Warframe You Can NOT Absolve
ESKK: Another day with another chapter published for you guys. Let's, get this chapter started, enjoy the read.
(Start SEELE)
The Council was once more gathered and thus they began to speak. "So, the Tenno suspect our agents within their own ranks?" The first Monolith spoke as the council who controlled the Origin System discussed latest, developments.
"Yes, it would seem the Corpus failed in the elimination of one Ryoji Kaji." Another spoke making it clear that they were running out of options. "They are no doubt preparing for a counter assault against us and they will no doubt work to ensure that no form of us will ever rise again.' The same Monolith added while SEELE tried to figure out a way around this.
"Just as the old text spoke, the Devil shall tempt mankind from reaching god." Another member spoke as SEELE sounded frustrated by this. "The Devil being the Tenno and the Great Indifference and God being the destination that Instrumentality shall be the path to." They spoke and thus it came down to it.
"Our only option left is to act Ballas has confirmed that the Dummy Frames are operational we must claim the Lance and Unit-01 if we are to achieve the desired divinity for the Origin System." The members of SEELE were starting to push.
"But what of the Mass Production Series can they handle the fury of the Tenno?" Another spoke but then the leader spoke.
"They will have to do." The leader spoke but there was more to say on the matter. "But let us not forget that the Tenno might prove to be powerful allies if they can be made to see the truth of what we offer." He added and thus the old men all gasped.
"Are you suggesting we try to negotiate with them?" One of them asked much to the shock of the others.
"Perhaps if they can be turned, we need not waist previous resources in our attack." He responded as it was worth a small risk. "But it will also provide us a chance to move our forces without detection as well." He added and thus this got SEELE thinking for a bit.
"Perhaps our old link to the Commanders Office might still be of use to us." Seele spoke as they continued to scheme their plots for Human Instrumentality.
(Scene Break Gendo Black Lua)
Staring out over Black Luo Gendo knew what was coming. SEELE was planning a direct attack on the Tenno. This was perfect it would allow him and Mana the chance to retrieve the Lance from Deimos while SEELE and the Tenno duke it out to claim the Cassius Lance. Gendo was no fool once SEELE has Unit-01 then they can begin the final stretch for their plans of Human Instrumentality. But with Unit-13 and the Black Moon Gendo had his own cards to play and with the Lance of Longinus in his possession all would be as he wills it.
If his numbers were right first it would be Bardiel and then Zuriel as the remaining Angels. After that, all bets were off on the inevitable war that would spring forth. SEELE might try to negotiate for the Tenno to surrender but it would be for naught. The conflict will spring forth and then begins the countdown to Armageddon. Mana was preparing to deploy in Unit-13 so that she may retrieve the Lance of Longinus, but Gendo needed one more thing of importance... an old friend of his from the Orokin Era a like-minded individual, Ballas.
(Scene Break Central Dogma NERV Earth)
Misato was seen sitting on one of the rolling chairs in the main command room of NERV. Despite all the upgrades the places still seemed primitive in comparison to the rest of the Origin System. The Grineer had crude, yet effective tech and the Corpus had powerful tech that was mainly cutting corners. Ritsuko was going over the data of Unit-01's upgrades after Shura had all but trashed the Unit in the previous battle. The armor was wrecked, boosters were burnt out, and all in all the EVA was due for an overhaul. Thankfully, the crew got started on said overhaul the moment they brought the EVAs back in.
Ritsuko of course was using the best tech the Tenno had to offer to get the Evangelion Unit Shura trashed back up and running. In fact, the EVA was almost ready to deploy with brand new armor installed as well as a few new systems to boot. Shura should find using the EVA to be easier now and fell more like a Warframe though Ritsuko had yet to figure out how to make the Bullet Jump on a giant scale like that.
"So, Shura did a real number on Unit-01." Misato said as she looked too Ritsuko.
"I warned you about the plan, we're just lucky Shura was able to keep the damage contained when he did." Ritsuko said as she continued to work on her computer with a cup of coffee not too far from her.
"It worked in the end." Misato defended as Ritsuko sighed to this.
