Opening

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[Meanwhile, in another part of the Kloden Wildwood.]

Rosie: You find the boss and Alicia?

Largo: Naw, still nothin'.

Isara: The Edelweiss still requires maintenance.

Rosie: Isara. How about you quit missin' around and help us look?

Isara: The Edelweiss still requires maintenance.

Rosie: Your own brother's gone missing here and you'd rather be doin' maintenance work than look?

Isara: It's because he's missing that I'm doing this. We have no idea when he'll be back, but...making sure the Edelweiss is ready for him is the best thing I can do for him now.

[Rosie seems surprised at Isara's caring.]

Rosie: Hmph. Not like I care either way.

Largo: I hear what you're saying, kid. Just be sure you rest up while you can. You been workin' since first thing this morning. You're Squad 7's only tank pilot. If you pass out on us, we're all toe up, hear me? Gettin' a good night's rest is another thing you can do for your brother right now.

Isara: I understand. Thank you for your advice, Largo.

Largo: Oh...sure.
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[Daylight has broken at the cottage.]

Alicia: Welkin, I...I couldn't do anything for that poor man. He was lying there asking me for help, but...all I could do was watch him die.

Welkin: That's not true. You helped him in a way only you could, Alicia. The look on his face when he passed on wasn't one of pain.

Alicia: No, I guess you're right. Thank you, Welkin. I'd always just thought of the Imperials as monsters out to kill Gallians...but they're just as human as we are, huh? With families of their own to fight for.

Welkin: Yeah...they are.

Alicia: It's like the war started and we all forgot that. It's so simple, but...if we weren't at war, he might be back at home with his family now.

[Welkin sighs.]

Alicia: Hey, Welkin...did I ever tell you I don't have one? A family, I mean. I grew up in an orphanage. I don't even know my parents' names.

Welkin: No, you didn't.

Alicia: But maybe I'm actually lucky, huh? If you...if you never have a family in the first place, you can't ever lose them. I guess being all alone has its perks. (laughs softly)

Welkin: Don't even joke about it. You know you're not alone. You've got me and Is, everybody in Squad 7. We're all a family now, Alicia.

Alicia: Squad 7, a family.

Welkin: Sure. I'm the dad, you're the mom. Rosie and Isara are like daughters...and Largo...is the grandpa! C'mon, can't you see it?

Alicia: Hah! If he heard that, you know Largo would kick your butt!

Welkin: Sure, we have our share of fights, but they say that best friends fight the most, right?

Alicia: Yeah...

Welkin: So don't go saying you're all on your own. You hear me?

Alicia: All right, Welkin...and thanks.

[Suddenly the bushes rustle.]

Welkin: Huh?!

[Welkin and Alicia find themselves at gunpoint by several Imperial soldiers. They are accompanied by an Imperial officer. One of the Imperial soldiers surveys Fritz's grave.]

Soldier #1: The helmet and rifle? They belong to Fritz, sir.

[The officer walks up to Welkin and Alicia.]

Officer: Are you two the ones who laid him to rest?

Welkin: Yes.

[Another soldier peers in through the window.]

Soldier #2: There are signs of medical treatment inside the cabin, sir.

Officer: Why then? Explain to me the reasons you had to save his life.

Welkin: He was delirious...he was crying out to his mother. We may be enemies in this war, but we all have families waiting for us at home. As a human being, I couldn't just sit by and watch a man in pain without trying to do something.

Soldier #3: We always called him a mama's boy, sir, and now...sorry Fritz. I wish we could have been there for you.

Officer: And you, son? Do you have a family?

Welkin: Yes. I have a younger sister. And I have another sort of family as well. I have the soldiers of my squad.

Officer: I see. I have a wife and daughter back at home. I feel the same as you. My men are like a second family to me. Thank you...thank you for honoring Fritz as you did. I'm sure his mother will appreciate it.

[There are sounds of gunfire in the distance.]

Officer: I suppose we'll meet again on the battlefield. I'm sorry for that. You both seem like good people. For now, so long.

[The Imperials walk away.]

Welkin: Well, I guess we should hurry back and join the squad.

Alicia: You're right.

Keith:Seems like you handled it well [sitting on the tree]

Alicia:How long have you been there?

Keith:Just before the that Imperial Officer came, i was ready to pull the trigger, but it seems you handled it well…

Welkin:We'll gotta go and rejoin with the others.

Keith:Say no more.
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Welkin: The gunshots from before came from around here. The rest of the squad may still be in combat close by.  First, we've got to meet back up with the squad. Ready to go, Alicia? Keith?

Alicia & Keith:Ready
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Welkin: Alicia, how's that ankle doing?

Alicia: Just fine! I'm a-okay here.

Welkin: I saw some black smoke in the distance. That could be the other 7's and JTF's.

Alicia: But black smoke would mean...they could be engaging the enemy.

Welkin: Right. There could be enemies near us, too. Let's get back to the others ASAP.

[As it turns out, they are behind enemy lines in a pitched battle. Welkin and Alicia and Keith get to the Gallian side by running into a valley along the Kloden River, then climbing up the Gallian side.]

Welkin: We're back, everybody! Sorry to worry you.

Conrado:Keith! Well sun of a gun, you gave us one good scare back there.

Keith:Yeah yeah… not to worry, it's gonna take more than Ragnite to kill me.

Isara: Welks! Oh, good...are you hurt at all?

Welkin: No, we're fine. What's your status here?

Isara: We were able to break through the enemy line not much, without you to lead the Edelweiss. Now that you're back, we'll launch a tank offensive on your command.

Welkin: All right, good. Squad 7, commence the attack!

Keith:All JTF! Lets Show them what were trained for!

[He gets into the Edelweiss. The enemy puts up a fierce resistance from their infantry, tanks, and artillery support. With Welkin's and Keith's leadership, however, they are able to mount a significant offensive. The Edelweiss barrels through the concrete wall set to protect the enemy camp. Past the barrier there are few reinforcements, and the camp is captured by Gallia.]
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[Welkin and Alicia salute.]

Welkin: Lieutenant Gunther, reporting for duty!

[On the other side, Isara, Largo, and Rosie are saluting.]

Largo: We really missed ya, boss...Lieutenant, that is.

[They shake hands.]

Rosie: Isara...aren't you gonna welcome your brother back home?

Isara: Huh? (blushes)

Largo: You was worried about him, weren't ya?

[Isara walks over to her brother.]

Isara: Welcome back, Welks. I'm glad you're alright.

[Welkin walks over to her and pats her on the head.]

Welkin: Thanks...so am I.

Isara: Largo...and Rosie...thank you for looking for my brother. I'm in your debt.

[Rosie blushes. She looks away, making an effort to hide her face and look cool.]

Rosie: Heh. Having some dark-hair thank me...well, it's weird.

Largo: Good to see 'im in one piece, though, you gotta admit that. Right?

[Later...]

Alicia: Well, it was an adventure, alright. And pretty scary too, but I feel like I got to know you a little better. And when you said that Squad 7 was like your second family, it made me feel...I felt really happy. So thanks for that, Welkin.

Welkin: Mmhmm.

[They turn around and see Largo, Rosie, and Isara talking to each other.]
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To be continued

Ending