For a moment, Kendrix was completely silent, frozen in awe in the orange illumination. The image on the screen was most certainly not a face, or even an eye, but through the twisting lines of molten data he could still feel the blazing gaze upon him, staring with unfettered hostility, and he felt himself shiver involuntarily.

There was a sound like the crack of a lightyear-long whip, and a voice blazed once more into Kendrix's helmet, spitting a single word with ageless contempt.

Нарушитель.

Kendrix did not know the word, but the way in which it was said, the sound and accent of it, felt vaguely familiar.

It means "intruder." Proxima helpfully supplied.

Wonderful, off to a great start.

"I am no intruder." Kendrix objected, trying his best to sound dignified. He had no idea how to address an ancient, god-like machine, but he doubted a casual chat was what the situation called for.

There was a roar as the voice rattled off a series of words Kendrix also didn't know, though he could understand the rage well enough. Kendrix noticed that this time the voice echoed strangely, and slowly realized it was because the voice was now also speaking from a series of loudspeakers arrayed throughout the bunker as well as through his comms, giving it an uncanny edge of harmony.

He just called you a liar, a thief, and a few other things I'm not sure I should translate in polite company.

"I am not a liar, and I am certainly not a thief!" Kendrix replied, trying his best to keep his irritation from sounding too hostile. "I killed the Fallen that were attacking you!" he argued, making a sweeping gesture at the collection of corpses arrayed throughout the room. "If I hadn't come when I did, they would have raided your servers for blueprints and coordinates and Traveller knows what else!"

The calculating star burning before his eyes snarled with static and tremor, but did not rebuke his statement. That was a start.

Not wanting to lose his momentum, Kendrix kept speaking.

"I did not come here to harm you," Kendrix reiterated, forcing himself to speak more calmly. "I came because I believe we can help one another." The screen's color shifted almost imperceptibly, becoming a wavelength softer, and the web of embers loosened slightly with the faintest hint of curiosity. Kendrix turned to Proxima's hovering form and gave a slight nod. Her eye flashed, and a pale white hologram emerged from it into the air in front of them. It displayed a 3D render of the alien samurai, looking as he had when he'd first appeared before Kendrix. Even in this sanitized, lifeless depiction, Kendrix almost felt like he could feel the thing's empty eyes staring at him. Swallowing his discomfort, Kendrix continued.

"Approximately twelve hours ago, my Ghost and I encountered a previously unidentified lifeform while patrolling near the Hellmouth on the Moon. It possessed a seemingly robotic physiology, displaying an unprecedented capacity for adaptation and modulation." Proxima made the hologram transform into its Tombship form to illustrate the point. "The lifeform was unequivocally hostile, and very adept at combat, displaying proficiency with melee and ranged weapons, as well as with basic paracausal phenomena." Kendrix paused, wanting to gauge Rasputin's reaction, but found he could discern neither recognition nor surprise in the screen's shifting display.

"We have reason to believe that this entity has been present in the Sol system for a number of centuries, yet the Vanguard database has no record of anything close to matching its description. If it's managed to evade our detection for that long, it's even more dangerous than our initial impression suggested. I am attempting to develop countermeasures. Which is why I have come here." Kendrix paused. Then, in a spur of the moment decision, reached up and undid the seal on his helmet.

The reforged scrap of the empty container let out a clang as it struck the ground, its crimson lights dimming as they were disconnected from the power supply of Kendrix's suit. Kendrix ignored the noise, staring into the molten eternity in front of him, feeling the oppressive warmth of the humming room wash over his bare face as he locked gazes with a god.

"I believe there is an alien spacecraft somewhere on this planet. I believe that it contains information and technology crucial to the fight against this entity. And I believe you know exactly where it is."

The hot, dry air of the room thrummed with tension so thick a Hive cleaver would have struggled to cut it. Kendrix stared without moving, without blinking, into the burning, ochre abyss yawning before him, his uncertainty and fear outmatched only by his resolve to never falter. Nova was counting on him.

After an eternity of instants, the silence was broken as Rasputin spoke.

He's asking what you're proposing.

"A trade." Kendrix answered. "I want you to give me the ship's location, and your full permission to access and study it as I see fit." Kendrix saw the display begin to bloom with crimson outrage, and quickly moved to stem it. "In return, I will reactivate the hidden array."

