Zegapain > 15.Reincarnation

Mizusawa: It feels like... something broke.

Kyo: Quantum computers... Infinite evolution... The I.A.L. Corporation... And Naga... Put 'em all together and you got the end of the world.

Fosetta: You won't believe what happened, Kyo!

Kyo: Ah! You're trying to give me a heart attack? You know, I'm kind of busy reading about what the hell happened to our planet.

Fosetta: Just forget about all that, Kyo. Ryoko's not dead!

Kyo: Hey! Is it true?! Kaminagi's still alive? Tell me if it's true! Where is she?! Where the hell is Kaminagi?!

Shizuno: She's inside the Altair.

Kyo: Ah? In our Zega?!

Shima: There are no guarantees. However, we might still be able to restore her.

Shizuno: We're salvaging remnants of her data. We sifted through yours the same way once.

Kyo: Uh?

Dita: Due to the transmission interference during the surprise attack on the Altair, it was assumed that Ryoko Kaminagi's data had been irrevocably lost. After all, Kaminagi's data never did make it transferred back to the Oceanus, however, it seems to have remained within the Altair's meta-body data buffer.

Fosetta: If enough of Ryoko's memory and personality survive the initial trauma, we can use her genetic data to create a new meta-body and install her within it.

Ricerca: Right now, we're trying to gauge how corrupted her data has become.

Kyo: That's her?

Kurashige: Mm... For you, Miss Mizusawa! These symbolize my feelings which I shall now explain. No. Maybe a lighter touch would be better. Mizusawa, the way I feel about you... Mm... This is hard! Miss Mizusawa?

Fosetta: Multidimensional holographic data analysis, complete.

Dita: There appears to be a high probability that Ryoko Kaminagi's data can be salvaged from what's left.

May-Yu: Really?!

May-Yen: That's great!

Ricerca: Now that we know, everyone on the bridge can cheer up again.

Minato: Yeah!

Shima: I wonder if she'll be any use to us in battle once we bring her back. All right. Halt all salvage efforts for now. Knowing that she can be salvaged is enough. Reallocate system resources to development. Completion of the Sparrow and the Holo-Bolt must remain top priorities.

Ricerca: Aye, sir!

Shima: Something you want to say?

Lu-Shen: It's... nothing.

Shima: Go right ahead. After all, your father was chairman of the Mao Enterprise Group, I.A.L. Corporation's main banker. Thanks to your people's efforts, humanity was able to escape into the quantum servers when we faced extinction.

Lu-Shen: Which is just another way of saying that we were the ones who led mankind to its destruction. Really sir, isn't it you who has something you want to say to me?

Shima: You act in accordance with your desires. They're dear to you. So much so that you knowingly go over my head in pursuit of them.

Lu-Shen: Do you mean how I went to Maihama? Or that I talked to Kyo?

Shima: Both, actually.

Lu-Shen: And how long would it have taken him to come around on his own? What I wanted or didn't want had nothing to do with it.

Shima: How selfless. It's no problem. For now, at least.

Mizusawa: This place... Where are we?

Mizuki: It's so cute! Ha, ha, ha.

Ushio: Hey. Know what I heard? This species of dolphin attacks people. Eats 'em, too.

Mizuki: Yeah sure, liar! Ha, ha, ha.

Ushio: Huh?

Mizuki: What's up?

Ushio: Haven't we done all this before?

Mizuki: Well, laugh at the stupid crap you say? We do that all the time.

Ushio: Huh, that's not what I meant, smart-ass. What I meant is -- haven't we come here before? No, I guess not. I've never been here before.

Mizuki: Huh?

Ushio: Hey, is this what they call deja vu? Or maybe I'm psychic now. That's awesome. How cool would it be if I could go around predicting what was... Ah! Like just then. I totally knew we were gonna fall in.

Mizuki: If you knew, why didn't you warn me?

Hayase: Mm... Come on, why isn't anyone else showing up?! They think we'll get to nationals by being lazy!?

Tomigai: Want some, Hayase? They're tasty.

Hayase: No!

Kurashige: Miss Mizusawa. Is something bothering you?

Mizusawa: Kurashige, I...

Kurashige: Yeah, I saw you rush off with that frantic look on your face and I wanted to go and calm you down, but... Well, I can't seem to leave the school grounds. Any idea what's up with that?

Mizusawa: Oh, Mr. Kurashige!

Kurashige: Mizusawa...

Mizusawa: I don't get it. It doesn't make any sense.

May-Yu: Ugh! I think Commander Shima is just heartless.

Lu-Shen: In what way?

May-Yu: Every way!

Lu-Shen: Ha, I would have to agree.

May-Yu: Hell yeah! We're so close to bringing Ryoko back, and he tells us that it can wait.

Lu-Shen: Actually in terms of that I'd have to agree with him.

May-Yu: Huh?!

Lu-Shen: Finding a way to counter the Anti-Zega must take top priority.

May-Yu: You gotta be kidding!

