First Meetings…

High above Earth's atmosphere drifted the Dead Orbit fleet. Floating through the void, the ships were motionless, showing no sign of life. Upon the largest ship in the fleet, Willing Exodus, sat the fleets and factions leader. Dead Orbit himself walked through his flag ship at pace.

He once went by another name, but since founding his faction he shed his former title and took up the mantle of leadership both in job title and name. He had heard rumours of course. When they start they spread like wild fire through the communication channels of the City. He could have someone try to validate the truth behind these rumours, or he could wait for the Dead Orbit council representative who had just docked to give him a first-hand report.

As he walked through his flag ship he took pride in seeing everyone hard at work. Supplies and material were being moved, information being traded and its occupants ensuring that everything ran smoothly. 'It will take nothing less than this to survive.' Thought Dead Orbit proudly.

He knew deep down in his Awoken heart that if humanity, and all races therein, were to survive the coming night they would have to work nonstop.

He passed by a young human woman who was having trouble patching up an overloaded circuit board next to a holographic terminal attached to the wall. "Having trouble; perhaps I can help." Dead Orbit said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh, sir!" She said with a panicked salute.

"My apologies, I can't seem to keep this thing together, it's as if it wants to break." She stated turning back to the issue at hand.

"Try re-routing the power source from subsection one of this deck to subsection three. That section can spare the power as one is pushed at the moment."

With that she continued and the holographic panel sprang into life. "Oh, it works. Thank you sir, sorry to have kept you." She said firing off a more controlled salute.

"It's been my pleasure." Dead Orbit replied with a nod and continued on his way.

Rounding a corner, Dead Orbit moved through an open door and went to sit around a small metal table. The person who was just in front of him (being the one who opened the automatic door) turned and realised there was someone else in the room. "AH! Oh, it's you sir, pardon my nerves." He stuttered as the door swished closed with a mechanical clink.

"I understand Councillor. But let us discuss what you have learned. I have heard rumours of Fallen seeking an alliance. I would have the truth as soon as possible." Dead Orbit said as he sat down behind the metal table, Councillor moving to do the same.

"Yes sir, that guardian who killed Skolas made first contact. From what we know, this new House, the House of Shadow they called themselves, is led by a Kell who goes by the name of Shoul'krus. Saint Reaper-10 consorted with the Kell and seems to think that they want to shed the title of Fallen and regain the one of Eliksni." The Councillor stated almost imitating a computer reading off information.

Dead Orbit pulled up the file of the guardian in question on one of several computer consoles wired into the table.

Saint Reaper-10

Class: Warlock

Faction status: Loyal supporter of Dead Orbit

Notable accomplishments: Destroyed Black Gardens Heart, Defeated Skolas in the Wolf uprising, made contact with Awoken, Opened Reef to guardians.

Looking at this Dead Orbit nodded. "I know this one, and that provides opportunity. The Fallen, no…" The edges of his mouth tightened in a small, almost invisible smile. "The Eliksni…" He paused. "…they have made first contact with one of ours, let's use that. If this House Shadow can be brought onto our side imagine how useful they could be.

To make use of servitors and their technical adeptness, it could greatly aid our cause." Dead Orbits mind was now flowing with thought. If they could ally themselves with this new House, they could improve and strengthen their cause tenfold.

"What about ships, resources, I need to know where they stand in relation to us?" Dead Orbit queried.

"From what I understand, their resources are minimal, they do have a few servitors though, and they seem all too happy to offer aid where they can." His Councillor supplied.

"A shame, we could have put any resources and numbers to good use." Dead Orbit sighed.

"The consensus came to an agreement." The Councillor continued. "They are to be let into the City. A cordoned off section of course, but they are to be let in. If we move quickly we can be the first to send a representative to spread word of our cause among them. All we need is a good first impression." Dead Orbit thought on his counsellor's chosen words.

"We will send someone at once; if we can catch this opportunity before the other factions we will have an advantage on this front." Dead Orbit decreed.

"Of course sir, I will have someone sent to them immediately." Responded the Councillor.

"Send word to all our followers in the City, the Eliksni are not to be harmed. Let it be our people who spread the word of peace. Have them spread this to others as well; we simply can't afford riots in the City at this time." Dead Orbit finished.

