Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

Current Technology (less delay)

4 (40%)

End-Game (more delay)

6 (60%)

Total Members Voted: 10

[Hanzoku]

Drawing Lines
New Characters: Anchjo
New Ships:
New Fighters:

Spoiler: Pirates and Hidden Rooms (click to show/hide)

Before we leave Treumark behind, we still have a Pirates’ Lair (of the non bullshit variety) and the tavern to visit. We’ll take care of the pirates first.

>>Pirates’ Lair
We walk into the building because we see shady-looking characters moving in and out, not because of any specific information. By the time we get to the third floor, they’re ready and waiting for us.

Pirate: Who the Grus are you?!
Yuri the Reaver!

The pirates attack!

2200 crew and 86 skill on our side, 800 crew and 30 skill on theirs.  Our Commander Lv 5 easily overwhelms their attempt to shoot at us.

Semias: Yuri, let’s keep moving forward.

Yuri: Okay.

Thomas: Hey, there’s something on the floor here.

You found a currency card! You got 1,800 G!

We move up to the fourth floor, and run into another ambush.

This time there are 1,200 of them with 55 skill, but they die as easily as their buddies below.

Torlo: Hm? What’s that over there?

You found a currency card! You got 500 G!

We reach the fifth floor, for a repeat of 1,200 pirates and 55 skill.  This time, they fight a lot harder, and we lose 700 crewmen to kill them all.

Tatiana: Yuri, look what I found on the floor.

You found a currency card! You got 50 G!

The corridor runs into a dead end. There’s nothing of any interest here.

We leave the building, having netted a total of 1,750 G. The last two cards were disappointing, but wiping out 3,000 pirates is a good deed in and of itself, right?

>>Tavern
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: Did you know we have a rental laboratory on our planet? It’s part of the Galactic Federation University, but anyone can use it as long as they pay the rental fee. It's far more useful than onboard labs, thanks to the nice variety of research equipment the Federation can offer. You should try it out sometime if you have any gifted scientists on your crew.

We go to make the pictures of the headquarters on Gunnitz and Rentinen.

>>Gunnitz
>>General HQ
Yuri: Oh, yeah, I was supposed to take some pictures here, wasn’t I?

Yuri raises his camera and starts snapping shots of the surrounding area, being careful not to capture the building’s interior.

You got a picture of Space General Fleet Headquarters!

>>Tavern
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: I thought the Federation had already pacified Escondido, but Fleet Headquarters still looks incredibly busy. I bet they’re gearing up for their next combat operation.
If only you knew…

>>Talk to the middle-aged man.
Middle-age Man: Have you met Mr. Kallas yet?

>>Yes

Middle-aged Man: Oh, you have? Well, did you know his firm Kallas & Company is a service firm geared toward zero-G dogs? I bet he’ll turn out to be a valuable contact if you fancy yourself a zero-G dog.

>>Rentinen
When we get there, Minas runs onto the bridge.

Minas: Eureka! Captain! We did it!!!

Professor Minas comes running onto the bridge, shouting excitedly. Aminda Mistika follows a little behind him, wearing a slightly stunned expression.

Yuri: What’s all the excitement, Professor?

Minas: We did it, I tell you! We completed the design of the module idea I came up with in the lab on Treumark!

Yuri: You did?!

Aminda: It’s true. And I’ll say it again: This man is a true genius!

Smiling, Director Mistika hands Yuri a module blueprint plate.

Yuri: Well, it’s a blueprint, all right. What’s it all about, exactly?

Aminda: Using the duplex electrorefining method for vocanoid, we succeeded in bonding vocanoid molecules with each other with nearly thirty times the normal Coulomb force.

Minas: Now, if we create this on the outer wall of the ship in the form of a liquid armor film, the ship’s defenses should be markedly improved.

Yuri: Professor, this is absolutely amazing! To tell the truth, I never expected anything as incredible as this from you, Professor!

Minas: So, you never had very high hopes for me, is that what you’re saying?

Yuri: Oh, uh, no…. Anyway! I really appreciate this, Professor Minas.
Open mouth: Insert Foot

Minas: You’re certainly welcome, Captain! And now I’ll return the crew members I’ve been using to their normal development duties.
Minas is gracious and accepts the apology.

Yuri: Thanks again.

You got blueprints for the Shield Frame 6 module!
If we didn’t have the duplex electrorefining method, we’d only have gotten a Shield Frame 4 module blueprints.

While we’re here, we sell the Hauteclere and buy a new Gluck-class cruiser. Both it and Homilius-class give up a little module space, but swap a small mount for a second fixed medium-sized Laser Accelerator. The Gluck-class has slightly more module space and the ability to carry fighters over the Homilius-class.

Meet the Tonbogiri. Minas’s new blueprint really does live up to the hype, giving our new cruiser 2,000 more HP then it would normally have. It also carries twice the fighters that the Hauteclere could, and is overall a lot more punchy for its weight.

On the planet, we drop by the Alpha Quadrant Headquarters.

>>Alpha Quadrant Headquarters
Yuri: Oh, yeah, I was going to take some pictures here.

Yuri raises his camera and starts snapping shots of the surrounding area, being careful not to capture the building’s interior.

You got a picture of the Alpha Quadrant Fleet Headquarters!

Yuri: Okay, let’s head over to the tavern on Mondschutz.

>>Mondschutz
>>Tavern
As Yuri enters the tavern, the bartender greets him with a big smile.

Bartender: Well done, Captain! It seems you were able to take some excellent pictures! Thanks to you, Anchjo’s next graphical novel is sure to be a success! Here’s the pay I promised you.

A job well done! You got 3,500 G!

We talk to him about another job.

Bartender: Let’s see… All I have right now is some work transporting cargo. I can give you 800 G for making a delivery to the tavern on Noldau. What do you think?

We accept, as we can pass by there on our way to the Xeos belt.

Why are we heading there, you ask? Because there’s an easily missable crewmember there, who’s now waiting for us to join up with.

Bartender: I’m glad you accepted. All you have to do is transport the cargo to Noldau.

>>Noldau
>>Tavern
Bartender: Hello there. You’re Yuri, right? I heard you had something for me from the bartender over on Mondschutz. Yes, that’s exactly what I was waiting for. Thank you very much!

A job well done! You got 1,500 G!

>>Talk to the zero-G dog
Zero-G Dog: you know about that pirates’ lair over on Mondschutz?
Only too well, thank you.

Zero-G Dog: They say the place is filled with some pretty bad juju. No one who goes into that place ever comes out. At least. Not alive. Huh? You wanna hear more? Well, it’s gonna cost ya. How about buying me a drink?

You paid 100G!

Zero-G Dog: Heh heh, thanks, chief! Okay, here’s the inside scoop on that pirates’ lair. Word is, they’re using some kinda illusion creation system in their corridors. Seems like you’ll meet a nasty fate if you walk down the wrong one. It’s hard to say which ones they are, though, since they all look the same. I heard all this from the only guy I ever heard of who got out of the place alive. He also gave me an odd piece of advice. He said, “When in doubt, go straight ahead.” Now, whaddya suppose that means?
Exactly enough to go shoot some pirates to death.

>>Cino (Xeos Belt)
When we depart the planet, someone stops Yuri.

Yuri: Hm?

Finished with the port clearance procedure, Yuri heads up the gangway, when he sees something that makes him stop in his tracks.

Anchjo: Heh heh heh… Wow! This is something else. Really amazing stuff.
You’re allowed to think he’s talking about his current drug high…

Anchjo: Oh, I see. The armor plates are turning blue from the inflaton exhaust.

An unkempt-looking man who clearly does not belong here is muttering to himself while feeling all over the outside of the ship.

Yuri: Hey, who are you and what are you doing here?!

Anchjo: Well, lookie here! It’s the captain. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.

Yuri: Huh?

Anchjo: You don’t remember me? It’s me, Anchjo Luzerno.
Given we never actually met and only worked through an intermediary, there’s no reason we would know you.

Yuri: still not ringing a bell. But that’s beside the point. I don’t like people loitering around my ship, touching my stuff.

Anchjo: You really don’t remember, do you? I had you take some pictures for me a while back.

Yuri: …

Yuri finally remembers something as the man begins to get visibly agitated.

Yuri: You mean that job I got at the tavern over on Mondschutz?

Anchjo: Right. Took you long enough. Sheesh! Anyway, the name’s Anchjo Luzerno, cartoon artist extraordinaire. Man, it was a shocker when I found out that the Special Prisoner himself had taken those pictures for me!

Yuri: Okay, so what can I do for you now, Mister Cartoon Artist Extraordinaire?

Anchjo: Heh heh heh… I’ve been trying to catch up with you for some time now. You see, I wanna use the inside of your ship for some ideas for my next cartoon. I need some reference material, ya see. Would ya mind takin’ me aboard?

Yuri: No can do. There’s no room for people like you. This isn’t a pleasure cruise, you know.

Anchjo: Hey, I’m not here for a vacation! I got my own work to do. Still, I wouldn’t mind serving on your crew if that’s what it’s gonna take. I might not look like it, but my navigational skills are nothing to sneeze at.
You really don’t look like it.

Yuri: …

Anchjo: Aw, c’mon! Ya gotta let me on! I’ve been thinking of creating a new comic strip with you as my main character. If it’s a hit, you’ll be famous! So whaddya say? C’mon, I’m serious here! I’m gonna crouch down in front of your engine exhaust. You’re not going anywhere until you say yes.
You know what that’s called? A regrettable accident, we didn’t see him there, etc. Yuri has killed thousands, one more isn’t going to make him lose a moment of sleep at night.

Yuri: I don’t think so. I mean, who’s going to clean your spattered remains off my ship?

Anchjo: Wait a second! You wouldn’t really do that, would ya? Don’t be like that!

Yuri: (sighs) Fine. You can join my crew.

Anchjo: Huh?! Really?!

Yuri: Yeah, but under one condition. I’m not going to be the main character in one of your comic strips. You got that?

Anchjo: Okay, okay, message received, loud and clear! (Little does he know I got my fingers crossed. I’m gonna use him as my main character anyway!)

Anchjo Luzerno joined your crew! A new hit comic entitled “Galactic Yuri” has suddenly been released out of the blue! Yuri’s Fame increased by 500!
Its second year was markedly less well received as the comic suffered from reader backlash as they realized it was about a man named Yuri, not scantily-clad girls feeling each other up. The third year sales perked up after Anchjo started writing a three-way romance between Franny, Roubis and Kira. When Yuri glanced through one of the third-year comics, he ensured that no fourth year was even written.

We check in on the crew section, but Anchjo is a permanent passenger. He has the skill All-Seeing Lv 2, but Ratai leveled up his All-Seeing to Lv 2 as well when he hit level 20, and Anchjo suffers from the fact that he is the bottom three of the crew in every single area, except for combat, where he is fourth-worst, ahead of a 15-year old girl, an accountant, and a noblewoman who’s never fought a day in her life.

Spoiler: Libertas Shows its Hand (click to show/hide)

With Anchjo recruited, we depart Cino and return to the Regeinland Sector. We have an appointment with some pirates on Mondschultz who could do with a good firing squad.

>>Mondschultz
We sneak into the lair as before. When we get to the fatal branch…

Yuri: The corridor branches here.

Semias: Which way do you think we should go?

And we’re given a new choice – go forward.

Yuri: Let’s go forward.

Semias: What do you mean, “Let’s go forward”?!

Yuri: Just follow me. You’ll see.

Stepping ahead of his bewildered crew, Yuri walks toward the wall ahead. Just when it appears he will bump right into it, his body seems to melt into the wall and disappears, as if he were a ghost. Yuri finds himself in a room he has never seen before. He is soon joined by his crew, who enter the secret room one by one.

Thomas: I get it… It’s a trick wall. Like an illusion or something.

Semias: Well, no! I believe we hit the jackpot here! Some of this looks quite useful.

A quick search reveals some valuable items.

You got blueprints for the Regeinland Bridge 1 module!
You got blueprints for the Lookout 3 module!
You got blueprints for the Reference Room 2 module!

And then we can leave, this time.

This was the point I was up to before the sudden hiatus, to explain if there is a sudden change in tone.

