Fandom Coral, Abide with Rubicon!

[Lucyfer]

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

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

Would he tell Aurelia enough to succeed?

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

It wasn’t about Raven, though.

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

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

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

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

But what Carla said was also true.

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

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

But he didn’t.

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

~***~

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

His shoulders drooped.

His expression went cold.

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

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

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

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

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

He’d have ideas.

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

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

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

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

 

[EllieMcEllie]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michigan.

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

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

~***~

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

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

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

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

~***~

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Lucyfer]

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

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

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

Far too much about her, now.

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

He lost rarely.

At least, when he was doing things.

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

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

~***~

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

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

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

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

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

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

That custom design was coming together well, but slowly.

 

[EllieMcEllie]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~***~

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Lucyfer]

Rest.

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

‘Leaving…right….’

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

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

Everything was red to her, now.

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

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

Perhaps she’d become too predictable.

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

She didn’t like it.

~***~

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

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

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

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

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

The thought nearly killed Rusty’s mood.

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

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

Hopefully, it was still somewhere safe.