"Now, onto the other matter. Arach Ariesa and her ship, Further Hope I believe. They disappeared while trying to find us a way out of the system. We shall not abandon those brave pathfinders to the void, no matter what Zavala says." Dead Orbit looked out a window to the planet floating below them.

"Earth is not our home anymore; we must leave her and the Traveler behind." Dead Orbit said solemnly. Clearing his throat he continued. "I sent several ships to find the Further Hope. They should be reporting back soon." As Dead Orbit spoke the words, he saw several ships exit FTL and an audio feed buzz across his privet com channel.

"Sir, the scout ships are reporting back. Captain Torval is requesting to speak with you." Said a woman's voice over the feed.

"Put him through." Dead Orbit said walking towards the window to get a better look at the returning ships. There were no scorch marks, so they probable weren't attacked. But where were the other three. He saw three ships before him which left the other three missing.

"Sir, we found something! Out past the edge, we followed Further Hope's ion trail, we found the wreckage of Fallen Ketch, Devils from what we could make of it. Further Hopes trail led away, beyond the rim, we followed and found this sir." Captain Torval said with great enthusiasm.

Dead Orbit removed a data pad from a small bag on his waist and tried to comprehend what he saw.

"What am I looking at Captain Torval?" Dead Orbit asked with his voice split in equal parts inquisitiveness and fear. Not recognising the design of the long silver and blue structure he immediately feared the worst. "Tell me it's not another alien race looking to stamp us out?" He said trying to keep calm.

"It's not sir, it's better, much better. When one of our ships got close it seemed to latch on and sling shot them across the galaxy. They came out in another star system. It's past our minimum safe distance sir. Better yet, they were able to return the same way they came, traveling back past the one they came out of and through to our end. They gave a report that stated and I quote 'At least three habitable planets in the Goldilock zone, a stable star and orbit pattern and one further relay on the opposite side of the system'." Captain Torval finished with glee radiating from his voice.

"And what of the Further Hope?" Dead Orbit said shaking off his excited paralysis.

"They said they found the ion trail leading to the other relay sir." Captain Torval said finally getting control over his excited tune.

"Go after them Captain Torval, we will send reinforcements to secure the 'relay' as you called it. Both sides will be secure. It's a fine day my brave subjects; looks like we are finally going to get out of this dead system." Dead Orbit said before cutting the com channel.

"Admiral Hackett." Dead Orbit called through a com channel. "Yes sir, orders?" The admiral asked ready to receive instructions.

"Take your ships to these coordinates, you will find this structure. I want half your ships to travel through and the other half to remain on this side. I am sending you all information relevant to your mission. Let no non Dead Orbit ships through without my direct consent. Understood?" Dead Orbit finished.

"Understood sir, Hackett out."

Citadel space…

Arach Ariesa stood on the bridge of her ship looking out at the huge alien structure before her. This space station was huge; but the Traveler was easily bigger by far. They had been directed to what she thought must be a secure dock, probably surrounded by armed soldiers.

Six people she thought. "I'm going out to meet them; I'm looking for volunteers to come with me. I'm looking for two Hunters, two Warlocks and another Titan." She stated over the coms of her ship.

With no small amount of pride, every guardian on her ship put themselves forward as a candidate. Picking those she knew she could trust (that is to say she knew of their skills as she knew she could trust each and every one of them), she opened a com link to her chosen few.

"All of you get your gear and meet me by the air lock in five." She closed off the com channel as her quartermaster stepped in her way blocking her from moving towards the air lock.

"Mam, are you sure it is wise for you to go out there, maybe we should send someone else. If we lose you we will be without a Captain." He said with a hint of worry in his voice.

"I got us into this mess…" she said putting a hand on the humans shoulder, "…and I damn well better be the one to get us out of it."

Moving him aside and making her way towards the air lock, without turning she said "Officer Tal, you have the deck until such time as I return." Drawing her Dead Orbit assault rifle from her back without breaking a stride she continued on her way.

Five minutes later her team was assembled. "Docking now mam." Her helmsman informed her. With a dull clunk the ship settled and stood still.

'Deep breath.' She thought to calm herself. She examined those she chose to accompany her on this trial.

A male Titan, wearing an earlier version of the Dead Orbit gear, two Hunters, both male, one in full Dead Orbit Spektar gear with white Chroma and one in earlier Dead Orbit gear.

