Original subtitles

Just because it's left over from the other day...

Is that interesting?

Yup.

Hey!

No fires in that area!

Is that what official pilots should be doing?!

We've got nothing to do with this!

Hey, wait!

Damn it.

They never grow up.

Everyone has spare time.

What?

When will that be ready to fly?

A new model that can't fly just kills our motivation.

The new model's got to age a little more.

We have to clear out problems that didn't come up in the design phase.

Aren't those defects?

Didn't it come with warranty?

Don't treat an intercept craft like a household machine!

Phone.

It's ringing.

I know that.

Damn it, who is it at this busy time?

Sako-san.

It's been a while.

Hey, what's wrong you guys?

Guess what, tomorrow, we're finally going on a test flight with a new model.

Finally, a real test pilot-like job's gotten around to us.

Heh, good job.

But isn't it usually one pilot per test flight?

Why two this time?

You see, Lud-san was considerate and-

We'll do a good enough job to be called "The Second Coming of Yeager", so look forward to it, please. See ya.

Send our regards to everyone at the base.

Really...

They don't change at all.

H-Hey.

Who is Yeager?

What did you say?!

A pilot who doesn't know who Yeager is is a fake! You hear me, a fake!

B-But I don't know, so what can I do?

And now she's defiant about it.

Charles "Chuck" Yeager: Brigadier General of the US Air Force.

He was an ace pilot in World War Two, and after the war, he worked as a test pilot.

He was the first person to break the sound barrier aboard the X-1.

In the movie "The Right Stuff", Sam Shepard plays his role.

Were all of those in the textbooks?

No, I saw it on TV the other day.

Phew.

Oh, if it's not in the textbooks, then I wouldn't know.

It's not that kind of a problem!

Hey, Senpai!

When are we starting the training?

We're way past the time.

Oh, crap.

We came to get Karin and then completely forgot about it.

Don't try to laugh it away!

It's because you bothered us, Sako-san.

After all, we're just...

...Bound to be forgotten....

When did I bother you?!

Oh man...

Janken hoi.

Note: Japanese equivalent to "Rock-Paper-Scissors".

I lose again?

And I was thinking about picking on newbies to relieve stress.

Come on, we'll give you priority tomorrow.

Whatever, just go get changed already.

Then Sako-san, get the planes on standby please.

Yeah.

Hey Nakamura, clean up the fireworks, all right.

Yeah, yeah, see ya later.

Where's Sako-san?

He just went to get the training planes.

Want me to go get him?

No, it's about maintenance stuff, so I'll talk to him later.

Okay.

You're going to fly tomorrow, right?

Yeah, my debut is finally here.

What's great is that we're the youngest ever here.

The actual plane is old, but what's loaded on it is the latest stuff!

Well, it's a secret, so I can't tell you the details, but...

Anyways, my tension is so high and-

Hey, how much longer are you going to be talking?

Yeah, sorry.

So that's the deal here.

See ya later.

Yeah, good luck.

Can we join you guys?

What's this? You guys haven't eaten anything.

You have to at least eat the bare minimum.

Maintaining our strength is part of our mission.

Y-Yeah.

You're right.

Super-High Orbital Interception?

What is this about?

Yes, it's an idea that was postponed due to the recent accident.

By using full thrust, the orbiting OMS will take an elliptical orbit, allowing for the intercept of comets at higher orbits.

If this succeeds, it will create a greater period of time for the backup on the ground.

And what are you going to do about fuel for the return trip?

It will work if we use a light automated ship for replenishment.

Never.

How can I permit the use of the SX 1 as a gas carrier?

But Commander, if this succeeds, it'll be a great honor.

A plan that was not possible until now will become reality with the SX 1.

I'm sure people at Headquarters will speak highly of you.

You thought I'd permit the idea if you said that?

Sure, I'll permit it.

But if it fails, I'll have you guys take responsibility.

Thank you very much.

All right.

The customers are gone, so shall we take a break?

Yes.

Wait, you still have a customer eating here.

It's after hours!

Stop blabbing and finish up.

Such a cold attitude toward regulars.

It because you keep talking on and on.

Fine, I'll eat, all right.

We have just received the latest report.

According to the spokesman from the Cosmic Emergency Management Agency,

today's intercept mission will be handled by the Comet Blaster's Golden Team.

Kubo Chizuru, Annette Keiri, Betty Bozeman, and Chris Kerman have been inactive since the accident at the station,

Great, looks like they're all doing well.

Seeing them live, they were like normal girls...

but today, they will fly their first mission in eight months.

...but hey, I guess stars have different auras.

Man, I should have hit on them when I had the chance.

What's wrong, Betty?

Unfortunately, there's no time for nostalgia.

We'll be navigating today.

It's your chance to prove that you haven't lost your touch.

First and second gates open.

CB-1, CB-2, entering final check.

SX 1, stand by.

Starting installation of the operation program.

I wonder what they're doing.

