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.
First Fleet Commander-in-Chief Admiral Spoor Additional forces of training ships on standby...
Additional forces of training ships on standby...
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 ...to reorganize the fleet in terms of scale...
...training, and top personnel, the Star Forces have dubbed this...
Operation Phantom Flame.
Now, the battle will truly begin.
Mines?
In a place like this?
Second Aviator!
Shooting!
Enemy attack?
Is it a direct hit?
Escape in the Dark
Banner of the Stars
Second enemy ship! Space-time fusion!
Third enemy ship! Space-time fusion!
Fourth and fifth enemy ships approaching!
Use the anti-proton cannon...
...and aim it directly at the fourth ship!
Roger!
Fire!
The ship will respond in five seconds!
The fourth ship! Space-time fusion!
The fifth enemy ship! Space-time fusion!
Fire the rear laser cannons!
Enemy assault ship...
...targeting on us!
Focus magnetic shield on the right hull!
Use the anti-proton cannon to shoot them down!
The ship will respond in ten seconds!
Eight... seven... six... five...
- We're not going to make it! ...four...
There's a message from the Seigroil.
I hope we didn't intrude, Basroil.
Thank you...
...Captain Ragash.
No problem.
You weren't doing too badly for a newcomer.
Uh-oh...
Watch out behind you. Direction 172 degrees 24 minutes.
Shoot it down with the laser cannon!
In actual fact...
Phantom Flame Flagship Third Fleet, Patrol Ship Sankau ...the First Fleet of Admiral Spoor...
Phantom Flame Flagship Third Fleet, Patrol Ship Sankau ...almost achieved the objectives of Operation Phantom Flame.
...almost achieved the objectives of Operation Phantom Flame.
...given the additional enemy reconnaissance missions...
...we're certain they're preparing for a large-scale counterattack.
If the First Fleet cannot make it to the Laseese Kingdom...
...the gates may be retaken by the enemy...
...cutting off our supply line and leaving the fleet stranded.
The logical choice would be for us to...
...halt the First Fleet...
...and wait for the enemy to make its first move.
The gates most likely to be targeted...
...are those nearest the enemy: Wimpel Gate...
...and Miofrantia Gate.
If we retreat from these gates, leaving only reconnaissance ships...
...then the only place they can attack...
...is at the gates of Aptic and Mystel...
...which lie adjacent.
If we can defend these gates...
...we can secure our supply line.
Of course, it will take time for the enemy fleet to rebuild.
During that time, we can easily carry out our operation.
Assuming...
...we're able to win the battle that lies ahead of us, of course.
That's why the chief of staff is here today.
No, that's not what I meant.
Chief of Staff.
Please continue.
Yes, sir.
Admiral Bebaus is currently stationed in the Aptic region.
Admiral Mulusufa is assembling his fleets in the Mystel System.
Our main fleet...
...will head into action...
...when we have enemy confirmation.
Are you sure it's safe to proceed...
...only after the enemy makes its move?
The question is how fast we can read their movements.
Whatever they do, we'll still have to face them here.
And we have to win, or the whole operation...
...is in danger of collapsing.
In that case, we can use reconnaissance ships...
...from any of the nearby gates as reinforcements.
Our reconnaissance missions in Wimpel and Miofrantia...
...will prove to be the key to the entire operation.
And so...
...our Latouche Squadron...
...in the First Division of the 1058th Battalion...
...was sent off on our mission towards the Wimpel Gate.
Luckily, we were the first to discover the enemy ships.
Unluckily we were the first...
...to enter into battle.
All mines have been confirmed destroyed.
All enemy space-time bubbles have been eliminated.
I guess they finally ran out of things to throw at us.
Damage report?
A small breach in the hull at the back, on the port side.
We'll be okay.
It doesn't look serious.
Captain...
...we've received a message from Command HQ.
Read it.
The enemy's front line has been successfully eliminated.
Withdraw immediately.
Withdraw?
Even though we won?
Our mission was to find the enemy...
...not to secure the Wimpel Planetary System.
Right.
The message also says that the main enemy fleet is advancing.
Understood.
Prepare to withdraw!
Captain.
Our space-time bubble is starting to...
They report decreased speed...
...due to debris from the enemy in their space-time bubbles.
Understood.
Send them this reply:
"I give permission to the Basroil and Seigroil to fall behind."
"We will pray for their safe return."
Roger.
Sending reply now!
Captain...
...it's been quite a while since you've had a break.
I'll take over the watch.
You should go get some rest.
Yes. I think I'll do that.
I want everyone else to take turns and get some rest as well.
Hey, you can't go in there!
Diaho!
Come on. Don't bother her, okay?
Sleep well, Captain.
