Dreams of Chaos
It was... surprising. Even after all this time. Sun could be surprised. The Grineer -Mora- had not lied. Not once. She lay, exhausted in the restraints as he pondered what she had told him. A weak voice sounded and he looked at her.
"Will you kill me now?" Mora did not -quite- beg.
"I don't know." Sun said quietly. "You did everything I asked. You obeyed every instruction and answered every question." He shook his head. "You did what I asked. I am neither capricious nor cruel for the sake of being cruel."
"Then...?" Mora slumped. "What...?" Sun shook his head again and a golden beam started playing across Mora's face. "What are you doing?" She asked as her eyes slowly closed. Obviously against her will.
"Wiping your mind." Sun replied calmly. Mora jerked and then screamed.
"No!" She begged, writhing and twisting fruitlessly in her bonds. "No, please..." Her cries and please tapered off quickly to animal grunts of pain and fear. In moment, she lay still, tears of fear and pain falling, but nothing else. The injuries that he had inflicted on her vanished as if they had never been. This wasn't real after all. He could do nearly anything in this virtual world. A lot of power, and easily abused.
"I think..." Sun thought hard for a moment and then nodded. "I think I know what to do with you." Mora did not reply. Indeed, she couldn't. Her higher brain functions had been wiped clean. "Institute Slave Package Three." The golden beam that had been playing over her face changed color to brown and she jerked a bit. Then she was crying again as information was put in. "There, there, dear." The interrogator said calmly. "I know of a place where you can do good work. Honest work as opposed to what the Grineer consider to be honest work."
"Master?" The voice that came from the Grineer was a far cry from her previous one. This voice was timid, scared and utterly subservient. As designed. "What is thy will?"
"I am not your master." Sun said calmly. "I am just a facilitator."
" Have I given offense?" The Grineer said quickly. "I meant no offense." She asked, testing her bonds.
"No." Sun said, still in that calm and clear voice."You will sleep and when you wake, you will meet your new master. I have work to do though." Not the least of which was to... alter her appearance a bit in the real world so she wouldn't scream 'Grineer' to anyone with eyes. "Sleep, let the program complete."
"Tired." The new slave said softly. "What is my name?" She asked as her lids slowly closed again.
"We will keep it simple." Sun replied. "You are Mora." She slumped and was asleep. "Okay..." Sun sighed and stretched a bit. "Exit simulation." He came back to himself kneeling on the deck of his small ship. He shook his head as he rose and walked to the com system. "Ordis, set course for the changing facility."
"Yes, Operator." For once, the ship's Cephalon had no witty or insane babble as the engines roared again. Then again, Ordis knew what lay within that place. Not many did.
Lotus, I have information. Sun said in the recesses of his mind.
Report. The Lotus' voice was still... off.
The Grineer found the ship while mining the asteroid. They attempted access, but the security systems thwarted them. Sun replied. They used slaves in large numbers to attempt to breach the hull. One did manage to get through, but the ship woke in the process. It fled, leaving the Grineer mining array in pieces. The ones responsible were punished. They do not know where the ship went.
Why did they not just destroy it? Her? Hate sang in the Lotus' voice now and Sun shook his head. This was... not good.
Lotus. Sun said sternly. Be calm. We need you.
I... The Lotus seemed to waver a bit and then her voice modulated. I am very emotional about that ship.
We all are. Sun said with a sigh. I will continue the hunt.
Your prisoner? The Lotus asked, a fragment of her old care and compassion surfacing.
She will not remember who she was or why she does not remember. I have programmed her against curiosity. Sun replied. There is a primitive farm on Europa that could use some strong labor.
Sun, you didn't! Now the Lotus' voice held horror. That is forbidden!
I got the information we needed. Sun retorted evenly. Will you censor or punish me for doing my job?
Sun... The Lotus sounded scared now and then she gave a small sound. Almost a laugh. Almost. You haven't changed. Utterly pragmatic.
They get labor, I get compensation, she doesn't die. Sun replied. Win, win, win.
