Retrieval

Annoyance. The clones had executed their plan, most of them anyway yet their performance still annoyed Lore.
“I was down here for three days… Three days!” They struggled to finish their sentiment, replacing their mask after ending their rant. The clones looked to them confused.
“It took Destiny a while to get ready but not three days?” Midpoint looked to his wrist.
“Two days actually.” Ace replied, removing their helmet and offering it to Lore. “We needed time to learn about the place. How’d you think we were going to blend in with only your external plans?” They had a point.
“Fine. Thank you Commander.” Lore removed their mask and donned Ace’s helmet. “But why?”
“Fastest route out is through the UEP well and they’ve got your face plastered on every screen.” Ace set down a bag, distributing armour and weaponry similar to their own. “Are these the people we’re here for?”
“Oh. Mauve, Sky, this is Commander Ace. Ace, this is Mauve and Sky. Hold on… Aren’t they going to realise that only three soldiers came in and now six are going to be walking out?” Ace simply smiled.
While the Syndicate’s mine had been a labyrinth of straight tunnels, snaking through the rock searching for fuel, the UEP’s well consisted of one singular tunnel, dug at an angle as if aimed at the fuel directly. There were two ways of reaching the surface, walking or the painfully slow lift. With the base on high alert, their options had been reduced to one. Magpie was regretting his earlier thoughts as he and the others began their ascent up the mine shaft. An eternity passed and they had only reached the half way mark. Despite their age, Mauve was making even the clones look bad. Level ground lay just meters ahead, much to the relief of the troops feet but they would see no respite. Instead before them lay the bloodied and bruised body of Curves, her helmet mostly missing and armour cracked and a body dented beyond recognition. Lore knew immediately who they were and ran to her side. The body’s face was caved in but lacked the expected blood or swelling. Lore placed their Breacher to the back of her head before looking to the other body. Ace nodded, confirming she was still alive.
“Well… I thought this operation seemed familiar. Little did I think it would be quite such an apt description.” In true fashion, a voice limped from the shadows. The owner almost as beaten as her victims. “Lore. It’s been a while.” She smiled, opening a gash on her lip.
“Reid?”
“Wow. I’m honoured. Crait said you didn’t remember them but if I’m still in there then I must be doing something right.” She winked.
“We were inducted into the guild at the same time. We were friends.” Lore looked to her, wondering how they had pissed her off.
“Then you sniped my assignment. WHORE. Cocked it up. Took the cowards way out and now you’re sending your toy after me.” Lore was taken aback by the passion that had replaced her calm demeanour. “Quatarr was supposed to be my final test, my time to shine but of course your partner chose you over me.” She shook her head. Lore had lost her at this point. “Well now, I’ve got another chance. And this time, I’m the golden girl.” She slowly raised a pistol from her belt, every move agony. “I would say I’m sorry but I’m not. This is going to hurt and I’m going to enjoy every minute.”
The first shot lit the shaft as it narrowly glanced Lore’s ear, replacing the red emergency lighting with its purple hue. The combination of the intense light and shrill sound caused Lore to wince, their heart sped up. The second however hit its mark. Lore watched as their right pauldron disintegrated. The burning continued as the energy arced from where the armour had been to the clothing below it. What had transpired in less than a second for everyone else had lasted an eternity for Lore. Pain wasn’t an issue, at least not yet. They tried to take advantage of the stationary time but to no avail, they were locked in position, forced to watch as the energy finally reached their skin. At this point, most of the bolt had been absorbed but it still left its mark. As the pain began, so did time. Reid came closer to inspect her first shot. She wasn’t impressed. Although it hadn’t done much externally, Lore’s entire right arm was now completely numb. As Reid came closer they flailed their limb in her direction, its flaccid weight connecting with her weakened torso. While it obviously hurt, it wasn’t enough. Reid fired twice more, once to the wounded shoulder and once to Lore’s gut. As time once again slowed and their armour began to further disintegrate, Lore noticed a growing shadow in the background. Then, from this shadow, the impossible. The lift was returning to the base of the mine as time had started to slow carrying a most precious cargo. Tired by the lack of motion, Char had elected to simply run alongside the tracks. She took the position once held by Reid and knelt down on one knee. Lore recognised the device on her arm but couldn’t place where from as they watched her stabilise her shot. She nodded to Lore. Lore returned it with a worried smile. This time wasn’t as bad. Time resumed but not to Reid’s benefit. At the earliest moment, Char had taken the shot. Reid was dead no matter where she was hit and she knew it. In her last moments, she turned to face her attacker. While it was a young woman who had shot Lore, the woman Char saw was ancient. In an instant, she had aged at least a century and showed no signs of stopping. Char looked to her with eyes full of tears as the Inquisitor fell to the floor as a pile of ash. The only solid part of her that remained was the buckle of her belt. Lore vaulted over the pile, tossed their helmet and ran to embrace their saviour. They knocked her over as they barrelled headlong into her arms. As they cried together on the floor of the mine, reality fell away.
“I’m so sorry.” Lore whispered.
Ace searched their kit for anything that could be used to help Curves. Their light was blocked by a mop of blonde hair. While smaller than the clones, Syd could easily carry them all. Carefully, she lifted Curves, taking special care to support her. Ace slung Destiny over their shoulder and boarded the lift with the others. They considered poking Lore and Char but between them, decided against it.
Hours passed. Stained yet smiling, Char emerged from the well’s mouth with a worse for wear Lore clinging to her arm for stability. The two of them limped their way to the others.
“You can keep that.” Syd gestured to the cannon. “From the company you keep, you’ll need it.” Char looked at it. It was an uncomfortable reminder of her past and it likely always would be but Syd had a point. It would be useful. Ascension.