DAMN, THIS IS A LONG ONE. WE GET MORE OF A LOOK INTO LIEUTENANT AQUARIUS, AND A BIT MORE CLAN HISTORY. BUT I STILL WAIT FOR MESA PRIME PATIENTLY. THERE IS ALSO HISTORY BETWEEN CHARACTERS THAT WILL EXPLAIN INTERACTIONS LATER IN THE STORY! KEEP ALL INTERACTIONS THAT ARE MADE IN MIND, AS THEY HAVE A HUGE PLAY IN THE STORY LATER!
Chapter 2
Red alarm lights were going off. With no one awake to see, the massive station was just an eerie ghost ship. With no one up, and almost every system down, time wasn't a luxury. Someone had to get there, and fast.
But thankfully, luck had two people's back. Lieutenant Aquarius and Reaper Scarlet. They got up slowly, seeing the other from across the room. Walking over to each other, they saw the other's Warframe armor. Scarlet was still wearing her Garuda armor, and Aquarius had everything but his Nova Prime helmet on. He had the Asuri skin, but the prime helmet went with also every Nova Skin. He looked like he was going to be going to the surface in light armor and be not of much help, but the Opticor next to him said otherwise.
"We need to get to the main reactor console," Scarlet said, Aquarius nodding. He put the helmet on, and t released some steam after it locked to the suit.
"Pressurize your suit as well. We don't know what damage there is," Aquarius ordered, Scarlet tapping a screen on her left arm, has being pushed out as well.
"Alright. Let's be ready for anything. Make sure you have your Death Cannon, my Vaykor Hek will also do the job against one or two Sentients, if they are the cause," Scarlet spoke, her voice much more venomous than before.
Aquarius took point, Scarlet following behind, covering his six. While they only worked together twice during the entire time the Maverick Hunters formed, they knew how to work without communicating with each other. It was an unnatural silence, with seconds feeling like minutes. They didn't know what to expect or think. But they made their way to the emergency staircase, thanking Luna for installing it despite most of the power doors and elevators. Once at the bottom of the staircase, the duo turned to each other, nodding before they opened the door slowly, looking around the room before walking in fully, seeing nothing.
"This doesn't feel right." Scarlet walked up next to Aquarius.
"It is too quiet, even for a Sentient attack. What the hell is going on?" Aquarius was asked, who shook his head.
"I don't like this. Stay sharp," Aquarius reminded, both staying on full alert. They reached the main reactor console without problem, both becoming highly worried. Aquarius was able to bring some power back online, as most reactors had been destroyed. Lights, shields, and life support were the ones Aquarius knew would be vital. With the power back online, they looked around, finding nothing else wrong. They did not like this feeling. They knew something was wrong, but didn't know what it was. They heard the intercom, knowing that someone was awake.
"All those awake, assess the damage and report back on any findings." It was Cronos, and he was being blunt. Which meant Luna was still out currently.
Aquarius started to tap the screen on his right arm, getting to see Cronos's Limbo Prime. "This is Lieutenant Aquarius. I'm with the Reaper Scarlet. We just activated the reactors. Most are damaged, so only life support, lights, and shields are up. We found no damage aside from that."
"Copy that Aquarius. Sweep the floor and report any damage and anything on board that isn't part of our family," Cronos added, the transmission ending there.
"Let's start out sweep. Just like the flood on Arval Mars," Aquarius said, Scarlet smiling.
"God, how long ago was that? Three, four years ago?" Scarlet chuckled.
"Just about. Before the Reaper Division recruited you," Aquarius reminded. "And you become the head just two years ago. You know how to show others up, don't you?"
"If I wasn't selected to take the Obelisk, I wouldn't have climbed the ranks as fast as I did," Scarlet admitted. "I mean seriously? Two Raptors and nine Hyenas. That was carrying some serious power."
"I know. I read the report," Aquarius informed. "And recommended you for that op."
"Wait, you gave me that recommendation?" Scarlet asked, genuinely shocked.
2 Hours Later
All the leaders were in the Observatory, trying to make sense of the situation. So far, none of them agreed on anything.
"How can we be sure of what is going on? No one is willing to go down until we have answers," Theia yelled.
Luna was simply quiet, thinking.
"What if there is a threat greater than the Sentients we are fighting? We just jump out and get slaughtered?" Taurus reasoned.
"We will do this like we always have. Send the Reapers," Iapetus scoffed.
"Oh sure, we are expendable until you need us. One more remark like that, and I will come over there," Scarlet threatened.
"Oo, I'm so scared," Iapetus replied.
"That's it!" Scarlet threw herself at Iapetus and just before she could attack, Luna stopped it dead.
"That's enough!" Everyone froze. No one wanted to be on Luna's bad side ever. "Iapetus, after this meeting, my office. Bring your badge and be prepared to hand it in. Scarlet, you will do the same. I'll be going down after an area scan is done. This decision is final, is that understood?"
Aquarius nodded, everyone else still frozen by the outburst.
