Pumpkin Scissors ep.04

October 24, 2006 | 17 Comments

If you were disappointed with the previous two episodes, I think this will make up for them. The action is slightly ramped-up and there are some interesting conspiracy abound in this episode. This episode also confirms that 901-ATT unit wasn't an invicible unit after all. I mostly just feel sorry for Oland because he always so willing to sacrifice his own life. I am glad to know that Alice starts having a mildly positive impact on his life but I am not sure if her presence is enough to get him away from his past, especially since there are factions who are keen on exploring his ability. Anyway, animation-wise, this episode slightly better than last week. In fact, I was quite impressed with the stylised artwork that the animators use to depict Oland's bloody past while he and his comrades mutter "Töten Sie" (Kill) while they march toward a few tanks.

The episode opens with a researcher informing her superior that she has the lab test report for Division 3 and becomes surprised upon noticing an army-only special envelope on her superior's desk. After reading the report, the superior tells the researcher to continue their experiment on their "boy". Cut to a scene of Oland remembering his past. Back then he was under the influence of the blue lantern, fighting a group of tanks with his 901-ATT comrades. The only thing that they had in mind was "Töten Sie" (Kill) as they mindlessly approach the tanks even when the tanks blow the body of their comrades into pieces. Oland himself was about to aim the gun when a small hand blocks it, asking him what he is doing. That hand belongs to none other than Alice, who shatters his nightmare with her enthusiasm for "War relief effort". Because of this, Oland opens his eyes and realises that a bunch of small kittens have been using his body as a bed.

From outside the bridge tunnel, a man asks him if he's had another bad dream. Oland thinks about this for a while but when he remembers Alice's face in his dream, he tells the guy that today he had a rather good dream. :) Inside Pumpkin Scissors HQ, Oreld has trouble remembering Viscount Wolkins when Hunks mentioned his name. Because of this, Machs reminds him that they almost got killed by Wolkins' tank. Technical First Lieutenant, Webnar, tells the group that the problem they have at the moment is not really the Viscount himself but rather the tank itself. The tank in question has an automatic shell loading system which is still under development within the Empire. Because of this, she wants Pumpkin Scissors to find out where Wolkins had obtained the tank. Upon hearing this, Oreld thinks it'll probably be faster if they ask Wolkins himself. Hunks, however, points out that they can't do that because Wolkins is now detained inside an army hospital.

Because of this, Pumpkin Scissors goes to visit Professor Colt. When Oreld wonders who this person could be, Alice scolds him, asking him to memorise other people's name even if they are not female. She then explains that Colt is considered 'The father of tank' because he was the one who brought about the dawn of tank development. Alice believes that this professor would be able to give them some info about the tank. While Alice gives her explanation, she notices that Machs continually fixing the rear side mirror on the car. However, when she asks him if there is anything wrong, Machs pretend that it's nothing. The truth is, Machs has been observing Oland's face. A flashback then reveals that he and First Lieutenant Webnar had a conversation about Oland's personality. Back then Webnar told Machs that Tanks, so to speak, is considered the strongest above ground arm unit. Its own large build, which weighs at 10 tons, can kill people in a landslide.

If the unit is closing in on its enemies, it can be assured that no living creature can survived its attack. And yet, Oland managed to defeat a tank all by himself. She also reminded Machs how Oland managed to pierce the weakest part of the tank's armour with his bullet without any hesitation. Because of this, she wondered what kind of a man is Randel Oland. In the present time, Oland manages to climb into the front seat and asks Machs if there is anything wrong since his face looks pale. Upon seeing Oland's smile, however, Machs tells the big guy that there is nothing wrong. The group eventually arrives in front of the Professor's house. When the guy doesn't answer, Oreld mouths off and tells the others that the guy is probably eccentric. Much to Oreld's shock, a voice then can be heard from their back, 'apologising' for being an eccentric. The man introduces himself as Colt and wants to know what business the team has with him.