The screen froze. There was no change of color, no brightening of light, not even a twitch of code.

"The organization known as Dead Orbit recently acquired a set of access codes to an old array station located here in the Skywatch. They sent a team of Guardians to reactivate it, but they all died in the attempt. My Ghost and I managed to recover the codes from one of them, meaning we now have the ability to let you reaccess Warmind facilities across the system."

There was another stretch of silence. A long one. Then…

He says, 'How can I trust you?'

"With the array reactivated, you'll possess access to the full might of your Warsat network. As I understand it, that includes a great deal and variety of weaponry. If I were to attempt to abuse the technology I find in the ship, I suspect you would be more than capable of annihilating me on the spot." Another pause, and then…

'How can you trust me?'

Kendrix wondered if it was curiosity or caution that prompted the Warmind to acknowledge the possibility of it betraying him. Perhaps both. He decided it didn't matter.

"Because I know about the array. I can turn it on. But if you go back on our deal once it's up, I can turn it back off, too, and send you back to flailing in the dark."

Uh, pretty sure we wouldn't be able to shut it down once it's up.

I know that. I'm just hoping he doesn't.

…wow, you are playing things risky today.

I know that too.

Kendrix waited with bated breath, trying desperately not to let his nervousness show on his face. Finally, Rasputin gave a response. It had none of the gravitas or alien force of his previous conversation. It was short, stiff, and almost… grumpy?

What did he say?

…I can't believe he's actually agreeing to this.

Mutually assured destruction. Works every time. I'm a genius.

You're a moron. A very, very, *very* lucky moron.

There was flash, and a series of lights flickered to life on the room's main console.

I think he's asking for the codes. Proxima's tone was serious again. Ken… are you sure about this? Him being out in the system again… things will change. Things that can't be undone. Kendrix shook his head.

No. But it's our only chance. We can't afford to go nosing around every corner of the planet looking for the ship. Sooner or later, the samurai's going to catch up. And if we're not ready when he does, then Nova dies. I can't let that happen. Besides… I don't think he'll let us back out now.

Proxima heaved a mental sigh, then flew over to the console, piercing its circuitry with a beam of white light. She floated there for a moment, fins twitching and whirling. Then the light vanished, and so did she. Kendrix felt a sudden tremor shake the room, then disappear as quickly as it had come.

That was the array. He's activating it.

There was a pause, during which time the console's main display flickered rapidly as Rasputin's abstract visage shifted around. Then, the Warmind said one final sentence, and the display winked out.

I think that's our cue to leave.

Wait, what? What did he say?!

He said he'd contact us at a later time.

He's not giving us the coordinates now?

He might not have them now. There are Warmind data vaults all across Earth and the system at large, any one of which could contain the intel we need. It'd take him a while to reach them all and find it even if he put all his effort into it. And somehow, after centuries of isolation, I don't think we're his top priority.

Great. More waiting around for the samurai to come and kill is.

It's progress. Besides, we've been going nonstop since the Hellmouth, and you and Nova could both use some actual rest.

Traveller above, it's really only been twelve hours. Feels like it's been months since we met the samurai.

Tell me about it. Now come on, let's get out of here.

The return trip to the hangar was blessedly short. They didn't encounter any Hive on the way, and only a handful of Fallen. A nice, calming Sunday drive by Cosmodrome standards. Even still, Kendrix felt much more comfortable once they were back in the hangar. The irony of a completely unsecured ruin in the middle of enemy territory where he'd nearly died starting to feel like home was not lost on him.

His comfort quickly deteriorated, however, when he saw Nova lying on the floor in a fetal position.

Kendrix sprinted over to the robot's side, then moved to his head. Proxima appeared in a flash and started scanning the metal man's prone form.

"His systems are still suboptimal, but they're all stable. I think he's just sleeping, not outright unconscious."

"Hey, bud," Kendrix said, shaking the Cybertronian's massive shoulder as best he could. "You still with us?"

After a moment, Nova's eyes flickered to life, rolling around sluggishly as he crawled out of slumber. They focused on Kendrix, who removed his helmet and gave a small smile. The eyes blinked a couple of times. Then Nova suddenly pushed himself up, shaking off Kendrix's hand as he did. The Warlock started, confused.

"Nova, what's wrong?" Kendrix asked in a worried tone.

