Epilogue

"There has to be something we can do!"

Cecelia's words were soft, but almost a plaintive scream as both Iriana and Ric backed way from the Oracle's still form, both seeming dejected. The Healer and the tech wizard both shook their heads as they stared at the golden mask thing that covered Janet's face from forehead to mouth. They had put her back on the couch and she was safe, for the moment.

"Cecelia." Mother spoke up from just behind her and she didn't jump this time. The girl had reason to be afraid, but Mother, as always, was kind and gentle. "We will do what we can, you know this."

"I… I do." Cecelia managed. "But… Oh my God! Janet! What… What can we do without her?"

"Janet would be the first to say, 'Go on'." Iriana said sadly as she stared at her friend's still form. "She is alive. There is that. I think this thing…" She growled in annoyance. '"...is trying to control her, but I have no idea how or why. It is no tech that I have ever seen." She looked at the Vauban clad warframe as Ric shook his own head.

"This is no Orokin or Sentient tech I have ever seen." Ric allowed. "I don't remember a lot, even now, but I do know the signs and this is new. It is clearly some kind of control device, but I have no idea how it is holding Janet of all people or how it got here."

"Erra had to have sent it." Mother said sternly. "He is the only one who could have found us. Now as to why or how he sent it? I have no idea." Her form edged into view and the tip of one long, spindly green metal appendage reached down to touch Janet's still form. "And why her? She is not an Orokin! She had nothing to do with our wars! She is trying to help!"

"She is powerful." Iriana moved to stand by Cecelia and then wrapped an arm around the disconsolate girl. "A threat to his power?"

"But she isn't!" Mother retorted. "I have told him that over and over! She has no wish to be part of the conflicts! Just to make things better for everyone! Human and Sentient alike!"

"Ballas probably wouldn't like that." Iriana said softly. "If he is controlling Erra somehow or just leading your son in some odd, Orokin tricky way?" She sighed heavily. "We can make her more comfortable."

"And more secure." Ric said and there was sudden, utter silence. "If Ballas manages to control Janet, or just warp her…" More than one person in the room gasped in shock and he continued. "We just saw an incredibly powerful woman go nuts. We don't need another. I don't think any of us could stop her." He slumped and then his hand dripped to his waist where a pistol hung.

Everything stopped again as Mother flashed bright green.

"We can't kill her, Ric." Mother warned. "You know who claimed her as a mate. I do not want him angry with me." Nikis or whoever he was now that he had become a warden of reality again was not someone to anger. Ever.

"Me neither." Ric let his hand fall and then he slumped. "I don't know what to do."

"We need more information." Mother said slowly. "And we need more people in on this who we can trust. There are few safe havens left in this system and I do not want to bring danger to any of those. That said? Erra's hunters pursue us even now. Even Adiinah cannot outrun them forever."

"She is doing a fine job so far." Approval sounded from the Vauban and more than one person relaxed. "Keep up the good work, Adiinah."

"Thank you." The voice of the wormship was subdued, still frightened. "Mother? What can we do? All the options I see are bad."

"Me too." Mother agreed. She turned her chassis to face Ric who stood up straighter. "We need to warn any we can of this new control thing. We need to warn the Tenno, Brianna Executor and anyone else we can think of."

"Liriel?" Cecelia swallowed hard as everyone looked at her. "I mean, she and her people are likely in just as much danger." No one seemed to know what to say, but then she nodded. "I will go."

"Cecelia, you are still in pain." Iriana countered. "Don't tell me it doesn't hurt. Don't even try."

"I am the only one who could go!" Cecelia said weakly. '"Unless one of Mother's people could, but then, whoever went would be in danger."

"So would you, girl." Mother's tone brooked no argument. "I have a few lines of communication to the Queen of Cats. I will send a warning. I cannot get through to Brianna Executor. I have tried." She turned back to Ric and now, her tone was oddly formal. "We need you, Sir Knight. Will you aid us?"

"I am fallen, Sentient Mother." Ric said heavily. "I have done things that cannot be forgotten or forgiven. Things I swore never to do. If the Order still existed, I would go to them, seek judgment, but they do not."

"Maybe…" Everyone paused as Adiinah spoke up. "Maybe they should?"

"Adiinah." Ric was very careful in how he spoke now. "The Order I created fell into darkness. The few who are left are broken like me. What they did… The many horrible things they did. There can be no forgiveness for such and especially-" He broke off as Adiinah made a sad noise.

"That is regrettable." The ship was so very sad. "I find you a good man. Hurting, hating what he was forced to do. Just like me." Mother started to glow again, but Adiinah continued. "All I knew was my work until the Orokin took me and hurt me. Now? I am such a mess. I hurt Mother and Kaanah and I enjoyed it."

"That wasn't your fault, Adiinah." Mother tried, but Adiinah was disconsolate.

"I know that, but it doesn't change my feelings." Adiinah paused and then spoke to Ric again. "I... I have an odd question for you."

"I am all ears." Ric chuckled as everyone physically present stared at him. Cecelia put a hand to her face and he chuckled harder.

"Don't encourage him, please." Cecelia begged as Ric started to hum something under his breath.

"I will try not to." Adiinah said slowly. "But… Tenno Ric, what we need now are people who will do what is needed when it is needed without a care for recompense." Ric sputtered on his tune and went silent. Adiinah continued. "I know I am too scared to be a knight like you, but maybe… Maybe there are brave people who could?"

"Adiinah, your courage puts mine to shame." Ric said quietly and again, there was utter silence. "Fighting, maybe dying, is easy compared to living with such pain as you have endured." Mother turned her chassis to face Ric again and Ric shrugged. "That is the honest truth."

"I… I don't know what to say." Adiinah said weakly. "I don't feel brave."

"Wanna know a secret? Neither do I sometimes." Ric admitted. No one seemed to know what to say to that. "Adiinah, my Order is gone. It has to stay gone."

"Does it?" Adiinah asked, her tone oddly speculative. "What if… it wasn't your order? A new Order?"

"That terminology doesn't work for me." Ric groaned. "Anyone called 'New Order' is usually bad guys."

"We will need help." Adiinah's tone was stronger now. "Janet will need help and to be kept secure as you said. We need more people in on this we can trust. Brianna Executor is one such. We need to see if we can aid her."

"The Tenno will fort up, go dark." Iriana said softly. "The Citadel, the colonies, the dojos, everything will hide as it did after the Collapse. They won't help us. They can't. They have to look to their own survival first."

"So it is up to us." Adiinah said softly. "Mother?"

"Set course for Mars, Adiinah." Mother said firmly. "Best possible speed. As for the other? We will talk. You are not a warrior."

"And that is a good thing." Ric said firmly. "I…" He bowed his head. "I will stay until I see Cecelia, you and Oracle Janet safe, Sentient Mother. Beyond that? I don't know."

"That is more than I would have asked." The green sentient said quietly. "Thank you."

"You say that now…" Cecelia muttered, not even close to under her breath. Ric bowed extravagantly to her and the girl made a face at him. "No singing in here! You will disturb Janet!" From his stance, he was pouting, but Cecelia waved him towards the door. "Out! Now!"

"Killjoy." Ric moved with his wife and the pair exited the room.

Iriana looked at the large green sentient and without a word, both left the room. As they did, the door closed and sealed. Even a psi would have difficulty breaching those doors.

Wait a minute! Why was there a small smile creasing Janet's face that faded as the room went dark? Had this been planned? Then there was only darkness.