Like all the other fics I dont own armored core and surprising feel free to use my characters but make sure you dont go and do anything silly with them
Chapter 3: Yin and Yang
Earth 2238 July 1st 11:50 am
Issac City Dekano District(Sewers)
Why did it have to be a sewer of all places? The middle-aged pilot began cursing himself for taking this job but after giving it some thought the consequences would have been too great if he had declined. For most people being in a sewer would be the last thing on their mind, but for people in Olan Kanju's profession it would be just another day on the job. Navigating the vast multi layered sewer system of Isaac would be considered crazy without the use of some type of navigating map or blueprint. Luckily his requestor was a group with enough power to obtain the blue prints to be downloaded into his unit. The sewer, as much has he could gather from getting a visual check of his surroundings, had reddish brown bricked walls has opposed to the white ones that were in the other portions of the sewers. Concrete walkways ran stretched along both sides of the tunnel that was bordered with rusted, broken railings. Clearly this portion of the system has not been visited for some time. The pilot ran his thumb along his chin brushing his white beard hairs. Olan glanced down at his wrist chronometer. It read 11:57. "It's time, if there aren't any surprises it should take two minutes from the start point to get myself from this position to my expected target." Olan said to himself. His requester's intelligence had told him that many of the sensors normally placed in the sewers should be down due to the massive power surges from the attack three weeks before. Despite the advice, Olan had equipped his AC with a short life high density-jamming device. Olan knew that with the low power of his GBG-10000 that would only work for maybe five minutes tops so he would have to be in and out quickly.
He began all the preflight checks, which through his Insertion configured Armored Core included his WA-RF/E, dubbed the Anti Mech Rifle his laser-blade, generator, targeting system, scanners the whole works. Meanwhile one of the sewer elevators raised his unit to the main sewer tunnel. After the checks were complete, he clicked all of his generator start systems on. Seconds later, a message confirming a successful start up scrolled across his Heads-Up Display. The old man took a deep breath has he always did before he clicked his boosters on and launched down the tunnel. The pilot flicked on his HUD's night-vision so he could see in the dark region his unit was quickly immersed in. With the green vision now guiding him to his destination, Olan checked his time again. "11:58, perfect timing." He thought. Just before he overheated his unit, Olan ordered his AC via voice command to commence silent maneuvers. Olan's booster disengaged and his brought up a small wave a water as it came to a halt. He began a more quiet tread. The silent maneuvering protocol limited his speed yet it kept his sound signature low, exactly as his mission required. He began searching for a fork in the tunnel that would be somewhere nearby, while keeping an eye for sensors or any other obstacles that might be in his path. After about several seconds of searching, he found a fork junction. He took the leftward route has his compass indicated his entrance would be. He checked the status on his WA-RF/E anti mech rifle and saw that its energy capacitors were fully charged. Olan made a sour face He had never really liked energy weapons but his requestors had insisted on this one in particular, so he was stuck with it.The gun's range was over 20 km, a great technical feat, but it was only goodfor ten shots. Worse, it took several seconds to recharge each time- as good as an eternity in a firefight and over 10 seconds before another full charge was set in the gun. The shot itself was destructive enough to consider it a long-range laser rifle rather than a sniper rifle.
As he rounded a curve, he spotted the lights of an old SK-12 subterranean bot, which were still used in some of the older areas of the city for maintenance and even routine security. Remembering the security aspect of the SK-12, Olan decided to take no chances. He rushed the puny Sewer bot and slammed it up against the one of the tunnel's walls with his AC's left arm. The bot shattered against the wall, sparks splashing into the murky sewer water. Olan maneuvered his AC further down the passage, which suddenly ended directly in front of him, at a rusty iron ladder. Looking above Olan saw exactly what he was looking for an semicircular metal cover. It was rusted at the seams but not completely. To Olan's luck, it happened to be just big enough for his insertion AC to fit through. At this point Olan checked his time, 1200 hours. Damn five minutes until the target leaves the zone I had better hurry. With that in mind, Olan charged up his laser blade and began cutting the covering above him. Sparks popped and fell on to the head of his mech as he completed his incision. He dropped his WA-RF/E anti mech rifle and gripped his fingers down the middle of the loosened seal. He pushed outward, slowly opening the covering. He pushed against the two sides further, exerting his AC's arm hydraulics at full power. He heard what must have been the hinges of the door groan as he ripped the two separate sides off and flung them behind him. The metal covers splashing the murky sewage on to the man mecha. Ok, this leads to the passageway I'm supposed to take to the surface I just hope I make it in time. Olan disengaged silenced protocol, grabbed his rifle and looking upward at his destination, he boosted out of the tunnel.
"Let the Rebuilding begin!" Kensei's leader Jinkai Kensei said. With those words the members of the press and of the city council applauded him and the Mayor. The select group, which included some of the city council and the press, stood in the sector of city that had been hit the most "Dekano". The podium was set near a building that was engulfed completely on the inside by fire. They stood at the very bottom level of the area. "I liked your take on how to handle the rebuilding whole lot Jinkai" Enki said. "Your's wasn't so bad either, Enki." Jinkai said.
"
Although Kensei knew that the mayor probably was not one of the most adequate administrative figures, he had been pivotal in easing people into the now mostly Kensei controlled Isaac City. The mayor of Isaac City would be vacating office soon. New elections were to be taking place within a year. The two stood there and shook each other's hands as all political figures did and stepped off the constructed stage. "We should discuss further proceedings over lunch next week, my treat" Enki said. "That wouldn't be such a bad idea I'll have my secretary set up something later" Kensei met up with Renault a little ways down the walkway to his limousine. Renault leaned close to his protectorate and began whispering." Your Limousine is parked down this way sir and if I might say sir very excellent speech." Renault said. "Hey its Mrs. Mishinta's work not mine" he whispered back. " Then a few members of the press including Kensei Global News, and the Isaac City Globe closed in on Kensei and attempted to ask him questions in which he promptly said" I'll have my spokesperson answer your questions at the press conference tomorrow." Kensei replied to them. His bodyguards began to push back the reporters.
Olan finally reached the last corridor before a supposed exit hatch was to be found. He engaged silent protocols on his AC reducing his walking speed to a much slower pace than the norm. He pressed on toward the end of the hallway, which, led to an upward tunnel just big enough for his small humanoid AC to fly through. He then engaged his booster skyward and just has he neared the hatch he reared his free left arm and punched the metal hatch open revealing the artificially illuminated cavern of the underground city Isaac. After hitting the street and allowing his energy to charge back up for a few seconds he checked his bearings. He then engaged jamming, which would not last for long. He saw many people running down the street trying to escape from the impending doom that all felt when Mechanized Combat Units of any kind were present. Target should be to the southeast. In the bottom right corner of his heads up display a 3d map appeared and showed him exactly where his target was supposed to be, next to a large structure that was burned up in a fire in the last three weeks approximately two miles from his position.
"Geez, Gia it looks like today is going to be an easy pay day." said Expert Armored Core Sniper pilot Nick Kawasaki. "You know its not good to say things like that who knows we could face the entire force that the Divine Sphere could muster at once." Gia replied.
"Like we would be that lucky, you know the pay bonus we would rack up on this contract, just imagine all the kills." Nick replied.
"Blood for Money is not right, a bonus is no excuse to want to do it more. Nothing can ever justify taking a life. " Gia said
Nick sensed a seriousness to her voice but didn't take the warning
"Hey, that's easy for you to say Ms. arena champion. I wish I pulled your paycheck then I would come up with phrases like that too." Nick said. Kawasaki did make a point. Gia had become a respected AC pilot by doing well in the Progtech sponsored Arena Competitions. Of course, she also did her share of missions for many different corporations and companies as much has Kawasaki, but she retained her values about death nonetheless.
