Light. Exploits; Book I.

Part 17. Cayde's Contribution.

I'll be in the city. Lemme know when you're ready, Priest yawned as I flew my ship to the bay in The Tower.
At night it seemed so peaceful.
Alright. It'll probly be sometime tomorrow so get some rest. I say as I walk up the catwalk.
Soon I'm in the Central Plaza.
I take a moment to breathe and gaze at The Traveller.
Taking in its Light.
I wonder how long it would be before I see it again.
I turn and walk to the Vanguard Hall, past Master Rahool and an ever present, ever learning, Banshee.
The Hall of The Vanguard is warmly lit.
I can hear Lord Shaxx arguing heartily with Arcite.
He sees me and nods before cutting off the Frame and barking to me warmly.
Come to show the new ones how it's done? He smiles, undoubtably, under his helm.
Not today, unfortunately, I say softly. Always something to be done.
Well by The Traveller don't take too long. Few sparks shine like yours in The Crucible. He compliments me.
I could have died there happy.
I was complimented by Lord Shaxx.
I continue to the Vanguard.
All I see is Ikora.
Ahhh, she sighs happily as I walk down the small stairs.
Warlock, you return. She says.
I look at her, small beads of sweat running down my head.
Ikora always made me nervous.
Not sure why.
But according to Shaxx she was a bit of a hotshot in her younger days.
How are you this evening? Did you find what you were looking for?
In a sense... I say distantly.
Where's Cayde? I ask.
He's in a conference with The Speaker. Had a special piece of business to attend to.
I nod and thank her but she stops me.
Warlock.... She trails.
Yes, Master Ikora? I say politely.
I may not agree with your self-exile from our City... But I did just what you did once...
I stand, my back to her, and merely listen.
See if I can learn from her words.
And I will guide you as best I can. One Warlock to another. She smiles.
I smile too.
Thank you, Master Ikora. I say before heading to the Speaker's Observatory.
I soon hear the unmistakeable sarcastic tone of Cayde.
He sees me and calls out.
Dylan, my favorite Warlock! He says coming down the steps from the Speaker.
Hunter's had favorite Warlocks? I ask with a small laugh.
Among other things. He says patting my back.
What brings you back? He asks.
I... I study him.
Even for an Exo his features are still very human.
Very real.
I need to talk to you. I say.
My tone is cold, in a warm kind of way.
Right this way, he says leading me back to the room where we prepared Farah's body.
He takes a seat, his face showing no somberness as he sits right by the table.
Seat? He offers.
No, thank you. I reply softly.
He kicks up his feet and puts his hands behind his head.
What can I do for you?
I take a moment to breathe in and brace myself.
I'm calling in a favor.
His eyebrows raise and he looks at me sideways.
Of what sort?
Remember Mars? Bout 3 years ago? Needed some data from Cabal?
He laughs and replies, Oh yeah, I remember that. How'd that go exactly?
I lost a Titan. I say coldly.
Oooh... He says hiding a wince.
I need to get to Neptune. I finally say.
Neptune? He says as if I'm insane.
You need to go to Neptune? And who says I know? He asks.
Cause I'm the one who got you the damn data. And I need to get there. I say harshly.
So point me in the right direction.
He sits forward, but he's smiling.
Like he wanted me to get angry.
And if I point you in the right direction, what's in it for me?
I study his words.
Always working to some end.
He was dutiful...
I gave him that.
Next big target you have, I'll kill it. I say.
He folds his hands on the table.
Okay. He says smiling.
Anything else? He asks giddily.
I need a hunter. I say lowly.
And you're the only one I'd trust, I say with a nervous chuckle.
Not possible. I can't just dip on my Vanguard duty. Hunter's need me, he says sadly.
Any other time he'd leap at the opportunity.
But The Speaker would never allow it.
A Warlock; who found a crazy Titan on Venus, found a time portal in The Vault of Glass, and spoke with Toland The Shattered, needs the best Hunter in the City to go to Neptune.
A Dreg has a better chance of squirming into the City.
Then who can I trust to help me blaze a trail? I ask softly.
Funny you should ask, he says smiling, standing up and walking to the door.
I may have a solution.
I follow him to a small hidden room under The Speakers Observatory.
There, there was a small framed Female Exo unit. She seemed dead. But she was dressed.
Remember Farah? He asks softly.
Cayde... I sigh in annoyance.
Speaker said the Ghost was dead... But it still had memories. Light. He says looking at me.
I stared at her.
What's that got to do with... I say waving my hand over the Exo.
This? I finish.
Being an Exo, I know how they work. I was able to put the memories into the cortex. All that's left, he says reaching into his vest.
He takes a small, gently humming shard of what appears to be a Ghost shell.
Is to give it Light. He says gently, laying it on the table.
You wanted a Hunter, there's your Hunter. And she'd be good to you. She was quiet. Most Hunter's aren't. He laughs softly.
I listen to him as I look at her.
She looks just like she did.
Granted, she's still an Exo.
But she looked. Just. Like her.
You always wanted to teach, Cayde continues.
And she would love to learn. He smiles.
I have an urge to reach out and touch her. See if she's real.
Or I'm quite mad.
The Speaker will have finished making her Ghost by now. Put the old memories in a new Shell. Talk with him before you put in that Shard. He says softly, patting my back before he leaves.
Cayde wait- I clamor.
He turns back and looks at me patiently.
I... I stammer.
I don't know what to say...
He chuckles warmly.
So don't say anything. Just earn it. He says before he bows and leaves.
I look at Farah on the table.
She seemed so peaceful.
I scooped up the Shard gently and held it in my hand.
It was warm, and it hummed softly.
I'll be back... I say to her.
I promise.