01x11 - Sufugnoff Gateway Battle

[bunniefuu]

Once upon a time...

...there was a traveler crouching
in pain at the roadside.

A man, who happened
to be walking by...

...sat next to the traveler
before he could ask for help.

The man lectured
at length about...

...having a healthy lifestyle
in order to avoid sickness.

Satisfied with his speech,
the man stood up and left.

The man's name
is the United Mankind.

Next...

...a very beautiful woman
approached the traveler...

...with an inquisitive look.

The traveler said...

"Well, don't just stand there,
help me."

The woman replied...

"Do you want me to help you?"

She then discussed at length
the situation with the traveler...

...until she fully understood
the problem.

And she nodded and left.

Shortly after...

...the woman brought
all the doctors, nurses...

...and staff of the closest
hospital with her.

The woman's name
is the Humankind Empire Abh.

A political allegory
from Planet Midgrat

What's this?!


that it's the enemy fleet.

I already know that!

We made a show of force
to scare them away.

Yes...

...perhaps more than necessary.

The enemy has no
chance of winning, right?

That's right.

Any rational commander would
come to that conclusion.

Then why?

Why do they still
remain in this area?!



What's the
remaining 0.03%?

Deceptive information...

...caused by failure
of sensory devices...

...or an unknown
natural phenomenon...

...or unidentified
intelligent beings...

All right..

That's enough.

I had the impression
that you wanted a battle.

I prefer not to fight with
any doubts in my mind.

What do you make
of their position?

Firstly...

...there is the possibility
the enemy thinks it can win.

Win?

Against all this military power?

The enemy ships may be capable
of far more than we estimate.

You think we've misunderstood
their technical ability?

What do you expect...

...from the division
in charge of feeding cats?

Oh, that's right!

The Information Bureau can
only do jobs like feeding cats.

Actually...

...I rate the Information Bureau
somewhat higher than you do.

It's not likely that the enemy is
capable of more than we expect.

If the enemy thinks
that it can win...

...perhaps there's a problem
with their leader's state of mind.

There's no glory
in fighting a clown.

As to the second possibility...

...remember that their main
force is the United Mankind.

What are you getting at?

Its military command is known
for handing out inflexible orders.

Like an order to defend Sufugnoff
using minimal resources.

If that was the order...

Concentrating all of
their forces in this area...

...would be the rational move.

That's it!

That's got to be it!

Right this moment,
my doubts have vanished...

...like stardust
entering the atmosphere...

...wiping away all
misgivings from my heart...

I'm confident of our victory!

I thank you so much,
Major Kahyul!

I'm honored.

Now that that's clear,
there's no reason to hesitate!

Prepare for encirclement!

That wouldn't be wise.

Why not?

We're too close to the enemy.

If we spread out to encircle
them from this distance...

...we may isolate parts of our
fleet, making them vulnerable.

Although we'd still win, we would
incur great losses.

Shuril?

He's right.

In that case, we'll
meet them head on..

I think that would be
the better strategy.

Inspector, the Condrin group
says they're done for now...

...and wants to know
where to go next.

I'll check with the reserves.

Standby until we figure
out our next move.

Roger.

Inspector, I'm with
Chief Ramashdi.

We're stuck at an occupation
army road block.

Not again.

This is the tenth time!

Why can't they
be more flexible?!

Here, it's for you again.

I'll speak with the officer
in charge from our army.

Yes.

Three more hotels...

Where are you,
young Abh lady?

...thank you very much.

Limzale Inn

I'll put yours here.

Okay.

The purpose was to
investigate deep space.

Rather than using
genuine machines...

...they thought organic machines
would be more suitable.

And that's what the Abh are.

In other words,
Abh are not human.

They are nothing more
than organic machines.

I should've added more salt.

I call out to all free humans.

We must put the Abh
back where they belong.

As living machines
made to serve humanity!

It would also...

They're full of lies!

What she said is no lie.

It's true that our ancestors were
created as living machines.

Did you not know that?

I had no idea.

Not surprising.

The Abh will never
talk about it...

...and you won't
find it written anywhere.

It's only told within the family,
from generation to generation.

This is very salty.

Oh, sorry.

I'll make it more to
your liking next time.

Our ancestors...

...were sent on an expedition
by their mother fortress...

...to search the
depths of space.

During that journey...

...they discovered
a new speed portal...

...that we now know
as Sord Reza.

After that, they decided to
break from the mother fortress...

...and live independently
in outer space.

I see.

Yes.

And in order to fend off forces
sent by the space fortress...

...they developed their
own military and weapons...

But...

...the fortress didn't have the
resources to send a force, right?

That's right.

But we still ended
up destroying it.

