***DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Battleborn or any of its characters and lore*** (A/N: I haven't seen nearly enough Caldarius x Phoebe... anything, really. This is my first story posted, so it's going to be riddled with flaws. I hardly even know how to work this damn site anyways. If I done screwed up real hard, please do point out what I did wrong because I know my writing needs work and improvement. Anyways, rated M for profanity and sexual themes.)
A few weeks after Rendain's banishment, two soldiers of different factions were talking about their different ways of stress management. The last few weeks being all PR and paperwork was weighing down on most members of the Battleborn.
"Poetry!" Mike screamed.
"That is not precisely what I meant by "expressing" myself. I was more thinking… gutting Rendain like the fish he is." Caldarius informed
"Didn't we already do that? In fact, I remember Orendi pulling you off with all four arms to "save some for her." Mike reminded.
"True, but it is quite restricting when you have to save enough of him to be banished to the void and still register as a "living" being. If you were in solitary confinement for decades after being sustained and tortured so you survive it for sure, you would feel the same way. To crush someone's skull in-between your hands is the feeling I live for." Caldarius said.
"Even though I can't understand a single thing you mean, I still recommend POETRY! After all, poetry is BADASS!" Mike said.
"Eh, I guess there is not a point to emphasizing philosophy and beliefs to a cloned soldier that only does what they're told. No offense of course, you do fight well, but I needed to make my point clear." Caldarius semi-disappointedly said.
"Maybe… YOU SHOULD SHOOT THINGS! LIKE SPIDERS! I know it'd make me feel better about myself!" Mike said.
Caldarius sighed and moved the subject onto something else.
In a large mansion that belonged to Phoebe Elizabeth Audelia Hemsworth IV, an old man was on a porch with a large man. The mansion was white with gold streams of silk hanging on the curtains, blue and yellow banners representing the Last Light Consortium were hanging from the far walls. There was a chandelier hanging above each of the two central tables in the house. The second floor wasn't that fleshed out from the first floor, but that was where the residents sleep and do their private activities. Two figures of importance were looking towards the orange haze of the gradient sunset.
"So let me get this straight, the Eldrid want to kill any last Jennerit left INCLUDING those in the Battleborn?" said Kleese, one of the original Battleborn.
"That's what Thorn told me, and she hates Jennerit with a burning passion. Well, we both know that there is NO way that they're doing that. Even if we backed out of supporting our Jennerit troops, they'd be way too eager to kill anything they can get in their line of sight to be taken down by the naturalists of Ekkunar." Ghalt reminded another of the first-born. "In other news, I've heard word of another Kemessian living in the outer rim planets of Solus. I don't think we should tell any of the Jennerit about this yet, or anyone outside of a small group of very trusted individuals."
"No rest for the Battleborn I guess. Maybe we can gently interrogate Caldarius of his origins, and if that fails, normal interrogation methods will have to do!" Kleese suggested happily.
"Well I guess that's the reason that we need me to keep you from killing the whole crew you old fart. I doubt Caldarius would know ANYTHING about Kemessians, after all, both of us know that he's been in the pits for years, that's why anyone knows about him at all. He grew up in the pits, in an arena that fights for food and scraps. He walked in as the Kemessian slave and came out as Caldarius the shock trooper. Funnily enough, he even earned a small LLC audience. Phoebe would know all about that, wouldn't she…" Ghalt said.
"WHAT!?" a far away Phoebe asked while holding a large stack of plates and cutlery.
"You know, I've seen what he did as a slave in those pits, and it scares me how brutal he got at some points. You know, speaking of working for what you have, why do LLC always throw your money at the strangest things? Things. We appreciate the weapons manufacturing, but couldn't you give back a little more?" Ghalt asked Kleese.
"You see, we're rich so we do rich things. At least some of us buy battle equipment and training to fight for something instead of sitting around being loaded with cash." Kleese explained.
Ghalt glanced at Kleese, he was sitting on a chair with a holographic cat on his lap; Ghalt found this kind of hypocritical. They've banished Lothar Rendain, killed the guardian of Ekkunar, and an ISIC Magnus A.I, which they converted to their side, although loosely as he may be.
"Weren't we supposed to be throwing some kind of success celebration for taking down the "bad" Jennerit?: Kleese queried.
"Yeah, we were, that's why all of the LLC came here to prepare for it. Probably going to be the first time they cleaned in their lives." Ghalt chuckled off.
"Going to be some party; Solus' most dangerous fighters under one roof with each other, no one's going to die at all." Kleese said sarcastically. "Well, I guess we better help them if we want the same portions as everyone else." Kleese said.
