June 12th -2155 - Noveria - Port Hanshan exterior
Isika and her teammates sat down on an outcrop above the port and surveyed it from above… or at least Uno did.
"Well Uno, see anything? Preferably an entrance?" Isika said, clutching herself. Even with her armour, and the enchantments on her hat, a blizzard was still not fun to stand in. And Jessamine's calm air bubble only did so much.
Behind her shades, Uno's glowing red eyes swept across the port. "Ventilation is a no go, at least for most of us. The ducts are small and terminate around the water features, the heating is mostly underfloor, You might be able to get in that way Ise, but not the rest of us. Hangar access is useless too, we'd have to go through customs."
"There appears to be a Garage, that has minimal guards, if we could shut off surveillance, we might be able to get in that way." Uno turned to Isika. "You up for some plumbing?"
"Well better then freezing my arse off." Isika said, "where's the nearest exterior vent?"
"Around the back, I'll guide you through, make your way to security, and shut down the cameras, then open the garage door for us." Uno said.
"It will be nice to get in out of the cold, at least temporarily. Haste may be required." Jesamine said.
"Got it, I'll be quick." Isika said.
A Turian security officer sat staring blankly at the security console, as the various feeds ran across the screens, not set to be relieved for about five hours in what was possibly the most boring job on an already boring station.
To be honest, he didn't even need to be here, the VI did most of the job, all he had to do was make judgement calls, and watch to see if there was anything the VI missed, which was never.
Because nothing ever happened around here.
Oh sure there were all the stories about all the nasty stuff that happened on Noveria, and maybe half of them were true, but none of it happened on Port Hanshen, that's for sure. At worst, you have someone drunk in the Hotel making a fuss.
If the pay wasn't so good, he would have seen if any of the mercenary bands were hiring. Pity neither of the big ones are big on hiring Turians. Not that he would join Blood Pack even if it were an option, but Eclipse would be a classy choice if they weren't so Asari and Salarian baised. Still, would be neat if there was a third option aside from being a pirate.
Unnoticed by the security officer, from one of the vents on the wall behind him, shadows oozed out, and ran down the wall.
It spread out until it resembled a silhouette, which quickly peeled away from the wall, becoming three dimensional, and eventually forming a young Asari in a large pointed hat.
Stepping forward quickly but quietly, Isika grabbed the back of the Turians chair and spun him around. "Sorry about this."
"Wha-" was all the surprised Turian could say before Isika brought their foreheads together as quickly as she could without accidentally headbutting him. Her eyes flashed black.
In less than a moment, the Turains eyes rolled back and he slumped in his chair.
'He dead?' asked Uno in her head.
'Just unconscious, he might taste colours for a few minutes after he wakes up. but he won't remember I was here. It will be like he fell asleep in his chair.' Isika thought back.
Isika sat on the unconscious Turians lap and quickly ran through the thoughts and memories she extracted. She shut down the security VI, and went about constructing a loop for the relevant cameras.
'Should be safe to approach the garage now.' Isika thought, as she tried to find any loopable footage. 'I think I can open the door from here, I'll be down to meet you once I'm finished.'
'We are already moving, just keep an eye on the exterior camera so you can let us in.' Uno replied.
'You know, I wish Ishi was in here instead of me, tech is not my specialty.' Isika mentally grumbled as she tried her best to make a convincing camera loop. 'I don't suppose Desida might be willing to swap us…'
"No chance Ise, you're on your own" came Desida's ethereal reply.
"Worth a shot." Isika grumbled out loud this time.
"It Really wasn't."
The others were chilling behind some crates in the garage when the shadow that was Isika slid across the floor, before welling up back into shape.
"Alright, we are in, now what's the plan?" Ishi said immediately.
They all turned to Uno, who already seemed to be giving it some thought, her eyes scanning the building.
"...As we are only gathering intel, I feel there are two effective avenues we can pursue here." Uno said after a pause. "One is to hit the port Administrators office, and raid his computer. If we can get Jesamine and Ishi across the room, they would be ideal."
