Fandom Coral, Abide with Rubicon!

[Lucyfer]

Carla always wondered what turned Sulla against Walter. Perhaps it was inevitable, with the way Walter treated his hounds, but Sulla had been different. Of course, as a survivor of Gen-1 experimentation, it was hard to say if that was who Sulla was, or what he became after the surgery. All Carla really knew was that there was little more disconcerting than the survivors of Gen-1 augmentation.

“I know you will,” Carla left out that she knew Walter would try to deal with Sulla. His success was debatable, and not truly in his hands.

Would he tell Aurelia enough to succeed?

“Tomorrow, eh?” seems the frame would be handled, then, “That’s rather short notice, even for you. But I suppose we’ll be ready,” she expected it, “we can meet in Northern Belius, there’s a BAWS arsenal near the coast, but a town that’s a good drop spot – R1-222,” she looked down at her message then, considering it had come from Tiny.

It wasn’t about Raven, though.

She typed at a message even as she spoke to Walter. “Have you told Raven about us, Walter?” Not Overseer, no, Carla knew that he wouldn’t tell her that. “That you happen to know the woman behind her new toys, or that I told you everything about her? I’d hate to make this awkward.” She’d love it.

As to Tiny, her message was tonally quite different than the play with Walter.

I don’t repair people. Never been good at it. You want tips for fighting re-education, you’ll want to talk to someone who’s done it. Someone like Raven – though I think the key difference is Raven was re-educated against her will. Your sister chose Arquebus, didn’t she?​

An important difference. That meant she already bought into some of their message, believed in them, to some degree. That could make it harder. As much as Carla liked Tiny – Tiny’s sister made her decisions.

But what Carla said was also true.

It was true. If Carla had known anything about fixing people, she would have fixed Walter. She would have fixed Walter’s father. She would have done…a lot of things, for all those addicted to Coral, but instead she enabled it, more than anything else. It kept them around, after all. Dosers ended up with some crazily interesting ideas for machines, after all.

No, if she was good at fixing people, Chatty would know how to laugh.

But he didn’t.

Raven beat it, though. Well enough, at any rate. Of course, Raven probably was getting tired of having her secrets lain out, but Carla didn’t mention that it wasn’t a secret to Lilith.

~***~

The confusion and struggle was evident before Rusty dismissed Huntress, before he saw the last of her for that day. Yet, in the end, she agreed to continue coming to the sparring nights. He gave her a thumbs up, “I’ll expect to see you, then!” he knew she wasn’t quite herself, and when she was out of sight, the smile faded.

His shoulders drooped.

His expression went cold.

It was a rare drop into Conri of the Rubicon Liberation Front as he gazed down the sterile hallway that Huntress passed out of, and considered, then, how many others he may have hated who had gone through this re-education – and he assumed it was their own mind. ‘Even those not from Rubicon….’ He was willing to hate the entire galaxy, to assume the worst in them, rather than in Arquebus.

He knew of re-education. How could he not, with the way it was held as a threat? He now knew he had to avoid it even more than before, but now he felt some pricklings of guilt as he considered those in Arquebus he’d led to their deaths.

Those he would continue to lead to their deaths, because he had to save Rubicon-3.

How did he end this sooner? How did he get Arquebus to retreat, and not double-down?

He didn’t have an answer as he drew the mask of Rusty back up and left the area to resume his duties as a Vesper, but he mulled it over in his head, again and again, knowing he needed to somehow take time off and go see Uncle.

He’d have ideas.

But, before he could ever do that, he’d have to go to Movie/Game night.

Although the entirety of Squad IV was invited, Rusty didn’t pass it on. Part of it was to feel it out first, but mostly – he didn’t really want to encourage that bonding in himself, with them, even if it would be false on his side. He didn’t want to grow the squads IV and IX closer, either – lest another fall of Huntress end up with him falling, too.

Not that he’d tell her that, as he stepped in with just Art to the room that was reserved, glancing around. Both of them held multiple bags of chips under their arms, though Rusty had also grabbed a bag of pretzels, and sugary popcorn; he wasn’t sure what kind of snacks were best, after all.

“HeEY! We’re here!” Rusty called out across the room, seeking the red hair that ought to stand out – though with her height, it definitely got obscured sometimes. “We brought food!”

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Walter had spent enough time around Carla to know she didn't just put blind faith into anyone or anything without some sort of trust in who or whatever was involved. It's why he would make sure Aurelia was ready and prepared to fight his old pilot. Well, as much as he could without knowing his recent skill. First, he'd need to locate him, check in with the Corps.

Before all of that though, she deserved a day out of the garage, even if it was to pick up her frame. The fact that they were going to meet up at a BAWS town was even better. She could walk around and shop, or whatever she wanted, really, while they were there. She had been through mission after mission, putting her life at risk for his 'retirement' with little downtime.

At least 617-620 had each other to talk to and decompress with. She had no one. No one but him at least and he didn't think she exactly wanted to lay her soul bare to him like fellow pilots would.

"Understood. R1-222. We'll be there." They'd have to leave early morning to get there before afternoon, but afterwards, they could take their time. A displeased grumble left him at her next question. "No, I haven't. I told her I had a friend in RaD who supplied her base AC." That was it though.

He hadn't brought up RaD since, had he? Well this was going to be very awkward if he didn't at least let her know that. That was a conversation for the ride there. "I will." Or he'd at least try to explain it, hopefully in a way that she wouldn't try to shank him afterwards.

A notification popped up on his computer as he finished his sentence.

Michigan.

Clicking on the message, he frowned. It was a simple mission. Retrieve the combat logs from fallen MTs and ACs at the Wall site tomorrow night to gather information on the two Vespers that had worked with Aurelia at the Wall. It would eat into Aurelia's downtime, but if Michigan thought it was something worth looking into, it had the potential to be useful information. Maybe Carla had an idea. He'd have to get off call soon to get ready for the missions tomorrow, but he figured he'd pick her brain first.

"Just got a message from Michigan. Any idea why he would want to look into V.IV Rusty and V.IX Huntress?"

~***~

The message back from Carla was discouraging, though it came with it's own glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Raven had been re-educated...? She doubted it was something that the pilot wanted to talk about though, especially with someone that only worked with her professionally before. It was something she could ask the other later, after they knew each other better.

Thanks Boss. That helps more than I can express.​

For now, she'd try her best to try and keep her hopes up, waiting for a text from her or some other sign that she was out. She knew Re-education was a bad thing, knew it was brainwashing to a degree, but to what degree would her sister be re-educated? Was she even able to be saved?

This was going to be harder than she thought... With a frustrated sigh, Lilith put her head in her hands, running her fingers up through her hair and tugging on her red tresses. 'Damn it, Elliot... Couldn't have kept your head down and your mouth shut, could you...'

~***~

Getting the room rented for the event was the easiest part of the whole thing, simply checking with Snail to make sure the room was available and putting it down on the schedule. She had done it a handful of times before for Game/Movie nights, all that needed done after was locating the games and figuring out which movie to watch.

Of course, Arlo was the first to show up along with a handful of others to help set up like usual, though they had surrounded her, expressing their worries after her re-education. Here, surrounded by friends, she allowed warmth to reach her eyes as they pulled her into a group hug. They too were unnerved by this new version of her, but they didn't dare say it.

Arlo had brought salsa and other dips while Elliot brought a cookie tray. Normally, she would have baked them herself, but any motivation to do so had been sucked out of her by the re-education. It didn't fix her sweet tooth though, a harmless vice that usually got the better of her if sweets were offered. A sure-fire way to get on her good side. The rest of the squad had brought various other snacks, including mini donuts, a sandwich tray, and chocolate candies.

Huntress had just started to get the movie set up when the voice of Rusty carried over the tall crowd of chattering Squad IX that dwarfed her in comparrison. They had chosen 'The Jungle Book' this time, perhaps as a way to try and crack through the strange barely emoting exterior. Who was she to say no when they all suggested it? It was her favorite after all. "You made it. Thank you for coming, buddy. You too, Art. Good to see you again," The warmth stayed in her eyes this time as the corners of her lips quirked upwards slightly, though quickly grew into one of her signature wide smiles as she locked eyes with the snacks the two brought. She couldn't contain the excitement that danced behind her eyes in a lapse of control of her emotions. Sugary popcorn? Her weakness!

"You can put them on the table over here. Thank you for bringing snacks." she instructed, the smile faltering as she wrestled her emotions back down, though it was hard to with her friends and her buddy here. Was this the appropriate fraternization that he talked about? Was it really okay to emote around them? What if they thought she was mad at them because she didn't smile? That wouldn't do! How would that foster a stronger bond within the Vespers and the squad? Rusty smiled, he laughed, he emoted! Maybe it was ok to emote too. Testing the waters, she allowed herself to smile, letting her personality shine through, although very muted and held back. The smaller the transgression, the smaller the punishment, right?

 

[Lucyfer]

Carla smirked, though shook her head as Walter indicated he hadn’t told Aurelia anything about her. It wasn’t a surprise, which was why Carla asked. Walter might want to say a bit more before they met, otherwise it was likely to be quite the surprise to Aurelia, and not a pleasant one. Not that she seemed to get many pleasant surprises, lately.

If Lilith reached out to her, that’d be another to add to the list.

“Good,” Carla thought that would be the end of the call, but it seemed Walter had an additional question. Carla snorted at it, “With him, who knows? Maybe he wants to understand the builds of his competition, or fighting style, since they conquered the Wall,” of course, it wasn’t just Rusty and Huntress, but Michigan already knew Aurelia.

Far too much about her, now.

It was also all the other independent mercs that Arquebus was willing to shell out cash for, when Michigan wouldn’t. He tried to do it as just Redguns, and lost for it. “He’s likely miffed about losing the Wall to Arquebus and wants to find out every little detail he can,” Carla shrugged, “he’s never been a good loser.”

He lost rarely.

At least, when he was doing things.

When he had to trust in others, well…that was another story.

“Why, do we need to adjust our meet-up for him?"

~***~

Rusty was glad to see Huntress smiling, even if it was subdued. He could see the glimmer of warmth and delight in her eyes, even if it was just for a second, at the popcorn.

Art nodded to Elliot, “Good to see you, too,” he agreed, though his own discomfort was obvious, even if he wouldn’t have been able to place it or explain why. He didn’t really know Huntress, but that sense of something being off was strong.

Rusty took the initiative with the snacks, “Gotcha, we’ll get this set up with the rest of the snacks,” not a hard chore at all. “Glad to see you’re still doing this, buddy. What do we have going on?” he wasn’t sure how it functioned. Did people play games with the movie in the background? Did games come first and then movie? Vice-versa? He hadn’t done this yet, given the timeline of things, so he wasn’t too sure what to expect as he moved to put the snacks up.

“How come we don’t do this?” Art asked as a mock-complaint.

‘Because I don’t care about any of you enough.’

The honest answer didn’t slip, Rusty just laughed, “Because repairs on STEEL HAZE are too expensive for me to handle something like this,” a lie, of course, but no one would really know that. His money was being fed back to the RLF and his new model for when he broke out of Arquebus.

That custom design was coming together well, but slowly.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

The answer, though non-confirming, was at least enough for the Handler's brain to latch onto for now. She was right. Michigan was being, well, Michigan! Always putting his faith in the wrong places. Look where that got him with Aurelia at the dam, or with Nile when Aurelia had squared up with him.

Of all things to worry about, he supposed sizing up the other corporation's pilots was reasonable. From what he could gather from the fight at the top of the wall, They were great pilots, definitely something Michigan would have to worry about with some of his Redguns. He wondered where they were on the Mercenary ranking system compared to the Redguns, if that was the reason for Michigan's inquiries. A thought for later, he supposed.

"No, We can do the mission at night. We'll see you tomorrow. Thank you, Carla." The grizzled man said his goodnights before getting off call and running a hand through his salt and pepper tresses. He'd need to update Aurelia.

Michigan has a mission for you tomorrow night as well. Rest up.
​

With that, he headed to his room, getting ready for bed. Tomorrow would be a busy day. It'd be even busier if his talk with Aurelia didn't go well.

The next morning, Walter busied himself with getting the transport helicopter ready to launch, well as much as a man who used a cane could. In truth, he was trying to figure out how to tactfully bring up the fact that he was friends with the CEO of the company that produced her custom AC parts, and that same friend knew all about her past because he asked her to look into her. He wasn't keen on getting stabbed, though who was?

The man let out a disgruntled hum as he raised his cup of coffee to his lips, doing a thorough sweep of the copter to make sure it was ready to go for them. He wondered if Aurelia would take the time to find something to eat or drink the coffee he had set out for her. It had become a ritual of sorts. He'd make her coffee when he made his and put it in her spot for her. It was almost like a peace offering, in a way.

With all the preparations done that he could do himself, the transport helicopter was ready for them. All they needed to do was load up and head out.

~***~

With every little 'buddy', Huntress felt the tiniest piece of herself return to her. It helped to keep the smile on her face as she moved to the snack table herself, eyeing up the sweets displayed on it.

"We have a movie set up and some games over on the table. Not everyone wants to watch the movie, so some play games while we watch it. Tonight's movie is 'The Jungle Book' by unanimous Squad IX decision. Feel free to help yourself to the snacks. I know I am."

And she did. Grabbing a paper plate, the red head started piling it full of sweets; several kinds of cookies, donuts, chocolate candies, sugary popcorn, an overly sweet soda to wash it down. It was the highlight of her week, getting to indulge in sweets like this and spend time with her friends, and now that Rusty was here, she could hardly contain herself.

Elliot took a piece of popcorn off her plate and tossed it in her mouth, bringing a genuinely happy smile to her face as she tried, and failed, to stop the little happy dance she did at the taste. "Good choice on the popcorn, buddy!" An authentic, excited 'buddy'. Not the robotic version, but the unique, over-pronounced syllabled version. There was something about the combination of overwhelmingly positive stimuli and supports around her that allowed for small lapses in her control, and seeing as she wasn't being punished here with them, it almost felt... ok to do so.

