Tower Medical Wing

Intensive Trauma Section

Ikora Rey took in a heavy breath, and her eyes turned back to the younger of the two survivors, a human male of about 19. His dark hair was cut short and clean, and though he had made a few attempts to stir, none of them had been successful.

The other survivor was currently in a more secure room, guarded by two Frontline Frames. This was due to the fact that he was not a member of any extraterrestrial race known in Sol, and thus was kept separate from the first survivor.

Each survivor's clothes and gear had been replaced with a simple shirt, pants, and hospital wear, and what they had previously worn was being quarantined. Ikora's Ghost, Ophiuchus, had taken up scanning the energy blade that now lay on a table nearby, muttering to herself as she did.

"Anything yet?" Ikora asked her Ghost, who hovered over and spoke.

"Nothing yet." Ophiuchus replied. "There does seem to be a powerful energy source contained inside the hilt. Most of the interior is compromised by advanced circuitry. Modulation circuits, an activation switch, et cetera. The surrounding structure appears to be cosmetic in nature. I reckon it was designed to be unique to its wielder."

"I see." Ikora nodded. "And how is our other survivor?"

"According to Sundance, they just moved him out of surgery and into the recovery wing. His rib cage was under significant stress, most likely from some powerful crushing force around his midsection."

"Plus, he was wearing what seems to be a naval officer's uniform." Her Ghost continued. "I'd be confident that he's the "Grand Admiral Thrawn '' that our crashed ship was commanded by. Other than that, the data analysis being undertaken by Targe, Commander Zavala, and the Hidden is going slowly. There's a lot to sift through, and much of it is unusable in its current state." Ophiuchus replied.

"Keep me updated." Ikora said, as she turned back to the younger survivor, gently taking his hand to check his pulse.

"You know I could've done that for you." Ophiuchus said, floating over to perform a bioscan. "He's still stable, but there's no telling when he'll wake up."

"It helps to be certain in a way that only I, as a living being, can understand." Ikora replied. "Sometimes, it takes more than machinery to tell what one is feeling or going through."

"I suppose so." Her Ghost said, as he moved over to her and vanished into blue-white particles as he merged with Ikora's body and mind. "By the way, Cayde-6 just reported that the other survivor has just stabilized, but is still unconscious. Lord Shaxx and Arcite 99-40 have also finished processing the weapons and armor left behind on the ship."

"What have they found?" Ikora thought, mentally speaking the words to nonverbally talk with her Ghost. It was a tough skill to learn, but a good amount of experienced Guardians, the Vanguard included, had learned to communicate with their Ghosts through thought, rather than speaking out loud. It took practice in many cases, but it was a valuable skill to have for any operation.

"Well, they appear to be energy-based, instead of using kinetic munitions." Her Ghost responded. "They're semi-automatic with a triple burst setting, and they fire a bolt of red energy instead of a bullet. They also draw power from a battery pack and some form of a cartridge filled with ionized gas."

"Fascinating." Ikora mused. "How effective are they? Have we checked on that?"

"Firecrest just reported that they're highly effective against soft targets, as in unarmored, but our armors' shielding units seem to absorb the bolts easily. Without shields, it takes about three to four shots to penetrate. The first set of weapons were also sending their shots out in a rather conical spread. They weren't very accurate, and probably would be even less so if in untrained hands." Ophiuchus replied.

Ikora had to think briefly to remember that Firecrest was Lord Shaxx's Ghost. He was reclusive in nature, even for one born from the Traveler. It was noted among the Vanguard that he never left Lord Shaxx's side, and was only known to exist because of Shaxx informing the Vanguard that he did exist, and of his name. Other than that, Firecrest was a mystery. Lord Shaxx usually spoke with him through non-verbal means, and Ikora had never thought to ask the Crucible Administrator why that was.

"There was also a second set of weapons that were recovered from the black-armored soldiers." Her Ghost continued. "This type was far superior to the first set, to say it lightly. These weapons managed to take one to three shots to penetrate armor, and were more efficient at piercing our armor shields. It makes me think that the first set of weapons are standard issue, and the second is for special forces or similarly skilled units."

