An AC2 Story

A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead. Ten seconds. The cockpit is ridiculously hot. Nine seconds. I go over my systems one last time and nothing has changed since the last time I checked them. Four seconds...three seconds...Two more seconds till drop. We'll be landing somewhere in the ruins of a supposedly inactive Indie base. This is my first drop in well over a year. The shuttle pilot gives the final go and the hatches spring open, revealing a majestic desert below our position. My AC goes into a freefall, then I kick in the boosters. I'm knocked back in my seat from the sudden shock and I'm reminded once more why I've always avoided drop missions.

I scout out an area for my mech to land and slowly bring it to a halt. I land atop one of the old research facilitiy buildings and check my radar. Nothing noticeable within the proximity, so I'm not obligated to investigate anything just yet. This gives me time for my systems to cool down after the last boost and the chance to take in the sights. I switch visual to optics and survey the area..nothing but desert and torn down buildings for miles. Guess we really did a number on the Indies a few months back.

For just a moment, I forget where I am and start to enjoy the view. The desert looks serene, with a scant few buildings, and even remnants of highways scattered about reminding me that a city once stood here. From the dirt to buildings, and from the buildings to dirt again, evoking some cycnical thought of the natural way of life. Things are born, things die.

I start to get wrapped up in philosophy when suddenly it hits me. More precisely they hit me. Missiles. I can't be certain how many, my Heads Up Display goes into overload to fast and shuts down the instance of impact. I'm guessing though, at least four. I revert controls to manual and engage boosters once more. Taking cover behind some building remains I charge my visual specs and try to get some readings from my radae. Nothing. The enemy AC that had fired the missiles wasn't comingup on scanners. additionally, my computer wasn't able to match it's design structure with any found data within standard Corporation builds, or Indie designs. Which meant it could only be one thing...a Raven mercenary.

It made sense though. The Indies had been having trouble protecting their own empire so they started making deals with hired hands to sign on as caravan guards or recon specialist. Guess the Indies still had something valuable to hide here in this wasteland. They must've finally perfected their radar jamming systems and given one to this guy. Damn. It's too damn hot for me to be messing with this guy.

A shockwave brings my mind back to my immediate concern as my cover is literally blown to pieces. He knows I'm down here so I might as well fight. I boost clear of the rubble as more missiles scream down, blowing up at my previous position. I set my rockets to auto-lock as I swing my AC around. I spot the guy and try to get a fix on him, but he's too damn fast. His mech continues to move diagonally toward me, not giving my rockets time to lock on.

I fire a few scattered in front of his path, hoping to catch him offguard, but this guy is no chump to fall for it. He seems to stop on a dime before the rockets hit, and he takes off into the sky. This guys a pro, with killer reflexes. I start to get worried. I'm almost out of ideas, so I pull out my ZWG-BZ/555. When rockets take too long to lock-on and close combat isn't an option, the ZWG-BZ/555 rifle always works. Packing more power than any other AC rifle, it was made for the sole purpose of quick, painful destruction. If my opponent gets hit with this he can kiss up to 15% of his armor good-bye. He obviously realizes this to and continues to perform more displays of mobility supreiority, all the while firing missiles my direction.

I put my aerial boosters into overdrive and manage to avoid taking more damage. We both land about 1000 meters away from each other, me with my rifle poised. He comes at me fast, not in a straight line, but bobbing and weaving so I can't get a decent bead on him. I fire about seven rounds and maybe clipped him once. But if he did get hit it doesn't show. It's about this time I notice the large particle charge coming from his shoulder. A mounted laser. My ability to boost and avoid fire was still recharging after sending my AC into overdrive and I knew then there was nothing I could do. I try in vain to side step the laser, but my joints aren't operating properly. To much sand build up in my gears from all the boosting. I brace myself for impact as my AC collapses to the side and a large ray of light blinds me.

I can feel the damage being done. My AC's right arm and rifle no longer exist, and my AC lies on it's side in the sand. I go unconscious for maybe ten seconds only to awaken to the sight of the Raven on my view screen. Smoke is pouring in from my systems, lights are going off and I think I've broken some ribs. On the display I see the Raven AC slowly approaching me, taking in the moment of his victory. I don't want to give him that satisfaction and aim my rockets. He gets a little to cocky as my systems lock-on to him. My hand grips the trigger and pulls. Something outside my AC explodes, and I'm thrown out of my seat into the console. Guess my rocket hatch also got damaged. Damn.

I look up one last time. The Raven has stopped moving, as his missile bay opens up. Everything goes in slow motion. I can hear the sound of the two missiles as each is launched, I can even smell them. In another flash of blinding colors and sounds my AC begins to collapse around me, becoming my mechanical graveyard. This is just how I would like to die, I think. All my intruments go ballistic and I close my eye. Everything dies, someday.

"Dude, what the hell?" screamed Chris.
"What?"
"Don't you 'what' me, chobofucker! You promised you wouldn't use the laser cannon on me."
"Oh. Sorry, guess I forgot." John said, with a smirk.
"My ass you did. This wasn't fair. You woulda lost without that gay laser."
"Haha, shutup loser. My speed and skills are all I need. I was just getting bored of dodging your slow ass attacks."
"Whatever. Ok, this round I choose the map. Desert stage is to open and gives you the advantage."
"Fine, I'll still beat your ass even if I..."
"Kids," cried a voice, "come and eat!"
"Coming, mom." they said.
John and Chris turned off the power to their PS2 as both boys rushed down stairs to eat dinner.

Well, hoped you liked it. I most likely won't ever do this again, but it was a fun little project anyway.

Moebius[G]