Eks had been in the tower for almost a month, but it seemed like an eternity. He was uncomfortable here; with the crowded corridors and small rooms, it was next to impossible to move freely without everyone knowing about it. On top of it all; Karn-7 visited often bringing gifts and games to pass the time. But Eks knew it was to keep tabs on him, to make sure he didn't leave and was healing properly in the light of the Traveler. It was like a prison. Others had visited as well, Hoff had come and improved Ek's scope; giving him a better transition between normal and night vision. Aws-4 had even come for a while, giving detailed accounts of day-to-day operations of the Dreadnought in Saturn's rings as Guardians continued to tear it apart for information on the Hive and of the Throne World.
Eks had been pacing the confines of his room when he finally sent a mental request to Wisp; appearing instantly. "Is Karn's Ghost still watching the door?"
"Yes he is. However, Karn and Scribe have been selected by the Vanguard for Mars reconnaissance. They leave tomorrow. "
"Finally! An opening! When he goes for his evening walk go to the ship and give it a once over, I want to leave tomorrow as soon as its clear."
"Eks, I know you'll ignore me, but can we please stay a week longer? You've healed very quickly here, better than I ever could in the field. Your limp is almost gone and I want you in tip top shape before throwing yourself head first at whatever extinction level event you happen to find next."
"I was thinking moon patrol." Eks said as he sat down on his bed and began shaking his bad leg. "Just surface stuff. Still close enough to Earth to heal better and we can mark hive entrances. No ventures underground I promise."
"If we go anywhere near hive I want someone else to go with us for a while. They might retaliate for Omnogul."
"There is no one I can tolerate right now who is free. Maybe I'll visit Mercury?"
"Let's not go near any Vex for a while. We aren't exactly experts in that field and I want that leg in tip top shape before we get sucked into some portal or something."
Eks ground his teeth in frustration as he thought. Maybe this wasnt the time necessarily for a mission or patrolling. Maybe it was time to touch base with some contacts instead.
"What of the reef? There are one or two corsairs who owe me favors I could get news from, could take a while too, enough to get back in the swing of things."
"So close to the Dreaming City? And so far from the Travelers light? Eks I think I would prefer the moon at that point."
"I can make it a quick information trip. No more than three days Wisp! If you let me get out for that long I will come back for that week you want."
Wisp twirled her fins in anxious frustration but eventually said " Fine. But we don't act on any of the Intel we gather until the week is over. We will just pass any news on to someone else. Deal?"
"Agreed!" Eks realised he was standing and quickly sat back down on his bed. "Could you still double check the ship tonight? The mechanics are good, but it would make me sleep better knowing you gave it the once over."
"Of course Eks. Get some sleep." And she vanished.
He closed his eyes, but the excitement he felt would all but guarentee sleep eluding him. No matter, he didn't need sleep anyway.
