Burning the Candle
Ash stands in the middle of the arena, Asher's armor laying in pieces in front of him. Ash closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
"Ready." Ash says to himself.
He holds out his right arm and the parts required to form the right gauntlet fly into place around his arm, followed by the rest of the armor need to cover that arm. Ash holds out his left arm and the same thing occurs again. He chuckles to himself before sighing.
'Asher, send them all.' Ash orders.
The parts required to form the left leg launch next, Ash raising his leg so it can properly form beneath his feet. He does the same for the right. The torso of the armor is launched next, the crotch and upper chest forming before the abs and lower back are filled in. The helmet expands from within the torso armor, completing his armor. All the gems flash brightly before staying as a solid glow.
"You know," Cora calls from nearby, "You never did tell us what that armor is."
Ash turns to her and sees the rest of Team SCCI with her.
"Because I don't know." Ash partially lies, "All I know is that it's tied to my Semblance and is powered by these gems. I know I can channel my aura through the gems but that's it. Which is why I sent them to Providence to research."
"So it's basically an Aura Carapace?" Iris asks.
"Aura Carapace?" Asher repeats, "I like it."
"I guess." Ash agrees.
"Do you think I could use it?" Cataline asks.
"I'm pretty sure you're too small." Ash declares, "And the armor is directly tied to my Aura. So probably not."
"I could make modifications to the armor to allow others to use it." Asher states, "It's a possibility. But then you'd need to explain why the armor can change shape and color."
Ash sighs as he takes a step towards his team.
"Anything to report?" Ash asks.
"Cora wanted to know if you'd go with her to the dance." Iris teases.
"Shut up, Iris." Cora growls.
Ash merely crosses his arms.
"The General wants us on security for the Beacon Dance." Cora states, "Kismet believes that the enemy may use it as an opportunity to infiltrate the CCTS."
"Kismet believes the enemy plan on targeting the tower?" Ash asks.
"It's not a likely possibility due to the lack of evidence but there's also no evidence pointing to the contrary." Cora states.
"So we couldn't just be wasting our time?" Ash asks.
"Better safe than sorry." Cataline interjects.
Ash sighs as the Aura Carapace disengages.
"Has Laura submitted a mission plan?" Ash asks.
"She'd liked to know the limit on your Aura Carapace's flight capabilities first." Cora states, "She's thinking of having you watch from the sky."
"Flight takes a lot of Aura, but combine that with the improved durability of the Generation 3.5 Kavachas, I'll be able to stay in zero gravity and have pretty much infinite flight time." Ash says.
"I'll inform Laura." Iris says as she begins walking away.
"Even if the infiltrator is a member of the Flames of Destruction, we need them alive." Cora declares.
"I'm not making any promises." Ash responds, "But I'll try to keep them alive."
"Your helmet's arrived by the way." Cora states, "I'll send over the details on its new features so you can get accustomed to it."
Yang knocks on the door of Team SCCI. Ash is the one to open, wearing his Kavacha. The visor of his helmet is now completely transparent as apposed to it's former silver.
"Something you need?" Ash asks.
"Blake shouldn't be a problem anymore." Yang states.
"What'd you have to do?" Ash asks.
"I just explained what would happen if she kept pushing herself." Yang answers.
"We speaking from hypothetical or prior experience?" Ash asks.
"Prior experience." Yang answers.
Ash hums in response.
"Why are you in your armor?" Yang asks.
"Just getting used to some of the new features." Ash answers.
"I never got a chance to ask, but is your team going to the dance?" Yang asks.
"No." Ash answers, "We have some Providence business scheduled at that time. We just may get there late, who knows."
"Oh, okay." Yang says, "Hey, wasn't your visor silver before?"
Ash nods as he taps a button near the ear of the helmet, turning the visor into a matte black.
"New polarizing visor." Ash states, "Currently in testing. One of the few new features."
"Any other new features or are they classified?" Yang asks.
"Nothing of note." Ash says, his voice sounding like a near replica to Yang's.
"Woah..." Yang comments.
"Voice mimicking." Ash states, his voice now sounding closer to Ruby's, "Still needs work."
"Yeah, I could definitely tell you and Ruby apart." Yang comments.
"You wanna know the best part?" Ash asks, his voice sounding like Cora's, "The damn thing is broken and won't turn off."
Despite the obvious sarcasm, Cora's voice was projecting in a normal tone.
"And it can't detect tone..." Ash comments, his voice sounding like Ironwood.
"Are you changing it yourself or is it just random?" Yang asks.
"I'm just scrolling through voices until I figure out how to turn it off." Ash says, back in his own voice, "And I got it."
"I'm going to have so much fun with that." Yang says, "Think of all things we could get away with."
"And that's why you'd never be an Agent of Providence." Ash deadpans.
"Oh come on..." Yang complains.
"No, Yang." Ash orders.
"Fine." Yang relents with a pout.
Ash rolls his eyes as he grabs the door handle.
"If there's nothing else?" Ash says.
"There isn't." Yang says as she begins walking away, "I hope to see you at the dance. Ruby says she'll save you a dance if you show up."
"That's a lie." Ash states, his voice sounding like Penny's, "Oh you motherfu-"
In his attempt to fix the speaker, Ash accidentally mutes himself.
Cora enters the dorm room to see Ash removing the speaker from his helmet, his earpiece on.
