Chapter Text
11.13 didn’t know what to think when ALLMIND said she was suitable to sortie, after defeating G5 Iguazu’s arena data. ALLMIND had contacted her providing a catalog of AC parts compatible with the MIND-ALPHA prototype that she inhabited and informed her about a sortie with an RLF convoy as an extra escort.
She had chosen to name her AC TRANSCRIBER because she recorded her experiences to learn from. The load-out she made comprised of only energy weapons: in her right hand she had a 44-142 KRSV, which doubled as a laser and plasma rifle. Her left arm had a 44-143 HMMR plasma thrower, her right shoulder was equipped with a 45-091 ORBT orbital laser drone, and finally, on her left shoulder, she carried a VP-61PS pulse shield.
As she was wondering about potential hazards for the convoy, ALLMIND contacted her with a pre-recorded briefing from the RLF mercenary liaison. “Hello, we have a mission ALLMIND told us you may be interested in. We want you to aid in defending a supply convoy going from, BAWS arsenal #2 to an RLF stronghold called The Wall. One of our AC pilots, Little Ziyi, will join you for the mission. Hopefully, we can count on you for assistance.”
After sending ALLMIND her confirmation, 11.13 settled into the transport chopper for the long ride. All she could think about was if Little Ziyi had improved from her last Arena entry or if they’d work well together.
The interior of her transport was poorly lit, her ACs generator humming louder than anything else, even in stand-by mode. 11.13 ran another diagnostic check. When it returned all green, she sent an inquiry to ALLMIND about the convoy’s status.
“The convoy is reporting all systems green and is en route to BAWS arsenal for the pickup. Be ready for deployment in 15 minutes.” It was strange hearing ALLMINDS voice over the transport's internal radio, but it was welcome as it helped keep her from overanalyzing possible scenarios.
When the transport arrived at BAWS arsenal #2, 11.13 was surprised by how small the RLF force was. She had expected more than a handful of MTs and a Single AC to defend such a critical supply run. It seemed the RLF was spread far more thinly than ALLMIND had anticipated.
Little Ziyi, already on the ground, spoke as she approached her. “Not what you expected, huh?” she sounded almost nervous as they were doing the final checks.
“No, I anticipated a larger force. Are you sure this will be enough?” Her voice sounded a little too synthetic; she didn’t have enough time to refine it during the trip. She just hoped it would arouse too much suspicion.
Ziyi turned to look away from her, at the MT squad that was assigned for this mission. “We have to make do with what we have. The corporations are relentless and we're stretched too thin. But we’ll manage. Were coral warriors after all.” She already sounded so worn. ALLMIND informed her earlier that this war was just starting, and it was only going to get worse
11.13 nodded after Ziyi turned back, her AC mimicking the gesture she’d seen from the limited human staff at one of ALLMINDs facilities. “Understood. Well, make sure this convoy reaches the wall intact.”
Ziyi just stood there for a moment, before replying. “Alright, Let’s get moving.”
*****
Ziyi didn’t know what to think about the merc they hired. Most independents usually don’t go around with a full kit of energy weapons, especially plasma; they were to expensive to maintain for most, and the ones that do usually take jobs from the corps. Her AC, TRANSCRIBER’s loadout wasn’t even the strangest part about her. This merc… she just realized she doesn’t know her callsign. Sounded off, not in the backstabbing way, but she can’t place it.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Ziyi decided she could think about the merc later. She went back to scanning their surroundings. Her AC, YUE YU wasn’t as mobile as TRANSCRIBER, so she was up front while the merc took up the rear. Nothing has happened in the two hours from when they left the arsenal. She hoped it would stay that way but you could never be too careful on Rubicon.
Getting a ping from TRANSCRIBER: corporate AC and MT squad inbound, making contact.
She groaned. She just had to jinx it
*****
After sending her message, 11.13 went to intercept. ALLMIND had already gotten the ID for the AC coming in: GUIDANCE, piloted by the leader of the Vespers' seventh squad. She had already beaten him in the ARENA, but reality was always different from a simulation.
She had already charged her rifle for a combined shot. Even if it depleted the capacitor by a substantial amount, she was hoping to end this fight quickly or at least cripple the enemy AC and take out any surrounding MTs. She also deployed her drone and sent it after the MTs.
When Swinburne finally noticed her, it was too late to dodge the blue and purple energy beam that atomized half of an MT before connecting with his AC. Unfortunately, it didn’t kill him, and he had enough time for his ACS to reset before she could get into melee range or have her rifle cool down enough to follow up with a shot into his compromised armor. After regaining control of his AC, he immediately retaliated with a shot from his grenade launcher, forcing her to dodge, allowing him to fire missiles at her without retaliation.
Their fight continued like this for a while longer, with her not being able to deal any considerable damage past his shield, and him keeping her away with a barrage of missiles and grenade cannon rounds. Their stalemate was broken when her drone finished off the last of the MT squad.
Now that Swinburne had to split his attention between her and her drone, he couldn’t keep up. His AC core melted after suffering an ACS overload, followed by a plasma shot breaching the rest of his armor and causing a generator meltdown.
After confirming Swinburne was dead, she metaphorically winced when she ran a diagnostic. Her armor was down to 64% integrity, her drone was on its last legs, and her rifle’s capacitor was nearly spent. Her armor was an easy fix, only requiring one of her repair canisters, but her drone and rifle would have to wait until she could resupply.