In the Void, the closest one could get to stillness was with the ever-present, bass-filled humming of ambiance. It shuddered soft but sure, always a present aura even as nothing occupied this particular stretch. But, the peace would not last.

A chorus of four drones started to rise as beings converged unto the area. One was an orchestra—loud, brash, overdramatic. It was emblematic of crashing thunder and pounding rain, and just as likely to knock you off of your feet. There was glory in it, but pride meant it would never achieve harmony.

The next was soft whispers and cutting staccato. A presence one could almost forget right up until you found a knife in your back. Yet there was enginuity to the blend of sounds, frequencies balanced at just the right wavelength to entertain the mind. But only ever in ways that would make your hairs stand on end.

The third was tonally perfect. Instruments perfectly tuned and never going a microsecond over their notes, percussion hitting just as it needed to. It would be almost a delight to listen to—if that wasn't all it ever was. Perfection without creativity, and to suggest otherwise would be to have it come down upon you.

The final was a soft and calm tone—only a single instrument, playing lightly. There were no faults to be had with the solo performance, but occasionally it ebbed in ways that grabbed your attention. Each note was thought out and stood on its own. There was no room for harmony, just melody.

These wavelengths gathered like at the points of a cube, stopping once they did. Forms took shape more readily. Four Elders. Nothing distinguished them outside of the variations of their presences. In the Void, their forms were idealized, standing tall, as equals.

The solo, calm performance spoke first. "As is regulation for these meetings, we will take attendance of who has arrived, even if this meeting isn't particularly... planned." They shook their head. "Nevertheless. Elder Argus, in attendance."

"Elder Cronus," boomed the orchestra.

"Elder Odin," hissed the whispers.

"Elder Helena," hummed the symphony.

"Very good," Argus nodded, "All Elders seeing over matters on Planet #2845, otherwise known as Earth, are found to be in attendance. The meeting regarding the matters of the stolen Chosen, the Network weakness, and the defection numbers will commence." They rattled off the subjects smoothly, then looked to the other Elders. "Does anybody have any opening remarks?"

"I would," Cronus spoke, his focus immediately turning to Odin. "We would not be having this meeting if it was not for the failings of Elder Odin. He designed and put so much importance on his Chosen that the Commander would naturally take him. Of course, since he was lauded as one of the batteries of our Network, we are now dealing with the fallout of his mistakes!" His volume and his presence rose, and he loomed over Odin. "Not even to mention what the Commander must be doing with him right now. She is probably extracting every single bit of knowledge he retains! You would certainly know the volume of that, wouldn't you, Odin? You insisted upon it!"

Odin backed away a bit, but his presence bristled as he met Cronus's fury. "Lest we forget, we are a united force, Cronus. Even if the pretense of the Chosen's interactions was competition, ultimately they are as siblings and should have been assisting him!" Cronus's image faltered and Odin pressed on. "Even if you are to insist that they should not cooperate, then what of your own 'child?' If you have not lauded him as our greatest champion, should he not have the Commander back with us by now?" He scoffed. "Of course not. Those pitiable emotions that he felt, along with Helena's charge, blind them to where the Commander lies."

Helena huffed indignantly. She would have preferred to not be dragged into this, but she wouldn't let such a thing go unchallenged when it served to disgrace her. "Yet are we not the ones who had to deal with his childish misbehaving at every turn because you insisted on picking an adult human to contrast Cronus's choice? Perhaps if you had not merely made your Chosen in response to his, you would have not rushed your choices and left as many design flaws as you have!"

Odin whirled on her. "That's rich coming from you, Helena, who crafted her perfect Assassin after the two of us were having difficulties instead of attempting to assist us! Claim her perfect all you want—she has failed in the duty you have set for her!"

Before the anger of the trio could reach a fever pitch, Argus forcefully projected themselves as larger. "Elders! This arguing will see us reaching no solutions and will only serve to incense us at one another. Do you believe such back-and-forth mudslinging will bring us to a satisfying conclusion?"

