Redacted

Goodbye Brother

Edited: 06/18/2023

Happy Father's Day Everyone!

Nine suppressed the guilt, the shame when he awoke, lifting his hand as he turned it and flexed it within the dark. His light glowed dimly within the darkness of the room.

He shifted to move, only to hear a whine and then movement, a snuggle, press into his chest. That is when Nine felt the weight upon his arm. He didn't have to look down to know that it was Hush but nonetheless, he did so. As he expected, she is sound asleep, her thumb in her mouth. The quiet of the room allowed Nine to hear her suckling upon it. A sign that she is nervous. Or worried.

Shifting his weight, Nine slowly and carefully pulled his arm out from under Hush, quickly slipping a pillow under her head once he was free. Sitting up, a brief glance of the room showed that they were in the living area, lying on the couch, pillows and covers brought over from the bedroom. No doubt Knight and Hush planned this together, an attempt to catch someone entering the apartment. Ianos' and Ace's absence is obvious.

"Well, I am going to take a guess you don't know anyone to know you're awake?"

Nine turned to the coffee table nearby, spotting Crystalline groggily glide up from the top, shaking her shell. He can see Day asleep next to her.

"Temporarily." Nine whispered, "For now, I have something to take care of."

A couple really, but Nine wasn't going to say that aloud.

And something that Crystalline expected, for he then heard her sigh, "Does it have to do with Echo and Dusk?"

Nine mused, contemplating, "We are Phoenix Exo. We are empathetic. Attached."

A 'tsk' can be heard from Crystalline but nonetheless, she bobbed towards the door.

"Just be quick about it." She said, "Be back before daylight. Doubt Hush will appreciate waking up alone."

Giving Crystalline a single nod, Nine then stood, snatching his coat on his way out. Fortunately, Knight had kept his under suit on. Ensuring that the door quietly closed shut behind him, Nine then headed down the hall and towards the Medical Wing.

It was empty, which was what Nine was hoping for, and he walked silently through the halls. Alert, Nine kept his guard up even when he found the door he was looking for and stepped in.

The sounds of monitors and machines were loud, ringing in his sensors as he shut the door behind him. Despite the noise, he can still hear the heavy breaths, a wheezing loud in his sensors. Carefully, he approached, slipping a hand between the curtains and leaning in.

His optics flared as notes, signs flashed into his vision, pointing at injuries, alerting him of the severity of Matt's wounds. He already knows. Hence why he is here.

"Hello?"

There is a croak from Matt and Nine settled over his face, taking note of the gauze and bandages wrapped around his eyes. Most likely a vain attempt to save them.

Instead of answering the Medic's call, Nine instead leaned in and took Matt's hand into his. Then, he focused, leaking his light through his fingertips. He felt the tension in Matt's fingers ease.

"Knight?" Matt called out again, Nine watching as he subtly shifted his head towards him, "Or, is this Nine that I keep hearing about?"

His voice is barely audible, a whisper, but Nine recognized a tease when he hears one. He is surprised to hear Matt has the energy to joke with how his life is at stake.

Nonetheless, Nine decided to answer, "Yes."

There is a soft chuckle which is quickly followed by a cough and a sharp wheezing intake of breath.

"Finally nice to meet you." Matt managed to say, "Heard a lot about you, especially from the others."

Others? Does he mean the rest of Fireteam Redacted? Then again, Nine wouldn't be surprised. He doesn't know anyone one else who visits the Medical Wing as often as them.

"Good things, I hope." He said and he was glad when it prompted a smile from Matt. Although there is a noise of pain followed by a flinch.

"Reflex worked against me." Matt rasped out, "Didn't know why I conjured a void shield." He flashed Nine a smile, this one wracked with pain, "Then again, it was either that or I die."

Was it work the risk? Nine wanted to ask. But looking at the way Matt remained relaxed, easy-going about his condition, he decided against it.

Instead, he looked around, found a stool tucked underneath Matt's bed, prompting him to pull it out and take a seat.

"Staying a while?" Matt asked, "Not much to talk about, really." There is a cough, "Unless, you're here to learn about the support keeping Ianos alive."

"You catch on quickly." Nine decided to say and he could not help but worry. He wonders if his questions would offend.

Instead, there was another chuckle, strained, but it was there.

"Most logical choice." Matt rasped out, "Might as well get it out of a dying man before it is too late."

So, he knows.

Nine found himself gritting his jaw.

