Chapter 25: Saddest Smile (part:2)
Act: 1
"Q, wait!" Macawi demanded as she helplessly watched Echoic race towards a target she felt they were no match for. Though not high in rank, Clown Face had a reputation that inspired fear in many a Raven. Its powerhouse offense and speed had spelled doom for a string of pilots back at the Ark. It was even rumored that its pilot was one of Jack-O's first picks for the second Ark program, but Omega was said to have refused the offer.
"Haaa!" Echoic fired its Crest rifle furiously at Clown Face, tearing down a number of crates in the process as the camouflaged mech casually continued to strafe across the warehouse. The limited size of the area should have made Clown Face an easy target, yet the AC continuously made the room necessary to flawlessly avoid Echoic's onslaught.
"..." Omega's blue eyes showed very little sign of interest as he watched the 'kid' attack like a rabid dog. One, who in his eyes, was still on a tight leash.
"Fight back!" Q barked in response to Omega's evasive stride. "Don't think lightly of me, Raven!" Responding to its pilot's rage, Echoic began running towards Clown Face and unleashed a ball of plasma from its blade. A molten explosion was the result of the attack, which soon revealed nothing but a superheated concoction of supplies and crates. "Where?" Q fanatically shouted, his eyes in a frenzy.
"Up here, kid." Omega called from a soaring Clown Face, which then summoned a left arm grenade launcher and its M2 into the fray. The heavy alloy rounds did a number on Echoic's head, and a grenade blast to the Core sent the AC skidding back several yards.
"Damn! You're gonna pay for that!" Q screamed as Echoic began rushing in once again while Clown Face came to a perch atop one of the giant storage shelves. Suddenly, a swarm of micro missiles raced pass the pitch black AC, causing its pilot to halt his assault. "Wha?"
"..." Omega's eyes narrowed at the new, but already expected, attacker. She had finally mustered up the courage to engage him, and Clown Face's anti missile extensions went to work, while the remainder of tiny warheads were evaded with the usual remedy of speed. Clown Face then quickly countered with a few rounds that tore into MMM's left shoulder.
"Macawi!" Echoic dashed in front of MMM once again as Clown Face ceased its attack and waited for their next move.
"Q, quit showing off!" Macawi then barked. "Let's complete our mission and get the heck out of here!"
"But-"
"Don't you get it? Look at him, he's not even bothering to attack us, even while we're doing this." The young woman then opened a visual feed to Echoic. "Q... Believing in yourself is one thing, but totally ignoring the reality of a situation, is another. Our only mission is to total this place."
"..." As the two continued to bicker, Omega peeled off his helmet. There was no way such pilots could be any real threat to him. The light-skinned man then reached for his canteen and began to take in its contents, resting his chin on fist as he did.
"So... Are you ready?" Macawi then asked with an almost devious grin.
"Macawi...?" Q then understood what she was planning. "You're right." Echoic then gave MMM the lead and began backing off towards the exiting corridor.
"..." Omega then sat down his canteen and ran a hand across his closely cut, white hair. "Finally going to do it, eh?" he whispered under his breath as he readied the controls.
"Do it, Macawi!" Q shouted.
"Alright!" Macawi began to manually unleash swarm after swarm of micro missiles upon the warehouse.
"..." The bombardment was devastating, and not even Clown Face could have stopped the locust like attackers, shutting off his anti missile extension in the process as his AC danced about the now blazing warehouse. The flames had enveloped the entire room, and Omega's radiator went into overtime as he fired a few grenade rounds at the two ACs making their escape. Clown Face managed to catch MMM with a decent blow to the back of the Core, sending it slamming into Echoic.
"Hey! Did you get hit?" Q called.
"Ugh... I'm okay, just destroy the lock so he can't come after us."
"I'm on it!" Echoic slashed the locking mechanism, sealing Omega in the room. "Not my style, but a pretty cool idea." he commented as the two ACs boosted towards the first room, where the exiting elevator awaited.
"It's not always about you, Q." Macawi suddenly said as she began to destroy the last area before heading out. "Also... You don't need to try so hard to impress me... I know how you feel, I'd be a fool not to..." the Raven then confessed softly. "Just... Just give me some more time, okay?"
"Macawi... Yeah, I understand." Q responded in an equal tone.
"Okay, mission complete! Let's head home, Q." MMM then stepped onto the elevator.
"You got it." Man... Should I apologize...? As the lift came to a stop, the doors parted and revealed a beautiful, star-filled sky. But, that wasn't all the view offered... Clown Face had taken the secondary elevator and was already waiting for the two youngsters.
"Well done..." Omega said as the winds blew the last bits of smoke from the AC's mildly scorched frame. "Now, where were we?"
"Macawi... We don't have a choice this time..."
"I-I guess you're right."
"I know it's not all about me... Sorry 'bout that." Q said in a respectful air. "Let's take him down, together. In this environment... WE have the advantage... Let's not embarrass Jack."
"That's right!" Macawi called back, sharing in his gusto. "We can do this!"
"Go!" Q ordered as Echoic raced in with its rifle at the lead once more.
"Eat this!" MMM followed with a max launch from its weapon arms, the missiles accompanied by their extension born 'cousins'.
