Layzner Ep. 15: Become a Blue Comet

Karla floats through space until three soldiers bring her back to the shuttle. Gale is disappointed that Eiji has forfeited any chance he had of living through this. Karla comes to the bridge and tries to commit suicide with a gun, but Gale stops her. She insists that he punish her, so he slaps her in the face. He then puts her in charge and leaves to get rest. Karla walks into Gale’s quarters after he falls asleep and almost kisses him before running away. On the tripod carrier, Simone jokes that Arthur’s lucky he didn’t make a mess in his pants after his stomachache. Rohan asks everyone to keep it down because he and Eiji are in the middle of calculations. The computer reports a 97 percent chance that they’ll be attacked by Gale before reaching the Moon. Eiji explains that Gale’s shuttle has an interplanetary drive system, so Gale let them go knowing he could easily catch up. He adds that if they’re captured this time, it won’t end well. Elizabeth attempts to contact the UN’s lunar base, but there’s no response. Arthur thinks they should’ve pleaded for their lives with the Gradosians. Simone tries to break up the serious atmosphere by talking about how she’ll take a shower and go on a date after reaching Earth. Arthur wants to play rock, paper, scissors with David to see who will go on a date with Simone. Eiji spots a blue light in the distance and asks Elizabeth if it’s Earth, which she confirms it is. Everyone gets excited at the thought of Earth getting closer, but just then an alarm goes off regarding Gale’s shuttle. Gale looks at a picture of Julia in a locket and decides that he can’t hold her in his arms with Eiji’s blood on his hands. David, Eiji and Rohan run off to launch in Baybull, Layzner and Buldy. Karla asks Gale to take her along, but he says he wants to give Eiji an honorable death. Eiji asks David and Rohan to protect the shuttle while he fights the Gradosians alone. They object, and he explains that if he falls in battle, he wants them to live on and warn Earth. Gale launches in his Grimekaisar, and Karla is informed of an incoming American fleet from Earth.

The news is passed along to Gale, and he decides to take down the Earth fleet first. Elizabeth calls the American fleet and connects to Capt. Sutherland, who tells her to head to the moon while they fight the Gradosians. The American ships launch space fighters, which prove no match for the Grimekaisar and Dimarges. Gale advances and starts destroying the ships directly. With the fleet in range, Karla fires the shuttle’s main cannon and destroys the American flagship. Anna cries over the destruction of the fleet, and Arthur can’t stop his hand from shaking. Gale recharges the Grimekaisar’s energy and takes off to fight Eiji. Gale sees Layzner by itself and tells Eiji that he won’t let anyone interfere. The two men say goodbye and start trading fire. Gale manages to land a sneak attack and damage one of Layzner’s thrusters. Two Dimarges join the fight, but Gale orders them to stay out of it. Eiji manages to target the Grimekaisar and refuses to shoot at the cockpit. David and Rohan join the fight, saying that they can’t leave a friend behind. As Layzner takes more damage, Rei recommends that Eiji eject. The computer goes out of control and causes Layzner to glow blue and move at high speed. Layzner buzzes the Grimekaisar several times and damages the cockpit’s canopy. With Eiji knocked out, Layzner fires a critical shot that heavily damages the Grimekaisar. Eiji wakes up just as Layzner stops moving and vents heat from its exhaust ports. Mortally wounded, Gale sees the light of Earth and is impressed by its beauty. With his dying words, Gale utters Julia’s name as another part of the Grimekaisar explodes. Karla fires the shuttle’s cannon to keep Eiji from getting close to Gale. Eiji cries out uncontrollably.