"They tried to help ease the process." Matt said, "Tried to pump me full of drugs. But I told them I would rather be lucid, clear-headed." Another strained smile, "Knew at least one of you would come."

Nine gave him a look, "Who else did you expect?"

"Pluto." Matt answered, "Akiva. Traveler, even one of the Vanguard." He coughed, "Despite them clashing heads, they do care about Ianos."

But they care more about the City. Once again, Nine decided to keep that thought to himself.

A hum can be heard from Matt, "The files you are looking for are within my quarters, within a case upon my desk." Another smile from the Medic, "You will know what it is once you find it."

Nine couldn't help but furrow his brows, "Not much to go on."

"I promise you, it is as simple as it sounds." Matt wheezed out. Then, Nine saw him lean his head back, almost sinking into his bed, "Is that everything for you?" That is when Nine noticed the way his breaths sounded harsh, struggling, "I would like to talk more but…" He breathed out, and Nine waited.

But Matt didn't say anymore.

Taking the minuet difference in his breathing, Nine hesitated before reaching out and hooking his fingers into the Medic's. No sooner had he done this when he felt Matt's hook into his, followed by a harsh intake of breath. Then, a smile, a genuine one, soft and relieved, settled upon his face.

"Cecilia…" He breathed out.

Then, one last breath. And Nine felt the last bits of his flickering light dissipate. He only released his grip from Matt's when he felt his fingers go slack in his. Standing from his seat, Nine scooted the stool back under Matt's bed, looked around to ensure his visit was hidden. And then, he left.

Xxxxx

It was surprisingly easy to enter Matt's home, albeit, Nine is equipped for such things. Or either that, the security within the Tower didn't consider a Phoenix Exo's hacking ability. Then again, they were far and few between.

Nonetheless, Nine was in, shutting the door behind him as he stepped inside.

It is a simple set up – similar to Ianos' in Nine's opinion – but bare, spotting many empty walls and furniture was sparce. Passing a room showed only a bed. Not even a dresser or a couch in the living area. It showed Nine that Matt spent most of his time at the Medical Wing.

At least, that is what he thought until he pushed open another door and this one was filled, cluttered with papers, boxes, and knick-knacks that Nine couldn't even see the desk that Matt mentioned, not until he tried to walk through and brushed past a stack of items. Which promptly fell on top of him.

It sent him reeling, falling back as boxes, items of differing shapes and sizes, fell, blinding him as his back pressed against another wall of items. This too fell on top of him and Nine found himself on his knees. Spotting scattered items and papers, Nine made a note to check later if anything of importance was broken before he turned and finally, saw the desk that Matt had mentioned. And upon it, in a glass case, is a shell of a Ghost.

Brushing off any stray dust and standing, Nine stepped around the mess before approaching it, and carefully, took the small case into his hands.

At first, the shell, colored pink and white, lined with lavender, seemed pristine, almost new. But then Nine noticed the cracks, the hairline fractures as he inspected closer. It took him only a moment to realize that the shell had been meticulously put together, the smallest fragments aligned perfectly. And inside the shell, the core is intact. Or at least, one that is made to look like a Ghost's core.

Nine now realized what Matt meant when he said it was simple. After all, who would look into a former Guardian's treasured remains of their Ghost? Placed out in the open but hidden in plain sight.

Holding Cecilia's remains in his hands, Nine couldn't help but hesitate, contemplating. It felt wrong, to simply take Matt's Ghost not long after his death. It would be best to bury them together. Ghost and Guardian, after all, are bonded.

He decided he would make copies instead, perfect to give some to Day once everything is concluded. It was the only way to assuage the guilt settling within Nine's chest.

Carefully, Nine lifted the glass top, taking Cecilia from the case before tucking her away into his pack hooked onto his belt. Then, after placing the now empty case back onto the mess of a desk, Nine then took his leave. Now, he has to worry about how to leave the City without being detected.

Xxxxx

If Amanda Holiday was awake, Nine knew she would have stopped him, asked questions, demanded why he was taking a ship so late – or early? – in the day. But she is human, and Nine found it, once again, surprisingly easy to take his ship with her absence. The frames, it seems, are used to Guardians leaving at strange hours of the day.

Thus now, Nine only has to worry about completing his objective quickly and returning before the shipwright notices his ship's absence.

Fortunately, it didn't take long to fly to the Cosmodrome, landing not too far from where the Paragon's base is set. Or at least, was, before the Vanguard cleared it out.

