War Room (Briefing Room)

Will: ...Huh? Where am I? What's this room doing here?

Ed: Where am I?! What is this room?!

Will: Oh, that makes sen... Wait a minute! How do you know my name? And how did you pull me off the battlefield like that? And who are you, anyway?!

Ed: Wait! How do you know my name?! And I was just in the middle of a battle, you know! I don't even know your name!

Will: Um... OK?

Ed: Okay...

Will: ...What do you mean, that's it?!

Ed: Th-That's all you're telling me?!

Will: I think I understand. Thank you.

Ed: I got it! Thanks!

Lin: This is the war room. It's a place to learn battle tactics and strategies. If you've already been here, then welcome back. If it's your first time, I hope it's useful.

Lin: This is the Briefing Room, the place to come for tips on tactics for the current battle. If you've already been here, then welcome back. If it's your first time, I hope it's useful.

Lin: Smart kid. Now listen up. Artillery has a long range, which makes it very useful. However, it can't attack adjacent enemies. Block the road with your tank, and pound enemies with the artillery. Don't allow the tank and artillery to get separated.

Lin: That's right. Now listen carefully... Block the road with the Tank and use the Mech Gun to attack. It's a good plan to move the Mech Gun in tandem with the Tank to support it. Don't allow your Tank and Mech Gun to become separated!

Lin: You seem like a fast learner. I hope that translates to battlefield success. Feel free to visit the war room anytime. Now get out there and do good.

Lin: You're a fast learner. Now let's see you put it into practice on the battlefield. Come and visit the Briefing Room again when you want more tips.

Lin: Oh. Hello again. I was wondering when you were going to drop by. Ahem. Welcome to the war room, the place to come for tactical advice and strategy.

Lin: I was wondering when yo were going to drop by here. Welcome to the Briefing Room, the place to come for tips on tactics for the current battle.

Lin: Patience, grasshopper. All will become clear... There's a narrow pass through the mountains at the top of the map. Position a tank and artillery there, but watch out for the enemy artillery. Place your mechs in the mountains to make their attacks more effective.

Lin: Be patient. All will become clear... At the top of the map, there's a thin pass through the mountains. Position a Tank and Mech Gun here and try to avoid the enemy Mech Gun. Use the mountainous terrain to make Bazooka unit attacks more effective.

Lin: Are you sure? That's a lot to absorb. All right! Well, if you forget something, feel free to ask. I'm chock-full of helpful advice, so come back anytime.

Lin: You're quite sure you understood? Well, in case you forget what I told you, feel free to come back again. Come and visit the Briefing Room again when you want more tips.

Will: Lin? Uh, I mean, sir? Hello? ...Lin, is that you?

Ed: First Lieutenant Lin...?

Will: Eep! ...Wait, what are you doing here?

Ed: It's you! What are you doing here?!

Will: You're giving me... Wait, is this a trick? Where's Lin?

Ed: You?! Advice?! What do you really want?

The Beast: If there's one thing I love, it's ambusing little chumps like you! So don't move without thinkin'! Use yer flares to see what's up ahead. And get foot soldiers into the mountains to give yerself a better view. Now do as I say! Gwar har har! I'm The Beast, and I love me a good tactics session! Later, little man!

Drakov: Don't move without thinking first! Use flares to see what's up ahead. Use the terrain to your advantage, but watch out for hidden enemies! You'd better do as I say! Har-har-har!!! Till next time!

Brenner: Hmmmm... Let's see here...

O'Brian: Hmmmm... Let me think...

Brenner: Hello, Will.

O'Brian: Ah, it's you, Ed.

Brenner: Yeah... Look, Will? I'll be honest with you. The thing is... I haven't decided on a strategy for this battle quite yet.

O'Brian: Look, Ed, I've got to be honest with you. You see, the thing is... I still haven't decided on a strategy for this battle yet.

Brenner: Don't worry! As long as there is hope, we will prevail!

O'Brian: But don't worry. As long as we don't give up hope, I know we'll be just fine...

Brenner: All right. Our first priority is to capture that factory and produce new units. We can use the terrain east of the factory to build a line of defense. We'll use tanks and artillery to take out enemies as they approach. Then we'll march on their HQ. If units are damaged, they can recover in cities or join with other units. And watch out for enemy artillery! Got it?

O'Brian: Our first priority must be to capture that factory and produce new units. We can use the terrain to the east of the factory to build a line of defence. With the Tank and Mech Gun, take out enemies as they approach that line. Then we'll march on their HQ. If any units become damaged in the the battle... ...they can recover in our cities or we can join units. And always stay out of range of the Mech Gun! Got it?

Brenner: If we do that, we should be able to win. ...I think.

O'Brian: I think if we do that, we can win...

Brenner: Mmmm... I'm not much for talking and speeches. That's more Lin's specialty.

