Hound in another Time (AC6 & Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans)

by Riddle D2

During a job deep in the central ice field, 621 or Raven was tasked with reclaiming an old Institute base that Balam had seized. But was reclaimed by the PCA during their invasion of Rubicon, but deep inside the base. He will discover a new world, and a new life. Set free from his chains.

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to Armored Core 6 or Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans, all rights go to their reserved owners. This is a work of fiction, none of this is real in any sense.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The hum of the thrusters filled 621's ears as his armored core soared through the sky over the snow plains of Rubicon. His AC flying at its top speed blew past cliffs and debris that littered the land below, kicking up snow sending it flying into the air as he flew past. Intent on reaching his objective, it had been a few weeks to a month since he landed on Rubicon. And already so much had happened, he obtained his mercenary license and was called 'Raven'. A name he had heard little about before it became his, made friends with both corps. even the RLF, Rubicon Liberation Front, during his attack on the dam complex. Where he had backstabbed Balam and their Redguns, by taking out both G5 Iguazu, and G4 Volta. But it seemed that Iguazu was one to hold grudges, as he hadn't been able to shake the Redgun. But ever since the incident, he had been assigned to climb the wall that had been used by the Rubiconians as a trading outpost. And had met someone he had become fond of, someone who treated him as an actual human being.

And not some mutt, or a weapon. Rusty, he seemed to be a good ally. Or he was simply using him, he did not know. Nor would he hold any personal grudges if he did, on Rubicon you were either prey or predator and he wasn't going to be the prey. But everything changed when he attacked a Watchpoint. Per one of Walter's personal requests from a friend, he was to destroy the watchpoint, where he had encountered an AC piloted by Sulla. He hadn't known about the man, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. It was difficult, but no issue for 621 who killed the pilot and destroyed his AC. With no other complications 621 descended into the watchpoint and destroyed its core. Of which a Coral explosion had unknowingly occurred, he of course being caught inside. Miraculously he survived, but not unscathed and not alone, 621 had picked up an interesting ride along. He hadn't known what or who the voice was, but he hadn't the time to question it. For the PCA had deployed a weapon callsign 'BALTEUS' an autonomous craft they had sent to kill him. It almost had, but he was able to destroy the craft and get out alive. Which had given him time to ask the voice, Ayre, who she was. But he never got a real answer. But he had his suspicions. He was surprised though when Ayre had proven herself to be a valuable ally.

By helping him get into grid 086, where he would take out the RaD AC pilot 'Invincible Rummy'. But it seemed he wasn't so invincible after all, since it had taken 621 ten seconds to destroy both the pilot and AC. So with the obstacle now out of his way he continued his expedition into 086 of which he had met 'Cinder' Carla. The supposed leader of RaD. And 'Rummy's boss, she was a clever one. He had to admit, but not clever enough since he had spotted her 'fireworks' and had used them against her quote on quote 'toys'. After dealing with Carlas guards he delved deeper, and encountered the 'Smart Cleaner'. An autonomous craft which had caught him off guard when he entered its chamber. It was a difficult opponent, but not difficult enough that he couldn't destroy it. Once destroyed, Carla had called off her forces, a smart move on her part. What happened next was unexpected, she had asked him for help. Of which he obliged, but not without terms. She had to help him across the Alean sea, she of course agreed. So he did her job, destroyed the Hyenas that threatened her territory and her data. After he took care of the small hindrance in his path he continued onward, Carla now having upheld her end of the bargain told 621 and Ayre of her plan. They would use an old cargo launcher to send the two across the Alean ocean. At first it seemed like a dangerous idea, but luckily for her danger seemed to follow 621 wherever he went.

