The battle of Troy was barely a victory, but it gave us enough. The IMC officer who became our High Command, giving us a chance to win this entire thing. A former IMC pilot who was last seen in Angel city. Intel suggests he's a drunkard, but command says he's vital. They would have us drop into the Harbour district in groups, and scour the bars to find him. If only it could be as easy as that.

-Pilot Tessa Jones, MCOR

District 12. Never thought I'd see home again so soon. Too bad circumstances couldn't be better. I stifled a sigh as I walked down the street. Following behind me was my partner Rodriguez. The commander had pulled many Angel City residents prior to the war into the operation, all for some retired IMC.

Two doors down from the place, I stopped. "So how we gonna do this?" I peered into the shop we had just stopped infront of. If anybody saw us from inside, they would probably assume we were window-shopping.

"I'll head in first. The chance of someone recognising me is low, but it's still better to be safe." I gestured at the store, pretending to draw his attention to an item on display. "Come in after 3 minutes. Communicators on, I'll warn you if things get heated."

He shook his head, speaking in a voice slightly above a whisper. "Will do. See you in 3."

I turned away from the shop, walking further down the street until I reached a bar, the sign above the door, announcing the place as Days Past, muffled sounds coming from inside. I pushed through the door, letting it shut behind me as I scanned the room, which already had people inside.

Didn't matter that it was barely past noon, people still found reasons to drink.

I was about to put on a smile when my gaze fell onto the man in the back. He sat at the corner table, an untouched mug in front of him. Silver jacket, patch on the left side of his chest, a red triangle with the three letters…

"IMC" I whispered. When the man looked up and saw me staring, I quickly moved my gaze. I could hear Rodriguez questioning me through the earpiece, obviously as surprised as I was about the presence of an IMC soldier. "I'll distract him when you come in to get the data." I whispered, shrugging off my coat to cover my talking.

I walked up to the bar, ignoring the gazes of the group of men in the bar that were obviously staring at me in less than… amiable ways.

As their conversations started again, I ordered a drink, before moving to the IMC soldier's table. "Mind if I…" I gestured at the chair opposite him. He waved at it, and taking it as assent, I sat down with my hands on my lap.

Before I could think of something to start a conversation, he took the initiative.

"It's been a while Tessa. How you've been?" I froze, catching myself from reaching for the p2011 in my pocket. How the hell… Why would the IMC know about me? Oh god what if there's a bounty on me, I've barely been in combat…

"You don't recognise me? Have I really changed that much?" I pulled myself out of my speculations, taking the time to study the man in front of me. Brown hair loomed over his startling blue eyes that stared back into mine. He had a lopsided grin, and a scar that travelled from just below his lips to the right side of his neck…

My breath hitched as realisation dawned. "A-Alex?" His widening grin was my answer. I shot up from my seat as he stood up. I launched myself into his arms, embracing him tightly. I melted into him as he returned the favour, before he pulled away, chuckling as he laid a hand on my head. "You've grown taller." He noted.

I rolled my eyes, absently noting Rodriguez entering the bar. "No shit. It's been years since I've seen you."

I sat back down as he returned to his seat. "Yeah". He looked down at the glass infront of him. "6 years. So, what've you been up to?" His tone switched, his grin back on his face. "Found a boyfriend yet?"

My face reddened as I tried to make coherent words, while he laughed openly. "Jerk" I muttered, kicking his shin. "Still the same little girl." He wiped the tears from his eyes. "So, story time. What's changed since I've gone?"

I paused. What do I tell him? "Well the house is gone. IMC took it. I moved in with some friends in another place." Not technically a lie, but not the full truth either. He nodded, a frown on his face.

"Do- Do you want the house back?" He hesitantly asked. I paused, staring at him. "Well, I can probably pull some strings, since the amount I sent back wasn't enough, I'll just offer something else." He shrugged.

"No! um, there's no need to do that." I reassured him. To take his mind off it, I told him off what else happened over the years. The friends I made, the things I've learnt, everything but the Militia. He listened attentively, asking a few questions every now and then, often teasing me whenever I brought up a male name.

"…And yeah, that's pretty much it." I summed up the years. He nodded, making a humming sound. As the silence grew, I asked him. "What about you? How's the IMC?"

He grimaced, before shrugging. "It's just work I guess. Though some of the planets they throw us on are really crossing the line." I laughed. "Really? Since when did the one and only Alexander Miller have standards on planets?"

His face devolved into a scowl. "Maybe when the place is nothing but sand for miles. Maybe when the wildlife is trying to kill us. Maybe it's when the bloody Civs turn into suicide bombers and drop buildings on us! Or…" He trailed off, taking a deep breath.

I sat there silently, watching the man infront of me calm down. He's a pilot. Why does he have to be a pilot? Did I kill a few million people in my previous life?

"I'm sorry." His voice drew me back to reality. "You don't deserve my anger, it's just…" He trailed off again.

"Dead end. The owner doesn't know where Barker is." Rodriguez's voice saved me from attempting to salvage the conversation. "Frustrating? I understand." I talked slowly, before glancing at the watch on my wrist, faking a gasp. "Oh, is it already this late? I promised to help my friends with something." I stood up, turning around as I pulled my jacket on.

