Full Metal Panic Novel Discussion

[DePana]

thats right...
since i cant understand the original language, the spoilers are my only hopes in this dark ages

[HunterSeeker]

Well, I'll try to sum up my points about those predictions written in my own weblog.

Spoiler:

1. Predictably, TDD will eventually pick up the rest of the Mithril units, which aren't annihilated by Amalgam's strike. It's because, from BOMF to MMD, there're signs that some Mithril units aren't destroyed (such as the training camp that Sousuke hung around in MMD), even though these "reinforcements" are small in scale or being destroyed in NOT. Such as: Where did Hunter got his materials to build Laevatein? Who picked up Miller and help him to build ARX-8? Why there're soldiers guarding around when Wraith delivered AL? Who saved Hunter when he was shot by Kalinin? All appears that there're still some Mithril units around. How about Lemon's DGSE? Will they help? Well, they can hardly refuse because they now know that Amalgam is hostile, while himself had already became a lolicon towards Tessa. Other intelligence agency around the world may also help to uncover Amalgam; and in terms of reality, just TDD can't beat up well-organized Amalgam all by themselves.

2. "M9 should be get an upgrade", after reading MMD. It's just about 1 year since ADVMC, but Amalgam had already got lots of stuff to play around (high-speed subs, mass-produced Benemoth-i, Codarl-m piloted by grunts, appearance of Eligor), Mithril units sudden;y looks comparatively inferior. In the past, Uruz team got their success because they got M9, tactics and personal skills, but otherwise they aren't better than Amalgam. With the apperance of Fowler and his goon in Eligor, these advantages cease to apply. What can they depend on? Laevatein? But its internal devices are mostly junk, so they'll have to rely on team combat. Personally, Chidori's hard disk (which was left behind in MMD) was the key: it may contain data of present Amalgam units or even have new unit designs for TDD to make them an equal fight against Amalgam. It may still work without upgrades, but please don't go too far to heroism.

3. Who will die? I can't answer. Personally, Uruz team got the highest risk, TDD may slam upon something and self-destruct, Tessa may sacrifice herself------these are possible to happen, but I don't know who will die in which timeframe, since it isn't a RPG and they need teamwork, in addition to the nature of deathbringing as a war.
Leonard's fate will be discussed below, but I'll talk about Kalinin more. We all know that now he's with Amalgam, some may think he's a double-sided spy, but there're a possiblility that he's really with Amalgam: going with them even knowing those assaulting the mansion in MMD are TDD guys, and the coordinate of that supply depot mentioned in MMD04 is just *possibly* installed by him------it may be someone else. I also hope that he's just working with them for Amalgam's internal data, but no matter what he's one of the person whose death rate will exceed 90% in NOT, either being killed by Sousuke, or being shot in the back by Amalgam.

4. Amalgam: Destroyed? In MMD04, we all know that Amalgam is so hard to be *physically* destroyed because of its network-based structure. Initially they want to force Leonard to help them, but now he's unconscious, and are being attacked by Amalgam units. How to save him? So IMO his death rate will also exceed 90%, either by Sousuke, or assassinated by Mr Gold's agents.
Mr Gold had yet shown up, so it seems taht he can't be killed directly; but there's a huge possibility that he or recovered-and-controlled Leonard will board teh Verial and fight with Laevatein (based on the logic as a mecha show only, so it's uncertain). Still, because of Amalgam's structure, IMO the ending will end up something like Terminator 3 as an opened-ending. It seems suck, but Amalgam won't be destroyed simply by a "Final Battle", except Gatoh wants to destroyed his built-up fame, so this kind of ending will be quite possible.

5. Last point: Can Sousuke save Chidori? Will they return to Jindai? Since MMD, they appear as a kind of relationship which is "more than a friend, less than a lover but close to them" (or simply the breeder and the pet). Judging from most stories, a happy ending will be mostly-welcomed and common, but IMO it's hard to achieve. First, they don't even know where she is now (because they had lost the tracking of that helicopter already) so they have to investigate from the scratch. Second, IMO teh story of FMP is great because of its close-to-reality, it's comedic from teh start, but these few books are filled with deathly atmosphere, a feeling that far from having a happy ending. When I saw their admittion to another in MMD, I started to think that Gatoh purposefully wrote these lines when they can't see each other, and will kill one of them if they do. One should know that their embrace won't be so easy, someone in teh dark may give a shot, which is hurting.
For teh question about Jindai, other than "if one of them dies", it's important to know if Amalgam is completely immobilized. If they don't, there'll still lots of trouble even they go back there. Now the strong SU president aren't there, their classmates are probably taking their public exam (from my calculation), so teh point for them to go back is teh significance rather than any actual meaning. It's possible that Sousuke will save her, escort her back to school and leave------because he prepared not to go back there already.
I had prepared that FMP won't end happily.

