Deep

Mars

Oris was not relaxed at all. He was surrounded by a horde of noncombatants and charged with protecting someone who had no way to defend herself. He was calm as the children swarmed around him and over him as if he wasn't there. He ignored them as always, focused on the pod that he was assigned to protect. It was hard, but he never got easy jobs and ignoring twenty sick kids was not even remotely close to hardest thing he had done.

He also ignored the Nekros who was eyeing him from the corner as Ess spoke again.

"It is nap time, children." Ess said with a smile. Her warframe was camouflaged as an ancient looking red and white striped dress. Oris doubted highly that anyone but him or Nikis would recognize the candy striper outfit.

"Do we gotta. Tenno Ess?" One of the youngest girls begged as she hugged the stuffed bear that hid her medical monitor to herself. She was maybe four years old and cute as a button. All of the kids had stuffed animals and a few had other things. One poor soul had an Orokin drone following him everywhere, but that was just precaution now. He was healed, just very weak. "My dreams are weird."

At that, Oris fought hard not to move. Not to react at all as several of the other children nodded, their faces also showing mixes of annoyance, apprehension and a bit of fear. All of the human children. None of the Tenno kids were reacting! It was spreading despite Aerie being in stasis! That was not good.

"Hmmm." Ess mused as she looked form Oris to Nikis and back. "Well… You will need rest eventually, but let's go see if we can talk to Brianna for a bit. Maybe I can sing for you."

"Tenno Ess will sing!" The girl exclaimed. "Yay!"

"Only if Brianna allows it." Ess tried but the chorus of excited young voices drowned her out. She smiled as she led the way towards the door. Nikis followed her, with a final silent glower at Oris. For his part, Oris did not relax. The pod was safer here than in a cave underneath the blasted plains, but still… He would not relax.

"The humans are changing." A quiet, worried voice sounded and Oris turned to see Kat standing there, her face grave She wore an Orokin gown but clearly was not comfortable in it. She was playing with her appearance as few could outside of Orokin tech and today, her hair was black and her face olive skinned. Said face fell as Oris nodded. "That is not good."

"Nay, Mi'lady, it is not." Oris agreed.

"You know you don't need to call me that." Kat protested a bit weakly. They had done that discussion. "I know what was said, why it was said, but I am not your lady." Oris ignored her and she sighed. "Dratted Darkstorm! Geez, all of you are the same! I am not in danger here!"

"Yes, you are." Oris replied and she stiffened, but he continued. "We understand your wish to be useful. We understand your choice and we honor for it. But that does not change the fact that you are Zephyr's Mother. You are not a combatant. You never were. There is danger here and if it attacks you, we will respond."

"As odd as it is, that is… somewhat comforting." Kat sighed deeply as she moved to look into the stasis pod. "She looks so peaceful in there. Is there nothing that can be done?" She asked.

"I don't know." Oris admitted. "We are looking for an answer, in as many places as we can, but when you are dealing with so many realities, some of which are very fragile..." He trailed off helplessly and Kat nodded.

"It takes time." The one time energy form and now fully human StormKin agreed. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Watch the kids." Oris said with a nod. "If it is what Galintra did, they will start getting urges, no matter their ages. If it is what I did? They will get violent." Kat paled and Oris nodded. "Our crimes are legion and we are paying for them. Eternally."

"I don't know all of the facts and I think I am glad of that." Kat said with a gulp. Oris nodded. "Redemption is a hard road."

"There can be no redemption for me." Oris said calmly. "I did what I did. In the same place with the same options? I would likely do it again." Kat paled further and Oris shook his head. "We were always going to wind up in conflict, she and I. That we drew the rest of our kin into the squabble is unforgivable. That we could have done far worse..." He shook his head. "We have to do what we can now. I deserve nothing more than I have. An eternity to remember the lives I snuffed out in my need for power."

You are wrong. A calm voice heralded a blue form hovering into the room. It was not humanoid in the slightest. It also was not hostile. More sad. No one deserves such, Oris.

