"Misaki, I think we're going to have a detour," Yanmei said, readying her gear and tracing the signal. Misaki straightened up and followed her. "Why? And why is he coming with us?" she asked, jabbing a thumb towards Darvo's direction. "Because it was his radio that picked up the signal, and he has a ship we could use. Don't you trust him?" Yanmei asked, looking at Misaki under her helmet. Misaki may be cheerful and jovial, but she had a hard time trusting other people; what more a Corpus merchant? Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. "A little. Wait, are we going to operate outside your father's permission? Or Lotus'?" she asked, readying her gear as well as they climbed into the ship. "Father doesn't have to know. And I guess we should ask permission from Lotus. You do it, Misaki. I'll send the coordinates to Brigitte for back up." Yanmei stated.
"What can I do to help?" Darvo asked, starting the ship. "You can drop us at the destination, Darvo. Does this ship have stealth settings?" Yanmei asked as she sent Brigitte the exact location. "It's standard for most ships, why?" Yanmei took a few steps closer to him. "We'll need it. Who knows what awaits us there?" She transferred the coordinates to the ship and a marker was set. Darvo's eyes widened as he found out they are going all the way to Ceres. "W-we're going there? In Grineer territory?" he reluctantly asked Yanmei.
"We don't have much of a choice. We need to investigate this ASAP. Misaki, what's happening over there?" Misaki faced the dark Tenno. "Lotus allowed it. Oh, and Brigitte contacted me as well. She'll be there," Misaki said, patting her shoulder. "Uh, ladies, I think I'm receiving another transmission," Darvo interrupted. He motioned Yanmei to press a button as his hands were full.
"I-is this the Tenno? Anyone?" the voice slowly said. Misaki recognized the voice and the accent as Grineer. "I really hope you're the Tenno because I need –shkt- your help," the voice on the other line once said. "I am Melok Arkus, a –shkt- refugee from Grustrag –shkt- Reconditioning Facility," Darvo looked at Yanmei. "Isn't that where the infamous Grustrag Three from?" Darvo asked. "Oh no, they're not. Of course they are. They wouldn't be called the Grustrag Three if they weren't from that facility," Yanmei deadpanned, earning her a giggle from Misaki. The transmission went on.
"If you can help me, please, I am begging you, -shkt- save me –shkt-. The oxygen in my chamber –shkt- wouldn't last long."
Eerie silence surrounded the ship. "I think we better hurry," a voice that belonged to neither the three of them said. Misaki jumped from her seat as she spotted Brigitte breaking in from a vent. "You could have told us you're gonna break in here, you know," Misaki said, earning her a scowl from the older woman. "What's important is I'm here. Hey lover boy, how many more minutes until we find this Grineer?" she asked, taking some steps forward to the Corpus merchant. "Less than thirty minutes," he said, ignoring the Saryn-class Tenno's teasing.
"Are you selling your body yet?" Brigitte asked teasingly. Darvo jumped from his seat. Yanmei retracted her helmet and gave her a furious scowl. Misaki could only stifle her laughter. "Brigitte…" Yanmei said threateningly. "I bluff, dear. Besides, we all know he's crazy for you," Brigitte said, raising her arms defensively. Darvo managed to regain his composure. "Keep quiet," he said, and Brigitte merely crossed her arms. "Keep quiet about what?" Yanmei asked, paranoid thoughts swarming her head. "You know what, Misaki and I will drive. You two settle your little lover's spat at the back," Brigitte said, holding a hand out. "We're not lovers, and we're not fighting," Yanmei said as she barged out the control room. Darvo followed her quickly.
"Why did you follow me?" Yanmei asked, facing him and placing a hand on her hip. "Well, she did say we should talk outside, and this is my ship you're setting foot on, after all," Darvo said, rubbing his cheek. Well, that shut her up.
"What was that about keeping quiet?" she asked him, breaking the silence. "A-ah, it was nothing serious, I assure you. I just asked her a few things about you. That's all," Darvo said, careful not to spill his little secret. "Like what?" she asked, facing him and eyeing him curiously. She did not expect him to express interest about her life. As much as she denies it, she was glad he did. "O-oh, just, er, your… your hobbies, that's all, I swear," he said, trying not to look at her. "Darvo, it doesn't take a Nyx-class to know you're a horrible liar. C'mon, tell me. What was that you wanted to know that you had to ask Brigitte about it?"
