The cold gray cell of the Las Vegas Base’s Detention Center felt very much like the Aegis. The only exception was that he was never pulled back out to pilot against a squad of Armored Suits. Sitting at a small metallic desk in the cell, Shay began to write a letter to his Pen-Pal in the colonies. He began to write down everything that had happened so far, minus him piloting the X-Gain. It was so much to say, so much to put down, but he knew he would trouble them if he went into more detail.

Five days has passed since the Aegis had entered the Las Vegas Federation Base and things weren’t looking too good for him. For all he knew, they would leave him to rot in this cell until the war ended. It just goes to show how much they cared. However, something in the back of his mind kept whispering to him, a strange sensation that felt that everything would be alright.

A sharp rap at the cell door caught his attention. The viewport grill slid open, revealing a man with sharp piercing eyes. He had on a Federation uniform, following closely behind, three soldiers with guns. Closing the grill, he opened the cell door and walked right on in. With a heavy slam, the cell door closed.

“You must be the one that’s causing all this commotion. I don’t envy you young man. Let’s have a chat.”

The man spoke with a high-pitched tone of voice. With a quick swipe, he knocked the pen Shay had been holding out of his hand and cleared the table. Placing a brown folder onto its surface, he brought out a single piece of paper, filled to the brim with heavy cursive writing. At the bottom, a single line with an X.

The Federation has a long and storied history of keeping and making contracts. The hey-day era from their initial inception had propelled military companies to the top of the Fortune 500 group. All over earth, in the few areas not overseen by the Earth Federation Government, small pockets of remnant forces of old era governments fought for what land they had left. The military companies would swoop in, offer weapons to both sides and profit.

A contract signed by an individual with the Earth Federation Government was no small feat as well. It usually involved many lawyers, back and forth negotiations, and a period of extreme revisions before both sides were completely satisfied. However, not all contracts were made in the same vein.

“Shay Kisaragi. We have done a thorough background check on you. We know everything there is to know, your birthplace, what people you know, what you’ve done and your history. You can’t run away, and you can’t die in peace. A Cadet who lost everything because another didn’t like you. What a tragic end to an aspiring military career. Poof, just like that, before you even started.”

“What do you want? Stop speaking like you’re some sort of comedian.”

“My bad. You children are impatient nowadays. Sign this contract. You’ll be forgiven of your crimes against the Earth Federation. In exchange, you will join of your own free will and serve aboard the vessel Aegis for the time being. Doesn’t sound that bad hmm?”

The man produced a silver pen from his chest pocket. Placing it next to the contract, he folded his arms and leaned back.

Like a scene from a cheesy military movie, Shay could only pick up the pen. His hand trembled as he wrote his signature on the indicated line. He couldn’t die. He couldn’t be put behind bars for something he had to do. He had to see Lily again, had to make sure he lived. Maybe one day he could go back and finish his schooling. But he had to accept. The alternative wasn’t a choice.

“Good choice. Expect to be moved to slightly better quarters soon. Wise decision young man. Your father must be so proud, his only son serving on the Federation’s newest warship.”

When the man left the cell, Shay picked up the letter he had been writing. It was already finished, but somehow, he felt like it didn’t need to be sent. A single tear-drop fell from his eye onto the paper. Rubbing his eyes, he went and laid down on his bunk and closed his eyes.

#

Back onboard the Clarant, Char looked at the recovered remains of the Vyran II’s that had been shot down. The cockpits were mostly unrecoverable, just a mass of twisted and melted metal. The coffins would have to be empty, but at least she didn’t have to personally inform the families.

“Commander Char.”

Sgt. Anton saluted and handed Char a clipboard. It was a requisition order she had filed a while ago. Before they had begun their assault during the sandstorm. Her orders had been approved, with a date matching that of the next resupply shuttle due from space.

Handing it back to Anton, Char walked up to one of the engineers still surveying the wreckage.

“What can you tell me about the type of weapon used?”

The Engineer, his eyes still glued to the handheld scanner in his hand, began to speak.

