TRADE FEDERATION MILITARY GARRISON
[all scream]
[all grunt]
[Amalia coughs]
[Tyrone] That was a close one.
- But we made it. - [gasps]
No, the real fighting will start now.
- Isn't that... - [yelps]
It's a spider tank! Am I right?
[musical beeping]
YAKITORI
[theme music plays]
COUNTERATTACK
[whirs]
[Zihan] That cannon's powerful.
Not that I expect less from the Trade Federation.
We have to take that down?
[Akira] If we want to live,
we have no choice
We gotta move now!
[explosion]
[all panting]
[soldier] Ha!
- Tyrone! - Okay!
[electronic music plays]
[dashboard whirs]
[Akira] If they were going to shoot us, they would've.
Working together.
Yes.
They're coming in pairs.
- [explosion] - [grunts]
[Tyrone] Are you serious?
They don't want us,
uh, 'cause they're busy blowing up pillboxes.
Hey, you might wanna take a look at this.
[Akira] A white flag?
Why do they have that?
I suppose the meaning isn't universal.
[soldiers groaning]
[Zihan] There are infantry squads behind the tanks.
- The enemy is doing it by the books. - [Tyrone] You sure?
- I think they might be dead already. - Yeah.
- [Tyrone] Let's get moving! - Agreed.
While our vehicle is in working order.
TEN MONTHS AGO
LONDON SPACEPORT
EARTH MARS INTERSTELLAR CARGO LINER TUE-2171
Welcome to TUE-2171.
This room is for you, Yakitoris.
You have got to be joking!
Why am I sharing this tiny room with these boys?!
- You want us to split up cargo by gender? - [Amalia] What?!
- This is so inappropriate! - Just ignore her.
Is there anything else we need to prepare for?
There will be some training sessions and lectures before getting to Mars.
Don't skip out on them.
Don't think you can get out of this!
Spend your days wisely.
As long as you don't kill each other, you're free to do whatever you wish.
Oh, that's kind of you.
Now paw.
- [grunts] - Ooh.
- [Amalia chuckles] - That's all, Yakitoris.
Have a nice trip.
[groans]
[Amalia] Hmph.
[Tyrone whistling]
Hmm. It's early, but we can try it, right?
Let's try and make friends with each other.
- [Tyrone] Yeah, yeah. Uh... - [Amalia growls]
It's not like they told us this would be some fancy vacation to Mars
when we signed up for service.
[Amalia] Hmm.
[Tyrone] Why don't we just appreciate what we've got?
[sighs] All right.
How about we just start things off slow by introducing ourselves ?
[Amalia] Hmm.
I'll kick things off!
Listen up, ladies and gentlemen!
The name's Tyrone Baxter. I'm an American.
Yang Zihan. I'm from China.
Wish this was under better circumstances.
Erland Martonen, and I'm Swedish. Nice to meet you.
Akira Ihotsu. I'm Japanese.
I am Amalia.
Oh, Amalia Schulz.
And I'm from Britain.
[scoffs]
Now don't start acting like we're already best friends, all right?
- Why the attitude? - Now, I know that was a bit aggressive.
But I think it's worth noting that she has a point.
- [Amalia and Akira growl] - All right, then.
Calm down.
We can get to know each other during the trip.
- Whatever. - [intercom beeps]
[captain] Attention, crew and Yakitoris. This is your captain speaking.
We will be embarking shortly.
- [mechanical electronic music plays] - [K321 grunting]
[grunts]
[Akira groaning]
Shit!
- Uh, we're moving already. - Hmm.
As expected of a Trade Federation ship, it has great artificial gravity.
What is this music?
It's Mozart.
The "Turkish March," I think. Right?
Yes, that's right.
I recall them asking me if I liked Mozart.
It was a little weird for an interview question.
Yeah, I got asked that too.
Was that because of this?
So why this song?
Hmm.
Speaking of why,
does anyone know why we were given the name Yakitori?
