(A/N): Hello again! Welcome back to Summer Declassified, where we'll wrap up the second half of the "Crack in the World" story mission! I went with a bit of a different approach for this chapter - rather than make it wall-to-wall action as it is in the game, I chose to make the confrontation between Carter and Origin a little more...well, you'll see. For now, I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for reading!


"Look alive people! More incoming!"

"Contacts on the right! Juliett-Five!"

"I see 'em! Laying down suppression now! Eat this, ya blighters!"

"Tech Commanders! Watch the turrets!"

"Blow their cover for me, Echo! I'll pop their heads like a balloon!"

"Landmine away! Take the shot, Lima!"

"Phantoms on the flank! Take them out before they close to melee!"

"Jesus Christ, there's no end to them! Why can't they just lay down and die already?"

"Know what's funny? The aliens probably thought the same thing when we fought back."

"...y'know, that's a good point Charlie."

"Save the philosophical musings for when we get back, Strike Two. For now, just focus on keeping the Avenger's guns firing at full power."

"Understood, ma'am!"

"Mmhmm."

Carter furrowed his brow as the comms chatter poured out of his radio. Each crackling transmission and increasingly desperate command painted a picture of the fight raging back in the docking bay, with four full Strike Teams fighting to keep the Avenger safe and secure in enemy territory. While there hadn't been any confirmed deaths (yet), the overall exhaustion creeping into every voice reminded him that he and his own team were on a tight deadline.

A deadline he wasn't sure they'd be able to keep.

Faulke's voice flooded his helmet next. "Status check, Whiskey. Where are you?"

"Still in the main hallway," he reported as he stepped out of his cover and reloaded. "These Outsiders haven't sent anything too dangerous since we fought that pair of Elites, but they're still doing everything they can to slow us down."

"Well don't let them succeed."

Knox kicked a now-dead Phantom in the jaw, confirming his kill just in case the six inches of metal shovel in its brain wasn't enough. "We're doing our best here, believe me. It's not like we're trying to kill half the ship - but we can't exactly just walk past them either. Not without getting shot in the back."

"Doesn't help that all the bulkheads seal themselves up as we get close," added Dawson as he ditched his plasma pistol in favor of a shiny new alien rifle. "We either need Sierra to cut a hole in them, or Romeo to hack the controls to open it. Both of those approaches take time, which we don't have much of. They know we're on a time limit - all they have to do is delay us until we run down the clock."

Shen looked up from his current set of wires and circuits, glaring at the thick slab of metal that blocked their way. "You can put the blade away, I've almost got this one."

With a nod and a relieved sigh, Summer stowed her glowing sword. "Good. I think this one's too thick for even me to cut through anyways."

Adam hopped down from his perch and stowed his now-empty fusion lance on his back. "You have the floor plans, right doc? How much further?"

"By my estimates, you shouldn't be too far now," said Weir over the comms. "Just a few more intersections and checkpoints."

"And then, what?" Knox asked as he pulled out his shock spade. "We'll just find Mosaic sitting out in the open for us to grab? Like a baton in a relay race?"

"Oh goodness no," balked Dresner with a scoff. "That would be ridiculous. No, you'll have to enter the Vault at that point, and figure out a way past the defenses and - "

"You couldn't have told us about all that before?!" Adam snapped. "Where the hell was all this info back during the briefing?"

Dresner simply paused. "Well...we did not wish to demoralize you."

"Hearing about it now doesn't make it any less demoralizing!"

"Calm down, Alpha," intoned Faulke, "Just keep moving. We'll buy you as much time as we can. Make it count."

"We will, sir. Whiskey out."

Carter rolled his shoulders to get some of the kinks out of his sore muscles, then arched his back. The space suit made moving difficult, but it got easier the longer he wore it. After Summer had activated her Aura and made short work of the Muton Elites twenty minutes ago, the aliens seemed more hesitant to send their best units against them, and even the various flavors of Outsiders and Sectoids gave less of a fight than expected. And as much as the team was grousing about the distance and the pace he was demanding from them, they were still making good time as they cut down enemy reinforcements with practiced ease.

Still, there was a part of him that couldn't help but prepare himself for when the other shoe dropped.

Not that any amount of preparation could save him when it actually happened.

Carter was just about to stow his pistol when a sharp dagger of agony suddenly drove itself into his head, blurring his vision and drowning his mind in pain. It felt like a million white-hot needles were driving into his skull, piercing through flesh and bone to touch the sensitive nerves in his temples and eyes and set them aflame. His own cry of shock became little more than ringing in his ears as he dropped to his knees, clutching the sides of his helmet in a vain attempt to quell the pain. If it weren't for the dome of glass and the metallic gloves on his hands, he would have clawed out his brain in an attempt to make the suffering stop. After a moment of mental torment, he feared his head would crack like an egg. After another, he was worried it would not.

Summer noticed the pain immediately, rushing to his side. "Will? Will! Dawson, get over here!"

"Holy shit…" gasped the Support as he joined her. "Boss? Look at me. Lemme check your pupils."

"Whiskey, your vitals just spiked! What the hell's going on down there?!"

