Interlude: Project Initiation

Sitting in his office, overseer Bren looks over the information, and is troubled. Before he can delve into it though, a chime announces someone at the door. "Enter." He calls out absently, not taking his eyes off the three monitors on his desk. At his command, the door opens, and a young man steps into the office. "Greetings overseer." The young man introduces himself. "I am assistant Kai. I have been assigned as your adjunct." Bren looks up at the young man. His short brown hair combed back neatly, Kai can be no more then sixteen years old by Bren's guess. Around his forehead, Kai is wearing an information band, the holographic Display currently off, a keypad located on the right side of his head on the earpiece.

"I see." Bren says flatly. "What do you know of the overworld? They're history, not our own." Hesitantly, Kai reaches up to activate his information band, but stops halfway. "You may." Bren gives him permission to use the band. Nodding, Kai activates his information band, a blue visor of light dropping over his face. "According to overworld history, the world ended in a great war that drove mankind underground." Kai begins. "While underground, humanity lived in a massive city complex they referred to as Layered. Layered was ruled in combination by the corporations who designed and built MTs and AC units. They were in turned kept in check by the Controller, the super system designed to maintain and operate all of Layered's systems."

"After several centuries of life under the Controller, humanity had begun to rebel. First, the Corporations tried to break free of the Controller's yoke on humanity. At the same time, the Controller started to become erratic, and was beginning to malfunction. Numerous battles ensued between the Corporations and the Controller's, AI driven forces. Eventually, the Controller was terminated by a single Raven who had managed to infiltrate the controller core, and destroy it. As a last act, the Controller fulfilled its final directive, and opened the gates to the surface world."

Bren nods in approval, waiting for Kai to continue. "After the fall of the Controller, the Corporations were quick to assume control, and began to redevelop the surface, making significant strides in a short sixty years. This progress was soon halted by an anomaly known as the Silent Line. Unable to enter the region guarded by the Silent Line, the Corporations soon came into conflict with each other in a bid to try and determine the secrets that the Silent Line held. Eventually, the corporations were able to band together, and using Ravens as their swords, disabled the satellite weapon that guarded the Silent Lines border."

"Once inside, the corporations made a discovery: Another layered, and a second Controller, the source of all the Corporations problems regarding the Silent Line. Using an advanced MT model, the Controller determined the fate of humanity in single combat against a Raven. The end result was the destruction of another Controller." Kai pauses to gather his thoughts, keying in several commands into his information band. "After the fall of the Silent Line, the Corporations continued to expand throughout the surface world. Eventually, another major conflict arose when a smaller corporation, Navis, discovered a new, secret resource."

"Having caught wind of this new resource, the other corporations attempted to gain access to it, but Navis refused to share its findings, and plunged the region into bloody conflict. It was during this conflict that the resource, an underground weapons facility, activated, releasing millions of unmanned suicide drones. The drones, once releases, targeted all points of civilization on the planet, devastating the human population and once more scarring the earth."

"Very good." Bren congratulates the young Kai. "Did you actually pull this information up as you explained it, or are you reading from your notes?"

"When I learned I would be assigned as your adjunct." Kai explains. "I made it a point to research all available information concerning the overworld, and several other areas of interest." Bren nods. "So you are reading from your prepared notes?" Kai nods in reply. "You show more promise then the last ones." Bren grunts. "Continue."

"After the unmanned drone attack." Kai continues. "Humanity was in shambles. The Corporations, severely weakened by the previous fighting and the onslaught of the drones, banded together and formed the Alliance. Once the Alliance was solidified, they quickly began taking control of the remaining human population. Opposed to them was a group of Ravens. Against everything the Alliance represented, the Ravens, led by one of their own, formed a resistance group named Vertex. Based in the ruins of a what had once been Bayload city, remained Circ City after the attack, Vertex challenged the Alliance to a final, great battle to decide who would lead humanity in the future."

"In the aftermath of this battle, nearly all the Ravens who had participated in it had died, killed by one side or the other. All save a single raven, the one Raven that had taken down both sides in the conflict in the span of a twenty-four hour period. Given the name Last Raven, the enigmatic AC and it's pilot disappeared, never to be seen again."

