Fan Book EX translations

[Falcarius]

Cross-posting from Zoidspoison to help keep this forum alive.


So I made this thread last year, and then proceeded to be really slack with translating stuff (I blame Bonds of Steel). Well, this year I'm going to try to make myself post more translations by setting a "deadline"/rate of at least one decent-sized translation piece per month. To kick things off, here's Official Fan Book EX Vol.1, the pamphlet that came with Gojulas Giga. Pictures can be found here.



Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.1 [Gojulas Giga]


ZAC 1957
King Helic Muroa unites the Central Continent. The same year, an eldest son, Helic II, is born to the king.
ZAC 1959
A second son, Zenebas, is born to King Helic.
ZAC 1978
King Helic dies. The Central Continent is divided into a Republic that makes Helic II its President and an Empire that accepts Zenebas as Emperor.
ZAC 1980
The Central Continent War breaks out between the Republic and the Empire.
ZAC 2029
A pioneer ship from Earth, the Globally III, crash-lands on the Central Continent.
ZAC 2030~
The war intensifies due to the introduction of Earthling technology.
ZAC 2051
The Zenebas Empire collapses. The same year, having absorbed the defeated Zenebas remnants, the Dark Continent's Guylos Empire proclaims war on the Helic Republic.
ZAC 2056
A huge comet approaches. The Grand Catastrophe of Planet Zi.
ZAC 2099
After more than 40 years have passed, the Guylos Empire once again proclaims war on the Helic Republic.
ZAC 2102
Prozen, an orphan of the deceased Emperor Zenebas, causes a rebellion in the Guylos Empire capital and performs a suicide bombing, taking with him the main forces of both the Guylos and Helic armies. The same year, Prozen's son Wolff Muroa takes control of the Central Continent. The Neo Zenebas Empire is founded.

And then, three years flowed by--.


ZAC 2105, autumn
The Central Continent of Delpoi

Three years since the collapse of the Helic Republic. On the Central Continent of Delpoi (at least on the surface), peaceful days continued. This was because the Neo Zenebas Empire had taken such lenient occupation measures, one would not think they were an invading army.

The dissolution of parliament. The dismantling of the army. The Empire's demands were basically just these two points. The terror of the Republic citizens changed into relief, and that relief watered down their will to resist their new rulers.

The fact that the Emperor leading Neo Zenebas was Wolff Muroa was also a cause for the Empire's rule being smooth. He was a blood relative of the hero king, Helic Muroa the First. This fact had a special significance for all those living on the Central Continent.

"The Muroa family are our traditional rulers."

Even now that a century had passed since the establishment of republicanism, more than a few of the populace thought this.

The citizens also had a fear of the Guylos Empire on the Dark Continent of Nyx. As soon as their wounds from the previous great war had healed, they were sure to bare their fangs at the Central Continent once again. The severity of the occupation measures of Guylos, being a different race, would be incomparable to those of Neo Zenebas. And now that the Republic army had collapsed, the only ones they could rely on were the Neo Zenebas army.

ZAC 2105, autumn. These various factors continued to make the Neo Zenebas Empire's system of control of the Central Continent firmer day by day.


Delpoi, Central Mountain Range
A Helic Republic Army Position

The wind rushing down from the summit was piercingly cold. On his regular patrol, Republic Army Second Lieutenant Steve Bone hurriedly slid into the cockpit of his beloved Konig Wolf.

He was on a mountainside in the Central Mountain Range, where high mountains in the 7000 metre to 9000 metre class stood in rows. The arrival of winter was early. Tonight or tomorrow, they would get snow. The snow that they were eagerly awaiting. If it piled up, they would be able to evade the inquiring eyes of the Neo Zenebas Empire Army, at least until spring.

There was a secret base of the Helic Republic Army here. One of the military positions that had numbered more than 100 three years ago. But now, there wouldn't even be 30 that had survived. In contrast to their lenient occupation measures, the Empire Army had been performing a thorough mopping-up operation against the Republic Army's remaining forces. In the battles over these three years, the Republic Army had not won a single time. If they were discovered, it was all over, and they were struck down one-sidedly.

The Dark Spiner. It was that demonic electronic warfare Zoid's fault. Ally Zoids were driven completely mad by its Jamming Waves, and were defeated without even being able to fight.

However.... If they could hold out until spring, they would complete "it". The last hope left to the Republic Army, that new giant Zoid....


The Assassin From Neo Zenebas
Raid Of The Stealth Stinger

It happened when Steve Bone finished his regular patrol and turned his beloved machine towards the base. The Konig's usually light movements suddenly became heavy. A dull sensation, as though a foreign object was caught between the control stick and the drive system. He remembered this piloting feeling. It was the same sensation as in the operation to recover the fallen Republic capital three years ago.

At that time, he had been piloting another Konig. The strategy had been to pierce the flank of the enemy Armoured Division's main force, as a member of the High-Speed Force. However, with the enemy force before his eyes, the Konig's movements had suddenly slowed. There were Dark Spiners in the enemy force. Just as it entered their jamming area, the Konig started to totter like a drunk man.

The high-speed Zoids that had lost their manoeuvrability amounted to less than practice targets. After that, Diloforce and Demantis units gushed forth in terrible amounts and showered them with blows. The force was annihilated in an instant. There were also a considerable number of his comrades who were attacked by allies controlled by Jamming Waves.

"I did well to survive," he thought. In exchange, Steve had tasted the deepest disgrace for a Zoid pilot, that of abandoning his beloved machine and escaping.

It was a bitter memory. But he didn't have time to be flooded with sentimentality. The enemy was drawing near.

What's more, it was the worst kind, a mopping-up force containing Dark Spiners. He had to notify the base immediately.

Steve cut the power to his beloved machine and jumped down from the cockpit. He couldn't even use the communicator. All he could rely on were his own feet. He ran as though crawling along the rugged footholds. However, he was 5000 metres above ground level. His breathing rose immediately. From behind Steve approached footsteps that sounded like earth tremors. He instantly hid himself in a rocky area. The enemy force calmly advanced right beside him. As he gazed at its majestic appearance, Steve's sense of despair deepened further.

It wasn't just Dark Spiners. There was even a Death Stinger. It was a monster loaded with the Organoid System, the legacy of Planet Zi's ancient super-civilisation. The Empire Army had now succeeded in completely analysing and mass-producing this system, which gave combat Zoids terrifying life energy, agility and fighting instincts. The one before his eyes was a Stealth Stinger, a mass-produced machine with its stealth abilities and armour strengthened in exchange for its Charged Particle Cannon being removed. There were also Sack Stingers, mass production-type small-scale machines with the incubation of their Zoid Cores eliminated. They numbered around 100. All of them were united with a jet black colouring. It was the "Black Dragoon".

A combat force led by Genius Deldaros, rumoured to be the Empire Army's strongest Zoid pilot.

A tiny smile floated on Steve's lips. Apparently when poor conditions piled up this much, people instead laughed.

Once again, Steve began to run as if crawling. Towards the base where his comrades awaited. Towards a battlefield where certain death lay in store.......


Gojulas The Ogre Sets Out!

The sound of intense gunfire pierced Steve's ears. The battle had already begun.

--Hurry.

He felt impatient. He couldn't imagine the base had long. He wouldn't want to be late, and then end up being the only survivor.

--Gyaooooon......

Suddenly, the roar of a Zoid rang out, mingled with the gunfire. A roar unique to Tyrannosaurus-type giant Zoids, with gravity and shrillness overlapped. There shouldn't have been any Tyranno-type Zoids in the Black Dragoon. So what was it?

As he climbed over a slightly elevated patch of rocks, Steve's field of view suddenly opened up. A gigantic beast was there.

It was Gojulas The Ogre. The Republic Army's experimental Organoid machine. Its level of perfection was so low that it did not compare to the Empire's Organoids. Other than a pilot chosen by the Ogre itself (what's more, apparently he was a mercenary rather than a regular soldier), nobody could operate it. However, it had power said to be ten times that of a normal Gojulas.

The Dark Spiner's Jamming Waves were powerless against the Ogre, which moved only by its fighting instincts and its mental link with the mercenary.

Its back to the base, the Ogre stood alone in the path of the Empire force. 100 to 1. Such a hopeless situation cheered up this machine beast of unparalleled rage all the more.

The Ogre moved. With a rush, it sprang upon a Dark Spiner. Its huge jaws tore off the Spiner's head in one attack. Continuing on, it assaulted the second Spiner. At the same time, its large-calibre cannons fired at a separate Spiner, at point blank range. The Spiner was blown away like a tattered cloth.

It was a good move. The Ogre was narrowing its aim to the Dark Spiners only. If the Spiners were gone, the base defense force could send out their Zoids too.

There were seven Spiners in all. It had already defeated three. It began to challenge the fourth.

Of course, the damage to the Ogre was also enormous. The Sack Stingers jumped at it one after another, and hurled concentrated gunfire at it. This was attack power one would not expect from a small-scale Zoid. The Ogre's armour crumpled, split open and flew away. But even so, the Ogre never faltered. The life energy characteristic of Organoids self-repaired its metal cells instantly, so they did not amount to fatal wounds.

Five, six machines.

One to go.

At that moment, the ground split open and a huge tail appeared. On the tip was a blade. It pierced the Ogre's belly. It was the Stealth Stinger driven by Genius Deldaros. Using the final Spiner as a lure, it had concealed itself under the ground and lain in wait for the Ogre to charge in.

The Ogre's movements slowed. It was clear that it had taken damage to its Zoid Core. It could not self-recover.

As the Stealth Stinger tried to crawl underground again, the Ogre tried to tear off its blade with both arms. But its power was falling. Stopping the Stinger was all that it could do.


The Ogre's Do-or-Die Defensive Battle!

Disregarding the two machines, which were unable to move in their entangled state, the remaining Dark Spiner and a group of Sack Stingers rushed into the base.

At this point, Steve had returned to the base and was staring up at the giant Zoid that stood towering in the hangar. The Gojulas Giga, a new machine based on Giganotosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur surpassing Tyrannosaurus. Steve and the other Republic soldiers had been ordered to personally blow up this Zoid that should have been their trump card for the counteroffensive operation. The Giga was already 90 percent complete. But the Jamming Wave interception circuits that were meant to be installed within its armour were unfinished. Without the circuits, it would just be manipulated by the Spiner and stolen away. That alone, they had to avoid.

But to make it self-destruct without even sending it out once was a mission he could not bear as a Zoid pilot. The battle three years ago, where he had abandoned his beloved machine and run away, was revived in his mind.

He ground his molars. Carrying the explosives, he slipped into the Giga's cockpit. This was so that he could press the detonation switch the moment the enemy tried to steal it. That way, he could at least take one or two machines with him. He couldn't think of anything else he could do for the Giga.

The sound of a strong impact ran through him. The barrier wall of the hangar had been destroyed. Predicting that the enemy would leap in, Steve couldn't believe his eyes. The Ogre was standing there. While its Zoid Core had been completely pierced, it had wrenched off the final Spiner's head and was standing firm.

"The Ogre...."

Throwing aside the detonator, Steve fired up the Giga's engines.


Gojulas Giga Stands!

The Gojulas Giga started up. Smashing the arms holding its body in place, it slowly advanced. As though it had seen things through, the Ogre collapsed. It had defeated the final Spiner for them by turning its back on the Stealth Stinger, fully prepared to bear fatal wounds to its core.

There was little damage to the cockpit. There was a possibility the pilot was alive. That alone was a relief.

The Giga advanced further, to the front room of the hangar. Its ally Zoids had been destroyed without setting out. Everything moving was an enemy. Matching the Giga's advance, they retreated steadily.

It left the base and did a visual check of the enemies. There were still 70 to 80 machines. At the front was the Stealth Stinger. There was a gap as distant as heaven and earth between Genius and Steve, in status and in skill as a Zoid pilot. Even so, Steve had no fear, to the point where even he thought it strange. The Gojulas was a Zoid that changed the fighting spirit and anger of its pilot into power. In that case, there was no way he would lose right now.

