(Author's Notes): Hello everyone, sorry for the most extremely longest delay of a chapter that I've ever put out on this website. Anyway, this year of 2018 is going to be different. Because in my life there's a new stage happening that are going to change how I write and post my stories in the future. So once again sorry for the delay for let's start off with a quote that we all know and love. STAND BY FOR TITANFALL!
Chapter 9: Reunions? They're hard to fight for…..
"So you're…..the AI….of that ship that's outside our airspace right now?" Jacob asked.
"Yes." Vanessa answered with a smile on her face.
She is so energetic like Ruby…
"Are you the only one on board that ship?" I asked.
"Yes. I am currently in control of the Retribution. It may be lonely, but it always never boring." She said.
"How?" Summer asked.
"I have my ways."
"Anyway, back on subject please." Irene interrupted as we focused our attention back to Irene.
"Why did you send her Irene?" I asked. "Why now?"
"Well, when I cross reference the technology used on this weapon, Vanessa is the only AI that has knowledge of this weapon." Irene explained.
"You're so smart Irene!" Vanessa said enthusiastically as she examines at the blueprint of the weapon. "Judging by this blueprint and revisions, this weapon has gone through some major changes and many revisions. But luckily for you guys, its destruction capabilities are only half comparing to the original design."
"But it's still a threat right?" Summer asked.
"Affirmative."
Yeah, that was expected.
"Well done Irene. Keep me posted about any further Intel that we can find. Vanessa you are more than welcome to stay in this ship and inform us any further details." I informed.
"Oh and another thing, I have two packages on board my ship. I was told by the Advocate that they're for you, plus he left a message. You'll receive it once you see it"
Well, he sure can make every delivery a rush order…..
"Okay, send it to Docking Bay 8." I commanded. Then, I turned to Irene. "Irene, send a clean-up team to Docking Bay 8 to clear the landi-"
"This cannot land inside of your carrier." Vanessa informed. "It's going to hover over near the Jack Cooper."
I looked outside the bridge, I saw a ship exiting behind the Retribution and coming into view. What I saw was just pure amazement, then I received the message from the Advocate.
Opening Encrypted Message…..
Hey Fredric, so this is going to be my last run of supplies for you. Man, your order was just straight up crazy. You have no idea how long it took me to get this. Anyway back to the point, everything you need is all on Remnant for you. From here on out, you're on your own. Find the last Regiment of White Fang defectors and make Remnant a better place with the new Militia. Use the tools I have given you to accomplish the goal that was given to you Connor and change the fate of this world. I wish both of you the best of luck.
Sincerely- The Advocate.
End Message.
After finishing reading the message, Irene caught my attention.
"Fredric. There's a signal requesting to link with the Carrier's transport mainframe. Awaiting your orders to accept link." Irene said.
"Irene, accept the link." I commanded. "Vanessa, mind telling me what he sent me with to store the items that I requested?"
"That ship that are coming into view are called the Annapolis and-" Vanessa explains but was interrupted by Irene.
"-They are completely automated without any human personnel." Irene interrupts.
"HEY! No fair Irene…..you're always like this." Vanessa said with a teasing mad manner.
I hope these two get along…
"So my guess that Vanessa has control of the ship?" Summer asked.
"Well, the lady robot knows the right answers." Vanessa said. "You're Summer Rose and Jacob Frost…right?"
"That is correct." Said both of them in response.
"I want to know more about you!" Vanessa excitedly asked as she walks towards Summer's direction but then Jacob and Summer excused themselves out of the bridge with swift haste.
"Aww. They left before I even started to ask them." Vanessa said disappointed.
"Vanessa, let's keep this back on track please." I said interrupting their moment.
After minutes passed, Irene then picks up a signal from radar detection.
"Sir, I've detected a White Fang Defector Signal. It's broadcasting its location now." Irene briefed.
"What? Why is it broadcasting its location on the radar?" I questioned. "It's risking its location cover being blown."
"Looks like the signal is broadcasting not just its signal location, it's also a S.O.S signal." Vanessa informed. "Playing its transmission frequency now."
Playing S.O.S Frequency…..