So he agreed, and after passing through the PCA satellite field on top of 086. But even with the smooth sailing, 621 had encountered an unknown weapon. An institute relic, a C-Spider. His enemy was fast, but he was faster, he had destroyed the relic but at the cost of a revelation. The relic had used coral as fuel, which wasn't unheard of. But rare, pushing past that 621 and Ayre finally had their way across. So once loaded into a cargo container, and then experiencing the g-force from the cargo launcher sending him flying across the Alean ocean. He had passed out, and awoke to another vision of the Coral moving across the skies of the ocean. He was confused as to why he was having these, but that all stopped when he had landed across the sea. In the Central Ice Fields, of which he would encounter a new enemy. The PCA, it seemed they had gotten tired of the corporations and the RLF's war. And their constant disregard of PCA law, so they decided to take matters into their own hands with their suppression fleet arriving planet side spelled that the war would come to an end, and their search for coral would be halted. That could not happen, before the corps would have been pushed off the planet and the RLF squashed. But what they hadn't expected was for a pilot such as 621 to take the side of the corporations. Of course he hadn't cared about the corps, but it seemed some weren't heartless monsters, and the money paid well.

So now, here he is on route to another mission. Given to him by Arequebus, his mission. Was to destroy the PCA occupation of an old Rubiconian Institute facility which Arquebus had seized after their landfall on Rubicon-3. Of course it contained technology he had never seen, but that would not stop him.

Approaching his objective the thrusters on the front of his AC would fire, a blue flame slowing the AC as it hit the ground with a loud thud. It's metal feet digging into the snow, 621 let out a breath once he had landed. The familiar hum of the generator filling his ears as his helmet clicked. Locking in place as it sealed around his head, he knew armor and suits wouldn't do much. He experienced that first hand when his core had taken a heavy hit during the raid seven months ago. Where he had lost his four friends, and his remaining humanity. His gaze fell onto his right arm where he watched hand shake. A side effect of his injuries, balling his hand into a fist he calmed his nerves before closing his hand around the right control stick. His fingers tightening around the controls before his helmet displayed the similar green hud he had become accustomed to.

[C] *Main System: Activating Combat Mode"

The computer said, tightening his grip on the controls he pressed down on the pedal. The thrusters boosting him forward down the cliff, as he fell he watched as the ice around him passed by before he heard a voice.

"Alright 621, you're close to the site. Continue your descent."

The deep voice of his Handler reached his ears, he gave off a small grunt as affirmation. Walter went silent afterwards, as the ice then disappeared from his view. It was then replaced with an illuminated fortress below the ice. Surrounded by both ice, and PCA forces.

"Raven, I'm detecting multiple LCs below along with subject guard MTs. It seems that our intel was wrong about their forces."

621 hummed at Ayres' explanation, it didn't surprise him that Arquebus lied. It also wouldn't surprise him if Snail had given him the intel. He didn't know why he had such an unbridled hatred for him, nor did he really care. Pushing down on the pedal his thrusters hummed once more as the same blue flame shot down slowing his descent. Just as he was about to hit the ground, once he was assured the AC would be destroyed by the impact he cut the thrusters and the AC fell. It's metal feet hitting the ground, and cracking the ice beneath. But it had also caught the attention of the guards, as their MTs and LCs turned to him.

" Intruder sighted! Single AC! "

He heard one of the pilots yell over the comms, shifting his controls his AC activated its thrusters pushing him left. Fire immediately fell onto 621, one of which he returned. His gatling gun whirring to life before it began spitting out rounds, subject guards were never a challenge to 621. But the Enforcement Squads were another story, especially as he watched one LC boost over an exploding MT high into the air. It's plasma rifle already charged, his eyes widening, he shifted pedals and pulled back on the left stick. The rifle firing, but just not in the right place. As the AC had turned it's left side out of the way. The plasma striking the ice behind him. Retaliating, he pressed down on the right trigger, the laser cannon on his right shoulder shifting into its firing position before letting off a blue blast of energy. Of which punched straight through the LCs cockpit killing the pilot and destroying the LC. With one down he returned to his fight with the subject guard, cutting through the PCA MTs with relative ease. Firing his Zimmerman he watched as the pellets impacted an MT. Causing the pilot to eject, with one more down he turned to face his next opponent. Another LC, but this one looked different.

"Code 23; attending scene! You picked the wrong day to mess with the PCA!"

The LC pilot growled, its body and external cameras glowing purple. A gasp coming from Ayre, as she sensed a presence.

"Raven, that LC…"

621 grunted, pulling back on the sticks. This seemed different, he hadn't seen an LC like this before. And that purple glow didn't seem right, but right now was the time to ask questions. As he already engaged the target, his gatling cannon opening fire. But they wouldn't land as something unexpected had happened. The LC disappeared and reappeared right behind 621. His eyes widened as everything went into slow motion, the LC raised it's left arm of which brandished a kinetic melee weapon.

