I can't maintain proper course?
Hell no!
This thing's got more maneuverability problems than the Type 97!
Checkpoint 3 passed. +4.52.
Damn it!
The whole place is packed with sleeper drifts?
Set proximity margin and pilot safety functions to minimum.
Damn it, I'm not letting this shitty TSF get the better of me any more!
Hey, are you okay man?
Yeah.
Jeez. Turning the pilot safety functions off? Are you nuts?
Sure, there's no rule against it, but...
Only got me back .25 seconds though.
Ensign Bridges.
Is there anything you want to say?
Sure I do.
I thought I'd learned the maneuverability traits of Japanese TSFs on the Type 97.
But I was wrong.
This thing's an even more unbalanced piece of crap.
Seriously?
Indeed.
The Shiranui Type-1c, the TSF the Type-2 was based off of,
was created with an emphasis on improving its combat capability at all costs.
This makes it extremely difficult to pilot.
It requires a combination of a delicate touch and a bold spirit,
as well as exceptional piloting skills.
Perhaps it's too much for an American soldier like you after all.
I've only got eighteen hours in the thing so far.
32 counting simulations!
By the time it gets into trials I'll be ready.
No matter how defective it is.
The Right Stuff
They're just drones! What am I doing?
Command Post to Argos 1.
We've lost control of Drone 6.
It is leaving the area heading to point E-92. Recover it immediately.
Argos 1, roger.
The Soviets are using E-92.
I'd better take care of this before they hassle me again.
Is that it?
Who's there?
That's...
You again?
That voice... is that?
Retreat.
This is our exercise area.
If you approach any further I'll open fire.
Wait. I'm just here to get a drone that went offline.
Yuuya?
It is you, Yuuya!
Inia?
Yuuya, are you chasing that naughty boy?
Inia. We're doing exercises now. That's enough.
But Cryska...
Idar 1, what's wrong?
Get back here and continue your training.
Idar 1, roger.
Inia.
Right.
See you later, Yuuya!
Those two are the Scarlet Twins?
What? You didn't know they were the Scarlet Twins?
They're both pretty annoying, right?
But don't touch them.
They're mine.
Sure, but make sure that you don't end up owing anybody anything else.
Why you?
Wait, VG!
It's the truth!
Wait!
Why you...
What is it that's scaring me?
How many times do I have to tell you?
No matter how good a TSF it is, if only veterans can pilot it,
it's nothing more than an expensive coffin!
It's just junk!
What kind of TSF are you planning on making
if you're just going to ignore everything the test pilot says?
Junk, huh?
There's a saying in Japanese: A man and his horse are one.
To Eishi in my country, trusting your TSF
and using it to its full potential is considered even more important than piloting skill.
I was hoping that would be true of you as well.
A man and his horse are one?
There's nothing wrong with that psychological stuff.
But just like Eishi on the battlefield, we test pilots are risking our lives in reality.
To make those TSFs worth trusting.
That's our pride as test pilots.
I refuse to allow any Eishi to die in a TSF I tested.
Even you Japanese.
Is that all you want to say?
I see.
No matter what I say to you now it won't matter.
You're running?
If you're got a problem then out with it!
Then I'll say it.
The XFJ plan does not exist to satisfy the pride of its test pilots.
Your demands that this be handled in an American fashion
are nothing less than an attempt to make the entire project belong to you.
What?
Do not disappoint me further.
You...
Calm down, Yuuya!
Belong to me?
You're the one who's being a selfish little girl!
That woman really pisses me off.
What's Chobi's problem?
Don't talk like it's not your problem.
She's mad at what happened to you.
It wasn't easy stopping Tarisa from running out there
when you were arguing with the princess.
Come on! Let me go!
You saw that?
Princess?
Lt. Takamura!
I heard she's from a noble family of former samurai.
And a member of the Imperial Royal Guard.
That's one of Japan's elite squads.
So princess isn't just a name for her.
Let's stop talking about that girl.
This is our welcome party for Yuuya.
A little late, though.
Guys...
Welcome...
...to Alaska!
Cheers!
Here you go.
The usual order okay?
Yup. Thanks.
I've been waiting for that.
And those two melons too.
These are off limits.
Oh, who's this monsieur?
This is a new pilot...
Hey, he's pretty cute!
Natalie Duclert, from France.
Nice to meet you.
Yuuya Bridges.
Nice to meet you.
How long are you going to put those on my head?
Oh my, you're so violent Tarisa!
Shut up! Why do you do that every single time, Natalie?
Hey, is this okay?
It's nothing new.
It's one of those things where they're each drawn to that something they lack in the other.
Where were you looking when you said that?
We're having a welcome party today.
What's your recommendation?
We've got some excellent natural beef.
That sounds good.
I'm sick of artificial meat.
But it's expensive, right?
Hmm... maybe I'll give you a discount, Tarisa.
I love you, Natalie!
You and I are best friends!
Okay, I'll take my payment.
Wait!
Chobi, are you...
What is that?
Don't laugh!
Natalie forced me to wear it.
Don't make that face, Tarisa.
It looks great on you.
R-Really?
Yup.
This'll make a great picture.
Delete that photo!
Wait, Natalie! Wait!
Oooh, scary!
You're not going to eat?
No, that's not it...
Nothing wrong with this, is there?
VG?
When she first came here, she never smiled. She just frowned all the time.
Part of it was that she didn't want anybody to mess with her, probably, but...
You mean Tarisa?
Yeah.