"I can't believe I'm saying this to the whole frequency network. This is the Commander Ashley of the White Fang Defector Regiment, we are under attack from overwhelming forces of the White Fang who are sent to hunt us. Whoever is hearing this broadcast, we need immediate support now!"
End broadcast.
Uh oh. That's not good. If we lose them, we might never have enough soldiers to…..wait.
"Vanessa, is that why the Advocate sent the Annapolis to us?" I asked.
"Who knows?" Vanessa questioned with a slight tease. I then turned to Irene.
"Irene, can we access the Paladin's weapons systems from remote control here?"
"Yes, transferring Paladin's weapons systems to the holo-table now." Irene acted as the controls and weapons systems from the Paladin is comes into view from the table.
"Alright, here's our move. Irene, open up a channel to the White fang Regiment and inform them help is on the way." I said and Irene agreed. "Vanesssa, I know I just met you but I need you to do me a favour and access the Paladin's engines to guide it to their location while I'm giving them support fire."
"You got it!" Vanessa said and she accessed the Paladin's engines and flies it to the location of the signal. I prepped its weapon systems, then Irene finished setting up a channel for communications.
"Alright, it's done. Patching you to the channel now." Irene said then Commander Ashley came through the channel.
"This is Commander Ashley, to whom am I speaking on this channel?" She said demanding a question.
"This is Pilot Miles of the MCS-Jack Cooper. We are sending one of our ships to back you up. What's your status on the battle?" I questioned.
"Well, I'm glad someone picked up my distress call. Although it's a ship name I've never heard before but I'll take anything at this rate. The White Fang Hunter teams are seriously giving us a beating out here." Ashley responds, then Vanessa interrupts me.
"We have reached the location, you should be able to see the battle view now." She said.
"About time, where your ship? I can't see anywhere above the skies." Ashley asked.
The location where Vanessa guided was a no brainer to see where the battle was, I looked through the Paladin's camera system. The battle took place in front of Ashley's camp where they're holding up located just a miles off from the place where my first battle of the XS1-Vulcan. The White Fang Hunter teams are in the White Fang marked Bullheads and at the same time with Grimm mixed in, while Ashley's soldiers are wearing Militia outfits. The only thing that's keeping a barrier between them is the make-shift wall for perimeter defence setup by Ashley's team. They lost half of their campsite with overwhelming odds. I needed to act now.
"Commander, I need you to continue to hold the hunters off and inform your men to not a foot outside your make shift wall and advise them for danger close." I instructed. "That's where my firing line is going to be."
"Ok, got it." Ashley said.
I switched my attention to the Paladin's weapons systems and targeted at the White Fang invaders. I took control of the MG turrets to neutralise the infantry, Irene on the Remote control Missile system to neutralize the Bullheads, and Vanessa on the 105mm Canon for clearing the Grimm after setting the Paladin's Orbital flight path on auto-pilot. I looked at them and they all give me the nod.
.
.
.
"Let's drop some lead on those motherfuckers." I said with a smile on my face and all weapons on the Paladin is firing all cylinders.
.
.
.
From the view of the Paladin camera systems, the battle on the ground was roaring explosions from left right and centre. The vast majority of its numbers reduced by a steep slope and hours later to what it felt like minutes later comes to a pass. The ground that was once a populated battleground soon changed into a no man's land with silence and radiating war on the field. I took my hands off the controls and contacted with the Commander of the White Fang Defector Regiment again.
"Commander Ashley, are you still there?" I asked. "All threats have been neutralised. Are your soldiers safe down there?"
No response but only for a few minutes.
"This is Commander Ashley, I personally thank you for the support. I just sent my men to gather and regroup." Ashley responds. "What in the world did you just launch near us?"
"It's better not to discuss this on the channels. I will be visiting your campsite to further investigate the area." I said. "Be advised, that I will be sending a team down with to assist with your repairs."
"I'll gladly accept your generosity. See you soon. Ash Out." Ashley said and she exits the channel.
"Irene, inform and prep Blizzard Squad, FS and four Crows loaded with two racks of Spectres and Stalkers ready to depart. We leave in half an hour." I commanded and Irene did so as instructed. "Vanessa, you are more than welcome to stay here."