My recruiter, Mr. Pupkin, said it was a Japanese word.
I have no idea what it means, though.
So tell us, Mr. Japan.
In Japan, Yakitori is a grilled chicken, often served on a skewer.
- Grilled chicken? - Huh?
Wait a second.
Uh, are you saying we're the equivalent of grilled chicken?
It means we're grilled chicken. Huh.
[Zihan sighs]
["Turkish March" remix continues playing]
Alert! Our spaceport has fallen!
[Rimel] That was faster than I thought. The enemy forces are too strong.
That's not good.
[groans]
After taking out our spaceport,
the enemy would naturally want to come finish us off.
The runway is completely blocked by enemy cannon fire.
We have no reinforcements or any hope for a retreat.
[groans]
There's a chance...
If we could take out the enemy artillery, then maybe...
We are greatly outmatched here.
I'll try consulting with Fleet Command.
Sir!
Fleet Command, this is Rimel.
We need more weaponry
and any reinforcements you have.
I'm sorry, Officer Rimel,
but the runway remains unsafe for us to land there currently.
What about our safety, huh?
We need some heavy weaponry down here.
[scoffs]
My unit is already struggling with our firepower
because of the financial decisions that were made!
We don't have any more armored shuttles because of cost cuts.
- [groans] - What do you suggest?
So be creative, damn it! [grunts]
Just airdrop them!
[chokes]
Airdropping?
But that could ruin all of them.
I didn't say "suborbital."
I said "airdropped."
You should be able to do that with a damn armored shuttle.
[groans]
Just do your job
and get me the reinforcements and supplies that I need!
[scoffs]
[sighs]
What are you gonna do?
W-- We will look into doing that for you.
[Rimel] Look into it?
Yes, we will gather the relevant departments
and look into it, sir.
[groans]
I see, then.
Well, feel free to take your sweet time while you're at it, why don't you?
Those of us here on the ground
would greatly appreciate an answer from you
before we're wiped out!
[grunts]
[yells]
[panting]
Shit!
Does anyone here have any damn professionalism?
Erland, turn off auto-drive and take the wheel yourself.
Check if there are any weapons left.
- On it - [Erland] Got it.
[Zihan] Admin AI, activate monitor.
[in Japanese] Notification: Activating perimeter monitor.
[machines whir]
[in English] Where are we going? To the second defensive line?
We didn't get any orders for a retreat.
If we pull back, they might say we went against them.
I'd rather not get shot by our allies.
- [Erland] Our only option is to attack. - Yeah, that's right.
Erland, head that way around the side of the enemy tank.
[Erland] Copy that.
[electronic action music plays]
Find any?
- We sure did! - [grunts]
[Akira] That's perfect.
Where do we shoot?
Admin AI, what's our best move right now given the weapons we have?
[in Japanese] Notification:
Recommendation: If you focus the multipurpose missiles on the legs,
you'll be able to trip it.
[in English] Admin AI, what if we aim for the cockpit?
[in Japanese] Notification:
The TUF-MAGAK spider tank utilizes space armor,
so make sure to use tandem-charge warheads.
[in English] Where are we supposed to get one of those?
[electronic action music continues]
We're here! We made it to the nearest tank!
Okay.
Admin AI, open the roof!
We gotta make do with what we have.
Let's beat this thing!
[energetic electronic music plays]
[beeping]
[grunts]
Huh?!
What went wrong?
I think that was the armor.
[in Japanese] Notification: Defense system operation confirmed.
I recommend a saturation attack.
- [Zihan in English] Fire all at once. - [Amalia] Could've said that first.
Let's go!
- It jumped. - [Tyrone] It did.
I guess we saw it jump this afternoon.
Stop reminiscing! Dodge it!
[Erland] Which way should I dodge?
[Zihan] Just use any rocks we have for cover and close in on them!
[Erland and Akira] What?!
We need to get closer to aim at the legs, so just listen to me!
[grunts]
- [Tyrone] Whoa! - [Amalia] Hey!
