Original subtitles

Though you are so close, Kore hodo soba ni

I cannot tell you how I feel. Iru no ni tsutaerarezu

The more strongly I feel, Tsuyoku omou hodo

the harder it is for me to find the words. Kotoba ga mitsukaranai

What is sad is not fate... Kanashii no wa unmei ja nakute

...but that all encounters come to an end. Deai no subete ni owari ga aru koto

O incomplete beings, Mikan naru mono

awaken, for beyond the night... mezameyo yoru o koetara

At the end of the desert... Sabaku no hate ni

...the truth surely awaits you. Shinjitsu ga matteru yo kitto

So?

Huh?

Don't give me that "huh?"

What were you doing there?

Oh! My vehicle broke down.

It looked like it might take some effort to repair, so...

Though, I did think it was dangerous.

That's why you were out this late?

Yes.

Alone?

Yes. I was alone to begin with.

That's suicidal.

I hardly intended it that way.

You know...

Yes?

So, I mean, why didn't you wait until morning?!

No one moves around at night, even if their vehicle is in peak condition.

We're moving, aren't we?

You lose, Honoka.

And that's relevant somehow?!

Miss Honoka.

What?

I would like to formally thank you.

You saved me out there.

S-Sure...

I've got a little errand to run,

but once that's done, I'll take you to the closest town.

Is that okay?

Yes.

Your heart rate is up.

You're also perspiring.

Somehow... I have a hard time dealing with him.

This young man with the soft smile...

Honoka was unable to meet the calm gaze of this young man named Iks.

Why was that?

No matter how many times she asked herself that,

it did not seem likely that she would find the answer.

An Eventful Night

The Council has yet to pass an official decision on the matter.

I am not one to gainsay the council system.

Then...

The planet's periphery defense system...

...is a power that must not be used arbitrarily.

Would not overly conspicuous action on our part...

...undermine the very reason for our existence?

And that is not what you are attempting to do?

What is best for this planet?

Determining that is difficult.

That is why we exist.

That is why The Third exist.

At any rate, I believe communication is important.

You seem to be enjoying yourself.

Do I? This is part of my job, though.

After all, it could mean the difference between life or death.

A gun in bad condition is no laughing matter.

Is that why?

I was always under the impression it was your hobby.

I oughta thrash you!

May I ask you something?

What?

What is your line of work?

Oh, a jack-of-all-trades.

I'll do pretty much anything except kill people.

Having said that,

the jobs I get are mainly transporting or escorting things.

Are you on a job right now?

Why?

Because, earlier, you said no one moves at night.

Oh, that.

I've got a little appointment with someone.

He's pretty famous in certain circles,

so a daytime meeting would attract too much attention.

Though, with the motion radar malfunctioning right now,

I would ordinarily prefer to avoid moving around at night.

Was that you being snide?

If it sounded that way to you,

it must be because you have a guilty conscience.

What the hell? You admitted that we need it.

My problem is with...

...the armor piercing rifle that you bought at the same time.

That model is old and lacking in both versatility and reliability.

Practically speaking, it's clearly unnecessary.

But...

I think...

Don't think!

I think...

...the reason for the purchase lies in your tastes and aesthetic sensibilities.

Put another way, it is a "hobby"...

...and the investment of capital...

...based on the distorted sensibilities of one party...

...is not desirable for the survival of the unit.

Well, sorry for being a poor earner!

Is it always like this?

Huh?

Between the two of you.

I'm not saying this because I want to.

Then, don't say it!

I can't do that.

I operate the sand tank, maintain the systems, run the business,

draw up the strategies, and provide backup, of course,

but I also oversee Honoka's life as well as plan for her future.

Ah!

Don't act like it all makes sense now!

That makes it sound like I get an allowance from this guy!

Managing the budget, including living expenses, is also part of my job.

I'll seriously thrash you!

Honoka.

Oh, just shut up already!

There's a signal flare near our rendezvous point.

What?!

Father!

Yeah, it's wanderers.

Looks like we got followed.

Wanderers are thugs who target travelers and caravans.

The dangers lurking in the desert...

...are not limited to savage wild animals and the ferocity of nature.

We'll wait 3 minutes.

Quietly hand over your vehicle.

Greta!

The targets are four buggies.

All of them are equipped with recoilless rifles.

Two minutes left. Hand over your vehicle and we'll let you live.

You should only dream when you're sleeping.

Pops, keep your windows closed!

What?

