Yes My friends your eyes do not deceive you! I AM FUCKING BACK BABY!
And what a way to com back huh? First day of 2025 and I managed to get this first chapter of a story out. Now I understand if you guys are a little peeved at my shitty upload schedule and dropping off the radar for several years I get it, totally understand. As of right now I am currently typing this on my new PC...ya boy upgraded and I have access to more game for me to play and gain inspiration from.
Now for those who want to see me finish my Transformers story, don't worry I WILL finish it. Just need to get the spark to go back to it...but I'll find it, I'll find it.
Now...Armored Core... I can tell you us fans have been eating good lately, and the introduction of the 6th generation was a blast in itself and that Armored Core 6 won best action game in 2023 just proves that there still is a love for Mech games out there, which I am excited for Steel Hunters and Mecha Break this year. Also tell me what Generation you guys started in with the franchise, I was a LYNX before I became a RAVEN, and Armored Core 4 for Answer was my introduction to the franchise then I played Armored Core 5 and then Armored Core 6. I later found out a way to play the golden age of Armored Core with the 3rd Generation via emulator...I see why that generation was so good now.
I even made a custom AC just for this story in the game itself.
Then we have Goddess Of Victory: NIKKE. To be honest I found this one when I saw my sister playing who then my brother started playing it and then you can guess what happened after that. The Fanservice...A The story? S I've actually grown attached to the characters of this idle fanservice game and I'm currently going through chapter 18 since I just got through the 160 wall so...no spoilers please.
I mean it don't be that person in the review section!
Anyway enough about me rambling up here in the AN let's start the show shall we?
MAIN SYSTEM: ACTIVATING COMBAT MODE
FIRES OF VICTORY
Armored Core/Goddess of Victory: Nikke
ACT-1: Spread Thy wings
The door began to open and rise to reveal an open circular room, on an upper level two Armored Cores sat waiting for their guest…or tourist in their case. One Armored Core coloured red and pink wielding nothing but missile launchers cocks the launcher in its right hand and Its pilot speaks.
"Let me tell you my motto tourist…" The voice of 'Cinder' Carla, pilot of the AC FULL COURSE, came through the communication line…and she wasn't in a good mood. "…Get your laughs while you can. I Don't know what you're up to…But you better make it worth it". She said as FULL COURSE dashed off the ledge to meet their tourist's AC NEPHALEM, piloted by an independent Mercenary who up to this point has shaped the outcome of the Coral war thus far and now is planning to bring down the very ship everyone stands on before it can create irreversible damage no one has seen since the Fires of Ibis five decades ago.
Some call him Augmented human C4-621.
Others call him…Raven.
NEPHALEM dashed to meet FULL COURSE but was redirected to dodge the volley of Missiles coming its way.
"Chatty, you know what we're dealing with. Pin that tourist down!" Carla called to her friend/Ally Chatty who 'piloted' the other AC CIRCUS which was armed with grenade launchers and missiles while being a lightweight tank frame AC.
"Rodger Chief. Supporting". Chatty replied as he stayed perched up on the upper-level firing into Nephalem as FULL COURSE fired its own weapons at the enemy AC and pressed aggressively not wanting to give the tourist an edge. However, NEPHALEM's pilot didn't get this far by just sheer luck alone, it was the skill and sheer grit and will to make it to the top.
"Don't Let them team up on you!" A worried and ever-present voice urged in Raven's head as the mercenary piloted his Armored Core like an extension of himself as he boosted out of the way of incoming missiles all the while firing the Mech's rifle into FULL COURSE, all the while firing its missile launcher and double barrel grenade launcher at the heavily armored AC to halt its assault.
"She won't stop me from doing this…" Raven muttered under his breath as he navigated the fight with a determined focus ever since he met the voice in his head who guided him, nurtured him and cared for him when it seemed like nearly everyone on Rubicon saw him as either an asset, or an expendable pawn in their large chess game. "…not when I've come this far".
Raven shifted NEPHALEM and managed to get close enough to release the AC's extension slot as a surge of energy burst from the Mech and destroyed missiles that would've found their mark and grinded Carla's attack to a halt as her AC staggered in place. Raven prepped the Pile Bunker on NEPHALEM's left arm and went for a quick attack which connected into FULL COURSE's core doing significant damage. He then directed his attention to Chatty's AC and fired it the shoulder mounted grenade launcher into him dealing a damage causing the Tank AC to reposition.
"Walter told me, you know, looks like you made a friend of your own". Carla started as she recovered from her initial attack from the tourist and went on the offensive again. "But it's good to make a choice. Sit on the fence. You make no enemies or friends". She said knowing she was somewhat proud of the tourist in making a choice…but she hated how he made one that went against what she had set in motion. After NEPHALEM stopped its attack on Chatty it focused back on Carla and the Mercenary didn't let up in fighting back as it Over boosted towards FULL COURSE and kicked it and adding another quick attack from its Pile Bunker before dashing away with another missile launch from its shoulder launcher. With every attack they threw at the tourist, he came back twice as hard at them with the sheer determination to not just beat them…but to win.
"This is bad Chief…heh…some tourist". Chatty laughed.
"Uh, Chatty…did you just laugh?" Carla asked her friend which shocked her due to him not ever heard him laugh once. "I owe you one tourist. No one's ever made him laugh before". She said to Raven as a form of thank you despite being on opposite sides. It made her smile in an ironic way.
However, their little dance with death won't be a dance of three…but of four.
One of the doors on the upper level burst open and out came a fourth AC in blue coloration as it then slashed its blue laser blade twice towards CIRCUS as Chatty turned around to see who it was, unfortunately he had no time to react as the impact of the attack sent Chatty over the edge and to the side of where Carla and Raven were trading blows which gave pause to their fight, making both Armored Cores look at the new arrival.
"You must be Raven. Never sparred with one of Walter's hounds before". The new Arrival stated as it walked to the edge of the upper level and look down upon the two combatants. "It better be worth it. Let's get this trash out of the way". He said as he aimed the large bazooka on his AC's right shoulder and fired a scatter of projectiles at the downed AC that was CIRCUS and put it out of commission…permanently.
"CHATTY!" Both Carla and Raven cried but none heard each other due to the mercenary being silent on his time here on Rubicon.
"AI controlled AC. Always the same". The new arrival said in a bored tone as it then leapt off the ledge and landed on the same level as Carla and Raven.
"AC identified…LOCKSMITH. Pilot-V.I Freud. Be careful Raven he's the Vesper's No.1 Pilots".
