Kidnap - Episode 4
Flight JNA-903 welcomes all passengers and their conversations to the Class Trip Destination, Naha Airport. As usual, Shinji obsesses over his technical manuals, as per usual, Sousuke listens (and if he’s interested this time around, it’s very difficult to tell - not anything like the height of his interest on the balcony last episode!) and, as usual, Kyoko snaps photos of her first experience on a plane.
Kaname’s face exudes an interesting mix of disinterest and distraction. Tokiwa takes notice and turns her attention from her total-shutterfly-moment to inquire as to what is wrong with the girl. Kaname feigns innocence while Kyoko guesses the precise nature of her momentary torture. Unsuspecting, Kaname laughs nervously and fervently denies everything before interrupted by quite… nonviolent turbulence. This being Kyoko’s first time on the plane, only after assuring her that turbulence is harmless does Kaname make mention of the strangeness of turbulence with the clear air around them. A very good insight on her part.
For in the cockpit violence ensues. The bloodied scene of the dead pilot graces the viewer’s eyes. He is called Gauron by his cohort interrupting his interrogative threats of the copilot. Armed with a deadly weapon, he is taking his job a lot more serious than the interrupting hijacker. Clued into the plot only partly, we find out Gauron is no stranger to flying… or being lied to. Gauron is not the one giving orders on this mission either, strongly contrasting the manner in which Gauron carries out his mission - even extending the previous threat from the copilot to the passengers before directing the plane’s route to the rare autocratic region of Khanka; far away from the original Okinawa destination.
Shinji is the first to notice strange happenings. A United Nations F-16 flighing supremely close to their plane. Sousuke has let his guard down, shrugging the plane off in a most uncharacteristic manner and assuring Shinji that he’s sure its nothign to worry about. Yet his face tells us otherwise. After some time has passed, Kyoko expresses her unease with the scenery down below. For while she confirms Okinawa is surrounded by ocean, there has been quite a few mountains for miles. Ryo has voiced his concerns on the missing stewardesses (while unconfirmed, presumably he was the one calling out and inviting them to join their party before takeoff). More and more passengers slowly realize that things are not right with their flight, the small murmurs continue and Shinji is the first to announce to Sousuke the definite error - for he feels they are no longer in Japan. Sousuke inherently looks toward Kaname as if protecting her already from this news.
Upon landing, Shinji, our High School expert explains the situation. There are several mixes of old and new mecha styles, such that it doesn’t make any sense. While we are not quite sure of all of the feed he is giving, it helps the viewer understand what is going through our hero’s mind as he takes in his surroundings. Passengers stretch, eyes turn to the windows - yet after such a large flight not a single person seems eager to get up and stretch their legs. Every single student is seated when a voice comes overhead; and he’s speaking on behalf of the Captain to cover for killing him.
Sousuke’s unmasked surprise at the sound of the voice peaks the viewer’s interest. The teacher explodes with fret and the moaning threat overhead continues in a calm and dark voice. Tessa’s soft voice begins to contrast the overhead tone and we follow it back to Mithril headquarters. HQ has already received word of the situation. Despite their preemptive strike, those seeking the Whispered have outsmarted them. We learn the groups at hand, but not necessarily at fault, are the KGB (again), the Khanka onclauve and another individual using both of them. This individual is using the two bodies for their own musings and putting 400 others at serious risk in the process.
“A job well done.” Sousuke speaks to himself, as if thinking along the exact same lines as the Captain and Lt. Col. Kalinin. After finally talking through the different options and benefits/risks of each, as they lean toward rescuing the 400 captives and leaving Kaname behind for the moment Tessa still announces they will begin diplomatic negotiations to avoid force. Kaname is, after all, whom they are after. Kalinin agrees with the decision and knows that the Captain will want to try the peaceful options first, however, he warns that that time spent on fruitless peaceful methods may prove more dangerous to the safety of Kaname. Tessa confirms her understanding of the gravity of the situation after taking a moment to process the information before going forth with her original decision, awaiting to hear something.
“You.” Sousuke’s eyes hold immense fear within them. Gauron approaches Kaname in her seat, coaxing her separate from the group by feigning a hostage video. While Kaname profusely denies her star performance, Gauron starts to express anger in things going rougher than he’d like. Mrs. Kaguazaka stands up and starts to protest, calling him sharp names in well placed monologue. Pushing Gauron to the edge, he pulls the same murder weapon from his jacket and points the aim straight in the middle of the teacher’s forehead. Squeezing the trigger tortuously slowly, a large sound breaks free in the cabin.
