Angel and Ghost arrived at the tower about an hour after they found the jumpship.
"Well, here we are. This city, is the last place that the Traveler can protect." Ghost said, as the two disembarked the ship. "This "Tower" is where the Guardians live. Follow me, I'll get you set up with quarters and new gear."
"Ok." Angel shrugged and stretched. The pair descended a flight of steps, and found a large room with a big table, with three people standing at it, performing various tasks.
Ghost flew towards a woman who was reading a book at the corner of the table nearest to them.
"Ikora, I've brought a Guardian back from Earth." He said, spinning the back of his shell.
"Have you now?" Ikora said, closing the book and setting it down. She turned to the machine, giving him her full attention.
Ghost gave a sort of nod. "Yes. From what I can tell, she's a Warlock, don't know what kind though."
Angel stepped forward and held her hand out. "Name's Angel. Nice to meet you." Ikora awkwardly shook the offered hand. She gestured to the space next to her at the table.
"Please." Angel nodded and took the spot. Ikora placed her hand on Angel's bicep, and closed her eyes. After a moment, she opened them.
"You're a Sunsinger. While not the most common of Warlock classes, it is very good for the battlefield." She said, folding her hands. "You will, in the future, be able to grant yourself and your allies special bonuses and extra protection." Ikora handed Angel a large ring, with two glowing bands on either side. Angel took it, and Ikora tapped her bicep, showing her where to put it.
"A Warlocks' bond lets them access the power within themselves. Not for free of course, but with effort, you will be a force to be reckoned with." Ikora handed her a small white rectangle, made of metal.
"That, will get you a new weapon of your choice from Banshee-44. He's outside the Hall, and to the left."
Angel nodded and took the rectangle. Ikora returned to her book, so Angel and Ghost took that as the moment to leave.
The Skiff sailed through the air, a few dozen miles from the Traveler. Lanka slammed her fists on the control console and cursed in Eliksni. She was being tailed by Pikes on the ground, and Skiffs from the air. Several Skiffs fired, but she maneuvered out of the path of the projectiles. She set the Skiff to auto pilot, and went into the cargo bay. Several Pikes were stocked with, along with various weapons and armor. She quickly set about readying a Pike at the bay's hatch, and grabbed several weapons, including a spare Shock rifle, a Wire rifle, and a Shrapnel Launcher. She strapped the weapons to the Pike, and tried to think of a plan.
"Okay...Here goes the dumbest idea I've ever had." She ran back to the cockpit, and set it back to manual. She pulled the control back, and turned the ship in a full 180. Lanka set the thrusters to full power, and headed directly for the other approaching Skiffs, firing off as many shots as she could.
Lanka quickly scurried back to the cargo bay, and opened the hatch. She mounted the Pike, and shot through the open hatch. Wind whistled in her ears as she descended, nose down, towards the ground. She fired the Pikes boost, speeding up her descent. She looked behind her, and the Skiff she jumped from was now reduced to a fiery cloud, which rained down bits of metal and spare parts. The other Skiffs apparently took the bait, because they turned, and flew off, presumably heading back to the Ketch. The Pikes below apparently took it as well, swerving back and speeding off.
Lanka breathed a sigh of relief, and then sent about fixing her current predicament. She pulled up with all her might, and estimated her distance to the ground. About 70 meters, give or take. She held her hand over the boost lever, waiting.
Lanka silently calculated the distance, from the ground. 50 meters. 40, 30, 20. When she reached 15, she fired the boost at full power, almost getting thrown off of the vehicle. It stopped just short of the ground, and flew forward a few dozen feet.
Lanka stopped, taking in what just happened, and laughed, despite her circumstance. She laughed at the sheer thrill of her near death experience, or possibly because she was driven somewhat mad by it all.
After a few minutes, Lanka fired the Pike back up, and set off toward the Traveler.
"So which one do you want?" Banshee-44 laid out a roll of cloth, which held several different types of weapons. "I got an Auto rifle over here, hand cannon there, fusion rifles under the counter, and so on."
Angel picked up a small hand gun, and a sniper rifle. "These."
"No no, you can only have one or the other."
Angel sighed and dropped the sniper on the counter. She held up the handgun (We'll call it a sidearm from now on, kay?) and gave Banshee the metal slip Ikora gave her.
Lanka approached the walls of the City, heading for the gate. From the top of the wall, a mounted turret set its aim on her.
"Halt, or we will open fire." Lanka complied, stopping her Pike and dismounting. She then took off the sling holding her Shock rifle and dropped the weapon to the ground.
A door beside the gate opened, and a man wearing the armor of a Titan stepped out, aiming his Auto rifle at Lanka.
"State your business." He said, lowering his weapon when he saw she was unarmed.
"Refuge. From the House of Wolves." Lanka placed her two left hands on her hip. The Guardian seemed taken aback by her response.
"Why should we give you that?" He questioned.
"Because I can give you an ally that knows everything about the House. Their strengths, weaknesses, locations of their bases, etc." Lanka said, picking her Shock rifle back up and strapping it to her Pike.
"And who says we need help?" The Titan adjusted his grip on the Auto rifle.
"The amount of Guardians that I see everyday, dead at the hands of Wolf captains and Archons." Lanka was getting bored with the talk, and was ready to turn back and find a different option.
"Step inside. I'll have my men handle your vehicle."
"No one is getting anywhere near my Pike."
"Suit yourself." The Titan held up a hand, and the gate swung open, creaking alarmingly. Lanka mounted the Pike, and directed it into the City.