"He just hit the deck without warning! I...shit, I think he's having a seizure! Summer, hold him steady! I'm gonna hit him with a dose of the benzodi…"

The panicked chatter of his teammates began to fade as Carter felt the pain dull for a moment, the pressure easing up just enough that he could hear his thoughts once again. But in the silence, in the split second of relief...a voice flooded into his mind. Deep and dripping with power and authority, arrogance and rage barely held back by curiosity and discovery.

Fascinating...it has been too long since I have met another victim of circumstance.

He winced as he felt the barest pinprick of a needle pierce his suit. What…? He thought, his mouth too dry to form words.

The voice had no form or face, yet it sounded amused. Ah...so you hear me as well as I hear you. And it seems our thoughts are already being translated into each other's primary language...this is most excellent. Apologies for the sharp and sudden pain just now - I had to reach out on all possible wavelengths to connect your mind to my own. It would seem I overestimated just how much psionic energy the human mind can absorb. It will not happen again...at least, not unless I will it to happen.

Psionic? Wavelengths? Victim of circumstance? What the hell was this thing talking about?

You are confused, it said. An observation. This is natural. I was confused as well, when I was first Awakened. Forming a connection to a new species through Moz Zaaik is always a risky endeavor...but I wished to speak with you personally, without exposing myself to the bloodshed that inevitably follows in your wake.

Carter grit his teeth as he felt his muscles loosen up. This voice...whatever it was, it was reading his thoughts and sending its own in response. His mind may have been muddled, but he was still able to piece together clues based on the words floating through his frontal lobe like driftwood in the wake of a storm. And if this thing really was connected to Mosaic somehow, best to keep it talking for as long as possible.

Well, congrats. You wanted my attention, you got it. Hurry up and say what you want, then get the hell out of my head.

The voice didn't laugh, but amusement still seeped into its tone. I will try to keep this brief, then. You bear a mark similar to mine. An essence that I am quite familiar with. It is what has allowed you all your victories, the reason your kind have resisted our subjugation for as long as you have. And now...it has brought you here, to the seat of Moz Zaaik's power, in an ill-guided attempt to save your species. The irony is not lost on me - had I known that another like myself existed, I would have extended an invitation to the Temple Ship myself.

Carter blinked a few times, furrowing his brow once more. What kind of mark? You mean the alien artifact at Groom Range? That thing in the case?

Call it whatever you wish. It does not change what you are.

A pit formed in the man's stomach. …and just what am I, exactly?

The voice grew low and quiet, as if its speaker was leaning in to whisper in his ear. Shivers went down his spine as he imagined a cold breath bearing down, words dripping with venom and malice.

You are...as I once was. Prisoner. Puppet. Slave to the Other.

That pit in his gut suddenly erupted into fire, and the chills were lost in righteous rage. He clenched his fist, partly to quell the pain and partly to steel his mind enough to deliver his retort.

Listen and listen good, you alien bastard, he mentally growled, I don't know who the hell you think you are or what you're talking about, but I am nobody's puppet. My name is William Carter, I'm here to steal your precious Mosaic, and if you don't get out of my goddamn head I'll put a bullet right through yours when I find you.

He expected a pithy insult, or a growling threat to fill his mind in response. But what came instead scared him far more, and made his newfound confidence evaporate.

ah. I see now. You are still unaware of your true nature. How disappointing...yet, not unexpected. Who knows how long you have slept, pretending to be something else? Pretending to be...someone else? Perhaps a demonstration of power is in order, then, to help jog your memory of what you once were. Observe.

Carter was just about to ask what that was supposed to mean when he felt the arms holding him grow stiff and cold. Panic rose in his chest as he looked up at Summer, expecting to see her shimmering silver orbs staring down at him in concern and love. But what he saw instead was not the eyes he had fallen in love with.

What he saw were the eyes of a warrior staring at Dawson, as streams of purple danced in their irises.

"...Summer?"

Just saying the one word felt like trying to run a marathon while breathing through a straw, and all he could manage was a hoarse whisper. Whether she heard it or not didn't matter, as she simply stood back up and released him, letting him fall to the floor. Dawson had his back turned on the young woman, rummaging through his supply bag and looking for more medicine.

The medic wasn't aware of the hand moving towards the sword until it was already drawn, and by then it was too late.

SUMMER!

Carter's mind screamed as he watched the violet-eyed Huntress rush forward and stab Dawson through the back, the glowing blade emerging out of his chest and dripping with boiling blood. The Support gasped as he was kicked violently to the ground, his limp body crashing into the floor and leaving a dark crimson streak as he bounced. Knox and Shen both yelled out in shock and rage as they ran at Summer from behind, trying to grab her arms and getting slashed across the chest for their efforts. A figure suddenly materialized behind her and leveled a machine pistol at the back of her helmet; she simply responded by spinning around and slashing the gun and the hand holding it, before driving Wandering Thorn through Adam's throat with ruthless efficiency.

Dammit! No! Summer, stop! This isn't you!

