"Sweet Sirius..." CS was currently betting his life through a narrow underground passage, deep enough into Erie to conceal and confuse the patrols of Liberty's occupation force, although the constant rumbling from above and the quaking of the tunnel lights certainly wasn't easing issues. It had been a few hours since sunlight was last observed and the distance he'd covered certainly wasn't mundane in the difficulty of these caves; and his backpack certainly caused some issues in tight spots.
As the rumbling quietened and the air cleared up from its dense mustiness, CS had noted the incline in the ground for the past hour and a distant mumbling from the distance near the end of the passage... A different light, a little brighter and whiter in colour, lumens highly focused, potentially a weapon light. CS slipped a large whistle from his flightsuit pocket, the whistle placed against his exhaust port on his helmet and his finger sealed the flow of air into the whistle. A ratchety and hollow bird call echoed in down the passage towards the illuminated cave ahead, it's reverberating saw-tooth felt through the air and body. The lights began to move and the mumbling ceased, within a few seconds the lights held still and barrelling down the cave in CS' direct. "Okay... Come out, slowly."
CS hadn't even drawn his sidearm yet, placing a bet they wouldn't try to blast the one carrying their next few weeks of meals. "What the...?" As one of the lights lowered, a sight of disbelief and confusion on his face. A burly top heavy fellow, with a beaten mining hat on and industrial gear repurposed for Erie's militias. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."
The hollowed out entrance hall into this mountain cave had quite the depth, having to almost scale a small cliff just to reach the surface entrance, the sunlight was still seen shimmering off the wet rock ceiling as they themselves hid away from anyone trying to take a peek from outside but were left with a nice view of the light dancing above. "Its going to be a few hours until dusk, 'Pigs-In-Suits' fly drones around the day to support their convoys between camps, at night time you fair a better chance but not by much, gaps in the network but those security drones..."
CS found himself sat huddled with three others on a few boulders in the center of this hollow cave entrance, the campfire was warm in this cave opening and the company with these network sentries helped break the routine. "You've brought a lot of supplies, command said you were bringing a team... Are they on the way?" The man who asked, the same rugged individual that had pointed the barrel right in his face was in the middle of cooking a campfire stew of cured meats, protein infusion with the new delivery of rations; the cave mushrooms were just a local bonus. CS was in the middle of his juice carton, the straw stuck into drink-port of his helmet. Taking it out as the individual finished speaking. "No Damien... Just me, they offered me passage in return of helping with the supply lines." Damien chortled with a loud and coarse tone that reverberated down the cave, his grin was like stretching a smile that was stronger than the power of their rifles. Before he could even speak another word, that brutish friendly manner of his served a beaten metal bowl of that bubbling earthy stew, nudging CS on the knee with the rim of that hot bowl. CS declined with a wave of his hand... Damien shrugged and didn't think otherwise, taking the bowl and passing it to one of the other militiamen before serving himself a portion.
"So then... Mr Civil Servant... Let me get this straight, they offered you passage this way if you carried the supplies?" Damien didn't stop trying to eat before speaking, the words slightly garbled as bits of meat were being chewed through at the same time. "But! That doesn't explain why you wanted passage out here." CS was just about to lift his straw back into to his helmet until he froze for a few seconds, contemplating an answer, but returned to drinking from his carton of soy-food. "Ah! N'yah-Hah! See Richard! Even he has his motives." "What makes you think you can trust those motives?" "Oh-? He is a cynic, even to himself! You bring me my food my friend, and it doesn't smell like it even touched the water in the depths! You cared more than the average cave courier... Yar'h in agreement troupe?" Damien began to hit the rim of the bowl with the neck of his metal spoon, the clanging started to pick up as the two others soon followed pace... Went on for a moment or two before they returned to eating again. "So... How about a story while we eat?" Damien returned to having that big grin on his face, his attention returning back to the helmet-donned visitor. "Fair enough Damien. You will have your story..."
The night was finally settled outside of the caves, CS was already scaling up the last bit of the internal cliff-face towards the cave entrance. "Look at him, we could have used someone like this laying the charges in the platinum quarry walls! He moves quicker than a silver-hoofed mountain goat, yet as quiet as cotton-winged moth~" Damien was acting like this was free entertainment after a good meal, watching CS climb up like he was driven by instinct. The last stretch of the climb was finished by throwing himself up sideways and rolling onto the landing above. The plumes of dust blocking the view from below as if he was a ghost within the wind. "And... He's gone! What a interesting man... Sad he never-"
"Damien!" CS popped his head from the cliff-ledge above. "Ah--! You fools, look! I said he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye!""Goodbye all of you, I hope you and the escapees you find obtain your lives back!""Farewell my masked traveler, maybe come back and we can split a bottle of 'shine together!"
CS replied with his characteristic nod, his visor shimmering the light from the cave-fire from below, similar to the light of the sunlight on the wet rocks, but with a tinted blue. Damien and the two other militia sentries waved him off, all with a the same defiant smiles across their faces as he himself ascended into the mountain surface, disappearing into the windy night.
CS had spent the last few nights hugging the rocks and boulders within the valley's walls, draped in the foliage of the natural habitat of Erie as the workings of the Labour camp below have been left as undisturbed by the gaze of his silent will... Different from Weimar's paranoid quarantine sweeps and the torment of silence when drifting through the graveyard of stolen-souls. The land itself didn't show it's hostility, rather it's lack of it as he maintained his seclusion from prying eyes both human and digital as his flightsuit had synchronized with the terrain and flora. But in its moments of silence when attention could be parted from the labour camp, he'd take in what this place was for the moment, the creatures that roamed the walls along side him either took no notice, casually moved along or on the rare occasion they found themselves near but minded none of his business... Undisturbed, yet within full witness to their habitat.