"Remind me why they put a sound minded person like me with a cocky, money grubbing fool like you Kawasaki." Gia asked
"It's because between the two of us there is a balance. In laymen terms it just means you're a sound-minded spiritual type person, and I'm a matter over mind brawnish jerk. It's just like Yin and Yang." Nick said
"Somehow that is the most wisest things I've ever heard you say, hey do you remember how to record these things Nick?"
"I'll only do that if you tell me how good looking I am"
"I was only kidding, besides you weren't exactly dead-on in your analysis. The basic concept is this, there is a side that fights and does things that people would perceive as wrong, and there is a side that is peaceful and does not seek aggression. Without the two of these together, there cannot be a balance in a person or in nature.
"Ok, I got you on that, but maybe you can get right to the point" Nick said.
"Hmph, It can be explained has being nature's conscience"
"Wow, I never thought I could learn so much about nature and stuff from being a cold hearted killer.
"After this I need to talk to Kukuchi about further team assignments and knock some sense in to her, anyway let's quit, we're not getting paid to chit chat." Gia said sighing.
"Got it Empress Chen"
Nick's standard old green core Silent Killer stood up on the roof of a medium-sized abandoned department store building. The Killer has he called it was equipped with a narrow targeting, Rator FCS and one of the more sophisticated radars that the late corporation Murakumo built. Nick had recently changed his light legs to higher capacity bipedal chicken legs. His counterpart Gia's AC the Ku-Wen, stood on the other side of the building looking outward into the Dekano area. It was a red AC made-up of its classic shoe-like HD-Redeye head, the XXA-SO lightweight core that allowed her to carry many expansions like incoming missile indicators and shell and energy protection screens, diamond shaped AN-K1 arms and LN-401 legs that were light and fast but could still carry enough weapons to get the job done.
Below them sat a radar truck, which was gladly donated by the Kensei Corporation for the two Raven's use with no charge to either of the pilots. In addition, there was also a barricade provided and Guard Officers providing a small perimeter. Nick's Silent Killer had dozens of wires jacked into the AC's head that ran down the mech, over the side of the building and back to the radar truck below him. The wires linked him with a network of radars in the surrounding area to boost the mediocre radar of the AC's. Gia could not be linked due to the lack of equipment and the close range role that she had. Nick would just have to guide her if trouble actually arose.
The two had spent the last hour providing perimeter defense for the Kensei Rebuilding Speech. To Nick it felt more like a waste of his time. He did get to catch up on old times with Gia though. It didn't make the experience any more worth his time but it wasn't boring at the very least. The two had been on missions together before. Many of them were in urban settings, but there was time that Nick recalled them doing a mission in the Tei Sai wastelands. That was the first time he had ever seen Gia's true side; the part of Gia that made her human. Nick recalled times the two of them had gone out drinking with a few of the other pilots. It amazed him that she would never try to pick up on any guys or allow the same to be done to her. It is as if she wanted to be alone. It wasn't right to Nick, but then again plenty of things weren't right to Nick.
Nick's radio came alive with the voice of what Kukuchi said should be Renault. "Subject is beginning departure from target area in another minute or so." ""You copy that Nick" Gia said. " Yeah, I copy it's a shame we don't get to do any terrorist stomping". Nick said. " It's good to get paid for not having to kill for once." Gia said with an upbeat tone. Nick took one last glance along the horizon before he was to start his deactivation checks. As if on cue, his radar began to go fuzzy. He hit his HUD twice with his fist before it cleared up. After a few seconds, it went fuzzy again before shutting off entirely. "Gia, my radar just completely went down. "Nick said. "Your not dreaming Nick it's happening to me too, BZZTZZZZ jamming. " Gia replied Nick tried to call Renault to see if they were having similar difficulties. There was no answer. Well that answers that question. Nick rotated dragon killer to get a look around the city. He was not surprised to find a booster flume off in the distance heading toward the Large Tokisha Building. Nick released the jacks that bounded his AC to the radar truck, ran towards Gia, and leapt over her before engaging his boosters for maximum burn. Gia followed him off toward what he hoped he wouldn't regret in the morning.
Olan took off toward the Tokisha skyscraper above the average sized buildings. He shot up like a rocket towards the roof. Olan eased off on the throttle and over flew the roof by a considerable distance. Upon over-flying the roof, he cut off his booster jet and landed on the roof crushing it and opening large cracks along the structure. He quickly spun his AC in the direction of his target and ran toward the edge of the building. He then knelt his AC down ensuring that his Core would be able to take the recoil that a weapon such as his expelled. Olan took in a deep breath before readying his WA-RF/E anti mech-rifle. Olan then used his HUD's zoom in feature and zoomed to about 96 times normal .He was able to easily locate his target a black limousine. It had just taken on another passenger before the driver went around to the front of the car to get underway. Before firing, Olan clasped his hands together and said a private prayer. "God, please forgive me for this thing that I must do." Olan said. Olan's finger rested on the trigger and has he pulled a jolt that only a solid round could make hit his core making him fall forward pushing the control stick that his fire control rested on. Olan could easily tell that his weapon would not hit exactly where he intended it to. The weapon fired. The resulting blue beam from the WA-RF/E illuminated the buildings down the street has it lanced in the direction of its intended target Mayor Herman's Limousine.
Olan saw the shot hit just meters from the limousine. It had superheated a portion of the asphalt causing it and the surrounding street to buckle. It tossed the Limousine's aft and flipped it over on its roof. 10 seconds He thought Olan leapt off the top of the skyscraper to see the tracer of a large sniper bullet squeeze by his AC's head. He attempted to get a locking solution for his missiles on the supposed shooter. He locked on two missiles on the target and fired them both off at his target he could see the AC wait unit the last few seconds before an impact, before doing a barrel roll and bypassing the missiles. His onboard computer quickly identified two AC's incoming both of them light one red one green. The red one he remembered he had seen it on TV; it was the Ku- Wen. The green one was unrecognizable at first until he saw a further description of the rifle. Nevertheless, the name designation made him sure of who it was. He was saddened that he would meet his fate by one of his apprentices. The Dragon Killer. He cut off his failing FCS jamming device. So, this is fate's cruel irony. Olan thought. He started a controlled fall from Tokisha all the way to the surface floor to find cover.
"So anyway what all is set up for me today Ms. Mishinta" The tired C.E.O of Kensei Corp said laid against the smooth leather of the Limousine's interior seating. "Well I was able to free you up an entire hour to rest on your laurels, sir" Kensei's Japanese secretary said " Great I really do appreciate it.". He replied
"Don't mention it, it takes a lot of strength to talk to masses and make big speeches like that I only write I could never actually say them." She said taking off her bifocal and tapping them against her upper chest. "Despite these wonderful mini- speeches it never gets easy having to deal with complete fools." he said jokingly. That statement sparked a laugh from Mishinta. He then looked over at Renault whom was still fooling around with his radio to get it to work. Renault said moments before that his radio had gone dead and was attempting to fix it ever since they departed the construction scene. Even thought the meeting was over Renault was one who always wanted to make sure that every thing from their traffic route to someone wearing the right color shoelaces was normal.
