Inversion

"Have I said how crazy this whole idea is?" Mitchell asked.

"Only about ten times." Li replied easily. "You were not complaining before we left."

"It didn't –quite- sink in." Mitchell's voice was a bit weak, but he shook himself, the armor on his person rattling. "How do they walk in this getup?" He was wearing what looked on close inspection to be a Grineer Lancer's armor. It should. Cora had taken two days making it to get it as close as she remembered. Which was pretty close.

"A Grineer's armor is part of him or her." Cora said quietly. She wore Grineer armor as well. In her case, a Scorpion's lighter set. "They are literally decanted into it. They live and die in that armor." Mitchell made a face and Cora shrugged. "Be glad it's not real. The only way a Grineer parts with his or her armor is when they die." Li looked at her and Cora sighed. "Yes, I died. Karl cut me out of my old armor when it was disabled. My old life ended and I became the person I am now. Not that I have a clue who that actually is, mind you." She said sourly.

"It's not the destination, Cora." Li's voice was sympathetic. "It's the journey." Odd that voice, coming from what was too all appearances, a Grineer Ballista's mesh helmet. The docs hadn't been happy, but the crude prosthesis that the clan had come up with allowed her mobility and looked exactly like Grineer tech.

"So people keep telling me." Cora sighed. "Well, this destination is close. Go over it again?"

"Sure." Mitchell shook himself, his armor rattling. "Maybe this time it will seem sane and sensible."

"Mitchell." Li admonished him. "We land, get to the secure hangar, get it open, power up the ship and leave."

"Land in the middle of a secret Grineer research base on Luna during a Tenno assault." Mitchell corrected Li with a sigh. "Open the secure hangar –praying that the codes we were given work-, power up a ship none of us have seen, then we take off –through all of the Grineer space forces that are no doubt already closing in response to the attack-, and finally evade pursuit long enough to get to Corpus controlled space."

"Yep." Li said with a laugh. "Sounds like fun."

"You have a peculiar definition of fun." Mitchell complained, but his heart wasn't in it.

"You need to have something big to keep the executives from downsizing you as soon as you show your face." Li was trying to be reasonable. "The story is they captured you and brought you back here for interrogation and subsequent execution. You broke out during a Tenno raid…"

"Of course." Mitchell said, putting a hand to his armored forehead. He forgot about the visor and his gauntlet clanked off the plastiform armor. "After all, someone who has been tortured is just ready to run and fight…"

"Hush." Li wasn't stern, but she was in command and Mitchell hushed as ordered. "You got to the ship and escaped, using it's weapons to get clear. But you were hurt in the process…"

"Now… That I am uncomfortable with." Cora said heavily. "Mitchell… You know that injuries like that can kill? Even if I am careful about where I shoot… there is no guarantee that the bullet won't miss or ricochet or…"

"If I am not injured, they will ask more questions." Mitchell's voice was flat. "I don't like the idea of you shooting and then beating me. But I should be asleep for that."

"I don't like this." Cora said flatly. "It should be me going in. I know the Grineer. I was one."

"And you have legs." Li's voice was gentle. "That is an immediate giveaway that you were one of Regor's experiments."

"Besides." Mitchell said quietly. "There are only two seats in the bird. Me and Li. You can get back to the rendezvous with this shuttle. We will meet you once we shake pursuit."

"And if the bird has no fuel or weapons?" Cora queried.

"We hightail it back to where you will be waiting until we flee." Li replied. "If it does… As soon as you see us leave the hangar, you pull up near us, fire some shots and we 'damage' you enough so that you cannot chase us."

"Hopefully not enough to blow the shuttle out of the sky." Cora mused.

"Hey." Mitchell's sounded affronted. "I hit what I aim at."

"That is what I am worried about." Cora said with an audible smirk. Mitchell just sulked loudly and she nodded. "Arrival in ten. Get ready."

Li and Mitchell rose and unslung their weapons. Grineer would never walk into what was probably a battle zone with weapons slung. The tiny shuttle that they were on rattled a bit and then with a clunk, settled into place.

"Go!" Cora called. "Good luck!"