The pattern repeated itself for the two Warlocks too. Each of them carried an assortment of weaponry supplied by Dead Orbits quartermaster. A human Titan, two female human Hunters, an Awoken female Warlock and an Exo male Warlock.

'Well, at least if they are peaceful we can show them what we are like. "Air lock opening now mam." The helmsman said as the door began to open.

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends." She quoted before striding forth to make contact.

Council Chambers…

The Council had been surprised to say the least when an unknown ship had exited the mass relay. Luckily however, it had been just that. One unknown ship. So long as it wasn't a fleet they could handle this.

The fact that it had juddered to a hault had also filled them with confidence as well as it suggested that their technology wasn't adapted to Mass Effect fields; the most advanced tech in the galaxy. This suggested that they were a younger race and would pose less of a threat if things did get ugly.

They didn't want an incident and they all knew that they would rather make peace with a new advanced species then spark a war. Due to this, they sent a negotiator down to meet these new arrivals to the galactic community. "They appear to be friendly, at least". The asari Councillor provided.

"Uncertain, they could just be reacting to facing an overwhelming force. Only time will tell their true nature." The salarian Councillor argued.

"Whatever their nature, we will be ready for anything they bring to the table, be it violence or peace." The turian Councillor added.

"I hope your right, I truly do." Replied the asari Councillor. "Dreneth is well versed in first contact procedures. She will know what to do." The asari Councillor continued.

Docking Bay…

'I sure hope this doesn't go like the Yahg's first contact.' Dreneth thought to herself. She was surrounded by guards. Three on either side of her, they moved in a trained unison. Two asari, three turians and a salarian. All were decked in high end gear and carrying military grade weapons.

She felt exposed, only wearing the semi-formal dress she had been waring at the time she got the call. She was an asari dipolmat to the hanar but was on leave and was part way through having a meal with her family.

Checking over her clothes once more, she quickly brushed some creases out.

'It could be worse.' She thought trying to calm herself. 'At least I'm surrounded by trained professionals in the centre of the galactic community, not in some far flung, back water world.' She looked over to the turian soldier on her right.

Almost sensing her worry he turned to her and spoke, "Don't worry mam, we'll be right next to you every step of the way."

This statement gave her some comfort at least. They stopped in the doorway before an open space, in which lied the alien ship. 'Well, here goes nothing.' She thought and stepped into the open space.

"Sniper teams in position sir." Came a voice over the radio.

The turian that spoke to Dreneth a moment ago put his hand up to his ear. "Copy that, stay in position, only open fire if they do." He ordered before continuing, dropping his hand to his side.

Further Hope…

Ariesa and her team exited the ship with a slow, purposeful walk, weapons lowered as ordered. She didn't want to spook the new aliens nor did she want to appear overly threatening. If however they made a move she was definitely willing to make them regret it.

She led her team out onto the walkway that lay adjacent to the sips thick hull. As she exited the extended enclosed bridge she saw a small team of aliens moving towards them. "Keep your weapons down and let me do the talking. If they try anything funny, well; let's try not to start another war. We're fighting enough aliens as it is." They all nodded in understanding and fell into step behind her.

"Ghost, I want you to record everything, send it straight to the ship, if anything goes wrong and the Further Hope makes it back home, I want Dead Orbit to know why." She finished.

Her ghost gave a small chirp as if to mark its recording session begin. As the two groups met, they both stopped a few feet from each other, weapons lowered and a thick sense of anticipation hung on the air.

"Greeting, welcome to the Citadel. My name is Dreneth, I will be responsible for ensuring peace between our people." The translators doing their work perfectly, Ariesa was taken aback by this.

This blue alien was so forward with the fact that they wanted peace. 'I just hope that's sincere.' Ariesa thought to herself.

"My name is Ariesa, I'm an Arach of Dead Orbit and Captain of the Further Hope. I do sincerely hope that our people can find peace together and I will do everything in my power to make it so." Ariesa said as calmly as possible.

Nodding in understanding with a smile creeping across her face, Dreneth gestured for her to follow.

"If you would come with us, we have a room set up for us to discuss the current situation we find ourselves in and ." Dreneth said politely.

"Of course." Ariesa replied gesturing her team to follow.

Following Dreneth, Ariesa and her team went through several corridors, noting that they all had the silvery reflective cleanliness to them. Not long after they entered a large conference room.

