Crap, I Was Rifted

-Command Bridge-

"Ok, we are ready to depart. So what is the hold-up?" AzuI asked feeling refreshed and raring to go. "The sooner we start the sooner we could get back here to take care of some things."

Everyone in the room remained quiet. Not wanting to deal with this, Azul allowed his biotics to flow out. The others looked to Riku.

"Ok Riku what is the problem?" Azul asked.

"I think we should wait. I understand you have prepped to get ready but.. I do not think it is enough. The plans this time seem more than small." Riku fidgeted in her seat. Doubt washing off her like a tidal wave. "Maybe we should postpone it. Just till we are stronger."

"Postpone... no. Riku the sooner we at least visit your world, the sooner we can figure out where we stand within it. As well as the strength of our opponents and what we will face."

"If you die then what?!" Riku said as she looked at Azul angrily. Azul could feel something else bugging her. She just wouldn't say what though. "If something happens in Zanarkand then what?"

"It is a risk. Do not worry to much. We will get away if it gets to hairy." Azul stated. "Things are going to be different, less killy killy despite myself. Nothing wrong with a challenge of saving more this time."

Azul immediately felt Tiffany and Dyshana's disapproval at that. Which was a little odd to say the least.

"Stupid," Riku muttered. "Do not say I didn't warn you." Standing up she walked out of the room. Without her Saiyan tail like las time, it was a little weird to some of them. Standing up to go after her, Maldova stopped him.

"Wait. Let her cool down some. You can speak to her when you arrive in Spira later. There are other things to tend to."

"Alright very well," I said sitting back down. "Let us proceed."

"Good." Galtea said smirking. "It is about time you act like a Commander again." Looking around the room, she nodded before touching the table. A map appeared. "This is your World here Ashley, Torbin, Ruma, Candace, and Rayna. The entirety of Mass Effect."

"What is that red gauge to the side?" Ashley asked.

"That is the World instability marker. Once it reaches a certain point the World will start to come apart at the seams. At 7% your world is fine. Not much deviation in its design. A lot due to the current User's in the Alliance. That and Azul took ownership here." Galtea touched a button and a new gauge appeared. This one in green.

"This is the acceptance gauge. The more different outlandish things introduced to the Worlds that people accept as normal, the more this goes up. As long as this continues to increase, the more the World is allowed to change." Galtea smiled happily. She honestly believed in what she did as an Operator. A look of pain flashed before it went away. "That is the purpose of the Users. As well as those they recruit, create or save. She looked around at each of those gathered in the room slowly.

"But peace is not the option mostly used? Most of the time, it is force used instead." Alma said righteously. "A lot of places are conquered with blood."

"Tch your point? Considering how you have the power of a deity flowing through your veins and you and your cur of a brother did nothing but run. You have no right to speak of other people who tried to do something.. the decisions they made." Something about her just ticked Mileuda off this time. Her eyes went wide as she turned to Azul. This is what you said to her last time."

"I never cared for Alma much." Azu shrugged. "I mean hey it is what it is. But she turned for the better last time. To bad we do not have a soul piece to inform her of what she grew into.

"How many thousands of people died from the decision you and your brother made at the final battle?" Tiffany asked. "Azul, shared with me our history. You and that brother of yours tch. Cowards."

Seeing her not speak Tiffany became angrier. The renegade option appeared over her. AzuI was to intrigued to stop it. He did play closer attention just in case.

"You didnt even try to reorganize the church. Didnt try to lead the household you destroyed. You left it in shambles dear Alma! You both left. You allowed Delita to kill the princess even." Tiffany may not be with the royal guard anymore, but that still angered her. "Oh, wait after she became Queen. Your brother should have done more to try and stop him."

"Azul stop her!" Mileuda yelled. He looked over to Tietra whose eyes were round as saucers.

"He did what..?" Tietra said in tears. "Oh by the gods, I forgot about that memory. How could I forget something so serious?" She rubbed her temples in angst.

"You can not be serious." Tiffany became absolutely livid. "You two didnt change anything regarding that yet? You have not talked to the princess despite turning into royal guards?" They shook their heads no. "What else haven't you told her?!"

