I came to a dim realization.
In the same way that I never let myself smile around Koko,
Koko smiles all the time to hide everything else.
Jonah!
Thanks!
It was so sudden! Out of the blue!
The battery just ran out!
Might be time to upgrade.
Whatever.
Either way, it was pretty fun.
I know that Koko is a genius when it comes to business.
But she has this element of reckless danger to her as well,
like running down a slope at full speed.
Is that it?
Yeah, thanks.
Go have some fun. I'll join you once I'm done with this.
That new Jonah bomb packs some serious splash damage!
Let's throw him around a bit!
Who'll be able to throw him the farthest?
Jonah's so cute.
Koko!
You're still not done?
Just a little longer!
Ugo, you're a beast! That strength is incredible!
Come on, don't just go throwing people around.
I travel with an arms dealer.
We have always stood on the borderland
I'm enjoying the view from here
Eeny meeny miny moe much the same
We have always stood on the borderland
I'm enjoying the view from here
Pike or shield? maketaku wa nai
Pike or shield? I don't want to lose
demo kizutsuketaku mo nai
but I don't want to get hurt either
te ni totte tashikameteta
I made sure with my own hands
kitto modorenain da
I guess there's no way out for me
Whose side are you on?
Don't want to know!
omoide wa kase
Memories are chains
Don't want to know!
atodzuke no love
Love is a side note
Don't want to know!
yasashisa wa ada
Kindness is a weakness
We have always stood on the borderland
hirogeru ryoute keep balance
Spread your arms to keep balance
yori takaku toberu hou he
Always try to fly higher
mamoritai yo bokura no
I want to protect you
tsubasa no nai kono senaka ni
even if there are no wings on my back
seotta
I'll shoulder it
Reality and dream
Check it out, Lutz.
She's got one smokin' body.
Yeah, her boobs are as massive as ever.
But shut up, Tojo.
If she catches you staring at her like that,
it'll be the last thing you ever see.
You'll end up as julienne fries.
Yeah. The real problem is,
inside that bestial body lives a real beast...
Just come with me.
Pretend you're not interested in big boobs,
just swim around and get her to have some fun.
If I were you, that's how I'd make my first mov-
R?
Damn, he beat us to it!
He's complimenting her on her army tattoo?
Not bad.
He's a pro.
He just started massaging her shoulders!
It's so obvious what he's after.
He touched it!
Is he retarded?!
Groping won't cut it with her!
You pig, R!
My boobs are...
only for Koko and me!
Whatever!
I've got a wench in every port!
Famous last words... without the famous.
God, he flew farther than Jonah earlier!
We need help here!
Medic! Call a medic!
Hey, Jonah!
If you keep floating like that, you'll end up in Italy.
Koko? Huh?
I'm already this far out?
Yeah.
Don't underestimate the sea.
Maybe you're being dragged out by a lovestruck mermaid.
Too bad for her, because she can't have you.
You're mine.
Only 30 minutes of torture left. Food comes after science!
My kids fall asleep right away if they eat after playing.
Sometimes before they've even finished dinner.
You've got a family?
Yeah. My wife, son and daughter are all waiting for me back home.
Wanna see a picture?
My kids are both younger than you.
I see the resemblance.
I know, right? They have my nose, yeah?
Not you. They look like your wife.
Oh well... I'm the only one in this team who has a family.
Lehm's gotten married and divorced countless times.
Lehm?
Did you have to sneeze all over me?
My bad.
He got married many times? To many women?
No, no, the same woman every time. You've met her before.
Chiquita.
The two of them originally worked as bodyguards for Koko's father, Floyd Hekmatyar.
Chiquita and Lehm?
Quite a team, don't you think?
Ten people, ten pasts. We all have our histories.
You'll understand one day.
But right now, it's time for science-
And you?
What kind of soldier were you?
Me?
Unlike Lehm and the other elites, I was just an ordinary soldier.
I belonged to the artillery.
I used to shoot cannons so big you could fit your head inside.
But luckily, my country's pretty peaceful.
I was never in any real fights, just training.
Lucky for you.
I guess.
But even during training, people die.
There was an accident that led to the death of several of my comrades, and I was discharged.
Then, while trying to work out what to do with my life,
I met Koko by chance in Asia, and she hired me.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I lied to my kids.
I told them I got a new job with the army that required me to travel around the world.
I couldn't bring myself to say that I got discharged, or that I was working as a hired gun for an arms dealer.
On the other hand, Koko pays me a lot more than the army ever did.
About three times more, in fact.
