S1-32
A second surprise encounter

9:17 AM
08/17/2284

Planet Vealia
'Backwater' bootlegging colony

Music
Titanfall - OST 01

"This is Michael W Johnson of Eagle-Eye 9-1. We have eyes and optics on the colony. Civilian presence is unconfirmed. DL-2671 is first on the ground and surveying the area."

"[Scan complete. No civilians in the area, but I am detecting Pilot signatures... and negative IDs. Proceed with caution. This faction is different from the Marauder Corps, so we don't know what they have up their sleeve.]"

"Hostile Titans detected." Spyglass reported.

Music
Titanfall - OST 46

"[Warning: I am engaging multiple Titans. I require immediate assistance.]"

"Don't worry, DL, we're coming!" Falco replied.

Multiple IMC Titans dropped, ready for actions. "[LET ME RIP YOU A NEW HATCH, TITAN!]"

VF-2968 [Termination] ACES Ronin
VF-2968 [Termination] ACES Pilot

"Incoming Titan Battery Pack for a friendly Vanguard-class Titan!" As Michael ran to his Vanguard-class Titan, Monroe caught up to him in no time before quickly handing him the glowing green cylinder and grappling his way over to his Tone-class Titan.

Michael jumped at DL-2671 as the Vanguard opened the cockpit, allowing the Rifleman Pilot to embark, install the Battery, and take the controls. "[Controls transferred to Pilot. Burst Core ready.]" One of the Acolyte Pods unfolded, holding a rocket launcher as Michael began to acquire locks on the enemies, firing a full salvo of twelve missiles.

As Michael fired a full payload of the Multi-Target Missile System, Anthony punched into the cockpit of a Ronin Prime, only to find that there was no Pilot. "What the...?" Deciding not to waste any time, Anthony proceeded to kick down the empty Titan.

Anthony [Termination] ACES Ronin Prime

"Got 'em."

"[Upgrade Core: stage 3. Superior Chassis. Final upgrade. Monarch systems at maximum power, Pilot.]"

"YEAH!"

"Final upgrade, huh? That'll be useful, Anthony." Michael stated.

Music
Titanfall - OST 44

All of a sudden, a communication channel was received. "Hey! What're you doin' here?! How did you find us?!"

Michael never saw the guy, but he knew the voice. "No way... Barker?"

"Yeah, that's me. This is Barker of the Angel City Elites, and YOU are trespassing!"

"We'll find you, you traitor! Your time is up!" From one of the buildings came a Northstar-class Titan, and a negative ID. It was Barker. "Out already, Barker?"

What sounded like drinking was heard over the comms. Barker brought some of his moonshine into the cockpit of a Titan... "Ahh... Nope, I've got some tricks up my slee-"

"[Burst Core activated.]" A new magazine was placed into the XO-16, unleashing a stream of electrical rounds on Barker's Titan.

"AAAAHHHH!" Barker's Northstar was taking severe damage, and he was too rusty at being a Pilot to fight back effectively. Plus, he was drunk, so he had absolutely horrendous and horrible aim.

"Wow... Worst aim I have ever seen. Jeeves is your opposite. You absolutely STINK at it, and Jeeves has perfect military precision." Michael said as he continued the onslaught of amped lead.

Barker's Northstar-class Titan was already doomed, and its Reactor was exposed.

Music
Titanfall - OST 55

Before Michael could head in to perform an execution, a Widow jumped in overhead and landed. "Blisk?" Michael wondered, seeing the Apex Predators logo on the Widow's wings.

"I heard you guys found Barker, so I wanted to join in."

"[Blisk still retains his desire to kill Barker himself.]" NL-9831 added.

"Well, today's your lucky day. Blisk, here's Barker. NL, you get his Titan." Michael punched into the Northstar's cockpit and pulled out Barker before tossing him over to the retired founder of the disbanded mercenary group.

"Hello, Barker."

"B-B-Blisk, what a s-surprise to see y-y-you here, i-isn't it?"

"Yeah. Goodbye, Barker. I'll see you in the afterlife... when it's my time." Blisk picked up Barker by the collar of his uniform before slitting his throat with his knife. With the Angel City Elites' founder's fate sealed, Blisk put the barrel of his B3 Wingman right in Barker's mouth, then pulled the trigger.

Blisk [Execution] Barker

NL-9831 took his chance to impale the now Pilotless Northstar on his Predator Cannon and completely obliterate its midsection.

NL-9831 [Termination] Barker's Northstar

Music
Titanfall - OST 04

With the last of the Angel City Elites dead, the IMC took the Backwater colony and began operations to clear it up for new civilians.

"That went surprisingly well. Good to see you again, Blisk."

"I've wanted to kill Barker for a long time. Thank you for giving me the chance, Michael."

"You're welcome."

CHAPTER COMPLETE!

I know it's short, but I just had this rummaging around my head. It's a bit strange in that way.

Barker said he had some tricks up his sleeve, but he didn't get a chance to use any.

See you next time, Pilots. Things are gonna really heat up in the next one.