to be KIA once, but apparently, he survived somehow. Toy Box, ending transmission.
Ruru: Captain, the White Base confirms that they are ready to launch.
Rosa: All pilots assigned to the Daiku Maryu have assembled!
Garis: Alright! Rongo, prepare to launch! Full speed ahead and don’t stop for anything!
Rongo: Aye aye, sir! Engine room, give it your all!
Shizuka(H): Like you need to tell us that. Let’s get going, you all!
Daimon(H): Leave it to us!

-The Base, science facilities-

Kaname: What the hell is all this…?  Sleep learning?
Scientist: Sleep learning? No way. You’ve known all this since before you were born.
Kaname: Whatever! I don’t care-can I just get out of here!?
Scientist: Shut up and pay attention to the images!
Kaname: Pay attention to what!? It’s a bunch of 3D nonsense! Let me out!
Scientist: I’ve tried being nice to you, you annoying little brat! Looks like we’ll need stronger medicine…
Kaname: Hey let me go!

*whack*

Scientist: oof!

Kaname: …well that was lucky. Let’s get out of here!
Scientist: Where do you think you’re going? Come back here!

Gunshot

Kaname: Y-you shot at me…!?
Scientist: I wasn’t planning on using this drug in the testing phase, but you’ve left me no choice. It’s your fault.
Kaname: G-get that syringe away from me!
Scientist: Stop squirming…!

Guncock

Sousuke: Don’t move.
Scientist: ..!
Kaname: S-sousuke!
Scientist: W-who are you!?
Sousuke: I’m the one asking the questions here. What is this equipment for? Why did you kidnap her specifically!?
Scientist: I can’t tell you such things.

Gunshot, gunshot

Scientist: S-stop! I’ll tell you… this equipment is to find out if she is a real Whispered.
Kaname: W-whispered?
Sousuke: What is that? …! Get down!

Ratatatata

Pew pew

Sousuke: Got him… come on, let’s go.
Kaname: Come on, I can’t go outside in my underwear like this…
Sousuke: Forget about it! We don’t have the time!

More gunshots

Sousuke: Get down!
Kaname: G-get off me! Pervert! Rapist! Molestor!
Sousuke: I-I’m not any of those things! Give me a break! Alright, we’ve got to get out of here- quick! Over to that hangar!
Kaname: A-alright, but I want some answers!

-Hangar-

Kaname: Just who are you!?
Sousuke: Truth be told, I’ve been assigned to follow you and guard you. I am Sergeant Sousuke Sagara of Mithril, callsign Urzu 7. All I know about the current situation is that some agency has kidnapped you and attempted to conduct human experiements on you.
Kaname: A-agency? Human experiments? Listen, Sousuke, I know you’re a huge military nut, but… hey, are those Arm Slaves?
Sousuke: RK-92 Savages. Wait here.
Kaname: H-hey, you can’t be- wait! You might be really knowledgeable about that sort of thing, but an amateur can’t pilot a robot like that!
Sousuke: …amateur? I am no amateur. …I’m a specialist.

-BEGIN MAP-

Military Base near the coastline, with a big ol’ jumbo jet in the middle

Tsubaki: This isn’t good- there’s gunfire, and some of those Arm Slaves have activated!
Mari: Could Sousuke and Kaname be in trouble?!
Kouji: Then now’s our chance! We’ve got to give them some cover!
Daisaku: I agree, Kouji. Hokuto, could you get Unicorn to come out now?
Hokuto: Mm! Unicorn, I need you to do us a big favor.
Unicorn: Mrhrhr.
Hokuto: Would it be possible for you to mess around with the base’s computer systems? Don’t do anything fancy, just make as much of a disturbance as possible!
Unicorn: Neeeiigh!
Ginga: There it goes… wish I had a data weapon.
Keita: Awesome…
Rock: Alright, no time to lose! I’ll-
Kyou: Everyone, there’s trouble! I just went to check the cargo bay for useful articles- they’ve planted a bomb in the back of the plane!
Sayaka: D-don’t joke around! A bomb!?
Hayato: Looks like they weren’t prepared to let us do as we please…
Rock: Don’t worry, everyone! I can handle it!
Hinoki: What do you plan to do, Rock?
Rock: Defusing bombs isn’t my speciality, but I’ve got all the necessary information in my databanks thanks to my VTS! Besides, I can always call Dr. Light for help if I need to. But I’ll need someone to help me…
Hayato: I’ll go with you. I know a bit about explosives.
Kyou: I will as well.
Daisaku: Alright! We’ll call Robo and Dendoh. Combined with Unicorn Drill and Sousuke wreaking havoc, we should catch them completely off guard and give you the time to defuse the bomb!
Ginga: Alright, let’s do it!
Hokuto: Mm!
Cammie: But… what should we be doing?
Ryouma: We’ve just got to stick it out and wait, and protect the rest of the class, if we can. Until the Daiku Maryu gets here, we can’t do anything else.

Terrorist: W-what the!? What the hell’s going on with this computer!?
Terrorist 2: What’s wrong!? … is that some kind of horse?
Unicorn Drill: Neeeiigh!
Terrorist: Agh! I can’t do a thing! The stupid thing’s completely frozen! Ctrl Alt Del! Ctrl Alt Del! Goddammit!
Terrorist 2: It’s the same everywhere on the base! We must be being hacked or something!

Daisaku: Alright, here goes… Robo, I need your help! Please hurry!
Hokuto: Dendoh! Let’s do it!
Ginga: And make it quick, we don’t have all day!

Sousuke: …
AI: Initiating master slave adjustment…

3 savages appear on the map

AI: Main Generator, switch on. Main condenser, electric charge building.
Sousuke: Goddammit, move! Russian made piece of crap…

The savages move towards the hangar

AI: Combat maneuvers, open! Ready for launch!
Sousuke: I’ve been waiting for this!

Battle scene: Sousuke VS Savage

Sousuke uses the grapple attack to knock out the savage

The three are destroyed.

Kaname: N-no way… is that really… Sousuke Sagara?
Sousuke: Hurry, Chidori! Grab on to the hand, and we’ll get out of here!
Kaname: T-this thing?
Sousuke: Please hurry!
Hokuto: Wow… he did all that in just a savage? He really is good.

4 Savage squads, 4 mistral squads and 4 GM squads appear

Sousuke: Oh, damn it- Chidori, hang on tight!
Daisaku: Wait! There they are!

Giant Robo and GEAR Fighter Dendoh arrive on the map

Sousuke: Robo and Dendoh…? Why are they…? Ah, of course! Well done!
Daisaku: Sousuke! Take Kaname and get out of here- Rock is defusing the bomb!
Ginga: As for these weaklings, we’ve got ‘em covered! The Daiku Maryu and White Base are on the way!
Sousuke: Understood! Thanks!

Sousuke’s Savage retreats to a safe distance

Hokuto: There’s a lot of them, but we just have to buy some time…!
Daisaku: Don’t falter, Robo! Everyone’s counting on us!

Begin battle!

Turn 2

MegaMan appears on the map

MegaMan: Everyone, the Bomb’s been defused!
Akira: Alright! Great job, Megaman!
MegaMan: I’m going to help out Daisaku and the others now!
Cammie: Great! We’ll get everyone ready to evacuate!
Daisaku: One more minute til they get here… just a little longer! Hold on, everyone!
Hokuto: We won’t let any of you down! Come on, Ginga!
Ginga: Yeah!
MegaMan: Those machines might have humans in them… but I’ve got to fight them! If I don’t, innocent people will die! Just like the last battle…

Resume battle

Turn 3

Kenji: Awright! They’re here! They’re here!

The White Base and Daiku Maryu arrive, along with the Tuatha De Danan in the bay

 

-The secret of the VTS: Weapon Copy, activate!-

-Highschool Classroom-

Kaname: …so you guys saw The Genesis Event happen with your own eyes?
Kyouko: That’s incredible! I wish I had been there- I would have taken enough pictures to fill up my camera!
Mari: I’m just glad everyone is alright…
Sayaka: We had some close calls, that’s for sure.
Michiru: Now we’re working with the Federation in a special forces unit, the Lemniscate Knights.
Keita: Awwwessoooomeee! I’m so jealous! You get to hang around all of those brand new experimental prototypes!
Akira: So, Keita, how was your trip to India?
Hinoki: …terrible.
Keita: It was so scary! We were exploring the Ajanta caves and we almost got eaten by this huge Behemoth monster!
Kenji: Eh? Behemoth monster? Like, a Haniwa Genjin or something?
Keita: Sort of, but it was like a huge elephant! Even Betterman got beat by it!
Ryouma: !! That guy was defeated?!
Hayato: That must have been some monster.
Hinoki: Yes, it was very powerful. It used a sonic attack to cause hallucinations.
Keita: But but but, then Betterman came back and he transformed into a different monster! Sakura called it Forte… and the he kicked its ass! It was crazy!
Musashi: Guess you guys had an eventful trip too… I wonder just what this Betterman guy’s deal is…
Hinoki: Miss Asami explained that he’s a kind of super-evolved bipedal organism that can take on different forms to suit the situation.
Keita: Oh yeah! She gave an example of this rare plankton that had like 20 different forms, then said that the most highly evolved species don’t necessarily have the most advanced biology… it was pretty confusing, but it’s interesting.
Kenji: …I think it’s kind of over my head…
Akira: Well, that’s nothing new.

Footsteps

Cammie: Say, did you guys hear that we’re getting some new students today?
Hayato: Oh? More new arrivals? Interesting.
Kyouko: I think I saw one of them earlier. The teacher found a model gun in his backpack, then he started babbling about how it was loaded with a special kind of bullet with a high kill ratio or something…
Kaname: Yeah, I saw that guy too. What a nut. He must be some sort of military fanatic like Keita.
Keita: H-hey, I don’t bring model guns to school!
Hinoki: You would if the rules allowed it.
Keita: S-so cruel…
Cammie: Hmm… it’s been a quiet couple of days, hasn’t it? I guess everyone still hasn’t decided what to do about the Genesis event…
Hayato: I think they call this the calm before the storm. I imagine that once the plans have been made, we’ll be busier than ever.

Bell noise

Teacher: Everyone, we have some new students to introduce to you today.
Daisaku: Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Daisaku Kusama.
Kenji: (Eehh?! What’s that guy doing here?!)
Teacher: Daisaku just recently moved here from out of town.
Daisaku: Yes. I’m pleased to meet you all!
Teacher: Secondly… Sagara-kun, introduce yourself.
Sousuke:  I am Sergeant Sousuke Sagara!
Akira: (Him as well…? I suppose this is part of his bodyguard duty…)
Kyouko: S-sergeant?
Teacher: Sagara-kun, don’t joke around.
Sousuke: A-ah. Forgive me. Forget what I just said. I’m Sousuke Sagara. That is all.
Teacher: That’s all? Does anyone have any questions?
Kyouko: Yeah! Where’d you move from?
Sousuke: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Cambodia, Iraq, and Colombia.
Teacher: You’ve been overseas for a while, haven’t you?
Hokuto: What are your hobbies, Sousuke?
Ginga: Bet it’s model guns or something weird…
Sousuke: No, my hobbies include fishing and reading. Mostly technical books and technological magazines. Jane’s Almanac is a favorite of mine, and Soldier of Fortune is also very enjoyable. I subscribe to Harris publisher’s Arm Slave Monthly. That reminds me. I’ve read the Japanese publication AS Fan. I was very impressed with it because it had a very high level of information. It’s a good magazine.
Ryouma: (W-what’s with this guy…? He seemed normal enough on the Daiku Maryu…)
Sousuke: Lately, I’ve become interested in books regarding maritime affairs. Before I go to sleep-
Teacher: …
Sousuke: A-ah, forgive me. Please forget about that.
Keita: (A-awesome! That guy’s awesome!)
Hayato: (Heh…) Say, Sagara. Do you have a favorite musician?
Sousuke: …! Ulp…
Musashi: (W-what the… he looks like he just ate a bad clam or something…)
Sousuke: …ah, that’s right. Eledore Massis!
Cammie: (T-that guy!? He’s only released, like, one record! And it sold five copies, and Tap bought two of them!)
Ryouma: (You did that on purpose, Hayato…)
Hayato: (Guilty as charged.)
Kaname: …what a freak…
Daisaku: (S-sousuke… you really aren’t suited to this kind of thing, after all…)
Teacher: A-ah, class, we have one more student to introduce to you.
Rock: I-I’m Rock Light. Hello.
Kenji: (Eeeh!? Him too!? He’s a robot, for crying out loud!)
Cammie: (Just what’s going on here?)
Rock: My hobby is helping out my dad at work. He’s an inventor.
Teacher: Is that all, Rock?
Rock: Yes, ma’am.
Hokuto: (Man oh man…)
Hinoki: (…they’re all so strange…)

-Mithril Apartment-

Kurz: …someone kill me now.
Mao: My my. I suppose it was a good idea to enlist Daisaku’s help.
Kurz: It helps when you’ve got actual social skills, yeah.
Mao: I wonder if sending in Rock to help too wasn’t a mistake, though. He has even less experience than Sousuke.
Kurz: Eh, it should be okay. Between the three of them, they should manage to blend in… besides, it gives ‘em a chance to experience life outside what they know.
Mao: I suppose that’s what Tessa meant when she said it’d be a good experience for them…

-GGG Main Order room-

Gai: Man, it’s good to be back home and back in the routine. So, Chief, any movement from the Zonders while we’ve been gone?
Taiga: None that we’ve observed, no…
Leo: We can only assume that, like everything else, they need time to regroup after the Genesis event.
Hyuuga: I hate just waiting around, but it gives us some time to make preparations of our own.
Gai: I saw the other day that Volfogg was activated ahead of schedule. Is that what you mean?
Entouji: Right. Along with the Mithril operatives, Special Agent Daisaku, and Doctor Light’s Robot Master, he’s overseeing things at the school. That’s the kind of assignment he was designed for, after all.
Mikoto: We’ve got a message from Volfogg, Chief.
Taiga: Very well, put it through.
Volfogg(H): As of 1400 hours, no problems or situations have arisen. Nothing has been reported by the other operatives, either.
Taiga: Mm, good.
Volfogg(H): I will continue my observations. If you’ll excuse me…
Swan: You know, it’s really bizarre how they’re all in the same school.
Ushiyama: Yeah, but it’s convenient, too. We’ve got that place under 24 hour surveillance.
Gai: But at the same time, if something were to happen there… well, it’d be bad. How are the folks on the White Base doing?
Leo: As far as I can tell, they’re just enjoying their R&R. Rose and Sergeant Rooney went to the zoo to see a rare panda exhibit… hoho, you should have seen that hulking fellow getting all excited over a panda!
Taiga: At some point, we’ll have to work out some sort of living arrangements for them if they’re going to be staying here for any length of time…
Mikoto: Oh, chief, there’s another call on the line! It’s from… the President of Akamatsu industries?
Leo: Oho! That old rascal? I wonder what he wants…
Taiga: Put it through.
Akamatsu(H): It’s been a while, Chief Taiga.
Taiga: Indeed it has been, Mr. Akamatsu.
Akamatsu(H): I’ll get right to the point- it’s about that new special forces unit you folks have formed up. The guys at Mode Warp seem to think it’d be a good idea to assign the Kakuseijin and the Tyran to it.
Hyuuga: The Neuronoids…? But I thought they were designed for exploration in hazardous areas and dealing with Algernon…
Akamatsu(H): That’s the basic idea, but apparently, the higher ups seem to think that there’s a whole conspiracy behind what went on at the Ajanta caves that’s a threat to global security.
Mikoto: Then, that means…
Akamatsu(H): Right. If we join up with you guys, we have a better chance of tackling it. If the monster we ran into is any indication, the Neuronoids by themselves might not be able to cut the mustard.
Taiga: …mm. I see. Very well, I’ll make the necessary arrangements.
Akamatsu(H): Thanks a million. If you’ll excuse me…
Gai: Huh. I guess the threat of Algernon must be more than just a disease.
Leo: Affected individuals exhibit symptoms very similar to bipolar disorder- they can be perfectly normal for a while, then start engaging in abnormal and destructive behavior.
Hyuuga: But it looks like it’s more than just a bunch of crazies- the terrorist attacks that Mode Warp couldn’t have been carried out by the mentally incompetent. They’re capable of organizing and communicating… it’s worrying.
Gai: Hmm… if that’s the case… then I suppose that’s the best course of action.
Taiga: The Second World that emerged after the Genesis event… I wonder, are those people at risk for Algernon contraction as well? How is the disease spread…? There simply too many unknowns…

-Highschool Exterior-

Daisaku: You see, Chief Chuujou and Go-sensei thought that it would be a good experience for me to attend a normal school. It also helps IPO and GGG keep this school under surveillance.
Kouji: I see… I guess that makes sense, since there are so many MVPs here. I guess that’s why Sousuke and Rock are here, too?
Rock: Yeah. I was talking with Dr. Light and Roll last night, and it sort of came up in conversation how he wanted me to experience all of the new things that I could while I was with the Lemniscate Knights. Chief Taiga thought it was a good idea, so… here I am.
Tsubaki: Honestly, that Sousuke… have you heard that he tried to join the girl’s softball club after he barged in there with a gun?
Mamoru: You’re kidding!
Michiru: He’s an odd one, Sousuke… I can understand that he’s never been in this kind of environment, but I think he’s overdoing it.
Akira: That’s true. Daisaku and Rock are both blending in just fine. And Rock’s a robot!

