Chapter Text
Jeremy paced back and forth inside the small Reef outpost. It was mostly made of scavenged Fallen tech, but the frame that watched him without curiosity was proudly painted in the purple and gold of the Queen.
“How much longer?” Jeremy asked the frame. His anxiety was fraying his nerves and wearing away at his courage. This was a stupid idea.
The frame bowed and answered, “Your ship shall be ready shortly.”
Jeremy frowned, “You said that an hour ago!” he ran his fingers through his hair, “Give me an estimate of time! How long can it possibly take to jam some piece of Fallen tech into my engine?”
“We are ill suited for this task. Your Tower or even the main Reef colony would have better tools and more resources to perform your request.”
Jeremy waved the frame quiet, “I know, I know. Just make sure I don’t blow up out there.” He was regretting not using the expertise the Tower had when it came to modifying jumpships, but knew that Holiday would immediately be suspicious of the request. A guardian had little reason to need the range of their warp drive almost quadrupled, and Jeremy had no excuse to give.
Apparently Golden Age jumpships could traverse from one end of the Sol system to the other in one jump without needing to refuel or cool down.
Modern jumpships weren’t nearly as robust. All the guardians travelling to the Dreadnaught were making it clear that that was near the upward limit of how far they could go and still make it back in one piece. Even then, Holiday was finding her hands full with making sure that no guardian was suddenly and explosively obliterated on their next trip out to Saturn.
And Jeremy had to go much further than Saturn.
He wrung his hands and almost jumped when the frame spoke again.
“We are running a full system diagnostic, and shall let you know the results when finished.”
“Thank you.” Jeremy nodded.
Why had he thought this was a good idea? If he didn’t just blow up the second he attempted the jump, then he’d be stuck drifting in the cold abyss of space out beyond Uranus. Then if he was so lucky, he’d be shot down by Fallen or Cabal scouts and saved from having to slowly starve to death.
And if he did jump to Neptune successfully? He still had no guarantee he would get what he needed to make the jump back.
He was going on a hunch and some less than accurate data.
He could always turn back now. Head back to the Tower, have a warm meal, then go out and collect some nice easy bounties…
Jeremy shook his head; he’d made his decision. No one else was going to do it. No one was crazy enough.
He’d have to deal with the Vanguard if and when they found out; but that was only if he was still alive.
That would be a Future Jeremy problem.
Fireteam AH really was a bad influence, wasn’t it?
Of course, they had no idea about any of this either. It was best that way.
“The diagnostic is complete.” The frame interrupted his thoughts.
“And?”
“Your ship shall fly, but avoid undue stress to the engine and hull. To not do so would risk hull or engine failure.”
Jeremy was wary, “What level of ‘failure’ are we talking about here? Like ‘oh hey a blinking red light’ failure or ‘atomizing the pilot’ failure?”
“The risk of critical failure would be high.”
Jeremy swallowed, “Well, uh, an engine just ceasing to work is a critical failure, and no one dies there, so…”
“Risk of fatality is quite high.” The frame stated without any emotion.
Jeremy’s ghost appeared above his shoulder, “I will monitor all systems and drop us from warp if there are any concerns.”
Jeremy nodded, “Ok. Get us back on board then.”
His ghost nodded and teleported him onto his small jumpship.
The jumpship nimbly navigated out of its dock and out into the Reef debris field. Jeremy’s ghost had the controls and was carefully moving them out into the clear.
“Good job, buddy. Just get us out of this garbage and we can take it nice and easy.” Jeremy told him.
“Our systems are holding up fine, everything is talking with each other as it should. You shouldn’t be so concerned. I told you it would work.” His ghost replied.
“It hasn’t worked yet. Let’s not jinx it.” Jeremy warned.
“Have I ever steered you wrong?” The ghost turned its optic to Jeremy and tilted its shell.
“Actually yes.”
“That wasn’t my fault. I told you; if you had hit the boost when I had said, you would have cleared that canyon.”
“That had been a brand new sparrow too!”
“Not my fault!” the ghost’s shell spun.
Jeremy shook his head with a chuckle and leaned over the controls, “Alright, what kind of math do we need to ask the ship to do if we want to end up at Neptune?”
His ghost flew close and a trajectory made itself visible on screen, “I was going to suggest a direct jump, which would allow us to safely drop from warp at any point. Ideally, we would have a checkpoint like the Dreadnaught to decrease the distance of the jump and act as a safety net… but we don’t have twelve years to wait for Saturn and Neptune to align.”
“Yeah, unfortunately… It would have been nice to be within, I don’t know, several hundred million miles of another guardian in case something goes wrong, though.” Jeremy shrugged.
“Feel free to wait twelve years.”
~*~
He was in a world of Light. Warm, bright, formless, he glided among his brethren, each a burning flame. Above them a great star hovered near but its presence was not ominous, it was comforting.
