An armed conflict has arisen on Planet Barka, next.
A state of emergency has been declared for all Barkan territories.
We have received reports of orbital bombing in the area,
destroying the surface of the planet.
The Trade Federation is being accused of genocide.
It's these deceitful tactics used by the Trade Federation
that made us form the union against them in the first place.
We should all place great importance on local sovereignty.
Here at Unity, we object to the Trade Federation's barbaric behavior
shown on this battlefield.
Many within the Trade Federation are demanding answers for this violence.
There are reports of secret tribunals being held behind closed doors.
Damn it!
What the hell's going on?
Let go.
Take this shit off me.
YAKITORI: SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE
YAKITORI
ONE WEEK PRE-BARKAN DISPATCH
MARS STATION, AKA "THE KITCHEN" MANAGEMENT STAFF AREA
Chicken here isn't too bad, is it, Mr. Akira?
So, then,
as a fellow Yakitori, what are your thoughts?
Forcing a Yakitori to eat chicken and asking how it is?
I only came because you're paying tonight, Pupkin.
You know, you're kind of a twisted guy.
Nothing wrong with a bit of cannibalism.
Your order, sir.
Hey, can I ask you something?
Hmm?
Where exactly did the name Yakitori originate from anyway?
Well, at first, you guys were known as Turkeys.
Turkeys? That's nothing like Yakitori.
It's because there were more Americans in the program to start.
In America, they have a tradition
where they eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
It's a holiday they celebrate.
One particular event involves the president
pardoning a turkey from slaughter.
Apparently, it was ironic that turkeys were given mercy,
yet they were sent to die.
The soldiers called themselves Turkeys to make a point.
That's stupid.
So, how did it go from that to chicken meat instead?
They once returned injured orbital infantrymen
to the surface.
They were burned from the atmosphere.
Someone called the charred bodies chicken yakitori and that was that.
The name stuck and eventually got adopted into Srilankan.
That's really messed up.
Yakitori are just equipment.
According to the Trade Federation,
you're not considered soldiers to them.
You could even say you're a consumable good,
worthless after use.
Fodder that isn't worth the effort.
To be honest,
I hate this.
Deep down inside, I despise it.
So, what am I doing about it?
Giving me some hope.
ONE WEEK AFTER THE BARKAN INCIDENT
TRADE FEDERATION HOME FLEET
BARKA DISTRICT 142 SPECIAL DISPATCH FLEET BASE
LIKEWISE: MILITARY COURT
In the name of honor, fairness, and ethics,
the court, for the Federation of Commerce,
hereby opens the floor for this tribunal.
Now, the defense.
Pardon.
Huh?
What's this?
Trade Federation Barkan District special dispatch officers...
I see.
And also the Trade Federation Marines.
Just to confirm,
I believe you are not a court-appointed attorney?
As counsel for the defendants, I am a private attorney.
Do you have some doubts regarding my credentials?
No, there are no issues if all your credentials are up-to-date.
The prosecution may begin.
Let's hear your opening.
Hmm.
Several within the Barkan Fleet were given a set of classified orders,
and these actions resulted in grave...
This is the thanks we get for cleaning up your mess?
Screw this!
And so the prosecution
will begin presenting the evidence in our case.
Now, we would like to call our first witness to the stand,
the Trade Federation officer in charge of the defendants' unit.
Very well.
First witness, please take the stand.
Huh?
Please state your name and credentials.
I am Vasa Pupkin, and I am in charge of the Special Space Security Industry.
It is the Ordinary Person Unit
authorized by the licensing authority
of the United Nations and Office of the Government-General,
which is outsourced by the Intelligent Species Bureau
assigned by the Pan-Star System
and Trade Federation Security Council.
I assume that you're willing to swear in before this court.
I swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth
to the best of my knowledge,
and I will tell it of my own free will and testament.
Very well.
The prosecution may start.
Begin questioning.
Witness, this is an extremely unfortunate outcome to your program.
To think the Yakitoris would choose to perform acts of genocide against Barka...
I know I never dreamed
that the military action of our great Trade Federation
would do something so horrendous.
Witness,
what is your expert opinion on the matter of their decision?
Was this not a foreseeable risk you thought to plan for?
Like you can trust any of them.
They're the ones who said Barka wasn't a risk!
No, I believe it wasn't foreseeable.
All of the defendants passed
the Trade Federation tests for qualifications
before they were deployed on this mission.
However, they still ended up going berserk and off book.
And this is the reality.
Witness,
please allow me to confirm.
Is this behavior new to you?
You oversee the Yakitori. It's been your job for some time now.
Yes.
Unfortunately, there are many on the record.
Multiple instances according to the Federation.
There was the large-scale theft of our Great Satisfaction rations
not long ago.
Also, an awful situation where an Earth cat was abused.
- Oh yes, and-- - Okay, that's enough!
All right.
Then let me ask you.
Has there ever been an act of defiance
like the indiscriminate massacre in the city district of Barka?
Hmm.
To my knowledge, I don't believe there has.
