An army corps sized group of BETA is approaching.
They're tunneling underground.
The acoustic signatures are increasing.
We cannot determine their numbers or composition.
No signs of Laser Class BETA.
Repeat, no signs of Laser Class BETA...
What is happening?
BETA Offensive
We can do this!
Piece of cake!
Code 991?
That close? No way!
Out of the way!
There's more of them than an army corps.
They're advancing towards the base.
Miss, what do we do?
Bao-Feng 1 to Command Post.
What's going on?
Command Post! What's happening?
Lt. Commander Wu, can you hear me?
What's going on here?
Was the base wiped out?
This quickly?
The only thing that could do that would be Heavy Laser Class!
Bao-Feng 1 to all flights.
We are leaving the area immediately.
We will defend the base-
Base Command to all test flights.
Base Command is discussing our options with UN Dispatch Force Command.
All test flights are to cease their current mission,
and remain on standby until further note.
From the Soviets?
What's going on?
Zhar Battalion is to continue to escort the test flights.
When all remaining enemies have been dispatched, remain on standby in alert status. Over.
"Discussing"? Do they have time for that?
What is the Dispatch Force Command doing?
Miss, does this mean we're taking orders from the Soviets for now?
I think so.
This is getting pretty weird.
Jeez, what are we supposed to do?
Just what you heard.
Shut up and follow my army's orders.
Hey, Lieutenant.
Do you understand the situation here?
Be quiet, Argos 2.
You're not the only one who's upset.
What?
Yuuya, you say that because you don't know anything yet.
A BETA underground offensive has to be dealt with quickly, or it's a real problem.
Lots of BETA.
Yes.
Why can't we go kill them?
I don't know.
But we just follow our orders.
Yeah, you're right.
The number of vibration sources is still increasing.
These coordinates are within range of Laser Class.
Get our unmanned observer drones off the ground!
The only units we have to defend the base are two corps of tanks and one of self-propelled artillery.
With this few units, we won't even be able to slow them down.
Jeez, how long are they going to make us stay here?
Damn it. Are the guys at the base okay?
Anyway, you know...
If we didn't see this coming, that means the BETA outsmarted us here.
That's right. They attack underground all the time on the front lines.
Well, I can see why they'd let their guard down.
Just the fact that there aren't any Laser Class here makes life that much easier.
That's right.
Shut up.
I won't let you insult us anymore.
What's your problem?
You're the one who keeps badmouthing our ace.
So you can dish it out but you can't take it, is that it?
That's why you got sneak-attacked by the BETA, because you're a wuss.
Hey, Tarisa.
There were no moving vibrations until right after we launched.
Or are you saying your own TSFs detected it?
You're right. The BETA move by digging a hole.
There's no way the sensors wouldn't see those vibrations.
Stop talking down to people when you're the ones who screwed up.
But Lieutenant,
this is a pretty big screw-up for what's supposed to be a veteran force.
Attacks from underground must be common around here.
This has never happened before!
In their last big advance a month ago,
those idiots detected a major underground advance
and didn't stop it until they got deep inland...
An underground advance that made it deep inland?
What? Then you were too lazy to close the holes from last time?
Or left them deliberately?
Shut up!
Who would do something like that, mocking the souls of the dead?
Well, sorry. Lieutenant.
We just forgot ourselves.
We lost a lot of friends to attacks like this when we fought on the front lines.
Put in the coordinates I give you.
Unmanned drones are still flying.
There are no signs of Laser Class among the BETA.
Repeat, there are no signs of Laser Class among the BETA.
The BETA are right on top of us.
Will the bombers make it in time?
Heinemann-san, we should withdraw all test flights to the retreat point immediately.
Understood?
I heard that, Lieutenant. And I have no objections.
Lt. Commander Wu?
These are the retreat points I've calculated.
That's fine.
But given the situation,
we should have the test flights withdraw separately to lower the risk involved.
The Russian army wishes to ensure the safety of the UN test flights as much as possible.
I suggest sending the Bao-Feng Test Flight to point C, and the Argos Test Flight to F.
We'll have the squads with them now escort them to the retreat point.
If you don't have a problem with that, go and give the order.
Bao-Feng Test Flight is to withdraw to point C.
Tell Argos 1 to withdraw to these coordiantes.
Lt. Sandek, do you not need to tell your own flight the withdrawal point?
My own flight will continue to engage BETA group 4
along with Zhar Battalion as part of their exercise.
In other words, they'll fight to buy us time.
What?
Even after they've already achieved such a high score?
Assault Cannons aren't very fun, are they?
Yes.
But this is faster.
I don't intend to tell the Soviet Military how to run their plans.
But what do you mean by buy time?
There's no sign reinforcements will come.
We're not waiting for reinforcements.
We're withdrawing from the base.
You want us to abandon this base?
Yes.
We'll prioritize evacuating the UN Dispatch force,
and send you via air to where your test flights are on standby.
