Logan Mcloud stepped out onto a small balcony overlooking the launch bay and looked around. Crowded as ever I see. He shook his head and grabbed hold of the towline started the slow decent into the AC pits. Logan usually enjoyed the freedom of weightlessness, but it did cause a hassle when trying to get around. While the line slowly pulled him onward, Logan went thru a mental checklist: ok, this mission is pitting me against two other ravens, therefore I'm going to have to make sure my AC is in perfect shape. I can't afford to fail this mission; I have to pay off my dept from the trip to mars. The towline stopped at the engineer's office. Logan let go and let the momentum of the ride propel him right to the door. As he moved inside the friendly engineer greeted him.

" Why hello there, you must be another one of them Ravens. I'll need to see your AC registration and launch clearance before I can show you to your drop ship" Logan fumbled around in his harness for a minute and pulled out a blue disk. He handed it to the engineer and watched as the old man popped it into his computer. "Lets see, Earth Raven Logan Mcloud, Pin number Ma422c3, Mars transfer. Hmm, ok, looks good. AC registration number 203cR26, name: Starwind. Ok, you're good to go, your pod should be dropping in about twenty minutes. Good luck" Logan retrieved his registration disk and gave a quick nod as he turned to leave, very eager to begin his first mission as a Raven of mars.

* * *

At this point a little back-story would probably be helpful. When the production of mechanized combat units known as Armored Cores (ACs) became cost effective, the largest corporations of earth started a violent power struggle for control of this new market. Seeing the great opportunity that this power struggle created, several mercenaries founded an organization of AC pilots to fight in this conflict. The group soon took to calling themselves Ravens. War raged on between the corporations for many years and the Ravens prospered, but the ceaseless battle soon took its toll on the planet. With the planet spent and recourses dwindling, the world's largest corporation (Zio Matrix) looked towards Mars for a new chance. After extensive teraforming, a majority of earth's corporations moved a large portion of their production to mars. And with them went 40% of earth's population and most of earth's Ravens.

* * *

Logan strapped himself into the cockpit of his AC and activated the primary systems. "Give me a break," he mumbled as he saw the Emeraude logo scroll across his monitor. " I really need to get a new manager." Emeraude and he had supplied almost all of Logan's missions on earth and he knew for a fact that Zio Matrix paid much better. He made a mental note to fire his manger after this mission. "I just talked to her about this yesterday when we left the Blue Haven asteroid" His monitor flickered as a new window opened up up next to his mission briefing. "I heard that," "Nell, what do you know? Haha, I was just kidding." "Whatever, just remember who got you this ride to mars. Now, lets get started, shall we?" Nell Autler's image pointed to his briefings. "Emeraude is hiring us to defend their base near the Falna Crater. They will be providing you with an MT support team and air support. The enemies are two." Logan cut her off. "Top class Ravens supported by the LCC, the mars government. I already went over the briefing. Can we just get on with it already?" "Fine, I'll be monitoring radar for you, good luck." Logan felt the pod shift as it dropped off the launch rod. He activated his extensions and keyed in the targeting systems as he checked on the pods decent and noticed it he was about enter the atmosphere. He braced himself just as the pod started to shake violently from entry. As he neared the surface he activated the pods release program and switched his monitors to external cameras. He watched as the pod started to detach and fall away from his AC and activated his boosters to soften the landing. The Emeraude base was in clear view by now and he could see the assembled defenses. "Two Mts and a squad of fighters, that's all they have?" And you. He ignored his inner voice as his AC touched down. Taking hold of the controls he quickly scanned the area. "Nothing but dessert, wonderful location" Logan muttered. "AC Golden Dawn and New Age approaching." Nell's voice crackled out of the speaker. Logan could already make out the bright trails of their over boost engines against the mass expanse of brown that was the Martian dessert. "So much for top class Ravens, they are practically asking to be hit." Logan scoffed "Either these guys have a mass amount of firepower or they are just plain stupid" And, much to Logan dislike, it was the first choice. Missiles erupted from the approaching ACs in a deadly blossom that obliterated Emeraude's Mts and half or their fighter squad. Logan barley got his shield up in time to block the deadly hail. In the time this transpired the enemy had managed to halve the distance between themselves and Logan, putting them one step closer to finishing their job, but also putting them in range of Logan's twin gatling guns. Logan wasted no time and immediately sent a deadly rain of bullets at the approaching enemy, completely disintegrating Golden Dawn. The remaining enemy quickly returned fire with its heavy machine gun. Logan dodged to the side and boosted forward to deliver a blow with his energy blade, tearing thru New Age like a hot knife thru butter. Nell's voice broke him out of his battle rage. "Nice job, welcome to mars"