Well, it was about time for Mordenna to start going over the moral implications of making his own personal assistant.

With everything that had been happening recently, he'd been a little distracted in actually getting around to making his sparky little helper—just like he'd gotten distracted about seeking out Wiki for what she said she owed him in the first place. Life on the Avenger certainly kept him busy, that much he would say. But now he had Wiki with him, and he was making his way back to the Workshop.

He looked down at the Codex brain he was carrying in his hands. Mordenna wasn't much for worrying over the morals of things, really, but he still wanted to make sure he wasn't going to make an AI that was hostile to him for erasing its past memory. He knew what kind of resentment could come about from that, so he really didn't want to inflict it on anyone else. Wiki assured him that there wouldn't be anything left but a death proxy, and that really wasn't a Codex in her words. Just a snapshot of the last hour or so of operation to let ADVENT know what happened to it if they recovered it.

"Like I said," Wiki said, breaking him out of his thoughts, "It's clandestine. We'll be completely wiping the death proxy so there's no room for imprinting, and from there it's like working with a reformatted device. You're basically going to be making your own AI from a baseline."

Mordenna nodded. "Usually I wouldn't consider the ethics of it so much, but it's funny what some time at XCOM does to the way you think."

"I mean, it's natural to be worried about it, in my opinion." Wiki shrugged. "But, coming from a Codex herself? It'll be fine."

He could take some solace in that. "Fair enough, I guess. I might end up putting this off a bit longer. Jax's armor needs to be stepped up the production list, considering both the back and the front have problems. Maybe once you check this Codex brain it'll be the next thing Shen and I handle. She's been working on that thing for the Archons, alongside a project for the Commander."

"Oh, the legs for the Archons, right?"

"Yeah. I'm honestly still reeling over it a little bit. I mean. Archons. With legs." Mordenna splayed a hand out, then used that hand to open the door to the Workshop. "Honestly I'm not gonna be prepared to see—"

Mordenna had finally looked into the Workshop proper, and even his Sight-gifted eyes had to adjust to what he was seeing. Lily and Rodin were over in the former's corner of the Workshop. Lily herself seemed fine. It was Rodin who Mordenna was focused on. The man was standing on two legs, sprouting where they normally wouldn't be on an Archon. They were the same shade of red as the rest of his body, and even had those same style tattoos that his torso had.

Wow. She'd completed that faster than Mordenna had expected. He raised his eyebrows. "So, uh, whatcha got there, Lily?"

Lily looked to Rodin, to him and Wiki, back to Rodin, then to the tool in her hand. "This? This is something I really haven't named yet. I'd call it a welder but its function—"

"You know damn well what I mean," Mordenna snarked, gesturing to Rodin. "That man has legs. Ahead of schedule, too."

"Indeed I do," Rodin replied, too smug for his own good.

Lily shrugged. "I can work on multiple projects at a time pretty quickly when it comes down to it. Considering the Commander's stuff could be based off of existing blueprints? Wasn't too much of a hassle to work on that while doing something new."

"Well, glad to hear it worked out well." He tilted his head at Rodin. "Those working alright?"

Rodin nodded, walking around Lily's workbench to approach Mordenna. The jets that were normally on the bottom half of Archons were gone, meaning that seemingly the only means of propulsion he had left were in his wings. "She has done an absolutely fantastic job with her craft—I would take her to be an Archon were I blind!"

"Oh, half of it was Mordenna's ideas for Fal-Mai's prosthetic." Lily followed after him, setting that tool down. "And part of it was your physiology. I didn't know Archons were intended to be modifiable."

"Such was the nature of our kind, before the Elders perverted us for use in their armies." Rodin gestured grandly. "The original Archon is a harmonic symphony of metal and body, forged from the living minerals of our homeworld! A shame your Earth does not seem to have such resources that ours do."

"Apparently their planet's metals are renewable," Lily explained, "and for lack of a better word, alive. I don't understand the specifics, but they can harvest the metals and use it to create more of themselves, and the metal perfectly integrates with their biology."

"Sounds like a transhumanist dream," Mordenna muttered, his genuine interest taking over. "Or, transarchonian? You get the picture. Still, based on ADVENT's Archons—"

"A horrible choice for the full picture," Rodin interrupted. "I've gotten reports from my men and some of the soldiers regarding how they are producing them, and it is an insult to me and mine, what the Elders have done to them." Rodin's mouth twisted in disgust. "This is not to even mention what they were doing to them twenty years ago."

"The Floaters..." Wiki rubbed her arm. "They... really mangled them back then."

"And it is why they shall pay in blood!" Rodin flourished his hand in a broad, aggressive gesture. "And should I and my court have to revive our old traditions of modifying our bodies, so be it. I will teach those False Gods not to turn their backs on the planets whose bodies they leave desecrated."

Mordenna held up his hands. "Good that you're angry, but maybe don't try to take my head off with your hand?"

He looked a little flustered at that, the props on his wings jittering for a second. "O-of course. I digress. Lily's craftsmanship is peerless."

"I'd say," Mordenna replied. "Just wish she'd start taking more credit for it."

"Well!" She exasperatedly gestured to him. "You're the one who told me the concepts."

"The concepts." He pointed at her. "You're the one who went out, got the alloys, shaped the legs, assuredly tested them, maybe even made a whole new base for him so he could use them, and here he is walking like a goddamn charm! Lily if you try to keep jumping off of your pedestal to shove me up there I'm just gonna break the damn thing."

"As aggressive as Mordenna is..." Rodin crossed his arms, looking to Lily. "I cannot help but agree. You do need to take more credit for your work, Chief Engineer. On my planet you would be venerated for your skill." He then looked to Mordenna again. "We did have the option of legs on our homeworld, but they looked much different to what humans have. They were designed to weather hard stops and provide grip for takeoffs."

"Oh yeah, I remember hearing about those." Mordenna rubbed his mouth. "So larger-platformed feet and cleats on the bottom?"

"Out of many options."

He nodded, then looked to Lily. "Speaking of cleats, tangentially, at least—and don't think you've escaped me lovingly kicking your ass over your self worth—Lily, I've got some projects to field with you."

She looked like she wasn't like the idea of Mordenna coming after her later on the subject, but she seemed to latch onto the idea of new projects. "Alright, alright. What're you thinking, bro?"

"Well, it's simple." He tossed the Codex brain to Wiki, who got the implication and zipped over to his workbench to work on it. "My brother's armor is melted in the back, gouged in the front, and I don't think we really managed to get all of Fal-Mai's blood off of it. He needs new duds and I need your help making them."

Lily nodded, and she walked over to her bench. Gesturing to ROV-R, the little GREMLIN flew over and started a projection as Lily picked up her datapad and stylus. "Well, I remember you talking about kitting everyone out at some point, and probably best we start with the man who needs it most. What do you have in mind?"

