S1-163
Relocation

6:54 AM
04/21/3273

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Corridors

Music
Chibi-Robo: Plug Into Adventure - Night Play

As Michael was going through the IMC HQ to grab himself some breakfast, he stopped by where Glitch Frisk was staying. The Pilot opened the door, seeing the young boy still asleep in one of the beds, holding onto that one Dimension Key that could open the portal to his world, which would make sense since it's pretty much the only thing he has left of the world he's called home all his life. "Someday, Glitch Frisk... Someday, we'll make things right." Michael promised, quietly closing the door.

With that, Michael continued on his way to the cafeteria. No doubt there were Marvins and Frames keeping everything in check up there.

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Cafeteria

Due to the admittedly shallow population of the IMC HQ, Michael wasn't very surprised to see just Samus, Jenny, and Dane. He was about to question why Mark-18 was there too, but then remembered Cayde-6 treating his family to ramen noodles in the City a while back, and even the Hunter himself ate a bowl of it. Everyone really misses that Exo...

"Mornin'!" Mark-18 greeted.

"The IMC HQ can comfortably house about 3,549 occupants, and yet it's only ever occupied by 27 people at the most? Wow." Michael exclaimed.

"I know. We need to spread the news to the entire City... and to the Farm." Dane suggested.

"Yeah. The place is practically abandoned."

Just then, a certain Frame walked in. It was Alder 99-44. "I have a message from Spyglass. It concerns a certain... individual. Michael, come with me."

Michael followed the Frame back out of the cafeteria. "Samus, with me." She got up and followed, but the others didn't. "What's this about?"

"Spyglass wishes to open up the IMC HQ's civilian quarters for public use. However, the current sole occupant must be relocated."

Considering the Frame's words, Michael and Samus talked it over.

"He needs a place to stay. Do you think we can take care of him?" Michael asked.

"Well, we have that unused room at the end of the hall. Maybe we could make some renovations so we could take him in and care for him?"

"Not a bad idea." Michael and Samus turned back to Alder 99-40. "We've made our decision. Glitch Frisk will be staying with us." He proclaimed.

"Sending suggestion to Vice Admiral Spyglass." Michael and Samus waited patiently for the Frame to speak again for a while. "I have received a response. Your suggestion has been accepted and authorized. Spyglass has also notified me to tell you he said 'Hello.'.'"

"Tell him we said 'Hi.'." Samus smirked.

"Confirmed."

With that, Michael returned to the civilian quarters and opened the door. "Rise and shine, Glitch Frisk!"

The teen slowly woke up, looking to the Pilot. "What's... ~yawn~ What's going on?"

"Pack your bags. You've got a new home."

7:12 AM
04/21/3273

Planet Vez-2 - Suburban Cul-De-Sac
Aran-Johnson residence

Music
Chibi-Robo: Plug Into Adventure - Broad Daylight

Michael, Samus, Glitch Frisk, and Alder 99-40 had arrived at the suburban cul-de-sac. More specifically, the Aran-Johnson residence. Michael opened the door, stepping aside and motioning for Glitch Frisk to enter. "Make yourself at home."

Glitch Frisk stepped through the door, feeling oddly calm in this place.

"Hungry?" Samus asked, only to be answered by the boy's growling stomach. "I'll make some breakfast."

"Let me help, Samus." Michael and Samus headed into the kitchen, leaving their Ghosts, Alder 99-40, and Glitch Frisk in the living room.

"While you're waiting, why not do something to pass the time?" The Frame suggested.

"Like what?"

"{Well, Jenny couldn't get enough of this game she kept playing on this pre-Golden Age video game console.}" Rocco stated, drawing Glitch Frisk's interest.

"What game was it?"

Instead of verbally responding, Rocco hovered over to the organized collection of gaming systems next to the TV screen, gesturing to one of them with a piece of his shell. "{It's on the PS2. I think the game was called 'Rad', or something.}" Samus's Ghost said.

"{R.A.D? Robot Alchemic Drive?}"

"{Yeah, that's the one.}"

Alder 99-40 hooked the PlayStation 2 up to the TV, placed the game disc in the console's tray, then handed the controller to Glitch Frisk.

After the regular PlayStation 2 activation screen ended, two screens were briefly displayed, showing the companies responsible for developing the game. They were Enix and Sandlot, in that order. Once the game's cinematic opening had ended, Glitch Frisk heard the clattering of plates being put down on a table. He left the game on the title screen, then headed into the kitchen, watching as Michael and Samus made a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and hash browns, with a side of TruMoo milk.

After breakfast, Michael's PDA beeped. He took it out, then checked the notification. "Looks like the Spider just requested my presence. C'mon, Rocco!" With that, he headed back to the IMC HQ to arm up, pick up a Drop Ship, and head to the Tangled Shore.

