The Whisper of the Witch

"Like before, he believed he was doing the right thing and acted anyway despite being "opposed"."

"…What do you think Mamoru would have done, had he come with us?", Sanada asked back.

Shaking her head with a smile, the blunette replied. "Probably the same thing as his younger brother."

Smiling in agreement, Sanada lets out a breath through his nose.

"You're right."

—

7th April, 2199

A week has passed since Montana's skirmish against the Gamilan Dimensional Submarine, the damage inflicted having been repaired. The battleship continues on its way to planet Iskandar.

Inside the so-called "haunted corridors", Misaki walks alone in eerie silence with a tablet in her arms before suddenly stopping in her tracks. Slowly turning around, she looks at the Auto Nav's orange hatch looming overhead. Almost as if calling out for her.

—

Far, far away, a Haizerad-class battleship, the Shangri-La, cruises towards a warp gate. Light purple, this souped-up-looking version of a Gaiderol-class battleship belongs to Celestella as her flagship.

—

Shangri-La, Bridge

"now passing through Geschtam Gate. Estimated arrival at Balun is tam 7:30."

"Linking to system satellites."

On the bridge, Cellestella is overseeing the preparations for her arrival to Balun. Standing behind her is her young ward, a woman with ears distinctively pointed of a Jirel.

"We were fortunate that Domel brought the UX-01.", Celestella says to the Jirel woman behind her. "If the hounds net snares its prey, we'll do it at the Akerius Ruins.", the young ward spoke."

"Will that be acceptable, Mirenel?"

The young woman, Mirenel Linke, only responded in acceptance. "Zar Belk."

—

(OST: Yamato 2199 – Praise be our Eternal Glory (Instrumental))

UX-01

"Launching in Gal (5), Ji (4), Nel (3), Beo (2), Al (1), Zeo (0)."

Submerged in the subdimension, UX-01 counts down as it launches its cargo into normal space.

Countdown drawing to a close, Frakken watches through his periscope as a burst of white energy breakers into normal space.

"That's the last one. They're all deployed!", Hainy reports. He then asks his captain, curious about what they are releasing.

"I don't know.", was Frakken's blunt reply.

"You don't know!? I thought we were getting supplies! Instead, they have us distributing these…weird things.", Hainy complained with annoyance, gathering looks of amusement from the sub's men. "We're not cargo hauliers, we're warriors! Seriously…"

"Don't get too upset.", Frakken told his first mate, unfazed by Hainy's outburst. "Our next mission comes directly from Lord Dessler himself."

"Eh? Then what of the Montana? We're leaving Domel's command?"

"Yeah…The "Vixen" will handle the Montana personally."

—

Balun Continental Base

From the base's office, Domel watches through the windows as Shangri-La descends on Balun. The ship passes through the spaceport and continues down to the lower levels of the base.

Deep inside the base is the so-called "Akerius ruins", a large glowing blue spherical structure, which the Gamilan called the Geschtam core. The central controls for each warp gate.

—

Exiting Shangri-La and entering the ruins, Celleastella and Linke reach a room with ancient-looking but still functional equipment. An odd-looking chair enclosed in a transparent shell with cables attached to it. Linke sits on the unusual chair while the officers following the two Jirels begin to man the controls.

—

(OST: Yamato 2199 – Relaxation)

Milky Way Galaxy

Patrolling in the Type 100 Recon Plane, Kodai and Mori check on their surrounding for any enemy activities. The Recon plane is outfitted with a pair of miniaturized hyperspace sonar pods over its wing mounts, a lesson learned from the last encounter.

"Nothing on hyperspace sonar.", Mori pointed out in the rear seat, her sonar screen showing nothing as it continued to ping. "Not even a ripple at the dimensional boundary line."

"Looks like that ship isn't in wait alone Montana's course.", Kodai concluded, turning his head slightly at the rearview mirror, the Milky Way in its reflection.

"Yeah."

Turning her head around, Mori is greeted with the majestic and wonderful sight of the Milky Way Galaxy, the combined millions of stars shining brightly behind her.

"The Milky Way, huh?", Mori said in awe.

"Yeah, our Earth is somewhere within that flood of light.", Kodai added, turning to see another bright patch of light ahead in the far far distance.

"And our destination, Iscandar, lies in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We still have a long way."

"…Hey, Kodai-kun."

"What is it?"

"I think this is a good opportunity for me to pilot for a bit. What do you say?"

"Nope." A deadpan reply.

"Our patrol's over, so why not?"

"We don't have so many of these. We can't afford to lose one."

—

Montana, Bridge 1

Onboard Montana, Kodai and Mori are blissfully unaware that their entire bantering has been on an open channel and allowing for the entire bridge crew to listen in. Aihara can't only turn around with a pained look as he continues to have a front-row seat to the conversations.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"It's just what I said."

"Lieutenant Kodai, as Operations Officer, I order you to transfer control to me."