Motioning for them all to sit Dreneth and Ariesa sat on opposite sides of the table at its centre while guards of both sides stood behind their respective charge.

"If you have questions, please feel free to voice them and we will answer what we can." Dreneth said gently. Ariesa's mind was flooding with ideas, what should she say, what topics should she avoid?

Finally she made her decision. "How many of there are you? Also, how far have your people spread through the galaxy?" She asked Dreneth eagerly.

"Well, there are several races as you may have noticed. The asari (pointing to herself), the turians (pointing to one of her bodyguards), and the salarians (pointing to the only salarian on the team), are the three Council races. There are several trillion of us all together spread amongst the stars."

"We have been colonising several star systems at a slow, steady pace for just over a thousand years now. About quarter of this galaxy has been explored and around a third of that is under our protection. The rest is ether controlled by other Non-Council races or has just not been settled in yet." Dreneth finished.

After digesting this information, Ariesa continued. "Wait, how many races are there?" she questioned startled.

"Over a dozen sentient species that we know of. And now there's you to add to it as well." Dreneth explained.

"Ok, your turn." Ariesa said waiting for Dreneth's questions.

"What is Dead Orbit? And what is an Arach?" Dreneth asked.

"Dead Orbit is one of the factions of the Last Safe City. The basic premise of our viewpoint is that the City, and our god the Traveler is lost. We seek to exit our solar system with as many resources and people as we can. As for an Arach; I am someone of authority in the Dead Orbit faction, think of it as a rank." Ariesa finished.

Something caught Dreneth's attention. "I'm sorry; did you say the Last Safe City? What happened?" she queried. Ariesa knew she would have to just do her best to explain.

"Well, several hundred years ago, the Traveler entered our solar system. It helped terraform several planets, tripled our life span, removed all disease, etc. The Traveler is; was, a great machine full of Light and hope. Centuries after our golden age began, its enemy, the Darkness found us. Its forces struck us down, almost killed us outright." The Arach took a breath.

"However, the Traveler sacrificed itself and forced them back. In the time it gave us, survivors that could make it managed to get to a sort of unspoken meeting ground. Everyone went to where the Traveler was, floating above the ground. A city was built underneath it, took centuries and we've had to defend it more than once. There are around eleven to twelve million of us left. There used to be billions when the solar system was ours. Now we fight every day for survival against an alien onslaught hell bent on stamping us out." Dreneth took a moment as her guards looked at each other with concern.

"How many species are attacking you?" Dreneth replied with concern.

"Well, there's four alien factions that we have to defend ourselves against. First there is the Fallen." Pulling out her ghost, Ariesa said, "Here, this is what they look like."

Her ghost created a life sized hologram of a Fallen Devil Captain. It thrust its swords, rippling with arc energy into the air as it let out a vicious growl. At once, all of Dreneth's guards pointed their weapons in its direction. Motioning them to stand down and assuming that Ariesa's ghost was simply a holographic display device she continued."I see, what is their culture like?"

Ariesa began to explain as best she could. "Fallen are a group of savage space pirates and scavengers. The Traveler was once their god but it fled from another force of Darkness and they, well; fell. They are divided into Houses which fight with each other, and anyone they come across. We did try reasoning with them at one point; those that went didn't come back…" She trailed off. Shaking her head she continued.

"These are the Vex." As the words left her mouth the hologram changed into a Vex Minotaur wielding a torch hammer. It moved as if standing to attention squealing as it went.

"The Vex are an organic liquid race, well, they are a liquid brain fluid encased in a machine like body. They have found a way to break time and can travel, with limits, through time. They all share one communal mind as well." Ariesa stated.

"Wait, did you say they can travel through time?!" Dreneth said astounded.

"Yep, they also turn planets into machines. They have started on Mars and Venus but are bogged down with fighting the Fallen and Cabal. But if you want proof, just look to Mercury, they have already turned that planet."

'What are we getting ourselves into?' Dreneth thought to herself.

"These are the Cabal, industrial militaristic empire, extremely strong and well-disciplined; they carry weapons that fire twin-micro rockets. Currently, they are engaged in a ground war with the Vex." Ariesa continued as a hologram changed once more to a Cabal Centurion. Throwing its head back and roaring it slammed its huge armoured fist and gun onto its chest plate.