"I will Ayre…I'll make him pay for doing what he did to Chatty, if Carla doesn't get to him first". Raven replied to the voice he heard in his head. NEPHALEM Reloaded its rifle and the visor on its head snapped to the front. "You wanted a fight Freud?" Raven said over the comms making Full Course look at the AC it was fighting a moment ago as Carla overheard the tourist's voice over the comms for the first time. "You got one". NEPHALEM then boosted towards Locksmith firing both its rifle and missile launcher at the blue AC as the said Armored Core boosted out of the way as it took several rifle hits and retaliated with its own rifle alongside a bazooka shot which only nicked the black, red, white and gold AC that was NEPHALEM.
"Let me have at him tourist! This is personal!" Carla barked as she joined the fight forgetting about the mercenary for now as she was more focused on the Vesper's No.1, LOCKSMITH darted out of the way of Full Course's missiles as it then boosted and kicked Carla's AC and fired a bazooka shot as all shots hit the heavy weight Armored Core before unleashing several laser drones on it as the blue AC then shifted to NEPHALEM to dodge the Songbird shots from Raven's grenade launcher.
Full Course unlashed all its missiles at the blue AC, however as NEPHALEM dodged a laser blade from Locksmith it unleashed its assault Armor a second time before unloading a split missile and a songbird burst into Freud causing his AC to go into an ACS overload.
"Haven't seen moves like that before. Interesting". Freud commented as he fired his scatter bazooka into Raven making him go into ACS overload in return before switching targets and charged LOCKSMITH's laser blade and had both swinging hits strike FULL COURSE making it stagger and lose its right arm before kicking Carla's AC into a support column damaging one of its back missiles.
"Carla!" Raven called out as NEPHALEM recovered from its ACS overload.
"Now…where were we?" Freud asked aloud as LOCKSMITH's weapons were now r in eloaded before boosting towards Raven. The Mercenary activated a Repair kit to fix any damage to NEPHALEM before firing its rifle and a split missile as LOCKSMITH approached both hits connected and as LOCKSMITH was going to charge its laser blade again NEPHALEM took the opportunity and went for a jab at the blue AC with a light Pile Bunker attack which connected against the core of Freud's AC. "I'm glad I took your company over Snail's. You fight like a hound on the hunt. At this altitude…I'd expected a scavenger bird". Freud said to the Mercenary.
"When I'm done with you the scavengers will be picking you clean!" Raven barked back as he dashed into LOCKSMITH and boost kicked it and fired a songbird blast point blank into Freud making him use his last repair kit.
"What a glorious view… What I wouldn't give to fight like this forever." V.I said in euphoria as he was enjoying the thrill of the fight, though Raven didn't feel the same as he used the last charge of NEPHALEM's assault armor once more making LOCKSMITH go into another ACS overload…which sealed the top pilot of the Vesper's fate as NEPHALEM boosted towards LOCKSMITH and struck it with a fully charged Pile Bunker strike causing the blue AC to go critical. "Not now… LOCKSMITH…! More…! I want… more…"
"Confirmed, V.I Freud Eliminated". Ayre stated as Raven took a moment to catch his breath. However, movement was happening to his right and saw FULL COURSE struggling to stay upright as it aimed its only working missile launcher in the only arm left attached to it.
"Thanks for the disposing the trash tourist…now…back to…our little dance". Carla said through ragged breaths.
"There's no point in fighting Carla". Raven said making Carla surprised to hear him speak to her.
"So, he speaks…could've had your own input for a while you know…though you understand why I have to go through with this right?" FULL COURSE then takes a staggered step towards NEPHALEM, and another but the mercenary wasn't phased at this. "I don't know how much Arquebus paid you-,"
"They didn't pay me…I made my choice". Raven replied. "Burning the Coral can't be the only way, and I won't condemn all those on Rubicon just for the sake of the few". NEPHALEM's Pile Bunker was now cooled and reloaded as a subtle warning to Carla not to try anything.
"Tourist if the Coral spreads like it is now there will be no stopping it! Don't you get it!? We have to burn it to the last cinder…the Fires five decades ago are pretty much a candle compared to the fire that will be made if the Xylem smashes into the vascular plant-,"
"Are you certain the Coral will be burned away for good!?" Raven snapped back catching her attention. "Because the last time someone burned the stars the Coral was still there lying dormant, and it led us to where we are now. Who's to say that it won't be the same outcome if the Coral is burnt a second time?!" Raven knew his handler wanted him to do what he and Carla were set on doing…but if it meant losing one of the few people who genuinely cared about him he won't take the chance. "Carla there's always another way…" Raven started. "Walter told me something as well you know…he gave me one last job…do you know what it was?" the mercenary asked her. Carla's silence allowed him to answer. "Find your freedom…and I'll be damned if I let anyone take that away from me…and the last thing I want to do is kill someone who was willing to look out for me…I've lost people close to me for too long…I'd rather not add you to that list Carla".
Carla's mind was racing from the tourist's words as he told her Walter's last words…find your freedom, even if it meant the chance of going against her and Walter's last request to wash away their sins from Rubicon. Her thoughts were snapped out as she then saw NEPHALEM turn and began to walk away past Chatty and Freud's wrecked Armored Cores. Carla smiled before she spoke up.
"Hey tourist". Raven then stopped and had NEPHALEM look over its shoulder as FULL COURSE's arm was now lowered. "If you're certain about this choice of yours…you better make it worth it. But I won't make this little victory of yours easy y'know". She smiled as alarms blared in the room around them.
"OWNER: CINDER CARLA. AUTHORISATION GRANTED. ACTIVATING PERIMTER PROTOCOL. XYLEM PROPULSION VECTOR LOCKED. ALL SYSTEMS LOCKED OUT" Chatty's voice came out over the intercom putting a dent in both Ayre and Raven's plans.
"What? The Xylem's control systems are locked out!" Ayre cried as Raven grit his teeth as he figured Carla would try something like this, considering how prepared she was with every plan she had.
"If you really wanna go through with your decision…you'll find a way around this little problem I set up for ya". Carla said as Raven could tell she was smiling in her cockpit.
"Get your laughs while you can huh?" Raven said as he then began to walk off again. "Take Chatty and get the hell of this ship Carla…while you still have time". He said to her. "Because I'm bringing this thing down". He then activated the over boost on NEPHALEM and fly to the top level and head through the entrance that Freud had made, leaving Carla alone with nothing but the wrecks of the two other AC as company.
MISSION BRIEFING: DESTROY THE DRIVE BLOCK.
"With the Xylem locked on it's direct course we gotta come up with something different to bring this behemoth down". Raven said to Ayre as he tried to rack his brain for a solution.
