[i]Ten Years After the Heart of the Black Garden was Destroyed…[/i] Lord Shaxx strode into the war room, his boots echoing off the walls. He approached the table, looking at those who had gathered. Cayde-6, leaning against a wall and staring outside. Zavala, cleaning his gun with quick, precise motions. Ikora Rey was reading reports out of the grimoire in front of her. Shaxx loudly cleared his throat to get their attention. “Where is the Speaker? He should be here for this.” Shaxx asked the Vanguard, an edge of annoyance tainting his voice. “We don’t know. He’s been busy recently trying to calm Guardians down after you shut down the Crucible for no reason,” retorted Ikora. She was a veteran of the Crucible and had not been pleased to hear of its closure. “I have a reason,” snapped Shaxx. “You all know what the Crucible was meant for. To forge Guardians into beings of true power. I always told you, the day that I was satisfied with the current generation of Guardians I would rejoin the fight. That day is today.” His declaration was met with stunned silence. Of course they all knew what Shaxx always said, but nobody thought he would ever actually be satisfied. Zavala spoke up, “Are you sure about this Shaxx? I’ve seen the Guardians and they are powerful, but is clos-” Zavala was interrupted by the Speaker and Lord Saladin striding into the war room and joining Shaxx around the table. The room fell silent, as the Vanguard moved to join the trio. When they took their positions around the table the Speaker quietly spoke: “Shaxx, I believe you are right. The Crucible has accomplished its mission. The Guardians are ready to fight. Please, continue with what you came here to say.” Shaxx bowed his head and thanks then proceeded to announce his plan. “Friends, we have an opportunity now. Since an earnest campaign was launched against the Darkness a decade ago, the City has grown stronger and larger. We currently have the closest thing to peace that we have had since the Golden Age. More and more Guardians are being found every day, and fewer and fewer are dying out on missions. We are ready.” “For what,” interrupted Cayde, earning himself a look of disapproval from Zavala. “Er, sorry.” “We are ready, for true war. We are ready to take back Earth, and to start expanding not only the City but all of humanity.” At the end of his sentence, the Vanguard traded looks of doubt amongst themselves. “However, to fight this war it will take an organized force. We can’t win this fight without dedication. The ragtag fire-teams we have been using for the past few decades won’t cut it anymore. We can no longer just have small strikes or raids against our foes. We need to launch coordinated assaults. Siege enemy fortresses. We need an army.” “Where would you plan on getting these forces Lord Shaxx? The City hasn’t anything like that since the Iron Lords first founded the city,” stated Ikora.” “We have thousands upon thousands of Guardians now. They are out exploring, patrolling, and fighting. However, they don’t have a real order. There is the Orders and the Vanguard to coordinate them, but they still act very independently of each other. I plan on recruiting volunteers.” Apparently content with his answer Ikora nodded and listened as Shaxx continued. “I want a battalion by next week. 600 Guardians, 100 of each subclass. Sunsingers, Strikers, Defenders, all of them.” The Speaker spoke up, “600 doesn’t seem enough for such an ambitious plan Lord Shaxx.” Shaxx nodded, “You’re right it isn’t. But I don’t intend to end at 600. I want a full brigade. 3000 Guardians. Not only that, I want at least one brigade for Earth, Luna, Venus, and Mars.” A high-pitched shrill resembling a whistle emanated from Cayde. “You want an army of 12,000 Guardians? Organized, disciplined Guardians? I don’t know if it can be done.” Shaxx smiled under his helmet. “We’re already a fourth of the way there Cayde. The First Earth Brigade has already been organized and is prepared to clear the Fallen out of the Cosmodrome as soon as possible.” He pushed a button on the table and a holographic map of Old Russia appeared, with simplified battles plans being overlaid. Zavala looked at it and frowned. “Wait a minute, Shaxx, did you come up with these? It doesn’t look like your normal style. Far more subtle.” He looked up to see Shaxx looking at Saladin. “You’re right Zav. They are more subtle than Shaxx’s. That’s because they're mine. The Iron Banner will be the First Brigade. We will reclaim Earth.” [b]Please comment, like, and bump! I hope you enjoy![/b] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/124202898/0/0]Chapter List[/url]