Jump to content
Dante Unbound: Share Bug Reports and Feedback Here! ×

[Fanfiction] Healing

Kalenath

By Kalenath,
in Fan Zone

 Share

Recommended Posts

Kalenath

Kalenath

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I know! That was such a mind-boggling mystery! I knew Dust couldn't be his real name just like how that dude from Call of Duty's real name couldn't be Soap!

 

Sad thing is, I knew a guy whose name WAS Soap.

 

And yes, he hated his parents. With reason.

Edited by Kalenath
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kalenath

Kalenath

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Nope. Only person who knew/remembered was Nikis. Maybe the Lotus, but she isn't talking.

 

Even DUST is flabbergasted. You notice that Lisa hasn't said anything about him? Dust has no CLUE what to say.

Edited by Kalenath
Link to comment
Share on other sites
DJSeraph

DJSeraph

Posted
Posted

Wow...that was the only time I figured out the big twist before the last line...

Sometimes I wish I was that kind of reader, but then I realise that I don't want to be. I just sort of jump into the stream and go along for the ride, if it doens't make sense THEN I take notice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kalenath

Kalenath

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Choices

 

“You were Dust’s father.” Lisa had been so stunned that Iriana had led her into another room and sat the girl down to make sure she ate. No one was going to sleep after the Nekros’ bombshell.

 

“Yeah. It was… a long time ago.” Nikis said quietly. He stayed near one wall, where he could see the door and his hands were still, but not far from his pistols. “Mother’s name was Kalina. When we lost her… it was… bad. She was a good soul. Me? I ain’t. Dust always took after her.”

 

“Jasmina is crying.” Lisa said softly. “She wants to come.”

 

“Not yet. Too many players right now. We need to keep it as simple as we can.” The Nekros said with a shake of his head. “We will meet again, you hot headed witch.” Nikis promised. “Right now, we have to fix this mess.”

 

“She… agrees, but holds you to that…” Lisa gasped and snarled. “No, I am not going to say that!” She declared to someone who wasn’t present.

 

“It’s okay, girl.” Nikis said with a small chuckle. “I knew Jasmina when she was an initiate. She always had a foul mouth. The quintessential hot head although she grew up a little. I bet I know what she said.”

 

“It… involved a… long stick and a pit of… rabid weasels.” Lisa said with a wince.

 

“Yep.” Nikis snorted. “What I thought. Keep her in the loop, but we need to figure out where Karl went.” Iriana tensed and Nikis nodded. “He left the Sanctuary and headed off into the system, but the inner system, not the outer.” He shrugged. “Actually glad he left. Didn’t relish the thought of walking across the volcano to the Sanctuary again.”

 

“Volcano?” Iriana asked and then quickly shook her head. “No! I don’t want to know!” She declared.

 

“I said he wanted privacy and it was very dangerous.” Artus said with a shrug. “Do we have any idea where he went?”

 

“Not really.” Nikis said with a scowl that was visible even through his closed faceplate. “Boy always did play his cards close to the chest. Dang it, I didn’t want to involve the Lotus…”

 

“Why not?” Iriana asked. “If… If I am not being too forward or anything.”

 

“Let’s just say that the Lotus and I don’t get along all that well.” Nikis said with a sigh. “Owing her a favor is gonna suck.”

 

“You will owe me nothing, Nikis.” A soft female voice sounded form nearby and all turned to see a screen come to life. The visible form of the Lotus appeared on it. “You can holster your pistols, Nikis. I am not there.” Nikis growled and his pistols twirled as he holstered them. It…wasn’t as if he was doing it deliberately. More a reflex. “You haven’t changed a bit, you cantankerous old fool.” The Lotus said mildly. “I do want the best for the Tenno, Nikis.”

 

“Could have fooled me.” Nikis said sourly. “Spoiled brat of a girl. Didn’t get any better when you merged with the AI.”

 

“Insult me as you wish.” The Lotus replied with a calm shone even through the screen. “You will anyway. But I have been monitoring. I have tracked Karl.”

 

“Where is he going?” Iriana asked before Nikis could speak again, earning her a grunt from the Nekros.

 

“His course is taking him to Mercury.” The Lotus responded. “Although I am not sure why.”

 

“Is he coming to the Tower?” Iriana asked, confused.

 

“No.” The Lotus replied. “And he is disregarding all communication attempts. He likely does not realize you are there, Healer Iriana.”