"I have a solution to that problem Raven". Ayre said to him.
"Ok then…lay it on me".
"I'll explain our mission. Carla's last trick has rendered the Xylem inoperable. There's only one way left to stop it from colliding and igniting the Coral... We have to take the whole thing down".
"That's going to be easier said than done, Carla probably has a good bunch of her RaD friends here to protect it. Regardless, where do we go to take this thing down?" Raven asked her as a projection of the Xylem and it focused on two particular sections.
"The lower drive block is powered by large skyrmion generators distributed throughout the area. If we destroy all the generators and stop the ramjet engine in the upper city sector...then we can crash the Xylem into the Alean Ocean without impacting human life".
"And it will fall into the ocean it had risen from permanently sealing its fate…Alright, seems straightforward enough". Raven pointed as he finished maintenance on NEPHALEM before entering the cockpit up and booting up his AC again.
"One more thing. I took the liberty of using your name to rally allies to our aid: "Beyond scorched skies, Raven fights on." No one has shaped Rubicon's destiny as much as you have. Come and see what the name "Raven" means to them".
END OF BRIEFING
Raven contemplated on Ayre's words for a moment…before sealing NEPHALEM's cockpit and felt the AC move into position to exit the hanger.
"Let's go, Raven. One of our allies should be arriving already". Ayre said to him as NEPHALEM walked to the door as it opened revealing the outside sky several thousand feet above ground. As Raven's AC walked to the edge of the platform he was on another AC flew in and landed right next to his.
"Looks like the guest of honour's here. Hey, buddy". A familiar voice entered his ears over the comms and knew it was an old buddy of his he made a little while back…Rusty. His AC, STEEL HAZE ORTUS was a lightweight and nimble frame coloured blue and grey, armed with a loadout that consisted of a Laser slicer on the left arm a machine gun drone on its left shoulder with a needle missile launcher and a needle pistol on its right shoulder and right hand.
Raven was smiling knowing that one of the few people he could call a friend was still alive and kicking.
[Now Playing-Steel Haze (Where truths meet)-Armored Core 6 Bonus track]
"Never thought I'd be rubbing shoulders with the liberator of Rubicon. Every Rubiconian who heard your cry rose up to fight". Rustay said as both Acs looked down to see a warzone over the lands over Rubicon 3 as explosions popped like fireworks from below.
"Let's just say they had the spark…I just brought the gasoline". Raven said to him making STEEL HAZE ORTUS look at NEPHALEM.
"Well, what do ya know! he speaks!" Rusty chuckled. "Good to hear your voice for once buddy". Rusty said as he then turned ahead. "Let's show them there's a future for Rubicon beyond these scorched skies". Rusty's AC then activated its weapons as the shoulder weapon snapped into place ready to fire.
"Yea…fly high enough to start anew". Raven added as he then flipped a switch in his AC.
MAIN SYSTEM: ACTIVATING COMBAT MODE
NEPHAELM's weapons were now armed and ready, and both Acs rocketed towards the enemy MTs that were waiting for them.
" ... Rusty was the first to offer his help". Ayre said to her pilot as she corrected herself from Rusty's previous callsign. Several BAWS MTs came out form one of the drive block entrances and engaged the two ACs…though a Muscle Tracer wasn't match for an Armored Core, let alone two of them. Raven fired his rifle into one MTs destroying it in a few shots and delivering a light attack with the Pile Bunker on another killing both in quick succession.
Rusty fired his shoulder needle launcher to one MT while cutting one up with his laser slicer and into another MT which got too close to Rusty's blade.
"Never thought the plan would go so wrong... But it's good teaming up with you again. Couldn't have hoped for a better silver lining". He said to the Mercenary.
"It's good knowing that you're ok after our little bout below the watchpoint, I feared the worst really". Raven replied as he fired a split missile into a MT holding a shield, as he closed in the missile hit its mark stunning the MT before finishing it with the Songbird as both grenades hit true destroying it.
"Well I'm glad that you found your purpose, it's good to know that you have morals buddy". Rusty replied.
"I had a little red angel on my shoulder guiding me through it all". Raven smiled as he felt the warmth that Ayre was giving. NEPHALEM then finished off the MTs in the area as Ayre sent him the marker data.
"Target confirmed. That's one of the skyrmion generators". Ayre pointed out, a second later Raven fired his Song Bird and Missile launcher into it rendering it destroyed.
"Was one of the generators". Raven joked getting an eye roll of amusement from the Coral entity in his head. "Rusty I just sent you the marker data, you should be near one of the generators, wreck it". Raven said to his war buddy.
"I see it". He said as Raven turned around, Rusty had just scrapped the second generator. "Done and dusted".
"Two generators destroyed. Two remaining". Ayre stated as both pilots then intercepted several more BAWS MTs arriving at the exit, however both pilots had dealt with them quicker than the MTs could fight back being turned to scrap.
"Looks like the Liberation Front has broken into Institute City. You should hear this—patching you in". Rusty said as Raven then began to hear the voices of Rusty's people down on the ground below.
"Now, comrades! Rout the corporations! We'll show Raven— the Rubiconians will wallow in the ashes no more!" Raven was surprised that they're fighting because of the rally cry that Ayre had sent…they're fighting in his name! Hearing this, Raven now filled with motivation Over boosted out of the exit he and Rusty came through and boosted past a BAWS Tetrapod MT and towards a mounted Plasma cannon. The weapon installation fired at the mercenary however Raven just dodged it like it was nothing and got past its shield and delivered a fully charged Pile bunker strike into the cannon destroying it.
"Slogans scrawled in ash were never going to change Rubicon... The cinders are alive with flame once more". Rusty said as he delivered several strikes with his laser slicer into the BAWS Tetrapod that Raven had flew past, but the said mercenary came back and fired his AC's Songbird into it as it was stunned destroying it.
"And I was the one who stirred the cinders into the fire that they are now". Raven added with confidence and motivation in his voice, getting a heartly chuckle out of Rusty.
"That you have buddy, that you have". He said as more communications from the RLF ground troops came through.
"Surround the Plant! Keep pushing them back!"
"It's time. Deploying the Schneider AC".
"Sounds like quite the party down there. Love to see all my hard work paying off". Rusty said as both he and Raven took different routes to the next area.
"Now I really see the purpose you had before my eyes Rusty…guess I was a bit slow on the uptake huh?" Raven said getting an assured smile out of the traitorous Vesper.
"Well better late than never Buddy". Rusty replied as they both convened in the next area; however, they were met with a large Mech which seemed to be modified for demolition but heavily upgraded.
"That's the machine from Grid 086..." Ayre pointed out.
