Destiny: House of Wolves Novelization

The Reef Opens; Vestian Outpost

//Before anyone reads this chapter, I want to extend a special thanks to Abakus07 on reddit for putting together a nice long, detailed post on the lore of the Reef Wars. Abakus07, if you are by some chance reading this, I dedicate this chapter to you. I don't know you, you don't know me, we haven't spoken before, but even so, this chapter was made possible by you.//

"The Guardians have grown stronger among the Light. The destruction of the Black Garden's Heart was... Impressive. And to challenge a Hive prince.... Brave indeed. But now our Queen welcomes them here to fight alongside the Awoken? Guardians could be quite useful, in dealing with these traitorous Fallen Wolves.

Prepare the feed across all open channels!

'Attention, Guardians. This is Petra Venj of the Awoken Royal Guard. Multiple Bounties have been issued on key Fallen targets. The Reef is now open to you.'"
~Petra Venj, Queen's Emissary.
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"Two transmissions incoming. One on all open channels, one on our encrypted. Both seem to be coming from the Reef." Ghost materialized himself in the air above and in front of me.

"Oh? Do tell." I didn't look up as I strung a damp cloth through the barrel of my Pulse Rifle. It still had some crap in it from the last time I used it, in Crota's Underworld.

"The encrypted channel has the Queen's signature on it-"

"Patch her through and record the other one for later. Royalty don't like to be kept waiting." I set the barrel down, leaving the cloth inside and moving to my comm terminal, looking at the screen. The Queen appeared on it. She hadn't changed since I was there to seek out the Black Garden several months ago.

"Your Grace, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked, putting on a respectful expression.

"Guardian. You recall when I said that if the Awoken ever need an ally, I shall call upon you to assist us, correct?" Of course I did. Her assistance likely saved humanity.

"I haven't forgotten, no."

"The Awoken are in need of an ally now." Her expression still wasn't changing. Is this woman that emotionally devoid?

"What's happened that requires Guardian intervention in the Reef?" I cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Not just in the Reef, Guardian. The Fallen House of Wolves has rebelled and escaped my grip, and is now spreading throughout the solar system. Petra, my Emissary, can tell you more once you arrive."

"Another Fallen House stirring up trouble everywhere, huh? Sounds like another day at the office." I glanced over at Ghost, who shook as if rolling his eye at me.

"I'd like to meet with you personally at some point while you're out here. Once the Wolves are detained. I have a request for you." Personally? What could she possibly want with me that couldn't be discussed over an encrypted channel?

"We'll see if I'm still alive at that time." For a moment there, I almost thought I saw a smile pull at the corner of her lips. Almost.

"You survived the Black Garden alone and took down a deity of the Hive. I have no doubts about your abilities."

"Not sure how you found out about that last one. It's classified."

"I have my ways." She smiled. She actually smiled. The transmission was cut, leaving only her crest on the screen. Admittedly, she had gotten the better of me, and I sighed.

"Well, that happened." I looked at Ghost again.

"To the Reef?" He asked.

"To the Reef." I smirked.