Battleship Squadron Latouche...
First Division of the 1058th Battalion.
That was our assignment.
Our mission was to patrol the Aptic System...
...which had been conquered by Admiral Spoor.
Our assault ships...
...possess anti-proton cannons as its main weapons.
As our defense shields are weak...
...we have to travel in units of six ships.
Three months after our deployment...
...the Aptic System was taking shape as a supply base.
We'll be arriving in the Aptic System shortly.
Meanwhile, Operation Phantom Flame seems to be going well.
Phantom Flame Flagship Patrol Ship Sankau
Phantom Flame Flagship Patrol Ship Sankau It's going so well that at our leaders are worried.
Phantom Flame Flagship Patrol Ship Sankau
However...
...the captain of the Basroil...
...Abriel Nei Dubrusk Paryunu Lafiel...
...was worried about something quite different from the other leaders.
It was about this...
Captain. There's a message from the Commander.
Put it through.
Today's joint training session is now over.
All ships are to return to Dakul at regular speed.
Understood.
Hecto-Commander Atosuryua...
...is Lafiel's superior officer as commander of our battalion.
There is a connection between them.
But it's not a good one.
Three years ago...
...Lafiel had killed Baron Febdash...
...who was the commander's older brother.
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 Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
First Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral Spoor ...Commander Abriel amassed a huge fleet of 150 squadrons.
...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...
...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 ...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.
Assault Ship Basroil
Banner of the Stars
I wonder what she thinks of us?
Does it worry you?
No, not really but...
You lie.
That face.
You look like a child who's done something wrong.
Stop that.
Doesn't it bother you?
I told you before.
I had no other choice.
Not that.
What I'm saying is that...
...maybe the Hecto-Commander holds some sort of grudge against us.
Lafiel got a worried look on her face...
...but then quickly came up with a response.
Well, what's the point of thinking about it?
She always throws me off like that.
Captain...
...may I have a word with you?
What is it?
It's about this little one.
This problem again.
I suppose you want to keep him on board as well?
I compared the probable fatality rates between...
...keeping him on board the Basroil and...
...sending him to Lakfakalle.
And?
Before I give you my conclusion...
...I have an explanation.
I suppose I have the time.
You mean you're not going to demand our surrender?
That's correct.
We have no such plans.
Even if you were to surrender now...
...we don't see how we would benefit by it.
So...
...all that's going to happen...
...is that our planet will be subject to a blockade?
That's the intent.
The blockade will be reinforced...
...from ground level to a height of 300 wesdaj above the planet.
Below that...
...we do not intend to interfere with transport.
However, any aggressive action will be dealt with accordingly.
But...
...we're an industrial planet...
...and must import food for survival.
At this rate, the people will starve.
We have no desire to harm your society by our actions.
Although we do not demand your surrender...
...that does not mean we will not accept it if it is offered.
As we intend to remain in this region for some time...
...you may choose to surrender at your convenience.
But hearing what you have to say here...
...it seems that you don't have any interest in our planet at all.
To be frank with you, that is correct.
What we are interested in...
...are the nearby Sords...
...and the hydrogen and water resources of Aptic IV.
That is quite an insult.
I certainly hope I have not offended you.
You couldn't have offended me more.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Once we complete the first phase of our operation...
...and your system is under our control...
...assuming that there is still no surrender issued by yourself...
...then we may oblige and issue such a demand.
Well, should I say...
...I'm relieved to hear that?
One more thing.
We do not wish to cause...
...your planet to fall into a state of unrest and anarchy.
Having to deal with such a situation...
...would be an unwelcome and onerous task for us.
Therefore, I suggest you surrender...
...before things get out of hand.
If it means having to see you troubling yourselves...
...I have no qualms about risking the danger...
...that this society may descend into anarchy.
Your Highness...
...through this discussion, we now understand each other's position.
We will discuss this amongst ourselves at another time.
Good evening, Mr. President.
Aptic...
...Mystel...
...Dalmav...
...Wimpel...
...Miofrantia.
We've come so far, so quickly, so easily.
Somewhere deep in space...
...I suppose a fleet that can challenge us is being assembled.
Somewhere out there.
It all looks so peaceful.
Why didn't you demand his immediate surrender?
I hate saying it...
...but situations are constantly shifting.
The United Mankind...
...might recapture this system at any time.
If that happens...
...those people won't be in a very good position...