"Yay! I get to play with Irene!" said Vanessa and she runs towards her but Irene creates a hologram firewall to prevent her from coming anywhere close to her.
I don't know why but they seem to be quite compatible with each other…..
"Irene, you have the con until Jacob returns to the bridge." I said as I left the bridge to the hangar bay my arranged crew was held.
Once I arrived to the hangar bay, I saw Blizzard Squad and FS talking to each other. Well, at least they are comfortable with each other.
"Alright team, listen up!" I said as FS and Blizzard Squad gathered around. "This mission is a support mission. We are heading towards a White Fang Defector Regiment Camp to rebuild their campsite that was lost in the invasion. Assist them with whatever they request given by direct orders from Commander Ashley. Don't worry, I plan to keep a close eye to them. So be on alert. Clear?!"
"Yes sir!" Blizzard Squad agreed as they responded.
Once the group disbands for departure, I saw that Blizzard Squad was also bringing one Samson along for the mission.
"Looks like you guys are bringing the Samson along. What for?" I asked.
"We were thinking that infantry and a Titan can be great but nothing beats the mobility of a fast moving vehicle and quick damage from a Samson." Said Marlow. "You wouldn't mind?"
"Nope. Not at all." I agreed. No complaints there. I walked to FS as she loads her Plasma Railgun behind her ready for travelling.
"Hey FS." I greeted.
"Hello Fredric." FS greeted back. "According to my calculations, we will be able to reach our destination in three hours."
"Great, maybe this time we'll actually be there on time." I joked.
"I detect sarcasm." Said FS. Heh.
I then phase embarked onto FS and steered her to departure.
"Northstar systems transferred to Pilot." Informed FS.
Once everyone was ready, I activated FS flight system and departed from the carrier following behind me with the four Crows loaded with gear that I needed for this mission. As we were descending to the location, I received a call from Irene shortly after that.
"This is Fredric, go ahead." I said over the call.
"Irene here, I am just informing you that Connor has woken up from his recovery and he's informing us that he and Jacob will be departing for Beacon Academy for a meeting." Irene said.
"Alright that's great news." I said. "Keep me posted about his activity."
"Noted." She answered and the call ends there.
Looks like my time as Captain has come to an end…..it was fun…kind of.
Hours later, I finally arrived at the campsite. For once, FS calculations are correct with travelling.
"FS, I'm linking you to the Vulcan's Orbital Camera to scan any hostiles nearby while I have a little chat with their leader. This should allow you to scan further beyond your normal scanner range." I informed and she agreed.
I disembarked from FS to greet them personally.
"Engaging Guard Mode." Said FS
"Commander Ashley, I'm Pilot Miles. It's an honour to meet you." I greeted while shaking hands with Ashley.
"Pilot Miles, thanks for the assist back there. You really showed it to them." said Ashley. "And I did not expect to see you bring a whole army here."
That's only just a recon squad in our books though…
I looked back at my team to see that they were disembarked from their vehicles.
"Blizzard Squad, get the Spectres and Stalkers activated for assistance." I said then I turned back to Ashley. "I've brought some of my soldiers to assist with your reconstruction. Whatever you need help with, they're the ones to go for. In addition, those human soldiers are Marlow, Duke, Arron, Maxine and Louis. Together, they are Blizzard Squad."
"Okay….Thanks for the introduction." She thanked questionably. "Assign them to guard duty on the perimeter wall while it's being rebuilt. After that, follow me to my headquarters."
Marlow then came over to us and informed me about their progress.
"Sir, the Spectres and Stalkers are online and functional." Said Marlow.
"Thank you soldier." I thanked. "Next I want your team to be on perimeter defence around the camp's wall that was damaged during the ambush and protect Commander Ashley's construction team until it is finished. In addition, you are now in charge of the distribution of the Spectres and Stalkers."
That shocked Marlow for a moment, then he salutes me and agrees to that order.
"I will do my best sir." Marlow agreed and went back to his team to update their mission.
"Pilot Miles, if you would come this way." Ashley said. "Team! If you need any assistance, that's the guy you're looking for."
We both then left for a proper location to discuss current matters.
Along the way while they were escorting me, I saw they had at least ten ships. Seven of them are Atlesian Airships with Militia colours modified and three are civilian ships. It almost like this group had the leftovers. Then we arrived at her room where they coordinate operations.