Mordenna came over, gesturing as he talked. "I'm thinking WAR Suit base, naturally. Let this man fire off heavy weapons—though I don't think he needs the supporting servos to brace for firing them."

Lily raised an eyebrow, though the blueprint for the armor came up. "Have you actually gotten around to doing a weight test for what he can handle?"

"I'm a little afraid to know that number," he muttered, "considering I've seen him stop a Berserker slam."

"Yeah, that's more than a little frightening. I guess it means we can do whatever we want so long as he still has flexibility in it."

"I would like to see him against Vel'kiin," Rodin replied. "I am sure he could not stand up to her strength."

"Well, that might be our benchmark one day. For now, any other ideas, Mords?"

"It's Jax. We have to get some sort of aesthetic in there." Mordenna rubbed his chin. "I've already talked with his tailors regarding that, and something crusader-like is what we generally settled on. Cape probably included, but like... two, smaller ones, hanging off of individual emplacements coming from his shoulder blades. Lets him have a spot to hang his gun and still be fabulous."

Lily's mouth set in a line. "I... kinda know what crusader armor looks like?"

Mordenna turned to Wiki, who was levitating the Codex brain, her black datastream flowing faster. "Wiki, wouldn't happen to have anything like that saved?"

She looked up. "As it so happens..."

On the projection, an image of the armor popped up. Lily gave an impressed whistle, starting to add details from it onto the WAR Suit. Mordenna looked at it. "... larger shoulder pads. The helmet needs to accommodate his horns—which I also need to get around to redesigning and making some for Liz—and... I'm thinking a different style? Retractable visor, the front is mask-like, not slits for his eyes but like, one-way opaque lenses? Or maybe one conjoined lens fashioned like a slit."

Lily stared at him. He sighed. "Give me that." He took the pad and stylus from her, adding the details he had in his head. As he did, she nodded, finally starting to see what he was on about. While he had the datapad, he added a few more details, narrating as he did. "Ok, so right under the hitch for his rifle is going to be the drum for his ammo types, and we need to retain the hitch on his hip for the cannon. XCOM banners on the capes, and probably a smaller one on the front. It has to stop before his gauntlets, meaning the heavy weapon has to be kinda detached from the armor itself? I might just fit a few to work on his gauntlets. Speaking of gauntlets, I need to make the shard addons for those, too. Make it so it's trivial for him to have a melee weapon if he needs it. Ooh, I can put a grenade hitch or two on the belts, that would be nice."

After a few more stylistic changes, he handed the pad and stylus back to Lily. She took a moment to marvel at the design he'd made. "You see, Mordenna? This is what I mean when I say you're doing a majority of the work around here."

"Shut up, this is unrelated. We're working together on this one to make it go faster, alright?"

Lily sighed. "Alright. We've got an unmodified WAR Suit kicking around, so we can start with that to make things go faster. We're going to need at least one core to make that ammo drum, and a few more for the heavy weapons, but we have some lying around." She tapped the stylus against her chin. "Starting to run out, though. Wonder if I can ask the Commander to make another supply run soon?"

"Eh, I can do that during my downtime." Mordenna shrugged. "I'm gonna need the materials to make another tiny one for my own mask I'll be making here soon, anyway. Whether it comes down to a shopping trip or me robbing a supply train, I'll get us some."

"Fair enough by me. Making your own Reaper mask?"

"Hell yeah, and I'm gonna make it useful. Incorporate some alien tech to spite Volk." Technically he was on better terms with Volk nowadays, but he wouldn't pass up a chance to poke fun at him. "But, back to what I was thinking. Can we start immediately, or do you still have a few things to do with Rodin's legs?"

Lily looked to Rodin, who put his hands up. "I have a 'sculptor' in my ranks. If you teach him how you made the base and legs, he can work on his own to replicate them for whoever else in my ranks desire them."

She nodded. "Introduce him to me and I'll get around to doing that. Still, guess that does free me up to work on it with you. Though..." She pointed at Wiki with her stylus. "What's Wiki doing?"

"Oh, her?" Mordenna shrugged. "We're going to make me a Codex."

Lily nodded in total understanding for a moment before doing a double-take at him. "Uh?"

"Yep." Wiki was the one who responded that time. "I'm repaying the favor he did for literally saving my life by letting him make his own little assistant. I've got faith that he'll treat whatever Codex he makes well."

That was certainly an uplifting statement, especially considering who his "father" was. Mordenna hid a genuine smile behind his hand. "I hope so, anyway. Still, she'll work on getting that started for me, and after we're done with the armor I can deal with that."

"That's fair. I was surprised Jax was fine going out in that armor last time, but I suppose he didn't have anything else to wear."

Mordenna sighed. "Yeah. Would've moved up his project earlier, but... Fals's arm came first." He hoped Jax understood why. Things seemed to be going good between the two of them, despite how many times Mordenna endeavored to fuck things up. He moved on, wanting to stay away from such thoughts, even if his mind remained on his brother. "Say, we should probably make sure Jax is good with the aesthetic of this. You go get the WAR Suit, I'll go get him. Sound good?"

"Sounds good to me. Think that thing's in here, actually." Lily went over to one of the crates in the room, rifling through it.

Mordenna took that as his cue to leave. "Alright. Wiki, let me know when you're done." She gave him a thumbs up, and he turned to Rodin, lowering his voice. "You. Don't seduce Lily and break her heart or I will end you."

Rodin chuckled, holding up his hands. "I have no intentions of such folly. She—and your Commander—are commendable souls."

The Commander? Mordenna narrowed his eyes at Rodin. There were way too many people trying to get in Eliza's pants, himself included. "You and I are thinking the same thing on the Commander, at least, but if you end up with her instead of me, the sentiment stays."

Rodin nodded. "I would fully invite you to end my disgrace if I were to hurt either of them."

"Good." Mordenna then raised his voice back to normal volume. "Alright, chucklenuts! I'll be back." With that, he left the room.

Mordenna pretty much knew Jax's usual haunts by this point. If he wasn't in the Studio, he was probably in his room, which Mordenna really needed to help him kit out at some point. Ah, well, eventually. He slapped the panel to the Studio, walking in without looking. "Alright you magical freaks, what did you do with Gigantor?"

"Brother." Ah, there he was. Amidst a few laughs from the occupants of the room, Jax was sitting on a frankly huge bean bag—Chosen-sized, really—doing his best to glare at him. He even had his new duds on—and of course he had to capitalize on the joke and lounge in a roman tunic. White and gold were pretty tasteful colors—what was even more so was the XCOM pin holding his rope belt together. Rest of the room was as busy as it usually was—with a few Mystics over in the creative corner, being a little bit more giggly than usual and seemingly messing with some paints.

Of course, Jax couldn't even jokingly hold the expression long, rolling his eyes and inviting him in. "Come. I'm sure you have something of importance."

