Tormented

The Sentencing

The next chapter had a huge jump in time and lots of info holes, so decided to make a new chapter to fill those in.

Updated: 1/23/2022

Ianos would be here any minute now.

Pluto released a nervous breath, shifting his optics towards the council seated in front of him, or above him if one wants to be accurate. Upon those seats were the Speaker in the front, the Vanguard near his sides, and the Consensus seated in the rest. Although many believe that the Speaker and Vanguard have a voice, the seating arrangement is more of a picture than the seats of power. Pluto knows by experience that the Consensus are the ones who have the final word. Mostly.

"This is 'not' going to be a bias trial. At all."

Despite himself, Pluto couldn't help but snort at Aleeza's sarcasm, shifting in his seat to fold his legs on top of each other and placing his hands in his lap. From there, he eyed the others; Aleeza and Akiva were seated next to each other, holding each other's hands. To Aleeza's otherside was Carina, doing the same, and in turn, the Titan had placed a hand on Angel's shoulder, the latter of which looked like a nervous wreck. Even from his seat, Pluto can see him wringing his hands together, green eyes wide, and his face pale. It was obvious he didn't like the number of eyes on him.

Pluto can feel for the young Hunter; he is very much the same but, years of experience had forced him to get used to the feeling, especially considering the amount of times Pluto and his clan have been in this same room, constantly tried for ridiculous charges. Unfortunately, this time, Sun wasn't around to force and threaten the Consensus into submission. Not to mention they were the topic at hand.

The sound of the door opening pulled Pluto out of his thoughts, and he glanced over, only to pause when he spotted Ianos' dark azure clad form stumbling in, angrily pulling his arm out of the grip of an escorting Guardian. Pluto could easily sense not only the grief, but the frustration, the outrage at being pulling into the room. A room where many a unhappy memories had occurred.

He would have gotten up to lead Ianos to his seat, but the Warlock was practically there, already taking up the empty chair to Pluto's free side.

"How was playing King?"

Pluto was glad that Ianos sent him a blank look; an obvious sign that his question had reigned in the worst of his emotions. The Warlock may not look it, but he is an extremely emotional and wrathful individual. It is best to cool it down now before they are to witness the obvious bullshit of the Consensus.

"Awful." Pluto chuckled at Ianos' answer, "Constant complaints, judge, sign on new laws, and constant bullshit." The Warlock sighed before shaking his head, "I wonder how Mara hadn't gone crazy."

"Maybe she already has."

The sound of indignation can be heard from Ianos but nonetheless, the Warlock said nothing else in the Queen's defense; Pluto wouldn't be surprised if he secretly agrees.

"Fireteam Redacted." Pluto suddenly went to attention; the Trial had officially begun, "You are here today in accordance with reports that you have been privy to Titan Sun-7's survival and their connection to the Warmind Rasputin and yet, failed to inform the Vanguard. Is this true?"

Shifting his optics away from the Speaker, Pluto glanced towards the others; except for Ianos, whose body was loose, tired, the others were rigid, tense. It was obvious this is their first time partaking in a trial, at least personally.

Pluto turned his eyes back onto the Speaker.

"Yes, it is true."

He didn't have to look towards the others to sense the look of shock, their wide-eyed expressions; not like he had to. Pluto can already here the whispers, the spectators' words echoing quietly through the air.

"And centuries before, you, Pluto-99, had lied of Sun's death. Is this true as well?"

"Yes."

"Pluto."

Opting to ignoring Nix's hiss, Pluto simply mentally explained a logical explanation; they were bound to learn the truth anyway, especially since Sun's original survival is now known. He felt his Ghost go silent.

"And why would you accept such a risk?"

"Sun had learned of their connection to Rasputin, that they could easily communicate." Pluto answered, "they had deemed the information dangerous, hazardous to be known, and as such had asked my clanmates and I to spread the news of their death and to keep what we had discovered a secret."

"Dangerous?" One of the members of the Consensus, a human, spoke, "How is control of a Warmind dangerous?"

Pluto couldn't help but scowl, "I said Sun could communicate with Rasputin. Not 'control'. There is a difference."

Satisfied at the sputter from the Consensus member, Pluto heard another speak up, "Even so, communication with the Warmind could have meant that it would have been beneficial to the City. Why would Sun-7 deem it a hazard?"