Lu-Shen: I'm not. And I think it'll be easier on Kyo this way, too. Soon he'll have more than enough to deal with. He'll need time to take it all in. And make his peace with it.

A.I.: Unconfirmed enemy shadow. Quantum weapon, responding.

May-Yu: Vehicle silhouette, bearing 2 o'clock! Quantum weapon's detected! This signature! I think it's...

Lu-Shen: It's him!

Dita: Anti-Zega Coatlicue has locked on to the Garuda! The Garuda is aware of the threat and taking evasive action.

Shima: Where's Chris?

Fosetta: Boarded and standing by! He's awaiting launch, Sir!

Shima: Then, send him out now! Have him support the Garuda!

Dita: Hraesvelg, prepare for transmission!

Shima: Help him, Yehl.

Shizuno: Mm.

Ricerca: Coatlicue will intercept the Garuda in 90 seconds!

Chris: Women take forever to get ready. All set?

Shizuno: Yeah. Sure you don't mind my tagging along?

Chris: Tag along? You're the Wizard who kept the kid's ass from getting blasted off. You know your stuff.

Shizuno: Thanks a lot, Chris. You know how to make a girl feel welcome.

Fosetta: Countdown, initiated. Transmission scatter rate, confirmed. E.X. condition, green!

Dita: Bednorz parameter, stable. Bednorz curve, steady!

Ricerca: Materialization probability flux 99.992 C.C.A.T.

Dita: Recovery coordinates, set and locked!

Fosetta: Hraesvelg, transmit!

Shizuno: Entangle!

Kyo: She's coming back. Kaminagi's coming back!

Kaminagi: Kyo. Kyo... Kyo!

Kyo: Hey, Kawaguchi.

Kawaguchi: I'm tired of this crap.

Kyo: I know you are.

Kawaguchi: God, you're driving me nuts.

Kyo: Yeah, I kinda figured.

Kawaguchi: And that's all you have to say about it? You're fine leaving things like this?!

Kyo: No, I'm not.

Kawaguchi: Well then?

Kyo: Us fighting really sucks!

Kawaguchi: No shit! It's all your fault!

Kyo: What?!

Kawaguchi: We never went to nationals because you had to go and punch that referee.

Kyo: Yeah, well, the ref's call was totally unfair! I couldn't let it go!

Kawaguchi: I know that, you idiot!

Kyo: Huh?!

Kawaguchi: Why couldn't you just say that to us in the first place?!

Kyo: Because I don't do excuses!

Kawaguchi: What are you, some kinda samurai now?!

Kyo: Shut up! I had to deal with that in my way!

Kawaguchi: Ow, son of a bitch.

Kyo: Sorry. If I hadn't lost my cool... we'da gone to nationals easy. It's my fault.

Kawaguchi: Whatever. You're not the type to put up with that shit. You think some quitter who accepts bad calls would get anything done in the nationals? Dumb-ass. You wanna hear the truth? If you hadn't punched that stupid ref I would have.

Kyo: Kawaguchi...

Kawaguchi: How about we go hit him again?

Kyo: Wha?

Kawaguchi: Dude, calm down, I'm kidding!

Kyo: Ow... ha... damn it. I'm all scraped up.

Kawaguchi: Ah, don't worry about it. We're gonna be in the pool in a min or two anyway.

Kyo: But, it'll get infected!

Kawaguchi: It's chlorinated, remember? Kills everything.

Kyo: Man, next you'll be telling me it's okay to pee in the pool too--

Kawaguchi: Shh.

Kyo: Huh?

Kyo: Way to be a dick, Kurage. I wonder what he did?

Kawaguchi: Hold on, it's not that.

Kyo: Oh, come on! Dammit, Kurage! What the hell do you are doing, proposing to her on school grounds?!

Kawaguchi: This is the nurse's offce, dude! Not some love hotel!

Kurashige: Now I guess the secret's out. You know, we were kinda hoping to keep this quiet for a while. Having you two blabbermouths find out is worse than putting in the school news paper.

Mizusawa: Oh, it's fine. They'll all just know sooner than we thought. Besides... I feel like we should hurry.

Kawaguchi: Is that crazy or what? Ol' Kurage actually proposed to Omizu!

Ushio: Right on! In other news, Mizuki and I are going steady.

Mizuki: Going steady?

Tomigai: That's wonderful! Everything's coming up roses, huh?

Kyo: And with Kawaguchi joining, we'll have the five members we need! Yeah! Hands off my club, Shima.

Hayase: Huh?

Kyo: Sorry, it's nothing. Tomorrow, we start training for real, okay?

Hayase: Cool. Since you guys blew off practice today, snacks are on you.

Kyo: What?!

Ushio: Okay, let's chow down on some okonomiyaki, and plan a regimen that'll get us to the big meet.

Kawaguchi: I wonder if there's enough time left.

Kyo: Uh...

Kawaguchi: Hold it. Just don't spoil this moment. Okay?

Kyo: Sure.

Mizuki: What's the big secret? Are you two going steady?