Then, soon after I joined, I told Koko all of this.
You lied to your children?
Yes.
Understandable. There's nothing wrong with that.
In the end, we're all doing the devil's work.
Only a fool would take pride in that.
Just make sure that kind nature isn't your undoing.
And one more thing...
Be proud of your comrades.
Never forget that.
She's always been a great leader.
Our team grew, and everywhere she went...
Yes?
Mao?
Koko?
It's time for dinner.
What, already?
I got carried away talking about my past and the class got nowhere...
Are you there?
Yes...
Hurry up!
Okay.
Jonah?
He left already...
Briefing time!
As you can see from these papers,
we're working the skies!
The sky's one place I don't want to see you working.
Nothing good happens when Koko and the sky get together.
Hey, Lehm!
A jinx isn't just some random source of bad luck.
If you believe something's going to go wrong, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Discard your preconceptions.
So this mission really is jinxed, huh?
Just wait! You'll see this flight is nothing of the sort!
Yeah, yeah.
The HCLI transports not only goods, but people as well.
The destination is Republic T, Autonomous Region X, Planina airport.
You'll be delivering your goods to the airport, and your passengers to somewhere where the local forces won't notice them.
They are from the non-governmental organization "Outspoken Doctors for Human Rights", usually abbreviated as ODH.
Republic T denied them them entry?
Yes.
Are you joking with me?
We're walking in a gunpowder plant, avoiding even static electricity,
and you're telling me to light up a cigarette?
60% of the payment is already at HQ.
The rest will be transferred to the HCLI account upon delivery.
Well then, good luck.
Damn you! Damn you, damn you!
I'm getting more and more of a bad feeling about this.
Pilot! Vice-pilot Ugo! We've got additional cargo.
Yes?
Ten doctors, weighing about 700kg in total.
That's barely within the limit, Princess.
Thank you very much, Ms Hekmatyar.
Mr Riviere,
I am an arms dealer.
I understand.
Thank you for taking us on board.
You will be treated not as guests but as cargo.
You could end up being stuffed into a container.
We're used to that!
ODH members, get ready!
Yessir!
A humanitarian aid organization? Their work is like, the exact opposite of ours.
Have you ever met people like them before, Jonah?
Yeah.
But they feel different to the people from the Red Cross.
Yep.
At least they're more like soldiers than we are.
Seen their leader?
I thought he was some legendary mercenary at first.
I deeply regret interrupting your cheerful discourse, but...
Get your asses moving and prepare for departure!
Hi!
What's your name?
Jonathan Mar.
And you?
Marguerite Messner. Just call me Maggie.
Okay, Maggie. People usually call me Jonah.
Nice and smooth!
This flight's going well.
There you go, Lehm. Still think this mission's jinxed? Don't be ridiculous.
Jonah, come to the cockpit!
Roger.
Jonah...
What a cute boy soldier.
Is that unusual?
Not to me.
I've seen them on battlefields the world over.
Jonah! Jonah!
Down here!
It's a bit of a squeeze.
Is this your first time looking out the front of a plane?
I feel so small!
So this is what the world looks like...
If the Balkan Peninsula is the gunpowder-filled barrel of Europe,
Republic T's Autonomous Region X would be the firing pin.
It's the "lost homeland" of many different countries and nationalities,
and has been turned into a living hell by wars for control since the 14th century.
One of Republic T's enemies invented the phrase "ethnic cleansing" to criticize them.
However, they did the same as well. This has happened many times throughout their history.
When militia get involved with the professional army, there's no stopping them.
Dragan Nicolaevich is the leader of the "Balkan Dragons" militia,
more commonly known as the Dragons..
He is also known as the Dragon himself.
The son of a Republic T general, he was a delinquent by the age of ten,
and in his twenties he toured western Europe on a crime spree.
Robbery, assault, murder.
Even after being arrested, he was let off the hook due to his father's connections.
To this day, he's well into his fifties and still leads a criminal organization.
And that world-class, grade-A asshole is in this very country.
Ms Hekmatyar may have a trading contract with the official Republic T military,
but if the Dragons are gaining influence,
it's as bad for her as it is for us.
But have no fear!
Deliver aid to the victims of violence and aggression, and tell the world of what you see.
That is our duty.
Understood?
Aye, aye, sir!
Their enthusiasm really is inspiring.
Fancy joining their ranks, then, Lutz?
Wait a second!
Why would you even say that?!
We'll be arriving soon.
Maggie, over here.
What is it?
Get everyone together and hide under these plastic sheets, as if you were cargo.
