It was by sheer luck that Nor had escaped the curious nature of the Tenno, but that was, for the time being, an issue to address later as he sat down in his quarters and breathed before he reach over to a data pad that he often keeps and turned it on, typing out a entry to the device. 'Today is the first day since the Felguard's massive evacuation that I script out my thoughts once more, free for a moment to think and catalogue my opinion.' He nodded as he made another line. 'While my initial desire was to remain among Mercury's many asteroids and bases, I find that the arid landscape and textures of Mars has a better challenge in mind for me, while we are initially unable to construct Galleon-class vessels at the moment, my aides and I have engineered another, a Caravel-class ship that would serve as a lighter, more fighter-based attack vessel and that will suffice for ships to ferry us when our Galleons falter.' He thought about it before he continued. 'While the idea of more diverse ships and vessels crosses my mind for the time being, I believe that the Caravel will be our mainstay until we can construct a far stronger craft to serve as our command ships.'
He nodded as he continued on to the infantry that they had created. 'As well as these new thoughts and ideas, such have also been organized and formed as I have overseen the development of the new infantry known as the 'Footman', a strengthened Butcher who wields a weapon that I have termed a 'chainsword', the basic gist being that we had removed the heating coils of the Machete and installed the Cleaver's buzz saw capabilities to the weapon, giving it a longer reach, but it was, incidentally, further improved for myself as the machinery revved quicker and can slash through our most durable armor of Alloy Plate, a concern if my Heretek had never explained that our archives are safely secured away from peering eyes. The Footman proves to be quite the advancement, but they are few so far, as is our resident 'Daemon', a titanic Grineer soldier whose hands can destroy mere armor and robotics as he can wield weapons that rank among the Archwing weapons, I would be worried if they didn't grant loyalty and respect to my command.'
'This is not the end as we have also constructed mechanized suits of Grineer armor and machinery that we have termed 'Exoframes', the debates still linger on the name and purpose, but among my trusted allies, one had to be confined in the cold tomb of a 'Vanguard', our first combative Exoframe whose weapons are quite the range of tools along with its clasps that can crush barriers of hardened Alloy Plate, the same said about our 'Servitor' worker Exoframes as these can lift and carry heavy duty materials that would require a vehicle transport or Galleon air drop, though they suffer from the same defaults that standard Dredges suffer from at times, but it is not too worrisome, but these Grineer... willingly or were engineered to be, were confined in these metal holds and I find myself... pondering the course of action we will take for them, will they remain within the armor or could we proceed in advancing this new form of combat and routine for them to live among us again.'
'For now, this is a minor series of journals that I will read and write within as the days come, and so ends the first entry of the Free Felguard Army.' He finished and saved the file before putting the data pad down and looking forward as he breathed, it was not a problem as he could postpone the later advancements for when the Felguard was properly readied up, but for the moment, he lifted another data pad before transpiring another note in his mind. 'Wraith, is it possible to draft up designs of large-scale ships that could match the strength and firepower of Corpus Obelisks?' This was not the most ideal way to inquire as he could just speak to Wraith on the matter, but for the time being, he was willing to search about the base and identify anything that could be addressed so he closed the pad and marked it for address as he stood up, armored up, and wandered the base as he looked about, the number of soldiers having increasing considerably as he pressed on, passing an idle Trooper and stopping, turning to see that the Trooper was holding a data photo, unaware of Nor as he walked over and looked, it was the Trooper and a shy-looking Ballista and the Trooper sighed without his helmet before Nor spoke. "Friend of yours?" This prompted a reaction as the Trooper yelp, accidently tossing the device into the air, fumbling to catch it when Nor caught it instead, looking at the photo before returning it as the Trooper started with a salute.
"Sir, I was not expecting you!"
"At ease, soldier, you have done nothing wrong." The hand fell as the device was lifted before it was put in one of the sockets on the Trooper's armor.
