[b]Innocence Lost[/b]

John was quick to whirl around and say to the 'giant' in power armor, "What's your code? If you're with us, what's your code?"

He clearly didn't believe this man was an ally. Nor did he believe that Moonstrike would send someone to restrict their freedom to do their job however they wanted to, as long as it was successful. So he asked again, "I and The Captain will only cede control of the mission and our preferred methods of doing it if you have the appropriate command codes and proofs that you came directly from The Base."

The Base, also known as Moonstrike Base; the secret headquarters of Moonstrike.

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Eldrid responded, "Perhaps a rival rebel group? Or Ascendancy Reinforcements?"

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Realist said through a set of speakers: "Indeed I know you, members of [i]Incubus[/i]. Monarch and Temptress, right? If so, have you come to destroy me on [i]his[/i] behest? The behest of a man whose grand plans and projects go up against what his followers believe?"

That was the most logical conclusion. He had secrets that can bring down the entire Ascendancy if need be. 

"If so," he continued, "I wish to inform you that others have already found out the truth, or something close to it, [i]on their own initiative[/i]. My death will only delay the exposure of various secrets for a small while; therefore it will be of limited profit to the [REDACTED] if I die. At least, it would be of limited profit if I die now."

Realist was trying to buy time, time to be rescued.

[@Gentlemanvaultboy][@Starlance][@Bartimaeus][@Stern Algorithm][@Crowvette][@KillamriX88][@The Jest][@CriticalHit]