RP XCOM2: Liberation of Earth

[DarkGemini24601]

Taxor_the_First and DarkGemini24601: “Operation Humilibus Neptune, Part 4”

The eleven that remained topside didn’t notice Samuel’s absence at first. It was only when Stacie sweeped her eyes to the side to search for some sign of the target that she noticed the Aerotrooper was absent. “Uh… guys, where the hell is Samuel?”

“...the fuck? He was just here a second ago,” Yakone responded in confusion.

Lester sighed. “Oh for- Holly? You see where he got off to?”

“Nope,” the Sharpshooter replied. “I did notice he was hanging back a bit, but I didn’t see him leave.”

“Uh, guys… I think we have bigger problems right now,” Bombay timidly reported.

Standing out in the open was an Ethereal that matched the description of the target. He was clad in dark blue robes with brushstrokes of a lighter, icy blue - a color scheme befitting of his title of ‘Neptune’. Qiasun’zeinin was not standing on the dam, however. He was - quite literally - walking on the river water held back by the dam. He came to a stop about a dozen meters away from the squad, and tilted his head upwards to regard the soldiers above his stature. Despite the poor optics of being below his foes currently, the Overseer didn’t seem upset like others of his ilk might have been. Pride didn’t factor into his mind.

You are the forces that have come here in an attempt upon my life, I take it? Neptune questioned rhetorically. Ordero hasn’t been able to keep you back, I see. Ah well… it gives me the opportunity to fight alongside a good friend. So be it, I suppose. A pair of drop pods descended from the sky - these ones buoyant to allow the pair of Inquisitors that joined the Overseer’s side to avoid sinking to the bottom of the riverbed.

The smell of moist earth after a downpour assaulted the noses of the humans as the two emerged, one familiar in appearance, the other not. Aquatef’s sapphire robes rippled in the sunlight, while those of the newcomer barely shone their muddy-green. He made an impression in another way, however, retrieving a massive alloy hammer from the side of his pod.

More than usual? Terrash queried. Good! This will be a fine battle!

Yakone pointed a hand in the Inquisitor of Earth’s direction. “You… I like you.”

How about that, Aquatef? Terrash has a fan, it appears, Neptune noted with a degree of amusement.

I suppose that would make two, then, the Inquisitor of Water responded. Shall we?

A violet mental link spanned from Qiasun’s mask to Aquatef’s. Naturally… let us begin. The power of the two Ethereal psions was shared, and their coordination was rendered impeccable. The Overseer of Asia opened his palms and created red flames in them. The Inquisitor of Water did likewise, creating spikes of ice. The spikes briefly turned red, and the flames blue, and then they shot together between the two, coalescing into a ring of water that spun around the pair. It is time that you departed, opponents of the Path. The river beneath the pair surged, and a tidal wave ten feet high shot forward at them.

Judgement Squad hardly had time to react. Samara and Samson were able to plant their feet and weather the storm in their superheavy armor, but the others weren’t so lucky. Olivia had to quickly summon Onimiki and grab up the two nearest her whilst within his form, rescuing Yakone and Stacie from the storm surge. Lester was able to blink atop his SPARK to just barely avoid being washed away. Jezebel did the same, except she positioned herself on Samara’s shoulder. As for Christoffer, Arthur, and Alan however, they were washed cleanly off the side of the dam, tumbling down into the lower river where a very-angry Berserker waited.

Today seemed very much like a day for bad to go to worse. A third drop pod rained down from the sky, and burst open in midflight - revealing an airborn Inquisitor Aervouba with her four-winged Reflection at her side. Unfortunate… it seems I will not have a chance to get my revenge on Yokolov. However, redeeming my honor with the deaths of eleven XCOM soldiers should prove sufficient.

Neptune pulled out an ornate psi amp with designs as intricate as those on his mask, and brought the water ring to spin around that - taking control of aquakinesis directly from herein. Aquatef, I shall direct your energies. The shooting gallery in front of us, I leave to your capable aim.

The Inquisitor of Water drew her Harpoon Caster from beneath her robes. With pleasure, she smirked. But first… Without completing her sentence, the sapphire-cloaked Elder dove beneath the water. An eagle-eyed observer might have noticed her release a small glowing object - maybe a plant, maybe a creature - into the depths, before resurfacing. At last. Aegaeon has been waiting for a decent meal.

“Analysis,” Lucifer began. “That last statement conveys an element of menace, probably related to her diving.”

“Yes yes, excellent work,” Lester stated dismissively. “If you could please focus on shooting at them, perhaps?”

Terrash didn’t bother waiting for his allies to catch up. With surprising speed, he floated to the top of the dam where the remaining humans gathered, and placed one hand low. If you’re as eager as I am, then you’ll understand the need to block out everyone else, he said to Yakone, lifting his hand. The concrete around them in roughly a box shape crumbled, then shot upwards, creating a walled arena constructed of rock. Hmm? Oh, it would seem I accidentally included some others.

Lucifer picked itself up from the ground. “No drastic damage reported,” he stated, turning to face the Inquisitor. “Master Lester, permission to engage?”

“Why are you asking me?” the Specialist demanded, quickly checking his shotgun to ensure it would still be functional.

“It’s not a party with just two people,” Yakone declared, drawing her fusion blades.

The Inquisitor of Earth began a booming laugh. You… he said, rubbing the handle of his warhammer. I like you.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor_the_First and DarkGemini24601: “Operation Humilibus Neptune, Part 5”

The fruits of Aquatef’s labor showed as, like worms wiggling out of the dirt, several glowing tentacles emerged from the depths of the water behind the dam. Whether or not they were connected to a larger organism was impossible to determine, and beside the point for everyone anyway - the far more prominent concern was where they would strike.

Samara kept her shield between herself and the river at all times, being instructed to by a thoughtful Holly who remembered the Juggernaut couldn’t see Reflections. “There’s no way we’re getting inside that rock cage,” Cobra muttered, “at least not from this side. Jezebel, any ideas?”

“Too small of a space for me to teleport into without risking a messy death,” Procellae muttered. “Maybe-” Another fast-moving wave knocked the cat onto her back. “Godfuckingdammit!”

The Juggernaut glanced backwards at the toppled feline. “Holly, that Overseer’s being a massive issue. Can you do anything about it?”

“Not from this angle,” the Sharpshooter responded. “Great big tower in my way.”

Samara grunted. “Samson?”

The Harrier had his attention turned upwards, however. “Bitch can’t you see I’m busy?” he demanded, firing another burst skywards. “Fuckin’ hell, man. I signed up to fuck up mooks, not this shit.”

Rather than try and block the attack, Aervouba (surrounded in her Reflection) merely darted to the side and sent a barrage of focused lightning Samson’s way. His armor protected him somewhat from the electricity, but it began to overload his systems, threatening to throw his armor into meltdown - until a thunderbird moved in the way, absorbing the electricity and forcing Exantia and her master to cancel the attack. “How dare you steal my thunder!” the Inquisitor of Air screeched in fury.

“Quite literally, too,” Olivia noted, still within the breast of her supernatural beast. Onimiki and his master surged up into the air above Aervouba, and then divebombed her together - knocking her down through the sky two dozen meters and bringing her lower to the ground.

“Un...hand me!” Exantia unleashed a rift around herself, the psychokinetic storm ripping at Onimiki’s fragile form and forcing Olivia to disengage.

This merely had the effect of keeping Aervouba in one location. Now with no risk of friendly fire, Samson was able to fire a shredstorm up towards the Inquisitor. “Shoulda stayed close to her!”

Her eyes widening beneath her mask, the Inquisitor threw up a telekinetic shield. For a moment, it appeared as if it were heavily damaged but not shattered, but then it broke up completely and it appeared as if Samson had landed a killing blow. What tipped the Harrier off to the fact that such a result was fantasy was the rushing of wind that went by him and then came to an end at his back. He turned just in time to catch Exantia’s thunder hammer with his kinetic strike module, which half caved-in on itself from the force of the electromagnetically-charged blow.

“Why don’t you just… lie down and die?” Aervouba growled angrily.

“‘Cause… uh…” Samson considered his response. “You know what, fuck you.” He disengaged from the Reflection, evidently realizing there was no way he would come out on top in a contest of pure strength. Instead, he resorted to his rifle, unleashing a torrent of bullets the Inquisitor’s way.

Her Reflection took some of the strikes, starting to waver in its form. A lucky save came for Aervouba when a boulder tumbled off the side of Terrash’s arena, and allowed her to temporarily hide behind cover to try and come up with a plan.

***​

Yakone rolled to the side of the attack just in time to watch it break one of the walls and go rolling off. “And here I was thinking that Terrakinesis was a bit of a lame power…”

The Inquisitor of Earth bellowed a laugh. You haven’t seen the half of it yet! he cried with some glee. Flipping his massive hammer sideways (with far more dexterity than one would think possible), he blocked Lucifer’s attempt to pummel him into the very ground he controlled. Still upset about your cannon? he taunted, deftly smacking the robot away.

Lucifer stumbled, one foot treading on the shattered remains of his main weapon. “Merely an unexpected variable,” he said pleasantly.

“Healthy amount of optimism going around here,” Yakone muttered, coating one of her blades in an emerald energy that wasn’t plasma. “Alright, I’ll give you this: your psionics are pretty handy, Declension. But so are mine. You guys created your worst nightmare by trying to make me into your puppet.” She flicked her wrist hard, sending a metabolic wave at Terrash.

In response, the Inquisitor raised the earth beneath him. Though it did rather comically knock him off his feet and directly onto his behind, the action did save him from Yakone’s attack. I will admit the plan was… flawed, Terrash stated, hopping off his new platform. But I commend you for keeping those tools at your disposal. Some would have abandoned them due to their origin. You, however, choose to make them your own. Taking your enemy’s sword for your use.

He raised his hammer above his head. We are both warriors. And as warriors, we must both do our best to eliminate the other! With a smooth yet powerful motion, Terrash brought the hammer down, slamming it onto the ground. The orange energy coating the weapon, tinted with some red, flowed from it and into the ground, creating an outward ripple in the floor in an attempt to at least destabilize his foes. With that done he charged forward, intent on taking advantage of this.

Yakone did stumble, so much that she tipped over, threatening to crumple on her back. Unlike the undignified fall of the Inquisitor of Earth, however, she had a means to stop herself from tumbling over. The Ranger used the momentum of her wobbling and a burst of haphazard physical enhancement to push herself into the air, enabling her to flip onto a handstand, and then hop back to her feet in time to parry the incoming hammer with her feet firmly planted on the ground. “Neat trick,” she taunted with a grin.

Same to you, Terrash admitted, drawing back and twirling his weapon around in his hands. Briefly, it seemed as if the hammer was floating before it re-entered his grip, and he swung it around again. Haven’t had an opponent like this since… oh, long before you would have been born!

The force of the blow knocked Yakone back, and at the same time the impact occurred there was a loud crunch and then a sickening pair of snaps. The Ranger reeled back in agony, another cracking noise filled the air as her arm armor (and her radius bones) went from being broken back to an operable state. Fuck, he’s strong!

I believe that was a use of magnokinesis there, Praclaritas offered helpfully.

I gathered that…

His use of orange psionics suggests that he would be a prime target for the Bioelectric Overwrite.

If getting in close is even feasible! Yakone narrowly dodged the second strike, though a quick use of magnokinesis meant that the hammer slid to the side where Yakone had gone and smashed her with a powerful glancing blow. She was knocked backwards into one of the arena walls, creating a crater where she hit. Why am I the punching bag of the day?!

You do fulfill a frontline damage absorption ro-

Shut up, Praclaritas. Reaching out to her allies telepathically, Yakone requested, Lester, if you and your sexbot can distract him long enough for me to attack him with all my insides intact that would be a BIG help!

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Taxor_the_First and DarkGemini24601: “Operation Humilibus Neptune, Part 6”

“S-sexbot?” the Specialist muttered, clearly exceptionally miffed. “I thought that blasted rumor would have petered out by now - what are you doing?”

The large robot, crouching on a single leg, gave him a befuddled look. “Isn’t this usually how humans profess love to each other?” he asked.

Lester’s expression was not visible given the helmet covering his face, but it probably wasn’t that of a pleased man. “Well, that’s that then,” he sighed, discarding his shotgun. “Come on then Inquisitor. Might as well kill me now and get it over with.”

Terrash tilted his masked head. I… can’t say I’ve had this happen before, he admitted. While he was distracted, the Justice Regalia-clad Ranger had gotten back to her feet, and had put away her swords to lunge for the Inquisitor of Earth. Despite coming from the side, he saw it coming out of his peripheral vision and raised his hammer to block the punch thrown his way. Dropping your weapons? he asked incredulously. Have you all gone insane? It was at this moment that Terrash noticed that the Justice Regalia’s helmet was empty.

“Next you’ll be surprised and exclaim ‘where has Yakone gone!’”

Where has- A biolelectricity-charged palm was pressed against the Inquisitor’s back, and Yakone’s psionic patterns temporarily overwrote Terrash’s. His red psionics were shut down, his orange psionics were substantially weakened, and his other major - yellow - was only minorly affected, but nevertheless still hampered slightly.

“You’re right. As warriors we have to do our best to eliminate each other. Problem is, my ‘best’ isn’t playing fair,” the unarmored Marauding Crusader told the Ethereal, kicking him in the back with a physically-enhanced shoe to create some distance between herself and him.

Terrash stumbled, suddenly finding his hammer abnormally heavy. … well played, he admitted. Well analysed. Unfortunately for you, I will not be disarmed so easily! The Inquisitor of Earth dropped his hammer, instead reaching beneath his robes and pulling out two plasma pistols. I find these inelegant and distasteful. But if we’re not playing honourably… He diverted his fire between Yakone and Lester, the latter of which was saved by Lucifer stepping before him.

Yakone had no such luck, and she was seperated from Praclaritas by the form of the Ethereal himself. She only had time to throw up her Overdrive onto her skin and pray that would be enough. The plasma shots the Elder fired impacted with her chest, and burned her flesh horribly - trails of smoke jettisoning off. They were the portions of her skin that were outright evaporated. Just barely, Yakone held on against the attack - though this pain was much worse than even having her arms broken. She collapsed onto her back, clutching at the wound and pumping erratic pulses of biokinesis into it to prevent the shock from being incapacitating and the damage from getting any worse due to the residual heat.

“Oh, damn,” Lester muttered. “Lucifer?”

“On my way,” the AI reported, stomping over towards the downed human. His master, meanwhile, retrieved his shotgun, though he held it in one hand with his psi-amp in the other.

“Pra-whatever your name is, can you fill in for a bit?”

The Justice Regalia’s knuckles were ground tightly together. “I can,” a synthesized voice responded from the armor’s external speakers. Despite the voice being cobbled together hastily, there was one emotion that was easily discernable from it: rage. Praclaritas lifted Yakone’s PDW ‘Orca’, and opened fire with abandon.

***​

The harpoon buried itself into the vehicle’s door, leaving little to the imagination as to what would occur were a human to be caught by such a shot. You cannot hide forever, Aquatef seethed, reloading her weapon. I’ll chip that car down to scraps with this if I have to!

“I’d be fine with you wearing yourself out!” Stacie’s voice carried from behind the car. “Have fun with that.”

I did say ‘if I have to’, the Inquisitor of Water pointed out, smiling. With her direction, one of Aegaeon’s glowing tentacles poised itself to strike. Lucky for me, that won’t be necessary. The Reflection brought down its limb, cleaving the mass of metal in two. When it removed the tentacle, however, there was no blood or sign of the Gunslinger.

Instead, she appeared to the right of the location Aquatef had heard her voice come from. “Ventriloquism, bitch.” Stacie lifted her meltdowners and barraged Aquatef’s armor with a spray of heatwaves to soften it up for a follow-up shot with her revolver. Rather than attempt to defend herself with psionic energy that was currently in use elsewhere, the Inquisitor of water dived beneath the waves, avoiding the worst of the attack. Aegaeon made a lazy swipe in Stacie’s direction, the speed of the blow negatively affected by the sheer size of its limb. Merlux easily enabled the Gunslinger to dodge, and in the process she brought out her DMR to take a chunk out of the tentacle. “How are you two doing with the target?” Stacie questioned her pair of allies.