"Raven!"

Ayre cried out, 621 had heard her cry but was already ahead of her. Dodging out of the way he watched as the weapon struck the ground shattering the ice and making a small crater where he just was. The LC turned it's head, a chuckle coming from the pilot as it ripped the weapon from the ice.

"You got no chance… Raven."

He begged to differ, raising his ACs left arm he switched his gatling cannon out for his plasma blade. Igniting the blade the green plasma shot forward, everything came to a standstill. Both forces observed each other, before the ice cracked and both closed in on each other. Clashing blades, 621 was surprised that the kinetic melee weapon wasn't just sliced in half. 'How was that possible?', he pondered before drawing his weapon back dodging another strike. This LC, he had to take it out no matter what. Pulling back on the right stick and shifting pedals his AC began to move again. Both engaged in a heated battle. The LC meeting 621's AC with each strike, he didn't understand. How was it keeping up with him, predicting his attacks.

"Raven, you can do this! Keep wearing him down!"

Ayre, she was doing her best to encourage the pilot. But in all honesty, he was also being worn down. His AC had taken a few hits, none that really damaged his AC. But the G force he was experiencing, he was surprised he hadn't passed out. Pushing left he clashed once again with the LC, which he had landed a few hits on as well. The LC was being worn down as well, as he had taken off and destroyed a few of its weapons as well. All except the kinetic weapon it was using.

"I don't know how you're keeping up… But it won't last, Raven!"

The pilot growled, both heads of AC and LC leaned into each other. 621's facemask hummed with a red color. The LC's purple cameras humming as well, as if challenging the AC to continue their battle. Pushing the throttle up, the thrusters on the back of 621's AC began to hum before shooting out the same blue flame. His plasma blade deactivated, and the blade slammed into his AC's left shoulder digging deep into metal. Dropping his Zimmerman 621 pulled his AC's arms up and grabbed onto the LC's shoulders. It's metal digits digging into the metal holding onto him, soon momentum began to build and the AC began to push the LC back.

"What the hell are you doing?"

The enemy pilot squawked as he noticed his LC's feet were digging into the ice as he was being pushed back. 621 was going to crush the LC against the wall, his teeth grinded against each other as he pushed the throttle to the max. The blue flames intensified in both speed and size. The LC pilot's eyes widened as he realized what 621 was going to do, he tried to break 621's hold on him slamming on his pedals as the LC's thrusters activated struggling to fight against 621's. But it was a losing battle, slamming the LC into the wall the impact dazed the pilot inside. 621 using this opening ripped his AC's hands from the LC's shoulders before ripping the weapon that was embedded into the AC's shoulder taking it into his hands. Before bringing it high into the air above, the LC pilot screaming as 621 brought it down cutting through the top of the LC down into the cockpit crushing the pilot inside and destroying the LC. 621 let out labored breaths as he finally took a much needed breather.

"Enemy LC… Silent… Hm. Strange, it wasn't using Coral as a fuel, so how could it have been…"

Before she could ask she was then interrupted by Walter chiming in on the comms.

"621, good job on that LC. Get back on mission."

621 listened to Walter understanding his orders and he did a damage check. Minimal damage to his systems, but the hull was compromised due to that weapon… A matter he would leave to the nanobots, of which he activated to seal the damage. Once sealed he looked to the LC with its own weapon embedded in both it and the wall. He did wonder how it was so fast, but he didn't have the time to investigate. He had a job to do, stepping away from the LC he retreated to his Zimmermans location picking up the shotgun and reconnecting it back to his HUD. Once he had reclaimed his weapon he turned to the fortress entrance he boosted towards it. With the door already open he blasted through the inner tunnels, silence claimed the cockpit of his AC. Ayre had fallen silent as he assumed she was trying to figure out what that LC was using to go so fast. And Walter had spoken since 621 entered the tunnel, maybe the fortress walls were blocking communications. He didn't know, turning a corner he raised his Zimmerman to a single PCA MT, firing he blew apart the cockpit killing the pilot inside. He didn't have the time to deal with distractions, he had to exterminate the PCA on site and reclaim the facility.