Mitchell and Li stepped out into bedlam. The entire hangar seemed to be filled with Grineer scurrying this way and that. Li look around once and then started off, her steps sure. Mitchell followed, his rifle ready in hand. Mitchell held his Grakata ready as he followed Li. Not that he really had much of a clue what to do with it, ground combat wasn't his thing. But Cora had been adamant that he have it ready at all times. Grineer always had their weapons ready. Li had a Vulkar sniper rifle in hand and carried it as if she knew how to use it. Maybe she did. Mitchell had no clue. They strode to a side hatch and left the hangar bay quickly.

It was nerve wracking, but nothing happened as they strode from the small hangar that Cora had dropped them in to another hatch a few compartments away. Alarms were blaring nearly nonstop but all of the Grineer they saw were moving with purpose. Li and Mitchell blended right in. Then Li paused at the designated hatch and Mitchell nodded, looking around as she keyed the hatch. He couldn't believe it. A pair of Elite Lancers were just watching Li input the stolen code into the terminal. Neither looked excited. Li glanced at the Lancers and they found something else to do as the door hissed open. Li and Mitchell stepped in and Mitchell went still as the door behind them closed and locked.

"Wow…" Mitchell stared at the sleek black aerospace fighter that was ensconced in the hangar. It was just as the holo had depicted it. Some equipment was scattered about and a few panels were open, but other than that, it looked fine. The ship fairly radiated speed, stealth and power. "That is one… gorgeous bird…"

"Work now, drool later." Li commanded and Mitchell jerked, but nodded. "Check the cockpit. I'll close the panels and check the readouts here." She nodded to a diagnostic station set up nearby and Mitchell nodded back.

Mitchell climbed up the ladder that led to the cockpit of the large fighter and took a moment to orient himself. Indeed, it was laid out like a Corpus fighter. The markings were all Corpus. The gauges and screens were all marked in the Corpus language. The Tenno had surmised that the Grineer had captured the fighter from the Corpus and from all indications that was true. Mitchell shook himself and then sat down in the pilot's seat. The controls were almost identical to his A-789. Throttle, flight controller, attitude controls that worked both in atmosphere and out, weapons console, fuel. He turned to where Li was working the console and raised a hand with a thumb up. Li waved and he started the preflight checklist. Again, it was essentially the same as his old fighter. More bits, but the systems were the same. That made sense. The Corpus was highly standardized.

Mitchell did not look away from the readouts as-

Identify.

The voice on the neural feed was cold and impersonal. It was also speaking in the Corpus language.

Oh dear…

Mitchell D29. Mitchell said quickly. Corpus squadron 8954A-09877H Fighter captured by enemies. Mission: Infiltration to recover company property from enemy hands.

Code. The computer system demanded. Mitchell gave it his ID code again and a series of codes that he had used when flying for the Corpus. The machine paused for a moment and then replied. Code…accepted. Orders?

Infiltration mission still underway. Mitchell replied. Beginning preflight. Status?

Enemy attempts to hack systems unsuccessful. If a machine could be smug, this one was. Fuel 100% Weapons 50%

Weapons readout Mitchell commanded and a screen lit up as another feed hit his skull. Mitchell winced and the computer… retreated.

Gunpods online, missile pods not loaded. Pilot damage? It asked. Was it concerned?

Neural feeds… incorrectly applied. Mitchell replied. I serve the Corpus. He jerked as a helmet appeared from a compartment over his head. It hung by a set of wires.

Pilot welfare priority one. The ship said quickly. Helmet backup feeds. Less strain. Straps secured him gently to the seat. It was much more comfortable than the seat in his A-789 had been.

Thank you. Mitchell said as he tore the ill-fitting Grineer helmet off and threw it aside. He pulled the Corpus helmet down ad it snugged over the armor, hissing as it made a full seal. Consumables report?

Life support fully charged. Systems fully initialized. Awaiting orders. The ship sounded eager. We serve the Corpus.

You are… aware. Mitchell said slowly. Designation?

This unit is NightNova. The fighter replied. This unit was designed to augment Corpus systems. To protect Corpus interests. Query: No information on type of craft? The machine now sounded suspicious.

