EliteCommander

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

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At first, Vael stepped back as far as he could from the vines, more towards the middle of the cave entrance. They needed a safe place to wait out the storm, or at least, that was what he assumed at first. When Tar mentioned that the cave could contain an alternative path up the mountain, however, that was enough for him to pause in thought. This being may have been a plant, but it seemed to be just as much of a predator. Going into the very heart of its lair felt like willingly walking into the maw of a helioskrill. But, the team was well-equipped, and they had numbers to be able to support one another. There were few simple creatures in the galaxy that could withstand the power of superior technology.

”If there is a path through this cave, then we need not wait for the storm to subside. In fact, the storm can provide cover for our sabotage, if we can move quickly enough.” Vael remarked. He stepped forward towards the front of the team, the blue glow of his sword illuminating some of the darkness ahead of them. The cave was narrower past the entrance, but the walls and floor were still just as thick with vines. Some seemed to hug tightly to the surface of the stone, while others were actually embedded into grooves in the stone itself. ”If there are toxins, then we cannot afford anyone to be injured. If someone is grabbed, be ready to assist quickly.”

The Cradle

When it came to the assessment of vulnerabilities, Nirann certainly had something to say. He leaned forward in his seat, which he was using despite the fact that his body had no muscles that could ever tire to begin with. “If I may, I really wouldn’t suggest putting too much faith in the idea that we can keep the Navigator contained to begin with. Keeping external intruders out, sure, but at this point, if the Navigator wants to bring the Cradle somewhere else, it will be able to do it. Speaking as a hyperintelligent AI myself, there’s no way any of us will be able to out-think it with the hardware we have available. Intrusion prevention between two AIs is like a dance where we’re trying to maneuver past one another. One of us finding the holes, and the other closing them off. If the hardware is similar between them, then it comes down to cleverness, creativity, but if one can just think significantly faster, then it’s pretty much no contest. If the Navigator gets control of the Cradle completely, or even partially, then we don’t have any hardware here than can really come close to that. It’s probably best that we make a plan for what to do if it decides it wants the Cradle to move.”

As he started to sit back in his seat, Nirann shrugged his shoulders. “Unless, of course, we just want to say ‘screw it’, physically lock down the vault, and remove all software controls. Then, the only way it breaks out is the, uh, ‘old-fashioned’ way. Can’t hack a metal clamp. That also stops us from bringing anything into the vault, of course, but that’s the only way we can get guarantees here.”

“I think we may want to consider whether we want to try to contain it at all.” Vreta remarked. “We brought the Navigator here ostensibly as an ally so it could calm the Cradle. What impression are we giving if we keep it locked in like a prisoner? If it does end up gaining control of the Cradle, do we really want to risk antagonizing it?”

The Cradle

Vreta did not share Skopec’s attitude, instead simply maintaining his gaze. “Then I shall plan to speak with them tomorrow. I wouldn’t really want to delay it any longer than that, after all. I think we can all agree that it would be better that I be the one to speak to them, rather than Rareth. Which she certainly will, if I do not.”

Having followed Freyr’s advice, Vreta gave a quick look down to his coffee, took in its scent once more, then gave it another small, cautious taste. It was…better than before, at the very least. He wondered if the taste was at all similar for him as it was to the Humans. “I have my recording, of course.” Vreta replied to Freyr. “Though, nothing that happened when the Navigator spoke to me was recorded. I just have my own memory for that. Maybe together we’ll be able to make sense of it, I suppose. So yes, I agree. We get everyone together and discuss it while it is still somewhat fresh on our minds.”

The Cradle

For just a moment, Vreta opened his mouth as if he were about to reply. The natural reaction for him was that the people should trust the plans of their leadership to protect the citizenry. Amid such a disaster, Rothians would be looking to their government for protection. However, Vreta had personally seen what Outremer’s government was like up close. He had been often disappointed by their decision making, not to mention how fractured they were. As strange as it seemed to him, he did not feel like he could argue against Freyr here. He would not trust them either.

