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[Fanfiction] Innocents

Kalenath

By Kalenath,
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Kalenath

Kalenath

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Rescues

 

'No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.'

 

This saying had been around a long, long time. Probably about as long as humans had been fighting one another, some had tried to make plans of what to do and been stymied when their opponents did something that did not fit the plan. Historical cases were so plentiful as to be mind boggling.

 

The mind mass that Curtis had joined knew this. In its midst were several soldiers who had been infected by the Techocyte virus over the millennia. They knew about plans. They also knew the single most important rule of combat.

 

'What can go wrong, will.'

 

The technology may have changed since humans first picked up sticks and stones to beat other humans to death with, but that simple adage remained just as true now as it did for the days of flint tipped spears. Just as the flint spearhead would shatter at just the wrong time, or the spear shaft would splinter and leave you with a short stick that wasn't good for much more than bashing things with the splintered end, things would go wrong in any planned military action.

 

Admittedly, things were... slightly different now.

 

Section three, advance. Curtis commanded. The horde of the Infested that looked to him for guidance obeyed. Section two, retreat. Pull them into that tunnel so Section Three can hit them from the side.

 

Curtis watched from a safe vantage as the sections he had directed did as instructed. Section Two was being attacked by a heavy squad of Grineer armed with flame weapons. They had no Ancients to use mass and bludgeon the Grineer to death. What they did have...

 

The boy turned Charger was impassive as the Brood Mother that was the heart of Section Three let loose it's tiny payload and retreated a step, it's escorts charging into the Grineer squad from the side. None of the mass mind had a clue where the Grineer had gotten hold of that specimen. They didn't really care. It was very useful. As the Grineer found out. Before the Scorches and their two leaders, a Bombard and a Heavy Gunner, realized that they were under attack from the flank, the Maggots had attached themselves to the Grineer and started eating through the ferrite armor like it was made of cheese. The Bombard flailed around, actually clipping the Heavy Gunner with his weapon. She likewise, was struggling with the tiny forms that had found weak spots in her armor. A Tenno would roll to dislodge the tiny parasite. Grineer could not do that and it cost them.

 

One of the Scorches, either poisoned or mad with pain, turned his flamethrower on the group and most of the Maggots went up in flames. But so did several of the squad.

 

"Idiot!" The Heavy Gunner screamed as she shot the errant Scorch.

 

That scream became a rasping gurgle as the four Chargers delegated to her hit as one. One managed to tear out her throat in passing. The Bombard fared just as badly and then the Grineer were too busy dying to notice that the rest of the Infested had skirted the small battle.

 

The Grineer had planned for Infested breaking the quarantine. But not like this. This was not a confused mass of flesh pounding against walls, seeking to overpower through sheer mass. No. This was directed. A confused mass of Infested could be contained, neutralized. This? Not a chance.

 

The infested in the Grineer labs were...different. They were not -quite- as bestial, as feral as normal infested. They knew pain. They knew fear. But they understood when Curtis had explained. They gratefully accepted his command. His help. Even knowing that most, if not all of them would die in the process, they wanted a piece of their tormenters. Curtis and the mass mind provided them that chance.

 

It had been difficult, guiding the infested to maintain their appearance of bestiality. To keep up appearances even when a delectable morsel was dropped screaming in their lap. The poor hurt girl -her name was Mindy- slept, her form guarded by two Chargers and two Leapers who were also detailed to guard the other girls in their cells. None of them had been touched since Jesselle had been taken away. Mindy would change. But not soon. And hopefully the mind mass could ease her transition the same way Curtis' had been eased.

 

In a way, it really wasn't fair. The Grineer had set sensor telltales all over their quarantine enclosure. No Grineer in his or her wildest dreams might have envisioned Infested being able to spoof said sensors long enough to rewire them. After that? It was fairly straightforward, if tedious at times. The Infested had searched every single duct. They had mentally mapped every cranny of the massive laboratory complex. Then again, good tactics were rarely fair. Fair fights were for losers. Curtis and the mass mind did not intend to lose. To let the monster responsible for all this and so much more horror escape again. So he and his small group had worked hard to be ready.

