The next morning, Walter's face filled my comm screen. "Got a weird one for you, 621. Remember how I mentioned Nineball was an ancient AI? Well, we've got another AI situation, but this one's more... current."
"I'm listening." I was already prepping Tenderfoot for launch.
"Gun V Crow—an AI-driven AC that technically works for Balam. Its creator gave it a unique loadout: dual Zimmerman shotguns, a Rensetsu assault rifle, and a pilebunker. Not standard issue, but that AI knows how to use them. Goes by 'Afterburner' when it's out with its pilot, and both of them are serious speed freaks."
The mission brief flashed across my screen. "Balam wants us to retrieve their own operative?"
Walter nodded. "Crow and its pilot went joy-riding instead of showing up for their assigned mission. Balam's not happy—they want them both brought back, even though they're technically on the same side. Corporate politics," he added with a shrug.
"Speaking of repairs," I said, running pre-flight checks, "you never did explain why my AC's called Tenderfoot now."
"Ah, that." Walter pulled up the specs. "Your original frame got pretty banged up in that last big fight, but those Tenderfoot parts we got from balam They weren't just replacements—they were military-grade upgrades that matched your original specs perfectly. Same AC, better everything. You kept your experience, just got better tools."
"wait why do I hear Eurobeat in the open coms channel",Walter ,"ah that must be be the target".i look over at my radar.
My radar pinged, showing a black AC breaking the sound barrier across the wasteland, its distinctive weapon loadout visible even at this distance. Behind it, a familiar red signature appeared—Nineball, watching from the periphery.
"Great," I muttered. "Two speed demons in one airspace."
"Three," Walter corrected. "Don't sell yourself short. Just get Crow and its pilot back to Balam before this turns into an AI showcase. And 621? Try not to damage those zimmerman shotguns—they're worth more than both of us combined."
I launched into the morning sky, pushing Tenderfoot's upgraded systems to their limits. Ahead, Gun V Crow carved contrails through the clouds, its weapons glinting in the sunlight. Time to see if these new parts could keep up with the machines.