"Well now I need to give Unit-01 a total overhaul all the while still trying to figure out how to provide Asuka and Rei's EVA's the same S2 Core as Unit-01." Ritsuko said as she had a lot of work to do now.
"Jeez sorry." Misato said and thus Varzia walked into the room.
"Hey good news." Varzia said as she entered the room. "We got a lot of Solarians no hopers in deep debts transferred here." Varzia said entering the room and showing the group the data.
"The Solarians but why send them here?" Misato asked and thus Varzia smirked a bit.
"Simple the Tenno bought off their debts a while back while also helping Solaris United." Varzia began while she took Ritsuko's coffee and drank from it causing the woman to glare at her for that. "So, the Lotus and some of the Tenno thought it be a good idea to have them work here, saving the Origin System as well as helping us keep this place up and running beyond having Magi do it, no offense." Varzia said the last bit directed towards the Cephalon.
"None taken." Magi said and thus Ritsuko smiled to this.
"So, I'm going to get some neighbors soon, great." Misato said happy that the complex won't be so quiet anymore. "You did screen them, right?" Misato asked not wanting to bring SEELE agents in by mistake.
"Yeah, we did and the ones coming in should be clean." Varzia confirmed hoping that none of the craftier ones slipped in through the cracks.
"Good." Misato said and thus she began to change the subject. "Anyway, not to be nosy but does something seem different about Shinji and Asuka?" Misato asked causing Ritsuko to raise her brow a bit.
"What do you mean?" Ritsuko asked as Misato thought about it.
"I don't know after we got Shinji back Asuka has been a lot nicer but now it's just off." Misato said as she was messing with a pen.
"Kids grow Misato, and after what they've been through, they had to have grown some as well." Ritsuko said not taking her eyes off her work.
"Maybe." Misato said figuring she might be making something out of nothing. "I mean it's not like they got together without me knowing." Misato said confident her wards were not doing anything that extreme.
Oh, how wrong she was.
(Apartment)
Early Morning and the pair of Shinji and Asuka had the apartment to themselves. Penpen was locked in his fridge and currently a very naked Asuka was sleeping atop an equally naked Shinji. Shinji for his part could not believe they had actually done this. It was a miracle in of itself that they had not awoken Rei from her own slumber. Asuka had a loving, peaceful, and satisfied smile on her face. It's been a few weeks since the couple had gotten together and needless to say things have been looking up.
Asuka was happy because oddly enough she felt complete while Shinji just stared at the ceiling deep in thought. His SDAT laid almost forgotten with Asuka's A10 Connector clips with the pair laying under the sheets. For her she had something beyond EVA and best part if she wanted to step down then Asuna can take her place.
Shinji's mind though was on his mother on Evangelion Unit-01 and her role as the architect of all he and Asuka endured. According to Shura she was remorseful she was guilty, and she knew it. In her goals to build a future she forgot that every utopia requires a foundation. Everyone has asked him if he would forgive her for her role in Instrumentality at least those who knew about it. But Shinji himself he wasn't sure he can do it in all honesty he wished he could take Unit-01 and toss that EVA into the sun and watch it burn. But it was needed so Shinji refrained from voicing it. Yui was doing all she can to make amends to fix her mistakes and many see and know she's trying to be better, but traumas are not something you can simply wipe away.
then Asuka began to stir as this got Shinji's noticed. Once her beautiful blue eyes opened, they looked up towards Shinji and smiled a bit. "Sorry did I wake you?" Shinji apologized as Asuka then flicked him on the nose.
"No, I was awake for a bit... just wanted to hear your heartbeat." Asuka said as she then cringed a bit to herself. "Damn that was corny." She added causing the pair to chuckle before they began to get up.
"But it was sweet." Shinji admitted and then his voice trailed off a bit.
"Something wrong?" Asuka asked as she looked to Shinji with concern.
"If I say no, can we move on?" Shinji asked and thus Asuka glared at Shinji for that.
"Shinji, the last time you bottled it up it ended the world." Asuka said making it clear that Shinji can either talk by choice or she can wring the information out from him.
