0006 ADR

Talonflare H.A.D.S


The Talonflare cruised through the high skies of the planet. It had been airborne for almost ten hours now since it took off from the Kanto airfield. Due to it's engine design it only had to air refuel once as it passed over what remained of the Orange Islands towards it's end goal. As it headed toward the continent of Sinnoh the troopers inside did their best to remain rested. The mission was going to happen soon and none of them could afford to screw their entry due to fatigue.

Designed for missions that went further out than what a Pelipper dropship could manage it was used when the mission didn't have the luxury of a landing zone. A compact design with a large wingspan much like the Talonflame Pokemon it was named after. Built for height and speed, it was able to fly high in the stratosphere thanks in large part to the built in anti gravity units in the plane's belly. It even possessed chameleon tech to allow it to adjust it's color to blend in with the sky around it. It was the best humanity had to offer in terms of aircraft and the troopers inside were a mirror of that sentiment.

The troopers inside were all armored from head to toe and had been from the start of their mission. It made for a fairly uncomfortable trip, but none of the men would have traded it for more comfortable gear. The interior of the Talonflare wasn't heated as it was deemed an unnecessary expenditure when everyone would always be armored inside. If their mouths were covered by the advanced helmets they wore their breaths would have been little more than ice particles. The fact that the suits managed their body heat was the least of their capabilities.

The interior of the plane was surprisingly roomy compared to other aircraft troops had the displeasure of flying in. This was due to the long operational time the plane used. Without room to stand up and stretch many missions would end before they even began as the drop troops would cramp up on the way down and get killed during the landing. As it was now, none of the troopers were stretching. They had all prepared several minutes ago as the plane approached its target.

The squad of twelve was made up of some of the most war hardened soldiers the Kanto could find. The military would often allow for troops to take up non combat positions after several years of service. The men in this squad were all those that refused reassignment and chose instead to continue fighting on the front lines. They also had the privilege of being the most ornery bastards in the military.

Many had issues due to the war, others hated being under command of people they viewed as morons, and even more just didn't get along with anyone. They were all collected into this one squad and sent on some of the most dangerous missions with the lowest chances of success. This was due to the lack of oversight allowing them to act far more autonomously than near an official chain of command. It also was so they would get killed during a mission and no longer be a problem in the military's side. Steven took a sick pride in being so unlikable that they would stick him in a squad with such a reputation.

He brought his head down from where it was leaning against the wall of the plane and looked about at his squad. Many were occupied with their own thoughts and concerns. One of the benefits of his armored helmet was the HUD that provided information on his squad. Registered kills, service time, notable traits after the humans own undampening, and even accommodations given by the chain of command. The only two members of his squad he couldn't get useful info on where the two overseer mechs towards the back of the plane.

As they kneeled in the back to save space all he could get was the information on their basic functions. Since the first overlord mechs went into service the humans had been working on a way to make them less fragile along with making sure they didn't keep losing pilots. The breakthrough came when Dr. Akihabara managed to create a synthetic proxy brain for the Overlords. This allowed psychics to exert control over the overlord though the artificial brain. Thus the Overseer mechs were born.

Without a human taking up a large percent of the body the Overseer's could be designed with a much more nimble and robust body. Power sources could be introduced without fear of pilot damage. Even the weapons could be upgraded since higher caliber rounds that would normally be too much stress for a human in a power suit wasn't a concern for a full mechanized unit. All of this was without even mentioning the ability to maintain and constantly improve their pilots since they never even had to go near combat to use the suits.

The psychics would possess the suits when they were near friendly territory bonding with the mech. The mech would be sent out along with human troops and provide fire support. If the mech got damaged the psychic would release his or her mind and return to their body. The only thing lost was the mech and machines were far more replaceable than humans with psychic powers. Steven had worked with the Overseers before and had no real objection to them. Other squads and troopers often did due to their inherent mistrust of psychics.

A voice snapped Steven out of his reverie, "Alright listen up you assholes cuz I'm only going to say this once." The squad leader said, standing up and moving to the center of the plane.

He was sergeant Styler. One of the oldest active troopers in the human army. Steven recalled hearing that he once commanded a squad that Lt. Surge was a private in. The man had seen his fair share of war. He was offered a command position due to his experience but chose instead to get sent on missions like these. While the squad was considered uncontrollable by most, Styler did it by sheer balls.