Although not having been there personally, Nine had heard of the operation to weed out the 'rogue' Guardians, and their base of operations was the first of many that had been razed. He hopes that is as empty as the reports say.

Nine sent the ship back – he doesn't want to risk Amanda waking up to an empty slot after all – before entering the cleared sector. Fortunately, it seems the reports were accurate, Nine heard no noise, sensed no presence, and the lingering traces of light he did saw were faint, faded from time. The only sign that anyone had been there were the scorches of light against the walls and the bullets that marred the rocks.

It didn't take long for him to enter the base.

Inside, everything seemed to be stripped clean. Monitors dead, screens broken, lamps overhead shattered, and messy cables hung from the walls and ceiling. It is a stark contrast compared to last he had been here.

Carefully, Nine took steps around the mess, scanning the area before taking one of the many halls. If he remembers correctly, this will lead to where Dusk would stay. And he hopes that who he is looking for is there.

Although Nine told himself he wouldn't, he picked up the habit of hacking the Tower files on occasion. After all, is it currently the best way to get information, especially with his history. He had read about the operation to clear out the Paragons, to eradicate them before they become a threat once more. But there had been no mention of Prime, and Nine refuses to believe Dusk's words that she had deleted him. After all, Prime is a Golden Age AI, she wouldn't easily destroy something so precious, would she?

But Prime is a reminder of their past, a past that she wants nothing more to latch onto. And tear apart.

Core sinking at the thought, Nine instead focused on making it to Dusk's room. And he almost passed it, if it wasn't for the inside, where he spotted the simple floor table and futon. Both of which are torn and upturned. It seems that the door had been ripped from the hinges, with strong violence. No doubt someone with a grudge against the Paragons had helped raze the place.

Nonetheless, Nine entered and looked around. At first, it seemed to be vacant, empty of anything besides a few thrown papers, and the remnants of the two pieces of furniture in the room. But Nine knows it is anything but.

He looked around, peeling apart the layers of light that had settled within before finally, finding the one he was looking for. Dusk's light, although faded, still shines brightly amongst the others. And it leads directly into a wall.

Approaching it, Nine placed his hand against it, sliding around until finally, he felt his fingers hook into a small indent. Pressing a palm against it prompted the wall to shift and slide open. It revealed another hall, the corridor dark.

Carefully, Nine took a step inside and no sooner had he done this when the door slid close behind him and the lights, small bulbs hanging from the ceiling, lit up the hall. This made it obvious that no one had yet to find it.

The hall was long, deep, and Nine could feel the temperature around him drop. It seems that he is gradually descending, especially since when he breathed out, he could see a fog form. Nonetheless, the trip felt short when he entered a room – door absent – and Nine couldn't help but pause.

Golden Age Tech.

It was all piled within, technology that Nine hadn't seen in centuries. A boon for Cryptarchs, researchers, scientists, anyone who would like to get their hands on them. If it wasn't for the fact that they were all smashed, torn apart, shredded, and burned. It is obvious what Dusk has been doing here.

His core burned within his chest.

Entering the room, Nine noticed how clear the floor is, how any debris and dust seemed to be swept aside, pressed against the cracks of broken machinery. Prime must be in here somewhere.

But as he scanned the room, all he saw were broken monitors, smashed computers, anything that would have been able to store an AI. The only reason he knows that none held Prime is the amount of dust and frost that had settled upon it. It was only when he reached the back of the room that he found a monitor with a thin layer of frost, absent of any dust. This one seemed amazingly intact, although edged with burns.

Nine suppressed the hope that threatened to take him. It is too soon.

Approaching it, he first went to see if it was connected to power. A simple press of a button showed that it was. The screen lit up with a flicker and Nine saw a desktop filled with icons, files that most likely would have been seen as too useless by Dusk to be deleted. A quick glance showed no sign of Prime.

He continued to look, touching files, opening anything he could use as a clue to find the AI. However, the longer he searched, the more he realized just how much Dusk despised the Golden Age.

To rid something so precious.

Not to mention that Prime is a friend. At least, to him and Echo. After all, they don't bump into many who remember the time when they were created. Nonetheless, he kept searching, looking. Nine just knows that Prime had been held here, just where?

That is when he saw it, after opening a folder and digging deeper, a simple icon, one that seemed out of place.

It was a simple box with a line dashed across it, a stark contrast to the delicate and detailed designs of the icons that Nine had seen so far. Cautiously, he opened it.

