We were sent on a mission to patrol the Wimpel Gate region.
There we searched for reconnaissance ships belonging...
...to the United Mankind.
However...
As we retreated after reported enemy activity...
...we found ourselves stranded in Plane Space.
What saved us from that situation...
...was the intuition of our captain, Lafiel.
Those space-time bubbles ahead of us are ours.
Maintain course and speed.
Even though we had been plucked from the jaws of death...
...we didn't even get a chance to catch our breath.
After attacking us at the Wimpel Gate, the United Mankind...
...was clearly going to target us here...
...in the Aptic region.
The Eve of the Decisive Battle
Banner of the Stars
54 hours to go
The main enemy forces have moved into the Wimpel region?
Yes.
Reconnaissance ships have confirmed the situation.
In that case...
...it looks like the Aptic region is the enemy's primary target.
I expect so.
And do we know...
...the strength of their fleet?
Approximately 170 squadrons of assault ships...
...give or take fifteen contingents.
Isn't that lower than expected?
But they appear to have more patrol ships than we assumed.
That's the reason.
Perhaps they learned their lesson...
...from the battle three years ago, which ended in a draw.
Do you mean it's tactically better to build up...
...a force with more patrol ships than attack vessels?
That's what they may have decided.
There are factions in our own ranks who are asking for just that.
Then...
...you're not suggesting that we didn't learn the same lesson?
I don't know.
I'm not sure that the enemy's decision is correct.
As with our earlier interception of their reconnaissance mission...
...fighting their patrol ship with our attack vessels...
...seems like a waste of resources.
You make it sound like...
...attack vessels would be useless in upcoming battles.
In fighting an enemy that has as many patrol ships as this one...
...our attack vessels may not be of much use.
In which case...
...we've been provided with unsuitable fighting resources!
I suppose so...
We can complain when we return to the Imperial Capital Lakfakalle.
Until then...
...we'll have to make do with what is available to us.
But our chance of victory is very slight.
We knew that from the start.
Right now...
...we'll just have to hope the Bebaus brothers do their best.
How about moving in some forces from the Mystel region?
There'll be no need to do that.
Even if Aptic is likely to be the main battlefield...
...we shouldn't do anything to loosen our hold on Mystel.
I understand all of that...
...but surely...
Are you so worried about leaving Admiral Bebaus to handle this?
I know their family can be a little eccentric and wild at times.
But you can always trust their ability on the battlefield.
Nereis's ability, anyway.
Besides...
...he has an excellent chief of staff with him.
But that "excellent" chief of staff also happens to be a Bebaus.
My, my...
I can tell that you really don't trust the Bebaus family.
Perhaps...
...you're speaking from some bad experience you had with them?
I don't need to answer that.
I see.
I understand.
But you don't have a personal issue with them, do you?
I said I don't want to answer.
All right.
So... the admiral or the chief of staff?
Which one?
I told you.
I think I've made it clear...
...that I don't want to answer.
Very well, as you wish.
Anyway, I'll be in my room.
I need to think about a few things.
Call me if anything comes up.
Your Excellency...
What do you have to think about?
I'm not going to tell you.
46 hours to go
We're running out of coolant?
Yes, sir.
We have less than 70%% % of what's sufficient.
Our fleets must...
...undertake a battle in regular space, after all.
Let's see.
We do have lots of water that can be used in place of a coolant.
Where is it?
Right over there!
Contact our representatives there...
Oh, there are none.
None? None of what?
Our representatives.
The Aptic Planetary System still hasn't surrendered to us.
Therefore, the planet we see ahead belongs to the enemy.
At least that's their position.
They still haven't surrendered?
Correct.
I find that rather surprising.
What I find surprising is that you didn't know that, Nereis.
After all...
...you are the supreme commander in this region.
Well, yes.
I didn't realize how the government of those Landers...
...would affect the outcome of our battle.
Hold on a minute.
What are we defending then?
Surely we're not defending the planet from their own side?
I always said you lack common sense.
What we're defending is the Aptic Gate.
It's obvious, isn't it?
Of course.
In any case, if we're going to take water from them...
...we'd essentially be pillaging.
Pillaging...
How many years has it been since the Star Forces did some of that?
Do you want to pillage the planet?
Sure.
Don't you think there's something dramatic about it?
No, I don't.
Nevertheless...
...as a practical problem, we're short on coolant.
We'll have to do it if we want to win.
I suppose you're right.
Fighting is about winning, after all.
Isn't that right?
We should go pillaging!
Right. We have to do it in order to win.
Let's go get some water!
How will we do that?
The ocean on Aptic III...
...is at the bottom of a gravity well and dense atmosphere.
It'd be easier to contact HQ...
...and get supplies transported here through Plane Space.
But we'll run out again.
It's the same if we take from the planet.
I think she's right.
If you would like...
...I can calculate how much we can get from the planet...
...versus receiving supplies from HQ...
...for comparison's sake.