Momentarily speechless as he was, Vreta just took the chance to follow Freyr’s advice. He was not sure how much milk or sugar the coffee needed, nor in what proportions, but there were few ways that it could get worse than what he already had. When he finally did speak up again, Vreta’s voice felt much softer. “Well, then maybe it is time for my people to make good on their promise to take in refugees. We have more than enough resources to care for them comfortably, and we can keep them safer than anyone else in this galaxy. Safe from terrorist attacks, and safe from any fallout from whatever decisions your new government might make. All we need is for your people to accept the offer, and we might be able to avert a disaster here. Your people don’t deserve to suffer for this.”

Vreta gave a look towards Skopec. “In fact, if Rareth is otherwise occupied at the moment, then I may be able to assist in organizing this myself. It’s not as if I have much else I can be doing at the moment. Could you put me into contact with your superiors who have the relevant decision-making authority?”

The Cradle

For Vreta, just about everything he saw on the holoscreen simply felt bizarre to him. Even having lived on Outremer for as long as he had, it was hard to get over how different life could be on this world. In Rothian space, protesting, especially of this variety, was not legal. The idea of hundreds or thousands of people taking to the streets was simply alien to him. On Rothia, someone throwing objects at an enforcement droid would find themselves unconscious in a matter of seconds. “I sometimes wonder if I will ever truly understand this place. Why do they not simply pacify these rioters? Do the droids not have weapons capable of safely incapacitating them?” Vreta asked. By his tone, it sounded like less of a direct criticism, and more of an actual, genuine question.

Vreta’s focus was split onto the screen when he finally tried a sip of his coffee, only for his face to scrunch up as he nearly coughed it up. He certainly had not expected it to be so, overwhelmingly bitter. “People drink this?” He muttered.

Regardless, Vreta did shake off his discomfort to reply to the soldier who approached. “There have been no incidents yet, and no…obvious medical emergencies. Still, my people will need to bring in our medical personnel. Since they will be coming directly from the cruiser, though, that shouldn’t present any security issues for your team.”

The Cradle

Again, Vreta let out a sigh, speaking quietly to Freyr. “Freyr, I wish it was rhetoric. If it was just rhetoric, I wouldn’t be so damn worried. Every word I said, I say with reason, because I want to make sure it never happens. Ever since the start of this project, the Rothian part of this team has been given the run-around, had information withheld from us, and had certain steps taken without our agreement. I know Rareth isn’t going to tolerate that any more. We have an agreement to be equal partners, and she’s going to demand everything that implies. You know that is not how I would want to do things, and I’ve…advised her as much as I can, but she can be uncompromising.”

Eventually, Vreta’s coffee finished brewing and he took it cautiously in his hands. It was still clearly far too hot to drink, so he waited on it for now. “I know it’s not a pleasant thing for the team to hear, but they need to hear it all the same. Everyone needs to be on the same page, and we all need to understand the stakes. What happens now is important, and it really can’t wait. Even Rareth still wants to be allies, but she won’t stand for being mistreated. We all need to do everything we can to make sure this project continues as a cooperative venture.”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Soon enough, the lift reached its apex, and the bars opened as soon as it came to a stop. The top of the tower was a large, open, and mostly featureless flat area, which made what was there stand out quite easily. At the center was an ornate pedestal, above which shattered red crystal was floating amid a dark violet field of raw magicka. It seemed to be drawing power from a bright glowing light high above, which appeared to be at the convergence of the pillars of energy they had seen spiraling around the tower. The same pillars Meesei had used to fill the Staff of Magnus with power.

Of course, what would immediately draw the attention of the pack was the being that sat beyond the crystal, on the other side of the tower. Sat upon a huge marble throne was what could only be Clavicus Vile himself. His appearance was not unlike a Skaafin, though one who was nearly the size of a giant. He wore deep blue finery and sat back, tapping one finger on the arm of his throne. His expression was one less of anger than it was intense irritation. Still, he did not so much as stand as he looked upon the mortals who had invaded his tower. From anyone, or anything else, his voice would not have been particularly intimidating, but everything about him had a certain, intangible presence to it. “There is nothing more annoying than pests. Except…perhaps servants too incompetent to exterminate them. What has this world come to when I have to quash them myself?”

