Gatoh went way to heavy on the sexual tension between Kurz and Melissa for them
Spoiler:
not to hook up. Of course they were going have ridiculous sexcapades together.
. End of Day by Day strongly suggested the possibility, what with that part in Sicily.
Huzzah to that I say, huzzah.
Don't mean to be contrary or anything, but while dave-d has the slickest stories, and some pretty decent plots, his characterization has major issues. Sousuke hates history, they've mentioned that in the novels, but Dave-d makes him a history freak. His Sousuke is too rigid. And he really sucks at characterizing Kurz and Melissa (that's my biggest issue with him).
Don't mean to be contrary or anything, but while dave-d has the slickest stories, and some pretty decent plots, his characterization has major issues. Sousuke hates history, they've mentioned that in the novels, but Dave-d makes him a history freak. His Sousuke is too rigid. And he really sucks at characterizing Kurz and Melissa (that's my biggest issue with him).
That was kind of a random interjection no? I think Dave-d writes pretty well for a fanfic writer. They remind me a lot of episodes from Fumoffu. I don't think my FMP fics can even shake a stick at his - different styles though I guess so I dunno.
But isn't Sousuke kind of a know it all when it comes to military history? I was always under that impression. Maybe it's wrong though.
That was kind of a random interjection no? I think Dave-d writes pretty well for a fanfic writer. They remind me a lot of episodes from Fumoffu. I don't think my FMP fics can even shake a stick at his - different styles though I guess so I dunno.
But isn't Sousuke kind of a know it all when it comes to military history? I was always under that impression. Maybe it's wrong though.
Somebody recommended him to somebody else who asked about fanfics, and I was too lazy to quote either of them.
Military History is still history. Interesting sub-genre, but in the novels Sousuke flat out says/thinks/implies that he doesn't enjoy studying history. I'm pretty sure of that. I think it may have been in Continuing on my Own. Weapons specs, on the other hand, are an entirely different animal.
He writes pretty well, I suppose. I think his Kurz and Melissa aren't really accurate, unless you only consider Fumoffu. But whatever.
On a completely unrelated note, what do people think of Gatoh's explanation of the whispered? I expected something crazier than what was revealed...
On a completely unrelated note, what do people think of Gatoh's explanation of the whispered? I expected something crazier than what was revealed...
I was pleasantly surprised by Gatoh's revelation -- it was simple to comprehend, didn't leave too-large plot holes, and kept it in within the "acceptable" limit of science fiction (IMO).
Spoiler for revelation of Whispereds' origin:
I think the "dolphins' brains" bit seems a little too wacky, but with only the short blurbs provided by HunterSeeker, it would be presumptuous to criticize without reading the full translation. Time travel -- or in this case, future intrusion -- definitely seems like the simplest and most elegant way to explain why these kids all have seemingly complete knowledge of machinery.
An accident that sends a wave around the whole world and alters those kids is much better, I think, than some of the other explanations fans came up with for the creation of the Whispered. And the explanation is "hard" enough, so it doesn't feel like Gatoh has intentionally left the cause unexplained -- like a lot of authors who flesh out a story as they go along, instead of outlining everything in their mind beforehand, end up doing (see J.J. Abrams with Alias and Lost ... well, hopefully not Lost ). Sometimes, as a fan, when I'm brainstorming about plot or story mysteries writers set-up, I get my own theories and when what I've come up with feels more impressive than what the writer him/herself comes up with, I get disappointed. In this case, though, Gatoh really impressed and surprised me, and that makes me a happy fan.
Somebody recommended him to somebody else who asked about fanfics, and I was too lazy to quote either of them.
Hahaha that was totally me...
Quote:
On a completely unrelated note, what do people think of Gatoh's explanation of the whispered? I expected something crazier than what was revealed...
I am so utterly confused as to what is going on right now. I think it's because I've just been reading summarized translations but as of now I am completely lost. I haven't a clue what's going on or why all I know is that the Whispered are connected to each other, they are somehow (it's implied) connected to Sousuke, and
Spoiler for FMP books:
Kaname or someone in Kaname's body shoots Tessa in the F'ing head and then shoots Sousuke...seriously WTF?!
Ugh...can't wait for a full blown translation though I'm pretty sure it'll be a good 5 years before I can get my hands on one
Do you know where I could get the FMP novels as BOMF in raw? I mean, scans of the original novels.
I know someone who would like to continue Ravyn's work.
Kaname or someone in Kaname's body shoots Tessa in the F'ing head and then shoots Sousuke...seriously WTF?!
Ugh...can't wait for a full blown translation though I'm pretty sure it'll be a good 5 years before I can get my hands on one
That was just an illusion injected to her head by another whispered ~ more like mentally breaking her down so that whispered (Sophia) can overtake her body.
Okay...so who is this Sophia person? I've heard she's like THE Whispered, the big head honcho who kind of lords it over the rest of them but do we know anything else about her? Like why possess Kaname of all people?
hi guys. long time no see. its almost 1 year since I leave this thread 8D I thought ravyn stop translates fmp novels. I can't wait for the next novel..
hi guys. long time no see. its almost 1 year since I leave this thread 8D I thought ravyn stop translates fmp novels. I can't wait for the next novel..
