Warframe You Can NOT Absolve
ESKK: A new chapter has finally been published. Please be sure to enjoy and leave a review when your done reading.
(Start Asuka Dreamscape)
Shinji and Asuka sat inside of a small cottage in the forest as the world outside continued to turn. Inside the cottage the pair had been hard at work mastering their new gifts as Asuka produced an AT-Field as if it were second nature to her. Asuka sat across from Shinji smiling lovingly to him as they shared a drink of tea. The world had ended and here they were the last remnants of an old time. The Children of Adam and Lilith were at war against each other and here she and Shinji were more powerful than any of them yet interacting almost like a married couple.
Of course, that was where their troubles began as of late. The Adamites were powerful, but they lacked will and knowledge to use that power. The Lilin were weak but curious with no self-control to keep them from repeating the mistakes of their predecessors. "You put everything back the way you it was before you broke but the people their just as bad if not as worse than before." Asuka said as they were discussing what to do. "We have mindless god powered beings who have no knowledge to control their might and we got people on the other side too curious for their own good." Asuka said stirring the tea in her cup.
"But what can we do they won't listen to us." Shinji said as he didn't want to risk it, he didn't want to go out there and ruin everything again.
"Or maybe they will, we have the best of both knowledge to make decisions and life to fuel our power." Asuka said seeing that eating that bit of Adam/Lilith/Rei when they did was the best call she made. "Maybe they need our guidance to make sure they don't become a repeat of what happened last time." Asuka said and thus Shinji grew curious.
"Asuka... what are you saying?" Shinji asked having a good idea of where this was going.
"If these people need a god to follow... let's be those Gods let's make the paradise your mom failed to make." Asuka said looking to Shinji placing her hand on his shoulder.
"I... I don't know." Shinji admitted and thus Asuka sighed to this.
"If we don't then their just end up snuffing each other out." Asuka said making it clear and got to the worst part. "And when they do... then it's a one-way ticket to Third Impact god wannabe's all over again." Asuka said and thus Shinji knew Asuka was trying to stop a new SEELE from taking the old one's place.
The hearts of men were easily swayed and once more Adam found himself giving into the temptation of Eve. "Where do we begin?" Shinji asked and thus Asuka smile at getting through to Shinji. But just as it began the entire world came undone and within it the New Gods of the Earth vanished from sight.
(Waking World)
Asuka's eyes snap open as she found herself in her bunk inside the Wundur. Sleeping on the bottom bunk was Rei who was snuggling her Kavat Kiko. Asuka sighed as she laid back on her bed as the dream, she just had made her worried. Asuka laid there for a bit staring at the ceiling trying to wrap her mind around the dream in question... now the awakened memories. From what she saw she pushed Shinji to do what would lead to the rise of the Orokin. If Asuka were a betting girl, then she could guess that whatever they did it worked seeing where she was now.
Anyway, they were currently on the way to Deimos and while Magi kept an eye on the base the rest of them were here. Shinji was brought along simply because he was still recovering from his atrophy, and they couldn't leave him at the base alone. Sure, they had an entire crew to keep an eye on him, but Misato felt more comfortable keeping Shinji close by for his own safety. The Wundur had several modifications done to it mainly the same cloaking tech on the Railjack and the Orbiters have been applied to the vessel as well as a working Void Drive. It almost made Asuka wonder why the Tenno never just steal a ship from the Corpus or Grineer.
Rising up Asuka sighed knowing she was not going to be getting any sleep after that dream and thus opted to get up for the day... evening... space morning. But sitting there Asuka looked at her hand and thus had one question to ask. "What did I do?" Asuka asked trying to figure out what she had done to make Mana hate her so much.
(Scene Break SEELE)
Once more SEELE were in a meeting discussing recent events. "Ikari had made his move against his former organization." The Monolith with the number seven said. "He's growing more arrogant by the day using a tactic we had exploited against him long ago." HE added while another spoke.
"But as it stands, he has what we needed the Black Moon, and a Tenno of his own while we possess only a Tenno." The Monolith with the number 9 spoke next. "IF we are to ever hold an advantage over our foes, we MUST gain an edge." HE spoke but then another had more to add.
"But with NERV in possession of Unit-01 we cannot hope to proceed more so when it's clear she will only respond to Gendo's son and the Tenno Shura." the Monolith with the number 5 etched on cut in. "And this Shura has proven himself to be of renown within the Origin System." He made sure to remind everyone that Shura would not be someone easily bested in battle.
"Then perhaps we should recruit the aid of an old friend." The First of the Monoliths spoke up getting his allies attention. "His Warframe is formidable, and the Tenno is a walking god but inside he is still just a boy." He said and thus got to the big part. "And we know of one person who has managed to best him with cunning and deception." The being spoke to which his allies knew exactly who the man spoke of.
"Ballas... but he is dead." The SEELE member whose monolith carried the number 3 on it said.
"His body is dead perhaps, but we need not his body... only his mind." He said and soon between all of them the image of a network appeared not just any network though the network belonging to Ballas's brain.
