A/N: Just for the record, Era-2 is my Hunter.

Cayde took stock of the two new lights Era brought in from the Shore. Not exactly unusual. Even after losing Sundance and his light, and after the Reef, he still found himself saddled with the Vanguard, including all responsibilities that came with it. And that included inducting the newbies. Not that he hated guiding the new lights around...hell, he quite enjoyed it...but after Sundance, and Rex, and the Shore, he just didn't feel the same enthusiasm for mentoring Kinderguardians as he did before.

The first guardian was a Hunter. Awoken looked like. Wearing a mask that only covered like, 75 percent of his face. The other was a Titan. Clad head to toe in armor, as expected of the crayon eaters. He wondered why Era brought em to him. He was about to bring it up to her when she spoke up.

"Cayde. We need to talk. In private."

"Figures. Fucking figures." The Vanguard said as he leaned against the railing, looking up at the Traveler.

Cayde wasn't mad. Nope. He was just...bitter. They had all gone through a lot of effort to give Uldren and his cronies a well-deserved dirt nap. And then this happens. Yes, he knew this Crow kid wasn't Uldren. Just...it was something he was going to have to get used to.

"Look Cayde, I wasn't sure about telling you. Especially after what happened with Pirrah." Era explained, as she took a sip of her flask. To be honest, he didn't blame her. She hadn't been there when he...finished off Pirrah, but she had been there to witness the aftermath. Cayde had lost his light, his immortality...and his friend to that piece of shit...and to hear him bragging about it...caused something to snap within Cayde. Still, didn't mean he liked what Era was implying.

"You act like I'm going to shoot him in the back of the head when no one's looking." Cayde responded.

Era sighed. "Look, I thought it would be better you know now rather than later. Make sure you weren't caught off guard and did something stupid, as usual."

Cayde nodded along. He was a Vanguard. It was his job to lead his Hunters...no matter who's face they had. "Not gonna pretend it'll be easy working with a man who looks like the guy tried shooting me. But the Vanguard don't really get the easy jobs do they. Frankly, I'm more worried if Anakin or the 501st find out."

His fears weren't exactly unfounded. He had seen them in action in the Reef. Anakin already had a reputation for going ballistic when someone messed with or hurt his friends. He didn't take to kindly to his men getting killed. Cayde saw him slicing his way through hordes of Scorn just to get Uldren. And the rest of the 501st... they looked up to the captain, so needless to say, they were eager to avenge him. All and all, he didn't expect them to take it well if they found out.

"Speaking of the 501st." Era continued. "The other Guardian...he was-"

Cayde caught on. "Rex." He interjected, and Era nodded in the affirmative. "Well, great, because we didn't have enough headaches already. Safe to say we aren't telling the Republic, right?"

"Fuck no. I'm not eager to open that can of worms with the Republic and Kaminoans." Era quipped. "Besides, we both know Kamino would just dissect him."

"Well, sooner or later, he's gonna have questions as to why there are a bunch of soldiers walking around that look and sound almost exactly like him." Cayde pointed out. "Crow's gonna be easier to keep in the dark. Though he'll be wondering why so many people hate him whenever he takes off his mask."

"We'll figure that out when we get there Cayde." Era said with a smirk. "Guess we'll have to make this up as we go along, won't we?"

"That's my Guardian."