She was quick to move to a spot on the floor in front of the large TV to try and contain herself, criss-crossing her legs to make a lap-table for her snacks. She could have taken a seat, but the floor was more comfortable to her bendy body. Grabbing the remote, the red head spoke up again. "Movie time?"

There were several confirmation noises from the others of Squad IX who sat in chairs around the wall-mounted TV, plates of snacks in hand as Huntress nodded in response, hitting play.

 

[Lucyfer]

Rest.

Aurelia almost laughed at the message she got from Walter, but didn’t. She just continued repairing the frame, even though it was going to be replaced. It was nearly morning when repairs were finished, but she still left for her room to collapse for the hour or so she had left, waking again to red.

‘Leaving…right….’

And not for a mission, but to pick up from RaD. Lilith might be there. That sent a spark of panic through Aurelia and she moved gracelessly to fumble for clothes – though all she had were the damn flight suits. Still, she put one on, and stared at herself in the mirror once she’d combed through her hair for longer than necessary, trying to see if the augmentation was obvious.

The flight suit covered the scars of her body, but her face – her cheek, her ear – they were obvious. ‘I can blame that on a crash.’ It wasn’t even a lie. DI MANES had burned itself into her, but what bothered her was the thought there was red in her eyes. She couldn’t tell.

Everything was red to her, now.

‘Fuck it.’ She forced herself to turn from the mirror and head towards the kitchen, expecting to meet Walter there, but finding it empty.

It threw her a bit off kilter not to see him there, but it made sense. Walter was actually leaving the ship with her, after all. She almost didn’t notice the coffee as she turned to leave, but she did notice it as her eyes went over their shared table, and she couldn’t help but laugh into the silence at the fact he knew she’d come this way.

Perhaps she’d become too predictable.

Either way, she took her coffee and went to the hangar where Walter, and the copter, were waiting. “I’m not that late, am I?” she asked, approaching the copter, eying it warily. It felt…strange to be considering entering it without an AC. It felt strange to be leaving the ship without an AC.

She didn’t like it.

~***~

Of course, Rusty remembered The Jungle Book as something important to Huntress. For some reason, he’d thought it was an actual book, though. Maybe it was both? He would have to get clarity later, right now, he just grabbed some of the pretzels and a couple of the mini sandwiches.

Just as he ought to get clarity on where Shere Khan went, and why he wasn’t here to watch the film.

For the moment, however, he kept his tongue on the roof of his mouth as she seemed delighted by the popcorn. ‘Well, the re-education can’t be that bad.’ Not if it was this easy to start cracking it. Then again, perhaps that was half the point. Arquebus couldn’t go around with just robots serving them. So long as the main message was ingrained, they likely weren’t too concerned if interacting with allies made the person happy again.

That was probably what they hoped for, in a way.

That way the person wouldn’t just associate Arquebus with violence and fear, but also their singular source of happiness.

The thought nearly killed Rusty’s mood.

“You’re welcome!” Rusty chimed, as he would take a seat on the floor with Huntress, spreading himself out a bit rather than contorting his legs into a pretzel to take up less room. He preferred lounging.

As the chimes went up and the movie began, he did lean in towards Huntress. “Where’s Shere Khan? This is the movie he’s in, right?” he didn’t mean to have her point out the character – he was sure that would become obvious – no, he meant the plush she’d found.

Hopefully, it was still somewhere safe.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

One moment, Walter was deep in his thoughts, narrowing in on how to bring Carla up to his pilot, the next, she was there, speaking to him. Well, he would at least tell her now, rip that bandaid off so that if she was mad and stabby, they wouldn't be in the confines of the transport vehicle.

"No, you're right on time. The Helicopter is ready to launch when you are ready to leave." He took a deep breath, solidifying his plan before speaking again.

"Listen, Aurelia. This person we're meeting. She's the CEO of RAD. Carla. She's an old friend of mine. My mentor. She's that friend that I was telling you about who gave us your starter AC."

And the person responsible for getting all the information on you.

He wanted to leave that part out, lie to her about how Carla was the whole reason he even obtained her in the first place, but he also knew Carla and how she was going to be. How did he even get himself in this position? Oh yeah. By acting like his father. His lips quirked downward for a moment at that thought but tried to shake it.

"She also helped me gather information on you and other pilots that I was considering. She's... eccentric, but useful and a good friend when you need her."

Oh if she could only see him floundering so hard. She'd laugh at him for being such an idiot and holding back information like this from his pilot for so long. She had laughed at him for it. He felt stupid, but acknowledging those feelings would help him to be a better person, or so common prose would have lead him to believe.

He wasn't sure that was entirely true, but time would tell. More importantly, he needed to be ready for Aurelia's reaction to all this information, so he took a sip of his coffee, waiting.

~***~

Huntress's gaze flickered to Rusty as he settled on the floor beside her, his casual demeanor somehow comforting amidst the waves of emotions that tugged at her. She managed to keep her smile, albeit subdued, as the movie started. The familiar opening notes of "The Jungle Book" played, stirring a sense of nostalgia and warmth within her.

When Rusty leaned in and asked about Shere Khan, her mind flashed to the plush tiger hidden under her bed. The memory of clutching it for comfort during nightmares and rough nights followed by her hiding it under her bed after her re-education was done, bringing with it a pang of longing that she tried to keep from her eyes.

She glanced at Rusty, his question genuine and filled with concern, and her heart ached. He remembered her tiger, from that BAWS town they visited...?

He remembered his name!

"Shere Khan's... safe," she replied softly, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice. She couldn't bring herself to tell him how she had hid the plush so that she wouldn't be reminded of her failures.

As the movie played, Huntress allowed herself to relax a bit more, surrounded by the familiar faces of Squad IX and the familiar, calming presence of Rusty. The room was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, the atmosphere light and welcoming despite the weirdness as Squad IX took turns each glancing at their leader.

Grabbing another handful of sugary popcorn, she took a deep breath and tried to let herself enjoy the moment. Maybe Rusty was right. Maybe this was okay? The thought brought a small, genuine smile to her face, and she glanced at Rusty, feeling a surge of gratitude that only barely shown through her masked, smile.

"Thanks for being here, buddy. It means a lot," she whispered quietly, hoping to not bother anyone else who was watching the movie.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘I’m never going to be ready to leave.’ Aurelia didn’t say as much. She needed these improvements, so she had to leave. It didn’t matter that she was no longer confident in being able to pass as someone who wasn’t modified. There were things vastly more important, though it seemed Walter had more to say before they loaded up.

He was friends with the RaD CEO – Carla.

More than that, she had provided the first AC, wretched thing though it was, and she was Walter’s mentor, who fed him every bit of information on Aurelia that he could ever want. She grimaced at this news. The frustration of last night returned, as she was reminded, once again, she wasn’t living for anything by the news that Carla had dug up everything about her – and Carla was Walter’s mentor.

“Suddenly, I’d rather spend my money at Balam,” unfortunately, the coam was already spent, and given the custom nature, she’d likely have to keep supporting RaD to keep LEMURES up to date. “It’s just great to know I’m supporting another slaver!” What else could Carla be, given what she helped Walter with it? Perhaps everyone in RaD was deep indebt and all but sold to Carla to work it off.

The thought Lilith might be in that position was not comforting in the least.

Aurelia shook it off, “It doesn’t matter,” she looked away, to the copter, “Let’s just get this trip over with, I’ll play nice, we can get my AC parts, and go, okay?” she’d force down a drink of her coffee, and try not to let that bitterness of everything from the Wall well back up to the surface.

Try to assume she had longer to live, to make a difference for all she was doing now.

~***~

Longing flickered across Huntress’s gaze, and Rusty wondered at it, especially as she mentioned Shere Khan was safe. He believed that. He didn’t really think Huntress was a good liar, but he wondered safe meant, as he pursed his lips together momentarily and considered asking.

The moment to ask passed just as quick by a sound from the movie, taking Rusty’s attention and turning it towards the film. When he looked back, Huntress was already fully engaged in the film. The opportunity to ask was gone, and it was soon forgotten as he watched the film unfold, telling the story of many animals besides Shere Khan: Baloo, Ka, Mowgli, and a host of others dominated the screen, the style both foreign and familiar to him.

‘And yet she saw this, here.’

He’d seen other films like this, so it couldn't be too old. even so, he wondered precisely how long ago it was. All he’d ever seen had been somewhere in-between. After the Fires, media brought in from outside, but always a few years behind what was ‘current’.

He heard Huntress speak, and at first didn’t catch the words since he was focusing on the film. He forced that away and tried to rewind the sound – he got the gist of it, and grinned, “Of course, buddy,” he wouldn’t add on to it, he’d noticed the way others looked back, so he didn’t want to disturb them anymore.

They seemed worried enough about their Squad Leader.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Walter suppressed a sigh as Aurelia's frustration flared. He knew this revelation wouldn't sit well with her, but it was better to lay it all out now. Honesty, or as close to it as he could manage, was the only way forward. Lest he get stabbed in his sleep. They seemed to be on non-murderous terms at the very least, and he wanted to keep it that way as long as he could.

The pepper-haired man tried to find the best way to give a better word in for Carla without giving anything else away that could threaten Overseer's mission. He paused, taking another sip of his coffee, hoping to calm the unease gnawing at him. He wasn't sure if Aurelia would buy his defense, but he had to try.

Searching for the right words, Walter attempted to convey his point without sounding like he was making excuses. "Don't write her off just yet. She's complicated, but she's not a slaver. She’s someone who can be trusted when the chips are down. You'll see for yourself when we get there. Carla's different."

Walter took a step up into the helicopter, signaling it was time to go, and buckled himself in. The last thing they needed was for him to go flying out of the vehicle because he wsn't strapped in and they hit turbulence. This was going to take a while, and he realized a little too late that he probably should have brought a book or something else to pass the time.

The trip to BAWS town R1-222 would be take a hot minute, but it felt impossibly longer with the tension hanging in the air. As the chopper lifted off, Walter couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety in his gut. It would be helpful for the two to get along, but he was preparing for a future where his dealings with Carla would have to be kept a secret once more. He knew he should be more worried than he was, but he couldn't bring himself to. It was something he had already factored in to his plans.

The flight was uneventful, the landscape of Rubicon-3 passing below them in a blur. Walter's thoughts were surprisingly quiet, letting him enjoy the relative peace for the first time in a while and gave him time to send a message to Carla herself.

In bound. ETA 2 hours. See you at R1-222.
​

He wasn't going to mention the fact that Aurelia had lamented about not chosing balem for her equipment, or the pilot's thoughts on her. She'd see soon enough how the other acted, and his pilot would see how Carla was.

​

Finally, the sprawling expanse of BAWS town R1-222 came into view, a bustling hub of activity against the barren backdrop of the planet. There were several different Helicopters parked near the shipping and pick up bay but it didn't take much time at all to find the RAD Helicopter thanks to the bright Yellow logo on the side of it.

He didn't quite know what to say after her earlier declaration to grab and go, so he didn't say anything. Better to not shove his whole foot in his mouth again. The descent was smooth, as was the landing, and Walter steeled himself to see Carla in person for the first time in a long time. He was even more concerned for the meeting between her and his pilot, expecting a fight, or some kind of passive aggressive behavior. She had said she'd play nice, but she also turned on Iguazu and Volta after 'playing nice' with them Then again, she was offered coam to do it.

~***~
As the movie continued, Huntress found herself increasingly absorbed in the scenes unfolding on the screen, blocking out everything else around her. The familiar characters brought a pang of home-sickness and longing for her family, even if the film was not the same as the one from her childhood. It still had all the major plot beats and famous quotes, even if the animation style was more realistic compared to the hand-drawn animation she remembered. As her favorite scenes played, her eyes lit up with muted excitement.

The stampede scene started, and Huntress leaned forward, mostly-eaten plate of snacks discarded and forgotten to the side. She had already seen him once before, but anticipation built inside her as she waited for her beloved antagonist to reappear. Her breath caught in her throat as the striped hellion exploded back into the screen with that loud roar of his. The fierce, almost righteous anger in the tiger's eyes and the predatory strength rippling through his coiled muscles mirrored the resolve she once felt before her re-education, and even before her time at Arquebus.

When the tiger began his relentless chase, the familiar adrenaline rush surged through the red head. She mouthed the words silently along with the tiger, "No matter how fast you run, no matter where you hide, I will catch you, Man-cub," her lips moving almost involuntarily as the line she loved echoed through the room. As threatening a quote as it was, it was one of her favorites. Using visions of his strength and prowess were what kept her going after her botched augs, and later, the fight that landed her on Arquebus's radar for recruitment. If she could keep being strong like him, skilled like him, persistent like him, she'd be untouchable, and strong enough to protect her family.

As the movie moved to the climactic fire scene, Huntress's muffled excitement was almost palpable as she was practically vibrating in place, trying to keep herself contained at the subconscious threat of punishment. Shere Khan, cornered but still fighting back with every ounce of strength he had, reminded her of her recruitment fight. Out of 20 pilots, she was one of 3 to make it back from that hell, completing the job and keeping a level head to make it back safely.

The fire roared on the screen, and Huntress's eyes reflected the flickering flames. She watched as Shere Khan fought, his intelligence and fearlessness in contrast with her own lack of cunning and intelligence. As the scene ended, Huntress took a deep shuddering breath, her heart still pounding from the intensity. She glanced around the room, noticing the worried glances from her squad and flushed in embarrassment at how worked up she had gotten. And yet, no one punished her for it. Was this.... appropriate?

 

[Lucyfer]

Aurelia doubted what Walter had to say, though she’d take note he claimed Carla wasn’t a slaver. He didn’t need to lie about it, so she wondered if it was the truth, as she loaded into the helicopter and took her seat. She put in an earbud to listen to music, drowning out the silence. It was no escape from her thoughts, though she tried to push that out by flipping through stories on her tablet.

Anything to get away from the red tint.

From the taste of metal in the back of her throat.

From not-quite heard voices that weren’t there.