[both chuckle]
Okay, keep going!
I got it!
It's got wheels too?
Of course it does.
Hey!
- What the hell?! - No way! They're going to flank us now!
Ugh, then do something, why don't you?
[Erland] I'm doing the best I can!
- Why don't you shut your mouth? - [Amalia] Excuse me?
- [laughing] - [Akira and Amalia] What's wrong?
You two have gotten close.
[Akira and Amalia] No, we haven't!
["Eine kleine Nachtmusik" plays]
[groans]
[sighs]
[grunts]
[gags]
- I'll never get used to these. - Don't be rude.
[coughs, squeals]
[Akira] "Complete nutritional meal with great satisfaction"? No way.
[sighs] It may work for your body,
but definitely not your taste buds.
Well, at least the tea they provide us is somewhat decent.
They got it way too hot in here.
Hey, Japanese dude, turn on the air for us.
Or better yet, what if we could figure out a way to turn these speakers off?
Oh, count me in!
I swear, if I gotta listen to that damn Mozart for one more second,
my brain is gonna turn to mush.
Oh, just shut your mouth and do your job.
[sighs]
Hey, Englishwoman,
have you ever thought about being polite?
Oh yes!
How silly of me, dear gentleman.
I politely ask you to cease with all this foolish behavior.
Shut up, you white trash.
[Amalia] Stupid fool! You, shut up!
[Akira and Amalia grunting]
Look, the temperature and music
aren't something we can't do anything about, everybody.
There's no reason to argue.
[Akira and Amalia] Stay out of this one, Swede!
[sighs]
Well, I'd love to watch you argue. Check out what time it is.
- Huh? - It's time for the lesson.
[sighs]
[both growl]
[Amalia] What the hell is your problem?!
- [Akira] Shut up and give me some space! - [Amalia] What?!
[both grunt]
Tandem warhead, direct hit.
[Erland gasps]
[in Japanese] Notification: Ally troops have commenced a support attack.
[in English] No, that wasn't supporting us!
They just used us as a decoy!
[Akira] Who was it?
Thanks a lot, decoys!
[in Japanese] Notification: ID code:
Trade Federation Marine Corps, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force,
14th Orbital Descent Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Alpha Company.
[sighs]
[in English] They don't respect us here. No surprise.
- [Amalia] We managed to strike it down. - [Akira] Uh.
Erland, get us closer now.
Wait. You wanna help?
Not at all.
It's time for us to start using them as our decoys.
[grunts] Hell yeah!
[upbeat electronic music plays]
- Take aim! - [Tyrone] Yeah!
[grunts]
I don't know what part exploded,
but that was insane!
Thanks, decoys!
- [solider] You... You bastards! - [soldier 2] Huh?
[grunts]
Tell me something. Was that the Yakitoris?
Yeah.
[robotic voice] Additionally, the Trade Federation's inner suits
have a muscle-strengthening function
and are expected to increase performance by approximately 20%.
That concludes today's lecture.
Please feel free to discuss amongst yourselves
until the end of the lesson time.
[groans]
[computer keyboard beeping]
I don't think I'll ever get accustomed to using these methods.
[inhales] Talking during class is strange.
They only want us to talk amongst ourselves
to ensure we understood it all,
the typical treatment one would get in primary school.
Okay. Why is it only us getting educated?
Other units don't need them.
When they arrive on Mars,
they're going to have their knowledge instantly implanted in their minds.
They'll use memory transcribers.
Mr. Pupkin mentioned that. It was confusing.
During the recruitment process,
he said that our group would be the test subject
for a new training method, whatever that means.
I didn't expect it to just be us.
- It's possible they're impressed with us. - Mm-hmm.
[Zihan] Or maybe...
[Erland] Hmm.
Or maybe what?
We're guinea pigs.
Easy to get rid of.
Useless.
[K321 groans]
[Erland clears throat]
I don't mean to sound conceited, but I think they're impressed with us.
