Layzner Ep. 8: Answering His Cry

The Grimekaisar scans the Martian landscape below, and Gale notifies the Braver pilots to prepare for combat in three minutes, still unaware of Gostello’s presence. Elizabeth pulls up the camera feed in the observation base, which shows the incoming SPTs. Eiji returns to the tripod carrier and launches in the recharged Layzner. Rei issues a report on the incoming SPTs, and Eiji realizes that the Grimekaisar means it’s Gale. Gale lands in front of Eiji and gives him one last chance to surrender or face a military execution. He appeals to Eiji to not let Julia suffer, but Eiji counters that his sister has nothing to do with it. Gostello says to himself that the more Gale and Julia suffer, the better. Eiji agrees to surrender, but only if the Grados Empire gives up its plan to invade Earth. Gale notes that Eiji is accused of stealing SPTs and killing two soldiers, but Eiji insists he didn’t kill anyone. Gale cites Gostello’s combat report, and Eiji insists that Gostello killed his own men. Gostello conducts a sneak attack and opens fire on the Grimekaisar’s cockpit, injuring Gale. He then fires missiles and destroys the other Braver before it can respond. Gostello then taunts Eiji, who opens fire and asks why he shot at Gale. Rei reports that there’s no leak in Gale’s spacesuit, and Gale asks Eiji if Gostello shot him. Gale pleads with Eiji to not kill Gostello because it’s the only way to clear his name. In the observation base, everyone listens to the radio chatter while David tries to pull up an image on camera. Gostello tries to kill Gale, but the unconscious Braver pilot shifts and distracts him. Eiji fires a shot that causes Gostello to hit the ground, and he comments that Eiji might be a good soldier if he weren’t a traitor. Gostello cuts off power and tosses the pilot out of the cockpit while hiding from Eiji. He then assembles a small bazooka and abandons the Braver while Eiji scans the area. Rohan wonders if the fighting is over, and Simone laughs about Gale being Eiji’s senior. David picks up Gostello on camera targeting the Grimekaisar’s open cockpit with his bazooka. Anna wants to warn Eiji, but Rohan notes that Gale attacked them. Gostello targets Gale and fires the bazooka.

The rocket flies toward Gale, but Eiji shoots it down from above and searches for Gostello. Rei picks up the energy reaction from the Braver powering up, and Gostello opens fire on Eiji. Gostello tries to shoot at the Grimekaisar again, but Eiji stops him and says that he’s shameful. Gostello laughs that he only wants to kill Eiji and there’s no such thing as enemies or allies. Rohan comments that the fight is one-sided since Eiji is trying to defend Gale. Rei suggests changing combat strategies, but Eiji refuses to abandon Gale. He addresses the group on the radio and asks someone to save Gale while he draws Gostello’s fire. David responds that they’re no way they’ll do anything for him, and Rohan mentions that Gale attacked them, but Eiji still wants their help. He then asks them to at least revive Gale and says he’s important to him. Simone volunteers to go, and when Elizabeth decides to go, David runs off instead with the stimulant needles. Eiji fires a missile that swings around and hits the Braver from behind. Gostello sees David running on the ground and opens fire on him. However, David keeps running and manages to reach the Grimekaisar. He then jumps and uses the low gravity to grab onto the knee. Gostello closes in to kill them both, but Eiji hits the Braver from behind and destroys its thrusters. Eiji tells Gostello that this is the end and he can’t accuse him of being a killer. Gostello refuses to surrender and taunts Eiji, saying that he loves to kill even though Eiji doesn’t. Gostello starts walking toward Eiji and dares him to take a shot. Rei recommends shooting and tells Eiji that he’s going to die, but he does nothing. Gostello laughs and aims his rifle, but Eiji screams and panics. Layzner then fires and beheads the Braver. The Braver falls over and explodes just as David crawls into the Grimekaisar’s cockpit. Eiji wonders what happened, and Rei reports that the target was destroyed. Gale wakes up and points a gun at David, signaling for him to go away. He then takes off as everyone runs over to see David. Rei reports that the target was destroyed by manual aim and there are no life signs, so Eiji wonders if he fired the shot.