With the above done, we’ve finished up all the outstanding sidequests, so now let’s get a bit of plot out of the way…

>>Gunnitz
>>General Headquarters

As they make their way to Space Armored Fleet Headquarters, Yuri and company come across a strange crowd of people.

Crowd: … …

A crowd of several hundred people holding up signs are marching around in utter silence. Upon closer inspection, their signs bear a variety of similar-sounding messages.

“O people of the universe, return to the planets from whence you came.”

“He who ventures into space shall incur God’s wrath.”

Tatiana: What’s with these people?

Thomas: Oh, these are Adisists. Ya know, they follow that wacky Adis religion? You see ‘em from time to time in almost every country in the LMC.

Kira: How come their signs are saying we shouldn’t travel into space?

Thomas: Adism, that’s what their religion’s called, is pretty much against all space travel. They think it’s wrong. And they love to protest like this, like anyone’s actually gonna listen to ‘em.

Torlo: Heh. That sounds familiar, huh, Yuri? Just like Panfilov back on good ol’ Ropesk.

Yuri: Panfilov, huh? It’s been a long time since I heard that name spoken.

Yuri and company wait for the crowd to pass by before they continue on to Headquarters.
They’ll be more significant in the future, but right now they’re basically hypocritical neo-Luddites. Hypocritical because the only way their religion spreads is through… *gasp* space travel! Heretics!

Inside the headquarters…
Dietrich: Why, Captain! This is a pleasant surprise.

Dietrich Schneizer happily greats Yuri, who does not have any other crew members in tow this time.

Yuri: I thought we could have a drink together.

Dietrich: A drink, eh? That sounds great. It’s perfect timing, too. I just finished organizing a huge backlog of documents. We could have a drink right here if you wouldn’t mind.

The two find an out of the way conference room where Dietrich won’t be reprimanded for drinking on the job.

Dietrich: I’ve been saving this for a special occasion. Burkmeister Ten-Year Old is a luxury for a military man like me.

Yuri takes a drink.

Yuri: Wow, that’s good!

Dietrich: I’m glad you like it.

Yuri: …
Dietrich: …

They continue drinking in silence until Yuri decides that it’s time to ask a question that has weighed heavily on his mind.

Yuri: Commander, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.

Dietrich: Go on.

Yuri: Does the name Bastian Schneizer ring any bells for you?

Dietrich: I was wondering when you were going to put two and two together. Yes, Bastian was my older brother.

Yuri: I thought you might be related.

Dietrich: Bastian was transferring data to Headquarters right before he passed away. That’s how I first heard of you. And after our travels together thus far, I can truly say my brother couldn’t have sacrificed his life for a worthier man.

Yuri: How come you didn’t tell me he was your brother when we first met?

Dietrich: Well, Yuri, it’s complicated.

Yuri: But you must have known I wasn’t sure whether I should surrender to Libertas or Regeinland when we first crossed paths.

Dietrich: yes, I knew. But I also knew that if I mentioned my brother’s name, you might feel obligated to surrender to us. I didn’t want to force you to make that decision. I wanted you to make up your mind like the true zero-G dog you are, without any emotional baggage. Heh heh. I imagine Vice Admiral Sankt would really crew me out if he ever caught wind of that.

Yuri: Heh.

Yuri gives a small chuckle in spite of himself as the unusually animated commander finishes speaking. The bottle of Burkmeister is now empty.

Yuri and Dietrich turn to lighter topics before parting ways. The next day, we make the leave port, and a new cutscene plays…

Three days earlier… Ships from Tolmes, a minor nation within the Interplanetary Assembly, fire on a Libertasian fleet violating its territory. In the attack, Libertas loses the cruisers South Star and Momentum.

Libertas retaliates by dispatching a large fleet. After a nearly twelve-hour battle, the small nation of Tolmes is utterly destroyed.
I can see Libertas overreacting and glassing their planet to ‘make a point’.

The Interplanetary Assembly denounces Libertas for the premeditated invasion of Tolmes under the guise of retaliation for the very incident they provoked. This sets in motion violent protests that split the Federation and send it spiraling towards a civil war.
Because we need one of those with Lugovalos poised to invade.

You’re allowed to fly around a little, but when you get to a void zone in the third sector, another cutscene happens.

Kira: Yuri, I just received a message from Vice Admiral Sankt. He wants to see us back at Headquarters on Rentinen.

Franny: (sighs) I bet it’s another one of those pain-in-the-butt missions he likes so much.

Yuri: Don’t complain, Franny. Or should we just let Lugovalos conquer the LMC, too?

Franny: Aw, Grus.
I guess she forgot about them, like everyone else has?

>>Rentinen
>>Alpha Quadrant Headquarters
As Yuri enters the War Room, he sees that a large number of officers are already gathered there.

Lord Roth, Nele Baecker and Dietrich Schneizer are among the attendees.

Sankt: All right, now that we’re all here, I’d like to update you on the situation. You no doubt have already heard the news that the nation of Tolmes has already fallen to Lugovalos.
W….wait, what?

The Libertas-led Federation now they are preparing to do just that.
…I think is the most egregious editing failure I’ve seen in the game so far. Normally I can correct it, but I have no idea what they were trying to say here.

Sankt: In response, the Interplanetary Assembly has been motioning for Regeinland to lead a united front against Libertasian control.

Roth: Well? Do we intend to accept their motion?

Sankt: Yes, our government has made the decision, and it’s already been approved by the King. The Galactic Federation’s role as a democratically based decision-making body must be restored.

Roth: Or so our government says, in principle. But isn’t it simply a matter of Regeinland wanting to assume the position Libertas is in now?

Sankt: Um…
I think he’s thrown off by Roth having a brain and using it.

Baecker: Hartwig!

Roth: What? I’m just saying! Yuri, back me up on this one, won’t you? You agree with me, right?

All eyes turn to Yuri the moment Lord Roth asks for his opinion. The room falls silent as every last one of them waits with bated breath to see what the zero-G-dog-turned-national-hero has to say.

Yuri begins speaking, slowly and deliberately, all the while very much aware of the intense stares in his direction.

Yuri: I think Lord Roth is right, but--
Roth: But? Why the but? Where’d the but come from?

Yuri: If Regeinland has no intention of taking the reins of power, then there’s no point in opposing Libertas in the first place. Your country has got to lead the Federation, at least in the battle against Lugovalos.

Baecker: So then what are you saying?

Yuri: Why do you think Lugovalos holds so much power? It’s because they’re a tightly bound empire under the sole rule of an emperor, a dictatorship in everything but name. The nations of the LMC have no hope of winning unless every last one is united under a single powerful state.

Roth: Whoa, slow down there! By “every last one,” you… you don’t mean--
Yuri: you won’t win if you go against Lugovalos without a united effort. And I’m not just referring to the Galactic Federation. The Holy Nation of Adis will have to be forced to submit, too. The entire Large Magellanic Cloud has to be united, by force if that’s what’s necessary!
Yuri’s only objection to Libertas is that he’s not working for them. If he was in their headquarters, he’d be urging them to burn down another small nation if more examples were needed.

The tension in the War Room feels like it’s about to boil over at Yuri’s sudden, frank assessment. But rather than being a heavy, negative sort of tension, there is a sense of purpose and excitement in the air.
The space Germans can’t resist the lure of galactic conquest.

Roth: Heh heh… Ah ha ha ha! He’s right, he’s absolutely right!
And Roth goes from anti-war to pro-war in an instant.

Roth: Somebody had to come out and say it, but that’s what we needed to hear!

Dietrich: Captain, I must admit, I had no idea you held such extreme beliefs.

Sankt: Quiet! Quiet down everyone! Order! I said order!

Luitger Sankt tries to bring order to the commotion caused by Yuri’s remarks. But this is not a courtroom or boardroom meeting, and it takes a while for the officers to finally settle down.
I… er… would expect that military discipline would make it far easier to come to order.

Sankt begins speaking again once he has regained their attention.

Sankt: The opinion that was just expressed is nothing more than the personal view of Yuri here. As members of the Regeinlandic military, it is our duty to follow government orders. We need not thing beyond what those orders are. Do you understand?
And internally, he’s praying they don’t launch a coup to enthrone Emperor Yuri the Reaver.

Roth: Very well, then what exactly are the government’s orders?

Sankt: We are to confront Libertas for Federation control, as proposed by the member states of the Interplanetary Assembly. But before hostilities break out with them, we are to take over Zenito and the Grand Duchy of Enemonzo. Although both are members of the Interplanetary Assembly, they have already voiced their clear support for Libertas.

Gen: I see. So you hope to diminish your rival’s power slowly from the outside?

Sankt: Precisely. Now, the next thing we must do is find out which military operation the captain here wishes to join.

Yuri: Hm…

>>Ask more about the two nations.

Sankt: Enemonzo is a nation with a long history, and in terms of national resources and ship numbers, they are on par with Regeinland. However, the capabilities of their ships themselves are unimpressive. Zenito, on the other hand, possesses advanced technology and formidable ships, despite the nation’s small size. And they have unprecedented fleet control capabilities thanks to the use of their neural operating system, or NOS. Their ships and fleet control capabilities make them a formidable opponent indeed.

And now the question is put to you, the viewers. Who do we declare war on?

This splits into three possible routes…

Enemonzo / Lavena
We get a melee character and a solid battleship plan OR two other characters (they probably won’t replace anyone on the crew.)

Further, a total of 3 battleship designs, 3 cruiser designs and a destroyer design are available, and a variety of modules of various types.

Enemonzo / Mesenzana
On this route, we get an engineer/mechanic character and a deadweight character.

Ship-wise, you get access to two battleship designs, two cruiser designs, and one ship in the Other category.

The modules are roughly the same as we would get through the first route.

Zenito
You get one engineer/medic character and one deadweight character.

Ship-wise, you get access to two battleship designs, two cruiser designs and a destroyer design, as well as three new fighter designs.

The modules available from Zenito are generally more advanced than through the Enemonzo routes, and includes the last Hanger module (Hanger 04).

I’ll leave this poll running for a week before starting on the next update.

[Sirus]

Considering the crazy-powerful ships Lugovalos can throw around, I'd say we need more advanced tech than sheer numbers. My vote is for Zenito.

[Hanzoku]

Assimilating the Borg
New Characters:  Georgo, Baum, Rubriko
New Ships: Plugilo (DD), Kajto (CG), Misio (CG), Absoluta (BB)
New Fighters: EIT-1000, EOF-005, EA-0120

Spoiler: First Blood to Us (click to show/hide)

Well, that was a fairly one-sided rout, wasn’t it? With unanimous approval, we choose to invade Zenito.

Sankt: All right, then. Proceed to Zenito via the Xeos Belt Sector. Lieutenant Schneizer will be taking an advance force. You are to rendezvous with him in Zenito.

Yuri: Okay.

Dietrich: Yes, sir!

Sankt: Lord Roth, we want you to hold back the Libertasian fleet. We could also divert the Dragoon Fleet and Heavy Artillery Fleet to support you if you’d like.

Roth: No, that won’t be necessary. The Royal Fleet is more than up to the task.

Franny: Yeah, but you guys don’t have that many ships. You really think you can take on Libertas all by yourself?

Baecker: Don’t worry about him. His battle skills aren’t so bad, actually.

Franny: So you actually do trust the guy, huh?

Sankt: I will get back to you on the formations of the remaining fleets shortly. You are dismissed.

We’re kicked back outside, so we head back inside to get final orders from Admiral Sankt.

Sankt: Try to minimize the damage you inflict. We may be fighting them now, but ultimately we are going to need their help in countering the threat from Lugovalos.

Yuri: Easier said than done. I mean, the only way I see that working is if we have a considerable advantage over our opponent.

Sankt: Yes, I’m well aware of the difficulty. But nevertheless, that is the ideal outcome for us, strategically.

Tactically, we’re still pulling absolutely no punches.

We hit up the bar for our pre-flight binge.
>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
Lotuso: Word is Libertasian ships use Zenitonian technology. All we gotta do is study their ships if we wanna come up with a strategy for beating em. It only makes sense! So, Captain, if ya come across any design companies, make sure to buy up all the ship blueprints ya can. I’ll keep working on our strategy in the meantime.
We always do, Lotuso, we always do.

Yuri: Okay, sounds like a plan.

