S1-198
New Pacific Arcology
1:06 PM
12/13/3273
Planet Alrion - New Pacific Arcology
Siren's Watch
Music
Super Mario Sunshine - Noki Bay
Michael, Samus, and Cayde had just touched down on what was once on Saturn's moon of Titan: the New Pacific Arcology.
"This is incredible!" Samus remarked.
Cayde chuckled. "No kidding. The IMC has been busy, haven't they?"
"Yup." Michael nodded.
As the trio explored the restored Golden Age relic, they stumbled upon a certain Golem. "Well now. I was wondering when you three would show up."
"Deputy Commander Sloane!" Michael saluted her.
Sloane laughed a bit. "At ease, Michael. We're both off-duty."
Michael relaxed his stance. "How have you been lately?"
"Oh, I've been well. After they cleared out the House of Dusk and Savathûn's Hive, the IMC thought it best to relocate this place. Can't say I don't like what they've done here." Sloane seemed... relaxed. "It's actually remarkable. The IMC actually cared enough about this place to grab every last bit of it, even sending some specialized vehicles into the methane ocean of Titan to recover any cargo or components that fell beneath the waves."
Sundance chimed in. "{They're thorough. Gotta give 'em that.}"
Sloane nodded. "True. But enough about me and the Arcology. How are you all doing?"
Michael spoke first. "I'm doing just fine. Rocco's out on vacation."
"I heard." Sloane stated.
Samus was up next. "I've been great."
"{Me too.}" Her Ghost added.
Cayde shrugged. "I'm still taking everything in. But other than that, I'm good."
"{No argument here.}"
Sloane nodded. "Good to hear. Now, while the Arcology was dedicated to the scientific study of Titan and the unique lifeforms that laid in its methane seas, the IMC requisitioned this place for a similar purpose. I've also been hearing some reports about more factions coming up, such as this 'ARES Division'."
Music
none
Samus couldn't believe her ears. "The ARES Division?!"
"I don't even know what that is."
Sundance checked the IMC's network for information. "{The ARES Division, short for the Archaeological RESearch Division, is an armed research and development wing of the IMC, responsible for uncovering, researching, and exploiting indigenous technologies across the Frontier. It was founded by former General Elias Marder; a high-ranking officer within the IMC's military research division. Now, about General Marder... Wow. This guy is already on my bad side. In his eyes, human life was considered expendable and no more or less precious than normal resources and common materials. His personality was best described as 'murderously pragmatic'.}"
"I do NOT like that guy."
"{There's more. An audio log from the planet Typhon.}"
Michael shuddered a bit. "I've got a bad feeling about that."
Sloane spoke up. "Play Marder's audio log."
The voice of the deceased Elias Marder was heard from Cayde's Ghost. "I would like to spend some time today to talk about the value of human life. There is... no value to human life. Now that I have your attention... To be more precise, human life, to a certain limit, is expendable. We are self-perpetuating yet self-destructive. Adaptable yet flawed. And always, always resource-intensive. We are endless consumers of resources. But most relevant to our research here is one undeniable fact; that human life is abundant. Overpopulation of any colonized world is a given. Through the lens of cold objectively, it is irresponsible to say that all individuals on such worlds are actually indispensable. Millions of humans die across the colonized worlds every day by any number of causes. Human life is... expendable. Now our problem is twofold. On one hand, we are faced with a hostile Frontier populace opposed to our commercial pursuits for the greater good. And on the other hand, there is a never-ending cry for natural resources, demanded of us by greater populations of the Core Systems. We must have order on the Frontier if we are to achieve true progress. But the Militia, in its provincial myopic lack of vision, refuses to accept this... thus we are at war. Now the bitter truth: reinforcements from the Core Systems will not arrive for several more years. The Militia gains strength day-by-day, taking back one planet after another. Our choices are limited. Drastic action must be taken. Again, I remind you all of one simple truth; that human life is abundant. And, as distasteful as it may sound, human life is, in truth, expendable. And so that brings us to this planet; Typhon, where we have discovered a gift: a machine that will do more than change the tide. Call it fate. Call it evolution. Call it what you will. The truth is we have discovered our resolution, and in it lies a weapon with a powerful ability to fold space and time. We don't know who built it, but we do know that it is quite old. And most importantly, we have learned enough to bring it to life. As we use this 'Fold Weapon', we will manipulate spacetime targeting anything we desire, sundering entire planets. Our restoration efforts in the mountains are nearly complete, but one task remains: we must complete a small-scale test here first, to tune the power source, or the 'Ark' as our colleagues tend to call it. Once we have accomplished this, we will transfer the power source, the Ark, to the full-scale site and destroy one populated Militia planet and then another until they capitulate. We will open an Einstein-Rosen Bridge, sending through thousands of concentrated gravitational waves. This will rip apart and sunder every molecule, every atom, and every living thing we target, resulting in total loss of life. But lest we lose sight of the bigger picture; remember, those losses are ultimately replaceable by the inexorable march of human reproduction. By decisively neutralizing the Militia forces, we will, in fact, safeguard the existence of the human race, extending its reach and power towards a prosperous and bright future."