--Syaaaa...

A group of Sack Stingers brandished their claws and sprang upon him.

--Intercept them. With the tail...

The Giga's long tail bent around. At the same time, the rocket boosters built into the tail automatically ignited. The mass of heavy metal flew at overwhelming speed. With that one swing, the Sack Stingers were literally turned to dust. They didn't have the self-repair abilities of an Organoid in the slightest. It was complete destruction.


Fight to the Death!! Gojulas Giga
vs. Stealth Stinger

A rain of machine-gun fire came from left and right. It didn't leave a single scratch on the Giga's heavy titanium-alloy armour. It swung its tail in the opposite direction. With that, another five or six Sack Stingers were scattered away together. It was enough destructive power to make Steve himself, the one piloting it, tremble.

The Sack Stingers drew back quickly. The enemy was unsettled. Now was his chance to win. The Giga moved to pursue them. Right in front of its nose, the Stealth Stinger cut through the group and leaped in towards it. In came the Laser Scissors on its tail that had brought down the Ogre.

The Giga dodged, by a hair's breadth. The armour on its shoulder was sliced away.

The Giga's fangs flashed. They missed. The Stinger had already moved around behind it. It was fast. The Giga hurled its tail around. It missed again. The Stinger had hidden underground. What were these moves?

When he dug into the ground, Genius was confident of victory. Just in this back-and-forth, he had seen all of the Giga's moves. He would wait like this for the Giga to approach within a certain-kill distance, then drive his Laser Scissors into it. Then it would be over.

One minute. Two minutes. As the time slowly passed, Genius calmly watched the surface radar.

--There it is!

The Stinger's tail thrust out through the surface. Genius could see the scene of the Giga's core being pierced deeply. However, the tail that should have been a certain kill cut through empty air.

"!?"

For the first time, Genius was perturbed. The Giga had moved at a speed far exceeding his predictions. It was unthinkable. This was not the movement of a giant Zoid.

Pursuit Mode. By changing into a high-speed combat form, the Giga displayed mobility and manoeuvrability on par with a medium-scale Zoid. This was the Giga's greatest secret.

The Giga's foot attacked the Stinger. This time it could not evade. Its super-heavy armour was trampled through easily.

"Dammit."

Genius tumbled out of the cockpit. At the same time, the Sack Stingers all fired their Smoke Dischargers at once. A violent smokescreen rose up. And when it cleared, the Black Dragoon had completely disappeared. It was a brilliant withdrawal.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

As he was being shaken around on the back of a Sack Stinger, Genius Deldaros was smiling. His first defeat as a Zoid pilot. A chance meeting with a strong enemy that he ought to risk his life to defeat. He was smiling as if this was an unbearable joy. A flake of snow brushed his cheek. Winter had now arrived in the Central Mountain Range.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The snow gradually covered the deep wounds that the Republic Army base had borne.

In the tumultuous hangar, Steve Bone was looking up at the Giga he had just come down from. For the time being, they had overcome today's crisis. But the Republic's "tomorrow" depended upon whether or not they could mass-produce the Giga by spring.

They would have to hurry. Steve stepped forward into the swirl of bellows from the mechanics.

[Falcarius]

This month's special: two for the price of one! Actually, I'm going to try to post at least two volumes at a time from now on, to make up for the fact that other people have already translated half of them. As usual, pictures can be found here.



Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.2 [Dimetrodon]

The Beginning of ZAC 2106
The Central Continent, Ardannes

Neo Zenebas Empire Army Master Sergeant Capri Conrad was driving a Dimetrodon. Behind him, the Grim Reaper was approaching.

--How much longer can I run away? Five, ten minutes?

Scraping together all the remaining good luck in his life, it would probably be about thirty minutes. Capri was not an especially pessimistic person, but the image of "being saved" wouldn't come to him, no matter what. The situation was that hopeless.

The Reaper's name was Liger Zero. An extraordinarily strong enemy even among the Helic Republic Army High-Speed Combat Force, which was full of elites. He had to fight it one on one. And moreover, in a Dimetrodon. Capri's beloved machine could not be called a Zoid suited to direct combat, even in flattery. It was an electronic warfare Zoid--. A Zoid that guided its allies to victory by supporting the combat forces from the shadows, and at times commanding them.

Capri tried simulating it as a test. Dimetrodon vs Liger Zero. The victory rate that the computer spat out was 7 percent. That figure was, to the end, simply comparing the combat power of both sides. In an actual battle, it wouldn't even be half of that. And that was assuming the skill of the pilots was equivalent.

--Equivalent? Not likely.

The Zero's pilot wasn't ordinary. Capri himself knew that best. Capri's platoon had been performing force reconnaissance in the Forest of Ardannes, searching for Republic Army positions, when the Zero had annihilated them on its own, and in just under ten minutes no less. It had concealed itself quietly so it wouldn't be picked up by radar or Laser Searchers, then emergency activated from a state of suspended power and ambushed the platoon. Of course, the Zero's output wouldn't have risen up. With that unstable machine, the pilot had put to rest more than ten Empire Army Zoids, including a mass production-type Geno Saurer. That was Capri's enemy.

Certainly, in the last three years, the Empire Army had not lost once in head-on engagements. But even so, they had not yet been able to annihilate the Republic Army, and Capri felt like he understood why. The Republic Army was not dead yet. Not as long as the enemy had these true ace pilots, true Zoid pilots....

Sensing the shadow of the Zero behind him, Capri released his third lot of chaff. It was aluminium flakes for disrupting radar. Disappearing into a rain of silver, the Dimetrodon quietly continued its retreat. This chaff, the deep forest of Ardannes, and the early twilight of midwinter had kept Capri alive this long. But it was still a full 30 kilometres until the ally front line. His chaff would run out in one more release, too. If the Zero's pursuit continued, he probably wouldn't be able to get away.

There was a way he could be saved. Abandon the machine and escape on foot. But now that the Republic Army had embarked on mass-producing the new Gojulas, searching for enemy positions was an urgent matter for the Empire Army and the Dimetrodon was their most important enemy-detecting Zoid. For Capri, it was also the first large-scale Zoid the veteran had obtained. He couldn't abandon it.

In that case, he would just have to fight. Even if it was 7 percent, or half that, if there was a chance of winning, he would fight and make it back alive.

"Let's do this, partner."

After stroking the control panel two or three times, Capri turned the machine around. And after releasing the last chaff at the maximum angle of elevation, he cut all power amongst the conifers.

--That ambush earlier. That was brilliant. We'll do the exact same thing right back at him.

That was Capri's intent. Drawn in by the chaff blowing up high into the sky, the Zero would definitely come to him. He would hide himself until it approached to point-blank range, where it couldn't dodge even with the mobility of a high-speed Zoid, and ambush it from an emergency activation. He would risk everything on that one attack.

Capri was waiting for sunset with a feeling almost like praying. For this reckless ambush to succeed, he needed to attract the Zero until it was almost under his nose. Darkness was his only hope. But time passed slowly. One minute seemed like an eternity. A thought suddenly floated into Capri's mind, "Maybe the Zero's given up." Then he immediately changed his mind, "No." It was a cutting-edge electronic warfare Zoid that was precious to the Empire. That meant it was a great threat to the Republic. They would never overlook it.

Eventually the sun dropped down, and when even its afterglow was about to vanish, Capri's skin suddenly got goosebumps. It was the Zero. The Zero was there. It wasn't that he was able to see it. It was the intuition of an enemy detector. Ahead and to the right. A distance of roughly 400 metres. At 300 metres he could see it. It approached further, with slow movements.

"For the king of the beasts, you're awfully cautious, aren't ya?"

Perhaps the chaff earlier had been too conspicuous. The Zero felt signs of a trap.

200 metres. 150... 100. Even mixed into the trees, it wouldn't be strange if he was discovered any time now. He swallowed his feelings of wanting to shout and jump out. 80... 50. This was a distance that the Zero could cover in a single leap. 30 metres. Fortune was on Capri's side.

"Go!"

The Dimetrodon activated. Its roar sliced through the silent Ardannes. The Zero turning around seemed like slow motion. The Dimetrodon bared its fangs and sprang upon it. Its aim was the throat. This too was like slow motion.

--Chomp! Its fangs bit in, at full power. Even so, it couldn't break the armour. The Dimetrodon had no laser equipment like the Zero's fangs. Its output hadn't risen up yet, either.

The Zero swung its head up. The terrifying power of a Zoid for melee battle. It swung the Dimetrodon, twice as heavy as itself, left and right. Capri's neck gave a scream at the intense, irregular centrifugal force. But if he was shaken off, it would all be over.

He pulled the trigger as far as it would go. The Linear Laser Guns, Missile Pod and Concentrated Sulfuric Acid Gun fired, rapid-fire. They were weapons for use against small-scale Zoids, but these were point-blank shots. They ought to be effective.

--Bam! The armour plates on the Zero's neck split and flew off. Even still, he didn't loosen off on the trigger. The rain of energy bullets drove into the Zero's body.

--I've won. Just when Capri was convinced of that, something unbelievable happened. The Zero jumped. Twenty metres vertically, with the Dimetrodon still clinging to it. And then, throwing itself down, it slammed itself into the ground.

A strong impact. Capri lost consciousness for a moment.

"He's good......"

Still hazy, he attempted to stand the machine up again. But it couldn't move. The Zero was leaning on it. It writhed frantically, but it couldn't move around. It was a hopeless difference in power.

"I don't like this."

Capri muttered quietly. The Zero's victory was already conclusive. It bared its fangs and swung its claws as it pleased. Yet it didn't finish him off, as though it enjoyed the Dimetrodon's resistance. Apparently the ambush earlier had made it quite angry.

"That leeway is fatal on the battlefield..."

Countless flakes of chaff were dancing all around. That was because the two machines had rolled along the ground after the collision earlier. This chaff became a revelation. What if the Dimetrodon emitted its all-weather 3D radar waves right now? Diffused reflections of electromagnetic waves. The area would turn into a microwave oven. Even if there was no damage to the Zoids, the pilots wouldn't make it out unharmed.

Of course, that included Capri himself....

"You make it back alive. Okay, partner?"

He lightly stroked the panel again. And then, Capri slowly activated the radar.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

A few days later, Capri's Dimetrodon was recovered by the Empire Army. At the hands of another pilot, this Dimetrodon discovered two Republic Army positions by spring. It brought great gains to the Empire Army--.




Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.3 [Gorhecks]

Severe Winter, ZAC 2106
The Central Continent, Lykan Canyon

The Central Mountain Range towers like a temple of the gods. The east and west of the Central Continent of Delpoi are separated by these mountains, and Lykan Canyon is one of the few passages linking them. Back when the Helic Republic controlled the eastern part of the continent and the Zenebas Empire ruled the west, this was always the very front line. Even now, with the Neo Zenebas Empire controlling almost the entire continent, its importance as a key point of traffic between east and west has not changed.

The harsh winter of February, ZAC 2106. Covered in ice crystals, the valley is sparkling fantastically, bathed in the light of the just-risen morning sun. This scenery does not give me any comfort. I sigh for the millionth time.

"When we get back, we'll be court-martialled..."

From the cockpit of my beloved Liger Zero Panzer with its bombardment equipment, I turn my eyes to the ungainly Zoid lined up next to me. RZ-066 Gorhecks. The Republic Army's new electronic warfare Zoid, replacing the Gordos. Inside it, the very person who dragged me into this is no doubt sniffling away shamelessly. As usual....

