Imperial Calendar Year 955 Month of Roswik, Day 14
Far into the future...
...humanity has created thousands of nations in the vastness of space.
A war is taking place which threatens to divide the galaxy.
This war began in the Imperial Calendar Year 952...
...after an ambush by the United Mankind.
In retaliation...
...Ramaj, the 27th Empress of the Humankind Empire Abh...
...issued a declaration of war against the United Mankind.
During the war...
...the Abh territory of Sufugnoff was occupied by the United Mankind.
The Abh then annihilated enemy forces there.
But the fighting that had erupted in the outer reaches of space...
...evolved into a fierce battle that reached the Imperial Capital.
This battle led to the decimation of forces on both sides.
In order to regroup and restore their forces to full strength...
...both sides entered into a cease-fire.
Since that time...
...they have been waiting for the moment to resume battle.
And three full years later...
Reunion
Banner of the Stars
Ten seconds to space-time fusion...
...eight... seven... six...
...five... four...
...three... two... one.
Entering space-time fusion!
Here they come!
The enemy target managed to dodge our fire!
Maneuver under its wings!
Laser cannons!
Fire at full power!
Roger!
Come about 180 degrees!
Prepare to fire the anti-proton cannon!
They're fast!
The anti-proton cannon's been destroyed!
We're losing power!
0.9, 0.8, 0.7...
...and it's still dropping!
The loss of power has caused...
...a failure in the defense shield!
We're losing atmosphere in Sector 7!
The pressure's down to 0.63 and still dropping!
No crew response there!
Shutting down the sector!
Lockdown complete!
Sector 7 has now been sealed!
That should stop it from affecting other sectors.
At this rate...!
Hurry with the space-time separation!
It's no good!
We're not going to make it!
The ship has been destroyed. The ship has been destroyed.
Any abnormalities?
I can't see anything obvious.
We'll continue the review.
Very well. Carry on.
Captain, transmission coming in for you.
Put it onscreen!
That wasn't bad, Deca-Commander Abriel.
Although you tend to battle with elegance.
However, I think...
...with a little bit of luck, you should survive.
I'd like to wish you and your crew all the best.
And now it's time to end the battle simulation.
Captain?
Finish up here for me please.
I'm going to...
...get some rest.
That must've taken a lot out of her.
This inexperienced battleship...
...was famous for a peculiar reason.
It was because two officers were members of the nobility.
One of them was our captain, Abriel Nei Dubrusk Paryunu Lafiel.
Or, Deca-Commander Abriel.
Princess of one of the Royal Families of the Humankind Empire Abh.
The other was me...
...Count Jinto of the Lin Syune Rock Hyde family.
This small ship was the only place I could call home.
And, if truth be told, it was the only place where I felt I belonged.
Um... Is something wrong?
So, Navigator Sobaash...
...although he's still young...
...you think we should tell him what he needs to do?
Well, I'll leave that to you.
As first officer of this ship, I could order him to do it...
...but forcing someone to do such dangerous work doesn't feel right.
Understood.
So, young Secretary Jinto...
Yes?
During that battle simulation...
...our captain's pride was damaged quite badly.
Do you understand?
You're not suggesting that Captain isn't up to the job, are you?
Hecto-Commander Kotokeil...
...has way more combat experience.
The captain, on the other hand, was just given her command...
I'm fully aware of that, Your Highness.
I prefer you not addressing me that way.
Fine, Secretary Lin.
None of us has a problem fighting under the captain's command.
However...
...just because we're under her command...
...doesn't mean I believe we're completely safe.
Even if we are under the command of another captain...
...the situation won't change.
That said, her abilities are not bad at all.
That's how I feel.
Or rather, I'm trying to make myself believe that.
Follow me so far?
Yes.
Therefore, we want the captain...
...to feel positive and be in the right frame of mind to fight.
Then we'll have a better chance of getting out of this alive.
In other words...
...we don't have to worry about her being overconfident, but...
You think we'd be in danger if the captain's depressed?
"Danger" is too strong a word.
But it might lower our chances of survival.
This is not a small point. Our lives hinge on this.
It's only natural that human beings want to improve those chances.
Yes.
And this is where you come in!
Where I come in?
What could I possibly do?
Do I have to spell it out?
You want me to go and boost her confidence?
Something like that?
It would be great if you could do that.
I'm not sure if I have the confidence.
I'm not expecting you to work miracles.
Just go and talk to her.
Get her to let off some steam.
