Well, this has been a long time in the making. I hope this is worth the long wait between this chapter and the last. Enjoy. [spoiler]Speech in asterisks is translated from Fallen speech[/spoiler] Kathriks stepped back once she finished giving her report. Before her stood her Kell, Aramaxis, surrounded by his Barons. He towered over everyone present, his black armor gleaming like polished obsidian. When he next spoke, his voice was like the rumble of an avalanche. *So, the scouting team was completely exterminated?* Kathriks nodded in confirmation. *Yes my Kell. They appeared to have been ambushed by a gang of Devil Splicers while they were fighting the Light-born you sent them to track.* Aramaxis sighed. *I assume you retrieved the chips?* Kathriks nodded again. *Good. Now, considering the failure of that team, I’m assigning you their task. Find that Light-born and bring it back here. You will have a small team as your backup. Do you understand? *Yes.* Aramaxis clasped his hands together. *Excellent. Before you leave, Telakrys wishes to see you. He has some very interesting technology for you.* Behind her mask, Kathriks silently grimaced. Telakrys was the House’s chief experimental scientist, and he had modified the assassin several times during her tenure under Aramaxis. Her original arms and legs had been replaced long ago, her eyes had been given optical enhancements, and many internal organs had been altered or removed entirely. Telakrys was known throughout the House for his callous and condescending manner as well as practicing his skills on captured prisoners, human and Fallen alike. He was about as unpleasant an Eliksni you could find. Kathriks, along with many others, hated and feared him in equal measure. *Yes sir.* Aramaxis sat on his throne, his fingers drumming on the armrests. *Good. You have your assignment. Once this potential leak is plugged, we will be that much closer to regaining the Great Machine. You’ve never failed me before, my Blade. I expect that to continue. Now, leave us. my Barons and I must discuss new information that has come in.* As Kathriks left the throne room, she was filled with anticipation. She just been given an opportunity that she had waited eighteen years for. She had her chance, and she would not waste it, whatever the consequences. As Wraith patrolled the ruins of a Golden-Age bunker, he looked around at the broken artillery emplacements, the cracked walls, the falling snow, and twisting red cables snaking from a black pyramid split open like a geometric flower. He was in the Plaguelands, and he was waiting for someone to show up. Eventually, he heard the hum of an approaching Sparrow. Ducking into an unexposed crevice, the Titan waited to see who would show up. To his relief, it was Tenebra, hopefully arriving with information. He stepped into her line of sight and greeted the Warlock. “Thanks for coming here on such short notice.” “What made you change your mind and come here, Wraith? “Too risky in the Cosmodrome. Did you learn anything?” Tenebra looked around cautiously. “Yes, but can we talk inside? I think I’ve been followed.”