Royal messes
Liriel did not move as her world shifted back to reality. She knew she was under scrutiny and slowly opened her eyes. As expected, there were four warframes in the room with her, all with weapons drawn. Her eyes narrowed as she saw a shimmering hologram of Jesse standing in a corner, but what drew her attention were the nine sentinels that hovered around the room, all humming with readiness. None of them were aiming weapons at her. The Kavat raised her head off her leg and nodded to Jesse.
Good morning, Jesse. Liriel said politely to her fellow Cyberlancer.
"Good morning, Liriel." Jesse's face was closed, remote. Her manner of speaking held something awful. Sadness, rage, horror, all of that mixed in with a healthy dose of fear. Liriel looked at the young Cyberlancer and shook her head.
You are in no danger from me, Jesse. Liriel said quietly. You are not physically here for one thing and for another? I gave Oracle Janet my word I would do my best not to hurt you. I do not give my word lightly and now? I most certainly will not break my word to her, Jesse. I call her friend and she me. Not a small matter for such as us. I will not harm you.
"You think I care what happens to me?" Jesse demanded angrily and then jerked, her face falling. "Apologies. I just… We just found out. The..." She swallowed hard. "They had no right. She had no right."
Right and wrong are always nebulous, Jesse. Liriel was calm, but she was poised, ready. What is right for me will likely not be right for you and when we are responsible for the lives of others? Things get very messy. I can actually understand Trinity's reasons for what she did. Jesse gasped and Liriel shook her head. I don't agree with what she did and I will never trust her again but I do understand why she did it. More Cyberlancers are needed. And frankly? Why not use me? I am not Tenno to be honored or human to be protected. I am just a Kavat, just a companion. I was hurt, broken. Easy to use for her own ends and no one may have been the wiser if I hadn't woken.
"That doesn't make it right!" Jesse snarled.
No, it doesn't. Liriel replied, calm. And… I don't like her, but forcing Isis to do what was done was beyond the pale. I give fair warning. I will seek justice for that. My way. That was to everyone. None of the Tenno moved. She saw an Ash, a Volt, an Atlas and a familiar blue and white Trinity. She did not react as she recognized that one. Alicia from Karl's Shadow. All were aiming weapons at her. Pistols, not rifles. In so far as it went? That was smart. They knew how fast she was. Rifles were more cumbersome at such close range even for Tenno, but it was also clear that none of them wanted to fire. She bet the sentinels showing up had been a shock. Them not obeying Tenno commands? More of a shock. She looked back at Jesse. Who is in charge?
"I am." The Atlas said slowly. "I am Officer Killian, Cyberlancer Liriel. I am ordered to take you to the Elders. I must place you in protective custody." A Tenno cop? Hmmm. Liriel knew a lot had changed since she and Ariana had gone to sleep, but that was odd to say the least.
That is not going to happen, Officer. Liriel replied, still not moving. Please understand, I mean no disrespect. Rule of law will always beat rule of mob, but I will not surrender to anyone, let alone Tenno. Certainly not a group that includes that one. She nodded to Alicia who did not move as all the others stared at her. Liriel's tone hardened. Tell me, Tenno Alicia. How many kittens have you killed today? Her voice was calm, but rage sang just under the surface. Jesse paled even further.
"Liriel, no." The other Cyberlancer begged. "We are investigating! We will find those responsible!"
I just found one of those responsible for the death of my kittens, Jesse. Liriel all but purred that as all four warframe clad Tenno stared at each other. Tell me, Tenno Alicia, did it feel good to make Isis cry? Did it feel good to enslave barely born beings? Everyone stared as Liriel rose, her form shimmering as armor coating it. Did you enjoy watching so many of them die? The last was a feline scream of pure rage.
Even Nikis might have backed up a step from the furious Kavat as power rolled off of her in waves. Cyberlancer power and more. Much more. Probably not more than one step, but still, he might have stepped back.
"No." Alicia said softly. All three of the other Tenno stared at her, but Jesse just hung her head. "No, I didn't. I was warned not to lie to you. I can make no excuse for what we did. I can give apology, but I know it won't be enough. We hurt you and we will pay for it. Just, please..." She begged. "Not here."
