Civil

To say the atmosphere in the portal chamber of the Tenno Citadel was 'tense' would be technically true. The same way that describing the Sun as a light source was. Truth, but the magnitude!

Marlena held Lissandra close as half a dozen warframes aimed weapons at her. Cass was in some kind of Tenno hovering chair thing that Ali had provided, and his face was a mix of fear and humiliation as no one paid him any mind at all! They all focused on Marlena who held Lissandra and Ali who was carrying Alicia in her warframe with no discernible effort.

"If the human female wakes up with weapons aimed at her, she will not react well." Ali's mild voice was biting.

"Set her down." Rachel commanded. Marlena looked at Ali who shrugged. "Now!"

"Do what she says." Ali allowed. "She may be rude, but this is her home." Again, quiet, calm and biting. "She might be able to do more than we can. If she bothers."

"Shut up and get lost, asshole!" Nikis strode into the room, his pistols in hand. The tension had only seemed sky high. Now it was astronomical. "You ain't welcome here."

"And leave them with you? I think not." Ali's tone had frosted, but he did not move as Nikis approached. "If you threaten any of these victims of Tenno hostility, I will take your pistols away and beat you with them."

At that, everyone stilled, human, Tenno and Sentient alike! Was he nuts? Saying that to Nikis of all people? Nikis just grunted and then nodded to Marlena. He holstered his pistols!

"Set her down." Nikis' tone was odd now. Not quite as rude, not quite as demanding. Still angry. "Let me see her."

Marlena very slowly and carefully lowered Lissandra to the ground where she lay the human out straight. She released the girl and took a step back, only to find Ali had moved to stand close by. Somehow, he had sent Alicia down and moved to stand right beside Marlena in a matter of seconds.

"Never run from a predator, girl." Ali was still mild, but now his voice was moderate instead of biting. "Even if they are not angry or hungry, they cannot change their nature any more than you can. They will chase you down and hurt or kill you if they see you running. Nikis is probably the single most dangerous predator you will ever meet. Stand your ground or he will walk all over you. He can't help himself."

"Shut up." Nikis bristled as he knelt down by Lissandra and orange energy fell from his gauntlet to cover her. Cass stifled a protest. He knew it would do no good. Then Nikis cursed. "Will wonders never cease? He ain't lying about her. Someone monkeyed with her mind before and then again recently using Tenno techniques."

"I have no reason to lie and many reasons not to." Ali said into the sudden silence that fell. "I want to see another Tenno on Tenno struggle about as much as you do, Nikis. Nyx saw to that." He bowed his head. "I did not thank her for it, but she did what she did. I owe her for opening my eyes." No one moved as Nikis rose and Ali moved to stand face to face with the ancient Tenno boogeyman. "The only reason I left my prison is that these humans that Nyx used her final energy to dump in my lap are doomed without help. The Sentient may or may not survive Hayden's wrath. These don't have a chance and you know it."

"What happened?" Nikis sounded tired for a moment and then he shook his head. When he spoke again, it as his usual tone of insolence mixed with anger. "Or are ya gonna be holier than thou again, 'Ali'?" The name was heavily ironic.

"Don't even try." Ali retorted. "I have never claimed to be holy. You of all people know how easy it is to get Tenno to see sense on occasion. Yes, I get arrogant on occasion. So do you."

"I never blew up women and kids." Nikis said in a very soft voice. Cass stilled. What the-

"No, you just shot them whether they were armed or not." Ali retorted. "Scaring and killing people is what you do. And you dared call me a terrorist. Hypocrite much?"

Cass' eyes bulged as Nikis lashed out to slap the other. Ali caught his hand, twisted in a sinuous motion and took the ancient Nekros to the floor! Who the hell was this guy? Ali bounded to his feet and Nikis did the same, his hands on his pistols.

"Go ahead, shoot." Ali had a feral smile in his voice now. "Prove to everyone how uncivilized you are. You know you won't hit me and if you aim at them?" He nodded to Cass, Lissandra and Marlena. "I will hurt you." Not a threat, a promise. "I shouldn't enjoy such now, but I know I would."

"Still smarting over the graffiti?" Nikis asked slowly.

"The next time someone takes a knife to one of your personal possessions, I am sure you will be the soul of tact." Ali replied. "That was an original Picasso you defaced, not a copy."

