Boots hitting the ground again was disorienting. She wasn't sure how long she'd been gone but it seemed she and the other Cayde had walked through the darkness for days before the abyss became like fractalized light and fractured, bringing her back to the world of the living. In that time, she'd wondered if the real Cayde would ever find her but when she woke and blinked away the hazy film over her eyes, the first thing she could focus on was Cayde's face.

"There she is," he said. "Welcome back. You were dead awhile. You feelin' alright?"

Wren leaned against him, shaky on her feet.

"How long has it been?"

"About ten hours since we lost connection with you. Zavala was hesitant to let me leave to come after you but when Eris said she had to come he eased up. Not that he would have stopped me."

"Eris is with you?" Wren looked around.

On the other side of the shallow pool was Eris, slowly approaching Oryx's sword and muttering under her breath. She peered over her shoulder at Wren and Cayde, stepped between them and the sword, then something happened. What Wren could still see of the sword crumbled and fell away, then Eris turned to them.

"It is time to leave," she said and walked past them without a second glance.

Wren stood on her own and rubbed her shoulder. "I don't trust her," she said quietly.

Cayde stared down at her a moment, then to Eris. "She means well."

Wren shook her head. "You don't have to believe me, but it feels like she knows more than she's letting on and I don't like it. If I'm risking my life, I want to know all the details."

"Sorry kid, but that ain't the way it works. You can't know all the time."

"Shouldn't I though? I'm not some dog that begs on command. And she's hiding something."

"Alright, alright," he said, grabbing her shoulders. "I'll keep an eye on things. Okay?"

Wren looked over at Eris.

"Will a pinkie promise help?" he smirked.

"Thought we weren't going to bring that up again?"

"It's too good to pass up. Let's get you back to the Tower and get you a hero's welcome, eh?"

"I don't deserve it. I didn't kill Oryx. I think he escaped."

Cayde's smile faded a bit. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, home."

They returned to the drop zone in silence, Cayde leading the way and Eris lagging behind. Wren couldn't help but glance at her here and there. Only when they neared the transmat zone did Cayde speak.

"Alright, here we are. Get your ship and I'll meet you back at the Tower. I have something for you."

"Sure," Wren said as Eris and Cayde's ships came into view.

"Uh oh," Kiran said.

"What?"

"The ship. It's gone."

"Gone? How can it be gone?"

"Oh shit," Cayde hissed. "I saw some Fallen scavenging the Awoken ships, I bet they made off with yours. Or at least part of it."

"What do I do?" Kiran asked.

"See if you can locate the tracking beacon on it for starters and log the location. If there's anything left of it we'll send a crew out later to retrieve it."

"Can't we do that now?" Wren asked.

"How would we get it back? Listen, we don't have what we need to take it with us, you're gonna have to be patient and ride back with me."

"I… don't know about that…"

Cayde shrugged. "Me or Eris."

"What are we waiting for?" she asked, charging ahead toward his ship.

Sundance and Kiran transmatted them into the hovering craft, which resulted in immediate pushing and shoving in the small space.

"Stop, just stop," he said. "These ships ain't meant for this, okay? Just… let me sit down and try not to sit on the controls."

Wren put her back to the control panel and squeezed in as far as she could go while still being aware of the buttons and devices behind her. He maneuvered into the pilot seat and sat up straight.

"Should I sit on the floor or?"

"Can't. I have pedals down there."

"Pedals? For what?"

"For things that may or may not be approved by Big Blue. Now sit down." He patted his knee.

"You're kidding."

"I can still call Eris…"

"This feels like bullying."

"I'm not trying to bully you. Just sit down and let's go. I'm dying for some spicy ramen."

Wren turned her back to him and sat on his leg but it was quickly apparent that it wasn't a position that would work. She ended up having to straddle his thigh so he could still pilot the ship. She braced her hands on his knee guard and adjusted.

"Damn you have a bony ass," he teased as they shot into space.

"Your leg is metal, act like this is any more comfortable for me," she grumbled as she pulled her helmet off and shook her head.

"You want my secret to never having helmet hair?"

Wren raised an eyebrow at him. "Because you're bald?"

"Pft, no! It's because I never wear a helmet. Hey, don't roll your eyes at me."

Wren shifted her weight. It'd be a long ride back and the gentle movements of the ship swayed her in a way that called too much attention to his thigh between her legs. She tightened her thighs around his a little to try and lessen the movement, but it only made him shift too.