"Eh, importance is in the eye of the beholder." Sweet, there were two huge bean bags. Not that Mordenna made use of the second one, flopping down right next to Jax to be a bit of a pain. Jax didn't seem to mind, merely moving his arm to the back of the chair to give Mordenna room. "I do have something to ask, but you wouldn't mind if I shot the breeze with you for a few minutes?"

"Not at all." Jax motioned to the ring of bean bag chairs, a rather nice-looking rug underneath all of them. A few of his congregation were sitting in some of them, including one of the Phoenixes and his Centurion. Jeanne, if he remembered correctly? He was sure the other was Alexander. "I was merely relaxing with a few of my followers and making good use of the amenities that Hestia and Demeter have provided."

"Glad you're living in the lap of luxury, bro. Bean bag chairs are choice." These ones were clearly made with care, with minimal, but pleasing patterns and lovely material. "Getting stuff made for the Black Market, too?"

"Assuredly. I believe the Baroness will be happy with what they have made." Jax smiled gently to himself. "I am glad to enable something they take to so eagerly. I am sometimes afraid they are just doing it to please me, but they seem to take a certain amount of joy in their work. It lifts my spirit to know I am doing right by them."

"Ain't that all we can ask for?" He poked Jax's shoulder. "Nice duds, by the way. Sure the Tailors were happy to do that for you."

"I appreciate it, brother—and that does remind me. They have yours and Fal-Mai's first set ready when you wish to pick them up."

"Sick! Hope they were able to pull it off well, but judging by some of your PR outfits in the past, I'm sure they did." Mordenna sunk further into the bean bag. This was comfy. Maybe he needed to hang out here more often than he did. "Since it's related to duds, might as well bring up what I wanted to talk about—we're moving onto making your new armor. I think I nailed your aesthetic with the design, but I'd like to get you down sometime in the next century to check it out."

Jax nodded. "I will accompany you when you see it fit to rise."

"Yeah, that's a pretty big 'when.'" Mordenna stretched out, getting more relaxed. "... you see Fals at all lately?"

"She was in here earlier, and I informed her of her clothes being ready." Jax smiled fondly. "She left quickly after that, and dare I say she looked rather excited."

"Can you blame her? Girl designed herself a set of clothes she'd be comfortable with wearing with good fabrics." Mordenna grinned. "Probably be in here any minute now, wanting to show off her new outfit. Predictable, but damn adorable." Thinking of Fal-Mai in her new clothes and her generally expressing herself more tangentially led Mordenna back to a thought he'd had earlier. "Speaking of settling more into trivial comforts, you need any help decorating your room, bro?"

"Certainly. It is rather barebones as is, though my dear followers have been helpful in adding some dressings." Jax grew silent for a second, eyes darting to the side. Poor guy looked nervous for some reason. "There is... one thing I would certainly like, but..."

Was it something he really couldn't say aloud? No problem for Mordenna, even if he really couldn't imagine what would be so embarrassing to ask for. Something interest-related? Whatever the case, Mordenna's hand landed over Jax's, and they started the mind link. "Feel free to tell me, bro. I'm not really someone who can judge."

It was even more evident how embarrassed Jax was in the mind meld, almost bordering on shame. "Are you sure you will not...?"

"This is a judgement free zone, Jax."

Jax was still looking away. "I... I would very much like something like a nightlight. I find it very hard and distressing trying to sleep in total darkness. I've hardly been able to make use of the bed provided to me for that reason."

Well, that was reasonable. Mordenna patted Jax's hand. "No sweat. Little bit of elerium—practically just using some dust, really—line it in some vented metal, make you something stylish that still keeps the room at a low glow. I'd like my siblings to be able to sleep where I can't, thank you."

The relief that struck Jax when it was clear Mordenna wasn't going to make fun of him for needing that made Mordenna a little sad, but he understood why. "Of course. If... if anyone asks, it is a decorative light fixture."

"Oh, absolutely." Mordenna took his hand off of Jax's, easing out of the connection. "Anything else? I could probably fashion you a radio, put on some tunes? You're an orchestral type, right?"

At that suggestion, Jax shuddered, hunching a bit. "Anything but. The whole genre has been tainted to me."

"What? Why—" It hit Mordenna in force, and he felt stupid for even suggesting it. "Right. Cronus. Sorry."

Jax shook his head. "It is no fault of your own, brother. Merely his. I do still enjoy the idea of a radio, though I think I will be using it for other stations. Perhaps to play some of the music Wiki has compiled?"

"Yeah, I could make it so it could interface with a datapad. Think they called that bluetooth back in the day? Regardless, it's the least I can do for you." He smacked a fist into his palm. "You like burning incense, right? I can make you something that'll have the smoke come out of cool places. Get some modern art in this house."

His brother chuckled, easing up. "I would appreciate the gesture." He sat back into the beanbag. "What of yourself? You don't have a room, do you?"

"Eh. Don't sleep and I really don't have too many personal items to keep track of. The Workshop essentially is my room."

"Hm. I suppose. There are other rooms that could be emptied out, I'm sure..."

"With the Alien Rulers and their people knocking around down in the basement, I think they need all the space they can get." Mordenna shrugged. "Don't really see myself needing—"

It was then that the door to the Studio opened, causing Mordenna to drop his current line of thought. Fal-Mai gently walked in from the outside—and indeed, she had gone and gotten her clothes. Turtleneck, fitted pants, and a glove on her left arm—girl was practically covered from head to toe, and she looked pretty comfy. Even had the glowing, Mordenna smiled, raising his hands. "Ay! There she is! Get over here Fals, you look great."

Fal-Mai smiled, approaching. A few of the other Mystics echoed Mordenna's sentiment, causing her to blush gently and give her thanks back. She eventually got over to where Jax and Mordenna were sitting, humming in thought. "I would like to relax on the other bag, if you would have me."

"Fuck that! Jax, move over." Jax and Mordenna parted, leaving a Fal-Mai sized space between them for her. Once it was clear, he patted it. Fal-Mai giggled and sat down between them. The three of them on one bean bag was stretching it a bit, but it was still comfy. "There we go. How you doing, Fals?"

Her grin was contagious. As she spoke, her drone sloughed off from her arm and she held it close to her. "The Tailors finished up my new clothes—and wearing things that are soft and do not irritate me is quite the treat."

"Ah, I need to get mine at some point. Good to hear, though!" Mordenna patted Fal-Mai's shoulder. "You look comfy, and that's great." The fabric of the sweater was damn soft. The Baroness really did spoil Eliza and her soldiers. The perks of being attractive, Mordenna guessed. Oh, speaking of Eliza! "Damn, I forgot something."

Jax raised an eyebrow. "What did you forget?"

"Just the thing you asked me to do. Well, I didn't forget to do it..." Mordenna sighed. "I forgot to ask Lily explicitly if she was done with Liz's stuff. Probably is, she got those Archon legs done and mentioned Eliza's stuff like she had it done too. I guess I can go get it, but..."