"An original?" Nikis inquired. Ali nodded. "Pity. I would have taken a dump on it if I had known."

"Yeah, you likely would have." Ali agreed. "After all, that is what chimpanzees and the like minded do. Throw feces."

Cass was somewhere beyond horror as Nikis and Ali glared at each other.

"Children!" A new voice sounded as a white garbed human form appeared nearby. Her face was half covered by a white veil. Oracle Janet's mouth was set in a grim line and she was actually tapping her foot. Cass did not take that as a good sign. When she spoke again, it was if to very small children "If you two idiots are done with the 'mine is bigger than yours', we have larger issues than either of you thinking the other is larger." She turned to Cass as both males sputtered at her. She ignored both of them, much to Rachel's apparent amusement. When she spoke again, it was sad. "I am sorry, Sergeant. I was distracted. I didn't see what was happening. I have no other excuse."

"You are not a deity." Cass waved her apology aside. "Did you see?"

"Yes." Janet slumped a bit. "Once I knew where to look, I tracked Marlena and I saw it all. I don't know if she gone for good or not, but..." She paused and when she spoke again, it was to all present. "...Galina did take a big chunk out of him."

"Galina?" Nikis said weakly. "Just like..." He swallowed. "Lynn?" Janet nodded and Ali bowed his head. "Ah shit."

"Nikis! Language!" Ali and Janet both chorused. They stares at one another and the Oracle smiled a tiny, sad little smile as Nikis shook his head.

"Hayden did this." Nikis said softly, then he looked to where Alicia lay. "And this one?"

"I haven't been focused on her, but you know how Liriel feels about her." Janet said softly and Nikis nodded. "She angered Galina and Galina was angry already." Everyone in the room shuddered at that. "Alicia isn't gone, just… Regressed a bit. You know what could have happened."

"Yeah." Nikis groaned. "I seen what she left behind a time or two when she lost her temper before. He didn't come back. I been looking for him, but he hides like nobody's business. If Hayden don't want to be seen..." The ancient Nekros trailed off helplessly.

"He isn't." Ali finished the thought. He shook his head as Nikis looked at him. "I owe Nyx, Galina." He corrected himself grimly. "Truce?" He asked Nikis. "My only interest is the humans, the girl needs help." He started to say more, but Janet interrupted him.

"Say no more!" The Oracle commanded and everyone stared at her. "That goes for all of you!" She said to Cass and Marlena. "I know what happened. I know why and believe me when I say the rest of you do not want to know. If you press this, things will get very bad. As bad as what Hayden did was, it was actually the lesser evil. Anyo figured out what she can do and wanted her for his own use. Hayden was kinder to her than the nutcase would have been."

"You are joking!" Cass exclaimed Nikis and Ali both stared at the Oracle. "He changed her, physically and mentally!"

"Hayden did not alter her, Sergeant." Janet said sadly. "The one who did is dead. The Clergy take extreme offense at that kind of thing in Corpus ranks. Hayden was using Anyo's resources to try and make you into his tool. A pet Cyberlancer. You are already indoctrinated, so he figured his brainwashing would hold if he could make transform after the rest of his brainwashing was done. He found out from Anyo that Lissandra can heal like no one else can and took her from the Clergy. According to my visions, the brainwashing that was done to you will not hold after what Lissandra did, but he and Anyo changed their plans when they realized that. Your brain was to be removed and placed in new type of Raptor proxy. One that Anyo could program to keep you in line."

"That is insane." Ali spoke up before anyone else could. "Even I know that brainwashing Cyberlancers is a bad idea."

"Yeah, cause your boss tried." Nikis growled, only to pause as Janet slapped him! Somehow, she physically connected to his warframe and he recoiled a bit. "Janet?"

"Nikis, I know you are upset with him and I know why." Janet said quietly. "Heaven knows, I agree with you! But we need him. You are heavily involved in this so I can't see it but so clearly, but I know it gets bad. Especially when the other assorted nutcases figure out what Lissandra can do. They will. There is a reason the Clergy kept her ability quiet." She speared Ali with a finger as he gasped. "Yes. And no! Do not speak it or face my wrath!" She commanded and Ali bowed to her, a formal kowtow.

"If… If what I believe is true...?" Ali asked slowly and Janet nodded. "Oh dear."

