Monarchy is not usually a good thing to anger
Liriel was at Matril's side even as the two mismatched forms forced the dark Tenno back away from the pair. The sentinels were aiming, but the Tenno were moving so fast it would be nearly impossible to hit any one of them without hitting the others. Matril was breathing, so that was good. Isis was beside them in an instant and Liriel made way for the Healer. Personal ire had no place here. The Kavat placed her armored self between the two cats and the battle that was unfolding.
Whoever the Tenno in the brown warframe was, he was good. Stalker and whoever was in the white Nidus warframe were better! All three had melee weapons out, not bothering with ranged weapons for such close combat. The brown Nidus had a polearm of some kind and the white one was using claws. But, this was odd. Stalker was using a scythe. Didn't he use a two handed sword? Liriel had heard a bit about the boogeyman of the Tenno and most of what she had heard disgusted her. Here he was defending her. Whatever he wanted would not be good for her or hers.
She jumped to the side as horrid brown growths shot up from the floor through where she had been standing. The white warframe snarled something vile and white growths slammed into the brown warframe, hissing and steaming as evil looking energy flared back and forth, brown and white evely matched. Stalker attacked the brown warframe from the side and everything stopped as the brown warframe seemed to shut down and an insubstantial form shimmered into being in front of Liriel. He held something odd looking in hand, or was it attached to his wrist? He aimed at her, but then, another insubstantial form appeared, standing in front of her! Between her and the energy form. This one was also male and furious!
"You fire that and all hell will land on you, Falcon." The newly come form said sharply. "Stand down! Now."
"You have no call to interfere, Heron!" The other snapped right back. "I won't hurt her. You know that!" The voice. Liriel knew that voice! Knew it and hated it.
Yeah. Liriel's cold word had everyone freezing. Enslaving people doesn't hurt at all, does it, scum? Everyone stared as she stalked forward. I remember you.
"Falcon… Oh no..." Heron said weakly. "No, you didn't! Liriel! Please!" He begged as Liriel stopped beside him. "He is my brother!"
Your brother incinerated three of my kittens. Liriel said in a very quiet, dangerous voice. I remember their screams. The look she turned on the Zarimon child should have rendered the energy being to isolated atoms. Do you?
"I have killed far more than you can imagine." The one called Falcon said with a growl. "There are no innocents."
No? Liriel inquired mildly. Well, you certainly are not innocent of anything, Tenno. If Tenno you truly be. If you can kill kittens who are only trying to escape confinement where they are being drugged and tortured, then you are capable of anything. I am sure that Tenno Intelligence or whoever the hell you serve is happy with your utter lack of scruples, ethics or anything even resembling a conscience, but if you touch any here, I will see you burn.
Everyone but the target of her ire winced at that. She was fully capable of killing energy forms and everyone here apparently knew it. Cyberlancers did not advertise their true abilities but energy was energy. They knew how to manipulate such things, even the raw power of the Zarimon children could be altered, disrupted. Shifted into forms that would prove fatal to the insubstantial beings. What it would do to Liriel to channel such raw power was barely worth mentioning, but she could kill this one. And right now? She wanted to. Oh, she so wanted to.
"You are a thing! No more." The one called Falcon snapped right back. "You will know your place!"
Funny. Liriel said flatly. I do know my place. Do you? Where do insane, murderous incorporeal energy beings go? Hmmm? Maybe hell? Nah. They wouldn't want you. Vicious enough, but too stupid for them and you are certainly not going to anyone's definition of heaven. Maybe you will just wind up in a pile of excrement deeper than the one you have stepped into here. If that is even possible.
Oh, that was biting.
"You can't win here, Falcon!" Hereon snarled. "Go! Now! Before you make more of a mess! No!" He screamed as the other threw energy, but not at Liriel! Liriel spun to see Matril's still form waver and vanished in a haze of gold! A portal!
You ignorant brat! Liriel spun back to see the other smirking at her. Said smirk faded as Liriel's power flared around her. When she spoke, it was cold, hard and merciless. You think to take hostages now? I guess I am not really surprised. Tenno are what Tenno are and you are no Tenno no matter what form you wear or what lies you spout. Speak your drivel, boy. The last word was profoundly disrespectful. Basically, she said he was a disrespectful brat, an immature fool and barely registering to her all in one snide word. I don't have all day. Make your demands or go the hell away and let the adults talk.
Even Stalker stepped back from her rage. The insubstantial form actually gulped as Liriel's code swirled around her. The sentinels hovered, unable to harm something they couldn't touch but fury radiated from them as well.
"We won't hurt him!" The other declared. "We need him and you."
"Didn't the last time you morons tried that teach you anything?" Isis complained and then screamed as the other threw energy at her. Energy that faded as soon as Liriel looked at it. The boy stared at his hand and then at Liriel who flared brighter.
You don't get to hurt her again. The energy being took a step back, but Liriel did not move. Oh, don't worry, boy. Again, the word 'boy' was profoundly insulting. You are not going to die. Liriel said in a very mild tone. The only way for your kind to truly die is for someone to disrupt your energy beyond recovery and I think I am going to have far too much fun hurting you to let you die anytime this century.