Clown Face's own extensions went to work, but the number of missiles were far too many, and with Q's pressing attack, the reverse-joint would have to take some damage. Several missiles hit their mark, knocking a few plates of armor off the AC's lightweight Core, and Q's rifle rounds did the same to its left arm as the Duel Face inspired mech continued to race in while its blade came to life.
"Don't think numbers can make up for raw skill." Omega countered as he fired his AC's left arm grenade the moment Echoic's blade was about to make contact. The explosion destroyed Echoic's plasma blade and arm, but another swarm off micros would soon claim Clown Face's own left arm weapon and extension. "Hmph... You managed to get in a decent attack, little girl. Textbook tactics will only get you but so far..." Ignoring a staggered Echoic, Clown Face then exploded towards MMM before Macawi could continue her long-range assault.
"Sh!" Without a blade, only one of Q's weapons had the power to knock him off course. Echoic quickly fell to a knee and revealed one of its lightweight grenade launchers and fired off two rounds. As if sensing them, Clown Face strafed left, evading them both while continuing on towards its new target. "Macawi!"
"Ack..." In a mild panic, Macawi took to the sky as Omega followed, pegging her AC with M2 rounds as it evaded another set of grenades from behind, one almost hitting MMM. Clown Face was too close, and maintaining a lock at its current range and speed was a feat outside Macawi's current skill; she may as well had no weapons at all... "Get away from me!" she then screamed, pushing MMM to soar even higher into the night and hitting her Over Boost.
"..." The snow camo AC then activated its Uranus to get to work, and the energy machine gun did just that as its purple beams tore into MMM along with the M2 rounds, scoring a number of damaging blows just before the machine's OB function snatched it to safety. Unfortunately, one of MMM's boosters exploded violently. It seems Omega's earlier attack was more damaging than previously thought; the back of MMM became a ball of flame, and the AC began to plummet back to earth, trailing defeat across the night sky.
"Aaahhh!" Macawi screamed as her AC broke and tumbled across the rocky grounds. The cockpit was spiting up sparks and flames from the internal damage as Macawi began to slowly loss touch with her surroundings. Clown Face slammed down just before the shattered mech, its pilot already smelling defeat at hand.
"MACAWIII!" Q roared as his one-armed AC flew to her aid, firing away with rifle in hand.
I wonder why...? Omega then asked himself. Clown Face suddenly raised its M2 and began firing rounds into MMM reverse-joint legs, destroying them completely. Watching Echoic continue to race his way, Omega then had his AC aim its M2 towards MMM's right weapon arm. "You smothered your AC with a newly released technology, hoping to take advantage of the fact that many pilots aren't yet accustomed to battling against it. Cowardly... Another downside to such foolishness is that you've turned your machine into nothing more than a walking bomb. All it takes is one precise shot... Proof you're nothing more than a 'nestling'."
"STOP!" Echoic hopped and went into a controlled slide on its knee, and in an amazing display of skill, fired off its back grenade launcher while still skidding forward, forcing Clown Face into the sky. "I won't let you!" Q shouted as he dangerously forced his AC to pursue after its enemy from a kneel. The takeoff was clumsy, yet Q managed to pull it off, firing his rifle with intense and precise rage. He managed to destroy Clown Face's M2, but surprisingly, Q didn't acknowledge the feat. He continued to press on with his attack, managing to lay even more damage upon his target, even chipping off a portion of its radar-designed head in the process, but, a stream of Uranus rounds then took Q's rifle as compensation for the attack.
"...I see..." Omega then whispered.
"Damn it..." How to bring Omega down in order to secure a killing blow with 'kneeling' weapons; it was all Q could think of. He then recalled how pilots like Zen and Baron were able to use melee attacks not normal of ACs. He had tried it out in training, but only succeeded in damaging his mech's limbs in the process. Even so, it was the only option he had at this point, and Omega would never expect it. "If they can do it, so can I!" Q yelled at himself as he forced Echoic in.
"Kid..." Omega called as the image of Echoic intensified on his main LCD. Soaking up more Uranus rounds and losing its AMS cannon in the process, Echoic used its Core to ram straight into Clown Face, forcing both ACs back to the ground and tumbling across the terrain. The blow was intense, and both machines were out of commission for the moment. After a few moments of stillness, a voice.
"Q...?" Macawi called as she regained consciousness. "Q?" she screamed out at the thought of his death.
"I-I'm still alive... I think." he called back as Echoic began using its thrusters to return to its feet. Echoic then turned to see its prize, but it wouldn't be had, as Clown Face was standing and facing down Echoic itself. "Damn you..." Wait a minute! Q had his damaged mono eye zoom in as best it could. Clown Face's EO was crushed from the landing, along with its entire backside. "Hmph... Time to say goodbye, Raven. I bet you wish you had left us alone, now..." Q arrogantly stated as Echoic fell to a knee and revealed its coup de grace.
"Not bad, kid..." Omega called back as Echoic prepared to fire. "However..." Clown Face's left arm suddenly swung behind its Core as the AC spun around and whipped out a miniaturized plasma rifle, one which it immediately fired.
"What?" Like a blinding comet, the power wave slammed hard into the still kneeling Echoic. "Gaaaahh!" The tremendous blow sent Echoic on its back, breaking across the ground, and right into the already downed MMM. "How? Uranus... doesn't have a hanger function..."