Growling as he flipped himself over, Carter narrowed his eyes and mustered up all the focus he could manage, hand glowing with azure light as he extended it outwards. Before Summer could plunge her sword into a downed Shen, she was lifted up off the ground by what seemed like invisible hands that refused to let her go no matter how much she squirmed and writhed. When it became clear that no amount of physical force would free her, she flipped one of the switches on her hip and let the venom flow into her veins, disappearing an instant later in a flash of white petals.

Oh shit.

Dealing with Summer on the warpath was bad enough. Dealing with an Aura-empowered Summer would be even worse. Carter pulsed and triggered his battle focus to give himself time to think, and to survey the immediate area around him. But even though his consciousness lacked a physical form as it floated away, he couldn't suppress a gulp as he saw the Huntress begin to reform directly above his prone body.

In spite of everything else going still, the voice in his mind lingered.

Does this help you remember, William Carter?

Rage built up within him again. Alright, what the fuck did you do to her?!

The voice seemed offended. Me? I did nothing. Moz Zaaik is the one who has turned her against you. I may share in that power...but I do not control it anymore. I merely guide it.

Then tell your Mosaic to get out of her head!

I will not. If you want your precious "Summer" to cease her onslaught, you will have to make her stop yourself.

And how the hell am I supposed to do that?

The voice let out a deep, disappointed sigh. Oh, now this is just pitiful. All this power, yet no idea how to use it. You have spent so long controlling bodies...you have forgotten the power you have over minds. Best remember quickly, William Carter - it would seem that your host's life depends on it.

As much as he wanted to argue and insist that he wasn't being controlled or playing host to some nebulous force, Carter knew it wouldn't do anything. It wouldn't convince the asshole in his mind, and it wouldn't stop Summer from killing him. And it didn't matter how much healing energy he had stored up - if that sword of hers went through his neck or his heart, it was the end of the road for him, and then Earth would live the rest of its days under the thumb of an alien species.

He could not let that happen.

He would not let that happen.

And before he could think about what he was doing or how he was doing it, a blue-violet light erupted from his palms.

Time returned to its normal speed as his battle focus faded, and Carter was just quick enough to roll to the side before the alien Huntress bore down on him. The sword stuck fast into the floor, melting the steel and making steam and smoke rise from the newly-made gash. Summer seemed more annoyed than angry, looking at him with twin orbs of silver tainted by purple...and before she could so much as move a muscle, Carter raised a hand and put all his mental energy into a single command.

STOP.

Tendrils of blue and violet surged from his hand and flew into her head, forming a tether of energy that swirled as it dove between her eyes. Summer shuddered and seized up like she'd been dunked in icy water, her hands releasing the sword as her back went rigid and her breath hitched. It took Carter a moment to realize that Summer hadn't just stopped attacking - she'd stopped moving entirely, and his order had affected not just her mind, but her heart and lungs as well.

Horrified, he shifted his focus and issued another command.

Sleep.

The result was instantaneous. Summer's eyes snapped shut as she fell limp, and it was only a telekinetic burst of power that stopped her from smashing her helmet against the floor. When he was certain that the Huntress was in a deep slumber, Carter gently set her down in the corner, watching as she subconsciously curled up into a ball with a soft groan and whimper.

Only when he was sure that she wouldn't wake up did he finally withdraw his influence.

Carter gasped and fell back onto his side as the realization of what he'd just done sank in, staring at his hands in disbelief. Previous trials with Dresner had confirmed that his alien artifact had the power to convert beings with Mosaic Implants to his side, so that in and of itself wasn't surprising. It was how he had been able to tame Silas, after all, and although he could do it with other species like Sectoids and Zudjari, it took so much effort and lasted so briefly that he concluded it wasn't that useful in the field. But controlling another human being...overruling not just some little chip, but an actual living person and imposing his will over theirs…

It terrified him.

And yet...it also excited him.

The voice had no hands, but it applauded anyway. As I suspected. Duress is what draws forth the power from within, unlocked by necessity rather than choice. A crude, slow method of progression...but an effective one nonetheless. Come. There is yet much more for you to witness. Moz Zaaik waits for you.

Before he could even wonder what that meant, the alien bulkhead slid open with a sharp hiss, revealing yet more hallway beyond it. As Carter stared into the darkness ahead, he felt a throbbing sensation between his eyes, which seemed to travel across his temples when he turned his head to the left or right. With no other options available to him, he drew his pistol and proceeded through the now-open door, barely even wincing as it slammed shut again behind him.

Well...no going back now.

He took a deep breath of pressurized air and walked forward, finger hovering over the trigger while he advanced into the unknown. Shadows danced across the pale blue-gray walls, casting a spell of darkness over the hallway that only his Venn Brace's light protected him from. And after a few minutes of silent travel, he suddenly stopped and realized that he'd left his team on the other side of the bulkhead - four of them bleeding out, one of them unconscious and likely confused.

Part of him wanted to go back for them. To use his healing powers on Dawson, Shen, Knox, and Adam, and to wake up Summer. The rest of him rationalized that he didn't have time. He was on a straight path to Mosaic - or "Moz Zaaik" as his guest kept insisting - and if he went back now, he may lose this window of opportunity.

