CHAPTER 2: A Council's Decision

It was not often the Vanguard were seen outside the Hall of Guardians. But the rumor mill was spinning, and those who had been in the Tower Watch when the Vanguard were summoned to the Speaker's chambers had spread the word. It had to do, the gossip said, with the missive sent from the Fallen. A ceasefire? With one of the City's oldest enemies? Surely not, they said. Surely it is just another Fallen trick.

And then Executor Hideo of the New Monarchy was summoned to the chambers. As was Lakshmi-2 of the Future War Cult, and Arach Jalaal of Dead Orbit. And the rumors just grew and grew...

Seven people stood equal distance apart around the circular holo-display. With his back to the view of the City stood the Speaker, the ultimate voice of the Traveler and de facto leader of the City itself. To either side stood Zavala and Ikora Rey, Commander of the Vanguard and the Hidden respectively. Hideo and Jalaal stood to Ikora's left, while to Zavala's right stood Lakshmi and Cayde-6, the Hunter Vanguard. All had heard the missive from the Fallen, and now their eyes turned to the Speaker.

"Are we going to accept this call for a ceasefire?" Lakshmi was the first to speak.

"We can't ignore the chance they are sincere," Zavala rested his knuckles on the console. "To be able to focus our resources and attention somewhere else, that could help us push back the other forces in the system."

The Speaker gave a simple nod. "And if a peace holds with one House, then other Fallen Houses may fall in line as well. Perhaps even an alliance."

There was an angry noise from Hideo. "There won't be a lot of happy people in this City if we make peace with the Fallen. There are a lot of families who lost loved ones in recent skirmishes, and people still remember the losses we suffered in at Twilight Gap or the Battle of Six Fronts." He spread his hands. "I desire peace as much as anyone, but there will be a lot of unrest over this."

"Unrest as far as open rebellion?"

"I don't believe so. Not from New Monarchy, at least. We don't hold with disharmony or seek to perpetuate a war." This last was said with a glare to Lakshmi.

The elderly Exo simply kept her gaze serene. "The Future War Cult has always been practical about the need to be ready for conflict. We don't look to fight within our walls, but to face the dangers outside them." She turned to the Speaker. "If these Fallen are genuine, then we can turn our weapons from them, but I do council caution."

"As do we all," Jalaal agreed. "What do we know about this Kell and his House?"

Ikora spoke up. "The House of Gears was apparently renowned for its inventiveness and mechanical prowess before their civilization collapsed. Their ships and weapons are different from most other Houses in the system, which has helped them maintain control over most of North America, while the Devils controlled almost everything else on Earth. They kept themselves out of Skolas' power struggle, and after Six Fronts, they kept to themselves. As a result, their leadership is still intact, compared to most other major Houses."

She tapped the console, and a holo-image of a tall Fallen male appeared, clad in ornate armor with a crested helmet. "This is Semakis, the Gears' Kell. During the Reef Wars, he rose to power by brutally slaughtering any opposition, and has resisted any attempts to unseat him. Apparently, he's something of a visionary and a charismatic leader. He's seen how his people have fared so far and wants peace so they don't destroy themselves trying to destroy us."

"So he's tough, popular, and smart." Cayde's tone was dry. "Sounds like a dangerous combination."

"His parley for peace hasn't been without resistance," Ikora added. "There have been break-aways that have fled elsewhere in the system. We don't know yet if they're gathering around any leadership, but the Exiles on the Moon are paying close attention." She paused for a moment, allowing all present to consider the grim possibilities of the outcast Fallen finding a new ally before continuing. "At the very least, all the intel I've been able to receive shows that Semakis is genuine in his desire for peace. He's not so foolish as to ask to meet here in the City, but on the closest thing to neutral ground in the ruins of Old Paris." A sweeping gesture, and the holo-images of the Fallen vanished, replaced by a map of Europe, colored lines marking the territories of the City's authority and Fallen Houses. "It's just on the fringes of territory we've managed to take back, and the House of Kings controls most of the rest of the area, with some lingering Devil presence. It's notably not anywhere near his own territory, and the Devils know they're not in a condition to oppose him. The Kings might be an issue, but they still seem to be watching for the time being, waiting to see how things shake out from this."

Jalaal grumbled softly. "What about the Reef's pet Fallen? Has he given his opinion on this?"

"Variks agrees that Semakis is probably sincere. Those Fallen still loyal to the Reef are casting their support behind him."

The Speaker nodded gravely. "Will we accept his call for parley?" He looked around the room, and one by one, the faction reps and the Vanguard all nodded in agreement. "Who shall we send to negotiate with him?"

"Obviously, sir," Zavala's tone was deferential, "you should stay here. If you were to go out there, it might be too much an opportunity for the Devils or Kings to make a move."

Lakshmi folded her hands behind her back. "One of we faction reps should accompany whomever you send. We can negotiate terms of a ceasefire."

"Agreed," Jalaal said. "But not you, I think, Lakshmi. To send the head of the Future War Cult to peace talks would strike the Fallen as disingenuous."

The Exo frowned at him, but then gave the dark-haired Awoken a nod of acknowledgment. "Nor should you go, then, dear Arach. Your knowledge is primarily off-world, while the Gears made their nest here. Therefore I nominate Executor Hideo to speak on behalf of the City." When the man looked at her in surprise, she bowed slightly. "You carry a great deal of respect among the people. Knowing you are speaking for them may quell any unrest that arises."

He considered this for a moment, then bowed. "Thank you, Lakshmi. I shall do my best to not let anyone down." He looked around. "And the Vanguard?"

"I have to coordinate my teams to maintain their vigils on the other Houses and forces in the system." Ikora folded her arms. "I don't trust the Hive or Cabal not to make a move, and the Hidden will only report to me."

"And I have to stand guard here in the City and dispatch any teams necessary to stop an attack." Zavala shook his head. "So I must stay here."

Cayde sighed as all eyes turned to him. "Here we go."