She only recognized they were at the new town when the helicopter began to lower, and she tried to still the panic that wanted her to flee. She didn’t want to be around people. She didn’t know how to be around people like this. Meeting the Redguns had been fine – it had been on the ship. This wasn’t the ship, this was a town, and it had been so long since she’d been in a town.

So long since she had to act in a truly public sphere, with her own mind intact.

She took the earbud out, and pocketed it, along with her tablet, before unstrapping herself and rising. Despite all the panic, she wouldn’t show it.

Walter made a beeline towards a helicopter with the RaD symbol upon it, and Aurelia followed him. The back of the copter was where there seemed to be activity, and Aurelia saw a rather tall woman alongside a far shorter one.

It was the shorter woman with the glasses and brown skin who reacted, “Took you long enough, Walter,” she greeted, revealing herself as obviously Carla from that alone as she approached him, only after dropping her cigarette and ashing it beneath her boot. “Tiny – this is Walter, my very old friend,” Walter looked older than her, which never ceased to amuse her, “Walter, this is Tiny, the engineer I’ve kept in charge of the project for your hound.”

Her eyes fell on Aurelia, “And you’re that hound, aren’t you?”

“You already know,” Aurelia said dryly.

Carla smirked, “Good, so Walter’s finally starting to talk. Seems he didn’t leave a good impression for me,” she sighed and folded her arms over her chest, “can’t trust him to do anything right,” Aurelia noticed then there was a robot on Carla’s shoulder, a strange spidery thing with a bright red eye.

Well, she assumed it was red.

“Hard to support someone involved in slavery, even indirectly.”

“Fair,” Carla smirked, “I’ve never really been a fan of Walter’s ways, myself, but I feel responsible for him,” she shrugged her shoulders with a sigh, “I did have to raise him a bit. Apparently did a bad job, but Chatty will come out better,” she patted the robot.

Aurelia’s brows knit together at that, “How…old are you?”

“80s, give or take a few years. And no – not frozen, like you. Just a bit of coral. Happens when you’re around a burning planet.” Everyone knew her as a Cinder, so she had to keep up with that, after all. “Tiny! Come meet your client. Tiny’s Lilith,” Carla offered.

~***~

Despite the re-education, the film seemed to latch onto Huntress and capture her, restoring some of herself as it forced her into memories of when she had seen the characters before, when she had watched the film. She knew the words, and mouthed them to herself – Rusty noticed the movement, and grinned a little to himself, before averting his gaze away from her, to the film.

‘Cute.’

If only it could last.

Perhaps what was cute about it, wasn’t really that cute, considering it was all related to the villain. Shere Khan was indeed strong, and indeed a fighter, but he was ruled by fear and wrath from his history. He refused to grow beyond it, refused to learn, and it led to his end when the thing he hated so much combined efforts with the strangers.

‘Why do you like him so much?’


He had no friends. He was undone by what he feared. His strength and his power were all for naught as he fell to his death in flames. He glanced at Huntress and could tell she was worked up, and he felt…uncomfortable. ‘Do you want to be this?’ Did she aspire to be Shere Khan? Is that how the re-education worked so well on her?

It was fear.

And through fear it motivated.

Rusty watched to the end of the film, as the elephants put out the fire, and life restarted, as if Shere Khan had never been there at all. A blip, gone, as Raksha became ruler of the pack of wolves, and the others went about their lives.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the end of it, “I was expecting Shere Khan to be something amazing,” he laughed, “not just a poor cat beaten by his fears,” maybe he could help Huntress see he was a poor idol, and hardly the strong one?

Mowgli, and the ones who had worked together, showed true strength.

A group, not an individual.

Or she might take serious offense. Either way – he had to say something after all of that!

 

[EllieMcEllie]

The pepper-haired man stood in mild shock and almost amusement as Carla pointed out the lanky, tatted up, red head seeming to be doing last minute checks in the back of the helicopter.

For a moment, he was sure she had a cybernetic arm, but the closer he looked, it was clear that it was just a rather intricate tatoo. Not only was she covered in tattoos, but piercings, and clothing covered in spikes, with a similarly spiked hairdoo. It wasn't what he was expecting at all, but it was very on brand.

He had to hand it to Carla. She had an oddity magnet, or something. As the engineeer named 'Tiny' approached, she was taller than all of them. Tiny meant tall, not jacked or otherwise. Walter nodded in the tall woman's direction in greeting. She had to be a skilled and trusted engineer if Carla put her in charge of the DI MANES project.

"Nice to meet you, Lilith"

Of course, in true Carla fashion, she was quick to criticise him, just like a mother would. He'd roll his eyes if he weren't in public and set on keeping a mostly stoic demeanor. He would have kept to it if the tall red head hadn't stuck her hand out began talking to him.

"Heya! I think we talked once when you were trying to get ahold of boss. Good to meet ya in person!" Walter took the outstretched hand after a moment, giving an almost one-sided handshake as Lilith shook his much more enthusiastically.

He had already clocked the presence of the little robot on Carla's shoulder, guessing it was a new toy of hers and being confirmed that it was as she and Aurelia talked. This was either going to go wonderfully, or so poorly. He had a feeling that he'd regret this even if he couldn't pin point a solid enough reason. They weren't yelling, or openly fighting, so that was good, right ?

He didn't have to worry much longer as Lilith was called by his darker-skinned mentor to come greet his hound, which she did with a pep in her step.

The youngest Fletcher sibling approached Aurelia with the biggest grin on her face, brimming with excitement. She couldn't give two shits about Walter, frankly. To her, he was uninteresting, an old friend of her Boss's, but he didn't buy custom parts, or have any kind of rapport with her yet so he was boring.

Raven on the other hand? Raven was her favorite client. She was clever, witty, and had great ideas for mech parts. Not only that, but she was a great pilot, if the tales of her sorties were of any indication. She was the godsdamn WallClimber! Couldn't get cooler than that! Ok, except maybe her family. Her family was cool too.

Lilith noticed the scars going around the other's face, the red tint to her eyes, and the flight suit, but that didn't matter to her. She had seen worse at RAD, and even them, it was rude to think negatively about someone's uncontrollable traits.

"Raven! It's so good to finally meet you and put a face to a name! You're taller than I was thinking you'd be, but who am I to judge? You're going to love your new gear!" The red headed scientist stuck out the hand of her cybernetic tattoo'd arm for her to shake if she wanted, her green eyes sparkling in excitement. "I can't wait to see the hell you stir up with this thing!"

~***~
Huntress's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and offense at Rusty's comment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she quickly looked away, trying to process his words without showing too much emotion. She hadn't expected anyone to critique Shere Khan, much less call him what he did.

Tigers are cool, and I was seven, she wanted to say, a bitter smile touching her lips. That had been the simple, childish reason for her admiration before her dad's passing. Before she embraced his likeness as a way to survive.

Her mind raced, torn between her childhood admiration for the character and Rusty's harsh, yet possibly accurate, assessment. She had always seen Shere Khan as a symbol of strength and tenacity, traits she had clung to after her father's death. Her father's absence had left a void; one she had tried to fill by being strong, by shouldering responsibilities to keep her family safe and help them make it with only their mother's income. Shere Khan's likeness had resonated with her then: strength, , and fearlessness.

But Rusty's words forced her to confront deeper layers.

Her father's death was deeply impactful on her teenage mind, and who had money for therapy on Rubicon-3? She had taken on so much responsibility as the eldest sibling, driven by a fear of losing more family. Had she been trying to emulate Shere Khan's misguided strength all along?

She glanced around the room, feeling her squad's worried gazes. This wasn't the place to delve into her reasons. She didn't want to discuss her past, her motivations, or her vulnerabilities here. Not in front of everyone. The realization that she had never really thought about why she admired Shere Khan so much hit her hard.

"I never thought about it like that," she murmured, just loud enough for Rusty to hear. Her voice was tight, betraying her discomfort.

The credits of the movie continued to play in the background, but Huntress's thoughts were elsewhere, head buried in the self-reflection and buried emotions.

Ultimately, she shut down, retreating into herself. The room felt too small, too suffocating, for the introspection she needed to do. She hoped Rusty would understand her silence, even if she couldn't explain herself right now.

The strength she admired in Shere Khan might have been flawed, but it had been a coping mechanism, a way to deal with her own fears and responsibilities. For now, she needed to sit with that realization and figure out what it truly meant for her.

Maybe that's why she liked Rusty so much? He was more like Mowgli and the wolves? Always helpful and friendly, including her in Vesper fight club, defending her from Pater, and helping her get back to her feet at the BAWS Town fight. Maybe it was time to find a better fictional tiger?

The red head got to her feet, grabbed her plate and cup, and started to work on cleaning up the space as Game and Movie night was coming to a close. Others of the squad jumped in to help, some taking over trash and others taking over cleaning tables and chairs.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aurelia could imagine that Lilith used that line plenty, given her own height. She had to look up at her more than she was used to with others, and she eyed the offered hand warily a moment, recalling how she’d gripped Walter’s hand and shaken it around. Even so, she accepted it, and would attempt to hold her grip firm so her hand wouldn’t be flailed about.

Neither Lilith nor Carla made any remarks on her appearance, so she felt some relief. Perhaps everything was normal. Or, well, normal enough.

A hesitant smile twitched on her lips when Lilith spoke of the hell she’d bring, but it couldn’t stick. After the Wall, she admittedly didn’t feel great about what the future held, even with Walter’s words that he’d keep her from jobs like that going forward. There was…a lot going on she didn’t understand on Rubicon-3, and she was only starting to realize it.

Too late.

It always felt too late. “I’m sure you’ll hear of it. News seems to spread quick here,” she knew of the Pink Gun, after all, “I can’t say what’s in store just yet, but I’m sure I won’t be inactive long.” She had a mission that night from Michigan, but she couldn’t say that, as she drew her hand free. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it operates. No offense to the first model you provided, Carla, but it wasn’t my style.”

“Style costs,” Carla smirked, “And Walter’s cheap. Lucky for you, I’m not.” When Aurelia canted her head, she gave a dismissive motion, “Lilith’s been wanting to get to know you, and I know you haven’t set foot on Rubicon-3. You should go explore, buy a few things, my treat, for all I’ve told about you to others. Lils included.”

Aurelia couldn’t help a rueful glance at Lilith, unaware of how it came up, or what Lilith knew. That Lilith hadn’t asked for it, precisely. “Does everyone know all about me?”

“Not Snail,” Carla said, suggesting in that Michigan knew. “Although it’d be funny to see him just as scared of you as Michigan and Walter, he’d never pay my prices.”

Aurelia’s brow creased at that. The thought of Antares being afraid of her was surprising. It was Antares! He was practically a god in her mind!

The thought of Walter being afraid was…perhaps not strange, but somehow, disappointing. She supposed she understood it, without needing to ask. She’d killed people close to her – but that was because of the re-education! ‘A re-education you aren’t fully rid of.’

“Don’t worry. Lils isn’t afraid of you. Neither am I. So you might be able to actually have a friend or two while Walter figures out how to adjust to a dog that bites,” Carla grinned, “so go explore, tourist. Walter and I can handle unloading.” She’d let Lilith have her time to broach the subject of re-education, if she wanted.

Would Aurelia like it? No.

But Lilith deserved it.



And only once they were away would Carla speak to Walter again, more directly, and without the earlier humor: “How long have her eyes been red, Walter?” her expression became somber. That was…a very bad sign for a Gen-4. She saw it in some of the coral dozers when they were near the end. Some still pulled out, backed off the drug, and lived.

But for an augmented human, it was often the sign the coral within her neuropathways had escaped containment.

It wouldn’t surprise her if Walter hadn’t noticed, though. He wasn’t very…attentive. Especially not if Aurelia was acting like nothing was wrong. If she was asymptomatic other than that…Carla wondered if that was more worrisome, or less.

~***~

Rusty definitely hit a nerve. He could tell by the way Huntress’s face flushed to match her hair. As well as the way her gaze narrowed, just before she looked away. Well, she was still clearly able to feel anger, even if she kept it down this time around. Unlike last time when she just exploded on them all.

That was…probably good progress.

Even if Rusty almost would have rather had her explode, just to be…real.

When she spoke, the words were measured, but tight. She didn’t like thinking of it the way he suggested, that much was obvious. She saw the truth in it. ‘Good.’ Uncomfortable truths were better than lies, even if Rusty felt bad, and wanted to apologize. He held back on that – because Huntress was up, and moving, to start putting things away.

Rusty opted to get up and help with that task as well, assisting in packing up the remaining snacks, and cleaning up the tables. He kept a watch on Huntress throughout, glancing her way, as others flickered by, pausing to offer words before they left for the night. Rusty waited until there were few left, and then approached her.

“Hey, I do want to thank you for tonight, and introducing me to a movie that means so much to you,” he said, before moving a hand behind his head in that expression of his own discomfort, “and I’m sorry for my comment on Shere Khan. With the way you admired him, I admit, I was expecting something different – I got another idea of the sort of thing you’d like, and I was off-base.”

Things were almost cleaned up, so he offered, “I’d like to learn about Shere Khan from your perspective, since I clearly don’t see him the same way. You can tell me on the way back to the barracks, if you’re up for it,” and they could take a longer route if it was going to be a bit of a conversation.

Getting in steps was never a bad thing.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Walter observed the interaction between Aurelia and Lilith with a hint of cautious optimism. Lilith’s infectious enthusiasm seemed to be a good counterbalance to Aurelia's somber demeanor. Maybe she'd make friends outside of the ship that weren't at risk of her having to take jobs against them.

Not that he saw her making friends with someone like G5 Iguazu any time soon given their altercation before the Gallia dam mission.

Lilith, meanwhile, barely contained her excitement.

Her grin widened at Aurelia’s firm handshake, and she nodded approvingly. “Strong grip! Good sign.” She let out a lighthearted laugh, her enthusiasm unwavering.

Of course the formidable Raven, creator of the Pink Gun, and the WallClimber, wouldn't be still for long. If she heard it right, her services were well sought after and who could blame them if she was as good as the stories said.

