Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Armored Core series. That belongs to Agetec and From Software. I only own the main character: Kaze (and the truck driver in this chapter). Thank you.

In TALON's Grasp

by T.R. Fanatic

Chapter 2: Moving Out

...Building ...building ...buil- no, wait, fake tree...

And for the past half hour, that was me, bored and exhausted while going to my new home: a Raven base outside of Isaac City. Not walking, mind you. The Ravens' Nest offered a ride in one of their cargo trucks (and they brought along the AC I piloted for the test... crap).

Well, at least I'll be close to home...

"So," the truck driver began, attempting to make conversation. "finally a Raven! How does it feel?"

YEAH! I've never felt so alive! WHOO!

"...Good, I guess..." I said back to him, not making eye contact with him.

"I heard the from the other pilots that the job's tough. But I'm not driven to do such a thing. Nooo, sir! ...So, why did you go into this business?"

"...Personal reasons... I really don't want to talk about it..."

"Sorry, 'bout that."

"It's okay."

"...Would ya mind if I asked how you got that scar on your face, there?"

I leaned back in the chair and saw through the rear view mirror the painful memory of that day, starting down the middle of my right eyebrow and drawing a vertical line down (making a small jump where my green eye was) a inch past my bottom eyelid.

Count your blessings that you closed your eyes at the last second and still have all of your sight to this day.

I closed my eyes. "Sorry," I replied. "that's personal, too."

"Just thought I'd as-" The truck driver's voice was quickly muffled by the annoying sound of a small jet engine, flying very low.

Not one... three. There's three.

The truck driver stopped the vehicle and leaned closer to get a look at the jets turning around, aiming their guns at the truck. He tipped his baseball cap up. "It looks like Murakumo's not going to leave us be... hey, where the hell are you going?"

As soon as the truck stopped, I pushed my door open and ran towards the back of the truck while dodging machine gun fire.

I slipped under the heavy cloth where the dormant AC laid. "This is the last time I'm going to even bother with this AC design!" I said while jumping into the cockpit, and started the machine up. "After that, it will kiss my-"

I quickly commanded the AC to stand and throw the covers aside... not even knowing the cloth would knock one of the jets out of sky and send it crashing to the ground.

Wait, I wasn't ready!

"System engaged." the monotoned computer announced.

Now, I'm ready!

I carefully aimed at one of the jets with the rifle and started firing...

...only to have it stop after a few rounds.

Jammed?

I looked at the weapon box... zero rounds.

Out of ammo already? Dammit! Why did I use most of it up on the test?

Venting my anger, I threw the rifle at the jet, hoping to knock it out of the sky. A direct hit, and the damaged jet veered towards the other jet and collided in a eerie, but beautiful array of fireworks.

Damn you, crappy AC for being lucky!

"Kid!" I heard the truck driver over my radio. "There's one coming from behind!"

I quickly turned and saw the MT (this one, built like an AC, with a long range pulse gun and a close range punch) hovering towards me.

Then, the image popped into my mind again: the red AC flying towards me.

Don't come closer...

I drew back my left fist and fired up the laser blade and threw a punch at the MT that blew a hole in the middle of the machine. Not only scraps of wire and alloy, but blood, as well, could be seen on my metal hand.

I trembled at the sight of this...

Remember, this isn't a simulation anymore. This is real...

"Dammit!" I hissed while punching the monitor, fighting back tears. "I'll never become like you, I swear!"

"Hoo boy!" I heard the truck driver call over the radio. "That was some piloting there!"

"...Thanks." I replied back, attempting to smile.

To be continued...