Both the white armored Nidus warframe and Stalker bowed heads to her rage.
"Falcon! Don't be a fool!" Heron begged. "Release the cat! Now! You cannot fight her! No one can!"
"I don't have to fight her!" The other snarled. "I just have to control her and the one she loves will make good insurance." He paused as both warframes put hands to their faceplates and Heron groaned. "What?"
Liriel looked at Isis and then, slowly knelt down beside the shivering Healer. Isis didn't move, but Liriel laid her armored head on the other's shoulder and Isis relaxed a little.
It wasn't your fault, Isis. I need you. Don't fall apart. Liriel commanded. Matril will need you even if they don't actually hurt him.
"You know what they want." Isis pleaded. "You can't."
I won't. Liriel agreed, turning her head to glare at the energy form who was gaping at her. Go ahead, boy. Again, the insult Kill the one I love, mind wipe him, program him to be a good little slave. Whatever. But know that if you do, I will drench this system in blood. Not even Tenno and the others they call ally will be able to stop my wrath. Corpus, Grineer, Infested. All will fall before me and mine because I will not stop. Ever. You can kill mine, but you cannot kill me as I am now and I will always come back. Oracle Janet knows this, hence why she tried so hard to keep Trinity from pushing me too far. Feel free to push me that way. I am done being nice to you fools.
Her energy wafted over Isis, soothing the distraught Healer. No one else seemed to be breathing.
"L… Liriel..." Isis pleaded. "Please… don't. Not for me. Matril wouldn't want such either."
For you? For him? Oh yes. I will do that and so much more. I don't like you, Isis, but you are mine and I will protect or avenge you. Liriel promised. She didn't look up. And as for Matril? I will come for him and when I do, if he is harmed or altered in any way, I will see you and yours burn, boy. Men, women, children, pets, slaves. All of you will burn if a hair on my chosen mate is as much as mussed.
"We won't hurt him! He is far too important!" The other said desperately, finally waking to the danger. Just a little late.
You better not. Liriel snapped. Now get lost. Actual adults have work to do. I will be in touch, boy and when I do? You better answer unless you like pain. She deliberately turned to look at Stalker and the white armored Nidus warframe. What do you want? She demanded as both looked from her to the energy forms and back. He is leaving. Aren't you, boy?
"You need to come with me!" The other tried again. Liriel ignored him to look at the other.
You. Your name is Heron? She inquired and the boy nodded. You better leave now. He is about to be stupid and then I am going to hurt him.
"He may be an idiot, but he is my brother." Heron pleaded. "Please… I can get him to see reason!"
I highly doubt that, and in a moment, it won't matter. Liriel shook her head as energy built behind her. He may be your brother, but he is a murderous ass and an idiot. I will not see the Tenno split over this. Go. Now. All of you.
"We are going to be split over this no matter what." Heron said quietly. "What was done to you, to Matril, was wrong. Most will acknowledge that. But seeing companions as actual intelligences? That will be much harder for many." He bowed his head. "Your Majesty, please! Hear me!"
Begone, Tenno. Liriel said as energy hit her from behind. Another portal bolt. It hit her Cyberlancer enhanced shields and did nothing at all beyond warming her armored skin a little. Well, that and fanning her temper well past the breaking point. She turned to the suddenly ashen faced aggressor and her fanged smile might have turned the sun out. Thank you for giving me a legal excuse to hurt you. Not that I needed any more excuse to do that after what you have already done to me and mine.
The Kavat rose to all four feet. She took a step and the metal floor gave shrieks as her claws extended from her armored paws. She was leaving gouges in the incredibly hard floor and she barely noticed as everyone made way for her. Even the sentinels backed away. Isis was crying, shaking her head. But the white furred cat did not speak. She knew better.
"Your Majesty-" Stalker started, only to pause as Liriel snarled, not taking her eyes from the insubstantial form in front of her.
MY PREY!
That was not calm in the slightest. The energy boy shimmered as if fading, but then lavender energy solidified around him and he stared as the Kavat stalked towards him. Everyone was staring as the Kavat finally let her deepest, darkest self loose. When she spoke again, anything sane would have been terrified. Even Stalker looked shaken as the Kavat's ice cold rage sang in her words.
Here is a hint, boy. Again, with the same insult! Just like you, I like hurting people. Unlike you? I pick targets who are worth my ire and my time. I don't enjoy killing defenseless kittens!
With that, she sprang. She was a good four meters from him when she sprang and it didn't matter. Her armored form went right through his insubstantial body and he screamed in agony as her energy enhanced claws scoured through his body from the inside out!
"Falcon!" Heron begged as Liriel landed, her armor smoking. The insubstantial form of her target slumping to the floor, energy falling like bloody rain from the hole she had torn right through him. Anything even remotely human would be dead right now. Zarimon? He would recover. But that had to hurt. "Please! Your Majesty! No!"
Nothing snide to say now, boy? Liriel ignored Heron as she stalked forward again. The other energy boy raised a shaking hand to aim his weapon at her and she made a batting gesture. His hand flew to the side as a bolt from a sentinel struck it and then another bolt of energy vaporized his hand. She had made him solid enough to hurt! Funny. You were all smiles earlier. Why? So? Serious? She asked in a very scary tone.