Most people here are strangers, who've lost their homelands to the BETA and ended up here.
They never had the luxury to smile.
Their families, friends, everything they had was eaten by the BETA.
And all they had left were themselves...
...and their hatred of the BETA.
Right?
That's why you need to enjoy yourself when you get the chance.
Like that.
She's got a tail too.
Cute, huh?
They've fought the BETA on the front lines.
Their burdens are as great, or greater than mine.
Is that all you want to say?
Is that true of her, too?
Yuuya Bridges.
The Shiranui Type-2 operates on totally different design
and operations principles than an American TSF.
And he's steadily mastering it in such a short time.
Your talent and potential make you an unmatched Eishi.
But that's not enough.
Resting when you can is part of an Eishi's job, right?
Or are you so busy thinking about Princess Yui you can't sleep?
Princess Yui? Huh?
Looks like you're getting along with her though.
I've known somebody similar for a long time.
I can understand her.
She's a lot like you, Princess Yui.
Bite me. Don't compare me to her.
The way you don't back off when you should, and how you're not honest with yourself.
She's just like you, right?
It's just like with a TSF.
The question is how well you understand them.
Understand them, huh?
A TSF designed by a country that lost half its territory to the BETA...
Hey, Vincent. What is it about this thing I don't understand?
I'll start by saying this: in an American TSF you're a top-class Eishi.
I can testify to that.
But the way you pilot a TSF,
the strategies you use, change totally depending on what country made it.
If I tuned it like an American would, it'd make it hard for a Japanese to use.
Yup.
For instance, the maneuverability system is totally different.
An American TSF uses brute force.
A Japanese TSF would take advantage of
the aerodynamic properties of its knife sheathe or center head mast.
You keep that in mind, and then it's a question of how much you can communicate with it.
Is that what she means when she says "A man and his horse are one?"
Couldn't tell you.
Why don't you ask her?
I guess that's impossible.
Well, it's like when you're in bed with a girl.
Don't just think about yourself. Try to satisfy them too.
Why are you talking about women all of a sudden?
You might as well try to ride Princess Yui while you're at it, Top Gun.
Why do I have to try and seduce that Japanese Doll?
Christ...
I understand the theory.
All that's left is how well the 94 Second and I can understand each other.
I won't try and overpower it.
I'll work with it.
Argos leader to all TSFs.
Initiating case 23.
Argos 1, roger.
Argos 2, roger.
Argos 3, roger.
Argos 4, roger.
Initiating JIVES.
Let's go, 94 Second!
The 94 Second's test parameters are far below yesterday.
He never does anything halfway.
Until yesterday he was trying to force it to do what he wanted.
And now he's letting it take control?
Crap!
Huh? You done already?
Shut up, catgirl maid!
Don't say that.
Calm down, guys. I guess that's the last one for today...
I guess figuring out the Japanese TSFs
isn't something you can do in a day...
Huh? What's that?
Something came into the practice area without authorization?
Is it a TSF?
It can't be lost, right?
Argos 1 to Command Post.
Unknown unit sighted.
Requesting identification.
Identification in progress.
All units stand by.
Identification complete.
This is...
What are you doing, Lt?
Command Post, come in!
Command Post!
What happened?
This isn't funny.
No data match in library.
Attention approaching unknown.
Respond immediately.
Argos 1 to all units.
Prepare for combat.
What's going on?
And what is this awful feeling?
I found the data in your library.
Only in the 94 Second's?
The Takemikazuchi?
Attached to the Imperial Royal Guard?
The Type 00?
Then is that...
Lt. Takamura?
That sword's for real combat!
Her!
I guess she wants some attention.
It's hard to be popular.
Is that really her? What do we do? Do we fight?
She's mocking you, Argos 1!
Stop it, Tarisa!
If that's how you want it...
Let's do it.
I don't care if you're in the Royal Guard or not... get lost, princess!
Get your foot off her!
This is going too far, Lt. Takamura!
Damn it!
Are you insane?
Tarisa!
VG! Stella!
Damn it...
That's you, isn't it Lt. Takamura?
Do you hate me that much?
Come on, Lt.
I'll fight you.
Damn it, damn it all!
Why won't you do what I tell you, 94 Second?
So you're going to take your time?
You could take me out in one hit any time you wanted!
I can't stop here...
Without even being able to master a Japanese TSF...
Done in by a Japanese!
Damn it all!
I won't lose here!
That movement... did I do that?
There's a saying in Japanese: A man and his horse are one.
To Eishi in my country, trusting your TSF and using it to its full potential
is considered even more important than piloting skill.
I see.
So that's it...
Hey, I'm just like you.
I had my fate messed up by two countries.
Let's do this together, 94 Second!
Command Post to all units.
That's enough.
Captain.
White Fang 1, did you complete your objective?
Mission complete.
I can't believe she did that!
I refuse to accept it!
She totally got us.
But that was amazing, Yuuya.
You got a solid hit in on Lt. Takamura in a TSF you'd barely been able to fly before.
She lost to Yuuya.
She can't be that good.
Shut up, Churrasco.
Churrasco?
That means "skewered", doesn't it? It's perfect!
Shut up! Don't give me weird nicknames!
That feeling...
If I could master it... you and I could be stronger.
You taught them, didn't you?
Just like Yuuya...
And just like Cryska. You're nice.
Bye bye!
Cryska?
If we get there we can take shelter from the rain.
So what's the relationship between you and her?
That man interests me.
Ultramarine
Next time on Total Eclipse: Ultramarine