~I don't own Mass Effect or Destiny, all copyrighted content goes to their respective owners~

"Nothing's random. Even if it looks that way, it's just because you don't know the causes." – Johnny Rich


Arc II - Chapter 7

Decompression

The flight to the Last City was thankfully an uneventful one. Saint-14 had been kind enough to offer her a ride on his ship, and despite the weird looks she kept getting from the other Guardians, she had gladly accepted his offer.

The majority of the journey had been passed in silence. This was less to do with awkwardness and more due to the fact that Jane had no wish to distract the man while he was flying. Though the same was not so for their Ghosts, who were more than happy to converse with each other, talking about their respective Guardians and the past ten years.

Once they had finished filling each other in, they had each gone back to their partners and Fubar had then in turn filled her in. The fact that there was ten years' worth of information to catch up on kept her quiet for what turned out to be a relatively short trip, with Jane being called up from the small cargo bay by Saint, as the City was about to apparently come into view.

Ducking her head through the door to the cockpit, Jane walked up to and stood just behind the pilot's chair, staring out of the armour-glass windshields at the clouds that consumed them on all sides.

"Pretty," She commented, admiring the peaceful scenery.

Abruptly, the clouds were left behind, revealing mountainous terrain overshadowed by the enormous sphere of the Traveller. Staring at it, Jane was vaguely aware of Fubar revealing himself from her scarf to watch as well.

Coming over the top of a snow topped mountain range, Jane found herself staring at what was now revealed to be taking shelter underneath the sleeping god. The Last City looked positively tiny compared to the small moon that hovered above it.

Even dead gods can dream…

Blinking at the strange thought, she tried following the thought back, a memory just beyond her grasp, although before she could reach it, Jane was brought back to her senses by the crackle of the ship's radio.

"Guardian Saint-14, this is Tower Control. Requesting flight clearance codes."

The aforementioned Guardian leaned forward and flicked a few switches on his console, before leaning back and speaking with the practiced calm of someone who had done the actions hundreds of times before.

"Tower Control, this is Saint-14. My codes have been sent, if you could be so kind as to alert the Speaker to my arrival, I would most appreciate it."

As he spoke, they began to manoeuvre into a dive, coming close to the ground as they approached the walls that separated the outside wilderness from the city within.

"Saint-14 you are cleared to land in Tower Beta at hanger bay three. The Speaker is aware of your arrival and welcomes you home. Tower Control out."

Entering in a set of numbers to the flight console, Jane watched as what she assumed was an automated flight computer took control, bringing them in to land at one of the spires that dotted the City Wall.

"Who's the Speaker?" She asked as they started to slow down, an open hanger now easily visible. "Your boss?"

Getting up from his seat, the large Guardian gestured for her to follow as they made their way back to the small cargo bay she had originally been sitting in. The sounds of clamps locking into place rang out as they went, machinery whirring as the ship jittered slightly as it was moved.

"The Speaker is someone I consider to be second father, and he is the one who officially speaks for the Traveller."

Blinking in surprise, Jane watches as Saint ducked under a support beam and stood next to a console built into the side of the wall, "Damn, that probably makes him pretty important around here, huh." She watched as the Guardian pressed a few buttons as he responded to her.

"The Guardian Vanguard helps to advise him, and the City Consensus answers to him."

Before Jane could properly process that statement, the small ramp fixed to the bottom of the cargo bay began opening. Belatedly, she realised it time to get off, and grabbed her stuff, before she hastened after Saint as he moved to walk down and out.

Stepping out onto a metal deck plate a few moments after him, Jane felt her eyes widen as a thunderous applause began, cheers and other shouts that she couldn't hear being drowned out. The hanger bay was practically full, people lining the overhead railings and standing at the far edges of the complex.

For some reason, the applause unsettled her slightly, and Jane found herself pulling up her hood and attempting to slip into the nearby shadows as she observed the man who appeared to be the center of it all.

