Author's Note:

So, this is my first multi-chapter Warframe fanfic, hopefully it won't be my last. Anyways, enjoy!

I do not own any of the characters in this story, all are property of Digital Extremes. I did draw the cover, however.

Chapter 1: The Transmission

A gunmetal Xiphos floated above Uranus, the planet's pale green atmosphere reflecting off the ship's hull. The sleek prongs that projected out the front seemed to slice through space like a blade. Only two occupants inhabited the ship, a Cephalon by the name of Acheron and a deadly Warframe named Chroma.

Chroma knelt in the cockpit of the Orbiter, in front of the star map. He listened to the various transmissions coming over the scanner. A bored-sounding Grineer asking for visas, a cargo check, a news flash about a Warframe sighting, and various forms of propaganda all filtered through. Chroma found all of the transmissions boring, and was starting to tune out when Cephalon Acheron popped up in his HUD.

"Incoming transmission, Operator," she announced, her vibrantly-colored avatar, consisting of various triangles, hovering at the corner of Chroma's vision. Chroma shifted his attention as a small image of the Lotus appeared opposite Acheron, who was now singing softly to herself.

The Lotus began to speak.

"Tenno, I have a... mission for you. You will need to talk to Cephalon Simaris, no doubt you remember him." Chroma nodded, thinking of the obsessive artificial intelligence. "Contact him on the Larunda Relay, Mercury. Report back to me after you speak with him."

The transmission shut off. Acheron slid back into view, her avatar shifting as she spoke. "Cephalon Simiris is a creep... Shall I set a course for Larunda?" She asked. Chroma nodded, and Acheron's avatar spun in a circle as the Xiphos set off, vibrating slightly. Acheron went back to singing as the ship rocketed along the Solar Rails. If Warframes had eyes, Chroma would have rolled his.

Chroma turned and stalked down the ramp leading to the rear of the ship. The foundry on the right showed a hologram of a Dark Split-Sword under construction. Continuing on, the Warframe passed the mod segment, the Kubrow/Kavat incubator, and his hovering Carabus Dethcube before reaching his arsenal. He selected the primary weapons feature, displaying a list of weapons. Eyeing the various guns, bows, and launchers, Chroma selected an Opticor.

The Opticor was a Corpus weapon, a large rectangular device that fired a charged beam of heat. When upgraded with the right mods, the weapon could become incredibly destructive. Chroma selected the upgrade feature, and mounted several mods, including Firestorm, Combustion Beam, and Heavy Caliber. The first two affected the weapon's damage, and Combustion Beam added the ability to cause dangerous explosions. All in all, a powerful weapon in any situation.

For a secondary, Chroma selected the Akjagara. The dual pistols also each had large blade mounted on the barrel, allowing them to be used as both a ranged and melee weapon. More mods went onto these, including Steady Hands and Maim, the former used to decrease recoil, and the latter for extra damage. Chroma spun the weapons several times, holstered them, and moved on to a melee.

The Warframe hefted a Sancti Magistar and inspected the heavy, gold and auburn mace. It had the unique ability to heal allies when charged. Given only to New Loka operatives, the weapon had been hard to attain, and had been bought from a fellow Tenno operative. Chroma gave it a twirl, spinning the mace in one hand and freezing in an attack stance. Satisfied, the Warframe began to mod the weapon. Buzz Kill added damage, while Fury lightened the weapon for more rapid attacks.

Stepping back, Chroma inspected his loadout: An Opticor, the Akjagara, and a Sancti Magistar. All high-damage, reliable weapons. His Dethcube carried a Deth Machine Rifle, modded with a Serration and a handfull of other damage mods. The Warframe walked back to the cockpit, where an Orta Araytan scuplture sat, filled with several stars. The batlike sculpture's "wings" swung back and forth like clockwork. Opposite the statue sat a rather unique vessel, a Sacred Urn etched with images of the Warframe Inaros. Chroma's mind flashed back to his fight with the Tomb Guardians.

"We're here, Operator," Acheron said, her avatar whirling as the ship slowed down.

Chroma made his way to the magnetic passegner compartment at the back. Locking in, he felt the ship shift as Acheron rotated it 90 degrees into the landing position. The compartment rotated around, revealing the landing platform. The Warframe stepped out, as the Xiphos took off almost as soon as he had exited.

Chroma's feet clanked on the metal walkway as he strode into the Relay, nodding at the various other Tenno and Warframes. He passed through the Concourse, by a green Volt and a blue Trinity, and into the North Wing. A pair of odd elevators that relied on a form of solid light to lift passengers to the second floor and back. Chroma stepped onto the leftmost one, and stared through the "floor" as the lift raced upwards.

The draconic Warframe leapt from the elevator, nodded to a few other Warframes hanging around the lift, and turned towards a door to his right. A large Cephalon Simaris emblem marked the door, setting it apart from the other Syndicates. He strode through, and into the Cephalon's Sanctuary.

"Welcome, Hunter!" A loud, deep voice boomed. The voice's owner, a large projection of an orange Cephalon, leaned towards the Warframe. Chroma backed up a step as the projection leaned uncomfortably close to his face. An amused-looking Saryn with a Gorgon strapped to her back and a Scoliac at her hip watched the exchange from a console on the right.

"Creep!" Acheron muttered.

Simaris ignored the comment.

"They tell me you need my assistance, Hunter. I can help you with what you seek," Simaris said.

"How did you k-" Acheron asked.

"I know."