"No need to get up." Fal-Mai looked down at her drone. "Rosetta? Would you please get Eliza's gauntlets and amplifier from Lily in the Workshop?"

The drone gave a rather cute trill and hopped off of Fal-Mai's lap, scurrying out of the room. Mordenna shook his head as Fal-Mai looked to him. "You named it Rosetta."

Her smile fell. "Is there something wrong with that...?"

"Oh, not at all." Mordenna held up a hand to further the gesture. "I was just thinking on how adorable it was. Naming the thing after Eliza."

Fal-Mai's blush was back, and she crashed back against the bean bag. "Allow me to live," she muttered, "it was the first thing I thought of when I wanted to name her."

"Again, it's adorable. I can't really be one to throw stones, and neither can Jax."

"I'll throw stones the day I move out of my glass mansion," Jax dryly snarked back.

"Bro, I love your humor nowadays."

"I learned from the best."

Mordenna grinned. He loved having a brother. "Finally, some recognition in this household! Why wasn't I getting this kind of—"

Mordenna would've went on had Marlene not done something strange. He'd been watching her out of the corner of his eye—as he'd been speaking earlier, she got up without saying anything to Dolly and Arachne. She then walked over to the supply closet and got out a blank canvas. What made him stop was her walking over to his side and holding it out, blocking his view of the creative corner.

One of the Mystics over there cried out. "Amelia, dont—!"

There was the sound of paint being squeezed out of a tube, and then it hitting a canvas. Mordenna watched as a red drop of it ran down the one Marlene had grabbed before she held it horizontally, guiding the drip back on. Her helmet turned towards Mordenna, then looked away, setting the canvas on the table and walking back to her group. In her wake, the Mystics at the creative corner were quiet and embarrassed.

Well. What a chain of events. If Mordenna didn't know any better, he'd say she knew that was going to happen. Couldn't let that sit without explanation. "Yo. Marlene. Back over here."

Marlene stopped, hesitating a moment before turning back around and approaching the Chosen. Her Revenant hung above her, eyelessly eyeing him cautiously. "Yes, Hunter Mordenna?"

He rubbed his chin. "... I know we didn't get off on the best foot but I really don't have a grudge against you. So, mind if I ask just what happened?"

Her fingers wound together. "The Mystics were getting excited."

"Precise angle, distance, height, you had that canvas aligned just so a searing shot of red paint wouldn't ruin all of our outfits and potentially the beanbag." He let his hand drop. "You're not called 'Seer' for nothing, are you? I'm not normally one to believe in prophecy, but..."

She looked away slightly. "I have been designated the Seer for a reason. The Earth gives me Her prophecies when She is able, and I act upon them when I can."

"Usual rules of seeing the future tend to either not let you change it or account for you trying to change it. You're telling me you can change it?"

In response, Marlene took a bean bag, dragging it very close to theirs and sitting down in it as properly as she could manage. This close, the whispering picked up, though Mordenna tried very hard to not let it bother him. "That is one of the blessings She gives me," Marlene started, murmuring. "She allows me to act on the visions sent to me. I could only presume you three did not wish to have your wardrobes ruined."

"Assuredly not," Jax said. He seemed to see Mordenna's mild discomfort, placing a hand on his in solidarity. "I... never got around to asking such, Seer, but may I inquire what would've happened had I not taken your advice back then?"

Marlene was quiet for a moment. Her Revenant leaned down towards her and one of the mouths moved, apparently whispering something to her. She nodded. "Back when you mistakenly overloaded the Commander... I had seen the outcome that would transpire if I had not said anything. Mordenna would approach, and without my warning, your first instinct would be to defend yourself. To use Odette's scarring as a defense and a weapon. To call out Mordenna's perceived hypocrisy." She looked to Mordenna. "Mordenna would grow further incensed, and attempt to strangle you, convinced that you were trying to kill the Commander. The Tailors attempt to stop him, and..." Marlene looked away, one of the tentacles of the Oracle rubbing her shoulder. "The rest proceeds unfortunately. I asked what would happen were I to give a subtle warning, and She let me know the far better outcome."

Mordenna... didn't really want to believe that. He didn't want to believe there was a situation where he could get so angry at Jax nowadays that he would resort to trying to strangle him. But... he knew how angry he had been at the time, how much he wanted to believe Jax had acted maliciously against Eliza. If Jax had, indeed, perhaps rightfully called him out for hypocrisy? That wouldn't have ended well.

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Well, I suppose it's good that you told him. I don't exactly like hearing that, but..."

"I'm sorry." The helmet did a good job of hiding Marlene's emotions, but it was pretty clear she was distressed. "I... tend not to share the details of what would happen if I did not take the actions I did. Some would rather not know the potential bad futures ahead of them."

"It is chiefly my fault for asking," Jax replied. "I thank you for your guidance."

Marlene nodded. Mordenna still felt pretty shitty for making her feel uncomfortable. Odette, Marlene, the Mystics back then, could Mordenna stand to not? He crossed his arms. "Hey. Marlene. We, uh. We really got off on the wrong foot. I don't hate or dislike you—honestly, I owe you for helping both the Commander and my brother out—and me by proxy. I just got a little on edge because of you knowing about my 'dad' and..." He lowered his voice. Whole room didn't need to know what he was about to say next. "The whispers around you remind me of him. That was always what I heard when he got angry at me, which... happened a lot. Ain't your fault, it's his—I just have 15 years of association to break down."

Marlene looked back at him, and after a second, it seemed like her Revenant wasn't eyeing him as much. "I appreciate it, Mordenna. I'm sorry such things happened to you. I... would temper the whispering if I could, but I cannot further restrain my psionics more than I have. I wish I could..."

The Oracle gathered around her shoulders, appearing to hug her. Mordenna leaned back against the bean bag, somehow feeling even worse. Fal-Mai was the first out of the three of them to respond, surprisingly. "Admittedly, I find it rather interesting. It is hard, but I can sometimes pick out what the whispering is saying."

Marlene's head snapped to her. "You... you can?"

Fal-Mai nodded. "Only one or two of the voices are decipherable to me at a time. It was... a running conversation about what Rosetta was doing and where she was at. Sometimes the other voices talk loud enough that I lose track for a bit, but... if they're correct, my drone got Eliza's equipment without a problem... and Eliza herself is following her?"

The Oracle was trained on Fal-Mai very intently. It moved closer to her, and the mouths moved. Fal-Mai blinked, looking... not quite at it. It was like... she could only hear it. "I... yes, my hearing has always been sharply honed. To the point where I may hear psionics if the conditions are right."

"You understand it, sister?" Jax was the one to ask that. Mordenna knew Jax could see it—with his mastery of psionics, he was likely the only one out of the three of them that could both see and hear it. "I cannot understand the whispers for the life of me, but... they are far too familiar for my liking. Not of Odin—the inflection is different. More like..." He creased his eyebrows. "I... cannot fully fathom why. I remember receiving visions myself, long ago. A twisting, enveloping creature of Void, waiting for Elders and humans alike long in the future. A great surge of power from beneath the Earth. But, that is all I remember..."