O'Brian: It's just that I prefer action to words... I'll leave the tactical talks to Lin...

Brenner: Yes, Will, well said. Never give up hope. Without hope, victory is impossible.

O'Brian: The main thing is to not give up hope. Without hope, victory is impossible.

Brenner: Oh, Will. Come in.

O'Brian: Ed, come in.

Brenner: Of course. I'd be glad to. Hold on one second... ...Blast! Now where did I put those...

O'Brian: Yes, that should be no problem... Er, one moment... Gah, where's it gone?

Brenner: Lin gave me some notes for this tactics session, but I can't seem to find them. Ah ha! Here they are! ...Oh, wait. That's just a drawing of a tank I made when I was bored...

O'Brian: Er, yes. Lin made me some notes on tactics tips. But I've lost them somewhere...

Brenner: She's a natural teacher, Will. I'm just not much for that kind of thing. Yes! Here they are! OK, let's see what she has to say... "Captain. Tell Will to quickly capture factories and cities. He needs to defend his foot soldiers with other units as they do so. The area southeast of the factory will make an ideal defensive perimeter. If the enemy swarms you, retreat to this area and regroup. And have him build an anti-tank unit for the enemy's war tank." That's it.

O'Brian: I guess I just prefer to let my actions do the talking. I'm not a natural teacher like Lin... Ah, I've found her notes! Let's see what she has to say... "Capture factories and cities. Defend Infantry units with other units while they are capturing these assets. The terrain south-east of the factory is ideal or setting up defences. If the enemy produces more units, retreat to the area by the factory. Produce Anti-Tank units to take on the enemy's Mega Tank." That's it.

Brenner: Yes, that's... Oh, wait a second. "P.S. Don't just read this to Will. Pretend you thought of it yourself." ...Damn. Let's just keep this to ourselves, all right?

O'Brian: I guess words aren't my strong point! That's it for now.

Lin: Welcome back to the war room. Today, we have a...special guest.

Lin: Welcome back to the Briefing room. Today, we have a very special guest...

Lin: That's not necessary. Can we just hear your tactical analysis?

Lin: That will not be necessary.

Lin: Fine. I'll do it myself. If an enemy planes attack, strike back with anti-air units and missiles. Keep other units nearby to defend them from ground-based attacks. Once you're settled, head for the enemy HQ, taking cities as you go. That rocket could be trouble. Use multiple units to take it out.

Lin: Another time, Dr Mortiz. Let's talk tactics. If enemy air units attack your forces, meet them with Anti-Air tanks. Be sure to defend Anti-Air tanks and Missiles from ground force attacks. While defending our allies, move forward to take the enemy HQ. Beware the range of the enemy Rocket unit. Use multiple units to take it out.

Lin: Dr. Morris? We will pursue the issue of the pony another time. Understood?

Lin: We will pursue the issue of Zephyrian road-crossing at a later date... Is that understood?

Lin: It was shot off in the war. Very sad. Thanks for listening, everyone. Come back again if you need more tips.

Lin: Humour has no place on the battlefield. Come back to the Briefing Room again when you next need some hints.

Lin: You know, Will, you should be grateful that I'm such a nice instructor.

Lin: You know, you should be grateful that I am acting as your teacher, Ed.

Lin: Mmm-hmmm. When I was in the Rubinelle military academy, I had very strict instructors. If you missed a question, they'd have you doing push-ups and running laps. You're practically on vacation in comparison.

Lin: When I was in the Laurentian Military Academy, I had much stricter teachers. If you didn't pay attention when they spoke, they'd have you doing push-ups... Really, you have it very easy.

Lin: Once I forgot how many ball bearings are in a tank thread, and my instructor screamed at me. Not nice screaming, either. Nasty stuff. Things you're far too young to hear.

Lin: Why, once when I got a question wrong in class, I was screamed at for ten minutes. Those teachers didn't mince their words either. My ears were ringing for days...

Lin: Don't go storming across that bridge. Let the enemy come to you. Build some indirect-attack units to weaken them as they approach. Use transport copters to move soldiers into distant cities and factories. Then focus on producing additional tanks and indirect-attack units. Once your force is ready, move east as a group and engage the enemy.

Lin: There's no need to rush to cross the bridge. Wait for oncoming enemy units. It would be a good idea to produce indirect attack units for this job. Use Helicopters to transport Infantry units to capture cities and factories. Focus on producing additional Tanks and indirect attack units. Then go east and engage the enemy!

Lin: Now give me a thousand push-ups!

Lin: Now give me twenty push-ups!

Lin: Will? You can stop. I was kidding.

Lin: Just my little joke...

Lin: Stop by again if you want more tips. ...Or exercise.

Lin: Come and visit the Briefing Room again when you want more tips.

