Blank Slate Ch.4.5: Babysitting (Part 2)

Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 KS seemed to have spaced out again, so I put a hand on his shoulder and guided him out of the hangar. I guess that was something I liked about KS. You had to keep an eye on him, but he was good at following. [i]I don't even have to talk to him,[/i] I thought, [i]He just hangs around.[/i] [i]He's a great match for you,[/i] part of me nudged, [i]and you could use some friends. I have friends. Who? Ghost. He doesn't count. He's stuck with you. Why am I arguing with myself again?! The isolated scouting missions are taking their toll... SHUT UP,[/i] I internally seethed, pulling my focus back to what I was doing. We were back in the courtyard, and I led KS to the back corner. There was a table and multiple racks, all full of firearms. A blue Exo stood behind the table, speaking to himself in a low, raspy voice. He was the Gunsmith, and his name was Banshee-44. Every Exo had a number at the end of their name, representing the number of times their minds had been wiped. Guardian Exos didn't need mind wipes. They were for non-Guardian Exos who had gone through traumatic experiences. Of course, the number in a Guardian's name was the number they'd reached in their original life. Banshee had so many wipes that it had broken him. His memories were a mess. KS was the only Exo I'd ever heard of with a higher number than Banshee. No wonder he seemed to be missing a few screws. But mind wipes weren't why we were coming to Banshee. KS now had a primary and heavy weapon. He needed a special weapon. "Banshee," I called, snapping him out of his stupor. "Hmm, howdy." Banshee greeted. "Do you have any special weapons?" I inquired. "Hmm. Only a couple shotguns and a sniper," he muttered, indicating them with a wave of his hand. I pulled KS closer to the table, and he studied the weapons. He dismissed the sniper and picked up one of the shotguns. It was stocky, painted in blue and gray, and the butt was orange. "That's a beaut," Banshee muttered. "It's called The Comedian," Blanc explained, "Its description says: A. A ha. A ha ha ha. A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha." "Like it's laughing?" I asked. "I don't get it," KS said, setting it down and picking up the other one. It was a reddish-orange with gray, and had a long nozzle with a band wrapped around it. "That's called In Times of Need," Blanc said, "Its description says: In case of emergency, point at enemies and pull trigger. Repeat as necessary." "Instructions," I chuckled, "KS won't have to worry about forgetting how to use it." KS didn't seem to hear and turned it over in his hands. "I'll take it," he said. "Good choice," Banshee nodded, "Take care of her." KS blinked, as if remembering there were other people, and asked, "Take what?" We were all quiet for a moment, then Banshee muttered, "I'm... not sure..." The two Exos stared at each other in confusion. "Oh no," I groaned. "I've been with Keis for a month," Blanc sighed, "I can handle him, but two is something this world shouldn't have to deal with." I put some Glimmer on the table and dragged KS away while Blanc stored the shotgun in his Inventory. "When the Warlock Vanguard gets back," I said, "You'll get one or two pieces of armor and some Glimmer. You can pay me back for the guns after that." "Alright," Blanc said, "Where are we going now?" "Every Guardian needs to see the Speaker," I replied. We were crossing to the opposite corner of the courtyard, towards the staircase leading to the left wing of the Tower. "You listening, KS?" I asked. "Yes," he answered. "Good. The Speaker is the voice of the Traveler, his goal i-" "How can a person be a produced sound?" KS inquired. "It's a metaphor or something," I sighed, "Let me talk. His goals are to help the Traveler heal, and to guide new Guardians. He's been around since the founding of the City. Naturally, he has a grand little speech for every new Guardian." We came into the left wing. To the left, there was a small lounge area. Around a corner to the right was the Guardian Outfitter, who gave Guardians shaders that changed the colors of their armor. I continued forward, towards a closed-off area. Inside, there was an odd spinning contraption with no purpose, as far as I knew. The far side had no wall, and had a view of the Traveler, silently watching over the City. Immediately to our left was a curving staircase that led up to a small platform. On the platform stood a Guardian in white and black robes and a white mask. "That's the Speaker," I said, pushing KS up the steps. He approached the Speaker with Blanc drifting closely behind, while I leaned on the wall at the base of the stairs. When they reached the top, the Speaker turned to them and they began talking. "Ghost," I called, and Ghost materialized in front of me, "Did you make a report?" Ghost nodded affirmation. "Good. I'd like to make an unofficial entry. For future reference, tell them to keep KS away from walls and high places," I sighed, "Worst day of my life. I wasn't revived to babysit." "Done," Ghost said. [i]Not the worst day of your life,[/i] part of me chided. [i]No, I guess not. Maybe you two could go do some scouting together. Show him how being a Guardian works. Maybe. Not that you're a good example of a Guardian. Did I just insult myself?! That was venomous! The isolated scouting missions sure are messing up your head. Shut up! Wait, did Ghost record you saying it was the worst day of your life? You didn't want that on record. Crap, he might've. I better ask.[/i] I opened my mouth to speak, but was stopped as KS fell on his face right in front of me. He had tripped on the last step while coming down. I sighed and helped him up. For a moment, I thought I heard chuckling from the Speaker's platform, but dismissed it. "How'd it go," I asked. "It was an inspiring and eloquent speech," Blanc said.