Cassidy was facing away from Zero when he walked into the hangar. She was staring at the docked shuttles, a pair of holoscreens floating in front of her with the system readouts and repair status listed across them. She worked the controls methodically, efficiently, but without the usual rapid, playful dance of her fingers through the light panels.

Zero knew Cassidy's senses were as sharp as his own. She should have been aware of his presence before he even opened the hangar door. He was extremely disturbed to get within ten feet of her without any sign of realization he was there. "Sis."

She didn't jump, but Zero caught the slight hitch in her movements at the sound of his voice. "Hello, brother. I'm back." She kept working, not turning to face him. "I'm also busy running repairs. We'll need both craft fully capable for-"

"Stop it, Cassidy." Zero rested a hand on her shoulder.

"But Axton-"

"Axton was wrong to task you," Zero said firmly. "The repairs can wait."

Cassidy's hands trembled over the controls. "I don't want to walk away," she whispered. "What's waiting if I don't distract myself? Sorrow? Savagery? Fiery fury and reckless rage?"

Zero shrugged. "Works for most of us."

Cassidy didn't say anything for another few minutes. "I've never dealt with death," she finally said. Her voice was soft and pained. "I've seen countless kills in mom's memories, watched a multitude of murders in movies, read about any number of fictitious fatalities." Now she turned to Zero, her face streaked with misery. "I never knew being the survivor hurt more than being the slain."

To Zero's surprise, she threw herself against him, locking her arms around him in a vice-like embrace. "Don't die. I can't lose the last of my family."

Hugged twice in one day. This is becoming habit. Zero started to circle his arms around her, but broke off and awkwardly patted her back. Say something, moron. "I am eternal. Death will never capture me. My skills exceed his."

"Bold words, brother." Her arms tightened. "I'm sure Salvador thought something similar. I know Mom thought herself immortal."

"All teenagers do," Zero agreed. "I'm so sorry, Cassidy. You deserved more time."

Cassidy's grip slacked, and she took a step away. "I wish I had been with her," she whispered. "I want to rewrite the way it was. I want to save her."

"All wish for such things When they have lost someone close," Zero said gently. "But it's beyond us. What is important Is the action you take next." He stepped to her side and put his arm around her shoulder. "You know what she'd want."

"To live," Cassidy said, her voice turning fierce. "To not have died beneath the body of a bug. To play a part in what happens next, to smash the Order's system-"

"For you to let go."

Cassidy stiffened.

"Gaige was not about revenge," Zero said. "She was about fun. Life delighted her, Machines fascinated her, And battle thrilled her. She would not want you To fall to hate and loathing Now that she is gone." He looked at her tormented, grief-stricken face. "You're lucky, you know. The memories within you Are more than I have."

"They hurt," Cassidy whimpered. "I want to be able to watch them, but I also can't stand the thought of looking through them."

"Then wait for a time That you can take joy in them." Zero shrugged. "Or erase them all."

She jerked away from his touch, staring at him in horror. "Erase mother's memories?!"

"They're causing you pain," Zero pointed out. "Wouldn't it be easier If you removed them?"

"Easier, but not better!" Cassidy protested. "I don't want to delete my mom!"

"So you'll live with hurt?" Zero asked calmly. "With the constant pain of loss As your companion?"

"Yes!" She glared at him, fists working furiously. "I won't shy away from suffering if it means severing a part of myself! How can you seriously suggest such an action?!"

Zero crossed his arms. :] "I suppose I can't."

She stared at him, unblinking, eyes furious... and then her expression cleared. "You...you just..."

"Showed you how you really felt," Zero said. "At least about Gaige."

Cassidy sat heavily to the deck, hands propped up on her knees. "You're a bastard, brother." She glared up at him, but without much fire in her gaze. "There had to be a better plan than provoking me."

"There probably was," he conceded. "But I'm afraid 'comforting' Isn't a strong skill."

"Clearly." Cassidy sighed and stared at the floor. "I'm going to miss her."

"You're not alone there," Zero agreed, sitting next to Cassidy. "I suspect we always will, At least a little." :( "But for the most part, I'm glad I got to know her. She was a great friend."

The sat in silence for a time, the only sound the whirring of maintenance drones. "So what is waiting for me?" Cassidy finally asked. "Vengeance?"

"We do have to stop The Order's machinations," Zero said firmly. "And we'll need your help." He twirled his sword hilt around his fingers. "Whether that action Is justice, vengeance, murder... That depends of you." He rose and offered his hand. "But you're not alone. We will all undertake this Mission together."

Cassidy looked at his hand, then nodded and pulled herself up. "For the living," she said firmly. "We can mourn Mom and Salvador when we stop the Order's slaving."

:\ "It's more-"

The deck shuddered under Zero's feet, strong enough to set him staggering. A blare of alarms filled the air. "What is that?!"

Cassidy had already pulled up a small holoscreen. Her eyes skimmed over the sensor readings. "Some type of energy surge surrounding the ship!"

Zero's body tensed, his hand tightening on his sword hilt. "Has the Order come knocking?" }:] His voice was almost hopeful, his own desire for revenge surging at the thought of his lost friends. "Did they save us time?"

"It doesn't look like the Order," Cassidy said, confused. "I'm not seeing any ships. Let me fire up a video feed-" She broke off as the image flashed up, staring at the picture in disbelief. "What in all the worlds?!"

[One to go.]