The star stood silent sentinel over all, protecting them as a mother would her own. It caressed its children with tendrils of star fire, giving them life and gently guiding them when they fell.
He watched the great star with awe. For how brightly it burned there was no pain, no discomfort, and Geoff felt at peace.
This is how it was meant to be.
Like a window opened in the heart of winter a sudden chill crept in around them. With it a wave of dread and apprehension poisoned the atmosphere.
Geoff looked around desperately for the source of disturbance. What was happening? Why was there fear? This was a safe place!
Beyond the great star he finally spotted it.
A gaping black fissure across the sky. A tear in reality as black as the void.
There were shapes moving within.
Massive claws and teeth tore at the edges of the wound, fighting to widen it, for it was too small to allow their passage.
A black tongue ran over jagged predatory teeth that then bit down, sending shadowy cracks out across the sky. They pulled back, further widening the fissure, and the claws returned to pick and scrape at the edge.
Fear coursed through Geoff, but he moved himself to float between the fissure and star. He did not know what manner of beast lay beyond, but it would have to pass through him in order to reach his star.
One claw fit through the fissure, then two, then three, four, and finally five pushed their way through. The hand was covered by a hard black carapace and segmented in the joints. It struggled to fully enter.
The star flared in offense as if finally sensing the intrusion, but the clawed hand paid its fire no mind. Star fire danced and twirled around the black claws, but found no purchase, and did not burn.
In panic, frantically wishing to aid his star, Geoff lashed out with his own Light.
The claws froze in place, pausing their destruction.
Geoff readied himself to attack again.
After a contemplative moment the claws retreated back into the void.
Geoff was hesitant to lower his guard.
A great eye opened on the other side. Featureless, it burned with Taken fire.
But Geoff knew its gaze was fixed on him.
Geoff was abruptly snapped out of sleep mode, and left staring at the metal ceiling of his barracks. He pushed himself up into a seated position.
Something was trying to get to the Traveler, and that something had already made frightening progress.
He had to inform the Speaker.
~*~
Jeremy had his arms out against the console as he tried to brace himself. His whole ship was shaking so hard he feared his teeth would rattle out of his skull.
“We’re almost there!” His ghost urged him, “We can make it!”
“I– I– I Wan-t t-t-o be-e-e in o-o-one p-p-piec-c-ce!” Jeremy was terrified but it was the sharp movements stuttering his words.
With an abrupt lurch the ship fell out of warp. Jeremy’s dashboard lit up in red, and several angry warnings sounded.
“Where are we?!” Jeremy asked the question before even catching his breath. Adrenaline had his muscles shaking almost as violently as his ship had.
His ghost frantically scanned the instruments and took in all the readings, “Critical failure in almost every system. Engines have failed. Weapons and shields are down. Life support is still functioning, but–”
“But what?!”
“You may wish to wear your helm. Just in case.”
“Oh fucking, hell.” Jeremy cursed but grabbed his helm and put it on his head, “How are thrusters? Can we make slow progress?”
His ghost gave him a long stare, “See this blue dot?” The ship’s display lit up and highlighted the little blue light, “That’s Neptune. With thrusters on full it would still take us seven years to get there.”
Jeremy groaned, “Fuck. Ok.” He took a breath, “Please tell me we still have communications.”
“Yes we do. Are we still going to proceed with the plan? Or should I ready the distress beacon?”
“We’re too far out for help from Earth or the Reef. Open up a channel and point it at Neptune.” Jeremy did his best to sound confident.
“Are you sure?” His ghost hesitated.
A siren sounded to inform them about the imminent failure of life support.
“For the love of the Traveller, open a channel!” Jeremy lost his composure.
His ghost hurried to do as ordered.
Jeremy took a breath to steady his voice, “This is a call for aid. My jumpship has blown its engine and life support. Is anyone there?”
Dead air.
He shifted in his seat, it was ridiculous to expect immediate response, “This is Jeremy Dooley from the ‘Atalanta’s Hunt’, I require immediate aid. I repeat, I require aid. My engine is no longer functional and life support is failing.”
His dash emitted a loud claxon call and fell silent.
“Correction; life support has failed.” He transmitted.
His ghost suddenly appeared excited and worried, “We have an incoming response… It’s Fallen. I’ll do my best to translate.”
Fallen chatter filled his helm until his ghost managed to catch up on the translation. The Fallen chatter turned into words that Jeremy’s ear could understand.
“Guardian vessel? Why have you strayed so far from home? We see stolen Eliksni technology on your ship. Explain your presence!” The Fallen voice had no sympathy.
“We had a mishap in warp, and are now stranded. Please. What House are you part of? Could I speak to your Kell? I just need aid; I will not cause harm.” Jeremy pleaded.