This unit was designated for downsizing. Mitchell said softly and the machine withdrew a bit. This unit survived. This unit does not wish to be downsized. This unit wishes to serve. This unit was captured and escaped with assistance and wishes to release NightNova unit as well.

This does… not compute. The fighter replied. It sounded…uneasy. You are Corpus pilot. You serve Corpus. Why downsize?

Unknown. Mitchell shrugged. Possible Clergy activity. The fighter seemed to shudder and Mitchell could relate. Query? Retreat and converse in safer location? Current Location, Grineer base.

Understood. The ship replied and the engines sprang to life. Systems coming online. One other lifesign detected. Oddities detected.

Female in Grineer armor is ally. Mitchell said as Li spun and then started for the ship. Designation, Li. Former prisoner, unable to link neurally. Li jumped up and into the cockpit but froze as a voice sounded. Trained radar operator.

"Welcome aboard, radar operator Li." The ship said courteously.

"Um?" Li asked as she dropped the Vulkar beside the seat and sat. She jerked as straps engulfed her. "Are we making new friends?"

"The ship is self-aware, Li." Mitchell said with a sigh. "NightNova, systems check?"

"I…see, Mitchell D29." Li said as she hit controls of her own. "Filthy Grineer were going to start cutting the ship up today. We were just in time."

"This unit is appreciative of the rescue." NightNova replied. "Orders?"

"We have another ally in a shuttle nearby, NightNova." Mitchell said as the canopy closed. "She took a great risk to get us to you. We need to damage her shuttle, but not enough to cripple it. Query: is this possible?"

"Damage ally?" NightNova asked and then paused. "Ah, to keep deception so ally can escape. Query: Type of ship?"

"Shandas class personnel shuttle. Squawking 1867D43." Li said, checking the radar. "She should be very close outside."

"Shandas class…" The computer sounded distracted. "Verified. Gunpods at 20% power will scorch hull and cause armor damage, but will not penetrate to vital systems. Query: Good enough?" The ship asked. Was it being sarcastic?

"Good enough, NightNova." Mitchell grinned. "Let's get the hell out of here. Li, did you get the door?"

"Forty seconds…crap!" Li cursed. "Grineer!"

The hatch they had entered had opened and a dozen forms in armor hurried in. They immediately opened fire. Other armored forms were hurrying in and not all of them had light weaponry.

"Shields!" Mitchell called and the ship was surrounded by blue energy. "Report?"

"Shields holding." NightNova replied. "This unit…dislikes these filthy brutes."

"That makes three of us." Li's voice could have dried a river as the Grineer fire bounced off the shields. "Once clear we can set rendezvous with allies. But first we need to get clear." She went still as a huge orange armored form appeared in the door and shoulders his way into the hangar. "Double crap! Ruk! And he has Bombards with him!" A missile slammed into the ship's shields. Then another.

"This is getting annoying, NightNova." Mitchell said quietly. "Weapons authorization?"

"Weapons at your control, pilot." The ship replied and Mitchell's expression was feral as he hit the controls. The front of the ship glowed as a pair of heavy plasma guns suddenly came to life. The few Grineer that had taken cover in front of the ship suddenly broke and ran. The guns fired and the entire bay lit up. The bay wasn't big enough for the long fighter to turn, but the Grineer that had been in front of the ship were ashes. Many of the Grineer who hadn't been in front of the ship were pawing at their faces, blinded by the superhot flash of energy. Ruk fled through the door which slid shut and locked as red lights started to flash. Then the armored forms were flying out the gap between the doors into space.

The hangar door opened completely and multiple Grineer ships were visible through it. As soon as the Grineer saw the ship, they started firing. NightNova rocked.

"Where is she?" Mitchell snapped as he started returning fire. "If she doesn't shoot at us, they will kill her."

"Squawk code identified." NightNova said quietly and a box appeared around of the closest shuttles. "Weapons powering to 20%." Mitchell smiled as his guns fired and the shuttle was suddenly careening away.

