Disclaimer: See chapter one

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Chap. 16

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"Cain!"

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The only response was the blast of energy coming from the energy cannon on Glaive's arm. Havoc veered off, but Glaive pursued, letting out another blast. Again, Havoc avoided the attack and the energy exploded on one of the pillars, causing pieces of concrete to splinter everywhere. Havoc stopped in motion, as did Glaive.

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"What are you doing, trying to kill me?"

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Glaive simply turned to him, "Elijah. This is a real battle. Fight as though your life depended on it."

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The Moonlight energy blade soon flared to life, causing Elijah to worry even more.

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"Because it does."

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Cloak and White Wolf were dropped off in the middle of a forest, readying for their mission. A dual AC mission that required them to ward off an attacking rebel force. At best, it would be relatively simple. That was until they arrived at the scene.

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"Who the heck...?"

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Both Ravens were surprised to see wrecked remains of machinery. Tanks and MTs were burning everywhere in the woods as cinders before the two.

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"Looks like we're...wait, I got something on radar."

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The two ACs turned to the right to see two dark objects blanketed behind the thick of the smoke. The shapes were humanoid and the glowing eyes showed what they were.

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"Ravens!"

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The dark duo charged from out of the smoke.

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Havoc was still engaged with a very aggressive Glaive. The newly repaired AC was attacking fiercely and without let up and Havoc was forced to retreat constantly.

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"This is crazy. What are you doing?"

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No response. The blue-white blade reared back and struck out, slashing through one of the other pillars in the room. Glaive turned to him and his OB ignited.

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"What are YOU doing? You've been trained better than this. Now fight."

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The right arm lifted up and the energy beam flailed out at Havoc. Havoc boosted off to the side as the energy exploded. But the distance was too close and the beam managed to hit one of the chain cannon turrets in on the back, damaging the weapon entirely. Havoc hit the wall and Elijah jettisoned the weapon.

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'He's really serious. I guess I don't have a choice.'

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Glaive began to advance when suddenly Havoc raised his machine gun and let it loose. Glaive stopped short in its attack and reversed direction. Havoc's boosters ignited and Havoc began to chase him down. The bullets rained throughout the terrain and Havoc moved, trying to keep Glaive in his sights. But that was proving difficult due to the extra boosters Glaive possessed.

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'This is no good. I have to get him into an open area.'

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Havoc stopped moving and remained in the middle of the room. Using the radar, Elijah kept track of Glaive, who was wheeling around in the far end. Havoc lifted both guns, but made no move to attack. Finally...

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"There!"

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Havoc unleashed his fire in front just as Glaive emerged out from behind the pillar. The white AC reeled out of the line of fire, but some of the bullets hit the energy cannon he was carrying. Glaive quickly jettisoned it and dashed away and Havoc went into pursuit once again. Elijah knew that Cain would never attack an opponent from the back if he could help it and simply waited for him to come and leave himself open.

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'Now you're mine.'

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However, within Glaive, Cain continued to pilot calmly thinking only one thing.

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He shot the wrong weapon...

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Havoc unloaded on Glaive once again, not giving the white AC a second's worth of rest. Without the cannon, he would have to rely on his blade and Havoc couldn't allow that. Increasing the pressure, Havoc activated his EO, increasing the firepower that he was dishing out. Glaive shot up into the air, but the iron grating above preventing him from flying far.

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"Now I've got you."

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Havoc upward, but the OB of Glaive flared open and the bullets missed, destroying the grating instead. Havoc turned around and followed, continually firing and missing the airborne AC. Havoc stopped firing and simply followed, coming up right into a corner. Glaive had just landed and was turning around. Havoc raised his guns and targeted in.

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'It's over.'

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However, Glaive whirled swiftly, causing Elijah to blink. 'How'd he do that?' Glaive overboosted again, straight at Havoc. Recovering from his shock, Havoc fired, but Glaive shot upward and disappeared from view. Havoc turned to follow, but Glaive had vanished.

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'Where did he go?'

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Elijah began to look around panicky, wondering if Cain also installed a stealth option to his core. But those only work on radar. 'The radar, of course.' Elijah quickly checked his radar only to find that the red dot that indicated Glaive was in the middle of the screen. 'That doesn't make sense. He would have to be right in front of me for that. Or...above...!'

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Too late he realized as he looked up and saw the white AC fall down upon him from the open grating top. The Moonlight saber flared bright as it fell down upon him, tearing straight into the arm itself and severing it. Then, with a short boost, Glaive rammed Havoc to the ground, causing the red AC to skid across into the corner. Elijah growled as Havoc rolled across and hit the corner. Shaking it off, Elijah took hold of the controls, but did nothing else. The reason being was that Glaive was standing over him, with a foot on the leg and the blade in his face. Elijah froze stiff, seeing that he lost.

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"Out."

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Elijah blinked and Cain repeated his order. Elijah hesitantly opened the cockpit and emerged. The Moonlight blade was still active so confronting Glaive wasn't exactly easy, but he did it regardless.

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"The option."

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Elijah slowly reached inside and disconnected the Intensify option from Havoc. Not that he needed it now. Elijah took the device and set it down.

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"Do you think you have earned it?"

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Elijah frowned, "No."

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"Why not?"

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The frown turned into confusion, "Because...I lost."

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"Try again."

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His fist clenched tighter, hating that he had to confess this openly, despite it being true, "Because...I stole it. But I said..."

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"Sometimes apologizes aren't enough."

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Elijah gave a deep sigh, but midway, the laser blade shut off and the cockpit opened. Cain stood out and looked down, his face neutral as always.

" Fortunately for you, I'm a nice guy. Anyone else would have finished you off for less than what you did. Understand?"

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Elijah was still confused, causing Cain to shake his head. "Being a Raven is more than just being a mercenary. You have to have standards. Those standards will cause you to stand out from others, make you unique."

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"You mean, like you?" Elijah retorted

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"That's right." The dark Raven answered. "How many Ravens do you know that go through the trouble of sparing their opponents whenever possible?"

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Elijah made gave no reply and Cain dropped down from his AC and before him, "I don't want you to be exactly like me. True, you will change the way you see and do things because of what I teach you. But remember you are your own person. With that, you have to have your own persona. I'm just here to make sure that you are ready for it."

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Elijah still said nothing, but Cain didn't want a response anyway. He simply turned around and re-boarded his AC, but not before taking the optional part with him.

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"Let's just head back."