Original subtitles

Dare ni mo makenai "I won't lose to anyone!"

Omoi dake naraba If it's only something you tell yourself...

sono uchi uso ni naru akogare no mama de ...eventually, it will just be a false ambition.

Yokubou zetsubou Desire, despair...

tsuyokute yowai watashi ...strong and weak me...

kono position ni zutto amaeteta ...I've always been spoiled by this position.

Te wo nobaseba If I stretch out my hand...

todoku kamo toosugita sora ni ...I just might reach that far away sky.

Ato ichimiri no yuuki Just a millimeter more courage...

mou nigenai to kimeta ...I've decided not to run anymore.

So on! So on!

Ichido shika nai jinsei dakara! Because I only have one life!

Nanige ni fuan dakedo... Though I am a bit unsure...

ima wa omoikomi demo I have doubts now, but...

hajimereba ii kekka all right! ...I just have to start, it will be all right!

NC2832, code name: Catherine.

Updating data.

Catherine's current speed relative to Earth...

...43 kilometers per second...

...relative acceleration 0.76G...

...estimated mass revised to 527,000 tons.

Probability of collision with Earth, 92%.

Estimated time of collision, 1407 hours on the twenty-third.

Message from headquarters.

"Intercept Catherine from Orbital Station 7 as planned!"

Alert the station.

All personnel, man Phase One positions.

Understood. All personnel, man Phase One positions.

All personnel, Phase One, prepare to intercept.

Phase One, prepare to intercept.

Gates one and two opened.

CB-1, CB-2 have entered final flight check.

Comet Blaster pilots are entering the air lock.

Beginning decompression.

CB-1, CB2, launch preparations complete.

No change in Catherine's trajectory.

Maintenance personnel, please evacuate the docks.

T-minus 30 seconds to mission launch.

CB-1, CB-2, APS start.

Launch T-minus 5 seconds, 4, 3...

...2, 1.

Dive.

Mikaze?

Mikaze!

Hey, how long are you going to let that thing ring?

Yeah, yeah.

What a pain...

Hey! It's no use if you go back to sleep again.

But I'm still sleepy...

Geez! At this rate, your grades will drop more.

So what... I don't care about that...

Chinese Restaurant Kouchin

Kouchin

Now serving cold Chinese noodles Getting Ready

Aaa! I'm late!

Miss Ran, I'm borrowing the delivery bike!

Shizuha's already waiting for you outside.

Whoa, gotta hurry!

Oh! Wait a minute!

Huh?!

Here. Breakfast.

I thought this might happen...

...so I packed it separately from your lunch.

Oh, Miss Ran... Thank you!

Gotta go!

OK, have a nice day.

Geez, why is it like this every morning.

Doesn't she ever learn?

She's just young, Grandma.

Hmph! I guess I'm just an old lady.

Where are Karin and Ayamo?

They already left awhile ago.

Even though we're in the intercept rotation...

...we're still just trainees right now.

Until we qualify to be squad members...

...advancing our careers and becoming Comet Blaster pilots...

...is a dream within a dream.

I guess...

I've never gone up even once...

...so I don't know what it really feels like.

Geez. Don't drag me down with you...

Fix the road already!

One two, one two, one two...

Ah! Geez, Shizuha!

Never mind! Just hurry!

Sorry we're la... Huh?

Thank goodness! Miss Kisaragi isn't here yet.

Then, we didn't need to kill ourselves getting here.

Whose fault was that?!

That's right, sorry!

Get serious about this, Mikaze!

We may only be trainees...

...but we're still helping to defend the Earth!

Phew, you're too tense for this early in the morning, Ayamo.

Mikaze!

By the way, where's teacher?

Oh, yeah. Seems it'll arrive some time tonight.

I see.

So that's why teacher's late.

Karin, what time did they say it would be?

Huh? Did you say something?

Geez. This one's got her own issues.

I'd hate it if there's no lecture.

We're going to fall behind the other bases.

There's no need to worry!

Huh?! There's no need to worry!

Huh?!

Today at 1800 hours...

...the Shimoji Island Intercept Base will go into Alert Mode.

But until then, it's business as usual.

Oh, that's great!

Grandma!

I just heard at the base...