He waited on a reply. The transmission was cut.
Jeremy swore.
He nearly launched himself from his seat as a bright flash of green light filled his screen.
A Hive warship emerged from the green portal. Similar in design to the Dreadnaught, Hive warships were far smaller, but still massive by every measure.
“Oh god…” Jeremy craned his neck to try and take in more of the vessel that was now on top of him.
His ghost was doing the same, “Well at least Hive we–”
Jeremy quickly scrambled back to open a com channel, “I’m an ally of Rynwuld!” he broadcast, “To harm me is to incur his wrath!”
His ghost gave him a tired look, “We came here looking for Ryan. If these Hive are here, chances are they’re his. You can’t threaten them with his name.”
“Look we assumed it would be his Hive, that doesn’t mean it is.” Jeremy explained.
The jumpship was jostled slightly as it was grabbed by a tractor beam.
“Oryx’s fleet has disappeared, who else could take it? And it’s not like you can hide such a fleet easily. When we heard the reports of an anomaly orbiting Neptune, we both knew it had to be him.” His ghost attempted to calm him, “Our tech might not be Golden Age great, but it’s not so bad as to miss a whole fleet.”
Jeremy watched as the larger ship swallowed them.
He dropped the landing gear as the Hive growth covered floor of the loading bay came up to meet them.
They touched down softly, and Jeremy looked to his ghost.
“So, uh…” He didn’t have anything to say.
His ghost rolled its optic, “Let’s greet our hosts, shall we?” it took a second to think, “And just in case, I’m going to prep your weapons.”
Jeremy held his breath as he was teleported out of his ship and into the loading bay. His heart was still pounding, but at least they were out of the woods. Or that was what he told himself, as two large Hive Knights approached.
One knight’s armour had purple-black undertones, and the other was more white-grey. The White Knight’s armour was bulkier and more ornate, his carapace was carefully carved and adorned. The Purple Knight was lighter in build and its armour was spikier and more jagged.
“Uh, Hey.” He nervously greeted and shifted his weight between his feet.
The Knights looked him over, and he noticed that they were unarmed. That was a good sign, right?
The White Knight growled and clicked something in Hive, then pointed to Jeremy.
The Purple Knight chattered in response.
Jeremy swallowed and hoped his ghost would come through with a translation.
The Knights parted, stepping aside to clear his path.
The White Knight gestured to a large hallway at the far end of the docking bay with a guttural burbling noise.
Jeremy hoped he was understanding correctly and began to walk towards the hall. The Knights did nothing to stop him.
“They want you to go down the hall with them.” His ghost translated.
“Thanks, Tips.” Jeremy was sarcastic.
The Knights fell in behind Jeremy and followed him keeping a comfortable distance.
“Don’t call me that.” His ghost was irritated, “And Hive is hard; feel free to translate on your own.”
Jeremy smiled beneath his helm, “I literally just did, and did so faster than you.”
His ghost refused to respond.
They walked down the hall with the Knights giving the occasional additional directions. They would call out to catch his attention and point where they needed him to go.
The architecture was strikingly similar to that of the Dreadnaught, but felt less ancient. Jeremy noticed that more of the actual structure of the warship was visible instead of being overgrown with barnacles and growths as was common on the Dreadnaught.
They stopped before a large carved door. The Knights moved to stand on either side of the door and it opened seemingly of its own accord.
Jeremy stood before the threshold, looking into the large chamber beyond. It was gloomily lit, and cathedral-like, with no furnishings. Black liquid pooled in shallow puddles across the floor, and heavy chains fell down from the high ceiling.
The Knights turned their heads to look at him.
Jeremy nodded at them and stepped into the room. The large door closed behind him with a whisper.
As far as he could tell, the room was empty.
“Hello?” He called out cautiously.
Three glowing cyan coloured eyes appeared in the gloom at the far end of the room, “So it really is you. I was skeptical.” Ryan neared him and became visible.
Jeremy was thankful he was wearing his helm so that his reaction could remain unseen.
Ryan had been transformed by the Hive. Wearing no helm, he was in full Hive armour. His large wings were folded behind his back and held comfortably, but those Jeremy had already known about.
The greatest change was in Ryan’s face. It had become nearly skeletal; his flesh had tightened and lay close to the bone. Deep furrows ran across his skin by his jaw and from his eyes. His flesh was hardening and beginning to segment like a Hive carapace.
Jeremy wasn’t sure if it was the light, but Ryan’s armour appeared to seamlessly join with his skin. Almost as if it was a part of him now.
“Yeah.” Jeremy nodded.
Ryan came closer until they were a comfortable conversational distance away from each other, “Why? Why are you here?” His teeth were sharp and predatory. The flesh of his mouth and tongue almost black.