My name is Winner Kidd. I'm a pilot in the Republic Army's Ray Force. For the moment, my rank has been set as Major. And the Gorhecks pilot is Republic Ground Army Corporal Verditer Rowen. My childhood friend. He's an eccentric who rushed out of the military academy shortly before graduating and entered the army, for the sole reason that he "wanted to experience being a private". So there's a gap in ranks between us as distant as heaven and earth. But to tell the truth, I've been no match for my childhood friend since long ago. Whatever he's done, Verditer has never got any results other than the best. The guy's like a department store of genius. At the moment he pilots a Gunbluster in the Heavy Artillery Force, and even here he's an ace. "It's stranger for my bullets not to hit an enemy within range." That's Verditer's favourite phrase. He has no weaknesses other than his child-level physical strength. And perhaps also that ordinary common sense doesn't get through to him. So even when he proposed this two-man surprise attack without permission from headquarters, I wasn't that shocked (when it came to the lack of common sense). This was Verditer's argument:

"The greatest threat to the Republic Army is the Dark Spiner. Unless we do something about its jamming attacks, we have no chance of winning. There are two methods of stopping them: defend against the Jamming Waves, or eliminate them. To defend against them, we can coat important circuits and wiring with insulation. This method is adopted by the Empire Army's Zoids and the Republic Army's state-of-the-art Zoid, Gojulas Giga. But the time and cost are enormous. You could say that equipping it as standard on medium and small-scale Zoids would be impossible for the current Republic Army. In that case, we have to eliminate them. The Jamming Waves are electromagnetic waves. If we hit them with electromagnetic waves of the same frequency but an altered phase, they will negate each other, nullifying the waves."

"You mean... if guys with the same speed and punching strength fight, they'll knock each other out?"

Ignoring my comment, me being weak at science and maths, Verditer's case continued.

"The only Zoid that can do that is the Gorhecks. So I made a proposal to headquarters and the Technological Department, telling them to stop the production of combat Zoids and prioritise mass-production of the Gorhecks. But it was rejected."

Of course. A gunner corporal making proposals about the production system? Headquarters must have been appalled.

"Supposedly it's an untested, empty theory. The Dark Spiner has a wide frequency range. Its output is in a different league. If it changed frequencies one after another, the defending side wouldn't be able to handle it. That was the Technological Department's conclusion. But the Gorhecks can do it. With the reaction speed and analytical power of its Crystal Radar, it can come up with a counter before its functions are sent out of order. If we just attach the prototype amplification boosters I created."

As self-confident as ever. "So what do you plan to do?" I asked.

"If they say it's an empty theory, I'll prove it in actual combat. You and I will fight a Dark Spiner. We'll launch a surprise attack on the regular service (an Empire Army supply force) at Lykan Canyon."

And that's why I'm looking down at Lykan Canyon, side by side with Verditer's Zoid, even though raids on the canyon are strictly prohibited by headquarters. This is because the Empire Army, exasperated by the repeated surprise attacks of the Republic Army, has started to add Dark Spiners to the supply force's escorts. Apparently there are even Dimetrodons these days. If we're discovered first, we'll be the ones who are ganged up on.

"I'm more worried about my life than the court-martial."

This violation of orders isn't worth it. The reason I've come along anyway is because I have the same opinion as Verditer. The Republic Army will never win until we stop the Dark Spiner.

"It's a Gorhecks with my boosters attached. We'll be the ones to find them first."

Verditer is filled with a shocking amount of self-confidence. His voice suddenly tenses.

"There they are! Thirty degrees right, raise elevation three degrees and fire main cannons!"

On the other side of the valley, with its countless twists and turns? How does he know their position so accurately?

"Too slow! Adjust point two degrees left, lower elevation point one degrees!"

I squeeze the trigger like the corporal says, half doubting him. There is a roar. My beloved machine's main cannons fire. A few seconds later, a pillar of fire rises up on the opposite side of the valley. A hit. What's more, a direct hit.

"Next! Adjust point five degrees left, lower elevation point two degrees!"

Another hit. The third and fourth Zoids are direct hits too. I'm astonished. It would be better to mass-produce Verditer than the Gorhecks. If that were possible.

Just after I crush the fifth Zoid, enemies spring out of a blind spot in the valley. The supply force's escort Zoids. There are 5 units remaining. There is also one Dark Spiner.

"I won't have time to guide your shooting from now on. I'll have my hands full countering the Jamming Waves. Carefully crush everything other than the Dark Spiner."

I've been the corporal's puppet, but my time to shine has finally come. Leave it to me. I'll give you your man-to-man with the Dark Spiner. Get all the combat data you like.

My main cannons fire continuously. It's not exactly "no wasted bullets", but by the time the Dark Spiner has closed in to hand-to-hand combat distance, I've wiped out all his allies. I'm happy to have lived up to my reputation. However, the essential part is what happens from now on. If we can't defend against the Jamming Waves at this point-blank range, we can't call the experiment a success.

With a rush, the Dark Spiner makes its assault. It's a formidable foe, with melee abilities on par with Geno Saurer. I can't oppose it with the heavy Panzer equipment. Prepared for the risk, I intend to discard the equipment and meet the enemy naked. But suddenly, the Panzer staggers. I can't remove the equipment, either. I pull on the control stick with all my strength, but there is no response. As I am sent flying by a powerful body blow from the Dark Spiner, I look back to the Gorhecks. Smoke is rising from the boosters Verditer was so proud of. They'd overheated? Are you kidding? At a time like this?

For a full two minutes after that, the Panzer and I are thoroughly tormented. Struck, stepped on, bitten. Without the Panzer's thick armour, I'd have died long ago. But I can't die yet. Not until I buy time for Verditer to escape. If he stays safe, he'll definitely complete the imperfect boosters.

Despite me thinking such valiant things, Verditer surprises me again. He cuts in between me and the enemy, in his Gorhecks. Is he crazy? What does he plan to do in an electronic warfare Zoid with almost no combat abilities? Hasn't getting into fights been my role for ages?

The Dark Spiner's claws grip the cockpit of the Gorhecks, and it slowly puts strength into them. The canopy shatters.

"Verditer!"

I'm screaming. But my voice is drowned out by an ear-splitting explosion. The Gorhecks has self-destructed. There's a staggering amount of gunpowder. I can only imagine that it was stocked in the machine from the start. The Dark Spiner is critically damaged. Thanks to armour twice as thick as his, it seems the Panzer can just manage to move. But not even the shape of the Gorhecks remains. I jump into the wreckage and frantically pull apart the mountains of rubble. Embarrassing as it is, I'm crying. Behind me, a voice calls out, feigning innocence.

"What are you doing, Winner?"

It's Verditer. He's holding a Zoid remote control device in his right hand.

"Don't you know, Winner? Privates who aren't even given a Zoid survive purely on vigilance and their meagre weaponry," he says with a sniffle, stroking the wreckage as though apologising. In his left hand is a disc storing the combat data from earlier. It looks like I'll never be a match for my childhood friend in my entire life. But miraculously, my mood isn't bad. Indeed - to the point where I don't even feel scared of a court-martial.

[Lidier]

Thanks for translating and posting these!

[Falcarius]

Here's this month's translations. This makes two deliberate cockpit attacks (and a neck attack) in five volumes. The Battle Story pilots clearly have no taboo against cockpit attacks, which makes me wonder why the Republic is still using the exposed 'canopy'-style cockpits. Rebirth Century did try to fix that by introducing armoured cockpits on Republic Zoids, but (as usual) just caused more problems due to its interquel nature.

This also brings us up to three times out of five in which the 'hero' Zoid of a particular volume has been defeated or destroyed, which is kind of impressive for a 'promotional' storyline. Don't worry, we'll be moving into "everyone worship our invincible new Zoid" territory next month



Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.4 [Arosaurer]

Early Spring, ZAC 2106
The Central Continent, The Battle For Cook Fortress

It was early spring, with the snow in the Central Mountain Range still far from thawing. At the Neo Zenebas Empire Army front-line base Cook Fortress, located at the eastern foot of the mountain range, countless gunshots roared. The Helic Republic Army's counteroffensive operation had begun. The counterattack came over a month earlier than the Empire Army had expected. It was a surprise attack.

As of ZAC 2106, the overall combat power ratio of the Empire and Republic armies was 20 to 1. If they waited for the snow to thaw and their position was invaded from all directions, the Republic wouldn't even have a one-in-a-million chance of victory. But right now, they might be able to bring down a corner of the enemy encirclement. Their counterattack hung on that possibility.

Their objective, Cook Fortress, was an impregnable fort protected by rivers and mountains on every side. It would be a harsh battle, but if they could capture it, there would be no greater position for the Republic.

The battle would risk their fate. The Republic Army headquarters used every trick they could in order to disrupt the Neo Zenebas siege net. Simultaneous bombing of multiple enemy positions by the Flying Division. Guerrilla warfare in various locations by the High-Speed Zoid Force. They even mobilised the Guylos Empire Army, which was in an alliance with them. They had the Empire dispatch an empty transport fleet to the Central Continent. The transporters were empty because they had borne deep wounds in the Dark Continent War and did not yet have the strength to fight. But the effects of these diversionary tactics were tremendous. The Republic Army's main force ran down the snow and ice-covered mountains, tore through the confused Neo Zenebas front lines, and broke into Cook Fortress in a mere three days.

The Gojulas Gigas trampled the Geno Saurers, and the Gorhecks intercepted the Dark Spiners' Jamming Waves. The Gunblusters' 20-barrelled cannons fired, and the Dibisons sliced through enemy lines. The Republic soldiers advanced bravely to clear away their days of humiliation, which had lasted for three years. Among them was Dew Eld, driving an Arosaurer.

The man was called an ace of the main force. But in this battle, he had yet to bring down even a single enemy. It wasn't that he was going easy on them, of course. They needed to take down the fortress and harden their defences before the Empire Army recovered from its confusion and advanced on them in horrifying numbers. The critical time was from here on. But the more impatient he became from thinking this, the less the Arosaurer would move according to his will. He knew the reason. There was a problem with Dew.

Dew was a pilot who had continued to ride a Gojulas since the outbreak of the Western Continent War. Those who could manage to pilot a Gojulas, which had a wild temper and chose its pilots of its own will, were called heroes. Three years ago, in the struggle for the Republic capital, he had performed a battle that would not shame the title of "hero", and had lost his beloved machine. His reward was two years of living in a field hospital. One could say that the reason he was able to return to combat was his wholehearted desire to pilot the Gojulas' successor, the Gojulas Giga. But the Giga had not chosen him.

It would not obey a pilot it couldn't get along with, no matter how good his skills or career were. That was the Zoid called the Gojulas. Eventually, Dew ended up piloting an Arosaurer. His mission was to guard the Giga. In chaotic battles, giant Zoids sometimes received unexpected damage from small Zoids. The openings in their heavy armour, such as at joints, were easily sniped. If the knee area took concentrated damage, they could even become unable to move. He was to protect against that. It was an ironic mission. The role of a foolish man going to a party, escorting the woman who rejected him.

And now, Dew was being shown her elegant dance on the battlefield, her charming strength, up close. The weak points of the Gojulas had been eliminated splendidly. Its ancient titanium alloy armour bounced back any bullets, and its Hyper E-Shield did not even waver at the Geno Saurer's Charged Particle Cannon. Its Pursuit Mode and Melee Mode were a fusion of overwhelming speed and power. Its fighting method overturned the conventional knowledge of giant Zoids. He felt excited just from watching it.

"If I could pilot that..."

That thought wouldn't disappear. The Arosaurer wasn't bad either. The Zoid had been deployed as the successor of the Godos. They said that it wouldn't be outdone by any Imperial Zoid of the same class. But what Dew, a Gojulas pilot down to his bone marrow, was seeking was absolute power. Though he knew he was asking for something that didn't exist, he couldn't control his irritation.

Even if they weren't as extreme as the Gojulas, all Zoids had wills and emotions. It was when the mental link with the pilot transmitted through the control stick was going smoothly that they could display 100 percent of their abilities. It was only natural that Dew couldn't draw out the Arosaurer's abilities right now.

"At least move properly, dammit!"

