Chapter 3

Outpost Trion-09. We meet Celt, do an assignment and buy some new gear. Enjoy!

Two weeks had passed aboard the Dreadnaught Hope, and they were nearing a spaceport named Trion-09. The 50 cadets slowly filed out of the two main exits out into the spaceport, going through Dahn and Craine on the way.

“Dickens, Philip. You’ve kept up with your training. The standard amount of 50,000 Credits has been deposited in your account.” Craine said to the man in front of Engel and Jaine.

“Schnitter, Engel. You work too hard. You’re about three weeks ahead, though the extra time doesn’t count for next week. The standard amount of 50,000 Credits, as well as an extra 5,000 for the set bonus goal of an extra Ten training hours total, has been deposited in your account.” Craine said to Engel. She nodded and accepted a small chip from him, inserting it into a small port on her Cuff. Jaine hadn’t spent quite as much extra time training as Engel, but she still easily achieved the bonus.

“All Cadets, before I forget, you are all cleared to accept any non-combat assignments from local Task offices. A select few of you have been cleared to take on Strider assignments as well, you know who you are. As you all know, this rest stop will last for four days, any extra training hours you’ve logged will count towards this week’s count this one time.” Craine’s voice buzzed over the radio. He then continued checking Cadets out.

“I’ve got a feeling i know where you plan to go first, but before that wanna grab something to eat? Breakfast was a few hours ago and we were at the Gym for a while.” Jaine offered. She knew Engel would have gone straight to the Task Offices, and then to the local military suppliers and she wanted the younger girl to enjoy at least an hour or two as a vacation before she got too serious.

“Alright.” Engel answered.

“Great. I’ve been here once before and there was this really good restaurant that should be nearby. Do you like traditional oriental food?” Jaine asked. Engel nodded. “Well this place combines all of the major Asian foods from Earth. There it is.” Jaine said, pointing out a small side building with a sign she couldn’t understand.

“What’s it called?” Engel asked as she was led to the building.

“I think they said something like ‘Shokuhin Ojo’. It means food princess or something like that. it’s really good.” jaine said as they entered.

Two hours later found the two in the Task Offices.

“Finally, some of those trainees that can take on Strider assignments.” The task giver that was seeing them sighed in relief. “Most of you guys don’t seem to have access to them, but you two check out fine. I can’t force you to take any tasks, but some of the construction teams down in the Rich section, Sector B, could really use some help. They lost a crane and are looking for Strider pilots willing to help and pilot their construction Striders. The pay is based on your performance but at least 5,000 Credits are guaranteed.” He continued.

“How many do they need?” Engel asked.

“Up to four, but two should be fine. Do you accept?” The giver asked.

“We do.” The two replied.

“Then here are the coordinates.” He said, handing them a description of the task.

“Is it really urgent?” Engel asked.

“No, they don’t start for another two hours.” The giver said.

“Right, let’s go head over to the Supplier on the way.” Engel said to Jaine. The older girl nodded, said goodbye to the giver and the two left.

“Do you know how to pilot a construction Strider?” Jaine asked as they walked.

“I was raised to operate a mining Strider, they’re very similar. We both have our TWIN systems to help us though so we’re fine.” Engel replied.

“Oh yeah. So we’ve both got 55,000 Credits to last us four days. I don’t know about you, but most of that is going towards my Strider.” Jaine said.

“I have a large amount in my own personal account. I was compensated for assisting the elimination of the bandits that attacked my home as well as compensation for my family’s deaths and my own injuries. I’ve got 32.9 Million Credits and another 10 Million in a savings account. I am going to replace my Strider model, but keep most of the systems and settings I had on the standard. If you’d like I can pay for a replacement model for you as well. We can’t do too much with the standard military Striders.” Engel explained.

“I couldn’t do that to you, I’d never be able to pay you back.” Jaine said.

“You’re my partner and my best friend, making sure you have what you want is just as important as what I want. I have nothing else to spend my money on anyways.” Engel shrugged as they found the supplier and entered.

“I’d rather not, but i guess if it’s really alright with you I could use something bigger.” Jaine said.

“What’s that?” The vendor asked, overhearing part of it.

