During the last great war, the outer star systems fought for independence from the oppressive inner colonies. This marked the first use of the Autonomous Battleframe weapon. A bipedal tank which could operate on land or deep in space, these were the troops of the future.

Both sides wielded enormous amounts of power through their own technology. It was customary to bring gigantic space-going armadas to the battles. As a result, planetary space has grown nearly as polluted and littered as the surface of many civilized planets. The inner and outer planets now live together in an uneasy truce and there is much unrest on either side.

The form of the heart and this path changes

But there is a wish that never disappears

Seeing a different dream, looking at the same sky

That day I swore, "I will not lose"

Our hands will always be joined

As we search for the reason we exist

"Understand that you have but one mission objective and one only. Recover the Battleframe and return to Surter."

"Of course. Why else would I be here?"

"Just don't get carried away with the locals. Find the ruins, capture the objective and leave. There's no need for additional destruction."

"And if anyone meddles with us?"

"That's why you have Epsilon Team with you. If you encounter scavengers, let them take whatever they want. The Dreadnought wasn't a particularly valuable ship anyway."

"Understood. Delyah out."

The Dreadnaught was an older starship used by the inner systems during the war. Apparently it suffered from an engine failure en route to its destination and subsequently crashed into a city on Balder.

Cello Delyah, agent for the former Revolutionary Syndicate, relaxed in the cockpit of the Battleframe. With any luck, this would be a simple operation, and she would soon be in possession of her prize.

The Harbinger Battleframe was indeed a potent weapon, but it was no match for what she had been sent to recover.

---------

Artemis descended into the atmosphere of Balder, anti-burnup shields deployed. A former troop transport used during the war, the ship had been converted into a smuggling/scavenging/other somewhat illegal activity ship. It was now owned by a gruff space captain and his modest crew.

Gliding across the surface of the city planet, it finally came to a halt outside a darkened old city that looked like it had seen far better days.

"Are you sure this is really safe?" asked Render as he sat in the control seat of an old Laborframe. "What if the owners of the ship come looking for it? All we have is an old workhorse and a cheap, rundown Battleframe. How can we stand up to a military squad?"

"Tempest is not cheap or rundown!" blurted Lorelei indignantly. She was the other crewmember outside of the captain. Render wasn't terribly clear what her real function exactly was onboard Artemis.

"You need not worry," Captain Surges Merdian replied coolly. "The radar only detects the usual interplanetary traffic and there are no military Ids to be found. If they do magically show up, I assure you that we'll be long gone."

Render was not convinced. He had actually been reluctant to join the ship in the first place, but certain circumstances (for example, staring down the business ends of a handful of laser pistols) had forced him to join.

And now he had to earn his keep.

"Now, Ren, if you'll turn your attention to your control screen, the layout of the city has been uploaded. It's not as accurate as it was when the city was inhabited, but it should get the job done. Your targeting computer will mark the crash site. Lorelei will fly support and keep lookout in Tempest," Surges explained with the air of an old war general preparing a team of new recruits for their first mission.

"Lookout? For what, I thought you said we wouldn't have to worry about the military!"

"It's just a precaution. We're not the only people looking for cheap equipment in these parts. There might be other vultures eyeing this carcass."

"Plus," came Lorelei's voice, "I'm far better equipped to deal with any trouble than your beat-up Laborframe."

"Understood," Render conceded.

"Good. We're landing now, prepare to disembark," Surges ordered.

--------

The forward hangar bay on Artemis actually accounted for a good two thirds of the ship's mass. Ideal for scavenging operations.

Render felt the ship set down with a loud clunk. He looked to his side at Tempest, Lorelei's Battleframe. It was painted in a light blue scheme and he could see the deadly laser rod attached to the back and the two laser pistols on either hip. Lithe and powerful, just like its pilot, Render remarked.

"I'll go first and make sure the coast is clear," Lorelei said, positioning Tempest in front of Render's Battleframe. "Lorelei Rena. Tempest. I'm launching." A burst of green energy shot from the two jets on Tempest's back and the Battleframe flew from the bay like a blue-green lightning bolt.