[TigerII]

As long as there is an explosion, I don't care. I would prefer an ending with Kaname and Souske(All the othes could die for all I care), but at this point I just want an end.

Didn't somene say the author said the three Muskateers wouldn't die? That leaves Kanama and Tessa. Maybe Souske will have to choose one.

[DePana]

thx @ hunter..
but there is some hope for a happy ending..

ps: how can i make spoilers? ^^

[TigerII]

The yellow triangle with exclamation point in it.

[HunterSeeker]

Originally Posted by DePana

thx @ hunter..
but there is some hope for a happy ending..

ps: how can i make spoilers? ^^

Still, any kind of endings are possible. I'm just raising some possibilities.
Chidori hated sad endings, but hey, she isn't the writer the story.:P
And Gatoh is well-known as being a liar.

[UltimateKane99]

Originally Posted by HunterSeeker

Still, any kind of endings are possible. I'm just raising some possibilities.
Chidori hated sad endings, but hey, she isn't the writer the story.:P
And Gatoh is well-known as being a liar.

O_O I didn't know Gatoh was a liar. I knew that they broke a couple promises, but do they actually do it for fun?

However, there was a comment that I didn't quite get.

Spoiler for Laevatein:

Hunter said that most of the Laevatein's internal systems were pieces of junk. What does that mean? I can't read Japanese, but I'd really like to know! I also would like to know how the Laevatein gets into Sousuke's hands...

[Miles Teg]

Originally Posted by UltimateKane99

However, there was a comment that I didn't quite get.

Spoiler for Laevatein:

Hunter said that most of the Laevatein's internal systems were pieces of junk. What does that mean? I can't read Japanese, but I'd really like to know! I also would like to know how the Laevatein gets into Sousuke's hands...

Spoiler for Laevatein:

The electronic inside the Laevatein is at the level of a M6, no ECS, no missile countermeasure and only a proximity radar.

If I remember correctly : Al simply said to Wraith where Sousuke was, Wraith was surprised because nobody knows where Sousuke was but she has taken Al to that place and Sousuke was really here.

[UltimateKane99]

Spoiler:

Wait, so the tech of the Laevatein is actually sub-par? Because I thought the M6 was being phased out in exchange for the M9. Anyway, so Sousuke has to pilot a sub-par vehicle after spending 45 days in a hospital? Ouch. Is there anyway that he could still recover Chidori now? And what happened to Leonard? I heard that he was incapacitated or something. Does anybody know the specifics of that?

[Otakon]

Originally Posted by UltimateKane99

Spoiler:

Wait, so the tech of the Laevatein is actually sub-par? Because I thought the M6 was being phased out in exchange for the M9. Anyway, so Sousuke has to pilot a sub-par vehicle after spending 45 days in a hospital? Ouch. Is there anyway that he could still recover Chidori now? And what happened to Leonard? I heard that he was incapacitated or something. Does anybody know the specifics of that?

maybe the premises for the title?

maybe they upgrade the internal components of the Laevatein and he becomes even more capable. and of course trains on how to use all the systems :P

[UltimateKane99]

well, I hope that you are right. However, I would like to know what happened to Leonard... I keep hearing rumors, but I don't know anything.

Edit: Bye the way, Ravyn hasn't updated their LJ in over a month. Does anyone know if they are still OK? They have kept a pretty consistent update record of at least once a month, so I find it more than a little strange that they haven't updated at all...

[Theman]

Originally Posted by UltimateKane99

Spoiler:

Wait, so the tech of the Laevatein is actually sub-par? Because I thought the M6 was being phased out in exchange for the M9. Anyway, so Sousuke has to pilot a sub-par vehicle after spending 45 days in a hospital? Ouch. Is there anyway that he could still recover Chidori now? And what happened to Leonard? I heard that he was incapacitated or something. Does anybody know the specifics of that?

Here is an excerpt from TMMD

Spoiler:

Sousuke: Activate ECS. Invisible mode.
AL: Impossible.
S: Hum?
A: That's impossible, because there is no ECS on this machine.
S: What? How can that be?
A: Even if you ask me... Extreme output with capacity never seen before. Motor design that only focuses on power, and over-sized cooling system. Plus the Lambda driver. There is no space for unnecessary stuffs.
S: ............
A: Just so you know. This machine not only lacks ECS, it does not have ECCS, either. Only minimal Radar system is installed. There is also no anti-laser or anti-infrared measurement, so it is extremely vulnerable against missiles.
S: Hold on a second. Isn't that like a Savage?
A: Well, it is still better than a Savage, but probably not much better compared to a M6.
S: How in the world is this possible?