The stressed voice of a man came through on the radio. " This is Kawasaki, an Armored Core has penetrated the perimeter and has fired at least one energy shot in Alpha Location". Kawasaki said." Raven Chen and I are in pursuit of bandit requesting Air Support and mobile backup. All of sudden a pit began to grow deep in Kensei's stomach " Try and reach the mayor Renault" Kensei yelled. Renault switched over to the mayor's frequency. There was nothing but static." Damn, it why does this have to happen now of all times, don't these terrorists have any decency? Jinkai said. Renault clicked on the limo's intercom next to the door and called the driver in the front of the vehicle " Drive faster head back to the Corporate HQ on the double. Run lights if you have to." Renault said. "Got it." The driver replied. The speed of medium sized Limousine picked up. As the driver accelerated the vehicle up to top speed, Kensei and the rest of the passengers were pushed back into their seats. Kensei could still here more talking from Renault's end. "What is it Renault.?" Kensei queried. "Air support has been called in and their ETA is Three Minutes. They have been told to keep above 5,000 feet in compliance to Rules of Engagement in urban areas." Renault replied.
"What about the guard do they have anything in the vicinity?"
"Walker MT's in route two minutes before they do any good and helicopter should be in range in a few minutes."
Kensei sighed " I hope these two are has good as the records say."
Nick hit the ground near the street heading toward Tokisha. With his radar returning to normal, he noticed that the AC he was tracking was not heading in the direction of the package, but in his. He rushed Dragon Killer down the street ignoring cars and other vehicles that were in his path. He readied his sniper rifle and took another shot at the enemy AC. It dodged the shot and hid behind a building at the end of the street. Nick boosted forward and after a second he took a short flight into the air at which that point his target revealed it self. A blue beam lanced from the target's weapon. Nick returned two shots back and swung just right of where he thought the beam was going to be. In a split second, Kawasaki's instinct kicked in and he rammed his two control sticks hard off to the right. The beam rammed into his left arm tearing a hole right through the center of the killer's shoulder. Sweat dripped from Nick's face has he tried to make his heart stop beating so hard. He took split second to check to see if his shots registered hits on his HUD. Nothing came up. Nick tried to return the favor by firing more shots at his target while trying to run to cover. The first few shots hit the corner of the wall the enemy AC was next to. The unit popped up over the wall and fired off four missiles off towards Nick's AC . They shot ahead towards Nick and he boost strafed off to the right dodging the first three missiles and getting behind a building wall has the fourth hit the corner spraying concrete chips over near Nick. Why did I have to open my big mouth? I'd rather of had a milk run then this any day. Nick thought. Then Nick's radio and video communications came alive. "Your shooting without your fire control system has improved but you need to steady your rifle while moving dear boy". The familiar voice said. All of a sudden, a familiar image of an white bearded Indian man to go along with the voice appeared in a small box on his screen. "Olan?" Nick gasped with what he surely thought was stupid look on his face. "Surprised to see me here are you not?" Didn't I tell you when I finally decided to take a stand we would meet on the battlefield." Olan continued. "What do you mean take a stand" Kawasaki said. "This is just plain terrorism, I thought you were better than that Olan." "But you see this is for ideals, not for just me, but a whole group a people who are not comfortable with the current government's anti-religious ideals, especially the mayor's but he has already paid the price." Olan said.
"But why this way, how come your group can't find a more peaceful solution." Nick said
"Because that is not the way of the Sphere of the Divine." Olan boasted.
Nick remembered the group fondly. They had asked Nick to do a job along time ago. "But why them Olan they are willing to destroy anyone it seems like." The answer you will only find if you can catch me or if you can kill me." Olan replied.
The communication between the two suddenly went dead has did the friendship that they once shared. Gia, who was perched on a department store building monitoring the whole conversation, finally broke silence. "I take it you two know each other" Gia said interrogatively. Nick hit the top of his console inside the killer. "He was my teacher Gia, I suggest you back off on this one its very personal." Nick said defensively
"Nick you know I can't do that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I lost a partner to a terrorist, plus you won't be able to beat him by yourself as long as he has that rifle." Gia said. Nick was frustrated by the fact Gia wouldn't let him fight Olan by himself, although she was right; the gun he bore tore through his arm with one shot. He knew she was going to help him anyways whether he liked it or not
" I'm not going to argue with you then Gia." Nick said "Good, It's nice you're seeing things differently. Let's try and box him in"Gia said.
"Roger that Empress"
With that said, Nick moved around to other side of the building he was using for cover while Gia leapt off her perch and ran up the right side of her parallel street.. The two rushed at extremely fast speeds to meet Olan. Olan leapt from his cover boosting straight up into the air and popping off a laser shot off at Chen. Chen did a short boost off to her left barely getting by the shot. Nick continued his run toward Olan while Olan retreated backwards. He was constantly keeping Nick more than ten kilometers in front of him. Olan's unit fell toward the street to regain energy. Gia switched over to missiles and fired off two toward Olan. Olan couldn't get out of the way in time and took the two missiles to the core jolting his unit backwards. Nick boosted up from the street to catch the view. He fired off a sniper bullet aimed at Olan's right arm in an attempt to shoot his rifle out of his hand. Olan quickly boosted to the left side of the street causing Nick's bullet to miss its target. Nick held down the trigger hoping to hit his master some how. Olan dodged the volley, fired off another laser shot and hid behind a building. The shot hit Nick's AC in the right leg, causing his whole unit to shutter has it was forced to kneel. Leg integrity diminished. "Damn it we're never going to catch him." He said as his AC hit the ground and his damaged leg collapsed.
Nick was now a perfect target for Olan the master sniper. His unit laid hunched over on the median of the street with its electronic capillaries shooting out sparks. It was definitely not the Dragon Killer's best condition. Pilot or machine. Well this is it if there was anyone to be killed by, it would be him, shitty timing though. Olan shot up from his concrete perch and set his sights on Nick. Sweat and blood dripped profusely from Nick's forehead from an injury he gained hitting the confines of his cockpit. I'm dead His mouth dried up completely in fearful anticipation. "Not so fast bastard" Gia said. . He saw the Ku-Wen shoot up into the air with Olan's AC. Gia dashed in very close to Olan before unleashing a horizontal slash with her yellow energy sword across his AC's chest. The shock sent Olan's AC reeling down towards the cityscape below. It quickly spun head over foot down towards the ground. Nick could tell that pilot tried to engage his boosters to recover but it was for not. As he began to pull out of the tumble at its fast speed, the unit hit a roof corner of a building knocking it into a deadly uncontrollable spin along street. Its head hit the street first then it flipped over and banged its legs against the asphalt as the battered mech finally came to a stop a few hundred meters away from Nick. Seconds later the Ku-Wen hit the ground easily cracking the asphault. "Are you ok, Nick despite the fact your mech looks like hell" Gia asked. Even though he had lost a visual on Gia, he could tell she was probably smirking "I feel like hell and if my Dragon Killer was alive it would too." Nick replied before hitting his console. "Good, Hehe I wouldn't want my yang to die." Gia giggled. She ran her AC toward the fallen Olan's and locked her MG-500 machine gun on to the AC's core body before engaging her unit's megaphone. "You in the AC, By the orders of the Isaac City guard you have been ordered to stand down and surrender, otherwise aggressive actions will be used against you." She said has officially has she could sound.
