Is the report that the Coupling System was used in Chitose true?!
Wasn't development on that supposed to have been banned?!
Where have they been getting their funding from?!
After their repeated failures, they still haven't had enough?!
This is the government going too far!
We may be at war, but this is outrageous!
Do they think that they can get away with this?!
It happened at a good time, wouldn't you say?
I demand a satisfactory explanation!
To end the impasse we've reached in this war,
we would've had to let our prize fighter out of the cage eventually.
Rear Admiral Green
No matter what the Council says, there are millions who will support us.
1ST Navy Special Squadron Commander
You mean to get the people on your side?
I've made the arrangements.
Cygnus
Mobile Strike Aeroship
Me?! In a swimsuit?!
Just saying that it's a possibility.
It seems they'll mainly be filming the Luxon and the Bradyon,
but they said they want footage from around the ship and of the crew.
Please hold on a second.
So, not only has the brass sent us out here with no cover,
without even an escort, to head for Hawaii Base alone,
now they expect us to pretend like we're actors?!
If that will get us off the hook, it might be a small price to pay.
That may be true, but...
Carriage coming in for approach.
A promotional video...
They have time to be making stuff like that during a war, Jarl?
They're making it because we're at war.
It's for things like recruiting more troops and raising funds.
Well, it's all kinds of complicated.
Unlike what goes on in your head.
What's that supposed to mean?
More like, do you even get it?
If they're making a promotional video on the Coupling System,
the stars of it will be Dio... and you.
What?! Me?!
Depending on how photogenic you are,
it just might decide whether the Confederation wins or loses.
Whoa! Wait! This is too sudden!
Ooh! So these are the Luxon and the Bradyon?! That's great!
Whoa! Ensign Weinberg!
The rumors that you're the best-looking pilot in the Confederation sure are well-earned!
And you're Watase Aoba?
I-I'm new, but I'll do my best to...
Sorry, but you won't have any scenes in this video.
Huh?
Because we've brought in a Coupler who'll be a good match for Dio, visually speaking.
That's a Beryl Explorer.
Long time no see, Dio!
You're...!
Fromm!
Hey, how've you been?
Ensign Fromm Vantarhei,
here as a Coupler for the purpose of shooting the promotional video.
Hey, I'm Jarl Duran.
Aoba, I'm sorry about this.
What?
I'll be borrowing your Luxon just for a little while.
Since my Beryl can't conduct a Coupling.
R-Right.
I heard!
You put out a Nice Coupling reading with Dio without even any preliminary adjustments?
That's amazing.
Y-You think so?
I want you to tell me all about yourself later.
About me?
Yup. You've got an unusual background, right?
Oh, uh... I guess.
Fly
and put a light into the sky of our future
Don't buckle under the weight of sadness
and sing forevermore
Unisonia
What does the world you see
look like?
I don't want to get used
to the pain of losing loved ones,
but the stars are so beautiful tonight
We are like two sides
of a rusted coin
lost on the streets
Persevere
Turn your love into what unites us
Let us put color into this world
To that end,
I sing my symphony
Let the future be as we desire it
We can change destiny
Cross time
Unisonia
Red doors lead to dangerous compartments.
The Other Coupler
Purple doors are related to classified matters
and you will be prohibited from entering either.
Incidentally, this aeroship...
What is it?
I was just thinking that the crew of the Cygnus is fortunate
to be sharing their fate with such a beautiful superior officer.
Huh?
Now, this aeroship is on active duty,
so we may be in battle soon—
I couldn't have asked for better news!
It's in honest-to-goodness life-and-death battles
that you always get the best footage!
I'm counting on you, Fromm! And you, too, Dio!
I'm happy to get to fly with you again.
Yeah, I suppose.
Did you hear?
The pilot that came to shoot the Coupling System promotional video
is a super hottie!
I heard!
Wow, I'm surprised.
I didn't think you were the sort of girl who was interested in this stuff.
That's not true.
I'm curious to know things like what his brainwaves are like
or what his Sympathy Specter deviation levels are like.
I see.
Well, I guess you've got Watase Aoba.
What?
All right!
Let's go!
Huh? Go where?
To feast our eyes!
Before we start shooting, I want to scout for locations on the ship.
Can we get authorization for that?
He's gorgeous!
Then I will have one of our soldiers guide you...
Me!
Please allow me!
Petty Officer?!
I'm Anessa Rossetti!
Don't just think of me as your guide!
If there's anything I can help with! Anything at all!
We're so lucky to have such a sweet girl looking after us!
Honestly...
I know!
How about we ask her to serve as the host in the promotional video?
Great idea, Fromm! Let's go with that!
Do you mind?
Of course not!
Dio...
It's settled then.
Oh, Dio.
I'll see you later.
Then, where would you like to go first?
How about the bridge?
You know him, right?
