Sky Crawlers, The (2008)

[bunniefuu]

[LABORED BREATHING]

PILOT 1: Look out! Bandit, at one high!!

PILOT 2: I'm hit! I'm
losing control! Bailing out!

Watch out! That's the Teacher!

He's on my tail! Help me!

[PANTING]

[PROPELLERS WHIRRING]

[PLANE ROARING]

[SNORING SOFTLY]

[WHIMPERS]

[PLANE APPROACHING]

[BARKING]

Hi.

Who are you?

I'm the chief mechanic, Sasakura.

Hi, my name's Yuichi Kannami.
Pleasure.

You've never seen a female mechanic before?

No, you look familiar, that's all.

Okay, that's fair enough.

SASAKURA: You'll be flying her, over there.

Can't I just keep mine?

A rep from the company
is coming to take that one back.

They're the same model,
I don't get why I can't keep that plane?

You'll get it once you fly her.

It's an order, if you want,
take it up with the boss.

What happened to its last pilot?

Why do you ask?

Won't he be here, to hand over the plane?

You'll have to ask the boss about that.

[SNIFFING]

SUITO: Enter.

[KEYBOARD KEYS CLATTERING]

Yuichi Kannami, reporting for duty.

I'm Suito Kusanagi. I'm in charge here.

We were expecting you this afternoon.

"The glare of the morning
sun was too oppressive."

Camus?
You'll be staying in room 204.

You'll be sharing it with
a man named Tokino.

Tomorrow afternoon,
you two will be going up.

Um...

[PHONE RINGING]

Dismissed.

Yes ma'am, thank you.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[DOG BARKING]

[TRUCK APPROACHING]

My name's Kannami,
I just arrived here today.

Welcome, I'm Yudagawa.

And that guy over
there is Uroyuki Shinoda.

How many pilots total
are stationed at this base?

Well, now a days,
I guess there are only three of us.

The three, that includes you and him?

If you include yourself,
that's a total of four.

- Just the four of us?
- That's right, just four.

Actually, there's five of us if you
include the enchanting Miss Kusanagi.

You mean, she flies, too?

[KNOCKING ON WINDOW]

Guess he was out all night again?

Hey, stranger.

I'm Kannami. I just
flew in here this morning.

Oh, you're the new guy.

[LAUGHS]

I'm your roommate, Tokino.

I know. I've been to our room.

I suppose you know we're
going up tomorrow, too?

Yeah, I heard.

Then, welcome aboard.

TOKINO: Don't tell me
this is your first time, man.

On a mission?
Or in this bird?

Bird.

I've been flying Mark B's
since I was born.

Good boy!

Were you testing me?

TOKINO: Good to know my
new partner is not a chicken.

[TOKINO LAUGHS]

TOKINO: I'm not
detecting anything unusual.

Let's head back.

Roger.

Look out!
Three bandits!

See them?
At 10 o'clock!

[PANTING]

TOKINO: You all right, buddy?

KANNAMI: I'm fine. No damage.

How many did ya k*ll?

Doppel.

Bravisamo!

[TOKINO WHOOPING]

[PLANES APPROACHING]

[BARKING]

Welcome home, boys.

Good to be back.

Bravo!

[LAUGHING]

Did we suffer any losses?

TOKINO: Zilch.

And what about Lautern's plant?
Any updates?

Still inoperative.
No sign of activity.

I see. Nicely done.

I'll be going, then.

Ah, permission to ask a question,
if you don't mind?

It's about the previous
pilot of my current plane.

Jinroh Kurita. He had been
transferred here seven months ago.

He had flown 63 sorties.
He was quite an accomplished pilot.

Where did he go?

I'm not at liberty to answer that.

Why was he transferred?

Classified.

Did he die?

Whether he has or not does
not affect your current situation.

To be or not to be.

That is only a question for human minds.

It's just that usually one gets to
meet his plane's previous pilot.

Well, assuming he's still alive, of course.

That plane you have is still new,

so I decided that that
formality wasn't necessary.

No, ma'am, she handled like a dream.

Anything else?

I was wondering, are you a Kildren?

[DOOR CLOSES]

Was there
anything else?

I see that
you're a smoker.

I don't trust any superior
officers who don't smoke.

And what is the basis of that?

That's just been my
experience, that's all.

Experlence?
Will that be all, then?

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

What I want to know is how you managed to
get two kills that fast?

You flattering me?

[LAUGHING]
Nah, I'm lousy at that of stuff.

It was no big deal.
They were just rookies.

Modest, huh?

Yeah.

Where were you
last stationed?

Dunno. I can't remember.

What you say you and I go out tonight?

Where to?

Looks like that's going to be up to me

Don't worry,
I promise you'll have a real good time.