I swear on the motherland's honor that we will not let there be a single casualty.
Please do not worry.
They're withdrawing that far?
They're responding surprisingly fast.
Thankfully, there's no Laser Class this time either.
Which means we should lure them deep inland
and destroy them with heavy area bombardment,
and use the TSFs spreading out to the rear to destroy them.
I see.
Yes. This area does allow for a deep formation.
I do hope you understand that we'll have to abandon the test flight's equipment.
There's no way to carry it.
At this point we don't have a choice.
I would like you to reconsider
in regards to the Imperial Japanese prototype we've been loaned.
I'm sorry, but we don't have any means of carrying something that size in this base.
It's impossible.
But once we've wiped out the enemy you can take it back.
I see. So this whole thing was their plan?
Our security forces will escort you.
Then let's hurry.
The BETA will be here soon.
Lt. Dahl, there's no time.
Give the order.
All personnel are to withdraw. Follow the Soviets' orders.
Go.
All XFJ personnel are to withdraw immediately.
Tell the Type 99's mechanics as well.
Tell them the Imperial Guard may abandon it as they see fit.
Attention XFJ development team.
All personnel are to withdraw immediately.
All equipment is to be left here.
Obey the orders of the Soviet Security Personnel.
Also, the Imperial Guard is to abandon the Type 99 Cannon in the manner they see fit.
Repeat.
What does that mean?
We will be escorting you out of the base.
Please head to Landing Pad 2 immediately.
Lt. Dahl, come in!
Lt. Dalh!
A Code 202 is in effect.
All personnel are to begin evacuation procedure.
Repeat. A Code 202 is in effect.
Evacuate?
We're abandoning the base?
Hurry, the BETA are almost here!
Lt. Takamura!
I'm heading to Hangar 18.
Are you getting in?
Wait!
You saved me, Lieutenant.
I showed them my ID, I tried everything,
but they just kept telling me to go to Landing Pad 2.
I didn't know what to do.
What's happened?
Have you gotten in touch with the hangar?
Nope.
Radio's dead all over the base.
I thought so.
I can't get a hold of Command either.
It's really suspicious, isn't it?
So I got the hard disk and laptop which had the dangerous stuff on it,
and tried to get to the hangar,
when the security team caught me.
Was an evacuation order issued for the XFJ project development team?
Any word from Lt. Dahl?
The evacuation order came once over loudspeaker.
It was Niram's voice. She was saying something odd.
"The Imperial Guard is to abandon the Type 99 Cannon in the manner they see fit," or something.
What?
Strange, huh?
The Type 99's under Imperial Army jurisdiction.
Ibrahim wouldn't make that mistake.
That's right.
Lt. Dahl was trying to tell me that something's up;
that the Soviets are after the Type 99.
They're going to take it for themselves?
That explains why they were so obsessed with getting Ensign Bridges out there.
I see.
If the 94 Second was still here it could take the Type 99 with it.
Probably, yes.
That means things for him and the others at the command post
were bad enough that he had to use a code.
Don't worry.
If they thought they could take it by force they wouldn't go through all this trouble.
They don't want to make enemies out of the UN.
There were a lot of things that seemed strange about this whole mission.
Both you and Lt. Dahl thought something was up from the start, didn't you?
Yes.
But to make all this happen...
No, is that possible?
What?
No, it's nothing.
Sergeant Lowell, take care of the classified data for me.
I'll finish it quick and meet up with you.
No.
As soon as you're done with the data head to Landing Pad 2.
But...
The only thing we can do at this point is blow up the Type 99.
Then the more people you have the better.
And it's unreasonable for the project lead to do something so dangerous herself.
I'm the only one who knows the self-destruct code.
Then tell it to me.
I'll admit you're right that it's unreasonable.
But the Japanese don't act on reason alone.
Yeah, that's right.
The Japanese are well... I don't know how to put it.
Yuuya was just like that.
Lieutenant?
As long as we have you, that data, and Bridges,
we can make the XFJ project a success.
Wait!
Don't get any weird ideas, Princess Yui.
More vibration sources.
The base has issued a Code 202.
It's begun?
What about our back-up plan for the worst-case scenario?
Yes sir. All bombers are on standby and ready to launch.
They can be in the air within five minutes of being given the order.
So the die has been cast...
Show us you can do it, Comrade Sandek.
For your own sake.
There's just too many of them!
We won't be able to last much longer!
At least last until the UN forces get out!
Wait! Wait, please!
Get on the next one!
Please hurry, Lt. Dahl.
You needn't worry about Lt. Takamura.
A Code 202 is in effect.
All personnel are to begin evacuation procedure.
Repeat. A Code 202 is in effect.
Lt. Takamura, yes?
I am Sergeant Orloff. I have been ordered to help evacuate the XFJ personnel.
Everyone has already safely evacuated.