The rational part of his mind quickly won out. Too quickly. It should have bothered him how unbothered he was, but it didn't. He marched on.

The others should be fine, he reasoned. Someone back at the Avenger would have seen their vitals spike, and sent a triage team. Plus, Summer should wake up any moment and start treating them. I don't need to worry about them. They'll be alright.

Still, it couldn't hurt to let Faulke know what happened. He keyed his radio.

"Foxtrot-Zero, this is Whiskey-Three. I'm en route to Mosaic, but we've got multiple Agents down that need medical attention. Send an extraction team ASAP."

Static was the only thing that poured over the comms.

With a raised eyebrow he tried relaying the message again, and again, and then a fourth time. Each attempt was met with more silence and white noise, and soon Carter had to draw one conclusion.

He was alone.

For someone who claims to have such an important purpose, you are certainly moving very slowly.

Right...that asshole was still in his head. Carter grimaced and stepped forward again, hoping that everything would be alright with the squad he left behind. And if something did happen...well, he'd deal with that in due time. Right now, Mosaic and his mystery guest were waiting, and it would be rude to waste more time than he already did.

Speaking of rude...

You know, it's considered impolite back on Earth to invade someone's mind without at least introducing yourself first. He thought loud enough for his guest to hear as he walked in solitude. Although...judging from your attitude and familiarity with Mosaic, I'm gonna take a stab in the dark and assume that you're Origin?

There was a pause, then a small chuckle. You assume correctly, William Carter. I am surprised that you would come to possess this information, as only those connected to Moz Zaaik could know such things. How did you learn of our history and gain knowledge of our technology, I wonder? Perhaps you had help from an outside source?

Carter allowed himself a confident smirk for about four seconds before scowling again. Wasn't that hard to get the info, really. Turns out that your little toy soldiers are a lot less loyal once you rip that chip outta their heads.

Origin hummed, seemingly in annoyance. Ah, yes. That is an unfortunate oversight. One I intend to correct for the next invasion.

He almost balked at the dismissive tone. Humanity was literally on the Zudjari's home turf, and all Origin cared about was what mistakes to fix? Like he was an exterminator reviewing his options and wondering why the roach colony was still alive? Was that all they were to the Zudjari? Insects to be eradicated, a pest to be removed? Origin certainly didn't seem very threatened by the Bureau's arrival - if anything, he seemed inconvenienced by them showing up. Amused, even.

Setting aside the spiraling thoughts of existential dread, Carter chose to double down on the brash approach as he continued walking down formless halls.

Don't you get it, asshole? There won't be a next time. You're done. As soon as we get Mosaic, that's the end of you and your empire.

The amusement vanished from Mosaic's tone, replaced with a cold, quiet anger that made Carter's skin crawl.

You think so little of us that we would abandon our purpose? That every Zudjari across the universe would lay down their weapons and begin a peaceful life as farmers and slaves? Even if you could steal Moz Zaaik away from us, you underestimate our tenacity, our nature as warriors and our desire for conquest. Thousands of your years spent chasing that dream cannot be so easily erased.

Carter's jaw clenched. Truth be told, he wasn't sure what Faulke was planning to do after they got Mosaic. Sure, there were some talks about harnessing its power to control the Zudjari, or eradicate them all at once, but if there was a clear consensus, Faulke hadn't told anyone. Not to mention that every other piece of tech the Bureau had stolen was paid in blood - first the Infiltrator, then the phase plotter, then Axis's implant. How much higher would the price be for Mosaic, the crown jewel of the Zudjari empire?

No. No, he couldn't afford to second-guess Faulke, the Bureau, or himself. He had to stick to the plan. He had to keep going.

Maybe it won't stop you, he finally said after a moment, but it'll still hurt like hell. And that's all that matters.

The Zudjari leader let out a long mental sigh. So shortsighted and slow-witted. You are fighting a war that countless species before you have lost, and victory will bring only darkness and death. Defeating the Zudjari will not be your salvation- it will only secure your final destruction.

Now the asshole was trying to scare them directly. Carter smirked. He never would have thought that being in the debate club during his high school years would help him in real life, and yet here he was trading mental arguments with an alien overlord.

Compared to being ruled by you assholes? I think we'll take our chances. Whatever future you're talking about, it can't be as bad as one where a bunch of self-righteous alien pricks are the ones calling the shots.

Another long, beleaguered mental sigh. I never understood why so many resist our rule. Why do you oppose us? We are not malevolent. We do not enjoy the extermination of another species. We would even allow you to join our other conquests if you cooperate, as we do with the Mutons and Silacoids. So what reason do you have for this fight?

Ah. Now they were getting to the heart of the matter. Carter felt a surge of confidence as he laid out his final argument, his denouement.

Same reason we spent half a decade fighting the Fuhrer and his lackeys: no one deserves to live under the thumb of some tyrannical bastard with their head so far up their own ass they start buying their own bullshit.

Once again, he expected Origin to withdraw from his mind in an irritated huff, only to be treated to a low, malicious laugh.

