This whole entire mission was a death sentence from the start. Commander Briggs told me so from the very beginning. Yet I still took it upon my mantle. No one else seemed to sign up for this suicide run. In the end, I had nothing left to lose in this war. All the mission specifications were to drop right into the main testing facility on Typhon to probe the IMC defences and ground troops. With that, the main assault would go smoothly and precise with the gathered data. The survival rate however was less than 10%. If I survived the mission, I would simply get hauled back and live to fight another day for the Militia. But it seems I wouldn't be coming back from this mission. No, rather I would be deploying into another world where everything is just mind boggling.
"You ready sir?" the Sergeant asked me.
"Ready as I'll ever be Sherman". I replied to the maintenance man.
Sitting inside the cockpit of my Vanguard class Titan, final preparations were being made before I would be deployed onto Typhon.
"You ready for this KG". Sergeant Sherman asked the Titan.
"As long as the mission is upheld with Captain Pierce, I shall honourably die by his side trying". The Titan said proudly.
"Knew I could count on you KG". I patted the giant chassis, before it gave me a thumbs up.
"Hey Sherman, did you put in the upgrades I wanted?" I asked curiously.
"You mean illegally stealing and modifying a prototype power core and giving it to you so even though your Titan loses all battery packs you still can fight on for a couple of more months. Sure I did". The Sergeant replied with a grin.
Hearing the clatter of footsteps, the Sergeant came to attention and saluted the officer. Looking down, Major Anderson stood below like a dwarf with a smug look on his face. His hair looked like a mess.
"Captain Pierce, may you explain to me how one of the IMC's experimental power core was simply yanked from its crate and is now missing?" he asked with a peeved look.
"Uhhh. What do you mean stolen?" I replied in the most utter and terrible manner.
"Cut the bullshit Captain. You have it installed don't you?" He spoke in a serious tone.
"Yes sir. I do have it installed". I replied sternly.
"Well, lucky for you, we've reversed engineered the core and can start testing our own designs. In the meantime, you can keep it". The Major said.
"So I'm not getting any backlash for this sir?" I asked nervously.
"No, you wont. I think it would be a good opportunity to test it out and if you do make it back, I'll buy you drinks". The Major smirked.
With that, the Major waved and walked off before coming to a halt and turning around.
"Here, Commander Briggs told me you might find some this handy". He said before tossing the small device in the air.
As KG's giant hand moved in the air to catch the device, the Major sprinted off somewhere else.
"Thanks KG". I said as he handed me the device.
"No problem." It replied in a booming voice.
"What's this?" I asked while examining the odd device.
Clearly it was meant to be worn like a glove but a trigger could be seen and was activated via clenching one's fist.
"That Pilot Pierce, is the Warp shift device. It allows one to shift between dimensions on the battlefield. Making surprise attacks possible and to spread confusion". Krieg explained thoroughly.
"Sweet, IMC tech?" I asked.
"Stolen". Krieg answered.
"That's how things are on the frontier, but now, it's time we took back what was ours". Sergeant Sherman said whilst working on the finishing touches.
Within the next 2 hours KG-1375 was all kitted out and fully ready to go. Armed with the default Multi-target missile system like all Vanguard class Titans and with the Expedition load out, all was given to ensure that both Titan and Pilot would have a higher survival rate on the battlefield. Before I knew it, I was sitting inside KG's cockpit and was being prepped for Titanfall.
"You ready Pierce?" Commander Briggs asked through mu HUD.
"Yes Ma'am". I replied.
"Do us proud Pierce, you've cheated death more than once". She said before switching off the video.
As I leaned back in my seat, I pressed a few buttons here and there to do one final check. Hearing the alarms outside blaring, the doors below the Titan dropped open. Seeing everything happen through the display screen in front of me was like second nature. As giant mechanical arms moved me in place, a loud voice over the P.A commanded the sequence for Titanfall.
Bracing myself, the lights outside the launch bay blared green and the entire chassis just dropped like a meteorite towards the surface of Typhon. Using the rocket assisted thrusters during entry, I picked up speed and the chassis rocked violently.
"30 seconds till impact". KG said.
Within moments flak fire began to erupt all around us. As the chassis rocked even more, the fire was becoming more accurate with each passing second.
"Change of plans sir, I have to change our landing in order for us to survive". KG said.
Letting KG take the controls, the Titan shifted course by 2 degrees to the east. As the flak fire intensified, a shell managed to detonate near one of the rocket assisted thrusters and we lost control. As we began our spiral downwards, more explosions erupted around us and I felt like passing out.
"Pilot, we've been blown of course and are spiralling towards the Ark. I can't control the landing. Brace for impact!" KG said before we burst through the clouds and straight into the blue void. Everything went dark and silent as I felt my entire soul being yanked away from my body and into another state.
