Redacted

No One Else

I apologize for the lack of an update last week. Life got to me and I felt really bad, so there will be another update tomorrow to make up for it!

Thanks to DisobeyedBowl6, TidalKiller, and TurtleMan for the reviews!

Edited: 11/20/2022

"Ianos. Have you seen Knight?

Looking up from the tablet in his hands, Ianos raised a brow as his eyes settled over Crystalline's lavender shell.

"No." He said, "Not since this morning."

There is a sigh from the Ghost, and Ianos momentarily glanced over his shoulder, spotted the way his own Ghost, Ace, stared back before turning back to Crystalline.

"Let me guess. Hush is wondering where he is?"

Crystalline nodded, "Considering that he has been put on standby and has a 'schedule' between us and Echo, Hush hasn't been able to see him lately. Well..." The Ghost paused, hesitating, "Able to see 'them'."

Right. The other individual sharing Knight's body. Or their body, considering that the other – Nine, was it? – had been there first, but had relinquished it to Knight, the latter of which he had created himself. Apparently. It was still a lot to take in when Day decided to inform Ianos and the others not long after sentencing was placed.

As he pondered upon this, Ianos then shifted his focus to one end of the room where his desk is placed, and his attention settled over Hush, the child Guardian messing with whatever artifact he had placed there to keep her distracted. However, it seems to do little, as he can spot her glancing over to the door of his apartment, a hopeful look in her yellow eyes.

"That is something we have to confer with Echo." Ianos said, recalling how adamant that the Exo Titan had some time with Knight. Or, Nine, in his case, "He seems to have gotten overzealous with his time with them once the truth has gotten out."

"Well, he needs to learn how to share." Crystalline huffed, "Knight wasn't the only one who spent time with her. Nine did so as well."

Ianos furrowed his brow at this but opted to say nothing. Initially, he had been upset when he had learned that this other individual had spent time with Hush without his knowledge. And for months. The only reason he decided to let things go is for the reason that Nine is protective of her. If him killing those non-Guardians hadn't made it obvious.

"Is he not in the Crucible?" It is Ace who asked, prompting Ianos to look over at his Ghost and raise a brow, "Just looked over the Crucible playlist. Spotted his name just now. With Akiva's."

Ah. That would explain it.

"Well, as long as he has a chaperone." Ianos said, "Neither Knight nor Nine can roam without another present."

"And even then, Nine can only be in control for a limited time, right?" Crystalline asked, "A few hours at least?"

Ianos shrugged, "The Consensus were vague on the time limit. More than likely the work of the Exo amongst their number." He looked back at the tablet in his hands, sifting through it; the FOTC is still trying to locate the other Traffickers, "A silent thank you giving them a chance to have a voice."

Which is good news. Ianos had seen them stay silent for too long.

"So, in other words he could stay in control indefinitely?"

"As long as he has a chaperone." Ianos confirmed.

Well, to be more accurate, a handler moreso than a chaperone but, everyone had noticed the way Nine flinched, uncomfortable at hearing the word. They decided to change it for his sake. Despite his want of terminating himself, everyone wants Nine to stay and they are willing to make a subtle change to make it so.

Now if only he would open up a bit more.

"You know." Ianos heard Crystalline whisper, voice low; no doubt to keep Hush out of conversation, "I cannot help but be curious as to why he created Knight to take his place. There must be a reason for his own termination."

A morbid thought but, Ianos couldn't help but agree. He too is curious but, instead of indulging the Ghost, Ianos flicked through another article in his tablet. Knight's and Nine's trial is still a hot topic.

"To me it seemed he had wanted to die." Crystalline continued and Ianos let her. Gossip is a common hobby, for Guardians. And Ghosts, "Welcomed death with open arms in his previous life."

"You never asked?" Ianos couldn't stop himself and he could sense the smug look from the female Ghost; she had baited him.

"I did." Crystalline answered, "He just never gave me an answer. Either would just change topic or evade it to the point where I just gave up."

Ianos wonders if Nine had been open about his thoughts – in retrospect – of taking his own life in front of Hush. If he had, she had shown no sign of being affected by it. Then again, the child Guardian still has fragmented memories of her previous life. Ianos wouldn't doubt that that she had grown some tolerance towards harsher aspects.

"If that is the case, I wonder why Day did not ask when resurrecting him." Ianos said as he flicked through another page; a new product had been released. He didn't even read what it does as he flicked past it, "It is courtesy to do so." He then paused and looked over at Ace, "No offense."