"As for the white armor, it's…flimsy, to say the least." Ophiuchus added. "The plating doesn't have a personal shielding unit like even our most basic armor sets do. It's flexible to wear, but very weak. The helmet does feature some essentials, such as a smoke filter and two different vision modes, but otherwise isn't very special. The black armor, though, reinforces my theory that those who wear it are special forces. These have heavier plating, enhanced features, among other improvements over the white set. It's an interesting choice of aesthetics, though."

"Alright then. Make sure the armor and weapons are stored properly and securely. Make sure they don't…" Ikora started to say, only for a rapid tone to appear from the boy's medical unit. Ikora rushed over, her Ghost moving to join her.

"What's going on?" Ikora asked as she checked his vitals on the main screen, which were rising. On the screen, Ikora could see that his brain functions were also returning to normal and his breathing rate was stabilizing.

"He's starting to wake up." Her Ghost said In surprise. "Right now. I'm alerting the rest of the Vanguard. Get ready, Ikora."

"I am, Ophiuchus." She said, standing back as the survivor began to stir, his eyes fluttering slightly.

Ezra Bridger opened his eyes, and flinched in shock. He was in a vast, white expanse, with no features to speak of. He took a casual step forward, and then another. Apart from the sound of his footsteps, there was perpetual silence.

"Hello?" Ezra called out. "Is someone there? Anyone?"

"Calm down, Ezra. I'm right here." Said a familiar male voice.

Ezra spun on his heel and saw none other than Kanan Jarrus standing before him, bearing a proud smile.

"Kanan!" Ezra said with relief, moving to stand before his Master. "Where are we?"

"I suppose you could call this the place where those who have passed into the Force wait for those they left behind." Kanan responded. "I've been waiting here a while."

So…I'm dead, aren't I?" Ezra asked, feeling his voice falter slightly.

"As a matter of fact, Ezra, you're not dead." Kanan laughed. "You did come really close to it, though. There's a lot I've been meaning to say to you."

Ezra nodded, and was silent as Kanan continued to speak.

"Ezra, I'm so proud of you. I couldn't have asked for a better apprentice. I may not have been your Master for as long as I'd hoped, but it was with you that I became who I am now. To see you grow from an orphan on the streets of Lothal, to a true Jedi, was an honor. You may not have known it, but I watched everything you did since my passing through the Force."

"You did it, Ezra. You saved Lothal from the Empire, saw through what I and many others always hoped would happen, to the end. When I sacrificed myself to save you, Hera, and Sabine, I always had hope that you would keep going, and bring freedom to your home planet. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"I want you to never forget what I've said. Think you can do that?"

"I will, Kanan." Ezra replied. "Thrawn took your lightsaber, though."

"Well, if you find it, feel free to use it." Kanan smirked. "Trust me, this isn't the first time you've used it."

"Probably, since I gave mine to Sabine." Ezra chuckled, and both of them chuckled earnestly.

"How much time do we have left?" Ezra then asked as they settled down. "Before I go?"

"Not much. Just remember what I've told you, and when the time comes, we'll see each other again. May the Force be with you, always."

"And with you." Ezra smiled as Kanan gave a nod before disappearing, and then, everything was shrouded in black.

"Wake up…hey, wake up!"

Ezra blinked, and raised an arm to shield his eye from the pale light that filled his eyes. As his vision cleared, he placed a hand to his aching forehead, and took in the sights around him as best as he could. It appeared that he was in some kind of a medical bay, and he was relieved to see there weren't any restraints present. Before he could slip out of his bed, his strength left him and he lurched forward.

Only he was caught by a pair of hands, and guided back to a resting position from his left side. Due to his weakened state, his vision was still clouded. He tried to speak, but couldn't due to his weakened state.

"Don't try to talk just yet, you're still too weak. Here, I'll see if I can find something to restore your stamina. I'll be right back." Said a warm, female voice that made Ezra feel soothed by hearing it. It seemed to be full of knowledge and care. Then, Ezra felt a pinprick in his left arm, and his vision cleared properly. A rush of strength came to him, and he was now able to see his environment clearly.

