Kei experiences a dream where his interfacing with Gripen's memories appear to unlock a very important secret about the reason for Gripen and the Xi's existence. Soon after, he is taken to Atsugi Air Base where he, Gripen, and Yashirodöri meet William Shankle, an American scientist, and the USA's sole Anima, Rhino, a F/A-18E Super Hornet, and learns of an impending mission to retake the continent by using both Anima and specially designed drone fighters...