"You plan to make him a glorified Cephalon." The 5th Monolith spoke and thus the leader chuckled.
"Of course, despite his aid he is for to deceptive to risk him with free reigns, this way it will keep him on a short leash." He said and thus they had a plan on how to best the Tenno in battle.
"How long will it take?" the Monolith that had two asked in a tone that showed he accepted this despite his objections.
"A week at the minimum for the initial transference longer to update the copy we have with all his recent memories." the 3rd Monolith added and thus they had a plan. "We best get started now otherwise our chance at divinity may be lost to us." The same member spoke and thus they knew they had to work fast if they wanted to gain Ballas's aid or at least the aid of his brain.
(Scene Break Deimos)
Misato was seen wearing a heavy hazmat suit with Ritsuko as the Wundur was hovering over the atmosphere of the planet. When they had arrived Misato was shocked over what she saw why they had to get all those vaccinations to prevent being infected the moment they stepped onto the planet. Deimos was the home of the Infestation a horrible plague that has ravaged the Origin System but had started as a bioweapon of the Orokin that went horribly wrong.
On their small viewscreens Misato, and Ritsuko stood with the Entrati Matriarch as Unit-01 stabbed the Lance of Longinus into the planet making sure to be quick about it. With the EVA were Unit-02 and Unit-00 who were guarding the violet EVA as it did the job. So far all was calm but there was no telling how long that would last. Above it was a vessel to grab it once its task was done so they can get it off this planet ASAP before it possibly became infected.
"Thanks for allowing us to hide the Lance of Longinus here." Misato said showing Gomaitru Entrati her thanks for allowing this.
"A friend of the Tenno is a friend of the Entrati Family. He had after all helped us with our own problems and then some asking close to nothing in return." The former Orokin Woman spoke looking down upon the group from her organic flower bud.
"I still cannot believe on this world- Well technically a moon, a virus can spread out so much and change and form an ecosystem to not only to change but create new life, and what more you were originally Orokin yourself change by this virus yet still retain your knowledge," Ritsuko said as she was looking over everything about this world and the data that the mother had gather on the angel so far with detail reports with Gomaitru said, "Yes, but much of our knowledge of the past is mostly lost when we lost much of our memories even our own names, but we never lost our intelligent."
"No doubt, but tell me how you gained so much insight of the angels with the limited material you have available?" Ritsuko said as Gomaitru soon said, "Even with limitations, I try to see thing differently from a new perspective, with the 99 percent match we had with the angels, it's that 1 percent that changes everything between us and them, so I had to isolate everything from that 1 percent and came up with many different results showing a new kind of genetic construction."
AS the two ladies of Sciences talk, with Gomaitru share her knowledge with Ritsuko as it seem they have a lot in command to say as they went over of how their theories have been proven facts with closer detail of that 1 percent between angels and Orokin could change so much.
Misato was just standing there listening on them and pretty much was confused and lost track of what they were saying after a while and just nodded along without saying much other than, 'Ah-hu' or such, before leaving no doubt not wanting to get a headache from listening to all that, and went over to her communicator to contact shura to ask, "So, why did you pick this world out of all other places to leave the lance on?"
"Well compared to most other worlds, as I said before this world is a no-fly zone as mostly it's the Tenno would come here, due to the infection plague won't affect them." Shura began his explanation to Misato. "Any life form that hasn't been vaccine could get infected and could change into something similar to the Entrati or something worst." He said reminding Misato why they needed to go through all the prework before being allowed to enter. It was also why they had the Wundur keep a distance from the planet now knowing how the Infestation could affect the vessel.
"The mere fact that 98% percent of all life in this world would want to kill you, is what makes this world the perfect place to hide the Lance at," Shura said as he know the Tenno would come here a lot. But that doesn't stop some corpus faction members or the Grineer from coming here once in a while with special shielding to protect them from the virus but would still need the Tenno to save them. More so the Tenno can't fight off waves of infected hordes so it's mostly a get in and get out quickly, which is perfect as anyone would want to lance will have a hard time getting it, angel or not it was basically suicide for non-Tenno, with Misato said, "Oh is that why you had us get shots and waited a few days, so we don't get infected?"
"Mostly, but the shot could only do so much, that why you and everyone that aren't Tenno wearing the protected suits while also staying here in the Necralisk, so you won't come into contact with the mutated infected, just for precaution," Shura said as no matter what the virus cannot be fully stopped, only treated, and hopefully don't get mutated from it.
With Misato thought over what Shura said, that Deimos is a deadly world to come to, and she can see why shura would suggest this place as it seem the perfect place as she knew no human being would dare try to get the lance unless they do dare risk of getting infected or die by the mutated creatures outside of Necralisk's walls, and the Tenno could retrieve the lance anytime they wish no doubt, as well the Entrati family could also study the lance itself to see what make it so special and maybe somehow weaponize it properly.
Meanwhile with Shinji as he was able to move around himself a bit in his wheelchair after gaining back some strength to do so as he came across Kaeli who was sharing thing with him about the species of Deimos until her brother interrupted her.