His Ghost, in turn, gave him a smile, "None taken."

Flashing Ace a wry smile of his own, Ianos then heard his door opened, and he glanced over. His orange eyes grew wide behind his helmet, "Knight?"

In response to his call, Ianos watched as the white clad Exo slowly turned and gave him a blank look, blinking once before taking slow and steady strides inside and headed towards Hush.

Or Nine, from that reaction.

Nonetheless, it seems it didn't matter to Hush as she immediately jumped from Ianos' desk, rushing over to the Exo before taking his hands and beamed at him. Unable to help but smile once again at her reaction, Ianos spotted movement from the entrance, and he glanced back. Only to raise a brow as Akiva stumbled in, his amor disheveled and dented.

"Ace informed me that the two of you were in the Crucible." He said.

"We were." Akiva wheezed as he removed his helmet; even with the protection, Ianos can spot slightly bruising and cuts, "We were unfortunate to be matched against Echo."

What are the chances?

"I am to take a guess that it ended well?"

"Not really." Akiva murmured before he helped himself to a seat next to Ianos; he felt the long couch shift under his weight, "Turns out, if Echo doesn't hold back, neither will Nine."

Ianos blinked. That must have been a sight to behold. And he already got a mental tug from Ace that he had found the feed. He will have to look over it later.

"Judging from your state, you tried to intervene?" Ianos asked. A crazy notion if he had.

"Not like it did anything." That is confirmation enough, "I was knocked around like a ragdoll before Shaxx decided to pull me out."

"Wait." Ianos' eyes grew wide, "Shaxx pulled you out?"

"He pulled everyone out." Akiva added, "Echo and Nine's fight put everyone at risk, and no one could stop them." Ianos watched as the Titan leaned his head back and closed his eyes, "They fought for a while before their Ghosts decided enough was enough." He subtly shook his head, "That area is going to be out for weeks."

Now that definitely made Ianos curious. Echo always had been a powerful foe in the Crucible but he always ensured to leave the area pretty unscathed. To hear that, against his fight with Nine, he left the area in shambles, Ianos couldn't help but think that Echo is upset. More than likely has to do with Nine's plan to kill himself.

Akiva's groan pulled Ianos out of his thoughts.

"Have you seen Angel?" He asked, "It's his turn to watch Nine. Or Knight." The Titan threw a hand into the air, "Whoever is in control."

Ianos furrowed his brow, "Did he not leave with Io? I heard he found some ruins in the Cosmodrome and needed a partner."

"Oh, right." Akiva hummed, "Some Hive ships crashed there not too long ago." Ianos flinched, "And you know Angel's thing for languages? He decided Hive is next on his list and he saw an opportunity to grab as many texts as he can before the ships are stripped clean."

"He needs to be careful." Ianos muttered, "The Hive are known to take refuge in their ships until they are either rescued or killed. How long ago did the ships crash?"

Akiva opened his eyes and lifted his head towards Ianos, "Uhm, yesterday I believe. And he left before dusk."

"And he is still not back?" Ianos paused, "And Io agreed?"

"He never sleeps." Akiva said.

Raising a brow at the Titan's comment, Ianos then watched Akiva lean his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.

"Let us call Angel so that you can lay down and get some proper rest."

"Please do."

Xxxxx

"You are confident that you are not going to drop me?"

Angel can easily sense the blank stare behind Io's visor, "You don't trust me?"

"Well." He stared at the rope in his fellow Hunter's hand before trailing down to the clip around his belt, keeping it – hopefully – secured, and preventing him from falling into the abyss below. Hopefully. "If you were to put yourself into my position, wouldn't you be a bit nervous?"

He watched Io tilt his head above him, his head visible over the cavity. And then Angel's heart skipped a beat when his head flicked out of view.

"Io? Io, you still there?" Angel called out, "This isn't funny –"

A sudden shift and swing from the rope prompted him to yelp and clasp his hands around it, eyes wide as he pressed himself against the crevice's side.

"Io!" He called out again, looking down and gulped as he saw nothing but black below him, "What are you doing!?"

Angel looked up and released a breath when Io's familiar brown and green clad form popped back into view.

"I'm still here." He announced before holding up the rope, allowing Angel to now see it loose and tied around his fellow Hunter's waist, "Since you were nervous, decided to tie the rope around a pillar and then myself."

Despite his helmet still present, Angel flashed Io a smile, "Thanks. That helps."

Seeing Io nod, Angel then decided to focus on the decaying surface before him, reaching out and brushing his gloved fingers against cracked runes. It squished under his fingertips. He heard Hope groan inside his head.