Just when Dew cursed at the panels, the ground behind him suddenly split open. It was a raid by a subterranean machine equipped with four super-hard drills. The pride of the Empire Army, the super-small, super-high performance SS Zoid Grounchar. A pulse laser fired from the turret on its nose, and pierced the opening in the Giga's knee armour as though sucked into it. Clicking his tongue in irritation, Dew turned the Arosaurer around. But the Grounchar disappeared underground once again before he could grab it. It was Dew's mistake. He had gone too far ahead, despite being an escort unit. It was a mistake born from his impatience at being unable to bring down enemies. And it was an unexpectedly fatal mistake. The Giga slowly collapsed.

Smoke was rising from its knee. Even if it was a direct hit, it was gunfire from a small-scale Zoid. To take this much damage in one hit would normally be unthinkable. The unreasonable mass-production of 30 machines in five months and the earlier-than-planned surprise attack must have made them go easy on tuning and tests. At any rate, they'd have to withdraw. Even the Giga would just be a target if it couldn't stand. Protected by a number of Arosaurers including Dew's, the Giga's crawling retreat began. But in its path, the worst of death gods was waiting.

"D- Death Saurer..." One of his allies murmured. The Empire Army's strongest machine beast, the death-inviting dragon, was there.

The age of the Death Saurer's invincibility had come to an end with the appearance of the Madthunder. Even so, that did not change the fact that it was a nightmarish monster for anyone other than a Thunder pilot. Could the Giga fight it? In perfect condition, would it have an even chance? No, perhaps less than that. Because that thing had an absolute trump card. The fan on the Death Saurer's back turned.

The static electricity in the atmosphere was sucked in with terrifying force. Directly afterwards, a rush of light swallowed the Giga and the Arosaurer force. The Large-Calibre Charged Particle Cannon. The swirl of energy was in a different league to the Particle Cannons of the Geno and Berserk Fuhrer. After the light disappeared, the only ones remaining were the Giga, which had deployed its E-Shield, and Dew's Arosaurer, which had been behind it. Everything else had been annihilated. Its destructive power seemed detached from reality. He felt like he was about to lose his senses from terror. A second shot came immediately. The Giga withstood it. But with the third direct hit, the Giga's generators gave a shriek. It was at its limit. It could not deploy the shield any more.

The Giga would die. The moment he thought that, Dew and his Arosaurer leaped. He would defeat the Death Saurer. To make up for his own mistake. To protect the Zoid he loved.

He leaped straight at the Death Saurer's nose. Even if he was no match for its super-heavy armour, he might be able to smash the cockpit. His Arosaurer bared its Electron Bite Fangs. But it was a reinforced canopy made of special fibres. Before it broke, an intercepting beam came for him, at point-blank range. All the hair on his body stood on end.

He managed to dodge it. The Arosaurer moved as though their earlier mismatch had been a lie. Not even the Gojulas could beat the Death Saurer in power. Right now, he was seriously thankful for the Arosaurer's footwork. Perhaps it had responded to Dew's feelings. Even as it lost its balance, it sunk in its claws, sliding down the Death Saurer's back without being thrown off.

The Charged Particle Intake Fan was before his eyes. Almost the only weak point of the Death Saurer, it was directly connected to its internal circuitry, and it was within reach. This was unbelievably good luck. This moment was his only chance of victory. He struck it with his 2-Barrelled Beam Guns and Flamethrowers simultaneously. A counterattack came from the Death Saurer's four gun turrets equipped to protect the fan, but he didn't ease up on the trigger. With each shot, the Arosaurer's armour plates split open and flew away. Its right arm was torn off, and its canopy broke.

"Keep at it, partner!" Dew screamed involuntarily. At that moment, he could see the interior of the intake fan short out violently. Black smoke and flames blew upwards. The Death Saurer's huge body writhed. But the Arosaurer couldn't withstand this and was thrown off, slamming into the ground. Its left leg broke from the impact. Even Dew, who was held in place by a six-point seatbelt and helmet, almost lost consciousness. His hazy eyes reflected the Death Saurer, which was trying to endure its pain and anger and stand up. It raised its huge claws towards the Arosaurer. He could not escape. His beloved machine was covered in injuries, and Dew didn't even have the power to pull on the control stick. But in the midst of his despair, Dew's mind was somehow upbeat. He had driven back the Death Saurer this far. Something not even the Gojulas could do. He hadn't managed to protect the Giga, but at least he should have given it a chance to survive. He should be proud. Of himself and his machine. Thinking this, he closed his eyes.

At that moment, three things happened simultaneously. The Death Saurer's arm swung down; the Giga's long tail pierced the intake fan of the Death Saurer, which had come within range undefended in its anger; and the Arosaurer's cockpit ejection system activated automatically. The Death Saurer and Arosaurer died, the Giga and Dew survived, and Cook Fortress fell into the hands of the Republic Army the next day.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Five days later, Captain Dew Eld's wounds had healed and he was assigned to protect the north of the fortress, having volunteered to lead the Arosaurer force. Inside his new favourite machine, Dew thought of the marvel of Zoids. The marvel of the machine beasts that chose pilots of their own will, and protected their pilots even if it sometimes meant giving up their own lives.

On his right he could see the site of the fierce battle. Dew quietly saluted, with feelings of regret and gratitude.




Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.5 [Storch]

Spring, ZAC 2106
Florecio Ocean, An Uncharted Island

Under the eyes of First Lieutenant Sapphire Tripp, the Raynos formation fell one Zoid after another. Attacking it was the Empire Army air combat Chimera, Flyscissors. They were rushing down on it in swarms of five to six Flyscissors for each Raynos.

The altitude was 800 metres. Even the pride of the Republic Air Force, their main fighter Raynos, had almost no performance advantage at this height. Normally, the Zoid displayed its true value at high altitudes of more than 10,000 metres. Now that they had already fired all their anti-air missiles, the difference in numbers was the difference in combat power between the formations.

Two Flyscissors dived towards a Raynos from above and to the left. Another two pressed down above its head. The Raynos turned to the right. A fifth Scissors was waiting there, right in front of it. Its huge fangs and claws approached at a relative speed exceeding Mach 3.

The pilot of the Raynos made a face of disbelief. Its angle of intrusion was too steep to be challenging him to melee combat at this speed. It could only be considered a suicide attack. A moment later, they collided. The two machines burst into flames and pieces scattered in every direction.

"Tch."

Hearing the tongue-click through the communicator, Sapphire looked to her consort craft, which circled at an altitude of 1500 metres. A Storch - a custom unit equipped with Plasma Blade Antennae, the same as Sapphire's machine.

"Is something the matter, Captain?" Again? - swallowing the feeling, Sapphire forced herself to call to her superior officer Captain Aqua Erius in a calm voice.

"Something the matter? Don't you feel anything when you watch this?" A low, stifled voice came back to her, and she felt its deep anger.

"Our allies are superior. I think we ought to be glad..."

"This is not a battle of Zoid pilots!"

Aqua was a hot-blooded officer from the start. But these words of his spoke for the feelings of almost all Zoid pilots. Because now, the shape of battles on this planet was about to change greatly, in a direction Zoid pilots did not wish for.

It began with new technology born a few years earlier. The artificial Zoid Core was developed. This meant that Wild Zoids were no longer necessary to produce Combat Zoids. They could be mass-produced at low cost, without any performance scatter due to individual differences, and would not even need the mental link between machine and pilot. It meant that it was now possible to create artificial Zoids that anyone could handle.

The Neo Zenebas Empire headquarters pounced on this technology. No - they didn't stop there, they even produced unmanned Zoids containing automatic piloting systems (codename: Chimera Blox). The Chimeras were certainly the ideal weapon for the new country of Neo Zenebas, which was still weak in military force and economic strength. But there was also a problem with unmanned machines. Even if they could cope with combat on their own, they couldn't take unified actions as a force.

A command Zoid was needed to lead the Chimeras. A manned Zoid that would lead the Chimera force with control waves. And one of the command Zoids developed was a custom Storch equipped with large-scale Plasma Antennae, and Aqua Erius and Sapphire Tripp had been chosen as the test pilots. They would invade the skies above the Republic's area of influence in Storches, lure enemy machines into the airspace of the uninhabited island where their experimental base was, and strike them down by commanding the flying Chimera Flyscissors. This combat test was the mission given to the two of them.

Another Raynos fell. The fourth. There were two left. Meanwhile, the losses of Flyscissors numbered ten. The combat test could be called a great success. They might have lost more than twice the number of machines, but their production costs were less than a tenth (excluding the loss of pilots). Soon a great army of Chimeras would fill up every battlefield on this planet. A horde of unmanned machines, marching over cold battlefields with no soldiers. The scene floated vividly in Sapphire's mind.

Aqua remained silent.

"The pride of a Zoid pilot...?"

Sapphire was a fourth-generation Earth immigrant and had different values to the people of Planet Zi. Even if she could understand his sentiments, she couldn't sympathise with them. The technological level of Zi's people had leaped forwards like a mutation due to the arrival of the Earthlings, but their mentality still contained a thick scent of the mediaeval. While still having the souls of knights, barbarism, and a religion-like culture of beast god worship, they had obtained technology from a thousand years into the future. Moreover, without such souls, they could not become excellent Zoid pilots, pilots connected to their Zoids by a deep mental link. At least, until now....

A sudden warning beep from the surveillance monitor interrupted Sapphire's momentary contemplation. One Raynos had broken through the enclosure of Flyscissors.

"Oh no."

If it went full-throttle now, they wouldn't be able to catch up to the Raynos with the speed of the Flyscissors and Storch. If it left the jamming area and sent a transmission, resuming the test in this airspace would become impossible. But how had it escaped the siege net?

"That bastard..." Aqua's voice came from the communicator. Unlike before, his voice held a mixture of surprise and joy. Ignoring it, Sapphire found a formation of three Flyscissors that could cut into the path of the Raynos and narrowly managed to set them on an intercept course.

"Pin it down. Don't let it go to full-throttle!"

But far from ascending, the Raynos instead decreased its altitude. 500 metres, 400, 300. It dropped further, at Mach 0.8. From there, a sudden deceleration. It turned left inches from the water's surface. It was unbelievable piloting. Unable to pull up in time, two of the Scissors crashed into the water, and just as the remaining machine stalled, it was brought down by a strafe of beams.

Having placed too much stress on testing their control, the Scissors were only equipped with melee weapons. That had backfired. When faced with those tactics, they wouldn't be able to manage guided control. But was such piloting even possible? Such precise piloting at that speed, under intense G-forces?

"It's no use. We won't make it in time."

They no longer had any way of catching up to the Raynos. Sapphire murmured, dumbfounded, and a moment later opened her eyes even wider. The Raynos had turned around. In its direction of travel lay the other Raynos, which had been left inside the Scissors siege. He planned to rescue it. Even though there were still 30 Scissors remaining.

"Sapphire, pull back the Scissors! Our precious toys will all get turned into scrap!"

"What are you..."

"Don't you get it? That's a real Zoid pilot. Our toys are no match for a Zoid piloted by the real deal!"

Suddenly, Aqua's Storch entered a dive.

"I'll take him."

"In a command-equipment Storch? It's impossible!"

"My opponent's worn out too, isn't he? And at this altitude, I may be up against a Raynos... but I can do it!"

A dive exceeding Mach 2, from an altitude of 1500 metres. Aqua wasn't normal either, just like that Raynos pilot. At once, the two became entangled. Upwards, downwards, turning. It was like a dance moving at the speed of sound. Fierce and elegant and bloody and beautiful.

Technology would continue to develop. Become more rational. The Chimeras would evolve to be stronger, and the control defects would be eliminated. Soon.

Even as she thought this, Sapphire could not stop herself becoming enchanted by the dance of the two Zoid pilots.

[greengai]

Aw, poor Arosaurer. It sure seems to have a tough time getting the respect a fire-breathing Zoid deserves.
Can't wait for Leogator's next time! Er, unless your "invincible new Zoids territory" means the instruction manual stories are coming?

Edit: By the way, Momonga has scans of the featured pilots' cards here here here and here 

[Maethius]

Dude... someone's going to end the world if they build armor over DS's fan!