"Even the Tenno would not be immune to the lure." Janet said, glowering at all the others who slowly lowered their weapons. "When they find out the truth, they are going to demand her."

"What?" Rachel asked, stunned. "Why would Tenno of all people..."

"Do not ask that!" Janet did not scream the words, but the resounded like thunder anyway.

"No." Ali moved to stand beside Lissandra's still form and then he bent down to scoop her up, cradling her gently. "You will find out eventually and when you do… Morals and ethics are meaningless against such a temptation." He sighed, stroking the girl's short hair. "It won't matter if she doesn't want to help or not, will it?" He asked Janet who shook her head. "Would it be more merciful to end her suffering?" He asked Janet who pursed her lips.

"She is not suffering." Cass protested. "Don't hurt her!"

"That is the problem, sergeant." Janet said sadly. "No one would. Not even the Grineer would. They would keep her caged. Keep her comfortable, keep her happy as best they can, but a cage made of silk is still a cage. She would go mad. Sooner rather than later. And even that would not free her." She shook her head when Ali tilted his in query. "I don't think so. I don't know for sure. My visions are clouded due to Nikis being involved. I know who you are and who you were. I ask you, formally, to take steps if it looks like she will fall into the hands of the enemies of humanity. She would thank us both."

"Um..." Marlena swallowed hard as everyone looked at her. "Does that include me?"

"No." Janet replied without hesitation. "You and yours just want to be left alone. You are likely the only one here completely free from the regular temptation. But even you have felt her touch, so you know what she can do. Tell me that is not tempting."

"It is." Marlena said softly. "If it wasn't totally wrong, I might consider asking if she wanted to come with us although she would… not..." Marlena froze and then her metal face went slack. "No!" She gasped in shock and horror. "Oh no!" She clamped her mouth shut, set her posture and strode to stand by Ali. She crossed her arms and just from that, everyone could see she was not going to move.

"Janet, we can all keep a secret!" Nikis protested.

"Not like this, you can't." Janet replied and both Ali and Marlena nodded soberly. "There are far too many with far too much to lose to let her run free. If Anyo knows, he will blab it. It is what he does, run his mouth. The Clergy hid her. We will need to talk to them. Preferably before Hayden runs afoul of them, because the Reverend Mother is very upset." Nikis actually winced and Janet nodded. "For now? The Sergeant and the girl need medical attention. This place may very well be the only one Hayden cannot take them from, if only because they need help that can only be given here and the Tenno Code allows little leeway in such cases."

"Not that such would stop him." Ali said quietly. Nikis bristled abut Ali shook his head. "You know Hayden. If he sets his mind on a target, what happens?"

"Bang." Nikis said with a sigh. "If he tries, every Tenno will rise against him, shade and corporeal alike."

"He likely won't." Janet offered. "He is not stupid, just driven."

"Agreed." Ali said quietly. Marlena nodded, not speaking.

"I do not understand why he wanted me." Cass said weakly. "I mean, yeah, I have a way with computers but I wouldn't serve a Tenno. I serve the Company."

"If he wanted you to? You would." Ali said quietly. "There are many ways, mental, physical, pharmaceutical… No matter your training, oaths or whatever, there are ways. He knows them all." Cass paled. "Galina would have protested of course, but it never stopped him if he felt the need great enough."

"But why?" Cass demanded, sitting up straight in his chair. "That makes no sense! I am not a Cyberlancer."

"You will be very shortly." Janet said sadly and then she stiffened. "The Reverend Mother is calling me. Can I bring her into this transmission?" She asked Rachel.

"Sure, why not?" Rachel snarked. "What is one more person shown an ultra secret and secure location that is not secret enough for you?" Was that hurt that lurked in her voice?

"Someone who already knew it existed." Janet replied and the Reverend Mother of the Clergy shimmered into a hologram beside her. She looked startled but recovered quickly. "Reverend Mother, they been recovered, but there are… complications."

"I do not doubt it." The human looking female in the nun's habit said with a deep sigh. She looked at Cass and smiled just a little. "Glad to see you made it, Cass."

"For the moment." Cass said in a monotone. "The day is young."

"Don't borrow trouble." The mouthpiece of the Clergy said with a hint of ice and he stiffened before nodding. "Lissandra?"

