20/Kryo/2467 R.S. 13:22:10

The high-velocity sand particles crash against both of the Trooper's barriers as they periodically activate to prevent any physical damage to their armor. An aggrupation of dark clouds suddenly loom above the Troopers as they circle around each other, the scenery turns obscure and hinders visibility inside the dust bowl, 19's visor shines brightly due to its translucent material. On the other hand, since 51's visor is Black no light emits from it, however, the Orange trim around it does. The Troopers continue to circle around until they are in opposition to their corresponding dropships.Their barriers simultaneously break whilst attempting to hold the fast-moving particles, now exposed to the elements, 51 is curious as to why Epsilon is keeping the Data Pad.

51: "What's on that Data Pad?"

19: "Hrrrm..."

51: "You're not the talking type I see-"

Xander goes for the first blow, lunging his body at Michael with his right fist incoming in the form of a heavy hook. 51's eyes grow wide seeing his attacker suddenly commence the duel, with his right palm open he puts it in front of him stopping 19 dead in his tracks, following this movement he goes for Xander's extended right arm, grabbing it and swiftly putting his back against 19's chest. A hateful growl resonates within 19 as he grabs onto 51's helmet with his left hand, Michael quickly reacts by pushing down with all his strength, tossing his opponent to the ground ahead. Xander crashes with the sandy ground but recovers with haste, instead of going in with full force, he now goes into a counter-strike combat stance, "Give me the Data Pad!" Michael yells at the seamlessly unrelenting Trooper.

On the Sanity, Jade establishes a direct communication transmission using SatCom with General Dovyo, he is the handler of most Mikundrian Trooper Squadrons deployed on Centralian Territories and the co-creator of the MT program itself, alongside the previous, now deceased, General Maxwell."General Dovyo ." He answers Jade's transmission. She quickly patches the communications to Vera. "It's him." Jade lets Vera know before she replies to the General.

20: "Dovyo, it's 20."

Gen. Dovyo: "Vera! What a surprise hearing from you, what do you need?"

20: "I'm aware you sent Michael to recover a Data Pad from Epsilon Squad."

Gen. Dovyo: "Yes, I did, though he has not reported to me, is something wrong?"

20: "Epsilon Squadron is uncompliant to your order, 51 and 19 are currently engaged in hand to hand combat for the datapad."

The line cuts out, the conversation has come to an abrupt end. Vera turns to Jade as they look at each other and shrugs her shoulders. After this she turns to the open hatch and looks down at 51 as he is standing his ground.

51 sprints towards 19, he prepares. In a matter of seconds, he crashes into 19's freshly recharged barrier but the force overwhelms the capacitor's systems, consequently breaking the barrier, due to the immense pressure 19 staggers back and his combat pose breaks leaving him open for a quick strike, without hesitation Michael drives a strong punch right into Xander's chest, knocking him to the ground. He stands on top of the fallen Xander, he speaks: "It's over, yield and give me that Data Pad." As he stretches his hand out to help 19 up, in an attempt to retaliate Xander forcefully grabs onto 51's arm, but before he could do anything, the brawl gets interrupted by an alert coming from inside their helmets informing them of an incoming transmission, it is the General. Seeing this 51 pulls 19 up from the ground and unto his feet. Xander lowers his guard as he presses a button in the right side of his helmet, Michael does the same.

Gen. Dovyo: "What is this madness!? You are to stop this duel and report to Central Command immediately!" "Yes, sir!" 51 replies before both Troopers turn their backs to one another and make their way towards their respective Dropships, 51 to the Sanity, and 19 to the Ichor. The dark clouds move out and the blue sun shines through the cracks in the sky, scolded by the General, Michael feels remorseful for the events. As he clambers into his Dropship, Vera reveals that she was the one who told the General about the duel. Without interest in arguing he sits down in silence, waiting for Jacklyn to fly them out of the Caloris Outskirts. Before Ankiros seals the hatch, 51 catches one last glimpse of the Ichor blast its afterburners as it flies into the distance.

09: "Well that didn't go as smooth as I thought it would, you got your victory over Xander, but no datapad."

51: "We still got the Shock Millitant, also, I'd like to go the rest of the trip in silence, Ankiros."

In front of the ship's cockpit, a Millitant Soldier lies on his side, suffering due to his destroyed hand, as the Dropship pulls off the ground and the sand clears up, 49 sees him, so does 12 sitting behind him. She asks: "We have a stray, what do we do with this one?". Jack thinks about what to do with the survivor, let him die alone in the Caloris outskirts or finish him off, the back hatch completely closes and Ankiros walks into the cockpit.

09: "What's the holdup? We've got to go, now."

49: "I understand but what about this straggler?"

09: "End that man's suffering, then go full throttle to Centralia."

Stolen story; please report.

49: "Understood."

Ankiros turns around and walks back into the cargo area of the Dropship where multiple seats are lined up facing each other and takes a seat next to 51. While 09 is not looking, 49 shoots his autocannons around the Millitant Soldier, going against his orders and sparing his life. The Sanity's turbines help rotate the ship until it is facing southbound. Once at the specific angle and coordinates they speed off leaving a trail of dust behind them, abandoning the soldier to die alone in the city outskirts.

