Mission 2: Grid 135 Cleanup
"Coral – a sublime substance," 621's computer reiterated. "Discovered on Rubicon, a planet on the frontier of developed space…"
"621, just a little longer for the authentication checks to finish. Sit tight," Handler Walter said.
621 yawned, resting her chin on her hand as she slumped over the right side of her cockpit's seat. Her helmet dangled loosely behind the shoulder area of the retrofitted chair, but the three plugs connecting to the back and sides of the base of her neck were still necessary. Pilots were registered alongside their AC, and older model units designed for early generation augmented humans used invasive biometric readers. Unlike a modern augmented human's AC, 621's didn't use things like a stored blood sample or fingerprint and retinal scans. Adding an additional AC to a pilot's name was much simpler, although uncommon, but the main issue here was ensuring that the original Raven's recorded biometrics were properly overwritten with 621's.
"For a time, Coral was a revolutionary energy resource and data conduit…," her computer continued.
621 lazily rubbed her eyes, disheveled black hair dragging along her forehead. Glancing about at her surroundings behind the video replaying her initial debriefing, she surveyed her new home. The heavy transport helicopter's hangar remained mostly quiet, three of the four mech bays sitting empty with the one diagonally opposite to her damaged, missing most of its docking restraints. If that was recent, then Handler Walter previously employed four hounds. If not, then he used three.
"… poised to transform human society by leaps and bounds," the computer continued. The video feed darkened before showing a bright red plume consuming a city, then a region, then a planet, and then a star system. "They called it the fires of Ibis. A storm of flame that tore through the stars, leaving lethal contamination in its wake. Coral, the kindling, was thought to have been utterly consumed, forever lost."
621 traced her hand down her face. Natural, rough skin just beneath her bags. The slightest trace of burn tissue where the patchwork originally existed, fading into the past every day. Grafted, silky smooth skin around her cheeks. The tiniest crack highlighting similarly grafted lips, the top always tasting ever so slightly different than the bottom. The sensitive feeling of recovered scar tissue just underneath the center of her mouth, marking the apex of the damage to her neck. Handler Walter's leash, wound tightly around her neck. She pulled on the small strap, tightening it to elicit a shuddering breath.
"However… on Rubicon, the embers continued to burn," the computer continued. "Humanity would inevitably return... to stoke the fire."
621 slowly exhaled, letting go of the leash. She languidly snuggled back into her chair, slowly tugging on her open pilot suit's collar. The lights in her cockpit dimmed, the video cutting out as a new visual filled the screen. Two lines descended from a single point before connecting into a triangle, with another set of lines rising from the final third to frame the letters 'A' and 'M' stacked atop each other. Blots of faded green squares appeared behind the logo as the word 'ALLMIND' appeared underneath.
"Registration Number Rb23,"a different, distinctly feminine computerized voice said, the words reverberating throughout the cockpit. "Callsign: Raven. Authentication complete."
621 saw her pilot data displayed on screen, including her current Arena Rank 'F', an empty Hunter Class, and the supposed emblem the previous pilot had registered, a white raven shape with black lines cutting through it and melting into the background. It was an interesting emblem, but she felt like it was missing something.
"Removing MIA status… Restoring Access privileges…" the feminine voice continued.
After a few moments, the ALLMIND logo replaced her details yet again, floating in space for a moment before seemingly leaning into the background and becoming a platform. A stream of green pixels rose upwards before rapidly forming into the hologram of a human's upper body.
A slender woman with soft facial features, symmetrical beauty marks under the eyes, and short dark hair that looked like a better maintained version of 621's appeared before her, dressed in a slim black suit that appeared to wear an obscured long coat around its arms. The only defining features on the suit were a gold lapel bearing the ALLMIND insignia on its collar that matched the two golden earrings she wore, a glowing green name tag that read 'ALLMIND', and some kind of earphone clipped opposite the insignia to look like a modernized headset, like what 621 had often seen Handler Walter wear. The most distinct features of the woman were impossibly deep green eyes that seemed to have uncanny depth to them, as if looking into them was trying to view the inner workings of circuitry far beyond 621's understanding as light seemed to flow and flash unnaturally behind them.
"This is ALLMIND, the mercenary support system," the woman said. She smiled. "Welcome back, Raven."
The logo for ALLMIND began reversing its own construction, the holographic woman fading away into green pixels. 621 sat up, eyes focused on the fading figure. She took note that the woman's eyes tracked her own, even if she shifted from side to side in her seat. She didn't know how that made her feel.
