Hello Lovelies! So, I kept seeing this idea play out in a specific order of events, but after speaking with my bestie (many thanks Rogue!), I realized that I could change up the order of events and not really affect the story. So, awesomely, we are getting much farther into the story much faster than I thought possible and I'm thrilled about it. The plot thickens!

Chapter 11 – Decisions

"No," growled Lykrosis.

"The decision is made. The captain will be told. Already we commit many offenses."

"This is unwise. We must learn more, find proof of the pair's usefulness. There will be no offenses, only praise. We need more moments." The reaver knew all of this; he had agreed with all of this. They had conversed much on the subject and he knew Kreesis was being swayed by the pair. They intrigued him in both their actions and their words. The female enticed him with her scents and behavior during the mating. The reaver contemplated mating the female himself, so why now did he waiver?

"We have no more moments. Another update has been demanded," replied Kreesis.

"Investigation is in progress."

"Too many moments have passed. My competency has been questioned," he rumbled in discontent. "Another will be tasked."

"The lair has not been located."

"Unfortunate. My decision remains unchanged," and his tone conveyed finality.

Lykrosis understood that arguing served no purpose. What he needed to know now was what Kreesis ultimately thought of this situation. Would he confirm Lykrosis' words, convey that he also considered the pair to have value? "This is accepted. What of my logic?"

"I have not made a final decision."

That was not advantageous. He had thought his plan was working, but he had been wrong. If Kreesis believed the pair to be useful, it would be easier to convince the captain; however, alone he was uncertain. This decision may very well mean his destruction. "You will let the captain decide," Lykrosis accused.

"I do what is best for the crew," Kreesis said, words clipped. "Situation is dangerous. For the crew, for us, and it is of your making."

"You do what is best for you." In his anger and the prospect of being made an example of, Lykrosis forgot caution.

An immediate growl sounded in response and an aggressive arm flick denoted the reaver's ire. Kreesis moved within a few ntr'k of him and said lowly, "You wish to challenge?"

Lykrosis considered it; part of him really wanted to, but his anger at Kreesis was only an avoidance, a distraction. The other vandal had made a logical decision, and Lykrosis could not fault him that even if it is not the one he desired. He lowered his gaze in deference to the reaver and said simply, "No."

The other vandal retreated quickly, a show of acceptance of the withdrawn offense, seemingly not wanting the challenge either.

There was silence in the room for many moments. Lykrosis knew not what to say nor did he think there was anything left to say. He had often thought of the many outcomes to this situation especially those that would come about if this did not go in his favor. Most of those outcomes ended with his death. However, he had made the choices that lead him to this moment and there was nothing he could do to change it now. "You are certain of this decision, yes?"

The reply was not immediate. Kreesis' arms flicked sporadically as though he were thinking to himself. "I have no desire to see you punished. This decision is not easily made." The arm flicks changed from sporadic to clearly frustrated. "I desire the pair's usefulness. I desire agreement from the captain, for praise instead of offense. The outcome is uncertain."

"As it is in all things," he replied in resignation. Lykrosis could tell the reaver was not in favor of his own decision. He knew Kreesis was loyal; this situation had been placed unfairly on him and Lykrosis recognized this. The moment he had been putting off had finally come about and there was only one thing left to do. "We will speak with the captain."

"I am not convinced of the pair's usefulness. The captain will hear facts. They lack hostility in our interactions. They speak no untruths I can detect."

Those words might aid him. However, he needed more. What could he say to convince the captain? What more did he know of the pair, of the female, that could be valuable to the crew? They had information about the hu'ins and about this planet, most of which was probably known to his leadership. The female had interacted with the sdee'al, perhaps they had more data on the Zkr K' Rav.

This is pointless. There were many words he could speak, but all lacked anything to show for it. He needed the lair. He needed something the captain could see, could touch, could investigate himself— "We see the captain now?" he asked the reaver.

"No, following next patrol."

The servitors favored him; one moment left. One more plan, this one even more dangerous than all the others.

"Kreesis, we must speak."

