Deep Down Low - Sleepy Eve (DoctorSpuds), a-tenno-named-prin (PriniaV) (2024)

Chapter 1: The Glorious Start of a Big Damn Mess

Chapter Text

OK, this might be the hallucinogens talking, but have you ever had a dream so real, so… perfect, that you just never want to wake up again?

That night, that beautiful night, I fell into that perfect dream. Those slumbering eyes opened to the most gorgeous fields of the most fragrant flowers, their pollen rising with the fluttering breeze. Clouds, fluffier even than sheep, would drift lazily across the sky, casting us in shade. The two of us were sat upon the top of the tallest hill, resting upon that pillow-soft grass, the smell of millions of flowers tickling our noses. I’m certain she’d be sneezing like mad. But, then… her… her… her hands wrapped in mine, out of the gloves she always insisted on wearing, proudly baring her scars and marks to the world. Her… with those clear grey eyes, that mousy brown hair, that… clever grin. The woman I love, cast in the sweetest of perfumes.

If I took a deep enough breath, I swear I could have smelled it. My lungs inflated, my chest rose, my eyes fluttered…

They fluttered and then they snapped the f*ck open.

My throat closed up as one of the most pungent odors I’d ever experienced sliced up and down my sinuses like a knife. My gags were lost in the sounds of Ezz’s laughter. Rolling from the bed I crawled a ways, across the dirty and damaged floor, wiping feverishly at my nose as the faintly curdled smell settled deep in my skull. A defeated sigh flew from between my lips as I scowled at her.

“Nice to know you’re still alive,” she smirked, getting down on her knees and crawling over to me. With a little bit of grumbling she positioned herself right in front of me, mimicking my awkward pose perfectly, those grey eyes peering right through my soul. “We’ve got a job,” she said, rearing up and sitting on her haunches, “looks like it’s gonna be a goodun.”

I scoffed, I couldn’t help it. “You said that last time Ezz.”

She nodded, “And…?” an eyebrow lifted.

“I got shot!” I squawked, holding up my hand so she could see the messily healed scars on either side.

“We miscalculated,” she muttered, letting her eyes fall to the floor, “I mean, I’m still sorry about that, y’know. If I’d known there was gonna be a Grineer patrol coming then I wouldn’t’ve called it. Last time I listen to a Corpus.”

“Yeah,” I sighed, “I know, I know,” pushing myself up I waddled over to her on my knees, wrapping her in a tight hug. “I’ve forgiven you, every single time.”

“Yeah,” she muttered, “Yeah,” her arms tentatively wrapped around me, almost crushing me against her. She let out a small snicker as she wiggled back and forth. “Sorry,” she said quickly, “It’s just… I mean... boobs.”

All I could do was roll my eyes. “Yeah, I know, my one redeeming feature,” I pouted childishly at her as I rocked to my feet. “You mentioned a job? It gonna pay enough for us to get some new clothes? They’re getting ratty again.” I pushed my hand through a hole in the armpit of my shirt for emphasis.

She nodded, energy rushing back, scrambling messily up as well. “Yeah, yeah, I mean, this isn’t like those stupid kill contracts, it was from Mom, it’s gonna pay out good.”

My satisfying yawn died with a sharp cough. “The Lotus is putting this on us? She knows we’re incompetent, right?”

“Pfft,” she waved away my concerns. “It’s an infiltrate mission, you’re great at those.”

“Hmph,” I crossed my arms. “Fill me in, then I’ll pass judgment.”

A strangled squeak was all I could manage as she snagged my arm, tugging me from our ratty Transference Chamber-turned-bedroom into the body of the arthritic old Orbiter. It was as she began storming up the ramp to the Foundry that I saw she wasn’t wearing any shoes. That’s right, she wore them out. The soles of her feet were almost black from the amount of filth that had built up on the floors over the years. I cringed internally, this mission better be on Earth, we both need showers. But, no time for rational thought, Ezz was on the warpath, and it ended with me sprawled out on the floor of the Nav room, the ramp hissing shut behind us.

“Alrighty,” she grinned, stormy eyes sharply dancing from star to star as her gaze was naturally tugged into the vast silken tapestry of space, “Now… where’s the briefing…? Ordis!?” she roared, scaring me half to death, her tone changing on the spot.

“Yes Operator?” the ever-so-polite Cephalon asked.

“Briefing, I already forgot.”

A blast of sharp static told me that poor Cephalon was about three seconds from inventing a handful og new languages just to insult her with. “On the Navigation console,” he said, crushing whatever he wished to say and simply muttering the word “pest” under his breath.

He coulda said much worse… seems he was as fallible to her natural cute factor as I was.

“There she is,” Ezz grinned, staring intently at the projection of the Lotus hovering just above the circular pad that dominated the fore of the small cabin, “I screamed so damn loud when her head just popped up.”

“Better not have been doing anything--.”

“Nope!” she said way-too-quickly, “listen to mom!” She was redder than a sunburned Grineer as she slapped at the air.

I sat by, watching the projection of the Lotus bob in the air for a while. Eventually she cleared her throat, probably breaking Ezz from whatever stupor she was trapped in. Her nostrils flared as she took a breath, the anticipation was killing me at this point, I’m just sad I slept through it.

“Not a word from me, child,” she said flatly, her strong voice still filling me with that elusive comfort only she and Ezz could manage to provide. “No, we’ve received several worrying reports from our information networks stationed across Terra’s equatorial jungles.” She paused, probably Ezz saying something, “several Steel Meridian outposts have been completely leveled, yes, all hands taken, we’ve no concrete idea where, but we suspect an excavation some two-hundred miles north. There’s an island in one of the inland seas.”

Ezz giggled, “I mean, I’ve never actually spoken to her before, I was all giddy.” She let out a little squawk as I gave her shoulder a little punch.

“Proud of you for that,” I said with a grin, “Gone from hiding from that Ostron sweets merchant to talking with Mom in less than a week. Good progress.”

Her little smug grin was adorable as I ruffled her hair. “Little steps,” she whispered, giving me a wink. “Keep an eye on Ma.” She pointed, as the Lotus began gearing up to speak again, the lining between her long shirt and gloves revealing just a sliver of her mottled skin, normally pale hue tinted an unnatural black, as if she’d been gone over with squid ink.

I said nothing, not wanting her to get embarrassed or shy, turning my eyes and ears back to the Lotus.

“Precisely,” she said with a nod, the purple light of her chambers reflecting oddly from her large headgear. “You and Azay are closest to Earth, and her abilities in Grineer mimicry are... known.”

I bit back my pride. She knew me, Mom knew my name! She knew my skills! I’d never actually met her, not me, not Ezz, so many of us rescues never got the opportunity… that’s why most of us leave to be fair. But… I let out a little giggle, wriggling happily, glad the day had finally come.

“We’ve fabricated a set of transfer credentials, all she needs to do is show up,” the Lotus nodded, “you stand-by and maintain comms contact with us, a relay, yes.” She paused again, “Indeed, the dig is simply too suspicious. According to Steel Meridian leadership they have an operative in place, though they have gone completely silent.” She paused, “I’ll attach everything you need to know. Read it and get back to us quickly, we cannot take any more risks than we must with the balance of power shifting once more.”

Ezz rocked back and forth as the projection faded out, leaving us alone once more. “Gods… she’s so… agh!” she buried her face in her hands, “I mean, she even cooler than I thought she’d be.”

“Jealousy, thy name is Azay,” I said under my breath as I rocked to my feet, tapping at the console, bringing up the mission details. I sucked on my lips as I started reading the preliminary, eyes darting as Ezz began to edge into view. “You eaten yet?” I asked, “we’ve still got summa those Corpus rations, maybe celebrate getting a visit from the big lady upstairs?”

Her eyes were wide as those dinner plates we threw out cuz they’d been dug through by our forks. “Really? You said you were saving those for a super special day though.”

I nodded. “It’s a super special day, go eat, I don’t want you getting skinny like that again.”

She nodded, glossing over my accidental mentioning of… those days, speeding from the cabin down into the body of the Orbiter. “Imma get you one too!” she called, “breakfast, y’know!?”

“Sounds good!” I called, still trying to read. I pouted, resting my chin in my hand, couldn’t they have written this like a sane person? “Oof… him, really?”

Ezz heard my muttering as she clambered back up the ramp, bringing with her the smell of sour breath and body odor. I knew for a fact that I smelled worse. “Whosit?” she asked, peering over my shoulder, reading down to where I had my finger pointed. She snorted. “Oh no…” she said in a silly voice, “I mean, I get to annoy dad, how horrible.” A mean little grin peeled across her face as she ripped open the foil package, taking a deep breath of the rich rations.

If there wasn’t an element of her past she wasn’t afraid of bringing up… it was the man who undeniably damaged her the most. Just another one of her oddities, just another one of the little quirks that made me love her more. Actually… though.

I leaned over and gave her a quick peck on her dirty cheek. “There we go,” I grinned, “now it’s a special day.”

She blinked at me blankly. “Wha-?”

“Nothin’,” I grunted, yanking the extra bag of rations from her hand and digging in.

Those damn things tasted just as good as I remembered.

…

The overview was about as boring as watching grass grow. According to Ezz that’s actually really damn entertaining, but I’m not taking her opinion on that. Regardless! We got our orders, we got a location, all we needed were a few supplies. Thankfully they were close at hand. We just needed to convince them away from the third resident of our little floating dumpster-fire.

...

“Did I ever tell you that Snekk is the perfect name for this little piece of- tchagh!” I tore my hand away, as the mean old Kavat slashed at me, sending dry food spilling across the floor.

Ezz gave me a gentle, but stern, slap to the back of the head. “She’s sensitive,” she scolded, “try imagining offering food to me in one of my moods.” She gave me a glance, face entirely blank. “Imma repress that moment of self acknowledgment and understanding,” she whispered.

“Go for it.”

With a little shudder she dipped her hand in our stolen bucket of stolen food, hunkering down just outside of Snekk’s little sovereign nation. “Snekk,” she said with a big grin pasted on her face. “Food.” Snekk… did not care, slashing at her too. Ezz let out a sharp hiss as the Kavat’s claws snagged onto the leather of her gloves. “Naughty bean,” she muttered, lashing out with incredible speed, grabbing the Kavat around the torso. “Naughty beans go into the punishment chamber!” she needed to yell to even be heard over the mean old cat’s yowling and spitting.

I saw the opportunity, and I seized it, rushing forward to grab our kits, dragging the heavy crates across the floor, keeping an eye out in case Snekk got loose. Thank the Void, Ezz got that cat locked away, meaning we could live our lives without any more scratches than we already had.

She gave me the goofiest grin as she sat down, breathing heavily. It made sense, that Kavat was nearly as big as she was. “Alright, we’ve got about an hour before she breaks through the door, I mean, best move quick, eh?”

I nodded, the thought of fighting Snekk for dominion of the crates spurring me to move faster than I normally would’ve. I had no qualms fighting a stranger, I’d do the most terrible things to them without a second thought… But, I will not fight that Kavat. “OK, I’ve got my Grearlance armor, booties… general,” I sifted through the bin, “Terra station Grineer stuff… Binder? Where’s my binder?”

She blinked a few times, the words somehow leaking from her brain entirely. “Your…”

I rubbed at my eyes. “The titty squisher,” I whispered, using her favorite nickname for it.

Realization dawned, “ooh… it’s airing out over the Transference array, the ozone helps lift away odors.”

“That’s good,” I muttered, “considering how much I reek.”

“Perfect Grineer stink,” she grinned, “nice, pungent, I mean, and… intoxicating.”

“What?”

She had the gall to look innocent, “Huh?”

…

I sincerely hoped that this wasn’t a long-term infiltration. The briefing said it would be two days at minimum, but when did things ever come out anywhere near the minimum…. Especially when us two buffoons were involved. Sadly, before I could even get my broke-ass to the mission itself, I needed to figure out issues of a more personal nature.

I was growing, not up, but out.

My chest was almost too big for my binder again. Ah, the dichotomy of duty. More effective without them… but… I’m not getting rid of them! They’re mine and I spent way too long growing them just to give ‘em up now!

Only Ezz can touch them, anybody else and I’m adding to my extensive collection of severed fingers.

...

The tight jumpsuit rolled across my skin, snagging on my body hair, the rough fabric pulling a handful free, making me wince. “How do they wear this their entire life?” I growled as I positioned the inbuilt armor properly before working on the catastrophe that was the upper body equipment. “Like, would it kill the Queens to make their grunts a bit less top-heavy?”

“I mean, good for leg strength,” Ezz said with a chuckle, looking me up and down with a pair of questionable eyes, “Oop… back fastener’s not laced properly.”

I froze, holding my breath as she darted behind me, her nimble little fingers making quick work of the convoluted mechanism. The pressure around my chest grew even tighter as a result, I could only take half breaths at this point. Her thumbs up hovered into my periphery. I let my stomach drop, held even tighter in the jumpsuit.

“Gah,” I slouched slightly, “This is gonna be the last time… I swear, no more stealth sh*t.”

Her hand rested on my chest with extreme casualness, she was pouting. “Yeah… think you could hollow out that chest bit, I mean, to fit your boobs?” She looked around, trying to find the chunk of armor in question. “Actually though.”

It was a process finding the bit. The Orbiter was so damn dirty and full of clutter that bits and pieces like that tended to get swallowed up, even when we’d just put it down. She clambered up the small pile of crates behind the Incubator, feeling no fear since Snekk was still banished. Looking around, the piece of armor was actually gone, a little drop of panic was added to the stress I was always stuck with during missions like these. I needed that armor, the binder didn’t hide everything.

“It’s moments like these when I hate my body,” I growled as I began digging through a pile of opened crates, grimacing as the piles of moldering clothes kept inside. “Why don’t these Orbiters have any appliances? I wanna wash my clothes!”

“I wanna take a shower!” Ezz yelled back. “Got it!” She tumbled from the pile of crates, landing on her butt, the broad strip of grey-brown armor clutched in her hand. “I hurt myself,” she grumbled as she rocked to her feet, waddling a bit.

“Obvious,” I chuckled, “We’ve got pain meds.” I took the piece of armor from her, inspecting the back portion, wondering if it could be effectively hollowed out. It looked like it was packed with shock absorbent foam… wouldn’t be too difficult to alter. “What’s our time-frame? When’s my transport due to arrive?”

“We’ve got…” She bolted up the ramp, stumbling and scraping her knee as her bare toes caught on the texture of the floor. With a small whine she peered at the schedule we’d got from Mom. “Three hours! Plenty of time.”

“Perfect,” I muttered, grabbing at the buckles that held the stifling uniform in place, ripping the large pieces away, letting them clatter to the ground. “Hey… we still have those, erm, whazzit… spoons?”

Ezz sprinted, still limping a bit, across the foundry space, disappearing down the ramp. She clearly knew whey they were then. A little chuckle squeezed past my lips as I sat heavily on a low crate, making it creak angrily. I tried to pick the foam away, but I needed something a bit more robust than my chewed up nails. The chunk of armor rested on my lap as a big ‘ol sigh blew from my lungs.

My frizzy hair was freed as I tugged the tight hood from over my head, shaking it out. I watched one of the long strands waggle about in the faint breeze, a droplet of sweat clinging to it. I wiped it away, hoping it would be relatively cool wherever I was going, and island of some sort. I let my face fall slack and my eyes drift closed. Sometimes it just wasn’t fair.

I wasn’t promised anything, not by the Lotus, not by anyone. I was just… stolen away, ‘rescued’ they called it. The door to my dad’s hut just kicked open, and those grey-clad people took me away. They said I was special, that it was for my own good, that I could be useful… and dangerous.

Then they all died, which was for the best honestly.

The barest of smiles ticked at the edge of my lips. Kinda my fault, since I killed them and all. But… Mom found me, her people found me, told me what I was, gave me a place, a space all my own. It wasn’t perfect, I was still living in squalor, but a part of me was forever grateful for them letting me make a change, as small as that would be.

Hell, it got me Ezz after all. That made it more than worth it. A little squeak flew from my mouth as she waved the silvery utensil in front of my face.

“You were doing that staring thing again,” she muttered, crouching down to look me in the eye, her own scrutinous. “What were you fantasizin’ about?”

I looked down at her, into those big grey eyes. “Killing your dad,” I said with a shrug, bringing a smile to her face.

“Hey,” she giggled, “You said I’d get to do that.”

I snagged the spoon from her, digging it into the tough foam. “Well, at least let me get a shot in. I wanna be known as the Tenno that bitch-slapped Tyl Regor before his daughter ripped his head off.”

She harrumphed, sitting next to me, causing the crate to voice its complaint even louder. “I mean, I could let you get a shot in, only if you ask nice.”

…

The Lotus’ transport showed up right on time. We still wound up leaving late cuz of that bastard Kavat, Ezz refused to leave her aboard the Orbiter, which was fair and all… but I hated that cat. Snekk hated me too, batting and hissing at me whenever I got too close aboard the Lander, leaving scratches in my armor. That horrid creature.

But… as that gorgeous blue and green marble filled the front viewscreen, I couldn’t bring myself to care. I never tired of seeing my home planet from this angle, and the sense of calm it gave me was almost intoxicating. Nothing in the universe really mattered, not when I could watch that planet spin quietly through the vacuum.

Quickly I had to wipe a tear from my cheek, we were entering the atmosphere, our carrier was gonna cut us loose any second.

...

“I hate wearing this thing,” Ezz grumbled, crouching low in the forest-green Warframe, a salvaged Titania from a buddy of ours that died. “I mean, it already feels half broken.”

“That’s cuz it is,” I grunted, clipping the Grineer visor over my face, making the entire universe look like it was dipped in piss. “Somebody actually died in it.” I scoffed quietly, tapping at my neck. “Gimme a moment, gotta get my voice properly ruined.” I launched into my voice training, grunts and groans, yells and calls, smatterings of Grineer profanity. My voice was already deep, it just needed a bit of gravel to it.

She nodded, gently stroking Snekk as she hunkered down beneath one of the consoles. That Warframe really was a mess though, one of the other Tenno’s hand-me-downs. Both horns were snapped off, several fingers were missing from its left hand, I still had them, and it was riddled with cuts and bullet holes. Even its flight stabilizers were shot to hell, one of the large growths missing entirely, making the whole mess landlocked. As I said, a guy we knew died in it… I suppose it was technically grave robbing… or murder.

It worked though, and that’s all we really needed. I coughed loudly as our carrier dropped us, sending our Lander speeding into the planet’s atmosphere, the forward viewer lighting up a brilliant orange as the outer hull, no doubt, was charred another shade of grey darker. My heart was banging against my ribcage, breath trembling as my gut quivered. The only good thing about the situation was that I could actually fill my lungs with my binder absent.

The piercing orange eventually patchily faded away, leaving us speeding above a sea of clouds, the hull cresting those vaporous waves, causing the little craft to shiver and shake about. It was about time then. I turned my eye to the ugly cylinder of Grineer steel resting on the ramp, the top of it left open for me to cram myself inside.

“This piece of sh*t better work,” I growled, voice rasping and low, a nearly perfect impression of a Grineer. “Otherwise this is gonna be a really short mission.”

“Get your rhythm goin’,” Ezz called, gently carrying Snekk, “they’ll find you out if you talk too pretty.”

I snorted. “What?” I crowed, “You want talk like this, heh!? Hard to forget word, when brain… not want to forget.” It was a pretty easy vocal pattern to slip into, I’d just have to splice some actual Grineer into my sentences and I’d be almost indistinguishable from any other Grineer. “In sled then,” I grumbled, hefting my rifle, holding it close to my chest, “Is communicator on?” I asked, pressing my ear through the thick fabric hood.

“You’re good,” she whispered, voice tinny and thin, “I’ll drop on the other side of the island, under their scanners, good luck.”

I simply grunted my affirmation, ducking into the tube of steel and disposable tech, sealing the hatch closed above my head. And so, with my breath rattling loudly in the pitch black tube, I was tossed from the Lander. I didn’t take a breath the entire way down, I was too busy delving through every regret I’d ever felt, running through my final thoughts, whispering my goodbyes.

My entire body froze, my heartbeat almost seemed to fade away entirely. All I could hear in that tube was the sounds of air ripping against the hull, the wind slapping and battering it around as its tiny computerized fins guided it toward the landing point. I was in a tin can, falling to earth from sixty-thousand feet at terminal velocity, and this was just considered normal to some people. Some people were just simply mad.

And I was certifiably mad for letting those mad people put me in their little suicide can.

I didn’t die.

My jellified knees hit the loamy earth as the sides of the capsule cracked open, leaving me... stood in the wilderness, which was massively jarring. I didn’t even feel the impact, which means I was madly surprised when I saw I was just… in a forest now. A barking laugh snapped through my visor as I took the barest moment to savor those feelings of dread fade away, the mission would actually start when I could walk again.

But… just as I managed to get my senses back to where they ought to have been, the sounds of lumbering footsteps reached my ears. Looked like I was pretty on target then. I looked up as a pair of dirtied Grineer boots rested a few feet from my head, seeing an unmasked Grineer, sweat pouring down his face, looking down at me with suspicious eyes. He was old, definitely past his prime days, probably sent here to die. A wheezing breath squeezed from his lungs as he crouched, staring at me with those wary eyes.

“You Grahl-349?” he asked in disbelief.

“Am,” I huffed, “Why confused?”

“Not confused,” he growled, looking almost offended. His eyes ticked up, probably a signal to whoever was standing behind me. “Heard of you,” he rumbled, offering a hand, which I took. “Sent here for… bad behavior,” he snorted quietly, cracking his neck. “Lies, polite Grineer.” He gave me a smile full of mossy teeth, gesturing for me to look back.

I was in no way at ease, that smile was too easy, and his eyes were still too full of suspicion. My suspicions were confirmed as I turned around, having to throw myself back to dodge a hefty fist that would’ve knocked my head from my shoulders. A Bombard, hulking, once white armor stained a nasty shade of brown, standing nearly a head and shoulders over me, took a step forward to launch another hook.

I’ll admit, I didn’t really expect a strength test. At least, not the moment I got there. Usually they were public things, a show for the rest of the crew, let’ em see the mettle of their new brother or sister. Regardless… I needed to prove myself, and my overcooked legs were really letting the side down on that front.

“Kome groser, tuke skoom,” he growled, reaching out to grab me. “Kome na rhue.”

If he grabbed me then I would be dead meat. I’d seen what those heavy Grineer could do to a human body, their weapons were formalities at best. All I had on my side was speed, and probably smarts, but that was debatable. I couldn’t use my rifle, that was poor manners in a fight to the death, so it was fists and feet all the way.

My hands twitched as I jumped back again, dodging a clumsy swing, waiting for the perfect opportunity. I’m glad we were at least in a clearing, the fitful light would keep my aim straight and true. Poor fella wouldn’t know what hit him, until after the fact, of course.

My opportunity came and I went for it.

He reared back, leaving himself completely open, preparing to lob a world-ending kick to my chest. He would never get the opportunity as I lobbed a world-ending kick into his crotch. The weakly armored point only held caps for the front and back, to prevent shrapnel, the perineal area was completely open… Grineer needed to sh*t too.

