"I see you have found yourself a… crew."
Newborn spoke from behind the murky black of the Holo-comm screen, seeing Maroo, Mor, and Xarra packed into the cockpit of the Swallow. "Cephalon Mor, wanted by the Corpus Board for over two million credits in stolen or destroyed property, and Xarra: the 'Pillager of the Junctions.' Their talent certainly is not lacking."
Xarra clenched the armrests of his seat.
"I didn't call you so you could mock them," Maroo said. "I have my reasons."
"So, you have an update?" Newborn said.
"Vey Hek is the one leading the transfer."
"… He is probably the most loyal to the Queens, therefore their best candidate."
"He hasn't left his compound in a week. We're en route to see if anything has developed there," Maroo said.
"A week? Which one?"
"One on Earth."
"If he's had this task for that long, you will have to do more than scout," Newborn said.
"You mean it might already be there?"
"That, or whatever Hek is planning is about to come to fruition. There is no time to waste, Maroo."
"I need time to—"
"There is no time. You will just have to infiltrate and get any intelligence you can."
"You can't just tell me to sneak into Vey Voiddin' Hek's military stronghold! You think spying is something people do on a whim? Something like this should take weeks of prep."
"I know it's not that simple, but there is no other option."
"…Any other 'suggestions'I should know about?"
"One trace of evidence and our deal is off."
"What?" Maroo said.
"It will not be by choice. If either Hek or the Queens feel their Orokin Blood is at risk, they will hide it, or destroy it."
"For muck's sake…" How is it this precious to the Grineer, and I've never heard of it? At first, she was just trying to play along for the money, but the evidence pointed to the Orokin Blood being real.
"All you need is a transfer location and time. Once you have that, get out."
"Don't tell me how to do my job, Baby-man. I'll let you know when I have any more info," she slammed her fist against the holo-comm, cutting the connection. With a sigh, she leaned into the cushioning of her chair, hearing a noise she shouldn't have heard—metallic clicking.
"Mor!" She turned. "Is that… is that my Pyrana?"
"Uh…" The Cephalon tapped her fingers together, one hand clutching what looked like a miniature artillery cannon. "It was… but it's better—"
"You better have a way to put it back the way it was, dammit!"
"But it'll explode when you finish the clip!"
"Fix it, or I'm ejecting you into the Voiddin' sun."
The Cephalon slumped, "Fine."
"Did you see her walk out?" Maroo looked at Xarra. "Did you notice she left?"
"Mm."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"The Cephalon isn't my problem."
"You've got to be the worst Tenno the system has, Ghoulsack."
Xarra's fists tightened for an instant, "I don't like him."
"Me either," Mor said, as one of the modifications on the shotgun-pistol crashed to the ground.
"He's got Platinum. And a lot of it," Maroo said. "That's all that matters. Besides, it's like he said, once we get this—just a quick ambush and we'll be done."
Xarra scoffed.
"Now, if you'll leave me alone and not touch anything," Maroo eyed Mor. "I'll be throwing together something resembling a plan."
The Swallow landed itself in a clearing amidst the thick jungles of Earth. Plants throbbed, streams whistled their quiet melodies, and the wildlife screamed louder ones. Even parked a kilometer away, the spires of Vey Hek's compound twisted in the distance like a misshapen Sydon plunged into the ground.
"Alright," Maroo said, walking down the ramp. "Here's the plan. You two are staying here."
"What?" They both said.
"Sorry," Maroo shrugged. "There's too little time. We can't afford mistakes—you heard him. Sneaking will be much easier if its only one of us."
"And you don't want the Tenno doing it? That's ridiculous. I'm coming too," Xarra said.
"No. I've come up with a plan, but it only works with one of us."
"That place is massive. You're going to be able to find where the data is hidden quick enough? The longer you're there, the higher your risk of failure."
Maroo bit her lip, "you got me there, but still. With Ten Thousand Plat on the line, I can't afford taking any chances. I just need to find a data-vault, swipe that info, and I'll be done." Her suit pressed her skin harder—she'd loaded up everything she could possibly need. This would leave her with no gear, but once she had her cash, she could re-stock to Eris and back.
"Look," Xarra said. "I understand how tight this is… You know why I want to do this."
"You want to impress Lotus."
"Let me do something here. I've done plenty of spy-class missions. I know the ropes."
Maroo had to hold a chuckle—she had never thought she'd live to see Xarra begfor something. That wounded Tenno pride sure is something… "Fine. But we stay in close communication—"
"I'm coming too!" Mor said.
"Sweet Void no you're not," Maroo snapped.
"Why not?"
"Well, there's the insane tic you have, your love for explosives, and your one-man band of a mechanical body, for starters."