"As Tactical Officer, daga kotowaru!"

"Ah, it's nice to be young.", a smiling Tokugawa reminisces. Nearby in Mori's place is Miki Saijo, giggling with her mouth covered.

"Your authority as Tactical Officer is suspended due to what happened."

"…You're bringing that up?"

"I am."

"What is this?", an in-denial Nambu muttered in jealousy, biting his nails as his heart continued to be metaphorically stabbed every second.

Eventually, despite how fun the moment was, Sanada decided to end it and gestured for Aihara to contact the recon team.

—

Recon Plane

"Recon Team, this is Montana. Sorry to interrupt, but we can hear everything you say."

The "not-now-but-will-be-in-the-future" couple's embarrassment spikes over the roof, their faces red as tomatoes. Any higher, and their ears would have been shooting steam.

—

Bridge 1

"XO, why have you picked those two?", Saijo wondered to Sanada. Before the man can answer, Niimi beats him to the punch.

"Lieutenant Mori's expertise makes her ideal to test the prototype hyperspace sonar. For Kodai, after his authority was temporarily suspended, he has, and I quote, "nothing better to do.".", the blunette answered, adjusting her glasses. "It's quite logical."

Up front, Shima and Kitano are having the time of their lives, giggling as they think about Kodai being together with Mori. Their fun is interrupted yet by a bright light emanating from the front windows and what seems to be snow-like flakes from above.

"Snow?", Saijo spoke, bringing everyone's attention outside the ship.

"But how?", a baffled Shima wondered, standing up from his seat. After all, they are in deep space.

—

As the "snow" continues to fall, a deep lullaby resonates through the entire ship.

—

Recon Plane

"A song? Someone's singing—"

The radio feed suddenly cuts; Kodai attempts to contact Montana.

"Aihara, what's wrong? Recon Team to Montana, come in!"

From behind, Mori types in an override code and takes control of the Recon plane. Grabbing the stick and pulling it back, Mori performs an immelmen turn back in the direction towards Montana with lit afterburners.

"Mori?!", Kodai exclaimed, surprised at Mori's sudden control of the plane.

"Returning to base."

Flying back to Montana, they are greeted by an unusual sight. The Earth battleship, spinning on its longitudinal axis, with its lights flickering erratically.

"What's going on?", Kodai muttered as the plane flew closer to the rolling Montana. Meanwhile, Mori tries to access the hangars but to no avail.

"I can't access the hanger.", Mori said, her screen showing a red "Access Denied" error.

"I am retaking control."

"You have control."

—

The plane eventually pulls up beside Montana. The engines cut off, the plane slows down and jets from the manoeuvring thrusters then move the recon plane so it syncs with the rolling speed of the battleship.

—

"ROB, maintain synchronization with Montana.", Kodai asked the flight computer.

"Affirmative. Attempting to secure to Montana's hull…"

—

The Recon then finely manoeuvres itself so its wings are perpendicular to Montana's hull outside the main upper bridge. Once that's done, magnetic legs extend from the Type 100's underside and attach to Montana's hull.

—

"Craft secure."

"What should we do?", Mori asked, the cockpit canopy opening up.

"We'll enter using the emergency escape airlock.", Kodai responds, unfastening his harness and taking out a magnetic mooring cable gun.

Aiming, he fires the gun. The cable reels out and the magnetic end attaches to the superstructure near a door. Securing the gun to the Type 100's many attachment points, Kodai grabs the cable and hauls himself out with Mori following suit.

The two then slide themselves from the plane to the airlock, hands on the cable to prevent them from flying off. Once at the other side, Kodai grabs a handle on the door and twists it, unlocking the airlock with a hiss. Climbing inside with Mori behind him, he makes his way up to the bridge.

—

Bridge 1

Entering the main bridge, the first thing Kodai notices is that it's silent. Too silent. None of the computers are on and there is no sign of any of the crew anywhere.

"Where is everyone?", Kodai spoke, taking off his space helmet. Mori soon arrives and spots that even Monty is deactivated, his body slumping like a ragdoll.

"Monty?", the blonde called out, rushing over to the android's still form.

"The momentum control system appears to be still online.", Kodai commented, walking around the empty bridge.

Suddenly, beeping from the consoles is heard as they abruptly come online. The flight computer then engages the ship's autopilot and the engine parameters increase in value.

—

The exterior lights of Montana light up and the RCS thrusters come to life, stopping the battleship's roll. The main thrusters then ignite and propel the ship forward, with an unknown destination in mind.

—

"Course correction confirmed."

A voice from the flight computer speaks, Kodai immediately tries to access it and fails.

"No good. I can't access the flight computer.", the brunette said, then turned his head to see the control stick on Shima's station moving on its own in autopilot.

"Where are we going?"

"But if the ship's moving, that means the navigation system is still working.", Mori pointed out.