Assuming the sound is gunshot, everyone, even the viewer, is surprised to see a food tray slew across the central walking isle (Nevermind the fact that all trays must be in the upright position when landing, we’ll accredit that to the unexpected landing as well as the unexpected destination though :] won’t we?). Sousuke reloads the tray, successful in his distracting Gauron from his intended plan of action. However, Gauron is severely interested. He keeps a very close eye on Sousuke, tension is high, and one of his henchmen startles him out of staring and back into action.
“Let’s go, we don’t need all these other people anymore.” Gauron snarls, leaving the plane with the ever independent Kaname consoling Mrs. Kagurazaka briefly, Kyoko crying out for her friend and finally the teacher passes out from the near-death encounter. While the rest of the student body attends to the passed out teacher, Sousuke takes off at a hurried pace toward the back of the plane.
Scorning his stupidity, Sousuke bits a lip and heads to the belly of the plane. Stupidity for drawing attention to himself so carelessly to save the teacher’s life? Stupidity for not taking the unusual circumstances Shinji kept pointing out more seriously? Stupidity for actually thinking he could try to live a normal teenage life without having to worry about his militant obligations? Sousuke disappears into the darkness of the cargo hold, searching for his bags and withdrawing the equipment he deems worthy of carrying. A couple of things strike as unique here, first off - those types of weapons are not allowed in carry on luggage, checked luggage or his person. But of all people, Sousuke is able to get it past the security… why would he keep it in his checked luggage underneath the plane and highly difficult to get to should a crisis like this one arise? This is possibly the first glimpse into Sousuke’s desire for normalcy we see in the mix of all of the chaos of these young High Schooler’s lives.
High pressure hissing interrupts Sousuke’s gathering, without a moment to lose he jumps behind garbage bags and frames his face away from the intruding presence. Three men in black enter the cargo hold with similar intent. They target a large box and slide the laden lid away, describing, repeating and carrying out the set up for wiring. After describing the amount of power and cautioning the discontinuation of electronic devices they reassemble the laden coffin and exit the aircraft. The camera pans out from the passenger plane, panoramic vision transports us across the base to a militant truck.
Strange symbols fills the screen, shrinking into the lens frame across Kaname’s eyes. She’s housed in a glass coffin of her own, dressed in a flimsy white gown and unconscious. She lays still in the background while Gauron and a scientist argue back and forth about how long the “test” results will take, Gauron again displaying his impatience with the wait. Medications are not the answer, killing must be, Gauron concludes to threatening. The scientist downplays how important Gauron must think this research is and while they are differing we hear mention of Codar and cowardice. While we do not know exactly what this means, Gauron does not take kindly to it. Choking the scientist he persuades her to get back to work, he’s so dedicated to his work that he’d have no problem killing the scientist and taking the girl elsewhere, he has several ways of getting the scientist to do exactly what he wants her to do.
After the mention of Codar being Gauron’s “backup in case the people of this country have a sudden change of heart” in addition to his confidence in his ability to act independently by taking Kaname elsewhere if necessary, we now have no doubt that he is the individual behind the backstabbing. He is the individual using both influential powers for his own uses.
Back at the aircraft, Sousuke has finally maneuvered his way to the installed bomb. While he must suspect a bomb from the three gentlemen’s banter (he hasn’t laxed that much while on vacation ^.~), the simultaneous rise in heart rate of the viewer with Sousuke’s speaks volumes of how large a bomb this is. Flashing a view of the complexity of the bomb and the power behind it, there is no way Sousuke can handle it on his own. Coming to terms with this realization, Sousuke inhales a sharp breath at the endless visions he must have of his new-found friends smoldering in firey ashes. What would be the purpose of such an action? Aside from the fact that Gauron is behind it.
Reluctantly replacing the lid careful not to interrupt the inanimate predator, Sousuke exits the aircraft. He nimbly secures a remote location away from the hotspot and assembles a communication device unnoticed. B-3128, Uruz 7 relays his contact with the de Danaan. Tessa manages to slip in her concern for his safety before Kalinin orders him to explain the situation, at which point the animators did a wonderful job showing small clips of summarizing visions.
Now that Mithril is aware of the situation, they relay the priority of the passengers over the safety of Kaname. Sousuke hesitates ever so slightly before confirming the order. While Tessa promises a counter measure will be put in place before communication terminates, Sousuke calls Kalinin’s personal attention - as if defying the order of Kaname’s unprioritized safety. Sousuke hardly ever seeks to add more after given orders… Interested, Kalinin encourages the young boy. Sousuke announces that the hijacker is Gauron.Kalinin’s reaction elicits an exasperated sigh from Tessa, and as the camera pans up Kalinin’s face we see his narrowed eyes glinting with disbelief of the news. The once sound Veteran is physically shaken by the news of the antagonist. Sousuke carefully refolds the communication device. As he stands up a rifle meets his back.”Don’t move.”