There were only four people standing directly in front of the Titan Guardian, the rest of the crowd being held back by what looked like simple robotic frames, their skinny appendages obvious as they moved to form a chain around the edge of the bay.

The first to step forward was a man in heavy white robes, his face hidden behind a similarly white mask. Saint and this masked man embraced, although lightly, before the other three that had stood further back all stepped forward.

Blinking in confusion, Jane watched as what looked to be a more sophisticated looking robot than the ones holding back the crowd slapped Saint on the shoulder. Followed by a man who was completely bald, blue and she was pretty sure was glowing, who shook Saint's hand. The only normal one of the four, a black skinned woman with close cropped hair, gave what looked to be a simple nod.

It was only once a few words had been spoken between all of them that Saint gestured behind him, turning to look at where she had been originally standing before she had moved out of the lime light.

But she had already moved away, slipping from shadow to shadow. Using the other ships in the hanger bay as cover, the simple robots and repair crews had obviously paused their repair work due to their arrival, she moved towards the nearest exit she could find. She needed air.

Seeing what looked to be an emergency fire escape, Jane barged the door open and staggered out onto the platform beyond, revealing to be some sort of open crosswalk covered in light vegetation.

"Are you alright?"

Stumbling slightly, she grabbed the stone balcony that protected her from simply falling off the side of the walkway, she had completely forgotten that Fubar was hidden inside her scarf.

Breathing in heavily, she tried to regain control of her wild emotions. Shutting her eyes, she replied with a customary, "I'm fine," Almost entirely on reflex, willing herself to believe it herself. From the worried feelings she felt across their bond, he didn't believe her either.

"I… just needed some fresh air," She elaborated a few moments later, more in control than before but still struggling to keep a lid on it.

After another few minutes of steady breathing and quietly pointless small talk, Jane finally felt her emotions calm themselves, leaving her in control again. Taking one final breath of air, she opened her eyes.

From the stone balcony, the Last City stretched out before them, with the literal shadow of the Traveller covering half the city in enough darkness to see lights twinkling on and off in the affected areas. It was remarkably beautiful, in a way.

"There you are!"

Turning around, Jane found herself looking at the complex looking robot that had been in the hanger bay, the robots scuffed appearance and tattered cloak giving it a war torn appearance. It was only upon closer inspection that she realised that the strange protrusion on its head was in fact a horn.

"I don't know who you are, but you've managed to worry Saint-14. And that makes you interesting."

The inside of its mouth would light up yellow whenever it talked, and Jane found herself speaking before she could think the words through.

"Err… What the hell are you?" Squinting to get a better look, she kept running her mouth, "Are you some kind of advanced mech?"

While the humanoid machine seemed to almost splutter at the questions, Fubar chose that moment to inform her of her stupidity. Poking his head out from under her scarf, she felt amusement across their bond.

"His name is Cayde-6, he's what we call an Exo, and despite what he might demonstrate, he is an entirely sentient being."

Staring at the robot err… Exo, Jane groaned in embarrassment as she slapped her palm to her forehead. "Oh god damn it." Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighed. "I need a strong drink."

Apparently coming out of whatever stupor she had managed to put him in, Cayde-6 snorted in amusement. Walking up to her and slapping her on her shoulder, much like he had with Saint. "No hard feelings, don't worry." He grinned before waving for her to follow him.

Looking over his shoulder as she stared after him, he called. "Common rookie, I know a bar downtown that serves alcohol you organics seem to enjoy." Spinning around once she began to follow, he continued. "With any luck it'll take Ikora's Hidden a little while to find us."


After leading her through a convoluted series of elevators and corridors, Jane eventually found herself exiting the bottom of the tower on the inside of the wall, Cayde leading her towards a nearby tram station.

During the time it took them to get from the tower base to a rather packed commercial district, Jane learned that Cayde was in fact the Hunter Vanguard, responsible for every Hunter-Class Guardian that served the City.

