(hurray for lotsa posts :v)

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SAKER, GUNROD

Explanations are given. Saker blinks. "Uh, cookies?"

"They were delicious, and coming from me that's saying something."

"And who was this voice?" Albireo inquires, rather interested.

"I don't know," grunts Gunrod. "First test, my ass! I want to know what his game is about!"

"Hmm... well, come back with me," says Saker. "I have an accomplice as well."

They make their way back to the base. Hachiel seems somewhat better, but her wings are still unable to function.

Albireo gazes at the angel. "Aren't you one of those Collective people?" he asks.

The angel blinks confusedly. "Y-yes? Who are you two?"

"That's Gunrod, one of the 'Arrivals' I came here with, as you put it," says Saker. "And that's an Illuxion, just like one of our friends who got stuck in this mess with us."

Albireo turns to Saker. "What do you know of this friend?"

"Nothing I can't already say about you. You seem to have the same appearance and powers. The only real differences are your voices and names. The other one's name was Mira."

"Interesting..."

Gunrod turns to Hachiel. "What are these Collective people you're talking about?"

"The Cosmic Collectve. "We are a group of many races dedicated to protecting the universe. When we were more plentiful, we had a planet granted to us by a being known as The First... there we watched over the universe. Now I fear only I am the only one left, if Nexios has indeed perished."

"That's quite the tale, but I'm afraid I don't have the foggiest idea what to do," inquires Albireo.

"Well, I am set on making this a base of operations for us," growls Saker, "and if it's not too much for us, I'd like to find the other members who Arrived with me and bring them here as well. Then we'll see what we can do against the machines."

Albireo looks at the digital map. "That energy source is fading. It must have been on its last legs when you arrived."

"Indeed."

"Well if anyone has any further questions before we do anything, now would be the time. I would quite like to get out and see the world, and the countless galaxies as well," says Albireo.

"You wouldn't want to," frets Hachiel. "Not the world, at any rate."

"Well if so, I could help you in any possible way," says Albireo. "I am quite interested in this Mira."

"I will help as well, it is my duty... although I am not sure what use I could be," says Hachiel.

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UNAROSHI

"Play safely? Very well," says Viluy. "And quickly. I feel something is watching us."

Viluy and Unaroshi keep descending nonetheless, careful to avoid detection. Unfortunately, when they get out at Vector X (which is helpfully designated nearby as they reach the floor), there is an eerie light some ways ahead. Viluy can detect two guard droids.

"This does not look good," mutters Viluy. She turns to Unaroshi. "What do you say now? My curiosity calls out to this. I have to know what that is..."

Unaroshi remembers Viluy pretty much slaughtering a score of robots with her Mosaic Buster earlier...

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SHEPARD

Avarice's mechanical eyelights flashed dangerously. "This Illuxion is no concern of yours any further. As for myself, we'll - "

The monster machine stops suddenly. "They are descending again. They have stopped at Vector X!" Suddenly Avarice seems panicked; Shepard notes this by a sudden cry of rage from Avarice. They descend on the makeshift elevator again and stop at Vector X...

"I will divulge no further information to you until you earn it," says Avarice. "Now go on in front."

Shepard seems interested in Avarice's sudden panic moment previously...

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MIRA

The figure peers at Mira. "You seem like Spica, though. Are you sure?"

Mira seems surprised. "Spica?" She repeats herself. "Are there other Illuxion here?"

"Well, one that we knew of..." the figure looks away wistfully. "But Spica was taken away some time ago by our enemies..."

"Enemies?!"

"We heard the name in secret... project A.E.O.N., it was called."

"Are your enemies machines?"

"You could say that, yes..."

Mira looks around. This wasn't the best neighbourhood for discussion...