01x04 - Surprise Attack

[bunniefuu]

Through numerous
unifications and break ups...

...the number of interstellar
nations continued to decrease...

...until only four nations
remained excluding...

...the Humankind Empire Abh.

Ranked according to power...

...these four nations are
the United Mankind...

...the Federation of Hania,

...the Republic of
Greater Alcont...

...and the People's Sovereign
Union of Planets.

Twelve years ago, the four
nations gathered in Nova Sicily...

...and entered into an agreement
setting aside the grudges...

...that they had had
with one another.

This was the Nova Sicily Treaty
military alliance.

The member nations of this
alliance are officially...

...called the Nations of the
Nova Sicily Treaty Structure...

...but more commonly known
as the Four Nations Alliance.

Although it was not clear what
the objective of the alliance was...

...it was obvious that
the alliance was formed...

...to counter the only nation
not included in the pact.

The Humankind Empire Abh.

Captain.

Yes?

Please come to the
bridge immediately.

We've sighted unidentified
space-time clusters.

I'll be right there.

Lairia, what's the status?

Direction, 78 degrees ahead...

...distance, 1539.17 gedrels.

Their course is 18 degrees.

Sufugnoff is in that direction.

Sufugnoff is our next
port-of-call, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

We should arrive there first.

And what's their size?

We've located 120
space-time clusters...

...of approximately


They would amount to a
total output of 4 vessels.

Do you know which
sord they entered from?

I have Leshikuria
calculating that right now.

I've narrowed it down to 47...

...but I can't narrow it
down any further.

Are any of them
presently in use?

No.

These sords are all closed,
and all generally neglected.

Are there any sords within a
light year of inhabited planets?

Not one.

Any within five light years?

There's one!

Where?

Four point one light years
from Sord Keish 193...

...is Vascotton 4 of
the Vascotton system.

That planet's occupied by...

...the United Mankind.

The United Mankind...

It's been five days
since Gosroth set out.

At that time...

...I was tackling the rules
of the supply officer module.

It's impossible!

This is totally impossible.

There's no way I can
remember all this.

There are 120 articles
just on lunch manners!

Dorin was right.

Well...

...you were commuting to an
Abh school here, weren't you?

The school I went to was...

...for educating candidates
expected to become...

...citizens of the Empire.

There were no Abhs.

Not even beautiful
Abh teachers?

The teachers were all grumpy
men from the territories.

Why couldn't you just go to
a school with Abh kids?

The Abhs have no
elementary school system.

Really?

Then how do they learn
how to read and write?

I hear the parents
teach them all that.

But...

...there was no way my father
could've taught me like the Abhs.

That's why...

...I got shipped off to that
school if only to...

...learn the Abh language
and basics.

And that took a whole 7 years?

I always thought you
were pretty smart...

...but I guess I was wrong.

He was right.

So, this is it.

What is it?

It seems like the Four Nations
Alliance want to start a w*r.

Don't you agree?

They've been making
unreasonable requests...

...like advocating
Hyde independence...

...and demanding access
to routes within the Empire...

...so they can maintain and
defend their independence.

They're well aware that the
Empire would not agree to that.

Yes. And?

In other words...

...they're done preparing, and
they want an excuse to attack.

I see.

A lot must've gone
into this preparation.

They would've had to check
out a number of sords...

...throughout space to
find one they could use.

And even if they could
find a suitable sord...

...they would've had to
bring it in closer to them.

To do that...

...they would've had to wait
years for the sord to close again.

If they managed to do that
in less than ten years...

...I'd say it was a miracle.

Or...

...a nightmare.

There's no question they were
planning this well before...

...the establishment of Hyde.

Right.

The problems with Hyde
was just a recent coincidence.

Moreover...

...the Nova Sicily Treaty
might have come about...

...for the purpose of
carrying out these plans.

Who knows.

Why bother telling
such obvious lies.

They're not fooling
anyone else...

...but themselves.

Selfdelusion?

This is getting even
more confusing.

I don't understand their
way of thinking.

But they probably believe
what they're doing is just.

What about our honor?

We're seen as evil incarnate.

Oh, didn't you know, Lairia?

We're supposed to be natural
born invaders and K*llers.

Take a look at any history book
from the United Mankind.

It blames virtually every
disaster on the Abhs.

A change in the enemy's
space-time clusters!

One space-time cluster
has just split into ten.

They've shifted their
course toward us.

From its size...

...the space-time clusters appear
to correspond to each ship.

How long until these visitors
enter our mine field?

They'll be entering at
approximately 21:15.

Executive officer.