The sun had already hid away behind the valley walls, what was left was the orange glow of the sky, deceivingly warm in sight but overwhelmed by the cold winds that channelled down the valley strait. The cover of night approached, the sheen muted further on his visor as he gazed though his neural interfaced binoculars, yet all was clear time him with heat, sight and sound. But one in particular had been his interest for the past two nights as he finished combing though between labourers and prison officers, one might just say another innocent with a prison number or a treacherous being who supported and upheaved the stability of liberty...
But in this concern to CS, she was someone's mother and by far unjust of this position.
The night had fallen its darkness in the region, the camp was just about to switch shifts to the night-working team. They've been pushing them on twin rotating labourer shifts and that certainly was still taking a toll on the workers below, more some than others... Especially the elderly. His binoculars kept track of one them, she was in pain yet a face was hardly to show it. Deprived, yet pushing through the painful servitude she has been forced into. The view has grown numb on him, but at the same time he is sick and tired of such a sight becoming more and more common across Sirius; Fears of another Hammersee for the masses. She carried building supplies to help expand the camp for more defenceless souls to come crowding in on the next batch of 'on-schedule' trains, this would be her job for the remaining hour as each sack of concrete took a toll on her back as it certainly hunched with lingering damage.
CS had at least a decent amount of observation on her activities. Usually it was much harder to obtain a routine from his targets, that usually ran a good level of suspicion from said person making the objective harder, but with the confinement of this individual where her choices are made for her... He was almost done. He knows when she eats, sleeps and drinks. How much food she portions from her meal to hide in her pockets, how many breaths to take without obtaining the camp guards attention for 'lack of work', which families she sees to give her spare rations out to... Even in nothing, she has the drive to give out something. Which frustrated the helmet-bound operative immensely as his drive was restricted to monitoring her suffering; An imprint wasn't something he was expecting but all he could do was watch... "True evil's desire and spiteful pressures that have cast you here have chosen poorly, I wish the void hears my plea, may your wings spread and your hands reach many; Gail Marshall."
The hostile low hum of this station that is used to intimidate those that have woken up onboard, loud enough to keep you awake, but quiet enough not to disturb the questions asked within these interrogation walls. Camera lenses recessed into the walls gave no blind spots to those watching from within the wire, the room washed with a bright white light that hardly left any shadows. The prisoner, dressed in a dirtied and muddied black jumpsuit and marked with an upside down cross on his chest and back in white paint. His hands were cuffed and mag-sealed to the metal bars on the floor-welded steel table. His fingers numbed from the lack of movement as his hands laid flat out with fingers spread wide open. His hands freshly cleaned but time would have to hide those beaten and bloodied marks built up over months. His eyes were looking down at said hands as he spread out his fingers and was carefully inspecting between them while he had spare time between each interrogation to be without a blindfold.
"Recording begin... This is Kommissaar Helen Oberhauser conducting quarantine review interview of detainee [REDACTED] for potential release. As per guidance of procedure, we will be asking you a series of questions, you are ordered to answer these questions and not deviate from necessary details, you will be allowed to speak vocally through the length of this interview, do you understand?" The Kommissaar was the only officer within the room sat across from the prisoner, her side of the steel table was adorned by data-padd and a handheld scanning device on the table. Her looks contrasted the prisoner, she was dressed in a full suit black suit, everything from the blazer, undershirt, trousers and even her utility belt. Her blonde shoulder length hair neatly parted from the centre... His tired and empty eyes struggled to lift it's gaze, his cut and dehydrated lips quiverd trying to respond before the next shock was sent through the mag sealed cuffs. It was already hard enough to breathe with the ships recycled air being so dry.
"I understand." He muttered out of the gravel lined depths of his throat. The Kommissaar picked up one of her data-pads and reached for a remote in the other...
"Please designate your name rank and serial number."
"[REDACTED], Kommissaar, [REDACTED]"
"Why did you not self-terminate?"
"I was not compromised."
"You have been missing in the Salzungenebel for 6 months, why did you not self-terminate?"
"My objective wasn't complete. The assigned mission was still achievable."
"The MND had already pulled out 5 months ago, why did you not self-terminate?"
"I had advanced deeper into the complex within the first week and was still operational, I lost communications within the wrecks."
"How can you confirm you were not compromised? You had prolonged exposure to psionic threats, why did you not self-terminate?"
"Augmentation systems proved that I had not been compromised. They would have confirmed a physical compromise."
"But you had prolonged exposure to psionic threats...?"
The prisoner hesitated in his response... A few silent seconds drifted by until a single click was heard. A sudden deafening scream from the prisoner was heard as he bellowed the pain from the bottom of his lungs, his hands spread in shock as the handcuffs were passing thousands of volts through his body. The electrical current being sent through those cuffs finally stopped with the lights flickering in the interrogation room alone ceasing soon after... The Kommissaar staring plainly as if she wasn't phased by the sight of the prisoner gasping for air and staring into the ceiling light with both eyes wide open... Yet even through the entire struggle, he did not stand up, nor did he collapse as expected with such a shock.
"Please answer the question."
"Ye... Yes. I was exposed."
"And you had not been subjected to thrall syndrome? Why did you not self-terminate?"
"The voices were still angry, I was aware of my actions."
"How can you tell...?"
"I would have self-terminated if not."
"Your failure to self-terminate may have been subject to psionic manipulation. Why did you not self-terminate?"
"I have 127 confirmed terminations during those 6 months. I was fulfilling my objective, I... I fulfilled my objective."
"Yes. But records account you were the last survivor to emerge, anyone else who had been rescued was last reported 4 months before you. So why did you not self-terminate...?"
"... I don't know."
"Hmm."
She instead put down the remote and used the now free hand to type on the data-pad. Yet her glare kept dead center with his own fatigued and empty eyes.
"What happened in those 6 months?"
"Advanced into enemy territory during assault operations, first wave, investigated energy signatures coming from the Salzungenebel, located and destroyed a psionic node"
"Four months in, an explosion was detected within the Salzungenebel, a wrecked battleship had undergone a catastrophic explosion within it's reactor--"
"That was me."
