#would shadow be still in the pod... or would he face a similar fate to the 06 bad future timeline....

[aesrot]

girls when theyre so incredibly tired but they cant stop putting the characters in situations....

[justimajin]

A Lone Wolf’s Howl ☾ Epilogue 

⇾ Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

⇾ Genre: Angst, Fluff, Action

↳ Werewolf AU

⇾ Words: 4k

⇾ Warnings: spoilers for endgame 

⇾ Summary: Jungkook and you have been like two peas in a pod for the majority of your lives; whether it was going through the ups of downs of the horrid teenage change, to transitioning to the racing world of attempting to be adults. Simply put, you’ve been inseparable and glued to each other’s sides longer than you can remember. But one fateful day seems to completely change everything you had faith in and you begin to wonder if there was ever a time where you and your best friend even knew each other’s true colors.

⇾ A/N: Last part of the series!! Thank you for all for reading and I hope you enjoy ^.^ 

gif credit.

⇾ Moodboard Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11(M) Part 12 Epilogue — in the making process

The dreary ash clouds begin to part, separating from each other when the sun peeks through the shadows. Its rays shine down on the six exhausted wolves, their forms immersed in a vicious bath of blood and sweat as they are surrounded with fallen forms, black eyed wolves and sword wielders alike.

Similar to a snap of fingers, the colour in Namjoon’s orbs slowly dissipates when they make contact with the brightening sky, the blue hue seeping away the gold in his eyes. Reverting back into their comfortable brown, they narrow into the far distance when hope begins to dwell in his eyes after so long.

The fog vanishes; a caramel brown wolf trudges its way as it limps over to the pack of wolves, which instantly peek up their heads and dash over. There’s an arm hanging over his side, the wolf holding the body in place with its canines until it completely collapses, its eyes finally fluttering shut when the six wolves around him are unharmed and most importantly, his family.

***

You wake up with a harsh gasp, body aching when it feels like someone has just drowsed you within scorching fire, the heat in your veins drawing hot tears to your eyes. Vision distorted; your ears are blocked when you can only catch onto the faintest of movements with mumbles in the background that you don’t have enough energy to decipher.

The pain only escalates, as if someone had pricked a thousand of needles through your skin, tugging at the opened flesh until a low scream is pulled out of you. Your whole body jerks from the movement, shoulder bumping into another when a familiar scent floods through you, granting you a desperate amount of relief when the throbbing doesn’t stop.

Fluttering your wet lids open for the briefest of moments, your vision focuses to view damp black locks, his eyes screwed shut as he breathes slowly next to you. His cheek is pressed against the pillow and he’s completely bare from waist up, but your eyes catch onto a glimpse of crimson splayed all across his back and suddenly the need to shut your eyes soars up again.

Threading your hand slowly underneath the sheets, you take a deep breath when your hand touches his, letting your vision cloud completely once again.

***

“Y/N.”

A faint pressure is on your shoulder, pushing you back and forth, “Y/N. Wake up.”

You groan, turning in the opposite direction when you can hear an audible sigh, “I know you can hear me Y/N. It’s time for you to wake up.”

Both your mind and body are equally exhausted, the last thing you want being to awaken either of them. However, the next words the voice gives out has your lids tugging up right away.

“Don’t you want to see Jungkook?”

Your brows furrow, the bright light sharply meeting them when you blink a couple of times, the room finally coming into clear view. Your eyes dart over to the man standing in front of your bed, his arms crossed as he lets out a sigh.

“You’re alright now. There’s no need to worry.” He smiles, creases appearing near his lips when he rakes a hand through his blue hair.

“J-Jimin?” You croak, voice coming out low and hoarse. He wraps an arm around you instantly, assisting you in getting up when you take in the empty room, not recognizing it.

“W-Where am I?”

“This is a room where we treat injured wolves. After what happened at Crimson, we brought you and Jungkook here, as well as some of the others to get treated.” Jimin explains.

The word ‘Crimson’ brings icy chills to your warm body, a shiver cascading through every single fiber despite you fighting against it. You overlook the prickling sensation, mind desperate when it sparks at the sound of his name.

“J-Jungkook, where is he?”

“He’s fine.” He assures you, “We brought both of you here together, but he was moved to a different room to rest when your treatment was taking longer.”

You raise an eyebrow at that, eyes immediately enlarging when you take in your heavily bandaged arm, barely seeing an inch of skin beneath it.

“What happened?” You question, mind still feeling numb from everything that occurred, wondering if it was just a mere illusion or actually part of a fragment from your reality.

“After you and Jungkook left, the rest of us followed through with the plan and took care of the remaining slayers and rogue werewolves.” Jimin explains, “Although we were fine in the beginning, their numbers suddenly increased and Namjoon suspected they knew about our attack, but then Jungkook came and told us you were keeping their leader preoccupied.”

You nod, the events linking together with a steady line, “Thanks to him we manage to pull through, until he said he was having a bad feeling and get to you as soon as possible.”

“Right when we were getting closer to victory, Namjoon saw Jungkook and you come back, but before we could even ask what happened, he collapsed and both of you looked badly injured.”

He points to your arm, wincing, “It was cut open and there was blood spilling out everywhere. We managed to stop the bleeding for now, but I would be careful if I was you.”

Humming, you recall being close to winning before the Elder had slashed your arm, rendering you immobile. However, your mind only seems to hinge onto a particular set of words, especially those mentioning the person that managed to bring you back in one piece, despite also being heavily injured from your fight.

“Jungkook.” You whisper, eyes wide with surprise, “Can you take me to him?”

Jimin nods, kneeling down so you can loop your mobile arm around his neck as his hand rests on your waist, tugging you up and letting you put your weight on him. He slowly walks, meeting your pace when he opens the door and brings you into the hallway.

The volume inside your mind is raised, thoughts swirling around blank flashbacks you have from defeating the Elder to Jungkook bringing you back. You feel faint, recalling how enraged you had felt when the Elder had simply brushed off all she had conspired, her thoughts void when you couldn’t come to believe what she had done to you and your family.

You also feel sick, your body recoiling when thoughts surrounding her demise enter your mind. The scene flashes past your eyes like its on repeat, a wrangled image of you sprouting out the sword before plunging it into her form, watching her dissipate right in front of you.

Despite the room being warm, a shiver runs down you involuntarily. You keep your weight against Jimin, appreciating that he was letting you because you knew you would have fallen right then and there if he hadn’t. The door opens and you’re greeted to a similar room you had waken up in; brightly lit with white walls and lined with several beds.

Your eyes roam around until they freeze, landing on the individual currently slumped on a bed, his back facing you.

Jimin seats you down on the opposite bed, letting go of your weight when your eyes catch onto Jungkook’s form spurring, shifting underneath the sheets.

With a nod of his head, Jimin quietly closes the door on his way out. Your eyes remained glued to the person in front of you, a faint smile emerging on your lips when you hear a low yawn.

When his eyes come into contact with yours, an instant array of relief hits you, noticing that although they seemed more tired than ever, they were still alive and healthy.

“Y-Y/N?” Jungkook mumbles, shifting himself to sit up. The sheet falls down his torso and your eyes instantly latch onto the sheer number of bandages surrounding him, the bulk of it all attached to his back.

Moving your eyes up to say something, you notice he’s doing the same thing with you – eyes stuck on the way your arm is barely visible.

“Are you okay?”

You blink, recognizing the traces of concern leaking into his eyes. However, you do know his question is targeted towards more than just inquiring about your injuries.

“I followed through with the plan.” You blankly state, “Crimson is gone.”

You don’t realize Jungkook’s beside you until the bed dips, his hand reaching out for your own. “You saved us.”

His voice doesn’t waver, saying it more like a well-known fact. There’s a small smile on your lips, looking up to gaze at him when he gives you an approving nod. The door outside creaks, causing both of you to shift your sight to the man standing at the corner.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

You shake your head and Namjoon takes it as an answer for him to come him, however the smile on your features fade when there’s a shining blade on his side, the familiarity immediately flooding through all of your senses and leaving you paralyzed.

“What you did wasn’t easy Y/N.” Namjoon says, “The rest of us were fighting against something we’ve fought against before, but you had to fight against your own home. An essential part of you,” He reaches out to take your hands, placing them onto the crafted designs of the sword, “Which I don’t want you to ever leave behind.”

Drops of water begin to stain the metal, now cleaned and established before it was raised against you. It was a sword that welcomed you in with open arms, that steadily grew you in the person you were today and guided you up until this point. It’s not a vague or torturous memory, just a simple part of you now.

“It was retrieved afterwards, so all of us thought it would be best if you kept it.”

“Thank you Namjoon.”

Your voice comes out low, but it holds such a large amount of solace within it that Namjoon smiles, watching you clutch onto the sword as if your whole entire life depended on it.

***

The sword is perched up onto the wall, a faint smile on your lips when you take a couple of steps back to view it.

“You want this one?” She questions, turning to you puzzled.

You furiously nod, hands clasped in front of you, “You told me I need to choose a sword soon. I choose that one.”

She chuckles, shaking her head when you maintain your determined stance, “This sword belongs to me Y/N.” She explains, “You will need to find a new one to choose.”

“But there’s no other sword like yours!”

She sighs, her long robes following her when she examines the fine walls of lined sword, plucking one right after contemplating, “Here. This one will be your choice.”

You frown, taking the fine blade within the palms of your hands, “It is similar to the one I have.”

She raises her sword and your eyes spark, a huge grin lining your lips.

The Elder smiles, “We’ll match.”

There’s a similar grin on your lips the longer you stare at the sword, but it’s mixed in with tender reminiscence. With a heavy sigh, your sliver eyes shift, looking at the framed picture of two woman hanging right beside the sword.

A roaring fire is in the background, the living room filled with an irreplaceable glow when you stare up at two pairs of eyes. One of them has brown orbs, warm and gentle, hands moving closer to engulf you into a surprise hug.

Giggles tumble out from your lips, getting spun around with excitement as you wave your small arms around, before being placed onto the ground again. The brown orbs continue to watch you, until they are soon joined by another pair, tender eyes gazing at you.

Instead of brown however, these orbs radiate with a bright glow of silver.

A dreary sigh escapes you, eyes glued to the walls and thoughts being whisked away with pieces of memories, lost in your own world until a voice suddenly draws you out of it.

“Y/N?”

Your head snaps up, eyes trailing over to a confused Jungkook staring at you from the door, dressed in a black hoodie as he munches down on the popcorn he pops into his mouth.

“Oh, Jungkook.” You grimace, “Sorry about that. Did you start the movie already?”

He shakes his head, walking over to you and offering you a piece of popcorn, “I was waiting for you, but it seems like you were somewhere else.”

He stares up at the wall, his eyes flickering over until they land on the picture frame.

“She has your eyes.”

“She was a slayer.” You lightly laugh, “We all have the same eyes.”

Jungkook follows you when you walk out of the room, closing the door behind you. “Except for you. You have that double colour thing going on.”

“Yeah, thanks to someone.”

You grin but Jungkook scoffs, “I already told you, it was wolf instincts!”

Walking over to the couch, you plant yourself down and Jungkook does as well, “Because of your instincts, I’m stuck with you for the rest of my life.”

Jungkook stops snacking, pouting as he whines, “Is that such a bad thing?”

“We’ll see, depends on if you can treat me right.” You lean over to grab some of his popcorn, cheekily shoving it in your mouth.

“You weren’t saying that when we spent our first night together.”

Your jaw drops and Jungkook snickers, causing you to snatch up a pillow and toss it over at him. Unfortunately, your aim is horrible compared to your sword wielding skills and you miss, causing it to hit his bag of popcorn which spills all over the ground.

“Y/N, my popcorn!” Jungkook exclaims when there’s a puddle of the snack all over the carpet. You plant a hand against your mouth, trying to conceal your giggles until Jungkook is suddenly lifting you up, causing you to squeal when he drags you over to the kitchen.

He plants you down onto a chair, crossing his arms.

“I lost my popcorn because of you, so you have to make me more now.”

“Oh come on.” You whine, yet still grab another bag to pop into the microwave, “Don’t you want to watch Endgame? It’s such a great movie, actually in one scene there was a part whe-“

His sleeve clamps over your mouth and he glares at you, “No spoilers!”

You frown, punching the numbers into the microwave, “You spoil everything for me anyways, why does it even matter now?”

“Because I waited to watch this since forever!” Jungkook protests, “You can’t go around watching movies if you’re in a pack and have to protect them.”

“You make it sound like I had all the time in the world too.” You grab the piping hot bag out, tossing it into his direction, “Which I actually did, because I managed to watch it.”

“Without me though.” Jungkook mumbles, opening the bag eagerly. You snicker when he takes a mouthful out, hurriedly stuffing it in his face.

Getting up, you’re about to tell him that you should probably start the movie right away before he whines about it again, but the doorbell rings and draws your thoughts away.

