** Hey guys, I'm writing this out of concern for future updates. I have been informed that this site is degrading. The recover password option no longer works, and I no longer get emails informing me of new PMs. It's safe to say I'm backing up everything and crossing my fingers that something is done. If the worst-case scenario happens, and I can no longer upload chapters, I will hopefully be able to inform you via my profile, if not, I'll send a notice through my Tumblr and Twitter accounts. Please follow me on one or the other (under the username FeatherFang) if you wish to be informed. Otherwise, you can always find my work on AO3. I can hope this never occurs, but I thought it important to bring it to your attention.
Enjoy the chapter!
Sterling Entry Log 45
With a sharp crack of light, the feed catches Skylar walking down the slope of her ship's lowered ramp, her steps quick as if she's in a hurry but doesn't want anyone to know. She's in the shipyard, of course, passing under another docked ship and then stepping out from the shadows of the large blocky thing into a chunk of light from an open bay door. In the bright sun's rays, it's apparent that if Skylar hadn't taken her helmet off, one might not have known it was her. The borrowed armor she'd worn since the start of the Red War is gone, replaced with gear that somehow fits the Hunter's style perfectly.
Dark blue, black, silver, and gold make up the main theme to the sleek and obviously custom armor. Her chest plate is ornate, silver with a golden clip connecting a diagonal belt that goes from shoulder to hip, a series of small throwing knives anchored near the shoulder. Stacked, layered armor covers one shoulder, blue lined with golden metal that matches the style of the silver of the leg armor on one leg and the tall over the knee boots. The other leg is strapped with leather and holds a pair of knives, Skylar's hand cannon a bit farther up. Her cloak features a woven, warm looking wrap at the collar, the entire thing midnight-blue.
Her arms are the most detailed by far though, and the viewer gets a good look at one as Skylar waves to Amanda as she passes the mechanic. Attached to them is a vastly different looking Lair's Handshake from before. Whereas those arm guards had been functional, but plain and clearly unfinished, these are adorned and new. The blade – which is sheathed and offset on the hand – is shining silver, the handle garlanded in gold with blue gems. The sleeve going up is dark blue – a few shades lighter than the cloak – with silver stitched feathers drifting in a dancing wind around the arm. Her once iconic falcon feathers seem to be gone, replaced with ones drawn out on the fabric instead.
Moving towards the exit, the feed catches Cayde off to the side, leaning against what looks like a small open-ended workshop, the edge of a wooden table stacked with items barely seen. The Hunter Vanguard is shockingly doing his job, speaking with another Hunter about something, a datapad in his hands. As Skylar passes, his eyes flick to the side, catching her gaze and she smiles at him, winking, but doesn't stop. They'll catch up later, when both their duties are done. Panning back to Sterling's partner, it follows her as she makes her way through the new Tower, passing Banshee who is set up in his new shop and Rahool who is fiddling with an engram.
Passing over a small bridge and into an area that features a wide-open sky, a small restaurant built into the far side, and a large area where Guardians and tower workers alike mill about, Skylar makes her way over to where the Tower ends, the side overlooking the Last City and the Traveler floating above it. The feed lingers on the godlike entity for a long moment, watching as the broken pieces of it slowly rotate around the main body like the rings around a planet. Then the Ghost turns the frame away from its creator and finds Skylar walking up to an open air office, the only 'walls' consisting of rounded bookshelves made of dark iron. Ikora is sitting on a chair in the middle of it, facing away from a desk stacked with books and objects of interest. One such book is in her hands, her head dipping down as she scans over the page. The dark-skinned woman looks up as Skylar wraps a knuckle on a bookshelf, the Warlock clearly not hearing her coming.
Skylar is a Hunter and one of the Hidden's spies after all, so it's not a huge surprise.
"Welcome home Skylar, I trust your mission went well?" Ikora smiles at her subordinate and friend, but when Skylar doesn't return it – her face a mix of worry and a seriousness hardly ever seen on her face – Ikora's smile weakens and then disappears. "What is it?"
At her question, Skylar glances behind her before walking up to her leader.
"I found something on Mercury," she says quietly, her words barely audible on the mic. Clearly, she doesn't want to be overheard. "I believe it might be something that should be spoken about… elsewhere."
Ikora doesn't need much convincing. She nods her head and closes her book, setting it with its brothers and standing in one fluid motion. She gestures for Skylar to follow her and together the two of them start back the way the Hunter had come. Instead of crossing the small bridge though, they turn and take an open air elevator down, which dispenses them in a hallway that houses a few doors. It's a familiar sight, each door housing one of the Vanguard and, because of Cayde, also where Skylar lives. They pass by the first door, instead stopping at the second halfway down the hall, where Ikora quickly opens it with a passkey. The feed follows them inside, the decor practically screaming "Ikora" in taste and color. Skylar glances around, and it's not clear if she's been here before or not, but either way they quickly make their way to the kitchen.
"As I'm sure you know from your own housing, the walls are soundproof," the Warlock tells her, turning to the amber-haired woman once they're standing in front of a small but tall kitchen table. "I'm going to guess that the Sunbreaker Order did not fare well in the war?"
Her question explains why Skylar was on the closest planet to the Sun, the Hunter's features turning bleak as she looks away for a moment.
