OBSIDIAN WING was soon loaded into the hangar. Raven cracked his neck as the outline of his vision started to glow red around the edges.

"Raven," said Ayre, "I've been thinking about that... that one part you found..."

It took a moment, but Raven quickly realized that she was talking about the IA-C01G AORTA generator. It compensated for its mostly middling stats with a rather high Post-Recovery EN Supply stat, which lends itself to a counterintuitive doctrine of energy management, where it's desirable to completely deplete the generator in order to gain back the most energy after a short delay.

However, it was a Coral generator.

And, Raven was still remembering about their conversation after being shot out of cargo once meeting Carla, and the encounter with the C-Weapon SEA SPIDER. Her fear. Still rang in his head.

<>

It was an honest answer. Raven knew that Ayre didn't want to be used and possibly be burned out. They still didn't know if the souls of the Coral used in C-Weapons are probably either burned out or just simply tired out whenever their energy is depleted, forcing the charges to cool down.

<>

"No... no." Ayre interrupted, "I... I-I want you to use it."

Raven's eyes widened. Use it? But... he didn't know if it'd be smart. He didn't want to hurt her. For he had come to a small realization: Watchpoint.

He had been wondering if that's how come she wasn't with the massive amount of Coral. He figured that Ayre was taken away, separated from her family. And then she was probably forced to power the entire base without probably even noticing it. Ayre would've said so by now.

Ayre could feel his fear for her safety. She secretly smiled. He truly cared for her.

<>

"It's okay, Raven..." she promised, "I know what I'm doing."

<>

The Coral Intelligence knew he'd say that. Was she upset? No. She could never be. In fact, she was thankful for his honesty. And yes, this was true.

"You risk yourself every time you go into battle." said Ayre, "Now, I'm willing to go into the abyss and face death with you."

Raven looked down. He let out a shaky breath. She had close to no idea what she was asking but... okay. If they were going to do this together, so be it but... why? Why's she trying to-?

"I thought that maybe I could be more than just your operator." said Ayre, "You're Raven, OBSIDIAN WING's muscle, its pilot. I'm its heart, its operator. We can work together even more. We can truly be partners though this."

<>

The mercenary then started to swipe over to the IA-C01G AORTA. He hesitated for a moment, eventually feeling a touch of warmth around his shoulder, he let out another shaky breath and then pressed onto the button.

The old generator: The VP-20S, was soon swapped with the Coral one. He then leaned his head back as he swapped the old boosters with the IA-C01B: GILLS.

"I want to help you, Raven." said Ayre, "Now I'm ready to truly support you."

<>

...

Walter sighed as he read over the latest reports from his contacts at the major corps. The PCA had faltered after 621 destroyed the Ice Worm, and the corps had pounced on the opportunity. Perhaps he should have helped Balam with their operations more; With Nile gone and the Redguns solely under the command of Michigan, they'd lost the race to Arquebus.

Balam had pillaged the PCA bases in their assigned half of the Ice Field, while Arquebus, using their now proven stun launcher weaponry, had made a bold raid on the other joint target, a massive staging area for the PCA's suppression fleet, seizing over two dozen warships.

Balam, meanwhile, was left with a few meager stocks of Subject Guard MTs and LCs they could find.

After the PCA withdrew their remaining half of the interceptor fleet, he'd kept offering 621's services to Michigan to help him combat the now advantaged PCA.

The Redguns were down three members, Nile, Volta, and Hakra, while the Vespers had only lost Swinburne. Thanks to the hound, Balam had managed to force another ceasefire by the time Watchpoint Alpha was discovered.

The corps had brokered a deal to send 621 to clear the defenses after the first MT squads from Balam and Arquebus were wiped out by it. Neither wanted to lose any more forces, MT or AC, to the NEPENTHES energy cannon.

It wouldn't be enough to stop the hound, though. 621 had overcome every challenge Walter threw at it, and something as stupid as a static defensive emplacement wouldn't change that record.

...

Ayre remained quiet, her presence reassuring as they looked over the top of Watchpoint Alpha.

The inner section was depressed, a hatch that appeared to lead down to the cavernous area they had seen on the Central Ice Field scans so long ago. Massive deadbolts began to retract with a hiss of escaping gasses, followed by the rumbling of machinery retracting the four sections of the cover.

Watchpoint Alpha could comfortably fit any of the smaller Watchpoints inside that hole, and it was only the inner half of the massive structure. The pit below was dark, piping running down the walls and rails for a service elevator protruding out into the open space.