Pluto took in a deep breath, trying to bring his annoyance and frustration from a boil to a simmer.

"Have you taken a look at the City lately? It is a greedy mess filled with those who would try to take advantage of an Exo who has 'control' over a Warmind."

Choking, Pluto reached over to Ianos, cuffing him on the shoulder; telling him that although true, to reign in his words. In turn, Ianos simply huffed and crossed his arms. Not to mention, it was too late.

There were whispers of outrage, of concern already echoing around them, and Pluto prepared himself for a fight.

"The City is simply trying its best to survive." Pluto had to stop himself from rolling his optics, "perhaps if Sun had used Rasputin-"

That is when Pluto had enough.

"Used?" He interrupted, feeling his anger flare, "Rasputin is 'not' a weapon, Sun had inferred this to me on several occasions. A Warmind is created for weaponization and defense, yes. But 'not' a tool."

And sentient but Pluto decided not to bring it public, at least not yet. Who knows how the Consensus would feel if they realized how truly sentient Rasputin is? Knowing them, they would want Rasputin shut down and reset, delete his memory banks so that he would be complacent to demands. And that is the last thing Pluto wants, especially when he had last snuck out to check on the Warmind; they were still grieving over Sun's death, keeping vigil over their former friend's body deep within his bunker. There was no way that he would let the Consensus put their grubby hands over him.

"Then what? Sun to take command? Ask?" Another seat of Consensus spoke, "A Warmind is created for no other reason than to defend humanity and not just Sun, but you and your Fireteam had kept Rasputin's location to yourselves. Is the reason being that you were planning to use it 'against' the City?"

There were murmurs, shouts of outrage, and by the Traveler, Pluto wants nothing more than to jump up and give that Consensus member a good solid punch to the face. His anger came to a grinding halt when the Speaker lifted a hand and the room settled into silence. The Speaker always, without fail, kept calm in the room.

"If I may remind you, Hunter Pluto-99 and Warlock Ianos had helped build this City and had contributed much to its laws and base." The Speaker said, and if Pluto could give him a kiss right now, he would, with the expression that flashed over the offending Consensus' members face, "I doubt they would want to tear down centuries of work they had help in building."

More murmurs, but quieter, harder to take in, permeated around him and again, a simple hand by the Speaker was enough to silence it. This allowed Pluto to hear the grumbling from the Consensus. He smiled.

"That does not excuse them lying to the Vanguard." Another seated Consensus member spoke, "perhaps if they had revealed the truth, then not only Rasputin's location will be revealed, but Titan Sun's survival may have been guaranteed."

How dare they.

It was all Pluto could think when he abruptly stood up, anger fully boiling to the surface as his optics flashed dangerously at the speaking Consensus member. He felt the nearby guards – fellow Guardians – raise their weapons at him. He opts to ignore them and instead, he smiled dangerously at the Consensus.

"I didn't quite here what you said." Pluto gestured with his hand, "Come down here and say it again, that way I can hear you more clearly."

Silence permeated around the room which was soon followed by a gulp.

"Come now." It was Ianos who spoke, Pluto glancing towards the Warlock to see him having leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and his chin settled on his hands. His helmet may still be on, but Pluto can sense the dangerous look in his eyes, "it's not too difficult to come down here and speak a few words. Especially since Pluto wasn't the only one who did not quite hear what you said."

That is when the Consensus member realized he must have made a mistake, for Pluto saw his face had gone pale, his shoulders trembling.

"Well, I heard him perfectly fine." Pluto glanced over at Carina, only to see the Titan smiling up, her optics filled with violence, "so come on down and say it again. I. Dare. You."

Hearing the Consensus member squeak and then duck down, Pluto found that as a warning enough, especially when the others looked away when he shifted his optics towards them. Letting out a breath, Pluto sat back down.

"As I have stated before, Sun made it quite clear that their survival was to be kept secret." Pluto explained, "saying that only my team and I should be the only one privy to their existence." He looked up at the Speaker, "Not even the Vanguard and the Speaker could be informed."

"Titan Sun did not trust the Tower?"

"You do recall 'why' the Galaxy Clan left the City, correct?" Pluto narrowed his optics, "We had trusted the City to do the right thing, to hand the guilty party a proper sentencing. Instead, you tore our trust apart, ignored our pleas, the evidence, and instead gave an innocent verdict. How can we trust the City again after that?"

