Terminology
MT - The Muscle Tracer (MT) is the precursor to the Armored Core. MTs are the most frequent enemies in the storyline, aside from other ACs. They come in various varieties, such as mobile gun turrets, powered suits, tank-like quadrupeds, and much more. Some MTs even resemble Armored Cores. Certain variations of MTs are transformable, such as the Scimitar MT, which has the capability to transform from a bipedal unit with a large top to a very fast and agile hit-and-run fighter.The Scimitar MT possesses moderate weapons capabilities, though a squad or two of the Scimitar can easily destroy an unwary Armored Core.
Cored MT Unit[ Armored Core - The full name for a Muscle Tracer that is not mass-produced as a single unit in bulk, Cored MT Units are much more powerful than their counterparts and are built differently. Instead of a single set of parts being used, and different models of the MT being built, an Armored Core is built from several different interchangeable parts, to allow maximum customization by their pilots. Some Armored Cores have also been custom made, and the corporations have not reproduced their parts. Comprised of head, core, arms, legs, boostes fcs, extension, inside and optional parts. They are said to be an extention of the pilots soul, no two are alike.
Raven's Ark - The successor to Global Cortex in the region in which the story takes place. Like its previous incarnations, the Ark (as its known in shorthand), is a neutral "mediation" organization responsible for setting up contracts between Ravens and the Corporations. The Ark has one primary stipulation: Ravens shall not directly accept a contract from a client without going through the Ark first.
Mirage - The largest and most powerful of the corporations. Despite their impressive strength, Mirage is still expanding into the region and is meeting with fierce opposition from Navis, a smaller corporation already heavily entrenched in the region. Mirage has its eye on Navis' unique assets and is not above starting a war to acquire them.
Crest - The second largest corporation behind Mirage. Crest is also working its way into the region but seems to be too concerned with self-defence and preservation than to stick its nose in the escalating conflict between Mirage and Navis, at least not too often. If push comes to shove though, Crest has an army of private AC pilots led by the intimidating Raven pilot known as Genobee ready to step into the fray.
Kisaragi - One of the smaller corporations. Kisaragi is a technical innovator always on the look out to acquire new resources and refurbish lost technologies to help their advancement. Kisaragi remains a primarily selfish and opportunistic player, offering aid in one hand and striking out with the other when the time is right. They have a small alliance with Navis for the time being.
Navis - A new corporation formed very recently. Navis has a monopoly on a new resource and control over the region of the world where this resource can be found. Their all out refusal to divulge any information on this resource or share it with the other corporations have lead to rivalries and even conflicts with the other corporations. Mirage is proving to be Navis' chief rival.
USE - A local weapons and MT manufacturer. USE tries not to involve itself in the current conflict and continues to remain neutral and focus only on MT research and development.
Organization for Administrating Enterprise (OAE) - A bureaucratic organization designed to police the corporations and keep them all in check. The organization is quite ineffective and is often bullied into complying with the wishes of the larger corporations. Mirage constantly uses the OAE to its own advantage.
Ravens- The mercenary pilots of the large armored mecha known as AC's, the majority are freelance and work whatever jobs are available for the best pay. But some are fiercely loyal to certain companies alone and will only accept jobs from them.
Operator- A person designated to a specific raven. Their job is to relay mission information, updates and provide any assistance the raven requires.
Introduction
A young boy stood alone in a desolate wasteland that was once a sprawling city. The city of Paris. Over the distant din of war his plaintive cries could be heard, 'Maman! Maman?!' He took several steps forward through the rubble and tripped over some debris, cutting one side of his face badly as he hit the ground. However, he did not cry but painstakingly got to his feet and continued his search for his mother as the blood coursed down his face. He called out again, and the noticing the area he was in was somewhat familiar he started to limp along more quickly. He stopped suddenly...and looked forward at a house - his home, or what was left of it stood smoking. Part of an AC was buried in the rubble and it looked almost impossible that anyone was left alive there. He slowly made his way to the ruin and peered through a broken window at the carnage inside. He froze...there was a a body, half exposed lying beneath all the rubble, a very familiar body. He rushed through the broken window getting small cuts and scrapes and raced towards the broken form. It was his mother, and beneath her his little sister. It appeared that she had died trying to save the young one but to no avail. He stoof over there bodies for a moment before crumpling to his knees. Tears flowed down his face, mixing with the blood still there creating a horrid mask of sorrow. Then the sobs came, heartwrenching cries of pain. He cried for what seemed like hours, and as he was so focuses on his inner pain, he did not notice the world around him. He didn't notice as a black AC marched up from behind and stood there watching him. He didn't notice as it lowered its weapon towards him. Finally after so long he looked backwards into the single red eye of the AC and said to it, 'Did...did you do this?' The AC didn't respond, it just stood there gun lowered, its crimson eye seemingly mocking him. Tears of anger and hate began to well in his eyes and he screamed in rage as a bright light enveloped him...