Mordenna saw, Fal-Mai heard, Jax was familiar. This situation was growing far stranger by the second. Mordenna was sure the conversation would've gotten really interesting had the door not opened just then. They all looked over—and sure enough, the first thing to enter the Studio was Fal-Mai's drone, running in with Eliza's equipment on top of it. Second was Eliza herself. She smiled at the gathering of people. "Hey everyone!"

Everyone clamored to say hi back to the Commander, and she chuckled as she walked in. Rosetta reached Fal-Mai first, sitting on her lap and chirping sweetly. Eliza's gear was colored a desaturated light blue—a slightly different color than the gear for the Chosen. Her gauntlets looked like a mashup of Jax's and the Templars'; more styled than the latter, but more rounded than the former. The amp was more like a laurel wreath than a crown, with the leaf-like protrusions and the way it would sit on her head. Mordenna and Lily had a fun time analyzing Jax's amplifiers and replicating the construction in a sleeker form. The drone had thin tendrils around all three items to keep them steady, which she retracted since she'd reached her destination.

Eliza reached the gathering of Chosen and Seer, slinging one of the bean bags over and sitting in it. "This is quite a group of people. What's going on?"

Mordenna would have answered, but Marlene was quick to beat him to the punch. "A conversation to be resumed at a later time, Commander, should you require anything of us. I believe we need to take the rest of it somewhere more private, anyhow."

"Sure I'm not interrupting?"

Well, it really was the kind of conversation Mordenna would rather finish up sometime later. "Nah, you're good, Liz. Now that you're here, though!" He took the gauntlets and crown off of Rosetta, presenting them to her. "An order of gauntlets and an amp for our favorite Commander."

Eliza grinned, taking them. "Remembered it was my birthday today, huh?"

Mordenna blinked several times. "... what?"

"September 5th. That's my birthday. Unless I'm to assume none of you did?"

The room fell to a hush. From where she was at, Pattie leaned around Benald. "O'Leary? It's your birthday?"

"Pretty sure it is," she replied, "unless I'm going senile."

The room erupted in motion. Eliza's proper soldiers rushed over to her, and there was quite a few exclamations. "You never told us, chief!" "I don't even have a present ready!" "Happy birthday, Commander!" In the back, the Mystics were almost panicking, in a buzz about how "we haven't prepared anything!" Mordenna himself was practically lost in the noise and commotion—and a quick glance over at his siblings told him they were similarly stunned. Well, probably for different reasons than him—he'd learned that Jax got overstimulated by a bunch of stuff happening at once and Fal-Mai didn't like chaotic, noisy areas.

There needed to be some order on this birthday! Mordenna put his fingers in his mouth, his sharp whistle piercing the commotion. The room quieted down, and he stood up. "First of all! Sorry, Fal-Mai, I know that probably wasn't pleasant."

"Far more pleasant than the commotion," she muttered, her and Jax standing up with him.

He shook his head. "Still. Anyway, second of all! Whether O'Leary told you or not, I'm gonna hazard a guess and say this isn't proper birthday etiquette no matter who it is. Running around like chickens with your heads cut off ain't gonna accomplish much, so here's the deal! On the count of three, we're doing the birthday song. Got it?" He got his affirmations from the room, and he grinned. "Ok! One! Two! Three!"

"Happy birthday to you!" Jax's baritone was nuts. He was easily the best singer in the room.

"Happy birthday to you!" As they sang, familiarity kicked in with the room, and he heard even some of the aliens humming along.

"Happy birthday, dear Eliza!" Poor Pats, she was singing her heart out, though he couldn't say she was any better for it.

"Happy birthday to you!"

The room erupted in cheers and clapping, and a few of the humans added on their custom verses at the end. Eliza's smile shone like the sun and her laughter was clear to Mordenna's ears over the din of celebration. Another year older for the light of his life. When the noise died down a bit, he gestured to her. "Gratz, O'Leary! Would it be inappropriate for me to ask which year we're celebrating, or?"

Eliza shook her head. "Please, I'm fine about aging. This is my 58th."

"Such a noble age!" Jax spread his arms out. "'Tis just a shame I could not prepare ahead of time. I would have you a far better song prepared."

"Ah, just the good ol' classic is good for me." Eliza held up the gauntlets and crown. "I'll consider this birthday present enough."

"Well then put 'em on, O'Leary!" Pattie was way too excited for something she probably knew nothing about.

"Gauntlets first," Mordenna recommended. "Will probably prepare you for the crown."

Eliza nodded, and Mordenna took the amp as she slotted one of the gauntlets under her arm, putting the other on. With both on, she flexed her hands, going "hm." "Interesting feeling, that. Psionics feel a bit more... subdued. Hard to put a finger on the exact feeling."

"The gauntlets will act as surge protectors for you—and they can do Templar shenanigans too if you want. Don't tell Geist I nicked his tech."

In the circle of people, Kalight sighed. "If it is for the Commander, I am sure we may compromise."

"Great!" Mordenna offered the crown. "Now, your swanky crown?"

She smiled at him. "Why don't you do the honors?"

So Mordenna got the pleasure of crowning Eliza. He chuckled to stave off his mild nerves, holding the amp properly as he placed it over Eliza's head. His particular eyes could see her signature blossom out as the crown was secured on her head, and he got this rush of emotion. Eliza was beautiful, and he was so glad that he was on the ship long enough to see one of her birthdays. The happiness he'd felt before seemed to expand in his chest. He was stuck looking at Eliza and grinning like a fool, dismissing the minor movement and form of her psionics out of the corner of his eye as them stretching a little bit more.

A few of the soldiers around Eliza gave some impressed whistles, and Benald went as far as to clap his hand on her shoulder—a bit of a feat, considering how tall Liz was. "Looking good, Commander. Always been glad to run under you. Happy you made it to another year."

"I'd say." Banel leaned a bit to look at the Commander. "Hardly many others I'd let order me around in sticky situations."

"She's made this ship a home," Edgar added. "Hard not to feel a little emotional in this sort of situation."

Eliza smiled, rubbing the back of her head, but there was... something off about it. It didn't quite reach her eyes, and the way her eyebrows were pinched a little? She seemed nervous. Crowded, maybe? Liz was never uncomfy in a crowd in the time he'd been here, though. "Happy to make it to another one myself," she managed. "Wish I had more to say..."

Mordenna really couldn't tell what was wrong. It seemed like the perfect situation. Jax stepped forwards. "If you find yourself short of words, I will gladly make up the difference. Commander, it is clear that the soldiers under you have followed you for quite a while, and for good reason. Were there a doubt in their minds that you could not have led them as well as you have, there would be no sort of celebration today. It is your natural skill and compassion that have driven all of them to fight for you—and today's festivities are the fruits of your labor. Forget your inhibitions! You have earned it."