"A SMART CLEANER". Raven added as both Acs engaged the monstrous machine.
"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us. It'll be just like when we climbed the Wall..." Rusty said as he began drawing its attention.
"Rusty that thing will switch between targets, shoot the intake when you got the chance!" Raven called out as he fired his split missile into the said intake as it was now nearing ACS overload.
"I'll follow your lead on this then if that's the case". Rusty replied as the SMART CLEANER then shifted targets to Raven, giving Rusty the opening he needed and fired his needle launcher into the Mech's intake trigging an ACS overload. Raven boosted towards the 'head' of the SMART CLEANER and delivered a Pile Punker strike dealing critical damage to it; however, it wasn't enough to fully take it out.
"Enemy defenses compromised! Just a little more!" Ayre encouraged as The SMART CLEANER then recovered as it shifted targets back towards Rusty.
"We've got it now. Finish it off, buddy!" Rusty encouraged as well as he distracted the monster of a Mech. Raven took the opportunity of Rusty's opening and fired both shoulder weapons into the intake and trigger another ACS overload, the mercenary quickly boosted towards the front of the SMART CLEANER and delivered the final Pile Bunker strike…destroying the RaD monster.
"Confirmed. SMART CLEANER destroyed. Wait, I'm detecting hostiles ahead of the Xylem... Enemy fleet approaching!" Ayre warned as both Raven and Rusty were now aware of what's ahead.
"Oh, come on! These guys never quit!" Raven cried in annoyance.
"Guess Arquebus decided to escalate... They must really want us dead. Let me handle the fleet. You've got a mission to finish..." Rusty said as he reloaded his weapons. "I'm counting on you, buddy".
"Hey Rusty". Raven said getting the Rubiconian's attention. "Put a few extra shots in them for me will ya?" Raven smirked as he could tell Rusty gave the same aura as his war buddy.
"That I will". Rusty replied as STEEL HAZE ORTUS flew off into the skies of Rubicon.
"...Let's keep up the pace, Raven." Ayre stated giving her pilot a new Nav-point to go to. Raven Piloted NEPHALEM towards the door and had it hacked as it then opened, Raven then descended into the drive block and was met with light RaD resistance…no match for the independent mercenary who has shaped Rubicon itself.
"We're entering the drive block's core. Watch out for ambushes. There's two skyrmion generators left. Once we've shut those down, we need to deal with the ramjet engine. Destroy the generators and head outside". Ayre stated.
"Let's not dawdle then". Raven replied as he dealt with another RaD MT.
"Sustaining major damage! We're dropping like flies out here!" Raven's Comms were light up with Arquebus chatter.
"Target is one AC! Identification... ... ... Rusty?! He's supposed to be dead!"
"Full barrage! Don't let him get any closer!"
"I'd say I almost feel sorry for em…but I'd be lying". Raven smirked as he took out another generator.
"You're out of luck. There's only one person who can keep up with me". Raven chuckled as he heard Rusty's voice over the Arquebus communication line.
"Three generators destroyed. One more to go!" Ayre chimed in.
"Let's take it out and blow this stand". Raven said not even focusing on the MTs anymore and going straight for the objective. As he weaved through the complex surroundings he found the last one and had both NEPHALEM's shoulder weapons destroy it.
"All skyrmion generators destroyed! Get clear, Raven. The drive block's going to explode!" Ayre warned as Raven piloted his AC out of the exploding drive block, he then saw a Supply Sherpa, courtesy of Ayre land in front of him to repair and resupply his AC. Once finished he was ready to leave the area when Rusty came over the comms.
"Bad news, buddy. Something's heading straight for your position. I've never seen something move that fast... They must have finished work on BALTEUS!"
"BALTEUS!?" Raven replied in disbelief.
"Raven, we need to get outside fast!" Not wasting any time Raven unlocked the door and boosted outside to be met with the very same machine that attacked him and Ayre back at the Watchpoint he found her in.
"...Raven, the independent mercenary. You're not the mutt I thought you were". The familiar voice of a certain Vesper came over the comms as it had revealed itself in the open area that both Mechs were now in.
"That Machine!"
"You're below that—you are vermin!" The voice replied as the new BALTEUS unleashed its devastating plasma arsenal, courtesy of Arquebus.
"Analysing enemy data. AAP07A: ARQUEBUS BALTEUS. Pilot identified as Snail!" Ayre stated as Raven growled and began to engage the second-best Vesper.
"...The Xylem is doomed. Good. It would be most inconvenient to see our hard-won Coral go up in smoke. Rabble-rousing the locals... another inconvenience, but I'll overlook that. No, your crime is that you ignored me... Ignored Arquebus. You are vermin, and I will be rid of you!" Snail stated as his machine's pulse shield began to take hits as missiles, grenades and bullets began to pepper it.
"Energy output's off the charts... Be careful, Raven!" Ayre warned as she began to worry.
Raven was silent…determined to both stop the Xylem and shut Snail up for good. As he was fighting the stolen PCA machine he got more comms chatter from the Arquebus fleet.
"The second fleet has been wiped out! We can't get a lock on him!"
"We're wearing the enemy AC down! Maintain fire!"
"How's it looking, buddy? I'd say I'm about...halfway done. Snail might be , but he's second to none. Stay focused!" Rusty warned him.
"He won't be getting the best of me a second time". Raven replied as he managed to land some damage on Snail by using an Assault amor when he was close and a light Pile Bunker hit.
"Energy output is ramping up again!" Ayre warned him.
"Out of my sight, vermin! That traitor ... Those dolts at Command... And worst of all—you, the pest of Rubicon who stirred the cinders... You sicken me! All of you! I'll crush you underfoot! I AM ARQUEBUS!" Snail said his temper getting the better of him.
"OH MY GOD SHUT UP SNAIL!" Raven barked over open comms shocking . The Mercenary has had enough of this Corporate know it all.
"You dare speak to me like-," He was interrupted as his attacks were halted by another ACS overload, and then was getting shot by every ranged weapon the Armored core had in front of him.
"OH, I DARE! EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH IS JUST GRATING ON THE EARS! THINKING THAT YOU'RE THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!" Raven kept us his assault as his weapons were reloading he kicked BALTEUS in the chest pushing it back. "YOU LEFT MATERLINK TO DIE WHEN SHE WAS LOYAL! YOU TAKE CREDIT FOR OTHER'S ACHIEVMENTS WHILE YOU SKULK IN THE SHADOWS LIKE THE SNAKE YOU ARE!" Raven wasn't done as he was broadcasting his voice over an open comm channel. "AND WORST OF ALL YOU THINK YOU ARE ARQUEBUS!? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!"