"With Vertex gone, the Alliance slowly recovered its strength. Using its resources, it began to once more take control to humanity's future. To prevent another uprising such as the one Vertex presented, the Alliance created the Concord; An organization crated to manage and control Ranvens, replacing the Raven's Ark that had perished during the unmanned drone attack. Though the move had proven beneficial to the Alliance, it did not stem the rise of various warlords in the less civilized regions of the world. Even now, almost a hundred years after the creation of the Alliance, the warlords still control parts of the world, using the ACs and MTs the alliance factories produce."

"Correct." Bren agrees. "Though missing several minor details, your report of the past history of the world after the Great War is fairly accurate given the information you had access to." Taking a last look at the monitors, Bren sighs. "As you are aware, the sub cores are preparing to launch a rather large project. This is the only reason why I entertained the idea of getting a new adjunct at this point in time." Kai nods. "Yes overseer. I was told briefly of the project, but I have yet to be given any details."

"Well, you are about to get plenty of them." Bren tells the young man. "We are due to meet with the sub cores shortly." Taking his cane in hand, Bren gets to his feet. Going to the door, Bren takes the lead, Kai falling in step with him. "Tell me." Bren says as they walk through the white metal hallway. "Where are you from?"

"Fourth industrial sector, third Layered overseer." Kai replies. "My father is a factory overseer for Murokumo." Bren nods. "MT or AC?"

"MT production." Kai replies. "However, I have extensive training in armored core theory and construction, as well as-" Bren waves absently with his free hand. "Yes, I know all that." He tells the young man. "Have you been advised of sub core protocol?" Kai nods. "See to it you do not forget it." Bren tells him sternly, stopping before a pair of doors. Turning towards the doors, Bren looks up at the single, fish-eye lens mounted over the portal. "Overseer Bren." Bren introduces himself. "Voice analysis confirmed." A synthetic voice replies after several seconds. "Welcome overseer Bren. You are expected." The doors slide open silently, and Bren steps boldly into the room, Kai following behind him.

Inside the large, dimly lit room, Bren moves to the center of the room, standing before the multitude of screens. Hanging back, Kai takes up position beside the door. "I have completed my report concerning project AC0XX953-H." Bren begins. As he stops speaking, a loud, synthetic chime echoes through the room. "Sub core Alpha present. Sub-core Epsilon present. Sub-Core Omega present." With each name spoken a different voice speaks. "Report XL-439 has been received at 1000 hours." Sub core Alpha, the normal male voice, says. "What are your recommendations concerning the project overseer Bren?"

"I agree with the necessity to investigate the anomaly found in the records." Bren begins. "However, I wish to go on record that the project that has been proposed is not of sound judgment."

"Explain." The deep male voice of Sub-Core Epsilon asks. "Allowing such technology to be moved into the overworld presents a high risk factor. To confirm this statement, I direct you to overworld report bk-37. A shipment of key AC parts was stolen by one of the independent warlord factions. Though the parts were in the end recovered, and no data loss occurred, it is a testament to the inherent risk this project represents to the Controller."

"Overworld operatives cannot be trusted with the execution of project AC0XX953-H." Sub core Omega says, a normal female voices. "The risk of parameter conflict exceeds the potential data yield of the project. Parameter conflicts cannot be resolved within the current project scope."

"Project scope is within the declared Controller parameters." Sub core Alpha objects. "Current parameter conflicts will be resolved with the completion of the preliminary initiation protocols." Bren frowns as he listens to the synthesized voices argue, something that they are clearly doing, though he is certain what he is hearing is only a very small portion of the debate. "Overseer Bren." Sub core Epsilon addresses him. "Report status of preliminary initiation protocols."

"As per your instructions, I have compiled a list of potential AC and MT pilots that met the required parameters of project AC0XX953-H. However, if you will refer to file QA-12, sub name Candidates, I have listed three likely candidates for the project." Before him, three screens come to life with the information Bren had compiled. "Using the Alliance and Concord databases, I have narrowed the list to three AC pilots. After careful consideration, it is my belief that MT pilots, while capable to be chosen candidates for the project, will require additional resource allocation in order to properly prepare them."