"The only places we can access it are the central computer room.", Kodai notes before he and Mori conclude together about the other point of access. Both looked at the orange Astro dimensional compass and spoke at the same time.

"Or the Automatic Navigation room."

—

Auto Nav Room

The hatch to the Auto Nav Room is opened and a white light illuminates from within.

Inside, one Yuria Misaki stares at a capsule with purple opaque glass. After a second, she reaches up and takes off her hair clips, the accessories clattering on the floor.

—

Bridge 1

"This isn't right. Something is happening on this ship.", Kodai voices his worry as he tries to figure out what is going on. "But what could that be?"

At the elevators, Mori attempts to get them working but is unsuccessful.

"That's odd. The power's back but the elevators are not working.", Mori said, the control screen showing an error. "And the emergency stairs are locked, so we can't use them."

Kodai gets his Gamilan Luger ready, checking the energy magazine before loading it into the pistol.

"Understood.", he acknowledges.

As he turns to join Mori, a sudden sound of rushing wind and a swift shadow moves behind Kodai.

Stopping mid-step, Kodai turns his head, and his pupils dilate at the site of a fast-moving planet bomb heading his way.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he braces himself for the impending doom. But it never came.

"-dai-kun? Kodai-kun?"

Slowing opening his eyes, he is greeted by the feeling of his face and hands somehow being pressed against the elevator doors. Dazed and confused, he pushes himself away from the wall and looks behind him, seeing the bridge intact and no planet bombs in sight.

Mori asked with concern. "Kodai, are you alright?"

"Sorry, it was nothing.", Kodai responds, shaking his head.

—

Prying with his strength, Kodai forces the elevator door open revealing an empty shaft.

Stepping on the service ladder one foot after the other, both began climbing down the elevator shaft one rung at a time. After a moment, Kodoi reaches the roof of the elevator but in her haste, Mori's foot lands on top of Kodai's brown hair. Looking up, let's just say that the Tactical Officer has been gifted with a "blessed sight".

"S-sorry…", Mori meekly apologizes.

"N-no problem.", Kodai tells her, looking away with flaming red cheeks.

After the image had been ingrained in his memory, Kodai then lifted open the elevator's service hatch, he and Mori dropping in and both prying open the door.

The door successfully opened, and the two stepped out and immediately drew their pistol, Kodai pointing his Luger to the right hallway while Mori's standard-issue pistol to the left.

"Coast appears to be clear.", Kodai announced, seeing nobody in the hallway they entered.

"The Auto Nav and the central computer room.", Mori said. "Should we split to cover more ground?"

"No, it's too risky in this situation."

"Got it. I'll cover from behind."

The pair silently move across the hall, passing by a large static screen on the wall. A black shadow moves swiftly behind Mori, who turns around and sees a red light from the end of the hallway.

Behind, the static screen changes to show a tape reel countdown, with a woman, voice counting down.

"Gal."

"Ji."

"Nel."

"Bel."

"Al."

"Zeo."

—

"Mori…"

Calling out to his partner with no answer, Kodai turns his head to find Mori is now gone.

"Mori? Where are you?"

From behind Kodai, a shadowy figure lurks just across the corner of the hallway, shrouded by a red glow. A phone ringing suddenly catches Kodai's attention, his eyes fixed on a public payphone beeping in the middle of the hallway.

"A public phone?"

Walking cautiously towards the unusual device, he slowly picks up the receiver and holds it to his ear.

"Moshi moshi?", Kodai asked.

"Susumu, where are you?", a familiar voice, long thought-dead, answers. Kodai is stunned and wide-eyed. "Everyone was worried. Get back here!"

"…Kaa-san?"

On the wall, a static-riddled image of a woman smiles maliciously.

—

Standing at the end of a theatre corridor, Mori looks in puzzlement at a row of movie posters. One of them features the battleship IJN Yamato in its brown grimy state on the seabed, much to Mori's confusion.

Another poster out of her view shows a pale woman with black hair and pointed ears, hands in a heart sign with text that reads: "To the person in my memory."

—

A dazed Susumu sits at a table with four other people in his family's sunset-lit apartment. To his right is his parents, Takeshi and Moriko Kodai. His left, aunt and uncle Maki and Yoshio Kodai. In the background, a home phone rings incessantly.

"Think it's Mamoru?", Takeshi asked about the phone, he and everyone's (sans Susumu) faces blackened out.

"He's back on Earth, right? I'm sure it is.", Maki answers in confidence.

"The whole Kodai family is here today.", Yoshio said.

'Mom, Dad? And my Aunt and Uncle, too?', Susumu thought to himself, realising who those people were.

'But that's impossible. They all died years ago.', Kodai continued, his mind on guard. 'Unless I'm remembering something different just now…'

"It's been a long time, Susumu.", a woman addressed Susumu, breaking him out of his thoughts.

'Who the fuck are you…?'

"What's wrong? What's with that look? Aren't you going to answer the phone?"

