FRS Chpt 28

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 28 -==
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===Stroll in the Woods===
Date: September 16th, 3052Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
"Where are you going?" Joanna asked as I stood up from the desk I had been working at for the last few hours. 
 
"I have been idle for too long," I replied, stretching and grabbing my duffel bag. "I intend to go for a run. I am sure that Gray needs to get some exercise as well."
 
Joanna glanced out the window and noted that the local star had begun its descent through the sky. 
 
"Where are you planning on running?" Joanna stood and walked to the window. 
 
"There is a hiking trail nearby," I shrugged. "There are times when it is worth it to stop and observe the beauty of the universe around us. Every world has something new to be seen, and until the day that I pass, I will try to observe that which is worth it."
 
I moved to the office door. 
 
"You may join me if you wish. But the decision is yours."
 
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I paused at the beginning of the trail and made sure my shoes were tight before whistling sharply. 
 
Gray bounded over to me, her nose coming up to sniff at my face before I stood up. 
 
"Gray, Heel!" I instructed, smiling as she glued herself to my side before we began running down the trail. 
 
The golden and red leaves of the nearby trees reflected light as I jogged down the path, the comforting darkness of the canopy broken up into patches of glorious light where sunbeams hit the ground and illuminated the path forward. 
 
After a kilometer or so, the canopy peeled away and revealed the local star setting behind distant mountains. The atmosphere glowed and the sea of colors spread across the sky and peeked over the mountains.
 
I sat down on a nearby fallen tree and watched the sunset, a grin on my face as I stroked Gray's neck and ears. 
 
"This is the sort of thing that you need to remember to stop and look at," I said after a few moments. "I'll have to bring Darya here whenever I get the chance."
 
Then as the glow began to dim and shift into dusk I stood up to head back to the base. I was supposed to be cleared to drive my 'mech tomorrow, and I didn't want something as stupid as a root that I didn't see in the dark to make me have to wait longer.
 
"C'mon Gray," I stretched a bit. "Time to head on back."
 
The Octo-Wolf darted after something in the brush and returned with a lizard sticking out of her mouth. 
 
"If you get sick from eating that, I'm not helping you feel better." I tried not to laugh at the rear legs and tail sticking out from the front of her mouth. 
 
I then gave up and began laughing as Gray gave a small yelp and opened her mouth before shaking her head violently, launching the small reptile into the trees.
 
"It bit your tongue," I broke out laughing, slowing to a walk and holding my sides. 
 
Gray simply huffed at me before looking mournfully at the lizard that climbed up a nearby tree. 
 
"I won't stop you," I glanced at the lizard. "But I will continue to laugh at you if it happens again."
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===Trial for a Galaxy===
Date: October 14th, 3052Location: Wonton, Jade Falcon Occupation zone
The Trial of Position began with four.
 
Immediately upon the beginning of said trial, Marthe turned and engaged another Star Colonel's Hellbringer, the lightly armored Omnimech fell back from her burst of fire. 
Meanwhile, Aidan simply began exchanging long-range fire against his opponent's Gargoyle, his lasers carving away at the assault 'mech that was attempting to close into range for its UAC/20. 
 
The Gargoyle's medium lasers and machine guns hammered into Aidan's Timber Wolf, his armor melting away when the green beams struck. 
 
But Aidan's retaliation was fierce, and his missiles ripped from the launchers over his shoulders before arcing up and into the Gargoyle's shoulders and head.
 
"You may have convinced others that you are no longer dezgra," his opponent taunted. "But you will not be able to convince me. I shall take Mar Helmer's place. And you shall return to your place among the garrison forces."
 
"Neg," Aidan replied. "I have honor, and my cluster alone proved that on Tukayyid. Where was your cluster during combat? What foes did you overcome to achieve our objectives? I do not recall seeing anyone other than my cluster and the 2nd Falcon Jaegers accomplishing anything. You shall fall here today, and your failures with you."
 
The Gargoyle then leaped into the air on a burst of plasma, trying to close the gap between them.
But Aidan stopped moving and his lasers and missiles impacted the cockpit, sending the assault 'mech crashing into the ground before him.
 
Then, turning around, he faced off with the person that he had once put his trust in, only for her to betray it.
"So it is you who are left to stand in my path," Marthe's damaged Summoner rotated to face his lightly damaged Timber Wolf painted in the colors of the Falcon Guards."
"I turned my back on you once before," Aidan replied. "I have since learned from my mistakes. Now stand aside, Marthe. The Clan will need your talents and your 'Mech."
 
"Neg," Marthe faced Aidan, the broken armor of her 'Mech now hidden away from the heavier 'Mech's weapons. "I will rise, it will be my wings and talons that lead the Clan forward."
 
"We shall see," The other Pryde responded. 
 
Aidan's 'Mech then leaped into the sky, the jets of plasma carrying it out of the way of a burst of autocannon fire. 
 
The Timber Wolf landed and a flurry of missiles erupted from the LRM racks, the missiles homing in and destroying the Summoner's left arm.
Stumbling, Marthe's Summoner ducked underneath an emerald beam that lanced over her shoulder before she retaliated, her PPC and LRMs carving away at Aidan's armor. 
 
The two continued to duel, their armor slowly shrinking as they both exhausted their missile supply before moving back into close range. 
 
Dodging a PPC bolt, shifted his 'Mech and began moving closer to Marthe. His arms stabbed forward and His large lasers cut across the Summoner's legs. As the armor melted into slag, rivulets of molten metal fused into her knee actuators, seizing one of her legs and slowing her down as Aidan drove into short range. Aidan then drove his leg into Marthe's fused knee, sending the already reeling Summoner crashing to the ground.
 
Placing his foot on Marthe's chest, Aidan pointed a large laser at her cockpit.
 
"Yield, Marthe. I would rather not harm the Clans by finishing off a warrior of your talents today."
 
The Summoner powered down and Aidan stepped back to look at Vandervahn Chistu's Executioner. But given their history, he kept Marthe's 'mech in sight at all times. He would not show his back to her again.
 
"Star Colonel Aidan Pryde," saKhan Chistu's voice echoed over the open channels. "You have shown yourself as an equal to any among us. You may take your place as the Commander of Gamma Galaxy. With all of the responsibilities therein."
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