01x01 - A Diplomatic Mission

[bunniefuu]

PLANET BARKA
TRADE FEDERATION MILITARY BASE OUTER RIM

Turn that off!

What if the enemy sees it?

I'm sorry, sir!

Your daughter?

No, my granddaughter.

It is for your granddaughter's future

that tonight we will take down

those oppressive Shoren b*stards.

You and I,

we will win back Barka's freedom!

Yes, sir.

Go to hell, Shoren pigs!
Freedom for Barka!

Freedom for Barka!

All squads, attack!

Freedom...

for... Barka...

These damn mice! They won't slow down!

PLANET BARKA TRADE FEDERATION
MILITARY BASE OUTER RIM

BARKA DISTRICT 142 SPECIAL DISPATCH
SECURITY FORCE

What the hell is this? I didn't think
this mission was gonna be so damn rough.

ORDINARY PERSON UNIT K321

Did you really think our Yakitori unit
would be assigned an easy job?

Get down!

Ah! It's hot!

Screw this!

Good grief. I hope it's over.

Of course it's not over.

sh*t! That's all I had.

I only have about two rounds left.

I have three more.

Well, my damn g*n is jammed.

You shouldn't be auto-firing.

Did you forget your training?

Always fire your weapon
in three-shot bursts.

Thanks for sharing.

That would've been real nice to know
about ten minutes ago.

Enough of that.

Admin AI, report.

Do we have a*mo on the way?

Notification:
Ammunition drones have been deployed.

Current status:
Drone throughput at maximum.

It will likely take some time
until redeployment.

Damn it!

Of course! Just another excuse!

Why don't you
just take whatever you need?

What?

There's lots of unused a*mo outside.

You saying we should loot the corpses?

Some of them might be playing dead.

I'll cover you.

Seriously?

A needle g*n, but made for mice.

These weapons, they're Trade Federation.

I'm not surprised by that.
Take a closer look.

They aren't t*rrorists
or rebel insurgents.

They're the local Trade Federation Army.

So they're allies, huh?

Yeah, until yesterday.

Notification:
New enemies in the encampment perimeter.

They blew up the damn bunker!

Hey, what's up with them?

Freedom for Barka...

What the hell was that?

They're bombers! Suicide bombers!

Don't let them get close to us!

Yakitori
versus mouse suicide bombers?

I like those odds, so bring it on!

Let's go assholes!

YAKITORI

1. Official Name: Special Space Security
Industry Jurisdiction Ordinary Person Unit

2. Overview: Cheap substitute
of the Trade Federation Marine Corps

3. Legal status: Fixtures
4. Advantages: Very cheap

5. Place of Origin: Planet Earth

A DIPLOMATIC MISSION

TEN HOURS EARLIER - PLANET BARKA
TRADE FEDERATION MILITARY BASE

BARKA DISTRICT 142 SPECIAL DISPATCH FLEET
INTERSPECIES SECURITY FORCE

It's so heavy.

K321 UNIT MEMBER AKIRA IHOTSU

SPECIAL SPACE SECURITY
ORDINARY PERSON UNIT K321

Yeah, no kidding.

Barka's gravity is

within the Trade Federation's
standard tolerance levels, huh?

What a joke, right?

LIKEWISE:
AMALIA SCHULZ

Akira and Amalia actually agree?

That's something you don't see every day.

LIKEWISE:
TYRONE BAXTER

Shut up.

You don't feel heavier here, Tyrone?

Hmm?

Actually, yeah, kind of.

Stupid meathead.

Still, it's a pretty nice view!

LIKEWISE:
ERLAND MARTONEN

Hey, why do you have
so much energy, Erland?

I can't believe this is our day.

There are so many species here.

I mean, I know this is the Interspecies
Security Force, but still!

That's true! It's like those sci-fi movies
we used to watch.

- Yeah, I know!
- Will you stop?

Hmm?

Always focusing on the wrong things.

LIKEWISE:
ZIHAN YANG

Zihan's right.

Akira, what's wrong?

Look out there.
They don't have any blockades.

Not even some barbed wire?

I see some bunkers
and stuff but, uh...

They're old and run down.

This isn't a w*r base.
It's just an airfield.

Yeah, looks like it.

They don't have any defenses.

These guys are either really confident
or just a bunch of idiots.

