Rise of the Reaper part 16: The Wretched & The Lost part 1
Three days have passed since their first lunar mission. Reaper was just cleaning his new shotgun, minding his own business while Rose was laying down on their bed, nose deep into one of her books, entitled New Moon when Rev appeared, flying towards Reaper. "Reaper, the vanguard and Lord Shaxx want to see you and Tulos in the hall of the guardians as soon as possible, it sounds urgent," Rev said as his single eye blinked. Reaper looked up as he finished cleaning and reassembling his new gun. "Was Tulos informed about this?" Reaper asked his ghost. Rev nodded sternly. "His ghost told me that he'll meet you there, so you better get going," Rev said as Reaper grabbed his helmet. Rose, who was listening to the whole conversation, marked her spot in the book before sitting up on the bed. "Say Rev, I have a question," Rose said, "why does the vanguard want to see Reaper and Tulos and not all of us?" Rev just floated there and blinked. "I honestly don't know why but I think they want Reaper due to his experience in combat and rugged appearance possibly," Rev said, "but then again, who the hell knows?" Reaper walked over to Rose and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Whatever the vanguard wants I'll answer their call," Reaper said softly before putting on his helmet and slinging his shotgun over his shoulder, "C'mon Rev, let's go meet up with Tulos and the others." Reaper moved as fast as he could towards the hall of the guardians, and upon arriving fist bumped Tulos. "I wonder what all the fuss is about?" Reaper asked. Tulos shrugged. "I'm guessing they're about to tell us what all the fuss is all about," Tulos said before Commander Zavala started speaking. "Gentlemen, there is a very serious matter that has caught Lord Shaxx's attention," Zavala began, "but I'd rather let him explain it rather than myself. Shaxx." Lord Shaxx stepped forward. "Alright gentlemen, I've been getting readings from what appears to be an underground crucible ring in which people are mysteriously disappearing, which concerns all of us," Shaxx stated as he crossed his arms, "but there is some good news in this. Cayde, would you like to tell them?" Cayde slammed his fist on his map. "Alright, good news is we have a general idea of where the ring is operating out of," he said, "bad news is only one person we all know and you specifically Reaper have had some run ins in the past with. Jada?" The moment Jada walked out of the shadows, Reaper saw red; in a flash he closed the gap between himself and Jada and pressed the barrel of his shotgun to Jada's forehead before he saw out of the corner of his eye Cayde drawing his gun and already had the hammer pulled back. "Easy now, Reaper," Cayde said, "we know you've got beef with her, but she's your best bet to get in that underground ring." Reaper looked at Cayde and then back to Jada before sighing heavily and took the barrel of his shotgun away from Jada's head. "Still, why her, of all people?" Reaper asked. Jada sighed. "Unlike you who always focuses on the tasks given to you, I, on the other hand, pay attention to events that are happening around the tower and crucible," Jada said, "Plus I know the area where the people are turning up missing, and I believe the people aren't coming back from this. Correct, Commander Zavala?" Zavala nodded. "She is correct, gentlemen," he said, "People are disappearing at an alarming rate, and we need to find out what is causing them to disappear and bring it to an end, fast. Jada will be the leader of this operation due to the fact she knows the area where this underground ring is originating." Ikora looked up from her datapad. "According to this data that Lord Shaxx provided, there's at least five matches happening per day, but they're all three-on-three matches," Ikora stated, "since they are pulling random civilians off the street, we recommend that you not wear your armor to blend in with the crowd." Reaper sighed heavily at the mention that they weren't wearing their armor, but later was fine with it. "Okay guys," Jada said, throwing her hair over her shoulder, "this case isn't gonna crack itself wide open while we're standing here with our thumbs stuck halfway up our asses. Let's move!" On that note, the three set off to the section in question. "So, Jada," Reaper said, "whose ass did you have to kiss to get out on good behavior?" Jada kept walking with Reaper and Tulos following closely behind her, trying to keep up with her pace. "Well wouldn't you like to know Reaper?" she said, looking over her shoulder while keeping one of her eyes fixed on the path they were heading down, "why don't you tell him Tulos?" Reaper looked over at Tulos. "Well Tulos," Reaper said, "do you know how Jada got out of jail early for good behavior?" Tulos looked at Reaper and shrugged. "Well I believe that she got out because she actually had knowledge about the area in question," Tulos said, "so I'm pretty sure they asked her if she knew anything about it and since she knew the area they thought they would let her out as a trial so to speak." Reaper gave him an 'are you serious?' look towards Tulos. "Enough squabbling, boys," Jada said as she stopped, "we've arrived at the sector in question. Stay close, it's easy to get lost here and let me do the talking since I'm from here." Tulos and Reaper both nodded after glancing at each other briefly. "We'll follow your lead Jada," Tulos said as Reaper gave her a thumbs-up. Jada walked up to the nearest bar and entered it with Reaper and Tulos close behind her as she walked up to the bartender as the bartender rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing a ghost (literally). "Jada, is that you?" the bartender asked. "Yeah Juan, it's me," Jada said, "you remember Tulos right? The new guy is Reaper." Juan chuckled lightly as he nodded to Tulos and shook Reaper's hand. "So, what can I do for my favorite hunter?" Juan asked Jada curiously. Jada sat down at the bar, with Tulos and Reaper sitting down to her left and right respectively. "Here on a request from the Vanguard and Lord Shaxx themselves, Juan," Jada said, "supposedly there's been people mysteriously disappearing after they've participated in an underground crucible ring, and we've been tasked to find that ring and take it out from within, so have you heard anything retaining to that? Also, can we each get a rum and coke?" Juan nodded as he prepared the drinks. "I've heard rumors about this underground crucible ring you're asking about," Juan said as he placed the three drinks in front of them, "but as to whom to talk to about entering it, I don't have the faintest idea. I honestly wish I could be of more help to you, Jada." Jada grabbed her drink off the countertop. "Thank you for trying Juan," Jada said as she took a sip, "I gotta admit, you're better than Barkeep when it comes to making a rum and coke, you make 'em just right for my tastes." Then, a lone figure sat down next to Reaper at the bar. "You were asking Juan about an underground crucible ring, correct?" the lone figure asked. "It depends on who is asking, sir?" Reaper said. "Name's Killswitch," he said, "and if you want to get into it, I know who you need to talk to." Jada set her drink down. "Well Killswitch," Jada said as she stood up from the bar and walked over to him, "who exactly do we need to talk to because my friends and I were interested in joining?" Killswitch downed his drink and paid his tab to Juan, handing Jada a slip of paper. "Head to this location at sundown," Killswitch said, "you know they use specters right? Talk to a guy named Overkill, he'll try to fit you guys in." Jada nodded. "Thanks for the information, Killswitch," Jada said, "do we owe you anything for this?" Killswitch shook his head. "For you darlin', it's free," Killswitch said as he made his way towards the exit. Jada then turned to Tulos and Reaper. "Well guys, we have a time and location," Jada said, "let's get everything situated and get over there at a good time so we can ask this Overkill guy about getting into this ring so we can take it out."