S1: The Unique IMC Pilot

by IMC Librarian

Michael W Johnson, found and raised by Spyglass unit #826591740-A, grows up to become an IMC Pilot, but soon discovers that he is more than that. More than a Pilot, more than a soldier, more than anyone knows, even himself. He is endowed with a destiny that will change his life and the lives of those around him for good.

26. CH25

S1-25
End of a foe

---

11:19 AM
04/07/2284

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Technical development laboratories

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

Michael was hard at work making a blueprint for automated explosive drones that could be carried around on a Pilot's belt, until an alert came through the PA. "All IMC forces, the Galactic Federation HQ has been located. We have the opportunity to eradicate them. The organic supercomputers in control of their network, known as Aurora Units, have communed with us and have offered to help us eliminate the Federation, if we do not act aggressively in any way towards the Aurora Units." Spyglass's voice rang.

The Pilots all boarded their Drop Ships and Widows, loading Titans to be dropped in. The IMS Sentinel had returned only yesterday, with extremely superficial damage, barely anything to repair.

11:39 AM
04/07/2284

Federation space
Approaching unknown planet

Music
none

"All IMC forces, listen up! The Galactic Federation may have waged war on us, but one is enough. We don't need two! They are nowhere near as advanced as us or the Militia, so expect this to be easy compared to what we've been through. All units, prepare for battle!" Michael ordered.

"This is Rick, NZ-5910 and I are ready for action!"

"Ethan and IX-8361 here. We're ready to burn!"

"Samantha here. JQ-3297 and I will take to the skies and provide long-range assistance!"

"George and LZ-9382, locked and loaded!"

"Fortis standing by. KL-2149's blade is ready to slice through the Federation, and through reality itself!"

"Monroe standing ready. KY-9061 and I will track them!"

"Let's do this thing!" Carlos was here too, and he was ready.

"[SN-6726, ready for battle.]"

"[CZ-9247 online. Let's do this.]"

"[Sid here. I'm going to enjoy ripping them apart, putting them back together, and ripping them apart again.]"

"Oh holy helium, Sid, that's brutal."

"[Sorry, Michael.]"

"Iron Pilot status: fully functional. All weaponry systems are online."

"My Power Suit is online and ready. I never thought I'd be using it AGAINST the Federation."

"[Samus, don't worry about it. It's not like anything will explode here. We could take the Galactic Federation HQ for our own purposes.]" Arc-Rod stated.

"Like the Dig Site facility on planet Gysa. It was once under Militia control, now it's under ours."

"I will provide tactical support on the field, and I will attempt to contact Blisk. I have an idea." Spyglass said.

"What did you have in mind?" Michael asked.

"The Apex Predators work for the highest bidder. Perhaps we can acquire a bid higher than money to offer them for assisting us."

"Like what?"

"Their own base of operations. A mercenary Pilot of the Apex Predators returned to the IMC HQ, but only to stay while they worked on finding an acceptable location for the Apex Predators HQ. If we eliminate the Galactic Federation, the Apex Predators can settle with one of their facilities."

"Hm. Good idea."

There was silence on the radio until a familiar voice was heard. "You've reached Kuben Blisk of the Apex Predators. Got something that needs doing? Offer us a good pay and we'll get the job done."

"Blisk, this is Spyglass."

"Oh, hey! Spyglass! To what do I owe the pleasure of speaking to the Vice Admiral?"

"We have need of your services."

"What's the trouble?"

"Do you recall the Galactic Federation?"

"PfpfpfHAHAHAHAHA! Them?! Yeah, I remember! So what?"

"We have located their home base, and would like you and your Apex Predators to assist us in eradicating the Federation. Before you ask the reward, I have an offer for you."

"Sounds interesting. I'm listening."

"Help us eliminate the Galactic Federation, and we will offer the Apex Predators one of their facilities as your own home base of operations."

There was more silence as Blisk thought the offer over. "Hmm... You've got yourself a deal. Send us the rendezvous coordinates and we'll be right there."

"I will transmit our current coordinates to you so you can rally with the attack fleet. We will stand by for your arrival."

"I'll gather the mercenaries. See you there."

12:07 PM
04/07/2284

Music
Titanfall - OST 01

The IMC fleet was stationary around a moon, waiting for the Apex Predators to arrive, which they did.

"IMC fleet, the Apex Predators have arrived to help you out! Let's move in and attack!" Blisk transmitted.

"Hello, Blisk. Been a while, hasn't it?" Michael's mood was... disturbingly emotionless.

"Uhh... Hey, Michael. It certainly has... been a while. Wouldn't you... say? Heh... heh..."