The monitor lit up blue, a simple white line across it. At first, the room filled with the hum of the screen, then, the line wavered.

"Greetings. I am Artificial Intelligence Prime. How may I help you today?"

The sound of the AI's voice flooded Nine's senses and the hope, the relief, flooded into him.

"Prime." He said, "I am glad that-"

"Greetings. I am Artificial Intelligence Prime. How may I help you today?"

Nine paused, staring at the screen.

"Prime?" He called out.

"Greetings." His chest went tight, "I am Artificial Intelligence Prime. How may I help you today?"

Nine couldn't help but stare, his optics blank as he kept his gaze steady upon the screen. Of course, 'delete' is another term used to reset a program, to erase their original state. No doubt in his mind Dusk had done so to try to manipulate Prime into doing what she wants. Then, why had she left him so?

He tightened his jaw.

"Artificial Intelligence Prime." Nine started. It burned the inside of his mouth, "Pull out the file for the programming of the Phoenix Exo."

There was a pause, a brief waver of the line before, finally, Prime responded.

"Error. File for "Programming of the Phoenix Exo" is not available. Please, try again."

Nine decided to go broad, "History of Exo Programming?"

"Error. File for "History of Exo Programming" is not available. Please, try again."

Ah, now it made sense. Prime must have sensed what Dusk had been trying to do thus, destroyed all the files within himself before she could reset him. No doubt the reason why she abandoned Prime like this. No point in trying to use an AI that could give her nothing.

But that means…

Nine pressed a hand against the screen, searching upon it.

"Prime?" He called out again hopefully.

"How may I help you today?"

Generic response. No voice, no personality behind it. A simple AI now, none better than the frames stationed back at the Tower, less so even. And it had taken Prime 'centuries' to get where he had been now. Who knows, even with time, who would say that he would even be the same Prime?

Nine took in a breath as his throat went tight.

"Goodbye, friend."

Then with a flick of the hand, the screen turned black. And Nine gathered the light into his hands.

Xxxxx

Nine made the decision to return back on foot.

With how close daylight is, he should be using the light to return quickly. However, with Matt's and Prime's death, Nine needs time to collect his thoughts, especially alone. He can still feel Knight asleep in the back of his head.

Not to mention he still has one more errand to do.

Thus, Nine followed the pull within his chest, allowing it lead him towards the City. But not within. Instead, it led him to the farthest reaches of the Wall, a site where Nine recognizes neglect; withered and decayed with time. It is obvious that both defenders and attackers do not heed this part of the Wall.

A perfect spot to make a run for it, if you are trying to leave the City. Hence why when Nine stepped around it, when he spotted a familiar gray and white clad form leaning over a Sparrow. Tied behind it, Nine can see a trailer, a sleigh of what seems to be supplies. He can spot a second Sparrow next to it.

"Echo…" He called as he approached.

He paused just a bit of ways when he saw Echo halt in his set up, slowly peeling himself away from the trailer.

"Nine." Echo turned to him. The absence of his helmet made the haggardness, the tired edges around his optics, obvious, "Knew you would find us eventually."

"As I have told Crystalline. We are Phoenix Exo. We are empathetic. Attached." Nine said, "It was not hard to follow the trail you had left behind."

"Lord Echo?" A voice called out from within a hole in the wall, "Who are you speaking to…"

Nine shifted his attention away from Echo, his optics settling over the Exo who had come to a halt when they stepped out.

"Hunter Loras – 15." Nine gave him a nod; the Hunter remained stock still, "The Vanguard were in a panic over your disappearance." He then glanced back at Echo. The latter simply crossed his arms, "It seems that my brother helped you escape."

There is a jerk from Echo, as if struck by his words. Surely this wasn't the first time Nine called him brother, right?

He decided to shrug it off and instead watched as Loras eyed him suspiciously before his optics flicked towards Echo. All the Titan did was wave a hand and the Exo Hunter gave Nine one last scrutinizing look before he disappeared back into the wall.

"If Loras is here, I am going to guess that Warren – 12 is with you as well?" Nine asked.

Echo shrugged, "They were going to exile both of them anyway, might as well take them with me." He breathed out, "Despite me mutilating Warren, he seems the most insistent. Says he needs my help looking for someone out in the Wilds."

Nine tilted his head at him, "His Ghost?"

"No." Echo shook his head, "Told me his Ghost was killed by the Fallen when I first found him." He then sighed, "It wouldn't matter anyway, since Dusk broke their bond."