The other three Elders quieted, and everybody settled back into their normal projections. There were quiet nods and Argus straightened, clearing their throat. "As I thought. I do not wish to turn this meeting so sour, so we shall proceed with opening remarks closed. Our first matter discussed civilly will be the topic of the security of the other Chosen. I know that the Hunter was taken via psionic overload. Sadly, I was not able to be present for the meeting held with the Chosen, so I must inquire—have there been steps taken to secure the other Chosen against this method?"

Helena nodded, speaking calmly. "Yes. My Assassin has been mentally fortified against such assaults of that caliber, and shall not fall prey to such barbaric tactics. Her mind is still privy to discipline, however, so that should not be an issue."

"Understood, and I appreciate your forward thinking. As for the Warlock, I take it he is immune by default to such an assault?" Cronus mutters an affirmation and Argus nods. "Good. However, we mustn't think that will be the only trick up Eliza's sleeve." At the familiarity of her first name, the rest of the Elders stared at them, gaze judging. For that, they withheld their advice on what she could indeed do. "So be vigilant," they settle on, "and think for yourselves how she might capture your children. Advise them to plan, as well. With that, the issue of the Chosen being captured should be swiftly handled."

When there was no commentary outside of a few spiteful glances from Odin, Argus continued. "Next on our list is the matter of the weakening Network. Understandably, it has been damaged from the absence of both the Commander and the Hunter, and now is left to operate on a proxy we formed from the precepts we could gather of the Commander. The situation is bleak, but not unsalvageable in my eyes—there can be steps taken to strengthen the proxy until we have secured the Commander once more."

One of Argus's arms came from under their cloak and they motioned, summoning a diagram from the aura of the Void. As they spoke, it animated and gave visuals to what they were talking about. "I believe if we temporarily divert a sizeable number of our Codices to start working on the proxy and making its code more efficient, we can alleviate Network strain and increase capacity once again. This would require a bit of our processing power, however, and can only be enacted if we are all in agreement. Unless anyone else has a more efficient idea, I would like to move forward with it immediately."

There were nods from the assembled Elders, and Argus's arm returned to under their cloak, the diagram disappearing. "Excellent. I will move forward with my plan as soon as I am allowed. Now, onto defection numbers."

Argus would have continued, but Cronus scoffed, his signature turning discordant. "If I may interject, I find it absurd that this is a topic whatsoever. Not in the sense that I do not see it as a problem, but I fail to understand why it is a problem. We have given them the brightest future they could have the capacity to dream of and yet this is how they repay us?"

"You can't fault them for not understanding," Argus followed, "They only see the short term pain and refuse to see it as the necessary evil it is. Excusable, no. Within character? Yes. I understand your confusion, Elder Cronus, but since they will not see, it is why we must see to taking countermeasures."

"If I may?" Helena began, brimming in her presence. Argus nodded to her. "The rate of defections is indeed starting to become a concern. We have seen turncoats in even our most unshakeable units."

"Ah, yes." Argus inclined their head. "Most recently, a lone Codex taking the name of 'Wiki,' correct?"

"Yes! The no good..." Helena trailed off, shaking her head. "As I was saying. I believe I have a rudimentary, but effective way of decreasing these numbers. We may start imposing quotas on our forces. We can require monthly numbers of soldiers 'reclaimed' in order to incentivise our forces seeking out traitors in their ranks. Presenting proof of turncoat takedowns would also be sufficient."

The two Elders aside from Argus seemed uncertain at the idea. Cronus's signature stilled with feigned disinterest. Meanwhile, Odin's hummed with barely-disguised spite. "That doesn't sound like the most waterproof of plans, Helena," he began, eyeing her through his helmet. "For someone known for her perfectionism, you haven't considered a thing or two. What would we do if they didn't meet those quotas? We couldn't slaughter them indiscriminately and we hardly have the time to check over each and every outpost, however you cut it up."

Helena scoffed, energies turning haughty. "Firstly, we have accumulated enough a presence that when we do hand down this order, they will imagine the repercussions to be far greater in their feeble minds. Secondly, if you have so many problems with my plan, I would like to see you formulate a better one! Enlighten me, Odin, if you have such grand ideas."