It's hard to be gone from this thread for so long, I'm currently reading all those pages I haven't read yet and I already spoiled myself regarding the new developments!
that's exactly what i was thinking =P that would be so drama
dont say junk like that, plus gatoh doesnt seem like the person to give a bad ending. he likes to tease but not disapoint.
plus it would kill his image also. the japanese hate those endings as much as we do. he is sort of a fairly new story/manga writer. his only story out is full metal panic.
look at any bad ending anime and find the author and see if he made it big after a bad ending. not what he is working on but what he has created and made it work. most of them FAILED!
Location: HKSAR, PRC, Asia, The Earth, The Milky Way Galaxy, The Universe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Otakon
dont say junk like that, plus gatoh doesnt seem like the person to give a bad ending. he likes to tease but not disapoint.
plus it would kill his image also. the japanese hate those endings as much as we do. he is sort of a fairly new story/manga writer. his only story out is full metal panic.
look at any bad ending anime and find the author and see if he made it big after a bad ending. not what he is working on but what he has created and made it work. most of them FAILED!
Quite the contrary, I'm pretty much expecting (and prepared for) a bad ending. For some short works for fan-service, band endings may ruin the whole thing. But given by the long-time, epic storyline of FMP, a bad ending may leave it a mark in Anime history, if he wrote it well, that is.
ps.Chapter 2 Translation received. Start working in a few days.
__________________
Obviously ,hope is the first step to the road of disappointment. But no fear, people can only overcome disappointment when one still has hope in the mind.
So keep on fighting UNTIL THE GOAL IS REACHED!!
Well, let's hope its not a bad ending but rather a sad/bittersweet one with the 2 main characters remaining alive, of course. Gambatte HunterSeeker!!! ^______^
Eh it is a personal thing. Bad ending for me would leave a bad mark. But I have said why many times. If this ends bad, I will just try to forget about this story.
^^ and one getting killed is a bad ending. To me anyways.
I'm wagering that neither Sousuke or Chidori will die but
Spoiler for spoiler for FMP:
they'll succeed in that whole plan to undo the Whispered entirely thus making everything that's happened between them NOT happen. He'll end up just showing up at her school one day as a new transfer student and the possibilities from there will be endless (since he'll still have his parents assumedly). I wonder if she'd think he was still awesome without his crazy military training life saving hero abilities...hmm...
Well......The first part comes, folks.
(As always, Chinese translation made by cnfmp and Working House)
Spoiler for the first part of the exciting NOT:
Prologue
14 hours after the fight in Mexico (MMD), the third meeting of Amalgam leaders continues. Mr.Au asks about status of Mr.Ag (Leonard), and Mr.K (Kalinin) replies "It's serious" without any signs of feelings. It's observed that, after a few months of conversations with him, he's just an ordinary, loyal soldier without interest upon politics and money. H eeven doesn't pay notice to the thing that Mr.Au had used "Reinforcements" as the excuse to send units to attack Leonard, or the fact that Amalgam is now becoming more desperate. Probably he also know that most of the people around are now on Mr.Au's side by threatening or flowing words. Kalinin continued that Leonard is being treated in an hospital in Acapulco (Mexico), and even he got saved it may lead to other consequences, like he may not stand up anymore. Mr.Au feels regret about this news.
The leaders are still scattering around the world, and Mr.Au is a Japanese living in Tokyo. (His flat got strong anti-bullet glasses, and it's positioned in the north of Tokyo Harbour) It's described that he is still a patriot despite he wields great power, and will limit the terrorist attacks in Japan whenever he can.Though he allows the usage of Benemoth for A21 to wreck havoc, he never allows nuclear attacks, and he had actually prepared a self-destruct system within it, so that if the Benemoth is moving towards centre of Tokyo he'll take it out. After the "negligible" terrorist attack last year, he gained more influence over the Japanese safety departments. Let the loyal, helpful guys to do the rest, set up stages for those easily-controlled to suscced his place, flaming about the external threats and label moderates as traitors------they're indeed traitors since the world is made by cheating and marauding each other. As an island country with scarce resources, it's a miracle for the country not to involve in major conflicts and continue to prosper, and he had to prolong this miracle. That's why he's using Amalgam.
After some discussions about Kalinin's further actions (regroup to guard Leo and gather info of remants of Mithril), Mr.Na mentioned that TDD will show up eventually after Mr.Au said that they seem escaped trackings from US Navy, and said that they can't be ignored now. Mr.Au said only Codarls will be enough for the trheat is just teh white AS, and Kalinin said "you understand military affairs so well" (the actual meaning is the reverse). Mr.Au responds by saying the core of a problem are alike in other affairs, of which he and Leo had misunderstood upon. Kalinin agrees, but he continues by saying that he and himself had tolerated their evil minds for too long. At the same moment, Mr.Cu, Mr.Sn and Mr.Na were being attacked, with Cu and Na being shot, and it seems that Sn's bring was smashed and stuff within spilled upon the desk. Then 3 people shows up upon the line and reports "Suppressed", and it's revealed that those 3 killed people had planned to kill Leonard along with Au. Mr.Au was shocked, but Kalinin was sneaking up his back already, and throws aside the communicator he used. He then said that the security forces are suppressed already and no one will help him. It's shocking that he knew his living place and real identity, but what's more is that he shouldbe definately in Mexico half a day ago, and travelling to Japan will need 20 hours of flight.