"Do you have to touch it like that?" She said, "Lookin' at it is enough. But hearin' it squish like that?" He could feel her shudder, "Disgustin'."

Angel couldn't help but chuckle, "Hive aren't exactly the cleanest. At least, not this ship." He squinted, "Speaking of clean."

"Please don't tell me…"

"May you please scan the runes for me?" Angel smiled at Hope's groan, "The muck makes it impossible to read."

"You are lucky that you are my Guardian." Hope grumbled, "Otherwise I would have said no."

Laughing at her words, Angel then felt her presence leave his head, and she compiled over his shoulder, her light a hum against his skin as she lit up the pit. He then made a face at the spores now visible under her light. Nonetheless, it did little to stop him from poking at a pulsating sack.

"Stop that!" Hope shouted, "It's bad enough that you seek them out but to touch it?!"

Her voice cracked at the end of her sentence, her upset obvious, and Angel flashed her an apologetic smile.

"Curiosity kills the cat?"

Hope sighed, "But satisfaction brought it back." She then finally glided over and beamed her light over the runes.

"There." Her light died from her optic as she glided back, as if to put distance between herself and the walls covered in spores, "I got what I could. Now can we leave this place?" Her shell pressed against her core, and she shuddered, "It's disgustin' and not to mention this place is filled to the brim with Hive."

Despite the itch to explore more, Angel couldn't help but nod and agree. He can see why both Ianos and Akiva get nervous when entering Hive territory. It's dark, a maze, and sound carries far here. There were times when he and Io hid when they thought they had heard the scrapes of Thrall claws against the walls. It would make anyone paranoid.

Tugging on the rope, Angel felt a slight jerk before he felt himself being pulled up, climbing his makeshift lifeline himself when he saw a hand reach over. Grabbing it, he heard Io grunt as he pulled him onto solid ground.

"Perhaps I should take up Cosmos' offer to lift." Io huffed as Angel started working to undo the rope around his waist, "or perhaps you should lose some weight?"

"Rude." But Angel smiled, sliding the last of the rope off his person.

"Wait, do you hear that?"

That is when Angel paused, freezing in his movement as he strained to hear. And he heard it. The familiar hiss and clicks of Thralls followed by the gnarled tongue of Hive. And they sounded close. Really close.

Angel gulped before slowly and carefully made his way to a pile of decaying fungi, watching from the corner of his eye Io hiding behind a fallen pillar.

"Can't we just kill them?"

He jumped and then cursed under his breath, "Hope."

His Ghost gave him an innocent look, "What?"

"We're trying to avoid a fight." He hissed.

And more than anything he wants his Ghost inside his head, where she's less likely to be caught. And shot by enemy fire.

However, as he went to raise his hand, to signal to Hope to settle inside, that is when Angel heard the scrape of clawed steps echo nearby. He ducked down behind his cover. Too late now to hide Hope. The flash of her light would give both her and the Hunters away.

"Hope, hide."

"But why?" Angel gave his Ghost a flabbergasted look, "If I hide then I won't get the best shots." Her shell lifted, her optic bright, "How else am I going to show you off to the others?"

Despite himself, Angel gave Hope a blank look, "Just go hide."

He heard her chuckle – not taking the situation seriously – but nonetheless, Angel is relieved that she at least flew upward, hiding herself between some cracks. Of course, he can see her optic, where she has full view of everything.

Opting to just let her be, Angel pressed his back against his cover, reaching down to his hand cannon against his thigh. The sound of the approaching Hive grew closer. And it didn't take long for the low growls of the Thrall to be heard just behind his cover. Taking in a deep breath, Angel carefully and slowly withdrew his gun from its holster, clasping both his hands around the handle of his weapon as the dragging claws grew louder in his ears.

That is when the head of a Thrall peeked around his cover. And promptly exploded into dust.

Angel reeled, scrambling back as the body of the smaller Hive collapsed, only to see Io step out from behind the broken pillar and fired his weapon. Multiple cries of the thrall rang through the air.

"Io!" Angel shouted but nonetheless leaped to his feet and aimed his hand cannon at the first enemy he spotted in sight. He blew off the head of an encroaching Thrall.

"They were going to catch us anyway." Io said.

Then he leaped, raised his hands, and the familiar bow appeared. Angel didn't have to wait for a signal when the Shadowshot flew.

He drew his knife and arc light surged throughout his form. And he leaped forward.