Crashing noise

Kouji: Eh? What was that?
Kaname: What is your problem, you maniac!? You just rammed into me! Now the sculpture’s ruined!
Sousuke: I tripped. Forgive me.
Kaname: From all the way over there?! What kind of motor skills do you have!?

Whacking noise

Sousuke: Ouch. I apologize.
Daisaku: S-sousuke…
Akira: Looks like he’s at it again… man, he’s awkward.
Rock: You have to admire his enthusiasm, though…
Kouji: So then, you three, how’d you like the first day at our school?
Daisaku: It was a lot of fun! I got to meet a lot of people, and I learned some interesting things.
Rock: I guess it was interesting… it’s a lot different from anything that I’m used to. And I didn’t really know what to do at lunch time.
Akira: Heh, yeah, Hokuto had to cover for you and say that you forgot your lunch. We’ll have to figure something out later…
Tsubaki: Well, Sousuke? …uh, Sousuke…
Kouji: Hehehe. Looks like he’s still busy. Kaname’s really taking him to task- look, she’s making him sweep up the sculpture.
Michiru: That’s Kaname for you- not even a sergeant can stand up to her when she gets going.
Mamoru: She’s really something…

Beeping noise

Daisaku: Huh? My watch… it must be a message from HQ. Dr. Light’s Lab is under attack…?
Rock: What?! Oh no! We’ve got to get moving!
Akira: Alright, got it! Let’s go!
Tsubaki: Daisaku, go get Sousuke! We’ll meet up with you at the Daiku Maryu!
Kouji: Good luck with that one, Daisaku.
Daisaku: H-hey, don’t leave me here! Oh man…

-Begin Map-

Dr. Light’s lab again. Nothing new.

Bombman, 6 metool squads, 4 sniper joe squads, The Gool, and 8 mechanical beast squads arrive

Dr. Light: This isn’t good… I hadn’t expected that we’d be attacked again. Not so soon, at least.
Roll: What should we do, Dr. Light?
Dr. Light: I’ve put in a distress call to GGG, but… it’ll be a while before they can respond. There’s not much we can do except wait…
Roll: I don’t recognize those huge robots… did Dr. Wily make them?
Dr. Light: I don’t believe so. His field of expertise is in much smaller robotics… I believe they belong to Dr. Hell. But, why would they be here?

Ashura: Hmph. Of what possible importance could this miniscule installation be?
Bombman: Dunno, man. All I know is that Wily wants it exploded. So exploded it’ll be.
Ashura: Don’t take that tone with me, you insolent construct! You and your decrepit master should feel honored that the great Doctor Hell has deigned to render his aid.
Bombman: Waahahaha! That’s rich! Look, man, cool your jets. I don’t really care about any of that. Take it up with upper management. As for my “decrepit master”, that Doctor Hell is no spring chicken himself. He should really get that purple skin looked at.
Ashura: W-why you…! …so be it. I have more important things to deal with. All units, begin the attack!
Bombman: And leave some for me, y’here?! I get pretty upset when I don’t have anything to blow up!
Ashura: (W-what’s with this idiot? His artificial intelligence must have been fried during the conversion…)

Roll: D-doctor Light! Isn’t that Bombman?!
Dr. Light: So it is…! As I thought, that was Albert’s plan… somehow, he must have figured out how to reprogram the artificial intelligence… but how? I was the one who supervised that…
Roll: R-reprogram? Y-you mean, he’s our enemy now?
Dr. Light: Indeed… if we could capture him, I could set things to rights, but as it stands now, he most likely has no memory of the time he spent with us…
Roll: That’s terrible…!

The enemy opens fire on the lab
Roll: Aaaah!
Dr. Light: This isn’t good… the lab wasn’t built for anything like this…!
???: Please leave this to me, Doctor.
Dr. Light: Hm!? Who are you…?

Volfogg appears on the map

Volfogg: I am one of GGG’s intelligence operatives, Volfogg. Reinforcements will be arriving soon. Until then, I will protect you.
Dr. Light: I see… my thanks! We’re counting on you!
Roll: Is that a robot, as well…?
Dr. Light: I had heard that GGG had made great strides in artificial intelligence… so this is one of their mechanoids. Fascinating!
Ashura: Curses! What does this purple fool think he’s doing, opposing the might of Doctor Hell?!
Bombman: Doctor Hell, Doctor Hell, Doctor Hell. You’re like a broken record, man.  Anyway, what’s the big deal? It’ll make this trip a little more interesting.
Volfogg: I will not allow you to proceed any further!

-Begin Battle-

Volfogg: VS Enemy

Volfogg: As I thought, they’re too numerous for myself alone… but all I must do is fight a delaying action. If it comes down to it, I still have a means to achieve victory…!

Turn 2

Ashura: Damn it, what are you fools doing!? There’s only one! I’ll just have to eradicate him myself!

Battle scene: Gool VS Volfogg

The Gool attacks Volfogg, but he dodges using his Mirror Coating camouflage. He counter attacks for minor damage.

Ashura: W-what?! He disappeared!?
Volfogg: Don’t underestimate my Mirror Coating! But, I’ll need more firepower… in that case! Gun Glue! Gun Dober!

The Gun Glue and Gun Dober appear on the map.

Volfogg: Three become one!

Big Volfogg appears on the map

Big Volfogg: Big… Volfogg!
Bombman: Wahaha! Now that was something!
Ashura: I-it combined!?
Dr. Light: What an incredible piece of engineering!
Ashura: Nnggaah! No matter! We still have an overwhelming advantage in numbers!
Big Volfogg: Underestimate my capacity for battle at your peril!

Turn 3

Ashura: Mwahaha! You certainly talk a big game, but you’re no match for the great Doctor Hell’s mechanical beast army!
Big Volfogg: Indeed. Alone, I am overmatched. However…
Hell Soldier: B-baron Ashura! These readings…?!
Ashura: W-what?! No! It can’t be! Not this early!

The Daiku Maryu and White Base appear on the map

Big Volfogg: This is my victory, Ashura! The battle is joined!
Dr. Light: The Lemniscate Knights! Everyone, you came!
Rock: Of course, Doctor Light! Is everything okay?!
Dr. Light: Mm, somehow. Thanks to Volfogg, at least.
Big Volfogg: It was nothing, Doctor.
Gai: Just what I’d expect out of one of dad’s mechanoids!
EnRyu: Hey! Come on, HyoRyu, we’d better not fall behind!
HyoRyu: Oh for the love of… EnRyu, for the last time. We are robots. We should not care about such trivial things.
EnRyu: But I bet you still don’t want to lose to that flashy guy with all of his ninja techniques, right?
HyoRyu: …humph. I suppose you have a point.
EnRyu: And don’t you forget it!
Julius: Goodness me, but they bicker like real siblings. This squad must be a roboticist’s dream come true. Doctor Light my good man, just hold on a bit longer! We’ll be there forthwith!
Roll: Mister Julius! You came too!
Julius: Of course, my dear. It would be entirely caddish of me not to.
Garis: All units, deploy! Protect the laboratory and support Big Volfogg!
Bright: White Base, combat speed! Prepare to offer long range support!

-Deploy!-

Amuro: So, those are Doctor Hell’s mechanical beasts…
Sousuke: And Doctor Wily’s mechanized infantry units, as well. Impressive. Their size belies their firepower.
Shiro: This is concerning… if those two are working together, it just means more trouble for us.
Kaine: Aw, who cares! Those jackasses are gonna pay for interrupting our vacation!
Tap:  Damn right! They’ve got no respect for us war-weary veterans! I was gonna go to the record store this afternoon!
Light: Ah, the sacrifices we make in the line of duty.
Kenji: Hehehe… I like those guys. They’re crazy.
Mao: Believe me, you couldn’t pay them a higher compliment.
Kouji: That’s the Gool…! Brocken! Is that you!?
Ashura: Mnngh… Not today, Kouji Kabuto! Your opponent is Baron Ashura!
Kouji: !! Ashura! Wait right there, you freak, I’m going to make you pay for killing Grandpa!
Sayaka: Kouji… don’t lose your cool…
Kouji: Shut up! I’ve had enough of Hell’s goons running around and causing trouble! I’m ending it today!
Ashura: Then come if you dare, Mazinger Z! Baron Ashura is ready for you!
Bombman: Wahaha! This is great! It’s like old samurai movie!
Megaman: That voice… Bombman!? What are you doing with Doctor Wily!?
Bombman: What else would I be doing, man?
Dr. Light: Megaman, Bombman has been reprogrammed! He’s our enemy now!
Megaman: What?! No…
Julius: That’s dirty pool, that is!
Dr. Light: But, if you can capture him without totally destroying him, I should be able to restore his original circuits!
Garis: Understood, Doctor. All units, surround and restrain Bombman, but do not shoot him down!
Sanders: Got it, Captain Garis. You guys all hear that?
Karen: Yeah, yeah. Couldn’t they just rebuild him or something?
Kai: Maybe if you forked over the necessary money to do so, yeah. This is cheaper.
Daisaku: Please don’t talk about Megaman’s friends like that! They’re not just pieces of metal!
Megaman: Daisaku…
Kai: Got it, got it, Mister IPO. Sheesh. Can’t say anything around here.
Kurz: Ah, but perhaps if everything out of your mouth wasn’t nasty drivel, we wouldn’t take you to task so often.
Kai: Oh come on, I’m not that bad.
Hayato(Gundam): Should we put it to a vote?
Shiro: Guys, cut the chatter- we’ve got a job to do.
Ginga: These guys just won’t leave those science types alone… think it’s some kind of jealousy?
Hokuto: Maybe. They probably see other scientific institutions as threats… that’s probably why that weird mummy thing killed Kouji’s grandfather…
Kyou: Kenji, we’re fighting in an urban environment. Try not to go overboard- there are civilians living in this area.
Kenji: Got it, got it. Jeez. Overdo it once or twice in your life and nobody ever gives you a break…
Yagyuu: Hmhm. Don’t worry. The Build Angels will make sure you don’t get into too much trouble. Right?
Mido: Wahaha! We’ll take extra special care of you, kid!
Saotome: Heh…
Kenji: O-oh man, I’d rather get blown up…
Tsubaki: Come on, Kenji, focus!
Bright: All units, commence attacking!
Bombman: Woohoohoo! Let’s get this party started! I’m just itchin’ for some combustion!

-Begin battle-

Special thing of note: Shooting down Bombman is a losing condition. Reduce him to under 10% HP! (of 26000)

Turn 2

Linda: Captain! I’m picking up two friendly signals!
Bright: Hm? What is it?
Rose: I’ve never seen any mobile weapons like these before…

The Kakuseijin and the Tyran appear on the Map

Ryouma: !! That’s… the Kakuseijin! Keita, Hinoki, is that you two?
Keita: Sorry we made you wait! The Neuronoids are here to help!
Hinoki: Don’t overdo it, Kei-chan.
Hayato: It looks like there’s another model…
Shou: This is Shou Yanagi. I’m piloting the Neuronoid Model Tyran with Kaede Kurenai. From here on, both the Kakuseijin and the Tyran will be supporting the Lemniscate Knights.
Kaede: Everyone~, it’s nice to meet you.
Cammie: Uh, yeah… but, why is Mode Warp getting involved in all this…?
Hinoki: We’ll explain after we’re done fighting.
Keita: O-okay, here we go!

Resume battle!

Kouji VS Ashura:

Kouji: Baron Ashura! I’ll never forgive you! Get ready!
Ashura: Kouji Kabuto, and also Mazinger Z! Today, I will taste the wine of victory!
Kouji: In your dreams! Let’s go, Mazinger!

Boss VS Ashura

Nuke: B-boss, be careful, the Borot’s not too good against enemies in the sky…
Boss: Shut it! The great Lord Boss knows what he’s doing!
Ashura: …don’t tell me this is the machine that foiled Brocken at the Photonic Power Institute? What a laugh.
Boss: Y-you makin’ fun of me?! Damn it, I’ll wipe that smirk off your face!
Mucha: Wouldn’t it be faces, Boss?
Boss: Who cares!? Let’s go!

Big Volfogg VS Ashura

Ashura: Damn you, Big Volfogg! If not for you, this operation would have been a success!
Big Volfogg: Pinning your incompetence on others… disgraceful!
Ashura: W-what did you say?!
Big Volfogg: One’s loss is one’s own responsibility! If you wish to prevail, hold none accountable but yourself!
Ashura: H-how dare you lecture me!? I’ll break you to pieces!

MegaMan VS Ashura

Ashura: Ho… So this is Doctor Light’s desperate answer to Wily’s conquest? Amusing!
Megaman: What did you do to Bombman!? Where are the rest of my friends?!
Ashura: I’m sure that old man is taking good care of them! Mwahaha!
Megaman: S-shut up! I’ll rescue them, no matter what!

Julius VS Ashura

Julius: Oh dear lord in heaven, what happened to you, my poor man?!
Ashura: S-silence, you impudent twit! You would never understand our agony!
Julius: You’ll get no argument from me on that subject! This is far out of my league of empathy!
Ashura: Damn you, you’ll regret making a fool out of me!

Dragonar Team VS Ashura

Kaine: Jeeeeeezus! What’s wrong with this poor bastard?!
Tap: It’s pretty grotesque, that’s for sure…
Light: I don’t even think we want to know.
Ashura: Curse you fools! This noble form was given to me by my master, the great Doctor Hell! I will not have you belittle it!
Kaine: Man, none of the people we fight can take a joke. They’re all so self-absorbed.
Tap: I guess that’s the price of evil.
Light: Something like that…

Daiya VS Ashura

Ashura: You! I remember you from last time… I’ll not forget that humiliation!
Daiya: Oh shut up, you two faced freak! I’ll never forgive you for what you did to Kouji’s grandpa!
Ashura: Ignorant brat, what do you know!?
Daiya: I know that scumbags like you who mess with people’s parents don’t deserve any mercy! Get ready to lose!

Neuronoids VS enemy

Hinoki: Kei-chan, are you alright? This is different from what we’re used to.
Keita: N-no problems, Hinoki! This isn’t so bad!
Shou: With Aono-kun’s head diver abilities and the Tyran’s specs, we should make it out just fine.
Kaede: Let’s do our best, everyone.

Ashura shot down

Ashura: I-impossible! For the Gool to be shot down so easily…! There’s no other option! Retreat!

The Gool retreats

Kouji: Tch! He got away…
Puria: Oh well. There’s always next time, right?
Lee: If there’s anything these villain types always do, it’s come back for more.
Kouji: …hehe. That’s definitely true, Lee. Thanks.
Bombman: That guy… what a pain in the ass. At least I can work in peace now.

Daisaku VS Bombman

Bombman: Wahaha! I like your style, kiddo! It take serious guts for a fleshy thing like you to ride into battle like that!
Daisaku: Robo… you understand, right? Why we just can’t let him be destroyed? Machines… they have feelings, just like people do! We’ve got to save him, Robo!

Mithril VS Bombman

Bombman: Ooh! Look at those new models! I can’t wait to send ‘em to the scrapheap!
Kurz: H-hey now, we’d never hear the end of it if we got these trashed now.
Mao: That Wily bastard must have done a real number on this poor guy’s circuits. He’s gone nuts.
Sousuke: My initial analysis indicates that at point blank range, he won’t have the chance to use his explosives effectively. We should be able to restrain him without much issue if we strike from that distance.
Mao: Roger that, Urzu 7.
Bombman: Wahaha! Give it your best shot!

Amuro VS Bombman

Amuro: Incredible… this robot makes Haro look like a toy. Doctor Light must be an excellent roboticist…
Bombman: Nice of you to say so, kid! I’m pretty good at what I do! And what I do is blow stuff up!
Amuro: I-I gathered, your name being Bombman and all…

Julius VS Bombman

Julius: You’ve changed quite a bit since I last saw you, my good Bombman.
Bombman: Eeehh? We’ve met before? I don’t remember seeing you…
Julius: I see… so that’s how it is. Then, if that’s the case, I’ll just have to incapacitate you! Ares should be up to the job.

Megaman VS Bombman

Megaman: Bombman, it’s me! Rock!
Bombman: Rock? Who’s that? All I see is some kid running around in blue underwear! You’re mine, Megaman!
Megaman: Bombman, come to your senses! We shouldn’t fight!
Bombman: And why’s that?! There’s nothing I love better than some explosions, and I bet you blow up reeeal good!
Megaman: It’s no good… I’ll just have to subdue him by force.

Big Volfogg VS Bombman

Bombman: Wahahahahaha! I gotta say, bro, you’re something else! If it wasn’t for you, this whole thing would have been real boring!
Big Volfogg: …indeed, it seems his AI has been significantly tampered with. As a fellow machine, I won’t allow this to continue!

HyoRyu/EnRyu VS Bombman

HyoRyu: My analysis indicates that fire should be fairly effective against this enemy, EnRyu. You should take point.
EnRyu: Got it! I won’t let this nut get away with his rampage!
Bombman: Wahaha! Another robot that uses fire, huh!? Fireman won’t be  happy to hear that, he’s real touchy!
EnRyu: What’s with you!? It’s like you haven’t got a care in the world!

Bombman reduced to below 10%

Bombman: Kugh! N-not bad…
Rosa: Now! All units, apprehend that machine!
Karen: Alright, here we go!
Ryu: Shouldn’t be too hard, given his size!
Bombman: Hey now, I’m just getting warmed up! Don’t get any funny ideas!