7:41 AM
04/21/3273

The Tangled Shore
Spider's Safehouse

Music
Destiny 2 - Tangled Shore

Once Michael arrived at the Spider's bunker, the obese Eliksni in question greeted him. "Ahh. The Traveler's Legend arrives!"

"Cut to the chase. Why am I here?"

"You know me, friend. I'm a 'sensitive' soul. I take no pleasure in seeing members of my family in distress. Take, for example, my highly valued business associates, the Black Armory. Your 'assistance' might just be the pick-me-up they need."

"'Black Armory'? What?"

"Their name never graced your ears. I know. Allow me to pull the vast curtain of 'things-Guardians-don't-know' back an inch." The Spider then handed the Pilot a strange badge. "This right here is a token of the Black Armory's appreciation. Without it, they won't 'appreciate' the presence of someone with your... job description. Tread carefully, friend. You won't find hospitality as warm as the Spider's behind their doors."

8:03 AM
04/21/3273

Planet Earth - The last City
Annex

Music
none

On the way back to the City, Michael asked for Spyglass to accompany him. The Vice Admiral accepted and came with him, entering a new sector of the Tower.

After some exploring, Michael found a suspicious wall. "Spyglass, over here!" Once Spyglass reached Michael's position, the Pilot took out the Black Armory badge and held it up toward the wall, causing it to dissipate. "Let's take a look."

As Michael and Spyglass walked into the new chamber, their Ghosts appeared and aided in the examination. Various weapons appeared to be disassembled and put up on display, weapons they've never seen before.

Suddenly, a voice could be heard as Michael and Rocco examined what appeared to be an assault rifle. "Stunning, isn't it? That weapon... is beyond special, a witness to the slaughter of our founder, and my ally in vengeance against those responsible. Lightbearers. Just... like... you." A strange Exo in black and white approached them from the shadows. "You are not welcome here, Guardians!"

In response, Michael simply held up the badge that allowed him to enter. "I see."

Michael's helmet had finally acquired the ID.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Ada-1
Black Armory Curator

"Well then. What we offer here, Guardians, is privilege, normally afforded to those who do not already have their own. Today, however, it would seem our doors are open to you. Welcome... to the Black Armory." Once that was done, the Black Armory Exo spoke up again. "Our wares seduce you, Guardians."

"Call us Pilots." Michael interjected.

"...right. Pilots. However, none of these weapons can currently be sold. The Red War left us without a vital necessity, our Forge. In its absence, our operation has all but ceased. We have found no success in finding it, despite our best efforts. If you truly covet our wares, then understand: We would very much like our Forge back, and Pilots, if you would return empty-handed, you'd best not return at all."

Following this, Spyglass spoke up. "If you distrust Guardians, setting up shop in the City may not be the best idea. If you wish, we can relocate the Black Armory to the IMC HQ. Should we locate your Forges, we shall bring them to you."

"What makes your base of operations different?"

"Not all Pilots were Guardians. Most were civilians. We are still filling our ranks."

"If it means I won't be bothered by Guardians now that you know of the Black Armory's existence, then I accept."

"I have notified Marvin Tango-Three-Seven-Alpha to bring in an IMC Widow to pack up all Black Armory materials, weapons, and equipment for relocation." Spyglass reported.

In a matter of minutes, the sound of a ship landing was heard nearby. Michael, Spyglass, and Ada-1 looked to the new landing pad just outside, seeing one of the IMC's Widow ships ready to be loaded.

Eventually, the entire Black Armory was delicately packed into the Titan container of the Widow, each piece encased in bubble wrap to prevent any sort of damage.

While Michael and Spyglass left the City via the Drop Ship they arrived in, Ada-1 accompanied the Marvin driving the Widow. Nothing was left behind.

8:37 AM
04/21/3273

Planet Vez-2 - IMC HQ
Black Armory

Music
Titanfall - OST 02

The Black Armory had been successfully integrated with the IMC HQ, and Ada-1 was given a significant level of clearance to the IMC's computational databanks. "Your organization is out of the Vanguard's jurisdiction?" The Exo asked.

"They're known as the Council of Guardians now." Michael stated.

"I assume that has something to do with the recovery of your... Vanguard-class Titans."

"Precisely. Not only that, but the recovery of the Titans is what led to that one Guardian discipline being officially renamed to Golems."

"Fascinating. So... Guardians that become Pilots are no longer under Council jurisdiction?"

"The Council is the leading group of the City. We are our own group, and a vastly older and more experienced one at that."

"It is an honor to serve the IMC."

"That's just how I felt on the day I joined their ranks. I have yet to be disappointed, and that was centuries ago."

Michael departed from the new Black Armory in the IMC HQ, ready and waiting for further orders as some of the civilian population of the City on Earth was filling into the IMC's ranks, and no casualties were sustained thus far.

Just putting a few things in place, and bringing in the Black Armory. Ikora and Zavala need not know of the Black Armory, for it is now in a place their order does not reach.

See you next time, everyone.