Furrowing your brows, you stare at the door before turning to Jungkook. He dons the same confused expression, hand paused halfway through his popcorn bag in silence. “Did you call someone over?”

“No, you?”

“No?” You question, carefully threading over as Jungkook puts the bag away, quickly shuffling after you. Light pulsates around your palms, slowly forming when you grab a familiar black umbrella near your door, gripping it tightly in your hands. A low growl is heard from behind you and your eyes catch onto Jungkook glaring at the door, canines on full display.

You both quickly stand on either side of the door and you throw him a silent look, to which he nods.

In an instant, the door is pulled open and both of you move within a flash, glowing umbrella raised and hands covered with brown fur.

However, the man before you is left in frantic wails, staring at the two of you as if the very sight paralyzed him. “T-The pizza y-you ordered.”

A shaking box is handed over to you and immediately the two of you freeze, the umbrella drops flat onto the ground and canines retract when the man shuffles up, running down the hall as fast as he can.

You remain there frozen, until Jungkook moves to pick up the pizza from the ground and reads the tag, “Ordered by Y/N L/N…”

Uncomfortably shifting, you give him a sheepish look, “I knew you were coming over so I thought it’d be nice…”

Your voice grows small, realizing that perhaps if you had remembered your own order, the delivery guy wouldn’t have experienced the heart attack you were so close to unleashing onto him.

Jungkook just chuckles, amusement in his eyes, “I think it’s about time we realize that not everyone’s out to get us.”

You muse at that, a soft smile on your lips when he walks back into the apartment and you shut the door, “You can’t really blame that on us though.” A wistful sigh escapes you, watching Jungkook eagerly open the box to beaming when he realizes you’ve ordered his favourite, “Adjusting back will take its time.”

He nods, agreeing with you instantly but you laugh when you see a slice already settled in his mouth.

***

You reach over, straining your hand when the soft material meets your fingertips. Snatching one out quickly, you bring it over to Jungkook, who gratefully grabs it as tears continue to stream down his eyes, small sobs leaving him.

You softly smile, the credits running down the screen as you remain huddled up in a blanket together, watching him sniffle and wiping the tears away.

“I wasn’t expecting Tony Stark to make you cry so much.” You comment, but he sends you a saddened look with still wet eyes, as if the memory was too fresh to even be brought up.

“W-Why didn’t you tell me?” He questions in exasperation, dabbing furiously at the tears that don’t stop leaving his eyes.

“Because you said no spoilers.” You shrug, “I held up to my word on that and– are you okay?”

He suddenly jerks his head to the side, whisking all the tears away in an instant that only has you raising an eyebrow.

“There.” He firmly states, as if he was proud of getting rid of the excessive water even though his eyes and cheeks were still marked with red.

“Do you want some pizza?” You question, leaning over to the half empty box next to you but he shakes his head, blinking his now dry eyes.

“I can’t believe I missed out on this.” He sniffles, a small laugh leaving his lips, “I should have just watched it when it came out.”

“Fighting against slayers and wolves, remember?” There’s a knowing smile on your lips when you lift the box up, moving it to the kitchen and ruffling Jungkook’s hair as you walk by.

“Wait,” He frowns, “When did you watch it then?”

“When I was staying at the pack house,” You wave your hand around, “Aside from training, I wasn’t really given anything else to do.”

“You should have just invited me to join you! We could have cried together!”

You laugh at that, giving him an absurd look, “You wanted to cry together? And besides, finding out you were a werewolf didn’t really help that situation much.”

“Oh.” He sets his lips into a firm line, “That’s right, but I would have still kept you company either way. We could have–“

His vision narrows, eyes latching onto why that fear-stricken expression on your features looked so recognizable, until it flickers inside him, “Just ignore it, it won’t hurt you Y/N.”

Your head instantly snaps up, seeing him give you an impassable look when you attempt to explain yourself, “I-It’s near the popcorn.”

Jungkook’s eyes suddenly widen and soon he’s lurching off the couch, dashing over to your side. “Where?”

A trembling finger is pointed near the counter, “T-There.”

Right when Jungkook turns, it moves, jumping onto the ground and scurrying itself safely underneath the fridge. You immediately jolt, hands tightening around Jungkook’s hoodie and he lets out a groan.

“Y/N, you’re a slayer.” He side-eyes your shrunken form, “You can use a sword, but you can’t get rid of a mouse?”

“It’s scary Jungkook.” You protest, jolting again when you hear it scratch against the wood. You shift closer to him, desperation leaking into your voice, “Please, just do something about it.”

He sighs, eyes looking around your kitchen, “Do you have a bucket or something?”

You nod, hurriedly walking in the opposite direction of the mouse to find it. Jungkook meanwhile stares at the bottom of the fridge, securing his hands firmly against the frame.

You soon reappear, a white bucket in hand, “I’m going to shake the fridge and scare it out. When you see it, put the bucket over it so it can’t escape, okay?”

“W-What?” You frantically whisper, the instructions going over your head until Jungkook moves and suddenly your arms are outstretched, the bucket sticking out.

A small blur of brown scurries across the floor, causing a squeal to escape you when the bucket falls and you place a heavy hand over your racing heart.

“You did it!” Jungkook exclaims, a bright wide smile on his features as you remain as solid as a statue, staring at the bucket speechless.

“I-I did.” You’re as pale as a ghost, but his words bring you out of it and you’re filled up with confidence, “I did!”

You slip out of it though when Jungkook tosses the bucket to the side, grabbing the small creature with his fingers as you gasp in horror. “What? I need to get rid of it.”

He walks around aimlessly with it, stepping out for a few moments as you slowly register the shock. Returning back, he shakes his hands together and shuts the door. “It’s gone Y/N.”

 You exhale in relief, waiting for him on the couch. He settles himself in the blanket again, arms wrapping around you. “We really need to work on this if you’re still scared. Mice is the last thing a wolf should be scared of.”

“I’m technically half-wolf.” You mumble, eyes slowly fluttering shut and lulling into sleep now that he was back, “So the other half of me is allowed to be scared.”

Jungkook softly chuckles, head resting against yours as he lets out a gentle sigh. It’s in moments like this he truly wonders if any of this was ever going to be possible, to have you by his side, to have you see him more than a friend, to have his identity revealed to you and for you not to run away, only to accept him just as he is.

Although you also had your fair share of secrets tucked away, he knows that despite everything – the anguish that initially sparked in your eyes when you found out, the large ripples forming within the clear water when it felt like you had lost all of the remaining pieces left in your relationship, when you were so close to having that cord completely snap, at odds with each other as there was a deep line separating you – both of you managed to be okay, resting in each other’s arms as if you hadn’t even been pulled away to begin with.

The thought alone makes his dazed eyes flutter shut, a smile on his lips when you’re back to where you had first started, this time together and having no more secrets to hide. 

[kyberphilosopher]

Adamus: Chapter Two

“I knew that I was sick or evil, or both.”

Description: Adamus’s mental state has taken a blow. Circe comes to confront him, but he’s not the only one who’s visiting the Jedi.

Chapter Two

          “Adamus,” I hear Aheka say from behind my door. “I brought you breakfast again. Could you try to eat?” She waits a while. She’s waiting to hear my footsteps, or a low ‘come in’, or even a click of a button. She receives nothing. I have no energy to move, no desire to speak, no pull to reach out and respond.

          “Okay,” she says softly. “I’ll leave you alone again. Breakfast is by your door.” I hear the muffled sound of Aheka changing her positions, and a tray hitting the metal floor. There is silence for a few seconds, but Aheka breaks it. “I miss her.”

          Since I woke up in the infirmary, I’ve thrown up several times. Eventually I just got so overwhelmed with everything I tore out of there, running through the ship in light clothing. I made it to my room before vomiting again and sealing myself inside. I haven’t left for a while. I haven’t eaten. I slept only once for a long time, but I had a nightmare and now I’m scared to close my eyes again. I have only sat in the middle of my bed, in front of the huge window that let’s me see everything outside. At the moment, it’s only the long, blue and silver swirling tunnel of hyperspace- infinite and unending.

          I’ve curled myself up in my long, dark brown robe like a child. It’s wrapped around my form as I sit, giving me warmth I don’t even really register or care for. I don’t care about anything. I don’t know if my mind is working, or if all the staring at the swirling blue vortex in front of me has turned my brain to mush. If it has, I don’t think I’d object much.

          I still haven’t told Aheka about Keres. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The mere thought of her sends my stomach into a fit of anguish, my throat threatening to roar up everything inside of me, blood and all. It is a completely immobilizing sadness. Sometimes I think I’m going to do something- make myself shower or make myself eat, but I only collapse back into my current position.

          Aheka comes to visit me what I think is every morning. I have no need or desire to keep track of time anymore. She always knocks on my door, tries to coax me in some way and leaves me something. The only time I ever opened was to grab some fresh clothes, which I didn’t even put on. I undressed as if I was going to change, only to wrap myself in thick comforters and fall asleep. I don’t have the heart to actually say the words about Keres’s fate. Not yet.

          I replay her in my mind with every passing second. I remember all the details of her face because it was hard for me to not commit them to my memory. She had an olive complexion- somewhere between pale but tanned from time outside. The corner of her lips were slightly upturned, even when pulled into a frown. Her hazel eyes were flecked with green and gold like a forest scene, framed by soft lashes lined with dark makeup. Dark circles always hung under her eyes, even once she had begun to get actual sleep. Her button nose was splashed with freckles that faded against her cheeks. She had two just below her lips, towards the right. Those lips were always chapped, but they got better after she started actually taking care of herself here.  Her hair was brown like chocolate, stringy and always in a messy braid that fell across her shoulder. I liked it when she would put her hair back into a small, messy roll at the nape of her neck, with strands of hair falling at the sides of her face. I liked that it let me see more of her face like that. She was a pretty girl. I should’ve told her that.

          It’s hard to imagine her dead now. Did she melt in the fires of Mustafar? Is her body still on the ship somewhere? Limp on the floor to decay for eternity? Or was my brief vision true, and is she dangling over the lava, impaled on a metal rod? Is her face covered in blood because she smacked her head against something?

          I just can’t bring myself to tell anyone what happened. Surely some of the crew members must have some semblance of what went down, but no one has come forward or mentioned it. Until I officially state that, yes, Keres is dead, people are going to treat her as if she were still alive and lost somewhere. I know for a while we stayed outside of Mustafar’s orbit, sending small groups to see if Keres had left a trail of some kind. Why can’t they understand that the only trail she’s left behind is the one of metal and carnage and a skeleton of an Imperial Star Destroyer? I can’t say it. I can’t tell them. I can barely admit it to myself.

          I think Circe must know. He spent a decent amount of time with Keres. I don’t know what they were really talking about, but I do know that they were drawn together for whatever reason. It wasn’t really a romantic thing, but more of a family thing, maybe? They seem to have had a similar way of thinking. The way of thinking that comes from performing illegal and suspicious activities.

          My stomach takes me away from my thoughts with a stabbing pain. When was the last time I had eaten? I can’t remember. My stomach has certainly made it clear that it needs some sort of substance, but my brain has been kind enough to block that out and ignore it. I guess this time it’s telling me that if I don’t start eating soon, I’m going to regret it.

          I stir ever so slightly. My head cranes over my shoulder to look at the door behind me, imagining what food Aheka has left for me. Is it fruit? The kind of fruit that Keres loved? What will I do if I look down and see that? How will I handle being met with something that is so clearly a reminder of her?

          I actually push myself out of the bed. My arms feel weak and my body light. My stomach twists and turns in protest like it can’t handle the sudden movement. Once up, I stretch my fingers out slightly as if that will help me keep my balance. I tug the blanket closer around me before slowly walking to the door, my bare feet patting against the floor.

          The door slides open to reveal a light gray tray on the floor. On the tray is a wooden bowl of beige colored mush, and a cup of water with a straw. I can’t help the wave of relief that crashes over me to not find fruit. I shakily pick up the tray and hurry back into my room, like a scared animal that doesn’t want to be seen. I haven’t made it four steps when there’s a knock at my door again, and a voice.

          “Open up. I know you’re in there.”

          I stop my movement, then turn my head slightly towards the door. My ears must be playing tricks on me.           “Don’t open the door.”

          I whip my head back around, my tray shaking wildly in my hands. For a split second, I can just make out the outline of someone sitting up straight in my bed. I could’ve sworn that voice was… never mind.

          “Adamus,” the first voice calls, exasperated. I think it’s Circe. “Open the damn door.”

          I quickly put the tray down on my bed. I have to open the door- if I don’t, Circe will probably just shoot through it. I’m already up and moving anyway, I guess. I push the button next to my door and watch it slide open, my knuckles turning white from holding my comforter so close and tight around me.