I am not going to debate the ethics of the situation with you. The Lotus said with a half hearted snarl. But you are needed at the Mercury tower. Sun went still and she continued. They found an oddity. A former Grineer slave.
And? Sun prompted when she didn't continue. She wouldn't send him just for that.
Apparently before he was a Grineer slave, he was Corpus. Sun paused, digesting the Lotus' words. He was one of the ones who hurt Amelia, who made Sara. At that, Sun went still. Amelia is... irate.
Hard to blame her. Sun replied. The Lotus didn't reply and he sighed. Yes, I am pragmatic. But what they did was horrific in the extreme. Even Intelligence wouldn't have done what those Corpus did. Orokin scientists might have, then again... They might not have. There were those pesky rules about using non-consenting minors in robotics experiments, you know.
I know. The Lotus replied. And... it gets stranger. Sun waited and she continued. This former Grineer slave was found by an emergency response team as it was on its way back to the hospital. As if... She stopped speaking as Sun inhaled sharply.
As if he had been left for them to find? Sun snapped, his unease flaring.
Exactly. The Lotus replied. How long until you can get to Mercury? Sun checked the navigation systems and made some rapid calculations.
Five hours. Sun said after a moment. I need to do some things and then drop off my 'guest'. Then I will make best speed for the Tower.
Five hours may be too long. The Lotus said uneasily. Amelia is going berserk.
Tell her I am coming. Sun retorted as he set the ship's systems for faster speeds. I think I made an impression.
You did. With that, the Lotus was gone.
It wasn't hard or even really time consuming, but Sun felt every minute. The tiny facility had been built by Tenno Intelligence during the Sentient War. Occasionally, they had use for changing people's appearances. For fair means or foul, they had needed a way to alter people's outward looks. The facility was, to all outside appearances, a rock in a distant orbit in the Oort cloud. Which it was. Far enough from the main system so as to be virtually undetectable, and then given the most state of the art concealment technology known. Even most Tenno had no idea that these facilities had existed. He knew that Alicia had known, but she kept secrets like nobody's business. He liked her.
Mora screamed again.
"No more! Please!" She begged as the golden energy rearranged her body again. "Please, I will be good! I swear!" He had no time to be gentle, so she was awake as parts of her body were rebuilt. She wouldn't remember this.
"Relax." Sun said quietly as energy played over her again. He sighed. This was... inefficient. "It hurts, but it is not permanent. You won't remember this."
Her body had been scanned down to the genetic level and then altered. Where before, her skin had been pale and clammy, with the tell tale signs of cloning disease, now? She was covered in new skin, healthy dark toned skin. Her bare head was growing hair. Long, straight brown hair. There was no free lunch however, and it was excruciating as bits of her grew far, far faster than nature had intended. Finally it was done and she lay sobbing on the table. She looked... like a normal human female, which she was down to the genetic level. If a sterile one who was programmed to be a slave. A large and unremarkable looking human female.
"All done." Sun said calmly as he stepped forward, a long smock in hand. "Get up." The ingrained need to obey people in authority that Sun had implanted in her subconscious had her jumping to her feet despite her residual agony. "Put this on."
"Yes, sir..." Mora said weakly as he handed her the smock. It fit. He made a gesture and she was kneeling and then lying on the floor before her mind could catch up with her action. "No..." She begged as he held a hand over her. She screamed loud and long as she was digitized again.
The facility defined tiny. It was matter of five steps from the room with the table to the airlock. Sun keyed the facility to shut down as he moved. He had time to stop off at Europa, but not a lot. He would haggle price of course. He had to keep up his cover with the disreputable elements of the Solar System as a nasty sort who peddled slaves. It was hardly the worst thing he had done in his career. Not even close. And truth be told? It was a just fate for a Grineer. They enslaved people, so it was only fair to enslave them.
The sooner he got her off the ship, the better. He needed to wake Maxine up. The puppy would help calm things down. He hoped so anyway. But then something chimed. He stared at the com system in disbelief.
