Lap 06 - Songstress Kate Alen

Songstress Kate Alen is the 6th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Kate Alen's machine, the Super Piranha is seen driving along a road at night. Kate then comes to a stop and steps out of her machine, only to be confronted by Elite Mobile Task Force member Jody Summer in the middle of the road along with a flash of light behind her. Jody questions if Kate is an F-Zero pilot. Kate retorts that any questions would have to be forwarded to her manager, Gordon. Jody responds that Gordon hired her and the Task Force to protect Kate from threats; notably Zoda, who has threatened Kate and wants her to win races for him in order to obtain the prize money. Bothered, Kate insists she doesn't need any protection, but Jody drives off.

In the day, Ryu Suzaku and Mr. EAD meet Gordon. Gordon reveals he had a previous conversation with his "bro" John Tanaka, later clearing up that they were friends. Ryu and EAD are then introduced to Kate in the dressing room, claiming they are detectives sent to protect her. She grows wary of them, as she asks what division they're from, but they can't tell her much.

The scene cuts to the rest of the Task Force in disguise while watching Kate's performance. EAD is captivated by the song Kate sings, though Ryu remarks that it's "missing something." Later that night, Gordon and Ryu are asleep, but EAD overhears Kate's footsteps. Awakened as well, Ryu then confronts Kate outside as she plans to go for a drive in her machine. EAD states she isn't allowed to leave the premises, and Ryu adds on to say Kate will be in danger, but Jody tells them to let Kate go. Kate questions if the Task Force are truly part of the police, but Jody insists they can't tell her anything. EAD is then directed to step out of the way as Kate goes for her drive. She is joined by the Task Force in their machines on the road as EAD questions Jody's decision to let Kate out to the seaside with not much of a response other than to follow orders and focus on protecting Kate.

Eventually, Bio Rex and Dark Million appear and start firing at Kate's machine, prompting the Task Force to move in. Kate's machine is stranded as EAD runs out to help her. Back at her home, EAD comforts Kate and she flusters him by giving him a kiss for his kindness. EAD, still blushing, patrols the perimeter outside but is immobilized by an unknown assailant. Kate then screams, calling the attention of Ryu and Gordon to her side as she is seen on the floor indoors. Ryu finds the dismantled EAD outside shortly after.

The next day at the Task Force's section of the Galaxy Police Headquarters, Dr. Clash is seen working on EAD's repairs but informs Jody that EAD's memory core was stolen. Dr. Stewart pulls up EAD's schematics and reveals that a memory core contains confidential information about the Task Force. As they step out of the lab, Dr. Stewart and Jody go over the strangeness of the situation as Zoda and his associates would want to target Kate instead of anyone else. Dr. Stewart then comes to the conclusion that whoever attacked EAD was not affiliated with Zoda, but was instead someone who wanted answers as to who the Task Force really was.

Ryu is then seen at Kate's home, confronting her about the situation. She initially plays innocent but her mirror reveals the memory core in her hand behind her back. She hands it over, admitting that she dismantled EAD and analyzed his memory core in order to find out about the Task Force, as well as their purpose as a racing team participating in F-Zero to arrest criminals. In the midst of this, Jack Levin is seen outside talking with Lucy Liberty through their communicators, complaining that he should be the one to see Kate to which Lucy responds that if he holds out long enough, he could get an autograph afterwards. Ryu asks if Kate feels any remorse for her actions, but Kate sees EAD simply as a robot, which upsets Ryu as she leaves for another performance.

Backstage, Kate sees EAD and asks if he was aware of what she did to him, but he holds no hard feelings. Gordon rushes Kate to get going, but Kate tells him to shut up and that she hates singing. EAD questions why to which Kate responds that "robots like you wouldn't understand." Later, the Task Force is called in to Kate's dressing room to be told she doesn't want their protection anymore, knowing their true purpose thanks to the memory core. Jody restates the Task Force's main purpose is to arrest dangerous criminals, which angers Kate as she assumes they have no regard for her life. EAD tries to calm her down by reasoning with her, to no avail as she leaves the room. Gordon reveals Kate once had a passion for singing as a "naive, kind girl," but as people began to manipulate her for her fame, she grew to hate those people and her career.

An unnamed green alien runs into the room to reveal Kate that has driven off, and the Task Force splits up to find Kate. Kate is seen going for another drive, but comes up behind Zoda's Death Anchor. Zoda tries to persuade her to join him, but she insists he has to beat her in a race first. As she leads, Octoman and Bio Rex appear in the Deep Claw and Big Fang, bashing their machines into Kate's and sending her machine into the side of the road. She walks away from it as it explodes but Zoda jumps out and asks once more for her to join him. She refuses, leading to his to attempt to attack her with a knife, but EAD rescues her. Ryu and Jody confront Zoda at gunpoint, but Zoda makes a run for it and leads Ryu on a chase in their machines.

EAD asks if Kate is alright, and she questions why he hasn't chased after Zoda. EAD states he may be used as a robot, but he won't let himself use others, resonating with Kate's feelings. But as he lends a hand to help her, he falls over, to her surprise. Meanwhile, Ryu deals with Octoman and Bio Rex in the Dragon Bird, as Zoda comes back to Kate and EAD. The Death Anchor approaches them, but EAD manages to stand up and assure Kate that he will protect her. EAD manages to grab hold of the Death Anchor and exerts his energy to toss the machine. Zoda flees as Jody and Ryu arrive to the scene. Kate looks down at what's left of EAD, touching the memory core that then breaks apart. She cries for him as she holds a piece of him close to her, calling him "a foolish robot."

EAD is then seen being repaired at the Task Force HQ, but Dr. Clash reveals the body has been restored without his backup memory. It takes a moment before EAD sits up and greets Ryu, Jody, and Clash. Although Ryu seems relieved to see EAD back up and running, Jody steps out of the room.

At Kate's performance, she walks back stage to see an illusion of EAD, as the crowd is heard cheering for her. Gordon suggests an encore to Kate, to which she obliges, saying that she'll perform EAD's favorite song. Kate's performance is overheard on the screen in the Task Force HQ. Ryu asks if EAD remembers anything, but EAD doesn't. He does, however, remark that it is a good song, to which Ryu agrees and states that thanks to EAD, Kate got her spark back.

The next episode preview starts with Ryu stating that several F-Zero pilots have gone missing. Jack lightheartedly replies that they're all at home, "enjoying luxurious cars, delicious food, and then going for a spin after work."

Bart's F-Zero Classroom segment goes a little into some details about Kate. She sings the song at the start of F-Zero races, but is also a great F-Zero pilot. Bart also states that she is "beautiful and rich! Wow! She's so enviable!" Although she was manipulated, others may be able to feel a connection with her. Bart also remarks that her house is "quite large and too extravagant," and that he supposedly isn't jealous at all.