S1-19
Galactic Federation!

11:19 AM
12/21/2283

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Recreational center

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

It was just a quiet day on the Frontier, with no Militia activity to detect, and Samus was helping Michael scan the Frontier for any Chozo ruins, not finding any yet. Suddenly, an unknown transmission was received.

Music
Titanfall 2 - Blood and Rust

"This is Admiral Drax of the Galactic Federation, broadcasting to all civilians in the area. We are looking for the criminal Samus Aran. If you have any information on her, contact us immediately."

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Communication center

Michael rushed to the communications system, intercepting the transmission. "This is Michael W Johnson of the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation! Samus Aran is under our protection! If you try and take her into custody, you will be destroyed!"

"Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation, huh? Never heard of it. I doubt you'll stand much of a chance." Drax nonchalantly waved him away.

"I feel we're more advanced than you are. You'll just be eradicated in minutes."

The man on the video screen turned to a soldier at a terminal in the background. "Track the transmission."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier replied.

"Don't bother! I'll send you the coordinates! We'll be there!" Once the transmission ended, Michael made a broadcast throughout the HQ. "Attention, all IMC forces! The Galactic Federation is coming for one of our own! We are going to stop them! We will intercept them on Odra-9! All Pilots, gear up and prepare for combat!"

12:18 PM
12/21/2283

Demeter's moon, Odra-9
IMC Outpost 208

Music
Titanfall - OST 03

"All IMC units, Commander Blisk will be giving orders on this mission. The Galactic Federation is coming for Pilot Samus Aran. Although she took the right course of action, they have her registered as a wanted criminal. Remind them that she is one of us and under our protection." Spyglass ordered.

From every Pilot's radio came a positive acknowledgement. "YES, SIR!"

Eventually, a communication channel opened. "Unidentified ships have been spotted! They're approaching the Outpost Cannon Array!" A Grunt reported.

"It's gotta be the Galactic Federation." Michael was right.

"Confirmed. All Pilots, embark and ready up."

The Galactic Federation ships came in sight, with each Pilot either climbing into or being placed in the cockpit by their Titan.

After a few minutes of waiting, and Titan Core abilities becoming fully charged, the fleet landed, with hundreds of soldiers pouring out, holding bizarre weapons. Among them was Admiral Drax of the Galactic Federation. "So this is the IMC, huh? I didn't expect giant robots."

Michael stepped forward, piloting Vanessa and opening the cockpit. "These 'giant robots' are called Titans, and we are Pilots. A Pilot can wipe out groups of enemies easily without a Titan. With a Titan, however, the Pilot is a devastating force." Michael closed the cockpit, pulling out the Quad Rocket, with all other Titans pulling out their own weapons in response.

"Well then... Attack!"

Music
Titanfall - OST 51

Both sides opened fire, with only the Galactic Federation taking losses, and rather big ones at that. Out of approximately 7,000 Galactic Federation soldiers, only around 2,300 remained, and the number was decreasing. Fast.

During the battle, Samus heard a clambering on her Titan's hull, followed by a familiar voice. "Hey, Princess. That you in there?"

"Anthony?!"

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, I just tagged along with the Galactic Federation here since I heard that you were gonna be here."

An IMC Pilot pointed his Stryder's XO-16 Chaingun at Anthony, ready to fire. "Samus, you've got a soldier on your hull! I'll take care of it!"

"No! Wait! It's Anthony Higgs! He's a friend!"

"If you say so." The Titan walked away, rejoining the battle.

"Heh. You've got yourself some impressive tech. I'm not that interested in serving the Galactic Federation anymore, so can I come with you guys?"

"OK, hold on. Head into that building. I'll let the IMC units in there know you're a friend." Samus went away from the fight before heading to a certain building and letting Anthony enter.

"WE'VE GOT A FEDERATION SOLDIER IN HERE!"

"Don't fire! It's Anthony! My old friend!" Samus exclaimed.

"Confirmed, Pilot Aran."

Samus went back to the fight, seeing that the IMC was winning. "We've got them on the run! Finish them!" Michael called out.

"Firing Cannon Array!" The Outpost Cannon Array charged up and released an intense beam, causing crippling damage to the Galactic Federation Flagship. Despite that, it was still flying.

"Don't think you've won yet! We'll be back! Now, it's war!" Drax proclaimed.

"Come back and I'll use your fractured skeleton for target practice." Michael threatened.

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

The Galactic Federation had retreated, and a large IMC fleet was following them, alongside the IMS Sentinel. The fleet was firing on the Galactic Federation, making sure they didn't survive the trip back, and so the IMC could locate their home base and put a stop to them for good.

The Pilots on the Outpost disembarked, counting any losses. The IMC had taken no losses, but the Galactic Federation had sustained countless losses.

Michael got on the comms. "Looks like I was right. We're more advanced than the Galactic Federation. Samus, you still here?"

"I'm here."

He was relieved. "OK. Good. I'm glad you're alright."

"We've got a visitor." A Grunt reported.

Anthony came up, his visor retracted. "Wow. And I thought the Galactic Federation was powerful. You guys could tear them up in no time."

