Gaiaterra: Elysea's Conflict/Final Squadron

Final Squadron is one of the Protectorate's support powers.

Overview
"BANZAI."

-A pre-recorded message fitted on every final squadron

Classification Level: Tertius

To: Brotherhood of St. Thomas, Order of Aperta Scriptum, Chamber Militant

From: Chamber Vigilant

Subject: Technical intelligence, Katsuragi Protectorate

Interrogation: Masoko Kami Okamura, Chamber Auxiliary aspirant (probationary period)

Inquisitor T. Janning presiding

Janning: "The blueprints for the Protectorate cruiser and amphibious fighter you obtained have been passed to the appropriate hands. A generous gift, aspirant, but we have other questions about Protectorate technology."

Okamura: "Of course, Inquisitor-dono. I'll tell you everything I know."

Janning: "Your honorifics betray you. You are not in the Protectorate."

Okamura: "Yes, my lord. Forgive me."

Janning: "We are interested in the suicide craft the Protectorate used during the war. The "Final Squadron," as Protectorate commanders called it."

Okamura: "That's not really my field, so I can't tell you anything detailed, but I know they're products of AI research. Before the war began, all the propaganda said we would never have to put a man in harm's way. Computers would win the entire war for us. Obviously, the zaibatsu couldn't deliver on that particular promise, but those drones were overhead almost every time Emperor Yoshiro wanted to make an impression. Which was all the time."

Janning: "That sounds like a great deal of effort for suicide craft."

Okamura: "I don't think that's what they were intended for. All the cartoons before the war showed the drones shooting down those Coalition super-fighters and Voshkod airships. Shortly after the war began, all the cartoons started showing them crashing into enemies to save the lives of Protectorate soldiers. If you want an educated guess, I think the drones were intended to counter Coalition and Voshkod aircraft, but when they failed at that, the Protectorate decided to use up their stocks productively."

Janning: "Interesting. Next, what do you know of the Protectorate walker program?"