Took you long enough...
I guess you finally noticed me.
Your terror, yes... I can see it!
That's right... struggle! Struggle!
The color of your pathetic clinging to life...
Show it to me...
That dirty, ugly color!
May 2nd, 2001 - Alaska Onboard an UN Army An-225 Mriya
Look at that! The Yukon River!
What trials will the goddess of Alaska bestow on us?
Ensign Bridges?
Have some salmon eggs and take a nap or something.
That's right. We can probably catch all kinds of king salmon.
And get piles of salmon eggs... Or not!
Listen, we're here representing America.
Let's do our country proud.
Or you could just call it a demotion.
Don't be such a grouch.
Yukon Base has TSFs from all over the world.
It's like a dream come true, right?
Yuuya Bridges!
I'm never flying with you again.
You asshole!
I wouldn't fly with you anyway!
What's going on?
We're already on an approach course!
Yukon control, come in!
Damn it!
Why? Why can't I shake them off?
Argo 3, return to base now.
Permission for mock combat has not been given.
Repeat.
Permission for mock combat has not been given.
Shut up!
They're serious!
If I stop here they'll seriously kill me!
Two TSFs have left the training zone and are approaching you from the rear.
What's is going on?
Damn it! What the hell are they doing here?
Exit your approach and stand by at a higher altitude.
Hey, get out of here!
This sound... one, no, two TSFs?
Hey!
You think you're such hot stuff? Not for long!
Take...
Don't climb!
Head straight for the runway!
...this!
No way...
This must be what "happiness" feels like.
You saved us.
I guess you really do belong at Yukon Base.
They're making those things?
Damn it... damn it!
So I can kill you now?
How wonderful...
Where are they?
Where'd they go?
No!
Verdant Yukon
Hey, you okay?
Hang in there!
I'll get you yet, damn it!
Idar-1 to command post.
We've confirmed the survival of the crashed pilot.
Roger.
Return to base.
Idar-1, roger.
I'm scared...
I'm scared, Cryska.
She crashed.
She might be hurt.
Don't worry.
She's safe.
I've already confirmed it.
Are we going to crash too?
Is our TSF going to crash like hers did?
Don't worry. He won't.
Neither will you and I.
Really?
Really.
I'll always protect you, Inia.
Always.
Okay?
Yeah...
Wow!
The Jian-10 from the Chinese United Front, and the European Union's Tornado!
They were taking promotional photos of the TSFs today.
I guess they really are bringing pilots and TSFs from all over the world.
That's right.
We're gonna kill all those BETA assholes.
The Next-Generation TSF Technology Development Plan.
AKA Project Prominence.
The UN has offered Yukon Base as a place for militaries all over the world
who've lost their own nations to develop their TSF technology.
It's most important goal is to bring test pilots and prototypes together from every nation,
so that shared information and technology can accelerate TSF development.
Are TSFs that new to you?
What obscure backwater are you from?
I suppose you could describe Groom Lake, Nevada as a backwater.
So I was right, huh.
You've never heard of Area 51?
It's America's biggest research base.
You mean America's biggest theme park, right?
If you've got a mech pilot's wing mark, does that mean you're an Eishi?
Yeah.
Show some gratitude.
If it wasn't for him you would've gone BOOM!
You did that?
No. You dodged us.
T-That's right.
You hicks should respect your betters.
More importantly, what's the pilot of that Terminator like?
D-Don't ask me...
My... Everything's so big in this country.
I guess I'll have to call somebody to come pick me up.
Are you lost?
It's not this way, it's that way.
Oh.
I guess you caught me in an embarrassing moment.
The command post...
You just got here, I know.
Your color told me so.
UN Pacific Theatre Force 3 - Yukon Army Base General Command
She's Japanese?
First I'll introduce the new team members.
Ensign Yuuya Bridges.
From the American military's tactical studies squad.
An elite Eishi.
And Ensign Stella Bremer, from Sweden.
Ensign Valerio Giacosa from Italy.
Ensign Tarisa Manandal from Nepal.
And this is Lt. Yui Takamura, from the Imperial Japanese army.
Lastly, I am Ibrahim Dogulu from Turkey.
My rank is Liuetenant.
I am the captain of the Argos Flight.
Our squad will be working on the XFJ project.
The XFJ project is...
The XFJ project is we at Boening's attempt to improve the Japanese military's type-94...
Oh, excuse me.
This is Frank Heinemann, a technical advisor with Boening Corporation.
Welcome, everyone.
And the goal of today's exercises is for you XFJ project members to get to know each other.
Lieutenant.
Will we be infiltrating Lilfort?
No.
Something better.
Case 47.
The combat area will be considered 170 kilometers south
of a BETA controlled zone filled with laser class,
A Turkish captain...
and so altitude restrictions will be in effect.
Italy.
The win condition is to shoot down the other team's leader.
Sweden.
In addition, both teams will start with a destroyed command post.
Vanguards will go with AH3 equipment.
Interceptors with AH6.
Nepal.
Your tactical database will be restricted to information on your teammate's units.
And...
All from countries who've lost their territory to the BETA, huh?
Joint US-Japanese project? Hah!
That covers the details.
I'll announce the teams.
Element A.
Ensign Giacosa.
Ensign Manandal.
Element B.
Ensign Bremer.
Ensign Bridges.
Ensign Bridges will take the captain's TSF in my place.
Wait!
What is it, Ensign Manandal?
Excuse me.
Why is he in the leader unit?
Ensign Bridges is the main pilot of the XFJ plan.
You're kidding me.
Again?
Everyone be in your TSFs and ready to launch by 1325.
That is all.
Dismissed.
Jeez.
How come he gets to be in the captain's TSF?