"Looks like you passed the authentication," Handler Walter said, getting her attention. "Raven. That's who you are now, here on Rubicon. I've picked up some work for you already. Take a look, 621."
"… work… good," 621 said. She was about to access her computer to view the requests forwarded to her before her cockpit darkened once more. Glancing upwards, she saw ALLMIND's hologram rapidly appear in front of her, this time holding a dark green data pad that also bore a golden ALLMIND insignia on its back. Unlike before, the hologram seemed to be doing something on the pad.
"This notification follows restoral of access privileges. ALLMIND provides a combat training simulator to support its mercenaries," ALLMIND said. The hologram's eyes shifted to meet 621's, a coy smile on its face as it flicked away at the data pad. "Your license was in a suspended state. Perhaps you may need a refresher."
"… nnnhh," 621 said, shaking her head. She had been training long before the descent to Rubicon. Handler Walter would call this a waste of time.
"As an added incentive, completion of the exercises will be rewarded with AC parts," ALLMIND added. The hologram let go of the data pad, allowing it to fade away into green pixels before seemingly leaning in. 621 blinked, unsure of how the screen managed it when all other footage she received was plainly distinct from her, until ALLMIND reached forward and cupped her chin.
A slight shock spread throughout her chin. 621 gasped, allowing the hologram to rub its thumb over her lower lip. A strange tingling trailed behind a far too realistic caress.
"You stand to benefit regardless," ALLMIND said, staring directly into 621's eyes.
621 closed her mouth. She didn't know if she would somehow taste ALLMIND. The woman disintegrated into pixels before she had the chance, her smile briefly shifting to a predatory smirk before the image vanished completely.
"How…?" 621 asked. She raised her hand to her chin, holding it, and then rubbed her bottom lip with her thumb.
It was different.
It wasn't as good.
How was it so good?
Did it taste better?
"621, your AC loaded a new training sim," Handler Walter said. 621 snapped to attention. "Is it necessary for your license?"
"… Not necessary… but said… give AC parts," 621 said.
"New parts? Might not be a bad idea," Handler Walter said. "Your call if you want to do them. But make it quick. These jobs aren't going to be available forever."
"… can wait… for parts?" 621 asked.
"Acceptable," Handler Walter said.
The comms cut, leaving 621 to her systems. She accessed her on-board computer and viewed the training simulations. There was only one listed at the time, given that her previous training data were removed to make her AC untraceable in the event it was lost or captured. Selecting the 'Basic Training' option, her cockpit's screens dimmed, showing a series of lines carving out a virtual space.
"Simulation: Basic Training – Loaded. Virtual Systems - Ready. Safety Lock - Engaged. Main System: Activating Combat Mode," her computer announced.
The virtual world around her came into existence, revealing her surroundings as a massive training facility with a slightly reflective black surface and thick stone walls, illuminated by an endless row of white lights lining the ceiling.
A simple prompt came-up on her HUD: Defeat the provided enemies with your right-hand weapon.
621 did as instructed without much thought, using her primary boosters to get in range and unload with her right-hand weapon, which seemed to be a machine gun rather than her usual assault rifle. She was reminded on how to reload, a motion that was already muscle memory at this point. Unmanned guard drones were already boring in reality; they were menial tasks in a simulation.
Proceeding through the path, she was prompted to use her missile launcher, which had been altered to a six-shot pincer cell missile that she wasn't used to. Regardless, missile launchers tended to fire like any other, even if their flight path or payload was different. More menial tasks finished.
Next came a few shielded enemies that she made short work of with a pulse blade. There was no satisfaction without real impact or reactions from her enemies, though the simulation certainly tried to make her feel something.
Finally, a refresher on how an AC's scanning functions worked. 621 admittedly didn't utilize this feature as much, preferring to rely on her own instincts, but made extensive use of the feature in the simulation to handle a few simply hidden enemies and thwart a basic ambush.
With that, the simulation ended. When her cockpit should have normalized, the ALLMIND logo instead appeared on screen.
"Registration Number Rb23, callsign: Raven. We have verified your completion of the training program. Your reward will arrive within the hour," ALLMIND said. "ALLMIND exists for all mercenaries."
621 tilted her head, wondering why the hologram didn't appear as ALLMIND's logo faded away. When the cockpit's lights returned, her comms came on.
"621, got a notice to expect an incoming delivery… apparently, ALLMIND uses orbital satellites to deliver items across Rubicon," Handler Walter said. "Seems like we won't need to wait before picking a job."