"Alive, hurt." Cass said sadly. "She helped me and I… I couldn't help her."

"Yeah, she would." The Reverend Mother took a deep breath and turned to Janet. "How much do they know?"

"The one holding her and Marlena have guessed." Janet was very quiet. "I am trying to limit the damage."

"Don't bother." The nun replied heavily. "This is going to be bad enough if what I suspect is true. We raided the lab where we thought they were held and what we found… Tell me is it not him?" She begged.

"It is." Janet replied. "It is the First Tenno. Working with Anyo for some incredibly convoluted reason. My vision are unclear."

"Of course they are." The Reverend Mother sighed again. She gave herself a shake. "What do you need?" She asked, her tone uncompromising.

"I need an answer!" Rachel snapped. "You all know I can keep a secret. If I am going to offer sanctuary and protection against Hayden of all people, I want to know why."

Janet opened her mouth to retort, but the Reverend Mother spoke first.

"What is age, Tenno Rachel?" The Clergywoman asked quietly. Everyone stared at her. Ali, Marlena and Janet all bowed their heads.

"What?" Rachel demanded. "What are you talking about?"

"Lissandra." The Reverend Mother looked sick. "Age in most biological forms that are not engineered to avoid it is an overabundance of toxins that cause damage over time. Things wear out without the toxins. With them? Things wear out faster and are far harder to replace or repair. Things like the heart, the lungs and the kidneys in humans. All vital to the operation of the body and when they start deteriorating, the body goes into a downward spiral that is only stopped with a great deal of expense and technology. That is putting aside deterioration of brain cells which has its own problems."

"And?" Rachel growled.

"And... What if someone with more money than brains made a way to filter out the toxins?" The Reverend Mother asked very quietly and Rachel stiffened. "What if someone who had no ethics or scruples whatsoever took a young orphaned woman and made her into something truly amazing and terrifying?"

Cass stilled. "Reverend Mother." He pleaded.

"Lissandra is a good kid!" The nun declared. "She is kindhearted, gentle and loving. She went through several definitions of hell, both where she grew up and after she was taken from there. When we found her, she was barely sane. She had been locked in a closet and fed by proxies. For almost a year, the only human she saw was the man who made her what she is. Do not ask me what he did to her." She slumped. "He didn't want anyone to know. It took several weeks to break him enough to get him to spill the information and as soon as he did, my predecessor had him executed. When Lissandra was healed and lucid enough, my predecessor gave the girl a choice. Lissandra chose a funeral for her old identity and a new identity, a new life. She wanted to help people. She has good days and bad, but mostly? She helps and that helps her. She knew the danger, but this… No."

"You...are not saying..." Rachel stammered.

"The human body is not made to handle such stresses. When she does not use her ability, she is in near constant pain no matter what we try, every hour of every day. She has led a cloistered life her whole life with us. She is a nurse for God's sake!" The nun all but shouted. "Do I need to spell it out?"

"No." Nikis snapped and Rachel looked at him. "We can guess." He shook his head. "None of us are Ponce De Leon. We got enough problems without idiots seeking fairy tales like the Fountain of Youth."

"How… How old is she?" Cass was punch drunk now as realization dawned. Lissandra was immortal!

"She was sixteen when that scum altered her ten years ago." The Reverend Mother said savagely "And she has not aged a day since then." No one would meet her glare. "Will you kill her?"

"No." Nikis said very softly. "I ain't got the right." All of the other Tenno shook their heads with him. The nun stared at him and then she slumped.

"God help me, I wish you thought differently." The Reverend Mother said softly. "Neither my predecessor nor I had the guts to end her pain. No method she tried works, she filters any toxins and heals any damage. She stopped trying. I... I could end it for her, but I can't. She asked my predecessor to do it and she couldn't." She was crying now. "We can't just kill her! Pragmatism that we might need her aside... She is such a good kid! We all love her!"

That was not a good time for the portal behind Cass to flash. Every single Tenno had weapon in hand as Ali moved to the side, shielding Lissandra with his own body. Cass slid his chair away from the portal as Marlena moved to flank him. All of the eyes in the area met Hayden Tenno's and his physical face held shock.

"Oh… Um… Hi?" Hayden did not move. Wise. Nikis answered him with a snarl.

"Hello, Ponce."