The tip of my armored boot hit him directly in the tailbone.

He hit the ground roaring, carving deep furrows in the soft earth with his thrashing, kicking up dead leafs and twigs. Poor guy wasn’t gonna be able to sit down for a few weeks. I kicked a hefty wad of dirt at him, looking back at the other Grineer, his face was still weirdly leery.

I shrugged, letting out an impertinent scoff. “Wanted fight, I not want, now he can’t sit,” I kicked more dirt on him, remembering I needed to rub in my victory. “Kavatish gutora.”

The commander just shrugged. “Leave him, knows way to camp, follow.”

Without a word, or even a second glance as the quietly whimpering Bombard, he pushed past me, tramping down a barely visible pathway through the near impenetrable undergrowth. I followed as closely as I dared, not looking forward to finding my way alone through the near solid bramble and hard-packed roots that rose up around us. I’d never seen the foliage this thick before. Just how old were these woods anyways? Maybe some of the oldest on the planet?

Honestly, I liked the thought of that.

The thought that these trees were standing during the Collapse was somehow... comforting. They outlived the Orokin, they’ll outlive whatever was going on here as well. Hopefully, unless we managed to blow up the whole damn island… hopefully we didn’t manage that. We really didn’t need another reaming for destroying evidence. I looked up for a moment, seeing those faint, faint rays of sunlight trying desperately to push their way through the canopy.

“Hopefully,” I grumbled. “Hopefully you keep making us feel small,” I said nearly imperceptibly.

“C’mon,” the commander growled, “No slowing, will let forest take care of you if get lost.”

I grunted, almost making the sound of clearing my throat. “Have lived through worse, would thrive in woods!” Normally my voice would echo grandly, in these woods the air was so stifled and thick that it was amazing it could carry sound at all. “Grahl is strong.”

“Grahl a dirty fighter,” he chuckled, “that all I know.”

I huffed. “Grahl fight to survive, fought many times, fought stronger than bombard and won.” I cast my memories back, remembering those horrid few days trapped at the bottom of the ocean, creeping through Tyl Regor’s labs like some sort of rat. “Fought a Manic… one of Regor’s tube-men, Grahl left with two extra hands.”

The weathered Grineer let out a barking laugh. “Aye! Transfer said you came from Uranus, perhaps crafty, not dirty, fight like Tenno.”

Normally a Grineer would’ve pulled their visor off and spat on the ground at the mention of the reviled caste of warriors… which I belonged to. But I didn’t, I couldn’t. Just cuz I had the body type of a standard issue Grineer didn’t mean I had the face of one to go along with it. My visor stayed where it was, I simply let out a similar laugh to the commander’s.

“Maybe Grahl more Tenno than Grineer,” I said jokingly, “All strength, no filthy tinsuit, no treachery.” Looking ahead I could see the ramshackle camp coming up, probably the lodgings, based on how rough they looked. “Camp?” I asked, “Where dig?”

He scoffed, throwing a look back at me. “May be crafty, but not smart. You guard, that all. Have…” he paused as he thought. “Diggers,” he eventually said as he gave up on trying to say the word engineers. “Get sleep, you run night watch.”

I nodded, looking about the small camp for a moment, doing the most thorough, least suspicious inspection I could. It was all crammed into a natural clearing, almost a valley between a handful of trees that had managed to level out over the centuries. Three tents, two for sleeping, one probably for eating, a small forest of supplies, all carelessly strewn about the outskirts. No latrines… something told me we just went to sh*t in the woods like the rest of the animals.

“In,” the commander barked, “Meet brothers and sister, don’t be shy.” Based on that little sneering grin on his face… I didn’t need to be shy, I needed to be afraid.

I hoped Ezz was doing alright. It was almost certain she’d landed by now, she’d probably start trying test communications before long, I needed to be ready for that. But, I had more pressing issues. Giving the commander a look I ducked into the tent, faced with three rows of three bunks, nine total including me. Damn, this was a small operation.

“Brokler,” grunted one of the few Grineer that were still awake. “Jutr danrer?”

I nodded, making a faint grunt of affirmation. I was a touch busy looking across my new comrades. Lancers all, bar a single Ballista, their armor all varying shades of brown, blue, and green, laid carefully out by their bunks. The Lancer that had spoken was already laying down, his visor off, snoring almost before his head had hit the fabric mesh that passed for a mattress. But…

The Ballista was looking at me, I could feel it. Her visor was still on, the eyes illuminated that sickly urine yellow. As I walked through the tent, settling on the one open cot I could just see her head ticking, following my movements. I’d have to watch my steps, she was a wily one. Generally the female Grineer were a touch smarter than the males, unless their breeding went sour, obvious favoritism on the part of the Queens.

A low groan exited my mouth as I sat, turning my back to her. And so began the deception. I was locked in this suit, no taking of the visor, no taking off my chest armor or shoulder pieces, no eating in front of my new comrades… It was time for me to be as weird as possible then… the Grineer that never showed his face.

With a bit of struggling I managed to get the large back carapace off, laying down. They would ask, they always asked, every single time. All I had to do was tell them a sob story, usually, about some horrid incident that ruined my face, and they’d back off… but then again, some were just more stubborn than all the rest. Pondering all the scenarios that would befall me as I awoke, I let my eyes drift closed, and promptly fell asleep.

With how f*cking warm I was, the simple fact I managed to get any sleep at all was incredible.

I hoped Ezz was doing alright… It always made me a bit uncomfortable, leaving her alone with only Snekk for company. I always worried that she would start spiraling, that something would set her off and she’d go on the warpath. I always worried that she would leave me. I always worried that she’d be gone when I got back.

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to her. I wouldn’t be able to live if she was gone.

“I’d burn the universe to ash, if it meant one more night with you.”

...

“Have strange smell,” a quiet warbling voice whispered down my ear, making me shudder. “Strange smell for strange Grineer.”

My eyes snapped open, again, at least it wasn’t because Ezz shoved her nasty toes up my nose this time ‘round. I took a bracing breath, turning my head to stare at the Ballista. So she decided to make her move. All I did was stare, not saying a word, as I propped myself up on the cot, elbow dangerously close to slipping through the loose mesh of fabric strips. Her head tilted, the soulless wide eyes of her mask staring at me, probably trying to see through me. Impossible, I was too dense.

She took a few steps back as I threw my legs over the edge, her prostheses whining quietly, bemoaning the heat that was cooking us all through. Her breath warbled, artificial vocal chords catching unnecessarily on the action, she was in rough shape too then. All these Grineer were. I looked down at her, gesturing to the exit.

She looked between me and the gently fluttering tent flaps, no doubt wondering if I intended to kill her out there. I didn’t wait for an answer, considering I really needed to piss, just leaving anyway. The faintly cool breeze cut through the many gaps in my armor, breaking across the tight jumpsuit that sought to slow roast me. It was the barest relief, but it was relief nonetheless. With that quiet sigh I forged off into the undergrowth, picking at the crotch armor and zips.

That faint whine followed me, her legs, a dead giveaway. Not bothering to look over my shoulder I pushed my way into the bramble that surrounded the camp like a wall, batting away those branches that snagged on my clothes, finding a small clearing a short ways in. Based on the smell… this is where everyone else went too.

It was probably the best piss of my life.

The Ballista was waiting for me as I reemerged, wisely staying back. I was about to say something vaguely accusatory, but then I noticed the glowing blade of a Sheev, then I felt that same glowing blade press dangerously close to my neck, almost close enough to combust my suit. I lifted my hands slightly, I was unarmed, obviously, all I’d had in my stores was a ratty old rifle, my last knife got lost somewhere in the mess of the Orbiter.

“Why?” I growled, finally finding my words.

“The smell,” she said bluntly, “you not smell of Grineer, not smell of Uranus… smell of Tenno, have their sour stink.”

I made a sneering noise, batting her hand down, cutting a gash in my chest armor. “Grahl not have time for mad Grin’ure gutora.” I was actually really damn pissed, normally my smell didn’t factor in. “Loch or I rip fingers from hand!” Regardless of the danger present, I threw my shoulder into her, sending her stumbling.

My little show of strength only served to rub her the wrong way it seemed. Shocking. The chiseled heel of her prosthetic foot dug into the soil, leg coiled to send her hurtling back toward me. It became very clear very quickly that she was more wily than I gave her credit for. Mayhap she was even in the realm of ‘intelligent’?

In an impressive display of athleticism she threw a high-kick at me, aiming for my windpipe. The reinforced piping that made up her artificial shin slammed into my arm as I blocked, immediately regretting it. Yeah, she was smart, damn smart, the clever girl had filed her legs down, every edge was sharper than a carving knife. My block was expected, clearly, with her throwing herself back, sending the sharpened portions of her leg slicing through my jumpsuit, cutting down to the bone.

An outraged roar blew from my mouth as I leapt forward, not letting her get the jump on me again. I was mad, and there was no chance in the nine hells that I was gonna get exposed less that a day into the job! My arm wrapped around her narrow waist, tightening painfully. Ignoring the many blows and glancing kicks she threw at me, I lifted her high, like a chunk of lumber, under my arm. The breath was slammed from her wheezing lungs as she hit the ground. Despite my arm bleeding like a motherf*cker I straddled her pressing down hard on her neck, sending her writhing head digging into the soft ground. With my free hand I ripped the visor from over her face, jamming it into the ground, stifling her cries by blocking her mouth.

We sat in a painful silence for a moment, each accepting the situation we were in. My breath blew ragged as her eyes rolled madly, nostrils flaring widely as she similarly struggled to breathe. The air was so painfully humid it made getting a good breath in ten times harder. Blood poured from my arm, running across her neck and soaking the soil. I was covered in little nicks and wounds from her damn legs, I’d need way more bandages than I could feasibly get away with to patch myself up.

“Why attack?” I snarled, finally figuring out how to use my tongue again, pressing my head closer to hers whilst lifting some of the weight from her neck.

“Are Tenno skoom,” she huffed back, giving me a look of pure vitriol.

I scoffed, hands falling to rip at the stretched neck of her jumpsuit, peeling the tight fabric away to see the telltale mark of a removed tattoo. “And you’re Steel Meridian,” I whispered, falling back into my natural speech pattern, “I think we’re both in the same boat here… so why’re you drilling holes in the bottom then?”

“Lotus not care about Steel Meridian,” she murmured, voice straining as she renewed her struggling. “She only send you because might be danger to Tenno.”

“How old are your orders?” I whispered, pressing my covered face close to hers once again. My grasping hands pressed her head into the ground, keeping her from thrashing about.

“Been stationed three weeks,” she sneered, baring her yellowed teeth.

I snorted, of course she had no clue. “Orders are fresh, we’re collaborating with the Steel Meridian, we’re allies on this one.” I pulled away, keeping an eye on the camp, somebody’d probably been woken up at this point.

“I not believe you,” she snarled, finally shifting herself enough that she could lodge a mechanical knee into my crotch.

It woulda hurt more if I had balls, luckily I didn’t anymore. “Nice try, hon, smooth as a stone.”

She scoffed. “Lotus geld her Tenno like Drahk.”

I leaned close again. “It was you Grineer that did this to me… Don’t blame the Lotus for something she didn’t do, I might get angry.” My eyes flashed to look at her writhing hands. “Hmph, you’ve already lost enough fingers… no toes either.” I sat back up, looking down at her, tilting my head as those… urges flashed back to the surface of my mind. “How’d you like only having one eye? Maybe lose a few teeth?” I asked wriggling back and forth.

Her enraged face went slack for a moment, which was nice, I always enjoyed seeing their fear, seeing them squirm. My chest shuddered as I took a deep breath, swaying growing more aggressive. What to do with her? She was right though… I was gelded, not that I wanted them anyway.

My breath caught in my throat as the flap of the tent fluttered loudly, one of our fellow guards stalking out, muttering to himself.

Those urges would have to wait. They always had to wait, for good reason. Thinking on my feet I scooped up a handful of dirt and threw it in her face, making a derisive noise as I rolled from over her. “Grahl prove himself again… stupid Ballista.” Walking up to the frozen Lancer I lifted my dripping arm. “Brokler, where gauze? Huruott gutora attaf.”

He blinked at me with his remaining eye, shock registering across his haggard features for a second. “Huh, thought Jehkra was invincible.” A grin split across his face, revealing a mouthful of blackened teeth. “Come, brother, will patch you up, don’t want victor to bleed out. Can’t have Jahkra... win in spirit.” He shrugged, not able to find the words.

It was actually a bit surprising, their medical equipment was incredibly decent, especially by Grineer standards. No staple guns and threadbare rags, good needles and clean thread was on-hand, and the good cut I’d been given was bound to be closed and wrapped within half an hour. It still hurt like a bitch, but any change was good change. The thought of it getting infected made me shudder. Grineer amputations were always messy, no matter what.

I’d be so damn depressed if I lost half of my fingers… after spending so long taking them from others the thought of losing my own was simply intolerable. But…

I still needed to get a souvenir from her, she did hurt me after all.

“Rough camp,” I growled as the Lancer snipped the thread, starting the process of packing and wrapping the wound. “Normally… one fight, show strength. No... two… one with Sheev, heh!” Some gutora want Grahl dead.”

He grunted, only faintly hearing me. “This island bad for luck. Lost three diggers in explosion, no cause for explosion. Guard goes missing, find him impaled on tree limb.” He sighed as he shook his head, quickly finishing with the wrapping. “Only Tenno would do such thing, no Tenno here, only Grineer.”

“Have searched island though?” I asked, leaning forward, “Tenno clever… cunning.”

He gave me a grin full of false confidence and rotten teeth. “Grineer can sniff out Tenno anywhere… have particular stink. Sour, like curdled Drahk milk.”

“Will keep nose clear then,” I grumbled, laying back on my bunk. “Thank you, brother.”

He nodded, piling the supplies back into their grungy kit, carrying it from the tent. He probably really needed to use the bathroom. I took a shaky breath as the Ballista, Jahkra, ducked into the tent, only sparing me a slight glance before returning to her bunk. I noticed as she passed me by, one of the lights in her visor had gone out, I’d broken one of the eyes. She’d only be able to see in stereo if she took her visor off.

Perhaps that was a good enough souvenir, for now. I’d take symbolism over screaming… at least for now.

Chapter 2: Nasty Little Surprises Crawling Beneath Your Boots

Chapter Text

Lucky was I, lucky was I, that my little fight with Jahkra happened only halfway through my sleep shift. I still had plenty of time to lay awake on my cot, to stare at the fluttering ceiling, and nurse my flesh wound. Damn her and her fancy bladed feet.

Yeah… everything that’s happened was just seasoning on the rancid plate of meat that was this mission. The real fun hasn’t even started yet. I’m so very glad I had another three hours to ponder all the lovely little things that were gonna go wrong. My muttering and grunting was lost to the sounds of the tent rattling in the potent wind that swirled about the clearing, trying to blow us all away.

I had to have fallen asleep sometime after my little grumbling fit, there’s no way one of the Lancers would’ve been able to get their hands on my visor otherwise. Panic gripped me as I saw the outlines of gloved fingers against the tent’s ceiling. All I could do was lash out, so lash out I did.

My elbow slammed into the Grineer’s gut, where the overbearing armor was inexplicably at its weakest. He let out a strangled groan as he doubled over, adding to the quiet chatter of the rest of the guards as they got ready for whatever hellish shift we were in for. The eyes of the tent landed on the two of us, understandably.

My boots slammed into the packed earth, reaching hands dragging the curious Grineer up so that his sweating face was mashed against my visor. “No touch Grahl’s face,” I growled, putting as much anger and outrage into my voice as I possible could. “Touch visor and Grahl rip fingers from hands!” I shoved him back, sending him sprawling into my neighboring cot.

He scrambled to his feet as I let my head hang. I suppose it was time to lean into my weirdness, it was probably the only way to keep him from swinging at me and starting a brawl. Now, it wasn’t unusual for Grineer, especially older veterans to develop quirks and complexes, odd behaviorisms and preferences. Often they were full of ticks, twitches, and spasms, a lot like me, in all honesty.

The unfortunately curious Grineer pulled away as I began swaying back and forth on my cot, a sharp comment dying in his throat.

“No touch Grahl,” I murmured, “No show face… no show… no-no-no.” I looked up at him as he backed away. “Grahl kill any who look at face, will cut off fingers, will peel off skin…” I kept rocking, just fantasizing about what’s I’d do to somebody who broke my cover. A roar broke through my mask as a narrow hand rested on my shoulder, my instinctive blow caught.

“Quiet your thoughts, brother,” Jahkra ordered, “None will look at face.”

I shook my head, not quite knowing which side she was playing. “No, Grahl not show, Grineer lie, lie to Grahl. Say sweet words, then laugh and joke when see my cut skin.” I slapped her hand away, getting to my feet, swaying slightly. “Grahl trust no Grineer, no more.”

Without another word I snagged my rifle, causing the entire tent to flinch, and stormed outside, into the blue-lit twilight. By the Void… it was getting difficult not to just blow them all away. I wanted Ezz back, I needed her, I needed the weird feeling of normalcy she brought. I needed somebody to treat me like a regular human, regardless of how much I wasn’t. A snarl burst through my mask as Jahkra ducked from the tent behind me, probably wanting to see how far I would take the act. I’d take it to the Void and back, especially when it wasn't an act anymore.

A gruff sob broke from my mouth as I rushed through the camp, completely ignoring the illuminated opening of the pit as I stormed into a narrow, but well-marked pathway through the trees. I’d gotten myself riled up, and I needed to get that buildup of emotions out.

Enough people had told me that I shouldn’t bottle things up, that path usually led to you hurting the people you love most. I’ll be damned if I hurt Ezz like that. I’ll be damned if I turn out to be anything like her father, despite what his men did to me by his order. I’ll be damned if I hurt her again, that really would be a step too far.

My feet wobbled dangerously as I scaled a root pile, dropping down the other side, nearly twisting my ankle on the gnarled path. The whine of Jahkra’s prostheses followed me like a bad smell, convenient. But I didn’t care about her, not right now, not right now.

“Not right now!” I roared, whirling around, throwing a punch directly into the center of her chest.

She let out a pained whimper, falling to her knees as I stormed off again, leaving her on the near pitch black pathway. I didn’t care, let her get eaten by the forest, I didn’t care. Her coughing and spitting faded away as I sped further and further into the woods, following a ghostly light that had revealed itself through the trees.

Slowly the whine of machinery reached my ears, the grunting and chugging of aging combustion engines, the growl of generators. So that little hole in the ground by the camp was something else then… This was the real dig site. A halo of trees had been cleared away, giving me a solid thirty feet of open ground before I reached the actual pit. By feet caught and snagged on the root laden ground, the clearing extending only to the trees above and not the root below… already some of them were sprouting. The forest was already trying to heal itself.

Hunkering down I could see that this shady little dig was a damn sight bigger than the Lotus had thought. From where I was standing it almost looked like somebody had simply taken an unfathomable large knife and cut a massive rectangle from the earth, the bottom was probably two-hundred feet down, maybe deeper, I was sh*t at gauging distance. I could just see the diggers at the bottom, manned by Grineer engineers in their sparse clothing. I also could just barely see what it was they were going after.

It looked like some sort of stone, curved oddly, covered in bumps and ridges, a deep blue-green in color. Hell, it almost looked like some sort of bone. Regardless, I’d have to get down there soon, probably tonight, and take a look around. This stupid hole in the ground was my whole reason for being out here anyway.

One of the generators beside me let out a loud pop, winding down, scaring the sh*t outta me..

It seemed the crew was wrapping up for the day. Carefully I settled on the edge of the pit, resting upon the topmost of the massive wall of scaffolding that kept the encroaching earth at bay. My legs dangled, kicking slowly, as I debated what to do.

My finger pressed against the small ear communicator that had been painfully silent for the whole mission so far. “I miss you, Ezz,” I whispered, hoping she would hear. A grunt was all I could muster as Jahkra crouched down beside me. “Gonna push me, get it over with?” I asked.

“Tenno broken worse than Grineer,” she remarked. “Am not so cruel to push.” She laid a silvery package of rations down beside me and a surprisingly large container of clear water. “We on inland sea, is freshwater,” she said quickly as she saw my staring.

“Ah,” I sighed, not really caring. “Why be nice all of a sudden?” I slipped back into my Grineer pattern as the large lift set into the wall began crawling toward the surface. “Why kind to Grahl?”

“Because,” she grunted, “I want to be. Cries in your sleep genuine, all heard, all worried.” She tugged her broken visor away, looking at me with a bizarre appraisal, not revulsion or hatred, just some sort of curiosity. “Product of Regor’s labs?”

I grunted, watching the lift grind to a stop across the pit, the tired digging crew not even sparing the two of us a glance. “Was me, and a Tenno, little girl named Ezz. I ruined by Regor’s underlings… she... destroyed by him personally.” I snarled as I tried to push those memories back where they belonged. “Escaped, took her with. Two broken people trying to live.” I shrugged, it was really all I could do. “I don’t do well without her,” I whispered, voice breaking from the normal grumbling of my impression, jumping almost two octaves. “Gah, sh*t…” I beat at my throat.

Jahkra tilted her head at my change of voice. “Female voice,” she muttered, “weird Tenno, gelded, sound like girl. Many strange things escape from Regor.”

“Blame those f*cks that did it to me,” I snarled, clearing my throat and launching back into my voice exercises. “Not my problem how I’m perceived, as long as I do my job and get paid.”

Her eyes followed me, as I stood, glittering in the fading light of the pit. “Work for money?” she almost sounded amused, “Lotus lavish her Tenno with gifts, richer than all, comfortable.”

I ripped the bag of rations open, unclipping my visor for the first time. A little scoff died on my lips. “Look at my face and tell me I’m comfortable. I can’t afford to buy new clothes, Ezz wore through her shoes, I live in filth. If you’d approached me before the Lotus then I’d be working for the Grineer… Loyalty won’t feed Ezz.” I poured the concentrated nuggets of protein and granulated nutrients in my mouth, crunching loudly. “These,” I shook the bag at her, “are all we have to eat, and that’s because we stole them.”

She straightened up. “Hmmm… still have Warframe, can easily take what need.”

“We’ve got one, and it’s so badly broken that it barely works anymore. Barely a cadaver, let alone a Warframe.” I took another mouthful, grabbing the carafe of water, chugging half of it down. “We have nothing, nothing but each other.”

“Romantic,” she huffed, clipping her visor back on. “Can hear something, cover face, may be brothers.”

I blinked, straining my ears. Sure enough, faint crackling, the falling of ‘stealthy’ footsteps. “No, that’s Ezz,” I muttered, “she doesn’t know how to use our Frame properly, still really clumsy.” As if on cue, the shape of the camouflaged Titania stumbled from the thick bramble, grunting and cursing.

