No stars in sight Chapter 1: Access Restricted, an Inheritance Cycle + Destiny Crossover fanfic

Access-Restricted

DECRYPTION KEY: 63K672V2PG1$IKO-006
AGENT(S):IKH-966
SUBJ: update on enemy movements

1. Reef reports indicate increased Wrathborn activity in Ascendant plane, with concentration around contested Leyline positions. Lunar reports refer to the same—a marked change in expected hostile action surrounding extra-planar beachheads. Subject analysis suggests local enemy command may be under pressure from VIP #7320 to retake territory stolen by the Risen militants of VIP #7282 and reassert control over the general populace of Sol-stationed Hive forces. Reef personnel have queried towards the confirmation of VIP #6990's demise. Have any remains been collected? Have there been any live sightings post-exorcism? VIP #6990 is known to circumvent conventional methods of elimination, in a manner reminiscent of VIP #4503's process of self-resurrection. Perhaps a side effect of extended Wrathborn mutation—or a sign of Ascendancy?

2. Scorn forces are storming the Throne World over Mars, though a number of noteworthy candidates for tactical command have been notably absent. VIP #4503 fled the Tangled Shore shortly before Reef personnel carried out [REDACTED]. No sightings have since been reported. VIP #3987 has been advocating for negotiated withdrawal of all Eliksni-based populations towards the inner system if only to starve the Fanatic of more fodder. Vanguard is under duress to induct these populations into House Light and the City at large, pending some Hidden investigations into the history of radicalized Eliksni-based military personnel. No point trying to starve the Scorn out if we're just going to invite Devil diehards to live next door—just kills us quicker. All the same, I'd be happier with those bodies staying warm. We have too many living corpses crawling on our doorstep as is.

3. A second Scorn figure, VIP #5888, is likewise absent. Guardian forces encountered this entity aboard the Loyalist Carrier Glykon Volatus during rescue/retrieval attempts for the remains of Hunter Katabasis and Ghost Gilgamesh. VIP #5888 is known to act in the interest of the "Voice in the Darkness", similar to Throne World-based Scorn forces. Where VIP #4503 may prove to be an independent warlord, VIP #5888 is assuredly loyal to the interests of the Black Fleet. What is the status of the Glykon?

4. The VIP #9999, the First Disciple, is dead. There was an incident regarding the transportation of complementary effects, containing hazardous materials bearing dual memetic and paracausal properties, but this has since been rectified. Local command over Scorn forces has collapsed; only the spare Chieftains are holding them together. The Black Fleet may seek to replace their influence in the Throne World with another figurehead; this agent is under the assumption that it may draw upon VIP #5888. Given VIP #5888's propensity towards wielding the memories of its victims against them, and the abundance of latent psychic energy to be found in the Throne World, assigning the Locus to guiding the local Scorn forces may be the most natural choice for the Black Fleet to make. This agent advises Vanguard forces to lead a search for VIP #5888 on a system-wide basis, with either the intent to destroy or imprison. Given the creature's propensity for Dark Ether-based resurrection, the later may be the only feasible option available to us. Collusion with Imperial forces in Jovian space will likely prove beneficial in this respect. We don't have enough eyes out there as is.

5. Is there a new plan of action regarding the Dreaming City? Evidence points to it being nothing more than a red herring orchestrated by VIP #7282 in hopes of drawing our attention to the frontlines—while bogging down Reef forces in a grand war of endless attrition. I do truly doubt that there is any ulterior motive towards the assault. If VIP #7282 was waiting on something in that regard, then she wouldn't be dead. The curse is a drain on Reef- and City-resources, nothing more. We should be focusing on ending it as soon as possible, what with VIP #7282's influence and powerbase degrading. It may be in our best interest to cut our losses and let Eleusinia rot. Permission to float this idea VIP #0704's way?

MESSAGE ENDS

DECRYPTION KEY: 81302GH81I$IKH-966
AGENT(S):IKO-006
SUBJ: response to enemy movements

1. There have only been unconfirmed sightings of VIP #6990, and in many cases may have been other Hive personnel mistakenly identified from a distance. No remains have been found, however, and the dynamics of long-term Wrathborn mutation is still unknown to us. Stay alert. If we receive any notice towards VIP #6990, you will be the first to know.