"With all due respect, Tanah." Oris replied. "You believe what you believe. I believe what I believe. What I did was wrong. I thought it was needed at the time. In the same situation with the same choice laid out? I would likely do the exact same thing again." He did not look away as the Sentient mind healer swept closer.

Would you? Tanah asked quietly as he came to a stop by Kat. I do not see that.

"We have had this discussion." Kat said with a small, sad smile. "You see the best in everyone, Tanah. What little I know of what happened is horrifying. You and Galintra nearly shattered the Tenno into three warring parties."

"Yes." Oris did not move as Tanah scanned him. "We very nearly did. Tanah, please stop that."

You do not need to hide who and what you are from us, Oris. Tanah said kindly. I know who and what you are and Kat? She is used to weird by now. That was in a wicked tone and Kat sputtered for a moment.

"Rolling with the punches more like." Kat said with a sigh. "I… I shouldn't have sent Katherine away. That was unkind of me. She was safe here. Out there? She is not."

She chose her path, Kat. Tanah reassured her. You could barely stand to be in the same room as her. She didn't blame you. No one does. No one knows how she wound up here, but most of us are reasonably sure Anatoly was involved just as she thought no matter his denials.

"Still,… it wasn't kind of me and we could use her right now. So many rugrats." Kat smiled a bit fondly as she stared at the pod. "Even with more non-warrior Tenno arriving to help, it won't be easy to handle so many."

"And our security has been compromised." Oris growled. Tanah and Kat looked at him and he shook his head. "Letting so many in here was a mistake. You do not know them, we cannot trust them."

"I know." Kat said softly. "Brianna is watching them closely, but after what the cats did with Liriel,… Our systems need to be upgraded."

I have been talking with Brianna and others about that. Tanah replied. She is cautious about letting anyone into the systems. rightly so.

"I am authorized to offer limited aid if you so wish." Oris said with a nod. Both of the mismatched beings stared at him and he shrugged. "Mechanical things were always my forte. That has not changed. I am not trusted and I won't be. I am under scrutiny even now. Tenno and other. I make people nervous."

You got through to her. Tanah said weakly. I confess to astonishment.

"We all have our strengths, Tanah." Kat smiled at the Sentient mind healer and then looked at Oris. "Have you done anything yet?"

"No." Oris replied. "I set some telltales around the area, but no more than that." He shook his head. "My craft master would kick my butt for being so sloppy but I cannot secure this place as I would wish. Not with children around."

"Why didn't you and Galintra ever have children?" Kat asked suddenly. Tanah pulsed a shade of worry, but Oris just shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense to me. Tenno can reproduce, but only with great care. You could have simply bred a future instead of trying to steal it."

Kat, don't… Tanah warned, but Oris just sighed.

"Neither of us were that smart." Oris said honestly. "In my own experience, fanatics rarely are. We were both fanatics. In different ways, but fanatics. We both wanted to be in charge and when Hayden refused to endorse either of us, we took our followers and went our own ways. Galintra and I were going to come to blows eventually and anyone but us could see that it was not going to end well. Neither of us cared."

"And now?" Kat inquired. Oris looked at her and Kat shook her head. "Oris..."

"What we did killed a large number of humans." Oris said flatly. "I don't know how many died in Galintra's care, but hundreds died in my 'proving grounds'. Trying to prove themselves worthy of my ascension. Trying to prove themselves to me." He shook his head. "What I did was wrong. I accept that and I accept my punishment. What we did could have had far worse repercussions. I have seen the results of such in other places." Tanah wilted in mid-air. "So have you." He nodded to the blue Sentient.

I have. Tanah replied sadly. But Oris… You have paid for your crimes.

"Have I?" Oris stiffened as one of his telltales went offline. "Damn! Security breach! Kat! Get behind the pod! Tanah! Corner! Now!" Wonder of wonders, neither of them argued as Oris reached up behind himself and drew his favorite tool. The huge round shield glowed slightly blue as always. He angled it just right and was rewarded when the door opened and a bolt of energy zoomed in to slam harmlessly into the face of the shield. He felt nothing as always. His hammer was in his other hand and he strode to the door, his posture firm. "Firing an unauthorized weapon in an Orokin tower?" He 'tsked' as alarms started to blare. "Bad idea."

