Redacted

A Trip

I apologize for the lack of an update last week. Life caught up to me and as you can see from this late update, I hardly had the time to write this week as well. Sadly, this chapter is also short compared to the other chapters and I apologize.

Anywyas, thanks to DisobeyedBowl6, And-on-and-on, and TidalKiller for the reviews!

Edited: 09/25/2022

"You look great, Ianos."

Shooting a glare at Akiva as the latter stifled a laugh behind his hands, Ianos simply gritted his teeth as Ace finished draping the last bits of close over his shoulders. The scarf is pulled over his nose to hide the small wisps of darkness escaping his lips.

"There." Ace said, "that should do it."

Watching his Ghost circle his shoulders, Ianos then glanced down at his hands, only to grunt as he stared at exposed azure palms, flexing his fingers.

"So," Angel's voice started, "Why does the Vanguard want us to venture out into the City again?"

Lifting his orange eyes towards the Hunter, Ianos saw Angel shift on his bed, picking at the unfamiliar cloth around his shoulders; instead of the normal cloak and leather armor recognizable of the Hunter class, he is adorned in brown and green colors of civilian wear. Angel is clearly uncomfortable as he pulled at the sleeves.

"I have heard that Guardians are sent out to the Last City for patrols but why do we have to leave our armor behind?"

"Because this isn't a patrol mission." Akiva is the one spoke answered, the Titan grinning as he crossed his arms; like Ianos and Angel, his armor is absent and black and brown cloths were draped over his body, "This is an undercover mission."

"A what?"

"According to reports, there has been countless disappearances of children in the City." Lex appeared over Akiva's shoulder, "The Force of the City have been trying to track down why, but they are stuck at a dead end. All they have is that these 'disappearances' are actually kidnappings."

"But the FOTC are trained to handle such cases?" Angel commented, "It's not related to the Fallen outside of the walls, right?" Ianos watched as Akiva nodded, "Then why do they need us?"

"Well, according to eyewitnesses, the children who managed to escape were saved thanks to the aid of a Guardian." Akiva answered, "The escapees made claims that a Guardian clad in white would appear right as they were being snatched and save the victims. Then, just as suddenly they appear, they would disappear before questions could be asked."

"So, this Guardian would venture into the City to help citizens out?" Angel asked, "And that is wrong?"

"Well, normally not." Akiva admitted, "But when I say this Guardian saves the victims, they actually would kill the offenders." There was a beat of silence, "Thanks to the death toll, the FOTC were unable to gather information on the kidnappings. They hope that aid from the Tower would be enough to at least arrest one of the abductors."

"And they want to handle this 'Guardian' if we happen to bump into them?" Ianos asked and then scrunched his face together as Akiva nodded, "Of course."

"It should not be a difficult job." Ianos heard Ace say, "Capture a target, bring them to the FOTC for questioning, and if we happen to bump into the Guardian, then a few exchanges of words will be enough."

If only things were that simple and he knows Ace knows this. More than likely, they are saying this for the extra pair of ears in the next room, most likely listening in. And judging from the way Akiva's eyes shifted, Ianos wouldn't be surprised if the Titan suspected the same.

"Is that why Knight and even Hush are coming with us then?" Angel asked, "To get a taste of the field?"

"Well, Knight is now able to wield the Light, so it is about time he gets some field experience." Ace answered, "Hush cannot wield a weapon, at least not yet, and let us not forget to mention that she is still a child. I doubt that she is ready to venture beyond the walls."

A hum then can be heard from Angel, the young Hunter leaning back in his seat as a thoughtful looked glazed over his green eyes. That is when Ianos heard the door of the next room slide open, and he glanced over in time to see Knight step out with Hush in hand.

Like Ianos and the others, Hush is attired in bundles of azure and violet clothes, leaving only her glowing eyes visible behind her hood; a trick to ensure that wondering eyes see her as purely Awoken. In contrast, Knight is attired in cloths of white, linen draped over his shoulders just like Akiva and Angel in case of harsh winds or rain.

"What took you guys so long?" Lex hovered close, the Ghost spinning his back fins, "It shouldn't take that long to transmat clothes onto your Guardian."

Ianos spotted Crystalline turn and narrow her yellow optic at Lex, "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you the one who has a halfling Guardian that needs to be disguised from the populace to avoid stigma and attention? No? Then back off."

Unable to help but feel amused as Lex scrunched his shell together in offense, Ianos then walked over to the Exo and child pair and held out his hand towards Hush. Her eyes beamed at him, sending warmth throughout Ianos' chest as she gently released her hand from Knight's and intertwined her fingers with his.

Everyone had been given a role; Akiva and Knight as a pair of friends venturing out around the city, Angel a lone wonderer looking for a place to stay, and Ianos and Hush to act as out a parent and child shopping through the market. Hence the reason that their hoods show only their glowing eyes.

