Battle Tactics/Episode

## Regular Army

### Hyakutaro

Hyakutaro is a soldier in the Regular Army who has been underappreciated for his contributions in battle. In the present day, a Rebel soldier is killed by Marco. Marco frees the prisoner, surprised that that they're actually Hyakutaro. Hyakutaro gives Marco ammo and a map detailing the base. Marco finds it an honor to work with Hyakutaro, but he reveals that he intends to retire after the mission as he's getting old, much to Marco's surprise.

After the mission, Hyakutaro returns to base where he's scolded by a soldier for being reckless. Hyakutaro simply apologizes and heads off to rest, passing by Rita and Avvio along the way. Avvio immediately salutes him, who returns the gesture with a nod. Avvio then explains to Rita that he could tell Hyakutaro has a lot of experience but is trying to hide it.

In a flashback, Marco talks to Hyakutaro about the Supporters system, asking if he would like to join to assist. Hyakutaro declines, reminding Marco that he's getting old and that he has confidence in the youngsters in the army like him and Tarma with a strong sense of justice and courage. He also admits that he's getting tired of the war and wants to see his grandson, reminding Marco not to follow Donald Morden's path and work together to overcome problems. Back to the present, Hyakutaro thinks to himself he has no regrets when Midori notices and greets him.

As Hyakutaro speaks with Midori, he comes to realize that the Regular Army still needs him, motivated by her optimism. He then returns to Marco, telling him that he still needs guidance and agrees to fulfill the role of supporter while scolding Tarma at the same time when he insists that he retire.

### Athena

Midori creates a new machine and tests it; however, it fails and ends up transporting Athena Asamiya into the base. Athena wonders where she is when Midori introduces herself and that they're in a Regular Army military facility. Athena is worried, believing the place to be dangerous, but Midori insists it isn't and offers to show her around.

Marco is then briefed on Athena's arrival by Midori. Midori states that the ability to bring in a person from anywhere is a great invention, but Marco then reminds her that they need to bring Athena back to her own world. Marco allows Athena to stay with the Regular Army until they could find a way to send her back. Athena insists to also go on her own but Marco convinces her otherwise. Midori is eager to talk with Athena.

Soon after, Marco asks Athena if she's getting used to life in the base, which she agrees with. Tarma then comes in and reminds Marco of their mission, who in turn tells him that he was already waiting for everyone else. Athena becomes curious at where Marco is going, who then explains to her about the Rebel Army and their evil machinations. Athena decides that she can't just sit idly by and decides to join, as she wants to repay the Regular Army's hospitality and doesn't like the idea of an evil organization running about. Marco is initially reluctant to let her come along, but Tarma slyly convinces him otherwise and he agrees to let her accompany them as long as she follows several rules.

## Rebel Army

### Allen O'Neil

At the Rebel Army base, rumors are going around that a new Supporters system is going to be set. Some normal soldiers express delight as to who they'll be getting, while Grazia and Loretta state that the system was probably not meant for them. Privately, Loretta wonders if she could be Grazia's supporter should it be introduced to the Blaze Brigade. Grazia then spots Abigail coming in.

Abigail briefs the audience on the system and also introduces their supporter. The soldiers were expecting beautiful women but instead get Allen O'Neil, much to their horror.

Allen brutally retrains the men, one of whom collapses during training, breathing but unable to move. Noticing this, Allen goes over to him and explains that victory is determined by quantity, as the more comrades die, the higher they would die too. Allen tells the soldier to lean on him and move his legs.

Back at the base, Abigail is greeted by Beatriz. Abigail has her doubts over the system as it seems ineffective, but Allen had convinced Morden to give the green light for it. They believe that if they could show too many people were dying as a result, Morden would cancel the trial and decide to check on Allen.

To Abigail's surprise, she finds the soldiers are eagerly training under Allen's watch instead of complaining. Dion comes in and informs her that Morden officially approved the system, as the scene before him and the morale of the troops was enough to convince him it would work. Dion continues to explain that Allen is accounting for each soldier's potential, giving a gentle hand to those who've been pushed to the limit and a stern one to those who hadn't. As a result, the soldiers' morale increased, allowing them to take training seriously and increasing the overall unit's strength. Abigail concedes the "victory" to Allen but promises payback, leaving with Beatriz.

### Morden

Abigail is briefed by a soldier that a base was lost to the Regular Army, while Morden and Dion go about their own activities. Abigail later calls Dion over and realizes that they're losing to the Regular Army because their soldiers' morale has dropped drastically, so they plan to find a way to improve morale.

Dion asks Beatriz, Grazia and Loretta and Rapid what would improve their mood, but realizes that they're too unique to be useful in any way. As he sulks, Morden approaches him, much to his surprise. Morden asks Dion what's wrong, but when he seems reluctant to tell him, Morden already knew that it was regarding morale and has his own idea.

Dion is left surprised by Morden's bold plan, but the general is unfazed as he doesn't want to stand idly about when his army is declining. He asks to be taken to the front, which Dion declines out of his safety, but Morden is still unfazed, pointing out that Marco fights at the front too, although he has no intention to fight him. He would still help fight alongside his soldiers, stating that if it was not possible, he would refuse to move. Dion ultimately decides to agree with Morden's request.

