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Synopsis: Episode 01 - One day Stirred from a 22 year slumber, Yuji Kaido awakens to the living hell that is Earth in the year 2031...being dragged frantically down a hospital corridor whilst held prisoner in his own cryogenic capsule is Yuji's ill fated wake up call. Though this isn't the gentle re-entry into the world Yuji had in mind, especially when the two squad members from the sleeper recovery team sent to pick him up are both ambushed and promptly slaughtered by a monstrous insect vaguely resembling a giant dung beetle. Fortunately, the squad's armored shrike mech pilot, Marlene, shows up laying waste to the alien attacker. Fear stricken, however, Yuji mistakes Marlene's grimacing visor for that of another thing worth avoiding, panics and runs... Marlene radios the remainder of the sleeper recovery squad before pursuing Yuji. As he runs aimlessly, Yuji tries to get a grip on his new reality, recalling the events leading up to his 22 year long sleep. He recalls those last words with best friend Takashi, and how he'd chosen to become a sleeper hoping the advances of medical science, whilst in stasis, would provide a cure for his terminal illness. Having caught up with Yuji, Marline introduces herself before escorting Yuji to safety, though the two get caught up on the way with yet another alien attacker. With her shrike moderately damaged from her earlier encounter, Marlene finds her new opponent hard going, though the arrival of fellow squad members Keith and Joey, piloting an armored fighter, quickly remedies the situation. The group meet up with the remainder of the recovery team, litter the facility with high yield timed explosive charges then head out leaving Yuji to interpret his new world. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 02 - Cry The team hold up briefly on the outskirts of a long since abandoned city, now nothing but a ruin, an empty shell of its former self. Whilst Yuji sinks into a state of depression, Keith and Marlene shed what little they know on the small matter of the Earth's current state. How the invading Blue showed up little over 14 years ago, 2017, killing the inhabitants of, and colonising, the Earth, claiming it for themselves as a source of nutrition since they feed on both organic and inorganic matter. And that the team was ordered to recover as many survivors from the sleeper institute as possible. Though the history lesson is cut short as a lone Blue attacks the team, its efforts are for nothing, however, as Keith, Joey and Marlene dispose of the attacker text book style. With their location revealed, however, the team moves out. The team arrives at their rendezvouz point with the other sleeper recovery teams based at an airport built on reclaimed land out at sea, the reason for this being that Blue don't swim...yet. From there, the teams plan to head on up to Second Earth; a space station, humanity's new home amongst the stars, via transports capable of breaching the Earth's atmosphere. The plan goes horribly wrong, however, as hoards of Blue start surfacing through the concrete runways themselves courtesy of an underground pipe over-looked by the teams. Caught off guard, and surrounded by several extremely large Blue, the teams are taken out one by one. The only survivors of the ambush include Joey, Marlene, Yuji and seriously injured commander Robert who manage to board a light aircraft transport during the chaos and take off before the airport develops into one giant Blue colony. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 03 - Trial The remainder of the Far East sleeper recovery team put down, having exhausted their fuel, before making the remainder of their journey, that is to meet up with the Korean recovery team, by land as opposed to air. An attack en-route by a single Blue, however, puts Yuji's uselessness into perspective and as such he requests to be trained up as part of the team, course Marlene's less than enthused about the whole idea. A few choice words from Joey helps sway her mind, though Marlene has the last say on the matter, Yuji's given three days to get his training down or else... Yuji's training goes reasonably well, Joey teaches him how to operate the controls of an armored fighter whilst Marlene teaches Yuji the finer points of precision shooting. With Yuji's three days up already, the team procures an abandoned ship choosing to traverse the next leg of their journey via the sea. As the team is about to make headway, however, they are set upon by three airborne Blue and a single ground based type. Marlene takes on the three coming from the skies whilst Joey and Yuji attempt to keep the other bottled up till Marlene can back them up with her armored shrike. Although far from textbook, Joey and Yuji do manage to tie up the Blue long enough for Marlene to come to their aid. With their attackers vanquished, the team moves out intent on meeting up with the Korean recovery team. Yuji helps Joey carry out repairs on their armored fighter, and somehow...life just doesn't seem quite so bad anymore. