Part 9: Messenger
Ishtar Academy
Ishtar Commons, Venus
After introducing themselves to Che Zi and telling him about their mission, the warlock ordered fire team Rook to follow him to a safe haven way from the Vex and Fallen. They did not argue and the rookie Guardians followed their senior orders as he led the path. They dart in and out of shadow, hidden at ever Vex and Fallen patrols, and finally made it to section of the Academy known as the Commons.
These were apartment complex from the Golden Age. Like prey hiding from a fearsome predator, the four Guardians clung to the shadows as Vex and Fallen fought over a downed skiff. They enter a ventilation shaft on the far side of a derelict building. After ten minutes of climbing they arrive at a five person apartment. Che had set up several small stations for communication and tracking as well as a small research lab.
The Guardians settled down by taking off their helmets. Usiku quickly studied Che face. He had a platinum face and white eyes with eight tick-tack marks running along the side of his cheek.
Was he counting the day or something else…? He wondered.
Che noticed Usiku's gaze but did not say a word. Usiku want to say something but could not get the words to form.
"We should be safe here," Che said," I don't believe either the Vex or Fallen know about this place.
"I would offer you some refreshments but you know us Exos. We really don't need to refresh ourselves. Unless we wipe our memory banks of course."
"Wow," Adolph said," and here I thought only Usiku was bad at telling jokes."
Yun-seo immediately slapped the titan in the back of his head.
"I apologies for my companion," she said," It seems neither Lord Shaxx nor Zavala's lessons got through his thick head."
Che laughed," it quite alright young one. For years people been telling me I tell horrible jokes yet I still try. Maybe one day.
"But for now let me change this conversation, why did the old lady send three rookies," Che asked, directing the question at his fellow warlock," did Master rey not get my message?"
"We're just the messengers Master Zi," she answered," You been missing for over month according to Master Rey."
"Missing? But I've been…" Che stop for a few minutes before cursing under his breath.
"Blasted then someone has be intercepting my messages."
"Was it the Vex or Fallen?" Usiku asked.
Che shook his head," No, either parties would have destroyed this place by now and my observations, they haven't found it yet."
"And it is?"
"Master," Yun-seo interjected," I would to know what 'it' is as well."
"Same." Adolph spoke up.
Che looked at the three Guardians. Even with machine eyes, they could tell the warlock was holding something. His eyes then soften, ready to reveal all to the rookies.
"Do any of you know about the library of Alexandria?"
Usiku and Adolph were lost for words looked utterly confused. Yun-seo answered in their stead.
"It was a Pre-Golden Age library. Records say it housed some of greatest mind and works of literature in its time.
It was burned down during either the destruction of Alexandria or some kind of conquest by an old age emperor."
"But what does some ancient library have to do with it?" Usiku asked.
"I ask because were standing in it," Che answered," The Ishtar Academy or should I say the Collective as a whole created another library. Here on Venus.
"But there also something else, a tomb, a crypt. Something buried under this forsaken world. The Fallen, despite their best efforts, haven't been able to find it.
"The Vex to my knowledge also don't know it location. I sent coordinates to Master Rey in ordered to reclaim it.
"But now it seems a third party might also know it location."
"It other words," Usiku uttered," You need our help."
Che nodded and continued," I don't know who or what this third party is. But I can't - we can't let find this tomb. At least until I speak with it caretaker."
"Wait," Yun-seo asked," there still someone, from the Golden Age, inside this tomb?"
"yes an interesting woman with deep mahogany hair and olive skin."