Armored Core: Lunar Battle

Chapter 3: Revelations

Lians was at her console, analyzing the status of all the checked in Raven teams. Not a hell of a lot for her to do at the moment. It is about 8:00 at night, and the only event that she had to handle was the assignment of Raven and team Breaker to team Doom for a Martian man hunt. Those seven haven't been heard from since they left at 1 that afternoon. If they were destroyed, there was absolutely nothing she could do. She just watched the horizon, looking for some sign of the team out there.

She saw it immediately. It was small, at first, but it was getting bigger. She saw what appeared to be a series of red stars out at the distance, then a couple of red visors became visible as the arrival of ACs was made apparent. But it wasn't the sight she had expected to see.

Deathsythe lead the group back to the Nest, his armor rather banged up. It had appeared as if his AC was hit rather hard by a large blunt object. Hunter III was right next to the black AC of Doom, sporting a few scorch marks from the near misses that she had encountered. Painbringer and Hellbringer were there as well, and looked pretty banged up by the looks of things. Speed Demon was trailing the bulky tanks, his hands full with the flight less Quik Death V. The seventh AC's scanner display wasn't the same as the One Shot AC that left with the group, and it seemed to stay a distance back to avoid being seen all too well.

Lians tapped her console and opened a channel to the group. "Welcome back. Everything go as planned?"

Comm was staticy, but Reaper's voice was clearly heard on the other side. "We found the raven, if that's what your asking." On cue, the seventh visor advanced enough to reveal the sleek armor of Zeo Streak. It wasn't hit all too much, but the object it had draped in its arms in a bridal fashion. Lians gasped when she reconized the charcoaled wreck in those arms as the reminants of One Shot. "Another mystery AC attacked and killed Raven. We were all damaged by it, and it was very damn tough. It got away though, but not before we decimated all of it's weapons."

Lians coughed. "I'm sorry for your fellow raven."

Tanja butted in. "Don't be. It comes with the job, and it's a risk that all ravens take."

Lians nodded. "I understand. Just send your codes and I'll let you in." All six earth ACs responded, their codes matching those on record. "Welcome back to the Nest." She then looked at the mars unit. "I am going to need to debrief all of you in the conference room with the Martian immediately."

Comm was interrupted again by an unknown sorce. "We will not arrive until Raven's AC is treated properly, and the pilot's soul is guaranteed safety."

"Sorry bout that," Demon interjected. "Martian tradition for fallen pilots, or so she says."

Lians groaned. "Fine, but save your blessings and prayers for him until after the debriefing, please."

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The seven pilots showed up in the conference room about a half hour later. All of them were still in their flight uniforms, which were green and brown for the earth ravens. Pilan's uniform was a rust red with grey segments. Lians was waiting for them at the table, her blonde hair extending down to her rear. Her blue eyes gazed upon the seven ravens before her. She has an average body size, for she is an athletic during her off time. Her bust was there, but smaller than average. It appeared even smaller in the stiff operators' uniform, compared to how it would look in the form fitting flight suits.

The group explained their mission to Lians, often referring to thier optical displays quite often. On these displays were live action feed that repeated itself amongst eight screens, with each AC's current stats noted in each window. A ninth viewer was opened as well, revealing the approximate configuration of the AC that damn near killed them all. After hearing from all of them, Lians asked Pilan about her mission. She revealed that she was supposed to lead the strike team of Mars ravens on the moon, which was noted on another viewer with the news report. She also noted that she wasn't supposed to be sent to earth, but one of the shots that hit her transport sent it spinning uncontrollably before she was jetessoned.

Satisfied with what she had gotten from the ravens, she told them the current situation on the moon. "While you were away, it appears that there was a major battle near one of Neo-Core's bases. Information is scattered, but there are many reports of Mars Ravens on the planet." Pilan looked up. She had thougth that they might not have made it, considering what happened to their entire battalion of Ravens. "Their stiuation isn't all that good, however, even if they are still alive out there. They are completely cut off from any sorce of ammunition and repair, have only their mechs, weapons, and rations, and only enough air to last the better part of a day." She looks at Pilan, noticing the small flicker of hope in her eyes start to disappear. "Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it would seem that you are the only true survivor of this futile effort. Those three are most likely going to die of suffocation if they aren't shot down first, then Neo Core will most likely retaliate on what's left of the Mars nest. At least, that's what I would do if attacked by ravens."

Tanja looked at the Martian, who appeared to be slightly depressed at the most recent news reports. "What's going to happen to her?"