“We’re looking for Strider parts, customization and models.” Engel said.

“Over here then.” A different Vendor said, waving them over to a large terminal. “What do you need?” He asked when they got to him.

“Do you think you could match a model if I showed you a customized design?” Engel asked.

“Sure, I can usually get it close but fine details and stuff would need extra customization purchases.” The vendor said. Engel put a few things into her Cuff and showed the man a very detailed drawing of a Strider. It had a slender, but sturdy body and slender legs. Its head was long and slim and came to a point at the back. The arms were toned yet still slender with spiked shoulders. The knees and elbows were spiked and it had two large knife sheaths on its chest. The fingers were pointed instead of rounded. There were large sidearm holsters on each thigh and a large rail on its back to hold a large weapon. There were also larger boosters on the ankles and the back, with a label of stealth added.

“This is pretty exact, but I can tell you used a known model for reference. It looks like the head and torso of a Recon or Scout model, yet its arms and legs seem like they’re from a light assault model. The stealth thrusters are definitely Infiltrator models. It’ll be expensive, but I can make a Strider out of this easy. Anything on your mind when it comes to other customization, like paint and accessories?” The vendor said.

“Yes. The paint will be 005 Black, the knives will be modified long energy blades modelled after military Trench Knives. The sidearms will be standard Magnum caliber energy Desert Eagles and the primary weapon will be an Artillery caliber sniper rifle cannon, preferably modelled after the barrett but anything of that strength will do.” Engel listed.

“That’s quite a purchase. Sure you can afford all of that?” The vendor asked.

“How much will that cost?” Engel asked.

“2 to 3 million at the most.” The vendor said.

“I can afford it. You’re up Jaine.” Engel said. The vendor nodded to the older girl and saved Engel’s data and set up a new customization file.

“For the model I think I’ll stick with the Elite Light Assault model. For paint and accessories I’ll have 005 Black as well. I want the forearm blades to be Energy blades, an energy scattergun as a secondary and a heavy energy rifle with a barrel modified with the kinetic force upgrades as the primary.” Jaine listed off.

“Alright, your total comes up as 3.2 million even. Obviously you’ll be paying with credit chip correct?” The vendor said after putting all of the data into the terminal.

“Correct.” Engel said, detaching a chip identical to the one Craine gave her and handing it to him. He put it in a PDA and finished the transaction.

“Right. Everything’s all accounted for and the transaction is complete. Sign these forms and you can walk out of here. I’ve sent the designs to your ship for your technicians to look over and all the parts as well.” He said, heading them a sheet of paper. Their signature was proof they made the purchases, as all military purchases required.

“Thank you. Let’s head over to that assignment now.” Engel said when they finished.

“Right.” Jaine agreed.

“Hey, i’ve been seeing a lot of you guys coming around here. You guys expecting a big battle or something?” The vendor asked.

“No. Everyone has their own Identity, therefore people want their Striders to reflect that Identity.” Engel said.

“Good point, though none of them ever got anything that wasn’t just a step up from the standard gear they were given. I wonder why.” The vendor said. Instead of revealing the details about the allowances and her own funds, Engel just shrugged and left.


“So you’re the Strider pilots the task offices sent?” The foreman at the construction sight asked them when they arrived five minutes early.

“We are, what is the project you’re working on?” Jaine replied.

“We’re working on setting up a task office. Apparently all the rich folk got tired of going to a separate block to put in requests. I thought there were three of you coming.” The foreman answered.

“I’m here, i’m not late am I?” A man said from behind them.

“No. Right this way, We’ll get you suited up.” The foreman said as began leading them towards a makeshift building made out of the bed of a large truck that had opened up.

“What’s wrong with your Crane, and why don’t you have Strider pilots?” Engel asked.

“The motherboard fried and dropped a pallette of steel frame on this truck. We moved it afterwards, but the pilots we had on staff were injured.” The foreman said as they entered the truck to find four Strider ports. They had very heavily built lower bodies with long arms made for gripping and carrying heavy objects. The foremen pointed them over to the suits and told them where they could change in privacy.

“Inferior AI system detected, temporarily disabling. Temporarily linking Strider systems to Cuff. Initializing. All systems are operational, ready when you are.” Fredric said as Engel powered up.

