01x18 - The Truth is

[bunniefuu]

For these reasons, we have selected

the five Eighty-Six, as well as the rest of Nordlicht,

for the mission to destroy the Morpho.

Detail Roster

This is my formal decision as

Western Theater commander.

September 2nd, Stellar Year 2149

Even you don't have the right

to overrule—

I know that.

I was ready for it.

But I want to know one thing.

General, this isn't a year-late attempt

at a "disinfection," is it?

There's no way that those children,

especially just the five of them,

can break through Legion-controlled territory.

Some of the officers had said

right when we took them in

that it was better to eliminate them

for the safety of the Federacy.

You were one of them.

I won't deny your wish

to protect what you care for.

However, this nation is built on justice.

It's not acceptable for a human to try to have his way

using violence, rather than using words.

So I'm asking you.

You can assure me this isn't

what it looks like, can't you?

Of course.

But

I want to hear your thoughts.

On what?

They're not poor, pitiful children.

They're monsters, created by the

madness of the b*ttlefield.

Are you willing to take them

into your beloved homeland?

Is that really what the Federacy should be?

Of course.

Those are my ideals

and the ideals of the nation I lead.

I speak on behalf

of the entire Federacy, after all.

I am responsible for executing

my duties with pride and dignity!

Understood.

Oh, no, it's pitch black.

You'll damage your eyes.

I'm not willing to listen

to alternative plans.

I know.

So I have a suggestion.

The reason you kept Nordlicht

split up into smaller platoons

was to keep the rest of the military

from realizing their strength, wasn't it, Richard?

The Republic weapons we captured—

Juggernauts, were they?

Once you've seen the combat logs on them,

it makes you want to do that.

A blade that cuts too well will either be avoided, or used until it breaks.

Either way, it won't end well.

In the end, your fears came true, though.

Don't get too attached.

Even if we ever-so-kindly took them in,

they would never forget the b*ttlefield.

I don't know about that.

They're still kids in their mid-teens.

Right now, they're not used

to their new environment.

It's all they can do

to protect themselves.

But

Someday they might get used

to this country

and long to have the things

that were stolen from them.

And even if they were still to choose

to live on the b*ttlefield,

it should be their decision to make.

I'll wait until then.

However many years it takes.

Do you have a duty to go that far?

Of course.

It's our responsibility for arrogantly

trying to save our fellow humans

as you would a drowning puppy.

And you think a bloody blade,

forged and honed on the b*ttlefield,

can understand human feelings?

We made the same bet before.

Do you remember?

I won then.

And the Legion took all your winnings.

Yes.

Grethe, you simply see

the dead in them. That's all.

You see what you can never get back.

So what if I do?

If you're that worried,

then that'll make this easier.

Those slow transport helicopters aren't appropriate

for my Reginleifs' big mission.

Give me permission to use it.

September 13th, Stellar Year 2149

"It," huh?

I never thought I'd see the day

the sealed door opened.

Sometimes living a long time

has its benefits.

"The sealed door"?

That's what some call it.

If it's sealed,

then it should be left that way.

Now, let's go.

What is this?

An old Imperial Air Force hangar.

For a prototype.

A prototype plane?

That's right.

It completed its test flights

and was about to enter mass production

when the w*r started, and the

base was temporarily abandoned.

This place is right next

to the border.

I guess the Legion took it over real quick, huh?

Why is it underground?

A bunch of reasons.

It's safer from bombing this way.

It also means the Legion didn't take it.

This is the X-C1 "Nachzehrer,"

a prototype ground-effect vehicle.

It's still sleeping right now, though.

It flies?

"Ground-effect vehicle"?

A plane that uses ground effect—

which occurs when you stay right

above the ground—to fly.

It can get you to the Morpho far faster

than a transport helicopter.

Um, I think I heard you say,

"right above the ground."

Yeah.

It flies only a few meters

above the ground!

It flies lower than a cruise m*ssile,

making it hard for radar and AA missiles to locate!