Is this it?

Yeah, their meat pies are great.

I bet you're starving, huh?

WOMAN ON TV:
At the end of the engagement,

three of Lautern's twin engine fighter
aircraft, Rainbows, were downed,

and it is reported that
two pilots were k*lled

and another was
severely wounded.

On the evening
of October 5th,

the situation on the northern front in
Europe has apparently turned more favorable

for one of the two conflicting
warfare companies...

Lately things have been
going pretty well for us,

but who knows,
one day Lautern might just turn the tides.

That was you guys on the news,
right? Congratulations.

I'll have a beer and a
meat pie for my friend here.

A coffee, please.
So, what's so special about this place?

Several things make this place special, but
there's one main reason for coming here.

[LAUGHING NERVOUSLY]
Uh...

I was just thinking about telling
him about his predecessor.

Mama gave me the evil eye.

"Mama"?

She cleans up the messes
we make with our planes, right?

So, we call her Mama.

Here comes reason number two!

Hi, Naofumi!

Hi!

Come here, I want you to meet
Yuichi Kannami. He just started with us.

I'm Kusumi. It's nice to meet you.

I'm Fooco.

Pleasure...

[POP MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY ON RADIO]

What did you think?
About what?

The meat pie.

It was good. It reminded me of
something else I've had before.

[LAUGHING]

Don't worry our pretty
little head about it.

[KUSUMI GIGGLING]

I take it this place seems familiar to you,
too?

Yeah, I guess so.

See ya, Yuichi.

Don't wait up!

- Where's Suito?
- Your lady, how's she doing, still scary?

[GIRLS GIGGLING]

Let's go.

ALL: Later, bye bye!

[LIGHTING MATCH]

That smells good.

If you're here, it means one thing,

I suppose I can assume that Jinroh'is dead.

Don't know. I don't really
know who this Jinroh guy is.

Would you like something to drink?

I wouldn't mind a coffee if you have it.

So, this guy from before, Jinroh.

What kind of person was he anyway?

He was sweet.

He had a soft laugh and an innocent face,
just like yours.

But, I could tell, that there was
something that weighed heavily upon him.

And whatever it was made me feel
uneasy. I asked him about it one time.

I said to him, "Tell me where
you keep misplacing your heart?"

So, what was his answer?

He didn't give me one.

But I imagined that
maybe he'd left it in the sky.

It would be the best place for
someone like him, in my opinion.

Okay lady, then what about you? Tell me,
how long you been here.

That's cute. Are you
actually calling me a "Lady"?

[CHUCKLES]
Hardly.

You're the only lady in this room,
as far as I can tell.

Listen to you,
you talk like you're a kid.

That's probably because I am a kid.

Hey, do you actually like flying?

Yeah, I love it.

That's always a good sign.

Do you think that you'll come here again?

Good, I hope you do.

Welcome back.
So, how did she fly?

I don't think that there could
have been a better match.

It's like she's a part of me.

You better believe it.
I don't overlook a single thing, boy.

The pilot who flew here before me,
his name was Jinroh, right?

So, how did he die?

The plane's in good shape,
so that must mean he wasn't sh*t down.

You should go inside and get some rest..

[DOG BARKING]

What's wrong with it?

I think I'm leaking oil.

What's the problem?

He says it's an oil leak.

Where's Tokino?

I'm sure he'll be back any minute now.

Figure out the cause
of it and file a report.

[WHIMPERING]

And who are you?
I haven't seen you here before.

I'm Kannami.
I'm a pilot here.

Okay. What's your
first name?

Yuichi.

Greetings, Yuichi. I'm Mizuki Kusanagi.

What?

I'm Suito's little sister. I'd like
to be friends, if you don't mind.

Yeah, me, too.

What do you mean by that?

You're the one who said it first.

What I meant by being friends is simple.

It's so that we can talk and stuff.

I meant that, too, I suppose.

Would you like a drink?

Okay.

KANNAMI: So, why are you here, anyway?

The school I go to is on break.
So, I came for a visit.

My sister told me not to,
but I came anyway.

And I know I'm not supposed
to be disturbing my sister.

So, I decided to go exploring on my own.

Oh.

Do you want to go do something fun?

What'd you have in mind?

Uh, what do you
usually like to do for fun?

Nothing in particular.
Well, nothing terribly exciting, anyway.

Do you have any games we can play with?

Nope.

Even though you're all kids?

Yep.

[SIGHS]

Yuichi, are you one of those Kildren?

That's right.

You can't become adults,
at least that's what I heard somewhere?

Um..

Why is it that you can't become an adult?

It's not that we can't,
it's just that we don't.

For example,
do you want to become an adult?

