Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Dedication: To my sunshine. Thank you for everything.
Chapter 2: Light Seeker
Adel had just arrived. She was at her new home, The RN. Strung congratulated her once again and showed her around. The complex was huge. The main building was 100 stories tall. It housed all the operators, researchers, and executives of the Nerves Concord. The Garage was a long building that appeared to be able to house 50 ACs, which it did. Finally there was The Nest. It was a building about 20 stories tall with a huge dome on top. That dome was the official Battle Arena, although you could fight other places as well.
Adel was shown her room. Before she went in she noticed a note taped to her door.
The note read:
It is customary
for all new
Ravens to have
their first battle
their first night.
Light Seeker is
waiting. I'll be
watching.
-Ares
Adel was taken aback. Someone was already taking an interest in her? She entered her room to find it an exact replica of her old room on Earth. She immediately knew her father had foreseen her initiation and took the liberty to decorate for her. She looked around, same blue shag carpet, same white walls with shelves carved into them, same computer, same waterbed. She lay on her waterbed and re-reads the note.
"Computer " began Adel, "who are Light Seeker and Ares?"
The computer displayed both images. Not of the pilots, but of their ACs, BreakThrough and Providence. There was also a description for each pilot. She read the description of Ares first.
Rank 1
He is the ultimate warrior, but has spent so long at the top without a challenge that he's grown bored. His true desire isn't fame, but a worthwhile opponent.
Next she read the description of Light Seeker.
Rank 49
A young Raven who aspires to become a Nine Breaker. It is unlikely that he'll be able to pull it off, but his confidence has already won him many supporters.
At the bottom was a button that said "Challenge opponent?". She clicked it and set her battle for tonight in the Battle Dome. She then noticed that she had 2 mails. She opened the first titled "Welcome Raven".
Sender Name: Nerves Concord
Message: Welcome to Mars. Here you will perform various missions as a Raven registered with the Nerves Concord. We look forward to working with you. Under the Terraforming Project, the Martian environment is beginning to approximate that of Earth's. And as Martian society matures, conflicts over control are becoming fierce. The planet is therefore in a state of constant turmoil. For a Raven, it is an ideal setting. The amount of work available to you is limited only by your abilities. Another thing: as on Earth, Arenas for Ravens exist on Mars, and all Ravens must be registered with an Arena. Your registration is already complete. Your current ranking reflects your status as a new Raven. Advancement through the ranks rests solely on your shoulders. We will contact you periodically, so remember to check your mail. Good luck.
She decided to read her other mail titled "New Partner".
Sender Name: Ashley Coulter
Message: Hello, Raven. I am Ashley Coulter, a liaison manager for the Nerves Concord. I am responsible for your managerial duties, including mission assignments and communication support. How long I will be your manager is up to you, but I look forward to working together.
I've already lined up your first mission assignment. The job is low in rank for a Raven, but it's a good chance to get warmed up. Please complete the mission successfully. On a parting note..."Some birds can fly, and others cannot." This is the only truth in your existence. I pray you'll have the ability to fly.
Adel looked at her clock and saw that she had plenty of time before her match. She suddenly became relaxed while lying on her bed, her thoughts slowly resurfacing some of the events that had brought her to lay on that very bed.
She was born on Earth as the first and only child of the President of Zio Matrix. At the young age of 7 she began to plan her fighting style for AC combat. Her father greatly disapproved of her becoming a pilot. Since her mother died during the birth Adel was his only heir. He didn't want his little girl getting hurt. She loved her father but she wanted to be a pilot more than anything else, so at 17 she ran away. She used her life savings to purchase her first AC. After 2 years Zio Matrix decided to sponsor the best Raven they could find. When they sponsored Adel her father soon found out. He was so happy his little girl was alive that he bought her every part there was. At her next match her father came to watch. Afterwards he visited her. He apologized and asked for her forgiveness. She granted it to him and he has devoted his life to making the best parts for his little girl. Because of this Zio Matrix has become one of the most powerful corporations.
Adel decided to go get some food in the food court and go mingle in the lounge.
In the food court she sat down at a table with her meal. She sat eating alone for the first few minutes. Suddenly a very handsome guy sat down right across from her.
"So," he began, "you're the new pilot, right?"
"Who wants to know?" she questioned.
"Her mechanic" he replied.
A look of panic came across her face.
"Is Moonbeam okay?" she asked fearfully.
He laughed a little.
"The Moonbeam is perfect. It's one of the best designs I've ever seen." He assured her.
Adel sighed in relief. She would be devastated if anything happened to her beloved AC. She had worked hard getting her configuration just right. Even her father was impressed when he first saw The Moonbeam. She had thousands of fans on Earth.