2. Hidden intel suggests that VIP #4503 has fled towards either the outer system or to the edge of the Reef. Awoken and Imperial Cabal patrols are likely to keep the Fanatic grounded and cornered, at least for the time being. We have no indication as to whether he intends to link up with the Black Fleet's forces or to carve out a new independent territory.

3. The Glykon Volatus has been isolated and subjected to external surveillance since initial reconnaissance attempts. Jurisdiction will be shortly handed over to Imperial Cabal forces, as per the terms of the coalition. Activity within the vessel has ground to a halt; we don't know whether it's because the Scorn have slipped away or are now waiting for the next living soul to board.

The Vanguard has been informed that Empress Caiatl wishes to demo the entire site and scrub the area of Dark influence. We have not objected to this tact.

4. With all luck VIP #5888 will be destroyed along with the rest of the Glykon. In the event that complications arise in the aftermath, Vanguard forces will be waiting on standby. You should be there just in case.

5. Negative on both counts. The Dreaming City is a front we cannot lose, even if only for the slightest chance that there is something within that VIP #7282 was searching for. I understand that the curse has affected you more closely than most agents involved. There is no shame in admitting yourself to psychiatriacal aid. The Vanguard is here to help. We can talk whenever you need.

MESSAGE ENDS

/VANNET/VANGUARD-AUTHORIZED SECURE TERMINAL/ENCRYPTION ENABLED/
/TRANSMISSION ORIGIN: MARS/
/AUDIO CONVERSATION LOG/
/USER: IKHAROS TORSTIL—VIP#0966/
/USER: IKORA REY—VIP#0006/
:: Thank you for using VANNET ::
:: Your conversation may be recorded ::
:: Connecting you with your party / MARTIAN EXCLUSION-SITE 5-DELTA::

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Tell Caiatl to turn her guns towards the Dreaming City.

IKORA REY: She tried that already. Zavala said no.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Tell her to do it again.

IKORA REY: This isn't what I meant by talking, you know. Queen Mara will not-

IKHAROS TORSTIL: I can't keep doing this. I can't.

IKORA REY: By our estimations, even if Caiatl bombards the Dreaming City the curse will simply undo the damage on the next cycle.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Quria's dead. It should be over.

IKORA REY: I can arrange for you to be stationed alongside our Imperial cohorts, if you'd like. There are other fireteams I can arrange to deal with the Blind Well.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: What about Dûl Incaru?

IKORA REY: Her too.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: No, they won't. She'll still be there.

IKORA REY: You need to talk to someone.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Tried that already-

IKORA REY: May I ask who-

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Osiris. At least I thought... And now look. No better off than when we'd started.

IKORA REY: Your points about the Locus of Communion, Fikrul, Kelgorath-

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Someone needs to track them down. Keep them in the grave. We quite literally cannot afford to leave them loose.

IKORA REY: I'll have my agents-

IKHAROS TORSTIL: No. Forget about it. I'll do it myself.

IKORA REY: Caiatl, then. Should I warn her you're coming?

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Won't be for long.

IKORA REY: I'll request Imperial backup.

IKHAROS TORSTIL: Suit yourself.

FOR THE STAFF OF EMPRESS CAIATL
FROM GLAZETROTTER IV COHORT/AUXILIARIES/STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE MANIPLE

I: Report Pursuant To Analysis

Startrotter III Cohort/Century 4/Maniple 2
2 Squad [AIRMOBILE]
TASK:
- sweep grid around scuttled carrier, glykon volatus
OUTCOME:
- unit ambushed by scorn skiffs. three survivors. units report cloaked skiffs docking within and departing from carrier. skiffs bear totems of unknown make.

