Stage 08 (FM4)/Transcript

The following is a transcript of Stage 08, the ninth mission of Front Mission 4, in addition to the dialogue before and after Scene 08.

Pre-Mission Dialogue
[Map of Venezuela]


 * Renges: So... To where exactly are we going 'adios', Darril?


 * Darril: Gimme a break, Renges.

''The map shows the boundaries of Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana in addition to the names of several locations. Several paths leading to Columbia and Brazil appear and are then crossed out.


 * Chaeffer: All routes to the south are either blocked or under heavy guard...


 * Renges: If they figure out we were the ones who stole this truck back at the base, it'll be easy for them to guess where we're trying to go... And they know these roads better than we do.


 * Chaeffer: If we stay here too long, it's only a matter of time before they find us...


 * Darril: If we can't go south, then we go elsewhere.

Several routes leading to Columbia, Brazil, and Guyana appear and are crossed out.


 * Renges: There were State Army units to both the east and the west. The only way we can go is north.


 * Chaeffer: Going north only takes us to the sea.


 * Darril: And this is where you come in, Renges. How about your connections?


 * Renges: I knew you'd say that... But I don't think we want to deal with them this time...


 * Chaeffer: Connections...? Hey, the old man back at the base asked you about that, too. What's it all about?


 * Darril: Renges here has a side business going, Chaeffer. He 'acquires' surplus military hardware and sells it on the black market. He's a real pro.


 * Renges: Hey, lay off, Darril. You're the one who said you wanted in. And I never heard you complain about the money you made.


 * Darril: Ahem... Anyway, about your connections... Isn't that smuggler's ship in Venezuela now?


 * Renges: Yeah, that's right. I'd forgotten about him. What with us running around and all.


 * Chaeffer: That's pretty convenient. How come he's here now?


 * Renges: It's much easier to take goods from the front lines than from bases back home, so I gave him a call before we were sent here. He sounded more than happy to come.


 * Darril: He's in Cumana, right? So we have to go...

A route to Cumana appears.


 * Darril: This way. The State Army would never think we'd head to the sea.

[Central Venezuela]


 * Darril: All right, then. Let's go. We should be able to reach Cumana by nightfall.

[Talk to Renges]


 * Renges: I don't really feel like going to Cumana, but if that's our only way out, I guess we'll have to take it...

[Talk to Chaeffer]


 * Chaeffer: So we're finally going to leave Venezuela, huh?

The truck moves to Cumana.

[Cumana City]


 * Darril: Looks like the north route was right after all. There weren't any State Army goons anywhere, and if our luck holds, we won't have to see them ever again.


 * Renges: Don't count your chickens yet. We don't even know if that smuggler's ship is still in town.

[Talk to Renges]


 * Renges: Finding that smuggler and his ship is our first priority.

[Talk to Chaeffer]


 * Chaeffer: This is a pretty big town... Hey, that means there's lots of places to hide if the State Army turns up.

["The Carribean"]


 * Chaeffer: What are we doing here? I thought we were going to the habor.


 * Renges: We don't know where the ship is docked, and wandering around the harbor looking for it would attract too much attention. We'd better ask around to find out where it is.


 * Darril: And I'm thirsty, too. I can't remember the last time I had a drink.


 * Chaeffer: Really? It's only been two days since we left the garrison...

[Talk to Bartender]


 * Renges: I'm looking for a man named Chang. He works for Bichu Transports.


 * Bartender: Japanese?


 * Renges: No, he's Chinese.


 * Bartender: Whatever-- it's all the same to me. We do get a lot of Asian customers, but I don't make a habit of asking each one their name. Try asking the sailors here. Maybe one of them knows this Chang of yours.


 * Renges: Right. Thanks.

Second time and beyond:


 * Bartender: People here have been leaving the city ever since the governor's declaration... Who cares about independence? I want my customers back.

[Talk to Venezuelan Sailor]


 * Venezuelan Sailor: Chang? Sorry, never heard of 'im. I only work for local companies.

[Talk to Chinese Sailor]


 * Chinese Sailor: Yeah, I know Chang. Bichu Transports, right?


 * Renges: Is he still in town?


 * Chinese Sailor: How badly do you want to know?


 * Renges: Jeez... Hey, Darril. Pay the man.


 * Darril: What!? Why me?


 * Renges: Come on, Darril. Think of the money we'll have once we're out of here.


 * Darril: ... Okay. Hey, Chaeffer. Pay the man.


 * Chaeffer: What!? Why me?


 * Renges: Hurry up!


 * Chaeffer: Aw, man... Here.


 * Chinese Sailor: Heh heh, thanks. Chang's ship is in dock nine. I heard he's cranky because his contact hasn't shown up yet.

