2021-10-15: The Mission, Above All
- Cutscene: The Mission, Above All
- Cast: Xenia, ???
- Where: ???
- Date: October 15, 2021
- Summary: Xenia is called to report on her recent activities.
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYMyNMexanE
Xenia opens her eyes to behold a void of pure white, stretching out into infinity. She doesn't need more than a second before realization dawns in her expression.
"Tch. You don't waste any time, do you?"
Before her, the shape of a perfect square unfurls, as if a window into nothingness was just opened. A window filled with static, but making no sound until a heavily distorted, yet commandingly assertive voice echoes through.
"Your report is tardy."
Xenia rolls her eyes. "By five whole minutes, big deal. What's the big hurry?"
"Do you require another lecture on the merits of methodical operation? Perhaps you need a refresher course on respect, as well?"
A brief look of concern crosses Xenia's features, before her posture straightens. "...No, sir."
"Then, your report."
Xenia breathes deeply before speaking, dispensing with all flippancy. "Two items required for the next phase remain to be procured. Estimate light to moderate difficulty in the acquisition of the power source. As for the catalyst..." Xenia pauses, appearing frustrated.
"Continue."
"...The old man we discussed previously got himself killed. At least, I'm going to assume that he didn't actually manage to figure out the secret to immortality and couldn't survive being in the middle of a catastrophic explosion. So that avenue is closed to us now. Which means we'll have to settle for the next best thing. Which means dealing with Solaris."
The response is immediate, carrying a dangerous undertone. "We do not deal with Solaris."
Xenia waves a hand. "Relax, I'm not talking a literal deal here. I'll just have to find a suitable replacement that can be extracted without too much trouble. So I'll continue active reconnaissance for a while longer. With as many surface operations as they conduct, I'm sure something we can use will turn up. I can't predict how much time that's going to take, though..."
"You are requesting another extension to the deadline."
Xenia opens her mouth to voice an argument, but before she can...
"Granted. A minor risk to the schedule's progression is acceptable at this time. In return, I expect your other task to be completed before we reach the final stage."
This visibly catches the woman off guard. There is a moment's pause before she replies, lacking the confidence from before. "...Well, I'll try, but..."
The voice from the window of static is quick to interject. "Is there a problem? You have made plain your discontent with this element of your mission, so I must ask you to explain if you have any objections. Did you not have a plan for her retrieval?"
Obviously riled, Xenia shouts, "I did!" before regaining composure. "...I do. Look, this isn't easy, I have to be careful about the way I do this. You saw what happened in Dazil. As it is, she'd choose to destroy her own mind before she'd accept what you want her to do. We can't let her learn too much too quickly."
There is a moment's pause before the distorted voice answers. "I will admit to having misjudged the situation before. But it has been a long time since, and I have seen little progress since then. Do you have an explanation?"
Xenia hesitates, before offering the reply, "There were... unforeseen circumstances."
"Is that a euphemism for intentional deviation from your instructions?"
Xenia's briefly distressed expression betrays her awareness of the amount of trouble she's in. She can only manage a weak protest. "Look... I tried my best. You saw the data."
"And you must take me for a fool!"
Xenia winces as the formerly grey colors of static briefly flash red upon the sudden raising of the unknown party's voice, garbled tones unpleasantly echoing into infinity.
"Did you truly believe I would not be able to discern what you are attempting to do? Your lies by omission are plain to see. You will cease these pitiful attempts at misdirection, as well as all activities unrelated to your mission. Is that understood?"
Xenia, effectively dissuaded from arguing, responds readily. "Yes, sir."
"Good. See that you do not betray my expectations. And, for the last time, you must put your personal feelings aside. You know as well as I what is at stake."
Xenia doesn't reply, remaining still until the voice speaks again.
"I expect your next report to be more timely, as well as more favorable. As I should not need to remind you, my patience has limits. You would do well to cease testing them."
With that, the window of static fades out of existence. Soon after, so does the world.
Xenia slams down her empty glass. "'You would do well to cease testing them'," she mimics in a mocking tone, her previously visible suit now covered by a black cloak. She notices the bartender giving her a look out of the corner of her eye, prompting her to swivel over in her stool to face him. "What."
Recoiling from the glare, the bartender makes a motion to calm down before turning away.
Xenia grumbles and gets to her feet, slamming a handful of Gella down on the counter before moving for the saloon doors that line the exit of the establishment. Stepping out onto the deserted streets of a small Filgaian town at nighttime, she breathes deeply as she stretches herself out.
"Welp. Guess I won't be able to delay the inevitable for too much longer. Just as well, I suppose. Not like I can count on anybody to bail me out. Unless... he can work a miracle."
Casting her eyes to the stars above, she can't help but laugh at what she finds herself thinking, and soon speaks aloud.
"It's all up to you now... Demon of Elru."