This is story of Calus’ revenge on his conspirators. This is part 2 of the story, which focuses on the second champion that Emperor Calus selected, members of Calus’ personal army called the Shadows. For reference, here is a link to another post which lists those who Calus seeks revenge on for his exile on the Leviathan. https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/230877736/0/0 NOTE: Story spoilers below. TL;DR [spoiler] Calus enlisted three champions from species he encountered and conquered during his time of exile aboard the Leviathan. He sent them to kill those that conspired against him and put him into exile. This is the background and story of those three champions [/spoiler] Rull, Gun of Kaga Clipse (Part 1): https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/232134055/0/0 Jarus, Last Star Pilot of the Sindu (Part 2) Fulminator, Arkborn (Part 3): https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/232417345/0/0 [b] The story of Jarus, Last Star Pilot of the Sindu, AKA Ace-Defiant[/b] The Sindu were an advanced space faring species that occupied a series of gas giant planets located in a section of space called the Spinward Marches (I did some searching, and could not find a real location with this name, though it is a frontier location in an old pen and paper space RPG from the late 70s called the Traveller, which I don’t consider coincidence and probably an easter egg). The Sindu were known for having very effective pilots, and the best of those pilots were called “Ace-Defiants”. Jarus was an Ace-Defiant, and was the best of them. [spoiler] “The Sindu fly like surgeons operate. And the Ace-Defiants are the best among them. Only one shadowed me.” – Emperor Calus [/spoiler] Calus’ Leviathan encountered and defeated the Sindu, and similar to our Part 1 champion Rull, only one select survived that encounter, Jarus [spoiler] “They refused my invitation at first. As with all things, they came to see things my way” – Emperor Calus When his eyes finally opened, Jarus was staring at a fuzzy silhouette of something giant. The giant spoke “Welcome home” it rumbled. The room began to come into focus, shining like a temple. “My child, there is nothing to fear. I have rescued you. Welcome to my empire. Fear not my warrior-to-be.” Jarus blinked slowly. What about the other pilots? His battalion? Did they escape? “You, the last star pilot of the Sindu, will be my Ace-Defiant.” It was not a choice. http://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/helm-of-the-ace-defiant?highlight=Jarus [/spoiler] Much like Rull, Jarus is now conscripted by Emperor Calus. And Calus generously equips Jarus for his mission. [spoiler] With a flourish, Emperor Calus lifted a hand. “My Star, a gift for you.” The hangar door opened slowly, and behind it a row of purple banners dropped, one after another. “Come, let us open your gift. I have named it for you,” Calus crooned. “I call it God’s Will.” Jarus’s chest fluttered. The ship was beautiful. A Cabal emerged, delicately carrying armor, holding it as if it would break. Piece by piece it was placed on the floor in front of Jarus. “This is yours. When you take it, you are mine.” Calus left. Only God’s Will and Jarus remained. http://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/grips-of-the-ace-defiant?highlight=Jarus [/spoiler] Equipped with God’s Will, Jarus goes to work. [spoiler] Shayotet’s ship lay smashed and burning on the ground. A few meters away, Shayotet himself crawled from a pod. Jarus jumped lightly from his own ship, sent it rocketing back into low orbit with a tap to his nav-gauntlet. God’s Will had done its part. Now Jarus must finish him. Jarus raised a pistol, another of Calus’s gifts, and emptied its clip. Shayotet heaved and jerked as black pressure gel spouted from his armor, but he did not fall. He roared – blood and saliva spattered the ground – and charged. Jarus holstered the pistols. He waited until Shayotet was nearly on top of him before activating the energy blade. A gargling roar, a spray of pressure gel, and it was over. Jarus’s fingers trembled as he summoned God’s Will again. In the cockpit, Calus’ face appeared. “My heart swells with pride. This drink is in your honor.” http://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/vest-of-the-ace-defiant?highlight=Jarus [/spoiler] Another conspirator dead, but Calus wants Ghaul next. A plan is devised, along with the help of other members of the shadows. This one would be a suicide mission. [spoiler] Jarus left God’s Will behind for his final mission. He needed a ship big enough to carry his fellow Shadows to Ghaul, and with enough internal shielding and anti-impact padding to ensure they plan they had developed would succeed. Under Jarus’s control, the ship dodged, weaved, and carved through the Red Legion. Jarus aligned the ship’s trajectory toward the Dominus’ ship. The plan was simple. “My dear Jarus,” the emperor had said. “We must deliver the Shadows to the Dominus at any cost.” Jarus knew what this meant. For him, the trip was one way. But that was all right, so long as Ghaul’s was too. http://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/shadows-cloak?highlight=Jarus [/spoiler] Much like Rull, Jarus seemed to accept his fate, willing to offer his own life in support of Calus. And Jarus, Ace-Defiant, completes his task. [spoiler] Jarus’s fighter soared like a blade into the throat of the Dominus’ command ship. They hoped it wouldn’t matter. Jarus died on impact. The Shadows burst forth from his shattered vessel, the Fulminator leading the charge. [/spoiler] Queue the segway for Part 3, the Fulminator. Jarus sacrificed himself to crash a ship into Ghaul’s command ship to allow the Fulminator access. The Emperor’s ability to subdue those he defeats and to turn them for his cause is impressive. He converts them to the point they are willing to die for this cause. What will he say to us, to convince us to help him as his next champion? Keeping count, that is 5 of 8 conspirators dead. 2 by Rull, 1 by Jarus, and 2 during the D2 campaign. Part 3 will cover the remaining champion, the Fulminator, Arkborn.