Chapter Six

Wren carried Aso through the ship bay, her legs shaking under his weight. At the end of the walkway a couple of mechanics took him from her and she thanked them, grateful for the help. She hung back, watching them carry Aso behind Sisre and Rorick.

Kiran had explained to her that eventually she would be put into a fireteam but that most of the time she'd work alone. It was a Hunter thing. Wren was relieved. Sisre, Rorick, and Aso had been friends. Comrades. They had depended on one another and at least Sisre showed a devout sense of loyalty toward them. Wren couldn't imagine depending on someone that much and then having to bury them.

She looked around at the mechanics, elbow deep in broken sparrows and jump ships. They yelled, joked, teased each other. Ties she hadn't made with others yet and wondered if she should put herself in a position to form. It hadn't become apparent yet if she was tough enough to handle the pressures of being a Guardian. She'd only glimpsed what was expected of her and from the perspective of an outsider, in a way. Had something happened and they had not been able to bring Rorick back, she wouldn't grieve for him. She would have guilt over his life, yes, but the pervasive emotion would most likely have been of disappointment in her own failure. She would have to accept what Cayde had said as truth.

"We should report to Cayde," Kiran said, floating out a few feet to lead the way.

Wren didn't budge. It was as if her feet were glued to the floor, body refusing to move. She didn't want to see him. She was still angry.

"C'mon, Wren. You're being childish." Kiran's patience was waning and although his comment stung, it was only because he was right.

"Fine," she grumbled, following him as he drifted along, greeting other Ghosts and Guardians on the way. It seemed he knew everyone and was happy to engage with them. To form bonds with them.

Wren didn't realize she'd gone into auto pilot until she found herself at the top of the stairs. Sisre stood there, leaning against the top of the handrail, her eyes cast out toward the glowing white form of the Traveler. There was a sense of relief that came from seeing the Titan. It meant she could delay the inevitable and linger with her for a moment, taking a spot beside her.

The Traveler. It was what they were fighting for, in a sense. It protected the City, and they would protect it with the Light it gave them. Without it, they would fail. Or so she had been told.

"Thanks for helping us out there. We weren't able to bring Aso back, but without you, I might not have been able to get Rorick out alive. I can't tell you how much that means to me."

"No problem."

"You okay? You look stressed."

"She's just being stubborn," Kiran said.

"Sometimes stubbornness is okay if it's justified," Sisre said. "What's wrong? Cayde again?"

Wren looked away. It felt like she was whining.

"Look, Wren. You wanted to prove him wrong and so you did. You survived. You carried out your first mission without a hitch. Not everyone gets to say that. If I were you, I'd march right up to him and tell hi the mission was a success. Rub it in his face."

"Well, maybe don't do that," Kiran interjected.

"All I'm saying is this; don't let him get you down," Sisre said, clamping a hand on Wren's shoulder before walking away.

Wren took a deep breath and proceeded down the steps and past Shaxx who was recounting tales of battle to some Guardians who had gotten too close.

Cayde stood at the command center, leaning over his map in deep concentration. Ikora and Zavala were absent, taking away the opportunity to walk past Cayde the way she had before. There was no choice, she had to talk to him. Sundance flickered above him, nudging him until he looked up at Wren.

"Hey look, it's Canary. C'mere, kid," Cayde said, waving her over.

"My name's Wren."

"Yeah, that's what I said. Now c'mere."

Her fists clenched at her sides but she relented, taking a place beside him. The map under his hands was aged, stained, and town from years of abuse but it detailed the Cosmodrone and its surrounding areas with hand written notes, symbols, and dates. Things that only Cayde himself would understand.

"Are you sending me back to the Cosmodrone?" she asked.

"Sorry kid, this mission requires skills you don't have yet. No offense," he added quickly, hands up defensively. "How'd it go on the moon?"

"Fine. A Titan named Aso was dead when I got there but I helped Sisre bring back Rorick. He was supposed to be taken in for observation but I think he'd going to be fine."

"Good, good. Meet any Hive up there?"

"Yes. It seems overrun with them."

"That so? Hm," Cayde said, straightening himself.

"Can I go then?"

"Actually I have something for you," he said, retrieving a box that had been stashed under the table.

Wren didn't know what to say. Was it a trick? Was he serious? If he was, did she even want whatever it was he was trying to give her? Taking it might mean she had to forgive him for what he said and she didn't know if she was ready for that.

"Don't give me that face," he said. "You're gonna love it."

Kiran tilted curiously as Wren pulled the box closer across the table. It was heavier than she expected and what lay inside caught her breath in her throat.

A new Better Devils, shiny and custom painted. She drew her fingers across the surface, painted black and white with accents of deep purple and gold. It was beautiful but as if gift it didn't make any sense. He hardly knew her. Was this what his guilt looked like?

Her eyes shifted up to Cayde's. What should she say? What did he want? His mouth was opened slightly, blue eyes darting expectantly from the gun to her face and back again. He seemed… excited?

"Well?" he finally said. "Do you like it?"

Wren was conflicted. She raised the Better Devils from its box, feeling its weight in her grip. The gold gleamed in the light and she knew she loved it. It belonged in her hand. She wanted it but it was dulling her anger toward him as effectively as a bucket of water on a match.

He must have noticed her hesitation because the look of excitement faded into something more serious.

"I don't understand," she said at last.

"It's an apology. You did good. It wasn't right for me to judge you before you had a chance to show me what you could do."

Wren's chest tightened. "Apology accepted."

Cayde beamed. "Just don't tell anyone. Might get the wrong idea."

"Trust me, I'd never let people get the wrong idea about you and me," she quipped back. Maybe they could start over. That would be nice.