"Fine..." Shinji sighed out before he went on to speaking. "It's just this everything." Shinji said gesturing a bit to the world around them. "Last thing I remember was being with you on the beach after... after everything ended." Shinji began as his voice began to crack a bit. "Now I wake up and find that it's starting all over again and I... don't think I can." Shinji began but then felt a hand grasping his own.
"Shinji... it's fine to feel overwhelmed." Asuka said as she looked to Shinji. "I know that's rich coming from me but it's the truth." Asuka admitted as she laid there with Shinji.
"It's not just that." Shinji said as he laid there for a moment. "After that incident with Umbra and my mother I constantly get reminded about what she did and didn't do." Shinji said and thus he began to rise up with Asuka scooting off a bit to give him some room. He sat on the bed his eyes distant as his thoughts were on the incident. "I called for her you know; they were going to tear you apart... they tore you apart I called for her and she did nothing to help me save you." Shinji said with a sad tone in his voice. Asuka recalled what Shinji spoke off, the mass production Evangelions that SEELE had utilized.
"Shinji no one blames you for what happened, your bastard of a father forced you into it." Asuka said but then Shinji cut her off before she could say anything else.
"But I chose it in the end!" Shinji nearly shouted as he then began to calm down. "Rei gave me the choice and, in the end, I destroyed it all." Shinji said as the guilt of his actions haunted him. "I was at my lowest point, I defiled you, failed to save you, and at the end of it all what did we begot except more pain and suffering through the Orokin?" Shinji asked and thus Asuka sighed knowing the pain Shinji must be feeling for his part in the rise of the Orokin Empire.
"Shinji... I'm just as guilty of it as you are." Asuka said as she sat up and wrapped her arms comfortably around Shinji. "I... I think I was the one to talk you into it." Asuka said which caused the girl to tighten her grip a bit. "If anyone has to endure the blame it's me if only, I was stronger maybe, just maybe." Asuka trailed off as she thought of Mana and her other child the one Mana called Abal.
"We're both pretty fucked up." Shinji admitted as they sat there in silence.
"Yeah, some of us in more ways than one." Asuka said and then looked to Shinji. "By the way Shinji pertaining to that... hospital incident... all cards on the table I would have gotten even with you somehow either with violence or tying you down and doing the same." Asuka admitted as she looked to Shinji who chuckled a bit.
"Noted." Shinji said before he noticed something amiss. "Misato has been gone for a while." Shinji said wondering what Misato was doing. Asuka then rolled her eyes and dragged Shinji back into the bed with her much to his surprise.
(Meanwhile with Kaji and Misato)
Misato was in an Elevator heading back from a meeting with requisitions which was followed up by a meeting with some of the Tenno for their personal training. Most if not all of the Tenno were fully trained but they had a Mastery Rank thing going on between them. In all honesty sounded like an RPG sort of thing Misato had read about back in the day. She kept a cold blank loon on her face as she rode the Elevator to her next meeting.
The Lotus meant well and while she is somewhat the unofficial commander of NERV Lotus was a task master. But it did help run an efficient facility and the Tenno were a major help. So, as she rode the elevator a ding went off and the people departed from it leaving Misato alone in said elevator.
"Hey, Katsuragi hold the Elevator!" Kaji called out and thus Misato kept her blank look towards Kaji. Seeing him come her way Misato moved her hand to the buttons and proceeded to press the close sign on it. She did not have time to deal with Kaji and the issues she was left with after the man had been killed.
Just as the Elevator doors were about to shut Kaji's hand stopped it going Misato to growl. 'One thing I wanted one thing.' Misato grumbled to herself for this one as Kaji stepped in.
"Jeez I thought I was done running that hard staying here." Kaji said as he entered the elevator. "So, what's with the cold look Katsuragi it's almost like you've been trying to avoid me." Kaji said as Misato growled a bit.
"It's nausea from having to deal with you again." Misato snapped with a growl hoping to hold Kaji off until she can sort out her thoughts on what to say to him.
"Jeez, Temper Katsuragi, and after I reunited you with Penpen." Kaji said with a wistful smile on his face.
"The only reason I'm tolerating you as is." Misato said trying to block Kaji out so she can focus on her next meeting the guys down in Maintenance.
