Twenty-year-old Andres Cortez, with black hair and blue eyes, arrived in the coastal city of Troya for the annual Shattering Festival. Colorful decorations surrounded him; streamers twisted through the air, lanterns cast a warm glow on the dusty streets, and ribbons fluttered in the breeze. The sound of laughter and music filled the space as people dressed in bright, festive clothing moved about, their faces lit with excitement and joy.

  “Thank you all for attending this evening,” A young lady broadcasted to the festival goers. “Before we begin the fireworks display, let us all take a moment to reflect on why we gather like this every year.” She addressed the crowd with reverence, describing the reason for their celebration.

  Long ago, the wonder resource called Teal was discovered and provided great strides forward for mankind. Until one day, the largest deposit of Teal crystals suddenly erupted. They called that day The Shattering; as the Earth’s crust shattered and the continents broke apart. Humanity was on the brink of extinction until they found a new home in Byzantia. Right where the Teal had erupted, a new continent had formed.

  “Let us join together in celebrating humanity’s survival and look forward to our future!”

  As the announcements concluded, Andres made his way through the crowd until he found his best friend, Marcus Virelli. “I’m glad you made it out, man!” Marcus said, pushing his brown hair out of his green eyes.

  “Well, you insisted,” Andres replied.

  “It’s a special occasion. You have to celebrate.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Everyone wants you to come back to the MAV Program. Especially with the new Emperor of Elerian taking the throne. There’s a rumor that he isn’t satisfied with the last war’s treaty. You have a really great grasp of piloting the new Knight-type Mechanized Assault Vehicle. We could really use your help if a new war breaks out.”

  Andres sighed. “I appreciate that. I just don’t know if it’s what I should be doing.”

  “Your dad’s actions as an Ember captain saved the Republic. There’s nothing wrong with following in his footsteps, Andres.” Marcus motioned for Andres to follow him to a booth. “ But we can talk about this another time. Let’s just enjoy the festival.”

  The friends spent a few hours hanging out at various booths, weaving their way through the crowded festival grounds. They sampled sweet pastries dusted with powdered sugar and warm, savory snacks that left their fingers greasy but satisfied. At one booth, they tried their luck at a ring toss, laughing as the rings clattered against the bottles, and at another, they watched an artist paint vivid scenes on delicate fans. Brightly colored fabrics swayed from makeshift stalls, and the air was thick with the mingling aromas of spices, roasted meats, and candied fruits. Every now and then, music would swell from a nearby performer.

  As the sun dipped low and the lanterns glowed brighter in the deepening dusk, the friends finally called it a night. With arms full of small treasures and prizes and stomachs full of festival food, they made their way home.

  ***

  In his room, Andres sat at his desk and pulled out the letter his mother left him before she passed from illness. He reread her reminders to take care of himself and that she and his father loved him. Find your purpose and be happy.

  Andres sighed and looked at their family photo: his mother healthy and his father in the Ryzan Republic’s Air Force uniform. “I’m trying…”

  Andres moved to his bed, and right as he closed his eyes, an unsettling sound from his childhood jolted him upwards. Blaring sirens, there’s an attack on the city.

  Andres rushed outside. “They wouldn’t… Not tonight…”

  In the distance to the North, an explosion goes off. “The Boltus facility! Does the Empire know about the Knights?” Andres got in his car and attempted to call Marcus and Bella, but the calls didn't go through.

  Andres arrived at the Boltus Industries facility, which resembled an air force base, to find the defenses had been destroyed. Skinny Leopard-type MAVs were searching the facility.

  They’ll see me if I try to get to the Knight hangar… Another explosion goes off towards the coast. Why the festival!? The screams and cries for help sharpened his resolve. Andres remembered that there was another Knight in the repair hangar closer to him. I think Bella said that one wouldn’t work, but I have to try!

  Andres snuck his way into the adjacent hangar and into the cockpit of the supposed non-functional Knight, a humanoid mecha, armed with a shield that had a sword tucked inside and a rifle.

  He switched everything on, but nothing responded… “C’mon! You have to turn on!” Andres pleads as he repeats the starting procedure.

  “W-who are you?” A female voice asked nervously.

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  Andres looked around. “A-are you talking? This Knight’s AI talks?”

  “I’m not… yes… I am designated Kara… you haven’t told me who you are. Why are you here?”

  “I’m Andres Cortez. I was one of Bella’s pilots for the MAV program. There’s no time, there’re enemy MAVs attacking the city, will you help me?”

  “I… I am not authorized to-”

  “People are dying, please pilot with me to help them!”

  “Very well… Initializing Teal Wave synchronization now.” As Kara spoke, the console and screens inside the cockpit lit up. “All systems are go. You may proceed.”