No.
There's no need to go to that trouble.
But do we have to go below the planet's atmosphere to do this?
How about taking the moisture from the air?
We don't have the equipment at hand.
Well, if you give us some time...
...we may be able to build something with materials on board.
But I can't be sure we'd succeed in time for the battle.
How long do you need?
About a year.
All right, all right.
We'll have to manage without.
I should've guessed...
...that there's a good reason why the Star Forces...
...rarely go around pillaging planets.
There you have it.
But it sure is a shame.
Something that's right in front us and we can't reach it.
Such an experience isn't entirely unfamiliar to you.
Not as much as it is to you.
I suppose.
You don't know unless you reach for it.
Anyway...
Back to the battle plan!
I'd like to present you with my thoughts.
And I'll hear what you have to say.
These are the mobile space-time mines.
We will remove them from the battleships and set their targets.
Of course, we'll do the same for those carried by the transports.
Here we have the attack ships and the guard ships.
And also, on the outside...
...we have these patrol ships.
The flagship will be positioned here.
And these are the front line ships.
Considering this is your idea, it's a fairly impressive formation.
It's even ordinary.
Thank you.
I'd now like to explain the battle process.
Just before the enemy enters regular space...
...we'll send all our mines into Plane Space.
After deploying the mines, the battle ships would normally retreat.
However, since we have little coolant...
...we don't have that luxury.
We can leave these ships in their positions...
...and re-assign them as coolant supply ships.
The rest is up to the attack ships and the patrol ships.
As soon as the enemy appears...
...we'll strike them with an all-out attack.
We need to make sure they don't enter regular space.
That is my battle strategy.
This is the most rational...
...and will limit the number of casualties.
The main fleet will arrive here in 72 hours at the most.
We have to hold out until then.
Anyone have any questions?
I don't think so.
This is a very ordinary plan...
...and I'm sure it'll work.
It's excellent!
It just seems so unlike the Bebaus.
We can work out the details ourselves.
You do whatever it is you do as the commanding admiral.
Are you saying I'm in the way?
Yes.
You did come up with a realistic plan.
So, before you come up with crazy ideas...
...you might as well do your paperwork.
What a feeble excuse.
Sometimes...
...I wonder why I ever became a commander.
I hate this thing...
You're not the type to be chief of staff, Nereis.
The same goes for you, Nefee.
The only difference between you and me is that...
...your personality is not suited to being a chief of staff...
...or a commander.
30 hours to go
Hello, Your Highness.
I'm just your unit commander...
...so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop calling me "Your Highness".
But why?
Knights like myself don't get the chance...
...to speak directly with Your Highness like this.
Do as you wish then.
Things were pretty rough for you the other day.
Let's just say I was lucky.
I'm amazed that we made it back.
On the contrary...
...I've heard it was because of your intuition as captain.
It sure is hard to follow that.
You've been fighting valiantly as well.
With your record...
...I'm sure no one has any doubt about your abilities.
Well, I suppose you could be right.
Come on now, or you'll be late.
Getting an invitation from an Imperial princess!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
That's not a mouse.
Whenever I bring Diaho to the bridge...
...Samson gets kind of annoyed about it.
Why does it upset him?
The cat's hairs aren't good for the sensitive equipment.
That's just an excuse.
Human hairs are just as bad.
The equipment's been designed with that in mind.
That's what I thought.
But with Samson, I think it's a matter of pride.
He feels responsible and his pride means...
...he doesn't want anything around that might cause damage.
Samson's pride or my enjoyment.
It's obvious which is more important to you.
In that case, why don't you try to talk to him?
Tell him why you bring him to the bridge.
If he asks me.
Hey.
What?
How old is Diaho?
About four years old?
I see.
And what about you?
I'm about sixteen years older than Diaho.
What else do you want to know?
What does it feel like to grow old?
The Abh can be so insensitive about things.
I couldn't tell you.
I have a long way to go before I'll feel like I'm growing old.
I see.
I'll get the line wing aviator to tell me.
I don't think that's a good idea.
On that subject...
...Samson might be a little sensitive.
You having a drink?
Good to see you, Senior Aviator!
I won't be able to have a drink for a while.
I thought I'd stock up!
That's such a bad habit.
Are you going to offer me one?
You said it was bad.
Do you have a problem with that?
Sometimes I like the bad things in life.
I like that attitude.
Thanks.
I heard that it's impossible for pure Abh to get drunk.
Is that true?
It does affect us a little bit.
But we can't get completely drunk...
...it's not genetically possible.
If we inject the alcohol straight into our bloodstream...
...that'd be a different story!
Here's to genetic engineering!
If I weren't able to get drunk...
...it would be like a curse.
Sometimes you want to forget things.
When we feel like that we take a pill which helps us to sleep.
Well, I guess that's healthier.
The Abh are a healthy race.
That's not what most of humanity thinks.
We can't always live up to their expectations.
An Abh who's worried about what other people think?