While it was hard to divert one’s attention from a Daedric Prince, there was at least one more point of interest within view. Off to the side, near the edge of the tower, there was a small cage, barely large enough to contain the being within. Inside, there was what appeared to be a dog, a mostly normal mutt by appearances, except that it appeared quite mangy and emaciated.

The Cradle

“Strictly speaking, I imagine she has the pull to get resources that the Rothian team members need. But, there’s nothing stopping the rest of you from benefiting from what she gets for us.” Vreta replied. “At this moment, what comes to my mind are Rothian medial equipment, supplies, and personnel. The cruiser has plenty to spare. How would you say it? There would be hell to pay if your leaders withheld proper medical treatment to Rothian citizens. That would be about the most blatant violation of long-standing treaties that they could commit.”

Vreta let out a slight sigh as his mind went to some of the less pleasant possibilities of what the future could hold, even if they did not seem particularly likely. “Rareth is a Datius, so her judgement is trusted. She absolutely can enforce her demands with the political weight of the Rothian state. The Rahn’Saki can overrule a Datius, of course, but…it’s not often that they disagree. Your government already agreed to cooperate with us as equal partners on this project. No matter who is in charge, we will still expect them to honor that agreement. Rothians wield substantial influence in galactic markets, and this matter with the Cradle is important enough for the Rahn’Saki themselves to take a personal interest. If your military starts breaking Outremer’s agreements with us, Rareth could threaten trade embargoes on Outremer, not just from us, but from other major trading partners of the planet. Especially if we start offering incentives for them to cooperate with the embargo.”

Vreta frowned, and after a moment, shook his head. “Let’s just hope none of that comes to pass. Surely your military has the sense not to break its alliances now, of all times, especially when we are perfectly willing to cooperate peacefully. The kind of damage a conflict now would cause would be devastating to Outremer’s people.”

The Cradle

After Freyr greeted the room, there was a heavier set of footsteps off to her right as she was approached by a Rothian droid. Though, even those steps themselves were enough to show that it was out of the ordinary. There was a certain “personality” in the way it moved that identified it as Nirann. “I’d say today is a pretty strong improvement over yesterday. Except for how jealous everyone keeps trying to make me in that food court out there. Really starting to wish I had a stomach right now. Or at least a tongue; I’d settle for a tongue.”

“As much as it is tempting to do so, I don’t think we should be so content.” Marae remarked, stepping up alongside Nirann and putting a hand on his metal shoulder. “Everyone seems to be fine right now, but it would be wise for everyone who set foot in the simulation to receive monitoring and treatment, if needed. Just in case.”

At the same time, Vreta followed behind Freyr and eyed the coffee machine with some curiosity. Its scent was strong to him, and not too similar to anything he was used to. Once she had her cup, Vreta started to follow the same steps to make one for himself. Though, he still spoke up after Marae. “The military…OCI, right? Even if they don’t arrange that, I’m sure Rareth will. With the way I saw her acting back in the Vault, calling her ‘uncompromising’ would be an understatement. In fact, if anyone has any requests, it would probably be most effective for me to forward them to her.”

Nirann tilted his head briefly and was just about to speak, but Marae interrupted before he could even start. “No, she’s not getting you a tongue.”

The Cradle

Vreta saw the video feed inside Freyr’s apartment appear in the corner of his vision. He turned around and leaned back up against the glass, then put his side of the call onto the apartment’s holo-system so she could see him as well.

“My headaches are better, mostly, and I am at least well-rested.” Vreta answered, shrugging his shoulders. He saw Masgard as well, through the feed, though he supposed that did not change anything about what he wanted to say. “I would guess you are feeling rested as well. We had not even made it to the city before you were out cold. I carried you to your room. Now that you’re up again, I was thinking we might want to get the team together and…figure out what we need to do next, I suppose. Everything happened quickly yesterday. I haven’t heard anything from Rareth, or anyone else, yet.”