Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Armored Core series. That belongs to Agetec and From Software. I only own the main character (and the surveyor in this chapter). Thank you.
In TALON's Grasp
by: T.R. Fanatic
AN: Paragraphs that are italicized (except this one) is what the main character is thinking.
As for the timeline... I'd say around the time Master of Arena began, but Chrome and Murakumo are still waging war... XP All right, I'll get on with it!
Chapter 1: Test
I was told, a few days ago, that the test I had to take to become a Raven consisted of a battle, and that was it...
...So, why am I sitting in this small quiet room with a surveyor staring at me? (sigh) I'm either being interviewed or interrogated...
"Name, please." the surveyor said with his bored expression and voice.
Name? Hell, I can't give away my real name! Someone will know...
"...Kaze." I said, finding the first fake name that came to the top of my head.
Good one, Kaze... (snicker)
"Kaze, hm?" the surveyor asked. "Your age?"
"Nineteen." I replied without hesitation, holding my balance on the uneven chair.
"Hometown?"
"Isaac City."
Okay, so age and hometown are true. I can give some truthful things away...
"Have you trained in a AC before?" the surveyor asked.
"If you count an AC simulator, then, yes." I replied with a smile. The bright light above both of us was starting to blind me.
That's half true! I did use an AC simulator through most of my training, but a real AC was the first, and the best training I ever had. I would do it again, if I had won and had he not run off...
"And how many hours did you train for?"
"Forty hours."
One hour in the AC. Thirty-nine in the simulator.
"Alright." the surveyor said, jotting something down on his clipboard. "I have all the information I need. You can head to the arena now."
"Thank you." I said getting up from the chair and headed to the door.
Whoo! That part's over now! Breathe your sigh of relief and... damn.
"Which way was it to the arena again?" I asked the surveyor.
The surveyor, not looking up from reading the contents on the clipboard, pointed to my left (his right). "Down that hall." he said. "You can't miss it."
"...Okay." I closed the door and walked down the hallway where I saw the sign pointing to the arena and garage.
Kaze, you idiot! You should've seen that sign!
(Part 2)
I stood in front of the green lightweight bi-pedal AC that I was piloting for the test... and wanted to cry.
"The simulation model, again?" I muttered. "Dammit!"
"Attention." The voice of the intercom announced. "The test will begin shortly."
All right, no time for crying! Time to show these guys what I'm made of!
Without wasting any time, I hopped into the ugly AC's cockpit and turned the engine, the monitors, and everything in between, on.
"AP's full..." I said, making a mental checklist. "Energy's at full power. Let's see what under weapons." I looked to the small screen that show what the AC held for weapons. In this case: a rifle in its right hand; a one-lock missile launcher, carried on the left side of its back; and (the usual...) a laser blade hidden above its left hand.
Crap, it the simulation AC all over again! From the design, down to the weapons... Can I get a little more variety here?
"Well, that's everything... wait!" I quickly grabbed the five-point harness behind the chair and strapped myself in.
That's right! Wear a seat belt, and you'll always stay safe!
"The test will now begin." the person over the intercom announced. "Please step onto the launch pad."
Stepping down on the left pedal (the pedal that makes the AC walk, glide or roll, depending on which leg model the pilot's using), I sauntered over to the launch pad with ease. ...Until, the AC's feet were locked into the catapult.
This is new...
Without warning, the AC was being shoved, at a high speed, along the track, towards the arena's opening doors. Thrown into the small state of shock, I began to push down on the right pedal (the pedal that makes the AC jump and/or use the boosters).
Dumb move, Kaze... Snap outta it!
I blinked and realized that I was going to drive my AC into the wall on the other side of the arena. I brought the AC's feet out in front of me, pushed off of the wall and did a mid-air backflip, landing back where I should have started.
Give me a ten! Give me a ten! That's gold metal worthy, right there!
As soon as I landed, I heard the AC's computer say in it's monotone voice: "System engaged."
I'm ready!
In front of me were two MT's of the same type: a mid-range flying model that looked like overgrown chicks.
I stormed towards the one on the left, firing a few rounds with the rifle. It didn't faze the MT much, but I knew I did some damage at least.
With a few inches between us, I brought out the laser blade in its light red glow.
Damn, not the weak blade!
Just as I attacked, the MT jumped and rammed the upper half of my AC.
And for that split second, I saw it. The one that drove me into piloting in the first place: the red AC with the 9 symbol on its arm.
You... You'll pay for what you did to me!
As anger coursed through my veins, I brought out the laser blade and sliced the MT down the middle of its body.
It's not the same...
The first MT blew into bits of shrapnel as soon as it hit the ground. But I wasn't worried about it. My sights were on the second MT.
From a distance, this time, I fired recklessly at the second target, hoping it would give in soon.
The MT made a few long strides with its reverse-jointed legs and dodged the last few rounds before jumping into the air.
You won't escape from me!
I quickly switched over to missile launcher and automatically locked on to the target. I fired immediately after I saw the "1" next to the MT.
The tiny missile flew in a arch-like maneuver before exploding on impact and destroying the MT's backpack.
Without a chance to fly, the MT fell back to earth.
And then, I saw him again. The red AC, almost taunting me.
It won't be like last time, I swear!
I drew the laser blade once more and charged once more, and flew past... leaving another destroyed MT in my wake.
It won't happen again...
"The test is over, Kaze." someone over my radio announced. "Congratulations, Raven."
I didn't say anything in return. A silent stream of tears was my only response.
It will not happen again...
To be continued...