Delta B1 Ch15: The Speaker Part 2

Delta recoiled in shock as the Speaker’s words rang in his audio receptors. The same words that haunted his dreams. The very words that convinced him enough was enough. Images flashed again. Two dead soldiers, bullet holes in their chest. He was tackled to the ground, the third soldier holding a gun to his head. A blind effort to gain the upper hand. Delta’s hands around the man’s neck… and letting him go. He let the soldier escape with his life. No more killing. “I made my choice,” the exo admitted, “but I still feel the guilt. The people I killed, the purpose for which I was created…” “Yes, your creators built you for a purpose, but whether or not you fulfill that purpose is up to you. There may have been blood on your hands, but that night you made a very important decision. You decided not to be a killer of your fellow survivors. The Collapse damaged humanity in ways our ancestors could never have imagined. In a way, the people of this City have all lost something. They don’t need to lose their lives too, and this is what you believe.” Delta took a moment to process the Speaker’s assertion, then slowly nodded in agreement. “I do not want to kill innocents. But…” “…what about the guilty?” the Speaker finished for him. “I don’t think you need me to tell you where I stand on that front.” The Speaker stood up, somewhat disturbed by Delta’s new line of inquiry, but understanding. The masked guardian walked down the stairs to ground level. “Follow me,” the Speaker ordered. Delta obeyed, though he was worried he may have offended the Speaker. He was led through a side door that opened to an outer balcony behind the Vitalis, overlooking the Last City. The Speaker gestured towards the grand sight of the City and the massive Traveler that hung motionless above it. “This is what we as guardians are charged to protect. A massive congregation of humanity’s remnants, banded together to build something from the ashes. It is a beautiful sight to behold, and an astounding achievement to be sure, but its people are not without their flaws.” Delta perked up at the Speaker’s sudden twist, wondering what point he was trying to make. “Do you mean to say that this City is good, but houses bad people?” The Speaker let out a short laugh. “Not exactly. What I mean is that we are still a damaged people, and a little darkness lives in all of us, no matter how good our intentions. If a man steals an apple, should he be punished?” “I would think so. Theft is wrong.” The Speaker placed both hands on the balcony railing. “Correct, from a simplistic point of view, but life is rarely simple. What if I told you that this man cared for a young orphan girl, and did not have the resources to support her? He steals an apple so that he might feed this starving child. Should he still be punished?” Delta remained silent. He did not give an answer, but the Speaker knew what decision he would make. “You see Delta, sometimes mercy and forgiveness can go a long way. I do not believe it was an accident you were chosen to be a guardian. You are torn apart by your past, and for good reason, but you must realize that you have a much bigger role to play. Why else would the Traveler have blessed you with its power?” This was yet another question that Delta had no answer for, and if he was honest, one that he had never really considered. He was created with the purpose of the Traveler’s extermination, but in an unimaginable turn of events, he was repurposed… by the very thing he was supposed to kill. He almost laughed at the thought. How does an insignificant exo like himself even destroy a thing of such massive power and size? He couldn’t, and now, he wouldn’t. “I see,” said Delta in amazement. “I was chosen… for a greater purpose.” The Speaker folded his hands behind his back once again, relieved to see his words were making a difference. “Yes, Delta. We cannot afford to be fighting each other, when the Darkness still lurks in the farthest reaches of the cosmos, plotting our destruction. I fear something big is coming, and when this threat arrives, the city needs its strongest guardians to stand their ground. It needs legends. It needs you.” The Speaker took one last look at the City skyline before driving his point home. “Delta, the Fourth Born. This is not who you are anymore. You have been chosen for a much greater calling. You are Delta-1, Guardian of the Last City, and protector of humanity’s legacy.” Delta swelled with a surprising amount of confidence at this revelation. All this time, he had been trying to break free from his past, but failed to see that his freedom was already ensured. He didn’t belong to the Defense anymore. He was a guardian now, and that purpose was something Sayyed could never take from him, no matter how many ghosts she took hostage. Though he wore a mask, the Speaker’s smile was undeniable as he watched Delta embrace his calling. “The future is uncertain, and even in this Age of Triumph, evil stirs. Centuries ago, you made a life altering decision. Now, it’s time to do so again.” Delta knew his responsibility as a guardian meant a reorganization of his priorities, but he suspected that wasn’t what the Speaker was referring to. His hatred for Sayyed was still strong, and he still yearned to see justice done. “I’m sorry, but… what decision might that be?” The Speaker thought a moment before answering. “You would make a legendary guardian,” the Speaker admitted, “but you can never be fully committed while your past haunts you.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Go. Find Yara Sayyed, and confront the nightmares that ail you. When you do, you will have to make a very important decision. Vengeance… or mercy.” The two stood in silence for a moment while Delta soaked in the gravity of the Speaker’s ultimatum. Seeing that his work was done, the Speaker offered some final words of encouragement. “In my own experience, I have found that it helps to seek the support of those closest to you. In the end, the choice will be yours, but a trusted opinion never harmed anyone. Best of luck to you, Delta.” With that the Speaker made his way back to his studies, leaving Delta to sort his many thoughts. Accompanied by a sigh of frustration, the exo tangled with his inner desires. Unable to calm his restless mind, he shoved his hands into his pockets. Delta’s eyes widened as his fingers curled around a familiar object. An object that was not there before. In complete disbelief, Delta pulled the object from his pocket and held it in front of him. There, resting in the palm of his hand, was a jagged tooth. The same tooth Alex had given him before her death. The same tooth he had placed upon her grave. If exos had the ability to produce tears, Delta’s faceplates would be glistening. A plethora of emotions tore Delta apart as her kind voice echoed in his head. [i]It reminds me of what you did. You did not hesitate to come back for me when I was down, and you did not falter when we got cornered. You stood and fought, because that is who you are. Not a coward, not a senseless killer, but a noble warrior... and a true friend.[/i] Delta’s optics closed tightly as he wrapped his fist around the tooth. How could he have been so stupid? He had been so consumed by guilt and rage, he had let down the only person that ever really mattered to him. Vengeance would not fill the hole in his artificial heart. The exo opened his eyes once more, a renewed determination in his fiery blue optics. “Alright Alex. I’ll do it your way.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=230331759&sort=0&page=0]Chapter 16[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]