Render rolled his eyes and positioned his own Laborframe. "Render. I'm going too." He leaned back as the Laborframe flew forward, landing onto an abandoned street on the outskirts of the city. Ash coated most of the buildings and vehicles were upturned everywhere. He preferred not to focus on the bodies littering the streets.

"Boy, when the military messes up, they really mess up," Lorelei remarked, also surveying the damage. "There's nothing we can do to help them now. Let's just get to work and get out of here quickly."

Render looked up to see Tempest flying above the city. Fine way to get yourself noticed, he thought. He turned his attention to navigating the streets and finding the remains of the starship.

---------

The ship wasn't difficult to find. It was a large transport ship and the ruins could be seen for miles. Render guided the Laborframe towards the starboard hull and activated the cutting torch.

A bright red blade hummed to life from the Laborframe's left manipulator and began to cut a passage through the weakened hull. Eventually he was able to kick in the makeshift door and see inside. Bits of light streamed in from the hull and he could see the infantry Battleframes slumped against the walls of what must have been the hangar bay of the ship. Again, bodies could be seen near the small corridors and laying on the Battleframes, as if about to get into them.

Render cautiously guided the giant robot into the hangar and scanned the area. The engine equipment that they were looking for would probably be stored near the stern. Consulting the electronic map, he stepped into a large corridor and followed it to the engines. After a few moments he came up to a set of blast doors far too small for the bulky Laborframe to fit through.

"Looks like I'm going on foot for a bit," Render said to himself, unbuckling the safety straps and hitting panel marked HATCH RELEASE. The hatch slid to the side and Render stepped out onto the upper chest of the Laborframe.

He slid his grapple cord from his belt and shot it towards the grimy floor. Pulling once on the line to make sure it was secure, he hooked it to the cockpit module and swiftly slid down the cord to the ground.

Flipping on his flashlight, he moved over to the door and looked for the control panel. Finding it, he un-holstered his pistol and shot the controls. Sparks shot everywhere and the blast door slid to the side with a satisfying clunk.

The ruined engine room was much like the rest of the ship. Dark, dirty and filled with bodies. Render scanned to room until he found what he was looking for. A newer model capacitator which would no doubt be of great use to Surges, who was always looking for new junk to pawn off.

"Drop your weapon and put your hands where I can see them," came a jeering voice from behind Render.

Damn. The old man was right. He cautiously dropped the pistol to the ground and turned in the direction of the voice.

A man with spiked red hair was behind him, pointing a large semiautomatic at him. Around him, he could hear the muffled sounds of other people standing up. Bastards, he thought. Playing dead so they could get the drop on me.

"You're not going anywhere," came Red with a smirk. "This ship's worth a lot to us and we're not about to share it with some punk kid."

--------

Cello descended towards the darkened city, flanked by two Rukh Battleframes. Harbinger set down on the roof of a tall building overlooking the Dreadnaught.

"Commander," came the voice of one of her wing mates. "Looks like somebody got here first." The Rukh raised a heavy arm and pointed across the crashed ship to where a small speck hovered around surveying the ship.

"Well then, why don't we go stake our claim?" Cello said with a smile. Harbinger withdrew her large Beam Rifle and flew off with a red burst, followed by the Rukhs.

---------

"We've got company!" shouted Lorelei, swinging Tempest around to look at the three heat sources approaching her.

"Have you heard anything from Render?" Surges asked calmly from the transceiver.

"He hasn't updated in twenty minutes. There might be more of these guys." She looked up at the three Battleframes.

In the center was a dark purple Battleframe wielding a large rifle. Black protrusions hung from the Battleframe's head unit, making it seem as if it had a long mane of black hair. Two hilts extended from either shoulder and the main body was slender except for a belt-like area made up of shielding equipment. The body ended in a pair of lithe mechanical legs, a set of missiles hanging from either hip.

On each side was another nondescript jet black Battleframe, each brandishing a laser rifle.