"Easy." Ishi said, briefly activating her optical camouflage in demonstration, "Just get the door open for us and We'll do the rest."
"I see no problem with this course of action." Jesamine agreed. "What is the other?"
"The other is the old fashioned way, simply asking around, and is best handled by Isika." Uno said. "Her skin tone is a bit weird for an Asari, but provided she doesn't blatantly wander around and picks the people she approaches carefully, we might find out some interesting intel. And even if she is spotted, nobody will be able to link her to the Alliance."
"And what will I do?" Ika asked, although she already had an inkling as to what the answer was.
"Stay here and watch my back." Uno said, "We both know you are not cut out for stealth. Don't worry, there will probably be plenty to break later."
Ika sighed, collapsed her Helmet, and immediately pulled out her handheld.
"We'll try not to take too long." Ishi said sympathetically. If she wasn't also a tech expert with optical camouflage, she'd probably be in a similar position on this mission.
"At least we don't have to worry about anyone coming in." Isika offered. "Garage access is limited, and surface transport is restricted by the blizzard."
No one needed to ask how she got that information.
"By the way, did you see anything interesting on the camera's?" Ishi asked as the three active party members headed for the door.
"Lots. but I didn't know what was relevant to our mission." Isika said. "Stay on comms, I can always go back and check if you find anything worth looking for."
"Got it." Ishi said, as Isika dissolved into shadow once again, and dived under the door to the garage.
Ishi activated her optical camouflage over herself and Jesamine and stept through the door that opened for them.
Walking past a guard that seemed to be staring vacantly into space and drooling (no doubt Isika's work) and crept past some Turian guy loitering in the garage corridor, who seems to have acquired an Asari shaped shadow. It seemed Isika had already singled out her first target.
Isika had settled on this guy because he had the air of someone who 'just works here' and probably won't mind talking to an odd stranger about comings and goings.
"Good afternoon sir." She said, making the Turian jump.
"Spirits, where did you come from?" the Turian said, clutching his chest. Despite his shock, he was very soft spoken and had a surprisingly soothing voice.
"Sorry, about that." Isika said, "I just needed some questions answered, and you seem like a guy who has his ear to the ground… I'm willing to pay in credits too if it means this conversation stays between us."
The Turian blinked, looking Isika up and down, from her pale skin, her odd armour and cloak, to the black starburst paint on her crest and over her left eye (she had removed her hat, so as not to be too obvious to her affiliations), before relaxing. "Heh, alright I'll bite, what do you wanna know?"
"Nothing incriminating, just recent comings and goings, and anyone else who might be worth talking to." Isika said, mentally congratulating herself.
Administrator Anoleis was immediately on edge when the door to his office opened but no one walked through.
"Anyone there?" he asked, his eyes quickly scanning the room, before fixing on the door, one hand reaching under his desk and pickin up a pistol that was stashed there for emergencies.
"Let go of the gun."
Anoleis, to his own shock and horror did so.
"Who is-" he tried to say.
"Shut up."
Anoleis stopped talking.
"Stand up."
He stood up, his own will smothered by that commanding voice.
"Stand in the corner, don't turn around until I tell you too."
He did as instructed, rigidly marching until he stood in the corner like a naughty child.
When his back was turned. The pair uncloaked, and Ishi sat in the recently vacated chair, linking up her Wrist comp, and immediately started trawling through the computer's files. Jesamine stood behind her, but keeping one eye on her temporary thrawl, who still had his back to the pair
"Lets see here Binary Helix, Binary Helix…" Ishi muttered as her worms dug into the local hardware searching every nook and cranny. "Typical, they own about five Facilities in this sector alone."
"I just had a very enlightening conversation with a man by the garage. How's things on your end?" Came Isika over the coms.
"Fine, we are in the Administrator's office and the slice was childsplay." Ishi said, "We could really do with somewhere to start with though, Binary Helix is too big a net."