“So, I’m guessing you’re our Ace?” The third pilot said, establishing a connection with Engel.

“My name is Engel Schnitter.” Engel replied.

“Fair enough. I’m Celt Smith. And you must be our second best.” The man said as Jaine powered up and her connection was established.

“You’re our third then. I’m Jaine Cruz.” Jaine said.

“Nice to meet both of you, but I’m not third best. I got lucky and most of the people shooting at me were taken out by you two.” Celt said. Through the helmet, short, blond hair could be seen as well as blue-green eyes.

“You know how to operate one of these?” Engel asked.

“Enough.” He replied.

“Your legs will be heavy, but they’re stable. When carrying something that’s extremely heavy, use the pylons in the feet to ground your Strider and use your torso like a crane, once the pylons are activated your lower body controls lock.” Engel explained, stepping out of the pod. Jaine and Celt followed quickly and looked towards where the Foreman was directing his men.

“Alright, I need someone to get the rest of the metal framework transferred to the top of the building, we’ve set up a ramp that will support you. While one of you is doing that, the other two need to get the damaged crane out of the way and do it’s job of transferring the heavy loads from the ground to the second floor. The Striders should be tall enough to do that easy enough.” The foreman said to them over the radio.

“I’ll move the Crane.” Jaine said, turning towards the large crane and grinning under her helmet.

“You know more about these things than I do so I guess I’ll get the framework up top.” Celt said.

“Good luck.” Engel said before turning to help Jaine get the crane out of the way. As Celt picked up the massive pallet, Jaine and Engel lifted the crane up and walked it over to a corner set aside for it. As Celt made his way to the large makeshift ramp, Engel took the Crane’s place and activated the Pylons.

The Strider’s feet seemed to open up and rest on the ground as large poles embedded into the ground around the feet, originating from the shins. She grabbed a large pallet of small metal frames, not quite as big as the ones Celt was currently bringing to the third floor, and straightened up.

Inside the cockpit, Engel turned towards the building and slowly lifted the pallet until she could just barely see past the top. Her head was level with the roof of the second floor and she saw Celt put down the massive pallet he was carrying before placing her own pallet where the workers on the second floor signaled her to put it.

“You kids are pretty good at this, keep it up and we just might give you a nice bonus.” The foreman said over the radio.

“Jaine, start giving me more of these pallets to put up here. Celt, do what you can around alright?” Engel said, looking first and Jaine then Celt. Jaine nodded and turned to pick up a pallet while Celt gave her a two fingered salute.

“So, you pay a visit to the suppliers yet?” Celt asked as they worked.

“We did, we purchased new models and loadouts.” Engel answered.

“You must have had a good amount of money in a personal account too then, I’m going to do the same thing tomorrow.” Celt said.

“Why do you ask?” Jaine asked.

“Because I want to join your squad and I wanted to know what you guys are getting.” Celt said. Jaine gave out a laugh and Engel grinned, though their visual feed wasn’t transmitting at the moment.

“We don’t have a squad. It’s just the two of us helping each other out.” Engel said.

“Oh, well we could start a squad. You guys are way better than I am and I want to get better. And besides, making new friends doesn’t hurt.” Celt said, his Strider shrugging with him.

“Do what you want with your Strider, I’m set up as the ranged support and an Infiltrator. Our main colors are 005 Black.” Engel said.

“I’ve got a bruiser setup going.” Jaine said.

“Perfect. I don’t know what I’d call it but I’m the kind of guy that dashes in, causes chaos and then gets out.” Celt said.

“I guess that works out fine then. You can work with us and we’ll work with you, but I don’t really know about a squad.” Engel said.

“Friends are better than acquaintances.” Celt said amidst a huff of exertion as he picked up a large pallet of flooring and roofing to join his previous delivery on the third floor.

“Hey Foreman, how many floors are going to be on this thing? The one by the ports only had one floor.” Jaine asked over the radio.

“Just three, the rich folks wanted it to be impressive. If you keep this pace up you should be done with your part of the job in just a few hours.” He replied.

“We’ll be able to grab dinner before it gets too dark then.” Celt commented.

“Where are you going to go?” Jaine asked.