"That's not fair! Xarra is going but I can't?"
"Xarra understands 'quiet'. Look Mor, this mission isn't loud. It can't be—"
"You'll be able to go on the ambush with us afterword—" Xarra started.
"You told me this was a loud job!" Mor said, face deepening in hue. "You told me I could loud things!"
The Cephalon looked at the ship.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Maroo raised her hands. "Fine! You can come!"
"Maroo," Xarra said.
"Yay! Yay! Loud!" Mor cheered.
"I don't want to come back to my ship in pieces," she said. "I have an idea. Mor,"
"Mm?"
"You can come, but you need to do something for us on this mission."
"Oh?"
"We need you to secure our escape route."
"Like, blow a hole in the wall?"
"No. If we're caught, they're going to come after us. If we can't get to the ship—"
"I see what you're doing!" Mor pointed. "I'm not going to be a guard-Cephalon while you guys go off on the real fun!"
"Dammit," Maroo muttered. "Fine. Can your suit be… less loud?"
"Mhm! Mhm!" Mor nodded. Her body smoothed itself, juts and parts folding inward, leaving a sleek design. The Cephalon flailed her limbs, but no sound reached Maroo's ears over the natural ambience.
"Good enough," Maroo sighed.
"This is insane," Xarra said.
"We'll make it work."
"With Mor? You're joking."
"We'll have to. Besides, 'no shields off your back,' right?" Maroo watched Mor study her own body. "We're wasting time. We'll just have to keep her on a tight leash."
Xarra grunted, but followed as Maroo trekked towards the compound. She held her holographic map in her hand, occasionally eyeing the other two behind her. The only plan she had was derailed, and now had to improvise getting in and out of Vey Hek's compound with an insane Cephalon. That was bad enough, but there was one more thing bothering her.
Xarra. Why is he being so…friendly?
A few hours ago, he'd almost watched her die like it was Rathuum. Now he's desperate to come along. Under different circumstances, she'd look into it more, sniff out what he's really up to. But Maroo needed everything she could get. And a Tenno would come in handy for something like this.
They didn't encounter any Grineer until they were outside the walls. Not even a trail led to the base on any side—as if Hek just dropped it into the Earth. Hard crashes and thumps streamed from the massive, military-green walls, overcast by ear-ringing broadcasts of Vey Hek's messages. Maroo, Mor, and Xarra hid in the foliage, watching Lancers and Troopers march on patrol.
At least there's an acoustic cover, Maroo thought. But it didn't alleviate the coalescing dread sinking in her stomach. There were too many unknowns, too many potential mistakes. Am I really risking everything on this? The weight of the suit tugged at her, as if wanting to pull her back.
"I'm going to check the other side," Xarra said.
Maroo nodded: they had rough scans, but needed more information. The Tenno waited for an opening, leapt high, kicking off a thick tree trunk and grabbing the wall's ledge. He scanned the other side, dropped and launched off the wall back into the forest before any eyes could see him.
"About there," he pointed. "Big pack of crates in an otherwise empty yard. Only three soldiers. Lazy ones. There's a terminal down a close alley too."
"Good. Think we can get map-data?"
"It's possible."
"Okay, Mor," Maroo said. "Keep. Quiet. You follow and you don't act out."
"But that's boring!" Mor said.
"Mor."
"Fine, fine. But only because I'll get to blow up stuff on the next mission. Right?"
"Absolutely. Now, go on me."
Maroo waited, letting the current gap close, opting for the next one. No risks could be taken—she was already pushing her luck on that. She rushed and leapt with boosted legs, grabbing hold of the wall at the apex of her jump, only taking a moment to scan the area and find where Xarra had described. She flipped over the wall, hearing Mor and Xarra doing the same. The three landed behind the stacked boxes, and Maroo listened—making sure no one was coming to investigate. Or worse.
"I saw the alley," Maroo muttered. "That way."
Xarra nodded.
"Oh!" Mor shouted. "We could—"
The Tenno tackled her to the ground, "Void. You've really never done this, have you? Don't talk."
"Maroo!" Mor said. "Get him off of me!"
"You were being loud—"
"How DARE you!"
A voice made Maroo snap to cover. It didn't come from anywhere close. But she knew that harsh, grating tone. She'd been hearing the broadcasts since they got close.
Councilor Vey Hek floated over the three guards watching the yard, beady orange eyes taut with anger. His normal body was long gone, replaced with a massive mechanical form that looked like a toy ship brought to the size of three men. Various parts wiggled or rotated, watching the blind spots of its master. The only flesh remaining was his face, held by a long neck-like appendage.
"…Ga—" The guard started.
"You think you can speak with me!" Hek spat. "You barely have the privilege to BREATHE around me! You could have jeopardized everything! Have you no respect, no LOVE, for your Queens?"