"Well, we've arrived at our operations room where we coordinate local ops." Said Ashley. "Time for some answers from you. I assume you are familiar with our weaponry amongst my men they're using, despite from your gear you're wearing."
"According to your database, you are looking for someone called Connor Camerone correct?" I questioned.
"How did you know that?" she questioned unexpectedly. "That's top classified intel."
The soldiers behind me pointed their guns at me from the tone of her voice.
"Well, unfortunately I have a bad habit of researching into things without permission. So I hacked into your database when I arrived here." I said with a calm tone. I don't want suddenly FS reacts to my distress and charges in and destroy more of her camp. Ashley gestured to her men to lower their weapons and they did so accordingly.
"Yes, we are looking for a Pilot named Connor Camerone as told by a person named the Advocate." She answered. "Do you know where his whereabouts are?"
"Fortunately I do, I'm his-" I said but interrupted by Irene's call. "Excuse me, give me 40 seconds. Count it."
"This is Fredric. Go Irene." I said as I picked up the call.
"Fredric, I was just informed from BT that Connor's vital signs are abnormally high for a moment but then it returned to normal levels." Irene informed. "In fact, almost as he's asleep?"
"Strange." I responded. "Inform Jacob about Connor's situation, find out what's wrong with Connor."
"Jacob's orders are to guard the Warden dropship, instructed by Connor." Irene explained.
"Alright, I'll be there in a moment. Tell Jacob that I'm on my way to take over guard watch on the Warden." I informed then I turned back to Ashley. "Commander Ashley, I am terribly sorry that I'm going to have to cut it short. Something just happened to Connor and I need to get back to him as soon as possible. Irene will take over my place."
"Who's Irene?" she asked then Irene appeared in the operation's room holo-table.
"Hello, I am AI IRNE-0747, but you may call me Irene." Irene introduced which Ashley's soldier to raise their guns but only lowered from Ashley's orders.
"She's our AI, she will fill in the details of your questions." I said and I left the room with haste.
"FS, change of plans. I'm heading back to Beacon Academy." I said as I walked back to FS.
"Copy, Pilot." responded FS.
Before I embarked onto FS, I informed Blizzard Squad about my sudden departure and told them to assist any tasks given by Commander Ashley. They agreed and I left with FS to head back to Beacon.
While we were on our way there, Vanessa called me.
"Vanessa, what is it?" I asked.
"There's a small fleet of ships hovering over the front of Beacon Academy. According to their database, it consisted ten Atlesian Airships modified to fit Militia colours and an Andromeda Class Carrier. They are all under the command of Samantha Stone, Leader of the second White Fang Deserters." Informing Vanessa. "Just informing you what's expected once you arrive there before getting all guns blazing with the unexpected."
"I'm not that kind of person Vanessa." I rebutted then I thought about it for a second.
Shoot…
"Vanessa, don't tell me that you're in charge?!" I questioned quickly.
"No, Summer Rose is." Said Vanessa. Thank Goodness.
"Alright, I'm almost there. Hail me if anything new comes up." I said.
"Okie Dokie."
The call ends there. She really is bubbly type of A.I…
Once I arrived there, I landed near behind Beacon's School ground where we can use the environment to our advantage. Same place where the Warden's discovery incident happened, but this time, FS can hide whenever she can to not get spotted. I disembarked off FS.
"Alright FS, I want you to stay here and hold position. No one is to see you until I give you any further orders."
"Protocol Two Mission update: Hold position until further instructed from Pilot. Copy that." Said FS and I left to meet up with Frost.
I exited the forest and ran to Frost's location where he was guarding the Warden. Frost spots me and we swapped places.
"Alright, I'll take over guard of the Warden. Get to Connor and check up on him. I'll wait here until you need me" I said as Frost and I swapped places.
Once Frost left, I entered the Warden to check on its systems. I looked outside to see that the ships that Vanessa told me earlier are there in range.
I still can't believe that the ships are just parked out there in open airspace…. especially that Andromeda Class Carrier. Look at the size of that thing….