Feeling a migraine Azul rubbed his temple. Wings came out as he half shifted to his Heron state. "Oh, bloody heck not now." The wings flapped twice before he returned them and tap the interface to turn it off. "There no more surprise pop-outs."

"We didnt have the time." Tietra said making an excuse now that her head was cleared. "I had other stuff happening that pushed that away."

"I did not know how to tell her." Alma said looking at her friend sadly. "It is a terrible subject to discuss. With everything going on.. I felt it should wait. The princess is stronger now, so it should work out for the better."

"I know that. I just couldn't pull myself away. I didnt want to." Tietra eyes looked at Mileuda. Nothing else mattered it seemed. "I was busy."

Shaking his head, AzuI looked at Alma. "Look at me Alma," he said to her strongly. He sent his biotics out getting her to look up as he sent out the feelings of the others about the situation. "This is what they are feeling. Take the tie to get a grasp on it. I will not force you to go on this mission if you are not up to it. I can send you for more training if you like instead. Diplomatic ones, that way you can do your peaceful approach when you return home."

"Look at you being nicer." Jaina smirked.

"Haha very funny." Azul said.

"No. I will go! I am tired of looks of pity. I will fight. When do we leave?" Alma said shaking. "I need strength as well. Not as bad as you.. but I need it as well. You can trust me to deal with my brother when we go back. If it is left up to Tiffany.. I know she will kill him. If not you yourself."

"Damn right I will!" Tiffany snarled.

"You are correct in that matter. I would cut him down with no problem. Especially with the way he is acting. Delita as well. If you get in the way of that ..." Azul eyes flashed before he smiled. "I will have to look you up or something."

"Pft just kill her. it is the humane thing to do." Ruma said. Most looked at her shocked. "What?"

"Your definition of Humane is weird." Bi-Han said neutrally. "Azul, I wish to take some forces to their World. From what I checked there are a lot of jobs as a mercenary. Most of the rewards are artifacts and the like. I would like to add them to the treasury or our forces."

"Go for it. I was only able to do a little with the Order's work always getting in the way. A lot of the item's are really nice. With great history attached. Oh, Alita there are lot of dragons roaming around there." Azul stated. "I think it would be good for you to oversee the Operations for there. Well, that part anyway."

Alita nodded. A small smile on her face. Galtea continued. "That World over there is the World of Warhammer 30k-40k. Aurora, you and Jaina will be the go to people for the Eldar portion there."

"Why them?" Rayna asked. She turned to Azul. "Can I go to?"

"I need dedicated people for it. Both me and Tiffany, Shun, and Bishop are already set up for the Imperium." Looking toward Ashley he needed an answer soon about something. "I need to know, I need you to become an Eldar or a Human there."

"Yeah Human. I am not ready to turn into a different species. I failed my baseline for that. So no way am I taking a risk." Ashley shook her head no while talking to emphasise. "Not that ok with the change."

"Hmmm. What are the benefits of Eldar?" Rayna asked. "I can put my time in for the long haul there. I only exist here anyway. It would make a good place to build my soul up."

"Closer to the Asari definitely. Actually no that won't do. I need you to become human. I need another techno savvy person to come with." Azul added.

"Let us do that then." Aurora decided quickly. She looked towards Jaina. "Sorry but I dont want to be triple bananas to you. I will take my sisters for my own faction. Let's see who can train better troops."

"Agreed," Jaina said smiling. The challenge excitied her. "I will have Cassandra, Leandra, and Torbin with me." She looked to Azul asking for permission. "I do not want to cause a problem but I wish to take him with me. He will do well learning the Eldar mediation and self-discipline. In fact, Alma should come as well. It will help expose her mind to a different approach at things."

"Right. sounds like it will be quite the test for some. Those from Final Fantasy Tactics will go back for now and the rest will return back to their world. We have a lot to do in that place." Azul looked to them. "Try to get some things situated there for the future, I think something is happening."

"A hunch?" Mileuda asked.

"A little."

"What about us?" Maldova asked.

"I would figure you would rather stay running the ship in some of the Worlds we travel to. Kind of take a little vacation as it were between missions. Right now, I need to build up my physical power as well as my militaristic. So you powerhouses may have to stay back a little."