"So," started Adel, "does my mechanic have a name?"
"Josh" he stated.
Adel extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you Josh I am Adel, pilot of The Moonbeam." she informed.
Josh shook her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine." he quipped.
The continued talking for about a half-hour. The were really hitting it off. Adel suggested they go to The Lounge. Josh was hesitant; not knowing if mechanics are allowed in The Lounge which was for Ravens. Adel convinced him and they were soon on their way. They arrived and the doorman made a shocked expression at seeing Josh, but Adel put it out of her mind and they went in.
The Lounge was quite a place. It had a bar, a dance floor, a large telescreen, and plenty of seats. People were already gathering for the fight between Adel and Light Seeker. They sat down near the telescreen and didn't tell anyone that she was Adel. After about twenty minutes Adel had to go. She left and got ready for her match.
Adel put on her lucky jeans. She had worn them in every match she ever had. She had never lost. She knew it was just superstition but she wasn't about to mess with a good thing. She then put on her favorite boots and a tube top that had a big smiley face on it. She went to the designated area and was escorted to her AC.
"Moonbeam systems coming on-line" stated her AC.
Adel walked in and sat in her seat. She checked the stats seeing everything was 100%.
"Attention: This is the first match of our newest Raven Adel." the announcer projected.
The crowd roared with excitement.
"Her opponent will be Light Seeker." the announcer projected still.
The crowd booed the veteran loser. She hadn't been on the planet for a day and already she had fans. Adel smiled. She loved it when people shouted her name from the stands. Then her face took on a serious look. It was time.
"Begin." the announcer projected finally.
Adel immediately boosted and sidestepped right while turning left making her circle around. She fired five shots all hitting their mark. Then she paused and jumped up into the air. She began flying turning to the right and sidestepping to the left making her circle above her opponent. She fired ten more shots while in the air avoiding the slow fire of Light Seeker. She landed right behind her confused foe.
"Now it is time to say sayonara." Adel sang.
She slashed her blade across the back of Light Seeker causing him to blow up. She saw a small pod fly out of the AC right before the area it came from burst into flames. As Adel came out of "the zone" she heard the crowd roaring with excitement. She had done it and was now accepted as a true Raven.
To be continued...
Dedication: To my sunshine. Thank you for everything.
Chapter 2: Light Seeker
Adel had just arrived. She was at her new home, The RN. Strung congratulated her once again and showed her around. The complex was huge. The main building was 100 stories tall. It housed all the operators, researchers, and executives of the Nerves Concord. The Garage was a long building that appeared to be able to house 50 ACs, which it did. Finally there was The Nest. It was a building about 20 stories tall with a huge dome on top. That dome was the official Battle Arena, although you could fight other places as well.
Adel was shown her room. Before she went in she noticed a note taped to her door.
The note read:
It is customary
for all new
Ravens to have
their first battle
their first night.
Light Seeker is
waiting. I'll be
watching.
-Ares
Adel was taken aback. Someone was already taking an interest in her? She entered her room to find it an exact replica of her old room on Earth. She immediately knew her father had foreseen her initiation and took the liberty to decorate for her. She looked around, same blue shag carpet, same white walls with shelves carved into them, same computer, same waterbed. She lay on her waterbed and re-reads the note.
"Computer " began Adel, "who are Light Seeker and Ares?"
The computer displayed both images. Not of the pilots, but of their ACs, BreakThrough and Providence. There was also a description for each pilot. She read the description of Ares first.
Rank 1
He is the ultimate warrior, but has spent so long at the top without a challenge that he's grown bored. His true desire isn't fame, but a worthwhile opponent.
Next she read the description of Light Seeker.
Rank 49
A young Raven who aspires to become a Nine Breaker. It is unlikely that he'll be able to pull it off, but his confidence has already won him many supporters.
At the bottom was a button that said "Challenge opponent?". She clicked it and set her battle for tonight in the Battle Dome. She then noticed that she had 2 mails. She opened the first titled "Welcome Raven".
Sender Name: Nerves Concord
Message: Welcome to Mars. Here you will perform various missions as a Raven registered with the Nerves Concord. We look forward to working with you. Under the Terraforming Project, the Martian environment is beginning to approximate that of Earth's. And as Martian society matures, conflicts over control are becoming fierce. The planet is therefore in a state of constant turmoil. For a Raven, it is an ideal setting. The amount of work available to you is limited only by your abilities. Another thing: as on Earth, Arenas for Ravens exist on Mars, and all Ravens must be registered with an Arena. Your registration is already complete. Your current ranking reflects your status as a new Raven. Advancement through the ranks rests solely on your shoulders. We will contact you periodically, so remember to check your mail. Good luck.