Unless...

- Unless what?
- You don't get it.

They're overconfident.

So what does that mean?

It means that all they think
they need is just a show of force.

- Uh...
- Seriously?

Attention, all squads!

Time to get in formation!

Instants, line up! Line up! Line up now!

Get in formation!

Show some discipline!

Well, this is better
than I thought would be.

MARINE MILITARY OFFICER RIMEL

Yes, Rimel, sir.

The Instants were given
minimal instruction

and are standing by now.

They're awaiting command.

Look at all these damned fools

who are incapable
of thinking for themselves.

They're cheaper than regular soldiers,
but still come at a cost.

They want us to use them as...

...decoys.

Those at the top of the Federation
are only interested in lowering our costs.

Ready them.

Don't let the foreign affairs clan
ruin it.

Sir!

Don't rely on your imprinted knowledge.

Follow your officer's guidance!

Pay attention where you're standing!

Stay in your spot!

What? Hey! This way!

You idiots would know where to go
if you just listened to me.

This does seem
like a ridiculous sci-fi film.

PLANET EARTH

A few decades ago,

they suddenly appeared on Earth,

like it was ripped right out of the pages
of a science fiction novel.

The Pan-Star System Trade Federation,
or the Trade Federation for short.

They're an interstellar civilization made
up of several different alien species.

After a brief, violent demonstration,

they used their overwhelming technological
and military might

to force the countries around the world
to bow to their will.

They called it
"friendly diplomatic relations."

The day aliens came to Earth,

they stripped humanity of their freedom.

We call this "The Great Collapse."

After that, everything changed.

That was the turning point
in human history

when the existing order of human society
was erased.

Due to The Trade Federation's
advanced technology

and overwhelming trading capital,

the Earth as a planet

became the equivalent
of one large third-world country.

Their only export was human beings

as food and mercenaries.

Although I've only read about this stuff
in a textbook,

the only life I've ever known
was at the bottom of the food chain.

Ihotsu, listen.

I have your best interest at heart,
believe it or not.

Between you and I,
you should forget about going to college.

What the hell is this about?!

I'm just saying that it will be
a difficult experience for you.

Your behavior, your family...

I mean, their social standing
is already so poor.

Do you honestly think you could handle it?

You should consider it a blessing, really.

We're just cutting things off at the pass.

You'd simply drift
towards another direction

to make it easier for everyone.

Oh, hell no!

I'm gonna pass all my exams
so I can build my future, you as*h*le!

There are a limited number of placements
open in our district this year.

Two! That's it.

If you take the examinations,

then it means
that someone more deserving will miss out.

Our school has to send someone
who can properly represent us.

Everything affects how we are perceived
and evaluated in the future.

- Stop telling me this sh*t!
- Ah!

Why does my education
have to take a back seat for that?

- Look at yourself! You're out of control!
- Shut up!

As of this moment, Mr. Ihotsu,
I have no choice but to expel you!

So gather your things and get out now!

LABOR COLLECTIVE

Bam!

Yeah, check it out! Read 'em and weep.

I win again.

Seriously? Idiot.

Uh, luck's on your side today.
I have nothing left!

Hey!

- Huh?
- Huh?

You guys, get up and get to work!

Listen up, Ihotsu.

Why are you
busting your a*s for nothing around here

when nobody else even gives a sh*t?

Hey, it kind of looks like you're trying
to make the rest of us look like assholes.

Then why don't you just stop slacking off?

Oh, shut it.

Come on.

The only reason they have us
doing this is crappy work

is because they pity us.

Why should we take this serious at all?

Yeah, sure it's crappy,
but at least it's some damn work!

I'm not gonna be thankful
for this bullshit.

You're starting to sound
like you think you're better than us.

We've got a sweet setup
and you're ruining it for everybody here.

- Do you get me?
- Huh?

You're the ones
who are dragging me down here!

What did you just say?
You're just as bad as they are,

looking down your nose at us

when you're the same
scraping the bottom of the barrel!

I'm nothing like you, trash!

as*h*le!

What the hell is going on in here?

Ugh, damn.

Are we going yet?

Thank you.

Officer Rimel here.

Reporting to my new post at the Trade
Federation Personal Security Squad.

We will now be escorting
the special envoy.

All troops, advance!

