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.

176. CH175

S1-175
Anthem of Creation

---

4:24 PM
07/03/3273

Yionus's moon, Zuter - IMC testing site Echo-918
Chamber 137

Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Briefing Room & Ambience Theme

It was time to test another new Dimension Key. This one sported a very... interesting image, but not much else could be determined, aside from the fact that there were no cracks on the golden rim outline or the nub in the middle of the Key.

"You ready for this, Cayde?" Michael asked.

"I'm not sure. Back when I had Sundance, I could just charge in, guns blazing. But without her..."

"I understand. You're afraid of dying for good without your Ghost."

Michael, Samus, Jenny, and Cayde-6 were in the World Gate chamber, accompanied by the Exo's new partner, IMC Tone-class Titan ACE-2172.

"Wasn't Ace a boy?" Samus wondered.

"Uh... Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Tone-class Titans have female AIs."

"Well, not this one. I asked Dr. Hammond about a... minor modification."

"[Cayde's right.]" The Tone had a custom male voice!

"OK, that's some interesting ingenuity there." Michael remarked.

The portal opened, allowing the small group to cross over.

Dimension 15 - UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN

Music
Anthem - Main Menu Theme (Legion of Dawn)

On the other side of the rift, they found themselves near what looked like a massive stronghold.

"Rocco, let's get the locator arch out here so we can find our way back."

"{You got it, Michael.}" The arch appeared, then integrated with the extradimensional rift's fixed location, locking it in place.

"[What is this place...? It's so... tranquil. I like it.]" ACE-2172 mused, putting away his 40mm Tracker Cannon.

"Hold it right there!" It was then that two armed guards in bizarre armor suits aimed their weapons at the exploration team, only to provoke a defensive response.
Since Cayde-6 was already wearing his armor, he simply pulled out his Volt. Michael and Jenny were given their armor and weapons by their Ghosts at a moment's notice, Samus summoned her Power Suit, aiming her arm cannon at the guards, and ACE-2172 pulled back out his 40mm Tracker Cannon. The whole team was combat-ready.
The two guards didn't show any sign of faltering at the sight of such weaponry. How very brave of them.

A few moments passed, and Cayde-6 decided to end the standstill, but not in his usual way. "I think we got off on the wrong foot here. Let's settle down and talk things over."

"That is very unlike you, Cayde." Jenny remarked, her SMR still at the ready.

"First time for everything. I figured I'd give it a try."

The guards lowered their weapons, followed by the exploration team doing the same. "You're probably right, 'Cayde'." The guard on the left stated.

"Thanks for understanding."

"Maybe we should explain things." Michael suggested.

"Good call, but not here. We should escort you into Fort Tarsis, where it's safe." One of the guards stated.

Michael turned around, seeing a massive fortress. "Reminds me of the City walls."

Unfortunately, ACE-2172 had to wait outside.

4:57 PM
07/03/3273

Dimension 15
Unnamed planet - Fort Tarsis

Music
Anthem - Peaceful Fort Tarsis

"I see. If what you say is true, then perhaps your organization may be essential in our conflict between the Dominion, the Scars, and the Outlaws."

"We would be honored, Tassyn." Samus saluted.

"At ease. With our income of resources through Freelancers heading out on expeditions, we are more than capable of maintaining their Javelins."

"The suits they use? The suits those two guards were wearing outside?"

"That's right, Cayde. If your IMC were to offer its services, we would be... inclined to grant you all personalized Javelins."

"The IMC stands to keep humanity safe, even those of a whole other dimension." Michael proclaimed.

"If so, then I see no reason not to grant you all this special permission." The nearby doors opened up, allowing Tassyn to lead the team inside.

Dimension 15
Unnamed planet - Fort Tarsis
Launch Bay

Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Gunship Theme

At the side of the Launch Bay, the exploration team spotted a large number of Javelin suits, with numerous suits being of the Ranger, Interceptor, Colossus, or Storm variant.

Michael approached a Ranger-class Javelin, watching as it was rotated by the docking platform so that its back faced him. The suit's backside opened up, allowing the IMC ace to climb inside, fitting his arms and legs in the appropriate sockets while sliding his head into the helmet. The faceplate closed down, bringing up a visual display.

As the locking clamps on the Javelin's feet disengaged, Michael got comfortable in the Javelin, feeling the suit seal up and pressurize around him. It reminded him of the Iron Pilot, but the Javelin felt more like rough leather than steel. Getting a good feel for the Javelin, Michael turned around, seeing his team and Tassyn.