"… mmhh," 621 responded.Opening her AC's computer again, she browsed through the job lists. Deciding that an easier job was probably the right call while her AC still lacked a left shoulder part, she opted for the lower paying job titled 'Grid 135 Cleanup'. Opening it initiated the pre-recorded briefings.
"Got a job for you, 621," Handler Walter's recording said. "It's an open call from the Arquebus Group, one of the extraplanetary corporate forces."
The logo for Arquebus, a glowing and stylized white 'A', appeared on screen with Arquebus Corp written underneath in bold letters. One of their representatives began speaking shortly after.
"To all independent mercenaries – this request comes from Schneider of the Arquebus Group," the liaison continued. Schneider's logo, an orange square with some kind of line graph 621 didn't understand, appeared on screen alongside the Arquebus logo.
"The operation will take place in Grid 135, Southern Belius," the liaison continued. "Your objective is to destroy an MT Squad sent by Dafeng, a Balam company – and a competitor."
The logo for Balam Industries, a hexagon made of interlocking metal parts, appeared next to Dafeng's logo, a white tree against a yellow background with the title written in what 621 assumed was the company's native language above.
"Grid 135 is a key foothold in Arquebus's efforts to conduct a Coral survey in the contaminated city," the liaison continued. "You, the independent mercenaries, are the key to maintaining our lead in the Coral survey race. The Arquebus group looks forward to news of your success. Briefing over – and happy hunting."
621 giggled. She was always happy hunting. At the end of the briefing, she hit the accept button, notifying Handler Walter of her intent before finally disconnecting from her AC. She had been ordered to move around and acclimate to Rubicon's gravity to prepare for when she had to attend briefings in person, so as not to appear heavily damaged.
After walking around for a while, she saw Handler Walter's maintenance team open the hangar of the currently grounded transport, wheeling in a large case. She made a high-pitched whine of excitement, getting back into her AC to prepare for installation. Looking over the listed specs, 621 and the maintenance team swapped her RF-024 Turner out for the new MG-014 Ludlow, the very gun she used during the training.
With her AC prepared, the transport took off, heading back towards 621's original landing zone on Rubicon. As they approached the area, her AC was loaded onto the deployment bay and lifted up, signaling the imminent start of the operation.
"You've got ID. Now you need a rep," Handler Walter said. "Get their attention, 621."
Sitting up in her seat, 621 watched as her AC was slowly lifted towards the open hangar doors. She had a clear view of the catapult she used to reach the contaminated city, and could clearly tell that section of Grid 135 was just as abandoned as it had been when she first arrived.
"Launching," Handler Walter said. 621 felt the clasps on her AC release and activated the thrusters in response.
Piloting an AC in Standard Mode was much closer to using a high-powered construction mech. Weapon systems were completely disabled, greatly heightening flight efficiency by eliminating draw from up to four parts and funneling all of that to primary thrust systems. The downside to near infinite flight capability was decreased mobility due to increased vernier booster latency, a limit on overall booster output that drastically decreased acceleration, and slowed limb responsiveness. An excellent tool for extended travel, provided the AC wasn't under threat.
That extended boost range allowed 621 to slowly land her AC near the catapult she used previously, skidding to a halt along the metal runway. Her boosters quickly began venting excess heat, rapidly cooling as she prompted her computer to switch operating modes.
"Main System: Activating Combat Mode," her computer announced. Her AC stood up, the sound of metal clanking and shifting as the safety locks on her weaponry all deactivated briefly filling her ears.
"Commence mission," Handler Walter said. 621 boosted forward along the path, reaching the same set of doors she previously opened from within the grid and interfaced once more. "Wipe out the Dafeng MT squad."
The door opened, revealing a squad of helicopters directly in front of her. 621 wasted no time quick boosting forward and opening fire with her Ludlow, taking one out before they could react.
"Enemy attack!" one of the helicopters yelled. It received the next spray of bullets from the Ludlow in response, getting torn apart by shells made for enemies much larger than itself.
"It's one AC!" another yelled, swerving to the side as the other helicopters were quickly gunned down, 621 never letting up on the trigger. The pilot flew off to the side, hoping to join the actual MT squad as 621 began reloading.
"... heh," 621 said, activating her assault boost while her AC reloaded its weapon. She barrelled the weight of her AC straight into the retreating helicopter, a shrill shriek coming over her close-range comms as she got a front row seat to the small craft's metal deforming and warping upon impact, gored through the middle area by her Orbiter's protruding core before exploding harmlessly past her.
"Looks like the Arquebus Group hired some muscle," one of the MT pilots further back said. 621 got a notification that her AC was being scanned, directing her to the next targets. "An independent mercenary, huh… at least they didn't send the Vespers. Intercepting!"