She only saw one, however, as Bombay had been sucked beneath a mass of water and was currently being spun about by an underwater rift. With the power boost from his psi amp and partner, Neptune had enough force to put into the attack that it began to strip off the evolved cat’s armor plating and tear at her flesh. By that point, however, the Banshee’s blink had recharged, and she warped out onto Samara’s shoulder, dripping water and blood. “Mother… fucker… is giving us trouble.”

“If you weren’t in bad shape I’d make a joke about cats and water… but…” Stacie glanced to the side, Merlux materializing near her. “Hey, Mer… you think you can try another application of our sonic modulator?”

“What… did you have in mind?” the A.I. questioned a little apprehensively.

“Echolocation?”

“...that shouldn’t be too hard. In principle it will be similar to the omnitracker that Joy uses, but… underwater. Still, we’ll be going into the enemy’s domain,” Merlux warned.

“Yeah. I don’t intend to stay long, though.” Stacie ran towards the edge of the dam. “Samara, when I’m done I’ll let you know over comms! Use your tractor beam to fish me out.” With that, the Gunslinger leapt into the river, descending below its depths. She turned on a light on her helmet, illuminating the somewhat murky water while she searched for Aquatef.

Neptune turned in her direction for a moment, intent on going after her, but he had to raise a wave in front of himself and create a superdense wall of ice to block a shotgun blast from Bombay. “No you don’t,” Jezebel growled.

Beneath the surface of the roiling water, Aquatef was surprised to see an invader. Are you suicidal? she wondered, edging away from the Gunslinger before she got her bearings. The Inquisitor had faded into the murky water, her position invisible.

That was, at least, from the naked eye. However, Merlux began to fill the water around his user with soundwaves. When they impacted with solid objects, they were reflected and bounced back to Stacie - painting a map of the underwater terrain onto her HUD. A floating entity such as Aquatef stood out like a sore thumb, and Stacie lifted her revolver in that direction. She fanned three shots quickly with the plasma weapon, the superheated bolts of green cutting through the water and turning the liquids along its path into steamy gases that shot up to the surface.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Taxor_the_First and DarkGemini24601: “Operation Humilibus Neptune, Part 7”

Not expecting the Gunslinger to discover her position, the Inquisitor of Water was unable to defend against the plasma. A few bubbles escaped her mouth as the beams began eating into her chest, the pain compounded by the water entering the wound. Aegaeon’s tentacles writhed, and began thrashing about on the top of the dam. Qiasun! Aquatef cried. I need…

Tef, hold on! Neptune psychically cried out, diving below the surface.

Stacie, her internal oxygen supply running low, was forced to have Samara recall her. However, as she was lifted to the top, one of the tentacles of the agonized Reflection seized her. The Juggernaut’s tractor beam and the supernatural tendril engaged in a tug of war, pulling back and forth with all their energy and might, respectively.

Even in her wounded state, the Inquisitor of Water began laughing. Should never have entered my domain! she giggled. Aegaeon will drag you down into the depths, and there you will become his - and thus my - sustenance. The damage you caused me will be repaired!

“Samson, you want to go help out over there?” Holly asked over comms.

“I’m a little fuckin’ bus-”

“You go do that, I’ll focus Aervouba. Go!”

The Harrier swore, abandoning his attacks on the Inquisitor of Air and stomping over to Samara. “I’m gonna hang onto yo’ waist real tight, don’t you be gettin’ the wrong idea.”

The Inquisitor of Air, meanwhile, was not having much luck in her battle. Above her, Exantia grappled with Onimiki. The four-armed, four-winged Reflection had foregone its hammer for the two spears, and had tossed both of them when it had perceived an opening. However, the thunderbird proved to be too fast, and had dodged the strike and now forced the valkryie-like thoughtform on the defensive. Samson abating his barrage had given her an opening, however, to assist her Reflection. Or so she thought.

Bombay instead stood as a thorn in her side. The injured Banshee took a deep breath, and then conjured up a thunderstorm rift around the Inquisitor. Aervouba was forced to use a rift and electrokinesis of her own to cancel out the attack, but the literal acid rain that Jezebel had created was something the Ethereal had no counter for. The droplets seared her armor, burning holes in it along the helmet and the upper shoulders. With a cry of fury, Aervouba sent a buffet of wind Procellae’s way, knocking the XCOM recruit onto her back.

The Ethereal stalked towards her fallen enemy, her eyes burning from behind her mask with indignation. Time and again you marr my pride, humiliate me… no more! I will make you all pay for your transgressions! All the electricity that Bombay had created flowed into one of Aervouba’s palms, charged up even further by her own power. Starting. With. You. The Inquisitor of Air raised her hand over her head, preparing to obliterate the treasonous Mogul in front of her with extreme prejudice. I judge you guilt-

The sentence was never completed. Instead, Aervouba was the one that was smote, albeit with significantly less fury than she herself had been intending. The plasma beam vaporised the Inquisitor of Air’s head, leaving no time for her to spout one last defiant insult. “Yeah, and I judge you a little bitch,” Holly said smugly, allowing her rifle to vent. “You good there, pussy?”

“I… swear to…” Jezebel slowly got to her feet, and then blinked backwards as Exantia descended from the sky - a fist impacting the ground where she had been a second before. “Fucking hell!” The Banshee readied to dodge again, but a second evasive action was not needed. That was the final strike of the dying Reflection, whose form was beginning to grow puffy like evaporating clouds. Exantia’s armor shattered into fragments of light, and then her form burst into a mist that quickly thinned and vanished from sight. For this thoughtform, there would be no successor user. She merely followed her master into oblivion.

Inside the rock arena, Terrash ceased his pummeling at Lucifer for a moment. … and so pride falls once again, he muttered grimly. To an unseen threat at that.

“Sniper units are invaluable in long-range engagements,” the devil agreed, lancing one fist forward before immediately backing away.

The Inquisitor of Earth snarled. More Ordero’s domain, he stated, pushing forward. But I suppose you overcame even that to get here, didn’t you?

Lester blinked. Overcame what? There was no enemy sni- He froze. “Holly, you might have a competitor! Watch for long-range units!”

With the valkryie gone, Onimiki was free to make a followup action. The thunderbird placed Olivia down, and then billowed up in size, becoming a gigantic harbinger of the storm as it flew over the river. Neptune and his ‘Triton’ had yet to resurface. And now it would be too late for them to do so unscathed. “Begone from this world, occupiers,” the supernatural bird rumbled. An electrical discharge outclassing Aervouba’s display from before battered the river beneath, sending lightning arcing through the water below. Although it spread out across the significant mass, it was still focused enough to impact the pair of Ethereals beneath the waves.

Aquatef, her heartrate slowed by bloodloss, did not survive. The electric charge passed through her heart, causing it to beat a few rapid, irregular times, before being stopped. The thunderbird’s lightning nearly claimed the life of Neptune as well, but he managed to react in time to create a dome of ice around himself and the Inquisitor of Water that drew out the liquids around them and created a nonconductive buffer zone. Are you alright? ...Tef? Realization hit the Overseer like a physical blow. He felt his blood run cold, and the mental link that had connected him to his friend and comrade shatter as surely as Exantia had.

Horror turned to rage, and those emotions fueled Neptune enough to grant him power to continue fighting. He surged up to the surface, leaving Aquatef’s body floating on a small iceberg. The dome around him broke into a collection of shards that swirled around him at blinding speeds, imitating the winds of the gas giant for which he was named. You shall claim no more lives, dammit! I will make you pay, I swear on my life! He sent a storm of his icy projectiles Onimiki’s way, in such a wide spread that the thunderbird could not dodge fast enough. The thin, sharp shards impaled through his wings, and he tumbled down towards the water - dissipating along the way from the damage he had taken.

Stacie shakily rose to her feet, feeling sharp pains from fractured bones caused by her fall from the tentacle’s grasp upon Aquatef’s demise. Aegaeon had turned into a murkly black fluid that had splattered parts of the dam and swathes of the river a coal color. “Olivia, are you alright?”

The Ambusher held her head in pain. “Can’t… bring him back… focus is ruined.”

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Taxor_the_First and DarkGemini24601: “Operation Humilibus Neptune, Part 8”

“Then we do this the old-fashioned way,” Samara instructed. “He’s angry. He’ll make mistakes. We just need to be able to take advantage of that.”

Samson turned to face her. “I still got some artillery left in this bitch,” he said, patting his armor. “So long as he doesn’t fuck off to the other side of the river, I can hit him.”

Cobra nodded. “Good. Then I’ll attract his attention-” A lance of plasma scorched the side of her armor, not piercing through but still severely damaging it. “Wha- where?! Who?!”

“That’d be the enemy sniper Lester mentioned,” Holly said. “Leave this to me. He’s to your left somewhere, so just keep a wall between you and that side or something until I can take him out.”

The Juggernaut deployed her shield in response. “Portable wall,” she explained. “Now, here’s what I want you all to do…”

***​

Bonnie chuckled. “Ye know, I don’t feel jealous of Lester or Samuel anymore.”

Holly grunted. “Jealous? What would you be jealous of?”

The Grenadier looked at her. “Do ye not remember the whole leadership dispute thing?”

“Didn’t pay much attention.”

A sigh. “Me point is, I’ve come to realise I’m proud of ‘em. Like a mother’s proud of her children. They’ve surpassed me in rank, and most of ye are far more badass than I could ever hope to be, ‘specially at my age.”

“Well, Samuel did say he considers us one big family.”

“Heh.” Bonnie shifted, her back leaned against the solid concrete railing. “Who’s the father then? Or are ye all bastards?”

“Knowing you? It could be any number of… ‘lucky’ men.” Beneath her helmet, Holly’s eyes were focused. She adjusted her grip on her rifle, unable to hold still despite needing to. “Come on,” she muttered. “Where are you?”

A movement in her scope caused her to whip sideways, but she was disappointed as the piece of rubble that had caught her attention careened off the edge of the dam. The Sharpshooter cursed under her breath, returning her gaze to her killzone. Bonnie had ceased trying to make small talk, both due to her injuries and because it was clear Holly needed to focus. She lay with her back against the railing, breathing heavily and watching her compatriot work.

Holly ran her tongue along her lips, wetting them. “Stop hiding, damn it,” the Argentinian whispered. “Just pop your head out. Not much to ask, right?”

The rifle’s barrel moved slightly left and right, searching for its target. The enemy eluded her for now, though, choosing to remain hidden. Trusting her master to search for the far-ranging threat, Joy kept her processes on the closer-range motion tracker.

As such, Holly was the only one who saw the glint. Dull, given the weather, but there nonetheless. There you-

The burning green beam hit its target dead on. Through the Harbinger’s scope, through her visor, and into the flesh and bone beneath. Neither Holly nor Joy had time to even gasp before the shot burst through the Sharpshooter’s skull, sending her reeling as Bonnie cried out in horror. She was dead before her body had hit the floor.

***​

There were no more words from Neptune. His grief was focused on revenge at the moment. That was all he currently desired, and the weakest Overseer poured all the energy he could muster towards that goal. A pair of drill-shaped spikes of ice larger than he was tall formed, and then compressed, shrinking down to the size of bullets. He created a pair of whirlpool rifts that spun the two projectiles to high velocities like the Samson’s Augerrifle did with its drill capacitor, and then fired each of them off at the two XCOM heavy troopers that posed the most immediate threat to him.

Samara’s tractor beam caused the one meant for Samson to veer off-course, and the bubble-shield she deployed over the top of herself stopped the other. “Try again,” the Juggernaut muttered, adding under her breath “But… closer this time.”

Unfortunately for her, the Overseer of Asia had no such intention of doing so. He merely kept up his attack, this time creating five less-dense ice projectiles, which he lined up in an elongated whirlpool rift slingshot. He sent the five all for Samara, having the impactors stress her shield to its breaking point, inducing its dissipation. In doing so, however, he merely allowed her to retaliate, firing a few inaccurate shots in his direction. One of the large slugs slid off part of the sphere of swirling ice around Neptune, and punched through his right shoulder.

He grimaced beneath his mask, pain shooting through his fragile body, but he struggled to maintain control. Still, the force of his will was starting to wane, and the sphere around him began to contort to an ovular shape as he started to lose his concentration. I… cannot… I must… not...

It was time. Samson discarded his rifle, instead preparing to unleash both his remaining shredstorm and metal storm in rapid succession. “Oh, but you will!” the Harrier roared, firing.

The Overseer had no defense against such a barrage. Qiasun’zeinin closed his eyes, his anger abating. He felt only a dull sense of shame now as he accepted his fate. Forgive me, Aquatef. I failed to avenge you, in the end. The shredstorm tore his armor to pieces, and the spray of hundreds of bullets perforated his body. The psionic energy he’d stored up for his final assault overwhelmed the fragments of his body that remained, and the Ethereals’ form was consumed in a dark blue light with hints of a brilliant icy light blue. His sphere stabilized, and just for a moment, he mimicked the beautiful form of the outermost ice giant before he and his creation faded away into nothingness.

Silence settled over the battlefield for awhile. It took the other soldiers a moment to remember that one of the present Inquisitors remained alive.

… I know when the war is lost before the battle is over, Terrash said at last, holstering his plasma pistols. His warm-colored psionics had slowly begun to return, though not fast enough to be of much use. With a wave of his hand, the walls of the rock cage - those that remained intact, that is - lowered, leaving the Inquisitor of Earth alone amidst a multitude of tired but still dangerous enemies. Arbiter’s orders. It was a fine battle, but I must depart.

Lester glanced up from ensuring Yakone was still alive. “Now, you wait just a-”

But it was too late. Terrash tapped the ground with the head of his hammer, and a chasm in the dam opened up, swallowing him whole. Perhaps a rematch, some day, went his parting words.

And with that, it was over. The target had been eliminated, and yet another Overseer was down. Firebrand dived down to the foot of the dam to pick up the three soldiers that had been knocked off, finding them standing exhausted over the shredded husk of what had probably been a Berserker at one point. The Skyranger flew alongside the dam and the squad as they headed back to the location where they’d been dropped off originally, intending to pick up the three soldiers in the back along the way. Unaware that only two still breathed.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Operation Humilibus Neptune, Epilogue

The door flew off its hinges, blown off by the sheer force of Umbra’s punch. From within Samuel emerged, breathing heavily and with an indistinct violet liquid coating his fists and dotting his visor. Looking up, he saw Lester glaring at him. “Where the hell have you been?” the Specialist demanded.

“Had my own fight,” Nemesis answered. “Who’d we lose?”

There was silence. “How did you…”

“Was it one of the Mavericks? Bonnie? Samson?”

Lester swallowed grimly. “I… think it’s best you see for yourself.”

When they reached the tower, Arthur had already brought her down. Bonnie was absent, unable to stomach being in the same place as the body any longer.

Samuel began shaking his head. “No,” he stated. “No, this isn’t… this can’t…”

Stacie stood off to the side, her face and expression both downcast. Merlux was present, but there was no schadenfreude on his features. His teardrop-shaped eyes were drooping more than usual, and he appeared as solemn as the soldier next to him. Christoffer was nearby, though he was looking off the side of the dam rather than in the direction of Holly’s limp form. Heinrich was pacing anxiously, possessed by an incurable frustration over what had happened. There was no sign of Olivia. Having seen so much death already, the Ambusher could not bear to hold a vigil over another fallen friend.

“We’ve been lucky until now,” Lester said quietly. “I suppose it had to happen eventually-”

“How dare you say that!” Samuel seethed. “We didn’t have to lose anyone. We never do.”

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.” The Specialist crouched down next Holly, noting with distaste the blood coating the inside of her visor. A circular hole was present at about eye level, cracks webbing outwards. “I… I have to confirm…”

Everyone watched as he reached both hands underneath Holly’s helmet, unfastening it from her armor. With a breath in, he slowly pulled upwards. He stopped about midway up, however, hesitating.