 

Just in time. Jesselle's tactics had been meant as a diversion. Nothing more. She could catch the doctor's eye. The enhancement she had given herself was temporary. There was nothing for the Grineer sensors to find. Nothing for them to scan. They would be frustrated, make mistakes. At that point, the Infested and their allies would attack.

 

Something had gone terribly wrong. Curtis was not sure what. The first warning that anyone had was Jesselle's mental scream. It was far, far more powerful than her mind should have been able to produce. She also had very little control. Curtis and the mass mind had picked up snippets. The Grineer had wanted to copy her? Make her a Grineer and copy her? That made no sense. She wasn't a clone. They had hurt her, drugged her. Tried to make her think she was Grineer. But then... the other...

 

Curtis' focus had been the Infested and the monster responsible for waking them again. Doctor Tengus had much to answer for to people all across the Solar System. Jesselle's focus had always been on a small group of children caught in the middle of the horror. No one was sure where they had come from, but the mass mind has suspicions. The few tastes that the Infested in the labs had gotten of the kid's DNA were... not human. Close, but not quite. It felt... like Elenia and Jasmina's DNA. Tenno.

 

They had not shared their discoveries with the rest of their sometime allies. Jasmina still did not trust anyone outside of the mind mass. Elenia was working on her, but caution was warranted. Especially now when a single misstep would spell doom for every experimental subject in the facility. Tenno could be precision weapons, or they could be forces of nature. It was hard to say what would happen if what the mass mind suspected was true. So they had kept their plans secret from everyone. Janet had found out of course. It hadn't been possible to keep her out of the loop, but as soon as she had discovered the truth, she had entered into the plan wholeheartedly. Inside that Oracle's heart was still a nurturing, caring soul. Children in danger called out to her to help.

 

No one had expected Janet to see what she had. Jasmina and the others still were not sure what she had seen. Janet was unconscious and would be for some time. But...she was active. Her mind was not bound by her body after all. The mass mind could feel the Oracle working, even asleep. But doing what? No one knew.

 

And now? They were committed. Curtis had volunteered as soon as Jesselle had. The mass mind had tried to dissuade him as much as they had tried to dissuade Jesselle. But he had held firm. The others were needed for other tasks. He was not. He was small and agile of mind. It hadn't been difficult to get picked up in a Grineer sweep for specimens. The handling had been rough and he had been forced to hibernate a bit to heal, but he had managed. He had thought he was ready for some payback. But this...

 

This is why we did not want you to go, Curtis. Jasmina's mind was sad and sick. You are not a Warrior.

 

It is needed, Caretaker. Curtis said sadly as he stepped past what little was left of the Grineer squad. They had to keep moving. If the Grineer pinned them down, the entire area would be seared. Some of the Grineer safeguards were automated and controlled by specialized Infested Maggots who had eaten through the data lines to take control for the mass mind. Others were hardware or mechanical. I do not have to like it. Good thing this form does not have a stomach though.

 

If you liked it... This was Sword of Silence, the mind of Jasmina's mate, once a Tenno called Dust. We would worry. This seems too easy.

 

They are busy fighting one another in places. Elenia piped in and Curtis would have nodded, except his Charger form could not easily. He growled and continued on. Whatever Jesselle did is continuing.

 

That had not been expected. But apparently, whatever Jesselle had done... She had taken control of several Grineer. Said Grineer had been fairly high ranked and had issued orders to several groups of other Grineer. There were firefights erupting all over the facility as groups of Grineer blundered into one another. Curtis might have felt sorry for them. If he hadn't seen the horror of the facility, he might have. Now? He felt grim.

 

We are almost to where they took Jesselle and resistance is stiffening. Whoops! Curtis said as fire came towards him. He dodged to the side and his escorts charged. The swarm mutalists and tar mutalists made short work of the Grineer forces. Again, none of the mind mass had any idea why the Grineer had samples of Alad V's monsters. But they would try to figure it out. If any survived this battle. They know the horde is commanded and know I am doing something.

 

Be careful, Curtis. This came from all the minds. If we lose you, we...