 

“Why would he go to Mercury?” Lisa asked. But Iriana and Artus shared a glance. “What?” Lisa demanded.

 

“That is where this mess started to spiral out of control.” Iriana said with a wince. “I bet I know where he is going…”

 

***

 

He was exactly where Iriana expected him to be. The huge Tenno in the Rhino warframe stood at the cliff side where she had taken her nearly fatal plunge. Twee-Kee hovered beside her, but other than that, she was alone. It…hadn’t been easy to come alone, but she had managed.

 

“Karl.” Iriana said quietly, fully aware that he had seen her approach. “I want to talk to you.” He did not respond. “The silent treatment doesn’t work for Mishka, Karl. It won’t work for you either.”

 

“You would stand there all day, wouldn’t you?” Karl’s words would have been humorous. Once. Now? They were just empty. His head turned to look at her, then back out over the distance.

 

“If I had to, yes.” Iriana replied easily. “Killing yourself won’t bring Dust back, Karl.”

 

“I know.” Karl said.

 

“If you go to the Elders and don’t tell them, they will order you to.” Iriana said quietly. “You gave your oath of silence. So you cannot go to the Elders.”

 

“Sophistry won’t help, iriana.” Karl said calmly. “I am responsible.”

 

“No, Eliza is.” Iriana was gratified to see Karl stiffen. “She came to the dojo. Offered Lisa and me her life. We both refused it. We refuse yours too.”

 

“It’s not that simple, Iriana.” Karl said softly. “Dust is dead. If I had managed to stop him…” He trailed off as Iriana growled.

 

“How?” Iriana demanded. “How can you stop someone like that, Karl? Kill him? You didn’t want to.”

 

“But he died anyway.” Karl mused. “I knew something was wrong. I knew it was off. I had no idea. I had no idea what Jasmina would do or why. Can’t blame her.”

 

“You didn’t know how insane Redi was, Karl.” Iriana said quietly. “No one did.”

 

“Doesn’t matter.” Karl said with a sigh. “I came here to see about what Artus said.”

 

“They were left to die.” Iriana said with a touch of heat.

 

“The Grineer wouldn’t have killed them all.” Karl said soberly. “Any who resisted, or tried to run, yes. All? No.”

 

“What good will it do?” Iriana asked, her tone pointed. “Revenge won’t solve anything.”

 

“I wasn’t thinking about revenge.” Karl said, still calm. “I want to find out where the Grineer took those people.”

 

“And do what?” Iriana asked suspiciously.

 

“For a just a little bit…” Karl said, still looking off into the distance. “I can act like a regular Tenno. Do something good, like rescue some slaves.” Then he froze. “Iriana, Run! Stalker!” He stepped away from Iriana but the healer didn’t move. “Iriana, please!”

 

“I am not done talking to you yet.” Iriana said quietly.

 

She did duck as a blackness formed nearby. Karl drew his Orthos Prime and charged just as Stalker finished manifesting. But… something was wrong. The skin that Karl’s Rhino was encased in suddenly vanished and Karl rocked back as Stalker drew his scythe. Karl parried the assassin’s attacks, but he was off balance and fell back towards the cliff side. Then, Stalker got in a good slice and Iriana screamed as Karl fell, a rent in his armor. Stalker turned, his scythe raised, but froze on seeing the unarmored Healer. Before the boogeyman could recover, Twee-kee fired.

 

The Djinn sentinel had been… upgraded by Miguel and the other Tenno of Karl’s clan. Iriana did not know what they had put in the small robot’s innards, but whatever the heck it was, it surprised the hell out of Stalker. Iriana saw blue sparks as the Stalker’s shields failed, he started to raise his scythe and a Kunai hit him from behind, Karl was on his back, throwing blades at the red and black warframe as Twee-kee fired again. The enemy paused, seemed to nod to her, then knelt and vanished.

 

“What the hell?” Karl asked as Iriana ran up, her gear coming to hand. She wasn’t a combat medic, but she carried all kinds of medical gear as a matter of course. “What have you got in that thing?” He demanded as Twee-kee made a noise of contentment, secure that the enemy had gone.

 

“No idea.” Iriana replied, working swiftly to fix the damage Karl’s warframe had taken. “Jasmina decided I needed an escort, but I didn’t want it armed when I went to the tower. Miguel put something in. He wouldn’t tell me what.”