Soon after a short speech, Kalinin pushed his head onto the desk and breaks his head by an arm attack. Mr.Au dies in an instant.
Afterwards, Kalinin picks up the mic on the desk and said that it's teh retailiation against the act of plans to kill Leonard. The rest of the leaders had calmed down already, and some of them had even predicted such thing will happen, so they didn't object to his action. But then he asks "soemone" to respond------he had never appeared in the meetings, but he's always there. If conflicts within leaders had become a state like this, he'll definately show up.
Amalgam had no actual leader as mentioned before, since their form is in a network-like organization. But without an Administrator the organization can't tighten it. He never shows his thoughts, never shows up, but only giving a place for others to gather, acting as the Regulator, gather all sort of elements to form Amalgam. Kalinin calls Mr.Hg once more or they will reconsider the level of trust towards him, and he finally show up, using a voice change and speaks "Seems that something has gone wrong".
Chapter One: Wall of sand
Major Martin Estis (my crappy translation, see Engage Six Seven for details) had received a bad news: Enemy forces had been approaching this base built upon ruins from Sulalah al—Mariniyyin era, 30 MBTs and 4 2ndGen AS, and probably more will come. Obviously these are from Amalgam forces in Morocco, and they finally come to destroy those surviving, gathered Mithril remants, who're waiting for a chance to counterattack.
Their place is within the desert right between the borders of Morocco, Mauritania, Western Sahara and Algeria, no hills around and it's so hot. Tents and barracks are camofluged within the ruins, the runway is an open ground with cracks, so though it can escape from the views of satellites, but it's far from being called as a base: only <100 people, just a few 2ndGen AS and some incomplete M6 parts. Though it's surprising for them to find this place, but is that necessary to send such a huge force? Sergeant Gima (my crappy translation, see Engage Six Seven and Confronting Festival) comments that it may due to they didn't know how much forces they had left.
In the past in Belize (Central America), there was a training camp of Mithril units that gather all mercenaries around the world, and pick out suitable candidates for Mithril, which accounted must of the fighting force of it, including the Trio of Pacific Battlion. Because of Amalgam's attack in the beginning of the year, they're forced to escape within the wetland in Belize, abandoning stuff like armour vehicles and AS and after 3 weeks of escape they finally arrived to Columbia from air transport in Honouras. After they arrived to Medellin, most of the trainees had gone back to their hometown as well, leaving just <20 officers and some trainees. With just less than 20 men they can't do much, so they started a small civil military company in North Africa and gathers information of teh allies. Months later, all doesn't gone well except about 10 former Mithril men gathered there, and it seems that others are also holding small groups for observation, but it's almost equal to impossible for them to find them all out, for those who they can find are also pessimistic and choose not to team up. Even Martin and his gang had less hope for reforming the force, and thought they can just run like a small civil military company......
Until the event in San Fransico breaks out.
News reported that it's "explosions in the port", but by just seeing the few photos they considered that it isn't a normal explosion, but caused by AS fights. As such, Martin led a few men and flies there and gathered information from local workers, surveilience cameras and other stuff, soon they concluded that it's a black M9 fought with a Codarl, and with a Cruise Missile from nowhere the Codarl is destroyed single-handedly by the M9. They know about the M9 is probably piloted by Clozort, and the missile was fired from TDD with a dareful commander. Their delight of knowing this is more than just happy, since the South Pacific Battlion had survived and hit Amalgam hard once. This event seems to spread among former Mithril men, and more and more people comes to contact him for revenge as they're inspired by this fight.
2 months after that, the size of the whole unit had tripled and can set up a base in teh current position. They tried hard to retrive funds from European banks for the training camp and buy necessary stuff, but as they're preparing for the actual expansion of fighting force, enemy comes to attack them. It doesn't matter how they find them, but their forces are overwhelming. Even they try to escape, they'll still being caught, and it's impossible to hold on until the transports arrive at this place, which need at least 2 hours.
As Martin and Gima are preparing to defend the place in this despearate battle without any signs of fear, they spotted a 4WD is rushing towards them regardless how rough the ground is. As they decided to observe, the car is so close that the driver's face can be seen. It's "him" (Yen), the Korean who passed the training 2 years before, but they just can't call his name correctly. ("The one that complete all tasks perfectly even he looks so weak" by Gima, "The strange one who passed the training unnoticed even he isn't that noticible" by Martin. Yen, you're so unnoticible from others from teh beginning to the end. Duh.)
The car arrived without being shot from this side, and the driver jumps down and runs towards them. After some tricks by Gima to get Yen's name correctly (also, we noticed that even Yen is a Sergeant now. Sousuke, what's your purpose in the SRT now?) by ordering him to report his name and ranks, Martin observes that Yen must have know that enemy are coming.
And they did as Yen is speaking. The first shell from artilleries had destroyed Yen's car already. But it's just a testing shot and teh artillery units will fix their aim for a few times before starting the actual barrage. They have no time to idle, and teh three retreats back to the line.