 

Curtis froze as a voice sounded from a hidden speaker. A hated voice.

 

"Hail to the Queens. Facility lockdown and sterilization, authorization..." The doctor's voice cut off abruptly.

 

No. The voice was strong. It sounded like thunder across the facility. You... will...not escape... It was.. Jesselle, but... not. The power...

 

Jesselle! Curtis screamed as power flared everywhere. But the Grineer were frozen just as the Infested were. Then he could move and the Infested under his control as well. But the Grineer were frozen in place. Don't!

 

He is getting away, Curtis... Jesselle said, her voice weakening. I can't hold him and keep him from destroying the facility! Get him. Quick!

 

Jesselle... Curtis said gently. Let go. Let him go.

 

No... Jesselle begged. No... Not after all of this... She was crying and her sorrow echoed through the facility. He killed them, Curtis. He killed all but three of them... I... I don't know if I can save them...

 

Let him go, Jesselle. Curtis did not know this woman's voice. But he instantly liked her.

 

Mom... Jesselle begged. Help... Curtis stilled. This was Jesselle's mom? The Oracle?

 

I can't stay, Jesselle. Janet said sadly. But I had to help. Curtis. Get to Jesselle. Protect her. She will be very weak. She has used up far too much of her energy. If she uses any more... she will fade despite the children needing her. That is all that is keeping her conscious right now. And being awake is all that is keeping her alive.

 

What can I do? Curtis begged.

 

Don't let the Tenno kill her. Janet said firmly. She chose her path, and what tangled web it is. But she did good. Help her. Shield her.

 

Why would the Tenno...? Curtis asked, but the other mental touch was gone. Hang on, Jesselle. I am coming. There was no response.

 

All over the facility, Grineer suddenly curled up on the ground. Many started to sob. None resisted as infested tore into them. Curtis ignored all of that. The mass mind had it under control. With all of the Grineer...disabled, the only self destructs left were automated and the mind mass had those under control as well. A report from a scout showed a transport fleeing the facility. They would have to be gone before the Grineer could move a ship into bombardment range. But they had planned for such and portals were being moved into position now. With a little luck, the facility would be empty of prisoners and Infested before the Grineer could respond.

 

The Charger ran into the small room past two Grineer corpses with not a mark on them. He came to a sudden skidding stop. Two small male forms and a tiny female form were all hugging Jesselle's still body on a bed that seemed too large.

 

"Help!" One of the boy said as he saw Curtis. "Please help!" But he was frozen in place. The shock...wasn't his. Or the mass mind's. It came from Jasmina.

 

That... can't... be... The Ember Prime Caretaker said weakly. It isn't possible. He is dead!

 

Later Curtis begged her as he stepped forward. My name is Curtis. He said to the three around Jesselle. I will try to help. She is weak and has used too much energy. It wasn't a question.

 

"Yes." The boy moved to the side as Curtis stepped up onto the bed. He touched Jesselle's arm and it was like touching a stick. No life was felt. "I don't know what to do." The boy said sadly. "She saved us and I do not know what to do."

 

I do. Curtis said quietly as he knelt down beside the still human girl. He laid an appendage across her and energy started flowing. She felt... so still, so weak. He could feel her life flickering inside her. I cannot touch her for long without Infecting her. You will need to... He froze as the other boy laid a hand on his side.

 

"Use me as a conduit." The boy said firmly. "We owe her our lives. The least we can do is repay that debt."

 

So like him... and so... not... Jasmina's voice was hushed. I... This is going to cause problems...

 

I will use each of you in turn. Curtis said quietly, retracting his appendage ad touching the boy. Five minutes at most. Four and a half now. Understand? No more or you risk infection. Are any of you bleeding?

 

"We understand." The two boys said in unison. The female just snuggled close to Jesselle. Curtis checked each of them, but their wounds had been treated. It wasn't perfect, but with Jesselle's energy literally seeping way... they had no choice.

 

***

 

"F*** me sideways..."

 

The soft, incredulous voice had Curtis turning his head. All three children had hands on Jesselle. Jesselle was still weak and her energy was still seeping out almost as fast as they could put it in. Curtis looked at the pitch black Nekros warframe that stood in the doorway and spoke softly.