These soldiers are just for show.

Same goes for us.

You got that right.

Wait a second!
Stop where you are!

Yeah, you! Yakitoris!

What the heck is that?

Why do you have heavy weapons?

You're supposed to be in formal dress
for all diplomatic missions!

Being in combat gear
is against regulations!

Listen. You're gonna have to take
your complaints up with our Cook.

- Your Cook?!
- Oh, our recruiter is our Cook!

Hmm.

So?

We weren't provided ceremonial uniforms,

so our Cook assigned us
this equipment to carry just in case!

Yeah? Bullshit!

If you don't believe us, then you can
check in with our Cook directly.

All right, wait here.

BARKA DISTRICT 142 SPECIAL DISPATCH FLEET

SPECIAL SPACE SECURITY INDUSTRY
VASA PUPKIN AKA "COOK"

How may I help you?

Are you in charge of the Yakitoris?
The, uh, so-called Cook?

Oh, did K321 do something wrong this time?

ONE YEAR AGO

LONDON SPACEPORT TERMINAL THREE

Hmm.

Excuse me.
Are you Vasa Pupkin from the UN?

I am.

The Social Welfare Service of Japan

hereby formally hands over custody
of Akira Ihotsu to you.

Thank you for bringing him to me.

Hmm.

Don't you think
this is a bit of an overkill?

All of this fanfare
just to hand over one boy?

You misunderstand.

This was

for Ihotsu.

It was to protect his human rights.

Good day.

Uh.

Do you mind if I just call you Akira?

Call me what you want.

Come take a seat.

Well,
since we are in a restaurant,

how about some food?

- What do you want?
- Huh?

Feel free to order whatever you like.

It's on the house.

Courtesy of the UN.

So I can pick any fancy food?

Fancy?

It's only a hamburger.

Are you just a senile old man?

Or is this some kind of setup?

Well, he confirmed.

While it's not ideal
if you don't have the uniform,

there's nothing we can do.

However, listen.

You can't provoke the crowd,

so I'll get an armored car ready.

What's wrong? Back up!

You may be Instants,

but letting fully-armed soldiers
into the capital with all this tension...

Notification:
Ally commander code authenticated.

Transmitting response identification code.

ADMIN AI VOICED BY MIMI HATSUNE

Is that a marine Admin AI?

How did lowly Instants
get that kind of tech?

That little lady
was also provided to us by the Cook.

Ah!

- Don't point that at me!
- Oh.

That's some equipment you have.
I'm impressed.

All right, you'll be on standby
inside the truck.

Please wait inside until further notice.

Don't even peek outside
without permission!

Do not provoke anyone! Understood?

Copy that.

Huh. Would you take a look at this?

What's this supposed to be?

Are these armored trucks
trying to look like school buses?

Am I missing something?

- It looks like a bus.
- Okay.

This isn't a sci-fi movie.

This is a bad cartoon or something.

I don't get it.

The Trade Federation Army
has such a strange style.

It's huge.

Yeah,
probably to fit a range of species.

Some are giant.

This is great.

Okay, time to sit down.

At least we can rest our legs now.

But there isn't
a single window in this thing.

Notification:
Activating perimeter monitors.

Oh!

Oh, well, this is weird.

Notification: Activating auto-drive mode.

Notification:

K321, as you make your way to the venue,

be ethical and restrained
in your dealings with the local Barkans.

Did they really need to tell us that?

Notification: Set rules
of engagement to urban warfare mode.

However, use of military force
is forbidden.

Why would we sh**t?

It's only a procession?

Hey, wait. What is that?

Let me explain
the work to you first.

Okay.

The job
you are about to apply for

is part of the army,
a suborbital infantryman.

Officially,
you'd be joining the 321st unit

of the Special Space Security Industry
Jurisdiction Ordinary Person Unit

authorized by the joint licensing power
of the United Nations

and Office of the Government-General

outsourced by the Planetary Native
Intelligent Species Bureau

designated by the Pan-Star System
Trade Federation Route Security Council.

That's a damn mouthful.

I've said it a few times.

Now then, we call it K321 for short.

For all intents and purposes,

consider it mercenary work.

Mercenary? I thought this was the army.

Legally, it's a division
of the Trade Federation's army.

However, they will never acknowledge
your unit as actual soldiers,

despite your sacrifice.