Olan awoke from his unconscious sleep the initial crash had caused him to go in to. His vision was cloudy and he could barely make out that he was in an AC cockpit. He tried to get up from his seat but his legs denied him. He felt sheer pain from a bent shard of metal that had pierced through his thigh. A large amount of blood had pooled on the grated metal around his leg and under the chair. He grabbed his flight goggles in anger from of his head and flung them to the opposite corner of the cockpit. Damn it I shouldn't have underestimated Kawasaki's partner. He had just at that moment felt the blood run down his leg and heard it drip down to the floor. His injury was very severe and he knew that if he did not get medical attention soon, he was probably going to die. I guess its my time and not Kawasaki's guess that how that works out. The onboard radio was blazing with the voice of a woman instead of Kawasaki. "You have 10 seconds to surrender otherwise we will be forced to use lethal force". Olan was able to grab his communication headphones and place them on his head. He pondered whether to surrender, survive, and face possible assassination from the Sphere or to let the woman finish him. Time was ticking down. There was still unfinished business. His death would have to wait for a while. He clicked on his microphone.
Nick popped open the hatch from his Armored Core and dismounted from the unit via D/A cable. Upon touching the ground, he left the cable unraveled and ran towards his downed masters AC with a limp in his right leg. The surrender Olan had given came unconditional although he stated that he had been injured severely enough that he could not remove himself from the cockpit. Gia had told Nick that it probably wasn't going to be a trap if he came instead of her. Nick didn't object. Nick pulled out a 45. Caliber pistol that he carried with him just in case he need to defend himself in hostile territory. He ran along side the AC before pulling himself up on to the legs of the unit. He walked along the legs watching his step up toward the cockpit. He could see the burn scaring that Gia's laser slash caused from the top of the unit's arms across the center of core. He continued a limp walk towards the hatch that all AC's had under the core where the pilot operated. His heart raced as he reached the hatch. He scanned the hatchway straining his eyes to find the external hatch lever. After locating it, Nick placed his gun in his right hand that was sweating like crazy, and twisted the yellow and black striped handle before pulling it out of a locked position. The hatch shot out steam before it unlocked and slid partially open. Nick could already smell blood from the inside of the cockpit.. He could also hear coughing coming from inside. Nick slid the hatch open and he could see a figure strapped into a pilot seat.
"Nick I'm dying". Olan said. Nick crawled further into the compartment a knelt down next to his old teacher. Olan looked up at him trying to hold back the pain he was feeling in his leg. Nick viewed the injuries has best he could in the dark compartment. Olan's right leg was nearly severed and bleeding profusely. His heart knew that Olan would not be with them for much longer. "Don't worry pops you can survive this" He said even though his expression showed differently. "I have a few things I need to tell you before I die though." Olan said. Olan tried to prop himself up but Nick helped him. "The group I've worked for the Divine Sphere operates out of Zam City they only have a fair sized branch in Isaac City." Olan's voice was beginning to fail. "This attack is only a small part of the terrorist campaign they have planned "I worked with them for the last 4 years helping to train their troops in rifleman and sniping skills." He continued. "But it was because they threatened me that I had do jobs for them." "They threatened to kill Nadjia I didn't feel I had much of a choice." He said with desperation in his tone. "So you did them". Nick yelled. "Yeah I didn't enjoy killing the innocent just like I didn't before"
"So Nadjia was the cause you were talking about"
"Exactly I just didn't want to die without knowing if she was still alive or not. That's why I didn't put up much of a fight against your female partner."
Olan coughed again." After I saw that you were in my path, I didn't want you to have to die for my mistakes. Vibrations rattled under Nick's crouched legs. "That's the guard isn't it Nick". Olan said before coughing again. "Yeah that's them they'll be able to provide you with medical attention" Nick said. Olan began fidgeting around a lot and shaking. He was having the classic symptoms of shock. "No, let me die the sphere will find me in prison or the hospital and kill me anyway..." Olan coughed again. "I've enjoyed seeing your face again you still haven't gotten much older from when I last saw you." The older men sweat out another smile. Nick saw that the old man wanted to change the subject and Nick obliged. Nick began to cry." I've enjoyed seeing you again, too." Nick replied back sniffling. The old man coughed again. "But, could you just write me a letter next time it's a lot safer." Nick said Student and Teacher both shared a laugh with one another. Nick looked into his teacher's eyes for the last time has he saw the life slowly drain from the man's eyes. "Good bye old friend." Nick said. The saddened pilot released his grip on the 45. The sound of the gun hitting the ground rang in his ears as if time had slowed down. The sight of the old man strapped in his chair smiling was enough to make him cry.
Nick crawled his way back through the hatch. The combination of the light from the Dekano Districts overhead daylight system and the sound of sirens hit his senses as if he had just transferred from two different worlds. He walked along the left leg of the fallen mech and climbed down at its the knee. He touched the ground gripping his right leg that had been injured moments before. As Nick looked down at his leg, his memory of all that had just occurred, danced in the front of his mind again. He had just forced himself to watch his friend who had been sent on a suicide mission slowly die in front of him. He looked back up at the path ahead of him noticing a figure running towards him. Nick guessed it was probably Gia. As Gia closed on Nick he could hear her gasping for breath. "He died didn't he?" Gia said solemnly. "Yeah he did Gia, but we finally repaired our friendship though. "Really. I never saw you as the type to talk things over" Gia half smiled. Nick felt her prop him up by his shoulder in order to make walking less a burden for him. "Yeah you'd be surprised at the many things I'm capable of". Nick grunted. The two pilots laughed together for a moment. As they passed the foot of the mech, Nick finally noticed the Guard corps Walker MTs a little past the intersection. "Well, now that this is over do you think the Divine Sphere is going to stay quiet?" Gia asked. Nick shook his head. "Not likely, Not from what Olan told me at least." Nick said looking into her emerald eyes. As he looked into her eyes he had never really noticed Gia like he did during that moment. Nick saw Gia smiled at him reassuringly. Any indication that she was a warrior disappeared in the smile she had.
As they reached the intersection, several guard officers ran out to meet the two pilots. One of the officers probably their sergeant because he wore a coat approached the two. "Sergeant Tim Underwood, Isaac City Guard, is this the assailant Ms. Chen? "The man asked. Nick looked up at the older sergeant disgusted at his false accusation. "No, this is Kawasaki the other contracted pilot" Gia said laughing. "Oh, my mistake I suppose the assassin is still in his AC." Underwood said. "Yeah, he didn't make it though. Although I was able to get some information off of him." Nick grunted. He grabbed his leg that was burning with even more pain than it was before. Underwood waved his officers over. "Begin taping a perimeter of this area right now, go check the tan AC." He ordered "Kawasaki do you need medical attention on that leg at all?". Underwood asked. "No, I'm fine its just a slight limp I can handle it". Nick said. The Sergeant took off his policeman's cap and scratched his forehead. "Don't worry that's just the way he is, a stubborn ol' brawnish jerk" Gia laughed lifting Kawasaki up higher. "Hey we're going to need what ever information you have Kawasaki". Underwood yelled. "Don't worry about it until you deliver my pay" Nick mumbled.
Gia pulled Nick up over a sidewalk and set him next to a curb. She laid back with her feet hanging over the curb while Nick sat up with his elbows resting on his knees. They both were watching numerous police cars and reporters quickly beginning to appear near the scene. It made the situation that had just happened look less hectic. "So, Nick did your ex teacher say why he tried to kill the mayor?" Gia asked solemnly. "Nick looked over his shoulder at Gia. "He said the Sphere forced him to do it, by using his wife Nadjia as a bargaining chip." Nick explained. Gia sat up with a look of surprise. "Those bastards, I can't believe they can threaten well-trained soilders to do their dirty work for them" Gia yelled. "Neither can I, and that's why I'm not going to let them get away with it. They've just made an eternal enemy" Nick said. Gia stood up in anger. "It's people like them that made me the woman I am today and now they will most certainly face my wrath" Gia cried. The two looked at each other with eager faces. "Hey against the ultimate balance they'll wish they never set foot in Isaac." Nick said.