Standing up and walking towards the ringing phone, Susumu sceptically picked up the phone.

"Moshi moshi?"

"…Is that you, Susumu?"

"…Mamoru nii-san…?"

"I'll be there in twenty."

An airplane flies over an industrial complex. Below on the ground, snow falls as Kodai is now alone outside, a payphone earpiece on his ear. On top of the payphone itself is a doll with pale skin, black hair and red glowing eyes, staring ominously at Susumu.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Where are you, nii-san?"

"What about you? Are you still alive? What are you doing?"

"I'm on board Montana."

"That isn't where you belong. Come back, Susumu. You aren't the kind of person you should be fighting."

The line suddenly hangs up.

'…This isn't real. Mamoru is never that cold. Who is that woman earlier? Am I in a dream limbo or something?'

"Your big brother is right."

A female voice speaks from behind. Kodai turns around and a woman with a parasol stands opposite to him.

'You again? Are you…the…'

"Let's go back home together, Susumu."

"No, I have to get back."

"Get back? To where?"

"Montana."

"Montana? Why?"

"To fight."

"To fight? Against whom?"

"Against whom? Who else?"

The woman disappears and Kodai puts his hand to his head, struggling to remember.

"Not whom, but for."

"…!"

A new voice speaks out in the distance. To his surprise, Kodai sees Abraham walking towards him in his UNCN Captain's uniform, minus the hat.

"You are not fighting against someone, Kodai. You are fighting to save Earth."

"…Abraham? Is that you? Are you real?"

"I'm very real, Kodai. I'm the realest as real can get.", Abraham answered, now standing just before Kodai.

"Then tell me, what's happening? What's happening to me?!"

"Let me ask you this, are you experiencing symptoms like lost or distorted memories, sudden rapid change of locations and the like?"

"…Yeah, I…I have."

"Then it seems like we are in some sort of mental hallucination attack of some sort."

"How did you find me?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I think that, despite the attack, a deep part of me tried to resist. A core memory or emotion, something that's impossible to be manipulated. That is what made me see through the illusions and break free."

"A…core emotion?"

—

Sitting alone on a seat in the movie theatre, Mori watches the big screen of Kodai down on his knees as a roar of applause echos.

"This is the Earth."

Looking over her shoulder, Mori recognises the familiar figure of Admiral Ryu Hijikata sitting a row behind her.

"Uncle Hijikata?"

No response from the senior officer, the blonde's attention is caught by the narrator speaking on the big screen.

"In the twentieth century, it was normal for families to gather around tables like this for a meal."

"Kodai-kun…?"

A shot of Kodai sitting at a table surrounded by a blackened-out family shows on screen. Then, Mori's eyes widened when the scene changed once again.

"Here, you will learn about Earth, and you will live as an Earthling."

Hijikata's voice plays out on screen, showing the Admiral speaking to someone off-screen. Then a familiar figure enters the scene.

"Let me introduce your partner. This is she."

"HelLo. NiCE to meET yOu."

A distorted voice came from the onscreen Mori's mouth before her lips creaked into an unsettling smile. A sound of tyres screeching rang in the empty theatre as Mori's eyes widened in realisation.

Then…

*BOOOM!*

—

Waking up in a hospital bed, Mori's vision is greeted by a nurse with black hair hooking up an IV bag, the tube already attached to her wrist. A heart monitor beeps alone in the background.

"You are awake?", the nurse stated.

"Where am I?", Mori asks.

"The central hospital.", the nurse answered. Mori then sits upright, much to the nurse's dismay.

"You shouldn't move yet."

"…What…what happened to me? I can't remember."

"You hit your head hard. You probably have amnesia."

"…Yuki Mori, caught in the explosion, was taken to hospital where she is still in a coma."

A television on the wall plays a news broadcast, catching Mori's attention with the newscaster looking eerily like the nurse beside her. A photograph of Mori is shown.

"Police are investigating the possibility of terrorism.

The nurse moves back, her eyes ominously shadowed by her hair. Just then, the sound of chimes rings from her left. Turning her head, Mori sees another hospital bed obscured by a curtain. Taking the IV tube out of her arm, the blond steps off from her bed and approaches the neighbouring bed.

Peeling back the curtain, Mori looks down in awe at herself, but not quite at the same time. The blonde woman on the bed looks like a mirror image of Mori, only with an oxygen mask.

From behind, the nurse's head tilts at an unnatural angle, red eyes glowing and grinning with malice. The grin wipes off her face when another chime rings out and the blonde on the bed wakes up, a shiver runs through the nurse's spine.

—

A woman runs through a ruin under a blue sky, her white dress fluttering in the wind. She stops and turns around, her visage soft with brown eyes and hair.

—

The "nurse's" expression changes to that of shock. Her lips quiver and her body shakes in fear upon recognition.

—

The woman's features change to a blonde with soft amber eyes. A sudden gust of wind blows her long blonde locks back.