“... Lester?” Alan asked. From the viewpoint of everyone else, whatever the Specialist was seeing was blocked by his back.

Advocate did not respond for a moment. Then he sighed, and lowered the helmet again. “Someone tell Central we’ll… need a closed-casket funeral prepared,” he said numbly.

“Why didn’t you take the whole thing off?” Samuel asked. From his tone, it was probable he already knew the answer.

“... trust me. You don’t want me to,” Lester answered, hooking his arms beneath their fallen comrade and lifting her up. “She… wouldn’t want you to remember her like that.” He began the trek to the Skyranger then, entering a brooding silence that would likely stay for the rest of the trip.

The sky only darkened, and began to shed its indiscriminate tears upon the landscape below.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Operation Humilibus Neptune: Lights Out, Part 1

Samuel’s gaze snapped backwards as the door clanged shut behind him, and a few audible bolts rolled into place. Immediately, he snarled. “That’s fucking low,” he seethed. “Using the voice of the dead to lure me into solitude?” The damp tunnel did not respond.

An attempt to radio to the others proved his suspicion that the area had been insulated against outside wireless signals. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, the Russian began moving down the steps slowly, his rifle poised to shoot anything that jumped out at him. Only the shadows seemed to threaten him as he descended, the glow of his weapon illuminating the space around him a sickly green. They did not scare him. He had one under his control, after all.

The stairway led him deeper into the inner workings of the dam, eventually opening out into a cavernous room that smelled of mold and water. Turbines whirred as they allowed torrents of liquid through, turning the machines and generating electricity. The force of gravity, turned to the benefit of mankind. These machines lined the side of the area to Samuel’s right, while the wall to his left was mostly bare. Aside from that, there was no motion at all.

He ran his eyes over the interior, searching for whatever had lured him down here. “So how’d you do it?” he asked, his voice echoing slightly off the concrete walls and floors. “Illusion? Very convincing, I’ll give you that. But see now you’ve got the problem of separating me from my allies. Which of course means you don’t know the first thing about me.”

Nemesis grinned, though beneath his visor the motion was impossible to see. “I work best alone, where I know what I’ve got to work with and the only one to let me down is myself.” He chuckled. “So I hope you’ve got at least two Elders down here. Maybe a Siegepede and a Sectopod too. You’ll need them.”

I’m afraid it’s just me, came the voice again.

Samuel turned his head, and standing in the middle of the floor was an Elder wearing platinum-white robes. Even in the gloom they shone dully, rimmed by the black edges on her clothing. Her mask was ornate, curved at the top as if part of a sphere and rimmed by carvings of spikes along the side. From the front, it seemed a depiction of the sun.

The Aerotrooper took all this in for a moment. The Elder before him raised a hand. Allow me to answer the question forming in your mind, she said calmly. My name is Albina’beliluxr. I am the Inquisitor of Light.

After glaring at what would seem to be his opponent, Samuel began shaking his head. “No,” he stated. “No, no. This is an illusion of some kind. There’s no way you could still be alive. Azazel saw you die, Umbra saw you die. Which means I saw you die.”

Beside him, a ghost shook their own head. Yet it is her, Azazel murmured. I don’t… ask her how this came to be.

Fuck off, you do it.

I don’t think you quite understand how this works. I’m in your head, not hers. Ask.

The Russian grimaced. “How can you be here?” he asked.

I only know what the Arbiter has seen fit to tell me, Albina admitted. I take it if Umbra has shared memories with you then you already know the beginning of the story.

“I witnessed up to Carolus overpowering Azazel,” Samuel reported, his tone somewhat wary. “Beyond that, I only got a glimpse of a discussion with Ignium.”

That would be the deal, then, the Inquisitor of Light mused. In any case, you remain ignorant of the intervening parts…

We were caught by the Inquisition, Azazel butted in, though Albina continued speaking. Specifically, the Inquisitor of Order’s network of security personnel. Arrested for treason, like so many others during the Purge. Tried without any real evidence. Found guilty. But each of us offered a singular choice - provide substantial evidence to allow the case to be shown publicly, and we would be spared. Carolus would have jumped at the chance, but she was kept out of most of it anyway. They still needed one of us to… ‘repent’.

I lost all hope. A shuffle of my priorities caused me to decide on a course of action - I would survive, regardless of what it cost me. That was what Ignium had offered me, and to my shame I took it. Abandoned my allies for more time on the clock. The dead Inquisitor hung his head, a motion echoed by his living laʒir. Minos made certain I was aware, however, that the life I had bargained for belonged to him. Not me.

He made me Inquisitor, and forced me to watch as everyone else was executed for their crimes. Including her.

Albina gave a shuddering sigh, the memory clearly painful to her. They were silent throughout the entire procedure, she finished. How was I to know the one dressed as my laʒir was not him?

I was made Inquisitor of Shadow. Made to do Minos’ dirty work. Not even told the leadership had changed until midway through this conflict.

Minos didn’t know what to do with me, the Inquisitor of Light admitted. They kept me under lock and key. Watched me. But, in the end, they allowed me to continue my research on human cultures. No harm was seen in the action.

I lived the form of enforcement I loathed, Azazel spat. Took lives in the name of the Path. In the name of beating the Resistance. Eventually, I stopped caring. Ignium had been right - I regretted my choice.

When the old Inquisitor of Chaos usurped the Arbiter, she took over his affairs as well. Including a certain xeno-cultural-anthropologist. Albina actually smiled at the memory. She was horrified. I was released immediately, and given the chance to atone as Inquisitor of Light.

Carolus lorded her position over me, the ghost growled. Enjoying my suffering under her. Seeing it as the natural order, no doubt. A fanatic like her would. Eventually, I decided I’d had enough. Both of my attempts on my own life, even before I knew Carolus was Arbiter, Umbra thwarted. Her appearance was the last straw. I wanted to die. But I needed to pass on Umbra first. To someone that would hate her as I did.

The two stopped for a moment. And that leads us to here, they both said. Standing before you.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Lights Out, Part 2

I never knew, Azazel continued hoarsely. If I had, maybe I wouldn’t have…

Samuel gritted his teeth. “That’s in the past,” he muttered. “I’ve got a bigger question. Why would Carolus not tell you?”

To torture us.

To protect us from each other. Albina sighed. Whether I like it or not, Azazel was a bad influence on me. We strayed from the Path. Carolus… the Arbiter was right to keep us apart, waiting until she could be sure we wouldn’t ruin anything with our reunion.

The ghost beside Samuel seemed choked by what he was hearing. “Albina, listen to me,” the Russian spoke for him. “You said it yourself - I have access to everything Umbra has experienced, even while it was under Azazel’s control. And from what I’ve seen of Carolus, she’s not the type to do what you’re saying for altruistic reasons.”

And where is Umbra? the Inquisitor of Light questioned. All this talk of my laʒir’s shadow, and I have yet to see it. Let me look upon it. With my own eyes, I want to see the remnants of him.

Samuel didn’t have time to tell her yes or no, as Umbra made the decision for him. It manifested in its titanic glory, towering above the Aerotrooper and Inquisitor alike in the cavernous room. In the low light, the edges of the being seemed a little blurred. It watched Albina, obviously internally conflicted. Here was one of the reasons it existed at all, standing in its way. An old, mostly forgotten order, pushed against the thoughtform’s composition of hate and anger. Protect. Defend. Stuck against the desire to smash through all that would oppose it.

Albina seemed to notice this. It… really is part of him, she whispered almost reverently. I would recognize that mindset anywhere. It… saddens me that I never got to see him develop this being. A pause. But then, I suppose neither of us had that pleasure.

“Eh?” Immediately, Samuel’s mind jumped to a conclusion. “You can’t be telling me…”

Did Azazel ever tell you why he went by that name? Albina asked. It was my pet name for him. I study the cultures of other species, after all. Among that is studying your religions. With humanity, I got the chance to both study the texts and see it in action rather than pour through what was brought back from smoking ruins and such. I saw a name, a depiction of someone or something that took the burden of others upon itself. A scapegoat. It seemed only fitting to me that I call him that. I guess he perpetuated the name without me.

The Inquisitor folded her arms. There are those who say religion is something most only turn to in a time of desperation. I had my time. The Path did not offer guidance in the face of the mechanical monstrosities before me. I looked elsewhere. With my knowledge of countless other belief systems, I looked elsewhere. And, to my surprise, one looked back.

Samuel took an involuntary step backwards as, beside Albina, a shape began to form. At first, the image of a simple farmer made its way into his head, but was immediately dismissed as something far more chilling overrode it. “Is that the fucking Grim Reaper?!” he demanded.

Azrael tapped the base of his scythe on the ground. Some refer to me by that name, yes, he responded calmly. Others, by ‘angel of death’. In the end, the form and function are the same. I take souls.

“Well, you’re not taking mine.”

To his surprise, Albina didn’t seem so eager herself. “I’d rather not,” she admitted, speaking up softly. “But Ca- the Arbiter asked me to. I can’t deny her orders. Unless you would rather just give up and allow me to-”

Nemesis barked a laughed. “As if I would,” he berated. “If you take me at all, it’ll be dead.”

A moment of silence. “… as you insist,” the Inquisitor of Light murmured.

Albina made the first move. Azrael took on a wraithlike form as his mistress projected several copies of the pair, echoing their movements. Then, not only was Samuel’s vision cut off by a blackout, but a slight whoosh indicated the Inquisitor of Light had blinked to a different location. When the Russian regained his sight, he was surrounded by the apparitions.

Umbra slowly stood, having crouched over its master to prevent a surprise attack while he was blinded. Samuel analyzed the images around him. Each was identical. “What the fuck is this, one of those carnival games with the cups and the ball?”

I suppose in a way it is, was the response. But in this case it’s purely a game of luck.

The Aerotrooper watched the images carefully, waiting for a sign to present itself. As soon as you make your move, she will make hers, Azazel noted from beside him. And once you’ve committed to an action-

-there’ll be no time for me to counter her, Samuel finished grimly. Fucking perfect. As a test, he raised his rifle at a random image. No apparent reaction.

Is that your choice? Albina asked, as each apparition tilted her head.

Nemesis cursed, and lowered the rifle again. “Damn you,” he muttered. “What the hell kind of tactic is this?”

Evidently a better one than whatever yours is, was the response.

Abruptly, the Russian swiveled around and fired, beam phasing through one of the images. Immediately, one of the others barreled forwards, Azrael’s wraithlike form solidifying as he raised the scythe. It met Umbra’s arm, once, twice, three times, before the angel finally retreated back to his mistress. The shadow, meanwhile, merely lowered its arms, ignoring a prime opportunity to retaliate on the extended attack.

Samuel glanced at it. “What the hell are you doing?” he asked. “You’ve been good with this before now - when they get close, you smash them, ok? Simple.”

Do you not feel that? Azazel snapped in response. Listen to your Reflection.

He’s mute!

Listen to his mind!

The Aerotrooper grimaced, but reached out nonetheless. “Indecision?” he muttered. “This isn’t like you at all. Just because she’s your old master’s girl-”

“I knew it,” Albina said, her tone hopeful. “I’ve seen footage of Umbra in action. It was without mercy. Here, it protects you. But it refuses to fight me.” She paused. “There’s still some of Coatl in there.”

Samuel glared at her. “Coatl’s dead,” he said harshly.

The Inquisitor of Light shook her head. “I’ll just have to prove it to you,” she said. “Azrael. Show him.”

Azrael’s scythe glowed with indeterminate energy, and again the angel of death dashed forward. Again Umbra half-heartedly deflected the blows. But Azrael’s plan was not to cut through - midway through his attack he broke away, pointing a palm in Samuel’s direction. The flesh of the Reflection’s hand melted away to leave the skeleton beneath, and the ribbons of red it formed leaped toward the human like angry snakes.

No roll, dive, or sprint would have carried him out of the way. Nemesis struggled vainly as the ribbons coiled around him, seemingly capable of passing right through Umbra’s form. What the hell is he trying to do? the Russian thought wildly. Suffocate me? What’s that going to prove?

The wrapping pressed down on him, constricting the Aerotrooper’s movements. Even activating his jetpack seemed useless. No amount of struggling would get him out of this one, it seemed.

Samuel froze as one massive eye opened up in the fleshy wall in front of his face. Around him, he was aware that multiple other eyes had also opened. Lengths of muscle began passing over the Russian’s body, feeling the nooks and crannies of his armor that the walls around him could not. “What the fuck-”

I would relax if I were you, Azrael stated. This might be uncomfortable, but it will not prove lethal.

A hesitation, then a sigh. “... what are you doing then?” Samuel asked warily. “What even is this?”

Revelation, was the answer. Specifically, a method for me to see you. Feel you. To witness all that you are, were, and will be… to a point. Where your life could drastically change, I cannot see further.

“Now wait just a moment-”

You are an orphan. Your parents only exist in foggy memories now, barely consulted. Your father figure found you vulnerable by the side of the road. The two of you didn’t consider each other family at first - rather, an alliance of necessity. A tongue swiped across Samuel’s visor, leaving a trail of saliva and causing him to recoil in disgust. But he still raised you. Eventually, you became attached to each other. The last time you saw him alive was when he was taken into custody.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Lights Out, Part 3

You wanted revenge. The anger consumed you - you wanted Coatl’promethoth dead. I feel a resonance with that idea, that desire, in your relationship with your Reflection. You were bound by vengeance, though you have lost that drive. It is what separates the two of you. Keeps you from ever being completely in tune.

Azrael blinked. Other than that, the two of you - Samuel, Umbra - are the same. Merciless to those in your way to the point of brutality, and with a constant itch to fight.

Samuel scowled. “You’re speaking like I’m some murderer,” he grumbled, shifting. “Some psychopath.”

The angel of death chuckled. And you do such a good job of hiding it you yourself won’t admit it. Another length of tongue slathered his back, sliding upon the metal of his armor. One of the basic truths you take for a given is that everyone has a vice. Some guilty pleasure that they could not do without. Yet you have never really thought to apply that to yourself.

You find pleasure in combat. Every engagement is a game to you, a challenge. You delight in killing your foes in the most efficient way possible. A pause. The act of murder, or at least besting your enemy, is integral to your sense of wellbeing.

“Liar.”

You deny yourself this in order to keep within the social constraints you define as ‘normal’. Yet like any addict, deprivation of the sensation is unsustainable. Deep down, you worry. You worry you’ll need to find an outlet for your passion for fighting. You worry that outlet will be someone you love.

“I’d never-”

Even there, there is denial, Azrael continued. Your squad is your family - each and every one of them fulfilling a role in your life you’ve never experienced before. A mother, a sister, a brother. These are people you would do anything for - maybe even give your life. And then there is your lover. Ah… there it is. That’s the denial.

Samuel squirmed. “What the hell are you on about?” he snapped.

You love her, was the simple response. Yet you refuse to admit this, externally or internally. Shrouded under the guise of ‘making certain’ that this is what you feel. You are paralyzed by this indecision - knowing that you do, but refusing to believe it for fear of treading too fast. Once again, you ignore your own desires in order to accommodate those of other-

Azrael, enough.

The angel stopped. Mistress Albina?

I said enough! Release him!

Azrael hesitated. … as you wish, he acquiesced, easing the pressure on Samuel’s body. The walls of flesh around him began streaming away, as if liquid in nature. The change was rapid - blink, and you’d miss it. It was no time at all before the Russian found himself standing before Albina, inside the dam once again.

The Elder turned away. “I can’t do it,” she muttered, placing her head in her hands. “I… I-I-I just - I can’t.”

Samuel hesitated. “... do what?” he asked.

“Kill you,” Albina answered, turning around. A sniff revealed she was crying beneath her mask, a concept surprising to her enemy. “I can’t demolish the last remnants of him. I can’t.”

He’s not your laʒir.

“No.” The Inquisitor of Light gazed upon him for a moment. “But you said it yourself, Azrael. The similarities… the selflessness. Samuel, you put yourself on the line for others. Forgo your own personal goals for others.” She smiled. “I can see why he chose you. You two are very alike.”