Second time and beyond:


 * Chinese Sailor: I don't know what your business is with Chang, but you better watch out. He's not a bad guy, but he's been known to rob people blind.

[Talk to Eva]


 * Eva: This whole independence thing hasn't done anything to improve our lives. I wish things were back the way they were before.

[Port Cumana]


 * Renges: Chang!


 * Chang: What? Who? Renges! Where have you been!? You make me come all the way to this warzone and you don't even give me a call? What is wrong with you!?


 * Renges: Sorry, Chang. We were a little busy.


 * Chang: Hah! 'Busy', he says... Anyway, let's go to my office. We'll talk there.

[Chang's Office]


 * Chang: So where is my shipment?


 * Darril: There's been a change of plans.


 * Chang: Renges... who are these two big lugs you brought with you?


 * Renges: Friends from the army. But never mind that, let's talk about work. We need you to take us, our wanzers, and one crate out of this country.


 * Chang: You are all going AWOL!? And what's this about a crate?


 * Renges: ... And we'd prefer if you didn't ask questions.


 * Chang: No questions!? You make me wait for weeks in this dump, and now you tell me I have no right to know what I'm going to carry on my ship? What kind of deal is that!?


 * Renges: We'll pay you extra. We'll even pay for your gas fare to Venezuela.


 * Chang: No, no, no! I'm not taking you anywhere until you tell me what's going on!


 * Renges: Chang... we've known each other for what, five years? There are a few secrets we trust each other to keep, right?


 * Chang: Wh-- what are you talking about?


 * Renges: Remember Hong Kong? And Karachi? Or Aden? You haven't told your wife about those, have you?


 * Chang: W-- wait a minute... are you trying to blackmail--


 * Renges: Oh, hey! Remember Milano? I never would've guessed you could do--


 * Chang: All right, all right! I'll do what you want me to do, so stop!


 * Renges: Thanks, Chang. I'm lucky to have such an understanding friend.


 * Chang: But it will cost you! Whatever's in that crate of yours must be dangerous.


 * Renges: Whaddaya say, Darril?


 * Darril: That's fine.


 * Chang: When do you want to leave?


 * Darril: Right now.


 * Chang: We can't go now! There are wanzers near the docks!


 * Darril: What!?


 * Chang: They look like they're unloading cargo from their ship. You'll be in trouble if they find you, yes?


 * Darril: Then we have to hurry up and leave before they see us. Come on, let's go!


 * Chang: Out of the question! I don't want bullet holes in my ship!


 * Renges: Get your ship ready now, Chang. Unless you want me to tell your wife about--


 * Chang: I'm going, I'm going, okay!? Just make sure you're ready with that crate of yours once I give you the go-ahead to board my ship! Satisfied?


 * Darril: Very.

[Talk to Renges]


 * Renges: Do you think the State Army caught up with us?


 * Darril: No... they're probably city guards. We should be able to sneak by them.


 * Renges: In any case, we should move the crate with our wanzers. Make sure to check our gear, too. Can't be too careful.

Second time and beyond:


 * Renges: Great. Then it's a deal.

[Talk to Chaeffer]


 * Chaeffer: Why did you say before that we shouldn't ask Mister Chang for help? He looks like a nice guy.


 * Renges: He is, as long as money's not involved. If he found out what's in the crate, he'd throw us into the ocean and run.


 * Chaeffer: Hmm... I think I could take him, though.


 * Renges: Yeah, but you'd have to stay awake during the whole trip. Think you can do that, Chaeffer?

Second time and beyond:


 * Chaeffer: He looks like such a nice guy...

[Port Cumana]

[Talk to Chang]


 * Renges: We need gear for our wanzers. Do you have any in stock?


 * Chang: Of course not! I was waiting for you to bring me some, remember? But if you really need gear, I know another guy who deals in that kind of stuff. His shop's right over there.

Second time:


 * Renges: By the way, Chang, my connection in the U.C.S. asked me to collect what you owe him. Hand it over.


 * Chang: What are you talking about? I don't owe him anything.


 * Renges: Then maybe I should tell your wife about the--


 * Chang: All right, all right! But this is all I have right now. Take it.

[Obtained shotgun: Kirishma 51.]

Third time and beyond:


 * Chang: You keep a low profile, okay? There are still State Army people mucking around here.

[Wanzer Shop]


 * Weapons Trader: Who are you? How did you find this place?


 * Renges: We're friends of Chang's. He told us you sell wanzer gear.


 * Weapons Trader: Chang, huh? Yeah, I sell wanzer gear. But I'm out of stock right now. Come back later.

''The team patrols near Chang's ship.


 * Renges: Anything out there?


 * Darril: Nope. It's real quiet... but you better keep your eyes open too, Renges.