“Damage is consistent with the firepower of a ship’s Beam Cannons. Its impossible to think they could have shrunk down a ship beam weaponry to effectively aim and hit our Armored Suits.”

“It wasn’t a ship. It was an Armored Suit that did this. And look at me when you speak soldier.”

The Engineer turned around. With a slight shriek, he saluted, his cap nearly falling off his head.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was you Commander Cha-!”

“Just tell me the rest.”

Holding up her hand to stop him, she pointed towards the melted Vyran II.

“O-okay. Ahem, if it was an Armored Suit as you say, then the Earth Federation must have somehow managed to miniaturize a ship’s Beam Cannon.”

“If they manage to mass-produce that, alongside Armored Suits with that machine’s specs, this could be a whole lot of trouble.”

The operation had been a failure, but that didn’t stop Char. Heading to the Bridge, she had requested to open a private line between her ship and Colony 13. On screen, scrambled images appeared. After several seconds, the pictures began to come in clearer. Duke Van Bardone stood, his entire figure picked up and transmitted to the Clarant’s bridge. He had a heavy scar from across his face, and his hair grayish hair had been combed to the side. His heavy physique would have been twice as imposing if he had been there in person, but his fancy uniform made him look like a stereotypical villain from a superhero show.

“Yes Char? I know that we are old friends, but that doesn’t mean you can call me whenever you please.”

Duke Van Bardone’s voice boomed out from the speakers. He spoke with a slow enunciated tone, as if he spoke too quickly it would cause a hole to open in his chest.

“Its good to see you too, old friend. But I didn’t call for just a simple reason. I have come to report on the situation on the top-secret information we received.”

“You mean the one about the Federation having their own Armored Suits? I trust you have debunked that rumor Char.”

“I am sorry to say, but it seems our intel was on the mark. My team encountered the machine. Most of them have been wiped out. We lost four Vyran II’s to it.”

“You lost four Vyrans!?”

Duke Van Bardone’s voice shifted slightly. His face twitched, the way it always did when something reminded him of the scar on his face.

“Yes. Not to worry however. I have devised a plan to take out the Federation’s prototype, alongside its newest model warship. I will also need a resupply of Armored Suits and manpower.

“Very well Char. You will have your Armored Suits and men. You have never disappointed and its unlikely you will now. God speed to you.”

With an audible blip, the communication feed shut off.

Char stood there, staring out at the monitors showing the Bridge the outside world. Everywhere she looked, the sands made her remember the time she had seen the Federation carpet bomb a Bardone base. Everything had been reduced to ash and glass. The white Armored Suit left an impression on her. Something about it rubbed her the wrong way. It was fine however. All she needed to do was get rid of it before Operation Earthfall.

#

The Aegis never received its replacement crew. Arthur sat in the Captain’s Chair, rubbing his forehead. The Bridge was going through its Pre-Flight checklist before lifting off. Arthur had already listed off the phases and they were just now waiting for the Hanger to complete its supply requisition before they could head to their next destination.

Executive meddling had reared its ugly head. After a review of the situation, the base had declared that the recently recruited members were fit to be put into an active capacity. No experienced soldiers were going to be put on board. No replacement pilot for the X-Gain. What they had was what they get.

“Captain. You have a call from the Hanger.”

“Thank you Kaine.”

Picking up the Bridge Phone, he placed it closed to his head.

“Captain, we just got our pilot for the X-Gain.”

On the other end is Mechanic Richen Watts. He had graduated top of his class and had served on several ships before the Aegis. They were at their time, the top of the line. He worked on fighters, ships components, and more. Armored Suit maintenance, repairs, and the like were new to him, but if he had a manual, he could work things out.

“I thought we were having Cadet Kent pilot it?”

“About that…”

Richen explained the situation. With a sigh, Arthur confirmed that the Hanger was finally done with its resupply and readied for liftoff.”

“Something wrong Captain?”

“No, Warrant Officer Kaine. Nothing is wrong, nothing is wrong.”

Whether it was to hide his true feelings away, Arthur gave the order to launch.