"Who are you, and why are you here?" Michael was aiming his Spitfire LMG directly at Anthony's head.

"Whoa now. Hold up. I'm Anthony Higgs. I'm a friend. I have a history with Samus. I know that what she did to the BSL was the best course of action. I'd like to stick around with you guys."

"If you and Samus are good friends, I see no reason not to trust you, but the IMC is now at war with two forces."

Anthony saluted him. "I'll help in any way I can."

"Do you know the location of any Chozo ruins or technology?" Michael asked.

"I've seen a few. Why?"

"Samus's Power Suit is offline, and she thinks something there can recharge it. We haven't found any of them on the Frontier yet. There might not be any though."

"There might be, but I'm relieved she's alright."

"Yeah. Anyway, we're gonna head back to HQ. Need a ride?" The Pilot offered.

"Sure. Why not?" Samus eventually arrived, with Arc-Rod in Follow-Mode. "And what exactly are these 'Titan' machines?" Anthony asked.

"When we get back to HQ, you can read all about them, and the individual Titans that remain operational." Michael stated.

"Alright. Sounds good, man."

2:00 PM
12/21/2283

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Corridors

"I'm actually liking this organization of yours. No doubt I'm joining." Anthony was impressed.

"Good. Who was the CO of the 7th platoon again?" Michael asked.

"Commander Adam Malkovich."

"Oh, him? Hang on." Michael headed off to another section of the IMC HQ, coming back a few minutes later with a certain modified Spectre.

"Anthony Higgs. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"No way... Adam Malkovich?! Is that you?!"

"Yes, it's me. I may have died on the Bottle Ship, but here I am. I was turned into a computer AI by the Galactic Federation and installed in Samus's ship, which is unfortunately beyond repair. I was pulled from what remained of the ship's computer, then installed into this modified android model. It's the same model as the IMC's BRD-01 'Spectre' Combat Drones, but with a few alterations. Now enough about that. What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

"Well, I lost interest in the Galactic Federation, but they didn't know that. When I heard that Samus was located, I just jumped at the opportunity and I ended up on the Frontier with the others. Nearly all the other Federation soldiers that came are dead. The IMC tore them apart. I thought Samus was there when we arrived and, sure enough, she was. She was piloting one of those Titans. She refers to it as... 'Arc-Rod', I think?"

"That's right. She gave her Titan the alternate identification 'Arc-Rod'. Samus's Atlas-class Titan is ZV-9372, short for Zulu-Victor Nine-Three-Seven-Two, the Titan's chassis number. Now then, follow me. The Titan Barracks are this way. If you would like to join the IMC, perhaps you can create your own Titan."

"We'll see what's available."

Just then, a certain member of the IMC showed up. "Oi, who's this?"

"Commander Blisk! I haven't seen you in a while." Michael greeted.

"Yeah, I'm just picking up my belongings. My contract's nearing its end date."

The Pilot's grin instantly vanished, replaced by a scowl. "Oh you greedy good-for-nothing selfish jerk..." Michael was getting pretty angry.

"Excuse me?!"

"If all you care about is MONEY, I'm beginning to question why I ever respected you!"

"Blimey... That's cold, Michael."

"AT LEAST IT'S WARMER THAN THAT ARCTIC MONEY-GRABBING HEART OF YOURS!"

Music
Metroid Prime 3 Corruption - Helios Boss Theme

Blisk was the only one who noticed a strange glow beginning to form within Michael's right eye. He was speechless with fear.

"Get out of my sight, or I'll use that catchphrase of yours against you... by being better."

Music
none

Blisk shuddered in response, the Pilot's words sending a chill up his spine as Michael walked away, heading to his private quarters.

"Catchphrase? You got a catchphrase?" Anthony asked.

"Yeah, I've got a catchphrase, alright. It's 'You kill me, you're better. I kill you, I'm better.'."

The ex-Federation soldier chuckled. "Well then, I guess he basically said he was gonna kill ya for your greed."

"He protects the lives of the good, so I can see why. Blimey, that guy gives me the creeps..."

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

"Now then, where were we?" Anthony wondered.

"We were going to the Titan Barracks to get you a Titan."

"Oh yeah. Thanks for the reminder, Adam."

Looks like the Galactic Federation went from a completely good organization to a corrupt force. The IMC is actually becoming less 'corrupt' by the day, so you guys know, but not the entire organization. If you don't know what I mean by that, picture a box of containers, each containing a random number of red and blue beads, the red beads resemble the 'corruption' within the IMC, the blue ones are the opposite. Now imagine all the red beads being picked out and put in two new containers while the blue ones are left alone. I'd think those two containers with the red beads are the ARES Division and Vinson Dynamics, the rest of them is the rest of the IMC, then there's the one green bead that's just left between the containers. If Blisk is going to eventually leave and form the Apex Predators, think of him being that one green bead.

I'm not giving any loadouts this time because Anthony isn't gonna use the G1 weapons and equipment. But he will help in getting to G2, then he'll use that.

Also, that glow in Michael's right eye is going to become something big in this story.

See you next time.