          Sure enough, Circe is revealed from behind my door. His hair is matted like he had recently been wearing his mandalorian helmet. His brown eyes are piercing, like he’s on a mission. The only thing that looks different about him is how scraggly his stubble has become.

          “You look like shit,” Circe says after observing me for a moment.

          I don’t answer him. My mouth has suddenly gone dry become most of my recent memories with him include Keres.

          Circe waits for a response, receives none, and then rolls his amber eyes. “Move,” he says as he moves me to the side. His muscular form marches into my room. The door slides closed behind him without me doing anything.

          “So,” he begins. “There something you wanna tell me? Or are we just gonna dance around this forever?”

          I open my parched lips slightly like I’m actually going to say something, but I don’t know what and I immediately close them again.

          Circe tilts his head as he peers into my eyes, searching and intimidating me. “About Keres maybe?”

          I tense up, my eyes snapping to meet his more angrily than I mean. I can’t help it. Her name makes something inside of me snap. Like a long coil that’s pulled tight and severing itself slowly, than as fast as possible all at once.

          “Yeah, I thought so. I want you to tell me where she is.”

          I swallow. Behind him, on the corner of my bed, a figure materializes. It’s sitting up straight and proper. Like a shadow, it’s dark and I can’t make it out clearly, even though I know exactly what it’s supposed to be. “Tell him,” her voice says.

          I look at Circe with a fearful expression, trying to see if he heard her or not. He acknowledges nothing. But she’s… it sounds just like her.

          “Mustafar…” I squeak out with more hoarse voice.

          Circe holds up his hand like he’s swearing an oath, signaling me to stop. “She took your place, didn’t she?”

          I’m too stunned and pained to speak.

          “Yeah, I knew it.” He pauses, his voice dropping low and close to a whisper. “Have you told anyone?”

          I shake my head no. Circe continues to stare into my eyes, making me feel somewhat more uncomfortable than before. His gaze is piercing, almost angry, undeniable. “Why would she do that?”

          The pilots words feel like an accusation. It’s like he wanted to say “how could you let her do that? What could have happened to drive her to this?” He’s demanding an answer from someone who has little to none. Circe is right though. How could I have let her do this? I had everything planned out so well! All the soldiers involved in the mission understood that I was to be left behind. But of course, Keres had tricked me. She has that affect on people. It wasn’t even an especially complex trick or anything. All she had to do was lead me to the escape pods and get me off my focus. Once I was in all she had to do was send me off. How could I have just let that happen?

          I want to tell him it’s my fault, but nothing comes out. I just can’t seem to get a hang out of my words anymore. Not that it would matter, exactly. I wouldn’t have anything good to say. Circe isn’t asking for anything good, though. “I…” is all I manage to get out.

          Circe folds his arms as he waits for me to say something else. But my mouth feels dry and if I don’t move around soon I’ll start to think I’m burning alive again. “Was it quick?” he asks. “Was it painless?”

          No. It definitely wasn’t painless. I wasn’t up there in personal to see it happen, but I didn’t have to be to know. Whether she smacked her head and made it quick, or fell and burned alive, it was painful. Keres’s last feeling was not one of peace. It was agony, whether I want to accept it or not.  

          “Yes,” I say, weakly. “It was painless.” I rattle my brain to think of some other reassuring lie for Circe to see right through. “Just like falling asleep.”

          There’s a scoff from behind Circe. The figure I had forgotten about, the one sitting on my bed, seems to roll their head. I would assume they’re rolling their eyes as well. “Yeah, right,” they say. A shiver runs down my spine as the voice bounces around inside my head. “If you like falling asleep in a volcano.”

          I try to ignore it. I’m just… I’m just sleep deprived. I’m hearing things. I’m seeing things. She’s not here. She’s not talking or speaking or… anything. Because she’s not here. I must be losing my mind.           “You are losing your mind.”

          I stare at the figure, stunned and frozen. “What?” it says, sounding just like her. Sarcastic voice and everything. “I’m not here. You know that. You watched me… you know…” the figure makes a motion with it’s hands that simulates a kind of goofy looking explosion.

          “Adamus?” My eyes snap back to Circe, whose eyebrow is raised in suspicion and something like frustration.

          “I, uh-”

          “Are you alright? Is there something else you want to tell me?”

          I open my mouth to speak. Then something clicks in my brain. I can’t tell him about Keres anymore. Anything I admit will sound completely crazy, and Circe hates the Jedi. I’ve known this since almost day one with him. If I tell him, it’s the perfect reason to undermine me. He’ll think I’m insane. That I’m unfit to be leader. And then what?

          “Now you get it,” the figure exclaims, rolling its eyes.

          No. No, I can’t tell him. “No,” I say steadily. My normal voice has returned to me. I try to wipe my face clean of any agony, squaring my shoulders like I normally would. “No. There’s nothing.”

          Circe goes quiet. The gears of his mind twist and turn as he analyzes me in that way that I hate. “Alright.”

          I watch him leave the room. He glances over his shoulder at me one more time like he wants to say something. Then he stalks out of my room and the door closes behind him.

          I let out a deep breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. Then I crumple in on myself, sinking to my knees as I hold my head. I want to sob. I want to cry but everything inside of me is dry and cracked and stale. It feels like the fires on Mustafar, engulfing me and my mind in a cage. I scan the room to see if the figure is still there, but there’s nothing. I am completely alone with me and my caged brain. Thrumming inside of me with electricity like a drum. The only word I can manage to get out through my crippling pain is, “Keres”.

[ryder-s-block]

Jaig Eyes (Ch 19)

Jaig Eyes (19/?)

Always available here.

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Chapter Nineteen: Captain Down

Kenobi’s Star Destroyer had landed on the surface of Saleucami, the soldiers immediately moving to unload the AT-TE walkers and other supplies. Rex hadn’t spoken to me other than a quick greeting, considering he was helping prepare the hunt for Grievous.

I walked behind him and Kenobi as the jedi mused, the dirt soft and welcome below my boots. I hadn’t been on a planet with grass in some time, considering I’d been doing jobs on a lot of space stations, Coruscant, and Tatooine, none of which had much vegetation, if at all. The air was clear...lively. The planet was thriving with life and the force. It wasn’t like Tatooine, where stepping outside for too long without proper protection or supplies would literally kill you. And that wasn’t even getting started with the rough creatures that would kill you just to say they did.

“Instead of scattering our troops, looking for all the escape pods,” Kenobi thought aloud as he walked. “We shall head towards the wreckage of the landing transport first.”

Rex nodded as we breached a hill, looking towards where smoke rippled off the horizon. The captain turned tail to oversee the cruiser’s launch sequence while I leapt aboard an AT-TE with Obi-wan.

“It shouldn’t take too long,” the jedi voiced as the group marched forward, sending little creatures rushing away with chirps.

I hummed, leaning against the turret, giving a glance at the clone there. “At this speed, I don’t really believe you?”

“Why?” Kenobi asked with a grin. “Have somewhere to be?”

I laughed. “Yes, actually. Tatooine, where my payment is waiting.”

“You bounty hunters and your payments,” he grumbled, looking through his electrobinoculars.

“Hey,” I chided gently. “Unlike you, I don’t get everything provided for me by the Republic.”

The jedi chuckled gently, but sobered as he regarded me. “It could be, if you wanted to.”

I glanced sideways at him, reaching out with the force to find sincerity. A laugh erupted from my mouth, turning heads down on the ground. “What?” I said finally, once I sobered. “So you can keep an eye on me?” His eyebrow lifted, so I continued. “Don’t think I forgot our last conversation, Kenobi.”

He sighed through his nose, looking forward through his electrobinoculars again. “I know what the council thinks of you,” he spoke, still scanning the horizon. “But most of them have never met you. Fought with you.” Finally, he dropped the binoculars to his side and turned to where I lounged against the turret. “None of them know you.”

“And you do?” I asked, lifting my eyebrows. “I think we’ve had this discussion before.”

“And you insisted I didn’t,” he responded swiftly. “But you’re wrong.” That shut me up. He had a fierceness in his voice. A determination I didn’t expect. “The council is concerned about your heritage. I am not. I’ve seen the things you’ve done. Selfless acts that could have killed you, but saved others.”

I huffed a laugh at his sincere face. “You don’t think I’ll turn on you? I have an inclination towards the dark side, after all,” I scowled at him. The clones around us perked up, listening against their better judgement.

“Perhaps your people did...a long time ago,” Obi-wan conceded. “But one’s people does not define them. Nor does your past.” He regarded me, eyes tracing over where my slave brand lay hidden. “I heard what you said to Anakin on the ship,” he said suddenly, making my eyes snap up to his. “About the clones being something like a family to you.”

The soldiers were listening now.

“They’re what’s left of Jango. What’s left of the memories I have of when I had a family,” was all I said. I wasn’t about to confirm or deny anything. “I don’t care about this war, Obi-wan. You know that.”

“Maybe you don’t. But you care about people. And the Separatist army is hurting people across the galaxy.”

I stared forward, past Obi-wan. Was he right? Was this what I was supposed to do? The force rippled around me as I thought. Jobs weren’t really needed anymore, since the club ran itself now. Still, what would Jango say?

“Stop thinking so much, ad’ika,” Jango chastised as he knocked me down yet again. I panted hard on the ground before pushing myself back to my feet. “Feel,” he insisted as I lifted my fists before my face. “Listen to your instincts.”

I ducked below his next attack, rolling sideways.

“Better,” he admitted, a bit of pride shining through, but his voice still rough and commanding. “Now be faster!”

I did my best to parry his attacks, my feet stepping back in the footwork he’d taught me. He rounded on me, his foot flying out, catching me hard in the ribs. I grunted, but locked my arm over his calf and twisted my body, throwing him into a roll.

My tired form barely got me back to my feet as he turned to face me again, grinning slightly. “Good. Parry left,” he said, punching out as I obeyed. “Right.” I did it again. “Get down.” I ducked at his words, but caught a boot to the chest instead, being sent backwards.

I groaned, growling at him. “You said to duck.”

“My mouth said to duck,” he scowled at me. “My body told you to step backwards.”

“But-”

He held up his hand, stopping me as he stepped forward. He offered me a hand up, pulling me back to my feet as he rested his palms on my shoulders. “Ad’ika,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Always watch the body, not the mouth. And I won’t always be around to guide you.”

“But you’re always telling me what’s the right thing to do.”

“What’s right according to me,” he reminded. “I can be wrong, Kida. When you’re older...as you grow...you’ll learn what’s right and wrong for yourself.” He took my wrist gently, turning it over to expose my brand. “Everyone sees it differently, do you understand?”

I did. I nodded slowly.

“Besides,” he chuckled, leading me from the room and concluding training for the day. “One day, you may even prove me wrong. I’m not a stupid man. I know I can be wrong.” He touched my nose gently as his eyes softened. “No one controls you anymore. No one can tell you what to do with your life. Your fate is yours to determine, do you understand?”

“Yes, Jango.”

“Good.” He smiled at me, leading us towards his apartment. “Hungry?”

I breathed slowly. Jango was right. In the end...he was wrong about what side he chose. Maybe it meant something to him...even if it meant filling his own pockets. Still, a part of me wondered if Jango was in a similar situation Bane had been in all those months ago.

“I think,” Windu’s words chimed in my memories. “Your fear of whoever you’re working for, outweighs your fear of us.”

Was Jango threatened? Or worse...was Boba threatened? Dooku wasn’t a man you crossed. Maybe he was trapped. In the end, was Dooku the reason Jango died?

I shook that thought away. He wouldn’t influence my decision now. It was up to me. Up to what I believed in. I looked at Obi-wan thoughtfully.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am,” he responded steadily. “You’re an apt warrior with a good head on your shoulders, even if you can be a bit rash. You’re intelligent and passionate for preserving the lives of the innocent. And,” he added, glancing around at the clones who were pretending they weren’t listening. “The men respect you. That’s not something easily gained. Especially by someone who’s barely fought with them in open battle.” Obi-wan looked through his electrobinoculars again as he finished.

I welcomed the compliments, but still hesitated. Thankfully, I was saved by Rex’s arrival on a speeder.

“General Kenobi!” Rex appeared under the shadows of the walkers. “Sir, the cruiser’s returned to orbit. Any sign of Grievous?”

Obi-wan smiled grimly. “I believe we’ve found Grievous’ ship.” Rex nodded below us and I could feel his gaze on me as I leaned against the turret in thought. He wasn’t a stupid man. He could see all the other clones desperately trying to appear like they hadn’t just been staring up at us.

As we neared the wreckage and clones began searching the area, I leapt from the top of the AT-TE, glancing back up at Kenobi as he jumped down after me. We walked together to find Cody, my mind wandering away from the task.

“I’ll think about it,” I said finally as Kenobi spied Cody up on the wrecked ship. The jedi turned to me and nodded. “I’ll let you know, I just need to...think.”