In the darkness of the cockpit the only light was from the controls and the color burning in her cheeks was hidden. Bad time to go back to the alley with the Ace pressed firmly against her. He'd been so close to kissing her, but the incident hadn't been brought up since. That didn't mean she hadn't thought about it. Often. In the privacy of her room.

There was no privacy here and she felt the same stirring she felt every time she thought back on that day. It didn't help that the constant vibration of the ship and the heat from him were adding to the sensation. She bit her lip and tried to focus on keeping still despite the urge to tilt her hips downward.

He leaned forward and toyed with the controls, but she couldn't make herself look at him. When he sat back he rested a hand on her leg and she froze, staring down at it. She scoot back a little and his hand slid farther toward her hip. She swallowed hard and her fingertips dug into the red colored material that cushioned against his shin guards.

Her legs tensed and she couldn't help but shift her hips and her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She expected him to make some sort of remark, some quip about her behavior, but he didn't say anything. Instead, his hand moved higher and was resting very near her hip. Did he know what was going on?

When he pulled his foot back from the pedals, raising her higher from the floor to the point that even more of her weight was on his thigh, she was sure he knew something was up. His hand gripped her hip, thumb kneading into the fleshy upper part of her ass which elicited a small moan from her.

"Is this okay?" he asked quietly as he moved his hand from her hip toward her inner thigh.

She hesitated, mind flashing to Flak and she had to force herself to stop. This wasn't Flak. It was Cayde. She liked him. Trusted him. Wanted him… but Flak wouldn't leave her mind. When she closed her eyes she could still see it happening and she sat forward, suddenly aware of her breathing.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked. When she didn't reply immediately, he took her chin and guided her to look at him. "You're safe."

Wren inhaled deeply and thought about it. She was already worked up and he was right. She was safe with him. Felt safe…

"Do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head slowly and kissed her forehead before pulling her back to rest against him again, then he slid his hand between her thighs. When he pressed against her, he inhaled deeply and pushed his hips forward slightly.

"Relax," he said and though still tense, Wren let go a little. She could see his gloved hand working against her pants and the realization of what was happening hit her.

What was she supposed to do? Was she supposed to touch him too? He knew what he was doing and she was a fumbling mess, what if he thought she was stupid? Hand shaking she reached down, closed her eyes, and rested her hand on his bulge. He responded by pressing toward her palm but when she froze he stopped and took her hand in his.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want," he said. "Just… let me take care of you. Okay?"

There was a little relief that she wouldn't have to figure things out all at once and could focus on his fingers rubbing her through her pants, but there was also the feeling of being the center of attention and she didn't like that. The darkness in the cockpit helped and the sensation and heat of his hand was beginning to edge her into not caring, but she hadn't quite gotten there yet.

"You wanna spread em' for me a little bit?" he whispered in her ear and she obeyed immediately, which made him chuckle. When her face flushed and she tried to close them again he stopped her, hands on her thighs to keep them apart. "Hey, I was only teasin'. I know you're nervous but don't be. I won't tell and I'll stop whenever you want, remember? You call the shots."

Wren hesitated. Without his hand between her legs she longed for it. Craved it. Craved more even… better not to jump in the deep end before she learned to swim. She leaned back and let him pull her knees apart before resuming.

There was a moment of awkwardness until she closed her eyes and let it happen, imagining what it might be like to let herself give in to the desire for more. To let him take her in the tiny cockpit, hot and wet and cramped… she pushed her hips up into his hand and laid her head back onto his shoulder.

His movements were slow and deliberate, and he seemed to like when he teased with light strokes against her pants and she would press up into his palm in desperation. She was getting close but it was as if he knew and was keeping her in suspense. His free hand grasped her hip and while she bucked against his hand, he pulled her down tight against his thigh.

"Might be better if I can get under these," he said, tugging at the side of her pants.

Wren bit her lip. If she didn't have anything on she didn't think she could control herself so she shook her head no.

"That's okay," he said, nuzzling into her neck. "I think this is doin' just fine, hm?"

"Yeah," she replied, caught by the way it came out as a moan. That only made him work harder, his erection pressing into her hip. She was glad she didn't agree to let him go farther. She wanted him in the worst way.