"Her name is Yem Thum, she was a training partner of mine when I was first cloned, her humble and meek demeanor... was not looked upon well, but she excelled in strikes... now she... works with the enemy..."
"I see..." Nor hummed to himself before he smiled under the mask. "Then, let's see what we can do, do you have anything that we could use?" The Trooper looked up, hope filling his eyes before he coughed and spoke.
"Her last location was among the ruins of a Grineer outpost, I also have reason to believe... that she was taken by the Corpus and, with her alliance with Tenno forces, they may try to rescue her first." Nor nodded as he debated the idea before smiling. It would be an optimal chance to use the Heretic Raider for its further combat tests and, if its speed surpass that of the Corpus relief vessels, then its role as a 'strike cruiser' has become a true staple of the Felguard. He nodded as he headed to the hanger for the operation, intent on using a small force to strike and disrupt the Corpus operation, wherever they may be, his mission spreading through the base before they departed, the Heretic Raider now armed with a shield generator...
Nor watched as the void travel passed by before the Heretic Raider warped into a battlefield, the ship shaking as Nor turned to the Mind in control and the mechanical-organic voice spoke. "Commander, small Tenno Fleet engaging with Corpus forces in orbit, communications currently jammed from exterior array aboard Tenno Carrier." Nor glanced and started the sleek texture of the Tenno-obtained ship, its origins slightly removed to represent the Tenno cause, but with that the fact, it was impossible for the Tenno to be attacking a Corpus force right now, though his opinion changed when he spotted four Galleons bearing the mark of Steel Meridian, the renegade Grineer supporting the Tenno as they fought against two Obelisk-class Assault ships, since the Corpus mainly use their vessels for trade and cargo. He knew what happened beforehand, the Tenno jump out of the void and assault a sole Obelisk, but the attention draws another into the fray, turning the winnable conflict to a stalemate, both sides holding strong, but since one of the Obelisk was damaged to sustained fire beforehand, it had to support its ally from some distance back, he scanned the battle with his eyes and knew... there was not going to be a sure victory, it was only a matter of time before another Obelisk comes and the joint force would be wiped out, soldiers having lost their lives in vain. "Commander, search perimeters place captive rogue Grineer planet side of Venus, order to proceed?" The option to just sneak in and take the prisoner satisfied the logical side of Nor's mind, but he was curious, he had seen how the Raider's cannons and guns tore through the proxy fighters, how they did little damage to a large-scaled vessel, but he wanted to just hit the Corpus where it hurt on the ships, perhaps his more aggressive side before he inquired, turning his head to the Mind.
"Order belayed, new order in effect, target frontal Obelisk weak points."
"Order in question, mission parameters illogical for main objective." Nor smirked a little, how the mechanical Mind seem to be at a loss, that meant questions and questions were good for the time being, he really had to catch Wraith up on the programing and training.
"Order not illogical, crippling the Corpus vessels will also open up on new possibilities, if the Caravel's weapons can damage a Corpus vessel at the right points, then the Caravel can succeed in hit-and-run maneuvers against large vessels."
"Order... compiled and accounted for, beginning attack run on hanger bay." The Caravel soared through the vacuum of space, some of the cannons turning to meet the approaching vessel, but its speed and turning ability gave the cannons much more trouble through a ramming target as the Mind spoke again. "On approach vector of Obelisk hanger bay." Nor watched as the Caravel came closer and closer, the defensive cannons not lining up for the shots before Nor commanded.
"Focus available port weapons along the vector." The series of firepower that riddled the hull wouldn't have cause too much damage, but upon entering the hanger, the firepower's effect increased tenfold as the inside started to erupt in electrical surges, explosions, and power losses as the Caravel continues its barrage into the ship, ripping it from the inside out as its hull also bursts in its fiery glory as the other tried to escape, but the Meridian Galleons give it no quarter, finishing what they had started while the Heretic Raider descended to the planet below, taking to a narrow canyon to hide as Nor stepped out through a maintenance hatch and looked about, a small squad of Lancers and Troopers following his lead as he called for order.