“Take whatever time you need,” he said, looking over his shoulder as he walked towards Cody. “Just know that this war may not give you as much as you like.”

I breathed slowly, closing my eyes briefly before clambering my own way up the ship, conducting my own distracted search. I hoped I didn’t actually find Grievous--or any droids, for that matter--because I’d be shot before I even recognized what I was looking at. Dammit, Kenobi...distracting me before a mission.

“Thermal housing intakes are still warm,” I heard Cody call from above. “This couldn’t have happened too long ago.”

I looked up to see Obi-wan standing above me, Rex and Jesse approaching from behind, their buckets off. I breathed deeply, starting my climb up towards them.

“The crew compartment’s almost entirely destroyed,” Rex reported as he stopped before Obi-wan.

The jedi thought for a moment as I made it up to their level, standing behind the clones. Jesse saw me, casting me a grin. Cody moved over to join me, nodding at me in greeting. “We’ll split into teams,” the general announced. “Rex, take Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix and search those wetlands.”

“Yes sir,” the clones of the 501st responded, turning on their heels.

“Cody,” Obi-wan continued. “You, Crys, and I will pick it up from here.”

“And me?” I asked, stepping forward. I noticed a hesitation in Jesse and Rex’s steps, both of them slowing to listen. Obi-wan raised his eyebrow at me. “That’s not my answer,” I explained. “But I promised to help on this mission, no matter what I decide after. So what do you want me to do?”

The jedi hummed, stroking his chin. “Go with Rex and his team. You’ve worked with them before, have you not?”

“I have. Broke one of their noses once, too.”

He frowned at me. “Well, best not to do that again. You’re on the same side this time.”

“For now,” I teased, wiggling my eyebrows at him as I turned to follow Rex and Jesse.

“Rex,” Kenobi called after us. “If you get a visual on Grievous, contact us before you engage.”

We all nodded, heading off the back of the ship.

Rex merely nodded at me as I approached, donning his helmet. Jesse, though, threw his arm around my shoulder and led me off.

“Nice to see you again, Fett,” he said, fully knowing I didn’t use that name. Instead of correcting him, I rolled my eyes.

“I see your nose healed well,” I teased back. “You can barely tell that I broke it.”

“That’s because you didn’t hit it hard enough.”

“I’m free to try it again,” I said lowly, my voice dark, but still teasing.

“Kix, Hardcase,” Rex called as we reached the ground. “You’re with us.”

“Is that Kida Fett?” Hardcase called as he joined us. He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Still haven’t seen those tattoos, Kida,” he teased.

Kix shoved him gently, followed by a harder shove from Jesse. “Knock it off,” they both growled. I smiled, following them to a group of speeders, all painted in the 501st colors.

“There’s one for you, Kida,” Kix gestured towards the one beside Rex’s. “Glad you could join us.”

I nodded to him as I leapt aboard the speeder, tapping my thighs to make sure the GAR regulation pistols hadn’t slipped from the holsters they weren’t designed for. With a twist of my hand, the speeder’s engine whirred to life, sending me speeding after the group. As I left, I felt the pride from Cody and Obi-wan directed towards Rex. I couldn’t help but smile gently, lowering my goggles onto my face to block the dust. Rex was a renowned leader… it was no wonder I felt so drawn to him.

I shook myself. Focus, dammit. I was going to get myself kriffing killed if I didn’t get my thoughts together.

As we sped across the rolling hills of Saleucami’s terrain, I let myself breathe the air again. It was crisp, filled with life and vegetation. And apparently a farm, considering something smelled like shit, and it wasn’t the chemical smell of the engine.

Our group had fanned out, covering a wide plane of searching, but nothing had come up yet. Something tingled in the back of my mind. Something bad. I lifted my head, searching, but my goggle interface was nothing without my wrist gauntlet...which was confiscated by the Separatists...and blown up on their ship. Something was wrong as we all moved back into a close formation, my gaze settling on Rex’s back.

“Something wrong?” Jesse called from beside me. I turned to look at him and opened my mouth to explain, when we heard a shot go off.

Rex flew from his speeder, backwards towards mine. Jesse dodged to the side, but I was right behind Rex.

“Kriff!” I cursed, whipping my speeder sideways and hitting the ground as it slid on its side, barely missing Rex’s flying body. I pulled myself up from the ground, covered in dirt, and saw Rex laying still a few meters behind me. “Oh no,” I breathed, forcing myself to run towards him, ignoring the pain in my body from hitting the ground.

A speeder flew past me, stopping beside Rex’s body before I could get there. I stopped at his side, thankfully still feeling his signature.

“He’s alive,” I breathed, watching Kix remove Rex’s helmet slowly. The blast had hit him square in the chest, his shoulder pauldron smoking from the heat.

“Jesse,” Kix said into his comms. “You better get back here.”

They returned after a minute, having disposed of the commando droids that had shot their captain. “How bad?” Jesse asked as he ran over.

“Pretty bad,” Kix sighed. “I need to remove his armor to see the full extent of the damage.”

“Those snipers may have called for backup,” Hardcase thought aloud, looking around. “Unless we wanna start getting picked off one by one, we should find better cover first.”

My eyes lifted, seeing a few Eopie grazing near trees. “Look,” I said, making the clones turn.

“Wait a minute,” Jesse said, seeing more Eopie arriving. “Those critters are domesticated.”

“Sir?” Kix muttered, confused.

“It’s a farm,” I voiced. “Can’t you smell it.” They all gestured to their helmets. Right. Jeez… I needed to focus. Though, Rex getting shot right in front of me had been surprisingly rattling. I’d seen him almost die before, on Naboo. Of course, I was also dying. Everyone was...it was a bit of a trend that day.

“Where there’s a farm,” Jesse said smugly. “There’s usually a farmer.”

“How perceptive,” I tried to tease, standing quickly, my ribs complaining.

“Are you alright?” Kix asked immediately, trained to see the little signs.

I waved him off. “Hit the ground hard. I’ll be fine.” I looked around at the group, raising my eyebrows. “So? What are we waiting for?”

“Let’s find his homestead,” Jesse said, standing beside me.

Hardcase and Kix bent to lift Rex from the ground, Jesse pulling a stretcher from the side of one of the speeders and laying it out for Rex to rest on. I scooped up his helmet, attaching it to the back of my own speeder before firing up my engine.

We moved slower now, my heart thumping hard in my chest. I merely followed the soldiers, my mind focused on Rex. He was there, but the injury was bad. He’d survive, though.

At least, I’d make the bastard survive, if he didn’t feel like doing it.

It didn’t take long to find fences and a dirt path, crop fields on both sides. We slowed our speeders, my eyes cutting to Rex’s unconscious form a final time before coming to a stop outside a house made of clay and wood.

Just as we stopped, the front door flew open, a female Twi’lek aiming a hunting rifle at us. Kix raised his hands in the air immediately, his heart jumping so much I could feel it myself.

“We want no trouble here,” she said, turning her gaze and aim to Jesse as he scooted his speeder forward, putting himself between the woman and his captain.

“Easy with that weapon, ma’am,” he said calmly, removing his helmet. “We’re here as friends.”

“State your business,” the Twi’lek replied steadily, unperturbed by the warriors around her. The force rippled around her at seeing Jesse’s face, but none showed on her face.

“Our captain’s been hurt,” Kix piped up form his scooter. “We need-”

“I’m no doctor,” she cut him off, making me smirk slightly. Sure, we needed to help Rex, but I admired her keeping face in front of soldiers. I liked her fire. “So just-”

“We have a medic, ma’am,” Jesse said gently. “We just need a place to tend to him overnight.”

My eyebrows lifted as more force signatures approached. “Mommy,” a little voice chimed out as two children appeared beside her legs in the doorway. “Who’s-”

“Get back inside, both of you,” the woman scolded.

Both the children--the eldest being a female, the youngest a male--both let out groans of distaste. They muttered their own protests, but obeyed as their mother rolled her eyes, finally lowering her weapon.

“Look, there are some benches out back in the barn. It’s the best I can do.”

“That’ll be fine ma’am,” Jesse replied with a gentle smile. “Thank you.” The Twi’lek woman regarded us from her doorstep as we moved the speeders forward, Kix and Jesse lifting Rex as Hardcase and I opened the barn doors and cleared a bench.

I sat in worried silence as Kix stripped the captain of his armor, revealing a toned chest with a dark burn on his sternum. Kix cleaned the wound, my eyes tracing over the muscles all the clones shared from their years of intense training. He had some scars here and there, but nothing that seemed to compare to the one he would get from this...if he lived long enough for it to scar.

My gaze flicked up to his face as I felt him stir in the force, Kix gently attaching a bacta-patch over the terrible burn.

“What…” Rex mumbled out as his eyes opened--unfocused and unseeing. “What happened?”

“Commando droids took a pot shot,” Hardcase reported. “That would’ve gone straight through your heart, had it been two inches to the left.”

I breathed deeply from where I sat, closing my eyes. Why did that possible inevitability scare me so much?

Fear rippled over Rex in the force. “I can’t move my arm,” he worried.

“You have some nerve damage,” Kix responded gently, shifting in shock as Rex forced himself to turn over.

“Understood,” Rex said formally, turning on his side, much to Kix’s chagrin. “Now, patch me up and let’s get on with it.”

“Sir, you’re in no condition,” Kix argued to Rex’s back, who was now facing me. He didn’t seem to see me where I sat silently in the corner, but I could feel his fear. His frustration. His pride was taking a hit. “It will heal, but it’ll take time.”

Rex rippled with anger as he turned to look at his medic, his stare intense. “We’re getting under way, Kix,” he said lowly. “That’s an order.”

Jesse grinned slightly as he regarded his captain, but shook his head nonetheless as Kix responded. “Sir, as team medic, when it comes to the health of the men, including you…” the soldier paused for a second before doing his best to puff out his chest. “I outrank everyone.”

I was sure that even the other men could feel Rex’s frustration now, even without force sensitivity.

“So, I respectfully,” Kix continued, less confident under Rex’s glare. “Order you, sir, to get some-”

Rex shrugged off Kix’s hand grumpily, the sound of someone clearing their throat turning our heads.

“Excuse me,” the Twi’lek woman said from the doorway to the barn. She was holding a plate of food. “If there’s not enough-” she started, but Jesse cut her off.

“That’s plenty,” he said as he approached. “Thank you...uh…”

“Suu,” she completed for him gently, handing him the plate. As she did, a hoverball drifted past her and into the room, dipping below the bench Rex laid on. The little girl came running in after it, a smile on her face. “I told you to stay in the house,” Suu scolded, seeming exhausted by her children.

“I couldn’t help it, mom. It got away,” the girl argued, ducking below the table to look for the ball. I leaned forward from my corner as it drifted toward me, nudging it back to her. She gave me a wide grin before standing from under the table, looking up at Rex, who regarded her with a scowl.

I felt recognition from her and saw it in her face, my eyebrows rising in curiosity. “You look like my daddy,” she said wistfully, the clones seeming taken back. If anything, Rex almost looked scared, making me chuckle.

“Shaeeah,” Suu chastised gently. “Don’t bother the soldier. Now get inside with your brother.”

Shaeeah rolled her eyes. “Yes mom.”

Suu shook her head and offered the plate to Jesse again. “My husband is away, delivering our first harvest. Do you require anything else?”

Jesse seemed flustered. “No...thank you, Suu.” The Twi’lek hummed gently before turning and leaving the barn. Jesse put the plate down on a bench near Rex while Hardcase fished out Rex’s pistol from his piled armor at my feet. Hardcase gave me a small, grim smile before putting the pistol beside Rex’s arm on the bench.

“Resume the search without me,” Rex commanded, barely masking his frustration. “Jesse, you’re in command. I’ll be fine.” The captain laid himself back down, staring at the ceiling and letting out a long breath.

The soldiers nodded, Kix leaving some pain killers in a pack for Rex before exiting the barn. I gave the injured clone a glance, but he refused to meet my eye. I sighed before following the other men out.

“We’re just going to leave him here?” I asked as they approached their speeders.

“We have our orders, Kida,” Jesse said gently, his eyes soft as he regarded me.

I frowned. “But he can’t even use his one arm. If he’s discovered--”

“Grievous is our mission,” Kix interrupted, his eyes downcast. “Rex is a strong man. He’s going to be fine.”

“Yeah,” I breathed, taking a few steps towards my own speeder. “I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.”

The clones all looked at each other for a moment, their minds working. “Maybe…” Hardcase started. “Someone should stay with the captain.”

“We have orders,” Kix reminded gently, sitting atop his speeder. It was quiet for a second as I eyed my speeder.

“I don’t,” I said suddenly. Jesse lifted his eyebrow before it registered, a small smile gracing his lips.