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 04 - Agony The team make the crossing without further delay and arrive safely in Korea, though with increased Blue activity in the vicinity, Robert has his team move out immediately in search of the Korean recovery team. Though when the remains of the rather unfortunate recovery team are located, strewn around the facility that they had intended to liberate, Robert has his team search for some other means of contacting Second Earth. Whilst the team drives around in search of a communications facility still intact, Yuji spots a young girl and her pet dog cornered by a Blue. Yuji pleads with Joey to stop the vehicle, however, Marlene intervenes ordering Yuji to pay no attention to the girl. Yuji's not about to take a back seat though, leaps from the vehicle crashing to the ground after which takes down the young girl's attacker. Unfortunately Yuji's gun shots draw further Blue to the area, much to Marlene's annoyance, and so the team tail the girl to a ruin of a city centre, a safe haven for those starving human survivors left behind on the planet, before setting up camp for the night. Yuji finds himself disgusted, appalled even that the inhabitants of Second Earth could abandon their own kind. The following day Marlene, Joey and Yuji head out to investigate a nearby communications tower, when they arrive, however, it becomes apparent that the tower has become home to a Blue nest, still, Marlene has them enter the building anyway. Little do they realise that these aren't just ordinary Blue hatching, instead a new generation...an evolved generation! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 05 - Priority The team press on upwards towards the communications tower's main computer. With the communications equipment still intact, Joey and Marlene succeed in transmitting a weak signal to Second Earth informing them of their intended rendezvous at a space base in Russia. Exiting the tower, however, proves to be far more difficult as all three are set upon by those Blue nesting in the vicinity, stirred from slumberous when the tower's power came back on-line courtesy of Joey as ordered by Marlene. The team manage to make it back to the truck and suit up ready for combat, though all goes a bit pair shaped when an evolved Blue surfaces into the fray. The fight goes badly, both mechs are trashed beyond repair...worst still, Joey is killed. Marlene and a distraught Yuji make their way back safely to the human refuge and inform Robert of the news. Though Yuji remains understandably upset, Marlene maintains her cold composure, she plans to dig in and prepare for a last stand against the nearby Blue, though in order to do this some form of bait is required to lure the Blue through a narrow ruined corridor of collapsed buildings. Using the refugees for this purpose, however, has Yuji up in arms, still...unable to suggest a viable alternative, Yuji is over-ruled and the plan set. Sure enough, the Blue are lured into the ambush, and initially all goes according to plan...though both numbers and a single evolved Blue quickly turn the tide of the battle. The refugees are slaughtered. Dismembered and tossed about to litter the area. With the plan in ruin Robert sets high yield explosives and arms himself with the detonator ordering Marlene to take Yuji, turn tale and run. Marlene obeys, Yuji is dragged, and Robert screams as he flips the switch on the detonator. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 06 - Relation Marlene and Yuji set out on foot towards their rendezvous point at Baikonur space base in Russia, though the going's extremely tough as Marlene has them take the mountainous high road in order to evade the Blue. The trek takes its toll on Yuji, however, as he slips into unconsciousness due to over exhaustion. Marlene decides that a little break is in order and the two rest up for the night in an old abandoned temple. The next day Yuji's relationship with Marlene comes to a head, his reluctance to accept Marlene's help as a result of his disagreement with her actions back at the human refuge forces the issue. In a way this helps to relieve tensions between Marlene and Yuji as both take the opportunity to get recent events off their chest. That night the two hold up inside a long since abandoned cave, though Yuji's sleep pattern is once again shattered by visions of his re-entry into the world and those events that followed. Both set out at first light, though working together this time round as Yuji starts to wake up to the ever so different world around him. Again exhaustion sets in, though surprisingly Marlene is its unfortunate victim as she looses her footing nearly falling off the side of a mountain ridge. Luckily Yuji's quick to react rescuing his mentor from plummeting to her death. When they finally reach the summit Yuji takes a minute to reflect on life, and it's at this point that Marlene finally reveals a little about herself to Yuji. With hopes of reaching Second Earth revived Marlene and Yuji decide to start over putting their past differences aside...both form a pact together - to surviving, to reaching Second Earth Alive! This is sealed with a kiss from Marlene much to Yuji's astonishment. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 07 - Sympath As the mountains decline, giving way to nothing but vast open desert, Yuji and Marlene happen across a long since abandoned supply depot on the horizon. Suffering from extreme exhaustion, both Yuji and Marlene decide to investigate the facility with the intent of setting up camp for the night, though closer inspection suggests the presence of Blue within the vicinity. Indeed, both are set upon by a sub-teranean form of Blue within minutes of entering the complex. Caught off guard and out gunned, salvation comes in the form of a rogue ex-soldier by the name of Dice, piloting a jury rigged long since beat up armored fighter. Fortunately Dice manages to fend off the Blue for the time being giving the group enough time to grab much needed supplies and scarper. Despite Dice's rough mannered yet friendly nature, however, Marlene fails to hit it off with the ex-soldier. Early next morning Marlene heads back to the facility, despite Dice's warnings, in an attempt to procure a means of transport for herself and Yuji to Baikonur. Her intrusion into Blue territory doesn't go unnoticed, however, as the Blue seen off earlier by Dice reacquaints itself with Marlene. Both Yuji and Dice set out after Marlene, though when they eventually catch up with Dice's armored fighter broken down about a mile away from the facility, both fear the worst what with no sign of Marlene. Yuji rushes on ahead as Dice tries to get his aging mech back up and on its feet. Yuji finally makes it to the facility to find Marlene slugging it out with the Blue, though he's able to offer little help with the immediate danger, he does, however, manage to bide Marlene enough time, using himself as bait, for Dice to show up armored and ready for a good Blue ass kicking. