Diaho.
It's been three years, but you're still the same.
Forty Days Earlier
Jinto, your cat is in here.
Sorry.
Hope he hasn't given you any trouble, Lafiel.
Well, while we're on call, we don't have much to do.
But I don't know what to say about your lack of sense.
We're going into battle soon.
Don't you think it's unfair having him here?
Don't worry.
If we have to evacuate the ship...
...I'll make sure to take Diaho with me.
I don't want you to jinx us.
Anyway, that's not what I meant.
There're no other cats to play with here...
...and no mice to catch.
That's why I'm saying it's unfair.
I have no choice.
The Basroil's my home.
You could've left him with somebody else.
There's no regulation against it.
Common sense dictates it's not a good idea.
It distracts from the seriousness of the mission.
I heard the Abh used to go to battle with children on board.
It was hard to make a distinction...
...between war and daily living back then.
But it's not like that anymore.
Not yet.
All right, then.
When I get the chance, I'll send Diaho to Lakfakalle.
But I can't think of anywhere to leave him.
Everyone I knew from Officer Training School is away fighting.
If you want me to intervene on your behalf...
...why don't you just say so?
Thanks!
To be honest I was hoping you'd say that.
Come on, Diaho.
The old lady doesn't want you anymore.
Idiot...
It's been three years since I've been back.
Happy, Diaho?
Three years ago...
...I got the chance to see Lafiel's home for the first time.
The place where the stars meet...
...was filled with glowing light.
However...
...the only light ahead of us now was the light of battle...
...and it was starting to shine brighter and brighter.
Imperial Calendar Year 955.
The battleships of the Star Forces...
...had countered the advances of the Triple Alliance...
...which consisted of the United Mankind...
...the Republic of Greater Alcont...
Imperial Capital Lakfakalle ...the Republic of Greater Alcont...
Imperial Capital Lakfakalle ...and The People's Sovereign Union of Planets.
...and The People's Sovereign Union of Planets.
The counterattack had begun.
As commander of the Third Fleet...
Commander-in-Chief Commanding Admiral Abriel As commander of the Third Fleet...
Commander-in-Chief Commanding Admiral Abriel ...as well as overall commander-in-chief...
Commander-in-Chief Commanding Admiral Abriel ...Commander Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
...Commander Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
First Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral Spoor ...Commander Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
Second Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rulef ...Commander Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
Second Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rulef Additional forces of training ships on standby...
Second Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rulef ...will provide another seventy squadrons in the event of a battle.
...will provide another seventy squadrons in the event of a battle.
Fourth Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Kotoponi ...will provide another seventy squadrons in the event of a battle.
Fourth Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Kotoponi Sparing nothing...
Sparing nothing...
Fifth Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rekef
Fifth Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rekef ...to reorganize the fleet in terms of scale...
Fifth Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral of the Fleet Rekef ...training, and top personnel, the Star Forces have dubbed this...
...training, and top personnel, the Star Forces have dubbed this...
Operation Phantom Flame.
Now, the battle will truly begin.
Operation Phantom Flame
Banner of the Stars
Month of Sesunaj, Day 5 Time 19:37
Aptic System Aptic III
The enemy's command fortress...
...will be within range in 30 seconds!
All ships to concentrate fire on the second sector of enemy ships.
All ships standing by!
Target fire on the second sector of enemy ships!
Enemy escorts have been destroyed!
All ships!
Prepare to fire the electromagnetic cannon!
Electromagnetic cannon is ready to fire!
Fire!
We have been ordered by the commander...
...to retreat from the enemy's mobile command fortress.
Set the ship on a course of 150 degrees and follow the Lashkau.
This is so tedious.
If they knew they were going to lose this badly...
...they should've just run away while they had the chance.
Phantom Flame First Fleet Command Ship Cruiser Lashkau They must've miscalculated our speed...
Phantom Flame First Fleet Command Ship Cruiser Lashkau ...Admiral Spoor.
It looks as though...
...most of the enemy managed to escape before we arrived.
