Ryu’s cover comes under pressure with the arrival of the latest alien. The latest version of invader is holding orbit above Earth and so the only units that are able to engage it are the Atmospheric Fighter group stationed in Alaska (that Ryu was supposedly a member of before transferring to FUNERAL). To make matters worse, one of those fighters becomes severely damaged and is repaired at the FUNERAL base… but the pilot Rick was a close friend of Taketo (Ryu’s real name). Although Ryu tries to keep his distance from Rick, to avoid his old friend from recognizing him and blowing his cover, Rick seeks him out because he believes Taketo to be dead during the experiment that created Frank. His friend also increases the pain in Ryu’s heart by revealing some secrets to him (such as his betrayal of his friend so that he could try to court Maki) believing that telling Ryu could allay his soul.