Chapter 3: Yin and Yang
Earth 2238 July 1st 11:50 am
Issac City Dekano District(Sewers)
Why did it have to be a sewer of all places? The middle-aged pilot began cursing himself for taking this job but after giving it some thought the consequences would have been too great if he had declined. For most people being in a sewer would be the last thing on their mind, but for people in Olan Kanju's profession it would be just another day on the job. Navigating the vast multi layered sewer system of Isaac would be considered crazy without the use of some type of navigating map or blueprint. Luckily his requestor was a group with enough power to obtain the blue prints to be downloaded into his unit. The sewer, as much has he could gather from getting a visual check of his surroundings, had reddish brown bricked walls has opposed to the white ones that were in the other portions of the sewers. Concrete walkways ran stretched along both sides of the tunnel that was bordered with rusted, broken railings. Clearly this portion of the system has not been visited for some time. The pilot ran his thumb along his chin brushing his white beard hairs. Olan glanced down at his wrist chronometer. It read 11:57. "It's time, if there aren't any surprises it should take two minutes from the start point to get myself from this position to my expected target." Olan said to himself. His requester's intelligence had told him that many of the sensors normally placed in the sewers should be down due to the massive power surges from the attack three weeks before. Despite the advice, Olan had equipped his AC with a short life high density-jamming device. Olan knew that with the low power of his GBG-10000 that would only work for maybe five minutes tops so he would have to be in and out quickly.
He began all the preflight checks, which through his Insertion configured Armored Core included his WA-RF/E, dubbed the Anti Mech Rifle his laser-blade, generator, targeting system, scanners the whole works. Meanwhile one of the sewer elevators raised his unit to the main sewer tunnel. After the checks were complete, he clicked all of his generator start systems on. Seconds later, a message confirming a successful start up scrolled across his Heads-Up Display. The old man took a deep breath has he always did before he clicked his boosters on and launched down the tunnel. The pilot flicked on his HUD's night-vision so he could see in the dark region his unit was quickly immersed in. With the green vision now guiding him to his destination, Olan checked his time again. "11:58, perfect timing." He thought. Just before he overheated his unit, Olan ordered his AC via voice command to commence silent maneuvers. Olan's booster disengaged and his brought up a small wave a water as it came to a halt. He began a more quiet tread. The silent maneuvering protocol limited his speed yet it kept his sound signature low, exactly as his mission required. He began searching for a fork in the tunnel that would be somewhere nearby, while keeping an eye for sensors or any other obstacles that might be in his path. After about several seconds of searching, he found a fork junction. He took the leftward route has his compass indicated his entrance would be. He checked the status on his WA-RF/E anti mech rifle and saw that its energy capacitors were fully charged. Olan made a sour face He had never really liked energy weapons but his requestors had insisted on this one in particular, so he was stuck with it.The gun's range was over 20 km, a great technical feat, but it was only goodfor ten shots. Worse, it took several seconds to recharge each time- as good as an eternity in a firefight and over 10 seconds before another full charge was set in the gun. The shot itself was destructive enough to consider it a long-range laser rifle rather than a sniper rifle.
As he rounded a curve, he spotted the lights of an old SK-12 subterranean bot, which were still used in some of the older areas of the city for maintenance and even routine security. Remembering the security aspect of the SK-12, Olan decided to take no chances. He rushed the puny Sewer bot and slammed it up against the one of the tunnel's walls with his AC's left arm. The bot shattered against the wall, sparks splashing into the murky sewer water. Olan maneuvered his AC further down the passage, which suddenly ended directly in front of him, at a rusty iron ladder. Looking above Olan saw exactly what he was looking for an semicircular metal cover. It was rusted at the seams but not completely. To Olan's luck, it happened to be just big enough for his insertion AC to fit through. At this point Olan checked his time, 1200 hours. Damn five minutes until the target leaves the zone I had better hurry. With that in mind, Olan charged up his laser blade and began cutting the covering above him. Sparks popped and fell on to the head of his mech as he completed his incision. He dropped his WA-RF/E anti mech rifle and gripped his fingers down the middle of the loosened seal. He pushed outward, slowly opening the covering. He pushed against the two sides further, exerting his AC's arm hydraulics at full power. He heard what must have been the hinges of the door groan as he ripped the two separate sides off and flung them behind him. The metal covers splashing the murky sewage on to the man mecha. Ok, this leads to the passageway I'm supposed to take to the surface I just hope I make it in time. Olan disengaged silenced protocol, grabbed his rifle and looking upward at his destination, he boosted out of the tunnel.
"Let the Rebuilding begin!" Kensei's leader Jinkai Kensei said. With those words the members of the press and of the city council applauded him and the Mayor. The select group, which included some of the city council and the press, stood in the sector of city that had been hit the most "Dekano". The podium was set near a building that was engulfed completely on the inside by fire. They stood at the very bottom level of the area. "I liked your take on how to handle the rebuilding whole lot Jinkai" Enki said. "Your's wasn't so bad either, Enki." Jinkai said.
"
Although Kensei knew that the mayor probably was not one of the most adequate administrative figures, he had been pivotal in easing people into the now mostly Kensei controlled Isaac City. The mayor of Isaac City would be vacating office soon. New elections were to be taking place within a year. The two stood there and shook each other's hands as all political figures did and stepped off the constructed stage. "We should discuss further proceedings over lunch next week, my treat" Enki said. "That wouldn't be such a bad idea I'll have my secretary set up something later" Kensei met up with Renault a little ways down the walkway to his limousine. Renault leaned close to his protectorate and began whispering." Your Limousine is parked down this way sir and if I might say sir very excellent speech." Renault said. "Hey its Mrs. Mishinta's work not mine" he whispered back. " Then a few members of the press including Kensei Global News, and the Isaac City Globe closed in on Kensei and attempted to ask him questions in which he promptly said" I'll have my spokesperson answer your questions at the press conference tomorrow." Kensei replied to them. His bodyguards began to push back the reporters.
Olan finally reached the last corridor before a supposed exit hatch was to be found. He engaged silent protocols on his AC reducing his walking speed to a much slower pace than the norm. He pressed on toward the end of the hallway, which, led to an upward tunnel just big enough for his small humanoid AC to fly through. He then engaged his booster skyward and just has he neared the hatch he reared his free left arm and punched the metal hatch open revealing the artificially illuminated cavern of the underground city Isaac. After hitting the street and allowing his energy to charge back up for a few seconds he checked his bearings. He then engaged jamming, which would not last for long. He saw many people running down the street trying to escape from the impending doom that all felt when Mechanized Combat Units of any kind were present. Target should be to the southeast. In the bottom right corner of his heads up display a 3d map appeared and showed him exactly where his target was supposed to be, next to a large structure that was burned up in a fire in the last three weeks approximately two miles from his position.
"Geez, Gia it looks like today is going to be an easy pay day." said Expert Armored Core Sniper pilot Nick Kawasaki. "You know its not good to say things like that who knows we could face the entire force that the Divine Sphere could muster at once." Gia replied.
"Like we would be that lucky, you know the pay bonus we would rack up on this contract, just imagine all the kills." Nick replied.
"Blood for Money is not right, a bonus is no excuse to want to do it more. Nothing can ever justify taking a life. " Gia said
Nick sensed a seriousness to her voice but didn't take the warning
"Hey, that's easy for you to say Ms. arena champion. I wish I pulled your paycheck then I would come up with phrases like that too." Nick said. Kawasaki did make a point. Gia had become a respected AC pilot by doing well in the Progtech sponsored Arena Competitions. Of course, she also did her share of missions for many different corporations and companies as much has Kawasaki, but she retained her values about death nonetheless.