"How's the helmet?" Cora asks.
"The voice changer is acting up." Ash states, "It detected and copied voices fine, can't detect tone or turn the fuck off!"
"Technology was always the thing that pissed you off." Cora comments with a smirk, placing her hand on her hip.
"I grew up outside the kingdom." Ash states, "The most advanced technology we had were guns, but they weren't even okay quality."
"So you got Carl on the line?" Cora asks.
"Yes." Ash answers, "You sure that it'll work this time?"
Ash waits a moment, for Carl to answer. He sighs as he swaps the earpiece with the helmet.
"Testing. Testing. One, two, three." Ash says, his voice sounding like Cora's.
Ash then taps a button on his scroll, disabling the voice changer remotely.
"Testing. Testing. One, two, three." Ash repeats, his voice normal.
"Did you have to copy my voice?" Cora asks, "Or is that just how much you think of me?"
"We're in our room." Ash responds to Carl's comment.
"Grow up, Carl." Cora groans.
"He says he's been in Providence since you were in diapers." Ash says.
"That's not true." Cora states, "You're one of the original third Generation agents, not one of the ones that were carried over from the second generation. I was there, don't forget that."
"He thought you were Cataline." Ash states, "Mic quality or something like that. Anyway, thanks for the help, Carl."
Ash taps his scroll and the removes his earpiece. Cora peeks over Ash's shoulder and watches as he examines his Kavacha's helmet.
"How's the new attachment points for my Kavacha?" Ash asks.
"You have too many weapons." Cora comments, "We've copied the design of your belts and have ways to attach all your weapons except Exousia. That one you're going to have to hold until your vambrace is modified to attach it. We can't modify it in time for the dance so Providence will create a whole new gauntlet. You know these Kavacha's are expensive? Each modification are thousands of lien wasted. The hardware and software have to be redone to make adjustments for all the space that's being repurposed."
"Relax." Ash comments, "It's the Council's money that's paying for it."
"The Council wouldn't like to know that they're screwed by their own agents." Cora teases.
"We're not their agents." Ash states, "Providence has full clearance to act individually from the Council and their military under the direction of Kismet."
"I've been here longer than you." Cora states, "You don't have to act like I don't know."
"Then don't make the mistake, Miss Perfect Soldier." Ash teases.
Cora groans in disgust.
"Please don't call me that." Cora requests, "I don't need you and Iris on my back."
"You two cannot get along can you?" Ash asks.
"She hates me." Cora complains, sitting down on her bed.
"She's scared." Ash corrects, "On that mission she saw both our dark sides. Not the best first impression."
"I guess." Cora admits, hugging her legs to her chest.
"You'll work it out." Ash assures, sitting beside her.
"I'm not worried about me." Cora states, "She's your partner. Have you even spoken to her? I mean without the rest of us present."
"No." Ash answers, "She's avoiding me."
"You should talk to her." Cora suggests, "She talks to me, even if it is riddled with insults."
"Sounds like fun." Ash comments sarcastically.
Cora punches Ash in the shoulder, wincing as she strikes the metal of his Kavacha.
"Don't be a dick." Cora chastises.
Ash chuckles as he places his hand on Cora's shoulder. She immediately leans into Ash's chest.
"If it wasn't for our mission, would you actually want to go to the dance?" Ash asks.
"It'll be a nice taste of normalcy." Cora says, "Like I said, I've been trying too hard. It would've helped me relax."
"Then go" Ash orders, "Iris, Cat, and I will deal with the security. We'll handle it."
"It wouldn't be fair to go without you three." Cora argues, "But if you're sure you can handle it..."
"It'll be fine." Ash assures, "Ironwood is also sending Atlesian soldiers as backup. I get some alone time with my partner and you get to live like a normal girl. Go have fun."
Cora gets up and hugs Ash tightly.
"Thank you!" She cries as she releases him.
Ash smiles as Cora leaves the room to tell Cataline and Iris. Once she closes the door, he begins removing his Kavacha and changing into his sleepwear.
Ash, Cataline, and Iris stand inside the Assault Container, all wearing their Kavachas. Ash has yet to put on his helmet and is checking his scroll for the plan.
"Iris will be stationed on this building." Ash states, "She'll have a full range of vision and easy access to the tower should she need to enter. Cat will be with the guards on the inside the tower to serve as backup should anyone get by and I will be watching from above."
Ash then grabs his helmet and polarizes his visor. As he walks to the exit, Cora enters the hold. She is wearing an off white, seamless dress with gold highlights that reaches down to her ankles and has matching heels. Around her waist is a light pink sash ties with a white rose.
"I just wanted to wish you luck." She says.
"We'll be fine, Cora." Ash states.
"I know you will." Cora responds, "But remember what I said. We want them alive."
"I won't kill or maim them." Ash says, "Now go already before I order you to suit up."
"Alright, I'm going." Cora states, "Good luck guys!"
"Try not to cheat on Ash!" Iris calls as Cora leaves.
"We're not in that kind of relationship." Ash states, "She's my friend."
"Only a fool friendzones himself." Iris teases.
Ash glares at Iris before putting his helmet on. The Aura Carapace then forms around Ash's body. He crotches down before jumping up, shooting into the sky. The operation has begun.
Sorry for the delay, it came to my attention that in my notes, there was no plan for Cora's dress. Rather then pull one out of my ass, I searched for a proper dress design.