Conversation #2
Letero: I’m currently collecting information on Zenito’s ships, but there’s one thing I’ve found very interesting. It amazes me that despite their superior ship technology, they don’t try to aggressively advance through space.

Yuri: Is it really that good?

Letero: Yes. Take a look at their data integration technology, for example. It is known as a neural operating system, or NOS for short. It runs through every inch of their ships like neural pathways in the human brain. Data is collected from sensors all over the ship and the bridge, then autonomously filtered in real time. It’s the ultimate in CIC systems.

Yuri: Wow…

Letero: yes, amazing, isn’t it? And with the addition of Nentis fiber…

… time passes…

Antono Letero has subjected Yuri to a three-hour lecture on Zenitonian technology! Yuri’s Science skill increased by 2!
It would have been higher, but Yuri started playing a drinking game half-way through and passed out towards the end.

Conversation #3
Franny: It’s kinda weird that Zenito’s a monarchy, don’t you think? I mean, I thought their big thing was to decide stuff by having everyone has it out, get their say in it.

Semias: That’s true, but to unify its people under a single purpose requires the absolute power of a monarch. Their rulers love harmony and teach their people to seek out peace whenever possible.

Torlo: Yeah? Well then how come they can’t agree with the Interplanetary Assembly already?

Gen: I suppose it’s because they are still evolving. The human mind, as well as its thoughts and actions, will never be perfect, no matter how far it evolves.

We get back to our ships, and Torlo and Yuri start talking as the crew prepares to get underway.

Torlo: Man! Unifyin’ the whole Large Magellanic Cloud? That’s a seriously huge job!

Tatiana: Tell me about it. That was the last thing I expected to hear come out of Yuri’s mouth.

Gen: Heh heh. Actually, it’s a little plan that Yuri, Alik and I have been cooking up over the past ten years.
Don’t ask him what a large plan is, it probably involves unifying the whole universe. So, you see, it’s not something he thought up at the spur of the moment, so to speak.

Alik: Th-That’s right.

Kira: Really, Yuri?

Yuri: I don’t want to see the LMC make the same mistake that the SMC did. And this plan seems t be the only way to go.

Kira: …

Franny: Well, if Yuri says that’s the plan, I’ll do whatever I can to help. What’s the matter, Kira? You don’t look too happy about all this.

Kira: No, I’m fine.

Franny: Yeah? Well, I sure hope so. Thought maybe you guys had a little of that sibling rivalry brewing up between ya.
Oh good, someone who stills sees them as siblings.

Kira: …

Semias: Franny, don’t you have anything better to do than to pick on Kira? I know! How about helping me do an engine inspection?

Franny: Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Franny Porolo is practically dragged off of the bridge by Semias Alastar. Tatiana Agarkov watches them go while whispering impishly into Kira’s ear.

Tatiana: There’s always something to worry about, isn’t there, Kira?

Kira: Oh, I’ll be all right! I mean, as long as everyone else is okay…

We jump to the Xeos belt, and within a sector of the Void Gate, Kira notices something.

Kira: Hm?

Tatiana: Is something wrong, Kira?

Kira: It’s Lieutenant Schneizer’s ship dead ahead. But why isn’t it moving?

Yuri: That is strange. Patch me through to the lieutenant.

Kira: Okay, go ahead.

Kira opens the coms channel.

Dietrich: Ah, Captain, I see you caught up.

Yuri: I thought we were supposed to rendezvous after entering the Zenitonian Sector?

Dietrich: I apologize for the sudden change of plans, but there was a situation that needed my immediate attention.

Gen: What exactly are we talking about, Lieutenant?

Dietrich: We received a report from the Xeos Belt Union claiming that a Zenitonian squadron intruded into this sector.

Torlo: No kidding? They wanna strike the first blow or something?

Dietrich: If so, it would be an unprecedented event. You see, they rarely, if ever travel outside of their own sectors.

Franny: yeah, come to think of it, I’ve never actually met a Zenitonian.

Thomas: Me neither, but that’s ‘cause all they care about is researchin’ how to evolve their own race. I bet they spend all their time locked away in their mad scientist labs, cacklin’ and stuff.
 
Minas: Hm. An evolved race of people, eh? How very interesting.
He manfully ignores the mad scientist cracks and vows to refrain from cackling for a week, at least.

Tatiana: So, what’s a reclusive bunch like them doing in a place like this? That’s pretty weird, right?

Dietrich: Yes, and that’s exactly why I’m trying to find them.

Yuri: Sounds interesting. Count us in.

Dietrich: I’d appreciate the help. Okay, let’s split up then and commence our search.

We do so, and head for a nearby void sector. We get lucky I know where to look. and run into the enemy squadron.

Kira: A-ha! There’s a battle up ahead!

Semias: Is that the Zenitonian squadron that Lieutenant Schneizer was talking about?

Off-screen, a destroyer frantically flees from the two Zenitonian destroyers chasing it.

Thomas: It don’t look like a battle. It’s more like a small ship getting chased by a bunch of bigger ships.
That’s a form of battle, Thomas.

Franny: Yeah, but aren’t they all Zenitonian? What gives?

Yuri: Huh…

Kira: Yuri, we just received a distress signal from the ship being pursued.

The ship runs flat out, and is rocked as one of the shots from the pursuing ships hits it in the engines.

Alik: Huh?!

Kira: Yuri!

Yuri: We can’t ignore a distress signal if they really do need help. Battle stations, everyone! Our target is that Zenitonian squadron!

It’s…. not much of a fight. We’re up against two Plugilo-class destroyers. They’re fairly tough as destroyers go, and manage to survive two normal volleys each before exploding violently, while their return fire knocked our own destroyer down to half strength. In the end though, they accomplished nothing of value and exploded messily.

After the one-sided fight, we pick up the survivors off of the ship we rescued.

Torlo: Recovery work complete!

Franny: We got any survivors? I was really looking forward to seeing a real-life Zenitonian.

Torlo: We only found one, but he looks kinda important, like a captain or something.

Yuri: Just one? Are the rest of them dead?

Torlo: No. There was really only one person on board. The rest of the ship as empty.

Semias: That’s impossible! Eve a smaller ship like a destroyer couldn’t possibly be controlled by one person alone!

Torlo: yeah, I thought it was weird, too. But here’s what’s really freaky: he was connected to some kinda machine by this really weird tube.
If you yanked it out and lobotomized him, Torlo...

Torlo: We had to actually cut the damn thing to bring him here.
Someone hand me an icepick, I’ll show Torlo what a lobotomy feels like. Not like he’ll notice the difference.

Gen: Well now… Those Zenitonians never fail to surprise!

Yuri: Torlo, where’s the Zenitonian now? I want to meet him right away.

Torlo: he’s sleepin’ over in Sick Bay. Follow me, I’ll take ya there.

The group head to the sickbay.

??: Uuuh… Hm? Aaaaaaaaah!
Upside: He’s still conscious. Downside? Being torn away from his ship-body probably hurt.

Tatiana: Aaaaaah! Somebody…!

Yuri: What the…?!

Torlo: That sounds like Tats! What’s up, babe?!

The two charge into the room.

That’s a really awkward picture…

Georgo: Help! Where is everyone?! Do not abandon me! Uuuh… Aaaaaah! Oh help me, please, I can’t-- Aaaah!

A lone man is in the center of the sick bay, clutching his head in agony. Presumably this is the Zenitonian that Torlo Adkin found.

Torlo: Tats, baby! What happened?!

Tatiana: I don’t know! He just woke up and started screaming like that!

Georgo: Ohhh, I am utterly alone! So afraid! So lonely! Somebody… Anybody!

Kira: …

As the rest of them stare at the man with stunned looks on their faces, Kira quietly approaches him and kneels by his side.

Torlo: Hey!

Yuri: Kira, wait!

Georgo: Uuuuuuuh! Aaaaaaaah!

Kira: It’s all right, don’t worry. Please, calm down. Everything’s going to be all right.

Georgo: Everyone is gone! Oh, the horror! The horror! It is too much to bear!

Kira: It’s all right. I’m right beside you. See? Nice and warm, huh?
…I can’t respond to this with a straight face.

Georgo: Huh?

Kira: Don’t be scared. You’re not alone.

Georgo: Uuuh…

She hugs him until he stops screaming and passes out.

Georgo: Uuuh… Zzz…

Kira: …

Yuri: Kira… Wow.

Kira: He fell back asleep.

Yuri and company finally snap out of their stunned silence.  They gently lift the man up and lay him back on his bed.

Thomas: (sighs) What the Grus was that all about?

Torlo: I bet we blew it when we cut that tube he was hooked up to. Stupid!
He’s learned enough to know when he screwed up.

Tatiana: No, you did the right thing, Torlo. I mean, how else were you supposed to rescue him?

Yuri: We’d better carefully monitor his mental state. And he’ll need some serious counseling from our medical staff. He’s obviously been traumatized by something.

Tatiana: Right. I’ll let them know.

Yuri and the rest return to the bridge and contact Dietrich.

Dietrich: Yes, I see… So, he’s resting peacefully now?

Yuri: He is, but what do you think happened?

Dietrich: Unfortunately, direct contact with a Zenitonian is extremely rare. As such, their race is pretty much a mystery to the other people of our galaxy.

Yuri: Oh.

Dietrich: I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

Yuri: No, it’s not your fault. Now, how about we make for the Zenitonian Sector?

Dietrich: Okay, but as per the original plan, please let my fleet lead the way. We know little, if anything about the Zenitonian Sector. Who knows what’s going to happen out there?

We’re finally released back to the map screen to prepare for our invasion of Zenito.

Spoiler: Intentional Engrish (click to show/hide)

There are no further interruptions, and we’re poised to make the jump into Zenito itself.  Luckily, we aren’t greeted at the Void Gate by a blockade, the way we should have been if Zenito was thinking about this clearly.

Torlo: Whoa. This is the Zenitonian Sector?

Franny: Kinda lonely looking place, huh? Not too many stars, either.

Tatiana: Yuri, do you have a minute? Georgo mentioned that he’d like to talk to you.

Yuri: Georgo?

Tatiana: Yeah, you know, that Zenitonian. The one we just--
Yuri: I know.

Yuri walks to the sickbay to talk to our new friend.

Gah, he’s creepy looking.

Georgo: Ah.

Kira: Yuri.

As he enters the sick bay, Yuri sees Georgo Zinko sitting up in bed talking to Kira with a calm look on his face.

Yuri: You sure you’re well enough to be sitting up like that?

Georgo: oh… yes. I was just enjoying some conbore-sation, that very interesting habir, or shall I say, customer you have.
…Oh fun.

Yuri: Huh?

Georgo: Forgive me. We Zenitonians rarely engaged in conbore-sation. At least, in the manner with which of your kind does it.
It shows.

Kira interrupts as if to throw Georgo a lifeline as he flails, trying to explain himself.

Kira: it seems that all Zenitonians share a common awareness via some sort of network. So, except for a few who have contact with foreigners, they never actually have to have “conversations” like we do.

Georgo: Affirmative. The network itself is known as Qualia Net. It is via this network that we Zenitonians have… er… share a common consciousness and communicate without speaking out proud.
They’re basically more polite Borg.

Yuri: Now I get it. Torlo cut you off from that network when he severed that tube. Interesting.

Georgo: Affirmative. I had never been sublimated from Qualia Net before. To think on my own… To decide my own factions… It was quite frightening at first. However, I have a mission of great import and must maintain my sanity, come what may. I have already, how shall I say, aggregated somewhat to this newfound freedom. And for that, I must thank Tatiana and Kira. They were extremely helpless to me.

Yuri: You mean, “helpful,” right?
If not, Yuri’s going to cut you.

Yuri: Anyway, I’m glad to hear it. So, what did you want to see me about?

Georgo: I was heading to Regeinland by order of the Queen of Zenito, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Safira, when you frond me. Her Majesty wished to convey a message of neutronism.

Yuri: Neutronism? Do you mean neutrality?

Georgo: Affirmative. Neutrality is the proper term. And as our Queen, Her Majesty’s will is the will of the Zenitonian people.

Yuri: I guess so, if that Qualia Net is really some sort of system where everyone can share their consciousness. But if you guys really are neutral, then why have you allied yourselves with Libertas?