You two went to Shimojijima, too, right?

Y-Yeah.

Those pipsqueaks are a real peculiar bunch.

It's all right now.

It was my first time, too.

I never thought people could still laugh like that.

I laughed at them at first, thinking they were just a reckless bunch.

But then I noticed we were being drawn to them...

We can still strive for higher places.

Don't you agree?

Leave it to me. I'll soon take you to heights no one has been to yet.

That's the spirit.

CB-1, CB-2, entering the stratosphere.

Launch SX 1.

Forget about the piloted crafts; make sure you keep good data on the SX 1.

R-Roger.

As of 1300, Cosmic Emergency Management Agency Shimojijima Intercept Base is now at alert status.

Yeah.

Why are we standing by here?

Sitting in seizan, too.

Note: Seizan is a formal Japanese kneeling position.

We're keeping our eyes on you.

We don't want you going up like you did last time.

Damn, she was ahead of us.

You just said "damn", didn't you?!

Reflect on your act a little!

No, I didn't.

Let's see; I wonder if we have work to do today.

We've got to do the work we're paid to do, once in a while.

Yeah, if it's just sitting around, even a cat can do it.

"Want me to take your spot?"

"I'll go, I'll go! I'll definitely go to space!"

Sorry, I didn't mean you guys.

Sako-san, is it ready?

Oh, it's already about that time, eh?

Which means they're starting their work, too.

It would seem so.

Are they really going to be fine? I'd like to make a stop on the way back.

You're right.

Hey.

"Hey, you got any Beemans?"

Note: Beemans is a type of chewing gum first sold in the 19th Century.

"Yeah, I think I got me a stick."

"Loan me some, will you? I'll pay you back later."

"Fair enough."

Let's go. Our plane's waiting for us.

Yeah.

Here.

What's that?

A charm. It won't start without this.

I don't think we have to go that far.

They did it again, really.

The influence of movies is scary.

We're going to go bankrupt just from buying new mops.

Control Tower, #110140, we are lined up and request to taxi.

Do you both hear me? Just because it's your first flight, don't overdo stuff.

Roger.

We're finally joining the ranks of famous pilots.

Only if we become legends.

Don't worry about it. The best pilot in the world is in front of you.

Do you even know what "best in the world" means?

Traveling on course.

Time to course change: 20 seconds.

Roger.

Time to course change: 5 seconds.

3...

2...

1...

Ignition!

CB-1 and CB-2 have left the stratosphere.

Intercept vector intersects with Helena.

Salsa Hawk, clear for purge.

Salsa Hawk, roger.

Clear for purge.

4...

3...

2...

1...

Drop.

Salsa Hawk is in independent flight.

Riding this thing has a unique feel.

The shape is pretty unique, too.

Well of course, since the data we present directly affects the actual model.

What?

Practicing my interview.

After all, I'll soon be joining the ranks of the world's best pilots.

There won't be any media even if you got off the plane,

since no one knows that we're flying this right now.

In other words, we're anonymous pilots.

What a boring partner I have.

We can chat after we complete our mission.

Let's do this.

Fine.

Lud-san, do you copy?

This is Salsa Hawk, Ikeda speaking.

We will now commence testing the extreme-range radar and FCS.

Roger. Go ahead.

Start recording.

Oh, here they are.

Wow, how far can we see with this thing?

It's even picking up incoming comet data.

Hey, this is Helena that's coming in toward us.

Man, I feel like someone's watching TV while I'm driving.

Stabilize the body; I'll start calculating the comet's path.

You can even do that?

Here it is.

It matches the estimated path from Headquarters, too.

The Comet Blasters are on-mission right now.

This is odd; they're way off of the usual orbit.

Maybe they're doing something up there, too.

Target in sight.

Time to missile launch: 5 seconds.

4...

3...

2...

1...

Fox one!

Confirmed detonation of the Trident Missiles.

Hit.

Confirmed destruction of Helena.

Two pieces are larger than the estimated size.

They will reach the Earth's surface in forty-six minutes.

That's more than enough time.

Tell the pilots to hand in a report immediately...

...with my signature.

This is my first time seeing the Earth this small.

It's thanks to you and Betty.

It's too early for that.

We can go up higher if we want to.

Yeah.

Hey you two, there's no time to stand around staring.

If we don't head back, the unaccommodating gas carrier will leave us behind.

Roger.

Incoming from Headquarters:

The Comet Blaster team has successfully hit the comet,

however as expected, two fragments will fall to the surface.

The estimated descent route has been updated.

It will be passing through our intercept area in thirty-two minutes.

We've got a lot of time today.

Unit 1, Unit 2, scramble!

Sashiba-11, Sashiba-22, clear for launch.

Time to work.

Blast off.

They're already up that high.

So different from Honjou-senpai and company...

I'm sure you can't even do that easily with the newest model.

Of course not.

No matter what they usually do, their skills are top notch.

Remember what the world's top pilots are like.

R-Roger.