Put us into combat status 2.

At 20:30...

...we'll go to combat status 1 .

Aye-aye.

Senior Gunnery Officer...

...look into strategic options.

Aye-aye.

What are our chances here?

What's that?!

This is the captain speaking.

All personnel, listen carefully.

An unidentified
space-time cluster...

...78 degrees and a distance
of 1540 gedrels ahead of us...

...is headed this way.

Their destination is assumed
to be the same as ours...

...that is, Sufugnoff.

Listen carefully, everyone.

At this rate, we're sure to
arrive in Sufugnoff first.

They don't seem too
pleased about that...

...and have sent 10 ship-size
space-time clusters toward us.

We have yet to confirm
where they came from...

...but they appear to be
from the United Mankind.

All personnel, it is likely that
this will turn into a battle!

What's going on?

This is no drill.

I repeat.

This is no drill.

If the enemy proves
to be persistent...

...we'll be going into battle...

...at about 21:15.

In preparation...

...at exactly 20:30...

...we will go to combat status 1 .

All off-duty personnel are to
rest up and be ready by this time.

I will repeat one last time.

Get this into your heads,
my precious crew members.

This is not a drill or mock battle.

This is your captain. Out.

Going into battle...

Lafiel.

My orders are to
take you to the bridge.

Can you come?

What's going on, anyway?

Just as you heard.

I don't know any more than that.

It looks like you joined us
just as w*r was breaking out.

How fortunate.

Life sure is nothing but a
string of good fortune.

It takes no effort to
hit a stumbling block.

I just hope it'll all be
over before my appointment.

That's not likely.

We prefer not to end a w*r
before there's a clear victor...

...and the enemy appears to
be the United Mankind.

It's questionable whether
it'll be over before I die.

Your natural death?

Yes.

Maybe 200 or 250 years.

In any case, until I die.

You sure have a way of
cheering people up.

I have brought His Excellency
the Prince with me.

I apologize for the trouble,
Your Excellency.

Pilot Trainee Abriel...

...please remain as you are.

Yes.

Your Excellency...

...I unfortunately cannot
offer you a seat.

It's quite alright.

I can just stand.

I'm sure you know
what's happened...

...from my announcement.

Yes.

Something about
heading into battle.

The probability of winning
this battle is 37%.

That's assuming the enemy
is fighting with their best...

...but even if they're just
rookies on outdated ships...

...our chances of winning
still won't amount to 50%.

That doesn't look too good.

Right.

Our best chance
would be to flee...

...but unfortunately our
situation doesn't allow that.

Therefore, I must have you
disembark, Your Excellency.

I see.

This spaceship is equipped
with a transfer shuttle.

Although small, it is capable
of Plane Space flight.

Please go to Sufugnoff
ahead of us on the shuttle.

You'll need to refuel
once while en route...

...but you'll still arrive before
that space-time cluster.

You can then catch another ship.

There's a communications
base in Sufugnoff...

...so you won't have to
rely on luck to find a ship.

Pilot Trainee Abriel shall...

...escort you to Sufugnoff.

Captain! I couldn't!

I have yet to earn a license
to command a vessel.

But you've completed the
course for vessel command.

You'll automatically receive
your license after this passage.

All that's left is paperwork.

You are qualified, trainee.

But I'd like to remain
on this ship and...

I have no intention of
arguing with a trainee.

Am I not the captain
of this ship?

I don't understand.

Do I have to spell it out?

I am an Abriel.

I'd lose face as an Abriel if
I run away f rom the enemy.

Quit your petty outbursts
and your boasting...

...at least until you've
earned your wings...

...Viscount Abriel Nei
Dobrusk Paryunu...

...Lafiel!

What do you mean by running
away from the enemy?

You're not attached to any
of the battle divisions.

You are still not ready.

Nothing more than an extra body.

Now, I gave you an order.

An important order to evacuate
the Prince, a non-combatant...

...from the battle theater as
well as to inform the Empire...

...that we are being approached
by what is likely an enemy fleet.

Evading my order is an example
of running away from the enemy.

So ignorant that you don't
know what running away is.

If that's not losing face...

...then the Abriels are not
worthy of Abh loyalty.

If you still want to argue, I'll
cite you for insubordination.

You can discuss this further at
the ex-emperor's meeting...

It was a misunderstanding
on my part...

...Captain.

As long as you realize that.

Prepare to launch in
the transfer shuttle at once.

I still have something to
discuss with the Prince.

Aye-aye.

I will get right on with
the launch preparations.

Once you're ready to launch...

...relay me a message.

