Black Feather: Episode II
"Abyss"
Unidentified Surface Crater
6:07 p.m., ??/??
Metallic debris and abandoned buildings painted a bleak and desolate picture upon the desiccated crater. Deformed and swarthy limbs of ACs were scattered about.
"Computer, please review the mission objective." Angelus' voice was weary. The mission summary was displayed on the main HUD.
Mission: Investigate Unidentified Energy Source
Operation Name: Light Seeker
Client: Mirage
Advance: 0c
Reward: 65,000c
Requesting Figure: Paige Anmus
Opponent: Unknown
Enemy Forces: Unknown
Time: 6:06 p.m.
Theatre of Operations: Surface Crater, S-75X900
Briefing:
"We have detected an unknown source of energy below a newly discovered crater. If possible, we would like to take advantage of this situation and gain monopoly of what might be found within. We request that you investigate this energy source and report back whatever you find. You are given strict orders not to disclose this information to all but Mirage. Good luck."
-END MESSAGE-
"Oh, I just LOVE these missions..." He scanned the area. However, the range was limited. "Computer, increase the scanning range."
"The MHD-RE/005 is not designed for wide-range scans." That's great, thought Angelus. Missions weren't his forte, he suddenly remembered. Just then, a red light caught his attention. He headed over to the source of the light. There was a thick, flat, metallic plate on the ground next to the red light. Sections of it were either melted or chipped away. Its surface was heavily scratched. There was a molten line down the middle, as if someone tried to shut something off. A molten area on the plate resembled a skull.
"Computer, identify the object."
"Object identified. Plausible summary: A thick plate of metal covering an unidentified vertical corridor. Dimensions: 12x19 meter rectangle. Thermal scans detect a cold spot radiating from the center of the plate. Scanners are unable to penetrate the plate." The computer voice was as flat as always.
Immediately, Angelus shot the red light with his rifle. A slight humming was heard, but nothing happened. He drew his laserblade. "Computer, switch redzone output to the left arm energy supply."
"Affirmative. MAL-RE/REX energy supply increased to 160."
The MOONLIGHT grew brighter and longer, until it was a blinding beam of plasma. Slowly, Angelus guided the left arm down the middle of the plate, standing at the edge of it. Two minutes later, a complete cut was made, and the mechanical humming strengthened. The plate split open and a humid, ancient draft spat out of the darkness. Retribution plunged into the pit.
"Computer, switch generator to normal mode and activate the night vision." The HUD turned intense green and objects were visible. A large thud ensued. Retribution had landed.
"Error 2464-RA-MLF has occurred. Radar and Mapping sensors are off-line. Unidentified corruption frequencies are detected."
Retribution strolled through the cave. A lost boy's chant can be heard. Angelus ordered that sound to be filtered, but the corruption frequencies occluded the action. He noticed a message on one of the side screens. "Right arm response down by 27%." Must've been that AC, Angelus thought.
Suddenly, a massive storm of noise! A large object veered past Angelus. He glanced about frantically. The sound awakened again behind him, but it was too late. The object raced past him again with unheard of velocities.
"WARNING: LEFT ARM OFF-LINE." Angelus spotted his AC's left arm on the ground, twitching in response to its last electrical charges. His gaze shot ahead. A black-red outline of an AC with blue energy emanating behind it was headed in Angelus' direction. He then blindly attacked from his rifle and two rocket launchers. Three heavy shells spewed from the AC's back, Angelus' rockets off-line. It fired three more bright blue shots. Angelus, too stunned to respond in time, was struck violently by the three shots. The impact knocked Retribution off balance, and it fell back. Its core's face was mangled. Without the left arm, weight distribution in the legs was uneven.
"WARNING: DAMAGE LEVEL EXCEEDS 60%. ESTIMATED AP COUNT: 1658."
The rifle was gone, and so was Angelus it seems. The AC stopped in front of his fallen self, trampled Retribution's right leg, and looked down upon the torso. The core's wound was deep, and Angelus' left leg was scorched and crushed under the dented metal and fortified plastic of the cockpit. One of the side monitors shattered, and a glass shard had pierced his right eye. He opened up the communicator.
"Ha... You got me. Now finish me off. NOW!!!" His voice was angry and void of hope. The AC towered over Retribution, red eyes stared down from the top. A large object from its right hand reluctantly glowed a black-red from the energy shots.
"I guess this is it..." Angelus closed his eyes.
"TARGET VERIFIED. COMMENCING HOSTILITIES."