“You disappeared.” Jeremy wasn’t sure how to answer, “I– I wanted to talk… About, well, everything.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow, “You nearly turned yourself into radioactive dust… to talk?” he paused, “Jumpships aren’t meant to travel even a quarter of the distance you did. What drove you to – Why would you risk it?”
“I, um, well it does seem pretty stupid, huh?” Jeremy laughed nervously, “But when we killed Oryx, what you said, it’s kinda stuck with me and… and I think you’re right.”
Ryan was quiet for a moment before speaking gently, “Did you come here to join me?”
“I want to help… and I couldn’t just contact you without the Vanguard overhearing… So I figured it was the only option.”
“Shit, Jeremy.” Ryan shook his head but smiled, “You’re no use to anyone vaporised.” He reached over and put a hand on his shoulder, “But it really means a lot.”
“I don’t know how much use I can be, but I figure if any cause deserves my time, it’s this one. I don’t want Earth to be a war zone forever, you know? And like, why can’t we work with other races? Are we really all so close minded and short sighted? Like if we don’t go extinct it will have to happen eventually, and this is the best way to ensure we change the future.
I know that I’m not the only one that thinks this way either, and I think that just being a guardian would give me the ability to get the message out to more people, because we all know that there are few who will listen otherwise. And even then, the Vanguard is going to hate me, but I’m willing to do it. I believe in this and–”
Jeremy was cut off as Ryan pulled him into a hug. It got darker, and Jeremy realised that Ryan’s wings were in on the embrace as well.
“Thank you.” Ryan told him. After a moment he released Jeremy and asked, “How is everyone else? Are you alone in this decision?”
Jeremy exhaled, “Everyone’s a bit of a mess, Ryan, I couldn’t exactly share what I was planning to do. They feel betrayed, at least I know Michael does. He still refuses to say your name, or mention anything about you. Geoff, I think, mostly sees you as a victim, and Jack seems to agree with him, but believes it’s somehow his fault. Gavin’s with Michael on being pissed at you, but I think it’s mostly Fallen related more than anything else.”
“They feel betrayed?” Anger flashed across Ryan’s features, “They knew me better than anyone, and I trusted them, I would have died for them, and did. Many times. When I needed their support the most, they abandoned me… Not once, but twice.
And who is the first to reach out to me? You! The guardian I’ve known the least. That speaks louder and clearer to me than anything they could have to say.”
Jeremy put up his hands defensively, “Ryan, you said yourself that what I did was stupid, don’t write them off just because they aren’t idiots.”
“I was a fool to ever believe that they would support me the second I broke convention.”
“Whoa, calm down, man. I guarantee it’s not like that, you’re all just too close to this so it gets all muddied with your histories.” Jeremy had had this conversation far too many times back at the tower.
Ryan took a breath and looked to Jeremy, “Fine. I have other things to worry about anyway. It’s a waste of energy to think about them.”
“Just give them some time to cool down, alright? And like, you have to see their side of the argument too. What if it were Geoff in your position, and you in his? You’d be worried about him too. Not to mention completely torn between what you ‘know’ and what you’re now being told to believe. They’ll come around. I’m sure of it.”
Ryan chuckled but appeared saddened, “I appreciate your optimism. But don’t worry; they will always have a place at my side if they wish it… Even if I doubt they ever will.”
“Hey, once the ball gets rolling, they’ll see the good you’re doing.” Jeremy gave Ryan a light bump on the shoulder.
“The good we’re doing.” Ryan emphasised, “You’re a part of this now.”
Jeremy smiled and a silence fell between them.
“I’ve been spending my time out here trying to regroup and reorganise my people.” Ryan explained, “If you were curious… I didn’t just ‘disappear’. It’s been a full time job getting everything working and everyone assigned where they need to be.”
Jeremy nodded in understanding.
Ryan continued, “I have six Hive warships… technically six and a half, but that half isn’t exactly useful except maybe for some spare parts. Oryx was far from a brilliant strategist, and destroyed most of his own fleet when facing the Awoken. Absolute idiocy.” He ran his clawed and armoured hand through his hair, “Which leaves me with just over a hundred Tombships, three Ketch, and twelve Skiffs.”
“That’s nothing to sneeze at.”
“Well, no, and I hope to increase the number of ships, but it’s not ideal. My latest round of negotiations with the House of Dynasty went to shit.”
Jeremy was intrigued, “You’re trying to get a Fallen House? Were they the ones that first picked up my distress call?”
Ryan shook his head, “No that was the House of Plagues, they have already sworn their allegiance to me, and are the reason for the Ketch and Skiffs. They’re a small house, but it’s a start.” He looked back to Jeremy, “And try not to call them ‘Fallen’ if you can. Use their proper name: Eliksni. It’s a bit of a touchy subject with some of them. Implies they’re somehow lesser.”
“Oh. Ok, I will take note of that. I didn’t know. Sorry.”
