Redacted

Knight and Day

Feels like forever since I last updated this even though it only has been a week. That just tells you how time have been slow for me lol.

Anyways, thanks to Wolfy Loveland, saadian, and Mantic64 for the reviews!

Edited: 08/21/2022

Despite his best attempt, Ianos couldn't stop trembling, unable to control his breaths, and he found himself unable to stand to check on Angel and Akiva.

He was close, close to becoming a prisoner of the Hive once more. If Angel hadn't fought through the paralyzing mist and aimed with his sniper, he would have…

Ianos snapped a hand to the loose hearth, dragging his fingers through it.

No, no don't think about it. He's already a mess as he is. And they have a newborn to return with back to the Tower.

Finally gathering the strength, Ianos stumbled to his feet, taking in trembling breaths as he turned towards Angel and Akiva.

Akiva is already on his feet, leaning over the Hunter of their group as the latter remained on his hands and knees. His breaths were shaky, and it took Ianos a moment to remember the blast of Hive magic that Angel had taken straight to the chest. No doubt he is still recovering from it.

"You alright, kid?"

At first, Ianos thought that Akiva was referring to Angel, that is until he saw the Titan's eyes upon him.

I'm fine. That is what he had wanted to say but, he found his throat dry, and his tongue numb. As such, when we parted his lips to answer, there was no sound, no words. Ianos sensed the concern emit from Akiva.

He swallowed, "Let us grab the newborn and head back. Our mission is done."

"Ianos-"

"I said let's go."

Ianos hadn't meant to sound harsh but the close call here on the moon had put him on edge, and he caught himself eyeing every opening, his fears whispering that Hive hid in the darkness. He doesn't want to be here, he wants out. Now.

"Alright." He heard Akiva release a breath; no doubt the Titan is on edge as well, "Angel and I hid the newborn not too far from here. You go on ahead."

A tug in his chest told him to stay, to wait until he himself saw the newborn safe and sound. But, as his eyes scanned the barren landscape of the Moon once more, Ianos instead held out his palm, signaling to Ace to appear and take him away through transmat.

It didn't take long for Ianos to find himself back in the pilot seat of his ship and, with trembling hands, he lifted his helmet from his head. Despite his under-suit's function to help regulate his body temperature, Ianos can feel the sweat beading down the back of his neck and his azure strands clung to his face. Blinking to find his eyes wet, Ianos settled his helmet onto his lap before using the back of his hand to wipe them. Then, sniffling, he leaned over to the controls.

"Here, I got it."

Ace intervened, practically shoving themself in front of him.

"Ace-"

"It is the least I can do." He paused at his Ghost's words, "you just stay back and rest."

At first, a hand hovered over the stick of his ship but, after he spotted the way Ace's orange optic narrowed at him, Ianos settled it onto his lap, on top of his helmet, and leaned back. It was only then he saw his Ghost's optic ease.

Feeling his jumpship rumble to life around him, Ianos released a breath before closing his eyes, letting the tensions lowly ooze off his body.

"I'm sorry."

Ianos opened his eyes, lifting his head to look at Ace.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" He pushed himself up in his seat, "What are you apologizing for?"

"For doing nothing."

At first, Ianos was further confused, bewildered, but then it settled into place.

The Wizard.

He had heard his Ghost stutter, repeating clicks and words of panic through their bond when Ianos had called out to them. Although, admittingly he had called out to his Ghost mostly out of desperation. After all, what is a small fragment of the Traveler able to do against a practical priest of darkness?

"You have nothing to apologize for." Ianos watched as Ace's shell shifted, pressing against their core, "What do you expect to do? Ram yourself into the Wizard's shields in hopes of breaking through?"

"Better than doing nothing."

Ianos sighed, "Ace, do no ponder upon it." More for himself than anything, "Angel was able to take action."

"But what would have happened if he had not been able to react on time?" Ianos went quiet, "What would have happened then? You would have been dragged down into the Catacombs to who knows where."

"Ace."

"And you were a former prisoner, an 'escapee', who knows what kind of measures they would have taken to ensure that you do not escape again."

Unable to answer his Ghost's words, Ianos instead leaned back in his seat and stared out a window, attempting to let his mind wander, to distract him from the worst-case scenario. Of course, he knows what would happen if he were to be captured by the Hive for a second time. No doubt he will never see the light of day again. Or escape with his life for that matter.