Then what are we exactly?

You said we're being hired
by the Trade Federation Army.

To the Trade Federation, soldiers are
crew members of the space fleet.

There are some non-vessel divisions,
like the Marines.

However, their services
are needed elsewhere.

Their b*ttlefield is in space.

So basically,

they use us to do the dirty work
they don't want.

Am I getting that right?

You're correct.

Your salary will be
Trade Federation credits.

Depending on your rate,

you could earn enough
to live the rest of your life comfortably

on Earth after two or three years.

Your contract is renewed every two years.

This means you can break the contract
after your first training period on Mars.

I'll be honest.

Your unit's numbers will decline steeply

if you ever enter the b*ttlefield.

Decline?

They send out about a thousand humans
up into space every time,

but less than half ever actually fulfill
the first two-year contract.

So the death rate is 50%.

No.

Huh?

The majority of recruit soldiers

finish out their contract
securing orbital satellites.

Combat duty is not required for all.

And their whole unit makes it out alive.

What about the death rate
of the ones who do end up fighting?

The average death rate
for descent operations

is 70%.

Seventy percent?

The Yakitori who return alive
aren't unscathed either.

If you make it back with all your limbs,
you've won the lottery.

Wait a sec.

What's this Yakitori you keep mentioning?

The recruits are referred to
as Yakitori soldiers.

The Trade Federation
actually refers to Earthlings

as Yakitori in their official documents.

So they want to grill us up?

Just so you know,

it wasn't the Trade Federation
that came up with that terminology.

It was the humans.

But I can assure you
that your risk will be a bit lower.

Why's that?

Because your time spent in combat
will be shorter.

Your new K321 Unit will be spending
far more time in training

before you're sent out on missions.

How come?

The Trade Federation wants to try
something different.

Currently, they're gathering research
on this new system,

which is why
all these new recruits that I'm finding

will enter through this new test program
to see how it works.

I get it.

All right,
that about covers the basics.

Do you have any more questions?

No, I'm convinced.

Let's sign the paperwork.

Freedom for Barka!

Die, invaders!

Shoren, get out!

No to Shoren control!

Wow, this is a warm welcome.

Can you believe this hostility?

They despise us being here.

Yeah, you're right.

I wish we had more than this combat gear.

Not good.

I'm surprised.

Being hated bothers you that much?

Are you dumb? That isn't the issue.

What's wrong then, Akira?

Look at where we are.

They're carrying us through the slums.

Huh?

It reminds me
of the special quarantine zone in Japan.

It's unsettling.

Huh?
But the buildings look well cared for.

It doesn't look like the slums.

Yeah,
it's actually a pretty nice city.

If you all aren't looking to die,
you gotta learn to trust your gut.

There you go with your feelings.

How about you use your words this time?

The eyes.

It's the hostility in their eyes.

It's like a curse.

Exactly.

Ah! What the...

Get out!

Get Shoren out of Barka!

Yeah, yeah!

Freedom for Barka!

Freedom!

Shoren, leave Barka now!

End of the road, huh?

What now?

Ah!

Hmm.

Huh?

Hey.

What are those?

Freedom for Barka!

Freedom!

Get Shoren out of Barka!

Attention! Public Broadcast.

Warning! Warning!

Citizens, please stand back!

They're so big.

And impressive.

- What's the robot for?
- Notification:

That is a Trade Federation
Army Ground Security Operational

Multi-Purpose Multi-Limbed
Combat Support Vehicle.

It's called a TUF-MAGAK.

Trade Federation Army?

Notification:
Their ID is the Public Security Forces.

They are Planet Barka's
designated Ground Defense Force.

What the hell?

There are Trade Federation armies
other than ours?

I guess they needed
one of them to not be for show.

- Hey.
- Huh?

Look outside now.

Attention!
Public Broadcast! Warning! Warning!

Citizens, please stand back! Please!

Notification!
Public Broadcast! Warning! Warning!

Violent protests will not be tolerated
in the urban zone!

Well, that should
take care of that problem.

I hope we head back to base.
I'd k*ll for a cup of tea.

Oh yes! Hmm.

What is it, Akira?

Well, I just feel something in my gut.

It's too late to regret
becoming a Yakitori at this point.

No, that's not it.

Man, you're all idiots.

