"U.S. East Coast--outskirts of Portsmouth"
I know I haven't been here in a very long time.
But I thought I should stop by.
After all, it seems like things are going to get rough.
Teletha.
I'm surprised to find you here.
I'm surprised, too. That you still remember Mom and Dad.
That's the problem.
Also, well... I thought maybe I could persuade you.
I see.
Isn't it time you stopped being stubborn? Just like old times, we--
Save your breath.
Because brother or not, you're my enemy now!
I can see you made up your mind.
Yes. Long ago!
But I'll let it go for today. Fowler?
Yes, Master Leonard.
Shall we go?
As you wish.
Good-bye, Teletha. And to him there, as well.
Captain, are you unharmed?
I'm fine. Let us withdraw.
Roger that.
This is Gebo 9. Descending at Point Golf.
Uruz 7, prepare for docking.
Uruz 7, roger.
I'm sorry, Mr. Sagara. I realize third semester is about to begin.
It's fine, ma'am.
"Eastern U.S."
Mr. Kurama. What brings you here?
"Episode 1 Zero Hour"
I was nearby. Thought I'd come see you.
Well, well.
I heard you were meeting with Mithril's witch.
My little sister?
Apparently that white AS was there, too.
Why didn't you take it out?
That would have made things easier from here.
Because it probably would have ended in a draw.
I imagine they were ready for us.
What about that Belial of yours? Isn't it invincible?
It's still being fine-tuned. We were short on time.
Isn't loyalty to the organization the thing you're short on,
Leonard Testarossa?
Well, time will tell.
I'm not going to hold back. I'll do what it takes to hunt them down.
Both Sousuke Sagara and the Chidori girl.
Do whatever you like.
Both Gauron and Gates played around too much. I won't.
Also, it's 58 hours until your predicted Zero Hour.
It's not prediction. It's foreknowledge.
It doesn't matter what it is. I'll just follow the plan of operation.
Just be sure not to get in my way.
He's an unpleasant man.
He's the serious type.
But I find him reliable, in that respect.
"Chofu, Tokyo"
"Student Council Room"
Let's see, those are the results of the ballot count.
"Student Council Room"
The next student council president will therefore be
Yui Morikawa of class 1-3.
All right!
--And that's everything! --Thank goodness!
"Ballot Box"
Which means now you're done
with your last big task.
You've done a fine job, Hayashimizu.
Thank you, Ms. Kagurazaka.
Looks like now, I, too, can graduate without any concerns.
Sure, now that your intended successor is in place...
Are you on your way
to becoming some famous politician who leaves his mark on history?
I doubt it.
I did have fun playing politician, though.
Is that so?
Excuse me.
So I'll post the election results tomorrow morning, right?
Please do. Well, everyone, that's all for today.
"Student council executive ballot results" "Kaoru Takasaki: 157" | "Ryoichi Sugiyama: 219" "Yui Morikawa: 249" | "Invalid: 128"
Yes, ma'am.
Good work, Kana-chan!
Thanks, Kyoko. And also, thanks for being on the election committee.
No sweat! It was a favor for you yourself, after all!
Yep!
But Kyoko, aren't you working part-time today?
Oh, that's right! I might be late!
Sorry, but I've got to go!
Take care!
See you!
Busy, busy.
Our student council duties are finally at an end.
I appreciate everything you've done, Chidori.
And I, you. I was never cut out to be vice-president, though.
I'm grateful to you, too, Sagara.
Thank you, Your Excellency!
Excellency, eh?
I won't be president after this week.
How do you intend to address me from now on?
"Your Former Excellency."
I'm honored, but why not simply call me "sempai" for now?
Understood, sir.
You two really do get along well.
That reminds me, Sempai. Are you ready for college entrance exams?
I think I'll be fine.
Provided I'm not involved in a traffic accident the day of.
Talk about confident...
And here, I'm not sure I'll get into college
even if I study this entire coming year.
