Armored Core: Lunar Battle

Chapter 13: Planning

Pilan looked up at the two ships that helped her rejoin her fellow Martian ravens, sad that one of their ships, along with the four ravens and three pilots aboard, was lost to Neo Core's defense cannons. She stood along with Doom, Dark, and Destructor as the two ships landed gently on the moon's surface. "We'll need to get the ACs into the ships to rearm and repair them," she said to her reunited teammates as well as the ship captains.

"Understood," Tactic's captain replied. "These ships were originally designed to carry up to six AC units, so they should fit right in. May be a tight squeeze, though, for some of that extra area was also used for the extra weapons and ammo."

Pilan nodded. "Alright. Thanks for the heads up," she said before turning to her fellow ravens. "Destructor and I are going onto the Decimation for rearming and repairs." Her AC's visor looked at AC Red Death and AC Midnight. "You two go onto this ship here," she said, pointing her blade arm towards the Tactic. "Just pay attention to what the commander says, for our mission detailing will start soon now that they are landing."

"Roger," Dark and Doom replied simultaneously as they moved their ACs over to where the Tactic was landing. Zeo Streak and AC Destructor then moved to where the Decimation is landing, waiting to come aboard. It didn't take long for the ships to land, both ships opening the launch doors for the Martian ACs to board.

Nick watched as two ACs entered the ship's hanger. He was still inside his AC because the atmosphere was sent out of the bay when the doors opened. He wasn't surprised to see Zeo Streak II, but the old Emeraude unit that followed her was what surprised him. As the door closed, he watched as both the Emeraude and Zeo Streak II take their positions in the spare recesses. He then looked over at Hunter IV, knowing that Jen was still in there. The Oxi head looked at him, as if asking what was going on. Both ravens watched as the cockpits for both units opened, which in turn revealed their pilots. They easily recognized Pilan leaving Zeo Streak II, both because she is the sole pilot as well as her blood red hair. The Emeraude pilot was the next one out. He had unkempt brown hair, probably from being trapped on Lunar for almost a week, that matched his brown eyes. He seemed well built, but not excessively muscular for a late teen. Heck, he actually appeared to be a little older than the 18 year old red-head down there. Both pilots said something briefly, too softly to hear in an AC, then started hugging each other.

"Any ideas?" he asked Jen on a private channel.

"My guess," she started, "He's a survivor from the main group, just like she is. Possibly even knew her before they were sent."

Nick nodded. "Well, we can't stay in these ACs all day. Come on, lets introduce ourselves and get to the briefing," he said, popping open his cockpit. Both the boy and Pilan split upon hearing the noise, startled as Deathscythe VIII and Hunter IV opened their hatches to allow their pilots out. Both Nick and Jen slid out of their ACs and approached the two, noticing the young Martian girl blushing. "Sorry," Nick started. "Didn't know you were in the hanger..."

Pilan shot Nick an angered look, and it was all Nick could do not to pale. "Don't lie, Reaper," she said angrily. "You were in that AC the whole time." She shot a look at Jen as well, stopping the earth girl from saying anything with a glare.

Nick sighed. "Fine, we were still in the ACs when you two entered the ship.." he said. "Sorry about ruining your cozy moment together."

Pilan's face turned redder than earlier, whereas the boy stepped up. "Apology accepted," he said, causing Pilan to look at him in shock. "We should've known better than to enjoy our reunion in the hanger."

Jen looked at the boy. "Um, who are you?"

He blinked, then laughed slightly. "Ah, yes. My name is Zeron, callsign 'Destructor.'" He looked at his AC. "Personally, it makes calling me or my AC easier, for they both are the same name," he said, chuckling. Pilan nodded, trying anything she could think of to stop blushing. "I believe you two should now introduce yourselves now."

Jen smiled lightly. "My name's Jen, callsign 'Tanja.' My AC is Hunter III..." she looked at her AC, turning red in embarrassment. "...sorry, Hunter IV. I already forgot that Hunter III was totaled."

Nick snickered. "That's a riot. I won't make the same mistake introducing Deathscythe VII to him and..." It was his turn to turn red, and for Jen to laugh at him while she was still red. "Damn, you're an influence!" he said to Jen, causing her to laugh even more. He shook his head and looked at Zeron. "Sorry, my AC is Deathscythe VIII. As for me, I'm Nick, callsign 'Grim Reaper.'"

"Reaper for short, I assume," Zeron replied. He noticed the two additional AC units in the hanger. "Those yours?" he asked, looking at the sleek, speed AC units.