"Again, playing with your, specimens' dear sister." Kaelli's brother, Kermerros said as he arrived via another flesh bud. "I'd have thought that after the new discovery we made you would be more interested in these Angels." Kermerros said as he smirked a bit at his sister. "Though I do hope you not cheating on dear Kahl now with this new boy." Kermerros added and in turn Kaelli glared at her brother for that.
"First of all, just because we have a new subject of study does not mean we should abandon our old studies and second of all Kahl has no immediate missions that he requires my aid in giving me time for my own research." Kaelli defended making it clear that everything was fine. "Besides perhaps you should look at yourself first, you were the one to figure out the relations between us and the Angels and you've hardly showed interest in your own discovery." Kaelli said reminding her brother that he was the one who made the theory.
"I played my role and now I languish over opening my mouth at the time." Kermerros said as he clearly didn't want to participate anymore but had no choice but to do so.
"I swear if it's not your Infested animals in the Cambion Drift you lose interest in things faster than Loid and Ottak switching with each other." Kaelli said in a tone of exasperation.
"I need not deal with this. I'll bid you farewell dear sister." Kermerros said before he vanished into the bud just before Kaelli threw some of her things at his departing form.
Shinji just stood there for a moment confused before looking towards Kaelli. "Sorry... but are you two mad at each other?" Shinji asked confused over the siblings' interactions with one another.
"Nothing beyond what most Siblings get annoyed with." Kaelli said assuring that she'll get over it eventually. "Don't worry Kermerros and I have dealt with each other longer than those two worms outside have blasted each other's heads off." Kaelli said assuring Shinji that everything was fine between herself and her brother.
"Sorry." Shinji apologized and thus Kaelli sighed to this.
"It's fine really your just worried from what I understand it's the mark of a good person." Kaelli said as while she was willing to remove her own Orokin Pride she still had a few hurdles to get through. Though the kicked Kubrow pup look Shinji had helped things along for Kaelli. 'Damn if I, wasn't worried about infecting him, I'd give him a big hug to comfort him.' Kaelli said as she at times hated being what she was, and this was one of those times.
(Meanwhile in the Cambion Drift)
The Three EVA Units had found a good location to place the Lance to protect it via natural means. They placed it in the area where the more dangerous of the Infestation roamed and had put it in a spot that also allowed for it to blend right in with the surroundings. Unit-02 and Unit-00 were provided cover with their weapons as Unit-1 stabbed the Lance into the fleshy mounds of the Cambion Drift.
Once the task was done the violet-colored EVA rejoined the crimson and topaz EVAs. "Mission accomplished." Shura said with a nod to their handy work.
(Asuka and Asuna)
"About time this place is starting to give me the creeps." Asuka said as she was in a modified version of her plug suit that came with a helmet no doubt making it somewhat of a space suit.
"What afraid of being tentacle raped?" Asuna joked causing Asuka to kick the controls of the Plug once more. "Consider that nerve struck." Asuna laughed as Asuka only growled to this.
"You are so lucky I need you to power my EVA." Asuka growled trying her hardest to control her temper.
(Meanwhile with Rei and Reiko)
Reiko sighed as she knew Rei was having similar thoughts. Kiko the Kavat who was currently in the plug with Rei dressed in her own Plug Suit made for her. Kiko looked and overhearing the conversation (read argument) between the two red heads glanced to Rei. "Yes, I know Kiko, Pilot Soryu and Operator Asuna seem to be getting along well enough." Rei said as Kiko simply meowed in response to her owner's comment.
"Hard to imagine that two spitfires can get along at all." Reiko added which Rei and Kiko both nodded to this in response.
Rei then went to her communicator to contact Misato. "Major Katsuragi we've completed the operation and are awaiting pick-up." Rei said and thus they only had to wait a bit.
"Got it Rei, pick-up is on the way." Misato said and in turn they could only wait.
"Please hurry I'd rather not find out if these EVAs can be infected." Asuka voiced and thus the call ended between them.
(Scene Break Wundur)
Once everyone was grabbed the EVAs and Warframes were moved to where they needed to go. For the EVAs that was the Wundurs hanger but for the Warframes that was to the Orbiters. Of course, they were all pushed into another room as Asuna knew what came next. "Dammit I hate this." Asuna said with a tone showing how upset she was about this.
"Come on Asuna its basic procedure especially when dealing with the Infested." Shura said knowing what came next. "We may be immune, but it doesn't mean we can't possibly carry the infection inside by accident." Shura said and thus Asuna knew she had no choice.
"Um what?" Asuka asked after Shinji got out of the protective gear.
"This is where things get complicated." Reiko said and thus came the worst time of their lives.
(Stage 1)
The Tenno and EVA Pilots plus Shinji were stripped naked as they had their photos and X-Rays taken. Asuka looked annoyed, Rei just took it in stride, and Shinji sighed in defeat while holding Kiko for Rei. Asuna pouted as she knew this was just the calm before the storm, Reiko was similar to Rei that she just accepted it and moved on, and Shura while annoyed wasn't open about it and had a calm look on his face.