"M-my…"
"I want to see you in the Brig!" Hek's voice cracked. "If you are obedient enough, then maybe—maybe—I shall reinstate you!"
The guard nodded, trembling.
"Get. Out. Of. MY. SIGHT!" Hek roared.
The Lancer scrambled away. Hek turned, expression sweaty and tense, and sped towards the entrance.
"He certainly seems stressed," Maroo said. "Mor, you understand why we have to be quiet now?"
"I know, I know—"
"Then no loud noises. No loud anything."
"Okay!" She muttered. "I get it!"
"Good. Xarra, get off her."
The Tenno begrudgingly obliged, keeping his harsh stare on the Cephalon as she dusted herself off. Maroo peaked around the tower of crates, checking the direction of the alley for any wanderers. After a minute of silence, she nodded to the others. They broke cover, hugging the edge, watching the space between the buildings. The computer terminal jutted from the wall, next to a round, metal door.
"You sure this will give us map data?" Maroo asked.
"It will if our Cephalon accesses it," Xarra said.
"What?" Mor said.
"Let's give it a try," Maroo nodded.
"Wait—"
Maroo and Xarra slid to the console, watching both exits. Yet, Mor didn't move.
"Mor," Maroo said. "What are you doing?"
"I'm not your servant!" She hissed. "Just because I'm a Cephalon doesn't mean I can do work you're too lazy to do! Either of you could hack in!"
"But you're better at it than we are. You can get deeper than either of us."
"I don't do Cephalon work! I'm Mor! I'm different!"
"If you're on this job you need to carry your weight," Xarra said. "Or else you're worse than useless."
Mor tensed, fists clenched firmly at her sides.
"I-I'm not useless." She muttered.
"Good," Maroo said. "Then prove it. We don't have time for you to stand there and pout."
Mor's fists shook, before two of her fingers morphed to fit the ports of the terminal. She jabbed them in, making the screen shake. Like a digital storm, thousands of prompts, textboxes, and pop-ups blurred past, the Cephalon having no trouble getting access to everything.
"I hear talking," Maroo muttered. "Mor, make it quick."
She grunted. Which turned into a low growl, "I'm no Cephalon… I'm me! I'm me!"
The console exploded.
"Mor," Maroo said. "What did you do?" She scanned the area. It wasn't loud, but the smoke fuming out of the case was not a good sign.
"I-I told you I don't do Cephalon work! But, don't worry! It wasn't loud! Like I promised!"
"You muckin'—"
"Guards," Xarra said.
The three bolted back the way they came, sliding to cover.
"I… made it look like a short!" Mor said. "A really big one!"
Maroo shushed her. Two Troopers approached in a jog—a good sign. They didn't assume there was an enemy. But it wouldn't last long. As soon as they see the terminal…
The soldiers checked the alley, starting at the smoking computer. Maroo reached for her pistol. They were still close to the wall, they could still get out. Xarra reached for the swords on his back.
"As soon as they radio in, we leave," Maroo said.
"But—" Mor said.
"That intel is useless if they know we have it. They aren't taking any risks—"
The two guards eyed each other, before turning and walking off, one throwing his hands up and shaking his head.
Maroo sighed, feeling like a gun was taken off her temple.
"See!" Mor whispered. "I told you—"
Maroo slammed a bolstered arm into the Cephalon's mechanical chest, "you do anything like that again, and I will leave you here as a consolatory gift for Vey Hek. Am I clear?"
Mor nodded. The Cephalon didn't have eyes, but Maroo could still sense the budding fear.
"I'll go get the map data," Xarra said. "You two should go back to our entry point—no one will look there."
"Right," Maroo nodded. "Thanks, Xarra."
Xarra chuckled, "don't thank me, thank Mor."
"Me?"
But the Tenno didn't respond. He leapt, climbing the two walls of the alley.
"Mor. Come on," Maroo said, nodding towards the stacks of crates. The Cephalon pouted, but joined Maroo, watching for any potential soldiers.
"Why do you expect me to do Cephalon stuff when I told you that I don't do it?" Mor said.
"Because you are a Cephalon. That's what you do."
"No! I'm not a Cephalon. I… don't want to be."
"Oh come on, 'Only Service'? You can't stray too far."
"That's not—…" Mor trailed off, making Maroo smile. You know I'm right. The thief glanced at her, before returning to her careful watch.
"Xarra—" Mor started.
"Xarra is a Tenno. Like how you bots are made for digital things, he's made for this kind of thing. Don't be mad I let him run off on his own for a minute."
"Is that why he's on the middle tower?"
"What?"
