Saturday, March 6, 2021

Live A Hero Valentine Cyber Wars Episode 3

Things start off with a flashback to Hisaki's past as one of his classmates go 'yo man SCREW that guy!' and complains about him whoring for attention and stealing the spotlight. They also complain about how people are always fawning over him and is disgusted that he's good at both sports and academics. Pretty uppity there for a fake Earthling! Hisaki doesn't say anything in response to this at the time, and he narrates about this being the sort of thing people often say about him behind his back. "Not REALLY an Earthling" and "not a REAL Japanese guy" are things that he can't deny, but it still upsets him.
 
Hisaki has no idea what his birth parents are like, as by the time he was old enough to have a grasp on what's happening around him he was already in the care of his adoptive Earthling parents. He knew he's really from an alien race and that he's not a blood relative of his family, but it's precisely because of those things that Hisaki couldn't stand being called a fake. He never knew what would make people see him as the real thing, but he was always worried about why people didn't accept him. So, he swore he'd be a bright intellectual that would surpass all the naysayers. He did his best to get into the spotlight so that people would praise him and see him for who he is. He studied, and he invented things, trying his best to stand out more and more. After all, if he didn't, would anyone acknowledge he even existed?
 
Title card pops up, and this episode is called Agents, Move Out!
 
We then tune in back to the present as the party enters Hisaki's lab, and Hisaki sadly assesses the damage the villains did to the place. The entire place has been turned upside down like a hurricane slammed into it, with shelves turned over, papers thrown around, and cables pulled out haphazardly. Hisaki does have an idea as to why the villains came, but he figures he should still take inventory to confirm. The party follows after him and helps clean up the lab.
 
Flamier sighs and wonders why the mobs ran off like they did. She was almost at the good part! Kyoichi comments that anyone would start fearing for their lives if that many explosions blew up right next to them, and he pleads for Flamier to not set any blasts off inside in case she causes something to catch fire. You observe how awful things look or sympathize with Flamier and say she made pretty fireworks. B gets an extra bit as Flamier is flattered you thought so too, and Akashi is shocked at how easily carried away you are with things.
 
Shouen turns to Hisaki and asks if he has any ideas why the thieves acted as barbaric as they did. Hisaki answers that they most likely wanted to haul out his lab as exactly as it is they could manage. The data they stole from his computers using spyware is likely not enough for them to stabilize the thought window system, so they came to get the data they didn't get before along with whatever relevant documents they could find while they were at it. Hisaki points to a server rack in the room, and there is a space with cables hanging out where a server box was connected previously. The only things untouched in the room would be the computers Hisaki had lying around that weren't related to his invention work, and Hisaki wonders if that means they already knew how he had organized his things. He notes that they were very prepared, and he laments that they could make a legitimate living if they were that good at hacking.
 
Akashi asks what would happen if the villains managed to perfect Hisaki's system. Hisaki says he doesn't know, but he can be sure that the functions are stabilizing. In which case, as long as the villains don't turn the thing off, everyone would have a window broadcasting their every thought 24/7. Akashi gets worried and horrified at that since it's causing enough of a mess as it is, and Shouen says it would be the collapse of society. With everyone's true thoughts on display at all times, it'd be impossible to form and maintain relationships with one another. You say it's scary just thinking about it or say this is one doozy of an incident.
 
Flamier speaks up and says she has something on her mind, so she asks if she can say it out loud. She then asks Hisaki how he got around to inventing his system as she notes that the factory his lab is in is focused mainly on spaceship parts manufacturing. Hisaki's system as he's described it however doesn't seem to relate to that area much though. Kyoichi agrees and notes that Yodobashi Industries has a big image of industrial work going for it, so it's really weird for them to be doing anything with network development.
 
Hisaki answers that he's the type to try his hand at anything that catches his interest, so he's tried all sorts of things. Since the factory his father manages does mainly do spaceship parts, Hisaki does do some research and development in that field, but it's also a field that's hard to innovate much. Plus Hisaki's tried dabbling in IT, saying that it can link to other fields and has room to develop new products. Akashi is surprised at how Hisaki made it sound like he casually came up with his system since it's not your average weekend hobby project. Akashi then asks why this thing has to be new so much and asks if current tech is that bad or something. Shouen says he's heard that tech research isn't something that can be given to anyone because of risks of societal damage when things are done. Just like with what's happening. You nod and agree that things have gotten messy for sure.
 