Bombman regenerates and opens fire indiscriminately

Rosa: Oh no! At this rate… he’ll destroy himself!
Megaman: Bombman, stop it!
Dr. Light: Hmm…! There might be a way! Megaman! Can you hear me?
Megaman: What is it, Doctor?
Dr. Light: Your variable tool system… it has a hidden function: The weapon copy system! It’s your greatest strength!
Megaman: H-hidden function?
Dr. Light: Just as you can use nearly any tool by simply observing its use, the same concept applies to the weapons used by other Robot Masters!
Bright: I see…! If he uses one those explosives against him, it should stun him and catch him off guard long enough for us to catch him!
Sousuke: Given the circumstances, it’s a good plan.
Roll: You can do it, Rock!
Megaman: …got it! Here goes nothing! Weapon Copy system, activate!

-Battle scene-

Megaman VS Bombman

Megaman uses the newly acquired Megaton Bomb attack to knock Bombman to 10 HP

Bombman: U-uwaa! H-how in the…?! Urgh! I can’t move!
Garis: Here’s our chance! Rongo!
Rongo: Aye aye, sir! Daiku Maryu, full speed ahead!
Rosa: Hangar staff, get ready to recover the enemy robot! Use force to subdue him if necessary!
Shizuka: Roger that, Deputy Captain! You hear that, you all? Things might get rough!
Daimon: Heh… I think we can handle it.

All enemies shot down

Operator: Captain, it looks like all enemies have been eliminated.
Ruru: All sights are negative, Captain.
Garis: Mm. I see. In that case, recover all units. Ruru, contact Dr. Light and let him know we have successfully captured Bombman.
Ruru: Yes, captain.

-End Map-

-Daiku Maryu Hangar-

Doctor Light: Rock, I’m very proud of you. You managed to do just the right thing that the situation called for.
Rock: Thank you, Doctor. Will Bombman be alright…?
Doctor Light: Hmm… let me see.
Shizuka: Daiya and the rest did a real number on him, so he didn’t give us any trouble, but I don’t think he’s beyond repair…
Dr. Light: Mm, I agree. It will take some time to get him back in shape and correct his AI, but Bombman will be fine.
Rock: Oh, thank goodness!
Daisaku: That’s great, Rock!
Akira: Say, Rock, what was that move you pulled off earlier again? The Weapon Copy system?
Dr. Light; Allow me to explain, Akira. You see, one of Rock’s primary functions is the Variable Tool System, which allows him to use almost any tool perfectly simply by observing its use.
Amuro: That’s incredible! I had no idea that was even possible to program…
Shizuka: Remind me to get you help us out with maintenance more often, Rock.
Rock: S-sure, Miss Shizuka.
Dr. Light: While I never expected that he would have to use it against one of his fellow Robot Masters, I had foreseen that there might be a time where Rock would be needed to fight, given these turbulent times. So, I expanded the Variable Tool System into the Weapon Copy system. Essentially, it allows Rock to copy the weapon capabilities of other Robot Masters. I had intended it to be a function used in tandem with the others, but… it’s also an effective countermeasure against them, now that I think of it.
Daiya: Wow! That sure is some impressive technology!
Rock: Oh, Daiya, I wanted to ask you a question… now that the Daiku Maryu doesn’t have to be out fighting the Darius Army on its own any more, why didn’t you come back to school?
Daiya: Uh, w-well, you see… I don’t really like school all that much. So I figured it’d just be better if I stayed on board the Daiku Maryu to help out. I’m pretty good at that.
Puria: Hehe. Even if you’re not booksmart, at least you’re honest.
Lee: I think we could all learn something from Daiya’s forthright manner, wouldn’t you say, Puria?
Puria: W-what are you implying!?
Julius: Ah, I’m sure Lee is merely jesting. He strikes me as a type of fellow after my own heart.
Lee: Right, right, no offense.
Julius: But, you know what they say… those that protest too much… ow ow ow! Mercy! Desist!
Puria: Say it again, I dare you!
Yanma: That’s the way to show ‘em, big sis!
Hashio : The boss doesn’t take guff from anyone!
Bubi: Yeah, anyone!
Doctor Light: Hoho… Rock, you’ve made some good friends.
Cammie: Nngh…
Tsubaki: Cammie, are you alright? You look a little pale.
Cammie: Uh…? Oh, I’m alright… I just feel kind of… off, all of the sudden. I think I’m kind of tired.
Tsubaki: Hmhm, that makes sense. You should take it easy for a while.
Cammie: Yeah, I think I’ll do that.
Kyou: Exhaustion can be a deadly enemy. Don’t push yourself too hard, alright?
Cammie: Really, I’m fine! I just felt a little tired, that’s all. Thank you for being so concerned, but…
Kyou: Well, if you say so.
Kenji: Hey, you’re never so concerned about me!
Kyou: That’s because you’re far too hardheaded to ever really be in trouble.
Kenji: hehe, guess you’re right.
Tsubaki: That wasn’t a compliment, you idiot!
Dr. Light: Volfogg, Roll and I are very much indebted to you. If it wasn’t for your timely arrival…
Volfogg: Please, Doctor, think nothing of it. It is my sworn duty to protect civilians from harm. I am simply glad that I was there in time.
EnRyu: Hey, what are we, chopped liver or something?!
Dr. Light: And of course, we’re grateful to all of you. Hoho!
Kouji: …hmm…
Sayaka: Kouji, is something wrong?
Kouji: I was just thinking- it looks like Dr. Wily and Dr. Hell are in cahoots now. Isn’t that kind of weird?
Sayaka: Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t really expect Dr. Hell to ally himself with another mad scientist…
Dr. Light: It’s troubling, indeed. As is the fact that Dr. Wily was able to reprogram Bombman’s AI. He assisted me with that part of the project, of course, but, I made sure that I was the only one who knew how…
Rock: I guess we’ll find out how he did that eventually. For now, we should focus on rescuing everyone.
Dr. Light: I agree. Rock, we’re counting on you! And everyone else, as well!

-Daiku Maryu Bridge-

Garis: I see… then, Akamatsu Industries’ Neuronoids will be joining the Lemniscate Knights as well?
Shou: Yes, Captain Garis. Mode Warp felt that any emerging threats from Algernon would be most easily dealt with as a part of this special forces unit.
Ruru: Algernon…? Deputy Captain, what’s that?
Rosa: Well, Ruru… I’m not an expert on the matter, but it’s essentially a disease that causes insanity. Nobody is entirely sure how or why.
Hinoki: That’s correct. Mode Warp was founded as a way to study and contain it.
Ruru: But, why would they need things like the Neuronoids…?
Kaede: The people with Algernon are very dangerous, you see. They act erratically, but they don’t lose any of their intelligence.
Keita: Yeah, there was an incident at an amusement park a while ago that involved a giant attraction going out of whack. It turned out that someone with Algernon modified it and reprogrammed it…
Ruru: I see… how terrifying…
Garis: At any rate, we’re grateful of your assistance. From what I know of the subject, the Neuronoids should provide some services that we would otherwise not have access to.
Shou: Thank you, Captain. Then, if you’ll excuse us…

Footsteps

Garis: Hmm… Algernon, huh.
Rosa: Of all the threats we face, that might be the most dangerous…
Garis: Perhaps so, Rosa. An enemy that can strike anywhere at anyone…
Ruru: Captain… will we be alright…?
Garis: I don’t know, Ruru. However, we cannot simply give up! I fully believe that we can overcome anything. And that is all we can do, for now: believe.
Ruru: Captain… I understand.

-Dr. Wily’s Base-

Dr. Wily: Oh, blast it all! Why did I even bother joining up with you, Hell!? You’re as useless as ever!
Dr. Hell(H): Curb your tongue, Wily! This was your failure!
Dr. Wily: -My- failure?! It was your idiot lackey that bungled everything!
Dr. Hell(H): H-how dare you speak of Ashura in that way?! I will not have you badmouthing my creations! Besides, it was your out-of-control Robot Master that made a mess of things by treating everything like it was a game!
Dr. Wily: Hmph, whatever. That’s not important. We’ll figure out who to blame later. Losing Bombman was unfortunate, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.
Dr. Hell(H): Very well. We’ll need some time to regroup. I’ll contact you later.
Dr. Wily: …honestly, it’s always the same with that arrogant gasbag. He hasn’t changed since our days at the university…
Protoman: So it seems. What’s your next move, Doctor?
Dr. Wily: Hmph. Insolent as ever. As a matter of fact, I already have my next move planned. I just need a bit of time to implement it…

-END CHAPTER-


 

 

Greetings, readers. It’s been rather tumultuous around here in the past couple of updates, and I figured that I owed it to my audience to explain myself for what in some circles might be called “going off the deep end”.

First off, regarding my perhaps eclectic choices for special guests- I assure you, neither choice was made in haste. I have already made numerous provisions and plans as per how to integrate them into the story. It actually fit in quite well with what my original plan was, so whether you know it or not, you’re not actually getting a radically different product from what I originally envisioned.

Secondly, regarding progress and the like. I have written up to stage 15 and have recently taken a bit of a break, because 15 was long and rather busy. Now, as I approach the milestone wherein I don’t really have a giant surplus of previously written stages to fall back on, updates… will probably be getting less frequent as soon I’ll be forced to just slap ‘em up as I finish them.

Thirdly, what you can expect from the days to come!

Gasp as MegaMan gains his Weapon Copy system!
Swoon as Sousuke launches in the ARX-7 Arbalest!
Marvel as Domon reunites with his master, the Undefeated of the east!
Fall asleep as you read this really long and boring Betterman side stage! (Seriously jesus christ aright as hard as it is to read it was even harder to write)

 

 

-Base Camp, India-
Keita: Phaww… man, this place is hot. It’s like an oven.
Kaede (of Betterman): Oh? You’ve been in an oven before?
Keita: W-well, I was using it as an example.
Shou Yanagi (of Betterman): It can’t be helped. India is near the equator, after all.
Hinoki: …
Keita: Eh? What’s wrong, Hinoki?
Hinoki: Doesn’t it bother any of you? About what’s happened!?
Keita: W-well, of course. Everybody was surprised when Heichin tampered with the Kakuseijin and the new Tyran model, and that he was behind the incident at Bottom World… Algernon really is scary…
Shou: But, we can’t dwell on it. What’s done is done, and we’ve got move on.
Kaede: Hopefully, we’ll be able to get to the bottom of the whole thing when we visit the Ajanta Caves.
Hinoki: …
Keita: A-anyway, this dam we’re camped nearby is amazing! It’s so big!
Indian guide: Indeed it is! When it’s completed, we’ll have the largest dam in central Asia!
Shou: It’s interesting… even today, the difference between countries like Japan and India are huge. Japan has almost overdeveloped, while it seems India is in the middle of some serious construction.
Keita: I always thought that India was more mysterious and mystical.
Kaede: Did you think that the people here ate curry every day, or something?
Keita: Hehe, sort of.
Indian Guide: Oh? I was under the impression that all Japanese people wore kimonos and carried katanas at their hips. Hohoho!
Asami: At any rate, we should get going. We need to set up our field office before it gets dark.
Keita: …! Eh? What’s that? Uwaaagh! A giant lizard! It was as big as me!
Shou: Hm? Sakura, did you feel anything?
Sakura: No…
Guide: hoho! It was most likely a Puleto.
Keita; Puleto?
Guide: A small, weak creature that lives in the woods. But… they say that it can transform into a giant Buddha if you upset it!
Keita: Y-yeah, right…
Kaede: Oh, Keita, just relax and enjoy the trip. We should head for the caves.

-Ajanta Caves, exterior-

Keiga: Woooooow! When you said “caves”, I thought it’d be smaller. This is like a bunch of ancient ruins! Amazing!
Kaede: Hmhm… Keita, all you’ve been saying so far is how amazing everything is.
Asami: …something’s strange.  We were supposed to meet with people from HQ…
Shou: Look! It’s a Mode Warp tent, but it’s been trashed by something.
Indian Guide: T-this is the doing of the Behemoth!
Keita: Behemoth?
Kaede: It’s a local legend. It’s supposed to be a cow-like beasty with ribs as strong as iron bars and a call that can mesmerize people. That’s what we’re here looking for, right?
Shou: Sir, please tell me… where does one hear the call of the behemoth?
Guide: D-d-down underground!
Kaede: Way, way down?
Asami: …In these caves, four years ago, some unknown ruins were found.
Hinoki: …!
Asami: They were built in the second century as a temple complex, but they say that was not its real purpose. Instead of being a temple, it was built to hide something…
Keita: L-like what…?
Asami: Four years ago, the research team that penetrated the deepest part of the temple were lost and never heard from again. The local police investigated the incident…
Shou: But all members of the investigation were found dead.
Asami: Correct. Later, it was found that one of the members wrote down in a notebook his last words: “I heard that sound.’
Keita: Gulp… huh?
Chandi: (Of Betterman): …
Keita: Eh? A girl? …now she’s gone… what’s going on here?
Shou: …then shall we go in?
Guide: Now!? With no equipment?!
Asami: The sun will go down soon. If we don’t exercise caution, we’ll suffer the same fate as those before us.
Sakura: (I can hear… I can hear… it’s calling out to me… sounding like a song… Behemoth…)
Shou: …this sound…
Guide: T-t-the Behemoth! Uwaa! Uwaaaagh!
Kaede: Oh my. He ran away.

-crashing sounds-

Keita: Uwa! What was that!?
Asami: It’s coming from outside the cave…

-Mobile Suit Moving sounds-

Keita: N-no way! Those are Zeon mobile suits! What are they doing here!?
(H)Akamatsu: You all! We’ve got trouble! Get back to the trailers and board the Neuronoids, ASAP!
Shou: Understood. Let’s go, everyone!
Hinoki: Okay.

-Begin Map-

Outside of the Ajanta Caves. Jungly, with a bit of Indian jones ruins thrown in. Four Zakus appear.

Zeon Soldier: Damn it damn it damn it! I can’t believe we got lost in this stupid jungle, and in Feddie territory, too…
ZS2: But it looks like we’ve found something interesting!
ZS3: Don’t be an idiot! We’ve got to get rid of them and get out of here before that call in reinforcements or something!
ZS: But we don’t know if they’re part of the Federation or not…
ZS3: Do you want to risk it?!
ZS2: When he puts it that way, we’ve got no choice…

They open fire on the area

Sakura: Aaah!
Akamatus: Damn those Zeon… what the hell are they doing in Federation territory, anyway?! Keita, Shou, hurry it up!
Yamaji: Man oh man, this trip isn’t off to a good start. Looks like we’ll have to fight our way out…

The Kakuseijin and the Tyran appear on the map

Hinoki: Awake!
Keita: Awesome! I’ve never seen a Mobile Suit this close up before! And now we get to fight them!
Kaede: You pick the strangest things to be enthusiastic about, Keita…
Shou: The Kakuseijin and Tyran should be able to handle them without much effort. It’s a good thing this is only a few stragglers.
Akamatsu: Heh! This’ll be a good chance to test out or Neuronoids against other mobile weapons. They weren’t designed for it, but I’ll stake my company’s reputation on their effectiveness!
Hinoki: …I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.
Keita: Eh?
Hinoki: Maybe you think this is some kind of game, but I don’t want to fight other people.
Keita: Hinoki…
Shou: It can’t be helped- they fired on us.
Kaede: They probably just got lost or something. If it makes you feel better, we won’t aim for the cockpits.
ZS: W-what the hell are those things?! Feddie mobile suits?!
ZS2: They’re different from any models I’ve seen!
ZS3: Damn it, who cares!? Let’s blow ‘em up and get the hell out of here! If we’re lucky, we can capture one and bring it back. That’ll probably turn some heads back at HQ!

-Begin Battle (Yes, if you’re wondering, this battle’s sole purpose is to introduce the Tyran, the second playable Neuronoid.)-

Keita VS Enemy

Keita: Wow! Look at that machine cannon! That armor! The Zaku might get a lot of flak, but I think it’s pretty cool!
Hinoki: …focus on fighting, Kei-chan!
Keita: E-eh!? R-right.

Shou VS Enemy

Shou: As I thought, run of the mill mobile suits don’t pose much of a threat to the Tyran, even if it isn’t a war machine.
Kaede: Hmhm… I’m sure at least some of that has something to do with our skill, Shou.
Keita: Amazing! The Tyran’s armor and mobility are a cut above the Kakuseijin’s… I’m a little jealous! Those guys at Mode Warp France knew what they were doing!

-All enemies shot down-

ZS: U-uwaaa! I’m ejecting! Ha… I made it. I’m getting the hell out of here!
Kaede: My my, they certainly bit off more than they could chew.
Yanaji: No kidding. What do we care about their silly space wars?
Akamatus: Well, whatever. Good job, everyone! At very least, we got some good combat data out of this.
Shou: Mm. Shall we go back to exploring the cave?
Keita: D-do we have to?
Hinoki: …

-END MAP-

-Ajanta Caves interior-

Kaede: Hinoki seemed rather shook up when we left her with Keita… do you think she’ll okay?
Shou: Probably. Most likely, she just has bad memories of this place. I can’t blame her- her family was part of the expedition team that went missing.
Asami: …so, this is the call of the behemoth…
Kaede: A hole in the floor?
Shou: Ah, that explains it. Differing air pressure and temperature creates wind at this time of night. It whistles through the hole, which creates the noise we hear- a frightening phenomenon, happening at dusk. Well, shall we go back? …Kaede? Miss Asami? Where did they…
Kei (Not Keita, of Betterman): …
Shou: Miss Asami…? No! This… this is impossible!
Kei: Brother…
Shou: Kei! Are you truly Kei…!?
Kei: Brother, you’ve got to help me…

Flash of light

Shou: Wait, Kei!

Flash of light

Asami: Mr. Yanagi…? …! Who…!?
Officer (of Betterman): …
Asami: O-officer!?
Officer: Miss Miyako… I believe that you truly belong in the laboratory.
Asami: …!