...that it's coming tonight!

Oh! Then it's going to be busy.

Shall we stock up on a few things now?

Okay.

The Trident missiles carried by the...

...Comet Blasters use a system which employs...

...the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Using the Earth's gravity, in addition to...

...lift generated by the upper atmosphere and the wings...

...missiles are launched on an orbital path.

After launch, the Trident missiles, which unfold in three directions...

...explode right before their intended target...

...and generate plasma cutters.

Theoretically a target of...

...up to a million tons can be disintegrated in this fashion.

But just in case...

...surface units like ours are prepared to go in as a backup.

Mikaze Honjyo!

Yes?!

Now here's a question.

What actions are taken by us Meteor Sweepers...

...in the event of an emergency?

Well, uh...

...I don't have any experience with emergencies so I don't know.

Mikaze!

I see.

If you can't answer due to lack of experience, it can't be helped.

Then, you have experience with this, don't you?

Again... a pink card.

Now, answer!

C... code three.

Contemplate my behavior in the classroom...

...and run one lap around the runway.

Yes. Correct!

The light for the nose gear just won't light up.

The bulb and fuse aren't blown...

They're locked though...

...and there have been accidents due to a faulty gear light too.

Huh?

Is that...

Oh... That's Mikaze. She's a substitute, like us.

Does that mean she got a pink card again?

Geez. That girl has no ambition whatsoever.

But, I've heard she's from an elite family of pilots.

Even so, she's outside my permissible range of tolerance.

Not that again.

Can't you see people any other way?

That's none of your business!

Geez.

When it comes to getting pink cards, you're way ahead of everyone else.

If you get too many penalties, you'll really be in trouble.

If it happens, it happens.

You've already come this far in a highly competitive environment.

It'd be a shame.

So what? Just leave me alone.

We can't do that.

Cooperation is part of our training assessment.

Put more energy into this, Mikaze!

If you were to really apply yourself...

I can't help it.

I just can't get in the mood.

Mikaze...

Geez.

I'm really worried about when it's our turn to go on a mission.

I don't like it.

Huh?

I don't like danger.

Anyway!

Enough already.

Huh?

No matter what you say to me, my heart's not in it and that's that.

Mikaze!

Thanks for worrying about me.

Then why did you come here anyway?!

Ayamo.

I mean... eh?

Where are you going?!

Nap.

That attitude will rub off on me at this rate.

She's been like that ever since we got in the intercept rotation.

Exactly 49 days ago.

I can't imagine her getting frightened out of the blue.

I wonder if it's pressure from her parents.

Yeah.

After all, her family members are all pilots.

Maybe their expectations are too high.

1800 hours.

Effective immediately...

...the Cosmic Emergency Management Agency's...

...Shimoji Island Intercept Base is entering Alert Mode Two.

This is a mission like all the others.

While nothing's better than not having to launch...

...just in case, double check everything.

Yes sir.

The comet Catherine, which is on a collision course with Earth...

...is maintaining a speed of 43 kilometers per second.

To counter this...

...the Cosmic Emergency Management Agency launched...

...a Comet Blaster team from Orbital Station 7 twelve hours ago.

The intercept team this time consists of:

The pair of ace pilots Chizuru Kubo and Annette Keily.

And the pair of Betty Boozeman and Chris Calman.

The four appear to have already...

...entered the Earth's upper atmosphere.

We will provide an update on...

...the interception at midnight.

Thanks for a long hard day's work.

Hmm?

We brought some food.

Hey, good timing!

We were just getting hungry.

See? See?

I figured that...

...so I got these directly from the head chef!

Well, aren't you smooth.

Here, Mr. Iwasaki.

Yeah.

Ugh. Fried stuff and Spam again?!

This is why the Kouchin restaurant keeps prospering!

Telling me that won't help...

Besides, Kouchin is prospering...

...because of its store babe, Miss Ran.

Huh? What, Tsubasa?

Are you after my Ran or something?

No, of course not!

Mr. Iwasaki.

But Mr. Fujitani, when did you... Mr. Iwasaki.

But Mr. Fujitani, when did you...

But Mr. Fujitani, when did you... Do you think you'll be able to fly this time?