"They are split into several Legions, each with their own speciality or strength. They receive orders from someone higher up, their Emperor perhaps. Whoever it is, they are outside the system currently. He or she sends in orders that are picked up by each Legions Primus and passed down to the Valus's and Vals." Ariesa finished.

"So extremely disciplined krogan." One of the turian guards suggested to another.

"Krogan?" Ariesa asked the guard.

"Hold on." Ariesa's ghost said stunning the guards and Dreneth. "Ah, there it is." Her ghost finished bringing up a hologram of a krogan warlord throwing his hammer around in a tight circle while roaring.

"Similar build, anger issues but nowhere near as disciplined as the Cabal." He finished.

"I see, maybe I will get to meet one someday." She finished before continuing.

Dreneth and her team still staring at the ghost, Ariesa continued. "The last of the races that try to kill us is the Hive." At those words the ghost changed the hologram to a Hive knight. Its pain-ridden roar echoing through the room giving Dreneth's guards a scare.

"What is that thing?" Dreneth asked, quite clearly terrified by the creature.

"That's a Hive Knight of the Spawn of Crota. They are a race built on hate, murder and pain. They perform barbaric rituals of death and destruction to make themselves stronger. Their war against the Light is a crusade in their eyes. Of all the races that want us dead, there are none so closely tied to the Darkness as the Hive. Their use of magic has proven an equally deadly weapon as their swards and guns." Ariesa confessed.

At this one of Dreneth's guards chuckled. "Magic…" One of the turians said as if it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.

"Something funny turian?" one of Ariesa's guards questioned, obviously taking deep offence.

"What…?" he asked as the Hunter took a step forwards.

"You think Hive magic is a joke?" she said, obviously angered.

"Guardian! Stand down." Ariesa caught the hunter on her arm as she was about to pass her. The Hunter looked at her and bowed her head in shame taking a step back.

"She's lost a lot to the Hive. As have we all. The Hive God Crota killed thousands of guardians before we killed him….. again."

"I apologise, I meant no offence." The turian said bowing his head apologetically while Dreneth fixed him with a look. Turning back to Ariesa, "What do you mean again?" She inquired, both interested and trying to change the subject.

"The Hive gods have the ability to cut rents in the fabric of reality. They have gouged out of the universe several other cyst dimensions. Several of the Ascendant Hive, that is, have been killed before. Their soul, or whatever passes for one, goes screaming through the void and coalesces as their old form back in their throne realm. From there they can cut a rent in reality and their armies can pore through to our worlds again." Ariesa said full of sorrow.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know you've lost so much to them." Dreneth said comfortingly.

"It's not just that, death to them is preferable. They have captured several of us alive. They tear out our Light. Taking slices of our souls by tearing them from our body." Ariesa pressed.

"Goddess. That's horrible." Dreneth replied in shock.

"We have killed Crota, the son of Oryx, the eater of Light. A while later, his father Oryx came for us. Oryx, the Taken King, Destroyer of Light, Taker of Will. He drags members of the other alien races screaming into another dimension and presents them to the Darkness in its full horror. It; changes them."

Ariesa's ghost showed a Cabal Phalanx being taken, kicking and screaming. When it reappeared out of a cloud of Darkness, it showed a taken Cabal phalanx croaking and jittering in its tortured form.

"You need to get out of that solar system; don't you?" Dreneth said panicked. All Ariesa did was slowly nod.

After some further discussion including how the City government system works, their society, technology and history, Dreneth asked if Ariesa wanted to take a walk on the presidium. Ariesa said it would be a welcome break and stood up. "If you would be able to stow your weapons it would be greatly appreciated." Dreneth requested. Ariesa agreed as did her team.

"Ghost, would you be so kind to inform our ship that everything is going well?" she asked kindly.

"Message away." He chirped back.

"So, you're sure it's not an AI?" Dreneth asked.

"Nope, he's as alive as you or me. He isn't a VI, and he goes way past an AI, we had those once, before the collapse. Think of 'ghost' as its own category. They have far more in common with us than any AI." Dreneth nodded as they headed towards the exit.

When they had first broached the subject of Ghosts and Exo's guns were almost fired. When Ariesa had informed Dreneth that ghosts were fully sentient and showed them a hologram of an Exo, tensions rose dramatically. One turian went so far as to raise his gun. Every member of Ariesa's team instantly responded by raising their guns.

