The Spider of Rubicon (Reader x Armored Core 6)

Chapter 25: The Red Road

Raven pov

At this point...I had lost count on how many times I've watched the recording leaked by the Liberation Front...

The video in question was Y/N...he was fighting his own machine, Scuttles...but what had truly caught my eyes was...how damaged he was...

His face looked cracked and damaged...along with a new left arm and a heavy right...My mind could do nothing but wonder what what he has been put through...

System: MAIN SYSTEM...ONE NEW MESSAGE...

I raised an eyebrow out of curiosity before opening a message tab to see the new message...from Rusty?

I quickly played the recording while listening close.

Rusty: hey buddy...it's me, Rusty...your buddy from the vespers...look, I'm sorry for taking   Y/N from you...and I'm sorry for taking this long to get this message out...but I need you to listen up...the PCA have also received the leaked footage of the G-1...and Y/N too...

A tab opened up in the recording...showing the increased spikes of coral energy readings.

Rusty: almost every corporation and merc out here on Rubicon wants a peice of the action of the compas to the coral...but the PCA halting most of our operations, and laying down the law...it looks to be that we all have a common enemy now...

I huffed in complaint before continuing to listen...

Rusty: as of now, the PCA have taken over an old refinery, and using it as a their main refueling depot thats was being used as a coral observation post...to add to to it...theres mention that Arquebus has intercepted encrypted coms talking about making an operation to capture the G-1 Pilot...and seeing how things have been building up till now?...I don't think anyone is willing to let that happen...so I need you to become a walking advertisement for opportunities in destruction...

I leaned back in pilot seat while folding my arms...

Rusty: the job is simple too...get in close and blowup the main power refinery located in the site...I've also set up bonus pay for any refueling reserver stations you destroy...

There was a small pause in his words before he spoke again...

Rusty: look...I get it if you don't forgive me...but I care about the kid too...can't say I'm proud about taking him either...nor putting him through more than I had thought Snail was willing to put him through...but he saved my life...just like you...so I'll let you in on some info...

My eyes widened...I knew I could trust him~

Rusty: so listen up...after this mission...rest up and find me at these coordinates...I've been hearing some recent chatter, and a talks about Balam and Arquebus going head to head to get Y/N...I can't do much kn my side...but I can put you a head of them...

Again...there was a pause in his words before he spoke again...although there was a noticeable sigh before he began speaking again.

Rusty: anyways...complete this mission... and we'll talk... good luck...buddy...

The message ended at that as I sat up began leaning on the dashboard of my AC...

Ayre: Raven...I-...I think we have to take this opportunity...

I sighed aloud at hearing Ayre's voiced opinion...I had begun to accept that she's a voice in my head, and...I actually enjoyed it...but her concerns were also mine aswell...

Seeing as the only time I was able to be ahead of the cooperations when getting Y/N was because of pure luck...but now?...I wasn't so sure...

Walter: 621...can you hear me?