Georgo: Oh, um. Yes, well…

Time passes as he explains the situation (and we’re not forced to read more bad English.)

However, nothing is yet resolved, and we move towards the nearest planet to the void gate.

Kira: We’ve spotted that advance ship from the Regeinlandic fleet.

Yuri: Okay, maintain our present course. Prepare to rendezvous.

Dietrich: Ah, Captain, we’ve been expecting you. Let me introduce you. This is Captain Baum. She’s in charge of the invasion operation.

Baum: Captain Helmine Baum, leader of the fleet charged with conquering Zenito. We’re glad to have you along, Captain. You’ll no doubt prove very useful.
And you’re very… green.

Yuri: We’ll do our best. Oh, and there’s someone I wanted to introduce to you.

Baum: Introduce? To me?

Yuri: Yes. A Zenitonian.

Baum: A what?!
I’m sensing we’re going to get along splendidly here.

Time fades as more explanations are made, and we finally get a summary.

Dietrich: I see… So General Rubriko is ignoring the Queen’s will and is now completely out of control, is he?

Georgo: Affirmative. First, he severed the military’s Qualia Net from the main network. Then he made pals, or shall I say, he allied, with Libertas. He even went as far as imprisoning the Cream on Nederand. I mean, the Queen. I was allowed to escrape on my own as a secret emissary charged with seeking help.

Yuri: So, you’re saying if General Rubriko were defeated and the Queen rescued then Zenito would maintain its neutrality?

Georgo: Affirmative.

Baum: All right. I hear what he’s saying, but do you think he can be trusted?

We’re allowed to choose an option, but it makes no difference for our next moves. Trusting Georgo makes it possible to recruit him later.

Yuri: I think it would be worth our while to trust him.

Baum: Hm.

Dietrich: Captain Baum…

Baum: All right, then, Captain. You have my leave to act on your own for now. Go rescue their queen over on Nederand. Then we’ll say whether this Zenitonian is speaking the truth.

Dietrich: How shall we proceed?

Baum: We can’t base our strategy on the claims of a single man, especially a citizen of an enemy nation. We’ll proceed with the invasion operation. I trust you’re okay with that, Captain?

Yuri: That’s fine by me.

Baum: Good. This strategy meeting is over, then.

Yuri: Georgo, let’s get back to our ship.

Georgo: yes, of crass.

As Yuri heads towards the door along with Georgo Zinko, Helmine Baum calls out to him from behind.

Baum: Captain.

Yuri: Yes?

Baum: Don’t let your guard down.

Yuri: …

With a slide nod in response to her ominous warning, Yuri continues to walk out the door.

On the way back from the meeting, Georgo Zinko walks silently by Yuri’s side for a time, and then begins speaking softly.

Georgo: Chief Yuri--
Yuri: Captain, actually.

Georgo: Oh ,yes, of course. Craptain. May I mask you a question?
Chief might have been safer, ‘Craptain’.

Yuri: Fire away, Georgo.

Georgo: You, and by “you” I mean all of you, did not reach a full and unconditional agreement. Despise this, you still believed what I said? I find this highly illogical. I do not understand how it is possible to make decisions among preeople who lack a unified consciousness. Could you peas explain?

Yuri: Well, I can see how a Zenitonian might find that strange, but it’s just that I somehow sense that you can be trusted.

Georgo: Your decision was that simple, then?

Yuri: … We probably couldn’t even imagine the terror you felt at being cut off from your network of people. But you were somehow able to overcome it for the sake of your mission. Do you see what I’m getting at?

Georgo: I am worried I do not.

Yuri: Heh heh…

Georgo Zinko continues casting his bewildered gaze at Yuri, who is grinning broadly.

With that, we’re back aboard our ship and ready to begin the invasion. I was going to show maps, but I decided not to – too much of the sector is unknown to us, with void routes and planets obviously missing. It’d mostly be blank space with a single, unconnected sector or planet.

Spoiler: Slaying the Enemy Admiral (click to show/hide)

Our first target is the planet Jardeno.

It’s lightly defended by two cruisers, of the Kajto- and Misio-classes, and a Plugilo-class destroyer. Against a larger fleet with a battleship and carrier support, it’s a foregone conclusion, although they do show off their offensive teeth by nearly blowing our destroyer to pieces in their first barrage. They never get another shot off, as our fighters swarm them under, distracting them into wasting power on anti-air operations while we pound them apart, one at a time.

On the surface, Jardeno is a bit different then we’re used to. Instead of a Tavern, they have an ‘Ampule Bar’, but one thing remains the same… a fighter design company.

We pick up designs for the EIT-1000, EOF-005 and EA-0120. No, I don’t know what those correspond to yet, either, but you can’t say that Zenitonians are given to fearsome names.

>>Ampule Bar
Thomas: What is this place? Smells more like a hospital than a tavern!

Yuri: Georgo, I thought I asked you to take us to a tavern.

Georgo: Well, this approximately correlates with what your people call a travern. There are, of course, a number of differences.

Tatiana: Why does it smell like a pharmacy in here? And I don’t see anything even slightly resembling booze.

Georgo: Zenitonians do not consume alcoholic carriages. Instead, we consume ampules, such as these.

There is a sound like a sudden blast of air as Georgo Zinko presses an ampule to his neck. His expression softens before their eyes.

Kira: Are you drunk, Georgo?

Georgo: Technically, no. This chemical acts on the nerving system to allow one to enjoy the feeling of being intoxicated. It has the effect of taking you to the brink of irrational thinking, but never quite taking you over the edge. It thereby avoids the mistakes and poor judgment caused by alcohol consummation.
That sound you hear? That’s the sound of an entire fleet crying in sadness as they realize they’re not getting any booze for the rest of the chapter.

Tatiana: You’re kidding, right?

Torlo: Sorry, but that’s just plain freaky!

Georgo: Would anyone else care to try some? Captain Yuri, perhaps?
Yuri is a space-Russian and wants his vodka, not this alcohol buzz drug!

Yuri: Er… Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.

Everyone but Georgo nods in unison when they hear Yuri’s reply. Georgo shrugs, then happily consumes another ampule.

>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: Welcome to Zenito. Might I interest you in our selection of stronger ampules, designed especially for foreigners?
No.

Our friends have nothing new to say, so we depart Jardeno.
Along the way into the second zone, we run into a few cruiser and destroyer patrols, but nothing major. At an empty zone, Kira pipes up.

Kira: Yuri, I found a new starlane. I’ll put it up on our chart.

You discovered a new starlane!

As soon as we leave the empty zone, we run into hostiles.

Kira: There’s a Zenitonian fleet dead ahead, and one of the ships is huge!

Semias: Based on its size, I’d say it was the flagship of their fleet.
The communicator sounds.

Tatiana: Is that them?!

Yuri: Kira?

Kira: Okay, I’ll patch it through.

His head tubes look like a bad comb over.

Rubriko: Attention trespassing fleet. Do you read me? This is Admiral Mikelo Rubriko, commander of Zenito’s Core Fleet.

Yuri: Hm…

Torlo: So that’s Mikelo Rubriko, eh?

Rubriko: Consider this a warning. You are now in a Zenitonian-controlled sector. Unauthorized entry by foreign races is expressly prohibited. Turn back now and leave this sector at once.
At least he doesn’t have Georgo’s verbal tics. That would have made this section a lot more annoying to write.

Yuri: And what if we say no?

Rubriko: Then we have no choice but to terminate you and your ship.

Yuri: Go ahead, give it your best shot.

Rubriko: If that is your answer, then it shall be considered an act of war!
That’s the point, you insufferable lackey.

We’re up against two Plugilo-class destroyers, two Kajto-class cruisers, and Rubriko’s flagship, an Absoluta-class battleship.

The battle begins by both sides launching their fighters (I’m guessing the two cruisers are carrier models). We dodge early in anticipation of a barrage and build charge to red. These Zenitonian ships really show off their firepower, as we blow away a destroyer, and their return fire damages our cruiser and leaves our destroyer hanging on by a thread (122 HP). We retaliate by popping another destroyer, and our fighters have finished theirs and are now working over the fleet.

With the destroyers dead, we start in on the first cruiser, only to take a barrage to the face that kills our destroyer (the main target), and does some minor damage to everyone else. It takes three volleys from us to break up one cruiser, and then we dodge again. The enemy response is to hold off with the barrage and instead hit us with another volley, which damages our cruiser further. They finally oblige with a barrage while we’re still dodging, which we evade entirely.

Two normal volleys and our fighters are enough for the last cruiser, leaving the enemy battleship alone to face us. We build into the red, and he evades in response. That puts him back into low energy, and we keep our reserves up while hitting him with volleys, ready to dodge once he hits the red zone as well. Our fighters come back for resupply, and we relaunch them, dodging as the battleship hits high power.

It proves the correct decision as he blasts away with a full barrage, and we return the favor. Unlike us, he doesn’t manage to dodge it. He tanks it with his face and keeps on fighting, wasting some energy on anti-fighter operations. He wastes energy again by dodging as we go to high power, so we blast him with a normal volley. That, along with our fighters continued attacks are enough to end the battle.

Rubriko: It seems we have suffered a defeat. Transfer… Transfer… Transfer…

The screen whites out as the battleship goes critical.

Gen: That should be the last we ever see of him.

Thomas: So, you’re saying we finally took down Rubriko, for real this time?

Franny: It sounds like it to me, right?

Alik: I-I would think so, but you never know.

Torlo: Then all we gotat do is go rescue the queen now. Heh heh. Piece ‘o cake! Right, guys?

Yuri: …

With that, we check out some empty sectors nearby (empty except for swarming enemy warships) and then return to Jardeno to refit. Or at least that’s the plan. As we explore, a familiar set of ships comes into view…

[Itnetlolor]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Seeing as their defeat prompted him to say "Transfer", I assume this is not the last we see of him. Maybe so physically, but mentally/spiritually, we'll meet again. Fuckin' Borg... *shakes fist*

He's Agent Smith with a starship.

[Sirus]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Seeing as their defeat prompted him to say "Transfer", I assume this is not the last we see of him. Maybe so physically, but mentally/spiritually, we'll meet again. Fuckin' Borg... *shakes fist*

He's Agent Smith with a starship.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It's worse than that...he IS the starship. Presumably, nothing happens on or near it that he isn't aware of.

So it's like if Agent Smith were a kilometer or so long and bristling with powerful energy weapons.

[C-SH4M4N]

YES!!! New updates!!!

Ah crap, you took the same route I did ... I was gonna vote for Enemonzo (SPACE SPANISH!!!) 'cause I haven't been there yet. But beating the BORG makes up for it.

I never really took notice of the special ability of Zenitonian starships. Do you have to have your fleet using their ships in order to make anything out of that gimmick?

In the guide I used for reference, it's said that Zenito had good fighters ... in my experience, they weren't as good.

[Hanzoku]

If it's any consolation, I plan to do a speed run with nega-Yuri to show off the routes not taken. It'll take quite a bit less long since I won't have 'all the encounters, all the time' turned on and I won't need to comment on everything that happens.

[Hanzoku]

Rescuing Royalty
New Characters: Safira
New Ships: Crepuscolo (BB)
New Fighters:

Spoiler: NPCs Save Their Game Too (click to show/hide)

When we last left our intrepid crew, they were haunted by the ghost of the man they had murdered, defending his homeland.

Or fighting an endlessly respawning asshole.

Yuri: What the…?!

Semias: That looks just like Rubriko’s fleet, the one we already destroyed!

Rubriko: Attention trespassing fleet. This is Admiral Mikelo Rubriko, commander of Zenito’s Core Fleet. Turn back now and leave this sector immediately. Noncompliance will result in immediate termination.
I’d be OK with complying, we’re damaged from the fighting and one ship down already.

Torlo: What the Grus is going on here?!

Franny: That guy should be, like, way dead!

Rubriko: I assume your failure to turn back signifies your intent of noncompliance.
He cuts the signal.

Kira: But…

Tatiana: I don’t get it.

Yuri: Me neither, but there’s no time to think about it now! Here they come!
And then we fight him again. We get lucky and while all of our ships are damaged, we avoided further losses.

Once again, Rubriko completes his Transfer… dialogue and explodes.

Yuri: I think that should do it.