I feel bad for you, Stella.
You have to watch over the new kid.
Really?
I think he's good looking, if nothing else.
Are you serious?
So that's your type, Stella?
Well, I can knock that hick out in 30 seconds.
You shouldn't let your guard down.
He was the test pilot for the Raptor.
It doesn't matter.
I'll have him go through the Argos Flight's baptism.
I'll look forward to it.
So what brings an elite US pilot out here?
A lot of things.
A lot of things, huh?
A girl?
I refuse to accept it!
I don't care if it's an order.
I refuse to accept that you're piloting the captain's unit.
Hey, calm down.
Shut up, VG.
For starters, you...
You pilot the captain's unit then.
I'm not taking your orders.
You think you're giving me a handicap or something?
Don't insult me!
I've never piloted an Active before.
We'll both be able to perform better in the TSFs we're used to.
Right?
Fine.
If you insist, I'll switch places with you.
Okay.
Is there still something else?
Say thank you!
I swapped with you because you insisted!
Right, right.
Don't come whining to me later!
Hey, Yuuya!
Don't change your position without asking the captain.
Think about the mechanics...
Status parameter adjustment error is within 1%.
Good work, Vincent.
Oh. Well, thanks.
I'm the only one who could do this much tuning this fast.
Bye.
Okay, go kick some butt!
We will now begin versus-human tactical training.
Begin operation.
Command post to all Argos units.
Please begin the operation.
Argos 4, found them yet?
Not yet.
There's a lot of noisemakers.
The filtering can't keep up.
So we have to rely on optics, huh?
Keep trying to locate the enemy.
Argos 4. Roger.
Ensign Bremer.
A word.
What is it?
I've no intention of losing.
I'm an Eishi, too.
Of course, I'm going to win this.
Yeah.
Let's see what you Alaskan hicks can do, Argos Flight.
Let's get started, Top Gun?
Who are you calling Top Gun?
What's wrong?
Wasn't the American military supposed to have the best ranged weapon technology in the world?
Come out and I'll show you.
He's moving so well in a confined space.
You can turn up the heat a little.
I'm surprised you were the vanguard.
I thought it'd be Chobi.
Pay attention when you're on the battlefield, hick!
VG, he's my target!
Drop back!
I guess you're an elite at running.
An Active's got the advantage in acceleration.
Let's corner him, VG!
Roger!
Oh my, I missed?
That was a close call.
She's got good timing.
Now it's our turn.
You're in the way, VG!
You cover Stella!
I'll handle him.
Right, right.
Whatever you want.
Not bad, hick!
Next!
Roger.
Tarisa!
Argos 2, 300 36mm rounds remaining.
Why won't they hit?
Argos 3 and 4 moving to area D.
Argos 1, error in right main arm.
Ensign Yuuya Bridges.
I guess he's as good as his record suggests, but...
He's at the disadvantage against an Active.
This is more my taste than some guy.
It's gonna cost you.
Don't worry. It always does.
Come on, Chobi.
You got that one on one fight you wanted.
I'll finish it at close range.
I'm at a disadvantage when climbing.
Hey, stop running!
It won't hit me!
You'll pay for that, you hick bastard!
Give it up already!
Just let me beat you!
Don't be in such a rush, Chobi.
Impressive, Ensign Bridges.
Not a situation I'd like to find myself in.
Ensign Manandal especially is an expert at close-range combat.
This wasn't my plan, but I'll go along with it!
Sounds good.
Don't think I'll let you get behind me!
I've seen it!
What?
Girls don't like guys who are too persistent.
I've been like this since I was born.
I can't help it.
You're inviting me in again?
It's hard being a popular guy.
Did you give up?
Sorry, Tarisa.
Ain't it great?
Now you'll be able to go back to Nevada, Mr. Elite.
I'm never flying with you again!
I'll give you credit for knocking me over.
Fire.
So she just made it.
Argos 2. Damage to head and chest cockpit.
The damage has destroyed your TSF.
Ho-
Mission complete.
Everyone, return to the start point.
How?
Thanks for bringing her somewhere that's easy to target.
So you trusted Stella despite never teaming with her before?
Brave man.
We had shared interests, that's all.
Well, no matter how good you are, you can't win alone.
Right, Tarisa?
You need to keep up, VG!
You call that teamwork?
You think a Strike can keep up with an Active?
And you're the one who told me to follow Stella.
Don't get cocky!
I was winning when it was just us!
I told you it's a team battle.
We're just better.
Right?
Yeah.
I guess we learned a lesson from the Top Gun.
Stop calling me Top Gun, Macaroni.
Are you calling me Macaroni?
Call me VG.
Valerio Giacosa, VG are my initials.
Got it, Macaroni.
Hey there.
Top Gun and Macaroni, huh?
I like it.
Don't laugh, Chobi.
That's right, Chobi.
You're cute, Chobi.
Who are you calling Chobi?
You.
What? Yuuya's handing out nicknames already?
Nicknames?
It's a talent of his.
Hey, what's my nickname?
It's probably giant tits or somet-
Venus, maybe?
I'm honored.
Okay then, once more.
Welcome to Argos Flight...
Top Gun.
Thanks.
I saw that last battle of yours.
Did you enjoy seeing the latest in American combat manuverability, Lt.?
I suppose the Empire's TSFs...
I'm disappointed, Ensign Bridges.
To think I have to entrust the future of the Empire to someone like you...
What did you say?
You Japanese doll!
I'll make this easy to understand.
You're inexperienced.
Just who are they anyway?
Inia and Cryska, was it?
They really looked cold, didn't they?
A Flock of Hazy Moons
Next time on Total Eclipse: A Flock of Hazy Moons