Copen
The new datapad held some more insight into the higher Banished ranks – and even some growing animosity amongst them.
Rubikis, the chieftain, grew resentful toward the warmaster and founder of the Banished, Atriox. Thought he was no longer fit for the role. That the Banished would collapse on themselves under his leadership.
That the Nexus was 'a fluke'.
It all but confirmed Copen's earlier suspicion about the Nexus being the cause of the anomalies, wormholes, and this new world. However, whereas he and the rest of the group seemed to all have been brought here against their will, Rubikis' wording made it sound like Atriox had searched for the Nexus himself, bringing his faction with him of his own volition. Was such a thing possible? Could Atriox and the Banished know of the power that the Nexus held?
He couldn't be sure of it, and in any case, that power falling into the wrong hands could spell disaster unlike any seen before.
Chieftain Rubikis didn't seem to entirely believe in it, at least, but warden Gorbak appeared to be more on Atriox's side. If Copen's understanding of the datapad was correct, Gorbak had requested use of this stalker program to record and relay the conversation to the warmaster, warning him of Rubikis' intentions. Whether any further action was taken due to this communication was unknown.
As he thought on the contents of the datapad, Copen ascended alongside Keyes and the marines into the next area. Nothing but dirt and boxes greeted them as they headed through the hallway and into the new room. It felt odd for the place to be this empty, as the marines noted, with Freid reprimanding them for jinxing things.
The skirmisher had called to retreat when the marines were set free, but did that really extend to the rest of the facility?
"Keep your guard up," Copen called, cautiously making his way to the right wall, where the control console was. "I'll try to get that door open."