Every single person in the squad had disobeyed his orders once. Other commanders would reprimand you and 'put it on your record'. Styler knew that wouldn't work and chose instead to keep the chain of command fresh in his recruits minds by beating the ever loving crap out of them for disobedience. That's why no one ever defied his orders more than once and why the squad got a sick sense of enjoyment watching the newbies get their asses kicked by an old man.

"Our job is to go down to Sinnoh, hit the high priority targets, recover items of importance, and finally find the survivor cell that has been working there and get them out. Our team is going to be split into two squads of six. Each one will get an Overseer as backup." He said to which the troopers around him groaned in displeasure, "Don't give me that shit. The Psy ops working in the Overseers know their shit and they're not here to baby sit. Each one has a new portable double feed reactor on their backs and those little packets of awesome are going to keep you, your gear, and most importantly your Golbat drop packs active throughout the duration of your mission. You want to stray from your Overseer, fine, enjoy the slow death you get when you realize the solar skin on your under weave suit isn't up to task with keeping your shit online!"

A light at the back of the loading area lit up and the troopers helmets lit up with a message from the pilot, "We're over the target in a minute, get ready for drop." He said.

"Alright people, get your asses in gear!" The sergeant said as the back ramp opened up and the interior was blasted with the cold air outside, "I'll be first, Jefferson you're next and the CO of the second squad." Styler said over the roaring wind.

As the door finished opening the sergeant's backpack powered up. Two elongated thrusters flipped up and a similar smaller set flipped downward. The Golbat drop pack was the premier line of tech from the human military. Designed for high altitude drops it not only allowed for jumps from an unprecedented height but also a wide range of uses even after landing. Only used in operations like theirs it earned the nickname of 'Golbatshit pack' from the regular troopers as one would have to be insane to think it was safer leaping out of a plane with a glorified rocket attached to your back.

The light in back turned green signaling the go ahead from the pilot for the jump. Steven watched with bored amusement as the sergeant gave one last pre jump comment before turning to face the outside. Not bothering to fall out like normal troopers he took down the ramp at full speed screaming like a madman and leapt into frigid air outside.

His body vanished in the next second and was replaced by a fine red mist followed by a long train of green. Something blew past the Talonflare and the unit was nearly deafened by a roar so loud it shook the plane. As the green trail passed everyone inside knew what was outside. Only a select few creatures and planes could reach this height and only one of those was long and green. Rayquaza had found them.

The sergeant's comm line was automatically turned off with his death replaced with Jefferson's as he was the next in the chain of command, "SHIT PILOT, IT'S RAYQUAZA!" He shouted over the comm.

"I know, jackass. He came out of nowhere!" He replied, "HOLD ON!"

The plane listed to one side suddenly and anyone not hanging on was thrown to the other end of the room. The Talonflare shuddered as a bright flash could be seen from outside. Something jostled the plane and the interior of the hold shook once again. The plane leveled out again in another second but now there was a shuddering in its flight that wasn't going away.

"Nice dodge there!" Jefferson said as he glanced outside.

"No it wasn't!" The pilot screamed, "Bail out now, this flying bathtub can't fight with Rayquaza, but I'll buy you as much time as I can!"

Jefferson needed no further prompting, "COME ON SHITHEADS!" He screamed charging down the open ramp.

Even with what happened to Styler not one of the troopers hesitated as they all followed suit and leapt out of the plane. As Steven barreled down the ramp he leapt into the cold air outside. The dark air around him made the green serpent form of Rayquaza stand out in the dark sky as it moved around for another attack on the plane.

He had done a jump like this before, although without the dragon attack, and he was still caught off guard by the silence around him. Without much air around them the only sound came from the comm chatter as the group fell. Choosing to deviate from standard drops he hit one of his maneuvering jets and felt his body turn to face back up towards the Talonflare.

Rayquaza had begun to catch up to the plane as it attempted to speed away. Steven magnified the rapidly shrinking forms through his helmet and watched as the Talonflare launched several small black objects out of it's back. He knew what they were and Rayquaza did as well. Air modified Magnemite anti armor mines. Steven watched as they flew backwards toward the dragon who tried to bank away, only for them to detonate around him in a pyrotechnic light show.

He could hear two of the rookies cheer at the explosions only for their joy to die on their lips as a beam of light shot outwards from the explosions and blew through the Talonflare. The next second the ship broke apart into two from the stress of the blast and speed it was going. One side exploded shortly after and the remaining wing careened off into the distance. With it's prey dead Rayquaza turned and sped towards the falling troopers.

