Et Stellae Cadent - Season 1, "Solar Flare"

5-1-4786
22:41 Universal Standard Time (UST)
Xihga, Ilverth [Et Stellae Cadent]

It’s been three hours and counting before Ursina is able to walk back into the nearby Atoll hub so she can handle the rest of the mountain of paperwork. After everything John Doe talked about and the sheer number of sophonts that they managed to rescue today – the paperwork pile kept growing and growing. That’s not counting yet another mention of Invictus. Ursina isn’t sure who John Doe thinks he’s fooling – everyone knows that Invictus isn’t a real sophont, just a boogeyman and an excuse that villains use to avoid having to talk about why they did what they did. She’d kind of expected better from a villain of John Doe’s reputation, honestly – and that’s a rabbit hole of a set of thoughts that she really doesn’t actually want to spend too much time on. 

The offices are quiet and empty at this hour – the only lights on are the ones needed for the skeleton crew still on duty and the ones that make sure that the building doesn’t turn into saeva spawning grounds. It’s more than enough light for Ursina to be able to see – even if the sleek, featureless walls aren’t exactly the most visually appealing things to be looking at. Neither is the plain tile under her feet – which means that her thoughts are free to wander as they please. 

Her hair is still  pulled back into the ponytail she’d put together earlier, wanting to make sure it’d be out of the way just in case things had to get physical with John Doe. Back when she’d thought Gwendolyn might possibly need her help, considering that she was the licensed and active Atoll hero that Gwendolyn went to for this. And that… that in of itself is still something of a shock, if she lets herself think about it for more than a couple of seconds at a time. It’s not like she’s one of the Big Names, so there’s a question about how Gwendolyn even heard of her. 

And things hadn’t gotten physical, not while they were detaining him and not while they were getting him escorted to where he’ll be dealt with from there since they’re doing this outside of the jurisdiction of local police. He’d sort of just… given up, gotten quiet and looked surly. A lucky break – if things had gotten physical then, Ursina would have even more paperwork to do. She’s already imagining the mountain she’s going to have to deal with and trying to convince herself that it’s a small hill. 

How she’ll write off Gwendolyn and the number of vigilantes and smaller time villains that were involved in getting John Doe is another story all its own. It’s not like she can say that Gwendolyn came to her with the ideas on how to handle this, or that she can name the vigilantes and villains who came to help and made sure it played out damn near to the exact letter of what Gwen said her plan was. It wows Ursina still, thinking about it again. 

Every trained hero – not just here, but in the other LAGOON protected spaces – has heard the rumors and tales about Gwendolyn. Ursina’s seen the files that Atoll keeps. The kill count. The fact that most of the details on the atrocities she’s responsible for have since been redacted and expunged, citing the photos and detailed descriptions as ‘too gruesome for unmonitored consumption’. All of this knowledge squares off against how cordial Gwendolyn was the whole time. It balks at the weight of the prosthetic that’s bleeding edge tech, rather than the well over two decades out of date and more clunky and heavy model that Ursina had been saving up for as an upgrade to the one she’d had this morning. At how easily the infamous, monstrous Gwendolyn had her stump measured and a replacement arm ready within less than four hours – and how she wouldn’t even accept an owed favor as payment for it. Just had made an offhand comment about how she thought it was ridiculous that the LAGOON hadn’t paid for a good prosthetic and started making  phone calls, then brushed it off every time Ursina had started to talk about paying her back. 

Ursina’s steps echo among the sharp angles and bright lines of the office, among the stillness and relative silence. Historically speaking, there’s been no need for these Atoll offices to be fully staffed at night. They’re not near a nocturnal species, so most folks have long since gone home. But that’s only most – which is why it’s not entirely a surprise when she realizes that she can hear a voice down the hall. 

Was she so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’d simply auto-piloted her way here? That’s both worrying and comforting – on the one hand getting that absorbed in her own thoughts is dangerous. On the other – it’s nice knowing that her autopilot just keeps on heading towards her office in the end. As she nears the corner and turns it, the voice gets louder. Which tracks, but it’s still worth noting. If the voice had gotten softer as she neared, then Ursina would be needing to make a specific phone call and her mountain of paperwork would triple in size at bare minimum. So it’s a relief to spot one of the dispatch agents. Ursina swears his name is something like Kincaid, maybe? She knows him on sight though – he’s one of the best dispatch agents they have. He’s talking into a headset with a low voice, soft and quick and in a language that Ursina doesn’t know. That doesn’t stop him from raising one hand to wave at Ursina as she passes him by. 