Princess Yurisha of Inscandar.

—

"We got a weak pulse! Irregular!"

", grab the AED! , you know CPR?"

"I-I uh.."

"YES OR NO, *! A WOMAN'S LIFE IS AT STAKE!"

"NO, I-I FORGOT!"

"Blast it….I'll do it myself."

"But you're not medically certified, *"

"I know the basics, *. Just follow the instructions on the defib and get it ready. Bee Gees, don't fail me now…"

"…Alright, applying pads…pads applied. Delivering shock. Clear!"

"Clear!"

"…, how's the pulse."

"Pulse is stabilising."

"Alright, continuing CPR…"

"…Delivering second shock. Clear!"

"Clear!"

"…Pulse?"

"…90BPM and stabilizing, *"

"Thank goodness…"

—

The "nurse" stumbles back in confusion, just as an air raid siren bellows. The TV newscaster then announces an attack over the siren in alarm.

"An air raid warning has been issued! Repeat, an air raid warning has been—*static*"

—

"A…core emotion?"

The tune of a harmonica playing catches Kodai and Abraham's attention, the snowy industrial site fading away to a sunset hill, a man on the peak.

"Scarlet Fire, huh.", Abraham commented, recognising the tune. "Your brother?"

"Yeah…", Kodai replied, slowing walking up the grassy hill, Mamoru still playing the harmonica.

As the final note played, Mamoru lowered the instrument and turned to face left with a smile, as if sensing his brother's arrival.

Kodai stops, wide-eyed. "Nii-san?"

"Susumu, you're a man. Stop crying."

At his brother's words, Susumu can only look down to see his younger self, weeping and stifling away tears with his arm.

"Dad gave me this a long time ago."

Mamoru, in civilian clothes, pulls out his harmonica and hands it over to his little brother.

"I want you to have it."

The scenery changes once more, now a bright blue sky and Mamoru in his Cosmo Navy uniform.

Little Susumu slowly fades away and in his place, present Susumu finds himself looking at Mamoru, an encouraging smile on his face.

An arm is put on his shoulder, and Susumu turns to see Abraham with a knowing smile on his face.

"The truth has been revealed. Now, you know who you're fighting for."

With newfound strength and determination, Susumu turns back and nods, accepting the harmonica. Then, the scenery fades to white.

—

"You take this…"

Mori takes the flat alien-like device from her doppelgänger, recognising what it is. The other blonde then looks at the "nurse", a hard glare contrasting her soft features.

"No way…Th-this can't be!", the "nurse" cried, stumbling back in fear. "What are you doing here?!"

"I could say the same about you."

"…!"

Turning around in absolute fear, the "nurse" hears an unfamiliar voice laced with disdain coming from behind, only to find no one there.

Looking up, the blond doppelgänger looks up to Mori.

"It's okay, Yuki.", she said.

(ユキ, Yuki.)

(雪, Snow)

—

"..ki? Yuki?"

In the real world, Mori is stirred awake by Misaki, her body lying on the floor next to the Auto Nav room.

"Misaki?", Mori exclaimed in surprise, which is unusually shared by the younger woman.

"Misaki? Who's that?"

Close by, a shadowy figure fades away.

"This ship is moving. It has a Wave Motion Engine.", Misaki says.

"What are you talking about? Where is everyone?", Mori asked, not understanding the younger woman's words and standing to her feet.

"I woke up and found myself here. This is…"

—

Mamoru and Susumu look up at a starry sky, crossed by trails of planet bombs, with Abraham watching over the brothers from behind.

"Planet bombs."

Susumu looks at his brother.

"Susumu, don't forget this sight."

The younger Kodai nods, looking up to see a planet bomb falling his way.

—

"No good. The course information is locked from here, too."

Mori tries to access the navigation computer but is repeatedly locked out.

"Where are we warping?"

Just then, Misaki enters the scene.

"They're eating for you there. They are waiting for this ship.", Misaki tells Mori. "This ship has a Wave Motion Engine. So if you remove the Wave Motion Core, it will stop."

Realising an idea forming, Mori stands up and behind running to the Engine Room.

"You stay here.", the blonde told Misaki as she disappeared behind a door. The younger brunette the plays with her hair and looks at the Engine parameters display.

"Wave Motion Engine... Oh, my sister is here."

—

Running as if her life depended on it, Mori dashes towards the Engine Room to shut it down, alarms blaring through the dark hallway.

"120 seconds until warp."

Bursting through the door to the Engine, Mori is met with a startling sight before her.

All of Montana's main division heads stood up and bathed in a white light, their eyes closed as if dreaming.

Shima, Nambu, Ota, Aihara, Kato, Tokugawa, Sanada, Niimi, Hirada, Yamamoto. Everyone she considered her friend.

"Countdown to warp: 10, 9, 8…"

Not much time on the clock, Mori breaks out from her stupor rushes past the crew on the gangway and climbs up a ladder.