Hisaki says that he did have thoughts at times wondering why nobody perfected something like this while he was working on it and researching things. It might've been better if he had stopped then, and Hisaki wryly smiles as he admits he thought about surprising everyone by making something no one has done before. You ask if this desire to surprise people is what drove him into inventing things, so Hisaki answers that he's always thinking about wanting to bask in the attention everyone would give him if he made something that surprised everyone. He's had his failures of course, but nothing that blew up quite like this. But still, he never actually thought about stopping. If he could shake up the universe, wouldn't that get people to look at him and accept his abilities? Then he could puff up his chest and proudly declare that what he made was something created by a born and raised Earthling.
 
You think aloud about what Hisaki said about being a born and raised Earthling, and Hisaki admits that it all comes down to him craving the limelight and validation, so it's fine if you laugh at him. And since it's his invention causing this whole incident, he wants to clean up the mess with his own hands. His father always did tell him 'wipe your own ass.' You think on Hisaki's admittance to wanting fame and recognition, then comment that him being upfront is kind of refreshing. He seems repentant at any rate. Hisaki laughs that he ended up talking about himself and is embarrassed at that. But anyways he's got a picture of what's going on, and he says it's time to figure out what to do next.
 
Hisaki turns on one of his remaining computers and sits down at the desk. Akashi comments that he can't make fun of Hisaki much if he made something like this out of a desire for recognition, and Kyoichi says wanting that isn't that bad in and of itself. He just needs to keep sight of his standards. He personally says he won't laugh at Hisaki, assuming Hisaki actually does get everything under control.
 
Shouen looks quietly sad, which Flamier notices and asks if something is wrong. Shouen is surprised out of his thoughts and says he was just thinking. He was surprised that Hisaki could open up like that despite how shameful it would be, and after a bit more thought Shouen says he might have been envious. If he were as honest as Hisaki, maybe he could have changed a bit as well. You turn to Shouen in concern and wonder if something happened, and at that point Hisaki gets a phone ping, which he answers through his computer.
 
Crowne is on the line, and she greets Hisaki before asking how things are on his end. Hisaki answers that his server and documents have all been taken, just like he expected. The server does have a DNA or fingerprint lock of some kind that uses bio-verification, so that does buy some time to get past, but the papers and documents were a big hit. It's only a matter of time before the villains manage to finish the system. Crowne figured as much, then says you guys need to track down the villain's base as soon as possible. Shouen adds that you guys need to solve the current crisis as soon as possible too, and it's natural for people to be concerned with the suffering that's happening.
 
You agree with the point and wonder you guys should do. Akashi suggests going around telling everyone that the thought window problem can be prevented for now if people take off their wearable tech. Crowne says you could do that, but as Huckle mentioned before, it's just a stopgap measure. Plus life is hard without wearable tech, which is something Akashi himself should be aware of. Akashi concedes that that's true, then asks if this means you guys have to go solve the underlying issue.
 
Crowne says that would be the case, and she says that based on how Hisaki's system works, it's highly likely that radio waves are being used to activate the system through the wavebands on people's phones. And on that note, Crowne says she's just finished doing a search for a place that could do something like that. She hasn't narrowed it down its exact location yet though. Hisaki is happy to hear this and compliments Crowne as a girl who has both looks and skills. Crowne is offended at this, asking if he's making fun of her and threatening to solder his tongue down. Hisaki quickly apologizes and asks how much of a field she's narrowed things down to.
 
