This is part 1. Check out the other parts here: [url]https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/214044178[/url] <Begin Recording> [i]Audio Log 00068[/i] [i]Vera-2[/i] We go way back, my fireteam and I. We were all resurrected around the same time, near the same place. Cassandra and Solm were found in the same train car, even. I guess I've always been the third wheel here, but at least they humor me. And don't get me wrong we're all good friends. But they've always had something more. The Warlock and the Titan. I gotta admit, it's kinda cute. But I'm rambling now. Our ghosts all linked up and I made my way through the rubble of the European Dead Zone towards the waypoint on my HUD. I overheard our ghosts excitedly chattering about how lucky they were to find all three of us so close to each other. I didn't have anything to add to the conversation so I kept my mouth shut. Once I reached the other two, the conversation went something like this: Me, waving my glittery chrome hand: Hey guys. We're alive. Again. Cassandra, running a hand across her bald scalp: It would appear so. Solm, anxiously shifting their huge Awoken body like a child who wants a toy: Okay, that's great, guys, but when is it punching time? And that's how a lives-long friendship started. I say "lives" because we died. A lot. Cassandra always had some philosophical nonsense ready about how we were never the same being as before resurrection because "blah blah blah matter blah physical form blah blah." Who has time for that? Solm and I never let her get away with it, that's for sure. Anyway, by the time we waded through or evaded a whole army of House Devils and made it to the Tower, we'd already made a name for ourselves. Ikora called us into her office as soon as we landed. I just wanted to sleep in an actual bed after camping in broken buildings for three weeks, but Cassandra convinced me that it would be worth it. Ikora was sitting behind her desk, undoubtedly reading some top secret mission report. She glanced up briefly as we staggered in, exhausted. Our armor was worn and pitted by all of the shock rounds we'd taken on our journey. My poor cloak was barely even a scarf at that point. "Okay then," she said, eyes glued to her report. I remember she almost seemed bored. "You're Fireteam... Scarab?" "Dung Beetle," Solm corrected her. Cassandra blushed. "Not my idea, ma'am," she blurted out. Ikora looked up, a slight glint of mirth in her eye. "Of course not, young Warlock. Well I was giving you the benefit of the doubt, but Dung Beetle it is. I take it you let the Hunter come up with the name?" I laughed. "I wish! Elegant in its simplicity, infuriating in its idiocy... but no. You'll have to thank Solm here for that gem." Solm grinned sheepishly. "I thought it was nice!" And I think it was at that moment that I saw Cassandra fall ever so slightly in love. Something in her eyes when she looked at Solm, then. She'd later tell me that she was drawn to Solm's innocence and joy. I couldn't argue with that. Solm was unique. Even when they were waist deep in stinking Cabal carcasses, you'd swear Solm was the purest thing you'd ever seen. It was something in the way they carried themselves. Ikora took no notice and continued on. "Well, guardians, I'm impressed. And that's saying something." I could tell that Cassandra was trying not to squeal. "I need you," Ikora continued, "for an important reconnaissance mission. You may have heard of the Ishtar Academy on Venus." "Nope!" I interjected. I thought I was being funny, but the look I received from Ikora in that moment made my machine heart turn to ice. I didn't speak for a while after that. "Anyway," Ikora said, her voice soft and dangerous, "the Ishtar Academy is one of three great Golden Age institutes on Venus, and also one of the best-mapped. I am interested in the Davenpool Foundation, an institution analogous to the IA, but much less explored. Now this is embarrassing, but we know so little about it that its exact coordinates remain unknown to us. We have an estimate, but we haven't been able to spare the guardians. You three have proven yourself capable of prolonged survival deep in enemy territory, which is why I've selected you for this mission. Keep in mind, however, that the Traveller's Light is faint on Venus. You will have to rely on each other like never before. In summary, you three are to travel to Venus and scour the ruins we've highlighted as possible entrances to Davenpool. Upon its discovery you are to access any and all data from the Golden Age for Vanguard use. Any questions, Guardians?" "When do we leave?" Cassandra asked, barely containing her excitement. "Tomorrow," came the reply. "Oh for -blam!-'s sake," said I. <End Recording>