Eighty Six › Season 1

Chapter 17 — Episode 17

The episode opens on August 27th, 2149, in the immediate aftermath of a devastating Legion artillery strike on FOB14, where Shin, Raiden, and Anju tend to the wounded while Anju asks Shin not to end up like Kiri. First, a military briefing reveals that a new Legion unit called the "Morpho" — a railgun with an 800mm caliber and 400km range — has systematically destroyed all forward operating bases, killing approximately 20,000 soldiers, and that a retaliatory cruise missile saturation strike only partially damaged it. Then, in an international military conference involving representatives from Roa Gracia and the Alliance of Wald, Jerome Karlstahl and allied commanders discuss how to deal with the Morpho and the newly confirmed existence of sentient Legion commanders, while the Spearhead survivors adjust to life in the Federacy and Kurena rejects being treated with pity. Later, on September 1st, Shin is confronted by Shourei Nouzen, the brother of a fallen comrade, who blames Shin for his brother's death and tells him he has no reason to live — but Lena's voice cuts through Shin's moment of despair. Shin is then summoned by General Richard, who offers to spare the Eighty-Six from the near-suicidal mission to destroy the Morpho, but Shin firmly refuses, declaring he will not turn away from the battle or let others fight in his place. Finally, on September 2nd, it is revealed behind closed doors that the Eighty-Six were deliberately chosen for the most dangerous role because their deaths would be accepted by Federacy soldiers, while Shin briefs his squad on the mission — and despite knowing the odds are near zero, the group unanimously chooses