M.R.L.N-7

Prologue - Abandoned for the Darkness

"I've learned of a power beyond anything any other guardian has at their disposal," Sola declared. Katake stopped flipping his knife and looked up at his Trials teammate.

"Is it what you pulled out in that match Saint ended early?" he asked.

"The Vanguard have grown weak," the warlock snapped. She began to pace across their camp nestled deep within a cave they had cleared of Hive months earlier. "They demonize this power. Their dogmatic devotion to the Light will fail them in their war."

"You think we need more than the Light?"

"I know we do," Sola answered. "I want you to come with me to Europa. You can have this power for yourself."

"What about Crimiq?"

"In typical Titan fashion, he's licking the boots of the Vanguard and refused to grow with us toward greatness."

"He's a good man," Katake argued as he stood.

"But fears how much better he could be!" Sola countered. "Come with me."

Katake paused and considered the offer. He slipped his knife into the sheath along his calf and raised his palm.

"Josseo," he called. A Ghost housed in a red and white ball styled shell materialised a few inches above the hunter's hand. "What do you think?"

"I don't know..." Josseo said hesitantly. "I wouldn't want to go against what the Traveller's gifted to you."

"The Traveller, The Last City, and Guardians alike will fall if only the Light is used," Sola claimed. "Katake, I've known you for almost a century now. I trust you understand the threat humanity faces, and what is required to ensure its survival."

"Yeah, you're right," Katake concluded. "Let's go to Europa! I'll notify the Vanguard."

"No! Do you really think they will sanction this? It's their poor judgement and obsession with the Light that drove us to gain this power."

"O-okay? Sure, that makes sense. Josseo, prepare transmat to my ship."

Katake's ghost dissolved without a word. A moment later, the hunter found himself seated comfortably within his AX19 Spindle Demon jumpship.

"I think you're right," Josseo said nervously. "Something's not right. Can I at least ping the Vanguard to let them know where we're going? Not what we're doing."

"Sure, Josseo. Thanks," Katake said. "Minimal info. If they ask, tell them we're blowing off steam with skiing or something."

"Ghost," Sola said coldly. "Transmat to ship."

The warlock's sight faded briefly and returned to see the cockpit of her Vienna Singer jumpship from around her. She flipped switches and pushed buttons around the dashboard of the ship before gradually pushing the engine throttle forward.

"Send the co-ordinates over," the warlock ordered before opening a channel between the two ships. "You get those?"

"Yup!" Katake said eagerly. "Hang on; aren't these right next to some kind of anomaly recently?"

"What do you think brought us the power?" Sola teased and severed the connection. She accelerated the ship skyward until reaching the edge of the atmosphere with Katake following closely behind. As the void of space enveloped the ships, the lightspeed drives were engaged and space warped around them.

"Vanguard pinged," Josseo said softly from over its hunter's shoulder.

The ships dropped out of hyperspace to see the icy moon below. Sola guided the descent to a frozen basin south of Cadmus Ridge. Dread began to brew deep within Katake as the structures protruding from the ice came into focus.