Carla's offer only sweetened the deal, allowing the two to go explore the town and bond. Not to mention, she could ask the question she needed to.

"Thanks, boss! You're the best!"

The ecstatic red head turned back to Aurelia, just now registering that she had been exposed as to knowing things about her. Lilith pushed past that though. It wasn't like she had asked Carla specifically about her, it just kind of came up. She should probably tell her that to clear the air, right? Not here though. Fuck, this wasn't her strong suit! She didn't want to lose this potential friend and her client!

As Carla waved them off to go explore the town, Lilith took the lead and made sure to not let her long legs carry her too far forward.

"Don’t worry. I know these places like the back of my hand. Born and raised here! On Rubicon-3, I mean, not R1-222. All these towns are pretty much the same. I can take you wherever you want to go and get us back in time."

When they were far enough away from Carla and Walter, Lilith turned to walk backwards, navigating the crowds so she could talk to Raven easier. She just hoped she could get it all out and not piss off Raven too much.

"Hey, uh, shit, i'm really bad at this." The woman ran a hand through her spiked up hair, fucking it up a little.

"What boss said? About me knowing things about you? I wasn't trying to pry or anything, it just came up in conversation. Shit, that's worse. uh..." The scientist took a deeo breath to try and get her words out better.

"My sister, Ell- I mean, Huntress. She was apparently part of the Wall take over? Anyway! She had an incident..."

Another pause as she prepared herself to say what she was about to.

"...aaaaand earned herself a stay in Arquebus's re-education center. I asked Boss if she had any idea if it was possible to reverse it or save her, and she told me to ask you... for reasons I won't say aloud.... Uh...so, yeah..."

The red head felt as if she wanted to smack her face into the chest plate of an AC. Why was she so bad at socializing?!

"Fuck, sorry if that was weird. I don't get out a lot."



Things were going just as swimmingly back with Walter and Carla.

Her drop in character, replaced with a serious voice nearly scared the pepper-haired man straight.

No. He had noticed the weird collection of symptoms that she was showing after the last few sorties, but he didn't notice her eyes. Why hadn't he checked them? Looked at them?? It was one of the signs of Coral Burn-in for Coral's sake!

Back were the fears of having to retire her and take in another pilot. He doubted he could get enother in such short time, let alone sneaking them past the PCA like they had when they first arrived. The thought of losing one of his best pilots to the very stuff that he vowed to burn was all encompassing, filling him with anxiety and dread that only showed through the clenching of fists and the sweat on his brow.

"I don't know." 'But I intend to find out.' "I had my suspicions that she was dealing with side effects since the STRIDER. I assumed the effects were temporary since she didn't show any other signs that I could tell at the time."

Walter let out a very dreading sigh, running a big hand down his face. How could he be so unaware of something so prominent that Carla had clocked it within the few moments of meeting her? He lived with her!

He'd ask her about her symptoms and side effects on the way back. He had to know how much longer he had with her as a pilot before retiring her was his only option.

~***~

Huntress was rather lost in her thoughts as she put board games back in their places, and swept up after any spilled snacks as Rusty packed them away. Between the many pilots who pitched in, clean up was taking no time at all and soon her squad members began leaving, popping over to say goodbye and heading back to their own barracks.

This was... nice.

Really nice.

She needed to do this more often if it brought her squad together like it had tonight. Even her buddy came this time! That had to be a good sign, right? That it helped boost morale?

As the crowds thinned, and most of her squad members had left, said brown-haired pilot approached her, offering apologies and a chance to explain how she saw the villainous tiger. Huntress hesitated, then nodded, appreciating his attempt to understand.

"Thank you for coming. I... had fun," she said quietly, still hurt and confused by his earlier statement, but keeping it from her voice as best as she could. It wouldn't be the first time Elliot Fletcher was forced to think hard about some new life-changing piece of information presented to her, and it certainly wouldn't be the last if she continued to hang around Rusty and Hawkins. "I... I would like that."

Arlo, seeing Elliot opening up, even if just the tiniest bit, with V.IV had him speaking up.

"V.IX, The rest of us have this if you want to head out early? We really don't mind, do we?" The few that were left shook their heads no, sharing a wavelength of slim hope for the return of their overly bubbly squad leader.

Huntress wanted to object, stay to finish up, but she trusted Arlo and the rest of her squad to get the job done and there was that spark of attraction hidden deep under her re-education that hadn't gone away. Of course she wanted to walk with him! It was her buddy! Rusty! All thoughts that she pushed down, sweeping them under the figurative rug. She instead chose to nod, thanking Arlo for his help and turning to leave, waiting for Rusty to follow her.

The red head waited until she was sure there weren't other squad IX members around and that they were far enough away from the rented room before speaking again, her voice tight and guarded. A flash of conflicting feelings raced behind her eyes as she delved into painful memories.

"It's... complicated." She started, trying very hard to not fiddle with her fingers or word vomit more about her past than she probably should. "I've always liked tigers. To younger me, Shere Khan was a tiger, so he was cool. I didn't care that he was the villain, he was just a cool, strong tiger. Then my dad died in combat and left my family struggling to survive. My dad was my hero. I wanted to be a pilot just like him, kick ass like him."

Elliot paused to collect herself as her emotions started to show through thinking about her family and everything she had gone through.

"Shere Khan is how I motivated myself. He's strong, brave, resilient, and didn't give up, even when he knew the odds were stacked against him. Just like my dad was. It was… comforting, in a way. He was strong, and that's what I needed to be at the time for my family. If I could be like him, I could keep going, and come back from my sorties and my family wouldn't suffer again."

She kept her eyes to the floor, mentally punching down the tears that wanted so badly to surface. No. Grieve silently. Feel silently. It was extremely difficult with the memories of the past and the movie fresh on her mind. The red head took a deep, shuddering breath before continuing. "But maybe you're right. Maybe it's time to find a new symbol of strength. One that's not so... flawed and fearful..."

She fell silent again, drowning in the raging sea of masked emotions, but grateful for Rusty's willingness to listen.

 

[Lucyfer]

Lilith seemed very confident in navigating, walking backwards. Aurelia was a bit bemused, and moreso, as Lilith tried to explain what was going on and ask her question, and explain how it came up. She did nod at the name Huntress – she recalled it. Huntress had done pretty well against the JUGGERNAUT, before she was called off.

Before Snail tried to get her killed.

At the mention of Arquebus having a re-education center, Aurelia’s eyes narrowed. ‘And you have me helping these bastards?’ Aurelia knew she wasn’t in a position to tell Walter not to assign her to anymore missions with Arquebus, but she was really not favoring them now. Could she intentionally fuck up their missions?

What Lilith wanted was understandable.

“I…wasn’t re-educated by professionals,” she prefaced, assuming Arquebus had a lot better facilities, and managed things far more effectively.

She didn’t want to talk about it.

Her throat went tight. ‘Do you want Huntress to suffer?’

Aurelia cleared her throat, “Look, don’t worry about social skills. I haven’t gotten out in a while, so. If what you want to know is how to help her, I’m not sure I can help much. I was under their thumb for years. I….”

‘I killed my friends. I killed the person I loved. I abandoned everything.’

“I know that it works by twisting what you think. I wanted to protect Pluto, and they twisted me into believing that everything I had been doing before, was harming Pluto. They knew my base desire and they turned it against me. Whatever your sister wants, they’ll twist it, and make her believe the actions they want, are the ones to her goals."

That didn’t tell her how to break it.

“I got…lucky,” she swallowed the word, “I had tied a lot of my life to music. Working in the hangars, piloting, I always had music playing. And there was always a song,” a wane smile touched her lips, “it played, just once in my presence, and it was like someone took a hammer to my head. Everything they taught me shattered in a moment.”

Her gaze went down, “But that was after years. And I’m not sure they did proper maintenance to keep the brainwashing up. Still,” she took in a breath, “it’s…touching on the old life that can draw a person back. The stronger the pull, the better, but don’t…don’t expect you can reach her quickly, or even at all. Arquebus will make her believe you are an enemy. I can’t explain why a song and not a person brought me back.”

Regret.

“All I know is that it touched on a self I wanted to be. I dreamed of that person to the music, and it woke me up. So if there is something that can touch on that with your sister, you have to play those tools.”

~***~

‘Walter….’

Carla could feel a pang of sympathy for him. Pity, really. Walter didn’t attach himself to his pilots, but Carla understood a few things about this particular situation. Aurelia had made herself his Last Hope, in so many ways. There wasn’t time for another pilot. They both knew it with the PCA regrouping, as well as Balam and Arquebus moving in.

If he failed….

Carla didn’t want to consider it. She had several alternative plans. Facing death was something she was prepared for. After all, she and Walter owned the sins of his literal father, and her more metaphorical one in Professor Nagai. “She hides it well,” Carla agreed as Walter mentioned no other lingering side effects, “I think she’s rather well informed on the matter. Her files indicate she never wanted to be augmented; she must have known what it could lead to. Perhaps she knows what to hide.”

Which would make it difficult if she didn’t want to share, and Walter wasn’t the best at probing. ‘What to do?’ Carla sighed, moving a hand to her forehead, “I don’t have good news, either, Walter,” she began to walk to start her machines to begin moving the parts of LEMURES to Walter’s ship, “I did some digging after our call last night.”

Sulla.

“The BAWS Arsenal number 2 was attacked last night and wiped out. I had Chatty take a look; it was his work.”

Carla’s words were heavy. There was a direction in there she didn’t like to suggest: Aurelia had to be dispatched against Sulla, and the sooner, the better. “He’s looking for it, too. I don’t know why, but all records in the arsenal pointed towards something going on at Watchpoint Alpha with the coral, Walter,” Carla gave Walter a meaningful look, “You’ll have to send her there.”

~***~

Rusty gave the members of Squadron IX a thumbs up when Huntress turned away, after they offered to finish picking up after her. He was glad to be able to speak with her, and so he readily followed her out so they could talk about this far more personal matter. Shere Khan was, apparently, something deep in her.

Something from her past. ‘Maybe this can help with the re-education, too….’ He had to hope there was a way this small thread, this bit of insight, would help. If she focused on an icon of fear, perhaps they could find a way to something better.

And she admitted as much, calling Shere Khan flawed at the end, and acknowledging how she came to favor him. She got caught on emotion, which was another good sign, even as she fought not to show much of it. “You’re pretty self-aware, you know?” Rusty pointed out, “I doubt I could explain the things I liked as a kid, and how they impact me now, nearly that quick,” definitely not in the course of a few minutes like that.

He'd probably still be angry having it shoved in his face like that.

He reached out to her, and laid a hand on her back, “We just need to find you a better tiger to like, it sounds like,” since she would want to preserve those stripes, wouldn’t she? “I wish I knew some,” and that was sincere, “I’ll have to do some research. Maybe I’ll have some suggestions for the next movie night,” she could keep doing it, “and then it’ll be something new for both of us.”

New memories.

New goals.

“But it’s not bad, you know? Having something that gave you strength for a while. I mean, it’s not the best, but we don’t always make the best decisions all the time,” an example, an example! His mind clawed for one as he drew his hand back to his side, looking up towards the moon, “There was a time in my life when I really liked the moon. Probably plays into why I like wolves,” he laughed a bit, “It was all because of one misguided guy in an old game I liked – Ludwig. He was obsessed. Called it his guiding mentor. Of course, now I realize how badly the moon led him astray since it turned him into a horrible beast without any guidance at all, but back then, I just thought it was really cool and the moon made him more powerful, and gave him a really cool weapon.” He shrugged a bit, “it seems to be a constant thing on worlds, though. The moon with its constantly changing phases, being tied to…well, lunacy, and revelations. I should have probably picked a better mentor.”

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Well, that went a LOT better than what she was expecting to happen.

Yes!

The red head fist pumped mentally as she tuned in attentively to what Raven had to tell her.

The story that was told was bordering on Lilith's worst fears. It was possible that her sister was stuck brainwashed as an agent of Arquebus. The mere thought that Elliot could see her as an enemy instead of her younger sister made a pit form in her stomach.

What would their brothers say?

What would their mother say?! Fuck. They should have broken her out the second they learned she was going to go to re-education! But no, this was their reality now, and maybe if Lilith hadn't been so set on criticizing her and yelling at her, she could have dropped by to rescue her. Maybe Carla would have even let Handsome come with her.

Then there was the glimmer of hope. The light at the end of the tunnel. The smallest possibility that they could get her back.

"Tigers. It's tigers, and the Jungle book. dad and our family! Ahh! Thank you, Raven! I owe you, big time! Seriously, any favor you need as long as it doesn't require me to harm my family, its yours." Lilith put a hand on Aurelia's shoulder and gave her a gentle, excited shake. "If this works?? Shit! I have to get in contact with that Vesper...! Maybe he can help? Fuck.. what was his name...? She always called him her 'buddy' instead of his name..."

The scientist thought for a few moments, digging hard into her tech-obsessed brain before pulling a name out, snapping her fingers. "Rusty! His name's Rusty."

Lilith barely avoided a beam going across one of the roadways during her revelation, limbo-ing under it and continuing to go backwards. She'd have to figure out how to get ahold of his number. Maybe hacking into Elliot's phone remotely could give her a way in?

"But, we're here to go shopping, and explore, not talk about my sister, so where to first? Anything you want to look for specifically? There's streetfood, clothes, trinkets, gear, uh... other things!!"

~***~

Hearing that Aurelia was good at hiding her symptoms and masking them both made him relieved that it wasn't just him being inattentive, and also sick to his stomach that she could be much farther gone than they both realized. What could he even do if she had to retire?

The mission needed done, but he couldn't bring himself to send her to her death like cannon fodder. Not when he could retire her and send her on her way with some coam to live out the rest of her shortened life. Not when he had gotten so attached to her, even if he was still nervous about getting stabbed.

Her wishes...

They had talked about them. Not in length, but enough that he knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her time as a pilot fighting for the RLF once he 'retired'.