 

Tenno Nikis... Curtis begged. Help?

 

"Step away." Nikis said quietly as he moved forward, his hand outstretched over the girl. Both boys stared at him, obviously unsure. "I said move." He snapped.

 

"No hurt..." The little girl holding Jesselle said firmly. "No hurt momma!"

 

"Momma?" Nikis and Curtis both chorused at that.

 

"She did not bear us, but she protected us." The boy who had spoken to Curtis before said quietly. "We owe her. Do not hurt her."

 

"She is not the one who is going to get hurt." The Nekros said with a snort. "This is gonna go over like a Sand Skate trying to swim.  I better stick around. The big lunk ain't gonna react well. Not after... everything. It is going to be... interesting."

 

Nikis, please! Curtis begged. She is fading. She did so much. She did too much! I... I can't help her.

 

"I know." The Nekros said with sigh as he held a hand out to the little girl beside Jesselle. "Mia, honey... come away. I won't hurt her."

 

"Wha-?" The girl asked, confused. "Me name M-1"

 

"No, your name is Mia." Nikis said heavily. "Or... the woman you were made from's name was Mia. You? I don't know." The girl took the Nekros' hand gingerly and he pulled her up and into an embrace where she snuggled close. "This is going to be a really big mess and there will be a lot of angry people. For once..." He said with a snort as he held his free hand over Jesselle and the girl vanished in a haze of orange energy. "I am not one of them."

 

"Where she go?" M-1 asked, scared. Nikis held her gently, brushing her short fuzzy hair a little.

 

"She is sleeping." Nikis said with a sigh. "She is safe. Nothing can harm her where she is. She will sleep and wake somewhere that people can help her. But now..." He shook his head staring at the other two who stared back. "This is one hell of a mess. Figured on Grineer making a mess, but geez..."

 

"What... what did we do?" N-1 asked softly, worried. "I do not think I know you."

 

"You don't." Nikis said mildly. "But the being you were made from knew a lot of people. He... made a lot of people angry." The Nekros shook his head. "We will need to search, quick and quiet. Find out everything we can."

 

For? Curtis asked as he rose from the bed and moved to the side to be out of the way. My scouts mapped most of the facility.

 

"It won't be Grineer tech." Nikis said heavily, holding M-1 as she sighed and fell asleep in his arms. "If it holds true to pattern, it will be a small room with a few pods in it." He stilled as two more warframe approached. "Um... guys... We have a problem." The Trinity and Rhino froze on seeing what lay inside the room.

 

"Nikis..." Alicia's voice was horrified. "That... That can't be..." The white Rhino had his shotgun drawn though and aimed. At N-1!

 

"Karl... it isn't him..." Nikis said quietly.

 

"It isn't Nicholas."

 

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Spikey844

Spikey844

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I would say something, but my jaw has fallen off and is currently doing a tap dance in a three piece suit, wearing a top hat, a monocle, while on stilts, on top of an elephant.

 

I thought I had seen all the bombshells. Not anymore...

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Kalenath

Kalenath

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Oh S#&$....

 

Yep. Pretty much.

 

I would say something, but my jaw has fallen off and is currently doing a tap dance in a three piece suit, wearing a top hat, a monocle, while on stilts, on top of an elephant.

 

I thought I had seen all the bombshells. Not anymore...

 

*maniacal laughter ensues*

 

'Why... so... SERIOUS?'

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Kalenath

Kalenath

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Is there a R-1? And a M-1? If yes, N-1 will be the smallest problem.

 

Kal, this is starting to look like a comic, where nobody stays dead... :( makes our heroes look VERY incompetent.

 

Nothing... quite so simple or mundane. Nicholas IS dead and he will stay that way.

 

This is... something else.

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Kalenath

Kalenath

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Spiritual help

 

She was asleep. But not. She was awake. But not. Jesselle could see and hear. But she could not speak or move. It was... odd. But the scene in front of her had her trying to scream as N-1 stepped forward and to the side, consciously placing himself out of the line of fire of everyone else.