There's no need for
you to return here.

Aye-aye.

As you wish.

Now, go on.

I'll see you in Lakfakalle...

...my precious Royal Highness.

Yes. Certainly.

Your Excellency...

...we are pressed for
both time and space.

Please take only the personal
effects you absolutely need.

I intend to do so.

I'm sure l'll be able to
collect the rest at the capital.

I must apologize for
not being able to...

...take you to the
capital as planned.

Transportation setbacks...

...were not uncommon
back in Vorash, either.

Those kind words
help set me at ease.

By the way, Your Excellency...

Yes?

In addition to your
personal effects...

...there's one other thing
that I'd like you to take.

Yes?

Open weapons locker.

This is Captain Lexshue
Uef Robel Palkia.

Please keep one for yourself...

...and another for
Pilot Trainee Abriel.

She'll know how to use them.

But...

Why will we need
something like this?

You can't be too careful.

I'm guessing that they're
planning to attack us.

They wouldn't be committing
all that power just to stop us.

But, you know...

...I sense that they're seriously
hell-bent on annihilating us.

I can't help but feel that.

You mean...

...by the time we
arrive in Sufugnoff...

...this ship may have
surrendered to them.

I pray that's not the case.

Um...

Captain.

If your...

...primary objective is to
evacuate Her Royal Highness...

...then wouldn't
a guard be better?

Please don't get me wrong.

When I have
non-combatants on-board...

...my duty is to avoid battle
as much as possible.

If a battle cannot be avoided...

...I take measures to ensure
the non-combatants' safety.

This is a responsibility of
all Star Force commanders.

It is a fact that Abriel is not
a part of any battle division.

Even if she had come
from an average family...

...I would've given her the
task of piloting the shuttle.

I'm sorry.

That was a thoughtless question.

On the other hand...

...I'd be lying if I said
the coincidence...

...that the Princess was also
a pilot trainee didn't matter.

You've given this a lot
of thought, Captain.

Sure.

Although her royal status has
no meaning in the military...

...Her Highness could one
day become the Empress.

She may even become
a wise and great Empress.

When that day comes...

...my hope is that she would
reflect on her days here...

...and acknowledge that
she was taught well.

I cannot allow her to die
while she is still a child.

That's very true.

Well, you should be
on your way now.

Please return to your room
and gather up your effects.

I regret that no one's
available to escort you...

...but you do know your
way to the flight deck?

I'll be fine.

Oh.

About my family standard
that you had placed in my room.

I'll leave it behind for now.

But I look forward to
receiving it one day...

...to commemorate my
time on this ship.

Spoken like a true
nobleman, Your Excellency.

Really? I'm glad.

Well, Captain...

I'll be going.

Your Excellency...

...please watch over
Her Royal Highness.

I can't imagine such
a desperate situation...

...in which Her Highness
would have to depend on me...

But should such a time come,
I'll do everything I can.

The transfer shuttle is splitting
into it's own space-time.

There go the young
man and woman.

I hope they don't
encounter any difficulty.

I certainly hope not.

They both have quite
unique backgrounds.

They could be very interesting
people in the future.

Actually, they already
are interesting people.

You're right.

Bringing them together may
be my biggest accomplishment.

But...

...that's only possible if they
reach the capital safely.

You're quite concerned
about those two, aren't you?

Is it wrong to be concerned?

No.

But when you think about it,
we're the ones in real danger.

We really don't have the
time to worry about others.

Although I do feel wretched
about questioning my superior.

To know that you feel wretched...

...when you question
your superior...

...is a nice thing to know.

However...

...you're absolutely right.

This is when I must carry
out my duty to my crew.

I've gotta say something.

"I've gotta say something..."

...is all I kept thinking.

Traveling in this craft
through this separate space...

...we are the only two
intelligent beings in space.

One of those two...

...is wallowing in a
deep depression.

And the other one is...

...thinking desperately...

...about how to
brighten up the mood...

...in this lonely other space.

Lafiel...

Captain.

We're within hailing range...

...of the unidentified
space-time cluster.

Declare ourselves to them...

...and get them
to identify themselves.

Aye-aye.

This is the patrol ship Gosroth.

Declare the name of your ship
as well as your origin.

Nothing yet?

Quiet.

We have a response.

Why, this is...

This is no correspondence.

This is a challenge to battle!

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 f or now

I WANNA FLY AWAY

Until the lost blue skies return

I'll just keep singing for you

That confirms it.

Hey...

Lafiel...

I was useless...

...at such an important time.

Don't say that!

Commence battle!

Next episode
Battle of Gosroth