"Are we ready?"

Lifting his eyes away from Hush, Ianos glanced over to the others. Then, he nodded, "Let us get this mission over with."

Xxxxx

Long and heavy strides echoed through the Hall as Echo made his way down the steps, pushing past any Guardian and ignoring their cries of protest. Letting the wisps of Void light trail behind him as he entered the Hall, the Titan came to a halt at the head of the table, ceasing all conversation once all eyes settled over him.

"Titan Echo." It is Zavala who spoke first, and Echo quickly interrupted.

"How many times do I have to say it. Echo only. No titles. No formalities. Nothing. Just my name."

Echo spotted looks of surprise flash over the Vanguard's faces but, just as quickly as they appeared, they were gone. At least they have composure.

"Echo." Zavala corrected himself, "It is a surprise to see you here instead of the Crucible."

"I have business to attend to." Echo said, "With Prime."

There is a sense of alarm but nonetheless, Cayde gestured with a nod of his head towards the black box in the middle of the table.

"Help yourself."

"Alone."

"Alone?" Ikora repeated and Echo saw her eyes narrow, "Why would you need to speak to Prime in private?"

"A personal matter."

Despite his hostility towards the Vanguard, Echo knew he liked Ikora the best for a reason when she stood her ground, keeping her glare upon him.

"What is so important and private that the three of us can't stay and listen?" Echo took in a deep breath as Cayde continued, "We have known you since the building of the City but yet, you don't trust us. But Prime here hardly has been here past a year and you're going to have a chit chat with them?"

"Because unlike Prime, everyone present in this room have or are descended from a race that made my previous life hell, and I have yet to completely forget about the past." Echo snarled, "So, if you do not mind, I would like to speak to Prime. In private."

"Why should we uphold your request-"

Echo's patience snapped.

Curling his hand into a fist, void light engulfed his hand as he slammed it onto the table, feeling it easily indent the metallic surface. The screaming of metal rang through the air and Echo ignored the eyes that had snapped towards him as he tore his hand free.

"I have been patient since the day I handed my territory to the Iron Lords to build this so-called Last City." Echo glowered at the three Vanguard, "However you Guardians have really been testing my temper."

Letting the void light die from his hands, Echo then added, "All I had asked was a small division to myself and any request I make is immediately authorized as long as it is not a threat towards the Guardians and the City." The familiar violet light lingered around his arms, "This is my first request since its construction and yet you are not holding your end of the bargain?"

Silence loomed over the room, and Echo can see the three Vanguard on guard now, their normally laxed stature now stiff, hands near their sides in preparation for a fight. This did little to ease Echo.

"What makes you think that I am not capable of retaking of what was previously mine?"

That, that was enough for the Vanguard to move, Echo seeing Cayde reaching to his waist for his gun while Zavala and Ikora took a step forward. Echo heard his Ghost click worriedly in his helmet.

"I maybe an artificial intelligence, but I would still appreciate it if you actually asked me for my opinion."

Frowning, Echo turned his optics towards the black box, only to see that a screen now flickers above it, a white line across its face.

"Zavala, Ikora, Cayde. If you do not mind, I would like to speak with Echo. In private."

Waves of disapproval can be felt from the three Guardians but, nonetheless, Echo couldn't help but feel smug as Zavala reluctantly nodded, waving his hand for his fellow Vanguard and the other inhabitants of the room to follow him when he left. Keeping his optics over the Guardians until they left the Hall, and the doors slid shut, Echo then turned his attention back to Prime.

"When I first heard that you were implemented into the Tower's systems, I had thought it all a farce." Echo crossed his arms, letting last bits of Void Light die from his fingertips, "Imagine my surprise when Reaver checked only to see that this rumor is actually legitimate."

"And yet, you decided not to visit me until now." A mix of curiosity and disappointment can be heard in Prime's voice, "Although understandable since I am a 'relic' of the past. A past that many Exo seemingly want forgotten."

"Can you blame us?" Echo muttered, "Many may have been human, but many of us also have been treated as property and threatened to have our memories 'cleansed' if we are to act out."

A hum emitted from the AI – one that Echo recognizes as a soft chuckle – and he couldn't help but remember the first time he had met the Golden Age relic; he had watched as plenty of 'personality' were transferred in Exo. A chance for him to 'learn', his handler's claim.

"Although it is nice speaking with you, I believe that is not what you are here for." Echo is pulled out his memories, "What reason are you here for, Exo Phoenix Unit I-0."

Narrowing his optics at the screen, he growled, "My name is Echo now. I am no longer Phoenix Unit I-0. Unless you would like to be called 'Artificial Intelligence Prime'."

"No thank you."

Echo's gaze hardened, "Do you know anything about the Unit Eleven's?"