Why?

I asked my father
the same question.

My father said that
our ancestors were...

...afraid of the space fortress.

They were almost crushed
by their own mounting fear.

The shadow of the
space fortress kept...

...looming so large and
powerful over them.

I don't get it.

I don't get it either.

My father taught me
that every Abh must...

...carry the guilt and
mission on one's shoulders.

And I believe he's right.

The guilt of destroying
the space fortress.

And the mission?

To protect and convey the
culture of the mother fortress.

Even though they hated it?

It's not hatred.

It's love.

That's what our
ancestors said...

...as they watched the
debris scatter in space.

I'm going to bed.

Okay.

Jinto?

Yeah?

Do you regret
becoming an Abh?

Why should I regret it?

I'm already an Abh.

You taught me that yourself.

Good night!

Good night.

There are some things
I still don't understand.

In fact...

...my mind's full of things
I don't understand.

Yet...

...I've accepted my
destiny as an Abh.

Why, this is...!

What is it?

The military police
has made its move.

Well, how delightful.

So I guess they no
longer need us.

No.

We must inform HQ as soon
as we find out where they are...

...and keep an eye on them.

What'd you say?

We can't go in and arrest them?

No.

The military police
will be making the arrest.

That's ridiculous!

We're told to do all the work...

...yet we can only watch as
they move in on the offenders?

There's a strong possibility
that the Abh we're after...

...were on that shuttle
entering from Plane Space.

So what?

It's also likely that they came
from the enemy ship...

...that our forces
destroyed in Plane Space.

If that's the case, they could
have some crucial information.

Such as?

I have no idea.

And I couldn't tell you if I did.

Likely not.

So, those Abh are even more
valuable than we thought..

If we find them...

...I'm sure your department
would look at it favorably.

I think I'm figuring all this out.

You don't want the local
police to be the heroes.

No.

They don't want
me to be the hero.

Why not?

You're certainly one
of the selected few...

...becoming a lieutenant
at such a young age.

Young?

Me?

Inspector, how old
do you think I am?

Don't move, or I'll sh**t.

Who are you?!

Don't we look like
police officers?

Police...!

There's a girl staying
with you, isn't there?

An Abh girl.

No.

I think you have
the wrong room.

Hey, check the bedroom.

Stop!

That was brave.
Very brave.

But if you move one more time,
I swear I'll sh**t!

Did you come to arrest us?

That's what I understand.

Understand?

Shut up! I'll explain later!

Hey.

Let go, you little punk!

Damn!

Quite a sense of loyalty you have.

We'd rather have you
walk on your own feet...

...but it's not a must.

Have you ever
been shot before?

What are you waiting for?

Check the room!

An Abh!

They really exist.

Drop your weapon, Abh.

Don't you care
what happens to him?

Even a tranquilizer g*n will
k*ll him from this distance.

I suggest you think it over.

Think it over?!

Should you k*ll him,
you will all die here.

I won't allow any of you
to leave this room alive.

Keep in mind that I'm in
an extremely bad mood.

Because we woke
you up from your sleep?

Don't sh**t!
I haven't done anything.

It's a good thing that
you thought it over.

Wh-What the-

Why, you're...

How clumsy can you guys be?

So, you're not a chambermaid.

No.

I'm their leader, Marca.

I'm a crew member on the
anti-imperial warship, Clasbul.

Is it just me who thinks this
is starting to look like an...

...execution?

Just call me Undertaker.

I have my own name,
but my friends call me that.

I'm Min.

My parents gave me a different
name, but I don't like it.

Just call me Min.

I'm Bill.

Everyone knows the name
Bill Tobashja in this city.

Daswani.

I want you to listen
to what we have to say.

It'll benefit you as well.

I wonder about that.

"Anti-imperial" suggests
you don't like Abh.

I've got nothing against the Abh.

It's just that we're
seeking independence.

We're seeking the right to
reject the imperial system...

...and claim trading and space
exploration rights of our own.

There's no way...

...the Empire would allow that.

That's why we're fighting.

Fighting? Against the Empire?

Who did you think
we were fighting?

Well, so, how's that
going to benefit us?

We want you to be our hostages.

Jinto, let's go.

You're right.

Wait!

At this rate, you won't
get away from them.

We can keep you
out of sight...

...until the Abh return.

That would help a great deal.

But why do you need hostages?

To use in our negotiations.

I'll do the talking!

But, yes. He's right.

We want to negotiate with
the Empire in exchange...

...for the young lady there.

That's impossible.

That's fine.

All right.
Under these conditions.

Hostages giving us conditions?

Go ahead.

We're not handing
you our weapons.

Who ever heard
of armed hostages?!

