Chapter 1: Home

Arzenal's Landing Platforms

An Hour After Singuanalrity Portal Opened

"Mei, has Raven come back?" Jill asked, as soon she walked into the hangar.

"Not yet, ma'am!" Mei shouted, from her spot all the way across the hangar.

Mei was currently working on a pink para-mail, with three other mechanics. Her face and orange jumpsuit were covered with large black marks and fuel for the para-mail.

"If he is not back in five minutes, send out the First Troop to search for his ass!" Jill shouted, before removing herself from the hangar.

"Will do," Mei replied, not even noticing that Jill had already left.

In reality, Mei didn't care that much about Raven's return. Just as long Savage was brought back in one piece or with minor damage.

Working on the so-called NEXT or Core was a pain all by itself. But when she had to find, buy, or make the parts for lost limbs, missing posters, and anything else that was important for the craft. Now, that was a living nightmare.

The young mechanic could still remember trying to repair the craft when it was first brought in. She had to almost forget everything about fixing a para-mail to even figure out how the large craft even worked.

It had taken her five months to even get the correct parts for the massive machine. And another two months to replace the broken ones with the newer ones.
But that soon changed when Raven took over the project. In just a month, he both fixed and showed Mei how to fix the NEXT.

Mei train of thought was soon ended by the rumbling of engines. The mechanic turned towards the noise and found a dark-colored figure flying down the water.

The figure was Raven's NEXT Savage, the well-kept secret of Arzenal.

The craft sailed over the water, kicking up whatever was under him. As he came closer towards the base, the NEXT than ascended from the water.
It then used it's Over Boost to fly towards the runway. The powerful, but short boost threw him through the air before running out of power.

Once out of power, Raven guided the craft onto the runway. He used the rear booster to slow down the craft until he reached halfway point on the runway. As soon he hit that point, he cut off all power to the booster.

The craft stopped with a bit of jerk on the runway, a bit to Mei displeasure. But none of the less, she was happy to see the craft was back. Even more, since there was no serious damage, just a few dents from the mission.

The cockpit of the Savage soon opened, letting an armored figure jump out. The figure began to fall towards the ground but was soon saved by a small booster on his back.

The small booster acted as a quick boost, allowing the figure towards the ground without taking any serious damage. Just a few bruises or two.

"I see you like the armor's quick boost!" Mei shouted towards Raven.

Raven didn't reply with any words but gave her a thumbs up. He then started to use the quick booster, to make his way towards Mei.
The booster allowed him enough reaction time to evade all the mechanics, para-mails, and tools in his way.

This was all made possible from the very similar systems of the NEXT. Instead of using Kojima Technology, the booster was just powered by pressurized air cannon. His boost and armor were designed similar to his NEXT's legs. So, if he would boost, he armors will soak up the kinetic force of the impact. The last piece that was modified was his helmet, having the AMS installed into it.

This final piece allowed him to have the lightning-fast reaction time, as he would in his NEXT. Which would also mean, he gains more physical stress each time he used the system.

To combat this problem, Raven had to take an 18-hour bath in ice and spend the next day relaxing for a ten-hour use. If the LYNX didn't do this ritual, he would go insane and die from his brain trying to process both the suit and NEXT AMS.

Luckily, Mei installed a failsafe. After a certain amount of time of use, the suit would disconnect its AMS from Raven. Thus shutting down the boosters and special equipment in the armor.

"So, what's up, Raven?" Mei asked once the pilot was in front of her.

"The Savage's OB and QB are delayed by a tenth of a second," Raven said, ignoring the mechanic's greeting.

"First off, how the hell can you tell?" Mei replied, shocked by Raven's statement. "And second off, how bad could it be?

"If it's off, even by a tenth of a second, my reaction is off. Meaning, I would die from a late reaction." Raven answered the mechanic's questions. "I'll be more than willing to pay for it as well. I just need it fixed. I also need twenty thousand more cases of ammunition. Armor-piercing, more shells for the YAMAGA, and more charges for the HLCO2-SIRIUS."

"Really, more ammo. I swear I gave you forty thousand last week. What happened?" Mei asked in disbelief.

"I've been going on missions like crazy," Raven answered before he started to smile underneath his helmet. "Plus, I'm mercenary. There are way more people hiring me then just Arzenal."

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," Mei replied, in a hushed voice.

