It was a strange concept, something that had been alluding for so long but just within reach was almost unfathomable; all the work, the loss, the hardships, every scrape, fight and fallback had all led to this one moment, the one moment where everyone would come together and defeat the Zeniths which had wished to take back the planet. It was still amazing the delusional sense that they had a right to it, only because they had lived here so many countless years ago.

A strange hushed silence hung over the base, without Aloy even saying anything or asking for them to meet, everyone seemed to know that perhaps today was the day. There was no more avoiding the subject of job at hand, no other thing to distract them from taking the fight to the island which the Zeniths had taken upon themselves to claim as theirs. Today was the day, they would either fail or succeed, but there was no point in trying to delay the inevitable.

"Okay, people. I need you up in the Control Room right away." Aloy's voice came over all of their Focuses, a heaviness in her tone as it was clear even the weight of today was starting to sink in for her too. She was standing within the darkened room for a few minutes before everyone started to pile in. Seems they were just called here quite suddenly, most hadn't got their weaponry on them, Zo hadn't got her usual headdress and Nureka, though strapped in armour didn't have her helmet.

Inhaling slowly, Aloy turned to the small group gathered. They all looked resigned to the fact that this was it, the final push. They waited for her to speak, to tell them her plan of action and then they'd all move out, it was daunting to think if any loses did happen, this would be the last time within the base but amongst friends too. "Okay, everyone. We all know what's at stake; Beta, Gaia. Not to mention life on Earth. Now it might seem like the Zeniths are invincible, but they're not. We've got what it takes to break into their base and defeat them. We even have one of them on our side. Tilda, show us the base." Aloy paced from side to side, looking over her companions all the while she spoke, she didn't need to hit home how much this could go wrong if they failed, they all knew, and none of their expressions showed any worry or concern about that, there was an utmost belief in success, no one was opting to think of the alternative.

Even if the alternative could be lingering just on the periphery, if they failed, they would all surely die, regardless of everyone else; they would all be the first ones to go, Beta too would no doubt wind up exceeding her use, and would be killed too. The plant life, the people, even the machines which were going about their business unawares to all of this hardship and struggle, would perish. Everything that made this world beautiful, majestic, dangerous yes, but so wonderful and brilliant, filled with brilliant things and brilliant people, would just cease.

It would be gone, nothing would remain, much like the Old Ones, and their ruins, their crumbled architecture and remnants of recordings which were sometimes so fractured it would be hard to understand. They, all the clans that called this planet home, would become like that; their individuality, their architecture, their homes, their paintings, their works and words would just be all that's left, remnants in another remnant world.

Hearing her name though, Tilda did perk up from the side, her shield glowing a dull purple and blue in the low light of the room, the darkness of the room though just made her suit more ivory coloured but her skin so much paler, she just didn't look like she belonged in this time and place, and painfully that was very much true. Nodding though, she stepped forwards when Aloy gave her the floor. "It is constructed atop the ruins of an ancient military facility on an island to the southwest." Quickly gesturing a hand, a hologram of the world flashed up, all green, lush and blue, the hologram belied the struggles which were currently happening. "I can get us inside, to this location, undetected." She explained, her hands manipulating the hologram until it focussed on the island and the point she was referring to.

"How, exactly?" Ever the sceptic, Sylens had been listening intently, his dark eyes watching the Zenith curiously, even curiouser still when the island was bought up. Something just didn't sit well with him, yes, he had a natural distrust of most people, especially people like Tilda. If something was too good to be true, he had often learned that that is usually the case.

"You'll know when you need to," was Tilda's clipped response, not appreciating clearly being called out for more details. Aloy still stood to the side and hesitantly looked between the pair, it was no secret they had no liking for each other, but she'd rather them not internally go at it right before this mission. The thing is, even those to the side of Sylens were sceptical looking, somehow finding herself between him and Kotallo, Nureka was slowly nodding, perhaps the lone time she'd agree with Sylens here, but also Zo and Alva who stood side by side looking at each other with this look which could only be pinned down as overly cautious but uncertain.