The stalky forms of the Thrall were pathetically easy to cut thrdough, unable to even let out a screech when Angel sliced them in half, their bodies dissipating in sparks of arc light.

"Angel! Acolytes!"

Taking in Io's call, Angel leaped away just in time to avoid violet streaks, stumbling back when a few pelted his shields. Spotting cracks, Angel then concentrated his light around himself and rolled back, letting the fog of his Shadestep spill around him. The sensation of the shots passing 'through' him felt unsettling, leaving a numbing sensation as he scrambled back and ducked down behind a broken cover.

Feeling the last dregs of his arc light leave him, Angel sheathed his knife and took up his hand cannon once more. He leaned out and fired at the first set of glowing green eyes, watching the head of the Acolyte explode into broken bone and dust. He heard the surviving Hive screech in rage, and he ducked back. Angel jumped when a blast of purple shattered a chunk of his cover, dust smacking his visor.

"Having any better luck than me!?"

Angel looked over, only to see Io had taken another cover not too far from him, and his too was taking on too much fire, considering just how much was being shaved off from the sides. There were a lot more Hive than they anticipated.

"Any ideas!?" he shouted back.

Seeing Io turn his attention towards him, Angel then watched on with mild amusement as his fellow Hunter held up a hand, revealing a forming condensed ball of void light in his grip before promptly tossing it over his cover without breaking eye contact. Flash of violet soon followed, lighting up the dimness of the tunnel and followed by the agonized screeches of the Acolytes and Thrall. Billows of dust then carpeted the floor not long after the flash is absent.

"I will take that as a yes." Angel commented.

Hearing his fellow Hunter chuckle, Angel took it as a sign to peek over his cover. Only to freeze once he spotted a large hunkering form, wielding a blade. He heard the Knight roar once he ducked behind his cover.

"Sniper it is."

Holstering his hand cannon, Angel took his sniper from his back, peeked out, aimed, and fired. The satisfying sound of the bullet slamming into the Knight's head permeated through the tunnel but, to his astonishment, the Hive simply stumbled, shook its head, and roared. Angel spotted the look of anger in its three eyes.

Silently cursing to himself, Angel leaped back as the Knight rushed him, unable to help a yelp as its blade sank into his former cover.

"By the Great Machine." The Eliksni slid from his tongue out of habit as he saw the broken metal and spores scatter into the air, and then ducked to dodge another swing.

"Io! A bit of an assistance here!"

It is then the familiar pop of a smoke grenade rang in his ears, and Angel wasted no time to gage his distance, rushing back just as black smoke filled his vision. This earned another roar of anger from the Knight.

Concentrating his light into his hand, Angel then tossed the grenade the instant it solidified in his grip and watched on with satisfaction as it suddenly jerked and latched itself onto the Knight's shoulder piece. He nodded with a smile as he heard the high-pitched sound of his Flux Grenade ready to go off. Only for it to quickly turn to horror as the Knight charged. This suddenly made Angel remember why he disliked sticky grenades.

There is the ping of the grenade reaching its pitch. And then his shields shattered as he found himself blinded. Angel's head rang, ringing in his ears as he blinked rapidly to rid the last of blindness from his vision. Next is the sensation of freefall and it is then he noticed the falling debris, the walls of the crevice he had just been in previously. Had the explosion thrown him back that far?

Shaking his head to rid the last of the ache, Angel then heard a yelp, a cry, and he looked to his side just in time to see Io falling next to him. Then his fellow Hunter jerked, swung, and slammed into the side of the pit with a sickening crack. That is when Angel saw the rope, taut from the Exo's weight. And then realized that the absence of his.

"Angel!"

Looking up, he spotted the familiar red and white shell of his Ghost dodging falling rock and debris, her optic wide and desperate as she flew towards him. And the between them is growing.

Realization set in, and Angel found himself reaching out a hand, eyes wide. Maybe if he used his light to jump, then perhaps –

That is when a rock slammed into his Ghost, sending her spinning. And the distance between them grew irreparable.

"Hope!" Angel cried out.

Pain then spiked from the side of his head, his vision blurred and the last thing he heard before falling into darkness is his Ghost calling out his name.

Xxxxx

"Are they not picking up?"

Ianos couldn't help but scowl at Ace's nod, and the Warlock glanced over to Akiva. The Titan is out, fast asleep on his couch. That Crucible match must have been a lot more hectic than he had anticipated.

"Maybe he is distracted by the runes?" Ace surmised, "Or perhaps taking some samples from the ship for you to look at as well?"

Ianos made a face, "Perhaps from elsewhere but the Hive?"

