Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 "Why'd Keis and Sinekis get to go?" Noel pesters. "Get off the comms, Noel," Avery demands, "Its Sinekis's job as Winter's representative. And I have work for Keis to do." "Lucky..." Noel grumbles. "Get off the comms," Avery repeats. "I actually have something to report," Noel defends with a joking snottiness, "The second strike into the Hive's Summoning Pits was a success. I'll look into the details and take care of everything, then fill you in when you're back. Until then." The comms snap off and Avery sighs, looking to me with a bitter smile, "Clever dreg. Sometimes I hate it when he's responsible." She looks up to the Ketch floating in front of us. It sits quietly in the air, surrounded by the rocky terrain of Venus' volcanic Cinders. The Sun's light, dulled by the planet's permanent layer of clouds, softly illuminates the metal hull of the vessel. "We're ready," Avery tells Sinekis, and the Captain steps onto the lowered ramp of the Ketch. Avery and I stay close behind him as we come onto the platform, passing by piles of crates and several Eliksni sentries on our way to the large door that leads inside. A Vandal, one of the members of the Kell's Guard, is waiting for us, and it wordlessly walks with us into the Ketch. The interior is made of the same drab metal as the exterior, and our boots clank against the floor as we weave around more crates and climb a staircase. We turn through a door and into a circular hallway. "[i]Much time has passed since I was among my House,[/i]" Sinekis comments as we come around a bend and ascend more stairs. We fall back into silence and cross a small room, where two Eliksni are inspecting the contents of a large container. They pay no attention to us as we stride to the opposite end of the room and into another hall. After a curve, the corridor opens into a large room, filled with Eliksni and machinery. Several of the Eliksni watch us cross the space, and some mutter respectful greetings before returning to their work. The Kell's Guard takes us through another door and up yet another set of stairs. The door at the top slides open and we step into the threshold of the Ketch's throne room. Monitors and equipment form rings at the sides of the chamber, and a blue spotlight shines down to brighten the otherwise dark room. At the far end, highlighted by a yellow floodlight and surrounded by the Vandals of the Kell's Guard, the throne sits on an elevated platform. A wide sail forms an arc behind the seat, crowning the Eliksni occupying it. The Kell of Winter is poised on the throne. Thick armor covers his already immense, ether-stuffed body, and he wears a helmet with two grand horn-like projections that covers his head and face. The mighty Eliksni surveys us casually and holds a hand out to us as his powerful voice booms through the air. "Commander Avery-20, Vanguard Keis-53," he addresses us in our tongue, then reverts to his own, "[i]And Sinekis, my Captain. Welcome to Simiks-fel. Come closer.[/i]" He lowers his arm while we approach, scaling the steps and stopping at the foot of his dais. His intelligent eyes, hidden under his mask, examine us intently as Avery greets, "Draksis, Kell of Winter." Sinekis bows and clicks, "[i]My Kell.[/i]" "[i]You have done well, my Captain,[/i]" Draksis commends, then scrutinizes Avery, "[i]I have been eager to speak with you in person, little Kell. Now the day has come, and not only does the Bane of the Cosmodrome stand before me, but she has brought with her the Bane of Raids. The last two of the great Archon-Slayers. I would have had great pleasure in meeting you in battle and killing you both myself before the Treaties.[/i]" "Thank you, Kell" Avery replies. "[i]Alas,[/i]" the Kell reminisces, remaining as cold and impassive as winter itself despite his words, "[i]The trio of the Expansion-Banes is incomplete. Much time has passed, but I now have the opportunity to express my sympathy for your first Kell's death in person. Many of my kin were killed alongside the Siege-Bane.