  “Thank you, Kara, hold on tight!”

  “Hold onto what?” Kara asked as Andres engaged the Knight’s boosters and crashed through the hangar door.

  Immediately, the Leopards turned towards the ruckus and prepared to fire their guns. Andres raised his rifle at the first target he saw, but his finger didn’t pull the trigger.

  “Incoming! Use your shield!” Kara warns.

  Andres heeded her advice and moved to the side, covering himself with the shield. I can’t hesitate… we have to help…

  “I can assist your aim to disarm them, rather than hit their cockpits,” Kara reassured him, reading his thoughts.

  Andres steeled himself. “Yeah, let’s do that. We can get answers from them if we keep them alive. You aim and I’ll shoot!”

  “Yes, we’ll fight as one!”

  “Let’s go!” Emerging from cover, Andres quickly fired two bursts at the lead Leopard. The bullets destroyed the enemy's hands. With Kara’s assistance, Andres incapacitated three enemy MAVs. Destroying their arms and legs and leaving the pilots stranded.

  Andres noticed and destroyed a small transmission disruptor brought by the enemies. Once he did, Bella Russo popped up on the screen inside his cockpit. Her long, blue hair hung over her shoulders as she narrowed her green eyes on him. Looking far older than her twenty-two years, due to her impeccable fashion, she straightens her collar. “Minion! How’d you get inside a Knight?!”

  “Bella! I couldn’t get to the main hangar, so I got in the one you said didn’t work. The one with the talking AI.”

  “Talking AI…”

  “Yeah, named Kara,”

  Kara spoke up. “Greetings, Bella.”

  Bella smirked, then refocused. “Yes, I’m glad you two are working together. Republic forces should be arriving soon.”

  “They won’t get here in time! Kara and I will finish off the remaining enemy units, we’re heading to them now.”

  “Be careful, Minion.”

  “We will, we’ve already dispatched the enemies here, they are still alive, so we can interrogate them.”

  Bella gave him an approving smile. “Glad you’re back, Andres. I’ll handle things at the Boltus Facility,”

  “I haven’t decided that yet, we’re heading to the coast!” Andres engaged his boosters and flew over to the coast, where the remaining enemies were. He holstered his rifle over his shoulder and drew his sword from the shield.

  “We won’t hit any civilians, I will help you aim,” Kara said, reading Andres’ thoughts again.

  “I know, I just don’t want to cause any more damage if I can help it.”

  “Okay, contact imminent, evade!” Kara warned as the Leopards flew up to meet them.

  “We’ve got this!”

  Andres used his boosters to zig-zag in the air, positioning himself to strike.. One by one, he cut the limbs off the three enemy Leopards. Once the battlefield was clear, Andres dragged the limbless MAVs to the coast for the military to take the pilots into custody.

  Andres called Bella on the Comm Channel. “All clear, Bella, we’re returning to the Boltus facility,”

  “Great job, Andres, I’ll see you when you get back.”

  “Roger that. Thank you for your help, Kara.”

  “Yes, I’m glad we could stop them. Will you be returning to the MAV program?”

  “I’ll think about it.” Andres parked the Knight in the main hangar and prepared to exit the cockpit.

  “Hey! You’re just gonna leave me here?!” Kara asked, flustered.

  Andres couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s not like I can take you with me,”

  “You wake me up, make me fight, and you thank me by just leaving? I changed my mind, don’t come back! Hmph!”

  Andres scratched his head. “Why can I feel you pouting?”

  “It has to do with her using Teal Waves to sync you both with the Knight,” Bella replied, approaching Andres from behind. “Now, now, Kara, you're just cranky from your nap.”

  “Am not!”

  “Andres, thank you for showing up. We’re going to get information out of those pilots you incapacitated, but I think we already know who’s behind this.”

  “The new Emperor.”

  “It’ll take a day or two to get the facility back in order, I’m asking you to come back. We’re going to need you, Andres. Besides, I think Kara really wants you to pilot with her again,” Bella teased.

  “Hey! I didn’t say anything!”

  “Oh? Well, I guess we won’t invite you back after all, Andres.” Bella smirked.

  “Um! I mean, if you want... We can pilot again, I wouldn’t mind…” Kara said bashfully.

  “If I decide to come back, I’ll take you up on that, Kara, thank you,”

  “O-okay, Andres.”

  “We’ll keep in touch, Minion. Do me a favor and make sure everyone’s still alive. Kara and I need to have a long chat, don’t we?”

  Kara made a nervous gulp. “Y-yeah, we do…”

  “I’ll update you as soon as I know everyone’s status.”

  The three exchanged goodbyes, and Andres made his way back home. Emergency services sprang into action as authorities took the enemy pilots into custody.