Everyone was silent...
...until Cayde spoke up. "I'm with my Ghost on this one. If you guys executed him, he got what he deserved."
Just then, the Eye of the Traveler opened, enabling the Traveler to speak through Michael. "I did not find him worthy of the Light. Far from it actually."
Sloane was taken aback. "I did not know you could do that!"
With the Eye of the Traveler now closed, Michael replied. "It's Big T's way of directly speaking to you."
Music
Super Mario Sunshine - Noki Bay
"Well, I've been getting reports of someone petitioning to renew the ARES Division." Sloane stated. "Surprisingly... and unsurprisingly... it's Asher."
Michael chuckled slightly. "Asher Mir?"
"Hey, I'm sure getting cured of his Vex infection by the Shadow gave the guy the biggest relief in all his lives." Cayde added. "Word on the street is that Dr. Hammond gave him a call... and lectured him on his behavior around others. And his opinion of Golems."
Now it was Sloane's turn to chuckle. "So the whimsical, narcissistic, and eccentric Gensym Scribe finally gets a good smack across the face for it."
It was then that someone walked by. "Hey, Michael."
"Leilani Valero." Michael recognized her.
Samus stepped up and shook hands with her. "Nice to meet you, Leilani. I'm Samus Aran." She gestured to the Sim-Exo. "That's Cayde." Samus then nudged her shoulder towards Michael. "And I'm sure you already know my husband."
Leilani's eyes widened. "Married, huh? Congrats! I'm hoping to find someone myself."
Her Ghost, Pathfinder, appeared. "{Hello. What brings you three out here?}"
"Just checking out this newly repaired Golden Age facility." Michael stated, gesturing with outstretched arms to the entire place. "And what about you?"
"{I've been busy getting acquainted with the systems here. I practically know this place like the back of my metaphorical hand.}"
Stepping out of the way of a patrolling Stalker, Sloane spoke up again. "It's not just humans who've settled in here. We've got Awoken and Eliksni here too. This way."
Planet Alrion - New Pacific Arcology
The Rig
Following Sloane to the next sector, Michael and co. immediately saw more settlers. An Eliksni Captain wearing an old pirate hat and eye-patch held a fake cutlass in the air, letting out his best impression of a pirate's 'YARR!'. "SHIVER ME TIMBERS!" This drew laughter from humans, Awoken, and Eliksni alike. "AVAST YE LANDLUBBERS!" Chuckling to himself, the Captain took off the hat and eye-patch. "OK. OK. I'm done."
Michael took a look at the landing platform, seeing more Eliksni... in white armor? Captains were keeping a secure watch over the area, their faces completely hidden by what looked like the visor of a G2 Cloak Pilot's helmet. They were even carrying various Frontier-made weapons, including R-201 Carbines, X-55 Devotions, and G2A5 Rifles. Some even had newer versions of pre-existing Frontier-made weapons, which Michael had never seen before.
One of them noticed him and notified the others. "Heads up. Pilot on approach."
"Whoa. IMC Eliksni." Michael mused. "Cool."
