Magic and Faith
Lissandra was openly gawking at the holographic Kavat, but Cass sat up, moving to shield her slightly for all the good that would do against a being like this. What little he knew about the Queen of Cats was frankly terrifying. She could kill Tenno. Humans had no chance against her. Luckily, she seemed more amused than wary.
Before anything else is said… Liriel was calm and quiet. I was briefed. Jesse pulled no punches when she explained what happened. She turned to Lissandra. You have my sympathy, human Lissandra. Such burdens as you bear can crush any. Tenno, human or other, what happened to you could destroy any of them. That you are as sane as you are is a testament to your spirit. She bowed her head to Lissandra who gulped. When the Kavat looked at Cass, her demeanor was stern. As for you? The answer is and always will be 'No'. I do not kill those who do not attack me or mine. If she were terminally ill, my mind might change, but she is not. She will not attack us, so I will not harm her. Add to that? We may need her peculiar ability someday. Lissandra wilted and the Kavat nodded. It is not kindness and I know. If it were up to me, I would probably consider alleviating your suffering. It is not. I cannot focus on my own desires now. I must see the bigger picture.
"She has suffered enough." Cass said quietly. Lissandra hugged him, not put off at all by what was said. They understood each other very well.
Life is pain, human Cass. Liriel replied. What is life without pain? Cass bowed his head and Lissandra spoke.
"I wish I knew." Lissandra said weakly. "All I had was hope and now? That hope has fled."
I am no Oracle to see potential futures. Liriel replied. Your life has changed, but you are still alive. Someone wise once wrote, 'Where there is life, there is hope'. You are alive, child. And now? You have found some small comfort. I am happy for you. She smiled as only a Kavat could. That said, I must speak to your paramour.
"Should I go then?" Lissandra didn't want to leave, that was clear. She was also respectful. "I know about secrets, having lived with the Clergy."
No. Liriel reassured her. What we will speak of is less secret than obscure. There are few today who understand anything at all about Cyberlancers. Small wonder many call us 'magicians'.
"I have called what they do that." Cass admitted. "It seems far more like manipulation of otherworldly energy than any science I can comprehend."
That is true. The Kavat allowed. But it also obeys most laws of physics. Her grin was wide. Not all.
"From what I have studied and what little I have seen, there was much Orokin science that defied much of what we today know of as physical law." Cass shook his head. "And... I can do that now. I am becoming a Cyberlancer."
Yes. Liriel replied.
"Not by choice." The soldier slumped and Lissandra hugged him again.
No. Liriel heaved a deep sigh. The being who became the First Cyberlancer feared such an event. There were many who attempted to counter her power. I am the result of one such attempt. Hence why Jesse suggested I speak to you. I know what it is to wake up and suddenly have my world utterly changed. I am not human, so my views will not be human views, but I do understand some of what has happened if not why. I have a certain amount of empathy, both for you becoming what you are and because you serve in a force that saved three of my kittens.
"I was not involved in that." Cass wasn't arguing. Not quite. He was not worried about himself. He was worried about Lissandra whose fear had spiked again. He hugged her gently and she returned it.
Six Corpus Special Forces soldiers placed themselves between three gravely ill, injured kittens and an entire ship full of hostiles who wished those kittens enslaved. Liriel replied, a touch of ice in her tone. Do you think I care if you were there personally?
"Not when you put it like that, no." Cass smiled a bit. "That said, all most of us would ask is a safe place to sleep and maybe a meal. We are not in it for Profit, although we have to fake that."
"You are not?" Lissandra asked and then quailed as both Cass and Liriel looked at her. "Sorry."
"We are supposed to be." Cass hugged her close to him and he could feel her confusion, but also her trust in the way she snuggled close. "But we are not. Our duty is to the Company, but it isn't just that. We also have a duty to the human race and to the Clergy." He made a face. "It makes our lives fairly complicated at times."
Complications are a fact of life. Liriel agreed. There will be more. She paused and then heaved a sigh. And now? Things just got far worse. Both humans stared at her and she sighed. I am here with Rachel's authorization. I asked to speak to you in private and she allowed it, but she is watching and she was keeping me informed. Is keeping me informed.
