Time: 9:28 AM | 08/03/2284

Location: Planet Vez-2 | IMC HQ

Music: Titanfall - OST 04

Michael was examining a hologram of the Vanguard-class Titans, trying to figure out how exactly to get a real Vanguard, all while fiddling with the box optic he took from his first encounter with a Vanguard Titan. Suddenly, it came to him. "Of course! If we take the box optic off a Vanguard and replace it with one that holds an IMC Datacore, we can take the Vanguard as our own! Why didn't I think of that before?!"

He opened a communication channel with Eagle-Eye 9-1, Interceptor 11-29, Spyglass, Adam, Anthony, and Aurora Unit 242. He even called Blisk. "Guys, I just had an idea on how to actually get a Vanguard-class Titan, intact and fully functional, the real thing!" "Really now? Well, what're you waiting for? Tell us what you've got in mind." Blisk demanded. "If one of us can get close enough to a Vanguard-class Titan, they can rip that box-like optic off and replace it with this one I recovered from the first Vanguard I fought." "A flawless idea. This will be executed at the earliest opportunity." AU 242 stated.

"Also, you guys remember Jeeves, right?" Spyglass responded. "Correct. IMC Atlas-class Titan Charlie-Zulu Nine-Two-Four-Seven. Explain." "It'll be HIS Datacore we'll be using." "[Excuse me?!]" "Jeeves, wouldn't you wanna know how it feels to become the first IMC Vanguard-class Titan?" "[Hmm... Alright. I'll do it.]"

"So, who's going to hold the box optic?" Samus wondered. "Blisk, you trust your Legion-class Titan, right?" "Yeah. What're you getting at, Michael?" "Would you trust him with this mission?" "Uhh..." "[Don't worry. I can do this. Trust me, Blisk. What do you need me to do, Michael?]" "First off, I need you to hold the replacement optic that'll contain Jeeves's Datacore in your cockpit, and then-" "[I've got the idea now. I'll hold the replacement optic in my cockpit, then use my Gun Shield to block any incoming enemy fire, get in range to remove the Vanguard-class Titan's optic, then replace it. I'll let Sid hold the replaced Vanguard optic for later analysis back at the IMC HQ.]" "Wow, couldn't have put it better myself. Vanguard-class Titans are tricky, so we need tricks of our own to acquire it."

Vanessa was heard on the line. "[I'll work with Samantha Hughes and JQ-3297 to pin it down. In case it tries to get away before NL-9831 can remove the optic, the Legion-class Titan will have a Tether Trap on his hull to keep the Vanguard-class Titan from running.]" "Let's do this, team."

Time: 9:28 AM | 08/03/2284

Location: Planet Zolac | Smuggler's Cove

Music: Titanfall - OST 34

In the area of Smuggler's Cove, there was a team of Vanguard-class Titans, no doubt it was the SRS, or else there wouldn't be Vanguards. "OK. Everyone know the plan?" Michael asked. "[Keep at least one Vanguard-class Titan intact in order to put Jeeves into it and claim the Titan.]" "That's right, NL. In terms of knowing the plan, you have perfect military precision." "[I was BUILT for that sort of thing, wasn't I?]" "Point taken. Let's go!"

Music: Titanfall - OST 46

Every IMC Titan in the fleet dropped, with only the cockpits of Sid and NL-9831 empty. Samantha quickly made her way to the Apex Predator Legion-class Titan, carrying the Vanguard optic that held Jeeves's Datacore. He took the container and gently placed it inside his cockpit, keeping it safe. "[That's Jeeves's Datacore ready. Now for that Tether Trap to keep a Vanguard in my reach.]" "Got it." The Northstar Pilot released a Tether Trap and caught it before it could land on and attach to the ground, placing it on the Legion's right forearm. "[Ready.]" NL-9831 pulled out his Predator Cannon, ready to uphold the mission.

Music: Metroid Other M - Cyborg Zebesian / Mighty Griptian (Battle Theme 6)

"Most of them are in the water!" Samus reported. "Shock 'em, Samus!" Michael ordered. As the Vanguard-class Titans fired upon Samus, she released a fully charged bolt from the Arc Cannon right into the water, having it conduct the electricity straight through anything in the water, including the Vanguards. The Titans became overloaded, their Pilots were evaporated inside the cockpits, then the Titans themselves exploded.

Samus [Electrocution] Militia Vanguard

Samus [Electrocution] SRS Pilot

Samus [Electrocution] Militia Vanguard

Samus [Electrocution] SRS Pilot

Samus [Electrocution] Militia Vanguard

Samus [Electrocution] SRS Pilot

Samus [Electrocution] Militia Vanguard

Samus [Electrocution] SRS Pilot

"[Impressive. I should look out for environmental advantages from now on.]" Arc-Rod commented. "Yeah, that did turn out pretty well. Spyglass, how many other Vanguards are in the area?" "Two. NL-9831, I am marking the closest Vanguard-class Titan for you to engage." "[Mark acquired. I'm on my way.]" The Legion followed the mark, finding the Vanguard-class Titan about to kill Michael and Vanessa. The Vanguard-class Titan punched through Vanessa's cockpit and ripped Michael out, about to crush him.