That guy... Fromm, was it?
Yeah.
What's he like?
Lake Louise?
A training facility for Couplers.
We were in the same class there.
I see.
On paper or in practice, in simulators or in real Valiancers,
he had excellent marks.
I had no idea.
And he seems kind of like a good guy, too.
He's a likeable guy.
It seemed like he always had people around keeping him company.
The exact opposite of you, huh?
It's a quality that's unnecessary in a soldier.
But he was really good, right?
I have a problem with guys who don't take things seriously.
And with busybodies, too.
What, me?!
At this point,
we've seen no sign of any units taking off to pursue us from Chitose Base.
Taking control of enemy territory is no simple thing.
I'd say they've got their hands full just getting things in order.
About the rendezvous at Hawaii Base...
Wait, what are you doing?
N-Nothing, please don't mind me, sir.
Chitose Base
The Vajra?
Its outfitting and deployment tests were completed just last week.
It will be arriving here shortly.
Such a cutting-edge aeroship is to be assigned to my unit?
You fought bravely to bring down Chitose,
Senior Admiral Konev
National Defense Force Siberian Front Commander
and Central Command was extremely impressed.
They feel you've lived up to the name you've made for yourself.
I am deeply awed to hear it.
Well, given your distinguished military service,
I doubt even the Adminburo will complain.
Be that as it may,
I cannot believe they will be content to merely look on in envy.
If they would even just stay out of our way, I would be grateful...
I wasn't able to clear their suspicions.
Why didn't that new model fight back?
It's me! It's Watase Aoba!
That pilot...
What in the world...?
Hina, you there?
Lasha?
Quick! Come!
Oh, good. They're still here.
Cute, aren't they?
Yeah.
Yeah, deer are great.
The fawn in particular would taste great stewed in tomatoes.
What?!
All right. Then I guess I'll make a quick trip back to borrow a rifle.
Oh! You can't do that, Tarjim! That's not what this was about!
I'm glad to see you've cheered up.
Here goes the real take!
Action!
Over here we have the Coupling Valiancers, the Luxon
and the Bradyon.
Now, let's have a word with Senior Chief Petty Officer Don Naher,
who is in charge of their maintenance.
Do you run into any problems with them that you don't with normal Valiancers?
Let me think.
I'd say it's having some happy-go-lucky idiots pulling me away from important work.
I-I see.
I imagine you must put a lot of care into the nutritional balance
of the meals for the Coupling Valiancer pilots, right?
I like to think I put a lot of care into every meal,
no matter which serviceman it's for.
O-Of course you do!
Taking a little break between all that hard work!
Recharging both mentally and physically in the best possible spot!
That's great! That's great! Love that sexiness!
You're awesome!
Oh, my!
This is absurd!
Then, the Protection Division?
It'll show the citizens the power of the Adminburo
Undersecretary Malekov
National Security Committee Administration Bureau
and at the same time, it will serve to get the better of the military,
who have been growing big-headed. Two birds with one stone.
Truly brilliant, Undersecretary Gile Malekov.
All the data you sent on the engagements between Alfried Gallant's unit
and those bastards has already been forwarded to the Gáe Bulg.
When a successful outcome has been achieved,
you, too, will receive what you are due.
Slava Zogilia.
Gáe Bulg
Protection Division Tactical Assault Aeroship
Now is the time to make manifest the power of the Adminburo's Protection Division!
The foolish Confederation's new weapon
is nothing to fear before what we bring to bear!
We are ready to mobilize, Your Excellency!
Good.
Dorzhiev
1st Airborne Division Commander
Then here we go!
Yes, sir!
Their Emphatier Level won't stabilize at the prescribed value?
Could it be that this means Dio and Fromm can't conduct a Coupling?
I wouldn't feel comfortable authorizing it.
Please wait!
What?!
In the tests at Lake Louise,
I believe Fromm and I produced a Nice Coupling reading.
Among all the Coupler candidates,
we were the most compatible, remember?
Dio, your Emphatier Waveform has altered compared to before.
My waveform has altered?
That's right.
It's beginning to stray from the standard waveform.
That can't be...
The cause?
There's no knowing at this point.
Could it be because he's experienced active combat?
I can't deny that as a possibility.
I don't really care, but what about the shoot?!
Um, I have a suggestion.
What is it?
One minute, you're a debuting actor, and the next, you're a cameraman!
That's quite the promotion, boy!
Don't you give me that, too, Don.
Ensign Watase, report to the testing room immediately.
I repeat. Ensign Watase...
This can't be!
Amazing... What's with these numbers?
Their first Coupling test ever, and to get a Matching of this level...
Yes...
So, how is it? Will it work? Or won't it?
Elvira?
In terms of the numbers, there are no problems.
I will authorize it.
In that case, we'll swap in Dio later for the footage inside the cockpit.