"Liriel." A new voice sounded and Liriel snarled as a dark furred cat stepped in between her and her target. "Not like this, Your Majesty. Not like this."
He needs to hurt, Grisha! Liriel snarled, but she did stop advancing. A good thing.
"I think he is." The assassin of the Corps said quietly. "If you want him dead, he will die. But not like this. Hurting him hurt you." Liriel did not look at her scorched armor. "He is not worth your pain, My Queen." Grisha bowed to Liriel who paused, staring from the black cat to the still keening form of her enemy and back. "You know my loyalty. Command me."
Find where to put the demo. I want this place dust and ashes. Liriel commanded and Grisha was gone. No muss, no fuss, just gone. For what it is worth? You are right. Thank you, Grisha. Silent stillness could not grin, but it managed somehow.
Liriel ignored the still sobbing energy form. She strode to where Isis knelt, tears falling like rain. The Kavat lay down beside the white cat, nuzzling Isis gently.
Matril? Liriel inquired.
"He was sedated." Isis said weakly. "That is all. The bolt or whatever didn't hurt him. Just knocked him out."
Yet. They wanted him alive. Idiots. Liriel turned her head to glare at the pair of energy forms. No one dared move. You will not get what you want, boy. Her voice was calmer, but she was still furious. I do not negotiate with terrorists and murderers of kittens. Be gone. Now.
Her energy faded from around him and he vanished in a clap of energy. Heron vanished as well, but then he stepped out of the brown warframe. Liriel looked at him and he shook his head.
"If we leave this here, he will come back." Heron said quietly.
This place is going to be blown to hell fairly shortly. Liriel replied offhand. Unless someone else tries to stop me. No one moved. No one was that clueless. If he wants to inhabit a warframe that is sinking to the depths of Jupiter, he is more than welcome to.
Ouch.
"I didn't know." Heron said softly. "This… I will take this to the Elders."
I don't care what you do. Liriel said flatly. Tenno politics do not concern me. The fact that one of yours has stolen one of mine, again, does concern me. If any harm comes to that cat, you know what I will do. Heron slumped and nodded. He stepped back into the warframe which stepped back to the wall. Liriel glanced at it and then at the mismatched pair of beings who had defended her. You didn't answer me. What do you want?
The white warframe did not speak, he stepped back to where the brown one stood. He was wary, but not hostile. Stalker, for his part, seemed unsure.
Well? Liriel prompted when Stalker did not speak. We do not have a lot of time before this place is blown to hell. Whatever you want, the answer is 'No'.
"I have companions who I wish to join your court."Stalker said slowly. Liriel stared at him and he shook his head. "I don't agree with a lot of things that the Tenno do, but I recently found out some information that make me question a great deal of what I assumed was true. The facts are not as I believed when I swore oaths to destroy the Tenno."
And I should just trust you? Liriel asked in a very snide tone. Stalker laughed coldly.
"Such would be foolish. Almost as foolish as trusting any who wear warframes ever again. You are not their servant, not their slave and they will never forget that." Stalker said with a growl. "I do remember the Compact. It is harder and harder as time goes by to remember who and what I was. To remember my oaths, my past. I must, for if I forget, who will remember?"
Trust is not going to happen, Tenno slayer. Liriel warned. I may not trust the Tenno again, but you? You have proven again and again that anything you say will be to further your own vengeance. Nothing more. You have lied to anyone and everyone you have met. People who loved you, people who hated you, it makes no difference. You lie to them all. Why should I believe anything you say?
"You should not." Stalker replied. "I have been driven, focused on one singular path to the exclusion of all else. What I just found out throws my oaths for a loop. Makes everything I have done, every life I have taken meaningless! I thought the Tenno betrayed and destroyed Orokin. I had no idea of what Ballas did. I knew he made copies of Tenno, but I had no idea. None."
And why is this my concern? Liriel demanded. Your oaths mean nothing to me. If you want to kill Tenno, as futile as that is, I won't stop you.
"I need time to think this through, find my way." Stalker said quietly. "But to do that… I have beings who look to me for guidance, for protection. I will not be able to protect them from you. My acolytes and I are what we are, but these? These are not tainted by my actions. Not yet."
Why would I attack your acolytes? Liriel asked, curious. They haven't attacked me or mine, have they? If they don't, I have no quarrel with them. Attack mine or those I have sworn to protect and yes, we will have a quarrel. We do not that I know of. Yet.
"We do not, but you will be angry. I am not speaking of my acolytes." Stalker said reasonably. "May I introduce you to the youngest?"
Liriel inclined her head and everything stopped as a red and black Kavat appeared beside him. Her armor was just like his but her face was uncovered. She had Liriel's face!
I am not going, Master! What had to be some kind of copy of Liriel snapped. She sounded very young despite her apparent full growth. She hissed at Liriel who stared at her in shock. And you cannot make me!
Of all people, Isis was the first to speak.
"Oh… dear..."