Later on, Oreld grovels to the man by saying that it's an honour to be talking to someone who's been recorded in text book. -_-;; At the same time, Alice notices that the guy's place is full of various weapons featured inside a frame. After examining the tank, Colt tells the group that unfortunately he has no idea about the tank. He believed that he never saw this kind of design back when he was at the military plan. He also claimed that there hasn't been a technological announcement from the western countries' technology exchange alliance either. This means that the tank in question has exceeded the technological level that presents in each nation. Professor Colt then asks Alice about analysis of the tank and its location. Alice tells him that they'll be entering that phase after this. Upon hearing this, the Professor repeats what Alice said about the fact that the analysis will be done after this. His words for some reason triggers Alice's bad premonition instinct.

Because of this Alice immediately goes out of the place much to Oreld's surprise. Regardless, he and Oland follows her. Machs, however, momentarily stays behind because he notices a frame containing gun similar to the one that Oland posesses. Machs that the gun is known as "Door Knocker". It's a name given to a 13mm anti-tank gun. A long time ago, there was a foolish idea to equipped soldiers with stronger thermal power to defeat tanks. However, even with this 13mm, it's not enough to defeat the present tank. There is only one way to do this and that is at absolute zero distance: shooting in point-blank range. The plan, however, came to a halt and the gun was never manufactured. Besides, Colt is not sure if there is a human who can withstand the steel armour of a tank. Once Machs returns to his car, he once again looks at Oland and remembers how Oland once told him that his previous unit was called 901-ATT (Anti Tank Trooper).

Machs's thoughts, however, got interrupted when Alice asks him to move on. Unknown to the group, their car has been tailed closely by a green-coloured car. Inside his office, Professor Colt is seen making a phone call to unknown receiver, telling the person that the tank in question was a prototype. Meanwhile, Pumpkin Scissors arrive at a hangar to rejoin First Lieutenant Webnar, not realising that they've been followed by the green car. Webnar apologises for having them delivering the report but now that she knows about it, she orders her men to dismantle the tank. Oreld makes a comment about how the men look unusually happy that it looks like they're playing around. He immediately gets elbowed by Alice for saying too much. Oreld, however, notices that there is another tank in the hangar so Webnar tells him that it's a newtype armoured vehicle for the first division. Unknown to Webnar, 3 men manages to sneak into the new vehicle.

All of a sudden, the new armoured vehicle aims its canon towards the dismantled tank and Webnar's men. The explosion also causes all members of Pumpkin Scissors to be seperated from each other. Webnar immediately orders her men to sound the alarm and contact the headquarters. Before her men can do this, however, the new armoured vehicle unleashes smoke bombs to hid itself and cover the room in smoke. The vehicle then fires a few more rounds towards the tank. Alice who sees the melting tank realises that the men's goal is the destruction of the tank. The armoured vehicle then moves towards the tank to destroy it but on its path is Machs, who can't move because there is a tank debris on top of him. Just when the vehicle about to impale Machs with its spikes, he finds himself lifted by someone. That person turns out to be Oland who has activated his blue lantern and let his left leg pierced by the spike so he can help Machs.

Oland then points his gun point blank at the driver almost at the same time as the tank points its cannon at him. Despite this, there is no fear in Oland's face in comparison to the now shaking vehicle driver. Oland then pulls his gun, killing the driver in the process just as the shell grazes Oland's face. Oland then pulls his leg out of the spikes and drags himself and Machs onto the tank. In his fear Machs realises that this is what Colt meant when he was talking about shooting at point-blank range. Machs realises that he can't breathe due to his overwhelming fear. In addition to this, he can't move either his leg or his arm. He keeps telling himself over and over that he's afraid. However, the thing that he's afraid the most is the blue lantern itself. Meanwhile, Oland's mind keeps repeating "Töten Sie" (Kill) as he aim the gun at the tank and pulls its trigger. In the aftermath of the incident, Machs reported to Hunks that all 3 men died on the spot.