Crowne calms down and gets back on topic, then answers that she needs more time. She'll focus on the search on her end, and she suggests that you guys focus on what to do about the stolen materials. Hisaki thanks her, so Crowne says it'll cost him and that he better be ready for that. He reluctantly agrees as he hangs up the call, and he sighs about how much Crowne freaks him out sometimes even if he is relying on her. She always gets pissy like that when he tries to compliment her. You suggest this might be due to how he normally acts, say Hisaki is surprisingly quick to show himself to be irreverent, or say Crowne's just in a bad mood. In A, Hisaki denies the idea in shock and says you won't find anyone as sincere as him. Akashi says sincere probably doesn't mean what he thinks it means. In B, Hisaki is shocked and says he's always praising Crowne to high heaven and is not irreverent, gawd. Akashi notes that Hisaki calling it high praise makes him sound suspicious. In C, Hisaki nods along and says it's hard to be mindful of people's moods. Akashi is surprised and says the two of you are alike.
 
Anyways, Hisaki suggests it's time to come up with an infiltration plan for the mafia's hideout. Kyoichi is surprised at this and asks if that means Hisaki already knows where they are. Hisaki nods and says he's done analyzing the spyware, though he hasn't actually looked inside the network yet. The main problem is that you're up against a large scale organization, so a frontal assault isn't going to work. You'd all probably be shot up if you tried that. Shouen understands why you guys are talking about an infiltration plan then, which he frames as a stealth ops to sneak in. The phrase sets Kyoichi to thinking about spies.
 
Hisaki explains that the idea is that one lightly equipped person will sneak in carrying only a nanocamera and a mini radio comm. This person will investigate the inside of the mafia base, and if possible patch Hisaki into the stolen servers' network so that he can access it and take it back. Since you're going up against villains, it's better to send a hero in for this job. They'd also be working at a distance while constantly suited up.
 
Akashi comments that this really does sound like a spy thriller flick, though he's worried that none of them would know how to set a link up to the server. Hisaki laughs and says he has that covered as he pulls out a spy connector he's made. Just plug it in, and it'll reconfigure the settings and connect to an external network on its own. There's no need for the infiltrator to know how to use networks; they just need to understand what the connector looks like. Akashi is amazed by how prepared Hisaki is and asks why he made that thing to begin with. Hisaki laughs and brags that as a genius, nothing is impossible for him. But honestly, Hisaki made the thing because he thought he could and never thought about what he'd use it for. It's untested, so he doesn't know if it even works. This shocks Akashi as he asks how Hisaki could be a genius then, and you wonder if this will work out and ask who will be going in.
 
Hisaki says the big problem is figuring out who to send. He can't go himself since his hero suit sticks out. Flamier apologizes and says she's usually kept away from stealth missions, and Shouen says that Flamier's skill set isn't suited for stealth since it draws attention. Hisaki also says that since the person going in is going into a lair filled with an unknown amount of enemies, they can't make the pretty lady do it. Flamier is flattered by this while Akashi is offended and wishes he could punch Hisaki if he could get away with it.
 
Kyoichi is quiet, prompting Akashi to ask him what's up. Kyoichi has a sudden epiphany and laughs that everything is connected now. Hisaki is surprised and asks him to explain, and Akashi says that whenever Kyoichi gets like this he generally comes up with something stupid. Kyoichi asks if you remember the spy looking outfit he was wearing earlier, and you take a moment to think before you remember that. Kyoichi says his heart's decided, which is why he turned out like that. If it'd save the hearts of his students, then no evil organization can stand in his way! You are either confused by this, say this never occurred to you, or exclaim that you see.
 
Kyoichi goes on and says he should be the one taking the stealth mission this time. Akashi is surprised and tries to argue it wouldn't be any different if he were to go in instead, but Kyoichi insists on being the infiltrator because he is both the Teacher of Justice Element Teacher and the Agent of Love and Justice Sailor Moon E. T. L.! You react in surprise or confusion at this. Hisaki is shocked while Flamier is nonplussed, and Kyoichi says it stands for Element Teacher Love. He came up with it on the spot after believing in his mission.
 
Shouen is taken aback at how direct it is to stick that into his code name, though it's also novel that way. Akashi however thinks Kyoichi has terrible taste in names. Kyoichi is aghast that Akashi would trample on his straightforward delicate feelings like that, and you either shrug it off if Kyoichi is motivated for this, tell Akashi he didn't need to say it like that, or call Kyoichi cool. In A, Kyoichi says he's definitely motivated as that's what those clothes are for. In B, Akashi apologizes and says he was thinking about how Kyoichi is always coming up with dumb stuff. Kyoichi is offended at this and threatens to grope Akashi all over next time. In C, Kyoichi gets excited and says he figured you'd think so. Akashi is amazed that you can get on the same wavelength as Kyoichi since he figured that's super hard to do. Anyways, Kyoichi asks if he can take the stealth mission. Hisaki is surprised but agrees since he's actually glad he's volunteering. His suit in that form is lighter on the equipment side and doesn't stick out as much after all. Kyoichi cheers at this and says you guys should move out right away then.
 
