FLAG Ep. 2: Portrait

In a briefing, Eversalt explains that the reason this frontline base was selected for the flag retrieval operation is that it’s only 200 km away from the insurgent base. In addition, because the area is sparsely occupied, it’s the perfect environment for operating in secrecy. Shirasu takes photos documenting the SDC members at work. At a press conference, UN official Graig North refuses to address speculation that something is holding up the peace agreement. A reporter asks about the US preparing a Rapid Response Force, which suggests that the peace agreement hasn’t been fully accepted. Eversalt pledges to accommodate Shirasu’s work as much as she can, unless it impedes the operation. Shirasu takes photos and videos of Beroqui and Nikkanen working on one of the HAVWC units and accidentally trips on some cables on the floor. Beroqui tells Shirasu that the HAVWC is more than a mere vehicle and that it was designed to augment human functions. He takes Shirasu to another part of the base and shows her the older Exoskeleton EX101, a predecessor of the HAVWC. In the command center, Shirasu talks with Eversalt, who explains that they believe the insurgents have stashed the flag in the ruins of the Metazone Temple. They have the area under satellite surveillance and have noted a recent increase in security. Shirasu is surprised that they know what communications the insurgents are using, and Eversalt explains that they have the Echelon system, which can listen in on communications globally. Eversalt then shows Shirasu real-time surveillance data of vehicles in a certain part of the country. Later, Shirasu struggles to climb stairs to the roof of a building to join Aqbal. However, Shirasu is impressed by the view of the mountains surrounding the base. Shirasu takes photos of the SDC team as well as local wildlife like wolves that surround the base. In Subasci, Akagi takes his camera with him to a bar frequented by journalists. He sits down for a drink with his colleagues as they discuss current events in the country. One of the journalists thinks the peace roadmap will lead to the UN selling the country out. For years, Uddiyana has been dominated by a religious group called the Gelut sect, led by Nyucient Ru Pou XXIII. Gelut devotees see Pou as a living god – a reincarnation of Buddha. Akagi wonders how Pou is involved in this dispute and what his intentions are.

Historically, Uddiyana was a prosperous trade hub located along the Silk Road, but its fortunes diminished at the end of the 20th century as the world’s major powers began meddling in its affairs. The deeply religious citizens took this meddling as interfering with their gods, triggering the civil war that has ravaged the country. Religious worship is also focused on a living god known as the Kufura, the sacred virgin who was captured praying in Shirasu’s photo. Akagi wonders where Shirasu is and what she’s taking pictures of. Shirasu trades her camera for a spray gun to practice spraying a unit designation on one of the HAVWCs. In Subasci, Akagi takes pictures of another insurgent attack that also killed one of the journalists he knows. While there, he runs into his colleague Lisa, also a foreign journalist. Su-Ming gives a briefing on an insurgent convoy and the vehicle types in it. The convoy is heading in their direction and suspected of smuggling either weapons or drugs. Shirasu talks to Nikkanen about the situation, which will lead to the HAVWC being deployed. Ichiyanagi gives mechanics orders about configuring the HAVWC for him to pilot. Akagi finds the dead journalist’s camera and places a flower next to it as a makeshift memorial. Shirasu packs her gear as the SDC prepares to scramble. Shirasu asks Eversalt why they’re launching a preemptive attack, which goes against UN regulations, and Eversalt responds that those are the orders. She also decides that Shirasu has to stay behind, but Shirasu argues that she has the right to document what happens. Eversalt responds that bringing along someone who can’t protect themselves makes the mission more dangerous. Shirasu stays behind and captures video of the SDC’s transport helicopter taking off with two HAVWC units. Shirasu captures footage of the base exterior at night, including a roving wolf pack. She then sees the transport heli and its escort helicopter returning with the HAVWCs. Su-Ming cautions Shirasu against interviewing the team, and when Shirasu asks why if the mission is a success, Su-Ming answers only that the primary objective was carried out. Shirasu tries talking to Aqbal and is ignored. Shirasu gets footage of Eversalt and Ichiyanagi working out to ease their strained muscles after the mission. She then takes a picture of herself reflected in a window.