Pilan shook her head, finally having rid herself of her red face. "Not theirs. Those belong to their friends." She pointed at Quick Death V. "That one is Quick Death V, piloted by a girl named Linda. Her callsign is 'Sprint.'" She then pointed to the other one. "That one is Speed Demon, piloted by Eddy. His callsign is 'Demon.'"

"Guess I'll be seeing them soon enough," Zeron said. "I just want to finish this mission and get back home, I've had enough of this planet." He left the hanger and went wandering into the small ship, Pilan beside him and speaking to him.

"Rather cheery guy," Nick murmured.

"He's been here a week," Jen said to him. "I could understand being in his shoes, trying his best to keep himself and his friends alive as long as he did."

Nick could do nothing more than nod in agreement. "Come on," he said softly. "The new briefing will be starting soon. Perhaps Zeron and his team may know a way to end this fight quickly."

Eddy waited near the bathroom door, having to bear the sounds of retching from within. 'This is the second time outside of the AC,' he thought worriedly. 'That is definitely not a good sign.' He looked at the door again, curiously. 'But she only ate something just before we entered our AC units, and this is the third time she vomited today. What is left for her to heave up?' His attention was drawn towards the door as it was opened, a wearied Linda leaving it. "You feeling OK?" he asked.

She looked at him wearily through the corner of her eye, her upper eyelids drooping. "more like crap..." she replied in a soft tone. "pretty much lost my breakfast with the first two..." She shuddered slightly. "don't even want to think about what I puked out the third time..." She started to move again, but nearly stumbled with her third step. Eddy was able to get to her and, using his body as her support, keep her up.

"That isn't a good sign, Linda," Eddy said, helping her to the bedroom. She allowed him to bring her there, but looked at him in confusion.

"I'm just not feeling well," she said reassuringly in her soft tone. "there is no sign about it, I'm just ill right now..."

Eddy shook his head. "I doubt that is an illness, and you know it," he responded. "Or did you forget what we both awoke to a few days ago?" She looked at him wearily still as she tried to understand.

"awoke to?" she murmured, trying to think. Her eyebrows raised a moment in recognition, then she was frowning at him. "you and me in the Breaker's room..." He nodded slowly, causing her eyes to widen in shock. "You can't mean..."

"that's what I'm led to believe right now..." Eddy replied. "What else could you be vomiting about?"

She looked startled and shook her head. "It couldn't be... Even if that were the case, its only been two or three days... that would be too soon for me to be..."

Eddy stopped her. "Every pregnancy is different for every girl," he said, looking at her. "Some girls whose bodies are more sensitive to what's going on inside may react differently from others." He shook his head. "Its the only thing I believe is causing you to be ill, and I apologize for that. If I never got drunk like that..." He looked away, unsure how to continue.

She looked at him. "No... we were both drunk..." she said. "I barely recall us drinking Tanja's vodka, but something got us before we even tried that stuff..." She stumbled again.

Eddy looked up and saw the room. "We're here," he said. "Getting rest should be your top priority right now..."

"Attention, all ravens. The briefing will be starting in just a few minutes. All ravens are to report to the bridge at this time," the PA system said.

Linda cursed under her breath. "No time for rest now..."

"Oh, no you don't," Eddy started. "You just rest for now. I'll make sure you know what's happening when the briefing is over." He helped her into the room and had her lay down on the bed. "I'll be back," he said before leaving the room. Linda just looked at him as he left. She sighed as she laid down.

'Does he really care about my health that much?' she thought as she tried to get some sleep.

Nick and Jen looked at the door as Eddy entered at a run. Pilan and Zeron were already on the bridge when he entered. Jen noticed someone missing. "...where's Linda?" she asked.

Eddy shook his head. "She's resting right now, she wasn't feeling too good.." he replied. Pilan and Zeron nodded in understanding, whereas Nick and Jen looked at him questionably. They almost didn't notice as the viewscreen in front changed to reveal the five pilots in the Tactic. On the screen were Royal Mist, Chris, Sarah, Dark, and Doom.

"Alright," Royal Mist said from his end. "Now this briefing can begin."

Sarah glared at him. "No it can't," she said quickly. "One of my teammates isn't there."

"She's resting right now," Eddy said. "We'll tell her what the plan is." Nick and Jen reluctantly nodded in agreement, which caused Sarah to groan slightly. She wanted to see her friend, but she had to trust Eddy, Nick, and Jen on their word this time.

