02x08 - Lightning Strike

[bunniefuu]

Lt. Colonel!

You've been summoned by Strategic HQ!

If they're calling me at this hour,
on my "vacation," something must be up.

Huh... I'm so weirdly
thirsty for some reason.

With the w*r in the east bogged down

and the air w*r to the west
getting more intense,

the Empire needed to reduce
its attrition in any way possible,

so it ended its long-running
battle with the Free Republic,

deciding to withdraw from
the southern continent.

The plan was to return
its forces via Ildoa,

in order to emphasize our alliance
to our enemies.

That was the plan...

You're certain about this?

We're supposed to be their friends...

Yes.

And that's why we volunteered to find a
path to peace, because they're our allies.

But instead, they say...

"If you're our allies,
then let us use your roads."

There's still a path
to peace, I believe...

If they come home with a peace treaty,

I will personally walk them to the door.

But I don't want them
getting us involved in their w*r.

You're right there.

"We have refused land passage
to the Imperial army."

"They'll only be allowed
at port for 24 hours?"

We couldn't have hoped
for a better answer.

Yes. Our diplomat has
certainly done his job.

Ildoa is promising strict neutrality.

They've lost access to
the shortest land route.

And if the Empire is forced to
withdraw via a sea route...

They'll be taking an ocean cruise right in
front of us, the rulers of the seas.

We'll prepare a welcome party.

We can certainly offer them
more than enough cannon shells...

The Allied Kingdom's navy is the strongest
of any of the major powers.

The Empire would be badly outgunned
as it tried to protect its transports.

Men, the majority of the combat team is
on leave while being reorganized, but...

Yes! As we report directly
to Strategic HQ,

the 203rd Aerial Battalion
is an exception!

Now, let me explain the job.

The operation name is Operation Barbaroi.
As for what we'll be doing...

We're going to be a travel agency.

We'll drive the Allied Kingdom's navy
from the inner sea,

and bring back General Romel and his men
from the southern continent.

We'll be welcoming our comrades
who fought in the south?

We'll need a welcome banquet, then.

May I arrange for some beer
and wurst for the banquet?

I'm glad you're all in a welcoming mood,
but General Romel is a popular man.

His heavily armed fans
will be trying to swarm us.

Then we'll have to give them presents
full of lead before we say goodbye.

That's the spirit, Lieutenant.

But our naval combat forces in the south
are almost nonexistent.

We'd have preferred to take
the safe route via Ildoa.

But they refused to let us through.

Some wonderful allies, huh?

Without the ability to rely on our allies,

we'll have to deal with
these problems ourselves.

We'll send the Allied Kingdom shits to hell
right at Ildoa's f*cking doorstep!

Yes, ma'am!

We'll be getting a detailed explanation
of the plan from Strategic HQ.

Salute Colonel Rerugen!

Thank you.

Now, as for Operation Barbaroi...

Lt. Colonel, I'm going to ask you
to do something difficult.

If necessary, I'll do it.

Thanks... I'm glad to hear that.

Our engineers have prepared something
that will solve a number of problems.

I'll have him explain.

D-Doktor?!

Oh, it's been so long,
Lt. Colonel Degurechaff!

I'm so glad you're safe!

God must be protecting you!

S-Sure...

Oh, you're worried about whether
you'll be able to protect your comrades!

Don't worry!

Leave it all to me!

I have prepared something
that's key to this operation!

Behold! This is it!

The V-2!

A revolutionary weapon,
brought to us by the grace of God!

A guided torpedo,
wreathed in the mantle of faith!

Is that... a pilot's seat?

Looking back, the V-1 only flew straight.

Like my faith, it could only
go forward! Only forward!

Straight on to the promised land!

But the V-2 can head to its destination
freely with a believer in tow!

Call it a weapon that enables one
to confront the harshness of reality!

Wh-What the hell is
the Doktor talking about?!

Whatever path it takes, it will arrive
at the shining paradise on the hill...

To recreate the journey to the holy land,

I have given the V-2 incredible
guidance capabilities!

So that it shall never become lost,

just like you who are
guided by your faith!

I'm an atheist, you know...

But fret not, Lt. Colonel!

I won't be stealing
your thunder, of course!

We are friends,
both praising the glory of God!

It's used the same as the V-1.

You can just slam it into the enemy!

Oh, but don't forget to
bail out at the last second.

You'll get to watch up close as its huge
expl*sive load blows away your troubles!

What guarantee is there that
we won't be caught in the blast?

Well, that's up to the Lord.

Which means you don't have to
worry about a thing, I assume!

Lt. Colonel, I understand your concerns.

Especially with a new torpedo,
given the troubles the current ones have.

No need to fear!

This is totally different from the eels
those incompetents in the navy dreamed up!

I have taken the greatest care,
down to each individual fuse!

These are my torpedoes—

I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!

Would you please forgive my pride,
Lt. Colonel Degurechaff?

D-Doktor?

I almost gave myself over to arrogance!

Even though it was our working together
that made this miracle possible!

The V-2 was created thanks
to your proposal and advice!

It was a product of faith,
made by two believers!

Truly...

It is our child! Yours and mine!

Once, I was invited by the engineers
to give my opinion as a field officer.

In the end, without enough
g*ns for our main warships,

we won't achieve command of the seas,

or even threaten
the enemy's control over them.

In the long term, you're correct.

But fighting without a plan for the now
would only be a waste of money.

You're correct in theory. But so what?

Do you have a short-term solution?

I do. Torpedoes,

especially those dropped by air,
would be extremely effective, I believe.

Our technology isn't even sufficient
for proper ship-based torpedoes.

Air-dropped torpedoes would
be even more difficult...

Why not change how we use them?

Using submarines to whittle
down their numbers...

Could a slow-moving sub hit a warship?

