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Cortex Command

And so, Yuri's fleet approaches the storm...

: okay, we're gonna blast through this meteoroid storm now. Activate the deflector! Full power!

: Roger. Activating deflector.



*RUMBLE!*

: Whoa! Is everything all right?!

: Deflector output stable at 2000, plus or minus 100. Hull vibration 2.24. We're in the green.

: Good. We'll be out of this soon.

: We're just about out of the storm! Five seconds...two...one...



: We've broken through the meteoroid storm.

: Whew!

My thoughts exactly, Yuri. Moving on to Medyn!

: Ah ha ha! Here come those little brats! Get 'em!

Wait, what?



OH SHI-



This massive fleet is led by an upgraded version of Balik's old cruiser - the Gromki A. Like the old one, it has a crazy missile attack.

The first shots are exchanged. One of the pirate's small ships go down, but the LOTUS is knocked down to 22 HP by the retaliatory strike.



Another exchange. Another small ship goes down, as well as the LOTUS. It's now 3-2 in the enemy's favor.

Shortly after I screw up a barrage, incoming missiles!

The first pirate destroyer goes down shortly afterwards. The PANSY is damaged slightly in retaliation, but Elgavan ships are made of sterner stuff than Ropesk ones and it remains in the fight.

I take advantage of Gen's ability to fire off a couple rounds at the pirate flagship, hoping to destroy it and stop the missile waves. Sadly, it survives and the effect ends. The PANSY takes a brutal hit, but manages to hang on long enough to blow up the final enemy destroyer. All that's left is the missile cruiser, and one final barrage brings it down!



Lots of money and level ups from that one!

: What?! Those little brats got us! Well, it looks like it's time to beat a hasty retreat!

Y'know, that's not a bad idea. We're down one ship and the PANSY took some nasty shots. Sure, we've got the RUSALKA, but better safe than sorry. I divert the fleet back to Gorodok for repairs.

All better now. On to Medyn!

: Oh dear me. Take a look at who came wandering into the wrong part of town! This time, I'm not gonna let those punks off so easy!

You!





: Yuri, the one there in the center of the fleet...It's huge!

: Judging by the design, I'd say that's got to be Balik's ship. I've never seen a hull shaped like that before.

I have no idea how he made that particular leap of logic.

: That's a Eudora-class heavy cruiser, built by the nation of Kalymnos. I wonder where they got their hands on a ship like that! It really outstripes Elgavan ships as far as armor and firepower go! Looking at the situation logically, I think the best thing to do would be to withdraw.

: Withdraw? Are you kidding me? This is where we take them down!

: You can't be serious.

: Of course I'm serious! All hands, combat stations!

So...we've got another full fleet in front of us. This battle is even nastier than Argun, if you can believe it. How nasty is it?



This is your answer. The Eudora B has a multi-hit missile, which attacks every ship in the fleet simultaneously. That's the fleet's status after two normal attacks, before I could do anything. The crew is tired after the long trip here, plus we're outnumbered 5-2. We're in trouble here.

We have exactly one advantage: range. The enemy fleet has terrible range, especially the multi-hit missile. By staying away from them and plinking away with our lasers (all three of them, now that the LOTUS is gone and I foolishly replaced one of the RUSALKA's with a missile), we're mostly safe from attacks.



Using these tactics, I work Balik's fleet down to just his flagship without losing another ship! I'd say he's on the ropes! I get in close, unleash Final Roar, and...



he survives. Doesn't even dodge, but he survives. FFFFFFF--
Both ships take a nasty pounding, especially the PANSY which drops to 188 HP. Please note that it wasn't even the target, just got caught in the AOE damage. Multi-hit weapons are NASTY. But finally, two more attacks later...



Victory! Though it was close. At least we got plenty of loot.

: I can't believe it...

: Balik is getting away!

: That's all right. We know where he's going. Let's go after him and finally settle this thing, once and for all. Ian, guide the way!

: ...

: Ian?

: Oh, yeah. Sure.

Damn straight. Onward, to Medyn!

And so Yuri and company enter the nefarious pirate base. Perhaps after today is over, the Novgorod Pirates will be wiped out for good.

: So Argun and Balik are in here somewhere, are they?

: Yeah. It's gonna be a melee fight. Better bring the whole crew.

: Got it.

Have I mentioned that I dislike melee battles yet? Cause I do. Especially in these mazes where there's no save points. Fail a battle or step into an instant-death trap? Back to the beginning for you. Ugh. These dungeons could have been so much cooler.

Anyway, we move forward, and--

: Ah!

*The moment the party enters the building, they find themselves surrounded by pirates*

: Let's take care of these guys fast, everybody!



Ok, this one is pretty simple. Numbers aside, the enemy's combat strength is pretty abysmal. Even goofing up a few times, I lose less than 200 men.

: Whew!

: Yuri, there's an elevator over there!

: Let's go!

To the third floor! The second was empty

: What's this?

*There's a currency card lying on the floor of the passageway. You got 300G!*

Huzzah, I suppose. Fourth floor!

: Persistent little gnat, aren't you? You followed me all the way here?



: You know, Balik, I've never killed a man with my own hands before. I never really thought I would. But if it's got to be done, I don't think I'd mind too much if it were you.

: Hmph. Do you really think a little nobody like you can cut me down?

: I sure hope so. I'll do it for Tatiana's brother, and for all the other people and lives you've ruined.

: Get ready to die, Balik!

I forgot about screenshots, but you didn't miss much. I lost fewer guys than I did in the first fight.



: A plasmic...Plasmic blade?! Gaaaaagh! *thud*

: (panting)

: Yuri, you did it!

: ...

: What's the matter? You look pale.

: That feeling...It was...horrible...



: But you did the right thing, kiddo! You did what you had to do! That's the key to survival in the sea of stars. Come on. We still gotta get Argun.

: Okay...Let's go.

Poor Yuri. Still, gotta keep moving. On to the fifth floor.

: Whoa!

*Pirates appear from out of nowhere and quickly surround the party*

: On your toes, everybody!

It's another weak bunch, identical to the first fight. Kinda sucky bodyguards, if you ask me.

: This is the end, Argun!

: Eek! I give up! I surrender! Let's make a truce! I promise to never raise arms against you ever again!

: You're not really in a position to bargain right now.

: Doesn't matter what you say now, buddy. You're gonna get cut down! Or would ya prefer my blaster?

: W-Wait! Wait! How about this? I'll retire! I'll live out the rest of my days quietly on some remote planet! Please, please! Have mercy on my life!

: ...

Well, this is pathetic. Still, he's surrendering. Shall we spare him? Vote, and see what happens next time!