[spoiler]Greetings, Guardians, and here's part thirty-two of Doom of the Dragons! Here's[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/243291865?sort=0&page=0] part thirty-one[/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] The final part will hopefully come out this Wednesday. However, as usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon! Stay classy, Guardians! [/spoiler] Saint entered the room, his face grave. “We have just received word from the team,” he said. “Cupun attempted to attack the Guardians, as we thought he would. He is now dead."
 The Consensus breathed a sigh of relief - but Lysander did not. “And the weapon?” he asked. Saint shook his head. “The team was unable to recover it,” he said. “Cupun lost it in the struggle with one of the hunters, and they were unfortunately unable to find it.” “More likely one of them took it as loot,” Quail said. Andal cast him an irritated look, and Quail shrugged. “Just stating the obvious,” he said. “You’re probably right,” Osiris said. “We’ll do our best to search them, but I can make no promises.” “In any case, his weapon was apparently the source of some of the power that he gained from the Ahamkara,” the Speaker said. “If it is ever found, it must be destroyed on sight.” “Agreed,” Henri said. “In fact, I would like to make a proposal to the Consensus.” The Speaker nodded. “Then make it.” Henri leaned forwards. “What Cupun did was unforgivable,” he said. “But he was still one of our own. People will know his name. They will seek to discover the source of his power - some may even attempt to emulate him.” “Your point?” Andal asked. Henri tossed his head back. “I propose that we strike all mention of Cupun from our records,” he said. “His name is to be blacked out. Anything that he ever touched must be incinerated. Even mentioning his name is to be considered a punishable offense. We cannot undo what he did; but we can erase his legend.” The room was silent for a moment. “I concur,” the Speaker said at last. “This proposal is extreme, but it is necessary. Cupun and his legend must be eradicated. All in favor?” Every member of the Consensus raised their hands. “Then it’s settled,” the Speaker said. “I shall set the Censors to work at once. Now, if there are no more concerns -“ “Pardon me, Speaker,” Lysander said, “But there is another matter that this council has failed to address.” The Speaker looked down at him. “Then speak,” he said. Lysander took a deep breath. This proposal would be extremely risky, and if it went wrong, he would have to spend much of his political capital. But he knew that, in the long term, it was worth it. “This council has so far failed to address the creatures that brought about this mess in the first place,” Lysander said. “The Ahamkara.” The room stilled once more. “By all accounts, it was the Ahamkara that caused the change in Cu- this, mad Guardian,” he said. “For too long they have poisoned the minds of those who go to them for advice. We can afford no more losses.” “The Ahamkara have provided us with valuable knowledge,” Osiris said. “Is it worth the lives of nine Guardians?” Lysander asked. “And however may perish in the future? At what point will the cost of doing business with these ‘dragons’ become too great for this council!” Osiris sighed, and leaned back into his chair. “What would you have us do?” he asked. Lysander grinned. “It’s simple,” he said. And then, he told them his plan. As he did, he noted the various reactions of the various members. Saint frowned slightly, and Osiris’s eyes widened with shock. Quail stared at him curiously, and Henri nodded in agreement. Andal simply stared at him, aghast, and the Speaker simply continued staring at him, his face hidden behind his snow white mask. When Lysander finished, he leaned back in his chair, and smiled. “Well?” he asked. Saint shook his head. “Surely there are other ways,” he said. “You said it yourself,” Lysander said. “We cannot stop Guardians from seeking out the Ahamkara. This is the only viable solution.” “We’re talking about genocide,” Osiris breathed. “No,” Lysander said, “we’re talking about survival.” “Either way,” Andal said, cutting in, “this plan is hardly ‘simple.’ Can you imagine the resources that would be required? An operation like this might not end for years - decades, even!” “I’d rather bite the bullet now than suffer countless tragedies down the road,” Lysander said. “Besides. If this were not the Ahamkara - if this were the Fallen, the Vex, or the Cabal, or these. . . Hive - would you not take the opportunity immediately?” The Consensus members exchanged nervous glances. “That’s different,” Osiris said. “The Ahamkara are sentient, rational -“ “Oh, don’t hit me with that ‘they are just like us’ speech!” Lysander sneered. “The Ahamkara are not our friends. And while they are not our enemies right now, they very well could be in the future. “Your plan will make them so,” Osiris muttered. “It is more than worth the cost,” Lysander replied. The room went silent once more. The Speaker looked up. “You have put a grave decision before us, Lysander,” he said. “If you are correct, then we are damned no matter what we decide.” “I’d rather be damned in a manner of my choosing than have some dragon decide it for me,” Lysander replied. The Speaker nodded. He looked around the room. “We have a painful choice before us,” he said. “There are no good paths to take. Lysander’s plan is objectionable - immoral, even - but it is, perhaps, the only pragmatic route.” He took a deep breath. “All in favor?” Lysander raised his hand into the air. So did Henri and Quail. Eventually, Andal and Saint did as well. The Speaker nodded. “All opposed?” Osiris raised his hand, and looked around the room. His expression grew mournful, and he sighed. “So. The Consensus has spoken,” he said. “I only hope that it does not bring damnation upon us all.” And with that, he stood up, and shuffled out of the room. As soon as the doors closed behind the warlock mentor, the Speaker looked out at the remaining Consensus members. “Send the word out to all your Guardians,” he said. “Lysander’s plan is to be carried out, with the utmost haste.” He then stared at Lysander. “I only hope that we have made the right decision.” Lysander smiled devilishly. “Believe me,” he said. “We have.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=243464727&sort=0&page=0]Part Thirty-Three: Doom of the Dragons[/url]