Redacted

A Talk It is Then

Edited: 8/18/2204


Staring blankly at his Ghost – more accurately, the Guardian at the other end of the frequency – Pluto couldn't help but reset his sensors, hearing the familiar static fade before asking, "Repeat that again?"

There is a heavy sigh coming from Nix's core, and Pluto can hear Orion's silent mumbling.

"Akiva and I found survivors of the House of Kings from a coup." The young Exo answered, "Currently, we are trying to help them while wrestling the two Revenants with us to do the same."

"We are right here you know."

"Anyway." Orion promptly ignored the Revenants' presence, "We sent Angel a message since, technically he is our only source of Ether right now. As for now, we are trying to gather as much intel as we can."

Scowling, Pluto then asked, "Learned anything of significance?"

"Only that their Kell is dead, and half their House defected to a new one." There is an exhale from Orion, "Doesn't have a name yet from what we can gather."

Worrying, considering that SIVA is a looming threat. The last thing the City needs is another forming right at their doorstep.

"We're not sure how many of the Kings – those who are loyal – are still alive." Orion continued his report, "It has been a few days and considering that the ones here are mostly Ether-starved, it doesn't bode well."

Heaving out a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, Pluto's mind stirred with frustration and worry as he said, "Once you and Akiva have stabilized the survivors and ensured their safety, start searching the area." He lowered his hand, "Since Eliksni have a strong pack mentality, I would not be surprised if they unknowingly camped near each other."

"That's what Trikxas said as well." There is a soft hum from Orion, "Akiva and I will check. I will update you as soon as I can."

Nodding once to signify his understanding, Pluto then waited for the familiar click of the frequency being cut.

Instead, he heard Orion ask, "How are the others doing? Did they make it back safely?"

"Yes." Pluto managed out, shoving down the sound of Ianos' betrayed voice, his anger, his frustration. His silence. "Gemini and Scorpio's team lost track of the Eliksni they had been trailing. For Ianos and I." He breathed out," The Preceptor and another Revenant got to them first. No survivors."

There was a pause, a beat of silence, which was soon followed by a shaky release of breath.

"That might hurt us later on." Orion said, "but I guess it cannot be helped." There is another heavy sigh, "I am to guess that the others made it back safely?"

"Not a scratch." Physically at least. Pluto will have to mend things with Ianos before Orion and Akiva return. The twins were already confused with his sudden distance with the Warlock. No need to add more to the mix, "Just make sure that once you are done, you do the same."

"Roger that."

And with that, a click finally ended the frequency.

Waiting momentarily to ensure that Orion truly had disconnected, Pluto finally let out a heavy breath, followed by the familiar hum of Nix clicking his shell together and gliding close.

"Things are really getting out of hand, isn't it?"

"That is an understatement." Pluto mumbled out, rubbing the back of his neck, "First we learn that Zakai is the head of the Revenants, then we learn that the Revenant have Hive numbers amongst their ranks, and now there is a possibility that the House of Kings is no more." He reached up and rubbed his fingers just above his empty optics, "The longer we stay here, the more we unravel."

"Then perhaps it is time to talk to the Preceptor and find a way to stabilize Ianos without a Wizard present so we may finally make progress."

Lifting his head towards where he believes Nix was, Pluto opted to say nothing and instead, just listened to the soft hum of his Ghost's hovering. Then, he groaned, "I am not certain if the Revenants can perform this 'Harmonization' with how things are currently." Pluto then crossed his arms, leaning on one leg as he added, 'How well do you think it would go if Ianos and Zakai were to see each other face to face?"

At first, met with silence, Pluto waited patiently before Nix answered, "Not well." A short momentary pause, "No doubt that Ianos would Nova bomb him through this base."

"I think it is best if we give them space and then bring up the Harmonization," Pluto muttered, "and let us not forget Nine and Knight. According to Gemini and Scorpio, they are catatonic."

"But will the Tower wait that long?" Pluto couldn't help but go silent at Nix's words, "Although I understand that the Preceptor had asked for leniency, we already spent time here long enough as it is." He tapped his arm, brows furrowed as his Ghost continued, "There will be no doubt the Consensus are getting impatient, and the Vanguard will have to follow through with whatever decision they make."