So then, is it correct to say that this is the first despicable case
of senseless violence against innocents who were not causing unrest?
That in this particular instance, one could label it a genocide?
Objection!
There is no way this particular witness would have access
to secret court-martial precedents.
And therefore, he cannot give an accurate answer
to the question posed by the prosecution.
Objection sustained.
To the prosecutor, please rephrase the question.
Very well, I will.
Witness,
are these the Yakitori members you recruited?
Yes, I handpicked this unit.
K321 was chosen by me on Planet Earth.
In other words,
you admit to the court that this unit
was under your management when this incident was caused?
No, by that point, they would not be considered
under my management anymore.
They were under the command
of the Trade Federation Barkan Dispatch Fleet
at the time of the incident.
Hey, Pupkin, you bastard!
Are you just trying to save your own ass?
I see.
So then, let me ask the witness once again.
Was the Yakitori unit as a whole responsible
for the genocide on Planet Barka?
Yakitori training includes a number of mental-preservation measures.
Ah! We don't need the technical details.
Let me ask you this question directly, then.
Was the genocide made possible
because it was Unit K321 working the mission?
Could it have been avoided
if any other Yakitori unit had been chosen instead?
I see.
If the use of heavy weapons in the city
and the orbital bombardment was the trigger,
then unfortunately, I think,
well,
I would have to say yes to that.
As this is a crucial point, witness, we need a clear statement.
The incident that occurred on Planet Barka
was only possible because of Unit K321's involvement.
I believe that to be true.
Freaking bastard!
You betrayed us!
You...
you knowingly did this!
DAY BEFORE COURT MARTIAL TRIAL
We're at a critical moment.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
You seem quite tired.
We can't deny what happened on Barka.
Since we can't, they'll be searching for someone to blame for it.
Cook, I'm going to be upfront with you.
The situation is not looking good.
Why do you think that?
This situation,
the bombardment of Barka was requested
because they believed it wasn't in violation of the rules of engagement
against orbital weapons.
Some are even calling for a dissection of their brains
to check for mental stability.
I don't believe it'll get that far.
Uh... Huh?
Perhaps I could make a very small suggestion to you.
Now, over to the defense.
Your cross-examination.
Before that, Your Honor,
may I quickly ask the prosecution something?
It's about the witness
and his expertise on this matter.
The prosecution?
They are welcome to ask.
In regards to this witness,
I'd like to ask what are his qualifications exactly?
You never informed us.
Is the person in charge of the Special Space Security Industry
Jurisdiction Ordinary Person Unit
authorized by the joint licensing authority of the United Nations
and Office of the Government-General
outsourced by the Intelligent Species Bureau
designated by the Pan-Star System Trade Federation Security Council
part of the quality control department?
I'm sorry, but what point are you trying to make?
If it's all right to speak candidly,
I found this very curious from the start.
We don't fully understand why this trial
is being held in this court in the first place.
What do you mean?
What?
What are the dogs up to?
Wait. I don't mean that as a slight against the authority of this court.
The defense is simply posing a question.
Is this the appropriate court for this trial?
We believe that perhaps these charges should be tried as something different.
One moment, please.
Would you mind explaining your reasoning?
It doesn't sound like you're claiming the defendants are innocent.
Of course not.
To begin,
let's look at the defendants.
Who
are these defendants we're speaking of?
This isn't what I expected!
Order in the court!
Do you not see that the defendants are right there?
Ah, but I pose a query to the court.
This group of Yakitoris, these humans you see before you,
do you find it appropriate to label them as defendants?
I... I'm sorry? I beg your pardon?
You Honor! I ask that you silence this nonsense.
What is the legal definition of Yakitori?
Equipment.
Meaning you're prosecuting property as citizens.
Property?
Let's use a gun as an example of equipment.
A gun does not shoot a being on its own.
A being is the one who pulls the trigger.
In that case, it is the being who should be tried and not the gun.
Wouldn't you agree with that?
What... what is this?
Why would you ever charge the equipment over the being using it?
When do you plan to charge the foreign affairs clan?
Does this not call into question the prosecution's sanity?
It is hard to understand how they can so brazenly commit
an aggravated breach of trust
against the civil service clan
and insult this court!
Plus, it's a waste of public funds.
Order in the court!
I will hold you all in contempt!
Quiet down now!
Wh... while they may not be tried as a Trade Federalist,
they clearly broke the rules.
We cannot dismiss
that, as military contractors, they broke the rules of engagement.
The rules of engagement?
May I assume you're choosing to change the charges now?
The Yakitori before us requested an orbital bombardment.
That much is true!
And thus, it was a clear and unambiguous violation of the rules of engagement!
Even as equipment,
it is obvious they are the ones at fault!
Mr. Pupkin.
Sir.
Did you arrange for the members of Unit K321
to complete courses on the Trade Federation's military rules of engagement
or, perhaps, other legal matters?
No, I did not.
Not at all?
Not at all.
Your Honor,
does it seem reasonable to search for features
that were never programmed into the equipment?
If they were Trade Federalists,
ignorance of the law would not exempt them.