The rest of Dreneths team raised theirs and the two leaders had to defuse the situation quickly. At the mention that both the ghosts and the Exos' should be shut down or destroyed the two leaders had to actually stand and yell at their teams to stand down.

After standing they started towards the exit. Dreneth and her team however knew a small secret that they thought Ariesa's team didn't know that they knew.

Hidden behind the team high on the wall was a small watching and listening device. On the other end of it was a large squad of STG agents, patiently listening in on the conversation.

Before they managed to exit the room, the female Awoken Warlock stopped turned and looked up at the device.

"You don't think they can detect the bug, do you?" An STG member asked his coworker.

"It is highly improbable." She said, her face full of confidence.

"You know we can hear you, right?" the Warlock said, still looking at the bug.

"What?" Dreneth asked the Warlock.

"Oh, I was talking to the STG team on the other side of that bug. They wanted to know if we could hear them." She stated.

"I'm sorry; I'm not quite sure what you mean." Dreneth said trying to avoid an incident.

"She is talking to the Salarian Task Group that was listening to our conversation. Before you try to deny it we have a live feed of their room going showing on our HUD's." Ariesa continued.

As one the salarians looked up to the only camera in their room.

"Hi guys, don't worry, we're not angry. Tell you what, here's a little gift." Ariesa's ghost materialised beside her and floated up to the bug. Shooting a beam of blue light at the bug, all the guardians saw the salarians run to their computer consoles.

"That's everything we have on the Darkness races, some info on our weapons and armour, our history, arts, music etc. Should keep you entertained for a while I hope." Ariesa smiled behind her helmet at Dreneth. "Shall we continue?"

"I think that would be wise." Dreneth replied stunned. Did they always know about that bug? Ariesa knew that they would find out eventually anyway, and with this show they proved that they could be forgiving and generous.

The STG team were starting to furiously eat up all the information gifted to them by the guardian. Some looked at the different races that fought under the banner of the Traveler, the creation of the Awoken, the history of the humans, and the creation of the Exo's. While the Exo's initially caused some miner panic amongst the group, finding that some were at least created from humans that gave up their organic body calmed them somewhat.

They planned to look into the issue further but knew that they and the ghosts were so integrated into human society they would never be fully removed. They looked into the golden age and the technologies created therein, the collapse, the City age and what state Earth and the solar system was in at a whole. Several salarians looked into the reef and the Awoken society. One of the salarians looked to his work partner. He could see him visibly shaking.

"Are you alright? Hey, speak to me!" He cried out in worry.

"How could we not have known. How could we have not known about this?" his voice almost a whisper. This caught the attention of the others and they all turned to their worried friend. The salarian who was first to his friend looked at what he was reading. The Books of Sorrows.

"It's how the Hive came to be. About their god's ascendancy, about the races they butchered. And this…." He said still not truly speaking above a whisper.

As he moved he grabbed a data slate next to him and copied some information to it. Moving across to a large holographic display in the centre of the room, he uploaded the information. It showed a large planet in the background with rings of asteroids surrounding it. As the hologram moved in closer, a huge ship and several smaller ships became evident.

"This is Oryx's Dreadnought. From what information we have, its length is 5,110 Earth kilometres long approximately." All the salarians pulled out a conversion calculator using units of measurement given by the guardians ghost. "It has a total volume of 1,200,000,000 cubic kilometres….. And then I found this." He paused as the hologram changed.

It showed a fleet of streamline ships with one large engine on one side and a plethora of smaller tri-winged fighters face off against Oryx's Dreadnought. As the battle played out, they saw the small Awoken fighters face off against Hive tomb ships and the larger Hive Destroyers. Suddenly, several orbs started to form in front of the lead Awoken ship. As they flew forward they picked up asteroids, debris and Hive tomb ships that were caught in their wake. As they flew through the Hive Destroyers the ships were torn apart.

"Gravity based weapons, impressive." Stated another salarian. As the orbs got closer to the Dreadnought they held their breath. With flashes of light, the orbs and everything following their path crashed home.

"It couldn't survive without taking some damage." Someone stated. As the light faded, there was the Dreadnought, suffering no damage. After a moment of pause, its flanks started to light up with fire. As it reached the centre it seemed to focus at the centre of a huge disk and explode outwards.

