Doom of the Dragons, Part Twenty-Six: Decision

[spoiler]Greetings, Guardians, and here's part twenty-six of Doom of the Dragons! Here's part [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/242632404?sort=0&page=0]twenty-five [/url]if you missed it, or, if you're looking for another part, here's the [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/242738879?sort=0&page=0]Master Post[/url]. As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon! Stay classy, Guardians![/spoiler] Lysander’s statement jolted Marcella out of her melancholy. “What?” The Speaker turned to the Vanguard members. “Organize a hunting party of your best Guardians,” he said. “Be sure they know that Cupun is a very dangerous target. They should -“ “You can’t just kill him!” Marcella shouted. The room quieted, and the eyes of the Consensus again focused on her. “Why not?” Executor Quail asked. “He murdered a Guardian in cold blood.” “Because - because - “ Marcella stuttered, “because he’s not an evil person! He’s a good man, he just - he made a mistake! He’s not a murder, he’s just . . . sick!” “You yourself said that there is no way that what you witnessed was an accident,” Osiris said. “I fear your emotions may be clouding your judgement in this manner.” “I agree,” the Speaker said. “Unless you can think of some reason that a Guardian would murder one of his compatriots against his own will, then we will be forced to take action, however undesirable that action may be.” For a moment, Marcella despaired. Her best friend was about to be hunted down and killed like an animal. Then, a thought occurred to her. Something that might actually explain Cupun’s actions. “Actually,” she said, “I can.” The room was instantly filled with murmurs, which the Speaker quieted with a wave of his hand. He looked down at Marcella. “Explain,” he said. Marcella took a deep breath. “Several months ago, me and my fire team went on Vanguard-authorized mission to Luna,” she said. “While there, one of our fire team members - Lyra - was killed.” The Speaker nodded in sympathy. “I am sorry for your loss.” Blinking back tears, Marcella continued. “Cupun took it. . . especially hard,” she said. “He wanted to avenge her death. By any means necessary.” The Speaker leaned forwards, apparently intrigued. “And what ‘means’ did he use?” Marcella took a deep breath. “He went to the Ahamkara.” The room suddenly became as quiet as the grave. Nobody knew exactly what the Ahamkara were or what they wanted, but everybody had an opinion on the wish-dragons. And they were seldom good. Lysander leaned forwards, a slight frown on his face. “What aide did our Guardian receive from the wish-dragons?” he asked. Marcella licked her lips. “I don’t know,” she said at last. “But he was never the same afterwards.” “And you didn’t think to report it?” Henri sneered. Marcella gaped at the Arach. She opened her mouth to protest, but the Speaker motioned for her to be silent. “Now, now, Henri,” he said. “Marcella had no way of knowing that things could get this bad. She is not a clairvoyant. None of us are.” The masked man stroked his chin, as though lost in thought. Finally, he looked over at Osiris. “You are probably our foremost expert on this topic,” he said. “Tell me; is it possible that an Ahamkara could drive a Guardian to do such a thing?” Osiris appeared to deliberate for a moment, and then shrugged. “The full extent of the abilities of the Ahamkara is unknown,” he said. “It’s certainly possible, but I’m not sure what motivation the Ahamkara would have for getting Guardians to murder each other.” “But it’s a possibility!” Marcella insisted. Osiris reluctantly nodded. “It is indeed possible that Cupun’s thoughts may not be his own,” he said. “However, that doesn’t make him any less dangerous,” Saint said. “In fact, it makes him even more so. A Guardian being controlled by an Ahamkara? I’d prefer it if he were simply going rouge! At least then we’d have some inclination as to what his thought process is. But the question is, what do we do about it?” The members of the Consensus glanced at each other nervously. None of them were eager to take up the issue. “Let me talk to him,” Marcella said. “Let me try to find him, and talk some damn sense into him!” The Speaker glanced down at her. “Cupun may be your friend, but if he is under the control of the Ahamkara, then he may not know it,” he said. “You cannot go alone.” “She won’t,” came a voice from behind her. Marcella turned around, and saw Kim striding towards her, shotgun in hand. She smiled, and he nodded in return. “I’ll send someone to accompany you,” Saint said. “If things don’t go your way, we need someone who’s ready to do what needs to be done.” Marcella felt a lump form in her throat. Saint was saying that if they failed to get Cupun to come home, he wanted someone their to put a bullet in his head. “Please do,” the Speaker said. He turned back to Marcella and Kim. “I wish you both luck in your endeavor,” he said. “But if it fails, we will have no choice but to take action. Understood?” Marcella nodded. “Understood.” The Speaker nodded. “Then go forth,” he said. “And may the Traveler be with you.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=242865667&sort=0&page=0]Part Twenty-Seven: On the Hunt[/url]