She returns that little wave with a nod as well as she keeps going. Her end goal is her own office. Every Atoll gets their own – for all that most of them rarely spend much time in the buildings anyway. Something something the offering of continued privacy or something like that. Ursina’s pretty sure it’s a holdover from the fact that the LAGOON has always ensured that housing is taken care of before any form of graduation, so they just give offices to Atoll after they graduate because they’d already accounted for those costs. Or something like that. 

Ursina is about midway through the rows of desks between her and the line of offices when she hears movement behind her. She stops short, tilting her head so she can hear behind herself better. 

“Nice work Ursina!”

Despite having just heard movement, the voice catches her by surprise. She jumps, fists coming up as she reflexively slides into a ready position, blue eyes narrowed. It’s not the voice of the dispatch worker she just saw, though it is familiar even if she can’t properly face it. Turning around isn’t so much of a conscious thought as an action already done by the time she thinks of it. 

At least that reveals the source of the voice. 

There are two legends approaching – Liskov and Immaculate. They’re walking on the same foot, and likely matched their paces together by sheer old habit. It’s almost entertaining to watch, given the differences between the pair. The fact that Liskov is barely batting five feet tall while Immaculate is a full two feet taller than her is only part of it. 

Liskov is… technically… not supposed to be here at all. She’s ex-Atoll. A vigilante. Formerly considered the height of the program before she left and refused to speak as to why. Her name is still a heavyweight as far as the average sophont is concerned though, and it’s impossible to mistake her for anyone else. Especially with the way she’s always refused to use a human guise. Progtokai are a unique species – built like bipedal reptiles down to the sickle claws on their feet and the lengthy counterbalancing tails. They take a wilder turn though – with the incredibly thick fluffy fur that covers all but the ends of their muzzles, parts of their throats, and the edges of their limbs. There’s a pair of fluffy ears that twitch back and forth as she stands there. It’s still cold enough that Liskov’s winter coat is present – fluffing out her form even further, though it’s also already begun to lose volume with the encroaching spring. Her fur is a subtle pattern comprised of mulberry and indigo, both colors offset by the sharp green of her eyes. There are a number of places where that fur is split by scars and hasn’t quite grown back yet – made all the more visible by the fact that her main outfit is a black vest and a set of shorts built for lever-stanced species like the Progtokai. Liskov has her head tilted to one side, lips pulled back and teeth carefully concealed in an approximation of as much of a smile as Progtokai can manage. She must have been the one who spoke, considering the other legend is… Immaculate. 

Just as visually distinct, Immaculate is Liskov’s successor for all intents and purposes. Current Atoll and one of the best examples of a SKA hero that Atoll has ever put out. Unlike Liskov, he’s using something close to a human guise, so he has the biped base. Coupled with patches of silvery-blue scales and a lengthy serpent tail that’s almost as long as his hair is. His outfit is all black and looks like leather – though Ursina knows better. It’s as close to casual as the man ever gets – an armored and enchanted jacket over a bare chest and a pair of plain pants and combat boots. The bareness of his chest draws even more attention to the fact that – unlike Liskov – Immaculate has no scars whatsoever. His tanned skin is – like his hero name – immaculate. 

“I… what.” Ursina says, half aware of the way her voice edges higher than she’s normally willing to admit she’s capable of. She’s interacted with the two of them before, sure, but… not off the clock.

Liskov’s laugh is a warm and bright thing – like a spilled bottle of pure sunshine – as she walks up to Ursina. “Folk have been trying to pin down John Doe for years. Did you think you were going to escape praise for being the one to finally manage it?” Those green eyes widen a little, eyebrows pulled up as Liskov’s fluffy ears prick forward. “He even managed to escape me – and I don’t only mean when I was Atoll. I and the Iconoclast have been trying to catch him even while I’ve been a vigilante.”

“I am still having trouble believing that he legitimately went with John Doe as the appellation he wanted to become known as. I suppose it complicated the hunt for the man, but it seems a rather lackluster name does it not?” Immaculate mutters, then shakes his head. “Do not even think that you can escape what you have earned Ursina. I have been suggesting you as one of Atoll’s premier DAR heroes for quite some time. John Doe is hardly the first case of a situation you have managed to conclude where others were unsuccessful.” He gives Ursina a long look, blue-green eyes far more curious than anything else. “You are much more accurate of a successor to Liskov than I am. DAR and SKA are not equivalent specializations.”