An email? From... Serene? He read it quickly and then slumped.
Lotus? He sent.
Yes, Sun? The Lotus asked.
Tell Serene, the answer is 'Yes'. I swear it.
The Tower
"Let me by!" Amelia did not -quite- scream at the pair of drones that blocked her path.
-Access is restricted, Doctor Amelia.- The Tower systems were calm, but firm. -You are not permitted.-
"Look, I am not armed." Amelia spun in place, hands out at her sides. "I have questions. That is all. Questions. No more."
Amelia. Kori's disapproving voice came from behind her and she slumped in place as she turned to see the Kubrow. You heard Iriana. You are not allowed. You should be asleep. The Kubrow stepped close and nuzzled the doctor.
"Can't sleep." Amelia said softly. "Even with drugs, the nightmares... I can't..." She sobbed as she knelt and hugged the Kubrow. "I just want to know why."
Iriana says he doesn't know. Kori said gently. She did a scan. You saw the record. His memory is... what was the word she used? 'Trashed'?
"Serene killed the one in charge." Amelia sobbed, burying her face in the Kubrow's fur. "But it still hurts!"
My friend... The Kubrow leaned into Amelia, offering her strength. Please, come away. They cannot let you in. You are not rational and no one blames you. What the Corpus did to you... The canid whined a little in sympathy. Please.
"I can't get past this." Amelia sobbed. "Every time I try, every time I seek to understand, it hurts again. I can't... I can't keep going, Kori." Everything stopped as a cold, hard voice sounded.
"That is what they wanted, doctor." Amelia stared up at the long curved horns of the warframe that stood in front of her. She gave a small squeak and recoiled, hugging Kori tighter, who tensed. "Think, Doctor Amelia." Sun said calmly, ignoring the Kubrow's warning growl. "How do the Corpus control their slaves?" Amelia stared at him uncomprehending and the white Loki Prime warframe shook his head. "Doctor, you know better than many what they do to their 'recruits'." He made air quotes around the word 'recruits'.
"They.. they scan the subject's mind... They find a weakness and they use that to break the subject..." Amelia said with a wince. "I...I broke..."
"Did you?" Sun asked softly.
"I did!" Amelia screamed. "I am broken! In pieces!"
"Are you?" Sun asked, still calm.
"What do you care?" Amelia spat. "You are a monster!"
"Yes, I am." Sun agreed. Amelia paused and Sun pressed his advantage. "Self deception is a weakness an enemy can exploit. Doctor, what I do is needed. Is it right? By most cultures' standards, no. But it is needed." He shook his head. "I am not going to pretend I do not joy in it at times. I was trained to do what I do. By the best. I do it well, with no conceit intended. There is a certain appeal in conquering others."
"So you are going to conquer me." Amelia swallowed hard Sun shook his head and she snarled. "What then?"
"Doctor, you are an asset." Sun's voice was still calm and clear. "A powerful, useful asset. The Tenno need you. Iriana needs you. You are self destructing as the Corpus intended." Amelia went still and Sun shook his head. "I won't let you."
"What do you-?" Amelia's words were cut off as a beam of golden energy slammed into her from behind. She fell, instantly unconscious.
Amelia! Kori screamed, placing herself protectively over the still form of her friend. Get back!
"She needs help." Sun said quietly, not moving. "You know it. I know it. She can't get past this, Iriana cannot get past this. I can."
You will hurt her! Kori screamed.
"Probably." Sun agreed. The Kubrow went still and the Loki Prime shook his head. "Kori... what she endured would have broken many Tenno. It broke Serene in two. And Serene was one of the toughest and smartest Tenno I knew." He chuckled a little. "Not to mention one of the scariest."
You... You know Serene? Kori asked, confused.
"Yep." Sun said softly. A soft cry came from nearby and Iriana hurried into view, going to her knees beside Amelia. "Healer, she is unconscious. She was losing it. She was going to go for the scalpel in her pocket." Iriana tensed and patted Amelia's pocket, finding the tiny surgical tool. "On herself, on Kori here, or on me? It makes no difference."
