Sentient Worm

Moving On

Moving On

Nervously, Anet and Margulis step out of the lander onto the Strata Relay. Anet especially, as she's going to be trying to pilot a Warframe at the same time, once Ordis reaches the Orcus Relay.

Initially, they're just another couple of faces on the relay, even when they arrive at the concourse. Because of this, they lean against a railing to watch the world go by.

"How long do you think it will be before we're recognised?"

"A minute?"

"I say 5."

"30 second buffer, what's the wager?"

"You'll help me in the lab for a day."

Anet nods, "Fair, you'll do a full day of missions."

"Hey!"

"Add to that, if we both lose, we still have to cover the bet."

"Fine!"

It was exactly 3 minutes and 25 seconds later when the first Tenno recognised The Lotus helmet and approached.

"Are you The Lotus?"

Anet smiles, "I am, and this is Margulis."

The Tenno pops out of their Ash, "But you died."

Margulis looks at the Tenno gravely, "I was supposed to have. Sentenced by my own husband to the Jade Light. I didn't wake up after my sentencing until Taylor, with Anet, pulled me out of a pod. They were there to rescue The Lotus after Ballas kidnapped her."

Anet takes over, "Given the re-emergence of Ballas, both of us will be staying at a secure location and only appearing remotely."

All of which had the benefit of being true, even though it was also highly misleading. What they didn't know is that the Station Manager had recognised them within seconds of their arrival, and had started Holo Recording and prepping the additional concourse floors for use. It's a song and dance they, and their staff, were well used to, as some of the famous designers would occasionally visit unexpectedly. It was still annoying.

Back on the concourse, the First Tenno had messaged their clan to report the return of the Lotus before leaving their frame. They had then messaged their own friends, and the closest of the Tenno not currently busy were just streaming into the concourse now.

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Taylor and Anet arrive on the Orcus relay and start to do some of their standard business with the syndicates. When they check in on Darvos, he looks up from his console.

"Is it true that you rescued The Lotus and Margulis?"

Taylor glances at Anet, "Where did you hear that?"

"Haven't you heard, they've turned up at the Strata Relay, and named both of you as having rescued them."

"Fuck, there goes my quiet life. I asked them to keep that quiet."

"Darvos promises to tell no one of this conversation."

"You've sold the information already, haven't you."

In his office on Venus, Darvos glances down at his console, where he has confirmed the rumour as true, before looking up. "Of course not, customer confidentiality is very important to me."

Taylor looks at him shrewdly, "10% discount on future purchases for the money you've just earned from my outburst."

Darvos grouses, "And this is why I hate dealing with you Taylor."