Simulation: Part 2

Word Count: 4055 Words 🪖

The next morning came slowly, a soft knock against the cockpit stirred me awake as the dim glow of my display softly lit the cramped space around me. BT's synthesized voice cut through the quiet. 

"Good morning, Pilot. It is now dawn." 

I blinked myself awake, taking in the stale air of the cockpit and the sight of faint sunlight that was being shown in my display. My body felt stiff and cramped from sleeping in the seat, helmet wedged awkwardly against the console. I grab my helmet and put it on as I move my head trying to stretch my neck. 

"Good morning, BT," I muttered, rolling my shoulders. "Status?" 

"All systems operational. Shields have returned to full capacity, holding at 92%. Integrity levels are stable at 95%. Mobility remains optimal." 

I felt a slight smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. At least some things were predictable. After yesterday's struggle to patch up the leg and clear the nearby perimeter, seeing the mech in near-full condition was a small relief. "And weapons?" I asked, bringing up the HUD's armament diagnostics. 

"Primary weapon system: Rifle," BT responded. "Secondary: Left arm Energy Blade at full charge, and integrated arc taser within the right forearm with remaining power cells at 70%. Additional ranged options include two concussion grenades stored on the lower right leg mount." 

"Not bad, not bad at all," I muttered, checking over the ammunition levels and remaining power reserves. The rifle would be great for ambushes as it packed a good enough punch, capable of piercing moderate armor, while the Energy Blade was reliable for close quarters, with just enough taser charge left for emergency maneuvers. 

"Additional weapons systems include three proximity charges on the rear torso storage panel and a basic laser repeater on the chest, operational at 60% capacity. Recommend conserving ammo and power." 

 I nodded, taking in the lineup and forming a rough mental picture of what BT and I could pull off if things went south today. All in all, it wasn't the worst setup to work with. 

"Good," I said, settling back into my seat. "Keep me updated if we detect any hostiles nearby." 

I assumed control of the mech as its systems hummed softly while I scanned the area. Outside, the dawn light cast long shadows over the ruins. Bits of twisted metal and abandoned equipment lay scattered across the ground, remnants of older battles or perhaps simply the clutter of time. The remains of what I assume to have been the factory I was in yesterday loomed to my left. It was decorated with tons of rust and a concrete structure with cracks and missing sections that made it seem ready to buckle at any moment. 

"BT, what's our sync rate at right now?" I ask. 

"Synchronization rate at 115% and rising. If the Pilot is wondering, synchronization rate seems to be increasing more steadily the more the pilot is in control." 

"Yeah, I can feel it, a sort of connection to you. BT, is there any activity nearby?" I asked, leaning forward to study the exterior more closely. 

"Negative. No movement detected within a 100-meter radius," BT reported. "However, I detected gunfire to the northeast overnight. Records indicate intermittent engagement approximately 3.6 kilometers from our current location." 

The data flashed onto my HUD, the northeast marked in yellow. Whoever was out there was likely moving from area to area. It could be a squadron, it could be Ghost himself, they could just be looking for supplies or possibly for targets. I'd need to be on alert and act with caution, keep a low profile until I could confirm whether they were friend or foe. 

"Noted. Any other alerts on the surroundings?" 

"Scanners have detected additional metal debris and dormant units roughly one kilometer to the east, near the remains of an old transport hangar." 

That sounded like a decent spot to check for equipment or maybe extra ammunition if I was lucky. And, if it was littered with dormant units, there was a decent chance I could scavenge something useful without drawing too much attention. Maybe even make some changes to cockpit that I had in mind. Something along the lines of the mech cockpits from Titanfall 2 mech cockpits. 

Thinking about it a little bit more, the cockpits for this world's mechs were kind of a death trap. You had to climb out of a square hatch that was on the top of the cockpit's frontal armor. With all of the information I had learned, combined with all of the concepts I have in mind and my newfound genius, I'm pretty confident I can do a conversion to the cockpit. Also make myself some boosters so that I can embody the being of Rifleman Cooper. Oh man, I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. 

"Let's take a look," I said, as I move the Striker, which was as smooth as a baby's skin compared to yesterday. The patch work I did to the right leg was feeling stable. BT had done well finding a safe spot and keeping watch overnight, and I made a mental note to thank him later. Not that he'd care, but if I kept on like this, I'd probably go nuts talking to myself all day unless I managed to come across Ghost soon. 

I maneuvered the mech around the uneven ground, weaving through heaps of twisted metal and long-rusted remains of other mechs. As I approached the transport hangar, the sensors started picking up faint energy signatures. 

"BT, analyze that hangar." 

"Detecting three heat signatures," BT replied, "likely a squadron of the Federation or a Squadron of the Resistance. If we are lucky, they are just dormant units based on low-level energy readings." 