It was a truly bitter thought, but if she needed to retire, he'd let her. She'd gotten him farther than a lot of his other pilots had, almost died several times now due to C-Weapons, or the STRIDER, or the RLF at the Wall.

He owed it to her to take care of his last hope of a pilot. If not to make up for the way he treated the others, than for her for having no choice in the path she ended up in.

His thoughts were cut short as Carla spoke again, making his blood run cold and his stomach churn. Damn it...

DAMN IT!

He didn't doubt Aurelia's piloting ability, especially now with the DI MANES core that she was getting, but Sulla had already killed so many of his pilots in the past. Why was he looking for the Coral too? Who was he working with? Hands clenched right back into and out of fists as he followed along with Carla as she started up the moving machines.

Walter didn't want to send her after Sulla, not when she was possibly dealing with coral burn-in. But the way that Carla phrased it? He had no choice. He had to send her in.

Lying would be the safer option, but she should be prepared for the beast that was Sulla. He could keep up the lie of why exactly they were there.

"...I'll do what I can." He couldn't think of a better way to answer that. How could he? He was sending his pilot on a possible suicide mission to take out Sulla.

~***~

Even as Rusty acknowledged and complimented her emotional intelligence, she was still buried under layers of emotion-stunting re-education, trying to claw to the surface. How was she supposed to escape this? All she could manage was a nod.

This wasn't her! She hadn't even shed a tear over the story of her father! What kind of monster was s-

His hand on her back was enough of a shock to have her face flushing a light pink as she looked up at him. His hand was warm, and comfortable, and much bigger than her own hands and it only served to drag her attraction to him another layer to the surface.

A new tiger...? Watching movies together...? Well, there was Raja from Aladin, but she wasn't a big fan of that story. There was Tigger from Hundred Acre Wood, but he wasn't strong like her dad was. Just dumb and weirdly proportioned.

Again, Huntress's thoughts were thoroughly scrambled by his offer. Well damn, now she was going to have to have Movie and Game night again, even if just to make those new memories with her buddy and find a new tiger to admire for its strength. A small, genuine smile spread across her face as she nodded. "I'd... like that."

His own story kept that small smile on her face. He was kind of like her. A flawed mentor latched onto at a young age and learning better than to follow them.

"Even if Ludwig was flawed, he helped you right?" Or at least got him through a bad or boring time in his life.

"The moon is cool and wolves are strong too. It suits you. You're like Raksha or Akela, keeping your squad together and working like a team, like a pack, especially for Fight Club. Thank you for bringing me into your 'pack', and... for being my buddy"

There was still sadness, anger, hurt, and guilt swirling behind her blue hues and much more buried down deep that she kept having to punch down to feel them silently. But her words were genuine, albeit muddled and tense, and she continued to walk with him. Maybe she should call her mom or Lils when she got back...

 

[Lucyfer]

Ideas flooded into Lilith’s thoughts, and out her mouth, things Aurelia had no understanding of. Her understanding wasn’t important, though. Lilith’s understanding of her sister was all that mattered, and praying it was enough. She doubted the family bit. Re-education knew to separate people from the living that could bother them.

It didn’t know to separate them from, well, music. Maybe not this Jungle Book, and tigers.

At the offer, Aurelia shook her head. She wasn’t going to have time to take advantage of it, and she knew that. “It’s enough if it works,” Aurelia said, rolling her shoulder after Lilith’s hand left. She wasn’t a huge fan of being shaken like that, but perhaps it was due to her own social isolation.

She used to have far more energy.

She used to have friends who did such things, and it wasn’t a surprise if she did much the same, either.

‘You’re getting old.’

Truth.

“Rusty was at the wall, too,” Aurelia noted. She wouldn’t mention his message to her, afterwards, “He seems good.” Whether or not he’d help Huntress was another question. He was a Vesper, after all. He supported Arquebus. ‘But he told you what Snail tried to do….’

She tried to think of what she wanted, when it was brought up. She realized how true her words to Walter had been. Outside of her AC, she had no use for coam. Even with Carla offering to pay, she didn’t know what to want. Freedom lost all meaning. Her desires for the simple pleasure of fruit were long gone from her head.

“I…don’t really know what Rubicon-3 has,” she admitted, “I’m not sure what to want.”

~***~

Walter didn’t vocalize his frustration, but it was apparent to Carla. She’d known him too long. Clenching his fists, looking ill with the news, but regardless, he stuck to his mission. Their mission. They had to find the coral, and see if it was converging. If it was, then they had no choice – they’d have to burn it again.

And for that, they needed Aurelia to last as long as possible.

Carla would have to be quicker with her own research and findings. Neither of them could say how long Aurelia would hold out. Unlike Walter, Carla was presuming Aurelia would be pushed to the end of the line, retirement be damned.

This was the fate of the universe, after all.

“I’ll gather more information about what to expect at the Watchpoint. Maybe we can beat Sulla there,” it was possible, it was unclear what his schedule was, after all. “Tomorrow,” Carla said, even if it wasn’t really on a timeline.

It was, because they didn’t know Sulla’s timeline.

They didn’t know what he was trying to do.

“The Watchpoint is still heavily guarded by the PCA, so if Sulla hasn’t taken them out by then, your hound will need to be prepared for those forces.” And in a way, that was what they both had to hope for – beating Sulla and getting to this coral first. “It’s not ideal, but it’s necessary.” The LEMURES was moving smoothly and being set up on the racks in Walter’s helicopter, a pretty thing to look at.

Carla couldn’t help but grin at her own handiwork.

“Preparing her for the PCA ought to prepare her enough for Sulla, if you do it right.” So Walter didn’t have to reveal his sordid history, if it wasn’t necessary.

~***~

Despite re-education, Huntress still blushed under small affection.

It was still cute.

She lit up underneath the idea of watching movies together, and making new memories. Finding a better, tiger-shaped mentor. But at the question of Ludwig, he couldn’t help but laugh. He’d gotten beyond the need for Ludwig, so it was funny to think of now, but he quickly softened that, “He did, it’s just…funny to think of now. He’s really not a great figure,” he shook his head, “but yeah. He gave me ideas of strength in his endless loyalty, even when he became disfigured and monstrous because of it. It just goes to show not to give your loyalty blindly.”

Not to give it to Arquebus.

But he couldn’t say that. He was with Arquebus, no matter how they re-educated her. He still would have to claim it wasn’t bad, maybe she just took the lessons a bit too far. “Besides, Ludwig was basically solitary at that time. I learned better.” More like the wolves of the jungle book, except…well, he wasn’t with his pack.

He was an outward scout.

Alone.

Solitary.

‘But I have more than moonlight guiding me.’

“You’re welcome to it, but we’re all a part of this pack together. We’re Vespers.” He rolled his eyes a bit, “Even Pater...though I'm probably not calling him 'buddy' anytime soon," Rusty joked.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

"He's all she talks about. 'My buddy did this' 'my buddy's so cool!' ' My buddy's the best!' or- uh, at least before the...fuck, getting side tracked again!"

The giant woman took a deep breath to steady herself, waiting for an answer from Raven.

Would Rubicon even have things that she was used to?

Where was she even from?

'You could just ask her.' Nah, she had already brought up something as devastating as re-education. Would it be fair to give her information about herself in return?

Raven's answer confirmed her earlier questions. She didn't what was here.

"Well, that just means you get the, patent-pending, Amazing Tiny's BAWS town tour!" The red head snickered, giving Raven a lopsided grin. "This is my first tour, so I'll try to make it great!"

Lils turned around, getting a good look at her surroundings before turning back to Aurelia.

"So over there are the houses, and there too, and also back there. Lots of houses here. And up there is the Market street. Shop stock varies between towns, but somethings are the same, like essentials and clothes."

The tall woman led the other towards it and was greeted by the smell of the streetfood, making her stomach growl. "And of course, who could forget the food? My family used to come to the food stalls when I was younger and then we'd spend the day browsing the shops, or at least until one of the four of us siblings fell asleep or we got tired of looking around." Her smile faltered a little before she shook it off.

"So I guess the better question is ' Are you hungry?' because if you are, these places have the best foods you can find here. Or ,well, whatever they can import that's good. Foods like Takoyaki, Shwarma, hamburgers, pizza, actual street foods."

~***~

Despite everything, Carla always had a cool head, and being as calm as she was helped to ground him against the bile rising up the back of his throat.

He needed to have more faith in her. She'd beat Sulla. She'd take them the rest of the distance to finish their mission of burning the coral, she was just sick or something. Right? Her only symptom that she was showing was the red eyes, so maybe it had just started?

Was Walter in denial? Yes. Yes he was.

Was it helping? Maybe a little.

At least it was helping until Carla brought up that it would need to be done tomorrow.

"Tomorrow" He repeated resolutely, breathing deeply to steel himself. Back was the sick feeling in his stomach as he thought about all the preparations he was going to have to do. The lies he was going to have to tell and remember. Aurelia was a smart pilot and would likely see through it if he didn't keep his lies consistent.

She gave him an out at least for talking about Sulla and the situations involving him.

'Good'

He didn't want to have to reveal more about his goal than he needed to, and the PCA guards were the perfect way to warn her about the difficult combat ahead of her. She [robably wouldn't like not getting a break between missions but at least the mission set for tonight was for information gathering.

If everything went well, She wouldn't have to push herself much and make the symptoms of whatever she was dealing with worse.

Certainly not Coral Burn-in.

Nope.

Not happening.

"I'll let her know on the way back. Or after the job tonight."

Maybe she'd try to sleep for once. The pepper-haired man could only hope as he watched Carla's machines load up the new gear. This was another thing to keep his hopes up. Aurelia knew how to run a model like this, and he trusted Carla's work and recreation of it.

Like the tinkerer woman had said herself, Style costs, and Carla's work wasn't cheap.

~***~

Huntress had a feeling that Rusty was trying to tell her something. Something very important. To read between the lines of his wording and gain new meaning. Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly with it or smart enough to decode things at the moment.

Especially after being buffeted with memories, confusing and hurtful thoughts, and having to rethink her choices over the last 10 years from taking strength and ideals from a fictional tiger.

It was exhausting. More than it would be to just show her emotions.

Having to push them down was taxing on someone so expressive, even more so with the cracks forming in the re-education that helped hold said feelings firmly in place.

She did her best to listen to what Rusty was telling her about Ludwig, absorbing just enough to be able to recall it later if she was lucky. Huntress had almost missed his joke about Pater, though the name left a sour taste in her mouth and served as a 'wake up' call to help her re-wrangle her emotions in a mental scramble of fear.

Rusty had shown her that she could emote at least a little bit around him, but Pater? Pater would rat her out. He'd tell Snail that she wasn't controling her emotions again and then he'd throw her right back in that gods forsaken cell and-

The red head hadn't realized that her breathing had picked up speed, even if minutely, quick and shallow, nor the thousand yard stare that kept her eyes glued to the ground at the thought spiral the eighth squad leader's name had evoked.

She hated him.

She hated how he picked, and prodded and called her named and bullied her.

She just wanted to-

STOP!

Just as soon as the mini freakout started, she reeled herself back in, getting those feelings locked back in at the threat of being thrown right back in the re-education center. "Not a friend like you and Hawkins. Work comerade. Two different packs." Her monotone physical voice rang out as her mind was too jarbled and dog tired to focus on her necklace enough to speak.

Huntress's eyes were droopy as they neared the barracks and she stiffled a big yawn into the end of a long sleeve of her Arquebus-logo'd shirt, slogging along. One thing was certain, she'd sleep good tonight.

 

[Lucyfer]

Huntress was obviously infatuated with Rusty. ‘I wonder if he knows.’ The temptation to send him a message about it was there, but she wouldn’t. He’d wonder her sources, and it was best to let his message to her be a one-off incident. Neither needed to draw attention to anything more than that strange looking out.

Aurelia arched a brow at the way Lilith began.

The tour definitely needed some work.

All of Aurelia’s needs were taken care of by Walter. ‘Clothes….’ She just had these damn flight suits. The consideration of something else nagged at her, but she pushed it aside. What did she need other clothes for, anyways? She wasn’t going to get to enjoy them.

Even so, her gaze lingered on the storefront. ‘It’s all red.’ She wouldn’t know what to buy. Wouldn’t know what looked good, with that haze over her eyes. ‘Everything….’ The air. Around some people it seemed thicker, almost obscuring their heads entirely. Not Lilith, though.

Lilith listed off food, and Aurelia knew she ought to be hungry, she didn’t grab breakfast, but she didn’t feel it. She also didn’t know half of what Lilith listed off, and she pursed her lips together. She really should take Carla’s generosity and abuse it for what Carla did and just do something ridiculous, but she was blank.

She wasn’t used to that.

“I’m…I should eat,” she said, “what is your preference here? I’m not picky,” something different would probably be good. A hamburger was just too normal for it to be the first thing she ate on Rubicon-3, so maybe a native had a good idea of something good?

~***~

Walter wasn’t happy about tomorrow.

He had to repeat it, he had to ground himself, but Carla wouldn’t take it back. They had to hurry if Walter’s pilot was on her last legs. They had to finish what was started all those years ago, when Rubicon-3 first burned.

Carla smirked a little, though, at Walter’s debate of when to tell Aurelia. “I’m surprised Michigan is still trusting her on missions,” Carla was amused with it all, really. “Given all he paid for, seems like he’d want to keep his distance, too. I think he’s more afraid of her than you are.”

Which made sense.

Walter was getting to know her outside of what the papers said. And even with the papers, Carla wasn’t too worried. Aurelia was only a threat if she slipped back into re-education, and Carla didn’t think the odds of that were good.

Aurelia was painfully aware, now.

The parts were being put together, almost done, “How long do you plan to stay out, Walter? It’s been a while since you were on Rubicon-3.”

~***~

Pater brought about an interesting reaction. Not that Rusty could fully blame Huntress for it. After all, Pater wasn’t nice. Rusty had his own issues with Pater, but he wouldn’t differentiate him. Pater was a Vesper. He was part of this false back that Rusty pretended to be a part of, and so he had to lump Huntress into that.