"In all my years with you Ianos, I had never heard you beg like that." Ianos turned his attention back to Ace, "even back during the Dark Ages, back when it was not uncommon to escape from a Warlord's grasp with the skin of your teeth. When I heard you call out my name, I just, I just…."

Listening to his Ghost's voice fade, Ianos waited, sitting in his seat patiently as Ace finally finished, "There are times when I wish to be more than just an 'assistant', a little 'helper'. There are times when I wish I could be your defender, to be your guardian."

Taking in Ace's words, that is when Ianos hesitated. It had never crossed his mind that was how Ace felt but, he also understands; back when he was a newborn, when his Ghost explained their status as a fragment of the Traveler, he admittingly had expected them to be able to do more, to not just being able to defend themselves but others as well. Perhaps even drive off smaller minions of darkness. However, instead Ianos was surprised to see that they were unable to do any of the like, and that they are fragile as they look. He had witnessed Ghost's being killed by a simple bullet. Ianos can only imagine the frustration, of wanting to help but only stuck on the sidelines.

Mulling over the thought, Ianos fixed his focus back onto his Ghost, only to see Ace's shell dipped downwards, their optic blinking slowly. He can feel the guilt, the frustration through their bond.

Releasing a breath, Ianos then held out a hand, spotting Ace snap up at him, their optic wide, back fins spinning once in bewilderment before gliding over and settling into his palm. Feeling their shell click and shift in his hand, Ianos carefully cupped Ace before bringing them close to his chest, leaning back in his seat. As he watched the stars fly past the window of the cockpit, Ianos then heard Ace sigh before feeling them press into his chest. Shifting his hands so that one is settled on top of his Ghost, Ianos then leaned back in his seat, taking in the silence.

Xxxxx

Pluto couldn't help a twinge of amusement settle as he watched Hush laugh around the steps of the Hangar, running around with the familiar form of Ora on her shoulders, the toddler releasing squeals of excitement as she ran. Apparently, her fear of humans only applies to adults.

Hefting the slumbering Amara and Nahala in his arms, Pluto shifted into a more comfortable position on the stacked crates, ignoring the preaching of Arach Jalaal in the background; he has been assigned babysitting duties once again, with Neve and her team having been assigned to go on strike to take down a SIVA priest. He didn't mind this time however, as he has help.

The younger members of Clan Galaxy can be seen chasing after Hush in the Hangar, the latter of which would squeal, skid to a stop, and then turn, avoiding the 'chasers'. At first glance, the child Guardian seems to be easily dodging the group of Exo, avoiding their playful tags. In truth however, Pluto knows that they were easily letting her slip through their fingers, not that he could blame them. An earlier play had led to a scare, when Nova – although not as tall as Met, is still broad and a good size for a Titan – had reached out and snagged the newborn Titan by the arm, only for a loud 'crack' to be heard followed by Hush's cries. Thanks to her brittle frame and Nova's strength, he had unintentionally broken her arm.

It was a quick fix by Crystalline and Hush was already back to play, but the incident had put the Clan on edge and as such -fearful of harming the younger Guardian, more so with Ora now on her shoulders – decided to perform feints, making it seems they would tag her only to intentionally lean away or 'miss'.

Play like this wasn't an uncommon sight, and normally bystanders would eventually join in; after all, Guardians they maybe, but they needed downtime as well. However, thanks to Hush's brittle frame – and not to mention her reputation as a mixed child – Pluto had led the group to a more private part of the Hangar. Enough still walk by but not enough where they are interested in the game of tag. Not to mention that he had received a frequency from Akiva that they were on their way back; and their encounter with the Hive. Pluto couldn't help but worry.

"Daddy!"

Ora's voice rang throughout the Hangar, the toddler clapping his hands together before reaching out towards a section of the area. Following the child's eyes, Pluto abruptly stood when he spotted the familiar glint of Akiva's jumpship, followed by two others; they were back.

Subtly rocking to quiet the small whimpers of protests in his arms, Pluto then hurried to the edge of the platform, only to jump when a blur rushed past him followed by peals of laughter. He blinked when he spotted Hush – with Ora still upon her shoulders – beat him to it, practically rocking on her heels as the jumpships settled onto the platform.

Akiva is the first to transmat out of his ship, settling onto his feet with a little hop. This promptly earned him a squeak from Ora, the latter of which was practically jumping on Hush's shoulders. Fortunately, he is small enough not to harm her.

