S1-10
One lost, mobility unhindered

11:14 AM
11/19/2283

Planet Demeter
Demeter gateway reconstruction site

Music
Titanfall - OST 01

Eagle-Eye 9-1 was overseeing the construction of the new gateway at Demeter, with the intent on preventing a repeat of the destruction of the first gateway. "New Demeter reactor chamber framework is stable. How's everything on your end, Vanessa?" Michael asked.

"[Defensive systems are operating at 100% efficiency. Dane?]"

"Heat-sinks are fully functional, and we've got more than the first Demeter gateway; over twice the original amount. Jeeves, report."

"[Reactor coolant reserves are set to a much larger capacity as well. I calculate that a repeat of James MacAllan's action which destabilized the core of the first gateway will be preventable in this new enhanced reconstruction of Demeter. Carlos?]"

"We've got the new experimental upgraded Marvins. They have slightly enhanced mobility, and they can withstand the reactor's radiation. Mr. Mortar, what've you got?"

"[Demeter gateway reactor emergency power vents are online and operational. Any overloading energy in the reactor will be vented to either the facility weapon systems, the Marvin recharge stations, or it will be catalyzed into fuel for the fleet.]"

"Good. I just installed the new and updated security measures into the mainframe, created by the IMC's best system experts. If any Militia units try and get in, they won't be able to. It'll immediately lock them out, and it can only be reopened through a command sent directly from Dr. Hammond himself. Spyglass, are you receiving the Demeter signal?"

"Affirmative, Jacquelyn. Demeter signal received. Now transmitting construction orders to all on-site Marvins. A lead-lined containment unit within the reactor core chamber will allow safe entry without any radiation leaks, as well as further protection from the radiation via lead-lined radiation suits stored in the level just below."

"That's a lot of lead." Michael remarked.

"More lead comes out of the weapons used by the IMC and the Militia."

"That's true. I guess it's safe to say we have radiation-proof weapons."

Just then, Blisk broke out into laughter."HAHAHA! That conversation got hysterical VERY fast!"

"Good to know you're getting a good laugh, Blisk."

"I detect sarcasm." Michael let out a brief chuckle in response.

Music
Metroid: Zero Mission - Chased by Space Pirates

"[Detecting multiple contacts.]" Jeeves reported.

"Probably more IMC personnel coming to help with the reconstruction." Dane replied.

"Negative. The IMC construction team has yet to leave the HQ."

"Another IMC Pilot squadron?" Michael wondered.

"No. Yours is the only squadron we're reading in the Demeter system." Blisk stated through the comms.

Music
Metroid: Zero Mission - Alarm Tripped

A Grunt got on the line. "All IMC personnel at Demeter, we've got Militia forces incoming! Looks like they're using the planet to prevent us from firing at them at the Outpost."

"Using the planet itself to stay out of sight from the Outpost Cannon Array! That's bloody genius!" Blisk remarked.

"All Pilots, embark! Hostile Titanfall inbound!" Dane ordered.

Michael rushed down from the top floor of the tower in the back corner of Demeter's new gateway and slid through the open door into a Stryder-class Titan's waiting hand, followed by Vanessa lifting him into the cockpit. "[Transferring control to you now. I am accessing the Demeter defense grid and activating Heavy Turrets around the facility to target all Militia forces in the perimeter.]"

Music
Titanfall - OST 47

"Engaging hostiles!" Dane fired off a fully charged blast from the Plasma Railgun, nailing a Militia Stryder-class Titan right on the cockpit hatch.

"[Recommend use of tactical ability and ordinance weapon to maximize outgoing damage and minimize incoming damage.]" Jeeves advised.

"Got it!"

Above all things, a clambering was heard on Vanessa's hull. "I've got a Rodeo!" Michael then disembarked.

"[I'll be waiting for your safe return.]"

Michael turned around and readied his Spitfire LMG to remove the Militia Pilot on his Titan's hull. But before he could pull the trigger, he came under attack by a Militia Spectre. "Michael here, I could use some h-" Michael was interrupted by the Spectre strategically ripping off his helmet's radio and crushing it, cutting him off from the others as the Militia Pilot continued to pelt Vanessa's circuits with what seemed like suppressed G2A4 rounds.

"[Militia Pilot acquired.]" As Dane arrived and vaporized the Pilot off SN-6726's hull, the Spectre attempted to blast Michael with an EVA-8 Shotgun at point-blank, but was just narrowly missing.

Dane (X)-[Plasma Railgun] Militia Pilot

The Spectre swatted the Spitfire LMG out of Michael's hands and tried again with the EVA-8 Shotgun before Michael grabbed it and attempted to wrestle it from the Spectre's grasp. Suddenly, a Frag Grenade bounced and rolled close to them, followed by Michael unknowingly stepping on the explosive right before it detonated.

Seeing this, Dane rushed over and disembarked to examine the wound as the Spectre fell victim to his Wi-Fi Virus transmitter.

CZ-9247 [Plasma Railgun] Militia Pilot

Irreparable damage was done to the nerves and bone structure all over his leg, and Michael was just barely conscious from the pain and fast blood loss. "IMC PILOT DOWN! Hang in there, Michael!"

11:43 AM
11/19/2283

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Medical bay

Music
Metroid: Other M - The Bioweapon Research Center

Michael woke up in the IMC HQ's medical center. "Ugh... Again?"

"Again." An IMC medical officer was in there with him, but there was nobody else.

"Where are Spyglass and Dane?"

"Dane is back on Demeter, and Spyglass is monitoring the repairs done to the construction site." The medic reported. "It's moderate damage, but nothing serious. Your leg, on the other hand... You've got another Spectre limb now." Michael lifted the white sheet, seeing the left leg of a BRD-01 'Spectre' Combat Drone in the place of his own left leg. He groaned in response. "On the bright side, it's compensated for your weight, agility, and motion. Another perfect prosthetic." The IMC Medical Officer helped Michael up on his feet, helping him test out his new limb. It responded perfectly, just like his right arm.

"And Vanessa?"

"IMC Stryder-class Titan Sierra-November Six-Seven-Two-Six returned to HQ in a staggering state. Your Titan is currently undergoing chassis replacement. The Datacore will be installed in the new chassis while the old chassis will be salvaged for spare parts and materials. The Quad Rocket, Slaved Warheads launcher, and Particle Wall deployment mechanism have been removed from the old chassis and placed on the new one. Your helmet was damaged, but the damaged parts could be replaced or repaired, and your helmet's radio was destroyed so we put a new one on it."

12:17 PM
11/19/2283

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Pilot quarters

Music
Titanfall - OST 01

Michael, now in his civilian clothing, was walking down the hall to his private quarters, seeing that the door was slightly open. He always closed it all the way. He looked inside, seeing Dane in his standard IMC combat uniform, with the transparent visor of his helmet retracted. "Nice to see you're OK, Michael."

The Pilot looked at Dane's helmet. "How long have IMC Pilot helmets been able to do that?"

"Quite a while. There's a button on the side of the helmet, opposite of the radio."

Michael grabbed his helmet, put it on, and pressed the button on its right side. The HUD immediately switched off and the visor retracted. Michael pressed the button again and the visor closed, with the HUD coming back on before he switched it back off and removed the helmet. "Cool. I didn't know that."

"You learn something everyday."

Well, that happened.

See you next time.