Anything and everything caught in the pulses radius crumbled and broke apart. The shaking salarian finally spoke up. "If this is what they face, and win against…. I'm glad the humans are acting peaceful to us. This is a planet killer, and yet they survived..."

The Last Safe City….

A Dead Orbit representative was on his way to meet the leader of the Eliksni. The Kell Shoul'krus was said by the guardians who have consorted with him to be reasonable. As he landed he walked through the City heading towards the Eliksni section. Several people were standing guard at the entrance of the cordoned off area. As he got closer, they moved to stop him.

"I have business with the Eliksni Kell. I have been sent on behalf of Dead Orbit." He said before the guard could get a word out. He looked towards the other guards and one spoke on the coms.

"He has clearance." The guard on the coms said to his friend. Without another word, the Dead Orbit representative moved passed the guard blocking him and through a now open gate. He made his way down several empty streets before coming to an open street.

He looked at the Eliksni walking around, talking, carrying supplies and servitors and shanks drifting to some unknown destination. Several of them turned to him as he continued on his way. Looking up, the Traveler could be seen floating in the sky above the City.

One of the Eliksni approached him. "You need help, human?" He asked.

"I am a representative of Dead Orbit. I've been sent to meet with Shoul'krus. Would you know where he is?" The representative asked.

"Yess, follow me, I will take you to him." The Eliksni offered.

"Many thanks." The representative said in reply. As they walked down the busy streets, the Dead Orbit representative noted the banners draped across the buildings.

Their black background and white circular pattern adorning many buildings. They stopped before a large central building with many banners flapping in a gentle wind. "He is in there, good luck." The Eliksni said before turning and moving back the way he came.

"Thanks again." The representative said before turning and entering the building.

As he entered, he saw crates piled around the room, more banners hanging from the ceiling and several Eliksni at the end of the room. He walked towards them as they stopped talking and turned towards him. He stopped walking as he got close to them. "Greetings, my name is Kaidan, I am a representative of Dead Orbit. I have been sent to talk with your people and explain what we stand for." Kaidan said.

"Ah, we have been expecting you". Shoul'krus said. "You are welcome here Kaidan. We have a place for you. I have consorted with my advisers; they have said that if I allow those who follow me to join factions in the same way as the humans, it may aid in the release of tension between our people." Shoul'krus explained.

"It makes sense, Kell of Shadow. Thank you for allowing me to stay and spread the word of Dead Orbit." Kaidan said with a bow.

Shoul'krus nodded and motioned to a Captain to his left. "She will show you where you are to stay. You will be given supplies and communications equipment." Kaidan bowed slightly again.

"Thank you, Shoul'krus, Kell of Shadow." He said before following the Captain out of the room.

The Tower….

Vox'trix was traveling towards the tower in a Shadow skiff. Two vandals travelled with him, plus the pilot vandal who would be taking care of the ship. "Are we almost there?" Vox'trix questioned the pilot.

"Almost there. We have permission to land from House Guardians Kells." The pilot confirmed.

"They are called the Vanguard." Vox'trix replied before turning to his two vandals. "Ready?" He asked. They both nodded in reply.

"We have docked in their tower's hangar. You can leave safely now." The pilot stated as they stopped moving. All three Eliksni jumped down from their skiff and landed on the panelled floor of the tower hangar with loud clink of metal boots hitting the metal floor.

Vox'trix moved with his two vandals in tow towards the back of the hangar. They moved through a door and up a flight of stairs. Looking to their right they saw a Dead Orbit representative. Two humans stood up strait in shock looking towards them.

Vox'trix merely nodded in their direction and continued forwards. "Guardian alert, the Eliksni representatives are not to be fired upon." Vox'trix looked to his followers.

"At least they will all know we are coming." He said. As they rounded a set of corners they had to walk single file through a gap in the middle of two sets of glass walls. As they did so an unobservant Titan suddenly looking at a data pad in his left had suddenly looked up.

Startled, and far too close for his comfort he whipped his right hand to his side arm attached to his back as he backed up. Vox'trix's vandals tried to put themselves between the startled guardian and their newly promoted baron.

Before they could get fully in front of him, Vox'trix used his lower set of arms to put a hand on each of their chests and gently push them back. "Wait!" the guardian's ghost said as it materialised besides him. "Don't shoot them; they're House Shadows representatives. Let them pass Dren." The ghost furthered.