"Listen up assholes! This drop is now a combat drop. Curtis, Myers, Roland, and me will engage the dragon. Pete is now in charge." Jefferson said as the four troopers near Steven activated their thrusters and started to angle their decent to meet up with Rayquaza.

Steven knew he couldn't afford to watch anymore. Turning back around he saw his squad activate their thrusters like him and start diving towards the earth. While he couldn't see he could clearly hear as his squad mates began to fire their weapons, the cries and orders coming clear over the line as they engaged Rayquaza. As he watched the cloud layer approach he heard each one of his fellow troopers comms die out one by one before finally going silent.

"Shit!" Pete said as Steven watched him look back, "Mercer, Giles, Overlord one you three with me. We're going to slow that thing down!" He said activating his thrusters and moving out of Steven's sight.

This time Steve turned and looked back as the three troopers and Overlord mech moved to engage the dragon. The three trooper's backpacks sent out constantly bursts of fire as they moved to the side and began firing white hot shells of metal at the dragon. The slugs, specifically designed to penetrate Pokemon skin, harmlessly bounced off the dragon's hide. A fanged mouth opened and bit Giles in half as it's tail swatted Pete with enough force to liquify his body.

Mercer never stopped firing even as his comrades died around him. His clip had long since emptied as Rayquaza disintegrated him with a hyper beam. As the dragon closed it's jaws explosions riddled it's side and for once injuries could be seen on it's body as Overlord one opened fire with it's Railgun.

The dragon turned to face his opponent who was given more room to maneuver due to stronger jetpacks on it's back. The mech managed to barely dodge to the side as Rayquaza attempted to cut the mech in half with it's jaws. More explosive shards of metal hit it's skin making the dragon pay for it's careless attack. It's followup was far less careless as one of the dragon's fins struck the side of the mech causing it to spiral out of control. It turned on the machine as Steven adjusted to face the ground again.

The clouds were coming up fast but not fast enough, "Oh God there's no one left to send." The only other trooper said.

"Kyle, Overlord two, we're splitting up!" Steven said, realizing he was the highest ranking officer left.

"WHAT?" Kyle said with clear shock.

"Don't question, JUST GO!" Steven said as he activated the thrusters on his pack and felt the force of acceleration on his body.

He didn't have time to check if the others did the same as he approached the cloud layer. Turning around he held his gun in both hands and braced it against his shoulder. Taking careful aim he squeezed the trigger and felt a shot fire out of the barrel. The streak of white hot metal shot through the air and he smiled as he saw it ricochet off of Rayquaza's hide. The dragon turned towards the falling trooper and the last thing Steven saw was his snarling mouth as he chased after him.

As his vision filled with clouds he turned to face downwards again. With a single command he felt his pack activate again and the thrusters pushing him to the side. The move saved his life as he saw a shadowy form pass through where he was. While he hoped to use the clouds to cover his descent he burst through the bottom in a just a few seconds.

Steven found himself in the middle of a blizzard as snow whipped about his suit partially blinding him as he sped towards the earth. Looking over to the side he saw Rayquaza drawing a bead on him and begin to turn towards him as he fell. With another mental command he attempted to activate his thrusters. When they failed to fire off he felt a mix a dread and confusion as the dragon approached, jaw open.

A Porygon appeared on his HUD, "Sir, acceleration at this point would prove fatal upon landing. Until contact with the ground has been established I have disabled your downward acceleration." The Pokemon said.

"FFFFFFFFFFFF- YOU STUPID PIECE OF-" Steven never got a chance to finish what he was saying as Rayquaza's jaw filled his vision.

Before the Pokemon could bite down Steve angled his body horizontal to the ground and felt his thrusters fire at his command. Accelerating out of the dragons mouth he felt the force of the bite close behind him. Using his thrust he then angled upwards and narrowly avoided the approaching arm of the dragon. Another burst from his pack and he moved towards the dragon as he saw it's tail swipe at the place where he would have been if he tried to get away.

Without missing a beat the dragon turned in place and angled itself for another pass. Steven was grateful it was arrogant enough to play with it's food as the legendary moved to attack him again. Knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge a second time Steven let himself relax and face the dragon's attack path. As Rayquaza approached Steven smiled and held out his left arm and gave the attacking dragon the finger.

"That's right, come on you dumb shit…" He said.