"From what I could tell, no one survived. I found their leader dead along with many others and quite a few Cabal... Any that were left in the area are now dead." By her hand, it would seem. She takes in a deep breath and looks back to her friend. "I found what looks like a last stand entry in a damaged data chip. I'll have Sterling transfer it to you soon once he smooths it out the best he can. I was hoping…"
She pauses, biting her lower lip for a moment. Ikora raises a brow at her.
"What is it Skylar?"
"Can I share the message with Noble?" she asks finally. "I know we don't normally do that, but he was close with the order…from what I understand they taught him almost everything he knows about being a Sunbreaker."
It will be devastating for him to have to hear the news, that much is evident in the Hunter's tone. Yet another friend she has to give terrible news to. She doesn't ask for much, but this is important. Ikora watches her for a moment, thoughtful, then after about ten seconds on the feed, she nods her head.
"It is only right. Just make sure it doesn't get spread around." The Hunter looks extremely grateful, nodding her head and after a long moment, Ikora tilts her head slightly. "Somehow I doubt this news was why you asked to come here."
Curiosity flashes over her face, it seems even the leader of the spy group can't resist such a cliffhanger. Skylar nods her head once again, hesitating just a moment before she digs her hand into the large side pouch at her waist. The camera pans to get a better angle as she pulls something from it in a careful grip.
"This is my reason." She's holding out a Ghost, a very unique Ghost with large side fins crafted out of triangle shapes. In the light of the room, the sheen of its golden coloring reflects back at the ceiling. The round center piece is dark, no glowing eye in sight. The sight of it has Ikora's eyes widening, her shoulders tensing as she stares at it. Skylar looks to her and then back at the Ghost sitting in her turned up palm. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say that I was right and that this is the Ghost from that data entry I read."
The Hidden's archives are large, spanning centuries of data about nearly anything one could think of – from things secret agents have found to information that's public knowledge. Carefully, the Vanguard leader takes the dormant Ghost from Skylar, holding it in careful fingers as she takes a closer look.
"Yes," she answers finally, a wisp of wonder in her voice. "This is Sagira, Osiris's Ghost." She runs a thumb over one gold wing with a feather-light touch. "I didn't think I would ever see her again."
"He was your mentor, right?" the Hunter asks, glancing at the Ghost again. She's new enough that a lot of things that had taken place before her time – that window being centuries – are often not clear or known to her. Ikora nods her head, lips thinning.
"Yes. He was also the Vanguard's leader before Zavala." She lowers her hand slightly; fingers wrapping around the sharp angles and meets Skylar's gaze. "He disappeared through a Vex Gate a long time ago, dooming himself and soon after, Saint-14 as well. Or at least... I thought he had. Where did you find this?"
"It was just lying in the sand outside the Sunbreaker temple. I almost didn't see it since it was half-covered. Thankfully, Sterling saw something off and I checked it out." Skylar glances at the feed, smiling at it, truly grateful to her partner. "I figured you would want to keep this quiet."
"You made the right call," Ikora agreed, finally moving, and setting the golden Ghost on the table. "I'm going to run some tests, maybe contact the Lighthouse. If Sageria is alive in there, the Brothers would know what to do better than I." She looked back to her agent. "Would you be willing to help me with this? I would rather not have this made public yet."
"Of course," Skylar agrees instantly, her brows pulling together. "Though, honestly Ikora, I think the better person for the job is Haar… or if Winter were still here…"
But the Warlock in question wasn't. Ikora nods her head, not letting the heavy words linger for more than a moment.
"Both of them did know Osiris well. You are right. Once I know more, I will contact Haar and ask him to come see me. Do you know where he is right now?"
Skylar scratches her neck, thinking for a moment.
"I believe he's on Nessus. He's working on a new map of the general hotspot near Failsafe. He's been gone a few days so… he should be back soon." She gave her boss a small smile. "You know he wouldn't mind hearing from an old friend, Ikora."
"I just didn't want to interrupt him if he was on a strike mission for Zavala," she replies, smiling as well, before changing the subject. "I'm sure you'll be telling Cayde about this?" she says in question and gets a nod.
"You know we don't keep secrets from each other, so if he asks, I'll tell him."
"Yes, and I don't begrudge you that. Just remind him to be careful with the info."
"You know he won't compromise you Ikora… You're one of his closest friends. You know that, right?" Skylar asks, tilting her head. The dark-skinned woman lets out a small sigh, a smile curing her lips up.
"Yes well, we have always been closer than either of us have been with Zavala."
"It is kind of hard to get through that wall he has," Skylar quipped, and her friend let out a small chuckle.
"If he ever hears one of you say that-"
"It will be worth it to see his face." Skylar wiggles her brows. "You can't say you wouldn't want to see that."
Another small chuckle.
"Yes well, it would be something new, that is for sure." Glancing off to the side and off-camera, the Warlock frowns for a moment before picking up the Ghost shell again. "I should get started on this. Thank you, Skylar. Get some rest while you can. I'll expect a full report on my data pad by tomorrow."
Grimacing at the mere thought of all that paperwork, the Hunter glances at the screen once more before giving a small nod and following her leader back towards the door.
When this DLC first came out and it was said that a Hidden Agent found the ghost shell, I knew that I'd be making Skylar that agent. It just seemed to fit.
Thanks for reading!