"Good thing you're wearing dark pants," he moaned. "These are soaked. And so are my gloves."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Best thing that's ever happened to 'em."

Wren put her hand on the back of Cayde's and worked with it at his pace, feeling the fabric of her clothing freely sliding against her. She'd never been this worked up before and she knew she was going to finish soon. Her breath came out as moans as she ground against his nimble fingers, her free hand clutching at his erection which throbbed under her palm.

"Cayde," she moaned, her thighs tightening around his hand as she came. Exhaustion hit her immediately. The trip, the fight against Oryx, and now this? Death hadn't made her less tired; it'd only kept her in that suspended state until he could find her and now she felt she had no energy to move. Her body went limp as she tried to catch her breath.

"Feel better?" he asked, his tone joking as he pulled off his gloves and tossed them onto the floor.

"Uh huh."

"That's all I get?"

Wren held up a sleepy thumbs up and Cayde laughed. He pulled her into his lap and leaned back farther so she could rest her head on his shoulder.

"Get some sleep. I'll wake you up when we get home."

Two days passed but Wren didn't leave her room. Sisre brought her food but she hardly had the energy to touch it. Those days were spent sleeping, restlessly in most cases, until the dawn of the third day when Sisre came knocking on her door.

She sat up in bed, eyes closed, while Sisre picked dirty clothes up from the floor.

"I'm worried about you," she said, tossing the clothes in a basket by the closet door. "All you've done since you got back is sleep. You didn't even touch your dinner last night."

"Sis, I'm okay I just… I'm tired."

"But you've slept for days."

"Please calm down," Wren said, flopping her hand to the bed.

Sisre sighed and sat beside Wren. "What's going on with you?"

"I'm having a hard time sleeping is all. I keep having these dreams."

"Nightmares?"

"Yeah."

"About what?"

"Oryx. I know he's out there and I know we're going to have to hunt him down and kill him for real next time."

Sisre bit her lip. "That's why I'm here. Zavala sent me to get you because they have a trace on where Oryx might be. He returned to the Dreadnaught… sort of. They found your ship too. It's fine, just had a few pieces removed by the Fallen and that's why it wouldn't come to Kiran when he tried to transmat it in. Holliday says it should be done by the time we need it."

"You weren't going to tell me first?"

"I wasn't sure I even wanted you to go with us. Not with what happened before and not with how you've been since you got back."

"I know you're worried about me, but you know I have to do this. It took all six of us to defeat Crota. I don't know what I was thinking going to Oryx alone. Hell, I don't know what the Vanguard was thinking either. It's going to take all five of us to kill Oryx."

"I should let Cayde know how I feel about that," Sisre said, standing to pace around the room. "I still can't believe they thought it was a good idea to send you alone."

"I know. But it's done now. And remember, Cayde did come and get me."

"Yeah, after hours of you not responding."

Wren drew her knees up. "I was surprised."

"Me too," she paused in her pacing to cross her arms and stare out the window. "I want to be mad at him because he never should have put you in that position, but I'm also glad he went to get you. He got in some deep trouble with Zavala about that too."

"So… have you changed your mind about him?"

"Maybe. I guess? I just want you to be happy, Wren. If that means it's with Cayde, then alright. It's hard to say because of all the shit you've been through because of him."

"Because of other Hunters," Wren corrected, finally standing to stretch. "While I know he could have done things differently, I know he didn't intend on having those things happen. And he has saved me a few times. I trust him."

Sisre glanced at her suspiciously. "Did you two…?"

"What? No! Nothing like that I just… I can't deny it anymore. I can't say I you know… love him or anything, but I do know that I'm drawn to him. I'm tired of pretending I don't in the hope that the feeling will go away."

A knock at the door interrupted whatever Sisre was about to say and she went to answer the door.

"Who is it?"

"Us," came the sound of Beorn and Franz in unison.

"And me," Rorick said.

Wren threw on her robe and Sisre opened the door for the men who came in with large boxes wrapped in brown paper and set them on the bed.

"What's this?" Wren asked.

"You've been wearing that old armor for forever, so we thought we'd get together and get you something new," Beorn said, holding out the largest box.

"We have some scouts go into the Hellmouth and Crota's ritual room and collect some things for it," Franz explained as Wren opened the box to reveal a chest piece with faintly glowing discs on the chest. "Those turn into spikes of blue green light," Franz explained. "Got em' on the shoulders too. Looks really cool in the dark."