"Never judge your opponent simply by their design..." Omega then replied. Indeed, Uranus wasn't a Hanger Core, yet it had the illegal function installed by Omega himself.
"Fu!" The damage to Echoic's Core was critical, his monitor was fried, as were his controls. There would be no fighting back now, no miraculous comebacks, or last-minute interventions by comrades. They were alone... They were finished... "You were toying with us from the very start, weren't you...? B-Bastard..." Q coughed as Clown Face walked towards the two ACs.
"Q..." Macawi whispered, her voice filled with fear. She knew this would be their last moment alive.
"I'm sorry, Macawi... I'm sorry I failed you..."
"You did your best... I-I-It's... okay..."
"Macawi... I..."
"Save it, kid..." Omega then interrupted their final moment as Clown Face stood over the too, its plasma-based rifle aimed for the kill.
"You..." Q hissed as he and Macawi squinted, grinding their teeth in preparation for the pain that would usher them into the hereafter. But it didn't come, there was only silence. Was it already over? Q opened an eye to see where he was, only to find that he was still in his cockpit...
"What the hell?" Q began banging on his monitor, and managed to catch a grimy shot of Clown Face walking away into the night. "Where are you going?" Q yelled as he continuously jerked the controls back and forth.
"H-He's leaving?" Macawi then called out.
"You can't do this! You can't just make a fool of me like that... Damn you, Omega!"
"Q, don't be stupid!" Macawi snapped.
"Let it go, Raven..."Omega then radioed back. "My mission was a failure, so there is no reason for us to take it any further than this." Omega touched the top of his head, feeling out the small wound there. Nothing serious. "I think I now understand what it is that Jack sees in you." The Raven's blue eyes grew somewhat heavy at another thought. "Hmph, both of you..." Using the young one's feelings for the girl to better his skill and serve your cause... Still looking for Dominates... You're as cruel and manipulative as always, Jack... But this boy... He doesn't have what it takes...
"Omega..." Macawi called out. "Thanks for going easy on us... I know you won't do it again..."
"Be sure to remember that, traitor..." he replied, shocking Macawi a great deal.
"Traitor?" Q questioned.
"Hmph... Didn't you know? That girl is from Navis. As for the reason she's been accepting missions which will ultimately doom her own people... Well, I don't care..." Clown Face then faded into the night with those final words.
A few hours later, both Macawi and Q had managed to escape their ACs, and were now awaiting a transport, which had been on standby a few miles west of the target area. The sky was beginning to give up to the slowly approaching sun. A battered Q watched the few remaining stars from atop a still floored Echoic, as an evenly bruised Macawi sat at his side doing the same. He pondered on whether or not to ask Macawi about what Omega had said. Truth be told, though they had spent a lot of time together, they had never shared much background information with one another.
"Q... About that..." she suddenly exhaled.
"Don't worry about it." Q said as he saw their Cranwell making its way in the distance. Thankfully, Navis was too busy to bother with sending in reinforcements. "You said you needed more time. I'll give you that."
"Thank you, Q..." Macawi whispered as she laid her head on his shoulder for a short rest.
The early morning streets of Mirage's capital city were bustling with lively activity as usual, and riding in his sleek and dark limo, Kisaragi had just returned from sharing yet another 'breakfast' with Victoria Eisenhower. A monitor fell before him at the press of a button, displaying his company logo. He had decided to check up on the status of his coming plans.
"What is it now...?" the voice of a clearly irritated Zen then rang out.
"Still in a bad mood, are we?" Kisaragi reached for a glass and went through his usual ritual when dealing with the Ancient. "Well, if it's any consolation, I haven't had the best day myself. Vivi... she can be rather cruel when need be..." he then commented as he loosened the tie of his ivory business suit. "Still, if her ambitions didn't interfere with my own, I'd be rather tempted to court that 'fine wine'."
"..." A mild sigh could then be heard emanating from the limo's speakers at the comment.
"You know it was the only option I had when she put me in such a position, Zenobis. Besides, it's gotten us far closer to the next prize than your previous contract." Kisaragi took in a sip and watched the people of Attilis go about their minuscule endeavors through his tinted windows. "Victoria and I came to an understanding, one she's blindly agreed to. She still believes you are Zeal's son... Just like those other fools... Because of that, they won't make any moves against you, at the same time, however, they will do whatever it takes to gain your loyalty."
"Much like you are doing now...?"
"Hmph, touché, Zenobis. Listen, I know how angry you are about my choice... Hmph, I still have the marks around my throat to prove that." Kisaragi then stated as he caressed his still sore throat. "Victoria only wants whatever secrets 'Zeal' managed to obtain from the other Layered before leveling it. She has no idea... The real scope of the situation. However..."
"Navis... That band of terrorists I evicted as well..."
"Correct..."
"It's no coincidence they built their base right along that break of earth... Right where you believe an old weapons facility is located. No doubt they'll try to reclaim it... I'll station a squad of Phantoms to defend the area while we prepare for the excavations."
"You're sending them out so soon?"
"Why not? They'll be ready for their first offensive assignment soon as well. The pilots we've chosen have already gotten a feel for the machines, and are doing well in the latest series of tests. At this rate, you'll be having your long-awaited reunion, Mr. Wards. Far sooner than even I had expected."
"..." Zen only offered cold silence to the comment. "And what of the peace treaty proposal?"