"You'll be going down deep, and there's no guarantee you'll come back." Walter said.

OBSIDIAN WING's boosters carried them out over the abyss before shutting off, and they plummeted down toward the elevator.

"Still... You're the only one who can do this." said Walter, "I'm counting on you to reach the Coral."

The lift had barely started moving when it suddenly ground to a halt.

"Intruder detected. Threat level unknown." The vaguely female voice seemed to be coming from the walls. "Defense phase 1.0. Commencing termination."

They flared up with a bright red glow, just like unstable-looking energy from the other Coral sources Raven and Ayre have seen.

<>

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

Ayre was already activating the local area radar, just in time to see several signatures arriving from below. "Raven, multiple hostiles detected. Their energy signatures look like the suicide drones we encountered near the cargo launcher."

She watched as her partner dodged a trio of ramming attempts before his laser sword cleared them with two giant swings, finishing them off quickly.

"The elevator's locked out," Walter commented.

"We have no choice but to jump," Ayre finished. "Let's go, Raven."

OBSIDIAN WING stepped off the sides, falling quickly toward one of the elevator rails when a massive surge appeared below them.

"Watch out, below you!" Ayre called.

Raven made it to cover just before the laser beams ignited the air where he was a moment ago.

"That's NEPENTHES... and it's clearly a force to be reckoned with." Ayre informed.

The platform shook with five more impacts before Raven jumped off, one for each barrel of the massive cannon. He dodged once to send the volley of plasma missiles careening past as he free-fell down to the next platform.

Klaxons began to blare as she fell, the next partition slamming shut in time to trap Raven above it.

"I'm picking up enemy signals nearby!" Ayre warned.

A set of four autonomous PCA MTs landed heavily nearby, deploying their blades and attempting to swarm OBSIDIAN WING, only to be led in circles and easily dispatched.

"You're clear. I'll find a way to get that partition open. Stand by for now, 621," Walter ordered.

A quick glance around revealed a recessed bay in the wall. Raven activated assault boost, rocketing over to the opening.

"Raven, I'm detecting electronic activity from that area." Ayre said. "It's probably an access panel. If you get close, I can get the partition open."

It took her only a few seconds to crack the security, and the deadbolts began to release, klaxons blaring.

"Did you find an access point?" Walter seemed surprised that Raven was taking the initiative, despite being far away from any reinforcements. "Good job sniffing that out."

"Unauthorized access detected." The automated system warned as the partition creaked open. "Transitioning to Phase 1.5."

From there, it was simple to repeat the pattern. Fall down to the next platform while keeping it between them and NEPENTHES, dodge the plasma missiles. OBSIDIAN WING was still at full integrity when they reached the bottom, and a few volleys of shotgun fire and a charged pile bunker hit crippled the neck of the aiming mechanism and overloaded the cannon.

"The NEPENTHES artillery platform is silent," Ayre reported. "Let's take a moment to rest, Raven. We've got a long road ahead of us."

"Confirmed, target destroyed." Walter said. "The next part of your assignment is to survey what is being referred to as Depth 2, the primary tunnel network that lies between this elevator shaft and a large underground area. My radar won't be able to reach the lower depths. You'll have to trust your eyes and ears."

...

The tunnel system had autonomous PCA heavy MTs stationed at key checkpoints, and the doors appeared to be inoperable.

"According to the structural drawings, the route continues past this partition." Ayre observed. "Looks like the power's out. Let's find a way to bring it back online."

A quick scan revealed a maintenance shaft that led down into a lower level, where Raven found a control panel. The lights activated after the breaker was closed again, and the elevator doors opened a moment later.

"The power is back online. I've reactivated the elevator too, let's take it back up to the upper level." Ayre suggested. "The partition should open now. I'll try to access it."

The heavy blast door opened easily now that the power was back on, and Raven made his way into the next tunnel section.

"The heat exchange section's up ahead." said Ayre.

The room beyond was empty. OBSIDIAN WING came to a stop in front of the next blast door, waiting for Ayre to work her magic when the feeling of concentration from her partner was suddenly disrupted. "Raven, ambush!"

Two signatures appeared on the radar, their IFF tags registering a second later. DEADSLED and HEAD BRINGER.

"Finally found you, freelancer!" G5 Iguazu's voice was unmistakable over the radio.

"So this is Raven." The other voice was gravelly. "They do seem rather extraordinary."

OBSIDIAN WING boosted to the side, evading a barrage of laser and linear rifle fire, weaving around the pillars supporting the heat exchangers.

