On the trip to the Tower, I learned a lot of what I didn't know about how things stood. It seemed that Exos were considered normal sentient beings, with the same rights as humans as opposed to the Exos I had known who were little more than bipedal weapons platforms. This Exo had simply adopted his Ghost's name and became the Shark. I also learned of the Awoken, a race seemingly born between the Dark and the Light when our ships tried to flee the Collapse. I also heard the truth of the great battle of Twilight Gap, the story which led me to this destiny. That story gave us hope since we had assumed that all of the remaining humans were like us, hiding in caves and mountains under siege. That was why some if us tried to reach the City. We pulled into a steep dive toward the Traveler, clearly seen from near orbit. As we passed through the upper atmosphere, I began to see a great city. It must shelter millions if people within its walls, and it is overlooked by the mighty shadow of the Traveler. I had never seen it in person, and I was stunned by the sheer scale of the colossal sphere. Even with the ugly scars on its underside and the marks its struggle had wrought, it still gave the impression of a thing ancient beyond imagination. "I've always heard people refer to the Traveler as a person." I started to say to Shark. "Why is that? Does it talk to us?" My pilot brought us into a smooth landing in a tower near the edge of the city. "Sort of. I think it used to, but these days we have a Speaker." Exo's expressions were always hard to read, but I thought I detected a wry note in his tone of voice. "You'll meet him soon. He makes a point of seeing every newly reborn Guardian, and he'll answer your questions as he sees fit." Shark must have seen my dubious expression as we exited his jumpship, and he laughed. "Don't worry. He's vague and mysterious at times, but otherwise he's a good leader. Just keep in mind that he is like the high priest of the deity that chose you to be its warrior. He is one of the few people that our Ghosts follow without question. Don't fool around when you meet him." We walked up the stairway into the hangar, and a guide frame approached me. "Saint Turinna, this way please. The Vanguard and the Speaker await you." The Shark waved a friendly goodbye. "I'm sure I'll see you again. Hope to fight alongside you someday. May the Traveler guide you, Guardian. Farewell." I followed the guide frame, a robot designed to assist people in finding their way about the city. It led me from the hangar into a courtyard bustling with activity. Great banners of red and white stood tall above the terrace overlooking the city. Vendors and merchants were present in large numbers, offering their wares to any Guardians interested in their workmanship. A board to my right had numerous bounties posted, near it the door to the Hall of Guardians. We crossed the bustling space and went through a short passage and up a small flight of stairs, and I found myself in the presence of the Speaker. He wore an ornate white robe and a metallic mask. He nodded in greeting. Unsure of what to do, I made a short bow. "Welcome, Guardian. Ghost, I commend you on your choice. He looks to be a great Titan someday." He returned his attention to me. "Surely you have some questions, even though you stayed in the void shorter than most." I nodded. "I was wondering several things. I've never seen the Traveler before, since I was born after the Collapse. Does it have a mind? I mean, is it intelligent? And what does it mean for you to be the Speaker? Does it, he, talk to you? And what should I be doing? How do we fight the Darkness?" I halted my barrage of questions, unsure if I was being impertinent to such an important personage. The Speaker remained silent for a moment. I grew more nervous. His mask made it impossible to gauge his emotions. Was he formulating answers, or deciding what to do with me? "There was a time," he began. "There was a time of great power and progress for our race. We called it our Golden Age, and we owed it to the Traveler. Yes, it is vastly intelligent and we learned much from it. In the Collapse, the Traveler pushed back the Darkness for a time. However, the trial proved too much. In its last breath, the Traveler created the Ghosts. Through you, Guardian, and others like you, the Traveler fights on." The Speaker had been talking in a low, patient voice as if he had told countless Guardians all of this. His tone became slightly sharper as he continued. "And it is not for me to tell you the mysteries of how I commune with the Traveler. That is never revealed to anyone except the Speaker." He halted, and I felt chastised. "Go and report to Commander Zavala. He will see to your armory and assignments. Farewell, Guardian." The guide frame led me into the Hall Of Guardians. Technicians and security personnel monitored screens set around the wall, seeking threats approaching the city. Our city. I thought. The fact that I was now one of these people finally started to sink in. I was not an outsider anymore. I am now a soldier, ready to do anything to see us through to the end of the Darkness. In the middle of the room, three people stood around a large table. Maps, charts, battle strategies, and logistical information covered the table. The people at the table were animatedly discussing something, pointing to a map labeled "Cosmodrome". When I approached them, all three turned to look at me. The one who was closest to me was a dark skinned woman, clad in a purple and gold tunic. Her voice was low and brimming with power. "Hail, Guardian. Ghost, I see you were successful in your mission. You had no difficulties, I trust?" "None that we couldn't settle, Ikora. He is a fine Guardian already, and will grow much in time. Saint, this is the Vanguard." He indicated the three people at the planning table. "Ikora Rey, Warlock." The woman who had spoken nodded. "Cayde-6. Hunter and the newest member of the Vanguard." The Exo to my left waved his hand. "And the leader and founder of this body, Commander Zavala. Titan." A huge blue-skinned man at the end of the table inclined his head. "You haven't met any yet, but he is an Awoken." "A what?" "You have much to learn, but it will come." Ikora said. "What is he, Ghost? To which of us will he look for guidance?" "It's obvious." Cayde made a sound that resembled a snort. "A fine looking fellow like that is naturally a Hunter. Titans get their nose broken too many times, and Warlocks spend too much time thinking on the arcane points of ancient literature to care about their appearances." I wasn't sure how to take that. Ikora rolled her eyes and ignored Cayde. "My Guardian is undoubtedly a Titan. He managed Arc blows and grenades with minimal instruction and survived an ambush from stealthed Vandals. That's more than many can boast of in their first hours since Rebirth."Commander Zavala looked me over. "If you're everything your Ghost claims you are, you will be a fine asset to this City. As your Ghost stated, we are the Vanguard. We coordinate the activity of Guardians on Earth and beyond. We alert you to points of interest, priority targets, and potentially valuable relics and artifacts. We encourage resourcefulness and inquisitive people, so don't be afraid to explore the wilds where you face our foes. On the other hand, if we need you to quickly take down a target or fall back to defend a key location, we expect rapid response. Am I clear?" I nodded. "Yes sir." Zavala seemed satisfied. "Good. One of the guide frames will take you to our barracks. Normally, only the Guardians specially assigned to the Vanguard stay there, but you can reside there until you find lodging within the City or decide on a faction to serve. Report back here at oh eight hundred hours tomorrow. Get a good night's rest."