She, however, didn’t.

‘Snail would hate to hear that.’

But Rusty wouldn’t be telling Snail that. He just gave her a cautious reminder, “Don’t let Snail know you’re playing favorites,” he teased, “even if I’m happy to be a favorite, buddy.” He, obviously, played favorites, admitting he wouldn’t call Pater ‘buddy’.

They were near the barracks then, and Huntress was showing clear signs of being exhausted. All this refamiliarizing herself with emotions was probably exhausting. Not to mention having to rethink an idol, something he’d help her with. He wouldn’t question too much why he would do that.

He was just playing a role.

He had to show interest in his fellows.

But he knew this felt different.

He knew he wanted it to be different.

“You should get some sleep, Huntress. I’m sure we’ll have work to do soon, it’s been too quiet,” the Wall was responsible for that, of course. It was a major success that required all of Snail’s organizational focus, so he wasn’t giving out missions too much, but it would start back up soon. The Wall was being handled.

They had to keep seeking the coral.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

The tech whiz was observant, the way that she looked at the clothes and things around the market easily clocked. It was a look of too many choices, or perhaps it was the Coral Burn-in that seemed to have started in her.

Lilith was no stranger to Coral overdoses and burn-in, considering where she worked. Hells, Rummy might as well have been pickled in the stuff, always getting high on the job like a majority of the dosers that worked the guard stations.

Her boyfriend had the same mannerisms when he neary overdosed on Coral half a year ago. That was the even that made him quit.

His words? 'Everythin's red, Lily. Everythin'. The sky, my clothes, my AC, you, and not just your hair. Everythin...'

Handsome had been so much better since he quit dosing, and was much more attentive of a partner. He still dealt with hallucinations and chronic pain because of how long he used, but he was no longer in danger of dying from exposure and being high all the time.

Oh.

Shit.

Raven was saying something...

It took a solid few seconds for her to reply the words back but it was clear afterwards what Aurelia was asking. Food! Oh she could talk forever on the different foods that were here, but if she had to pick just one?

"When my family used to come to the food stalls, Dad, Elliot and I got the Shwarma, so I'm a bit biased. Xander, Xavier and Mom were more partial to the Carnitas. The shwarma is that meat on a stick over there. They slice it off the stick and put it on flatbread with different sauces and it's to die for. That's what I'm getting."

The red head walked over to the stand, paying for two, one with Carla's money and the other with her own, handing it over to Raven as she searched for a table for them.

When she was sure that they were more away away from the crowds, she dropped her voice to keep her words more private.

"Shit, this is probably weird but if you need help picking out outfits, I'm happy to help. My boyfriend, Handsome, was a doser and dealt with the side-effects of extended coral exposure. I..fuck, sorry, I don't even know if you're dealing with the same side effects, but your iris's are a bit... red, and the way you were looking at the clothes, i.. I couldn't tell if you were paralyzed by choice, or if everything looked... maybe a bit red to you...? Shit, that's definitely weird, sorry..." The red head stopped more of her words from spilling out by biting into her Shwarma and sitting down at one of the more secluded tables.

~***~

4 million coam and a favor.

Walter remembered, and how it caused a similar reaction to how he was feeling now when he first found out, thinking Michigan wanted to take her out. He hadn't yet though, and instead hired her yet again for another mission.

"He can be scared and recognize talent. It's just for information. He thinks we might find someething there of worth." That's all he would say on the matter. He didn't like admitting that his current pilot made his very nervous and fearful for his life sometimes.

She hadn't come at him with a knife, or a weapon yet, it was just the knowledge of her snapping at her former handlers that had him spooked. The fact that she had that potential was terrifying, though he guessed that his past pilots were just as capable of it considering they were also ruthless killers behind their mechs.

Carla was quick to swtich gears on him, instead inquiring about how long they'd be out. A good question, considering the mission tonight and tomorrow.

"She has a chance to make a friend and be spoiled by you. After the last few job's she's done, she deserves this." That probably wasn't the answer to her question that she was wanting.

She had asked about him, not Aurelia. Him.

Walter wasn't about to change his answer though. He tried to not think about being planetside, walking around down here in the freezing cold that frankly made his knees and back ache from the chill alone.

He was getting older.

The cane he used was a testiment to that.

He'd stick it out for his pilot to have a few hours though of what he hoped were fill with fun and new memories with the large woman nicknamed Tiny.

~***~

The warning about Snail caused her to bristle visibly. He wouldn't tell would he? Rat her out to Snail? Her buddy who was going to help her find a better tiger?

A warning was all it was, a caution, from what she could tell by his ending to the sentence. He had shown favoritism too, it was just a warning. It was enough to let her relax. She could trust him. He hadn't steered her wrong yet, right?

The brunette's suggestion to get some sleep was tempting and she nodded mutely.

Oh how she just wanted to sink into her bed and drift off, but she had already made the decision to contact one of her family members first. Either her mom, or Lilith, whoever would answer. Rusty was right, she needed to keep her pack strong.

Even if they were still mad at her for screwing up.

Mad at her for getting re-educated

Mad for yelling at her friends who were only ever nice to her.

Solitude would do her no good if she was going to be an asset to Arquebus. Maybe she'd at least send Lilith and her mom a text...

When she had finally gotten to her room, the red headed pilot was struggling to keep her eyes open and fighting her emotions down as she walked with her buddy.

Rusty...

She needed to say goodnight to him, and thank him, but words just wouldn't cover just how grateful she was... He had been so helpful since her re-education. So kind to her, showing her what was ok, helping her learn that the tiger she idolized was a bad role model, helping to better her! That solidified her decision as she fidgeted with her fingers.

The red head looked around nervously, making sure they weren't being watched and were alone in the hallway before she shot forward, wrapping her arms around his torso in a tight hug, unable to hide the pink that tinged her cheeks.

"Thank you. For everything. Goodnight, Buddy"

As quick as the interaction started, it ended as the red head disengaged and walked into her room, turning her head back to give him the smallest of smiles before shutting her door.

Inside her room, she pulled out her phone and pulled up her messages with Lilith, shooting the other a text asking to talk later before crawling into bed for the night.

~***~

Hacking into Elliot's phone after that new message was easy. After only a few minutes of looking, Lilith found Rusty's number saved under 'Buddy', copying it down and backing out of the phone.

This was the moment of truth.

The scientist encrypted the message she was sending, just to make sure that if he were to accept her offer, he wouldn't get yoinked by the higher ups for re-education himself.

Hello, V.IV Rusty. You don't know me, but I know you, and I have an offer for you regarding your 'Buddy'.
​

Lilith let the anonymous message sit for a moment before adding to it, also encrypting this message.

Your 'Buddy' is my older sister, Huntress. You can call me Tiny. I heard she was re-educated, and her messages to me prove it. I want your help reversing or breaking it. You're her closest friend there. She talked a lot about you and how nice you were to her before the incident. Look, all I know is that she trusts you, and if she trusts you, so do I. It's a long shot reaching out for this, but I'm willing to pay handsomely. Name your price. I'm desperate to have my big sister back to her normal, bubbly, cheerful self.
​

And now, she needed to wait. That was the worst part about the whole thing.

 

[Lucyfer]

Shawarma was definitely one of those things that Aurelia had no knowledge of, but meat and sauce was good enough. She could eat that and probably not find it distasteful. Aurelia got the name of Huntress in this – Elliot. She’d try to forget it, though. It wasn’t revealed by Huntress. It didn’t feel fair.

She took the shawarma when it was offered, and followed Lilith to a table. Her attention was on that, when Lilith began to talk again, offering to help her find clothes and explaining. ‘Shit.’ So it wasn’t just a temporary seeing red.

If her eyes were red, Aurelia knew what it meant for one augmented.

She wasn’t a doser.

She couldn’t lose this.

Aurelia could have lied and said it wasn’t happening. Said it was her natural eye color. Lilith wouldn’t know better, as she took a seat, and watched Lilith try to hide her embarrassment over flubbing social interactions.

Aurelia shook her head, sighing, “You’re not wrong. I didn’t know if my eyes were red, or if this was going to be a temporary blip of seeing red. I don’t need any help. There’s no need for me to get other clothes at this point,” she gave a bit of a half-smile, fate accepted, “I’m not a doser. There’s no going back for me.” She was well and truly fucked.

Well, “But you made me a pretty coffin, so I’ll make sure it gets well used, and with any luck, utterly destroyed,” so that the coral didn’t get her. A fight did. She’d rather that happen. She’d rather feel like she died…normal.

Even if she could never be normal again.

A terrible optimism as she bit into her own shawarma. ‘Did he ever talk about what red tastes like?’ The sauce bled red. The meat, red. It was strange, the way coral overlapped, but not unexpected. After all, she knew it overlapped with the auditory, why not the taste? Smell? Everything?

It was a living being from what Lilith said. It had its own senses, and now those senses were changing her.

It wanted to live, just as much as she did.

“So long as you can keep that coffin running and figure out any new requests I have for it, that’s good enough dressing.”

~***~

‘It’s not usual for him to be scared.’

Carla didn’t need to say that to Walter.

It wasn’t usual for Walter to be scared, either. He had his hounds in line. The only one that slipped the leash was Sulla, and Carla wasn’t sure if Walter was actually afraid of Sulla, or just angry and frustrated. Sulla never made a move against Walter directly, just his hounds.

And Walter never cared about his hounds.

Until that was his entire answer.
Until that was his entire reason for staying on the planet.

Carla arched a brow, “I didn’t ask about 621, Walter,” she used the number intentionally, to see if it might make him realize what she was seeing here, with that response. His other hounds did plenty of good work, and were hardly favored. They weren’t mistreated, exactly, but they weren’t granted additional perks or benefits.

Walter was…softening.

“I’m asking about you,” she said, a bit gentler now, “The last time you were actually on Rubicon-3, you were a boy,” and no one was here to hear, so why not say it? “It’s changed a lot since then,” she watched it changed with BAWS towns, and the loss of the Xylem and the Institute. With the PCA.

‘You’ve changed.'

And perhaps more than Carla had realized. He had always been a hard, stubborn man. He had resilience that kept him stoic in the face of his losses as a child, that kept him going forward on Jupiter and bettering himself.

Now…well, he was changing again, being back here.

Was it Rubicon-3? Aurelia?

Or perhaps, all of it.

His pasts were colliding. Even Michigan, from his past on Jupiter.

~***~

Rusty was not expecting to be embraced. He did not have time to return it. One moment, Huntress was holding him, speaking gratitude, and the next, she let him go. He blinked a bit in surprise, caught, but he was able to soften that surprise by the time that Huntress looked back to him from her door, and grant her a smile that showed he was all right with this action, even if confusion nagged at the back of his mind.

Should he try to push her further away?

This could only end poorly.

‘You have a job.’

And he couldn’t afford to become suspicious now by acting out of character. He couldn’t control Huntress’s feelings or how they’d be hurt. He couldn’t control that pink tint. He couldn’t control that in another life, if he was truly a Vesper, he would have wanted to see if more could come of their blossoming friendship.

Fate wasn’t so kind.

He kept on to his own room, and as he was dressing down inside it, his tablet buzzed. He opened it and saw a message from an unknown number.

Then another.

All about Huntress, from a sister.

He was already helping Huntress with the re-education, but he could be mercenary when things were offered from strangers. Especially when it could get him in trouble with Snail.

Hello Tiny! I am familiar with your sister and what happened. Re-Education is a normal part of Arquebus discipline, so it’s not really my place to break it without a very good reason. It makes your sister a better Vesper, and I want the Vespers to be the best they can be. I know how important it is for us to keep our minds sharp and in the right place, and her focus has been improved through the re-education.

That said, I also know to look for benefits where Snail might understand why I would take up an offer that would better the Vespers. Last I knew you didn’t have much in the way of coam, so what are you offering, Tiny?
​

He knew how this would make him look, but he didn’t know Tiny. He couldn’t risk offering eagerly. He had to be a Vesper, and make it clear there was risk to him if he helped. Hopefully she’d read between the lines that making the Vespers better, could also mean just making him better, and have something to offer.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Well, Good job Lilith. You made a friend!

Andddd she was dying. From Coral burn-in.

Great. Perfect. Awesome.

That seemed to be the curse of making friends on Rubicon-3.

Your friends are either dying from Coral, affected by the Coral, or just straight up dying in mech fights or accidents.

Such was life here, and so she should really have expected it.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry, that's hella rough... I... Do i give you my condolences? or encouragement? Fuck..."

Good job Lilith. Very good job at socializing again. You're... learning, I think. Fuck she was usually the smart one, why was socializing in person so hard?

"I, uh, I hope you enjoy your coffin at least? Give those bastards hell. I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. Maybe you'll get G1 Michigan with those pink rockets of yours too, make a second pink gun? You know I love bringing your ideas to life. Keeping your Coffin up and running will be easy as pie! or uh, whatever the saying is haha"

What else was she supposed to say? Raven was not the first, or the last, AC pilot to wish to go out with their mech and not die from old age or aug complications. Handsome had shared similar sentiments when he was dosing and guarding Grid 086.

No, the best thing would be to support her, because that's what friends did. There was one thing that was nagging at her mind though as she continued eating her food. That jumpsuit couldn't have been the most comfortable thing to sleep in and walk around in, right?

"I know you said you won't need it, but don't you want to be in clothes that are more comfortable than that? Creature comforts while you fight like hell?"

~***~
Walter felt a familiar weight in his chest as Carla’s words sunk in. He leaned on his cane, the cold seeping through his bones, and let out a sigh that seemed to carry years of exhaustion with it.

He hadn’t realized how much he had changed until now, hearing it in the tone of Carla's voice. Or, at least, he didn't want to admit it. Denail wasn't just a member of the Red guns.

His eyes briefly flickered to the cold, barren landscape of Rubicon-3 before settling back on Carla. The way she emphasized 621 hit him harder than he expected.

