Zwei tugged at the various parts of the Falos uniform. “I am not sure I fully understand what we are doing.” The unisex design was supposed to show unity among their forces, but there were particular aspects that seemed to mirror her mentor’s armor. Gold piping along the seams and red stripes across the black uniform. The boots were stiff from lack of use.
His distorted voice from the helmet stated firmly, “We are touching base with my other student. Been working with him for about five years. I’ve been having to undo a lot of propaganda and programming from his father, but despite this I have been praised for my work. I’m hoping he will have some updates for me and can give me something off the to-do list to take care of with you.” He chuckled, “He and you could even learn from each other. Just keep it formal until told otherwise.”
She nervously nodded before their ship landed in the hanger of the massive capital ship. Walking down the boarding ramp she was rather nervous. There were platoons of soldiers on either side of them as they existed, golden shining armor with red accents. The eyes and skin were barely visible to her, but what she could see made most of them seem scarred or some ruptured blood vessels around the eyes. They almost seemed like they were only kept alive by the armor they wore. She was nervous they would attack but was surprised when they simply remained alert. She followed closely behind her mentor as he walked through the halls at a brisk and confident pace. There were some behind them that seemed to be trying to escort him but they gave up when they realized he wasn’t going to slow down. He approached a door that opened to a small hallway. When they exited out the door on the opposite end, it seemed to be some kind of curved hallway with a conveyor belt.
“I always preferred this method of navigation, Zwei. Elevators are cramped and limited. Centrifugal conveyors are stylish and prevent traffic clogs. Even work as hallways when the power goes out.”
She looked at the general, musing about navigation and logistics in a deep intimidating tone, and she chuckled, “Are you certain it is centrifugal? Sure it isn’t centripetal?”
He turned to her slowly. His helmet was impossible to see through but she could feel him glaring at her. Whether he was correct or not, she wasn’t certain but she could tell he had had this discussion before and was displeased by the subject. His only response was, “The complexity of truth is no excuse to deny it.” He jumped into the tube and grabbed one of the handles moving to their right and she followed shortly afterwards. Eventually it carried them to a larger door than the rest. He let go and kicked off the wall, the door opening for him as he effortlessly landed and began walking in the large hallway.
It eventually opened into a bridge that could have been mistaken for the grand staircase room of a manor if it was made of wrought iron and digital displays. At the top of the staircase stood a man in purple and gold armor that completely encased his body, a flowing regal purple cape coming off the back of him. Her mentor spoke, “Prince Candaeris, The Phoenix Emperor answers your summons. I bring with me one of my pupils.”
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The figure laughed a gentle laugh, “But I stand right here, Master Phoenix.” The prince turned and upon seeing her spoke with a curious tone, “A Tak’Nasi. I hear tell you despise clones. Rather strange company you keep. I doubt my father would support such a breach of security.”
She was about to speak but remembered what he had asked of her and she tried to trust him. Master Phoenix spoke in confirmation, “My distaste for shameless replicas is well known, but what is more known is my hatred of arbitrary shackles. This one and her sisters are under my protection since their liberation from that culture. This one goes by Zwei.”
The prince walked down the stairs as carefully as one would when trying not to wake a beast. He bowed slightly and stated, “I appreciate a function to attach that identity to. I am in the middle of a logistic nightmare and my mind cannot function much beyond it right now. My apologies, Zwei.” He flowed from the apology without giving her a chance to speak and stated, “We have a relic recovery mission from my father but I’m currently trying to surmise the best angle of approach.” The Prince motioned them both to follow him back up the stairs. They began to do so, but before they could even reach the top, he had already pulled up displays of various bits of information. “We are recovering an odd blade that seems to grow in power when the moon of this planet is full, but seems to impress a battle mad secondary personality upon the wielder. We sent various knights to recover it, but to minimal success.”
Master Phoenix nodded, “And you can’t risk sending someone down who is… let’s say stronger… because if the personality wins out then you have a more dangerous foe.” He seemed to lean forward towards the information, “We are centuries away from this thing ever becoming a danger to your father. Why does he want it eliminated?”
The Prince sighed, “I’m unsure. Perhaps he means to give it as a diplomatic gift and then use it as justification for war on a new front.”
“Not a chance. If we can’t take it out with Knights then he wouldn’t risk anyone who might be able to wield it being against him. And he can’t mean to use it himself.”
Zwei looked over the screens with them and suggested, “Perhaps he intends to gift it to a more intellectual foe to neutralize the advantages of both?” There was a spread of quiet gasps and fear as she spoke. Master Phoenix seemed ready to spring to her defense when the Prince himself motioned everyone quiet and motioned her to speak more. “There are some enemies dangerous for their morals, mind, or principles. Some of them just mean something that endangers your plans. If you could get a battle crazed personality to go on a killing spree you would defuse them as a threat.”
The Prince nodded, “Possible, but not entirely likely. He is well known for enjoying torturing his ‘symbolic’ enemies. Still, the amount of ways he could cause psychological torment from anything remotely close to your suggestion would explain it.” Everyone began to whisper and the Prince spoke firmly. “Zwei is a student of Master Phoenix. She is offering her insight and knowledge base. There is no disrespect in service to the empire.” Everyone returned to their jobs and he spoke softly, “I do apologize for their lack of decorum. Resolving this mission will allow you and I to communicate more freely as two students to the master.”
She tried to measure his sincerity but he seemed to be impossible to read. Still, she continued to weigh in on possible strategies and try to disarm this sensitive situation.