As Daniel, Chase, and Romero boarded the Baron, their Titans were taken to the Assembly Bay for repairs and rearming, while the Pilots headed to the Bridge.

"You okay, Daniel?" Chase asked.

"I'm fine." Daniel said. "It's just…"

"Kelly?"

"Yeah." Daniel said. "She was a great Pilot. She fought with me from the Battle of Typhon to...well, here. I just can't believe she's gone. But make no mistake. The next time I see that Recluse Titan...I'm sending it to the scrap heap."

"Amen to that." Romero said as they entered the bridge. Ellis looked at them, accompanied by Briggs, Barker, and Twilight.

"What happened, Pilot?" Ellis asked.

"Kelly's dead." Daniel said. "The IMC tested a new Titan on her."

Ellis looked at Daniel, who displayed the image of the Recluse Titan on the holotable.

"The pilot called it the Recluse Titan. It's main weapon is Sulfur Osilaphate." Daniel said.

"That acid was made illegal fifty years ago." Briggs said.

"Why?" Twilight asked.

"Sulfur Osilaphate is so acidic, so potent, a single drop can burn clean through a human hand." Barker said. "It can eat through practically every substance known to mankind. Metal, Polymer, flesh, bone, anything. It's an A-Class Hazard, meaning outlawed by every ruling government in the Core Worlds and the Frontier."

"And during a raid on the IMC planet of Scythios, we destroyed the last remaining stockpile of it." Briggs said.

"Seems they made more." Romero said. "It had the capacity to use it as a main weapon in combat."

"Shit." Ellis said. "Where's the Titan now?"

"It vacated the area after it killed Kelly and KT-4375." Daniel said. "Any other new Titans we should be aware of, Briggs?"

"Only two, but we're not sure they exist. They're called Ranger and Matador." Gates said. "Some of my pilots intercepted IMC comms from Juno."

"Then we need to be ready." Ellis said. "What's the status of the invasion?"

"We've got fighting all over the southern coast." Twilight said, creating a holographic map with her magic. "Militia and Equestrian forces are reporting casualties, but the IMC's taking more. However, they're pushing us back, hard."

"We need to force them off the world before we can get them out of the system." Briggs said. "They're jamming our comms and we're jamming theirs, so neither side can call for help."

"We also need to liberate Saddle Arabia when this is all said and done." Ellis said. "We don't know if they'll conscript their army into the fight."

"Then it's settled." Briggs said. "We'll fight until the end. Pilots, get back out there. I know it might be too soon after Kelly's death, but we need everyone we can get fighting."

"Yes, ma'am." Daniel said. As the three of them snapped a salute and left, Twilight looked outside at the night sky.

===========

Aboard the IMCS Crusher, Venom disembarked from his Recluse Titan and watched his fellow Special Class Pilots, Tauros and Archer, prepare their own Titans, the new ones from development. The Matador, an Ogre model, and the Ranger, an Atlas model.

"Heard you executed a Ronin." Archer said.

"Yeah, didn't stand a chance." Venom replied. "How're ya doing, Taury?"

"Fine." Tauros replied, sheathing his machete. "BL's almost done."

"Same for RK." Archer said, referring to his Ranger Titan, RK-1039. "Anyway, let's get some sleep. Got a big day tomorrow."

"Yep." Venom said, as the three pilots laughed.

==========

Briggs watched from the window, and then heard a door open. A Pilot walked in, a female. Slim and stocky, she removed her helmet, revealing short black hair and a laughing face.

"Do you know why you're here, Sasha?" Briggs asked.

"I think I do, Commander." Sasha Voryunov, Pilot of PL-3431, a Northstar, responded with a cocky smile.

"You're fresh from the Gauntlet. But you have great potential as a Pilot. I'm assigning you to the Baron, under Daniel McKenna."

"Sure." Sasha said. "When do I meet them?"

"Tomorrow. Get some rest." Briggs replied. Sasha saluted and walked out. Briggs then turned back to the window at the explosions and rumbles of gunfire in the distance.

Author's Notes:

Update!

Here's some info.
==============
Matador Titan
Primary Weapon-Flak Cannon (Short range shrapnel gun.)
Defensive ability-Buckler Shield (Wrist mounted shield.)
Offensive ability-Airburst missile.
Core-Slam Core (A powerful body slam attack powered by overcharged thrusters.)

Ranger Titan
Primary Weapon-Phase Bow (Shoots rapid shots or precise shots.)
Defensive Ability-Bow Shield (A Reflector, takes more damage the more projectiles it deflects)
Offensive Ability-Arc Shot (A blast of Chain electricity.)
Core-Arrow Core (A massive shot that explodes after a certain distance.)

===============
Sasha Voryunov
Pilot, Cloak design, female.

A young prodigy, Sasha is young and brave. Fresh from the Pilot's Gauntlet, she's eager to please and prove herself. Her Titan is a Northstar, PL-3431. PL is quirky and such has a very light voice. She has yet to see combat outside of the simulators.

Titan nose design-A Polar Bear claw.