"Try Peak fifteen." Isika said. "That might get you somewhere."
Ishi did as instructed. "Ah, yep, Peak Fifteen. Binary Helix facility… recently went under Omega Alert? And has been completely cut off from the coms network. Seems suspicious."
"That's not all, apparently a Spectre went over just before they lost contact." Isika added, "Tela Vasir, if you could believe that."
"Who?" Ishi added, checking the Port logs.
"Right, sorry, you're not an Asari." Isika said sheepishly. "An Asari Spectre, that's pretty young by Spectre standards, and crazy strong. A lot of younger Asari look up to her… myself included."
"So she's affiliated with Saren?" Ishi asked.
"She could be part of the council investigation." Isika offered. "But probably not."
"Will you be ok?" Jesamine asked.
"I'll be fine." Isika said, although she sounded a little sad "I got new Heroes after all."
"Found her. Tela Vasir, acting on behalf of Binary Helix exec, Saren Arterius." Ishi said. "Sorry Isika."
"I'll be fine." Isika repeated.
"Not just her either. She apparently marched through with a veritable army." Ishi said, "Fully armed too, I guess being a Spectre opens doors."
"Probably some greased palms too." Jesamine added.
"Yikes, they even rolled out some IFVs and APCs. and that's not even counting the unmarked crates." Ishi said. "You are probably right about the bribes though, there's something fucky with this Anoleis guys accounts."
"Now look here-" Anoleis had temporarily regained control of his mouth.
"Shut up." Jesamine said again, silencing him once more.
"That info sounds useful. Especially considering who I'm meeting next." Isika said. "According to my new friend in the Garage, Anoleis is crooked, and is currently shaking down the Synthetic insights office, because the branch manager might have some dirt on him."
"You gonna talk to that branch manager?" Ishi said. "You sure that's safe?"
"Lorik Qui'in is his name, and apparently he might be receptive to a little trade of information if we help him fix his problem. He is also pretty well respected around here. Might as well do a little networking on the side."
Ishi gave a sly grin. "I'll forward the relevant information to your wrist comp."
Lorik Qui'in sat in a small booth in a quiet corner of the Port Hasham hotel bar. Nursing his drink and stewing in his current predicament. He doesn't think Anoleis's thugs could find his files, but it would be problematic in the extreme if they kept his offices shut for much longer, otherwise there might be problems up in corporate, problems that he might be held responsible for.
He was almost so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the creeping shadows on the ceiling. He pretended not to, but he watched it slowly cross the roof, usually circular, but occasionally became a thin tendril when it had to cross the large windows, running along the framing. He followed it until it disappeared above his head.
He ran its trajectory in his head, decided it was most probably heading in his direction, waited what he felt was an appropriate amount of time, and turned to face what was until recently an empty chair opposite him.
It was not empty now, in fact it was probably the oddest looking Asari he had seen, he had never seen an Asari so pale, almost white, and her paints were black, and took the form of four Starbursts along her crest, the largest one over her left eye. She was also very young looking for an Asari. Nevertheless, her dark cloak and strange armour told him that she was not to be looked down on.
"Can I help you miss?" Qui'in said, hoping this girl was not some sort of assassin. He didn't think Anoleis was the type, but he could be wrong.
The Asari frowned briefly, she was probably expecting a different reaction, before becoming a helpful smile. "Lorik Qui'in I presume?"
"That would be me, Branch manager of the Synthetic insight offices. At your service." Qui'in said. "Although right now that doesn't mean much."
"Yeah, I heard that you seem to be having trouble with the Administrator recently. Care to share your woes?" The Asari asked..
"Well, I wouldn't call them 'woes' per say, but I am in quite the predicament." Qui'in said airly. "It seems the Administrator has shut down the Synthetic insight offices, citing investigating me for corruption."
"Any truth to it?" The Asari asked nicely.
"Well, lets just say that the Administrator has been suspiciously wealthy since he took over the tenements, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed." Qui'in said.