Murmurs resumed from the attending witnesses, most filled with disbelief, bewilderment. Pluto wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't heard of the trial. Last he had heard, they had tried to hide it after Galaxy left to ensure that no other Guardians 'abandon' them.

"That trial was fairly handled." Pluto couldn't help but scoff, "The individuals involved were innocent of any wrongdoing."

"Innocent!? They attacked two Guardians unprovoked! And one of them was killed!" Ianos shot up in his seat and Pluto spotted the sparks of arc light curling around his hands, "And you let them walk free!"

The gasps, the words of shock and outrage were like waves in the room, echoing around Pluto as they talked amongst themselves. The only ones who weren't shocked, Pluto spotted, were those who had previously been present in the aforementioned trial. And had said nothing.

Although bitter, Pluto kept to himself and instead, reached out and grabbed Ianos by the arm, pulling him back into his seat. He felt the sting of the Arc Light between his fingertips but nonetheless, the burns faded when Ianos took in a deep breath, and the light around his hands died down. But the anger, the betrayal, Pluto can feel that prominently.

"All we can say is that the Tower lost our trust 'centuries' ago." Pluto decided to say, "That is all."

There were murmurs from both the Consensus and the audience but nonetheless, no more comments were made, much to Pluto's relief.

"So, you kept Sun's existence a secret upon their request?" A Consensus member asked, in which Pluto decided to give no more than a nod as an answer, "Then tell us, how can we believe that they truly have died, and this is not another false report?"

Pluto frowned, "I do believe that you had a team that confirmed their death."

"But they did not see a body." Another retorted, "How can we truly believe you are telling the truth?"

"Then what proof do you want?"

"Their Ghost." Pluto came to a sudden halt, "We had heard that Sun have died but their Ghost had survived the encounter. A sign that either they have drained their light where they cannot be resurrected, they were corrupted, or they were indulging in something that they shouldn't have."

And this was why Pluto despised the Consensus; they were trying to sully Sun's name, and all to put Fireteam Redacted in a bad light. They have no respect for the dead or their accomplishments. Only to make themselves look like the higher power in the City.

Pluto would have jumped up and perhaps, gave that Consensus member a warning – an arrow to the face perhaps – if there wasn't a yelp and a fumble.

"How dare you try to ruin Sun's name when they cannot be here to defend themself!"

The familiar gold and crimson shell of Gaia glided just above Pluto and the others, their golden optic glaring up at the Consensus.

"You dare insinuate that Sun was seduced by the Darkness?!"

Which was an obvious lie but a lie that the Consensus is trying to plant, to seed so that everyone present would doubt Sun's intentions. And to give them more of a reason to locate Rasputin and reset him. They weren't stupid, they know that Sun had too much of an influence on the Warmind. Better to reset his memory than to try and convince him to work with the City, especially if they lead everyone to believe that it was needed.

"Ghost Gaia we mean no insult –"

"Insult!? You just did you group of overvalued bags of rotten meat!" Pluto restrained a snort, "Darkness!? How dare you! Sun put their life and soul into this damn City and this is how you repay them!? This is one of the reasons why Galaxy decided to leave this god forsaken City when people like you have the high seat!" Gaia let out a growl of frustration, "If Sun were here, they would have put you in your place!"

Then their shell started trembling and Pluto watched as Akiva, much to his surprise, reached out and the Ghost settled into his palm.

"How dare you, how dare you when they are not even here to…" Gaia grieved in Akiva's hands, the Titan hushing comfortingly, bringing the Ghost close to his chest.

Pluto let out a sad sigh, "Is that proof enough for you?"

There was only silence and Pluto took it as a yes, especially when one of the Consensus members coughed and continued.

"What do you think, Speaker?"

The man clothed in white, possibly one of the handful of people that Pluto trusts in the Tower, hummed quietly before turning his attention to the Vanguard; all three nodded back.

"It is true that Fireteam Redacted had kept secrets and lied to us to keep Sun's existence hidden." Pluto flinched at his words; when he said it like that it indeed sounded bad, "However, do we not have our own secrets? Told lies to keep it to ourselves?"

"Speaker!"

The Speaker held up a hand, halting the Consensus' words.

"Fireteam Redacted did no harm to the City and in fact, had perhaps unknowingly had done their mission for its benefit. After all, what would have the Taken done if they had corrupted the Warmind?"