- [Amalia] Mm-hmm. - Yeah.
- Agreed. - [Erland] Mm-hmm.
Japanese,
your lack of interest and attitude are horrible.
Could you at least pretend to join in on the conversation?
I mean, we are gonna be working together, you know?
I'm not gonna drag any of you down.
And if you don't drag me down, we'll be fine.
[laughing]
Japanese dude, you always get straight to it.
You're cool.
You can call me by Tyrone now.
Ihotsu,
but I guess you'd call me Akira.
You got it, Akira.
- [Zihan] Mind if I join you two? - Huh?
[Akira] Chinese?
[sighs] I told you my name is Zihan, didn't I?
Will you please call me that instead of Chinese?
It's far less offensive.
Labeling by ethnicity is rude.
- Right? - [Akira grunts quietly]
Zihan, sorry, but we just don't know each other that well yet.
[groans]
All right, then how about we go and chat?
We can go make some more tea, perhaps share a nice meal.
We only have that Great Satisfaction to eat.
You really think we can become better friends over that crap?
And besides, we just finished eating... Sweden.
I think we're past this.
You can call me by my name, Erland.
Don't you know that the first step toward becoming friends
is overcoming a hardship together?
So you want us to go through hell together?
[Erland] Ah, come on.
It sounds nice, right?
Amalia, was it?
Yes, uh, Erland.
[chuckles] Whatever you say.
[Akira sighs]
[chuckles]
[grunts]
[sighs]
Huh?
They took one down?
A spider tank?!
[soldier] Sir! Confirming that an enemy vessel has been destroyed.
That's a job well done, then. [chuckles]
The close-combat attack worked just fine.
Which unit ended up taking the thing out?
Oh! Any losses?
- [soldier] Well... - Huh?
What's wrong?
The ones who took it down, they are Instants.
[gasps]
Are you making a joke, soldier?
[soldier] It was a unit called K321.
There were no losses.
No way!
[groans]
[Rimel thinking] Well, I don't care if they're Instants or not.
Right now, I'll gladly take whatever the hell I can get.
[in Japanese] Notification: Emergency orders.
Command to all units! Command to all units!
Gather to the second defensive line!
I repeat,
gather to the second defensive line!
[in English] The official Army has retreated,
so I think we should do the same.
I do too, before the enemy can set up their counterattack.
Agreed, besides we only have one missile left.
And I'm so hungry.
I would even eat that Great Satisfaction stuff.
[laughs]
Yeah.
[chuckles]
Unit K321!
[screams]
[all gasp]
[Rimel] Unit K321!
Do you copy?
[scoffs] Unit K321,
can you hear me?
Respond at once. I repeat.
[Akira] We hear you, but you're way too close to the camera!
[clears throat]
My name is Commanding Officer Rimel.
Admin AI, share my code!
[in Japanese] Notification: Chain of command confirmed.
This is Barka District Ground Force Commander,
Officer Rimel of the military clan.
[in English] All right, commander. What the hell do you want with us?
You're a lot more direct than I thought,
for an Instant.
[chuckles] Apologies.
Yakitoris, I guess.
But screw formalities for right now.
I respect you as professionals
for your accomplishments on the battlefield.
Got a job for you.
A job?
[Rimel] While the spider tanks are causing us plenty of issues overall,
the artillery pose a much more immediate problem.
As long as those are still in commission, we're unable to get backup from space.
I'm sending you the coordinates to the artillery.
Go there in your armored vehicle
and wreak as much havoc as you possibly can for us.
I'm sending over a drone now to resupply your ammo.
Huh? Hold on a sec.
You want us to break an enemy siege with just five of us!
Not only that, you're wanting us to attack the artillery?
I'm not asking you to take them all out.
Just distract them long enough for us to get some reinforcements on the ground.
You're really asking us to do this?
[Rimel] Affirmative!
[all gasp]
[all groan]
Good luck, Yakitoris.
We're counting on you.
[dance remix of "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" plays]