"Wait, no!" He gripped my arm. Rodriguez stiffened at the bar, hand sliding underneath his coat. I stared into his eyes as his grip loosened. "Please" He half-whispered. "Just- just a little longer." He was shaking. His eyes that were once tranquil like the sea, looked to have a storm brewing.

I hesitated, before nodding once, sitting back down. "They'll just have to wait for me at the place then." I smiled at Alex, hoping that Rodriguez got my hint and started moving.

He heaved a sigh, sinking back into his chair, burying his face into his hands. I pushed the glass towards him. "Drink up. You'll feel better."

He looked up, a small smile on his face. "I thought I'm supposed to be the older sibling here." He sighed. "That's not for me though." He sighed again, looking at me.

"Do you remember what mom and dad said?" I nodded mutely. They had told me to listen to Alex, and that even if he's not my real brother, that he'll look after me all the same. "When those people led them away, I was furious. Who were these IMC shits to take them away." He shook his head. "Then 5 years later I enlisted to join them."

He smiled, as if remembering that time. "You had just turned 16, and I was running away to the people who stole them from us. I promised to call you, and we both know that didn't happen."

He shook his head. "I was fast-tracked to Pilot training due to some recommendation. After the training, from a course of 300, only 4 others and myself made it out. And from there we were thrown into the war." He stopped, looking at me as if to gauge my reaction. I laid my hand over his. Comforting people was never my strong suit. He held it gently, as if afraid if he grasped it too hard, I would break.

"My partner, Jacobs. He was from Angel city too. He liked the people, but preferred the beer more." He chuckled before he turned his gaze downwards. "I was supposed to cover for him. I told him the Civs weren't a threat when he wanted to threaten them to get them out of the area. I wasn't fast enough when the explosions hit." He tightened his grip, making me gasp unconsciously. "He pushed me out of the way, before the entire thing came down. We couldn't even get him out because they kept throwing themselves at us."

"When we got back to the Sentinel, we were granted leave to sort things out, and since we were both from the city, I was s'posed to notify the family. They- well they didn't take it well."

"I can imagine."

He nodded slowly, releasing his grip on my hand. "Honestly, things like this is probably why Barker got this way."

My breath hitched. "Barker? Who's that?" I asked slowly.

"You don't know him?" He raised his brows. "He's regarded as a sort of hero here. Veteran of the Titan wars, took to the drink afterwards. Although I can kind of understand why now." He muttered the last part.

It was him. The new commander had made it clear that the man would be vital to his plans, and yet, despite Rodriguez pestering her to get a location in her ear, I wanted to stop this. To have to use Alex for information when he was suffering through his emotions.

But peace came first. The peace that only the Militia could provide.

"Why not go and find him then? He probably has advice and ways to cope."

"Yeah, I'd prefer not to get shit-faced this early in the day." He snorted. "and besides, he's made it clear that he'd rather not have youngblood like me bust into the bar down at 5th."

"Ah"

He nodded slowly, before sighing. "I shouldn't keep you for longer." He stood up, pulling me into a hug. "Sorry about the house. I know how much you wanted to keep it for them." He murmured.

I pulled away, smiling. "It's fine Alex. At least I still have you."

"I don't know about that." He shrugged, looking off to the side. "I have a feeling this war Ain't going to be nice to either of us."

As I left the bar, I was pulled to the side. When we entered into an alleyway, Rodriguez turned around.

"The commander's been informed of Barker's location, our gear's back at the safehouse. But more importantly, what the hell was that Jones?"

I tilted my head to the side. "What do you mean? I just talked to him."

"Do you know who that was. That's Alex Miller." Seeing my confused face, he continued. "The Crimson stryder? Bright Star? He's bloody rank 6 on the threat list!" He threw his hands up in frustration.

"I- I see." I started off towards the safe house, Rodriguez following me soon after.

"I've informed the commander of his presence, but the operation's still green. We're to suit up and join the distraction.

I numbly nodded. Had all these years really changed him that much to be considered a high-level threat?

"Friendlies coming out"

Rodriguez and I stepped out from the alleyway, walking over to the waiting party. I caught a glimpse of a person being lowered into the sewers, as the commander and one other followed.

"Jones, Rodriguez. Nice of you to join us." A voice came from the nearby titan. I lazily waved at him while my partner gave a brief nod. "Captain Hainey. Ready to serve."

"Good." The titan stood up, unholstering it's autocannon and turning around. "Let's buy them some time."

At the top of my HUD, Bish's face lit up. "All pilots, keep the IMC distracted until we get the all clear. Good luck." His face was replaced with MacAllan's. "Good luck people, give'em hell." The transmission winked out of view, as the sound of gunfire filled the streets.

I ran forward into a building, ducking behind a desk as a few IMC grunts ran past. As they passed me, I stood up, levelling my Spitfire at their backs. The gun barrel jerked upwards as I mowed down the grunts who had hardly enough time to shout a warning to their friends.