"Yes. It has." After a few seconds of silence, Michael went berserk. "YOU ABANDONED US IN OUR TIME OF NEED JUST SO YOU COULD GO ON TO BECOME A FILTHY, GREEDY MERCENARY?!"

In their minds, everyone started to picture a shaken Blisk soiling himself in response to Michael's reprimanding.

"Michael, now is not the time to be enraged because of Blisk's actions." Spyglass stated.

"Fine. But don't think I won't remember this, Blisk!"

11:39 AM
04/07/2284

Federation space
Unknown planet - Galactic Federation HQ

Music
Titanfall 2 - Fold Weapon Test

Breaking through the cloud layer of the planet, the IMC and the Apex Predators sighted a massive place, the Galactic Federation Headquarters.

Multiple vessels flew up and opened fire, barely doing anything to even the Drop Ships and Widows. "Heh heh. Pathetic. Jeeves, time for some target practice." Michael stated.

"Moving Atlas-class Titan Charlie-Zulu Nine-Two-Four-Seven into retaliation position." One Drop Ship went ahead and both sides opened, allowing an Atlas-class Titan with a Plasma Railgun to take aim on the Galactic Federation ships.

One after another, the enemies fell, exploding in the air as Jeeves shot them down. "[I've cleared the way. Let's head in.]"

The fleet closed in on the Federation HQ, opening fire on any GF soldier in sight. "Drop in the Titans and take them out! Look out for any Aurora Units in the area, they are considered allies." Michael said over the radio.

As the IMC Titans dropped in, a few of the new Titans dropped with them.

"NL-9831, let's get this job done!"

"Blisk, is that a Legion-class Titan?" Michael questioned.

"Yeah. November-Lima Nine-Eight-Three-One, my partner."

"[IMC Pilot Michael W Johnson, I have linked to Kuben Blisk, founder of the Apex Predators. We will assist you in eradicating the Galactic Federation. Blisk, I suggest you embark.]" Blisk jumped into his Legion, putting away his CAR SMG.

Music
Titanfall 2 - The Battle of Typhon

"[Predator Cannon at your disposal.]" Blisk readied his Legion's Predator Cannon, seeing the other Apex Predators fight alongside the IMC.

"Jeeves, assist Blisk! Sid, Vanessa, get Spyglass and Samus some cover while they get to their Titans!"

"[I'm heading to you, Blisk.]" Jeeves transmitted.

"Oh joy..."

"[Pilot Blisk, it would be wise to allow this Auto-Titan to assist us as it was instructed. Despite the presence of an AI-altering program, IMC Atlas-class Titan Charlie-Zulu Nine-Two-Four-Seven is still performing and following protocol 2. This is to be respected.]"

"Fine." As Blisk tore through the Galactic Federation's troops with his Legion-class Titan's primary weapon, an Atlas-class Titan with a Plasma Railgun reached his location, reloading the weapon as it released a Rocket Salvo payload and crushed a few of the soldiers under its feet on the way. "Right. Now let's do this."

"[Smart Core is ready.]"

"I doubt we'll need that right now."

"[Confirmed.]"

With Jeeves covering Blisk from Federation fire, which did little to nothing to the shields, the Apex Predator regrouped with the other mercenaries. "So, what do we do?"

"Yeah, having a Galactic Federation facility as our home base will be bloody helpful. A small favor for a big reward, we'll have to try and even out the deal, we're getting more from it than them!"

"These little men will not live to see the next day, we will make sure of it. Weil sie Krieg gemacht haben, haben sie ihr Schicksal besiegelt."

"WOO! I can't WAIT to leave these lesser-than-Grunt soldiers in cinders AND use their place!"

"Slone, Richter, Kane, let's do this."

"[We already have the advantage against the Federation, so we should wipe them out as they've waged war on us.]"

"OI! Who's this bloke?!" Slone violently grabbed Jeeves's right shoulder, threatening to unleash a Laser Core upon him.

"Slone, don't even think about it." Blisk pulled the cockpit of Slone's Ion-class Titan open, with his Predator Cannon pointed at her. The mercenary released the Atlas-class Titan, swatting the Legion's arm away to close the cockpit.

Just then, Michael was heard on the comms. "Jeeves just relayed a distress signal! What's going on, Blisk?"

"One of my mercs, Slone, almost activated her Ion's Laser Core on him."

Music
Metroid: Other M - Nightmare Battle

"SLONE, WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, I AM GOING TO TEAR YOU APART, SUBATOMIC PARTICLE BY SUBATOMIC PARTICLE, YOU COLD-HEARTED AND SOULLESS ABOMINATION!" Slone was gonna have nightmares about that for the rest of her life.