Ryan smiled, “It’s cool.”
Jeremy had a thought, “Couldn’t you take the Dreadnaught? That would count for like a thousand ships.”
“Nah, thought about it though.” Ryan rubbed some stubble, “There’s too many guardians on it now to just take it. Also the Skyburner Cabal are still there. It’s just a mess, but I’ve already gone back a few times and begun stripping it down. There’s some pretty valuable components on board. So far it seems no one’s noticed.” He chuckled.
“I feel like anything you take from that monstrosity would be too large to be of use anywhere else.”
Ryan shrugged, “Hasn’t stopped me yet. I’ve got the main powercore and three of the eight engines. Grabbed some minor weapon systems as well. I’ll find a place for them.
I also want the Skyburner command ship since as far as anyone can tell, it’s still fully functional. But it poses its own challenges and so far… Well, yeah.”
“’Well, yeah’?” Jeremy cocked his head.
“Well I either have to kill them all or convert them to my cause. So far they have entirely ignored every attempt to communicate, and if I just slaughter them, then I’ll have no chance negotiating with Cabal ever again.”
“I don’t know if Cabal can be negotiated with in the first place.”
Ryan grinned deviously, “I’ll become impossible to ignore.”
Jeremy took a small step back, “You’re not going to Take them are you?”
“No, not that. I haven’t Taken a soul, and don’t plan on doing so for any creature but the Vex. I do not wish to create an army; I want to create a civilization. And to do that I require freewill and thought.”
Jeremy was relieved, “I got worried for a second.”
That made Ryan laugh.
“It’s a legitimate concern! I know I would get frustrated eventually and just say ‘fuck it’.”
Ryan calmed himself, “I’m sorry, yes it would be a legit concern. I’m not planning on it.” He closed his eyes and took a breath, before changing the topic, “So what is it that you are planning on doing now? I assume you’ll need a ride back – I honestly recommend it over attempting to warp in that jumpship again.”
Jeremy chuckled and shrugged, “I’ll go where you need me.”
Ryan crossed his arms and drummed his fingers on his forearms in thought, “Hmm. I will need to give this some thought before I send you away. I feel as if you would be best as an ambassador back in the Tower.”
“A spy?” Jeremy wanted to clarify.
“Not necessarily, unless of course the Vanguard plan something absolutely ridiculous, but I don’t want to risk you being found out. Staying safe should be your priority.
Give me some time to think. I will create a believable story for you.
In the meantime, I would tell you to make yourself comfortable, but,” He gestured to the room, “Hive accommodations don’t get better than this.”
“I’ll live.” Jeremy replied.
“You sure? That’s it’s alright? You can go where you please and try to find a better place to rest if you want?”
“I’m in full armour. It’s cool. Plus, it’ll be easier to find me if I stay put.”
“Doesn’t make a difference to me. I’ll find you either way.”
Jeremy shrugged, “Then I might decide to explore; depends on how long you’re gone.”
“Shouldn’t be too long; I want to see if we can use a Ketch to send you home, since a Hive warship is, uh, well it wouldn’t go unnoticed. It’s two hundred and fifteen miles of ‘fuck you’ that would set off every defense system on the planet.”
Jeremy laughed at that description.
Ryan seemed to remember something, “Oh and one more thing! It should help you out.”
“Oh?” That caught Jeremy by surprise.
“Consider it a gift. Also try not to freak out.” Ryan brought up his right hand and his fingers began to glow white. Taken fire danced across their surface, “This won’t hurt.” He slowly reached up towards Jeremy.
“Uh, what are you–”
Ryan grabbed Jeremy by the helm and Jeremy’s vision flashed blue-white. Ryan removed his hand and the Taken energy died out.
Jeremy blinked rapidly, stunned, “What was that?!”
Ryan stepped back and put his arms behind his back, “Can you understand me?” He asked.
It took Jeremy a moment to process; Ryan wasn’t speaking English. What his ears had just heard had been Hive, but he’d understood it.
“Did you just teach me Hive?” Jeremy asked absolutely astonished.
Ryan smiled, “More or less.” He switched to Hive, “The gift of understanding.” Back to English, “Language is nothing but a series of sounds used to convey meaning. I have given you the meaning.”
“I don’t think I get it.”
“That’s fine. I don’t expect you to. This is a gift I give to all those loyal to me. There is no time for mistranslation and miscommunication if I plan to succeed.” Ryan nodded to him.
“How did you do that? Was this something Oryx was capable of?” Jeremy was curious.
Ryan cocked an eyebrow, “Oryx spoke to us in English… and you never thought to question it?”
Jeremy shut his mouth abruptly.