 * Renges: Got it.

A loud sound is heard.


 * Chaeffer: Hey... what's that sound?

The screen moves to an active monorail.


 * Chaeffer: Whoa! What was that!?

The screen moves to a building that the monorail cars are arriving from.


 * Renges: A Cargorail carriage. It's part of an unmanned hauling machine made to deliver goods to the city at high speeds... But wait a minute. Why is it moving at this hour?

The screen moves to show a group of unknown wanzers observing the building, with Darril's team hiding.


 * Renges: Are you seeing what I'm seeing?


 * Darril: Yeah. They must be the guys Chang warned us about.


 * Chaeffer: Wh--what are we gonna do?

''The screen changes to the point of view of Darril's wanzer, which focuses on two different wanzers.


 * Darril: I don't think they're looking for us. We should lay low and wait until they leave.


 * Chaeffer: Uhh... But...

Darril's wanzer focuses on the Cargorail.


 * Darril: What do you think they're doing with the Cargorail?


 * Renges: I'm not sure, but it looks like they're using it to move wanzers...

The screen focuses on Darril's wanzer.


 * Darril: With the pilots still inside?


 * Renges: I hope not, for their sake. If you rode one of those things, the least you'd get would be severe whiplash. It's not made to carry people.


 * Darril: Hmm... Hey, those wanzers don't look Venezuelan. I wonder...


 * Chaeffer: I... can't... take it anymore!


 * Darril: Chaeffer? You all right?

The screen focuses on Chang's ship.


 * Chang: Hey! Stop! Don't touch that!


 * Chaeffer: Aaagh!

Chang's ship fires one of its rocket launchers at a structure near the Cargorail.


 * Darril: Oh jeez... What happened!?


 * Chang: This young man got scared and shot one of my anti-pirate rockets!


 * Darril: Chaeffer, you idiot!


 * Chaeffer: I couldn't help it...

''The screen focuses on the unknown wanzers.


 * Ivanovna: Who's attacking us!? Is that it?

One of the unknown wanzers detects Darril's squad.


 * Vavilov: It looks like the U.C.S.


 * Ivanovna: You told me that the U.C.S. Army was nowhere near this port, Vavilov.


 * Vavilov: That information is accurate.


 * Ivanovna: Then they may be a covert ops squad. Which means there shouldn't be that many of them... Hey, you!


 * Soldier: Yes, sir!


 * Ivanovna: That ship is being used by an enemy covert ops unit. Flank it and destroy it.


 * Soldier: Right away, sir!


 * Ivanovna: We will be going, too.


 * Vavilov: Would that be wise, Colonel Ivanovna? Headquarters specifically ordered us to keep a low profile...


 * Ivanovna: Then we'll just have to do it quickly and quietly. Only a small strike team will go, including you and me. And the rest will stay here and keep working.


 * Vavilov: As you wish, Colonel.

The screen focues on Darril's squad.


 * Renges: What do we do now?


 * Darril: What do you mean, what do we do now? Well, they're not going to leave us alone, that's for sure. Get down here, Chaeffer! And you, Chang-- You wait for us, got it?


 * Chang: I know, I know. But-- Ahhh!

''One of the unknown wanzers moves quickly and lands on Chang's ship.


 * Chang: AAGAH!

A launcher on Chang's ship fires on the wanzer, knocking it down.


 * Chang: That's it! I'm out of here!

Chang's ship leaves.


 * Darril: Chang! Get back here now!!!

The screen focuses on Darril's squad.


 * Chaeffer: He's gone!


 * Darril: ...


 * Renges: Guys! Heads up!

Vavilov Defeated

 * Vavilov: What!?

Ivanovna Defeated

 * Ivanovna: No! And I just got here!

Post-Mission Dialogue
[Near Cargorail building]


 * Vavilov: Colonel!


 * Ivanovna: They got you too, I see.


 * Vavilov: I'm sorry, sir.


 * Ivanovna: It happens. Where did they go?


 * Vavilov: I believe they are still hiding in this harbor.


 * Ivanovna: Find them. But don't attack them. I want to know where they are going.


 * Vavilov: If I may say so, sir... I think we should leave them be and concentrate on our mission.


 * Ivanovna: Funny... I don't remember asking for your opinion, Vavilov. Did I?


 * Vavilov: N-no, sir...


 * Ivanovna: Listen. That was a U.C.S. covert ops squad. If they tell their headquarters about us, our mission will be jeopardized. Am I right?


 * Vavilov: Yes, sir...


 * Ivanovna: Then do as I say!


 * Vavilov: Yes, sir!

The screen fades to the point of view of an unknown vehicle before focusing on the legs of said vehicle.


 * Ivanovna: Hah-hah! Wait till they get a load of this!