Amou!
Eight months have passed since the battle at the Oki Islands.
September 2061
During that time, the borders for each nation's territory in Japan had changed.
October 2061
November 2061
December 2061
Simply put, the NAC expanded its territory, calling them autonomous cities.
January 2062
February 2062
March 2062
April 2062
May 2062
The reason for their victories is clear.
The North American military won the autonomous AI race
and used them to great effect.
They worked well with existing manned and unmanned units,
and they had the track record to prove their usefulness.
The Asian, Oceanian, and Eurasian militaries
all began developing units with autonomous AIs,
but the North American military were a step or two ahead.
The borderlines of the Japanese Archipelago change day to day...
...regardless of what the Japanese citizens want.
In the year 2062, this is Japan's current situation.
Episode 14: Eight Months Later
Shion!
I see you! Over here!
My princess, stay on this course!
Okay!
Target locked, ready to open fire!
We are still fighting.
AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline
I see, so they got away.
Yes.
Everything's going as planned.
Are we really doing this?
Second Lieutenant Knox, do you eat your favorite dish first
or save it for last?
Sir?
I prefer to save it for last, and eat as much as I want.
Until I tire from it.
Thanks to autonomous AIs,
manned units can go to the frontlines more.
Wouldn't you want to savor it to your heart's content?
No signs of enemies within a 5km radius.
We shouldn't be attacked by anyone anytime soon.
They took some hits, too.
They'll likely come back after resupplying themselves.
Resupply, huh? Must be nice to have that luxury.
Complaining won't get us anything.
Good work, everyone. What's our status?
We got word that Tsukuyomi got through to Fukui prefecture.
Unfortunately, there are other groups and refugees nearby,
and we can't get in touch with them.
Your mission is to rescue people left behind due to the borderline change.
You'll need to move them outside the NAC's territory.
Security in the North American military
is tighter than the Asian's and Oceanian's.
The power of each Resistance member and refugee is small.
But united, we will become a force large enough to win back Japan.
We're counting on you.
--Of course! --Roger.
Roger!
Chairman, any word from Brenson Corp?
Nothing yet.
I have no new intel other than what Kei and Nayuta found before.
Before we lost contact with Brenson Corp,
there were some incidents and accidents overseas.
An industrial building in North Africa,
a gunpowder plant in Mideast, a business firm in France...
There are more,
but all these facilities have collapsed or exploded around the same time.
Not all of them may be connected,
but since we lost communication immediately after these incidents,
it's highly possible that they were owned by Brenson Corp,
and someone attacked them.
According to online rumors, the North American military is behind it.
Regardless, we're currently without Brenson Corp's support.
We have few AMAIM parts and supplies left.
Times are tough for us, but...
We'll continue to fight!
We'll fight and survive, to "protect the people" of tomorrow!
Tezuka...
Yes, you're right.
You're looking sharper than usual, Captain.
I look the same.
Seems like you're having fun.
I'm smiling to hide my nervousness.
It's a big task.
Yes, I'm presenting my opinion about the units with autonomous AIs
to government officials and the military top brass, as a field worker.
In other words,
our future budget depends on how well you do.
Charlie asked me to tell you to get the biggest budget you can.
I'll do my best to not fail him.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Damn the North American military!
Fall back! Fall back!
This way, hurry!
Hey, wait! Take me with you!
Run! Hide in the forest!
Group One, Group Two, head to Point C7 and F5 accordingly.
Group Four is through Point D8.
The meeting's finally adjourned...
You must be tired. It was a long one.
Six hours, nonstop. Really...
Charlie's waiting for you.
Captain, how'd it go? Did you get us a huge budget?
I don't know yet. There's another one tomorrow.
Anyway, how's the other project going?
Honestly, I wish it'd give me a break.
There's no way I can tame that thing.
I have my faith in the Development Agency. Do whatever it takes to succeed.
Creating a robot that can handle that thing is the key to future battles.
In that case, please get us that budget.
All right. I'll see you later.
Captain?
Is this what adrenaline feels like?
It feels like the tiredness I was feeling is gone.
So far, we're on course.
Ah, there it is.
What's wrong?
I thought I'd do some maintenance, too.
It may not be much, but...
It wouldn't hurt. This is an expedition.
We don't even have enough guards.
I wonder what happened to Ms. Misuzu after that day?
Mr. Muramatsu's trying, but he can't reach her.
I'm sure she has her reasons.
Like what? Family issues?
Do you think she got sick of us?
How would I know?!
You're right...
Gashin, for the last time... You need to learn how to speak to people.
Sorry...
I hope Mr. German and Ms. Misuzu are doing fine.
Yeah.
To be honest, I've had too much time on my hands.
Too much time to myself.
Ever since that day, I've tried to make a pot a few times.
But it never goes well. I can't focus.
I can't get my mind to stay on the clay.
I've never had this issue before...
That's why I came here.
Because I'll overthink if I'm alone, about all sorts of things...
You can quit, you know.
You don't have to stay just because you're Reiki's pilot.
It's one option--
I'm not quitting!
I want to bring back Himeno wares.
To do that, we need to get Japan back.
So, I won't quit.
That's my princess! You said it!
I, Angelo, will always stick by your side, my princess!