Ryan continued, “This power; the knowledge of the Deep,” he said the name in Hive, “What you call Taken power – it does not belong to the Hive. It is far beyond them, and all that you know of it is just the small portion that Oryx wished for you to witness. He only used it to destroy, with the intention of causing extinction. I am far more creative… and intelligent.”
Jeremy felt mildly uncomfortable with Ryan declaring himself smarter than Oryx, and couldn’t pinpoint why.
Ryan seemed to pick up on his discomfort, “He destroyed his own fleet with friendly fire, crippling his forces and leaving himself an open target for us. His ultimate weapon was disabled by Gavin within minutes of his landing.” He paused, “He let the Cabal crash a ship into the Dreadnaught, and if it wasn’t for the interference of guardians, the Cabal would have blown the whole thing up and half of the Sol system with him!
Don’t get me started on the shit I’ve learned from Hive records. He relied solely on his strength to succeed, and that is why he ultimately failed. The very fact that I believe strategy and having a plan is necessary, already gives me a step up over him. I’m no genius, but he was a very, very powerful fool.”
“When you put it all like that… His tactics really don’t make much sense do they?”
“That’s because he didn’t have any. If he was smart, we would all be dead. The Dreadnaught is as large across as the Earth’s moon. He could have just warped next to Earth and dropped the Traveller on top of us. Or crashed the Dreadnaught directly into the planet. Hell, crashing a Hive warship into the ocean would be enough to achieve that.
We’d all be dead.”
“I never even thought about it…” Jeremy admitted.
“And because of it, the Vanguard feel as if this was some sort of grand victory for them. It’s boosted their confidence, and will only make them cocky come a threat that actually knows what they’re doing. Not to mention, it also makes them less likely to listen to what I have to say.”
“I have clearly hit upon a sensitive topic.” Jeremy lightly said with a smile.
“Sorry.” Ryan appeared cowed, “I just have a lot of frustrations.” He shifted his weight awkwardly, “I’m going to go and secure that Ketch for you. Hold tight.”
Jeremy didn’t have a chance to respond before Ryan disappeared in a flash of blue-white light.
~*~
Michael stomped up the stairs to where the Speaker stood. As he had expected, Geoff was there quietly conversing with the Speaker. He was always with the Speaker.
“Geoff!” Michael huffed barely hiding his frustration.
“Michael,” Geoff turned to face him, “This isn’t a good time, can we talk later?”
Michael’s face made it clear that they would talk now and not later, “Jeremy’s been gone for two days now. He doesn’t just disappear; something’s happened to him!”
“Michael, two days isn’t that long; he’s probably just running bounties or patrol for more marks. You know how he is about modifying his armour.” Geoff dismissed his concern.
“Not Jeremy.” Michael insisted, “He always answers his comms, always. I can’t reach him, Geoff. He’s not like you warlocks, he doesn’t disappear!”
The Speaker turned to look at Geoff.
Geoff glanced at him and then turned back to Michael, “Look, Michael, we might have something pretty serious going on.” He paused, “I think the Traveller is under attack, and all of us with it. Something is trying to break the Traveller’s protection.”
“What?” Michael hadn’t heard anything of the sort, “Does the Vanguard know? Why is no one talking about this?”
“We are evaluating the severity of the threat, and hoping to gain further knowledge as to its origin before taking action.” The Speaker informed him, “We can not retaliate against the unknown.”
“So you’re just standing around talking about it?!” Michael asked angrily.
“Michael, no. We’re trying to get information.” Geoff shook his head.
The Speaker nodded, “The Traveller has spoken to Geoff and it is now up to us to understand the message.”
Geoff could see Michael’s increasing irritation, “Go find Jeremy. I will let you know once I know anything.”
“The problem is I can’t find him!” Michael shouted, “I’ve tried!”
The Speaker looked to Geoff, “Help him.”
“But what I saw,” Geoff argued.
The Speaker shook his head, “Call out to his Light. You shall learn of his whereabouts, and you need the practice.”
“What?” Michael was confused, “That’s something you can do?”
“Not well.” Geoff looked at the Speaker, “What if I fail?”
“Then you fail, and shall try again.” The Speaker replied.
Geoff gave a hesitant nod, “Alright… I’ll try.” He gave a quick look around for a chair. Spying one near the wall he pulled it over and sat himself down. He shook out his joints and limbs. Leaning his head back he closed his eyes.
“How does this work?” Michael asked the Speaker.
Geoff opened his eyes and lifted his head, “It works when you’re quiet. I need to focus.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Michael apologised and watched Geoff enter a relaxed posture once more.
Geoff closed his eyes again, and did his best to clear his mind. Almost immediately, memories of his dream filled his vision.
Scrabbling black claws, gnashing teeth, and the soul shattering CRACK! As the wound in reality was widened.
He tensed and forced himself to let the image pass. He would deal with it later.
Relaxing again, Geoff opened his mind and let his awareness cautiously wander out.
