The skiff blasted across the skies of Europe with two jump ships in tow, heading across the ocean eastwards towards the last city.
Chiviks's coms system buzzed to life. "I'm about to patch through to the vanguard so we can get permission to land this bird once we get there; anything, in particular, you want to be said?" Atalanta's voice was tense, this seemed like it would not be a pleasant conversation for her.
"I trust you know your species better than I, don't allow my poor insight to cause this crew danger." The risk was far too great for my voice to be the one heard; the Crow had sent a transcript of newsreels from within the walls. Humanity was tense right now and a new surprise may release the fearful energy like a storm.
Atalanta audibly breathed out, I made the correct choice in her eyes. "I may get shot on arrival for leaving an important meeting, but I can ensure your crews' safety."
The coms returned to silence as I looked across the sea; soon it would be time for me to better serve my people.
"Guardian, you better have found the way to fix this endless night yourself with that exit." The awoken vanguard's expression was as stiff as the armor he wore, and his brow was knit tight. "The champion of the Last City leaving during the discussion of terms for the first Human-Eliksni agreements is inexcusable."
I simply let him blow off steam, better now than when I'm standing across the table from my old mentor. "I left to ensure the safety of the Crow, he discovered something that is beyond historic Commander."
"Tell me what it is now, I need an explanation NOW." A fist hit the table with a metallic affirmation.
"I can't tell you everything right now, you won't believe me; I need Mithrax, whoever was assigned to protect the Eliksni, and you at the HELM at about" I glance away from the increasingly incredulous face of my superior officer. "1700, all will be explained then. I also need a landing platform cleared for a skiff and no personel within it other than those I stated."
Zavala's voice became low and cold "Do you think I'm going to drag them into the HELM without reason."
"I'm bringing this one to you Zavala, I need help here. I can't punch my way out as a one-woman army this time; you know everything I do is in the cities best interests."
His expression softened at this, so much had been done behind his back for so long. "Guardian, I will see you then."
The coms went quiet, and I took this opportunity to rest in flight.
The Saint, The Kell, and the Commander stood at the War table, each watching the expression of the other two.
"I trust the choices of the Council, but I worry my skills are not accustomed to protecting the Eliksni quarter." Saint-14 broke the silence of the room; the tone of his voice betraying the angered truth.
"You are a living legend, the greatest titan of the City Era, and the strongest bulwark against any enemy. I can think of no more qualified Guardian; your acceptance will also serve as an example for our more reserved citizens." Zavala cut the doubt from the Exo for a moment; he was doing the best by the Last City and her people.
"The kellbreaker is a story that all Eliksni pups know, and to have it defend them will cause mixed emotions. I hope that growing and meeting you will lessen their fear of the protectors of the Great machine." Mithrax's voice contained concern; he seemed fearful of setting off the old titan.
"I would not be feared if they had not harmed my people; for each fallen child that is afraid, ten human children died." Saint-14 pointed at the Kell with detest before he turned to Zavala. "Do not lessen the greatness of Atalanta, I work every day to become half the Titan she is. If anyone is fit to protect the fallen, it is her."
"We had our reasons to choose you over her, and in no small part, it comes to collateral and-" The WAR table beeps as it completes a digital handshake with three ships, two Guardian, one Eliksni. "It's time for us to finally get answers from the Saint's inspiration."
Atalanta walks up the stairs and meets eyes with Zavala; annoyance paints his face as she approaches.
"Commander, Mithrax-kel, Saint-14, it is a pleasure to see you all; and all shall become clear soon. I will need some help with this explanation, however." Crow's bootsteps entered the room before him, and with that Zavala's expression grew from annoyance to anger.
"Commander, I know you needed me to leave the city due to the situation at hand, but I couldn't stay out in the field after encountering our new compatriot." He stood with an ease Atalanta was surprised at. Respect was a foreign concept to most hunters, but Crow seemed like a rare exception. "I encountered him after discovering his existence at the remnants of the forge site. Stasis crystals and explosions marked the area, leading to a more focused hunt for whatever could have caused them."
"A guardian was in a fight with a stasis user? I understand wanting me to informed Crow, but this is no cause for your return." Zavala's concern was palpable due to the use of stasis against other light-bearers.
"The stasis appeared to be used against Eliksni forces from the damage, and it is my belief that the wielder of said stasis may be our friend in the hangar. I encountered him at a cave in the northeast EDZ protecting an Eliksni crew, and based upon current circumstances I doubt he is still able to weird the darkness.
"What led him to fight the Eliksni forces at first but protect a separate crew later on, is he allied with a certain house?" Mithrax's deep growl crossed the table with a note of concern.