[Falcarius]

Mar 26, 2015 16:23:16 GMT -5 greengai said:

Aw, poor Arosaurer. It sure seems to have a tough time getting the respect a fire-breathing Zoid deserves.
Can't wait for Leogator's next time! Er, unless your "invincible new Zoids territory" means the instruction manual stories are coming?

Indeed they are! These next few segments aren't technically Official Fan Book EX volumes (they're included in the instruction manuals instead of being separate booklets) but they serve the same purpose. Since these story segments are small, and since greengai specifically requested the Gairyuki volume (A year ago already? Wow.), I've thrown in Gairyuki's description/fact-file as well.

Pictures for the Seismosaurus story can be found on Momonga's site. As for Gairyuki, anyone wanting pics will have to make do with this and this for now.



Seismosaurus - Battle Story 1

Spring, ZAC 2106, on the Central Continent. With Cook Fortress captured by the Helic Republic Army, the Neo Zenebas Empire Army immediately began a counterattack. But Cook was a natural fortress, surrounded on all sides by large rivers and mountains. The Republic Army also had their mighty Gojulas Giga force. Even for the Empire Army, which boasted overwhelming combat power, capturing Cook was not a simple task. The battle became a stalemate, and the season soon changed to summer. Even while besieged by countless enemies, the expressions of the Republic Army officers were cheerful. Their mastery of the sky was maintained by powerful air combat Zoids such as Salamander and Buster Eagle, and their supply lines were secured. And more than anything else, the existence of the Gojulas Giga continued to uplift the soldiers' morale. The Giga's armour had been given an ancient titanium coating, and could almost nullify the Empire's weaponry. They had ample expectations that they could hold out until they were finished gathering and reorganising the scattered Republic forces on the Western Continent and Dark Continent. That is, until the moment the balance between the armies was shattered by a sudden ray of light!


An Arosaurer, which had been transporting goods that it had received from a Buster Eagle, was pierced by the ray and lost its upper half, leaving behind only a circular hole, before exploding. Next Gorhecks, then Leostrikers disappeared, helpless against the rays pouring down on them one after another. Even when they took cover in a rocky area, the rocks themselves were blown away.

Before the mysterious gunfire, the Republic's Zoids were nothing but moving targets. Amidst this one-sided slaughter that could not be called a battle, the armour of a Gojulas Giga was finally pierced.

While admittedly jammed by Dimetrodons, the Gorhecks' radar was unable to even detect the enemy, let alone find its sniping position. The Republic Army officers were in chaos, but became speechless upon seeing the final image sent by a Buster Eagle with which they had lost communications. It showed a sauropod-type Zoid they had never seen before, bearing the Empire Army insignia, firing super-long range shots from far outside their radar detection range.

A long silhouette, different from any sauropod-type Zoids so far. It was the new Zoid that the Neo Zenebas Empire had hoisted as the banner of its reinstatement, the Seismosaurus.


Battle Story 2

The Empire Army began its assault on the Republic front line as it fell into a panic. The distinctively huge form of the Seismosaurus awakened further terror in the Republic Army soldiers, and the defence lines were mercilessly trampled.

As their allies continued to retreat, one Republic force stood in the way of the Seismosaurus. It was a mixed force composed of Gojulas Giga, Arosaurers and Leostrikers. The Leostriker unit deployed in front of the Giga and generated E-Shields. The Seismo's 31 laser guns rained down shots. The Leostrikers collapsed, filled with countless holes. But this sacrifice gave the Giga time for a counterattack.

The Giga transformed to Pursuit Mode. Accompanied by the surviving Zoid forces, it broke through the siege net and approached the Seismosaurus. It was met by Scissorstorms, Laserstorms and Styluarmors, the Chimera forces assigned to guard the Seismosaurus, but they could not stop the Giga's fierce attack.

The Giga's Buster Cannons fired. A hit. Thick smoke from the Seismosaurus' flank enveloped it, obstructing the view around it. The Giga's pilot was confident that the Seismosaurus had been destroyed.

But a moment later, calmly appearing from within the smoke cloud came a strengthened Seismosaurus fusion-armed with its consorts Scissorstorm and Laserstorm, the "Ultimate Seismo". The Crescent Laser Gun mounted on the midsection of the Seismosaurus split the Leostrikers' armour, and the Chain Scissors carved away the Arosaurers along with the ground beneath them. In addition, charged particles fired like a shower from the 31 gun turrets, and erased the Republic Army's small-scale Zoids one after another.


The reason why the Seismosaurus, originally meant to be a rear support machine, had been advancing was to display the overwhelming combat power of the Ultimate Seismo to the Republic Army soldiers and wear down their will to resist.

Already, the only healthy Republic Zoid at the front line was the Giga. But the Giga still had a final trump card that could change this situation. The 32-Shot Zoid Core Cannon. A super-destructive weapon that far surpassed the Charged Particle Cannon. It was a forbidden weapon that would steal away the Giga's own life due to its power. The Giga's dorsal plates shone fiercely. But an instant before they fired, a point-blank shot from the Super-Focused Charged Particle Cannon pierced the Giga's Zoid Core. The pride that supported the Republic Army, the huge body of the Giga, slowly collapsed.

This was the moment that the Ultimate Seismo's victory, and the Neo Zenebas Empire's complete control of the Central Continent, were decided.




Gairyūki - Battle Story 1

Autumn, ZAC 2106. Defeated by a Neo Zenebas Empire assault force with the Seismosaurus as its core strength, the Helic Republic's surviving forces were cornered at Cooper Port, a harbour on the southern tip of the Central Continent.

They no longer had any chance of victory, and moreover had no path left but to escape to another continent where the power of Neo Zenebas would not reach them. But their northern ally, the Guylos Empire on the Dark Continent, was too far away, and in the western seas leading to the Western Continent, the Neo Zenebas main fleet lay in wait.

The Republic Army stood on the brink of destruction. The one that rescued them was a messenger from the east. It was the Eastern Continent, the stronghold of ZOITEC, the private munitions corporation that invented the Blox system.

About 80 years ago, Earthlings landed on Planet Zi due to a spaceship accident. Many of them were taken in by Helic and Zenebas for their technological strength. But there were also some who feared the expansion of war on this planet, and were opposed to the casual provision of technology. ZOITEC was a corporation that had been constructed by a people centred around that opposing faction. They held strong dissatisfaction and unease towards Neo Zenebas.

"By nature, Blox are artificial Zoids for civilian work, and we should make use of them for reconstruction after this great war." That was ZOITEC's ideology.


But the development plans for reconstruction Blox that ZOITEC had presented to Neo Zenebas were rejected. On the contrary, they had requested (quite threateningly) the provision of Blox that were further specialised for combat.

"If the Helic Republic rules the Central Continent..."

ZOITEC's ideology and the Republic Army's intentions coincided, and they began the reorganisation of the Republic Army and the development of a new Zoid to oppose the Seismosaurus on the Eastern Continent. (ZOITEC bore all of the vast military costs, and in exchange, they gained all of the Republic's large-scale Zoid development know-how.)

And so, a few months later, they rolled out the first large-scale Zoid to fully adopt Blox technology. The Zoid was named "凱龍輝" [Gairyūki, meaning "shining victory dragon"], from the shining appearance of the Condenser Panels all over its body and the Republic's wish to "return victorious" to its fatherland. The Eastern Continent script was used with a sense of gratitude towards ZOITEC.


Battle Story 2

The Neo Zenebas coastal garrison protecting the southern coast of the Central Continent was bewildered. There had been no contact from the large-scale oceanic mothership Dragoon Nest that had stopped at the port.

"Is their transmitter out of order?"

An inspection force approached, perplexed, and was blown away by an explosion originating from the inside of the mothership's hatch.

"An enemy attack!"

An emergency alarm echoed through the port. Amidst the smoke and confusion, a group of Zoids the Imperial soldiers had never seen before appeared calmly from within the destroyed hatch. It was a Republic force composed of Gairyūki, Evoflyer and Dispelow. They numbered only a single platoon. It was an excessively daring surprise attack.

An Imperial interception force headed out immediately. Deantler on land, Storch in the sky, Diploguns in the sea. Under violent bombardment from all sides, the Gairyūki's body broke into three pieces.

No, not quite. It voluntarily shed its armour. Part of the armour formed Hien and sliced up the Storches in the sky. The rest formed Gekkou and disposed of the Diploguns in the sea with ramming attacks, slamming its heavy armour into them. And the Gairyūki, having become lighter, routed the Deantlers with its tremendous speed.


A Neo Zenebas Berserk Führer stood in the way of the Gairyūki. Its huge drills, the Buster Claws, came towards the Gairyūki and its bare body. It dodged them with its Ion Boosters at full power. The Gairyūki was indeed higher in manoeuvrability. While it dodged, it combined with Hien and Gekkou once again, cladding itself in firm armour.

The Führer's posture lowered. It was preparing to fire its Charged Particle Cannon, at point-blank range. Even with its boosters, the Gairyūki couldn't dodge it.

A flash. A direct hit. The Führer's pilot must have been convinced of his victory. But a moment later, he saw something unbelievable. Most of the energy wave from the Particle Cannon was absorbed by the Gairyūki's orange panels.

This time, the Gairyūki lowered its posture. At the same time, it combined with Evoflyer and Dispelow. Their Zoid Cores linked with each other, and the output gauges leaped up due to the synergistic effect.

The moment the Führer tried to turn around, sensing danger, it was swallowed up by a violent swirl of light and obliterated.


The shot the Gairyūki had fired was the Condensing Charged Particle Cannon, which generated the beams absorbed by the Condenser Panels within its body and fired them. This was the answer that the Republic and ZOITEC's engineering staff had come up with to oppose the Super-Focused Charged Particle Cannon of the Seismosaurus.

Having finished the combat test, the Gairyūki force calmly withdrew aboard the stolen Dragoon Nest. They swore that when this force was mass-produced, they would once again return to this land. So that next time, they could truly return triumphant.



RZ-070 GAIRYŪKI （凱龍輝） Machine Explanation

On the Eastern Continent, which was markedly affected by the Grand Catastrophe of Planet Zi, Wild Zoids were on the verge of extinction, and even the ecosystem was beginning to collapse. The artificial Zoid technology of Blox was therefore an inevitable development.

The Republic engineering staff sought a powerful large-scale Wild Zoid for their new Zoid development, but finding an individual that met their demands on the Eastern Continent was difficult. So they requested the provision of Wild Zoids from the Guylos Empire, with which they had formed an alliance. Guylos' wounds had not healed from the Dark Continent War and they had no spare power to capture new Wild Zoids, but they were unable to overlook the rise of Neo Zenebas any further, and provided a Tyrannosaurus-type Wild Zoid (the wild form that was the basis of the Berserk Führer) which was the strongest among the Wild Zoids they currently possessed.

Consequently, the Republic engineers and ZOITEC fused Blox technology and Gojulas-class Zoid technology with the Berserk Führer, and it was reborn as the new Zoid "Gairyūki".


The Gairyūki gained manoeuvrability surpassing the original Berserk Führer through its Magnesser Wings and Ion Boosters on each leg, and its melee abilities were strengthened at the same time through its Bite Fangs and the Killer Claws on all four limbs.

In addition, ZOITEC's prided Blox technology was inserted into the CAS (Changing Armour System), which the original Führer was unable to make full use of. They succeeded in making two individual, independent Blox into symbiotic forms as the B-CAS (Blox Changing Armour System). These were the swallow-type Blox "Hien" and the horseshoe crab-type Blox "Gekkou".

These two Zoids would be assigned to scouting and combat in the air and sea independently as unmanned units. This meant that the Gairyūki was also a commander unit that would make use of the other two. Furthermore, they planned for it to link Zoid Cores with Dispelow and Evoflyer, Blox developed at the same time, and enabled it to augment its firepower and melee abilities further by fusing with these two Zoids.