Pluto can tell from the way Akiva's focus turned onto his son that he wanted to run over, lift Ora in his arms and swing him around if he could. But that wasn't possible, not with the current occupant in his arms. Pluto didn't have to ask to know that it is the newborn that Fireteam Redacted were assigned to retrieve.

It wasn't difficult to tell from the torn remnants of his robes that he had went through a terrible ordeal, the whites of his armor almost gray telling just how long he had been in the Hive's grasp. Pluto wouldn't be surprised if he is going to need long therapy sessions with Matt to help him recover from his experience.

Before he could further take in the newborn, sparks of transmat caught Pluto's attention and he shifted his optic to spot Angel land, the Hunter gracefully landing on his feet. At least, that is what it looked like at first, but Pluto can see the subtle flinch, the way a hand went to reach to his chest only to halt, as if showing signs of weakness is taboo. If Akiva's reports were accurate, Angel is going to feel sore for a while.

Finally, Pluto's eyes flicked over to the final transmat, Ianos' form landing with little difficulty, helmet hiding any sort of expression. Not that the Exo Hunter needed it, he can already tell that from the tension in Ianos' shoulders, the way he glanced around nervously, that something was off. However, before he could walk over to ask what the matter was, once again, Hush beat him to it.

Despite her fragile stature, she is quick on her feet, as Pluto saw that she is already on Ianos, letting little Oraxsis slide off her shoulders so that she could lean back and look directly onto the Warlock's visor. She is beaming at him, eyes bright before she took steps forward and wrapped her arms around Ianos' waist, pressing herself against him. There was an abrupt halt, Ianos lifting his arms, frozen, before awkwardly and stiffly, he placed a hand onto her head, and ruffled it. Even from this distance, Pluto heard her release a hum as she rubbed her face into the Warlock's abdomen before she slid her arms away. Her smile is still apparent on her face before she turned and ran back towards the waiting Galaxy Clan members, Ora toddling after her.

His optics trailing the child Guardian, Pluto then turned his attention back onto Ianos, only to blink; the tension in his shoulders were now absent, the Warlock now seemingly more focused. It was unusual to see Ianos, one who is subtly averse to touch, relax after receiving an embrace from a child.

Raising a brow, Pluto decided that now is the best to approach, shifting the still sleeping twins in his arms.

Akiva is the first to spot him.

"Want to trade?"

It was a half-joke, one that Pluto is willing to play along as he held the twins out to Angel, allowing him the hands to let Akiva slip the newborn into his arms. However, no sooner had the newborn settled into his grasp, when Pluto paused, his red optics narrowing as he glanced down.

With his age and spotty memory, Pluto knows that many Exo were created differently, each individual body type and structure dependent on what task they were given in their previous life. For Pluto himself, his body was crafted with denser plating to enable him to take harder hits but, his joints were left as they were to allow him proper agility and movement. Which is important for one tasked with security and defense.

The newborn in his arms is light, yet despite his time with the Hive, Pluto saw no dents, hardly even scratches. And the Hunter knows that the Hive are hardly considerate when they transport prisoners from place to place. As such - with the exception of his armor - how is the newborn unscathed?

Shrill cries pulled Pluto out of his thoughts, prompting him to look up and then he smiled when he saw the twin girls in Akiva's arms, the latter of which was now making faces. This quickly shifted Nahala's and Amara's cries to one of giggles and coos; Angel must have handed the girls over to Akiva when Pluto hadn't been looking.

Turning his attention back towards the newborn in his arms, Pluto then paused when he spotted a mix of numbers and letters sticking out from behind his collar. Shifting his grip, Pluto tipped the newborn Exo's head to the side, just enough to allow him to see the rest of the print.

EXO/PHX Unit XI – 9.

A tug of familiarity pulled at Pluto.

He had seen this before but where?

A fog settled, Pluto's face scrunching together as he dug deeper.

Pods. Marked with EXO/PHX Units V on the sides.

Defective.

Failures.

Scraps.

Pluto's grip went tight on the newborn's shoulders.

He cannot recall with clarity, but he knows enough. The newborn in his arms is a survivor, and more than just from the Hive. No doubt he has a story.