Is that so?
I hear when it comes to science and math, you nearly get perfect grades.
Oh, pardon me.
Anyway, it's best to value one's own talents.
Th-That's true.
Well, time to get going. What about you, Sousuke?
Sure, I'll go.
Sagara, wait. I need to speak with you a bit. Would you mind?
I suppose it's been nine months since you transferred here.
Yes, sir.
A lot has happened. Strange incidents; dangerous incidents.
Yes...
I don't think you can keep it up.
Keep what up?
The life you now lead.
It's not a problem with you.
You've caused your share of disturbances, but with a little more learning,
you'll probably become a more or less normal guy.
The problem lies with her.
You mean, Chidori?
I looked into that hijacking a bit,
as well as the several incidents that followed.
It's her. She's at the center of all of it.
And at such times, what always happens is,
you're nowhere to be found, and a mysterious armed group shows up.
I've refrained from prying.
But I think it's only a matter of time before someone makes a fuss.
"Jindai Tokyo Municipal High School"
Well, I...
Soon, I will graduate.
I'll no longer be able to defend your mutual situation in my own roundabout manner.
I... like it here.
So do I. Everyone here is likable.
But if something happens, they'll become frightened and anxious.
And they'll become cruel.
So you're saying, go away?
I didn't go that far. Nor could I say it.
But I think you and she should discuss this.
This is just a school. Nothing more than a way station.
Way station?
Although it is easy to forget,
life will go on from here for decades.
Whoops, that ends our conversation. I'm keeping someone waiting, myself.
And so, all of a sudden Shiori's boyfriend says he wants to break up.
Uh-huh.
Things got all messy,
and then somehow it came down to me phoning her boyfriend.
Uh-huh.
Then when he told me the situation,
I knew it was just a terrible misunderstanding...
Uh-huh.
Okay, look! What's gotten into you?
Are you sad your student council job is over or something?
No, it's... It's nothing.
It's not nothing.
Never mind.
--Chidori. --What?
Let's hold hands.
Huh?
You don't want to?
It's n-not... that I don't want to...
Okay then.
I-I just don't know.
I don't know either.
It's sudden... Strange...
You're right. Maybe it is strange.
Well then.
Listen! Want to come have some food?
You're sure?
Uh, well, yeah. I have plenty of ingredients, and...
...you and I could have a job celebration party.
C-Celebration party.
Yeah. That might... be nice.
H-Huh.
S-Sorry. I'll have it right open.
It's okay. Let's let go briefly.
Y-Yeah.
"Chidori"
In we go.
Yeah.
You!
What's the matter, Sousuke?!
Why'd you--
Welcome home, Kaname Chidori.
Don't move! Slowly raise both hands and stand up. If you don't obey--
You'll gun me down, right? It's the same old diplomatic etiquette.
Give it a rest. I don't want to say the same thing to you.
What do you mean?
I mean this.
The world's smallest AS, the Alastor.
I think you'd have a tough time against them, with your gun.
We'll see!
Are you done now? I came here tonight to talk.
Bastard...
I-I don't know what the big idea is,
but you can march yourself right out of my apartment!
But I'm here to talk to you.
That's no concern of mine!
Get lost!
Hold on, now. It's a simple matter.
Could you get your things together and come to my place?
Say what?
I assure you, you'll be treated with courtesy.
You'll be safe, well-off, and reasonably free.
Huh?! I don't know what you mean.
Really? I think I explained it well enough.
A-Are you making fun of me?!
Then perhaps I should put it this way.
My organization has decided to get serious.
Meaning what?
Mithril has done too well.
My organization, Amalgam, keeps losing to you guys.
It's causing problems here and there.
Of course. And we're going to keep causing you problems.
What I'm saying is, you've gone too far. Now our policies have changed.
We will crush Mithril. We'll take the Whispered by force.
By force? You mean me?
That's right. Amalgam is already contemplating securing you,
even if it means getting rough. Do you understand?