It was a lovely afternoon around Phoebe's mansion, about 1pm when people started to arrive. The doorbell rang, but they weren't guests, they were people who came to help prepare with the party. They mainly consisted of Rogue members that wanted to look good in front of the LLC who only viewed them as criminals and extremists, which to be fair, isn't far off as they were an outcast group of fighters.. It was about 3pm when the guests started arriving to the large mansion that was practically a palace. The doorbell rang and with about 2 people and behind it.
"MARQUIS!? COULD YOU GET THE DOOR? WE'RE A BIT BUSY HERE!" Phoebe shouted from the kitchen.
"Hello! And welcome to Ms. Hemsworth's estate! Please place your shoes over there as we wouldn't want you to dirty up the floor which we spent bloody hours cleaning." Marquis said in a sarcastically happy voice.
"Someone doesn't like their job." Montana, a giant, muscular minigunner whispered to Mike just loud enough for him to hear. "HELLO, MARQUIS!" Montana said in a friendly voice while extended his hand. Marquis lightly shook it; mainly because Montana's hand was excessively large. Montana and Mike walked into the house and found their way to a small corner of the room with the awkwardness of being first to a party really getting to them. Montana did his hair and beard along with wearing a classic flannel shirt with cargo pants. Mike didn't change much, still in a full body armor suit; the only difference was that he held no rifle, only a small pistol. Montana of course didn't bring his mini gun with him, at least not on his person.
Shortly after they arrived, more people started pouring in, some were Battleborn, and some were not. It took a while, but at about 3:47pm, Caldarius and Orendi came to the door. Phoebe was done with her work for the moment and wanted to get the door. She checked her hair and makeup, adjusted her dress and pushed some of her blonde hair out of the way of her red eyes before opening the door.
"Hello, Caldarius and… Orendi? Caldarius, tell me exactly where she touched you! Phoebe asked snakingly.
Caldarius was in his J-HTX armor frame with a TMP on the back of his waist, but Orendi… Orendi was in a straitjacket.
"It's to keep her from killing everyone here. In case you haven't noticed, she's kind of crazy." Caldarius said as if no one knew.
"Oh, well, she can behave on her own, right?" Phoebe worriedly asked.
"Well, unless you want to risk everyone's fleshes being incinerated in a pillar of shadowy fire, then have fun getting her to behave. I'm going to be over there doing something." Caldarius said calmly.
Phoebe giggled uncomfortably, but the worry of Orendi being unchained and the equal threat of her also being chained was plaguing her mind. Orendi walked slowly to her other Rogue teammates to do whatever they do, probably some kind of term for doing something simple and making it confusing so no one but Rogue members can understand it. Caldarius stayed at the door, watching for Orendi to make any sudden moves.
"So, you want some water or any snacks? The food isn't ready yet, but we have light snacks and wine." Phoebe offered.
"No thank you, I do not require sustenance yet, not for hours at least." Caldarius said. Caldarius walked away, slightly confused towards Phoebe's hospitality.
"Most LLC have an intense hatred of anyone besides themselves and their benefactors. Why would any LLC, especially someone as fine-tuned as Phoebe, be kind to me. Eh, guess it is just that "LLC hospitality" that people always drone about. Or, at least the one that isn't them calling security droids on you. That, or she found my data recorder and is intending on blackmailing me soon." Caldarius pondered as he made his way to a room which looked like the people there would be the least intolerable.
Phoebe walked over to sit next to Deande, probably one of the more classy Jennerits out there.
"You okay? You look like Kleese when he slipped and showed compassion to all of us." Deande asked.
"Eh, I'm just a little bored. Talking with all of these rich LLC members, that's why I joined the Battleborn I guess. I want to talk about the battlefield, about the rush of battle, about vengeance, about… anything that isn't money and politics, really. Ironic that one of the largest producers of weapons and armaments still hardly knows anything about them, at least that I've seen." Phoebe sadly said.
"Oh, well then you have a lot of options. I'd go for any of the Rogues or Jennerit. Peacekeepers usually refrain from speaking of things like that because of their jobs requiring that they have "the best intentions" and usually that's their only income. Galilea is probably the only Peacekeeper willing to discuss those kinds of matters openly. If you can get a conversation going with Rath, Caldarius, Foxtrot, or Shayne, they'll start an… interesting conversation on combat and whatnot. Caldarius is rough around the edges and kind of hard to converse with, but once you find a starter, I don't think he'll stop. No one really talks to him too much except about being a Kemessian and having his home world destroyed. Rath is the only person he'll pretty much always talk to. Rath is the keeper of the blade, and most likely not called that for no reason. However, Foxtrot is a very… interesting person, being a hate-filled "defective" clone." Deande explained to Phoebe.