Lians looked at the martian. "We can't send her home, for there is a chance that the ship would be attacked on transit. And I am NOT going to be sending another Raven to his or her death for quite a while." She started to tap on her computer, inputting commands. "We can grant her access to a hanger for her Armored Core 'Zio Streak,' but she's going to need to bunk with another raven or group."

Nick looked up. "We'll take her, if she feels like it."

Sara turned at the man. "Like hell you are. Who ever heard of ravens sharing rooms with opposite genders?"

"Married ones and good friends," Chris piped up. "I've seen them around."

Linda glared at him. "I know where you see them, in your drunken dreams. I could smell your damned liquor from across the hall."

Ed spoke up. "You think his drinks are bad? What about you, eh? I saw that bottle of votka in your room."

Tanja spoke up. "That was mine, and they would have passed out if they took even a drop." She then cooled her head. "Out of all honestly, I would care less as to where she goes. Nick could be trusted, but your two wingmen I don't trust."

Nick sighed. "She got us there, boys."

"Then it's decided. She stays in team Breaker's room." Lians added the info to her computer. "All of your ACs will be reloaded, but both Demon and Sprint won't be able to use their ACs for several days for repairs. Early following morning at best if they wish the parts to be replaced. The Bringers will need about 2 days for repair or they are ready at late afternoon tomorrow if there are replacements. Only Deathsythe and Hunter can get back to work by mid morning, assuming you wish for repairs." The six checked their price tags for repairs or replacements. Only Tanja and Nick chose repairs. Lians looked over to Pilan. "As for your AC, we can reload it easily. Your lucky that you took almost no damage, for we can't actually repair a martian AC all to well." She merely nodded. "Alright then, the debriefing is over. We will send all of you information on that mystery AC as soon as we can. Dismissed."

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The seven pilots reported to their rooms for some well deserved rest and relaxation. The boys entered their room, while the girls entered the room not too far away. Once inside, each one went to their normal routine. Team Doom went to their menial tasks upon entry. That meant that Chris 'Devil' went to his hard liquor, Eddy 'Demon' checked the computer on possible upgrades he wished to do to Speed Demon, and Nick the 'Grim Reaper' checked the channels. His face, however, clearly showed that he was absolutely not interested in anything the screen showed him. He even ignored the arena footage in the standard arena, which showed that Ace was still as good as he ever was by spinning circles around before finally defeating Royal Mist and his Kaiser AC.

Chris noticed this. "Yo, leader of death. Wha's with da look?" He had drunk the strong wiskey again, going well over the single shot dosages.

Ed looked back, noticing this as well. "Dammit, Chris. He is trying to cope with what happened out there." He shook his head. "You of all people know why as well as I do."

Chris drunkenly looked at his wing mate. "Ya mean wen we war da damn sheeeeet mech pilots of them damed MTs." He rolled his eyes. "Ya still avn't gotten ova that yet?" Nick stared at the screen, flipping throught the channels. He didn't even bother to respond, for he didn't want to remember the events of that day. "Sheeeeet, man. Get ova that lready. That waz a yer ago, n he wazn't az great as..." He never finished that sentence, for Nick suddenly jumped off the bed and slammed the drunken pilot into the wall. He then held Chris there, grabbed the bottle, and shattered it on the nearby table. The liquor still within splashed onto the floor and the table.

Nick stared the young man in the eyes, fire burning rather ferociously within them. Chris started to sober up alot faster than ever before. "DON'T...YOU...EVER...let me hear you say that again. Do I make myself CLEAR?!?" Chris nodded, unable to speak because of the deathly tone that was present in Nick's voice. It was as if he was speaking to the real Grim Reaper. Nick suddenly let go, causing the young man to fall flat on his ass and scramble away. "I'll see you guys later." He opened the door and exited, slamming it shut the instant he left.

Chris stared at the door for a good minute. "I-i-i... I h-have nev-ever seen his so...so..." Eddy just rolled his eyes and returned to his work.

"I tried to warn you, but you had to jump the gun."

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At the girls room, they were getting their new friend aquainted to her temporary home. Sara 'Big Shot' was busy showing Pilan where she would sleep, which was a fourth bed that was right in the middle of the other three. Linda 'Sprint' was trying to take her mind off of things by working out on her treadmill, amping up the speed every few minutes. Jen 'Tanja' was already speaking to Pilan about the way things are run on the earth nest, which wasn't all to different from the martian's colony. Pilan was sitting on her bed and was fiddling with her hair, when Linda looked up before upping the speed. "Hey, Pilan. What's your real name?"

The red head didn't even move. "You just said it." That response almost had Linda go flying off her treadmill. All three earth girls just looked at the Martian, knowing she would answer because of the staring. "Don't you use your real names for your mercinary duties?"