Nova walked away from the hangar door, his body shuddering slightly. His thrusters vented huffily, and his auditory system whined with shrill irritation.

"You're still mad about being left behind, aren't you?" Kendrix realized.

Nova didn't respond.

"Look, I know you're upset. But this is how it has to be. To keep you safe-"

I- -A-M- -N-O-T- -A- -C-H-I-L-D-.

Kendrix's mouth snapped shut, taken aback by the interruption.

I- -U-N-D-E-R-S-T-A-N-D- -W-H-Y-.- -I- -K-N-O-W- -R-I-S-K-.

"Then why are-"

M-Y- -S-A-F-E-T-Y-.- -S-H-O-U-L-D- -B-E- -M-Y- -C-H-O-I-C-E-.

"Nova, it's-"

M-Y- -C-H-O-I-C-E-!

Kendrix sighed, turning to Proxima to plead for backup. However, as soon as he met her gaze, she vanished in a flash of light. Kendrix sighed even harder.

"Nova, look. I know how you feel. I understand-"

N-O-!- -Y-O-U- -D-O-N-'-T-!- -N-O- -O-N-E- -D-O-E-S-!

Kendrix's eyes narrowed. "You think I don't understand?!" he shouted, marching towards where Nova stood. The Cybertronian whirled around to face him, eyes ablaze.

Y-E-S-!

"Of course I understand!" Kendrix cried, barely holding back a fit of manic laughter. "You think you're the only one who woke up in an alien world? The only one who had a life ripped away that he can't even remember?!"

Nova's stance faltered slightly as Kendrix shouted, his gaze tinged with uncertainty.

"You're not the only one who's confused! You're not the only one who's scared! You're not the only one who's ALONE!"

The hangar practically shook with the sound of Kendrix's shout. Nova took a step back, eyes filled with shock and confusion. Then, he turned away, and fell into a sitting position.

Kendrix sighed and put his head in his hands, pressing his palms into his eye sockets to repress the urge to scream. Then, he took a deep breath, and walked forward.

"But I'm not alone," he said as he walked up to Nova's side. "You know why?" The robot slowly turned to look at him, glowing eyes brimming with hurt. Kendrix sat down next to him, resting a hand on a metallic knee. "It's 'cause I've got somebody who knows how I feel. Somebody who knows what I'm going through. And somebody who has my back in this fucked up world of ours."

There was a moment of silence before Nova replied.

C-A-N-'-T- -H-A-V-E- -B-A-C-K- -I-F- -I-'-M- -N-O-T- -T-H-E-R-E-.

Kendrix let out a grim chuckle. "Touché." Nova didn't reply.

"Look, I'm sorry." Kendrix finally said. "I want to protect you, but that doesn't mean I get to keep you cooped up in here. I'm sorry, and I'll do better." Nova looked at him and gave a small nod.

A-P-O-L-O-G-Y- -A-C-C-E-P-T-E-D-.

"Thanks. I love you, man."

L-O-V-E- -Y-O-U- -T-O-O-. Nova replied, a twinkle in his eye. Then, after a moment…

…D-U-D-E-.

Kendrix let out another laugh, warmer this time.

"You sneaky bastard. Here I am, opening up to you, and you go and backstab me like that."

Nova's thrusters hummed victoriously while his auditory beeped off a series of low chuckles.

"Alright boys," Proxima said as she reappeared. "I think that's enough emotional growth for one day. We still have to wait a while before we'll hear back from Rasputin. So I say we head back to the Tower so you two can get some shuteye while I try and figure out that Soulfire calibration. Sound good?"

"Fine by me," Kendrix said with a sigh, feeling so overextended he was amazed his cells weren't organizing a general strike. "Nova?"

The Cybertronain let out a loud blast of exhaust, seemingly exhausted in his own right.

"Alright then. Let's get moving."

The sun was still a ways above the horizon when they reached the Tower, but Kendrix didn't have the energy to care. He barely even said goodnight to Nova before transmatting out to go find his room. All he could think about was sleep.

Which made it all the more annoying when he saw who was waiting for him.

Oh, now that's interesting.

Maybe if I ignore him he'll go away.

Pretty sure you've tried that before, champ. Don't think it worked too well.

