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Calm Before the Storm

—-(Third Person POV)—-

"Good work," Viper congratulated. "I have a feeling that you're ready to fight on the battlefield as pilots."

"Really?" Emerald asked.

"Hell yeah," Kane said. "You're ready. Let's get back to the Militia outpost. Everyone on the dropship. Viper, Ilia: you're flying yourselves there."

Ilia and Viper embarked their Titans while Kane, Emerald, and Mercury boarded the dropship with their Titans. The sky was peaceful, the temporary calm before the storm that has yet to come.

The dropship and two Titans landed at the outpost to find the courtyard barren. No one was outside.

Viper commed the leader of the Apex Predators. "Hunter, where the hell is everybody?"

"Titanbay. You here?" Epsilon responded back.

"Yeah. We're on our way." Viper cut the comm. "Come on." Viper motioned for the pilots and Titans to follow him.

The door slid open and the five pilots were greeted by the sight of the entire Militia on Remnant. In front of them was Epsilon.

"Hey Hunter," Viper said.

"Was wondering when you'd get here. You almost missed my speech," Epsilon said.

"What speech?"

"Briggs wanted me to talk to the soldiers. Say a few words to boost morale. Problem is, we are breathtakingly fucked, so there's not much morale to boost."

"What're you waiting for? Go give your speech." Kane patted his shoulder in a mocking way, doubting Epsilon's speech-giving ability.

Scavenger lifted Epsilon up in her hand, elevating him above the crowd of soldiers: grunts, pilots, and Titans alike.

"Excuse me, everyone. Most of you don't know me, but my name is Epsilon. I'm running this operation. You all know our mission objective: destroy the Fold Weapon. The strike team is still being assembled.

"The IMC is almost here. They're making their big push to crush the Militia, and we can't let them pull through. I won't lie to you. These next few days may very well be the worst of our lives. For a lot of us, they'll be the last. The hard truth is, most of us won't make it home.

"You have a choice in the matter. If you don't want to throw yourself into what is almost certain suicide for a planet you don't care about, I get it. There is no shame in abstinence, only in retreat. If you go AWOL, I will personally hunt you like a dog when the smoke clears.

"Fight to save countless lives. Fight to see Marder locked up in a cell for the rest of his life. Fight because you deserve to fucking win! For those of you who do not wish to fight, please leave the room. I can't speak for anyone, but I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees. I have faith you'll make the right decision." Epsilon cleared his throat.

"When I came into this world, I was nothing but a collection of fake memories and a gun. With friends, hell, with family, these memories drove me to abandon the IMC and leave the Predators. I came to this planet that Vinson Dynamics drilled into my head when I was created. I wanted to learn more about myself and my parents.

"As it turns out, my parents never existed. Half of my family, the Apex Predators, I left in the Frontier. The other half, my team, I found here. My point is, I found family with the warriors I was partnered with. I hope you do the same with your fellow soldiers.

"Even if you don't feel like it, or you disagree with me, you are with your family. You will fight alongside your brothers and sisters with the fate of Remnant hanging in the balance. We are warriors. Let the battle be joined."

"Well, shit." Rumble phase shifted next to Epsilon on top of Scavenger's hull. "I'll fight for that."

"I know, buddy. We all will."