The two of them froze when another voice, a source of authority to one and hatred to the other, began laughing. “Oh, now this is quite the situation,” Carolus stated, clapping her two pairs of hands together. Even situated on the metal catwalk several tens of meters above them, Samuel could almost see the cocky grin plastered across her covered face. “Blinded by his fervor, the lure drew him in. But then… then she refused to kill him.”

Albina swallowed. “That would be like asking me to kill Coatl!” she asserted. “I won’t do it. And I won’t allow you to either.”

Azrael glanced at his hand. A change of heart… betrayal…

“I’m not exactly giving you a choice, Alby,” the Arbiter cooed. “And you must surely be aware of the penalty for refusing one of my direct orders.”

Even without directly reaching out, Samuel could feel Umbra’s anger. So strong was the emotion that it bled through, seeping into the Russian’s own mind. Pounding at the back of his skull was that desire. “Albina, you owe me nothing.”

“Then what would you suggest? I sit back and allow all that remains of my Azazel to be dispersed into nothing? Or taken and corrupted?” The Inquisitor of Light pointed a finger at Carolus. “I know the reason you wanted Samuel brought to you alive. You want Umbra for yourself, don’t you?”

The Arbiter thumped the railing before her. “I would bring it back onto the Path, yes!”

“He follows his own Path!” Albina shouted. A sigh. “And I will see to it you don’t disturb that.”

Carolus considered for a moment, her violet and white robes serving as a calm exterior. “That… is all we needed to hear,” she said at last, smiling.

Samuel’s gaze snapped sideways. “We?” he said, raising his rifle and searching for another.

It was at that moment that Azrael noticeably stiffened his posture. Samuel, he said directly. I regret to inform you, but one of your number has just fallen.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Lights Out, Part 4

… what? Who? How?

“My apologies, Arbiter,” came a familiar voice behind the Inquisitor of Light and her new ally. “Had to take care of an annoyance. It required all of my attention.”

“So long as you were successful, Ordero,” Carolus stated.

A scoff from the Inquisitor of Order. “Of course. But back to the matter at hand…”

Samuel glanced at her, then back at Carolus. Umbra was pulling him toward the latter, and given the fact that Albina hadn’t immediately killed him, he was guessing she wasn’t quite as strong, or at least as offensively oriented, as the Arbiter. Perhaps it would be better to split their fight in this manner.

“Albina,” he muttered. “You take Ordero. Leave Carolus to…”

The Inquisitor of Light turned when he didn’t complete his sentence. “Samuel?” She recoiled when she noticed the bright violet glow emanating from his eyes, the light strong enough to bleed through his visor.

“I’m afraid Samuel is under my control,” Ordero said smugly, the thread connected to the Aerotrooper’s mind indeed leading back to her.

Carolus slumped at the railing, and soon Albina was rendered under enemy control too. With satisfaction, the Arbiter examined her new hands. “Simple,” she declared. Azrael had faded away, his master seemingly unable to sustain the Reflection while under the influence of another mind entirely. Umbra had met a similar fate. “And they say Reflection users are stronger than psions.”

Ordero ran a hand along the side of her puppet’s helmet. “Now what?”

“We bring them back with us. I will deal with them appropriately in the safety of our territory. I-” She stopped, frowning through Albina’s face. “I will have to carry myself back,” she realized gingerly.

So focused were to two of them on the logistics of their plan, they failed to notice Azrael fading into view behind them. The angel of death raised his scythe, targeting the thread between Ordero and Samuel, and swung. The metaphysical blade clove the line in two, immediately releasing the Russian from the Inquisitor’s control.

The response, too, was immediate. Umbra materialized, lightly punting away Carolus (so as not to damage Albina unnecessarily) and slamming one fist towards Ordero. The Inquisitor of Order reacted fast enough to block the attack with a shield of ice, but that left her open to her recovering puppet, who blasted her with his rifle. A cry of pain, but still alive.

The Arbiter scowled, using Albina’s blink to teleport up to the railing where her own body lay. “Try cutting this,” she scowled, inflicting herself with blackout before releasing her override. Albina did not have time to escape her own ability before she was struck at the base of the neck by a segment of the metal railing, knocking the Inquisitor of Light unconscious.

Samuel wasn’t paying attention, though he did notice Azrael dissipate too quickly to be intentional. His focus was on Ordero, who was now grasping his throat with a psionic vice and squeezing. “Try again and you will die!” she threatened, though her voice wavered.

In response, the Russian dropped his rifle, grasping the psi amp at his side. Normally wouldn’t be able to pull this off, he thought. But right now, you’re already panicking. Just need a little push…

The burst of violet from the Aerotrooper was indeed enough to induce the already nervous Inquisitor into full panic. She was unable to focus the necessary energy to crush his throat, forcing her to disengage. Arbiter, help me! I’m losing control of the situation here!

Carolus paused, Albina’s limp body slung over her shoulder. … I have faith in your ability, she said at last, departing the room.

A-Arbiter?! Ordero dodged to the side, a blast of plasma melting the concrete wall behind her. “Cease this, now!”

Samuel didn’t bother responding. Using his jetpack to gain extra velocity, he sprinted forward. His opponent fled, narrowly avoiding having her head crushed between his boot and the wall. Instead, Nemesis used the wall as a means of altering his trajectory. Pushing off with one foot, he was able to pursue his enemy with ease.

The Inquisitor of Order forced herself into calm. She still had her ace, after all. Turning around, she extended a hand. “You’ll be mine once again!”

Briefly, the thread connected. Briefly, Samuel’s eyes glowed a dim violet. But Umbra had had enough. And now, it knew what Ordero’s mind felt like. Recognizing the foreign influences, the Reflection effectively blocked them, much like a firewall blocking suspicious programs. And Nemesis kept coming, knocking the Inquisitor onto her back with a simple kick.

He planted a knee on her chest, preventing the Inquisitor from standing. “Mercy!” she cried, covering her head with thin arms. “Mercy!”

He either didn’t hear her, or ignored her. Lifting his fists, he began beating at his foe, one, two, three, four. Her mask cracked and broke under the onslaught, and then her face received the same treatment. By the time he was finished, Ordero had ceased her pleas. She had also ceased breathing.

Samuel’s own breaths were haggard, rough. With some trepidation, he climbed off his battered enemy, shaking his hands to get some feeling back into them. The motion made him stop - his usually silver-white gauntlets had been tinted a sickening violet. Over the top of them hung Umbra’s own hands, echoing his movements.

Something clicked in his mind. He turned to look at Ordero but was forced to look away again, repulsed. What the fuck was that? he demanded of himself. Why? Why would you do that? Stupid. Unnecessary. You could have just shot her.

In the back of his mind, he already knew the answer.

Shaking his head, he went to retrieve his rifle. He could still catch Carolus. If he was quick enough…

But the interior of the dam was a maze to one who didn’t know it’s tunnels and turns. Eventually, the path followed led him to a door to the outside. The door flew off its hinges, blown off by the sheer force of Umbra’s punch. From within Samuel emerged, breathing heavily and with an indistinct violet liquid coating his fists and dotting his visor. Looking up, he saw Lester glaring at him. “Where the hell have you been?” the Specialist demanded.

 

[Frostlich1228 (Alt)]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Graveyards & Wonderlands
Part One

On board the Avenger
Engineering

Her protector, best friend, and dearest love our doing his training, something dangerous enough for any other soldiers with him, let alone civilians, Sonya had dared to venture from her room alone. She had even managed to put on her own clothes, though they set clothes Nick had picked out for her the night before and a lack of knowledge in the art of the knot left her shoes laces a jumbled mess.

Sunny was still getting used to the idea of other humans that weren't it lab coats preparing for another test. She was nervous as she walked down the halls. Down right scared to an extent. But pretty much everyone on the ship knew of the experiment girl the Commander had taken on board and recognized her as said person, and all her paid her attention gave her friendly and sympathetic nods and hellos.

At the moment, however, something had caught Sonya's eye. She stood outside engineering, peaking in from the doorway. She paid no mind to those who walked by with curious looks. Her eyes simply danced across the room, taking in all the bits and bobs she could spy from where she was and gazing at them with wonder and excitement. A fancy looking weapon. A Gremlin hovering by. Various parts that Sunny could immediately identify and know the application for.

It was all wondrous for her. It was likely a part of being around electronics and the nature of her previous assignment that she like these things, but Sunny payed reasons and possible mental conditioning any mind. Short of maybe getting a chance to log into a computer in the information department, this was the most interesting place her artificial eyes had seen so far.

As Sunny looked, she saw a mass of black hair in the corner of her eye. As she turned, she saw a sickly looking girl standing next to her, much like herself, bending down to her height and looking through the window. After a moment, the woman turned to look at her, giving her a big, friendly smile.

Sunny's eyes widened in fright, and she took a jump back, letting out a loud scream. Glancing to her side, she noted everyone in engineering staring at her, and her face turned bright red from embarrassment. "I'm s-so s-sorry!" she quickly said, bowing her head low.

Anna stood up, "You would be... Sunny... Correct?"

"Um... th-that's right." Sunny looked the strange woman up and down trying to take her in. "I, uh... came from Matterhorn... and, uh..."

"I know I may look a little... Creepy, but I promise I pose no threat." Anna assured, offering a hand.

Sonya nervously took her hand and shook it. "I-if it means anything... I-I act like this w-with everyone. Th-though you do... h-have an interesting look to you."

Anna laughed lightly, "So do you. My name is Anna."

Sunny looked to the side and pointed into Engineering. "Do you... work in there?"

"No... Well, not this me, at least." Anna said, mostly to herself, before waving it off, "It seems like you're pretty interested in the place. I hear you're pretty good with Tech, correct?"

"Mhmm. Yes, ma'am." Sunny rubbed the side of her head. Somewhat robotically, she intoned, "They put special computer processors and implants in my brain and crammed them full of knowledge on a variety of subjects, especially things like weapons, devices, and various electronics, all so I could operate my purpose at top efficiency." She blinked, and rubbed her wrists nervously. "O-or s-something like that..."

Anna's face became tense, her eyes wide, "Who did that to you? That... Shen'Lustus?"

Sunny shook her head. "N-no. I-I was a-already like that w-when he got me a-about four y-years ago. Master... I mean... Mr. Shen still had to u-use me for his cover, b-but... but he was n-nice to me, you know? H-he made sure I-I ate a-and t-took my medicine, a-and encouraged me a-and... a-and let me see Nick."

Anna sighed, "Good... I can't believe they turned you into a computer... I'm so sorry..."

"I-it's okay. It is y-your fault." Sunny smiled. "Hey, um... y-you wanna see ssssomething cool? S-something... I-I was thinking of sh-showing the head engineer person here?"

"Sure." Anna responded curiously.

Sunny pulled out a cylindrical device with several large, multicolored buttons and a small screen and keyboard. "It... i-it's a special medicine dispenser. Y-you put a-all your medicine, o-or the ingredients f-for them, in th-the top, a-and the computer separates them. A-and you program u-up to six d-different medicines. N-now... s-say it i-is bed time f-for me. I-instead o-0f fumbling w-with three d-dfferent bottles a-and three pills, I push the buttons for m-my anxiety meds, b-blood pressure... a-and sleep..." She pressed the med, yellow, and green buttons. "Then you hit enter... and yes to confirm... a-and..." From a dispenser from the bottom of the device, a single small pill popped out. "A-and there y-you go! I-I... I-I know it... i-isn't a weapon, but... b-but m-maybe a-after the war..."

"I'm really sorry you need all that." Anna said somberly, "But it is really ingenious."

"Thank you." Sunny looked up at her, noting the somber look, and sighed, putting the device away. "I'm making y-you uncomfortable..."

"Please, there's not a lot that could do that after what Advent did to me." Anna replied.

"They... did bad things to you too?" Sunny looked around, and whispered, "Do you also here the voices without medicine? Do you see things others can't see?"

"In... A way..." Anna responded, "I hear a voice. One voice. And I do see things, but only when I'm asleep."

"Whoa..." Sunny smiled. "I have special dreams too." She tilted her head slightly. "S-so... w-what did th-they do to you?"

"They... Gave me psionics for one." Anna answered, demonstrating by forming a twisting helix in her hand.

"Whoa," Sunny repeated. "That's c-cool. But... th-that's a bad thing?" She lowered her eyes. "Did... did it hurt a lot?"

"Yes..." Anna nodded slowly, "Like... A fire burning your soul, tearing at your mind..."

"Th-that... sounds bad." Sunny looked up at her. "D-did they make you do anything bad w-with your powers. Like... k-kill people?" She asked the question with a knowing tone in her voice.

"Thankfully, no." Anna replied, "But I have to imagine that's what they had in store for me after they 'fixed' my rebellious attitude..."

"Good thing th-that never happened." Sunny gave her a curious look. "What... do you see in your dreams? Pigs, and rabbits?"

"Well... I see... Other places..." Anna attempted to explain simply, "Like... Other worlds... Like ours, but... Different..."

"Oh, I see!" Sunny nodded. "M-Master Shen, h-he made I-if s-so I can s-see other wwworlds in my dreams s-sometimes, l-like when mmmy head i-is messed up." She frowned. "B-but... o-one of those world a-are m-messed up. W-what about y-your worlds?"

The 'witch's' eyes widened, never before hearing about someone with a similar ability. "I've seen you... But... Without your computer parts... Healthy... That's why I was so surprised to see you like this..."

"R-really? H... healthy? Can... c-can you show me too... maybe... i-if it is okay?"

"I... Want to let you know that this is not a vision of what will be... It is simply a telling of what could've been..." The Russian explained. "I do not want you to become... Caught up in them. It is why I am... Hesitant to share them with others..."

"Oh, so, like... it is l-like me... but not me. A-another... me?" Sunny tapped her lips. "I-I still... w-would like to see it. Is that... Okay?"

Anna's eyes drifted as she heard Sunny's words, forcing her to bend. "I... Suppose you may... But only a peek, alright?"

"J-just a peek. Promise." Sunny looked around. "Um... d-do we do it h-here... or...?"

"You will have to enter my dreamscape..." Anna replied, looking around, "We'll need someplace quiet first however."

Sunny nodded, and started down the hall. Bringing her to her room, she said, "N-Nick sh-should be out for a w-while still. S-so... she I... lie down l-like I'm going to s-sleep?"

"If you like, I'm just going to need you to be comfortable." The psion suggested, sitting down with her hands in her lap.

Sunny nodded, and climbed onto the bed. Laying down, she closed her eyes and smiled lightly. "R-ready."

"Right..." Anna took a deep breath, putting a hand on Sunny's forehead. After a second, Sunny began to feel as though she was falling, coming to a sudden stop in a lush green field that stretched on for miles. The grass was beautiful, but on closer inspection, small headstones were littered just under the surface, who knows how many there could have possibly been in total. The entire environment was the same except for three graves on a hill a few yards away from Sunny, all bigger than the stones in the grass, but with a bus sized one clearly bigger than the other two adjacent to it. As the girl took in the scenery, Sunny swore she could hear gentle humming coming from the top of the hill before her.

Sunny slowly made her way up. The atmosphere was a bit foreboding, but the teen had never been exposed to a cemetery before, so it didn't have the effect on her it might have had with others. She approached the top of the hill with a combination of caution and curiosity.

As she reached it, she saw what appeared to be a larger than average Chryssalid, lowering herself in front of the largest grave. At this distance, the humming she had heard before began to form a song.

Oh, we do so love our brood...
It is our claws that bring them food...
We won't let pain come to what is ours...

Sunny approached it apprehensively, though the fact that she approached it at all was a good sign she was used to unusual things in her dreams. Sunny stopped at the creature's side, listening to her song and waiting patiently.

 

[Frostlich1228 (Alt)]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Graveyards & Wonderlands
Part Two

The Chryssalid stood up slowly, her acute senses allowing her to pick up on the unfamiliar girl. Turning to face her, Korelyive stepped forward, her scales shining beautifully under the golden sky above. You... You are a stranger. How odd...

"Whoa..." Sunny stared up at her. "A-and you're really pretty..."

The alien raised up a claw casually. Why, thank you. Most people find my appearance to be... Less than comforting.