"I still don't see what it will accomplish... We both know the corporations won't comply..."
"At the very least, it will buy more time."
"I'll think about it..." Kisaragi then exhaled. "By the way, I've also hired a Raven to destroy the sewer defenses Crest so hastily set up at Bayload."
"Why?"
"Heh, use your imagination, my friend."
"Who did you send?"
"A very faithful Raven by the name of Call Limit. He's served us well in the past."
"Hot Rod. We've met back at the Ark. He's a citizen of Kisaragi, better, a loyalist..."
"Yes, I suggest you and he get to know each other a bit more. Along with two other Ravens whose loyalties are to Kisaragi."
"For the real mission, eh?"
"Correct."
"And these other pilots?" Zen then asked.
"I'm sending the data now."
"Corpse Fool and Alligator... Very well, I'll make sure to go over the mission details with them. As you said, Victoria has already modified my contract, allowing me more freedom within Mirage's ranks. My current mission is to take down the defense force at the mine. I'm actually en route now... I'll be there in about thirty minutes. Once the final line has been broken, Navis will have no choice but to call in its remaining reinforcements. Afterwards, I'm sure Victoria will send me back in to secure and clear out the mine itself. It'll be the perfect opportunity for me to survey the layout, and determine which ancient faction the facility there once belonged to.
"You said it was most likely a Federation of Earth facility. However, we've never really gone into the details of the other powers of your time. Care to fill me in?"
"That can wait... What's important is securing the new resource. It should take no longer than two weeks before all that can happen, when Mirage's recon teams are clear to move in and begin their initial surveys. We'll make our move just before that time."
"Hmph... Good man."
Act: 2
Deep within the heart of the Nucleo area, the very reason the new war had begun, the very reason it had gotten so far out of hand. Borbos Mine was not fitting of its name, a harsh and tired battlefield was what this place had become, a witness to many battles against early Mirage raids. Yet, none succeeded, not a single unit managed to go beyond the last defensive point, which was the mine itself. Within the mine, Ishi Nakushite, who had somehow survived the attack on Bayload and had been reorganizing Navis forces as best he could. Being one of the few surviving executives of the already defeated company, he was 'given' the position he had one day hoped to earn. Though it may not have come about as he envisioned, it was now up to him to somehow save Navis, who stood alone. Not even OAE would respond to his constant pleas for assistance. There was only one option left: A Raven. And he had managed to obtain Pin Fire, who had been holding off Mirage forces for well over a week.
"Pin Fire, or rather, Mr. McKinley." Ishi called as he approached the makeshift garage his people had setup within the underground mine in order to supply the Raven's AC. Surrounded by fellow corporate survivors, he offered a hand to the pilot, an older, veteran Raven. The muscular man appeared to be in his mid forties; the streaks of grey running across the sides of his short, blonde hair and beard told a tale of his experiences.
"What brings you gentlemen down here?" Pin Fire then asked as he got up from the chair he'd been sitting in. The Raven then put aside his tobacco pipe, accepting the gesture offered to him. Pin Fire was a hardened man, and warrior, but he was also a very respectful one. It was surely one of the reasons he received so much admiration back at the Ark.
"You've been really pushing both your machine and body to the limit, holding off Mirage for so long is not by any means an easy task." Ishi stated. "I just wanted to see how you were holding up."
"I'll hold up as long as you can supply my AC." Pin Fire replied as he looked to the quad.
"I wish we could have secured more Ravens to assist you, however, once Crest gained full control over Bayload, company finance went to hell. Rumors have it that they're actually trying to secure our company's remaining financial reserves..."
"I guess the stories I heard about their money situation were true after all."
"I told you!" A voice then called out from atop the tiger-camouflaged AC known as Bullet Life. Standing on heavy, Mirage, quad legs, the mech's Lemur2 arms were both outfitted with the most deadly of machine guns: Fingers. They were Bullet Life's signature, that, along with the very popular Wasp head. The mech was also the proud bearer of a deadly back-mounted chain gun, micro missile launcher, and extensions of the same brand.
"Son?"
"I knew that Crest would start to feel the heat from all the bold steps they've taken these past months." The Raven's twenty year old son then said as he exited Bullet Life and made his way down the boarding ramp stationed around the mech. The young man had his father's features, minus the grey, and his blonde hair reached for his shoulders.
"Ah, hello, Connor." Ishi said as he offered a hand. One that wasn't accepted until Pin Fire gave his son a glare.
"How long do you people intend to hold out here?" Connor then asked the bunch of 'suits' before him.
"Connor..." Pin Fire mumbled.
"I'm sorry, father. But I just don't see how long this can go on." Connor then gave his blue eyes to Ishi. "My father has provided his services, as per each contract, but these contracts also promised support in the form of MT squads. And after that last attack, you're down to about two dozen operable MTs. I say my father's time here is over after his next defense."
"You're out of line, Connor." Pin Fire then said as he stroked his beard, taking in the facts.
"No, it's quite alright. His concerns are valid." Ishi responded. "However, you must realize that we intend to fight until the very end if necessary. Our homes and families are worth it... Also, we still have trump cards to play... All we ask, is that your father help us hold on for just a bit longer."
"I don't see any 'trump cards' around here..." Connor then mumbled.
