86 -Eighty Six- Ep. 17: I Won’t Forget

Legion forces head through the streets of San Magnolia as many people flee from them. Lena provides orders from a station set up outside, with Annette and others helping. She shouts out as Legion approach. On August 27, 2149, Shin sits with Frederica in some remains of a destroyed building, covering her eyes. Shin tells Frederica not to look as others call out for help. He asks Anju to take Frederica who claims Kiri did this. She asks Shin if he won’t turn up like Kiri and he says yeah. In a hospital, Marcel is surprised to see reports on the TV of many forward operating bases being wiped out by the Legion. Eugene’s sister Nina sits in a room writing a letter. The next day, a soldier reports to Ernst as many officers listen. They believe the latest attacks are from a new type of Legion with ultra long-range artillery which they’ve called the Morpho. Based on its specifications, they believe it to be using a railgun. During a 15-hour break between strikes, the Western Front’s forces launched an attack on it which did some damage but didn’t destroy it. Via video feeds, Roa Gracia’s crown prince Zafar Idinarokh and Wald’s Lieutenant General Bel Aegis participate in the discussion. Roa Gracia’s forces were able to observe and damage it, but it was too tough to completely take out. The nations agree to continue with a joint operation. In the past they were able to rely on the Legion being tactically weak, but that is no longer the case with them being sentient. The soldier continues his report, saying the Morpho is likely stationed aboard a high speed railway network which puts all their nation’s capitals in its firing range. They estimate it will take eight weeks for it to be repaired and combat ready again. If they can’t defeat it before then, the nations will lose this conflict. In a separate conference room, the conversation continues with strategies about how to defeat the Morpho. It is determined that cruise missiles and an air strike would not work, and ultimately, they’ll have to use a ground offensive. While an all-out offensive using all the troops is discussed, ultimately, they conclude that they should go with a unit which has the highest chances of success but also will not be missed. The next day Willem, one of the soldiers from the briefing recognizes Shin and the other former members of the Spearhead squadron outside. He apologizes to them and says here in the Federacy no one is replaceable. Later as they eat in the mess hall, Shin is reluctant to tell Frederica what’s wrong. He failed to respond to her during the previous battle when she synced with him. Frederica says they should all get some rest and that maintaining their mental health is an important part of being in the military. She says as Eighty Six they’ll be given special consideration, but Kurena says she doesn’t want to be treated any differently out of pity. Other soldiers in the mess hall are quiet and have angry looks on their faces. Kurena says she much prefers to be looked at that way and is used to it. Anju says with it taking two months to repair the Morpho they shouldn’t expect any attacks until then, although Theo doesn’t believe such reports. He brings up Lena causing Anju to get mad at him. Shin comes off as if he wasn’t paying attention. Raiden doesn’t expect them to come up with a good plan in the time they have. The setting flashes back to August 28th as Nina provides Marcel with a letter to give to Shin. He’s surprised at its contents but claims it’s easier to blame things on someone else.

On September 1, a letter from Nina is dropped through Shin’s door. Shin flashes back to reading a letter from her in his Reginleif cockpit. It asks why he killed her brother and tells him to give him back. A slight smile appears on Shin’s face as the cockpit closes. He has a vision of her appearing before him saying he killed her brother. Legion approach and Marcel appears, asking why he should be the one to survive. Other voices start sounding out against him and blood starts dripping down his face. Lena claims she won’t forget, which shakes him out of it. Someone knocks on his door and says General Richard wants to speak with him. Shin and Grethe report to Richard, who tests Shin’s ability by asking him to point out the Legion’s locations on a map. He and Grethe are surprised at how many he points to and stop Shin once he reaches the Republic, admitting to his ability. Richard claims based on his ability he’ll be even more suited for the upcoming operation. Three nations will launch a full assault as a decoy which will lure out the Legion’s forces. This will enable a special assault force to make an aerial entry into Legion-held territory and destroy the Morpho. Shin along with the entire 15 member Nordlicht squadron will be assigned to this mission. Grethe claims this is a suicide mission and asks why it is assigned to them. Shin starts hearing the voices of his deceased comrades from the Spearhead squadron who claim it’s because they’re Eighty Six and not welcome wherever they go. Grethe passionately argues on Shin’s behalf, but he continues to listen to the voices of his dead colleagues instead who claim they lived with pride until the end because of him. Another vision of Lena appears saying she won’t let him die. Shin snaps back to reality. Richard says someone must do it, and since Shin and his colleagues have experience in Legion territory, they can do it again. Shin says understood. As they are driven away, Grethe asks Shin if he’s disillusioned as the world he ended up in was no better than this. Shin seems to have no issue with it, claiming it’s the best solution. Grethe says as long as they destroy the Morpho she’s allowed to dictate the details of the mission. She says she’ll send other units instead and that he and his friends can stay here and quit the military once things are over. He’s fought more than enough for a homeland that refused to protect him. Shin interrupts, asking if she wants them to cease being who they are for the sake of her pity and sense of justice. He’s grateful to have been saved, but that doesn’t give her the right to pity him or order him not to fight. He refuses to turn his eyes away from the war or be like those from the Republic. Ernst receives a report labeling Shin a psychic and says they can’t keep quiet about it any longer. Willem reports to Richard, who asks if Shin will ever be able to come back, even alone. Willem claims the odds of survival are close to zero and the soldiers would be furious if one of their friends was sent on a mission like that. They’ll accept it if the Republic’s “monsters” are sent instead. Shin opens another letter from Nina, showing something drawn with blood all over it. He looks at a memento in his hand and a voice says if he’s a match for a monster, that makes him a monster himself. Grethe provides orders before the Nordlicht squadron, showing them a map of the area where they will attack the Morpho. After finishing, most soldiers leave the room. Bernholdt tells Shin he appreciates him not abandoning them, but he just can’t watch those the age of his kids go off to die. It is okay if they change their mind. Shin doesn’t reply and Bernholdt sighs and leaves the room. Shin tells his colleagues they have the right to refuse but they all say no to it. The four of them get up to go and call for Shin to catch up with them. On September 2, Lena’s room lies in ruin.