Enemy barrages from artilleries and tanks poured upon the Mithril base, though men are mostly unscratched thanks to trenches, their exposed resources and vehicles are mostly being blown up. In the meantime Yen wants to speak with Martin for a few times, but are rejected all the times as Martin is still trembling with the despearate situation. The tanks are approaching in a few directions, and facing them are 12 modified M60 MBT, probably more. Though they can reduce them to under half strength, it's still meanless as they'll be annihiliated by the rest......
BLAM.
Then another BLAM, BLAM, BLAM. The approaching tanks explode one by one, by probably Sniping Cannons and High-speed Missiles which Martin and the rest can't see. Yen orignally wants to tell Martin that "reinforcements will arrive in 15 minutes" and which they had come early, but Martin had rejected to hear it from him......And when he wonders where the reinforcements are, a M9 lands just above him, with ECS disabled. Martin immediately recalls that it's Mao piloting, and which is carrying a K-1 "Javelin" High-speed Missile Launcher. But Martin is still worried about it, for only AS as reinforcements will be troublesome since deserts are troublesome terrains for them.
Elsewhere, "he" is receiving more and more information about the situation. The TDD Battlion has fully reinforced the base, but their ammo starts to run low and enemy fire are so concentrated and massed. But despite how dire the situation are, the communications are just as calm as ever, just like himself------a machine. AL, boarding ARX-8 Laevatein, is processing the all the electronic data received. Laevatein is still standing by elsewhere within Pave Mare (ECS on), and by TAROS he can feel that the controller is nervous for some reason. He won't commit faults due to pressures, but in order to make sure the LDS is functional it's necessary to make him more relieved, so he suggested to play some music, which is rejected by the controller Sousuke. By the conversations we know that AL treated all sorts of "shut up" as normal replies from him.
In fact, even in normal battlefields an AS can't confront a MBT directly and win, because of their weaker armour, inability to destroy one by Assault Rifle shots upon the front and their size differences, not to mention they have to fight in such difficult battlefield, so their AS must use the trenches around the base to maximuze their mobility, meanwhile destroying approaching threats by AT weapons. On the other hand, because of the terrifying offensive power of Laevatein, it better holds in reserve and pose an indirect threat to enemy forces (of which they must retain some reserve forces to deal with this serious threat), and can act as a mobile defender since, if it shows up early, enemy may just escape or pour all power to destroy it.
As teh partners are guessing if the commander is Kalinin or not, it's revealed that the enemy force indeed hold some reserve force in southwest, and are used now due to the strong resistance. After a short dissussion it's decided Laevatein will intercept these folks, but as Pave Mare is flying to the interception point, Kurz suddenly tell them to check for a suspicious small hill nearby, and tell Sousuke to look out for sniping fire. Laevatein lands before the enemy column, and by using Gun-Howizter Mode of 165mm Demolition Gun, he fires a shot. Missed, but predicted. By receiving the data given by Pave Mare, they adjusted the angles of fire while reloading, but the enemy has already fired upon them adn hit twice, shaking the whole unit. AL suggests to change firing position for safety but is rejected. It's revealed that Sousuke has left out of hesistation in decision making as when piloting Arbalest, being supported by a "strong will" behind, and also AL is knowing human emotions despite he's a machine, and has an independent personality growing up------sometimes ago Kurz and a few other people suggested to change AL's voice into a female one "to make others feel loving towards AL", but was rejected by AL and Sousuke because both thinks that it's disgusting and humilitating to change the voice of "a veteran like me" into a soft female one.
Enemy shells are landing accruately upon Laevatein, but by the action of TAROS it's now in a defensive stance and LDS activilates, vaporising the shells like it's a casaul run. Then Sousuke responds by firing the cannon to destroy the tanks while blocking incoming fire, and enemy retreats gradually from all sides because the reserves are being drained so much. They're winning this fight------
NO.
Sousuke suddenly controls the unit to dodge a 1km/s sniping fire among teh rocks, as the shot PENETRATES teh LDS barrier and passes its left shoulder, if Sousuke dodges any 0.5s later, Laevatein may well being halved by the shot. Undoubtfully the shot is supported by Lambda Driver, and though Sousuke can't see the enemy he attempts to fire back. A shot seems to land near to the enemy, which Fairy's Eye detected a strong interference of LDS systems. The enemy unit still makes a fast decision and retreats with haste in ECS. They decides not to pursue.
Kurz said "It finally comes", and Sousuke comments it's all because of his notification beforehand------he always pay attention to that position after Kurz mentioned that, so his reaction was faster than AL, who still can't separate Idea and Sense by their "backward" method of calculation. Clozort wonders why he doesn't show up as soon as he's present: His position can cover half of the battlefield, and should be able to destroy one if it shows up, but instead it stays silent even their tanks are being destroyed. Mao concludes that it's all because of Laevatein: It's waiting for ARX-8 to show up but not to attract its attack from nowhere even if it can destroy a few M9. At least Laevatein shows up and it tries to nail it by one shot, but it's dodged by Sousuke so the chance to destroy it is lost, and there're no reason to stay.