 

“He always did like his surprises.” Karl said as he rose. “Thank you. He had me.”

 

“What happened?” Iriana asked, worried. Stalker was dangerous, but she hadn’t imagined he could take down Karl with one hit.

 

“Dunno.” Karl said as he recovered his Orthos Prime from where it had fallen. “Iron Skin failed and he hit me hard. Then you surprised him as much as you surprised me with that cannon. You don’t know what it is?” He asked incredulously.

 

“Like I say, no idea.” Iriana said mildly as she put her gear away. “Miguel and the others refused to let me leave with an unarmed Sentinel. It was ‘Accept that or be grounded’. Alicia’s exact words.”

 

“You went to the dojo.” Karl said slowly. “Why?”

 

“Lisa wanted to go to draw Eliza’s attention.” Iriana said quietly. “But Janas had the box with her brain matter in it.” Karl stiffened and Iriana nodded. “It is destroyed now. Things were… a bit tense, but everything worked out. Jasmina is still angry. But she doesn’t want you or Eliza dead, Karl. It won’t fix anything.”

 

“Iriana, I cannot trust myself now.” Karl said quietly as he holstered his Orthos Prime. “How can others trust me if I cannot trust myself?”

 

“I trust you.” Iriana said simply.

 

“Why?” Karl demanded. He towered over her, but it didn’t matter.

 

“Karl.” Irian said gently, laying her left hand in the arm of the Rhino warframe. Was it her imagination it trembled under her touch? “Everyone makes mistakes. You made mistakes. They are in the past. You cannot change them. But killing yourself won’t bring Dust back.”

 

“No, it won’t.” Karl agreed stoically. “I thought you would hate me.”

 

“Oh, I am angry with you.” Iriana said with a snarl. She lifted the prosthesis that covered her right arm and waved it at him. “Very angry. But I do not want you dead.”

 

“Iriana. I am responsible for what the clan did.” Karl said quietly. “I took responsibility. The Elders will demand answers. I can’t give them the answers they will demand.” He was pleading with her now. Quietly, calmly, but pleading. “My…sacrifice will expunge the clan’s shame.”

 

“Karl.” Iriana said quietly. “You knew Jasmina was pregnant. Did you know it was Dust’s child?” Karl nodded. “You have a chance to atone.” She was begging now. “Please, Karl!”

 

“My honor is my life, Iriana.” Karl said softly. “It is all I am. All I have left now. I cannot disregard it now.”

 

“Karl… Please…” The Healer collapsed to her knees, tears starting to fall.

 

“I am sorry, iriana.” Karl said with a shrug. “I will find out what happened to the people of this settlement. Then I will face the Elders. Don’t try and follow me.” He cautioned.

 

Without a further word, he threw himself off the cliff. Iriana slumped. He would take no harm in the fall, warframes were durable beyond belief. But she wasn’t about to try and follow him.

 

“Once that way was more than enough.” Iriana said as she rose, but then she stiffened. Something… Twee-kee was turning…

 

She had no other warning whatsoever as a massive explosion went off near her. When she could see again, she was lying on the ground, her head pounding. She could see Twee-Kee firing but not hear it. Then the Djinn sparked and fell to the ground where it fell to pieces. The healer stared up into familiar green armor. Then the butt of a Grakata swung at her face and she knew no more.

 

***

 

“What do you mean she is gone?” Lisa demanded. “Where the hell is Karl?” She was still in the tower but had to be physically restrained form jumping up and running to the portal. Luckily, the Excalibur Prime could do that and not hurt her.

 

“No sign of Karl. We found Twee-Kee. What is left of it anyway.” Will said softly as he released her, but stayed between her and the door. “We haven’t been able to locate Iriana. There were signs of battle. Six Grineer bodies that looked like Twee-Kee’s work. That modified Sweeper shotgun leaves a recognizable mess.” When Miguel built a weapon, he tended to err on the side of overkill. His motto? ‘If you are leaving scorch marks? Get a bigger gun.’

 

“The Grineer got her?” Lisa wilted a little. “No. If they see that prosthesis…” The Grineer went ape over any kind of Orokin technology. Something like the bionics that they adored so much made of golden Orokin tech? She had no idea how the clones would react but it likely wouldn’t be good.

 

“I know.” Will said quietly. “I have assembled the clan. We will find her.” He looked at the other Tenno nearby. Artus nodded, Nikis shook his head.