Gashin, wake up! We have company!
What?
--My princess, you need to wake up, now!
--Mmm, what? What is it? --My princess, you need to wake up, now!
Just wake up! You'll understand when you go outside!
Huh? All these people? Why?!
This isn't good...
We can still fight! Just give us some ammo!
We would if we weren't short ourselves.
Do you have any nursing covers?
And something that can be used as a diaper?
I'll go look.
Please wait here. I'll go talk to our leader.
I see, the nearby populace has gathered there...
Enemy front lines were scattered until today.
Now, they have us surrounded.
That's why there are more people now.
Right.
The enemy likely corralled them here.
Probably. By doing so, they can focus on one target.
We'll also grow in size, making it difficult to move.
How many people are gathered at your site?
35 resistance members and 86 refugees. 121 in total.
Hmm...
There are elders and children among the refugees.
Even if we did move, it wouldn't be fast.
We're low on food and I don't know how long it'll last.
I see.
I'm sorry, the enemies were on our tail, and we found ourselves here...
We fell into their trap.
Our combat vehicle's destroyed and we ran out of ammo.
But we don't want to hold you down!
If push comes to shove, we can be decoys!
If you could break out of their encirclement with the refugees, then--
No, that's not an option!
We're better suited as decoys!
With our AMAIMs, we can fight the enemy AMAIMs, and--
It's no good.
Jogan and Reiki aren't super-machines.
There's a limit to how fast we can move with so many refugees.
It's almost impossible for just the two of us to handle an entire army.
Worst case, we'll be flanked and taken down.
But, then, what do we do?
We won't be leaving anyone behind.
Let's think of a way to get through this.
That's what we're here for.
Yup, that's right.
We don't have much time.
Troops are moving in from Point 7.
They triggered the sensor in south-southeast, 12.5 klicks from here.
They're here.
Since they're regular military forces, they can't attack civilians.
Maybe we can use that to our advantage.
They're surrendering? How boring.
This is Captain Tony Blanc from Point 7, Unit 23 of the North American military!
Does that white flag mean you are surrendering?!
We will not surrender.
However, we have unarmed civilians with us.
Take them in as refugees, or let us take them to safety first.
Under military law, this negotiation is valid.
I know, but there's no guarantee that they're not terrorists themselves.
They won't be armed. You can even check their identities and belongings.
Hey, where are you going?! Come back!
In return, we ask for you to guarantee their safety.
Captain!
Quit pestering me. You want me to reach out to HQ for instructions, yes?
But under emergency situations, judgments made on the field take priority.
That's why we deploy manned units!
Don't be afraid.
I have a little job for you.
If you succeed, I'll grant you NAC citizenship.
Don't you want to escape poverty?
Wh-What's the job?
Oh, it's just a simple one.
When it's the right time, I just want you to cause a little ruckus.
That's all.
Your future depends on this one choice.
Live out the rest of your days in subjugation,
or switch sides and join those who take charge.
Let me contact HQ. Wait until I hear back from them.
All right.
What?
I'm not gonna fall for your lies!
A gun?!
They've opened fire! The enemy is hostile! Negotiations have fallen through!
All units, open fire!
Wait, we didn't--
It's no use, Mr. Kumai! We have to fight!
We need to run! Now!
Mr. Kumai, Mr. Masaki, please get the refugees out of here!
We'll draw the enemies' attention!
We owe you!
Enemy units are moving to the left!
Not if I can help it!
Please follow our instructions and evacuate, now!
This is a nightmare! It's chaos!
I did it... I did it, sir!
Huh?
Hmph.
Captain, that man...
Was a terrorist. So, I killed him. Is there a problem?
Elliot, you let this happen, so you've got blood on your hands, too.
Do you want to go to military prison with me?
I think you and I will be good friends. Very good friends.
Point I5 and I6 are under control.
Point Q9 is under control as well.
Alpha Unit is attacking Point M8.
Beta Unit has Point O6 under control.
How did this happen...?
We need to get to safety somehow...
I found the command unit! Is the data linked?!
Yes. We're taking it down now!
Going after the command unit is a common tactic.
Of course, we have countermeasures.
What's more, our military's autonomous AI
knows how to deal with small numbers of enemies.
It's accurate cover fire is preventing us from returning fire!
Don't push yourself, my princess!
The durability of armor and joints are decreasing!
But...
This deployment of units, and precision shooting...
This isn't the usual combat AI the North American military's been using.
Our location isn't helping, either.
We need to temporary fall back and regroup!
Boss! Are the civilians evacuated?!
Not yet! They're panicking from all the chaos!
Shion!
Crap!
From behind?!
Masaki?!
Dammit!
Can't we do anything?
Is there really nothing we can do?!
This signal...
Could it be...?
What is it?!
We're picking up a different signal! It's an unknown AMAIM!
What?!
A black AMAIM?
Is that...?
Impossible... It took down all those units in a split second...
Is that Kenbu?
Amou...?
Next on AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline
Is that AMAIM Kenbu?
Yes, there's no mistake.
We're picking up Gai's signal, too.
I'm so glad... Amou's alive!
But we're not out of the woods yet. Keep your guard up.
There's something different about Gai and Amou, too...
Episode 15: Reunion
See you in the next episode!