#first chapter will be chunky since it'll cover a AU version of the failed first run

[kivaember]

okay a sneak peek into start of the "umbra in 1999" fic im planning. it's a sliiiight AU in that 1999 kicks off differently since instead of a vanilla Excalibur getting spat out it was Umbra, BUT while things go a little differently the end result is the same for the first run of the quest: everyone dies :)

anyways, hope you enjoy the sneak peek~

-

SANCTUM ANATOMICA REACTOR INCIDENT IN - ú �å � �‡² � � æ

“Okay, this is the plan: we get there, get Entrati, and keep the Hex alive.”

“…”

“I know it’s loose on details, but there’s no point making anything more solid than this. Wally will derail it, otherwise.”

“…”

“What if we get split up? Good question…”

“…”

“Priority? Well, it seems like Fate is dogging the Hex, and they’re linked with Entrati, so…”

“…”

“Yeah. So, if we get split up once we’re in 1999, then whoever’s with the Hex will stick with them, and the other will go after Entrati.”

“…”

“Hey, you don’t need to worry about me, Umbra. I can take care of myself.”

“…”

“Yeah, yeah, you too.”

“…”

“Yup, it’s time.”

“…”

“It doesn’t look like it’s gonna be a fun journey, but… I trust Loid’s work. I kinda have to, y’know?”

“…”

“I’m glad you’re coming with me, even though I know it’s on the kid’s orders. You don’t- you know, you don’t have to-”

“…”

“You sure?”

“…”

“Okay… well. If you’re ready…”

“…”

“Then I’ll see you on the other side. Hopefully thing's will go according to plan...”

-

Of course, things didn’t go to plan.

-

ENTRATI BACKROOM REACTOR INCIDENT IN 4HRS 55MINS

Umbra lurked in the shadowed corner of the backroom, arms crossed, as the Hex solemnly listened to Entrati’s video message. It didn’t move when the video message concluded, and it didn’t move when the first of the group caved to self-preservation instinct, slinking away with their tail between their legs. Entrati’s face stared down at them all from multiple monitors, haggard and stern - and out of their reach.

“But this half-assed plan’s gone full-guano,” the Trinity protoframe said bluntly.

Umbra couldn’t agree more. It shifted its focus from Entrati’s stern faces to the remaining Hex. Frantically trying to salvage their plans, or what barebones of a plan they had in the first place, all still determined to do the Right Thing even if one of their own realised the futility of their mission. Umbra passed no judgement on them, though - it wasn’t here to judge. It was here to support, as it and Drifter had agreed, because in the end…

“Five of us,” the Mag protoframe sighed. “Arthur, maybe-”

“Six,” the Excalibur protoframe interrupted. He was looking right at Umbra, and as if only just remembering its presence, the rest of the Hex turned to stare at it too. “Since he’s followed us here, I’m assuming he’s still willing to help.”

“Uh, do we know how…” the Mag protoframe wobbled her hand in a gesture Umbra could not parse, her face creasing into a grimace. “Uh, how many bolts are rattling in his skull? Marty was piloting him around like a mecha, so I assumed he just followed us like, you know, a lost dog would?”

“We don’t know if we can trust it, either,” the Trinity protoframe said, giving Umbra a distrustful look. “It’s fully Infested, isn’t it? Just a more sophisticated Techrot cabron with a short leash.”

A brief silence lapsed, gloomy and tense. Umbra did nothing to alleviate it. They may trust it, or not, but Umbra’s priority was clear: keeping them alive, even if they were determined to kill themselves in a suicide mission. It wasn’t sure what to do if they attacked it out of misguided suspicion it was a “Techrot cabron”, whatever that was, but Umbra was confident it could take them all on at once and win - it would just be counter-productive. How would they find Entrati and close the loop if Umbra thrashed them senseless?

Or perhaps that would be more productive? They couldn’t die if they were knocked unconscious and left here, after all. Umbra knew little and less about nuclear reactors, but it had access to a Parazon. It could infiltrate the reactor and disable it itself. It could take on an army if need be. It will succeed where they would fail.

Umbra considered it. Should they attack the Hex to save them?