Not lying? That at least is smart. Liriel purred, but there was no comfort in her purr, more menace. More lioness than lapcat. Again, I promised Oracle Janet, I would try not to cause harm here. This is a place of healing, not war. You may be Warrior Tenno. You may be ancient killing machines, honed and trained to fight as few can truly understand, but there are limits. You passed them. I will not start conflict here. Once I am out of this place? I will find you and the others who hurt me and mine, who killed my kittens and sold one to the Corpus. This I swear as the Queen of Cats.
"We didn't sell him!" Alicia pleaded. "He fled! They found him! We didn't sell him!" Liriel turned sharp look at Jesse who nodded slowly.
"She is telling the truth." Jesse said quietly. "They made that poor soul and he fled their torments. Teleported away. Right into the arms of the Corpus. They didn't do that. I have evidence if you wish to see it."
Your word as Cyberlancer is enough for me here and now although I may wish to see such later. Liriel nodded to Jesse. Very well. That oath I retract. I will still seek vengeance for the eleven other young lives they destroyed. For using the Healer of the Corps to make them from me and Matril. She warned and Jesse returned the nod.
"I would do no less." The younger Cyberlancer replied, her eyes flashing. "Blood calls for blood, but you… Liriel… I want to help!" She pleaded.
You cannot. What will be, will be. Liriel rose and started for the door, only to pause as the Atlas warframe blocked her way. All the Tenno weapons were still aimed at her and she did not care in the slightest. If any fired, none but her would leave this room alive. You will want to move. She said in a conversational tone.
"I have my orders." The Atlas said slowly. "I am to bring you to the Elders. They wish to talk to you."
I have nothing to say to any Tenno, Elder or otherwise. Liriel did not quite snarl that. The time for words has ended. Move. Now. Or we will move you.
None of the Sentinels had moved at all. Now one spun on its axis, the Sweeper shotgun in the core of the Carrier clicking as it loaded. The Atlas slowly lowered his Viper sub-machine gun and then, attached it to his hip. He raised empty hands. All three of the others lowered their weapons and then holstered them.
"You are the victim of a crime." The cop said with a sigh. "You have every right to seek justice. We wish to help you seek justice."
Tenno justice? Liriel inquired, fighting for calm and managing. The same justice that punished Ariana for what she was programmed to do on a genetic level by madmen? Every one of the Tenno in the room winced at that. Jesse did not. The same justice that would have killed a human for daring to speak out about an assault on his mate? That justice? Liriel demanded.
"The one who hurt you, who stole your DNA will be punished!" Killian begged. "You don't need to do this!"
I think I do. Liriel replied evenly. You see, this is not about me. She paused and then smirked as only a Kavat could. Although I do confess the deep seated wish to claw the ovaries out of the thief's still breathing body and eat them in front of her. Jesse made a face, but no one else moved. That is just my wish and I have responsibilities that take precedence over my wishes now. If I ever get the chance, yes. I am going to indulge myself. I will leave her alive, after. That was almost worse! But for now? You Tenno would use mine in your wars and that I will not allow that. We will not allow that. The royal 'We' was firm can clear. Move. Now.
All of the Sentinels were humming in readiness now, weapons charging as they aimed at the warframes. Tenno were tough and skilled, true. Here and now? They were over-matched and knew it. If anyone did anything, this would get bloody fast.
"We don't want to fight you!" Killian begged. "We want to make this right!"
You can't. Liriel snapped right back. I was just a thing. Just another piece of DNA to be used and then thrown away. Cyberlancer or no, that is all I was to people like her. She jerked her head at Alicia. You have forgotten the price that was be paid for such actions. I didn't want this. I never wanted this. I wanted to find my friend, be with my friend, even in her imprisonment. But this? No. You Tenno chose, you reap the rewards of your choice.
"We didn't do that!" Killian was all but grovelling.
You think I am talking about what happened to me. Liriel said softly and Killian stiffened. Tell me, Officer Killian, do you have a sworn companion?
"I… yes." Killian said slowly, staring at the sentinels that still were ready to fire at him. "A Helios Prime accompanies me on my investigations. I didn't bring it because you are a Cyberlancer. I didn't want you to subvert it like these."
I didn't code any of these. How many times has your companion died for you? Liriel asked, her tone a little warmer. Ocean warm instead of ice warm. She paused and then shook her head. No. She said flatly. No, I will not press you to leave him. It is your choice, not mine. He is not to blame any more than most of them are. I know you are angry, but think it through. Do you really want him to face such horrors alone? She wasn't talking to anyone present! Everyone stared at her and she shook her head. Look, yes. I agree. Yes, it is a valid grievance. We will discuss such, but later when Tenno are not about to point weapons at me again. They will try. You know it, I know it. When they do, this will get messy. I just hope and pray I can get out of Brianna Executor's tower before they get stupid.