"That someone being you?" The Asari suggested..
"You could say that. He is currently ransaking my offices, searching for proof of my corruption, but he won't find anything. I'm more worried about how long he can drag this out."
"Need a hand? I think I have some information that could be quite useful to you." The Asari said, leaning on the table casually.
Lorik Qui'in looked down at the arm. "Oh really? And what might that be?"
"Anoleis's private accounts." The Asari said "All I ask is a little information in return. Not even anything confidential."
"That would be useful." Qui'in admitted, if used with his own evidence, it could spell total doom for Anoleis.
But still he had to ask. "But what does the Alliance need to know from a humble bureaucrat like myself?"
The Asari stiffened, and Qui'in knew that he had been on the mark.
"What makes you say I'm Alliance?" The Asari asked, frowning.
"Several things, that cloak you wear does not seem to be made of any material I recognize, and your armour doesn't resemble any off-the-shelf models I've ever seen. I also watched your passage across the ceiling, and I know of no tech capable of doing that. The biggest hint however was the 'Wrist Comp' I think they are called. I have never seen a non Alliance wear one."
The Asari removed her arm from the table defensively.
"I never thought I'd see An Asari aligned with The Alliance mind you. I've studied the Alliance as best I can since they arrived on the scene. Mostly out of interest, as I believe a lot can be learned from them. But they make it no secret their disdain for Biotics and Asari in general." Qui'in said. "Possibly something to do with your unusual skin colour perhaps?" Seeing as he had probably made the Asari uncomfortable enough, he added. "Don't worry, I'll avoid prying any further. But I am curious as to what you might need from me."
The Asari was frowning, looking rather guarded. "Don't know what you mean, The Alliance was never here, especially not today. Got me?"
"Understood, they won't hear it from me." Qui'in said simply.
The Asari seemed to sag somewhat. "God this is embarrassing."
"If it helps. Not many people on this station are as observant as me." Qui'in said. "Are you still interested in doing business?"
The Asari looked at him critically. "You willing to work with the Alliance?"
"While I understand many would be reluctant to work with your people, I myself see plenty of opportunities that may arise with co-operation, and while my company mostly deals with artificial or virtual intelligence, I see no harm in potentially… What was that Alliance saying? Ah yes, 'Getting my leg in the door.' for future dealings."
"So favours for favours huh?" the Asari said.
"I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to demand. After all, you are probably a trained killer, while I am a humble bureaucrat, you currently hold the power in this situation. But one can hope that being helpful now, might result in some favourable dealings down the line." Qui'in said.
The Asari seemed to think about it, before extending a hand. "Isika, Magician."
"Lorik Qui'in, but you knew that." he re-introduced himself, taking the handshake. "Now while I am burning with curiosity as to how an Asari became a magician, I have probably pried enough. But before we start exchanging information, I wonder if you would consider helping me out with my problem? You seem to have no difficulty moving about the port unseen, I wonder if you would consider quickly going past my office and picking up some files for me? I would go myself, but unfortunately there are some paid thugs in the way."
Isika thought about it. "...You know what, I got time, I'll see what I can do."
Qui'in smiled, this was paying off already.
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The Synthetik insights office was like most of the offices on Noveria and could be described with a single word. Spacious.
The words excessive, a waste and boring could also apply to the room but the point ws it was huge. A huge room sectioned o into three areas by concrete walls plated in frosted glass, and a stairway that led up to the main office. A number of computer terminals lined both sides of each lower section of the office, leaving no privacy for those that worked on them, and the lights that filled the room were dull, as if they had lost much of their strength somehow.
Of what was strangest was the complete lack of anyone in the lower area of the office.
"Funny, I'm pretty sure there was supposed to be some goons down here. . ." She murmured, peering around the room. "I'm walking into an ambush, aren't I?" Isika sighed theatrically to herself as she nonchalantly waltzed into the office and began ascending the stairs. The door at the top opened soundlessly on its own, causing her skin to tingle from the obvious excess of having an eezo powered door, but aside from that, nothing seemed wrong. The main office had only a single computer and a comfortable looking chair, but was perfectly empty.