They're probably waiting for an opportunity to...
Please stop telling me things that I already know.
If you carry on like this, I'm going to die of boredom.
Excuse me, Commander!
The President of the Aptic System would like to talk with you.
Core Invasion Group
Phantom Flame Third Fleet Cruiser Sankau
Phantom Flame Third Fleet Cruiser Sankau Message coming through from Admiral Spoor of the First Fleet!
Phantom Flame Third Fleet Cruiser Sankau Put her through.
The First Fleet has demolished the mobile command fortress...
...of the United Mankind...
...within the Aptic System.
Full details are available...
...in the report which will be sent to you immediately.
Good.
Chief of Staff of the Phantom Flame Third Fleet Space Navy Admiral Kenesh As soon as a communication link is established, send the file.
Chief of Staff of the Phantom Flame Third Fleet Space Navy Admiral Kenesh I do not expect there to be any changes to the plans...
...but wait until you receive confirmation before proceeding.
Yes, ma'am!
Looks like we came out of that without much damage to the fleet.
I presume we may now continue with our plan to have...
...Admiral Spoor's fleet proceed to capture...
...the enemy's gates starting with Miskel, Dalmav and Demetel.
The Third Fleet and the Fifth Fleet...
...will follow Admiral Spoor...
...in order to set up a main supply line.
Meanwhile, the Second and Fourth Fleets...
...will advance from both sides...
...and capture any inhabited star systems...
...in order to strengthen our defensive line.
It all comes down to the speed at which we can...
...cut through enemy territory and reach our allies on the other side.
We've received the report from the communication ship.
I'll put it up.
How far can we advance...
...before the enemy strikes back?
I see.
Recent events have made it clear that our fleet isn't...
I won't tolerate being a Duchess. Recent events have made it clear that our fleet isn't...
I won't tolerate being a Duchess. ...powerful enough to challenge your control of space.
But tacky titles like Emperor are best-suited to the Abriels. However...
But tacky titles like Emperor are best-suited to the Abriels. ...I pledge that we shall resist you ruthless invaders...
...I pledge that we shall resist you ruthless invaders...
My name is Spoor! ...I pledge that we shall resist you ruthless invaders...
My name is Spoor! ...until you leave us alone!
As a member of the United Mankind...
...I believe it is my duty to undertake this challenge.
We shall be happy to honor that duty...
...and we will certainly be making that clear to you.
I hope you do your best!
Huh? What?
Well, that was a boring speech.
I feel bad for the President...
...who speaks so passionately.
Chief!
While I was listening to that fool drone on...
...did anything happen that I should know about?
We have successfully secured the space around Aptic III.
We have seized 79%% % of the enemy's...
...anti-matter fuel production facilities in the Aptic System.
This means that our own mobile anti-matter...
...fuel production factories are now 62%% % complete.
Our plan to set up a base on Aptic IV...
...with a supply depot for solid fuel and propellant extract...
...is already 17%% % complete.
Setting up the operations center may take the longest...
...but in approximately 218 hours, all of the...
So basically, everything is going according to plan?
Uh, yes.
So, next time...
...just say there's no change when there's no change.
Don't you think it's about time you learned to be more concise?
Yes, of course. I understand. I'll be more careful.
Isn't this boring, Chief?
What does the Admiral want from me?
Communications Chief!
I want you to call Dikspa for me.
Ma'am!
Commander!
How are the preparations for departure going?
Perfectly, Commander-in-Chief!
Did you hear that?
Now that was a truly perfect response!
Prepare to depart immediately!
Yes!
We'll send the Scout Ship Squadron Dikspa...
...to the Miskel System for a reconnaissance mission.
I am so bored.
Inhabited Planet Lulukess
Here's a toast to my beloved blue Earth!
Samson, you should have gotten off the ship.
There's no way I could do that.
Why not?
Officers get the cold shoulder by the regular crew down there.
They're there to have a good time.
They think we're going to put a damper on things.
I remember before I became an officer...