AL reports that enemy had retreated, and Sousuke tells him to use ECCS and stay alert, who said it doesn't have it in return. Sousuke then replies that he almost forgot it's a piece of junk, but AL responds by saying that his injury in the past had limited his choice of intakes, and commented that "Someone said one's life has been lost by half without alcahol". Then he gradually starts to explain 38 reasons for ARX-8 isn't junk, and as soon as the first one is being said Sousuke roared at him to keep slient. (||||)
In a few hours, Mithril's forces had left, leaving just some containers, old materials and lots of empty beer cans. Valbelm Casper (my crappy translation, looks something around 30 or 50), upon his Eligor, is staring at the empty base as a soldier got blasted by triggering a trap on the ground. His forces are just gathered around the world so their quality isn't assured, and the commander of the attack force (who is a bribed officer of local army) roared at him for not getting anything useful after paying a heavy cost. He then get out of the AS after moving for a bit, searching for the ground pattern of enemy AS shooting, and recalls him------who doesn't move much while shooting, trying to take down as many enemy as he can and without any sense of self-protection. He comments that "he" is still too unskilful, but undoubtfully the one who tells the white AS is "him" so that the lethal shot can be dodged in a few seconds. Kalinin then calls him, asking about if any results are achieved. Casper replies that because of his student that shot is dodged, and in return he comments that he can do so because of his student as well. Kalinin then said that Kurz WAS a nice sniper, and Casper wonders why using past tense as he's still alive, but Kalinin replied that "Soon it'll become past tense" without much emotion.
The soldiers are rioting for not gaining much, and the officers seem looking upon the Eligor as "reward", so Casper holds Kalinin's line and takes out an old .308 Rifle within the cockpit, loading a bullet and without adjusting the scope (just about 200m apart), he fires at an officer, who then painfully lays on the floorm one of the nuts got blasted. No one try to shoot back. Kalinin asks what happened, and he replies that it's just some crowd control.
The primary target Laevatein wasn't destroyed, and that resistance force escaped. No reason to stay anymore. The Plan is going, and they can't just keep tracking Mithril.
But then he and his student will face each other, and once both have tasted the anxiety of hunting, he'll embrace his beautiful death.
----
The prisoning are more restrictive than before. Since she left Mexico, Chidori was being brought around the world------a farm in Texas, Swiss, Belgium, Denmark, North Italy, Turkey, Libya------and during the journeies the accomodation/food supplied are just way worse than she was in Mexico, and such frequent travelling made her start to feel sick. Though she stayed in a high-class hotel in Las Vegas for a week, but then she was brought to Sri Lanka, at which she finally fell sick. This place is the worst place she stayed so far, not just because of garbage dumps around, and there're so much noise around to keep her from taking proper rest, BUT also there're large bugs lurking or wandering around (for once, a poisonous catapillar of about 50cm went into her clothes). She wanted to cry, but she restrained herself from doing so since she knew they want to weaken her, both body and mind. As a civilized girl lived in modern cities, this kind of torture are more effective than other ways and eventually she'll obey.
Leonard seems to be alive but she didn't show up since that incident. Still she don't know if these are ordered by him, as when she asked Sabrina (the maid who followed her around) she just tell her "He's alive". She did see Kalinin for a few times, but rather than visiting her, it's more alike "checking the prisoner". She has also suffered from numerous nightmares, such as seeing a silver AS destroying the school and kills her classmates, being held by men whose arms becoming catapillar's feet and told her Sousuke is dead (when she called for his help), being treated badly by the schoolmates at a point that she want them die, etc.
On a morning, her fever seems to be recovered. She tries to stand up from the bed but instead fell onto the floor, attracting Sabrina to go into the room. She asks her to give her a cup of water, but Sabrina ignored her and checked her temperature first (which indeed fell back to norm) before handing a cup of water to her, which the cup is still somehow dirty. Chidori asks if Sabrina hates her and other questions, but she just said that it's be best way to keep her alive since many want to capture her. She also asks if it's Leonard's order to do so and even "if she loves him", and she replies that Leonard had just recovered recently and so she can't get any orders from him while the original order didn't change.
Then Chidori wants to make her angry for some reason, and when she teases her at a level, Sabrina went berzerk and pushes her onto the floor, teh hand helding shards of teh just-broken glass cup in her hand, saying that she can't accept such teasing towards Leonard before she start to tell her origin------lived in a small, awful town around Lodz (Porland) and killed her mom who sold her to an officer (who was obviously killed by her as well), she started to kill as a job before and after she was taken by Mafia in Warsaw, and never expected being treated like a human until he picked her up. She believes that he'll make her feel like reborn, and she'll work for him until she became useless, even though he doesn't love her. She even wanted to call those men around to rape her, but held back because he doesn't want so, though her pride is unbearable that she's going to kill her for that.After finishing these speech, she stabs teh shard of glass into her throat, and stabs her face so many times taht others can't recognize it's her.
(Below are the most weird part) But then, Sabrina's image and other awful stuff mixed together and formed another image of Chidori, whose face stay close to teh destroyed face, saying taht "It's time to change the person", "Don't think that it's time to follow my will?"
Chidori bolts awake from teh bed. The place is still Sri Lanka, but what happened afterwards are just alike what she saw in the dream------until Sabrina shows her the temperature, she asks her if she know about Lodz, and while Sabrina said that it's her hometown, she wonders how Chidori know about it but she didn't answer.