Let off steam?
Maybe she's not the type to gripe.
After all, she is an Abriel.
But you should make yourself available to her as a confidant.
Especially when she's feeling down.
But why me?
Do I have to tell you?
Listen, if the captain was in a really foul mood...
...what would you do?
Well, I'd try to calm her down.
And Sobaash, what would you do in that situation?
I'd take a vacation.
And as far away as possible.
You see that?
That's what most would do when faced with an angry Abriel.
But you say you'd try to calm her down.
You're reading too much into this.
The captain's perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
If she knew we were talking about her like this...
...it would really make her mad!
An angry, crazed Abriel, rather than a depressed one...
...somehow seems more natural to me.
I suppose you've got a point.
However...
...I'm not sure that her being angry is any better for her.
Maybe her anger is natural, but that doesn't mean it's good.
I see.
In any case...
...when the captain feels that she's being treated like a child...
...she gets very self-conscious.
If she thinks that we're fussing over her...
...I can't imagine what would happen.
Well, you certainly know her better than we do.
It's not like we went on an adventure with her...
...or were personally appointed by her to be part of her crew.
She never gave us pet cats.
And we certainly can't call her by her name.
You knew about that?
Weren't you aware?
I've heard you use it three times.
No need to be embarrassed, Secretary Jinto.
Just because you and the captain are friends...
...doesn't mean we're going to mope about it.
We'll do our duties.
And we're not going to be jealous of you.
I wasn't really worried about that.
Then you can go talk to the captain without worrying.
Okay.
Hold on a minute!
You're reading way too much into this.
And I have no excuse to go.
Besides, she'd think something weird was going on.
I have an excuse for you.
Here.
Thanks a lot, Diaho.
Don't you have any worries?
Is someone there?
Lafiel? Can I come in? Diaho seems to be visiting you again.
Hey.
You don't have to get all worried about me.
Worried about you? What are you talking about?
Nothing. Just forget it.
Glad to see you're so excited about me, Diaho.
Jinto?
What?
What's for dinner tonight?
That's your question?
Why don't you just look at your online menu?
Yes, well...
...it's unsettling with you standing over my shoulder.
I see. Well, it looks like the main course is...
...roasted lamb with herbs.
Want to know what else there is?
No.
If you've got something to say, why don't you just say it?
Well, I don't know what to say, to be honest.
Can I sit here?
Suit yourself.
Thanks.
About the battle simulation we just did...
Don't tell me something I don't already know.
Like losing to someone like Hecto- Commander Kotokeil isn't rare.
Or that, as a new captain, I didn't do too badly.
I won't say that.
But don't get all depressed in front of the crew.
Depressed?
Me?
They think that if an Abriel gets depressed over this...
...then it's not a good sign for the future.
Do you think that, too?
No, not me.
I recall a certain princess feeling this way before, but worse.
Three years ago...
Shut up, Jinto!
You said it was unsettling if I said nothing.
You never obey me when I tell you to shut up.
You may be right.
Let's get back to my point.
The crew's concern.
Just a small concern, which I think is understandable.
If you get depressed losing against someone you couldn't have beaten...
...how are you going to react if you lose a real battle?
Don't worry.
I know my duties.
Of course, no one's doubting you.
They're just a little concerned. That's all.
You say, "everyone, everyone."
But what about you?
Are you worried, too?
Not at all.
You know when it's okay to feel depressed and when it's not.
At least you were that way three years ago.
And I believe you haven't changed.
I'm going to be fine.
And you seem to have become full of yourself...
...since I last saw you.
How about "dependable"?
But now that you say I'm full of myself...
...I'll tell you that it seems you're simply not used to losing.
Like a tough, sharp dagger...
...when striking against something stronger...
...it buckles under the force and snaps in two.
Don't be such a sore loser next time...
...and everyone will feel differently about you.
Idiot.
Anyway, I guess I should be going now.
Surely...
...you don't see yourself as my guardian, do you?
Is that how it looks?
Yes. It is somewhat unpleasant.
You misunderstand me.
We're in the vacuum of space.
This is the home of your people, the Abh.
I'm just a mere Lander, so up here in space...
...I believe what you say and follow wherever you go.
As usual, you sound so insincere.
It's too bad that you don't think I'm sincere, Lafiel.
I'm serious when I say these things.
Anyway, see you later.
Yes?
No, it's nothing.
Okay.
Three years ago...
...we believed we were protecting each other.