 

"Fire if you must, Tenno." N-1 said calmly. "I do not know what I have done to you. But whatever it was... it was bad." Jesselle was screaming silently as he knelt and bowed his head. The other boy -she had never caught his name- moved to kneel beside his brother. M-1 slept on in Nikis' arms.

 

"If you are going to do it, Karl, do it." Nikis said softly. "We do not have a lot of time."

 

"The girl?" The Trinity asked softly. Jesselle stilled. Why were the Tenno suddenly talking. Nikis of course was a law unto himself, but others? She hadn't ever heard any Tenno voices but Nikis' and that second hand. This woman... sounded worried, tired... a bit angry. Jesselle could feel the tension. She could not do anything about it though. It was frustrating.

 

"The Grineer messed her up." Nikis said, holding M-1 out to the Trinity who took her gently. "She looks like Mia. One of... the others."

 

"This is insane." The Trinity said with a shudder. "How the hell...?"

 

"We do not have time to $&*^ about." Nikis snapped. "Shoot or move, Karl." He strode towards the exit. "I need to get Jesselle somewhere safe. Safer."

 

Don't you dare just leave them! Jesselle screamed and Nikis froze in midstep. You Tenno are supposed to be better than that! From their sudden tension everyone in the room heard her voice.

 

"Nikis...?" The Trinity said slowly. "Um... isn't she in your buffer?"

 

"She is." Nikis said slowly. Something touched Jesselle and she recoiled. "Girl... Don't... aw S#&$..."

 

They are not responsible for whatever you hate them for! Jesselle screamed louder. They are inno- Whatever was allowing her to speak suddenly cut off and she was weary. So weary. Don't... please... She begged as darkness took her.

 

If he was gonna, he would have by now, girl. Rest. Nikis' voice was gentle. Soothing. She let it lull her into slumber again.

 

***

 

"Well, Karl?" Nikis asked as he finished making sure the girl slept again. His voice turned snide. "Going to stand there all day with your Hek aimed?"

 

"No." Karl spun on his heel and stalked off. Alicia stared after him and then slumped a bit.

 

"A little warning would not have been amiss, Nikis." The Trinity said with a sigh.

 

"I found out about a minute before you did." Nikis said quietly. "Curtis? Any luck finding pods?"

 

There is a small room in the lower levels. Curtis reported from where he stood against the wall. There are pods and... He paused. Some still have... human embryos inside.

 

"Not human. We need to evac them." Nikis said quietly. "Karl is off in a snit. Who is in charge?" Alicia just looked at him and Nikis shook his head savagely. "Oh no, not a chance. Who is in charge?"

 

"If not you, then Will." Alicia said weakly, careful to hold the girl gently. "Nikis, what the hell is going on?"

 

"Not here." Nikis said quietly. "Boys. Come with me. Alicia, tell Will to get those pods and get them clear. Now. It is... pretty important to Jesselle. If we leave without them, she will be &!$$ed and... helping her is going to be rough enough."

 

"All right." Alicia stepped to the door, still cradling M-1. "But we will want an explanation. Where do we take them?"

 

"The Relay." Nikis said as the boys stepped close to him. "And hurry. This is going to be rough, boys. But we will get you somewhere safe. Jesselle can be treated there too."

 

"Anywhere not filled with clones will be better than here." N-1 said with a scowl as he took Nikis' hand. The other did the same.

 

"Oh, I don't know about that." Nikis said with a snort. "But no clones trying to kill you. So..." He shrugged. "Probably better."

 

"Our brothers and sisters..." N-1 said, looking around the room at the sprawled forms. His face was sad. "Miss Jesselle tried. But they were dead. There was nothing she could do."

 

"We will get them." Alicia promised. "And we will be gentle."

 

"Thank you." N-1 said as energy flared around Nikis and then they were gone.

 

***

 

Jesselle felt wrong. Everything was wrong. She was... it was... She was so tired. Nothing hurt, just a bone deep weariness.

 

"How does she keep waking?" A soft, scared voice sounded from nearby. Female. Old. Powerful. But no one Jesselle knew.