She was right—he never used to care this much. His 'hounds' were tools, assets to be managed and deployed, nothing more. But something about Aurelia—about 621—was different.

Maybe it was because she was his last chance. He had room with the others to fuck it up, 620 of them. Maybe it was because he was getting to know her, and saw her as a person, not a tool? Maybe it was because he was back here, on the planet he was born on, forever changed by the events of the past.

Still, the way that Carla said 621 stirred up conflicting feelings within him. The first of which, was anger.

"Aurelia. Not Raven. Not 621."

He was defensive, and he knew it would only cause her to question him more. He hadn't abandoned their mission, but he'd be damned if he treated another pilot of his like a dog and prove once more to be just like his father.

The world around him had changed drastically since the fires. The pepper-haired man missed the vegetation, the flowers in the spring, the grass. It was there when he was a boy, the stalls of beautiful fruits and candies and the culture.

It hurt to see everything so desolate and it really solidified his decision about the Coral.

It needed to burn. Wipe the planet clean and give it a new slate.

The people here could find a new planet to live on, somewhere... alive. Not whatever this was.

"It's different." It's destroyed. It's not home. It's not how I remember it.

That was the hell about childhood memories. That's all they were. Memories.

Thoughts of the past that would never be the same as they once were. Things changed, often for the worst, and replaced familiarities with the unfamiliar, the foreign, and often, the bad. This was definitely on the spectrum of 'bad', seeing how everything had progressed to this point. No, he definitely wasn't a fan of being on planet seeing it like this....

~***~

The first reaction to the texts back was to almost chuck the phone at a wall from how gross and unsettling his words were. This wasn't the 'buddy' that Elliot had talked about. It couldn't be! Could he have been re-educated himself?

And that same train of thought had her re-reading the texts, analyzing them for subtext. His words and the subtext clashed hard, leaving her relieved that he just wasn't some scum like this 'Pater' she had heard plenty about.

Lilith was still tempted to send a drone after that pilot for treating Elliot so badly, but that would risk endangering RAD and her sister. No, she just had to hope that her sister could get out of there and away from the hate.

A benefit to him could be a benefit to the Vespers and she had just the offer. She couldn't send him top of the line equipment, Carla would crucify her for giving that to a direct competitor, but she could make him something functional and useful and worth the price of helping her sister out.

We can agree to disagree on how good it is for her, as I wouldn't be messaging you if it was truly helpful. If you know her like I do, you know its not. What I can offer, however, is lucrative.

I know you've seen Raven in action, since you were at the Wall with her and Huntress, and you seen those pink rockets of hers in action. I am the creator of that weapon and am offering a custom RAD made weapon or part of your choice from yours truly, no charge, I'll cover it and the shipping.
​

~***~

​

It took Huntress all of 30 seconds to fall asleep the second her head hit her pillow, sending her deep into the world of dreams.

She dreamt of her family, that she was back home, and her dad was still alive.

Well, at least it wasn't nightmares again. But perhaps this was worse, as she woke the next morning with a tear stained pillow and the scars around her eyes all tender from it.

It was around the time she had gotten back from the gym after doing her morning routine, that she got the message from Snail. A scheduled briefing for a mission later today.

Rusty was right again. They weren't going to be still for long, and the fact that she was able to get back in her giant striped AC had her practically vibrating, even if she kept most of it under the mask.

It had been a bit since the Wall though, and she had done a significant amount of damage to Artemis, so that's where she was headed. The hangar.

It wasn't that she didn't trust the mechanics to make sure her AC was up and running again, but there was something about double checking, and looking at it herself that gave her that peace of mind.

At this time in the morning, there weren't many people in here, mostly maintenance people, which was what she preferred anyway. Setting a timer on her phone, putting in her headphones, and attaching herself to a gimble harness, the red head got to work, listening to her music. She'd be covered in grease and oil, but if she timed it right, she could be back to her room in time to shower and suit up in time for the briefing.

I'm a Survivor, I'm not gon' give up, I'm not gon' stop, I'm gon' work harder! I'm a Survivor, I'm gonna make it, I will survive, keep on survivin'!
​

What a hell of a song to play right now, further boosting her determination to prove herself to be an asset to this team. This mission would be the start, regardless of what it was.

Failure wasn't an option anymore.

Not if she wanted to avoid re-education again.

Not if she wanted to make her family and friends proud of her.

Not if she wanted to keep being a Vesper and prove everyone wrong about her skills!

No. She had to keep her cool, pilot smarter, fight defensively, or hit harder and be faster and she knew she could do it, too.

 

[Lucyfer]

There was something darkly amusing about Lilith’s reaction to Aurelia’s blunt acceptance, and referencing her AC as a coffin. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. And I suppose in these circumstances, you offer encouragement. There’s no changing the future laid out before me, so you just have to encourage me to get as far as I can.”

As for Antares…no, she didn’t really want to fight him, and shook her head, “I hope I do not have to fight Michigan,” he’d be the death of her, she was sure of it. Perhaps if it was the end of the line…but she didn’t know if Walter would put her against Michigan.

She didn’t know if he wouldn’t try to negotiate with Michigan instead. Couldn’t he? They didn’t need all the coral.

That wasn’t important.

Lilith still wanted to find her something comfortable, and while it was certainly true the flight suit wasn’t the most comfortable thing, it was still strange now to think of even creature comforts. ‘Maybe you’ll learn what red feels like if you try something you’re not used to.’ Yet another morbid thought – but what did red feel like?

“I suppose just…something to wear around the ship that isn’t this would be more comfortable.” She could still wear the flight suits down and that’d be appropriate enough, but something to wear on the ship wouldn’t be terrible. “It can get a bit cold on the ship.”

~***~

Carla just kept a brow arched at Walter’s defensiveness. Aurelia.

Not Raven.

Not 621.

“There’s no harm in using a pilot’s callsign, Walter,” sure, Aurelia picked neither of them, and for all Carla knew, she also hated them – but it did amuse her to see him so riled up, “But fine, if those names don’t work, I’ll stick with tourist,” and Walter couldn’t stop her. It was strange for her not to use nicknames, after all. “I wonder how 619 would feel to hear you say that,” she chuckled.

619.

Sulla’s latest victim.

“But you’re right. Rubicon-3 is different,” she agreed, “but that’s what happens when you burn, isn’t it? It’ll take many more years for it to grow into something. If.”

If it could, which was unlikely.

“It’s a shame I don’t have any pictures from back then. They all burned up,” she grinned, “you were so cute back then,” she teased, “even when you were sulking.” Like he was doing a bit of now. She couldn’t help the sly look she casted his way, “I thought you’d never change, Walter. I thought Rubicon-3 burned all of that fierce boy you used to be away.”

But there he was.

Fiercely defending a name, and sulking.

“I wonder if it’s being here,” she looked back out at the BAWS town, “maybe you should have come back sooner.”

~***~

Lilith offered parts.

Apparently she was the one who made Raven’s infamous weapons. ‘Small world.’ Rubicon-3 always was, anymore, with how few lived on the planet. Still, this felt strangely smaller, and he wondered how he could truly use this connection in the future. Could he get the schematics for Raven’s build?

Inevitably, if she continued to serve the corporations, he’d have to go after her.

End her. He hoped it didn't come to that, but if it did, he’d need to know those weaknesses.

That wasn’t the offer, though, and his mind went to the AC he was building behind the backs of the Vespers. ‘Ortus.’ It was slow going because of his funds, but this could help give him the edge he needed.

Arquebus doesn’t let us use too much that isn’t an Arquebus product. But, I’ve gotten away with a laser slicer VVC-774LS. I’m sure you can research it if you aren’t familiar, buy some test models. An upgrade to that would be a boon, if you think you can pull it off. I can give you an address to send it to. ​

That would give him the edge he needed against most opponents. As it was right now, he could use it to deflect and cut through most shots fired at him, but he’d love something with more power, or even more defensive capabilities – a sonar of sorts activated when he spun it, that obliterated plasma through sound vibrations?

He didn’t know how to make any of it work.

He wasn’t an engineer.

But Lilith might be able to provide a breakthrough.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Oh!

Her persuasion worked! Yes! The woman mentally fist pumped, cheering herself on for helping Raven out.

She really wasn't expecting it to work, even though she was worried for her new friend and favorite client.

It seemed even dying pilots could benefit from creature comforts. A thought that was both comforting and morbid at the same time. Had Handsome felt like that during his lowest points? She didn't think that she wanted to know the answer to that.

Still, she got the ok, and Lilith was going to do her best to help Aurelia pick out comfortable and warm clothes that matched and would look good on her.

How old even was Raven?

She was never good at judging ages since people either died young, or they were around coral enough, like the dosers and her boss, to look way younger than they were. So what kind of clothes would fit her style the best? She'd have to ask her as they took a look.

Rubicon-3 was a frigid place, that was something that she knew all too well, and Lilith felt a pang of empathy. Yeah. Warm clothes were definitely something nice to have here.

Lilith was almost pissed that she didn't have a warmer set of clothes given the climate. What was Walter thinking?! Carla had said he was cheap earlier, but too cheap to buy his pilot a set of warm clothes?! No Lilith, now was not the time to get angry. Carla's money could fix this and give her friend some comfort during what were likely her final few sorties.

"When you're done eating, I can help you pick out an outfit or two. Something warm and cozy." Lilith had finished her Shwarma already, practically inhaling it, and was waiting patiently for the other to finish up her food. "And I can give you my personal number if you ever want to hang out again, you know, before you kick the bucket. Maybe you'll even get to meet my boyfriend. He's a bit of a nut, but I love him anyway."

There were a few styles of warm clothing available, including, but not limited to, long underwear, woolen sweater with jogging pants, soft-fabric'd Pajama sets and casual wear. Some of the casual wear sets had funny phrases and pictures on them, but most of it were neutral toned or fun colors with no designs. Perfect for comfort and practicality! She only wondered what Aurelia would pick
~***~
Walter's jaw clenched at the mention of 619. The sting of that loss was still fresh, and Carla's words felt like salt in the wound. He took a moment to steady himself, letting the cold air bite into his lungs.

It wasn't about the callsign. It wasn't about the number. It was the fact that she had been through so much already in the short time that he had come to know her, and of her past. It was about respect. She had earned the right to be more than just a callsign or a number.

"I didn't come here to dwell on the past, Carla. I came back to make sure it doesn't repeat itself. For Aurelia, for the others, for this planet. To make up for what my father caused."

His eyes flickered with a rare intensity as he looked back at her. Walter’s eyes hardened for a moment, the steel resolve that had carried him through countless trials with his pilots and his history over the last 50 years resurfacing.

There was a long pause before he added, softer this time, "Rubicon-3 took a lot from us. But it didn’t take everything. Not yet."

With that, he turned his attention back to the town, his expression unreadable. He could feel Carla’s eyes on him, but he didn’t let it shake him. It had only been a short amount of time since Aurelia and Lilith had left for the markets, and he was getting nervous, tired even of this banter with Carla.

She knew too well how to push his buttons and it was infuriating. Why did she have to analyse every aspect of him? Break his actions and words apart and call him out like that? Maybe because she had helped raise and guide him. Or maybe it was because she loved sewing chaos places. It was probably both.

~***~

The song kept playing while Elliot monkey'd around the outside of her mech, using the gimble harness to move up and down, side to side to get a good look at all the joints and welds.

Some of them were easy to see and feel to make sure they were secure, but others? Others she had to flip herself upside-down, hanging almost like spiderman as she inspected the handiwork.

It was almost like Artemis hadn't even been in a fight in the first place, which is how she preferred it with as little armor as she had.

It was proving so far that her AC was ready to go out and kick ass, just like she was ready to do. Just a few more welds to check that were in strange places, and she could move onto the internals.

The red-headed pilot maneuvered back upside-down as she continued checking the work of the under-sided and weird positioned repairs and jammed out to her songs in her head.

~***~

Was that all?

Was it really that simple?

A fun little Laser knife that could go toe to toe with something more than kinetics? Create distance and fuck shit up?

Lilith couldn't believe her luck. That would be one of the easiest custom pieces that she'd ever make and all in payment for help getting her sister back.

Is that it? I can do that in my sleep! I really thought I was going to have to have a challenge. I already have the perfect idea in mind. One supercharged, back the fuck up Laser knife coming right up. I should have it ready for you tomorrow or the next day if everything goes right. Send me that address and I'll ship it express. Pleasure doing business with you, V.IV. And remember your end of the bargain. I have my ways of making sure a deal is followed through and I don't want to have to come collect.
​

Ok, maybe she didn't have to add the threat at the end there. If the Subtext said anything, He'd do it for this fun new toy to cover his ass. She couldn't help it though. Her sister's support for over a decade was the whole reason she could have even thought about working for someone like Carla and following her dreams in the first place. Of course she'd be protective over her.

She'd take the VVC-770LB, modify it to fit in the same frame as the VVC-774LS but rewire it to be able to have a stronger energy output and a longer blade to put distance between him and his opponents.

Was there a way to make it more defensive?

Maybe increase the speed of which it could be used, and some sort of propulsion system to add extra protection from Pulse and energy weapons? One thing was sure. Lilith was getting no sleep tonight. With BAWS-bought energy drink in hand, the mad scientist got to work.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aurelia finished up her own shawarma with that said, and offered a, “Thank you” for the new food, before she’d let Lilith take her around to the clothing stores, glancing at what was available. Pluto had been a cold planet, but she’d always oscillated between being too cold, and too hot – an AC overheated easily, which was why flight suits were as they were.

She didn’t go for any sweaters for that reason, but went for lighter fabric that was still long-sleeved. She could layer, and she found hoodies for that purpose, as well as leggings and sweatpants. ‘Something for the gym….’ A few tanktops were good to add to the pile.

She explained as much to Lilith – she liked working out and there were at least facilities for that. Walter likely new the importance of his pilots remaining physically in good health. It was only those she bothered with any humor to them – stupid little phrases, like ‘World’s Okayest Muscles’ and ‘But Did You Die?’, which definitely suited her current humor. Apparently, it was pink – and the script exceptionally fancy.