"Actually, you should be well aware of the fact that 'something' of power lies here... it's what both Mirage and Crest want so desperately. The other is back at-"
"Sir, I don't see the need to go into such details." one of the executives in Ishi's presence then cut in.
"Excuse my son's impulsive manners, he gets it from his late mother."
"Father..." Connor lowered his head at the though of her.
"That's not a bad thing, son." Pin Fire then said with a warm smile, which his son returned.
"CONTACT! CONTACT! UNIDENTIFIED AC RAPIDILY APPROACHING CHECKPOINT A!"
"Damn, Mirage!" Ishi sneered at the blaring alert.
"Sir, we should take cover."
"Go on." Pin fire agreed. "Though I don't intend to let this place be overrun, you should listen to your associates." Ishi gave the Raven a nod and followed his people off.
"Bloody hell, father! How long are you going to continue taking contracts to defend this place?" Connor barked as he followed a camouflaged, flight-suited, Pin Fire up the ramp and atop his AC. "Navis is doomed. Not even you'll be able to hold off once Mirage begins sending in their main forces, which is surely to include multiple ACs."
"I know that, son... And you know that as a Raven, I must give my all until this contract is up." Pin Fire gave up a sigh, signaling his compliance. "Which is tonight, actually."
"So, you're not picking up another contract after you take out this new AC?"
"That's correct. Besides, as it was with your mother, I can't win against those eyes."
"Good show, old man! And with the money you've earned from the week, we're pretty much set for life. Why don't we let loose tonight. Like back when mom was still..."
"That sounds like a splendid idea. Afterwards, we can use some of the credits to get you your own AC. It's about time you did some training with a unit other than my own, don't you think?"
"Heh, right. You get ready, I'm gonna run a check on the target AC. Once we get an ID, I'll send you the data. Like the last ACs, I'm sure this one won't be much of a problem by the time it reaches the final line."
Under a searing sun, and across the heated, mountain-laced horizon, a black, bulky, 'mirage' was coming to life as it zoomed into view. The Navis soldiers stationed at the first checkpoint were already prepared for the coming threat. A group of bazooka toting MTs, a multitude of attack choppers, and even a large number of infantry. Navis was surely on its final leg, but the resolve these soldiers possessed had only intensified in the recent days. Of course, there were those among them who didn't want anything to do with fighting, but with their homes destroyed, there was nothing left for many of them.
"All troops, prepare to fire on my command." a proud voice ordered from a command MT standing in the rear. As the shimmering black and red AC came in range, the commander prepared to give the order. That was, until the mech went into a slide and stopped in the distance before the company. The ominous mech's pilot then opened a channel.
"Those who don't wish to throw away their lives for a false cause... Withdraw now... There is no shame in wanting to survive." Zen's voice slithered across the waves. Several of the troops thought about the situation, especially since the AC looked to be more than a match for them. Some felt insulted by the offer, while others actually began to withdraw.
"What? Where are you going?" the commander shouted to the ones leaving their positions. "Cowards!"
"Commander, what's the point of fighting for those who don't have anything left to fight for..." one of the pilots called over the radio before getting off his MT.
"This is treason! You'll all be executed for this!" the commander then screamed from his mech as several groups of men and women hopped into trucks and left the area.
Sin Replica then turned its duel visor towards those remaining. "And for the rest of you... who intend to fight..." Sin Replica's boosters began to roar furiously, and the AC exploded towards the first checkpoint.
"All systems are green." Bullet Life was now prepped and ready for combat. Pin Fire locked his helmet on and placed a hand on the picture that was taped to the side of his cockpit wall. It was a picture of a radiant blonde, smiling as if her heart knew no bounds. "Wish me luck, dear."
"Father!" Connor suddenly called in from the station on the ramp. "ID confirmed from the third line!"
"The third defense line has already engaged?" Pin Fire couldn't believe the target was moving so quickly, as the tank battalion on the third line should have given it at least some difficulty.
"That's because it's that guy... The one we've been hearing about. The AC is Sin Replica..."
"Hmph, Zen... It seems Mirage is taking things seriously if they're sending that Raven. No matter, he'll still fall like the rest. The strategy I've employed using this facility's structure hasn't failed me yet."
"Father, hold on a minute! We both know he isn't like the others! That guy is-"
"Connor! It doesn't matter what the opposition may be. My job is to defend this mine, and I will complete my mission, is that clear?"
"Fine... At least let me support you with one of the MTs stationed here."
"Have you forgotten? Those machines were sent to the front after that last attack. Hmph, it pains me to think you've lost faith in my ability so easily."
"That's not true... I'm sorry for doubting you..." Connor put his fears aside and forced a swell of confidence into his chest. "Give 'em hell, pop!"
"You got it, son." Pin Fire called back as Bullet Life crawled onto the supply elevator and headed up.
The defense lines leading to the mine had all been devastated. MTs, choppers, tanks, soldiers, all broken in wake of Sin Replica's wave of destruction. As the AC made its way through a man-made tunnel, the mine's entrance could be seen a short distance away. Zen's attention was suddenly called by a small band of brave (and foolish) soldiers firing their antipersonnel weaponry at his mech. Zen simply shook his head slightly and ignored the attackers as Sin Replica boosted off towards the target area. The dark mech then took, what some back at Mirage would consider, 'momentous' steps onto the Mine grounds. Never has Mirage gotten so close to the prize, and Sin Replica was greeted by a swarm of defense pods, which were easily dealt with, the task leaving the AC's M2 spent and tossed aside.
