3 Rasputin Old Friend

Once Biazar, Myriad, and the Traveler had entered the Cosmodrome with no real issue from the staff and security inside the building. They slowly arrived at Rasputin's mainframe with a bit, avoiding some security that would try to force him out of the area, as they don't enjoy mercs. Slipping into the room after having the doors open through some unique means, Biazar would look around at the still intact and non-rusting room. Smiling softly at the sight for a bit before proceeding off to say hello to Rasputin and check on some things to see if there is anything he needed to know. As admittedly, he is curious how the factions first invaded the system, so it can help to learn a bit more about history.

Taking his time, he carefully approached the war mind until he was in front of one of the various terminals linked to it. Once before it, he tapped on the screen a bit while looking for something until Rasputin noticed his visit and decided to ask some questions. Which didn't take too long, as a projection of the insane war mind appeared before him several minutes later while reading up on scan reports from around the system.

"Identify or die."

"Well, hello to you as well, Rasputin ya crazy warmind! It's me, second lieutenant Biazar of the Dragoon Mercenaries. We've worked together a few times before during some rather unsavory times as normal people would call it."

"Recognized, how may I assist you."

"I've been worried about some things, so I sorta broke in after reaching a certain point of entering the Cosmodrome. So, I wondered if you could potentially help me out a bit with finding a founded worry for this feeling I've been having. Just don't go and try to arrest me; it will be a pain in the ass for everyone. But, we're also close enough to allow some things, right?!"

"Processing request, violations mentioned, request accepted due to records and "friendship." Speak, second lieutenant Biazar."

"Thank you, old friend! Now what's been bugging me is that I feel like that damn white, shiny orb in the sky is about to try to bail. As if it's running from something or someone is chasing after it, and they've found it, so I'm worried a little bit since, although it is a wild guess, I want to make sure. So, could you see if any of the scanners or planets have reported something strange? Even small stuff like something suddenly vanishing could be of help to see whether this feeling is founded or not, think it possible Rasputin?"

"Searching for the requested information, requesting logs and comparisons from warminds Athena, Leo, Trinity, and Grave. Furthermore, requesting logs and comparisons from subminds Charlemagne, Malahayati, and Voluspa."

With Rasputin providing surprisingly easy assistance because of some clear history between them, Biazar would wait patiently for the warmind to finish. Finally, Myriad, getting bored after two hours, laid down at Biazar's feet and stretched out, giving her mechanical joints a bit of a pop in a way as if they were actual bones. Rasputin finally finished collecting whatever he was searching for at the four-hour mark and gave Biazar a short reply.

"Six hundred eighty-six incidents found, and all marked as accidents, due to nothing found to say otherwise. Two hundred six sightings of strange creatures and ships reported, but written off as jokes and such due to nothing being found. Six thousand eight hundred twenty people reported dead or missing through all of these reports."

"Well damn… Rasputin, can you please send me copies of those all for me to look over? Then, if I find anything, I'll reach out to you to plan something with just you or all the warminds. Moreover, do keep an eye on how far the Traveler moves from its current position, okay? Don't want the big orb to book it if my feeling is truly right suddenly!"

"Affirmative, copies sent to your data bank, should it try to run away, I will stop it in its tracks as directed by my subroutines."

"Thank you, Rasputin; now I should get going."

With a wave, Biazar chuckled at the sight of a holographic salute from the warmind as he exited the room, with Myriad following close behind. The ghost currently represents the Traveler silently floating after them as if contemplating something about how the Exo and Warmind acted together. Once outside once more, Biazar chuckled at the refreshing sight of the lively planet once more, appreciating all the more before it was destroyed. Once everyone was a reasonable distance from the Cosmodrome, the Traveler spoke up while looking at Biazar as if seeking something.

"The way you and that A.I. talked, it's as if you do not trust me… Why is that?"

"Rasputin doesn't trust you because, well, humanity has sorta claimed you as their guardian and in a way possession. So, they do not want you to suddenly leave them alone without any warning or a good reason, though the greedy fucks don't want you to go, period, so Rasputin is to monitor you constantly and stop you if you try! Me and Myriad? We learned over time that you suddenly tried to leave without warning, then something crippled you and trapped you with us to face what happened.

So, you made your own, let's say, police force? Sure, everyone you picked was excellent and did some fantastic things in our time. But many of us still wanted to fight, even kill each other, or didn't like being forced to be a light bearer, so few willingly sought the darkness. Those who accepted it were called "Light Defiers," but for me? I was both. Thus, I was the "Mistake" as some would say in quiet."

Myriad perked her ears up a bit while listening to Biazar speak, growling at times with displeasure at some statements. The Traveler listened silently and blinked before letting out a sigh and flickering about before stopping beside Biazar's head and speaking once more.

"I'm sorry… You all prospered because of me, enjoying my teachings and gifts like joyful children. Then suffered because of me when I tried to run away from what has been chasing me all this time at first sight of trouble. I even made those of you who died to suffer once more, and it would seem by the tone of your voice and what you are not saying."

"Save the pity and loathing for another day. If you don't want that to happen again, then try to help a little before the disaster you've brought."

Ignoring the Traveler, Biazar continued to walk silently after saying one last thing, with Myriad trotting alongside him happily. As they walked from a radio on a window seal, a song could be heard playing that got the duo to stop temporarily to listen in. The two smiling softly in their own way as they felt different things from listening to this song.

"I know you don't like seeing others hurt, I know you don't like the violence, I know you don't like seeing someone break. But to keep you and your stupidly annoying light safe, I'll become the monster in the darkness, following you silently. I've seen your smile and heard your laughter as you helped others out through the rough spots in life that I don't want it to fade.

I'm not willing to let it fade to gray, and I take it upon myself to be the reaper dripping blood from their scythe in the darkness. Your light, kindness, and stupidity in trying to help everyone make me want to strangle you, but that's what makes you so significant to so many people. I'll keep the monsters in the dark away so that your kindness never fades away, and to spare you from too much pain.

I may be hurting, bleeding with my vision getting blurry, but I'm still doing my best to keep you safe.

You nurture life and try to protect it from harm, me? I'm just the reaper in the dark with a scythe dripping blood as I trample a corpse. You help people smile and always laugh, making them slowly forget the pain they've experienced. I cut down the threats and bear the open wounds and scars without making a sound to worry you. You want to help people; you've been that way for years now, so what if you saw me at this moment? Would you try to help me? Scorn me for the violent and bloody scenes?

You're the angel of life and forgiveness, always helping others with a smile, I'm the angel of death and hatred, always looking at the trail of bodies I leave with indifference.

I'm no saint, I'm no good guy, as my actions and choices can point out clear as day with all I've done to keep the darkness away from your light. You say you will always trust me and smile as you tend to the wounds I've accumulated with a smile on your face. Would you have the same smile if you knew the reason behind all the things you are so happily treating? Would you really still have that kind smile if you knew?"

Once the song had finished, the two resumed their walk once more, with the Traveler joining them once more. The three not once dared to try speaking as they had some information to think on before and look into before they could say more on their previous topic with some more in-depth understanding.

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