'BLANC! Wake the fuck up, incoming!!!' Sikas yelled over the comlink.
'Shit.' Blanc replied calmly, before no less than 8 missiles collided into him 'killing' him instantly.
'Alright get them out of there,' a voice said over the intercom. And suddenly the battlefield hologram vanished and was replaced by a mid sized room with several surly looking attendants and a downright livid director.
'What the hell was that Blanc?' Sarah Morris asked him sweetly. Sarah Morris, director of the ARK's testing facilities. A cool character, she knew she wanted this position and went straight for it. Apparently sleeping with the right set of people gets you places hard work and determination don't...but thats another story.
'Well ma'am, me 'n' Sikas here were...' Sikas interrupted him at the mention of his name.
'Hell no don't bring me into the equation that was all you buddy, all you.' And with that he walked out of the room, but not before giving a two finger salute to his girl who was in the room, after which he promptly walked into the doorframe. She giggled, while he continued out looking slightly mollified. 'Good ole Sikas' Blanc thought fondly. He turned back to face the current problem at hand, Ms. Screw-You-For-A-Promtion.
'As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupte...' A knock sounded at the doorframe Sikas had recently imprinted with his body. An attendant was now standing there, giving a little bow of respect to Ms. Morris he walked over to Blanc and said, 'You've got an important mission today sir, I was ordered to come get you right away so you can prep and complete all necessary customizations to your AC now.' He handed Blanc his mission details and other important documents regarding the job. Blanc looked up at Ms. Morris with a a litte grin and before he could open his mouth she said to him, 'Go...just go...', in an exasperated voice. He tipped her a wink and headed out towards the hangar. On the way through the Ark Blanc ran into many a raven he knew and stopped with some of them to chat about going-ons in the world and such. He looked over through the group in the common area and noticed Evangel and Ammo having a spirited conversation...he was tempted to join them but he did have a mission waiting with Sikas and...'Ah crap' he thought to himself, 'I'm late already'. So instead of going over and havig a drink with the two rivals over there he just gave them a wave and sped off towards the hanger.
'Your late.' Sikas said in disdain, ' come on we gotta get all our gear loaded and locked so we can get to the dropzone on time, and I'll be damned if we're late!'
'Alright alright mother, no worries we're fine,' Blanc chuckled as he threw an arm around Sikas' shoulders. The two of them went way back, all the way back to the orphanage where they both spent the early part of their childhoods growing up. As friends they were inseparable, as partners they were untouchable.
'Alright I'm gonna go suit up, meet you back here in 5 bud.' Blanc said. Sikas nodded nonchanlantly, and stared up at his AC, his pride and joy, Dragonuv. A long range AC, the green and black behemoth sported a long range sniper rifle in its right hand and in its left a shorter ranged but more powerful sniper rifle. Many ravens in the beginning had mocked this design due to its apparent lack of close combat weaponry, but after noting the degree of accuracy Sikas possessed when it came to these dual sniper rifles, the talk soon stopped. Mounted on the back of Dragunov was yet another high powered weapon. 1 shoulder mounted laser rifle on the left and extra ammo tank on the right to compensate for possible missed shots. However, Sikas did not miss.
Blanc returned in a matter of minutes, 'Alright we good to go?' 'Mhmm', came the reply. Blanc walked up to his AC, and stared at it a moment before taking the stairs up to the cockpit. Noir, to remind him of his past he had named his AC after the black darkness which possessed his heart as he fought. The stark white AC Noir was a close-mid range model, and excelled at it as Dragunov excelled at long range. Equipped with dual chainguns, at close range it was a force to be reckoned with. Mounted on its back were 1 set of vertical missiles and a set of titan missiles. The latter had ended a good many decisive battles. Blanc settled himself into the cockpit and performed his systems check, as he watched Sikas do the same thing from with his AC. Over the hanger intercom a voice spoke, 'AC's Noir and Dragunov you are cleared for launch, have a good one boys!.' The overheard buzzed, then went silent. Blanc said to Sikas over comlink, 'I wonder who we'll be having today as our operator?'
'Who knows?' Sikas said with a smirk.
'...Why are you smili...' Blanc began.