He was in the Speaker’s chamber. He could see Michael’s Light and feel his mix of anger, fear, and concern. Next to him was the Speaker, stoic and unwavering in his Light.
Geoff needed to reach out further and seek out the Light he knew.
He smiled as he found Jack who was happily enjoying a book. His Light aflame with curiosity and wonder.
Next were Ray and Matt burning with the heat of battle as they competed in the crucible.
But Geoff knew he had to reach further still. He was still only on Earth.
A flicker caught his attention.
It was Gavin. His ghost had just revived him somewhere on Venus. His Light was agitated and filled with frustration.
Geoff was tempted to reach out to him, but resisted. His Light was not the one he seeking.
He continued his search, and happened upon many guardians, but none of them his.
Where was he?
Straining, Geoff pushed himself further.
He caught a glimmer of Light faintly off in the distance. Was that the Light he was seeking? He struggled and pushed himself further in the hope of learning more.
The Traveller’s song was faint out this far, but still Geoff went further, following the small sparkle of warmth.
Darkness. That was all that should have been out this far. Yet a small flame burned steady and defiant.
And it appeared the Darkness had taken notice of the incursion on its territory.
Geoff did not know what he was seeing. The Light did not waver with fear or the feeling of threat, yet it was sitting in a cradle of Darkness.
He watched black claws close around the flame gently and with surprising tenderness.
Geoff could only feel fear as he finally recognised the Light as belonging to Jeremy. He was being held within those claws; a cage of Darkness, but he didn’t even appear aware of the danger he was in.
What was going on?! Was the Darkness studying the Light? Was it keeping Jeremy captive to better learn about the Traveller’s weaknesses?
He suddenly felt ill and anxious, and turned his attention to return home.
He was met with three massive eyes staring him down.
Geoff was no more than a speck before the infernos of Taken fire that were now watching him.
Black claws were brought up around him, and Geoff was filled with panic.
Geoff’s eyes snapped open.
The Speaker had his hands on either side of Geoff’s face, and upon seeing him awaken, he released him and stepped back.
Geoff pushed himself up to sit straight and saw Michael’s face filled with fear.
“What did you see?” It was clear the Speaker was working to keep his voice steady and calm.
“I– I don’t know.” Geoff choked out, voice breaking, “I found Jeremy, b-but,”
“But what?” Michael advanced and the Speaker stuck out an arm to keep him back.
“Something has him. Something dark. I think it’s the same thing that’s been attacking the Traveller.” Geoff explained.
“Is he hurt?!” Michael asked.
Geoff shook his head, “No, He’s fine, the Darkness… It seems to be– I don’t know, but it’s being really careful with him? It doesn’t want to hurt him.”
The Speaker put his hands in his sleeves, “Interesting…” he murmured.
“Where is he?” Michael was ready to call in the cavalry.
“I don’t know, I don’t recognize it, but it’s really far. Too far.” Geoff told him.
The Speaker spoke, “You ventured so far I had to call you back.” He paused in thought, “And what of your missing warlock friend? Did you catch any hint of him?”
Geoff shook his head, and looked at Michael. Their fireteam had decided it best not to share what had happened to Ryan, and had instead declared him missing and most likely dead.
“My condolences.” The Speaker stated, “As for your titan, Jeremy; If he is unharmed then there is hope. It appears that our problems are not unrelated. I will inform the Vanguard.”
Geoff nodded, “Yes.” He turned to Michael, “We need to get everyone together again.”
Michael nodded and knew that there was something Geoff was omitting in the presence of the Speaker.
“I’m on it.” Michael declared.
~*~
Ryan sat upon his throne of steel and chitin. Organic and impossible geometry had been forcibly mated to produce a great writhing offspring that Ryan had claimed as his seat. It was a twisted monstrosity born of an idle mind; made more and more complex simply because he could.
In this realm, he was God. The only god.
He looked upon his latest work. Still unfinished, it hung in the darkness before him as he contemplated its shape. As he thought, he absentmindedly toyed with the Dreadnaught’s powercore in his hand, rolling it between forefinger and thumb.
The engines and weapons had been easier to place; this core was akin to a heart, and had to be positioned where it would remain safe. He would not repeat Oryx’s mistakes.
He prodded at an Eliksni weapon system, repositioning it, and then coaxed steel to flow in around the modification. Eliksni were brilliant engineers, and Ryan couldn’t wait until he had his hands on Cabal and Vex technology as well.
Sensing an intrusion into his throne room, he brought his thoughts back to the present.
He sunk further into his seat with a sigh, “And to what do I owe your presence here, Toland?”
A human appearing more than twice Ryan’s age bowed before the throne. He was dressed in a mix of guardian armour and Hive cloth.
Toland exited his bow, “Your Majesty. I have come to inquire as to the titan you have accepted into your service. You do not truly believe that you can trust him do you?”
