Armored Core: Echoes of Memories
Chapter 5. Signs of oppression, a choice must be made
The next day, Raven is seen training on his own so he may be ready for any missions that would come up however he hears rumors from the other mercenaries as many of them including his comrades are noticing corporations are gaining more power in layered a lot more then usual, but that's not the only thing that is happening but many problems are happening around layers which the union is trying to tell everyone about but like always everyone doesn't pay attention to them.
Raven: now lets see what mission is available right now, hmm… looks like KISARAGI wants someone to attack one of MIRAGE's base stations and the price is good as well.
Raven takes the mission and goes to get ready for the mission he is about take on, meanwhile at a different location Kakashi is seen on his mission from one of the corporations but in truth he is actually looking into how the corporations get so much power in such a short time as he searches he noticed something very important and it isn't good.
Kakashi: hmmm… looks like Big Boss was on the mark and it looks like they are about to do something big.
Kakashi continue his search until he uncover something of great importance.
Kakashi: … this is not good.
(Ace Combat Zero – B7R)
(Scene change)
In an area owned by MIRAGE which is one of the most powerful corporations, Raven's AC is seen checking around the area looking for the enemies that are there.
Raven: there here… I can feel it.
Then the enemy forces attacked from their hiding spots, there forces were from CREST as they wanted to take over and obtain whatever technology that MIRAGE has, unfortunately for them Raven was there.
CREST Soldier: oh no… it's a Raven!
CREST Soldier 2: stay focus men we can take him!
Raven: well, well it's time to get to work.
Raven then began taking out many of CREST's forces one after another even if they are trying there hardest to take him down it was useless as many of them are taken down by Raven, once all of them were wiped out Raven was then contacted by KISARAGI to wipe out some terrorists that is trying mess with their territory, Raven then heads to the destination to take another mission.
A few hours passed and he arrived at the place that is owned by KISARAGI and the enemy forces this time are the union group, Raven didn't hesitant when he starts taking down many of their forces, but he soon noticed another A.C in the area it was one he has never seen before and it soon started attacking him.
Raven: did union or KISARAGI hire a Raven for this job?
Pilot: …
Raven: your in my way, so I'll be taking you down.
The two AC's soon started fighting against each other, Raven started to notice something off with his opponent the way he is fighting along with how he reacts, something tells him he isn't fighting a human being but an A.I.
Raven: so it's an A.I, a very dangerous one at that.
The two continue there battle as the A.I A.C fire all of it's weapons in order to destroy its target but Raven was able to dodge the assault from the A.I then he counter attack against the A.I using his missiles and weapons to damage the A.I A.C even more then he goes for the killing blow destroying the A.I A.C and ending the fight.
Raven: mission accomplished time to head home.
The A.C leaves the area and gets his pay from the corporation, meanwhile at a secret location Big Boss gains valuable information from Kakashi and it was just as he feared and it was going to get worse by the minute.
Big Boss: … this is not good, not good at all. Well it's time for plan B.
(Scene change)
At Raven's NEST, everyone gets ready for the round of the arena so they can reach rank C, Raven, Naruto and Sasuke entered the C rankings and defeating many pilots that would get in there way after a completing C arena they were now allowed to go to B rank.
As the three exit out of the arena they soon started talking about important things.
Naruto: say have you guys noticed how much the corps have much more control lately?
Sasuke: I noticed and it is strange there far more strict than they usually are.
Raven: it is getting worry some… I also fought against an unknown A.C which was used by an A.I.
Naruto: ? What?
Sasuke: an A.I?
Raven: crazy? I know, but things has been getting stranger and more dangerous by the day along with many people getting oppressed even more.
Naruto: … yeah…
Sasuke: there's nothing we can do about it, we're mercenaries do things for the highest bidder.
Raven: …
The three goes to there quarters to rest for a bit, when Raven enters his room he turns on the news as it tells how things are getting more dangerous and worse in the layers, as he was about to go and sleep, Raven received an email from Big Boss.
Raven: so something strange really is happening in layers after all… me and many other mercenaries must make a choice we either follow continue doing what we usually do or try to uncover the truth.
Raven remains silent for a few minutes but he knows that something is definitely wrong in the layers at that moment he made his choice and then everything fades to black.
End of Chapter 5
Another Chapter done, I hope you all liked this Chapter and everything that happened in it.