“You’re right,” he grinned. “Mind staying behind to keep him under wraps?”

“And avoid getting shot at?” I teased gently. “That’s a hefty request.” The clones chuckled at me, sitting on their speeders. In reality, I was relieved. I wasn’t afraid to go into a firefight...I was afraid to leave Rex alone. What if something happened? Suu had openly admitted she wasn’t a doctor. At least I’d been stitching up my own wounds for years.

“He’s not to do anything strenuous,” Kix said, donning his helmet. “Even if he says he can. Make sure he rests.”

“Yes sir,” I responded cheekily, leaning against my own speeder and giving them a lop-sided salute.

Jesse rolled his eyes before putting on his helmet and starting the speeder. “We’ll contact you tomorrow for a rendezvous point!”

I gave him a thumbs up as they sped away, leaving me in the pale light of the two moons. After a long breath, I moved my own speeder into hiding, casting my gaze around the farm. It was rather large, filled with plants I couldn’t even recognize. Smoke drifted from the chimney of Suu’s home, a warm, savory smell following it. My stomach growled, surprising me.

I supposed I hadn’t eaten in a while. I’d nibbled at a few rations on my ship before being stuck on Grievous’ ship...but that was at least a rotation ago.

I slipped back inside the barn, seeing Rex trying to catch some sleep. Since he wasn’t eating, I took advantage of the fruits Suu had brought, picking up a round red one and taking it back to my corner to munch on.

Time passed slowly, my worried thoughts keeping me from any rest. I was constantly monitoring Rex through the force, while also hyper aware of the Eopie in the barn with us. One snorted at me and my fruit, making me chuckle. I scooped up another peace, offering it to the creature. It took it gratefully, Rex cursing from the other side of the barn as a few grew curious and started snuffling around him. I let out a light laugh, moving to his side to help push it away from his face gently.

“What are you still doing here?” he asked, his tone surprisingly cold.

“Apparently keeping Eopie from getting slobber all over your face,” I said back immediately before scowling. “A thank you, would be nice.”

“You were ordered to return to the search.”

I lifted my eyebrow as I turned away, my gaze slowly scanning the tools on the walls. “Was I? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was part of the GAR.” Frustration rippled off of the clone as he sat in silence, watching me move in the darkness. I looked out at him from behind the stacks of wood and grain, my voice growing quiet. “You’re upset with me.” He didn’t respond, turning his head away. “I’m surprised,” I continued, still walking through the barn. “I was under the impression we had left on good terms last time…” I thought for a moment.

“Attachments are dangerous in a war...but I’d be lying if I claimed I didn’t have them anyways.”

The brush of his lips over the skin of my cheek. The fear he’d felt...but he did it anyways.

“Even better than good terms,” I added, thankful for the shadows to obscure my blush.

Still, Rex didn’t speak, but I felt his emotions swirling in the darkness. Finally, his mouth opened, his eyes staring out the top of the barn to watch the stars. “What I said...it was wrong.”

My heart clenched, but I pretended I felt nothing. “Oh?”

“You have to understand,” he struggled to form the sentence. “A clone in this war can’t have any attachments...I could never-” He sighed, wincing as he shifted uncomfortably. “What I did was wrong. And it never should have happened. It didn’t mean anything.”

That one hurt. I turned my back, leaning slightly on one of the wooden posts as emotion welled within me. I fought it off, knowing this wasn’t the time. Damn this man. This bastard. He toyed with me. I never let myself get attached and now him...and he does this. I sucked in a deep breath as I felt his gaze on the back of my head.

“Kida?” he prodded gently, his voice hesitant. “You have to understand. I could never… be with you. I could never...love...you.”

Against my better judgement, I pressed my sadness into anger, tucking it away to be used on some punching dummy later. Or maybe a droid. I composed myself and turned to face him in the darkness.

A few steps took me into the moonlight, revealing my placid face with a cocked eyebrow. “Love? Is that what you thought this was?” I lied through my teeth, letting my anger out to mock him in a chuckle. “I didn’t expect anything from you, Captain,” I bit.

He seemed hurt, but his eyes flicked over me briefly before returning to the skies. “Well...good. Because I couldn’t offer anything.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away. “Clearly,” I growled under my breath. “Mando’ade,” I said in exasperation. They were all the same. Emotionally constipated and bound by some unseen code of honor that shifted to only ever make them miserable.

He didn’t speak again, but I felt his gaze on me as I drifted through the barn, my eyes looking anywhere but at him. “We can still...be friends. I enjoy your company.” My heart wrenched in my chest. I didn’t know why. I’d never agreed to...feeling. I’d never consented to getting attached to him. “I mean,” he tried. “I’m just a clone, Kida. There’s hundreds of men just like me. Thousands.”

I sighed lowly, my anger fizzling into sadness again. “No, Rex,” I breathed. “There’s not.” I looked over at his sad expression. “Don’t worry,” I forced a smile. “This doesn’t mean I won’t protect you. Jesse asked me to. And I promised to help on this mission. And then I’ll be out of what little hair you have.”

He smiled gently at my attempt at a joke, but I felt the pain through the force at my mentioning of leaving. “You’re...going to leave.” It wasn’t a question.

“Get some rest, Rex. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

[poisonedfortunecookie]

shance fluff week 2018 - day 6 -War

day 6 for @shancefluffweek - War. Going for a reincarnation type story with this one. There is still present shance at the end too. Enjoy! AO3

During a time of peace, their love would have thrived. They first met during such a time, when the great kingdoms of Altean and Daibazal prospered and worked together. The union of Zarkon and the great alchemist Honerva almost guaranteed their happiness, after all, if those two could do it and be warmly accepted by both Kingdoms, then why not they, who were nought but simple soldiers in their respective military. Indeed their first meeting was during a celebration of Zarkon and Honerva’s marriage. Both held a modest rank within their armies, so they were invited to attend the same exclusive party. Dark grey eyes set in a sea of yellow met sharp, fathomless blue from across the room. They came together, they talked, and they danced, and they were captivated by one another. Had peace continued they might have been able to enjoy their own marriage, held their own celebrations of their life and they may have grown old together. But war came. 

The brunette Altean shot down another Galra soldier. He had no time for mercy or pity, not on this battlefield. The screams of his dying people reach him, but they are doomed, and there is nothing he can do to save them. He had an important duty, and he cannot leave his post. Besides, he knew he would die with them soon enough. Another Galra soldier loomed out of the battle fog towards him, and the Altean raised his gun, his finger curled around the trigger, and as shadowy outline steadily grew clearer, for the first time, he hesitated to shoot. “You’re alive!” Almost choking on his relief the Galra stumbled forward, sprinting the remaining distance between them he pulled the Altean into a fierce embrace. The Altean sucked in a shuddering breath, and he lowered his gun, returning the embrace throwing one arm around the other man's broad shoulders, holding onto him desperately as if it’s the last time they’ll see each other. It probably will be. The Galra pressed his nose into soft brown tress, breathing in a smell that was sweat, smoke and gunfire. It’s not how his lover, who took great pride in maintaining his appearance usually smells. It’s wrong. It smelled like death. Lifting his head, the Galra looked over the man's shoulder and the empty hanger beyond. Several small escape pods were missing, and those that remained had been destroyed. He grabbed the man’s shoulders, pushing him away so he can look into his eyes. “Why didn’t you go with them?” The Altean smiled. “Someone had to stay to guard the hanger and make sure no one pursued them.” “Why you?” “Why not me?” The Galra man snarled, biting so hard on his lower lip he drew blood. The Altean, having already accepted his fate, was calm. He lifted a hand and cupped the Galran’s strong, square jaw, slender fingers tracing the familiar line. “Zarkon will destroy your planet as soon as he confirms the lions aren’t here.” “I know.” The Altean’s hand reached higher, fingers tracing the long, elegant ears that he'd always found so cute. They are similar to his but with an extra point extending the lower part of the earlobe. His hand keeps moving, curling around the smooth curve of the others man's head, tracing the dark purple markings that meld into lighter purple in the middle of his head. “The pods?” “Are going somewhere safe.” “And the Princess.” “Is safe.” “Come with me.” The Galra curled his arms around the other man again, holding him against his broad chest. The Altean laughed and shook his head. “It won’t work.” He’d already considered every option, every possibility of them running away together. They could follow the refugees to the new planet, but he cannot risk their lives for the sake of his own. He could shapeshift and hide himself amongst the Galra ranks, but it would not be a permanent solution, and his disguise would only last a short while. They would be discovered. They could find their own refuge and hope that they wouldn’t be found, but a Galra deserter would not be forgiven, and their death would be even more cruel. The Galra knows it too. Nimble fingers rubbed at the sensitive spot just behind the Galan's ear, the spot the Altean knew would calm the other man. The Galra lifts his own hand, cupping his beloveds cheek. His skin, dark and smooth, made the deep blue crescent mood markings stand out all the more vividly. He pressed his thumb to one, tracing the delicate shape as he stared into deep blue eyes that danced with the colour of the cosmos. They were interrupted by radio static. “Commander, are you there?” His finger moved to the Altean’s lips, pressing lightly over them. He can feel the other man smile, but he keeps quiet. “Area is secure. Nothing here, move on to the next quadrant.” “Understood. Do you require backup?” “Negative. Move on.” “You must go,” the Altean breathed against his finger, and the Galran’s hand fell away. He leaned forward and caught the man’s lips in a kiss. “There’s no reason for you to die as well.” He kissed the other man again. “I will be a dead man without you.” “Fool.” “For you, always.” The kiss suddenly tasted salty, tears sliding down the Altean’s cheek gathered at the corner of his mouth. He threw his arms around the Galran’s neck and pressed close again. He will not let go again. They kiss desperately, knowing their time is limited. Too soon the radio static burst across the room again giving the order to retreat. Anyone who does not return in time will be destroyed along with the planet. The Galra threw the radio to the ground and crushed it beneath his boot. They can only embrace now, waiting the inevitable. The Alternate is safely nestled in his arms, his head tucked in the crook of his neck. The Galra wished that his body might enough to shield his love from the blast that was to come, but it won’t be. Nothing can save them. They’ll die together. “I love you.” “I love you too, and I will still love you ten-thousand years from now.” ------ Shiro woke with a start, his heart pounding. The memory lingered for a moment making him see danger in every shadow, but a muffled snort drew his attention to the sleeping, and very much alive, man in his arms, and the pounding of his heart slowed to a steady beat. It’s a memory of a time long ago, a life that was his and yet not his. It’s bitter-sweet, not exactly a nightmare but his heart ached every time even though he knew what the outcome will be. There was so much love and yearning between the two men that he couldn't help but wish for more for them, that maybe this time the memory will end happily. Shiro closed his eyes, the weight of the memory still heavy on his chest. Drawing Lance close he rubbed the others back, his hand pressing a little harder than necessary. It’s something he had to do, he had to make sure that Lance was still alive and warm. He was afraid too, selfishly, afraid that history would one day repeat itself considering they were caught up in the war that ended the lives of the two men who are shadows of their past.   There are plenty of similarities between, physical traits as well as characteristics, at least as far as the limited flashes of memory they’ve seen can tell them, but there are differences too. For one they are both human, although there is a possibility that Lance is descended from those few Altean refugees that his past self managed to protect. There is not a hint of Galra linage in Shiro. And those figures of the past came together during a time of peace and lost their lives to war. War brought Shiro and Lance together. All Shiro needed to do was protect him through this war, and then they could enjoy the subsequent peace together that they and those two from the past so deserved. “Mmmm, did you have that dream again?” Lance slurred, breaking Shiro out of his thoughts. He was holding Lance so tight his arm shook. “Sorry, it’s nothing. Go back to sleep.” He loosened his grip and kissed the top of his lovers head. “Not nothin’.” Lance lifted himself up and aimed a kiss at Shiro’s lips that hit his nose instead. He didn’t seem to notice though and flopped down next to the other man, his head resting on Shiro’s shoulder. “Okay?” “I’m ok,” Shiro assured. It’s enough to mollify Lance. “”I dreamed about ‘em too. It was a nice one, haven’t seen it before.” “Oh, what was it about?” Shiro asked, glad that Lance hadn’t dreamed of those final moments as he had. “Their first time. It was so awkward,” Lance giggled, and Shiro laughed too, reminded of a happier memory. Their own first time together, which had been full of flushed faces and awkward fumbling. “That does sound good.” “Mmm, but man, Galra dicks are weird.” Immediately after that revelation, Lance fell asleep. “What? Lance, you can’t just go back to sleep on me after that. Lance.” Shiro shook his shoulder gently, not really trying to wake him although there was part of him that really wanted to know. Lance snored and slept on soundly. “Ass,” Shiro grumbled, placing a gentle kiss on Lance’s cheek. They may be caught up in the middle of the war, with peace far out of reach, but at least in moments like this, just the two of them curled up together, they could make their own little moment of peace.