(Stage 2)
The next thing they all knew they had blazing hot water sprayed at them. Not even the Tenno were immune to this as Shinji was forced to endure it while Asuka was shielding him as best, she could. Kiko was running around in a panic first because of water and second because it was hot water. Rei and Reiko just stood there but Reiko could be seen shaking as she hated the hot water she was forced to endure. Asuna was hugging Shura as she tried to use him as a shield while the hot water was being sprayed at them.
(Stage 3)
They were then all thrown into a tank of decontamination liquid as Rei and Reiko looked to be enjoying it the most as they floated about without a care. Everyone else was not enjoying it at all as Shura was sitting cross legged with his arms crossed while floating with a scowl on his face. Shinji was trying to hold his breath seeing as he still could not swim properly worse because of his Atrophy. Asuka had a better time simply because she knew how to swim but it was not by much. Kiko was learning to doggy paddle now as she floated near Rei hoping her master can get them out of this.
(Stage 4)
The group were once more being sprayed down this time by ice cold water as Kiko was once more running trying to avoid the water. Asuka was hugging herself while bouncing trying to get warm fast. Shura was once more sitting on the ground with his arms and legs crossed but it was clear he was shivering. The others just stood there hugging themselves from the cold save for Rei and Reiko who just stood there without problem.
(Stage 5)
They were then sent back into the tank as they were all struggling to breath save for Rei and Reiko. "Why every time just why!?" Asuna gurgled as she tried to endure it for as long as possible.
"Stop complaining!" Reiko responded through her own gurgles as she had no problems here.
(Stage 6)
The group were being blow dried by a powerful turbine as they had their hair blown about by the winds. "Oh, come on!" Asuka cried out while her hair was ruined but she held on to Shinji so he would not be blown away.
"Just a little longer!" Shura responded while they held on through the suffering.
(Stage 7)
For the third time they were thrown into the tank of disinfected as they all floated in the substance. "I don't think I can take much more of this!" Shinji gurgled out as he could not imagine the Tenno doing this every time, they faced the Infested.
(Inside the Wundur)
The final door opened, and the group were let inside the vessel proper. All of them looking very annoyed with what they had to endure, especially Asuka as Asuna simply pouted to this. "I hate it, I hate going through that." Asuna said while entering the ship proper.
"For once you and I agree on something." Asuka said as she helped Shinji out of that nightmare. Off to the side was the EVA Pilots Plug Suits and the Tenno's Zariman Transference Suits. Putting the outfits on while keeping out of each other's line of sight (While also assisting Shinji when his condition got in the way) the group left the room fully dressed and ready for Misato and Ritsuko.
(Meanwhile Gendo Black Lua)
Gendo glared upon the massive form of Evangelion Unit 13 as Mana was using Transference to utilize it. As it stands, he could not use the EVA himself as is, so he needed time to prepare it hence why Mana was using it. The Fallen Angel was showing herself to be a quick study especially when utilizing the new EVA's abilities unique only to it. He suspected the Tenno would move the Lance elsewhere to protect it and while he had his goals, he was no fool to try to test his resources on Deimos. The good news is that SEELE, even if they knew the Lance is there, would never attempt to take it from Deimos and risk the Infestation.
The only ones capable of retrieving it are the Tenno themselves and while Gendo has the one she was needed here. Acquiring the Lance of Cassius also had importance as well but to do that he needed a way to find it within the Void. Void Keys may have fallen out of use but that did not mean they were useless. The Keys that Gendo had acquired would serve him well but finding the Lance would be like trying to find a needle in the haystack. He needed a way to draw the Lance to them but the only way he could think of doing that is the same was Unit-01 summoned Longinus during Third Impact. But to make that happen he needed to recreate the same situation that summoned the Longinus to Unit-01.
He was aware that SEELE had their own Tenno hidden away... perhaps they can bring the Lance to him. Gendo had the means to open a Void Tear and SEELE has the means to summon the Cassius. It might run the risk of giving SEELE one of the Lances, but it would also put the weapon in play. He simply needed a way to get the Tenno and SEELE to fight it out but if the Scenario is trusted that outcome will make itself happen on its own.
(Back on the Wundur)
The Tenno trio of Shura, Asuna, and Reiko arrived on the Wundur's meeting room as they were met with Misato and Ritsuko. They had been called in not too long ago to meet with her as the Lotus was on the holo table also communicating with the group. Asuka was helping Shinji get settled while Rei was feeding Kiko, so they were not here to speak. The fact that only the Tenno were called in meant that this was something only they as Tenno can be counted upon to do.
Once they arrived the Tenno took seats and when they were seated the Lotus spoke up. "Tenno I'll cut to the chase we have a mission request from Little Duck in Fortuna she stated it was urgent." Lotus said before Shura looked serious.
"Patch her through." Shura said and thus Little Duck appeared on the screen.
