Ten Zero

Konzu just looks at Ko-lee, confusion on his face from her exclamation. "Do you think you'll need more assistance?" he says. "Unfortunately, Cetus can't afford-" but Ko-lee cuts him off before he can finish his sentence. "This isn't about money!" she snaps, and at that, the Conclave, who were shuffling out of the hall, stop moving. Konzu, still amicable but clearly confused, says, "Well, I'm not entirely sure what more there is. Did you have something you needed to say?" Doing her best to contain her rage, Ko-lee says sharply, "Yes. What are we going to do about it." The various Conclave members murmur amongst themselves, and a few even sit back down in their chairs. Saya, who had been silent for most of the meeting, speaks up, her expression severe. "To be clear, you are asking us to retaliate against the Grineer." Ko-lee's expression is cold, as she stares at Saya. For my part, I just feel frozen, unsure of my standing in the social hierarchy. "Seriously, what is her play here? We already talked about this like a week ago; she knows they're not gonna do anything. Why is she starting a fight with them?" I feel pulled in six different directions; part of me wants to apologize and pull Ko-lee out of the hall, part of me wants to stand by her and feed her fury, and another part of me wants to try to get something more from the Conclave.

"Seriously though! 'Oh damn looks like everyone you know and love died, have a tavern room'? And I just know Konzu was trying to make some excuse about how broke they were before she stopped him. Utter bullshit," I think, as Konzu does his best to play mediator. "Ko-lee," he says, his hands raised in supplication, "I understand your frustration. But you have to understand, we can't go on a tear every time the Grineer attack. But we are not doing nothing. We'll use the information you provided us in future pushes against them, and when we have an opportunity, we will move against Colonel Jar. But we can't go on a vengeance kick. There are thousands of lives here in Cetus, and we walk a zaw's edge whenever we push against the Grineer." Ko-lee just shakes her head in exasperation. "So you're useless then? After all of this, after everything we did to get you this information, you're just telling me that there's nothing that can be done?" she says, her expression granite. Konzu shakes his head in response, saying, "No, Chief Ko-lee, that's not what I am telling you." At the use of the title, Ko-lee just scoffs, but Konzu moves past it, continuing, "what I am saying is that we will do what we can, 'without' risking the safety of the other Ostron clans, as well as Cetus. If we were to retaliate, we would be fine behind her walls, but what do you think would happen to Sempa? To Hotas? To Lykka, who would no doubt be the next attacked?"

"Then use the Tenno," says Ko-lee in response. At this, Konzu nods his head. "We will use the Tenno, Ko-lee. Our first order of business will be to send the Tenno to Lykka, but for protection only. We will not be pushovers, but we'll not bite off more than we can chew." There's a moment of silence and I look at Ko-lee, to see her expression has softened a hair. "Can we use the Tenno?" she asks, and Konzu nods his head. "Of course you can, Ko-lee," says Konzu. "I... I know Sanza and I didn't see eye to eye on the role that the Tenno play in keeping us safe..." but at this, he trails off. Silence returns once more, and I can't help but wonder why Sanza was so against the Tenno in the first place. I do my best to think back to when I first spoke to him, but the language barrier at the time meant that I often misunderstood as much as I understood, often leaving me in the dark on specifics. Even still, I can't remember a point where he actually laid out his reasoning, beyond saying that he wanted to keep Sharip safe. During the trip to Cetus, Ko-lee had given me some of the specifics, but I still wasn't sure if his stance was based in anything in particular. "Some people are just like that, I guess."

Konzu is the first to break the silence. "However, like I was trying to mention before, we can not afford to fund you. We will keep a roof over your head and food in your bellies, but if you want to seek vengeance... well, that'll have to come out of your own pocket. I'm sorry." And for his part, he genuinely does look sorry, which makes me wonder about the economic stability of a place like Cetus. "Like, how are you supposed to make money when you're a bubble city vee the super capitalists? If I were to go by game logic... a lot of the bounty rewards aren't even credits, they're mods and stuff. Maybe there's actually something to that; like Konzu/Cetus do some sort of barter trade thing with the Tenno, based on stuff they want and or need. Hmmm... maybe we could swing something like that," I think, as the meeting is adjourned for a second time. I watch the various Conclave members chatter amongst themselves, before leaning over to Ko-lee.