But after his duel with the LC, he had begun to wonder. What the Institute had hidden down here, and what the PCA had used on that LC. Turning another corner we PCA MT launched towards him energy blade primed, 621 pulled back on the right stick the AC maneuvering to the right spinning on its feet to dodge the MT. Once the MT flew past 621 pulled his Zimmerman up, the loud gunshot echoing through the facility as the back of the MT was shredded by the shotguns pellets. With one more MT dealt with he turned the AC on it's feet, the boosters on the back shooting him forward down the hall. Finally approaching his objective, but the lack of PCA confused him. He was sure there were more down here, hiding. But his scans hadn't revealed anything, it was peculiar. Stopping his thrusters, 621's AC slid to a stop in front of a large steel door bigger than his AC. Tearing his gaze away from his screens he flipped a switch on his console. Then on the left display a bar appeared, then slowly began to fill.

"Raven… I'm sensing something beyond that door. Something… dark."

Ayre's expressed worries didn't help his growing suspicion of something else down here. But neither did his determination, once the progress bar filled a chime filled his ears as the door shivered. A loud hiss echoing through the hall, before the door slowly began to open to a large room. With a large ring in the middle of the room, and what looked to be generators that surrounded the structure. Along with what was left of Balams guards, bodies both human and MTs laid strung about the inside of the room. 621 slowly walked his AC inside the room, his cameras scanning the room as his AC's head turned left and right slowly, the battle mask covering his optics shifting and turning over the top of the head piece before securing itself to the back of the head. The cameras shifted and turned, zooming in on the obvious battle that had transpired here not too long ago by what he could see. The bodies looked relatively fresh, all things considered. But just before he could continue his survey, an ear piercing ringing entered the room. Before a voice replaced the ringing.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Raven the independent mercenary! Was wondering if you were coming or not."

A male voice spoke over the P.A., 621 turned his AC's head trying to find where the voice was coming from.

"That voice, I can't decipher who it is."

Ayre spoke softly, 621 obliged to just continue his walk around the optics zoomed in on possible locations, but every time there would be an 'X' ' to appear in its place.

"That's a lie actually, I knew you were coming! Since you are Balams favorite mercenary… Anyway, don't try and pinpoint my location. I assure you, I am as far from you as I need to be. Especially with your track record with 618 through 620."

621's eyes widened slightly, the hold on his controls tightening, an unexpected reaction coming from the augmented human. Twisting his hands along the controls the sound of the fabric along his hands stretching filling the cockpit, his face twitched once then twice. A small hum came from Ayre as she tried to figure out what the voice was speaking about.

"I also see there is no reason to introduce myself, considering you'll be dead soon. So, at least make your last moments memorable! Get that augmented heart pumping!"

Suddenly a door in front of him shuttered, a hiss and smoke coming from the door as it slowly slid open. The light from above bleeding into the small room, the sound of metal hitting the floor filled his ears as a large figure slowly exited the room. Its metallic features are illuminated by the lights. 621 watched on in slight awe as the figure exited the room, its reverse joint legs walking it further and further into the light.

"W-What is that thing?"

Ayre stuttered in horror as the metallic beast slowly walked further and further until it was clear of the room. Its body settled before steams of air shot out of multiple parts along its body. Before long the voice returned over the P.A., a dark chuckle coming from the overhead speaker.

"Well Raven, you've found yourself in quite the predicament. Heh, meet one of the Institute's toys left over after the Fires of Ibis! IB-03, Leviathan!"

621's AC took a step backwards, the Institute machine shifted before standing further up it's body nearly reaching the roof of the room. Its metal body towered over 621's tan AC, but he did not waver his gaze focusing on the beast before he tightened his grip on the controls.

"Well I can see you're ready as ever to fight this monster! Well don't let me keep you, go on… Fight to your hearts content Raven!"

As soon as the final word was said, the relic's head shifted, plates started to retract before what looked like a purple eye opened and it was staring down at 621. It reared it's head back and let out a bellowing screech which shook the room. 621 gritted his teeth in response, his AC letting out steam before it's cameras glowed a crimson ready, the battle mask unlocking and forming around his AC's head. The mask locking in before the red lights activated. The glow intensifying before settling, the relics head turned back down to 621.