"Your time is at hand, Raven!" a voice suddenly declared from behind. Bullet Life had crept onto the scene, taking a back route in order to push its prey further into its 'trap'. Pin Fire's blue eyes narrowed, and his AC went into Over Boost towards the enemy before him. With the click of a trigger, a large salvo of micro missiles were released upon Sin Replica, who in turn did the exact same. Several of the warheads collided, causing a boom of angry carnage. Another launch wouldn't be countered so easily this time, as Zen had emptied out its last remaining Kinnara, jettisoning it in mid-evasion. "Hmph..." Pin Fire smirked. His tactic of engaging an AC after putting it through the natural gauntlet the terrain provided was paying off yet again. The target AC would either by too damaged to put up a decent fight, have very little ammo remaining to put up a long one, or better, both.
"The outcome was decided before the battle even began! My AC can't be beaten!" Pin Fire proclaimed as he tore into his target's armor with flurries of duel Finger blasts, leaving the front of its Core and shoulders ruined. Sin Replica quickly escaped the ditch-like enclosure that lead into the mine, and crashed hard into one of the steel bars above while doing so. The AC then took to the higher grounds, where several storage hangers were situated. However, Bullet Life didn't follow; an AC outfitted with such powerful rapid-fire weaponry should have pursued, pressed hard, never allowing its target room to breathe. Unless...
So, that's your strategy... Zen thought to himself. Down to only a Pixie3 and EO, Zen knew melee was out of the question, as Bullet Life would have rendered his AC to scrap before he got close enough. There was a good chance of using its speed to get in from behind, but Pin Fire was using the mine's enclosure to guard itself. Using the hangers as its own form of cover, Sin Replica began pegging Bullet Life with short bursts of precise machine gun fire, who countered with micro missile barrages and chain gun fueled rage. Cover was running low, and there were only a few hangers still standing. Having emptied out its lightweight micro launcher and extensions, Pin Fire had them relieved of their duties.
"Hm, I'm taking in more damage then expected... He's taking his time with this as well... Smart, very professional indeed. It seems I can't count on you to make the same mistakes as the others. But I've already prepared for a battle against you..." Bullet Life took to the air and began to unleash another flurry of Finger fire, destroying more hangers in the process. Sin Replica strafed to the side while returning fire,and using its free arm to protect its already damaged Core (specifically, the left breastplate from some reason). A series of rounds then tore into Bullet Life's head and Core, leaving behind their own scars upon Pin Fire's mech.
"What's wrong...? Afraid to pull your head out of the sand for more than five seconds?" Zen taunted. He knew if he could get Bullet Life out in the open he could finish the battle.
"Stay calm... Stay calm..." Pin Fire repeated to himself over and over as the two continued to trade shots every time Bullet Life emerged from the 'ditch'. Using distance, and counting on the Finger's inability to match his own machine gun's range, Zen was beginning to turn the battle around at a pace he was now setting. Upon the quad's next rising, a series of EO streams fried a knee joint. "I can't have miscalculated! What's going wrong?" Pin Fire then shouted.
"Father! You need to pull back, he's trying to wear you down." Connor was watching the battle from his station inside the mine. "He's using your own strategy against you!"
"You forgot to account for the fact that while you may be able to use the layout of this mine against your opponent, the same can be done to you if the enemy has enough speed, ammo, and defense." Zen then confirmed, almost as if he had heard Connor's words. "And unfortunately for you, I possess them all... Hmph, you cannot defeat me with such pathetic, childish tactics..." Zen then added as he casually popped a dislocated shoulder back in place.
"Raven!" Losing the cool that had gotten him so far, Pin Fire had his AC take to the air and let all hell loose upon Sin Replica, many of the shots falling short due to the black mech's speed. Also, by leaving the security of the 'ditch', Pin Fire had also given up the security it provided, especially to Bullet Life's backside as the AC used its Atlas' Over Boost to catch a fleeting target. Suddenly, Sin Replica cut short its escape, leaving Pin Fire to overshoot his attack. As Bullet Life flew overhead, Zen used his MG to ravage the AC's back and lightly armored underside with shimmering streams of lead, destroying one of the Gull and leg boosters in the process. A series of tiny explosions were the result of the booster damage, and Bullet Life crashed hard to the rocky grounds just before the Mine, the impact completely breaking two of its already damage legs in the process. "How can this be?" a shocked Pin Fire asked the picture of his wife, almost as if he expected a response.
"Father, get out of there!" Connor screamed over the radio. "Hurry!"
"It's too late, son..." Pin Fire called back as he watched Sin Replica slowly walking his direction. He then activated his back-mounted chain gun in preparation for one last 'hurrah' against the oncoming beast. "Sorry, it looks like our plans for toni-" The transmission was suddenly taken over by the roars of Pixie3 rounds as they tore into the quad's Core. Bullet Life wobbled with each ping and puncture until the Core imploded from within.
"FATHER!" Connor cried over the radio as Ishi appeared, pulling the young man away from the station, all while his own people were doing the very same to him. "No... NO!"
"Connor! Connor, we must leave this place until reinforcements arrive!" Ishi shouted. "If you want to avenge your father, then come with us to Cag City!"
