Part 4: The Flight Home Part 2
North-Eastern Dead Zone
Connecticut, North America Empire, Earth
Usiku had found himself in showdown between a small army of Fallen vandals and dregs. They were closing in, fast. He wasn't going to last long. Usiku was already down to last two magazine when the army sprung it ambush and has been chasing him into the parking lot. Usiku hide behind a derelict suv and began to return fire. Blue bolts ripped into suv metal cutting right through the vehicle. The Exo was wildly firing back at his enemy as the net slowly closed around him. Usiku took a few more quick shots before darting into the complex.
"Where the ship Roho?" he asked frantically.
"I don't know," Roho appeared in front of him," I'll go and scout ahead."
"That not the answer I'm looking for!" he yelled as the Ghost floated ahead.
"Just follow me."
Usiku followed the Ghost through the maze-like corridors of the complex until they ended up in the hangar bay. Part of the roof had collapsed in on itself, crushing whatever jump ship that was under it. Roho began to search for flight-worthy craft on the other half of the bay. After three minutes he found an Acadia Class Jumpship hidden in the back of hangar. The ship was surprising in almost mint condition.
"Seems like our luck hasn't run out just yet." Roho said.
"Not today I guess," Usiku said then asked," will it fly?"
"I can make it work."
Roho then disappeared into a blue wisp. A minute later, the long-dead engines of the Acadia turn on. The jumpship twin engines began to roar like thunder cracking through the sky during a storm.
"Transmat, NSL drive, this bird good to go," Roho said.
"Alright then let's go!"
It wasn't long until Usiku found himself in the cockpit. Roho quickly told him about the control console and how to fly. Usiku grab the wheel and with a single push forward the Acadia flew straight into the air through the collapsed roof. After few minutes of flight Roho took control over the Acadia. The Ghost began to push the ancient ship to limits by entering Earth's mesosphere.
"What are you doing?" The Exo asked.
"Fastest way to get to the City is a low orbital drop," the Ghost answered," also I want to show you something."
Usiku looked out the cockpit window to amazing sight. A world almost covered in sapphire. The sun was rising from the east, creating a beauty that cannot be describe not even by a machine. This beauty was Earth.
"It wonderful." Usiku said in awe.
"Yes it is," Roho said," and that what you're fighting to take back. Not just Earth, but every Golden Age colony. This whole star system is full with wonders."
It was long before the Acadia began to descend and re-enter the troposphere at a rapid speed. Surprisingly the Acadia held together. They passed through the clouds and came into view was massive white sphere. It lower sections were scarred and broken. Below it was the rising skyscraper of several building but there was one in particularly stood out among the rest. A tower that raised above the clouds. As if reaching out to the massive white sphere.
"Welcome to the last City Usiku," Roho said," welcome home."
"That sphere," Usiku asked," what is it?"
"That the Traveler," Roho answered," or at least what left of it."
The Acadia began to slowly glide itself into the Tower's hanger. They were greeted by the shipwright, Amanda Holliday, and told they just last of the newborn Guardians to arrive to the City.
"The Speaker plans to give a big speech you fella's," she said," Best get to the courtyard quickly or ya'll will miss it."
Usiku simple nodded and exit the hangar. As he entered the courtyard there was group of Guardians, other newborns, gather in semi-circle around the stairwell that seems to be the entrance to a lower section of the Tower. Usiku stood in back of the group. Listening as man dressed in white began to speak from behind his mask.
"There was a time," he recited, "when we were much more powerful. Let me tell you of that time Guardians.
"Long ago when humanity has yet ascended into stars, we saw something, we saw the Traveler.
"Its arrival change everything, new age began, and human lifespan triple. But not all things are eternal, least of all our Golden Age. A great Darkness sweep through the system, devouring everything in its path.
"Few remember that great battle, fewer still live to tell the tale. Slowly, we grouped up, build the wall, and forge the City, a finally bastion and all that is left.
"Even in these dark times of depression, we have hope. A hope gifted to us by the Traveler. A hope that one day we will reclaim all that was lost. That hope is you, Guardians.
"You may finds thing out there you will not believe. There will be incredible challenges to face and enemies to conquer but you must face them all.
But before you venture out into wilds, speak with Vanguard. Let them guide you, from the Golden Age we came from to the collapsed and broken worlds it left behind."
The Speaker left returning to his study and the crowd slowly divided itself among their respected Vanguard counterparts. Usiku found himself standing along behind the Hunter Vanguard. A fellow Exo by name of Cayde-6. Cayde had given a small introduction speech to the hunters, bounties, and several scouting orders that were in need of new recruits. Usiku however started to daydream, reentering his dream like state. His visions began to return, this time having a much clearer picture of a woman. She had olive skin, deep mahogany hair, and was human.
You're still lost.
I'm not lost.
You're wasting your time, please come find me.
Leave.
What?
"I said leave me alone!" He yelled out of nowhere.
"Something the matter Exo?" One of the newborn hunter asked.
Usiku looked around and quickly realized that entire hall was looking at him. With saying a single word he left the hall and return to the courtyard of the Tower.
"Power surges again," Roho said appearing in front of him," and something...well...something else."
"And that something else is?"
"May I intrude a bit," Cayde interjected.
Usiku and Roho turned around as the veteran hunter slowly walked toward them.
"Master Cayde." Usiku said.
"No need for the master son," Cayde said," I'm not the Speaker or Ikora."
"May I ask what do you want Cayde."
"You saw her."
"What?"
"Her boy. Did you she her. Olive skin, mahogany hair, human?"
"Yes," he answered unsure of himself," just what is she?"
"I wish I could give you some answers but I can't," Cayde utter, "There is someone who can. An Awoken by the name of Aly'neer. She lives in the Steel District.
"Quite frankly, short of a Ghost, she the only one who has a clue about us Exos. Take a shuttle down to the lower sections of the City and ask around. You should find her place in no time."
"Thanks," Usiku said, feeling a bit relieved that he's not only one," I owe you one."
Cayde nodded and return to hall. Usiku quickly flagged down a shuttle. Eager to find this 'Aly'neer'.