Now that I think about it, it was quite ridiculous.
Three years ago...
...that's when I first saw her.
My patrol ship, the Gosroth, is awaiting you.
Please come with me immediately.
Ever since then, we walked together.
We laughed together.
We cried together.
Jinto!
Why, you! Ý'll get you for this!
No, Lafiel...
They're over there!
Don't let them get away!
Any closer and it's too dangerous!
I don't care! Ram them!
Fly straight into them!
Damn you!
But our adventures together had to come to an end.
And by then...
...I had lost my family, my home...
...and any connection I had with my past.
The Battle of Sufugnoff...
...was nothing but a decoy.
They headed towards the capital with forces...
...amounting to 120 armadas.
We managed to drive them away...
...but not before incurring major losses.
Enemy forces have established a base...
...in the outer region of the Empire.
...and they've severed our transportation links.
You mean there's a wall within the Empire?
I'm afraid so.
And we don't have enough military power left...
...to do anything about it.
But I wasn't sad.
Even when I heard I was cut off from home...
...I almost felt a sense of relief.
I wonder why.
But I was happy that I might see you again...
...Lafiel.
You shall call me Lafiel!
Captain!
We'll be passing through the Vobeirunei Gate at any moment!
Ten seconds...
...eight... seven...
- Give me a visual. ...six... five...
...four... three... two... one.
We've passed through!
This is Battleship 18 Basroil...
...under the Exercise and Training Fleet.
We have just passed through the Vobeirunei Gate.
Very good.
Now join the Battleship Squadron stationed at 5001.
Wait there until all ships have assembled.
Inhabited Planet Lulukess Wait there until all ships have assembled.
Inhabited Planet Lulukess
Roger.
Inhabited Planet Lulukess We will be standing by at 5001.
Inhabited Planet Lulukess Deca-Commander! You've got to see this!
Deca-Commander! You've got to see this!
Oh, wow!
Are they all waiting to get into formation?
So, this is it. Vobeirunei Naval Station.
Over these three years, the empire has been rebuilding its fleet.
So rapidly that it's like fireflies hatching during breeding season.
Like forces gathering before a battle...
...these ships began to emerge as an enormous battle fleet.
Every day the fleet is reorganizing.
Every week it seems a new battle group is formed.
Of course...
...some of the ships will head out to war, never to return.
The day will soon arrive for our ship to leave.
And our battle will begin.
Nevertheless...
...I am so happy...
...that I can be by your side once again.
I will age faster...
...and my life span is only half that of yours...
...but I will stay with you as long as I can.
If you ascend to the throne...
...or if you perish in space...
...I will be by your side.
Even if you don't like it...
...I will see you off on your journey.
That is my will.
A future that I have chosen.
What we get for giving up our freedom...
...ultimately determines our worth.
Ku Dorin might say that...
...I had given up my freedom too early.
However...
...I don't think I'll have such a wonderful opportunity again.
After all, it's not the empire I want.
It's you, Lafiel.
You may never understand how I feel.
Born into the Imperial Family, you have no freedom.
10:23 Battleship Basroil
Arrives at Vobeirunei Naval Station
kizukanaikoto ga The things I did not notice
konnani takusan aru I didn't know there were so many
kyoumade no jibun ga I think of myself until today
nasakenaku omoete To be so pathetic
kuyashii kurai It's almost frustrating
haritsumeta kimochiga This tense feeling
massugu ni muite ireba As long as I keeping facing forward
setsunasa no nukumori This momentary warmth
hajimete shitta I understood it for the first time
kimi ga iruto When you are there
itsumo pink no namida ga nagareteru The pink tears are always flowing
kono mune no naka wo afureteru My heart is brimming with it
kimi ga dokoni itemo dareto hanashitemo Wherever you are and whoever you talk to
issho ni itaiyo soba ni ite I want to be with you, to be near you
tsunaida te kara yubisaki kara From our joined hands and our fingertips
karadajuu no omoi binetsu tsutawatte My body heat transmits the feelings inside
tomerarenai And I cannot stop it
Battleship Battalion Latouche...
...1st squadron of the 1058 Battle Group.
We'll be leaving in twelve hours.
Well, that was a boring speech.
I feel bad for the President...
...who speaks so passionately.
She's the younger sister of Baron Febdash.
How far can we advance before the enemy strikes back?
Next episode... Operation Phantom Flame
Next episode... Operation Phantom Flame How far will we get?
Next episode... Operation Phantom Flame