"Right," Mist said, trying to get everyone back to the briefing. "You all know what you accepted, even the Martian survivors we picked up. Before we start, I would like to say thank you to the Martian ravens for taking out the defense cannons, as well as Martian Pilan for her reckless, yet rather effective space rush stunt to help her friends from both planets. Our only regret right now is losing Avenger III during the landing operation." He then paused for a moment. "From now on, our mission is one of vengeance for allot now. The devastation that occurred on Mars, the assault against Global Cortex on earth, the countless ravens that had fallen heading to lunar or defending their turf. Neo Core kept attacking Earth and Mars where it hurt, so we should respond in kind." He turned towards Dark and Doom, then looked at the screen towards Zeron. "You three, who spent almost a week here. You know where their base is?"

Zeron spoke. "We were only able to scout around up there, mostly. We learned the location of their secondary bases thanks to Dark attacking them on the darkside of Lunar. They apparently are situated on the light side of the moon, but we couldn't find out where exactly."

Doom shifted. "Actually, I saw something while on patrol two days ago..." she replied. "Sorry, Destructor, I forgot to mention it earlier. I had to deviate from my patrol because of an enemy fighter coming towards me. I managed to get away before I could be spotted, but I almost got spotted by... something else." She looked at the side and access a computer, opening a screen on the comm viewer. It showed a rough map of the Lunar surface, and a circled area on it. "This map shows the rough position of what I nearly slammed into. Its a relatively large facility, but my scanners could only scrape the surface. Red Death could only figure that there were two levels above ground designed for AC and MT entry, with a large, ground planted door system. My guess is its the main facility, and they have something large underground. My AC detected at least four AC height levels below ground before the scanners were blocked." As she spoke, she hit more keys on the computer, compiling the information she could get from her AC's map system.

"Blocked?" Chris asked. "Couldn't it've just been out of range of your scanners?"

"You're thinking detection radar," Dark started. "She was speaking of terrain sensors. EGRET heads are a work of art, being capable of scanning the surrounding area and add additional Intel in the map as the unit passes through. If she couldn't scan beyond four floors, then there is some sort of interference in the way."

Sarah looked at them curiously. "So your saying this facility might me the main facility, and possibly the main base of the Neo Core organization?"

"What else could it be?" Doom replied. "That door isn't something that was at the facilities that Dark wasted. As I said before, the door itself seems far too big, as if they are building something huge underground. If I was going to build something big, it would be where the enemy would have a hard time getting to it."

"I've only been a Raven for only a year," Nick started, "with the few friends I still had. Within that year, I learned the hard way that such bases are extremely well defended." He chuckled. "Hell, it took me, Demon, and Devil to penetrate a well hidden and fortified Mirage installation. Defended by 50 anti-AC MT units and backed up with a team of AC pilots of great skill, we barely made it out of that one alive. We were lucky they had no installation turrets in there as well."

Jen nodded. "He's right. I destroyed the controller, but nearly lost my life and AC in the process because of the extensive defense system that was there. If we are to enter that facility, then we better be prepared to encounter stiff resistance the entire way through."

Eddy listened carefully and surveyed the blueprints of the facility. "Doom's data isn't completely sufficient. We may know how many levels there are above and the few below, but we're going in blind regardless. We just don't know what is in there at all." He highlighted several points with a nearby console. "There are several entrance points here. Entering from these three points will force their defenders to split up to deal with the enemy forces."

Pilan was eyeing them too. "It's too dangerous to just go down the facility. Splitting up doesn't sound like a bad idea at all, but lets extend that. May I?" she asked Eddy, meaning the computer he was hogging at the moment. He moved aside as she moved there and brought up AC schematics. Each AC was of one of the eleven currently at their disposal, with a twelfth slot open showing the MT units encountered at the Cortex battle. "It is to be expected that these MT units, codenamed 'Drone' for this mission, may make an appearance. They seem to fight allot better in a gravity environment, which will explain why the few encountered at the defense cannons were too easy to destroy. Even worse is the fact that they seem to use some sort of AI system for combat, for all noted units destroyed on earth had no pilot aboard. They seem to use gatlings, blades, and missiles, but it is possible that they may get their hands on something stronger for some situations. Just be aware of them during the mission."

"With all due respect," Royal Mist started, "What does explaining about the MT unit going to do about your thoughts on extending the plan?"

"Nothing," she replied bluntly. "I just needed some time to think of a plan, so I chose to mention them."

