SALADIN: "I have a heavy machine gun, and she has a sniper rifle. Are those all right?" EVANS: "Oh, yeah. Machine guns, autorifles, trace rifles, we're fine with it as long as you don't shoot it at anybody. Especially the blue Shanks, since they're ours." SALADIN: "Blue Shanks?" Efrideet, sharper-eyed than he, points. Several Fallen Shanks with dark blue paint jobs are circulating around and above the dettlement. EFRIDEET: "Fallen activity in this area's pretty heavy. This settlement's probably had its share of attacks." EVANS: "And once we defeat them, we salvage and reprogram their equipment. One of our gun shops specializes in Eliksni armaments." Saladin reads the sign posted next to the entry gate in silence. It's straightforward and severe. Crimes are severely punished, able-bodied adults who refuse to work are ejected, and school is mandatory for those between 7 and 14. A number of selections from the old American Bill of Rights are guaranteed. He looks at the settlement in front of him. Men and woman are going about their business, some of them with small children in tow. Many if not most also have visible holstered pistols on their hips; the law also states that every mentally capable adult must carry at least a sidearm, in case of an attack. Despite the frontier-like nature of the laws, this town is a place of considerable amenities as well. Several stores have their inside lights on, overhead fixtures instead of emergency lamps. Clearly, this settlement has power to spare. A functioning drinking fountain nearby indicates running water as well. It's almost like a pre-Golden Age city except for the lack of personal vehicles, but a few hoverbuses can be seen. At this point, the assemblage is approached by a man in Titan armor. Like Saladin (at this point) and Efrideet, he appears to be in the prime of his life. Risen are typically regenerated at that age, regardless of how old they were when they died. He has a large handcannon strapped to his leg, and an Eliksni shotgun (something similar to the Lord of Wolves) slung behind him. DANIEL: "Good morning. I'm Daniel, Guardian of New Seattle." It should be noted that at this point in history, the term "Guardian" has not been officially adopted. Daniel uses it to describe himself because that is what he does here. DANIEL (continues): "A large Titan in silver and gold armor, you must be Lord Saladin. Your reputation proceeds you, sir." SALADIN: "And what does my reputation say about me?" DANIEL: "That you remove cruel and tyrannical warlords from power, killing them and destroying their Ghosts if necessary. A number of my newest citizens were residents of the Olympia settlement. That was... an ugly affair." SALADIN: "I know, I saw it." DANIEL: "Those people were treated like animals. If I'd known, maybe I could have done something, but..." SALADIN: "No one ever escaped." DANIEL: "Well, see what's going on here. We're not like them. We have a 24-hour power grid, a backup generator for key locations, clean running water, central heating in most buildings, armed security, a volunteer fire brigade, a hospital with a trauma ward, and even public transportation and trash removal." EFRIDEET (indicates a brightly painted building with a canary-yellow hoverbus parked in front of it): "Not to mention schools." DANIEL: "And both child and elder care. And I don't do to the young woman what the Olympian warlord did. I have a wife and three children, the youngest of whom attends that very school you're pointing at." SALADIN: "You have a very impressive community here, to be sure." DANIEL: "Well, you can thank our elected officials, they run the show. I just manage the threats." SALADIN: "How many people are living here?" DANIEL: "Last official count put us at 5812 souls. But that was before the Olympian refugees came, and our maternity wards are usually full. I'd say we're probably over six thousand by now." EFRIDEET: "That's twenty times the population of Olympia." DANIEL: "Well, we've been around longer. And people actually want to come here." SALADIN: "True. Would you believe that we passed no fewer than four different groups of people who were making their way here?" He is interrupted by the arrival of an attractive young lady in her late teens, dressed in armor of tightly woven sapphire wire. Like the other three, a point of light floats at her shoulder. SALADIN: "Another Risen?" EFRIDEET: "Yes, and a Hunter at that." DANIEL: "Indeed. May I present my daughter, Nirwen. If you don't mind, can you give her the coordinates of those refugee groups you passed? Eliksni patrols steer clear of this city, but they're never far off. I'd like to scoop up our prospective new arrivals before anything unfortunate happens." Saladin nods to his Ghost, who transmits the information to Nirwen's. The young woman gives him a thumbs-up and jumps into an off-road vehicle that's been covered with crudely welded plasteel armor, which comes to life and rumbles off across the wasteland. DANIEL: "In any case, you and Lady Efrideet are welcome to stay here as long as you wish, and talk to any citizen, immigrant, or visitor. I am confident that in time, you will realize that your services here are not required. I am a guardian, not a warlord." SALADIN: "We've already realized that, Daniel. We're still here for a reason, but it's a very different one now." DANIEL: "Well, color me intrigued. Why don't we go to my office; we can discuss whatever you need to discuss." That's all for now... Oddish's Index Page: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/228589572