Riksis snorted, pulling a piece of machinery off the shelf and appraising it like a gemstone. “[i]That’s[/i] reassuring.” “But while we’re on the matter,” the Exo continued, “How about testing some new hand grenades? They are literally fully functional hands that, when activated, can latch onto a target and detonate.” Farvilkas grimaced. “Just because I have more arms then most does not mean I need to find more uses for them. I prefer to be as Eliksni as possible.” Echo rolled his eyes. “Really, you must get over [i]that[/i] stigma. Your mind may be Eliksni, but your body knows it’s a machine and can be upgraded. It’s really no trouble for me to work in a high-end scanning system while you’re here.” “Another time, perhaps,” Farvilkas growled. “Suit yourself,” the Exo shrugged. “Anyway, what can I help you with, Peter? Need some information on our unfriendly Hive neighbors?” “How did you know?” Riksis snarled. “He’s a data collector, sir,” D’Ssoad responded. “I’m sure he has some sort of network wired or listening in to every room in the Stronghold.” “I prefer to think of it as…a syndicate,” Echo corrected. “Regardless, I’m afraid even my considerable resources are severely lacking when it comes to Hive arcana.” “But you know someone who does, right?” “Please. I am not [i]that[/i] remiss. It’s not that simple, though. There is a singular authority on the matter, but he certifiably crazy. Crazier than me, mind you. Anyway, he’s actually managed to secure a former colony base just outside the Hellmouth in the Ocean of Storms, and last I could tell he’s made tremendous headway.” “Near the [i]Hellmouth[/i]?” Riksis cried in shock. “Is he looking to die?” “May have for all I know. You see, the tricky thing is no one’s been in contact with him for months. We can’t risk any form of communication aside from messenger or the Hive would catch wind of him. And with all troops being funneled to the warfront, and volunteers in short supply, we don’t know what he might have uncovered since then.” “Who is he?” D’Ssoad asked. “A fellow Light Master,” Echo answered. “His name is Toland.” Echo pulled out the tools with a satisfied gesture. “That should do it! Crawl up a wall or something and see if anything shakes loose.” Farvilkas twisted his wrists and flexed his fingers as Riksis asked, “And what happens if he is already dead?” “It would be terribly unfortunate,” Echo mused as he picked up the tools, “but I suspect that High Command would come up with a new strategy in the absence of exploitable intelligence. They are nothing if not persistent.” “They’ll probably call for more legions to be stationed on the Moon,” Ax chimed in. “That’s how we won Schrödinger Crater. We called in the Scarred Legion.” The Exo barked a sharp laugh. “Yes, sending in gung-ho fighters who haven’t lost any morale has been a classic fallback tactic of theirs – [i]if[/i] they can find anyone that free. Problem with the Cabal is they extend themselves to such an extent that all their available legions are occupied. Well, except the Iron Legion, they keep them on reserve intentionally.” Farvilkas perked up at the name. “Iron Legion? They’re not active?” “More like on active standby,” Echo rephrased. “They’re too valuable to send to the frontlines, but they’re kept in top shape by keeping guard over the old Ishtar Academy on Venus. The Vex there don’t seem to be expanding, but they keep their skills sharp and their Light bright by slaying several hundred robots a week and – [i]hopefully[/i] – depleting their numbers.” “They’re held in reserve?” D’Ssoad repeated. “Why haven’t they been called to the Moon then?” “Not a clue,” Echo replied. “I was with them for a little while but found the company incredibly dull. Not much research goes down there, so all you’re left with is killing Vex and making undying bonds of brotherhood with your fellow machines. Some were nice to talk to, but [i]others[/i]…” D’Ssoad turned to Riksis. “If we don’t find what we’re looking for with this Toland guy, maybe we could head to Venus and see if the Iron Legion is able to help.” “We are [i]not[/i] going to take it upon ourselves to be errand boys for the legion!” the Eliksni asserted. “That is beneath what is required of us as officers. Degrading. We have soldiers to perform our menial tasks, we—” D’Ssoad tried to discreetly nod toward Farvilkas and Ax, but Riksis misinterpreted the message. “Of course! Exni! You would make the perfect liaison to the Iron Legion.” “Sir, the Val said—” Riksis snapped his head toward the lieutenant. “The Val said officers get no leave, yes? Congratulations, soldier, you have earned the rank of sergeant. Your first duty is to locate the Iron Legion in the Ishtar Sink and ask them to stand by and deliver aid if necessary. Apprise them of the situation on the Moon only if asked.” Farvilkas didn’t even try to hide his indignation at the promotion. “Sir! I must point out this is very irregular. And how would I travel to Venus on such short notice?” Riksis waved the question off. “A woman Risen and a Cabal Legionnaire are bound for Venus as well. Either wait for them in the hangar or meet them outside one of the council chambers. I do not care. Just find a way to Venus by tomorrow.” The air was heavy with silent hostility, but broke with Ax muttering, “Yes, sir.” “Good,” Riksis barked. “Come, D’Ssoad. We have our own vessel to charter [i]back[/i] to Luna.” Once they were out of earshot, Ax yelled, “I hope those monsters eat you from your rotted core out!” Echo chuckled, “I wouldn’t if I were them.” ************************************************************************************************** Cerragus had mixed feelings about his time in the Geode and Stronghold. The beauty and wonder he saw was unlike anything he had ever seen. True, he didn’t have much to go on or compare to, but that didn’t make it any less magnificent in his eyes. And the Traveler…just looking at it made him feel at home. More than any of the other people. Everyone else behaved so cold and mechanical. The leaders marveled at him for what felt like a few seconds before moving on to how to deal with him. When he tried to talk to the guards outside, they completely ignored him and stared blankly ahead. “Don’t let it get you down,” Slate reassured. “They’re all soldiers here. They don’t have time to get to know you or—” The Ghost’s sentiment was cut short by Ikora storming out of the room, Ophiuchus floating quickly to keep up. Cerragus took up the back. “Ikora!” he called. “What’s wrong? What happened?” When the Risen didn’t respond, her Ghost replied, “Let’s just say our timing wasn’t good for the subject matter.” “[i]‘Timing?’[/i]” Ikora yelled over her shoulder. “You know damn well that wasn’t what it was about! It’s about their small-minded, ingrained conquering nature that they spend too much time reinforcing with constant warfare—” “You tried to get them to free them [i]after[/i] we just showed them their first Risen Cabal!” Ophiuchus retorted. “How did you imagine that would go?” “Argh, I can’t [i]stand[/i] this militarized dictatorship!” she roared. “At least Variks seemed to hear you,” her Ghost reminded. “No, he wanted to give the [i]appearance[/i] of due consideration.” “He asked if they were experiencing any critical adverse effects!” “Exactly! He knew I hadn’t documented anything of the sort.” “I’m getting nowhere this way,” Ophiuchus groaned, disappearing until he merged with the Risen’s armor. Cerragus looked at Slate. “What was that about?” “I think she’s trying to change how the Ghosts are taken care of,” his Ghost guessed. “What do you mean by that?” “You don’t want to know,” Slate replied. All the sudden Cerragus felt like he was shut in a large box crammed full of others of his kind, all staring at each other with despair. [i]Something tells me I don’t,[/i] he thought to himself. Speaking, he asked, “Ikora, where are you going?” Ikora slowed down enough to let him catch up, and responded in a hard voice, “To the hangar bay. We need to get you trained in Light. Most other reliable Risen trainers are occupied, but my former mentor, Osiris, should be willing to have you as a pupil.” Cerragus narrowed his eyes. “Something doesn’t sound like you’re not completely convinced.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=244991280&sort=0&page=0]Table of Contents[/url]