Damn it! What the hell's that tank?!

Disarm yourselves immediately!

Huh?

Come on, quickly now.

Get real!

Then, you leave me no choice.

What?

T-The Sword Dancer!

Still wanna fight?

If you do, I won't mind taking you guys on.

Okay. It's over.

Why can't they work honest jobs?

Well, not that I don't understand wanting to make easy money.

If I see them again, they're not getting away scot-free.

Hono!

Hey there!

Long time no see!

Hey!

How've you been?!

Hono!

Millie!

How've you been, Millie?!

Millie missed you, Hono!

I missed you, too! Millie missed you, Hono!

I missed you, too!

I missed you, too! Hono.

Pops, that was close.

You think so?

Wanderers aren't anything that unusual.

Wow, aren't we confident?

Well, it comes with the job.

Ah!

Looks like your suspension's in good condition.

You moved well out there.

Joey'd be happy if he heard that.

How's Bogie?

As much of a nag as ever.

Okay, come on Millie, get down.

You're getting heavy for Hono.

Millie is not heavy!

Sorry about this.

She's been going on and on about you since morning.

Don't worry about it.

I've been looking forward to seeing her, too.

Right? Right?

By the way, Hono...

Huh?

Who's that young man?

Oh, an unfortunate soul.

I picked him up on the way here.

I see. I totally figured him for a...

Hold it right there. Don't get any weird ideas!

He's your man!

M-Millie!

So your appointment is with these people?

Zankan is like a doctor for mechanical things.

He is, without a doubt, the greatest Technos on the frontier.

So, young man, how old are you?

Huh?

Hono's seventeen, I think it was.

I see.

Well? She's a pretty nice girl, don't you think?

Hello?

How do you feel about Hono, young man?

Pops!

Hono, are you going to marry him?

NO!

An autonomous soldier?

Nope, it's a PSP.

A Powered Synchro-Protector.

It amplifies the pilot's movements...

...and transmits them to the exoskeleton.

It can make approximately the same movements.

Say, isn't it sort of...

...dirtier than when I bought it?

I'll polish it up nice and shiny, of course!

When I give it back to you.

Don't tell me... that means...

I'm sorry. I'm actually not finished yet.

What?!

But you said I could have it back today.

I'm really sorry!

Bummer.

But, see...

I'm just not satisfied.

The maintenance work is done.

But the limiter setup is...

There's no point if you can't use its power to the fullest.

The key to that is adjusting the balance of the drive system, but...

Getting those settings right is tricky.

Can't be helped.

If the top Technos on the frontier says so,

I've got no choice but to wait.

Hono...

Hey, hey.

Millie's hungry.

Oh, is that right?

I'm starving, too.

Come on, everyone, let's get something to eat.

Thanks for the food! Thanks for the food!

It's delicious! It's delicious!

So the reason you cannot repair the radar...

...is because you bought that PSP, isn't it?

Huh? What's this about?

Oh, yeah, the motion radar's a little wonky.

What? You shouldn't just leave it like that!

I'll take a look at it later, Hono.

Um... could I pay for that when I pick up the PSP?

I don't have much just now.

Well, I'm also getting an extension on delivering the PSP, so...

Around when do you think it'll be ready?

Let's see... Could I have another 10 days?

T-Ten days...

That's so long.

I'm really sorry!

Oh, I was just kidding.

Get it in top shape for me.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Is it that great a piece of equipment?

It is undeniably great, but it's an older type of equipment.

It's simple compared to the Inspection Force's autonomous soldiers.

However, it does infringe on the Technos Taboo.

So it is... illegal.

That's why we were moving at night when no one else is out and about.

The desert's dangerous at night,

but it'd be even more troublesome if the Inspection Force noticed us.

You do not make it sound all that troublesome.

Well, I bought it because I think I need it for my work...

...and the criteria of the Technos Taboo itself are just...

If it's useful, let us use it, damn it!

I'm not interested in defying The Third,

but if I'm pressured to do something I'm not convinced is right,

then who knows what I might do... I guess?

Oh dear, I guess it's bedtime for little kids.

People like me are at the greatest risk.

I'm up to my neck in Technos Taboo stuff, after all.

What're you saying all of a sudden?

That just proves how good you are.

Thank you.

But because of that, I've also made you waste a trip out here.

And I hear Blue Breaker's targeting desert nomads like me.

There's no guarantee you'd be safe in the towns, either.

Though, I understand not wanting to take on Blue Breaker.