Y-You mean...
You'd even turn this town into a sea of fire?!
As things stand, yes.
Now do you fully realize why I've come here?
To persuade me before it happens?
Yes. Because I love you.
You have the nerve to--
Hold on, Sousuke!
What for?
Just do it...
That's kind of you, but I happen to like my current life.
And more importantly, I would never go with you!
I hate your guts!
That's cold.
Are you still angry about what happened?
Didn't you hear me?!
But you said you'd forgive me.
Get lost!
I'll say this in closing, Kaname Chidori.
You're a chosen person.
Yet it's your wish to let ordinary people boss you around?
Stop it.
You must have noticed by now. Those around you are hopelessly stupid.
Get out!
I will, then. Now you've been warned.
Oh, also... Sousuke Sagara.
What?
Casual investigation revealed you've killed over a hundred people.
Yet here you are, leading this kind of life.
Isn't that a little unfair?
Just saying.
Good-bye.
Chidori...
S-Sorry.
Let's not worry about what a guy like him says.
Yeah...
Understood, Sergeant Sagara. Try to hold out until tomorrow morning.
"Merida Island"
We'll send a helicopter to meet you.
Tomorrow morning? Lieutenant Commander Kalinin,
in this situation there's no telling when they might attack!
All the more reason. We can't use normal channels.
Communications will hereafter be kept to a minimum.
Understood, sir. Uruz 7, signing off.
I suspected this would come someday.
But not in this fashion.
It was just a matter of time.
Yes.
Shall we dispatch the helicopter the usual way?
No. We will send the Arbalest along, too.
The Arbalest, ma'am?
For safety's sake.
An M9 would suffice.
Without Sergeant Sagara, the Arbalest is no different from an M9.
There's no reason to withhold it.
Understood, ma'am.
Sergeant Sagara said they'd gotten serious.
Has the enemy lost their composure?
I don't know. But I expect they are annoyed.
I hope that's all it is.
Captain.
I've reached Admiral Boorda at Tactical Headquarters in Sydney.
Put him on.
What is it, Captain?
Admiral Boorda, sir.
Leonard Testarossa made contact with Kaname Chidori.
Is she safe?
Sergeant Sagara has her secured.
It's just that, according to Leonard, the enemy organization...
There's been a shift in Amalgam's policies.
What sort of shift?
To become more aggressive. We need to be alert.
True, there have been some disquieting developments.
Something odd is going on with Intelligence,
and I haven't been able to contact Lord Mallory since yesterday.
Is your location secure, sir? Perhaps you should evacuate.
"Sydney"
Good point.
We'll relocate... backup HQ... suburbs.
Merely... caution's sake, in the... event of emergency.
Admiral? I'm having trouble hearing you.
Teletha? This noise is terrible.
What's happening with the connection?
Sir, please evacuate. Something is amiss. As quickly as you can...
Hurry it up! This has never happened before!
Uncle? Evacuate!
Hurry and reconnect!
Line A, Line D, Line V... All lines have gone silent!
It's possible there was an EMP attack.
A large number of devices
--What's going on?! --have ceased functioning.
--No, we'll look into that later. --Just a moment.
--No, we'll look into that later. --This is on a global scale, and--
--Evacuate immediately! --This is on a global scale, and--
Bombing successful. Commence Zero Hour.
I repeat, bombing successful. Commence Zero Hour.
All standard lines are down.
Tactical Headquarters is not responding.
Warning radar, weather radar, and other sensors are offline!
Currently trying to determine the cause!
Could there have been an EMP attack?
It resembles one, but this is an ongoing phenomenon.
It's inconceivable that it could be a man-made electromagnetic pulse.
What do you think?
All I can say is that we must remain alert.
Lieutenant Commander?
Mr. Kalinin?
No, I am of the same opinion.
Sound the alarm. Yellow 1.
Yes, ma'am. Initiating Yellow 1 alert.