"W-well, I... I-I guess because I-I've n-never had to fight one of y-you... p-plus y-you can talk, s-so you're i-intelligent. Um... who are you?"

I am known as Korelyive... The Better question is... Why are you here? If you have come here, it must be because Anna has allowed you in... But yet, she is not with you. The reflection spoke, stepping around the girl.

Sunny looked around and frowned. "N-no... sh-she's not. Where could sh-she be, Ms. Korelyive?"

She may have simply lost track of you... Anna is... Unused to allowing people in her mind, especially non-psions... While her last attempt to take someone into her mind went well, the person she entered with was able to assist her with a ritual... Since you are here, I don't suppose you were able to as well... Korelyive explained, No matter, I should be able to assist you in finding what you seek.

"I-I didn't know it would be difficult for her." Sunny moved closer to the alien being. "Please help me find her."

The Chryssalid's face brightened up, perhaps as close to a smile as her alien features could convey. As you wish... Do you... Know what you were looking for in here?

"Um... me?" Sunny scratched her head. "A-Anna said she w-would show me other... uh, mes. Does th-that make a-any sense?"

Yes, of course. The Vision room. I can take you there. She replied, motioning with her head for Sunny to follow.

Sunny followed close, looking around as they did. "S-so whay are y-you doing i-in Anna's m-mind?"

I am Anna's partner... Her Guide... Defeating the Elders is our goal, together... Korelyive responded, an open, iron gated door appearing in front of the two.

"Whoa, cool." Sunny pointed. "I-In there?"

Yes... That should take us through to the Vision room. However, we'll have to go through the lab first, I do not have as much control over the dreamscape as Anna does. Korelyive said, the door pulling them into a sterile white lab.

Of all the things she had seen, from the graveyard to the massive alien to the foreboding gates, it was the lab that drained the color from Sunny's face. As they stepped into it, Sunny followed noticeably closer to Korelyive, looking around as if expected something to jump out at her. "I-is this where th-they did bad things t-to Anna?" she practically whispered.

Raising a claw to protect her, Korelyive slowly walked forward as she answered her question. Yes... This is also where... I died...

"Y-you... died. S-so you're, like... a spirit?"

In a way... I am a remnant... A psionic echo. The Chryssalid answered, stepping past what appeared to be a morgue.

"I-I'm sorry." Sunny looked at the morgue, a tight feeling in her chest. "The Elders... s-sure have done m-many... e-evil things."

They have... Korelyive added, I am not like Anna in all aspects... The Elders... There is nothing they can do to redeem themselves... They cannot fix the suffering they have caused... Not in a thousand of thier lifetimes... With how many races they've destroyed... Theirs deserve nothing less... That is true justice...

Sunny turned her eyes down. "But... w-what if... i-in making them g-get that t-true justice... s-someone becomes j-just like them? I-Isn't revenge d-dangerous like that?"

Look at me... I am already a monster... My sisters... All gone now... My children... Corrupted beyond reason... All I have now... All I am... Is my revenge... The promise that they will do this to no one else... That they will pay... The Broodmother stated somberly, looking over herself as her body returned to it's normal red, Elder tainted, form. I am a Monster... Anna is the same, in a way... Even The Commander... The Elders are... Skilled... At creating monsters, after all...

Sunny looked up at her. "I... I-I don't see a m-monster when I l-look at Anna o-or the Commander. I-I know they're... broken. But... th-there is h-hope that th-they can be fixed. A-Anna h-has been nice to me... a-and the C-Commander g-greeted me yesterday. A-and..." She smiled softly. "Y-you don't... l-look like a m-monster to m-me."

Suddenly, a wave of tiredness washed over the alien, not physical, but mental. You truely believe that there is hope for me? After everything?

"W-well... y-yeah." Sunny rubbed her wrist. "I-I wouldn't h-have made it i-if I-I didn't h-hold onto hope. I-I'm sorry... f-for what h-happened to you... b-but A-Anna has given you a h-home... right?"

Is a home without family, truly home? Perhaps... Anna is family enough for me to be content... But I have lost so much... Korelyive considered, the two of them nearing the end of this section of Anna's mind.

"Yeah..." Sunny closed her eyes. "S-sometimes... th-the people y-you trust n-need to be y-your family when... y-your real one i-is gone... o-or never existed i-in the f-first place..."

You are... Wise... For someone so young... Do you know that? The alien mother said as they reached the exit.

"I-I am? O-only... because people h-have given m-me good a-advice..." Sunny smiled softly, both for the compliment, and for leaving the frightening room.

As they were pulled through the door, they found themselves in a long hallway lined with cells. Hair hung from the ceiling as well, making it difficult to see the end of the dark, foreboding corridor.

"A-Anna's mind i-is e-even scarier then m-mine," Sunny said softly, sticking close to the spectral alien.

"This...Is the vision room." Korelyive said, sensing movement behind the two.

The reflection turned to see Anna standing in the doorway behind them, jogging up to them briskly, "Sunny, please forgive me... I lost track of you when you entered and I've been looking since."

"That's o-okay. Ms. Korelyive h-has been guiding me. She's much n-nice then a-and of the o-other aliens." Sunny frowned. "She a-also told me of s-some o-or the bad things you two h-have been through."

Anna's face fell slightly, "I... hope you weren't too depressed by it all..."

Sunny quickly shook her head. "N-no. I'm okay. It... j-just didn't occur t-to me until I-I got here h-how much y-you were o-opening up to me... e-even though I'm a s-stranger."

"Don't worry, I tend to wear my demons on my sleeve... It... Makes people uncomfortable with me sure, but lying and keeping secrets will get me no where." Anna stated.

Sunny nodded. "I-I will t-try to do that t-too. Secrets u-usually e-end up making things worse." She looked around. "I-is where you saw... th-the other me?"

Anna stepped towards one of the cages near the entrance. Looking in, black fog rolled back to reveal a small doll carved in Sunny's likeness. "This is it... Now, if you have changed your mind, speak up now."

Sunny shook her head. "E-even if it isn't really me... I-I'd like to s-see a h-happier me..."

Korelyive gave Anna a look to make sure she was sure about this. The 'witch' nodded slowly in response, turning back to Sunny, "Simply gaze into the eyes of the doll to begin... I'll make sure to pull you out after a short time, alright?"

Sunny nodded nervously, and stepped forward. She gave the doll an uneasy look before leaning forward, peering into it's simple, lifeless eyes.

Flashes of alternate worlds suddenly filled her eyes and mind. Images of her aiding Xcom, making friends, a dutiful gaurdian and protector, creating machines, working with an Idol, and finally creating a robotic masterpiece; not just a machine, but a lifelong friend and companion. The emotions threatened to overwhelm her, thankfully Anna made sure to pull her out before too much time had passed.

Sunny stood wide eyed, panting heavily, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. "That was... I-I... she was... so happy..."

Korelyive stepped up to comfort her as Anna responded. "How do you feel?"

"U-uh... weird, but..." Sunny wiped her eyes. "K-kinda... warm inside." She gave a sad smile. "Sh-she was r-really happy, huh?"

Please don't say that like a similar happiness is unobtainable to you... You are free of the lab... Free of the Elders... You are with family... Korelyive comforted. And you have made two good friends today Sunny...

"Y-yeah?" Sunny laughed. "Yeah! I-I bet one day, I-I will be e-even more h-happy then her."

"I don't doubt it... You have people who care about you Sunny, that is one thing that cannot be taken away..." Anna smiled, offering to help her up.

Sunny took her hand. Raising to her feet, she gave Anna a mark but meaningful hug. "Thank you f-for showing me this, A-Anna."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Graveyards & Wonderlands
Part Three

"I just hope it made you feel better, even just a little." The Russian woman replied.

"It did." Sunny stepped back. "So, um... w-we don't h-have to go through that s-scary lab again to g-get out, do we?"

"No, don't worry, I can take you out from here." The 'witch' reassured, as she began to dissolve the dreamscape. The hall suddenly began to deteriorate, melting almost, and after a few moments they were pulled back into the real world.

Sunny slowly opened her eyes and say up, stretching and letting out a big yawn. She smiled at Anna and said, "Thank you. N-next time... m-maybe w-we can go i-is my head. I-I've n-never had a-another human in there."

"Well..." Anna replied, tapping her chin lightly, "I've never entered another person's dreamscape before... I spent much of my time in my own, but navigating someone else's mind would be an interesting experience..."

"Uh huh. You could meet the queens!" Sunny said excitedly. "A-as long as you d-don't wonder i-into the scary part, y-you-ll have l-loads of fun!"

Anna and her reflection both shared a glance, "I would like to think I'm quite familiar with queens..."

Sunny glanced at the clock on the dresser, and was surprised to see what little amount of time had passed relative to what she felt. "We still have time. Y- you... wanna give it a-a try?"

"Of course, it should be quite the experience..." Anna replied, returning to a mediating position.

Sunny closed her eyes. This time it was a bit easier. Before, Anna had to bring a non-psion into her mind, while this time, with Sunny showing no resistance, drifting off in her dreams, Anna could slide right in and only had to worry about maintaining her own existance. After about a minute, Anna opened her eyes to find herself in an open field, patches of flowers all around. On top of a gentle hill was a large tree, a swing hanging off a branch. Sunny, however, was not in immediate sight.

So far... This is not too dissimilar to our dreamscape... Korelyive noted as Anna looked around.

"Do you think we lost her?" The 'witch' asked herself, taking a walk up to the centermost tree.

"Oh, you're new," a woman's voice said behind them. "I remember every face, and I know I would remember yours. What color are you?" They turned, but saw nothing at first.

The Russian turned around towards the voice as Korelyive dematerialized, looking around for the source but finding nothing.

"Uh... Violet?" Anna responded slowly.

"Violet? I only know white and red." Anna looked down, and found three cats standing at her feet, an black adult in the middle flanked by two kittens, one white, one black. "What is your rank? What piece are you?" the adult cat asked.

"Piece? I'm not sure..." She said as she looked down at the cats, a river of her own black hair falling into her face, "I'm... Very new here, you see."

"I don't think she's a piece, mom," the black kitten said in a young girl's voice.

"I don't think she's a card either," the white kitten added in a young boy's voice.

"Oh, I see." The mother sat down and looked Anna over. "Are you a friend of Alice's then?"

"I know a Sunny... But an Alice? Not in this world, at least." She responded, unintentionally cryptically.

"Alice prefers to be called Sunny, mama," the black kitten stated.

"She reminds you of that every time," stated the white kitten.

"Oh, yes. Of course." The cat bowed her head. "Where are my manners. My name is Dinah."

"I am Anna..." She spoke cordiality and looked over her shoulder as Korelyive formed again, taking the shape of her beautiful form from Anna's dreamscape. And you may call me Korelyive, if you wish. I am her partner.

"That one might be a night," the black kitten whispered.

Dinah bowed her head to Korelyive. "Nice to meet you. If you are looking for Al... Sunny, she went to have a tea party on the eighth rank, file D with the Queens. Naturally, she went there first and was planning on waiting for you to come with her later. You can get there by taking the Mock Turtle Express Train from the first rank."

"Turtle?" The Ambusher confirmed, unsure if she meant a literal turtle, or just a typical train. "Could you... Lead me? I'm afraid I don't really know my way around."

Dinah nodded, motioning for her children to stay behind and leading the guests down the hill. As they got further down, they noticed something they hadn't before. The clearing had a clear boundary, a mist covering the land beyond. That mist thinned as they approached the end of the area, and a crack of thunder let out. The land beyond was scorched and broken, huge crags and cliffs all around. In sight, they could see once beautiful springs no filled with poisonous water, a vast forest with dark and twisted trees, and a dry valley where once a mighty river run. It was desolate, the exact opposite of the small oasis Anna had arrived in. "How things have darkened," Dinah stated sadly.

Looking over the desolate land, the 'witch' felt compelled to ask, "What... Happened here?"

Dinah sighed. "This is a representation of A... Sunny's mind, based on her favorite stories. As her mind as dissolved, and she has crept closer to madness, this land has fallen to ruin. It is a dangerous place, one you would be wise not to spend too long in if you value your safety. Luckily, there is another safe zone. The entrance to it is not far from here."

Anna felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she looked out at the corrupted land. She slowly reached down, grasping a handful of dirt and looking at it closer before clenching it in her fist.

The Elders... Their touch is like poison... So foul it even seeps into their pawns... Torturing innocents... Korelyive spoke, fully forming as Anna's internal anger grew. I wish I could be surprised anymore...

Dinah pointed with her paw. "In that direction, about five minute's walk away, you will find the train station. There is another cat that will help you if you get lost. Beware the snarks as you pass the nearby lake."

"Yes, right." Anna responded, putting her anger aside for now. Giving Dinah a small wave, she took off towards the station with Korelyive by her side. Passing the lake the small cat had mentioned, the 'witch' kept her distance, despite being curious as to what a snark actually was.

The water bubbled ever so slightly. After a few seconds, an eye popped out on a stalk, catching Anna's attention, followed by another right next to it. The stared up at the woman with a soft, wide eyed look, like a puppy dog begging for food.

She stopped for a second, looking over at the eyes poking out of the water. Unable to resist their look, she walked over slowly, after all, just because one person saw them as dangerous, didn't mean they were truly, besides, she could handle herself.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," a sly male voice said behind her. She felt an animal rub against the back of her leg. "They have an attractive gaze, but one scary bite you won't care for when it costs you your nose."

The eyes suddenly ducked under the water. A few moments later, a creature leaped out of the water towards Anna. It had the same stalk eyes, as well as a fish-like body about the size of a large cat., though with fins like hands and feet. The thing that caught Anna's eyes the most was it's huge mouth, making up half of its body and filled with long, dirty, crooked teeth seeking to take a rather large bite out of the young woman.

Backing up a few feet, the ambusher was caught off guard by their appearance, but Korelyive had been ready just in case one of them had actually gotten close enough for a bite. After reaching a safe distance, Anna turned around to look for the source of the voice, this time starting at her own feet and proceeding up.

A mangy cat sat at her feet, quite different the clean and proper Dinah with its matted fur and its black and red fur. Most pronounced was the big, toothy grin it gave Anna. "Well played, my dear. You and that fascinating looking beast with you. I must say, by all appearances, you are a creature of my liking. We less then savory looking kind must stick together afterall."

"Perhaps, and you are?" The woman asked, looking down at the curious animal.

The cat's grin widened ever so much. "You can call me Cheshire." He bowed his head. "And what can call you, my dear. Wait... let me guess. Anna, right?"

"And how would you know that, exactly?" The soldier asked with a hint of suspicion.

"Well, I make it my business to know everything that happens in this mind. It is my home, after all, even if it is a little... messy." The cat floated up into the air, rolling onto its back and grinning at her upside down. "Besides, would you believe there is something about your face the just screams 'Anna'? Kinda like how your friends claws scream 'Korelyive'. That, or 'crazy bug creature'."

"Maybe... If I didn't know I don't look much like other Anna's." The Russian said, kneeling down and giving the cat a pet, "I believe someone has been following me..."

"Oh, we have ourselves a brain to go along with that pretty face," Cheshire said with a purr. "I have been following you ever since arrived in little Sunny's mind. I am the only one able to enter every part of Sunny's mind. Speaking of which, you are looking for a certain tea party, are you not?"

"We are indeed... Do you think you could take us there, please? We'd appreciate it." Anna asked calmly.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Graveyards & Wonderlands
Part Four

"But of course!" Cheshire vanished from sight, and reappeared a few feet down the path they were taking. "Follow me. It is only a hop and skip down the lane. And do mine anymore sets of eyes watching you. Curiosity killed the cat. Not my favorite of expression, but fitting, wouldn't you say?"

"Indeed." The Russian answered, following the cat, "I'm just not used to a mind being this... Crowded..."

Cheshire turned, floating backwards. "If it is of any comfort, none of this is real. This is not a dreamscape as you know it, but a dreamworld made up of Sunny's collective unconscious for the sake of coping with the real world as she sleeps. Your spidery friend exists in you mind but is independent from you. We are not separate from Sunny's mind. Understand, my dear?"