Elsewhere, in a lone island within Carribean (which acted as a temporary supply base for TDD), Mithril units are now transporting stuff from the island to the exposed TDD 2km away. Sousuke started fishing at a point (rod borrowed from someone else), which he didn't do it for about a year since that short but happy fishing time with Chidori in Melida (at the end of ITB), still he tries not to think about her disappearance, since doing so will just make him more unhappy.
He reads a famous military magazine (forgot the name) when he stabs the rod into the ground, which he knows that no fish will be caught and they have to leave in about an hour, but still enjoys these little time of leisure.
In fact, Mao and some other female members (who're all wearing bikini made from the city camofluge cloths left behind in the ship) in TDD are sunbathing not too far away. (It seems that the death of the female pilot sometimes before [COMO] has strengthen the already-strong bond among the already-few-in-number female members.) They talks about some female stuff and their presence attracted some soldiers who're working nearby. Still, Sousuke don't understand why they have to sunbath at a place near to him------This island has 3 beaches for leisure but are all occupied by males who're enjoying a beach picnic or training their shooting skill, and while Sousuke had got a rare chance to stay alone, Mao and others went to this place saying "thank us for seeing these" or even "you already have a lover so you won't care", etc. Probably because of those conversation after the battle in Mexico has been spread and since then, Sousuke was treated like a more casual friend or even ignore him to start a conversation about love affairs upon TDD. (Too long and too complicated, so I won't write down. If interested, I'll try to reveal) As the conversations continued, Sousuke (who still can't even understand a bit) feels taht he was treated as a roadside statue.
The conversation then turned towards serious affair, especially Tessa's part------she was too busy to join them (while her swimsuits are prepared as well), and they concerned about her overworked status right now. Sousuke immediately senses that Mao is using the tone of comforting the subordinates to tell the rest of teh girls that Tessa is OK------even though he has told others about his past days, he has never talked with her properly since Mexico's fight. He can understand what she has to do: Reorganizing teh nearly-destroyed Mithril, and how must stress she suffered after seeing her weak side for a few times. In the past when he was transferred to TDD, she hasn't even being trusted fully by the men aboard, but just 2 years she became the most important part of the organization, both militarily and mentally------she's a genius, unique charisma as a leader and a great leader (others treated her nothing but "somebody special"), but she's still a 17-year-old human. When an organization has to rely upon the mind of such a person, what's different to the organization is dead? Those know her all avoid saying so because she doesn't want to.
Alert. Hostile forces are approaching this island, and the signals told all units to evacuate immediately, TDD stops being supplied, those supplies left behind are being destroyed to avoid counter-planning from the enemy. Sousuke also takes away his rod, but there're just unknown seaweeds.
After some time, teh alert status within TDD was lowered. It's predictable that such a "base" will be detected and atatcked, but it's just faster than normal. There're some stuff left behind but those important had been transferred. After this, disregarding the fatigue of men aboard, TDD can travel around unsupplied for 4 months, and in this meantime no one can know their course except those in the bridge.
Mardurkas and Tessa have both understood something: It's unnatural for Amalgam to send forces with this haste, both this time and in West Africa, and which means one thing: The organization within Amalgam is changing, making it more active and effective. It's hard for TDD, but it's not totally bad------it means that the leadership of Amalgam has changed, making its attacks from slow-decision making to a state of doing so with haste. Does it mean that Amalgam's organization has become a pyramid-shaped, or more close to that than before? Still "the top" and "how much it has changed" are unknown. But it seems taht a strong giant has shown a weakpoint, though it's unknown for its location, proving that their actions start to have some insignificant-but-present effects. This is a good sign.
Just as Tessa and Mardurkas are about to leave the room, Lemon the Lolicon sent a coordinate of Yansk11 from Moscow to TDD via teh unmanned intelligence submarine near the sea surface. (He should leave Moscow soon enough to Hungary). Such message is predictable but faster than predicted. After confirming the destruction of the message, Tessa leaves the bridge.
Since the fight in Melida 8 months ago, the organization has been recovered to a certain level. The Base workers start to rebuild the link with the resource suppliers like $ and intel network, Hunter and Wraith are also working to collect intel around the world. Scattered Mithril members are also regathering and expanding their fighting power. The top class commanders are probably dead or hiding, but from what Hunter said teh Intel Officer (forgot teh name) has transferred most of the capability of Intel Dept to other place and are still collecting intel. They can't contact with him nor knowing if he's still on their side, but Hunter and Wraith obeyed their own will to serve TDD even though the General banned their actions. The 2 had also contacted with teh Research Department and built Laevatein------a machine was built secretly in teh past already but was abandoned due to numerous problems, but now with the help of Miller and AL recovered, ARX-8 was finally completed. Still, it doesn't have the multipurpose capability as teh plan suggested in teh past since its parts are just using scraps/prototype parts/etc to build it, like the rumour in the past that Lockheed Martin used scraps/reserved parts to build most of the earliest Stealth Aircraft "Have Blue", so others called Laevatein "Have Red". They also wanted to buy more other stuff, but they had run out of $ since the men's salary and buying stuff right now are just scuttling/selling "shell companies", present stuff and scattered reserves.