As the last body hit the ground, I turned and sprinted up the stairs. Taking two steps at a time, I took a look at the fighting outside.

Almost instantly, a shot pinged off the windowsill. I swore, pulling my head back. Well, if that's how they want to play…

I started running down the stairs, activating my cloak as I did so. One shot at this.

I left the building just as an IMC titan fired both a Rocket salvo and it's Chaingun at the building. I took a deep breath, watching as the titan turned to fire upon a group of our riflemen that had just turned the corner.

Half of them were nothing but red mist before they ducked behind cover. I took a deep breath, firing out of my cloak and killing the grunts and spectres that was following the Atlas. I jumped up to the balcony beside it before using my jump kit to get on top of it.

As I landed on it's back, the titan remained focused on the riflemen down the street. "At least it doesn't have smoke" I pulled out a loose panel, quickly unloading into the circuitry.

The titan stopped firing at the group as it spun, first to the left, then to the right. Smoke seeped through its armour as the inner systems got damaged, before eventually, the whole thing caught fire.

"Good work Pilot, you just doomed an Atlas" Bish's face popped up, before quickly disappearing as the titan stopped moving.

I quickly jumped off the top as the hatch opened up, the pilot inside ejecting into the gunfire from the riflemen down the street. "Hooah pilot!"

I reloaded my gun, smiling as the Riflemen thanked me, before running off through the back-alleys.

A hand grabbed me by my shoulder as I passed a doorway. I turned around to see a fist headed for my face. I fell back dazed as an IMC pilot jumped on top of me, knife already plunging towards my chest.

I grabbed the blade, wincing as it cut open my palm, as we struggled. "All you Rebels think about is yourselves, so why don't you make it easier now and just die!" He snarled, pushing downwards with more force.

I got my feet up, and kicked him off me, rolling away to a safe distance. He grunted as he hit a wall, eyes never leaving me. "You bring nothing but chaos to the frontier and yet, you don't know when it's over."

BOOM

I winced at the sound, looking upwards at the cause. My eyes widened as I saw it. The IMS Sentinel, a super carrier. I turned my attention back to the pilot infront of me, who was… taking the time to gloat?

"Look at that and tremble rebel scum. The IMC will not back down to the likes of you." He gripped his knife, pulling it forward. "We will make you suffer. Just like you did to us." He dashed forward. I raised my arm to block his jab, ducking under his swings, before he raised his leg and kicked me into the wall.

I gasped as the air left my lungs, grasping weakly at the knife that was now pressed against my chest once more. No way out of this one. I tried mom, dad. I'm too weak to avenge you. I'm sorry…

A shot. The force behind the knife disappeared. I opened my eyes in surprise, only to see the pilot falling to the side.

"What kind of Bullshit death were you trying to pull?" I looked at the entrance of the alleyway. Standing there was a Militia pilot, his Wingman barrel smoking. "Th-Thanks." I went to pick up my Spitfire, wincing as the pain from my hand worsened.

"You got your titan ready?" I nodded, holding the LMG loosely. "Well call it in then. We've been hammering them, but I'd rather take no chances."

A few seconds later, a pod came down, crashing outside the alleyway. I ran up to the Ogre-class, jumping up as it reached up and put me inside the cockpit. "Pilot mode engaged" a soothing voice called out.

I unholstered the autocannon from my titan, just as my rescuer popped out, his own Atlas following him with a quad rocket on hand. "Ready to get back in the fight Pilot?"

I advanced down main street, shooting at any grunts that poked their heads out from cover, and occasionally taking pot-shots at the pilots who were running on the rooftops. Whoever I missed and didn't kill were cleaned up by the other Pilot and his titan next to me.

Suddenly, chatter erupted from my headset. "All militia forces, 3rd merchant fleet at your service. We'll take it from here."

I looked up to see our hornets swarm the carrier with the assistance of the newly arrived cruisers. With the fire being concentrated on the back-left engines, the shields sputtered out, resulting in them shutting down, leaving the ship listing towards its side.

"Good job pilots, the IMC are in full retreat, and the package is secure. Pack it up." Bish congratulated us as the remaining IMC retreated back into their Goblin, warping away.

I got out of my pilot, heaving a sigh of relief. "You did well there."

I turned to see the pilot from the alleyway approach me. I nodded in thanks, reaching out with my non-injured hand. "Tessa Jones, MCOR."

He reached out and grasped my hand, and as we shook, he introduced himself. "Captain Kay Anderson, MCOR."

So I took a look at Titanfall fanfics, and figured, hey why not. I'm thinking of having this story told from different perspectives, more so of the people who's excerpts/thoughts will be featured in the starting part of the chapters

I should probably say this now: I do not own Titanfall, and neither have I played it. What I'm writing this for is due to me reading other Titanfall fanfics, E.g. The architects saga, Titanfall: The losing side, Winter soldier and it's sequel. I read those stories, and it interested me enough that I looked at the universe that inspired those stories. A Universe that, as I am writing this, still very much unexplored.

Maybe this is why I'm writing this, maybe not. All I know is this is probably the longest Author's note I have written, and will probably write