Kiddy Grade (キディ・グレイド)

As all of you already know, 162 years ago,

in Star Century Zero-One-Sixty-Five,

the Global Union was officially formed.

At the same time,

the Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs,

or G.O.T.T., was also created.

Its initial purpose was to provide an impartial mediator...

No trouble at all, sir.

That's why we're here to help! Bye!

Check out the reception desk.

Is the G.O.T.T. hiring kids now?

I dunno. But that one on the left

looks like she could be in elementary school.

Yeah. She kinda looks like this girl

my kid brother used to have a crush on.

She was a real flake, though.

All right, boys! How about a little target practice?

Ugh! My night vision's shorting out!

Oh, it hurts. Somebody switch off my pain sensors.

Um, what just happened?

I had my eyes closed.

Taa-daaah!

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the main office of the G.O.T.T.!

We hope you all enjoyed watching today's demonstration,

A little crime prevention drill we like to call

"Lowlifes In The Lobby"!

Please bear with us while we clean up the mess.

And enjoy your visit to the G.O.T.T.

So, that was all just an act? But it seemed so real.

Excuse me, Miss?

I sincerely apologize

if our demonstration startled you in any way.

But I assure you, there's really no need for concern.

These daily readiness drills are just one part

of our ongoing training at the G.O.T.T.

By being prepared for any situation,

we're better able to protect the

rights and freedoms of everyone in the galaxy.

It's about time for E-Shift, isn't it?

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have to go now.

But if you wait here,

someone else will be able to answer

all of your questions shortly.

Is there something I can help you with?

No, I'm... I'm alright.

Oh, good. You're here. The chief is waiting for you.

I made some tea.

You must be thirsty after all the excitement.

Not really. Besides, you know I'm not a big tea drinker.

Actually, I just ordered something

I think you might like a little better.

I'll let you try some

if you make it back from your next assignment.

What do you mean, if we make it back?

Right, I forget who I'm talking to. I meant "when".

Well in that case, when we get back,

I'll take you up on that. Thanks, Mer.

I'll have something for you too, Lumiere.

Maybe some of that 'grape juice' you like.

As always, you're too kind.

Come in. The door's open.

Well, our two brave receptionists,

Éclair and Lumiere.

Good work this morning.

But I hope you're ready

for something a little more challenging.

Planet Faunus?

Those greedy corporate raiders called us for help?

No.

So then, what is this about?

Did the Medeian government file another complaint?

Are they still complaining

that Faunus is exploiting them or something?

No. Neither side has filed suit at this time.

Still, the situation is such

that the Global Union feels intervention is necessary.

You will be working directly with us.

Meaning you want us to run

one of your shady errands for you, right?

As I said, your client is the Global Union.

I just happen to be their representative in this case.

So, in other words, the G.U. hopes to negotiate a settlement

between the two planets before the current tensions

can lead to war, correct?

Correct. Your assignment will be to escort Auditor Armblast

and his package safely to Planet Medeia.

What?!

A letter of attorney? What is that?

Arbitration provisions

signed by the President of Faunus.

A bill acknowledging the transfer of authority

by the parliament.

And a letter of attorney from the G.U. ambassador,

among other things.

All in all, by means of this 182-page document,

I currently act on behalf of the government of Faunus.

Wow. Faunus must really be desperate.

In any case,

it's our duty to deliver him safely to Mediea

and ensure that the arbitration proceedings begin.

That should be our only concern.

Hey, wait.

You don't suppose that attack on the lobby

this morning had anything to do with this, do you?

Maybe it had something to do

with your last mission.

If I had to guess, I'd say it has more to do

with the assignment we'll receive next week.

You're kidding, right?

Just making a point.

According to probability, it's more likely to suppose

it had nothing to do with us at all.

They could have just as easily

been looking for any of the other members.

Those cyborgs were constructed from a jumble of parts,

in order to make them difficult to trace.

But a spectral analysis of their packing gel does match

that used by the Medeian Special Forces.

So they're from Medeia?

Or perhaps that's what someone on Faunus wants us to think.

They could have easily disguised these-

Okay, so your point is we just don't know. I get it.

Then if all we have to do

is take this guy to see the Prime Minister of Medeia,

let's just do it and get it over with.

Thank you very much, ladies.

I look forward to the pleasure of your company.

Don't do that!

Didn't I make myself clear enough last time?

I must have forgotten.

Yeah, right!

Flight Two-Zero-Four- Five-Three-Four-Three,

S-2 Cruiser La Muse, you are clear for departure

in linear shaft Number Three.

Thank you, Control.

Huh. Not much traffic today, is there.

Now why can't it always be this easy?

What's that?

You G.O.T.T. dogs aren't goin' anywhere!

Wirbelwind, activate the inertial drive.

We're making an emergency separation

from the linear track.

Fire on my mark.

Amateurs. When the inertial drive is engaged,

it creates a gravity distortion around the ship.

They forgot to compensate.

Yes, well that's why I'm riding with you.

Now let's go out with a bang, shall we?

You could try to be a little more elegent.

They got away!

I've plotted our new trajectory.

Now accelerating to escape velocity.

Next stop, Planet Medeia.

I've just received word

that Éclair and Lumiere have departed safely.

Best of luck, you two. And be careful.

I don't want to lose either one of you again.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the view you currently have on your monitor

is that of the magnificent Faunus space fleet.

It's rare to see such a concentration

of military might on display,

but this is the latest effort

on the part of the corporate planet Faunus

to improve interstellar commerce,

by protecting the galaxy's main artery for trade and travel,

the warp gate.

The wheels of the propaganda machine are turning.

"Improving interstellar commerce" my foot.

That's their corporate double-talk

for imposing an economic blockade on Medeia.

They're not even letting food shipments get through.

Hey. It's sad for Medeia,

but I don't want to be unemployed because of it.

Sellin' out to the man.

We still cannot determine

who was responsible for yesterday's bombing

of the air circulation system.

And our public service organizations have nearly

exhausted their supplies of food and medical provisions.