Now tehre're >2K people working to rebuild Mithril, and they start to damage Amalgam even these damages are insignificant, with the overall command of all operations is in TDD. But still, otehrs are worrying about putting such important job upon Tessa, even though otehrs can't take over the job (Mardurkas can do it, but he lacks charisma as a leader and is better left for "annoying" others, and no one can rule Mithril at this state other than him). Kalinin may be a good choice as the second-in-command and will lower the job of her and subordinates, but now he went for Amalgam (which made a great impact upon her and the battlion due to his importance). Though he spoke little, he's working upon warrior's pride in the past, but then who he went to Amalgam? He must be the one prepared supplies for TDD, so his shifting side will happen after the battle of Melida (of which he showed some unusual signs). Brainwashed? Forced to do so due to captives? Under Amalgam already since he entered Mithril? Or any other reasons? But the one sure thing is that a troublesome opponent had joined Amalgam. Or is he following not Amalgam but Leonard? If so, things can become clearer.
The meeting continues as Tessa was called back from her thoughts. The Maintainence Department Head, Edward, repaoted ALL 3 M9s------all AS forces available to TDD now except teh recently-joined Laevatein------are at a critical state of broken down. Since their spare parts can be easily traced so they can't get some, and they're at least half years since their last full-scaled maintainence, but still they're keep using them. He continued that they can endure at most 3 battles, afterwards anything can happen. Before he suggested to scuttle one M9 in order to provide parts to help other 2, Mao rejected this idea since they can't fight on properly if one more is lost (now they're planning their deployments by 3+1 at this state rather the norm of 6 M9s). Tessa added that they may get some spare parts during 3 battles, but in fact she doesn't have any plans to do so since she can just depend upon Hunter and others, rather than putting this issue as a troublesome one to all. In addition, after 3 battles the result will be decided, and if teh situation is dragged to force them to fight more battles, they'll lose.
Kurz then raised the issue about Leonard, who is needed for intelligence about Amalgam. Tessa admits that no info was heard about his state, but she feels that he's still alive by "her instinct". Still they don't know where he is due to teh weak intel network, and about teh "Virus" issue raised sometimes ago (MMD04), no results are heard from AL or Darna (who're both discussing this issue, of which AL are always raising difficult questions to Darna). This raised the interest of all around, some suggested Darna is more powerful AI, and some said that AL's chess is so horrible that he lost to Friday (AI of Mao's M9) 9 out of 10 times. Tessa heard about it for the first time, but then she started to laugh since many problems are solved. AL seems to be weak, but he didn't use the thinking ways upon equal footing, instead he used teh way how normal human will play chess and even managed to win a game by this way------Mardurkas called this as "the instinct": Thinking from the ending, and in this kind of thinking logics are just explainations, making AL "seems to able to see the future" and thinks about the way for achieving victory.
This issue was then left for discussion later by Tessa's signalling, and instead they talked about Amalgam's status: Faster decision-making, sharp and clear actions but start to be confused------their guerilla warfare starts to work, but it maybe some other factors such as Leonard or Kalinin started to grab hold of the organization after some infighting, but why there're infighting for power? She said that Lemon helped her for a bit to get some traces, so that they can start the investigation a few days later: Far East, a ruin within Soviet Union. Because tehy're now in Alantic Ocean and it's impossible to bring all units, she chose Kurz and Sousuke to be her guard, while Clozort heads for Urakline to prepare for "that", and Mao will lead an expedition to South America to destroy enemy strategic point. As this is announced, they're all dismissed.
----Below 14R----
Once Mao got up from her sleep after the meeting, she found that she made a very serious mistake. Compared with it, stuff like friendly fire, stepped on friendly infantry or talking classified intelligence in open channel are negligible faults.
It's a single room for teh officers (which is the privliage for Mao using this rooom alone for her increased word-based work and being the second-in-command of the force), and in teh single bed within this room......Kurz slept beside her without any clothes. Emitting a sound not sighing nor screaming, she kneels on the bed and double-checked: she's really not wearing anything.
It didn't happen due to alcohol, but nevertheless she hopes that it's all a dream: In midnight, she was dealing with documents about supplies, and then Kurz come and ask her to sign on another document. Then both of them start to talk from stuff about PRT (since Kurz need to take care of inexperienced PRT members), but then it became a long chat. As they continued she took out some Perrier for him, but her hand slips and some of those spill upon the floor. After they cleaned up the mess, both of them drink ginger ale and talked about "these lives are so heavy", "want to enjoy some sort of romance in resorts", soon the prevert caught her shoulder and asks her if she wanted to enjoy some romance with him from that point, and she tries to beat him away. But the room is so small and the ground is wet and so she slips, then Kurz give her a hand but also falls down. Because of teh head had slammed upon the wall for a little so she feels dizzy for a few seconds, and when she became conscious again she saw his serious face, asking her if its OK after an apology. And because of these, she doesn't know ehy she cries due to being moved------or it should be said taht she doesn't actually cried, but wanted to: Why she's in this submarine? What is this guy caring about me? Perhaps it's something fileld up has been released since the destruction of Melida, and she feels so lonely taht she wanted to shre her feelign with him. He stunned for a little, but after staring with each otehr for a few seconds......They started the kissing. (GAH, I consider this as an accident)
She felt very bad about all these stuff, and she's so ashamed that she can't share these with the females, but if tehy knew about it they'll ask her about her feeling of this. She may want to deny it, but on the other hand she feels it's quite fantastic, and her joints are so achy because she was so devoted into that. (DAMNIT GATOH, WHAT ARE YOU WRITING!?) Besides, she thought there won't be much problem since the room is well sound-proofed.......Thinking about the last night, her face grew between white and red from time to time, and as she does Kurz wakes up (as he doesn, she uses the sheet to cover her breast), after some moments of pause as he looked at her, he sighed for what he did as well. But as Mao asked him why he behaved like that, suddenly he laughs and stated taht he played with her just the teh moment before. Afterwards there're some fightings between the two just like that in usual situations (and we knew that they did that for 3 times during the conversations......FOR GOD'S SAKE WHY BOTHER TO WRITE THAT OUT?) but in the whole progress Kurz is smiling. Mao finally fell upon the bed due to exhausion, meanwhile Kurz stared at her face at the side, saying that she must had felt better.
