(I've rewritten The Trials, so please read that first. Check the #SarasGambit for it and all my other stories (sort by latest for chronological order))
Vexis and Bella came easily enough. They still trusted Sara as their fireteam leader, even if they had grown a little distant after the events at the Dreaming City, they still shared a bond by way of the Red War. A little half truth about hunting down a monster that had shown its ability to smother a guardian's light was all it took for them to sign on. Her other target however, was not going to be nearly as easy. As she walked towards the bar that most of the pre-Red War heroes went to, she sighed and took her helmet off as she stepped in. It was abuzz with noise as usual, and her entrance didnt change that. In fact, despite the many stories told about her and her comrades through out the Tower, they seemed to not take notice of her at all.
It wasn't long before she spotted her target. Another Awoken titan. Steeling herself, Sara strode through the crowd and towards her old comrade who sat at the back of the bar. Pulling out the chair at her table, Sara sat down, placing her helmet on said table. "Hello Paria." She said, crossing her arms. The titan looked Sara up and down. "Sara. What brings the prince killer to my table?" Paria said, her voice cool and steely. Sara winced a little. Her actions at the Dreaming City had been divisive to say the least. She had hoped that Paria would be on the side that Uldren deserved, but judging by her tone she was in the opposite camp. "I've come to ask for a favor Paria." Sara said, shifting a little in her seat.
Paria snorted, grabbing her drink off the table. "First you go off on that mission with Cayde without me, which leads to him dying, then you rush off with your new pals to the Shore and cause all kinds of mayhem, not mention working with the Fallen, and then finally wind up at the Dreaming City, where you put a bullet between Uldren's eyes, all of this without talking to me or listening to a single word anyone told you, and you have the -blam!-ing balls to saunter up to my table and ask for a favor? You must be desperate." Paria says before downing her drink, gesturing for the civilian bartender to bring her another.
"Actually, I am." Sara said, before explaining what had happened in the Gambit arena, about the taken thing that had shown up and nearly killed some guardians. Just as with her fireteam, Sara left out the bit where she needed this things heart to create a Guardian killer. Paria stared straight at Sara, her eyes not even leaving when her new drink arrives, which she grabs and starts drinking. Once Sara had finished talking, Paria sets her glass down and looks at the ceiling. "Bullshit. What you're saying is true, but you're hiding something." Paria says, finally looking back at Sara. "I've known you for years, long enough to know when you arent letting someone onto the full truth, or just outright lying."
Sara sighed. "There are things about this that I cant tell you, either because I dont know them or becuase of promises I've made." Paria laughs at that, slamming her fist onto the table. "Promises?! Since when have promises ment anything to you since Cayde's mission? All you've done since is break and disregard them. You 'promised' that we would go on that Cayde mission together, you 'promised' that Uldren would see justice, you 'promised' to protect the light, and look where we are. Cayde's dead, Uldren never saw true justice, and you? You are toeing the line between Darkness and Light. Yeah, I've heard the stories about the greatest Collector around and they sound a hell of a lot like someone trying to control the Taken, like a certain dead king we both know." Paria says, her cool tone replaced with one burning with rage.
Sara looked Paria dead in the eye the entire time she spoke. Had she heard this a few weeks ago, she probably would have shot whoever she was sitting with at the bar, rules be damned. But now? Sara's purpose had strengthened her, her time in Gambit had forged her, and her resolve had sharpened her. "Need I remind you what happened during the Red War? Or did you forget about that?" Sara said, staring daggers at Paria, who froze. "You promised to never mention that again." Paria said, her booming voice replaced with a low whisper. "You're right. And I haven't. But you seem so convinced that I cant keep them that maybe it's time i brought it to everyone's attention. I mean, did you see any other guardians hiding and letting civi-" Sara said, but was quickly cut off by hand across her mouth. Paria had jumped out of her seat and shoved her hand against Sara, her eyes wide with fear. "Shut it. I'll help you on whatever little game you're playing, but only if you keep that to yourself." Paria said, removing her hand and taking her seat. Sara smiled and leaned back in her chair. "Deal."
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The link you used at the top doesn’t lead to The Trials. It leads to the Destiny Companion home page. This is the link you need: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/251376784/0/0 Maybe just tell readers to check/follow #SarasGambit to read The Trials. [spoiler]Sorry I haven’t been able to keep up with your story. When I find the time, I’ll catch up. Keep up the good work. (・̑з˂̵)~♡[/spoiler]