"Don't worry, Mei," Raven said, as he started to unhook his helmet's straps. "I'm not like most Lynxs where I come from."

Once Raven had the straps unhooked from each other, he slid off his helmet. As soon it was off, Mei could see the Lynx's short messy brown hair and his piercing hazel eyes.

"If that is true, you are not really a mercenary then," Mei said, before being called over by one of the other mechanics. "Sorry, Raven, but I need to head out. And don't worry, I will be working on Savage later today."

"Okay then. I'll see ya around then, Mei." Raven said as the mechanic left him.

Once the girl was gone, the Lynx decided to head out of the Landing Platform's hangar. On his way out, he passed by the First Troop's commander, Captain Zola and her plaything Hilda.

Zola was currently molesting the redhead girl, enjoying herself a bit too much. Even letting everyone in the hangar by having Hilda moan loudly.

But as soon Raven walked past the women, Zola attention focused right on him.

"Hey, Raven!" Zola shouted, trying to get Raven's attention. "How was the mission?"

"Forty-two Scuna-classes, three Brig-classes, and one Galleon-class," Raven said as he passed the two women. "All destroyed."

This made both girl's mouths drop wide open from awe.

"That's fucking impossible!" Zola yelled, making Raven smile as he walked away from the raging woman.

"Don't believe me, then check the mission tape." The pilot said as he turned around to face the woman.

He then flipped the two women off, with a bigass smile on his face. This only made Zola rage even more at the pilot.

"How is that fucking possible?!" The woman continued to rage at the pilot. "You are fucking lying, Wreckage!"

Raven ignored the woman's complaints and insults towards him.

Once he was out of the hangar, Raven started to head towards Jasmine Mall.

The walk towards the so-called Mall was short. Once there, the Lynx saw quite a bunch of girl shopping or just hanging out in the room.

Raven walked through the crowd of girls, getting a few "hellos" or "Hey, Raven's" from the girls. The Lynx would reply back with a few waves or would reply with his own hellos.

Once Raven reached Jasmine, he found her sitting in her usual spot in the mall.

"Hey, Jasmine." Raven greeted the older woman.

"Uh, Raven. I see you're back and kicking." Jasmine joked, forcing a small smirk on the Lynx's face. "So, how many today?"

"Forty-two pinks, three Brigs, and one of those big motherfuckers," Raven answered, impressing the older woman.

"Well, not bad... Wreckage." Jasmine said, very impressed by Raven's work. "Anyway, what is it you want today?"

"The usual."

Jasmine nodded to the answer, before pulling out a large cardboard box. The older women then gave Raven the package.

"Everything should be in there. Like usual." Jasmine said as Raven set his helmet down onto the floor.

Raven then pulled out one his knives and cut open the box. Once opened, Raven put away his knife. He then reached in and pulled out a plastic bag with a T-bone steak inside.

"Straight from the Marmeria Republic, like always." The older woman commented as Raven inspected the box full of steaks. "Now, it's going to be about twenty thousand for them."

"You have to be shitting me," Raven said in shocked fo the price. "It was about ten less than a few weeks ago."
"Yeah, yeah. I knew you were going to be bitching about it." Jasmine stated. "But since you are my favorite customer, let's make it fifteen."
"Fine, just take my money," Raven said, a bit pissed about paying a bit too much. He then handed the women a large stack of cash.

"Don't be too upset, Raven. I also have something else." Jasmine then pulled out an envelope from underneath her seat. "This is for you. It's the location of that... Certain thing you were looking for."

"How much?" Revan asked as he took the envelope.

"Fourteen million plus an extra fifty to keep Jill out of our business," Jasmine whispered to Raven, making sure no one heard her.

"Thanks, Jasmine. For everything." Raven thanked the older woman for her hard work. "Just take the money from my account later today. You still remember the password?"

"I may be old, but I'm not losing my memory," Jasmine commented.

"I know, Jasmine. I know." Raven said as he picked up things.

Once he gathered his materials, Raven headed out of the mall. The pilot was going to head towards the cafeteria. From there he was going to drop off his steaks and then head to his room for some rest.

It didn't take him that long to drop off his package of steaks. Which was pretty easy for his favorite cook, Ersha.

"Hey, Ersha." The pilot greeted the female pilot and cook.

"Hi, Raven. How are you today?" Ersha greeted the Lynx, as walked up to the counter.