20/Kryo/2467 R.S. 15:03:30 United Central Command, Central Highway, Centralia.

Medical Sergeant S. Hendricks sits next to Trooper 19 Xander Hughes.The Trooper is lying in bed facing upwards and without his helmet equipped. M.S. Hendricks asks Xander to breathe in for him, he complies, inhaling, he now asks him to exhale, and when 19 exhales the air does not flow out as smoothly as it flows in, eventually coughing.

Hendricks: "Ahh, there's the problem, tell me, Xander, do you feel any pain in your lungs?"

210: "He cannot speak, I'm sure he's ready to-"

Hendricks: "I wasn't askin' you, but here's a question for you, Wolfgang, if you knew of Xentenas's capabilities, why did you pitch 19 against him, afraid of doing it yourself?"

210: "I'm not afraid of a deprived -"

Hendricks: "I've changed my mind, I don't need you to answer, leave us alone now."

210 growls as he walks out of the room, barging through the door.Hendricks smiles, shifting his attention back to Xander. "Let me tell you something, Hughes.I was once like yourself, strong, prideful, but dominated by a squad leader, I became his personal assassin, until I was hurt in combat and he was nowhere to be found, not until I recovered, that's when he came back." He looks up at 19 as he looks directly at Hendricks. "I trust you understand my point, Trooper, tell Xentenas to come in after you." He tells Xander before patting him in his thigh and waving his hand in the direction towards the door, signaling him to leave. Xander walks out of the room and lets Michael know that he is up next. He walks into the room with his arms crossed, and remains standing awaiting the lecture.

Hendricks: "Do you engage Mikundrian Troopers for fun, Xentenas?"51: "No, Sergeant I do not."

Hendricks: "Then why did you engage in hand to hand combat with Trooper zero zero one nine (19)?" 51: "I had to engage Trooper zero zero one nine because he and his squadron were impeding me from completing my orders."

Hendricks: "And what were these orders? I am sure they don't mention anything about Trooper to Trooper combat."

51: "No, Sergeant they do not, my orders were to recover a Data Pad which Epsilon Squadron had collected while fighting against Millitant forces on the ongoing Caloris Conflict."

Hendricks: "So they were actively negating you access to the datapad, preventing you from completing your task?"

51: "Yes, Sergeant that is correct."

Hendricks: "I see, well you seem in tip-top shape, there's nothing for me to do for you. As always Xentenas, look after yourself."

51: "Thank you, Sergeant."

Hendricks: "Oh, I almost forgot, General Dovyo will be waiting for you in Apex Armaments' meeting room."

51: "Apex Armaments?"

Hendricks: "Go now, Trooper, I have patients."

51: "Yes, Sergeant!"

Inside a dark room lit by a large projected image of brand new designs of Mikundrian Trooper armor hitting a white wall, next to it a formally dressed spokesperson from Apex Armaments proudly finishes his long speech."... With these augments our MTs will be the true Apex Predator.And with that I conclude this meeting, I would love to hear your questions regarding our newest prototypes."The assistant General sitting next to General Dovyo breaks the silence."Why in the world would we keep improving these... Experiments?" "Do we want them to feel like Gods among men? In Aankhi's name, this repulses me."

The Assistant General believes that the Mikundrian Trooper program is long overdue and is no longer needed within the Centralian Army's ranks.The AA spokesperson begs to differ as he presents his point of view. "It "repulses" you, Assistant General? Tell me did it repulse you when all that stood between you and death was MT-1211?"

The Assistant General remains silent as the double doors to the meeting room simultaneously open, revealing a tall dark figure as it walks toward the meeting table. General Dovyo turns his eyes towards the opened door, noticing the figure he returns back to his previous pose, looking at the Apex Armaments spokesperson. He clears his throat and says: "As always, Apex delivers nicely, get me one proto-suit, I'd like to put it to the test. As for you Helder, you disappoint me."

The dark figure arrives at the table and stands behind A.G. Helder. "Leave us." The General orders them to leave the room, he turns to his left and stands up confronting the Trooper. "Michael." He begins. "What happened out there? An EOD unit, a wounded Trooper..." He presses his right hand against his forehead in angst.

51: "My apologies, sir, Epsilon Squad was uncompliant to your order."

Gen. Dovyo: "Save the formalities for Hendricks, Michael, the data pad has been given to Jade for decryption. You on the other hand, I've got another assignment for you."

51: "Sir, this would be my fifth Op in a row, how-"

Gen. Dovyo: "Last one, I promise, plus, you get to choose a partner for this one, anyone except Jade."

51: "What are your orders, Sir?"

Gen. Dovyo: "A Millitant Diplomat has been spotted entering Kalderag, of course for peaceful reasons, but as soon as their Millitant instincts kick in, that's where you and whoever you pick come in."

51: "Dead or Alive?"

Gen. Dovyo: "Hmm, alive, you did well with that Shock Millitant 114 is interrogating him as we speak, Michael, and the Caloris Dam is still operational, only had some minor cosmetic damage, who will you pick for the Op?"

Michael looks away from Dovyo and into the large projected image of two large A's. As the lights reflect off his visor he stares into the image.

"I'll take Vera."