Processing Nix's words, Pluto again opted to say nothing and instead, slowly started to make his way down the hall. It had been surprisingly empty, empty enough where it allowed Pluto privacy. He is surprised that a Revenant hasn't been spying on him, especially so after reaching out with his senses and still, there was no presence.

Pondering quietly on what the Revenants are doing at this time of day, Pluto was just grateful that he and Nix were alone as he continued to speak, "Then all we can do is hope and pray that they will understand our long absence."

A mix of a scoff and a laugh can be heard from his Ghost, "From the Vanguard, maybe. But the Consensus." Pluto can practically see Nix shake side to side, "That is a whole another story altogether."

Going silent once more, Pluto couldn't help but mentally agree; although he hated to admit it, there will be no doubt that the Consensus will be crying for punishment once he and the others return. Likely they will advocate for exile or perhaps, separation.

Flinching at the thought, Pluto recalled many instances of when Guardian were forced into 'retirement', their Ghosts confiscated like tools to be 'refreshed' and then find another to be Chosen. According to what Pluto can recall, a forced separation never ended with a Ghost finding another. Instead, the Ghost's former Guardian would rather take their own life than live one without their other half and their Ghost, in their grief, would go catatonic, and eventually their light would fade.

Pluto never understood why the Consensus is adamant on this kind of punishment, especially when it never went as planned. Then again, the Consensus is filled with mostly higher ups who had never seen a battle in their life, let alone understand how a bond between a Chosen and a Ghost works. However, that doesn't stop them, and no doubt that is what they are planning when he and the others return.

Letting out a heavy sigh at this, Pluto then thought about not returning to the Tower at all. He and the previous Galaxy had lived in the wilds for most of their time together. By the Light, they still had their old quarters out on that island in the middle of the sea, still in functioning order and supplies untouched by scavengers last he checked. It wouldn't be too difficult to simply pick up Ianos and the others and leave, leaving the wrath of the Consensus behind. Not to mention he still has the frequency of the New Galaxy; he can easily send them a message to move to the island once they are settled. Pluto, after all, brought them there on several occasions in case they need a refuge, just like the previous iteration of the clan after Venus' death.

But then that would leave the Trackers.

Ignoring the bewildered look from Nix as he let out a frustrated huff, Pluto decided to continue his trek down the hall, and kept his senses high for any intrusion.

Trackers.

Enforced not long after the fall of Rezyl Azzir, tasked with hunting down Rogue Guardians to either drag them back to the Tower for judgement or to kill them where they stand.

Although laughable in comparison to Pluto and his ability to track and hide, the same cannot be applied to the younger members of their group. He could teach the New Galaxy how to drop under the radar but to acquire that level of detail and skill takes years. Not to mention that at least one Veteran Guardian, one with decades of experience under their belt, is assigned to each Tracker team. No doubt they would know what signs to follow.

He could tell the others to simply stay on the island once they get there, but Pluto knows the young ones. Despite their claims of maturity and control, he knows of their restlessness, and he knows that someday, they will try and sneak off the island when his back is turned. And likely they will walk into the arms of the Trackers sent after them.

"Thinking about leaving?"

Tilting his head in Nix's direction, Pluto let out a small hum before he responded, "I was, but then I thought about those hounds."

He heard a snort coming from his Ghost.

"No doubt you and I can easily lose them." Nix said, "probably Ianos as well. But the others…"

Pluto shook his head, "Too young. They will be caught within the year, first month if they assign someone skilled."

A short laugh can be heard from Nix, "I recall Sun's distaste for them exactly for that reason." The Ghost hummed, "We had to move our little hideout on several occasions because the Vanguard kept sending a group over to make contact after we left."

Pluto found himself quirking a smile, "I do recall Sun eventually killing the last group of Trackers as a warning."

Nix laughed, "The look on their faces when they were revived, and Sun shouted, as they quote – ' you illuminated meat bags' – to leave us alone." There is a sigh of content from the Ghost, "It is forever seared into my memory banks."

Core warming at the memory, Pluto remembers the heat of Sun's solar light as the Exo burned with fire, their yellow lights bright with anger as they laid down their wrath upon the Trackers. It wasn't long after that the presence of the hounds completely dissipated, allowing them to comfortably lay down their arms to hide themselves and to properly grieve.