"I um… Oh! By the way," he said, averting the topic. "I finally stood up for myself. I'm guessing Father is mad, real mad," he said, trying to shake the topic off her head. "That's great news Darvo, I'm genuinely happy for you, but you haven't answered my question yet," Yanmei said, taking a few steps closer to him. "Iaskedheraboutyourpreferencesinbedbecausesheofferedmethatpleasedon'thurtmeIwasonlycuriousIswearI'dnevertryanythingwithoutyourpermissionbutasifIhaveachanceI'msorryifIsoundedlikeapervertI'mreallysorry I REALLY AM."
Darvo covered his face as Yanmei stood there slack-jawed at his confession. "If they heard us and asks you about this, pretend this conversation never took place, alright?" she said, blushing furiously. "Okay. I'm really sorry, Tenno," he said, turning around taking a few steps away from her. He felt a hand slither on his shoulder. "You know what? Let's talk about what you've said about your Father, while you tour me in this ship," she said, entwining her fingers with his. "Okay then," he said as she pulled him closer.
"I finally mustered up some courage to turn down the offer," he said, looking up. "I did as you told me and listened to myself." Yanmei smiled. "I'm glad you were finally able to get that off your chest," Yanmei said, smiling warmly. "What about you Yanmei? Have you told your father how you feel yet?" he asked her.
"Well, I…" Yanmei was cut short when they felt the ship landed. Brigitte and Misaki emerged from the control room. "You two could hold hands later, we're finally here," Brigitte said, shoving a rifle in Yanmei's arms. "Yanmei, prepare the oxygen. The poor guy will need it. Darvo, stay here and keep watch. Reel us in when we're done. Misaki, come with me," Brigitte ordered as she readied herself. Yanmei looked outside. They were on an asteroid near Ceres.
"I thought Yanmei was in charge?" Darvo asked. "It doesn't matter, Darvo. Do as she says," Misaki said, connecting a cable on her waist and following Brigitte outside the ship. Their shields began to drop slowly as they made their way to the escape pod. Melok was inside, barely conscious and having visions of death. Upon seeing Misaki's light form, he was convinced she was an Angel of Death. Slowly he succumbed to the coldness that surrounded him, but was surprised when the Angel picked him up and he can breathe properly again.
The two lay him down as the ship took off stealthily. After a long while, Melok awakened, his oxygen-deprived lungs revitalized. Vision hazy, he looked around. A Corpus merchant, a lavender Saryn-class Tenno, a white Nova-class, and a black Mag-class.
"Are you okay?" Darvo asked, looking at the Grineer outcast. Melok ignored him and observes the Tenno's faces. So they do have faces? "You might want to get that leg checked," Misaki said, pointing to his busted leg. "The Tenno can talk?" Melok asked, trying to stand up. Brigitte forced him to sit down. "Yes they can," Darvo said.
"Thank you for this Tenno," Melok said, ignoring him and trying to stand up. Darvo just rolled his eyes and stood closer to Yanmei. "How ironic that the members of the race my kind persecutes are the ones who saved me."
"So, what now?" Darvo asked, interrupting him. "I need a place to stay," Melok said. "If they catch me, there goes my chance for freedom." Misaki and Yanmei looked at each other. "I'm sure he can't stay at the dojo," Yanmei said. "But he's a valuable asset. He might have information about the Grustrag Three," she continued. Melok's eyes lit up. "Yes! As a matter of fact, I know them personally."
Brigitte smiled. "Alright, it's settled. You're now an asset and under the Tenno's protection. Although, a Nyx unit will have to check you first," Brigitte said. "For now, you could stay with Darvo."
Darvo almost fell over when he heard this. "Why me? There's an empty spot in the settlement I live in after I ran away from Father. I think he should stay there," he said. "Then it's settled. And Yan, I think it's a good time to go home," Brigitte said, pointing at her badge.
She forgot about the curfew.