-Cave Exterior-

Akamatsu: What’s this sound…?
Heichin: Boss…
Akamatus: H-heichin! That’s impossible!
Heichin: Boss, it’s cold… it’s 26 degrees below zero, you know!
Sakura: Why is it like this…? I don’t want to see any more…. Aahhh….
Akamatsu: It’s just an illusion! Disappear! Just disappear!

Sound of engine revving

Akamatsu: I’ll run you over, damn you!

Crashing noise

Akamatsu: Oh no…! I hit the temple entrance!
Keita: What was that sound!?
Kaede: Please… help me, Mama… Papa…
Keita: Miss Kaede…?
Kaede: Mama… Papa… hold my hand… please!

Crashing noise

Keita: Uwaagh!

-Deep Interior-

Keita: Ow ow ow… what is this place…? Who’s there!? Hinoki…? No, it’s not her…
Chandi: …
Keita: It’s not…
Chandi: This place is dangerous, you know. Hmhm!
Keita: H-hey, wait!
Hinoki: …
Keita: Hinoki! She’s unconscious! Hang in there…
Hinoki: Big Brother…
Keita: this is just too weird…

Stomping noises

Behemoth: Gaooon!
Keita: Another illusion…? No, it’s real! Uwaa! I’m gonna die!
Lamia: …!

-Begin map-

Behemoth and Lamia appear on the map

Keita: B-betterman!
Lamia: …as I thought, there’s no other way.

Lamia transforms into Nebula

Keita: Now’s our chance to get away!

-Begin Battle-

This is one of those fights you’re not expected to win. And the plot screws you over even if you do.

Nebula VS Behemoth

Lamia: …
Keita: T-that thing looks really tough… even Betterman might have trouble…

Turn 4/ Nebula HP reaches critical/Behemoth HP reaches half

Lamia: …!
Behemoth: Gyaooon!

Battle Scene: Nebula VS Behemoth

Nebula uses the Psychovoice, but the Behemoth’s sonic barrier reduces damage to Zero.

Keita: P-psycho voice had no effect?!

Battle scene: Nebula VS Behemoth

Behemoth uses its grapple attack, knocking out Nebula

Behemoth: Gyaaaooon!
Keita: B-betterman… lost!?

-Base Camp-

Yanaji: Main Tech carrier! Come in! Boss! …no good. No signals from the Kakuseijin or the Tyran. They must have gone over the cliff.
Ritsuko: We’d better move that debris or the Boss could be in real trouble.
Yanaji: Considering the communications are dead and the roads are out, we’re just gonna have to wait until dawn.
Ritsuko: Mm… ugh, these flies are bugging the hell out of me!
Yanaji: Here, use this.
Ritsuko: Bug repeller 1?
Yanaji: it’s one of the boss’s crazy inventions. So, let’s review- we’re missing Keita, Hinoki, the Boss, Sakura, Yanagi and Kaede, plus Asami. It’s ironic they all get buried together with the Neuronoids.

-Cave Depths-

Keita: U-waagh! I was in Hinoki’s dream…? And we’re still in the caves…? Hinoki! Still unconscious! Come on, Hinoki, wake up!
Hinoki: Nngh…
Keita: Phew…
Chandi: I told you that it’s dangerous here!
Keita: W-who are you?! Are you… Indian…?
Chandi: The Behemoth will come out again soon.
Keita: By the Behemoth, you mean that monster…?
Chandi: You’d better get out of here, quick!
Keita; H-hey, wait, you! …that girl was talking without moving her mouth. This place is a famous tourist spot… how could there be a giant monster down here!? I wonder if this is where that research party went missing.
Hinoki: …it is.
Keita: You’re awake!
Hinoki: They  say this place is sacred place where pilgrims used to come and fast in hopes of attaining enlightenment. In order to withstand the hunger, the brain releases a chemical that turns pain into pleasure.  There’s even a rumor that this was a secret place that offered the secret of hallucination.
Keita: You seem pretty knowledgeable…
Hinoki: Among the research team were two Paleontologists by the name of Sai. In other words, my mother and father. …my brother was with them, too.
Keita: So, they were all taken by that monster?
Hinoki: There’s no such thing. This is all an illusion.
Keita; But, Betterman…
Hinoki: Simply another illusion created by mankind. This place… everyone dies here.
Keita: I don’t believe that! Come on, Hinoki! We’re Dual Kinds, right? If we work together, we can get out of here!
Hinoki: Being a Dual Kind isn’t nearly as convenient as you might think.
Keita: But we’ve got this far, right?!
Hinoki: Blind luck.
Keita: If you give up now, what would your family think!?
Hinoki: …I don’t know. I’m an idiot, after all.

-Else where in the depths-

Shou: …Kei! …Kaede? And Mr. Akamatsu, Sakura, and Miss Asami…?
Kaede: Ngh…
Akamatsu: …how’d I get here?
Kaede: I dreamt about when I was a kid…
Asami: It felt like a hallucination of some kind…
Kaede: Sakura’s alright, just asleep.
Asami: This light must come from luminescent mold or fireflies…
Shou: So we’re under Ajunta, huh… for ancient ruins, it looks awfully geometrical. …! Footsteps?!

Footsteps

Shou: Haaaaah!
Keita: Uwaaaaa! P-please don’t kill me!
Shou; Aono-kun! And Hinoki…
Asami: You two are safe! Thank goodness!
Keita: Mr. Yanagi and everyone! W-we’re saved…
Akamatsu: So it looks like this Behemoth monster exists after all…
Keita: Of course it exists! It fought Betterman, and the Psychovoice didn’t work! We thought that was it, and the huge thing spread its ears and let out this buzz noise, and then I had to carry Hinoki, who happens to weigh a ton!
Hinoki: …you didn’t have to say that I weighed a ton.
Shou: So, the cry of the Behemoth… must be a kind of hallucinatory drug.
Asami: A bee communicates to others within its colony by performing a kind of dance in the air. As it dances, it emit’s a sound frequency of around 250 Hz from its rear and is able to communicate to other bees vital information such as direction and distance.
Keita: But… what does that have to do with the cry of the Behemoth?
Asami: This is merely conjecture, but… when a bee hears the sound waves emitted from the one who found the flower, it is directed by that information and does not act as an individual. In other words, the bee that finds the nectar first controls the others.
Kaede: So, we’ve been controlled by the sound and brought here too… I knew my legs were sore for a reason.
Shou: If we hear that sound again, there’s no doubt we’ll just fall under its control once more.
Asami: yes… even Sakura and Kaede, with their special powers, couldn’t withstand it.
Keita: Special Power…? Oh, right! Kaede’s a psychic with the dowsing ability…
Kaede: Mm. That means I’m sort of like a catfish who senses an earthquake.
Akamatsu: Even my special Barrier-kun couldn’t stop it.
Keita: Could this be some form of Algernon…?
Asami: …that I don’t know, yet.
Akamatsu: At any rate, we should get out of here. We don’t know when and if that Behemoth will come after us again.
Shou: Kaede, can you get us out of here with your dowsing ability?
Kaede: Let’s see… I should be able to map it out…
Keita: Alright! We’re saved! We can go home now, Hinoki!
Hinoki: We don’t know that yet.
Sakura: It’s here…
Akamatsu: Sakura!
Sakura: It’s still here… blocking our escape…

-Algernon Flower field-

Lamia: …ngh…
Chandi: You’re still alive. You’re pretty lucky to have survived the Behemoth.
Lamia: Mm, that’s right… I managed to escape.
Chandi: It killed all of my siblings. You’ll die too if you stay here.
Lamia: …she left…
Seeme: Lamia…
Lamia: Is that you, Seeme? I’ve been… defeated.
Seeme: You should have known that victory was impossible as Nebula.
Lamia: In order to protect them, I had to fight.
Seeme: As long as that will is yours, you must stand. Even if only to keep the light from going out.
Lamia: Impossible.
Seeme: Reach out, Lamia. What you seek is right before you.
Lamia: !?
Seeme: It was waiting for us.

Closeup of Forte flower

Seeme: Led here by our fate and born out of our hope.
Lamia: Forte…

-the depths-

Keita: This place is like a beehive!
Shou: Which way should we go, Kaede?
Kaede: Umm… maybe right?
Sakura: No… it’s getting closer.
Akamatsu: I hear something… is something alive in here?!
Shou: Kaede!
Kaede: It looks like there’s no right way.
Hinoki: Nowhere to go…
Shou: Let’s retreat!

-Begin Map, part 3- (yes I know, this is a busy chapter, but this part is very important for the Betterman plot)

Just mo’ caves

Keita; Nwaagh! Something’s coming! Oof, I tripped… hey, where’d everyone go?! Nwaagh! Get away!

Seven insect soldies appear on the map, then Chandi’s Armored Form arrives as well, destroying the nearest one.

Keita: It’s that giant lizard again! Puleto… something about it becoming Buddha when it’s angry…? It can’t be!
Chandi: I told you to hurry up and leave!
Keita: !? Cool! It was you, after all!
Chandi: Cool? Hmhm! Now hurry and go!
Keita: G-got it!

BEGIN BATTLE

(argh this is becoming a huge clusterfuck, I wish betterman was a little easier to work with)

all insects shot down

Keita: Haa… haa… there you are…
Akamatsu: The Main-tech carriers! We found ‘em!
Shou: The Kakuseijin and Tyran, too.
Sakura: !!!

The Behemoth appears

Behemoth: Gyaaaon!
Keita: The Behemoth! It came out!
Behemoth: Gyaaaon!
Keita: W-we’re doomed… going back wasn’t any better…
Asami: Incredible… at least three times the size of an Indian elephant…
Behemoth: …

Buzzing noise

Shou: This sound… as I thought…!

Lamia appears on the map

Keita: Betterman!

Lamia transforms into Forte

Shou: That’s… betterman?!
Akamatsu: It’s a different form from before…
Sakura: Forte…
Asami: Forte…? That’s the name of this Better Man form?
Chandi: …

Chandi retreats

Resume Battle

Forte VS Behemoth

Keita: S-so powerful!
Shou: Is it able to change forms depending on what foe its fighting…?
Asami: Yes! That’s exactly what Betterman can do!
Akamatsu: Okay! Now’s our chance to get to the Maintech Carriers!

Behemoth reduced to 50% HP

Asami: So, it’s form cancels the enemy’s vibrations…
Hinoki: Awake!
Kaede: Awake!

Both Neuronoids appear on the map
Akamatsu: We’d better hurry up and get out of here or we’ll be buried alive!
Asami: Yes, it won’t hold up for very much longer…
Keita: Well, whatever, but why is everyone crowding around me?!
Akamatsu: Don’t whine! Leave the monsters to their fun and let’s go!
Keita: All right, all right.

The Neuronoids move the edge of the map- you can’t control ‘em for now.

Behemoth shot down

The Behemoth regenerates a bit of health

Shou: This isn’t good… the rock around here is too crumbly. We can’t get out. Should we go with a Synapse Attack?
Kaede: I don’t think so… more rock would just fall in as we got rid of it.
Akamatsu: Nngh…
Keita: …wait, I’ve got it! The dam site!
Hinoki: What are you talking about?!
Keita: If we want water to stop moving, we dam it up! Why can’t we do the same with the rocks?
Akamatsu: Don’t be ridiculous! How are we supposed to…!?
Shou: Wait, I see! Good thinking, Aono-kun!
Lamia: …

Battle scene: Forte VS Behemoth

Forte uses Psychoglory, knocking it out

Asami: !!
Sakura: Psychoglory!
Shou: Synapse attack!
Keita: Synapse attack!

Map animation: The Kakuseijin and Tyran drill through the walls to the outside

Shou: The Tyran to break through…
Keita: And the Kakuseijin to harden the rock!
Akamatsu: Great idea, boys!
Hinoki: Big Brother….

-END MAP-

Ajanta caves exterior, night

Indian Guide: Of course it’s too late! I’m sure everyone was eaten by the Behemoth!

Rumbling, then mecha moving noises.

Ritsuko: The Kakuseijin…!
Yanaji: And the Tyran!

Akamatsu: That was terrible!
Indian: T-the ghosts of the dead have risen from the ground! Nwaaagh!
Akamatsu: I’ve got bruises all over me… nobody can ride that thing safely unless they’re sitting in the MP Seat. Nevertheless… everyone made it, and that’s sure something…
Ritsuko: Boss…!
Yanaji: They’re all alive! Hooray!
Ritsuko: I never lost faith!
Keita: W-what an ordeal… I hope we can go home soon…

-END CHAPTER (FUCKIN’ FINALLY)-

(Note from the author: These Gaiden chapters are a pain- they’re more or less transcribing the episode into SRW script format, without any of the crossover fun. I had a bit of laughs with the Zeon Soldier hijinks, but I hope this is the last time I have to do this sort of thing for a while. Hopefully the Betterman cast can be integrated back into the main story soon. Shouldn’t be too hard.)

 

-Much like after there is a climactic event in Z, we have an EXPOSITION ROLL OF DOOM to fill us in on just WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED-

In the course of a few days, the era of prosperity had been shattered and crushed like so many snowflakes in a winter gale. The war with the Zeon and Giganos, now called the Spacenoid Coalition, wore on without end. Enemies of humanity emerged from beneath the earth and from beyond the stars.  Power-hungry terrorists waged war upon order, feeding the ever-growing chaos. In the midst of the maelstrom, one event would shape the destiny of world.

During a battle between the Daiku Maryu and the Darius Empire in the Zone, an agent of a shadowy figure unleashed dimensional energies that would have far-reaching consequences even she could not predict. By eradicating the boundaries of reality in such a pivotal point, this action awoke powers that the world had long forgotten. These powers then created a new world: Upon the earth was implanted another earth, doubling the planet’s size. Darius, formally a pocket dimension within the earth, was laid bare for all to see, it’s unique geography of floating islands now dotting the skyline. In these new lands, never before seen by the eyes of those we know, strange creatures and people found their homes. The demon beasts of Darius now roam our world, find their niche along side the variety of powerful organisms those of the second world call Pokemon.

With these great changes came yet more chaos. It became quickly apparent that the Second Earth was in many ways identical to the first, but in other ways as different as night is to day. The Federation lost no time in opening negotiations with the governments of this new world, in the interest of beating the Spacenoid Coalition to the punch. With their promises of advanced technology and military protection, as well as partial autonomy, the bewildered and fragmented governments of the Second Earth had no real choice but to comply. However, the Earth Federation was equally mystified as to the vastly different biology of Pokemon to the life forms of their native world. More baffling still was the harmony in which these new life forms lived with the more traditional flora and fauna of the First World.

The epicenter of the dimensional upheaval, the Zone, also changed greatly. Only a paltry storm wall remained- any determined party with the necessary output could come and go at will. What does this mean for humanity? Will the Jama and Darius Empires continue their assault unhindered now by the boundaries of reality? Will the foes from beneath the earth overrun lands old and new like a horde of locusts? Or will the chaos incite humankind even further to destroy itself as beings from beyond the solar system watch and laugh?

Those who severe the loop of destiny and despair… they will decide the future of this world.