"Alright Raven… Let's do this."

His hud glowed green once more, immediately he activated his boosters, the relic screeching lunged towards 621 who pressed down on the pedals, his boosters carrying him out of the way. The AC's feet screeched as it slid along the floor, the relic slammed into the ground where 621 once was it's feet shifting turning it to face 621. Grunting he switched triggers, his left arm switching from his melee to his gatling cannon, sparks flew as both weapons traded places. Squinting his eyes he pressed down on the trigger the mechanical whir of the cannon entering his ears before firing. A stream of rounds struck the outside hull of the relic, its hull blocked or ricocheted the rounds as they did nothing to its armor. Turning its body to 621's AC a purple ball of energy began to form in the inside of his jaw. Ayre shouted a call to her partner, 621 responding in kind shifting his AC out of the way just as the relic fired a small cry from the relic signifying its incoming blast. A purple blast of plasma shot out of its jaw towards his previous position, striking the ground it cut through the metal as if it was nothing. Pulling its head up into the air, the beam of energy cut through the ceiling like a hot knife through butter. Using its locked state 621 shot forward his boosters pushing him right as he raised his gatling cannon and opened fire once more. The rounds striking its armor but with its locked state, he was able to hit its more vital areas along its side. But it wasn't having his desired effect, opting for a more close quarters encounter he switched out his gatling cannon for his plasma blade once more. Pushing forward his AC shot towards the relic, having now finished its attack.

The relic shifted its attention back to 621, staring down the approaching AC it screeched before attacking, A long whip like tail shot out from it's back towards 621, knowing he wouldn't be able to dodge an attack with such little time he twisted his AC's frame to take the hit in a non-critical area. As the attack came it struck the elbow of his AC's right arm severing the forearm from the rest of the body.

"Tch.."

He breathed watching as the piece of his AC fell off, he didn't need it. Without the extra weight he was faster. Gliding along the floor he used his lighter AC to get along it's legs activating the plasma blade he shot forward and struck the armor. Which did little to no effect on it, his eyes widening slightly he quickly retreated his AC spinning on one heel before coming to a halt at the corner of a generator.

"How did it deflect the plasma, I've never seen anything like it!"

Ayre cried out, 621 didn't have an answer nor' did he have the time to make one. He had to think, a screech hit his ears quickly dodging right, the relics tail struck the ground next to the generator clipping off some of the exterior before 621 came to a halt far from his previous position. If it wouldn't absorb plasma he was sure his laser cannon wouldn't do anything. He needed more speed, shedding both gatling and laser cannons he felt his AC become much lighter. He wouldn't lose to this piece of the past, pushing his sticks forward the back boosters on his AC hummed before both shot out a blue flame his speed adding up as he launched forward, he wouldn't lose, he'd push his limits, and 'RAVENS'. 621's AC glided along the ground, sparks shooting up from the impact as he maneuvered behind his enemy. He was focused solely on winning this battle, launching forward he quickly shot upwards into the air dodging a low swipe from the whip. His boosters shot him down onto it's back, like an animal Leviathan tried to shake off the enemy AC. But 621 wouldn't give in that easily, digging his AC's fingers deep into it's armor he locked his feet into place before digging further in pulling back on the control sticks he listened as the metal plating was slowly ripped off the relic. Once the panel was gone he looked down at the vast amount of circuitry inside, his eyes landing on the relics coral generator. With his target set he reared his AC's fist back before slamming it deep into the circuitry towards the coral generator the impact of his AC's fist shattering the device. Losing his grip 621's AC fell back onto the ground, already on the move. Blue flames firing out of every part along the left side of his AC before stopping with a spin.. The relic stopped for a second before requiring it's target, its purple eye focused on 621.

"Its not stopping, Raven this thing won't stop until we're dead! You have to win this, I know you can!"

621 was panting as he listened to Ayres motivational message to him, she was right. He wouldn't stop, he had a job to do. Looking behind him, he saw the generator connected to the ring straight behind him. He knew what he had to do. Taking in a deep breath he shut his eyes and grabbed onto the controls, the sounds outside were drowned out by the surrounding silence. He felt the vibrations of the relic lunging at him.