“This new restaurant that makes the best steak dinners I’ve ever tasted.” He replied.

“Mind if we join you then?” Engel asked.

“No problem.” Celt said.

“Ah, s**t. This one’s unbalanced, can someone help me with this?” Celst said after three hours, attempting to pick up the final pallet going to the top and nearly dropping it.

“I’m coming.” Jaine said as she set down the pallet in her strider’s hands for Engel to transfer to the second floor. When their work was finished a bell rang and the Foreman’s voice buzzed on the radio.

“Good work you three, it would have taken us days to get what you did done. How much pay were you expecting?” He asked as they returned their borrowed Striders to their docks.

“We were told our pay would be based on performance, but we were guaranteed 5,000.” Engel answered.

“Are you serious? That’s about what we get per day. You did a lot of heavy lifting and hard work, plus you were nearly flawless with it. We’ll tell the task office that hired you to pay you 20,000 each.” He said.

“Thank you sir, it was a pleasure working with you.” Engel said with a nod of her head. She then followed Jaine and Celt into the separate changing rooms to change back into their uniforms.


“So, are there any other reasons you want to work with us?” Jaine asked Celt as they sat at the restaurant he led them to.

“Not particularly. I am interested in seeing how the two youngest cadets are handling themselves though, This is hard on everyone.” Celt replied.

“So far we’ve only trained and done a single exercise. We haven’t even used live fire, let alone been in combat. I’m interested to see how the others handle death, especially death they caused.” Engel said, laying her chin atop her folded hands.

“That would be interesting to see. I’ve seen plenty of death, but I haven’t actually killed anyone yet so it would be an experience for me too. There are rumors going around that you’ve killed plenty before, is that true?” Celt asked.

“I killed four people in self defense. I don’t know you enough to talk about something so personal, but i don’t kill many. I kill people who deserve death.” Engel said as their food arrived. They had all ordered steak dinners, as Celt had suggested.

“I understand perfectly. Everyone has something they don’t want to talk about. I won’t press for details, but I can imagine it has something to do with how good you are.” Celt said.

“It only gave me a stronger drive. The reason I’m so good is because I spent hours upon hours training and preparing to pilot an Orbic. Most of my life was dedicated to a mining career, but that drive changed to a military career. It’s not that I didn’t take anything from it, its just I would have been here regardless. I do have a strong distaste for bandits though...” Engel said. The last part earned a giggle from Jaine.

“I see. We should stop talking business when we’re eating though. How has these past two weeks been treating you?” Cellt said quickly changing the subject as they ate and having a much more tame conversation.


“Damn, I knew you guys would be getting a bunch of new gear, but this just seems like overkill.” One of the other Technicians said to Roy.

“Apparently our pilot’s rich. Let’s see what goodies we have, Kat.” Roy said to his sister as he uploaded the designs to his Cuff from the chip provided.

“Holy s**t...” He said.

“What, the little girl order too many toys?” A technician said, looking over his shoulder. Her jaw dropped. “Dude, that’s like special operations s**t. How could she even afford that?” She continued.

“I don’t know and I don’t care, all I know is that I get to put together a real beauty!” Roy exclaimed, looking at the huge piles of massive crates piled at his and Kat’s station.

“What the hell is that color?” Collin asked him.

“005 Black. It’s a shade of black that’s got Adamorium mixed into it. Its almost literally invisible in low light, but in high light it doesn’t shine and appears grey.” Roy said.

“We have one of those badass light assault models, the Rex model or something like that. I can just imagine Jaine smashing through a wall, blowing s**t up and then disappearing. Whoever she just hit is going to literally s**t themselves.” May said.

“We’ve got a secondary paint color as well, a really pretty dark blue.” Kat said, looking at the uploaded designs on her own Cuff.

“Jaine has a really dark red, that just reinforces what I said.” May said with a laugh.

“Well, let’s get started. We want our pilots in these as soon as possible! Kat, go start up the terminal and get the pod’s robotics up and running. I’ll go grab the energy cutter to get these boxes open.” Roy said happily. He loved his job, especially when his job meant putting together Striders like christmas presents.

Author's Note

hope you enjoy, tell me what you think?