"We thought black would be a fitting color since you have to be stealthy," Rorick said. "I didn't find the glowing spikes to be practical in that respect but Franz and Beorn out voted me."

"They look cool and you know it," Franz said.

"Looking "cool" makes no difference if you're dead because you tried to sneak up on a Knight and it rewards you with a Boomer round to the face."

"Damn, you must be really fun at parties."

"Alright boys," Sisre said. "Let her open her armor."

Wren unwrapped a matching cloak and gauntlets, touched by her friend's generosity. She felt their eyes on her and she started to tear up.

"We know you probably won't use the cloak yet," Beorn said. "You Hunters will pack bond with anything… but you have a back up now unless something happens with the one you have now."

"I don't know how to thank you," Wren said.

"You already have."

"Oh, and Cayde sent this," Franz said, handing Wren a small, plain box.

The tag on the top read "because penguins can't fly" and Wren smirked. What an idiot. She opened the box and inside, nestled in white paper, was a yellow engram. Wren tilted her head and picked it up. "What is this?"

"Woah, an exotic," Franz said.

Kiran appeared and floated over the engram. "Remember those boots I talked about? That make you jump higher?"

"Yeah?"

"I think this might be them. We'll have to take it to Rahool."

"I don't know if I should take them..."

"Don't sweat it," Franz said. "If anyone gives you a hard time, just say we gave 'em to you. Nothing they can say then."

"Speaking of Rahool," Rorick said, "we've been called to meet with the Vanguard. You can drop the engram off with Rahool on the way and maybe it'll be done before we leave. In the meantime, we should go. Get dressed and meet us in the Courtyard when you're done."

"Whoo! Let's do this!" Franz said, punching the air before leaving Wren's room, Rorick on his heels.

"He's going to wake up my neighbors," Wren said.

Beorn put an arm around her and pulled her tight to his side. "Glad you made it back. We're a team from here on, right?"

"Right."

He ruffled her hair and left, Sisre tagging along.

When they were gone Wren plopped down on the edge of her bed and rolled the little yellow engram around in her palm. Although she was needed in command center and she would be going to face Oryx again, there was almost a peace about the moment. The acceptance that she didn't want to deny herself any more was freeing. The problem was, how could she tell him? She smiled, thinking about what she might do when something caught her eye.

The Better Devils on her nightstand and the bird trinket hanging from it along with the spade.

Koro.

She told him she'd talk to him when the trouble with Oryx was through but she hadn't had the time to think about what she'd say to him. She knew she didn't feel toward him the way he did, but she didn't want to lose him as a friend either. Somehow that was just as nerve-wracking as knowing that in a couple of hours she'd be heading back to the Dreadnaught.

Wren dragged her thumb along the silver spade. The truth was the truth, whether Koro liked it or not. She couldn't deny it anymore and this… well, this would have to be the first step in accepting that. All she could do was be honest with him, and hope for the best.

Wren recognized the area Cayde's coordinates led them to. When she'd explored the Dreadnaught she'd come across the room and thought it looked like a cathedral with its tall ceilings and grand carved pillars. Kiran had kept her from going the wrong direction here; into a hallway lined with grotesque carvings of Hive. The only difference now, was that the doorway to the hall was sealed off by a hazy, milky white barrier they could hardly see through.

They stood at the top of the center platform, observing the space. Steps curved to the left and right, leading down to rocky areas and doorways that would take them back toward more public areas of the Dreadnaught, since the transmat zone in the Beachhead area attracted many a Guardian for different reasons. Here they were away from the others who had been warned against traveling beyond the Beachhead. Well, technically they had been called back to the Tower all together, but Wren was sure there was a Hunter in there somewhere who was sneaking around for a chance at some Hive treasure.

The only addition to the room since the last time Wren had passed through, were two relics, floating in a beam of pale green light.

"Those relics weren't here before. And that barrier wasn't either," Wren said as Franz approached it.

She walked along beside him, still trying to adjust to the weight of her new boots, called the Bones of Eao by Rahool who was very curious as to how she'd come across the exotic armor. She managed to get away from him without telling.

"Stand back," Rorick said, loading a rocket into his launcher as the others came to stand behind him.

The rocket broke a hole through the barrier which immediately collapsed.