"So why is Aurora going then? " Chari asked.

"The world she is going to is full of powerful people. A world of endless war. I didnt think that would be anyone else cup of tea really." Azul looked at Dyshana. "Would you be ok going there? You are a Goddess of Chaos after all."

"Yes. They can only try to influence me that is all. Do not worry I have grown stronger to nudge away there suggestions. In fact, the only ones who have sway are you and Lluvua towards me."

"I will fight if I have to." Chari added before Azul could ask anything else. "Just rather not go to that hell world."

"That is if you have to. This place is for those who want to fight. My agreement with the Emperor of Mankind is for me to help the Imperium of Mankind against its enemies." Azul stated.

"Which enemies?" Torbin asked.

"The self-righteousTau! The uncontrollable Psyker. The endless tides of Necropolis, Orcs, and Tyrannids." Tiffany said passionately. "As well as a few dangerous aliens."

"Oh. So they would kill us then?" Sapphire said more than asking. "That is the reason for us turning into Eldar I take it.

"No. You are my allies. As such, long as you dont start killing innocent civilians, all should be well. Do not worry. My work will only be to help recover planets and sectors that are being invaded. Help secure them and hand them over to the proper people. As for the Craftworlds, I plan on letting Aurora and Jaina reunite them and help them against the Eternal Prince of p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e of Excess Slaanesh."

"Hey that is rude!" The Slannesh sword came out floating. "Sometimes I am a Woman or a mixture. prince the wrong word. Just call me a diva."

"Pftt, that sword is so weird." Torbin chuckled.

"So no wiping out Alien species for shits and giggles then?" Ruby asked. "What a shame."

"No. Just the enemy. I am Human after all. But there I am more of an Eldar. Especially as long as I wield that sword. Azul paused. "Then again, there will be that me there and the other me on Terra... So yeah we have a lot to wipe actually."

"About that..." Galtea said looking at me. "Your halberd that Tiffany is always using has a piece of Khorne in it. An original fragment inside, before it turned into a Chaos God. Back when it was just warp concept or Immaterium matter."

"..I am sorry.. what did you just.. say?" I was incredulous as well as Ashley and Torbin. "She is safe wielding that thing right?"

"Of course. We can talk about it later." Galtea said dismissing Azul's concerns. "You need to finish this meeting Commander."

"This place. I want to go again. You know the few outcasts from my clan, you could recruit to go there as humans this time. As long as there is fighting a place to sleep and eat, they will do as they are told." Ruma said smiling rubbing the base of her throat. "I have already made contact with them they will get the explanation when I picked them up."

"The Krogans sound like Orcs," Tiffany said offhandley. "They could have made great green skins to fight as. For them, that would be for the best I think."

"That will not be needed this time." Galtea said as her eyes stopped glowing. "With a spell from me last time, they were cloaked. This time no cloaking. It cost a lot of points but it was for the best. I for one agree with you taking the Krogan there as humans. Considering you will need to continue samples for your Genophage, a steady supply will work. The mental observations can help with seeing how things work."

"Hmmm time to go for this Alliance meeting and pick up." Azul stood up looking at the time. "Sha'Ara, you and Chloe are coming with. Your father is in the area for you to speak with."

"Ah yes. It will be I promise." Sha'Ara grabbed Chloe's hand and gave it a squeeze. "He will either approve or disapprove of us."

"Shit he better approve. After almost losing her and getting her alive should defintely brighten his day. Guilt trip if you have to." Azul smirked. "Ashley, Torbin, Tifa go and take look around the Citadel wards for me. I want you to check on something while there. Since Riku is cooling off some things can wait."

"Ahh, that is great news." Swift said. She was no longer part of herself but the soul inside. "Listen I have some work to do on Omega. Mind if I split?"

"Yeah go for it. Deliver this while you are there to some people for me." Azul tapped his Omni-Tool and sent a file to her. "It is a high priority one, so be careful."

"Ohh nice. Thanks." Swift smiled.

"See those who are coming in the hanger in a bit. Everyone else go to whatever else you had planned." Azul said. He turned and left. Leandra running up with a list to show him. "Why the hell is Element Zero jumping up in price?"