"Raven, that's G5 Iguazu, and the independent mercenary Coldcall." Ayre informed, "He's a black market contract killer. Be careful."

<>

"Let me tell you," Iguazu said, "I am sick and tired of this pit, this planet, of fucking Michigan. You're my ticket out of here. It'll all be over once your sorry ass is dead!"

DEADSLED boosted hard, launching around the corner of the rail track supports only to be staggered by a blast from Raven's assault armor. A volley of missile and handgun fire threw him back against the concrete wall before the pile bunker skewered his torso, pinning the now dying machine to the wall.

"...Ah, it comes..." his voice was weak, gurgling. Part of his cockpit has likely been crumpled by the pile, crushing his body. "The... inevitable..."

DEADSLED slumped to the ground, leaking slurry and fire as the pile bunker retracted. Raven boosted to the side, flinching as a volley of missiles and weapons fire savaged her shoulder armor, forcing her to expend a repair kit.

"...AC DEADSLED destroyed. Only Iguazu is left now," Ayre reported.

Raven launched a BML-G1/P03VTC-08 Vertical Missile Launcher, the string of explosions rocking HEAD BRINGER as he closed the distance. The sudden shield deployment negated the volley of shotgun fire, leaving his open to return fire, though with his loadout there was little chance of a decisive blow from G5.

They continued to circle each other, jockeying for an opening. Another volley nearly staggered Iguazu when he fired off his assault armor, giving his ACS time to recover and destroying an inbound missile.

"Ngh...! My ears... Not now....! That quack messed me up...!" Iguazu grunted out, losing focus for a moment.

A kick from BML-G1/P03VTC-08 sent him flying back, sliding across the floor.

"Learned some new tricks, huh?!" He yelled. "I know you're laughing at me... What makes YOU so special, freelancer?!"

Raven closed to shotgun range, firing one to bait him into raising his shield. His assault armor had finished cooling off and was ready again. The blast slammed into the raised pulse shield, instantly overloading HEAD BRINGER.

The laser blade tore through his torso armor, holding the other AC limply in the air. There was no ejection this time.

"I swear, I'll -" he shouted.

With a pained scream, the comms transmission faded into static. Raven stopped to watch as the Redgun AC slumped over.

"Confirmed," Ayre said, her voice heavy. "G5 Iguazu down."

<>

"No! No. It's... it's okay. Trust me."

Raven sighed. He could tell she was partly exhausted. But she assured him that she'll get used to it. He hoped so she would. He most certainly hoped she would. Then again, she's probably been powering the entire Watchpoint where they first met since before they made Contact.

Or that's what he guessed anyway.

He gets it that she wants to be more than just an operator and now be a fuel tank for his AC, but OBSIDIAN WING can...

No. If Ayre wants to help him, then in that case, he'll let her. It's her choice.

He'd never forgive himself if he'd take her ability to choose away from her. It was taken from him a long time ago. He won't be like the others, those who take advantage of them, imprisoning them, just like slaves.

He had to get this thought out of his brain. He needs to focus. Now.

The tunnel outside the blast door curved away into a cavern where a number of corporate MTs that had likely taken a different route on their survey were firing at something.

"Defense program, Phase 2.0." The artificial voice was loud and seemed to come from no particular place.

A sudden blur of movement was followed by sparks and explosions as the corporate MTs were squashed by a massive, two legged thing. It seemed to glance back toward OBSIDIAN WING before leaping off again. "Intruder identified. Threat level: 7."

"What was that...?" Ayre asked, confusion evident in her voice.

BML-G1/P03VTC-08 was crossing the chasm to another ledge when a radar warning flashed.

"Raven, watch out!" shouted Ayre.

A beam of laser fire lanced past, igniting the air as it traveled, followed by a volley of missiles that crashed uselessly into the wall behind OBSIDIAN WING.

"That weapon must be guarding this depth." said Ayre, "I'll see what data I can find."

The machine vacated the platform below with a thump as it retreated into the tunnel system again. Raven followed it down, rounding a bend and barely dodging the blast that would have cored her AC. The door in front of them slammed shut, blocking the way.

A quick scan of the nearby side room revealed no maintenance shafts that might lead down to the lower level.

"Raven, there should be a ventilation duct somewhere nearby. Let's try to find that, and hopefully it will give us a way inside." Ayre reasoned.

A series of rocky ledges led down the edge of the chasm, OBSIDIAN WING falling beside them. Ahead, a small rocky platform sat, and a pipe emerged from the wall.

"Ventilation duct identified." said Ayre, "Looks like it's connected to the control room."