That's the power of the Nachzehrer!

What an awful name.

A Nachzehrer is an old vampire legend

from the southeast part of the Federacy.

It rises from its grave

and wanders the graveyard

while dragging its shadow behind it,

and rings the church bell.

Yeah, that is a nasty name.

Wait! We'll run into buildings

if we're just a few meters off the ground.

This mission takes place

in former Imperial territory.

We have the geographic data.

The Legion doesn't make towns or homes.

We'll be fine.

What about the Legion themselves?

We avoid them, of course.

Lieutenant Nouzen can do that, right?

I can tell you where they are.

But will it really work?

This thing can't exactly turn on a dime,

so we'll have problems if we get ambushed.

But the three-country alliance will be handling

most of the enemies, so we don't need to worry.

And then what?

If we do get to the Morpho,

can we win?

And even if we do win,

we'll be in the middle of enemy territory.

How will we get back?

Well—

It's more important to take out the Morpho

than worry about how we'll get back.

But—

Are you going to ignore it?

You don't need me to tell you

what the result of that will be.

That said,

you seem to take it for granted

that this thing flies, but

Who's going to pilot it?

Who else?

Me!

What do you think?

This isn't the time for jokes.

Who's really going to do it?

Me, as I said!

It's really me!

You're joking.

That's ridiculous!

It's really me!

October 7th, Stellar Year 2149

Come in.

Frederica.

I'm not leaving.

I came because I heard you were

throwing a tantrum about not leaving.

It's not a tantrum.

I'm a member of Nordlicht, too.

Why do I have to be

the only one to leave?

It wouldn't be allowed anyway.

You haven't forgotten what I said

about mascots being hostages, right?

An exception would be made

for the president's daughter.

But

Why are you suddenly saying this?

You're the one who said that nobody else

has the right to decide how you live!

I also said it's best not to get involved

in someone's death if you don't have to.

And

I remember its voice.

I don't need you to show me.

It should be the other way around!

I'm the one with the relationship to Kiriya!

You should be the ones to go home!

I'll talk to Grethe.

You managed to survive the awful battles

in the 86th district.

You can't die in a plan like this.

I'll handle this.

You can see your knight,

but not the other Legion.

If you head in,

you and everyone else will die.

But—!

Why are you so insistent on sending us

back to the rear?

Didn't you want us to k*ll your knight?

Or maybe you don't really

want them dead at all?

Then head home. And forget it.

You don't want to end up like me, right?

And what about you?

Whom do you think you're talking to?

You followed your own brother onto

the b*ttlefield and slew his ghost.

Why are you telling me now that

I can't chase my own ghost?

Why are you telling me

I can't achieve my goal?

You realize on some level,

don't you?

That having no goal,

no place to call "home,"

clinging only to pride to keep you alive,

is what made that pathetic ghost what he is!

Do you want to end up the same way?

I'm not your knight.

You're free to see me in him if you like.

But I don't want to be forced

to join in your regret and atonement.

You don't understand!

I'm telling you not to go!

Why don't you obey,

you impudent fool?

You regret not telling your brother

not to go, right?

You still regret that he went to his death

without you saying anything!

So why are you trying

to do the same thing he did?

Why are you trying to make me suffer,

as your brother made you suffer?

Frederica

Don't go, Shinei

I don't want you to die like Kiri.

I don't want I don't want

any more people to die.

I don't want to lose another big brother.

October 9th, Stellar Year 2149

I'm amazed Frederica agreed not to go.

I don't think she agreed.

She's locked up in her room

and not even coming to see us off.

She's the only one getting left behind.

That's enough reason to be grumpy.

If she's not going to the rear,

it doesn't matter what she is.

Everybody,

get on board!

Let's go.

Yeah.

Okay.

You're sleepy?

Normally I'd be asleep at this hour.

Sleep on the plane?

I can't sleep on planes.

Let's go.

Good luck.