Enemy attack?
Is it a direct hit?
Give me a status report!
We're checking right now, Captain!
What happened?
I don't know.
Right...
Jinto!
Thanks a lot.
That's okay. You weren't heavy.
Fool!
We've got to stabilize the pressure on the ship!
I'm already working on it.
But the space-time generator is more important.
I agree.
Second Aviator!
What about the Seigroil?
Still with us. I'm trying to get a connection now.
I gather this is an emergency.
I need a quick and accurate report from you right now!
We've been hit by a mine attack.
A mine attack?
Go on.
Although we destroyed them with laser cannons...
...the mines came in close to us...
...and several pieces of shrapnel managed to hit the ship.
The same goes for the Seigroil.
Is there any damage?
We're still checking it out.
Pressure leaks in at least sixteen places.
And major damage to the equipment on deck...
...perhaps some moderate.
Supply Officer...
...work with the line wing aviator...
...and assess all damage to the ship.
Yes, Captain.
I still can't believe how...
...all those unexploded mines would activate at the same time.
At the same time?
There were three aimed at us...
...and four aimed at the Seigroil...
...and they were all activated within two seconds of each other.
This can't be coincidence.
No.
Captain!
We've made contact with the Seigroil.
Deca-Commander Abriel...
...we have a serious situation here.
How is it with you?
We have suffered some extensive damage...
...but we have not fully assessed it yet.
Captain.
Things don't look good here.
The space-time communicator and the radar system were hit.
There's a lot of damage...
...but those are the worst.
We should count ourselves lucky there were no fatalities.
Sounds like you're in pretty much the same situation as we are.
Is it that bad, Seigroil?
Yes. I'm afraid so.
We both took a direct hit in the same area.
It's no surprise.
We've become stranded in Plane Space!
And we're right in front of the approaching enemy fleet.
Repairs to stabilize the pressure system are complete.
Good work.
What about the space-time communicator?
We have an idea about that.
However...
...we can't fix it with what we have.
No...
We received word from the Seigroil a minute ago.
Their space-time communicator and radar system...
...are both beyond repair.
So I guess we came out of this slightly better than they did.
Does that mean that our radar system can be fixed?
It'll take six hours to do the work.
Very well.
I suppose all we can do now is sit and wait.
Transmission from the Seigroil!
They ask that we keep the space-time bubble stationary.
Understood.
In this situation...
...we can't even tell what direction the space-time bubble is headed in.
And what's worse...
...we won't be able to tell if there's an enemy space-time bubble coming...
...for the next six hours.
Deca-Commander Abriel. How are things going?
The repairs on our radar system have now been completed.
However, I can't say things are looking any brighter than before.
The radar has deteriorated quite badly.
We can only detect objects in close range.
Right now, he can't see anything...
...that's outside our range.
We can't just move about in the dark.
Even if allies send a ship to rescue us...
...there's still one big hurdle to overcome.
This difficult period, which had put an enormous strain on us...
...was to last for over forty hours.
Space-time bubbles in Plane Space...
...are a bit like a ball which has fallen onto the floor.
When the ball is rolling, it travels.
But when it stops rolling, it simply spins in one position.
In other words...
...although we had stopped...
...the space-time generator was using up precious anti-matter fuel.
In order to conserve that fuel...
...we had to sacrifice some of the ship's comforts.
Eventually, there was a change in the situation.
Captain!
The radar's picked up a trace heading towards us.
How big is it?
About the size of a squadron.
Get a message to the Seigroil immediately.
Some space-time bubbles are approaching?
Our fuel is only going to last about six hours.
How about you, Basroil?
I think we can survive another ten hours.
What's going on?
We're calculating how much longer we can run...
...on the remaining fuel.
Run?
What for?
Since our space-time communicator is out of action...
...we're not in a position to tell...
...if approaching bubbles are friendly or not.
What?
It's a simple calculation...
...but if we combine our fuel...
...we'll have sixteen hours' worth.
Combine?
All right.
We've still got time.
Don't rush it, guys!
Even I don't have the courage to play around with anti-matter fuel.
Transfer their fuel and their crew here...
...and make space-time separation.
Seems like a good decision.
If we leave the Seigroil and all the debris...
...we can increase our speed significantly.
But isn't it risky working inside a space-time bubble?
There's still a lot of debris around.
It would've been impossible, even with a Calike.
Captain.
We have successfully transferred both the fuel and the crew of...
...the Seigroil onto the Basroil!
So, Captain Ragash...
...you heard the news.
It's time for you and your officers to come on board.
I'm afraid that...
...my officers and I cannot accept your offer...
...Deca-Commander Abriel.
What?
Why not?
I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.