The duct emerged into a room with a steam catapult. Raven stepped onto it and prepared to jump. A dozen small contacts lit her radar as he leapt, the assist flinging him to the top of the shaft. Below, an arcing electrical field had appeared. Looks like the PCA filled the area with ambushes.

Another ventilation duct was on the opposite wall. A number of the small machines hung from the ceiling, but Raven made it into the duct without incident. It dropped out into another room, this one having a number of inactive PCA heavy MT drones hanging from the ceiling.

"Defense program, Phase 2.5." The automated system droned. "Intruder proximity to critical sector confirmed.

A quick handgun blast dispatched one of the inactive drones, and he proceeded to clear them all out. No point risking an ambush if they activated. A panel at the opposite end of the room was reading as having power, and once OBSIDIAN WING was close enough Ayre could activate it.

"I've forced the partitions and the elevators back online." Ayre reported. "The defense system is onto us. But we should be able to proceed."

The comms crackled to life again as the elevator ascended with them in it.

"Seems like smooth sailing, 621." Walter said. "As if you hardly need help from me. When'd you get so good at exploring?"

Raven couldn't help the grin that spread on his face. He was hardly alone down here, no matter what Walter thought. And with Ayre to help him, no challenge could bar them for long.

The room through the blast door appeared to be a turntable for rerouting trains. The next door was large, much wider than the simple circular blast doors of the individual tunnels.

"I expect that defense weapon will be waiting for us." Ayre's voice was grim. "Be careful, Raven."

A cascade of dust and rock fell from the ceiling at the opposite end of the chamber as OBSIDIAN WING walked forward. The door behind them slammed shut as the defense weapon was revealed. It stood awkwardly on two shorter legs when parts suddenly began to move.

"Defense program, Phase 3.0." said the artificial voice, "Switching to termination mode."

The front separated and swung underneath before it suddenly stood on them, revealing legs. The previous legs became arms that grasped the massive weapon it had mounted like a cannon as it took a stance.

"Terminating target."

The machine raised the cannon and fired off a laser beam, the energy scorching the armor of OBSIDIAN WING as he boosted sideways.

"Enemy analysis complete." Ayre informed, "That's the ENFORCER, an AI-controlled prototype developed by the PCA. It was designed to defend key Watchpoint sector, and eliminate any intruders..."

Raven engaged assault boost, closing on the ENFORCER while firing vertical missiles. A volley of shotgun fire followed by a kick staggered the target but left it out of range. The best she could manage was a leaping strike with the laser blade that dented the torso armor but failed to penetrate it. He backed off as the machine recovered, spraying pulse gun fire after him.

"Whatever they're hiding down here, they wanted it to stay hidden." Ayre said.

The enforcer glided across the ground, a lance of energy building up on its weapon as it brought it to a firing position. OBSIDIAN WING crouched, the blast of assault armor followed by a shotgun volley stunning the ENFORCER.

Raven switched to his laser blade, the charge finishing just as it began to move, missing the torso and impaling the left arm. The ENFORCER retreated, its arm hanging limply, immobile but not completely wrecked.

"Phase 3.5, Pattern E. Releasing output limiters." said the voice again, "Reconfiguring energy draw and maximum values for all actuators. Terminating intruder. Threat level 7... 8... Verdict: Threat... to priority closure..."

A wave of energy tore across the ground, licking at OBSIDIAN WING's feet as he leapt into the air, forcing a repair kit to make sure the legs were intact and in peak condition. Movement was life in a fight like this.

The machine suddenly deployed a pulse shield, handgun fire and missiles absorbed by the barrier. It prepared the cannon again, except this time a beam extended from it. Like an EKDROMOI lance. The ENFORCER leapt into the air, swinging the cannon like a spear.

Raven boosted forward, diagonally to his right, slipping past the spear. His own laser sword was charging as he glided, waiting for the opportunity when the PCA machine would expose its torso to him.

The weapon discharged with a powerful thunk , spearing deep into the abdomen and breaching vital systems. The ENFORCER managed to recover its footing but fell to its knees, an explosion forcing it prone where it struggled momentarily before going limp.

"Confirmed. Enemy unit is silent... Walter should have some data on the next sector." said Ayre, then suggested, "You have time for a break for now, Raven."

<>

"I can't be certain, but a mobile station is likely on the way soon, since we know the corps have already sent down some ACs. Or, at least the Redguns have."

https://youtu.be/WEsibVKPNA0

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Thanks for Reading!

Hey guys, so sorry I forgot to post this chapter!