"I suppose it is nearing time for you to encounter them, but my belief is that their... transformation caused the change of heart." Crow knocked the table in a small pattern, and the door opened once more.
"That's the cue" his small-great machine sung within his soul. "Showtime"
Coeniks-1 walked up the staircase with a pace that suggested nothing of the worry in his machine heart. The unmasked figure stared at him with a concern and anger he hadn't expected to see so soon. "A House Salvation member should have never been let within the city walls, I need an explanation and that Exo bound, Now."
Before my two compatriots could react the helmeted human sprung at me with a shield of voidfire forming across his arm. The response was said in kind, two arms of solar fire formed above my upper shoulders to assist in holding him back as I burned orange-gold.
"I am of no house, I serve no Kell, I serve my people and the Great Machine." The shield burned with a cold fire that sought to melt all 6 of my arms for just a moment before the warrior stepped back in confusion.
The Eliksni recovered first, a jubilant laughter filled the room from his chest. "The Great Machine chose us again, it chose us to bear its light!" He ran to meet me and stopped just short of charging through my form. With a deep bow of respect and a voice filled with awe, he introduced himself. "I am Mithaaks, Kell of the House of Light, and you are everything I could have ever dreamed of meeting. Please give me the honor of knowing the name of the first of ours to walk in the full glow of the Great Machine."
I returned the bow, surprised at the sudden shift of opinions, "The honor is mine Mithraxkel, I am Coeniks-1. I may have recently been risen within the Light, but stories of your house even reached the deep recesses of Europe where I was returned."
Turning to the two new humans my posture stiffened again; the helmeted one's name came to me alongside the horrors it committed. "I was not expecting the monster of so many other tales to stand shoulder to shoulder with you."
The steel demon stiffened at my remark, its offense showed clear through its helmet. "The only monsters within this city are the Fallen who arrived today. I have only acted to protect this city and her people from the sins of you and your people." He spoke with his arms as much as his voice, the rage in each word reaching the tips of his ether choking hands.
"I have been returned for all of 4 months; the only existence I know is protecting the remnants of a Cabal-torn skiff crew from the forces at play in Europe. Do not speak to me of sin with the centuries of slaughter that you bear upon your shoulders."
With a slight tap against the table, the Awoken began to speak with a knitted brow. "Such a young guardian and an Exo, you hold many questions, but onto more…. pressing matters." A hand swept to present the window behind him, a deep, cloudy night entrapping the Great Machine. "The Traveler and the Last City have become entangled within the vex network, and every set of hands we can have is vital to ending this endless night. I am Commander Zavala, and, Mithrax-kel willing, I will be your direct commanding officer for as long as your existence must remain secret. The City is tense currently due to the beginning of both this timeless night and the arrival of the House of Light; I had sent Crow to do reconnaissance due to that tension." The glare he sent the two guardians was ferocious. "It, however, appears anything He and Atalanta touch becomes a headache for me, so I would prefer to keep them where I can see them."
"Bold to assume I will agree to these conditions without being able to voice my opinions 'Commander'" I growled in disdain at his haste in supplying orders. "I do seek to serve the Great Machine, but to immediately bend to a non-Eliksni is difficult." LED eyes meet a glowing helmet as I turn towards the Kell, looking for insight within.
Mithraxkel's hand met my shoulder as he began. "Our position within this city is tense, Blessed Coeniks, I trust Zavalakel's knowledge of the Last City and Guardian operations far more than my own. He will not lead you astray; I hope you come to respect his experience soon." He turned to the Blue man-Kell and spoke with greater confidence. "A young guardian should receive a fireteam to ensure their safety in this dangerous world; I believe you could diffuse 3 difficult mines with one cut."
Those who delivered me exchanged a glance as Zavala raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a perfect way to ensure I can keep an eye on the three biggest variables in the Tower. Atalanta, Crow, and Coeniks-1 will become a fireteam; I trust you three to come up with the specifics of its formation and name in due time. I will contact Ikora to test the capabilities of our newest guardian within the next few hours, and in the meantime, you all will have your new residence provided. I expect at least 2 of you to stay out of sight by the general population. You three are dismissed."
"Sir, I mean this as humbly as possible, but I am the most accomplished guardian to arrive at the tower within the past few decades. Wouldn't it be a bad choice to assign me to a secret fireteam?" Atalanta sounded as if she was threatening him rather than attempting to understand.
"Atalanta, you've proven to be incredibly subtle when working behind my back." The annoyance in his voice could be tasted in the air. "I trust you can apply those skills in a more productive manner."
Crow pulled upon her shoulder to get her out of the room as soon as his strength allowed, and I followed his hasty retreat with a sigh at my new crew.