With the Metazone temple operation ending in failure and the flag still eluding them, the SDAC unit comes under heavy scrutiny from U.N. Command. As investigations begin, the frontline base is attacked by a mysterious new bipedal machine, the XR-2 Longku. Defense operations fall to Lt. Ichiyanagi, using his newly delivered HAVWC equipped with an experimental neurologically-linked control system. Meanwhile, within Uddiyanas capitol city of Subasci, the annual festival of Thanka has begun. The living god, Ru Pou, makes his annual announcement to the nation and in doing so reveals the location of Shirasus flag. With this startling new information, the SDAC unit prepares for an unsanctioned operation to finally end the long civil war.