Franny: Yeah, but what if he comes back again?

Thomas: Yeah, right. Like that’s even possible!
…do you have to work hard to be so stupid, Thomas?

Franny: Well, then, do ya mind explaining to me what just happened?

Thomas: That was just a… uh… er.

Yuri: …
Yuri facepalms slowly.

We’re allowed to talk to various crewmembers to get their opinions.

>>Talk to Gavriil Minas.
Minas: Hm… Perhaps it’s a clone? But even if he were able to clone his body, no one has yet successfully reproduced an entire functioning brain. And without that, the resulting clone wouldn’t be the exact same person. Another idea is mind digitization. It’s not possible today with our technology, but perhaps the Zenitonians have figured out how to download the mind to a new body.

>>Talk to Gen Nadiy.
Gen: No, I have no idea how this could be possible. To make matters worse, I find it hard to tell these Zenitonians apart. No offense. Perhaps somebody else is pretending to be Rubriko?

>>talk to Georgo Zinko.
Yuri: Georgo, was that the real Rubriko? Could he be using a body double or something?

Georgo: That would be inconceivable. We Zenitonians are connected to a network on which our individual psycho-patterns have been registered. To have someone else pretend to be General Rubriko would be an impossibility.

Torlo: So then, you’re sayin’ a dead guy just came back to life?

Georgo: That, too, is an impossibility. I’m afraid I have no answers for you.

Yuri: So, then, what’s left?

Kira: A ghost?

Yuri: Yeah, right.

With no answers left, we continue exploring, finding a new starlane and planet. We make our way to the last unexplored sector, and get jumped by our old friend once again.

Kira: Yuri! It’s Rubriko’s fleet again!

Yuri: What is this guy, a zombie? Let’s lay him to rest for good this time!

The fighting proceeds pretty much like last time – we’re busted up, but he’s gone. Again. For our troubles, we fill in some more routes and find another planet.

By now, we really need to withdraw, so we make a dash back to Jardeno for refit. After a long series of attacks by regular commanders, we manage to limp into Jardeno. Our crew hits the Ampule Bar while the ships are patched up (or fully reconstructed).

>>Ampule Bar
>> Talk to your friends
Conversation #1
Ratai: Captain, I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve been drinking more lately.

Yuri: I have?

Ratai: yes, and Kira’s been worried about you. She thinks that you’re trying to drown your sorrows or something.

Yuri: Sure, I have things on my mind, but it’s nothing that I can’t handle.

Ratai: Really? So you’re not overwhelmed by all the things you should be thinking about, all the problems you need to solve?

Yuri: Nope. Frankly, I try not to think about it all at once. There’s just too much. I’m more of a one-thing-at-a-time kind of guy. I like to take care of things as they come along.
And a liter of vodka helps quite nicely with that, Ratai.

Ratai: Yes, that sounds like the smart thing to do. I’m sure that Kira will rest easier once she hears that.

Other than Yuri’s drinking problem, no one has anything else to say, so fully geared up, we head back to the first new planet we discovered, Marshalo.

>>Marshalo
The planet is defended by one Kajto-class cruiser, two Misio-class cruisers and a lonely Plugilo-class destroyer. While they do some damage to our armor, there’s really not a lot they can do once our fighters are holding them in position and we can start pounding away with our battleship’s main batteries.

The planet itself is a lot like Jardeno, although they swap a ship design company for the fighter design company. We pick up schematics for the ships we just blew up in orbit, but with no shipyard yet in sight, we won’t be able to look into replacing our ships or upgrading their weapon arrays.

>>Ampule Bar
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: It seems that Libertas provided General Rubriko with intelligence about the Lugovalian Empire. I presume that is the reason he felt the need to build his own Qualia Net. But I must question his actions, as they went against the will of Her Majesty the Queen.

>>Talk to your friends.
Conversation #1
Semias: Did you know that Zenitonians come from the same race of people as Nacio and Nova Nacio?
Given their tech fetish, not entirely, I’m not entirely surprised.

Torlo: No way! I mean, they’re nothin’ alike!

Semias: Zenitonians value reason above all else and have purposely evolved in that direction. On the other hand, the Nacions evolved in the opposite direction. They feel that reason should not be the ultimate goal. That’s an important part of the history in this part of the universe.

Yuri: Human evolution… Well, those Zenitonians are wrong if they think humankind is such a simple life form that all we need is reason.

And that’s it, other than Ratai’s constant harping on Yuri’s vodka intake.

We make our way to Harmonio, the gateway planet to the Zenitonian capital at Nederand.

>>Harmonio
The defense fleet for the planet sails out to meet us – a Kajto, a Misio and two Plugilos. It’s a formation we’ve been facing fairly often as a random encounter, and it shows, as they barely act as a speed bump before we blow our way through them.

Unlike the last two planets, all Harmonio has is an Ampule Bar. We go to drown our sorrows in booze brought down from the shipboard stills.

>>Ampule Bar
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: Her Majesty the Queen is being held against her will on Nederand, the next planet over on the starlane. Her sadness is as vast as it is deep. We, too, share in her sadness, for all she ever wished for was harmony in the universe. She wants what we want.
Creepy hive-mind people…

With nothing new from our friends, we march on Nederand.

>>Nederand
Kira: Yuri! It’s Rubriko’s fleet again!

Yuri: What is this guy, a zombie? Let’s lay him to rest for good this time!

He’s switched things up a bit this time, with the cruisers leading, his own ship in the middle and the two destroyers hiding in its shadow. He destroys our own destroyer once again, and we claim his two cruisers in revenge. We leave his own battleship alone while we use our fighters to shred the destroyers apart.
With the cruisers down, the rest of the battle proceeds normally, and Rubriko transfers again.

We proceed to dock with the spaceport.

Yuri: No sign of resistance here.

Georgo: Affirmative. There should not be any smoldiers stationed down on the ground. The elimination of Rubriko’s fleet has completely libertated this planet.

And then, Grus be praised, we have a shipyard!

Spoiler: The Hive Queen and Refitting (click to show/hide)

Before we refit, we go down below and talk to everyone.

>>Ampule Bar
>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: The queen’s decrees are the absolute and final word for the people of Zenito. However, that doesn’t mean we are her slaves or anything of the sort. Not at all! It is only through the consensus of the people that Her Majesty passes her final judgments. That is just how our nation is ruled.
Keep telling yourself that, worker bee.

>>Talk to the zero-G dog.
Zero-G Dog: I fled here after sticking my nose into some risky business that I probably should’ve just ignored, now that I think of it. Thankfully, the long arm of the Federation Police doesn’t extend into the Zenitonian Sector. My partners went on ahead to set up a hideout on a nearby planet. I plan on joining up with them over there real soon.

>>Sensorium Tower
This is where the Queen lives, apparently.

Alik: This is S-Sensorium Tower?

Georgo: Affirmative. The consciousness of the entire Zenitonian people is integrated here and then output as the queen’s royal decrees. It is democracy in its purest form.

Franny: So it’s like some kinda gi-normous server tower or something?

Georgo: Affirmative. Some might call it a server farm, but we know it simply as Sensorium Tower.

We head to the first floor of the tower.
>>First Floor
This is the first floor of Sensorium Tower. It is packed with electronic equipment and monitors that give off a strange inorganic glow.

Thomas: I’ll just keep my hands to myself.
One of the few smart things you’ve ever said, Thomas. One wrong button press and who knows what’ll happen?

>>Go to the top floor.
With Georgo Zinko in the lead, Yuri and company board the optical elevator and head for the top floor. The elevator stops and its doors open just as they start noticing a faint hum in their ears.

Yuri: What is this place?

Kira: It looks like the inside of a human body.

Kira’s observation is an accurate description. The room is filled with an intricate network of crisscrossing tubes that look more organic than mechanical. A lone woman stands quietly near the back.

Safira: Georgo, I so feared for your life when your consciousness disappeared from the network. I am relieved to see you are safe.

Georgo: You are far too kind, Your Majesty.

Safira: And who are these who accompany you?

Georgo: They have fulfilled the wishes of the Zenitonian people by coming to Your Majesty’s rescue.

Safira: Well, then, they shall have my eternal gratitude, as well as that of the Zenitonians.

The queen has a royal yet kindly presence and Yuri and company find themselves bowing reverently to her despite themselves.

We can now talk to both Georgo and the Queen.

>>Talk to Georgo Zinko.
Conversation #1
Georgo: I feel entirely at peace ever since entering Sensorium Tower. It is like I’m mint to be here.

Torlo: No kidding? I was just gonna say it’s kinda freakin’ me out.

Georgo: My reaction is no doubt an instinctive response for a member of the Zenitonian race. Wouldn’t you aggrieve?

Kira: It’s probably something like how a baby feels in its mother’s womb.

Georgo: Yes, that is an excellent analogy.

Conversation #2
Georgo: This is a most curious feeler. Her Majesty is right before my eyes, yet I feel distant from her now that I am no longer attached to the network.

Yuri: Welcome to the real world, my friend. Feeling connected is never a given here.

Georgo: Yes, I spree…

>>Talk to Queen Safira.
Safira: We Zenitonians have long sought to evolve into the ultimate humanoid form. However, our race is now devolving because of people like Mikelo Rubriko. The sadness I feel threatens to consume my being.

Yuri: What do you mean, you’re devolving?

Safira: You see, Rubriko disconnected from Qualia Net and built his own separate military network. Qualia Net can only reach its true potential when it integrates the will of all of our Zenitonian people. When the will of all of our people becomes one, the individual becomes the group, and the group the individual. There is no strife, hatred, anger, nor envy, only calmness and peace. I believe that is the ultimate state of being that humanoids have always sought. But Rubriko has disavowed the evolutionary path that would have led us there.

Yuri: I see. Oh, and about that General Rubriko… We noticed something really strange when we were fighting him.

Safira: Something strange? Please elaborate, if you would.

The screen fades to black and returns while Yuri explains that we’ve blown him to pieces a number of times now.

Yuri: … and that about sums it up.

Safira: Yes, I see. So, Rubriko keeps returning when he should have already been dead? In all likelihood, he has adopted the cloning technology developed by our military.

Semias: Yes, but even cloning does not result in the exact same person. Even if you could copy memories to a clone, it is not possible to copy one’s consciousness, is it?

Safira: it is with Qualia Net. The process is known as mind transference. As long as there is a cloned body ready, it is possible to transfer one’s consciousness before the moment of death.

Minas: Fascinating!

Gavriil Minas claps his hands together in excited awe upon hearing about the mind transfer process.

Minas: What an incredibly effective use of your network! With this, you could create an army of immortal soldiers if you so desired! This is bleeding-edge military technology to the extreme!

Aminda: Professor, we can admire the technology later. But first, we have to figure out how to defeat Mikelo Rubriko.

Minas: Hrm. Well, in that case, the only way would be to destroy all his spare bodies.

Aminda: but we have no idea how many there are or where they are being stored!

Minas: Yes, yes, that could certainly pose a problem, couldn’t it?

Safira: I will do all that I can to help you in your quest to seek out his spare bodies. There must be some information in our network pertaining to their whereabouts.

Yuri: I appreciate the help, Your Majesty.

Safira: I have but one request. Will you hear it?

Yuri: Of course. Go on.

Safira: Our race has been long plagued by an ever-dwindling population. That is why I beseech you. Please keep the casualties of our people to an absolute minimum.

Yuri: Okay, I’ll do what I can.
He’s not going to stop natural selection, however. As in, anyone stupid enough to attack Yuri dies, removing them from the gene pool.

Safira: That is all I ask, Captain.

We talk to Georgo again…

Georgo: Your Majesty, I have a request, if I may.

Safira: Yes, you may state your request.

Georgo: I would like to help these people to the best of my abilities. To that end, I was wondering if you might permit them to use the basement facilities.

Safira: Very well, then. Here is the tower key. You will need it to gain access.

Georgo: You are most gracious, Your Margarine.

Yuri: Yes, we really appreciate your help, Your Majesty.

The Queen nods benevolently in response to Yuri’s reverent bow.

And talking to the Queen one final time…

Safira: Georgo, you are much changed since you were disconnected from our network.

Georgo: That is true. I believe it to be due to the captain’s influence.