The Kommissaar paused her interrogation for a moment to let her disbelief shine though her face, an eyebrow perching higher and a lean inwards to the table.
"That was you?"
"Yes."
"Just you...?"
"..."
He nodded his head with shallow repetitiveness.
"And you somehow extracted yourself to the rim of the graveyard during a heightened infectees presence in the area as they responded to your sabotage?"
"Yes."
"I find it hard to believe that you lasted merely with an EVA combat suit in that place, statistics show..."
"It happened."
"How...?"
"I don't know."
Suddenly he recoiled forward into the table, the chair knocked and kicked back behind him and collapsing as far under the table as much as he could while his wrists stayed restrained and tortured in the centre. The light again flicking as he was electrocuted for a 'reasonable' answer, the conviction of the Kommissaar who held that remote out right at him with a disgusted look on her face as her thumb almost pressed that button beyond return.
"Please! Answer tru--"
"F-f-for f-fuck sakes Helen, I d-don't know!"
He muttered while collecting his staggering and wheezing breaths between his gritting teeth as he was held limp by his wrists to the floor from the cuffs restraining any further movement from the table. Drool, or what little of seeped between his gritting teeth... The Kommissaar let go of that button with a disappointed and disengaging turn away.
"All I remember was the screaming while ripping them out of their necks, whipping the combined blood off my hands with the next strike, the smell of gunpowder punching through my filter. All of it just... Constant."
"The first thing you remember before your gap in memory?"
"Detonating the charge, destroying the node... Lots of swarming angry voices... A chorus of hate."
The prisoner stood up as he gave his remark, all while using his foot to reach for the chair and kick it back upright. Huffing in exhaustion with each attempt... But finally that chair found itself back up and in position. Clearly taking some time to the annoyance of the Kommissaar.
"And the first thing you remember clearly after that?"
"The anger and shouting getting quieter and more confuseed, lighting my distress beacon, floating in space."
"You jumped out of the nebula and hoped for a rescue after we pulled out? How could you expect an Buro rescu-"
"I didn't expect a rescue. Just hopeful."
"Then you likely wouldn't have..."
"If I was left there, it would have been deemed a self-termination. But I wasn't, the Buro did rescue me."
"And you expected to be welcomed back?"
"No, I just expected to go through this. I don't know the result, I can just look at possibilities and make a--"
"Gamble?"
The prisoner nodded to the Kommissaars addition to his sentence, hands opening in confirmation along with those fatigued nods. Her response was nothing short of a long detached stare away and an excessive exhale as she buried her stack of data-pads back into their briefcase all while maintaining hold on that remote.
"A team will arrive to sedate, blind, deafen and nullify perceptions. You'll be shortly returned to your quarantine cell, the eva--
"...Evaluation board will review your outcome in a few weeks, this concluded the interview and the allowance for verbal communication has ceased."
Those words flowed fluently and naturally than anything else he's said so far as he stared blankly into the distance of the room. She wasn't impressed at all, the temptation to slam that button out of frustration... All these acute odds we're going to be difficult to weigh and judge, she packed up what she had brought, standing up from the table and quickly pacing herself out the room. The door humming open as she approached swiftly and closed with barely a inch to spare as she stepped out.
As soon as that door sealed with a hiss, the lights dimmed and left him in the near dark... It was the only chance he'd get to breathe without obstruction and to let out his voice. So with a gasp, shudder and single tear all in half a second. His mind had enough relief to finally process a decision while without any words to speak. No pain was greater than the bladed grip found on the seven swords of manipulation, distrust and deception.
She gently offered the artifact back over to his side of the table, her palms twiddling a little as she cupped it back to him - sensing a change within it, returning her palms to herself soon after. A light air of concern arose as he recalled intensive memories, mildly afraid it may have a reaction to how his state of mind was under the duress of the vivid memories. Trying to deflect the conversation and move it on, she posed a question for the present day intentions. "I... see. With your experiences in mind... What did you hope to do these days - After all you've experienced? I don't presume you want to go fighting them again, do you?"
"No."
The answer was short and clear, unlike everything else he's tried to explain. He slumped back in the chair once Revanant had placed the artifact back onto the table. "Not in the same way at least, over these past few years... They and you, have provided me new intelligence that they are negotiable. After waking up in the caves 3 days later, Harbinger was no longer around... I think he used me to see what I saw. Only for my next encounter in Kansas with him to be met with being vented in an escape pod. So what do I want to do now...? I know Humanity can't keep up this conflict forever, if it changes us Thuringians for the worst, it'll certainly empower the worst of whatever these Houses are run by whenever they unlock the secrets of this place and put a great amount of misuse into it. Scared of Aliens because it gets in the way of profits and selfish greed... I worry about Humanity's capability of a first contact scenario. We were supposed to adapt to Sirius, to grow and change with the knowledge to understand it instead of stripping it... We've failed in that."
She leaned back in the chair, sighing out. "it is a tricky circumstance. I want their minds to be liberated, to grow beyond the cycle of revenge and death... But they are still smart, cunning, if not fixated. They will know that they will abuse the unique situation regarding individuals like us."
Her mouth rolled, pouting in thought. " An incredible risky game. I do like some of them. Some others, not so much keen on their... Sense of self... I'm not entirely sure how we can completely ensure the safety of humanity. "
She bit her lip then sighed, "It's for the best that we keep our trump cards hidden, incase the idea of revenge is too tempting for them. See what they want to do with their heritage."
She leaned on her palm, propping up her cheek. "The only thing I can recall from talking to harbinger is that he is of the opinion that humanity isn't important, that their focus should be finding out the answers. That there is something out there, possibly, outside sirius As for what? Who knows. He wants to get the archives left by his creators. I'm happy to assist... But keep in mind. Have a few cards hidden up your sleeve incase something goes wrong. We've yet to determine the long goal in this. But I think they don't want to be trapped here in a loop of violence either."