...I gave them a lot of grief about intruding.
I couldn't possibly spoil their fun, now, could I?
I guess that rules me out, then.
Since you're nobility as well as an officer...
...you'd probably cause a great stir.
But it's all an experience, right?
If you really want to go down, I won't stop you.
Don't worry about it.
I've had plenty of experiences like that already.
That's too bad.
Yeah.
But nature's great.
You can drink up in a spaceship...
...but you can't feel what it's like to be surrounded by nature.
Sometimes I regret becoming an officer.
The President of the Aptic System wants to talk to us again?
What does he want now?
I've already heard him out.
Maybe he isn't complaining.
Then what is it?
Well, never mind.
You listen to what he says, Chief.
Tell him I'm far too busy right now.
I understand.
Transfer the call.
It's coming through.
Good day, Mr. President.
Aptic System President Makrit Talas Unfortunately...
Aptic System President Makrit Talas ...the commander-in-chief is currently occupied.
Aptic System President Makrit Talas I will hear you out.
What is your rank?
I'm the chief of staff. My name is Kufadis, sir.
I see. Well, this is perfect then.
Before I speak with your commander-in-chief again...
...there's something I need to clarify.
What is it?
Well...
...I think there's a fault with your communication system.
We're not aware of any problem.
That's hard to believe.
I gave you a message that we intend to fight to the bitter end.
Yes. I do recall hearing something like that.
Well, then...
...I wonder if it's our system that isn't working properly.
I could be wrong, but I'm positive...
...I heard your commander-in-chief encourage us.
Yes, that is correct.
Huh?
I don't understand.
I declare our intention to fight...
...but the commander-in-chief gives us words of encouragement?
I see what you mean.
In preparation for this inevitable confrontation...
...I did my best to cultivate an understanding of Abh culture.
But obviously it wasn't good enough.
So, why did you become an Abh?
An Abh? Me?
You've got to be kidding.
When I became an officer, a warrior's title came with it...
...and an Abh status came along with that.
I'll retire one day, go home, and maybe take up farming.
That's my dream.
But why did you enter the Star Forces in the first place?
I was looking for excitement.
When I was young, I couldn't wait to go out into space.
Once I got up here, I realized it wasn't really what I wanted.
But knowing how to operate a spaceship...
...isn't much use to you on a planet.
Right?
I figured if I became an officer...
...I could save up enough money to buy myself a little farm.
Does that mean you're going to retire soon?
No. I figure I need a couple more battles before I've had enough.
I'll keep working until then.
How did you figure that?
It's a matter of feeling.
It's my loyal blood that runs in the family.
I'm not sure what you know about us, Mr. President...
...but you will find a lot of variety and differences among us.
Most of us, myself included...
...would not give our enemy any kind of encouragement.
In other words...
...that commander-in-chief of yours is...
How shall I put this?
Are you trying to tell me that she's not normal?
Choose your words carefully.
Yes, I'm sorry.
If you were in her place, what would have been your response?
I'd probably tell you to do as you like.
I'm afraid that's not good enough.
Where did you say your home planet was again, Samson?
Midgrat.
You probably know it by its Abh name. Planet Dakufo?
Heard of it?
Sorry, no.
That's disappointing.
Not very well known, but we do have a lot of history.
We learned how to travel in Plane Space before the Empire.
Wow!
In my grandfather's time...
...our planet had to decide between the United Mankind or the Abh.
To cut a long story short, we went with the Abh Empire.
Why the Empire?
If you must know...
...our eating habits are quite unique.
Outsiders are taken aback by it.
Before we pledged allegiance...
...the United Mankind sent advisors...
...who tried to get our leaders to make us change our eating habits.
When I think about it, that was the reason for our choice.
The Abh didn't say anything about what we ate.
Or at least not in front of us.
We figured that if they didn't care about our eating habits...
...we could let them call Midgrat by their name, "Dakufo"...
...as a compromise.
So what do you eat?
Better not tell.
