Chapter 1: [RE]Greetings

When stuck behind enemy lines, Pilots are given a simple set of rules: The SERE rules. The acronym stood for Survive, Evade, Resist, and Escape. While this ruleset applied to Pilots in danger of capture or execution, for Titans, it was their unspoken motto in every encounter. Survive each battle. Evade the opposition's armaments. Resist destruction. Escape the clutches of the enemy. Most Titans did not have the capacity to understand these skills, and when left alone are essentially giant targets.

Vanguard class Titans are not most Titans.

MISSION: Prevent Fold Weapon from activation. SUCCESS.

MISSION: Prevent Cooper from injury or death. Protect the Pilot. SUCCESS.

MISSION: UNKNOWN.

CAUTION: Forest area contains unknown dangers.

…

STATUS: Vital systems repaired. All sensory functions operational.

ACTION: Analyze surroundings. Scan for lifeforms. Find any Militia forces. IN-PROGRESS.

BT-7274 was walking around the endless forest line, observing the abyss of green around him. His hulking mechanical form made a constant noise after each step.

Khh-Thoom. Khh-Thoom. Khh-Thoom.

BT stopped walking after a little bit to observe the situation. He looked around, scanning for anymore lifeforms that may have entered his region.

"No lifeforms detected," BT spoke aloud, "Have yet to make contact with any forces. Continuing mission."

The Titan started his path again, making his way through the forest line. While passing the side of a massive cliff, he came to a sudden halt. An unknown set of lifeforms entered his vicinity. BT stopped to turn and face them. A large set of wolf-like creatures with stone growths had surrounded him. BT made an instant scan of them.

ANALYSIS: Pack of ten to twenty bipedal canids surround current location. DO NOT ENGAGE.

ACTION: Prevent movement. IN PROGRESS.

WARNING: Canids have taken aggressive stance.

ACTION: Counter aggression.

BT put a foot down back, and stood tall, raising his shoulder mounted weapons to intimidate the monsters. They initially flinched, but did not back down. The first one to leap at BT came out of the treeline, roaring with its claws and fangs out. BT quickly dispatched it by grabbing it by the neck and slamming it into the ground, but another pounced his back. As the Titan struggled to get it off, he dashed right into the side of the cliff, squishing it into a black mist. More charged at BT as he fired a Laser shot into another creature, vaporising it.

Although BT was putting in work destroying the monsters, he began to struggle as more of the wolves poured of the tree line.

"Warning: Excessive number of targets. Cannot take on without pilot support."

BT knew he could hold his own well against a few of these targets, but their agility and numbers proved he needed somebody to help. He thought a second too long as a few wolves tackled him to the floor. BT shook back and forth, trying to shake them off, but this resulted in them piling harder. His hull started to take damage, and BT was calculating any way out of this save for a nuclear ejection.

Then a three-burst shot rang out from the trees. It tagged the one over his optics and covered his vision in a fine black mist. The wolves turned, but some too slowly, as two more went down. BT scanned the area.

ANALYSIS: Unknown life form has entered vicinity. Identity unknown. Unknown individual has high level accuracy and utilizes a M1A3 Hemlok Rifle. Will continue observation and assist.

BT took punched one of the wolves by surprise, and the creatures were sandwiched between getting shot by a hidden target and squashed by a Titan. Noticing their numbers dwindling fast, the remaining beasts let out a roar and quickly escape the scene. BT turned to the forest line, trying to spot the figure. He let out an announcement.

"Unidentified Trooper, reveal yourself."

After a pregnant silence, a snarky voice pierced the trees.

"Come on BT, that's what you say to your old pal?"

Jack Cooper revealed himself in full, his appearance alone making BT step back. The two looked at each other for a while.

"Welcome back Pilot Cooper. I am 15% more elated at your sudden arrival."

Cooper facepalmed.

"That's the best you can do? No enthusiasm or anything?"

BT readjusted his vocal processors. He gave a thumbs up while he spoke again.

"Hello, Jack. I am glad to see that you are. Okay!"

Cooper smiled to himself and walked to the Titan. He slung his Hemlok back on his back, placing his right hand on BT's leg.

"Glad to see you again."

BT leaned forward, and Cooper climbed up to BT's back, finding a comfortable spot to stand. They looked around. After a few minutes of unproductive observation, BT asked Jack what happened.

"Cooper. What happened back at The Ark? I calculated the blast would kill all within its radius."

Jack sat solemnly. He didn't want to relive watching his buddy die.

