Only On Paper

8 - Squadmates

Shaxx's booming laugh is hard to shake off.

"You're telling me," He begins. "That you're the guy who caused all the commotion around here?" He hasn't stopped sizing me up.

"Sorry, I guess," I say, rubbing my forehead in frustration. "But if you're done whining about the noise in the Tower, I'd like a ticket into the Crucible." I stared him down through the sensor slat in his horned Titan helmet.

His laughter echoes through the Hall of Guardians once again. "It's about time," he gestures to Skelter and the other Guardian standing behind me. "Is this your team, then?"

It's at this moment I realize I had never asked Skelter to come with me. I hadn't even considered that the Exo Titan would want to fight alongside me, either. Before I can turn to look at them, there's a simultaneous "Yes, sir."

"Great," Shaxx cracks his knuckles. "I'll have a skirmish set up for you. Give this to your Ghost once you break orbit, it'll take you where you need to go." Handing me a slip of codepaper, is voice betrays a smile. "Remember, I'll be watching."

When we clear the Hall, I stop the Titan.

"I don't even know your name," I offer my hand. "I thought you wanted to go up against me."

She takes my hand, her grip is firm and confident. "You're crazy, but I'd have to be even more crazy to try and take on a member of the Praxic Warlocks." Her smile is as confident as her handshake. "You can call me Keate-7." She glances at Skelter, "Or just Keate, if the number makes you uncomfortable. I'll respond either way."

"Okay then," Skelter brings some exposition to the conversation. "Let's head to the hangar and get on our way!" As we begin walking once again, I look to my left and remember.

"I have to pick something up from the gunsmith." I mention to the others and walk towards Banshee's workstation. When I approach, he beckons me close.

"I'm sorry Guardian," he whispers. "The weapon is very upset. It grieves for someone named Pahanin, and fears for its own future."

I'm taken aback. I spent almost two months with that LMG and I really thought it was starting to trust me. Less than a day with Banshee-44 and he already knew more about it's past than myself. Damn, he's good.

"What can I do?" I ask tentatively.

"You'll need to give it a gift, Xûr should have what you need." Banshee holds up the fitted gun, offering it back to me.

Taking the gun in my hands, I grab the sling and throw it over my shoulder. "Thanks, Banshee."

I motion to the others and we continue to the hangar. I can feel Keate eyeing the slung weapon pretty intensely.

"Would you like to take a closer look at it?" I offer to her.

"Oh," She gasps, "Oh, no. I couldn't. It's clearly bonded with you, I wouldn't want to take it away." She holds her hands up, palms out at her chest in a sign of refusal.

I snort sharply, "I wasn't going to give it to you." I unsling the gun as we continue into the hangar bay. "I'm just not as good with modification as I thought, and it seems that Exo have an aptitude for it." She accepts the machine gun with one hand.

"I'll say!" Skelter laughs from behind us. "I once knew an Exo who field-stripped his rocket launcher and replaced a broken gear with a rock, or crystal, or something."

Keate laughs heartily, "Not possible, even with fabricating equipment. But good story!" She playfully punches his arm with her free hand.

"How did you know the gun is sentient?" I ask her, the curiosity dousing my tone.