"I still don't get it," Jane exclaimed as she stepped off the tram, "Why do Guardians limit themselves to singular classes?" With a dramatic flair of her arms, she continued on her rant.

"I mean, it's all just different types of Light manipulation isn't it? So a Titan should be able to use Hunter abilities and vice versa!"

Following after her, Cayde seemed to be enjoying her frustration. Actively poking and prodding her to see what else would set her off. "It comes down to a Guardian's state of mind," He explained to her, "How they think and chose to react. Different Guardians find affinity with different skill sets."

Sighing in frustration as she let him take the lead, allowing him to guide her to this supposed bar of his, though she kept pushing her point.

"But by that very definition, there should be hundreds of different classes, not three. Everyone is unique and has their own way of thinking. Boxing everyone into one of three roles just doesn't seem practical."

Cayde seemed to shrug at her, "Hey, there are different subclasses. I'm what's called a Gunslinger, but there are other Hunters who're better suited as Nightstalkers or Bladedancers."

Turning them down a side alleyway that lead them off the main pathways, he continued. "Besides, if it isn't broken, why try to fix it?" The Exo seemed to know where they were going, but Jane got the distinct impression that they were entering the less reputable parts of the City.

Cutting through several more alleyways, the people that traversed them changed as well, slowly turning from the well-dressed families and businessmen and women to the more down trodden and working class citizens.

They were moving away from the city center, with its metal and stone buildings, and into what looked to be a more residential district, with several local restaurants and stores popping up from smaller buildings made of wood and brick. There were children playing in the streets, kicking a ball around, as mothers watched and chattered from balconies overhead.

Coming out into a small square, what immediately stood out to her was the almost blinding array of colour. Tarpaulins and tents of various colours provided stores with shade from the sun, with plants, vines and flowers growing in whatever spaces they could find. Graffiti was sprayed over a large number of the walls exposed to the world, but the artwork looked to add to the colour, rather than mark ownership.

Finally turning down a small pathway, they came to a stop in front of an old looking building, a wooden sign hanging above the door catching her attention. The carving of a beer glass an obvious indication as to what the place sold.

Barely slowing, Cayde walked in through the rickety wooden front door, a light jingle of a bell sounding out as he did, with Jane following a few steps behind him.

Entering what looked to be a strange mix of an old fashioned American diner combined with a British pub, the room was complete with tables, chairs and what looked to be a real wooden bar at the far end.

Following Cayde up to said bar, she sat down on a stool next to him after he himself took a seat. The Exo exchanging a few light hearted words with the bartender, who seemed to know the Guardian well, before they were each served drinks. Hers a deep amber coloured liquid, while Cayde received a concoction that glowed a faint green.

"So," The Exo began, "What do you think of it?" He gestured back the way they had come, "The last great city left on Earth."

He took a quick drink of whatever it was he had, and Jane did the same, pleasantly surprised to find she liked the taste, even as the alcohol burned pleasantly down her throat.

"Colourful." She replied, "With a good bit of diversity from the little I've seen." Gently swirling the drink in her hand, Jane openly studied the Exo before her. "But you didn't drag me all the way out here to just ask me about the City. I haven't even been here a day yet."

"No," The man agreed, "But anyone who gets Saint-14's stamp of approval is worth taking a closer look at, in my book."

Shaking her head, Jane still couldn't rap her head around it, the massive crowd of people that had been awaiting him had made him look more like a pop star than the warrior she had seen back in the Cosmodrome. Sighing, she took a larger sip of her beverage.

"I honestly don't know what all the fuss is about. The guy seems alright, and is strong in a fight. But the screaming fans seems a little much, doesn't it?"

Cayde just chuckled, before leaning on the bar and elaborating.

"Saint-14 is a local hero. He's been waging a campaign against the Fallen Houses here on Earth, what you saw was him finishing the last significant House with the power to threaten the City proper." Pausing to take a drink, Jane took the opportunity to finish her own. Another appeared as she set her glass down, but the bartender simply waved her away when she attempted to explain she couldn't pay, gesturing to a sign on the wall.