Idiot! I'm talking about the future! Do you think you'll be able to fly this time?

Oh, I get it. Think you can really seduce her?

Oh, I get it. Think you can really seduce her? Who knows.

Oh, I get it. Think you can really seduce her?

Oh, I get it. Think you can really seduce her? The team up there is excellent.

The team up there is excellent.

Of course I can! The team up there is excellent.

There's very little chance they'll let anything slip.

I'm going to keep being tenacious... There's very little chance they'll let anything slip.

I'm going to keep being tenacious...

The Comet Blasters are loved by the public so much but...

...and someday she'll smile at me! The Comet Blasters are loved by the public so much but...

The Comet Blasters are loved by the public so much but...

Does a man really have to go that far?

Does a man really have to go that far? ...we ground crew have the dull job of cleaning up after them.

...we ground crew have the dull job of cleaning up after them.

Somehow...

It's just so thankless. It's just so thankless.

Huh?!

You're such a stiff, Sora.

You're like my partner, who has no sense of humor.

M... Mr. Fujitani!

By the way...

...why are you in the Meteor Sweeper squad, Mr. Iwasaki?

Hmm?

Heh.

Probably because I take off better than the other guys.

Whoa! You're so cool!

See?

You can't laugh at a joke told by a stiff like him.

How many times do I need to tell you before you get it?!

Uh?

That's not a parasol!

Oh. It's Sako.

Argh! Don't sleep!

And don't call me that!

It's "Mr. Sako" to you!

So she was here after all.

Excuse us.

We came here to retrieve Mikaze.

Geez! Get her out of here already!

I can't work like this!

Work, yeah, right.

You're just collecting a bunch of junk.

They're not junk!

In addition, a young girl...

...shouldn't openly flash her underwear!

Ew, that's sexual harassment, Mr. Sako.

Say what?!

Hey, what's that?

Which?!

Can that fly too?

Of course it can!

Though, it's a model built before the current systems were completed.

If properly maintained...

...it can adequately fly off into space.

This reminds me.

Back then, I met Miharu.

And one day, we were...

...to combine forces and definitely go out into space...

But she dumped you.

Argh! Don't say that!

You brought her up.

I'm allowed to!

Anyway, the bunch of you are... Uh?

A message to pilots on standby!

Standby pilots after unit three are...

...relieved of their standby duties on base.

What are you girls?

We're units five and six.

I can finally go home now!

And I'm telling you this is not a place for you to kill time!

If you keep being anal about details...

...you won't even be "Sako", you'll just be "Gramps."

Say what?!

See, your nose hairs are sticking out too.

Nose hairs... out...

See ya, Sako!

It's not Sako! Call me Mr. Sako!

Those girls...

Oh, this is so frustrating, Miharu!

Control...

...CB1, 30 seconds before entry.

Operation normal.

Control, CB2.

30 seconds before entry.

Operation normal.

Control acknowledged.

CB1, armament master, set arm.

CB2, armament master, set arm.

CB1, CB2, missiles have been set.

Roger.

CB1, CB2, begin entry.

CB1, entry.

CB2, entry.

Catherine, no course changes.

Estimated time for missile launch...

...three five, next hour.

Oh, man...

So we didn't get any action this time either.

It feels weird being able to go home...

...while the base is still on alert.

Well, we can use that time to study.

The restaurant's still open.

Meaning...

Welcome home!

Could you go out on deliveries?

So... Yeah.

Then, please go on the first delivery.

While you're doing that, we'll prepare the next orders.

It's going to be very hectic tonight so be quick about it!

I'm sorry.

I'll fix you dinner after you're done.

Those who don't work, don't eat!

All right! We're on our way!

See ya, Admiral!

Stop that!

She has a proper name, and her name is Alice!

Everyone calls her Admiral...

...so she thinks that way now.

It's now ten o'clock.

This is the latest we have about the comet.

Catherine, a medium-sized and slow-moving comet...

...is currently moving toward Earth at a speed of...

...43 km/s through the inner part of the lunar orbital plane.

Sorry to keep you waiting! It's Kouchin!

Oh, it's Miss Substitute.

We're envious of you being released from standby duty.

W... well...

I may be a substitute for now, but I'll eventually show some results!