I've lost too many friends telling them that.
But I'm not your friend.
You Abh don't hold back, do you?
You've known the Abh way longer than me.
It's only been three years for me.
Did I insult you?
Not at all.
I see.
The President wanted me to reply...
...with a demand for surrender?
Is that right?
Yes.
Standing up and pledging to fight to the end is an attractive...
...election strategy.
When I used the term "ruthless invaders"...
...I was just trying to appeal to the voters.
Nothing more than that.
Also...
...the President also asked if you could...
...spice up the demand with racial slurs and such.
Well, at least it's getting more interesting.
Too bad, though.
He's got the order of events wrong.
I hate being taken for a fool.
If he was clear about his intentions in the first place...
...I might've gone along with it.
Besides, the commander-in-chief will be here soon.
I'll leave all that official demand-for-surrender stuff to him.
He just loves to deal with those things.
Did you hear what he told the Hyde System when they gave in?
No, I don't think I did.
He was very impressive.
Considering he's an Abriel, it was high-handed, sarcastic...
...and extremely effective.
The task of governing your world...
...is not a priority for us. In fact, it is far from elegant.
If it were me...
...I'm sure that I could have put it much more elegantly.
Oh, right. Chief?
Yes? What is it?
The President wants us to use something called "racial slurs"?
Yes.
Yes, like, "you lousy land-loving pig!"
Or, "bunch of crawling slack-jawed mud turtles!"
"Land-loving pig" and "mud turtle"?
They're a little unrefined...
...but there's something refreshing about them.
She's not seriously thinking of that, is she?
I'm not going to let you out, Diaho.
These squirrels aren't your prey.
When I say "no," I mean "no"!
You brought your cat?
I couldn't leave him onboard the Basroil.
There's no one there.
Did he enjoy his vacation?
Probably.
I took him to a place where there were mice to chase and catch.
Good.
Yeah, but the captain told me...
...I had to send him back to Lakfakalle.
She did?
She thought bringing a cat to battle...
...was inappropriate.
So, I've got to say my good-byes here.
It's too bad.
I've started to like this cat.
He's pretty cute, for a cat.
Don't say things like that in front of him.
He'll get an attitude.
I've never seen a cat without an attitude.
What a profound insight.
Captain?
We've finally been assigned.
We're with the Battleship Squadron Latouche...
...as part of the First Division of the 1058th Battalion.
We'll be leaving in twelve hours.
This is sudden.
I think so, too.
But it's part of our training.
What happens after this?
We'll be heading to a different system.
Which one?
They haven't given us any information.
We'll just have to wait until we arrive to find out, Ekuryua.
There's still two hours and eighteen minutes of leave remaining.
However...
...I would like you to start preparing immediately.
Does anyone have a problem with that?
No. We were just killing time here anyway.
Very well. Officer Ekuryua...
...get the Calike ready to transport everyone back to the ship.
We'll be heading back before you.
Yes, ma'am.
Let's go!
Right!
What have you there?
I'm sure you recognize this cat.
I thought I told you to send him to Lakfakalle.
I thought I still had time.
I'll go and make the arrangements now.
There isn't enough time.
You can bring him with you.
But send him back at the next opportunity.
Yes. Of course.
Oh, boy.
You'd never believe she was speaking to a fellow officer.
Jinto!
Do you know the name of our new squadron commander?
How would I know?
Her name's Hecto-Commander Atosuryua.
Atosuryua?
I think I've heard that name before.
You sure are thick.
Like frozen vegetables?
She's the younger sister of Baron Febdash.
That was well done!
Your Highness!
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
I'm recognizing again...
...that your personality is rather incorrigible.
I see.
Of course, I've had many occasions to recognize this.
And I'm sure there will be many more.
Hecto-Commander Atosuryua!
This is a real battle! It's not practice anymore!
Ignite the main engines!
It's going to be a race!
We've received a request from the Gamroil...
...for space-time fusion.
I salute your courage.
Next episode... Assault Ship Basroil