"I want three squads of eight readied up, we will be striking at the Corpus outposts until we uncover the whereabouts of the Meridian operative, under no circumstances are we to kill the operative once they are found, any Corpus forces are free to eliminate, but don't waste time with too many stragglers, we are on a time frame."
"As you command, Commander!" The soldiers readied up as the Caravel ascended and positioned itself so that the attacking squads can get off the ship with ease with the dropped ramps before they rushed out, assaulting the Corpus outposts with ease as, thought the Corpus have the advantage of being in bases that they are familiar with, the Felguard Grineer had training, advanced genetics than standard soldiers, and fury that could not be denied as they tore through the troops and the robots as Nor accessed the mainframes as best as he could, ultimately learning that the prisoner was moved to the outer edge of a series of outposts known as 'The Contribute', meaning that they had to search those perimeter bases for the prisoner as the Steel Meridian Galleons started their assault over the planet, though their battle was more defensive as the bases reacted back in attack. The squads continued in their search as the battle blasted across the icy domain, Nor making a note in the data interface to prep arctic gear for more durable soldiers as the freezing temperatures was starting to get to the troops, it was not good to see the cold temperatures start to develop on their armor and his armor was no exception as he had to brush off the early states of frost and ice from his armor, their only comfort being in the bases as they paused once in a while before Nor worked to pinpoint the prison block where they were holding Yem Thum, getting the exact location being close by, the site was under heavy anti-orbital defense, meaning that any aerial assault was impossible to commit, but a small squad by land was something they would never expect for the way through was understaffed in guards from a slight miscalculation in troop movement.
'This will be an interesting incursion to say the least.' Nor lead the troop through the caverns and stopping the Corpus from raising the alarms for inside the outposts themselves, a daunting task as the personnel were already alarmed by the sudden attack and moved to repel it. They soon arrived to the prison area and Nor wasn't too shocked to see Wardens patrolling about in fanatic concern, leaving the Felguard little time to engage the Wardens and route them out before Nor started to access the Corpus mainframe, opening up the main section before searching the cells for their target. Soon, they found her, her appearance rather still in one piece as some Corpus techniques were rumored to tear at a prisoner's subconscious. "Pick her up, we'll get her checked over at the command ship." Two Troopers followed the order as they lifted the unconscious solder as Nor turned to the other members. "We need to clear a path back to the ship, cut through any Corpus forces that dare to halt our progress, weapons hot." They all nodded as they charged back down the passage, the inbound Corpus standing no chance as they were shot down from the distance and Nor cleaned up the remainders so that no one could attest of what happened, even shutting down the security system before they even entered the series of outposts. They pressed on and took the prisoner to the Caravel as the ship itself lifted off and headed to the void beyond the clouds as the sweep was called off in the presence of more intense firepower, none the wiser as to the prisoner's whereabouts...
Yem Thum stirred to a different room and she grimaced as its texture was Grineer as the cell door opened to a Heavy Gunner, problem being she was a tad larger than normal as she started off, not removing her mask as she started to handle a Sheev that was sitting close by. "So, what's a valued member of Steel Meridian doing so far from her 'traitor' legion?" Yum reminded quiet in defiance, but her seating was soon impaled, inches from her neck as the blade ignited as the Gunner... just radiated pride. "The Commander has put your life in my hands, he can understand if you are left a bumbling fool when I am through with you, we don't exactly have any interrogators on hand for this, so you may be left... in more pain than you want." Yem's eyes widened in fear as the heated weapon came closer before the room opened again and a Hyekka Master entered with her pets as she spoke.
"Young Gunner, this is not your place to engage in such a practice, let one of ancient blood tend with this one for now." The Gunner turned, pulling the blade with her as she gazed at the smaller figure, but yielded after a few seconds, placing the dagger in the elder's hands and stepped out, leaving the Master to turn back to the captive Ballista. "So zealous, this generation of soldiers, we serve the Empire, but among these fine soldiers, a general feeling of earning their place is among their beliefs."