 

“Got a few other avenues to pursue.” Nikis said quietly. “Butts to kick among other things. You ain’t going.” He said to Lisa who bristled, but then slumped and nodded. “We will find her.” The ancient Nekros promised the girl. “You need to take care of yourself and your little one. Do I need to ask Will for a guard to keep you from doing anything dumb?” It was an honest question.

 

“No.” Lisa said sadly. “I want to help. She helped me. I want to… do something. But everyone here and… elsewhere all agree. I have to stay protected. It… rankles.”

 

“I know, but you have to stay safe. You are carrying my grandkid, girl.” Nikis said gently. “I am going to be… out of touch for a bit. But I do want to help you. And Jasmina. I am old and set in my ways, but I do remember…” He slumped a bit and then froze as Lisa stepped up and hugged his warframe. “Hey now!” He protested. “Don’t do that. People will think I went soft.”

 

“I highly doubt that.” Lisa said with heavy sarcasm as she stepped back. “But… Jasmina has just asked if you could leave someone with me.” All three Tenno turned to look at her. “Someone with your com protocols.” She said to Will who looked at Nikis. The Nekros shrugged.

 

“Why?” Nikis asked.

 

“Depending on how many Grineer you face…” Lisa said, her face turning savage. “You might need backup.”

 

“Are you saying what I think you are saying?” Will asked slowly. “I mean… She is offering…?”

 

“They love Iriana too.” Lisa said, her eyes starting to burn. “They will not leave her to the Grineer. Not now. Not ever.”

 

“Oh boy…” Will said with a wince. He looked at Nikis, but the Nekros just sighed.

 

“Not my call.” Nikis said with a shrug. “Got my own fish to fry.”

 

“Why would you fry a fish?” Lisa asked, confused. Then she chuckled. “Never mind. Jasmina just filled me in.”

 

“It must get awfully confusing in your head.” Will said with a snort. “I mean, it is bad enough with just me and sometimes the Lotus in mine.”

 

“It’s just the way I have always been, Tenno Will.” Lisa said calmly.

 

“No need for such formality, Lisa.” Will said kindly. “Cecelia and Cora will be joining you here shortly.”

 

“Cora is the Grineer?” Lisa asked softly. “Oh, for tactical analysis in close to real time?”

 

“She knows more about how the Grineer operate on a day to day basis than any of us.” Will agreed. “All of the rest of us in warframes will stage from here with the Tower’s permission.”

 

-Granted- The Tower spoke aloud. –Find her-.

 

“Can you track the prosthesis or her key?” Will asked, nodding.

 

-No- The Tower replied after a moment. -She may be out of range-

 

“Or the prosthesis may have been destroyed by whatever hit Iriana. Her key could be shielded.” Will said with a sigh. Lisa gave a cry but subsided when Nikis laid a hand on her shoulder. “Iriana is a survivor, Lisa. She won’t give up.”

 

“And we won’t give up on her.” Lisa said with a nod. “So… I coordinate with Jasmina and her people. Cora and Cecelia will work with me to coordinate with your people. Artus?”

 

“I am going to search the caves.” Artus said with a nod. “I can do it fast and efficiently. I know most of them. When I am in them though, I will be out of contact.”

 

“Be careful.” Lisa begged him. Artus looked at her for a moment and then nodded and left the room.

 

“Safe is not in our job description, Lisa.” Will said quietly. “I will get my people moving. We will find her.” He nodded to Lisa as well and left.

 

“In time?” Lisa begged the door after it had shut behind him.

 

“Hey.” Nikis said as he stepped forward. “Buck up, girl. You know Iriana. If there weren’t a body, she ain’t dead. They wanted her alive and we will get her back.”

 

“Jasmina says you are a hard hearted old coot.” Lisa said, gulping. “Why are you acting like this?”

 

“Been a mean old man for a long, long time, girl.” The Nekros said calmly. “Really been taking joy in hurting people ever since the Lotus told me I couldn’t gun Redi down like the dog he was. My own father put it best. ‘There are some people who just need killing’. Told me I couldn’t and I told her what she could do with herself. Hid away, ignoring everything. Meditating. Thinking. Stewing. Hating. But now…” His armored hand touched her cheek, so gently. “Maybe it is time for me to stop hating.”