Safira: Yes, I believe he has had a fine influence upon you. Captain, I trust you shall continue looking after Georgo for us?

Yuri: Yes, I will.

With that, we’re done talking with Queen Safira, and make our way to the basement.

>>Basement
Samples of module blueprint plates are displayed on a monitor. It appears that module blueprints can be purchased here. Yuri stands before the monitor, whereupon his body is laser scanned and a voice guidance system activates the monitor.

Guide: Welcome to Sensorium Tower. Based on your Fame, all items are available to you for purchase.

We pick up Zenito Bridge Lv1, Antiair Control Room Lv3, Radar Room Lv6, Engine Room Lv7, Hanger Lv4, Messhall Lv4, Study Hall Lv2 and Science Lab Lv3.

Modules, ship designs and fighter designs in hand, we go up to the Shipyard to look into refitting our fleet.

>>Destroyer
The new Plugilo-class is a borderline sidegrade from the Seitz-class we currently use. It has less module space and durability, but has much higher evasion, and slightly greater stats in most other areas. Also, benefitting from the whole NOS system, it requires only half the crew to operate as a regular destroyer. Its weapon array is also more powerful, as it has two integrated Plasma Cannons that are more powerful than the other regular medium mount weapons we can currently buy, and a free small weapon hard point.

Our new Plugilo-class Destroyer is the Khonsu.

And it’s a good thing it doesn’t need a lot of crew, because it’s a bit cramped in here.

It takes a bit of wiggling, but we manage to fit the most important systems in there. Specifically, the Shield Frame Lv6, which bumps its HP total up 2000 HP, and a Deflector Lv 4, adding +18 Armor.

As a result of our module selection, the new Khonsu is faster, more agile, better armored and significantly more durable then the older Nepthys, and carries a heavier punch.

>>Cruiser
For cruisers, we compare the Misio- and Kajto-class cruisers against our current Gluck-class cruiser.

The Misio falls by the wayside immediately, as the Kajto basically does everything it does, but better. Between the Kajto and Gluck however, things are a bit more dicey. The Kajto requires far less crew, but they trade off between attack skills, mobility, armor, and module space. The Gluck has a significant advantage in durability, but in the end, the Plasma Cannon Lv2 onboard the Kajto heavily outweigh the Laser Accelerators on the Gluck.

The Gae Bulg joins the fleet, replacing the Tonbogiri.

Like the Khonsu, the Gae Bulg is a bit cramped, and we take advantage of any compact modules we can to fit everything we need aboard. Comparing the two designs, we lose a squadron of fighters, but pick up a punchier cruiser with slightly better stats across the board and a still-respectable Durability score.

>>Carrier
No new offering here, so all that’s left is to remodel the Pearl Kite. We remodel her equipment, taking advantage of a large number of modern modules to increase all her stats significantly across the board. She also benefits from a new medium weapons battery, replacing her aging MIRV missile with a rapid-fire DBASlaser Lv2.

Her compliment of fighters remains the same, the Intrigo-class multirole fighter outperforming the Zenitonian dedicated interceptor in all areas. Their striker at least performs ever so slightly better in its mission role, but the Intrigo’s all-around performance keeps it in the throne as our best strike craft.

>>Battleship
With no new XL weapons, the Okubi doesn’t get any new toys to play with, but a module overhaul does leave it significantly better armored, more durability, faster and more livable then its previous incarnation.

Fully equipped, we make to depart, Kira and Yuri chatting as they work.

Kira: You’re looking a little down, Yuri.

Yuri: Hm?

Kira: Is something on your mind?

Yuri: Oh, I was just thinking about Lugovalos. It occurred to me that they’re pretty much the exact polar opposite of the Zenitonians, if you think about it.

Kira: I’d have to agree with you on that. After all, Zenitonians have no desire to wage war or travel the universe.

Yuri: Right, so that got me thinking.

Kira: What are you thinking?

Yuri: I don’t think I agree with Queen Safira, that her people are on the right path of human evolution. If I had to choose between the two, I’d say I have a lot more in common with those Lugovalians.

Kira: …
Well, he does. He travels the universe and blows up everyone who gets in his way.
 

Spoiler: Mind Hack (click to show/hide)

We head to Harmonio, and along the way we test out our new weapon systems, which satisfactorily one-shot the enemy destroyers and two-shot their cruisers without needing fighter assistance.

>>Harmonio
On the planet surface, we can use the tip from the zero-G dog on Nederand to track down his buddies.

>>Pirates’ Lair
Yuri and company observe dangerous-looking men entering and exiting the building. They must be gathering here for a reason.

So we, of course, bust in.

Yuri sense someone on the floor above.

We take the elevator up and barge into their meeting.

A group of dangerous-looking men are waiting for Yuri and company further down the corridor. When they see Yuri, a man who looks like he could be their leader comes walking towards them with a confident air about him.

Lowlife: Are you that guy they call Yuri? I’m in charge here. The name’s Jochjo.

Jochjo: I’ve heard about you. Word is you used to be a pirate. Anyway, we got no beef with you. So how ‘bout you just forget you ever saw this place? Ya see, we’re all on the run from something or someone from our past. Bad times, ya know. But most of us just wanna make a clean break, start all over again. You know, start making an honest living.

Yuri: …

You can choose to believe him, or call him a liar. Calling him a liar leads to a few melee fights and a very minor cash reward. Believing them, on the other hand…

Yuri: All right, I’ll forget we ever stumbled across this place.

Jochjo: Thanks, pal! Here’s a little something for your troubles. Take it, it’s all yours!

You got blueprints for a Crepuscolo-class battleship! You got blueprints for a Nahab-class torpedo ship!

Jochjo: We’ve been thinking about starting up a shipping company. I hope you’ll come back and use our services sometime!

With that, Jochjo waves good-bye to Yuri and then disappears down the corridor with the rest of his men.

If we head back to their lair…

The building has a new sign that Yuri has never seen before. It reads, “Jochjo’s Shipping Company--providing rapid delivery of anything, anytime, anywhere.”
Huh, I guess they did go legit after all.

We head back to Nederand to look over our new ship design. The Nahab we can ignore straight away, as we were blowing those to pieces chapters ago.

>>Battleship
Despite having a lower price tag, the Crepuscolo-class Battleship is a strong contender against the Kreusser we’re currently using. It trades the XL mount for one large class mount, two medium mounts and two small mounts. Overall, this provides a decent boost, as the fixed Laser Accelerators aboard the Kreusser are starting to show their age. The Kreusser is more agile and slightly tougher, but the Crepuscolo has more module space and is slightly faster.

We go ahead and replace the Okubi with the Kappa.

After fitting things around, the two ships have very similar stats, while the Kappa has an edge in firepower because of its more modern weapon load out.

We make our way to Marshalo to refit, and then make the push on the only world we haven’t visited yet – Sektoro.

>>Sektoro
On approach to the planet, we run into our favorite respawning villain.

Kira: Yuri! It’s Rubriko’s fleet again!

Etc., etc. We shoot him to pieces. Again. This time has one destroyer and both cruisers up in front, the battleship in the middle and a single destroyer lurking in the back. Not unsurprisingly, it doesn’t save any of them, and Rubriko transfers out again ahead of the explosion.

Sektoro also is home to a shipyard, but freshly refit, we don’t have any reason to visit them, so we head down to the surface.

The planet surface is home to an Ampule Bar and a link to their Qualia Net.

>>Ampule Bar
The Ampule Bar appears to be deserted. A faint medicinal smell wafts through the crisp air.
Well, that was disappointing.

>>Qualia Net
This is the military Qualia Net, said to have been built by General Mikelo Rubriko. The inhospitable-looking building coldly reflects the light that falls upon it.

Semias: What is this place, Georgo? It looks like that building we saw back on Nederand.

Georgo: It is the Qualia Net Tower built by General Rubriko. It is the military’s own Qualia Net.

Kira: This building gives me the creeps.

Tatiana: In what way?

Kira: It’s hard to explain, but it kind of makes my hair stand on end.

Yuri: Georgo, will destroying this building prevent Rubriko from coming back to life?

Georgo: Not exactly. I am scared this may not be the only Qualia Net Tower he has built.

Yuri: Hm.

Franny: Aw, c’mon, Yuri, flip that frown upside down, ‘cause I got an idea!

Yuri: Yeah? What do you have in mind?

Franny: Heh heh! You’ll see. But first, we gotta get inside.

We start at the bottom and work our way up.

>>Go to the basement.
This is the basement of Sensorium Tower.

Torlo: All these floors look the same to me.

Franny: Wait, look! There’s something over on that console. Let’s check it out. Hey, these are blueprints!

You got blueprints for the Antiair 4 module!
You got blueprints for the Analysis 3 module!

>>Go to the first floor.
This is the first floor of Sensorium Tower. The entire wall is filled with monitors and control panels.

Franny: Um… no, this isn’t it.

>>Go to the top floor.
Yuri and company board the optical elevator and head for the top floor. When the elevator finally stops, its door opens to reveal a scene exactly like the Queen’s room they saw on Nederand.

Tatiana: Looks like we have the place to ourselves.

Torlo: yeah, but I kinda feel like we’re being watched. It’s kinda creepy.

We start checking out various parts of the room.

>>Check the walls.
Narrow tubes stretch across one of the walls, and from time to time pulses of light can be seen shooting through them.

Tatiana: It looks like it’s alive or something.

>>Check the monitors.
The hologram monitors throughout the room display an endless stream of numbers and graphs.

Alik: Wh-What do you think?

Franny: Naw, this isn’t what I’m looking for.

>>Check the central terminals
Franny Porolo walks right over to where the terminals are concentrated, despite the wary looks of the rest of the party.

Franny: Georgo, you think that implant coder in your head can connect to this terminal? I gotta find a way to hack into the network.

Georgo: yes, it is postable, but it would not be long before the security system locked me out.

Franny: Don’t worry about. You’re talking to one Grus of a hacker here. All I need is one tiny minute.

Thomas: Oh, I get it. You’re gonna hack the network so that Rubriko won’t keep coming back like that, aren’t ya?

Franny: bingo! Give the man a prize! Now, you ready, Georgo?

Georgo: Yes, I’m ready to connect.
They do so…

Georgo: Ack…

The moment the terminal is connected to the implant coder in his head, Georgo Zinko’s entire body arches back in a spasm.

Franny: Hang in there, Georgo.

Franny gently reassures him while following the character strings streaming across the panel and furiously typing on the keyboard.

Time passes as she works, and then an alarm goes off.

Yuri: Uh oh.

Torlo: Watch it! I think security’s on to him!

Georgo: (groans)

Georgo grits his teeth and his entire body convulses as if he were being attacked by the security system.

Franny: Almost… in…

Georgo: Ack!

Franny: Huh?!

Tatiana: Georgo!

Sparks shoot out from where the terminal is connected to his head, and the next moment the terminal goes flying. At the same time, Georgo goes limp and collapses to the ground.

Franny: Georgo! Are you all right, buddy?!

Georgo: I underwent a violent assault on my consciousness, but I believe I am going to be just frine… In a moment, that is.

Franny: Phew. I thought we’d lost ya. Sorry for putting you at risk like that.

Georgo: There is no need for analogies. I was only too glad to help.

Semias: Franny, were you able to hack in?

Franny: I found Rubriko’s mind transfer program.

Torlo: That means you were able to stop him from comin’ back next time, right?

Franny: It’s hard to say. I only had time for a quick ‘n’ messy hack. But as long as the security program don’t notice it, it ought to work. Let’s keep all our fingers and toes crossed!

We’ll have to see next update how successful Franny was…

[Sirus]

I'd like to know more about this "torpedo ship" you picked up blueprints for

[Hanzoku]

It sounds more awesome then it actually is. It's an M-type, roughly corvette class (so smaller and weaker than a destroyer.) It has three fixed weapons, a size M missile and two size S missiles. We've been facing them as one of the earliest enemies in the second half of the game, where our starting cruisers could one shot them. With our design, they have a durability of 1,640 and 40 module spaces to play with.

Edit: Heh, just picked up on what you may have been hoping for. No, sadly, they're not an awesomely Warhammer 40k concept like a ship that literally acts as a torpedo, ramming the enemy fleet.