"Well considering I only recently arrived I don't think I did anything to warrant such contempt." Kaji said trying to figure out why Misato was angry at him all of a sudden. Misato knew that Kaji was right, but she did not want to give him that satisfaction not until she can sort out her own feeling.
"How long have you been running around the Origin System?" Misato suddenly asked with the calmest tone she could muster.
"Honestly speaking?" Kaji began with a question of his own, though his was rhetorical. "I think I woke up on Venus during the New War when Narmer invaded." Kaji admitted as he stood in the Elevator. "Little Duck found me and Penpen just before we could get vailed." Kaji admitted and thus Misato growled a bit to this.
"Then why didn't you contact us sooner, let us know you were around?" Misato asked as she wanted an honest answer from the man.
"Wouldn't have been a good spy if I started calling you guys out of the blue, would I." Kaji admitted just as the elevator dinged to their arrival at Misato desired floor. "It's not your fault you know... you did your best." Kaji said before the door could open. "Don't waste the second chance we've been given." Kaji added just before the elevator doors opened. Thus, without uttering another word Misato left the Elevator so Kaji can get to wherever he needed to go.
(Meanwhile with Rei)
Rei was by herself for the time being. After performing her duties at NERV she had been without companionship for a bit. She no longer had to endure Commander Ikari for the time being and since he is now the enemy her duty is to eliminate him when the opportunity presented itself. Still Rei suspected that the Lotus was suspicious of her, and Rei knew the Tenno's handler was correct to be suspicious in all ways that mattered and then some. Rei walked around a bit and arrived at a familiar path grazing her hand on the wall she recalled this place.
This led to the old Cloning Chamber for the Dummy Plug. The place where she would be reincarnated every time she died. The place in which Commander Ikari would transfer Lilith's soul to ensure his desired plans came to fruition. As Rei walked on through a new voice began to whisper to her one, she did not know yet vaguely recalled like a distant dream.
"Rap. Tap. Tap." The voice whispered causing Rei to halt in her movements for a moment. That whisper that tone why did it call to her memories yet could not be recalled. Turning the corner Rei was in turn met with an exact duplicate of herself a copy. But this was not one of her other bodies for its eyes was endless stars.
"Hey Lilith, long time no see." The being spoke in a distorted form of Rei's own voice.
"I do not know who you are, and I know you're not one of the other clone bodies. Who are you?" Rei said, as she eyes the being with the entity said to her, "Oh and what gave it away? Was it my voice, maybe my personality, my eyes?"
"You have no soul, you have no light, you're not an angel, nor are you human, but you aren't a Tenno either, are you?" Rei said as the being snap his fingers as he said, "I've always forgotten all about that part as well, I may look like you, and at time I could sound like you if I wish, buts it's always the soul that I cannot copy nor to show that well. But I got to hand it to you Lilith, you know how to see right through me."
"What do you want, and why did you call me Lilith?" Rei question as the being walk closer to Rei as she step back as the being said, "Oh don't be like that Lilith. After all we were just good friend once, as well you still owe me."
"I am not Lilith and I do not know who you are," Rei said as she believe she is not her Biological creator as the being said, "Oh that is one of the worst lies I heard, but then again that is the first lie I ever heard that been said to me. Anyways you are Lilith as you hold her soul, you been asleep for a long time, but there's no doubt about as it you are Lilith, or are you going to keep lying on top of your other lies?"
"I haven't told any lies?" Rei said as the being give a laugh as he walk closer to Rei and said to her, "Oh but you have, as I know everything, because I hear everything and see everything, as there nothing in this world that I do not know about, that include you, the kiddo, Gendo in his black moon with Cain, those SEELE, and the one who hold Adam soul, what was his name… oh right Tabris, but he usually goes by Kaworu Nagisa lately."
Rei was silent as it seem this being does know everything as Rei soon ask, "You said that Lilith owes you, what do you mean by that?"