He stilled as five warframes shimmered into sight nearby. Two Ashes, an Ivara, a Loki and a Vauban. None had companions and all looked nervous. So, they knew some of what they faced. Good. He had been studying what was available about warframes and other Tenno tech since before arriving here and the Revenant warframe he wore was the result. The Ivara drew her bow, but he shook his head and a blue shield of energy snapped into being in between them. It shed whatever she fired as if the bolt of energy was nothing but a wisp of smoke. Not that he was surprised. Hell, it had deflected a 20cm powergun round with the same lack of effort. That had been a hell of a shock to the tank crew who had fired at him. A terminal one.

"Run or die." Oris snapped. "You have maybe a minute before Brianna Executor secures her tower and then the full weight of an angry Orokin will land on you. Tenno or no, that is not generally survivable. None shall pass." He slammed his hammer into his shield, the clang reverberating and not coincidentally disabling any more stealth systems in the area. All five of the Tenno looked at each other and then the Vauban stepped forward.

"We do not wish to fight." The Tenno said firmly. "We wish harm on none."

"And yet, you come as thieves in the night or assassins." Oris shook his head. "If this is you coming in peace, then you need education." He did not move."I will be happy to give you such."

"You cannot stop the future." The other sounded sad. "The girl will ascend. We will aid her in her path, ease her along it." Oris stiffened and then everything stopped as he growled.

"Over my dead body, ya fool." Oris did not react even one of the Ashes tried to teleport past his shield. The fool hit the force field that surrounded the round shield and bounced. He rolled and came up, seeing a path past the barrier. There wasn't one. The other Ash was looking for a flank, but Oris had set himself in the doorway and wasn't going to budge. The Loki did not move. Neither did the Ivara. "If you did this… Ya have no idea what ya have done!"

"She will be our leader." The Vauban said quietly. "You will not stop us."

"Whether she chooses it or not." Oris snapped. "Ah, to hell wit' this." He set himself as all five prepared to charge him. Then he lashed out with power and the Ivara gave a screech as energy flared around her. Green energy. She collapsed to the floor, clutching her head as green streamers of energy connected her to Oris. Enthralled. All four of the others recoiled in horror and she rose to her feet and aimed her bow at the Vauban!

"Mika! No!" The Vauban snarled as he drew a Soma Prime. "Let her go!" He snapped at Oris.

"Or what?" Oris snapped. "Ya fools will kill me? None of ya have what it takes to do that."

He gasped as something went 'pamf' nearby and the Loki vanished! Kat appeared outside the door, her face ashen! Something slammed into Oris from behind! Whatever it was, it tore right through his warframe and left something that ticked. His return swing was slowed by the impact and hit nothing but air. He left his shield hanging in mid-air, blocking the door as he spun to seek his new assailant.

"They may not." The Loki- no!- The white Loki Prime who shimmered into being nearby held a staff that glowed green. Oris stiffened as he realized it had siphoned off some of his power! "I do."

"Didn't the time you pissed off a warden teach you anything, Grandmaster Sun?" Oris inquired mildly as he hefted his hammer. This was a very different matter. The ones trapped outside his shield might be fools, Sun wasn't generally. His skill and stealth were far better than theirs. He also knew far more, about far more, than was healthy for anyone. He was damned dangerous, even to one such as Oris. A cautious sweep of the Revenant's senses showed a small explosive charge nested deep inside the warframe's chest. Knowing him? A focused detonation. The warframe was toast, no one else would be likely be touched. "Aerie is safe where she is."

"Yes, she is." Sun sounded resigned. "And I do not doubt that you would die to protect her, but you would fail." he said sternly. "She is falling even now!" He snapped and Oris stiffened.

"What do you know?" Oris asked, not moving.

"More than I should." Sun admitted. "I didn't do it, but I know who did. Those ones outside are trying to help her, if in an incredibly ham handed way. I cannot let her come to harm, Darkstorm. You know this. You likely know why."

"I do." Oris replied, still not moving, Sun was a statue as well. The Revenant clad Tenno slowly shook his head but did not take his eyes from the ancient Tenno in front of him. "You know I cannot let you take her."