We should be above Miyako.

Hey, interceptors have gone up from Shimoji.

I wonder who's aloft today.

What's up?

There's something weird about the meteor descent estimates.

It doesn't match with the data from Headquarters.

What? What a crappy new machine that is.

For him to talk so big-

Sorry for having a big mouth.

Not to make excuses, but I don't have any flaws in my system.

Then what about this difference?

Obviously, it means the data from Headquarters is wrong.

Could that even happen?

Incoming from test plane Salsa Hawk in the air.

They are warning us that there is a flaw in the estimated meteor descent route.

What was that?

The trustworthiness of the information has not yet been verified,

but if the warning is correct, intercept from Iwasaki-san's position will be impossible.

What?

Are you saying Headquarters is sending the wrong data?

What am I supposed to do?

Hey, between that Headquarters data and that annoying guy's new invention, which would you trust?

Salsa Hawk, this is Sashiba-11, Iwasaki speaking.

What do you guys think?

"What," he says?

I've calculated multiple angles of entry, but all of our data matches.

On the other hand, the data from Headquarters is an outlier.

In other words...

I trust this one!

Got it.

Correcting course, 030.

Roger.

Sashiba-11, Sashiba-22, have both altered course.

Send a warning to Salsa Hawk. Our operation will go as-

Hold on.

The order from Headquarters was to initiate our mission,

and our mission is to prevent the impact of the meteor on Earth.

In other words, the methods should be left to those on-site.

B-But, we can't be fooled by unconfirmed data.

What's going on?

Someone is sending us information.

This is the Cosmic Emergency Management Agency's database?

It's their top-secret information.

It's not something everyone has access to.

Don't tell me you...

Please, no.

I knew it!

There's a discrepancy between this data and the official data.

How?

So, do you think we can hit it?

Maybe we're just a little late.

I don't think we can hit it from our position.

Looks like you're having trouble.

What are you guys thinking?!

I just reprogrammed the mission program.

If we hit it with our empty shell, the meteor's course will be shifted just enough to be in their range.

It's an empty shell, so we can't destroy the meteor, but we can deflect it.

Confirm that.

Yes, the plan is theoretically possible.

However the plasma jet produced by the explosion will intersect with Salsa Hawk's course.

Salsa Hawk, we cannot agree to that plan.

Maybe I was taught by a bad instructor.

When I'm told not to, I can't stop.

Stop that talk! You guys are-

I can't hear you well.

We definitely trained them wrong.

Hey.

Are you sure?

About what?

We can still turn back.

Idiot. If you have time to worry about what's behind you, look forward and fly this thing properly,

otherwise I'm going to kick your butt.

Fine.

Hi, Stupid Instructor Number Two here.

Optimize the estimation and send it to us.

We'll get in as close as possible and make the plasma discharge away from you guys.

But it's not like we can accurately deflect it.

Who do you think we are?

We're the stupid instructors that trained you guys.

I'll show you guys the difference between us, so be prepared.

Crap, I got him fired up.

Time to missile launch limit for Salsa Hawk: 10 seconds.

9...

8...

7...

Time to missile launch: 5 seconds.

4...

3...

2...

1...

Fox one!

Empty shell, contact with meteor.

The meteor's course has changed.

It is heading into our intercept zone.

How about them?

Break off confirmed.

Angle?

North, 1-2-7!

Leave it to me.

I see it. Fox one!

Confirmed destruction of meteor.

How's Salsa Hawk?

It got our gyro.

Backup system is dead, too.

I can't control it!

Salsa Hawk, do you copy?

Ikeda-kun! Miyazawa-kun!

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

This is Salsa Hawk, plane is out of control!

We're crashing!

The closest landing point is Miyako Airfield.

Contact them immediately! Request emergency landing!

Roger.

I'll go to Miyako, as well!

Let's go.

Yeah. Ah, w-wait-

Legs are asleep... Can't move...

I see something over there.

Are they human?

Yeah, they are.

It's a pair of idiots.

Ah, there they are.

Thank goodness, they're both alive.

So, are we walking like Yeager?

Is that what you say while dragging your foot?

Same to you, your shoulder isn't looking right.

Hey.

Do you think we came close to Yeager's footsteps?

Idiot, we haven't even touched his shadow.

Damn it, we're such...

Idiot!

Are you guys all right?

Don't push yourself like that.

Hey, are you listening?

Ikeda-kun? Miyazawa-kun?

Due to their actions, the intercept of the meteor was a success.

But due to their disobedience, they both got sent back to Shimojijima base.

Although Lud-san supported them, the cost of crashing the expensive test plane and closing Miyako Airfield was too large.

But... at that time...

...at that moment...

...the two of them were definitely the world's best.

We're such idiots.

Yeah.

What awaits Ran-san, who was summoned to Tsukuba Research Center, are her parents.

But what's their research about?

Next time, Stratos 4 Advance, episode 6.

Lost Position.

Look forward to it.