His nodding was gentle, repetitive and was accompanied with an extended moment of silence. Questions have stopped being asked for a while that the tapping of his heel repetitively on the floor, his fingers interlocked between his legs and his glare onto the artifact that had been undisturbed at the table. But was that tapping his boots...? The echos being absorbed by the walls left only a clear direction that it came from the ominous jewel on the table and the movement in the ground was non existent even from his heavy footing... Yet the artifact wobbled as if it was. "A card up my sleeve... Once we get our ship back, the answers of this artifact might become more obvious to me. And I'll probably hate myself for not seeing it sooner. Maybe this thing is our contingency and what I saw a few weeks ago was..."
If cybernetic eyes couldn't lie to a Technocrat then even these small glimpses would have told clear signs. His palms reached out for the artifact, he was unphased by the anomalous nature of it. Mere moments before his fingertips touched, it rotated itself to slip into his fingers until his own grip took over... "Well- I'm sure its something. Ghost stories... But I think it wants me to get my ship back, or knows I get it back."
His face, annoyed by it, a puzzle he can't solve even if he's been carrying it for over a decade and it was right between his fingertips. One huff was exhaled, before he returned the rock to its velvet enclosure.
Her brows perked in realization for a brief moment, remembering about the task he inquired about previously. "Ah, right. The ship. We found out some clues as where to could be. As you suspected initially, there seems to be some indication of presence within the edge of the Omicrons. I'll have to round up the merry men after the experiment. I believe it may be closer to the Omicron Delta-Minor region. Has yet to be pinpointed. Too much disturbance. "
"We might have some help with that... We--"
He held his tongue for a moment, having to swallow his pride. "We've asked for a liaison from the Vagrants to be stationed with us..."
"Who? The Gallic Girl?"
"Falke. We're running a background check for anyone that could stand out... Aside from that, its going to be a case of dealing with a wholly different person. Whatever we bring up is just knowledge of an old life. We've assured the Vagrants her anonymity will remain our expertise and duty as long as its followed."
Lightly humming as she relaxed again, her face pondered, rolling her lip once more. "Hmmm... I might recognise that name, but... It's been years. Best you keep an eye on them too. How are you planning to resolve this conflict anyhow? Going to look further before making a step forward?"
"Oh it's... Simple. I'll assure them of the same things we provide to our people. To support them with sustenance, shelter, amenities and the right to flourish in a free life. All in exchange for peaceful co-operative synergy for both of us in Sirius. To escape an endless cycle of suffering and pain that is reinforced as the only choice."
His heart sank, his hand gripped his chest... But what was gripped seemed to bulge from the inner layer of his flight suit. A square pendant who's corners poked out under his palm. "I can't say no to that, not even for others."
"What if they refuse? Keep on trying to kill Humanity?"
"Then nothing about what I act on has changed... The DM are still prepared to fight as we were made to be. Maybe I'm just hoping to break this... Programming."
CS straightens his back, clocks his head sideways and lets out a small laugh. "But hey! Linear existence, limited lifespan... They can't fault me on actions of the deceased when I'm trying to rectify it in my time."
"Well. We'll just have to see. I'm hoping that the more bloodthirsty ones don't dominate... But in any case, those infectees in Rheinland? I say we get rid of those sadistic cells. They've been harvesting people. One of shozaks I'd think."
Another light hum ensued. A thought of uncertainty arose, a certain sense of insecurity to a particular truth. " Don't you... Have any questions to ask me? "
"I'm still catching up on intelligence concerning what Viper has been up to, like it or not she needs to have a few people looking out for her, even if it means that someone else is making sure shes not stepping over the line out not watching her back carefully. Some reasons seem more malicious than others... But shes in an accountable position of power, if the corporates only do it for gain, then someone has to remind her of the worth that ethics have... I don't like the idea of Caliban leading her about everywhere, his influence with Sho'zak and Harbinger might also twist a view of what I'm trying to uncover. How deep in is she in our world?"
"There's one thing the MND will agree on us with is Sho'zak has been a continuation of pain and horror and doesn't seem to be changing. Although what comes after that...? I can't make promises that people like Viper will take Psyche wish for peace at face value... She's been working with Caliban closely it seems... Saw her in Sigma-15 not too long ago... Caliban called me by my initials. I've never met the guy, yet he already speaks my title like he knows me. What the fuck is she getting into? I feel responsible for training her in our ways yet she's falling victim to Sho'zak."
He raises his hands to smother his face, fingers spread open as he buries his eyes away from vision. Comforting himself on a drastic decision... "I don't want to kill her... She's been... Stolen of a fulfilling life during her service. Only for it too soon be taken away forever."
As words were whispered from Revenant if his mind pondered on anything, he took a moment to collect himself.
"Viper... Likely told him then. Unfortunate. We cannot convince everyone, though, Viper has her... part to play. Even though she is being tugged by others, the Order, Caliban, those vicious infectees. Can't blame her though."
Revenant let loose a sigh. "We're going to have do something about that pair... Eventually. Need to get eyes on that cell. In the meanwhile... That liner, we'll keep on investigating clues to pick up the trail. "
Humming lightly, she was wondering why he had nothing on mind to ask her. It felt that the conversation was one sided, but ultimately, she did not mind, if not slightly relieved. "Of course, we can talk more at a later date. I suppose you'll have things to attend to soon? "
His hands gripped at the side of his seat as if he were to stand, but as soon as he attempted to... He couldn't bare the weight of what was keeping him there, before returning to a calm demeanour. "I do, but--"
He sat there... Seemingly at an impasse, a division of thought reacted in his body. "Yes... Actually there is another thing on my mind."
His legs slowly crossed, hands with fingers interlocked as they rested atop the overlapping knee. "Why give Hunt another chance?"