 

"I don't know." A male voice answered the female.  "She isn't supposed to be able to do that. Then again... She wasn't supposed to be able to do what she did either. Easy, girl... easy..." Something caressed Jesselle and she was comforted a bit.

 

"Tired..." Jesselle groaned. "So tired..."

 

"You need to sleep, girl." The male voice said kindly. "You are very weak and very sick."

 

"Trying..." Jesselle felt tears threaten and she fought them back. "Can't... What did I do?" She begged.

 

"It is not you." The female voice said gently as arms surrounded her and held her gently. "Well, part of it is. Part is what those idiot Grineer did to you. And then you feel responsible for what happened to the kids. Your worry for them is also keeping you awake."

 

"I was trying to help!" Jesselle bawled and the arms hugged her tight. "Messed it all up!"

 

"No, honey." The other woman reassured her. "No you didn't. It wasn't anything you did or did not do. They chose to fight, knowing they would die. Death is preferable to such slavery. You saved three of them."

 

"Out of twelve!" Jesselle sobbed. "Some rescuer I was... Couldn't even keep the Grineer's attention..." Something changed and she could feel the other's worry. A wall blocked her, but... her power was out of control. It was going... everywhere. "I... No... Not again... I..."

 

"Jesselle..." The woman said quietly. "We are going to do something. It will hurt, but it will stop you from fading any further. We will block your power."

 

"Don't want this... this horror!" Jesselle screamed. "Take it! Take it away!"

 

"I am sorry, honey. We can't." The other said as the arms shifted and hands encompassed Jesselle's skull. "It won't hold forever. But it will let you sleep. Something you desperately need right now." She started to hum an old tune and Jesselle felt her worry easing.

 

Then the pain hit. Jesselle screamed and then it was gone. She sagged in the arms that held her. Her mind...was clear. Her power had faded to a miniscule bit that she squelched.

 

"Rest now, Jesselle." The woman said quietly. "When you wake, healers will tend you. They have been apprised. You are going to be okay, girl."

 

"Promise?" Jesselle begged, sleep coming for her.

 

"I promise." The other said as she rocked Jesselle to sleep.

 

***

 

The virtual world was silent. None of the holographic shades of Tenno moved as the sorely hurt girl finally sank into sleep.

 

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes..." Trinity -the First- said softly. "...I never would have believed it. She broke right through the blocks like they were not even there. She is untrained. That was raw power." Awe sounded in her voice mixed with apprehension. "She is human. Not Tenno. And even Tenno would have difficulty with that."

 

"The buffers of Nikis' warframe could not keep her asleep." A form in armor sort of like an Excalibur warframe -but not quite- said soberly. He wore no helmet and his dark hair shone in the harsh light of the virtual world. "We could not keep her asleep. Not even Janet had that kind of power." The First Tenno looked sad. "She... is not a threat. But she is."

 

"Her power is burning her out even as she uses it." Another Tenno wearing a Saryn Prime warframe said soberly. "She can't control it."

 

"So what?" Trinity demanded. "We kill her? Wipe her mind? Do to her what the Grineer would?"

 

"Trinity..." Hayden said quietly. "We can't help her." The First Trinity stared down at the girl in her arms and shuddered. "We will... look for options. She is blocked for the moment. She does not want to be a threat. Pragmatically speaking, we should kill her for the threat she poses, but... No." He said with shake of his head. "Not when there is hope of any kind. And those kids..." He sighed. "I really didn't want to talk to him again... I really didn't."

 

"Let me." A sultry voice sounded from nearby and everyone made way for Mag. The First Mag was not someone to anger and Nicholas had. "My spoon is ready."

 

"We need answers, Mag." Hayden said firmly. "Not just him screaming." Mag shrugged.

 

"I am always happy to help with such." Mag said in a totally fake demur tone. More than one of the surrounding Tenno laughed at that. Mag was anything but demur.

 

"I will keep that in mind. But not right now." Hayden was trying hard not to smile as Mag pouted. "Trinity?" He asked the warframe who held Jesselle.

 

"Poor dear is finally asleep." Trinity said sadly. "I think we can hold her with her power under control. Hayden... it won't stay that way." She warned. "Once a door is forced open, it becomes far harder to shut again."