"We're... We're losing the flagship!"
"Deploy fighters! We need cover!"
All the while the Arquebus fleet was still being torn apart by Rusty over the comms.
"Whew. Knew there'd be more". Rusty said to Raven. "You give Snail a mouthful and I'm glad someone finally did, but..." by the tone of his voice he was exhausted "…I'm beat, buddy. ...Well. You're gonna finish this, right?" He asked Raven.
"I'm seeing this through to the end…buddy". Raven smirked as he got a good chuckle out of the former .
"Guess I'm not done yet, then!" Rusty replied with a burst of motivation and continued to give the Arquebus fleet hell.
Raven then began pursuing Snail as the said Vesper tried to get some distance while his pulse shield was getting torn apart by NEPHALEM's gunfire. "YOU ARE NOT ARQUEBUS SNAIL! YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU HEAR ME!? NOTHING! WITHOUT ARQUEBUS!" As soon as the pulse shield fell…Raven went for the jugular, he activated his Assault armor again, catching Snail in the blast…when the light subsided NEPHALEM's Pile Bunker was fully cocked.
"AND I. AM. RAVEN!" The mercenary roared as his melee weapon struck true impacting on BALTEUS's chest causing it to go critical.
"No... I...am... ARQUEBUS! One...last...plan... EAAARGH!" Snail screamed in agony as he went down with BALTEUS as it exploded before crashing into the steel floor of the Xylem.
[End Track]
Raven was panting and dripping with sweat as he was catching his breath.
"Confirmed. Snail...down". Ayre chimed in. "I'm proud of you Raven". She said as he felt the warmth of her touch making him smile happily.
"Thanks Ayre". He panted with a smile.
"Sounds like it's over. I...just about mana—," Rusty's comms were cut as a loud screeching sound was heard.
"Rusty?! RUSTY!? C'mon man talk to me are you there!? This shit's not funny! Rusty talk to me!" Raven said in a panicked voice, not knowing what happened to him and feared of losing his best friend…again.
"Rusty's signal just...disappeared! ...Raven. It seems we've got trouble ahead. We need to take down the Xylem fast". Ayre said to him.
"B-But Rusty…" He said sweating harder.
"I promise to continue searching for him in the meantime". She assured. "But right now we need to stop the Xylem before it's too late. Can you do that for me Raven?" Ayre asked him with a motherly tone to the mercenary as she needs him in the here and now. Raven took a few deep breaths.
"Ok…ok. Please find him Ayre…you and him are really the only ones on Rubicon who treated me right from the start". He confessed as he then felt the warm touch of the Coral entity's warmth around his body.
"I promise Raven…I promise". She said soothingly to him.
"Alright". He said as he took a deep breath. "Let's bring this thing down". Raven then piloted NEPHALEM towards Ayre's waypoint to prepare to finish their mission.
MISSION BRIEFING: BRING DOWN THE XYLEM.
"The Xylem is beginning its descent. Now...we just need to destroy the ramjet engines". Ayre explained as the screen showed the Xylem's trajectory to the Vascular plant before showing the two ramjet engines on the massive colony ship.
"I just hope…I just hope Carla got Chatty and herself off in time". Raven stated as he did a final check in NEPHALEM's Cockpit.
"We've given her enough of a chance to abandon ship Raven. If there was a chance…she would've taken it. It's all we can hope for". She said trying to keep him in good spirits.
"Yea, yea that makes sense". He exhaled. "I know I might feel like I'm bugging you about it…" Raven trailed off but Ayre understood what he was asking.
"Don't think you are Raven, I understand. Rusty's sudden disappearance will make it difficult to pinpoint his location…but I have narrowed it down to a sector near the probable impact site of the Xylem". Ayre stated as the screen changed.
CALLSIGN-RUTSY
AC-STEEL HAZE ORTUS.
STATUS-UKNOWN.
POSSIBLE LOCATION MARKED.
"I've also sent the data to RLF to look for him while we finish up here". Ayre added on that she had Rusty's people looking for him while they bring down the Xylem. Satisfied with her actions Raven nodded his head, now determined to finish what he and Ayre started.
"Is there anything else we need to do after this?" He asked as he began booting up his AC.
"We're going home. To Rubicon...the world you saved." Ayre answered simply. Raven smiled and began to feel something he hadn't felt in a long, long time.
END BRIEFING.
"Home…Yea…we're going home". NEPHALEM then began to move into position.
"We'll also need to prepare for re-entry. Be ready to escape once we're finished." Ayre pointed out.
MAINS SYTEM: ACTIVATING COMBAT MODE
NEPHALEM's weapons came online as it then boosted towards one of the ramjet engines.
"Let's finish this and go home". Raven said as he fired his rifle into the target destroying it rendering it inoperable. He then shifted his attention to the other ramjet engine and fired another full magazine's worth into it disabling it like the first one. Raven then set his AC down and turned towards Rubicon as the Xylem began its descent.
"The Xylem is falling from orbit... The Coral's safe... Rubicon's safe—," Ayre's train of thought was interrupted as Raven jerked the AC's controls to avoid an incoming attack, said attack carved a huge gash along the Xylem's hull. NEPHALEM then looked up to see the culprit. The culprit was an Armored Core so advanced it didn't use conventional weaponry like lasers, plasma or bullets…but using Coral itself as a weapon.
[Now Playing-The Man who Passed the torch-Armored Core 6 OST]
"...621. Is that... Is that you?" That voice made Raven's blood run cold and widen his eyes.
"No, no, no, NO!" Raven said trying to comprehend the situation before him as he could tell Ayre is just as shocked. The AC then leapt off its vantage point and stared down NEPHALEM, with the intent to kill.
"They... 621... I have to... The voice that Raven had been accustomed to hearing since he got here on Rubicon-3. "...dispose of you".
Handler Walter.
Walter's AC, a prototype C-weapon made by the Rubicon Research Institute (RRI), and hearing his voice, Arquebus had brainwashed him through their means of re-education to fight for them. Now he is a mere shell of what he once was…and the final obstacle both Raven and Ayre must overcome to finish what they started. Walter wasted no time charging at Raven, his once loyal hound and thus began a dance of death between handler and hound as both sides fired weapons of bullets, grenades, missiles and pure Coral at each other to be the last one standing on the sinking ship they fight on.
"Walter?! But that AC... Picking up a Coral response... Watch out!"
Walter charged the Coral Rifle in his AC's hands and the said weapon let out a destructive beam of energy that both burned and screamed as it hit NEPHALEM causing it to go into ACS overload. Walter closed in with the Coral blade attached to his AC's left arm as it went for an attack.
