Edge: Over the Wall
Solaris stood, surrounded by her fellow Cabals, in one of the Callidus's many cargo bays. Anticipation made her bounce on the balls of her feet, but unease made her fingers cold.
They were waiting for the 16th and 18th Legions to allow them to board their cruiser.
Though she didn't expect to see anyone she knew, Solaris was sure other Infantrymen would recognize her. Almost two months since her accidental reveal in the gymnasium on Cipritine, and turians had long memories. They surely wouldn't have forgotten. The whole of both the Cabals and the barrack's forces had been in attendance. Solaris remembered in vivid detail the looks on each of her friends' faces and the general expressions of disbelief all around.
She silently hoped they weren't promoted or transferred to this mission; for both their safety and her own selfish comfort.
There was a loud bang followed by a series of clicks and squeaks as the Infantry cruiser docked with the Callidus. The Captain and the Kabalim, who were standing at the forefront of the congregation, looked tense; the Captain especially.
Solaris mused about Brevelin having enemies in awkward places. Wouldn't be hard for him, that's for sure. But before she could ponder it any further, the airlock to the docking tube popped open with the hiss of pressurized air. She jumped at the sudden noise, and then berated herself for overreacting. What am I so anxious about? I am a soldier and a Cabal… I shouldn't fear anything.
Despite the mental self-reassurances, the stabs of doubt continued to plague her as the Captain issued the go ahead to proceed inside. Solaris glanced behind, catching Max's eye. He matched her speed and walked beside her; gently grasping her hand to comfort her. He knew what she was feeling. He always did.
Together, they advanced into the cruiser, which seemed tiny compared to the Callidus. Two turian guards in full Infantry gear stood to the sides of the docking tube, shooting the lot of them distrustful glares. Solaris ignored it the best she could, but she couldn't help but feel betrayed. The Infantry had been her job, her coworkers had been her family and being a soldier was her life.
Inside the cruiser, it looked much the same to the Callidus, albeit in a very small-scale manner. The whole cargo bay seemed cramped with stuff; from crates to ATV's to planet rovers. Four serious-looking turians stood beyond the two guards, each one decorated. Two Generals and two High Commanders… isn't that a bit of overkill? Solaris thought, raising a brow ridge. She wondered at the presence of extra senior staff members. Was it a show of superiority? A reminder that the Cabals work for them?
She shook herself mentally, tearing her gaze from the approaching turians to stare out over the cargo bay. Various people milled around, some carrying data pads, others welding gear. They appeared to be hard at work, but they often gawked openly at the whole assembly of Cabals within their midst. Solaris smiled when she thought of her own reaction to the Cabals when they came to Cipritine. She must've looked just as comical.
One of the Generals, the one with almost black plates and stark white tattoos, started to speak to Brevelin and the Kabalim.
"Greetings, Captain Brevelin and company. We welcome you to the TSF Sentis," he said in a moderately high voice as he inclined his head. The gesture seemed condescending, and from behind, Solaris watched the Captain's back tense up.
"Greetings to you as well, General Apollo," he nodded to the arrogant turian, "and General Kiryk. Won't you introduce me to your companions?"
The other General, Kiryk responded, "These are the High Commanders Cato and Agorix." Kiryk seemed way more amiable than Apollo did.
The Captain, in turian tradition, extended greetings to them. However, General Apollo turned on his heel and commanded them to follow, without ever asking the Kabalim's names. Even his companions seemed surprised. Solaris observed Max's lip curl in disgust as the General strode away.
"What a prick." he said under his breath. She nodded, gritting her teeth. With that act, Apollo had gone against tradition and had basically announced his disrespect for Brevelin, and by extension, the Cabals in general. It was the height of folly and rudeness to do so. Every rational turian knew that.
Slowly brewing an extreme dislike for this General Apollo, Solaris followed Max and the other Cabals toward a lift. It was very small, so they had to break into groups. The whole process seemed to take longer than necessary and it was making her twitchy. She just wanted to get this damn meeting over with and smash the NCG back into whatever dark hole they crawled out of.
When the whole of the Cabals reached the briefing hall aboard the Sentis, they found it full of Infantrymen already. Almost every seat was taken. Solaris, Max and her teammates, who were unable to find anywhere to sit, chose to stand at the very back of the room.
As she strode behind Max, she looked out over the sea of faces that seemed to be trained on them. Solaris was beginning to feel relieved when she didn't observe anyone she knew really well.
Until she spotted them.
Of course. Right smack in the middle, Draeda, Raphael and Caelius sat staring at the progression. Draeda locked onto Solaris with her uncommon bright green eyes, recognition and something else sliding across her reddish features. Was it relief? Happiness at seeing an old friend? She couldn't say for sure. Raph and Caelius hadn't spotted her yet, much to her satisfaction. They would not be as accepting as Draeda; unless she had convinced them to relinquish their bullheaded opinions about the Cabals, but that seemed highly unlikely.