What's so funny?

Origin's laughter ceased, and if the Zudjari mouth could smile, this one would have been dripping with venom.

How deeply ironic that you believe that, William Carter.

He furrowed his brow as he felt the pit in his stomach return with a vengeance.

the hell's that supposed to mean?

You will understand, in time. For now, though, our little debate will have to pause. You have a far more pressing matter ahead of you...an audience with Moz Zaaik.

Wait...how long had he been walking mindlessly? Where was he? Had he been so engrossed in his conversation with Origin that he lost track of time and space? When had the dull, steel-gray hallways given way to golden-bronze arches, and when had the lighting shifted from a cold pale blue to a warm, ominous orange? And why couldn't he remember anything between now and when he'd been forced to control Summer's mind?

After taking a moment to examine his surroundings (and another moment to contact Faulke with no success) Carter had to conclude that he was standing directly in front of Mosaic's Vault.

"This all feels way too convenient," he said to nobody in particular. Part of him wanted to go back and find his squad. The rest of him knew that there wasn't time for that.

Summer...Faulke…humanity itself…

They needed him to keep moving forward.

So that's precisely what he did.

With another deep breath of pressurized air, Carter walked towards the doorway that towered over him like the Pyramids of Giza. He was just about to wonder how he would open the doors when the golden plating began to shift and collapse, bathing him in more amber light that seemed to shine from deeper inside. Undeterred or unconcerned with how suspicious everything seemed, he kept walking down bronze and copper hallways, ignoring the glances and glares of crimson-caped Zudjari guards that stood at attention along the walls with bladed spear-like weapons.

"Hope you don't mind my intrusion, fellas," said Carter, more to himself than anything. "Just here for Mosaic. I'll be out of your hair real quick."

The Outsiders gave no indication that they heard, much less understood, his sad attempt at a joke. He figured Dawson could have gotten a laugh out of them...if he wasn't bleeding out somewhere else in the ship.

Geez, your boys must be fun at parties.

Origin gave a small laugh. They are usually more...welcoming than this. This is a sacred place for them, for they are closer to Moz Zaaik than most ever get to be in their lifetimes. They are also guarding not just the heart of our empire, but its future as well. So their stoicism and control is all but required to remain here - they will not attack you, unless you make the first move.

Carter looked up at the rows of tubes that lined the upper walls and ceiling, watching as hundreds of small ovaloid capsules rushed through some kind of amber fluid. Beyond the semi-transparent network of liquid pipes, he could make out the shadowy shapes of what he could only describe as hundred-foot tall termites.

your future? Wait, so that means that those things in the little pods are…

Our offspring, yes, said Origin with pride, mere moments after being birthed by Matriarchs and just seconds before being connected with Moz Zaaik in other parts of the Temple Ship. This is when the infant Zudjari are at their most vulnerable...so it only makes sense that we keep them in the same Vault where we safeguard our greatest prize.

Carter was hesitant to give the Zudjari credit for anything, but he had to admire the brutal efficiency that was their reproductive process.

If they're so vulnerable, why let me in? Aren't I a threat? I could draw my gun and start shooting your kids any minute now, if I wanted.

Origin laughed softly. The Zudjari High Guard would be on you before you could even pull the trigger, William Carter. And besides, you are no threat to the eggs. No threat to Moz Zaaik. You are not even aware of what you are. But even you have a purpose, which waits further ahead. Come closer, before my patience runs out.

Every inch of Carter's body wanted to protest. The dull ache between his eyes that he felt in the hallways grew stronger with each step, like a migraine building in the face of flashing lights. But he knew he couldn't turn back even if he wanted to. This was too important. He was too important.

So on and on he walked, doing his best to ignore the building pain and unease, before the gilded hallway opened into a massive triangular room.

As soon as he stepped into the open area, Carter gasped.

There, in the very heart of Mosaic's Vault and surrounded by a dozen kneeling High Guards, was a massive amber crystal that floated in mid-air, hovering a few feet off the golden floor and stretching up to the ceiling that was miles away. A trio of insectoid Zudjari Matriarchs stretched their wormlike bodies and stood on chitinous hind legs to reach up, arcs of violet electricity surging from dozens of clawed hands and anchoring to the crystalline pillar. And deep within the amber material Carter could catch a glimpse of a shadowy four-armed figure, swimming in the solid pillar and barely visible in the blinding orange light that shone from within.

Is this...Mosaic?

Indeed, said Origin, whose voice seemed deeper and stronger than ever before. Witness the glory of our empire, the beating heart that brings life and order to thousands upon thousands of worlds. Let it be the last thing your host's eyes lay upon.

Carter furrowed his brow. I keep telling you, I'm not -

But he hadn't even finished the thought before that all-encompassing pain from earlier came back with a vengeance.

William Carter let out another scream of shock as he fell to his knees, his vision blurring and ears ringing. Flecks of blood dribbled past his lips, and he began to feel more of that vital red fluid pool in his nose and ears. The feeling like razor-hot needles wasn't just mental anymore. It was physical, and it was killing him.