[orokinarchives]

Operation: Plague Star

(Operation: Plague Star event splash)

15 November 2017 – 27 November 2017

A mysterious meteorite has crashed just outside of Cetus, revealing a horrific boil. The boil is growing and the Ostrons have sighted Infested lifeforms emerging from it. We need to act now before they make their way to Cetus.

Konzu has received reports that Vay Hek possesses a toxin that can destroy the boil. But Vay Hek won't help; he sees this infested boil as a means to rid the Plains of Cetus and the Ostrons.

We need to get ahold of the toxin and destroy the boil before it becomes unstoppable. Visit Konzu in Cetus to learn his plan for retrieving the toxin from Vay Hek.

Foreshadowing

On 27 October 2017 (Friday), players received the following transmission when they logged in:

Lotus: "Tenno, a meteoroid is on an impact trajectory with Earth. Ordis' calculations have it making planetfall just beyond Cetus. More troubling still, it appears to be alive. Stay vigilant. I will update you as I learn more."

In Cetus and the Plains of Eidolon, small meteor fragments were visible burning up in the atmosphere, appearing to travel north across the sky. Around 02 or 03 November, a large meteor could be seen in the sky, glowing with orange energy. This meteor was clearly heading towards Earth, but remained stationary in the skybox.

On 03 November 2017 (Friday), at 15h00 EST (19h00 UTC), DevStream 100 (which was ongoing) was interrupted by a cinematic of a massive meteor approaching Earth, punching through the atmosphere, and impacting on the Plains. After the cinematic, players received the following transmission when they logged in:

Lotus: "The meteroid has crashed down outside Cetus! Konzu reports that it is indeed some kind of infested boil. At the moment it poses no direct threat, but I need you to be ready to act at moment's notice."

After the cinematic, the crashed meteor was visible on the Plains of Eidolon as a large, infested mass in a small impact crater in the middle of the Plains. Approaching the boil would inflict massive toxin damage.

On 06 November 2017 (Monday), Konzu in Cetus had a new dialogue prompt.

Player: "Infestation?"

Konzu: "Infestation. My uncle, Hinmun, sold minerals aboard a market near Eris. Quite popular with deep-system traders. At least it was. They were broadsided by one of these boils. It spread fast. They could have run, risked taking it with them. Instead, they turned off life support and blew out escape pods. Decades later, it still orbits Eris. Writhing. One voice repeating the same message over and over: 'We are death. Leave us, and do not look back.' My uncle's voice. Fail here, Tenno, and that will be the fate of Cetus: to be a warning for the living, from a place where none may tread."

After this time, Konzu had a few lines he would speak if the Tenno was idling near him:

Konzu (variant): "When the sun is low, scouts report seeing things – shadows – moving inside the boil. Stay close, Tenno. Stay close."

Konzu (variant): "First the stars went wrong… and now the air. Can you smell it? Master Teasonai… his animals… they smell it too. Sweet, like a wound gone bad. These days, none of us sleep easy."

Operation

On 15 November 2017 (Wednesday), the event went live with the release of Update 22.3.0 and was set to run for 12 days, until 27 November 2017. Upon logging in, players received the following transmission:

Lotus: "Tenno, Konzu needs your help! The Ostrons have sighted Infested lifeforms emerging from the boil. We need to deal with this thing immediately. Report to Konzu in Cetus."

The operation tab in the World State Window said: "Steal Vay Hek's Thrax Toxin, mix it, and poison the Infested Boil growing in the centre of the Plains."

A new bounty was added to Konzu's bounty board in Cetus, labelled "Plague Star". Running this bounty was the main way to participate in the event, and would reward Standing in the Operational Supply syndicate. During the operation, Konzu's usual bounties were still offered.

In the Infested Lab of player dojos, a new research project was available: the Infested Catalyst, described as "This refined toxin catalyst has been formulated to reinforce the Thrax Toxin and maximise damage to the Infested boil." The Infested Catalyst was a consumable used in the event, but it took 24 hours to research, so it was not utilised for the first day.

Nakak, the masks and oddities vendor in Cetus, had a new dialogue option, allowing the player to interface with the Operational Standing syndicate. This new syndicate was the main avenue of redeeming rewards from the event, and Standing with the syndicate was earned by completing the bounty. The Operational Supply rewards included event cosmetics, weapon blueprints, mods, Plains resources, Infested Zaw part blueprints, and Infested Exodia blueprints, but also included the blueprint for an item called Eidolon Phylaxis, with the description: "Sentient immunity to the Infestation is exploited with this refined phylaxis. Formulated specifically to combat Infested boils." The Eidolon Phylaxis was a consumable used in the event, but was only redeemable at the Collaborator tier, so it was not utilised for the first few runs (as no player had any Standing or rank in the Operational Supply syndicate at first).

Konzu had new lines when interacting with him for the duration of the event.

Konzu (initiating conversation, variant): "Dark times, killer. In times past we've lost entire markets – entire clades – to the Infestation. That cannot happen here. Cetus must survive."

Konzu (initiating conversation, variant): "Vay Hek! He has toxin enough to destroy the boil, but no! He wants it to flourish. To see the Infested succeed where he has failed: to see them destroy Cetus."

The Plague Star bounty was called "Plague Star", and was set at level 15-25. This bounty was not randomly generated like other Cetus bounties, but had the same four stages every time it was run (although the locations for the first three stages were random). During the bounty, Konzu and Lotus would give directions, while Vay Hek would berate the Tenno.

Konzu (beginning bounty): "The Infestation… I was beginning to think it would never touch us here. That it was a thing that happened 'out there'. To others. [sigh] Naïve. I need you to take Vay Hek's toxin and kill the boil."

Konzu (entering Plains): "First Vay Hek thinks, 'I will let this plague run wild over Cetus.' Then he thinks, 'I will use poison to exterminate the Infestation once its work is done.' The Quills see doom in his plan, for Grineer and Ostron alike. The boil needs to be destroyed now, before it becomes unstoppable. We know Vay Hek has Thrax Toxin stored deep underground. We'll use that. One ill to cure another, eh?"

The first stage of the bounty involved entering a cave (chosen at random) to retrieve a toxin canister from a Grineer machine.

Vay Hek (entering caves, variant): "Of course, MAGGOTS seek to BURROW! Away from my caves, MAGGOTS! Lest you be CRUSHED!"

Vay Hek (entering caves, variant): "The Thrax Toxin! The Tenno MAGGOTS want my TOXIN! Stop them!"

The toxin canister would be located a ways inside the cave, past the Grineer doors that usually bar progress, and would be guarded by Grineer troops. Interacting with the machine would dispense the canister, which could then be picked up, restricting the carrying player to sidearms or melee.

Konzu (upon acquiring the toxin): "Vay Hek. A two-bit despot with a mind half an inch wide and a face like a rejected skin graft. Konzu would like you to make his life miserable. Well— more miserable."

Lotus: "Toxin secured. Be prepared. Vay Hek knows what we're up to now."

The second stage involved bringing the toxin to a chemical mixer, located inside an armoured vault, and guarding the mixer from both Grineer and Infested while it refined the Thrax toxin – a process lasting 3 minutes. This stage was very similar to the "Resource Theft" stage found in traditional Cetus bounties.

Lotus: "I am directing you to the location of a Grineer chemical mixer. Use it to prepare the toxin."

Lotus (upon arriving at waypoint): "The mixer is inside that vault. Clear out the area so we can use it."

Konzu (upon inserting toxin): "Keep them away, killer. That machine must finish its work."

Konzu (if a player has Eidolon Phylaxes in their inventory): "The Quills speak of Sentient immunity to the Infestation. If you have a vial of Eidolon Phylaxis, consider adding it to the mix now."

Lotus (if a player has Infested Catalysts in their inventory): "I see your clan created the Infested Catalyst. This is your chance; add it to the mixture now."

Vay Hek (if the toxin mixer is destroyed and the bounty fails): "Keep trying to cleanse these Plains; you'll only die in a SHOWER of FECULENT DEFEAT!"

Vay Hek (when the timer is at 2:10, variant): "Grineer! Soon the Ostron rats of Cetus will flee in panic. And when they do, we'll hunt them for sport!"

Vay Hek (when the timer is at 2:10, variant): "This boil will cleanse Cetus of the filthy Ostron rats that infest her walls!"

Lotus (when the timer is at 1:25): "The Grineer will do anything to destroy the mixer. Stop them."

Lotus (when the timer is at 0:45): "The mixer needs more time. Keep the Grineer at bay."

Konzu (upon picking up the refined toxin, variant): "Ai yo, my eyebrows are singeing just looking at that stuff. Go shove it into the boil."

Konzu (upon picking up the refined toxin, variant): "It's ready. Now make that boil hurt. Doh-ga!"

The third stage involved bringing the toxin to an inert Grineer drone. Bringing the toxin near the drone would activate the drone and remove the toxin from the player, and the drone would move towards the boil (although the HUD objective directed the player to hack the drone, no hacking was actually required – the drone activated automatically). While the spawn location of the drone was random, its destination was always the same fixed location: the southern side of the Infested boil.

Lotus: "A Grineer drone will serve as an optimal delivery system. I've marked one on your map."

Lotus (upon arriving at waypoint): "Drone located. Hack in, and insert the Thrax Toxin. I'll steer it toward the boil."

Once the drone arrived at the delivery site, it ascended into the air as a Grineer squad was dropped in from orbit.

Lotus (upon delivering the drone): "The toxin has triggered peristalsis. Antibody production has escalated. Prepare for a massive immune response."

The fourth and last stage involved killing Infested as they emerged from Infested spawn pods shot out from the boil. These spawn pods also created clouds of green gas that dealt heavy toxin damage. A meter on the HUD tracked the required number of Infested kills from 0% to 100%, at which point the bounty was complete. Use of Eidolon Phylaxes during the toxin mixing stage would increase the level of Infested enemies spawned during this stage, to a maximum of 30.

Vay Hek (variant): "Tenno maggots! You try to protect these rats, but you will fail and fail!"

Vay Hek (variant): "Fools! You tried to POP its GLISTENING MAGNIFICENCE, but you just made it angry!"

If the player used Infested Catalysts during the toxin mixing stage, then a Hemocyte would appear at regular intervals, with the number of Hemocyte appearances equal to the number of Infested Catalysts added (for a maximum of 4 per bounty). The Infested extermination meter would not progress until the Hemocyte died, no matter how many Infested were killed; thus, killing the Hemocyte was necessary to complete the bounty. Each Hemocyte was a higher level than the preceding appearance, and was also affected by the Eidolon Phylaxis, such that the final appearance could spawn at level 48. Upon death, the Hemocyte would drop a Hemocyte Cystolith and a Hunter set mod.

Lotus (upon Hemocyte spawning, variant): "A Hemocyte: the product of the boil attempting to fight off the toxin. Kill it to weaken the Infestation further."

Lotus (upon Hemocyte spawning, variant): "The boil's immune system has manufactured a Hemocyte to deal with the toxin threat. Destroy it."

Konzu (upon Hemocyte spawning, variant replacing Lotus' line): "Well, you got a reaction. Big as a house and half as smart. Knock it on the head, eh?"

Konzu (upon success, variant): "You are not welcome on Konzu's Plains, snot-thing. Nice work, Number One Gun. We're breathing easier back here."

Konzu (upon success, variant): "Top-shelf work, surah. But it was not enough. Not yet. Hit it again, and keep hitting it til there's nothing but a hole in the ground."

Konzu (upon success if a Hemocyte spawned, variant replacing previous line): "That, uh… that was some allergic reaction you kicked off. Quite a sight, Tenno. Well done."

Konzu (variant): "I've put Nakak in charge of supply distribution, until this strangeness is at an end. See what she has for you. We're all in this one together, Tenno."

Konzu (variant): "During these dark nights Cetus is grateful for your help. Nakak will keep you supplied until we beat this. Go see her."

Vay Hek (variant): "No. NO. NOOOOO!!!"

Vay Hek (variant): "You have NOT WON, MAGGOTS! YOU HAVE NOT WON!!!"

Aftermath

After the event concluded on 27 November 2017, players would receive a transmission from Konzu upon logging in:

Konzu: "You know, Konzu doesn't get emotional. But this place? Cetus is more than our home, Tenno. It is the centre of our universe. My uncle, he died protecting his. And you, you fought to protect ours. My uncle's voice still echoes a warning. But this place? our voice? will echo forever. As a welcome. A beacon to anyone who needs a home. Okay, a little emotional, maybe. The Unum chose well when she sent you to us. Dah-dup! Now, get back to work."

