Vexille (Bekushiru: 2077 Nihon sakoku) (ベクシル 2077日本鎖国)

Early 21st century.

Worldwide, the robotics industry is undergoing urgent development.

By the year 2050,

Japan is the leader in robotic technology and manufacture.

From consumer electronics to weaponry,

in everything robotic they monopolize the market.

However, as the technology for androids

and parts to extend human life reach realization,

the international situation makes an about-face.

Just as with nuclear development and biotechnology,

by way of a strict accord, regulations are established by the U.N.

Japan protests and resists these regulations to the end,

but the decision will not be overturned.

In protest, Japan withdraws from the U.N.,

choosing to embark upon the unsparing road of "high-tech national isolation".

2067. Japan uses its high technology to complete perfect national isolation.

This year they welcome their tenth year.

The thoroughness of an information quarantine policy

shrouds the entire country in a veil of secrecy.

Naturally, in these ten years,

not one single foreigner has seen the true face of Japan.

My schedule is ruined.

Your family has already left Washington for Denver.

Don't the Japanese understand Christmas?

Dragging us out in the mountains...

It seems the British, French, and Russians have come as well.

Final stand-by. We go in on my mark.

What unsavory work on such a day.

Our colleagues are probably just reaching the peak of the Christmas party.

If you want to eat Mom's cake,

we'll just have to wrap this up quickly.

Without exception, all evolutionary theory

throughout the world comes to the same conclusion.

As this conclusion has been derived from the world, surely,

one could say it is the future at which humanity is soon expected to arrive.

If we at Daiwa Heavy Industries have your endorsement in this matter,

please answer with a round of applause.

I suppose you can't...

The primary target is Saito of Daiwa Heavy Industries.

We're working on a tip-off. It might be a trap.

Keep your eyes open.

I said we wouldn't need them, so why did we bring so many robots?

Beats me. Ask the chief...

They're the latest Daiwa models.

Latest or not...

...I dislike mechanical lumps!

SWORD?

Maria?

Don't stand in my way!

Damn!

Don't leave behind any bodies.

What's with this treatment!?

What's SWORD doing here?

Hey! Answer me!

Who do you think I am?

I won't soon forget this!

Leon!

It's a flagrant violation of international treaties.

Which ones?

They ignored just about every one.

Which part is metallic?

Well, it's bio-metal.

Is it possible the leg was the only robotic part?

I hope that's the case.

His bio-signature has been validated.

I can't deny the possiblity it was added afterwards.

Is such a thing possible?

It is impossible for us.

So, are you saying that this level of android is standard for Japan now?

If that's true, it's a threat rivaling nuclear technology.

Damn. You mean Saito's an android?

Either way, legal or not,

it's technology that doesn't exist in America.

It will require an extensive amount of time to analyze the evidence.

This reminds me of San Pedro last month.

Hey.

Zack!

Even with all the people living in this city

we only talk to people with this badge or our computers.

It's not just this city.

It's the age we live in.

Anything from Irene?

Not since she left.

Sorry...

By the way, heard anything about San Pedro from Leon?

Really...

Did the info for the mission come from San Pedro?

Yes. Not that there's any reason to keep it hidden.

"Daiwa"

Is it really necessary for us to be on guard duty?

Seems they contain the latest robotic soldiers from Japan.

But any enemy will generally have them as well.

The battlefield is a showroom for things made in Japan after all.

That's why I think Japan should be handled like a growing tumor.

Surely it won't be long before they're forced to pay.

Cease pursuit and withdraw immediately.

You've got to be kidding.

I repeat, cease pursuit immediately.

This is our turf.

Zack!

Hey, watch out!

SWORD...

December... 23rd... Mt. Filar...

A meeting... Beware...

Maria...

Leon had complete faith in what the fugitive said and wouldn't turn it over.

But even now I can't believe it was an android.

Functionally?

You couldn't tell it wasn't human by appearance alone.

Is there a possibility it was?

There was absolutely no bio-signature.

But those eyes...

The results of the autopsy?

Due to political pressure,

the android was returned to Japan that very same day.

In the end they weren't even able to touch it, let alone perform an autopsy.

I see.

Maria...

For ten years Japan has been keeping quiet.

But since this mysterious behavior began last year,

to ignore them would be dangerous.

The purpose of the secret meeting on Mt. Filar is still unknown.

As the State Department has acknowledged,

the politician we'd apprehended has urgent official business

and was returned to work as of yesterday.

We've also received strong pressure from Japan

for the return of Saito's confiscated leg.

The result of our analysis,

the undetectable pseudo-organic metal composition of the leg,

the allocation of the affixed bio-signature,

leads us to the conclusion

that the likelihood of Saito being an android is exceedingly high.

Android development in disregard of the accord is a serious international crime.

Even with so much evidence in hand,

the White House is showing discretion to the end.

Any action that might even slightly

harm relations with Japan is forbidden at the present time.

However, it is clear they are moving forward with something.

Consequently, so that everything proceeds as usual,

our objective will henceforth be regarded as independent action.

No matter what happens, we will not be allowed American protection.

Nevertheless,

we must repel this menace facing the world with our own hands.

Our mission this time:

infiltration of Japan.

It is time to expose the true face of Japan,

which has been shrouded in secrecy these ten years.

These are images of Tokyo obtained ten years ago,

prior to their isolation.

As we know, at present Japan is under complete isolation.

Japan's largest corporation, Daiwa Heavy Industries,

has controlled everything in Japan from the economy to politics,

from several years before isolation.

It is our guess that they were the ones to press forward the issue of isolation.

Used in the realization of their perfect high-tech isolationism

is an electromagnetic network known as RACE.

RACE is comprised of 270 dedicated,

ocean-based antennas surrounding the entire nation.

As you know,

these filter all light and electromagnetic waves entering Japan

and entirely diffuse any outgoing signals.

Acting as a perfect barrier,

it affects correspondence from Japan,

not to mention satellite surveillance.

The mission this time is to penetrate the electromagnetic field

and transmit a special signal from inside to analyze the diffusion pattern.

If successful, it will enable us

to take direct photographs of Japan using a spy satellite.

The objective upon landing is to transmit the signal from Tokyo

a minimum of 3 minutes in order to situate the satellite.

The problem is the route of entry.

A "perfect wall"

equal to RACE guards all physical routes of entry by water and air.

It is impossible for the latest micro scouting devices,

let alone people, to sneak in.

After successful transmission of the signal,

the infiltration unit will explore further through Japan,

obtaining as much intelligence on Daiwa as possible.

Seventy-two hours later,

the team will be extracted from a predetermined location.

Commander Leon Fayden has volunteered to lead this hazardous mission.

Ten years ago, the Commander was dispatched to Japan heading up

an anti-terrorist unit assisting them with public safety concerns.

He remained after the closure of the border

until they commanded his deportation.

Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't want you to worry.

Not about volunteering, that you were in Japan!

I never had a chance to.

Is that really all?

Yes, it is.

Didn't want you involved...

Bring up the deck monitor!

This vessel is not damaged, whether by attack or accident.

An American freighter in adjacent waters has just exploded.

We're in the middle of investigating the cause.

To be sure, requesting emergency systems.

Freight inspections all complete.

They are safely through the border gate.

Entering area of communications blackout