I stopped just short of the hangar and zoom in on the area. Three mechs, 2 Knight class and one Parallax model by the looks of them, stood idling near the hangar entrance. Their paint was scratched and scuffed, one even missing half its leg armor, the entire structure exposed. But one thing was for sure, they weren't here to make friends. 

"Guess we should go and say hello." 

I positioned myself behind a ridge, readying my weapons and taking aim. I fired on the Parallax first, my shot precisely aimed at its reactor. It dropped its weapons and just stood there as it started to smoke. I could tell that my shot had crippled it and just one more could probably blow the reactor up. 

The other two mechs turned sharply, sluggish but bringing their own weapons up and opening fire in my general direction. Their aim was poor and rounds clattering against the ridge as I took aim and fired another shot on the mech to the right. I hit its leg which caused sparks to start flying everywhere. Its leg started to failing at the knee joint and stumbled forward almost sending it crashing down, but its pilot managed to kneel it instead. 

I took another shot which went straight through the center of its lightly armored cockpit, causing it to stop firing as its pilot inside lost consciousness from the crater in his chest. 

"Two down," I muttered, shifting to the last one. This one attempted to enter the hangar and find some cover as it shot toward me. This one was the one with the damaged leg armor. I shot at its cockpit but the pilot managed to turn just at the right angle causing my shot to ricochet and give the dilapidated roof of the hangar another hole for decoration. It stumbled a bit at the power of the shot, but it stayed upright as it returned fire. 

I fired 2 consecutive shots without aiming much. One of them hit the ground but ricocheted up striking the mech's undamaged leg. It was more like a battering ram at that point, causing the leg to just get a bend but not damage it enough. The second shot landed on its should, ripping its right arm off and stopping it from returning fire. I then shot the sencer of its cockpit but the shot ricochet again. 

"Shitty fucking low tier bullshit," I said as I watched my shot glance off the mech's almost non-existent armor. I fire again and this time the shot penetrates, but the pilot had turned his mech and instead of hitting him it had brow the cockpit open, its front no longer attached. 

The mech continued to retreat as I could see the pilot inside the cockpit stare towards me in anger. I couldn't get a shot on him as he was now behind cover, but then I remembered the Parallax class mech I had initially shot. I aim in on it and fire on its reactor once. Silence fills the air before it is interrupted by the sound of metal ripping as the reactor explodes, sending a blue wave of flames to its surroundings. 

"BT, scan for any life signatures." 

"Scanners detect no additional life signatures," BT reported. "Area is clear." 

I maneuvered forward to inspect the maihem I had just caused. Nothing that could interest me on the mechs, I look over to where the last mech I fought was to see it scorched black with white smoke as its pilot's charred body remained strapped to its seat. "Tough luck, bucko." 

I then inspect the surrounding trying to scavenge for some ammunition for the rifle. They weren't carrying much, but I found 2 magazines of ammunition I could salvage. I made quick work of gathering the supplies, stowing them securely before powering up again. 

"Nice haul," I muttered, pulling up my map and marking the northeast area BT had logged earlier. If there were active gunfights nearby, I'd need to keep moving. No sense in sticking around for reinforcements or scavengers to track me down. 

With my gear secured and the route ahead clear, I set off again, the ruins of the hangar disappearing behind me as the early morning light stretched across the abandoned landscape. 

I continued on my journey but came across nothing which is good, but not great. I was here to learn not to enjoy a peaceful time. But then again, maybe I should be treating this more realistically instead of just as a simulation... 

The days started to blend together. Each morning, I woke to BT's unchanging voice, announcing the time and status. We'd run system checks, then move out, carving a slow, deliberate path through this wasteland. After the initial firefight, I expected the days to be filled with similar encounters, but what followed was mostly silence, a very eerie silence. Federation patrols were sparse, their routes either programmed for other sections or thinned by the Resistance I had heard mentioned. 

On the third morning, I decided to step outside the cockpit for the first time in a while. I unsealed the hatch and climbed out, standing for a moment to let the silence settle around me. The terrain was harsh, barren soil dotted with twisted metal remnants and the scattered debris of fallen mechs. I let BT control the Striker to follow, its massive footsteps oddly quiet in this wasteland. 

"Keep a look out while I stretch my legs," I said, mostly to myself, though I'd found talking to BT out loud made me feel less isolated. I could tell my mind was starting to deteriorate with the lack of human contact. Man, I can only imagine how bad things would have been if I didn't get a soul summoning voucher on my first day in this universe. 

"Understood, Pilot," BT replied, positioning itself in a slight crouch to minimize its silhouette. 

