"Raven?" came Ayre's voice, "I've been wondering. Have you... ever thought about... talking to Walter about... what he calls you?"

Raven knew that Walter couldn't. He honestly wouldn't blame him. Handlers in Walter's position, especially when handling "brain fried" hounds like him, were not allowed to get attached. History has shown what happens if they do.

<>

Ayre looked at him with confusion. "'Can't?' You've... never got interested in asking him about that subject? I... I understand. Just curious, what about... well, me? I see that you don't exactly try to... add in conversations. Isn't that something humans do: Getting to know one another? I know I'm not... human, but-"

<>

"A distraction?" Ayre repeated.

<>

Ayre tried to think hard. But nothing was able to come into her mind. This was all... certainly new to her.

"I don't understand." she admitted.

<>

Not having any better ideas, Raven raised his arms and wrapped them around himself. Ayre tilted her invisible head in confusion.

<>

"Different like... this?" Ayre started.

And Raven once more felt the sense of arms trailing down his neck and chest, even feeling a chin resting on his shoulder. And oh, it was different. Much different. But where her happened to be on his chest, added something... different...

This was dangerous.

Ayre stopped and looked with concern. "Raven, are you all right? Your heart-rate just spiked."

<
"Did I do something wrong?" Ayre asked, obviously concerned. "I thought I could provide the stimulus you specified. I felt the pleasure response you described... I don't understand what went wrong."

<>

"I don't understand."

<>

His cheeks were surely shining brighter than her eyes. If only he could even notice it, or at least show an embarrassed expression.

<>

The response was an awkward. "Oh."

<>

Ayre sighed. "If that's your decision, Raven, but if affection is as important as you say it is, I would encourage you to seek it out regardless. And I must ask: Why, if it is so important, have you not experienced any such Contact during all the time I have known you?"

<>

"It seems like a critical oversight in the care your Handler provided you."

Raven found himself actually struggling to explain. If only Ayre was one of those who were once human and got caught up in the Fires of Ibis. She'd understand what he meant in a matter of seconds

<>

"By that logic, would your need for touch not prove that you are not just a weapon?" asked Ayre.

<>

Raven's heart rate began to speed up in panic while he was insisting.

<>

He was blinking away tears that he could barely feel. All of this was making Ayre grow in even more concern for Raven. Throw him away? And what did he mean by "again?" Is that how he got to be Walter's "hound," through human affection?

It took a minute, but the comforting feeling of his partner cuddling against his thoughts slowly pushed the fear and panic away.

"It's okay, Raven," Ayre said. "No one will throw you away for being human. I won't allow it."

Raven... Raven, he reminded himself, he was Raven now. Had no idea what Ayre could do to follow through on that promise, but the conviction in her partner's words made her believe it all the same. Thank you.

"And if you can't ask it of anyone else... I would be willing give you human affection again, if you wish." Ayre offered.

At that, Raven couldn't help but huff.

<>

"Your memories made it clear that it's something typically shared between dedicated intimate partners." Ayre's mentally-expressed mood turned mischievous as she continued, "You and I are bound together by our Contact in a way some humans might equate to marriage, aren't we, Raven?"

<>

"It is only an offer, but please, do not hesitate to ask it of me," said Ayre, silently admitting it.

Oh, I'm pretty sure that I will hesitate, Raven thought in private. He's got to tell her that they are nothing like a couple. They were just partners. Partners who just so happened to be shoved against each other, deciding to survive together and remain in contact just about until they reach the Coral Convergence.

There's no time for this, not with a life of a mercenary.

...

"Sir, we've got an incoming AC." said someone on the coms, "It's Father Dolmayan's machine, heavily damaged. I'm waking the repair team up, we'll be in the bay shortly."

The click of the comms ending was deafening in the quiet room. Flatwell stood from his desk to head to the hangar bay, gritting his teeth. Dolmayan had transferred over to the Central Ice Field now that Belius was in good hands with Rainer.

They could always use more experienced AC pilots, so he hadn't thought anything of it.