 

“I… I don’t know what to say.” Lisa said slowly. “Jasmina is…crying… I…”

 

“Don’t need to say anything, girl.” The Nekros said kindly. “Go on. If we do need Jasmina’s friends… We will need ‘em bad. And if that happens… Don’t hold back. Iriana would much prefer to die by a friend’s hands than to be a plaything for Grineer.” He said flatly.

 

“I… I don’t…” Lisa swallowed then she straightened and her voice became strong. “We will be ready. What are you going to do?”

 

“Me?” Nikis asked and then chuckled evilly. “Was told Eliza went home. Going to go have a talk with her.”

Edited by Kalenath
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kalenath

Kalenath

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Searching for a Cure

 

Iriana woke suddenly, aware of pain. Of the craving that she couldn’t seem to escape. She had been… She couldn’t remember. She had been talking to Karl and something had happened. Karl had…left. She remembered that. She remembered Twee-kee shooting at something, but then… nothing.

 

“Ma’am?” A scared voice sounded form nearby and Iriana cracked her eyes to see a human girl staring at her. The girl wore an odd garment. Half smock, half coverall, it seemed to be made of some kind of metal. But it was the large loops at the neck and wrists that caught Iriana’s attention. Places for chains to be attached, she bet there were ones at the girl’s ankles too.

 

“Who are you?” Iriana managed to croak out. She checked herself, but her gear and her skana were gone. Her key… She paused. Her body was also partly covered in the odd metal. It wasn’t heavy. But it was covering her from neck to toes with open spaces around her chest and abdomen showing the areas of the garment she had worn since waking in Jasmina’s care. Her right arm was free of the metal. Well, free except for the huge manacle around the wrist of the golden prosthesis and the chain running from the manacle to the wall.

 

“I am… a slave…” The girl said weakly. “I am supposed to tend you.”

 

“Tend me?” Iriana asked slowly. She tried to sit up and pain stabbed through her. It seemed to be concentrated in her back. But also in her abdomen. She touched her flesh and blood hand to the metal, but could not feel any difference.

 

“Please.” The girl begged. “If I fail… they will kill my family.”

 

“They are going to kill your family anyway, girl.” Iriana said softly. The girl gulped and then nodded. “That is what Grineer do.”

 

She stared around the small room. It was… fairly posh for a cell. The bed she was on had a pillow where her head was lying and an actual sheet that was thrown to the side. Both looked to have been looted from somewhere and not cleaned since. There was a chair that the girl was sitting in, watching her fearfully. There was a table with… She went stiff as she saw the distinctive outline of her portal key lying on the table. It was locked to her genetics. She knew that the Grineer could have broken the lock, given time and effort, so… why leave it for her. She shook her head, focusing on the girl. The key was a trap of some kind. It had to be. She wouldn’t lead the Grineer to the Tower.

 

“Please?” The girl begged, reaching down to pull a rag up. It dripped with water.

 

Iriana looked at the girl and then around again. There was one door, but it had no knob or control. No means of opening from this side. This was a cell. The girl took her silence for assent and stepped forward, the rag in hand. Iriana did not move as the girl slowly and carefully cleaned her face and the exposed flesh. This close, Iriana could see the marks of old injuries on the girl’s face and neck.

 

“They hurt you.” Iriana said quietly. The girl stiffened, but continued her work. “How long have you been here?” The girl shook her head and Iriana sighed. “This won’t work.” She said louder. “I won’t trust her.”

 

The girl recoiled as the door slammed open. A Grineer Lancer stood in the doorway, his Grakata leveled at Iriana and the girl, but then a laugh came.

 

“You are a tough one.” A harsh voice sounded as a large Grineer pushed past the lancer into the room. Iriana controlled her features a she recognized him. Tyl Regor, the Grineer’s preeminent scientist. “And an enigma.”

 

“Better an enigma than a monster.” Iriana said calmly.

 

“One being’s monster is another’s savior.” Regor said with what was probably supposed to be a grin. On his face it was hideous. “You are medically trained.”

 

“Am I?” Iriana asked sarcastically.

 

“Our drones recorded you healing that Tenno scum.” Regor replied evenly. “While I would prefer more time to experiment… I am afraid our time is limited.”

 

“Pity.” Iriana said without respect.

 

“Indeed.” Regor replied. “These humans, even the strong ones, die so quickly. It is bothersome to replace them so often. But you… You are far stronger of body and mind than these.” The girl gave a small cry and Regor chuckled evilly. “See?”