"7, 6, 5, 4…"

Pulling herself to a higher level, Mori dashes to the WME's control panel and begins inputting her credentials.

"3, 2…Access authorized. Operations Officer Mori."

Finally, a computer that is not locked out. Mori begins the WME's shutdown procedure.

"Multidimensional momentum conservation of quantum flywheel complete. Power capacitors are fully charged. Power bus connections severed at all places."

The Engines spool down and the containment shielding inside turns disengages.

"Deploying Wave Motion Shield in core conduit bay. Wave Motion Shield deployment confirmed. Wave Motion Cores may be safely removed."

Mori rushes to the Engine's access door and opens it. Entering the core chamber, she twists the Core's capsule handle and pulls it out. The Core now in her arms, Mori begins to step out of the chamber.

"Yuki, what are you doing?"

"…!"

Startled, Mori spins around to see Hijikata and an unknown female officer with black hair and red eyes, back in the UN offices.

"Now put that back.", the admiral coaxes.

"But, this is—"

"That's an order. Put it back."

The female "officer" urges from behind Mori, the blonde now in her brown UNCF uniform as her lilac eyes begin to glaze.

"But…"

"If you don't, Earth will be destroyed."

The office monitors display changes to the Gamilan Empire symbol, illuminating Mori's face in a red hue.

"Destroyed? The Earth?"

"Yes…your home, which you love so much."

"My…home…"

"Yes, your home."

An image of the blue Earth transforms into its red hellish state.

"Yes. Now…bring it here."

"Stop. Don't do it, Yuki."

"…!"

A familiar voice breaks Mori from her haze, her eyes only barely clearing. Looking behind her, she sees Sasha steadily stepping forward.

"Sasha?"

"Yuki, whatever you are doing, do not give her the Core."

"Why? I can save Earth by giving it to her."

"Yuki Mori, whatever delusions that…witch has given you, it's all false pretences."

Mori tilts her head, confused while the female "officer" begins to wonder why her victim isn't responding. Sasha continues to try and break Mori from her spell.

"What do you mean? Everything she said was…a lie?"

"Yes, Yuki. You are under a mental attack of some sort. Fight it, Yuki."

"Mori, why aren't you following the order? Give it to me."

Mori turns her head at the "officer" who's uniform begins to flicker in and out. As the blondes head slowly begin to clear, she begins to notice that her surroundings are falling apart.

It's only when a small glimpse of the WME's chamber comes through that Mori sees past the illusions.

"…N-no, I won't give it to you!", Mori spoke defiantly, clutching the Wave Motion Core and surprising the "officer".

But the surprise is only short-lived, her mouth then curling into a malicious smile. "So you have broken through the illusions. No matter, you will give the Core to me!"

A wave of pain flutters through Mori's head, her face grimacing in pain. From the back of her head, she can almost make out Sasha's words, though they are slowly fading away.

"Yuki, …figh…don…up…!"

However, the mind attack proves too much for her. Sasha's voice disappears and Mori's eyes are now glazed once more.

—

"Mamoru's late."

"Maybe his ship's delayed."

Back "home" in his crew uniform, Kodai watches his "family" comment on how his brother was late.

"I remember now. I wasn't here that day.", Kodai spoke, his memories fully recollected. Abraham, standing beside him, listens in.

"I went to the spaceport to pick up my brother, but then…"

"The bombs fell.", Abraham concluded for him.

"Yeah…I ran ahead, excited to see Nii-san again. Then it fell on my city."

The Kodai family, however, seems to disagree with the youngest son.

"Don't be stupid."

"Earth is at peace. There is no war."

Kodai closed his eyes, tuning out his now-recognised "false family's" words. His memory of the truth is too strong, breaking past the last layer of illusions.

"There is a war…The enemy is Gamilas. And a planet bomb landed here…"

Snapping open his eyes, Kodai yells out.

"And everyone died!"

The illusion of the "family" shatters in the form of a big mushroom cloud, and Kodai and Abraham both find themselves at a theatre with applause surrounding them.

"Abraham, are we…?"

"No, I think we're now out of the illusion."

"That's right."

An unfamiliar voice speaks from the theatre screen and both men gasp at seeing Mori and an unknown female UNCF officer, the latter egging Mori on.

"Good girl… Just put it back."

'I've seen her before. She must have been attacking our heads!", Kodai deduced at seeing the woman. The image changed to Mori holding the Wave Motion Core in her hand, then to a close-up of Mori's pleading lilac eyes.

"Mori-kun…", Kodai muttered.

A pleading voice whispers, and the eyes shift to a text that says, "タスケテ, tasukete , Help me."

(OST: Yamato 2199 – Yamato Descends)

"…! Yuki!"

"Mori!"

Yelling out her name, Kodai and Abraham immediately rush to Yuki's aid, both grabbing their pistols in hand.

