Disclaimer: I do not own Warframe or anything associated with it. I just love playing with its awesome lore. Spoilers for the Deadlock Protocol quest. As always please read, review and enjoy!

A Moment of Idleness

I knew it was coming but even so I was ill prepared for how bright the white light would be as I translated from my prison and for the first time in lifetimes, truly beheld the universe outside that forsaken void and breathed in the air of freedom.

But this was no time for sentiment, I have worked too long to squander my chance at freedom now. I forced my eyes to adjust to the new light and quickly made my way through the ship. Fortunately, as I had predicted, the crew was in utter disarray. Having been fighting my errant specters one moment, only to have them vanish in another moment was exactly as disorienting as I expected.

And as an added precaution, no doubt the Tenno that had unwittingly helped my escape would shortly be laying Protea to rest and once they translate back through the void they shall provide a wonderful distraction.

No sooner had I thought that then the alarms went off as the various crewmen and robotics began to mobilize to combat.

Which meant that Protea was finally at peace…

I ignored the sentimentality that welled up in my chest and pressed on. Ducking through the corridors I had previously scouted from my prison to make my way to what I desired.

A small ship, left unguarded in the chaos and the means to my last step to freedom.

I flexed my golden hand and pressed it upon the console, for a moment I worried, what if these new ships and systems no longer had my old overrides in them? To have come so far now…

But the worry passed as the console turned green and the locks around the ship disengaged. With a smile I boarded the ship, reaching onto my belt for a signal scrambler I made, I hastily plugged it into the ship, this would prevent them from noticing the ship was gone and would help hide it from the scanners.

Gripping the controls I activated the startup sequence, opened the bay doors and with a rush I was truly free.

It was only after the fleet and Neptune itself were out of view I let go of the controls, took another full breath of new air and allowed myself just a moment of idleness.

Truly I must be feeling my years. In my younger days I wouldn't have allowed myself even that much, but…considering all that has happened I suppose just a moment is fine.

I looked out into the black, starry void of space and smiled sadly.

"Thank you, Protea. For everything."

Enough idleness, now I must contemplate my next move. I brought up a map of the origin system and took in the players on the board.

An origin system without the Orokin, even at the height of my power that was something I could scarcely conceive. I do not know how the revolution occurred, it took me a long time to figure out how to get even small glimpses of the real world from my prison. But this new system is certainly no less dangerous than the old.

The Grineer, a blunt weapon of the Orokin now master-less and lashing out, eager to dominate.

The Infestation, having completely claimed Eris and many Orokin derelicts, with outbreaks constantly occurring even as far away as Earth.

The Sentients, not quite as defeated as we were led to believe, now rallying for a new war from Tau, no doubt intent on wiping us all out once and for all and divided as we are, likely more than capable of doing so.

The Tenno, standing in the middle, keeping it all, this tapestry of conflict from unraveling in favor of one faction or the other. Even as the edges begin to fray for them all.

And of course, my Corpus.

Ohhh how astray we have gone. Led by bunglers and incompetents, self-destructive war profiteering and a slavery and indoctrination that rivals even the Orokin.

They have become everything I worked so hard against. A crust upon which wealth settles only on the upper layer and that seems to delight in finding new and cruel methods to deny those lower even a chance to follow their desires. A monument of idleness and callow greed, filled with weak men who would likely pray for death a mere hour into the labor that my family endured.

This will not stand.

A plan began to form in my mind as I opened a channel that I used to contact Protea on the occasions I sent her away. I've no doubt that the Tenno will receive it. This shall sound the clarion for my reclamation of the Corpus.

"The System shall change. No more clutching at sunk costs, imposed ideals, hand-me-down hopes. No, we are better than that. The Corpus shall know a violent restructuring, but with time enough to face the impending threat from Tau with renewed and absolute vigor."

I paused. Was that really what I wanted now? I pondered upon what became of my Corpus. Without the Orokin and without my leadership, the Corpus became almost exactly like the old masters of the system. The Orokin were corrupt and idle, delighting in their superiority at the cost of others as does the upper Corpus now delight in their wealth. If the Sentients were not marching upon the gates of this system, given all the time in the world how long would it take to rip out the corruption that flows within the Corpus? But perhaps more unnerving, was it my philosophy that enabled them to become what they are today? Did I unknowingly plant the very seed of its corruption? The board after all, did try to kill me. I suppose it is time to reevaluate some things.

"Or not. Perhaps the rot is too deep. Perhaps the father should abandon his children. Perhaps it is time for a new philosophy."

I said my piece about the Tenno's friends in Solaris United, that if I do make a new seat of power, they are certainly welcome to sit beside it if they wish. And asked the Tenno a question I doubt they ask themselves. What do they desire?

The message was sent and I laid back in the seat for a moment. The first steps have been taken, where they will lead, well ultimately that is for myself and others who possess the will to follow desire, for us, the future is ours to choose.

Taking one last glance at my golden hand I put in a new set of coordinates, gripped the pilot controls and charted my new course.

One way or another the system will change and I shall be at the forefront of that change. Upon this grand stage and with little more than a ship, a few trinkets I have with me, my wits and as ever, my desire I shall help usher in a new age. I smiled as that familiar fire filled my chest and for the first time in a long time, I felt young again and I could hear a familiar whisper giving me its approval.

It was good to be back.