S1-29
Aegis Ranks
11:15 AM
08/04/2284
Planet Faslorix
Apex Predators HQ
Music
Titanfall - OST 02
Michael had decided to pay the Apex Predators a visit, seeing that some of the mercenary Pilots were moving out and... giving away their Credits to those who were staying? "Uh... Blisk? What's going on here?"
"Hey there, Michael. Some of the mercs are gettin' tired of... well... bein' mercs. They wanna help the IMC, but not for money."
"Well, I welcome them. Anyway, I've got some good news, the Aurora Units have completed this set of Titan upgrades called 'Aegis Ranks'. Considering how well you've performed, I think NL-9831 would be raised to Aegis Rank 7, the maximum level. Why not come back to the IMC HQ and we'll get it all installed."
"Alright, sounds good. We'll head back there in a bit."
"We'll be waiting for you there."
11:47 AM
08/04/2284
Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Hangar bay 1
Michael was waiting patiently as a single Widow was lowered into the underground garage. The Widow had the insignia of the Apex Predators at the front and on the sides, and contained a Legion-class Titan.
"Welcome back, Blisk. Good to see ya. What do you need?" Asked a mechanic.
"I came here to get my partner upgraded. What can you do for NL-9831?"
The Legion-class Titan left the Widow and was loaded into the new Aegis Upgrade Station. "Let's see... November-Lima Nine-Eight-Three-One: Aegis Rank 7. Upgrades: Piercing Rounds, Chassis Upgrade, Executioner, Redirect, Shield Upgrade, Drill Shot, and Dreadnought."
"What do those do?"
"Piercing Rounds: Predator Cannon rounds pierce through enemies. Chassis Upgrade: NL-9831's hull strength is increased. Executioner: close range Power Shot bypasses Doom-state. Redirect: damage absorbed by the Gun Shield recharges your Titan's shield. Shield Upgrade: NL-9831's shield is increased. Drill Shot: long range Power Shot deals more damage each time it pierces an enemy. Dreadnought: NL-9831 is equipped with all five Legion kits."
From the Aegis Chamber came a voice. "Aegis upgrade process complete. Legion-class Titan November-Lima Nine-Eight-Three-One: Aegis Rank 7. The following upgrades have been installed: Piercing Rounds; Chassis Upgrade; Executioner; Redirect; Shield Upgrade; Drill Shot; Dreadnought. Maximum Aegis upgrade acquired."
The Aegis Upgrade Station reopened, allowing NL-9831 to exit, his formerly scratched up plating now smooth and perfectly reflecting light. "I've never seen NL's chassis shine this much. It's impressive."
"That's the Chassis Upgrade, a more advanced material designed by the Aurora Units themselves. 150% as strong as normal Titan hull plating. Now then, let's get DL-2671 in here." Michael's Vanguard-class Titan was released from the racks, allowing him to make his way to the Aegis Upgrade Station.
"Aegis Ranks are not available for Vanguard-class Titans."
"Crap."
"[My guess is that Vanguard-class Titans have no actual set loadout, much like the original three Titan models.]"
"Well, that makes sense. Changeable loadouts can't just have a static upgrade."
"Well, thanks for the upgrades. Let's go, NL."
"[Right behind you.]"
As Blisk and NL-2671 returned to the Widow, the Pilot noticed that the Legion was walking faster than usual. "Is it easier for you to walk or something? You're faster than normal."
"[The Dreadnought Aegis Upgrade grants all five Legion kits, one of them is Light-Weight Alloys, making my Predator Cannon more lightweight.]"
11:27 AM
08/04/2284
Music
Titanfall - OST 01
Other Titans were given the Aegis Upgrades, making the majority of them much more powerful than normal.
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Monarch-class Titan Yankee-Lima Nine-Zero-Seven-Five: Aegis Rank 7. The following upgrades have been installed: Energized Smoke; Chassis Upgrade; XO-16: Sniper Configuration; Energized Smoke Lvl 2; Shield Upgrade; XO-16: Critical Hit; Apex Titan. Maximum Aegis upgrade acquired."
"Alright!"
"[Apex Titan upgrade: Arc Rounds. My XO-16 now holds 50 rounds and is more effective against enemy defenses.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Scorch-class Titan Quebec-X-ray Nine-Two-Nine-Six: Aegis Rank 7. The following upgrades have been installed: Double Threat; Chassis Upgrade; Hot Streak; Roaring Flames; Shield Upgrade; Triple Threat; Explosive Barrels. Maximum Aegis upgrade acquired."
"This will help out quite a bit." Adam stated.
"[Correct. The T-203 Thermite Launcher can now hold 3 shells at once, all thermite damage has been enhanced, and Incendiary Traps explode when ignited.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Ion-class Titan Kilo-Lima Two-One-Four-Nine: Aegis Rank 6. The following upgrades have been installed: Split Shot Power; Chassis Upgrade; Energy Storage; Laser Shot Power; Shield Upgrade; Energy Regen."
"So close..."
"[We can get there. Just a little more.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Scorch-class Titan India-X-ray Eight-Three-Six-One: Aegis Rank 3. The following upgrades have been installed: Double Threat; Chassis Upgrade; Hot Streak."
"More Militia to burn, I guess..."
"[It'll be no problem. We're not alone.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Northstar-class Titan Juliet-Quebec Three-Two-Nine-Seven: Aegis Rank 7. The following upgrades have been installed: Explosive Traps; Chassis Upgrade; Plasma Railgun: Quick Charge; Trap Mastery; Shield Upgrade; Plasma Railgun: Critical Hit; Twin Cluster. Maximum Aegis upgrade acquired."
"The skies will belong to the IMC."
"[We'll keep it that way.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Legion-class Titan Lima-Zulu Nine-Three-Eight-Two: Aegis Rank 5. The following upgrades have been installed: Piercing Rounds; Chassis Upgrade; Executioner; Redirect; Shield Upgrade."
"Not as much as Blisk's Legion, huh? I guess I can deal with that."
"[It's no big deal.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Ronin-class Titan Kilo-Lima Two-One-Four-Nine: Aegis Rank 2. The following upgrades have been installed: Sword Mastery; Chassis Upgrade."
"Oh man... I thought we had more."
"[As did I.]"
"Aegis upgrade process complete. Tone-class Titan Kilo-Yankee Nine-Zero-Six-One: Aegis Rank 4. The following upgrades have been installed: 40mm: Splasher Rounds; Chassis Upgrade; Sonar Weak Points; 40mm Extended Ammo."
"Well, I guess we've got more to do to get the maximum Aegis Rank."
"[I would say that as well. How about I 'track' our progress?]"
"Oh, I see the pun. Heh heh, good one."
"Looks like everyone's all Aegis Ranked up now." Michael said.
"Hah, that was a good joke."
"Thanks, Anthony."
"Heh..." Adam chuckled at the joke. He may have become an AI, but at least he still retained his humanity.
"Those who aren't at Aegis Rank 7, we'll help you get there." Michael promised.
Well, just another short chapter.
Just a note, the Aegis Rank number in the story is different from the in-game Aegis Rank. Instead of keeping track of the actual stages of upgrades, the story's Aegis Rank number corresponds to how many Aegis upgrades were allowed to be installed. With that being said... FORTIS NEEDS TO CATCH UP WITH EVERYONE ELSE!
See you next time.