Lin: Come on, Will! This one's a cakewalk! You shouldn't need my help! I'm disappointed in you.

Lin: Come on, Ed! You can win this one! You shouldn't need my help! I'm surprised and disappointed..

Lin: C-Captain Brenner? Sir! I'm sorry, sir! I spoke out of turn. I just wanted to encourage Will, sir! There are no easy battles, sir! Not even the easy ones! ...Sorry, sir.

Lin: C-Captain O'Brian? I'm sorry. I spoke out of line. I just wanted to encourage Ed... There are no easy battles, and I shouldn't have spoken as I did...

Lin: Stuff it, soldier!

Lin: Ed, that's quite enough!

Lin: Yes. At any rate, this stage lacks factories. Guard your infantry units carefully, or you won't be able to capture cities. Use fighters and dusters to strike the enemy early and often. And strike his anti-air and missile units as soon as you can. Bombers work well for this purpose, especially against missiles.

Lin: This stage has no factories. Be careful to not lose Infantry units - without them you can't capture cities. Strike early against enemy air units with Fighters and Battle Helicopters. The enemy has no factories, so try to destroy its Anti-Air and Missile units. Use Bombers to reduce the enemy's capacity to strike your aerial units.

Lin: Thank you, Captain. My pleasure.

Lin: It's my pleasure, Captain O'Brian.

Lin: Stop that grumbling, soldier! I hope my tips help you win the day, sir.

Lin: Stop that grumbling, soldier! That's all. I hope those tips help you in the battle.

Lin: ...Iiiiiiit's Lin...

Lin: First Lieutenant Lin...

Lin: ...With today's...

Lin: ...the Top Tactical...

Lin: We rehearsed that, you know! Anyway, on with the strategy. First, have your frontline units fall back immediately. Strong units can build a defensive line near the central mountains. Oh, and keep an eye out for enemy aerial attacks. Use planes and anti-air units to keep them busy.

Lin: We rehearsed that, you know! Anyway, on with the tactics talk... Firstly, you need to get your frontline units to fall back immediately. Use units with firepower to build a line of defence by the central mountains. All the while, you should watch out for enemy aerial units. Keep them away from your ground units by using planes and Anti-Air units... ...to attack them and keep them pinned down.

Lin: See you next time on...

Lin: See you again next time.

Lin: Welcome to the Tactical Tip Show. We have a special guest today...

Lin: Welcome to Lin's Counseling Corner. I have a special guest today...

Lin: OK, too much info. Let's talk strategy, all right?

Lin: So, let's discuss battle strategy.

Lin: Are you still talking?

Lin: If you want to talk, I won't stop you...

Lin: Yes, yes. Terribly sad. Now on to tactics! A gunboat-and-rocket combo will work wonders on enemy cruisers. Your gunboats have only one shot, so you'll need to resupply them. Use the rig to build a temporary port on the nearby beach. At the same time, move troops to the central peninsula with landers. That's it for today. Thanks for coming.

Lin: Now, moving on to battle tactics... Mobile Workshops can build Temporary Ports on Shoals. Missile Boats have 1 shot - so resupply using Mobile Workshops or at ports. Transport ground units to the central peninsula using Landers. Combine Missile Boats and Rockets for powerful attacks on enemy Cruisers. That's all for today.

Lin: I'm afraid you'll have to keep looking.

Lin: I'm afraid you'll have to keep looking.

Lin: Not really, no. Anyway, that's the Tactical Tip Show for today. Thanks for the help...um... David? Damon? What was your name again?

Lin: I'm afraid there are limits to my patience. The tactic talk is over for today!

Lin: Welcome back to the Tactical Tip Show. Today we have another special guest...

Lin: Welcome to Lin's Counseling Corner. I have a special guest today...

Lin: She's going to give us a fascinating lecture on how to strip and clean a field rifle.

Lin: So, tell us what's on your mind at the moment.

Lin: Oh. Well..all right. Sure. Change of plans. We'll talk about cooking. It's not tactics, but cooking is still important. A well-fed unit has high morale, after all.

Lin: I see. You want to make delicious meals to keep our troops happy. Okay, let's see what advice I can give you...

Lin: Let's see... Cooking... Well, to master the art of battlefield cuisine, you need to use whatever is at hand. ...Oh look! A rat! That's great. Today we'll make a rat stew.

Lin: To master the art of battlefield cuisine... ...you need to learn how to cook a good mouse stew...

Lin: Yes. Rats are an excellent source of protein and vitamins.

Lin: That's right! Mice are an excellent source of protein and vitamins.

Lin: Now, while our rat is simmering, let's discuss the upcoming battle. Subs should dive and focus on torpedoing enemy battleships. And your battleship should focus on enemy cruisers or battleships. Lastly, your cruisers should hit the enemy subs. Battle copters can be very helpful, but keep them away from cruisers! Oh, and use fighters to strike the enemy bomber. Aaaaaand, that's it for now. ...Is something burning?