"The corporation's orders... No... My friends' mission... Eliminate...all obstacles...
"Damnit! Damn you Arquebus! Damn you to Hell!" Raven cried as he continuously jerked the controls of his AC to keep up with his former handler, he knew the best thing he could grant Walter…was the sweet release of death after everything Arquebus put him through.
However, Raven was faster and managed to get out of the way just in time. Raven then followed up with a blast from the Songbird launcher both shots hit true as he then advanced and delivered a light attack with his Pile Bunker hitting Walter's AC.
But the former Handler used a repair kit and Raven's damage didn't stick putting him back at square one. Raven's former handler then fired a Coral missile towards his former hound as he also kept up the pressure as he fired of several shots from his Coral rifle each hit landing, and the missile struck NEPHALEM in the back putting it into ACS overload.
"C'mon, c'mon!" Raven said frantically as he tried to get his AC moving again as it recovered form the ACS overload…barely dodging Walter's Coral beam from the rifle he had.
TWO REPAIR KITS REMAINING
Walter said in his strain voice as he fought with what little control he had, pressing his attack on 621. He then charged his Coral blade and it then unleased a devastating beam of Coral towards the mercenary as NEPHALEM boosted out of the way and fired its shoulder weapons in retaliation both hits damaging Walter's AC again.
"Whatever they did...you're in danger. We have to defend ourselves!" Ayre said to Raven as the said mercenary was firing his rifle into Walter's AC to get some damage his way as his other weapon were reloading.
"I'm trying Ayre but its hard seeing him like this and he's keeping up with every move I make". Raven cried back frantically trying to keep a certain distance from Walter.
"That voice... 621... I see it next to you... Yes... Kindling for the fire..." Walter said shocking both entity and pilot.
"He, he can see you…no, no damn it!" Raven said as his head was spinning. "Walter snap out of it! Please come to your senses!" he cried to his handler on open comms hoping to get through to him, but it seemed unsuccessful, and seeing this was breaking Ayre's heart seeing her pilot like this. Raven was able to get around Walter and fire his shoulder weapons into his handler forcing him to use his second repair kit. As they fought the Xylem was beginning to catch fire as the entire ship began to burn around them, signifying that fate won't wait for them to finish.
"Raven...! We're re-entering Rubicon's atmosphere! There's no time... Hurry!" Ayre chided.
"I'm trying damn it I'm trying!" Raven said through watered eyes knowing that he can't stop fighting until he kills Walter…the man that saved his life and gave him a reason to live…he wants to stop and subdue Walter somehow, but his instinct in this fight or flight situation won't let him do so…he hopes he can make Walter's passing quick, he owes him that much. He jerked the controls of NEPHALEM again and was hit with another blast of weaponised Coral as he tried to get out of the way but was unable to do so.
[Track change-The man who burned it all (Start at 2:24)-Armored Core 6 OST]
ONE REPAIR KIT REMAINING
"Once something's alive...it doesn't die easy... You have to burn every last cinder!" Walter's words rang in 621's head as he remembered when he told him those words which seemed so long ago. Raven was breaking not by the fighting but by the mental torture he is suffering from as he is in combat with Walter, he boosted towards Walter and activated his Assault armor and caught him in the blast and delivered a Heavy Pile Bunker attack damaging the Coral AC. However, Walter used his own Assault armor and caught 621 in the blast damaging NEPHALEM in the process. Both combatants were nearing the breaking point as the next bout will be the decider of this fight.
NO REPAIR KITS REMAINING
Both Armored Cored boosted towards each other…both determined to send the other to the scrapheap as NEPHALEM fired everything into the Coral AC dealing damage all over the frame. The C-Weapon did the same with its Coral missile and rifle as both hit the mercenary's AC.
AP AT: 50 PERCENT
"Burn the Coral...and our job will be over... You earned all the credits... Undo the surgery...be normal again..." Walter said as 621 could swear he was smiling in the cockpit of the C-Weapon he was piloting. The hound was trying to hold back his pain, but it was becoming too much by the moment.
"Raven...! Walter! This has to stop!" Ayre cried as she could cry tears herself as she was forced to both of them, seeing these two individuals forced to put each other in the grave was breaking her heart even more so. Both AC's were racking up damage by the second as this fight was coming down to the wire. 621 was struggling to not kill the man who'd saved him.
"I-I can't…" the mercenary choked as tears began to come out of his eyes, he was wracked with pain at the final stretch of their mission, and he continued to dodge and weave away from Walter's attacks as he knew one good hit will finish the job, yet he was trying to restrain himself from killing his former handler.
"You're not quitting now are you tourist!?" A familiar voice came over the comms shocking 621 and Ayre.
"What the? Carla?!" Ayre gasped.
"Carla!? I thought I told you to get the hell of this ship!?" He barked at her as he was in a whirlwind of emotions all the while continuing to evade Walter's blade and gunfire.
"And I didn't listen!" She replied not giving a damn at the moment. "I've got your ride off this flying coffin, finish it! Or we all go down with the ship!" Carla barked back with urgency.
"Grah! Damnit I can't kill him Carla! I can't kill Walter!" 621 cried with his emotional pain was showing as his former handler got a little too close, but managed to get out of the way in time, he can't let him get that close again otherwise it's game over for him, so he boosted back to get some breathing room from the Coral infused AC.
"You have to tourist! For the both of our sakes! Do this as a job for me! End your former handler's suffering! Please!" Carla pleaded as even she hated seeing the man who he looked after before the Fires of Ibis be reduced to a shell for Arquebus to use like a puppet. She wanted to make the pain for her friend go away, and the tourist was the only one to do it, she would've happily taken his place, but this bad joke she's witnessing is just as painful for her is it is for him.
Walter fired off another barrage of shots from his rifle but 621, kicked in the Over boost and just bum rushed the C-weapon directly taking the hits as he did so.
AP AT: 20 PERCENT
621 cocked the Pile Bunker one last time and drove NEPHALEM's left arm forward. He finally broke.
"WALTEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!" 621 roared with emotional pain as the Pile Bunker struck the Coral infused AC in the Core making it explode several times as it was going into overload.
[End Track]
"62...1..." Walter said as his voice became weaker and his AC exploded in a Coral explosion clipping NEPHALEM. The mercenary's AC was sparking, and its lights were flickering showing signs of a damaged generator.
"Raven that explosion damaged the generator. Give me a minute to sort the problem!" Ayre alerted as she got to work in fixing her pilot's AC. Said pilot was wracked with guilt of what he had just done and was panting form the intense fight.