"I'll start the scan and report the findings as soon as they come," Aquarius spoke, starting the scan. Luna left the room and everyone, save for Aquarius, let out a collective sigh. Iapetus was worried as was Scarlet. Both were facing something that only one person had ever faced in Maverick Hunters history: expulsion from the clan.
The last person tried to assassinate Luna, and not only was expelled, but hunted down anytime anyone part of the Blades of the Purge alliance had caught wind of them. They had no idea what was going to happen, but they feared the worst.
Iapetus and Scarlet walked over to Luna's office, not even daring to knock. They knew it would get worse the longer they waited, so Scarlet knocked, taking a step back after doing so. "Iapetus, you're first."
He gulped, and entered the room, seeing Luna with her Corpa Nova, the helmet resting on her desk. "Listen. I know-"
Luna raised her hand, Iapetus shutting up instantly. "No excuses. You were a lieutenant, and should have known better. I need to see your badge." Iapetus hesitantly handed her his clearance badge, Luna putting it on the table. He saw Luna lowering his clearance level. He knew then that he was being demoted. But not just one demotion. He was just above the level new recruits are. She handed him the card back. "Next time, bite your tongue. And pray you don't wind up in this position again. Send Scarlet in on your way out."
Iapetus held back anything he would say, knowing that it would end badly for him. He left, looking at Scarlet. Scarlet saw his badge still in hand, and instantly knew what had happened. Scarlet gulped before Iapetus said anything. "Sorry."
He wasn't apologizing to her for before, but what would happen to her once she entered the office. Scarlet walked in, closing the door behind her. "So, what is going to happen?"
"Badge," Luna spoke, Scarlet handing her the clearance badge. Instead of getting it back, Luna put it in her desk. "One week suspension from field work, laboratories, and mission work of any kind. In one week, you'll be reinstated without a demotion. In the meantime, take some time to reflect on this. We are a family, and can't afford to be at each other's throats when it could cost us our lives."
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't take his attitude anymore. I know you don't like excuses, and I'm not making any. I'm just explaining my actions. After so long, no one would be able to hold back after a few years of that treatment with any interaction, even a simple passing 'hello,' I snapped. I will be training in the simulator to keep my skills up. This punishment is deserved," Scarlet explained her actions, and what she would do.
"You'll need an access card. Until the week is up, or we have a class six emergency, take this. It is a basic access card. Allows you into the basics facilities: gym, locker rooms, entertainment centers, and living quarters. Don't let this happen again," Luna warned.
"I will do my best," Scarlet replied, Luna liking her honesty. Just like her, she never made promises, only say that she would do what she could.
"Alright. And tell Aquarius to hurry up with the scans. I would like to know the status of what is going on. Divert the shields to the scanners or something," Luna said impatiently.
"I'll see what I can do Commander," Scarlet said before leaving the office, Luna growing anxious. She was hoping that it was nothing, but she couldn't shake this feeling of uncertainty.
45 Minutes Later
"Aquarius, what the hell is this?" Luna asked, holding the report.
"The results of the scans. Deep space scans as well," Aquarius answered.
"Impossible," Luna said, completely lost on the results. "How?"
"My theory, a gate crash. We were using something no one else was, which meant failure was only a matter of time," Aquarius answered. "So, what is your next move?"
"I'm going to the surface. If I'm not back in forty-eight hours, initiate a class 5 emergency, and you'll be acting commander. If that happens, please come get me," Luna informed.
"So, are you still going with what you have on currently?" Aquarius asked.
"Yeah. Of course, I'm going to stay out of sight. Knowledge is power right now. Find anything out about the planet surface?" Luna asked.
"Actually, yes. I hacked into a satellite of the planet. Wasn't that hard. Based off of old human technology. Anyways, before we get to that, we need to get you down to RD to gear up first," Aquarius smiled, leaving the room.
"Wait, what is on the surface? Damn it, Aquarius, wait up," Luna said, grabbing her helmet before following after Aquarius. "Aren't you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Well, you'll need to blend in. I asked them to design a bio-suit for Tenno operatives and sympathizers for ops that involved internal sabotage, theft, resource gathering, you name it, the thing will allow you to blend in to anything while being in plain sight," Aquarius explained, calling an elevator.
"That tells me absolutely nothing," Luna said, Aquarius simply smiling.
"Let me have this. There is a reveal coming. Just need to get to RD first," Aquarius revealed, Luna sighing.
"It better be worth it," Luna sighed, wondering why Aquarius was excited, both stepping on the elevator.
"You'll love it. So, in response to that, they designed one. It is still experimental, so you'll be the first one to take it on a field test," Aquarius added.
"Naturally you'd have me test it anyways. Better now than later," Luna replied, not amused.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what happened with the two?" Aquarius asked, Luna sighing again.
"Iapetus was demoted down to being a PFC and Scarlet is suspended for a week unless a class six emergency occurs," Luna explained.
"Damn. Isn't that letting them off easy?" Aquarius asked.
