I do not own Armored core or anything relating to it. From Software own Armored core and anything related to it.

"Fran, we should stop here for now. I don't think this thing can run any longer." Rosary complained, staring out the cockpit at the propellers.

"I agree, but the enemy could still be on us...alright. Deploying AC." She had no choice but to agree with Rosary. They had been up for over 24 hours, running from the Corporation. The AC dropped, landing on the cold desert sand with a loud thud. It slid to a halt, its purple eye alighting bright and shinning into the distance.

"Main System- Head- HD-223 Raiko online. Core- URC-10/1, Arms- KT-4S2/SVIR, Legs- Cinto LG104-2 online. Main system, engaging normal mode."

"I know you're not in the mood or position for combat, but we won't be expecting any enemy units on the site. All we need you to do is keep watch. Thanks." Rosary said.

"Bring her down nice and easy." Ever since the Resistance had been utterly decimated by the Armored core Nebula, Fran had been given a choice to die with the rest of the Resistance, or hightail it out and hitch a ride with Fran and the Ace pilot. The fight had not only cost the Resistance dearly, but the Ace himself, for he had received unimaginable damage to his frame. With no one to operate the repairing chamber back at the base, he had not been able to receive the attention needed. Equipped only with a Plasma blade and a Handgun, the Ace would have to make the equipment work.

"Shutting all engines down. Let's give her a rest." Rosary said, slouching in her chair. The propellers grinded to a slow halt, allowing the engine to sleep peacefully. She sighed, putting her feet up on the side of the cockpit.

"Rosary..."

"Fran, what is it?"

Fran had felt a certain way toward the Ace, Rosary, and the situation. She felt for the AC pilot, having to kill under the issue of orders and for survival. Being shot at and risking his life for the sake of others. She stared at his machine, examining its total damage and condition. "Not good..."

"Fran, are you talking to yourself?" Rosary asked, leaning over the front of the cockpit, the canopy open.

"Talking to myself? I don't talk to myself Rosary..." She sighed, finally finding the lost courage to ask her question. "Do you think I'm a good leader?"

The question caught her completely off guard. "W-what? Of course you are! What would give you the thought that you aren't?" She asked.

"Nothing, It's just- never mind." She stared up at Rosary, finding it hard to look through the glass of her helmet. Because of the deep pollution, the military wore gas masks or specialized metal suits to transfer the polluted air into clean oxygen. Her attention suddenly went to the flashing sparks from the back of the AC, her concern growing more and more.

"You've been staring at Albatross for so long. Something the matter?" Rosary asked out of pure curiosity.

She took a moment to think things over, then shook her head inside her suit. "No. I'm fine."

The AC turned slowly, scanning the area for enemy units. Bending it's legs to jump higher into the air, its leg suddenly gave out, causing the machine to go down on one knee.

"Albatross! Status report." Fran ordered. The pilot was silent, no matter what she or Rosary asked him. A digital screen of the AC's state transferred through to the transports systems, shinning bright to both Rosary and Fran.

"The AC's damaged in multiple area's but the problem with it going down like that all comes from the damaged knee. How is it, Albatross. Can you still stand?"

The AC lifted its arm, giving a skyward thumb to her. The machine got back on its feet, standing firm against the cold wind.

"Albatross, I'm ordering you to power down and rest. Good job soldier." Commanded Fran. The AC turned its head and body to face her. Just as it was about to shutdown, the master alert system went off.

"Fran, I'm picking up a fast moving AC. It's low and headed directly for us! It's not Nebula, but something different." Rosary instructed.

Fran acted on pure instinct and gave the order to engage the target. "Rosary, get this thing in the air immediately!" The canopy closed and the transport started up. In seconds, the transport was in the air, ready to fight alongside the AC.

"The units ahead are hostel..." Antares decided to not engage them. Flying near the speed of sound, the AC readied to pass over, until a round from a Handgun crashed into its shoulder with intense velocity. It spun out of control from the bullet, slowing as it recovered. It slid along the sand its arms out as it stared the enemy AC down.

Grabbing both rifles from its bay units, it aimed at the AC and transport, wondering which faction they were from. It could tell the enemy AC was in no condition to engage him, so it lowered its weapons. "You are in no position for a fight. I could kill you and destroy the transport in seconds, but something tells me those damages aren't from a normal Armored Core unit." Said Antares, his voice carrying the hint of curiosity.

"State your name and faction, soldier. State whatever it is you have against the Resistance." Fran commanded.

"Resistance? Oh my, you are them." Antares placed his rifles on his bay units, scanning both the Ace and the transport.

"We're not going to ask twice. State your name and faction!" Rosary said, ready to fire on the AC.

Albatross kept a risky aim on the AC's core, daring to pull the trigger.

"My mistake. My name is Antares and I am in no faction of any sort. I come in peace. Tell me, how did you survive the attack from Nebula?" Asked Antares, approaching the transport. Suddenly intercepted by Albatross, they stood at a stalemate.

"I don't like this guy. He's piloting an Armored core capable of flight! Not to mention it's capable of traveling near the speed of sound. "

Fran gave deep thought to the situation, staring at the structure of the machine. It was different. The thrusters were completely different than any of the others she had seen on an AC. Not to mention it was slightly taller than Albatross. Giving into her gut, she finally decided to send out the order. "Albatross, stand down."

As commanded, Albatross backed off, allowing the red, white, and black AC to approach the transport. "We were attacked when all of our forces were off guard. Our Ace pilot defended us with the weapons he had, but even this machine proved to be too much. It was stronger than any machine AC or machine I had ever seen, even the special weapons. You. You're different than any other AC."

"That's because I'm a completely new model Armored core, but that's another story." Antares extended his hand to Albatross, a sign that he wanted to become a part of the Resistance. After a moment of intensity, Albatross extended its hand, shaking Antare's hand.

"Welcome to the Resistance, Antares." Said Albatross.