Old Ghosts and Broken Hearts..

Drevid, Jennifer and Sheeva could only watch as Nix slowly stepped into the room. They didn't dare speak up as tears streamed down the woman's face. Instead of excitement, she looked broken. Sheeva took a step to follow, but was stopped by Drevid, who looked down and shook his head slowly.

Neither him nor Jennifer figured this would be Nix's reaction. They'd hoped for some excitement, but was met by someone who seemed much worse off than those that had recently lost their loved ones.

As Nix reached the equipment, she gestured to each piece and began to name them off. "Aether conductor...3D printer...Karen's personal computer...just how." Nix spoke softly, just loud enough for the three to hear as they approached her.

Drevid was about to call out to Nix, but was stunned as she suddenly fell on one knee next to the table and reached underneath. After some effort, she pulled out a small piece of metal and quickly stood up. She rushed the computer and slammed her hand down, fumbling with the piece before jamming it into a small hole etched into the desk. After a few seconds, lights began to flicker on the see-through glass, spreading all over the desk towards the other pieces of equipment. This caused Nix to gasp and sob, holding her hand over her mouth and taking a step back.

"By the Moon, it still works." Nix sobbed, quickly grabbing her rifle and dropped it to the ground. In her hurry, she'd dropped the rifle to the ground instead of resting it against the desk.

She then quickly tapped on the screen, typing in a password she had not forgotten in 40 years. As she pressed enter, a sudden projection appeared to her left. Everyone stared at the projection, it being a smaller person that resembled Nix. She wore a long white cloak, her slick pants and shirt matching the color. Her head wore a pair of glasses that rested on long, sleek blonde hair that reached to her lower back. On her face, was a sad smile as she stared at Nix.

"My Lovely Moon. By the time you get this message, I'll have been long dead. I wish there was some other way to meet you, but the Greed's army is upon us, and we will not survive this battle."

The voice from the small woman was deeply saddened and longing, tears rolling down the the small face as she tried to keep her composure. Drevid already knew somewhat of Nix's past, as well as Sheeva, but Jennifer had not heard any of it. Even then, all of them had began to get a better idea of Nix's past. This equipment belonged to her past lover, one that had died much earlier than she had.

"I leave you with my greatest accomplishment. This printer is not only able to fix your armor, but is also able to work with you in building up our army. The design is similar to what you are familiar with, but the major improvements will accelerate the safety of our people. I wish I could see you in person one last time, but I mist bid you farewell now." As the woman spoke, rumbling could be heard, causing some small pieces of rubble to fall around her. Other voices could be heard in the background, making the woman look away and nod, her face quickly turning cold and angry. As she turned back, she reached down and picked up a rifle that looked strikingly similar to Nix's. "I love you Nix. I always have and always will. I pray the Moon can guide you to a happier life after I'm gone." As the woman finished, she reached down and ended the projection on her end.

By now, Nix was on her knees, sobbing heavily and holding her hand over her mouth. Sheeva looked up at Drevid with tears in her eyes, getting a mournful nod before she rushed over and held Nix. Both Drevid and Jennifer were in tears as well, the scene much more heartbreaking than they'd thought it would be.

It took several minutes for Nix to calm down and wipe the tears from her face. A look of determination was seen on her face as she looked up again at the equipment. As she stood, she gave Sheeva a gentle pat on the head and turned to the couple who simply stared at her.

"Jennifer, give me your armor." Nix said to the woman before suddenly stepping up to the computer and pressing some symbols on it. "Sheeva, you'll be my assistant. After Jennifer removes her armor, help her get settled on the table. Drevid, move my armor off the table."

No one could speak up, simply following what Nix ordered as she typed away. Jennifer was halfway out of her armor before the rest of the equipment suddenly whirred to life, shocking Drevid into dropping the last piece of armor from the table. Nix then turned to Drevid with a stern look. "I need a large amount of Mana, any suggestions?"

Drevid swallowed at the cold look she'd given him, one he thought he would only fear from his own partner. After a second, he quickly nodded and gestured outside. "D-Dark Beasts have Mana cores inside them. I can go grab the ones we have if you wish."

"Bring them all, I need to study and see which ones we can use." Nix ordered before going back to the screen and typing away. Her face was still covered in tears, the blue light brightening them to show off her saddened, determined face. "Jennifer, if you are uncomfortable with being naked, instead wear underwear. I need an accurate scan of your body to make armor."

As Nix spoke, Drevid rushed outside and called out to some people to help him. Jennifer could only nod and strip her shirt off slowly. Sheeva helped with her pants, aweing at how flawless Jennifer's skin was, wrapped in a cloth bra and cloth under shorts. Slowly, Jennifer crept onto the table and laid onto her back. Resting her hands on her stomach, she looked over to Nix with a pitiful look. The woman looked determined, but Jennifer was sure she was simply like this to try and occupy her mind.

Jennifer wanted to say something, but was interrupted by a sudden whirring. A metal rod suddenly lifted from the farside of the table and split into three separate pieces before hanging over her. With a final tapping on the screen, Nix walked over to Jennifer and moved her hands gently to her sides.

"Lay still and let the scanner do its thing. Sheeva, keep everyone else outside and only let Drevid in. Help him bring in the Mana cores and place then next to the table."

