Area 88 Act I: The Blue Skies of Betrayal

Shin...

Are you flying even now

in that sad blue sky?

Wings of the Desert

heading 2 o'clock from southern division point 3B.

Formation of anti-government forces moving northward.

This is Shin Kazama, zero-zero section.

Repeat, this is Shin Kazama, zero-zero section.

There are four of them.

Wait for backup.

These are my prey. Nobody touches them.

That's the first one.

Area 88 Double-Echo,

this is Shin Kazama of zero-zero section.

I shot down three. The remaining one broke away.

All together that's $60,000.

Over and out. Returning to base.

Is there really a Japanese person here?

Shinjou!

So that's Area 88...

This is a no-photography zone!

For one bill, you can take one shot.

You're another one with oddball interests, huh?

Wanting to go all the way to the ends of the earth.

I go to photograph things that only exist at the ends of the earth.

What's that you say? Double-Echo, what does that mean?

Wild, as always.

Get me down there fast!

Clear out!

Don't show off! Hurry up and fly!

We're stuck behind you!

Hey you! My luggage!

They left.

Hey!

Only the blazing sun and the dry desert wind to greet me, huh?

No, that's wrong.

If you change this, it'll work better.

Hey!

Water...

Got any water?

Water...

Saved my life!

They said somebody from the media was coming sometime soon.

That you?

I guess so.

Kim, show him to headquarters, okay?

I don't want to! Why do I have to take him?

Because I'll discount the labor for this installation.

Guess I've got no choice.

Thanks, old man!

Who's that old guy?

Old McCoy?

He's an all-purpose merchant.

He'll get you anything from tissues to fighter planes.

That is, assuming you've got money.

Seems awfully kind then, considering.

Telling me to show you to headquarters?

Probably an investment for the future. The market here is tapering off.

As for your room, I'll have someone show you to it later.

I'm Saki Vashtar, the base commander.

S.O. News special correspondent Makoto Shinjou, it's a pleasure.

Nice camera. A Nikon? Could you show it to me for a second?

Sure...

Look at that, it sure is heavy.

What are you doing?!

We'll destroy this film you took without permission.

That's a harsh thing to do.

If you can't obey the rules here, you'll be leaving.

Cut me some slack. I saved up a lot of money just to come here.

I'm saying it for your sake.

This is a hot combat zone with a personnel loss rate of over twenty percent.

So that's what's tapering off.

Besides, the military's PR division chose on their own to give you clearance.

It wasn't my decision.

Since I'm already unpopular, I'll ask this too.

There's a Japanese pilot here, right?

I don't need to answer that.

They're back!

Thanks for the permission!

Leave my things here for me! Thanks a bunch!

What, he thinks I'm just gonna hand this over?

Welcome back, Shin.

Briefing after dinner.

They said everyone's to attend.

$60,000, Shin! Amazing!

Buy us a drink once in a while!

You're Shin Kazama, aren't you?

I finally get to meet you.

I heard rumors about you.

That a single Japanese person is in the Kingdom of Aslan's hot combat zone.

Battlefield photographer, huh?

Makoto Shinjou, it's a pleasure.

Hey, we're both Japanese, so let's be pals.

Why'd you come all the way out to a place like this?

I came to take a picture that only I can take.

Take good pictures then,

on the battlefield where we risk our lives.

Shin Kazama!

What are you, a Japanese person, risking your life for?

Our names are written with the same character. Mine is Makoto and yours is Shin.

Seems just a difference in pronunciation makes a person walk a very different path in life.

I won't get bored here.

Give me a lift too!

Ow, ow, ow...

Crawling with tanks.

They're jumpin' at the bait out there. Time to make some money!

I'm goin' out once more!

Old McCoy!

Yeah? Old McCoy!

Yeah?

Got any alcohol?

Sure do.

I have brandy or industrial-use.

You know the answer!

Brandy!

That stings!

I had shards dancin' around in my helmet!

Greg! You're good to go!

Right! I'm gone!

He's going already?

They make money when they can.