We're not unloading this container, so it should be fine.
The soldiers shouldn't find you here.
Is it that bad?
You should be all right.
Planina Airport
Thank you very much, Ms Hekmatyar.
You've arrived just in time. We made the right choice ordering from you.
Not at all, Captain.
I should be the one thanking you for your business, on behalf of HCLI.
By the way, Miss,
I heard rumors that you often carry additional stock beyond what was ordered.
Would you be willing to sell us your surplus for an additional fee?
I'm terribly sorry, Captain.
If we were delivering by sea, that may have been possible,
but as this delivery was by air we were already at full capacity.
Ah, I understand.
Mao!
I see, so your cargo this time was 122mm cannon ammo.
Oui!
Brings back memories?
Kind of...
I used to use this stuff a lot.
As soon as the paperwork's done, we're outta here.
I've got a bad feeling about this place.
You letting civs walk around? You retarded, man?
Captain Retard.
Nice to meet you, Ms Koko Hekmatyar.
Glad I made it in time.
This might be a bit outta left field, Princess,
but a little bird told me you got some interesting shit on your plane.
Let's see it.
Mr Nicolaevich.
The Dragon.
Don't make me say it again, Princess.
You have ten of those fuckin' docs stuffed up your plane, doncha?
Hand 'em over.
What might you be talking about, Mr Dragon?
First of all, you have no affiliation with my current business partner, the Republic T military.
You are an outside party.
I have no cargo that would be of interest to you.
Who do you think you're talkin' to?
I'll shoot you to pieces, bitch.
Let us refrain from any rash actions.
That plane's 123 square meter cargo hold is my kingdom.
Crossing the border isn't cheap and only a chosen few can get visas.
Fucking useless.
Captain! Captain!
My thoughts exactly.
The fuck were you thinking, calling that fuckin' cockroach here?!
How goddamn worthless can you get, Captain Retard?!
It broke! Get me another radio!
Here, Sir Dragon!
Nicolaevich, please don't rock the boat.
The HCLI is-
I don't give a flying fuck!
It's your responsibility, retard!
Rock the boat? You're a bit late for that.
Oh please, now we've got even more black hats.
Sorry for making you see all that, Ms Hekmatyar.
Are you all right, Captain?
Why would you, one of Balkan's finest, let some militia leader push you around?
Here in Autonomous Area X, he's a hero.
His power grows every day,
and all my subordinates already follow him.
I won't ask what's on your plane.
Please leave as soon as possible.
Thank you very much! You're a great man, Captain!
Think again, you gun-dealing shitstain.
We're not leaving 'til we've taken those doctors' scalps
and recorded the whole thing on video.
Broadcastin' this shit on the net's all the fuckin' rage these days.
I'll say it once again, Dragon.
Let's refrain from any rash actions.
That's the Dragon?
He's been raging since the moment he arrived.
You should be all right.
That's easy to say, but I'm still worried for you, Jonah.
I'll go out and talk with him.
Hold on!
Just look at him! He's not the kind of person who'll listen to reason!
Our presence here is causing Ms Hekmatyar considerable difficulty.
I can't just sit by and pretend to be cargo.
I've dealt with soldiers before.
You stay here.
Doctor...
I don't know... What should I do?
What? Don't come out, man!
What are you doing here?!
Mr Dragon. I am the leader of the Outspoken Doctors for Human Rights, Riviere.
I forced Ms Hekmatyar to take me on board.
I have something important to discuss with you. Can we talk?
Doctor...
You're one of those assholes, aren't ya?
One of those fuckin' doctors who goes around undoin' my good work!
That makes you my enemy.
Doctor!
Guns?
Hold still.
Enough shooting, kiddo.
Whatcha getting all worked up about?
What the fuck d'you think you're doing to Sir Dragon?!
Koko, what's next?
Looks like we've got no choice.
Eliminate the Balkan Dragon militia!
hikari yo kotaeru mata tsumi
Light shines on my newest sin
sougon no ma ni yurameku ayamachi
and I tremble in the solemn shine
fujou shite iki wo tsuki
I resurface and draw a breath
tokasare majiru dake no tsugunai wo te ni shita
But my salvation faded all too soon
mujun haramu kono sekai no tou
This world, filled with contradictions
omoi tsukashiteru zakuro no me ni
reminds me of a bead of garnet
wataru kumo ne fushi wa mou nai
There is no rhythm in the passing of the clouds
suiheiki no tsuranuku kodou
just a chaotic ripple on the water