After the check up, I remote viewed into one of the security cameras in Ozpin's room with my datapad and to see that Frost, Yang and another female Milita uniformed soldier is in Ozpin's room as well. Looks like Connor is not making to that meeting at all.
I took an image of that Militia soldier and analysed it to check on who she is, turns out her name is Samantha Stone, leader of the Second White Fang Deserters.
As I was listening into their conversation from remote viewing, one particular part of the conversation caught my ear.
"After all the trouble of simply getting here? I don't think so. We're below required production of food and supplies for my men and the civilians and Vale has everything we need to fix that problem. I'm sorry headmaster, but I can't my people come first." Sam stated her point. She sounds like she's desperate and is not going anywhere.
"If that is the case, I can't be held responsible of General Ironwood fires upon you." Said Ozpin simply.
"Let him try, he'll start a fight he won't win. Besides, he has to deal with General Camerone." She replied. Wow, that confident eh? "I think we're done here today."
Samantha then turned to Yang and Frost.
"The Jack Cooper has safe passage to the fleet's airspace and we'll grant you anything you need of what we can spare." Said Samantha as she walked to the elevator and they followed. But Yang told Ozpin something before she entered into the elevator.
"Ozpin." She said to Ozpin getting his attention. "Connor told me of the knowledge he has. And I understand why he's doing all this. When he tells you…. you might as well."
Yang then walked back to the elevator and rode it back down.
I turned off the remote viewing and called Irene.
"Irene, you copy?" I said calling in.
"Yes Fredric, I was about to call you. I've just received a call from Frost that we have access to the Andromeda Class Carrier for any supply needs. Including Ashley's crew."
Word travels fast…
"Right…..Inform Frost for him to tell Samantha that we are going to hold a meeting on board the Jack Cooper. Tell this to Ashley as well. It's time reunite the White Fang Deserters. Details will be sent to their databases." I said informing to her on the call.
"Copy that." She said ending the call.
I turned on the remote system in the Advanced Stalker that I left in my dorm room on my helmet's HUD. Once I entered into the Advanced Stalker camera, I saw Connor sleeping on his bed. I turned on voice log on my HUD.
Log-01: Irene, this is a recording of my helmet's HUD to confirm that Connor is safe and sound. From my judgement, he looks like he's recovering from a mental breakdown according to the scans I performed on his body's condition. Report this to BT as well.
Fredric Out.
After recording the log, I heard footsteps coming to our dorm room. It was Yang and Frost coming to check on Connor. I quickly activated the disguise ability to disguise as myself helmetless and the door opens as they were surprised to see me.
Right in the nick of time….
"Oh hey Fredric, welcome back." Yang greeted as we gave each other a hug then followed with a hand shake from Frost.
"Since you got here first, is Connor doing okay while we were away?" Yang asked.
"Well, he's been silent and quiet so far. So that's all good there." I responded.
"That's good to hear." She answered.
"Fredric, may I speak to you for a moment in private?" Frost asked and I nodded. I exited my dorm room and Frost spoke to me quietly.
"Fredric, if you're here. Who's guarding the Warden?" Jacob asked quietly.
"I'm guarding the Warden right now." I answered.
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"Oh, I didn't tell you?" I said. "I'm not actually here. I'm still back at the Warden using a stalker to have a hologram disguise of me talking to you."
"Right…" he answered with a little confusion still. "So, is the meeting still on with Connor in this condition?"
"Yes, and I plan not to disappoint our guests." I answered with determination.
"But if we wake him up now and send him into the meeting, if he suddenly loses his cool, the others would think that he is not suitable for him as a leader." Frost said reasoning his concern.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll make sure he is on his best behaviour." I said then I get on comms with Irene. "Irene, are you online?"
"Irene here, what do you need?" Irene asked.
"Is the arm ready?" I asked.
"Yes, it's ready."
"I want it delivered near the Warden. Make it a special delivery with boosters on it so it won't destroy Beacon's property." I requested.
"Pod loaded with the arm has been deployed" informed Irene. "Keep that in one piece?"
After the call, I turned to Frost.
"I'm heading back to the Warden now. Keep Connor safe for the moment until I get back. It's okay for Yang to stay there too." I said.
"Roger that." Frost answered. Then I left my dorm room to retrieve the arm.