Nick shook his head. "If you didn't notice, Mist, she did explain what needed to be known about those things to the Martians. I doubt they battled many of them up here, if at all." He looked at Pilan. "What's your plan then?"

"We currently have eleven AC units," she started, "and it would be relatively easy to sort them into teams." She highlighted several routes. "Our biggest problem is that we have too few heavy machines to send all over to assist with a barrage. I only see four; Kaiser, Painbringer, Hellbringer, and Midnight. Speed Demon and Quick Death V are another problem, for their poor armor and excessive speed will make them relatively vulnerable to an enemy attack, even though they are among Earth's highest ranked Ravens. Here's what I think we should do." She highlighted Quick Death V and Speed Demon. "Since these two are our fastest units, they shouldn't be involved in any of the serious fighting. I think that the two of them, as well as a third Raven, should go from the ground floor to the top floor. Eddy seems proficient with computers, and his AC has impressive hacking ability." She looked at Quick Death's specks, surprised at what she saw. 'Hmm, seems she swapped her hover legs for the same pair that Edd took, and now uses a laser rifle with beam saber on regular arms. At least that's better than the twin laser arm, now she can defend herself.' "Quick Death should accompany him because both of them are fast and she can offer him some cover with her laser rifle. It won't matter how fast or slow their third is, for he needs to be able to act as a guard or decoy for them. Their mission is to check the upper levels for anything that can give us an edge for the lower levels. Facility maps, MT designs, hangers, whatever the hell their doing in there. When they are done, they may continue to travel down through the facility or escape, for their main purpose would be completed at that time."

Royal mist thought about that. "I guess I'll assist them with the guard detail. My AC is adequately armed and armored, not to mention can mildly keep up with them if they try to push it." He looked at the other. "It is safe to assume the other eight ACs are going to proceed downward through the lower areas while the three of us are scouting the upper areas."

Pilan nodded. "Yeah, that is part of the plan I was thinking."

"Right. Just be prepared for me to assist you guys when Devil and Sprint are done with their objective, provided I'm not badly damaged and have plenty of ammo to spare," Mist replied.

"I just had a thought," Nick started. We definitely won't be able to hold onto our weapons throughout the mission. If there are allot of enemies, we would run out of ammo soon. If we encounter any weapons down there that we can use, I think we should use them when one of our other weapons are depleted."

"Good thinking, Reaper," Zeron said. "Mist, is that your name? Since my commander has already issued her plan and teaming of the speedsters, how about you decide how the other eight are going in."

Mist nodded. "Right," he replied, highlighting the north side entrance for his team. "My team will go by 'Recon,' and we'll enter this one. ACs Deathscythe VIII, Hunter IV, Red Death, and Midnight will enter the east side entrance. ACs Painbringer, Hellbringer, Zeo Streak II, and Destructor will enter from the south west entrance. It is probably necessary for the groups to split up, but no one goes alone for those teams. If you guys are going to take different paths, make sure someone else is going with you. I don't want to find out we lost contact with an AC because he separated from the group." He looked at the time. "That will be all for the briefing. We should be moving out within six hours. Get rested up, and make sure everyone is well equipped for this. Everyone is to be ready to move on a moment's notice, though. Dismissed," He cut the line, leaving the ravens to themselves.

Pilan sighed. "Well, that's that," she said, getting up. "I'll be in the hanger to prepare Zeo Streak for battle. Excuse me." She then proceeded to the bridge door.

"I'm going with you," Zeron said, following her out. Nick and Jen looked at each other for a moment.

"Well," Nick started, stretching from being in one place for too long. "..not sure about you guys, but I'm getting something to eat." He started to leave when Jen gripped his hand. He turned to see her smiling lightly.

"I'm with you there," she said, then looked at Ed. "You coming?"

Eddy shook his head. "No thanks," he said. "I figure I'm going to check on Linda, see if she's resting. I'll see you guys later." He started out when Nick stopped him.

"Listen to me," he said. "I think all three of us know she isn't feeling well. Care to share why she's resting right now?"

Eddy fidgeted then sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you two, but only you two. I'm sure Linda would rather have her best friend know."

"Well?" Jen started.

"...I think she's pregnant..." Both Nick and Jen looked at him oddly. "She vomited three times already, and we did kinda do it in our drunken stupors a few nights ago, if us noticing our clothes missing and the bed unusually damp that morning being any hint."

"If that's the case," Jen started, "then she shouldn't go on this mission. She shouldn't have even accepted it in the first place!"