Recurrence

On Thursday, 05 April 2018 (4 months and 9 days after the initial event ended), Operation: Plague Star returned with Hotfix 22.17.1 and was slated to run until 17 April 2018. The operation was identical to its previous iteration, including in mechanics and rewards, with two exceptions: the Hemocyte encounter was buffed significantly in level, such that the final appearance could be level 84; and the Lotus' initial transmission upon the player logging in was different:

Lotus: "I have received word from Konzu. The Infested boil that once threatened the Plains of Eidolon? It has grown back, uglier and more putrid than ever. Remain on standby; I may need you at a moment's notice."

[Navigation: Hub → Events → Operation: Plague Star]

[kronecker-delta]

A Short Nier: Automata Crossover Snippet

Some superhero crossover ideas I’ve seen recently reminded me of something I'd been tossing around. Mostly as the attempt to write something generally humorous and just fun for a change but also involving Superheroes. And I mean quite a bit more lighthearted than most anything else I've taken a swing at. (That and the recent Scooby Doo crossovers last year reminded me of this show.)

Nier: Automata/Batman: Brave and the Bold

Things were about as bad as they could get. Or so she had thought.

"At last," Brainiac, that evil testament to the technological prowess of Colu and the Computer Tyrants thereof, shouted loudly. "With this last component my trans-spatial booster is now complete. No longer will I need to painstakingly hack individual systems one at a time. Through this device I could take control of every piece of technology on an entire planet. From the simplest kitchen appliance to even crude automata such as yourselves."

White would have been more insulted, but after the last four months of captivity on her own station she'd grown rather used to the constant rain of abuse the green skinned alien robot levied against any and all he saw as inferior. Though she at least didn't have to suffer alone.

A pair of apparently younger girls, identical in appearance like those long discontinued twin models, were held in a glass prison much like her own.

"Serves them right for siding with this mad man in return for whatever paltry knowledge he had offered them."

Her hands clenched tight, thinking about how this had only been so easy for mechanical monster before her because of other more personal betrayals. The Terminals had only been able to offer Brainiac information on the Bunker's backdoor and the opening it gave to the rest of the Android networks because those security weak points had been pre-installed. Though it did give her some small satisfaction to see them as they now were, their once impossibly vast and amorphous meta-data entities forced into material shells by some strange whim of Earth's new master.

All she could figure is that he must have liked collecting things. That alone didn't shock her as much. Her old partner in the Resistance had had her odd interests after all, much like some YoRHa members had with mechanical fish.

"I can only hope she's still alive. Along with all the rest."

After Brainiac had shut down the Army of Humanity's defenses he'd sequestered the higher consciousness of the machine networks and taken over all the machines that hadn't yet disconnected once they realized what was happening. She knew many had survived his take over, but with the advanced alien technology he had to equip them with it hardly mattered. Within weeks newly operational Brainiac Battlebots built to his specifications were enforcing his will across both light and dark sides of the Earth.

The now enslaved Androids and Machines forced to work side by side with their millennia long enemies under the watchful gaze of Brainiac's forces and their over-sized plasma cannons. Though it looked like whatever he had had them gathering materials for was now complete.

Which probably wasn't a good thing.

"You have completed your work here Brainiac," the Terminals said, voices synced together. "Given your previous statements of intent on acquiring advanced technology I fail to see what you gain by remaining here."

"Unfortunately for you the value of the knowledge I possess is inversely related to how many others know it as well. This will sadly require your... elimination." Brainiac's smile clearly should how false any sympathy his words might have implied really was. "But do not despair. Your world will have the honor of serving as the first test of my new weapon."

"But why?" White asked. "You've already acquired everything from our data servers."

"I may have read them yes. But this device can also be used to write."

"No... he can't mean-"

Brainiac had already turned back towards the enormous console that dominated the control room. Pulling levers as a low whine began to build, the draw from the stations fusion reactors growing greater as it prepared to activate. "Yes, as I'm sure you've realized by now your world presents a perfect opportunity for this device to be used for this purpose. In mere minutes every computer system will be overwritten with my own programming. Granting me an army of drones ready to conquer new worlds for the glory of Brainiac!"

She looked to her side and saw a similar expression of horror on the faces of the Terminal twins. The dawning dread that came upon them as the realized that they and all on the world below them would become pale copies of this insane alien tyrant in his demented quest to consume all knowledge in the cosmos.

The seconds ticked away as the time before their annihilation and 'replacement' narrowed to a razor's edge. All hope seemed lost as he flipped the final switch.

Only for a reprieve from oblivion to impact in the form of an explosive bolt detonating the computer console in a shower of sparks and metal shrapnel.

The cloud of smoke and debris had only only just begun to disperse when Brianiac screamed out in rage. "Who dares interfere with my experiment? Which of you misguided scrap heaps from the ruined world below would court death by challenging I, the most advanced synthetic life form in the universe?!"

His response was another explosive projectile, this one impacting against a shield of green energy he summoned before his body. Up above, the source could be discerned in the glare of the red emergency lights that had come on. A solitary figure perched on the walkway above.

"Is this all? I shouldn't be surprised that so few of you would embrace such futility. But I would have thought even beings of your limited intellect would recognize how futile such a limited force would be."

"Damn, you do like to hear yourself talk don't you?" The interloper had a woman's voice and a rough tone to it. White could almost swear it sounded vaguely familiar.

Such thoughts were pushed aside as Brainiac extended a battery of tentacles from his back, issuing forth a barrage of green energy blasts to rain down on the target of his fury. They began running to the left, their form obscured by the fire retardant gases now being pumped out. With a great leap the jumped from the upper walkway down to the floor before, rolling into a ready stance with their weapon aimed towards the alien robot. Some sort of improvised crossbow by the looks of it, an odd if not utterly unknown weapon to use.

Though the outfit was the more shocking element. Their head and hair covered by a red cloak, and from the shadows that obscured their face she could see that a matching mask lay under it over their eyes. Aside from that it looked like they'd cobbled together a little of any and every weapon they could find. A bandoleer of more explosives on their chest, a damaged pod system carried on one side and satchel on the other.

The lack of melee weapons made it likely they weren't one of YoRHa coming to rescue her. Not that that didn't surprise her. Brainiac had saw no reason not to reveal the fate of Humanity to his new slaves during one of his many gloating monologues about the poor inferior creations he had come to grant new purpose to.

While she didn't know the identity of their rescuer, Brainiac did not seem to share that problem. "Now I recognize you. You're that irritant that's been bombing my construction sites recently? The self-styled Android Avenger going by the messages you choose to etch into my drones after you destroyed them? Ha, I shouldn't be surprised that automatons built to be so...human would express such contemptible patterns of behavior when placed under the right amount of stress."

"You got that right. I've been under a lot of stress since you came here and started screwing things up." They stepped slowly to the side, though for what purpose White could not tell. They were caught out in the open and it was clear that Brainiac's weapons and defense were far superior to what they had. Which made the cocky smile they now had all the more surprising. "But then that's why I didn't come here alone."

A sextet of projectiles impacted then. Smaller explosions that did even less damage as Brainiac lifted his arms to block them. But clearly further enraging him as he turned to face the newest intruder.

Only to take a step back at whatever he saw.

"I-Impossible!"

"You're technological tyranny is at an end Brainiac! There's cell waiting for you on Oa after we shut you down for good."

"Batman! How could you possibly follow me here?!"

"You must have had even more screws loose when you reassembled your new body if you think I would let you pilfer and plague another dimension." This one glided down from even further above, having entered through a maintenance duct, landing opposite the android from before. A more professional costume, though the lack of clear armament disturbed her. Whoever this Batmannwas, they didn't seem to be prepared at all. "Surrender now and maybe you'll get off in two or three millennia for good behavior."

The tendrils moved, taking aim at both of them. "I think I will have to decline your offer. But once I've had my revenge on the Kryptonian and put your Gotham into my collection I'll be sure to stop by there. The destruction of the Green Lanterns will be quite easily done with my new weapon."

Another barrage of batarangs, these stopped by Brainiac's shield. Suspended in the air. "I assumed as much. Criminals like you never come quietly."

Before White could quite wrap her mind around the idea that a world conquering AI was being referred to as something as pedestrian as a criminal, Brainiac spoke. "I'm well aware of your tricks Batman. These batarangs would administer a concentrated shock, likely to allow your ally to damage me when my shields go down. A easily seen ploy."

The batarangs did indeed activate into a shower of sparks. Quickly arching not just onto the shield but through it. Brainiac crying out in alarm as he reeled back. Then in even greater pain as the explosive bolts struck his back, shredding the energy firing tentacles off.

"I expected as much Brainiac, which was why I first detonated particulate silver into the air around you."

"Hey, could you stop showing off how clever you are and stick to the plan?" Android Avenger shouted above the chaos, already reloading their weapon.

"Of course. No time for lengthy banter when the fate of the world is at stake," Batman said, rushing forward and landing upper cut that sent the still stumbling tyrant into the air and was accompanied by the sound of thunder. "My Nth metal shock bracers should wear you down in time."

The rising hope that had begun to fill White was quickly dashed as Brainiac caught Batman's hands in his own. "Or it would if I had not further upgraded my body since our last conflict. You should have stayed on your Earth Batman. At the very least you could have spent your last moments with your fellow humans instead of dying here to protect the freedom of so many aimless machines."

"He's human?!"

"That's where you're wrong Brainiac. Human, alien, or even android; freedom is the right of all sapient beings and my responsibility as a hero to protect it. Besides," Batman said as he jumped up and planted his feet on Brainiac's chest, "I already knew the Nth metal wouldn't work."

Whatever else Brainiac might have said was lost in the roar of light and sound that followed. White having to look away less her optic sensors burn out as the intensity grew ever greater.

When it at last dimmed, Brainiac lay there motionless. A half meter hole burned through his chest while the Android Avenger let a smoking (and now slightly melting) energy rifle fall from her grip.

Batman reached down, depressing a button on Brainiac's head and pulling a small triangular chip out before sliding it into a specialized compartment on his utility belt. "And that will hold you until I can get in contact with Hal Jordan. Or Guy Gardner..."

"Did you really believe it would be that easy Batman?"

This time the voice came from all around them, the systems of the station itself speaking in the mad Ai's voice.

"Of course. Even if they've secured the hardcopy of his consciousness data he'd likely have backup on the local server synced up with it."

They've done next to nothing, as the machine began to charge up again, preparing for it's lethal blast to all Machine and Android life.

"Of course not Brainiac. I knew a mind as twisted and evil as yours would always have some last plan for Pyrrhic victory."

"There will be nothing Pyrrhic after I rewrite the minds of your ally and all the others to be copies of my own."

Batman moved quickly, burning through access panel on the colossal contraption of evil and revealing intricate circuitry therein.

"Android Avenger, do you have neodymium coupler?"

"Yes just give me a-shit, I think I burned my hands," she said, running over to Batman and handing him the part he'd asked for. "Wouldn't it be easier to just blow this thing to hell?"

"Unfortunately not. It's already built up enough charge to effect everyone here and would likely go off during the explosion. So," he reached in welding some small device from his utility belt inside along with the part he'd asked for, "I've created an alternative solution."

"Your compassion for this creations has only doomed this entire world and yourself Batman. The signal booster is already charged! I will savor watching your demise at my new army."

It did indeed trigger, a pulse of static and EMP that dropped White to her knees, prepared for the inevitable.

And then nothing.

Actually nothing at all.

"What?! The device worked perfectly? Why do I not have control over anything?"

"I rewired your booster to send most of the signal into a parallel universe with modified transpatial oscillator. The remainder would have still reformated any memory system to a blank slate... except I took a detour and wired your signal through the laser communications hub you were using to send orders down to the surface."

"Did you hear that you jerk? You just wiped the systems for all the drones you'd built!"

"I will not tolerate this! I will not accept this!"

*Reactor malfunction, please evacuate.*

With the clear signs of Brainiac's self-destruct coming, their rescuers wasted no time. Rushing over to the prisons and swiftly blasting an opening in both. White wasn't sure how to feel about the supposed human rescuing the once leaders of the Machine Network, but she didn't have much time to think about it. Her own departure was swift, panicked, and ended with her being held tightly against a modified flight unit that someone had painted red and black as they plummeted through the Earth's atmosphere. The Bunker detonating behind them.

Their arrival on the surface came with a celebration, numerous Androids from both the resistance and YoRHa among their number. And even Machines as well, all welcoming the return of the heroes that they'd known to be attacking Brainiac before he could complete his scheme.

"Are you alright White?"

That brought her attention back to the one closest to her, the so-called Android Avenger. Who...

"Jackass?"

"Yeah, well after that alien jerk showed up I sort of went underground trying to come up with a plan to rescue you. And I-"

"You got the idea for this from those human comic books you used to read, didn't you?"

"Hey! It worked, didn't it?"

After months of captivity, fear, and no small amount of personal pain as Brainiac quite literally picked her brain until he decided she no longer had anything useful to give him, White didn't feel like arguing. If Jackass's unconventional plan had saved her life, all their lives, she would accept that.