'Hiiii guys!!!' Amy chirped happily. Amy Diokno, a fairly well known operator in the Ark, she had a tendancy to...be overtly cheerful, even in the midst of battle she could be heard cheering you on or telling you you had no chance in hell, in that same sickeningly, cheerful voice. Many joked around the Ark that the ones that died while she was the operator did so on purpose to escape her. And also, Blanc disliked her with a passion, as Sikas well knew.
'Merde.' Blanc muttered.
'What was that? I don't speak french like you do so your gonna have to use english for me m'kay darlin?' she said in a singsong sort of way. Meanwhile Sikas was shaking in laughter and Blanc grumbled some more curses in french.
'Alllrighty then guys heres the deal, the job your doing is for Mirageee and they want you to hiijack a shipment going towards Naviss, something to do with that new resources? Who knows...anyways its in an armored vehicle annnd opposition will include your standard MT's and possibly 1 or more AC's" she sang happily, 'if theres anything else you guys need to know just give me a ring! Oh and what is Blanc saying SIkas??'
'You probably wouldn't want to know m'dear,' said Sikas still choking back laughter. She gave him a strange little smile then cut the connection. As soon as she cut it Sikas let loose with a howl of laughter.
'Oh...my...God...the look on your face when you saw...hahahaha,' he continued laughing, as Blanc gave him dirty looks. 'Ah...that was good,' Sikas said wiping tears away from his eyes, 'alright partner we ready to do this?'
'You bet your ass I am.' Blanc replied.
'I'd rather not bet my ass...I'm very fond of it,' Sikas responded.
'Queer.'
'Hehe.'
1.5 Hours later...20:00 The Dropzone.
Blanc checked the time on his console display, 'Sikas should be in position', he thought. On cue a trail of dust appeared on the horizon. 'Ah...theres our mark,' he noted, then used the advanced optics on Noir to zoom in on the column of dust rising in the distance. As he peered at the onscreen display he noted 6 MT's and 2 AC's travelling beside the car in formation. He breathed a sigh of relief, nothing to be worried about he told himself, you and Sik have gotten through a hell of a lot worse...hell of a lot worse. He closed his eyes and memories of that night flooded back beneath his closed lids. He opened them as he heard an incoming call. It was Sikas. ' Here we go. What strategy are we going with this time?' he asked.
'I think we'll go with Operation: Diplomatic Immunity...what do you think?' Blanc replied grinning as he said so. Sikas began to laugh and gave him the thumbs up. As twisted as it was, they had created several games within their line of work, naming them operations ranging from, Operation: Blow it all to Hell, which was simply what the name indicated, to the more subdued Operation: Diplomatic Immunity which comprised of one of them stalling with chat and seeing how long they could go without a shot being fired. Sikas held the record at 4 minutes. The column grew closer and closer until finally they got within sight range of Noir. The sleek white machine looked slightly intimidating as the rays of the setting sun reflected off its surface. Sikas whispered to Blanc, 'Dude you look pretty badass out there, with the sun and stuff.'
Blanc whispered back 'Yeah I totally just noticed how cool it looks from the external cam you think I coul...'
'UNKNOWN AC, IDENTIFY YOURSELF IMMEDIATELY OR YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON,' a voice echoed over loudspeaker. Here we go, Blanc thought, and took a deep breath.
'Hey there, I seem to be lost do you guys know where...' Blanc cut off as a warning shot was fired beside Noirs feet.
'Hahaha dude you didn't even last 5 seconds without a shot being fire you blow!' Sikas gloated over comlink.
'...Can we just shoot them now?' pleaded Blanc. Sikas smirked for a moment, then the next moment both him and Blanc were different people. There was no talking, they worked as a single cohesive unit. Sikas peered into the telescopic sight, and appearing not even to aim, fired. The round drilled a hole through the furthest MT's head and it erupted in a cloud of fire and molten metal. The AC's and the MT's looked around to see where the shot came from, only to turn around again and find Noir gone. They scanned the ground searching for footsteps to lead them to him...they found none. One of the MT pilots yelled in fear as Noir crashed down on him from above and unloaded the dual chainguns into his mech. Noir jumped off and amid a flurry off bullets and missiles sought cover behind a large boulder.
'CF,' Blanc muttered as he switched weapons, activating the vertical missile launcher.
