Episode 04 - First Alert
The four new Forwards continue their daily training with Nanoha, and are beginning to settle into the combat roles best suited to them. Teana's tactical skills in particular are singled out for praise by Nanoha, although Tea seems unconvinced. After practise, Nanoha decides the four are ready to receive their new magical devices.
Later that day, Hayate visits the Belkan Church of the Saint King for a meeting with Carim Gracia, leader of the Church Knights and Riot Force Six's most important sponsor. The Saint Church has also been investigating Gadgets, and has discovered that two new models have started to appear: an aerial model, dubbed Type 2, and a very large and powerful sphere-like model, dubbed Type 3. They have also found what they believe is a Relic being transported by train in a nearby mountain district.
Meanwhile, Shario, Rein and Nanoha present the Forwards with their new Intelligent Devices. Erio and Caro already had their own devices, which have received various upgrades; Subaru and Teana get brand new devices geared towards their particular skills. All of the devices have multi-level Power Limiters installed, meaning that advanced features and power levels won't be available until the recruits are deemed ready. When they discuss this, Nanoha reveals that she, Fate, Hayate, Signum and Vita have all had limiters placed on themselves as well: so-called "ability limiters". These are in place to comply with TSAB rules which aim to balance the amount of raw power available to each unit. Hayate has the ability to remove the others' limiters if the situation warrants, but only Chrono or Carim can release Hayate's limiter.
Just as the Forwards finish having their new devices explained to them, an alert sounds. Gadgets have found the Relic which the Saint Church was monitoring, and are attacking the train which is transporting it. Riot Force Six is now being ordered to deploy for its first combat mission...
Tropes
- Big Good: This episode introduces Carim, who is effectively this.
- Cool Car: Fate has onenote . The Forwards openly admire it.
- Church Militant: Although we never see her fight, Carim is addressed as 'Knight', which is the title used for a Belkan combat mage (same as Hayate and the Wolkenritter); the Saint Church seemingly also has its own military. (Carim is also a senior director of the TSAB Main Branch, but she seems to spend most of her time at the Church.)
- Lecture as Exposition: The scene where the Forwards are lectured on their new devices segues into exposition about the senior officers' ability limiters, information which will become relevant later on on the season.
- Loophole Abuse: The limiters on Nanoha, Fate and Hayate allow Riot Force Six to have far more magical power in reserve than most units. They've set it up this way for good reason.
- Shower Scene: A PG-rated one — Subaru, Teana and Caro have a chat in the showers after practise.
- Voiceover Letter: The episode starts with Subaru verbally composing a letter to her father and sister about how she's settling into Riot Force Six. The letter gives a brief summary of how the recruits' training and daily life have been going since the last episode. It also establishes for the first time that her mother is deceased: Subaru looks at a framed picture of Quint — who is pointedly absent from an adjacent family photo of Subaru, Ginga, and Genya — and remarks that she is planning to visit home for "mother's anniversary"note .