Silence. Cleo sat in her shared quarters, the other warlock gone for the time being, and finally, blessed silence was what she had. For months, Cleo felt like she could not go anywhere in the Last City without there being some raucous or another. However, the construction of the Tower was almost complete, and everything should quiet down.

These latest calculations were giving her trouble. She was trying to determine what enemy could have attacked them that day on the cliffs based on the trajectory and blast radius of the weapon. The trouble was, it did not conform to any of the known fallen weapons and the magnitude was much more destructive than any single weapon should be capable of. What could it possibly be?

Cleo set her datapad to the side and rubbed her eyes. How long had she been at this? It felt like too long. She checked the monitor on her bedside table. Yep, way too long. She needed a break, and preferably some spicy noodles. The shop wasn't that far away, and it should be relatively quiet at this time of day in case she wanted to pick back up with her work where she left off.

She tucked the datapad into her robes and headed out of the Tower's barracks. "Zavala," she said, activating her comm. link.

"Cleo?"

"I'm headed out for some food. Would you like to join me? I'm sure you could use a break from whatever it is you are doing?" Cleo wasn't quite sure what had prompted her to make the offer. She and Zavala were not regular fireteam mates nor did they have much in common. However, she found him to be quiet and easy to be around, which made him seem like a nice choice in this rare moment when she did not feel like dining alone.

"I am doing an inventory of the armory."

"So that would be a yes."

"I would prefer to finish this first, but I suppose it can wait for the time being."

Not 10 minutes later, Cleo had met Zavala at the noodle shop, ordered, and they were sitting at a small table in the corner.

As she had predicted, the place was almost empty, only a single female hunter sitting a few tables down from them; however, she was so engrossed with polishing a set of throwing knives, Cleo suspected she might not even know anyone else was there. Hunters and their blades, she thought rolling her eyes. Cleo appreciated a good weapon as much as the next guardian, but hunters could get a bit obsessive in her opinion.

"Something on your mind?" Zavala asked.

Cleo shook her head and then gestured at the other guardian. "Hunters," she said in that way that anyone would understand what she meant.

"Ah, yes. They can be… dedicated."

"Dedicated he says. To their knives, yes, and to the hunt, sure, but to teamwork, not so much. Speaking of lack of teamwork, I haven't seen Cayde around lately."

"I have it on good authority that he has been sent off planet."

"Hmm, I wonder what they have him doing? Whatever it is, I'm sure he is just happy to be out there alone doing his own thing."

"Perhaps, but at some point, we must all learn to work with others."

"I'm not sure that's what they are teaching over there at hunter school."

"I was not aware there was such a thing as hunter school."

Cleo couldn't help her grin; she tended to forget how much sarcasm could slide right by the titan. "That was a joke, Zavala."

"Oh. Well, that would explain why I'd never heard of it. Anyways, how goes the research with Rahool?"

"It is as stimulating as ever; however, I must admit I have devoted quite a bit of time on tracking down our unknown assailant from a few months ago."

"I was not aware you were still working on that. Have you been successful?"

"Frustratingly, no. It is inconsistent with any weapon of the fallen. So, either they have a new much more powerful weapon, or we have another enemy on Earth." It didn't make any sense. If the fallen had such a weapon, surely, they would have seen more evidence by now. The House of Devils were, after all, the scourge of the city and they would not hesitate to use any advantage they had to cause more trouble.

"Well keep at it. I have faith you will come up with an explanation soon enough, preferably one that does not involve a new enemy."

"Thanks, Zavala," she said smiling at him.

"I must return to the armory, but this was a nice distraction. We must do it again sometime."

"I would like that."

They said their goodbyes and Zavala left. Cleo decided to stay on the off chance that a change of scenery may prove helpful to her. Why? There wasn't actually a logical reason, but feeling encouraged by Zavala's words, she retrieved her datapad and returned to her work.

So…?

Fallen Language

Listed in order of appearance:

Ntr'k-measure of length. It is equivalent to about a centimeter.

Zkr K' Rav-literally means to be of necrosis and decay. This is what fallen call the hive.