Odin, tellingly, looked to the side, quieting but still remaining malicious. Argus sighed. "It has flaws, yes, but nothing that would break the whole plan in half. I believe it is a good solution... for now. I think the most optimal way forward would be to tighten up the chips, but such a task may take longer than we would like, and we would need a temporary plan in place while it is worked on. The quotas would do nicely. Are there any better plans out of the two of you?"

No response. Helena straightened, superiority bleeding off of her form. Cronus kept quiet, even if he had wished to speak something about her attitude. With Argus backing her, he was outnumbered—and he wasn't about to rely on Odin for assistance. He saved his anger. He would have an outlet for it yet...

Argus, meanwhile, hummed with satisfaction. "I would call this a satisfactory meeting. We have addressed the problems at hand and found serviceable solutions to all of them. Helena will handle organizing the exact numbers and details of the quotas and I will begin to divest my time into gathering our loyal Codices into strengthening our Commander proxy. Do we have any closing remarks?"

Helena shook her head. Cronus and Odin remained silent. Argus nodded again, their robes starting to fan out as the singular instrument of their signature started to rise in volume. "I hereby declare this meeting adjourned. You are all free to your duties. The Empire, Eternal."

"The Empire, Eternal," the other three Elders returned, and soon their signatures peaked, and then closed out, leaving the Void back to its low hum.


For just the slightest second, the Warlock could feel the very Void shift, as if suddenly unbalanced. It drove him off his current line of thinking, and Jax found himself wondering if the Elders had just performed some grand act.

When the Void continued to be undisturbed outside of that, he returned to his meditation. Time had passed and while he had still heard no word from the Elders, he knew it was no reason to stop his search of the Commander. After all, what better way to earn Their good graces again than to find her and bring her back? They would look upon him favorably again... and it was all he wanted. Their love was a tidal wave he could barely fight, and yet he was fine if he drowned in it... but. But was he?

He grimaced and shook his head. Such thoughts were beginning to sneak up on him recently and he wished them gone. Of course Jax took great satisfaction in the Elders' love! When it was taken away, it was for justified reasons. He had failed, and so it went—he could understand that. He could understand being... punished. Jax's hands shook. He could... understand seeing the Assassin quiver and shake under the onslaught—

The Warlock immediately shot into standing, hissing as he tried to chase the thought off. It was... it was justified! She had failed as he had! No doubt she had already moved past it and was plotting her next move against XCOM or the Skirmishers. Surely she wasn't wallowing in the feeling and pain of it all...

Before he could stop himself, the Warlock's feet were marching forward and he was already sending off a message on the Network, summoning his Archbishop. Jax was already justifying the action to himself—they were lead into the punishment because the Hunter had been kidnapped. He was not one for working with his siblings, but if he could escape that by preventing her from being taken? He would avoid punishment and when it came to light that it had been his plan in the first place, he was sure the Elders would look upon him favorably.

That's all it was, he reassured himself. They were siblings in name only. This wasn't some sort of protective instinct rising up in him. He didn't want to be punished again, either. This was merely to see to that end!

As he was busy justifying things to himself, the Ascension Pad activated, and from the column of energy appeared his Archbishop: Saint Maria. She was tall, taller than any Priest or human—just a few inches shy of Jax's height. Her armor was colored as his was, with more gold gilding and hanging sashes, giving her the air of a true Saint. A Priest tailor-made for him, and a symbol of his power. Her genetics were more advanced than other Priests; along with the precious Gatekeeper strain, she also held the unique distinction of having a noticeable amount of Berserker DNA in her system, and it showed in her physique.

She did not remain still for long, and approached her Chosen, bowing before him. "Warlock Tessura. To what end do you require me?"

Jax calmed a bit in her presence, allowing him to gather his thoughts. If the Assassin did not want to be found, this plan was as good as delayed until she wanted to be. But, this was the best shot he had, in his mind. "I require you to establish contact with the Assassin's Stronghold. I wish to speak with her regarding a few matters."