'Roger' responded Sikas, who sent another shot drilling into the torso of an MT. By now the MT's and the AC's had locked onto Sikas' position and half were moving to engage, when 2 boosters could be heard behind the rock Noir was stationed. They all looked towards the sources of the noise and fired...at 2 missiles sent up as a distraction. With a whining noise Noirs overboost kicked in and it shot out amid the enemies. Casually Blanc stuck each chaingun into the leg joints of two MT's and fired them rapidly dismembering the legs and reducing combat potential exponentially. Sikas had removed the camoflage tarp covering Dragonuv and while kneeling down upon one knee brought the laser rifle its shoulder to bear. He whispered 'Inc.' and Blanc shot out of the projected danger zone. As the laser rifle completed its final preparations, the 2 AC pilots cause sight and overboosted away, seconds before the the rifle discharged and created a new crater where the battle was previously taking place. The residual EMP field the laser created upon impact shorted out the MT's still lingering in the area. This left only Noir and Dragonuv against the two enemy AC. Noir turned to face Dragonuv in the distance and dropped its chainguns. Dragonuv stared back and dropped one of his rifles. With those two simple acts, they had just increased their AC's mobility by 12. They could hear the two enemy AC's over the general channel mocking their stupidity.
'What you guys gonna fight us with your hands and just one weapon? Or your back mounted weapons? Hahaha this is easy money for me, lets go clean them up...or maybe you surrender is that it? Well sorry but I have orders to completely destroy any attempt at intereference and right now well, your classified as interference,' the cocky young AC pilot said.
The sun finally set.
And with that, all that was clearly visible on Dragonuv and Noir were the glowing red optics. That is until Noir activated his back mounted missile launcher, which glowed a dull shade of orange in the receding daylight as it prepped for launch. Blanc released the limiter function on his vertical missiles and released all remaining missiles within the launcher. The recoil shook him immensly within his AC, but he never blinked once, as the volley of missiles headed towards to rookie pilots. Meanwhile Dragonuv had been boosting downhill to join the fray as, he switched to his backmounted cannon which, whined as it charged up once more. Dragonuv skidded to a stop on its knees and the end of the cannon glowed brightly.
"Bang," whispered Sikas, "Your dead."
'What..wha..what the hell?! AhhhhH!!' the enemy pilot yelled as he and his partner both opened up with their weapons a pair of machine guns, and back mounted missiles as they tried to evade the onslaught of missiles and energy blasts. It didn't last long. In an amazing display of acrobatic prowess and teamwork Noir ran forward sheltering the lighter Dragonuv, who by this time was back on its feet, from several of the bullets that were on target. Sikas latched Dragonuvs' hand onto the back of Noir as Noir overboosted quickly and rapidly closed the distance between the rookie AC pilots and themselves. Blanc then braked extremely hard flipping Dragonuv overhead. As Sikas flew directly over the enemy AC's, with great precision he shot between the joints of both arms, severing them completely and landing unfazed behind the pilot. As the AC tried to bring its back mounted weapons to bear Noir appeared beside it almost immediately and used the remaining bullets in its chaingun to blow both legs off. The AC fell slowly with nothing to support it and lay there sparking.
The one rookie who had been running his mouth stood there speechless...but not for long, he opened up a channel and began to continue his tirade. This time including the words 'luck' and 'cheapness'. Blanc had had about enough and with a button activated his titan missiles. He locked on slowly as the rookie emptied round after round into Noir, but he didn't care. Once the confirmation lockon beep sounded he fired the large slow moving missile.
A note about titans. They will follow you indefinitely. They will not be destroyed by anti-missile devices. They are very deadly. Chances of survival after being hit by one are less than 5.
Apparently the rookie knew this information too because he began to boost around wildly in an attempt to dodge the slow moving bringer of death. He hadn't cancelled his comlink connection. He was sobbing over the link not knowing his enemies could see, hear...and feel. Blanc grabbed the side of his face as if he was in pain...'Maman...Maman...!..' The enemy pilot was crying out for his mother. As Sikas watched in some amusement, he noticed Noir moving around awkwardly.
'Blanc? Whats going on?...Blanc??' he asked repeatedly. No response. Just the same clumsy movements of Noir making its way towards the sniper rifle he had dropped moments ago. Inside of Noir, Blancs' eyes were filled with tears, he could barely maneuver the controls to grab hold of the rifle laying in front of him. As the young pilots pleas became more insistent, he grabbed a hold of the rifle and locked onto the titan missile. Noir didn't have the specs that Dragonuv did when it came to sharpshooter combat, but Blanc was a crack shot. He targeted the titan missile, hands trembling slightly, vision blurred by tears and with precise aim he shot the titan missile before it connected with the AC. The resulting shockwave blew the rookies' AC out of the sky damaging it slightly but not too bad. Noirs hand dropped to its side, then released the rifle. Throughout the ordeal Sikas had been hailing Blanc through their private channel, but it was no use...he was in his own world, his own private, neverending nightmare.