Time skips several hours later and scene shifts over to a certain place in Orient City's airport district. Inside the Warmongers fort's underground mafia base, a couple mobs are patrolling the area before moving on. You tell Kyoichi they're gone so he can move now, so he acknowledges the signal and makes his way further in. You along with the rest of the party are hanging in the shadows of a car parked a little ways away from the base, using several small cameras to navigate for Kyoichi.
 
Akashi comments on the villain's base looking like a warehouse, though he doesn't see anything like rations, water, or anything dangerous around. Hisaki says it's convention for places like this to have the most important stuff in the deepest part, and there's still more to search of the place. Shouen says he'd prefer for you guys to avoid battle for as much as possible since you guys are the only ones viewing things. Flamier agrees, saying you guys are the only ones providing views if it comes to it. Hisaki says that's why you guys need to be careful of security cameras and enemy movement, and he then directs Kyoichi to head forward and to the right.
 
Kyoichi says he'll go when the mobs turn around, then asks about their movements. You check to the right and behind, and since everyone looks far away you tell Kyoichi it's okay to move again. He nods and gets going. Once he's in some tunnel area, he comments on having gotten in pretty far and how wide the tunnel is. He also observes that there's a large room up ahead. Since it looks like there's enough room for a car to get through here he figures this must be the deepest section. Hisaki tells Kyoichi to be careful of cameras as he goes in, and that no villains are headed his way. Kyoichi acknowledges him and moves on.
 
Once Kyoichi reaches the innermost room, he's surprised at it being a huge storehouse of sorts, and he quickly hides by some nearby boxes and looks over the area. Mafia mobs are in the center of the room, connecting Something covered in a canopy with a thick pipe, apparently filling it up with some sort of liquid from a giant tank. Kyoichi wonders what it is, saying he can't really tell with the canopy in the way, then tells you guys that something seems to be written on the top of the tank and asks if anyone can read it.
 
Hisaki tries to take a look as he moves one of the cameras over without tipping off the mobs. What he finds is a warning label about the dangers of the tank's contents. He reads off CH3(NH)NH2 but doesn't recognize it, and you wonder if it's some kind of code or chemical formula. Kyoichi is surprised and asks what it is since he's not good at chemistry himself, so the resident chemistry expert says it's monomethylhydrazine, a flammable, combustible organic compound derivative of hydrazine.
 
Akashi is amazed at how quickly Flamier figured it out, but Flamier says it's less that she's heard of it through her chemistry teaching position and more through her hobbies. It's one of the materials developed and used in 20th century earth rockets and satellites in their bipropallent rocket engines. By mixing it with dinitrogen tetroxide and detonating it, it can be used as a propellant. It is however highly toxic, so it's dangerous to treat it casually.
 
You ask about the satellite and rocket bit and wonder why the villains would have it, and Hisaki wonders if the object covered by the canopy is a satellite. Akashi is surprised at the idea and asks what the villains would want to do with it. Hisaki shrugs but points out that these guys are terrorists who stole his system. He wouldn't be worried if they had motives he could figure out quickly. Akashi concedes the point, then brings up the possibility that it's a spaceship and not a satellite down there.
 
Flamier denies the possibility since the fuel they're using isn't used for manned spacecraft. Hisaki agrees, and he explains that when Earth started communicating with alien races, Earth began developing spacecraft with technology brought in from outside the solar system. Since refueling is always dangerous, the old Earth engines became more and more obsolete until they were only used for launching satellites. Flamier adds that even when alternate fuel types were researched, they were clearly inefficient when compared to the output of ether engines. They're still notable facilitators of development, so they're still used today for launching satellites. You ask if that means it is a satellite down there.
 