As I exited the dorm building, I saw a drop pod next to the Warden. I entered the Warden and to see myself still in the position as I was last time. I walked to one of the drop pods and sealed the Stalker inside it. I disconnect myself from the Stalker and returned back to my normal body. After the change, I went to pick up the prosthetic arm and scanned it for its properties.
X-02 Prosthetic Lightweight Arm
Equipped with:
Hacking Module: Hacks any targeted electronics.
Deployable Legion Gun Shield Barrier: Only can withstand five Archer rounds.
Eh. Not too crazy, no offense abilities but should be okay for tactical abilities for self-defence.
After the scan, I switched on guard mode on the Warden and returned to my dorm room. Once I arrived there, I saw Connor had already woken up from his nap.
"Hey Connor." I greeted.
"Oh hello Fred, it's been a while." He answered.
Yes it certainly has.
"Frost and Yang, would you mind excusing us for a moment in private?" I asked, Frost then escorted a little hesitant Yang out of the room and left Connor and myself back in the room.
There was a silence for a moment in the room….but Connor then spoke up first to break the silence.
"So, I hear that I'm getting my new prosthetic arm now." Connor said and I walked to him and attached it to his arm stump. After the setup, he controlled it for a moment but he got used to the movement quickly.
"Wow, it's really light." Connor answered.
"Yes, fitted with the best lightweight material there is on the ship. Equipped with Hacking modules and a Deployable Forward Gun shield linked through your helmet." I explained. Connor stood up and tried out the features. And from one look, I knew he liked it but not as impressed so it seems.
"It's great but I wish that it had weapons on it." He said.
"Well, it wouldn't be lightweight then if they went for the idea. It would slow you down as a Pilot."
"You're not wrong there." Connor admitted, then he sat down on his bed and I sat on my bed the opposite side towards him. He sat silently for a few minutes then he spoke again and asked me a question.
"How did you do it Fred?" Connor asked the question.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Pressure and the weight of the burden we both carry. I followed every instruction given by the Advocate but I lost my cool when the heat of the pressure get to me…"Connor said as he stood up from his bed and stare directly at me. "But you Fred, Fredric Miles. You executed the missions with ease, keeping your cool in the utmost difficult times, and not to mention that thinking that everyone's lives are at stake and are depending on you for guidance. How did you do it?"
I sat silent on my bed for a moment thinking about my answer as Connor then sat back on his bed waiting for an answer.
"Well, to answer your question…" I said. "I don't lose my cool because….I know that people are depending on us to change the future of Remnant. If we ever lose our grip on the situation, the whole team goes down with it. That's all it really comes to it. When the situation is messy, start somewhere and build it from there than nowhere and lose this war. We've come so far not to just to lose our cool here."
Connor looked out of the window and seeing the sun sets, silent for a few minutes then he spoke again.
"Thanks for helping getting out of my sorry sad state." Connor thanked.
"Anytime Connor, after all, I'm your support after all." I responded. "Ready to head back to carrier to have that meeting?"
"Let's do it." Connor answered as we get dressed and left our dorm room to head over to the Warden to depart.
Once we got there, FS and Frost was waiting for us near the Warden.
"What happened to your cover FS?" I asked.
"Night time serves the perfect cover for camouflage." FS responded.
"Connor, you're on the Warden. I'll get on FS and we'll rendezvous back at the carrier." I said and Connor got onto the Warden and flew off in orbital launch first and me next.
Once we arrived near the carrier, there was a signal hailing us from the MCS-Jack Cooper.
"Warden and incoming Northstar class titan, this is home base. Authenticate for landing procedure." We heard over the comms.
"Home Base. This Metal is 0-1. Requesting permission to land." Connor said.
"Home Base. This is Metal 0-2. Requesting permission to land." I said.
"Copy. Request accepted, welcome home Metal team." Said the voice over the comm.
Let's hope that first step is a smooth one. After all…
.
.
.
This first move may be our last if we don't play this correctly.
(Author's Notes): Well, we certainly are at an interesting position right now. With a little of catch up and a side of comeback. The next chapter may take a while depending on Cronus new time schedule of posting his chapters. So, see you all in the next chapter!