"We already have a head hunt going on. No need to add more. Iapetus should have been demoted a long time ago, and Scarlet has proven her loyalty time and time again," Luna answered, the elevator opening.
The duo stepped off, heading for the RD section, which took up a good chunk of the base. Luna saw everyone running around, carrying large loads, weapons that they were working on, and even a firing range to see how destructive weapons were. But the thing that caught her eye was a weapons system. She knew that she was here for a different reason, but made a mental note of it.
"So, this is it," Aquarius revealed, Luna seeing an exoskeleton. Before dismissing it, she had to know what it was.
"Any explanation or do I learn as I go along?" Luna asked, Aquarius nodding.
"Of course. This is a bio suit that starts off as an exoskeleton, but depending on the situation, can be used to disguise the users as whatever they are targeting. Put it on, and I can actually explain while you are trying it," Aquarius started, Luna stepping back into it, now covered in light polygons.
"Nice. Works fine right now. So, those light polygons are what actually what it uses to do the disguise. Bending photons and reflecting them a certain way allows any on lookers to see what you are using to disguise yourself. So, let me just put in a Grineer into the core system, and now try it," Aquarius said, looking at Luna. She didn't feel any different, but felt every weapon in the room pointed at her. "Calm down! That is just Luna testing a new bio-suit!" The weapons remained until a few seconds, when everyone was shocked, suddenly apologizing.
"What was that?" Luna asked, wondering what just happened.
"Oh, yeah. The affects are hard to see from the user's view. Put these on, it will allow you to see what others view you as. So, this time, I'll input a specimen from the planet, and you'll be all set to go. Wait to activate it until you get to the surface. There might be a panic if you do it here," Aquarius explained, Luna now wondering what the awaited for her on the surface.
"Aren't you going to show me?" Luna asked, Aquarius dragging her to the elevator, bringing them down to the loading bays. Midway, he stopped the elevator, and handed Luna the last pages of the report with a serious expression. They were all images. First of a planet, then what she assumed was the capitol, and the last pages shocked her. Inhabitants of the planet. And one that was an up close of one, which she assumed was her disguise.
"This isn't a joke based on your facial expression. At least let me bring my Arca Scisco in case of any potential altercations," Luna requested.
"Sorry. That is too advanced for the inhabitants. I can deploy an Archwing so you can get out of there quickly in case of trouble. You'll need this mask in order to breathe in space and goggles so your eyes don't get pulled from your sockets," Aquarius added, handing her some gear. "I know it's not what you were expecting, but right now, we need allies."
"What does that mean?" Luna asked, turning towards him.
"Remember how I said I did a deep space scan as well? We are alone here. The Maverick Hunters are the only Tenno here. We need a good foundation, and they are allied with mercenaries who are war heroes. We need someone to get close and talk with their general. I managed to find a photo, but it is a bit blurry. Your objective is to locate, and persuade them to ally with us," Aquarius informed. "This op is just us, so we can't rely on others. This is just you and me. We can't let others know until we have either a confirmed ally or enemy."
"I get the waiting until we know to announce. So, how are you going to manage this op? Surely you can't expect anyone to notice my absence without a Warframe or weapons," Luna pointed out.
"I know. Which is why I had you in your Nova gear. I knew you would want to check it out, and if your Nova is gone, no one will suspect this as a negotiation op," Aquarius explained.
"Clever. So, what are we going to do about the helmet?" Luna asked, indicating her Nova helmet.
"I'll hold onto it. Put the mask, glasses, and goggles on. I'm starting the elevator again," Aquarius starting the elevator again.
"This reminds me of our first op together before the founding of the Maverick Hunters," Luna remembered.
"Except we were to kill a high ranking Corpus," Aquarius added.
"What happened?" Luna asked.
"Too much. We got so wrapped up in so much that we had to get more people to help us. Back then, it was you, me, and Scarlet against the world," Aquarius answered. "Now here we are. A Commander, Lieutenant, and a suspended Reaper. "
"Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke," Luna chuckled, getting Aquarius to laugh as well.
"We should get the old gang together, and after this op goes well, get some drinks down on the planet," Aquarius suggested.
"Let's do that after Scarlet is off of suspension. Two celebrations together," Luna said, hoping that he would agree.
"You grounded her, didn't you?" Aquarius asked, already knowing the answer.
"Part of suspension," Luna pointed out.
"Okay. In one week, we celebrate. Get ready," Aquarius nodded, the elevator opening. "And good luck."
SO, YOU CAN PROBABLY GUESS WHERE THE NEXT CHAPTER IS HEADING. THE LONG AWAITED OP THAT WILL INTRODUCE CORNERIA AND STAR FOX CHARACTERS FINALLY! BUT WITH EXPERIMENTAL TECH, THERE IS GOING TO BE A DOWNSIDE. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL IT IS SHOWN OFF NEXT CHAPTER! UNTIL NEXT TIME, LIKE, REVIEW, AND KEEP ON PLAYING!