There was being kept in the dark by Aloy, who they trusted and were fine with, then there was being kept in the dark with Tilda, who no one really knew and no one really trusted. It was a hard pill to swallow, being asked for blind faith by someone who was, up until a little while ago, an enemy to them all.

"Once inside, our goal will be this structure, the launch tower. Gaia and Beta are being held at the top." Tilda recovered from the standoff with Sylens quickly enough while he just narrowed his eyes at her back, her hands flipped in the air, the hologram changing to the overview of the island and the buildings which were on it. The long cylindrical obelisk stood above all else, overseeing everything, it was very hard to not see what its purpose was. No other structure on the island was as tall as it, it truly stood out amongst everything else. "But along the way, we will face overwhelming resistance. Most importantly from Gerard, Erik and the others, but also..."

"Once I take away their shields, we should be able to deal with them." Nureka had jumped a little hearing the statue of Sylens suddenly talk, he had seemingly stopped brooding over something and had gestured a hand Tilda's way, the suggestion wasn't entirely missed by everyone present that was for sure. He walked forwards a few steps, falling out of the lineup which was present before looking back at himself, "But it will be easier to deploy the device if someone else is carrying it. I'll need a strong back." Sylens said, his eyes unfortunately landing on Erend.

The Oseram looked mildly confused for a moment, even looking towards Aloy and Tilda before looking back at Sylens. Ignore the fact this was the most the man had ever said to Erend, he caught the hint which was being thrown out easily enough. Sylens didn't wish to carry the thing he had created, so be it, Erend shrugged loosely. "Carry stuff? Yeah, I can do that." He sniffed quietly, nodding and shifting from foot to foot, he sounded all rather casual even with the dry look Sylens was sending his way.

"Even if your device works, there will still be Spectre drones, scores of them." Tilda shook her head, not shooting down what was being suggested, but even still, the number of machines which would be present would overwhelm them as quickly as possible, before even perhaps using Sylens's device.

"If only we had an army to fight them," the sarcastic hint in Sylens's voice wasn't missed by those present, though he seemed still more than content to sacrifice a clan for this sake, which was definitely not happening.

Aloy looked at the hologram and then turned, frowning slowly at him still getting a jibe in here. "I've got that under control." She said it so surely it was hard not to believe her. "You'll know when you need to." She said, using Tilda's words from earlier when all she got from Sylens was this blank look, evidently hoping that now out of all times she would tell all, let him and everyone else know what was what. But no, she didn't, she was keeping that part of this whole mission to herself. "All right. We'll meet up again just before we go in. Where's the best place to rendezvous?"

"On the coast, just across from the island. Once there, I'll show you the way." Tilda changed the hologram again, gesturing to the place before watching Aloy turn away and move back to looking over her friends.

"Okay, I'll let you know when I arrive at the rendezvous point, and then you can join me. In the meantime, do whatever you need to prepare. Understood?" She instructed simply, Sylens getting a hard look sent his way before nodding and turning to leave first, he didn't need to get told twice, apparently. Regalla also wasted little time in leaving, Zo and Nureka just sidled next to each other and let the woman pass by silently, though Alva and Kotallo being asked to stay had them exchanging a look.

Aloy held up a hand, a small smile on her face as Zo just tugged a curious Nureka out of the room. Aloy wasn't an idiot, it wasn't like she wouldn't just bug either to tell her what went on here, especially Kotallo. Aloy almost felt sorry for him and the onslaught of curious questions which were going to get shot his way.

Considering how blunt he could be, and remembering full well what he was like when they first met, the thought of him having the patience to deal with Nureka going off on a full curious moment made Aloy almost want to laugh. Guess his quiet disposition could rub off on her, maybe, but also if she didn't get any joy in answers, Aloy guessed she just went silent and made up her own decisions.