Like a last minute reaction, the blunt and looming question that has at the back of his mind. "I figured it was a done and dusted deal... When Will told me he was gone, I didn't believe it, I was right to suspect otherwise... Just never thought he'd be brought back."
She had no hesitation to reveal the truth, speaking with clarity. "Well. I knew he became unstable and problematic during his later stages but... I needed him and his knowledge back to deal with some complicated problems. I've been keeping a close eye on him to ensure he doesn't snap. I doubt it will happen due to the lack of neurochemistry... But all in all, he's a loyal ally. I need those more than ever now. Whatever happened out there, had killed him. He was not himself."
"He's a lot more... Offering than his last appearance to me. Many would say mundane, but his concern for the comfort of others was noted."
Speaking like it was a statistical report on him, his best ability to compare to what he once knew that person as. "There are a lot of people who turn to the capabilities and power of people and blind themselves to what true malice they wish to sow... I'm not saying you're lying to me, an alteration to ones personality is possible and I can accept that, but its usually not in the best interests of myself and to who is changed. But I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't accept him for the new person he is, and told myself different... Maybe its best for us both if he didn't remember me."
He sat there silent, but the slight shifting in his seat seemed more comfortable than ever. "And, maybe I am losing my mind, but the Northern Temple... If it wasn't for Hunt before, I would have asked this sooner. But I need you with me there if I can slip us in. After Viper executes this experiment and once we get our ship back... I may need your help getting us into this 'Earhart' and compare it to what I've seen in there... I need a guide basically, but more someone I can trust to be an expert in it. If Caliban is going to be loose lipped, he's definitely going to find out. I don't think he'll mind or care. I'll be there to put him in place if he has an issue, he will always obey me."
She leaned in further to the table, resting upon in thought. Her eyes tensed up, uncertain of what he was asking for. "You want to breach the temple? We can easily calibate our jump drive to strand ourselves in Earhart, but... What do you hope to find in the Northern Temple again? I need to find my way to the inner sanctum, I was... Blind to what really might be there. In truth I don't know whats there, but people like you should know whats there too. Sooner than the corporates. Inner sanctum... Hm... I think only an acute fraction of the place has been surveyed... After agents were disappearing in a blink of an eye and entire teams vanishing without a trace. But... Not even the stolen souls dared venture in the place, and why should we go in despite the clear warnings?"
"Something is there... The expansion of the Suhl is connected to it. The method of how it carves its way between the fabric of our space... Thuringia is rife with ruptures; Weimar and it's temple is the source. But how?"
"Hm... It could warrant an investigation. But, we must tread with utmost caution. "
"The question is do we get Viper involved? Especially if caliban seems to be working closely."
"No. "
"Then I'll take your caution as advice. So... What are your plans from here on out?"
"I will be observing the experiment upfront. After that... who knows. I can hang around for longer... Even if you do happen to trust Viper, remember - she told your true nature to that rodent. Bare that in mind."
She hummed briefly in intermission, pondering.
"...Did you recall that Caliban and Viper were briefly in a relationship?"
"Yes, I know its like a temptation to go back to what was nostalgic but... What does she see in him?"
"I'm not quite sure. Perhaps opportunity. Or pity... No matter. This temple, to ensure that I am understanding you correctly, you are referring to the one on Weimar?"
"Yeah..."
"I am quite curious about how it will be affected by the experiment. Mmmm... I suppose we'll see."
"In my own best judgement, better us to find out first. The vagrants maybe. But the corporate Influence here and the goals of Sho'zak, we must forbid it."
"Agreed. Do you want to investigate the site before the experiment? So we have comparison data... Though it will be tricky to get in. Perhaps in the aftermath of battle."
"After the experiment... I have my methods. We should be able to extract the archive records for sensor data in the quarantine zone. They have scans dating back before the explosion of Gotha."
"This will be very interesting to see then. Well, feel free to call me whenever you want. I'll stay in Rheinland for a bit longer after the observation on the experiment has concluded."
"I think we'll need it."
He uncrossed his legs, once again bracing his chair and straightened himself to stand up. Brushing off his torso as he looked back down to the seat he'd risen from... His face slightly bothered about something.
"Uhh-- hmm... maybe it's best I extended a hand for a few of your people to station themselves here."
She picked up her drink, taking a soft sip, glancing her eyesight over him.
"Are you sure they won't mind? Isn't there Order personnel on-station here?" "True, but the agreement between the Bundschuh and the Order are needed against the forces of Sho'zak in my eyes, they have no concern of our local politics and don't wish to show any in the near future... Not that I'll ever want to deal with them, I'll do everything I can to keep your people secluded from their prying eyes."
"As far as I'm concerned, the duty of the platform is to establish co-operation and extended hand to marginalized groups that wish to coexist peacefully. I don't see why the vagrants and technocracy shouldn't fall under these categories. These sound like local politics to me... Why should they get a say in it? It's our home on the line here." "And if they make a move to try to kill one of us? It's going to happen, knowing one of them. " "Then they break a respectable agreement between them and the Bundschuh. If the Order dislike it, they can talk to us first before attempting to kill a guest inside our home." "I will pray you do not take offence to defend one's self?" " ... Do I look like the Kaiser?" "I've seen some people get angry about it. It's ridiculous. " "for what people consider ridiculous in our lives, we're trying to survive... I don't get... Angry." "Well, it is just that. Some are a bit too fanatic of the idea of neutrality. No matter... "
Walking back over to the tea station where he hung up his helmet, he lifted it off and held it close to himself. "I may not truly know you Revenant... Your past, history, I have some perception..."
He stood there, his eyes didn't seem to look away from her. It was a dead cold stare... "You're the widow of my once dead close friend and handler, but also an unknown entity of great power and knowledge... Powerful choices made for many people. I'm sorry if what me and hunt went through made me not treat you as a friend and person."
