Victor stood in the shower, letting the cool, crisp water flush over him. His eyes were closed. He imagined the tropical storms of Venus on his face during basic training at the academy, way back when he learned the core beliefs of a titan. Way back when he wasn't deployed on Mars. It was still early evening. Laurel and Matson were also getting cleaned up after their sweat-inducing training exercise in the simulator. Victor gave them their leave for the day, mainly for his benefit. They were all tired, and despite everyone being in different apartments, they all shared one thought-- sleep. Victor began to dose off in the shower. It was peaceful there-- the soothing water washing down his skin; the calm sound, reminiscent of summer's rain. He began to wobble from side to side, but a ping from his bedroom abruptly ended his peace. Victor opened his eyes and shut off the flow of water. He walked into his bedroom, still wiping the water from off his face. He tossed the towel by the door and grabbed a shirt from his closet. "What do you got for me, Nate?" Victor tucked his dog-tags into his collar. "It's Commander Zavala again," the ghost said as he flew back and forth in the room. Victor stepped in front of a mirror and smoothed out his shirt. "What on sam hill does he want now?" "He says the Speaker requests your presence in the Vanguard Hall immediately," the ghost continued. Victor snapped towards Nathaniel for a moment, then turned back around. Victor marched across the Tower. Once again, he was already donning his white, orange, and black plasteel armor. The orange rays of the setting sun shimmered off of the thick plating. He walked down the stairs and through the hall. A young warlock was testing the sights on a hand cannon she received from Arcite 99-40. She quickly spun around with the gun extended! Victor caught her arm and pointed the gun down to the floor. The warlock stood, petrified. "Just because we are Guardians, doesn't mean you can swing firearms like that!" He said, slowly releasing the warlock's arm. "Forgive me, Titan." She said weakly as she holstered the weapon. She ran off, back up to the surface of the Tower. The titan huffed, then, continued his trek to the Vanguard Hall. Cayde, Ikora, the Speaker, and Zavala stood around the table. "Commander, I was here only yesterday..." Victor said as he stopped at the table. "More news from the front lines, might turn the tide of the battle at Meridian Bay," Zavala jestered to Cayde and Ajax. "Well, let's here it," Victor said as he, and everyone else, turned to the hunters. Ajax, the Desert Fox leader, hit a stack of papers on the desk. They were photographs taken from the field, and reports he and the other members of the Desert Foxes typed up. "A Cabal carrier has been seen over Mars," Ajax passed out pictures of the massive ship. "We haven't identified the ship yet, but we believe it came from Phobos." "Firebase Thuria?" Victor asked. "No, no, not Thuria-- Shaxx still runs Crucible matches up at 'Black Shield'. Some other base we haven't discovered yet." Ajax answered. "What's your reasoning for this?" Ikora asked. "We've only seen one ship with these colors. If it came from outside the system, it should have been accompanied by other carriers-- another fleet's worth," Ajax pointed to the strange glyph on the hull of the ship in the picture. "Most likely reinforcements. The Sand Eaters are spreading thin," Victor said as he looked amongst the Vanguard leaders. "So it would seem," Ajax stated. Everyone looked to him with concern. "The Dust Giants are still assisting the Sand Eaters. That ship isn't resupplying the Cabal, but a new Primus has been stationed in the Valley of Kings." "A strategic officer!" Zavala exclaimed. "Well, if you can't win by brawn, gotta use brains..." Cayde said as he placed his hands behind his head. "Well, Hunter," the Speaker started. "How will this help in our efforts of reclamation?" "The fact that the Cabal are wanting a new strategic leader to help fight the battle must mean that they are near to losing! Soon, Freehold will be, well, free!" Ajax clenched his fists tightly. Zavala nodded to Ajax, then looked to Victor. "Captain Riekel, I want you back on Mars immediately. If we can lead our remaining Martian forces on one more assault on the Cabal forces, we might be able to force them to retreat." "Do the Cabal even have a word for retreat?" Cayde asked with a chuckle. Victor sighed. "Meridian Bay has been a war of attrition. If we can muster enough morale-- which I believe this news can-- to make such a strike, then we could break the Cabal." "So, are we in concordance, then?" The Speaker asked as he clasped his hands together and stepped forward. "Captain?" Zavala asked as he turned to the titan. Victor's weary eyes shot around the room. Finally, they settled on the picture of the carrier on the table. Victor slowly nodded. He couldn't continue to fight his feelings-- he wanted victory on Mars, but he was still reluctant to take Laurel and Matson there. He had to choose. "Then it is decided. Guardians will attack the Cabal stronghold in Meridian Bay before they gain any form of advantage." The Speaker's silent gaze steadily shifted to Victor. "Titan, do not let your feelings for your subordinates stop you from doing what is necessary-- not when victory is so close in our grasp. They will surprise you in many more ways than they already have." With that, the Speaker left the chamber. Victor stared at the picture. Who was on that ship? Whose colors is that? What was hidden up the Cabal's sleeve? "Captain," Ajax said, his words slicing through the titan's train of thought. Victor blinked repeatedly, then looked to the hunter. "My boys will be ready for the final assault. We'll be waiting for you." Victor nodded, and the hunter left.