Here's 11! Master Post is [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/214044178]here[/url]. FYI I'm going to start a regular posting schedule. Every week on Tuesday and Friday, I'll post a new chapter. I'll stick to this as best I can, so enjoy knowing when to look for an update. Without further ado, Part 11: <Begin Recording> [i]Audio Log 00137[/i] [i]Cassandra Vasquez[/i] “What is so urgent, Vasquez?” Ikora demanded. She was irritated and it showed through over the comms. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Master Rey,” I replied, attempting to placate her. “But Vera abandoned the fireteam.” There was silence. “Explain,” Ikora said simply after a few seconds. I filled her in on our predicament. “So we are physically unable to follow her,” I concluded. “She seems suicidal or highly devoted to the Vanguard. I can’t tell which.” “This is troubling, Guardian,” Ikora sighed. “But there is hope. I believe that the source of these vibrations is the very same technology I sent you to find.” “With all due respect, you didn’t exactly tell us what we’re looking for,” Solm interjected. They stood up as if they were arguing with someone physically present. “And I’m getting to that right now, Castellan,” Ikora continued sternly. Solm sat down, agitated. “I won’t get into the politics too much, but you’re not technically supposed to be on Venus as newly resurrected Guardians. It’s dangerous and we’re spread too thin already. But this is precisely why I needed your Fireteam. Our more experienced Guardians are occupied with other tasks at the moment. However, my sources have found information of Golden Age Technology too valuable to go unrecovered. Apparently, the Davenpool Foundation was on the cutting edge of Vex research. Furthermore, they may have discovered a way to disrupt Vex communication and travel networks. I believe that this is what has been causing the vibrations. At the very least Vera-2 will be safe from Vex attacks, assuming the machine works as intended. What you should focus on, Guardians, is researching the machine. Head up into the labs and see if you can access files on the machine or any other valuable technology.” “Our friend is still out there,” Solm said. “I’m not comfortable leaving her behind!” “This isn’t about what you’re comfortable with,” Ikora countered. “This is about the good of the City. This is about humanity. Your friend will be fine.” “How do you know?” Solm said stubbornly. I felt my face grow hot. Solm was embarrassing both of us. “Solm,” I said. “Leave it. Ikora is right. Vera will be fine.” “If it makes you feel better, I’ll check in with Vera-2 and keep you updated,” Ikora said, attempting to console Solm. I looked at Solm. Their brow was furrowed and they were obviously upset, but then they sighed looking up. “Okay,” Solm agreed. “Thank you, Master Rey.” “Yes. I’ll check in later.” I turned to Solm. “What was that?” I demanded. They looked surprised. “What was what?” I put my hand to my temple. “You kept pushing her!” Solm blinked, confused. “Well, yeah,” they said. “She wanted us to just forget about Vera.” I rolled my eyes. “No she didn’t. She’s right. Vera made a choice. We can’t follow her, so the most logical path to tread is researching what Vera is getting into. The information we find could be used to help her.” “Cass.” Solm looked me in the eye. “The worst thing we can do right now is lose our cohesion. We’re far from the Traveller, deep in enemy territory, and we’re all under considerable stress.” I shook my head. “I know that, Solm. That’s obvious. But Vera clearly made a choice.” “I don’t think she did,” Solm was looking past me now, off into space. “What do you mean?” Solm bit their lip, thinking. “I think…” they trailed off. “I think that Vera is dealing with something we can’t understand. I think that she’s feeling defeated and worthless, and right now would be the worst time to let her be alone.” “What? Why? What possible reason could there be for that feeling right now?” I scoffed, pacing. “We’re currently on a covert mission from Ikora Rey, sent to find Golden Age technology that could help turn the tide in our struggle with the Vex. We’re powerful.” I stopped and faced Solm. “How could she feel defeated or worthless?” “Sometimes there isn’t a reason.” I didn’t have a reply. There was something fundamentally wrong with that statement. It wasn’t that it was false, but it was the notion that it could be true that struck me as unjust. “Well… what can we do?” I said softly. Solm looked at the ground, dejected. “I’m not sure, Cass. But I don’t think that letting her go is the right idea.” “We can’t exactly follow her,” I said dryly. I remembered quite clearly what it feels like to have your organs pulverized by a strange shockwave. “Our Ghosts can.” “No,” I said firmly. “That is absolutely out of the question.” I wasn’t about to risk that. “If she would answer the comms we wouldn’t have this problem.” I laughed humorlessly. “No, Solm. That’s way too dangerous.” “Why do you get to decide, Cass?” Solm stood to their full height and summoned their Ghost. I didn’t have an answer. “You know what to do,” they said to the little light. “I don’t like this plan,” their Ghost said. I felt as if everything was rushing towards a predetermined future. Events were moving by quickly and monumental decisions were being made without much thought. Nothing felt right! I couldn’t let the narrative slip from my grasp. “Wait.” I summoned my Ghost. “You go instead,” I told it. “If I die somehow, Solm will protect my body. They’re better at killing than I am.” Solm looked at me, surprised. “What? No, Cass. You can’t do that.” I cocked my head and snorted. “Really, Solm? You don’t get to make a ‘noble sacrifice.’ What I said is true: you’re a better warrior. I trust you.” Solm looked away. “Hey,” I said. They looked back. “Nothing bad is going to happen to us,” I reassured them. “It’s going to be okay.” “Okay,” they reticently conceded. “Let’s get started, then.” “Ghost,” I said, releasing my small companion. “Send us a live video feed as soon as you make contact.” “I will Cass.” It began to fly away but stopped and turned back. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’re my Guardian.” I smiled at it. “Fret not, little friend. You picked me for a reason. Now go. Vera needs us.” As my Ghost shot off into the darkness, I felt more than just a pang of worry. It was as if a large part of me had just departed. Anxiety gnawed at my insides, but I couldn’t afford to let it bother me. Every action I made out here, far from the Traveller, was a declaration. Everything we did firmly pushed the future in a different direction. And in the back of my mind, the destination seemed inevitable. But I refused to allow fatalism to beat me into submission. I would not bow. <End Recording>