She returned my wave, stealing across the ground, at least managing to not trip and fall on her face. She froze, about halfway across the no-mans-land, finally seeing Jahkra stood beside me. Her steps grew careful, her hackles obviously raised… her joy at seeing me transitioning sharply to wariness. With a careful leap, she stood before us, the Titania standing almost a foot taller than me, her hand rested on the grip of our grungy pistol, the only one we had.

“Making friends?” she asked.

“Steel Meridian,” I said quickly, “the one who fell out of contact.”

“Ah,” she nodded slowly. “Well, I’ve set up camp and got the line set up… I mean, but, I accidentally dropped my line to you in the water.” She slouched dramatically. “I got a bit excited, I mean, I haven’t had a bath since… last year?” her head tilted up as she pondered. “Yeah, it’s been eight months.”

“Tenno Orbiters only have toilets, no showers, no baths, almost no water,” I explained as Jahkra continued to be awed by how terrible our Warframe looked.

“No wonder Tenno smell bad,” she muttered. “So actually working with my people then?” It seemed actually seeing the state of us managed to convince her I wasn’t lying about the rest of it.

Ezz nodded, crouching a bit to stare the Ballista in her working eye. “Cressa says hi, and that you’re gonna get one helluva reaming. For not reporting, I mean.”

“Communicator stopped working,” she said, flustered, “not my fault tef is krag.”

“You can probably check in on your rotation?” I looked back at her. “We’re doing that, right?”

She grunted, shaking her head slowly. “Not really, we guard different points, some on coast, some in forest, we listen, we wait. Odd, but not complaining, less walking for older Grineer.”

“That works, I guess,” I grunted, coughing loudly, too much phlegm. “This whole dig is odd, so I ain’t surprised.”

The Grineer let out what might’ve been a chuckle. “We must go back, get orders, go to places. They send brothers to search soon.”

I nodded, looking back at Ezz. “Hug?” I threw my arms out.

The Titania nodded, in a flash of light the shrimpy girl was running across the ground, throwing herself into my waiting hug. A little groan fell from my mouth as I squeezed her tight. This is what I needed, her, just her, her presence was enough even to banish those horrible thoughts from my mind. In that moment I didn’t care about the wound Jahkra gave me, it was fine, it would heal, I didn’t need to take anything from her. I had Ezz, it was all fine.

I pulled my visor off, giving her a quick smooch on the cheek. It was a bit shocking, seeing her all clean, I didn’t realize she’d gotten so pale. “Don’t be a stranger,” I whispered, “this is all that’s keeping me going.”

“I’ll find where you’re stationed,” she whispered, “we can chat and hug, I mean, if you want.”

“I’d like that,” I murmured, taking a deep breath and pulling back. “Nothing’s worth doing without you around, so don’t get caught.”

She fluttered her lips, showering me with spittle. “Unlikely. I’m a master at stealth.”

As she said those fateful words, the Titania, that poor lopsided Titania, fell backwards. Her other flight stabilizer finally snapped off, evening her out. Ezz just blinked at it, shrugging, not at all concerned.

“I’ll make it work,” she muttered, “You two get going now.”

…

The Grineer were prompt, the Grineer were swift, in less than fifteen minutes I’d begun my shift. Actually though, with Jahkra’s help finding my way around, I was just stood in a thicket of trees near the beach in just a handful of minutes. I still had my ration bag and my water, my gun, and as much solitude as I wanted.

The odd dig becomes even odder, seriously, this was luxurious compared to my other experiences in deep cover.

I’m not normally a suspicious person… but this was really f*cking suspicious.

...

The cool sea breeze broke against my face, sending my hair a’fluttering, tickling my nose with the sweet scent of nature. A welcome change, anything beat the smell of my own body odor… even the smell of other people’s body odor would be a nice change-up. But… that didn’t warrant thinking about.

Unless it was Ezz’s BO… then it warranted thinking about.

I snorted loudly, hawking up a massive wad of phlegm, sending it spattering into the bushes. It promised to be a long night, at least I’d get to spend it comfortable. Small twigs snapped quietly beneath my uncaring feet, rocks were kicked, the knobbly ends of roots balanced on. Basically I was just goofing around, which was massively unusual for a Grineer posting. My hackles rose as faint snapping reached my ears, the rustle of the undergrowth, somebody was coming. Odd how easy it was to hear stuff like that in these woods.

“Gah,” I huffed, quickly stuffing my hair back under the hood of my uniform, clipping my visor back on. It coulda been Ezz, but it just as easily could’ve been someone else. “Oh, thank the gods,” I muttered as Ezz crept onto the path, the Titania shining slightly in the fitful moonlight. “I was just thinkin’ about you.”

She crossed her arms, throwing her meager hips out. “I’d hope so,” she said with a touch of sass, wiggling her butt. “C’mon, let’s go to the beach. I mean, if you wanna?”

My rifle had already hit my shoulder as I threw it up. My visor was unclipped and fastened to my belt and I was virtually storming past her in my eagerness. Me, on a beach, with Ezz, absolutely surrounded by Grineer. Minus the Grineer bit it sounded idyllic.

The breath was stolen from my lungs as I broke from the treeline, feet sinking into the cold silky sand, kicking it up. Then, as was the natural course of my life, I hit the ground as the top-heavy nature of my armor compelled me down and forward. The breastplate squished my boobs uncomfortably, making me let out an embarrassing little whine. Ezz helped me up pretty quick, pointing me toward a large, massively out of place boulder that had taken up residence near the waterline.

She sat me down, breaking from the Titania in a muted flash of light and basically sat on my lap. My arms wrapped around her stomach, holding her close as she stared out at the gentle waves. With a nefarious little giggle she wriggled back and forth, her skinny little butt rubbing on my equally skinny thighs.

“I’ve missed you,” I whispered to her back, “I didn’t know I could live this long without you.”

“I’m glad you managed,” she giggled, “I mean, the things I’d do if you weren’t here.”

I gave her a little shake as her face fell slack, almost sending her falling onto the sand. “No thinkin’ like that,” I sighed, “We both know it’d take more than death to keep me from being with you.”

She grinned widely. “Yeah! That’s why you’re my best friend, y’know? Nobody else makes me feel so comfortable, I mean.”

My eyes drifted shut as she accidentally stabbed me in the gut with that ‘best friend’ line. “Love ya too,” I huffed, “Now… business, this ain’t a vacation, found anything out?”

She nodded, eyes wide. “I scoped things out earlier, I didn’t realize I’d busted my communicator so I thought I’d told you all of it.”

“But you gave it a bath.”

“Yeah…” She got onto her knees, scooting forward a bit. “This place stinks worse than the deepest folds of my belly button,” she said with the utmost sincerity.

“Do elaborate,” I whispered, pulling my knees up to my chest, trying to stretch my back out.

Her lips puckered that flattened out as her face screwed up. “There’s no animals,” she whispered, “They’re all gone.”

Those six words hit me like a Solari boot to the gut. The air blew from my lungs, having a damn difficult time going back in. I didn’t even notice! How didn’t I notice, how didn’t I put it together? I know I’d been busy, fighting and getting the mad stuffing beat outta me, but…

“Any evidence of there ever being animals here?” I tentatively asked, my hackles standing straight up, compelling my eyes toward the darkened treeline.

“Kubrow dens,” she murmured, eyes twitching, “two of them, nothing but bones left.”

Chills ran all up and down my body. Carefully I got up, keeping low. It was just a feeling, one I really hoped was just me being my normal paranoid self, but… My visor clipped back over my face, letting me see just a bit better, eyes scanning the treeline. It was horrible how isolated we were. The cover was good, but… the water to our backs, vast stretches of blue shaded sand to our sides, a wall of unknowable darkness to our fronts.

Scared the sh*t outta me.

“Ezz, back in the Frame,” I ordered, “We’re being watched.”

She obeyed without question. With that muted whumping noise she was crouched beside me, pistol held ready. “Jahkra?”

I shook my head. “No, this feels a bit less benevolent, odd thing to say since she gave me this,” I showed my stained bandage. “I don’t trust her one bit, honestly.”

The pistol grip creaked slightly as she squeezed her hand. “We should off her then, I’d rather annoy the Steel Meridian than let whatever piece of sh*t horror show’s on this island run around.”

“Maybe later,” I murmured, eyes following a large shadow as it lumbered through the trees, seemingly unbothered by all of the dense foliage in its path. “See it?” I asked, following it with my sights, “Woulda got me if you didn’t get me on the beach.”

“Lucky,” she whispered.

Those same chills ran across my body as that massive shadow turned, a single pair of yellow eyes reflecting in the darkness, staring straight at the pair of us. Silently I goaded it to make a move. I dared this… thing, to make the mistake of prodding us. My rifle didn’t lower as it turned, eyes flashing brightly as they looked ahead, forging back through the forest, making toward the next guard position, not making a single sound in the silent forest.

I wondered if there was a word beyond fear.

Only after it left my line of sight did I notice I was shaking like a ball of blubber. Ezz wasn’t much better off, her knees hitting the ground as the tension broke. A whine fell from the Titania as she hunched over, the overwhelming bloodthirsty aura of that creature shaking her to her core, at least, that’s what I assumed. Finally, after I was sure it wasn’t coming back for us, I let myself duck back behind the boulder.

Ezz hadn’t moved, simply shaking in the sand. Slowly, very slowly, I rested a hand on her back, she jumped slightly, causing me to withdraw sharply. She shook her head, looking up at me, grabbing my hand and resting it on the battered Frame’s scarred back.

“It looked so much like father as he moved through his labs,” she whispered, “but he never took his mask off, that couldn’t have been him.”

“I don’t even know if that was Grineer,” I growled, “their eyes don’t reflect like that. I-.” My head jerked up sharply as the cracks of rifle fire echoed across the island, right from where the next guard along was stationed. Two shots, then nothing, no screams, to sounds of fighting… dead silence, as if the air itself was too afraid to stir, to carry those horrible sounds to our overtaut ears.

As cowardly as it was… neither of us moved, we didn’t have the nerve to help.

We were too damn afraid.

…

A guard died that night, the rifle torn from his hands, and the limbs torn from his body. Awful as it was, I was the one to actually get to his body first, despite my cowardice. Blood, viscera, mangled limbs, chunks of shattered armor, all strewn about the forest, shining in the moonlight. That was the sight that greeted me, and it was a sight I would never allow myself to forget.

I’d done plenty of horrible things, gleefully, I’d ripped limbs from their owners, I’d cut muscle from bone as my opponent squealed for death. At least I killed them when I was finished, I didn’t leave them to expire naturally. But, this thing did, leaving the limbless Grineer face-down in the mire, taking shallow breaths as his brain slowly collapsed from the pain.

That was a cruelty I wouldn’t stoop to. Eventually death becomes a mercy even the most heartless of monsters would grant.

I’m a heartless monster, and I granted him that mercy.

My rifle cracked once, piercing his forehead, killing him instantly.

With an apologetic word I placed the visor back over his face, letting him rest.

...

“What happened!” Jahkra bellowed, at the head of a small pack of my fellow guards, bursting into the blood-soaked clearing. She and the rest of them were given pause as they crossed the threshold of the slaughter, their expressions of horror hidden by their visors.

“Shadow,” I grumbled, shaking my head, letting a touch of the horror I was actually feeling leak out, “two glowing eyes, move through the forest with no sound… too big for Warframe, too big for Grineer… monster.” My hands began shaking as that genuine fear began to hit.

The thought that I was standing now where this thing had brutalized and eviscerated this Grineer, and that it could possibly be watching us at this very moment. It was enough to make even the most hardened of souls a bit weak in the knees. Honestly, the thought that it could’ve done this to me if I hadn’t been away from my post… ugh… I wanted to curl up and weep.

“Did you see it!?” Jahkra roared, yanking me from my mind, I must’ve blanked out, her bare face was filling my view of the forest.

“Only shadow,” I stuttered, “two eyes, nothing else!”

She snarled quietly as she pulled away. “Collect pieces, we give proper burial, respect our brother in death.” With a slight groan she began the long process of constructing an improvised stretcher. “No Grineer deserve to die like this.”

I’m really glad Jahkra was taking the lead on this one, because my brain was absolutely fried. Before long a stretcher had been constructed and the remains of the Grineer were hauled away, leaving me alone in the bloodied woods with the Ballista. She’d kept an eye on me for the entire process, probably trying to see if I was lying, if I was exaggerating, to see if... wait, did she think I did this?

Her wide-spaced eyes followed the group of Lancers as they stole through the forest, handheld lanterns cutting a pathetic swathe of light across the forest floor. But… she didn’t follow them. I pretty quickly figured out why not.

Damn she was quick.

In a flash -no, seriously, she flashed me with her light, startling me- my visor was off and the bladed edge of one of her modified prostheses was resting against the back of my neck, prepared to slice my spinal chord. My forehead was mashed against hers, forcing me to stare into her yellowed eyes, there was nothing but suspicion, no anger, no fear. Her pupils ticked back and forth, studying every detail of my own. My nose wrinkled as her sour breath broke across my face.

“You promise me this,” she growled, voice dangerously calm, “promise me that you didn’t kill him.”

She was talking a lot clearer now, her grammar perfect. I decided to shelve that note for later, it was probably really damn important. “I promise, Jahkra,” I whispered, feeling the blade dig slightly into my skin. “I only saw a shadow, from the beach, I was with Ezz.”

Her eyes darted back and forth, as if she could see any traces of mistruth on my face. “Very well,” she huffed, lifting her foot from my spine. It was astonishing how flexible she was, almost unnatural. Her uniform creaked slightly as she righted herself. “I have my eye on you, Tenno,” she whispered, “Just because your Lotus is working with my people doesn’t mean I trust you.”

“Is Jahkra your real name?” I asked, just blurting it out, ignoring the mood of the moment.

“It is the name I took, so it is mine,” she growled. “Would you tell me yours then, since we’re only now exchanging pleasantries?”

I gave her a short bow. “Tenno Azay, at your service.”

Considering the moment I said the name her hand was wrapped around my neck, I think she knew me from somewhere.

I was on the ground, coughing and sputtering as Jahkra placed all of her weight on my chest. “Y’know,” I groaned, “I thought we were past this.” She didn’t seem to care, decking me across the face as I tried to get up. Her little rabbit punch splitting my lip, sending blood dribbling down my chin and into my mouth, painting my teeth red. “I didn’t think I had such a bad reputation.”

Her spindly fingers wound into my dirty hair, yanking my head up, baring my neck to the indifferent moonlight. “You are known,” she whispered, voice trembling with what could have been mistaken for fear. “I wondered, earlier, why you threatened to rip away Kherr’s fingers, why you threatened to rip away mine now I know why.”

I flashed her a bitter smile, spitting onto the ground, adding more blood to the saturated earth. “So what if I enjoy it, eh? Ripping off people’s fingers ain’t the worst thing I could do.”

Her eyes were wide, a grimace plastered across her face as she grabbed my neck again. “I know,” she seethed, “I saw… I saw what you did in Regor’s Lab, I felt you rip the fingers from my hands.”

I snickered, digging through my memories, searching for her. “Bunkroom, third one, left side, nearly shot me. The only female I encountered, so unless they reversed what they did to me to you…” I shrugged, eyes drifting to look at the moonlight through the canopy.

“You ripped off my trigger fingers,” she snarled, shaking my head, getting my attention back on her, “you made me worthless as a Grineer, and left me to falter and fall.”

Taking a bracing breath, I looked into her eyes. “Do you want an apology? Do you want me to beg for my life? I’ve no remorse, I don’t need feelings like that, they get in the way… I will hurt whoever I have to, as long as Ezz can live comfortably. If it would make her happy, I would burn this universe to the ground.”

She shook her head, hand falling away. “Why did they send you?” she murmured, “How could they send you!”

Shrugging dismissively I got to my feet. “Because I do a job well, and my rates are cheap,” I sighed, “Now, are you gonna let me get on with my work, or do we need two dead Grineer tonight?”

Her lack of a response was all the answer I needed. With a nod I grabbed my visor from the ground, clipping it back over my face. Rifle in hand, I strode back into the woods, leaving Jahkra to stew in her cauldron of fright. If only she knew how scared I was, maybe she’d just skip the formalities and walk into the sea.

It’d save me so much extra effort, I never enjoyed killing people I liked.

…

Ezz was right where I left her, hunkered down on the beach, digging in the sand.

Her little happy grin died as she saw my split lip, scrambling to her feet to wrap me in a hug, kicking up sprays of sand with every step. It was a hug that I gladly returned… I needed this so damn bad. She pulled away slightly, hand traveling along my neck, finding the cut Jahkra gave me, right above my spinal chord. Her fingers shimmered in the moonlight, slathered in all the blood I was losing.

“What happened?” she asked, face worryingly serious.

I prodded tentatively at the cut, wincing. “Looks like Jahkra and I have some shared history. She was in your dad’s lab when I went on my little rampage. She paid me back for the fingers.” I tried for a grin, even though I was just plain hurting from the amount of beatings I’d received today. “I’m gonna be sore tomorrow.” I basically fell back into a hug with her.

Just having my arms around her was like getting a big blast of painkillers. The massive amounts of pain from all of the cuts and scratches and bruises and bumps I’d been given just seemed to fade away. It was almost as if my body was specifically tuned to her somehow, as if she were an addiction, and being away gave me withdrawls.

Y’know what…? I’m fine with that. As long as I got to keep her close.

I meant what I said… I’d burn it all down.

“I need to speak with the lotus,” I whispered, “I need to let her know what’s going on.”

She nodded. “Alright,” she murmured, “I’m set up in a cave a little ways from here, and, I mean, we can try to patch up all those cuts too. Painkillers…” her words petered out as she just stared at my bleeding lip again, only broken from her stupor by me giving her a small nudge. “Sorry, it’s just… I don’t like that she did that to you, I mean, it makes me… mad.”

Slowly I pulled her up, keeping her close, it looked like she was about to snap, or at least getting really close to it. “It’s not worth worrying about, Ezz,” I murmured, keeping my voice low and smooth and calming, “We’ll pay her back, one day.” It took everything I had not to grin like I was completely crazy, “I’ll get the rest of her fingers eventually.”

…

Our walk to the hidden Lander was quiet, almost serene. Ezz was back in her Titania, standing a good foot taller than me again, hand firmly woven into mine. We heard no animals, no Grineer, no monsters, only the soothing sounds of the breeze through the towering trees and the lapping of the inland sea’s waves. If it was daytime, and the island was truly uninhabited…

Damn, I’d love to live here with her.

But we’d have to live through this mess first. Then we could talk about living. Then we could talk about being happy again.

...

A low groan pushed from my mouth as the pair of us scaled the shallow ramp into the Lander. Just as Ezz had said, it was in a cave, mostly, some of it was submerged, but that wasn’t important. With the buffeting wind funneling up behind us, setting the cramped cabin awash with the smell of fresh air and a touch of decay… we collapsed.

Yeah, alright, the island was idyllic, but it might as well have been haunted. The entire journey, as short as it was, the sensation of us being watched never ceased. That thing, that shadow, it was stalking us, I swear, watching from just out of sight, always within reach. Not a sound, not the snap of a twig, not the buzz of disturbed insects or the rustling of distressed leafs… just the hackles on the back of your neck raising higher and higher as it crept closer and closer.

Ezz did the smart thing and locked the f*cking ramp. There was still a big wall of composite glass in front of us, and we could just barely see some of the cave opening from where we were… but the sense of security was worth more than words could explain. As those massive deadbolts and gaskets hissed into place, I let out the massive breath that refused to leave, the shuddering of my chest keeping it locked inside.

“I was gonna suggest getting you a bath,” Ezz whispered, “I mean, well, cuz you stink… but… I’m too scared.”

A weak grin was all I could muster. “Yeah, I get it,” I settled against the nearest of the shallow walls, picking at my bandage. “Well, at least we can get this rewrapped… do we have any sterilizing alcohol?”

She flared her nostrils as she emerged from the Titania, the poor Frame tumbling backward, startling Snekk awake, causing the Kavat to let out an indignant yowl. “I think so… let’s get that looked at, right this minute,” she said quietly, genuine concern tugging at her sallow features, “seriously, we don’t want that getting infected.” Despite my weak struggling, she got my twig of an arm laid out on one the low tables that flanked either side of the ramp. She looked up at me, eyes a touch wide, realizing what she was doing. “I mean, if you want me to?” she asked, voice breathy.

Something in my chest shivered. Why’d she have to say it so seductively, it was a flesh wound for Void’s sake. “We have any supplies though? That’s what I was asking.”

She blinked, hand automatically pulling the frazzled hair from in front of her eyes. “Yeah… Snekk has them.” She looked over to she the grouchy Kavat hunkered down in front of a grey-green crate. “We’ll need to fight her for them.”

“I’ve had enough fights for one day,” I snarled, yanking my arm from her grip, ignoring her questions. “Snekk… I’m not losing my fingers because you feel like being stubborn.” I, in an amazing display of agility, yanked the crate out from underneath the Kavat, sending her spitting and squirming onto the ground. “I like having two hands, shaky as they may be,” I murmured, “I’m not losing them to something stupid.”

The hefty crate was cracked open and Ezz set about me good, perhaps too good. By the end of the harrowing hour I was naked and sopping wet, all of my wounds scoured with antiseptic and bandaged tightly. Arguably I felt worse than I did when I was being eaten away by the swarming rot that was growing in all of my various orifices.

Ezz flared her nostrils at me, nodding in satisfaction as my knees slammed into the floor, all the strength fading from my wobbling legs. She coughed quietly as the smell of the cleaning rags and scouring solution she’d used began burning at her throat. “Good… good… nice and clean, nice and clean… now… towel. I mean, if you don’t mind being naked in front of Mom.”

“I’ve been naked in front of more important folks,” I coughed, trying really hard not to scratch at my bandages. “Usually scares the sh*t outta them, my skinny ass. But we need to be professional here.”

A blanket was draped across my shoulders, and the comms line was opened up. In relatively short order I was sat in front of a somewhat recognizable, one-eyed Grineer. Cressa Tal looked at me suspiciously, remaining eye narrowing as she looked me up and down. Her eye ticked, looking out of view of the projector lens, making a small gesture.

My heart leapt as the familiar grey-clad Lotus stepped into frame, her hands clutched together, lips set in a grim line. Honestly, it was hard to know what she was thinking or feeling with her eyes covered, but based on how her mouth fell open upon looking at me, I’d say there was concern in there somewhere.

“Tenno?” she asked quietly, “we weren’t expecting you to be reporting in so early, has something gone wrong?”

I grimaced, looking for the proper words to convey how poorly things were. “Uhm… sh*t’s f*cked, Lotus, I want out.”

Ezz took a step back. “Wait, what?”

The Lotus parroted that confusion. “Tenno? What do you mean by that?” Her hidden gaze ticked, likely sending a silent question or signal to somebody out of view.

“I’d rather go back to begging on one of the Relays than stay here a night longer,” I muttered. “There’s something on this island… it ain’t human, it ain’t Grineer, it ain’t Warframe… it ain’t natural. It ripped a Grineer to pieces,” I felt that same chill roll across me, remembering that dying Grineer’s agonized expression before I’d shot him. “Level this island, whatever’s here shouldn’t be allowed to live.” I gasped quietly as Ezz grabbed my shoulder.