I walked a few yards ahead, feeling the crunch of the frozen soil and fragments beneath my boots. My mind wandered to the idea of tweaking the cockpit setup, maybe adjusting the seats and controls to maximize comfort and speed if I had the right parts, but I had yet to find anything out here. Maybe I'll just keep it as an idea for when I exit the simulation and get a my hands on a mech. I spent the better part of an hour scouring nearby wreckage for supplies. I ended up finding a few salvageable things, mostly odds and ends: some wiring, a couple magazines of ammo, some extra armor to add to the back of the mech and its hip area, but nothing that would transform BT. However monotonous it felt, I'd keep searching, hoping that I'd find the right bits and pieces to make my dreams a reality. 

Later, I got back into the cockpit, feeling the familiar stiffness in my shoulders and the creak of my joints settling back into place. I allowed BT to remain in control as we navigate the area, occasionally flagging clusters of movement, though most turned out to be small animals, their energy signatures blips compared to a mech's radar signature. 

Around midday, a warning tone came through the HUD. 

"Detection of radio frequencies nearby," BT said. "Minimal interference; likely source: low-power devices approximately 1.8 kilometers southeast." 

 A radio signal meant one of two things: Federation scouts or the Resistance. Either way, neither was on my side and it warranted investigation. I assumed control of the mech as I piloted BT carefully in that direction, using terrain to stay hidden. As we approached, the signal grew faint, fading in and out as we drew closer. I ordered BT to do a life sign scan but it picked up no additional life signs in the surrounding area. 

The coordinates led to a small encampment hidden within a grove of twisted metal. A few tents, a half-functional generator, and scattered equipment. It looked hastily abandoned. There were supplies scattered about, rations, medkits, tools. I scavenged what I could, adding them to our haul. Though this was a simulation, I found out that the feeling of hunger was very real and more food meant a bit more comfort. 

By the fifth day, I had to face the monotony that was starting to settle in. This was nothing like what I had imagined it would be. My sync rate with BT had risen to 158% by now, making every single movement while I controlled BT all the more easier. I had yet to come across Ghost, or even see any sign of him. Hell, I was even starting to wonder if this simulation was really a joint simulation. 

On the sixth day, I stumbled into the shell of an old factory, half-collapsed but littered with piles of discarded supplies and forgotten equipment. Just as I was about to move on, something caught my eye in the dim light spilling from my mech's floodlight, a couple of buckets of black paint, dusty but still sealed tight. Nearby, a smaller bucket of white lay on its side, lid askew but full enough. I moved closer, shaking the bucket of black paint before prying it open. 

The paint seemed to still be in good conditions, so I turned to BT. "BT, how about a fresh look? Full black armor, and maybe… a scythe. Something for a little character," I mused, running a gloved hand over one of the mech's frame in thought. 

"That sounds like a plan," BT replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. 

With BT's help, I got to work, rigging up an auto-paint function by using the mech's smallest tools to coat the armor plates smoothly. Bit by bit, the dull metal disappeared under a glossy, obsidian layer, the Striker frame started taking on a more ominous look. The black paint settled over every angle and joint, giving BT a sharp and dangerous edge. BT was able to emit some heat from the reactor which caused the paint to dry much quicker. 

Once the black paint was dry, I move on to make the scythe. I dipped a brush into the white paint and began sketching on BT's left shoulder. The scythe took shape—a long, curved blade, rough around the edges and with some white drops resembling blood. Next I painted a grim reaper holding it before I stepped back and admired my work. I then moved onto the right shoulder and repeated the process with it. Once I was all done, I took a step back. "All set," I said, viewing the result. "What do you think?" 

"Intimidating," BT replied, as if savoring the transformation. "Great job, Pilot." 

"Oh, stop it, BT, you're going to make me blush," I said, as I threw the paint buckets and the brush aside. With that, we powered up and headed out. We had been walking for about 30 minutes when all of a sudden my cockpit lights turned read. 

"Be advised, Pilot. Enemy units detected 1200 meters to our east." 

I took a look at the map data and saw about 12 different blips on it. "It's like their broadcasting their positions. They're not even trying to hide. It's almost like they are asking to be attacked." 

Well, this is only a simulation and its been a very boring couple of days. "Hey BT, you think we can take them on?" 

"Pilot, from the radar signatures, it seems like this is a squadron made up of 8 Knight class mechs and 4 Parallax class mechs. Fighting is not advisable." 

"Aww, come on BT, live a little. We all have to die some day. How about we just toy with them a bit. Plus, night is starting to fall, we'll become invisible to them especially once we turn off our radar." I say as I release control of the mech to BT. "Get us in an advantageous position. I want to catch them off guard and hit them hard, slip out and then come back again when they don't expect it." 

"As you wish, Pilot." BT responded. 