-CHAPTER 10-

-Fear! The Magnificent 10 on the move-

-Daiku Maryu Bridge-

Kouji: Hehe! It’s been a while since I’ve been on the Daiku Maryu. Things look the same as ever.
Sayaka: Kouji, we can reminisce later! This is a very important briefing!
Vega: What Sayaka says is right. GEAR HQ, GGG Japan, Build Base and all of our independent scientist backers have spent a great deal of time making sense of the situation. Show them a little respect.
Kouji: Okay, okay. Sorry.
Garis: Now then, gentlemen. Sakon-sensei has summarized our current position and will now begin explaining it to you.
Sakon(H): Thank you, Captain. As everyone already knows, the incident in the Zone, heretofore referred to as The Genesis Event, has allowed us to return to the outside world. The outside world has undergone a drastic change, as you are no doubt aware.
EnRyu(H): Right! There’s a whole new set of continents on the other side of the world!
Akira: The Federation has spent the last day or so locked in negotiations with the people from that world, right?
Sakon(H): Correct, Akira. GGG has informed us that they have gone very favorably. Public information will most likely become available in due course. However, something that concerns us directly must now be discussed.
Rosa: Darius is no longer enclosed in its own dimension.
Puria: E-eeh!? What do you mean!?
Rosa: As we were all aware, Darius rested in a pocket dimension within the Earth, inaccessible except by special means. However, with the consequences of The Genesis Event, our world and Darius now share the same dimensional space.
Hayato: Then, that means that they are now capable of attacking at any point or time they choose?
Garis: Indeed. This changes our strategy. Instead of performing hit-and-run attacks on the empire and engaging in guerilla tactics, we have now been forced to face them in head-to-head open warfare.
Shizuka: The original reason why we wanted to go it alone was to avoid this sort of thing and minimize casualties. But, I guess it just can’t be helped.
Daimon: On the bright side, Darius isn’t in an unassailable position anymore.
Sakon(H): Yes. To that end, if they insist on pressing the attack, they must consider the possibility of a devastating counterattack.
Daiya: So, what should we do now?
Lee: I think our Robin Hood act won’t fly anymore…
Garis: I had hoped to avoid this, but I believe that at this point we must directly ally ourselves with the Federation.
Hokuto: Huh? Why would you not want to do that?
Rosa: The Captain wanted to maintain an entirely independent front for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being staying out of the conflict with the Spacenoid Coalition. But…
Sakon(H): With the recent use of the Mass Driver on one of Japan’s military installation, we can no longer afford to remain neutral in this war.
Vega: The Zeon and Giganos have simply become too dangerous to be left alone anymore. GEAR HQ feels the same.
Gai: So does GGG. We weren’t formed to fight other humans, but we’ve got no choice if they continue on like this.
Garis: Gentlemen, I expect that some of you may not be satisfied with this course of action.
Ryouma: …it’s hard to say, Captain. I recognize the necessity, but I’m not thrilled with joining the army.
Kenji: I dunno. I mean, I don’t really care who I fight as long as they need a good ass-kicking, but I’d hate the idea of just leaving the Jama Empire alone to go fight some stupid war in space while some fat guy in a uniform yells at me to stand up straight.
Ginga: I feel the exact same way! Besides, I didn’t start piloting Dendoh so I could go around killing people!
HyoRyu(H): Of course, we will do what the Chief orders, but I must express reservations. Conflict with humans goes directly against some of our prime directives.
EnRyu(H): And aside from that, it just stinks!
Akira: I have to agree with everyone else, Captain… the Spacenoid Coalition is very dangerous, I know, but is it really our job to deal with them? Especially when the Great Demon Empire and everything else is going on?
Daiya: Captain, you know I’d go with the Daiku Maryu anywhere, but I’m not sure I like this…
Garis: I understand completely. I will not force any of you to do what you do not want to do. But I would ask you all a favor- would you withhold judgment until I have a chance to negotiate?
Kouji: Sure thing, Captain. We all trust you. Besides, it’s not like we’ll stop fighting all together. But… there’s still something that’s worrying me.
Michiru: Cammie’s still missing, right?
Kouji: Yeah… after all that happened with that crazy mech of hers, I can’t help but be worried. And we don’t know the first place to start looking, either. It’s driving me crazy!
Musashi: We’re all concerned, Kouji, but it’s not like we can drop everything to go and search for her…
Tsubaki: Still, we’ll have to do something! We can’t just sit around…
Michiru: Exactly! She’s our friend, and even looking past that, a valuable asset to the team.
Gai: Hey, hey, calm down. Dad and the Chief have already started looking, and they’ve got GEAR HQ, Build Base, and even a couple independent contractors on the lookout.
Hokuto: I guess that makes me feel a little better.
Kenji: Gah! Even then, it’s such a pain just waiting here!
Kyou: Calm down, Kenji. For now, we should focus on what we can do. Captain, have you made any concrete plans yet?
Garis: As of now, I believe it would be best if we simply kept a defensive posture and stayed in one place for a while, unless the situation merits different action. This would also make negotiations with the Federation easier.
Vega: I see… then, in that case, should we head for GGG HQ?
Garis: That strikes me as the best course of action. Rongo!
Rongo: Aye aye, sir!

-White Base Bridge-

Kaine: Phaaaw! And I thought that the Giganos chucking asteroids at us was bad.
Tap: Now they’ve got a target twice as big… I didn’t even know this sort of thing was possible.
Light: We should grateful for the break. The Federation and Spacenoid Coalition chains of command should be in total chaos right now, so they can’t send us out to do anything.
Bright: Mmm… Light is right. For now, we should lay low here at GGG HQ until new orders come through.
Amuro: Captain, do you know where Daisaku and the others from IPO went?
Mao: They had to go drop off Doctor Shizuma at the IPO Japan base. That’s the whole reason they were with us.
Hayato: Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about that, with all that’s happened.
Kurz: As for us lucky folks at Mithril, we’ve got a new assignment to brief for. The papers came in just this morning. The whole world ending thing kind of put it on hold for a little while, so it’s a bit late.
Shiro: Heh. I guess we’re not cleared for this information?
Sousuke: On the contrary, it’s been requested that you all know about it. I can only assume that the situation has changed since the mission’s first conception.
Kai: Well, let’s open it up! It’s boring around here without the old man around.
Rooney: Show a little respect for the Lieutenant!
Kai: Hey, hey, calm down, Sarge. He’s still alive, right? We heard from that Doctor Light guy.
Rooney: Grr…
Mao: Alright, here we are…

Closeup of Kaname Chidori’s childhood photo

Kurz: Hoo! Kaname Chidori? She’ll be a real looker when she grows up!
Mao: According to this document, the picture was taken 4 years ago. It’s our assignment to guard her. Apparently, there’s reason to believe that any number of organizations is bent on her abduction.
Amuro: Abduction? Does it say why?
Sousuke: Negative. In these cases, it’s important to minimize the amount of information given out.
Kurz: Looks like we’ve got all the standard equipment. It won’t be easy with just the three of us, but I guess it’s not impossible.
Kaine: Huh? Cameras, fake ID, school transfer forms… what’s all that stuff for, Mao?
Mao: Hehehe… isn’t it obvious? Sousuke is going undercover.
Sousuke: …!!! You can’t be serious!
Kurz: Afraid so. You’re going to high school.
Sousuke: I-I see…
Linda: What’s wrong, Sergeant? You seem flustered.
Rose: You didn’t even bat an eyelash when that asteroid hit!
Mao: Well, do to some… unusual circumstances, Sousuke’s never been to a real high school.
Tap: Really!? Well, then we’ll have to help out!
Kaine: Right! Let’s go get some stuff that your average highschooler would have!
Shiro: Heh. It’s been a while, but I guess I can help out too. Come on, Michel.
Michel; Hey! Why’d you single me out?!
Sanders: Do I look like I would know what a high school student would bring to class?
Michel: P-point taken, Chief.
Amuro: Alright, we’ll all pitch in. Let’s meet back in the cafeteria in fifteen minutes.

Footsteps

Rooney: …things have certainly changed from when I joined the army, Captain.
Bright: Y-yeah….
Operator: Captain, there’s a message from Chief Taiga…

-White base cafeteria-

Sousuke: …so all this is what the average high school student would have on his or her person?
Kaine: Of course! Magazines, CD players, MP3 players…
Tap: Donated by yours truly!
Amuro: Headphones, books, trading cards, video game players…
Hayato: Believe me, it was hard to find some of this stuff on a warship!
Sousuke: I appreciate the help. …I can’t fathom why students have any use for some of these articles, though.
Amuro: I wonder… what are we going to do now? Sousuke and the rest have their mission, and Daisaku works with IPO, but what about us? We won’t get any orders for a while, that much I know, but…
Light: Well, I’m no expert, but I think for now we just wait for a while. Every organization in the world knows very well they can’t move right now with everything as uncertain as this. There’s still that matter of our reinforcements, which we may or may not be receiving.
Shiro: I hope that gets resolved soon. I hate how uncertain the whole thing is.
Michel: I think I heard the captain getting a call from Chief Taiga as we left… could that be it?

-GGG Main Order Room-
Taiga: Lieutenant Bright, thank you for coming on such short notice. I have something of great importance to discuss with you.
Bright: It was no trouble, sir.
Taiga: Allow me to introduce you to Garis. He is the Captain of the Daiku Maryu, a vessel dedicated to combating the Darius Empire.
Garis: Greetings, Lieutenant Bright.
Bright: I-it’s an honor, sir… (What’s with that mask?)
Taiga: The Captain wishes to ally his vessel and forces with the Federation in order to combat the variety of threats we face today. This includes the Spacenoid Alliance. He and I have been negotiating with the higher-ups for some time now, and we have come to an agreement. The White Base and the Daiku Maryu are to form a single special forces unit.
Bright: I… I see.
Garis: However, due to the somewhat irregular circumstances, some provisions have been made to accommodate my civilian crew. We are to answer only to GGG and GEAR HQ and to have complete autonomy from the normal military chain of command.
Bright: But that’s…!
Leo: Highly irregular, right? Yep. That’s the best kind!
Bright: Uh… uh-huh…
Taiga: I realize how sudden this is, and how unmilitary. To that end, we haven’t finalized the arrangement yet. If you wish to decline, we won’t force you.
Bright: …I’ll be frank. I don’t like the fact that you’re suggesting this unit be autonomous. But I also realize the need to join forces under such dire circumstances. I accept, on behalf of my crew.
Taiga: Excellent! Then it is now official- the White Base and the Daiku Maryu and their crews are now a special forces unit, dedicating to the protection of our world.
Garis: I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant Bright. I thank you for your graciousness.
Bright: As do I. Then, if you’ll excuse me…
Taiga; Of course.

Footsteps

Hyuuga: That went better than I expected it would, though I knew he wouldn’t be thrilled about it.
Garis: It can’t be helped. I think we’ve reached an agreement that everyone can support to some extent. As tenuous as it is…
Taiga: Mm…

-IPO’s Japan Base, hangar-

Testguyuu: Big bro! We’re back!
Taiso(of Giant Robo): Yo! It’s been a while, you three. I’ve heard you’ve had quite a time?
Tetsugyuu: Have we ever! It was a close call back in India… I’d thought you’d be the one to come bail us out, but instead we got that brat.
Daisaku: I’m no brat!
Taiso: Ho… if you think he’s such a brat, why not challenge him to a fight?
Tetsugyuu: Oh, knock it off, big bro.
Ginrei: It’s been quite a while since we’ve been back here…

Footsteps

Chief Chuujou (of Giant Robo): Welcome back. How’d it go?
Ginrei: Chief! And Go-sensei…
Daisaku: We completed the mission successfully, sir. Professor Shizuma’s been taken to the medical bay, but… he hasn’t said hardly anything the entire trip.
Chuujou: I see…
Daisaku: Oh! But, he did give me this to give to you, Go-Sensei.
Testugyuu: (Hey, we were the ones who got that case!)
Taiso: (Quit whining.)
Go (of Giant Robo): Ah, so this is the case. But I wonder… what could the Professor have been trying so desperately to get to us?

Close up of the Shizuma Drive Sample

Chuujou: !!
Go: !! But… this can’t be…
Ginrei: …
Go: Then, Daisaku, Professor Shizuma hasn’t said anything?
Daisaku: R-right… except for one thing. He said that he didn’t have any courage any more, but that he couldn’t let anything like the tragedy of Bashtarle be repeated. I don’t really understand what he was trying to say…
Go: Ah, um, that’s alright. Thank you, Daisaku. Chief, may I have a word with you later?
Chuujou: Mm. Well done, Daisaku. You’ve done a good job. Let Robo know that too.
Daisaku: Y-yes sir!
Chuujou: Ginrei, please submit the final mission report to me. Dismissed.

-footsteps-

Taiso: …well, now that the mission is finally over, why don’t we go out and celebrate? Hey, Daisaku, you’re twelve now, right? Why don’t we go someplace… special for the occasion?
Daisaku: Ah, well, um, that’s all right…
Tetsugyuu: Hehehe.
Ginrei: Don’t do it, Daisaku. You’ll grow up to be a bad adult if you hang around hopeless people like them.
Tetsugyuu: H-hopeless people?
Taiso: Bad adults?
Ginrei: He’s going out on a date with his big sister anyway. Well, come along, Daisaku.
Tetsugyuu: W-w-whaaaat!? D-d-d-date!?
Ginrei: Right. A date.
Daisaku: R-really, I’m fine! I’ve got to help with Robo’s maintenance, anyway!

Footsteps

Ginrei: Oh my. Looks like I got dumped.
Tetsugyuu: Um… um…
Ginrei: Hm?
Tetsugyuu: If it’s alright with you…
Ginrei: Yes?
Tetsugyuu: D-d-d-dat-
Ginrei: It’s fine. You go off with Taiso and go to a special place or whatever.

Footsteps

Tetsugyuu: Oh man…
Taiso: …well, shall we?

-IPO base vault-

Chuujou: According to latest intelligence, there are now three bodies on the Notre Dame cathedral. All that remains is Professor Shizuma of those who worked on that failed project ten years ago…
Go: But if that’s the case, then why haven’t they proceeded further?
Chuujou: Most likely… they need this.
Go: The legacy of what happened a decade ago… there’s no mistake about it. No one besides him could make such a thing.
Chuujou: Then, you’re saying that Franken Von Volger survived the tragedy?
Go: That’s not possible! It’s not… possible… I’m sure that the professor…
Chuujou: Then, who? And for what reason?
Go: I don’t know… but if all three of these samples were brought together, it would all happen again… the tragedy that destroyed that small country, and then was forgotten by history. When the Professor went out of control and initiated the experiment too early, ending everything in failure…

-Restaurant-

Testugyuu: …Giant Robo my ass! It’s just a big hunk of junk! And that brat can’t even do anything without it. It’s like he’s trying to take on Big Fire on his own!
Taiso: What’s wrong with you today, man?
Tetsugyuu: I don’t like it! I don’t like it all!
Taiso: Hoho! So you don’t like Daisaku and Ginrei getting friendly?
Tetsugyuu: That’s not it! It’s just that on this mission… well, Big Bro, Ginrei and I worked really hard to get that case! And then he hands it over to the chief like he got it by himself! What about the men that died trying to get the information? What about the crew of the White Base? Without them, we never would have made it back from that war zone!
Taiso: What about them, huh… listen, Tetsugyuu. Daisaku is only 12 years old. Where were we when we were that age?
Tetsugyuu: …that was about the time you and I were recruited, right?
Taiso: Mm. Could we have done what he has to do when we were his age? Back then, we chose to undertake the training and become Experts of Justice. But Daisaku? He had no choice. He found himself without a father, forced to command one of the most powerful weapons in the world, and become an Expert just like that. Could we have handled that when we were 12? What can we do for a kid like that? Right… nothing. Nothing except make sure that he grows up into a proper adult.
Tetsugyuu: …but, you know, Big bro… by the time I was 12, I’d already killed a man.

Beeping noises

Tetsugyuu: Nngh? The pager! Big bro!
Taiso: Tch! Got it! Let’s go!

-Begin Map-

-Area around the Japan Base, near the coastline with a highway along the cliffs-

Chuujou: What is it?!
Operator: Chief! An enemy!

Explosions rock the base and Alberto appears on the map

Chuujou: Kuahgh!
Alberto: Hmph. What’s wrong? Can’t you put up a decent fight? I’d heard this base had the best IPO has to offer.
Ko Enshaku: …
Alberto: Aren’t  we the busy one? Well, if you’re here, come along and make yourself useful.
Operator: There are two now, Chief!
Chuujou: Alberto the Impact…! Then, the Magnificent 10 is on the move!? Where are Taiso and Tetsugyuu!?
Operator: We’ve contacted them, but there’s no response!
Chuujou: Nngh… very well. Send out a distress signal to all friendly organizations!
Go: Their target is obvious, Chief. The sample… and Professor Shizuma.
Chuujou: Mm, understood. I’ll leave it to you.

-Elsewhere on the base, but still on the map-

Ginrei: Of all the times for this to happen… Tetsugyuu, Taiso, where are you?!
Shizuma: …
Daisaku: Ginrei! I’ll help you with the Professor!
Ginrei: Daisaku! Thank you!
Go: You two! Over here! Quickly, get in the car! We must escape!
Daisaku: Got it!
Ginrei: Alright, here we go!

The car appears on the map. Alberto moves towards it.

Alberto: There they are!
Ginrei: …!

The car accelerates towards the road

Alberto: You’ll not get away! Twaaagh!
Go: …! Haa! Iron Fans!

Explosions rock the car

Daisaku: Go-sensei! You did it! We’re saved!
Alberto: Ho… how quaint. In that case…. Haaaaaahhh!

More explosions, and the car crashes

Ginrei: Oh no!
Daisaku: Ah!
Alberto: Heh… this is the end!
???: I can’t allow that!
Alberto: What!?

Vega appears on the map and rushes over

Battle scene: Vega VS Alberto

Vega attacks Alberto with the metal whip attack, causing moderate damage

Alberto: W-why you…!
Ginrei: You’re… GEAR’s Vice Chief Vega?
Vega: Correct! But there’s no time for that! I’ll escort you- now get out of here!
Alberto: Damn you! You think I’ll let yo-
Taiso: Whoops! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Alberto: !!! You!

Taiso appears on the map

Taiso: Tetsugyuu, you go with the Professor and the Vice Chief.
Tetsugyuu: Right. What about you, Big Bro?
Taiso: These guys? Ha. I can handle ‘em myself.
Daisaku: Taiso…!
Tetsugyuu: Hoop! The car’s back on the road now. Go, Ginrei!
Ginrei: Eh..?
Vega: I’ll be right behind you! Now hurry!
Ginrei: Right!

The car and the Valkyrie both begin moving toward the road.

-Begin battle-

This is basically a one-on one duel between Taiso and Alberto for a couple turns while the other two units move a bit every turn automatically.

Taiso VS Alberto

Taiso: So then, old man Alberto… looks like you’ve had some fun while I was out and about?
Alberto: If it isn’t Taiso. Perfect- we can settle the score from our last encounter.
Taiso: Really? I think that score might be a little too high! Come on!


Turn 3

Explosions rock the base

Daisaku: Oh no! The base…
Tetsugyuu: Quiet down. Big bro will handle it.
Daisaku: But, Robo’s there right now…
Ginrei: Don’t worry! He’s being held beneath an old nuclear reactor. Even the magnificent 10 would have a hard time finding it in a place like that.
Go: Ginrei is right. For now, we must hurry and rendezvous with the Daiku Maryu and the White Base.
Tetsugyuu: Daiku Maryu…? The heck is that? And where are we going in the White Base?
Vega: It’s a friendly battleship currently in the Federation’s employ. As for where we’re going, we must keep this case safe at all costs. I’ll drop it off at the IPO’s main base in Ryuuzanpak. There, we can analyze its true nature.
Tetsugyuu: True nature? Looks like a piece of junk to me.
Daisaku: No, I don’t think so… If I remember right, this looks like one of those experimental energy sources from 10 years ago… I learned about that a while ago.
Tetsugyuu: Grr… know-it-all. But what does it have to do with anything?
Go: It’s the source of everything that’s happened to the base. Yes… with this, it would be possible to recreate the Tragedy of Bashtarle. Is that not correct, Professor Shizuma?!
Shizuma: Uurgh… ngh…
Go: Please, Professor! Tell us what this is! Do you really want to allow something like that to happen again!?
Shizuma: Ungh… aagh… Aggh! I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry! I’ll tell you everything, Go! Just… save me! Save me! I never should have went through with a that experiment 10 years ago!
Daisaku: Professor…
Shizuma: You must protect me from Volger! Please!
Ginrei: Volger!? Then, you mean, Von Volger is still…
???: That’s enough of that talk, if you please.