"Hey Tenno, glad you got my call." Little Duck said as the Rail Agents/smuggler spoke to them. "I can't say much here, too many unsavory sorts might slice the call." Little Duck said her voice urgent but hushed in secrecy. "What I can say is that this info might help you lot against the seven eyes and possibly the man on the moon." Little Duck said meaning SEELE and Gendo. "I can really use your help, meet me in Fortuna the usual place for more." Little Duck said and in turn she cut the call.
"Well, that was a little vague." Misato said finding this suspicious.
"No that's just Little Duck." Reiko said as she had worked with her and the Quills several times in the past.
"Vague is part of the job." Shura said and thus looked to the Lotus.
"Exactly Little Duck never asks for help unless she actually needs it and we have worked with her in the past and had aided us during the Ne War." Lotus said and thus got to the point. "Chart a course for Venus let's see what has Little Duck asking for aid." Lotus said before she ended the call.
"Well, you heard her come on." Misato said as she wasn't really fond of Venus. Memories of Second Impact being the chief reason why she didn't like going there often. "Back to Fortuna." Misato sighed as Ritsuko was all for it.
"Well, it will give us time to research cybernetics to apply to the EVAs." Ritsuko said seeing the positive of a visit to Fortuna. "Plus, with our new cloak tech we can park the ship and avoid detection." Ritsuko said noting another positive on their side of things and thus it was time to move.
(Scene Break Wundur Viewing Deck)
The Wundur arrived over Venus not to long later and were now hovering over the planet preparing to depart. "So, this is Venus?" Shinji asked as he looked upon the icy planet.
"Must be exciting to explore the cosmos." Shura said as he looked to the wonder and awe upon Shinji's eyes.
"Y-yes." Shinji admitted and thus he looked confused. "But I remember learning that Venus was a desert not a frozen cold planet." Shinji said but then Reiko sighed a bit.
"Blame the Orokin and the Corpus for that one." Reiko said calmly but then Asuna laughed at this.
"Honestly though I think it looks better this way plus Animals survive this place." Asuna said and while she might hate the Orokin she will admit this was a bit of a happy accident.
"I know we were supposed to return to Earth, but this information Little Duck has seemed important, so we need to at least check it out." Shura said apologizing to the group for this.
"It's alright though I could have been enjoying a nice hot bath right now." Asuka said to assure it was alright but mumbled to herself the last part.
"Alright if something comes up you know who to call." Shura said as he, Asuna, and Reiko took their leave.
"The Teen Titans?" Asuka joked causing the group to look confused. "Oh, right they don't exist here." Asuka said forgetting that tidbit of information.
(Scene Break Later in Fortuna)
"Man, I still can't believe it. It's like anytime I come here, it's like walking into one of those classic sci-fi movies that pretty much human would imagine what the future could be like," Misato said as she can name off a couple of movie that could be compare to Fortuna, like Blade Runner, Judge Dredd, and total recall, with Reiko said, "Well I guess even the most fiction ideas even scientific ones would become reality one day, for you your living it in today."
"And to make sure these ideas will come true, we need to protect the future, as whatever information Little Duck may have on Gendo or SEELE maybe be the keys to do so," Shura said as Misato could only laugh a bit as she sees the maturity of Shura, something she wish to see in Shinji one day.
Asuna was utilizing Garuda Prime this time around with the Warframes infamous Naganaka Prime crossbow and Viper Wraith. Asuna may enjoy using Valkyr Prime a lot, but it did not mean she was above using other Frames. The Tenno were best with versatility after all.
Reiko was utilizing Ember Prime and the Glaive Prime Melee weapon which was sheathed under her right arm. Roaming about her was an Infested feline creature she had named Matatabi a creature she got thanks to Kermerros back on Deimos a while bac. Reiko had also equipped the Gorgo Wraith for her main arm weapon and the Destron side arm. Reiko had a Warframe for one of the four main elements of fire, water, earth, and wind and this was the one best known for her fire.
Shura was utilizing Frost Prime with the Reaper Prime Scythe, the Latron Prime rifle, and the AkStilleto Prime sidearms. Nearby his Moah that he named Gear was looking to Shura ready to fight at a moment's notice. Shura was still working on his Hound but hunting down The Sisters of Parvos for the parts had proven to be a difficult task on its own. Shura may be known for using Excalibur Umbra a lot but if he relies on only one Warframe it would stagnant his ability to use other Warfames and weapons while on missions.
They walk up some stairs pass a guard post chair where Eudico is sitting. As she looked towards the Tenno and Misato, she gave them a nod which Shura in turn nodded back before they went on their way to the back of the area behind Eudico, where a pair of doors were. Asuna stepped up and punched in a set of codes only known to a group call Solaris United, and the Tenno that are on good terms with them.
"It ain't much for you Misato, but what you will be shown is a Privilege, not a right," shura said, telling Misato the situation as she could only nod to this as she soon follow the Tenno into the back rooms once the doors were open as all 3 Tenno and Misato walks in with the doors shutting behind them.
(Later in the backroom)
Misato saw the backroom as shura was right to say it wasn't much, but she'll try to remember she was only a guest here, not a major. While the Tenno were entering into the back of the back room Little Duck was seen in the back as she walks up to the group and said, "Good to see you Tenno, glad for you to come by."
