Editing The Corrupted Heart (section)

===Chapter Three===
“What about entering here, by the alleyway?”

“Too exposed, we’d be dead before making it halfway to the gate.”

“So, what, our options basically boil down to certain death?”

“I don’t see *you* coming up with anything better.”

The acolytes had been arguing back and forth for what seemed like hours over a map of the training grounds. Earlier that week, the Inquisitor had sent around orders that she wished them to develop a sense of teamwork and cohesion, though little had come of it so far. Astra was relegated to sit silently in the back during these sessions, or ignored entirely, even if her ideas were sound. Not for lack of trying, of course, but there was only so much of Kreff’s back-handed insults she could stomach in one sitting. What frustrated her the most was the obvious solution they were all missing, simply because they refused to see her as a person, or even ask what she was capable of. 

“What if we sent *it* in first?” mused one of the guardsmen, jabbing at the alleyway again. “If it soaks up enough fire, we might be able to get to gate with minimal casualties.”

Kreff nodded, a wicked smile coming over his face, “I like it, solves two of our problems in one fell swoop. Let’s gear up and try it out.” As the rest of the acolytes filed out, Astra sighed, standing and walking over to the map to refresh her memory of the layout. It was a rather simple exercise: a package needing extraction was surrounded by gangers (played by gun servitors with stun rounds) in a warehouse. Not unlike most places in the underhive, she was able to note several gaps in the mock surveillance net. Smiling, Astra left the room, knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to prove her worth and show up that prissy adept.
 
Rather than insert with the rest of her team, Astra slipped into the shadows farther along the street. She voxed Gaelos, deciding to let the rest of her cell think she was simply preparing for her part, “Tell them I’m getting into position, and that Kreff is a prick.” A simple acknowledgement followed, allowing her to focus on the task before her. In order to get past the servitors, she would have to carefully time when she burst through the wall of the warehouse. Too early, and she’d be caught on the way out. Too late, and she’d be eating a substantial amount of stun rounds. As she stared at the patrolling automatons from a nearby roof, a sudden stroke of inspiration hit her. This would be easier than she thought.

Elsewhere, the other acolytes waited impatiently for the sound of gunfire, signaling that Astra had begun the assault. “What in the Emperor’s name is that mutant doing?” grumbled Kreff, idly playing with the safety to his bolt revolver. “Don’t tell me it doesn’t even have the courage to face mock death bravely?” The rest of the group, save Gaelos, mumbled their agreement. “Well, at least this gives us an excuse to discipline her later,” added Max, tapping the baton strapped to his leg for emphasis. It was then that the training ground’s lights dimmed, then flickered out entirely. 

With cries of alarm, the acolytes found themselves surrounded by darkness, unable to see past their own noses. “What in blazes,” began Kreff, “don’t tell me the deck’s lost power!” A laugh emanated from Gaelos in response, “Negative, all systems are functioning as they should be.” Before Kreff could argue the seemingly contradictory statement, the lights snapped back on. Before the group stood Astra, holding the package that served as the goal. Wincing at her sudden appearance, Kreff demanded, “What the hell is that? What the hell did you do?” She tossed him the box, turning around and waving a tentacle over her shoulder as she left the training grounds. “Your plan was shit, so I modified it. Don’t wait up.” This time, it was Kreff who was the subject of the group’s laughter, leaving him fuming beyond the ability to form coherent sentences.

Later that evening, as the cell convened in the mess hall for dinner, Astra found herself joined by Gaelos and one of the guardsmen. Introducing himself properly, Julo reached out a hand, “Sorry about doubting you earlier. Can we start over?” Astra glanced between his face and hand, taking it with a tentacle and shaking it slowly after a moment’s consideration. “Of course. I may look like a monster, but that doesn’t mean I act like one.” This warranted a laugh from both men, especially as it had the added effect of causing Kreff to slam his drink down onto the table some distance away. “Kid’s got a right temper, doesn’t he?” mused Julo, causing Astra to laugh for the first time in what felt like years. 

Gaelos’ mechadendrites chittered in response, “You have finally smiled. This is a good sign. Was worried.” “Aye,” added Julo, “you’ve been right glum since day one. Not without good cause, I suppose, but still.” Blushing, Astra shoveled a fresh helping of meat into her face, trying to hide behind the fold of her cowl. It was true, she certainly felt better now than she had in a long time. Still, as she quickly finished her meal and awkwardly excused herself, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of the careful shell she had built up around her. “In all due time,” she thought to herself, pressing Tom against her chest after returning to her room. With her spare tentacles, she mimed Julo’s doll, a bit of metal chain, joining Gaelos’ in praising her. Astra became lost in the fantasy, not even noticing the knocks on her door and the subsequent woosh of air as it opened.

“Curious. What is the purpose of this exercise?” asked Gaelos, causing Astra to nearly hit the ceiling as she scrambled to hide her dolls. “N…Nothing! It was nothing! Please don’t tell anyone! Please! I don’t want to have to make new friends…” Her lower lip quivered, mortified that she had been caught playing pretend. It was all she could do to squeeze Tom and wrap herself with her tentacles, staring dejectedly at the floor while Gaelos looked about her room. “Apologies for the abrupt entry. Needed to give you this,” he finally said, offering out a data-slate. Gingerly, she unwrapped a tentacle from her abdomen to take it, tossing it on the bed for later reading.  “Just tell him thanks and then claim you need to sleep,” Astra told herself, “maybe he won’t think you’re completely insane.” 

Before she could say anything, however, Gaelos extended a hand to pat her on the head. Surprised, Astra glanced up at his beaming face, “I…I don’t…” Another pat on the head, followed by him bowing and departing without another word. All Astra could do in response was to open and close her mouth several times, unable to properly understand what had just happened.