It also has the "Condenser Panels", which were developed from E-Shields and the Gojulas Giga's Ancient Titanium Alloy, and form its trump card against the Seismosaurus. They are defensive equipment that can absorb beam weaponry attacks fired by enemies and halve their power. They can also rapidly generate the absorbed charged particles internally and fire them as the "Condensing Charged Particle Cannon".

Will the "Gairyūki", the new-generation Zoid born to defeat the Seismosaurus, be able to bring victory to the Republic Army as its name suggests?


Weight: 118t
Depth: 23.8m
Height: 12.6m
Max Speed: 290km/h

Magnesser Wing x2
Condensing Charged Particle Cannon
Bite Fangs
Killer Claws x4
Core Block x2
Condenser Panel x12 [11 according to manual]
Ion Booster x2
Blox Mount x19 [not mentioned in manual]
Beam Vulcan x4 [only listed for Gekkou]

Gairyuki + Dispelow -> Gairyuki Destroy
Gairyuki + Evoflyer -> Gairyuki Speed
Gairyuki + Dispelow + Evoflyer -> Commander Gairyuki + Strengthened Gekkou + Strengthened Hien

[greengai]

Apr 22, 2015 2:37:58 GMT -5 Falcarius said:

The Zoid was named "凱龍輝" [Gairyūki, meaning "shining victory dragon"], from the shining appearance of the Condenser Panels all over its body and the Republic's wish to "return victorious" to its fatherland. The Eastern Continent script was used with a sense of gratitude towards ZOITEC.

Script differences between the Eastern Continent and Delpoi?? Very interesting.. 

Slightly larger Gairyuki links:
Cover
Page 10
Page 11
My Stitching attempt
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14 
Page 15 
Back
Corner of the box's back 
Edit: A little bit more of the box, hopefully not too big. See how many times you can spot ZOITEC!

[Falcarius]

Nearly forgot to post this month's translations, after all the other stuff I've been busy with. This time you get THREE volumes, because they're short (and the Zero Phoenix and Energy Liger ones are basically one story anyway).

I've noticed that the Republic seems to have turned rather nasty after losing their president - refusing to let Wolff have the continent even when he's trying to be kind and impartial, creating a weapon that kills the Zoid using it (Gojulas Giga), ignoring the entirely justified reasoning for Chimera Blox (no loss of human or Wild Zoid life), using Charged Particle Cannons (I think the King Gojulas is the only time this has happened before), using Jamming Waves to send CPC blasts who-knows-where (Dimetroptera), sending assassins to kill the Emperor (Jet Falcon)... I think the Ray Force takes the cake, though. They were getting beaten horribly, so Ray Gregg let Wolff escape (instead of having a slight chance at killing him then and there) in order to save his friends. His reward? Said friends get thrown into the toughest missions over and over until they're all dead. Seriously, guys, what is wrong with you?

Pictures can be found on Hanyoutai's site, or here for the Leogator. I've also started to add these translations to my website, if you want the full text+pictures experience.



Liger Zero Phoenix - Battle Story 1

A little over a year after their escape from the Central Continent, the Helic Republic Army had succeeded in increasing production of the Gairyuki, gathered aces from each of the forces in the mobile army, and organised a Gairyuki force. They put their Central Continent return landing operation into action. Even for the mighty Neo Zenebas Empire, it was impossible to build satisfactory defense lines across all of the continent's vast coastline. After a fierce battle, the Republic Army secured a beachhead on the continent's eastern coast. They succeeded in their return landing. Anti-Empire powers that had been lying dormant in various locations joined up with them one after another, and by the time two months had passed since the launch of the operation, the Republic had reorganised a great army that rivalled the one from before its collapse.

But the name of the "Ray Force", once admired as the strongest, was not among them. Its survivors were charged with the responsibility for letting the Empire's Emperor Wolff Muroa escape during a battle with the Eisen Dragoon, and continued to be forced into the harshest of missions as a punishment force.

And now, they were about to be released onto an even harsher battlefield. Chimaera Fortress City. It was a great fortress built inside a huge natural caldera which stood on the route leading to the former Republic capital, and at the same time was a major Chimera Blox production factory. For the Republic Army, it was a target that they absolutely had to bring down.

But this fortress was protected by cliffs and countless gun batteries, so attacking it from on land was an act of suicide. In the skies above were swarms of unmanned flying Chimeras commanded by Lord Gales. The Republic Flying Division was in the midst of reorganisation, and had no decisive power to break through them. And so, the punishment force was ordered to perform a nighttime surprise attack.

The 29 blue Liger Zeros of the punishment force charged at the fortress city. They sprinted at close to 300 kilometres per hour. At once, intense gunfire came from the fortress. Land battle interceptor Chimeras also set out. Despite this, the Zeros did not ease up their speed. Was it a suicide bombing?

It was such a reckless assault that the Empire soldiers wanted to ask this. But they had not yet noticed the shadows of 29 Phoenixes flying low behind the Zeros, hidden in the darkness...


The Republic's new flying Blox, Phoenix. This was the B-CAS developed for the Zero. The moment that the swarms of Lord Gales and Flyscissors in the skies above swooped towards the Zeros, the Phoenixes broke into pieces. Their parts combined with the Zeros. The Zeros kicked off from the ground and flew into the sky at once. The Zeros flew...?

The Lord Gale pilots doubted their eyes. The Zeros assaulted them, gliding at 340 kilometres per hour. Caught off guard, the light-weight Empire Chimeras could not beat their additional weight and were flung away one after another. Flying over the land battle Chimeras and breaking through the air battle Chimeras, the Zero force reached the outer wall of the fortress city. They separated from the Phoenixes once again, and rushed into the fortress.


Battle Story 2

The Zeros added to their gunfire with Terrestrial Mode, and the Phoenixes protected them from the skies. Having allowed an invasion so simply, the Empire headquarters fell into panic for an instant. They made maximum use of that instant. It was the lifeline for the punishment force, which had broken in with a mere 29 Zero Phoenixes. Half of the force held down the gates and protected the path for the following Gojulas Giga and Gairyuki forces. The remaining half aimed to destroy the unmanned Chimera control system. Every time they destroyed a Lord Gale, a Deantler or a Storch, several times as much of the Empire's combat strength was silenced. It was clearly the Empire Army's tactical mistake for relying too much on unmanned Chimeras to defend their bases.

Soon, the Gojulas Giga at the head of the following forces reached the gates. They had won... Everyone in the punishment force thought so. But just then, a flash of light ran before their eyes.


The flash lasted a full six seconds. It was a strafing shot from a high-output Charged Particle Cannon. With that one blow, everything from the Gojulas Giga's neck up disappeared. A moan similar to a scream rose from the punishment force as they turned around. There was a giant Zoid looking down at them.

"S-Seismosaurus!"

Someone shouted. It was the monster Zoid that had driven the Republic Army off the Central Continent entirely, just over a year ago. Its mouth shone, and turned towards the gates again. A flash. The second Giga trying to invade collapsed. Behind it, the ally forces trying to break in were becoming congested. This time, it was the Republic Army's turn to fall into a panic.


The Seismo's mouth turned towards the gates a third time. At that moment, the Zero Phoenix force sprang upon the Seismo from every direction. They knew from their battles a year ago that the Zero's weapons were no match for the Seismo. Even so, they had to buy time for their allies to regain their footing. When they were the Ray Force, they had been unable to stop the Eisen Dragoon. So this time, they would protect their comrades. Even if it cost them their lives!

For high-speed Zoids to challenge the Seismo by abandoning their speed and using themselves as shields was nothing other than reckless. Trampled, struck and shot through, one Zero after another was defeated. When the last Zero finally collapsed quietly, a roar rang out at the gates. It was the Gairyuki. The radiance of its eleven Condenser Panels shone out in the darkness like flames of anger. The Seismo slowly turned its nose to the Gairyuki. Now, a direct confrontation between decisive battle Zoids that would predict the direction of battles on the Central Continent was about to begin.




Energy Liger - Battle Story 1

ZAC 2107. The "Neo Zenebas Empire Chimaera Fortress City Capture Operation" put into action by the Helic Republic Army was succeeding due to a do-or-die surprise attack by the Liger Zero Phoenix force. The Zero Phoenix force had destroyed the enemy Chimera Blox force control system. They had paralysed the defensive functions of the fortress city. The only remaining obstacle was the Seismosaurus. The monster that had annihilated half of the divided Zero Phoenix force with a single machine.

Successfully entering the fortress, a Gairyuki leaped at the Seismo. The Seismo intercepted it with its Super-Focused Charged Particle Cannon, at point-blank range. A direct hit. A dazzling flash enveloped the Gairyuki. But the Gairyuki managed to withstand the super-energy that had vaporised the Zero Phoenixes and pierced even the Gojulas Giga's heavy armour. Its eleven Condenser Panels absorbed the majority of the energy. It was not unharmed. The particle energy that it couldn't fully absorb melted the Gairyuki's armour and burned through parts of its internal circuitry that bore the burden. Because of this, it could not return fire with the Condensing Charged Particle Cannon.

Despite this, a cheer rose from the Republic soldiers. Even if it wasn't perfect, they had finally obtained the power to oppose the Seismo.


Following it, a second Gairyuki, then a third, and then a Gojulas Giga invaded the fortress one after another. The isolated Seismo no longer had any chance of victory. "Capture the Seismosaurus!"

The front line headquarters passed down the order to the Republic soldiers. Obtaining an undamaged Seismo would be a gain with the same value as capturing the fortress city. And right now, it was possible.

Knowing it stood no chance, the Seismo swung its nose back around. The following Gairyukis and surviving Zero Phoenixes pursued it. When it came to manoeuvrability, the Seismo could not be called agile, even in flattery. There was no way they would let it escape. The Republic pilots must have thought this. But they did not know that there was one more fearsome Zoid deployed at this fortress...


Battle Story 2

The lead Zero Phoenix suddenly collapsed, like a puppet with cut strings. The shadow of something had attacked the Zero Phoenix like a gust of wind. At a speed too fast for the pilots behind to see it. "Watch out! There's something h..." Before he finished speaking, the shadow cut across again, and the second Zero Phoenix stopped moving. "Dodge it! Above you!"

With an ally's shout from behind, the third Zero narrowly managed to dodge the shadow. But the shadow turned around at unbelievable speed and pursued it, easily slaughtering the third Zoid as it frantically tried to regain its footing.

The shadow finally stopped moving. It was a lion-type Zoid the Republic soldiers had never seen before. But what was that speed? If the monitor's display was correct, its maximum speed was more than 600 kilometres an hour. Its turning speed was twice as fast as the Zero as well. In melee combat, this difference in speed was decisive. The Zeros would have looked as if they were standing still. The new Zoid, the Energy Liger, roared as if to intimidate the group of Zeros.


The Energy Liger was the Empire's next-generation high-speed experimental machine, which had succeeded in using tachyon particles in its power system. There was a difference in level between it and existing high-speed Zoids as wide as that between jets and propeller planes. Added to that, it had the hitting power to slaughter a Zero in one hit. Meaning the Zoid had strength of a different dimension in melee combat.

The Energy Liger slowly retreated while gazing at the Zeros and Gairyukis, which were frozen to the spot. On this day, Chimaera Fortress City fell into the hands of the Republic Army before dawn. But rather than joy, what occupied the hearts of the Republic soldiers was terror towards the Empire's fathomless technology.




Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.6 [Leogator]

October, ZAC 2108
The Central Continent of Delpoi, Wilson River

Wilson River stretches out across the northeast of the Central Continent, the Republic Army's new position, and flows into Akua Sea. It is a great river that originates in a huge lake, Wilson Lake. The Empire Army foresaw a danger of the Republic Army crossing this river and reaching the former Republic capital, which was located to the south. They built strong encampments across 300 kilometres of the opposite shore and deployed vast numbers of manned Chimeras, beginning with Styluarmors in underwater form (Doriaspis).

But in the predawn hours of late October, ZAC 2108, an emergency alarm rang out at one of these defence encampments. Contact from a Chimera on patrol duty had ceased. The order came immediately to scramble dozens of Doriaspis.