A riddled sigh - her face remained somewhat neutral, but there was some contemplation for a brief moment as her lips slowly parted, "I was not... the greatest either. Times were tough, and I had to pull myself together when he was gone. There were many things I regret, things I wish I had done, things I wish I focused on. But - it's no matter now - what matters is how we look ahead for the future, and remember that what we have now - that we may yearn for in the future. You both did what you could. And the path ahead is only going to get harder with these new revelations."
"I guess this is where we make that choice... Maybe this time it's different without the Rheinland government breathing down my neck. I can re-learn what it means to be human in this universe, even from you and the technocracy... If not, I would have happily executed Sho'Zaks bidding."
He brings the helmet close to his face, hovering it right Infront of his eyes as he stares into it's cushioned depths. "So who are we now...? I want to call you a friend in these circumstances, I don't know who else to turn to that won't... Blow up Sirius."
"I don't understand why people believe I want to destroy the Sector. Or Humanity. I just -- I don't know. It's illogical. "
A deep sighed, "I need to tell you a truth because you'll hear a twisted varient sooner or later from the Order. Well - at first - they were lying. Then things became complicated and coicidental. "
He raises a brow, those pale cybernetic eyes peering back to Revenants direction. Fingers tapping rhythmically on the helmet, returning to his seat slowly, placing the helmet on the table. "... Go on."
"Alright... "
She mentally prepared herself to get into the track of thought,
"As you may know, I am dying. I would have died back in 827, if not for Harbinger making out a deal. I had a psychic ailment, slowly destroying my mind. Truthfully, it's still ravaging away my memories.
My deal was quite simple at the time, he wanted to ensure I was being sincere, that I was not manipulating their kind with lies of trying to find a solution. Time goes on, he found out about those Vaults as you heard. He mentioned he had figured out a solution, where I failed in all regards, about my affliction.
But erm, for now, to keep it from spreading across my mind, he had to implant a small incubus. It's inactive. He doesn't always listen. It's mostly there to stop the affliction and help retain my memories. "
There was a bit of a pause in the revelation.
"I can... sort of control it? It's hard to explain. It's an additional organ to me. But he said he wouldn't ascend me to their kind, that I was undeserving of it. Not that I would want to, and I have means to ensure that I uh... Have an out, I suppose. My robot companion. "
Clearing her throat in awkwardness, "I've been keeping tabs on it for years, he was sincere about his word. He isn't particularly fond of my cybernetics either... It never woke up, well, barring the few times Harbinger had to save me from the Sentinels, or the Order's assassination attempt. I was out cold at the time. Unconscious." - She elaborated further, gesturing with her palms.
"When you said organ... I figured it was quite literally that, not capable of active control or... Listening. I hope this SCIF hasn't affected it's dependency on the hive but with precautions like these, I was only thinking it would be 'You and me'. Is it like you're not really there? Dragged out of the pilot seat while your survival instinct takes over and what you're left is just more questions. I want to say I've been in something similar but... I'll never know, even if passing human-clearance protocols is supposed to give me comfort. I think I've come to terms that I'm not ready to give or merge myself with another, and I'm more than willing to enforce that... I haven't even understood myself yet."
He peels the top collar of his flight suit, there seems to be an exposed cybernetics running along his collarbone region, with one little light blinking green. "Discharge failsafe... We all carry the same, those that served within the agency on its secret fronts. Death seemed like a preferable alternative to having your soul stolen... But I haven't observed that happening yet in you, there's no stolen soul, just a broken person in a broken place. Because for people like you, circumstances are different; and Harbinger doesn't like the idea of bringing you under his wing too much. I'm sure I'll be safe around you, until I clearly state otherwise."
Tucking the cybernetics back under his flight suit collar, legs tucking back under the seat as he tidied his pose up... "I'm not too fond of the Order, they took Zeal in for interrogation, stripped her emotions and what her... Her. They left me with an empty shell to recover, if it wasn't for Harbinger and his sources to get back what they took... But now--"
Falling silent for a moment, hands resting on his knees yet having quite the grip as his fingers are dragging on the fabric of his pants. "But... I still think my point stands. I need to relearn you as a person, and I us to call eachother a friend."
"This organ isn't linked to their Hives, so the Nomads will try to kill me regardless. Most of them don't trust him. I do not know. But, it... Effectively is an organ, I... find it hard to describe. I feel as if I can somewhat influence it. Draw memories. Like a palm holding crystal clear water, peering through the mirror. "
There was silence for a moment, contemplation, trying to recall. "It's hard to recall, but it is more akin to... Thinking without thinking. Like someone putting a hand upon your hand in guidance. I'm consciously there but not there. I am doing something, without thought. In a way, it is like driving, you zone out. "
Her lips puckered as her face folded in, becoming uncertain. "Don't think the little one can affect my augments though, that is a bonus. I utterly despise the idea that Sho'zak poses, to steal others cognitive self, to eliminate who they are to ultimately turn them into weapons. I'd never allow that to happen to me. "
She gazed back towards his eyes, speaking in sincerity. "I do not think Harbinger is as bad as them. But I am remaining cautious in the event of a double-cross. It never hurts to have a safety net. And I wanted to ask if you... would be willing to be another safety net? To learn in the event of my failure, to figure out what the truth is, about them, their creators - if we can even find resolution? I do not obviously anticipate you to do any of this. And majority are sceptical of me, even our own Command is highly suspect of me. The fear of a double cross... I think that's the story of my life so far. But of all the people in Sirius, I genuinely believe you are the least likely person to betray me for selfish interest. "
"What you ask of me has been an undying assignment granted to me the moment I found my place in that agency... But it is in my interest to uncover truth and fact, to be witness to it's pain and benefits for the betterment of others, I don't see anything different to that goal and what you've told me now. It is my choice..."
Looking back to the helmet, the emblems marked on the side of the Damnatio Memoriae, his initials... Something told him his old life is there, but this time with choices truly made from the heart.
His view returned to Revenant, eyes with a gaze of intent and his fists clench on his knees. There was no slip of confidence to what was about to leave his lips... "I will serve."