[Sirus]

Bah. I was hoping for some crazyawesome ship bristling with large missile weapons. Ramming optional, I just wanted missile spam to end all missile spams.

[Hanzoku]

Nah, the Nahab is more like the WWI/II Torpedo Boats.

Now, speaking of ships bristling with missiles for a Macross Missile Massacre... I can tell you that those are coming, and I'll try to remember to pick up and use one (or more.)

[Hanzoku]

The Big Five-Oh
New Characters:
New Ships: Kuraja (M)
New Fighters:

Spoiler: The Battle of Juna (click to show/hide)

Before we get started, I wanted to thank all of you. This update marks the 50th update of this thread. We’re currently about 60-70% of the way through the main play through of the game, updates involving the branches we haven’t done yet aside. I’ve had a lot of fun doing this Let’s Play, and I hope you’ve been enjoying reading it as well.

Now, when we had last left our heroes, we had just hacked into the military Qualia Net and hopefully hacked Rubriko’s respawn program. Let’s go track him down and murder him some more to see if it worked correctly.

On our way back to Marshalo, we’re contacted by the Queen.

Georgo: Captain, I have a message for you from Her Royal Majesty the Queen.

Yuri: A message? From Queen Safira?

Georgo: yes. It seems they have pinpointed the mechanized planet, General Rubriko’s base of operations. And it is highly probable that his spare bodies are being stored there.

Yuri: Okay, where exactly is this place?

Georgo: I have updated our chart. The name of the planet itself is Juna.

Yuri: Okay, time to come up with a strategy.

Georgo: Yes, Captain. I will return to my assigned post now.

Yuri: Georgo, wait a second.

Georgo: Yes?

Yuri: I just wanted to tell you, I’ve noticed that your speaking skills have gotten much better lately.
In the last five minutes, if you were playing this game.

Georgo: Yes, well, I have become more accustomed to speaking, thanks to everyone’s efforts to always be talking to me.

Yuri: I see.

Yuri watches with a grin as Georgo Zinko bows with a slightly embarrassed look before he leaves.

Yuri: The mechanized planet Juna…
Sadly, it’s not mechanized in the sense of a Death Star or anything that awesome. It’s just a factory world.

We stop in at Marshalo to refit, and then begin the push for Juna. Half-way there, we run into the Regeinlandic fleet, which has been conveniently missing until now.

Dietrich: We’ve been waiting for you, Captain.

Baum: I’ve been briefed in full and have decided that we will join you in the operation to take Juna.

Yuri: We could use the help, as I’m sure they’ll be able to mount a decent defense.

With that, the scene is over and we begin the assault. As our fleet moves into attack position, the enemy picks us up.

First Officer: General Rubriko, that fleet from Regeinland has arrived.

Rubriko: So, they’re finally here, are they? Hmph! How dare they trespass into our Juna Sector! Eliminate these invaders now!

Well, that’s a new ship.

Kira: Enemy fleet detected. Yuri! It’s centered on a massive ship!

Yuri: Absoluta-class?

Kira: No, according to these readings, it’s at least twice that size!

Torlo: Twice?! As in… double?! No way!
That’s the meaning of ‘twice’, Torlo.

It’s hard to tell from the screenshot, but those blue points are enemy drives, as they maneuver into two triangles, the points centered on the enemy Titan (my designation for super-battleships).

Baum: Captain, did you see the enemy fleet’s maneuvers?

Yuri: Yes. That wouldn’t be possible without an exceptional commander and crew members that work together like a well-oiled machine.
If you say so. It wasn’t that impressive, though.

Georgo: It is a result of the neural operating system.

Minas: Neural operating system? Oh my, now that sounds interesting!
…thanks for checking in Minas, we’ve discussed this before.

Georgo: It is a system that employs Qualia Net for military porpoises.
Not entirely cured yet, Georgo

Georgo: It serves to directly control the actions of every ship by brainwaves broadcast to the implant coder in each crew member’s bread. I mean, “head.”

Minas: Yes, yes, I see… That explains how that fleet moves in unison, like a single living creature.
You’re not implanting anything in my crew, Minas.

Georgo: Yes. It was developed to compensate for our small population. It allows an entire fleet to operate with as few people as possible.

Baum: Hm. This is turning out to be a more difficult task than I had expected.

Yuri: I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. My crew’s pulled through plenty of certain-death scenarios. And each time, we’ve learned to work even more closely together. We don’t need a system to match their maneuvers.

Thomas: Heh heh. That’s right. Just leave it to us!
Shut up and go away again, Thomas.

Gen: Yuri is right. After all, this Zenitonian system is nothing but a desperate measure to make up for their meager population. We’ll show them why it still takes a full crew to successfully man a modern warship. Shall we?

Baum: All right then, let’s strike hard and swift, Captain!

Yuri: Okay, let’s get going, people!

We sail into engagement range, and our first targets is a Kajto and two Misio-class cruisers. They manage to do a little damage to our Khonsu, but otherwise go down satisfactorily quickly.

Now, you’re allowed to sail back and forth here, so while there’s a gauntlet to fight through, we don’t need to do all of them in one go if we take a lot of damage. Since we’re doing fine, we push ahead into the second fight.

This time, we’re facing two Kajto- and two Misio-class cruisers. Because that worked out so well for them last time. As before, they do a little damage to the Khonsu, but our destroyer shrugs it off while we mangle them in return.

Before the next fight, I head back to Marshalo to restock our fighters and make a team swap – Gen becomes First Officer temporarily, and Tatiana fills in in his normal position in Operations. You’ll see the reason for this shortly…

Flush with success, we push through the center of their formation to face our old friend directly.

We’re fighting a Kuraja-class command ship, with two Kajto-class Cruisers and a Plugilo-class destroyer screening it. The enemy formation has the destroyer in the front row, with the two cruisers in the middle row and the command ship lurking in the back.

Now, this battle has a nasty gimmick – the command ship will automatically resurrect any ship you destroy, so there’s no way to whittle down the damage they’re doing to you. All you can do is use fighters, the Formation Foe skill, and persistence to pound down the command ship while ignoring the others. If you don’t have the first two, you basically need to survive long enough for the Regeinlandic fleet to come to your rescue and blow away the escorts, but you lose fame if you need that.

We start the battle by launching fighters, meeting oncoming fighters as we do so. We begin to dodge and allow our energy to charge up while closing range to where our medium and small mount weapons can have effect.  We take a regular volley to our destroyer and cruiser, and put two Formation Foe-enhanced volleys back into the Kuraja in reply. At low energy, we dodge and wait for our energy reserves to build, while he Rubriko stays hovering in the red. He lets off the steam with two regular attacks, pounding our destroyer and cruiser further. The Khonsu gives up under the pounding and explodes, and the Gae Bulg is badly battered. We hit back with two more normal volleys, then dodge, just ahead of Rubriko letting go with a full barrage. Dodging keeps the Gae Bulg in the fight, and we give him a barrage in return… only for Formation Foe to turn off right before I fired. This lets Rubriko fire another barrage, which blows the Gae Bulg to Grus. It’s only the Kappa and the Pearl Kite in the battle now, but with nearly 8,000 HP, the Kappa is prepared to tank this.

Our fighters return for refit and we turn them around for another sortie, only to eat another barrage to the face before we could even think to dodge. We get Formation Foe running again, dodge and build to a full charge, avoiding another barrage out of Rubriko.

With a full energy bar, we give him a Formation Foe assisted barrage, and begin Operation: Macross Beam Spam. It was hyper-succesful, and for blowing Rubriko straight to Grus (again), we earn 17,280G, 65 Fame and 440 XP.

Kira: Yuri, we have a small craft confirmed trying to escape from the enemy flagship! It’s making a break for Juna.

Thomas: It’s that Rubriko, I just know it is, Captain!

Yuri: This battle will never end until we take him out! Go after him! We follow him straight to the planet, and our crew suits up for ground combat.

On the elevator down, Thomas pipes up.

Thomas: I thought there’d at least be a little action down here. What gives?

Franny: Yeah, it’s like the place is deserted!

Georgo: They have insufficient numbers for a ground battle. They must be concentrating their forces at one point somewhere.

Well, we know where that is. Everyone… to the Ampule Bar!

>>Ampule Bar
Or not.

>>Talk to the bartender.
Bartender: Ever since beings with a diverse range of values started spreading throughout the universe, the Zenitonian race has endeavored to understand their values and the reasons behind them. I believe that is another reason that General Rubriko built his own Qualia Net.
All that was there was a philosophical bartender.

Everyone… to the Qualia Net building!

Spoiler: Massive Migraines (click to show/hide)

>>Qualia Net
Yuri: There’s a Qualia Net here, too, just like you said, Georgo.

Georgo: Yes, General Rubriko is a very cautious man. I would not be surprised if we continue to find them in unexpected loquations.

Torlo: What’re we gonna do, Yuri? We know he high-tailed it back here, but it sorta defeats the whole purpose if he keeps coming back again.

Alik: D-Don’t worry. That program Franny hacked on Sektoro should to the trick.
Not you too, Alik!

Torlo: Yeah? You sure about that, Franny?

Franny: Um… Not really.

Alik: I-It’ll be fine. I promise.

Torlo: I dunno…

Yuri: Torlo, we should trust what Alik says.

Torlo: Whatever, man. You’re the boss.

Confidence highlow, we venture inside.

The only sounds in the deathly still corridor are the echoing footfalls of Yuri and company. Despite the pessimism involved, we make it up to the second floor before running into trouble.

Zenitonian Soldier: Intruder alert, intruder alert! Exterminate, exterminate!
We’re fighting people, right, not Daleks? Ah, whatever, we can do this too. Blood for the Blood God, Skulls for the Skull Throne!

Haha, poor bastards. We have 1525 crew with 77 skill, against 620 enemies with 30 skill. One commander attack is all we need. We charge into melee to harvest their skulls and kill them all.

Torlo: heh. Thought they’d be more of a challenge.

Thomas: Guess it’s a case of all brains and no brawn.

We continue up to the third floor, in search of more victims. There, the corridor branches left and right. We head left first.

Alik: C-Captain, I found this on the floor.

Yuri: Hm? Oh, a currency card!

You got 800 G!

We get in an elevator and make our way up to the fourth floor. Stepping forward, we run into more Daleks disguised as Zenitonian Soldiers.

Yuri: No Fear! No Pity! NO REMORSE!

It’s a repeat of the last fight, with somewhat predictable results. We charge them like raging berserkers and kill them to the last man.

Thomas: That looks like an elevator up ahead. C’mon, people, get the lead out!

We charge down the hall, looking for more enemies to harvest.

Upon reaching the fifth floor, Yuri sees that the way is blocked by a sturdy door. It appears to be locked tightly shut.

Yuri: Can you get it open, Franny?

Franny: Hm. Well, for starters, it’s got biometric authentication. On top of that, there’s a cross-checking key code. It’s easy enough to fool the biometric authentication, but the key code, well…
There’s always explosives. After all, we plan to kill anyone in there anyway.

Thomas: Think you can figure it out?

Franny: Wait just a sec. Ah! I think I got it! It’s referencing the number of Rubriko clones. Yuri, do you remember how many times we’ve defeated Rubriko so far?
…that means nothing. There could be one, two, a dozen or thousands in the next room.

We’re given a choice between two, three, four or five times. The wrong answer kills the party instantly. (Better make sure you saved ahead of time!)
>> Five times
Franny: Okay, that’s all I need to know. Hold on a sec.

… …

Franny: Yes!

Yuri: Well done, Franny.

Franny: Yeah, I’m just that good!

Yuri senses someone ahead.

See? This is why the last question was stupid.

Kira: Aaaaaah!

Franny: Eeeeuuuw! Gross!

The room is eerily silent. At the very back. Yuri and company see a row of fluid-filled glass tanks. Each one contains the naked body of the exact same man.

Thomas: Those must be Rubriko’s, er, spare bodies. Man, it’s like a skin farm in here!

Torlo: Well, he won’t be coming back anymore once we smash ‘em all to bits! Are you with me?

??: I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you.

Georgo: Ah…

Yuri: Rubriko.

Rubriko: I never imagined you would make it this far. It’s quite impressive, actually. Too bad it was all in vain. You see, I have spare bodies in a number of other locations as well, just in case. How does it feel knowing you have done nothing but waste your time, not to mention wasting the time of your crew?