"If not for your foolish request, this wouldn't have..." Connor then came to a conclusion, not realizing he had Ishi by the collar. "No... It's his fault..." he whispered as he let Ishi fall into the arms of his associates, approaching the station once again. "You son of a bitch... I swear upon my very soul... I will kill you for what you've done on this day..." he whispered, as he then destroyed the monitor displaying Sin Replica with a hate fueled fist.
Crest's Lectus Plains staging base was down to only just enough bodies to keep the place in working order. The bulk of the regional campaign had already moved on to set up a smaller, discrete base near the Ruga Canyon area, much closer to Borbos mine. A few miles north of the base, a small detachment of heavily armored MTs were stomping their way across the rocky earth. In the rear of this group, two identical, lightweight quads. These now dessert camouflaged, Chimera lugging ACs belonged to Rook and Bishop, the last Ravens added to the regional campaign. They volunteered to watch over the base until all supplies were successfully transported to the new grounds, and would escort the last batch of troops, many of which had just been transferred to the regional squad as back up for the Borbos Mine raid.
"..." A short distance away, Duel Face was approaching the last squad, who for some reason, requested he return in order to help escort the new troops. An attempt to boost morale is what he had been told, but the dark eyes this man wore told that he wasn't so easily deceived, if ever... The moment the migrating machines appeared on his main monitor, huge streams of energy filled the air. "Hmph... It's a trap..." Duel Face strafed from left to right, evading the streams of Chimera beams, which were soon followed by bazooka rounds from the clusters of MTs.
"Ha, looks like you owe me, bro!" Rook called from the AC known as Checkmate. "I told you that he wouldn't fall for it."
"Yeah, yeah..." Bishop responded from his identical AC, Shogi. "We should have just did what Harriman ordered and shot the guy in his sleep." he then mentioned as he continued firing his back-mounted Chimera at a speeding Duel Face.
"And miss taking out the Ark's top-ranker with an audience this big?" Rook bit down at the fact Duel Face had gotten so close, and he began pulling back his mech, allowing the MTs to get a better view just in case he scored a lucky shot.
"Ha ha. You're right." Bishop activated his illegal (and recently acquired) Crow extensions and disappeared from radar, and his brother soon followed.
"I won't ask why..." Genobee then said as Duel Face ripped into the first group of MTs in its blade range. "Just show me the power Harriman has put so much faith in..." Duel Face took to the air and called upon its heavy grenade launcher, firing a manual round powerful enough to destroy four MTs in a single shot. As the launcher retracted, a shower of machine gun fire filled the air as the twin quads had appeared beside his AC, pegging it with bullets.
"Not even you can stand up to this kind of firepower!" Rook shouted as Duel Face escaped the walls of pain the two machines were capable of creating with their weapons arms' secondary functions.
"Well, look at that... We've got 'em on the run." Bishop called as the ACs took to the ground, boosting after a seemingly fleeing Duel Face, which brought down two more MTs in its path with an accurate series of rounds from its rifle.
"Fry 'em!" Rook ordered as his Chimera took the stage once again. Of course, his brother then did the same, and the two began firing the weapon's multi-barreled beams of death. After a series of close calls, Duel Face activated its blade and spun about wildly between two more MTs in its path, splitting them both in half during the spin by. The explosion caused by the two were immediately taken advantage of as a huge grenade round flew from the fresh blaze, connecting dead on with a hungry Checkmate, knocking the lightweight quad back, and taking an arm off in the process. "Aagh!"
"Whoa!" Bishop then shouted as Duel Face erupted only a few seconds behind the round and pulled off another one of its infamous spinning slashes, this time turning the heads and back mounts of both quads into molten mutations in the maneuver. Duel Face then continued on and engaged the remaining MTs.
"Ugh... He's playing us..." Rook then grumbled as he banged on his poorly responding LCD. "I swore that after that last embarrassment that I'd never-"
"He obviously things lightly of us... You wanna bring him back to reality by using it now?"
"We might have to, but let's get close enough so it'll look like one of us scored a hit."
"Right." Bishop exhaled though a big grin. "But we'd better hurry, there aren't many MTs left.
"...Still at it...?" Genobee asked the two as more machine gun fire blazed his way, destroying one of the MTs he had been fighting.
"Hey! C-Check your fire!" another MT pilot then barked over the waves.
"Bastard! Don't think you've beaten us so easily!" Rook shouted as he fired off his remaining MG arm at the midnight machine in his fuzzy sights.
"Hmph..." Duel Face went to the air, the trails of bullets and bazooka rounds colored the skies in tail as both of the AC's grenade launchers fell over its shoulders simultaneously, shocking both quad pilots. It was time Duel Face displayed one of Yoko Tachibana's gifts, and that it did. The AC fire off both massive rounds which sent it rearing back, almost to the point of flipping over.
"Nooo!" the twins screamed as one; the round decimated both their ACs as one, also. The MTs began to pull back at the sigh of Duel Face glaring it heinous mono eye's crimson death.
"Fall back!" another MT pilot screamed, as the few remaining units began to withdraw.
"Not bad..." Bishop then coughed over the comm. Duel Face spun to see the heavily damaged ACs in its wake, both their Cores and front legs laid to waste and smoldering. "However... Just in case we couldn't take you down the old-fashioned way, Rook here gave Duel Face a little 'gift' the other night. Ain't that right, bro?"