"Good point."

He sighed, "Try again? Maybe their location simply has a weak connection?"

"I hope so."

His Ghost's words were filled with worry and – although he wouldn't admit it – Ianos couldn't help but reciprocate that emotion.

Nonetheless, Ianos sat back, listening to the noise of Ace trying to find a frequency. He sat up when he heard the familiar click of a connection.

"Angel!" Ianos jumped. He saw his Ghost do the same, "Angel! Oh, Traveler! Angel!"

"What happened?" Ianos asked, "What happened to Angel?"

"He and Io were fightin' a Knight and then it exploded and they fell into a hole but Io was the only one tied down and Angel fell so I tried going after him but the explosion caused a cave in and I lost sight of him – Traveler, please! Just come here!" Hope cried, "I don't know what to do and Oberon can't revive Io because of the Darkness here and I can't revive him with my light alone and I keep hearin' the Hive! Just come here and help us! Helps me find Angel! Traveler! Please!"

It was strange and concerning to hear the Ghost in such a panic. Sure, she is eccentric but never had Ianos heard Hope so frightened, so worried that she is practically sobbing.

"Hope, stay where you are." He said, "We will locate you with your frequency. Stay where you are, and we will be there as soon as possible."

"Please, come quickly." Hope whimpered. Then, the connection cut with another click.

Watching Ace press their shell against their core, Ianos released a breath before flicking his eyes over to Akiva. Despite the screaming and crying, the Titan still slumbered. And Ianos decided against waking him. No point in bringing someone who is exhausted.

As he stood from his seat, he heard Ace follow his height.

"Gearing up to go?" His Ghost asked.

Ianos turned and gave him a blank look, "What do you think?"

"But this is the Hive." Ianos flinched at Ace's words, "You are not thinking of going alone?"

Of course not. But with Akiva too tired to even awaken, and Pluto busy with his clan, Ianos' choices aren't many. And he's not sure if there's anyone who would be willing to work with him.

"Do you need aid?"

Ianos turned his attention to the back of the room and there, he saw Nine, his hands in Hush's, and both had their attention towards him. The latter had a worried look while as the Exo's expression remained blank as ever.

Eyes narrowing behind his helmet, Ianos didn't response and instead, scanned the Phoenix Exo, trying to read him, to spot any subtle movements that would betray his thoughts. He found none.

"Perhaps." Ianos finally said, "Are you trustworthy?"

In reaction to his words, Ianos saw Hush purse her lips, before she released her hands from Nine's and instead wrapped them around his waist. Ianos couldn't help but sigh at this.

"You are still angry." He heard Nine say, "You are unhappy that I had spent time around Little One without your knowledge."

Ianos glowered at the Exo, "You hid from us, made us think you were Knight while you were an entirely different individual." He crossed his arms, scrutinizing the Exo once more, "What makes you think that I should trust you enough to ask for aid?"

"You are heading into a Dark Zone." Ianos winced; right, the Exo has a point, "You will need another Guardian."

"And you think you can help me?"

"You have no one else." Damn. The Exo is more attentive than he thought, "And according to Ghost Hope's frequency, they are deep in Hive territory."

Ianos paused, "Wait, how did you access Hope's frequency?"

"I am a Phoenix."

He gave him a blank stare.

"I say we take him with us." Ianos turned and gave his Ghost a look, "Look, I understand why you distrust Nine but, I say this is a great opportunity to get to know him. Both on and off field. And, well…" He saw his Ghost turn towards Nine, "I would feel more comfortable if you have someone watching your back."

Staring at his Ghost, Ianos leaned his head back and sighed, brushing a hand against the side of his helmet.

"Little One also overheard your frequency with Ghost Hope." Ianos paused at Nine's comment. They weren't that loud, were they? "She too is worried of Hunter Angel's safety and she too requests that I go with you."

In other words, he is outvoted.

"Fine, I will take you with me." He heard Hush squeal in delight, "But I am keeping a close eye on you, understand?"

"I understand."

Releasing a breath, Ianos then turned his attention to Hush, the latter of which had released her embrace, had taken a step back, and beamed at him, "Stay with Akiva, okay? And when he wakes up, tell him where Nine and I are and then head to his quarters."

As he saw Hush pout once more, Ianos then decided to add, "I hear Ora has been calling for his 'older sister' lately. "

That, that seems to be enough as he saw her eyes brighten and she nodded. Ianos smiled softly at that. Then, it is quickly gone when he turned to Nine.

"Let us go."