Of course acceptance mere acceptance wasn't the reason she decided to show her gratitude in that moment with an embrace that definitely violated some of YoRHa's policies regarding fraternization.

Kissing wasn't specified of course, but certainly violated the spirit of the rules. Not that she'd ever really bothered to enforce those in general.

"Ah-hem."

She turned to see Batman standing there, the Terminals at his side.

"We have decided in light of the possibility of another alien or extra-dimensional aggressor like Brainiac that the current suspension of hostilities should be extended. Perhaps indefinitely."

White nodded, not sure that she trusted herself to say anything coherent in response to that.

"Once you have established global communications with the other Android forces we would like to negotiate this deal in greater detail. Until then we must leave. The damage Brainiac has done to our systems was substantial and will take some time to repair."

And with that they turned and left. Along with the human, Batman, who had already started making his way towards Android woman wearing glasses nearby.

"Wait! Batman," White said, a hundred if not a thousand questions coming to mind. About him, his world, the monster that had attacked them, about humans; before settling on something that she realized would bother her the most if she didn't get an answer. "The signal Brainiac created, you said you sent most of it to a parallel Earth. Doesn't that just mean he'll take over their technology, whatever it might be?"

"You don't have to worry about that. I sent it to Earth-20-2. Caveman Earth. Their most advanced technology are flint tools."

Before she could ask him anything else he, and the Android with glasses that had come to stand beside him, vanished in brief flash of light and the oddest absence of sound.

***

Bat-Files: Earth 4-65, Far Future Android/Machine Civilization Active Heroes; Alias: Android Avenger, Real Name: Jackass (Note, this is not another alias. Names chosen by individual, likely personal meaning.) Powers: No meta-human abilities, but all Androids are stronger than a normal human. She also possess considerable skills in guerrilla warfare, use of and construction of explosives, as well as the advanced sciences native to her reality. Allegiance/Relationships: Army of Humanity, Android Resistance, centered around Japan (though originally from Australia according to personal history). Close relationship with Commander of Android Special Forces YoRHa. Reliability: Acceptable (more so than Booster Gold certainly), consider proposing for probationary membership within JL Temporal/Extra-Dimensional division.

***

( I modeled the general idea after the intro shorts on Brave and the Bold. Where Batman would team up with characters that make rather little sense on the whole. Why is Batman storming the beaches of Normandy with GI Robot, flying around in space with Space Ghost, or saving President Lincoln from assassination at the mechanical hands of a robotic John Wilkes Booth?

He just is.

As for this scenario, I thought the funniest idea would be to have Jackass take the role of native 'hero' for him to team up with. Partially from some earlier yet unfinished humorous stuff I had about her liking old world comic books.)

[resilientreader]

mission-taking and decision-making

Deep breaths. In and out.

Keith’s steps pattered against the ground as he sprinted down the hall, his shoulders narrowed, his body stiff yet versatile, his eyebrows furrowed in immense concentration. Do not forget the plan.

Do not forget the plan.

So much had happened since that fateful day when Keith nearly sacrificed himself in the name of Voltron, when Lotor saved him, when everyone met together and an unbelievable alliance formed. Lotor was cunning, unpredictable, somehow always a step ahead- Keith was simultaneously irritated and fascinated with him. There had been a competition since day one, and it didn’t take long for bonds to form. There were too many similarities, too many parallels, there was so much intensity and passion and raw emotion. Something was bound to happen.

Torn. That was what Keith was, when he found himself facing Lotor climbing into one of their pods, off to bring his team back together. Lotor had an ultimate, personal goal in mind and he would do anything to reach it. There had been no benefits for him when it came to his alliance with Team Voltron and the Blades of Marmora, not after Zarkon had been ultimately defeated and the war ended. Haggar was still out there, yes, but she was a shadow of what she once was, a mere wisp that would not get in the way of Lotor, or really Voltron, any longer.

Keith knew this, and yet, the team, Shiro were still there… but he and Lotor had grown close throughout Lotor’s stay. He had had a decision to make, whether to leave or stay, and it had to be quick at that. It was a good thing that Keith could make decisions and do his damned best to make things work, because if he wasn’t anything else, he at the very least went all in with every action, every word, absolutely everything he did.

And so he went. He left Team Voltron, for good, but that doesn’t mean that everything was lost. He had Lotor, and he knew the team would find him eventually. Especially if he left clues.

Which is why he was running now, making a hard right within this Galran base and slicing down any droids he met. He was supposed to meet Lotor at their ship in thirty doboshes, but he knew that if he hurried, he could slip a note in somewhere and make it back in time.

Do not forget the plan.

Up, down, around the droids, take a sharp left and go onwards until you- no. Keith wasn’t surprised, by all means, to see Lotor standing at the end of the hall, sword at the ready, blocking his way, but goddamn it. He had taken precautions, he had kept Lotor sidetracked, he had prepared. Preparation… patterns can be tracked with preparation. Fuck.

Keith slowed, his mouth settling into a deep frown despite his attempts to keep his expression level, neutral. He didn’t have time for this, and he was sure that Lotor could plainly see his agitation with him in that very moment. He opened his mouth, about to let the words on the tip of his tongue come loose, but Lotor beat him to it.

“Keith, I’m not going to try to stop you.”

“I- that’s because you can’t.” It was the truth, the blunt truth. Lotor couldn’t stop him, because Keith pushed and pushed and pushed and even if Lotor was his match, he could beat him and surprise him if he went on for long enough, if he tried hard enough. But, he realized a moment later, that could have been harsher than he intended it to be.

“I mean- Lotor, we’ve-”

“Yes, Keith, I know. I can’t stop you. So I won’t try. But-” Lotor’s expression became mildly amused, although his eyes told a completely different story. “We have fifteen doboshes until my ship leaves, with or without us. And, I hope you don’t mind, but we haven’t been outright competing as much lately, so perhaps I can give you a bit of a challenge?”

Something more was being suggested behind those words, something along the lines of… disappointment? Expectation? Irritation? Keith’s frown only deepened with every word, because for fuck’s sake, Lotor still took such a while to get to his point. Keith knew it was hard to get out of old habits, especially when it comes to speech, but still.

He also didn’t have time for bullshit. He had limited time, and he was starting to get exasperated with this whole thing.

But fine. If Lotor wanted to challenge him, he’d get a challenge, and Keith knew he would eventually get something out of it. He hadn’t learned nothing out of being with Lotor for so long.

Keith surged forwards, swinging his sword up and around and- clang! There it started. Back and forth, step up and step back, they danced around the hallway. Lotor swing to his left, but he was swiftly blocked and Keith retaliated with a direct jab, which lead to his sword being pushed up into the air. He nearly lost his grip on it, but he clung on, following the move with a sidestep and a whirl around Lotor. Two swipes, both blocked, but he unexpectedly ducked down and let his foot lash out at Lotor’s legs. Down Lotor went and Keith pointed his sword at Lotor’s throat, at the ready, but… Lotor wasn’t making any moves to fight back. He had gone down, and it didn’t take Keith long to realize that he had just confirmed something Lotor had figured out a while ago.

That just caused even more impatience to well up inside Keith.

“You need to spit out whatever you want to say before I run off, put in place another clue, and find a way back to the ship before it leaves.”

“That’s the thing, Keith. You don’t have enough time to do that. Ten doboshes, and it’d take you more than that to go all the way to one side of this base and then find a way back to the other, even if you run. I always thought the Galra were ridiculous with their sizes for, well, everything.”

Lotor took a moment to scooch back so he was leaning against the wall, legs stretched out in front of him, letting his gaze travel down the hall before continuing, “You do realize that what you’ve been doing could possibly sabotage all that I’m doing, right? Voltron would not agree with the things that we- I’ve done, and even if there was a possibility that they would be fine with it, you know how imperative it is that we- I remain lowkey. I doubt you even agree with some of the things I do, since you’ve voiced as much.”

Keith crossed his arms, though he couldn’t deny as much. He knew that it was a risk to leave a trail for Voltron, but he wasn’t going to let go of them that easily. He also knew that it would be so much more reasonable if he stopped, but he couldn’t. He had found a family in Voltron and the Blades of Marmora, and despite having problems with them, whether with a group or individual ones, he cared about them. Some had gotten past more walls than others, but he enjoyed them all the same.

He could also see what Lotor was doing, changing those “we”’s to “I”’s. And that? That honestly hurt.

But, fuck, when Lotor was first leaving the castle, so long ago… Lotor had gotten to Keith more than even Shiro, at least with emotions. Lotor imposed a challenge, and leaving with Lotor was a risk. But with Zarkon dead and the war at an end, Keith suddenly found himself without a goal. There was no one to fight, no one to find, nothing to aspire to be. Keith hadn’t planned for the future, of course, despite expecting certain things from it. Even if the others had gotten through his walls, he still had doubts about them, and, well, Lotor offered a goal as well as reassurance that he’d be wanted, and of course he would gravitate towards the one who he’d grown the closest to.

But he still didn’t want to leave the others. It was… complicated, really. And he was about to say all of this, but Lotor cut in again (that was starting to get vexing, the interruptions, really).

“You need to make a decision,” Lotor finished his spiel abruptly, with that single sentence. Keith had been expecting more, some sort of explanation as to why Lotor couldn’t see this as going any other way, but as Lotor glanced back at him, it only took one true look to fully comprehend all of the things being said between the lines of such a simple yet loaded sentence.

Lotor was just as willing to sacrifice for his ultimate goal as Keith would be. He would do anything to reach it. Keith could understand that, because Lotor was acting for a single individual, and Keith knew that he would do anything for Shiro, anything for Lotor. He would do exactly the same. The way Lotor was acting now, though… Keith could practically see Lotor rebuilding the walls that he had only recently let down. He wanted to shout at the unfairness of this entire sudden moment.

Only a few doboshes left now, and Keith felt like he was being cornered. The clues he had laid out were thought-out and complicated, and he’d had a reason for every location and mission he put them in. That would have to be reconstructed if he left with Lotor now, and he knew that Lotor would be paying much closer attention to him after all of this, along with making sure that they were constantly on the move. It really was one or the other.

That was why Keith’s tone was so harsh and teeming with poorly repressed hurt when he finally responded, “This is unnecessary. I know what the priorities are, and I know what has too much risk to it and what doesn’t. You learn that I’ve been attempting to get in contact with Voltron, and your immediate reaction is to shut me out?”

The corners of Lotor’s mouth twitched downwards momentarily, before he just took a moment to push Keith’s sword out of his way while standing up. After another tick of tense silence, he merely replied with, “You have about two doboshes, and then I have to go. With or without you.”

Keith felt like he was going to burst at the seams. Panic welled up inside of him as he realized this was probably going to be it, he was too indecisive, he’d never make a decision in time. It was unusual for him to be so hesitant about deciding on something, but he felt like he was being split in half with the choice he’d have to make. Lotor would leave and perhaps Voltron would come, but he’d have so much explaining to do. He wouldn’t be surprised if they even resented him a bit after disappearing with Lotor without any warning.

But they were his family. They were his team. How could he possibly make a decision between one of the most important people in his life, who he could be challenged by to be a better version of himself while simultaneously having the ability to relate with him and talk about their issues with each other, versus the team who stuck with him through thick and thin?

But… perhaps… Keith didn’t like that he had to do things this way, but if he wanted to at least try to keep some semblance of a relationship with all these people he’s known, it had to be done.

“...fine. OK. I’ll go. I’ll go back to Voltron. But this isn’t the last time you’ll see me. I’ll keep pushing to find you, no matter what. It might be weeks, or months, or years, but we will meet again. And when we do, I’m going to kick your ass.”

Relief pooled into every feature on Lotor’s face, and he didn’t bother to mask it as he replied, “I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t let me down.”

“I won’t.”

“Then, perhaps I’ll see you soon… or later. Depends on how fast you can catch me.”

With those last words, Lotor turned around and ran off, his hand raising for a moment in goodbye before he disappeared around a corner.

Keith stayed for only a tick longer before racing in the opposite direction of Loter. He slashed down a leftover droid, his feet pounding against metal as he rushed to the location where he originally was going to put a note- but now was going to be where he would wait for Voltron. They had been tracking the invasions of Galran bases, and he was sure they would be there in a few ticks.

This wasn’t going to be easy, he knew. Lotor was going to bring a fair fight, and he would have to give it his all. It might be one of the most challenging things he’s done; the decision itself was hard as fuck.

But it was a good thing that Keith could make decisions and do his damned best to make things work, because if he wasn’t anything else, he at the very least went all in with every action, every word, absolutely everything he did. And that included his… whatever it was with Lotor. Competition? Relationship? Perhaps they had become more than simply partners-in-crime in that single moment. He’d have to wait to find out.