"Nothing works." Iriana was nearly in tears. "We have tried everything."
"With all due respect, Healer..." Sun said quietly. "Not everything."
"What are you..?" Iriana stared at the Tenno interrogator and went white. "No..."
Iriana? Kori asked softly. What?
"You cannot do that. Not to her!" Iriana snapped. "Security! Expel this Tenno!" Nothing happened and impossibly, Iriana got paler. "What have you done?"
"I have authorization to help her, Healer." Sun said softly. "From the highest levels. The Tower systems are very worried about her too. Please. I can help her."
You will hurt her! Kori snapped, interposing herself between the Loki Prime and the still form at her feet.
"Kori." Sun chided her gently. "In order to heal some injuries, you have to hurt someone." Then he stilled. "I have authorization." He repeated.
"You move, you die." A soft, pain filled voice sounded from nearby and all eyes turned to where a Tenno in robes held an Attica crossbow on Sun. Two was weaving, but her aim was steady. "Get away from her! I won't let you hurt her."
"Tenno Two." Sun said quietly. "You have Serene's memories. Search them."
"I have." Two declared. "I know what you are. What you do. I won't let you hurt her!"
"And when she kills herself?" Sun said, his tone slightly sharp. That mild sharp was the equivalent of several screams of rage in a less controlled being. "Maybe you can bring her back, but what then? The next time? And the next? She is self destructing, Two. Iriana cannot help her. I can. My methods are harsh, but they work."
Why help her? Kori demanded as Iriana knelt over Amelia's still form protectively. What is she to you?
"She is an asset." Sun said, his calm returning. "A strong and powerful asset. She is a good ally. A strong and capable doctor. We need her. You need her." He nodded to Iriana. "I can help her."
"I..." Iriana shook her head. "I can't, Sun. She is a friend. I can't give her to you."
"I know." Sun said quietly. Then the world went white. Iriana screamed, Two and Kori both flattened to the floor, but nothing else happened. When they could see again, Kori and Two both screamed.
Sun was gone. So was Amelia.
Somewhere
Amelia woke on a bed. She was... comfortable. Everything was soft, hazy. She stared around wildly, but nothing happened. The bed was warm and soft. The night gown she wore was also soft, if a bit flimsy. It was familiar!
"No..." Amelia said softly as she tried to rise. But her body would not obey her. "I can't do this... No... Not again..."
"You are not alone, doctor." Amelia went still as the white Loki Prime appeared beside the bed. "I gave my word to help you through this and I will."
"This is where they made Sara!" Amelia screamed. "This is the room I gave birth in!"
"I know." Sun... sounded sad for a moment. Amelia paused, staring at him. "What they did to you was awful. But... you are not alone."
"You can't help me!" Amelia curled into a ball on the bed and sobbed.
"Yes, he can." An utterly unexpected voice had Amelia pausing. A chair appeared beside the bed. And in it... "He helped me past the same thing."
"S...Serene...?" Amelia said softly. "But... You are... I..." The female Tenno in the chair held out a hand and took Amelia's closest one in a gentle grip.
"For the mother of my daughter..." Serene moved a bit so the stumps of her legs were more comfortable and nodded. "I will do far more. Sun helped me past this. He can help you." Amelia gave a shrill cry and pulled Serene close, hugged her tight. "This won't be fun, Amelia. But you can do it. Sara needs you."
"What do I do?" Amelia asked after a moment, her voice muffled by Serene's shoulder.
"You don't have to do anything, Doctor." Sun said quietly. "Serene. Go."
"Once was enough, yes." Serene said with a gulp. "But Sara and I are waiting, Amelia. Do not keep us waiting." Another hug and she was gone.
Amelia swallowed hard and the bed vanished. She was lying on something hard and things clicked around her, locking her in place. Sun appeared nearby.
"My name is Sun." The Loki Prime said formally. "My rank is Interrogator First Class. And we have a lot to talk about."