I thank you for your swift response.
Please withdraw as well.
No. Securing your safety is part of our mission as well.
I see.
Let's go then. It's this way.
Just like you, I have a mission of my own.
I cannot leave without completing it.
It won't take long.
Don't get in my way.
So their radios work, huh?
An error?
No way.
Lieutenant!
The Soviets, huh?
The BETA are within 6 klicks of us.
Please hurry.
That's the last helicopter.
Sergeant, I've activated the cannon's self-destruct mechanism to maintain our secrets.
It will probably wipe everything out in a 2km radius.
But we can take the BETA with us.
A 2km radius?
That large?
Run! If we don't get away the shock wave will get us.
Follow her!
Sergeant! Order the helicopter to take off as fast as you can.
Hurry! We'll be caught in the blast! Get on!
Take off!
Lieutenant?
I forgot something.
Who are you?
Corporal Yamamoto. I work on the Type 99.
I was doing maintenance work so they didn't see me. I've been hiding.
I see. Unfortunately it's too late to evacuate.
Prepare yourself.
Yes. I was planning on staying behind to destroy this.
I'm sorry.
I was the only one who needed to stay.
Not at all!
More importantly, Lieutenant,
the Soviets have done something to the self-destruct mechanism.
We need the maker's master code to recover from that error.
We can't make it self-destruct like this.
But we must destroy it ourselves.
We need to think of some way to get out of this.
Just to confirm, this order is not the result of confusion in the chain of command?
Yes.
The Zhar Battalion's new orders are to deploy 5000 meters forward from the supply base.
You're sure about that order, right?
I'm not dying to defend an abandoned base because somebody screwed up.
Commander Latrova,
I am Commander Rogofsky of the Central Strategic Research Corps.
The order you've been given is the correct one, and has been approved by central command.
Execute it immediately.
I apologize.
We just finished babysitting our guests
and suddenly we were ordered out here in the middle of nowhere.
I thought there might have been some mistake.
Those coordinates are where the second wave of BETA are expected to appear.
We sent you there because you performed so splendidly in the underground attack last month.
Last time, huh?
It seems you didn't learn a thing from that, though.
What do you mean?
The BETA appeared at almost exactly the same point as last time.
We took so much damage last time,
why did we leave the holes they made instead of sealing them?
Ask your own commander, not me.
Any further delay and I'll have to tell the party you were disobeying orders...
Zhar 1 to all units. Begin moving.
We're going to protect your nest.
Roger.
Zhar 2, you heard that right?
We'll meet up with the escort flights at the rendezvous point.
Hurry.
Zhar 2, roger!
Listen. Stay put.
This is an order.
We sure were lucky that the Zhar Battalion's second in command was our escort.
When she gets pissed off she doesn't pay attention like she should.
That got us the information we wanted, though.
Hey, is this really the time for playing spy?
I took a little peek at her TSF's log via the data link.
The major BETA landing Lt. Commander Ivanov accidentally told us about matches the records.
Looks like that's when the Mobile Infantry took a big hit.
That's really important, but they didn't mention it during the briefing at all.
Somebody in the Soviet Military was hiding it from us.
Probably to keep us from realizing that they set this whole situation up.
They deliberately invited the BETA into a critical frontline base?
They probably didn't seal the holes on purpose.
That's why the BETA were able to follow the same path they did a month ago.
I see.
That's why we couldn't detect them digging.
But why? It doesn't make any sense.
I don't know.
But it's true that Lt. Dahl and Lt. Takamura were suspicious of this whole mission.
Two heavy transport helicopters.
They're part of the base's forces.
Can you hear me, Argos 1?
Vincent?
That's you, isn't it Vincent?
This is Argos 1. Did you evacuate by helicopter?
Yuuya! Damn, I finally made it through!
Are you okay?
Where are the others? Are they with you?
The mechanics and staff, along with the Imperial Army personnel are with me.
Ibrahim and the other higher-ups are heading to another withdrawal point.
Glad to hear it!
Listen to me!
We've got a problem!
Lt. Takamura is still at the base!
What?
She was trying to destroy the Type 99 Cannon...
Vincent! Hey, Vincent!
Lieutenant, this is the last round.
It's no good.
The core parts are too solid and have too high a melting point.
Simultaneously detonating the bullets with jet fuel won't be enough to destroy the core modules.
Corporal, can we at least get the covers off the parts that are classified?
I specialize in the electronics.
I couldn't do it with the time we have left.
Alright.
Continue getting ready to blow it up.
I'm sorry.
What do I do?
What can I do?
He never gave up no matter how hard things got.
Yuuya Bridges...
Why am I thinking about him at a time like this?
Weren't you going to make the XFJ project a success?
I don't know what you're sacrificing yourself for,
but I don't want you just leaving me!
The End of a Deadly Battle
Next time on Total Eclipse:
The end of a deadly battle