Mission accomplished, I guess.

Yeah, I'm starving

Let's find some food.

Well, I want something real to eat.

So...
...why don't we head into town and...

Tyrone, jeez.
Do you have a death wish or something?

No.

You've gotta be out of your mind.

I mean, how can you even consider
going into the city

knowing how much the locals hate us here?

- Well, I mean, that's separate from us!
- What?

We're not allowed to leave?

Notification:

For security reasons,

orders have been issued to stay inside
the garrison during off-duty hours.

What security measures?!

It's a security necessity.

What sort of foolish logic is that?!

Hey, Amalia, cut it out.

Agreed.

Those guys are just like Pupkin.

You won't get anywhere with them.

Yeah, that's true.

Pupkin, huh?

Pupkin, yeah.

Akira, what are you doing?

I'm just gonna call up the guy

who sent us all out
on this godforsaken mission.

He should explain things.

He owes us that much.

Hmm?

Oh. What's wrong?

Don't try and play dumb.

How about you let us in
on what's happening around here?

A simple escort mission.

There was an explanation
before you deployed.

Yes, but that's all we've been told.

The special envoy is here

and what exactly would they be doing on
a planet that's completely full of mice?

And would you care to explain
why the public hates us enough

to throw garbage at our transport?

Something isn't adding up here.

Oh, that's right.

I did hear there was
quite the commotion this afternoon.

This ain't a joke to us, man.

Can you stop beating around the bush
and tell us what's going on?

It's a negotiation.

Basically, they want a better deal.

Huh?

Ninety-nine percent
of Trade Federation provinces

are dependent on their tech.

They're looking
to get a more favorable rate,

one that will affect the next generations.

So they want a legal loan?

I haven't even mentioned the interest.

If the interest reaches seven percent

and they can no longer afford the payment

or money is delayed,

their freedom is cut off

and the Credit Repossession Fleet
comes the next day.

As their name might suggest,
they repossess everything here.

This makes sense now.

The Barkans don't want the government
to negotiate such a horrible deal.

If something happens,

feel free to use the heavy weapons
I gave you instead of formal wear.

Got it?

Uh...

Did he just hang up on us?

- Hmm.
- as*h*le.

Well, I'm going to rest.

Whatever.

Now then, is luck on your side?

I have faith in your team, Mr. Akira.

What the heck? What was that?

A b*mb?

Hold on. What's happening?

Ah, damn it

- It's started.
- Zihan?

w*r! Don't you get it?

Those idiot Barkans started a w*r!

Notification:

All squad members,
get into type one combat positions!

Damn it, Pupkin.
"If something happens, use the weapons"?!

If I see him again,
I'm going knock him out.

Squad! Formation! Hurry up!

- Who was that again?
- Who knows?

- And what are the commanders doing?
- Let's go.

Yeah, I hate falling behind.

Hey, hang on!

The ground force we had

defected.

Apologies.

So we're the only ones raising
the Trade Federation flag on Barka.

No damn loyalty.

We have enough Trade Federation weapons.

But there were so many sold to the locals.

Exactly what I tried to warn them about.

Those idiot politicians
are only out for themselves.

Rimel, sir,

the special envoy
has requested we ensure his safety.

That damn cat is such a coward.

It would be such an honor
for the military,

for our humble clan to be of service

to the honorable and venerable
special envoy's clan!

Tell him I said that.

Sir!

All right, time to prepare!

Show them
what the Trade Federation is made of!

Sir!

Yakitori versus mouse suicide bombers?

Let's go, assholes!

I like those odds, so bring it on!

They're small,
but there's a ton of weapons and a*mo.

Use what you want.

Nice job!

Hmm? Where'd they go?

Seems like the suicide-b*mb wave
is over.

Thank goodness!
Can we finally take a break?

No way!

Yeah, prepare for the next wave.

Next? There's more of these?

- Oh no! Get out!
- Ours'll be next!

Go! Go! Go!

That was a close one,
but we made it.

No, the real fighting will start now.

Isn't that...

- It's a spider tank! Am I right?
- How'd they get that?

Simple.

That equipment belongs to them.
I bet the pilot is a local too.

Die, invaders!

That cannon's powerful.

Not that I expect less
from the Trade Federation.

We have to take that down?

If we want to live,

we have no choice.