"I think I'll talk to Rath, if anyone sees me with a rogue, I they'll definitely give me the eye of death." Phoebe said.
"Well if you're shooting for a Jennerit, Rath is a good choice. He's simple and even uses a sword, like you. Actually, now that I think about it, you're always trying to talk to him, you interested by that old swordsman? Deande teased.
"What?! N-no, I don't, I really, really, don't like him. I mean, I like him, but, well, you know, like him like that." Phoebe stumbled to say.
"I'm just teasing you; I know you're into that shock trooper-pit fighter." Deande said as she tipped the wine into her mouth. "It's no secret, really, but hardly anyone's figured it out. Strange that is, especially when we were on Bliss saving his ass."
"Well, flying death mechas are my FAVORITE thing. However, I don't believe that Caldarius has any interest in someone like me." Phoebe sadly said.
Phoebe couldn't deny it, she did have an interest in him. No, she didn't have a mere interest in him; she knew almost everything about him. She knew his history, his equipment, and his fights in the pit. She knew that he'd been alive for over 100 years, she knew too much to be classified as "healthy interest." She wanted that pit fighter all to herself, she wanted only herself to be held by his arms. She wanted more than just that though, and when she learned that she was going on a mission to save him, she was in paralyzing disbelief. Ever since then, Caldarius and she never really communicated, usually because they were never assigned near each other. She wasn't going to be the stereotypical damsel, no, she wanted him to herself.
Over on Caldarius' side of the party, he and Rath were having casual chat chat.
"If you overcharge the capacitor too much, your weapon will be more suited to be a minor explosive device; useful if you're delivering it to someone you really don't like." Caldarius said. "Listen, if you want a good plasma rifle, you need the proper materials, expert craftsmanship, and some quiet time with a workbench." Caldarius unsheathed the blade mounted onto his forearm, showing off his deadly high-energy short-sword that has come in handy more often than it should have. Not surprising as Rath and Caldarius usually worked on projects together.
"Ah, such talent and no one to share it with except this old swordsman. You should really get a career in teaching." Rath joked, half-drunkenly.
"Well, I'm pretty old myself if you've forgotten. I'm not sure how many years under our belts we have collectively." Caldarius joked.
"My point is that you got to extend your circle a little, Caldi. You barely every talk to anyone or have any social skills at all. Hell, when we first tried helping you, you denied it. Talk to some other folk about all of your ludicrous ideas of weaponry and technology. HEY! I'll pay you a favor if you talk to an LLC about that!" Rath bellowed in laughter.
"HA! I'll take you up on that, but I never heard that they have to listen! Who do I need to bore to death today?" Caldarius sarcastically said.
"How abooooouuuuut, that Marquis fellow, have fun talking to that robot!" Rath said in an amused voice. Later, Caldarius approached a seemingly bored Marquis. Marquis was in a standard black and white two piece suit standing near a large marble pillar. He was standing there, watching his pocket watch, as if he was waiting for something.
"So, you're Marquis? I hear you're a good shot with a rifle. Speaking of which, is your programming fixed? I personally like you better the way you are now." Caldarius said.
"Unfortunately, my malfunction encouraged independent thinking. I was promptly "fixed," but I can still think for myself. And, well, yes I am, sir. Caldarius, it's one of the skills that I pride myself on. I was programmed with pinpoint accuracy and marksmanship. I'm a "smart" AI, I can learn skill just as you can. My rifle is top of the line, although I highly doubt that that's the case, but it's just what I'm told." Marquis said, eager to talk to someone and not do work.
"Well, you're using a highly inefficient ionized gas compressor and a horrible plasma igniter just looking at it. No offense, but I think that whatever they told you was a lie. But, you knew that, how could you not?" Caldarius said.
"U- what? I'm sorry, I can't understand you. It seems my databases on weapon mechanics and data of my rifle has been either deleted or misplaced. I wonder who might have wanted to do that?" Marquis sarcastically said. Suddenly, Phoebe came charging to Marquis and got his attention.
"Uh, Marquis? We have a situation regarding the ASD systems. Could you log into the security frame and figure out what's going on?" Phoebe asked.
"Sure thing, Ms. Hemsworth, I'll have it done before any damage is caused." Marquis responded. "I'll also download some files while I'm there…" He said quietly to himself.
Marquis left swiftly, leaving Caldarius kind of confused at what to do now. He glanced at Rath, who was signaling "no" with his hands. He turned to Phoebe, who was avoiding eye contact, and decided "Eh, why not?" He took a breath and prepared for a rich girl who doesn't understand a single thing he says.