 

"I know." Hayden said with a sigh. "But Nikis and Janet will do what they can. We need to find out what we can. What Nicholas did. This... twelve of them and others... Too much to be a coincidence."

 

"We know he was trying to breed Tenno." Mag said, her usual bantering gone replaced by hate. Then again... she had cause. Most female Tenno did. "What he did to Karen. What he would have done to Lis..." She shook her head. "Make it hurt."

 

"Oh I will." Hayden promised as he vanished. The other Tenno vanished as well. In moments, only Trinity sat, still holding Jesselle.

 

"I will stay with her." Trinity promised thin air and Janet appeared nearby. The Oracle had been crying. "It's not your fault, Janet. It is whatever the Grineer did." Janet went to her knees beside the kneeling warframe and touched Jesselle's hand tentatively.

 

"She was... always... such a good kid..." Janet said sadly. 'Why now? Why did she have to learn about focusing on duty now?"

 

"She had good teachers. I will stay with her. If it comes to it... I will not make you do it." Trinity promised. Janet bowed her head and Trinity sighed. "She deserves better. But if she cannot control it..."

 

"I know." Janet said sadly. "I... cannot see a lot about those kids. I was trying to see where they came from. The Grineer found a tiny chamber inside an asteroid. It held the pods. They did not make them, they... used them on enslaved woman." Trinity slumped a bit and Janet nodded. "I cannot see much more than that."

 

"He would have protected any of his laboratories with the same cloaking tech that hid his dojo for so long." Trinity said heavily. "Nicholas was insane. He wasn't stupid."

 

"What can I do, Trinity?" Janet asked as she smoothed Jesselle's hair gently. "She is my daughter."

 

"Pray." Trinity said sadly. "Pray she is sane when she wakes up. If she is... they may be able to find a way to help her. If she is not..." Janet jerked, but then nodded.

 

"If she is not, make it quick." Janet begged and Trinity nodded.

 

"I had kids once too." Trinity said sadly. "I do not want to kill her. But..."

 

"I know." Janet's voice firmed. "If it comes to it... I will not blame you." Trinity just shook her head.

 

"I will."

 

***

 

"You want us to... what?"

 

Chief Executive Vina was not a retiring sort. One did not rise into the upper echelons of the Corpus without having a certain amount of strength of will. One did not leave the Corpus, no matter the provocation, without learning quite a bit about one's self as well. Then again...the other person in her office was not one to take insults well, if at all. But right now He seemed worried. And when Grandmaster Nikis was worried...

 

"They are kids, Vina." Nikis said with far more patience that he generally showed. "Kids with no idea why people are reacting as if they had seen ghosts of evil people. Not that most of them were..." The gunfighter mused. "The leader and a few of his closest? Sure. The rest? No. Just led badly."

 

"Like Lis." Vina paled and Nikis nodded. "So the Tenno...?"

 

"Anyone who lost anything to Nicholas will be looking for revenge." The Nekros said quietly. "We need these kids kept somewhere secure, away from most of the Tenno. We need Jesselle treated and monitored. She... did something she shouldn't have been able to." Vina paled further and Nikis nodded. "We don't know if she will be sane when she wakes."

 

"And I thought things were getting boring..." Vina said weakly as she sat in her chair with a plop. "'Be careful what you wish for', huh?"

 

"Yeah. 'You just might get it.'" Nikis replied. "If you can't, then you can't. Do not try to stop any Tenno who may come. I do not think Karl will. But there are others. Lots of others. And Karl has surprised me occasionally. Usually not in a good way." He mused.

 

"How many?" Vina asked, her face smoothing as she relaxed.

 

"Three survivors." Nikis said with a sigh. "Two more in pods who haven't been decanted yet. The Grineer used surrogates. The few records we found... were horrifying." Vina paled again. For the ancient, hard bitten gunfighter to say that...

 

"So... three young and two who haven't been born yet." Vina sighed. "If this were the Corpus, I would call the Clergy." She stilled as Nikis laughed. "What?" She demanded crossly.