"We heard what you said, and we understood, the question is, what information do you have on Gendo and SEELE right now?" Shura question little duck as she said, "Not a whole lot to say, maybe as much as you, but I do know of someone who does know more, the contact I made."
"Who?" Shura question her as little duck said, "They didn't give me a name, but they gave me some detail info about Gendo and SEELE, they told me much about them of how they try to become gods or try to create their ideal world for him and his wife as they told me."
"Well, I guess this is a good clue then, but how do we get into contact with them?" Misato asked with Little Duck said, "Who this one?"
"She's a friend don't worry, but like she said, is there a way we can meet this contact of yours?" Shura questioned as Little Duck said, "AT the moment, not right now. The Corpus somehow caught onto their location and had to go underground, no doubt their location was probably leaked by SEELE when they had caught onto him and his activities."
"So, we need to find him or her, great." Asuna said feeling this was going to become a lot harder for them.
"Thankfully, you may not need to look far. The bloke had was able to send a quick message to notify me about it, right now he's in the wind but maybe you can track him down for me." Little Duck said and in turn began to give the Tenno the needed data. "Here is his last known location find his old location and find something there that could lead you to them." She said and thus the Tenno happily accepted what Little Duck gave them.
"Thanks, we'll check it out and see what we can turn up," Shura said as Little duck nodded as she given them the locations where Little Duck's contact was last spotted. Shura, Reiko, and Asuna, knowing that they have a job to do, were about to leave until Little Duck called out to them saying, "Wait, one more thing you need to know, but I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but he said he likes Melons."
.
.
.
"The fuck is a melon?" Asuna asked as the Tenno were confused by this. Meanwhile Misato was a bit surprise to hear this and thought, could it be someone from her era?
(scene break)
After a short lift ride up to the Valis the Tenno entered the snow-covered wasteland that belonged to the Corpus and Nef Anyo. The place was looking just as banged up as the Tenno recalled no small part thanks to Narmer. When Narmer had control of everything they had turned the Vallis into construction sites to build monuments to Ballas. Though the Tenno would have been more than happy to see the statues to Nef Anyo destroyed during the New War, but it seemed that was asking for a lot.
Travelling to his last known coordinates the Tenno had taken out several of the Corpus at the area before they could call it in. Either they were a patrol or were actively looking for the contact was anyone's guess but now with the area clear investigating it can begin proper. Taking out his scanner Shura began looking around for possible clues as to their target's location.
"So, question are we absolutely sure this guy is alive?" Asuna asked still remembering the prep work they did to face Profit Taker a while back. "I mean the Corpus are no Grineer in terms of brutality but even I find it hard to believe he could avoid them without outside aid." Asuna added as she looked to her two teammates in the area.
"Has to be, Little Duck speaks highly of him." Reiko said keeping an eye out for any possible enemy incursion.
"Not so great if he got his ass caught." Asuna said but then Shura spoke up.
"Found something." Shura said reading into the Coolant Water and pulled something out from it. Looking it over Shura saw it was a capsule of some kind which he found to be big enough to fit into his hand. Looking it over he twisted it open and pulled out some sort of device. Activating it Shura saw it was a PDA of some kind but all the data on it was blank save for one, coordinates. "I know where to go." Shura said standing up prepared to lead his team.
"Alright then, lead the way." Asuna said and thus she and Reiko followed Shura to locate the missing contact.
(Scene Break Later)
Heading towards a nearby cave the Tenno tracked down the coordinates to the location in question. Of course, when they got there a few Corpus scouts were looking around the area no doubt trying to locate the contact. The Tenno were of course aware of this and acted fast to get rid of them.
Shura jumped down and fired clean headshots with Latron Prime at a few of them taking them out. This got the others aware but before they could fire Asuna came in and tore the Corpus crewman apart with her Garuda Claws staining her Warframe in their blood. Finally, Reiko charged in fire at the remaining Corpus with her Destron in one hand while shielding herself with the Glaive Prime in the other hand. Once she got close Reiko proceeded to slice through her enemies taking them out quickly and painfully. Looking around Shura had Latron Prime ready before lowering the weapon.
"Clear." Shura announced and in turn they continued their search for the missing contact.
"The Coordinates said he would be here, so where is he?" Reiko asked looking for the missing man.
"Search the area, if he's here we'll find him." Shura said looking around for the missing man. Of course, they didn't have to look long when they noted something amiss with the Coolant Water inside the cave mainly a rock landed inside it coming seemingly from nowhere. Shura was quiet for a moment but got his allies attention on him as they also noticed what happened. "He could not have gotten far." Shura said while subtly gesturing to the water nearby which Asuna and Reiko nodded.
"I'll teach the caverns, Asuna can search the upper levels, and Shura can search outside." Reiko said and thus they agreed on this.
"Got it/understood." Asuna and Shura both said before heading out to carry out the tasks they were given.