Music
Titanfall - OST 01

"[Oh good lord, Michael! And YOU tell ME to tone it down!.]" Sid exclaimed.

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me."

"Slone, you OK?" Blisk wondered.

The Ion mercenary was silent and stiff, overtaken by fear.

"C'mon, Slone! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!" Kane yelled.

"W-what happened?"

"Best not to dwell on it right now. Let's just finish this, K?" Blisk asked.

"Y-yeah, let's see this through."

Music
Titanfall - OST 54

"They're on the run! Don't let them escape!"

"[My Slaved Warheads are dealing with the few ships they manage to reach. Sid, how are things on your end?]"

"[They're dropping like flies! I don't even need to pull up a Particle Wall! They're barely even scratching my shields!]"

Over the comms, Samus's voice was heard. "Michael, I found Aurora Unit 242! Patching it into our communications now."

"Greetings. I assume this is Michael W Johnson I am currently speaking to, correct?"

"Hello, 242. This is IMC Pilot Michael Johnson. The Galactic Federation is on the run and we're keeping them contained so they can't escape. How are you holding up?"

"I detected two IMC signatures, which turned out to be Samus Aran and a highly advanced android addressing itself as 'Spyglass'. I hid them off the GF sensors, while also drawing any Federation soldiers out of the way so they would not know of their presence. The Aurora Chamber has been locked down, and I am now turning the flagship's internal defenses against the Federation soldiers in order to detain them. Once the GFS Olympus has been secured, I will take control and join the IMC fleet in orbit of planet Yionus."

"Good. And Spyglass isn't just an android. He's the Vice Admiral of the IMC. He earned his place for doing the right thing."

"Very well, Michael Johnson. I will trust your word. And I will trust Spyglass."

"[Michael, Blisk is sending me back to your location, but he's also tagging along.]"

"Right. Standing by for your arrival." As Michael downed seven GF troopers with his Smart Pistol MK5, two Titans arrived at his position, an Atlas and a Legion.

"We're almost done here, Michael. In a few minutes, the Galactic Federation won't exist anymore." Blisk reported.

"OK. Time to finish this."

"Michael, I think they're bringing out something I haven't seen since the Bottle Ship!"

"What do you mean, Samus?"

"She is referring to an industrial machine. The RB176 Ferrocrusher." AU 242 transmitted.

A Pilot yelled over the comms. "INCOMING!"

Music
Metroid: Other M - RB176 Ferrocrusher Boss Theme

Out of the GF HQ came a massive amount of machines, each operated by a GF trooper. The Titans were actually struggling with these new threats, taking damage and risking destruction by reinforced steel claw arms and lasers that created explosions along the ground.

"Flight Core engaged!" Rockets bolted out of a Northstar-class Titan's shoulder-mounted missile launchers, dealing some staggering damage to a few of the Ferrocrushers, but not all of them, and not enough.

On the local IMC channel, a lot of distress was heard from those in the field.

"Dies ist ein Schwarm von Tod!"

"[I can't blast through their armor!]"

"Stupid thermite-proof... things!"

"THIS IS NOT GOOD!"

"[They're too fast! I can't get a lock!]"

"A Laser Core isn't enough!"

"I am locked out of the Ferrocrushers. I can not stop them."

All around him, the Ferrocrushers were slowly tearing the IMC apart. Michael didn't know what to do. "I- uh... Oh no... What do I do... What do I do? What do I do?"

Music

none

All of a sudden, Michael heard a voice in his head, and it wasn't from his neural link. "Use my eye. It will grant you the power you need."

"What? Who said that?!"

"You will know... in time."

"How do I have your eye? What do you mean?"

"You have been chosen. Had you not, you would have already been dead."

"You mean..."

"Yes. My eye kept you alive long enough for you to be found and raised. Now... open the eye, and let my will guide you."

"HOW?!" Before another word could be said, Michael felt like the area around his right eye was burning, and a blue glow had manifested in its place as a strange white aura surrounded his right hand.

Music
Destiny Remix - Echoes

With a strange warmth filling him, Michael placed the palm of his glowing Spectre hand to the ground, releasing a wave of energy, followed by what looked like a mesh of glowing blue lines that somehow resembled a circuit board.

The lines of energy spread throughout the ground of the entire area, spreading up the sides of the Ferrocrushers, not the Titans. Sparks flew out of the GF machines as they exploded, killing the Federation soldiers controlling them.

Music
Metroid: Other M - Unused Cutscene Theme 2

"What in the... Oi, what happened?!" Blisk demanded.

