Breke announces that he and his entire unit have reached the ship and specifies the time before ordering all members to declare their safe arrival. You obediently declare your safe presence, so Breke says a debriefing will be held in 15 minutes. A report of the unknown enemy is being put together. You think aloud about this subject, and Breke asks you what about the enemy is weighing on your mind. You question what the enemy is and if he's really an enemy since he looked like he was suffering to you.
Breke admits that there are no records of the enemies making a concerted attack like they did before now, as before they behaved more like children throwing a tantrum and destroying everything around them. That said, he advises you to get rid of your hesitations and sympathy for them now because you both almost died. It doesn't change the fact that your enemies are unidentified beings who can threaten a large majority of humanity. You tell Breke that you meant something else whether or not you agree to that point, and you bring up that being an unidentified being with a dangerous level of strength applies to yourself as well.
Breke is quiet for a moment before saying he has a point to make to you. He's lived up to this point having seen a lot of his subordinates hesitating to pull the trigger only to end up dust in space, and he doesn't want that to happen to you. You respond back in concern or stay quiet, and Breke changes the subject to say it's time for your regular amnesia exam. He tells you to hurry, or else you won't have any down time. There's tons of stuff to do like checking your body, maintaining your suit, and disinfecting yourself before getting back on board, so he tells you to move before you think. Nearby, Bertro watches silently.
Title card: You Gotta Believe Me!
Later, Kurogane greets you and Nomad, apologizing for cutting in to your breaks but says developing new weapons is important too. Nomad asks him what sort of nasty trick he intends on using Nomad's power for, bringing up doubts that it's going to be used in some sort of secret special attack. Kurogane denies the idea and asks for him to listen. He explains how the Wall of Time is mankind's first space battleship to move by using a power, and it's using Duo's power as its core to control the whole ship's systems and the enemy search function. R-19's power and calculation abilties are used as his role as the gunnery officer along with operating the Nightglows. Kurogane himself is in charge of the engine, so having to ask about powers is part of his job.
You comment that everyone's jobs are more important than you thought, say R-19 also has a hard time of things, and wonder if this is because there's so few people on board the ship. Kurogane answers that it's because the crew is so small that the ship can move. That also makes finding people with the right skills hard though. Nomad asks if Bertro is in charge of making dumb jokes. Kurogane answers that he does trajectory calculations for the ship and is also a backup for Duo in case he's gone for whatever reason, so Nomad apologizes for his comment. Kurogane brushes it off after a moment saying Bertro would be happy with dirty or dumb jokes. He once said that making jokes is the one privilege mankind has.
You either express surprise and confusion at this, or comment that Bertro sounds like he's not including himself with humanity. Kurogane laughs and starts to talk about Bertro's usual behavior before he realizes you don't know yet. They've already told him he can tell you, so he decides to do so. Kurogane tells you that Duo and Bertro are genetically designed siblings given intelligence beyond what mankind has in order to lead it. It's why they put on attitudes and speak like they aren't human, but Kurogane thinks it's funny since literally everyone on board has some sort of artificiality to them and holds his arm up as an example.
Kurogane realizes he's gotten off topic, so he rerails back to the original subject by telling Nomad he's been assigned to power the subslider in case of emergency evasions. Nomad briefly acts impressed about this role, and Kurogane says he's excited to get to testing the idea out when Nomad snaps at him saying his ability can't possibly move a ship this big. Kurogane assures him that the theoreticals have already been worked out and that Duo signed off on this experiment saying it has no problems. Now they just need to prove it, iron out any kinks, and everything will be hunky dory. Nomad protests that it's not going to be that okay as he says it takes tons of energy to use his ability. Kurogane excitedly argues that's why they need to test it now and figure how much it can be worked with as he starts dragging Nomad to an enclosed test pod.
Nomad is alarmed at Kurogane's behavior and tries getting you to help get him out of the experiment. You however wish him luck, say you want to see how cool Nomad can be, or think emergency evasive maneuvers are important, so Nomad complains about how dumb he was to be moved by you earlier and calls you a traitor for being unconcerned about him. He also calls the pod an iron coffin before yelling that he'll get you for this one day until Kurogane manages to lock him in.
Kurogane says it's time to start the tests, then decides to ask you if your memories have come back yet. You say you still don't remember anything to your regret, and you wonder if you even have a past to begin with. Kurogane laughs and tells you there's nothing to be sad about, bringing up again that everyone on board is similar. He tells you he doesn't remember what his parents are like at all, though he knows they were also ship engineers. They died in an accident that came about from an experiment, which is the same incident that cost him his arm. He wishes he knew why they went into their line of work and why they wanted to go into space, but he says it's fine now since he thinks of everyone on board as his family. He tells you that you can call him onii-chan, so you either take him up on that, say you want to make him your younger brother, or suggest Nomad could join you two as a third brother.