 

“I see the strong taking from the weak.” Iriana said in a monotone. “And I see a man who will die again soon.”

 

“Again?” Regor asked and then nodded. “We had wondered what this was.” He held up the box that held her neural connectors. “You have had dealing with Tenno.”

 

“Have I?” Iriana replied.

 

“We will have it out of you.” Regor said with another evil chuckle. “The samples we took from you will be identified soon. But the Queens require your presence.” Iriana could not disguise a shudder and Regor smiled. It was a cold thing. “They want to know how a human got hold of Orokin technology. They want access to the key we found with you. They want to know how to duplicate the prosthesis you bear.”

 

“I am not responsible for their wants.” Iriana said evenly.

 

“Then how about this?” Regor asked as he lashed out with a foot, slamming the girl to the floor. She scrambled desperately to escape, but his massive foot pinned her in place. She gave a scream as he pressed down on her leg and it broke with a thin snap. “Bases break so easily.” He said with disdain. “Shall I do it again?”

 

“You will anyway.” Iriana said calmly although inside, she was fighting anger and fear. “Hurting people is what you do. It is all you know how to do.”

 

“People?” Regor said with a sour laugh. “This?” He reached down and picked the struggling girl up by her neck. “This is not a person. This is filth.”

 

“I am looking at filth.” Iriana said, not taking her eyes from Regor. “I will not help you.”

 

“Oh, yes you will. Willingly or no, you will help us.” Regor said with malicious glee. He dropped the girl and nodded to the Lancer. “We need to transport these as soon as possible.” He turned back to Iriana with another grin. “And thank you. The pure female genetic samples we took from you will speed my work greatly.”

 

“Except my DNA is corrupted.” Iriana said, her tone mirroring his. Regor froze as now Iriana laughed coldly. “How long can you work around high energy scanners without being…damaged, Regor?”

 

“Scans are clear. You had a child.” Regor snapped.

 

“Before.” Iriana said with glee that matched his. His face contorted in anger and she laughed. The meager warmth in the room seemed to flee from her laugh. “Go right ahead, make your clones. They will fail just like you Grineer always do. That is all you do. Grineer perfection is a lie.” She said with a sour chuckle. “All you need to do is look in a mirror.”

 

“I don’t know what you are.” Regor said with a grunt. “The Queens will have it out of you.” He stalked form the room and the Lancer followed. The door slammed shut and a clunk indicated that it locked.

 

Iriana lay still for a moment and then slowly eased herself up so she could see the sobbing girl on the floor. Then she grimaced as she felt a rumbling start. She was on a ship. Iriana levered herself up despite the pain and slid to the floor. It hurt, Oh my god it hurt, but she eased her way to where the girl lay sobbing and pulled the poor thing close.

 

“It’s okay, girl.” Iriana said softly. “It’s okay.”

 

“Hurts.” The girl cried as Iriana held her.

 

“I know.” Iriana said sadly. “Let me see.” She slowly straightened the girl until she gave a sharp cry and then examined the leg. It was broken badly. Almost as badly as Iriana’s leg had been broken when she threw herself off that cliff. “Your family are on this ship?” She asked and the girl nodded. “Good.”

 

“Good?” The girl pleaded and then gave a shrill scream as Iriana straightened the leg with a practiced yank. Then she collapsed into Iriana’s arms, sobbing as Iriana held her leg steady.

 

“Nothing to splint it with and you are probably bleeding internally.” Iriana said with a scowl. She shook her head and looked at the key glinting on the table. “There is a field around that, isn’t there?”

 

“What do you mean?” The girl begged, her face burning with shame and pain.

 

“Did you try to touch that gold thing?” Iriana asked. The girl nodded. “Something shocked you, right?” The girl nodded again, her face a mask of fear. “Figured. Don’t move.” Iriana said with a groan as she slowly sat up.

 

“What are you doing?” The girl demanded shrilly as Iriana rose and stepped towards the table. Her back hurt, but nothing was broken. She knew that feeling.

 

“Calling for help.” Iriana said with a malicious smile as she slammed her robot hand onto the key. AS expected a bright blue field of energy appeared around the key, but her prosthesis shielded her somewhat. The pain was intense however and she only managed to hit one button on the key before she recoiled, gasping in pain. She was staggering as she sat back down by the girl. “Now we wait. My name is Iri, what is yours?”

 

“C…Cindy…” The girl gasped. “What did you do?”