To his left was a human female, with dark skin and very short brown hair, with dark brown eyes, gazed back at him. She wore a set of purple, red, and brown robes with some silver armor and ornaments. On her left arm was a holographic armband of some kind, displaying some kind of symbol in lilac energy.

Hovering to her right was a small object with a blue and white eye, encased in a shell of purple with some brown markings and four spines on each wing. The object turned to the woman, who nodded to it before she spoke.

"Hello there." She said, before adding "How are you feeling? Do you feel alright?"

"I suppose so." Ezra managed to reply. "Who…are you?"

"My name is Ikora Rey." The woman replied. "This is my Ghost, Ophiuchus. You are currently in the Intensive Care section of the Tower Medical Wing, in the Last City of humanity. To be a bit more specific, you're on Planet Earth, in the Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy."

"It's nice to…meet you. My name's Ezra…Ezra Bridger."

"Well, Ezra, let me assure you now that you're safe and sound." Ikora replied. "You gave the entirety of the Vanguard quite a scare when the ship you were on crashed outside the walls of the City. We can exchange stories later, though, when you're properly rested."

"Ophiuchus, please let Zavala and Cayde know that our first survivor is awake." Ikora said to her Ghost, who nodded and did so telepathically over the comms.

"Now, Ezra, there are a few questions I'd like to ask you, and a few things that need clarification." Ikora said. "Do you feel up to answering them?"

"Yeah, I think so." Ezra nodded. Then, he saw a familiar object on a table nearby, calling to him. He stretched out his hand, and through the Force, which was returning to him, reached out to Kanan's Lightsaber. As it flew into his hand, Ikora bolted to her feet in surprise and astonishment, and she turned to her Ghost.

"That was…unexpected." Ophiuchus said, feeling the same level of disbelief as her Guardian. "Tell me, Ezra, how did you do that?"

"Through the Force." Ezra replied. "I'm a Jedi. I take it you don't know what that means?"

"I'm afraid I don't, but will you tell us?" Ikora asked, as she turned to the door. "There are others who would like to hear what you have to say."

Ezra raised an eyebrow as two others entered the room, with their own Ghosts beside them. The first was a bluish gray skinned humanoid with light blue eyes. He was clad in gleaming silver and red heavy armor, and he wore a white cloth around his waist with red markings.

The second was some kind of droid, with a dark blue and gray face and pale blue eyes. He wore scouting gear, made from dark brown leather, with black and gold highlights. He also wore a pair of tan-colored leg-guards, and a sash across his chest that carried a sheathed knife on his left shoulder.

"Ezra Bridger, this is Commander Zavala and Cayde-6, and their Ghosts, Targe and Sundance." Ikora said. "The three of us comprise the Vanguard of the Last City."

"Greetings." Zavala nodded, sitting down, and Cayde merely said "Yo", with a wave of his hand.

"Good to meet you." Ezra nodded. "Cayde, right? What kind of droid are you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by "Droid", but I'll explain real quick." Cayde-6 replied. "I'm what's known as an Exo. Exos are essentially a human mind inside an artificial body. We can think, feel, eat, drink, and pretty much do whatever a regular human can. Only, we're synthetic instead of biological."

"And I belong to the race of the Awoken." Zavala added. "Our origins are significantly more…complicated to explain. All Awoken were born in deep space, on the boundary between the Light and the Dark."

"And before we begin, here's something to drink." He added, offering Ezra a glass of bubbling, but otherwise clear liquid. Ezra nodded gratefully, and took a sip. To his surprise, it was sweet-tasting, with two distinct citrus flavors that blended well with each other.

"What is this?" Ezra asked. "It's good. Really good."

"An old Earth soft drink, originating from before the Golden Age." Zavala replied. "It was apparently called "Sprite". The original formula is long lost, but this is a faithful recreation. It's…a personal preference of mine."

"On that note, let's begin sharing our stories." Ikora said. "Are you ready to listen?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." Ezra replied.

"Very well." Ikora said, as Ophiuchus projected a holographic star map. "Our story begins here, on the planet Mars, where three humans would meet the entity known…as the Traveler…"