Of course, Alva and Kotallo looked rather confused too, the Quen more so seeing as how whenever she and Kotallo had ever socialised it was very short, and to the point. Not in a rude way, just yes, they were friends, but it was a little strange friendship where neither knew what to really say to the other. That and Kotallo trying to give her tips on fighting and telling her that perhaps fighting wasn't her strong suit was not exactly welcomed, Alva could fight, just yes, her strengths laid more with her mind and knowledge.

Tilda was still lurking but getting the hint, she too left and it wasn't until the door shut, that the three of them stood gathered and looking amongst themselves. "Tilda helped me get in touch with Beta and she told me something important. There's an installation inside the base, it's called a regulator. Here," Aloy turned away, flagging up the hologram again and finding the point she was referring to. "Once we're inside, I need you two to split off from everyone else and destroy it. So, you'll need to bring explosives. This will help stop the drones. Everything depends on it. You with me?" Aloy explained, she felt a little bad when they exchanged an awkward look, it was clear both Alva and Kotallo didn't quite know how to feel about being partnered up, or being secretive about their part in this whole thing.

Aloy did look sympathetically at them, she wouldn't ask them to do this if she didn't think they couldn't succeed. As awful as it was, Kotallo was right in some part, Alva's strong suit wasn't fighting, but his was. She had the smarts, and the quickness to deal with technology and everything else whereas he could protect her from harm, in a way they were the best team for this job, even if they still looked awkward and uncertain.

When it came to explosives, it wasn't like both Erend and Nureka weren't going to be helpful with making something, Aloy sighed, actually maybe they both should've stayed, in hindsight. Aloy shook her head, it didn't matter, she was sure her friends before her could ask for explosives subtly. Aloy just didn't want Sylens catching wind, that was something she just couldn't deal with, was him trying to find out more information than he needed to know.

"After that, I want you to find a way to infiltrate the Zenith network," Aloy said when both registered and nodded, they weren't going to decline this seems she was putting so much trust in them for this part. At this sentence, Aloy gestured a hand gently in Alva's direction. If anyone could do this, it would be her.

"How?" Alva asked, she sounded as uncertain as she looked. Even sending a wary glance in Kotallo's direction as if he'd provide some miracle answer, he didn't, he just looked equally troubled by the prospect.

"Go over all the data that Beta left behind. She knew how to do it, I'm sure of that." Aloy said, hoping that Alva could have as much faith in herself here as Aloy had in her.

"All right. But, why? What am I trying to do?" Alva sounded surer now, scouring over lots of data for information she could do, and she could do that relatively quickly.

"Find information about the Zeniths, anything Tilda's not telling us. Sylens is right about one thing, there's no way we can take her on her word." Perhaps the lone time Aloy would agree with the man was then, it wasn't like she had much trust in Tilda anyway, someone that focussed always had another motive, that was just how things went, somethings truly didn't change and personal motives and missions was one such thing.

"Okay, I'll do my best." Alva gave a small nod; she had a feeling she was going to be shut away more today than any other day if she was going through all this data for any odd little bit of information that could or could not be useful.

"Keep her safe, okay?" Aloy couldn't think of a better bodyguard for Alva than Kotallo, even if the pair made for a very unlikely team. But he would do everything in his power to make sure Alva didn't get hurt, Aloy knew that well enough.

"On my life," Kotallo said with a slow nod, Aloy just nodded too, she already knew that, she didn't need to hear him say it. However, the look of relief which quickly washed over Alva was enough reason to vocalise a response. Seeing as how the conversation had finished, the pair looked between themselves before turning and leaving the room.

"Explosives?" Alva asked when they were walking back to the main living space, she hesitantly twiddled her fingers together with a small frown.

"Luckily we know someone who likes to build things that explode, even by accident." Kotallo said slowly, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Alva when she sucked in a breath and looked uncertainly up at him. "Perhaps, maybe we should tell her there's no need to hold back this time?" Kotallo asked, frowning in thought, if they were wanting to do maximum damage, then anything Nureka would build would need to really hit hard.