 

“Unleashed hell.”

 

***

 

“We got a positional lock on Iriana’s key! Go! Go! Go!” Will called as he slammed his ship into drive. All around him, other Tenno ships were coming alive all around Mercury. He stared at the scans and cursed. “It’s a Grineer transport and it is boosting. Course is Earth.”

 

“Will we be able to intercept?” Alicia said from the side, checking her weapons as Will coordinated the others and his ship.

 

“Yes.” Will’s voice was a feral promise. But then he cursed again. “Multiple Grineer galleons powering up to intercept. Two, three dozen of them.” Then he paused. “Whoa…” His tone held awe now and Alicia stared at the screen as a dozen small dots appeared on it. Other Tenno ships. Vectoring towards the newly alerted Grineer. It was turning into a free for all. Pitched battles erupted as Tenno strike teams boarded several Grineer galleons.

 

Get to her quickly. The Lotus came to them and was just as quietly was gone.

 

“Right.” Will said with a gulp. “Alicia. You, me, Ric and Two hit the starboard airlocks. Mori, Olim, Aeron and Karen hit the port airlocks. No time for stealth. Hit them hard and fast.” Acknowledgements came from the other Tenno and Will smiled coldly as his small assault ship closed on the now fleeing transport, the other clan ships hot on his heels. “Too late for them now.”

 

“Watch your fire.” Alicia said with a snarl. “Friendlies aboard that ship. But if it is in green armor? Kill it.”

 

***

 

The Grineer didn’t have a chance. The small transport was intended for speed. But nothing in space was as fast as Tenno assault ships. It was too small to house any worthwhile number of troops and even if it had? Against eight Tenno? No chance.

 

Will danced into another squad of Grineer, his skana flashing as it took life after life, the degenerate clones falling like wheat before a scythe. They had a positional fix on Iriana’s key. And this close, they had a scan on the prosthesis. Now if only she was alive. He shook himself and focused on what he did. What he was. He was no diplomat, no healer. Will was a weapon. Forged and honed to perfection in many lifetimes worth of combat.

 

Alicia was right with him, her Braton picking off Grineer after Grineer. Two’s Paris Prime arrows sang around the pair, pinning enemies to walls, deck and in one case, the ceiling. Ric actually had little to do. His Ignis was short ranged, but he maintained a close watch. They had already passed several compartments jam packed with humans, most in fairly bad shape. Will wasn’t sure where the humans had come from or why, but the medical gear and some of the… remains that they had passed showed grisly work indeed. One thing was certain, they were not going to leave Iriana here.

 

A scream from up ahead had all four Tenno fading to the sides of the companionway that they had been traversing. Then they all stopped.

 

“Tenno Skuuuum!” One of the Grineer Lancers raised his Grakata, but an arrow from Two put him out of his misery. That was incidental. The other three lancers were behind cover, and between the cover and the Tenno were at least twenty civilian humans, most of them more than a bit worse for wear.

 

“We will accessorize this one’s suit with some bullet holes!” The Grineer had Iriana in one hand and a familiar short skana in the other. Will recognized the clone. Tyl Regor. Iriana was hurt, she was bleeding. But she was also snarling as batting at the hand that held her. “Be silent, filth!”

 

Will didn’t have a shot. He turned his head to the side, but small shakes told him team didn’t have shots either. If he fired, humans would die. Iriana would likely die. That was unacceptable. He made a motion and the Tenno faded back into the shadows.

 

“That is more like it, you Tenno dogs!” Regor snapped. “Flee! You will not stop me! Grineer dominance is-“

 

Whatever else he was going to say was tabled as a large white form landed on him. Iriana fell from his grasp and rolled as she hit the floor. Will was frozen for a moment, but then charged forward as the humans screamed and scattered from the battle that erupted behind them.

 

Will managed one clean shot and took down a Scorch who was about to fry Iriana where she lay, then the battle was over. Regor lay on the deck, his neck hanging at an awkward angle. The other Grineer had been slain by careful shots from the Alicia and Two as… Karl finished the Grineer commander.

 

“What… kept you…?” Iriana asked weakly as Alicia ran forward, hands outstretched to help.

 

“Ran into some old friends.” Alicia said, obviously trying not to cry. “How bad?”

