Val Aru’un’s escort of Harvesters and Skiffs passed radio clearance and flew through triangular openings in the Geode’s lattice. Their ships flew over the expansive fortress, where armor, weapons, and munitions foundries belched chemical smoke into a few meters of air only to be recollected by vents to be used in other products. Power stations were stationed beside large turbines projecting into the river winding through the compound. The only signs of life were wide farm patches and hordes of ant-sized beings running through drills. But what stood out over the rest, second only to the Traveler in altitude, was the Stronghold, the command center of the Geode. It looked like a wide pyramid with its top cut off and several spires sprouting from the top. The top was lined with heavy artillery, while Harvesters, Skiffs, and jumpships flew in and out of it like hornets out of their nest. A Ketch bearing the Ice Reapers’ banner was comfortably docked at the south wall, while the main hangar doors were open on either side admitting most of the air traffic in. The Cabal and Eliksni ships separated then to dock in their respective hangars. Harvesters and Goliath Tanks lined one side of the wall while Skiffs and Walkers butted up against the other. Scattered throughout the bay were small jumpships. Aru’un’s vessel landed in an available space, followed by the rest of his entourage. He waited outside the landing bay doors of his vessel, giving his officers plenty of time to set up the troops into a disembarking salute. He turned to see Ikora and Cerragus standing behind him, his little Ghost still floating around his head. His gaze lingered on the undead Cabal. He had no idea what High Command’s reaction would be; he barely knew how to react himself! He was actually thankful to report this in person. Taking the time to write it out in a field report would have been exhaustive. He broke his stare and signaled for the pilot to open the door. The door let out a hydraulic hiss and it lowered, revealing – as expected – several rows of men, Eliksni, and Cabal standing at attention. As soon as the door hit the hangar floor, the troops raised their arms in salute. Aru’un returned the gesture quickly, stepping out of the ship and approaching his gathered Bracuses. “Which of you led the counterattack at Schrödinger Crater?” he asked. “Sir!” one called out a row back. “That would be me, sir!” Aru’un nodded. “Pick one of your Eliksni commanders to join me to make my report. We will be meeting their Val and Valus Variks today.” The Bracus lowered his salute and cried, “Centurion Riksis! Step forward!” A larger Eliksni wearing a broad-horned helmet stepped forward. Aru’un had heard mixed reports about him, stating his effectiveness as a commander and engineer while maintaining a disturbing habit of collecting trophies from enemies’ bodies. “Sir,” he stated much too respectfully, “I am very honored that you would consider me, but I feel I don’t deserve the credit for the victory. Perhaps Val Taniks—” “Val Taniks does not answer to Val Solkis,” Aru’un interrupted before the Bracus could interject. “And in any event, he is required elsewhere.” The briefest hint of a scowl flashed across Riksis’ face before disappearing. “Then with your consent, I would like to have Lieutenant D’Ssoad accompany me. He was the one who fulfilled the Bracus’ orders and call Scarred Legion for reinforcements.” The Bracus turned to look at a man without his helmet on. “Is this accurate, Lieutenant?” A man with dark brown hair and handsome features – for a human – stiffened slightly and replied, “Yes, sir.” “Granted,” Aru’un responded. “We will leave at 0800 two days from now. Dismissed.” The troops lowered their salutes and broke formation, forming groups and chattering about what they’d do with their leave time. Aru’un looked back to Ikora and Cerragus. “You two will accompany as well.” Ikora nodded, gently grabbing Cerragus’ wrist and pulling him along. Riksis and D’Ssoad looked at the pair uncertainly as Aru’un led the way through the hangar. They followed several strings of hallways and took elevators through various levels. They passed Cabal in target practice, Eliksni repairing machines, and humans going over battle plans, some Risen with Ghosts floating over their shoulders. The group drew a couple looks as they traveled, but most were focused on duties at hand. Eventually, they arrived at the doors of a council chamber, guarded by four Imperial Phalanxes who cleared each member of Aru’un’s before letting them enter. Inside stood three large figures: one Cabal, two Eliksni, all staring out a large window before turning to see who entered. Aru’un stopped walking forward and saluted. “Valus Trau’ug, Valus Variks, Val Solkis.” Trau’ug stepped forward, the tall stands of hair shifting on his shoulders as he returned the salute. “Val Aru’un. I am pleased to see you have survived your time on the lunar front. What do you have to report?” “I bring mixed tidings on the warfront, Valus. Crota struck Mare Imbrium. Once again, he did not hold any ground he took.” “Why bother?” Solkis growled. His dark red armor gleamed in the light from the window. “They hold everything beneath it. We won’t start taking the moon back until we take the Hive’s tunnels with it.” “We’ve tried that before,” Trau’ug grunted. “They live in the dark and know their way around better. Even if we discount the [i]thousands[/i] we’d lose taking a fraction of those catacombs, they’d create new burrows and attack us from behind. It’s suicide.” “We’re losing what forces we have!” Solkis roared. “We need more soldiers. If it’s a matter of numbers—” “It’s not,” Variks interrupted behind them. The green-armored Eliksni superseded the universal translator and spoke in human language they had all learned. “Crota has laid down armies larger than at Mare Imbrium. Crota’s power strengthens Hive, and Risen only [i]he[/i] has slain feeds Light to Ogres. Cut the head off the beast. Crota is the real problem.” Solkis scoffed. “Those efforts haven’t gone any better. All assassination attempts have ended in failure. They haven’t even gotten close. The lose him somewhere [i]underground[/i].” “This is a matter to discuss with High Command,” Trau’ug shut down. “Continue with your report, Aru’un.” “Fortunately, not all efforts have ended in failure,” Aru’un proceeded, gesturing to Riksis and D’Ssoad. “A battalion held Schrödinger Crater and even succeeded in defeating a Reborn Ogre.” Solkis eyes widened in surprise. “Indeed? Well done, Riksis. You do your kind proud.” “Thank you, my Val,” he replied, displaying genuine warmth from the praise. “We had help, sir,” D’Ssoad added. “The Scarred Legion was on standby, and their reinforcements helped turn the tide.” Riksis’ furious scowl was lost on Solkis as he turned to his fellow commanders. “You see? We just need more legions at our disposal. That way—” Variks stepped between Trau’ug and Solkis, staring intently at Cerragus and the Ghost floating beside him. “You’re not Ophiuchus.” “N-no,” Slate buzzed as Ikora’s Ghost appeared. “You know my name?” her Ghost chirped. “I know everyone’s name, little Light,” Variks responded. “What are you doing here then?” “I was getting to that,” Aru’un spoke up. “The Cabal here came from Mare Imbrium—” “You said there were no survivors,” Solkis interrupted. “They were,” the Val reaffirmed. “After the battle we performed the reaping protocol and he was [i]resurrected[/i] by that Ghost. His name is Cerragus.” “What?!” Solkis cried. Trau’ug and Variks simply watched Cerragus with wide eyes. “A Risen Cabal…” Trau’ug whispered. “Interesting,” Variks muttered. “Does he know how to use Light?” “Not yet,” Ikora answered. “He was reborn mere hours ago. We don’t even know for certain if he can use Light yet.” “He can be revived, yes?” Riksis, having stood quietly moments before, shrugged and replied, “There’s only one way to know for sure.” He casually fingered a shock pistol at his belt. Ikora and Slate glared at him and said simultaneously, “No.” Trau’ug crossed his arms. “Enough. This is a serious matter.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=244991280&sort=0&page=0]Table of Contents[/url]