“Azay, we need the money, we’re almost out of food. You need clothes!”

“It’s not worth it,” I growled, “I’ll talk to our contact with Anyo, he pays good.”

The Lotus, her jaw slack, finally regained some semblance of sense. “What are you talking about?” she asked, sounding horrified.

I gave her a sharp hiss, looking back to Ezz. “We’ll figure this out.” I squeezed her hand. “This one ain’t for us, Ezz, we’ll do something a bit less dangerous. I’m still gonna get you some new shoes, can’t keep going ‘round barefoot.”

She scowled at me, eyes darting to look at the Lotus, still reeling from my hiss. “Ma looks confused.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “As well she should be. What’s hurting you more, Lotus, the fact I’m bailing despite the history you clearly wanna capitalize on, or the fact I actively have contacts with the Corpus.” I shook my head, grimacing. “It ain’t worth worrying about. We’re just trying to live. I’m not dying for this.”

“Tenno?” the Lotus asked loudly, “We’ll talk about your split loyalties at a later time, what have you found aboard the island that’s making you wish to abandon this mission?”

My eyes darted to look at Cressa as she hovered on the outskirts of the projection. “Your agent, Tal, she doesn’t particularly like me, that’s reason number one.” I smirked as the battered Grineer darted from frame, “And… Lotus, I already told you. There’s a monster on this island, probably worse than whatever owned those bones at the bottom of the dig.” My chest trembled slightly, it felt oddly good to talk down to this woman, considering she’d left us all to rot for so long.

“Bones?” The Lotus’ perfect lips curled in a frown, “our information said Tyl Regor was digging for relics from the Old War, not for bones.”

“Grey, knobbly, looking a lot like stone, weirdly organic,” I shook my head, “They’re digging for bones.” I looked back at Ezz as she bobbed up and down, fidgeting anxiously, “Lock up shop, get our sh*t strapped down.”

She took a breath, nodding eventually. “Alright… We should let Snekk do her business though, if we’re gonna be here for a while.”

I nodded. “Get in the Frame and take the rifle, no risks. We don’t wanna end up like Jedd, eh? We don’t have somebody lined up for the Titania of bad luck… or the Orbiter.”

She snorted. “Dummy.” Her eyes darted to look at the Lotus, a little grin growing across her gaunt features as she saw the mounting confusion.

A huff died in my nose as Cressa slammed the Lotus to the side, eye wide. “Our agent on the island is male, who have you been talking to!?”

Ezz froze, I froze. Shock mixed in with the chills that were constant rolling across my body. “Ballista named Jahkra,” I whispered, “Whaddaya mean she ain’t your agent!?”

“Our agent is a Lancer named Kherr!” her face was twisted in something approaching animalistic fury, “You already tipped your hand?! Lotus!?” Her eye followed something out of view. “What are you doing!?”

The comms line fizzled and fritzed slightly. Ezz hunkered down by the relay, trying to figure out what was going on, meanwhile… I had a wonderful view of our convenient demise. Three eyes, one from a broken Grineer visor, and two that eerily reflected the light given off by our Lander. Jahkra, right on cue, that lumbering shadow beside her.

“Game’s up, Ezz,” I growled, “They’ve got us.”

“Tracker on the comms signal, they knew we were coming,” she snarled, a line of saliva dripping down her chin as her grimace deepened. “Azay… what’re we gonna do?”

I got to my feet, letting the blanket fall from my nude body, ignoring Cressa’s fading calls as the line corrupted. “Looks like we’re fighting, and we’re dying. I owe Jahkra a few knocks, so…” I tried to crush that grin that always split my face when the thought of ripping somebody apart flickered across my mind. “Sorry, Tal, sorry Lotus,” I growled, looking at the Grineer’s jumbled face, “Looks like you get to lose two more children today.”

Chapter 3: Hollow, Bottomless, Spite

Chapter Text

The sharp blast of wind that washed across my face as the ramp lowered, carried a bitterness to it, a rankness, the stink of ammonia, the reek of Tyl Regor. We’d walked in on something, I knew that for certain. We’d been expected, from the very start, as if this had been catered to us.

We’d f*cked up, me, Ezz, the Lotus… And it looked like we were about to be subjected to the consequences of that.

My feet sank into the soft sand that layered the cave, quashing the chill it brought. I was still naked, baring my ruined body to my attackers, my abductors. A grin was really all I could muster as I threw my arms out, asking the question, not really expecting an answer.

A silent question asked, a bellowing answer received. The entire inside of the cave lit up a blinding orange as a single shot rang out, fired from the rifle held in Jahkra’s rock-steady hands. And lo, that lone bullet found its way into my chest.

Honestly, it was beautiful. A starburst of blood spraying from your body, the sharp, molten hot jolt of the bullet passing through your flesh… the ringing sound of that wad of metal slamming into the wall behind you. It only takes a moment, but it’s a sensation that sticks with you forever, however long that may be. As the blood finally settled, speckling the sand with shimmering droplets of deepest black, all the strength began to leak from my body.

My knees rested slowly on the ground, unable to carry my weight as so much of the blood my body desperately needed spilled out across my bare stomach. The air that my wasted blood needed whistled uselessly from that same hole, it was an excellent shot. Jahkra had ensured that I would not die instantly, I would not die quickly, I would simply be forced to watch, dying later, alone.

Ezz was by my side, screaming cursing, shouting. Her own rifle flashed, those shots missing massively, her distress destroying her aim. That shadow, that thing that stalked through the woods, that watched us the entire time, finally moved. In a blur it had Ezz on the ground, Jahkra rushing in to restrain the Frame, then restraining Ezz as she spat herself out of it. As hard as the poor girl fought, there was no way she would win. Even if her Void powers were fully developed, even if she had the strength to throw a punch… Against that shadow, the urine stinking shade of evil, it wouldn’t be enough.

I was angry, yes, unfathomably, but I didn’t have the strength to show it, I barely had the strength to keep my eyes open, to look upon my killer. I barely had the strength to die with dignity. My anger plateaued as Ezz was carried kicking and screaming from the cave, leaving me alone with Jahkra. I’d wronged her, and now it seemed she was about to wrong me back.

The Ballista crouched, grabbing my jaw, looking me in the eye. Her visor hissed slightly as she pulled it off, just dropping it. There wasn’t the anger I was expecting, the rage, I don’t know what was on her face.

That inexplicable expression softened. “A pity, Tenno,” she whispered, “A pity that such a caring soul could be housed within the mind of a monster.” She let my head drop. “You die as my adversary, Azay, not as my enemy. Know that, take what comfort you can in that.”

With that final minuscule shred of strength I had left I looked up at her, trying to take a breath so I could speak. My tongue was dry, my throat felt like a desert, as if every drop of moisture in my body decided to abandon me. Still I managed to spit out my final few words. “Ezz, deserves, better.” My head slumped, by back went slack, leaving me hunched over, to bleed out on my own time.

Jahkra said nothing, leaving me there, leaving her visor, leaving the Lander and the Kavat. She had what she came for, what she was probably ordered to take, probably. It was simply heartbreaking though… that this ever had to happen at all.

She said she wasn’t my enemy… then why didn’t she just kill me?

What was she hoping for, what did she hope to achieve by leaving me to die.

I had an idea, a stupid one… that meant I had to survive this first.

…

I could hear, I was not dead, my body refused to die.

They’d found me, the Grineer, those that I was to hide among, to deceive. They found me there, huddled, naked and dying in that cold, cold cave. Those Grineer, they made a choice, a bewildering one. Though, I’d thank them for making it not long after.

They didn’t kill me.

As much as they really should have.

...

Pressure on my back, the low grumble of Grineer voices, the snap of twigs, the sounds and sensations of me being carried through the woods. My eye was pried open shakily by one of the Grineer, I struggled to focus on him, eventually managing. His expression was grim, understandably. He called out to the rest of them and the sensation of movement quickened further. I wonder what they were gonna do with me, considering what I was, considering what I would have done to them without a second thought.

Then again, perhaps it was them having that second thought that’s kept me alive up ‘til now. A grin was the best I could manage, hopefully that was enough. Enough for them to know who thankful I was.

I couldn’t die yet, no, no I still had to get Ezz, I still had to rip Jahkra in half and stomp that shadow into thick slime beneath my heel… I still needed to rip the fingers from Regor’s hands. I still had too much left to do, I couldn’t die just yet.

My train of thought was interrupted by the rustling of fabric, the snap of the tent flaps, the crunching steps of Grineer boots over dead grass. I was back in the camp, that’s all I could gather, the voices of my unlikely rescuers were too low, to mumbled for me to understand, as curious as I was. Another grin, the faintest of chuckles, I’d nothing left to show how I felt.

I flickered in and out of consciousness, compelled by pain and weariness, getting shot fatally tended to make one really tired. Bandages were applied, and a blanket was draped over me, to cover what dignity I had left I suppose. Not that I ever had all that much dignity.

The one fun thing about being fatally wounded and fading in and out of consciousness… things moved really quickly, and sometimes your brain took a moment to catch up. At least I’m assuming that’s why I mistook the Lotus for my Grineer buddy for a moment, blustering something out in Grineer, much to her confusion.

“Grat rappener?” I murmured, “Ayah…” Blinking revealed the Lotus, and her absolute expression of confusion. “Eh?” I squinted, almost having the strength to push myself up. “The f*ck?”

“Classy,” Cressa scoffed, snapping her fingers loudly as she chased a pair of Grineer from the tent, leaving the Lotus and I alone.

“This one of those deathbed hallucinations I heard about?” I asked, vision blurring as my gut wrenched, my lungs filling too far. “Gah, sh*t.” I held my hand out, “Help me up, c’mon.”

The Lotus, who’d so far retained her composure, shook her head. “No, Tenno, too much movement will reopen your wound.”

I looked up at her, any semblance of good-humor draining from my face as I began sweating profusely. “Maybe that’s what I want though. Maybe I just want it all to end, maybe I’ll just take the easy way out instead struggling along and dying like Drahk fodder down the line.” My lip curled slightly, seeing her frown deepen. “Ah, I think I know why you’re here now.”

“The thought that my Tenno would be actively collaborating with the enemies of this System’s people,” she whispered, voice shaking, “disgusting. I did not-.”

“Do anything!” I yelled, a blast of adrenalin giving me the strength to push myself up. “You didn’t do a blessed thing for any of us! Are you shocked? Are you appalled? Are you at all surprised to know that us human children need food to survive, that we need money to pay for clothes, that we need space to live?” My shaking feet hit the ground as I got to up, still sweating massively, the blanket I was draped in bundling at my feet. I’m sure I looked terrible… I felt terrible. “You, Lotus, did nothing for us, not for me or Ezz… everything we have we took, because we didn’t feel like starving to death!” My trembling hands curled into fists.

I looked over my shoulder as Cressa ducked into the tent, drawn by my shouting no doubt. Her eye widened as she saw me in my emaciated glory, flicking to the Lotus, looking her up and down, then jumping back to me. I knew exactly what she was thinking. Her shocked expression fell neutral as she entered the tent fully, carefully picking her way over to me, holding me steady, not saying a word.

All the air in my lungs blew from my nose as a sob made my gut spasm. “Look at what your children become, Lotus,” I whispered, taking a step toward her, wiping at my eyes. “You rescued us from our lives, throwing us into a prison of duty instead… where there is no duty there is no pay, no pay, no food… most of us don’t even have Warframe. I’m good at Grineer mimicry? It’s the only way I could survive… you talk about my survival like a novelty. You treat us like a novelty.” My neck twitched as Cressa tightened her hold on me, keeping me from moving any closer to the woman. “Have you ever been hungry, Lotus?” I asked, voice calming as that familiar hollowness fell over my mind.

I was angry.

“I have felt hunger, child,” the Lotus whispered, taking a step back, “Many times.”

“The hunger where all things seem reasonable, just so you can feed yourself?” I growled, “the kind of hunger where you would turn even to your worst enemy to beg, where rationality abandons you?” My stomach curdled as I remembered, as I remembered my old buddy Jedd. “You ever see the corpses on the battlefield?”

“Kid,” Cressa warned, “don’t.”

I stared at her for a moment. “Don’t talk to me like you know me, don’t look at me as if you know how I feel.” I looked back at the Lotus, “the owner of that Titania.. Jeddam Kredhan. Ezz didn’t know. That crime is my own.” The strength was going, the adrenalin was wearing off. “I never asked for this, Lotus, I never asked for your people to take me in and set me loose. Ezz and I were happy without you and your notoriety.” My legs were shaking now. “If I had any liquid left in my body I’d spit it on your perfectly polished boots.” Brushing Cressa’s hand from my shoulder I stumbled back to the cot, laying back down and curling up.

She and Cressa spoke, that I know, I couldn’t hear it over my own sobs, it didn’t matter. Honestly, after telling the Lotus that… nothing really mattered anymore. I killed a comrade, cooked him, and stole all of his worldly belongings… just so I could live a little bit longer. It wasn’t fair, not to anyone, but then again, that’s how this whole f*cked up system works.

…

I fell asleep once more, curled up in the fetal position, crying my eyes out. As my eyes opened once more, a dreamless sleep letting me jump wildly through time, I figured I was probably drugged as well. Well… I was usually a pretty deep sleeper, especially when I had my… polyps, but I left those on the Orbiter.

I miss my hallucinogens.

...

A dark room greeted me upon opening my eyes, greenish metal walls immediately telling me I was in a Grineer cell, again… for the third time. A low rasping growl fell through my chapped lips, bouncing about the small, yet echoing, room. My body was still made from wet rags, making it really damn difficult to kick away the scratchy covers the hid my body from the humid air of the cell. Huh… clothes.

I tugged at the simple garment, seeing down my artificial chest, skimming past the crisp bandage, landing on the waistband of my pants. It fluttered back down as I let my hand drop, flopping over the bed. Ah f*ck… I looked at ‘em. Wiping at my eyes I launched into the mental cascade of verbal abuse toward Regor and his faceless surgeons for what they did to me.

“No matter how thin you get Azay…” I whispered to the ceiling, “the reminders will always be with you. f*ck you Tyl,” rocking up I threw my legs over the bed. “Peering into my mind, seeing my thoughts, twisting them so…” my neck twitched as those thoughts rolled back through my mind, “nah… we have ears on us.” I tried to get to my feet but a shackle of tightly coiled rope kept me from getting too far.

The frame of the cot let out a quiet groan as I tried to break the rope through force… it didn’t work, all I did was give my wrist a small burn. With a shrug I looked back to the door of my cell, there was somebody just outside of it, that I knew. It was really just a question of who it was and if their intentions were… benevolent.

I cleared my throat officiously. If I was in a Grineer cell, it was best to speak Grineer. “Reso?” I called out, “Gro’s klere?”

“Gure eagr,” somebody whispered outside. “Kas Tal, grhusonegre arake.”

Welp… that confirmed it… prisoner. Prolly of the Steel Meridian, they were calling ‘Tal’ after all. Considering the crime of cannibalism warranted a death sentence universally… it stood to reason that I was about to be executed. Lovely, I’d get to die full of regrets and broken promises.

I’d be such a vengeful spirit.

The heavy deadbolt rattled after a few minutes, Cressa Tal, wrapped in her dirty white armor ducked into the cell, the door closing behind her. She gestured for me to sit, so I sat. The mattress creaked loudly as she sat beside me, crossing her legs. Her sigh filled the room.

“We’ve recovered your Lander, and your Orbiter,” she said quietly, wiping at her remaining eye, grinding an eye booger into nothing between her fingers. “I’ll admit, in the tent, I thought you were exaggerating.”

“So you went aboard then,” I murmured.

“The Lotus insisted,” Cressa hissed, baring her teeth to the wall. “You rattled her, kid, the fact that you ate old Jedd probably hit the both of us the most.”

“He was a Steel Meridian agent, I know,” I sighed, “We were buds before I got desperate, changed sides, fought for the Corpus instead.” My throat ran dry as I remembered that hunger. “So how’d you like my home?”

“The Lotus cried,” Cressa said quietly, shaking her head, “the garbage, the clothes, the sh*t, the-.”

“Writing,” I grinned, pushing myself back to press my back to the wall, savoring how cold it was. “I write and I write and I write, no wall untouched, it helps me calm down when I get mad.” I flashed my hand at her, all of those deep cuts casting shadows in the light, all of those gashes across my hand and fingers. “I hate my fingers too, as much as I need them.”

“Kid,” she whispered, “why didn’t you say anything? There’s people here who’d help you without a second thought.”

“You’re lying,” I growled. “Check your logs, Tal, we reached out, you never even acknowledged the message. Solaris United: Ignored. the Ostron: Ignored. The Perrin Sequence: Ignored… only the Corpus would respond, only the Corpus promised us food and payment. We went with the guys who actually responded.” I scoffed as Cressa quieted, her face looking just a touch guilty. “What am I?” I asked, “to those who only know me from my reputation, what am I.”

“Ruthless, traitorous, backstabbing scum,” she said without hesitation. “You two are notorious, that’s true.”

I pushed myself up, pacing back and forth as far as my leash would allow. “A reputation garnered because I refused to let that little girl die, because I cared too much, because I still care too much.”

“You love her.”

“Body and soul…” I said without hesitation, “I’d burn this place to the ground, I’d slaughter every living thing in this place, if it meant I could be with her again. That is my ‘treachery’. That is the treachery Tyl Regor forced into my mind after he destroyed my body.”

Cressa’s nostrils flared as she stood. “Your history with Tyl Regor isn’t nearly as well known, unfortunately, not even to me.” Her fingers snapped and the door opened.

A pair of Grineer entered the cell, one keeping me pressed to the wall, the other undoing my little leash, handing the end to Cressa. It looked like we were going for a walk. With the gentlest of tugs she guided me from the cell, into a low steel corridor, the sweet smell of forest air washing over me. We were still on Earth, probably Iron Wake, the Steel Meridian’s base of operations. The rope went taught as I slowed down, something in my gut hardening, something told me I didn’t want to go outside.

Cressa blinked, making a sharp gesture to the pair of guards. A sharp cry died in my mouth as they hooked their arms under me, lifting me up, kicking madly with what feeble strength I had left. Spittle flew from my mouth, that spray flung back into my face as Tal pushed open a thick set of doors, sending a sharp breeze speeding down the hallway. It was blinding, that midmorning sun, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut. Birdsong, the sharp rustle of wind through foliage, the snatches of conversation that went silent as I was paraded about. A prize prisoner on display. My feet dragged across the ground as I let myself go limp.

They even gave me shoes.

My eyes cracked open as that blinding light faded, those sounds closing in, my knees resting on the roughly textured metal floor. An open building, built from Grineer salvage, a wall of Lancers, armed, rifles pointed at me. A firing squad then, made sense, what I’d done was worth being killed over. I just let my head hang, it wasn’t worth watching them shoot me, I’d feel it pretty clearly anyway.

Five minutes later and I still wasn’t dead… odd. A quivering breath blew from my nose as I looked up, taken aback as my bleary eyes landed on the Lotus. She was kneeling there, silently, those many Lancers behind her, not taking their aim from my skull. Her mouth opened as I looked up, a breath taken to be spoken back at me.

“Azay,” she whispered, “Why?”

I kept my face flat, I had no emotions to spare on her. “A broad question, Lotus, perhaps narrow it down a bit.” I shifted slightly, eventually sitting cross-legged, “Which aspect of my horrid little life are you referring to?”

“Why didn’t you reach out?” she asked, clearly not getting the memo.

“I… did,” I snarled, “right before I took the job that led to me killing Jedd. I begged, I pleaded, and all I got was silence. You saw me as a monster, some bizarre outcast, a creature to be ignored, swept away by mortality. I reached out and you did nothing.” My ragged hair swished as I shook my head. “Do not place the onus of this on me, Lotus, I did my due diligence.”

Her chin rested on the palm of her hand. I’d got her, and she knew it. An uncomfortable amount of time passed without her saying a word, simply sitting there, as if frozen. Only those bare snatches of wind rustling her clothes told me she wasn’t frozen entirely. Her nostrils flared as she straightened up.

“I’ve no excuse,” she whispered, looking up as a Lancer, Kherr, my buddy from camp, placed a tray of food down in front of me. “I’d ask you to break your fast, Azay, before we speak further.”

My stomach screeched nearly as loud as Snekk would during one of her tantrums. It was food, real food, not rations, not scraps, it had been prepared, garnished… for me. I hid my eyes from it, trying really damn hard not to cry. Why was it that I was treated better as a prisoner, why? Why did they treat me like a human only after I’d forfeited that right?

“Is it poisoned?” I asked, “do you hope to kill me with disguised charity?”

“It is not poisoned, Azay,” she whispered, “We would not do that to you.”

I could only nod, crushing my emotions as they desperately tried to let themselves free. “I’ve no manners to display, Lotus,” I sighed, picking up the tray, resting it on my crossed legs. “Be thankful I’ve held myself back as long as I’ve done.”

Resting upon the tray resting upon my lap was a cut of meat, it appeared to have some sort of seasoning spice applied to it, thick slices of bread, knobbly clusters of whole grains visible, slices of a pale root vegetable, steamed. Easily three days worth of food, a week if Ezz and I were running lean. I thought only the rich could eat like this. With that thought, I embarrassed myself.

It was a sloppy ten minutes as I completely demolished the tray of food. The utensils, a fork and a knife clattered on the ground, unneeded as I just used my fingers. Biting back sobs with every bite, tears falling unashamedly down my face as grease dribbled down my chin, I’m sure I cut quite a sight.

I wished Ezz was here, I wish I could have shared this with her.

The empty tray clattered against the ground as I curled up, sobbing. Lashing out, I beat away the Lotus’ consoling hand. I wished she wasn’t there, that it was Ezz instead, that I was with the woman I loved, not sat in front of a woman I still loathed.

Wiping my face and hands on my shirt I stared at the Lotus, her expression having remained unchanged for my entire display of gluttony. “Now are you going to execute me?” I asked, “gave me my last meal, now you’re gonna turn my head into putty?”

She shook her head. “No, child, regardless of your crimes, we are not cruel. Come, we’ve much to discuss in regards to your future.”

Ah, she was playing the ‘mother’ role know? Only after it was too late it seems, her timing was truly terrible. I held my tongue, knowing I’d just devolve into another sobbing rant if I said anything. Just nodding, I allowed myself to be pulled to my feet, escorted through Iron Wake, still so very much a prisoner.

My eyes had adjusted to the brightness as my handlers carted me outside, letting me take in the odd beauty of the outpost, the strange juxtaposition of it. The basic Grineer buildings, open, made from scrap metal painted green and brown to blend in with the rocky foliage riddled ravine, standing out so much, despite being slowly claimed by the elements. People, so many people, Grineer, and regular humans alike, clad in all manner of clothes, armor, jumpsuits, undergarments, all looking at me. Even in the distance I could see them, the Tenno, in their glittering Warframe, watching, staring at me with the scorn I so very deserved. I wondered then, when night fell, which one of them would try and kill me first.