"Let me go, I have nothing to give to you!" The Master lightly gripped the jaw as the Hyekkas growled as the Master spoke with a slight tone of joy.
"Ah, true that must be in your mind, but for us... knowledge is the most valued piece of our command, we don't depend on numbers to win this battle, you were a captured member of Steel Meridian, you would know reasonable leads among the system's hidden gaps, now, let's see what secrets you do carry." The dagger was left on the table as the door closed to the Master and her latest 'victim'...
Nor didn't need to pry into the old Hyekka Master's methods for the time being as he had willingly let her among the Felguard, her skills quite helpful as the Hyekkas that are in her services are starting to adapt to other, new masters. A precaution, but a careful one for if Gur Yule ceased to live, a possibility that was grave for she was coming to that age, no form of medical aid would be helping her in the long run, even the Animo injection seemed to have done far little in repairing Gur's condition. Nor shook his head as he turned his attention back to Wraith who had taken to developing an additional weapon, based on the Marelok. "Sir, based on your own skills and the idea of a new pistol among your peers and new members, I would like to suggest a more powerful, capable weapon then the Marelok."
"Go ahead, Wraith, explain your idea." The Heretek nodded as he displayed a base diagram of the weapon in question with Nor and Banshee gazing over it before the Commander hummed in question. "I am seeing a similar composition between this new 'Druk' and the Tenno's own Vasto series of pistol."
"Precise, sir, however, the Vasto will falter to this in terms of power, ammo capacity, and handling, but it comes with a higher recoil and its manufacturing cost will be high, but this will be prototyped by the Commander himself, so he can tell us what we could improve on." Nor didn't grimace on the matter as Wraith, perhaps motioned on the idea and making such a weapon, provided a Druk before Nor and let him take it off the mechanical hands as he looked it over, eight rounds of what he could only guess to be point-forty-four rounds that was merged with the Grineer tech and adjustments of custom crafting. The gun was hefty in his hand and a tad heavier than expected, but he disregarded it and the lack of a barrel for the moment as he spoke.
"Well, if I am to test this out, then there must be a target for me to hit, where are you proposing?"
"Indeed, a small outpost on the ridge has failed to report back to their commanders and there has been suspect elements of Corrupted involvement." Nor nodded as he held onto the Druk, lacking a holster to put it in, as he headed out into the sandy dunes and started to search as he headed into the desert and through the tunnels beneath the sands in search of the position before he came across it, spotting no sign of void taint in the area, but the soldiers that wandered about were ghoulish and sluggish, meaning that they could have succumb to their decay as he dropped down and readied his new weapon as he measured out the situation.
They were actively destroying any equipment that may be transmitted back to their commanding officers, but they were also avoiding killing each other as he searched for anything that could link them to anyone, but nothing, it was just an idle outpost as he ducked back down and breathed before standing up, stepping out to the soldiers shouting in their native language, but it was garbed with decayed voices. "First of all, you can not be doing that, you must be connected to your superiors, or this will be taken as an act of treason, or is that your plan?" Their answer came when they fired on him, he dodging to the side before he came up, knee planted, as he aimed and fired with one hand, the effect was immediate as the lead soldier's chest erupted in a burst of blood and armor as the round exited his chest and rang out on the ground as Nor got up and looked at his weapon before he smiled. "Now, will we have to continue this or will you bend?" Most of them surrendered as they dropped their weapons and dropped to the ground, but the more foolish still engaged Nor, but the power and strength was displayed once more as headshots left quite a mess and their ferrite armor just shattered to the impact as he continued into the base, the same reactions yielding to him as he took a moment, emptying out the canister of its used casings before he inserted a new clip and flicked the canister back into the weapon, he making notes on the performance that it was more adequate than the Marelok, it was designed as a more impactful weapon as it lived up to Wraith's own accounts and to Nor's understanding, but it was difficult to reload a single canister or cylinder, as Wraith would most likely rant about in weapon design, without a clip to reload with, it had to adapt a better way than that if it was going to see actual combat in the long term. "Time to introduce myself to the leader here." He entered the room and glanced about as he listened for anyone as a voice spoke.