Maroo whipped to view the other side. Xarra was climbing toward an open vent, watching below for any wandering eyes.
"Xarra," Maroo said into comms. "What are you doing?"
"Getting the data."
"The map-data? That's a tad overkill."
"No, I have that. The intel. You two can just wait. It will not take me long."
Maroo clenched her jaw. He wasn't that heroic to get it for the group, why would he want it for himself? What good would the intel do in Xarra's hands? He couldn't sell it off, and he sure as the Void wouldn't turn it in to the Grineer.
But he would turn it over to the Lotus.
"Damn it," Maroo grunted. "Mor? Can you fly? Quietly?"
"I can!" Mor nodded, springing to her feet.
"Good. Follow my lead. And make sure we're not seen."
"Mmm!"
Maroo checked her suit—this was one of the reasons she brought everything. She didn't know what she might need. She traversed as fast as she dared, Mor following with a spring in her step, until they were near the base of one of the towers. Levels of balconies encircled each spire like rings, with their own snipers and patrols.
Maroo didn't think as she ignited the Icarus, small boosters placed at key points, and wobbled in the air. The sound was quiet, for a propulsion system, but roared in her ears in the silence between machine movements. She steadied, shooting towards the first balcony, and carefully grasping it magnetically at her hands and feet. Mor landed next to her.
"Oh, I see!" Mor whispered. "Clever!"
Funny way to say 'insane'. Footsteps trembled the metal platform mere centimeters from Maroo's head, hammering the spike of fear into her side with each shake. It was stupid—one glance upward, one bored back scratch, and Maroo's ten thousand Platinum was gone. She looked at the ground, hoping to see another path to the vent. Coming up short, her mind scrambled. What if we got map data, and got to the intel first? But that wouldn't work. No point in racing a Tenno. There really wasn't a choice.
She curled her hands into fists, "Mor, be ready. We're flying over to that vent as soon as there is an opening."
The Cephalon nodded.
Maroo closed her eyes. The metal ringing above her grew strong. Hissing from somewhere, then a loud, quaking crash. More ringing above. Another crash. Less ringing, now distant ringing. A hiss.
"Now," Maroo said. Her heart clenched, hoping to the Void that no one on that balcony was looking in her direction. The timing had been good, thankfully, as the loud crash covered their rockets. She reached the other side, affording her one look behind.
No one was on the balcony. Everyone on the ground was hard at work. She didn't have time to think about why no one was there, climbing into the shaft.
It wasn't a long fall. Maroo landed on her feet, stepping aside as Mor hit the ground with a dull metallic ring.
Xarra stopped walking toward the other end of the storeroom.
"I thought Tenno were supposed to be helpful," Maroo said.
"I said I was getting the intel, did I not? You don't have to worry about me."
"I thought they weren't supposed to be liars either."
"I don't need to hear that from you," he spat. "You and Mor are far, far from honest."
"I don't care what you think about me. You joined my job. Do something like that again, and you're off of it."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. I'm just telling you what will happen. Maybe this time around, I'll get a real Tenno. Might cost me a bit more, but it seems to be more and more worth it."
Xarra clenched his fists, "you're doing this for the riches. Mor's doing this to stroke her explosive kink. I'm doing this to help win our war!" He roared. The Tenno didn't flinch at the noise he was making, standing amidst the fading reverb. "Just because you two revel in the filth of the underworld, doesn't mean I want to!"
"I don't care."
"…What?"
"I don't care about your motivations, tin suit. Start trying to be a good boy after we're done, but right now the job is most important. That's what you agreed to, coming on. You lie, you backstab, can you at least hold your word? Even Mor has done better than you with that."
Xarra stood silently, tense as stone. Maroo made her way to the door, passing the Tenno. "If you don't want to keep jeopardizing this mission, the stay quiet and follow. Otherwise, I'll just see if the Lotus has any half-decent Tenno I can use. I'm sure they'll do much better."
Mor's footsteps rang behind her, metal against metal. Maroo listened, waiting, as she strode with confidence to the terminal locking the exit. She didn't manage five steps when Xarra's heavy feet resounded behind her.
Good, she thought. That was a gamble, but truth be told, she didn't know what she'd do if Xarra left. Better to have a cheaper, dysfunctional Tenno than an expensive and real one.
What would have taken Maroo five minutes had taken all of them nearly twenty—the easy part. Who knew what sort of security measures Vey Hek put inside his own compound, around his own room? They'd find out, but not in any way Maroo would have liked to.
"Everyone ready?" she asked. "From this moment on, I don't want any more Ghoulsack. Even a little could kill our chance. We've already treaded the line with Mrs. Luck today, and I don't want to be on her bad side. You hear?"
Mor nodded. Xarra didn't respond.
"Good enough."
15