He hadn't even known ASTGHIK was deployed; Clearly he'd need to have a talk with Dolmayan and the hangar crew about logging sorties properly, and informing others about plans. This was exactly the same shit that got him captured last time. More importantly though, what exactly had he gotten up to while he was out. A decisive blow to a critical PCA enforcement squad or a corporate AC pilot would make a heavily damaged AC worth it.

Flatwell got his first look at the machine as he entered the hangar. It was missing the left arm from the elbow down and the entire right arm was ripped off at the shoulder, only a few hydraulic lines still hanging on. The indentation of the armor plates could also indicate shotguns instead of a melee weapon causing that much damage.

Dolmayan was standing on the gantry, looking at his AC while the repair crew was detaching the left arm and pulling off armor plates when Flatwell arrived. He turned around, about to speak but clearly thinking better of it.

"You better have a damn good reason for this," Flatwell gritted out, poking his friend in the chest.

He only needed a glance at Dolmayan's face to tell he hadn't managed whatever it was he was trying to do.

"I did." he claimed, "Let's go to your office, I'll tell you everything."

The walk back was quiet and when they were finally behind closed doors Dolmayan immediately raided the bottle of whiskey on his shelf.

"So, what did you sneak out for?" asked Flatwell.

He was slow to respond, which Flatwell knew meant he was not going to like what he heard.

"I heard that the independent mercenary Raven was spotted deploying to survey the floating city off the coast, in the Alean Ocean." he explained, "So I went to intercept them while they were alone."

Flatwell poured himself a glass at that, downing a gulp.

"You're telling me that you, one of the leaders of the Rubicon Liberation Front, went to try to assassinate Raven. The mercenary we've been hiring for critical jobs, and that I was planning to hire again in the future." he asked, "That Raven?"

He watched as Dolmayan winced at his words, but the man wasn't easily cowed.

"That mercenary killed thousands aboard the STRIDER, and hundreds more lost their lives when the Wall fell due to their actions." he defended, "And you want to make deals with someone who slaughtered our people like that?! They can't be trusted."

"I'm not asking you to trust them." replied Flatwell, "You know part of our long-term plans, which should let us handle them if they become an issue. Rainer, from our Belius Command, recently issued them a mission to assassinate a Vesper at the Wall, and he had only positive things to say about him. He's quiet, and I understand your distrust because of what he did, but he seems to have changed."

Flatwell sighed. His old friend was as stubborn as a mealworm sometimes, but hopefully he'd listen.

"He also has a woman named 'Ayre' claiming to be his operator now." he continued, "We've been communicating with her for mission requests since Raven arrived at the ice field. This could be the momentum we need to win the war. As your friend, I'm asking you to trust me."

It seemed, for a tense few minutes, that he might not listen, until he heaved a sigh.

"I'll trust your judgment, old friend." he said, "I don't think I could beat them anyways. That pilot is relentless and incredibly skilled. If they do turn on us, I hope your plan is enough to deal with them, because if they side with the corps... there'll be nothing left... but dying embers."

...

"621, Carla sent me a request for you." Walter informed, "You'll be leaving for the Belius region tomorrow."

Raven didn't even need to look at the briefing material to know it would be something involving the PCA. Looked like even RaD wasn't immune to the crushing boot of the Closure Administration.

"Raven, we've also received a notice that the parts you ordered a few days ago, after we got back from Xylem, have arrived." said Ayre, "I'm going to fly the heli over to pick them up."

Ayre. His beloved partner. Raven's Operator. His best friend.

<>

...

It had been a rough few days since the job to survey the Xylem for Walter.

Poking around the implants of another always left him with a gross feeling. He didn't know what he'd been thinking when he decided that was necessary. 621 had been fine, really, it's just... he was paranoid that something might go wrong. So what if it hadn't just blindly rushed in to destroy the Watchpoint device. Caution like that was something he should be cultivating, and instead... he tried his best to squash it.

Maybe while it was back in Belius it would find another job from the RLF. Or maybe he'd permanently excised what little was left of its own will, or whatever was giving it that spark.

Hopefully he hadn't hurt the hound.

...