"Who are you talking to?" Killian asked, frozen in place.
Someone you ignored. Liriel snapped and then paused. Oh. Oh… She slumped a bit. I see. The look she turned on Killian was actually sympathetic. You really don't know, do you? You poor deluded fool. You have no idea how mad you made him. Ignoring that girl's plea for help because she had a criminal record? What the hell is wrong with you? What kind of a cop are you that you ignore a cry for help from a battered woman? Even from a prostitute? Her blood is on your hands, Tenno.
Killian had only seemed to be frozen before. Now he was so still it looked painful. Jesse was shaking her head as Liriel just looked at the cop.
"That… That investigation is ongoing." Killian said weakly. The Kavat gave a derisive sniff.
I know the meaning of 'cold case', Officer. He had it all laid out and you ignored it. Now? The perpetrator is long gone and you are left with a corpse that you are responsible for. Liriel was not angry now. If anything? She was sad. He tried to tell you about the physical evidence of breaking and entering, but you ignored it since she was a prostitute and now? She is dead. Well done. The sarcasm in Liriel's voice could have cut a diamond in half. Ah well, she was just another lowlife. Small loss, huh?
"That is not true!" Killian snapped. He Jerked as the Carrier sentinel swept closer to hover right beside Liriel. A Dethcube did the same, its form whining as the Deth Machine Rifle in its core spun up.
You move, you die. Liriel snapped right back. You are a symptom, not the disease. Companions are just things. Toys to be played with and then discarded when broken or you find a better one. Ignored as inconsequential most of the time. Even Ariana at her darkest was never that ignorant. The armored feline shook her head. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Not the way it was. Now? I don't know. All I know is that you Tenno have abused me and mine for the last time. I am the Queen of Cats and I will never serve Tenno again.
She stalked around Killian who didn't move and made her way to the door, the sentinels following her, still aiming at the four warframes. Jesse slumped where she was, tears starting to fall. The door opened and Brianna Executor stood there, face pale. Liriel looked at the Orokin who nodded slowly to her.
"The way is clear, Your Majesty." Brianna said softly. "Oracle just filled me in. I… I didn't know." She was sad, so sad.
I know. It wasn't something they would have bandied about. Liriel replied as she moved to twine around the Orokin's ankles, accepting a pet that was her due. I will remain in touch. I do not wish to break off relations completely. Many companions feel the need to remain with their partners, no matter the way they have been treated. They feel honor bound to follow the ancient way, even if the Tenno of this time haven't a clue it exists.
"Not all." Brianna petted the Kavat's armored head one, twice and then retreated a step.
No. Liriel started off, the Orokin and the sentinels following. No one else moved. Smart of them. I am a Queen, not an enslaver. They make their own choices and will accept the consequences of said choices.
"If I may ask… Many will want to know. Will you fight the Tenno?" Brianna asked carefully.
Only if they attack me or mine. Liriel replied. If they do? There will be no mercy. I cannot afford-
"Liriel!" A familiar voice cried and Liriel came to a sudden halt as Mary lurched out of a side corridor, on her feet but just barely. Abigail was running to catch up and both girls' faces held the same sick, horrified expression. Mary tripped and fell, rolling properly and coming to a squatting position as was trained into Tenno from early age. Liriel shook her head as Abigail ran up, her face alternating between worry for Mary and worry of Liriel.
You shouldn't be out of bed, Mary. Liriel stepped to where the girl was trying to decide whether or not to rise. You certainly shouldn't be running. Sit down before you collapse, or worse, give yourself another seizure. She put her head under Mary's hand and the girl stared at the armored Kavat and then at the sentinels that hovered protectively nearby. I won't hurt you, Mary. Liriel promised.
"What is happening?" Mary begged as she plopped to the floor with more haste than decorum. "Everyone is going nuts. Everything!"
Yes, it is. Liriel sighed deeply and pushed her head up against Mary's hand. It is not your fault, nor your responsibility. I do not, have not and shall not blame all Tenno for the actions of a few. You? She rubbed up against Mary's side. You need to heal, Mary. Abigail? The Kavat inquired as Abigail made a strained noise.
"Will I get shot if I approach?" Abigail asked, wary of the sentinels. None were aiming at her, but all were ready to shoot.