Uranus appears on the map, with Ivan at the controls

Vega: Damn it!
Daisaku: That’s a BF robot!
Ivan: Now, if you would, hand over that case and the good professor.

Explosions rock the car and the Valkyrie

Vega: Watch out!
Daisaku: Uwaagh!

Robo: OHM
Chuujou: What’s wrong!? Move Robo to the surface so we can evacuate!
Operator: We can’t! It’s trying to launch on its own! But, Daisaku hasn’t sent a call sign…

Several explosions, then Robo appears on the map

Operator: What power! It’s ouput is at 50 times that of normal!
Chuujou: Could it be… does Robo have some sort of auto-guard circuit that senses when its operator’s life is in danger…?

Taiso: Robo!? Why did it launch?
Alberto: Here’s my chance!

Battle scene- Taiso VS Alberto

Alberto attacks, dealing critical damage

Taiso: Nuwaagh!
Alberto: What’s wrong, Taiso? You should pay more attention. Now, die.
Taiso: Aagggh! (Daisaku… it can’t be… is he in some kind of danger?!)
Alberto: How’s that? Now you’ll endure the pain I felt when you took my right eye!
Chuujou: Have you gotten into contact with Daisaku yet?! Can you send reinforcements to Taiso?
Operator: No, sir! The lines of communication have been disrupted!
Chuujou: Hmm… I see. Then there’s no other choice. All personnel, evacuate the base! I’m going into battle!
Operator: C-chief!
???: Wait a moment, Chief. There’s no need for Chuujou the Silent to enter the fray because of this. Let us handle it.
Chuujou: Ahh, you’re here! Issei and Youshi!
Youshi (of Giant Robo): We’re heading to your position! Just hold on a bit longer!
Chuujou: Understood. We’re counting on you.
Youshi: Come, Issei! Our opponent is the fearsome Magnificent 10!
Issei(of Giant Robo): Perhaps so! But when we stick together, there is nothing we cannot overcome!
Youshi: Indeed! And we’ll show those evildoers a thing or two!

Issei and Youshi appear on the map.

Ko Enshaku: …!

Whipping noise

Alberto: Kuagh! How dare you!? I almost had him!
Ko Enshaku: …

Issei and Youshi open fire on Alberto

Alberto: Nngh…! I see! Cursed small fry…
Issei: Hoho! Can you not see that you’ve already succumbed to my Taoist sorcery? Even a member of the 10 will find it difficult to escape!
Alberto: …humph. No matter. My attack was only a diversion. Ivan, Robo is heading toward your position. I’ll leave the rest to you.
Ivan; Understood, sir!
Alberto: Taiso… we’ll meet again!

Alberto retreats off the map

Youshi: Damn those magnificent 10...
Taiso: Nngh… Daisaku… is he alright?

Vega: This is bad… I’ve got to hold out for reinforcements for a bit longer…
Ivan: You’re quite skilled, but Uranus is simply too powerful for your unit. Oh? Perfect. Your giant friend has arrived.
Daisaku: Robo!

Robo rushes over

Battle Scene: Robo VS Uranus

Giant Robo uses the small missile attack, but does no damage due to Uranus’s barrier

Ginrei: Oh no! The attack had no effect!
Vega: A barrier…
Ivan: This special barrier won’t be so easily broken. But, I suppose you should try your best. Now, if you continue to persist, that’s your choice, but I too have a duty to fulfill.
Daisaku: N-no, I won’t!
Robo: !!

Screen flashes

Ivan: Oh-ho, I see. It seems that Robo can’t control his power output when you’re in danger. It’s quite useless. And sad, in a way. The master he’s trying so desperately to save cares more about a case than he.
Daisaku: R-robo… it’s okay… you can stop…
???: Not quite yet, Daisaku, my boy! Just a bit more!
Daisaku: E-eh!? That voice…

Ares C-13 appears on the map

Julius: Looks like I’ve made you wait! My apologies! Shall we, Rock?
Rock: Mm! I’m positive I’ve made the correct calculations!
Julius: Then let’s give our huge pharaoh friend a hand!

Battle scene: Ares-C13 VS Uranus

Julius uses the focused EMP Mortar attack on the Uranus, causing light damage but breaking the barrier

Ivan: U-uwaaaagh! M-my barrier…
Daisaku: M-mister Julius!
Tetsugyuu: That guy… what an entrance!
Julius: Now it’s your turn, Mega Man! Get the poor folks out of danger!
Rock: Got it! Here I go!

Mega Man appears on the map next to Uranus

Mega Man: You’re Mister Julius’s friends, right? Don’t worry, leave this to me!
Vega: An android…? Very well! Daisaku, Ginrei, Tetsugyuu, Go-sensei, Professor Shizuma! Let’s get away from here!
Ivan: How dare you!? How dare you…
Julius: My EMP mortar can short circuit any barrier your idiot engineers could come up with, I’m afraid. With a little help from Rock’s calculations, I hit you right in the sweet spot.
Ivan: Damn you! I -will- have that case! We must recreate the tragedy of Bashtarle!

4 BF Robots appear on the map, as well as six squads of R92 Savages, three squads of GM s, three squads of Zakus, and three squads of Mechanical Beasts

Julius: Goodness, they’ve got more firepower with them than I bargained for.

The White Base and the Daiku Maryu arrive on the map. Everyone deploys ( you can choose yourself this time. 12 squad limit.)

Kaine: Woohoo! We made it in time!
Julius: Well, if it isn’t the White Base! …and gigantic blue dragon!
Ryu: That’s the Daiku Maryu, Julius! We’ll explain later- for now, let’s get Daisaku and the rest out of trouble!
Shiro: Yeah! Let’s make our first battle as a special forces unit count!
Gai: I like the sound of that! Come on, guys!
Kouji: Alright! I don’t really know what’s going on, but to hell with that!
Hokuto: Miss Vega, are you okay?!
Vega: Hokuto… yes, I’m fine, thanks to that man’s timely arrival.
Julius: You flatter me, miss!
Tetsugyuu: Hey, you! Are you serious about recreating the Tragedy of Bashtarle?
Kenji: Eh? Tragedy of Bashtarle? The hell’s that?
Musashi: Hell if I know.
Amuro: It was a cataclysmic event that happened ten years ago… a group of scientists were experimenting with a new energy source and they accidentally eradicated a small country when it malfunctioned.
Kenji: Oh. Got it.
Kyou: Hmph. I can’t fault you too much for not knowing. It’s not a widely documented event. Mankind judged it best simply to forget about it.
Ivan: Why you… how dare you speak of it in such a way! Of course I’m serious- the BF group’s aim is world domination, after all. Even if it’s been wiped from the history books… it cannot be erased from our memories!
Ryouma: What are you babbling about?! The past is the past!
Tap: We don’t give a damn about what hangups you have about something that happened a decade ago!
Ivan: Be silent! Ten years ago, 5 scientists gathered together for the purpose of inventing a new energy source to compliment the Minovsky Drive. However! Failure after failure! Their theory was flimsy and implementation impossible. In the end, the rash action of Professor Franken Von Volger resulted in the forgotten tragedy! That which this case holds… is a prototype of that defective drive!
Light: So that’s what the Professor was trying to protect…
Sousuke: I see… to prevent another incident from being created, he safeguarded the sample.
Mao: And when BF went after him, he took it and ran to IPO and Mithril.
Ivan: Indeed! Volger activated an incomplete and untested sample in his haste… and the uncontrolled energy eradicated a huge area! Then the world forgot that poor, small country, branded as a place of bad fortune. Now, no country by the name of Bashtarle exists… my homeland was destroyed and abandoned. Ahaha… ahahaaaahhahaa!
Garis: And what right does this bestow upon you to endanger the lives of others!?
Boss: Quit messin’ around and fight us already! All this talk is making my head hurt!
Ivan: All in due time! But it doesn’t end there! The true tragedy…
Shizuma: Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up!
Vega: Professor Shizuma! What are you…!?
Shizuma: I will risk my life on this atonement! Forgive me, Von Volger!
Ginrei: Professor, you mustn’t! He’s activating it…!
Ivan: Uaaah!

A brilliant green flash of light

Go: This… this is just like ten years ago…
Kai: J-just what the hell is this?!
Mirai: Bright! I’m getting some strange readings from the generator…
Bright: Sayla, confirm it!
Sayla: Roger! There aren’t any problems, but the output is slightly irregular.
Karen: Commander, same here. Be careful.
Nuke: Hey, look at the streetlights! They’re all going out!
Rosa: Could this be some kind of energy suppressant phenomenon…?
Ruru: Captain! I’m picking up massive energy readings!
Mega Man: J-just what is this feeling!? It feels like someone’s tugging at me…
Sakon(H): Captain, this phenomenon appears to have the ability to suppress energy production to a certain point. We are more or less unaffected because we use extremely powerful energy sources, but a wide scale black out is in progress on land.
Garis: I see…! So, it truly is the second coming of the Tragedy of Bashtarle!
Sayaka: Just what is going on here…?
Kouji: I dunno, but the Photon Power reactor is just fine…
Gai: GaiGar’s in perfect condition as well.
Frau: Captain! GGG’s Professor Shishioh is saying that the areas powered by nuclear reactors and the experimental Photon and Getter Energy plants are all unaffected as well.
Ivan: I see… so only one sample can do this much, hm?
Hayato: Ryou, the Getter Reactor is all green. Not so much as a discontented rumble.
Ryouma: This is strange…
Vega: You two! How are the batteries?!
Hokuto: Everything seems to be okay, Miss Vega…
Chuujou: So, this must mean… their plan is to recreate the true terror of that Tragedy, the still energy phenomenon. For a week after that day, a huge radius around that area was nearly incapable of producing energy. Only the most powerful of nuclear reactors remained active. But… how?!
Shizuma: Forgive me, Go-sensei! This is all my fault! Anything I say now will only seem like an excuse. But… I will tell you all the truth! What truly happened on that day! Wh-

Gunshot

Sanders: The Professor! Someone’s shot him!
Eledore: Damn it! It must have been that bald bastard!
Ivan: Curse you, you half-dead old man! So your gambit was to reveal our intentions… very well! Then I’ll crush those who oppose Big Fire here and now!
EnRyu: Now we’re talking! Bring it on, baldy!
Garis: Rongo, take us in! Prepare to combat the enemy!
Rongo: Aye aye sir! Daiku Maryu, combat speed!
Puria: Alright! That energy suppression field’s got nothing on the Hydroroot engines we use!
Lee: We’ll just have to show him he’ll need a fancier trick to get the better of us.
Daiya: Alright! Let’s go, everyone!
Shiro: Damn that Big Fire… looks like they’ve stolen tech from all over. Use caution, guys! The enemy’s got a diverse force!
Julius: The Ares’s power generator wasn’t affected either… stands to reason. This baby’s packing heat enough for two.
Ginrei: Such a thing… I’ll put a stop to it! I’m going to remove the sample!
Tetsugyuu: O-oi, Ginrei, be careful!
Ginrei: There!
Shizuka: And there it goes…that was odd.
Tsubaki: At any rate, let’s get going! We can’t let this creep get away- if we catch him here, we might be able to stop their future plans!
Daisaku: Robo… I’m sorry. Will you fight together with me again?
Robo: OHM

Begin battle

Mega Man VS Enemy

Mega Man: That feeling… Is that what it feels like to lose power…? I’ve got to stop these people, or everyone could be in danger!

Julius VS Enemy

Julius: Well, it’s back in the trenches. Today’s victim: Big Fire! Come on then, Ares, let’s not lag behind. I can tell I’m going to look forward to witnessing all of those glorious machines the Daiku Maryu has on board.

Jeeg Cast VS Enemy

Kenji: Aww, whatever! Spacenoids, Jama Empire, Big Fire… it’s making my head spin! I’ll just blow ‘em up and not worry about the details.
Kyou: I wouldn’t expect anything more of you, Kenji. Though, it’s strange… what could they be aiming for? To create a powerful enough energy suppressant field to stop any kind of power…?
Yagyuu: We don’t have time to worry about that now. Build Angels, scramble! Be careful of the more accurate enemies!

Gaiking Cast VS Enemy

Daiya: It’s our first battle back on the surface, huh? Though it’s hardly the same surface it was when we left…
Puria: No kidding. Everything’s gone to hell in a hand basket.
Lee: Ah well. Such is the task we must perform. We’d better not lose face in front of our new Feddie allies.
Yanma: Fat chance of that! Let’s go, you all!
Hashio: Roger!
Bubi: Roger!

Daisaku VS Enemy

Daisaku: Robo… we can’t let them get away with this! We’ve got to take down that robot and catch that man! Professor Shizuma… hang in there…

Mithril VS Enemy

Sousuke: The Big Fire Group… I wonder. Could they be after Kaname Chidori?
Kurz: Guess anything’s possible, but I don’t think they’d be interested in a pretty girl like that. They strike me as pretty… eccentric.
Mao: Knock it off, Urzu 6. This is Urzu 2- provide covering fire for the larger, less mobile units. Don’t let that man escape!

Kouji and his merry band VS Enemy

Kouji: There are mechanical beasts here too!? Does that mean they’re in league with Dr. Hell!?
Sayaka: It’s possible, but I don’t think so… they probably just rebuilt them from the remains of one of our battles.
Boss: Who cares! The great Boss will smite evil in any form, any day!
Kouji: That reminds me, Boss- was the Borot still moving when that Energy suppressant phenomenon hit?
Nuke: Nah, the engine was shut down cold. But we had a secret weapon!
Sayaka: Secret weapon…?
Mucha: We peddled it like a bike!
Boss: Bwahaa! Those science types think of everything!
Kouji: Uhh… right…

Anyone VS Ivan

Ivan: My plans… ruined! Lord Alberto will be most displeased! But if I can achieve victory here… then a great obstacle will have been removed!

Daisaku VS Ivan

Ivan: Damn you, Giant Robo…!  What power…!
Daisaku: Robo! We might not know the truth right now… but we know what’s right and wrong! Don’t show him any mercy! We’ve got to capture him!

Half of the enemy force shot down/Uranus Shot down

Ivan: Curses… if it comes down to it!
Karen: Heh. You BF guys aren’t so great.
Kaine: You stupid criminals don’t have a chance against our combined strength!
Kouji: You’re talking my language, Kaine!
Michiru: !! Oh no! Everyone, there’s a high energy reaction coming from the Uranus!
Operator: I’m picking it up too!
Sayla: At this rate, it’ll probably self destruct!
Bright: Damn it! All personnel, brace for impact!
Julius: Mega man, get out of there! You won’t be able to take the full on impact without some kind of protection!
Ginrei: Daisaku, run! You’re not in a cockpit!
Ivan: This is where we part! Farewell! Uranus, emergency detachment!
???: W-we’ll just have to see about that one!
Akira: Hey, I recognize that voice!

Umbralius appears on the map

Cammie: Gotta hurry! I can’t let that thing blow…!

Battle scene: Umbralius VS Uranus

Umbralius uses the Ring of Fire attack on the Uranus, knocking it out

Ivan: Uwagh! Damn you!
Umbralius: I thought that high energy reaction would lead us to something worthwhile.
Cammie: Everyone! You’re all okay!
Akira: Cammie! You made it!
Sayaka: Thank god!
Garis: When you disappeared, we feared the worst!
Ryouma: You made it back in the nick of time!
Julius: Oh? A missing friend of yours? (What’s with that design… is that a tophat?!)
Shizuka: Right. She went missing after the Genesis event. This is the first time we’ve seen her since then.
Ivan: Blast it all… I’ve no choice! I’ll withdraw!

Uranus retreats

Tap: Yeah, you’d better run, you beak nosed freak!
Ryu: Looks like for all his talk, he wasn’t much.
Bright: All units, don’t lose focus! We still have to take care of the remaining enemies!
Sanders: Roger that, Captain! We can’t let them get any farther.
Shiro: Let’s wrap this up, team!
Gai: The sooner we can finish this and figure out what to do next, the better!

Volfogg appears on the map

Volfogg: Pardon my lateness, Captain.
Gai: Eh? You’re… you’re the new mechanoid Volfogg, right?
Mega Man: Awesome! I didn’t even see him coming!
Volfogg: Yes sir. I had other business to attend to while this attack commenced. I apologize for not arriving earlier.
EnRyu: Better late than never! Come on, join the party!
HyoRyu: …what are we going to do with you…


-All enemies shot down-

Lee: My my… we’ve had quite a day.
Shizuma: urrgh…
Ginrei: Everyone, the Professor’s in bad shape! We’ve got to get him some help!
Garis: Understood. Daiku Maryu, prepare to land!
Rongo: Roger!