His eyes reopened wide.
"Abyss"
Unidentified Surface Crater
6:07 p.m., ??/??
Metallic debris and abandoned buildings painted a bleak and desolate picture upon the desiccated crater. Deformed and swarthy limbs of ACs were scattered about.
"Computer, please review the mission objective." Angelus' voice was weary. The mission summary was displayed on the main HUD.
Mission: Investigate Unidentified Energy Source
Operation Name: Light Seeker
Client: Mirage
Advance: 0c
Reward: 65,000c
Requesting Figure: Paige Anmus
Opponent: Unknown
Enemy Forces: Unknown
Time: 6:06 p.m.
Theatre of Operations: Surface Crater, S-75X900
Briefing:
"We have detected an unknown source of energy below a newly discovered crater. If possible, we would like to take advantage of this situation and gain monopoly of what might be found within. We request that you investigate this energy source and report back whatever you find. You are given strict orders not to disclose this information to all but Mirage. Good luck."
-END MESSAGE-
"Oh, I just LOVE these missions..." He scanned the area. However, the range was limited. "Computer, increase the scanning range."
"The MHD-RE/005 is not designed for wide-range scans." That's great, thought Angelus. Missions weren't his forte, he suddenly remembered. Just then, a red light caught his attention. He headed over to the source of the light. There was a thick, flat, metallic plate on the ground next to the red light. Sections of it were either melted or chipped away. Its surface was heavily scratched. There was a molten line down the middle, as if someone tried to shut something off. A molten area on the plate resembled a skull.
"Computer, identify the object."
"Object identified. Plausible summary: A thick plate of metal covering an unidentified vertical corridor. Dimensions: 12x19 meter rectangle. Thermal scans detect a cold spot radiating from the center of the plate. Scanners are unable to penetrate the plate." The computer voice was as flat as always.
Immediately, Angelus shot the red light with his rifle. A slight humming was heard, but nothing happened. He drew his laserblade. "Computer, switch redzone output to the left arm energy supply."
"Affirmative. MAL-RE/REX energy supply increased to 160."
The MOONLIGHT grew brighter and longer, until it was a blinding beam of plasma. Slowly, Angelus guided the left arm down the middle of the plate, standing at the edge of it. Two minutes later, a complete cut was made, and the mechanical humming strengthened. The plate split open and a humid, ancient draft spat out of the darkness. Retribution plunged into the pit.
"Computer, switch generator to normal mode and activate the night vision." The HUD turned intense green and objects were visible. A large thud ensued. Retribution had landed.
"Error 2464-RA-MLF has occurred. Radar and Mapping sensors are off-line. Unidentified corruption frequencies are detected."
Retribution strolled through the cave. A lost boy's chant can be heard. Angelus ordered that sound to be filtered, but the corruption frequencies occluded the action. He noticed a message on one of the side screens. "Right arm response down by 27%." Must've been that AC, Angelus thought.
Suddenly, a massive storm of noise! A large object veered past Angelus. He glanced about frantically. The sound awakened again behind him, but it was too late. The object raced past him again with unheard of velocities.
"WARNING: LEFT ARM OFF-LINE." Angelus spotted his AC's left arm on the ground, twitching in response to its last electrical charges. His gaze shot ahead. A black-red outline of an AC with blue energy emanating behind it was headed in Angelus' direction. He then blindly attacked from his rifle and two rocket launchers. Three heavy shells spewed from the AC's back, Angelus' rockets off-line. It fired three more bright blue shots. Angelus, too stunned to respond in time, was struck violently by the three shots. The impact knocked Retribution off balance, and it fell back. Its core's face was mangled. Without the left arm, weight distribution in the legs was uneven.
"WARNING: DAMAGE LEVEL EXCEEDS 60%. ESTIMATED AP COUNT: 1658."
The rifle was gone, and so was Angelus it seems. The AC stopped in front of his fallen self, trampled Retribution's right leg, and looked down upon the torso. The core's wound was deep, and Angelus' left leg was scorched and crushed under the dented metal and fortified plastic of the cockpit. One of the side monitors shattered, and a glass shard had pierced his right eye. He opened up the communicator.
"Ha... You got me. Now finish me off. NOW!!!" His voice was angry and void of hope. The AC towered over Retribution, red eyes stared down from the top. A large object from its right hand reluctantly glowed a black-red from the energy shots.
"I guess this is it..." Angelus closed his eyes.
"TARGET VERIFIED. COMMENCING HOSTILITIES."
His eyes reopened wide.