...having been so keen on surrendering their planet to us.
How generous of you.
I think the real reason is that...
...you don't want to do the work involved in drawing up a treaty.
After all...
...it seemed the President was eager to accept any terms of surrender.
What an excellent commander-in-chief you are.
Always giving people what they don't want...
...and not giving them what they do want.
Just a little guiltless pleasure.
I didn't mean to criticize.
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.
Is there a need to reaffirm that so often?
Not for me.
Are you suggesting that I have to be made aware of something?
We really must keep this a secret, Chief.
Keep what a secret?
That the commander-in-chief and his chief of staff don't get along.
It might promote dissent in the ranks.
I think we manage to get along just fine!
It's hard to believe that this is a battlefield facility.
You're Supply Officer Lin, aren't you?
Hecto-Commander Atosuryua!
My father told me all about you.
Yes. He was always really kind to me.
Relax a little!
Don't be worried about the issue of my brother.
Are you sure?
My bother being so crudely murdered like that...
...is certainly not a pleasant incident.
I suppose.
To be honest, my brother and I had our differences.
For instance, we didn't always see eye-to-eye over my father.
He wanted to keep him confined like a prisoner.
We didn't really get along very well.
But...
Well... I don't know what to say...
...but I am sorry about your brother.
Yes. It was a shame he died.
The problem is what to do with his title.
What?
Thank you.
Title?
As you're well aware...
...Febdash is quite remote.
I never liked the place, ever since I was a child.
Oh...
I was relieved when my brother took on the title...
...without having to be bribed.
I thought I'd live comfortably in Lakfakalle for the rest of my life.
But thanks to that princess of yours...
...my life plans were completely ruined.
I'm sorry.
Um...
...I'd like to point out that my captain is not my princess.
Assuming you're talking about my captain.
Take it easy.
It was just a silly expression.
I thought maybe you held some sort of grudge against us.
From what my father told me...
...I had the impression you were much smarter than that.
I'm sorry.
Even if I held a grudge...
...why would I mention it to you?
After all, I am in a good position...
...to use my rank to get my revenge on her.
If I held a grudge, I'd sit tight and wait for my opportunity.
Um, you were saying about the title?
Well, it's really nothing.
It may seem nice to think you're the head of a noble family.
And the house that comes with it could be made quite comfortable.
I could learn a thing or two from my brother...
...and have lots of handsome butlers.
Well, that's for after the war's over.
That sounds like a nice plan.
Anyway...
...you can go tell that princess of yours...
...that I don't bear a grudge.
It's all just fate, so what's the point?
Why don't you tell her yourself?
It's difficult for me.
Difficult?
Yes.
She's an Abriel princess.
It's fine talking about work...
...but it's hard to talk to her about anything personal.
Is that so?
Life's not fair.
There are many people I can't easily talk to.
But there doesn't seem to be...
...anyone who can't easily talk to me.
You go tell her.
Yes.
Six unidentified space-time bubbles.
They appear to be coming from Wimpel...
...and are presumed to be enemy scouts.
All staff return to your stations immediately.
Well, this is serious!
We'll talk about this later!
More importantly...
Everyone is to rendezvous in twelve minutes and thirty-seven seconds.
Attention!
This is the captain speaking!
All off-duty crew...
...you have ten minutes to proceed to your stations.
I repeat...
...off-duty crew...
...you have ten minutes to proceed to your stations.
This is a real battle! It's not practice anymore!
The blue category means...
...we're now prepared and ready for action.
Understood.
I feel gross.
Nothing worse than having to work after drinking.
You're late, Jinto!
Sorry.
I mean excuse me, Captain!
Okay. Close the hatches!
All connecting passageways to be separated and shut down!
All connecting passageways separating and shutting down!
Passageway separation complete!
Activate the forward thrust engines at minimum propulsion!
Engines activated!
Clearing the dock!
Attention!
This is command.
We have our official orders.
We are to seize the unidentified space-time bubbles.
If we identify them as enemies, we are to eliminate them.
I'll send you the data for our rendezvous.
All ships are to arrive there as soon as possible.
Any questions?
Very well.
We have a number of crew members...
...for whom this will be their first battle.
To be honest, this is my first time as well.
I have no idea what the Wimpel Squadron was doing.
I guess you can't expect too much from an advance force.
In any case...
...I'll acknowledge that this must be a heroic move by the enemy.