"Oh that, well what do you think? No wait… a better question, how did this all come to be?" The being said as Rei question, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, how did you, Lilith, came upon this same world as Adam when each angel should have gone to their own worlds to cultivate? Why the angel wars started in the first place… how is it that Adam first fell asleep?" Manny asked as he looked to Rei who began to step back in fear. "Was it a cosmic fluke? Sabotage? A miscalculation?" He listed off some of the most common of possibilities. "Well, the answer is simple it's because of what I did, I sent Lilith to earth to see what could happen," the being said as Rei soon ask, "You brought Lilith to this world?"
"I did, but I hardly did anything other than giving you a little nudge to the right direct." Manny said while walking away a bit. "But then things got a bit too overwhelming when Adam was about to attack you trying to end you." Manny said and thus lifted their right hand to show a glow from it. "So, I stepped in and stopped him, put him into a deep sleep and took his Spear into the Void just as you ask until." Manny said and thus Rei knew she may be facing something of an apex being. "But then those humans got the bright idea to wake him up and cause the 2nd Impact to happen." The being confesses as rei step back again as she was feeling fear, in a long time she felt fear again and from this being before her as it soon said, "The resulting effects have to say were most amusing." He said and thus Rei gulped to swallow her fear. "Hey, you first ask me of what I was right?" He asked figuring now was a good time to tell Rei who he was.
Rei didn't say a word as the being walk closer to her as he said, "Well I go by many names that you may not understand, but I do go by many titles such as the devil, the four armed man, many, ruler of the void, or the Man in the wall as the Tenno been calling me, but what I am is a being that is well beyond any sort of comprehension of angels, human, or Orokin, I am what could be the closes thing to describe of what I am is an Eldritch god… a true god."
Rei tried to run away but as she quickly turned around the pale skinned girl soon saw Manny was standing right before her instead. It would seem that he saw that coming and got ahead before she could as Rei backed away fast as fear filled her eyes. The man in the wall, gave a laugh before he said to her, "Oh that was good, the look on your face… well I best be off, I don't want to miss the next battle as I always find these angel wars a great entertainment, oh and don't worry about me telling the Tenno anything Lilith, your secret is safe with me… but remember. You. Owe. ME!"
He let out a pulse of light that blinded Rei for a moment that gave her a flash of a giant in a literal wall before she looks and saw the being was now gone. Rei could feel her heart racing with terror from a more primal part of her. Looking to where the Man in the Wall was standing previously. It was almost as if he was, never even there to begin with. Rei then began to wonder to herself, what exactly was going on?
(Scene Break Shura and Asuna)
The Tenno couple were at the small outpost that was connected to the cave leading down to the Geofront. With Air purifiers and filters down below the Geofront now had a steady supply of air. More so the NERV facilities artificial environmental system had been repaired allowing for plant life to begin flourishing down below. Shura and Asuna were doing some business with local trades who decided to move in and set up shop here seeing the Tenno as a major spender which made sense.
The Tenno needed varying tools and the like and these vendors had the supply to provide said tools. Amps, Kitguns, K-Drives, Mining Equipment, Fishing Tools, and Wildlife hunting tools. You name it they have it and the Tenno took it like kids in a candy store. Currently Shura and Asuna were looking over some Amps as the Quill before them was showing them different combinations to use on said Amp. Most of the tools here had parts that needed to be made by the Tenno. The Tenno provide the parts and the Vendors put it all together. It was an annoyance to some but for the Tenno it was just business as usual.
The Holoscreen for Amp Part combinations came undone as Shura proceeded to purchase the parts from the Quill. "Thank you." Shura said and thus had the Blueprints beamed up to his Orbiter to be constructed later. Asuna for her part had noticed something off about Shura as of late nothing big to the normal Tenno but not to her. He always had that look whenever something weighed heavily on his mind. This fact opted Asuna to keep a close eye on him to find a good time to bring it up with Shura.
All was calm and quiet for them and for Shura he preferred things to be calm and quiet. No distractions, no worries; a perfect escape from the real world if Shura had such a thing. "Ok Shura what's eating you?" Asuna asked as she looked to Shura.
"What do you mean?" Shura asked trying to play it off.
"Don't take me for an ideas babe, I know when something is bugging you." Asuna said as she looked to Shura. Shura was about to defend himself, but Asuna cut him off right there. "You can either tell me now or I can tie you up and you can tell me after I've smashed the Lunaro balls into you." Asuna said making clear that Shura was going to talk whether he wanted to or not.