"That's a good sign," Beorn said. "We can damage the barrier."

"I wonder if this is where we put the relics?" Franz asked, moving into the hallway to observe the Hive statues which had swirling green and black masses hovering in front of them. "Grab one and let's see."

He took two steps back toward the group and the barrier went up again.

"Dammit. Get that thing down again."

Beorn opened fire with an auto rifle and soon the barrier fell. "I guess it's got a time limit."

"I can't afford to keep shooting rockets at it either," Rorick said. "We'll have to shoot at it to get it to go away."

"Well let's do this then," Franz said, reaching out his hand for a relic only to have his guided away by Sisre's sniper rifle.

"Woah there," she warned. "We don't know what'd going to happen when we pick those up."

"We can't just sit here all day and wonder either."

"Alright, enough," Rorick said, effectively ending the conversation. He looked around the room, observed for a time, then decided. "Sisre, I want you here at the back of the room. Your sniper should get the barrier down more quickly than the smaller rifles. Beorn, I want you on the right side watching for enemies. I'll take the left. Wren and Franz, grab those relics and take them to the statues."

Wren gave a curt nod and took a position beside one of the relics. When everyone was in place, she and Franz looked at one another, he counted down from three, and they grabbed the relics and ran. Sisre got the barrier down but waiting behind it was a group of Taken rushing in from beyond the hall. They slammed the relic into their spots and threw grenades to give themselves a moment to ready their weapons.

"Fall back!" Franz said and the pair of them eased back to the main room, the barrier closing behind them.

Taken had appeared on all sides and Cerulean was fighting back the onslaught. They fell back to where Sisre was and stood together to clear the room. Once the main wave was done, more Taken came in but there weren't as many, their numbers more manageable, but they still appeared.

"What now?" Franz asked as he reloaded. "There's only the two relics, was that not enough?"

"Brix's scanner is picking up similar readings in the side rooms. Is anyone else's Ghost getting that?" Rorick asked.

"Kiran is," Wren replied.

"So is Vira," said Franz.

"Alright, we'll cover you as best we can. The two of you go out and find those relics. And be careful. If it's too much, come back and we'll figure something out," Rorick said.

Wren went right and Franz went left, toward the doors on either side of the room. The first area just inside the doorway had three Phalanx with their shields lowered and charging.

"Sisre!" Wren said, ducking as a shield blast fired, threatening to launch her back into the room.

Sisre shot twice into the pile of Taken Phalanx's and one of them dropped their shield as he lurched backward from the force of the shot. Wren took the opportunity to break the line and confuse them, sliding in between them and opening fire with the Better Devils. They imploded and vanished, allowing her the chance to get beyond the small round room and into another area with a bottomless pit. Two stone platforms were connected by a narrow bridge and across the way she could see another relic, guarded by a few Taken.

"I found another one," she announced before snatching it to run back toward the center room.

"Your doors have barriers now," Sisre said. "Give me a second to get yours down. How are you doing, Franz?"

"I'm headed back but I have some Phalanx if you guys don't mind helpin' a poor Warlock out."

"I've got you," Beorn said.

Wren ran through the door as soon as the barrier was gone and met with Franz at the midway point to take their relics in together and put them in the next statue.

"I don't understand what's supposed to happen," Sisre said.

"Just keep fighting the enemies off," said Rorick.

"Kiran is picking up more relics," Wren said. "I'm going in for more."

"Same here." Franz was gone before Wren could jump from the platform and she could hear his pulse rifle as he killed the Taken blocking his way. She had a couple more as well but a grenade at their feet was enough to take care of one of them. The other was wounded and Wren was able to finish it off with a throwing knife which clattered to the floor for her to retrieve when its body swirled into nothing.

The new relic was close to where the last one had been and retrieving it wasn't much of an issue. Far off she could hear Franz shooting and there was faint gunfire coming from the main room. She killed the shambling Taken Thrall and headed back with the next relic, smashing it against a Phalanx's shield when it came around a rock toward her. It knocked both of them back and Wren slid on her side toward the edge of the cliff, relic tucked close to her belly.

"Beorn!" Wren yelled, rolling out of the way as the Phalanx tried to slam her into the abyss with its shield.

"I'm coming!" he called and within seconds he was through the door and shooting into the Phalanx's back. When he was dead he helped Wren up and followed her back to where Franz was waiting to drop the relics.