Jax certainly was a man of all the right words. Something in what he said seemed to click with Eliza, and her smile was back to being completely genuine. She chuckled, brushing some hair behind her ear. "You know what? I think that about says it right there. I'm happy you're all as excited about my birthday as I am. Think this calls for a little celebration. To the Bar?"

"To the Bar!" Went the cheer of her soldiers. Eliza gave the Chosen one last smile before filing out, practically the whole room following her. The remaining Mystics started pulling supplies out and hurriedly making plans with each other regarding gifts, and upon a nod from Jax, the rest of his congregation that hadn't left did.

That left the Chosen, the Mystics in the corner who were quite busy, and Marlene. Jax gave a gentle sigh, sitting back down on the bean bag. "I'm glad she got my meaning," he began. "It was not the place for me to detail that she was still not merely charming everyone with her psionics."

Oh. That was what was up. Eliza probably got a big blast of anxiety from her psionics growing stronger thanks to the amp. Mordenna joined Jax in sitting back down, and Fal-Mai followed. "Glad you recognized it. I don't think I would've had the exact words to both be subtle about it and assure Liz she's not brainwashing everyone." He rubbed at his mouth. "We should've walked out with her, shouldn't we?"

Jax shook his head. "Not with that many people, especially in such a small area as the Bar is. The situation was growing dire enough in here."

Fal-Mai gave a distressed hum. "Agreed. Perhaps later..."

"I'll tug Liz's ear to get a more quiet celebration going later for you guys." Mordenna himself had not trouble with rioting parties, but he wanted his siblings to be able to celebrate with Eliza. "For now..." He looked up at Marlene. "... we had quite the conversation going."

Marlene nodded, sitting back down. "I suppose it is understandable that all three of you would be able to parse the Oracle in your own ways. But, Warlock Tessura... what you have said interests me the most." She tilted her head at him. "If you heard such whisperings long ago, then should you not have a messenger such as I? A Revenant, if we take your brother's terms?"

Jax scrunched his face a bit, like there was something he was trying to recall. "I... cannot say I have ever had one. I would think I would know if I had one."

"Manifestation may take time," Marlene went on. "I do not have many cases to study—outside of mine and the Prophet's—but as the psionics develop and become more powerful, the Revenant 'wakes up' in essence. Oracle did not fully manifest for me until I was some ways into my Bishop training, though there were signs that they were with me beforehand."

"I certainly cannot have one, if that is the case." Jax crossed his arms. "My psionics are as powerful as they have ever been, perhaps even more so now that I am experimenting with them."

There was something kicking at the back of Mordenna's seat, as it were. He'd been over Jax's file. There was mention of some sort of suppression—though the terms used there were beyond even what Mordenna knew. The vagueness of it hadn't helped, either. Did Jax have a Revenant that Cronus suppressed, somehow?

Marlene ran her thumbs against each other, and the Oracle took more of an interest in Jax. "I believe I could, perhaps, find out. If you would allow Oracle and I, we may deeply probe your psionics and investigate for any peculiarities."

His brother seemed like he was pretty heavily considering that. Mordenna figured he was wondering over the ramifications. If it turned out he did have a Revenant and Cronus had suppressed it somehow, what then? Mordenna had essentially no clue how you'd go about reversing such a procedure. Psionics were kind of a genetic thing, so he wondered if Tygan could help? It seemed a bit above his pay grade.

Eventually, Jax sighed. "Well, I suppose there's no harm in learning more about myself. You may look, Seer."

She nodded, getting up and crouching in front of Jax. Marlene reached forward, and at the same time, several of the tentacles from the Oracle came around, wrapping around and sinking into Jax's head. Putting a gauntlet on Jax's forehead, Mordenna watched as the waves of her psionics began to rise, and the whispering grew louder. Jax's eyebrows pushed together, as if strained.

Suddenly, there was a spark of red light, and Marlene stumbled back, almost tripping. Jax clutched his head, giving a pained groan. Mordenna was quick to get up and be at Jax's side. "Jax, you alright?"

"That..." His eyes were still squeezed shut. "... that was painful."

"M-my apologies." Marlene seemed out of breath, and all of the mouths of the Oracle were running. "I... I did not think She had... that you were..."

Mordenna had enough cryptic speaking for a lifetime. He requested a short meld with Jax, just to help him ease the pain. He watched as Fal-Mai leaned over and did much of the same. For a second, his mind's eye caught something retreating from Jax's consciousness, somewhere he couldn't even follow. Considering his hypothesis maybe confirmed, he took some of Jax's headache and looked to Marlene. "Well?"

Marlene still seemed staggered, looking at Jax. "It was... it was only for a moment, but I was able to see it. Many eyes, writhing tentacles... a halo?" She shook her head. "It was familiar—the third child of the Earth, dare I say it. But... something blocked the Oracle and I out. No... something forced them down. I cannot be sure of what."

"Might've been something Cronus did," Mordenna muttered without thinking. "Still, 'child of the Earth?'"

She walked back towards them, kneeling. "... please do not speak of this to anyone else, save the Commander. I implore you." Marlene took a deep breath. "When I speak of the Earth, the divine body that I and my fellow Templars worship, I speak of something different than my brothers and sisters imagine. The Prophet and I are the only ones I know of that know Her true form. The Earth... She is the One Who Sleeps Beneath. The Mother of the Void. She sleeps for now, but even in Her dreams, She acts."

"What kinda cult bullshit...?" Mordenna figured he should probably be a bit more respectful than that. "So you say there's some sort of eldritch abomination sleeping here on Earth?"

"'Abomination' is to call Her one who has not been sleeping here all the while." Marlene looked down. "She slept deeply until the Elders came, their use of machines and foreign psionics causing Her to toss in Her sleep. There were times before where She naturally stirred, She has told me, and caused miracles and otherworldly events. But now, the Elders threaten to wake Her before it is Her time. If She does... She will not depart Her sleep peacefully. She will lash out in pain, and mean the destruction of humanity and Elders alike. She told the Prophet She blessed three humans with Her children, to take form according to them and allow Her to speak to them. The Prophet and I host our own. If... if I am correct... you host the third, Warlock."

That was a hell of a notion if it was true. Mordenna looked to Jax, whose signature accurately portrayed his confusion and sheer bewilderment at the implications. It began to give way to something as he let his hands drop—not understanding, not any sort of "that explains a lot." Anger came and he clenched his fists. "Why?"

Mordenna had the swift feeling he knew what Jax was about to be on about. He raised his head, addressing the leftover Mystics. "Girls, clear the room for a moment."

They looked over to him, but seeing Jax hunched over? They set their tools down and hurried out. The frustrated rage coursing through Jax told Mordenna that was probably a good call. "Why?! Why, even when I am away from his grasp on me does he continue to ruin my life?! Can he not settle for striking me and reducing me to a crying wreck?!" Jax shot up, his hair flared behind him. "Must he also seal away parts of myself for his own demented reasons?! Why?!" He wheeled on Mordenna, then looked to Fal-Mai. His anger waned, quickly replaced by guilt. "I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

"No, don't start," Mordenna was quick to say. "I'm fine. Fals?"