Let us salute their courage!
We've received the data for the rendezvous.
I'll forward the information to your terminal.
Main engine ignition!
Ignite the main engines!
Don't come here, Diaho.
It's going to be a race!
Sit still for a while.
Captain!
A message from another ship, the Ryumusof.
They say our actions are violating safety protocol.
They insist that they have to speak directly to you.
Tell them I'm too busy!
Tell them I can't talk now!
Besides, that ship probably won't be fighting in the battle.
They're really angry.
Senior Aviator!
Are there any ships from our squadron ahead of us?
Yes, Captain. There's one.
Which one?
The squadron's lead assault ship, the Gamroil.
Distance?
Approximately two sedaj.
We'll have to let Hecto-Commander Atosuryua arrive first.
We've been put on standby.
We're also receiving briefing data.
I'll display it on the monitor.
The yellow shows the space-time bubbles thought to be enemy ships?
From their mass, they're probably patrol ships.
Their objective is probably to estimate our strength...
...in the Wimpel and Aptic systems.
They're very close.
If we take an aggressive stance...
...they'll have to abort their mission.
Well, that's fine with me.
Let's get this over with quickly.
My favorite bottle is waiting for me at the bar.
Oh, how I miss it.
I wasn't able to have any.
That reminds me...
What about a drink? Looks like we'll be on standby.
Jinto, never mind the drink...
Why don't you do something about that cat of yours?
Always getting himself into trouble.
By the way, I'll have a Teal Nom.
You like it hot with a Lope floating in it.
Right, Captain?
And I'd like a SoyAsa. A cold one.
Don't you want to stay with me?
Ah...
...he is my cat.
Are you jealous?
I want my drink cold, with apple flavor.
Okay.
Captain!
Request permission to get something stronger from the bar.
I assume that is a joke.
- Ýt'll just be for a little while. - Of course I was joking, Captain.
I was trying to lighten the mood!
You didn't find it funny?
I don't need anything to drink, boy.
Okay.
But please don't call me "boy".
Handle your love triangle without your cat...
...and I'll stop calling you "boy".
In that case, just call me "boy".
I'll have a SoyAla. There should be some tea from...
...the Yoni Kingdom there as well.
And make it with lots of sugar.
All right.
We have our new orders from Fleet Command.
All ships in the squadron are to enter Plane Space.
Then assemble behind my ship as quickly as possible...
...in a single-column formation.
Listen carefully.
Our mission is to eliminate the unidentified space-time bubbles.
If we let a single one get away...
...we will have failed.
As this is our first battle, it's that much more important that we win.
Any questions, anyone?
Very well, then.
I'll see you in Plane Space.
Let's go!
Chief Engineer!
Prepare to generate space-time bubble!
Yes, ma'am!
Entering the Sord in thirty seconds!
Activate the space-time bubble!
Space-time bubble activated!
Five... four... three...
...two... one.
We're in!
We've entered Plane Space!
Check immediately where the lead assault ship is!
Approximately 500 wesdaj ahead!
Follow it.
Yes!
We've received a request from the Gamroil...
...for space-time fusion.
In five seconds...
...three... two... one.
I don't think I have to explain the situation.
Let's just try to dodge any danger at hand for now.
Prepare to fire the anti-proton cannon!
Releasing the safety devices for 1 through 4 now!
With the aim of splitting up the United Mankind territories...
...Operation Phantom Flame led the Star Forces to...
...link up their forces through control of a number of Sords.
The First Fleet, commanded by Admiral Spoor...
...had led the way...
...and was in the process of expanding our territory.
The Aptic System, which we had conquered early...
...in terms of regular space...
...may seem very distant from the front lines.
But as long as there are Sords, the gateways to Plane Space...
...there is always the possibility of enemy attack.
Therefore...
...as long as the Sords exist...
...that's the front line.
Space-time fusion!
All ships! Attack!
Our battle has now begun.
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 finger tips
karadajuu no omoi binetsu tsutawatte My body heat transmits the feelings inside
tomerarenai And I cannot stop it
Well, maybe...
That's not it at all!
It's that we all survived our first battle.
Continue with space-time fusion!
Yes.
The Helzroil has been destroyed.
They must've retreated too late!
I can't believe there are casualties in my squadron!
We're being attacked!
Lafiel!
It's going to be a direct hit!
Fire anti-proton cannon!
Next episode... The First Campaign