She decided to read her other mail titled "New Partner".
Sender Name: Ashley Coulter
Message: Hello, Raven. I am Ashley Coulter, a liaison manager for the Nerves Concord. I am responsible for your managerial duties, including mission assignments and communication support. How long I will be your manager is up to you, but I look forward to working together.
I've already lined up your first mission assignment. The job is low in rank for a Raven, but it's a good chance to get warmed up. Please complete the mission successfully. On a parting note..."Some birds can fly, and others cannot." This is the only truth in your existence. I pray you'll have the ability to fly.
Adel looked at her clock and saw that she had plenty of time before her match. She suddenly became relaxed while lying on her bed, her thoughts slowly resurfacing some of the events that had brought her to lay on that very bed.
She was born on Earth as the first and only child of the President of Zio Matrix. At the young age of 7 she began to plan her fighting style for AC combat. Her father greatly disapproved of her becoming a pilot. Since her mother died during the birth Adel was his only heir. He didn't want his little girl getting hurt. She loved her father but she wanted to be a pilot more than anything else, so at 17 she ran away. She used her life savings to purchase her first AC. After 2 years Zio Matrix decided to sponsor the best Raven they could find. When they sponsored Adel her father soon found out. He was so happy his little girl was alive that he bought her every part there was. At her next match her father came to watch. Afterwards he visited her. He apologized and asked for her forgiveness. She granted it to him and he has devoted his life to making the best parts for his little girl. Because of this Zio Matrix has become one of the most powerful corporations.
Adel decided to go get some food in the food court and go mingle in the lounge.
In the food court she sat down at a table with her meal. She sat eating alone for the first few minutes. Suddenly a very handsome guy sat down right across from her.
"So," he began, "you're the new pilot, right?"
"Who wants to know?" she questioned.
"Her mechanic" he replied.
A look of panic came across her face.
"Is Moonbeam okay?" she asked fearfully.
He laughed a little.
"The Moonbeam is perfect. It's one of the best designs I've ever seen." He assured her.
Adel sighed in relief. She would be devastated if anything happened to her beloved AC. She had worked hard getting her configuration just right. Even her father was impressed when he first saw The Moonbeam. She had thousands of fans on Earth.
"So," started Adel, "does my mechanic have a name?"
"Josh" he stated.
Adel extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you Josh I am Adel, pilot of The Moonbeam." she informed.
Josh shook her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine." he quipped.
The continued talking for about a half-hour. The were really hitting it off. Adel suggested they go to The Lounge. Josh was hesitant; not knowing if mechanics are allowed in The Lounge which was for Ravens. Adel convinced him and they were soon on their way. They arrived and the doorman made a shocked expression at seeing Josh, but Adel put it out of her mind and they went in.
The Lounge was quite a place. It had a bar, a dance floor, a large telescreen, and plenty of seats. People were already gathering for the fight between Adel and Light Seeker. They sat down near the telescreen and didn't tell anyone that she was Adel. After about twenty minutes Adel had to go. She left and got ready for her match.
Adel put on her lucky jeans. She had worn them in every match she ever had. She had never lost. She knew it was just superstition but she wasn't about to mess with a good thing. She then put on her favorite boots and a tube top that had a big smiley face on it. She went to the designated area and was escorted to her AC.
"Moonbeam systems coming on-line" stated her AC.
Adel walked in and sat in her seat. She checked the stats seeing everything was 100%.
"Attention: This is the first match of our newest Raven Adel." the announcer projected.
The crowd roared with excitement.
"Her opponent will be Light Seeker." the announcer projected still.
The crowd booed the veteran loser. She hadn't been on the planet for a day and already she had fans. Adel smiled. She loved it when people shouted her name from the stands. Then her face took on a serious look. It was time.
"Begin." the announcer projected finally.
Adel immediately boosted and sidestepped right while turning left making her circle around. She fired five shots all hitting their mark. Then she paused and jumped up into the air. She began flying turning to the right and sidestepping to the left making her circle above her opponent. She fired ten more shots while in the air avoiding the slow fire of Light Seeker. She landed right behind her confused foe.
"Now it is time to say sayonara." Adel sang.
She slashed her blade across the back of Light Seeker causing him to blow up. She saw a small pod fly out of the AC right before the area it came from burst into flames. As Adel came out of "the zone" she heard the crowd roaring with excitement. She had done it and was now accepted as a true Raven.
To be continued...