Solaris tore herself from her friend's gaze and turned her attention to the center of the room. The Captain, the Kabalim and the two Generals with their companions stood trying to rein in the excited murmuring that had broken out. Once silence consumed both the Cabals and the Infantry, General Kiryk began to speak.
He talked about many things, mostly details concerning the plan for the upcoming attack on the NCG. He divided everyone into their respective teams and assigned them to different transports. Solaris was on the first transport, Max the third. She gave him a reassuring smile, but he wasn't convinced of her safety.
The other General chimed in, and Brevelin addressed them last.
The plan was complex, and would have to be drawn out over at least two weeks so the NCG wouldn't get tipped off. Six groups were being used; each with different orders. Solaris's group was fifteen strong, with seven Cabals and eight Infantrymen. Gaius, Mari and Titus were the only turians she knew of the fifteen. Their instructions were infiltrate the base from the south side using the maintenance shafts. They were to avoid detection at all costs and to disable any security systems in place. Then, they would go deeper into the facility, taking out some of the high ranking officials and searching for captives. The team would then, with the survivors, meet up with the fifth squad for evacuation. Get in, get out. Simple; or so it seemed.
With the joint briefing at a close, Brevelin and the Kabalim led their charges back to the Callidus. Solaris was glad. Staying aboard the cramped quarters of the Sentis seemed unsavory compared the spacious rooms of the Cabal dreadnought. Max trudged ahead of her, winding his way back to the bunkroom. He seemed to be getting more and more distraught as time ticked down toward the mission. Solaris knew it was because they had to be separated, but the plan seemed fool proof so long as everyone kept quiet.
Max hit the holo and spun on his heel to face her as the door shut behind.
"Can I try something?"
A bit taken aback, Solaris only nodded.
"Lower your barriers please, Sol." He said, his eye boring into her with a fiery intensity.
"Barriers? What do you-"
"Mental barriers. I… Well, I guess it's selfish, but I want us to familiarize ourselves with each other's minds. Just for safety's sake. That way, we can stay in contact." Max sighed, abashedly rubbing his neck, "I just… I want to keep you safe."
Solaris gave him a look, but lowered her barriers anyway. She felt exposed, like anyone who fancied it could run through her thoughts with impunity.
Max closed his eyes in concentration, and Solaris felt his presence around her head. Suddenly nervous, she concentrated on the floor and tried to shut him out.
She heard him sigh.
"Maybe if you reached out to me it would work better." he suggested.
"How do I even do that?" Solaris murmured, feeling silly.
"Just open your mind and concentrate towards where I'm standing. It's honestly easier than it looks."
Following his advice, she closed her eyes and pushed outwards with her consciousness. It was a very strange feeling as she met with some resistance, like rubber bands that kept her in. Feeling a bit frustrated, she shoved against it until it broke away.
Suddenly, she felt the presence of so many different minds; the glow of their life force bright in her mind's eye. Inching her way forward in this strange landscape of glowing, pulsating minds, Solaris felt a very familiar one. Max's, of course. His barrier's were down, exposing the churning of his thoughts to the outside world. She reached for his glow, and again met resistance. But it was weak, and she pushed through it easily.
Max's mind was so alien, yet so familiar to her. She felt uncomfortably close to him, like their naked souls were entwining in strange and wonderful ways. Amid the swirling patterns of his thoughts came a strain of wild yet melancholy music. Every note seemed to describe him; his personality, victories, failings, all in equal measure. It sounds so sad… Solaris thought.
Are you judging me? Came Max's voice from the depths. Solaris started, and felt a strange shift in his emotions. The previous worry was overlapped with amusement.
I'm sorry… This is so strange… It's like a different world in here. She said uncertainly.
Yes it is very foreign at first, but once you get used to brain tapping, it is a very useful means of communication. Max said, the amusement dwindling out to reveal a plain, draining anxiety.
What are you so worried about? I am perfectly capable of defending myself. You know that. Solaris stated emphatically.
I know, I know… but… The color of his emotions shifted once more, something dark and mysterious that she didn't like. But Max brushed it aside, like it had never existed.
What is it…? She asked, a gnawing fear beginning to take over. It must've seeped over their link, because Max's thoughts shifted again.
It's nothing… I've just never cared so much for someone and then watched as they marched headfirst into battle. It's very unnerving. He said, a shiver running up his spine.
Solaris pondered that for a moment. Yes, she was a bit concerned for Max's welfare, but had faith in his abilities. He was no weakling, that's for sure.
Thank you for the compliment. Max sounded amused again.
Ugh this is crazy… I am thinking what I'm saying, but at the same time, I can't think privately. She shook herself like a stray dog shaking off water and just listened for a moment to the melody whispering in Max's mind.
After a moment, she felt Max walking up to her and folding her in his arms.
You leave tomorrow, early. Let's make our time count.
Solaris didn't need to verbally respond. She acquiesced with a flick of thought, but still ruminated on Max's worry.