"BT, after your… sacrifice, I landed onto a rock. Sarah and Barker were at the rendezvous, and I was about to make it onto the dropship. I think some debris hit me right back into the damn core."

BT blinked. Jack sat on BT's battery back.

"Look, BT, I really appreciate what you did back there. But I should've been there with you."

BT took on a more somber tone.

"Cooper. My analysis indicated a 1 in 400 chance that you could have escaped the resulting explosion. I could not lose another pilot."

"I guess we're both lost out here, buddy."

They waited, basking in the sun. The silence between the two was not awkward, however, as BT and Cooper were both very glad that the other had found a way to make it out alive. Fate seemed to always bring the two together, despite the odds.

It seemed fate had another tale in store, as a new voice simply entered the area.

"What are you doing in my school?"

BT and Cooper instantly looked and faced the voice. In front of them was a tall gentleman bearing a simple suit and cane. He had grey hair and small, rounded glasses, indicating not only his age but wisdom. He stood, saying nothing, expecting a response. Behind this new person was a blonde woman with a white top and black skirt, accented by the purple flames from a cape that followed. She help a riding crop, and was tapping her foot, looking annoyed at the apparent intrusion. She adjusted her own set of glasses as she sternly spoke.

"Who are you? Why are you here? Did James send you?"

Cooper looked down at BT, who responded first.

"Negative. Militia leader James MacAllan has been KIA since the Battle of Demeter. We are associated with Commander Briggs."

Now it was the two stranger's turn to look at each other. The man in green raised an eyebrow. Cooper decided to pry the looks.

"Are you guys associated with the IMC?"

"I am afraid we are not."

"Part of the Militia?"

The man shook his head.

"What do you know about the Frontier? Has the conflict not reached this planet yet?"

"I predict that the information both our parties seek is unknown to us. I do not know of this conflict you seem to be searching for, but I do hope your intentions are not to bring it here."

Cooper nodded.

"Sir, we don't want to bring our war here. We just got… lost," Cooper said, "But we do want to know where we are. In fact… BT? Can you get a scan of where we are?"

BT looked to the sky. His optics moved about and his motors whirred as he stood there. Cooper took this time to observe the two strangers. They seemed of the rational variety, wary of his presence but not assuming the worst.

But that can get you killed out in the Frontier.

BT looked back at Cooper and explained the situation.

"Pilot Cooper, I have done a scan. I am unable to identify this planet's coordinates relative to Harmony. This star system is unmapped. We are in a new part of the Frontier itself."

So we're space cowboys, huh?

A roar was heard a distance away, followed by a girlish scream. The blonde lady rolled her eyes, while the man in green suggested an idea.

"I believe we should find a safer spot to exchange our proverbial notes, no?"

BT and Cooper nodded and agreed, following the two new strangers into the forest. They found themselves walking up a path they never saw before. Cooper looked back, noticing that there wasn't a path behind them. Snapping his head to the front, he saw the blonde woman waving her wand about, taking rocks from the cliffside. BT noticed this also, and had a question.

"What is allowing you to perform telekinesis? I am receiving no readings of any energy output."

"Questions later. This is putting a strain on me, considering you weigh about a billion tons."

"Incorrect assumption. I weigh forty tons. However, it is interesting to note that we both use the same measurement system."

She huffed and continued to take them higher, BT remaining silent for the rest of the trip. Nobody said a word for the rest of the trip. The only sounds that were of note were the occasional gunshot and a rustle or roar in the trees.

Cooper gave a concerned look at the stranger, who nodded solemnly. As they reached the peak overlooking the valley, the man spoke in a more concerned tone.

"While our world may seem peaceful, there are many unknown forces at play. We must remain vigilant. That is why I train the next generation to prepare for the inevitable dangers that lie ahead."

A screech rang out from the forest. More gunfire and a… pink explosion?

"So you're training child soldiers?" Cooper asked, a tint of hostility in his voice.

The man sighed. He tapped his cane on the floor. He turned from Cooper to face the valley.

"It is not my intention to train children into a life of brutality. I aim to create warriors who will be ready to defend if the need arises. However, it is apparent we are in need for a stronger defense, as much as I hate to think about it."

The man pulled up what appeared to be a datapad, watching a live feed of what was happening out in the valley. Cooper couldn't see the pad very well, but he saw a few flashes of different colors. Not just standard orange for explosions, but differing shades of red, white, and… pink?

Just where the hell are we?

AN: This chapter is a bit rushed, sorry! Thank you guys so much for the support and follows, they mean a lot! I know this one's short, and the next will be a shorter interlude, but I hope to have more meaty chapters later on!