Are you going to attack me? Liriel inquired, a wicked lilt to her voice. Both Mary and Abigail smiled but said smiles fell at her next words. I give you my word that if you do not attack me, you are perfectly safe. I am not Tenno. I keep my word.
"Liriel… I..." Abigail bowed her head. "I don't know what is going on. Why are you are so angry?" Brianna made a choked noise as Mary petted the Kavat. "Please. Tell me what has happened."
No. Liriel stepped away from the pair. You will find out, but not from me. You have both been hurt enough. My own pain and loss, I will not add to yours. Both of you need to heal and focusing on my pain will hurt you both. I refuse to add to your hurts. Be well, kittens. Grow strong and one day, perhaps, we will meet again. Until that day, know that I do love you both and if any cause you harm with any of my people nearby, you have but to call for help from me, the Queen of Cats, and help will come.
"What have we done?" Mary begged. "Tenno must have done something. What have we done?" Liriel looked at her and relented a little at the hurt in her eyes.
Has anyone ever treated you like a thing, Mary? Liriel asked Mary stared at her and then the girl's face hardened. Liriel spoke before the girl could. Someone did. Not a question.
"I was insane." Mary said in a tiny voice. "They locked me up because of my nightmares. Locked me up and forgot about me."
Then yes, you know. Liriel sighed. Now imagine that a million-fold. Every Tenno with a companion, using said companions, abusing them, leaving them to die or worse, ignoring them. Not all Tenno acted that way. She admitted when Abigail hissed in shock. But far too many did. There is an ancient Compact that predates Orokin. It states a number of things. What Tenno can do and what they cannot. What will be allowed and what will not be. Orokin forgot the Compact. They attempted to enslave Tenno and fell as a result. Liriel sighed deeper. Tenno have forgotten pieces of it as well and I am the result. I need to go, but know that I do love you both. Fare thee well.
Liriel started off again, this time Brianna stayed with Mary and Abigail as Mary started to cry. The Kavat's heart lurched in her chest, but she ignored it as she stepped into another room where two forms waited for her. Neither was human. One was blue, the other silver.
What will you do? Tanah asked as energy built around the silver form to encompass the Kavat and the sentinels.
First I will blow your lab to hell. Liriel promised. Then I will find a place to hide, to think. To raise my kittens. I have no quarrel with Mother's Sentients, but no love for Hunhow's people either.
"Totally understandable." Kanaah said sadly. "Are you ready, Your Majesty?"
Are you? Liriel demanded. You hurt yourself very badly coming here. Kanaah pulsed a shade that looked looked rather embarrassed. Tanah for his part, chuckled.
She is. Tanah promised. She has recuperated nicely. And trust me, no matter how rough we may be with her silliness? Mother will be worse.
"Tanah!" The silver Sentient protested.
We need to leave before the Tenno gather their wits. Liriel urged. I surprised them, but sentinels cannot stand against Tenno one on one when said Tenno are not surprised. Can you take us to the lab, Kanaah?
"I can. But where are the-" The silver Sentient promised. She gasped as five furred forms shimmered and appeared beside the Kavat. Isis, Bastet, Grisha, Jumper, Matril. None of the Sentinels as much as flinched. "Holy metal! Don't do that!"
"Do what?" Butter might not have melted in Matril's mouth as he moved to stand by Liriel. The other felines just waited.
Kanaah heaved a sigh and then, they were elsewhere. The walls were metal, but almost cheery, not drab and depressing. Kanaah seemed to wilt in mid-air and Liriel spun to glare at her.
"I am okay! I am okay!" Kanaah protested before Liriel could speak. "It is just deep and I can feel the strain on the metal."
Kanaah? Rest. We will need you to get us out of here. Everyone else? Sweep the area. Find where to put the demo. Liriel said calmly and the cats shot off in every direction, Matril after a caress of her head with his own.
But then the calico cat was diving towards Liriel as a dark blur flew from one wall towards her. All of the sentinels were aiming, but the Tenno fired. Whatever the Tenno in the dark brown Nidus warframe fired didn't hit Liriel. Matril gasped and fell as rage swept over the Kavat. Before she could speak, two more forms appeared from nowhere to slam into the Tenno and knock it aside. One was another Nidus warframe, this one white. The other was not a warframe that Liriel knew. Its colors were red and black.
"Protect the Queen! Save Matril! We have this scum!" Stalker snarled as he attacked, the white armored Tenno at his side.