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 08 - Oasis En route to Baikonur at high speed, courtesy of a buggy procured from the supply depot, Yuji, Dice and Marlene are attacked from the skies as airborne Blue repeatedly smash against the side of the vehicle. Marlene sees off the first, though when the chain gun strapped to the back of the buggy runs out of ammunition, Yuji is knocked from the buggy before Marlene can take out the second. As the fight subsides, the weather does not. The raging sandstorms worsen making the search for Yuji impossible. The buggy's none to good either, though all is in hand what with Dice's unique mechanical bodging talents. Yuji finally comes round only to find himself lying recovering in a tent. Seeing him wake, a young girl by the name of Elena introduces herself and explains how her nomadic people came across Yuji laying unconscious in the desert. There's little time to waste though as the camp prepares to move to better grazing lands. With no way of contacting the others Yuji accepts Elena's offer to ride with the camp. Moments after the camp settle on their new land they are greeted by the Kizuho area guard - 4th independent squad currently engaged in a campaign of war to exterminate the Blue. Though when Elena's people refuse to give up their supplies to the rogue soldiers, the squad proceeds to take what they desire by force, setting the camp a blaze and killing the livestock. Unable to simply sit back and watch, Yuji hijacks the commander's armored shrike and uses it to drive off the squad laying waste to several of their transports, though the damage is already done, and Yuji's relations with Elena's people are stretched as they begin to associate him with the outsiders responsible for destroying half their camp. That night Yuji reflects on humanity, and starts to question his and Marlene's goal of reaching Second Earth, what are the people there like, and are they even worth reaching? As these thoughts rack Yuji's mind Elena shows up to offer a sympathetic hand, though as Elena's feelings for Yuji run high, a sympathetic hand isn't the only thing on offer. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 09 - Confirm The morning after...Yuji awakens to find Elena asleep by his side, whilst his old life re-emerges upon the horizon as Dice and Marlene home in on his location. As they approach the camp, both Dice and Merlene are greeted with a less than warm welcome what with the recent repercussions of outsiders still fresh in the minds of the nomads. Fortunately Yuji manages to calm those frayed nerves before emotions run riot amongst the locals. Even Marlene seems a little on edge what with Elena clinging desperately to Yuji's side. Although somewhat behind schedule, Marlene reckons the group to be back on track with a couple of days hard driving, but before she can finish outlining her plan Yuji announces his reluctance to leave his new home, in particular Elena. Frustrated with his decision, Marlene holds Yuji to gun point, though soon regrets and withdraws upon her actions, after all, she's in no position to dictate what Yuji can and can't do with his life. Unable to sway Yuji's mind, Marlene says her goodbyes, whilst clearly struggling to suppress her own feelings, and leaves the camp with Dice. As Dice and Marlene prepare to head out, Yuji joins the others as they move on towards their next destination, though he fails to make it more than a couple of metres on horse back before gun shots echo across the land emanating from Dice and Marlene's last known position. Elena pleads for Yuji to stay, though the thought of Marlene in trouble is simply too much for him to bear, and as such turns his back on what he thought was his new life. Yuji saddles up, however this time chooses instead to take the Kizuho area guard's armored shrike, still tucked away at the old camp site, before heading into combat with Dice and Marlene's latest predator. The battle results in both the destruction of the Blue and the armored shrike, though with the team still intact and once again reunited, the next stop on Yuji's travels is Baikonur. For Dice though it's the end of the road as he says his fond farewells to both Yuji and Marlene before burning rubber off into the night. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 10 - Tactics Yuji and Marlene finally reach the Baikonur space base compound, though are promptly driven off by sentry attack drones deployed long since by humans to keep the base free of Blue activity. Unfortunately a defect in the programming of the sentries now places human beings in the same hostility bracket as the Blue. Fortunately for Marlene sharp shooter Scott Manning from the near by 18th sleeper recovery squad arrives in time to bail the two out of trouble with the aid of an armored shrike. Once united with the remnants of the 18thth sleeper recovery squad, the squad commander clues Yuji and Marlene in on the plan to both recapture the space base and repair the faulty sentry programming. The plan involves splitting the group into two teams; alpha team, including Marlene, are to lure the local Blue towards the sentries causing mass confusion whilst bravo team utilise the diversion to recapture the base and access its defence systems. The plan goes well, and the sentries are promptly reprogrammed to support alpha team against the Blue, that is until the squad's Information Technology specialist goes AWOL on a private crusade, against both the Blue and the inhabitants of Second Earth, involving the attempted theft of the base's only remaining shuttle. With the Blue war raging right across the perimeter and the base's only shuttle prepared for an early auauthorised launch, the outlook's grim for the squads chances of making it back to Second Earth at all let alone in one piece. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 11 - Go mad The war against the Blue on the outskirts of the Baikonur space base intensifies...both the alpha armored shrike strike team and the base's sentry attack drones slowly become worn down by the relentless Blue assault on the base. Unfortunately the team are still unable to fall back into the safety of the compound, what with the ongoing rouge activities of a single squad member within the base, and as such do their best to hold the line. Meanwhile the squad commander, Yuji and the others force the renegade solider out of the shuttle by cutting it's main power supply...though when they attempt to reconnect the shuttle's power a grim discovery is unearthed. A new type of Blue has infiltrated the base and latched itself onto the base's generators. Worse still the single Blue is drawing current directly from the generators causing system wide shutdowns across the entire base, including its defence systems - the sentry attack drones, leaving Marlene and alpha team down the river without a paddle! Bravo team do away with the power draining Blue and reconnect the little remaining power to both the shuttle and a single block of supporter drones. Though these drones are primarily designed to ferry cargo and prepare systems, Yuji takes them out into the combat arena to rescue the only surviving alpha team member - Marlene, who continues to plug away at the Blue in her battered excuse for an armored shrike. Yuji makes it back to the shuttle with Marlene, and with the help of the others finally gets to see the Earth from a new perspective as the squad breaches the Earth's atmosphere - destination Second Earth. There's one last kick in the teeth, however, as the team aren't the only ones taking to space...a single Blue stowed away on the shuttle accompanies them. And the casualty as a result of this oversight? Yuji Kaido! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 12 - Progress Upon their arrival to Second Earth Yuji is immediately rushed into surgery for emergency medical treatment for his life threatening injuries. Marlene, however, is ordered to an enquiry explaining her choice of actions down on the planet. She is punished with numerous unfair questions such as "Why was the sleeper allowed to enter combat?", "Why was she the only survivor of her sleeper recovery squad?", "Why, why...why!?!". Marlene's enquiry doesn't go so well, she is deemed unfit for duty and as such is reassigned to a drill facility for re-education. Her time spent with Yuji has obviously affected the way in which she assess situations, she is no longer the cold hearted bitch that Yuji first encountered, though that said her superiors see this new found emotion as a hindrance to her work. Marlene tries to get word of Yuji's condition, however, her re-assignment has her grounded firmly under the command of a callous drill instructor. With access to Yuji's condition denied left, right and centre, Marlene finds herself now having to gain permission to wipe her own ass even. Throughout the combat simulations she's subjected to, Marlene shows deadly accuracy and cunning, though her drill instructor becomes agitated with Marlene's new found compassion for the human inhabitants of Earth, referred to by those from Second Earth as groundlings. As such she has Marlene pitted against obscene odds in an attempt to beat the compassion out of her. These bully boy tactics fail, however, though as a result Marlene suffers one or two light injuries and is transferred to Second Earth's medical facility. Ironically Marlene has ended up exactly where she'd hope to be, though where's Yuji!?! Given the seriousness of his wounds shouldn't he be here! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 13 - Heresy Wandering aimlessly throughout Second Earth's medical facility looking for Yuji, Marlene is caught off guard by Amick Hendar's security forces and subsequently transferred back to Amick's drill facility for further re-education. Once again Marlene refuses to cause any harm to innocent human beings caught in the cross fire of the drill facility's training simulators, though despite receiving all the punishment Amick has to offer Marlene's skills remain as sharp as ever as she cracks into Second Earth's security records continuing her search for Yuji. Marlene tracks Yuji's movements from Second Earth's medical facility to its science division as ordered by science director Seno Miyagi, and as such decides to go pay the lovely director a not so friendly visit. Disguised as a science officer and armed with a rather nifty taser weapon, Marlene abducts Miyagi before interrogating him as to Yuji's whereabouts. Miyagi refuses to co-operate, and to make matters worse Amick's security forces catch up with both the director and Marlene, however, using the director as a shield Marlene once again manages to give Amick's men the slip. Running like a bat out of hell, Marlene finally makes it in one piece to the lab where the science division's got Yuji under lock and key. With her options exhausted, all Marlene can do is pound on the glass dividing the two of them apart until Amick's men once again catch up with Marlene. Though his wounds have miraculously healed, Yuji seems almost oblivious to both Marlene's screaming and the pounding of her fists, and with the game finally drawn to a close, Marlene must now face up to Amick's wrath. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 14 - Set Amick's men open fire on Marlene, though her agility shines through as she hits the lights shrouding her would be executioners in complete darkness, as such the bullet intended for Marlene goes a stray shooting out the glass to the lab. Marlene drops down into the lab and is finally reunited with Yuji, their reunion is cut short, however, as both Yuji and Marlene are dragged to an audience with Second Earth's high council to explain their rebellious behaviour. At long last the truth behind the sleepers is revealed as Second Earth's high council, under pressure from Seno Miyagi, decide to clue both Yuji and Marlene in on the details regarding the sleeper project. Turns out Yuji's illness is linked to the presence of B-Cells within his body. Though these mutant cells excel in destroying harmful agents within the host's body, when left idle they themselves can exhibit harmful effects on their host. Second Earth's science division, however, has constructed a specially designed armoured shrike capable of interfacing with such a host drawing upon the combative instincts of the host's B-Cells thus producing the pinnacle of combative armoured shrike technology. A technology capable of eliminating the Blue once and for all, realised in the form of a sleeper brigade. Yuji signs up to the programme enlisting himself in the sleeper brigade, though there's just one catch - where Yuji goes Marlene follows, but with Yuji at last offering to co-operate freely Second Earth's high council grant Yuji's wish thus allowing the two to continue working together. Now it's game time, if they can't make the grade then it's back to the drill facility for Marlene. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 15 - Calm Yuji and Marlene pass the test...much to the envy of sleeper brigade member Alicia. Though Alicia herself is only a young girl, being a sleeper she is more than able to take care of herself on the battle field, though now she's looking towards a whole new arena, the arena of love. And the object of her obvious affection - Yuji Kaido. Alicia tracks Yuji down trying to get a little shut eye in his quarters...but no such luck, it's not enough that he's managed to survive the trip to Second Earth, now Yuji must baby sit Alicia and her turbulent teenage hormones. Meanwhile Marlene gets into an awkward sexual situation of her own as Alicia's partner, Rick, comes on to her none too subtly. Marlene's not to be taken for a literal ride so to speak with someone she's only just met and so abandons Rick for a brisk walk around the complex. She bumps into Tony, another of the sleeper brigade members, acting his usual suspicious self. This time he's cracking into personnel files, in particular those of Marlene's, Yuji's and Alicia's, in an attempt to satisfy his suspicious mind. Though when he trips a security lock out Marlene scarpers into the depths of the complex laying low whilst the local security force investigates the intrusion. Alicia's lost...with Yuji, deep within the depths of the science division complex. Her romantic stroll with Yuji's gone a little off course, even more so when the two accidentally get separated. Fumbling around in the dark Yuji finally re-establishes contact with what he thinks is Alicia, though closer inspection reveals a rather puzzled Marlene. The mood soon turns from that of a puzzled one to an embarrassing one as both struggle to offer a good reason as to their current whereabouts. It's doesn't really matter though as the sun rises, its light hitting the surface of the Earth down below, all that really matters is that they are both safe...and more importantly, together. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 16 - A sign With the sleeper brigades ready for combat, Second Earth's high council has Yuji's group prepare for their first mission drop in a new campaign against the Blue to take back the Earth. The drop point is to be on the African continent in Tanzania, and the mission...to eradicate the large Blue nest there. When the team arrives at the drop point, preliminary bombardment of the Blue nest via air support results in a massive Blue counter attack. The Blue are relentless in their attack ripping their way through Second Earth's armoured shrike divisions, that is until they have the misfortune of engaging Yuji's sleeper brigade; the seventh special division. It would appear, however, that division hot-shot, Toni, has no need for the others as he single handily obliterates the Blue nest whilst piloting one of the new double edge armoured shrikes capable of harnessing the essence of its sleeper pilot's B-Cells. Envious of Toni's exploits, Yuji sets about improving upon his own handy work in the follow up mission involving the destruction of yet another Blue nest. This particular nest is somewhat different though. Having withstood aerial bombardment, seventh special division is to gain access to the nest via an underground access route thus detonating the nest from within. Despite the mission's complete success, Yuji's desire to better Toni in the field developes into a dangerous intoxicating obscession. Yuji starts to let reality slip as he becomes focused on only one thing, killing Blue. Toni's going down hill too as he abandons the mission half way through to go nest sight seeing. As such Rick and division leader Brenda back track in order to drag Toni back whilst Yuji, Merlene and Alicia carry out the mission alone. Brenda chews Toni out during the mission debriefing for all its worth, but it does no good...Toni's snapped - all he wants to do now is annihilate Blue. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 17 - Eclosion Yet another Blue nest eradication stylee mission, yet another opportunity for the sleeper boys to compare egos. This time, however, Yuji wants to head up a dangerous diversionary detachment with Marlene whilst the others take out the latest Blue nest. Of course Toni wants this dangerous assignment too, but the toss of a coin settles the dispute placing Yuji and Marlene on the front line. The mission starts to take its toll on Yuji though, constantly in the thick of battle and with his ever worsening obsession to better Toni, Yuji starts to show signs of loosing it. So much so that he very nearly blows away several children, hiding out in the jungle undergrowth, mistaking them for Blue. Luckily Marlene manages to calm Yuji down before he can start letting off the rounds. The fire fight sends the children running scared and so Marlene gives pursuit in order to evacuate them to safety, but her good intentions aren't repaid as she gets jumped by a large Blue. Once again Yuji steps in beating the absolute crap out of Marlene's attacker...but Yuji's mental state is now frightening. Toni's is even worse, he now frequently acts alone thus disobeying orders and seeks solitary confinement when off duty. That said though both his and Yuji's performance records are now through the roof. Fortunately, however, with the last nest in Tanzania destroyed, the first campaign drop draws to a close, thus seventh special division can finally return home to Second Earth for some well deserved rest and relaxation. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 18 - Chaos Back at Second Earth Marlene starts experiencing nightmares of a blood drenched Yuji spiralling ever more out of control into a deepening killing frenzy. Worse still, given the success of the campaign's first drop mission, the high council commences preparation for a second drop. For Yuji and the other sleepers this entails further intensive training in the form of simulated mission sorties. With the latest test results freshly collated, Seno Miyagi once again rears his head demanding to analyse the new data. The data has been tampered with, however, suggesting that only a marginal improvement in sleeper capabilities was observed during both the first drop and simulator testing. Realising this to be a lie Marlene decides to tip Seno off on the elaborate cover-up, though in order to achieve this she enlists the help of Rick fearing that the high council is keeping a watchful eye over her personal activities. Seno's no fool though, in fact he's already several steps ahead in the game. Seno clues Marlene in once again, though this time regarding the true nature of the B-Cells. He reveals that during their initial discovery when the sleeper project was first set in motion, scientists injected the B-Cells directly into test animals. The results were dire; the test subjects took on the effects of the B-Cells aggressive nature, and having escaped into the wild began cross breeding...nature did the rest thus giving rise to the Blue! Once again man's worst enemy has proven to be himself, and yet again the same mistake is being made all over. Marlene's shock overwhelms her, however, all is not completely lost as Seno reveals the secret of his underground resistance cell known as the Ark. Word comes in that the second drop has already begun despite Marlene's absence, and with that seventh special division departs towards the Earth. The only way to save Yuji and the other sleepers now is to cut the strings between them and their puppet master the high council. With that thought in mind the Ark moves into action along with new recruit Marlene Angel! Game time...!! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 19 - Collapse Under Seno's command the Ark takes the initiative sealing off all passage ways within Second Earth's military station, whilst the high council is pre-occupied with the second drop operation, thus preventing reinforcements from forming any kind of counter attack. Furthermore, Marlene leads a team of Ark soldiers to secure the military station's shuttle docks. Though she leads Seno's troops to a convincing victory over that of the high council's under the command of Amick, she is unable to secure the shuttle docks before the high council are able to make their escape to the medical station. Meanwhile, as the insurrection gets under way on Second Earth, seventh sleeper division commence their assault on the largest Blue nest in New York city North America. The operation proceeds according to plan though the situation rapidly starts to get ugly as both Toni and Yuji alow their hatred towards the Blue to consume themselves as they become nothing more than murderous animals. The carnage left in the wake of Toni and Yuji's destructive rampage is hideous as Blue internal organs begin littering the city. Things soon go from hideous to just plain bad, however, as sixth division fails to hold their designated area of the city. With the sixth division collapse hoards of Blue start to swarm in around the remaining divisions scattered around the city outflanking and surprising Second Earth's finest. And if that wasn't bad enough Toni and Yuji finally break under the demand of their double edge armoured shrikes as their B-Cells fully activate and consume their minds. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 20 - Versus Yuji's lost it, he's finally gone mad as his B-Cells reek havoc on his mind. He can no longer distinguish friend from foe, so much so that when Marlene finally makes her way down to the Earth in search of Yuji it's all he can do to stop himself from tearing her apart! He blames her for awakening him to the Blue hell on Earth and takes out his anger on Marlene by dismembering her armoured shrike The Blue continue to surprise the Second Earth offensive, commanded by Brenda, as their ranks cease to end. Second Earth's armoured shrike divisions now find themselves outnumbered in excess of five to one having clearly underestimated the Blue concentration within the actual nest. As such divisions begin to break, disobeying orders, following a line of retreat out of the city to operations where Brenda is commanding the offensive...or be it a last stand. Brenda is gutted...literally! Having crawled out of the wreckage of her trashed shrike, Marlene goes a wandering the streets of New York city in search of a new piece of kit. Fortunately her luck's in as she procures a double edge from a dead sleeper. Suited and booted, Marlene picks up the trail of Yuji's one man slaughter house determined to find him and bring him home. She finds him easy enough, but bringing him home won't be so easy, especially when he opens fire on her. Yuji maybe good at annihilating Blue, but when it comes to taking on Marlene the iron lady's not to be taken likely! But in the end, it's not guns, knives or shrikes that win out...instead, Yuji is finally brought down by Marlene herself, a kiss to be exact. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 21 - Joker The survivors of the second drop operation call it a day...with so many human losses accounted for and ever increasing numbers of Blue in and around the city, a passport back to Second Earth seems the only way to go. The survivors make their way to the nearest operational shuttle and catapult their way out of the bloody drop zone. Meanwhile Seno commences negotiations with the high council hold up in Second Earth's medical station. Although cut off from the military station, the educational facility and the mining resource facility on the moon by Ark soldiers, the high council aren't going to go quietly. Their barganing chip being the three hundred thousand human lives cryogenically frozen on board the residential section of the medical station. Word comes in that Toni, having made his way back via shuttle, is attempting to land on Second Earth. Seno has the military station locked down, however, head of the high council, Victor, foolishly welcomes back the B-Cell ravaged human with open arms. Toni's not the only one on board the shuttle though, indeed he's brought several friends - Alicia and the Blue! Some how the common B-Cells shared by both the sleepers and the Blue allow Toni to command the Blue to engage the inhabitant's of Second Earth's medical station. Now, with the high council dead along with most of the other humans on board the station, Toni plans to finish the job by ramming the station into the military station. With Toni clearly out of his mind and a far greater danger than the Blue could ever be, Seno's orders are simple - board the medical station and kill Toni. The job's not made easy though what with the activation of the station's laser defence net. New arrivals Yuji and Marlene take up the call to arms, however, and this time they're working together. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 22 - Dogma Yuji and Marlene successfully make it on board the medical station. There's nothing like zero gravity on an abandoned space station to emphasise a recent massacre. Everywhere human remains can be seen drifting around like grotesque trophies. The only survivors of the massacre are Lou Li Chang, a former member of the high council, seventh special division members Rick, Sue and a couple of Ark soldiers. This rag tag outfit quickly gets under way as a plan is hatched to take out Toni. They are well aware, however, that Seno has no desire to let Toni carry out his demented plan and as such need to act quickly before Seno blows the station out of space entirely. Rick, Yuji and Marlene head towards the main computer room in order to confront Toni, though they are quickly forced to seek shelter in an adjacent room when their choice of passage way turns out to be blocked off by a herd of Blue. however, it is here that they unexpectedly find Alicia of all people. While all this is going on, Sue and twin sister Lou set about removing the system lock put in place by Victor thus allowing the medical station's residential section to be decoupled and jettisoned safely into space. Alicia's a complete goner...her B-Cells have completely taken control of her body and as such she opens fire on Yuji. Fortunately Marlene pushes Yuji aside, though in doing so receives a bullet to her right shoulder. Next to take a beating is Rick as several Blue bodyguard come to Alicia's aid. Amongst the pandemonium Yuji tries relentlessly to bring Alicia back to her senses but her condition has progressed too far for that now. With the group at their wits end, Rick turns the tide of the battle by taking out the Blue queen, that is to say Alicia, with a single shot to her right breast. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 23 - Soliste Both Sue and Lou successfully manage to disengage the residential section from Second Earth's medical station. The cryogenic status capsules that make up the residential section are then hastily retrieved by Seno's men and evacuated to safety. Meanwhile, Yuji and Marlene resume the hunt for Toni leaving behind a badly battered Rick to evacuate a near dead Alicia. Sadly, in his wrecked state, the Blue catch up with Rick before he can make it off the station...Rick is killed. Before they can face off against B-Cell ravaged Toni, however, Yuji and Marlene are intercepted just outside the main computer room by automated worker drones. Although not designed for close combat, the drones manage to drive off Toni's would be assassins into an adjacent room. Fortunately for Yuji and Marlene, the room they find themselves backed into happens to be the medical facility's main generator room. Whilst knocking out the generator won't cripple the facility, it does, however, manage to buy enough down time for Yuji and Marlene to gain entrance to the main computer room. In this final arena of death, Toni allows a little insight into the workings of his bent mind. Toni perceives the Blue to be nature's way of maintaining the natural balance of the Earth's ecosystem. In effect the Blue are just another step of natural selection, natures answer to the Earth's ever growing out of control Human population. As all sleepers share the same B-Cells present within the Blue, Toni sees himself as some kind of messiah, the Earth's messiah born to command the Blue and thus govern the Human extinction. The confrontation is bloody...and the end grim as a bullet from Yuji's gun embeds itself in Toni's head. Toni dies. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 24 - Compass With Toni, Alicia and Rick dead and the medical station blown out of space for good measure, the inhabitants of Second Earth begin taking steps to ensure their continued future survival under the guidance of Seno. As such, the restoration of Second Earth and its future expansion gets underway, though the development is surrounded by great controversy. In a public speech to the inhabitants of Second Earth Seno continues to unravel the sinister truth where Toni left off. The B-Cells are in effect the Earth's suicide order; a form of projected cell death. Unable to support the continued growth of its human cancer, the Earth issued this order and thus the B-Cell was created. Mankind only accelerated their own demise through accidentally giving rise to the Blue in their outlandish experiments to ascertain the B-Cell's purpose. Humanity opened Pandora's Box if you like, and in doing so were driven to the stars. Whilst Seno charts humanity's future, however, captives Amcik Hendar and Doug Vries make their escape...whilst Amick hijacks a shuttle to Second Earth refusing to live out her life in zero gravity, Doug has only vengeance in mind. Doug manages to catch Seno off guard and drives a gun into his back threatening to lay waste to Second Earth's newest director. Yuji and Marlene arrive on scene along with a handful of troops and as the situation escalates and tensions rise, Doug make a fatal error as his attention is drawn to the famed sleeper. With his guard down Doug is killed. The Blue are no where in sight yet the casualties still continue to rise, even in Seno's utopia...has humanity's self destructive fate already been conceived? Whatever the case, Yuji's down and out spirit is finally rekindled as Marlene leads him quietly back to her room...at long bloody last! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 25 - Adagio That was all three months ago... Now, after three long months humanity is about to return to its homeland, the Earth. Having abandoned the Earth and thus escaped its so called suicide order, Yuji, Marlene, Ted and a handful of other new recruits step foot once again on terra ferma. This time, however, it's not to wage war with the alien Blue, but instead to investigate their migration! The Blue were born for a singular purpose, to eliminate human life thus curing the Earth of its cancer, and as such congregated more so around urban areas, cities, towns, villages etc... Yet now, after all this time, the Blue are on the move...evidence of which is particularly noticeable in South America as the Blue make their slow march across the continent to a common destination. Unwilling to let the mystery remain so, Yuji heads up the specially selected team of plucky volunteers willing to investigate the Blue waypoint. Fortunately picking up the trail of the Blue migration isn't a problem what with the shear devastation left in their wake, but when the trail ends leading to a massive underground path the mystery quite literally deepens. In any case, Yuji's curiosity gets the better of him as he and half his team venture down into the unknown. The mystery soon turns into a real shocker though as the team turns up a massive underground Blue graveyard! They don't have long to take in their horrific surroundings, however, as the ground gives way dropping them further into the depths of what appears to be a massive underground cavern. As the team comes to they are awe struck by a massive fount of light emanating from a rocky well at the far end of the cavern...that is until a new variant of Blue the size of your average secondary school comes thundering out of it!! Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Episode 26 - Let Me Yuji's team finds itself up against a Blue to end all Blue...a titan! The going's extremely tough, and unlike any previously recorded Blue this latest offering can crawl up walls, has the agility of a leopard and delights in ripping apart anything that moves. Indeed several members of Yuji's team find this out first hand as their legs go flying off in a different direction to their torsos. Even fellow sleeper Ted gets a raw deal as he launches an all out assault on the titanic Blue only to finish up impaled on one of its five metre long claws. Determined not to let the side down Yuji unleashes his full fury in a devastating assault on the Blue...whilst his armoured shrike takes a severe trashing, Yuji does manage to ram the barrel of his gun down the thing's throat before pulling the trigger. Needless to say the mess of both littered Blue and Human remains after the battle is appalling. With the death of the Blue, Yuji prepares to investigate the strange fount of light at the far end of the cavern. But this is something he has to do alone... Even Marlene's revelation of her, and Yuji's, child isn't enough to keep them together this time round. With the loss of so much human life, Yuji is unwilling to risk any further casualties, especially where Marlene's concerned. He orders Marlene to safety before walking straight into the light... The inhabitants of Second Earth go insane as they gun down Seno in a hail of bullets before detonating the military station. Meanwhile across the planet other such founts spring to life as a symbol of the Earth's rebirth. The Blue have achieved their purpose, and the overwhelming Human population restored to balance. Yuji catches up with Marlene back on the surface and together, they lead a happy, peaceful life. Now you've read it...why not discuss it on the Last updated: 23/07/2006 |