Hmm.
I'm not sure.

That's my point?

[DOG BARKING]

[PLANE APPROACHING]

Huh?

[BARKING]

Hmm.

[CRACKLING]

Wow!

Hey, wait a sec!
You gotta protect your eyes.

But I wanta see!

KANNAMI: Excuse me, could I borrow
a pair of welding goggles, please?

She wants to watch the sparks.

[SIGHS]

Niki.

NIKI: Got it.

Thank you. Oh no,
I can't see a thing in these!

Raaah!

[WHIMPERING]

It's dangerous,
so don't get too close.

Are you listening?

MIZUKI: Yes, ma'am!

You did good work there.

Why'd you get back so late?

Well, since I was already airborne,
I figured I'd do some recon.

You know that girl isn't her little sister.

What are you trying to tell me?

That she's really her daughter.

Got back safe, ma'am.

I want your report later.

Yes, ma'am.

- Sorry.
- 's okay.

[MIZUKI LAUGHING]

Sometimes, when I look at her,
I can't help hating myself.

Why do you say that?

It won't be long now,
till she reaches my age.

What am I supposed to do then?

I have a small favor to ask you.
There's a tour group coming.

Would you mind keeping them company?

Couldn't you just do that?

I could, but I have to take Mizuki home.

Okay, no problem.

Time to go.

Awww?

[BUZZING]

I hear we're getting tourists.

We've had tourists come by here before.

A few of them are affiliated
with our sponsors.

And you'll get others who tell you
that they're fans of our company.

What do you make of that? All this stuff.

All what stuff?

You know, this whole thing
with the tour group nonsense.

I haven't thought about it.

You're gonna want to k*ll 'em, trust me.

That woman would love
to open fire on all of them.

What woman is that?

The one on the second floor.

- Who, Kusanagi?
- Yeah.

What's your point?

She's always carrying a g*n on her.

SECURITY TREATY TO BE SIGNED?

Yuichi,
anyone tell you what happened to Jinroh?

Told me what?

That she's the one who k*lled him.

But why?

Well, well. Here comes the cavalry.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

And this is one of our hangars.

Does anyone want me
to take their picture?

WOMAN 1:
Hello, how are you?

Just grand, thank you.

My whole family's a big fan of yours.

We're always cheering for your team.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Is that your plane?

Yes, it is my plane.

WOMAN 2: So, what is it like?

What is what like?

I mean, how does it feel to fly?

Well, I don't know how to answer that.

WOMAN 3: What is it like
sh**ting down an enemy plane?

I feel like a real winner.

WOMAN 1: Do you put
a k*ll mark on your plane?

Some guys do, but I don't.

WOMAN 3: It's just like a game.

WOMAN 2: I know w*r is horrible but

you're helping us
maintain a peaceful world.

We really appreciate
what you're doing for us.

That's my job, ma'am.

[SIREN WAILING]

[DOG BARKING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

[GASPS]

[PLANE APPROACHING]

She's going down.

Is it one of our planes?

It's the same model as ours,
but it looks like

it drifted in from one
of the adjacent theaters.

God, help him.

[CRYING] Poor boy.

Enough is enough!

Don't pity him!

He's by no means a poor boy.

How dare you people insult
him with your meaningless pity!

Calm down.

[GRUNTS]

[CHATTERING
IN ENGLISH]

Seven days in jail on bread and water.
You'd be singing.

WOMAN ON TV: It is
determined by identification

that the downed aircraft is a Rostock
Sanka B fighter from the 502 squadron

stationed at neighboring District 202,

but that the details
are not available yet.

Public affairs officials at the company
have declined to answer further questions

concerning this incident.

You want me to go get her?

Get who?

Uh, your, you know...

Oh, her. No, I'll be heading
back once I've finished eating.

[PLANE WHIRRING]

Yeah, it's Kannami.

SUITO: Where are you?

At Daniel's.

Look, I don't mean to be
rude but I can't talk right now. .

Three Fortune bombers are headed your way,
right now.

You mean two.

You're wrong, there are three.

You saw them?

Yes.

How long till they reach us?

I'm guessing less than five minutes.

That gives us time,
but you won't make it back by then.

But, what about my plane?

I'll fly it.

Take good care of her.

You going back to the base?

Yeah, even though there
won't be any planes to fly.

Please be careful.

Of what?

Yuichi!

Yuichi!
Yuichi!

Is everything okay? We saw
some pretty big planes fly by.

The base is being att*cked.

And Naofumi?

I don't know.

Get in. We can drive you there.

I can't ditch this scooter
here. It's a loaner.

I'll meet you girls there.

All right, then. See you later?

Great.

[DOG BARKING]

So, how we doing?

