WARFRAME: Ghouls #2

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Tenno. The Solar System's 'Greatest Warriors'. Considered by common folk to be invincible.
Or so they would have them believe.
Don't bother getting up.
With the Ghouls' paralytic blood seeping into you, it's a wonder you can even squirm.

But The Grineer are not monsters.
You fought valiantly at the Ostron village.
Futilely, of course -- but valiantly.
That is why I had my troops capture you intact. And that is why I'm treating you as an honored prisoner of war.
It would be a shame if I were forced to treat you... otherwise.
You have one last chance to surrender the information. Willingly.
Why were you protecting that village? What are they hiding from me?
'Otherwise' it is.
It recognizes you, Tenno.

Do you know me?
The Lotus! I know you, witch.
Hubris has laid you low before, Captain. It will do so again.
Ha. The Ascaris lays his mind open like a book. Your Tenno is mine. I am triumphant.
While you... you are a little more than a ghost.
Commanding your soldiers, from hiding. Pfeh. A true commander sharpens his mind like any other weapon -- on the battlefield.
You will not save this one.

Captain?
She knows. She will lead us.
Gather your men. That village has merited a return visit.
What about Tenno skoom?
Junk. But leave a detachment. Just in case the witch sends a rescue team...
The villagers were hiding something far more precious than mere artifacts. Something they couldn't scavenge.
And that girl is going to lead us right to it.

So you believe the Grineer captured your Tenno friend?
Or killed him, same as they killed everyone else.
No.
A Warframe is a bigger prize than most. Bigger than anything your people were hiding.
I've got contacts who can give you a ride to the nearest Ostron colony. Cetus, maybe?
I'm not going anywhere.
What do I call you?
Rail agents know me as Little Duck. You can't stay...
You're Solaris United? What would bring a...?
Quiet. Listen.
Come out, girl!

You would still side with the Tenno, girl?
Spread out.
Even after seeing the might of the Grineer?
And with the secrets of the vault under the Queens' control, we could be even stronger!
Shh.
"We could control the Warframes! We could have peace!
"Peace under The Grineer!
"Don't you want to be a part of that?!"

Fall back, brothers!
Best not to push our luck.
"Hold. The Grineer are not the priority."
When you entered orbit, I was able to pull Transference from Excalibur. He can be retrieved at another time...
"But now the Grineer go to lick their wounds, leaving the real treasure unguarded."
"I have seen Vor's mind. He believes there is an Orokin vault nearby...
"and that the Ostron girl can show him where it is."

So... this is a new one, then?
Vor won't stop 'til he has what he wants. We can't stop him.
I think a few options may have opened up.
Captain Vor, a new kind of Grineer, the Lotus, and two Tenno, all in one day. What's next?
I was hoping that you could tell me.
Mitsuki. I am The Lotus. I sent the Tenno to your world.
We require your assistance.
Something you told my Tenno-- Excalibur-- has led Vor to believe you know the location of an ancient treasure.
Something too big to scavenge. A vault.
Do you know what I'm talking about?
Yes. In the caves, nearby...
"We knew it was Orokin, but none of us could get into it."
"We called it 'The Golden Door.'"
We must reach that gate before Vor gets a chance to open it. Can you guide us there?
With my eyes closed.
Ahem.
He's gonna have a hard time doing anything without this little contrivance.
The Void Key? Little Duck... we're lucky to have you on board.

I want all of our sentries on patrol. Anything to slow the Lotus down.
Brothers, do not despair. This defeat was necessary.
A turn in the path to greatness, setting us toward our true goal on this world.
Not this chunk of metal -- but the means to control it.
The path toward real glory. The path toward a galaxy under the banner of the Queens.
The path toward victory.
To be continued...