"Yes, my Chosen," she affirmed.

But before she could do that, the air around them hummed and vibrated until it reached the power of an orchestra. Jax was nearly knocked off his feet and at the familiarity of the presence, Maria almost instantly dropped into a deeper kneel. Jax followed suit, his heart swelling. He knew who this was. It was his father—Cronus!

"My dear son... I see you are busy. However, I must stop your business for a moment." His words reverberated in Jax's mind and he found himself drinking in His presence.

"It is no trouble, Father. I am humbled you would personally visit me. What do you require?"

Cronus hummed a moment, analyzing the two of them. "I must ask you, my son—were you attempting to contact your sister just now?"

Jax nodded without hesitation. He... knew he couldn't express truly why he had been doing so. Something in his mind screamed about the danger in it. So instead, he went with a tangentially related and still true reason. "Yes, Father. I wished to establish cooperation with my sister so we could pool our strength into capturing the Commander. I believed we would meet our goal faster if we did so."

Cronus tutted, and the action immediately made Jax's heart sink. Was... was it not a good idea? Was cooperation not why they had...? "Do you not believe the strength I have given you is enough, Jax-Rai? Do you believe you must make up for your 'weakness' by allying with your sister?"

"No!" Jax immediately said, but flinched at his delivery, lowering his head and withdrawing into himself. "N-no. You have given me all the strength I need. I can accomplish the task on my own, and I mean not to imply you have done me wrong. I was just..." He couldn't finish.

"My son... Fal-Mai would only serve to hinder you." Cronus's signature was one of fatherly concern. "She is young! She would only dismantle your plans with her naivety. She is not as experienced as you are with a duty of the caliber, and she would only serve to slow you down."

Beside him, he could feel Maria twitch, but for what reason, he could not discern. Jax kept his own thoughts on hold as Cronus was so close.

"Do not cooperate with her. That is all." With that, His signature lifted, and Cronus was gone as soon as He came. The brevity of His visit left Jax wavering on his feet as he rose into standing. He didn't even get a chance to ask if he had been doing well, and Cronus did not seem pleased nor angered at him. He had only been here to dissuade him from working with his sister. Dread still gripped his heart... but he would not disobey Him. Not when it would assuredly bring punishment—and perhaps even punishment unto Fal-Mai for being a part of his plans. He shuddered, shaking his head. He would not have that, though he dare not think why. He will simply have to plan on his own.

Jax could feel Maria's stare burning into him, and he opened his eyes to meet it. Her look was one of concern, and she took a single step closer. Before she could speak, he held up his hand. "If you had established any contact with the Assassin, I want it terminated. It has been made clear I am not to cooperate with her. I have... other plans, that do not involve her."

"I understand, my Chosen," she returned, standing up to full height. "No contact has been made." She hesitated, and then placed a hand on his shoulder. "My Chosen... are you alright?"

Jax said nothing for a while. He offered Maria a glance before his gaze turned to his Ascension Pad. "Irrelevant," was the word that finally came out, muttered without conviction. He began to walk forwards, leaving Maria behind as he lumbered to the pad. His thoughts remained somewhat related to her. After his losses in his last battle, he could not, would not summon her or any more of her sisters to battle. He could not stand to lose another—XCOM did not understand who they were slaughtering on their quest to see the world burn around them.

But Jax... Jax had a choice, here. He could directly make sure that they did not perish on the field of battle. Their talents... their creativity, their crafts when left to them, were far too precious to be squandered in death. He could call it "reinforcing his Stronghold." Yes, that would do. He could keep the Priests from battle. The Warlock could simply summon his other guard to his aid; perhaps not even that, in hindsight. Did he not have his own spectral army he could summon if pressed? They were free to die. He was free to die a thousand times and more. He could wage this war against XCOM without losing important... assets. Just assets. Nothing more.

He stopped on the pad, half turning back to Maria. "If XCOM wishes to blindly raid our most sacred sites, I will see to it that they will get more than what they are wishing for."

With that, the pad activated, and Jax disappeared in a column of purple light.