Dion informs Abigail of his plan to boost morale, much to her shock. Abigail likewise is worried about Morden's safety, but he does not care, since Marco is always fighting at the front and the army doesn't need a token leader. Abigail eventually agrees with his logic.

At the battlefield, Morden leads his men, causing their morale to greatly increase. He thanks her for bringing him to the front, as there are some things the higher-ups can't understand without seeing it themselves. A few days later, Morden asks her when they would head out again, as it wasn't a one-time thing, much to both her and Dion's shock. Nonetheless, Morden's presence caused the Rebel Army to repel the Regular Army's advances, although a few soldiers knew that Abigail and Dion were doing all they could to prevent him from going out more.

### Abigail

Dion briefs Abigail about new Ptolemaic weaponry that needs assessment, warning her that the Regular Army is nearby. Allen suggests leading the operation, but Abigail volunteers, which he protests before Morden dismisses them. It is revealed that Abigail chose to do so in the hopes of meeting Trevor.

Abigail oversees some reports by her fellow ACE members. She does so to ensure victory, although it was in her own way, which she found unusual, also recalling the time she helped Trevor against another faction, even if only temporary. She believes that the greatest expression of love is to become the enemy of the person she loves, although during her time with Trevor, working towards a common goal and being close to each other weren't too bad either before starting the mission.

Infiltrating the Ptolemaic base, Abigail intercepts a message from Trevor, causing her to poke out of hiding to try and look for him, something considered unthinkable for one of her position. While trying her best to avoid enemy soldiers, she accidentally bumps into Trevor, both surprised to see each other but make gestures to talk elsewhere.

Trevor is surprised by Abigail's arrival, learning that she came to investigate the Ptolemaic Army. He asks her if she has anyone nearby, but she tells him not, causing him to sigh as he couldn't leave her alone. Trevor asks her to support him if they run into the Ptolemaic Army, causing her to blush. However, they're soon attacked by Ptolemaic soldiers, and upon seeing her loved one seemingly killed, Abigail goes into a frenzy and eliminates all of the attackers.

As Abigail eliminates more soldiers, Abigail notices that Trevor's still alive, albeit badly wounded. She is nonetheless relieved but immediately dresses his wounds. Trevor comes to back at the Regular Army base, while Tarma barges in and asks what happened. Trevor has no recollection before Tarma finds a pink ribbon, which was used to dress his wounds. As Tarma demands to know the person's name, Trevor could only mutter "A" before Tarma notices the hickey on his neck, shaking him to the point that his wound reopens and he faints again.

Back at the Rebel base, Abigail remarks on how one could become stronger to protect others and laughs at the inevitability. Beatriz, who was in the room with her, immediately knew that she went to see Trevor and sets off to punish him, much to the panic of her soldiers, who take several days to calm her down.

## Space Army

### Mars People

Marty asks the Professor what he's talking about, who explains that they need more presence on Earth and need people to do so. Marty points out that they can't bring much, but the Professor assures him he'll bring them as supporters. From a distance, a normal Mars People watches them before a Cadre scolds them for idling about and not working on the experiment.

The Mars People wishes to go to Earth but knows that it would be more of a hassle as it could not fight. The Cadre returns and scolds it again for idling around, ordering it to use the device. The device works, prompting the Cadre to tell the Mars People to report its success. The Mars People wonders if it could go to Earth if it could show the usefulness of the device.

The Mars People shows the device to the Professor, who's impressed by the results. However, it soon worries about going to Earth, which Marty takes note of.

The Mars People decides against going to Earth, believing that it would slow the group down. The Professor notes the machine is complicated and the Cadre tries to use it, but the machine produces errors. Marty is unable to resolve them either. The Mars People, recalling that the Professor said that it was the will that counted, eventually deciding to go along as it was the only one who could use the system properly. The Martian insists it'll do its best while on Earth. Percier becomes angered at the moment.

### Professor

The Professor is busy researching in his lab when Marty comes in and asks if he would take a rest, as he had been working several days without end. The Professor states that he's busy working to improve his friends and asks it to accompany some Martians to collect some data, which it agrees to.

After the operation, the Professor manages to create a clone at a greater speed with the information collected by Marty. He then decides to send it out on a test run later.

However, the attempt is interrupted when the Rebel Army attacks the base. The Professor tells Marty to get ready for them, not caring about the reason behind the attack. Abigail and Allen O'Neil arrive at the base to seize the technology, with Allen questioning why they need it. The Professor sends out a clone of Abigail and Allen and chuckles, waiting to see the results.

Despite the clones, Marty notes that the clones are being pushed back. The Professor decides to finish up his last object and asks Marty to take care of the clones for the time being. Abigail spots him leaving and decides to chase after the Professor, tasking Allen with handling the enemy. Inside, the Professor smiles as he sees his clones growing and wonders how well his technology would fare.

The Professor returns with a massive group of Abigail and Allen clones, much to Abigail's shock. Allen is eager to fight the clones, but Abigail, concerned that they'll be just as strong as them, decides to withdraw. Allen initially refuses but relents when she states that Morden had entrusted her with the operation. Marty is glad to see the Professor, although he tells it that he can't make clones in such a way anymore as he's lacking the necessary resources. As such, he'll be coming to Earth on the next visit to collect samples as he laughs, which Marty finds scary.