"Remind me why they put a sound minded person like me with a cocky, money grubbing fool like you Kawasaki." Gia asked
"It's because between the two of us there is a balance. In laymen terms it just means you're a sound-minded spiritual type person, and I'm a matter over mind brawnish jerk. It's just like Yin and Yang." Nick said
"Somehow that is the most wisest things I've ever heard you say, hey do you remember how to record these things Nick?"
"I'll only do that if you tell me how good looking I am"
"I was only kidding, besides you weren't exactly dead-on in your analysis. The basic concept is this, there is a side that fights and does things that people would perceive as wrong, and there is a side that is peaceful and does not seek aggression. Without the two of these together, there cannot be a balance in a person or in nature.
"Ok, I got you on that, but maybe you can get right to the point" Nick said.
"Hmph, It can be explained has being nature's conscience"
"Wow, I never thought I could learn so much about nature and stuff from being a cold hearted killer.
"After this I need to talk to Kukuchi about further team assignments and knock some sense in to her, anyway let's quit, we're not getting paid to chit chat." Gia said sighing.
"Got it Empress Chen"
Nick's standard old green core Silent Killer stood up on the roof of a medium-sized abandoned department store building. The Killer has he called it was equipped with a narrow targeting, Rator FCS and one of the more sophisticated radars that the late corporation Murakumo built. Nick had recently changed his light legs to higher capacity bipedal chicken legs. His counterpart Gia's AC the Ku-Wen, stood on the other side of the building looking outward into the Dekano area. It was a red AC made-up of its classic shoe-like HD-Redeye head, the XXA-SO lightweight core that allowed her to carry many expansions like incoming missile indicators and shell and energy protection screens, diamond shaped AN-K1 arms and LN-401 legs that were light and fast but could still carry enough weapons to get the job done.
Below them sat a radar truck, which was gladly donated by the Kensei Corporation for the two Raven's use with no charge to either of the pilots. In addition, there was also a barricade provided and Guard Officers providing a small perimeter. Nick's Silent Killer had dozens of wires jacked into the AC's head that ran down the mech, over the side of the building and back to the radar truck below him. The wires linked him with a network of radars in the surrounding area to boost the mediocre radar of the AC's. Gia could not be linked due to the lack of equipment and the close range role that she had. Nick would just have to guide her if trouble actually arose.
The two had spent the last hour providing perimeter defense for the Kensei Rebuilding Speech. To Nick it felt more like a waste of his time. He did get to catch up on old times with Gia though. It didn't make the experience any more worth his time but it wasn't boring at the very least. The two had been on missions together before. Many of them were in urban settings, but there was time that Nick recalled them doing a mission in the Tei Sai wastelands. That was the first time he had ever seen Gia's true side; the part of Gia that made her human. Nick recalled times the two of them had gone out drinking with a few of the other pilots. It amazed him that she would never try to pick up on any guys or allow the same to be done to her. It is as if she wanted to be alone. It wasn't right to Nick, but then again plenty of things weren't right to Nick.
Nick's radio came alive with the voice of what Kukuchi said should be Renault. "Subject is beginning departure from target area in another minute or so." ""You copy that Nick" Gia said. " Yeah, I copy it's a shame we don't get to do any terrorist stomping". Nick said. " It's good to get paid for not having to kill for once." Gia said with an upbeat tone. Nick took one last glance along the horizon before he was to start his deactivation checks. As if on cue, his radar began to go fuzzy. He hit his HUD twice with his fist before it cleared up. After a few seconds, it went fuzzy again before shutting off entirely. "Gia, my radar just completely went down. "Nick said. "Your not dreaming Nick it's happening to me too, BZZTZZZZ jamming. " Gia replied Nick tried to call Renault to see if they were having similar difficulties. There was no answer. Well that answers that question. Nick rotated dragon killer to get a look around the city. He was not surprised to find a booster flume off in the distance heading toward the Large Tokisha Building. Nick released the jacks that bounded his AC to the radar truck, ran towards Gia, and leapt over her before engaging his boosters for maximum burn. Gia followed him off toward what he hoped he wouldn't regret in the morning.
Olan took off toward the Tokisha skyscraper above the average sized buildings. He shot up like a rocket towards the roof. Olan eased off on the throttle and over flew the roof by a considerable distance. Upon over-flying the roof, he cut off his booster jet and landed on the roof crushing it and opening large cracks along the structure. He quickly spun his AC in the direction of his target and ran toward the edge of the building. He then knelt his AC down ensuring that his Core would be able to take the recoil that a weapon such as his expelled. Olan took in a deep breath before readying his WA-RF/E anti mech-rifle. Olan then used his HUD's zoom in feature and zoomed to about 96 times normal .He was able to easily locate his target a black limousine. It had just taken on another passenger before the driver went around to the front of the car to get underway. Before firing, Olan clasped his hands together and said a private prayer. "God, please forgive me for this thing that I must do." Olan said. Olan's finger rested on the trigger and has he pulled a jolt that only a solid round could make hit his core making him fall forward pushing the control stick that his fire control rested on. Olan could easily tell that his weapon would not hit exactly where he intended it to. The weapon fired. The resulting blue beam from the WA-RF/E illuminated the buildings down the street has it lanced in the direction of its intended target Mayor Herman's Limousine.
Olan saw the shot hit just meters from the limousine. It had superheated a portion of the asphalt causing it and the surrounding street to buckle. It tossed the Limousine's aft and flipped it over on its roof. 10 seconds He thought Olan leapt off the top of the skyscraper to see the tracer of a large sniper bullet squeeze by his AC's head. He attempted to get a locking solution for his missiles on the supposed shooter. He locked on two missiles on the target and fired them both off at his target he could see the AC wait unit the last few seconds before an impact, before doing a barrel roll and bypassing the missiles. His onboard computer quickly identified two AC's incoming both of them light one red one green. The red one he remembered he had seen it on TV; it was the Ku- Wen. The green one was unrecognizable at first until he saw a further description of the rifle. Nevertheless, the name designation made him sure of who it was. He was saddened that he would meet his fate by one of his apprentices. The Dragon Killer. He cut off his failing FCS jamming device. So, this is fate's cruel irony. Olan thought. He started a controlled fall from Tokisha all the way to the surface floor to find cover.
"So anyway what all is set up for me today Ms. Mishinta" The tired C.E.O of Kensei Corp said laid against the smooth leather of the Limousine's interior seating. "Well I was able to free you up an entire hour to rest on your laurels, sir" Kensei's Japanese secretary said " Great I really do appreciate it.". He replied
"Don't mention it, it takes a lot of strength to talk to masses and make big speeches like that I only write I could never actually say them." She said taking off her bifocal and tapping them against her upper chest. "Despite these wonderful mini- speeches it never gets easy having to deal with complete fools." he said jokingly. That statement sparked a laugh from Mishinta. He then looked over at Renault whom was still fooling around with his radio to get it to work. Renault said moments before that his radio had gone dead and was attempting to fix it ever since they departed the construction scene. Even thought the meeting was over Renault was one who always wanted to make sure that every thing from their traffic route to someone wearing the right color shoelaces was normal.