As his mind tingled with old memories, Pluto froze when the Exo in his arms twitched, white lights flickering momentarily between his plating before they steadied. And the newborn opened his optics, watching as the light there too flickered and then stabilized.

Pluto continued to watch on as the newborn lifted his head, optic blearily looking around before they settled upon him. The newborn Exo then froze.

"Why – Who are you?"

Unlike the age that can be heard in most Exo, the newborn's voice sounded young, so young that if he had been human, Pluto would have thought him to be of Angel's physical age, younger even. It didn't help that the confusion, the bewilderment in his optics belied his age.

"Where am I?" The newborn continued to question as he glanced around, settled back onto Pluto, and then glanced down at himself, "Who-who…" He placed a hand onto his chest, "Who am I?"

Xxxxx

"A self-memory wipe?"

Scooting deeper into his hiding place, the newborn hugged his knees as the Exo from earlier – Pluto if he remembers correctly – said, "It was a defense mechanism back when war was prominent. It was to ensure that enemy soldiers do not get their hands on important data if the Exo were to be compromised."

"But why wipe his memory now?" A woman spoke but the Newborn refused to come out of his hiding place behind the crates – he is confused, fearful, and walking into a room with more people just made him nervous. The instant Pluto had removed his hand from his shoulder, he booked it to the crates, crawling behind it under the stairs and then curled in to make himself small as possible.

He had expected the others to come and get him, but he is grateful that they left him be. No doubt they had dealt with a similar situation but…

Self-memory wipe? Were they referring to him? It would explain why he remembers nothing. And it is unsettling, more so in this place surrounded by unknowns.

"For momentary relief." Pluto answered, "For a memory wipe to be accurately place, the Exo have to be shut down or, to put it simply, 'reboot'. The time to awaken heavily depends on the Exo themselves but, in the newborn's shoes, it is enough to give himself some respite."

"I see."

A man spoke this time, and one that the newborn doesn't recognize from the previous group; must be the intimidating man – Awoken a voice whispered – in armor. His voice lacked the synth to be an Exo.

"Thank you for your insight, Hunter Pluto. Fireteam Redacted will take over from here."

Perking up at the dismissal, the Newborn couldn't help but lift his head and lean over, just in time to see the dark clad form of Pluto approach another in a coat, placing a hand onto his shoulder and leaning in.

Perhaps for anyone else, they would have missed the whisper and with Pluto being an Exo, lip reading would be difficult. But to the newborn's surprise, his sensors picked up his words with clarity.

"If you need to talk, I am here."

Something must have happened when he had been unconscious, for the Newborn saw the one clad in the coat go stiff, shoulders going rigid, but then heard him take in a deep breath, followed by a nod. This seemed to be enough for Pluto as the Exo patted the man on the shoulder before walking away.

This left the man and the two others that had been with him back in the area with all those ships.

A Hangar

The Newborn shook his head, shaking off the whispers. Nice to be informed but, unsettling.

"You, okay?"

Jumping in his seat, the Newborn snapped back into his hiding place, only to stare into a lone optic, glowing the same color as the lights peeking through his plating.

Your Ghost.

Instead of answering the Ghost's question, the Newborn stared, seeing the worry grow in their optic.

"Don't worry, they will let us stay."

He reeled as the Ghost shifted their shell upwards and the Newborn recognized it as a smile.

"The Vanguard won't allow us to be thrown out, so we'll be fine."

That isn't what he is concerned about. At least, that is what the Newborn wanted to say but he found the words lost, dying in his throat. The attempts at comfort, the genuine smile, it would be a shame to break that. As such, the Newborn simple nodding before burying his face into his knees and sighed heavily.

From his position, he can clearly hear Fireteam Redacted and this Vanguard speaking but, the Newborn could hardly understand a word of it.

Guardians? Protector of the City? Soldiers of the Light? Shields against the Darkness? Chosen by the Traveler? A God? How is he supposed to fight against a threat when he can hardly remember his own name!?

Pondering upon his predicament, he was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard a harsh hum from his Ghost, hearing them hiss out, "Stay back."

Lifting his head from his knees, the Newborn paused when he spotted glowing yellow eyes stare back. It was startling, surprising really, and the Newborn found himself barely suppressing a yelp, scrambling back.

"W-What do you want?" He managed to stutter out, taking in a breath and then slowly releasing it when the newcomer – a child of small stature – scooched in, and she smiled at him. Then, she held up her hands.