"O-okay..." Sheeva stuttered before rushing off to the door to recieve Drevid. Nix then went back to the screen and glared at the contents. Clicking her tongue, she went over to the box next to the desk and pulled out a vial with a needle attached to the end.

Walking back over, she looked the needle over and stopped at the edge next to Jennifer. "I'm gonna need a sample of your blood. I won't take to much, but it will sting a little. Just hold still for a second for me." Nix spoke as she moved. On hand checked for Jennifer's vein in her arm, pressing her cold fingers into the warm flesh before bringing the needle up. Jennifer flinched at the prick, a worried look on her face as the familiar feeling of losing blood was felt in her arm. As the vial filled up, Nix suddenly pulled it out slowly and placed a small ball of cotton on the ball of blood that was forming. "Hold that there and get your clothes on."

Jennifer had a plethora of questions to ask, but simply did as she was told and rolled off the table. As she got her clothes on, Nix took the needle off the vial and stuck the end into the desk. The vial drained slowly into the metal, more notifications showing up for Nix to read.

"Let's see. 1034 years old, speed type soldier. You have good eye sight and great flexibility, so I'll give you a scout type armor." Nix read the screen as she came to the conclusion.

As Jennifer finished putting her shirt on, Sheeva walked into the room with Drevid in tow, both holding a wooden create each filled with crystals. Following what Sheeva did, Drevid placed the crate next to Sheevas next to the table and took a step back.

"N-Nix, we brought some of the crates." Drevid stuttered as he watched Nix work before looking over at Jennifer. All she could do was shake her head and look down, not wanting him to interrupt her.

"Good, how many do we have?" Nix asked without turning away, grabbing a small glass tablet and walking back to the table. "Jennifer, help Sheeva in getting your armor on the table."

As the Va'Rish and Fox-Kin scrambled to grab the armor, Drevid suddenly stood up straight and replied. "Fourteen boxes in total. We have seven crates of rank one crystals, three rank two, one rank three, two rank four and one rank five, all filled to the brim. We are currently skinning the other Beasts that were caught, but they are all rank two." He answered like he was back in the military, the look on Nix's face drawing it out of him suddenly.

"Alright, Drevid, I want you to take a box of the rank one crystals and place them on the edge of the table. Jennifer, after you are done you can leave." Nix ordered as she tapped some more symbols on the screen.

The couple looked at eachother before letting out a sigh. They wanted desperately to console the poor girl, but decided against it. She was broken, but at least had something to do. That was more than they could ask for as of now. As Jennifer left, Sheeva got the last piece of armor on the table while Drevid placed the crate on it as well. They then both stood waiting as Nix turned back to the computer. After pressing some symbols, she set the tablet down and looked at the two. "Drevid, keep everyone else out until I say do, and get some people to get the metal armor and weapons we aren't using and bring them to me. Sheeva, you'll assist me in the testing and creation of the equipment." As she finished speaking, she went to the table and tapped on some symbols that appeared on another screen. It was obvious how well versed she was with this equipment, but this only troubled Drevid more. He'd hoped this would be a great gift for the other worlder, but now he was wondering if he should've shown it to her at all.

Gesturing for Sheeva to follow him to the door, Drevid walked slowly. All he could do was sigh and shake his head at how feeble he'd felt now. Looking at Nix once more, he awed for a second at how the armor and crystals seemed to disappear slowly from the table as the metal arms reached down and brushed against them. He then looked down to Sheeva and knelt before her, placing a hand on each of the cubs shoulders and giving her a sad smile.

"Stay with her and make sure to tell me if she needs anything. Let me know if she's eating or not as well, okay?" He asked the cub, knowing only she could soothe the woman's heart now.

"Yes Chief. I'll let you know if she...gets worse." Sheeva said as she turned to look at Nix, who was busy muttering to herself and looking over the various screens.

Drevid then nodded and slowly stepped out, opening and closing the door slowly behind him. He was met by Vela, Vern, Stoll and Jennifer, who were all huddled together as Jennifer explained what was happening. They turned to him with looks of pity, Vela looking like she was about to cry.

Drevid could only shake his head before rubbing his eyes with one hand, the other wrapped over his stomach. "She's stable for now, and Sheeva's going to watch over her. Vela, I need you to set up a watch. Someone needs to guard this place at all times and prepare for the worst. Vern, get people to make meals for Nix separately. Jennifer, since Nix is busy tearing your armor apart, just help the others divvy out supplies and relax after. Stoll, go grab Nix's helmet from Sheeva's place, and whatever she needs to sleep here. For Sheeva as well."

The group nodded and moved their separate ways after the order was given. It was the least Drevid could do in this situation, his stomach lurching a bit in grief. Jennifer noticed and placed her hand on his shoulder. A warm smile was all Drevid needed to relax a bit before she wandered off, surprising a few since she was out of armor. All Drevid could do was sigh and rest his head against the door behind him.

"Mother Moon, I'm sure you gave these relics to give to Nix, but she seems worse now than when she'd gotten here. Please, help her find relief in what she does, as I fear her grief will overshadow her accomplishments." Drevid prayed before kicking off to help with the supplies.