The air closed in, the sounds began echoing, the smell of the air grew stale. We’d returned to the brig complex, I was to be re-interred, perhaps to talk, perhaps to vanish. Though, the Lotus was still there, leading the way, speaking quietly with Cressa, probably about me. How narcissistic I was.

The door to my cell came and went, my handlers carrying me past wordlessly, our journey led elsewhere. The natural light that flowed in the spare windows faded, replaced by the dull glow of Grineer overheads, the air grew cold and heavy, we were in a cave of some sort. Ahead of us was a heavy door, one that hissed open loudly as we drew near. The air was awash with ozone and the stink of burning plastics and acrylics as I was dragged into the darkened room and sat down on some sort of cushion.

I’d not even the barest clue where I was or what this room was for, all I knew was that it was dark, and imminently dangerous.

“Your time in Tyl Regor’s lab,” Cressa sighed, sitting upon a low cushion across from me, the Lotus kneeling beside her, “spill it, we wanna know everything.” The already inadequate light closed in, leaving the three of us in a solitary circle, surrounded by the purest darkness.

“Beginning to end, not a detail spared? Even the sh*t they did to me and Ezz?”

“Every, single, scrap,” she grunted, looking behind me, waving somebody away.

Looking back I could see the telltale ornamentation of a Warframe. We had witnesses. I took a breath, finally figuring it….

This was a courtroom.

“A jury of my peers?” I asked through a little smirk.

“An audience to your misfortune,” Cressa snarled, eyes darting about, as more glimmering strips of ornamentation began to stand out, “Lotus, you promised.”

“There are many curious souls in my ranks, Tal,” she whispered, posture not shifting, “They asked, they requested, and I agreed.”

“I can hear them oiling their rifles,” I said airily, letting my eyes close as those faint clicks and rattles reached my ears. “Succulent sounds they are.” My eyes remained mostly closed as I stared at Cressa. “This interrogation shall end with me dead, Cressa, know that, there are many here I have wronged, and they all have the unbreakable cover of indifference. There’s only one madwoman who cares enough to weep for me.”

I spoke to them, recounting in arduous detail my childhood aboard the Anyo Corp. farming colony. I spoke of my late father, his quirks and foibles, his denial of the traditional Solari accent. I spoke of the discovery of my Void affinity, diverting a Void storm from swamping the station, how it led to my abduction.

I recounted the grey men and women what they told me, how they treated me, until I was ferried aboard their ship. Those false smiles, those hollow jokes, that immaculate deception. They had told me that they were from the Lotus, that they were going to take me to be trained, to be cared for… how they lied. I recounted, in brutal detail, every blow and every slash, every snicker and every slur. They were not operatives of the Lotus, they were not taking me to be helped.

They took me to a little metal box, to lay on a little metal table, where I would be broken.

It brought me no end of joy to watch the Lotus and Cressa grow increasingly disgusted as I told and told and told… How those scientists had invaded my mind, twisted my synapses. How they turned bits of me off, how they discovered my deepest secrets.

“Dad always joked I was a better girl than a boy,” I eventually said, interrupting my little retelling of my castration. “Those monsters saw that in my brain, and they agreed. I was to be a caretaker for Regor’s projects, a compliant little creature, tuned to love the unlovable. Regor wanted his tube-men to have a mother.” My hands clapped to my chest, those horrid things that would follow me to the end of my miserable little life. “Who would’ve thought two little things like that could change a person so very much.”

“But you’re sitting here now,” Tal said, voice muffled behind the back of her hand, “So Regor-.”

“Succeeded!” I said grandly, throwing my arms out wide. “Behold a woman! Behold a caretaker! Behold a slave to those urges that were laid in my mind like the egg of a Kubrow, left to hatch and grow.” I slapped at my legs. “I bore him no loyalty, only my charge, only my Ezz. So when he hurt her…?” A chuckle bubbled from my throat as I heard the sounds of uncomfortable shuffling in the darkness around me. “Hendo!?” I roared, “Kaden’Yld!? Where are you!? You two that dragged Ezz and me from the pit, you who stood by and listened to the slaughter? Have you told a soul? Have you admitted it was you?” I was standing by now, spinning around. “C’mon! Two experienced warriors, two marvelous Tenno, tell us what you saw! Or must I continue this monologue?”

“Hendo died honorably several years ago,” the Lotus whispered, wiping quickly beneath her headgear, “Kaden’Yld has retired to a life of contemplative solitude, we don’t know where he is.”

“Shocking,” I spat sarcastically, sitting back down. “I can only guess what drove them to their actions,” I seethed, implying what everybody else already knew. “Would that I could broadcast my mind, that I could show you what destroyed those two storied warriors from the eyes of that which committed those heinous crimes.”

“We know enough,” Tal interjected, “those details may be spared us.”

“Fine,” I growled, crossing my legs, feeling the air around me shudder and churn as bodies moved unseen. “All the rest is publicly known. How I whor*d my services, the petty crimes I was charged with, those many people I wronged filing their grievances… the death of old Jeddan, and what I did with his body.” My eyes snapped shut as a sharp hiss passed my ear.

“Enough!” the Lotus roared, as a second throwing knife nicked my ear, sticking up to the handle in the concrete ground.

“Their sympathy for me only stretches so far, Lotus. I may be the most unfortunate soul in the Origin System, but to them it simply means I’m a sick Kubrow that needs to be euthanized, not rehabilitated.” My chest shuddered as I got to my feet, standing there, an unmissable target in that trunk of pale light. “Do it then, mighty Tenno, put down this sick hound, let Regor win, giggling and scheming in his dark little hole.” I spun around, facing the watching darkness, slamming my foot against the ground, pulling upon my forever neglected Void affinity, sending a wave of crackling energy through that crowd. “DO IT!” I screeched, watching those shimmering Warframe stumble and fall beneath the weight of my anger.

A single commendable soul took me up on the offer.

The roar of a single shot filled the room, near deafening as it bounced from stone wall to stone wall. That same starburst of blood I’d seen in the cave, though this time, not from the center of my chest. Pain, seething and burning, emanating from my side, the bullet had skimmed through my ribs, shattering so many and nothing else. A puff of smoke, a scattering of dust and gravel as the bullet hit the ground inches from the Lotus’ cushion. I smirked as the sound died away, the smoke dissipated through the air, the expression of horror upon that woman’s face growing deeper and deeper.

“You’ve raised a heartless bunch,” I whispered, kneeling back down to continue. “Personally…? I’d be proud.”

“Medic!” Cressa roared, rolling to her feet.

“Siddown!” I snarled, patting the massive wound, feeling the gristle and bone. “It’s fine, it won’t kill me. Besides, the Tenno need their catharsis, nothing better to batter about than one of those dirty rescues.” I watched the Lotus, how her face had turned into a grimace, how rage seemed to bubble and simmer just beneath her unblemished skin. “You seem surprised that your Tenno are so cruel, Lotus… Don’t be, it’s just how they are, how they see those interlopers, those outsiders you have accepted into their ranks.” I rocked back to my feet, looking at the darkness, so many of those Warframe still crackling with barely contained energy, attacks they so very wished to throw at me. “The only reason I, the enemy, am still alive among these Tenno, is your presence.” My head lilted to the side as my body grew weak… oh, blood loss. “Monsters they are, Lotus, demons from that darkest hell. That they would see my life, and only feel revulsion.”

A flash from across the room caught my eye, another throwing knife. I took a step to the left, feeling my body jolt as it slammed into my sternum, so very close to my heart. Not even the Lotus could stop them now, their spite for me was too strong, their hatred to potent.

A sharp blast of wind threw me back, my vision fading as my brain simply gave up. I was to die, a pity I wasn’t going to be awake for it. A Warframe looked down at me as I landed at its feet, a Saryn, a beautiful, beautiful Saryn, her golden accents polished to a shine, her folds and crevices fastidiously cleaned. Her palm filled my view, the sensation of her fingers digging into the flesh of my face was sublime.

I faded away, wishing I’d had her fingers in my collection.

Chapter 4: Pitiless Beasts, Demons from that Deepest Hell

Chapter Text

I woke up, again. It seemed I was either proving to be difficult to kill, or the Tenno were bad shots. Regardless though… I wasn’t dead.

I couldn’t figure if that was a good thing or a bad thing yet.

My eyes opened to that cell once more, shocking. I was sprawled out on my back, the familiar sensation of that rope resting tightly about my wrist, and another resting about my ankle. Figures… I’m mortally wounded and their solution is… more rope. A low groan issued from my mouth as the massive amounts of pain I’d been ignoring all rushed forward at the same time to swamp my brain. My leg fell from the bed, some invisible thought compelling me to get out of that bed. Some animal part of my brain was ordering me to flee.

A hand, shimmering, shining, glowing with energy, pressed me back. I’d been left a guard as well. Or they were just waiting for me to wake up so they could murder me. The Warframe, who I recognized as a Khora, ragged and beaten, so very unlike those golden statues that tried to kill me before. Her spiked head tilted slightly as I stared at her, sweat immediately making my body slick and clammy.

With the sound of a high pitched breath she got to her feet, hand pressing me down firmly, glowing fingernails casting odd shadows across my chest and face. Those blunt nails did not dig into my skin like so many others had… which I appreciated. For such a wicked looking Warframe, I was surprised at just how gentle she was. Her free hand vanished beneath the bed and the rattle of a pill bottle reached my ears. A silver capsule shone in my periphery, I was too focused on those beautiful hands to pay much mind to it. My jaw went slack as the hand went flat, the palm pressing me down now, it felt so much like leather, like Ezz’s gloves.

My mouth was pressed closed as she dropped a small pill onto my tongue, a sharp bitterness drawing me back to myself. Grineer spec painkillers, nothing better. A sharp sigh blew from my nose, sending ropes of snot down my chin as the pain in my chest faded to something more manageable. The Khora even wiped my nose.

It seemed the Lotus had done the impossible, she’d found a Tenno who didn’t want me dead. She’d settled back in a low seat, just watching me silently. It made me wonder quite what her orders were with me, and how far I could push things. So, I tried to get up again. That same beautiful hand pressed me down, the Warframe shaking her head insistently.

“Why not?” I whispered, taken aback by how ragged my voice sounded.

She froze for a moment, head tilting, as if processing the question. That immaculate hand reached behind me, tilting me slowly so I could see over the edge of the raised cot. A sleeping Kavat, a familiar Kavat… So they’d got Snekk back to me.

“Fair,” I whispered, I didn’t want to step on the grumpy old thing. “Her name is Snekk,” I said haltingly, getting out of breath from even saying such a short sentence.

This one had really taken a lot outta me… It just meant I’d be laid out for longer, which meant Ezz was in Regor’s hands even longer. Intolerable… If I had a Frame then I would’ve been able to ignore the wounds, I didn’t need my body to pilot a Frame, I only needed my Void affinity… but there wasn’t a fool alive who’d give me a Warframe.

Hopefully I was overestimating the buffoonery of my captors.

It took a while, but I managed to get my breathing under control. It took a while, but I eventually managed to try and start a conversation with my nursemaid. What strange soul had they packaged me with? Why a Khora? Why was she treating me like a human?

“Name?” I asked, rolling over slightly to stare at the faceless Frame.

She shook her head slightly, lifting it back to show me her neck. She was beat up, that’s for sure, I wasn’t quite ready for how beat up she truly was. A massive chunk of her already narrow neck had been scored away, based on the mottling it was from a Corpus weapon of some kind. She simply stared at me as her head lowered, making a scooping motion with a hand, then splaying her fingers, pantomiming the event. So that little squeak from her earlier must have been the extent of her vocal abilities.

“Put the two broken ones in a cell and see what happens I guess,” I grinned as I laid back, “at least Snekk’s here, she’ll lighten the mood with her grumpiness.”

The Khora slouched slightly, waggling a finger at me, scolding. Based on the movements she was stroking Snekk, causing the angry old Kavat to purr. Considering the Khora’s affinity for the beasts of the Origin system, it wasn’t that surprising Snekk took a liking to her.

A thought popped into my mind. Ezz and I only kept Snekk around because we didn’t know anybody who’d willingly take her from us. I know Ezz got kinda attached, but a proper Tenno would be able to take care of the Kavat better than either of us.

“You can have her,” I whispered, “if you want.” I lifted an eyebrow, watching her reaction.

She was staring at me, frozen, Snekk still purring. Her free hand, shaking slightly, rested atop my own. The texture of it sent shivers across my body, I began sweating as she tightened her hold. My smile finally broke as she began nodding vigorously..

“Then she’s all yours,” I whispered, “treat her better than we did.”

Her nodding sped up further, hand withdrawing to pat where her lips would have been, gesturing vaguely at me. Some sort of sign language it seemed. But, her good mood seemed doomed to be short lived. The door to the cell clattered, the creator of said clattering not making a single sound. It had to have been a Warframe, Grineer woulda made some sort of noise.

A Saryn, the Saryn that grabbed my face earlier, pushed the door open, looking between the two of us. In her hand was a tray of steaming food, probably for me, hopefully? A low growl pealed from the Frame.

“Feed it, Gurt,” she snarled in a deep voice, placing the tray on the ground and kicking it over to us, sending some of the vegetables bouncing across the floor, “prove you can feed the starving cannibal.”

She tugged the door shut, leaving the three of us, even Snekk, with an odd bitter feeling. Something was off about that Saryn…

Well, it was as my dad would say after having a rough time with ‘wunna the ladds’. “There’s a story there, and I don’ need ta knowit!”

The oddly named Frame rocked to her feet, betraying more of the battle damage she’d suffered. On top of having her throat gored out by weapons fire her left foot was missing entirely, replaced with a primitive prosthesis. Her legs were massively chewed up, many of the voids in her flesh packed with cloth and wrapped, if only to keep the shape of what her body used to be. Hers was a story I ought not have been curious about, but, she was kind to me, watching me, listening to me…

She’d piqued my curiosity. Why would one of the Old Tenno care a lick about what was happening to me, or my safety? Why would one of those elevated souls, on of the Lotus’ favored, care even a bit about little old criminal me?

That same high pitched breathing sound drew me back forward, the one sound she could make. She’d rested the tray on her lap, sitting on my bedside, the utensils clattered as she portioned out my food. With a small amount of struggling I managed to sit up, arm tugging slightly against my restraint.

It was the same meal as I’d received before. “Give half to Snekk,” I whispered, clearing my throat as all the phlegm in the universe caught in it. “She’s probably not eaten in a while, and I had a lot earlier. Normally I-...” My voice petered out as I saw her watching me. “Sorry… I’m not used to having so much food.” I flinched as she laid the knife down, patting my head gently, then waggling her finger, scolding me. “I don’t wanna upset my stomach,” I whispered, “This is more food than I’d eat in a week,” I shifted uncomfortably, she was still just staring at me.

Her gaze finally broke from me, looking down at the steaming tray of food. For a moment she seemed contemplative, ethereal eyes looking up at the small window that fed fresh air into the cell, rocking back and forth. With that breathy noise she cut the slab of meat in half, spearing it on the fork, holding it up to me. She pointed at it, then down to Snekk.

I nodded. “She only ever has dry food, she deserves some of the good stuff.”

She nodded slowly, pulling the meat from the fork and placing it down in front of Snekk. I snickered as the loud sounds of the Kavat feasting reached my ears. Gurt… Gurt, gods what an odd name for a Tenno. Gurt looked back at me, portioning out the rest of the tray, placing half on the floor for the Kavat. She’d even fed them before me, I didn’t even need to ask.

“Now I’ll eat,” I whispered, “she’s been hungry far longer than I.”

Eat I did… that sh*t was delicious. Gurt had to waggle her finger at me several more times as my self-restraint began wearing away, my instincts ordering me to rip into the food like a savage. I wanted to at least behave like a human, as difficult as it was sometimes. My nostrils flared as I swallowed the last bite, my stomach growling its approval, I really wished I had some water to go along with all this.

“Can I get some water, please?” I asked, not wanting to sound too rude. “Dehydration’s gonna kill me before starvation.” Actually, in hindsight, the last I’d drank was on the island… it’d been a day at least.

She held up three of those immaculate fingers and tapped them against her mouth region, tilting her head. I assumed that was her sign language for water, so I nodded. She nodded back, getting to her feet carefully, patting Snekk on the head as she went. The door rattled slightly as she knocked loudly. I forgot, she was locked in here with me.

After a minute the door lock rattled and it cracked open enough for the tray to be passed off. Based on the rasping breathing our friend at the door was Grineer. Gurt made the hand motion and the Grineer simply grunted, muttering something as he walked away. It musta got across since the door was left open. Gurt looked back at me, flashing a thumbs up. The sounds of lumbering Grineer steps drew near again, Gurt holding her arms insistently through the door, snagging a large plastic jug of water from the Grineer, ignoring his scoff of annoyance.

Without a sound she tugged the door shut again, the deadbolt clacking loudly. She held up the jug of water triumphantly, shaking it. I held my free arm out, asking silently, she placed it on my stomach, the weight of it nearly winding me. Damn, I thought I was a bit stronger, looked like I could barely hold a jug of water anymore.

“I got weak,” I grumbled, angling myself so I could get my lips on the rim of the container. I flashed the tacit Frame a weak smile, “would you believe me if I told you I fought and beat two Grineer yesterday?”

She shook her head.

“Yeah,” I chuckled ruefully, “I wouldn’t either.” After a few seconds more of struggling Gurt finally took initiative, probably feeling embarrassment on my behalf as I lost the battle against the jug of water. “Damn, I didn’t know water could taste so good,” I whispered as I finished a solid seven seconds of chugging.

She said nothing, of course, pouring some water into the empty tray for Snekk, she beat me too it again. The jug rested quietly on the ground, the Frame settling back on her seat, watching me once more as I cradled my stomach. It just made me damn curious about her all over again. She saw my staring again, my physical gaze meeting her more metaphorical one, inquisitiveness began radiating from her like some sort of foul odor.

A low breath blew from my mouth. “You know who I am, and what I’ve done, right?”

She nodded vigorously, which only deepened my confusion. Usually people didn’t admit something like that so eagerly. Normally they behave like that Saryn, just calling me an ‘it’ and pretending I wasn’t human. Mean, I still had a bit of humanity left… for Ezz, at least.

She crossed her arms, laying them flat in a sharp motion, as if throwing a punch, pointing at me. She repeated the motion a few times then pointed at me. It took me a few moments to decipher the simple symbolism. We’d fought before?

I didn’t remember her. Normally… normally I’d be able to pull a memory like that forward right away. Every fight I’d had with a Warframe was crystal clear in my mind, from the time I was pulled from Regor’s labs by Hendo and Kaden’Yld. Unless she was… before then?

“Did we know each other before I was taken?” I whispered, “On the farm?”

She nodded excitedly, she repeated the motions then added another, a lowering motion, short? Child. We fought when I was a child!? My eyes grew listless as I tried to sift through those memories. Unlike those that came later they were fuzzy, patchy, mainly consisting of me and dad talking, or me struggling in the fields.

“Were you working for Anyo Corp.?” I asked, leaning forward a bit, excitement taking hold, “I’d’ve picked out a Frame pretty quick from all those faceless Corpus grunts.”

She nodded again. Her hands rose, she was going to sign to me again, but the rattling of the door dragged our collective attention away. It was the Saryn again, radiating an aura of distaste. She saw the empty tray and held a hand out, ordering Gurt to fetch it for her. She seemed a bit of a bitch.

My impression was confirmed and cemented as she snatched the offered tray, ripping it from her fellow Frame’s hand. That immaculate Saryn’s gaze fell on me, head tilting as she appraised my expression of disapproval.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes,” she murmured in that intoxicatingly rich voice, “You’re making me feel dirty, both of you.”

I blinked a handful of times. “Forgive me for saying this,” I murmured politely, “But you’re a real c*nt aren’t ya?” I managed to deflect the thrown tray with my free arm. “Oi! Don’t get mad at me for tellin’ the truth!” A nasty little grin tugged across my face as the Saryn took a few steps forward, a sour corrosive stink filling my nose as thin tendrils of green gas began to rise from her body. “Tenno so strong,” I said mockingly, “but a little word like that gets you all riled up.”

Gurt made that breathy noise again, clapping a hand over my mouth, sending my body abuzz, holding her free hand out to stop the Saryn as it advanced on me. That immaculate Warframe stared at the both of us, broken and thin, one angry, the other resigned, hands curled into dangerous fists. With a low growl she stepped back, hovering on the threshold of the cell.

“The Lotus wishes to speak with the prisoner,” she snarled, “Bring it, Gurt, or I’ll sic the Grineer on the both of you.” Leaving a pale cloud of corrosive gas behind her, she stormed down the hall, loud steps echoing.

Gurt, hand still over my mouth, lifted her middle finger, jabbing it at the doorway.

With that particularly ‘subtle’ gesture, I was unbound and allowed to finally stand under my own power. This wasn’t advisable since my legs were basically made from jellified twigs at this point. I’d basically almost died three times now, twice in the hands of my captors actually… they didn’t have a very good track record with this whole ‘taking prisoners’ thing. But…! But… with a little bit of stumbling, and a lot of cursing, I managed to stumble out into the hallway.

I say stumble, but Gurt was pretty much carrying me at this point. Any amount of effort was exhausting, just pantomiming the act of walking was almost too much, the temptation to just drag my legs was astounding. A low sigh blew from my mouth as I looked ahead, seeing Iron Wake awash with yellow light as night fell, the featureless sky giving no light.

Oddly pertinent it was, that I would grow so weak with Ezz being so far away. Too bad it looked like I was gonna die before I got to test that budding hypothesis. Tenno were everywhere, the entire outpost was crawling with them. Some I recognized, some I didn’t. Some who were clearly the ‘old’ Tenno, the councilors, the Guildmasters resplendent in their glittering gold Warframe, were actively speaking with the Lotus as I was dragged forward. Like some sort of council they were, like the illustrious Seven Executors of old. They almost looked like gods… their pissy attitudes certainly fit.

But… it was also reassuring to see so many rescues about, conglomerating in the shadows or in the low buildings, bedecked in their salvaged gear and battered Warframe. Who woulda thought I’d draw such a crowd? The story of my death would spread across the system like a wildfire!

Gurt rested me gently on the ground, sweating and panting, before the Lotus. It seemed she didn’t quite know how badly I was faring, her jaw going slack… again, for like the third time upon looking at me. Those hidden eyes flashed to look at Gurt, then back to me.

I gave the woman a sloppy smile, wiping the sweat from my face. “Do I really look that bad?” I asked, “have I really fallen so far in just a few days?”

“It’s shocking,” one of the old Tenno remarked, “this is the same person from those transmissions? It looks as if it’s already dead.”

“Her,” the Lotus corrected, sounding more and more flustered. “Azay is a ‘her’, Drusus, respect her humanity.”