"I didn't think you liked the Tenno." Cass said slowly.
I don't. Liriel's reply was flat. I neither like nor trust them, but you will need help. The other Cyberlancers are too busy or too far away. I am closer and slightly less busy. They asked my aid and while I do not trust Tenno, my fellow Cyberlancers have never played me false and they are just as angry about what happened as I am. Both to me and to you.
"What are my options?" Cass asked. "I mean, everyone says this cannot be stopped."
It cannot. Liriel replied. You are changing as surely as the girl beside you was changed. What happens next is up to you and no one else. Today, due in no small part to what I have done, people remember what happens when any try to brainwash Cyberlancers. That is why you two were put together. To give her someone to love and you someone to help. To keep you both under control. Everything that was done to you was intended by Nef Anyo and the First Tenno.
"How do you know that?" Lissandra asked, her face tightening. "You were not there."
The Sentients that came to your aid downloaded a number of interesting files before they were attacked by the First Tenno. Liriel replied. Marlena contacted me, since I have a bit of contact with her Mother. Trust will not happen, but they know how I feel about such things. Your psychological profiles were in those files along with all of the interrogation data they got. Cass stiffened anew and Liriel nodded to him. Corpus know how to get past Corpus anti-interrogation protocols. They did not get everything They did not know of your shared past. Nor did they care. The basic plan of action is there as well. It is quite disturbing. She admitted.
"This doesn't make sense!" Cass said with a growl. "What good is a Cyberlancer brain stuck in a machine?"
It was done once. Liriel replied and Cass paled. It was the closest anyone has ever come to enslaving one of our kind. They failed due to Lynn and Ariana, but they came very close. Far too close for comfort.
"Lynn." Cass said softly. "And…? You…?" He trailed off as Liriel gave a feline shrug.
I still hate her and likely always will. Liriel replied. That said? She did give up everything she was, everything she believed for her kids. I can respect that and I have absolved her of the debt she owed me for the deaths of my kittens. Lissandra gasped and Liriel looked at her. What the Tenno called Trinity did can never be forgiven or forgotten, but Lynn is not that one. Not anymore. I may never stop hating her but I can move on. I must. My people need me.
"I am sorry." Lissandra said sadly. "We were involved in some way. I only heard bits of that. I was never fully connected to the Clergy. It never worked for long before I filtered the nanites out."
That is what Anyo and the First Tenno were apparently counting on. Liriel replied. That since you were not technically a full part of them, the Clergy would not respond as they have in the past to your disappearance from a place that they consider sacrosanct. A place that the rest of the Corpus learned to leave alone.
"They won't ow that they know I exist." Lissandra said in a tiny voice. "I am too valuable."
They didn't. Liriel replied and her tone was cold now. As I said, Rachel has kept me informed. Anyo just demanded you and the Reverend Mother's response was to declare 'Holy War'.
At that, both humans gasped. Lissandra buried her face in her hands. Cass just stared at the Kavat and then he slumped a bit.
"Oh." Cass said softly. "That is not good."
A small understatement there, human. Liriel had a firm grasp of human sarcasm it seemed.The only good news is that the rest of the Corpus will back away from both sides quickly. A cursory glance at the publicly available history of the Clergy shows that is not a good idea to push them that far. There are three documented times it has happened in the public files. I assume there were more that did not make the public files.
"Probably." Cass sighed deeply and hugged Lissandra. "They do secrets like no one else I have met but Tenno. Nef Anyo may be rich, powerful, insane, all of that but even he has to know he cannot win in such a case." He shuddered. "The Clergy have no sense of humor about such things and information is their chief weapon. He cannot win against them."
"I am sure he thinks he can offer some money or resources to smooth it over." Lissandra said very quietly. "But the Reverend Mother will not accept such. I think she likes me, but that pales beside the trespass."
Such an affront cannot be allowed to prosper or their authority will suffer, true. Liriel agreed. Much as I dislike your agency for what it has done and not done, the Corpus Clergy is a check on the unbridled power and avarice of the Corpus. Liriel shook her head. I need to talk to your paramour in a way that will look as if we are doing nothing for quite some time.