That thing's apparently heartless, after all.

Autonomous soldiers never had hearts to begin with.

Whoops, right you are.

It's important to grow up watching your parents.

If you say so, then it must be true.

Huh?

Hey, what's with that laugh?

Bogie?

I've confirmed it.

These vibrations are EX6039s. Four of them.

The Inspection Force?

Don't worry. They're not here for you.

Then, could it be... Again?

Yeah. It's Joganki.

Joganki...

Joganki!

Come on out!

Or can't you attack a woman unless it's from behind?!

It has been a long time, Honoka.

Not like I wanted to see you anyway.

Cold as ever, I see.

You're just a holograph yourself.

If you want to make me yours that badly,

you'd better start by coming in person.

If I did, would you grant my requests?

Nope. I'd chop you apart.

By the way, I would like to speak with him a little.

Him?

The man you rescued in the desert.

Iks?

It is not of my own choosing, but I am not here to see you tonight.

How about it? I only want a little time.

I haven't a clue what you're talking about.

I doubt I will be able to provide what you expect.

Iks...

I have no expectations.

This is for, shall we say, getting a grasp of the situation.

That is not something even I know yet.

I see.

What the? Done already?

Oh yes, one more thing.

That PSP is somewhat problematic.

He knows all about it!

I can't have you flouting the Technos Taboo.

I haven't a clue what you're talking about!

Type-4 autonomous soldiers!

The latest model.

They've been tuned up for close-quarter combat.

Though, they don't hold a candle to Blue Breaker.

What are you getting at?

Losing you would be too great a loss, you see.

Whatever!

Miss Honoka!

One!

Two!

Three!

Four.

Has your skill deteriorated a little?

Maybe so.

Please be careful.

Okay, I'm going to sleep.

Even though I have a feeling my dreams won't be good.

Honoka.

No one likes a persistent guy, damn it.

Sheesh!

He's one of The Third and he can't even figure that out?!

Man, I hate this!

Honoka.

What is it?!

Use the medical unit.

It's too inflamed for just a sprain.

Miss Honoka.

It's no big deal.

But...

I said it's not a big deal!

Miss Honoka...

I underestimated them a little.

I let my guard down on the last one.

On top of which, Joganki saw it.

It's beyond lame.

I'm pissed as hell with myself.

I didn't know you had a side like this.

What?

There must be many more facets to you still.

May I?

Under the warmth of Iks's gentle hand,

Honoka's wound started to recover.

Her slightly frayed nerves also began to heal...

Hono, see you again!

Yeah, see you in 10 days!

Miss Honoka.

It's okay.

What?

It's about Joganki, right?

It bothers me, but it's okay.

Last night sure ended up being eventful.

Yes, it was.

That includes rescuing you, you know.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Is something funny?

Nope.

A flexible civilization... Juunan na bunmei wa

...is always rapidly advancing. Itsudatte nisshin-geppo

You and your dreams are also... Kimi to yume mo

...making headway even now. Genzai shinkou

I realized for the first time... Hajimete kizuitan da

...with that line, resembling a surprise attack. Fui-uchi ni nita sono serifu de

My sixth sense was pried open. Kojiakerareta dai-rokkan

I'd been waiting for this feeling this whole time. Kono kankaku o zutto matteita

Opening my heart, just opening it... Kokoro o hiraite tada hiraite

I embrace the voices of strangers. Daisansha no koe ukeireru

Earnestly persevering, just persevering... Hitasura koraete tada koraete

I even try turning pages of criticism. Hinan no peeji mo aketemiru

I'm going to leave my... Toushindai no boku wa

...true-to-life self behind, right here. Koko ni oite iku yo

You can say whatever you want now... Mou nanto itte kuretemo

...and I'm fine with that. Kekkou da

Ah, how simple is the impulse to evolve. Aa nante tanjun da shinka shitai to iu shoudou

You and your dreams are also... Kimi to yume mo

...making headway even now. Genzai shinkou

Preview

Emporium Town is a town of desert dwellers working hard to survive.

I brought Iks here and said goodbye,

but now that he's gone, I feel a different sort of restlessness.

And the Inspection Force, following up on Technos Taboos,

is making some suspicious moves.

Just when I was thinking how you couldn't relax your guard in town...

Wait a minute! Why is Iks?!

Next time on The Third - The Girl With The Blue Eye,

episode 3, "Desert Town".

Desert Town episode 3, "Desert Town".

Desert Town