Despite their swift temper, Sun always ensured the well-being of the clan and those that they had taken under their wing.

Pluto's smile splintered at the thought, and he found a question forming at the tip of his tongue.

"Do you think Sun would have done the same?" he asked.

Feeling Nix give him a look, Pluto decided to clarify, "I mean keeping Zakai's identity a secret from Little Light." He gestured his arms down the hallway, "I know that he loved the half-breed for years but, I had thought that in keeping his identity hidden, I would be protecting Ianos." Pluto then lowered his arms, his shoulders deflated, "But it seems that I have, miscalculated."

Waiting momentarily, Pluto flinched when all he received was silence. Mentally pulling himself away from their bond to ensure the privacy of Nix's thoughts, Pluto instead focused on his surroundings, ensuring their isolation.

"To be honest, I am not sure." Pluto again tilted his head towards Nix's direction, "Sun always have been unpredictable in nature." A thoughtful hum can be heard, "Always claiming that organics were the enemy but then the next would be the first to jump in to save a group of Refugees from the Fallen." Pluto found himself snorting at his Ghost's words; it was true, Sun would say one thing and then do the complete opposite, "Considering their hidden attachment to Little Light, perhaps they would have kept the Preceptor's identity a secret." Pluto can practically feel the shrug that Nix gave off, "But they may also just have pulled Ianos to the side and told him the truth." A sense of amusement can be felt through their bond, "Remember the time when Ianos called them Bibi for the first time?"

Pluto smiled. Of course he does. It was hard to forget the hurt in Ianos' face when he turned the corner and bumped into him and Neptune, the latter of which immediately started mothering the Warlock when he saw him in tears. Not long after Neptune lead Ianos away Pluto heard what happened from Earth. The clan never let Sun live it down since. If there was one thing that Sun was bad at, it was keeping their mouth shut. They were known in the Tower for sending many Chosen to tears with their sharp and blunt words. Perhaps they would have told Little Light the truth.

Knowing this though, it did little to ease the tension in Pluto's chest and soon, his smile faded followed by another sigh.

"This is bothering you, isn't it?"

"What do you think?" Pluto found himself snapping at his Ghost, "Little Light had been upset with me before but to this extent?" His sensors echoed with Ianos' words, the anger and hate easily heard in the Warock's tone, "It made me think if I had made the right decision."

"Hence, the question about Sun?" Nix asked.

Nodding numbly, Pluto then sputtered when nix then said, "Then why not speak with him?"

"Did you not hear me?" Pluto managed out, "Little Light despises me at this moment. He does not even want to look at me, let alone speak with me."

Gathering his thoughts, Pluto then remembered all the occasions when Ianos had been upset with him; nearly dying on a mission, accidentally calling the Awoken 'Exotics' and 'Traitors, and perhaps the most before all this was when he had told him of the Galaxy's departure from the City. It was the first time he had ever seen Ianos shed tears of frustration, anger, and by the Light, it was probably the first time that Ianos had done him any physical harm outside of the Crucible. Never tell anyone that a punch from a Warlock wouldn't be painful. The hurt, the feeling of betrayal that he had clearly felt from the Warlock, it had left an ache in his chest when he left with Galaxy. He made a promise to Neptune after their travels that he was not going to let it happen again.

And look how well he had kept that promise.

"You are probably right." Nix's words snapped Pluto out of his thoughts, "But it would not hurt to try?"

Turning and giving his Ghost what he believes to be a blank look, Pluto, at first, had thought about retorting against the idea once more. Knowing Ianos, Pluto would receive a Nova Bomb to the chest before he could utter a single word or, if his emotional state was truly unstable, before he could even take a step into the room. But, as Pluto pondered upon it, before it is the best course of action. Sure, he would likely be killed or, if Ianos is keeping his vow of not killing of Guardians, would be seriously harmed, Pluto also would have deserved it. He, after all, kept the survival of Ianos' lover hidden.

Although it may take several revivals or repairs, Pluto would be able to converse with Ianos. Angry and upset, but nonetheless, a conversation, a chance to mend things between the two of them.

An exhale escaped between Pluto's lips.

A talk it is then. No doubt it is going to hurt.