"..." Genobee's eyes narrowed at the comment.
"Right you are!" Rook managed to respond back through his own static. The pilot then raised a remote in hand, his finger poised to press the button. "Go join Agraya in hell!"
BOOOM!
"What?" Rook shouted, as the explosion hadn't originated from Duel Face, but from the AC that stood a few yards beside his own. He then saw Shogi's ID vanish from sight, and if that weren't enough, Checkmate's barely operational secondary camera confirm his fears, as Shogi's cockpit had ballooned from the massive explosion that took place from within; a few openings about the Core furiously flushed out flames and blackness. "BISHOOOP!"
"Hmph, did you really think I would ever be foolish enough to trust anyone to maintenance my AC other than Agraya and myself. I discovered your 'gift'... and simply returned it..."
"I... I... You made me kill my own..." Rook was utterly shattered by the event, and rightfully so.
"Worry not... I'll allow you to join him now..." Duel Face raced towards the young Raven with its plasma blade reared back for a superheated piercing.
"Whaaaaagghhh!" Rook howled as the plasma worked its way into his cockpit and consumed his being entirely.
"..." Duel Face retrieved its still alit plasma blade from the now molten Core of Checkmate, and the liquid metals spilled freely from the motion. Suddenly, an energy round slammed into the black AC's shoulder, knocking it back a step. Another battalion of mechs were on the way, three of them were red, lightweight, biped ACs. "More? And with no IDs... Harriman... He must have forced Yoko's hand again..." Genobee knew he didn't have enough ammo left for an extended battle, but he didn't care about it. Duel Face simply lowered both its grenade launchers and took off towards the 'enemy'.
As was always the case with his fighting style, Genobee offered no enemy his full attention. Duel Face darted about, attacking them all as often as possible. The MTs consisted of bazooka and sniper classes, the latter managing to score a few blows before being tossed to pieces by grenade rounds. Duel Face even managed to rip across the Core of one of the red ACs, which had all possessed a similar designed and weapons load: Extra back boosters, a lightweight blade, Crow extensions, and Crest's rare laser rifle. The designs themselves consisted of only the most basic of Crest's lightweight AC parts, but their speed was a problem. Surely, these were Harriman's 'finishers'... More than likely this was all going to plan...
Duel Face began falling back, having destroyed well over two dozen MTs, and even dealing significant damage to the three ACs in the process. However, his ammo appeared to have been spent as his AC's rifle fell hard to the ground at its curved feet.
"You fought well, Genobee. Worthy of the Ark's 'number one' Raven. But your time is up." the pilot of one of the Crest ACs said over the radio as his mech approached with its blade at the ready. "Tell you what... I'll let you decide the finishing blow."
"...Hmph... How generous of you..." Genobee whispered back, and Duel Face quickly drew a mini grenade gun from its Hanger Core and blew the 'belly' of the AC wide open. But not the one on approach, Genobee had attacked the AC he had damaged the most at that point, destroying it completely in a single shot.
"Take him out!" the enraged pilot shouted to his remaining comrade. The Raven had no intentions of dying there. However, before Duel Face could fire another round, a blade tore the mech's right hand clean off. In response, the AC boosted in reverse as the other two machines rapidly followed with their blades prepped.
"Outta my way, boss!" the voice of Trance then filled Genobee's ears. Without a second thought, Duel Face jumped into the air, revealing a sprinting, blade arm wielding, Delirium. With its own Crow extensions active, the AC hadn't been detected, and as the two mechs in its sights flew in pursuit of Genobee, Delirium leapt between them, using its blades to joust their Cores in the process. All three machines came slamming down to the earth, and Delirium shut off its blade and hopped away before the destruction of the two claimed its own metals.
"Didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, now did you, boss?" Trance then shouted.
"I told you all to remain at the new base until further orders..."
"Heh... Ha ha ha, did you really think we didn't suspect they were calling you into a trap?" Delirium then approached Duel Face slowly, the AC almost lumbering like a rabid beast at Trance's command. "Baron and Momma stayed behind... I'm the only one who had the balls to disobey you." Trance's tone then became almost sane. "Besides... We've walked through the fires of hell together once already. You really think I'd let you go back alone?"
"Trance..." Genobee didn't know how to respond for a moment. "Mirage's experiments on the two of us... You still hold on to those memories?"
"I don't respond to hell the way you do." Trance took off his helmet and popped a few relaxers into his abnormally raging system. "I share my pain! Hee heh, so you had better not let your guard down, not even around me... Heh..." The purple AC then turned is sickly hued mono eye to the MTs fading into the distance. "Be right back." Trance then sung as Delirium exploded after the retreating unit. "Oh, and I suggest you tell the others about Agraya before its hits the Net News, especially Momma."
"Of course..." Genobee then answered as he looked to the slightly charred picture of himself and Agraya, which he had put up on his cockpit wall. "Stay with me..." He whispered, and with almost a hint of compassion in his eyes.
"...?" Surrounded by wastelands, Exus stood alone. Etzam was confused by the fact that Agraya wasn't there to meet her. The red Raven then checked her AC's computer to make sure she was at the proper coordinates. "Agraya... Where in the world are you?" Etzam then whispered to herself as huge waves of dust continued to wash across the barren lands.
Next Chapter: Movers and Shakers