One of them retracted their visor, showing his four eyes. "It's preferable that we work together."
"Agreed." Michael nodded. He performed a soldier's salute, which the Eliksni soldiers returned. "I look forward to fighting alongside you on the front lines."
1:19 PM
12/13/3273
Planet Alrion - New Pacific Arcology
Solarium
Music
Super Mario Galaxy - The Garden
Arriving in the Solarium, Michael and co. saw more Arcology settlers. All the overgrowth had been cleaned up, everything had been repaired, and the old Golden Age system had been upgraded with Frontier tech. It was like a peaceful coexistence of nature and technology. It was beautiful.
"As you can see, the IMC didn't stop with the exterior. They were quite thorough." Sloane remarked.
Michael walked along the paths, seeing humans, Awoken, Eliksni, and even Exos enjoying their time. One Eliksni sat under a tree, cradling three sleeping hatchlings in her four arms, while a leaf-green Exo looked over the majestic arboretum with gentle aqua-blue optics. "I love this place."
"As do I." The Eliksni sounded happy. "I feel at peace."
"Well, pre-Golden Age studies have shown that spending time around trees, and looking at trees, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood." The Exo stated. "I suppose you feel the same way."
The Eliksni chuckled softly. "It is like being back in the comforting embrace of what you call 'Mother Nature'."
Michael moved on, seeing an Awoken and another Eliksni fast asleep under a tree, leaning against it and each other. Knowing that the Eliksni were chosen by the Traveler before humanity, Michael thought this was what this House deserved. Perhaps if they had come in peace instead of open hostility all those years ago...
"Well, look who we have here..." Michael heard a familiar voice. "Hello, Pilot."
Michael turned to see... "Zavala?"
"I'm not surprised to see you here, Michael." Zavala was sitting down on a nearby bench. "After all, the Arcology is now official IMC property. But that's beside the point. I'm here to give you my long overdue apology." He bowed his head. "About what I said at Cayde's funeral. And after Uldren's death. I should never have said that. I..." Zavala was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry. It was wrong of me. As a Commander... no... as a Guardian, I should have known better."
"Apology accepted, old friend." Startled, Zavala turned around, seeing Cayde right behind him. "Hey, Zavala. Haven't seen you in a while."
Michael then turned to continue his stroll. "I'll let you two get reacquainted. And Zavala?" The former Commander turned back to the Pilot. "Consider yourself off the blacklist."
It was then that Michael bumped into Samus, who was having herself some orange slices. "Hey, Michael. Here." She handed him a few slices. "I can't help but admire what the IMC's done to this place."
Samus's Ghost then chimed in. "{I looked at the IMC's maintenance log. They replaced the wave energy converters with a planet-wide solar panel array, reinstalled that Golden Age CPU we took during the Red War, cleared out the overgrowth, and completely retrofitted the Arcology domes for botanical purposes.}"
"And the lingering Hive corruption?" Michael wondered.
"{Gone. No Hive bioenergetics. And just to be sure, we've got Spectres performing a sweep and clear of the entire Arcology.}"
With a smile, Samus spoke up. "I think we can relax. A full sweep of automated infantry and the Shadow's Taken have purged the Hive from the Arcology. We don't need to worry anymore."
Just then, Sloane rejoined them. "Well? Your thoughts?"
Michael nodded in agreement. "Dr. Hammond certainly had the right idea for this place. Consider the Arcology a new entry on my list of vacation spots, right next to Haven. Maybe Osiris or Ana would enjoy it here."
That they would, Michael. No doubt about it.
Well, the New Pacific Arcology is now on a planet in the Frontier. And it is once again safe for civilian habitation.
Michael did seem to wonder about the Eliksni's first contact with humanity. If they came in peace instead of war, there would never have been a Battle of Six Fronts, Battle of Twilight Gap, SIVA Crisis, or any other Fallen conflict. The Eliksni were chosen by the Traveler. Humanity was chosen by the Traveler. Why couldn't we just have gotten along? I keep having dreams about it.
Anyway, I'll see you all next time. Rocco too.