"I... I don't have anywhere else to go and I really hate being alone." Lissandra said sadly. Then she paused as Liriel smiled at her. "What?" The human asked.
You will not be alone. The Kavat queen said with look at Cass who frowned. You are both vulnerable. You are both hurting and valuable to many. I find that like the Reverend Mother, I like you, young Lissandra. The Kavat looked away for a moment. That is not always a good thing.
"No." Lissandra agreed and then gave a yip of surprise as something flashed into existence on the bed beside her. She stared at the Kubrow egg and then at Liriel who nodded to her.
Go on. Liriel reassured the suddenly wary girl. Cass and I need to talk. And you? You do not deserve to face your fate alone.
"I don't know if I can feed or house myself!" Lissandra protested. "Let alone a companion!"
"The bond between companions is one of sharing." Cass said very quietly. "Sharing life as well as risk." Liriel looked at him and he bowed his head. "As a child… I had a companion. A Virmink. He died with my family."
As you say, Lissandra does not deserve what happened to her. Liriel stepped forward and she was glowing lavender and Cass started to glow softly blue. There are limits to my power, but within those limits, I can act. She smiled at Lissandra. You do not seem the type to abuse companions.
"No." Lissandra said weakly as the Kavat stepped up onto the bed. Cass lay down and the holographic Kavat stepped up onto him to curl up on his chest. Both closed their eyes and the energy that surrounded them faded. Lissandra stared from them to the egg. She sighed. "I should have asked what to do."
She stilled as another voice answered her! A young female voice! But silent!
Mistress need not do anything. Lissandra's eyes bulged as the egg cracked and a tiny furred head peeked out of it at her. Its fur was mottled brown and gray and it had some kind of blue-gray markings on its face as it looked at her. Was that a Lotus symbol? The tiny Kubrow looked at Lissandra and then the shell cracked further. It stepped out of the shell and stood up on wobbly legs. She took a step towards Lissandra who gave a small cry as the Kubrow tangled her legs and fell.
Lissandra caught her and held the canine gently as the barely born Kubrow looked up at her with wide eyes. Eyes that held far more intelligence that Lissandra had ever imagined. The compassion in those eyes had Lissandra fighting tears. She was drowning in those eyes. The tiny Kubrow nestled closer to Lissandra as the human stared at her, pulling the furred being into her lap almost absently.
You need not fear. The Kubrow spoke again as she nuzzled Lissandra's face. I am here, Mistress. You will never need fear being alone again while I am here.
"I don't understand." Lissandra said weakly as the unconditional love in the other's voice soothed her aching soul. She could do little but sit and hold the tiny Kubrow.
I am yours, and you are mine. The puppy said firmly. When I am grown, I will protect you and you will protect me. Lissandra had to smile as the puppy's tone turned sour. But I have to grow first.
"Do you have a name?" Lissandra asked, nuzzling the soft fur. She was rewarded with a sound that was not quite a bark or a growl. More a rumble of contentment.
I was just born, Mistress. The puppy said with a snort. How could I have a name when I hadn't even met you yet? You can call me whatever you want.
"Then..." Lissandra sighed as she relaxed for the first time since Liriel had appeared. "I think I will call you 'Lilly'. I knew a very brave and strong woman by that name once. She perished." She cradled the puppy close as tears threatened.
I do not know if I can protect you, Mistress, but I am here. The puppy tried to reassure her. You are not alone and I do like the name. She nuzzled Lissandra's face and Lissandra smiled at her.
"I am glad, Lilly." Lissandra sighed deeply and then sat back. "Now… I need to learn a lot it seems. What do Kubrow eat and are you housebroken?" Her eyes twinkled as Lilly groaned.
I think this is going to be interesting. The puppy laughed. At least we won't be bored.
"No joke." Lissandra sat and started petting her new companion.
Back in the virtual world
"No deals will be accepted."