I won't lie,
your bird was giving us some trouble.

She's up there right now without a spinner.

Plus, we didn't have any time to fuel her,
so she'll be out of gas real soon.

Kusanagi's flying her?

Yep.

It's Naofumi!
He's okay, Naofumi!

Know what I'd do if I were you.

I'd get rid of those
girls while I still can.

Kusanagi's going to let
someone have it if she sees them.

Who's she going to take it out on?

You tell me. Didn't you give
'em permission to come here?

Yuichi! We know that
he's safe so we'll be going now, okay?

Bye-bye, Yuichi!

I don't need your assistance.

Why isn't Tokino back?

We know he's safe, that's for sure.

We saw him circle the base,
just a minute ago.

He must have landed
somewhere else. Figures.

Hi, it's me. Get me Theater Command.

Sorry, but got an extra cigarette?

This is Kusanagi. Put me
through to the manager.

I don't care, just put him through!

Yes, miraculously enough.

The damage isn't too bad, but that's
only because they botched up the job.

Why'd it take you so long to warn us?

That's hardly an excuse.
I'm coming there, now.

Yudagawa! Can you man
my desk until I get back?

We might get an emergency call.

Fine by me,
but can I eat and drink up there.

Yes. Kannami, come with me.

Aren't we going a little fast?

Sorry, that's how I feel like driving.

There's Tokino.

I knew it, I figured he was messing around.

See that stretch of
road in front of the diner?

It's perfect for making
emergency landings.

And you can always grab a cup of coffee.

I must say, I'm quite honored
to be greeted at the door like this.

It has been awhile.

Let me guess, you aren't going
to let me inside there, are you?

This is curious. There's
no sign of any major disaster

that would have kept you from
warning us about the att*ck.

[SIGHS]

He's one of my men. I thought
that if I felt drained after this visit,

that he could drive me back to the base.

I see. We've heard about you.

Oh, I suspect the manager is currently out.

Well, if you would just let me in,
I could determine

whether or not your
suspicions were correct.

Look, you've made your
point about the gravity of the

situation quite clear by
coming all the way over here.

Any further involvement in
this matter is unnecessary.

I don't think you understand.

I would like to look the man who
almost got us k*lled straight in the eye.

I swear, she's so immature.

This is the problem
with dealing with children.

Oh, no offence, of course.

None taken, you're right.

But for those of us whose
lives might end tomorrow,

do you think it's really
necessary for them to grow up?

Up ahead, make a right at the fork.

Huh?

I want you to make a stop there.

Has anyone called?

I see. Sure, go get some rest. Thank you.

Where are we?

It's kind of like a guesthouse.

It's for the employees,
so it's expected that we use it.

No one ever comes here twice, though.

I see,
so does everyone comes here once then.

That is, with you I mean.

Actually, it's rare for me to be
here with someone else at all.

Why's that?

You must be hungry, right?

There's only frozen food here,
but I'll make something.

I'm amazed that you can eat that.

How come?

Because it's inedible.

But all the ingredients that it's
made from are edible, aren't they?

Wanna go back?

Or we could spend the night here.

And that Jinroh guy,
did he spend the night with you here, too?

He did.

Why do you ask?

Well,
Yudagawa told me a funny story about him.

He told me that you k*lled him.

What are you trying to say?

You want me to k*ll you, too? Is that it?

KANNAMI: Five minutes to bingo fuel.

Let's go home. Turn right to one-six-zero.

Maintain this height.

YUDAGAWA: Look out, bandits.
Two o'clock high, Doppel bombers.

They've got escorts.

Rainbows?

One is a prop-forward. Maybe a J-5.

Are you sure?

Wanna bet?

I'll check it out.
You head home.

By yourself? No way! Come back, Westy!

Westy, come in! Where are you?

It's a J-5.

Black jaguar on the nose!
It's the Teacher!

The "Teacher"?

See you later!

[PANTING]

Westy, where are you? Are you alright?

Where are you? Come in! Answer me!

You heard Yudagawa say it was the Teacher?

Yes.

That is all.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

NO FAIR WARNING!

We were flying over the water.
His plane went down, just like a stone.

You saw it, then?

We haven't had Skylys in our
theater before, so who knows?

He got too curious, that's all. He probably
wanted to see if the pilot was the Teacher.

Who's this "Teacher"?

You pray you don't run into him in the air,

cause if you do, you don't come back.

The Teacher is Lautern's ace pilot,
or so they say.

Who knows, maybe the reason
that he was sent to this theater is

was because they thought we
have been winning far too often here.

Oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

[DOOR OPENING]

The Teacher.

This is only a rumor,
but they say he isn't one of us.

He's supposedly an adult.

