For reasons that Faust cannot fathom, Panter and Luche saved him from being killed by one of the Mesopotamia's projectiles, and they, Otaru, the Marionettes, Ieyasu and Hikozaemon are now underground, safe for the moment. Wasting no time, Ieyasu lays out the plan: Japones is prepared to use JaponesGar to attack the Mesopotamia, but since the current incarnation of JaponesGar is stationary, Japones needs Geltland's plasma diffuser (see episode 21) and rocket-booster technology to escape Terratoo's somewhat hostile atmosphere and get to the offending spacecraft. At this point, Otaru interjects that he was under the impression that the Mesopotamia was completed destroyed 300 years ago - that's why the six survivors were sent to the surface with little or no hope of survival, right? As it turns out, the admittedly harder-to-take truth is that the Mez is, in fact, still there. Its artificial-intelligence computer, the one Lorelei designed, went insane, took over the ship, killed most of the crew and took Lorelei hostage. Actually, it took Lorelei for a mate, and she's been in suspended animation ever since. Faust was going to save her himself, but then Otaru SCREWED EVERYTHING UP! However, he is interrupted in mid-blame by a spookily familiar voice. Out of the darkness of the cavern lurches Tiegel, supported by a tangle of RCA cables and missing a few parts. One such part is her memory - the only thing left is her knowledge of the pre-brainwashing Faust she used to love and pamper. She mutters something about the lorelei being in bloom, then collapses into Faust's arms. Greatly disquieted, Faust orders everyone but Otaru into the next chamber. If Otaru thought the Mesopotamia thing was a shock, he doesn't know from being shocked. Faust, once he and Otaru are alone with the inert Tiegel, finishes the story of the Mesopotamia. It seems that the purpose of Faust I and Ieyasu I in creating the otome kairo was a desperate plan to free Lorelei. Using Lorelei's same paradigm of a similacrum of humanity, Faust and Ieyasu each created three devices that, taken together, formed the three essences of the human female heart - purity, devotion and the maternal instinct - and implanted them in Marionettes, hoping to grow them using life experience and love until they could be passed off as human. The completed kairo would then be given to the Mesopotamia's computer in place of Lorelei. Only Ieyasu's otome kairo grew successfully, and it appears that the Mesopotamia, judging from the wrath it is unleashing against the surface of Terratoo, is wise to the plot anyway. Tiegel awakes briefly, mistakes Otaru for Faust, gives him a heartfelt valedictory, then is silent forever. Faust asks if Otaru will be able to give up his loved ones for the sake of the planet, and Otaru replies, "no." During the reconstruction and modification of JaponesGar, a fire breaks out at Otaru's apartment complex. By the time Otaru and his party arrive, everyone has been safely evacuated and the place is an inferno, but Lime plunges in nonetheless (with Otaru right behind her and Cherry and Bloodberry helping her make an exit). Why? To save the teacups/bowls Otaru made for them. Otaru is furious with relief that Lime, who after is now alive, is safe, but Yumeji, whom we haven't seen in 22 episodes, asks of his big brother Hanagata if everyone's going to die. Hanagata turns to Otaru and begs him to, somehow, save the people of Terratoo. The Marionettes, who overheard Faust's entire explanation, declare that they'll gladly go to the Mesopotamia, but Otaru forbids them from doing so. He'll go to the Mesopotamia, he'll go alone, stop the computer, save Lorelei - and come back alive, he promises. The remodeled Sabelberg takes off for the ionosphere, JaponesGar in tow. On board are Otaru, Ieyasu in the body of Tamasaburo, Hikozaemon in the body of Baiko, Luche - and the Marionettes, who stowed away. Lime cites Otaru's promise that he and they would be together forever, and Ieyasu accepts part of the blame as well. Furious but not to be deterred, Otaru fires up JaponesGar - only to find that the Marionettes have hacked into its controls and ejected him from the ship. While he can still hear them, Cherry thanks Otaru for giving hearts to what are, after all, marionettes, puppets if you will; Bloodberry expresses her thanks that she could give Otaru a proper farewell, and Lime shouts "Otaru daisuki!!" But as Otaru's capsule disappears in the haze of Terratoo's atmosphere, all three have tears in their eyes.
click here to see where to watch or .
Ready to Watch Saber Marionette J, Season 1, Episode 24?