-Project: Ignition-
A measure of Faith
by Airship Canon
Warning: Reader Discretion is Advised!
The following contains themes of Doomed By Canon, Humongous Mecha (Obviously), Trauma Conga Line, Morale Event Horizon, and possibly Nightmare Fuel for the Squemish. Oh, yes, Family Unfriendly Death. There's lots of that. If you don't realize what those are, stop reading and go to Tv Tropes, that will ruin your life far quicker than I. If you Don't Like Don't Read. Lastly, the following Disclaimer is as follows "Dis has been Claimed", because we all know that they're completely pointless. Now get on with Shooting the Shaggy Dog.
Author's Note/Forward:This is part of my "Project Ignition", however, while it occurs within "Project Ignition"'s Universe, it does not incorporate the Armored Core elements, and as such it is only considered a Muv-Luv Alternative fanfic. It will, however make allusions to the fact that it is part of the Cross-over 'verse.
Prelude:
A Royal Guard's Last Moments
Tokyo, Japan
January 23rd, 2022
"CODE 991! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! BETA HAVE BEEN SIGHTED IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO!" A siren blared. It was the last thing Royal Guard Captain Yoshiomaru Hirayama was expecting. After twenty-four years of service to Japan as an Eishi- and having lived the road to hell and back, an actual Code 991 was not something that had bothered him. The one thing however, was that it simply should not be. The Original Hive was obliterated by the deployment of the XG-70d Susanoo IV during Ouka, and only one Hive, Objective 24, the Khatanga Hive, was left standing- and that was nowhere near Tokyo.
"It must be the work of the RLF again!" A man, significantly younger than the aging captain, said, "There's no other explanation! BETA haven't been seen on Japan since 2002!"
Yoshiomaru shook his head, "Calm down, Second Lieutenant Arisawa." He said with a strict tone. "It may be the RLF again, or it may be something else, we don't know for certain."
"Captain, I'm sorry for my outburst, sir!" the young man said. "But still… BETA after the Zodiac Incident?! That reeks of terrorist activity."
"I don't doubt that." Yoshiomaru said, finishing getting into his Type-0 Fortified Suit "But the RLF…they'd…"
A woman approached the two men, shaking her head, "We don't have the UN's support… there's reports of terrorist activity at the Yokohama base… although it all appears to be carried out by one psychotic man…"
"One man causing trouble for that base?" Yoshiomaru said calmly as ever. "I don't…" His words were interrupted swiftly by the sounds of a massive explosion. The inhuman roars of BETA could be heard, and so could the distinct sounds of gunfire. "…believe that to be true. Though, there's a lot that… one has to have faith for."
"Captain, you're as eccentric as ever." Arisawa said. "I'll be readying my Takemikazuchi… given Colonel Atsuko is here, I assume you're going to be a bit late to the mess."
"Yes, I assume Lieutenant Arisawa is correct, Atsuko?"
"Yes, I have to give you details- our allies plan on deploying a new anti-BETA weapon in response to this attack, and as you are Mirage Battalion's leader, at least for this last deployment, you need to be informed of how to work with this new weapon."
"A new anti-BETA weapon?" Yoshiomaru said, wondering why such a thing would be necessary to construct. "Why would…"
"There are still Hives on the Moon and Mars… the Moon is hell. Being this close to an honorable discharge, it must put you on edge, Captain."
"I suppose my discharge being three days from now… it may affect my thoughts, but isn't SHADOW operational?"
"Yes, but it could fail… I do see a point to the fact that the new weapon doesn't necessarily need to be deployed to this battle, but there is a very large amount of BETA."
"How many?"
"It's an Army sized Herd… including a Carrier class."
Yoshiomaru closed his eyes and shook his head, memories flashing thru his eyes, "Carrier… class…"
"As I'm aware, Yoshiomaru, you were part of 2005's Operation Iraqi Freedom, correct? If that's the case, you should be familiar with the Carrier-class."
"Yes, I'm fully aware of the Carrier-class, Colonel."
"Then you see why the new weapon is being deployed."
"But… a Carrier-class. That doesn't seem like something a terrorist group like the RLF could've…"
"I know what you're thinking, Captain, but forget it. Just focus on the battle- there's BETA to be killed. You can think about what political movements and conspiracies were behind this afterwards…"
"Yes. You're right… this just shows my determination as a member of a faith… just a measure of faith."
"Captain, I'll explain the new weapon now…"
Royal Guard Hangar
"The Captain still isn't here!" A woman in a gray Type-0 Fortified suit called out, "We've got Tank-Class pouring in..!" Her Type-00C Takemikazuchi swung its Assault cannon down, firing a barrage of 36mm rounds at a group of Soldier-class BETA.
"Wait..! There he is!" Lieutenant Arisawa shouted, his white Type-00A Takemikazuchi slashing a Tank-class BETA in half with its sword.
"You two! What are you doing still in the Hangar!? TAKE OFF!" Captain Yoshiomaru shouted, as he ran through the hangar, running swiftly as blood poured from the slain BETA that had come in through the launch way. "We don't have much time! Our Royal Guard unit needs to get into position to protect the new anti-BETA weapon, 'Number-5'!"
"A new weapon?" the woman said, "Aren't the BETA mostly annihilated?"
"I'll explain once we're saving lives in Tokyo…! Get in the air, Yuuka!"
"Understood, Captain." The woman responded.
"Captain, the BETA are in the Hangar, you sure you won't die if we're all out?!" Arisawa asked. "We'll need our Strike Vanguard."
"I'm sure, Arisawa- have a measure of faith. Now get out of here!"
"Alright, Captain. I'll see you- this is the last deployment we'll have with you. Let's make it something to celebrate, even if the enemy is brought here by other humans."
"Yes, Arisawa… We shall…!" Yoshiomaru said watching Arisawa's white-colored Takemikazuchi leave "And it'll be a night even Michiyo will remember!", climbing the ladder to the second floor, and boarding block for the TSFs. He turned, continuing to smell sulfur, knowing full well that there were live Tank-class BETA nearby—the sub-hangar G1-35 was at the opposite side of the building, unfortunately- he resigned himself: He had to reach his Type-00R. Tonight would be his last battle.
However, as he had nearly reached his long-time partner, his beloved 00R, he realized just how true the thought that it would be his last was. He smelt a surge in the repulsive, rotten egg smell- a Tank-class was close, and he knew it. He could only pray that he activated his TSF before it found him, but it was too late already, and he saw it leaping towards him. He hopelessly drew his side arm and fired a couple rounds into it, but it was futile. The red-colored creature slammed into him, his body pinned to the catwalk, and his gun falling below. He closed his eyes, he knew at that very moment that he'd die- finally meeting his end, and joining those who he'd fought alongside. In his final moments, as the Tank-class prepared to devour him, Yoshiomaru realized a sense of peace. His TSF looked on, a silent witness to his final moments, but it couldn't see what was going thru Yoshiomaru's mind…
"So, have a little measure of Faith."