Even though he's a fighter pilot?

Yeah.

A pilot, who's an adult.

How's that possible?

[WHIMPERING]

[RAIN PATTERING]

[BARKING]

[PLANES APPROACHING]

SHINODA: Any word?

No, nothing at all.

I told her that we should turn back.

The weather was bad
and we were low on fuel.

She agreed at first, but then...
I don't know.

What happened?

She saw a bandit in the distance
and then just suddenly took off.

And now it seems she hasn't come back, yet.

SHINODA: You better lay off the beer.

We might have to assemble a
search party when the weather clears.

It was that God damned Teacher!

SHINODA: Did you see the black jaguar?

TOKINO: If I'd been close
enough to actually see it,

I would have joined her,
in a heartbeat!

Why is Kusanagi so
obsessed with the Teacher?

You can ask her yourself,
when she comes back.

Assuming that she does comes back, that is.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[RAIN PATTERING]

[BRAKES SQUEAKING]

[CAR DOOR CLOSING]

[DOG BARKING]

Clear a path!

TOKINO: Get a doctor!

SASAKURA: Get me some blankets!

She made an emergency
landing near my place.

Thank you.

This isn't the first time
I've seen her like this.

Granted, it was awhile ago.

She looked the same, like something
had plowed straight through her here.

[WHIMPERING]

FOOCO: At the time, she'd come
to our place to see a client of mine.

I remember it well.

She made me leave and didn't
come out again until hours later.

That girl, she's dangerous.

What are you looking at?

Get out of here!

Yes, ma'am!

Got any smokes?

I'm sorry for causing you trouble.

Same goes for the men, tell them that.

SASAKURA: She's passed out, that's all.

All her bones and organs seem to be intact.

I think we can let her sleep
until the doctor gets here.

A large-scale project is in the works.

So there's a chance our
squadron might have to move.

Move?

It would only be a temporary relocation.

But what I'm guessing is that she
wanted to settle the score before we left.

You and Kusanagi go
back a long way, don't you?

Why?

Well, that girl, Mizuki.

Do you think that her
father could be...you know.

I'll stay with her until the doctor comes.

You go and get some rest.

[ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING]

[PLANE WHIRRING]

[INAUDIBLE]

Have you ever noticed
how no matter where you go,

that the people
are all the same.

It's odd.

You know I hardly ever meet anyone
unique enough to make me think,

"I've never met or seen
anybody like this person before."

Pretty unusual to see twin pilots.

There's been a few
sets of them in the past.

But you will never see one of them
come back all alone, that's for certain.

MITSUYA: What are the two of you doing?

Those things are for
little kids to play on.

Well, I happen to be a kid.

[SCOFFS]

There's a guy named Kannami.

Do you know if
he's still at the party?

I don't think he's there anymore.

Is he in his quarters?

I don't think he's there yet.

Let me guess, you're him, aren't you?

Could be.

Why didn't you say so?

Because you didn't ask, that's why.

You know, you're not what I imagined.

Not at all what I thought you'd be.

I'm Tokino. Am I like
what you imagined I'd be?

It's very nice to meet you. I'm Mitsuya.

Nice to meet you, too.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Gee whiz, what's goin' on with her?

What an impressive specimen, huh?

What was?

That chick last night.

Oh.

They say she's their ace.

Really?

Female aces never do
what you want 'em to do.

The same could be said about male aces.

Who gives a damn about male aces!

I mean, you're our ace after all!

I hear Kusanagi was a pretty good pilot.

Are you ever going to make a move?

Well, you're free to do your own thing,
I guess.

What thing is that?

To do whatever you want, man!
That's the point.

MAN: This afternoon,
you are about to take part in a project of

unprecedented scale and importance.

Your target today is
none other than Lautern's

largest stronghold in the central theater.

You're in the first phase, your eight
fighters will take off from this base here,

and then rendezvous with our
allied fighters from other bases.

All together,
that's a force of 80 fighters...

as well as 30 medium bombers
and 20 heavy bombers at high altitude.

This group will be Team B.

Now,
Team A will be comprised of 40 fighters

and 50 air-to-ground
att*ck crafts.

Their job is to att*ck
the two frontline bases

with as much force as
possible before you arrive.

Are there any questions?

May I have permission to ask a
question unrelated to the mission, sir?

Permission granted.

Will tonight's party
still go on as planned?

- What?
- Another party?

Every other month this base has a tradition
of holding parties for the local kids.

And tonight is that night.

Sorry, okay?
How was I supposed to know that.

The party will go on as planned.

This mission is classified.

Canceling the party tonight
would only arouse suspicions.

Is there anything you'd like to add,
Miss Kusanagi?

SUITO: We'll face off with
the enemy over the sea.