“You’re asking too much, Lotus,” I smirked, trying and failing to get to my feet. “I’m little more than an object of curiosity. A creature to be gawked at before it dies like the animal it is.” A sharp gasp died in my throat as the Lotus leveled a crisp slap across my haggard face, setting the air awash with my sweat. “Ouch,” I murmured, wiping at my stinging cheek, “Well, if it’s any consolation I’m pretty sure I know what’s causing this… I need Ezz… or I’ll die.”

“And there it is,” the one called Drusus whispered, “her ulterior motive.”

I stared at him, standing there in his gorgeous ivory Warframe, an Oberon, body resplendent with beautiful hand-painted Orokin calligraphy, those elegant horns stretching to the sky. I wondered for a, brief moment, what he would look like whilst on fire. “I carry enough Void energy within my body to slaughter you where you stand, Drusus,” I growled, “the only reason I do not do that cathartic action is because I’ve too much to lose by dying. OF COURSE IT’S AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE! Dumbass… there’s no elaborate deception! I want her back, because not having her is literally killing me, f*ck your goals!” I wiped furiously at my stinging eyes. “I want her back, I need her back… I don’t wanna die without her.” I looked up at the Lotus, trying to quell that anger that always boiled just beneath the skin of my mind. “I don’t wanna die.”

It was so damn hard not to throw a tantrum, to beat my anger and frustration into the ground, It was so damn hard not to burst out crying. It was so damn hard to stop feeling. I needed to make it stop, I needed to get her back!

My head snapped up as the Lotus placed a hand on my back, starling her. Her hand gently cupped my chin, ignoring the sweat and tears that were dripping from it. “Azay-,” she started.

“Gimme my ship and my Warframe,” I growled, “Let me go to Uranus, let me get her back.”

She nodded, “That’s why you’re here,” she murmured, lowering her voice to be as soothing as possible, “We need your advice on how best to proceed.”

The cold balloon of shock burst in my gut, making my body jolt and freeze. “Explain,” I demanded.

...

The Lotus explained, oh, by the gods did she explain. Lucky me, getting to play the role of guide.

It looked like Regor had dipped his fingers into something far deeper than simply f*cking up some Void affiliated children and growing Grineer in tubes, no, no… he was after something older, something ancient. Wonderful, isn’t it, to have your misfortunes so effortlessly swiped away by a man lacking the ability to consider his actions?

Nice to know the Lotus hadn’t decided to stop bothering him at all… mucking about in his business. But why she didn’t invite me though…? Well, that stung a bit. She dressed it up as consideration, but I knew she’d simply forgotten us.

If she ever knew us in the first place.

...

“Well… first things first,” I grunted loudly as I got to my feet, those stims I’d demanded working a treat, “Warframe… I can’t do jack diddly sh*t without one.” I threw my arms out if only to emphasize my emaciated glory, the shirt I’d been given billowing dramatically as the wind caught it. I hoped beyond hopes that the fact I was nipping like crazy made them all madly uncomfortable… it was cold. “Where’s my ole Titania at?”

The Lotus seemed to clam up a bit, her hands clasping together tightly. “Well,” she chewed on her words for a moment, “It’s been confiscated and given a proper burial in place of Jedd. We are currently sourcing you another Warframe.”

My arms crossed. “You mean you can’t convince anybody to loan theirs out for free?”

She nodded.

I massaged the bridge of my nose. “Good luck finding a scrap of charity within your children, pitiless beasts are they, though I still stand in those shadowy places beneath their feet.” I slouched slightly as Gurt rested a hand on my head, waggling it from side to side. “Oy… no touchy, you don’t want your reputation with them to get any worse.”

“Impossible,” scoffed the Saryn, she’d remained impressively, and thankfully, silent for the Lotus’ explanation.

I affixed her with a dead-eyed stare. “Did I say you could speak?”

The Saryn’s fingers crackled worryingly as she crushed her hands into fists. “I speak when and where I please,” she snarled, “Don’t act like you’ve been redeemed, just because the Lotus sees your usefulness.”

“You’re the one who threw the knives, eh?” I leered at her as those hands relaxed, “punished by being stuck close to me… eh?” I just pointed and laughed.

“There are many who wished the knife had struck true,” the one piloting the Oberon droned, I’d already forgotten his name, garnering a hiss from the Lotus. “I simply speak the truth,” he said reasonably, crossing his arms, pointless gaze following something in the distance.

“Unfortunate it is,” I growled, taken by his distraction, “that even with me stepping into it, I still managed to survive.”

I looked back to see what he was staring at, blinking a few times as my view was taken up almost entirely by the chest of a Warframe. Russet skin, spliced with strips of cyan and silver, twitching ever so slightly, entire body abuzz with some sort of manic energy. I licked my lips, meeting the gaze of this odd Frame. She was staring back, that preturbing gaze seemingly boiled down to a single point on the front of her head, much of her skull having been cut away, leaving the bare structure of her skull touching the open air.

So those rumors were true, what went down around Jupiter… they did find a Warframe in that deranged bastard’s workshop.

A broken Warframe for a broken Operator.

Taking a step back I gave Valkyr as low a bow as my jittering body could manage. It was only polite when she seemed more than capable of flaying the skin from my face with those… magnificent fingernails. The breath blew from my lungs in a great rush as those same fingers rested beneath my chin, lifting my head.

“Valkyr,” the Lotus said unnecessarily, “the original, rescued from the manufacturing facilities of Alad V…”

“Original?” I said quietly, “So there isn’t an Operator inside you then?”

She slowly shook her head, tilting it as she looked into my eyes. “For as many copies of my ruined body may be made… There are none broken enough to command me,” she said slowly, voice a distant rumble, like the first peal of thunder before a storm. Those sublime nails dug into my skin slightly as she tightened her hold on my chin. “They say you bear the same pain as I.”

Ah, a battle of pain then. My hand clapped around her wrist as a mean little smile worked its way across my face. “Shall we compare our traumas, Valkyr? The violation of the body to the violation of the mind? I hope we come out as equals… it’d be a blow to the ego to no longer be this System’s most miserable woman, though I dare not offend you.”

A low chuckle came from somewhere in her body. “So you’re one of those then, who hides their pain behind good-humor,” she huffed, voice rising a few pitches, almost understandable. “Initiate Transference, prove to me your suffering.”

The smile froze on my face as I felt that familiar tugging behind my navel. All of that wild energy that was running laps through my body gained focus and direction, compelling me into the hunched Frame that stood before me. It’s possible she’d never borne an Operator before, so this was going to be a special moment for the both of us!

If she wanted everything I had, then by the gods she was gonna get it!

I’m sure it was quite a spectacle from the outside, watching the pair of us grapple within the single body, our souls throwing punch after punch of anguish. Our knees slammed against the ground as our hands clasped at our head, grasping fingers wrapping around the chunks of Corpus steel that had peen pressed beneath out skin. Our back, torn apart and put back together so many times it may have been in backwards, snapped and popped as our secondhand muscles flexed agonizingly. That steel beneath our fingers bent and warped, the bones of our skeleton shifted and deformed.

A ragged shriek ripped from our body as we watched those fingers shift and twirl before our eyes. We felt the lowering of scalpel upon barely numbed flesh, the grind of the saw through our bone, the jerking of our body as we were prodded from within. Our nails ground against the ragged ground, carving furrows in the soft metal, as we felt them delve deeper, their murmuring and grumbling… their laughing.

“I was a toy to them,” I snarled, feeling her beating back at me with her own dissection memories, that savage pain of her body being carved away and hollowed out, skin flayed away in a single piece. “I was no object of study! I was just something to blow off steam with!” My trembling fist slammed into the ground, lodging a massive dent in the metal. “Alad V made something with your body… Nothing was learned from me. I was only a toy.” A ragged groan split across my body as it rolled across the ground, Valkyr clawing her way toward me, jagged nails digging into the earth.

I flinched as those hands, those mangled hands, leadened still by those shackles, clamped around my face. She stared at me, that furious energy absent, those jerks of the head spent, that anger… overshadowed. Those hands fell away and her forehead rested upon mine, sending a comforting chill across my sweating body.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

I bit back a sob, one of those infinite many that were building up behind my veneer of indifference. “Somehow, from you, those two words hurt more than any other.”

“We’ll talk on the morrow,” she promised, “there’s much to discuss,” strain entered her voice as she stood, snarling at her handlers as they made to take her. “Away,” she growled, storming off, that anger, or an approximation of it, firmly back in place. “I said keep your hands off me!” she roared, whirling around as her handlers tried once more to approach, shoving one of them to the ground. “Or do you revoke even that privilege to me?”

I’d rolled over my that point, too tired to do much more than curl up into the fetal position and pass out. All I felt before slipping away was a pair of arms lifting me slowly, that breathy noise telling me it was Gurt. The faint breeze across my sweating scalp was the final kiss of comfort I needed to fall into the deepest sleep of my life.

I didn’t die… but I’m pretty sure I fell into a coma of some sort… Silly me forgot about the multiple fatal wounds I’d managed to sustain, and the fact that they tended to bleed when agitated.

...

Hopefully my misfortune would peter out soon and I’d finally be allowed to get on with the rest of my life… starting with me ripping the finger’s from Tyl Regor’s filthy mechanical hands! Hopefully my dreams weren’t too big, that one thing was pretty much the only prerequisite apart from getting Ezz back into my arms and back into my life. She was more important than Regor, by leaps and bounds…

Focus!

Focus on what’s important, Azay…!

Nothing above Ezz, not even those apathetic gods that watched us creatures slog through the mire. Nothing above the woman I love, the woman I need to love.

...

The crisp midnight breeze washing across my face was enough to break me from my sleep, the brisk air working through my hair, sending shivers across my body. A small breath blew from my mouth, an icy cloud rising through the swirling air, tiny crystals of ice shimmering as they fluttered about. My body was burning up, and yet I was blowing ice from my lungs… yeah, this felt familiar.

Sweat poured from my skin, steam rising from beneath the hem of my shirt and pants. Void fever, at least that’s what I called it. I used too much energy, and now I was paying for it. It made sense why I’d been so damn sweaty today, it was just taking its time settling into the deepest crevices of my body. Could my luck get any worse?

“Don’t answer that,” I growled to myself, rolling over to bare my back to the cool air of my cell, “I don’t wanna know.”

My view had shifted, giving me an excellent view of Gurt, laying in a twisted lump next to Snekk, making that little breathy noise as she snored. The smallest of grins grew across my face… she was gonna be beside herself when the vomiting started. But… that was for tomorrow, if my schedule on this was as accurate I hoped it was.

So… with my body ablaze, I just watched the peaceful Warframe sleep. I wondered what sorts of dreams she was experiencing, what was causing those little jerks and wheezes as she slept. I hoped they were good dreams, peaceful dreams, like those I had about Ezz… A field of flowers, a rolling hill, amber sunlight, and the woman I loved… My eyes began to close as exhaustion claimed me once more.

I was not destined to sleep.

Adrenalin snapped through my body as a faint rustle sounded from outside the narrow window of the cell, a shadow flitting by. The small room, lit an odd greenish-yellow by the lights outside, fell to darkness, a squirming, nefarious, darkness. A shadowy body slithered through the gap, resting on the ground silently. Light reflected from the scuffed steel that wrapped her body, shimmering from those damp places where the skin and flesh had been sliced away, Valkyr?

She looked at me for a moment, placing a single finger to her mouth region, gaze snapping back to the door. A small shocked breath from me sent a cloud of ice into the air, setting the walls awash with strange reflections and refractions as the door rattled open. Valkyr lunged forward, catching that damn Saryn across the face with a satisfying crack, sending her flying. That polished and gilded body went spinning down the hall, throwing knifes clattering loudly across the floor.

I tried to roll from my bed, only managing to burn my wrist on the restraint, feet bumping into Snekk as the noise dragged her toward wakefulness. The Kavat’s yowl of surprise served to wake up Gurt, sending the drowsy Frame stumbling into the brightly lit hallway, joining the developing brawl. She froze as she saw what was playing out, hands curling into a pair of two-fingered claws, pantomiming a jaw dropping.

Yeah, that’s about how I was feeling as well.

I could hear Valkyr barking insults at the Saryn, hissing and seething, goading her on as she fought, probably, for her life. A body went flying across my narrow view of the hall, the Saryn, woefully outmatched as Gurt threw her weight in. That beautiful Saryn, now beaten and battered, head dented by a devastating blow, sending that sharp chin deep into her chest. Gurt’s follow-through led to her slamming her flailing elbow in to the struggling Warframe’s cheek, scoring a large amount of flesh from the both of them.

In a flash of movement, the fitfully struggling Saryn was wrapped in a headlock, Gurt’s knee rising up, poising to lodge a forceful kick into her spine. Was she waiting for a cue? Well, if she was then she got it. The Saryn was sent stumbling forward, feet dragging.

My jaw dropped a touch further -I’d not been aware it was falling in the first place, but, oh well- as Valkyr reentered my little frame of view, foot-first. Those clawed feet crashed into Saryn’s stomach, caving her whole torso in completely. The battered Frame was flung down the hall in a wheezing and crying pile… based on the sounds, or lack thereof, she wasn’t getting up.

Valkyr scoffed loudly, making a rude gesture at the limp body she’d just made. “Dare to attack my Operator as she slumbers… To think my kind would become so wracked with cowardice. You stand and fight, or you die like a lamb for the slaughter. Even those Corpus worms had to balls to stand and fight and fight and die.” She made the sound of spitting at the Saryn, looking back as Gurt stood beside her, gaze flicking to me momentarily. “Admirable performance,” she whispered, “Nice to see there are a few competent Tenno left, not those bloated golden bags of bile that have flocked about our mother like flies to a carcass. Keep an eye on her, I’ll take this trash out to be collected.”

Gurt nodded eagerly as Valkyr bumped her forearm against her scarred chest, some sort of symbol of solidarity. The tacit Frame ducked back into the cell, settling at the foot of my cot, watching Valkyr drag the Saryn down the hall by her twitching ankle. A streak of dark liquid and flakes of gold were all that was left of the fight as the grumblings of Valkyr faded. Gurt pantomimed a laugh, rocking to her feet and slipping back into the hallway, returning with the pair of throwing knives, twirling them expertly in those lithe fingers.

For the barest moment I felt a flash of fear as she loomed over me, those glowing fingernails of her shining wickedly off those polished blades. One of those two knifes was tucked beneath my pillow, the other was used to slice my restraint where it met the bed-frame. It still looked as if I was tied up, but if the situation called for it I could still get away. That remaining blade was pocketed, Gurt giving me a thumbs up as she settled back on the ground, watching the door.

Neither of us knew what was going to pass through that ominous portal, but we were both ready for whatever was to come.

Well, whatever came, I at least felt some small amount of vindication. That Saryn got a well deserved beating and I got two more friends… Now I had a grand total of… two friends. Ezz didn’t count, she’s several steps above friend.

‘Source of life’ is a step or to beyond ‘friend’, right?

Chapter 5: Unfathomable Seas Bear the Darkest Treasures

Chapter Text

“Simply intolerable,” Valkyr seethed as she stalked back into the cell. “Have they no respect for their elders?” She picked her way over Snekk, the mean old cat refusing to move for anything, grabbing my restrain. “Come, we must convince those blowhards that shrew of a Saryn was up to no good.” She looked blankly at the severed line inquisitively for a brief moment. “Expedient. Come, come, that utter waste of skin, Drusus is quite irate.”

Her tough fingers wrapped around my wrist, tugging my fever riddled body from bed, revealing a perfect imprint of sweat on the bedclothes. She took the fact I was sick in stride, whipping me about and carrying me, resting my chin on her shoulder, hand pressing firmly into my back. Oh gods, she was carrying me like a toddler.

No, I didn’t need an emotional sucker punch like this while I was sick, I only needed one liquid dribbling from my face right now.

“By the Void, she looks even worse,” that haughty voice reached my ears as as we stepped into the cool air. “I’d forgotten that those cursed to walk the world out of their shells fall to such afflictions.” Valkyr’s hold on me tightened as he spoke, her simply growling in response. “Indeed, the matter at hand… we mustn’t be taken aback every time we see this pathetic… woman.”

“Thank you for respecting my identity,” I grumbled, ragged voice falling apart completely as my gut contracted, throat opening up, sending a narrow column of stinking black bile slashing across the ground. “Gods,” I whimpered as the burn settled into my throat, “I’m so sorry.”

Valkyr shuddered slightly. “I don’t rightly know why you did that,” she whispered dangerously, “but you’re forgiven.” Slowly she set me down, having to hold me up. “Tell him what you saw and what you heard, mayhap he’ll value your word over my own.”

I looked back at Drusus, that over-embellished Oberon sitting upon the thin air, legs crossed, palms facing toward the sky. He certainly was the picture of insufferable serenity. With Valkyr holding tightly onto my shoulders, I took a few stumbling steps forward. Our gazes met, his... unfeeling, perhaps haughty, mine… weak and flimsy, my resolve was being tested in ways I didn’t know it could be… everything just made me want to cry.

“Tenno Alpha,” I rasped, “that’s your guild, isn’t it?”

“I’m the founder and Warlord,” he confirmed, a honeyed drop of pride entering his voice. “Why do you ask?”

“I applied to work among your lowest echelons,” I whispered. “Once the Lotus scouts dealt with me, ripping me and Ezz from Kaden’Yld like a babes from their mother, they placed me into your Dojo to train. We have never met, but I’ve certainly seen the ship you run, the strict discipline you demand of your underlings.”

He chuckled. “Do you hope to flatter me? What’s your game here?”

I pointed to the battered Saryn as she rocked back and forth in the shadows, brief snatches of her whimpering cries reaching my ears upon the wind. “She specializes in throwing knifes, the art of stealth, to kill silently and leave naught but a warning for those who find the body.”

He chuckled. “She is one of my best,” he droned, posture relaxing as his feet dipped to touch the ground. “And why do you bring this up? Why do you simply lavish praise upon us?”

My clenched hand unfurled, snapping the knife up and sending it speeding into the ground. With a hollow ‘clunk’ it buried itself up to the handle less than a centimeter from Drusus’ foot. “Because, somebody adept in the use of throwing knives would only ever drop them if they were in-hand. If she is your best, then why ever would a pair of these clatter to the floor with so beautiful a noise after the first blow was thrown?”

“Only if they were in-hand as the first blow was lain,” he rumbled, bending over to pluck the knife from the ground. “you wield quite well,” he murmured, looking to the Saryn, a green glow speckling across his body. “A pity we didn’t consider you when we had the chance, you would have made a formidable agent.”

“I still do,” I whispered as he strode slowly toward the weeping Saryn. “Valkyr… I’m going to vomit again… can you carry me somewhere I won’t make a mess?”

“With the utmost pleasure,” she grunted, lifting me up as if I weighed nothing.

More vomit was launched, falling gracefully into the frothing waters that coated the bottom of the converted chasm. My whole dinner, and probably my breakfast too, lost to the sands of time and sickness. It was saddening, I was genuinely hoping I’d start putting some pounds back on.

I knew, for a fact, that I was gonna be absolutely ravenous tomorrow.

“Back to bed,” Valkyr whispered, letting me back down as the final drips and drabs of striking black barf were spat into the waters below. “I’ll ask the Khora to fetch a bucket, then I shall no doubt engage in combat with my handlers, they were beside themselves as I tied them up.”

“She’s called Gurt,” I stuttered, as she helped me across the uneven terrain. “I know that isn’t her real name, but she can’t speak, so I can’t ask.”

“She’s adept at sign language,” Valkyr said patiently, carrying me up a low set of stairs, “I’m sure we may learn her true name one day.”

I nodded. “Alright… but I need sleep, or I’ll just crumble to dust at this point.”

With a grunt of agreement she sped up, carrying me down the hallway of the brig and laying me out on the cot. Gurt wasn’t there, neither was Snekk, so I assumed she’d just taken the old Kavat out to get some water and piss. Valkyr pressed one of those ever so cold hands against my steaming forehead, shattering my train of thought as the sensation of those muscular fingers resting on my skin made me shiver.

“Fingers,” she whispered, “you’ve quite a complex.”

“I… I hate them, so much,” I whispered, “the thought of ripping them from the hands of their owners is almost… org*smic, if you’ll forgive the phrasing.” My eyes rolled up as she clamped down of my head, that icy cold she radiated, bringing so much relief against the fever that was tearing through my body. “I’ve a collection,” I whispered, “aboard my orbiter… I’m not proud, but those are not feelings I can hold back. Some urges overwhelm common sense.”

“I’d recommend you try,” she murmured, looking back as Gurt slid back into the room, a quietly panting Snekk in tow, “At least around your comrades… the enemy may do without such considerations.”

A weak chuckle and a tired grin was all I could muster as she rested her palm over my eyes, wrapping my world in the murky darkness of sleep.

…

Things tend to move quickly when you’re asleep, for better or worse. Things tend to move quickly, and jump around jarringly, when you fall into a deep sleep. My eyes snapped open to a jarring scene.

Grey-green metal, a low, dirty ceiling, amber light from overheads well past their replacement date, and the unmistakable stink of Grineer flatulence… A distance clang and what almost sounded like the roar of a pained animal send chills across my body, setting my hair standing on-end. A Grineer Frigate? A ship? We were already going!?

That was the thought that sent me rolling from bed, and falling to the floor.

Top bunk, figures.

Instead of hitting the floor with a loud and satisfying bang, I dropped into a pair of strong, steely arms, my momentum halted gently. A low groan was all I could really muster as one of those arms was lodged directly in my stomach, driving all the air from my lungs. It was Gurt that caught me, that breathy noise she made accompanying me to the floor as she set me down. A sloppy grin was all I could manage as I sat heavily on the bottom bunk, nearly hitting Valkyr with my bony-as-hell butt. Rubbing at my gut, I finally looked around, taking in the depressing sight of the Grineer Frigate’s bunkroom.

It was immediately apparent that this ship didn’t originally belong to the Steel Meridian. Though cleaned and probably bleached, the walls and floors were awash with the rusty red stains of blood, and the walls were pocked and scarred with bullet holes, ricochets, and glancing slashes from bladed weapons. I’d not heard anything about a ship being taken over the waves, but then again, if it was done sneakily enough, then nobody woulda heard about it in the first place.

My attention was snagged by Gurt, holding out a sachet of Grineer rations and a large container of water, bearing a slight hit of chemicals… recycled. I tore the package open and wolfed down the clusters of protein and carbohydrates inside, ignoring their bland and earthy flavor. I was hungry, and chances were that I’d get to eat more than my fill of those rations before we got to Uranus… We were going to Uranus, right?

A hand, Valkyr’s rested atop my head, waggling it from side to side. It was jumpy, jittery, twitching erratically, that manic energy had been returned to her. “Calm yourself, Azay,” she murmured drowsily, as if she could smell my curiosity, “final supplies are being loaded as we speak. With luck, you’ll have Regor’s twitching fingers in hand by nightfall.”

“A vague word when the sun never sets over Uranus,” I whispered ominously, not sounding nearly as threatening with my mouth full. “But, you can’t blame me for being excited.”