MISSION START: 06:35 HOURS
LOCATION: TYPHON
TIME CHECK: APPROX 13:45 WEATHER ANALYSIS
CURRENT LOCATION: UNKNOWN
PILOT STATUS: ALIVE
TITAN SERIAL KG-1375 STATUS: PEAK CAPACITY NO DAMAGE FOUND
RESTART IN PROGRESS...
As the sounds of mechanical whirs filled the cockpit, I was only half a awake at the time and my entire body felt like jelly. As my pain receptors kicked in, I yelled in pain as my entire body felt like it was stomped on by a Titan. Removing my helmet, I shook my head and gathered my thoughts. All I could remember was deploying onto Typhon and the next minute I was spiralling out of control.
"What happened. I swear my brain's dead". I groaned as a I massaged my temples.
"Pilot Pierce, I'm glad you're alright". KG said in a rather pleasant tone.
"KG!" I exclaimed with happiness. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"I am fine Captain. I am operating at full capacity". KG said.
"Quick! Contact Commander Briggs and tell her we're on the surface". I ordered KG.
"I have already tried that Pilot. It seems we have a problem". KG said.
"Is the IMC blocking all communications?" I asked.
"No Pierce, I believe that is not the case. It seems during our fall towards Typhon, we must've landed in the Ark or either the Fold Weapon and now I believe we have been hurled across the space time fabric". KG explained.
"I still don't get it, where are we?" I wondered.
"We're not on Typhon anymore Pilot. Our mission cannot be upheld; by the time we return to the 9th Militia they may already have finished the mission". KG said.
Leaning back in my seat, I wondered in awe as to how we could've found ourselves in such a mess. I shook my head trying to think it was all a dream, but it wasn't . This was the real deal. What turned into a suicide scouting mission ended up being a time travelling dimension jumping run.
"Please tell me we're not alone on some random planet in the middle of a sector that hasn't been explored by a space faring civilisation". I groaned.
"It wouldn't seem that way Pilot". KG blurted out.
Perking my head up in excitement, I wondered what he meant. "What do you mean?"
"The planet's biosphere contains sources enough to sustain animal life. Carbon Dioxide emissions are fairly stable and air is non-toxic. Flora and Fauna are blooming quite well". LG explained.
"Well that's some good news". I said cheerfully. "But is there any human or something with the intelligence of a human even exist?"
"According to my quick survey, I managed to pick up low levels of radio waves on the electro magnetic spectrum. They do exist which highly implies advanced life". KG said.
"If that is true, then it's too good. I say we carefully investigate this source and confirm your findings". I said. "For all we know, maybe these beings may be hostile".
"Duly noted Pilot". KG said.
"For now, lets see if we can find a way to get back with the 9th Militia". I ordered.
"Shall I take the controls? Your body scans show multitudes of stress exerted on it. Rest is advised". KG said in a worried tone.
"I'm fine KG". Letting out a faint chuckle. "Besides, I think a bit of walking around might help me regain my senses".
As the neural link activated, I felt as if the Titan's limbs we're my own and I started trekking through the foliage. With the assistance of KG's movements and my own, Titan and Pilot became one with the link. Smashing branches and pushing trees aside like they were nothing; the 40ton behemoth strode through the dense forest with ease.
"Hey KG, how long have we served together?" I asked curiously.
"We have been together for 634 days, 9 hours, 34 minutes and 12 seconds". KG replied.
"Wow, it's been that long? Time flies huh?" I said in disbelief.
"It certainly does" KG said.
"You know KG, I consider you as family. You're like the best brother and friend I've had in my entire life". I told him truthfully.
"I appreciate you're consideration Pilot. I haven't experienced such things as family". KG said.
"Hey now, everyone is considered family. Titan and Pilots. Even grunts. We're all special to each other. We fight for one big cause". I told him.
"Thank you Pilot Pierce, that was quite the statement". KG said in a happy tone.
"Do you experience emotions KG?" I asked.
"I have told you before Pierce, I have a certain degree in understanding and producing emotions. So yes I can be happy or sad, but that is optional on my part. If emotions will affect the mission and cause harm to my Pilot, I shall render them as distractions". LG replied.
"Well, I keep forgetting that". I said. "So what if these beings we run into are hostile?"
"That is up to you Pilot, I can merely suggest how to curb the diplomatic situation. But if you wish, I can do the communication". KG said.
"That won't be necessary KG, if anything I doubt they'd try and pick a fight with an SRS Pilot let alone a Vanguard Titan". I said proudly.
"Confidence is a good approach for any situation Pilot Pierce". KG said.
As KG and I strode through the forest, scans began to show up on the HUD indicating unknown signatures. Marked as red blips on the map, I counted 3 blips in total but was instantly followed by 1 more then another and another before the entire radar was filled with red. Gripping the controls tightly, KG deployed the XO-16 chaingun in response to the growing threat.
