As she struggled with the straps of her armor, she contemplated the adventure to come. The plasteel plate sealed itself around her ankle with a hiss, the synthetic fiber lining bristling as the life support systems came online. After all this time, her suit had almost become a part of her, its low thrum of energy seeming to mimic the tension she felt as she rose from the bed. The landing platform was deserted. She looked out over the horizon, taking in the view of the night sky. Far below, she could just make out the sprawling array of rusting aircraft, forgotten relics from some ancient past. Among them, she knew that something stirred, clawing and scraping in the shadows. It was here that her ghost had found her all those months ago. Somehow, the machine had revived her, brought her back. Whatever had taken her life before the ghost's arrival had been long since lost to time. She had no memory of who she had been, of the people whom she must have known, and loved. She was only sure of one thing: if she had died, then she must have [i]lived.[/i] Tonight, she would find her answers, no matter the cost. Her jumpship glistened with dew as the moon reflected off of its battered hull. The old hulk was no longer capable of space travel, but it would be enough. She had heard whispers from the other guardians, those who had traveled to the moon, and some from places further still. The Fallen had spread even to Venus. They were winning the war, and using our own weapons to defeat us. Reports had surfaced that a Prime had lead them to Earth, that this sentient machine was able to access databanks from man's golden age and repurpose that lost knowledge to engineer our own destruction. Many had little hope for mankind's survival. Still, there were other tales, of victories won on distant planets and hard fought battles against relentless alien foes. Deep beneath the Venusian surface, legend has it that a cybernetic monstrosity had emerged that could control the fabric of space and time. He had threatened all of existence, but was defeated by a cunning warlock who lured him to his death in the bottomless chasm beneath his lair. On Mars, a Cabal warlord was said to have been vanquished by a small team of guardian snipers who were able to dispose of him from the safety of a clever hiding spot. Now it would be her turn. She had learned that a Prime had been spotted, lurking in the ruins of the Cosmodrome just outside the Traveler's reach. Someone must have known who she was, of the life she had once lived. If this machine had accessed the primitive databanks man had left behind, perhaps it would have the answers she sought. She took a last look down at the hefty revolver at her side. It had been her constant companion these last months. She remembered when she had first held it, afraid of its mass and power. Despite her trepidation, she had practiced her aim on the scavenging creatures of the Skywatch, trying to follow them through the gunsight as they burst from the caves in an endless flood. She slew them until she could no longer count how many, until the mass of iron felt like a part of her as it roared and thrashed in her grasp. Until the day came when there were no more left to kill. The time had come. She was ready. Tonight she knew she faced a far greater threat than the mindless dregs below, and had briefly considered leaving the old revolver behind in favor of one of the much more formidable weapons that were offered in the Tower. These were beyond her reach, however, as she had little means with which to buy them, and she had grown far too attached to her weapon of choice as it was. Better to choose the devil she knew. Tonight she could take no chances. Her ghost could not accompany her. Like all of the others, it was in its weekly shutdown cycle, a necessary reboot to repair the ongoing effects of the Traveler's influence. The guardians called it Nightfall, for that is when their ghosts slept, and when none but the most foolhardy warriors would venture out without the safety of their robotic companions. If she fell in battle, there would be no second chances, but this was also why she had chosen this very evening to enact her plan. The enemies of mankind had learned our patterns, our weaknesses, and they knew we dared not confront them tonight. She would face the danger alone, but her enemy would not expect her. She would creep into their lair, find the Prime, and find her answers. The cockpit hatch slid open and the pressurized gasses within escaped, caressing her cheek like a warm breeze. There was no going back. She knew the risks. She had heard the legends. Tonight, she would learn hers. Edit: If you like the story so far, chapter 2 can be found in the newest comments section on the latest update, or make it easy on yourself and read it here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10856982/2/A-Tale-Of-Destiny