And his healing factor wasn't doing anything.

What...what are you…

I am extracting you from your host, William Carter, explained Origin calmly. If you were stronger, more aware, I would have made this offer far sooner, and far less painfully. But your stubbornness makes that difficult, so I must extract what I want by force. You will become part of Moz Zaaik, and you will fuel the conquest of Earth and a thousand worlds beyond it. This is why I allowed you to come this far...this is all you have to show for your pitiful resistance. Yet you should be honored, for many species leave even less of a mark against the Zudjari empire. This is your legacy. Embrace it.

Carter grit his teeth as he tried to push himself back up on shaky, trembling arms. Even if he had no idea what Origin was talking about, he understood one thing at least: Mosaic was trying to pull the alien artifact out of his body, trying to separate the bond created on a molecular level. His blood screamed as he felt the nerves on his back split apart, like something was reaching through flesh to yank his spine right out of his skeleton.

No...you can't...I can't let this happen…

Another laugh from Origin, though this one was short and terse. You think you can withstand a full psionic assault? Please, human. Do not delude yourself. Moz Zaaik is power. Moz Zaaik makes the brightest stars and the darkest singularities look like dust scattered across a barren moon. Moz Zaaik makes your grandest mountains and deepest oceans look like pebbles and puddles, your fiercest storms and hottest infernos like mild winds and fading embers. And you, with all your willpower and all your rage, are nothing more than a dying spark, born to suffer, living to perish, all in the space of a few insignificant moments. Moz Zaaik is the well of life that we Zudjari spring from...but for you? Moz Zaaik is only death.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and tried to form a counter argument. Tried to stop his eyes from rolling into the back of his head. Tried to keep his arms from giving out and his body from slumping to the floor.

But William Carter failed in all of those things, and fell to the ground in a pile of blood and exhaustion.

He lay there as violet electricity crackled around him, striking his space suit and causing another ripple of pain with each lash. Thick, crimson ichor and bile began to flood his lungs, rising to his throat and filling his nostrils with a foul odor. Even taking a breath felt like trying to bench press a school bus, as the time between each heartbeat stretched further and further. And as he felt his consciousness rise above his limp form and float towards Mosaic, as if he was activating his battle focus without realizing it, his thoughts were slow, simple, and empty.

He was dying here.

Hundreds of feet away from the woman he loved.

Miles away from the people fighting to give him this chance.

And far, far away from the Earth he had fought so hard to protect.

All of them would perish.

All of them would suffer.

All of them would be conquered by Mosaic.

And all of it would happen because he failed.

He could not let that happen.

He would not let that happen.

And before he even realized what was happening, he was already rising back to his feet and pulling his consciousness back into himself.

He looked up through the cracked helmet, glaring daggers at Mosaic with just one defiant thought.

I refuse.

Origin screamed something in frustration and alarm, but he ignored it. The pain in his back surged once again, but he powered through it. A wave of mental energy erupted from Mosaic and plunged into his head, but he didn't fight it. If the deathly power of the Zudjari's greatest weapon was a wall of water, he knew that trying to stand against it would only drown him. He had to give into the flow, just enough to take the edge off the assault, and dive deeper into the abyss if he wanted to withstand it.

And he would withstand it.

He would endure it.

Because as painful as Mosaic's assault was, he had endured worse.

The Zudjari High Guard were quick to react to his newfound rebellion, brandishing their spears and lunging at him with lightning-fast speed. Carter just responded by unleashing a telekinetic wave around him, freezing the defenders in mid-air and leaving them floating helplessly. Without even breaking his stride he grabbed one of the metal polearms and yanked it out of the warrior's grip, twirling it in his hands and stabbing its former owner in the eye for good measure. A wave of his hand sent the rest of the guards careening across the spacious room, smashing into the walls and floor with enough force to leave splatters of blood behind.

Spear in hand, Carter picked up the pace and ran at Mosaic, plunging the metal tip into the crystalline pillar with telekinetic-assisted force. A massive hairline fracture immediately appeared at the point of impact, slowly crawling up the side of the pillar and filling the chamber with a horrific crunching sound. Origin, the Matriarchs, and any High Guards still alive shrieked as they were hit by a wave of neural feedback, but Carter didn't stop there. He snapped the shaft off the polearm, reared back like he was a Major League hitter swinging for the fences, and slammed the metal bar against the half of the weapon still embedded in the crystal.

CRACK.

The fracture suddenly widened by a full inch, and sparks of every imaginable color began to spill out of the pillar like an overloaded transformer. The howling and screaming of the Zudjari grew louder and more desperate, and continued to escalate with each blow Carter continued delivering to the stuck spearhead as if it was a nail and he was the hammer. When the metal pole finally dented beyond the point of usefulness, he yanked the tip free and started punching the crystal directly, using the strength of both his Venn Brace and his telekinesis to further split the construct apart with each pound of his fist. Blood began to fly from his knuckles as the flesh and glove both split open, and the shower of unstable energy washed over him and scorched his spacesuit. He didn't care. He kept wailing on the crystalline pillar, spurred on both by the rage building in his chest and the screams of the aliens around him.