I've never met such an Abh.
Yes. To tell you the truth...
...I haven't either.
But...
...why make such a strong assertion?
At any rate, you're being unusually tough on me today.
The reason may be that the senior aviator...
...hasn't seen me when I'm drunk.
I'm sure I've seen you drunk before.
You've probably seen me drinking.
Not necessarily drunk.
Is that so?
And I'm to believe you're drunk now?
This is my second bottle, after all.
Do you regularly drink this much?
No.
It's a luxury I allow myself once a year.
Normally, I just get a little tipsy.
So, is today a special day?
An enemy ten times our size will be coming after us soon.
That sort of thing doesn't happen very often in your lifetime.
True.
If it happened often...
...then there probably wouldn't be much of a life left to live.
Exactly!
Once we get through the next battle...
...I'll buy you a bottle of your favorite booze.
That's very generous of you.
I've heard that the senior aviator is a wealthy woman...
...so I won't hold back.
I think that rumor's a bit of an exaggeration.
But you don't need to hold back.
I've never been this happy pouring my booze into someone else's glass!
There are no reinforcements.
But that was to be expected.
This is our position here...
Our mission is straightforward.
We are to destroy the enemy.
It's as simple as that.
It sure sounds simple.
But how long will we have to keep it up for?
Surely...
...we can't keep hitting the enemy for eternity.
A maximum of 72 hours.
That's what the command has warned us to expect.
There's nothing certain. We'll have to take their word for it.
I can't provide anything more definite.
After all, I'm merely an assault unit commander.
Any other questions?
Very well.
We will lose this battle if we let the enemy through the gate.
So we must do whatever it takes to defend it with our lives.
You can't worry about any of the others within our unit.
You might think this is easy...
...but I do have my concerns.
Some of you may...
...go on to become admirals and take command of a fleet.
If that ever happens to you...
...I want you never to forget this feeling.
Unit Commander...
...don't you aspire to becoming an Admiral of a fleet?
Me?
I think I'll pass on that, Captain.
Just being in charge of a remote unit is stressful enough.
I don't want to be in command of a whole fleet.
The difference between royalty and mere nobility...
...is that we can be a little selfish.
Oh, there's another difference.
For royalty, holding territory is an amusement to pass the time.
However...
...for us in the nobility, the territories are our life.
Could it be that...
...she was aiming that comment specifically at me?
Time to change the subject.
Senior Aviator...
...what do you think of the captain?
What do you mean?
She sometimes seems out of whack.
I mean, our captain's only nineteen!
I don't think that's too young to be captain of an attack ship.
After all, one of the most important qualities you need...
...is sharp reflexes.
No, I don't have any doubts about her abilities.
It's just that...
...well, I've been working for the Star Forces for twenty years now.
Sometimes it makes me think.
When I first joined the forces...
...the captain had barely made it out of the artificial womb.
I'm sorry, but you've lost me.
I can't figure out what your problem is here.
What?
Just a drunk babbling away.
But as to whether the captain is the right person for the job...
...I have a different opinion.
Oh?
Frankly, I'm a little disappointed in her.
You must know there are a lot of legends about the Abriel family.
Considering that, I'd say the captain's pretty calm.
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.
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.
Maybe that's my problem, too. I'm just feeling out of place.
When I was a regular crewmember...
...everyone was a Lander like me.
Old, young, men, women... all types of people.
But up there on the bridge...
...all I see are young Abh.
I mean, you're actually older than me...
...but you still look like a young lad, uh, I mean...
Oops. Just a slip of the tongue.
And the only other Lander around...
...is not only young, but he's even a count!
It's just like...
It's just like the Kulremen Mountain mole.
It's a saying from back home.
There's a rocky outcrop not far from where I lived...
...called Kulremen Mountain.
There was hardly any soil on it.
When a mole tries to dig a hole...
...it can't get very far.
You can't do much about a rock if you've got the nails of a mole.
Sorry.
That's okay.
It doesn't bother me.
However...
...I hope you don't expect a reply!
We've only drunk half the bottle.
Let's save the other half until after the battle.
Unless all five of you are here, this bottle won't be empty.
Here's to your safe return!
A toast!
There's a lot to do before the battle commences.
The ceremony's over.
Dismissed!
Line Wing Aviator? If you're going to sleep...
...you should sleep in your own room.
Enemy Fleet Expected to Arrive in...
...24 hours
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
Close the hatches!
Hatches closed!
Prepare to separate gangways...
...and to store them away.
Preparations complete!
Engage the forward stabilizers with pulse drive!
Commencing power!
Separate gangways!
Ignite engines!
All engines fully operational!
Ready for departure!
The stabilizers are ready to go.
Ignite the main engine!
I repeat.
The enemy fleet is expected to enter range within six hours.
All ships depart.
Next Episode... The Basroil's Battle
Next Episode... The Basroil's Battle Daisiele!
Next Episode... The Basroil's Battle