"Of course not." Linda was perplexed, she had never heard of any raven using their real names.

"That's the way it works on Mars." She then looked at the trio. "What are your names?"

Sara pointed at Jen. "She's Jen, but you know her as Tanja. She was piloting that blue AC out there." The red head nodded as Sara pointed to Linda, who had resumed her jog. "Linda's over there, she was piloting the AC with the hover legs. Call her Sprint outside of this room, though."

Linda glared. "I can't afford to use those anymore, Sara. I just have to use those EDGE legs that Demon was using. Besides, hover legs drain my generator."

The stronger girl shrugged. "Whatever." She turns back to Pilan. "My name is Sara, Big Shot on the field. I was in that all black tank you saw earlier. But, I'm going to need to change up my AC again."

Jen turned from her computer. "Use your heavy legs, they are faster than your treads."

Sara frowned at her friend. "But then I can't use my big weapons. I would have to neel down to fire them."

"Then use my Optional Part INTENSIFY." Sara's mouth gaped open, while Linda really was thrown off of her treadmill.

"YOU have INTENSIFY?!?"

"Of course. Union gave it to me after one mission, before we formed a team. I don't actually use it, though." She shifted to her computer again.

"What is INTENSIFY?" Pilan asked.

Sara looked at her. "Only the most powerful and rare optional part an AC could get. It makes the pilot and machine act more like one piloted by the legendary Human Plus ravens." Pilan's eyes glazed over upon hearing that word. She didn't hear as Sara rambled on about how great the part was, for she was lost in her own memories. She saw herself near a building on the mars colony. She saw two ACs battling for their lives. One of them was Zio Matrix's mass production model, while the other was eerily similar to the AC they had battled that day.

"Pilan? Pilan?!" She snapped out of it, looking Sara in the face. "Is something wrong?"

Pilan blinked. "N-no. Nothing's wrong." She then decided to change the subject. "What did Jen mean by 'Berserker' back there?" Sara and Linda flinched, for they weren't expecting Pilan to ask that question.

Jen turned around. "A berserker is a robot pilot that looses control of themselves in the heat of battle. They are an extremely dangerous bunch of pilots, and are often said to have Human Plus abilities in such a state." She paused, letting Pilan sink that in. Before she started again, she noticed that the Martian's eyes had glazed over again. "Pilan?!?"

The martian stirred, blinked, then looked at Jen. "Oh, I'm sorry. Please continue."

Jen gave the girl a quizzical look before continuing. "Anyway, Berserkers aren't born like that. Many of them have faced some sort of tramatizing event that made them go on a rampage. Many pilots try to avoid teaming themselves up with berserkers, for it isn't always clear what may set them off. In Reaper's case, it seems that witnessing the death of a fellow pilot on his team or seeing a teammate about to get killed will set him off." She was about to continue when a loud bit of yelling was heard across the hall, coupled with shattering glass. A minute later, a door could be heard being slammed shut, and the one who used it was storming away.

Linda placed her fingers onto her forehead. "Aw man, not again!" She walked out of her spot and went for the door. She opened it in time to see Nick walk past, anger fuming from his body. She disappeared from the door as she went to Doom's room. She returned to their room a minute later, rubbing her hand. "Chris did it again. Nick is royally pissed off."

Jen looked at Pilan. "Nick is the Reaper." She then turned to Linda. "What did that drunk do?"

"He touched upon that subject. You know the one." The other two girls moaned, realizing what that buffon had done.

"Damn. He's gonna be like this for a while." Pilan got up and started to leave. "Hey, where are you going?"

Pilan turned around and looked at the team. "I'm going to the hangar. I need to make manual adjustments to Zio Streak for earth combat." She left before the girls could stop her. She wandered down the hall towards her private hangar, taking her new information and her plaging memories with her.

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She walked into the hangar bay minutes later, looking through the various sections for her AC. She walked past the reminants of the once proud One Shot, which had its core covered in a large cloth. She stopped in front of the machine and prayed for the pilot's soul to find some sort of peace, knowing fully well how he had died. She stayed there for several minutes when she heard footsteps elsewhere in the hanger. She got up and followed the sound, passing many more ACs as she went. She then entered the section reserved for the Breakers, Doombringers, and her own AC. Deathsythe's red eye glowed dimly, but enough to indicate that someone was inside. The cockpit was opened as well, with a dull light shining inside. Curiousity consumed the Martian, thus she moved closer to the cockpit and peeked inside. There sat Nick, who was looking at a data display on his console. He didn't notice Pilan until she had decided to enter the cockpit.