--------

"You can deal with this piece of junk," Cello ordered. "I'm after the real prize."

"Understood," responded the two wing mates as she spun around and opened fire on the hull of the spaceship, creating a huge hole near the stern. With another red burst, she flew down into the ship.

--------

There came a great crash from above them and plates and rubble began to rain down on Render and his would-be captors. With the five men distracted, he dashed for Red and kicked him down onto the floor, causing him to drop his weapon.

Picking it up, Render ran for the exit, just as a fuel tank came crashing to the floor where he was standing not half a minute ago. Emerging from the engine room, his heart sunk as he looked at the crushed Laborframe, a huge piece of armor plating pinning it to the ground.

Turning away from the sound of confused yelling, he began to dash down the corridor, leaving the ruined Laborframe.

--------

"You said we wouldn't have to worry about the military!" yelled Lorelei over her comm.

"This isn't the military. At least not the ones who this ship belongs to," Surges said coolly.

"What? You mean this is something other than the Inner Republic?"

"Yes. Return to Artemis immediately. You can't fend off two Battleframes."

It was rather quite true. The two black Battleframes had already put several holes into Tempest's armor already and they were headed for her, withdrawing their melee weapons. Each one unsheathed a silver blade and dashed for Tempest.

Tempest activated her laser shield to try and fend off her assailants. They came to a halt just outside her reach. Keeping the shield up, she reached for the long staff-like weapon on her back.

Letting the shield drop, she flourished the Laser Rod above her head and brought it down to point at the Battleframes. Sparks shot from the tip.

"I can take them just fine. Besides, what about Render? Are you just going to leave him so soon?"

"I never leave a crewmember behind. No matter how young or brash. That's why you're still on board," Surges said sternly.

Tempest spun her Laser Rod around and smashed it into the first Battleframe's shoulder. Sparks shot from the armor plating and it dropped its sword. Bringing it back around, she wasn't quick enough to incapacitate the other Battleframe, which spun its sword around and lunged for her torso.

"Damn, I wasn't fast enough," she said quietly as warning beacons appeared all over her cockpit display.

--------

Render ran down the corridor, heart beating wildly. It couldn't be long before that purple Battleframe brought the whole ship apart.

I sure called that one, he thought as a loud blast came from behind him while dust and rubble shot past him. He looked over his shoulder and saw the feminine purple Battleframe emerge from the rubble.

They're not after the engine equipment? What kind of guys are these? Hearing the sound of the Battleframe's legs rapidly moving closer, Render scanned the corridor for another set of doors. He wasn't about to be caught under a sprinting Battleframe.

Spotting a small hatchway a few yards ahead, he dived for the panel as the Battleframe sped over and past him.

Stumbling into the room, he quickly took in his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was what looked like a giant coffin leaning against the large wall with crates stacked neatly to the sides.

Strange, he thought.

--------

Harbinger sprinted down the corridor, her pilot barely noticing the teenager beneath her. He ducked into a room as she flew past.

Cello did a double take. Her monitor indicated that the target was secured in the room that stupid kid had just fallen into.

She swore and spun the Battleframe around. Without hesitation, she blasted the wall with her Beam Cannon. Rubble shot everywhere as she scanned the debris. Eyeing the large container on the side, she spared another glance at the monitor to see the kid crawl out from behind one of the crates and look up at her.

Stupid kid.

She leveled her weapon at the floor, ready to blow the kid to Kingdom Come, but then noticed something unusual. The container was opening. And the kid's eyes were flashing… blue?

-------

Render gazed up at the purple Battleframe, then felt a jolt from behind him. For a second, the world turned dark, and then reverted to normal.

Except he found himself inside what seemed to be an elaborate Battleframe cockpit. He then felt a weird sort of surge go through his body and he felt something connect to the back of his head. His vision faltered again, and this time he realized that he was looking straight at an azure monitor right below the canopy.

BATTLEFRAME EPITAPH

COMBAT GUIDANCE SYSTEM ONLINE

AWAITING PILOT INSTRUCTION

--------

Cello couldn't believe what she was seeing. The kid had disappeared inside the container and a blue flash had shot from the open container. Then it began rapidly levitating as if riding an invisible ladder.