Walking up to the computer Isika found it powered down and switched it on. Its screen lit up a second later as it booted up, instantly asking for credentials and passwords. She fiddled until she found a small attachment that Quin had given her and attacked it to the computer. As soon as it was in the screen automatically logged in and brought up a number of smaller screens that all showed the transfers of files and the like.
"This is too easy," Isika muttered as the files finished whatever it was it was doing. Then the computer sparked and seemingly died. " i guess, that's it then?" Isika said as she took the attachment out and slipped it back into her pocket.
Right before the lights to the outer office suddenly lit up brighter than they had been before.
"Come on out Asari, nice and slowly!" came the arrogant voice of a Turian. We know you went in there to do something for Lorik Quin, and you are not leaving this office without handing over whatever it is he asked you to get for him! You are not getting out of here with that proof!"
"Yeah this was too easy," Isika deadpanned as she picked up a tablet off of the desk and tossed it at the switch on the wall, causing the upper offices lights to go out with a thud.
"Don't think the darkness will save you!" the same Turian called out. " If you do not come down here in five seconds, we are shooting you out of that office!"
"That's what you think," isika muttered as she walked over to the back corner of the office with a plant and melted into the shadow behind it.
A few seconds later the accelerator fire began, shattering glass and pinging off of the roof, yet narrowly avoiding the computer due to what appeared to be a small kinetic barrier that had been put behind the screen. After over a minute of accelerator fire it finally stopped and then, short seconds later, a trio of Turians came up into the office with their guns at the ready.
Only to see no one in the room, no blood, and no body.
"What the, what is going on?" one asked in confusion as the other two began stepping further into the room, not noticing Isika's shadow creeping slowly across the ceiling.
" I don't know, we all saw that Asari come in here, and the light had turned off, so where did she go?" one of the others asked.
"Not under the desk," the first turian who had called out spoke up with a growl. " There are no vents, and no places to hide, this doesn't make sense."
"sure it does," Isika spoke up, causing all of the Turians to tense up and look around, trying to find where her voice was coming from.
"Where?"
"Don't know, stay on guard. She's probably cloaked."
"Nope!" Isika said with a giggle as she prepared to strike. "Here's a question for you, what do people from the alliance say when there is food in front of them?"
"What? How are we supposed to know" one of the turians asked in confusion while the other two when wide-eyed in horrid realization.
"Itadakimas!"
"Now seeing as we are all done with side missions." Uno said dryly.
"I had time," whined Isika, "and like he said, it pays to be helpful. Networking is important."
They had all gathered back in the hanger.
"Like I said, side missions." Uno repeated.
"I mean, who knows when it will be helpful to have a highballer from Noveria owe you a favour or two." Isika pouted.
"Stop teasing Isika, and let's get on with this.' Ishi said impatiently.
"Alright then, I've compiled all the intel we have gathered. And here is the situation as I can see it." Uno adjusted her sunglasses theatrically. "The Target facility is peak fifteen, a facility with a bad reputation, which Saren has visited once or twice in the past, and a Spectre aligned with him, Tela Vasir is currently present. This, while increasing mission risk, also gives us a unique opportunity to find out exactly what Sarens interest in the facility is."
"However, there is a complication, the Facility coms is cut off, and its last message was the station VI reporting an 'Omega Alert'. This means that unless they hear back from the station soon, they will likely glass the facility from one of the orbital batteries. We've likely got a day, two tops, to get in and get out."
"It should also be noted that the Spectre came in with a large battlegroup. Likely pirates, mercs, and former Batarian State Military assets like Saren has been deploying up until now. However I don't doubt that Tela Vasir, a rather popular Asari spectre, is also likely to have an entourage of Asari commandos at her disposal, so watch out for powerful Biotics."