Valkyr groaned quietly as she sat up, letting her legs dangle from the bunk beside me. “Indeed I cannot. I’m rather looking forward to… letting off some steam as well. Though,” her voice trailed off as further groans and crashed echoed through the skeleton of the old ship. “I could do with perhaps a more… structurally sound craft. You’re sure this thing can survive the Solar Rails?” she looked to Gurt.

Gurt simply nodded, flinching as a weird crackling came from the ceiling above, the ventilation systems finally kicking in. They only made the air smell worse. She waved at her nasal region, unable to do much more than tolerate it. Valkyr looked up, head tilted slightly.

“There are bodies in the ventilation shaft,” she said bluntly, “Have been for many years. It could smell much worse… Gurt… Gurt,” she shook her head, “An odd name.”

Gurt shrugged, making an odd hand signal, tapping her outstretched middle and pointer fingers together twice. It meant nothing to me but Valkyr seemed to understand what she was saying, nodding understandingly. My nose wrinkled as that corpse smell washed over us again, the asthmatic fans gaining a second wind. I finally covered my nose, the smell was too much.

“A question,” I said, voice nasal.

Valkyr tilted her head, twitching slightly, “Which is?”

“Are there any more original Warframe out there?” I asked, “Any more like you, who don’t need an Operator?”

“Plenty I’m sure,” she sighed, rocking to her feet, eyeing up the vents blowing the foul air. “Many of us have died, of course, gone into hiding, remained with our charges after their deaths. I had the misfortune of falling afoul of Alad V, one who quite enjoyed keeping their subjects alive. Many, I’m sure, were swallowed by the Void as the Lotus banished the moon. Whether they live now is another matter entirely… though the old Tenno still live, I’m sure the Warframe still endure as well.” She leapt, long nails catching on a small lever set into the ceiling. “I’ve not kept up with the going’s on… Yesterday was the first time I’d spoken in nigh on two centuries, fascinating how language changes.” Jerking her body as it hung on the lever she’d snagged onto gave, shutting the slats of the vent, cutting off the airflow. “At least these Grineer ships haven’t changed.”

She let out a satisfied sigh as she dropped back to the ground, that horrid stink thankfully being cut off. I could tell she was chewing on her words, wondering what to say, or wondering how to phrase things at least. She brought with her a bitter smell, not one I’d noticed the night before, vaguely nutty… I’d never known a Warframe to have a distinct smell like that. Then again, I’d never known all too many Warframe, they all had Tenno working their guts no room for the original personality I guess. Her arm rested across my narrow shoulders, hand wrapped tightly, hiding her fingers from view, a sweet gesture.

“I have been… chewing on the impressions and memories you… overwhelmed me with,” she said hesitantly. Her bisected head rested against my own. “Some, even by my standards, by the standards of a seasoned, well traveled Warframe, are harrowing.” She pantomimed taking a breath. “The way you phrased it.”

I knew exactly what she was talking about. “You ever see the corpses on the battlefield? So hungry was I that I ate a comrade, turned friend, turned necessary adversary. I sacrificed my humanity so that I and my charge could live another day.”

“Do you bear guilt?” she asked suddenly, arm tightening slightly, the crook of her elbow pinching the back of my neck.

How easily she could kill me.

“No,” I replied almost instantly. “I may regret, but I shall never feel guilt for doing what was necessary to survive. You saw, you felt, you know what we were going through.”

“I do,” she whispered, “By the Seven did you drive that suffering home to me. How I wish it was that you were exaggerating your struggles.” Her arm tightened a touch further, free hand resting on my leg, wrapping almost all the way around. “I’d thought we’d left such disparity behind us with the Collapse.”

I shook my head. “No, not even close.” Taking a deep breath I watched the following sigh blow through the still air, fog and ice swirling elegantly. “Things don’t change, and when they do… it’s never fast enough for those who need it most to feel it.”

“The Lotus has certainly mucked things up,” Valkyr grunted, rocking to her feet, knocking the top of my head gently with her knuckles. “Something tells me that she has already made that connection however.”

Gurt and I jumped slightly, Snekk, who had buried herself in some dark corner, let out a startled yip as the door hissed open. Speak of the devil and she shall arrive I suppose. The Lotus, Cressa Tal at her shoulder, a squadron of Grineer guards filling the hall behind them… Looked like quite the party. A droplet of understanding christened my mind as several odd shapes broke from the Grineer. Disguised Tenno, Warframe wrapped in the trappings of Grineer Lancers, specifically those that guarded the halls of Regor’s laboratories, the Drekar.

And… two bitingly familiar Warframes.

“Morning, Drusus,” I grunted, watching him drag the Saryn into the room, holding her steady as Valkyr looked them up and down.

“How quickly you wipe away the scars of punishment,” the ticking Warframe hummed, “not atypical for the Tenno.” Her gaze snapped to Drusus as he jerked the Saryn slightly. “I see you are unhappy, guildmaster, I take it Azay’s words last night were compelling?”

“Highly,” he snarled, those tones of good humor he’d held the previous evening conspicuously absent. “That one of my trusted would so flagrantly try and murder the prisoner of an ally, a prisoner who is actively cooperating with us… we are not assassins, we do not dishonor ourselves. Kepla has dishonored herself and her guild. We seek judgment from those she has wronged.”

My stomach leapt slightly. Don’t tell me all of this mess was just for me to order her whipped or something? “Erm,” I stuttered, “I don’t know what’s appropriate. Normally when people try and kill me it’s justified and warranted… I was under the impression that this was no different.”

“We hold to different standards,” Drusus said bluntly, “your punishment.”

My nostrils flared, stung slightly by Valkyr’s scent. “Alright,” I murmured, walking up to the pair of them, a handful of the disguised Tenno taking a step back or leaning away. “How ‘bout this.” My scarred fingers wrapped around Kepla’s chin, my pointer finger pressing into the center of her forehead. “You got sloppy, try harder and do better next time.” My hand clapped across her cheek, the hardest slap I could muster. “Punishment given,” I muttered under my breath, “I don’t care.”

Valkyr chuckled. “Oh the vindictiveness of the jaded. I second her verdict. Do better next time, Kepla.”

I’m pretty sure that Saryn would’ve spat on the floor if she had a mouth. “Now,” I said with as much officiousness as I could muster, “if you ain’t here to talk shop, get out.”

There was a great shuffling of feet as the Grineer and two jarringly out of place Warframe cleared out, leaving only the Lotus and the Drekar Tenno. Looked like we were about to get the mission briefing then… even though I knew for a fact I was going AWOL the moment the chance presented itself. That was my plan, hopefully the Lotus hadn’t accounted for that.

Her hands clasped together as she stood still in the center of the gaping doorway. “We know that you’re liable to make a break for Regor at the first available chance,” she said immediately, completely trampling my previous thought. “These Tenno operatives are here to ensure you do not go rogue too soon, we still need to get our people in their places before you confront Regor.” The barest of grins scratched at the corners of her lips as she saw me pouting. “I do this so we may all walk from this alive, not to torment you.”

“Yeah,” I muttered noncommittally, “I know, I know. Still, it’d be nice to have a bit of trust with people around here.”

“You seem to be wooing Drusus,” she admitted quietly. “He was most impressed with your knowledge and bravery. He laments passing you over.”

My arms crossed tightly. “He had his chance, I’m my own bitch now.” I flinched as Valkyr palmed the top of my head. “Oy… fingers.”

“Apologies,” she murmured, resting a closed fist atop my head instead.

The Lotus gave the group of us a bow as the Drekar Operatives filed past her, settling quietly in the other bunks. “It brings me no end of relief to see you in such good spirits, Valkyr. Once more I apologize for not retrieving you sooner.”

The Frame twitched. “Forgiveness will take some time to take root, Lotus, perhaps one day I will hear those words from your mouth and believe them genuine.”

“The mission briefing will be in three hours,” the Lotus said flatly, “It will be held on the bridge, we’ll send someone down to collect you. Good day.” She swept from the bunkroom without another word.

I seethed. “Ooh, I could taste that.”

Valkyr lifted her fist from my head. “She bears the same same respect toward us original Warframe as everyone else… not a scrapling. I remember a time before her, when I served the Orokin, when she was merely another Sentient spy sent to destroy us all.”

That last little bit rather punched me in the chest. “Wait, what?”

Oh dear, that stupid little one word question really opened me up to scraps of history I was in no way ready to receive.

It was a shock to me to learn that the Lotus was not a human, it was a shock to me to learn she was a traitor to her own kind. It was a shock to me to learn that the very thing Regor was digging for at the bottom of the ocean, that the Lotus was so desperately trying to keep him to reach… was her deceased father.

So… daddy issues on top of the obvious.

Joy of joys.

...

“So I’m dealing with the man himself while you guys run around in the holes he’s been digging?” I asked. Scowling at the relatively inaccurate rendering of Regor’s labs spinning above a projector table. “That’s why I’ve got that group with me then?”

Cressa nodded, finger resting on one of the few portions of the lab that was correct, the Shunt Room. “We’ve gotta get our guys in there and blow that equipment into scrap metal and fish food. You’re gonna lead ‘em there.”

“After I do that then,” I huffed, wishing I could alter the map, “I get a lil’ bit of freedom?” My eyebrow lifted as I stared at the two.

The Lotus simply nodded, going noticeably quiet whenever Valkyr was round… which was often, the Frame was basically glued to my shoulder. She knew Valkyr had told me everything, and for some reason that seemed to frighten her. What? Did she think that my knowing of her… questionable past, would lead to me distancing myself from her? Seems a bit petty if you ask me. Or she was just scared.

The past was nothing to be scared of. The only fear one must feel is how those who learn of it use it to shape your future. Was she afraid of what I’d do? If so… her worries were misplaced. All she was gonna get from me was a hug.

“Kid…” Cressa called, “Azay!” her snapping fingers tore me from my thoughts.

“Yeah?” I asked, lifting my other eyebrow.

“Got anything to contribute? We’re gonna be running off your map of the place.” She gestured to the projected mess. “Give us a hand here.”

“Curse me and my excellent memory,” I murmured. “You might wanna take a walk,” I said to Valkyr, “this is gonna get technical and boring.”

“Would it shock you to know that I’m a technical and boring sort of person,” she replied with a grin in her voice.

“Yes,” I said immediately, “Maps!” I yelled, clapping my hands together, getting my mind back on track. “This will be… fun. Scrap everything you’ve got,” I ordered, “we’re starting from the landing platform and goin’ down.”

...

Did I map out Regor’s research laboratory almost in its entirety? Yes.

Did it take four hours? Also yes.

Was Cressa sleeping by the end of the process? Allegedly, yes.

...

My back let out worrying little pops as I stepped away from the table, divots having been pressed into my skin from resting so much weight on them and the lip of the thing. Low groans and wheezes were all I could manage as I wandered over to the nearest wall, massaging my poor overworked jaw muscles. I don’t think I’d ever spoken for that long uninterrupted… normally somebody punched me before then.

Valkyr helped me down and ran off to grab some water as my whispered request. With how much she was ticking I really hoped whatever she got had a lid, she’d shake all the liquid from a cup. I waved tiredly to the Lotus as she made to leave the bridge, getting one back, that stern line her lips had formed softening slightly. Still, I had no f*cking clue just what she was feeling under that damn helmet. Too much mystery, too many unknowns, my head was swimming, and there wasn’t gonna be a straight answer from anybody.

My grasping hands snagged the offered container of water as Valkyr offered it. I’d not even noticed her coming back, by poor brain wasn’t responding. After a short while and a handful of regrettable sounds, the empty container clicked loudly on the stained metal floor, my poor stomach noticeably swollen with how much water I’d sucked just down. Hopefully I’d get to keep it, the vomiting this time ‘round was majorly inconstant. Of course.

I stared blankly at the fore viewer of the old Frigate, watching the silken tendrils of the Void break across the blunt nose of the massive ship. Uncanny it was, for so rickety and ornery a ship the old tub was, it made no sounds as it sped through the void at those incomprehensible speeds. How odd it was. A yawn was mustered and a yawn was given, my complaining legs nearly whining audibly as I pushed up against the wall, standing upright once more. My grasping fingers wrapped around Valkyr’s readily available wrist, eyes compelling me toward the massive viewscreen.

“Mesmerizing,” I whispered, shambling clumsily across the bridge, focus of mind not transferring to surety of foot. A low railing stopped me from falling to one of the lower bridge levels, the entire complex being made from suspended platforms. “I wonder what it feels like… on the skin.”

“It burns,” Valkyr sighed, “Believe it or not, as rough on the skin as a good sandblasting. You’d survive maybe a half hour out there without a Frame to protect you.”

“I wanna touch it,” I whispered, holding my hand out, feeling all the Void energy in my body sharply take focus, pointing me directly toward that viewer. “It wants me to touch it.” I really did, it looked so soft, so… welcoming. A strangled cry fell from my mouth as Valkyr savagely pulled me from the railing. I’d been climbing it, a handful of inches from a deadly drop to the lower portions of the bridge.

“No, child,” she growled, voice falling low, “I’ll not have you fall to your death on the eve of battle.” She was silent as she stomped through the bridge, growling angrily at a few of the watching crew. She was silent for a moment as she dragged me through the hallway. “Don’t do that,” she whispered, finally letting me down, “don’t let those urges win… don’t leave your Ezz behind.”

“I’m not well,” I snarled to myself, “not in body, not in soul, not in mind. You had a taster, now imagine living with it. Every moment, to feel as if I’m insulting the ground I’m standing on. It wears upon one.” I hunched over as she rested her closed fist on my head.

“I can understand that, child,” she huffed, the barest of smirks behind her voice. “Come, let’s get you rested up before we… merge, I suppose, it will be fascinating to have our thoughts together once more, though with a touch more focus.”

“Sounds fun,” I sighed, getting my dragging feet moving, “I’ve been wanting to punch something for a while now.”

The opportunity to do such would present itself rather soon. The frigate, limited by the speed of the Solar Rails, had only just reached the Mars junction by the time I’d woken up from my most recent passing out. Food was eaten, words were exchanged, some in sign, most in vague grunts from myself. It was agreed that we would go… train.

I was feeling a bit better, the Void Fever dropping to something manageable. Odd that the treatment for it was to use that same affinity that got you sick in the first place. What an oxymoronic disease. No better way to spend Void energy than by engaging in Transference then.

And there was simply no better way to break in one’s new, shared, body than with a casual spar with somebody whom you rather hate… right?

“Kepla!” we called, sauntering slowly into the converted hangar bay, spotting the near gilded Saryn almost immediately. “A pleasure to see you again!”

Azay decided it was better for us to speak as Valkyr did, as complex as it was, it certainly lent itself to condescension. Kepla certainly seemed to enjoy it, throwing her set of training Tonfas loudly on the ground, throwing her arms up as her flow was obliterated. She rounded on us, shoulders hunched, sublime fingers arched into claws. In a word, she seemed rather peeved.

“What do you want?” she snarled, taking a few threatening steps toward us, the natural elegance that particular Frame exuded completely absent. “Here to lecture me? Here to set me up for another fall? Here to ruin my reputation further!?”

“Shocking it is to know you once had a reputation,” we replied, feeling rightly antagonistic. “You made multiple attempts on our Operator’s life, yet you have the gall to act offended?”

“I am offended!” she sneered, finally closing the gap, nearly pressing her spade-like face to ours, “I’m offended that so many idiots seem to think she’s worth keeping alive at this point.”

“Drusus, the Lotus, Cressa Tal, a vast majority of the Tenno population,” we listed slowly, “they're all wrong and you’re right.”

“Drusus is an idiot, the Lotus is senile, Tal is a f*cking Grineer, her brain is made from wood shavings and toenail clippings. I put no stock in what they think,” she growled, voice falling dangerously low.

We grunted, taking a step back, crossing our arms. “Best us in a spar and we won’t tell your superiors what you just said about them.”

“We?” she hissed, pulling back slightly, “So you’ve fused with that wretch then.”

“Without remorse,” we said back with false humility, bowing our head slowly and giving a small curtsy.

She took the bait, nails hissing just a millimeter from the exposed flesh of our skull as we tore our head back. An expertly thrown punch snapped over our right shoulder, followup punch slamming into our waiting palm. Skilled, but predictable, it was against one such as this that fighting dirty held the most power!

Kepla roared as our hand clamped around her own, nails sinking deep into her flesh, ripping her forward. Our knee sunk into her gut, folding her like a piece of paper. A few more kicks were driven into her gut before we pushed her to the ground. After a pathetic amount of squirming she grabbed her tonfas, slamming them into the ground to propel herself upward. The small flash of consternation we’d felt fighting with her only having sparring weapons fizzled out quite quickly as energy began to crackle up the length of their shafts.

“Corpus Ohma,” we chuckled, “how familiar we are with our enforcer’s weapon of choice. How unfortunate it is you would bring such a weapon aboard this ship!” Our voice rose to a ragged screech, the sound pealing across and filling the massive hangar bay, assailing all with the tortured sound. Our hands splayed as the energy of the Warframe, spliced with the energy of the Operator flew to our fingertips, coating them in hardened crimson claws.

“This shall end messily,” we mused to ourselves, voice crackling alongside the energy coating our fingertips, “how utterly delightful!”

The fight lasted all of four blows. It would seem some brave soul had called upon those few that bore the power to halt such a bout. Though… the shambles of a brawl was destined to end long before they arrived.

Our claws sliced through one of her Ohma, sending debris and the absolutely unstable power pack scattering across the ground. The butt of her undamaged weapon slammed into our gut, compelling us to wrap our hand around the shaft, crushing it, venting the energy contents into our body. Steaming and smoking, arcs of electricity jumping from our body to carve shallow rivulets into the floor, we shattered her knee with a solid kick. Unforeseen consequences there were, as the meeting of our bodies created some sort of short circuit.

A savage explosion of light sent the pair of us flying in opposite directions, leaving a bizarre ball of lightning hovering in the air where we met. How dangerous a game we played. Kepla was on her feet first, one of them at least. Her broken leg dragging behind her, she hopped toward us as we tried to regain our bearing, landing the final blow of the mess of a fight.

The sound of it was almost comedic… almost.

My neck cracked painfully as her bleeding hand slammed into my cheek, sending my skinny little self spinning across the floor. Our Transference had cut out at precisely the wrong moment, sending me out to feel the kiss of consequence. What a bitter smooch that was.

My entire head felt as if it both weighed nothing and everything at the same time, flopping limply about as my body was compelled toward the ground with every breath. She’d broken my cheekbone at least, my numbed tongue feeling several hard nodules rolling across its surface… goodbye teeth. I spat them out onto the deck, not wanting to swallow them. They rested on the dirty surface, glimmering in a pool of sticky red blood.

“Owdge,” I slurred as my arms went limp, the shock taking hold and making me as structurally sound as paperboard in a downpour. “Medic?” I asked as Kepla loomed over me, her busted knee grinding audibly.

Looking past her I could just barely see the blurred form of Valkyr sprinting toward us. I just closed my eyes, not wanting to see what was about to happen. My eyes didn’t open again for a while, actually, which was for the best. Even if I didn’t pass out per se, it was better than seeing everything that was going on.

Shouting, the sounds of blows landing, the gruff calls of Grineer, sharp blasts of wind, the roaring of an unfamiliar voice. Arms wrapping beneath me, the rattle of my teeth being placed in something metal, the sensation of stale air breaking across my face, the smell of methylated spirits… crying? Gods, if my eyelids hadn’t been cemented closed by the dried blood I’m sure it woulda been quite a sight.

A smile tugged at my lips as the icy sensation of a cold pack being pressed against my destroyed cheek brought the barest hint of relief… alongside Valkyr and Kepla receiving a royal chewing out by the Lotus outside. So she was the one who yelled. I’d have to admit fault this time, at least I was paid back in kind for it this time ‘round.

Maybe I was a bit of a mean-spirited person.

A pair of rough fingers rested gently on my eyelid, causing me to flinch, carefully peeling them open. My vision was haloed with the pale light emanating from Gurt’s fingernails, so she found her way over then. I tried to grin, but my face was really damn numb so it mighta been a grimace. She just nodded, making a sign of rapping her knuckles against her forehead.

I’m pretty sure she was calling me stupid.

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

Gurt’s head snapped up sharply, watching someone make their way over to us. Drusus? Really, Drusus… that ornate Oberon lumbered around the bed his own ethereal eyes locked onto Gurt’s. Both seemed wildly wary of each other. Well, considering how attached Gurt seemed to be, I wouldn’t put it past her to lash out, I certainly would.

Those beautiful antlers swished through the air as he tilted his head, those metaphorical eyes looking me up and down. “You should not be alive right now,” he said bluntly.

I made a sarcastic gurgle in place of words. He just chuckled at that, shaking his head. Slowly his hand rested against my forehead, setting my burning skin awash with that calming cold that all Frames seemed to emanate. He didn’t seem to know about my finger complex, cuz he really clamped down on me with ‘em. My chest juddered as that visceral energy sought to override the co*cktail of sedatives and shock that leadened my body.

“I know you’re at fault for this,” he whispered, free hand pressing against Gurt as she made to push him away. “No Antaka, I don’t seek to harm her.” He knew her name? “I simply wish to undo some of the damage rendered by my underling.”

His grip tightened further, it felt as if he was trying to crush my skull, that refreshing coldness replaced with burning heat as my body reacted, blood rushing to my head, causing those wounds I received to bleed further. But, that agony snapped away, my vision turned into a green blur and I was swallowed up by unconsciousness, accompanied into the unknown by the scent of flowers and the serene sounds of the forest.

I was destined to dream, to dream about those dark corridors that awaited me, the groans and the squeals of the ocean’s pressure clawing at those hurriedly constructed walls. The stink of ammonia and the yellowed lighting, the clatter of distant footsteps… the unmistakable clicks of bladed feet against damp deckplates, one pair, two pair… and a lumbering set alongside them.

A low giggle, and a pair of mismatched eyes. A misplaced shadow, a stray breath. A shiver up my spine and a blade against my throat, red corneas looking back at my own.

I dreamed of Tyl Regor, of Jahkra, of that shadow, and all the lovely things we were going to do to each other. I dreamt them over and over and over. I never stopped laughing.

Chapter 6: Within the Realm of the Tittering Madman

Chapter Text

Fingers, everywhere, littering the floor, stuck to the wall by their drying blood. How jarring it was to go from those undersea corridors, bedecked with viscera, mostly my own, to the relative cleanliness of the Frigate’s infirmary. Gone was the horror of my imagination, replaced with the terror that was reality.

My unfocused eyes drifted across the blurred room seeing all those wobbling humanoid shaped drift about. There was no sound, my ears hadn’t woken up yet, which made the whole situation even more surreal. A hand rested upon my forehead, warm, clammy, not that of a Warframe. My struggling eyes shifted and slid, trying to see who was touching me so tenderly.

A mouth, plump lips, a small but stately nose, skin shimmering with sweat, clad in grey, a helmet covering their eyes. The Lotus? That perpetually frowning mouth softened, the glimmer of teeth just barely visible behind that weak smile. Tubules snapped about as she looked to the side, a sharp jerk of the neck summoning somebody forward. I could barely make out the form of Valkyr, the small nodules of light dotting her Corpus implants giving her the vaguest shape.