Kawaguchi: Oh, put a sock in it, dumb-ass!

Ushio: Hey! Don't call her dumb-ass. You're dumb-ass.

Kawaguchi: Make me!

Ushio: Fine. Maybe I will.

Tomigai: Quit fighting you guys, come on.

Kyo: Look them all. It just like the good old days. No... We're moving forward. Yeah. And once Kaminagi's back, then we can really... Ah? Wh... What the?!

Kawaguchi: Is something wrong, Kyo?

Mizuki: Yeah, what's got you so freaked out?

Kyo: But... Don't you guys see it?

Hayase: I do. And it's kind of a downer.

Tomigai: Yeah. This is the end, isn't it?

Shizuno: The Coatlicue is closing in on the Garuda. Fast!

Chris: As soon as we're within the effective firing range, we'll hit him with a pincer attack.

Shizuno: Holonic field, forming. Holonic rifles, both hands! Within range in five... Four... Three... Two... One!

Chris: Locked on! Blast 'em! Think we got them?

A.I.: ???? waves ??? And the light armor freeze.

Shizuno: Our light armor! It's shifting phase!

A.I.: Left arm, hit! Main frame, damaged! ????

Chris: Increase light armor density! Reroute all remaining Q.L. to bolster the armor!

Shizuno: Roger that! Our light armor isn't doing us any good. So, now what?

Lu-Shen: Hraesvelg! We're on our way.

Chris: That's a negative, Lu-Shen! Do not engage.

Lu-Shen: May-Yu! Holonic Lancer!

May-Yu: All right!

Lu-Shen: Holonic Launcher! What the?!

Dita: Combat levels of both the Garuda and the Hraesvelg are critical!

Fosetta: Sir! They can't take it!

Tarbo: It's too dangerous for them to attempt retreat. We'll lose them. Just like the Altair!

Ricerca: One or two more hits and they won't have enough Q.L. to make it back the Orceanas!

Minato: Commander!

Shima: Open gun ports for the G.A.S.P.R! Target the Coatlicue! Transmit the Garuda and the Hraesvelg back here the same moment we fire!

Ricerca: Particle accelerator coil, activated! Forty... Eighty... One hundred!

Fosetta: Main engine, transmission scatter rate, confirmed!

Ricerca: Confirm transition to G.A.S.P.R. Mode!

Dita: Range to enemy target: Twelve hundred kilometers!

Tarbo: Releasing safety locks!

Fosetta: Particle coil, secondary turbine, open!

Ricerca: Bearing: 8.15! Angle: 0.03!

Dita: Particle accelerator coil now at 240!

Tarbo: Enemy target, locked!

Shima: THEN FIRE!

Lu-Shen: Transmit! Now!

Dita: The Garuda and the Hraesvelg have both been recovered!

Fosetta: Portside armor has been hit!

Shima: Retreat to safety, maximum speed!

Dita: Pellucidar mode, off-line!

May-Yen: Why'd they just leave?

Shima: Maybe they didn't have enough Q.L. left to finish what they started.

Chris: So, our light armor can't protect us from that thing? That's gonna be a real pain in the ass.

Shizuno: Oh, Kyo is contacting us.

Kyo: What the hell? What's happening to this world?!

Shizuno: The server is failing. Constantly executing this huge construct has exceeded the processing power of the Maihama server.

Kyo: Huh?

Lu-Shen: It has its limits. A finite machine can't simulate an infinite passage of time. That's why it's started to fail.

Kyo: Damn...

Lu-Shen: Relax. It's not going to break down. Instead, it's going to reset itself. And soon. Except for our Cerebrant data -- the people, their memories, the world itself -- everything will return to how it was five months ago.

Kyo: What do you mean?

Shizuno: Maihama repeats the same five-month stretch. Time and again. Always.

Kyo: So, what's gonna happen all of us now, huh? I mean, I finally patched things up with Kawaguchi! And Kurage's supposed to marry Omizu soon! And Ushio and Mizuki?! And the swim club?! And everyone else?!

Shizuno: This always happens. You've made up with Kawaguch over and over again in the past. Like clockwork.

Kyo: Well, can't you stop it from resetting?!

Lu-Shen: The problem runs deeper than that. The quantum servers are designed to preserve people. To that end, they execute data. They run programs. They run us. But the preservation is taking place within a realistic, ever-repeating dream.

Kyo: My god.

Lu-Shen: It means within the world of data, dreams and reality are equals. They carry the same weight.

Shizuno: Kyo... This summer in Maihama. You've lived it over a hundred times before.

Kaminagi: Kyo... I'm...

Tomigai: Maihama is a world that exists within a time loop. For us, the first morning of September will never come. Come on, Sogoru. Take your mind off it. Let's spend the last night of summer break having fun! Tomorrow, everything we've done and said over the past five months will be wiped clean. And you will set out onto the battlefield once again. Yeah... The field of sorrows where Kaminagi awaits you.
Next time, on Zegapain: "Battlefield of Rebirth."
My pain, never to be forgotten.