When Origin finally reached out with one last coherent message, it was a far cry from the smug, self-confident dictator that talked his ear off earlier.

W-what are you doing? Stop! How is this happening? What are you doing?!

Gritting his teeth, Carter reared back his fist for one more punch.

Isn't it obvious? I'm breaking the Mosaic, you son of a bitch.

Then with a final slam of his fist, the pillar finally caved.

Carter cried out as a storm of energy and crystal fragments erupted from the center of Mosaic's prism, trillions of shards of glass and stone shredding his suit and blowing him backwards. He was vaguely aware of something latching onto his wrist as he flew, some nebulous entity grabbing his Venn Brace for just a moment before disappearing in the explosion.

He slammed against the back wall, his helmet shattered, and everything suddenly went dark.


"Carter?"

He wasn't sure how long he lay there, slumped against a dark wall and half-buried in quartz chunks and dead Outsiders. He only knew that when the world finally did come back into focus, it was accompanied by the sound of a familiar voice frantically calling out. The calls and yells of an angel didn't come from the broken speaker on his collar - it was distant and echoing, like someone was far away, beckoning him to a paradise beyond Earth.

"Will? Will! Will, where are you?"

Carter groaned and coughed up a few ounces of blood, trying to pry himself out of the little pile of corpses and crystal fragments he'd woken up in. He didn't think he was making too much noise, but apparently it was loud enough to get the attention of his rescuer. Footsteps thundered from one side, and as he turned his head and blinked blearily, he caught sight of a silver suit sprinting towards him - one that matched the color of its wearer's eyes.

"...Sierra?"

He barely managed to get that word out before a tight pair of arms wrapped around his torso, a pair of lips pressing against his forehead as something wet and warm dripped into his hair.

"Oh, Will…" choked a helmetless Summer, "...thank the gods you're okay. Adam kept saying not to worry, that you weren't in any danger, but I just couldn't help but assume the worst..."

Carter raised an eyebrow. Adam was trying to comfort Summer? That was surprising in and of itself, but especially so considering that he was missing a hand and a functional throat. He was about to question further, but Summer was already helping dig him out, gasping when she noticed his arm.

"Is...is that it? Is that…"

Carter looked at his Venn Brace, which was glowing like a star going supernova and felt just as hot as one. He was barely aware of the alien Huntress yanking him out of the debris and to his feet, as he was too fixated on the glow that seemed to vibrate and whisper meaningless words.

"...Mosaic?" he finally answered. "It...it better be. This is all that was left after I smashed that thing...though I'm pretty sure I saw something get sucked in just before - urgh!"

Carter let out a cry of shock as his knees gave out, a sensation accompanied by knives running up and down his insides. Bile rose to his throat once again, and he didn't have the willpower to force it back down. Summer knelt down with her arms still around his waist, holding him steady as he vomited blood and ichor all over the alien floor.

"Will! What's wrong?"

"My...my arm…" He gasped through another spasm of pain. "It burns...feels like it's gonna tear itself off…"

The Huntress looked him over, narrowed her eyes, then looped Carter's non-glowing arm around her shoulder.

"If you have Mosaic, then I'm getting you out of here the fast way," she said as she hit the switch on her hip again. "Strike Three, I've got Whiskey and the package, so I'm taking the Rose express back to the hangar. Head back the way we came, and meet us on the Avenger. Can you get there on your own?"

Dawson chuckled over Summer's exposed radio speaker. "Considering every single Outsider is spasming like slugs in a salt bath? I think we'll manage. See you there."

"Fire up the jets, boys! We're flying back!"

"And here I thought you didn't like flying, Kilo."

"Well I sure as hell ain't walking all the way back. So unless you're offering to carry me, kid, I don't wanna hear it."

"Flight it is, then. Let's go."

With a mere wince of pain on her face as the caustic cocktail flowed into her veins, Summer tightened her grip on Carter as white petals began to swirl around them. Whereas one moment the pair were deep within the Temple Ship, the next they were on the bridge of the Avenger.

A flurry of voices and faces suddenly surrounded Carter, and he was too tired to decipher them.

"Mein Gott, energy readings are off the charts! Herr Carter, please remain still, we will attempt to surgically extract the Venn Brace off your arm…"

"Doctor, there's no time for that! We have to get him back to base, immediately! Myron!"

"Acknowledged, Doctor. All Agents, please begin returning to the Avenger. We will disembark in twenty minutes."

"Kilo-Three here. We'll be back in fifteen. So don't you dare leave without us! That means you, Alpha-One! Tracking?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Kilo. Strike Teams, keep holding the line and prepare to return fire while we fall back."

"You sure we need to worry about that, ma'am? They all look pretty helpless to me…"

"They could recover at any moment. We have a window of time before they adapt to their new condition, but there's no telling how long it'll last. Stay vigilant."

"Understood. Keeping the turrets warm."

"Beginning pre-flight checklist now. Oh, and Whiskey? Sierra? Welcome back."