Ryan pushed himself up to stare directly at the warlock, “You would dare question my judgment?”
“No. I question your sentiment. It is unseemly, and a weakness.”
Ryan bared his teeth and growled, “I did not ask your opinion.”
Toland did not flinch or falter, “You say that your humanity is nothing but a lie to assay fear, but I fear that this may be a lie you are telling yourself.”
Ryan leaned back on his throne, “I know that I can trust no one.” He looked pointedly at Toland, “But they must all trust me, and for that they must believe I trust them.”
Toland smiled and bowed, “Forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty.”
Ryan didn’t smile. When he had first found Toland’s formless consciousness wandering the Ascendant Realms, he had been eager to learn from the exiled warlock.
But now that he had given Toland a body, he found him to be nothing but a nagging nuisance. The old warlock was of the opinion that Oryx’s logic had been sound truth, and at every opportunity tried to convince Ryan into agreement.
“What you know is nothing. Remember that, or you too shall become nothing.” Ryan threatened him.
Toland bowed a third time, “Yes of course, Your Majesty.” He rose from his bow, “I watched your reunion with the titan. It was impressive.”
Ryan gave him a tired and unimpressed look.
“A true display of masterful and effortless manipulation.” Toland continued.
“Are you done with your flattery? If so, leave me.” Ryan waved him away. He wasn’t interested as he knew it was all Toland’s attempt at gaining favour. The man wanted the power that Ryan now wielded more than anything else in the universe.
Toland smiled, gave a quick bow and disappeared into the shadows.
There was never anything kind or genuine about that man’s smiles. They always felt as if they were an attempt at disarming some newly spotted prey.
And Ryan was now certain that Toland saw him as such. The man’s Light burned with jealous rage and little else.
Ryan had debated confronting him about it, but found it far more amusing to watch the man try and hide his true intentions while his very being screamed them out for Ryan to hear.
Now that Toland was gone, Ryan called upon the void. It eagerly answered. Reality shivered and strained as Ryan stood to greet it.
Darkness surrounded him until there was nothing else. He was weightless and one with the eternal void.
It took a moment of searching, but soon the void was empty no longer. Ryan was growing practiced and it pleased him to be able to call forth the stars quicker each time.
He was currently only interested in one star. He picked out Sol from amongst the others and moved close. The Sun burned brightly, but the Traveller burned far brighter. Long golden threads extended from the Traveller to each guardian. Curiosity burned in Ryan as to what would occur if he were ever to sever one of those threads, but he knew better than to test it. He quickly scanned for the small pinpricks of Light that he recognised. His former companions were mostly back on Earth, except Gavin who was on Venus, and of course Jeremy who was aboard a Ketch.
He turned to look at Jeremy, still so far from home. He had decided to wait until his ship was repaired. It would be most easily explained if he were dropped off in a far corner of the Reef and made the rest of the trek home in his own ship. Coming home in a Ketch would be almost as bad as coming home in a Hive warship.
Ryan extended his hand out beneath the waiting Ketch on which Jeremy was having his ship repaired. The lives of the Eliksni on board all glowed, but were nothing compared to the guardian among their midst.
He vowed he would ensure that Jeremy would befall no harm on his behalf. So fragile, so small, it was difficult to believe that he had been the same just over a year earlier.
How oblivious and naïve he had been then. Believing himself a master of his own fate.
Ryan smiled; well he hadn’t been completely wrong. Just look at where he was now.
A glint caught Ryan’s eye. It was out of place this far out. Turning to face it, he was surprised as he recognised it.
It was Geoff.
But how had he gotten himself this far? Was he lost? Had something happened?
Ryan saw how his Light quaked in terror, so he pulled in close and brought his hands up around him. Geoff didn’t appear to be in any immediate danger, but he was so afraid, that Ryan became worried for his safety.
He had decided he would send a ship over to investigate when Geoff’s tether to the Traveller began to burn bright. It was pulled taut and suddenly retracted.
Geoff was viciously ripped from Ryan’s grasp and back towards the Earth. Ryan was startled but ultimately pleased that Geoff had somehow been returned home.
Curious as to what had just occurred, Ryan made his way over to the Traveller. Everything appeared normal; the Traveller had even begun mending the hole in its barrier around the city.
That was annoying. It was undoing much of his work. That hole was his only window into what was occurring within the Last City. The Traveller’s barrier blocked his awareness, and Ryan needed an eye on what went on beyond.
Last time he had been widening his window, Geoff had taken notice and Ryan decided it best to back off. He knew what he was doing looked bad.
He ran his fingers over the crack he had created, hoping that they would catch and find purchase. They found none and Ryan decided that he would return to it later.
Now was not the time for this. He had to ensure Jeremy returned home safely.