"The mission... My friends'...wishes..." Walter's voice came over the comms as he stood pointing the Coral Rifle directly at his hound.
"Ayre! Anytime now!" 621 cried to the entity with panic in his voice.
"I'm trying!" She replied in a panic back as she then saw Walter aiming at them. She then managed to fix the problem but failed to let her pilot know as she digitally manifested before the two combatants.
Her form was that of a woman with dark skin with red veins glowing under it, all the while wearing a white strapless suit that hugged her form along with sleeves that didn't connect to her top that are coloured the same as her suit, but the most striking thing about the Coral entity was her hair…blazing red as if it were an inferno like it was alive, along with her eyes they were brighter and burned into the one threatening harm to the one she cherished.
Ayre moved in front of Raven protectively, and the scene Walter was looking at seemed like that of a mother protecting her child.
The old handler smiled as he then began to lower the weapon he was charging.
"Look at you...621... You found...a friend..." He said weakly as his Armored core began to lose the last of its power…thus ending the life of Handler Walter.
"Walter…I'm…so sorry". Carla said over the comms with sorrow in her voice.
"I have a job for you Walter…a request from your loyal hound, 621". Raven sobbed as he took a dep breath to regain his composure before continuing. "Sleep…the pain will go away soon…you've more than earned it". He finished as the Xylem then began to break apart.
It was time to leave.
"Walter...! ...We have to go, Raven!" Ayre said to him as she disappeared and gave control back to Raven as the mercenary shifted directions and over boosted to escape.
"Carla where are you?!" He called to RaD's leader.
"Right here tourist!" She replied as a shuttle which was as big as the transport helicopter he used on the planet below came into view and flew in front of NEPHALEM as the rear door opened. "Get on board and let's get out of here!" Raven pushed his AC to the limit as he felt NEPHALEM rocket into the shuttle's hanger and land safely in it.
"Carla we're in punch it!" Raven called out to her.
"Hang on!" She replied as the engines got a burst of energy and propelled the shuttle away from the crashing colony ship. Raven saw the feed form a satellite Ayre had patched him into and the Xylem was now going down in flames. He then laid back in his seat as he began to feel the adrenaline wear off.
It was over.
Another job finished.
"Raven... One day, humanity and Coral will thrive together... You kept our potential safe. I know Walter feared a Collapse... But I promise you, there's another way. Raven... We'll find it. Together". Ayre stated to him has he merely just smiled. "You took on my hopes... My selfish dream. Now, I want to see the future that you choose. Whatever waits ahead... I'll...support you".
"Glad to know you'll support me…Ayre". He smiled as he felt Ayre's affection in return. He then felt his AC dock in the hanger bay of the shuttle.
AUGMENTED HUMAN. C4-621. ENTERING STANDARD MODE
"We've cleared the atmosphere of Rubicon. You should be able to move freely now". Ayre said to him. Raven then popped the hatch on his AC and climbed out, he then made his way to the catwalk where he was met with "Cinder" Carla herself. Carla was a tall fit woman who wore a grey tank top which had stains of engine oil and grease on it with an orange jacket she left unzipped, all the while wearing black shorts with stocking which had some holes due to just wear and tear. She had red hair tied in a small bun and her eyes had faint trace of red in her hazel eyes all the while having her logo of a spider tattooed on top of her right breast, adding onto the fact that her appearance looked younger than her age would think she is. Due to her being a "Cinder" she was a survivor form the Fires of Ibis granting her name.
Carla walked up on the catwalk and was wearing patches on her face and a bandaged hand and one on her forehead due to her little dance with her favourite little tourist. However, when she saw him, her eyes went wide and realised the situation of what she and the now late Chatty had almost done.
Raven wasn't that old from what she thought he'd be, just by looking at him he looks like he's nearly or has already reached his twenties and his head was shaved with his hair was starting to grow back slowly, he was covered in surgical scars due to his fourth-Generation augmentations. His eyes were brown, but they had a red hue in them due to being exposed to the Coral. Unlike her which she was exposed to it when the fires scorched the stars, Raven's eyes were because of his old Gen augmentations and of course the exposure to the Coral surge at the Watchpoint he and his handler destroyed. He only wore a protective flight vest and some pants on his person as she could see the RRI barcodes his left arm and under it read C4-621.
'He's just a Kid'. She thought as she could almost laugh at the fact that she got her ass kicked by a kid, but…for the first time in her life she couldn't. If she and Chatty took him down on the Xylem…she would have a sin she could never wash away and she wouldn't even know it, it will be with her to the very grave.
As the mercenary walked over to her his legs began to give out causing her to quickly rush to him and catch him before he fell face first onto the catwalk, she kneeled in front of him seeing various wounds on his person as they haven't been tended to. "Hey, hey I gotcha tourist, I gotcha". She said her caring side coming much like she had for Chatty before she lost him to Freud.
Raven panted as he felt like just trying to walk to Carla was a challenge in itself, he looked up with one eye closed as it was stopping blood leaking into it from a gash on his head.
"Get your laughs…while you…can, Carla". He said with through pants with a smug smile to RaD's leader. "Cause you're looking… at the face that…kicked your ass". Carla chuckled lightly as she just shook her head before looking back at him.
"Well…at least your sense of humour is very much intact tourist". She smiled as she helped him up and draped an arm around her shoulder as she helped him limp to the bridge of the shuttle.
"Carla". He said as she stopped to look at him. "I'm…I'm, so sorry about Chatty". He said to her making her eyes widen a bit. "I didn't want to-," "Stop tourist". She interrupted.
"You're not Chatty's killer…Freud was. And you put that asshole in the dirt before he could finish me and you off". She said not being mad at him in the slightest. "You made your choice and rode it to the very end, be proud of that ok?" She said the last part with a warm smile to the young AC pilot. "Look at this way…you can brag about kicking the leader of RaD's ass in a fight…and Freud jumping in doesn't count". She added with her signature carefree smirk as she then began to move him up the bridge again.
"I'm not sure about that you had me on the ropes back there". Raven said being a little bashful, but Carla looked at him when she stopped.
"Kid…I didn't have a repair kit left when Freud showed up". She said to him as they then made it to the bridge making Raven rethink the fight all together. She helped Raven over to one of the seats and set him down. "Ok then, let's see what we're dealing with here". She said to herself as she began to check him over. "Bags under your eyes suggest insomnia…multiple gashes and, oh here let me get that for ya". She said as she licked her thumb and wiped the blood away from his eye allowing him to open it again. She then began feeling his temperature, but when he saw him begin to shiver, she took her jacket off and let him use it as a blanket to cover him. "There, that'll keep you warm until we can get you some proper medical treatment for…well, everything else". She stated.