Would you be quiet, already?!

And...

...the two of us must
always be together.

I accept.

Okay, let's get ready.

Go and get changed.

Stop treating me like a child.

They seem pretty ordinary.

Are you sure she's nobility,
with her attendant?

They're acting!
And they're good.

But...

...you're basing your actions
on the assumption that...

...the Empire will recapture
this place, aren't you?

What if the Empire
doesn't return here?

You think the Abh would give
up and walk away from defeat?

That's the craziest thing
I've heard all year.

The Undertaker's right.

Lokale, 120 units from
the designated location.

Kitil, all vessels
have come about.

Wakapeil, all vessels
anchored, on standby.

Buledef, procession aligned.

Futune, maintaining route 027.

Bask Gumryuf, confirming
mutual details within fleet.

Enemy space-time separation.

There's a 99.96% probability...

Skip the percentages!

...that it's an enemy
mine cluster.

I already know that.

It's begun.

Yes.

Commence defensive
mine attack!

Contact with space-time
clusters at direction 305.

Distance 65.

Contact range increasing.

-Deploying mines 1 and 2.
-Contact range increasing.

Space-time particles confirmed.
Commence progress in unison.

Probability of destroying
enemy mine, 83%.

Probability of mine convergence
in space-time, 98.6%.

Enemy mine defensive line
cluster, at 58 units and closing.

Unit 1, space-time convergence.

Unit 2, space-time convergence.

Unit 3, space-time convergence.

Unit 4, space-time convergence.

Distance to enemy, 142 units.

Enemy front line is
within our firing range.

Good.

Reprogram the mine targets
to attack the front line.

Reprogramming mine targets.

Target enemy front line.

-lnitial input completed.
-Target enemy front line.

Unit 3 has destroyed Alhej.

Remaining enemy mines have
reached our front line.

Distance to enemy, 100 units.

Okay, now for our next step.

We'll throw Futune at them.

Transmission from HQ.

Read me the text.

Yes.

Trample them. That's it.

Well...

...this is my first mission
with Admiral Trife...

...but I can see that his
orders are nice and concise.

Units 1 through 6,
generate space-time clusters...

...of respective units and
prepare to mobilize.

Each squadron is to
form a horizontal line...

...and proceed to
the front of our fleet.

Aye-aye.

Main fleet, remain anchored.

Send orders for Number 3
mass formation.

Unit 4 has fallen behind.

I hate laggards.

Very well, I'm sure
they'll catch up.

We'll attack with
just the other 5 units.

But...

Yes, ma'am.

Advise each captain...

...to be completely mobile,
and on course 310.

The signal, the continuous
message "Follow me".

Approaching enemy
space-time clusters!

What in the world?

There's a real battle going on.

But look at her.

Your Excellency.

The enemy is focusing their
mine attack on Futune.

Shouldn't we counter
with our defensive mines?

Where were you posted before
you came here, I wonder?

I was senior staff on
the Number 184 attack fleet.

Really?

I can see why you
wouldn't know then.

Listen...

...patrol ships aren't equipped
with a single defensive mine.

The few mines loaded
on a patrol ship...

...must be used for
attacking other vessels.

Make sure you remember that.

But still...

There's no arguing this.

A patrol ship mustn't start
panicking at this level of attack.

Besides, we are Futune.

Transmission from Unit 1,
patrol ship Kyul Bulsh.

"Serious damage incurred."

"Electromagnetic g*ns and
forward cannons inoperative."

"Retreating to the rear."

Enemy front line is
taking action to evade us.

Shall we go after them?

Are you a fool?

Or are you just acting like one?

I'm terribly sorry!

I'm asking you a question.

Which is it?

Well, I was just
acting like a fool.

And why would you do that?

That's because...

Were you checking whether or not
your superior was a fool?

No, never...

Then why did you?

I'm terribly sorry!

It's exactly as you guessed.

I'll forgive you this one time.

But make sure you
never do it again.

I'll tease you
unmercifully next time.

I'll remember that.

Maintain this course.

Our destination is
the line of battle.

Leave the small fish like escort
vessels for the fleets behind us.

The Undertaker was right.

The Abh had no intention
of walking away from this fight.

Don't give me my
freedom out of pity

Unlike back in those days

I don't have the confidence
to fly very well

So I'll stay in my
birdcage for now

I WANNA FLY AWAY

Until the lost blue skies return

I'll just keep singing for you

We should see the enemy's
front line fleet any time now.

Unless we start
getting aggressive...

...Futune will walk off
with the best stuff!

Hurry!

It's a dead end.

We are Futune,
the Goddess of Dance.

Show them what great
dancers we are.

Next episode
Lady of Chaos