Chapter 2: Untold Reasons
By KirKTimN
Disclaimer: I do not own Armored Core or any name in Armored Core.
Somewhere near Shiara Base
1040 Terra Standard Time
Mission: Lost Sheep
Client: Mirage
Location: Shiara Base
Security Level: 8
Start Time: 1100
Recommended Rank: B
Estimated Success Rate: 45
Seraph read the mission outline as it scrolled across the screen.
They're paying an awful lot for a mission with a 45 success rate. I'm beginning to wonder if this is such a good idea…
"Ravens, ten minutes 'til drop. Get in your positions," said the transport pilot over the comm.
Kirsten's helmeted face appeared in the corner of the viewscreen. "Are you ready for this?" she asked.
"Yeah, Kirsten. I just have a funny feeling that's all. Anyways, let's do this," Seraph replied.
"You know, Seraph, the mission's started. You should be calling me Tigress now."
Seraph laughed, "Okay, okay. Tigress it is."
"One minute until drop. Opening rear doors."
"Okay, it's time to go. See ya on the ground, Tigress."
"DROP! Go, go, go!"
With that command, Heaven's Angel slid off the end of the transport and into the sky. At first, the AC tumbled head over heels, but as it opened up its arms and legs, it began to stabilize into a controlled fall. A bit higher up and to the right of Heaven's Angel was Turbo Tim. Instead of doing what Heaven's Angel was doing, Tigress had decided to straighten out with the arms by its side making the AC rocket towards the earth below.
Show-off, Seraph thought. Well, can't let her have all the fun.
Heaven's Angel followed suit except as it was falling it engaged its boosters. Within seconds both AC's were even, and Heaven's Angel stopped its boost to save energy for the landing.
As the ground neared, both AC's flipped in unison so that they were falling feet first. They both ignited their boosters to slow their rapid descent. When the AC's almost came to a stop in the air, the pilots tapped their boosters and floated their machines to the ground.
"Show-off," Tigress said over the comm.
"Hey, I was just catching up to you! You were the one flying towards the ground like a human comet!" came Seraph's quick reply.
"Is it wrong to have a little fun?"
"Is it wrong to join in on the fun?"
"Okay, alright. Point taken. So where to go from here?"
Seraph consulted his map and found that the base was located just outside the forest they had landed in. It was about maybe a 20-minute walk in the AC's. Heaven's Angel headed off in the direction of the base with Turbo Tim right behind it. During the trek, Seraph decided to ask Tigress more about what she did since they last saw each other.
"So why did you decide to become a Raven?"
"I already told you. I figured it was the best way to find you. What about you? After all that time we've been together, I never did figure that one out."
"Well, after going through so many missions as an MT pilot, I figured that piloting an AC would be the next step. So I took my test and here I am now."
"I've missed you…"
"I've missed you, too," Seraph said with a slight smile. "That's why I'm glad we're back together."
"Then why'd you leave?" Tigress's eyes looked fierce behind her visor. "Why did you just disappear?"
Heaven's Angel stopped just 100 meters from the forest's edge. The AC turned around, its red visor looking into the red eye of the other AC. Seraph hesitated. Then, he started slowly, "My last mission landed me in some trouble with some mercs. They weren't too thrilled with the fact that a Raven had spoiled their plans and wanted revenge. They attacked and killed one of my friends while he was out on a mission. I was afraid that they'd go after you next so I disappeared. I figured if I disappeared then they would believe that I was dead or something. I was wrong. I stayed in hiding after a while, and when I thought it was safe, I decided to take a mission. It turned out to be a trap. The mercs were still looking for me and had ambushed me while my transport was moving from Earth to Mars. I managed to kill two of them, but there were still two left. By this time, I was low on ammo and my armor was critical. The two AC's were fairly damaged but in much better shape then I was. They were closing in for the kill when suddenly the transport I was in came outta no where and rammed the AC with a linear cannon. It spun the AC and the merc accidentally shot his friend. The explosion from the AC and the transport took them both out, and I was left drifting in space. When they finally found me, I was pretty beat up from the battle. They sent to Neo Terra City where I stayed in a hospital for three months. When I got out, I found that I had a message from you. Well, I wrote back and you know the rest."
There was an awkward silence that last a few moments. Finally, Tigress spoke up.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"Of course you didn't. I didn't tell anyone. You're the first person I've told."
"I know it's not saying much but I'm glad you're okay now."
"I am, too. Believe me though, those words mean a lot more to me than you might think. Anyways, we're almost at the base. The edge is about 100 meters away. Let's go."
Heaven's Angel turned back around and headed towards the edge. When both AC's cleared the forest, Heaven's Angel stopped again.
Tigress appeared once more on the viewscreen. "Hey! Why'd you stop this ti… Oh my god…"
AN: Sorry for the long wait. School's been hectic and haven't many ideas to use. I hope ya'll will enjoy this chapter. Thanks so far for all the reviews!
awbachellor:I tried taking in some of your advice. I've also edited Chapter 1 with fewer timestamps. I tried to keep that in mind for this chapter as well. Thanks for the review and I hope you stay interested :)
Dra Gan: I'm glad you liked my story. I too have the same wish but maybe not tv or movie since they have a tendency to drift away from the feel of the game. And I've updated as you can so and hopefully "for the love of all that is good" instead of bad :)