The Hangar was empty, and not a sound nor soul could be heard from within the metal halls. Biocatarus-3 and his Ghost moved quickly under the presence of sheer terror. The Hangar was never empty, so the likely possibility of this all being just a predatory ruse was ever present within the tangled coils of his thoughts. He reached the far end of the chamber, used Ceris’s passcode to summon the ship, and was revulsed to learn that it was a true junker. He’d seen pictures of dead and rusted Descendant Vex that were in better condition, but eventually he found the aesthetic to be fitting, as it was a broken ship for an even more derelict Exo. This brief moment of comparison had unwantedly opened up a floodgate of self reflection, and so it was that Biocatarus-3 once again doubted his very motivations. I’m doing this because I want to, no, need to. I need to find a reason to go on, to find a purpose. I’m unwanted here, that much is clear, so leaving will let me prove that I am strong, just like you were. You wanted me to be the better man, right Two? He was in the process of checking the progress of the ship’s refueling when the Voice spoke once more. [We are running out of time.] said the machine within his mind. “I know.” the Exo audibly said by accident, allowing Aydin to over hear and turn with a questioning stare. “We’d be out of here by now if it wasn’t for all of those-” -He pulled the fuel cable from its docking port- “-people showing up to try and tell me what I should be doing right now. It would be nice to not have to deal with that when I’m working!” “Then I’m sorry to disappoint.” replied the cold, commanding voice of Zavala, the Titan Vanguard mentor who was also the one that doubted him the most. The armored Awoken had seemingly appeared out of thin air, having possibly transmatted himself into existence as to provide himself the advantage of surprise. As Biocatarus-3 clumsily prepared for a confrontation, he noticed a squad of second-generation Peacekeepers hiding in the rafters. He was outnumbered, and even a master of the Light would have trouble with such an engagement, much less the clueless mess of a Guardian that he was. Zavala looked to his right, glancing at the Shipwright’s station, and more importantly the torn strip of black and red cloth that hung from its wall. He sighed, a rare admittance of emotion from the stoic warrior, and looked Biocatarus-3 in the eye. “I know you’re frustrated,” he declared. “But there’s always a rational justification behind my actions. I’ve lost friends who were more prepared to face evil than you are, and if I have learned anything, it’s to trust my instincts in matters like this.” The conflicted Exo heard the reasonable statement, yet he couldn’t bring himself to agree. He had waited long enough. “Oh just be honest for once!” Biocatarus-3 yelled.”You’re afraid I’ll grow into something you can’t control. Hell, I’d even bet Two got to that point, and you don’t want it to happen again.” “I want what’s best for the City, I want what’s best for you. All the tragedies in my lifetime could have been avoided if I’d just… acted sooner. You won’t be my next mistake.” The would-be deserter remained silent, his heart reconsidering his actions. This was the last deciding moment of his future path, for beyond this point there would be no return, his choice forever final. He might be treading towards his own demise, or worse. His rashness might accidentally hurt others too. Is the freedom to grow worth the risk? Fate decided for him. In that moment of moral indecision, a single rusted vessel of lethally crude design sped past the open hangar doors and towards the people of the Last City. “Fallen.” Zavala whispered, his face contorted in remembered anguish. The monstrous ravagers had nearly slaughtered his people once before, and he feared they had finally returned to finish the job. He would not let his people face devastation again. Zavala looked upon the Peacekeepers and pointed to the closest. “Initiate a high alert and find out how it snuck past our defences. The rest with you with me! We won't let them claim a single life, not while the walls stand!” As the Titan Vanguard prepared to engage to lone dropship, he suddenly remembered what he had originally come to do. It was too late, for Biocatarus-3 had already entered the escape craft and was in the process of taking off. A Peacekeeper raised a rocket launcher in retaliation, but Zavala gestured for him to stow it. “Let him go. The safety of our city is more important. Besides, I suspect he will return. The question is, who will he be when he does?” Apheyra stood on the Tower rooftops and watched the silhouette of a rugged jumpship fly over head and fade into the distant mountain sky. She suspected it was Biocatarus-3, and for a moment she considered following the foolish Exo. Her starlit eyes closed, allowing her to focus solely upon her conscious. He was practically a stranger, after all, so why should she care? There was no satisfaction in this conclusion, as it only possessed an emotion reminiscent of emptiness, but at the same time she forced herself to believe it. The Warlock wiped away an escaping tear and decided to let him go. Next Chapter: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/250572804?sort=0&page=0 Lore Book: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/250401973?sort=0&page=0