—

Yuki, now under the direct influence of the "witch", inserts the Core into the socket. Just as the Engine begins reactivating, Kodai and Abraham jump through the "theatre stage" and phase into the WME's chamber each with a gun in hand, startling the "witch".

Upon seeing the infiltrator, both men spare no hesitation to open fire, Kodai's Luger firing at her head while Abraham's custom-modified Colt fires at her torso.

Much to the men's surprise (Kodai more obviously so), the shots do not affect the woman's body. The inflicted "injuries" heal up as her uniform flickers from a UNCF officer to a nurse then to her true purple bodysuit.

"That didn't hurt.", she confidently taunts.

"Kodai, it seems like projectiles won't work on this enemy.", Abraham pointed out the obvious.

"Then what should we do?", Kodai asked.

"Grab Mori and get out of here. I'll stall her."

"But what about you?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Now go!"

Trusting in his captain's words, Kodai immediately grabs a dazed Mori and hauls ass out of the chamber. Meanwhile, Abraham turns a small knob on his Colt and aims.

"You messed with the wrong crew, Mirenel."

A wave of shock etches on Linke's face. Capitalising on the moment of weakness, Abraham fires off several more shots which, surprisingly, causes an effect on Linke's body.

A blue ring ripples on every shot landed, staggering the Jirel back in place as Abraham slowly moved towards the chamber door. Once close enough, the captain immediately bolts out as Linke gives chase.

She is stopped by Kodai, who closes the chamber door once Abraham gets out and hits an invisible wall of energy, effectively trapping her inside.

"Tch, a Geschtam Field!", Linke muttered to herself.

"Releasing Wave Motion Field in conduit bay."

An automated voice rang out, seemingly of no concern to Linke's eyes. It is only when the second announcement plays that Linke begins to get scared.

"All personnel, please evacuate immediately."

"You will die here, Mirenel."

"!"

Turning around in surprised fear, the Jirel sees Sasha behind her, completely calm.

"Wa-what do you mean?"

"The containment field has trapped your spirit. Once the Engine starts up, your soul will be evaporated and your life extinguished."

"You think that little threat will stop me?"

Sasha's only response was the hardest and flattest stare she could send her way, showing her utmost seriousness. This is enough for Linke to begin doubting in fear, more so as the next announcement calls out.

"Restarting Wave Motion Engine in 5, 4…"

"I…I don't wanna die!", Linke cried, tears falling as her façade of confidence was broken.

"3…"

"Please!"

Sasha slowly raises her hand.

"2..."

"I…I don't want to leave Mizela alone!"

A hand rests on Linke's head.

"1."

"…Begone."

—

A crackle of electricity erupts within the chamber before it's engulfed in a white light. The WME's flywheels spin and rev up as they come to life.

Linke's spirit manifestations around the ship gasp in horror, while her real body in Balun begins to writhe and recoil in pain. Eventually, she slowly calms down and her body goes still save for a light rise and fall of her chest.

—

The light comes back on as Kodai looks at the Engine hatch, on the floor with an unconscious Yuki in his arms. Once realizing the ordeal is over, he looks down and puts a gentle hand on Yuki's hair, who snuggles closer.

Around Kodai are the unconscious bodies of Montana's crew, dropped like a sack of potatoes as they are now released from Linke's control. The only one remaining standing is Abraham, who looks with fondness at the couple beside him and then at the Engine's control panel. Standing near is Misaki, who had activated the engine once Abraham got out.

—

Akerius Ruins, Balun

"Ghost Link severed. Special Operations Officer Linke's mind has returned but isn't responding to stimuli."

"Transferred data has been saved."

At the Balun ruins, Celestella's officers confirm that the operation is over and that all the gathered information has been transferred. Celestella looks on at her young ward's body on the chair. Cupping a hand on Linke's cheek, she feels a pulse but her body isn't responding. One of the officers then disconnects Linke from the chair and carries her to a floating stretcher.

"Linke's vitals are showing nominal but there seems to be little brain activity. She's in a coma; the possibility of recovery is unknown."

The stretcher is pushed away by the officers. Celestella can only shed a tear as she watches the only other member of her race move out.

"Now I'm all alone…"

—

Balun Base, Office

"Those ruins were left by the race that built the gates. There is a rumour that she is one of their descendants."

Back in the office above, Domel watches the Shangri-La takeoff and climb out of Balun's atmosphere.

"What did she come here to accomplish, anyway?", Goer wonders.

"I doubt any normal man could understand a witch's motives.", Domel poetically responds, smiling.

Taking offence, Goer turns away. "Who are you calling normal?"

—

Zoellic's chambers

Sitting on a lavish couch and taking a cigarette offered by one of his servant girls, Zoellic is being informed by his direct subordinate through a video call.

"So, both that annoying wolf and the vixen are now fixated on the Montana?", Zoellic said with an ecstatic look. One of his other servant girls lights up the cigarette in his hands, then takes a puff of smoke. "Then it's time…"

"What are you talking about?", Goer asked from the screen.