"I as well." She patted his arm. "I must also ask the same questions to Cronus..."

"Perhaps it was some kind of power trip," Mordenna grumbled. "Can't let one of their Chosen have the measure of power they have. You were probably too strong for Cronus to be comfortable with, so he sealed you up a bit." He slung an arm around Jax's shoulders. "Hey, it's ok to get mad. Got the Mystics out so they wouldn't get spooked." Although, it did occur to him that there was one other person in the room.

He looked to Marlene. She'd stepped off a bit as Jax had gotten up, but she didn't seem too worse for wear? Her hands fiddled with each other. "It is an injustice, is what it is," she began. "I am angry on your behalf, Warlock Tessura. No child of the Earth should be suppressed out of fear."

Jax gave a deep sigh, calming down. "I simply wish I knew what to do..."

Mordena shrugged. "Psionics are partially genetically-based. We could probably hit up Tygan." He leaned against Jax, properly hugging him. "Just... know that we're here for you. You're not any lesser to me because Cronus was a dick. Ok?"

He didn't seem like he was going to respond for a second until Fal-Mai hugged him too. Jax sighed again, wrapping his arms around both of them. "I suppose I will have to believe you for now." He looked to Marlene. "Thank you, Marlene. I consider it better to know than to be ignorant."

"I am glad I was able to help, even if the answer was... frustrating." She bowed gently. "I... must tell Geist, however. He will want to know where the third child went."

"Only if you allow me to speak to him personally the next time I am able."

"He will want to see as I have, I imagine."

Mordenna broke off the hug, but remained leaning on Jax. Jax's headache had subsided by that point, so he eased out of the link. "I'll see what I can do about asking O'Leary to land over there after she's done with her birthday party."

The door opened, and in came the Mystics. They were quick to come over, the few of them asking Jax if he was alright. He held up his hands and turned to them. "I am alright, my Mystics. Thank you for your concern. I... merely had to express my anger, and I thank Mordenna for asking you to leave for the moment. I do not wish to frighten you."

One of them—Amelia, Mordenna guessed?—shook her head. "So long as you are alright, Holy Father. I—we do not want you to suffer."

"He'd suffer more bottling the anger up, but..." Mordenna gestured vaguely. "Give him his space to be angry. If he doesn't want you in the room so he won't intimidate you lot, accommodate him, yeah?" They nodded, and the thing Mordenna came in here to do finally came back around and mentally smacked him in the head. "Oh, shit. I'd completely forgotten!" He stood up properly, point at Jax. "You! Big man on campus! We need to get you down to the Workshop to look at the design of the armor Lily and I are thinking of. Right now, before I forget again."

Jax chuckled and Fal-Mai smiled, the latter standing on her own, her drone perched on her shoulder. "Could I also come along to look?"

"Oh, by all means, Fals." Mordenna clapped his hands together. "To the Workshop?"

His brother nodded, walking around his Mystics. The other two Chosen trailed after him, though Fal-Mai went ahead to get the door. He kept talking and looking at Mordenna. "To the Workshop. I suppose I might have a gleaning of what you're intending for me—the Tailors are notoriously loose-lipped about anything concerning things asked of them for me." He smiled, holding his arms out as he walked. "I do need to advise them more in matters of—"

With a deep thunk, Jax's head bounced off of the top of the doorframe. In itself, pretty hilarious, if empathy-inducing. He staggered back, clutching his head. Mordenna would've made some sort of comment—if not for what rocketed out of Jax's mouth next. "Fuck!"

For a moment, Mordenna's mind was entirely blank. He had no clue how to even react to the actual situation of his brother swearing. His chest squeezed and Mordenna wheezed, slumping against the wall and gulping a breath of air. His next laugh was the loudest he was sure he'd ever done, stomach already hurting from the force of his laughter.

With his eyes squeezed shut, all he could do was hear Fal-Mai begin to giggle madly as well. The two of them were trapped in laughter thanks to their brother. Mordenna worked one of his eyes open—just to laugh harder. Jax had his head in his hands, face thoroughly orange behind them.

Mordenna tried to gather himself together at least enough to speak. "J-Jax, I—I didn't even know you could—" Nope. Mordenna was lost to mad cackling again, unable to so much as rib Jax. His laughter was probably enough.

"Let me live," Jax insisted over the amusement of his siblings.

Mordenna would, eventually. For now, his brother would just have to perish.


Oh, the sympathy Argus felt for XCOM.

They were currently reviewing the footage Cocytus had captured with their own eyes of the latest action against XCOM. Theoretically, they should've been proud that they had constructed elite units that were surprisingly effective against the Chosen. Theoretically. In practice, Argus could only watch silently as Jax lifted the Specter Prime, face contorted in justified rage. There were more things harrowing the Chosen now than Argus could casually count. Not that they'd want to, of course.

Theoretically, they should be proud that one of the plans XCOM actively meddled with had succeeded. In practice, Argus knew full well it was likely their own actions that caused Odin to think of his plans and put them to use. What if they had not shown up to the meeting? What if they had shunned Helena when she called for them and left them to bitterly fight, eventually achieving nothing? What if they had simply chided all of them for anger and then just left?

What if they never made the plans for the Siren?

Argus sighed. That was a line of thinking with no conceivable end. Knowing it was best to leave it there, they closed the video feed. As they did, their Phantom curled around their shoulder, looking at them. "Don't remind me of my time," Argus spoke softly, "though I know you're simply making sure I'm alright."

Their Phantom came to hover in front of them, hands clasped together nervously. For a being with a fancy clock for a head, it was doing a good job of looking concerned. "There's nothing we can do," they tried to assure it with. "Simply bide our time and make strides on the Avatar Project in the hopes of shortening this war."

It spread its hands out, questioning. "Why do I continue to work on it...?" It nodded. "Because, hopefully, humanity will see there's no reason to struggle, just as I have. I want them to succeed, believe me. But until they do... I suppose I have to make things as hard as possible." They placed a hand on their helmet. "There's also the sheer fact of the matter that they will know if I slow down or stop on their precious project. If I die and they recapture Eliza... that will be it, for her. If I remain, I can allow her to live some sort of life."

Their Phantom crossed its arms. "Yes, I know that is no sort of life to lead. I know it is not love. But maybe then she can have a revelation as the rest of the Chosen did and leave. Forge her own resistance anew." It continued to stare at them. "... I know they will likely not give me the chance, especially after what happened with the Trio's Chosen. But I have to try. If you can come up with something better, I would like to hear it."