Since no one could figure out their identity, Hunks believes that the men's intention was to keep the existence of the tank under wraps. Machs confirms this, informing the Chief that repair of the tank is now impossible. When Hunks asks Machs about Oland, the guy momentarily freezes but eventually tells the Chief that thankfully the spike missed Oland's bone. Apparently he'll be able to leave the hospital in about a month. Hunks seems relieved to hear this and tells Machs that if he wants, he can visit Oland at the hospital. Machs, however, is more interested in asking Hunks about 901-ATT. Prior to the incident, Machs remembered that 9 September was the day when the first Emperor died in the battlefield. Ever since then, the military does not allow the use of number 9 in its troops. In addition to this, 901-ATT has never been recorded inside the Military Complete Book. Because of this Machs concluded that 901-ATT unit does not exists.

Upon hearing this, Hunks turns around and looks towards the window, and tells Mach that this is the reason why these groups are called "Invisible 9". Machs is surprised to hear this but before he can ask for more information, Stekkin has barged through the room, informing them that Wolkins has commited suicide inside the military hospital. Hunks realises that this means that all information pertaining to the tank has been erased. Although he has no idea about the organisation that did this, they are certainly thorough in their actions. Now that those who are in the now are targeted, he wonders if Machs is still intend on 'sticking his neck' in this matter. Machs tells Hunks without hesitation that the answer is "Yes". Inside the hospital, Alice opens her eyes and realises that Oland is no longer in his bed. Oland has gone to the bridge tunnel to give his hospital food to the cats. When the cats avoid him, Oland realises that it's because he reeks blood.

Impression:

I am starting to wonder if the blue lantern merely acts as some kind of hypnotism to ensure that those who uses it doesn't feel pain, or rather blocks the part of the brain that recognises the sensation of pain so that the person can still move even though their bodies are in tatters from wounds and injuries. I am thinking about this because there is no way Oland can move in that state where he injured his leg unless, of course, the pain of the injury does not register in him until he turns off that blue lantern. This explains why he was trembling after the incident. I suspect that the part of his brain that regulates fear got switched off during the blue lantern session, enabling him to do things that other humans can't do. Having said this, I don't think 901-ATT moves without any sense of direction or purpose. I think they have been 'programmed' so that their main focus is to destroy the tanks in front of them regardless of the circumstances.

I personally think it's a silly concept and a waste of human life. Although that's probably what the Empire had in mind. I am not in any way a combat expert but would not it be more effective if the Empire had equipped those soldiers with bazookas or rocket launcher? I supposed it's far more expensive to do this while the Empire probably considers human life to be cheap and disposable. But the entire idea is so insane that I wonder what kind of 'Monster' is capable of devising this kind of concept in the first place. That means the person in question knows right from the start that whichever soldiers selected to become apart of this troop will essentially be willing to waste their life. I suppose during war time, it's quite feasible to see the government offering to support these men's families if the men themselves willing to join the unit. This makes me wonder if all of these times, the Empire was actually the one who's on the wrong side of the war.

This is a point of view that I rarely considers since the story has been told through Pumpkin Scissors' point of view and they are essentially a unit representing the Empire. However, so far the story has never told us what was the point of conflict between the Empire and the Frost Republic. In addition to this, so far we have never seen the story of the Frost Republic itself and what happened on the other side. Alice always so proud in being the soldier of the Empire but has she ever considers if maybe she's on the wrong side of the battle? I guess it's hard to say that you're on the wrong side of the battle when you come from the country who has a battle with another country. However, it's hard to believe that she remains naive while everyone around her seems very aware of the corruption and the cover-ups that the Empire has done so far. I think one of the flaws in Alice's characterisation is her blind, unquestioning loyalty to the Empire.

Preview

On next week's episode: Oland gets taken care of by "Hello, Nurse!!"

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