2022-11-26: Rebirth/Oblivion

• Cast: Lilith Aiden
• Where: Von Braun City
• Date: U.C. 0096 11 26
• Summary: Lilith Aiden faces the consequences of her actions. Crossfire Salem is born.

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The 'prison' shuttle to the Moon certainly didn't feel good, even if Lilith wasn't restrained. Why would she be?

She didn't fail as a pilot, they said.

She thought she failed everywhere else.

She was escorted out onto the rooftop once they reached Von Braun, and into the Vist-owned apartment complex. The elevator ride was monotonous. She couldn't help but think about how she lost every part of the deal.

Yuliana Dispersal (Kafim?) was still out there.

Elisa Kafim was a new threat. One horrifying and alien. She blamed herself for letting them escape.

Banagher, Mineva, and Leina would never trust her again. Squarely her fault.

She couldn't see Alma again, not safely - not after Vist had to throw her under the bus. She blamed herself for that, too.

Lilith was left alone once she entered the apartment. It was spartan compared to those of the high-ranked employees who lived on higher floors, but it was enough. A 'bonus', they told her, for her performance results. It was really a leash.

On the coffee table was a box and a note. 'OPEN IMMEDIATELY'

Lilith stared at a digital wall clock for several moments, before sighing, and pacing over to the box, taking a seat at the couch and opening it up. Inside was a note and an object.

The object was a mask - high-tech, full-face affair that would prevent anyone from recognizing you, with a built in voice modulator and earpiece. The mouth was removable, allowing one to eat and drink. Another 'bonus'.

The note read simply:

To our successful candidate,

You may have failed in your objective, but your results were spectacular. Highest we've had yet. You've got the job, as you already know. 

We're looking forward to your work.

Report in the morning for your first assignment.

P.S. Wear this in public, for obvious reasons. You'll need a new name, too…we took the liberty of coming up with something catchy.

Welcome aboard, Crossfire Salem.

  -Your Manager, Julio Hexxon

Lilith crumpled the note and tossed it in the trash. She lifted the mask. It had a decent heft, but not too much.

She was a slave, now. She knew that. Yet…it was the only way forward.

She affixed it to her face, to give it a test.

Lilith Aiden fell into oblivion in this moment of acceptance, and Crossfire Salem was reborn.