We'll go with Aoba for the Coupling with Fromm!
Huh? What?
Looking forward to it.
Looking forward to it?
What do you mean?
All Valiancers now taking off are in the service of the PR Division.
I repeat, they are in the service of the PR Division.
Furthermore, due to the swapping in of a Coupler,
some changes have been made to the roster of pilots.
Aboard the Luxon will be Ensign Watase Aoba.
All right!
Aboard the Bradyon, in place of Ensign Dio Weinberg,
will be Ensign Fromm Vantarhei.
This may be our first time as Buddies, but I won't be going easy on you.
Sure! You can count on me!
Furthermore, Ensign Weinberg will be piloting a Beryl.
Active combat experience, huh?
That impacted my Emphatier Waveform? That's ridiculous...
If that's true, then why only me?
Cheer up, Dio.
Days like this happen.
Yeah, that's right! Nothing to worry about, cameraman!
Don't get cocky.
That's great! That's great, Luxon!
I'm expecting some slam-dunk footage here!
Then let's begin, Aoba.
Sure! Here goes!
Connective, Fromm!
Acception!
This is...
Even compared to when Aoba and Dio first Coupled...
It is...
Aoba really is amazing.
What?
He can do that without even having taken the Coupling training course.
Their speed is incredible.
If it had only been with me, it might've passed for a fluke.
But to even pull it off with Fromm on their first meeting...
What in the world is he?
Break!
More bogeys on radar! Targets are Valiancers!
Send Lieutenant Junior Grade Duran out immediately!
Yes, ma'am!
Are they from Chitose, as we've been expecting?
There are no signs of any units taking off from there!
Then, where...?
Visual coming in from the Beryl E!
Those Valiancers!
So that's the new model that brought our Protection Division all this way.
We'll proceed as briefed.
Keep the Swan distracted!
Yes, sir!
Be careful!
They're an elite unit from the Zogilian motherland!
For real?!
It looks like they're making a serious bid to crush the Coupling System.
Damn it!
Taking these guys on with a Beryl is...
This is the protection corps!
We've really got targets on our backs now, huh?!
Give me a break!
Damn it!
You're not getting away!
What?!
As might be expected of a first-time Coupling,
they can't fight as well as they'd like...
Their Emphatier Level is staggering.
If they're still struggling, it means they're up against tough opponents.
Damn it! That's the protection corps for you.
I don't see any openings!
Floating mines!
Where do I go?!
I can't move well.
Damn it! I can't get out!
Oh, this way!
This is the only spot!
If I can keep going and break through...
Don't tell me...!
They're herding the Luxon?!
I can't go to his assist!
Aoba!
Damn it!
Hah! Beaten so easily!
Did you think you could win against us with just speed and mobility?!
They're luring him into their line of fire!
Not so fast!
What?!
What the hell?!
Thwarted by a mere mass-produced Confederation Valiancer...
Shall we pursue?
Now that they've broken our encircling formation,
we'll need to rethink our strategy.
Hostiles are pulling out!
That was great! I got the most awesome footage!
Awesome! Just awesome!
I'd say we haven't seen the last of them.
Yes, sir.
We will keep a sharp lookout.
Pulling off that stunt in a Beryl?
You're something else.
Thanks, man. You saved me.
You really are amazing.
It was my duty, after all.
There you are! There you are!
There's really nothing more visually powerful
than combat when lives are at stake!
So, this will be our last scene.
Okay, are we ready?
Then here goes the real take!
Five... Four... Three...
Now, come join us and...
Let's conduct a Coupling!
Okay, that was good!
Good work, you two!
That was great!
Did we get enough material?
Then let's go back and get right to editing.
As soon as maintenance and resupply is done,
we re-mobilize immediately.
Don't give them any time to rest!
Yes, sir!
I see.
It's no surprise that Alfried Gallant had trouble with them.
But things won't go the same again next time.
The Confederation's new Valiancer...
I see what to do now!
There they go.
I had no idea you had it in you to look like that.
Look like what?
"Let's conduct a Coupling!"
It was my duty, after all.
He was a good guy, wasn't he?
It would've been nice if he'd stayed a bit longer, don't you think?
Not really.
Don't say that, Dio.
Huh?
But everyone on the film crew just...
Fromm, is it true that you're staying on to be assigned to the Cygnus?!
What?!
Oh? Didn't I tell you?
Our hearts call to each other from afar
I've forgotten the end of pain,
but still I know you,
and I look for you
My soul kissed the remnants of a powerful light
deep within itself
If doubt paves the way for a tomorrow full of hope,
then all my hesitation is sure to lead me to a wonderful dawn
I want to protect and shelter
our dream of peace
Please hold out your hand
to grasp the love
that we are sure to find
Next Time: Buddy
Next time on Buddy Complex:
"Buddy"