Meanwhile, in the safety of the de Danaan Kalinin and Tessa walk down a narrowed submarine hallway discussing the mysterious Gauron. An assassin of 30+ VIPs and plane bombings in the past, Kalinin confirms our deepest fear - Gauron’s indeed a very dangerous man. Kalinin keeps speaking of “we” and “us” while telling the story, and with full purpose for shortly after we learn that Kalinin and Sousuke have been acquainted well before their time at Mithril. Consequently, they have both encountered Gauron before Mithril as well.Notoriously allied with the KGB, the encounter was one of personal measures of manslaughter of a full village and the rigged revenge trap to kill Gauron fell through… a fact unknown until now.We return to Sousuke’s tense situation as a stare down occurs between the two men. Sousuke cunningly lures the enemy into dangerously close proximity by using a soft voice to answer whom he was communicating with. With the enemy’s guard down Sousuke swings his only means of communication left - effectively smashing it into pieces. This brief amount of time is enough to remove the gun from the man’s hand. In a bronze show of skill, Sousuke shows fluid motion against the rather large hijacker dodging punches while enduring threats. Sousuke effectively grounds him with a blow to the jaw with his knee.The Sergeant pulls his taser from… only goodness knows where and applies the electricity. Delicately. Twitching and drooling the cursing leader of this operation asks, “W-w-who the hell are you?” And with duel meaning of the highest caliber, impressive even for Sousuke, he answers, ”I take out the garbage.”
Darkness gives way to light. It’s almost like we’re on a table looking upward. A scientist of sorts in a white lab coat looks down with piercing eyes. “So, how are you feeling?” It’s not so much a question, nor does it hold any kind of concern.The camera falls on Kaname suffering a very bright light that’s severely bothering her. She continues the conversation with the scientist although the scientist gives her a ‘too bad, who cares’ answer to not feeling well. Pleading for her to let her go home already, Kaname describes her approaching limit in enduring this sleep learning.
“Learning?” We get our first insight to what the Whispered are, and from the incredulous expression on Kaname’s face we know this is the first she’s heard of it as well. “This is something you’ve known since before you were born Miss Chidori.”
Kalinin stands proud and central in a minimally lit room. He forebodes the time sensitivity of the current mission at hand. As if foiling the imperative promptness of the mission Mao and Kurz show up late to the meeting, Mao apologizing and Kurz joking about their tardiness the fault of the cab driver. The serious tension of the room contrasts sharply with the joke, prompting Kurz to take his seat. Kalinin continues describing the objectives of air support, armed slaves, attack and transport helicopters and VTOL fighters.
Since the comm device is already broken, might as well put it to use. Sousuke extracts wiring from the shard remains and binds the captive enemy’s hands and legs tightly. (Where he gets the cloth to gag the mouth is still unknown.) Sousuke’s on the move, darting undetected around the corner storage barriers on the flightline.
Placing the mission in the timeline of the storyline, Sousuke’s actions are happening as the Lt. Commander lists the essentials of the mission. He must be heading back to the airplane with the high school students as instructed by his superiors. The number one challenge is the bomb located in the plane Sousuke is heading to, Kalinin tells of how to diffuse this immediately volatile threat in the midst of their surprise initial attack. We follow Sousuke’s run toward the aircraft… but when we see the aircraft a large distance away in the background… and Sousuke heading parallel to the aircraft we start to wonder why, if it was so easy to get off the plane, it would be so difficult to get back on. A solitary guard in the scenery doesn’t seem such a hurdle seeing as Sousuke just downed Goliath. He hurriedly continues on his path a man on a mission.
Five minute deadline fills the room with tension. Disagreement on the human ability to rise to this occasion, Kurz is the one to assure that the pure size of the objective - the passenger aircraft - makes five minutes an eternity. Mao further questions the parameters of the mission, at the same time highlighting the seriousness of the mission, should they lose an entire transport plane with students. Kalinin handles this seemingly callously, instructing to use the other helicopters be filled to its capacity - they must work with what they’ve got. If an AS is left behind, destroy it. Even if it means your life. Ending with the tallest expectation of success from the soldiers.
Sousuke looms around another corner, spinning away to be unseen with gun in hand. A single guard stands outside of the metal truck… similar to the one we saw Kaname in. Sousuke asks, “Is that it?” and checks his watch resurveying the scene in front of him. We can see he is analyzing, calculating and recalculating with a degree of unease and frenziness. Clenching his jaw deep in concentration until the mental interruption of a scene. Kaname in distress. The girl he rescued not so long ago in the arctic tundra in distress. Kaname is in distress right now and he has to do something. He has to do something! His body is reacting and his breathing is elevated, there is an air suggesting it is uncharacteristically difficult to control himself.