"She won't need to hunt for resources, there's still plenty left over." Alva said while sighing softly, honestly there were so many barrels around, she was certain Nureka would find what she'd need in there. "Are you going to ask her, or shall I, or the both of us? How do you want to go about this?" Alva wasn't sure how to broach the topic without spilling everything by accident to Nureka if she asked why the explosives were needed.

Kotallo shook his head, he was more realistic, there was no need to lie to her and it wasn't like she wasn't going to go blurt to whoever why she's building what she's building. For anyone knew, the explosives were for the drones. "I'll save you having to deal with her excitement," Kotallo said, Alva couldn't help but chuckle although she got a look for it. He just sounded so done already, the man knew what was coming his way and he certainly sounded resigned to it, Alva was thankful he was taking the hit for her here, just hopefully it'd be the only one he would take.

Just so happened when he entered Nureka's room, he came face to face with her aiming an arrow not so much in his direction, but at a target hanging on the wall to the side of the door. He sighed, "You really shouldn't do target practice in here. If you damage something, we don't have Gaia right now to help fix it." Kotallo hated to state the obvious and all he got was her flicking her eyes at him before lowering her new bow. "Have you finished it?"

Nureka smiled and walked over to her desk, she hopped to sit on it and looked his way. "You're wanting something."

"How could you tell?" Kotallo frowned at that, he hadn't said or alluded to anything.

Nureka raised an eyebrow, "Well, other than what you just said, your face. You look...suspicious." Nureka said while pointing at his face and then patting her hand against her bow again. "But yes, I've finished my bow. So, whatever it is you need, I can help. What is it?"

Kotallo stepped nearer to her, watching her turn and put the bow on the desk beside her before reaching out when he was close enough and wrapping her arms slowly around his middle. "Explosives," Kotallo just came out with it, Nureka's eyes widened and she smiled at that. A little noise even came from her while she nodded, from the look on her face though, Kotallo could understand her confusion, this had come from nowhere. Placing a hand against her hair, he brushed his fingers through the loose curls, in a rather brief manner, he explained to her what Aloy had asked of himself and Alva.

Something flickered across her face, and Kotallo placed it as worry that they'd be away from the group. But Nureka sat there nodding slowly, they'd look out for each other, they'd be okay. Patting his side, Nureka turned on the desk and looked around, truthfully there were parts in here dotted about. Kotallo could almost hear the gears working in her mind, Nureka flicked her eyes sidelong at him, "I've got acid in here, somewhere," she said, Kotallo frowned worriedly, even he looked around concerned there was a sac filled with a corrosive substance somewhere lurking.

Slipping from the desk, she walked over to one of the barrels which had been pulled in here for the sake of any little odds and ends that would come in handy for her bow. Kotallo moved over and watched her scrutinise parts, she either kept them in hand or put them back. "So, you can do it?"

"Of course I can, that's a silly question. It's just the matter of how many you need, and what to fill them with. If you're wanting to destroy metal, acid is a good option. But I don't know how much I have. Anything that is incendiary also, I...hm, yeah, just leave it to me!" Nureka was going off on a thoughtful tangent, her mind reeling and musing over options, ultimate damage could result in a mix of things, it was just the question if she had the pieces to hand. But then it wasn't like she couldn't go hunting, was it? It was clear they weren't moving out just yet.

"Just make as many as you can," Kotallo said, watching her gaze come back to reality. She had just stood there zoned out in her own mind, blinking quickly and looking up at him she just nodded her head. "If you have any left over, hand them around. I'm sure they'll be useful for the drones." Kotallo said, knowing full well Nureka was likely going to go overboard here, so everyone might as well have some explosives given to them too. In truth, if the fight didn't tear the base apart, then the bombs surely would, if they were truly wishing to eradicate the Zeniths from ever having the nerve to step foot back here.