And it's right, that kind of dull feeling------which can't even be solved by sunbathing, just like another self with dull eyes staring at her and pressurized her feelings------is fading, and she's surprised that all had achieved just in one night, just like all sorts of problems of human can be solved by their own respective ways. Suddenly she thought that if a girl can have a partner......Sousuke is the best choice (AHEM, GATOH WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER HAREM ANIME!) but he's so dedicated to Chidori and this kind of good quality may sometimes made him being hated. Still, seeing Kurz seems to expect something, she pointed at the exit and told him to forget all these stuff. He said taht it seems that her reaction likes that she can go with anyone though he just feel happy about that, but Mao then has mixed feeling about that......Then he gave her a sudden and long kiss. Afterwards, Kurz said that he won't speak to anyone, while staring at the clock------one hour before change of guard. He asks if they can do it once more, then Mao asked softly at his ear that if only just once.
Result: Twice. Just on time for teh change of guard on 8am.
^THESE CONTENTS ARE THE MOST FAIL ELEMENTS FOR ME. EVER.
Wait for Chapter 2.
Oh come on why's it fail, I think its awesome that they finally went at it. They were meant for eachother. But wait didnt Kurz (my mentor) have a girl back home he was sending his money to or something?
On another note I think many people would be disappointed by a tragic ending where either chidori or sousuke dies, as I can't really see the other going on without them. Even if it was well written I don't think I would be satisfied with the death of Mao, Kurz, Sousuke, or Chidori. If you want to be tragic kill Tessa or the whole freaking submarine.
__________________
"I'm not going there to die. I'm going to find out if I'm really alive."
~Spike Spiegel
Hmm , the idea isn't a fail ofc but I think when he says 'a fail' he means the writing in which the scene was portrayed - maybe it was too vivid 0_0 It's annoying that it's just some accident which builds up to the 'kiss' and that Mao is thinkin' o Sousuke for a bit of it ( she really should be thinking of Kurtz if she actually cares about him). The way it seems it was more a relieving of sexual tension and not lovers showing their true feelings' is prolly why I dnt like the scene as much as I should.
Quote:
Quite the contrary, I'm pretty much expecting (and prepared for) a bad ending. For some short works for fan-service, band endings may ruin the whole thing. But given by the long-time, epic storyline of FMP, a bad ending may leave it a mark in Anime history, if he wrote it well, that is.
ps.Chapter 2 Translation received. Start working in a few days.
Its sweet tht ur continuing Hunter , thx again. Now then I dunno who said a bad ending was usually a fail , but in my mind neon genesis evangelion wasn't a fail and the creator has even started to remake the series as a tribute to its fans! ( a way of saying thx for all the cash - here's the one of the best animes using the newest animation technology). This one example proves that sad endings , although not all that popular still don't reck a storyline. I totally agree with Hunterseeker on that issue. Yeah some short animes which have sad endings suck , but longer , more in depth ones can can on to make a place in the History books - back to NGE again!
IMO, I didn't think NGE had a bad/sad ending (assuming if you add the END of Eva), I wasn't pulling my hair so.... Shinji was alive, Asuka came back from that sea of LCL and the rest you could philosophize.
NGE had a story as deep as the Mariana Trench and I don't think you could say the same for FMP. If Gatoh suddenly transforms into an Anno >_< oh God forbid!!! A sad ending is forgivable, a bad ending is unforgivable.
I like Langus' idea though:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Langus
I'm wagering that neither Sousuke or Chidori will die but
Spoiler for spoiler for FMP:
they'll succeed in that whole plan to undo the Whispered entirely thus making everything that's happened between them NOT happen. He'll end up just showing up at her school one day as a new transfer student and the possibilities from there will be endless (since he'll still have his parents assumedly). I wonder if she'd think he was still awesome without his crazy military training life saving hero abilities...hmm...
2008-04-16, 11:14
). Sometimes, as a fan, when I'm brainstorming about plot or story mysteries writers set-up, I get my own theories and when what I've come up with feels more impressive than what the writer him/herself comes up with, I get disappointed. In this case, though, Gatoh really impressed and surprised me, and that makes me a happy fan.