"Are missiles ready to go?" I asked sternly.
"Ready to deploy on command. Targeting matrix operational". KG replied.
"Let's do this like we always do KG". I said before aiming the Chaingun into the forest.
As we sat there in silence, audio receptors picked up tiny bird chirps and echoes of the tiny animals. If anything, we simply were covered with thick layers of trees and leaves. While that contributed to our concealment, that didn't stray the fact that we were still expecting company ahead of us. The radar still showed the red blips on screen but no signs of them.
"Where are they?" I asked softly.
"It seems they are reluctant to make the first move on us". KG answered.
"I have an idea KG". I said before flipping a few switches. "Redirect power from the main reactor to the dash boosters now".
"Done". KG said almost immediately.
"Alright, I'm going to make a huge leap over these trees and see if there's any open ground. Once we land, divert the power back and keep me updated". I said before gripping the controls.
"Understood Pilot". KG replied.
As the thrusters stood on standby, I stood the chassis up and leaped into the air. Rising almost 20 feet into the air, a large open terrain could be seen just a few more yards. Crashing back down into the forest, the 40 ton chassis crushed the branches and landed with a huge thump on the ground. Dashing forward almost immediately, I broke through the forest and found myself in a vast open ground.
The sky grew darker and the wind began to pick up speed. The open space wasn't open space at all upon a second glance. Houses that were dwarfed by the Titan stood in ruins and so were several other buildings that arched for the sky. A noticeable church and a large deformed house, possibly an inn, lay in complete ruins. From the most obvious scene, all the buildings were charred black indicating maybe a forest fire swept through. But that wouldn't even be possible since the trees surrounding the area remained untouched.
"Any ideas what happened?" I asked while thoroughly analysing the scene.
"Possible fire outbreak engulfed the town and died out shortly after". KG answered. "But that is highly unlikely, these burn marks are fresh, a few hours old to say the least. Someone or something came through with a chemical weapon".
"Any signs of those blips we spitted on the radar?" I asked while checking the HUD only to find it empty. "What? Where did they go?"
"They disappeared the moment we made contact with this village, scanners can't pick them up anymore". KG responded.
"Any signs of life?" I asked.
As KG pointed a mechanical finger towards my right, a body lay motionless on the gravel. Moving from my seat, the neural link disconnected and KG's cockpit hatch flew open allowing me to jump out. As KG stood by and watched the perimeter, I headed over to the body and began examining it.
Seeing as it was a male, I gently handled the body. Checking for any pulse, the body showed no sign of life. Looking at the face, it looked like he had the biggest shock of his life before dying. His plain white polo shirt had a huge gnash across his chest. Blood stained his shirt and had dried on. What puzzled me was that there was no puddle of blood around him.
"It seems an animal killed the poor sod". I clambered before standing up.
"Pilot, wind speed has picked up to 34m/s towards the West". KG bellowed.
"Time to get back inside I guess". I said while heading towards KG.
Using the jump kit, I propelled myself towards KG's hands before he grabbed me and put me inside the cockpit. As the hatch sealed shut, the neural link became established and I gained control over KG once more.
"Pilot, I have done a quick scan of the village, several bodies similar to the one you examined lay in the same state. These people have been murdered by animals". KG said grimly.
"Doesn't explain the fire though. Are you telling me dragons exist on this planet?" I scoffed.
"This entire scenario is open to discussion. But I would suggest keeping that for later, I am detecting multiple targets inbound. Heat signatures registered". KG said in a quick manner while raising the Chaingun and deploying the Multi-rocket system.
As a flock of birds took the skies to avoid the oncoming danger, the sky darkened even more to set a dreadful mood. As the combat alarms blared inside the cockpit, I flipped the switch to turn it off so I could better concentrate. As the radar showed red dots coming in the endless waves, it was only a matter of time before they broke the tree lines and showed themselves, whatever they were. Seeing the trees being pushed aside and the ground visible rumbling from the forced vibrations, I gripped the Chaingun anxiously but was prepared nevertheless.
Hearing a loud roar like the sound of a space whale mating with its significant other fill the air, it pierced my ears as the external microphones picked up every detail of it. The sound still echoed in my head even though it died down already. As the final layers of trees were brushed aside like paper, I caught my first glimpse of the thing that made that horrific sound.
"Dear Lord, what is that?" I asked in utter bewilderment.
Greetings folks. I do have to apologize for suddenly simply disappearing and stopped writing stories only to simply pop back up and publish a totally new one. As such, life got in the way, I just came back from deployment after spending time at sea. But any how, I can at least get back with writing at least. Now then, this fanfic has been sitting on the shelf, might as well kick it off.
Now for some specs
Titan serial: KG-1375 Kilo-Golf-one-three-seven-five
Age:2 years
Class:Vanguard (personal modifications)
Pilot Name: Andrew Pierce
Age:27