Assault boosting into range, 621 opened fire with her Ludlow, quickly destroying a small accompaniment of guard MTs assisting Dafeng's squad. Landing, she performed a quick boost to get behind a container, taking cover against two bazooka shells aimed past her landing zone.
"They're just mass-produced MTs. Wipe them out, 621," Handler Walter said. 621 had to agree. If her enemies were skilled, they would have known to aim for the ground below her with those shots. They might have scratched her paint.
Boosting around her cover, she weaved forwards and utilized her multi-lock, firing her missiles at two shielded targets in front of her. The MTs predictably guarded against the attack, leaving them unable to fire on her as she boosted towards them, only needing to avoid a few missiles from one MT positioned above the platform she was on as she closed the distance. The first fell to two quick slashes from her pulse blade, one to destroy the shield and the other for the MT itself, before 621 did another quick boost to get around the second shielding MT and unload her Ludlow into its back, destroying it. Wasting no time, she boosted straight up, emptying the last of her Ludlow's second clip into the higher MT before it could fire off more missiles, downing it as well.
"Focus your fire!" the leader of another small helicopter squad yelled, the group flying in formation towards 621. They made easy multi-lock targets as 621 casually boost-strafed past their incoming attacks while reloading, the missiles harmlessly exploding too far behind her to deal damage as she fired her own. Four of her missiles struck four of her targets, eliminating the squad instantly.
Another volley of missiles came from an MT on the lower central platform, having gotten atop a container to get into firing range. A bold choice for such an easy target.
621 assault boosted towards them and immediately did a barrel roll, zipping past the incoming missile volley before cutting through the elevated MT with a swift swing of her pulse blade. She assault boosted away before the MT could even explode, approaching the second raised platform while ignoring the panicked machine gun fire of an MT still on the lower level.
"That merc's tearing through us!" the panicked MT pilot below yelled.
621 fired their Ludlow while assault boosting, tearing through another helicopter squad before firing their missiles at two other assistant guard mechs, two missiles each enough to put them out of commission as well.
"Damn it! Arquebus really scored this time!" one of the MT's on 621's level screamed.
The outcry got a high-pitched squeal of delight from 621.
That pilot understood as well as she did.
There was no hope for the Dafeng MT squad.
Quick boosting forward and letting minor machine gun fire scrape off her AC, 621 sliced twice with her pulse blade, taking down another shielded MT. The second backed away, a scream coming over the comms as 621 performed another quick boost off the platform, falling into the gap between the three levels to throw off her opponents. Maneuvering her AC in the air, she activated her boosters and pushed her generator to its limit, rising back up to the platform's level just as her pulse blade recharged, appearing to the side of the slowly turning MT. Wasting no time, she struck again, destroying that MT in the same vein as the first. Scanning for targets, she could only see a few MTs on the lower level backing away from her, prompting her to assault boost towards them.
"... 621, wait. I'm picking up nearby enemy signatures," Handler Walter informed her. 621 pulled up, canceling her charge and landing behind a container to avoid enemy fire. "Looks like reinforcements. Eliminate them."
621 popped out from behind the container, firing her Ludlow and quickly taking out the two MTs left on the lower platform. Scanning the area, she saw markers on her HUD indicating the enemies were approaching from her entry point and the same maintenance tunnel she crashed into before, giving her an idea.
"Handler… I ambush?" 621 asked, already moving towards the opening.
"... They'll investigate, that's certain," Handler Walter said. "I doubt you'll need the advantage here, but there's nothing wrong with getting some practice in. Go ahead."
621 panted excitedly, quickly assault boosting into the opening she recognized as the doors of Grid 135 began to open. Cutting her boosters, she allowed herself to fall inside the area and walk forward, minimizing the chance of detection by the MT squad.
Realizing the enemy would take some time to reach her, 621 walked towards the area she crash landed. She wondered if her pulse shield had landed somewhere near the area, and if recovering it was at all possible.
Jumping back into the dark metallic zone, the only lights in the area came from two damaged pipes jutting fire and minimal sunlight penetration. 621 boosted forward and activated her scanner, hoping it might help in the dim light, when it picked up an object falling down in front of her.
Static rang out through her systems, her camera feed flickering as a bit of Grid 135's plating crashed in front of her. A strange ball-like figure moved to the side, registering on her scanner as a mech. Beeping she didn't understand at all played in varying volumes through her comms, silenced only by Handler Walter's messages taking precedence.
"That mech… I can't see it!" Handler Walter said. 621 quick boosted backwards as the ball-like machine unfurled hands and feet, rising up with a single dim eye illuminated in the center.