"What do you think?" Tassyn asked.

"I'm sure I could use this on missions, and maybe some recon patrols."

"We could use some assistance on a patrol of our own. A group of Sentinels was sent in to investigate possible Shaper energy." Tassyn reported.

"We're on it."

5:09 PM
07/03/3273

Dimension 15
Unnamed planet - Northern Bastion
Academy Ruins

Music
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - Sanctuary Fortress Main Theme

Michael's team eventually reached the location of the Sentinel patrol, which was accompanied by ACE-2172. "[The terrain of this world is very, VERY unforgiving.]"

One of the Sentinels turned to the Titan. "We know, ACE. We know. Why do you think Javelins can fly?"

"[Lucky...]" ACE-2172 grumbled, turning away from the Sentinel, who lightly chuckled at the Titan's apparent jealousy.

"We're here. What's the situation?" Michael asked, reporting for duty.

"Under control. ACE?"

"[We took down a bunch of Scars, then brought some fragments back to the Shaper relic, which silenced it.]"

"Protocol 2?" Cayde-6 asked.

"[And protocol 3. These Shaper relics are able to affect reality itself, which means you could've been in danger, and with your Ghost long dead, your own end would've been permanent.]"

"OK, that's understandable."

"If the mission here is over and done with, maybe we should head back." Michael surmised.

"[Ugh... More excessive climbing...]"

---

Michael's Javelin

Class
Ranger

Weapons
Primary Weapon - Elemental Rage (Masterwork)
Backup Weapon - Fulcrum (Epic)

Assault Launcher
Seeking Missile (Epic)

Grenade
Seeker Grenades (Epic)

Components
Assault Rifle Ammo (Epic)
Armor Reinforcement (Epic)
Heat Sink (Epic)
Shield Reinforcement (Epic)
Ultimate Inscription (Epic)
EMPTY

Support Gear
Bulwark Point (Epic)

Helmet
Default Helmet

Torso
Default Torso

Arms
Default Arms

Legs
Default Legs

Vinyls
Decal: Ranger Default
Wear State: Clean

Animations
Victory Pose: Fancy Bow
Arrival Animation: Salute

Emotes
Clap
Wave
Look Back Thumbs Up

Paint
Primary Hard - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Hard - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Hard - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)
Primary Soft - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Soft - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Soft - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)

Samus's Javelin

Class
Interceptor

Weapons
Primary Weapon - Relentless (Epic)
Backup Weapon - Papa Pump (Masterwork)

Assault System
Cryo Glaive (Epic)

Strike System
Plasma Star (Rare)

Components
Light Machine Gun Ammo (Epic)
Shotgun Ammo (Epic)
Armor Reinforcement (Epic)
Heat Sink (Epic)
Shield Reinforcement (Epic)
Ultimate Inscription (Epic)

Support System
Target Beacon (Rare)

Helmet
Default Helmet

Torso
Default Torso

Arms
Default Arms

Legs
Default Legs

Vinyls
Decal: Interceptor Default
Wear State: Clean

Animations
Victory Pose: Fancy Bow
Arrival Animation: Stretch

Emotes
Clap
Wave
Look Back Thumbs Up

Paint
Primary Hard - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Hard - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Hard - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)
Primary Soft - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Soft - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Soft - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)

Cayde-6's Javelin

Class
Storm

Weapons
Primary Weapon - Scout (Epic)
Backup Weapon - Blastback (Epic)

Focus Seal
Shock Burst (Epic)

Blast Seal
Lightning Strike (Epic)

Components
Armor Reinforcement (Epic)
Marksman Rifle Ammo (Epic)
Heat Sink (Epic)
Shield Reinforcement (Epic)
Ultimate Inscription (Epic)
EMPTY

Support Seal
Quickening Field (Epic)

Helmet
Default Helmet

Torso
Default Torso

Arms
Default Arms

Legs
Default Legs

Vinyls
Decal: Storm Default
Wear State: Clean

Animations
Victory Pose: Fancy Bow
Arrival Animation: Genie in a Bottle

Emotes
Clap
Wave
Look Back Thumbs Up

Paint
Primary Hard - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Hard - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Hard - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)
Primary Soft - Metal: Rugged (Platinum)
Secondary Soft - Rubber: Hardened Plastic (Blue)
Tertiary Soft - Painted: Clean Metallic (White)

---

I don't think ACE likes the chaotic terrain in this dimension.

Welcome to the world of Anthem! Heh. Surprised?

See you all next time, guys.