"So... You are entities that are bound here?" Anna confirmed.

"That we are." The cat floated along, moving at a regular pace but looking like it was laying down. "Oh, to see the world beyond this young one's mind. Alas, I only know if it from the Hall of Memories, and what she knows of it is simply stuff crammed into it. So much data on facts, so little on experiences. It is a wonder she has enough social skills to make friends." With a big grin he added, "There must be a charming side to her just below the surface."

Yet... She seems wise beyond her years... Caring... The Chryssalid stated neutrally.

"In her position, you can either learn from the mistakes of those around you and open you heart so you do not repeat those mistakes... or let it drive you into pure madness." Cheshire vanished, and reappeared on her shoulder, about the live of a squirrel. "We here share in her madness to keep it at bay," he said into Anna's ear. "Some with more success than others. Just note that madness abounds here. Do not find yourself falling into it as well."

"I understand how she feels... I had to stop myself from falling into a similar madness..." Anna added, crossing her arms, "It's the promise I made to stop what happened to the two of us from happening to anyone else that kept me going those long months..."

"You are a woman whom Sunny can relate to. I do hope you will show her kindness as she adjusts to her new life." Ahead, from a loading platform, they could hear a bell ringing. Cheshire floated off Anna's back, growing to around Korelyive's size and walking by Anna's side. "Best hurry along. Your train through the looking glass is departing soon."

Nodding, Anna took off in a brisk pace towards the train, jogging towards it. Korelyive had little trouble keeping up with her as they both reached the train only a few seconds before the doors closed.

As Anna took a seat and her Chryssalid companion stood awkwardly on the moving train, they took in their surroundings. The train was quite fancy with plush seats and designs from Victorian England. There were several others in the car with them. These included two rather portly men, nearly identical save for one being slightly larger than the other, and anthropomorphic goat chewing on a newspaper he was also reading, a frog man snoozing, and an Egg man giving Anna a curious glance.

From the next car up came another creature. It had the body and front flippers of a green sea turtle, but the hooved legs, tail, and head of a male calf, said head sporting a contractor's hat. It walked to the other individuals in turn, then stopped in front of Anna. It looked down at her as if expecting something.

"I'm... Supposed to have a ticket... Aren't I?" Anna asked with a similar awkwardness, it was abundantly clear she stuck out like a sore thumb in this world.

The Mock Turtle nodded. "Do you not have one?" he asked sadly.

The disembodied voice of the Cheshire cat softly whispered in Anna's ear, "Tell him you already have it to him when you got off the train. Trust me."

"I... Already gave it to you... When I got off the train?" The ambusher repeated, squinting as the words came out of her mouth.

"O-oh... y- you did?" The Mock Turtle's eyes started to water. "Oh, I am so sorry for bothering you then. Please don't report me."

"Uh... Yeah, don't worry, it's fine." Anna replied, a pang of guilt hitting her.

The Mock Turtle sulked off, going back towards the front of the train. Again, Anna noticed the Egg man eyeing her when he finally said, "Who are you two? I've been all across this land and that through the looking glass and I've never seen you two."

"We are just visiting... Heading to a friend's tea party, actually." The black haired woman stated, leaning back in her chair.

"Just visiting, eh?" The Egg rubbed the side of his head. "What part of this mind did you come from? Like I said, I've never seen you before."

"Maybe she was always in the part of the world you weren't," the bigger of the twins offered.

"Contrary wise, maybe you were always in the part of the world she wasn't," added the small twin.

"Is that not what I just said?"

"It is like what you said, but it is worded differently."

"But it is redundant if it has the same meaning."

"Would you two be quiet?" the Eggman snapped.

"Don't worry, you've probably never heard about the place I'm from..." She replied, crossing one leg over the other. "It's quite hard to get to."

"Oh? Is that right?" The Egg man narrowed her eyes. "Are you from beyond Wonderland, same as Alice?"

"Uhh... Yeah, you could say that." Anna confirmed.

"Are you going to be a new Alice?" the larger of the two twins asked.

"Do not make such assumptions," the smaller of the two stated.

"It was not an assumption, only a question."

"It was an assumption. I know how you think."

"If you think you know how I think, then you must think the thoughts I think. Then I know what you think, and I think you are making assumptions."

"To know what you think and to think like you think and to think what you think are different. "You may think you know my thoughts, but they are my thoughts, not your thoughts."

"But your thoughts are of what my thoughts are, and so to think what I might think you must think my thoughts for at least a moment of thought."

"That is enough. You have distracted from the main point that... what was the main point again?"

The egg rubbed the side of his shell in frustration. "Would you two be quiet? She does not care. She isn't even real, any more then you two loud mouths."

This place is... Quite odd... Not anything I was expecting... Korelyive stated, trying to follow the conversation.

"Odd as it may be, I am enjoying myself here." The Russian smiled lightly at her reflection, "So many fascinating characters about..."

After another minute, the train suddenly slowed down to less then half its original speed. Shortly after, looking towards the front of the train, Anna and Korelyive saw a massive reflective surface overtake the car. Before they could react, it moved through the rest of the train, including them. Feeling a bit disorientated, the train seemed to be moving in the opposite direction as before. It took them a moment to realize they we sitting opposite of where they were previously, along with everyone else.

No of the occupants seemed bothered by this, though the frog man suddenly snapped awake. "Are we there?" He blinked and looked to the newcomers to his now right. "Good day, ma'am. Stephan's the name."

A little bit jarred by the transition, Anna rubbed her head lightly. "Anna. Nice to meet you."

The Eggman laughed. "Little disoriented are we? Welcome to Looking Glass Land."

Stephan waved his hand towards him. "Ignore Humpty, Anna. He's jaded. Where are you headed?" The frog man held his head proudly. "I am off the the seventh rank to play croquet."

"I'm going to a tea party... With the queens I believe." The 'witch' answered casually.

This caught everyone's attention, even the goat that had been ignoring them up to this point. "A tea party with the queens, huh?" Stephan laughed. "How interesting. Have you ever had tea with them before?"

Partially regretting mentioning it, she still answered. "I haven't, no. This will be the first time."

Stephan leaned over and said, "Well just remember manners, pleasantries, and complementing the tea. As long as you don't do anything silly, you should be just fine." The train started to slow, the Mock Turtle returning to the car and walking towards the door. "Naturally, because your stop is the farthest, it is the first we come to. I do wish you ladies luck. From a jealous frog to you, I hope you enjoy the tea. And give young Sonya my regards if you see her."

Picking herself off the train, Anna gave everyone a friendly wave before leaving, Korelyive following behind her.

"So... Where do we go from here Cheshire?" The young girl said, knowing the cat had to still be around somewhere.

"Simply make your way over the hill ahead of you," Cheshire answered, appearing before them in his original size. "Nice work on the train. I know it can be very disorientating, especially if you do not know how the Looking Glass world works. An important thing to remember is that, here, sometimes the effect happens before the cause. For example, how you could give you tickets to the Mock turtle as you got off the train when you hadn't even taken the ride yet. Hence why if you check your pocket, you will find them stamped and approved."

Reaching in, Anna did indeed find the tickets he had spoke of. "So... Since walking to the Tea party is the cause and getting there the effect, I should already be there, right?"

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Graveyards & Wonderlands
Part Five

"You should be... but you're not. But you were. And you will be again." The Cat grinned, knowing it made sense to him, but probably not to Anna. "Sunny wanted to wait for you and travel with you, but she is bound more to the rules of this world then you. So because she planned to meet with you then have teas with you, the latter happened before the former. But you came in as an outsider, so your flow of events is direct. Yet, when you arrive, do not be surprised if the others act like you were already there." He rolled his head upside down. "Things can get a little upside down her. It is why Sunny preferred the other part of her dream before... well, you saw the state it was in."

"Right..." She said, beginning to understand, though still difficult. "Well, then let's see Sunny."

Making her way over the hill, Anna found herself in an extravagant garden in front of a grand castle. Various children dressed as pawns frolicked about. Anna could swear she heard the flowers whispering about her as she passed them by. She soon found a round table with four seats, one unoccupied. As she walked towards it, one of those seat jumped up and ran towards her. It was Sunny, dressed in an extravagant Victorian style blue and white dress. "Anna! You made it!"

She chuckled lightly, "Yeah, it took some time, although for you it probably hasn't been as long."

Sunny jumped into Anna's arms, hugging her tightly. "Too long! When you didn't show up right away, I was afraid you got lost in my horrible mind! You're okay, right?" She looked up at Anna with worried eyes. Much like Anna's mental avatar was different, this Sunny had a lot healthy looking disposition, and Anna couldn't help but notice a lack of a stutter.

"You're really pretty, makes me wish I could've worn a dress. I've never gotten the chance in my life." Anna explained, smiling.

"Oh... I should have thought of that?" Sunny smiled. "Maybe next time. I will pick you out the best dress." She took Anna's hand and pulled on her. "Come on! I want to introduce you and Korelyive to the Queens."

Anna allowed herself to be pulled along as Korelyive looked at the two, simply shaking her head, seeming as though she was also enjoying the girl's energy.

Glancing over, the two other figures watched as the trio came up. They were both very regal looking, worthy of the name of queen. One wore a red regal gown, and had a somewhat arrogant but friendly smile. The other was in white, and was quite a bit older looking, hers the smile of a grandmother. When they reached the table, Sunny said, "Anna, Korelyive, this is the White Queen, and the Red Queen."

Bowing cordially, Anna slowly pulled out a chair and took a seat, "It's lovely to meet you two."

The Queens both bowed in turn. "It is always nice to meet someone new," the White Queen said.

"As long as they are worthy of our greeting," The Red Queen added, but smiled pleasantly. "Naturally, any friend of Sunny is a friend of ours." She looked at the oversized Chryssalid. "Interesting. Are you a Knight, my dear?"

"Perhaps a Rook," offered the WQ.

"Me or her?" Anna asked, some of the strangeness of the place rubbing off on her.

I am not quite a knight, but a Queen, just like you. The Broodmother answered, still standing tall.

"Oh, how delightful," the WQ said with a small clap. "The land you are from must be exotic indeed."

"It is not often we are graced with foreign royalty," RQ agreed, pouting a cup of tea for both of the newcomers.

"Korelyive is the queen of her entire people," Sunny stated, sipping her tea. "And Anna is... a Bishop. A powerful one who wields great magic and the power to enter someone's mind."

Anna nodded when heard Sunny's words, but Korelyive stayed quiet. Normally, she would say that there was other broodkin queens that ruled their own families... But now... She may very well be the last one left... If what little is left of her is even enough to call a Queen...

The Russian girl picked up on her reflection's sadness and spoke instead, "Should we help ourselves to some tea?"

"Yes, of course." Sunny raised her cup, and the others followed suit. The group chatted, the Queens going on about the odd politics in a land set up like a chess board, and went on about such pleasantries as the weather, the tea, shoes, ships, ceiling wax, cabbages, kings, why the sea was boiling hot, and whether pigs hand wings. The Queens obviously prefered the sound of their own voices, but allowed a word in edgewise every now and then

After an unknown amount of time, both here and in the real room, the tea and conversation topics finally ran out. The Queens stood up and bowed to Anna and Korelyive. "You two make such enjoyable company," the Red Queen stated. "We do hope to see you for tea again someday soon."

"So do we. This place may be strange, but it certainly has its charms." Anna said, slowly raising herself out of her seat.

The Queens nodded and walked off to the castle. Once they were out of ear shot, Sunny's expression changes from a smile to a worried frown. "I'm so sorry about earlier, Anna. I-I was hoping I could take you straight here and skip all the bad parts of my mind, and avoid talking to anyone. You most think I'm a nutjob."

"I enjoyed the trip, this place is... Odd... But I don't think you're crazy." The 'witch' smiled. "I especially enjoyed the company of a certain cat..."

"Oh, you mean..." Sunny giggled. "He is very eccentric, isn't he? I think he is meant to be me inquisitive side." She took Anna's hand and started leading her two newest friend towards the castle wall. "At least he is still on my side. So many have been lost to the madness of that other world. I... hope I can some how restore it... someday." She cleared her throat. "Come on. I know a shortcut back."

Anna agreed, following her. "I'm sorry your mind is like this... If there is any way I can help..."

Sunny smiled back at her. "Nothing I can think of now, but I'll hold you to that if I think of something." She led Anna to a large mirror displayed on the side of the castle wall. It didn't show their reflection, however, but the small field Anna had come in on. Sunny stepped towards the mirror, stepping through like it was a doorway and appearing in the other side.

The psion first tested it with her hand, then pushed a leg through before following with her whole body.

She found herself standing on a fireplace attached to no wall in particular. Jumping down and looking back, she saw the mirror she had walked through, but it appeared to be a normal mirror, reflecting the rest of the field. Sunny was back in the clothes she wore in the real world. "Well... thanks for joining me in my mental world. Ready to go back?"

"Thank you for inviting me... Really." Anna replied sincerely, "I don't have too many friends."

"Well, me either... but you have one with me." Sunny shrugged. "I'm awkward. I'm not familiar with... you know, socializing. But I have hope I can make more friends. I think we both can... if we both try." She closed her eyes, and the world was encompassed by white, then black, and finally the real world came into focus for Anna, Sunny sitting up and smiling at her.

"To think, only a hour or two ago we were strangers, now I feel we've known eachother for months." The soldier stated, slowing standing up.

"Y-yeah. M-me too." Sunny rocked back and forth a little. "M-maybe we can h-hang out in the r-real world n-next, yeah?"

"Yeah..." She replied slowly, "What did you have in mind?"

Sunny shrugged. "L-lunch? I-I heard th-the main chef h-here is r-really good."

Anna chuckled lightly, "Lunch it is then."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Dahlexpert & ZombieSplitter53
Practicing Parenthood

On board the Avenger
Soldiers barracks

Siting on his bed, whistling softly, Luke polished the Elder's helmet that he kept from the last mission. He looked around his new room and thought to himself, 'Heh, while it's not as glamorous as the penthouse back at Matterhorn, at least it's ours. I feel way better now, me finally conquering my daemons. I should have done this ages ago."

"Hot stuff, coming in!" Alexis somehow opened the door to the room without the use of her hands and pushed it open with her rear. In her hands was an exceptionally large box filled with bits, bots, gizmos, parts, whatits, and thingamajis from engineering. "I, uh... hope you don't mind me bringing some work home. There was no room with the others, but we have some extra space here, and it would be nice to work on some of my personal projects without sitting in the cold, lonely engineering with the skeleton crew and nothing but Jack's soulful humming to keep me company late at night."

Luke put the helmet down and took the box Alexis had. "Sure I don't mind. Besides I get to distract you. Oh, all the ways I can distract you from your work."

Alexis laughed. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all. But screw it. I'm not carrying the box all the way back to engineering." She glanced down at the Ethereal mask laying on the bed. You sure like those creepy things, don't you?"

"Well, it's more of a trophy. I would keep the giant Berserker helmet but it's too big. Besides, you sure you don't want to see this up close? I mean, when we're done with this war, the Elders will no longer exist, and when our kids see this, they will ask there dear daddy what it is."

"No thank you." Alexis shook her head. "I have to look at one of those things whenever I go to see Jennifer. The only difference is that one has a big hole in the top where Leon skewered its owner."

"Yeah, surprised he did that. Anyway, do you have any more things at your work that you want to bring here? Because I don't really have much, and if you do, I will help you bring it."

"Um... not that I can think of that Lily wouldn't notice missing. Um..." Alex shrugged. "We can come with me to check to see if I'm missing anything if you don't mind a walk."

"Sure, I don't mind. Hell, there's not much to do anyway." Luke and Alexis left their room and headed to engineering. "Heh, you know it's funny. I can't believe we're actually winning this war. We've come a long way huh?"

"I'd like to say I always had faith, but there were times when that faith wavered." Alexis placed her hands behind her head as they walked. "Do you... think all of the Ethereals calling themselves Elders will be dead by the end of this... or the entire race? Do you think they have anyone who can be considered civilian. Surely...some of them..."