In response, two of its hands came up to form a threshold. It used another to point at Argus, then used that arm to move through the construct. "Trust me, I would leave if I knew how! As it stands they have my body hostage. I would need to construct an Avatar with full consciousness upload capabilities, and..." They sighed. "I could. But then what? Throw myself at the feet of a woman who has every right to kill me?"

It spread its hands out again. "Yes I know she took in the Chosen, but their circumstances were different. They were forced by a power greater than them into doing vile deeds with the threat of permanent death looming over their heads if they did not cooperate." Their Phantom stared at them, and they turned to the side. "My crimes are of a far greater scale. They massacred, I genocide. It's not equivalent and I should not presume that Eliza would not also think that."

Their Phantom regarded them with more silence, leaving Argus to think. Maybe they could modify one of the Avatars secretly as they worked. Masking the full upload were they to test it first might present some problems. They would need to do extensive work in a facility as far away from XCOM's eye as possible. Argus was sure there was one or two over in Antarctica... but that would be highly visible to the other Ethereals. Well, with a UFO imminently upon XCOM, they might be trying to lay low for a bit. Perhaps one closer to civilization would mask it better from the others. They were merely set back if XCOM destroyed the facility—they would be doomed if the Trio found out.

Argus was about to act on their decision when the area they were in shuddered. Their Phantom leaped into them for safety and they turned around, hearing whispers pluck at their mind as Odin entered the area. With Odin came his own Phantom, and the Codices made quick work of dashing into their area and checking things out. Argus shook their head. "Phantoms..."

"They're curious, Argus." Odin slid forwards. "I'll permit them a second or two more. Unless you're afraid they might find something...?"

"The only thing I'm worried about them finding," Argus countered masterfully, "is how little work I've gotten done thanks to XCOM and their allies. I want the Avatar Project done as much as you all do, but it's mildly frustrating not being able to work."

"Well, with the UFO launched, they'll have to pick their battles a little bit more." With the second passed, he clicked at his Codices. They ran back to him, either hanging off of him or simply hovering in his area. "Your tactics are interesting, dear Argus. Hard to think a troublemaker would do anything useful, but I suppose the Collective keeps you around for a reason."

Backhanded compliments and undermining comments were what Odin brought even if he was in a good mood. Knowing that, Argus carried on casually. "It's that or the Pit, Odin. Given the choice between the two, even a troublemaker such as I can see reason."

"And how thankful I am for it! As the rest of us are, I suppose." Odin gestured vaguely. "I'd like to think that we would be making steady progress on the Avatar Project without you, but I would like to think a lot of things."

"I just do what the Collective asks." They paused. "Most of the time."

"You cooperate eventually, that much can be said, or else Angelis would've supplanted you by now." Odin examined one of their hands. "I can't help but think it would be easier if you became like the rest of us, however."

Oh, this again. Argus crossed their arms under their robes. "When the time comes, it will be my decision. If I am forced, it will not end well for anyone involved."

"Oh please, don't think for a second that I forgot your speech!" Odin spread his arms out, and as he did, his Codices moved to accommodate it. "'Should you strip me of hope, kindness, and empathy now, you will leave yourself with a being motivated only by anger and spite, and with those clutched to my chest, I will take my secrets to the grave with me.' Hard to forget when you overturned a vote by the Collective to modify you by yourself. To our Overmind's face himself! For a troublemaker, you make for good show."

That meeting had been long, long ago, back when Argus was still putting up a fight for what they believed in. It was a far cry from them now. Not to say that they were stupid back then—if they hadn't fought and made the Collective see what would happen, they would be dead by now. "I merely wanted to uphold the Collective's virtue of thinking into the future, even if my delivery could use work."

"The things we feel shame for now, hm? Not that I would know." Odin put his arms back under his robes. "A little while more of seeing how useless those emotions are will do you good, I think. I'm not of the same mindset of the others of trying to push you—because of course you'll want to be contrarian and put it off. I know I would be. So long as you do your duties, you can take your time."

Personally, Odin was the most terrifying of the Trio to Argus. He was willing to wait and see, and when he wanted to lash out, his tactics were underhanded and hard to see until they'd already been carried out. XCOM learned that the hard way. "I will, I assure you. Now, I'm planning to requisition another facility for the project—and with your UFO in the air, I will certainly have the breathing room to do so. Would you mind if I did?"

"Just one more thing and you can attend to what you wish." Odin looked to the side. "I would've asked one of the others, but Helena and Cronus are unbelievably cross that my plan worked. So, naturally, asking them anything isn't going to get me anywhere. The UFO is a credible threat, but I'd prefer it if we found the Avenger as soon as possible. I did a quick check of our prisoner log and it seems we still have one of theirs kicking around our prisons. I don't suppose you think I should chip her and let XCOM take her?"

Odin's plans were as underhanded as always. That was Jane Kelly, if Argus remembered correctly. Knowing Eliza's nature, it would likely work. "That would be quite well, so long as they don't find the chip.

"I'll make sure her wardens get it in without her noticing. Probably when she's passed out in a pool of her own blood." Odin sighed. "Well, I appreciate the feedback, but I suppose you've got work to do while XCOM isn't destroying it. Best of luck, Argus—you'll need it."

With that, Odin vanished, the whispers bidding them a few sarcastic goodbyes as he did. Once they were sure he was gone, they slumped, sighing. Their Phantom appeared again, hanging off of their shoulder nervously as it was wont to do. Still, they had business to attend to, and the faster they managed it...

Argus went to work, pulling up an interface and beginning to navigate. "She's always been a bastion of trying, hasn't she?" They could only hope. They had a specialized Avatar to plan for. They went to pull up their Avatar files... but something drew them once again to Eliza's files. They opened the directory they had them in, and naturally, their eyes glanced over to the file they'd kept exclusively in this section of the Void. It was labelled as just another Siren-related file, so they were glad that the title worked in escaping the notice of Odin's Phantom. They knew exactly what was in there by heart.

There had been something... strange, about Eliza's psionics. Their color was the first immediately noticeable part, of course. Light blue was far outside of the range of a human, and they'd only observed one other color difference in another human—and Cronus was quick to change that the best he could. There was also the fact that Eliza seemed to be harboring a Phantom that wasn't a Phantom. It exhibited traits common to Phantoms, such as existing symbiotically with its host and suggesting some sort of power increase through its presence, but... this one was notable. Argus hadn't gotten to a satisfying conclusion in the time they were studying Eliza, but if they didn't know any better, they would say a young Ethereal had bonded to her. Based on the readings, not just any Ethereal, but... an Ascended.

When Argus had discovered that, they knew immediately they couldn't report that to the Overmind. Their campaign across the universe had been to destroy those who had achieved what they couldn't—ascension. If the Overmind knew that their Network battery was housing one, he would have them erased from existence—and such destruction would extend to the host. Of course, if word got out that Argus had hidden such news... that would be a fate worse than death, assuredly.

Argus looked at the file for a few moments longer before deleting it. Better safe than sorry. Perhaps, one day, Eliza could wake the child up.