Rachel was hardly the only person in the virtual environment to jerk back at the Reverend Mother's cold reply. Horatius was gone, leaving her and Rachel to face the Board, all of whom but Anyo looked decidedly nervous. Hard to blame them, really. Anyo was a nut, but facing another religious fanatic with the sheer power of the Clergy behind her? Ouchtime.
"Reverend Mother, please!" The Chairman was trying. Rachel had to admit, the man was trying to keep the peace. A peace that had failed. "Whatever he did, he did not use his own forces! It cannot be proven that he did it."
"Are you really trying to argue that his lab that the pair were rescued from was intended as humanitarian?" The Reverend Mother did not bother to hide her scorn and everyone winced. Well, all but one. Anyo was ranting again and she had muted his feed again. "I never said that his soldiers stole them. His goons did not take them. His hired mercenaries did." She corrected grimly. "One of which we have. As soon as she wakes, we will speak with her. If we are in a good mood, we may even share what we learn. We may not."
Her tone left little to the imagination as to what the Clergy would do to said prisoner. It would likely involve pain.
"Ah..." The chairman swallowed hard. "Reverend Mother, you of all people know the costs of such things. We cannot allow this kind of warfare to continue. The costs-"
"I know the costs better than anyone else here." The Reverend Mother actually interrupted him. "Now tell me: Do I care about Company Profit right now?" She demanded, her tone about as warm as the outer surface of an asteroid mine. The Chairman looked at her and then he slumped a bit.
"No." The Chairman said quietly. "No, you don't." The Reverend Mother nodded, her face grim. "We have to. We have to limit the damage as best we can."
"Yes, you have to." The Reverend Mother unbent just a little, but not much. "According to the Guidelines, we -The Clergy -cannot kill him. Everyone else in his employ is fair game." Her smile when Anyo managed to regain control of his feed was more feral than friendly.
"She is not one of you!" Anyo finally woke to the peril. Just a little bit too late! "You cannot declare such for one who is not a member of your order!"
"Oh?" The Reverend Mother inquired in a very quiet, dangerous voice. "So, after interrogating her and failing..." She snarled that. "...to brainwash her, you didn't bother looking further, did you? You thought 'Hey, I can have this now and no one can touch me'. But we can and we will. Because she is one of us. She took vows and did every test. She passed. She is a member of our order. You took her and hurt her. You will pay for that."
"She is a miracle!" Anyo all but screamed. "One you deny us!"
"She is a traumatized girl!" The Reverend Mother's scream, by comparison, was cold and merciless. "She is not your plaything any more than she is mine! She is out of my reach just as she is out of yours!" At that, everyone stiffened. But she wasn't done. When she smiled, it held little mirth. "And you know the really funny thing? The absolutely hilarious thing?"
"You will not deny her to me!" Anyo snapped. "The Void has called her! You will tell me where she is and we will collect her! The Void demands it!"
"That will be hard for your Void. It would be hard even for me." The Reverend Mother actually chuckled at his expression. "Since the 'mercenaries' you hired to kidnap her were not human." A sudden silence fell at her words and she turned to the Chairman who had actually fallen out of view for a moment. "He never asked. They simply said they could and he paid them a great deal to do it. I will talk to the one who is in custody, but no matter what else happens, I am within my rights to settle this debt that lies between The Clergy and Nef Anyo."
"Reverend Mother..." The Chairman was almost green now. He visibly forced himself to calm. "That is true." He didn't want it to be, that was abundantly clear. "What…? What will you do?"
"I read the report of what he tried to brainwash her with." The Reverend Mother said in that same deadly voice. "He tried to get her to believe she was his daughter." Everyone glared at Anyo who was all but frothing at the mouth. "He stole a daughter from us. I think turnabout is fair play."
"You cannot threaten me!" Anyo screamed. "You cannot kill me! I am-" His voice cut off again.
"I am not going to kill you. Such a massive economic disruption would be very bad for our Company no matter the provocation." The Reverend Mother had cut his feed again! When she turned back to the others, they all shuddered at what was in her expression. "But what I, we, will do? Here and now, before all these witnesses? I give you all my word, Nef Anyo."
"...We will not kill your son."