"So, I have some ideas, if you want to hire a Tenno to kill Jar," I let her know, as she watches the Conclave members leave their seats. "I'd rather kill him myself," she says, before making eye contact with me. "...but hiring a Tenno would be a good second option. Still, we'll need money." "Actually, I have some ideas that might save us a few credits," I say. "Still, we will need some credits. I have a plan for money though, we just need to put in the elbow grease." Ko-lee's eyebrows scrunch at my turn of phrase. "Elbow grease?" she says, and I give her a big grin. "Hard work," I say, answering her insinuated question. Ko-lee just nods her head, and she begins to make her way towards the exit along with the rest of the Conclave. "I'm willing to put in the work. Are you though?" At this, she gives me a sideways glance, and even though her expression is totally straight, I know she's just messing with me. "I am the hardest worker around, you know that. Besides, you can not get rid of me that easily. I am not going anywhere, Ko-lee."

As we leave the hall, I pull Ko-lee to the side. "I am going to ask Konzu a few questions. You do not have to stick around, if you do not want to." I watch as she weighs the two options in her mind, before responding, "I'll head off to Nakak then, get started on that 'elbow grease', as you call it. The faster we earn those credits, the quicker we can get into the Unum. It shouldn't take more than a few more days." There's a brief moment where she stutters, almost like she is going to do or say something else, before quickly pivoting and walking off towards the market. "That was weird," I think, but before I can get a chance to muse on it some more, I see Konzu leaving the hall. "Ah, Konzu!" I call out, and there's a brief moment as I watch him shift from exhausted old man to approachable leader. "Damn, man needs like, 50 early lunches," I think, as he approaches me next to the side of the building. "Swazdo-lah, offworlder. Antimony, correct?" he says as he gets within range. I have a knee jerk reaction to correct his pronunciation of my name, but manage to catch myself in time. "Ah, yes, it is Antimony. I wanted to ask you some questions about the Tenno, if that is okay."

Konzu nods his head, and I can see him quickly glance around, as though searching for something. "Oh, Ko-lee is not here, just me," I say, a sheepish grin on my face. He just smiles, and says, "No worries. So, the Tenno. Have you worked with them before?" "More than you could ever know," I think, but I simply shake my head in response. "Not a problem, we have the facilities for getting in contact with our metal friends. Have you seen the building with one of these on top of it?" he says, then makes a cupped shape with his hands. There's a brief moment of confusion as I try to figure out what shape he's insinuating, before it hits me. "Oh, a parabolic dish, like a radio receiver or something," I say out loud in English. Konzu's eyebrows scrunch up at this, and he says, "I'm sorry, I don't think I've heard that language before. Where did you say you were from?" "Bruh, we need to actually stop yapping," I think, but I quickly give a backhanded wave. "All over. But anyways, a dish? Like this?" I say, doing my best to redirect his focus to the original topic.

Konzu, for his part, seems more than happy to let it be, and he nods his head in affirmation. "Yes, a dish. The building is only a few minutes away from Salt of the Sea. It's a communications raary, and has enough power to reach into orbit. From there, it'll reach the Strata relay, and you will be able to speak to an operator." My mind freezes for a moment, and I blurt out, "wait, what?" Konzu doesn't seem to notice the change in demeanor, and simply points up to the sky. "You likely passed through it on your way to Earth. They relay is called Strata. It houses a number of different groups, and our communications array doesn't reach any one of them specifically. Instead, there are a number of people who work to keep the relay afloat, and they aren't aligned with any one group. The one of them operating the communication array on their side will redirect you to whoever you need. They'll be more than happy to help you from there. Normally using the communications array is... well, I'll let them know that you and Ko-lee have unrestricted access. You shouldn't have any issues." I just nod my head, my smile feeling plastered on.

"Holy shit he said operator and I nearly lost it. I genuinely was like, hold on, no one knows about the operators except like in some cases with the Quills and stuff, but also, we're not at that part in the story yet cause the moon is still gone? He just meant like, telephone operator old school style. God damn," I think, my mind firing a mile a minute. Still, I manage to speak without giving away my temporary panic. "Dah-dap, Konzu! That is very kind of you. If me and Ko-lee did need to get in touch with you again, what would be the best way to do that?" "Oh, you can leave a message here," says Konzu, gesturing to the vertical cut in the side of the building we were stood next to. "I usually get out here once a week to pick up the mail. That way you don't need to hunt me down again!" He chuckles at this, and I laugh along with him, playing the part of social butterfly. "That is great, Konzu, thank you again. Sorry again for pulling you and the Conclave into an emergency meeting," I apologize, looking suitably sheepish. He just gives me a wave. "No big deal, I was able to take a load off. All that walking at my age, it's a bit much. I'll just have an early lunch," he says, as he starts to head off.