> "My hands are sore, arms are burning and my tools need some care after our overtime. I've been putting more time around Wolfsburg to assist Platform repair teams get these vessels into a workable condition. The Hessians have been more accommodating than I've known previously which is a good sign, although maybe that's there to maintain relations or out of respect. Or maybe Its out of my region of rationality."
> ▓
Fleet expansion: Phase 1
In line of our current goal to expand the capability of our fleet. We've been steadily consolidating our means to secure vessels left abandoned from the many conflicts of the dissolved Republic, Imperials and our local allies. Taking into account of what we have in stock and what the average salvaging and refurbishment operations are handling, our ability to build and maintain a capital force is becoming a clear reality. While we won't be able to maintain a large quantity, it should be offset by an all around crew that would have made adaptations to living long term on these warships along with our capability to supply and maintain on the move should allow us to reliably deploy these vessels when required.
Phase 1 consists of establishing a foundation for our capital ship force. We already have a respectable gunship force at our disposal and is highly favoured thanks to their ability to bring a respectable level of firepower when those damn Imperials and Cretins start knocking on our doorstep. But now that we have their attention it'll be riskier than ever to consider what targets to attack, we have to be ready to swing back with something that will give them second guesses on trying to think we're easy to push aside, augmenting our decentralised paramilitary with these vessels should allow us to compete with their primary fleets on a level they're not expecting.
It's cliché but it's a challenging reality in terms of our method, we're not going to get around to matching the level of production and numbers of our rivals, but with this sudden burst of tactical technologies becoming more accessible thanks to increased corporate pilfering of advanced alien technologies, what they've unknowingly leaked out of their supplies has fallen into our hands... I'll need to get in contact with these auxesians but this will be something for Phase 2.
> "How do you strike fear into the enemies like we face? The variety of them all seems to come down to one conclusion, resistance against the odds. It lingers, it turns to doubt, and respect and fear of what a capable opponent can do... This is the key."
> ▓
Fleet manifest
Von Claussen
The Von Claussen, as it has been deemed by the Platform assembly, is to be the flagship of the unified Platform with a federated command participated by all it's cells. This vessel is being supplied by Auxesia, how they managed to get their hands on such a frame I won't question. But the challenge of rebuilding the vessel has come under great difficulty, so in hopes of what will be a blossoming friendship, they have offered the vessel for our use as long as we can actually fix it... it's carrier background would suit our efforts well and its overall compact size not only requires less crew to maintain the vessel compared to its bigger Bismark brother, its much better suited for traversing the fields that we reside within and to enhance our mobile deployment ability for a snub-craft strike force in areas far from friendly installations such as the "Hamburg-Texas" aid corridor that lacks any reputable bases for reliable cover.
It's engine is cumbersome and not fit for purpose, I understand the Technocracy reliance to ensure this ship is able to traverse anomalous regions of space but this ship isn't capable for such an expeditions under the flag of the platform and will have to be refitted for wartime use. Prioritizing maintainability, redundancy and efficiency as key factors for its design. Our engineers and research teams of Severne
This ship will also likely host paramilitary command meetings along with being the formal representative vessel of the Platform in the terms of dealing with diplomatic missions with other militarized fighting forces. But this is all being floated in question...
The ship is still in the hands of the Auxesians located in Inverness and its current condition means that it must fly with heavy combat support to delay off any ships getting close to its defense perimeter which is currently inactive. We're already plotting an escape route in question, while the "Hamburg-Texas" corridor is the shortest route it will unfortunately light up everything on the liberty defense grid. Whats been resorted by our intelligence network is that the Vespucci passage is being considered... It will be a challenge to ensure the ship is masked but as long as we can time our screening forces correctly we can respond against incoming threats that are alerted by our passage.
"Desperation"
During the formation of the Platform, this was a new and rare sight for those serving within the paramilitary. This ship is one of the and advanced vessels in the Militia, a combined effort between the Platform Cells to produce a capable long range mobile support carrier for distant operations away from Bundschuh territory.
Originally this ship was under the hands of the Damnatio Memoriae before their integration into the Platform. Unfortunately the smaller size of this enigmatic cell left them incapable of servicing and operating the ship all by themselves, as such they approached the daring hearts of the Gloaming Flotilla to accept deployments and postings on the Desperation in return for this ship and it's 'Dead Men' crew to fulfill it's duty to the Platform. The ships have a combination of , but it's administration is maintained by the Platform as a whole.
It's origin is questionable, It was once a hollow and empty shell of a vessel that was left adrift in the dark corners of space following the aftermath of the civil war, left abandoned during an attack by imperial forces in the tail end of the conflict. Once the ceasefire was called and many of the federalists had decided to recover themselves rather than the ship, some had decided the calling of this vessel was stronger, the Damnatio Memoriae immediately took the opportunity to re-pressurise the carrier to rally their familiars under their wing while keeping this fragile husk out of sight.
For a year then vessel had spent some time independently operating on an under-manned and under-maintained ship, quietly building up the hands to bolster the number of helmets in their crew. Once this ship could move under it's own power and several decks had restored their life support, volunteers were frequently rallying on the ship before facing deployment to their long range assignments.
As for this moment, the vessel is receiving its last maintenance check at the Hessian shipyard Wolfsburg before its deployment back to the Sigmas to ensure our rapid response against Imperial and Corsair operations.
"Eyes In The Dark"
This ship has been the silent eyes of Thuringia for some time. Keeping eager eyes away from the outpost of Tennsdedt that might threaten it's security. Years prior to the civil war, this ship was manned by pirates that took no better care of the vessel than they did to their prisoners and victims, components overworked past their grave and defiant against its own crew for cooperation, the Damnatio Memoriae supported her defiance to free her from the shackles of said pirate crew. The pirates on the other hand have been left to face the Void bare skinned just as they left her under their misuse.
