Part 7: The Hezen Warlock pt1

The Tower, Wolf's Den, Earth

Long seven days passed since Usiku was assigned to his fire team; fire team Rook. Lord Shaxx, the Crucible handler and mastermind, had placed the Exo hunter within fire team that specialized in reconnaissance and in need of a final member. The three Guardians instantly clicked becoming close friends almost overnight.

Usiku himself also gained new armor and weapon. He now wore 0A0X Nightmask set with the exception of his helmet, which is of the 1.3 variant. He replaced the centuries-old Khvostovrifle with a newer – much better – Primed Yamaduta S4 equipped with a Focus Lens FLSR scope. He also sported a cape known as the Cloak of the Shadowsmiths.

Tonight the fire team was celebrating another victory in the Wolf's Den, a nickname for a small bar located in the lower section of hangar. As always with these types of celebration Usiku was unable to proper take part due to in able to eat or drink. Never the less he listen attentively as his teammate discuss today victory.

"I wish I could have seen the look under that warlock's hood," team Rook's titan clad in Vanir Type 0 armor – Adolph Kaiser recited, "man poor bastard must scared speechless when he saw me coming around the corner."

Compare to his teammate Adolph was massive human who was good two or three heads taller. Fair skin, ocean blue eyes, and wiry auburn colored hair. He carried a Painted SUROS CGB-47 equipped with a Red dot-OAS sight. Adolph, like many titans, wore a mark known as the Mark of the Sun.

"Oh please," Rook's warlock who sported a full set of AOS#AL-Suhail II – Yun-seo Park retorted," the only reason you were able to get drop on him was because of my brilliant planning."

Yun was also human and had far fairer skin than Adolph. Yun is a beautiful warlock blazon with deep brown eyes, curly, shoulder length black hair. She was also Rook's designated leader. She carried Primed Big Sky MK.48 and wore a traditional warlock bond known as the Twist of Fate.

"Brilliant? If you mean letting them get ahead of us by few hundred points and Shaxx barking at us to get our shite together, then yeah I would called that brilliant."

Annoyed, Yun turn towards Rook's silent marksman.

"Usy," She called Usiku by a pet nickname," you saw the how whole fight went down. Back me up here!"

Usiku shrugged," Well we were losing until Adolph flank them…"

"See," Adolph proudly trumpet," even the robot on my side."

"Usy," Yun-seo cried," you're going to betray your dear leader!"

"I'm only stating the obvious," Usiku said," plus your both drunk."

The two humans spoke unison," We're not…"

"Both of you had over 3 liters of alcohol over the course of three hours."

Once again the two humans spoke," I'll really hate it when you do that…"

Usiku made a light chuckle before switching the conversation. Figuring this was maybe the best time to convince them about his plan.

"Guys," he said," I want to talk about Venus…"

"Oh shite," Adolph protested," not Venus again!"

"Usy," Yun-seo lament," I thought we already talk about this."

"I know it just…," Usiku paused for a few second," there something on Venus that I want to investigate and -"

"Usiku," her voice was surprisingly clear," there a snowball chance in Hell that anyone of Vanguard will allow us access to Venus unless -"

Yun-seo stop herself after remembering something that was posted on the bounty board a while back.

"Unless what?" Usiku asked.

"Master Rey posted a bounty on a Hezen Warlock that went missing on Venus. She was looking for anyone to find him and report back."

"Yun," Adolph once again protested," you can't serious."

"I'm not saying we should take the job."

"But we should." Usiku said, voicing his opinion.

The three fell into silence. Usiku knew his teammate were wary of the prospect of going to Venus. They knew any chance that arise for them or at least for Usiku, to go the sister planet of Earth, he would take it.

"Alright," Yun-seo spoke," let's wait a day, clear my mind, and I'll speak to Master Ikora about the bounty."

"Thank you."

"And your opinion on this Adolph?" Yun-seo turn towards the titan.

"If our dear leader wants to send to early grave," sarcasm dripping from his mouth," then sure I'm in."

Yun-seo rolled her eyes," Alright then, back to the bunks and I'll make a call to Master Rey."

The next day came sooner than expected. Fire team Rook was summon to Ikora Rey's personal study with the Tower. To Usiku and Adolph, a warlock's study was something out old fantasy tale. The walls were covered with both pre and Golden Age text. Trophies from her days as wondering explorer liter various corners of the room. Ikora herself was sitting at a table in the center of study, reading some ancient tome only she could understand.

"Yun-seo Park of East Wind Order," Yun-seo announced," and designated leader and fire team Rook reporting in as you requested Master Rey."

Ikora made light chuckle," I see Shaxx trained you well. You sound like one of his titans."

Ikora slowly walked towards the rookie Guardians and examined each. Her eyes finally rested on Usiku. Her deep emerald eyes stare into his. As if the veteran warlock was looking for something. After three minutes, she once again spoke to Yun-seo.

"I see you took up that bounty I place," she said, "though I was honestly expecting individuals with a bit more experience."

"I believe we're experienced enough," Yun-seo said," May I ask how long ago you create that bounty?"

"Well over a month ago," Ikora answered," I was about to cancel it until your little gang accepted it."

"I see and this Warlock, a member of your Hidden I presume?"

"My my aren't you clever."

"I'm just making an educated guess Master Rey," Yun-seo sported a weak smile," was I correct?"

Ikora nodded," Yes he's rather strange Exo rambling on about a woman on Venus."

"A woman," Usiku utter," human with olive skin, deep mahogany hair?"

Ikora once again nodded and narrow her eyes at Usiku as if he spoke out of term. Yun-seo did the same. He merely titled his head and shrugged his shoulder.

"Let return to the subject at hand," Yun-seo said," what is this warlock's name Master Rey?"

"Master Che Zi-12 of the Praxic Order," Ikora answered," You have my permission to go Venus and I will personal speak with the Vanguard to iron out any details."

Yun-seo nodded and gesture for the fire team to leave the study. As they left and made their way to the Tower hangar the team felt that a massive amount of responsibility was placed on their shoulders.