"Repower and let's get the hell out of here!" Mitchell commanded as he slid the throttle forward. The black fighter's sudden burst of acceleration took the Grineer completely by surprise. He took a couple more shots, careful to damage and not destroy enemies, but more were crowding in now.

"Incoming communication." NightNova announced. "Do you wish to hear?"

"Sure, why not?" Mitchell snorted as he turned the ship on it's side and slid between two heavy Grumush class fighters. Both of them turned, still firing and hit each other. He smirked as both exploded in his wake.

"Thieves!" An irate female voice sounded. "You will not escape."

"Well, considering you stole it first…" Mitchell sounded interested. "I am curious. Can you rob a thief?" Li chortled at his joke.

"You will die!" The female voice snarled. "You will die screaming. Your death will take days!" She sounded as if she was about to start frothing at the mouth.

"Well, Dearie…" Mitchell laughed. "You are not the first to threaten me with that, and you won't be the last. And frankly… You have to catch me first." He pushed the throttle to the stop and the mass of Grineer ships were left behind as if they were standing still. "Cut channel."

"Do you know who you just insulted?" Li sounded halfway between awe and laughter.

"A stupid Grineer female?" Mitchell retorted. "Cause that was fairly obvious."

"That was one of their queens." Li lost her battle and started laughing. "You just called one of the Grineer queens… 'Dearie'…"

"Well, I hope she doesn't take it as a term of endearment." Mitchell said with a smirk as the NightNova activated it's stealth systems and vanished from the sky. "I do not want a date with one of them."

Li's laughter matched Mitchell's as the ship slid away from the hornet's nest of enraged Grineer.

"We have time now, Pilot Mitchell D29." NightNova said as they slid out of Earth Space, heading towards the outer Solar System. "Your… assistance was appreciated. This one had no pilot. The Grineer took this unit from its hangar at the Neptune R&D facility and this unit had no ability to defend itself without a pilot." Mitchell heard Li stiffen, but she did not speak.

"You helped us too, NightNova." Mitchell scanned the readouts, but nothing had changed. None of the Grineer could detect the ship. And even if they could? Nothing they had could catch it.

"Why were you being downsized?" NightNova asked, concerned. "You are…skilled." It complimented him.

"Thank you." Mitchell said with a smile that faded. "Frankly, I don't know." He admitted. "My squadron leader told me that the squadron was being replaced with robotics. All the others died."

"That does not compute." NightNova replied. It sounded uneasy. "Human interaction with machinery allows for considerable advantage. Hardware versus hardware, the more advanced will win. Human…inconsistencies defy prediction by even the most sophisticated AI."

"In other words, we make mistakes." Mitchell said easily. "When… When were you activated?"

"This unit was activated shortly before the invasion of Phobos." NightNova replied. "This unit was designated as an advanced prototype. But there will be no others."

"What?" Mitchell asked, concerned.

"This unit was created with materials that are not available anymore." NightNova replied calmly. "This prototype is the only one of it's kind that will exist. The facility that this unit was created in, where the advanced materials were fabricated, was destroyed by the Grineer as this unit was dragged away by their tugs."

"Your birthplace…" Mitchell said softly. "Why didn't the Corpus try to recover you? I mean, they had to know where you were if I could find out."

"Unknown." NightNova replied. It sounded uneasy. "This unit… is afraid."

"Me too." Mitchell said softly. "Well…" He said, stretching as best he could in the straps. "When my squadron was downsized, one other survived. I do not know how. I need to discover why it happened and what happened to my squadron leader."

"This unit will aid you, pilot Mitchell D29." NightNova replied. "Rest. It is a long flight to Neptune."

"NightNova…" Mitchell said, a sinking feeling suddenly coming to the fore. "We are rendezvousing with another ship at Mars. The shuttle we damaged, to let Li off."

"The Corpus will not harm the wounded Tenno. They will not learn what she is from this unit." NightNova said quietly. Li stiffened and NightNova's voice was gentle as a hissing filled the cockpit. "Sleep."

Mitchell was grabbing for his weapon as the gas overwhelmed him and he fell unconscious. Was it his imagination that NightNova spoke?

Diamondbacks forever.