Her instincts were screaming. Handler Walter only knew this mech existed because of her local area scan. She had almost boosted right under its descent without even realizing it. It moved unlike any other machine she had encountered before. Whatever this thing was, it wasn't part of her job. In all likelihood, this thing wasn't supposed to encounter her either.
But now that they met, only one could leave.
"Handle it, 621," Handler Walter said.
"Eliminating," 621 said, eyes narrowing. She opened fire with her Ludlow and missiles simultaneously, keeping her distance to gauge this enemy's capabilities. The ball-like machine jumped aside almost organically, evading some of her machine gun fire and two of her missiles. It rushed forwards, holding its arm out and extending an electrified whip lined with disc-shaped blades, before swiping at the area in front of it.
Deciding not to test whether or not the weapon had a deceptively long range, 621 boosted into the air as she emptied her Ludlow's clip, reloading as the initial attack passed underneath her. She quick boosted backwards to avoid the follow-up backswing from the whip, firing her missiles. The electrified whip glanced across her AC's legs, leaving a sear mark across them and causing an alarming amount of ACS strain with a single strike. The machine leapt to the side as its whip rapidly retracted, avoiding the missiles but otherwise heading straight for a collision with the wall.
Instead of falling, the machine latched onto the wall and leapt up yet again, its boosters thrusting it high into the air as it extended the electrical whip yet again, going for an overhead slam. 621 quick boosted diagonally towards it, tracking the path of its descent as she narrowly avoided the whip, sparks flying past her AC as it attempted to retract into the unknown craft's arm yet again. Activating her pulse blade, 621 struck before it could recover, landing two powerful hits that staggered the machine, indicating it must have some sort of internal ACS that, like other modern machines, could be overloaded.
With her blade spent and missiles reloading, 621 cut her thrusters and jammed her Ludlow right into the eye at the center of the ball-like craft's core, unloading the entire clip into the stunned machine. Its body shook and spasmed with each bullet, mimicking the reactions of a human being shot repeatedly. 621 might have found the scene amusing if not off-put by the complete and utter silence from the machine, the lack of emotion as it fell apart. It moved organically, but this was undoubtedly an unmanned craft. It felt less like watching a person be riddled with bullets and more like watching a puppet shake repeatedly.
As the Ludlow's clip emptied, 621 stepped back and watched the unknown craft crumple and explode. Her camera feed flickered, yet again accompanied by strange static and odd beeping, before her systems stabilized. Uneasy about the odd encounter, 621 activated her scanner again. Nothing other than the wreck in front of her and basic topography data came back.
"Confirmed. Unidentified machine down," Handler Walter said. "Get back to work, 621."
"... Yes, Handler," 621 said. She let out a long exhale, relaxing slightly as she reloaded her Ludlow. Fully armed once again, she boosted back towards the main area.
Peering out of the maintenance tunnel, 621 saw only four reinforcements, two flying drones and two shielded MTs. They were slowly approaching the area, unaware of her presence and clearly distracted by the MT wrecks she had left in her wake. Considering the enemy composition, she decided to clear half of them out before they could fight.
Assault boosting, she fired all of her missiles at one drone while rapidly closing in on one of the MTs. "Wha-?!" was all her target managed before she struck with a charged pulse blade strike, taking it out before it could raise its shield properly.
Skidding past her opponent, she unloaded her Ludlow on the second drone, destroying it as it barely managed to fire off a few missiles she easily avoided, before quickly boosting around the final MT and launching four missiles into its back, destroying it with ease.
"Commander Michigan… needs to know…" the final MT pilot said as their suit burned. 621 disagreed, using a charged pulse blade strike to tear through the upper half of the wrecked MT in case it tried to transmit data on her.
"The enemy MT squad has been eliminated," Handler Walter said. "That's it for this job, 621. Return to base."
"... Mmhh," 621 acknowledged. Leaving the area, she reached the catapult area and switched to Standard Mode, preparing to head for the pick-up point.
"Well done."
621 snapped her head towards the voice. She only saw the side of her cockpit.
Pausing for a moment, she sighed.
It had been a while since she heard things.
Nothing good came from hearing things.
621 shook her head. That unknown craft's strange noises had disturbed electrical systems. Her camera malfunctioned when it sent out a signal. Handler Walter's long-range reconnaissance drones couldn't detect it. There was no guarantee the interference didn't affect her cerebral coral control device. That could cause all kinds of strange things to happen to her brain. It caused her to be like this to begin with.
She wasn't really hearing things.