In A, Kurogane is happy you're going along with him on the brother thing, and he says that once this operation is over it'd be fine for you guys to become family for real. In B, Kurogane finds the idea funny, though he comments that it feels familiar somehow. If you want him to call you big brother, then you'll need to show how reliable you are. He then jokingly pesters you to buy him the latest test tools with your next hazard pay before asking you to keep it a secret since he's taken aback at how easily it comes to him. In C, Kurogane comments that Nomad fits in better as that one uncle whose job you aren't clear about. Having a hobo like that for a brother would be 'interesting' since they'd never call. Kurogane then asks if you want a lot of big brothers saying it'd be fun but also hard to deal with. He comments that younger siblings have lots of opinions too, which is something that he thought about from seeing Duo and Bertro.
Kurogane notices that the data from Nomad's pod is coming in now, then excitedly cheers about how high his acceleration ability is scoring. You ask Kurogane what the pod is even measuring, ask what the acceleration aptitude he mentions the data talked about actually is, and ask if you have that aptitude yourself. Kurogane explains that the aptitude basically means how quickly you can move forward by cutting off something and tossing it behind you. Dropping off bigger and heavier things means your aptitude would go up that much more. Also, based on the ship's blueprints, it's possible to interact with things that don't exist in this world. What's needed for acceleration aptitude is the ability to throw away heavy things that don't actually exist in reality. Kurogane admits he doesn't really understand the theory from the ground up, but since he's an engineer it's good enough for him to be able to use it. Also, you and Nomad have this aptitude.
Kurogane changes the subject to ask if you'll help with the fighter ship tuning and the regular power testing. The domination cannon settings can stay as is, but the firepower is less than it theoretically could be. Since your ship will need a personalized cannon, he might just go and customize the ship itself. Speaking of which, Kurogane asks what sort of paint job you want for your ship as he brings up options like red, yellow, or blue. You either ask for frosted black, eye-catching gold, or a tricolor set of red, white, and blue. Kurogane laughs and says he'll take care of it and that it'll be a breeze since he's been thinking about ships since he was young.
You wonder if Kurogane is doing this to chase after his parents, then comment on how amazing he is and how it's like he'll be able to go anywhere that way. Kurogane quietly expresses doubts about those descriptions, which you either get confused about or keep quiet. He concedes that chasing after someone specific is an amazing thing and helps you move forward. It can be a driving force like Duo and Bertro's sense of duty, Nomad's revenge, Kurogane chasing after his parents' shadows, or their current journey to save humanity by going for the source of the Shadow Buggers.
Having said all that, Kurogane adds that he feels that everyone including himself hasn't given any thought as to what comes after completing those goals. A sense of hate or duty that spurs you to fight or a dream you're aiming for can blind you to other things. It's a goal that keeps you from going any further, a wall that stops you. Kurogane then asks about why the Shadow Buggers are attacking and why the world is the way it is. He feels that until everyone has given things that much thought and seen everything in the world, they can't go forward. He feels that they're stuck in place having lost someone important and living on the brink of death just trying to hang in there.
Kurogane talks about how you've worried about your lack of memories, but he suggests that means you can go anywhere in the world. Since you don't remember where you came form, looking at you gives this sense of relief. Even he feels like he can forget about how awful the world is for a second. Whatever happens, Kurogane would be happy if you always remember how you are now. Nomad interrupts the conversation to yell and ask if he can be let out of the pod yet, so Kurogane apologizes and moves to open it up since he's got all the data he needs. A siren starts blaring as R-19 announces an emergency and asks for the Nightglow pilots to assemble on the bridge. Kurogane wonders what could be happening and suggests you head over since he'll be fine. He also adds that Duo can be scary when he wants to be, so you excuse yourself and head over.
When you reach the bridge, everyone else plus Breke is already there waiting for you. Duo apologizes for interrupting your work but says something requiring immediate attention has turned up, then asks Breke to give the detailed report on their enemy search results. Breke says that Shadow Buggers have been sighted on the ship's charted course up ahead. He believes they're just a fraction of their network keeping an eye out for you guys, then pulls up an image they managed to get of them from outside their detection range showing Cthugha there.
You recognize Cthugha from before, comment on how strong he looks, then ask where the other two are. Duo suggests that the leading figures may have been stationed on the paths you guys were most likely to take to their base. R-19 looks up the previous battle record and notes that Cthugha has shown the most attack power compared to the other two, and when you shot him earlier he let out a giant explosion of unknown origins. Duo says Kurogane's report has noted that to be similar to a power, and he asks R-19 to go over the other figures' reports.