"Hah, he said the thing," I think to myself, as I turn the opposite direction to follow after Ko-lee into the market. I only make it two steps before I hear, "come to me." I stop walking, and turn to speak to Konzu. "Sorry, was there something else?" He stops walking, and turns to look at me back, seemingly as confused as I am. "Uh, no?" "Oh woops, actually you're just crazy, big abort," I think, and I do my best to backpedal. "Oh, uh, I... do not worry then. I think it must have been someone else," I say, trying to dig myself out of the social hole. "I thought I heard you call for me, but it was not you, so no worries! Enjoy your lunch!" I go to turn away, but Konzu reaches out to grab my arm. "Woah, old man moves quick," I think to myself, as I look at Konzu's hand on my bicep. My eyes move to his face, but his jovial attitude has been replaced by one of intense seriousness. "What did the voice say?" he asks, barely loud enough for me to hear him. "Uh, come here? Or, maybe, come to me? Something like that," I say, my eyes jumping between his expression and his grip. Konzu, for his part, quickly backs up, taking his hand off oh my arm. "Sorry," he says, "but if you are hearing voices, it is likely the Unum calling for you."

I can't help but feel flabbergasted. "Wait, for real?" I ask, but I can tell at a glance how serious he is. "You must speak to a sripet of the Unum," he says, and before I get a second to ask what exactly that is, he continues, "within the Unum herself, there is a church. Go there, and ask for a riptse. Tell them that you hear the words of the Unum. You will need to meet with her." "Oh," I say. "Meet with... the Unum. Inside the... Unum." I except some follow up, but Konzu just nods in affirmation. "Well... okay. I will do that," I say to him, and at this, he lightens up. "Great to hear, surrah!" he says, and immediately spins off, walking in the direction of, presumably, his early lunch. Part of me wants to call out for more information, but I don't actually know what I'd ask him. "Unum religion?" I think to myself. "I mean, I guess I knew that people worshipped the Unum but... I didn't really extrapolate that out. I wonder who he was saying I needed to talk to. Something I can ask Ko-lee about, though."

As I watch Konzu walk off I can't help but think about the Conclave and their reaction to Ko-lee. I was of two minds during the back and forth; on one hand, I wanted to be upset along with Ko-lee. The fact that they weren't going to actually do anything of substance against the Grineer, at least not anymore than they already were, was beyond an insult. She lost not just her home, but everything. Every person she knew and loved, the history of nearly every moment of her life wiped out because of the ego of one man with too much power and too little control. It was effectively a declaration of war, and the Conclave basically told her that they'd let her stay in a tavern, like she was just some irate customer demanding a refund. "Actual opps. If the Grineer ice'd one of their kids you know they wouldn't be so fucking blaise about it."

But on the other hand, I knew that was the exact problem. "They can't just go scorched earth Frank Castle on their ass 'cause they have all of Cetus to worry about. It would just escalate hard until one side got wiped, and T B H it wouldn't be the Grineer. They can just pop out 300 at a time, and the clones are straight cannon fodder 'cause they don't know. How are you supposed to understand the nuances of war if you're just dropped in Helldivers style? The Grineer can't give up because they have no other way of being, and Cetus would lose the worst war of attrition," I think, as I make my way towards Nakak's stall. "I know they're not stupid and I know they can learn but like, that's besides the point, I think. Cetus isn't doing either option really. They're just keeping to the status quo, and that's what sucks the most."

In a perfect world, some sort of ceasefire could be organized; in a brutal world, the injustice would not be allowed to stand. Instead, in this one, things would just continue as is. "And that's the worst of every option. This isn't the video game anymore, I feel like... shit, we should be able to do something! Stuff should happen!" As the thoughts fly through my mind at an ever increasing pace, I can feel tears in the corner of my eyes start to well up. "Clarktech AND magic and we're still S O L? If there's one fucking thing that this universe is supposed to have over my original one is power! Personal power! Power enough to PREVENT SHIT LIKE THIS! TO SWING BACK! TO..."

FUCKING

"Antimony? Are you okay?" says Ko-lee. I'm not entirely sure how or when, but I had reached Nakak's stall at some point in the last 20 seconds, and was just standing there, on the verge of tears. My knuckles are white from gripping so tight and I have no doubt that if I were able to see my face, I'd look like I was about to murder someone. Still, her words manage to ground me for just long enough to put a mask on. "Sorry, I was... uh, sorry," I say, my voice trailing off as a I try and fail to come up with a good excuse as to my current state. Still, with the smile and the universal 'don't worry about it' hand wave, Ko-lee doesn't follow up, although she does give me a lingering look before heading back to her portion of the walkway. With a plastered on sheepish grin, I look at Nakak.

"So, what can I do?"