Suddenly, Wilson River began to flow in reverse. Leogators appeared from the river's surface, carrying the wreckage of the Doriaspis in their mouths. Immense numbers of Leogators covered the entire river. They numbered around 150. This operation was counting on quantity.

"Scissor Arm Gators", construction forms combined with Evoflyer, sliced up the outer wall of the base and opened a huge hole. The Leogator army all flooded into this hole at once. Unable to hold out until reinforcements arrived, the Imperial encampment surrendered.


The Republic Army had brought down a corner of the encampments, but now they were unable to avoid a defensive battle to protect the beachhead from the Empire Army reinforcement force's attack. A huge force of the Empire Army dominated the land. It was a bombardment division centred on Scisserstorm and Laserstorm. Their Storm Gatlings all fired at once. It was tremendous concentrated gunfire. The frontmost and rearmost machines of the Leogator force's ranks were destroyed, and the force became unable to move.

But the moment the Empire Army was convinced of its victory, the Leogator force transformed into Liger Mode one by one. Their gale-speed legs dodged the gunfire in every direction, and they surged onwards at once to close the distance to the enemy force. Just then, several Leogators in the foremost row were sliced in half and exploded. The Empire Army's fearsome, cutting-edge high-speed Zoid Energy Liger had appeared. Behind the Energy Liger was a group of new Zoids. The Empire Army's reinforcements were increasing their combat strength minute by minute.


Suddenly, several dozen of the Zoid Gairyuki's B-CAS units, Gekkou and Hien, flew in. They combined with the Leogators one after another, re-equipping them to form the heavily-armoured form Armoured Leo. Behind them, the Republic's main forces had succeeded in crossing the river and arrived at the battlefield. A huge force far exceeding even the Imperial reinforcement force advanced forwards. Even so, the Energy Liger did not falter. Filled with anger, it assaulted the Armoured Leos. The heavy armour of the Leos withstood its slashing attack just once. That was enough. In that time, the Leogator force had grappled with the Storm force and inflicted devastating blows. Now, the Empire Army was beginning to be pressured by the astonishing production capabilities of the Republic Army, which had gained the support of ZOITEC.

[Falcarius]

Cutting it pretty close, but here it is: the epic finale to the Helic/Neo Zenebas war! As usual, pictures can be found here. (By the way, if you have a copy yourself, I'm still looking for good-quality non-watermarked scans of these two volumes.)

Apart from the Brastle Tiger volume (which I'll be putting in a bonus update sometime soon), I've now completed the Official Fan Book EX storyline. However, this monthly update thing seems to be working pretty well, so I'll be starting something new next month. I already have something in mind, but I'm happy to take requests



Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.7 [Dimetroptera]

November, ZAC 2108
The Central Continent of Delpoi, Mount Arthur

The Republic Army had accomplished a landing on the northeastern part of the Central Continent, and succeeded in crossing Wilson River through the actions of the Leogator force. They continued to travel further south, aiming to recapture their former capital city. Meanwhile, the Empire Army drew back their defensive formations to Mount Arthur, a natural stronghold on the route to the capital. Having learned of the Republic Army's true strength from their defeats so far, the Imperial headquarters decided to deploy their main force, which was stationed in the west of the Central Continent. The defence formations were increasing in combat strength day by day. Wishing to avoid clashing with this huge force head-on, the Republic headquarters planned a surprise air-bombing attack. But the Republic Air Force was weakened, having lost most of its Storm Sworders and Salamanders in earlier battles. Under these circumstances, the newly-produced Blox Dimetroptera was entrusted with this important mission in place of their former main flying Zoids.


Early November, ZAC 2108. Hundreds of Dimetroptera flew towards the Mount Arthur defence lines and began an intense aerial bombing. Ptera Phoenixes, equipped with Phoenix parts to strengthen their weapons and flight range, had also been added to this attack force. Amidst the fierce battle with the Empire Air Defence Force, the Ptera Phoenixes that had finished dropping their bombs split into two. And this time, the Phoenixes combined with Liger Zeros that had followed them on the ground. They became Liger Zero Phoenixes, and descended on the enemy lines.

Faced with ever-changing detaching and combining attacks, a corner of the Empire defence formation finally collapsed. And so, in the first match of the Battle of Mount Arthur, the victory went to the Republic Army.


It was a mere 300 kilometres from Mount Arthur to the former capital as the crow flies. But faced with counterattacks from the Empire Army, which had been reinforced even further, the Republic Army's steady advance finally stopped. Suddenly, a flash sliced through the sky, mowing down the formation of Dimetroptera one after another. It was the Zenebas Cannon. The Seismosaurus' super-long range shooting had begun. "The surface forces will be targeted next."

The Republic soldiers were assaulted by terror. Another flash came before their eyes. But... The particle beam missed by a long way. The Zenebas Cannon, with its extreme precision, had missed for the first time. The reason the Zenebas Cannon could aim at targets from super-long distance was because electronic warfare Zoids deployed in advance would determine and transmit the exact shooting points. Those electronic warfare Zoids had been exposed to jamming waves emitted by the Dimetropteras. A number of Dimetropteras that had seemed to be shot down had landed on the ground under the guise of crashing. They had transformed into their electronic warfare form, Dimetrodon Mode.

The Republic Army had finally sealed away the invincible Zenebas Cannon, and gained a method of getting the Gairyuki and other major Zoids close to the Seismosaurus. The day of the showdown between both armies to recapture the capital was close.

To form the advance guard for the decisive battle, the Dimetroptera force later joined up with the Dispelow force. They combined to form the precision shooting Zoid Cannoneer Dimetro, and moved to attack the enemy forces immediately.




Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.8 [Jet Falcon]


ZAC 2102
The Eisen Dragoon, led by Wolff Muroa, take control of almost all of the Central Continent of Delpoi. The Neo Zenebas Empire is founded. The Republic's surviving forces continue their resistance by way of guerrilla fighting in various locations.
ZAC 2105
The Republic Army completes the Gojulas Giga, the trump card of their resistance operation.
ZAC 2106
The Republic Army begins a full-scale counteroffensive. They recapture Cook Fortress.
The same year
The Empire Army completes the Seismosaurus. It expels the Republic Army from the Central Continent entirely. The defeated Republic Army escapes to the Eastern Continent, and receives support from ZOITEC.
ZAC 2107
The Republic Army completes the Gairyuki.
ZAC 2108
The Republic Army makes a return landing on the northeastern coast of the Central Continent. Bringing down Empire Army fortresses one after another, they advance towards the former Republic capital.


ZAC 2109, early spring
The Central Continent of Delpoi, the Former Republic Capital

100 kilometres north of the former Republic capital city, the Helic Republic, which had accomplished a return landing on the Central Continent, confronted the Neo Zenebas Empire defence force. Their advance guards were already within eyesight of each other. The Republic Army was led by Gairyuki and Gojulas Giga, followed by new Blox such as Dispelow, Evoflyer, Leogator and Dimetroptera. Meanwhile, the Empire Army was centred on Seismosaurus and Energy Liger, with Scissorstorm, Laserstorm and Styluarmor forming defensive formations. In the sky were Lord Gale, Flyscissors and Storch. This was a full-strength war, into which both armies combined had released more than a hundred thousand Zoids. The Empire Army no longer had the overwhelming advantage. Their combat strength was evenly matched. (Unlike the Republic Army, which had released all its forces into this battle, the Empire Army had to give its attention to defending all of the vast Central Continent, and could release no more than 30 percent of its overall combat strength.) As for their trump card, the Seismosaurus' Zenebas Cannon, its precise firing from super-long distances had been nullified by the electromagnetic wave disturbance of the Republic Army's Dimetroptera, which had been stationed in various places. As a result, the Republic Army had closed the distance to them this much. From this point on, the morale of both sides and the abilities of each individual Zoid would decide the outcome.

The morale of the Republic forces was high enough to pierce the heavens. The homeland they had dreamed of was within arm's reach. The Republic Zoids felt the soldiers' elation and roared one after another, their iron throats vibrating. A huge streak of light ran before their eyes. It was the Zenebas Cannon, from point-blank range. With that shot as the signal, the clash of the armies began.


The Anguish of Emperor Wolff Muroa

Near the centre of the former Republic capital, inside the cockpit of an Energy Liger adjusted as the Emperor's personal machine, as Wolff Muroa listened to the gunshots roaring from the north, his face was filled with bitterness.

The Emperor himself was going forth into battle, in order to rally the morale of the Empire Army as they continued to be pressed back by the Republic Army's steady charge. But his anguish was with something completely unrelated to the state of the battle.

"Why won't the fighting on this planet end...?"

He questioned himself over and over. It was 7 years since they had gained control of the Central Continent. They had given countless decisive blows to the Republic Army as they continued their obstinate resistance. But every time, they came back even stronger. Because they had the support of the Helic-favouring populace.

Wolff had set up the best government he could. Surely he had poured out his love on all the citizens, without distinguishing between Zenebas and Helic supporters. Even the drastic reduction in military expenditures through the introduction of Blox was because he was thinking about the lives of the people, who were pained by the long war. But as soon as the Republic Army made their return landing, the Helic-favouring citizens had all turned to support them. They had abandoned lives that were richer than before, and thrown themselves into a new battle.

"Why?"

The bitter word slipped out again. But in truth, Wolff understood. People sometimes choose fighting over harmony.


Last of the Ray Force
Ray Gregg's Ambush

Wolff himself had taken up arms for the pride of the former Zenebas soldiers and citizens. And by shattering the peace on this planet that had lasted for 40 years, he had rebuilt their fatherland. But that had also given birth to countless new grudges and antagonism. The antagonism between person and person, country and country, which had been accumulating since long before Wolff was born, had spread even further. No matter how good his government was, it was powerless before the anger of people whose pride and fatherland had been stolen from them. That had been made horribly clear to him. Whichever way this battle went, the people's antagonism would only increase, and would never disappear.

"But... In that case, when will the fighting on this planet end?!"

Wolff slammed his fist into the cockpit panel with all his might in despair.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The battle at the foremost lines was approaching its climax. It was a fierce fight. Thousands of Zoids broke apart, and tens of thousands of soldiers perished. This was a critical moment. The goddess of victory would smile on whoever made it through this. A reinforcement force hastily set out from the Empire's general headquarters. This confusion produced a momentary void around Wolff. At this point, there were only a dozen or so escort machines protecting the Emperor. And then, several of the Liger Zero X units among them suddenly flung off their armour and sprang towards Wolff's Energy Liger.


The Zeros bared their fangs at Wolff. They were assassins that had been captured by the Republic Army and transported in secretly by the hands of spies. Combining with Phoenixes that flew up out of trailers disguised as a supply force, the Zero Xs suddenly became Zero Phoenixes.

"Wolff Muroa! Prepare yourself!!"

One of the Zero Phoenix pilots shouted. It was Ray Gregg. A man called Leomaster, former ace of the Ray Force. Ray charged in a straight line, aiming for the Energy Liger's throat.

"Those movements... Ray Gregg!?"

The shadows of anguish vanished from Wolff's eyes, and a light appeared. Ray was the killer of Wolff's childhood friend Anna Tares, the sole person he had confided in.

"Wolff! This time I'll defeat you. I bet my life on it!"

Eight years ago, Ray had let Wolff escape in order to rescue his comrades. He felt that he was responsible for the current war.

The two were destined to battle. But there was a difference in power between the Zoids they were driving that would be hard to make up for. Ray's Zero Phoenix fully accelerated to 340 kilometres per hour in a mere three seconds. Its certain-kill assault was easily dodged by Wolff's Energy Liger. Its instantaneous speed was more than 600 kph.

Ray was astonished. Of course he knew the Energy Liger's specs. But even for a Leomaster, fully drawing out its abilities would not be simple. The Emperor Wolff had just done that brilliantly.