Looking closer at it, Jane realised it said that it proclaimed that all Guardians were paid for, under Cayde-6's tab. Turning to look at the Exo in question, the Hunter just shrugged. "Keeps moral up." Was the simple explanation.

"Anyway, where was I? Oh right, the Fallen." Clearing his throat, which Jane thought was entirely unnecessary, he continued. "After the Battle of Twilights Gap, the City lost a good number of people, Guardians and Citizens both. The people were angry, and it was Saint-14 who suggested what our response should be."

Nodding in understanding, Jane concluded the story herself, "So the people love him because he brought them vengeance."

"And a sense of security," The Hunter added, "People aren't so afraid of the Fallen after Saint began his campaign. The people like having someone to look up to." Taking another drink, the Exo seemed to mutter the next few words, "It's a Titan thing. Hunters are more… subtle, in our achievements."

Raising her glass, Jane drained her glass. She was starting to feel a slight buzz, and she found herself ordering another one. The thought of standing in front of that crowd, it made her hand shake, and sent emotions she could barely understand on the best of days out of her fragile control.


Twelve empty drink glasses later

Eventually, a bunch of people dressed in dark colours showed up. People Cayde called Hidden Assholes, and tried to get the two of them to leave with them. Something about the Vanguard insisting on their presence immediately.

Cayde had told them that they would return when they felt like it, and Jane had followed his lead, figuring he probably knew best. Which turned out to be an unwise idea when the assholes tried to drag her and Cayde out of the bar. Cayde seemed to just give up, moaning about something to do with reputation.

Jane responded a little more physically, twisting in the grip of the male figure in dark robes who was trying to pull her through the door and head butting him, her forehead colliding with the bridge of his unprotected nose.

While the man went down in a grunt of pain, a new set of hands wrapped themselves around her arms from behind, pulling them behind her back. New orders to calm down sounded out, this time sounding female.

Not having any of it, Jane once again twisted in her aggressor's grip, before using the nearby wall to push off with her feet, forcing the woman holding her hands behind her back to stumble backwards, colliding with a set of tables and chairs.

Fubar momentarily made his concern known, calling for her to be more careful, before sighing and disappearing inside her scarf once again as she lifted a chair over her head and brought it down on top of the woman who had tried to restrain her.

The wood shattered, and the bartender called out his annoyance at the destruction of his property, before two new sets of hands appeared and started grappling with her. Eventually managing to get her into a set of restraints that refused to budge, no matter how hard she strained against them.

Getting dragged outside, Jane lashed out with a foot, throwing several curses at the bastards dragging her towards what she thought might be the direction of the small market she and Cayde had passed earlier on their way to the bar.

She only vaguely noticed that someone had parked a gunship in the little square that had long since closed for the day, and Jane put up a valiant effort of resisting, despite her hands restrained behind her back.

Several new pairs of hands assisted in getting her into the gunship, and Jane repaid them in kind by breaking loose again and breaking one of the bigger bastard's jaw. After that she had been man handled into a dark compartment and left alone, where she eventually passed out from the mixture of alcohol and exhaustion.


Authors Note:

Believe it or not, I find that writing chapters with heavy dialog and plot to be more difficult than the actions scenes. But I felt that this chapter needed to be written, to give Jane a bit of time to decompress. Plus drunken Cayde shenanigans are always entertaining.

Honestly, this chapter was meant to be an introduction of the entire Vanguard, but Cayde kinda stole it away from me.

Proper introductions will happen next chapter, along with a bit of exploration of the Tower, and then after that it will be on to the Crucible. I'm looking forward to that, fight scenes are something I can bash out in a day or two.


Thank you for your continual support everyone, and thank you to those who Review, Please do read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not as much. Of course, reviews are my life blood as a writer on this site, and every time my email goes off it motivates me to write more.

~ JunkMail