“What.” Ursina repeats, voice flat. She has no idea how the pair of them even managed to know about it. She hasn’t even done the paperwork yet, so unless one of the dispatch agents told them or they have some other method of -wait. Wait a minute. “You’re the one that’s been suggesting me for that?” Her voice squeaks on the last word, and the flush that hits her cheeks in embarrassment isn’t something she can hope to control. Nor does she think the relative darker than normal state of the offices will help. Both of their species are ones well known for also being able to work very well at night, so she assumes that they can see her blush just fine. She lifts one hand and starts to fidget with her ponytail, recalling the chain of emails she was reading before Gwendolyn was ready to spring the trap. “I didn’t… I didn’t do that alone.” Ursina says it quickly, like that’ll make them back off. The last thing she wants is for them to think that she deserves the credit of everything, when so much of it belongs to Gwendolyn and the vigilantes and other villains… 

“I know.” Isn’t the answer Ursina expects, even as the tip of Liskov’s tail flicks, almost catlike. “You don’t think I keep an ear out for certain individuals and their movements? You’re the one she chose to approach. That’s an achievement too – that individual doesn’t choose to approach heroes lightly.” Liskov’s ears flick, then settle. “So don’t you dare sell yourself short. I know there’s others who would’ve tried to use it as a chance to bring her in, rather than focus on John Doe when given the chance.” A beat, and- “It was the right thing to do, if you ask me.”

Immaculate nods, then shrugs one shoulder. “It is likely for the best that I do not ask details. However, Ursina – having help doing something does not make doing that thing lesser. You still took a chance for the benefit of many that others would not have. From the vagueness, I have a few theories as to whom it could have been – but as I said, I do not desire details. I mere only wish to …confide, I believe, is the word I want. Do you think that I do not still work with Epiphany at times?” An arched brow, and a slow blink when both Liskov and Ursina start at the words. “I gather that means you both thought that I did not. You are incorrect. Epiphany has issues with Atoll and the system that make it impossible for him to calmly walk these halls. Particularly after what happened with a certain other individual. That said, he is still remarkably skilled at information acquisition and is not against helping out when requested.” Another blink, slow and placid in a way that runs counter to everything else about Immaculate. “Do I truly seem the type to abandon one of my closest friends simply because the LAGOON has labeled him a traitor for leaving? I work with you, Liskov.” There’s something to his gaze now that is sharp. Challenging. 

Liskov holds up one paw. “Your reputation tends to imply that you would.” She says, voice soft. “I suppose it’s similar to the help I received from Shatterheart even before I left. The LAGOON is angry with certain individuals, sure, but we’re heroes. We help people. Nothing in that description says we’re not allowed to accept or ask for help.” She bristles as she speaks, fur starting to stick out with the amount of anger in her body language. 

“You three have really big mouths!” Someone hisses, trotting up to them with quick steps. It’s the dispatch agent that Ursina saw before – Kincaid – who flashes a quick hand signal at a camera and starts herding the three of them out of the hallway and into the nearest office. That it’s Ursina’s office may or may not be a coincidence. “Please talk about this shit in places where there aren’t cameras? My on-shift coworker will make sure there’s a glitch over what was just discussed, but please be more careful about it in the future.” Brown eyes drop down to the prosthetic that Ursina certainly didn’t have that morning, but Kincaid doesn’t say anything about it until he’s had a chance to shut the door to Ursina’s office. “…I have a feeling I know where that came from. Did she happen to give you a receipt for it?”

Ursina swallows, then shakes her head. “No. Should I have tried to-“

“Better this way.” Kincaid cuts her off with a quick and apologetic glance. “I’ll cover the paperwork for it – you won’t get any kind of rebate this way, but I’m pretty sure I can get one of the sophonts you just rescued to claim responsibility. Not the actual original source, but I’m the one who has to come up with viable excuses when she pulls these things.” When Ursina starts to open her mouth and shake her head – Kincaid shakes his head sharply. “It has to be documented. Don’t get me wrong – Gwendolyn is lovely, and I appreciate what it is that she’s trying to do with Big Pharma. But the healthcare she wants to exist doesn’t even exist in part yet. Which means that a prosthetic of that level with no apparent source will do a lot of harm – both to you and the LAGOON.” he shakes his head again, “I know it’s much less important to you than it is to the LAGOON but reputation is quite important to the owner of the LAGOON.”

There’s silence, for a moment, during which both Immaculate and Liskov give Kincaid startled looks that he immediately waves off. 

“Oh there’s no camera in here, and being vague leaves too much room for misinterpretation. I’d like us all to be on the same page.”

“Fair.” Ursina mutters. She doesn’t like it, but- “Thank you for looking out for me. I hadn’t thought of it in those terms. I’m still reeling a bit that she just… gave it to me. Like it was that easy.”

“I’ve been of the opinion that the LAGOON should have paid for a good prosthetic to begin with years ago.” Liskov says, and her tone isn’t one Ursina has ever heard from the legend before. “I don’t know how far they expect to get without providing things like prosthetics. Free offices is less than what should be the minimum. Not paying for medical care is not the incentive to be careful that they claim it is.” The tip of her tail flicks back and forth, far more cat-like than the reptilian remainder of the limb.