II: Analysis

Scorn forces are disembarking from captured carrier, destination unknown. Scorn activity has spiked across previous known and presently unexpected areas of deployment, coinciding with a reported shifting of allegiance. Scorn troops have been reported to have cooperated with Taken and Hive infantry in DREAMING CITY WAR. Vanguard Guardian reports that Scorn are fielding troops elsewhere, intent unknown. Vanguard Guardians suspects Scorn Ambassador is the new focal point of Scorn leadership, existing as a messenger for the Black Fleet.

The primary threat is the Scorn individual counter-attrition capability. Scorn can be rebuilt after even total disintegrative trauma. This capability is provided by [SOURCE UNKNOWN].

Psion analysis indicates that Scorn operate on physically illegal energy spectrum opposite of that of Guardian forces. Primary threat of Guardians is individual counter-attrition capability.

Flayer analysis suggests that Guardians of Vanguard allegiance may be amenable to sweeping for Scorn forces.

We advance that Guardian aid will be more cost-effective in Scorn extermination attempts.

FOR THE EMPRESS,
OUR HIGHEST DUTY DONE,
UNFLINCHINGLY LOYAL,
GLAZETROTTER IV/A/SI

FOR THE STAFF OF VALUS FORGE
FROM THE STAFF OF EMPRESS CAIATL

I: Report Pursuant To Marching Orders

II. Marching Orders

The Staff of Empress Caiatl request that a full century of Iron War Beasts be summoned and rallied and outfitted with an Imperial warship to chase, search and neutralize. Century will be accompanied by Vanguard-aligned Guardian forces [1 WARLOCK].

FOR THE EMPRESS,
OUR HIGHEST DUTY DONE,
UNFLINCHINGLY LOYAL,
STAFF OF EMPRESS CAIATL

PUBLIC KEY 2-375530-6 REEF SPACE

FROM: IKHAROS TORSTIL

TO: JAXSON INETA

SUBJECT: THINGS I NEVER GOT TO SAY

MESSAGE IS:

Scorn on the move, outer system and beyond. Don't know why. I'll be radio silent for a while, I think. Maybe longer if they're running out into deep space. This stinks of something and I don't know what. Imperials have given me some of Saladin's new layabouts. Don't trust them as far as I could throw them and that's me daring to be optimistic. It feels out of place, but everyone's saying we all have to move on at some point—so look at this, look at me, trying to do better.

We haven't talked in a while. You're angry with me. I'm angry with myself. When I come back, you and I have to have a sit-down.

For what it's worth, I'm sorry. For everything.

MESSAGE ENDS

This is a complete rewrite and overhaul of my first publicized fic, Stargazer. To new readers, hiya, thanks for reading, wish you the best! :P For old readers of Stargazer, the reasons for which I'm doing this are multitude, but ultimately boil down to:

1. I felt I was losing cohesion with the story, thanks to a few early whimsical decision that ultimately weighed it down for me much later into the fic.

2. I... honestly did not like where it was going. And how I had to write each chapter. It just stopped clicking with me. I love the idea of the story, I used to love writing it, but when it became a chore instead of a pleasant hobby I simply stopped and cannot find it in myself to pick up the threads I'd dropped.

3. Stargazer was just too RAW in the beginning and on rereads I found myself hating it. I loved how it taught me how to write better, and as a result I'm in utter love with some other later projects I turned those honed skills towards, but I can't ignore what old me began that new me can't help but feel like is just too blatant.

4. Not a major reason but Destiny as a story and a game has improved for me since I first planned and wrote Stargazer, and I improved with it, and my interests in elements of the Destiny interest shifted. For example, I went into Beyond Light because I liked the Fallen (House of Wolves was a treasured memory of mine) and eventually came out of it with the opinion that I adored the Bray and Europan colony storylines more than I did the rest of Beyond Light. And then there was season of the chosen with Presage and that just set in motion my change in tastes - which Stargazer sometimes glanced upon but largely ignored.

In short: this is me starting fresh, but with a remarkably changed story and with vastly different elements involved. Even intrinsic parts of Stargazer have been altered in the plan for no stars in sight. Hope it presents a more cohesive, interesting read than the fic prior.

Thanks for reading!