"Not all that bad," Raven answered before placing the box in front of the girl. "But I can't really talk all that much today. I kinda went a bit overboard with my equipment a couple of hours ago."

"Oh, I see," Ersha said, a bit disappointed. "Well, just let me take of these then. And I do hope you get some rest."

Ersha then grabbed the box of steaks, before leaving Raven alone in the cafeteria.

"Thanks, Ersha." The Lynx said to himself, before heading out.

It only took Raven a few minutes to walk from the cafeteria to his room.

Once he made it to his room, the pilot opened his room's door. He was then greeted by a small empty, dark room.

The room did have some light, but the source was only from the barred up window between the two beds. The room also held two beds with small bookshelves above them and two wardrobe dressers at the end of both beds.

Raven only smirked, upon seeing the room. Even though it was poor, even for prison living standards, Raven took it more as a symbol. A symbol of that the day was finally over and the worst was behind him.

Raven entered the room, closing the door behind himself. Once inside, he threw his helmet onto the right bed.

He then walked to his dresser and pulled out a black t-shirt and a pair of black cargo pants. He put his new desired outfit on the bed, before starting to strip down.

Once all his armor and jumpsuit was off, he quickly put on his the pair pants and the t-shirt.

When finally dressed again, Raven put away his other pair of clothing into a dresser. As he did this, he grabbed the envelope from one of the jumpsuit's pockets and his music player.

Shutting the wardrobe's door, Raven turned on the music player. He started to scan the files of music, before finding his desired song. He then pressed the play button, once he finding the song Back In Control by a 21st-century metal band called Sabaton.

The song blared from the music player's built-in speakers, as Raven took a seat on his bed.
Once seated, the pilot pulled out the envelope and opened it.

Inside, Raven found a small piece of paper with the following letters and number: 47.81n-67.93w.

"Coordinates, uh," Raven said to himself, before ripping up the piece of paper. "Let's just hope its worth it."

He then got up from the bed and walked towards the window. Raven held up the scraps of paper to his face, before blowing on them.

The remains of the paper flew out the window, into multiple directions.

Raven soon went back to his bed, before laying on the bed.

As was starting to lie down, his music player changed songs to Day After Day by FreQuency. Raven ignored the song, as his eyes started to close by themselves.

It only took him a few minutes to fall asleep, allowing Raven his much-needed rest.

Until he was awakened by a knock on his room door. His eye shot wide open, as sprung up from his bed.

"Who's there?" Raven called out, as he sat up in his bed.

"It's Salia, sir." He heard the vice-captain of First Troop's voice behind his door. "I need to talk to you, sir."

"Can you do it in the morning?" Raven asked, before adding on: "I just got back from a mission and I'm an exhausted from using my equipment."

"Sorry, but I can't, sir," Salia said again. "This is straight from the Commander.

"Fuck me," Raven said to himself, before getting up and walk towards the door.

Raven opened the door and was greeted by Salia and a girl with long blonde hair.

"Okay, make it quick. I'm really tired and need my sleep." Raven said as he stared daggers at Salia.

"Jill wants to give you a new roommate," Salia said, making Raven look at her like she was out of her mind. "Raven, I would like you to meet Ange. She's our newest member to Arzenal. Ange this is Raven. He's going to be teaching you about para-mail and how to fly one."

"For the love of White Glint!" Raven shouted, before shutting the door in their faces. "She can stay the night, but I'm going back to bed! My head is fucking pounding like a motherfucker!"
Raven walked back over to his bed, before flopping onto it. He closed his eyes once more and went back to trying to get sleep.

As he tried his best to do this, a few minutes later he heard the door open again. He didn't need to open his eyes to tell it was the new girl.

"Listen up," Raven said, with his eyes still closed. "I have a few rules for you to follow. The first rule doesn't ever wake me up when I'm resting. I run with some pretty dangerous equipment and sleeping helps me stay alive. Second rule: Don't touch my stuff. It more there for a manners thing, but I will cut off your fingers if you touch my stuff. Understood?"

"How dare you tell me what to do you mos-" The girl began to shout at Raven before he cut her off.

"Good, now get some sleep. We are going to have a big day tomorrow."

So, there you go chapter 1. I hope you guys like it and leave a review about. And also remember that I'm still interested in pairing and/or any OC ideas you have. You can either PM me or leave them in the review section.

Until the, remember to follow, favorite, and review. Until thing, I'm going to bed.