The Tenno then gave off a tired sigh before he began to speak. "When will it end?" Shura asked causing Asuna to get, confused.
"When will what end?" Asuna asked with concern for Shura.
"This everything all the fighting we have to do when will it ever end?" Shura asked as he just wanted the fighting to stop. "When can we as Tenno finally rest and never have to worry about conflict again?" Shura asked and thus Asuna saw what was eating Shura.
"Oh." Asuna said understanding Shura's emotions. He was on the front lines leading the charge in two wars and now a third one was added in. He had been fighting for so long against almost everything the Grineer, Corpus, and Sentient had sent their way. Shura was tired so many battles so many emotional scars it was a miracle Shura had not snapped yet. "Honestly, I think you and almost every Tenno have the same thoughts." Asuna said while she leaned against the wall with Shura.
"Does it honestly make me such a bad person that I just want to stop fighting to go back to a time where I could still look to the stars in wonder?" Shura asked as it was no secret that as Child Soldiers every Tenno was forced to grow up fast or risk eternal suffering.
"No and I often wonder why we keep fighting if we're no closer to ending the conflict then when we began." Asuna admitted with a sad sigh to Shura. "But I guess it's just the sort of System we awoke to." Asuna added and thus Shura smiled sadly to her.
"Can't say your wrong." Shura said and in turn Asuna looked to her man with a smirk.
"Of course, you can't who do you think your talking to?" Asuna said in a haughty tone with her hands on her hips looking a lot like Asuka when she did that. "I'm the great Tenno Asuna, mistress of the battlefield, fury of the Void." Asuna listed off and thus Shura scoffed to this.
"And the most modest of all the Tenno." Shura quipped with a playfully sarcastic, tone.
"Jerk." Asuna said pushing him a bit before they got close and began to walk off. Asuna walked close to Shura while they walked causing Shura to wrap his arm around her. "I like it better when you're happy." Asuna said suddenly while they walked off. "Smiling suits, you better." Asuna said and thus Shura smiled to her.
"Thanks." Shura said grateful to have Asuna in his life.
"Hey, it's what I'm here for." Asuna said but then smirked a bit. "But doesn't mean you need to stop being grateful to me." Asuna added and thus the pair chuckled a bit over their shared antics.
"Wait was that actually an option for me?" Shura quipped and in turn Asuna playfully hit him in the midsection. The shared relished in their closeness to each other but were left unaware of the machinations of their enemies.
(Scene Break Black Lua)
Gendo and Mana stood in the viewing room of Black Lua as they observed Unit-13 in its cage. With this new Evangelion they now had the control needed for Instrumentality. They still needed the Cassius Lance but in order to acquire it they needed to tear open a Void Rift and take it from the Void. Adam's missing lance will be acquired but until then they needed to wait this out. Genod suspected that SEELE will try to use the Warframes as some sort of backup plan and Gendo will be there to take victory from them.
The only one who knew how to make the Warframes was Ballas, but SEELE was not above ghoulish acts to get their goal. Mana then sighed as she looked to the stars. "Bardiel is about to awaken." Mana said as she looked to the stars.
"Oh? But with all the EVAs secured by their respective factions I find it hard to believe he will be a threat of any kind." Gendo said and thus Mana smirked a bit.
"Do not underestimate our kind, we adapted to your N2 Mines did we not?" Mana said looking to Gendo before looking back to the voice of space. "Besides the EVAs are not the only bio-mechs of their kind." Mana said as there were hundreds of Warframes that Bardiel will possibly possess.
"Very well... and where shall he awaken?" Gendo asked and in turn Mana then looked to Gendo.
"The White Moon, Lua." Mana said and thus it was clear that the Tenno had an Angel right under their noses. This might prove to be most... interesting to say the least. He wondered how the Tenno will be able to face Bardiel if he by chance took a Tenno inside him much like he did in the First Angel War so long ago during his era.
(TBC)
ESKK: Glad to get this chapter done and before you ask yes it was a filler chapter. Now then I'll be heading out so be sure to leave a review before you leave and as I always say here, ja-ne.