The test flights are ordered to standby as command determines the next course of action. Ultimately, Lt. Sendak orders a total evacuation of the base and a retreat of all forces, with Zhar battalion covering them. This means abandoning all equipment, including the Japanese Type 99 Cannon. Realizing this was the Soviets’ plan all along, Dahl sents a coded message to the XFJ team. Vincent informs Takamura, who heads to the cannon after getting the slip from her escort team, but its self-destruct program has been sabotaged. She and a corporal who stayed behind prepare to blow it up manually. Vincent informs Yuuya that Yui is still at the base, with Beta hordes knocking on its door.
The political chess game continues, as the underground Beta offensive is merely an excuse to abandon the base so the Soviets can get their hands on the Type 99, or so it seems. The Beta are using the same tunnels they dug in an earlier offensive, never filled in by the Soviets, so there’s no vibrations warning of their numbers. Suffice it to say, there are enough coming. Outside of the base and lucky enough to bump into Vincent, Takamura is able to get to the cannon. And so the weapon she slaved over – that could potentially save humanity – has to be blown up so it won’t fall into Soviet hands. Sounds like a raw deal to us, but never underestimate mankind’s capacity for, well, self-destruction.
What we don’t get is why Takamura and straggler Corporal Yamamoto are laboring to blow the cannon up…won’t the Beta do that for them? Considering what’s been going on globally – the Beta are invading human territories and holding them, destroying everyone and everything in sight. It seems unlikely the Soviets would be able to ensure the Type 99 isn’t damaged beyond recognition by the Beta before if they’re even able to clear them out. Still, better safe than sorry, and in Takamura’s own words, her people don’t always act on reason alone. This is a matter of pride: they know what the Soviets are up to and they won’t let them get away with it…even if it means Princess Yui risks having her body puréed by Beta. So…will Yuuya disobey orders and go save her?
Rating: 6 (Good)
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