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Born into obscurity, much of Alpha's life was a mystery to other Ravens, and even to Alpha. His first memory was that of a crowded orphanage—many homeless children wandered the underground cities in earlier post-Destruction times. Even though he was one of many young orphans, he stood out among his playmates. While some were savage and brutish, and others passive, Alpha was kind and gentle—but assertive. He could accomplish what he set out to do, using his unassuming, friendly manner to get others' help. He was a born leader. Though none knew much about his early childhood, his adolescence had become a legend by the time of the Human Plus War. When Alpha was fourteen years old, he applied to the most rigorous AC training academy in existence, a subsidiary of the Ravens' Nest, sometime jokingly called “the Hatchery.” The entry test alone demonstrated his amazing reflexes and tactical abilities; having never piloted an AC or MT before, he defeated a pair of robotic opponents without being damaged. From then on, his life was carefully documented—four years after entering the academy, he attained top rank and graduated, immediately looking to the Ravens' Nest for a source of income. At about the time he entered the society of Ravens, he met another mand who was notorious for his piloting skills: Genesis. The two quickly became friends. However, Genesis began acting haughty and revealed to Alpha that he was one of the Human Plus, an ancient technology that enchanced its recipients with computer modifications. Genesis believed that he had been chosen by the “Master” to bring humanity under his control. He offered Alpha two choiced: join, or die. The two men fought a battle that lasted for almost twelve hours in the heart of an old research facility. Alpha finally disabled Genesis' AC and left him there to die. Upon his return to the Nest, many noticed a change in Alpha. He grew more distant, less ready to accept friendship, more guarded. He continued to rise through the ranks and became known as the best pilot in the world. Though he never became truly unfriendly, he ceased most contact with the other Ravens. He met a young man named Rage during a mission some years later. Alpha already knew that Rage had great piloting skill and made note of his abilities. Just days later, a messenger came to the Nest claiming to carry word from Genesis. He was a new member of the Human Plus—or rather, a new ex-member. Alpha knew that the Plus were resurfacing and began to investigate. He eventually enlisted the aid of Rage, Sumika, and Valkyrie. Soon after, they began encountering Human Plus during missions, and decided to destroy them all. Alpha and Rage faced Genesis while Valkyrie and Sumika led the battle of Ravens versus Plus. |