Samuel's logbook
This is unexpected. I just found an autonomous machine, with a sort of code on it. FB-8276. Does it have any sort of ancient meaning?
More importantly, what kind of machine is this?
FB-8276 Auto-Transcription
Reactor Core functionality restored.
Individual detected. Identified as: Samuel Henter.
Hull integrity: 1.49276%.
Linked Pilot: Kuben Blisk - KIA.
Music: Destiny - Traveler's Promise
After Samuel got a good look at FB-8276, he decided to ask the mech a few questions. "So, FB-8276, what exactly are you?" "[I am an Atlas-class Titan. Titans were designed and manufactured by Hammond Robotics. My memory banks are still rebooting. Please re-identify yourself.]" "My name is Samuel Henter, birth date is the 11th of November in the year 2791." "[Calculating... You are 1,029 years old. Explain how you still live.]" "This Ghost of mine, Habero, resurrected me only twenty-six years ago." "[Impossible. Nothing can bring a human being back to life.]" "Well, Habero did, only because I held some of the Traveler's Light." "[Memory banks rebooted. Searching for 'the Traveler'. Results: positive.]" "This is Fallen territory, so we aren't safe here. We should bring you back to the City."
Music: Destiny - Tranquillity
Later that day, Samuel Henter paid Ikora a visit. "Is there something you need, Guardian?" "I found something out there in the Cosmodrome." "Show me."
Habero phased in FB-8276. "[Data glitch. System integrity: questionable.]" "{Sorry about that, FB.}"
"What... What is this thing?" "Ikora, this is FB-8276. He says he's an IMC Atlas Titan or something. He seems to know what the Traveler is."
Music: Destiny - Guardian
"Very well. FB-8276, I am Ikora Rey, I tutor new Warlocks with a lifetime of hard-earned knowledge." "[Adding information to databank.]" "If Samuel found you, why don't you help him?" "[Samuel Henter, I will fight by your side. Protocol 2: Uphold the Mission.]" FB-8276 was up for it.
"Alright, but you need to be repaired first. Habero, if you would?" "{Right. Hold still, FB. I'll be quick.}" "[Explai-]"
Before FB-8276 could finished that one word, he vanished. Habero processed the schematics for the Titan before reconstituting it in perfect condition.
"[Data glitch. System integrity: restored. Performing self-analysis. All critical systems functioning at normal. All systems online and at optimum efficiency.]" "This is a very powerful machine. Respect the power you have awakened, Guardian."
Music: Destiny - The Last Array
Later the next day, Samuel and FB-8276 were going around the Cosmodrome, taking out any Fallen and Hive they could find.
FB-8276 was doing amazingly well against them, even more so than a Guardian.
Just then, a Fallen Walker showed up and aimed at Samuel.
As it fired, a field of energy was projected in front of the Guardian. "FB, what is this?!" "[Titan tactical ability: Vortex Shield.]" "What's a... 'Vortex Shield'?"
The Titan's left arm was extended outward with a strange module integrated into it. The shots from the Walker were suspended in the energy field. It was something no Guardian has ever seen before, and Samuel was lucky to be the first.
FB-8276 released the Vortex Shield, sending the Walker's cannon blasts right back at it, doing unimaginably devastating damage to it. The result was apparent overkill on the Walker.
"FB, that was... I don't even know what to say about what I just saw." "[Those who have never seen Titan action generally have that reaction.]"
The Atlas fired upon a group of Fallen. With a few blasts from the Titan's rocket launcher, the group was blown to bits. He removed the front of the weapon before disposing of it and pulling out a replacement to put on the empty end of the rocket launcher.
"Hey, FB?" Samuel asked, causing FB-8276 to turn his optic toward the Guardian. "What weapon is that?" "[Titan primary weapon: Quad Rocket.]" "Sounds powerful. Habero, can you make any more of those front pieces for it?" "{I can make more mags from the materials dropped by any Fallen, Hive, Cabal, and Vex. You won't have to worry about running out.}" "[Thank you, Habero.]"
As a swarm of Hive showed up, FB-8276 launched a single missile which caused multiple explosions near the point of impact.
"What was that...?" "[Titan ordinance: Cluster Missile.]" "'Cluster Missile'?"
The Hive swarm was nearly destroyed by Samuel and FB-8276 before a Wizard showed up. "{Hive Wizard! Samuel, FB, now might be a good time for a new tactic!}" "[Samuel, climb in, quickly.]"
The Titan opened its front hatch, revealing a cockpit.
Samuel entered the cockpit before small mechanisms covered his arms, rerouting his own nervous system into a Titan control matrix.
Music: Titanfall - OST 71
[NEURAL LINK REQUIRED FOR PILOT-MODE]
[EMERGENCY OVERRIDE]
[NEURAL LINK REQUIREMENT DISABLED]
[INITIATING CONTROL TRANSFER]
"[Pilot control initiated.]"
FB-8276 gave Samuel full control of his chassis and all the systems and features in it. The inside of the cockpit lit up as a segmented visual display activated and synchronized. Samuel could feel the Quad Rocket in his hand as he discovered that Titans were designed to be a natural extension of the Pilot inside.
"Whoa, this is AWESOME!" "[Eyes forward, Samuel. The Wizard is attacking.]" FB-8276 was right. The Wizard was firing bolts of pure darkness at him, but the blasts were hitting some sort of protective shielding.
It wasn't long before something flickered on the cockpit display. "FB, what's this?" "[My Damage Core is ready. The Damage Core of an Atlas-class Titan increases damage output from all sources.]"
The Wizard was dodging every blast of the Quad Rocket and even some Cluster Missiles.
"[Weaponry is inefficient. I recommend a melee.]" "You mean... punch it?" "[Affirmative.]"
Samuel ran up to the Wizard before sending it a four-fingered death sandwich. The impact caused the Wizard to burst... literally.
Music: Titanfall 2 - Uphold the Mission
"HOLY MOLY!"
A question came to Samuel's mind. "Hey, FB? How do I get out of here?" "[Performing Pilot-Mode override. For future reference, a neural command may disengage Pilot-Mode manually.]"
The Titan freed Samuel's arms and the cockpit swung open, letting the Guardian out on foot. "That's... a bit disorienting." "[That tends to happen if a Pilot is not prepared for neural rerouting. According to memory, my previous Pilot adjusted to it in thirty-eight seconds.]"
Samuel then jumped down, turning around as the Titan's cockpit sealed back up.
"You know, FB, I think this is gonna work out." "[Agreed. What do you say, Samuel? Shall we set out and fight in the name of the Traveler?]" "That's what I've been doing for years." Samuel smiled as he grasped the index finger of FB-8276's outstretched hand and accepted a handshake.
From then on, Samuel Henter became the first Guardian-Pilot.
Anyway, I'll see you all next time.