-Daiku Maryu Medical Bay-

Go: Doctor Franken… I take it the Professor is…
Doctor Franken (of Gaiking, not Giant Robo!): …I’m sorry. I did everything I could. But the Professor was not a strong man to begin with… his age has only made him weaker.
Shizuma: D-daisaku…
Daisaku: Yes, Professor?
Shizuma: I beg of you… stop Volger! You and your friends… you’re the only ones that can do it… as long as we have these super-energy sources, even if the third sample falls into their hands, there’s still a chance…
Daisaku: I understand, Professor… I promise I’ll protect the world.
Shizuma: Good… that’s good… if only… I could go back and do things… differently… at least this way… you know at least something of their plans…
Ginrei: Professor…
Shizuma: Forgive a foolish old man… urgh… kugh…
Dr. Franken: …he’s gone.
Daisaku: P-professor… Professor! Ahh… ahh…
Ginrei: …
Tetsugyuu: Ginrei…
Ginrei: Why must people always forget the unsavory incidents of the past? It only leads to tragedy…
Garis; That is something we can only find the answer to inside of ourselves…
Sakon(H): Captain, Chief Chuujou wishes to speak with you.
Garis; Understood, Sakon-sensei. I’ll be there right away.

-Daiku Maryu Bridge-

Chuujou: Captain, thank you for coming to our aid so quickly.
Garis: It was nothing, Chief Chuujou. What’s your take on this matter?
Chuujou: There can be no doubt about it- Big Fire plans to harness the energy suppressant phenomenon in some way. We just don’t know how yet. Our finest intelligence operatives are currently working around the clock to find any information of use.
Go: Captain… if it’s not too much of an imposition, I would like you to look after the sample aboard the Daiku Maryu. After today’s events, I feel that it is the safest place we can put it.
Rosa: I agree, Captain. They would have a more difficult time against a such a heavily armed mobile warship.
Garis: Mm. Sakon-sensei, may I entrust it to your safekeeping?
Sakon(H): Yes, Captain. I’ll keep it safe and study it as best I can.
Chuujou: Then, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to the damaged base.
Garis: Of course. Let us know if we can assist with anything.
Daisaku: Um, Chief… what should Robo and I do?
Chuujou: Hmm… for now, I’m assigning you to this special forces unit as IPO’s representative. Until we determine Big Fire’s next move, we have little else for you to do…
Daisaku: Understood, sir! I’ll do my best!
Chuujou: Also, Ginrei… We are preparing “that”. When it is ready, I’d like you to stay on as well.
Ginrei: H-huh!? Chief, don’t joke around! You I know I hate that thing!
Go: It can’t be helped, Ginrei. We need all the firepower we can muster.
Ginrei: Ohh, all right.
Chuujou: Tetsugyuu, I’d like you to come with me to IPO headquarters for now. We have many preparations to make.
Tetsugyuu: Got it, Chief!
Go: Goodbye for now, Daisaku. Don’t worry- we’ll keep in touch. Remember Professor Shizuma’s words…
Daisaku: Yes, Go-Sensei. I’ll see you later.

Footsteps

Ruru: What a mess… Poor professor Shizuma.
Rongo: Yeah, he deserved better than that. Still… he was resolved to die, and you have to admire him for that.
Rosa: Captain… what do you think of all this?
Garis: It’s hard to say, Rosa. It’s obvious that Big Fire is a dangerous enemy, but our information is woefully lacking. All we can do for now is wait. Taking the initiative under these circumstances is impossible…

-Daiku Maryu Cafeteria-

Kaine: Maaan, this place is awesome compared to the white base! And I’m not just saying that because it’s a giant space dragon!
Puria: Heh, of course! The Daiku Maryu isn’t just a battleship, it’s a home! It’s spacious and comfortable, not like some military vessel.
Amuro: I’m kind of jealous… the White Base is a little stifling sometimes.
Kouji: It doesn’t really look that big from the outside- how does it fit all the mecha and stuff inside it?
Kai: Mostly, a lot of hard work and wishful thinking.
Hayato: Not that Kai did any of that work, but yeah, we’re pretty cramped in there.
Cammie: So, Tusbaki, what have I missed while I was out and about?
Tsubaki: A whole lot! Do you know what’s happened to the planet?
Cammie: Yeah, Umbralius and I managed to piece it together.
Julius: Umbralius? Who’s that?
Cammie: That’s the name of my machine. Someone or something lives inside it, somehow… he and I talk a lot. He always has some interesting information to share.
Julius: I see! So, an advanced artificial intelligence?
Cammie: I’m not sure, honestly… I don’t know where Umbralius came from or how it was made, so it could be anything.
Julius: How very mysterious! I’m just dying to take a look!
Hayato(Getter): Heh… quite the enthusiast, are we?
Julius: Of course! How could one not be interested in such mysteries?
Rock: He did the same thing to me when we first met… he’s an excitable guy. He’s kind of weird, to be honest.
Hokuto: T-then he’ll fit right in, I think. What do you mean, he did the same thing to you…?
Rock: Oh, right- my name’s Rock. I’m a robot created by Dr. Light.
Ginga: R-really!? You don’t look like a robot to me!
Sousuke: Fascinating… I’d heard that research had gone into miniature arm-slaves, but this is truly impressive.
Mao: Hey, Sousuke, he might be a robot, but he’s not something to just gawk at. If we couldn’t tell that he was until now, I think we should treat him just like a normal person.
Rock: T-thank you, ma’am.
Julius: Oh, right, that brings to mind some news I have to relate… Rock here is tagging along with me because he’s on something of a rescue mission.
Light: Rescue mission? Of what kind?
Rock: You see, Dr. Light used to have a partner, Dr. Wily. Dr. Wily stole the six robot masters they made together and now he’s trying to take over the world.
Kenji: Heh. Tell him to get in line.
Cammie: I also have a bit of news- I’ve met with the people that live in the second world.
Kyou: Really?! Is this true? Please, tell us.
Cammie: C-calm down, Kyou. I wouldn’t have brought it up if I wasn’t going to tell you about it. You see, they’re pretty much the same as us, as far as I could tell. Similar culture, nearly identical geography… the really amazing thing is that in that world, there’s these creatures.
Gai: Creatures? What do you mean?
Cammie: It’s really hard to explain… like, take for example a dog.
Hokuto: Like my dog, Jupiter?
Cammie: Sure. So, take Jupiter. In that world, he’d still look like a dog, but he’d breathe fire.
Ginga: H-huh!? Don’t joke around! That dog hates me as it is!
Gai: So you’re saying that in the second world, the native life forms are seemingly similar to ours, but they have special abilities.
Cammie: Yeah, basically. The really bizarre thing is that there’s a whole subculture devoted to what is basically a socially accepted form of cockfighting.
Amuro: …huh? How does that work?
Cammie: I saw it first hand and I still don’t really know. The locals call it Pokemon Battling.
Kenji: Pogeyman? Is that what those things are called?
Cammie: Yes. It’s a portmanteau of the words Pocket and Monster. What the folks over there lack in space travel and mobile weaponry, they make up for in mind boggling matter manipulation technology.
Rock: Matter manipulation? Like, teleportation?
Cammie: Sort of. All I know is that they can fit something twice as big as me in a ball about as big as your fist.
Kurz: Without any undue mangling or bone displacement? Impressive!
Hayato: It seems we’ve got some interesting new neighbors. How did you learn all this?
Cammie: Well, after the Genesis event… Umbralius and I were thrown back in time to their world before it happened. Then I met a guy named Professor Oak, and the rest is history.
Tsubaki: Wow… well, at least we’re all back together again.
Akira: Yeah, you really had us worried. When someone disappears in the middle of all hell breaking loose like that, you kind of fear the worst.
Cammie: Speaking of that… I don’t mean to be rude to any of you, or anything, but what are we doing with a Federation warship?
Julius: I’m curious as well. Imagine my surprise when I found you fellows teamed up with a gigantic blue dragon without a head?
Daiya: The Captain went and negotiated with Chief Taiga. We’re a special forces unit now!
Sousuke: In other words, the White Base and the Daiku Maryu are affiliated with the Federation, but have nearly complete autonomy.
Gai: The Chief said that our official purpose was to “Respond to all threats to mankind and the general welfare of the denizens of this world, past and present.”
Kyou: Which is essentially another way of saying that we’re to continue on as we were, but in a broader spectrum.
Cammie: I see… well, it’s nice to meet everyone from the White Base. …say, do we have a name?
Ryu: Now that you mention it, we don’t.
Musashi: The “White Base and Daiku Maryu” doesn’t really roll off the tongue… we should probably think of something.
Mao: Captain Garis and Lieutenant Bright have more important things to think about, so why don’t we handle it?
Kurz: Alright! The floor is open to suggestions!
Kouji: That’s an easy one! How about Kouji Kabuto and his Merry ban- ouch! What was that for, Sayaka?
Sayaka: I swear, you do this every time! Now knock it off.
Ginga: How about the name of our Judo Team? The Roaring Tigers!
Kaine: Ehh… sounds a little self-important. I’d hate to end up like that Blue Hawk guy.
Kai: Maybe “The Ships of Fools.” I can’t think of a better name.
Lee: Aren’t we the positive one?
Hayato(Gundam): You get used to what a jerk Kai is after a while.
Kai: Yeah, yeah.
Rock: Hmm… perhaps… Lemniscate Knights?
Kaine: Ehh? Wuzzat mean? Lemon skates?
Kyou: Lemniscate… the mathematical symbol for infinity. Interesting…
Rock: Well, I was just thinking. From what Mister Julius told me, and from what I’ve heard from everyone else, it seems to me that if everyone works together, there’s no limit to what they can do.
Daiya: Hehe, when you put it like that…
Boss: But what about Knights? You mean like those old soldiers in medieval England?
Rock: Right. A Knight is someone who protects the weak and upholds justice. Isn’t that what you do?
Sousuke: It’s highly romanticized, but that’s accurate in essence.
Kouji: Well, I like my idea best, but I’d be willing to along with that!
Kurz: The judge’s panel is in agreement! Any objections from the floor?
Amuro: Well, Julius? Cammie?
Julius: Hmm…
Cammie: …well, I think…

This is of course where you can name your special forces squad. For the sake of the narrative, let’s just assume they go along with the name Rock has suggested.

Cammie: Well, I like Lemniscate Knights, too. It’s kind of… highbrow, but it’s got a nice ring to it.
Julius: Naming things has never been my forte, so for the sake of expediency, I’ll go along with it as well.
Kurz: Then it’s settled! From now on, we’re the Lemniscate Knights!
Michiru: I’m impressed that you were able to think up that name, Rock.
Rock: It just kind of came to me. I guess it’s the way I saw you fight against Big Fire earlier…
Akira: The Lemniscate Knights… well, that’s that! Let’s hope for a bright future, everyone!

-???-

Ivan: My sincerest apologies, Lord Alberto. I was unable to recover the case.
Alberto: Mm… it’s fine. I wouldn’t have expected such a large force to come so quickly. At the very least, Shizuma is out of the way. And we now know the limits of what just one sample can do.
Ivan: They possess great power, Lord Alberto… could even three samples together stop them?
Alberto: That… I don’t know. This could be Big Fire’s greatest battle. Damn that Genya… he’d better hurry with his preparations. Or our chance will be lost in this world in flux…

-END CHAPTER-

-???-

Julius: Nggh… ughkugh… what a hangover… must have been the tequila….
???: Oh, you’re awake!
Julius: Oomfg! Not quite so loud, my dear… the old noggin is pounding.
???: It should be! When we found you in your cockpit, you were out cold with a bleeding forehead…
Julius: …so I wasn’t bombed beyond rational thought… Oh, that’s right. That Zackary character arrived and introduced me to his oversized mallet… Miss, where am I? I’m grateful that I’m not in a dumpster, but I’m not at all familiar with my surroundings.
???: You’re in the laboratory of Doctor Thomas Light! My name’s Roll, his housekeeper.
Julius: And a lovely housekeeper the good doctor has. My thanks for your hospitality, Roll.
Roll: Hang on just a second and I’ll go get him. He wanted me to tell him when you woke up.

Footsteps

Julius: Doctor Thomas Light… ahh, that’s right. One of the world’s greatest robotic geniuses. I had heard he kept an informal little lab somewhere in Japan… goodness, life can be strange.

Footsteps

Dr. Light: Well, well, my boy! Looks like you’ve finally come around. You had my little Roll worried for a while there.
Julius: Oh, I’m made of pretty stern stuff, sir. I’ve been through worse. There was this one time with a bottle of vodka and a “ring the bell to get a prize” game… but I digress. Thank you very much, Doctor.
Dr. Light: Oh, it was no trouble. I couldn’t just let you lie about on my front lawn in that condition while the sky fell down on us all.
Julius: Speaking of that… what I have missed while I was otherwise occupied?
Dr. Light: Quite a lot, young man. Your dogtags read Lieutenant Julius Crowley. You’re a military man, I assume?
Julius: I am, but don’t tell anyone. They all think I’m an croquet expert exploring new ways to play the game.
Roll: You’re weird, you know that? But, that explains why you were in that giant robot… there was a big battle going on with the Federation and the Dinosaur Empire when it all happened.
Dr. Light: You see, Julius, a short while before we found you, the world seemed to be ending. The seas were boiling, the sky was turning colors, and the Zone went up in the most spectacular display of fireworks humankind has ever seen.
Julius: Mm, I remember that much… what became of that shadowy dragon, I wonder…
Roll: Nobody knows! Not even Dr. Light or Dr. Wily could figure it out. It just sort of popped up and then disappeared.
Julius: So, doctor, what was the end result?
Dr. Light: The most extraordinary thing this old man has ever witnessed. As soon as the connection went back up, we saw live footage from space- new landmasses had appeared as if by magic all over the globe, and the planet has actually increased in surface area.
Julius: …what!? That’s impossible! Don’t kid a poor boy, Doctor!
Roll: It’s all true, Mr. Crowley. Right now, every scientific mind in the world is trying to figure out just what happened and why the Earth’s orbit and atmosphere haven’t changed dramatically. Dr. Light’s partner Dr. Wily has taken over for him at the moment.
Dr. Light: It’s really quite something. Strange creatures have appeared, and floating islands dot the skyline. It’s a brand new world out there, my boy.
Julius: You’re taking it quite well, sir!
Dr. Light: Oh, make no mistake, I was as panicky as a chicken sans its head a few hours back. But now that things have kind of settled down, the good old scientific method has kicked in and we’re all too busy to really lose our heads. The Federation declared a state of emergency for the time being until they can sort this out and make sure that who or whatever has arrived with the new real-estate isn’t out for blood.
Julius: I see… we could really do without this. It was hard enough already… Is there any idea how it happened?
Dr. Light: Well, only hypotheses at this point. But the prevailing school of thought that something happened in the Zone to create a space-time anomaly of unprecedented scale. There’s enough of a mystery to last the scientific community for years to come.
Julius: Glad to hear it. If you don’t mind me asking, what became of my unit and my machine?
Roll: Don’t worry about it! Everyone you were fighting with looked like they made it out okay, and we’re repairing your giant robot right now.
Julius: Good, good. I’m really in your debt. I can’t offer much, but if there’s something I can do for you…
Dr. Light: Nonsense, Julius, nonsense! Tell you what, if you feel up to it, I’ll give you a tour of the lab and show you some of our more extraordinary creations!
Julius: I wouldn’t miss it for another cataclysm. Lead on, good doctor.

-Doctor Light’s Lab-

Dr. Light: You see, my partner, Albert Wily, and I have just finished work on a new series of androids. Our goal is to create machinery not for war, but for the betterment of all of our lives. We felt that it was important to look beyond the wars in space.
Julius: I see, I see. Very wise of you. It seems that military research has overshadowed all other scientific pursuit in recent years.
Dr. Light: Mm. I’m surprised to hear that from a Lieutenant.
Julius: I really only joined so I could work with machinery. It’s been my passion since childhood.
Dr. Light: Is that so? Well, then you’ll certainly get a kick out of this! Come on out, everyone! Introduce yourselves! We’ve got a visitor.