"You do not need to know…"

—

Montana, Medical Ward

A line of people are in wait for their check up by their resident ship's doctor, having recovered from their ordeal. Inside Dr Sado's office, Ota is being given a clean bill of health after a brief examination, much to the latter's relief.

—

CIC Bridge 2

"Come to think of it, how did you two not get affected by the attack?"

On the CIC before the deck windows, Kodai was wondering how Abraham and Sasha, the only two crew members who weren't affected, managed to come out unscathed. With them is Yuki, who too is curious.

Abraham answered, scratching his head. "Well, there isn't much to manipulate when you are mostly unconscious."

"Oh yeah. You were under Dr Sado's orders to take a mandatory rest period to recover.", Yuki realised, putting the pieces together.

Abraham nodded. "Can't be attacked if your mind isn't conscious in the first place."

"That makes sense. Everyone, including me and Mori, was awake and on active duty. That seems to be the basis on how we were targeted.", Kodai surmised, then widened his eyes. "Wait…Sasha, you were with the captain, right? How were you not affected?"

"I was. But when you are coming from a high-ranking family like me with a target on your back on a near-constant basis, you tend to sharpen your senses and perceptibility with enough time.", Sasha answered with a grin. "In the end, it's just a matter of thinking things through really thoroughly. Emphasis on the really part."

"But enough about that.", Abraham spoke up, changing the subject. "What did the doctor say about everyone?"

"Dr Sado says that everyone saw whatever memory that most cherish.", Yuki said.

Kodai nodded. "I saw my mom and dad. And…"

Taking out his harmonica, Kodai looks at it before giving Abraham a subtle wink. The captain responded in kind.

"What about you?"

Abraham answered, a fond look on his face. "…I saw my parents happily taking me in after being adopted."

Kodai did a double take. "Wait, you're…adopted?"

Yuki wondered the same thing.

"I'm Okita's grandson in all but blood. But he treats me like one of his own. After Dad died on Mars and Mom ghosted us after that, Grandpa made sure that I was always loved and that I always had a special place in his heart. I'm forever grateful for that."

Kodad and Yuki look on in awe, their respect for the Cosmo Navy Admiral greatly increased.

An expectant silence fills the room, Sasha nervously shuffling.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to.", Kodai quickly reassured, seeing Sasha's nervousness.

The married blond only took a deep breath and stilled. "It's okay, it's my turn anyway."

"…Did I mention that I have a lapse of memory, much like Yuki?"

Kodai shook his head while Yuki nodded, much to the former's shock. Sasha contained.

"It seems that whatever memory that has been deeply recessed in my mind has been resurfaced. It was a "Take Your Daughter to Work Day". My parents opted to choose me from my elder sisters. I was the youngest of three children. Stacy was the eldest and Iris was the middle. A babysitter has been arranged while me and my parents were away."

"While on the way to work, we were…attacked. Whether my parents knew or not, they made some enemies with scores to settle. Our car was bombed and my parents didn't make it; I was put into a coma."

When I recovered my memories months later, I immediately tried to find out about my sisters. Turns out, even they weren't safe. After my parents were bombed, someone suicide bombed my house. The babysitter was found dead in the rubble, but my sisters…were never found, still to this day."

Abraham gave a consoling arm around Sasha's shoulder, and Kodai and Yuki covered their mouths in wide-eyed shock.

Seeing the latter two's look, Sasha gave an assuring smile. "But I suppose it's a blessing in disguise. After a long time of wondering, I finally found closure and made peace with it."

Seeing her fellow blonde, who arguably suffered worse yet overcame it with a smile, Yuki felt the courage to speak up.

"I saw…", she began, drawing everyone's attention. Yuki then smiles as she continues.

"I saw someone I cared about, as well. In the end, you all came for me, didn't you? Especially you, Kodai."

"Uh…um, well…"

Seeing Kodai's flustered state, Yuki giggles and runs off laughing. An embarrassed Kodai quickly gives chase.

"W-wait, Mori! What do you mean by that?"

"That's a secret."

"Ehhh?"

The husband and wife pair watch on with a small laugh as the budding couple runs out. Now left alone, Abraham turned to his wife.

"So, the same story the first time round?", he asked.

"Yeah, it works. Granted, things are…changed to fit the narrative, but it's all technically true from a certain point of view.", Sasha answered, then sighed. "I just hope everyone here will accept me once this is over."

"Don't worry, Sasha. If they are like anything like our friends, they will.", Abraham assured, the couple looking out the CIC windows to the Large Magellanic Cloud in the far, far distance.

—

Auto Nav Room

Yuria stands below the orange hatch, looking at her hands.

"Farewell, me. Hello, you.", Yuria said, then looking up at the hatch.

"You are Yuria Misaki."

Her eyes close as the lights go out, the room going pitch black.