Leaving the area all was quiet for a moment before a man began to descent from above via a cable of sorts. Once he got back to the ground, he prepared to make his escape only to have Shura's side arm pointed at his back.
In response the unknown man began to raise his hands to surrender to the Tenno. "Nice try hiding." Shura said as he no doubt knew the man was hiding above and said those things to draw him out. "But next time watch what you're doing so you don't drop something that gives away your position." Shura said and in turn tried to use the code Little Duck gave them. "So, I hear you like Melons, know where I can find them?" Shura asked and thus the man chuckled to this.
"So, I'm guessing here that Little Duck sent you?" He asked with a smirk towards the Tenno.
"She did, said you were compromised." Reiko said returning to the scene with Asuna in tow.
"Also said you had information on SEELE so we're here to get you and the information out of here." Asuna added looking to the masked man before them.
"Thanks, but that's going to be a problem." The man said shocking the trio of Tenno. "I don't have the information, my partner does." The man said and thus this surprised the group.
"What?" Asuna asked with a growl which was a signal of her annoyance with the situation.
"Look before we get too touchy on the subject let's try with some introductions." The man said before he proceeded to remove his headgear for the Tenno. When he did the Tenno were met with the face of a man who needed a shave. "My name is Kaji Ryoji a pleasure to meet you." The man now known as Kaji greeted.
"Kaji, alright where is your partner?" Shura asked as they had to find said partner before the Corpus does.
"Somewhere out in the Valis." Kaji revealed and thus the Tenno all moaned in annoyance.
"Like finding a damn needle in a haystack." Asuna complained as she knew the Orb Vallis was a large place.
"Well, I can narrow it down for you, he tends to hang around places that are warm." Kaji said and thus Reiko perked up a bit.
"That significantly narrows it down to either the Caves or areas the Corpus are working in." Reiko said and thus Shura nodded to this.
"Alright then, Reiko you get... Mr. Ryogi back to Fortuna and meet up with Little Duck Asuna and I will continue the search on foot." Shura said and thus Reiko nodded in understanding.
"FYI you might need a tranquilizer gun for him." Kaji added just before Reiko could take him away. Once he said his piece he followed after Reiko to travel back to Fortuna.
"Why would we need a tranquilizer gun?" Asuna asked to which Shura just shrugged showing he did not know.
(Scene Break Later with Misato)
Misato remained appraised of the mission when she got word of who the Tenno had found. Never did she imagine that Kaji would have made it to this era as well not after his death. When Little Duck told her how the Tenno found him Misato didn't know what to feel at the time. She made her own set of mistakes in her era and all because of what happened on the Katsuragi expedition that resulted in Second Impact.
Sitting in the backroom Misato waited for Reiko to return with Kaji while Shura and Asuna went out searching for Kaji's partner. Her mind was a jumble trying to figure out what to say to Kaji and how she will react to him. The last time they spoke was the last night they were together before that voice mail he left for her. Thanks to Gendo and SEELE they were all left broken messes and Kaji was the only one trying to do anything about it.
Just then the door opened and thus Misato looked to see Reiko had returned and more than that she had brought Kaji with her. Misato looked up and thus Kaji smiled to her happy to see she was amongst the living again. "Katsuragi it's been ages how have you been?" Kaji asked with a smile on his face the same one he always had even in their old era.
"I've been better..." Misato said as she got up and made her way over to Kaji. "So how long have you been running around." Misato asked with a calm and neutral tone in her voice.
"Well, if I had to guess about a week after the New War Ended." Kaji said and thus Misato glared before she did the only thing of which she can think.
She slapped Kaji across the face causing it to echo around the Back Room. "That was for the voice mail!" She snapped out at Kaji before kicking him on the leg knocking the man down. "That was for not letting us know you were still kicking!" Misato yelled before she kicked him again.
"Yeap that's you alright Katsuragi." Kaji said as he coughed a bit before getting back up.
"Old Girl has a mean kick." Eudico said with a chuckle at the scene before her.
"Reminds me of someone else." Biz said knowing of one other person like Misato. "It's probably why you and she get along, Eudico." Biz added while looking over to Eudico who playfully pushed her fellow Solaris.
(Back on the Valis Shura)
Shura was walking through another area that was warmer than the rest of Fortuna as he looked around for his target. "Any signs of him?" Shura asked over the communications as he contacted Asuna. So far, they had yet to track down the partner as they started by the areas around the cave, they found Kaji in.
"Nothing yet, the cave I checked is clean moving on to the next one." Asuna responded over the communications.
"Acknowledged." Shura said before cutting the link with Asuna. Just then Shura heard movement nearby as he looked towards the source of it. Taking out his scanner Shura saw something moving nearby and thus knew he might have found something. "Well, I'm sure Biz will enjoy looking at you." Shura said drawing his tranquilizer gun for what came out.
Just then moving from its hiding spot was a bird creature with what looked to be a metal collar around its neck. "Huh?" Shura asked as he saw the creature looking around the area curiously. Shura took aim at it and thus when its back was turned, he fired the tranquilizer into its body causing the creature to let out a Wark of pain. It looked to Shura but then it began to stumble a bit showing that the drug was doing its job. The creature then fell over knocked out as Shura walked over to the thing.