A second before Rayquaza could get Steven into his mouth the outstretched arm suddenly changed. It's fingers pulled back and it's palm opened up to reveal a barrel underneath. The fingers attached to the side of the wrist and locked the arm in place as Steven mentally loaded the gun on his arm. A blast with enough force to send his artificial arm shooting back came from the barrel and thousands of sharp metal needles shout outwards right at the dragon.

The shotgun blast hit exactly where Steven wanted to as the dragon screamed in pain as the metal shards scored a direct hit on the Pokemon's eye. It's attack thwarted Rayquaza fell off to the side howling in pain and agony as it tried to get the metal splinters out of it's eye. Steven used this time to angle himself downward and activate his hut.

"Landing zones!" He shouted at Porygon.

"None within range. Acceleration downwards requires water landing. All water frozen." The Pokemon replied.

"Isolate and locate." He said as he watched his HUD light up showing him where the lake was.

His arm reverting to it's normal form he grabbed his gun with both hands and aimed it downwards towards the water. Squeezing the trigger he felt the machine gun fire off a burst of shells from it's secondary clip. The bullets hit the ice of the lake and for a moment seemed to do nothing. Then the points of impact exploded with enough force to send chunks of ice into the air.

Steven then angled his body and straightened up as much as possible as he let the thrusters slow down his descent as much as possible. Closing his eyes and bracing for the impact he felt his feet his the water and in the next second his entire body was submerged. He felt the cold of the frozen like even through his warmed suit. Shooting downwards like bullet Steven let the water do the work of slowing him down so he didn't tax the backpack too much.

Eventually he felt his body slow and finally just float within the murky depths of the lake. He let his body relax and begin floating upwards. Turning around he got ready to swim towards the hole he had created when the entire surface of the lake cracked and burst inwards. Rayquaza's head shot downwards into the water and fired off a hyperbeam blind into the lake trying to destroy the offending Steven.

It was only luck and the fact that he hit the water at an angle that the beam didn't instantly incinerate him. It was luckier still that he was in Rayquaza's new blind spot. Adjusting his body he let himself go limp and float naturally. The dragon's head turned towards him and knew the eye was studying him intently. He could only hope playing dead would suffice.

For a moment it looked like the dragon wasn't satisfied. Then for some reason unknown to Steven it looked away, then snarled, and finally pulled it's head out of the water. He heard, even under the lake, the roar of the Pokemon and felt it leap off the ice into the sky.

Steven didn't dare move as he wondered if this was just a trick to bait him into moving. Eventually the cold of the lake began to get to him and he gave up playing dead. With broad stroked he swam to the surface and breached the top of the water. The snow was still falling around him and he knew he had to get out of the ice cold water.

With a mental command he felt his thrusters fire up and he shot out of the water. He only let the engines fire off for long enough to get onto the snow covered ice and he felt his knees buckle underneath him as he landed. Putting his hand forward he stopped his face from hitting the ice and he tried to calm his breathing. Eventually he disengaged his face mask and ripped off the visor so he could feel the ration pack he ate earlier come up and exit his mouth.

Wiping away the spittle of his heaving he reattached his mask and felt the regulated airflow enter his lungs again. It was designed to slowly adjust a trooper so the shock from going from high altitude to low wasn't as severe but there was only so much it could do.

After a few minutes he stood himself up on wobbly legs and made his way over towards the treeline. The blizzard raged around him and he felt a little more calm knowing that unless Rayquaza was directly on top of him he wouldn't be able to see any better than him in this storm. The only reason he knew he was heading towards the shore was that he didn't land in the ocean and that his point of entry into Sinnoh was likely the Acuity lake.

Eventually he made out trees ahead of him and he attempted to hurry towards them. The snow was deep, however, and he felt his legs weaken and his vision swim. Eventually he made it to the nearest tree only for his legs to give out and his body to fall down into the snow. He lay in the soft frozen fluff for a few minutes before his eyes began to droop and his vision darken. Steven wasn't sure if it was the dragon attack or more atmospheric sickness but right now the snow was more comfortable than a downy bed surrounded by blankets.

As he began to drift off Porygon monitored his troopers life support and readings for any anomalies. A basic computer designed for limited human interaction and mostly monitoring data it's sole purpose in life was to make sure the human didn't have to worry about unimportant things. While its human was passed out it went about its job as efficiently as it was able adjusting heat and warmth so its human both wouldn't freeze and so the falling snow would cover him up preventing detection.

It was a simple program but not simple enough to not take pride in it's work.