Last time Carla had seen Walter's latest hound, when it beat its way through her defenses and the PCA, along with their surprise C-weapon, it had seemed like little more than a lifeless automaton.

No paint, no character, no name for their AC other than what it came with.

It was a shocking difference now, seeing the charcoal black machine that got off the transport. OBSIDIAN WING. On the shoulders were sections of more black paint, emblazoned with the symbol of a raven. Looked like it had really decided to embrace its new name.

Setting up the missiles at the now abandoned watchpoint had been mostly for show, taunting the Coyotes before the missiles ripped the part of the grid they were occupying to shreds. The tourist had been as useful as expected, dispatching every single attempt from the Coyotes to get near the launchers.

Even the PCA warship that showed up hadn't lasted long. It tried to throw the tourist off when they boosted up onto the top deck, and whatever they did to it had it crashing into the water below shortly after.

For a job Walter had asked her to put together as a favor, bringing the hound back over to Belius just for this, it had turned into a surprisingly nice fireworks show. Now she could go back to work without the constant yapping of the Coyotes.

...

They'd received another job request while Raven was dealing with the Coyotes and the PCA, so Ayre let her partner focus on the job while she looked through it. They got on the transport were excellent for cleaning up the hordes of MTs.

It was from the Liberation Front commander, Rainer, who she'd communicated with before. Hopefully they'd acknowledge what happened in Xylem, or maybe the Father of the Liberation Front would keep his actions secret from everyone.

After the other jobs they'd take for the Liberation Front, she didn't get the feeling that they'd actually planned to assassinate her partner, so something weird was going on here.

They'd finished off the attacking Coyotes and the surprise PCA warship relatively quickly, and were waiting near the watchpoint. Ayre had already accepted the mission request and there was a chopper inbound to pick them up.

"Raven, while you were dealing with the mission, I received another request for you." she informed, "Have a look at the briefing."

The briefing opened with aerial shots of the Wall.

They still haven't quit going after the Wall...

"Raven, we have a mission we'd like to offer you." they heard, "But before I brief you on that, I want to apologize. Uncle Flatwell informed me a few days ago about what Father Dolmayan did. His actions don't represent the Liberation Front. On the subject of this request, we are continuing with our plan to retake the Wall. After you assassinated Swinburne, we were preparing to assault the location when the PCA arrived. We lost a few MT squads as part of our Vanguard, while the Closure Administration took control of the Wall. They've stationed enforcement squads there, including another HC and various LCs that we need you to eliminate."

Long distance stills of a pair of LCs and an HC entering the wall showed next.

"We have a transport nearby to pick you up for the operation if you accept. And we also have a further job we'd like to offer you in the Central Ice Field, so we can arrange for transport back as well. One of our pilots will be available to assist you with clearing the forces outside the Wall."

"Raven, I let the Liberation Front know we'd take the mission." said Ayre, "The chopper will be arriving soon."

<>

Ayre took a moment to consider, looking through the information on notable Liberation Front pilots.

"I don't know." she admitted, "Likely not Flatwell or Dolmayan, since they are likely still over in the Central Ice Field. Perhaps Rokumonsen will be assisting us, or the other AC pilot we rescued from Balam, Ziyi."

<>

...

Rainer breathed a sigh of relief when the response from Raven's Operator came back saying they would take the job.

When Flatwell had informed him that Raven had been attacked by a comrade, and Dolmayan at that, he'd feared that the plan he was laying to retake the Wall would be dead in the water. They'd need someone with experience fighting the enforcement squads to handle this.

Fortunately it seemed that Raven harbored no grudge toward the rest of the Liberation Front. And now they were aboard the chopper, heading toward the drop off point at the back of the Wall. Ring Freddie had volunteered to assist with the mission, at least the exterior part of it, and to keep an eye on the merc. He knew it was likely on the orders of Father Dolmayan, whose connection to Freddie was no secret to those in the chain of command.

He'd keep a close eye on them. Dolmayan must have known a pilot like his paramour wouldn't be a challenge to Raven, so it was unlikely he'd attack him.

...

