Seasons
Disclaimer/Author's Note: I do not own Armored Core. These characters are mine.
Seasons
Written by: Yours truly.
Prologue
Sixty years have passed since the National Dismantlement War. Since then, the six Companies have maintained a poor representation of tranquility under a false peace. This false peace was established approximately thirty years after the National Dismantlement War. This is because around that time, all of the "Next" pilots had either been assassinated, or died of natural causes. It is widely suspected that the six Companies banded together to achieve the goal of ridding the world of advanced "Ravens." This extinction lead to the loss of the special psychic trait that could control the "Allegorical Manipulation System," which allowed Ravens to pilot Nexts. Because of the extermination of these people, the primary weapon for all military groups has reverted back to "Normals," since no one alive can pilot "Nexts."
Recently, the six companies were forced to band together as one due to two aspects of current life. One: For the past five years, the massive amount of fuel being burned off into the air has caused an eternal winter to occur inside of the Earth's atmosphere. Two: Financial problems had begun to arise within each of the Corporations because of this eternal, permanent winter. This one company has accepted the name of simply, "Hex." The Hex Organization has a militaristic hold on the nations of the world, and uses their powerful influence to control all aspects of political and welfare culture.
Since no Ravens alive can pilot the overwhelmingly powerful Nexts, Hex has little to nothing to fear from petty groups who have simple Normals. Only Hex has the strongest and most disciplined Ravens to pilot their own, personalized Normals. Despite these facts, several rebellions occur around the world every year to hopefully relinquish the hold that Hex has on their country. All have ended in failure. As it stands in history, it seems that Hex will be controlling the world for a very long time.
Prelude Chapter I : March 8, 62 ANDW
In Southeast Asia, a Hex military base is stationed to monitor and govern trade routes between the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean regions. The base was surrounded by forest on all sides, except the west. From the west, a clear view of the mountains was in place. A very rare rainfall began to occur in this remote location. It was rare indeed, considering not only their placement behind mountainous area, but also due to the permanent climate. It was quite early in the morning, no later than ten.
"This is Red 2, this is Red 2. I'm reporting an unidentified moving vehicle heading towards the base. It is approximately one hundred kilometers away moving at one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour. I am awaiting command's orders," voiced a regularly stationed MT pilot at the edge of the base.
"Issue a warning to either identify itself or change course," spoke a commanding officer over the intercom.
"Rodger that. Attention unidentified vehicle, you are about to enter the vicinity of a Hex military base. You are either to identify yourself or change your course. If you refuse to comply with either of these requests, then this military base under the influence of Hex will not be liable for your safety," demanded the guard. After ten seconds, no response was made. "Sir, the vehicle has increased its speed dramatically! It is now moving at five hundred kilometers per hour!"
"What?! That's insane! Your radar must be damaged!"
"I have already made the necessary-- Something has breached the woods! It has launched six…no, eight projectiles! What in the world is this?! It's moving faster than its own missiles!" The pilot then began to fire on this unknown vehicle. In a few short seconds, the head of this vehicle was only a few feet from the MT. The pilot's mouth dropped in fear and awe.
"Red 2? Red 2! Report now," yelled the commanding officer!
This unknown, humanoid vehicle stood in front of the MT for a split second, then boosted its way skyward.
"Was that a N-- A…ahh," screamed the pilot as the eight missiles bombarded him!
"This is an order from Commander Hines, all stationed Normals are to sortie! All MTs stay on guard! This unknown craft may have allies," demanded the commander. However, his efforts were in vain. This vehicle had already had its way with the MTs on guard, and briefly made its way into the Normal's hangar. Once there, this unidentified craft would have destroyed all enemy forces. The Ravens never had a chance to sortie.
In a matter of minutes, the once thriving trade regulating military base of Hex was torn to the ground by one, single unknown entity.
Prelude Chapter II : March 4, 62 ANDW
It has been thirty years since the last Raven could pilot a superiorly advanced mechanism called a "Next." Since then, a grotesque and false peace has arisen in the world. Hex, the leading company in the world, has gained a stronghold on military and trade regulations. The citizens of the world should not be forced to abide by a single entity's commands.
Allegorical Manipulation System. It is this system that prevents Ravens from piloting the all-powerful Nexts. It allows a pilot with a certain inborn psychic trait to take command of the highly advanced Nexts. I am able to use this system.
Ever since the extermination of Ravens that could pilot Nexts, scientists have been illegally testing through viral and genetic experimentation. Through these experiments, several of my siblings were harvested, and eventually tossed away. I am the only successful product of this research. However, even I am not the desired end result. I was born in an artificial womb, and through countless changes to my DNA structure and my genetic makeup in general, my lifespan has been greatly reduced. The scientists who created me suspect I have approximately one more year to live.
Through the seventeen years I have spent on this planet, I cannot say that I am at all impressed. I have been surrounded by political philosophers and physical trainers to keep my mind and body trained. I live by my superiors' orders, and that is all. Although I protest against war in general, I cannot sit idly by and watch as this planet plummets further down into a disgusting hell guarded by a false, putrid peace. If true peace is to be obtained, it must be done so by fighting. Peace that has come by simple militaristic overrule, fear, and financial power? That is not peace.
My superiors have not been able to produce another like me, even though they use the same amount of genetic altering on more and more test subjects. They continually test my blood, brainwaves, and pulse to check for advancements in my body's schematics. They fear that once I die, all of their success will be lost. That, however, is not my problem. I only wish to rid the world of a horrible reign of dictatorship, and the quickest way to do so would be to follow my superiors' orders and crush Hex piece by piece. Currently, I am the ultimate weapon, simply because I am not human. I plan on eventually eliminating these rebellious scientists, so that another like me will not be produced. No one should be forced to live the same lifestyle that I have. I have the power to make a difference, so once I leave this world, I hope that what I have done will influence the course of history. In order to do this, I will take upon the title of, "Raven."