The Plan

Pride. Allana and Luscillus couldn’t help but feel emotional at The Reaper’s performance. The Reaper took a bow as they destroyed their last target before reverting to their native forms. The light lingered in Lore’s eyes for a moment as they looked to their partner.
“You alright?” They asked, breathing heavily themselves.
“Fine.” She replied. “It’s strange though. When we’re like that, I don’t know where you end and I begin.”
“It’s a perfect union.” Allana interjected. “The Reaper has the sum of both hosts skills and knowledge.” She advanced and inspected their rings. “Perfect. You were right, the oppositely charged coatings were a good call.” Lore looked to them confused. “Originally, both rings were the same but that led to faster degradation and greater separation fatigue. With opposite charges, the fatigue is more manageable. Your Lore helped us solve that one.” Allana looked to Char.
“My Lore?” Char turned to Lore then to Allana.
“The First Lore is everyone’s Lore till they go back to the beginning and loop restarts. This time’s a little different though because the new Lore doesn’t usually get here till the very ending.” Luscillus started. “The new Lore is usually unaware of the others till they and their Char have to go back to the beginning to maintain the loop. But this time, they decided to pick you up early. Risky though. Technically, you haven’t been made.” She pointed to Lore. “If The First dies then you get catapulted across the universe.”
“What?”
“Well, if the First dies before they can travel back to create you then you get flung to where you would be without intervention.”
“Stop scaring them. Poor thing. If the First dies then the First dies. The Reaper suit protects against paradoxes.” Allana hovered her hand over Char’s shoulder reassuringly. Luscillus’ straight face had begun to crack.
“Come in Twenty six.” Lore’s voice came from their Breacher. “Briefing in the meeting room in five minutes.”
“You heard me, we better get off.” Lore turned to leave. “I never thanked you two.” They smiled. “The war was hell but you made it easier. At least you will.” Allana and Luscillus joined hands as they walked Lore and Char to the door.
After a brief exchange of goodbyes, they walked back along the path they had taken. Sad that they hadn’t had time to see the rest of the settlement but feeling infinitely more confident about whatever they would have to face in the near future.
“You never talked about the war. At least not to me. Even when we were there.”
“You, if I recall, were a part of the opposition.” Lore replied teasingly.
“Yeah but still. We were together for five years after the war and you never talked about it. I know it was only a month for me but it was three years of your life and apparently you had fun.” She scoffed.
“Not to sound cliché but it changed me. I learnt a lot from your people and it changed the way I thought about myself and those under my command.” Lore stopped. “Or it will. I mean, I’m not sure. I’m meant to be Inquisitor Loren at this point in my life but that just doesn’t feel right.” They tapped their temple repeatedly. “Honestly, I have no idea who I am some days, I just know that I trust you.” As they finished their sentiment, Char bent down and took Lore into her embrace. They kissed. There was a moments silence after they parted. “No.” Lore delivered the word with the cadence and tone one would use to chastise an animal and it did the trick. Char who had been biting her lip and staring suggestively between Lore and the apartments now wore a look of understanding.
“Same old Lore.” She took Lore’s hand once more. “Did any of the infostamps ever mention that or is it just a you thing?”
“Not needing sex?” Lore squinted at her as they crossed the dunes. “I’ve always been Asexual haven’t I?” Lore sighed at their future.
She nodded. “You tried it a few times but it’s fine. I know you loved me and I love you so that’s all I needed.” She smiled.
“Loved… I suppose that is the right term for what I feel. The echo of something wonderful. I do love you Char. And it’s not just the second hand memories. You’re the only person who I’ve had at my side this whole time, the only person who has truly cared for me and…” Their voice trailed off as they exited the settlement room. They didn’t quite know how to finish that sentiment so the change in scenery was welcomed. They walked in silence to their meeting and sat quietly at the table.
“Now that we’re all here, we’ll begin. The plan’s simple. Twenty six, you two will take your ship into the Johned Nebula, disable the defence grid and let the rest of our ships in.” The First paused. “Then the real work begins. We’ll have to work fast to build the Slingshot, get our gear and begin the trick.” The First nodded at the other Lores who nodded also. All except Lore.
“Sorry what?”
“Ah right. Newbie. The Johned Nebula or UPC 052 is our chosen staging zone for the final plan. It’s a spitting distance from Quatarr so it’s perfect but to protect our gear we had to make it a nebula.” The First saw the confused look once more. “UPC or Unclaimed Planetary Cluster was the designation given before we surrounded the lot in dense gasses as a protective measure. We have a base there with all the stuff we’ll need to save Quatarr but we have to get there first. With the size of our ship and the speed of our fleet, it would take years to traverse the nebula but The Destiny can cross it in an instant. All you have to do is get in, turn the nebula off and we can come in and get ready and go.”
“Ok. That part makes sense but what’s this about Quatarr?” Char chimed in.
“We’re bringing it back.” They smiled. “We’ve sorted out a way to reverse our mistake and save everyone. Nine years ago we tried to bring peace to Quatarr and we succeeded. The UEP destroyed them for our mistake. We are going to swap the present with the past and undo our error.”
“How does a Slingshot do that?”
“You’ll see.” They smiled. “Now, even with the nebula as a defence, we know that The Protectorate has been investigating the area so we had to set up some heavy ground defences. In addition to your own clones, you’re to take mine, twelve’s and…” They scanned the room. “and Twenty’s.” The respective Lores nodded as they tapped away at their Breachers. “Good Luck.” Johned.