Sousuke finally noticed that the monitor in front of him is almost entirely blank, with lot of empty space that used to be occupied by all the readings on a M9. The optical sensors are the same top-notch ones like the M9, but everything else is barebone. How can someone expect to survive in the modern warfare with such a low level of technology?

A: Well, it was really fortunate that we met Kurz and Mao earlier. With teamwork and information-sharing, no weakness is too big to overcome. Work harder, Mr.Sergeant.
S: .... I think there is still unnecessary part left.
A: What are you referring to?
S: YOU! I should rip you off, throw you into a trash can, and install ECS instead.
A: That's nonsense. Without me, this machine is just an overweight M9 with many flaws. If you are okay with that, please do as you please.
S: !@#$$%^

[keleos]

Hi everybody! First of all, I'd like to wish you all a happy new year!
I've been following this thread for over a month, and I spent the last 3 days reading it, so now I'm up to date! I'd like to say thank you to each and everyone who's posted here!

Originally Posted by UltimateKane99
Bye the way, Ravyn hasn't updated their LJ in over a month. Does anyone know if they are still OK? They have kept a pretty consistent update record of at least once a month, so I find it more than a little strange that they haven't updated at all...

I really hope Ravyn updates soon, but didn't she say she needed encouragment to keep translating BOF? I know that was about 2 moths ago, but perhaps she hasn't gotten over it yet.... darn, I really wish I knew Japanese!!


soooooo.... are we really getting the whole NOT novel on feb 20?
I don't know if I want to be really happy or really sad about it
*hopes for a happy ending!*

[Masanori Ota]

FMP Sigma chapter 3 is out, thought I'd let you guys know. You know where to find it.

[Jehuty77]

Originally Posted by Theman

Here is an excerpt from TMMD

Spoiler:

Sousuke: Activate ECS. Invisible mode.
AL: Impossible.
S: Hum?
A: That's impossible, because there is no ECS on this machine.
S: What? How can that be?
A: Even if you ask me... Extreme output with capacity never seen before. Motor design that only focuses on power, and over-sized cooling system. Plus the Lambda driver. There is no space for unnecessary stuffs.
S: ............
A: Just so you know. This machine not only lacks ECS, it does not have ECCS, either. Only minimal Radar system is installed. There is also no anti-laser or anti-infrared measurement, so it is extremely vulnerable against missiles.
S: Hold on a second. Isn't that like a Savage?
A: Well, it is still better than a Savage, but probably not much better compared to a M6.
S: How in the world is this possible?

Sousuke finally noticed that the monitor in front of him is almost entirely blank, with lot of empty space that used to be occupied by all the readings on a M9. The optical sensors are the same top-notch ones like the M9, but everything else is barebone. How can someone expect to survive in the modern warfare with such a low level of technology?

A: Well, it was really fortunate that we met Kurz and Mao earlier. With teamwork and information-sharing, no weakness is too big to overcome. Work harder, Mr.Sergeant.
S: .... I think there is still unnecessary part left.
A: What are you referring to?
S: YOU! I should rip you off, throw you into a trash can, and install ECS instead.
A: That's nonsense. Without me, this machine is just an overweight M9 with many flaws. If you are okay with that, please do as you please.
S: !@#$$%^

LMAO @ the Excerp from TMMD

My guess is because the Laevatein lacks alot of the new technology it will make Sousuke trainer harder and become a superior pilot in an outdated machine. In essence the lack of this equipment will make him better because he will learn to deal with these issues without the fancy extras of the M9.

Thats just my theory and throwing it out there.

[UltimateKane99]

... Why does he even need any of that stuff? If he's got an oversized cooling system and his Lambda Driver, what could he possibly need anything else for? Missile comes, blown away by Lambda. Cooling system cools Lambda. Rinse, repeat, insert impossible action scene, Sousuke is now unkillable. I can't see the electronic warfare being of any use if all he has to do is blow up enemies. He could probably blow a platoon of AS away if he has such a powerful system. Besides, he's getting a ton better at controlling it. He was pretty much invulnerable until Leonard came with his ridiculous system.

Spoiler:

Remember Leonard's mech? Leonard is supposed to have the ultimate control over the "omnisphere," right? Anyway, I have two questions. First off, I found a picture which would be pretty suggestive. I don't know if it is in any of the novels that have been released yet, but I am kind of worried about it. Can anybody verify if that is Leonard, and, if it is legitimate and that's Leonard on top of Chidori, what happened?