"Then it is Hunter Elissa – 5 he is looking for." Nine said. Echo gave him a look, "She worked with Warren back before his banishment from the Paragons. I have a suspicion they are more than just friends."

That is when Nine spotted the hardness in Echo's optics soften and there is no doubt in his mind now that the Titan will be more than willing to help. Thus, he stood by quietly, watching as Echo turned his back to him and walked over to the second Sparrow.

"To be honest, I was going to abandon them once we left the City." Echo started checking over the second Sparrow, "But then I heard their story."

Nine blinked at him, "I was told Titan Zorel was going to leave Warren behind to save his own life. What was Loras' tale?"

Echo scoffed, "His two fireteammates were going to conspire with the Fallen. In return for safe passage and information, they were willing to give him up since he was a 'powerful piece of machinery'."

"Simply because he was an Exo." Nine commented.

A nod from Echo, "Hearing their stories, it seems like they had good reason to kill their Fireteam before joining the Paragons."

Musing quietly, Nine didn't comment and instead, turned his attention back towards the hole in the Wall when he spotted movement. It is Loras and Warren, the former letting the latter use him as leverage as they walk towards one of the Sparrows – a third, hidden behind the other two. Nine took notice how this one was fitted, adjusted to allow one crippled to ride it. Watching as Loras helped Warren on, Nine then saw the former check the cart behind Warren before giving a thumbs up.

This trailer, like the first, is filled with bags and crates. More than likely supplies and considering the amount that they are taking with them, it seems that their trip away from the City will be long. Or, Echo is not going to come back.

Turning his attention to the second Sparrow that Echo is working upon, Nine trailed to the trailer hooked behind it. This one, like the others, have bags but no crates, and in the middle, wrapped in a large blanket, is a figure, mostly covered. Except for the face.

"Is she…?" Nine started.

There is a brief pause in tinkering and then, a heavy release of breath from Echo, "She is asleep. And will be for a long time." He resumed his examination, "I am not sure when she will awaken."

Glancing back between the slumbering form of Dusk and Echo, Nine then decided to ask, "Is that why you are leaving? Because of her?" There is no answer, "Or, do you believe that there more of us out there? More Phoenix living outside of the Tower?"

"Dusk lived outside of the Tower for years before her existence was known." He heard Echo mutter, "It would not be impossible if there are others of our kind out there who have done the same." That is when Echo finally leaned away from the Sparrow, clapping his hands together to rid of any stray dust or debris. Then, he turned to the Wall, Nine watching him tilt his head back, as if to admire it, "Shame that I will have to leave my territory."

Nine hummed, "It is not a permanent leave. I have a feeling you will return."

That is when Echo turned to him, optics searching, "You are not here to leave with us, are you?"

Nine shook his head, "Despite my joy in finding another Phoenix, I am more comfortable here in the Tower. With the others." He then paused, hesitating, contemplating if he should tell him the truth. Nine decided yes, "I also wish to find a cure to this corruption of the darkness."

This earned him a blank look from Echo, doubting, and Nine simply stood in place, unflinching even when the Titan slowly approached him until he was a mere arm's length away. Hs optics continued to scan his face.

"You care for that Awoken, don't you?" Echo asked.

Nine again contemplated if he should lie or tell the truth.

"I do." He admitted.

There is a flash of disappointment but, Nine also saw understanding. He knows that Echo won't argue. Instead, he watched as Echo raised a hand and placed it upon his shoulder. Nine felt him give him a gentle squeeze.

"May the Light of the Traveler guide you, brother."

Nine returned the words with a nod and then froze when he felt himself suddenly being pulled in, arms wrapped around his shoulders. It is only when he felt Echo leaning over him that he realized that he had been pulled in an embrace. Before he can return the hug with one of his own, Nine felt a brief squeeze, a sensation that sent warmth throughout his body, and then, it was gone as Echo pulled away. He is already at his Sparrow, jumping on. It signaled to Loras to take the Sparrow on his left side.

Thus, Nine remained silent as the three Sparrows hovered into the air and then, a subtle movement of the hands and feet, and they were gone. Leaving Nine alone near the crumbling edges of the Wall. His chest and throat went tight.

Perhaps he should have said something.

Breathing out, Nine instead started making his way back to the entrance of the City. It is about time he returns to Hush and if he moves swiftly, he will make it before she wakes.