Yuri: I wonder.

Yuri: I mean, sometimes you just never know until you try, right?

Rubriko: Why, I have never heard of anything so foolish! Attempting an action while knowing full well that it may very well be in vain? Surely, that is the sign of a race at an evolutionary dead end. I have a great and noble calling, myself: to revitalize Zenito and lead our people along the proper path of evolution. But if your narrow mind fails to comprehend that, then you may strike me down right here and now. I shall not resist, for I have any number of bodies to replace this one.

Yuri: If you insist! Enjoy your new body!

Yuri stabs him.

Rubriko: Ngh!

Rubriko: Your actions… They are all in vain… Transfer… Transfer… Transfer…

Yuri: …

Torlo: What the Grus?!

Kira: Yuri!

Yuri: …

Tatiana: Ah! Look out! What’s happening?!

Semias: The tanks! They’re all…

The glass tanks are opening one after the other. Mikelo Rubriko’s spare bodies come pouring out amid the amniotic fluid in which they were suspended. As they hit the floor, each one clutches its head, writhing in pain.

Rubriko 1: (moans) (shrieks) (groans)
Rubriko 2: (sputters) (gasps) (gurgles)
Rubriko 3: (shrieks) (groans)

Kira: How awful!

Tatiana: What the…

Several minutes later…

Only heaps of biomaterial remain where Mikelo Rubriko’s spare bodies once were.
Is that what you call corpses these days?

Torlo: Somebody mind explain’ what the Grus just happened here?

Semias: I’ve got to hand it to you, Franny. That was a brilliant plan, indeed!

Franny: All I did was hack his program so that his next mind transfer would go to all his spare bodies at the same time.

Thomas: Yeah, but how does that explain what happened?

Aminda: It’s simple: Psycho resonance. It happens when more than one of the same individual coexists. The mind can’t endure the piercing resonance that results. And there’s the proof. I’m sure the same thing happened to all the rest of his spare bodies, too.

Minas: To see it happen before your very eyes?! That was priceless!

Torlo: More like a splatter movie, if you ask me.

Kira: Did you know what would happen, Franny?

Franny: Not exactly, and especially not this. I was thinking my hack would interrupt the transfer or something like that.

Franny Porolo’s voice is subdued, almost gloomy, as if she is feeling guilty about the awful scene that just unfolded. Yuri puts a hand on Franny’s shoulder as if to reassure her.

Yuri: Don’t let it get to you, Franny. You just helped us get rid of Rubriko once and for all, and that’s all that matters.

Alik:  Th-That’s right! It w-was the only way!

Franny: I guess so. Thanks, Alik.  Thanks, Yuri.

That same day… Staggered by the loss of their military leader, General Mikelo Rubriko, Zenito finally surrenders. Queen Safira decrees that the Qualia Net be reintegrated throughout Zenito.

Spoiler: Insulting a Queen (click to show/hide)

Semias: Yuri, I just received word from Captain Baum that the operating is complete and she would like us to return to Rentinen.

Yuri: All right. That took longer than I thought it would, but at least we won.

Tatiana: What will you do now, Georgo? Will you go back on the network once it’s repaired?

Georgo: Well…  yes, but…

Tatiana: But what?

Georgo: It was a most curious feeling being off the network while I was with you. I felt frightened yet triumphant at the same line. And now that I have experienced such feelings, I would like to delve deeper so that I can fully ascertain them. To that end, I would like to journey with you a little longer, if it would be fine by you, Captain Yuri.

Yuri: Sure, knock yourself out.

Georgo: Spank you very much, Captain!
… no words.

Georgo Zinko became an official crew member!

Georgo: Oh, and one more thing, Captain. Her Majesty would like to spank you personally for what you’ve done. Please take this opportunity to visit her before you return to Regeinland.
… … … *brain reboots from the image that gave me*

Yuri: Uh, I think you mean “thank,” not “spank.” But yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.

We’re still on Juna, but there’s nothing left to do here. We make our way to Nederand to meet with the queen. Amusingly, all the military encounters still occur, but they’re called ‘Zenitonian Pirates’ instead.

>>Nederand
We head into Sensorium Tower to talk to the queen.

Yuri and company stand humbled before the Sensorium Tower. Its very sight, soaring high into the sky, inspires awe in all who look upon it.

>>Go to the top floor.
Safira: Captain, I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I am so very grateful for your support, and I hope that you will continue being supportive to my people. Please accept these gifts as a token of my gratitude.

You got blueprints for an Absoluta-class command ship!

Safira: This other gift is a prototype unit for a new type of module. While it is not a blueprint, you may still find it useful.

You got a prototype of Control Unit Level 4!

Yuri: That’s very generous of you, Your Majesty, but as for supporting you, well…

Safira: Yes, please, continue.

Yuri: I’m not sure I can get behind what you’re doing.

Safira: Oh? And why is that? Have you not already helped make our nation whole again? The people have spoken and they are most grateful.

Yuri: Well, to be blunt, I think Zenitonians are on the road to ruin, and you’re the one driving them there.

Safira: …
Nice one, Yuri, mortally offend the Hive Queen of a nation while we’re still in its borders.

Queen Safira’s expression hardens almost imperceptibly at Yuri’s statement. Though the change is slight, it is a revealing sign that Yuri may have touched a nerve. Kira appears stunned by Yuri’s brashness, and nervously tugs at his arm, speaking to him in a rushed whisper.

Kira: What are you talking about, Yuri?

Yuri: The Zenitonians have sought to evolve into a people without war, anger or jealousy. While that may be an admirable goal, it looks like it’s only resulted in stifled emotions and a lack of true passion. And of course, that resulted in a shrinking population, and ultimately, it’ll be their downfall as their race slowly dwindles. It just occurred to me that maybe General Rubriko did what he did to revitalize his people, to make living worthwhile again.

Kira: Are you saying that war makes people prosper?

Yuri: In a way, I am. You see… The passion that’s responsible for things like war and anger is also responsible for love and jealousy, among other things. That passion is the reason Lugovalos has conquered such a vast area and continues to expand across the universe.

Kira: Then the universe is a sad place.

Yuri: Maybe, but it’s a universal truth.

Kira: …

Safira: You no doubt speak the truth, Captain Yuri. But we have chosen the evolutionary path that we believe in. It is the people’s will, and thus it is mine.

Yuri: … I see…

Safira: Very well, then.

Queen Safira smiles ever so slightly as she gazes upon Yuri with eyes that show her strong will and strength of purpose. Yuri nods in response and then bows low before exiting the queen’s room without uttering another word.

Done with meeting the queen, I put Gen and Fomich back into their regular positions. Georgo joins our passenger list – he has the skills Scalpel Star Lv 1 and Star Engineer Lv 1, but the skills backing those up are lower then anyone currently holding a relevant position.

In the shipyard, we compare our new design against the current one.

The Absoluta requires an absolutely tiny crew of 150, compared to the 800 the Crepuscolo-class requires. It has a higher Anti-Ship score, but much lower speed. It's more agile, has higher armor, but less durability. A higher attack range is off-set by less module space, and a smaller and weaker weapons array then the Crepuscolo can carry. It also has the possibility to act as a hybrid carrier, but with the limited module space it provides, that would be difficult to pull off.

In the end, we pass on the Absoluta class. Its flaws simply fail to outweigh any benefits it could bring.

As we depart the planet, Minas visits Yuri.

Minas: Ah, Yuri, could I please have a word with you?

Gavriil Minas, accompanied by Aminda Mistika, comes up onto the bridge. The bridge is bustling with crew members getting ready to leave port.

Yuri: What can I do for you, Professor?

Minas: Actually, it’s about that control unit prototype you received from the Queen.

Franny: You finish analyzing it already?

Minas: No, I was more interested in trying to modify it, but that means I would have to disassemble it first.

Thomas: you sure ya wanna do that, Prof? I mean, ya might end up busting up a perfectly good unit.

Minas: Oh, I’m sure that will not be a problem! At least, I very much hope it won’t.

Thomas: You “hope”?

As Gavriil Minas and Thomas veil hash it out, Yuri looks over to Aminda, who is standing quietly behind them. She is shielding her face behind her hands and vigorously shaking her head back and forth, clearly exasperated.

Minas: What do you say? If all goes well, I should be able to develop an even more enhanced module.

Yuri: And what are the odds of that actually happening?

Minas: Well, I’d have to say about fifty-fifty.

Yuri: Hm.
We get to say yes or no. If he doesn’t we get the Control Unit Lv 4. But Minas, mad scientist that he is, can do much better than that.

>>Go for it.
Yuri: Got for it, Professor.

Minas: Excellent! Excellent! I’ll start disassembling it straight away!

Gavriil Minas practically skips off the bridge, like an excited kid that has just received a new toy. Before she leaves behind him, Aminda turns.

Aminda: Better prepare for the worst. He always gives fifty-fifty odds, so you never really know how things are going to turn out.

Yuri: …

Half-way to the void gate, Minas rushes onto the bridge.

Minas: Captain! Oh, Captain! My work was a complete success!

Gavriil Minas suddenly shows up on the bridge with Aminda Mistika. He giddily presses something into Yuri’s hand. Looking down, Yuri sees that it is a blueprint plate.

Yuri: Where’d this come from?

Minas: Disassembling that unit the Queen gave you allowed me to design an enhanced version! Use those blueprints to build it!

Yuri: Nice work, Professor!

Minas: I know, I know! Well, go on, don’t stop there!

Aminda: You are amazing, Professor Minas!
Aminda dutifully says, with a sigh.

Minas: I know, I know!

Yuri: No, really, you’re a genius!
Yuri casts Aminda a helpless look.

Minas: I really am, aren’t I?!

The compliments and accepting of said compliments continues for an unbearably long thirty minutes.
The things you do to keep your mad scientist happy…

You got blueprints for Control Unit Level 5!

Swatting aside a few more pirates, we take the Void Gate back to the Xeos Belt. The pirates here, at this point, are a bit pathetic. A full barrage against the Gae Bulg results in 7 damage being taken, as most of the shots missed and two that hit simply scratched its armor.

Somewhere near the Void Gate back to Regeinland, a scene occurs.

Kira: Hi Katida. I brought you something to eat.

Katida: Thanks.

Kira: And this is your medicine. Take it after you eat. It’ll work wonders.

As she speaks, Kira lays the food out neatly on the desk.

Katida: It must be nice.

Katida Lanco mutters this as she absently watches Kira at work.

Kira: Hm?

Katida: I said it must be nice. I envy you.

Kira: You envy me?

Katida: maybe envy’s not the right word. I’s more like I’m flat-out jealous.

Kira: How come?

Katida: Because you’re always right there by Yuri’s side.

Kira: Well, you could be, too, if you really wanted to.

Katida: A woman like me? In case you forgot, I was a Lugovalian’s kept woman.

Kira: …

Katida: As a member of the House of Lanco, I had to do whatever I could to protect my family from the Lugovalian occupation. I’m totally different from people like you, who had nothing and were able to simply chase after him.

Kira: Yuri doesn’t worry about stuff like that, you know.

Katida: Yeah, I bet you’re right. He probably isn’t that kind of guy. Anyway, I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. Sorry, Kira. I just felt like saying something mean to you, I guess. You can go now.
Neither do we. You say nothing for a few chapters, and then this pops up.

Kira nods in reply and then puts her hand on the door as if to leave. However, she stops in her tracks.

Kira: You know, if anyone’s going to be jealous, I think it should be me.

Katida: Huh?

Kira: I mean, I’m his sister, but you two aren’t related at all!

Katida: I don’t…

Kira quickly exits the room as if she is embarrassed by what she just said and by Katida’s surprised reaction.
…We didn’t need to know that. Granted, it’s probably something like a guarantee to happen in an anime…

With that, we reach the Void Gate and end this chapter of the story. With Zenito now in Regeinlandic control, we’re starting to gain the upper hand.

[birdy51]

Hehe!

I shall poke my head in once more to say congratulations on that 50th update! You've done a fantastic job so far and I look forward to seeing the rest!

[Knight Otu]

How do people in this universe keep losing their currency cards? Seems a normal person could make a decent living just from picking up the money on the streets.