The stressed voice of a man came through on the radio. " This is Kawasaki, an Armored Core has penetrated the perimeter and has fired at least one energy shot in Alpha Location". Kawasaki said." Raven Chen and I are in pursuit of bandit requesting Air Support and mobile backup. All of sudden a pit began to grow deep in Kensei's stomach " Try and reach the mayor Renault" Kensei yelled. Renault switched over to the mayor's frequency. There was nothing but static." Damn, it why does this have to happen now of all times, don't these terrorists have any decency? Jinkai said. Renault clicked on the limo's intercom next to the door and called the driver in the front of the vehicle " Drive faster head back to the Corporate HQ on the double. Run lights if you have to." Renault said. "Got it." The driver replied. The speed of medium sized Limousine picked up. As the driver accelerated the vehicle up to top speed, Kensei and the rest of the passengers were pushed back into their seats. Kensei could still here more talking from Renault's end. "What is it Renault.?" Kensei queried. "Air support has been called in and their ETA is Three Minutes. They have been told to keep above 5,000 feet in compliance to Rules of Engagement in urban areas." Renault replied.
"What about the guard do they have anything in the vicinity?"
"Walker MT's in route two minutes before they do any good and helicopter should be in range in a few minutes."
Kensei sighed " I hope these two are has good as the records say."
Nick hit the ground near the street heading toward Tokisha. With his radar returning to normal, he noticed that the AC he was tracking was not heading in the direction of the package, but in his. He rushed Dragon Killer down the street ignoring cars and other vehicles that were in his path. He readied his sniper rifle and took another shot at the enemy AC. It dodged the shot and hid behind a building at the end of the street. Nick boosted forward and after a second he took a short flight into the air at which that point his target revealed it self. A blue beam lanced from the target's weapon. Nick returned two shots back and swung just right of where he thought the beam was going to be. In a split second, Kawasaki's instinct kicked in and he rammed his two control sticks hard off to the right. The beam rammed into his left arm tearing a hole right through the center of the killer's shoulder. Sweat dripped from Nick's face has he tried to make his heart stop beating so hard. He took split second to check to see if his shots registered hits on his HUD. Nothing came up. Nick tried to return the favor by firing more shots at his target while trying to run to cover. The first few shots hit the corner of the wall the enemy AC was next to. The unit popped up over the wall and fired off four missiles off towards Nick's AC . They shot ahead towards Nick and he boost strafed off to the right dodging the first three missiles and getting behind a building wall has the fourth hit the corner spraying concrete chips over near Nick. Why did I have to open my big mouth? I'd rather of had a milk run then this any day. Nick thought. Then Nick's radio and video communications came alive. "Your shooting without your fire control system has improved but you need to steady your rifle while moving dear boy". The familiar voice said. All of a sudden, a familiar image of an white bearded Indian man to go along with the voice appeared in a small box on his screen. "Olan?" Nick gasped with what he surely thought was stupid look on his face. "Surprised to see me here are you not?" Didn't I tell you when I finally decided to take a stand we would meet on the battlefield." Olan continued. "What do you mean take a stand" Kawasaki said. "This is just plain terrorism, I thought you were better than that Olan." "But you see this is for ideals, not for just me, but a whole group a people who are not comfortable with the current government's anti-religious ideals, especially the mayor's but he has already paid the price." Olan said.
"But why this way, how come your group can't find a more peaceful solution." Nick said
"Because that is not the way of the Sphere of the Divine." Olan boasted.
Nick remembered the group fondly. They had asked Nick to do a job along time ago. "But why them Olan they are willing to destroy anyone it seems like." The answer you will only find if you can catch me or if you can kill me." Olan replied.
The communication between the two suddenly went dead has did the friendship that they once shared. Gia, who was perched on a department store building monitoring the whole conversation, finally broke silence. "I take it you two know each other" Gia said interrogatively. Nick hit the top of his console inside the killer. "He was my teacher Gia, I suggest you back off on this one its very personal." Nick said defensively
"Nick you know I can't do that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I lost a partner to a terrorist, plus you won't be able to beat him by yourself as long as he has that rifle." Gia said. Nick was frustrated by the fact Gia wouldn't let him fight Olan by himself, although she was right; the gun he bore tore through his arm with one shot. He knew she was going to help him anyways whether he liked it or not
" I'm not going to argue with you then Gia." Nick said "Good, It's nice you're seeing things differently. Let's try and box him in"Gia said.
"Roger that Empress"
With that said, Nick moved around to other side of the building he was using for cover while Gia leapt off her perch and ran up the right side of her parallel street.. The two rushed at extremely fast speeds to meet Olan. Olan leapt from his cover boosting straight up into the air and popping off a laser shot off at Chen. Chen did a short boost off to her left barely getting by the shot. Nick continued his run toward Olan while Olan retreated backwards. He was constantly keeping Nick more than ten kilometers in front of him. Olan's unit fell toward the street to regain energy. Gia switched over to missiles and fired off two toward Olan. Olan couldn't get out of the way in time and took the two missiles to the core jolting his unit backwards. Nick boosted up from the street to catch the view. He fired off a sniper bullet aimed at Olan's right arm in an attempt to shoot his rifle out of his hand. Olan quickly boosted to the left side of the street causing Nick's bullet to miss its target. Nick held down the trigger hoping to hit his master some how. Olan dodged the volley, fired off another laser shot and hid behind a building. The shot hit Nick's AC in the right leg, causing his whole unit to shutter has it was forced to kneel. Leg integrity diminished. "Damn it we're never going to catch him." He said as his AC hit the ground and his damaged leg collapsed.
Nick was now a perfect target for Olan the master sniper. His unit laid hunched over on the median of the street with its electronic capillaries shooting out sparks. It was definitely not the Dragon Killer's best condition. Pilot or machine. Well this is it if there was anyone to be killed by, it would be him, shitty timing though. Olan shot up from his concrete perch and set his sights on Nick. Sweat and blood dripped profusely from Nick's forehead from an injury he gained hitting the confines of his cockpit. I'm dead His mouth dried up completely in fearful anticipation. "Not so fast bastard" Gia said. . He saw the Ku-Wen shoot up into the air with Olan's AC. Gia dashed in very close to Olan before unleashing a horizontal slash with her yellow energy sword across his AC's chest. The shock sent Olan's AC reeling down towards the cityscape below. It quickly spun head over foot down towards the ground. Nick could tell that pilot tried to engage his boosters to recover but it was for not. As he began to pull out of the tumble at its fast speed, the unit hit a roof corner of a building knocking it into a deadly uncontrollable spin along street. Its head hit the street first then it flipped over and banged its legs against the asphalt as the battered mech finally came to a stop a few hundred meters away from Nick. Seconds later the Ku-Wen hit the ground easily cracking the asphault. "Are you ok, Nick despite the fact your mech looks like hell" Gia asked. Even though he had lost a visual on Gia, he could tell she was probably smirking "I feel like hell and if my Dragon Killer was alive it would too." Nick replied before hitting his console. "Good, Hehe I wouldn't want my yang to die." Gia giggled. She ran her AC toward the fallen Olan's and locked her MG-500 machine gun on to the AC's core body before engaging her unit's megaphone. "You in the AC, By the orders of the Isaac City guard you have been ordered to stand down and surrender, otherwise aggressive actions will be used against you." She said has officially has she could sound.