"You okay?" Franz asked and Wren nodded. "Good. Vira's picking up another relic but she says it's kinda far out."

"I'll be alright," she assured and headed back down to the platform where the last relic had been. The platform was clear.

"Keep going," Kiran said, and Wren followed the path farther into the Dreadnaught. She didn't like it. Being separated from the others again, their gunfire so distant now she could hardly hear it at all.

Over and over they collected relics and returned them to the statues in the hall until all six of them had glowing green and black fog swirling in the hollow of their bellies like some strange backward waterfall.

In the room just beyond the hall, a Rupture cracked open, a distant scream making Franz give a little shake. Hive poured from the Rupture, led by a Wizard that screeched and hurled Void energy at them while smaller Thrall ran at them, claws tearing wildly at the air. They charged with no sign of fear, scrambling through the ash of those before.

A few well-placed rounds from Sisre and the Wizard let out a death cry, her body burning away.

"That wasn't too bad," Franz panted, reloading his weapons as the others did the same.

"Into the Rupture then?" Beorn asked, turning to Rorick.

"Yes. I'll go first to make sure it's safe enough and we're not going into a trap."

Cerulean lined up outside the Rupture, Sisre nudging Rorick's elbow with her own which he returned with a reassuring nod before stepping through the Rupture. Of course, Wren knew that once he was through, there was go coming back. They could only move forward. After a brief pause, Rorick spoke through comms.

"It's clear," he said. "Come through."

On the other side they stayed quiet as they wound through the single hallway, forced toward whatever fate awaited them. Which in this case, as a dark room full of massive swinging objects that reminded Wren of slightly dome topped pendulums, swaying from thick creaking chains. They were so heavy that they seemed to pause on the outermost swing before finally giving in to gravity and swinging back.

"Guess we have to clear that?" Wren asked.

"Looks that way," Rorick replied. "Have you tested your new boots yet?"

"No, I'm not really sure what they do."

"I've heard of them before," Beorn said. "They make you jump… higher? Allow you another boost? I can't recall entirely but you should be careful to not overshoot it anyway."

"Got it."

Rorick went first, followed by Sisre. Wren made her first jump at the nearest pendulum's farthest point, using the brief pause to her advantage. However, the capabilities of the boots were beyond what she expected and she hit the farthest side of the pendulum as it began to swing back and she lost her footing. She across its domed surface and over the edge only to catch it at the last moment. She braced her boots and held on as the pendulum swung toward the other side of its arc.

"Wren!" Sisre screamed.

Beorn's hand shot out to grab the back of her cloak and he yanked her up over the edge and nearly into his lap where he wrapped one arm around her until he knew she was steady.

"I literally just said to be careful," Beorn said as Sisre joined them, helping Wren to her feet.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Sisre scolded. "C'mon and stay close."

Heat flushed Wren's cheeks. "I don't need to be looked after."

Sisre's shoulders dropped. "Wren I—"

"We can continue this on solid ground," Franz said. "Get outta the way!"

Rorick came back for them, then led them to a narrow bridge on the other end of the room Where Sisre turned to Wren.

"I didn't mean it that way," she said. "I just…"

The men walked away when Sisre's helmet turned their direction.

"I was really worried about you when you went to face Crota alone. When I heard that you'd lost connection with Cayde, I couldn't help but think of Aso. I was right there and couldn't save him. And I was so far from you and there was nothing I could have done if you needed me. I don't mean to be overprotective, Wren. I don't mean it personally."

"I know," Wren sighed. "I shouldn't have taken it like that. I guess I'm still trying to prove something."

"Not with us you don't. We're a team. You don't have to prove yourself to us, we know what you're capable of and we're proud of you."

"C'mon guys, we can have a sentimental moment later over ramen. You gotta see this," Franz called from afar.

Wren could see why Franz was so excited. Beorn and Rorick didn't share the feeling. The next area was huge, with pillars like ribs on either side and between them, open space where Wren could see stars twinkling but no sign of the rings of Saturn. Where were they? On the underside of the Dreadnaught where the light from the planet couldn't be seen and the section of ring had been destroyed? Were they even on the Dreadnaught at all? She couldn't be sure.

The only thing she could be sure of, was that the path ahead wouldn't be easy. Oryx would make sure of that. And once they reached him? Only one side would make it out alive.