Blank Slate Ch.24: The Mission

Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 "You're annoying," I said flatly, sitting on the railing at the edge of the Tower. My knife carved another tally into the armor on my forearm as the wind tugged on my tattered white cloak. The sun was rising, slowly spreading its light over the Last City. "But," I conceded, "Less annoyin' than most people I've met." "Good," Nulluj replied, "I'm glad to know I've earned a compliment from someone as asocial and averse as yourself." He stood next to me, his blue and gray robes billowing in the wind. His messy silver hair, misty gray eyes, and abnormally dark blue Awoken skin matched his outfit. I sighed, letting my arm rest on my leg, then replied sarcastically, "And here I was thinkin' I was bein' cordial. At least you've got a sense of humor." "Are we bonding?" Nulluj jested, "Maybe we'll become friends. It's surprising what can happen when you're stuck waiting with someone for half an hour." He ignored my aggressive stare. "I'm not your friend," I protested, "Made that clear as day. I thought you Warlocks were supposed to be smart." "What are the tallies for?" Nulluj asked, changing the subject. Most of the left half of my black armor was covered in tallies. The arm, chest plate, helmet, and even the white visor. Silence was my answer. "I can tell you why," my Ghost said as she materialized in a flash of blue. "Paris," I warned, reaching out and trying to grab her, "I will rip your mechanical eyeball right out of-" "Let her talk," Nulluj interrupted, "I won't stop asking." I pointed my knife at him, "Listen here, you little guttersnipe. If you don't fancy havin' your innards-" "Nulluj! Yvan-8!" At the sound of our names, Nulluj and I turned our attention to the approaching Guardians. Zavala was leading a massive Warlock wearing red armor to us. Zavala began, "Your third member is-" "Keis-51," Nulluj finished. The Warlock focused on Nulluj, and Zavala continued with a nod, "I see you two have met. Yvan-8, you were first revived nine years ago. With the life of a Guardian, you are very experienced by now, and any Guardian can consider themselves lucky to have lived so long. The Vanguard has selected you to lead this fireteam as you track down an Archon from the House of Devils. If you find the Archon, you are obliged to kill it, if possible. Nulluj and Keis-51 are both experienced as well, and will aid you. Remember, an Archon is a very dangerous target. Be careful. It was last spotted eleven hours ago, leading a large party in what appeared to be a scavenging exhibition. My Ghost will send you the coordinates." Zavala turned and marched back to the Vanguard Hall. "Glad to know the Vanguard cares," I muttered sarcastically, "Do they always give you those long winded speeches on the important missions? "It's nice seeing you again, Keis," Nulluj greeted. Keis bowed slightly at the waist and replied, "My pleasure, Nulluj." I sheathed my knife, then stood and crossed my arms. Keis turned to me and bowed again, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Keis-51." "Yvan-8," I returned gruffly. "So, what's with the tallies?" Nulluj pressed. "Null, I will stain this city with your blood!" I yelled. • • • "Do you think they're still here?" Nulluj inquired. "If they got greedy," I replied, "Maybe if they took their time." We walked through the husks of destroyed buildings in the area where the Archon had been sighted. There wasn't any sign of them yet. "So," Paris' voice crackled on the comms, making small talk, "How long have Keis and Null been alive?" The Ghosts had introduced themselves during our flight. Keis' was named Blanc, Nulluj's had no name, and mine was Paris. "Sixty-seven years," Nulluj's Ghost reported proudly. "Really?" Paris asked, "That's incredible. And you, Keis?" Keis was staring off into the distance, so Blanc answered, "One hundred and eighty-seven." I paused and turned to look at Keis. "REALLY?!" Paris exclaimed. "Yes," Blanc answered exuberantly. "That's amazing!" Paris gushed, "Keis, there's probably only a handful of Guardians alive who are older than you! I can only think of.... eight or something!" "I'm glad you idiots are screamin' on the comms," I grumbled, resuming our walk through the buildings, "At least the Fallen can't hear you." They were quiet for a moment, then Paris comforted, "Don't worry, he's always like that. He doesn't mean any harm... What's wrong with Keis?" Keis was still in the same spot. Nulluj and I stopped. "Oh, don't worry," Blanc assured, "He's fine." Nulluj approached Keis and studied him, then inquired, "Is this one of his blanks?" "Yes," Blanc answered, "Give me a moment...... KEIS!!!" I flinched at the sudden shout. Keis didn't move. "A blank?" Paris questioned. "It's what they call it when he enters a state of mental remoteness," Nulluj explained. "When he spaces out," Nulluj's Ghost translated. "So, he's in La La Land," I paraphrased impatiently, "Haul the nutter out." "He's really thinking," Blanc moaned, "Could one of you punch him?" We stood still and processed her request. "What kind of question is that?" I asked. "Well," Blanc elaborated, "The movement always wakes him up. He's got incredible reflexes, so he'll catch it." "Reflexes?" Nulluj puzzled, "Are you sure he'll catch it?" "He always does," Blanc replied. "Why do you have people try to punch him?" Nulluj questioned, "I'm sure shaking him would work perfectly." "I-...... um. Well, I-" Blanc stumbled in embarrassment, seemed to take a deep breathe, then spit it out, "The first time, I just thought he could use a good punch. I was understandably frustrated. After that, I just wanted to see if someone could hit him, because no one ever could." Silence filled the next few seconds. "That was one heck of a confession," Nulluj's Ghost muttered. Nulluj nodded, "Now I'm curious. Couldn't we just hit him from behind? If he doesn't notice it coming, he can't react to it." I slinked behind Keis and nodded my head in agreement, "Seems good. I'd love to do the honors." "Um... sure," Blanc permitted. I raised my arm and took a step back, then swung. My fist nailed him in the back. It was like hitting a stone wall, which I should have expected, considering his size and armor. But before I could even move my hand away, Keis spun, kicking my feet out from under me. I landed on my back, then Keis leaned over me. "My apologies," he commiserated, "I thought I was being attacked." He held out a hand to help me up, but I stood on my own, brushing dust off of my cloak. "You were right about the reflexes," Nulluj analyzed, "Those are probably very useful in a combat scena-" "Shut up," I growled, "We've wasted enough time. We have a job to do." Thankfully, Nulluj obeyed. He and Keis followed me as we moved from one block to the next. Then the next. Then the next. Then the next. A rumbling boom suddenly echoed through the ruins, signaling the arrival of a Fallen Skiff. The three of us quickly hid inside a building and watched from the shadows as the Skiff drifted across the next intersection. When it was out of sight, I pointed at a building at the corner of the street, four stories tall. We ran into it, staying low, and climbed the stairs. When we crept out onto the roof, there weren't any Fallen in sight. "Next building," I said, "We'll follow the Skiff." The three of us turned to the next edifice. It was much taller than the one we were on. Empty window frames littered the cracked and crumbling wall. We jumped through one and into the structure. My boots kicked up dust and dirt when I landed. In front of me, the building had collapsed, leaving only a pile of rubble and the ragged ends of hallways. Keis and Nulluj were already jumping to the next building. I followed. We continued the process until we heard the sound of a Skiff flying nearby. Ascending to the roof, we overlooked a plaza around the next corner. A row of dilapidated buildings separated us from it. Two Skiffs hovered over the plaza, which was filled with dozens of Fallen, all wearing the mark of the House of Devils. Several snipers could be seen on the surrounding constructions, keeping careful watch on the area around the group. And in the center of the courtyard, directing the array of aliens, stood a massive Fallen. The Archon.