Vox'trix stared unmoving at the guardian for several moments. He then moved aside to allow the Titan to pass. As he did several other guardians entered the end of the hallway. Seeing the Titan walking slowly past the Baron with seemingly no issue other than a cold stare they slowly moved down the hall.

Vox'trix continued with vandals in tow past a small group of four guardians and rounded the last corner into the open plaza. Walking down a set of steps he scanned the surrounding area.

Guardians and vendors all turned their heads almost instantly, halting whatever they were doing previously to look at the strange sight before them. As they reached the last step Vox'trix turned his head to the left and saw something beautiful. Walking to his left and grabbing hold of the railings with all of his four hands, he and his vandals looked up to the giant white orb before them. "Beautiful…" was all Vox'trix managed to get out before a tear left one of his four eyes.

After a few moments he wiped his wet eyes on the back of his upper right arm and turned releasing his hold on the railing. As he turned he started for the room the Vanguards had informed Shoul'krus to send his representative to, one of the vandals feeling concerned for their baron spoke up. "Vox'trix, is all well?"

Not breaking a stride he continued towards the room to meet the Vanguards. He turned nodding his head to a group of guardians and a hooded Awoken garbed in gold and brown robes. "Yes, I do believe all is beginning to become well."

Strolling down another flight of stairs Vox'trix was surprised to say the least to see what could only be described as a Hive corrupted guardian. He and his vandals paused fixated on this creature before them. She turned to them not indicating any sign of hostility. "The Vanguard are down there scavengers. I suggest you move quickly past Shaxx. He doesn't take kindly to those who loiter; or Fallen." The creature said.

Why did the guardians not kill it? It was obviously infected by Hive magic, which was plain enough to see, let alone smell. At this Vox'trix noticed one of the many vendors this Tower possessed turn their large horned helm in their direction. He seemed to stiffen at their sight and almost went to make a move. As if suddenly reminded by some unseen force he stopped himself but refused to remove his gaze from the three.

As Vox'trix moved past the guardian he heard someone call Shaxx by name; he thought that name sounded familiar. Suddenly it came to him, that name was renowned amongst the Fallen, he was a Titan that had fought at the Battle of the Six Fronts and at Twilight Gap.

Moving on swiftly past he saw three individuals surrounding a large table deep in discussion. Was it not for his loud entrance that was entirely intentional he did not know if they would have noticed. "Ah, the Eliksni representatives. Please come, we have much to discuss." The Warlock said calmly.

"Yes, there is much to discuss. Such as what you intend to do with that breach in the Russian wall you took from the Devils. From my understanding, you still garrison it. We could make some use of that, use it as a staging point for our guardians entering old Russia." The Awoken Titan stated.

"Later Zavala I'm sure we'll get to that. First though the important things. First off, were can I get one of those cloaks?" the Exo jested.

"Cayde." The Warlock said trying to get the conversation back on track.

"What, it's not like it could do any harm?" Cayde returned."I know some Hunters that would just kill for some of those." Not letting this line of conversation go any further, turning to Cayde Vox'trix spoke up.

"We could supply you and your Hunters with capes of many designs, Vanguard Cayde, if that is what you wish. And yes Vanguard Zavala, use that breach, let it aid you to its fullest extent." Vox'trix offered.

Cayde turned to Ikora and then Zavala. "See, told you having them up here would be a good idea."

Author's note:

Hi guys, first off I want to say thank you to those that gave reviews on this story. I do plan to keep it going and see it through to the end. In regards to to the question 'When do the events of Eden Prime take place' I honestly have no idea at the moment. I want to give it a good run up and I don't feel I can do this story justice that by jumping to it, but it will come in time. So guys and girls, any reviews with constructive criticism will be welcome and if you have any questions I will do my best to provide answers in a timely fashion.

For now however, back into the darkness with me and I leave you with this little nugget of what is to come...

-Following the fall of Oryx and Malok, the light had spread to other smaller throne realms. The guardians sought to eliminate all hive commanders so none could claim the throne of the King. Grishaul knew that fighting them head on was folly. He needed a new way; a better way to survive. He knew the prison was the key. He just needed to find a way to bypass its defences and release the horrors locked within. If he could bind them to his will he would have a chance to take the throne. ...