"Welcome... Commander, your services here are not required for the true masters."
"I am not here for your petty struggles." Nor spoke in turn to the voice, keeping his eyes open to the darkness that yielded little at all unless he activated his night vision or suit lights. "You have been belaying Grineer comm channels for a while now and you are required to check in before the Empire sends a full regiment to this location.
"And when they do, they will see that I have dictated all of this to my true masters, not those simpleton mongrels, we shall be led by the Queens themselves and the Empire shall rule over all of the worlds!" Just his luck, an actual zealot to the Queen's existence, a member who has lost himself in delusions, but he gave no room for any more as he moved from the shadows, the hideous transformation apparent as his entire body was mechanized with two Grakatas attached for his left arm. "Now, die, foolish soldier!" Nor rolled out of the way as the mad clone laughed heartily for the kill, spraying his cover with volleys of rounds, and the Commander knew that moving out of the cover would open him up for termination. "You cannot hide, you cannot deny, the rule of the Queens will be the true meaning in our misguided empire!" Nor didn't question the fact that this Grineer had fired on him and nearly killed him, he was more interested in his words, maddened as he was, he was saying something... bizarre as the Queens, for the longest time, has been a moniker to use to command authority, a legend using the name of the Twin Queens to lead the Empire, but no one has been able to either trace the signals as they are transmitted from somewhere untraceable or gone searching for any form of betrayal as none of the commands has been false or without power. He was implying that they were real... alive, but if that were true, then it is clear that more had to be uncovered in the long run as he shouted.
"In the name of the Empire, treasonous dog, I sentence you to death!"
"Never!" The fire continued before a clicking sound was made, Nor smirking as he knew the sound too well, the sound of a clip running dry as he rolled out and, within a second, fired his Druk, nothing remaining of the foolishly soldier's head as the torso dropped to the floor with blood pooling out, Nor standing up as he stood in the blood, yet another death on his mind and it was part of his own kind that made the blow hard, but he breathed and stepped on past with a holstering of his weapon, looking about before he found the prison, glancing about before opening the doors, the sight not too pleasant as he called it in for the remaining soldiers.
"This is the new Commander, all troops regroup on the prison section and give the proper rites for the fallen." He shut the link off as he opened the final door and found a sobbing Tenno operative, the bodies of his dead allies lying near him as he legs were shot. In a way, Nor felt terrible, this was an abuse of prison powers, the former leader clearly was not honorable, as he crouched down and spoke. "I don't care what happens to you, but this is not proper, I am willing to take you with me, but you must promise, on your oath as a operative of the Tenno, that you will follow my commands, obey my decisions, but I also ask that you question me when my commands seem off, bad, or ill, are we clear?" The sob faded away as the operative looked at Nor and, without a pause, nodded his head as Nor returned it and helped the operative up, placing him against the wall as the soldiers gathered before him, pacing in front of them and gazing them down before he started. "There are severe conditions here, lack of proper military command, lack of communications with your superior officers, disregard for prisoners, wanton massacre of said prisoners here, now my first order of business is this..." Some of the soldiers gulped in fear as Nor step back and pointed to the prison. "Clean up that mess, I don't care if you are a soldier, a leader, or a forsaken Dredge, get that clean... now." The soldiers stumbled forward as they surged into the prison, leaving the operative alone as Nor called again, this time to his force. "This is Nor, get me a shuttle out here and medical supplies on the double, we have not just an idle thing, this outpost is considered treasonous and must be purged my way." He closed the channel as he grabbed the operative and helped him out as the shuttles soon arrived and the base was brought into the fold, the members also entering the force as they underwent a thorough background and testing period, the only method for them to redeem themselves in Nor's eyes...