"Ok what the Heck am I looking at." Shura said only for the communications to come in from Fortuna.
"That kid is my partner." Kaji said as he saw what Shura was seeing and in turn saw the creature.
"Wait this is your partner?" Shura asked before taking a closer look at the creature's collar and the name on it, Penpen.
"Yeah, Penpen is the one you're looking for, the data is in his collar." Kaji said and thus Shura looked for the hidden hatch and soon found it.
"Found it." Shura said and thus he called in a drone for pick up. "I'll send Penpen over to Biz and meet with you back in Fortuna." Shura said and thus Kaji understood.
"Alright see you soon." Kaji responded and thus Shura went to contact Asuna while calling in the drone.
"Asuna." Shura began as the drone arrived.
"I know heading to Fortuna now." Asuna said and thus Shura nodded. The Drone then picked up Penpen and held him for a moment to get a scan on him. Once that was done Penpen cried out as the drone flew off to carry him back to Fortuna to be picked up. With his job done Shura began to make his way back to Fortuna to ride the lift down.
(Scene Break Fortuna)
The two Tenno that were out on the field returned to Fortuna and went straight to the backroom to meet up with Little Duck. Once they got there, they saw Misato cuddling to Penpen who while annoyed by the affection accepted it clearly because he also missed Misato. "Well, ain't this just a lovely sight." Asuna said getting everyone's attention on her.
"Ah Tenno I'd reckon you'd pull it off." Little Duck said as she crossed her arms while leaning against the wall.
"Here's the data." Shura said passed the data card over to Kaji who took it without question.
"Thanks, the Corpus take Corporate Espionage to a whole new level." Kaji said as he had been playing the mole in the Corpus for months on end.
"So, what is the data you have on SEELE that you needed to get to us?" Reiko asked as she got down to subject on this.
"Everything and most of all the location of their base of operations." Kaji said and activated the card showing to the group everything Kaji had on SEELE. Their equipment, their defenses, and most of all their base and how to get there.
"Holy mother fucking son of a bitch." Asuna said as she saw what this meant. "Looks like SEELE's days are numbered." Asuna said with a grin knowing what was to happen to SEELE.
"We need to get this data back to base NOW." Misato said while they still had the element of surprise on their hands. With this in mind the Tenno got moving with every intent to secure their edge over SEELE which meant making sure they could not get the jump on them. Unaware to them SEELE were making their own strives.
(Scene Break SEELE)
"What is this?" Came the voice of a man many have come to despite and hate. "Margulis where... no this seems familiar." He spoke then noticed something. "Wait... where are my arms... where are my legs... Where is me?" The voice asked only for the Monoliths to appear around him.
"Good it seems to have worked, Ballas." Came the leading Monolith of SEELE.
"SEELE my old friends." The voice of Ballas spoke only to be followed by excruciating pain curtesy of an unknown force. Ballas cried out in pain and agony from whatever SEELE was doing to him. Once it came to an end Ballas gasped for air and looked to SEELE's Monoliths.
"Good it works that should keep you in line." The leading Monolith spoke and thus Ballas glared at this.
"What is this?!" He demanded and thus SEELE got down to it.
"We recovered what was left of you the only thing we need from you... your mind." SEELE spoke and thus Ballas saw a reflective surface and then went wide eyed to this. He saw only a red light from a machine of some kind.
"No... what have you done to me!?" Ballas demanded as he glared at SEELE.
"We saved your mind from the Tenno and the Indifference." SEELE spoke and thus it began to come back to him the ending of the New War. "Tenno!" Ballas snapped rage filling his heart once more. "Again, you take everything from me, you take my Margulis and now you take my body!" Ballas roared but then the pain began once more.
"It was not the Tenno but your own arrogance that brought this upon yourself." SEELE spoke and thus Ballas regained himself once the pain ended. "We need your mind for only one thing... Warframes we intend to apply the dummy system to them what we need from you is to construct them and modify them to make them compatible with the Dummy System." SEELE said and thus Ballas tried his tainted silver tongue once more.
"I see then perhaps we can." He began but was cut off by the pain curtesy of SEELE.
"You will not be able to manipulate or talk your way to get what you want. Only the Instrumentality matters." SEELE spoke while ending the pain for Ballas. "Any further objections?" SEELE asked and thus Ballas growled to the precursors.
"None." He said with a growl to which SEELE saw the victory.
"Good begin work you will be closely monitored from here on out." SEELE spoke and thus they vanished before the lights came back on revealing a factory of some kind which began to activate. This meant Ballas had to work like a slave to provide SEELE what they desire, the worst deal he had ever made. With a growl he got to work as machines began to move on his will alone no doubt SEELE had downloaded preset knowledge into his reconstructed mind.
(TBC)
ESKK: Another Chapter finished another set of reviews will be requested. Until next time leave a review before leaving and as I always say, ja-ne.