Kuromukuro (クロムクロ)

A few days ago, another battle between large geoframes took place in the main Kurobe River gorge.

Fortunately, there were no casualties,

and the pilot of the invading unit surrendered.

He's being held in the UN's Kurobe facility, but they have not released an official statement as of yet.

Say, the captured alien spoke Japanese, right?

Yeah.

People at school are saying you might be one of them.

No, they are the enemy.

R-Right?

I admonished the riff-raff and told them to speak no more of that nonsense.

Forgive me, Lady Koharu.

I caused you needless worry.

Fret not! We are bound by friendship, are we not?

Thank you.

It looks a lot like Kennosuke's sword.

He said that his was stolen from the enemy, right?

Yeah, looks like it's made from the same material.

But this one appears to be much newer than Kennosuke's.

What the hell is this?

His cell nuclei contain 22 pairs of autosomes

and one pair of allosomes.

Just like humans, then?

Yes.

There's one major difference, though.

It seems like a neural interface of sorts has been installed in his cervical vertebrae.

Just like Kennosuke, then?

Can't be sure without running further tests.

Honestly, dissecting him would be best.

Nah.

Specialist staff from the UN will arrive shortly.

He'll be spending most of his time in questioning.

Is that so?

Very well, then.

I brought them, Major.

We've been waiting for you.

I'm Carrie Dunham of the UN's ET Research Bureau.

And I'm Heath Kingsley, likewise.

I'm Graham, and I'm in charge of security here.

And this is...

Shirahane, the director. Pleased to meet you.

As are we.

April 15, 2016, 2:32 PM.

Commencing questioning.

We'll now ask you a few questions.

Would you mind answering them?

I believe I surrendered according to your planet's customs.

You're free to do with me as you please.

Ask me anything you like.

First, state your name and affiliation.

My name is Fusnarnie.

I'm a Frontier Reform Officer in Efidolg's Gezon-Reco squad.

Is "Efidolg" the name of your home planet?

It isn't. We are all part of Efidolg.

What do you mean?

Is Ouma still troubled?

No, I have to find out for myself.

So he managed to confess,

and now he needs to figure out how she feels?

But knowing who I'm up against, will I receive the answers I seek?

Well, you'd have to set the mood and make it easy for her to tell you.

If not, what is my plan of attack?

Wh-What? You can't attack her!

You've got to start by sincerely laying your feelings out bare,

like, "My feelings haven't changed since the other day,"

or something like that,

and then—

Lady Marina?

U-Uh, how should I put it...

O-Oh, I know!

Have you heard of the saying, "You scratch my back, I scratch yours?"

No, can't say I have.

I-It means something like, you're more willing to do things for others if they ask nicely.

It's also true the other way around.

People are more willing to do things for you if you ask nicely.

Okay, but what about it?

A-Anyway, you can't just attack them from the get-go!

Wasn't that Dad's?

I spot another lost lamb!

Marina?

I mean, Ms. Marina.

E-Er...

What's the matter? Why are you sighing?

O-Oh, it's nothing, really.

Well, you see...

They say that the more you sigh, the more happiness runs from you.

What? Really?

Yeah.

Then I guess my happiness has already run far away.

Oh...

Marina!

Are you serious, Akagi?

I've given this a lot of thought.

I mean, weren't you the one who was pestering me to submit my career plans already?

Well, yeah...

This is your only plan in life?

I get that you're enthusiastic, at least.

So, how do I become a GAUS pilot ASAP?

Let's see...

First, you'll have to go to college.

Considering the GAUS will be deployed in the JSDF eventually,

enrolling in the National Defense Academy would be your best bet.

Hold on a second.

I have to go to college?

I get that Sophie's a special case,

but even Ouma and Shirahane are riding in a geoframe already.

You know they got in through a special route.

Then I'll take that route too, thanks.

It's closed off to you.

Listen, the path you've chosen is a tough one.

It's as tough as trying to climb Mt. Tsurugi naked in the middle of winter.

Oh, I'll climb it, all right!

In my birthday suit!

No matter what mountain stands in my way!

Damn, you might set a new high score!

Cool.

Hell yeah!

Yeah, I'm awesome.

It's like I was born to be a pilot.

Uh, you know this game isn't anything like the real deal, right?

Is the real thing harder?

Only a handful of people are born with the ability to achieve their dreams through sheer talent.

And in my case, I was born with the ability to pilot, and nothing else!

Are we supposed to tell him he's being stupid?

Or should we praise him?

Crap, look at the time!

I gotta get going.

Already?

My old man got pissed about last time and set a curfew for me.

Damn, that's rough.

So yeah, see you tomorrow.

Later.

Akagi got wrecked.

I'm not in good nick today.

So this is the difference between a pro and an amateur.

Oh, I know.

Hey, Sophie. Give Akagi a message.

To Akagi?

What should I say, exactly?

Well, how about "come at me anytime"?

Get the fork out and stick it where the sun don't shine, please.

It's time, milady.

Very well.

Farewell.

Adieu.

Now to send this to Akagi.

That'll piss him off, for sure.

Where did you people come from?

Why bother asking?

I could tell you, but you'd never be able to go there.

How large are your forces?

Knowing that wouldn't help you one bit.

Our strength is absolute.

We have the duty of bringing prosperity to uncivilized planets.

You people should humbly accept our patronage too.

Patronage?

Are you saying you want to rule us?

Rule? I suppose that is an acceptable interpretation, yes.

The weak serve the strong. That is how the universe functions.

So why hesitate?

Actually, before all that,

I do not understand the point of you defying us.

Hey, the more you sigh, the more happiness runs from you.

You did it first.

Well, yeah...

Actually, I might've seen a demon.

What?!

W-Well, I think I saw one when I ran away the other day.

But maybe it was all just a dream or something.

Oh.

I haven't the time to play along with your fantasies.

What about you? Why were you sighing?

I have to meet that fellow and make sure.

That fellow?

The man who surrendered to us.

I've seen his face before.

What are you taking back here?

We are looking for the things our advance party left behind.

Advance party?