There's no way a novice could come up

with some idea that would
instantly turn things around.

Why not put a mage in the torpedo, then?

What?

The mage could guide it to the enemy
and bail out at the last second.

It would never miss.

And a mage could continue the attack
after the torpedo strike.

I think I did say that, actually...

I guess anybody can throw out "good ideas"

as long as they think they're not
gonna be the one to actually do them.

Is this another trick of Being X's?

I bet it is.

It's the only explanation!

Well, fine. Fine.

If that's your game...

I'm just going to beat it!

General, everyone's ready to board.

But will we be able to
withdraw successfully?

It seems there are more Allied Kingdom
ships waiting for us than expected.

Will we really make it across the sea?

Signals on sonar.

Warship engines!

Multiple main warship class signals!

Lt. Colonel Degurechaff, we have contact.

Multiple large ships.

How wonderful.

A heavy cruiser for an appetizer.

And a carrier and a battleship
for the main courses.

But it's just before sunset,
unfortunately.

We can use the eels instead of V-2s...

I appreciate your kindness.

But if we want to be certain this works,
we should be the ones to do it.

Normally, I'd agree.

But at this hour,
where visibility is so poor...

That's why we're here.

We're just going to have to do this.

Because our allies' retreat depends on us?

And our friends in Ildoa
are watching, too.

We, the ones on the front lines,
will have to make this all work out.

We'll bring the goddess
of luck to our side,

if we have to kick her a*s
and drag her over to do it.

Final confirmation before we board.

Yes, ma'am!

We have only 12 V-2s.

We'll have to make good use of them.

We need to take out the carrier
and the battleship no matter what.

Don't get the target order wrong.

Just before the torpedoes hit,
bail out and surface.

Then engage the destroyers in combat.

What's with those looks?

Lt. Colonel, this is... it's too...

Too what?

As commanding officer,
I'm going in first.

All you have to do is follow me.

Nothing more and nothing less.

H-How are we supposed to
identify the enemy underwater?

Um, about oxygen...

I'm concerned about water
pressure and the currents...

And that's why we mages are
absolutely needed for this plan.

We'll just have to pray it works out.

Pray?

I'm sorry, Lieutenant...

But first, do every damn thing you can.

Human strength! Human will!

That's what it takes...

to do what must be done.

We've got the target's courses and speed!

Lt. Colonel, we're sending the data.

But be aware they're approximate.

Very well. Data received.

Final check. Prepare for launch!

Very good. Looks like
everyone's ready, right?

Yes.

Uh... yes.

Uh...

Good.

I'm glad... very glad... to hear it!

Here we go!

So we wipe out the enemy
as they try to flee into the night

and finish up operations on
the southern continent, huh?

Easy job, huh?

They don't stand a chance.

I-Is it time yet?

Not yet...

Not yet...

I can't go on!

Now!

W-What's going on?

The Mighty Hood!

The Ark Royal!

We're doomed!

Reinforcements!

Reinforcements from the main fleet!

A blessing! Oh, thank you, God!

We're saved!

God didn't abandon us?!

Get over here!

Over here!

Enemy mages off the starboard bow!

What?

Why? Has the Lord abandoned us?!

Go to hell, you piece of sh*t god!

Before you pray, get to work.

If talking is the first thing you do,

you're worthless!

Did you see that, Being X?

I'm not losing to one of
your ridiculous trials!

Behold my stubbornness and pride
as someone living in modern times!

The will of God can go f*ck itself.

I will survive and live off royalties,
no matter what I have to do.

I'm Major Otto von Elm, captain of U-091.

Wonderful work, Lt. Colonel.

The Allied Kingdom's
main fleet has withdrawn,

and the southern expeditionary force
is in for a lovely sea voyage.

My old school chum, Barchet,
was so excited.

Oh, you went to officers' school
with Captain Barchet.

I had no idea.

Oh, this is for you. It's from HQ.

Oh, I see.

We're going to take advantage of their


I think I'm going to enjoy
a little sightseeing trip then.

"Is it not a joy to have
friends come from afar?"

May I answer that, "If people
do not recognize your worth,

but this does not worry you,
are you not a true gentleman?"

Whatever do you mean?

As your allies, we understand you well.

A laurel wreath for the victors, then?

The Allied Kingdom's fleet
lost the battle a little too hard.

So of course we're willing to make
minor adjustments to our policies.

We're a neutral country.
We're allowed to do that after all.

The Ildoans are completely shameless.

No wonder the folks back home
want to teach them a lesson.

They're not welcoming a military unit.

Just twelve people on a courtesy visit.

But even if the Ildoans say that,
it's still a mage unit.

A nice bit of humiliation.

My head hurts.

Why did it have to be Lt. Colonel
Degurechaff's unit that we're allowing in?

From a diplomatic
perspective, this hurts!

I can't wait to see
Lt. Colonel Degurechaff!

She was quite helpful to me in the east.

I'm so happy she's paying us
this courtesy visit!

I'm so glad I managed to meet
that monster ahead of time!

I don't think I could've kept it together
if this were the first time I met her.

So it will be a heartwarming
reunion, then?

I'd like to do something special
to commemorate it.

Of course! But unfortunately,

it's so sudden we lack the facilities
and budget for a proper welcome.

Sheesh. This whole thing is a farce,
through and through.

They're having their "friends"
come in through the back door,

with nobody around to see them.

But all we're doing is quietly
allowing in a single submarine.

As long as they don't make a fuss...

Hello! Hello!

Thank you so much for the welcome,
my Ildoan friends!

I-Is it really okay... is it really
okay for her to stand out this much?

Good luck! Work hard!

Um... you're a mage.
You're not going, Captain?

I can't fit.

I can't fit into the swimsuit.

Good luck! Work hard!