A Long Drop

I can't help but smile at the Last City's skyline, it just looks so peaceful.

Sure, half of the place is still being rebuilt, but it's still nice. Almost makes it better in a way; gives everything a more tangible feel. If anything, it let me find out we had hover transports here. Never knew we had those. Now, I can't help but watch them as they fly around the City.

Would've liked it if we didn't have to be nearly wiped by the Cabal for that to happen, but whatever. And I need to get off this Tower, I'm starting to get impressed by flying barges.

Otherwise, today seems alright.

Ossu, being the little worrywort of a Ghost that he is, left to discuss "circle theories" with Aden's Ghost. Thankfully, he didn't drag me along. Instead, I've got some actually decent coffee, and Hadsen's talking about his Crucible dream team. I'm not on it, but I'll let it slide so long as he's paying for the service here.

Definitely need to come here again, I didn't even know they had a café on the Tower. Or, well, the new Tower anyways.

Overall, I'd be tempted to call it a pretty good afternoon, if it weren't for the Thanato-

"Why are those Guardians standing at the edge up there?"

Speak of the devil. There goes hoping he wouldn't see them.

Best to look, just in case he's talking about another trio of suicidal "scientists."

I look behind me and across the gap in the Tower's segments to see three Guardians. They're standing side by side, hanging onto the railings only enough to keep themselves from falling, staring hard at the drop below. One of them, covered in green camouflage and wearing some sort of bird-looking helmet, is consulting his Ghost. Probably going to be the first to jump.

No doubt about who they are. I turn back to Hadsen and my coffee.

"They're Thanatonauts," I answer plainly.

Hadsen turns his head away from the three and gives me this completely confused look.

"They're what?"

There's a whoosh from behind me. Guessing the baby bird just leapt from his nest. Hadsen's eyes follow the descent from his chair, his face going pale in barely a second.

"Thanatonauts," I repeat more slowly. The shock on his face starts mingling with more confusion. "It means 'explorers of death' or something like that."

I hear a faint but solid crunch. Let's see, that was about five seconds, so they must've hit the support beams on the way down then. Hadsen fidgets uncomfortably at the sound. Bet he's imagining the pile of blood and guts at the bottom. Wuss.

"That doesn't answer my question," he replies, shivering slightly. Oh yeah, he's definitely thinking about the impact.

"They kill themselves so they can see weird visions or whatever while they're dead, before their Ghosts bring them back." Hadsen grimaces, but I continue anyways. "It doesn't work all the time though… the 'seeing visions' part that is, not the bit about being revived; so they keep going until they hit gold."

A transmat sounds on the floor above us by the railing, no doubt the baby bird being restored by his Ghost. I hear him say "Nothing" to his companions, as well as their groans and sighs in response. Hadsen doesn't seem to notice, probably too grossed by now to pay attention. I think I'll bother him a little more.

"It may sound weird, but it's better than how some Guardians just jump for the thrill of it," I continue, making sure to keep a stone face. "Others just fall off, somehow."

For six whole seconds, Hadsen gives me what's probably the most disappointed frown I've ever seen.

"You Guardians are all crazy," he grumbles. After twiddling his thumbs for a moment, he continues, "And apparently a bunch of klutzes."

I shrug and take a sip from my mug. "Won't deny it."

There's another whoosh behind me.