Well, if at first you don't succeed…

Kendrix walked towards the hangar exit as briskly as he could manage. He'd left his helmet off so the fresh air could keep him awake, which meant he had to try very hard not to make eye contact with the blue-haired sunset standing on the adjacent landing platform. He made it several paces without incident, far enough that he started to hope he'd make it out safely.

"Hold it, Brand," the all too familiar voice rang out. "I got something to say to you."

That's what he gets for hoping.

Seems like the nickname is getting around.

I have got to tell Oroa to knock it off with telling people that story.

Hey, there are worse names. At least he's not calling you greenie anymore.

Kendrix sighed and turned to face the speaker.

"Hello, Apollo. Good to see you too. And I'm doing well, thanks so much for asking."

If Kendrix's sarcasm bothered the Hunter, he didn't show it.

"Look, I heard you were flying in, so I thought I'd come by… and…" The young Guardian let out a low grumble. "...apologise."

Kendrix's eyes widened, then blinked several times in rapid succession.

"Uh… thanks?" Then, his eyes narrowed. "Wait… Beckett sent you, didn't he?"

"No!" Apollo said indignantly. Then his expression faltered. "Uh… maybe." Kendrix raised an eyebrow. "...ok, fine, yes. He did." There was a pause. "But I still mean it. I shouldn't have gotten all up in your face about the Riksis thing, and I was a pretty sore loser after the duel, so… I'm sorry."

Kendrix did a slight, tired nod.

"Thank you, Apollo. I'm… sorry too, I guess. I shouldn't have blown up on you like that, especially not in front of everyone."

"Uh… ok."

"Ok." Kendrix agreed.

There was a silence that stretched well into the uncomfortable range.

"Alright, I'm a little exhausted, so," Kendrix finally began. "I'm gonna go pass out now," he finished, jutting a finger towards the hangar exit.

"Uh, yeah, right. Good." Apollo nodded a bit too quickly. "Um… see you around?"

Kendrix shrugged. "Yeah. Probably." Then he turned and walked away.

Despite that being every kind of awkward, I think you two did rather well.

I literally have no energy for this right now.

Alright, alright. Proxima conceded with a huff. I'll save my jokes for the morning.

Thank you.

The rest of the way back to his room and into his bed was little more than a blur.

Kendrix woke the next day and found that he was, rather predictably, aching all over. He wondered if that sensation would ever get better, or if this was all he had to look forward to for the rest of eternity.

"Good morning sunshine." Proxima said as she coalesced into being.

"Mornin'" Kendrix mumbled as he sat up with a groan.

"So, you want the bad news, the good news, or the other bad news first?"

"Shower. I want a shower fist."

"Fine, fine. Spoilsport."

Kendrix slowly stood out of bed and made his way towards the bathroom. Once inside, he stripped off his undersuit, a process for which Proxima politely dematerialized. He opened the shower's glass door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. He turned the water on, not even bothering to stay out of the way while waiting for it to warm up. The sudden cold water on his back jolted him the rest of the way to wakefulness.

Alright, so bad, good, or-

We've talked about this. Showers are work-free zones. I need time to relax.

If I give you the time you 'need', you'll be in here for half an hour.

Fine. Set a timer, fifteen minutes.

I'm not a cell phone.

Ok, have it your way. Half an hour it is.

Fine, fine!

Kendrix emerged from the shower fifteen minutes later and quickly towelled himself off before re-donning his freshly-cleaned undersuit.

"Alright, what have we got?" he asked as he unwrapped the nutrient bar Proxima was kind enough to drop on his head.

"Finally," she said as she rematerialized with a roll of her eye. "Ok, so bad news is I couldn't crack a calibration for the sensors. Soulfire can be wonky even at the best of times, everything paracausal can. And even with so much of it stuffed up inside old man Skeletron, I couldn't find a way that I think would be reliable in keeping tabs on him."

"Ok. So what's the good news."

"Good news is someone else knows the Hive well enough that she should be able to whip one up for us."

"And the other bad news?"

"This someone is also almost certainly, definitely, absolutely crazy".

"And let me guess. She doesn't work for free?"

"Nope."

"Of course not. So who is she?"

"Her name is Eris Morn."

AN: Sorry it took me so long to get to writing this, I've been busy. Hopefully the next one won't take as long, and I should have a lot more time to write in the near future. Hope you all are still enjoying!