Kyoichi wonders what the villains could be doing with a satellite if that's true. He gets spotted by some mafia mobs who ask what he's doing. He's alarmed as the mobs walk up to him, but the mobs tell him to tie up his shirt because the boss is strict on the dress code. Kyoichi is surprised by this but plays along, and Akashi wonders if the mobs think Kyoichi is one of them. Shouen notes that the mobs are wearing suits too, and you wonder if people would normally make that kind of mistake or say the suit worked out.
 
The mob says the fueling is almost complete, so Kyoichi better get his own prelaunch prep done too. Kyoichi thanks him for the warning and says he'll go. The others nod as Kyoichi turns to leave, and he starts patting down his chest...at which a thought window pops up and blabs Kyoichi's relief at not being found out. You are alarmed at the window popping up now of all times, and Kyoichi panics as he realizes he left his phone on him since he's transformed. The guards do notice the window and demand an explanation, and Kyoichi is surrounded in seconds. The mafia orders Kyoichi to identify himself and threatens his ability to leave depending on what he says. Kyoichi says it won't matter either way, and the mobs suit up.
 
Kyoichi yells into the phone that he'll be fighting, so he'll need you to operate. You acknowledge the request and tell him to do his best and try to get out of there if he can. Since Kyoichi's cover is blown, Hisaki says it's time to link up your cameras to the live broadcast circuit. Akashi panics for a moment as he tries to find it, and he succeeds in doing so soon after. He confirms that your channel is running and that views are coming in, so the battle can get started. Shouen notes that this means that the villains are on to you guys now, but Hisaki shrugs saying that sometimes sacrifices have to be made. He tells you to get it started, and you declare the episode's battle to begin. More story happens afterwards.
 
After the battle, things tune in at the part where Kyoichi shoots down two of the mobs, breathing hard but still taking the time to taunt the villains. You say that Kyoichi is strong and working well with his new weapon, and Kyoichi brags that he'll master any weapon and get as strong as he needs to so that he can punish evildoers who would cause his students grief. One mafia mob curses the fact that the live broadcast means their base is exposed, and he orders the others to get the thing out as soon as possible. The fueling is complete and the pipe is detached, so they can drive it out whenever. Mob B orders everyone to retreat while everyone who needs to be at the launch to get in the car.
 
The mobs scatter, and a loud engine noise revs up. Kyoichi is shocked to see a trailer down there, and as it starts to drive off he runs at a full sprint and manages to grab onto the back of the hauling tray. One of the mobs notices and starts shooting at Kyoichi. He barely dodges the shots, and another mob stops the first one, concerned that he might hit one of the tires instead. The car speeds up through the tunnel, and Kyoichi does his best to hang on to the thing despite not actually managing to get himself inside the tray. A quick cut to Akashi has him showing concern for Kyoichi since this will be doing some harsh damage to him.
 
Kyoichi continues hanging on for dear life, and as the car drags him along Kyoichi can see things getting brighter as they go. The car soon surfaces as it exits the tunnel, bouncing up a little from the elevation difference and throwing Kyoichi's grip off. You call out to him in concern, and Kyoichi makes a last ditch effort to pull out a tiny communicator from his pocket and attaching it to one of his bullets before firing it off. It sticks to the back of the trailer, and a red light in his chest lights up to inform him this part succeeded. Then he lands on the asphalt and rolls from the impact.
 
Shouen runs over without missing a beat and picks Kyoichi up, asking if he's okay. Kyoichi apologizes for this, but tells him he got his radio attached at least. Shouen compliments him for having tried his best, but more mobs show up from the tunnel around this point and start firing at you guys upon spotting you. You call out to Shouen and Kyoichi to get in the car, and they run over as everyone else grabs the rest of the equipment. Akashi reaches out for Shouen, though he's taken by surprise how heavy he and Kyoichi is together. Kyoichi tells Akashi to pull harder and asks if his pecs are for show, and Akashi puts his back into it and yanks the two in. They end up on top of Akashi, so Flamier asks if he's okay. Akashi is fine though, if uncomfortable with the weight on him. Hisaki tells everyone to strap in as he floors the gas pedal, and the episode ends with you screaming as the car zooms off.

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