"HOUND, give me more. I want more of your strength…"

He opened his eyes, a red glow appearing in the middle of his pupil. All of a sudden it was like someone had taken off the leash that bound him. The red glow of 621's AC intensified and the back of it's torso opened. The generator glowing red hot began to cool, the color disappearing before closing back up, shifting gears 621's AC was once again on the move. This time it's speed increased now, he was like a blur. It wasn't like a NEXT but it would do, zooming around the arena he dodged the strikes sent at him by the relic. It's eye was having trouble tracking him as he blasted his way around the arena, 621 boosted out of sight sliding along the ground till he passed an MT. Quickly scooping it's assault rifle in his ACs right hand he took aim and let off a burst. He had to get that machine to hit the generator. If he was right, it could disable it's systems, or destroy it. Moving again 621's AC dodged another strike from the relic, he couldn't tell but he was certain it was getting frustrated with it's constant misses. Boosting forward 'RAVEN' flew out of the way of another plasma strike.

The Relic screeched once more and chased 621's AC. It was adamant on killing him. . . good at least both held something in common. Turning around a corner, 621 stopped his AC right in front of the generator, just as Leviathan came barreling around the corner right into the wall. It seemed that his destruction of the generator had damaged some systems, and it wasn't as fast as earlier on tracking him. Once it locked it's sights onto 621 it was back on the move using its booster rockets to gain some ground on the tan AC. Venting his generator 621 kept his grip on the controls tight, watching the relic with one eye he glanced to his meter watching as it lowered more and more. Just a few more seconds, screeching at 621 it lowered its head and moved to ram him.

"Raven move!"

Ayre's cry sparked him to move, shifting pedals the thrusters on the right side of his AC shot out and sent him flying to the left just as Leviathan rushed past him right into the generator. Its impact shattered the casing and embedded it deep inside a loud explosion rocked the room as thousands of volts shot into the relic. Stopping himself at least 10 yards away from the relic 621 watched on as multiple explosions occurred across the relics exterior. Its generators were overloading, the red color of the explosions illuminated the tan color of his damaged AC. Watching as the relic then fell silent it's metallic body going limp made his heart slow. He won, but just in case he raised the assault rifle in his AC's right arm and fired a few rounds to see if it would react. After a few seconds had passed he let out a breath of air as his left eye began to trickle blood. There it was, the pain, he had over exerted himself in the fight and now he was paying the price. Coughing out a bit of blood he shook his head as his vision had become blurry, gulping he tasted the iron in his mouth. It was a taste he had become accustomed to ever since his incident. As the dusk settled 621 didn't notice as a flick of blue light emanated from the middle of the ring. He hadn't noticed, not until the room shook once more.

"Raven somethings happening! Look at the ring!"

Upon Ayre's reaction he turned his head to the ring in the middle of the room. It was activating and it didn't look stable. An essence shifting between blue and red began forming in the center of the ring, growing in size before exploding into a large red wormhole. 621 couldn't believe it, whatever that thing was it was creating a wormhole. A gasp came from Ayre before she fell silent, he didn't know what happened but it wasn't anything good. Moving to turn his AC he discovered he couldn't, the AC had locked up. Red warning signs appeared on the screens, his eyes ran over all of them before falling back to his console.

"Dammit!. . ."

He cursed, reaching forward he began to tinker with his console. But the longer he did the larger the wormhole was growing and soon it had become too large. that it was beginning to suck things in. 621 heard a screeching, raising his head from the console he watched as the relics body was torn from the generator and raised slowly into the air before being sucked inside the portal. And by the looks of it, he looked to be next. He quickly hurried in trying to remedy the problem, to try and get his AC moving. But he let out a small yelp as his AC shifted. He was being pulled in, eyes widening he desperately tried to activate his AC as quick as he could. But it was proving to be useless as the wrecks of MTs, LCs, and Subject Guard, like himself, were all being pulled into the wormhole. This was it, staring at the wormhole with wide eyes he grunted as he felt his AC be torn from the ground as it was pulled right towards the portal. And it's red color was all he saw before he blacked out.

Outside, back on the surface the ice began to crack and the ground began to break before it began to cave in on itself ice and rock all falling into the crust as the institute fortress crumbled. Sealing the fate of whoever was left inside, forever. . .