Before that, give us our delivery.

The noodles are gonna get too soggy.

Good evening! It's Kouchin!

Oh, you're helping the restaurant today?

Yes.

It's something all newcomers have done.

Mom, the news started.

Here. Do your best.

I'll be looking forward to when you girls...

...eventually make your way into the news.

Heh. I'll do my best.

Hey, today it's Karin!

Miss Ran's great, but Karin is great, too!

You were bumped off the rotation today?

When will you gals get your turn?

We'll definitely go to see you...

The two Comet Blasters that launched from Orbital Station 7...

...are currently orbiting around the Earth as shown and...

...will reach the comet interception point at any moment.

Meanwhile, Meteor Sweeper units at the Argentine ground base...

...are on standby and prepared to keep any falling objects to a minimum.

Yes?

Good evening! It's Kouchin!

You ordered two Chinese lunch sets?

Why, thank you for delivering this late.

Oh, it's nothing. I had free time anyway.

Then here's a tip for you.

What?! Let me get you change.

Oh, no, no.

Buy something for yourself on your way back.

I can't...

You're among the people who protect our safety.

Allow me to support you just a little bit.

Excuse me.

I'm done with my deliveries.

The deliveries are finished.

Thanks for a job well done.

Huh? That's...

Mikaze, what are you doing?

Let's hurry home and...

The base is still on alert.

I... wonder why I'm even here.

Wha... what are you saying?

I... only did what my parents told me to do.

You're weird today!

So you got penalized but still...

So you got penalized but still... What are those two doing?

What are those two doing?

Hey.

Could that be...

...a Comet Blaster?!

30 seconds before missile launch.

CB1, CB2, on course.

15 seconds before missile launch.

Nine... Eight...

Seven... Six... Five...

Four...

Three... Two...

One.

Fox One!

Huh?

Received transmission of the Trident missile's launch.

Optical observation system confirms the launch.

Missile, on course.

15 seconds before detonation.

Splitting warhead.

5 seconds before detonation.

Four... Three...

Two...

One.

Monitoring comet fracturing.

Its largest fragment does not exceed expected norms.

Operation completed.

CB1, CB2, please return.

CB1, roger.

CB2, roger.

Entering return orbital path.

OMS thrusters in five seconds.

Four... Three... Two...

One.

Thrust!

Roger.

Transmission from headquarters.

Land bases on standby are relieved of standby duties.

Hmm. Understood.

You are relieved of your standby duties.

All staff, switch over to your withdrawal duties.

Heh. No action for us this time either.

All right! I can go home!

Hey, Kei!

Want to go drinking at Miyako's?

Huh? Now?!

You have a habit of taking it off.

What?! They're only my socks!

Hey, the light disappeared.

Oh, man. Our positions are so dull.

It's dull... it's thankless...

Huh?

It's the start of another day of boring duties again.

Mikaze.

Well anyways...

...we're so safe, it's too peaceful, I guess.

That's not a good way put things.

Yeah. After all...

Hey.

Whoa... comet fragments.

Beautiful.

At that moment...

...a faint wind blew.

Chizu no nai mirai A future without a map...

mejirushi ni shite kita kimi no ...for a guide I've used your...

terasu hikari ...shining light.

Tarinai jibun wo iiwake ni shite Making excuses for my shortcomings...

nigedashite mata modotte kitari ...running away and coming back again...

heiwa sugita hibi ...days which were too peaceful.

Guuzen ni mikaketa genjitsu By chance I caught sight of reality.

Mishiranu kanojo to te wo tsunaida Holding hands with a girl I didn't know...

kimi ga ita ...there you were.

Atashi wa himawari de I am a sunflower and...

kimi wa taiyou mou kono hitomi wa ...you are the sun, you are the only thing...

kimi shika mienai ...my eyes can see anymore.

Mabataki dekinakute namida afurete mo I can't blink, though tears overflow.

Tatoe sono yubi ga Even supposing those fingers...

atashi dake no mono ja nakute mo ...don't belong to me alone.

What?

We're to pursue the fragments which weren't completely destroyed?

Mikaze, it's time to go.

Next episode, Stratos 4...

...episode 2, "Fox One."