Dying in that tank would be funny.

Otherwise, she wanted single colors, and although she couldn’t see them, she had Lilith help her with preferences – black, white, red, purple, blue, green. She didn’t want pastels, nor too vibrant, and despite her pink guns, she didn’t want any other pink things right then.

She had to trust Lilith hadn’t messed with her, as she had the items bought.

‘I wonder if I can get a hoodie modified with an emblem.’ She wasn’t sure what emblem, but the plain black hoodie felt like it needed something. A problem for later, as she got all the bags on her arm.

“Thank you for the help,” she said, “I’ll keep your personal number saved in case anything comes up,” she still wasn’t sure she had much freedom to leave the ship to ‘hang out’, but that was something to address later. She wasn’t really sure she wanted to. Lilith wasn’t bad company at all, but her state of mind wasn’t one that encouraged hanging out, and actually making connections.

A terrible thing, really.

“I suppose we should probably head back,” she didn’t quite know the direction, so she’d let Lilith continue to guide, “but why do you work with Carla?” she wanted further confirmation that Carla wasn’t a slaver.

Lilith wasn’t a slave.

~***~

“I know why you’re here,” Carla knew better than Walter, really. She didn’t need the reminder. Unlike him, she was going to be sacrificing people she had gotten to know, people she loved. It was monstrous, what she had to do, but she could not close herself off like Walter could. She wondered, in a way, if she was worse.

She was willing to let them all die, and herself with RaD, to protect the universe. She had gotten to know them, she had gotten them to trust her.

Walter never did that.

Not until her.

“Still, I can’t say I didn’t wish it was more social,” Carla noted, “we still have each other, but sometimes, I wonder,” she dared say, “it seems I’m only here to provide you with parts and information,” she gave an off-hand shrug, “I’m sure Michigan feels the same, only there to give you jobs for your new Aurelia.”

Not new hound.

This part, at least, was fun.

She’d tease him at every instance. Perhaps let Michigan in on it later. “But fine, Walter. Fine. I’ll let Tiny know we’re done,” she turned from him to head back into her ship, obnoxiously and theatrically drawing out her tablet to send Lilith a message.

Finished here. No rush, though. I’ve got toys.
​

She always had something to play with. And making Walter smile, to lower his guards? Well – she long decided that getting Chatty to laugh was the easier project.

~***~

This ‘Tiny’ seemed to think she could get the job done in a night. Rusty smirked, he had his doubts, but he’d relish being wrong if it meant he got a better weapon for his AC.

It’s a deal then. When I get the part, I’ll do what I can. If you have any tips on how to reach her, let me know. As for the address, it’s below. Put it in the name of Ziyi, she grabs a lot of my things.​

Rusty wouldn’t anticipate too much more. The address he dropped was not an Arquebus address. It was a BAWS town, though, and he’d be able to have it picked up there by Ziyi or one of the others. They already knew how this worked. Everything for Ortus was never in his name, not his Arquebus ID, nor his real name.

A name he sometimes felt like he was forgetting, even if he never forget where he’d sink his fangs once the muzzle was off.

Rusty would head off to rest with that, and the morning would greet him with breakfast, and another message from Snail about a mission. He joked with Hawkins over the honeymoon period being over for the Wall, and Hawkins seemed a bit amused by it as well, though O’Keeffe just looked exhausted. Not that he ever looked too enthused, but this seemed strange.

“Did you get off a mission or something last night?” Rusty couldn’t help but ask.

O’Keeffe just gave Rusty a bit of a dull stare, and then let his head hit the table, “Dealing with idiots.”

Rusty arched a brow, “I thought that was Hawkin’s job.”

“His job is to get them killed,” which he failed to do with Raven.

And Sulla. O’Keeffe hated dealing with Sulla, but ALLMIND brought them together, and that PCA base had to be dealt with. Kate, at least, was manageable.

Not Sulla.

“That is not my job,” Hawkins sighed, “Best of luck to you, Rusty. I imagine we have some leads on coral now.”

“We’ll see.”

Rusty finished up, and at the designated them, he made his way towards Snail’s office, unaware he would have a companion on this mission as he made his way down the familiar halls, trying not to dwell on whether or not Snail read the messages, or was aware of them at all. He wouldn’t let that anxiety show.

He never did.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

Helping Aurelia pick out clothes was relatively easy, given the two shared similar tastes.

Well, ok, no that wasn't exactly true in the manner of colors and styles.

Lilith loved her bright, vibrant colors, spikes, and extra accessories. She'd get more tattoos too if she wasn't slammed at work with orders and sharing the monetary load of helping her mother with her brothers. But the same humor and types of clothes were the same.

Some of the tank tops that Aurelia picked out had sayings on them that had her cracking up, her favorite being 'But Did You Die?'. She'd definitely have to come back here to shop for herself when she had the extra scratch. She didn't want to risk spending any extra other than for food here on the off chance she had to pay a large sum to this 'Rusty' person.

Time passed quickly for Lilith as she had fun pointing out clothes in the specific colors and types that she had requested, helping the other in earnest. Handsome didn't need help with clothing as all his clothes were the same dull black shirts and blue jeans, but he did need help reading labels with red text. This was arguably more fun. It was a girls trip with her potential new friend! She even exchanged her number with her for future hangouts!

By the time they finished shopping, Aurelia had a decent pile of comfortable and casual clothes picked out for herself. Even dying people needed comfort, a statement she would stand by and defend. It seemed that they were on the same schedule as Carla as her tablet vibrated against her hip, and the red head checked it before replying..

We just finished up here too and on our way back. Thanks, Boss! You're the best!
​

Lilith had just hit send when Aurelia's question caught her off guard. The answer was almost immediate though, no hesitation in her voice.

"Uh, because Boss is awesome! She lets me create all kinds of cool 'toys' as she calls them and lets me take custom orders and tinker with things as long as I'm not wasting supplies or costing her coam! I love my job! I can lock myself in my lab and work on orders or experiment and we bounce crazy ideas off each other. Its the best! You know, I wouldn't even have this job if it weren't for Els. If she wouldn't have taken up the gauntlet for the last decade and sent home all her coam from her jobs to keep Mom, me and the twins afloat after dad passed, I wouldn't have been able to pursue this job with Boss and they wouldn't have been able to pursue AC Pilot training either. She's the best big sister ever."

The scientist happily lead the other back through the streets of the BAWS town towards where their Helicopters were parked, happily rambling about her boss and her sister to Aurelia.

~***~

Walter stood still as Carla's words washed over him. She had a way of cutting through his defenses, of seeing the parts of him he tried to keep hidden. The truth was, she knew him too well. Perhaps better than he knew himself considering she basically raised him.

He watched her turn away, her theatrical gestures a stark contrast to the serious tone of their conversation. She always had a knack for injecting levity into the heaviest moments. It was a trait he had appreciated in her over the years, even if it she was mocking him. Not that he'd tell her that, as it often frustrated him as well.

Walter's grip on his cane tightened as he let his thoughts wander. Carla's remark about social ties struck a chord. He had spent so long distancing himself from everyone, focusing on the mission, on the next objective. It was easier that way. Less painful. Less risky. But it also meant he was alone. Always alone.

Except now, with Aurelia, things were different. He couldn't deny that he had softened. She was more than just another pilot, another tool. She was someone he wanted to succeed, someone he was starting to get form a bond with. And that scared him. It scared him because it made him vulnerable, because it made him care.

Carla was right, in her own way. She was always there, providing parts, information, support. She had been his rock, his anchor, his substitute mother. But he had taken her for granted, just as he had taken so many others for granted. He had built walls around himself, and now those walls were starting to crumble.

He took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs and only answering Carla's teasing comment with a signature Walter grumble and a 'thank you' as she returned to her own Helicopter.

The weight of his father's actions were heavy on his mind and on the planet, but he couldn't let it deter him from their mission. Not now, not ever. He had to move forward, for the safety of the universe.

Walter turned his gaze back to his helicopter, the biting chill of the winds and snow hitting deep within his bones. He knew Carla would always be there, pushing his buttons, challenging him. But he also knew she cared, even if she showed it in her own unique way. Her and Michigan both.

With the frigid temperatures digging into him, he decided to wait in the Helicopter, turning it on enough to start getting it warmed up inside for them.

God did he hate getting old.

~***~
By the time that Elliot was done performing her checks on her mech, she was covered in grease and oil and had to fumble with her phone to turn off the timer she set. Just on time! Perfect!

Taking a mechanic rag, the red head wiped her arms and face down as best as she could before unhooking from the harness and heading back towards her room.

Thankfully, she had already eaten her breakfast earlier on her way to the gym, so all she needed to do was scrub herself down and get dressed for the sortie. Maybe she would have a companion on this mission too?

It was unlikely, as she could just be sent with her squad, but Snail was a mystery. Maybe he wanted someone to keep an eye on her to make sure she wouldn't flip out like she did before. It was a thought that was enough to have her locking herself down again.

No, She'd have to be on her best behavior. Show them that she was worth more than what they had paid to have her augments upgraded.

One hot shower, hair fluffing and clean Arquebus uniform later, Huntress was on her way to Snail's office, texting her squad to be on standby in the event this mission would need them. She was almost ahead of schedule as she traveled the halls of the base, answering questions in her squad's group chat on her way. They were mostly simple questions about training or where certain places in the building were, but she was happy to answer them.

With the questions answered, Huntress turned her full focus back to navigation. Had she really been here long enough that she memorized the route?

It seemed so as she was nearing Snail's office and she wasn't alone either. The familiar crop of Brunette hair and darker skin of Rusty caught her eye and she fought down the emotions that threatened to escape, instead letting the happiness show in her eyes and a soft warmth touch her voice.

"Good morning, V.IV."

If they weren't on their way to see Snail, maybe she would have smiled and called him Buddy, but she didn't want to take too many chances. Allowing the tone of her voice to be that expressive and not slicking her hair back was testing it enough as it was.

"Are you also going on the sortie today?"

It would be weird almost if they were sent on a sortie together again.

What was it with Snail throwing them together? Was he maybe her mentor while she was still learning? It wasn't a complaint as she enjoyed his company out of any of the other Vespers, for definitely valid reasons and not because of a growing crush that was buried under layers of re-education. It was even stranger that they were paired together so often when their ACs were very similar in styles.

That meant that this was either an information mission, a stealth mission, or the combined fire power of two zippy ACs were needed to take down some big immovable machine. Regardless, she'd be ready for whatever was thrown her way.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aurelia listened as Lilith spoke of Carla, easily calling her ‘Boss’ with nothing like resentment or disdain for the title. It was good to hear, but it made her wonder even more why Carla would work with Walter, when she evidently knew what he did. ‘There’s more here….’ She gave him an AC for free, after all. For her.

But Aurelia didn’t ask Lilith what she might know about Carla’s ulterior motives, or even what she heard about Walter. She just let Lilith talk about Carla and ‘Els’. A little half-smile touched her lips at the high praise Lilith had for her sibling, the love she had for her family. It was foreign, and it wasn’t.

She remembered her ‘made’ family from Pluto.

She remembered unmaking them.

They reached the helicopters with Lilith still talking about Carla and Elliot, though as they got on the platform there was the shift to farewells. “It was good to actually meet you, Lilith,” to put a face to the name on her screen, “And I…thank you for your help with all of this,” for however long she needed the creature comforts.

And for trying shawarma.

“I’ll try to see you around, Lilith,” she was still a bit formal, “when I can get the chance.” Walter still held the leash.

She’d head into the helicopter with Walter, to find him inside, sans Carla. Apparently, they didn’t hang out much. She lifted her bags up to show she’d grabbed some things, “I figured Carla owed me for spilling my secrets everywhere,” she should have bought more for that, really.

‘Ah well.’

She went to take her seat and let Walter get them set back up, glancing up once she had the bags down at the new frame for LEMURES.

Red.

Even so, a small smile still touched her lips. Missions going forward would be easier. She’d accomplish more before the end, assuming Walter could keep gathering missions for her. Much as she wanted to deny working with Arquebus in the future, she knew that wasn’t possible. Not unless she wanted Arquebus to end up coming after her, and she wasn’t ready for that. Sure, she might be about to die – but she could play it smart until the end.

“You know…interesting people.”

~***~

Huntress didn’t seem as robotic as before. ‘Snail ain’t going to like that.’ Well, Rusty was accustomed to doing the talking anyways, but he would hate for Snail to get the idea of sending Huntress back to re-education just because she wasn’t dead inside enough for his liking. Not after he tried bringing her back – and after the deal he cut with Lilith.

That might blow up in his face later if Huntress found out about it, but that was a problem for another day.

He gave a nod in her direction as she approached, stilling his hand from action before Huntress had caught up. “Can’t say if it’s today, Snail wasn’t too forward with the message, but yeah, he called me in.” With Huntress there, odds were it was an information grab, unless Snail had arranged another mission with Raven.

Rusty doubted it; Hawkins would have been in a mood.

“Let’s find out,” he said, before he’d press the comm to buzz them in, Snail’s voice coming over briefly.

“Yes?”

“Rusty and Huntress reporting in for the next job.”

The door buzzed, unlocked, and Rusty opened it and stepped in, holding it long enough for Huntress to follow in, before his attention turned to Snail, sitting at his desk, barely looking up at them.

‘Good.’

The less he noticed, the better.

“This is an information gathering mission,” Snail stated, eyes on the tablet in front of him, perhaps still going through the information he had on it – or something else. Hard to say, Snail looked in thought, rather than focused on what he was saying, “BAWS arsenal 2 has gone quiet.”

Rusty cocked his head. He wanted to ask what they cared about BAWS, but thankfully, didn’t need to.

“PCA involvement is suspected, but it is unclear. It is not their typical behavior, and it hardly Balam’s behavior. The RLF would not strike a BAWS arsenal. If there is another player on the board, we need to become aware of it.” Snail looked up. “Find out what shut the arsenal down.”