And after we have att*cked their bases,

we should be prepared
for a counter-att*ck by them.

If their fighters are above us,
they won't be

able to intercept our
air-to-ground att*cks on their base.

Instead, they will try to push us back.

Be aware that this is going to be an
unusually long-range strike mission for us.

Our short-range Sankas will
have to be refueled in midair.

So remember to keep your
drop tanks until the last minute.

That is all.

Dismissed.

Reconvene on the runway in twenty.

[ENGINE STARTING]

[BELL TOLLING]

WOMAN ON TV: Rostock, contractor warfare

company for the
European Confederation,

began long-range raids
against strategically

vital facilities of
its opponent, Lautern,

and it's expected that more
large-scale engagements will ensue.

The strength of
the attacking force is,

according to the
statement by Rostock,

three squadrons of
heavy bombers from

the Strategic
Bombardment Wing

escorted by fighters from eight
squadrons and four tactical squadrons.

MAN ON RADIO: Control tower to fighters,

six-two-zero-zero to waypoint one.

Estimated time of contact correction,

ten-zero-zero minus zero-five.

Repeat, ten-zero-zero minus zero-five.

Fighter squadrons Able, Baker,
Charlie, stay on your altitude.

Whales, climb and evacuate.

Warning, enemy in sight.
Altitude, eighty-zero-zero.

Fighters contact and engage at will.

All weapons ready! Let's dance!

[BEEPING]

MAN ON RADIO: Control tower
to all fighters. Evacuate battle area.

Repeat, evacuate battle area.

Cairn, where are you?

KANNAMI: Altitude thirty-zero-zero,
turning left to join the others.

Copy that. Joining you from below,


Where's Scotty?

No joy.

Scotty, come in. This is Cairn.

I'm not getting an answer.

Mission complete.

RTB, boys. Repeat,
return to base, everyone.

WOMAN ON TV: Rostock's big offensive
that started at 10:00 this morning

met with unexpectedly fierce and
effective interception from Lautern

and fell into a terrible confusion,

inflicting heavy casualties to both sides.

The engagement is seen to be halted

as a recommendation was hastily issued

from the European Confederation.

We will report the precise
figures of losses and casualties

of both conflicting companies as soon as

the Conflict Control Committee will...

WOMAN: Where are you?

WOMAN 2: Where are you? We're busy in here!

Looks like they lost a few, too.

When they went down, did you see it?

Theirs, or ours?

MITSUYA: I was there with
Kishinuma and Kumatake

and got a look at
exactly how it happened.

The Skyly came up from behind
Kishinuma and almost caught him.

And he did a half roll and
raised the nose like this.

The Skyly's stall turn let Kumatake
pass as he covered Kishinuma.

Then he did a snap roll and
closed in on Kumatake, just like that,

fired at point-blank.

And I'm guessing that Shinoda
was taken out in the same way.

And it had a black jaguar on its nose.

After the briefing, why don't you
and I go check out the new city.

[TRAM BELL RINGING]

Man, doesn't this place have any bars?

Let's just get off at the next stop, okay?

It's still early,
and everyplace is already closed.

What a well behaved orderly city this is!

Hey, look at that! Let's check it out.

What a coincidence! Nice timing.

Going bowling?

We thought there might be a chance
we could get some beer in there.

Oh ho, nice! Now see if you
can make the spare! Yeah, do it!

Okay, what the hell was that just now?

SUITO: Your turn.

[WHOOSHING]

Yeah-a-a!

Huh?

[GIRLS CHATTERING]

Your turn, Kannami.

[GIRLS GIGGLING]

[TOKINO LAUGHING]

Don't wait up for me!

I would love to put all
those bimbos in a line

and then knock every one of
them down like bowling pins.

Wanna play another game?

Let's ask the staff here if they know
anyplace where we can go get a drink.

No, I can't drink anymore.

I'll finish yours, then.

Why were you so reckless
that day you got sh*t down?

Was it because you saw the black jaguar?

Years ago,
he actually flew for our same company.

One of us?

But you always talk about
him with such respect.

He was my superior.

He was different.

He wasn't like the rest of us pilots.

He's an ordinary adult.

An adult pilot.

Why did he go over to Lautern?

Some things happened and he
wanted to quit working for Rostock.

What you think would change if
you actually sh*t down the Teacher?

Like your destiny or, maybe,
even the freedoms in your life?

I'm not sure.

But it doesn't matter because
no one can sh**t him down.

Why is that?

Ever wonder who or what it
is that we're fighting against?

Not really. I've never thought about it.

Even though we k*ll for it?

It's a job. It's the same as any business.

Whoever is more powerful
makes the profit and wins.

