Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 8

"I don't believe this. They're actually giving us this!"

"This is a surprise."

Koemai looked over the part. "Do you know how rare these things are? And how powerful? These things make you a super Raven. Can you imagine how powerful our AC's will be?"

Cain thought about it, "Yes, our AC's abilities would increase dramatically. But only one of us could have it."

"Huh?"

Look. It's only one unit. It can only be divided with one pilot's ACs." Looking at Koemai, "Here. You should have it."

"Huh? No it's all right. We'll share it."

"No need. Beside, if we're on a joint mission or arena fight, we can't waste time looking to see who has it. Besides, you'll probably use it better than I will."

"Really? Thanks, man"

"But I do need to run a scan on it if you don't mind."

"Uh, sure."

Koemai handed him the part and Cain put it on a scanning device for a brief while.

"So do you think we should accept their offer?"

Cain looked down, "I'm not sure. From what the media has been saying about them, they are the most dangerous group of people around. But their representative seemed honest enough. Too honest to be that dangerous."

"Maybe, but remember that looks aren't everything, especially in this business."

"True. I say it like this. If you want to join, then fine. From what he suggested, it would be nothing more than a few extra missions anyway."

"Hm, sure. Why not? I could use the extra money. Will you join up?"

"I haven't decided. I put it this way. I'll only take a Union mission if you need my help in it."

"Okay. No problem."

The scanning device finished and Cain handed the part back to Koemai. "Here. I'm done with it now."

"Alright. Now if I recall, this part has the ability to activated rear cannon weapon without becoming stationary. Hey, I can finally use that laser cannon of mine."

"Another energy weapon? Your fuel won't last too long."

"No sweat. The part can also reduce the amount of energy used in weapons. Oohh, I'm gonna have so much fun with this thing." Koemai dashed up to his AC and opened the hatch. While he did, Cain folded his arms and counted.

"5...4...3...2...1..."

"WHAT?!"

Koemai came out, option part still in hand. "Cain. You are not going to believe this."

"Let me guess. In order to insert it, you have to remove your other optional parts, right?"

"Yeah. Talk about rip-off. Oh, well, it doesn't matter. I'll still be powerful."

Koemai re-entered the cockpit and went to work. While he did, Cain looked back at his computer terminal. An image of the part came up on the screen. Cain clicked a few buttons and did his own work. The screen flashed

System integration: 95% effective.

I was right. It's just what we needed. Now all that's left is getting another one.

As he continued working, his thoughts drifted to Alia. She's so strong, so independent. But at that time, she was vulnerable. Why did she get so drunk in the first place? I should...talk to her. But I'll wait until tomorrow. Cain yawned; I should get some sleep as well. He finished his work and shut down the terminal.

"Hey, Koemai. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Huh? Owww! ^@*&^! Yeah, I'll see you later. Son of a &$^$%!"

Cain gave a small smile and left the hanger and went to his room.

Next day...

Cain slowly walked over to the place that was Alia's apartment. He felt nervous again as he made his way there. Why am I so nervous? I'm just going to see if she's alright. He stopped in front and rang the bell twice. But no one came to the door. Guess she's not in. Cain turned to leave, but coming up behind him was...

"Alia."

Alia looked up at him, somewhat surprised, "Cain. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, umm. I just thought I'd drop by to see if you were alright."

She gave a sidelong glance, "I am thank you." She walked past him and opened her door

"Well then." Cain began to walk off, but she called him back.

"Would you like to come in for awhile?"

He hesitated for a moment, recalling last night's event. But she was intoxicated then. And it would be rude to decline a woman's offer.

"Okay."

She opened the door and let him enter. She motioned to the couch and he sat down. She then disappeared into the kitchen and came out with two cups of tea. She took a seat across form him and sat down. The two sipped in silence for a long while.

"I appreciate your concern. I'm not normally like that."

"I'm listening."

She took another sip, "I just heard from my sister on Mars, Shira. She...got into an accident there."

"Is she a Raven?"

"No. She worked for once of the corporations there though. But it did become the latest target for a Raven. She was injured by one of the explosion there, but beyond that nothing much happened. The Raven was retrieving a datacell from a rival corporation. It did it well. It wasn't equipped with any weapons at all, aside from a single blade."

A single-blade Raven? This guy must have been good.

" Anyway, one of the MT's exploded and she got caught up in it."

"Are her injuries serious?"

"No. Not really. She was treated for third-degree burns though." She began to grip the cup more tightly. "I should have been there."

Cain looked at her, face nearly void of emotion. What do I tell her? What can I say?

"What could you have done?"

"What?!"

"This may sound a little harsh, but what could you have done even if you were there?"

Her face began to grow angry, "How dare you..."

"She had a dangerous occupation. Like you do."

"What does her....huh?"

"Remember, she worked for one of the corporations. So it was bound to be attacked by a Raven sooner or later. Even if you were there, the chances are that it would have been attacked again, and more forcefully. Both the Raven and your sister were lucky."

"How...so?"

"Well, Shira only got third-degree burns. And the Raven was only there to steal back a chipset. Plus the fact that it only used a blade. Your sister is extremely lucky. The Raven could have been ordered to do much worse."

She looked into her cup, pondering over his words while he sat merely watching. Then his comm-link went off, but he made no move to answer it.

"Aren't you going to check it?"

"It can wait."

"No, you should check it." She gave a look that said she wouldn't take no for an answer so he checked it. It was a scheduled arena match. A solo match against another Raven.

"You better get going."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. You're right. It could have been far worse. But that doesn't mean I couldn't have helped her. Get going now. You don't want to be late."

He hesitantly opened the door out, but she stopped him.

"T...thank you for listening."

"You're welcome."

"Just one more question. You said that both my sister and the Raven was lucky. How was the Raven lucky?"

"Simple. Had your sister been killed, then the Raven would have to deal with you. He wouldn't have made it far."

Aria smiled, "Thanks."

A half an hour later, Cain entered the Arena, once again with the Glaive AC. Glaive entered the arena to find his opponent already waiting for him.

"Now you die."

The AC he faced was heavily armored. Really heavily armored. It was equipped with an energy shield extension as well as a left arm shield, MIRROR. On its right arm, it had a heavy bazooka. Worse yet, it was equipped with an orbiter cannon and the TITAN large missiles.

"I've heard a lot about you, Glaive. You're one of the Hands of God, correct?"

"........"

"Well, since you aren't going to speak, allow me to introduce myself." The AC stomped forward.

"My name is Davis and this is the Apocalypse. The last thing you will see."

Cain muttered inside his AC, "And there was an evening and a morning, a first day."

____________

Meanwhile, Koemai received another mission e-mail, this time from Union. Man, I'm getting a lot of missions lately. Must be my week.

Your mission is to destroy a massive MT that has appeared. This MT has firepower far more than any weapon in existence. You must destroy it at all costs!

Another one, huh? Oh well, better get to work. These guys sure pay a lot more, that's for sure.

Another message came up; Do you wish an escort?

Koemai almost said no, but he remembered it took two Ravens to defeat the first one. I guess a little help, even with the Intensify part. But Cain is out in the arena, and Diana has a mission of her own. Hey, I know. I'll ask Keini. He's good. Koemai type in the message and awaited a reply. Almost immediately it came.

"Sure thing."

Escort approved.