Wolff was not the same Wolff from eight years ago. While keeping exceedingly busy as Emperor, he had been honing his skills as a Zoid pilot intently. This was because he wanted the strength to be able to fight Ray on equal terms as a man. It was ironic, but he even felt that he was able to endure his anguish as Emperor because he had his Zoid pilot self.

"Ray Gregg. I'll make you accept my feelings!"

The Energy Charger of the Emperor's personal machine howled. A surge of intense power. The Zoid seemed to shine from the uncontrollable energy. The hair all over Ray's body stood on end.


"Here he comes!"

The moment he thought this, a shock that felt like it would break his entire body ran through him. He had taken a hit from the Energy Liger's heavy Laser Claws straight on. Such speed. And such tremendous power. In one hit, the Zero Phoenix was practically turned to scrap. A second blow came for him. He forcibly removed the B-CAS. Abandoning the fiercely-wounded Phoenix, he became lighter. Thanks to that, he narrowly managed to dodge. But how would he be able to beat this monster in a naked Zero? When he looked behind him, Empire Zoids that had noticed the incident were approaching in terrible numbers. His handful of allies would not be enough to support him. In this hopeless situation, a smile formed unconsciously on Ray's cheeks. He'd had no intention of returning alive from the start. He would defeat Wolff, even if they ended up killing each other. Only this burning feeling was in Ray's heart.


The Falcon that Summons Victory
Zero Falcon is Born!!

Just then, the sky split open. A hole had opened in a corner of the Empire Air Division's defence network. It was a do-or-die assault by Dimetropteras in flight form. They plunged towards him, protecting an unfamiliar machine at the centre of the formation.

Slipping through the rain of anti-air gunfire, the flying Zoid swept down before Ray's eyes.

"The Jet Falcon. It made it in time!?"

It was the Zero's new B-CAS, taking the place of the Phoenix. If they combined, he would theoretically be able to fight evenly with the Energy Liger.

"As if I'd let you!"

Wolff charged. While he scraped the surface of the Zero's exposed body, it narrowly managed to dodge. At the same time, the Falcon transformed. It lay on top of the Zero and opened its link circuits.

Fusion complete!

Wolff came for him again. There was visible impatience in his movements. He intended to settle things himself before his guards interfered.

"Your naivety showed in the end, Your Majesty!"

Rushing headlong at an unknown enemy was not what one would call bravery. It was overconfidence in his beloved Energy Liger's maximum speed of 660 kilometres per hour. He didn't even suspect that it had become one with the Falcon.

The Zero swayed at equal speed. The Energy Liger's claws cut through empty air. The Zero Falcon's Buster Claws drilled into its defenceless body.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The Empire's defence lines were about to collapse. At that same moment, on the foremost lines, the Seismos had been pressed into melee combat range, and were unable to defend against the cooperative attacks of the Gairyuki and Giga.


The Energy Liger Runs Wild!
Countdown to Destruction

With its body squarely pierced, the Energy Liger's Zoid Core had shut down completely. But the Energy Charger, which was a power system independent from the core, continued to give an ominous howl. It continued to produce energy with nowhere to go, sending it to the core.

Wolff's Energy Liger had had its output increased as the Emperor's personal machine, and boasted a running time twice that of a normal machine. But at the same time, this hid the risk of an energy runaway. The energy that normally needed to be consumed began to accumulate in the Energy Liger's body. The accumulation of the tremendous energy that kept its huge 160-ton body running at speeds of 660 kilometres per hour was enough to induce the collapse of its Zoid Core.

It was Wolff who realised it first.

"It's a repeat of Valhalla..."

The Guylos Empire's capital city Valhalla had been turned to ruins in an instant when the Death Saurer's Zoid Core collapsed. What if the same thing were to happen here? What would happen to the huge forces of both armies amassed here, and the more than 20 million citizens?

Suddenly, the Energy Liger's canopy flew off. The emergency escape device had activated. Wolff cancelled it manually, and shouted towards his mike.

"All forces, escape to the west with the townspeople!"

And then, he turned his machine to the east. With its Zoid Core shut down and the Charger output diverted directly to its legs, the Energy Liger's movements were like those of a zombie. Having lost its flash-like speed, it crawled east at a speed of not even 40 kilometres per hour.

Just then, Ray, who had been interrupted by the Emperor's defence force, saw the Energy Liger blazing hot enough to melt its armour, and understood Wolff's true intentions. He planned to save the soldiers and citizens in exchange for his own life. Ray knew that Wolff had once risked his own life to rescue a single subordinate. And now, the Emperor was about to risk his life to save a city where Helic-supporting citizens made up the majority.

Aware that he was leaving himself open to the defence force, Ray jumped. Countless bullets shot into the Zero's defenceless belly. But with that, he was able to bring the Zero alongside the Energy Liger. Ray opened the canopy and jumped down.

"What are you planning, Ray Gregg?!"

Wolff shouted, so close they could see each other's faces.

"The Falcon's a B-CAS originally developed for the Energy Liger. Just maybe..."

Shouting back, Ray tugged on of one of the Energy Liger's cords, which was blistering with heat. He planned to connect it to the jack on the Zero Falcon and absorb the excess energy. Realising his intentions, Wolff also jumped down from his machine and grabbed hold of the cord.

There were no words between them. The pair who were destined to battle merely thought of the miracle that they were now uniting their efforts. A sweet vision floated through their minds.

"Even this long battle might someday come to an end."

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

And then, the Energy Liger and the Zero Falcon were connected. The muzzles of the Zero Falcon's Buster Claws fired out the excess energy it had absorbed. It became thick pillars of light, and rose up towards the heavens.

[Falcarius]

And here's the final Fan Book EX volume, along with the rest of the Three Tigers storyline (from the model boxes). Yes, this is the entire Three Tigers story, apart from some dubiously-canon magazine articles, some probably-not-canon videos, and the very-definitely-AU VS. III storyline. As for the content... well, I think I prefer the "epic battle leads to hopes of peace" ending from volume 8 to the "pretty much every character and Zoid in this arc probably just died in a fire" ending of volume 12 >_>




Whitz Wolf Battle Story
ZAC 2230, Blue City on the Eastern Continent. A peaceful era where Zoids were used not as weapons but for transport, civil engineering, and maintaining public order. There were a select few who were allowed to give unlimited weapons to Zoids: the Zi-Fighters, Zoid pilots qualified to participate in Zoid fighting tournaments called Zoid Battles. Great prizes and honour were given to the winners of these battles. For this reason, Zi-Fighters were constantly searching for more powerful Zoids and equipment. There was a legend passed down secretly among these Zi-Fighters. A legend of three ancient tiger-type Zoids that had special Zoid Cores. The legend said that he who obtained all three would gain invincible power.


Death Raser Battle Story
The two military corporations ZOITEC and Zi-ARMS confronted each other on the Eastern Continent. Learning that ZOITEC had succeeded in analysing the cores of the "Legendary Ancient Tigers", Zi-ARMS schemed to kidnap ZOITEC's president in order to steal their secrets. They sent in a fusion of Death Raser and Parablade, the super-powerful assault Zoid Decalto Dragon. In this crisis, ZOITEC sent out their cutting-edge high-speed unit, Whitz Wolf. But divided from the Savinga and with its original power sealed away, the Whitz Wolf was gradually cornered. Where is the Savinga right now? Will the Whitz Wolf be destroyed without ever awakening into the legendary ancient tiger Whitz Tiger!?


Rayse Tiger Battle Story
The seal on the Whitz Tiger was finally released. The overwhelming power produced by the ancient tiger's Zoid Core one-sidedly cornered the cutting-edge Zoid Decalto Dragon. However... The Whitz Tiger's power suddenly dropped. Unable to bear the high energy from the ancient tiger's core, the control system had melted. As a result, although the Decalto Dragon bore severe wounds, it succeeded in kidnapping ZOITEC's president. It managed to retreat to Zi-ARMS successfully. At this rate, the ancient Zoid Core analysis know-how would be stolen away. To recover their president, ZOITEC's board of directors immediately approved the activation of the second ancient tiger, equipped with a new type of energy control system, the "Rayse Tiger"!


Brastle Tiger Battle Story
Learning that their kidnapped president was being held captive aboard Zi-ARMS' flying fortress Whale King, ZOITEC's board of directors sent the second ancient tiger, Rayse Tiger, to rescue the president. But Zi-ARMS, who had obtained the secret to controlling the ancient tiger cores, had already completed the third ancient tiger, Brastle Tiger, from the "Crimson Core" they possessed. The ferocious azure and crimson tigers clashed. The Brastle Tiger pelted the Rayse with countless bullets, and the Rayse Tiger slammed its claws and fangs into the Brastle. It was a never-ending war of attrition between monster Zoids. Eventually, the pair's Zoid Cores began to give off ominous flashes and melt their control systems!!



Zoids Official Fan Book EX Vol.12 [Brastle Tiger]

<Zoids Battle Story>
Legend of the Three Tigers ~ Epilogue

A battle between ancient legendary tigers, "Azure" and "Crimson". The ferocity of their fighting instincts far surpassed even the latest technology. The core energy endlessly gushing forth downed their control systems. Their Zoid Cores were white-hot. The two suddenly began to melt from the inside out.

It was a draw. Just when everyone thought this, a hatch opened behind the pair, which were confronting each other on the deck of the Whale King. Letting out a roar that froze all who heard it to the spot, the demon beast Death Saurer appeared from the hangar. What's more, it was the most evil of monsters, with a strengthened Charged Particle Fan and mobility boosters, Mega Death Saurer.


While firing its Large-Calibre Charged Particle Cannon, the Mega Death Saurer could take in the next lot of charged particle energy at the same time. It was the ultimate weapon constructed by Zi-ARMS, which could theoretically continue spitting out the Charged Particle Cannon beam endlessly. However, the Charged Particle Cannon was no longer an unbeatable weapon. There were Zoids such as Madthunder and Gojulas Giga that had high-output shields which, albeit partially, could defend against the Charged Particle Cannon. For this reason, Zi-ARMS was targeting the three ancient tigers' cores themselves, "White", "Azure" and "Crimson", to give further power to the Charged Particle Cannon. Zi-ARMS' ultimate objective was to equip the three cores into the Mega Death Saurer with the control technology they had stolen from ZOITEC, to create the perfect form. The Mega Death Saurer's huge claws approached the Rayse Tiger, which had stopped moving. Now, the second core was about to fall into the hands of Zi-ARMS.


At this point, the Whale King's altitude was 10,000 metres above ground. Its body should have been above the clouds, and yet a huge shadow covered it. It was reinforcements from ZOITEC, the flying fortress Neo Turtleship. The hangar on its underside opened, and a Zoid swooped down onto the Whale King's deck. It was Whitz Tiger, the white ancient tiger. It roared up at the Mega Death Saurer as if to challenge it. But its body was still melted from its fight with the Decalto Dragon. It couldn't be expected to demonstrate its original specs. For Zi-ARMS, this was a chance they couldn't even have wished for to obtain the three cores.

The Mega Death Saurer turned its back on the Rayse Tiger, and swept down on the Whitz Tiger with a rush. Just then, something happened that nobody could have predicted. The out-of-action Brastle Tiger launched its bullets into the Mega Death Saurer, which should have been its ally. The three tigers were resonating, shining in each of their colours. While causing themselves to melt, the tigers sprang at the Mega Death Saurer. The Whitz Tiger's speed threw off the aim of the Charged Particle Cannon entirely, the Brastle Tiger's point-blank bombardment pierced its super-heavy armour, and the laser energy poured in by the Rayse Tiger's fangs burned through the Mega Death Saurer's internal circuitry.

The Mega Death Saurer let out a Charged Particle Cannon shot like a dying scream. It fired through the Whale King that they were aboard. Engulfed in flames, the Whale King fell to the surface, taking with it the ambitions of Zi-ARMS. And the three tigers disappeared into the darkness of legend once again.

[Maethius]

And did we ever see the Turtleship? Nooooo! And if they made it, would it be to scale (so I could live in it?) Noooo!

Thanks for the translations, once again!