Shin's damaged Tiger II crashes in the Area's airstrip. While he himself is unharmed, Saki, who cannot afford to lose a pilot of Shin's caliber, forces him to pay for all damages, extending Shin's stay in Area 88. Makoto is forced to leave the base after Greg revealed his true objective to his fellow pilots, but before leaving he tells Shin that Kanzaki plans to marry Ryouko. Driven to the edge, Shin rents another Tiger from McCoy, loaded to the brim with fuel and ammo, and heads for the nearest border - with Kitori, Mickey, Kim, and all of the other Area 88 mercenaries on his heels. Will Makoto's final message reach Shin in time?