Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 "Keis," Avery addresses, getting my attention. I stop and turn around to face her, and am surprised when she wraps her arms around me. The hug is brief, and she returns to her usual composure as she steps back and says, "Don't get killed out there, Vanguard." "I'll try not to," I reply. "You'd better," Avery advises, "We've already lost too many people on that Traveler-forsaken rock. And it's not every day the Commander of the City gives out hugs. Consider yourself blessed." With that, she strides past me. I follow her around the corner of the hallway. Sunlight shines into the Hangar, glinting off of the metal hulls of docked jumpships and Skiffs. A few dozen soldiers, Eliksni from each House, shipwrights, and Frames mill around them, some attending to business while others chat. Avery and I turn left onto a catwalk that connects to a series of platforms. They're littered with dismantled Sparrows and ship parts, and engineers tinker among them. Off to the left, equipment and crates from Dead Orbit are piled against the wall. Arach Jalaal stands among them, having a discussion with some of his followers. Ahead of us, a staircase leads up to an elevated room with a window that looks over the Hangar. The banners of the Future War Cult hang inside it and Lakshmi-2 can be seen standing behind the glass, staring straight down at us. "Those vultures'll be on me as soon as I'm done getting you out," Avery sighs. She leads me up a few steps to the right. This platform is occupied by a desk and several screens displaying information. Amanda Holliday is sitting on a crate in the corner, fiddling with a small part of a Sparrow and chatting with Noel, who's leaning against the wall next to her. Amanda sees us coming and greets, "Howdy, Commander." "Holliday," Avery returns as we stop in front of them. Noel looks at us over his shoulder and gives us a wry smile. Amanda stands and pats my arm, "Big day, right Vanguard? Good luck out there. Ships are all prepped and ready to go." "Good work," Avery thanks, "Sorry to cut the chat short, but we're pressed for time." "No problem," Amanda smiles, "You go on." Avery turns around and continues to the lower platform. Noel and I follow her down a staircase to the floor of the Hangar. We pass under the shadows of the platforms and into the light of the Sun. Two soldiers are waiting for us. One pivots and jogs to the waiting ships while the other salutes and addresses us, "Vanguard. Everything's checked off. We have permission to leave when ready." He falls in step with us as we pass him and continues, "Everyone's got their assignments and crews." "Good work," Avery approves, "Get to your Captain." "Yes, Commander," the soldier salutes again, then rushes ahead of us. The crews are gathering in front of the ships, six in total. Their Captains stand in front of them, a mix of all three races. Four Redjack combat Frames tarry at the open ramp of one of the transport jumpships. The soldiers stand at attention when we stop in front of them. "Board and prepare for takeoff," Avery hails, "Light be with you all." All six crews hustle to their transports under the barked orders of their Captains. Avery gives me a small salute and farewells, "Good luck, Keis." Noel reaches up to grab my shoulder firmly and says, "Be careful out there, Keis. I'd hug you if we didn't have to maintain public image and all that crap." Avery lets out a small huff, probably trying not to laugh. "What?" Noel asks, "You know they're always trying to peg us for not being professional." "Then I'm surprised they haven't pegged you yet," Avery jokes, "I'll give you some tips later. Time to go, Keis." I nod my farewell, then pace away from them to the waiting Frames. When I get close, the Frames turn and march up the ramp. I follow them. Five soldiers are already sitting inside, strapping in and donning their helmets, all bearing the red armor and blue stripes of the Redjacks. The Frames sit with them and strap in. I take my broadsword and wire rifle off of my back, placing them in an overhead rack, then take my seat closest to the ramp and beside a woman. "Pleasure to meet ya, Vanguard," she tells me, "I'm Stella, the Alpha for this fireteam." I nod and put my helmet on. After adjusting it, I test the comms and say, "Vanguard Three, ready." "Pleasure to have you aboard, Vanguard," a man greets, "This is Escort Zero. All crews ready?" "Redjack Fireteam," Stella drones, and her voice comes through on the comms, "Ready." Another voice picks up after them, "Crew One, ready." The ramp starts raising while the other crews count off. I look out and see Avery and Noel watching me. Noel waves, and I raise a hand to him before the ramp closes. I sit back, pulling the safety straps over my shoulders and clicking them together across my chest-plate. The ship lurches to a start and we slide in our seats as it accelerates. The last Captain lists himself, and the first Captain declares, "Everyone's accounted for, Vanguard." The vessel's speed escalates and it begins to shake, tilting upward. A man speaks on the comms, "This is Escort Six. The convoy has cleared the Hangar and we're breaching atmosphere. Prepare for jump to rendezvous." The turbulence lessons to nothing and we brace ourselves. After a few seconds everything jolts forward, yanking us against our straps. It's momentary, and the pull disappears quickly. A cacophony of movement sounds over the comms and someone gasps, "By the Traveler, Snik!" "What's the problem?" A Captain demands. "This is Captain Three," a man answers mirthfully, "One of my men just threw up. Motion sickness." Some of the crewmen chuckle at that. "In my ship?!" A pilot wails, "Seriously?! For the love of the Great Machine! Convoy, this is Escort Three, requesting to dump cargo and head back home for a mop!" Several people break out in laughter. "Traveler, Snik, hold it in until we land!" Someone begs. "You can't barf on Luna, genius," someone quips, "You'd die without your helmet on." "Traveler above!" The pilot keens, "Grab a bag or something from a storage compartment!" "I'll find something," a woman assures. "Hey, look at the bright side, Snik," a man comforts, "It would've been a lot worse if you hadn't gotten your helmet off in time." "Ah, Light," another gags, "Now we're all imagining that. Disgusting." Stella leans towards me and comments, "I see you only picked the best of the best for this mission, Vanguard." Another round of laughter passes by, and an Eliksni rumbles, [i]"Maybe we could vomit on the Hive. Scare them off."[/i] The soldiers act disgusted and jokingly commend the idea. The ship bucks and suddenly slows down, giving us a shake. A few surprised gasps on the comms announce that the same is happening to the others. "This is Escort Zero," the first pilot notifies, "Convoy has exited jump and is descending to LZ. I'm patching you through to command. That means you lunkheads should shut your mouths unless you got something important to say." Some of the soldiers laugh at his remark before Avery's voice cracks in my ear, "-hear us? Convoy, can you hear us?" "Loud and clear, Commander," the first pilot replies, "Can you, Vanguard?" "Yes," I confirm. "Good," Avery says, "You're almost at the rendezvous." [i]"The Exiles will be expecting you,"[/i] an Eliksni I recognize as Virixas, the Wolf Kell, apprises, [i]"My Baroness is watching your first target."[/i] "They stand tallest among Crota's swords," Dawn's cryptic voice cuts in, "Challenging them will be no easy task." "And... uh," Noel sighs woefully, "Dawn is here to advise us, being the expert and all that." "Convoy has reached the LZ," the first pilot declares, "Prepare for drop-off."