Robotic footsteps

Cutman: A visitor, Doctor Light? Really?
Iceman: Hurray! Company!
Elecman: Is that so? I thought our public unveiling had been delayed.
Gutsman: Hwa hwa hwa! This is great! I’ve been itching to strut my stuff!
Bombman: No kidding. I can’t wait to start blowing things up again.
Fireman: Aren’t we all excited today? I’m burning up, myself.
Rock: Hehe. That’s because your head is on fire.
Fireman: I can’t argue with that kind of logic.
Julius: My word! These lively fellows are androids?
Dr. Light: Correct! They’re our pride and joy. A father couldn’t be closer to his children. There’s eight in all: Cutman, Iceman, Elecman, Gutsman, Bombman, Fireman, and Rock. You’ve already met Roll.
Julius: …she’s a robot as well? I’m well and truly impressed, Doctor.
Roll: You’d better be! The doctors worked really hard to build us!
Julius: Speaking of which, where is this other doctor you keep telling me about?
Dr. Light: Oh, Albert is no doubt out and about getting some field data on the recent crisis. Well, everyone, why don’t we tell Julius about ourselves?
Cutman: Okay! I’m Cutman! I was made for anything that has to do with slicing, dicing, or cutting! Timber felling, complex surgery, cutting metal for parts and machinery, you name it.
Iceman: Heehee! My name’s Iceman! I love the cold and everything about it. I think Doctor Light wanted me to explore the arctic and deep undersea, and help put out forest fires and stuff…
Dr. Light: Exactly right, Iceman. Very good.
Elecman: They call me Elecman. With the continuing advancement of nuclear energy, like the Minovsky Drive, it’s necessary to be able to monitor them closely. My specialty is monitoring and controlling any kind of large amount of energy.
Gutsman: That guy’s always obsessed with details! Not me, though! The name’s Gutsman! I’m… uh… a wilderness reclamation robot! …hey, doc, what’s that mean again?
Dr. Light: Ohoho! Elecman might pay a bit too much attention to the smaller things, but you don’t even given them a thought! By wilderness reclamation, we mean any number of things. You see, Gutsman’s talent is his great strength in a relatively compact form. Thus, he can easily perform the necessary manual labor for the reclamation of natural habitats.
Gutsman: Right! Thanks, doc! Not only that, but I can do rescue work, construction, and pump enough iron to build a boat!
Elecman: …he could probably lift the boat and all, that fellow.
Bombman: Hoohoo, me next! I’m Bombman! If it goes boom, then I’m an expert on it. Whenever something needs to be blown up, I’ll be there to make it go smoothly. It’s a dream job, I tell ya. The Doc tells me that my first gig will be a lunar mining expedition. Not sure what we’ll find up there, but hell if I care.
Julius: I-I’m sure he values your enthusiasm nonetheless, Bombman.
Fireman: I’m next, huh? Fireman’s the name. My job’s waste disposal. You wouldn’t believe how much trash you guys make. Dumping it into space is all well and good, but that’s not always an option, and if too much up there accumulates, it’s impossible for stuff like radar to work or for shuttles to get through.
Julius: You’ve a point there, Fireman. I’ve seen the remains of some of the fiercer battles we’ve waged. It’s like a floating junkyard.
Dr. Light: And last but not least, we have Rock, here. He’s my very capable assistant.
Julius: (Rock… and Roll…? Har…)
Rock: It’s nice to meet you, Mister Julius! I don’t really have any big jobs like everyone else, but I try to help the doctors and Roll out as much as I can around the lab.
Roll: Hey now, Rock, don’t sell ourselves short, here! If it wasn’t for us, those two old men would be living in a pigsty and eating nothing but instant noodles!
Dr. Light: N-now, Roll, that’s a bit of an exaggeration…
Julius: Well, from tragedy comes happiness. If I hadn’t been nearly blown to pieces, I never would have met any of you. And the very thought fills me with sadness. Can you tell me a bit about their construction, Doctor?
Dr. Light: Certainly! It’s no secret. We had a bit of a problem in the beginning- our creations would be doing, in some cases, some very strenuous and dangerous work. A strong frame and body would be necessary. But the only materials we could think of were simply too bulky and inflexible. Then we had a bit of a breakthrough- with some help from the late Juuzou Kabuto, Albert and I created a special kind of metal that is both extremely protective and very malleable.
Julius: Juuzou Kabuto… he was killed in a terrorist attack about a week ago, correct? If I recall, he was an expert in the field of alloys, and had developed a new kind of energy source utilizing photons.
Dr. Light: Indeed, indeed. The power cores we used are based on the Photonic Energy reactors, though we had to improvise a bit. Poor Juuzou… he was a dear friend of mine.
Julius: Hmm… and the AI? I can tell from simply speaking with them that it’s incredibly advanced.
Dr. Light: I don’t mean to brag, but it’s probably the most lifelike circuitry yet. They’d pass the Turing Test with flying colors. Hoho, they might even be able to convince the tester that they were the machine.
Elecman: Hmph. There’s nothing wrong with being human, but it doesn’t make you superior, either. Nobody of organic origin could match me in a contest of skill.
Rock: There you go again, Elecman. Nobody’s doubting your abilities.
Fireman: Taking pride in what you do is important, but you take it a bit too far.
Elecman: Say what you will.
Iceman: You’re so cool, Elecman!
Gutsman: Yeah, yeah. Right. What about yours truly!?
Cutman: Hehe. We love you too, Gutsman.
Bombman: Well, you folks are talking shop, so we’ll leave you be for now. C’mon, guys.
Dr. Light: Alright, alright. Rock, would you stay here? There’s a few things I’d like you to do.
Rock: Of course, Doctor Light.

Footsteps

Julius: They’re certainly a bunch of characters.
Dr. Light: Of course. We could have designed them as emotionless automatons, but… that would feel so empty when we can do so much more. Besides, a thinking mind has certain advantages…
Rock: What was it you wanted me to do, Doctor?
Dr. Light: Ah, yes. I just wanted you to give Julius a demonstration of your Variable Tool System.
Julius: Variable Tool System, you say?
Dr. Light: It might not seem particularly impressive or useful, but it actually took much more work to perfect than any of the others. You see, simply through mimicry, Rock can use almost any tool perfectly. Be it slicing an apple or welding a circuit board, Rock can do it.
Rock: Aw, it’s not that great.
Julius: On the contrary, that’s incredible! No need to give me a demonstration. The theory is more impressive than the application, sadly. …hmm…
Rock: Is something wrong, Mister Julius?
Julius: Well, I suppose so. As wonderful as seeing all this has been, there’s still the unsettled matter of the world’s somewhat chaotic new state.
Dr. Light: Indeed. What do you plan to do, young man?
Julius: …truth be told, I don’t know. I suppose I’ll have to head for GGG HQ at the earliest opportunity to see if I can get back with my unit. From there, it’s anyone’s guess.
Dr. Light: I see… sadly, I lack the facilities to really repair your machine, but we should be able to get it back in shape soon.
Julius: Well, I think I’ll go and help the labor. Nobody knows my darling better than I do, and I’m a darned good mechanic.

-???-

Albert Wily: …heh heh heh. It’s almost time. With the dimensional activity and the chaos its caused, there is no better time to strike. Thomas Light, damn you… always receiving all the credit, all the publicity, while I toiled on in obscurity. The world will recognize me after today!

-Begin Map-

The area around Dr. Light’s lab.

Julius: Phaw… Column 2 did a real number on my poor Ares. Give me a hand with this gun barrel, would you, Rock?
Rock: Sure thing! Wow… just what happened, anyway, Mister Julius? Your machine looks really battered.
Julius: I was introduced to the business end of a blacksmith’s hammer. It wasn’t pretty, no sir.
Roll: I brought you some lemonade, Mister Julius.
Julius: Why, thank you, Roll. This is rather thirsty work.
Rock: It’s hard to believe just a little while ago it was like the world was ending… now it’s just a normal sunny day.
Julius: Mm… the entire thing is very troubling. Now, where’d I put that wrench…

Explosions rock the lab

Rock: Uwah!
Roll: Eek! W-what’s going on!?
Julius: Tch! Just one thing after another…
Dr. Light: T-this is a catastrophe! S-someone’s stolen the Robot Masters!
Julius: Robot Masters?
Rock: It’s the official project name… this is terrible!
Julius: So, you mean, Fireman and the others have been…!?
???: Wahahaha! Exactly!
Dr. Light: T-that voice… it can’t be…

Dr. Wily’s UFO appears on the map

Dr. Wily: It’s me, Thomas! Doctor Albert Wily, ruler of the world!
Dr. Light: B-but… Albert, why?!
Dr. Wily: Why?! I’ll tell you why, you oblivious oaf! All of those sleepless nights we spent slaving over blueprints, constructing, perfecting, tuning! The blood, sweat, and the tears! But you were the only one to ever receive any recognition!
Dr. Light: I’m sorry, Albert! But I thought…
Dr. Wily: You thought nothing! We’re old, Thomas. All my life, I’ve toiled and slaved in obscurity, never gaining any glory or fame! The Robot Master project is just as much mine as yours, but the world will hail Doctor Thomas Light alone as the scientific genius!
Dr. Light: But glory isn’t the reason a scientist invents and discovers new things! It’s to better humanity why we work so hard!
Dr. Wily: Silence! I’ve had enough of that patronizing line of thinking! You’re a fool, Thomas! The Robot Masters we made… they’re more than just silly toys to “benefit humanity”!
Dr. Light: W-what?!
Dr. Wily: Did it never occur to you that each one of the six we made were immensely powerful weapons?!
Dr. Light: Albert! You can’t mean… that’s not why we made them..!
Dr. Wily: Who cares?! The world will be mine! And my first act as your ruler, I will wipe you off the face of the Earth!

3 squads of Metools and 3 sniper joes appear on the map

Roll: Oh no! Those must be combat robots!
Rock: W-where’d Dr. Wily get those?!
Dr. Light: This is terrible…

They open fire on the lab

Dr. Wily: Mwwaaahahahah! This is only a taste of my power! Now, perish!
Julius: …don’t be absurd, you senile old man.
Dr. Wily: W-what?! How dare you!?
Julius: Spare me your selfish ranting! Take over the entire galaxy for all I care, but if you think I’ll sit idly by while you threaten the people that have treated me so kindly, you’re sorely mistaken!
Rock: M-mister Julius…
Julius: You may have spirited away the other six Robot Masters, but I won’t let you lay a finger on Rock and Roll.
Dr. Wily: Those two worthless housekeepers!? Ha! I have no use for them! As for your foolish sentiment, I’ll crush it along with this lab!
Julius: Oh really now!? Then, let’s get this party started! Come on, Ares! We’ll have time to rest later!

The Ares C-13 arrives on the map, though only with half HP and EN

Dr. Wily: Hoohhahaha! You plan to challenge me with that busted piece of scrap metal? I don’t have time for this foolishness! But don’t worry- we’ll meet again if you manage to crawl out in one piece!

Dr. Wily leaves 3 more sniper joes and then retreats.

Dr. Light: Wait, Albert! …how could this have happened?
Julius: Doctor! I’ll handle these pint-sized combatants! Get to safety!
Dr. Light: But, Julius, you can’t with the Ares in that condition! You’re underestimating their combat potential!
Julius: I’m doing no such thing! I may be a flippant ne’er do well, but I never make the mistake of taking my opponent lightly! Don’t worry about me and head for higher ground!
Roll: What should we do, Doctor?!
Dr. Light: …if this is how it is… then I have no choice. Rock, Roll, come with me! There’s not a moment to lose!
Rock: Understood, Doctor Light!
Julius: Now then… shall we begin?

-Begin Battle-

Julius VS enemy

Note- The Ares’s Beam Launcher, EMP mortar and Zero Hour attacks are disabled

Julius: Damn it all, the weapons system is still shaky… this could get rough. Just what are these little fellows, anyway? If that Wily fellow made them, he knew what he was doing…

Turn 2

Julius: Don’t get too excited, you little terrors! I’m not done in yet!

-Inside Light’s lab-

Rock: Where are we going, Doctor?
Dr. Light: Rock… I hadn’t imagined that this would happen. But… I was afraid that someone might use the other Robot Masters for evil. I had no idea that it would be Albert, of all people, but… I created a countermeasure.
Roll: Countermeasure?
Dr. Light: Yes… Rock has a hidden power. His variable tool system is simply the surface of something much greater. Ah, here it is.

-Sound of something activating and a door opening-

Roll: What is all this!? Armor…?
Dr. Light: I designed this equipment specifically for Rock. With it, he can become a powerful battle robot.
Rock: Battle Robot…? But, I thought I was just an assistant…
Dr. Light: Rock… it was my fondest wish that this would never have to be used.  But, I also recognize, that sometimes, we must use force to protect what we hold dear to us. Rock, I give you a choice. Will you undergo the modifications? If you do, it may very well mean a fate of endless battle.
Rock: Endless… battle?
Dr. Light: Mm. If you take on this task to preserve peace, there will be no easy life. You will no longer be just Rock, assistant to Doctor Thomas Light. That’s why I could never force you. This is a decision you must make yourself.
Rock: …
Roll: Rock…
Rock: …I’ll do it, Doctor. Maybe I don’t really understand just what it means to do this, but I do know that I want to get everyone back from Dr. Wily, and make sure that he doesn’t hurt any more people. And Julius is out there putting his life on the line to save us… I’m just a robot, so I don’t really know what it means to live or die yet. But I know that I won’t let him fight alone.
Dr. Light: …I see. Well said, Rock. I’m sad… but at the same time, I couldn’t be more proud of you. Come along, then. Let’s get started…

-back on the map-

Julius: Hmm… the situation is rapidly getting out of hand… I’ll just have to grin and bear it for now. Hopefully -someone- will notice the commotion.

Turn 3

Julius: Nngh… Ares, don’t let me down now. I know that you’re in need of repairs something fierce, but we’ve got to keep going. If it comes down to it… no, let’s not consider that just yet.

-Inside Light’s Lab-

Dr. Light: There… done. How do you feel, Rock?
Rock: A little strange, but okay.
Dr. Light: Alright, there’s no time to lose. I’m sending you out to join Julius.
Roll: Eh? How will you do that?
Dr. Light: One of the things we mastered when developing the robot masters was the art of a short range instant transmission. So far, it only works with mechanical objects, but it should do for now. Ready, Rock?
Rock: Yes, Doctor.
Dr. Light: Then, here we go!

-Back on the map-

*Rock warps in*

Julius: Hm? Is that… Rock?
Dr. Light(H): No, not anymore. I’ll explain later, but for now… that which you see is the new guardian of peace, Megaman!
Julius: Megaman…?
Megaman: It’s still me, Mister Julius. I’m here to help you!
Julius: That’s a relief. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out on my own. Then, shall we?
Megaman: Yeah! Let’s go!
Dr. Light(H): Fight, Megaman! Fight for everlasting peace!

-Resume battle-

Megaman VS Enemy

Megaman: Maybe I don’t really understand what it means to fight and to die, but… my heart won’t allow me to just sit around and do nothing when there’s something I can do to help out people who need it! Everyone, wait for me! I’ll rescue you!

All enemies shot down
Megaman: Haa… haa.. We did it!
Julius: Hoo… it was touch and go for a while there, but thanks to your timely intervention, we pulled through.

Small explosion rocks the Ares

Julius: Whoops! Looks like I overexerted the old girl. I’d better call it a day…
Dr. Light(H): Megaman, return to the lab as well. We need to take stock of our position.
Megaman: Got it, Doctor.

-END MAP-

-Doctor Light’s Lab-

Roll: Rock! Julius! Are you two alright?!
Rock: We’re fine, we’re fine! Don’t worry so much.
Julius: I have to say, I wasn’t expecting that. I had no idea that you had something like that up your sleeve, Doctor.
Dr. Light: I had hoped that I would never have to use it… but it seemed that there was no choice. If only we knew where Dr. Wily went… for now, we can’t really do anything except wait for him to act again.
Julius: Mm… he could very well be anywhere, even in the newly arrived regions if he had a mind to go there.
Rock: So, we can’t do anything to help Cutman and the rest right now?
Roll: That’s terrible! We should at least do something!
Dr. Light: Hmm… I have an idea. Rock, why don’t you go with Julius?
Rock: Eh? What do you mean, Doctor?
Dr. Light: You see, if Dr. Wily makes good on his threat of world domination, then the Federation military will surely have to attend to it. So, if  you go with Julius to help him reunite with his unit, we’ll be able to gather information.
Julius: Well, that’s all well and good, Doctor, and it would be churlish of me to refuse, but I must warn you- if that’s the case, then Rock might have to get involved in battles that really don’t concern you directly…
Rock: …I’ll do it!
Julius: Eh?
Rock: Dr. Wily isn’t the only threat to world peace, right? I can’t just focus on one threat when there are so many others. So if I go with Mister Julius, I can help out and fight all sorts of bad guys.
Julius: Um, yes, that’s true, but some of your opponent’s will be… human. I’m no expert on the subject, but isn’t that… something of a faux pas?
Rock: W-well, I guess… but, just as much as I’m not supposed to hurt humans, I’m not supposed to let them get hurt through inaction, right?
Dr. Light: It’s a tricky situation. Rock… you’ll have to find your own answers. As it is now, you can go with my blessing. Just be sure to stay in contact with us.
Roll: Don’t worry about the Doctor- I can take care of him!
Julius: N-now, wait a moment, I don’t have any objections, but what about maintenance and the like?
Dr. Light: Hoho! Don’t worry, my boy. Rock can take care of it all himself. If something serious arises, you can simply contact me.
Julius: Well, alright… but I’ll need to do some more repairs before I can set off.
Roll: Then we’ll help you with that so we can get going as soon as possible!
Rock: Right! Hopefully, this time we won’t get interrupted by anything.
Dr. Light: In the meantime, I’ll see if I can get in touch with the federation and locate your unit. You were with… I believe it was the White base?
Julius: Yes, doctor. Thank you very much.
Roll: Come on, come on, let’s get moving!
Rock: Yeah, we’ll get your Ares fixed up in no time!
Julius: W-wait a moment, not so fast! Oh, goodness, I was never good at dealing with children…

Footsteps

Dr. Light: (…Children, you say? Julius, my boy, you couldn’t have paid me a higher compliment. Rock… no, Mega Man. Make your father proud…)

-Dr. Wily’s fortress-

Wily: Heh heh heh… when one thinks about it, the solution was so obvious. To reprogram their AI- how devilishly simple! With these six robot masters and an army of mechanical weapons, the world will bow before my might! And it is all thanks to you, my friend.
???: Hmph. Say what you will.
Wily: You should be more polite to the one who saved your life. It’s only natural that I would get something in return- the necessary knowledge to rewrite a Robot Master’s cognitive programs. Do you have a problem with that… Proto Man!?
Proto Man: It’s none of my concern.
Wily: In that case, why are you still here? I would have thought you’d wander off on your own again by now.
Proto Man: …simple curiosity. Nothing more. I don’t intend to hinder or help you. Not, at least, at this juncture.
Wily: Very well. But watch your step, Proto Man. I need your data, but there are many ways for me to achieve that goal. Not all of them require your consent.
Proto Man: Heh… noted, good doctor.

-END CHAPTER-