I sat on Stryder's head as I rubbed my feet. Walking for five hours straight killed my legs and I have yet to make it towards the city. But I can see the faint glow of orange from the city along with faint gunshots and screams. I was beginning to worry about the worst. "What if I don't make it in time" or "What if they're already gone." These thoughts ran through my head as I saw the burning town in the distance. But I can't think like that. Not now of all times.

"Pilot I have descripted your helmet speaker to that of the pilot from before. You do not have to fear being found out. I have copied IMC pilot Ryan Shipley's voice patterns to match your voice through the speaker. When you talk you'll sound just like him. I suggest giving it a try." Stryder told me as I nod.

"Check, Check. One, two, one, two." I said as my voice was beginning to change into an older British voice. "Wait Stryder what's this accent?"

"Scans indicate it is a British accent from the planet Earth. The homeworld of the IMC." He explained to me. I thought it over. Why come here when they have a planet of their own?

Before I could continue my train of thought a heard a jet engine behind me seeing what seems to be a recon squad. Looking up and towards my left Stryder and I noticed a spaceship land next to us as a male jumped out and looked at us.

"Shipley, what are you doing out here?" His rough voice asked as I jumped down off of Stryders head.

"Making my way towards the city sir," I spoke as he looked over me.

"Where's your squad and what happened to your titan?" He questioned as I had to think quickly.

"They died, sir. Killed in action. My titan was destroyed by one of the civilians here. They had their own, titans. I salvaged this one from my recent search." Explaining it to him he looked like he didn't believe me but noticed the red on my silver scarf.

"I see. Get in, we'll make our way to the city, there you'll fight with a second squad. Make sure that Stryder class titan is on board." He ordered another team as they took Stryder to a different ship as more titans appeared. "How good are you with a sniper pilot?" He questioned as he hopped into the ship.

"Uhm I'm not sure sir. I only ever shot a BB gun with my father." Jumping on the edge of the ship he pulled out a sniper and tossed it to me before taking my carbine.

"Well nothing like the present, eh?" He smirked as he walked towards the cockpit telling the pilot to get going.

After flying for about twenty or so minutes, we flew over the city. The man from before stood up and opened the ship's side door.

"Pilots head out. Shipley stays here, we're gonna get you to a good sniping position." He said as the four pilots jumped out and went into the city.

Flying over some skyscrapers we came up to a decent height for a sniper. But the city looked like hell. Hell from the side I'm pretending to be on.

"You are to provide cover from here for your fellow pilots. Alright, get moving." He spoke to me as I nod and jumped out before taking the position.

"What just happened? Why am I taking orders?" I mumbled as the ship left my position. Looking down the two times scope I scanned the area. "Alright first time using a sniper rifle......how bad could it be?" I thought to myself.

Watching the streets I heard screams of civilians much more clear as I began to shake. Just as I began shaking my father's corpse was on my mind and then my grandparents. That's right...I'm doing this to find them. I looked down the scope seeing a civilian shooting at the IMC pilots I dropped in with, at least I think it's them.

"Shipley we need that guy taken out. Take the shot!" The pilot yelled as
I carefully aimed it at the civilian and began to hug the trigger.

But I missed.. before I knew it I heard another sniper shot go off as it hit my arm causing me to scream in pain. Tears welled up as I held my arm, blood leaked onto the ground. I looked forwards to seeing the shine of scope from a building two blocks from me. I carefully and painfully moved my arm to balance the sniper as I hissed in pain.

"Shipley take that Sniper out before he takes us out!" A female pilot yelled as I aimed with tears in my eyes Before muttering two words.

"Forgive me."

And just like that.........I took the shot and blood splattered on the roof. I turned around and sat against the wall. The look of fear on that man's face when I noticed him. I rubbed my head with my good arm and looked at the armor I wore. This......this was turning me into something. Something I didn't want to be.

-------------------Present-----------------------------

Coughing I sat up but noticed I wasn't against my titan I was in some bed. Panic filled my mind as I sat up and quickly went to leave but was stopped by an older gentleman. He sat in a wheelchair but with spider-like legs instead of wheels.

"Oh, you're awake. That's good." He smiled as he spoke in a Louisiana accent. In his hands was a tray of food and a cup of coffee. "What were you doing out in the cold? You could've been frozen out there." He smiled as I looked at him not uttering a word.

He set the tray down and coughed into his fist clearing the tense air. I looked at him but he noticed my outfit and even I did as well.

"My word looking at it now. I never knew how much damage it had but this, however." He spoke in astonishment

I looked down at my militia suit. The fabric was burnt and ripped. My scarf was practically gone. My knee pads had embers and my elbows shown. My helmet's visor was cracked and the lights flickered.

"Where my titan?" I asked as he looked at me in confusion. That was until he realized what I was referring to.

"Oh, you're talking about that paladin. Well, it's fine the body is damaged I believe beyond repair. But with the right materials, we can make it good as new." He smiled making me stare at him. "Please have some food. You'll need it. I have to get to work on a few things."

I watched as he left while I looked at the coffee in front of me. My hands began to shake as I didn't have anyone I knew to talk to. I couldn't trust this old man cause I've been in hostage situations before and this was no different. He could try to get my guard down before getting answers out of me. I poked at my food before taking the tray to the room I woke up in closing the door behind me. I sat on the bed and took my helmet off in the surface of the coffee I could see my damaged face.

My lip had a cut underneath, my right eye was bruised and swollen, my nose was a different shade of purple. But what I noticed the most was my forehead. Blood gently spilled onto whats left of my scarf. I must've hit it against one of Stryders many switches. I wouldn't doubt it, my helmet didn't look in the best condition as well. This was my only armor besides the IMC armor I wore three years back when the war first started.

If I remember correctly that armor should be in Stryders chasis and unlike the militia armor that stuff was made to be more durable and sustainable. After eating the food in front of me and drinking my coffee that had a hint of iron in it thanks to my blood. I used what's left of my scarf to make a bandage around my head before putting my helmet back on. Opening the door I made my way to that old man to give him his things.

"How was it? I'm not much of a cook." He apologized to me.

"It was fine. It's better than rations and plain water." I told him as he smiled before making his way to the kitchen.

I looked towards the window seeing the night sky and did I just see a flying city?

"Ah, I see you're looking at Atlas.  Quite the site huh?" The old man asked as he appeared on my left.

"It's interesting but I've seen things grander than this," I told him as he looked at me before nodding. "That was before Demeter though."

"Demeter?" He questioned making me nod. He went to ask another question but I stopped him.

"I'd rather leave it at that. Now, how do I find the nearest shop so I can get back to the frontier and stop the IMC?"

"IMC, Frontier? My boy, I'm afraid I don't have the slightest clue on what you're talking about." He said causing me to think over what happened. That was until I remembered Stryder's explanation with the experimental phase shift.

"Nevermind. Look I need to see how my titan is doing. Can you take me to him?" I asked as he looked up at me. But I never took my eyes off the city.

"Sure. Just follow me." He smiled before leaving as I followed him.

Whatever this place is....I'm not home anymore. I will find a way back home so i can continue the fight. There are too many lives at stake for me to sight see.