"Good to be back, Big Sky. I'm taking Whiskey to one of the side rooms for an examination. He's got multiple lacerations and second-degree burns, and his healing factor isn't doing anything to stop the bleeding."

"Need a second pair of hands, Sierra?"

"Appreciate the offer Echo, but I'll be fine."

"Yeah, come on dear, read the room."

"Oh shut up, you."

The banter and words all flew over Carter's head as he watched Summer drag him to an empty room off the side of Weir and Dresner's "science station," medkit already in hand and a tired but proud look in her eyes. The world seemed to move in slow motion, and even though he saw the young silver-eyed woman set him down and start spraying down the worst of his wounds, it didn't feel like it was happening to him.

And she was oddly happy for someone who'd turned her own sword against a friend, especially when she wasn't the one in control.

For a long moment he wanted to ignore the issue, to just leave the matter unsaid as she patched up scratches and burns with healing mist and soft kisses. He didn't want to ruin what should have been a tender, victorious moment. But not even the fact that Mosaic was currently sitting on his wrist could distract him from the fact that something was very wrong, and that guilt finally caused him to break the silence with a few stunned words.

"You...stabbed Dawson…"

Summer tilted her head. "Huh?"

No regret in her eyes. No sorrow. Just...confusion? Did she not remember? Was this a side effect of being under Mosaic's control?

"You stabbed Dawson right in the back," he repeated slowly. "Nicked Shen and Knox, too, then cut off Adam's hand…"

Silver eyes just blinked slowly. "Will, what are you talking about?"

"You don't remember? I...before I left you all behind, Mosaic got in your head, and you started attacking us…" Carter said, quickly recounting the events that led up to him going alone to capture Mosaic. Summer just grew more and more confused with each sentence, before ultimately shaking her head when he was done.

"Will…" she said softly. "...that didn't happen. None of that did."

…what?

"...What do you mean, 'that didn't happen?'"

"Exactly what I said," said Summer with another shake of her head. "We were all in the hallways of the Temple Ship, checking in with Faulke over the comms while Shen opened the last bulkhead between us and the Vault. One minute you were complaining about your head hurting, the next you flung us all backwards with telekinesis and ran ahead. Then the door slammed back down before we could react, and you were on the other side with no way for us to get to you. We had to fight off an ambush on our own, and the door only opened again when all the troops started getting hit with the neural feedback. That must have been when you captured Mosaic...we tried to contact you multiple times to confirm your position, but all we got was static."

"That's…"

Carter shook his head in disbelief. Summer's eyes softened and reached over.

"It's okay, Will. I'm just glad you're - "

"It's not okay! I know what I saw!" He snapped, then after seeing Summer reel back, he softened his gaze. "...at least, I thought I did…it felt so real…"

With a small sigh, the silver-eyed Huntress stood up and started running a hand through his hair, stroking his scalp softly. It was a comforting gesture, and it seemed to ease some of the fatigue that crept into his bones. He felt himself get lulled into a trance, as Summer's motherly affection and presence banished the confusion and anxiety.

"It's probably just a side effect of coming so close into contact with Mosaic," she said gently. "Just another mystery for us to solve. But we'll figure it out. We got what we came for, so we'll be heading back soon. And don't worry - you won't have to play host for some alien puppeteer much longer. You'll be free."

Carter snapped up as the trance shattered. "Huh?"

"I said 'you won't have to hold onto Mosaic for much longer,'" repeated Summer, raising an eyebrow. "You feeling okay, Will?"

Another hallucination? Or had Summer really said something about a puppeteer? Unable to decide which would be worse, Carter shook his head and sighed.

"I...don't know anymore," he finally admitted.

"Alpha-One confirming the arrival of all XCOM Operatives."

"Good. Big Sky? Take us home."

"With pleasure, sir. All hands, prepare for takeoff."

Nodding, Summer leaned in close to deliver a soft kiss on the forehead as the entire Avenger rumbled softly. "We'll find out soon enough."

As she turned to leave, Carter suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist, making her face him in surprise.

"Don't leave me. Please."

Confusion danced on her face for a moment before a warm smile emerged, and she took Carter's non-glowing hand in both of hers as she sat next to him.

"Don't worry," she whispered softly as she nuzzled into his ruined shoulder pad, "I'm not going anywhere."

Carter leaned into the cuddle and closed his tired eyes, bracing himself for the trip back to Earth.

Hopefully this was the end of the nightmare.

But who's to say this isn't the start of an even worse one?


(A/N): Well now...isn't that ominous? Wonder what's up with that?

Anyways, that about wraps it up for the antepenultimate (or "third to last") story mission from The Bureau: XCOM Declassified! I was a bit surprised by how short this one ended up being - just over 15k words for both chapters, which is less than just one chapter for Signal From Beyond or Not of This Earth. But hey, just because it's shorter doesn't mean it's any less important! (At least, that's what my mom told me when my little brothers grew up to be taller than me...sad times.)

Join us next time as we get some answers on just what's going on with Agent Carter...and maybe even find out why Summer is here in the first place…

Thanks again for reading, hope you had a good time, and I'll see you in the next one! Until then, keep being awesome!