But the damage is such that there's no escape from the bridge.
There were other areas requiring more immediate attention.
This part of the ship took a low priority.
Unfortunately...
...we didn't have the time to make an escape route for ourselves.
But my honor would not allow me to leave you stranded here...
...in Plane Space with no fuel.
This shouldn't be about your personal feelings...
...Your Highness.
In the same way that you...
...have your responsibilities to your subjects...
...an officer of the Star Forces...
...has a responsibility to his crew.
But Captain...
I have chosen to save the lives of most of the crew...
...in the most effective way through this decision.
Am I right?
Deca-Commander Abriel!
I entrust my crew to your care.
I promise.
I end the transmission now. Out.
The gangway has been severed.
The Seigroil is drifting away.
Captain...
...what are your orders?
Begin separation.
Yes, Captain.
When the Basroil separated from space-time fusion we had to...
...leave the Siegroil, and those still left on the ship, behind us.
With no fuel left...
...the Seigroil could not avoid...
...coming into the path of the approaching space-time bubbles.
They had become a decoy, giving their lives so we could escape.
And then...
The Seigroil has disappeared.
The ship and those remaining...
...will be transformed into space-time particles...
...and float around Plane Space for eternity.
It's getting hard to breathe in here.
They're cutting back on everything...
...probably even the air supply.
And how much fuel are we going to save by doing that?
Five minutes?
Ten minutes?
How the hell should I know?
Damn!
Why don't we just surrender to those bubbles chasing us?
A prisoner-of-war camp? Or being stuck in Plane Space?
I wonder which is better.
No.
I can't permit it.
I figured that would be your response.
More than half the crew...
...say they want to surrender.
Even if those space-time bubbles are the enemy...
...if we run out of fuel in the meantime...
It hasn't happened yet.
We'll retreat until we're left with no choice.
I think everybody's reached their limit.
Their nerves will run out before the fuel does.
It's my duty...
...to bring everyone back alive.
Another group of space-time bubbles ahead of us.
About the size of one squadron.
From the front?
Captain...
...what should we do?
Captain?
The space-time bubbles ahead of us are ours.
Continue to advance.
Y- yes, Captain!
Captain!
A smaller space-time bubble has been released ahead!
I think it's a mine!
A mine?
Damn.
We can't dodge it at this distance.
We don't have enough power left to fire the laser cannon!
I don't care.
Maintain course and speed.
Ten seconds until space-time fusion!
Eight... seven... six... five...
...four... three... two...
...one.
Space-time fusion!
The self-destruct system is not responding!
Hold on. The mine's going right past!
Misfire?
This is Star Force Defense Fleet of the Aptic Gate.
This is a message for our fellow attack ship.
Immediately enter space-time fusion with the lead ship!
I repeat.
This is Star Force Defense Fleet of the Aptic Gate.
We're receiving a transmission? But how?
That's simple.
The transmission isn't coming from another space-time bubble.
Then from where?
What we thought was a mine was actually a transmitter.
Only one person would think of this.
It must be Unit Commander Atosuryua.
Then...
You heard the message!
Hurry up with the space-time fusion!
Yes, Captain!
Confirming the Gamroil.
Making the connection now.
Welcome back to the fleet, Basroil.
I'm happy to have you with us again.
Thank you, Ma'am.
I'll give you the full report on the last moments of the Siegroil later.
Those space-time bubbles chasing you...
...comprise the United Mankind fleet.
We will eliminate them as we retreat.
Roger!
We were saved!
Imagine what would have happened...
...if we'd surrendered to them?
But how did you know that they were ours?
Those space-time bubble in front?
I'd like to know that, too.
I can't imagine you had anything to go on.
That's a...
...a military secret!
It was all intuition.
How dare you be so rude.
I just wasn't sure. That's all.
We were about to run out of anti-matter fuel.
We really had our hands tied.
And I had to make a decision one way or another.
But you seemed so confident about it.
It's more pathetic to see an unsure captain than a dead captain.
And...
"When unsure, you should always go forward."
You told me that once.
Is that all it was?
What's so funny, Jinto?
It's just that... well...
I'll make sure we keep this a secret from everybody.
I think that's wise...
So the main forces of the enemy have moved on to Wimpel?
Yes.
The reconnaissance ships in the Aptic region have confirmed it.
In that case...
...Aptic is going to be the main target of the enemy assault.
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
You seriously think she's calm?
More than I thought she would be.
It seems to me that she feels a little out of place here.
Maybe she's not suited to taking orders from above.
A toast!
They either need to give her more power...
...or maybe it would be better if she acted alone.
Out of place, huh?
Come to think of it, that kid said something along those lines.
Next Episode... The Eve of the Decisive Battle