"Unknown energy readings have been detected. All GF Ferrocrushers systems have been compromised. Somehow, this energy has instructed them to self-destruct." AU 242 reported.

"COMPROMISED?! What sort of energy could compromise a system and tell it to blow itself up?!"

"Unknown."

"[I'm picking up some very unusual readings from my neural link.]" Jeeves stated.

Everyone looked at the Pilot, seeing that he was surrounded in a blue aura. Before any questions could be asked, the aura dispersed, and Michael fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Jeeves, what happened to him?" Blisk asked.

"[I don't know. The readings say that there was a second entity within his mind.]"

"Something was in his head?!"

"[Not only that, but it seems like his mind just... stopped.]"

"Are you saying he's gone brain-dead?"

"[My neural link says otherwise. Wait... Something's happening.]"

Music
Metroid: Other M - Searching The Exam Center / Any Objections?

The blue aura from earlier returned and surrounded the unconscious Pilot before vanishing into him.

"[This aura... It's doing something to him. His neural patterns are returning to normal!]"

Michael wheezed and coughed. He was regaining consciousness! "Ugh... What happened?" He was conscious again!

"[Michael, are you OK?]" Vanessa asked.

"Not sure... I feel like my mind split in two, and the second half took over and knocked me out. It's kinda strange... I think I lost control of myself by taking control over myself... if that makes any sense... which it doesn't."

"[You're right. It makes no sense.]" Jeeves responded.

"Well, it was also as if some sort of strange instinct made itself known. Before whatever happened... happened, I heard a voice in my head, and it wasn't any of you guys. It said I had its eye or something. I don't know."

They may not know what happened to Michael, but they did know that the Galactic Federation was no more.

2:51 PM
04/07/2284

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

"Well, we're off to planet Faslorix. Thanks for the help, guys. I'll be sure to keep a trade route open to the IMC HQ. You guys have been a great help." Blisk stated.

"Y'know, your place as Commander is still open, in case you'd like to come back. And I'm still surprised you got yourself a Titan."

"[You may have strangely supernatural aspects, but you remain a very talented Pilot.]"

"Thanks, NL."

Samus hugged the Pilot, a tear in the corner of her eye. "When you fell unconscious, I became speechlessly worried about you."

"I'm sorry, Samus. I'll try and figure out what this is."

"In the meantime, we will work on figuring out how to acquire one of these 'Vanguard-class' Titans you have on record." AU 242 said.

"Right, the Vanguards. I took a piece off the first one I encountered."

"I am aware of that. It's on record. According to the scan data acquired by Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation Atlas-class Titan Charlie-Zulu Nine-Two-Four-Seven, the component you salvaged before chassis detonation is the detachable optical unit of a Vanguard-class Titan."

"I know that much."

"Do you know of what happened to Anthony Higgs?"

"Yeah, he's with us. He's back at HQ."

"Of course. We lost contact with Anthony Higgs when Samus Aran's location was known to be the Frontier."

"Yeah. Back then, we only had three Titan designs. He made the new ones. The Militia, however, made a new Titan: the Vanguard."

"At least he is alright."

Blisk spoke up. "Oh, and Michael?"

"Yeah, Blisk?"

"Keep up the good work. Here." The leader of the Apex Predators approached Michael before handing him a card and... 5,000 CREDITS?!

"Uhh..."

"I've been saving it up for a few years now. I think you earned a small portion."

"But it's yours."

"Nah. You use it for your own stuff. Donate it to the civilians, buy the IMC something, you do whatever you want with it."

"I could help finance the Apex Predators."

"Nah. Why don't you use it to... I don't know... get something to use to propose to your girlfriend there?"

"Uh... What? When did you...?"

"Y'know how one of the Apex Predators stayed at the IMC HQ since we didn't really have a base of operations?"

Michael understood immediately. "Let me guess... He told you?"

"Yeah, he did. Congrats, man. You got yourself a girl."

Music
Chibi-Robo: Plug Into Adventure - Spawn! Mini-Spydors

"[HEY! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND LEAVE MICHAEL'S EMOTIONS ALONE BEFORE THE APEX PREDATORS LOSE THE LIFE OF THEIR FOUNDER!]"

"Um... OK. Michael, please call off your Ogre..."

"Sid, stand down." Michael ordered.

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

"[Alright...]" Sid scoffed.

"OK, thank you." Blisk was relieved.

"Right. We'll keep in touch."

---

Well, that took a while.

I told you that eye would become something big in this story. It'll become even bigger as the story progresses, so keep an 'eye' out. Heh heh.

I got the whole 'circuit board pattern of glowing lines' thing from an old cartoon called Generator Rex.

See you next time.