"Operator Brens hypothesis is valid." Alpha says. "MT pilots, while carrying the required knowledge and skill set, lack the necessary abilities found in AC pilots. Parameter change accepted. Continue with your report overseer Bren." Nodding, Bren continues, leaning on his cane before him. "The first Candidate is a veteran AC pilot, call sign Arkling." Several of the screens above the three smaller screens light up, displaying the various video footage of the AC and it's pilot. "A veteran AC pilot of twelve years, Arkling pilots a tank-model AC with great dexterity. The candidate also has a keen mind, and a sound grasp of tactics. His intelligence rating is the highest of the three candidates I have chosen. Age 42, male, Caucasian, has no known family or relatives. Currently working as second in command for the independent warlord group led by a young, but charismatic AC pilot." Finished his description, Bren waits for the sub cores to speak.

"Candidate's age does not match optimal requirements." Epsilon says. "Currently, there are no candidates that meet a one hundred percent requirement match." Bren explains. "These three are the closest matches found of all known active AC pilots. Searching for non-active, or non-registered AC pilots to make a one-hundred percent match will significantly delay the project's commencement."

"Understood. Continue with candidate selection." Alpha orders him. "The second candidate." Bren begins as the information appears on the linked screens. "Is a young Raven still in training. Female Caucasian, sixteen years of age. She is a prodigy showing uncanny AC piloting skills and familiarity. This candidate is the most likely one for the project given her skills. Currently, this candidate is training in the Alliance academy for MT and AC piloting, and as such, has no active call sign or AC. However, current performance data suggests she favours lightweight AC units. Though this candidate has strong family ties, her Alliance connections and training give us a unique opportunity to accelerate the project's time table."

Looking up at the screens, Bren frowns when he sees images of what look like genetic information. I did not add that information to the file, he thinks to himself. Watching the screens, Bren realizes that they are examining each of the candidate's genetic information, as though they are searching for something. "Second Candidate, compliance rating 97." Omega finally declares. "Candidate's physical requirements are below optimal, but can be stimulated through medical and physical means. Continue with your analysis overseer Breen."

"The third Candidate." Bren begins. "Is a Raven. This Candidate almost did not make my list, except for one thing." An image comes up on screen of the Candidates AC, a biped middleweight sporting a hi-powered laser rifle in the right hand, and a smaller sniper rifle in the left hand. The steel-grey AC shows signs of recently being in battle. "This image was taken four years ago." Bren continues. "During a battle between two independent warlords. The AC and its pilot were the only survivors."

"Explain relevance to project requirements." Epsilon orders. "This Candidate has shown exceptional piloting skill, and has recently reached A rank Raven status after only five years of active combat. While not necessarily a prodigy, the Candidate shows as much potential as the second Candidate."

"Information regarding this candidate is selective." Alpha states. "The Candidate, though registered as a Raven with Concord." Bren explains. "Has managed to elude many of our data collection nodes. Investigations into this matter indicate that this is not due to direct knowledge of the Controller, but rather appears to be instinctual." Up on the screens, the candidate's genome information flashes for several seconds, longer then either of the others. They must have found what they were looking for, Bren muses. "Candidate information incomplete." Omega declares. "Compliance rating, 43. Recommend that Candidate two be chosen for final selection."

"Negative." The voice that spoke the word is different the others, flat and emotionless, neither male nor female. As the word is spoken, all the screens grow dim. "Third Candidate selected. Final Candidate selection made. Begin initiation of project AC0XX953-H." With those words, the screens start to flicker back to normal. Frowning, Bren turns and quickly leaves the room. "Is something wrong overseer?" Kai asks once they are outside, the doors closed. "Do you realize what just happened there?" Bren asks his new assistant. "Not, entirely sir." Kai admits. "The Controller, had overridden his sub cores, all of them, concerning candidate selection for this project."

"I, I don't understand sir." Kai admits after some thought. "Neither do I." Bren muses. "But I think there is more going on here, then any of us care to imagine."