The noise alerted him. His head snapped up and looked at the young girl who had wondered into his machine. "What are you doing here?" His voice was hoarse, and tears were barely visible on his face.

"I was...just coming in to fix up my AC. I heard you in here and decided to find out what you were doing at this hour."

He continued to glare at the girl. "And what the hell would you want to do with your AC at this time of night?"

"Adjust its dampeners for earth combat. I battled both you and that other raven in moon configuration, thus making me less effective in battle." Nick blinked. She had piloted very well in earth's gravity and managed to stay alive this long. But, her claming it was set for a moon fight put him slightly on edge. With a lack of gravity on the moon, the AC would have needed to adjust to it with downward thrusts to keep it on the surface.

"You were flying with a moon battle system? That is a surprise."

"What were you doing down here, when there seems to be nothing importaint requiring your AC?"

Nick glared at the girl once more. "You said that you have lost many friends on the battlefield. Because of that, it made you the fighter you are right now, correct?" She nodded. "Unlike you, I haven't lost a single person that truely mattered to me until just a year ago." He reluctantly motioned for her to come to the console. She moved next to his seat and looked at the screen. On it was a picture of four MT pilots, with their MTs in the background. Devil was next to a red anti AC unit. Demon was using a small and fast MT equipped with a plasma cannon. Nick was next to a standard combat MT armed with a machine gun, missile, and blade. The fourth pilot was standing next to an MT fashioned for aerial battle, and all four pilots were smiling happily.

"The pilot over here," Nick started, pointing to the aerial pilot, "was Joe. He was an excellent pilot, and was also my best friend."

Pilan looked at Nick. "What happened?"

Nick sighed. "What I am going to tell you never leaves the cockpit. Understand?" She nodded again. "Last year, we were assigned our final mission as MT pilots. We were to enter a battle that was expected to take place at one of Crest's MT factories. We were to partner up with another Raven, and a mission complete for us would allow us a shot at the Raven Test." He then glared at the screen, tears were starting to well up in his eyes again. "The mission went smoothly, the five of us were kicking the living shit out of the enemy. Then another AC arrived, warning us to get away from the AC partner. It turned out he was a traitor, and was actually assigned to make it look like Crest was winning. But he was to kill all four of us once the mission seemingly ended and steal the prototype weapons that Crest was building. The new one was Tanja, before she became leader of the Breakers, and she was determined to take the AC down. We ignored her and followed our orders, until the AC showed his true colors. He turned his bazooka on us and shot down Joe. When his MT crashed into the ground, it was reduced to rubble as he dashed up and fired point blank into the core." His supressed tears leaked down his face. "I snapped....and went berserk. With my team mates' help...we killed the Raven...and avenged Joe's death. But, the damage was done....and Joe was...gone."

Pilan listened to his sad tale, feeling sympathy for the raven. Now she understood why he was a berserker. She held his head in her hands and pressed her forehead against his once more. "Your not the only one who has lost one you cared for." Nick looked up, noticing tears stream down her face as well. "On Mars, a rogue AC attacked all of the colonies and destroyed any opposition in his wake. My mother....she was his last victim." Nick knew of this a little bit. He was about twelve at the time, but it was a serious incident. It was said that the Raven that initiated the attack was severely damaged against his final opponent, thus sparing that colony and all the remaining ones. The pilot's location and status are still unknown.

Pilan got up and started to leave the cockpit when Nick followed her out. "I'm sorry for your mother." He said.

She turned around, then slightly smiled. "Out of all honesty, I fashioned my AC after hers. To me, its as if she is still there, protecting me and everyone that she cared for." With that, she walked into her cockpit and closed it behind her. She activated the unit and set it to configuration mode. She then turned on the visor, which showed Nick outside of her machine. He looked at the AC for a while, then turned around to leave. She immediately set to work, with Zio Streak replying to every command. She started working at a standard pace, at first, but then was getting it done at a speed unparalelled by any other human on earth or mars. When she finished, she didn't bother leaving the cockpit. Instead, she turned the machine into idle mode and slept inside her machine. 'Don't worry, mother. I will get that 'PLUS' and avenge your death. Like I promised I would ten years ago.'

Chapter 3 is over. It would have been done faster, if the computer wasn't about to crash about a week ago. No worries now, we flushed it's memory and restored the system (with this data saved onto floppy). Next chapter will be out soon. Until then, Read and Review.

Oh yeah. Ryuushen, i hope this chapter answers some of your questions from your review. and i will try to identify which ACs take damage in the future as well as possible, but all AC players knows how hard it is to keep track of where the shots go in heated combat.