However, compared to regular
jobs out there, we're more inefficient.

It's like we're stuck playing some game.

You know, you're right and that's precisely

the reason why we can
k*ll and be k*lled legally.

That's an interesting way to look at it.

Interesting?

Throughout history, the human race has

never been able to
completely eradicate w*r.

Because its existence is essential in

defining certain realities
that humans want.

Having actual wars with
real battles and real losses

going on somewhere
serves a specific function.

It enables them to sustain the
illusion of peace in this society.

And it has to be real,
not staged or metaphorical.

Reading about wars in books isn't enough.

It's no longer real to them

and so it becomes fiction,
as if they're reading a fairy tale.

If people aren't able to see others dying,

if misery's not on display,

they will not have a way
of understanding peace,

and therefore won't
know how to maintain it.

The significance of
peace would be forgotten.

People need wars because
it helps them feel alive,

the same way we feel alive when
we're fighting up there in the sky.

And so, because our w*r is really nothing

but a game that is not
supposed to ever end,

there needs to be several rules in place.

For example, there must be an
enemy who cannot be defeated.

Is that then ... the Teacher?

Haven't you had enough?

[WATER RUNNING]

[DOOR OPENING]

Can I help you?

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[MEN SHOUTING]

[g*n COCKING]

Would you like me to k*ll you?

Or do me a favor and k*ll me?

Because you see, if you don't
nothing will ever change for us.

[DOG BARKING]

Only two planes came back.

The addition of those Someakas
will make the fleet a mixed one.

Their engines are a bit more complicated.

I got Rokuta, Haga and Niki.
I know they can deal with twin engines.

MITSUYA:
Hey! Loverboy!

Hmm?

Yeah, wha'd'ya want?

What's her story, the girl?

Oh, that's just Kusanagi's daughter.

Her daughter? If that's her daughter,
then who's the father?

Your guess is as good as anyone's.

KANNAMI: Who are you?

I'm a pilot. I was just
assigned here today.

My names Kannami.

I'm Aihara.

How many pilots are stationed here?

There're seven,
if we include you and the boss.

I see.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I just used to know a guy
who folded his paper like that.

That's all.

Oh.

ALL AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS BANNED

Chief Sasakura...

Huh?

...how long have you been
working with Kusanagi?

Well, I'm not sure.
I guess about eight years now.

So you knew her back when she
was the ace pilot then here, huh?

I sure did.

Well, what do you think it was
that caused her decline, then?

And what do you
mean by that?

I mean that she's self-destructive.

But I could argue that she seems to be
carrying out all of her duties quite well.

What about that child of hers.

What about it?

She's practically a child herself.

And the problem is?

Don't you get it?

I'm afraid I don't.

You're just like everyone else,
you all turn a blind eye!

The company's the same way!

I'm sure they know about it, but you all
go on pretending like it never happened.

Show some respect!

It's because of her unparalleled
skills as an ace that she survived.

She's lived longer than
anyone else of her kind.

Long enough to really think about things,
question them.

She learned to take action based
on her own fate and the fate of others.

You mean like how she took action
and she k*lled the man she loved?

Don't you get it?

No, I don't!

TOKINO: Hey, I'm leaving now.

To Kusumi's?

Why, yes.

Tell Fooco that I said hi.

Okay, who is it?

Who's who?

Don't be coy with me. Who is it you
agreed to meet up with tonight, hmm?

And you'd better not
tell me that it's Kusanagi.

Wait a sec. You're not meeting
up with Mitsuya, are you?

'Cause if it's her, you should reconsider.

You'd be better off with anyone else.

I don't get it.

What's so bad about
those two women?

Just trust me, will ya.

Better not sleep with Kusanagi,

if you do, you're done for.

She'll blow your brains
out, just like the last guy.

What about Mitsuya?

She's no better. You'd be trapped,
unable to escape her clutches.

Got any more advice?

I'm not going to beg
because it's not my style, but

but let me give you some heartfelt advice,
take it or leave it.

Watch your back tonight.

Thanks, I will.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Come in.

MITSUYA: Do you have a minute?

KANNAMI: If you want some coffee,
there's some on the table. Help yourself.

I'm surprised you
actually stayed in tonight.

Tokino went out, though.

Is he planning to go see that adult woman?

Yeah.

Why did you decide to stay in?

I had a funny feeling.

Was it because you thought I'd visit?

I'm not that full of myself.

I just had a hunch
that I had better stay in.

My hunches are usually right.

I was wondering if you had any idea
how long you'd been stationed at this base?

I don't know...

since the end of summer, maybe?

All right, then,
how many flight hours have you logged?

Or how many years have
you been working as a pilot?

Is that what you want to talk about?