There were murmurs, grumbles, silent protests but Pluto heard nothing more.

"All I know today is that we truly had lost a powerful ally; a friend to some and an inspiration to many and they were given no time to properly mourn Titan Sun's passing. As such, I see no reason to see Fireteam Redacted punished for their actions."

Pluto blinked; he was surprised. In honesty, he had thought that the team would have been Tower bound, only allowing supervised missions or trips when leaving its vicinity. But then again, the Speaker tends to be bias for the Guardians, if the Consensus either allows it or fucks up.

There was a sound of protest, the sound of seats being pushed against the ground from abrupt movement.

"I agree." Cayde was the first of the Vanguard to speak, practically chirping as he said, "I see no wrong with what Fireteam Redacted had done. Just tell us if you need help, next time." Pluto sighed at the wink the Hunter Vanguard gave them; there was no doubt that he had seen through Fireteam Redacted's lie.

"I agree."

His sentiment is echoed by Ikora and Zavala and with a pleased nod, Pluto saw the Speaker's attention shift back to him and the others.

"Fireteam Redacted is innocent of any ill will towards the City and thereby will not be punished. They are free to go."

Xxxxx

Ianos is finally glad to be outside in the Plaza, free of the judging stares of the audience, and free from sharing the same space as the Consensus.

Taking in a deep breath, Ianos looked over to Akiva, seeing the Titan still gently holding Gaia's from in his hands.

"How are they?" He asked.

"Sleeping now." Akiva smiled sheepishly, "To be honest, when they asked to be present at the trial, I had thought they would remain quiet." He chuckled, "Should have expected more from Sun's Ghost."

"Well, I'm glad they popped out and said something." Aleeza said, letting out a breath, "The Consensus was trying so hard to get us in trouble, that I couldn't even think of what to say." She stretched her arms above her head, "Although no matter what, I half-expected to be punished anyway. Mostly from getting up and punching one of those Consensus bastards in the face."

"Same here." Carina piped in, her face twisted into a scowl, "especially when they tried to do Sun dirty like that. It was like as though they wanted us to be punished 'and' ruin Sun's name."

"That's because they were." Pluto confirmed, "Sun was notorious back then for interfering with Consensus issues. And mostly calling them out on their bullshit. This was their opportunity to get back at them."

"When they are dead and unable to defend themself." Ianos huffed before his eyes settled over Gaia's sleeping form, "At least, mostly."

"Wait! What did you say?!"

Recognizing Angel's voice, Ianos glanced back, expecting the Hunter to be following behind them, only to see that he had came to a sudden halt, his green eyes wide as two Guardians – newborns or at least, inexperienced, judging from their plain armor – looked back with bewildered looks.

"There were these groups of Fallen in the Cosmodrome, they were a bit close to the border that would eventually lead to the City." One of them explained, "So my partner and I decided to get rid of them."

Judging from the way Angel's face drained of color, that meant it wasn't a good sign.

"Angel?" It was Pluto who called out to the younger Hunter as the group traced back, placing a hand onto Angel's shoulder, "It something amiss?"

"W-What colors were they wearing?" Angel asked instead, desperately looking at the Guardians, "What colors?"

The two Guardians glanced at each other.

"Silver and white." One of them finally answered, "Why?"

"You fucking idiots!"

To Ianos surprise, Carina walked over and had shoved one of the Guardians, causing him to reel but unfortunately, kept his balance.

"What?" They were confused.

"Do you realize what you have done?" Aleeza asked, "All our hard work, 'Angel's' hard work could possibly be undone because of you two."

"What?"

Ianos wanted to walk over and give the two a good slap to the head, but a cry of 'Angel' and the sound of someone falling prompted him to look over. The young Hunter had collapsed onto his knees, eyes wide, vacant.

"I will have to inform Ixrsis." He whispered, "I will have to inform Ixrsis that two Guardians had killed her pack."

"What in the hell is going on?"

Turning his eyes towards the two Guardians, Ianos gave them a narrowed look, "Those Fallen with silver and white colors. They were a part of House of Spirit, and they are allies to the Tower." Then he reached over and grabbed them by the shoulders, giving them a tight squeeze, "And you two, not only are in trouble, but might have possibly put 'all' of us in trouble."