 

"That is the best idea I have heard since this mess started." Nikis said with a sly grin in his voice. "They do know about dealing with orphans, no?"

 

"Not Tenno orphans." Vina protested.

 

"Kids, Vina." Nikis said with a sigh. "They are kids. I can tell they are not even flash grown. The Grineer let them grow normally for some reason. Well, except for the controls they put in the girls." He shook his head. "We will handle the autopsies. Just in case there are any surprises. If there are, we will handle it."

 

"We have space." Vina said quietly. "But we do not have a lot of excess staff. And any Tenno who comes... will not react well to these." Nikis shook his head. "Would you trust the Clergy to handle something like this?"

 

"I do not think 'trust' is the right word." Nikis said after a moment's thought. "Tenno do not trust. We can't. Not even each other completely. Iriana and a few other healers are notable exceptions and Iriana's trust was abused too. We get along with each other fairly well. But there is always the wariness. Life has stabbed us in the back way too many times for any of us to trust. You understand. Which is one reason I like you." Vina grimaced and nodded.

 

"Iriana is coming." Vina said with a frown. "We got notice that she wanted to treat Jesselle and should step up security." Nikis nodded. "Why not take them to the Tower...?" She trailed off and then slapped her forehead. "Duh! Their genetic prints are on file at the Tower, aren't they?"

 

"That is where the renegades died." Nikis agreed. "Only one beside Lis still lives and he was being a pest. Taking them there is a bad idea. Both for what the Tower might do and because any Tenno can access the place easily."

 

"You really think someone is going to try to kill these kids?" Vina asked softly.

 

"No, I don't think a darn thing." Nikis said softly. "I know someone will. Nicholas made a lot of enemies." Vina stared at him and he sighed. "What?"

 

"How well did you know this renegade, Nikis?" Vina asked softly. Nikis did not respond and she shook her head. "Nikis, please? I will give them shelter. After everything you and the others have done, it is the least I can do. But... Why, Nikis. This is not just about Jesselle, is it?"

 

"I can't say, Vina." Nikis said softly.

 

"Oh." Vina swallowed hard and then nodded briskly. "Then... we can have quarters set up quickly. We do not have any clerics on staff. I think... if you can monitor them, someone from the Clergy would help. Both the children and Jesselle."

 

"Would they help?" Nikis asked quietly.

 

"I haven't... spoken to them since I got here..." Vina said with a frown. "It... hurts. All of us. But the separation may help us survive."

 

"Or it may drive you all mad." Nikis said with a grunt. "My authority. Talk to them." Vina looked scared and Nikis shook his head. "I can stop them if anything happens." Vina swallowed hard and her gaze went far away.

 

"I... hear... they.. She..." Vina was suddenly crying. "She was so worried. She feels us again. It... I..."

 

"Vina." Nikis pressed her gently.

 

"Right." The Executive said and then she smiled. "They say they can send someone, but getting whoever here will be hard."

 

"Hard on them, maybe." Nikis said quietly. "But we can do it with no lasting damage." Vina glared at him and he shrugged. "Does it hurt now?"

 

"No, but it hurt like hell at the time." Vina snapped. "You could have warned me."

 

"There wasn't time." Nikis said with a shrug. "And you did very well. Most humans are blubbering when they come out of digitization. You tried to take my head off. Which is why I left you with Oracle and her people to recover."

 

"Don't expected me to forgive or forget." Vina said with a glower.

 

"You are certainly not the type to." Nikis aid with a booming laugh. "The Clergy?"

 

"They are debating." Vina sighed. "It might take a while. It might not. They talk very fast, but... achieving consensus can be... Oh..." She jerked. "They did."

 

"Who are they sending?" Nikis asked. "I will get whoever and bring them."

 

"A Sister named Kieko."

 

Edited by Kalenath
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BaIthazar

BaIthazar

Posted
Posted

Is Jesselle going to become a Tenno or something?

Also... I'm loving this story, probably going to look up any previous issues, but I'm having trouble with some of their names.
I know I'll just have to deal with it, it's your story and all... but I just can't get over an ancient Ninja-ish fearless warrior being called Karl

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