OBSIDIAN WING glided across the snowy banks, heading toward the rear of the Wall, visible in the distance.

<>

"Was this after you took the Wall?" Ayre questioned.

<>

Raven could feel her partner's curiosity.

"I'm detecting another AC ahead." said Ayre.

It was a purple machine, sitting on a pair of Elcano Fortaleza track legs.

"That AC matches the arena profile for 'Ring' Freddie." Ayre realized, "He's a Liberation Front pilot."

The comms crackled as the man joined the open frequency.

"Got a question for you, friend." asked the man, "You're Walter's hound... Why hide behind another's callsign?"

I'm not hiding. I am Raven.

CANDLE RING's head turned back toward the Wall and the dozens of MTs dotting the terrain outside OBSIDIAN WING stopped beside it.

Though only Raven could hear her, Ayre was the one to break the silence.

"Raven, we're ready to go whenever you are." She advised, "I've marked the targets we've seen so far; We need to destroy every MT we come across."

At the words, Raven reactivated her boosters, launching forward toward the Wall, Freddie close behind.

"Don't care to answer? So be it, hound." he said, "It doesn't matter anyways. Father saw it all, he saw who you are."

The Subject Guard MTs on the slopes ahead weren't even a challenge, the grenade launchers carried by CANDLE RING and the machine gun of OBSIDIAN WING mowing them down in droves while they panicked.

"Requesting backup." they pleaded, "Code 78!"

He could feel Ayre's satisfaction.

"Raven, I've managed to cut off their connection to the Subject Guard Belius link, there won't be any external reinforcements arriving." she informed.

They approached the loading docks at the base of the massive structure, CANDLE RING's speed putting it slightly ahead of him. A flash of lights from an upper door caught Raven's attention, and he watched as two pairs of LCs descended.

"Code 5, target for termination sighted." They said, "Engaging."

The leading pair of LCs, neither of which had a shield, caught a direct blast from Freddie's Songbirds, instantly overloading their ACS. Raven activated his assault boost, rocking toward them and charging his laser blade as he approached, skewering the first LC and sending it flying into its fellow, the missiles that followed from Freddie shredding what remained of both of them.

The second pair had shields, and were rightfully cautious after seeing the other two get taken out like that.

OBSIDIAN WING dropped to the ground, skidding back around the corner of the building at the base of the ramp to hide from the chasing missiles.

"I'm backing off, hound." said Freddie, "Try to lure them further out."

The pair of LCs pursued her, flying over the top of the building to stay out of range. Machine gun rounds dented the shields some, but it would take time, or a bigger hit to break those. The dual missile launcher stopped another missile, the line of explosions momentarily disorienting them, enough for OBSIDIAN WING to get close.

The blast of his assault armor overwhelmed the two machines; He kicked aside the shield on one before driving the pile bunker straight through its chest. The second found itself victim of a volley of songbird grenades and missiles, the armor buckling under the onslaught before giving up.

"What lackluster bloodlust." said Freddie, "Old gen emotional withdrawal perhaps, or you're just inured to slaughter. Power without purpose; No will of your own... My AC is of no use inside the Wall, I'm withdrawing now."

Ayre's anger at the Liberation Front pilot was like a rush of heat.

"He's wrong about you, Raven." she comforted, "You're more than a weapon."

<>

The rush of affection, of love, nearly made his head spin, but he had to focus on the mission.

<>

"The target should be inside the Wall, I'm picking up faint signatures." said Ayre, "Watch out for ambushes."

The corridor leading into the Wall was empty, and she waited at the first inner door while Ayre unlocked it.

"We're entering the structure. The HC can't be far..." Ayre informed.

Just inside the door was a quartet of Subject Guard MTs waiting in ambush. The first two were dispatched by a pair of shots before Raven boosted out.

"Code 15, target has breached the facility!" one voice panicked.

"Where's our patrol?!" another followed.

"All units!" a third called, "External comms have been compromised. Respond with available forces. We need time to activate the HC!"

That voice was clearly their commander, which meant they likely wouldn't get to the HC before it was ready. The two doors into the next section took only a moment to unlock as Ayre worked her magic, and they entered to find only a trio of MTs.

