Disclaimer: I do not own the Armored Core series (oh how I wish i did) I do however own Sabre.
Bold is thought
Italic is the computer
Underlined parentheses is communication
Chapter 2: Sabre
All stories have a beginning. This is my beginning. Before I get too far ahead, I should introduce myself shouldn't I? My name is Sabre, and yes, I have a real name, but I'll tell you that at another, more appropriate time. I'm 23 and my height is about 6'2. My hair color is white, my eyes are a silvery red, and I weigh about 234 pounds, most of that is muscle. The rest of that is… well I really don't feel like telling you that at this point (it's not fat). I'm Caucasian, male and several hours prior, I became a Raven. I'm currently in the middle of a mission. You're probably wondering 'Why is he starting a mission right after he became a Raven instead of getting settled and comfortable with his new lifestyle?' am I right? The answer is simple: I need the money. As of becoming a Raven, all I had too my name was suitcase full of cloths, a family heirloom sword, about 25 credits and my AC of course.
Now, on to my very first mission.
Killing is nothing new to me. I did a bit of it as an MT pilot. But I couldn't help but feel sorry for these fools. Construction workers that didn't want to give up their jobs. The Corporation that owned the facility had to shut it down, something to do with needing more housing units and the factory being in the way. The Corporation that owned the facility was called Crest and is probably the largest of the three major Corporations. I hate the Corporations, especially Crest.
Anyway, I was just entering the facility when I got a communication from my Operator, a woman named Laine Meyers I think. (Stick to the plan, those MTs are no match for an AC.)
Main system, engaging combat mode. My first target was a crane-type MT that had a jerry-rigged laser on where the hook should've been. It was certainly no combat MT. I raised my rifle, aimed carefully at the cockpit and fired. It cut through the paper-thin armor of the MT and more than certainly killed the pilot/worker. I now, however, had the undivided attention of the other employee.
(They sent in a Raven!?!) One of them said, his voice saturated with horror.
"Sorry guys," I muttered. I activated my booster and launched myself at my next target, a construction MT that had a rocket launcher on its torso. I ignited my blade and cut the MT in two. The pilot just barely managed to scream before the MT exploded. The workers were getting scared now and were trying to retreat away from me. I wasn't about to let them get away. I boosted after them and used my blade too cut down the crane MTs that were closet to me. They tried to fight back, but none of their shots connected with my AC. I boost strafed toward the last two construction MTs, running my blade through the cockpit of one and shooting the other one with three shots from my rifle.
(NO!! PLEASE NO!! ARGH!)
I took no pleasure in ending their lives; they were only doing this because they probably had families to support or something like that.
(That's all of them. Nice work Raven.) Laine said, a hint of pity in her voice.
Primary objective achieved, system switch to normal mode. I turned my AC around and headed back the way I came. People who stand against the ones with power, die. I thought bitterly as I brought my AC outside and waited for pickup. It holds true for everyone. Even more so, when someone defies Controller, the all-commanding presence that even the Corporations obey without question. Nobody knows what the Controller actually looks like, but it is, without a doubt, the most powerful presence in Layered, the human races home underneath the surface of the planet.
I laughed and look up at the sky. Clouds were gathering and it looked like it would rain soon. Although, by looking at the sky, one wouldn't think we're thousands of meters under the planet surface. Crest, Mirage and Kisaragi, the three most powerful Corporations of Layered. War between the three is nearly constant and the need for Ravens is great. A Ravens goal varies from person to person, but to be the best and money are usually the most common goals. Those are mine, but I have others reasons that I would rather not discuss. Not yet anyway.
The temperature in the cockpit dropped several degrees suddenly before the TC (Temperature Control) could compensate and I felt a chill go down my back, causing me to shudder involuntarily. Before becoming a Raven, I was an MT pilot for Crest and I know I said I hate them, but the reasons I hate them happened while I was an MT pilot. I'll get to that at another time. I know I probably sound stupid, but…. My thoughts were interrupted as the transport plane arrived and landed several meters in front of me. I was tired and eager to get home. I finally had some cash, and could put my worries aside for a bit. Just a bit. I walked my AC into the transport and docked. I was tired and I wanted to get back to my dorm in the Cortex. After the transport dropped me off at the garage, I docked my AC and headed to my room. I was so tired that I couldn't even make it to my bed, so I just plopped down on the couch and fell asleep almost instantly.
To be continued….