Olan awoke from his unconscious sleep the initial crash had caused him to go in to. His vision was cloudy and he could barely make out that he was in an AC cockpit. He tried to get up from his seat but his legs denied him. He felt sheer pain from a bent shard of metal that had pierced through his thigh. A large amount of blood had pooled on the grated metal around his leg and under the chair. He grabbed his flight goggles in anger from of his head and flung them to the opposite corner of the cockpit. Damn it I shouldn't have underestimated Kawasaki's partner. He had just at that moment felt the blood run down his leg and heard it drip down to the floor. His injury was very severe and he knew that if he did not get medical attention soon, he was probably going to die. I guess its my time and not Kawasaki's guess that how that works out. The onboard radio was blazing with the voice of a woman instead of Kawasaki. "You have 10 seconds to surrender otherwise we will be forced to use lethal force". Olan was able to grab his communication headphones and place them on his head. He pondered whether to surrender, survive, and face possible assassination from the Sphere or to let the woman finish him. Time was ticking down. There was still unfinished business. His death would have to wait for a while. He clicked on his microphone.
Nick popped open the hatch from his Armored Core and dismounted from the unit via D/A cable. Upon touching the ground, he left the cable unraveled and ran towards his downed masters AC with a limp in his right leg. The surrender Olan had given came unconditional although he stated that he had been injured severely enough that he could not remove himself from the cockpit. Gia had told Nick that it probably wasn't going to be a trap if he came instead of her. Nick didn't object. Nick pulled out a 45. Caliber pistol that he carried with him just in case he need to defend himself in hostile territory. He ran along side the AC before pulling himself up on to the legs of the unit. He walked along the legs watching his step up toward the cockpit. He could see the burn scaring that Gia's laser slash caused from the top of the unit's arms across the center of core. He continued a limp walk towards the hatch that all AC's had under the core where the pilot operated. His heart raced as he reached the hatch. He scanned the hatchway straining his eyes to find the external hatch lever. After locating it, Nick placed his gun in his right hand that was sweating like crazy, and twisted the yellow and black striped handle before pulling it out of a locked position. The hatch shot out steam before it unlocked and slid partially open. Nick could already smell blood from the inside of the cockpit.. He could also hear coughing coming from inside. Nick slid the hatch open and he could see a figure strapped into a pilot seat.
"Nick I'm dying". Olan said. Nick crawled further into the compartment a knelt down next to his old teacher. Olan looked up at him trying to hold back the pain he was feeling in his leg. Nick viewed the injuries has best he could in the dark compartment. Olan's right leg was nearly severed and bleeding profusely. His heart knew that Olan would not be with them for much longer. "Don't worry pops you can survive this" He said even though his expression showed differently. "I have a few things I need to tell you before I die though." Olan said. Olan tried to prop himself up but Nick helped him. "The group I've worked for the Divine Sphere operates out of Zam City they only have a fair sized branch in Isaac City." Olan's voice was beginning to fail. "This attack is only a small part of the terrorist campaign they have planned "I worked with them for the last 4 years helping to train their troops in rifleman and sniping skills." He continued. "But it was because they threatened me that I had do jobs for them." "They threatened to kill Nadjia I didn't feel I had much of a choice." He said with desperation in his tone. "So you did them". Nick yelled. "Yeah I didn't enjoy killing the innocent just like I didn't before"
"So Nadjia was the cause you were talking about"
"Exactly I just didn't want to die without knowing if she was still alive or not. That's why I didn't put up much of a fight against your female partner."
Olan coughed again." After I saw that you were in my path, I didn't want you to have to die for my mistakes. Vibrations rattled under Nick's crouched legs. "That's the guard isn't it Nick". Olan said before coughing again. "Yeah that's them they'll be able to provide you with medical attention" Nick said. Olan began fidgeting around a lot and shaking. He was having the classic symptoms of shock. "No, let me die the sphere will find me in prison or the hospital and kill me anyway..." Olan coughed again. "I've enjoyed seeing your face again you still haven't gotten much older from when I last saw you." The older men sweat out another smile. Nick saw that the old man wanted to change the subject and Nick obliged. Nick began to cry." I've enjoyed seeing you again, too." Nick replied back sniffling. The old man coughed again. "But, could you just write me a letter next time it's a lot safer." Nick said Student and Teacher both shared a laugh with one another. Nick looked into his teacher's eyes for the last time has he saw the life slowly drain from the man's eyes. "Good bye old friend." Nick said. The saddened pilot released his grip on the 45. The sound of the gun hitting the ground rang in his ears as if time had slowed down. The sight of the old man strapped in his chair smiling was enough to make him cry.
Nick crawled his way back through the hatch. The combination of the light from the Dekano Districts overhead daylight system and the sound of sirens hit his senses as if he had just transferred from two different worlds. He walked along the left leg of the fallen mech and climbed down at its the knee. He touched the ground gripping his right leg that had been injured moments before. As Nick looked down at his leg, his memory of all that had just occurred, danced in the front of his mind again. He had just forced himself to watch his friend who had been sent on a suicide mission slowly die in front of him. He looked back up at the path ahead of him noticing a figure running towards him. Nick guessed it was probably Gia. As Gia closed on Nick he could hear her gasping for breath. "He died didn't he?" Gia said solemnly. "Yeah he did Gia, but we finally repaired our friendship though. "Really. I never saw you as the type to talk things over" Gia half smiled. Nick felt her prop him up by his shoulder in order to make walking less a burden for him. "Yeah you'd be surprised at the many things I'm capable of". Nick grunted. The two pilots laughed together for a moment. As they passed the foot of the mech, Nick finally noticed the Guard corps Walker MTs a little past the intersection. "Well, now that this is over do you think the Divine Sphere is going to stay quiet?" Gia asked. Nick shook his head. "Not likely, Not from what Olan told me at least." Nick said looking into her emerald eyes. As he looked into her eyes he had never really noticed Gia like he did during that moment. Nick saw Gia smiled at him reassuringly. Any indication that she was a warrior disappeared in the smile she had.
As they reached the intersection, several guard officers ran out to meet the two pilots. One of the officers probably their sergeant because he wore a coat approached the two. "Sergeant Tim Underwood, Isaac City Guard, is this the assailant Ms. Chen? "The man asked. Nick looked up at the older sergeant disgusted at his false accusation. "No, this is Kawasaki the other contracted pilot" Gia said laughing. "Oh, my mistake I suppose the assassin is still in his AC." Underwood said. "Yeah, he didn't make it though. Although I was able to get some information off of him." Nick grunted. He grabbed his leg that was burning with even more pain than it was before. Underwood waved his officers over. "Begin taping a perimeter of this area right now, go check the tan AC." He ordered "Kawasaki do you need medical attention on that leg at all?". Underwood asked. "No, I'm fine its just a slight limp I can handle it". Nick said. The Sergeant took off his policeman's cap and scratched his forehead. "Don't worry that's just the way he is, a stubborn ol' brawnish jerk" Gia laughed lifting Kawasaki up higher. "Hey we're going to need what ever information you have Kawasaki". Underwood yelled. "Don't worry about it until you deliver my pay" Nick mumbled.
Gia pulled Nick up over a sidewalk and set him next to a curb. She laid back with her feet hanging over the curb while Nick sat up with his elbows resting on his knees. They both were watching numerous police cars and reporters quickly beginning to appear near the scene. It made the situation that had just happened look less hectic. "So, Nick did your ex teacher say why he tried to kill the mayor?" Gia asked solemnly. "Nick looked over his shoulder at Gia. "He said the Sphere forced him to do it, by using his wife Nadjia as a bargaining chip." Nick explained. Gia sat up with a look of surprise. "Those bastards, I can't believe they can threaten well-trained soilders to do their dirty work for them" Gia yelled. "Neither can I, and that's why I'm not going to let them get away with it. They've just made an eternal enemy" Nick said. Gia stood up in anger. "It's people like them that made me the woman I am today and now they will most certainly face my wrath" Gia cried. The two looked at each other with eager faces. "Hey against the ultimate balance they'll wish they never set foot in Isaac." Nick said.