Her knuckles rested on my forehead, the sensation tugging at my Void energy, the urge to engage in Transference almost pulling me into her there and then. Her head shook, looking back to the Lotus she gesticulated vaguely, words lost upon my deafened ears. Another shape darted into my stunted line of sight, Gurt grabbed her shoulder, nearly spinning her around. The hand signs flew fast and thick, based on how aggressively she was moving Valkyr had said something not at all positive.

As the three of them argued just millimeters beyond my comprehension I was left by the wayside, so, to pass the time I began to take stock of what I actually had. Hearing was gone and my sense of smell seemed stunted, everything smelled like paperboard, better than piss and corpses. I could feel alright, but it seemed more a game of whether or not I had any muscle control. As an experiment I flexed my bicep.

My arm snapped up and immediately flopped over, which was massively surprising. I wasn’t used to my body being so… responsive. Normally getting my body to do anything was a touch difficult, on account of my physical weakness. But, I felt snappy, and quick, and… damn odd. Carefully maneuvering my weird-as-hell muscles about, I managed to hold my arm out in front of me, appraising it in the yellowed light.

It looked no different… Maybe this was just the consequences of not being malnourished for once? Oh well, it was good enough for me. With a big goofy grin on my face I flexed my newly emboldened muscles, using them, as I’d always done, in getting me to my feet much too soon.

And, just to be obnoxious, I rolled out of bed away from the Lotus and the pair of arguing Frames, just so I’d have a bit of a head start. With a vague grunt and a grumble that may have been some butchered Grineer, my feet slammed into the floor. The recovery bed ground across the floor as my rear bumped into it, finally gaining the attention of the trio.

I felt light as a feather, stronger than I’d ever felt before. Even when I was clawing my way through Regor’s tube-men I didn’t feel this strong. A few stumbling steps were all I was afforded as several sets of strong hands clamped down across my body. Well, that simply wouldn’t do. Even if I was deaf, I still needed to take stock of my body, right? So… I threw the first punch.

My elbow caught someone in the chest, sending them stumbling back. Now, I didn’t know who I’d hit, but considering the array of powerful women trying to pin me down, I’d say there was some good ‘oompf’ behind that blow. A set of leather-clad fingers wrapped over my head, nearly hooking me under my lumpy little nose, pulling my head back. Another clamped down on my throat. They still hadn’t grabbed my hands, so I used them. Ignoring the -probably- nasty damage it was going to do to my skin, I spun around, feeling the bones in my neck and the tendons in my throat complain as they crushed and compressed. My one hand clapped over the throat of the one who had me by mine.

The Lotus, mouth twisted in a panicked grimace, streams of tears flowing from beneath her helmet. I could feel them, Valkyr and Gurt… Antaka, her name is Antaka, trying to pull me down, to tear me away. No… My other hand clamped around the Lotus’ neck, her bulky clothing absorbing so much of the impact, and I began to squeeze. That anger, that silently simmering rage that had been building for the woman ever since I learned of her existence.

She was no mother, she was no guide, she was no friend of mine. She was simply somebody with the power to help, to act, to save Ezz and me from the gutter, and decided to look away. She was just like every other one of them, every other soul who had pledged to protect people like us, who decided we weren’t worth their time or breath. I wanted to crush her neck, rip that head from her shoulders… but I knew I wasn’t strong enough.

So I settled for the next best thing. “Shor me yougr fakke,” I slurred, still unable to hear anything, barely registering the vibrations within my own head.

My hand slipped up, arm twisting painfully to wedge my scarred and mangled fingers beneath the lip of the Lotus’ helmet, ripping it free without hesitation.

I wasn’t expecting the fear in her eyes. Locks of brown hair fell about her shoulders, unkempt bangs fluttering in front of her eyes as that grimace of anger and determination revealed itself to be nothing but cringing fear. Sweat and a thin layer of grime clung to her freckle dappled cheeks and the bridge of that stately nose. There was no grand reveal, not really, she was just a plain looking woman, so much like the many I’d been forced or compelled to kill. Somehow, the thought of that made me feel angrier.

How easily she would have blended into a crowd, how easily she could have clandestinely extended the hand of charity. If only she had, it may have spared her life.

My hand wrapped back around her throat, clamping down hard, a step forward pressed her down on the bed, arcing her back painfully. All the while those two Warframe tried so desperately to knock me down, pull me back. How useless they were, yes. Useless lizards beating at my armored skin.

A wicked titter blew from between my taught, grinning, lips as I felt the Lotus’ clothing finally begin to give beneath my rock-steady hands. How proud Regor would have been, to see his little reject carrying out his orders so very perfectly.

The bubble of realization popped in my gut.

“Orders?” I mumbled… “Orders, from Regor.”

My grip had begun to flag as my slow realization began to dawn. The Lotus slapped my hands away and lodged her palm into my forehead, snapping my head back, and throwing me to the floor. For the best really. If it was some stupid implanted orders from Regor making me kill the woman then I wanted no part in it.

“If I was going to kill her,” I thought to myself as a foot came speeding toward my face, “then it was going to be of my own volition.”

Crunch

...

Alright, where would I be waking up this time? It seemed to be a fun guessing game at this point, considering I’d spent nearly the entire journey to Uranus on my back or unconscious, or both.

Mostly both.

As we drifted toward wakefulness however, we realized that a new caveat had been added to the privilege of consciousness. We were as one again, perhaps they were hoping the influence of Valkyr would curb those implanted desires that ran rampant through her Operator’s brain. We too could only hope.

...

Our feet rested gently on the near icy floor of the bunkroom, the faint sound of our leathern skin touching the ground being the only noise to be heard. The lights were low, the many bunks empty, there wasn’t even the scent of the Kavat in the air. Our hackles snapped up straight, this was far too suspicious, far too… pertinent to those feelings bequeathed upon our Operator.

Instinctively our hands rested upon our hips, where normally we would holster a sidearm, empty, as was to be expected. There wasn’t a chance in the Void that the Lotus would trust us with a firearm. Lo, our pointed toes kicked a Grineer rifle across the ground, its carapace colored those deep blues and greys of the Drekar. A pity our hackles had already risen to their fullest, we’d not realized just how bad things were going to become.

The door to the low hall ground open, the air that rushed in bearing the metallic tang of blood and the acrid hit of ballistics powder. There had been a firefight, bloodshed, battle. Why had we simply been left in the bunkroom then? Why were we alone?

“Methinks,” we whispered to the listening air, “that there is much more to this debacle than meets the eye.”

Pivoting on our heel we stormed back into the bunkroom, grabbing the rifle from the floor. The reassuring weight of the gun helped to propel us forward. It always bolstered one’s courage to know the enemy we would disentangle with our claws would already be weakened with several bullets to the chest.

Our heels clicked loudly as we sped through the desolate craft, not stumbling across a single body, a splotch of blood. There was no evidence of the firefight to the eye, though the nose certainly confirmed it. We spun about, rifle pointed unshakingly at the end of the hall, a low groan traveling its length to wash across our back.

“Mayhap this isn’t even real,” we mused. “Mayhap this is all a sick dream.”

No, not a dream, a memory.

Then, the cackle. A ringing laugh that seemed to ooze from the very walls, coloring them with its mania. The lights shone red, the bulkheads warped, the floor grew liquid. We could hardly move, we could hardly stand, the fear we felt watching that lone Grineer speed up the hallway gluing us down. The fear we felt as we saw that crimson light play across the myriad of masks affixed to its arched back paralyzing us, giving us a bizarre understanding.

So this is how our Operator felt. This is how she felt as she ran bare and naked through the halls of that madman. Now it was time for us to see if together we could face off against that same evil, if we could also succeed. Azay had told that nameless Grineer commander that she had fought a Manic, one of Tyl Regor’s cherished lunatics, and that she had walked away with two extra hands. We resolved to ourselves to walk away with not but a second set of hands, but a pair of feet as well!

That agile body, running effortlessly across that tacky floor, clad in its dark armor leapt high, arms crossing, sharpened claws glinting in the false light of the corridor. We lashed out, the thing getting too close for us to use our rifle, its body seemingly disintegrating as the butt was about to slam into their gut. A flash of light, a hit of ozone and the Manic was twenty feet away, laughing wildly as they rushed at us again.

This time we used our rifle, for all the good it brought us. The chambered round jammed, the entire gun rendering itself useless in a matter of milliseconds. With a low growl we slung the useless lump of metal at our attacker, throwing out our own claws to fight the creature off, and hopefully… dismember it. It had launched into the air once more as we made our move, legs leadened by the weight of our own fear.

Our sharp slash was more a clumsy slap, the Manic easily able to parry the blow in midair. Those claws slashed across our cheek, sending a dark spray of blood across the shuddering floor. We seethed as we tried to use their attack to our advantage, shaking hand snagging onto its ankle, hauling it to the floor. All we were afforded were a few glancing scratches, the shock of it slamming down likely doing more damage, the impact knocking several of the myriad masks from its hunched back.

With that snap of ozone it slipped away once more, a faint red trail of energy giving us something to follow. We delved deep as we pursued the creature, remembering what Azay had thought as she faced the same, as she bore the brunt of a near identical situation, though without the power of a Warframe at hand. She got angry, she let go, she resigned herself to the bloodlust that Regor’s surgeons had flushed her brain with. Azay allowed those mental barriers like fear and apprehension and empathy to fall away to a single simple truth: Kill them, or die to them.

She killed them, and so we shall kill them. And… mayhap we will relish it. Besides… if this creature, this beast of a Grineer saw a child, naked and defenseless, running from it and saw attacking as the only option, then it needed to be put down. Rabid beasts aren’t tamed, they are slaughtered, for the good of all!

“But I’m a rabid animal too, Valkyr,” I whispered, “Will you make different rules for some and not the other?”

“What?” she whispered, stumbling back as the bizarre dream disintegrated around us, leaving the pair of us sat alone in one of the Frigate’s many empty halls. “S-Sleepwalking?” she whispered, looking around in bewilderment.

Carefully I helped her down, her legs were shaking like crazy. “Alright, siddown, siddown, don’t want you to fall over.” I gave her a tired grin, patting the top of her head reassuringly as her chest heaved. “You initiated Transference to help stabilize me… It looks like we had a nightmare.”

“Those feelings,” she murmured, head turned down, ticking as she stared at the floor, “is that how you truly felt?”

“Still do,” I whispered, “those aren’t feelings one can so easily get rid of.” Slowly, it had to be slowly, I was still rough as hell, I waddled over to her on my knees, wrapping the slight Frame in the tightest hug I could muster. “Maybe that offered another unnecessary drop of perspective?”

“Too much,” she muttered, clawed fingers wrapping into my shirt, my shudder lost in the torrent of her own that were wracking her body. “Why must your suffering be forced to continue?”

So much like Ezz when she got in one of her moods. “Because… those sensations, those dreams, those memories… they will only fade after I die. Regor made doubly sure that every drop of trauma inflicted upon me was hammered into my synapses, carved, as if into stone. I will never forget, and so I instead wield them as a weak, but persistent motivation. Mayhap they will fade after I kill him.”

“I’ll help,” she whispered, “I’ll hold him down while you tear him to pieces.”

“I’d like that,” I said through a chuckle, planting a small peck on her cheek as I pulled away. “Too bad I don’t have my polyps with me, they normally take the edge off of situations like this.”

“You eat the Infestation!?”

…

Yes, I eat Infestation. What’s it to ya?

...

“Are you sure this is entirely necessary!?” I yelled once more as Cressa paced at the foot of my bed. “It’s no worse a habit than any of my others!”

“Kid,” she grunted, affixing me with that piercing one-eyed stare, “If you’ve got any Infestation in you, then you’re a potential carrier, you coulda been breathing spores all through Iron Wake and the frigate.”

I squirmed, trying to fight away the harsh numbing agent they’d pumped into me. “It’s non-infections, people use it all the time. It’s just a hallucinogen.” I squealed as her hand pressed into my pillow, making my limp-as-hell neck flop about.

“We’ve been cracking down on low quality exports for years,” she murmured, “depending on who you bought it from then you could be a carrier already.”

“I only steal the best,” I slurred, “from Corpus commanders… I don’t buy the cheap sh*t.”

“Regardless,” she looked up as a jarringly out of place person sped past, “doc’s gonna take a look at you. No risks.”

A woman, wrapped in traditional Corpus nobleman’s garb, was puttering about the infirmary, grabbing various implements, muttering quietly to herself. She was old, nearing the far latter half of her life, the urine-yellow light casting deep shadows across her wrinkled grey face. But… there was something massively off about her. I just asked as she drew up to the bed, depositing the various probes and scanners upon a waiting tray.

“Are you Orokin?” I hazarded, looking into those faintly glowing, milky white eyes, the glare of the harsh light reflecting from a large circular diadem of sorts nestled in her russet dreadlocked hair.

“Come to your own conclusions,” she said, voice deep and strong, “The Empire is millenniums dead, there are no Orokin anymore, just the leftovers.” With a deft movement she covered my eyes with a cool wet cloth. “Now keep your mouth closed, I dislike my patients to scream and thrash about.”

“Whatever pain you’re about to exact upon me will certainly pale to that which I have already faced,” I replied formally, taking a fast liking to how Valkyr tended to phrase things… it made me seem that much more obnoxious.

She tugged the thin blanket from over my body, harrumphing loudly. “Mayhaps, child, now shut up.”

I didn’t make a sound, not as she bombarded my midgut with scanning radiation, not when she took deep tissue samples from my chest and groin. I wasn’t lying. It paled in comparison.

Even against the pain of Ezz’s loss, this was simply a cool breeze washing over my dried and cracked skin. It was nothing but a relief, just something new to feel.

Hmmm… maybe I’m too edgy for my own good.

“Fascinating biology,” she grumbled as she yanked the towel from over my face. “Seems what little Infestation has taken roost inside of you is content to coexist, there has been no substantial growth. A scuffed bill of health, she poses no danger in this regard.” She tossed the old medical tools onto the tray, many of them layered with small sprigs of Infestation and my own blood. “Pack them and send her off, there is no reason for her to be here… nor I.”

I blinked at her as she turned her back. “Half of my ribs have been shattered,” I said bluntly, and I’ve taken several mortal wounds to the chest.”

She looked over her shoulder, milky eyes glinting brightly. “And yet you manage to stand, breathe, and deliver such drivel from your mouth. I am unworried, for you intent to die at a much later date, that much I know. Now get out, I must evacuate before we reach Uranus airspace.” With a loud clearing of her throat she stormed from the infirmary, allowing the Lotus and Cressa to break from their collective stupor.

“She looks mighty familiar,” Valkyr mused, “though I cannot put my finger on where I last saw her… Probably on Lua, when it was inhabited.” With a noncommittal shrug and a vague grunt she turned her attention back to me. “No more polyps,” she growled, “the last thing I need is a body comprised of two strains of Infestation… neither of whom particularly enjoy the other’s company.”

“That’s fair,” I sighed, a touch sad, “Right now I’m just wondering where they dug up an Orokin. I thought they were all dead.”

Cressa cleared her throat. “We’d prefer their memory stays that way. Her knowledge in matters of the Infestation have been crucial in exterminating outbreaks across the system. And…” her eye narrowed as the elder Orokin swept from the infirmary, wiping angrily at her eyes, “She has her own reasons to see Tyl Regor destroyed, or at least humbled.”

“Well,” I grumbled, trying and failing to get to my feet, “I’d be happy to help in the humbling. I’ll bring her a few fingers back as a souvenir.”

“That’s what we’re hoping.” Her eye ticked, head angling as a small communicator fired off in her ear. “We’re at the junction, Uranus airspace in an hour.” She waved insistently at one of the medics, growling something down his ear. He nodded and ran off. “We’ll get you back with your team and get you kitted out with some gear. We’ve got a few ways we can play this.”

“Loud and dangerous or quiet and sneaky?” I asked immediately, wincing finally as the medic injected me with something, filling my body with pins and needles.

“Lotus?” Cressa asked, looking to the silent woman, “this is your mission, you’re a part of this too.”

She took a slow breath. “Yes, yes,” she said as if trying to break through her distraction. “Indeed, we’ve two paths, both will lead to the same outcome. Speed will inevitably lead to sacrifice however, and the fewer of my children that are lost the better.”

“Heavens forbid you lose any more,” I whispered through a wry grin.

…

I decided that we were gonna play this smart and sneaky. I hadn’t quite got all my aggression out, and really wanted to knock off some targets that didn’t know any better. Firefights were nice and all, but there was something ever so satisfying about slicing through a garrison without a single one being any the wiser… before their head rolled or their brain touched air of course.

And so, packed like Corpus rations in a can into a Grineer gunship, Valkyr, myself, and our Drekar infiltration unit sped toward the landing platform to Regor’s laboratory complex. A lonely strip of metal, standing ever so slightly above sea level, crashing waves setting the metal awash with rust and salt buildup. Fun how our greatest obstacle was liable to be the walk to the lift platform.

...

The sharp wind buffeted us the moment the heavy ramp began to fall, swirling into the tightly packed space, giving us some much needed fresh air. The roar of crashing waves assailed our ears as we stormed from the Bolkor gunship, the snap of my fingers lost. Valkyr understood regardless, darting to the side to steal along the relative shade of the raised cargo platform. We were the only ones out, understandable, the first hurdle was surviving the pair of lifts. Then we’d see just how good our Grineer impressions held up.

I grinned behind my scuffed and scored mask, the very same Jahkra had left in the cave beside my soon-to-be body. I just shot the broken eye out, the shadow of my upturned hood hid it well enough. So, with our ragged grey garments, capes, scarves, drapery, we swept up the overlong platform, quickly descending the stairway toward the beating heart of the complex.

“Brokler!” I called, as the large door groaned shut behind us, voice slipping seamlessly back into my impression.

The lone Grineer responsible for operating the lift looked up, waving. “Orr!? Eagry!” His rifle dipped toward the ground, not realizing that not a single one of the Grineer before him were actually Grineer. “Drekar adray date.”

I just shrugged. “Re jutr ketter klen.”

He snorted loudly. “Greagry.” He waved the pack of us forward, ushering us onto the lift.

I waited, I wanted to be last. “Ror’s Regor?” I asked quietly.

“Raggry,” he whispered back, “Got krhud raf.”

“Gure,” I muttered, “Gure.” Without another word or a second thought I whipped my Sheev from its holster and slashed his neck open.

He fell soundlessly, body dragged into the shadows by Valkyr, stowed away so none of his brother’s had a chance of finding him. She gave me an odd look, not saying anything. I know she was judging me, silently horrified that I’d kill a man I’d been so casually talking to. It didn’t matter, I didn’t care.

“Ezz is not Regor’s child,” I growled, elbowing the console to get the lift moving, leaping onto the platform as it began its descent, “she’s mine.”

Despite how cramped the lift was, I was still left a wide berth. My own squadmates were scared of me… for the best really.

We were silent as we disembarked, looking down the short hallway to the next lift chamber, waving to the next guard that awaited us. Just as with the first, I chatted with him as the squad got onto the lift, keeping his attention away from their oddities. Then, as he was about to send us down I lashed out, slaying him where he stood. Lunging forward I caught his body, ignoring the blood that squirted from his bisected throat, dragging it to the shadows where Valkyr stuffed him into the wall.

“Calm down,” she growled, “we’re doing this quietly.”

“No, Valkyr,” I snarled back, “we’re doing this my way. Got a problem with that then you’d better chop my head off now rather than later.”

She said nothing as I stormed back to the lift, kicking the console and dropping down as it descended. I wasn’t in the mood to creep oh so quietly through these halls, I wasn’t that same child, I wasn’t going to live out those same memories. It brought me no end of excitement to show Regor just how much I’d grown, just how much stronger I’d become when fueled by my hatred for him. Those same hollow emotions were swirling through me, that dull eagerness, that faded shade of worry, that piercing anger.

As soon as I got my people to the shunt room, I was making my own path. Cressa and the Lotus got me for this long, it was about time I had some time to myself. But we had to get there before I could do anything crazy, so we had to play it safe, for now.

Peering down the overlong shaft revealed a handful of patrolling guards at the landing, a Ballista and a regular Drekar Lancer. A few grunts and an angry explanation would get them off our backs, considering we had transfer orders courtesy of the Steel Meridian. We were meant to be here, suspicion would be light.

A brief look down the hall revealed a handful for Grineer, civvies and off-duty lancers, lounging in patchwork armor and their stained underclothes. Probably here because the air was freshest by the shafts. Any worry I might’ve felt was allayed instantly as we were pretty well ignored, barely garnering a glance from any of the Grineer. Not even Valkyr’s creeping and creaking prickled an ear. It almost looked like they were drugged with something, unless their apathy was just that damn strong.

“Odd,” Valkyr whispered as we turned down a sprawling hallway carved from ocean stone, her body shining oddly as we strode through pillars of deep blue light. “Vigilant these Grineer are not.”

“My hackles are as high as they can go,” I murmured, “I hope yours are too.”

“It would be impossible for them to be any higher, Azay,” she murmured, looking back at our squad and beyond. “I feel expected.”

“We very likely are,” I growled, “It doesn’t change our goals though. If the Lotus is to be believed then there may be far more at stake than our lives.”

She grunted, crouching and leaping high, vanishing into the shadows of the ceiling as a pair of yawning guards rounded one of the nearest junctions. They simply waved and said a curt greeting, brushing through us as if we were little more than ghosts. Maybe our disguises were better than we gave credit for? It’s not like they could smell us, considering the air just reeked of piss.

“I think it’s best if we rush,” I whispered, feeling slightly cowed by our surroundings. I was back, and all of those horrible feelings were rushing back to me. “Air circulation system there,” I pointed to a slightly rusted grate in the wall, “runs directly alongside us. Use it, stay outta sight, no risks.”

Valkyr’s shadow sped toward the grate, slipping into the pipes without much difficulty. As relaxed as the Grineer were, I had my doubts they’d shrug off a Warframe running about so blatantly. We needed to hurry, something in the very core of my being was screaming at me to just hurry.

Our pace increased, to the point where we were jogging through the complex. As we scythed through those cramped and dirty halls various members of the squadron broke off, taking positions in the shadows, rifles raised and ready. Looked like we were marking our pathway back then. It was just me and two others as we stumbled to a stop in the Shunt room, the massive machinery that dominated the space simply begging us to blow it to high heaven and back. My buds would fulfill that silent request, but I wasn’t gonna stick around to watch them.

The door to the gargantuan room creaked shut just as the first cries of the doomed engineering team reached my ears. No witnesses, no survivors, no liabilities, smart. They were startin’ to think like me. My fingers flexed as I stood partway down the hall, looks like I finally get to do exactly what I came here to do: Be a distraction, and get my future wife back!

I could already hear his cackling, just as I could already hear his screaming. Just the thought sent a shiver up my spine. How succulent it would be to tear him to pieces.