 

“Nothing broken for once.” Iriana said with a sigh. “Hurts like hell. Lots of injured humans… I…”

 

“We have to get you out of here.” Will said quickly checking each Grineer corpse. None were going to get up. Several humans had minor injuries.

 

“Not without them.” Iriana said faintly as Alicia worked. She waved weakly behind her. “Girl. About twelve. Compound fracture, lower leg… She needs…”

 

“Healer, with all due respect…” Will said with a groan.

 

“These are the humans that the Grineer took. I didn’t get a full count.” Karl said softly. “I tracked them to this ship. Didn’t know you were here until a moment ago, Iriana.”

 

“You think I am going to complain about your timing, Karl?” Iriana asked and then gasped as Alicia did something. She relaxed. “We have to help these people. I…”

 

“Iriana, we need to evac you.” Alicia said quickly. “I don’t like these readings.”

 

“We are not leaving these people!” Iriana said fiercely. “Not… again…”

 

“No.” Karl said slowly. “No, we won’t. Will?” He asked.

 

“What, Karl?” Will replied, checking the huddled humans closest to him. All were terrified, but none looked hurt. A few looked sick though, probably some of Regor’s twisted experiments.

 

“We need to quarantine these people, get them all checked out.” Karl said quietly. He paused as Two came into view, carrying cringing little girl with a badly damage leg.

 

“I wanna go home…” The girl said weakly as Two laid her down beside Iriana. “Miss iri… I wanna go home…”

 

“I think we can manage that.” Iriana said with a glare as Alicia started to hold her hand over the Healer. “Don’t you dare!”

 

“Iriana, you are hurt.” Alicia said calmly. “Moving you is going to hurt.”

 

“I am not leaving these people!” Iriana snapped. “Karl, Will... Please!” Will looked at Karl and the Rhino sighed and then strode to stand beside Iriana.

 

“Yeah. I think it is time to turn this ship around.” Karl said with a nod. “Time to take these people home.”

 

“Preferably before Nikis loses his temper.” Iriana said weakly.

 

“Nikis?” Karl demanded. “What is he doing here?”

 

“Knowing him? Making a mess…”

 

***

<Avalon Portal Hub>

 

“This can go one of two ways, girly.” If the pitch black Nekros was disconcerted by the twelve Prime warframe that surrounded him, it was unapparent. “You can take me to your leader. Or I can step over your smoking corpses and find your leader. Either way is fine by me.”

 

Nikis’ hands were not on his paired Magnus revolvers. Indeed, they were crossed over his chest.

 

“I don’t know who you are!” Guard Commander Petra snapped as she leveled her Boltor Prime at the Nekros. “But you are trespassing.”

 

“Yes, I am.” Nikis said with a snort. “Ask me if I care.”

 

“You are insane!” Petra snapped. “We have you outnumbered!”

 

“Outnumbered? Yes.” Nikis retorted evenly. “Outgunned…? Yes. Outclassed? Nah.” He chuckled.

 

“You can’t win!” Petra declared.

 

“Is that so?” NIkis asked with a trace of amusement that faded. “Tell me this, girly…” Petra bristled at the insult, but more than one of the Royal Guard -the older ones- lowered their weapons slightly. “Since you are such a masterful tactician… Tell me this. Why would I come here? Now? If I didn’t think I could win? Even against all of you?”

 

“You are crazy.” Petra said, her tone faltering a bit as she saw the older members of the guard slowly lower their weapons. “What are you doing?” She demanded.

 

“Um… Petra… Don’t do anything rash.” One of the others said slowly. “We… remember him. That is Grand Master Nikis. The gunfighter.”

 

A palpable shiver went around the room and Nikis nodded. His hands uncrossed and slowly trailed down to hang near his pistols.

 

“That is my name.” Nikis agreed. “So, girly…” He said with a menacing chuckle. “What is it going to be? You feeling lucky?”

Edited by Kalenath
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kalenath

Kalenath

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

It's more...

 

'Does the old coot have Ice Storm in his weapons or not'?

 

FYI, he DOES have Hornet Strike maxed, Barrel Diffusion maxed, Gunslinger maxed (of course), Lethal Torrent maxed and Seeker maxed. haven't decide if he has Ice Storm maxed too.

 

Yes they are potato-ed and forma-ed.

 

if the Royal Guard is not VERY careful, they are gonna have a VERY bad day. You think any of THEM have maxed out mods? He likely won't KILL anyone. Probably. Maybe.

Edited by Kalenath
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...