"If they have civilians, then hopefully we can help them if they want it. If they don't want our help, then we figure out what to do with them. As much as I want to destroy their whole race, the same they did to my whole clan, if they have civilians, we must help them."

"That's very mature of you... but we might not be able to." Alexis sighed. "They're dying, remember. And I doubt anybody would let them continue the Avatar project. It is sad for a while people to die out, even a hated enemy. But they did it to themselves. Makes you wonder how things would have been if they weren't so superior minded and came to us to ask for help instead of lording over us and taking it, huh?"

"Well, we die. Whatever sickness they have just shortens their ridiculous life span. As long as they can have children, they're fine. Honestly I find them being selfish. Torturing and enslaving just to extend your life... if they have innocent people, we save them. The rest we kill."

"I truly wonder if it is all that simple," Alex said softly, and glanced ahead. "Oh. That girl peeking into Engineering. I think that's Sunny, that teen that just came in."

"Oh, we're picking up kids now. Well, we do have Brigid and I love here to death. She seems a bit older though. Think we should see what she's doing?"

Alexis nodded. "Either that or wait until she leaves. I vote for see what she's doing."

As they approached, like so many times before, Sunny was peering into the engineering bay curiously, longing to go inside and simple put her hands on things. She knew it was as much programming as her own desires, but she had an itch, and it could only be scratched by something with artificially moving parts. She was so entranced by someone walking nearby with a few rifles, she didn't notice Luke or Alexis, even when they were right next to her.

She has no idea that we're right here. No, she's too distracted. Oh what to do? I can do a mini explosion, but that might terrify her. Ugh, that would be rude. Now if we were friends, that'd be a different story, but let's be nice. Luke tapped the young teen on her shoulder, and said to her, "Hey, what are you doing? You interested in the engineering room?"

Sunny gasped, and swung around. "I-I wasn't... g-gonna do anything! I-I-I was... j-just llllooking."

Alexis held up her hands. "Hold on now Sunny, relax. He wasn't accusing you of doing anything."

"Yeah, just relax." Luke took a knee so he would be eye level with the young teen. "Hi, my name is Luke Van Dam. Mind telling me yours?"

"S-Sonya. Um... j-just Sonya." She smiled ever so slightly. "B-but... my friends call me Sunny."

"Alright Sonya, do you mind telling me why you're in front of engineering? Are you waiting for your parents, or did someone tell you to wait here?"

"My... p-parents?" Sunny shook her head. "I-I just... like to build things, a-and t-take things apart... a-and invent and... uh, stuff."

Alex leaned close to Luke and whispered, "I don't think she has parents."

"Uhm, well then it seems you're interested in the engineering bay. Well lucky for you, me and my fiance are about to go in there. Would you like to join us?"

Sunny looked up at Alexis. "I-it's really o-okay, Ms. Alexis?"

Alex smiled and nodded. "Sure, kid. Just... you know, don't touch anything without asking first."

Sunny smiled even wider. "O-okay. Thank you, Mr. Luke."

Luke stood up and patted Sunny on the head. "No problem, and just call me Luke. I'm not that formal." Luke opened the door and sunny rushed inside. Heh she's just as anxious as Alice. "Well she's definitely excited, you're gonna have to keep an eye on her, you know that right?" Luke smiled at Alexis.

"Me? You invited her in." Alexis sighed, and watched Sunny run from one station to another. "She looks like a kid in a proverbial candy shop, if the candy was filled with springs and bolts." She laughed. "Wonder if I was ever that excited about a new place. Maybe when we got this ship, though I was distracted by the losses we had."

"Oh, this is exactly how you act. Remember when I told you about our apartment? You were running from the bedroom to the kitchen and the bathroom. But I will keep an eye on her. You think our kids are going to be like this? Full of energy and jumping around?"

"Part of me wants to say no so it is easier." Alexis smiled. "But I hope so. I hope they have all of our energy and more. That way Sunny, don't touch that!"

Sunny turned, holding a pulse pistol in her hand. "W-why not?"

"W-why not? That's a pistol, you don't just grab a weapon!" Luke took the pistol to see if the safety was on. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Sunny, this is a pistol. This is not a toy, it's a tool for killing. You don't just take it, it could be loaded!"

Sunny's lip quivered, and she stared at the ground, rubbing her wrist nervously. "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I've just... n-never s-seen that m-model, a-and I d-don't... h-have data, and I..." When Luke moved to put the weapon down, Sunny flinched, as if expecting to be struck.

Luke put the weapon down and looked at Sunny. He saw that Sunny was quivering a bit and thought about what to do. Ugh she's just a kid Luke, a very energetic kid but a kid regardless. She doesn't know much so be patient. Luke approached Sunny and instead of striking her, he patted Sunny's head and sighed. "Look Sunny, I understand that you're excited, but please don't go running around touching everything. Most things like that weapon are very dangerous, okay?" Luke said in a gentle tone.

"I-I know, b-but..." Sunny wiped her eyes. "I-I know a-a little about w-weapons, s-so I... j-just thought..." She sniffled. "I'm sorry."

Luke sighed and hugged Sunny. “It’s okay, you’re not in trouble. Just come to us when you’re interested in something alright? Don't want you to hurt yourself."

Alexis smiled at the display, walking over. "That's right. I know you're not a little kid, but it is our job to keep you safe."

"O-okay." Sunny looked to the side. "Th-then... can you show me then gun, Mr. Luke?"

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Dahlexpert & ZombieSplitter53
Practicing Parenthood
Part Two

Luke let go of Sunny and reached for the gun. "Alright, now the safety is on, so you should be fine, but just to make sure." Luke took the charge out and handed the weapon to Sunny. "There, so you can do what you want now, but still be careful with it."

Sunny took the weapon and slowly looked it over. "I-I've seen a lot of plasma pistol. Th-this one i-is based o-on advanced laser technology, r-right?"

Alexis blinked a few times. "Uh... yeah, actually."

Sunny looked over the loading port. "H-how d-do you compensate f-for the e-excess heat g-generated during th-the accumulation of e-energy t-to fire, M-Mr. Luke?"

"Um, hate to break it to you kid, but I’m not an engineer. But for me at least, I don't worry about the heat. I'm a red Psion so fire doesn't really effect me."

"R-really?" Sunny put the weapon to the side, now more interested in Luke himself. "Does that m-mean you can shoot fire like Nick? H-how strong are you?"

Luke raised his eyebrow. "Well yes, I can shoot fire, I can also make explosions and psi lances, and a new power, shockwave. So I can say I’m pretty powerful. So I’m not the only really strong red Psion here... interesting."

"Uh huh. Next can y-yous red and orange powers." Sunny grinned. "H-he is th-the strongest psion e-ever! Y-you should a-ask him for t-tips and stuff."

"I think I'm good kid. My powers haven't dabbled into other colors yet. But if it did, it would make me even more powerful, but I would rather train alone." Luke looked at Alexis. "Or I can train with my partner there."

"Oh?" Sunny looked at Alex. "You can use red psionics t-too?"

Alexis chuckled and shook her head. "No, I'm mostly green, with a tad into yellow and a tiny orange. But mostly green to."

"Oh?" Sunny didn't look very impressed, apparently uninterested when it didn't come powers Nick shared. Sunny looked at Luke again. "C-can you b-blow up a w-whole room? Because, this one t-time, h-he tried to escape, and there was such a b-big boom! A-and he w-was still a-able to grab me. I-it was so cool!"

"If I wanted to, yes, but it will tire me out. A very great deal, but I'm practicing and getting stronger."

"That's a-awesome!" Sunny looked between Luke and Alex. "Um, wait... am I d-distracting you f-from something?"

"Oh yeah." Alexis nodded. "I was going to go look in my workspace... mind keeping Sunny Company for a minute while I go look, Luke?"

"Of course, I have no problem with that." As Alexis left, Luke looked over Sunny. “So want to see something cool I can do with my powers?"

Sunny bobbed her head up and down. "Y-yeah, yeah! I... I mean, y-yes please."

"Alright then, pay close attention now." In Luke's right hand there was a flaming wolf. In Luke's left, a bunch of small explosions. When Luke put his hands together and opened them back up, the flaming wolf was surrounded by mini fireworks. "So what do you think?"

"Whoa..." Sunny's eyes danced across the visuals presented before them. "E-even N-Nick can't c-control his power's l-like that. Y-you're... really cool, Mr. Luke."

"Heh, I had years of practice. Doing something like this would be difficult to an amateur. But for me who had this power for years, and has been constantly training, this is very simple to do."

"Cooool." Sunny looked up into Luke's eyes. "Mr. Luke... w-what's a f... f-fiance?"

"Heh, A fiance is someone I’m going to marry. I proposed to her and asked her to be my wife. We hope to do that after the war."

"O-oh... a marriage." Sunny blushed and looked down at her feet, slowly rocking back and forth. "Do you think... m-maybe one d-day, II-I'll be able t-to get married?"

"Well, if someone like me who was a former horrible human being can get married, I'm sure there is someone out there for you. Trust me on that one kid. However..." Luke picked up Sunny as if she as a little kid and held her in his right arm. "However, you must be nice and patent. Don't try and rush a relationship, alright?"

"D-don't rush?" Sunny scratched her chin. "B-because... i-if I rush... I-I might make a-a bad choice... o-or scare the one I-I love... right?"

"Yeah, that's the idea. Just go with the flow alright. And if you want say something to that particular someone then say it. It will take some courage but you will be happy you got it out the way, even if they reject you. Now then, I'm more interested in you. So Sunny, where are your parents, or do you not have any as Alexis said?" Luke put Sunny back on the ground.

Sunny scratched the back of her head. "I... I-I don't know. I-I was t-told I-I was b-born i-in a test tube... but, um... th-there was this one doctor who said, um... s-something... about my mom..."

"Oh, really? What was that? And what do you mean by a test tube?"

"W-well... they said I-I was born in a-a lab. M-my parents d-donated their r-respective genetic m-materials, a-and conception o-occurred i-in a petri-dish. But... b-but m-my caregiver b-before I came here, Dr. Randolf..." Sunny looked around and stepped closer, whispering, "H-he said m-my mom a-actually carried me to term and... sh-she might be alive s-somewhere."

"Hum, well then that's interesting. Born in a lab huh? But you think your mom carried you and birthed you? Well, if she's alive, then I’m sure after all this is over you can find her, little one. Or do you want to find her?"

Sunny's shoulders sank. "I-I... I-I don't know. I mean... w-what... would I even s-say?"

"Well, a 'hi' is a good way to start off, but for now, that's for after the war." Luke looked down at Sunny and saw how skinny she was. "Um, do you eat much?"

Sunny looked down at herself. "Um... n-no, I guess. N-Nick always h-has to remind me to eat, b-because... s-sometimes f-forget."

"Well I'm a fantastic cook. You remind me of Jennifer, Alexis' sister. She used to be as skinny as you, but I gave her some of my food and she started to get bigger. And she went to the gym too. Would you like for me to cook for you?"
Alexis, where the hell are you, how many things do you plan on bringing into our room?

"Um... uh..." Sunny rubbed her wrist. "If... i-if it isn't a-anything t-too spicy... o-or sour... o-or weird..." She nodded. "Okay."

"Hum, not to spicy or sour. That should be no problem. Trust me, my cooking is top notch. I did learn from our head chief and she is an amazing cook, though a bit loony."

"We going to fetch a meal then?" Alexis asked, returning after slipping a few things in her pocket. "You'll love Luke's cooking. Your taste buds with dance for joy."

Sunny cautiously nodded. "I-I'll... give i-it a try."

"You got everything honey? What have you been doing this whole time?"

"Trying to convince Irons that there was a good reason I need to borrow a spectrophotometer. Guy is good to have on you team but a stick in the mud when it comes to rules and stuff." Alexis smiled. "Everything going good with you two?"

"Oh, yeah, everything is just fine. She's a nice kid, makes me want to adopt her."

Sunny looked up at him. "A-adopt me?"

Alexis' hairs stood on end and her eyes widened. "Luke, um... w-why don't we go get that... lunch for Sunny, hmm?"

"Yeah yeah, come on Sunny, we'll head to the cafeteria. You want anything in particular?"

"Um... I don't know." Sunny thought about it. "I-I don't have a, um... diverse p-pallet. Um... w-what are y-you good at m-making the most?"

"I can make most things, but how about breakfast? I can make a Egg Benedict. How does that sound? I the mean time, you can talk to Alexis."

"O-okay. I-I... I'll give i-it a try," Sunny said with a small smile.

As the group made there way to the cafeteria, Luke walked next to Alexis and whispered to her. “Gave you a scare when I mentioned adoption, huh? I haven't seen you that shocked since I proposed."

Alexis let out a nervous chuckle. "I'm just... you know, I would have none months to prepare for a baby. Opening the idea of adopting a sixteen year old we barely know with special needs... kinda caught me off guard a little."

"Yeah, you know I was teasing, right? But I mean, Leon and Yakone adopted a kid they barely know. I mean, it would be good practice for our future kids, right mommy?" Luke poked at Alexis side to tease her more.

Alex poked her back. "Then try a bit younger, dope. Though if you want to adopt, see if you can steal Brigid."

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Dahlexpert & ZombieSplitter53
Practicing Parenthood
Part Three

"Heh, I thought about that, but would rather have our own. I mean, I could start now. And just have you carrying it while you fight, making the kid battle hardened."

Alex's eyes wondered a bit. "I... though about that too, actually. But... I think it is a bad idea. Besides me running and diving and tumbling like crazy out there, if... if I should die, I wouldn't want you to lose two loved ones at the same time."

Luke smiled at Alexis and kissed her cheek."Have I mentioned how much I love it when we think a like. You're right. You getting pregnant now and rolling around and dodge bullets? Not good for a kid."

Alexis patted him on the chest. "Soon, my dear. Soon. A year or so ago I would have said when I'm too worn out to fight. Now? Who knows? Could be another year. Could be another six months. With the way things are rolling, it is sure to be over soon. For better or for worse..."

"Yeah, and for better or for worse. I will still be here by your side, defending you no matter what."

"Oh?" Alex bumped him. "Even if you were mind controlled?"

"Eh, I can find a way to break it, and then kill the alien that did that to me." The group reached the cafeteria, and Luke kissed Alexis cheek." Now it's your turn to entertain her. I will be right back." Luke went into the kitchen and got to work.

Alexis took a seat with Sunny and folded her hands. "So, um... tell me about yourself. With that while embarrassing situation with Nick... sorry about that by the way..."

Sunny nodded. "I-it's okay."

"So you like engineering stuff?"

"Uh huh. W-when I-I was being t-trained, th-the p-put a lot of e-engineering things in my head. So... i-it all facinates me."

Alexis placed her hand against her cheek. "Well, maybe I can ask Dr. Shen to let you help out a little. No promises, but I can always ask."

Sunny smiled. "Th-thank you. I-I... h-have a few ideas I-I can g-give her if... i-if she wants to listen to a kid."

Alexis waved her hand dismissively. "I doubt that would be a problem. She was kicking ass in engineering at an even younger age then you."

"Whoa, really?" Sunny leaned forward. "I-is Ms. Shen, like... a-a genius?"

Alex couldn't help a grin. "Something like that. Just hold back on the flattery. She'll love it, but we don't need her getting a big head."

"Big... head?" Sunny touched the sides of her head, unfamiliar with the expression.

Luke decided to make something lighter for the light teen. "Hmm, maybe a Soufflé Omelet. It's light, puffy, and it goes down easy. Yeah, that would work."

Luke went into the fridge and pulled out an egg. He cracked it and put the egg into a glass boil. Luke grabbed a mixer and started to stir the egg. Once the egg was fluffy, he put butter on a pan and steered it until the pan was covered with it.

"There, now how is Alexis doing with the kid?" Luke poked his head out and saw Alexis having a nice conversation with Sunny. "Aw, she looks just like a mom, so glad her mom isn’t there. Otherwise she will tease us."

Luke continued to cook the omelet until it was done. "Alright Sunny, your food is ready. I hope you enjoy it." Luke placed the food in front of Sunny.

Sunny poked at the egg with her fork, sniffing it lightly. "It looks good," she said, taking a small piece and placing it in her mouth.