This one's name is Hush. The newborn paused as he continued to watch her hands move, and this is her Star, Crystalline.

Bewildered and confused, the Newborn couldn't help but stare, watching as her hands moved in ways that he could clearly understand.

Sign language.

The whisper is back, and familiarity filtered to the forefront of his mind. Followed by a memory.

"This is how we will communicate." He looked up at his handler, seeing brown eyes beaming, "That way, you won't get in trouble for 'voicing' your opinions."

The Newborn shook his head; it was strange. Clearly, he was looking through his own perspective but, it felt wrong. That was a memory. At least, not his.

"I apologize." He snapped his optics towards the child's shoulder, spotting another Ghost – this one violet and strange in shape – as she said, "She always tries this with everyone. Hush doesn't want to believe that this language isn't known amongst the inhabitants of the Tower."

Tower.

So that is where they are.

Relieved that this unknown location now has a name, the Newborn turned his attention back towards Hush, spotting the way her eyes glowed, practically beaming at him.

Contemplating on what to do, the Newborn found himself holding up his hands and signed back, Hello Hush. It is nice to meet you.

Apparently, this wasn't the reaction that the child's Ghost – what was her name again? Crystalline – was expecting, as the Newborn heard her choke, sputter. In contrast, the child's eyes grew wide before she released an exited squeak with a wide smile.

Nice to meet you too! She signed, What is your name?

That is when the Newborn paused.

Right, a name. He doesn't have one.

I do not have one.

That dispersed the smile upon Hush's face, her brows furrowing together as she signed back. Not good. Not Good.

Then he saw her eyes shift over to his Ghost.

Does your star have a name?

When he shook his head, the Newborn couldn't help but smile sheepishly as Hush signed once again, Not good. Not good.

Then, her eyes beamed at him again.

May this one give a name to both of you?

Unable to help but raise a metallic brow, the Newborn slowly turned his optics towards his Ghost, only to see the latter shift their shell up and down; a Ghost equivalent of a shrug.

"I do not understand what she's saying." They admitted, "But whatever she is asking, it is entirely up to you."

That prompted the Newborn to hesitate, unable to help but feel uneasy even around a child, especially when he turned his optics back to her, he saw the way her eyes glimmered, expectant. But yet at the same time, the Exo couldn't help but be curious – what kind of name a child such as her could think of?

As such, the Newborn nodded, earning him a giggle of glee from the child.

First, she pointed at his Ghost while signing with her other hand.

Sunny Day.

The Newborn blinked.

For bringing a ray of hope to our home.

Then, she pointed at him.

Shining Knight. The Exo sputtered, For you not only a Knight of the Traveler, but for also shining brightly as the sun.

"Shining Knight and Sunny Day?" His Ghost covered his disbelief, "This isn't a fairy tale that we live in."

Day and Knight for short then?

The Newborn couldn't suppress a sigh at the pun – intentional or not. It was a ridiculous name but, as he went to word it so, he felt a tug, followed by a sense being of chastised, like a parent to a child. He couldn't help but feel like he should keep his words to himself. As such, he bit his tongue and nodded.

At first, she gasped, prompting the Newborn to shift in his seat: had he given the wrong answer? But this was quickly followed by warmth, a buzz settling through his senses as she grinned, her eyes bright, and he couldn't help but smile back. Then, he reeled when she suddenly scrambled over, taking a seat next to him.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Instead of receiving an answer, he received another grin before the child grabbed his hands – they were small in comparison to his.

Be Hush's friend?

He blinked. Blinked again. And once more. He could only stare.

No?

Her eyes fell, shoulders drooping in disappointment.

"What? No. I mean. Yes. I mean…" The Newborn took in a breath, "I mean yes, I will be your friend."

Another squeak, the light in her eyes glowing and her smile broaden. She then held up her hands.

Hello, this one's name is Hush. Nice to meet you.

Unable to help a chuckle, the newborn held up his hands and signed, Hello, Hush. I am Shining Knight. Knight for short. It is nice to meet you.

Kill me for the names. it's cheesy but I love it lol. I wanted a certain innocence to the name, especially considering Hush was the person who was going to name the two. And my immediate thought was Shining Knight and Sunny Day, Knight and Day respectively. When I was peer reviewing this, I couldn't keep a straight face; admittingly I laughed a couple of times.

Anyways, enjoy lo