"You think I don't know that?" Eddy asked. "She accepted the mission before either one of us became drunk. The problem now is that she has to accompany us." He looked Jen in the eyes. "But I swear on my life, I won't let anything happen to her during our assignment. Once we're done, we're outta the facility and back at the Decimation." She glared back at him. "I'm not about to let her die, not while she carries our child within her, especially when I think I love her."

Both Nick and Jen blinked in surprise. "What?"

Eddy sighed. "I think I love her... I am going to see later how she feels about me if I can. Right now, though, her survival will me my mission, not the information assignment." He turned away from them. "Excuse me," were his last words before he left the bridge, leaving Nick and Jen behind.

Eddy arrived at the bedroom and opened the door to it minutes later. He looked at Linda, a look of surprise on both their faces. She was laying down on the bed, just as he left her, but she was looking at him while her hands were over a mound on her stomach. What was surprising to Eddy was that the mound was under her shirt, making her appear to be at least seven to eight months. "The hell?" he asked in surprise, breaking the moment of awkward silence.

"Uh, sorry," Linda said. She lifted a portion of her shirt up, revealing her pilot suit rolled up in a ball. "I couldn't get the thought of being pregnant out of my head, let alone how I'd look part of the way through." She rubbed the 'belly' a moment before she started to pull her suit out of her shirt.

Eddy shook his head. "I could understand that, I guess," he said. "You should really be getting some rest, we have about six hours before we end this."

"End this?" she questioned. "Sounds like the mission's nearly over."

"May as well be, the Martians think they found the main base, and we're attacking it in six hours. Our job is going through the top levels to find some information if we can. Once that's complete, we can either join up with the others as they proceed down or retreat to the ship," Eddy said. He sat down on the bed next to her. "I'd rather you return to the Decimation when the assignment is over. I don't want to see you die out there."

She looked at him curiously. "We're ravens. Getting killed is just part of the job," she said. "You should kn..."

"I know that!" he snapped. "I just love you too much to..." He stopped and looked at her with dread on his face. She was looking at him in surprise, her face turning red.

'Did he say he loves me?' she thought. "do...Do you mean that?" she asked, moving closer to him so that their eyes were locked. "Did you just say that you love me, and don't want to see me die?"

He looked at her with that look, then lightened it up as his face turned red. "Yeah...I meant it," he said reluctantly. "I don't know how you feel about me, but I..." He wasn't able to say much else, especially when Linda's lips were on his. He was startled for a moment, but calmed down after that moment. She then pulled back to look at him, giving him a chance to speak again. "Why'd you.."

"I never told my teammates, but," she started. "I...kinda had a crush on you." She smiled slightly. "Remember what I said with the kiss thing to you?" He nodded. "My own feelings kinda got in the way there, and I damn near spilled that I had a crush on you right then and there." She looked at him again. "You probably have no idea how happy I feel knowing you feel the same for me."

He turned to her. "Actually, I think I feel as happy as you do," he said, pulling her in close for a kiss. They stayed like that for nearly an eternity to them before he pulled back. "Lets get some rest for now. We're going to have a bit to do when we wake up."

that's the thirteenth chapter. as of yet, this is the first fanfic i wrote that has this many chapters. granted, this one is also probably longer and mushier than the other chapters to date, but i couldnt' help myself. granted, i don't think a girl has morning sickness after having intercourse a few days prior, but that's how it is for her in this fic. next chapter marks the beginning of the final battle, and it's going to be a long one.

the reviews this time are from both the last and second to last chatper made before this one.

total reviews:5

Chapter 11

KirKTimN- sorry for the wait. I hope you like it and continue to read it as the remaining chapters unfold.

VenomatikM16- as you can see, i didn't quit. more like hybernated for a rediculously long time. as for quality, i just do my best. i'll keep an eye out for your fics and see how well you write

digicharat08- thanks for the complement. I figure the best armored core game would be one in which the game isn't just mech v mech action, but revolves around the live of a raven as a whole. till that day comes, i'll just keep kicking the shit out of any AC that gets in my way and pretent that this fanfic is an extension to the game.

Chapter 12

Kenshkrix- you sound like an impressive pilot. I can't dodge damage as well as you could, but i can easily dish it out with impressive accuracy. missiles, though. those took a while to practice evasion, but i can't get hit by regular missiles now.

Rytiko- everything may have errors in it. I'm just doing my best. good to hear from you again, and I intend to keep it going. I may actually consider a sequel, but that is still in the air.

to every raven in the community, i wish you all a good night