Luke sat down and whispered to Alexis. "Think she will like it?"

Alexis shrugged. "Some teens don't like anything, so don't take it too hard if doesn't."

Sunny chewed slowly and softly for the longest time, unintentionally keeping Luke in suspense. Finally, she smiled. "It's nice and fluffy," she said, taking another bite.

Luke let out a sigh of relief, and smiled at the young teen. "Glad that you like it. You had me nervous there. I thought you wouldn't like it."

Sunny gave him a curious look. "W-why... would it matter if I-I liked it o-or not? I-I'm just one girl, r-right?"

"Well I take pride in my cooking, and I want everyone to enjoy it. Much like our head chef. I want everyone to enjoy what I make, even though I'm a soldier first and a cook second."

"Oh... I-I see. W-well, it is very tasty." Sunny took another bite and offered the plate to Luke. "Y-you should try it too."

"Heh, not often I'm asked to try my own food." Luke grabbed a fork and took a bite. "Hum, it taste great. Yep, I'm pretty good."

Sunny offered it to Alex, who took a small bite. "Perfect as always."

"Th-there," Sunny said with a big smile. "N-now if you poisoned it, w-we're all poisoned!" Her smile quickly faded. "I-it was a joke. I don't... r-really think... sorry."

Luke chuckled at the joke, and rubbed Sunny head. "Not bad. Your jokes still need some work though."

Sunny nodded. "Th-thank you. N-Nick always laughs at my jokes for the wrong reasons." She took another bite of the egg. "Do y-you know Anna?"

"Not really, I worked with her on a mission, but that's it."

"Ayame knows her, but I haven't met her." Alexis scratched her cheek. "She seems kinda..."

"She's cool." Sunny gave them a big smile. "Sh-she has c-cool powers. Y-you should be h-her friends."

"Eh, I don't see why not, maybe I should talk to her more. But I want to know more about this Nick guy."

"N-Nick?" Sunny nodded. "Okay. W-what would you l-like to know a-about him?"

"How long have you known him? What powers does he have? Is he a brat?"

"N-no! H-he's not a brat!" Sunny said defensively. "H-he is b-brave, and strong, a-and h-handsome, a-and he i-is always there t-to protect me."

Alex leaned close to Luke and whispered, "And he's a little bit of a brat."

"Hum, well, it sounds to me that you have a nice little crush on him. Hell, it sounds like he's your knight and shining armor."

Sunny pouted, stuffing some food in her mouth. "It's not a crush," she muttered.

Luke chuckled at the young teen and said, "Sure thing kid, whatever you say, but I can't wait to meet him. I've never been a mentor before. Maybe I can teach him a thing or two."

"M-maybe, but..." Sunny scratched her chin. "H-he... d-doesn't like authority a-and might g-get mad i-if you tell h-him what to do."

"Oh, he'll fall in line. I have ways with people. Heh, you’re a good kid Sunny. Wish we would have had found you sooner."

"I-I'm just happy y-you guys f-found us a-at all." Sunny finished the omelet, and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for the d-delicious m-meal, Mr. Luke."

"Heh, no problem, and thank miss Alexis for not only keeping you company, but also letting you into engineering to."

"And I'll be sure to let Lily know your interest." Alexis gave her a pleasant smile.

"Th-thank you very much." Sunny stood up. "I-I should h-head back t-to my room b-before N-Nick worries."

"Of course, I hope you enjoyed being with us kiddo. Don't be a stranger."

As she quickly ran off, Alexis leaned against Luke and sighed. "You handled yourself pretty well there."

"Heh, I have practice. I hang out with Brigid a lot so I'm okay with kids. You're not bad yourself." Luke put his arm around Alexis."Yep, I think we are going to be great parents after this is all over."

Alexis nodded. "Yeah... but let's make sure we keep practicing until then."

"We're going to borrow Brigid a lot, aren't we? I'm sure Morrigan will enjoy having some private time. Or we can babysit of Leon and Yakone's kid."

Alexis nodded. "Sounds like a good idea." She closed her eyes, simply resting against the man she planned to marry.

 

[DarkGemini24601]

Dahlexpert and DarkGemini24601: “Shifting Situations, Part 1”

Southwest of the Shanty City La Paz
1480 Hours, January 20th, 2039
Onboard the X.S.S. Avenger
Floor 2, Central Block
The Holography Hub

Luke was in the holo room, training a different way in order to use his powers in a more tactical way. “Humm, alright let’s try this.” Luke shot fire out of both his hands and they went in a small ovular cone shape in front of Luke. This left his enemy trapped with no way to escape. “Great. this will allow me to use any one of my attacks while they’re pinned, or if someone is brave enough they can face them head on. Or I could just leave the alien here trapped in the wall of fire.”

“Provided your enemy doesn’t have a telekinetic shield or some other means to cancel out or defend themselves from your pyrokinesis,” an unfamiliar voice spoke from behind Luke. “Trust me, I have experience with that limitation of fire psionics… though your flames are a lot hotter than mine, so Yakone tells me.”

“You know, you sound just like the way you described your old man these days, Qamut,” Yakone noted from the Inuit man’s side.

“I’ll take that as a complement,” Qamut responded coolly.

“The wisdom side’s a complement, but being old is never flattering,” his CO’s daughter riposted.

Luke turned around and saw Yakone, and someone he never met before. “Yak, hey. Nice to see you again, doing well… but who is this person next to you?”

“Qamut Likuga,” the Enforcer introduced himself. “Just one of the original members of X-COM. Haven’t hit the field as often as I’d like, but I do my best to help around where I can.”

“He said so humbly,” Yakone noted with a roll of her eyes. “Qamut’s one of the only three surviving and active soldiers that’s been with XCOM the whole twenty years. He’s a red psion like you, has pyrokinesis, shockwave, and some killer telekinesis.”

“Really? It’s a shame it’s taken this long for us to meet. I would have loved a mentor when I first came here, but with some dedication and motivation and plenty of time in the holo-room. I would say I have gotten pretty strong.”

“You surpassed my capabilities, built up over the course of several years, in several months,” Qamut responded rather bluntly. The older man chuckled. “I’m certainly impressed, having watched how far you’ve come from the sidelines. Both of you, of course,” he amended, earning a nod of approval from Yakone.

“Well, for someone who had to be artificially awakened, your capabilities are still pretty cool.” Yakone glanced over at Luke. “Want a demo?”

“A training session? Sure, I could use a workout, and it’s not often I get to face another red psion.”

Qamut nodded. “Alright, then… just be wary. I’ve adapted my skills in the face of skilled youngsters like you…” the Inuit man cautioned. “Figured out a way to keep myself somewhat relevant in the face of those stronger than me.” He called out to Seshat. “Initialize Program K.A.N. 2, ‘Classic Ring’.” A square-shaped boxing ring was constructed for the pair, allowing them to square off in an enclosed space. “Show me what you can do.”

“Oh, a boxing ring. Heh, well then... I don’t normally fight people older than me, but why not?” Luke took a boxing stance but instead of charging right at him, Luke stood in one of the corners waiting for his opponent. Stay calm Luke, don’t rush things, see what he does first, then strike.

Yakone noticed the Grenadier’s wariness, and nodded with a smirk. Someone’s learned to fight smarter…

Qamut ended up being the first to attack. He started off simple, clapping his hands together and releasing a loosely-focused column of force in Luke’s direction. The column of shockwaves battered the Van Dam soldier, not dealing any serious damage but leaving him a bit dazed.

Luke slammed deeper into the corner. Shaking his head, he thought, Alright he’s using ranged attacks now how can I force him to come closer to me, and from what he said earlier he can leave my trail of fire. Humm I think I got something. Luke used his psi lance against Qamut. He didn't use his full strength to make sure he wouldn't hurt the aged veteran

A garnet-red glow quickly washed over Qamut, and he was shoved to the side by a telekinetic force. Without moving a muscle, he had deftly avoided the attack Luke sent his way. With a slight smirk, the Enforcer lifted a hand and motioned towards himself in a silent ‘bring it on’ gesture.

Luke’s eyes glowed red. He took a deep breath to avoid being goaded, and set his hands on fire. Luke slammed his fist to the ground, sending a groundwave of fire towards the veteran. Now if I’m right, he should use his telekinesis to ether avoid it or block the hit. And when that happens he will be in for a explosive surprise.

Qamut lifted his palms, countering in a way Luke had expected - but with a usage of psionic power he hadn’t predicted. The flames contained in the wave Luke had sent his way were snuffed out by a pyrokinetic cancellation from the Inuit man, and a counter-force shockwave diffused the other half of the attack coming Qamut’s way. “That would be the solution to that predicament I was talking about,” the native Canadian noted. “If you can’t produce the same sort of raw power that a natural psion can, learn to counter that strength instead.”

“Good point, but I was hoping you would do that.” Luke used his firecracker setting off explosions near Qamut. Luke started to rush forward still using his fire cracker near the Qamut to set him off guard. If this dosen’t work I might have another idea for him. Heh, so this is what it’s like to fight someone not as strong as you. They try to outsmart you... good to know. So how do you outsmart someone that tries to outsmart you? Do something unexpected.

Luke didn’t have a chance to find out. An array of telekinetic shields shot up around Qamut, protecting him from the mass of detonations for which he had not the time nor the ability to counter.

“The fact that you hold back on the power here is appreciated… I might not have been able to block a full blast,” Seshat reminded Luke - just to be sure.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2

Dahlexpert and DarkGemini24601: “Shifting Situations, Part 2”

Qamut chuckled as the smoke from the explosions cleared, and the ring dissipated. “You’re just as much of a siquttipaa in battle as I’d expect, after watching your mission logs,” the Enforcer congratulated his sparring partner. “Reminds me to keep back and let you and Yakone take the brunt of our opponents’ ire. I’ll just support how I can…”

“You’re finished? Damn and here I had an idea to counter you, I was going to use my pyrokinesis to spread fire around the arena. That way when you're focused on me when I’m attacking you, I could use my fire to attack you from behind.” Luke explained, surprising both Yakne and Qamut that Luke thought that far ahead.

“Laying out a complex series of plans as you go? Damn, Luke, you’re threatening to turn into me with offensive psionics,” Yakone remarked with an approving chuckle.

“Anirnialuk sapummivaa nunasiuriijaqtuq (Great Spirit continually protect this world),” Qamut muttered. “That’s a fearful thought.” He shook his head, brushing himself off and walking towards the door. “I’ll leave you two to chat for now… looks like I still have some work to do.”

“Overachiever,” Yakone teased him as he left. She hopped up from the bench outside the simulation area, going over to Luke. “So, how’ve you been?”

“Heh, where do I begin? Well I’m sure by now Alexis told you were getting married. I‘ll be surprised if she didn't.”

Yakone pressed the palms of her hands against her cheeks. “Oh my God!” she cried out melodramatically, before lifting a finger with a smirk. “Just kidding. Of course she did. It was great news to hear, and I wanted to tell you that I’m happy for you two.”

Luke chuckled. “Heh, I figured. I also had a talk with your boyfriend... sorry, fiance. We had a really good talk, turns out he does care for me as a friend, he told me to face my demons and I told him to take your relationship one step at a time and to just go with the flow. I’m assuming he did that?”

“Oh, we took a step alright…” Yakone responded with a mischievous smile.

“Really? Well, that was faster than I thought. Now, I have to say, me and Alexis got it on way earlier then you two did. But I’m glad that stick-in-the-grass Leon actually went along with it. I’m proud of him.”

“I’m glad we went ahead and did it - quite literally. Wasn’t any reason to keep procrastinating about it… and we both had a lot of fun,” Yakone responded, closing her eyes and recalling the night and starting to shamelessly ramble, “The feeling of his hands against my skin, the feeling of his di-”


“OK! I don’t go over what me and Alexis do. I don’t want to hear about your first time.” Luke rubbed his head. “But I do owe you my life Yakone,” he said more seriously.


“You do? How so?” Yakone questioned. “I know we’ve fought plenty together, but I figure the mutual, side-by-side asskicking we dish out balances itself out.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. See, much like you destroyed Ember, I had to face my demons. Only unlike Ember, who was a version of you the aliens created, my demon was me - how I used to be. A monster that enjoyed killing people, mauling them and turning them into dust just because he could. I want to say thank you, because without you helping my out in my mental war. I would have burned the avenger just because. So thank you, Yakone. I owe you my life.”

“I’m… flattered to hear that, though… I didn’t realize your past was… that bad,” Yakone said with a degree of surprise and concern. “Alexis said you went through a rough patch, but she didn’t want to elaborate.” Trying to lighten up the mood and distract from her somewhat-suspicious tone, the Ranger remarked, “I’m not worried that you would have burned down the Avenger though. This is kinda my home… you’d have been forced to fight me, Atka, and God knows who else before you even got to set off more than a few sparks.”

“Oh, he wouldn't have cared, he just crippling XCOM would have been enough for him.” Luke shook his head and tried to change the mood. “But that didn't happen. You helped me beat him. You, Alexis, Gwen, and even the Commander helped me beat him. I’m a much different person I was a mere seven years ago. I have friends that have my back and who will defend me because they see me as family. That was my other self’s downfall, he relied to much on himself, I carried that mentality for years even when I joined XCOM. But I had to change, because if I didn't I would fear for my future family. I feared that I would harm them, and I will not let that happen. That was my motivation to change who I am. Now I listen to advice and try to be more of a team player.”

Yakone smiled. “Well… what we went through isn’t actually that different. Before I was turned into Ember, I got the guts to face up to my flaws… and I fought my pride in a similar way to how you described your doppelganger. I suppose in a way,” she added, “the loner behavior you described yourself having is just its own extreme end of arrogance. We’ve both had to own up to how flawed we are, and try to do better in the future.”

“Yea, heh it's funny I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for my friend. See, when I was in the wasteland, I had a moment where I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to die. I wanted to die so badly that I held a revolver to my head for what felt like hours, hearing that click so many times that was starting to drive me mad. Then my friend showed up, with a regular gun. I begged him to put me down but he didn't,” Luke recalled.


“He still saw good in me, he still saw the six year old that helped him fight off the kids that was kicking his ass. And without that mercy I would not be who I am now, One decision changed my whole life. Now I’m with the most elite group of the resistance. I have a loving soon-to-be wife. I’ve got great friends. Wow, things really do change.”

“Aside from the childhood variety, I’ve made a ton of new friends since XCOM resurfaced,” Yakone remarked, echoing Luke’s sentiment. “Our circumstances really do shift as time flies by.”

“Yeah they do. Heh…” Luke chuckled. “I hope we go back to the States soon. More specifically Texas, so I could bring him here. I owe him that much. But besides that, how’s the child raising, mommy?”Luke teased Yakone.

“Oh, shut up,” Yakone complained with a roll of her eyes. “Konny’s a sweet girl, I’ve loved the opportunity to take care of her. Feels more like having a little sister than being a mother at times, considering the age gap between us isn’t much of a gulf.” Yakone rubbed the back of her neck. “I dunno why, but the feeling of interacting with someone younger than me like a sibling - or family, at the very least - just feels right. Can’t pin down why specifically. Kinda spooky, huh?”

“Heh, could just be instinct. You know, me and Alexis do have an apartment back at Matterhorn. I would love to babysit for you with Alexis of course, that way you and Leon can go and do your business.”

Yakone shrugged. “I dunno… as cool as that would sound, the situation’s a bit different for Leon and I. You’re probably good to settle wherever, but I’m probably going to be living in Canada when this is all over. The maple country’ll call me and Leon back. I’ll definitely visit, though.”

“Damn, that’s a shame. I would love for my kids to see their aunt Yakone. And yes i’m calling you there aunt, because since you and Alexis known each other for so long, our kids will definitely know each other.”

“I’m certain they will,” Yakone responded with a nod. “You wanna go get some drinks? We could toast to a future where our kids can hang out and have fun and not worry about crap like revolutionary warfare.”

Luke laughed heartily. “Now that, I can drink to.” Luke and Yakone left the holo-room and made their way to the bar, both looking forward to their futures.