The Matter of the Moon

*The Matter of the Moon* is the fourteenth and last campaign mission for the main storyline of Spriggan: Lunar Verse. The lunar device is about to be activated by Leticia Dale, potentially creating the destruction of mankind on Earth. Tatsuki must stop her and prevent the device from destroying the Earth.

## Briefing

Graham finally understands Dr. Dale's purpose, but still is aware that she is part of Trident. In other words, even if her personal goal was to improve the environment of the Earth, there is not a possibility that Trident would stop her ambition. There is no guarantee that she won't misuse the moon herself. The situation is inevitable and ARCAM must not let her have the moon for herself. He urges Tatsuki to stop her at all costs.

## Mission Overview

Tatsuki arrives at the moon and makes his way to Leticia, who is attempting to activate the lunar device. However, he is too late and the device is activated. Leticia notices his presence and is annoyed by his persistent behavior. She then prepares her prototype A.M. suit from Trident and commences a one-on-one duel against Tatsuki. The latter calmly dealt with her and won the battle.

Leticia appears to be knocked unconscious by Tatsuki's attack, but unexpectedly picks herself up from the ground, though still appearing to be in a very weakened state. She slowly limps her way to the lunar device as she has a strong will of proving her dead partner's hypothesis being correct. However, Graham appears out of nowhere and fully activates the lunar device, to which he is excited to notice the device is working as intended. Leticia falls to her knees and mentions Graham's name, implying that she knows him prior to this event. She states that he tricks her, though Graham questions her claim that if this is what they both want. He admits that her and the U.S. Army have really done well for him. The Philosopher's Stone is now confirmed to act as a key for activating the lunar device. With the device, Graham is able to control the world's military balance as he envisions. He then approaches Leticia in her down state, points the gun at her, and comments on the fact that if Leticia hadn't thought of attempting to outsmart him, none of this would have happened. He then coldly executes her by firing at her multiple times, all while Tatsuki is watching the whole thing unfold and being shocked of his boss's unexpected betrayal. Graham then turns to his apprentice, and congratulates him for accomplishing a lot of work, but then mentions that is over now. Graham then begins to fight against Tatsuki, but is eventually overwhelmed by the latter's superior combat experience.

After Graham falls, the moon begins to shake violently and he realizes that he makes the same mistake as the ancient performed a long time ago. By then, the Mysterious Girl unexpectedly appears and her words implies the fact that humans like Graham are impulsive. Graham then states his last words by believing her claim is foolish, before succumbing to his injuries. The girl begins to question if this event is going to be like that time again from many years ago. Then, a mysterious circular force field starts to surround the girl, as she begs Tatsuki to help her, to which he quickly runs to her aid and has himself inside the force field as well.

Tatsuki is randomly transported to a temple-like room with the Guardian of the Moon in front of him. She is disappointed to find the misusage of the ancient civilization technology occurring again, and assumes that humans are unable to evolve after all, no matter how much time passes. She then announces that Tatsuki might as well perish here and now. She then transport him and herself to the other area of the moon where it is mostly an empty, open space. The final battle has begun, with the future of humanity resting on whether Tatsuki is able to defeat the Moon Guardian, who possesses god-like attacks. Despite being exhausted by two prior difficult battles, he still acts as a capable foe against her. After the long battle, the Moon Guardian then begins to make herself disappear, knowing that there is hope for the future of mankind by Tatsuki's determination in saving mankind despite the odds being stacked against him.

Tatsuki, alone, appears to be transported back to where the lunar device was activated. Approaching behind him is Yu Ominae, who arrives to check if he is okay. He acknowledges that this crisis appears to be over. He then apologizes that he was unable to assist Tatsuki with his situation, though he still praises him for overcoming the odds. However, he notices Tatsuki acting strangely, and asks him of what's wrong. The depressed look on his face causes Yu to realize that Graham's betrayal has deeply mentally damaged Tatsuki, and then tries to comfort him. He analyzes the Earth form the distance and concludes that the damage was minimalized, and unlike the ancients, the Earth did not suffer an irreversible, tragic outcome. He notices the moon was broken, but still believes things will remain okay. He believes that humans like Yu can change the Earth with their own hands, and they don't have to rely on such technology like the moon. Until then, however, mankind will require guys like the "Spriggans" to guarantee their safety. Yu then begins to act nervous of staying at the moon for too long since he is afraid he'll suddenly run out of air. Yu then notices Tatsuki's wonder of the Mysterious Girl's status, to which he responds with that he's been all over this place and haven't managed to find her. Afterwards, Tatsuki walks past Yu, and the latter asks the former if he is leaving. With the crisis finally over, Tatsuki manages to win the tomorrow of mankind alone.