"Carla why are you still helping me after I tried to put you in the grave?" Raven asked her as the look in his eyes wanted an actual answer, no jokes or anything of that nature.
"Walter asked me to look out for you. But…" She stopped before re answering his question. "That was before I got a good look at the same tourist who busted his ass all the way through Grid 086 face to face". She said before continuing as she then kneeled in front him and looked him in the eye. "I'm gonna take care of you kiddo, cause someone has to make sure you stay alive for you to undo the surgery-," "I don't want to get rid of my augmentations anymore". He interrupted as Carla blinked in response. "Wait what?"
"I don't want to…lose my connection to her". He said to Carla. "I don't want to lose my connection to one of the few friends I made here". His words confused the RaD leader but then it dawned on her as she then looked him in the eye and remembered that Walter told her that the young pilot had been hearing voices in his head.
"This…fiend of yours…" She started. "Is she actually in that melon of yours or-," "She's very much real Carla. Let me just…" Raven said as he tried to move but Carla stopped him. "Easy kiddo easy. You're runnin' on fumes at this point, just relax. What do you need me to do to prove it?" Raven looked at her with a raised brow, the fact that she was willing to hear him out instead of brushing him off was a surprise.
"Uh, ok um… is there a data pad or something here I can use?" He asked and Carla nodded as she walked over to one of the storage compartments and pulled one out and turned it on.
"Here, will this do?" She asked as Raven then nodded in response.
"Perfect". He replied, the data pad then began flicker and glitch for a few seconds before fading to black. A moment later a red wavy line appeared on the screen. "Are you coming through alright Ayre?" He asked.
"It's the first time trying something like this…but to answer your question, yes I am Raven". The Coral entity replied as Carla was dumbstruck as she then looked at the wavy red line on the data pad. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person Carla…or, whatever it would be for a Coral mutation". Ayre introduced herself.
"Holy shit". Carla muttered. "Walter really never knew the true extent about this".
"He did when we fought back on the Xylem…whatever Arquebus did, he could see her just like I could". Raven pointed out.
"See her?" Carla asked with a raised brow.
"Well, since I'm a Gen-4, my augmentations allow me to establish contact Ayre. Though, since she's…connected, to me she appears as someone only I can see. I mean right now she's standing right next to me". He answered as he looked to his left and saw Ayre's form as digital lines of code detached themselves from her being like embers in the soft breeze, she was smiling at him as he smiled back at her. Carla couldn't see anyone there as the only physical beings on this ship were her and Raven.
"I mean shit". Carla started getting both the pilot and the entity's attention. "If you say she's there she's there. I mean she's able to speak to me as well with the little trick you two did. I can't bring any reason to judge you two really. Not when the evidence is right there". She admitted as she then looked him in the eye. "Now I see why you don't want to reverse the surgery".
"Carla. Everything that Raven went through after he attacked the watchpoint I was right there with him, helping him". Ayre chimed in.
"Talk about having a little angel on your shoulder kiddo". The Cinder chuckled as she then stood up. "Guess the devil himself couldn't touch ya. That's some insane luck to pull off everything you did".
"Also, I feel like you should know that the reason I went against you was not just to stop you from practically nuking Rubicon…" He said getting his words as she gave him her attention. "I didn't want Ayre to lose her siblings by burning the Coral". He said to her, she was about to ask but Ayre was one step ahead of her.
"Carla…Coral is a living energy, it's the bare bones explanation I can give you to make it make sense". The entity explained as she then continued. "I am just a single wave in the entire Coral flow. The Coral, is my family…the only ones who are my kin and it was…upsetting seeing it use for both fuel and weapons". As she explained Carla was processing the information letting Ayre continue. "That's why I asked Raven to go against you to stop you form destroying the Vascular Plant. Because I believe that both Humanity and Coral can Coexist together…and Raven believes so as well". Carla then looked at Raven to hear his side.
"There's always another way Carla. I didn't want to condemn both Ayre's family and the ones I consider those as such to burn in another Fire of Ibis". He said his piece as Carla then leaned against the console in front of Raven processing everything they said. To think that those ghost stories were true, some Dozers were saying the Coral was alive when they were high as a kite but…to think that they were consuming living and sentient energy.
"Shit you two". She groaned into her hands before dropping them to her sides. 'Now you make me look like a bitch for doing what I did". She said to them as she looked at them and the Coral in a new light.
"Sorry Carla".
"Sorry Carla".
They both apologised making the Rad leader wave her hand in dismissal.
"Hey, I didn't know and what's done is done…no point dwelling on it, it's ok". She spoke in a manner saying that she's fine. "Well…I think that's enough ghostly talking for one day huh? Let's get you somewhere where you can be checked out ok kiddo?" She said as she pulled the jacker over Raven's body a bit more so he could keep warm.
"Where are we going?" Raven asked making Carla think for a second and shrugged in response. "Take us to the RLF, it's better than being Nomadic. I can pitch in a good word for you when we get there". Raven suggested as the final member of Overseer contemplated it before nodding in response.
"Alright RLF it is". She spoke. Carla then turned around and went to the controls of the ship. "Oh and one other thing-," She said turning back but stopped her sentence as she then saw Raven had fallen asleep from the chain of events that had happened recently.
"He's out like a light Carla. He's going to be sleeping for a while, I'll wake him up when we get to the nearest RLF base". Ayre said to her. The RaD leader nodded and smiled as she then got behind the controls of the ship. "And one more thing Carla…" Ayre said making said woman look over her shoulder. "Thank you". After that Ayre went silent for the time being.
Carla then smiled with a nod as she face forward again.
"Anytime Red…anytime". She said to herself. "You're both in good hands". The shuttle then veered on a new course to the one of the local rebel's bases.
Next stop…the Rubicon Liberation Front.
I'll be honest with ya, I had a lot of fun making this!
Now you may be wondering when NIKKE will be introduced...well first we need to do a few things to get everything established for the trip there and flesh out Raven a little bit here. I also felt like in my personal opinion that Carla was like a big sister while making this, and Rusty being the big brother.
And before you guys say anything...Rusty will be a prominent character in the story, and if I see no body or destroyed AC, he ain't dead in my book...that and he is the absolute GOAT! THIS IS THE HILL I WILL DIE ON!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed my first chapter in this story and I hope I was able to satisfy your cravings for more stories from me. So I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and be sure to leave me your thoughts in the review section...a bit of feedback can go a Long way.
Cronus Prime Out!
IIIIIIIIIIIIIII'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!