"So, Phoebe, Could I see that sword of yours?" Caldarius said with a sigh. Phoebe looked around and pointed to herself. Caldarius nodded "yes" and she blushed before clearing her throat and gave it to him. Caldarius inspected the sword. It had a unique design, definitely one that required knowledge of swords to even order one to be built. It had an energy capacitor that was supposed to stun and not kill. It looks as if it was meant to cut through the air quickly with little resistance. Caldarius was absolutely impressed, given, his standards for an LLC were as low as the pit he fought in, but still, he doesn't get surprised very often.
"Hm, I forgot that this blade is one that aided in my rescue at the recharge facilities on Bliss, I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Caldarius thought to himself. "I swear, if they expect favors, it better be within reason."
"I must say, this is a well-crafted sword. I'm intrigued, how did you get the knowledge to acquire such a blade?" Caldarius said.
"Oh, well, thank you. I've always had an interest in these kinds of things. I'm an inventor, by the way, a very good inventor." Phoebe said through a mild blush.
"A non-mechanical LLC? Interested inventing in something that isn't financial profit? This is surprising to me. If you would I'd appreciate you indulging me in conversation of LLC weapons and your views and interests in general." Caldarius said, genuinely surprised at her words.
A few hours later, Phoebe could make coherent sentences without tripping over her own words and it was a good conversation. Phoebe was confident in herself that she could hit it off with Caldarius now; she just needed the proper situation. Caldarius would pop a few jokes every now and then about ineffective and overrated strategies, and Phoebe would laugh a little and talk as much as she could. Phoebe figured that Caldarius would have thought it would be creepy if she knew everything he was talking about as he alluded to the pits often, so she lied and pretended to know less than she actually did. Phoebe's watch started to click.
"Oh, I got to go, see you later?" Phoebe asked as she left.
"Sure, I'd like to continue this." Caldarius said. Rath put his hand on Caldarius' shoulder, breaking his concentration.
"What happened, I was just waiting there for about an hour or two. Did you do it? Did you finally slay the closet unicorn? Rath Drunkenly said, slumped over.
"I don't know…" Caldarius said. "She knew way more than previously indicated."
Phoebe got Kleese and Ghalt and led them to a Podium in the middle of the large estate. She turned on a microphone and attempted to get the attention of the crowd.
"Hello? Before we begin the speech, I would like to say that YES, you can move around, but don't make too much noise while doing it." Phoebe said through the microphone. A large sigh was relieved from the crowd as they began to stealth their way across as to not make noise. She handed the microphone to Kleese, the representative and co-founder of the Battleborn next to Ghalt. (They both are)
"Hello, ladies, gentlemen, A.I, and everything in-between those things! We're celebrating because of the banishment of Lothar Rendain and his attempts to destroy Solus. We thank the LLC, the Peacekeepers, The rogues, the Jennerit Imperium defectors, and the Eldrid forces for aiding in our mission and everything you've offered to the Battleborn and for your bravery in the face of adversity. But on behalf of the Battleborn here, I think I can safely say that we needed this party to relax and talk about something that isn't entering a death A.I's ice palace, or destroying an entire empire, or writing letters for our families to see when we die, the usual. The Battleborn will always be here, offering protection to those in need as long as we exist. We will be offering services to those who've lost in the war. You have our condolences and we give you our sincerest apologies of those lost." Kleese spoke loudly. "Oh, that's it, go on, you can leave."
The party continued and Caldarius was back with Rath in the same area as before. They listened to the half-assed speech that Ghalt made Kleese write in order to show some semblance of compassion towards others.
"So wait, let me get this straight, she knew what she was talking about?" Rath asked, still heavily leaning onto Caldarius.
"Yeah, it was strange, weird, and kind of attractive. I hardly ever find anyone who can understand what I am saying, I can respect that. Maybe we'll talk later. "Caldarius explained.
"Whoa there, did you just pop the word, attractive? Is Caldarius thinking about progressing himself as a Kemessian?" Rath teased.
"I know it's probably never going to happen. She's a girl of riches, and I'm just a pit fighter. She's probably got an entire hall of court men waiting to take her hand." Caldarius rambled. "I wonder, however; of all people why talk to me?
(A/N: I'll be continuing this series for an indefinite amount of chapters. I really do like writing about this, so I hope it wasn't painful to read through my lack of writing experience. I'll be posting more in the uncertain future as I edit and revise the hell out of these chapters in an attempt to make it look nice.