A/N: Still don't own Titanfall or any associated IP.

The sound of chalk across a blackboard was prominent in the room. The person writing with it was clearly practiced in their routine.

"And so you see class, while the standard gravitational pull of most Terra-Class planets is 9.8 meters per second squared, plenty of planets in the Frontier have gravity which is greater or lesser than that. This makes travel, not to mention day to day life, more complicated than it already is."

Near the back of the room, two of the students began to whisper to each other, hoping to remain unnoticed.

"Miss Stark, Mister Potts, while I am sure your plans to borrow the Crane Class jumpship from one of your parents is thrilling, I'd ask you please wait until after class is over."

Suffice to say, they were unsuccessful.

Their classmates had a good chuckle at their expense, while their teacher continued to write at the front of the room. A light ringing sounded, and the group began to gather their belongings. Turning from his work, the teacher at the front spoke up. "All right class, I expect that report on differential gravitational pull to be in one week from today, and no, extensions will not be given. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them."

The room quickly cleared out, save for the teacher. He felt around his work space, gathering his materials into a satchel, before picking up a white cane with a red tip that had been leaning on the wall. Making his way out, he locked the door and lead his way with the cane.

As he exited the building and made his way across the grounds, he was met by the sound of loud footfalls. Grinning slightly, he didn't even turn to the sound. "It's good to see you Echo."

The Tone-Class Titan that had approached stopped beside him. *Good afternoon William. Did you regain your eyesight?*

Chuckling, the man finally turned to the war machine. "It's just an expression, Echo. I'm sure you would have learned that by now."

*I understand, William. I am simply trying to practice my ability to have a conversation.*

Nodding his head, he turned a smile towards the Titan. "It's appreciated, Echo. C'mon, best to head back home for the night."

The pair resumed their walk, not in any rush. After a short distance, Echo spoke up. *William, I'm detecting a foreign biorhythm in your living quarters. Shall I investigate further?*

William held up a hand. "No, let me. If I need you, I'll signal."

The Titan seemed to accept this. *Very well.*

Approaching his small apartment, William noticed that the door was slightly ajar. Taking a deep breath through his nose, he detected traces of gunpowder residue and the smell of a small propulsion device, as well as traces of... nothing else. 'Well, I guess I know my mystery guest.'

Pushing the door aside, he stepped into the small space. "Gates, what are you doing here?"

Coming around the corner, the helmeted Pilot shook her head. "How could you tell it was me?"

William gave a small smile. "Pilots typically smell of their jump kits and firearms, but you're one of the only ones I've met that has no other scent than that. That, and no one else was told my address."

Letting out a short laugh, Gates patted the man on the shoulder. "It's good to see your wits haven't dulled any. Keeping busy?"

The man moved past her to take a seat at his dining table. "For the most part. IMC doesn't seem interested in coming out this far, though they may change their mind once they learn we operate a training facility for starship pilots out here. And you?"

Gates leaned against the wall nearby. "Still fighting to keep the Frontier free. The 6-4 has plenty to do, in that regard. Actually, it's part of the reason I'm here."

William raises an eyebrow at that. "Gates, you know I can't go back into the field. Kinda difficult to run around on walls when I can't even see them properly. Or at all."

Gates shrugged her shoulders. "Actually, I'm sure you'd be fine, based on what I've heard. After all, there seems to be a mysterious Titan that wanders around out here, keeping raider groups away." Seeing his neutral expression, Gates continued. "I'm not her to drag you back into the fight, William. Myself and a few others have been trying to start a new unit up, and they could use someone to keep them in line. Interested?"

Letting out a sigh, William rubbed at his brow. "You know I retired to get away from combat missions, Gates. I definitely can't see myself leading a group into combat."

Gates shook her head again. "This isn't a combat unit. They'd be more specialized, strictly civilian support missions. If all goes to plan, they'd never be in a fight."

Rubbing his temples a bit, William was silent for a few moments, before turning his head towards Gates. "What do you have in mind?"

-x-X-x-

A couple of hours later, Gates had left, while William and Echo were well outside the town limits. Rolling his shoulders a bit, William gestured towards his Titan. "Echo, the Kraber please?"

The Titan opened up its cockpit, pulling out a rifle and a helmet, handing them to William. Taking both, he put the helmet on his head while dropping down on one knee. Bringing the rifle up the his shoulder, William steadied himself. "Echo, synchronize and launch sonar pulse."

William felt his mind link with Echo's, shortly after heard the pulse launched as well. Through the Titan's eye, he was able to 'see' the world, outlined in the cascading ripples of sound. Taking a steadying breath, he sought out the targets they had both placed an hour ago. Lining up the first one, he pulled the trigger.

*CRACK*

Not waiting for a confirmation, he turned to the next target, and then the next. Quickly emptying his magazine, he waited for Echo's report.

*Four confirmed hits, each within 1.3 millimeters of the target's center.*

Breathing easy again, William stood back up, relaxing his hold on the rifle. "Well Echo, it looks like we're going to be headed to a new school."