Music: Metroid Other M - A Daring Tactic

Before the Titan could finish the job, NL-9831 managed to slap the Vanguard's hand, causing it to drop Michael while Vanessa recovered, realigned her cockpit hatch, and closed it. "That was too close for comfort..." The Tether Trap on NL-9831's right forearm was triggered by the Vanguard's proximity to it, clamping on to the Titan and keeping it from getting away.

It was the moment of truth, NL-9831 grabbed the Vanguard-class Titan's box-like optic and ripped it off, causing the Titan's systems to disengage.

Music: Titanfall - OST 03

The Legion-class Titan tossed the Vanguard optic to Sid as he approached, XO-16 Chaingun out and ready to fire on the last Vanguard in Smuggler's Cove upon locating it. The Ogre-class Titan caught it and placed it in his cockpit as NL-9831 opened his own and took out the replacement Vanguard optic. As the Tether Trap broke, the Legion gently attached the new optic to the Titan. The connection was successfully made and Jeeves took control of the Vanguard.

"[Am I right to assume that Michael's idea worked out OK?]" "[Mission accomplished. Jeeves, you are now a Vanguard-class Titan.]" "Hang on a sec... There's still the SRS Pilot in that cockpit." Michael was right.

Samantha arrived, still within her Northstar-class Titan, JQ-3297. She lined up a shot to kill the enemy Pilot within the Vanguard-class Titan's cockpit. "Open up, Jeeves. I'll make this quick." "Let me handle this." Samantha put away the Plasma Railgun and lowered a hand for Michael to climb on before raising him up to the Vanguard cockpit as he pulled out his Smart Pistol MK5, ready for another kill.

"Jeeves, the cockpit." "[Opening now.]" Jeeves opened the Vanguard cockpit, revealing the Pilot inside desperately pulling on the ejection handle before Michael got the three locks and pulled the trigger.

Michael [Smart Pistol MK5] SRS Pilot

With the enemy Pilot now dead, Michael hopped into the Vanguard cockpit to pull the corpse out. "Let's do this." As Michael settled in the cockpit, Jeeves closed the hatch and pulled out the XO-16, beginning a full analysis of the Vanguard's systems and abilities. "[Everything's synchronized. We have full control. I found a device transmitting a signal to the Militia, and I've stopped it. It's now transmitting to the IMC. This Vanguard-class Titan is equipped with two built-in Vortex Shield projectors, Electric Smoke tanks, the Multi-Target Missile System, the XO-16, and a new Core ability, the Burst Core. Pilot-Mode is now online, the controls are yours.]" "Thank you, Jeeves. This is Michael W Johnson to all IMC units, we have acquired a fully functional Vanguard-class Titan!" In response, there was cheering on the communication channel.

"I am sending the IMS Sentinel and a few Widows to your location. The Vanguard will be transported back to the IMC HQ for extensive analysis and blueprint acquirement." "Good. Standing by."

The one last enemy Vanguard-class Titan was seeked out, and Michael took the opportunity to use the new Burst Core. "[Activating Burst Core.]" A new magazine was quickly inserted into the XO-16, causing it to release a stream of electrified rounds, destroying the Titan.

Michael [Burst Core] Militia Vanguard

Michael [Burst Core] SRS Pilot

"[Enemy Titan down. Nicely done, Michael. IMC Titan Charlie-Zulu Nine-Two-Four-Seven to all units, the Militia in Smuggler's Cove have been wiped out.]"

Time: 3:19 PM | 08/03/2284

Location: Planet Vez-2 | IMC HQ

Music: Titanfall - OST 02

It's been hours since the successful mission to acquire a fully functioning Vanguard-class Titan ended.

Jeeves was returned to his Atlas chassis, the Militia Vanguard AI within the recovered Datacore was completely reset and reprogrammed, allowing the IMC to acquire the blueprints for mass producing the Vanguard-class Titans.

Michael was given a commendation since it was his idea that gave the IMC this monumental achievement. As a result, IMC Vanguard-class Titans were provided as a backup or alternate chassis or as a new Titan for Pilots, or even for a Titan's chassis to be replaced and their loadout installed.

Time: 3:52 PM | 08/03/2284

Music: none

"[Michael W Johnson, you are now confirmed as acting Pilot of DL-2671.]"


Delta-Lima Two-Six-Seven-One (DL-2671)

Titan: Vanguard

Loadout: Expedition


DL-2671's color scheme:

Blue armor plating with white lines in a circuit pattern. Shoulder plates, vent rims, and knee protrusions are silver. In place of the SRS logo on the cockpit hatch is the IMC insignia.


{ Titan personalities }

DL-2671 - [protective; coordinated; creative; calm; focused; intellectually superior]


{ Theme songs }

[ DL-2671 ]

Main theme: Radioactive - Imagine Dragons [Instrumental]

'Protocol 3' theme: Pokémon Lucario and the Mystery of Mew - Life Sacrifice


IMC VANGUARD-CLASS TITANS! WOO!

See you next time.