Aryan runs into the helm before coming to a stop, standing at attention. " Lieutenant Miller, here as requested, Si- "
Aryan is cut off as the officer of the helm interrupts him. " Enough of that, Lieutenant. We have a mission for you. "
Aryan stands at attention, more relaxed than before. The clacking of keyboards and feint beeping and clacking of technology can be heard as he waits for the officer to continue.
Noting Aryan's patience, the officer begins his briefing for Aryan's mission. " You are going to be deployed in a drop pod alone. You will be given experimental cloaking technology and a new pilot suit, along with a prowler personal defense weapon, and a data knife. "
Waiting for any questions from Aryan, the officer continues. " Along with that equipment, you will be given an Arc grenade. Now that I've explained your equipment, let me tell you the mission. "
As he mentions the mission, he turns and presses a button on the table in the helm. A holographic map appears to show a large city and the outskirts around it.
Pointing outside the city on the map, a yellow dot appears. " You will be deployed here. A small area outside the city within a forest. You will be deployed later today during a forecasted storm. The clouds and thunder should cover your descent in the pod. "
Moving from there, he drags his finger across the hologram, creating a yellow line into the city. " From the point of impact, you will travel to the city while evading detection. The cloaking technology and new suit should assist in this endeavor. An- "
The officer is cut off as Aryan interrupts him. " What about the equipment, what do I need them for if I'm going to be cloaked? Some of this can damage Titans. "
In slight annoyance, the officer turns back to face Aryan and responds, " I was about to tell you that, 'Lieutenant'. This will be for what we have learned in the few hours since we exited the jump. The city you are being sent to is known as 'Gotham', it is known for its incredibly high violent crime rate, and the seemingly enhanced humans who reside in the city. "
Waiting to see if Aryan interrupts again, he continues. " Due to this, the mission is being deemed as 'high risk' due to the enhanced humans, and the danger the city provides. You will refrain from using lethal measures on anyone who does not provide a significant threat to you. If need be, you can use the arc grenade to stun more troublesome individuals or groups. "
Seeing that Aryan is not asking any more questions, the officer dismisses him. " Dismissed, Lieutenant. You will head to the drop bay in two hours. Your equipment will be provided in one hour. "
With that, Aryan salutes and walks out of the room.
- - One hour later - -
A large room with countless firearms and ammunition can be seen on racks. M.R.V.Ns walk around the room moving equipment and repairing any damaged equipment. The feint lighting gives the room a sense of dread.
This room is none other than the armory, and where Aryan will be given his new suit and equipment. A gruff man stands behind a counter while pointing to where M.R.V.Ns need to go.
Aryan walks into the room and waves toward the man. " Hey Rom, I'm here for my stuff. "
Hearing Aryan, the man simply lets out a loud scoff and walks into the back of the armory. Once he returns, he is dragging behind a large suit. M.R.V.Ns walk behind him, carrying a large case in one arm, and a helmet in the other.
Once the man reaches Aryan, he shoves the suit into his arms. The M.R.V.Ns drop the case and helmet on a nearby counter and walk back to the rear of the armory.
Seeing Aryan struggle to hold onto the suit properly, the man smirks and walks back towards the rear of the armory alongside the M.R.V.N.
' Thanks for the help... ' Aryan thinks in sarcasm.
Picking up the suit, Aryan walks over to the counter and lays it down. Looking towards the case, he flips open the locks and opens it.
Inside a handgun can be seen laying on padded foam alongside a few clips of ammunition. Besides these, a large knife can be seen with a round bottom resting beside it, alongside a grenade with pulsing blue highlights.
The helmet beside the case can also be seen. Dark in colour with blue highlights running down the sides, along with an 'X' shape down the front where the face would be. Five columns can be seen on the rear of the helmet facing upwards.
Once Aryan checks he has all his assigned equipment, he waves over an M.R.V.N and moves towards a changing room on the side of the armory. Once inside, he puts on the armour with the assistance of the M.R.V.N, before putting on the helmet.
Once the helmet is on, a whirring sound can be heard as it clamps down onto the suit, sealing Aryan inside. From within, a holographic display shows Aryan a perspective of the outside.
Once the suit and helmet are on, Aryan grabs the handgun and attaches it to his hip in a holster, before placing the knife in a compartment on his chest, alongside the extra clips of ammunition for the handgun. Lastly, he places the arc grenade in a protective pouch on his waist.
Once he wears his suit, he walks in front of a mirror and checks everything is correctly placed. While he does so, a faint pain is felt inside the helmet as a wire pierces his skull. As it does so, a mechanical arm raises itself over his left shoulder and positions itself.
(A/N: It's never really confirmed if the robotic arm is directly controlled by the pilot or not, but y'know... Simplicity and 'experimental', it's going to be a wire that links the robotic arm to him. )
Once everything is checked and ready to go, he walks out of the room and exits the armory. Once out, he begins making his way towards the pod bay through the corridors, and going through various elevators across the massive carrier.
- - One hour skip - -
Passing by IMC Marines and non-combative personnel, he enters one final corridor and is greeted by a large armored door. Two crewmen with rifles check his ID before opening the door through a side panel and waving him through.
Once inside, a pilot greets him. " Welcome to the pod bay, Lieutenant Miller. The helm notified us of your arrival. Please follow me to your drop pod. "
" Understood... Lead the way. " Aryan replies to the pilot.
Following this, the pilot turns and begins walking towards the end of the pod bay. Dozens of pods lay throughout the pay in hexagonal patterns. Various sizes of pods lay throughout the bay. Some with enough space for five individuals to stand inside, while smaller variants lay near the walls of the bay with enough small for only a single person.
Following the pilot, Aryan makes his way toward the end of the pod bay. What greets him is an individual pod with mechanics and engineers checking the pod for any damage while an M.R.V.N is taking notes on a digital pad.
The pilot turns and faces Aryan once they are in front of the pod. " This will be your pod for deployment, Lieutenant Miller. Good luck with your mission. "
After speaking to Aryan, the pilot salutes and walks back towards the entrance of the pod bay. The engineers and mechanics finish up the check and salute Aryan, as they move and check on the other pods.
Once they are away from the pod, Aryan lifts the cover and steps inside. Once within, he closes the cover and lowers a railing as he straps himself into the pod.
Once strapped inside, he presses a red button above his head. A beep can be heard once pressed as Aryan holds onto the bars attached to the railing.
As he grips onto the bars, a robotic voice comes through the speakers of the pod:
[ [ " Drop activation confirmed. " ] ]
[ [ "Drop initiating in 3..." ]]
[[ " 2... " ]]
[[ " 1... " ]]