“Just focus.” He chides himself to obedience.
Tessa sits in the control room tapping the keys on her command block at lightening speed. It’s almost as if she can sense what is going on at that moment and expresses her concern for Sousuke’s safety. Suddenly she seems an expert in whom the enemy is and its affect on Sousuke. Kalinin, as if intuitively knowing what is going on as well, says with the deepest conviction and belief that his comrade has never allowed his personal feelings get in the way. This speech of Kalinin’s seems to surprise Tessa as Kalinin’s nature is quiet and unnecessary conversation that Tessa tries to engage him in quite frequently usually doesn’t obtain a response. This must be a topic of importance to the veteraned Officer.
Is it possible that everyone sees a young Sergeant with feelings for his charge? More reasonably, they were talking about Sousuke’s encounter with Gauron before and his loss of all his village to the hand of the ruthless killer.
In the middle of agonizing deliberation a shot rings out and Sousuke nearly bolts out into the open exposing himself. But his professionalism keeps himself to the shadows, telling himself going against the mission makes him an amateur. Guards rush inside to figure out what is going on. But, he won’t do that because he’s not an amateur, he’s a professional. A deep internal battle runs across Sousuke’s face. The torture of such a decision mounting in his inability to chose a course of action.
“Will this,” the Captain speaks with forbearing shadow, “be like those other times.” Kalinin again disregards the outlandish suggestion referring to Sousuke’s level of superior skill. A pro among pros knows his limitations, Sousuke would never go against orders. The depth of their partnership, the experience the Lt. Commander has and respect he has for the young boy… this is indeed a compliment of the highest caliber. However, it is clear this time that the two are discussing Sousuke’s feelings for his charge when Kalinin says, “I informed him which of his duties takes the highest priority.”
Sousuke’s eyes are full of fear watching the hole in the side of the transport vehicle housing Kaname. Visions of the short friendship Sousuke has had with Kaname flash in his mind, various visions embracing her personality, her innocence, her kindness culminating in the unknown red head’s certain demise had Mithril not stepped in. Sousuke’s her only hope right now but he still can’t will himself to move against order.
Suddenly, the tumultuous possibility stumbles through Sousuke’s racing mind. A gunshot could have resulted in Kaname’s being injured. Clutching her blood soiled sleeve Kaname presses against the wall of her caged transport truck desperately trying to get away. Pulsing in time with his heart, the camera flashes to show the face of the offender. The one who hurt her and intends to do more. A sickening, pleasurable laughter parts Gauron’s lips as he aims the gun at Kaname.
If anyone knows the full range Gauron’s inhumanity has, it’s Sousuke.
A second shot and Sousuke’s eyes - pressed tightly closed to this point - now open wide with fear. Fear to meet the deathly vision as reality. The death of an innocent.
Without hesitating or breathing relief that it isn’t true, Sousuke will waste no time in finding out what the second shot was about. And he sure as hell won’t allow a third.
Throwing away everything training has taught him, throwing away everything survival has taught him, throwing away everything that defines him the Mithril operative throws himself out in the open; charging toward the frugal aluminum hearse.
Fave Episode Quotes
1. “Hey there miss! Wanna join our party!?”
-Random JH Student to the 747 Flight Attendant Stewardess
2. “Alright. I get it. I’ll change the subject.”
-Kyoko Tokiwa, in response to Kaname’s fretful and nervous laugh at the mention of Sousuke’s name
3. “Given the complicated political situation of the area, I’m gonna need all of you to be on your best hostage behavior. Just so you understand where I’m coming from, please take a look outside your window. Do not be alarmed, the soldiers and tanks only wish to extend their welcome. But if you try to escape or hesitate to follow orders, we will not hesitate to shoot you. We thank you for flying with us.”
-Gauron
4. “We can take some time if you want; but we may be giving the snake an opportunity to build up its venom.”
-Andrei Kalinin
5. “I’m just a plain ordinary girl, emphasis on plain.”
-Kaname Chidori
6. “If I can’t get my results, maybe I should kill you and take the girl elsewhere.”
-Gauron
7. “You have no idea what the Whispered are, nor do you understand the importance of this research!”
-Miss Scientist
8. “I take out the garbage.”
-Sousuke Sagara
9. “We told the taxi to hurry…”
-Kurz Weber’s comment following Mao’s apology for being late to the preoperative briefing
10. “Only the stupidest of amateurs would go out at a time like this! I’m a professional soldier!”
-Sousuke Sagara
Compiled by Miz