"Having looked ahead, I have spotted some IFVs and some security robots of the LOKI product line have been left on the path, likely to prevent anyone like us following."
"Thankfully, the comms cutoff works to our advantage. After all, they can't report that the Alliance is where it shouldn't be, if they can't report at all. The minute we leave this port, I declare weapons free. Anyone who points a gun at us goes down."
"Any questions?" Uno concluded.
"Does that mean we can quit it with the stealth now?" Ika asked wearily. "Seriously nobody is gonna know how awesome I am if we are gonna be sneaking the whole time."
"This is still a stealth mission." Uno said, making Ika slump, "But it's the kinda stealth you are good at."
"Stealth I'm good at?" Ika said, cocking her head.
"Well technically, no witnesses counts as stealth." Ishi supplied.
"Ohhhh, gotcha." she said, cupping her fist in understanding.
"Will we be flying directly or taking the path?" Ishi asked.
"Path would be best, flying in a blizzard is not ideal, even with Jessamine's weather magic and my uninterrupted sight, it's too risky." Uno said.
"Then I guess I got some IFVs to crush." Ishi said, "Me and Ika will go ahead. Her armour is sealed, and I can weather the… well, weather. We can clear the path while you stick with Jess."
Uno considered this, and nodded, "Good plan."
"Have you noticed anything about Peak Fifteen itself?" Isika asked.
Uno shook her head. "It's too visually cluttered to get a look from here. There's a bunch of soldiers and some weird bug things running around the facility, but that's all I can really say. I'll get a better look once we reach The Peaks Garage."
"Bug things?" Ishi said, cocking her brow.
"Don't know, and leave it until we get there." Uno said. "Any more questions?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Good, Isika, go and let us out, and turn off that loop. Nothing says 'break in' more than compromised security."
"On it." Isika said, melting into shadows and streaking away.
Ishi cracked her knuckles. "Well, let's get this party started."
"Check the turret would you, I don't want to get in a firefight only to find its coated in Ice."
"Calm down, who the hell would we be in a firefight with out here?"
Three Batarians were sitting in a heated IFV up on the winding path leading up to peak fifteen. One sat calmly at the turret console, the other was reading something in the driver's seat, while the last one poured over the command console, double checking the expendable security droids they had deployed along the path.
"Well considering our boss has managed to piss off both the council and the Alliance, basically anyone." The commander shot back.
"Noveria's private, nobody short of a Spectre could bluster their way past the red tape." The Gunner replied.
"And who's to say one won't?" The commander said. "And that's only if we are lucky. Red tape won't even slow the Alliance down. We need to be ready for anything. Now check the damn gun."
"Fine, the gunner said, running the diagnostic.
Satisfied, the commander turned back to his console, only for an alert to sound. "The mechs have reported a conta-." He suddenly pressed a comms button. "Attention all IFVs we are losing mechs, repeat we are losing mechs. Unit one, do you see anything."
The comms opened up. "Negative commander, can't see a damn thing in this Blizzard, activating thermals… I have visuals on two figures… and they are closing fast, gunner open fire!"
Even through the blizzard they could hear the sound of accelerator fire from around the bend, only to cease suddenly. With crash and the screeching of tortured metal, the IFV crashed around the bend as if punted. It rolled several times, teetered on the edge, before falling to its icy doom off the mountainside.
"Weapons free." the commander shouted as he called over all the mechs nearby to stand between them and the bend. The gunner however had already warmed up the turret, and was aiming it around the corner.
I lone figure charged around the corner, hefting what looked like a giant glowing hammer in one hand, which she immediately used to bashthe closest mech off the cliff with a clang. She then lifted her hand to form an angular flower pattern in the air to intercept the incoming accelerator fire. Holding her arm forward, shield in place, she advanced slowly, batting away any mechs that got close with her hammer.
Only one group fights like this. "It's the Alliance! Make distance, and keep firing!" The commander shouted.