"Which model?"

"You know which model."

There is a brief pause, a soft hum from Prime, causing the white line in the middle of the screen to waver.

"You are here to ask about Exo Phoenix Unit XI – 9."

"Just his unit." Echo heard Prime release another curious hum, "If you kept a record of my time as an active unit, I was around long enough to witness the activation of the Unit X's." He then scoffed, "Although, I am not surprised they made another Unit once I was deactivated. Cannot trust humans to cease in their greed."

"Your successful activation made the humans believe they can make more like 'you'." Echo released another scoff at Prime's words, "However, they had not account for the gaining of sentiency."

"Considering how we were made, must have come as a surprise." Echo rolled his optics, "Should not have taken their word when they promised me that they would not make more after my retirement." He then paused, brows furrowed, "Although, I cannot help but be curious on what the Unit XI's are capable of."

"Nowhere near your capability, if that is what you want to hear." Prime said, "Although, they were the most successful unit compared to the others."

Echo took in a breath, "I suspected as much." He shook his head, "To think they actually went through with it."

"You do recall that your original creation was to see if humanity were capable of it?" Echo couldn't help but scowl at Prime's words, "The other Units onward were to improve your design."

"Improvement." Echo rolled his optics, "Right."

Improvements for war he wanted to say. Instead, he swallowed it down and said, "The Unit XI, Knight I believe? Is there anything you can tell me about him?"

"Not much to say." Prime admitted, "All of the Unit XI's were made near the end of the Resources War, and they were successful to the point where they emerged victorious. But…"

"But…?"

"Out of the ten, Knight was the only one to make it."

Echo frowned, "Elaborate."

"Unit XI – 10 was unproperly disengaged from her pod and as such, had to be terminated and dismantled thanks to severe damage to her systems. When they were sent to the field, 8 has been recorded as activate. Unit XI – 7 was the only recorded casualty of the war; taken out by a sniper's shot during an attempt to invade an enemy base."

"One casualty? What happened to the others?"

There is a brief pause, a hum permeating from Prime's screen. Echo then sighed.

"They were terminated, weren't they?"

"The reason being 'defects'." Echo swallowed down a lump in his throat, "Knight was the only Unit to be marked as 'active' by the end of the war, according to the files."

Taking in Prime's words, Echo took in a shaky breath; he could see better reason into the newborn's self-memory wipe.

"What happened to him after the war?"

"I am not sure."

"…What?"

"Any files involved with Knight was lost after the war. All I could find was that he was 'discharged' and lead out of the base by human soldiers."

"Most likely to his execution." Echo muttered, placing his fingers under his chin and narrowed his optics, "But yet, he was resurrected on the moon. What was he doing there?"

"Perhaps he escaped and made his way there? Or it might have been his place of execution, as you say."

"Perhaps." Echo furrowed his brows and then shook his head, "A shame on that self-memory wipe. We would have our answers."

"If only fate was that simple."

Despite himself, Echo flinched but nonetheless nodded, "I believe we should end our conversation here." He turned towards the close doors of the hall, glaring, "I can sense the Vanguard are getting restless."

"Agreed." A soft hum can be heard from Prime, "It was nice speaking with you, Echo."

Giving the Golden Age AI a nod, Echo turned towards the doors, approached, and pressed the panel on the side. This was enough for the doors to slide open. And for Cayde to nearly stumble onto his face. Unfortunately for Echo, Hunters are nimble on their feet.

"Echo!" Cayde exclaimed, as if he wasn't about to eat marble, "How did your chat with Prime go?"

"Pleasant." Echo couldn't help but feel amused at the way Cayde's smile fell, "I had gained some answers."

"Answers for…?"

Echo promptly glanced past Cayde and instead, look towards Zavala, "You know where to find me if you need me."

As he walked away, Echo easily sensed the narrowed glance he received from the Titan commander. And just like the previous instances, he ignored him.

That is when his Ghost's voice reverberated through his helmet, "Don't you think it's time they learn the truth?"

"Truth?" Echo repeated.

"Echo." The disapproval is apparent in Reaver's voice, "You know exactly what I am talking about."

"Tell them that I am an Exo?"

"That too."

He couldn't help but scoff, "You know that they won't be able to handle the truth."

"You don't know that."

"You weren't there Reaver. You weren't there when the populace learned of me and then called for my execution." Echo snarled, "They called me a fake. A thief. I am not willing to go through that again."

"Humanity today aren't like the ones during the time of the Golden Age." He scoffed at Reaver's retort, "Look at Cayde, he is an Exo and yet he is one of the acting heads of the Tower."

"He was once a human. I doubt he would have gotten the position otherwise."

"Echo…"

"Enough, I am done talking about the topic."

A sense of unease, worry permeated through his bond with his Ghost, and Echo took this chance to pick up pace; the quicker they can return to their home, the better.