“I have been lobbying for that.” Immaculate frowns as he speaks. “It has not been very successful. They seem to be largely of the opinion that if a member of Atoll can still function without the limb or organ in question, then they do not need a high tech prosthetic and that they would only lead to a waste of work hours for the therapy and funds for the prosthetic.”

In response to that, Liskov growls and the sickle claws on her feet snap down against the ground with a sharp retort, Those fluffy ears have vanished against the rest of her fur, a sliver of sharp teeth flashing in the low lights of Ursina’s office for a heartbeat. “Leaving Atoll to flounder on their own or die trying to get anything that can actually keep up with the demand of the job is a far greater waste, but I suppose that looks better on their spreadsheets in the end.”

“Starting to sound like Shatterheart there.” Immaculate points out. “Though, I agree. They have very good points on this matter. It is a pity that the owner does not appear to understand this.”

“Yay, capitalism.” The dispatch worker spreads both of his hands out to either side and wiggles his fingers, face twisting into a deep scowl. “How’s the feeling in that arm, Ursina? While I’m thinking about the paperwork – if you need time off to adjust to it, I can make that happen if you’ve an idea of how long you might need. Or if either of you happen to have that particular resource.” Kincaid looks to Immaculate and Liskov, a smile tugging at his lips when both of them look impressed and amused. 

“A lot less time than I was prepared to ask off to deal with the one that I was saving for.” Ursina says, snorting a little. “I almost feel adjusted to it already. Maybe a day, maybe two?”

Kincaid nods, then puts up one finger as his headset crackles. “Sec, let me handle this.” That hand goes further up, presses a button on the side of the headset. “Requesting a repeat of the hero type you need.” He says, and the gathered heroes all go silent and still. “Fuck.”

At that reaction, Immaculate is already double checking his equipment – the same as Ursina and Liskov. Ursina is tired, and the weight of the prosthetic is still strange – but she’s watching Kincaid’s facial journey and she’s got a sinking feeling about the call. 

“Alright! Alright-” Kincaid starts talking, ears flicking. “You can hang up, but please stay near the location you called me from. Those are the coords I’ll send Atoll to, okay? I’ll give you an ETA of fifteen minutes” Even as he talks, Kincaid is already moving. “Please hold on and stay hidden until someone from Atoll arrives to help you. Find cover if you haven’t already. There should be a disaster shelter near where you are now – maybe fifty feet if my memory serves. If that is still safe, that is an acceptable place to go as well.” With all of that said, Kincaid glances at Immaculate, then Liskov and Ursina before he starts dashing. “Ursina, stay here – you can’t go back out for another few hours at bare minimum and you just told me you need some time to adapt to that arm. Immaculate, when was your last dispatch? Liskov, yours?”

“Approximately five and a half hours ago. That said, if a SKA hero has been requested, I have standing clearance to ignore the rules in terms of dispatching myself or being dispatched. I am allowed to do this once a week, and I have not used my weekly allowance yet.”

“Where are we needed?” Liskov asks, already moving. “I’m a vigilante now, friend. I don’t have the same rules as I used to.” A glance back over her shoulder as she steps out of Ursina’s office. “Rest, Ursina. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. We’ve got this, and if we do need further assistance, our friend here can dispatch more heroes.”

“Good, because I refuse to send less than seven heroes for this call.” Kincaid says. “Keep me in the loop about that arm, Ursina!” At this point he’s shouting back over his shoulder. “It’s Arcadian! He’s trying to get to where John Doe is detained! He’s had more wind up than the last time he surfaced, and get this – he’s claiming he’s doing this for Invictus!“

Ursina pales, aware that she automatically started following the others – leaving her office and trailing after them even as exhaustion continues to nip at her heels. “I thought Invictus was a boogeyman! There’s never been any proof that a villain like that even exists, right?”

“None that you’ve had clearance for.” Liskov shoots back, voice grim. “They’re real. And if they’re coordinating with Arcadian…”

“The captured civilian count is already over three dozen and growing still.” Kincaid says. “You need to rest Ursina, but if you feel  like you absolutely must do something to help – try to get in contact with the one you worked with earlier.”

Those words echo in the wake of the three rounding that corner and vanishing as Ursina goes still. It… it is something Ursina can do. It’s something she can help with despite knowing well the truth of what Kincaid said about rest. She grasps for that with all she’s got, pivoting on her heel to head back to her office so she can pull up the contact window she’ll need. It’s probably a long shot to get Gwendolyn to step in where Arcadian is involved, but Ursina has seen the aftermath of Arcadian before. it will never stop haunting her nightmares. 

So if there’s anything, anything at all that she can do to help… then it’s not even a real choice. Of course she will. Everyone can use a helping hand.