I turned off our radar as we started running, maintaining a speed of about 40kmh. It took us a little over a minute to come within a 400 meter distance of the last pinged location we had. Using the trees as cover I ordered BT to scan. The targets had covered about 200 meters from their original location. BT started moving us closer, our speed slowing down as we closed the ground. 

BT kneels as I control the arms and bring up our rifle. I take aim on the leading mech, a Knight class, to confuse them on where the shot came from and fire a single shot on its reactor. The shot destroys its reactors which immediately sent a wave of blue flames to its sides as it blew up and shrapnel flew out at high speeds, with a sharp piece of the mech's back armor flying straight through the cockpit of the nearest mech, one of the Parallax mechs. 

I watched it stumbled to the ground before switching my sights to the mech that was closest to me, the one all the way at the back. It was another Parallax but it had its soft back armor towards me as it aimed to the tree line ahead of it, trying to find where the shot came from. I fired my shot perfectly on the center of its back and watched as the force of the shot threw it forward. 

The other mechs started to scramble, with no one still knowing where they were being shot from. They started to retreat to their right, into the forest I was in. I aimed at another Knight mech and shot its reactors, which caused another blue fireball to erupt, though there wasn't any collateral damage this time around. 

"4 down," I muttered to myself as I changed put my sights on one of the Parallax Mechs that was starting to turn in my direction. I quickly fired a shot that ricocheted off its angled front armor and went straight trough the head of a Knight mech that was furthest from it, rendering it useless as it lost its ability to see. 

Its pilot seemed to panic and started blind firing on his own team, which caused his own men to open fire on him. While all that chaos was going on, I lined up a second shot on the Parallax mech that had seemed to have spotted me. Its cockpit's armor was tough, but it buckled under the pressure from my shot, crushing it and the pilot inside. 

"That's half of them, Pilot. Exceptional marksmanship," BT commented. 

"Save the complements for when we're done, BT." I responded as I aimed at the last Parallax that had its back turned towards me, but I didn't notice that 2 of the Knights had locked onto my location. 

*PTOWOWOWOWOWONGGGGGGG* 

A shot ricochet off my angled armor which almost left me death. BT quickly started backpedaling us into the forest as I tried my best to aim and ignore my ringing ears. I opened fire but my shot was way off, hitting one of the trees which caused the shot to change trajectory and start spinning as it hit the foot of one of the Knights and causing it to lose its balance and crash into the Parallax that was lining me up, causing him to fire into the ground. 

BT kept on retreating us until I assumed control and made a break for the road to my left. Once I crossed it I kept on running up the slight incline and over the ridge. Once I was on the other side, I turned right and kept on running quickly getting to a different position. I released control to BT and he maintained us behind cover while letting me aim over the ridge with minimal exposure. 

I aimed in the direction of the forest fire that was starting to spread and scouted 2 Knights crossing the road as well. I ignored them and searched for the Parallax. I got a slight glimpse of it through the flames and trees and slowly lined up a shot on the only part I could see. Its right shoulder. I took a single shot and hit him square in the right shoulder. It dropped its rifle as it retreated further into the forest with the other 3 knights that stayed behind. 

"Rifle Reloading," called out BT as I shifted my aim and tracked one of the Knight mechs that was making its way up the hill. "Rifle Reloaded." 

As soon as I heard that, I shot the leading Knight and destroyed a section of its cockpit, missing the pilot. However, this caused it to fall into the path of the other Knight, making it trip over its frame. The pilot of the Knight I shot escaped his mech through the missing section of his cockpit and started to make a run for it. 

Unfortunately for him, he ran right in front of the 155mm round of my rifle which vaporized him before hitting the other Knight's reactor and blowing it up. "Well, that's 8 down, one almost crippled, one with a busted foot and another with a missing arm." I say as I feel the adrenaline start to leave my system. "Too bad they escaped." 

"Excellent display of your piloting skills, Pilot. Would you like to give chase to the stragglers?" BT asked after complimenting me. 

"No BT, although I feel like this may blow back on me, chasing them wouldn't be the smartest idea right now. They'll be expecting me, most likely turned off their radars by now too. Let's just move to another area, we've done enough damage for now." I say as I relinquish my control over to BT. 

"Understood, Pilot. I'll take care of finding us a safe resting place," BT answered. And just like that, we slipped back into the night, leaving behind us a trail of death and destruction. 

*Third Person POV* 

On the next morning, a sole gray Parallax mech made its way down a road when it spotted the debris of destroyed mechs. It scanned the surroundings before scanning the ground. It followed a set of footprints over the hill and ridge, seeing a few shells on the ground. The charred surrounding and destroyed mechs were a testament of what had gone down here. 

"Seems like this was all done by a single pilot...."