Just who was that kid? She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Her mission had just been made more difficult.

--------

The giant coffin shot from the hull of the downed starship. Rapidly ascending, it finally stopped and burst open with an azure glow.

A Battleframe appeared between the two halves and a single blue eye lit up. The Battleframe hovered for a few minutes. It was a strikingly blue humanoid holding a Laser Rifle in its robust arms. Two sword hilts hung from either hip. Blue energy exuded from the Battleframe as it stretched its limbs as if waking from a long sleep. It hung in the air like a being from a higher plane, surveying the denizens below.

Then a purple Battleframe burst from the ship, brandishing a blazing red sword.

---------

Epitaph?

Render looked around the relatively spacious cockpit. He reached back to find that something was covering the rear of his skull, like some sort of partially completed helmet. There were no joysticks, panels or even buttons to be found.

Then it clicked. He was mentally controlling the Battleframe.

ENEMY BATTLEFRAME APPROACHING

ENGAGE?

Render didn't know how or why he all of a sudden knew what to do, but he put his newfound knowledge to immediate use. Epitaph flew back a few yards leveling the Laser Rifle at the purple Battleframe. He unleashed a spray of blue bolts at the attacking Battleframe. Taking them full in the chest, she rapidly fell back towards the ship.

Render saw two black Battleframes rushing to assist their leader. Epitaph spun to confront them.

ENEMIES AT CLOSE RANGE

RECOMMEND VECTOR SABERS

Trusting the judgment of the Battleframe, he exchanged the Laser Rifle for the two swords. Holding one in each hand, Epitaph held them in a guard position.

--------

Cello coughed as smoke shot from all around her. Brushing a lock of red hair out of her eyes, she looked back up towards Epitaph.

There's no way I can recover it now. It has a dedicated pilot. This was not going to make for a good mission report.

--------

Epitaph's swords spun defending against the attacks from the two black Battleframes. Finally, he parried with one Vector Saber, catching it square in the chest. Blood trickled from the cockpit as it slowly fell off of the gleaming sword, falling to the ground.

Spinning his other Vector Saber, he brought it into a downward slash. The other opponent brought up its own sword to guard, but it was not strong enough. The Vector Saber shattered the opposing sword, tossing silver shards into the air. Epitaph stabbed into the cockpit with the other Saber, dropping the second combatant.

--------

"You'll pay for this, you little bastard."

Cello gunned Harbinger forward and rapidly ascended for the atmosphere. Epitaph didn't even give chase.

--------

Epitaph descended to a ruined building and scooped the battered Tempest into his arms and slowly flew back to the Artemis.

Surges opened a channel to the new Battleframe.

"Render? Is that you in that 'frame?"

There was no answer.

--------

"Commander Lareaux," Cello said into her transceiver once clear of Balder's atmosphere. "The objective… escaped."

"That is disappointing news indeed. I also see that Harbinger is in need of repair. Caused by Epitaph, I presume?"

"Yes…"

"Return to Surter immediately. I will need your full report."

The connection was severed and Cello folded her arms across her chest, glaring out at space.

The further we are apart, the nearer I feel you are.

Even my loneliness turns into strength... when I think of you.

The thing that pierces the gentle chest, that's a fragment of my dream.

Believe once more in the miracle that is our chanced meeting.

From "Realize" and "Reason", respectively, by Nami Tamaki

Author's Notes: Yeah, I know the dialogue can use some work. I'll probably come back and edit this later. I do that to everything. The introduction explaining the war and origin of Battleframes is intentionally vague, because the full details of the war are little known in the setting. Oh yeah, Battleframes are referred to by the gender of their pilots. Infantry, minion and robot-controlled Battleframes are excluded from this. Finally, the beginning and end of each part will feature some lyrics from whatever J-Pop song I happen to be listening to at the moment. I'm too lazy to write my own theme songs, you see. Comment and criticize as you will.