However,
if equipment ordered to eliminate threats
against the Trade Federation military did this,
would the responsibility then not belong to them,
but instead to the ones who gave the orders?
The ones who gave the orders?
At the time on Barka,
the Trade Federation Army was taking orders
from the foreign affairs clan's special envoy.
Isn't that the truth?
Huh? Wait a sec.
Does this mean they're pointing their fingers at the cats?
There's more.
Trade Federation military equipment purchases,
they follow the code of conduct regulations,
as outlined by the financial and judiciary clan.
That's unprecedented!
Court, I ask you to take a look at the list I've prepared for you.
The names of the financial and judicial clan authorities
responsible for the Fair Trade Code of Conduct Regulations.
I also have a list of foreign affairs clan authorities
in charge of negotiations on Barka.
It appears there have been no charges brought against any of them.
So does the prosecution have any thoughts on this?
Holy crap! He turned it around!
With that statement,
the defense concludes our cross-examination.
Once again, I ask all of you,
why exactly is this trial being held here in the first place?
- Yeah. - We were so lucky.
All right!
Great to see you back.
Did you see the look on his face?
- I'm so glad. - That's awesome.
Yeah, well done!
My dear Yakitoris, congratulations on your acquittal.
I'm truly happy for you.
Pupkin.
So thank you.
You have carved a new pathway for us.
You're thanking us?
I understand the thanks, but no apology?
Yeah, hit him again!
And just what the hell do you think you're smiling about?
I'm very moved by all of your work here.
Huh?
Can you believe him?
Don't act like you helped us.
All you did was give your testimony in court.
What's going on?
Well, you see, the Cook here is the one who pointed out to us
that, technically, you Yakitoris are equipment.
Huh? Hold on, then.
Are you saying you had this planned from the beginning of it all?
No. No. I swear I did not.
Basically, you used us today. Isn't that right?
Mm-hmm.
I suppose I did.
However, I still came to discuss the next job with you.
What? Is this a joke?
Now then, the offer I have for you isn't a bad deal.
- Huh? - Hmm.
You'd be sent back to Mars for a bit more study time.
- We'd be studying? - What would we do?
While you were acquitted on this case, we can't just ignore Yakitoris
who don't know the Trade Federation military ethics and morals.
And we got orders from those above us
that your unit must be educated right away.
Well, I suppose that makes sense.
Back to the good ol' days of studying, I guess.
Seriously, what a joke.
As long as John Doe isn't our instructor anymore, it'll be fine.
- For sure. - Yeah.
So what about after?
In all honesty, I have no idea.
If there comes a time when you're ever assigned to our unit again,
we'd be happy to have you.
I did tell him you guys make the best decoys after all.
Big talk after we saved your ass!
Huh?
THREE MONTHS AFTER COURT MARTIAL TRIAL
After all that time studying back on Mars,
I can't believe they sent us all back to Barka!
Our simulations were never this shaky!
Oh, crap. I'm gonna hurl!
Be thankful no one is attacking us this time!
Can you all just shut the hell-- Ah!
Everyone, careful not to bite your tongue!
Too late now!
I'll kill you.
Which one is the ambassador?
That would be me!
And just who are you violent people, anyway?
Has no one taught you how to introduce yourselves?
- What the hell? - Akira!
Let's not start a new diplomatic issue!
Notification: Incoming call from Officer Rimel.
Ha, ha.
Okay, okay.
This is K321.
Target secured.
I repeat, target secured.
Well done, Yakitoris.
The target has a shitty attitude considering we saved her ass.
All ambassadors are the same.
Just grin and bear it. You get used to it.
So, are we getting an elevator to pick us up or what?
Unfortunately, we haven't retaken the elevators control room,
so then we have no way of being able to get you back up here.
I knew this would happen.
Oh, shut up, Erland.
You're such a stick in the mud!
- Oh, he is! - Hey, come on, you guys!
Will you give it a rest?
All right, what do we do now?
Anyone? You got any ideas?
Oh, what's this? Normally you don't ask our opinions.
Guess it's true. Some people do change for the better.
- Mm-hmm. - Oh, come on!
- We're supposed to be a team. - We either climb up or we climb down.
Those are all the options we have.
All on our own?
Do you have any idea how high the space elevator is up there?
It would be insane to climb up so high,
but the surface isn't as far down.
So I guess we climb down.
- Okay, that's enough talking. - Hmm.
Let's get going.
Here.
- Here. - Uh...
Here.
- Rock, paper, scissors! - Uh!
What a reckless way to decide!
Of course, the Trade Federation--
Ah!
Why don't you wait until we get out of here alive
before complaining about it?
Akira, you ready to go?
Yeah.
Let's roll.
Hey, mister? You guys are with the Trade Federation, aren't you?
Yeah, that's right.
Everyone says the Trade Federation are the bad guys.
Does that mean you people are bad?
I mean, kind of.
Well, I wouldn't call us the defenders of justice.
It's not that we're the bad guys either.
For sure.
We're disposable orbital infantrymen.
But you can call us...
the Yakitori.
Whoo!