I hope it doesn't need to get used.

Everybody strapped in?

30 minutes to mission start

Yes, ma'am.

You were telling the truth

about being the pilot, huh?

We don't have another choice.

Most of the old Air Force's pilots

died in combat.

I'm the only one who ever flew it

during the test flights.

You mentioned being

a former Air Force pilot.

You sound as though

you totally forgot until now, Lieutenant.

I'm sure you forgot this, too, then.

I'm opposed to kids like you

going out to fight.

To you Eighty-Six, fighting to the end here

is your source of pride, your identity.

But I'm not giving up on this, either.

If you're going to fight to the end,

then my job is to fight

alongside you as well.

The country you finally reached

is far from a utopia.

But remember this.

Not one person in this country

wants you to die in battle.

We want you to stay alive.

That goes for me, the Division Commander,

and the rest of the unit.

And me, too.

Hey, it's been a while.

How are you doing?

What are you doing?

I'm here to cheer you on, of course!

I'm the highest ranking officer

in the Federacy Army, after all.

The Federacy's people, its territory,

and its neighbors are all in danger.

I have to do at least this much.

Especially since you're the core

of this mission.

Yes.

Nordlicht's success in this mission will determine

the fate of the Federacy,

the surrounding countries, and humanity.

Keep that in mind.

And make sure you destroy the Morpho.

We know you can do it.

Roger.

And one more thing.

This is your highest-priority mission.

Come back alive.

All of you.

We'll do our best, but

Right?

We can't promise.

That's not good enough.

You need to come back,

no matter what.

You're fighting to the end, right?

So you need to survive

till the end of the w*r.

So come back.

No matter what.

That's right.

Come back, no matter what.

Or I'll

destroy this world.

5 minutes to mission start

Mr. President.

Yes.

Let's get started.

Attention, comrades!

The Western Theater forces will begin

an all-out march into Legion-held territory.

This battle will determine not only the fate

of the Federal Republic of Giad,

but also those of the United Kingdom of

Roa Gracia, the Alliance of Wald,

and the other nations whose cries for help

we haven't even heard yet!

This is the greatest operation

in the history of mankind!

You are the mighty shield

that defends your homeland,

and the sharp sword

that cuts open a future for humanity!

We will be a symbol of justice

for the world!

Keep our successful battles

close to your heart

and advance, bravely, valiantly!

Begin the mission.

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Let's go, men!

Advance!

Flywheels 1 and 2 active.

Temporary transformer operating normally.

Initiating cooling of catapult rails.

Coolant units operating at 23% and rising.

Opening canopy. Deploying catapult rails.

All joint locks deployed.

Nachzehrer, ready for takeoff!

I've been waiting for this,

you pieces of scrap.

They're on the move!

Phase 1 complete.

We've succeeded in luring

the Legion vanguard out of position.

We will now move to phase 2.

Tiwaz HQ to Léraðr HQ.

Nachzehrer, you are cleared for take off!

Roger.

Okay, here we go!

Nachzehrer, take off!

Th-This is scarier than I thought.

Is the person who came up with this crazy?

Oh, it's an honor to have you say that!

I thought nothing scared you!

It's a little over 1000 km to our goal.

Enjoy our nine minutes or so

in the sky!

Nachzehrer has taken off successfully

and is proceeding as planned!

Unit 4, signal lost!

We've lost contact with the 2nd Company!

Stay calm! Unit 1, Unit 2, keep going forward!

Infantry, after us!

Retreat!

Damn it!

Give me a damage report! The battle's not over!

If you have something

you want to protect, then fight!

Raise your heads and go forward!

The Federacy isn't retreating.

Just a little more!

Just hang in there a little more!

And then those g*dd*mn disgusting Eighty-Six will

Then we'll win!

Yeah.

If we take out the Morpho, we win, right?

We have to live up to their expectations.

Yeah, if they're working that hard.

Yeah.

"If There's Something Worth Dying For."