The driver put the IVF in reverse, and started backing up the path, while the gunner kept putting pressure on the figure in front of them.
Then another figure tore around the corner, swinging on some long tendil so as not to lose momentum, she shot forward past the shield bearer, shredding any robot that stood in her way with her odd tentacles.
"Retarget! That ones gaining!" The commander shouted.
The Turret swung to reacquire the target, but by pounding its head tentacles against the ground, she immediately launched herself into the air, making the accelerator rounds hit nothing by snow.
They swung the gun upwards, but not before a glob of water impacted the gun, the frigid temperatures instantly freezing it solid.
"Dammit, vent the heatsink, we are sitting ducks without the gun." The commander shoulted.
Too late, as the tentacled figure was already bearing down on the IFV. With a swipe, the gun shattered. Before two other tentacles were coated in a rapidly spinning coat of water, and sheared the top of the IFV of like a can of beans.
As the Gunner and the driver were skewered by tentacles, the commander looked up, the blizzard biting at his exposed skin, the last thing he saw was a pair of green domed eyes, before his head was taken clean off.
"Hah, it takes more than a puny tank to stand up to me." Ika declared hautily as she flicked betarain blood off her armoured tentacles.
She then pitched backwards as what was left of the IFV was kicked out from under her by Ishi.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Ika complained from the ground, as the IFV joined its fellow in tumbling down the mountain.
"Focus Ika. there are more bots up ahead, don't get cocky." Ishi said
"Killjoy." grumbled Ika, as she got up.
"I'm serious, accelerator fire can really fuck you up if it gets through your armour, don't be so reckless." Ishi said.
"Sure, sure. I'm not stupid Ishi." Ika said.
"No, just incredibly thick."
"HEY!"
"Come on simplesquid. It'll be embarrassing if the others catch up before we are finished." Ishi said, walking off.
"Oh that's it! I challenge you to a race!"
"Wha? Hey Come Back! What did I just say about being cocky?!"
"You're unbelievable." Ishi said flatly.
"You just salty cuz you lost." Ika said, sitting cross legged on top of a pile of destroyed robots, and whatever bits were left of one of the APCs outside the garage.
Ishi had the distinct feeling that Ika poked her tongue out at her, but under the almost featureless Helmet, it was impossible to tell.
"If you are not careful, Desida will mark you down for childishness." Ishi said, shaking her head.
Ika looked alarmed. "Wait, she can do that?!"
"Unfortunately I cannot, unless it jeopardises or complicates the mission. Otherwise someone like Cirno would have never made Operative." Desida supplied.
Ika sighed with relief, until her brain reread that sentence back to her. "Hey! What do you mean, unfortunately?"
"Are you really allowed to talk shit on the other operatives like that?" Ishi asked, ignoring the outburst.
"Everyone else is, don't see why I can't. You should hear the kinda bickering that goes on whenever we get together in a room. I swear the collective noun for a group of Operatives is an argument." Desida said.
"Good to know… I guess?" Ishi said, not sure what to do with this information.
"Its especially bad when you get the Taoists and the Buddists together, or Reimu and Tenshi, Kaguya and Mokou, Yukari and Tenshi, Junko and Lunarians, Suika and Tenshi, Seija and basically anyone…"
"I think I get the picture." Ishi said flatly.
"You sure? I haven't even got through all the people Tenshi pisses off."
"Positive." Ishi said.
"And Stop ignoring me!" Ika shouted.
Authors notes:
XYZDreadnought: In case it wasn't obvious, I'm keeping the abilities and powers of the characters on a 'show not tell' basis. Their powers are not too complicated that they need in depth explanation, and in any case they will probably be explained in Isika's story at some point anyway.
Touhoufanatic : and in that regard, to answer some peoples questions, yes XYZ's story following isika will continue. We've just been working on these specials for the past while. It's also a reason why i'll be taking a break from writing ME2, so I can help him with any parts he needs help with in his spin off.
And I'll be putting up a list of all current spin offs at the end of these specials.