R-19 brings up Tsathoggua and says that there's been little to no reaction from him, so there's no confirmation either way about him at present. Nyarlathotep however has been spotted using a number of clones as a decoy. Breke is surprised to hear they have powers as well before asking if there are counterplans for them. Duo says that since your power has shown to work on them, there's no reason not to use it. Breke is to lead the charge and create an opening for you to do your thing. Bertro comments that this makes you a one trick pony, but it's nice that it makes it easy to understand. That said, he suggests that Nomad might do better at being a decoy.
Duo says that Nomad has his own things to do and has no reason to be out here. He figures that Cthugha is one of the leading figures for the Shadow Buggers and shooting him down should destabilize the minions enough to break through here. Bertro says that the problem is that you guys don't have much time. Once you engage him, the others should start making their way over here. Duo says you guys don't have the time to waste to make a detour, then orders you and Breke to ride out immediately. Breke acknowledges this and tells you to come along. You acknowledge him back, suggest being careful and coming back safely.
The exhaust pipes of Breke's ship shines faintly in the vacuum of space after he takes off. The darkness spreads all around, and the distant shining of stars feels even further away than they would if you were on land. You either comment that you thought the stars would be brighter or say you'll be counting on Breke. In A, Solomon tells you that the atmosphere has an effect on how starts are perceived if you're viewing them from the surface. The air and water vapors reflect like and cause that twinkling effect you can see, though you soon tell him you meant what you said in a different manner. He says he understands when you tell him you were talking from an emotional standpoint. In B, Breke says he's got a handle on this and that he'll be defending you as planned. But if anything happens to him, he tells you to keep going because the plan is dependent on you. You'll need to be prepared to leave him behind if the operation calls for it. It may sound contradictory, but that's how missions are. He reminds you not to forget that you have to complete whatever tasks are given to you.
Breke says you two are almost at the mission area, so he'll go on ahead. You are to start flying in to attack once you spot Cthugha, and Breke reports to base that he's heading in. R-19 acknowledges the message, telling you guys that the battle can only go on for up to thirty minutes. If the clock hits that point, then you two are to retreat back to ship immediately. Breke assents before reminding you to stick to the plan. You either tell Solomon you'll be counting on him or ask Breke not to do anything crazy. In A, Solomon says he'll do his best and logs your objective as the capture of the enemy leader. He reports that Breke has now entered battle as he disengages the safety of your ship's weapons. He then reports that enemies are closing in from 3 o'clock and 12 o'clock as preparations to engage continue. In B, Breke thanks you but reminds you to not forget how important the things you guys were assigned are. Then he says he'll charge in first for the sake of mankind's future.
Breke's ship goes to repel the approaching night gaunts, but the enemies respond by crowding around him in turn, leading him to yell in surprise asking what is up with them. You either call Breke and say you'll go back him up or turn to Solomon and demand to know how Breke is doing. In A, Breke tells you to stay away and focus on your own part. The sooner you take the enemy leader, the quicker he'll be saved too. In B, Solomon runs a scan, then tells you that neither Breke nor the mission objective is close by. He then expands his scanning range, though he's cut off by what happens next.
A sudden surprise attack comes from the nearby asteroids, and Cthugha ambushes Breke from straight above him. You exclaim that you saw him before, then attempt to ask Cthugha exactly what is he. Is he a living being, a person, or something else? Cthugha isn't in the right mindframe to communicate, then groans before suddenly blowing up. Breke yells and calls out to you before the blast covers all that you can see. Flames cover Breke's ship, and you see Breke get obliterated through your camera. You yell out to Breke, and your voice tears at the shadows covering Cthugha. With his coverings broken off, it looks like he's been neutralized.
The next moment however, Solomon observes the other Shadow Buggers recreating Cthugha's shadow armor and suggests it may be some regeneration ability. Cthugha charges at you next, and Solomon has the ship dodge as he continues explaining things to you. The Denial Field of Breke's ship has been cancelled, and there is no boarding equipment on board. (He might be referring to an escape pod but I'm not sure.) The homing function to return to base is activated, but he warns you this means it can't really evade attacks. At this rate, Breke's ship is liable to be intercepted. You call up base to report the operation has failed and that you guys are retreating. You also tell Solomon that you are going to go defend Breke and tell Breke to hang in there. Your ship cuts through the crowd, and Breke's ship follows behind you as you beeline back, and so the episode battle begins.
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