While she quietly laid in defensive seclusion in what remained of Gotha, the crew worked tirelessly to restore her strength and to restore her resilience to withstand the trials of the Void. Engineering and maintenance specialists that occupy the vessel have taken great care to begin the process of ensuring her capability to travel into the most treacherous pockets the Sirius currently has to offer. Her weapon and defensive systems have recently been given the all clear for once but her engine systems are less than sub-par,
Although future plans for this vessel I have in mind to support our cell's operations within Earheart mean more work on the table, I must get in contact with Auxesia to see if an adaptation of our graviton based slip-space drive can be applied to vis vessel. Although we may be seeking a completely different hull configuration and by that time I want the vessel out of the hands of Wolfsburg... Not that it can be helped.
XU-701
One of a pair of vessels hidden by remnant federalists, a combination of seized assets and retrofit equipment was used to bring this vessel back up to some level of operation. This vessel was equipped with a modified power core compatible with a large amount of equipment and hardware utilized by the military. Thankfully this makes it easier to comb the ship graveyards from the Civil War if we're in need of spare parts and the general nature of this ship means the various equipment we can run is extremely versatile, although due to the lightweight nature of the space frame its not advisable that these ships these ships stay out of range against potential heavy opponents and use its agile nature to its advantage. Some discussion is arising to ensure that a launch bay is installed on this vessel as soon as possible, if its anything to learn from our own tactics is that leaving capital ships out there without attached fighter cover is suicide.
As of this moment, several repair duties are still taking place, even while the vessel is in transit, there still much work to do to ensure this ship is ready to progress to phase 2 as soon as possible with its sister ship. We've already made adaptations to our plans to equip this vessel with a disruption array against modified EM fields.
XU-702
The latter Hel of the pair, this one was disabled and forgotten during the opening hours of the Civil War and covering what ships she could from Hamburgs surface. She managed to limp away after taking a hit to her engines while trying to cover Bundschuh transports evacuating pro-democratic civilians and fighters to Bundschuh outposts and retreated into hiding within the Westerwald. Due to the limited resources of the republic at the time, it wasn't deemed sufficient for it to be repaired at the time.
As of yet, the systems that are installed are antiquated at best. While the weapon command interfaces are still usable, it seems we might have to see about hitting a Daumann transport bound for Oder shipyard. I won't be settling with 'civilian grade' fire control systems and bridge operations. So once those supplies come about, they'll need immediate installation once we can get the ship in at Wolfsburg.
I'll need to also see about applying our own technologies to this vessel. Its an advantage I have in my mind that I can provide to my allies. Its the least i can do for them in this war, they need ever advantage I can give against a numerically superior opponents and the seclusion they require to avoid unneeded conflict. Once again, a Phase 2 consideration.
> "The power of war is a dangerous consideration, to allow these weapons into the hands of anyone can cause considerable damage, but I have faith the crews intentions will stay true."
> ▓
At was another busy day In the workshop hanger, Saverne's zero gravity repair lines were always running at pique capacity as new ships were coming every day, thanks to salvaging operations focusing on military debris fields after decades of constant conflict between Rheinland and it's neighbours, refurbished vessels were being shipped out slowly and steadily to Bundschuh forces. Shunters hovering back and forth trailing flat beds of components to vessels lined up on stabilizing cables. While conditions weren't as presentable and camera ready on this hideaway station, the crew happily progressed on with the equipment they had on hand and comfortably committed and focused on their job, conversing with each other while gliding around their assigned vessels to each outstanding repair task.
CS and Hope we're overseeing four Bundschuh engineers tending to a pair of Valkyries that were sat in Saverne's back repair bays. Unlike the other teams that worked elsewhere, these four seemed quiet and whispered amongst each other while passing glares to the two helmeted figures assessing a data-padd schematic while overseeing the ships from a distance. "We need to head down there now, we've been up here for 30 minutes since they've started and they almost have the power core armour removed, they'll think we're being obnoxious.""They're not exactly fond of us, have you heard what they're saying to each other?""Yes but I owe the dock master a favour or two, this is one of them and he's going to see these ships out the workshop as fast as possible... Their assumptions while justified are not of our concern right now." He gave her the data-padd to use for herself while she oversaw repairs on one of the vessels while he proceeded with the other.
Hovering down to let his mag-boots latch onto the floor plating, a metallic think met with it's placement end every step he took towards the two pairs of repair teams working on the rear of the Valkyrie. Both elbow deep within the power transfer conduits near the reactor compartment, hastily exchanging components and speeding up as CS came closer. "Kaufman, Scholer, I'm Civil Servant, I'll be--""We know who you are, we're here to get the ship up and running as fast as possible for you... Sir." Kaufman spoke up as he continued his task of decoupling the burnt power lines from the distribution regulator, a job they've done many times with their callus layered hands. CS knew unnerving superstitions were rumoured between the two about himself and his fellow helmeted compatriots. "Thank you... Well where are you both up to on the engine transfer matrix?""We got as far as we could, those Technobabble-""Technocrats""... Technocrats. Their systems are grossly inefficient at converting our modulation with their required inputs. I didn't want to risk anyone getting zapped working on them frankly... Sir." "Well, that's why I'm here, I'll take a look at this for you... Anything else at--?""No... Sir." Kaufman or Scholer didn't even bat an eye at him and the pair continued on with their work in silence but the tension was certainly present, CS could feel it almost manifesting off the both of them. CS stood there for a moment waiting for anything else to be said, knowing the ship was needed more attention than just it's power transfer matrix being repaired. But decided it would be best to start on where they requested help for first.
He moved himself to the rear side of the Valkyrie, seeing that the panels from the power transfer matrix has been removed yet the internals haven't even been touched... Not even attempted. It certainly has taken its toll from years of neglect as the connections between the core and the engine systems have deteriorated beyond repair while the central transfer regulator looks like a lump of charcoal than just 'fused' as the report says.
But one thing was for sure, this was likely going to be one quiet repair job...