"You cannot stop me." Sun said and the device inside the warframe exploded. The Revenant fell apart around Oris and he stood there, mouth set under his horned full helm as he glared at Sun who backpedaled a step.

"I wouldn't bet on that." Oris said with a growl. His normal armor shimmered into being around him, the heavy metal plate an old, trusted friend. His second shield shimmered into place in his left hand as the others outside tried to breach him primary. They were not going to-

"No!" Sun shouted as Kat gave a scream. Oris spun to see the Ash with Kat in hand. He was drawing a dagger! "Let her go, you idiot! Now!"

"Open the shield or-" The Ash started, only to scream with more than one other as Oris threw his hammer. His shield didn't hinder it at all. It spun once, twice and then it arrowed straight at the Ash. Kat did not even have time to flinch as the hammer hit the warframe and took the bioarmored head clean off. The energy form inside wasn't going to be destroyed by that, but he was not get up from that either. That left Oris wide open to Sun's attack. He interposed his shield, but he knew even as Sun moved that it was futile. Oris barely felt the blows that struck him from behind. He ignored them as Kat stared at him, eyes huge. The hammer slowed, stopped in mid-air and started back towards Oris even as the Ash who had threatened Kat fell to lie in a heap.

"Rule… two..." Oris said as he felt his life start to fall out of the rents in his armor. He looked at Sun and then at the Vauban who was running up to Kat, a medkit in hand. "You idiots… just made… a serious..."

"I warned them not to do that. We will make sure she is unharmed." Oddly gentle hands eased Oris to the floor. "I am sorry. I have to save Aerie."

"And I... have... to stop..." Oris gasped once and then he knew no more.

The room

So now, you kill me. Tanah said from his corner, not moving as the other Tenno entered, skirting the short but broad form that lay on the floor. Caution was warranted. The hammer that had been thrown was hovering over Oris' body. Kat was clearly in shock and the Vauban was gentle as he led her into the room. The Ivara was shivering, but she too was gentle as she helped lead Kat.

"No. You are not an enemy." Sun took Kat from the others and his hands were very careful as he searched her for injuries. "I didn't want to kill anyone. I wanted to get in before any knew. I should have known he would be paranoid and not trust the Orokin systems. I know I will pay for this. He will hurt me at the very least. Kat..." He begged as Kat fell to her knees beside the still form, reaching out for the gray beard that fell from the helmet with just a hint of trepidation

"Go away!" Kat snapped as she gathered Oris' still form up. It was clearly heavier than she had expected, but she did it anyway.

"He is not gone, Kat." Sun offered as the others moved to flank the pod. "I didn't kill him permanently."

"And that makes it all better?" Kat snarled. "What are you doing?" She demanded angrily. "You know I am going to report this! You know I will! Or will you play games with my mind now? You know they will check me very carefully!"

"Yes, I know you will and they will. You are okay and I am not going to do anything to you. The teleport didn't hurt you and John learned his lesson about theatening StormKin around Darkstorms." Sun actually patted her shoulder. "I know better than to try and stop you. I am glad you are all right. I do not want a warden angry with me again." That actually sounded sincere.

"And this is not going to anger them?" Kat waved at Oris' still form.

"It will." Sun heaved a sigh. "But in the end? I think it will work out. You see… We are going to offer Aerie a choice. One that Oris and Galintra denied to their followers. If she chooses to perish, then we will allow it. If she chooses other, then we will go on."

"Are you insane?" Kat snapped. "She is not Tenno!"

"She never wanted to be, no." Sun sighed again and then sat down beside Kat as the others took up station around the pod, much to Kat's shock. Guards? "I did not expect this, but… He said there would likely be side effects. I am going to have words with him about said side effects affecting people other than Aerie. Such tools and powers are not to be used carelessly. This was careless."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kat demanded.

"The Lotus is gone, Kat." Sun sounded old and tired now. "We need a guide. We need a successor to her."

"You are insane!" Kat snapped. "Whatever she was before, now? Aerie isn't Tenno! She certainly isn't the Lotus!"

"No. She now has the potential to be a lot more."