The web page title says that it's from TMMD, but I wouldn't know enough about this to tell whether or not it's from TMMD.


Second, I was wondering what happened to Leonard. I keep hearing that he's incapacitated, something that Mr. Gold (I think) was talking about, but I don't know the specifics. What happened to him?

Anyway, I'm sorry to keep asking these questions, but I am REALLY curious, since I don't know Japanese. I've picked up a couple (5) books that are commonly used to teach Japanese, so I'm going to try and teach myself the language. It'll be interesting. :P My English literacy will probably drop dramatically.

[Miles Teg]

The image is from the 7th part of MMD when the novel has been serialized.

Spoiler for MMD part7:

1. Sousuke lands near the mansion where Chidori is, that's for sure.
2. It seems that Leonard decides to leave the mansion with everyone else.
3. In the process, Chidori teases him about him that he "never discloses his secret to anyone that can be caused due to lack of parents' love", which make him furious and pushes her onto the bed.
4. At the moment, we saw Leonard's sad past (forgot the name of that method): In the past, when an unknown group of killers come to their house and try to kill everyone, his mother gave Leonard to the attackers when they pointed their weapons to her(It seems that they're coming for Tessa as well, but she was hidden into a box nearby). We also got to know that their mother had slept with one else.
Note: From the words of Leonard, it seems that even Tessa didn't know anything about this event. However, he insisted he did all sort of things before by his own will, and he said "being betrayed by the family or partners are even more painful than being killed". He showed this to Chidori just because he wants to disclose some of the secrets of his to others.

Spoiler for MMD part9:

Leonard give a choice to Kaname, she shoot him and go to Sousuke or she don't shoot and become his thing. Kaname is unable to shoot and when Leonard take the gun Kaname accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Leonard head but he isn't dead. Kaname is unable to leave him dying like that.

It's true that with the LD most of the electronic in the ARX-8 is not really useful but Sousuke activate the LD only when he need it. If he don't know a missile is going to hit him he won't be able to react in time.

I think that the author has decided to remove some of the electronics in the Laevatein to put Sousuke in a situation where he has to work in a team, right now he can't do an infiltration with the ARX-8 because of the lack of ECS, on a battlefield he could be shot down by a missile if he don't have another unit to give him the situation and the worst thing is that if an enemy pilot simply start using the ECS he will be unable to find him except if someone give him the position of that unit using the ECCS.

But Sousuke could do exactly what AL said simply use a data-link between the different M9 to replace the electronic that the ARX-8 lack. The data-link used by the M9 is very efficient for example in COMO Mao was able to control 10 M6 without to much trouble.

[DePana]

http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost...postcount=2163

open the second spoiler and then at MMD07 the third 3.
In the process..... etc
^^

[UltimateKane99]

IT'S ALL CLEAR NOW! Thank you Miles. I've been dying to know what happened to Leonard for ages now. Thanks for all the help.

Edit: Just finished reading the MMD spoiler. Thank you guys so much for all the work you guys put into it. Also, there's another point as to why the Laevatein is virtually unstoppable. Extra appendages for the AI? Dear God. It's as if the Laevatein has two pilots. You can't stop that sort of machine. Even the Behemoth-i falls at its hand with ease.

[HunterSeeker]

Originally Posted by Miles Teg

It's true that with the LD most of the electronic in the ARX-8 is not really useful but Sousuke activate the LD only when he need it. If he don't know a missile is going to hit him he won't be able to react in time.

I think that the author has decided to remove some of the electronics in the Laevatein to put Sousuke in a situation where he has to work in a team, right now he can't do an infiltration with the ARX-8 because of the lack of ECS, on a battlefield he could be shot down by a missile if he don't have another unit to give him the situation and the worst thing is that if an enemy pilot simply start using the ECS he will be unable to find him except if someone give him the position of that unit using the ECCS.

But Sousuke could do exactly what AL said simply use a data-link between the different M9 to replace the electronic that the ARX-8 lack. The data-link used by the M9 is very efficient for example in COMO Mao was able to control 10 M6 without to much trouble.

However, I believe that data link system is just for controlling unmanned weapons, as COMO suggested that with this system, the master unit can control anything, from tanks to AS. And some sort of receiver should be on the controlled unit IMO, and if such kind of space/weight is available on Laevatein, it can just mount another kind of electronics.

But I agree that it's intentional to make Laevatein super-powerful but lack of such stuff is to promote their squad battle instead of a OMFGWTFBBQHAXPWN unit to finish all stuff. FMP=/=recent Gundam series, afterall.