"Code 5!" said one, "Solo AC!"

"Engaging!" said the other.

The door at the opposite end opened as Raven blasted the first MT apart, then a second.

"Code 23! Attending scene! That AC must be our independent merc. Moving to terminate!"

The machine brought it's right arm up as it loosed a volley of missiles, beams of laser fire lancing out and splashing across the floor when Raven quickboosted out of the way.

"Raven, this HC has a different loadout." Ayre warned, "That laser rifle probably has a charged mode, if you dodge the shot you can exploit the opening."

The HC chose that moment to dash into range, trying to slam OBSIDIAN WING with its shield. The overboost system opened and the assault armor activated, overloading the shield and the rest of the machine. The arms were protecting the vulnerable sides, and he wouldn't make it around the back in time, so best to try and cripple it some. The massive machine gun rounds cracked the housing of the missile launchers, ensuring they wouldn't be usable, before denting the thruster modules on the back.

Raven boosted back, gaining space to hopefully avoid being bashed, especially now that the core expansion was cooling off and unusable for a time. He wouldn't be able to use that maneuver again for a bit.

The IR sensors immediately started to pick up a massive buildup of energy as the HC backed off, a characteristic blue glow emanating from its rifle.

"That comms interference must have been your work too, interloper!" someone shouted, "Corps and mercs, you're all the same... violate the law and you'll pay the price!"

With that, the HC pilot raised the rifle up, the blast it unleashed scoring a deep gash in the armor of OBSIDIAN WING's left leg as it passed and punching a hole into the floor. The machine leaned forward, preparing to charge again.

Raven jumped as it did, launching over its head to pelt it with machine gun fire, the blows to the weak back armor staggering the already off-balance machine, overloading its ACS again. This time, he was in a good position, and the laser blade easily scored a hit on the weaker back armor, ripping through the right shoulder.

"Rgh...! If only I could reach the System!" they heard, "You've made a big mistake, merc!"

The pilot's desperation was going to get him killed. Raven activated assault boost to close the distance, a kick to the shield pushing the HC back a step before his machine gun came up, the shots chipping away at the damaged armor on the right side until one round slipped in and hit something vital.

The enemy machine stumbled before collapsing back, leaking smoke. It didn't get back up, and a moment later, the generator went critical.

"Enemy systems silent. HC enforcement craft destroyed." said Ayre, "Let's get out of here, Raven."

<>

"Rainer said there was another transport leaving later today, if that works for you."

<>

...

Rainer watched the familiar routine as Raven arrived at the loading docks, OBSIDIAN WING touching down a bit away before walking over. Something about it looked different, and it took him a moment to realize there was now an emblem on the left shoulder. A white raven on a black background.

The pilot had exited the machine, his helmet still on. With the colder weather in Central Belius, it would be nice to have a full pilot suit to stay warm.

"Raven, thank you again for taking this job. I wanted to apologize in person for the incident."

He waved a hand dismissively, following him onto the transport floatship. He'd asked for a private office this time, ostensibly for planning work, and the captain had obliged. In reality, he knew Raven would likely want to get some sleep, and he had seemed very uncomfortable last time during the trip back with the other Liberation Front pilots, so he made sure to rectify that.

Raven might not be one of his comrades, but he had saved many lives by taking these jobs, and he wanted to do his best to keep someone of his skill agreeable to working for them.

...

It was a relief for Walter to hear when 621 told him it had taken a Liberation Front job and that they'd be providing transport back to the ice field.

Carla had only good things to say about its performance, and if it was still taking jobs that he didn't source for, his hacked together changes must not have been effective. Whatever the voices it was hearing were, it wouldn't be a stretch to guess they were kinder to it than he had been.

Perhaps, if everything kept going well, this one would survive, have a chance to undo the surgery and be normal again. Surely one of them was owed a happy ending, after all the death and suffering he'd caused.

After hearing about the deaths of 617, 620, and 619, Walter just knew 621 would be broken, or...even more so now.

https://youtu.be/WEsibVKPNA0

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