It has been 3 years since that…Event.
We went into the vault of glass, hoping to finish what Praedyth and Kabr's fireteam had started. We succeeded, but at a cost.
I lost most of my fireteam to the Vex time stream…I know six of us went down there, only 2 came out. Me, and my lover at the time, Vulk. But…that's all I remember. I don't remember who else I went down with, who I lost, who I should try to find…I stay here to try and remember. I went back to the tower once after that, and have holed myself up inside an abandoned building in Ishtar ever since. I vowed to stay here until I learn more about the Vex, and about their technology in hopes of finding a way to rescue them.
The vanguard tries to talk to me, tries to coax me back to the tower, but I ignore them. I have something I need to finish. I was the leader, I should have taken better care, and avoided all of this.
OOOO
I sit at my desk, taking in the storm breeze that squeezes through the boarded window. A small Vex cube sits in front of me, giving off a slight hum. What is this thing supposed to do? What use could a cube have to the murderous Vex? I feel the edges with my fingers, looking for maybe some kind of switch or button.
"Hmm, do you think the Vex could build me a better chassis? Maybe one that can teleport!"
I give my ghost an un-approving look, "interesting idea, but what's the point of that unless I teleport with you? Which, I can do myself by the way."
"Yeah but blinking is not the same, I want to teleport the Vex way! Maybe their teleportation can switch between time streams?" he wondered.
I have often thought the same thing myself. I have read all of the information the Vanguard, and Ishtar, for that matter, has to offer. It only references the Vex gates being used for time travel. In any case, I have a task in front of me; opening this damn cube.
"Remind me where we picked this up again?" I ask my ghost, who is floating around my hands, vigorously scanning.
"Just outside the vault of glass entrance. I am noticing something interesting here…Try channeling some of your light to your fingertips." So I do, a light purple glow emits from my hands.
"This is quite interesting! It is reacting to your light!" The cube begins to gently vibrate, steadily increasing in intensity, until…
"Look out!"
I throw the cube out an open window, and it falls on the ground with a boom. I peer down and at the landing sight. The cube is still intact, as if it never exploded at all. I toss on my helmet and robes to investigate.
What I find is quite amazing, indeed. Within the radius of the explosion, the flowers, and even insects have stopped completely, as if they are frozen.
"So…Is this what happens when light comes together with Vex tech?" my ghost asked.
"Maybe it's this particular type of tech…There is also the Vex Mythoclast, remember? Last I remember, that gun doesn't freeze time." Hm, but maybe I can harness this power. Maybe…Maybe this stupid cube is what's standing in my way between reuniting with my fireteam. I pick the cube up and head back to my hole. The sun is beginning to set, and my little room has a perfect view. I think I am on the verge of something here. If I can build a weapon to harness that power, this could definitely turn the tides.
OOOO
I woke up early, really early. What time is it? The sun has not risen. By the traveler, I haven't had a full night's rest in 2 damn weeks. I stare at the cracked ceiling while I lay on my makeshift bed, where I threw a bunch of fallen cloaks on top of a couple couches pushed together that were already here.
"Ghost…" I huff.
"Yes Amos?"
"I feel like tinkering." I roll out of bed and sit at my other desk, the desk for my gear. I take a look at my collection of guns; some of them I plucked from some fallen scavengers, some I ripped from the hands of the Vex. Others are ones I brought with me from the tower. I figure a vex gun would best suit a vex cube, so I pick out a Hobgoblin's line rifle and begin to dismantle it. I carefully place the pieces out on the desk, being extra sure I remember where they came from. So many pieces, but, I have noticed that the inner workings are not too much different than a rifle powered by light. It seems that the energy the Vex use flows through them in a similar way.
I briefly look out the window, and the sun has risen well into the sky. Just as I'm about to really experiment, I hear boots coming up the stairs.
I grab my sidearm and point it at the door, only for Vulk to open it.
"My, my. How scary," he says sarcastically. He pretends to shiver and cower. What an ass.
"You're an ass," I say.
"Ah yes, my favorite warlock. I've missed you too, dear."
Vulk is a titan. And he fits all of the stereotypes, he is big, protective, and could never dream of leaving the city in danger. He is also hardheaded, and often oblivious. He may be a damn good titan but he was never good with connecting with people; he can't read their emotions. At all. He is also sarcastic at the worst of times.
"Your monthly provisions delivery, your highness," he takes off his helmet to reveal his light blue awoken skin. He has a scar on his eyebrow, no one knows how he actually got it; he tells a different story about it each time. He bows with extreme, sarcasm, and his ghost transmats a giant trunk into my tiny room.
"Gee, thanks. Now I have a coffin to sleep in." I retort. He runs a hand through is black, silky hair. Vulk squeezes his bulky titan self around the trunk and makes his way over to me.
"You know, the vanguard could really use you back," he starts. But I cut him right off, "look, I know they make you ask but you already know my answer. Please send Ikora my regards."
He sighs. "So, what are you working on there?" He leans over my shoulder at the torn apart rifle. "I have found some interesting tech that I'm reworking into a weapon," I hold up the cube for him to see.
"A cube?" his ghost asks.
"A cube," mine says in return.
"Let me show you what this cube does," I pick the cube up and did the same thing I did earlier. Vulk follows me outside to see the results.
"Neat!" he says. How typical. "This is not just neat," I say, "this is revolutionary. That rifle I have torn apart is going to harness the power of this…Time freezing ability. I'm just hoping it leads me to our team…" I trail off, I really don't want to talk about it.
"I may not be good with this Vex-time stuff but I definitely could help you out with the rifle. The gunsmith has given me a tip or two on building 'em," Vulk says.
"Hm, that'd be great."