[/i]" "Thank you, Kell" Avery repeats, matching his lack of emotion. "[i]But,[/i]" the Kell continues, leaning forward with a knowing chuckle, "Avery [i]the Keen-Minded has not come to speak of old wars. My Baron has told me of the Exo he found for you. She spoke of the Vex. Of their den. Why have you come to speak with me? You require something I have.[/i]" He states the last phrase as fact, rather than a question, and Avery nods confirmation. The Kell returns to his relaxed position expectantly, and Avery asserts, "That Exo was right about the Black Garden being a threat. One that we have ignored for too long. I believe that striking it as soon as possible is our best option. So I have come for the eye of a Gate Lord that you possess." The Kell barks a deep-throated laugh, then replies with a humorous yet dangerous edge to his voice, "[i]No one tells a Kell what to do, or takes without their consent. But you, like me, are a Kell, and a Kell is not meek and does not ask like a cowering Dreg.[/i]" He signals one of his guards with a flick of his fingers and orders, "[i]Go fetch the eye.[/i]" The Vandal hurries away and the Kell returns his calculating gaze to us, "[i]You know the eye is dead. You will have to recharge it.[/i]" "There's a Vex Spire connected to the Black Garden Gate," Avery informs, "That will recharge the eye." "[i]So,[/i]" Draksis chortles, "[i]You do plan on attacking the Cabal Warbase.[/i]" "Yes," Avery confirms. "[i]Then it will be war,[/i]" the Kell cackles, "[i]You have the support of House Winter. Our blades will pierce the armor of Cabal and Vex alike. Will you lead this assault?[/i]" "Keis-53 will," Avery answers. "[i]Hmm,[/i]" Draksis studies me carefully, sloping forward for a closer look, "[i]You have certainly proven your worth in battle, Line-Breaker. You are fit to war against the timeless machines.[/i]" "That is a subject we should discuss while we're here," Avery interjects commandingly, "What progress have you made?" "[i]Ah,[/i]" Draksis chirrs amusedly, tilting his head to look at the Commander, "[i]You wish to know why Simiks-fel is on the surface.[/i]" Once again he doesn't ask, and he doesn't wait for a response before explaining, "[i]I war with the Vex. They do not tolerate visitors. They seek out my raid parties, attack my kin. I cannot take hold without a staging area, so here is my Ketch. My Servitors are searching your Academy while my blades cut into their Ruins. I have found your Archive, and I intend to breach the Vex's Citadel.[/i]" "Good," Avery approves. "[i]There is, however, something that draws my attention,[/i]" The Kell recalls, "[i]The Vex stir in their ruins. They are building. I recently destroyed a Vex Mind, called Sekrion. It's purpose was to make this planet machine, like Mercury.[/i]" "That could be a problem," Avery ponders, "And it may be related to the Exo's warning. Hopefully we'll put them on the defensive by attacking the Black Garden." "[i]Perhaps,[/i]" Draksis clicks. A door opens to our left and the guard that he had sent out enters, followed by a number of Eliksni towing a cart. On top of the cart rests the disembodied head of a colossal Vex Minotaur. They stop next to us and the Kell directs, "[i]Give me its eye.[/i]" The guard obediently draws a dagger, planting a foot on the head and plunging the blade into the mesh of machinery. After giving the knife a sharp tug to cut through the material, it sheaths the dagger and thrusts a hand in. It withdraws its arm, holding a small metal sphere with a cracked lens. The guard offers the object to Draksis, who plucks it up and inspects it indifferently. "[i]Such an insignificant trinket,[/i]" the Kell observes, "[i]To those who are ignorant.[/i]" He tosses the core to me, and I snap my hand up to catch it. I study the dead eye in my palm. "[i]Sinekis, my Captain,[/i]" Draksis instructs, "[i]You will accompany the Raid-Bane and oversee my crews.[/i]" "[i]Yes, my Kell,[/i]" Sinekis bows. "[i]Will that be all?[/i]" The Kell asks the Commander. "Yes," Avery replies. "[i]Then farewell, little Kell,[/i]" Draksis dismisses, then adds as an afterthought, "[i]You are worthy of your title.[/i]" Wasting no time to acknowledge the complement, Avery pivots and strides to the exit. Sinekis and I quietly trail behind her, leaving the Kell to muse on his throne.