Lin: Now, while the mouse is cooking, let's discuss some battlefield tactics... Submarines should dive and aim to take out enemy Battleships. Your Battleship should focus first on enemy Cruisers and Battleships. Your Cruiser should aim their fire on Submarines to begin with. Battle Helicopters make good walls, but should avoid attacking Cruisers. Use Fighters to attack the enemy Bomber. That's it for now. Is something burning...?

Lin: Well, it's not bad for a first attempt. Who's for rat stew?

Lin: Well, it's not bad for a first attempt, I suppose. Who's for mouse stew?

Lin: Sure. I can make snake stew, frog stew, roach stew... Oh, and boot stew! Which should we try next?

Lin: Certainly. Snake, frog, bear... Which one do you prefer?

Lin: Well, that's enough adventure for today.

Lin: That's enough for today.

Will: Huh? Where's Lieutenant Lin?

Ed: Huh? Where's First Lieutenant Lin?

Will: Hmmm... There's something different about you today...

Ed: Where did you go? You know, there's something different about you today...

Will: Isabella! What are you doing here? And what's that on your eyes?

Ed: Catleia! What are you two up to?

Isabella: Hee hee! This is fun! Although Lin doesn't know much about this kind of thing. She told me that axle grease makes a fine skin-care product. I'm not sure that's true...

Catleia: I have forgotten so much. First Lieutenant Lin was just showing me the basics... Make-up, hair, nails - I'm very grateful to her!

Lin: Please leave the prioritizing of tasks to your superiors.

Lin: Please leave the prioritising of tasks to your superiors.

Lin: Use gunboats to transport troops and secure the islands. Greyfield's bizarre orders are going to immobilize units from time to time. But you can plan for that by building a wide variety of units.

Lin: Missile Boats can transport troops. Use them to secure the islands. Who knows which units that devious Sigismundo will target next? To counteract his orders, we need to produce a wide variety of unit types.

Lin: Sink the enemy carriers and battle ship with your sub and battleship. Then station a carrier, sub, and rig on the western island. That will prevent enemy naval units from sailing through these waters. Use battleships and seaplanes to pound ground forces near their HQ, then transport a contingent of ground forces and capture the enemy HQ. Now, if you have no...objections...Isabella and I have more to discuss.

Lin: Sink the enemy Carriers and Battleship with your Sub and Battleship... Then station your Carrier, Sub, and Mob. Workshop on the western island. That will prevent enemy naval units from sailing through these waters. Your Battleship and Ship Planes can hit enemy ground units near their HQ. Transport your ground forces and focus on capturing the enemy HQ. That is all. Now back to our make-up...

Lin: Is there something else I can help you with, Will?

Lin: So don't you have something you should be doing? Or did you want some make-up tips?

Lin: So anyway, Isabella, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted... White is a great color for summer, but never wear it into battle. Are you taking notes?

Lin: So anyway, Catleia, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted... If you want to look cool-headed and collected in the heat of battle...

Will: Time to go...

Ed: I'm going to leave now! You're right. This isn't the place for me.

Forsythe: I say, good day to you. I am General Forsythe, an old dog who has spent his life fighting for the Lazurian Army. I was asked to share some of my tactical knowledge with you. Being all too familiar with this terrain and its dangers, I agreed. I shall treat this as a war game and advise you as the course of action I would undertake. Smashing! Let us begin. First, secure the cities and airport to the east with your infantry units. Then gather your men just outside the range of the enemy rocket. These units should always be backed by indirect-attack units. The rocket unit behind the plasma beam is a right nasty piece of work. Destroy the meteorite on the right with bombers and long-range units. This will cause the plasma to vanish and let you move on the rocket. As you were.

Carter: I am General Carter, an old soldier who has spent his life fighting for the Zephyrian Army. Asked to share some of my tactical knowledge, I agreed. I am all too familiar with this terrain. I will treat this like a war-game and advise you what I would do in your position. Now, let me begin... First, secure the cities and airport to the east with your Infantry units. Then gather your units just outside the range of the enemy Rocket unit. These units should always be backed up by indirect attack units. The Rocket unit behind the wall of Plasma needs to be watched. Destroy the meteor on the right with Bombers and indirect attack units. If you do that, the Plasma will vanish, making it easier to attack. That is all.

Forsythe: Oh, my dear. The pleasure was all mine.

Carter: Why no, the pleasure was all mine.

Forsythe: The judgement of history is none of my concern. I wish only to fight with honor for my country.

Carter: How history judges me is not my concern. I have always done my best by my country.

Forsythe: And now, I take my leave of you.

Carter: And now I must take my leave...