Alert, Yellow 1. Alert, Yellow 1.
The base has apparently
come under electronic attack.
All personnel, stand by on alert at your designated posts.
This is not a drill.
I repeat, this is not a drill.
Alert, Yellow 1. Alert, Yellow 1.
--An attack? What attacked us? From where? --The base has apparently
--An attack? What attacked us? From where? --come under electronic attack.
I don't know. Anyway, we're on standby.
Damn.
What, you scared?
No, you in that uniform. Damn!
I just thought I'd get used to wearing it,
now that I'm a second lieutenant. Quit staring.
Aw, man!
"Chofu, Tokyo"
Uruz 7 to Merida Island HQ. Respond.
"Global disruption of communications; widespread disorder"
This is Uruz 7. Merida Island HQ, respond.
Damn. It's been six hours now.
What time is it?
It's past six. Did you get a little sleep?
Yeah. What about you?
No problem.
Liar. You haven't slept, have you?!
I understand we can't stay at the apartment,
but how long do you plan to drive around in this thing?
Just be patient until we rendezvous with Mithril's transport chopper.
When will it come?
I don't know.
I haven't been able to contact HQ since last night. Or Wraith.
The communication network's been disrupted.
"No reception"
Same with my phone.
Phones are a mess,
but satellite connections are in especially bad shape.
But we can ensure your safety if you can just take refuge
at the Merida Island base.
Take refuge at the base...
That's right.
Eat some. This might turn into a long haul.
You really do like these things.
Don't we have any tea or anything?
Make do with water.
Hey!
Great...
Hey, listen. We will get to come back, right?
Well...
What?
Nothing.
The enemy is more fixated on your abilities than we could imagine.
You mean the whole Whispered thing? But that power's so vague.
It's not vague.
Hayashimizu was saying yesterday how you score perfectly on math and science tests.
This is not a normal thing.
That might be true, but they're just high school tests.
You're right.
But someday, you might find yourself solving the toughest problems in the world.
I'll just hide it, then!
There's no hiding it now. Amalgam knows.
Then what should I do?
Mithril has Tessa... I mean, the captain.
She apparently has the same power.
I'm sure she'd welcome you if you went there.
Me? But I'm not amazing like Tessa. Besides, I can't help out in a war.
War...
You're right. There's no way we can fully rely even on Mithril.
Your concerns are justified.
I still have school, anyway, and all my friends are here.
Or maybe I'm in no position to talk like that. Sorry.
I'm well aware your life here is important to you.
Same here. We've been living it together, after all.
But...
Chidori.
Maybe you and I should just...
No, never mind.
Okay.
Gebo 9 to Uruz 7. Can you hear me, Uruz 7?
Gebo 9 is currently at an altitude of 3000m over Kawasaki.
It's from the chopper.
Uruz 7 to Gebo 9. You're garbled, but I can hear you.
Uruz 7, confirmed.
Notify me of your current position.
Gebo 9, Uruz 7 is currently on standby at LZ Echo.
Kaname Chidori is here, too.
Gebo 9, roger.
Good, looks like we're finally at a range where a signal will reach.
Gebo 9, I'm unclear on the situation. What's happening?
It's wide-scale radio interference. Tactical HQ in Sydney got taken out.
Other bases appear to be under attack as well.
Say what? What's become of the Merida Island base?
I don't know.
I'm at least going to pick you two up, so secure the landing zone.
Roger that. Current conditions at the LZ are...
Get down low.
Enemies.
Gebo 9. Uruz 7 is in the process of being surrounded.
I count... at least five of those Alastor types.
And at least... eight armed enemy combatants. I'll attempt an escape.
Gebo 9, roger. Do what you can to get through this, Sousuke.
Five minutes should do it.
I'll try. Signing off.
Sousuke?
I'm sorry, Chidori.
Looks like it's going to be a long five minutes.
"Episode 2 Damage Control"
Next time: "Damage Control."