I had some questions and I wanted
to ask you because I trust you.

Like, how do you deal with the things
you go through, on an emotional level?

And how do you reconcile
your memories with your life

when it's just an endless
repetition of the present?

How do you stay sane?

Because, one way to deal with
it is to just not remember them.

To live your life in a constant
hazy dream-like state.

The things that happened yesterday,
and last month,

and last year become indistinguishable.

Everything's one big blur.
Am I right about that?

Yeah, that's how it is, for me anyway.

Ever since I was little,
I've felt that way.

I've always acted like I was
in a daze and half asleep.

At least, that's what people said.

Can't you see what's going on here?

Did you know that the name Kildren came
from a patent for a product Rostock made?

You were the accidental by-product

of researchers experimenting
with gene modulators.

They intended to use that
name for their new drug

but they ended up using
it for you guys instead.

Are you not one of us, then?

Kildren don't age.
You go on living forever.

The public didn't
know it at first.

And it didn't matter if
they kept it a secret or not,

because no one wanted to believe it.

But it wasn't too long
before all the rumors started.

"There are people out there who
don't die unless they're k*lled in battle!"

[CRYING] I just don't know.
Am I actually one of these Kildren, too?

I don't even know how I
heard about all these things?

Did I read it somewhere?
Is it even true?

It's all so vague.

I don't even know if I'm speaking
about actual experiences.

I don't have anything
concrete that I can hold on to.

No past and no future.

I guess it's not very likely that I'm the
only pilot out there who's not a Kildren.

How long have I been flying?
How long have I been k*lling people?

Every night, I lie awake.

I'm wondering who I am and
when and how I ended up like this.

But I can't remember.
I can't remember!

I try so hard...

and all I keep coming up with are the
same few memories from my childhood,

over and over again.

[SOBBING]

It seemed to me like you
enjoy playing with kids.

At my old base,
I got to know some of the volunteers.

And so I would help them find
venues to hold parties, that's all.

I love to watch little kids.

I imagine what my childhood
might have been like.

I mean,
it's possible that I never was a child

and that I was born at the age I am now.

The thought that maybe I didn't grow up

feels as if someone pulled
a rug from underneath me.

How about you?

Doesn't it make you feel lost and unstable?

I think Kusanagi sh*t that guy, Jinroh,

I think she did it for his sake, though,

so that he didn't have
to keep on living like this.

But, he didn't end up dying.

He didn't?

No, he was turned into you.

They gave him a new name and
implanted new memories in him,

and tried to pass him off as someone else,
but he's still the same person.

You're him, the reincarnation of Jinroh.

They brought you back to
life because they didn't want to

lose the skill set you had
attained as a fighter pilot,

nor any of your capabilities
to be a useful w*apon.

Why hasn't anyone here noticed?

They just keep pretending that they don't,

and they'll keep on pretending
until you figure it out for yourself.

That's an interesting theory.

How's the coffee?

It was good. Thank you.

You're welcome.

That was an interesting discussion,
so, thank you, too.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[g*n f*ring]

Why are you doing this?

I think you'd better put that away, now.

I have an idea.

Just give me the g*n
and we'll forget about this.

I'm not giving you it. It's my g*n.

Okay then, let me borrow it.

What for?

I'll do it for you.

If you give me the g*n,
I'll sh**t Kusanagi.

That's a fine idea.

You can leave the room now, Mitsuya.

If you want to die, be my guest!

Would you mind it terribly if I smoked?

KANNAMI: Feel free. It's your office.

You k*lled Jinroh Kurita?

Sure did.

Did he ask you to do it?

Yeah.

Did you love him?

Yeah.

Kannami.

I want you to sh**t me with that g*n.

You want me to k*ll you?

Yes. This time,
it'll be your turn to k*ll me.

Will you, please?

[g*n f*ring]

You have to go on living.

Until you can find a way to change things.

[CRYING]

[INAUDIBLE]

KANNAMI: You can
change which side of the road

that you choose to walk
down every single day.

Even if the road is the same,
you can discover new things.

Isn't that enough to live for?

Or is this ... really not enough?

MITSUYA: Warning, enemy in sight!

Two o'clock, same height! It's a J-5!

Everyone, retreat!

TOKINO: Cairn,
where are you going? Get back!

I'm gonna cover you!

KANNAMI: No! I have to do this, on my own.

KANNAMI: Even if the road is the same,
you can discover new things.

Isn't that enough ... to live for?

I'll k*ll my father.

[BARKING]

[ENGINE STARTING]

[SOBS]

[DOG BARKING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Enter.

I'm Isamu Hiiragi,
I've been assigned to this base.

My name's Suito Kusanagi.
I've been waiting for you to arrive.