"You have to let go eventually, Echo." The Titan released a harsh breath, "It is true the humans of the Golden Age treated you like a lab rat, but we live in a different age now. Who knows." Echo can feel a wry smile from his Ghost, "You might actually make 'organic' allies."

Taking in Reaver's words, all Echo could do is murmur, "I will believe it once I actually witness the City completely tolerating each other."

There is a hum from his Ghost.

"That won't happen unless you stop being a hermit and actually take a step outside of the Tower."

"Shut up."

This only earned Echo a laugh from his Ghost.

Xxxxx

Hush is excited.

This is her first time leaving the Tower in her short year of returning to life. Questions filtered to the front of her mind.

Is the City going to be like the Tower? Are there Guardians who live in the City? Or are the people different?

Hush couldn't help but jump with glee at the thought, gripping Ianos' hand in hers as they walked down the street. Despite this, she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that the others of their group couldn't stay together. Hush was told that they were all 'shopping' but she isn't blind; she could tell from the way Ianos kept a hand on her, the way his eyes scanned the crowd nervously that this was more than just 'shopping'. Not to mention that she can feel Crystalline being on edge in the back of her mind.

"Is there anything that catches your eye, Hush?"

Pulled out of her thoughts, Hush lifted her yellow eyes and locked them onto Ianos, seeing the warmth in his gaze before she saw him point with his head. Following the direction, her eyes grew wide when she spotted stalls, bustling form of Humans, Awoken, and Exo rushing back and forth, negotiating for the countless items behind merchant backs.

"Choose your pick."

Glancing back long enough to beam at Ianos, Hush then rushed forward, tugging the older Awoken along as she scrambled to the first stall. This is when she released her grip, allowing her to place both hands onto the counter, scanning the contents curiously. Dried leaves and roots of differing shades and sizes met her gaze, their lingering scents bringing a sense of familiarity.

"Here, chew on these." She looked into her father's glowing eyes as he placed dried roots into her palm, "If you ever feel anxious, take some. It will help calm you."

"Is that the one you want, Hush?"

Snapping out of her reverie, Hush blinked as she spotted a handful of roots already in her hands, and she slowly nodded. Watching as Ianos stepped forward to barter with the merchant – she knows that the prices aren't set – Hush couldn't help but stare as she lifted one root to her mouth.

He has been taking care of her, eyes not once judging or hateful, and he treats with her a kindness that she cannot recall in her former life.

Just like her papa.

Eyes growing wide, Hush started to consider as lifted her scarf down to allow herself to bite down on the root, holding it between her teeth as she quickly lifted the cloth back up, and let the hint of spice and sweetness linger over her tongue.

Maybe he could be her new papa?

As she mulled over the thought, munching on the root, Hush then froze, jaw partially opened as she turned towards the crowd. She could feel eyes on her.

Swallowing, she latched onto the back of Ianos' shirt as she scanned their surroundings, it didn't take her long to realize her suspicions were true.

There, on the other side of the lane, is a human man, bronze eyes locking onto hers. A chill ran down the length of her back.

Pressing herself further into Ianos' side, Hush watched him tilt his head before the man gently smiled and waved. A seemingly innocent gesture. But her gut twisted; she can tell it is anything but.

Now completely unsettled, Hush took her eyes off the man, looking at Ianos and went to pull on his sleeve.

That is when she felt an arm wrap around her waist and her feet left the ground.

Her screams were cut off as a hand clamped around her mouth and she could hear her heart pound hard in her chest as all Hush could see were the people her kidnapper was running past. The fear however, eased when she heard a cry of outrage.

Ianos had seen her kidnapping.

She heard her kidnapper cursed and Hush felt him pick up pace, his grip going tight. A muffled squeal of protest left her lips as she felt her ribs bend, feeling the arm painfully pressing into her body. It is obvious the kidnapper is more concerned for his own escape than her well-being. Hush just prays that Ianos will catch up soon. Or at least, a passerby to intervene.

That is when the kidnapper's hand finally left her lips, and Hush took in a harsh gasp, taking in as much air before she started coughing. Eyes watering, she looked up, spotting cemented walls, old garbage leaning against the sides. And a dead end, if the cursing of the kidnapper didn't make it obvious.

"Release her."

The relief returned at the familiar voice of Ianos, Hush shifting in the kidnapper's grasp to turn towards the front of the alley, where she spotted the older Awoken slowly approach. His eyes glowed angrily, especially so in the shadowed dead end.

Hearing her kidnapper take in a shaky breath, Hush fully believe that he would let her go, comply with Ianos' demand. However, as she prepared for him to simply drop her, Hush's eyes grew wide as instead the man raised a hand and in it, a revolver. She screamed as he pulled the trigger.