Legend of the Phoenix

5. The Speaker

Back on the ship, Nick took the controls as Xira rested in the co-pilot's seat after carefully setting the warp drive in the back. "You sure you're alright?" he asked as clouds flew underneath the jumpship.

"For the last time, I'm sure."

"I'm just checking, since you did kinda almost pass out back there." He raised his hands in surrender, then promptly handled the controls once the ship hit turbulence.

"Nice one," Lucky deadpanned.

Xira sighed and resumed looking out the window. She hadn't really given the act much thought, considering the fact that Nick was right about her nearly losing consciousness. She had her helmet already off and resting in her lap; Nick had tossed his back behind his head, which was retrieved by the Exo when she complained about it getting caught in the machinery.

"Why are we heading to see the Speaker, again?" she asked Ghost. It was partly out of boredom, part exhaustion, and part curiosity over the mysterious figure.

"Oh, you'll like the Speaker," Nick chimed in before Ghost could respond. "Though, just a note, he tends to speak in riddles and such."

Xira nodded. "I'll keep it in mind."

"The Speaker is a part of the Consensus, a group who overlooks everything in the City, like a leader group, per say. You've already met one of the leaders, Ikora. The other two are Cayde-6, Vanguard Hunter, and Zavala, Vanguard Titan. They work together with the Speaker to make decisions for the good of the City and its people.

"Now that we have a warp drive, we can travel to other planets in the solar system, we need a plan in order to combat the Darkness-"

"Wait, what? What 'Darkness'?"

"Coming in close to the Tower," Lucky announced. Sure enough, soon Xira could see the tall spire contrast against the clouds illuminated golden by the sun.

"I'll transmat this to the hangar," Ghost said, flying close to the warp drive. He then disappeared, followed closely by the two Guardians.

Xira regained her balance in the courtyard, the midday sun shining clearly overhead as Xira removed her helmet. Nick asked her if she knew where the Speaker was, to which she replied, "I can find it my way around well enough now, but thanks." And with that, they parted ways once again.

She remembered the building Lucky had taken her to find the Titan earlier that day, so she headed off in the direction of Tower North. The courtyard was busiest during noon, it seemed, as groups of Guardians roamed around, heading from vendor to vendor, in search of what Xira had no idea. She passed through the corridor leading to the north end, sending a small wave to the robot sweeping in the corner.

In her rush to find Nick, the Exo hadn't taken much time to soak in the atmosphere of the place. Now that she had the time, it seemed as if she'd stepped into a different place altogether. While the main Tower courtyard had its pristine architecture and clean, almost formal appearance and the hangar had its machinery and unfinished appearance, the North Tower felt lived-in and natural.

The building she remembered the Speaker resided in was completely new to the Exo. The space was open, with a complete view of the giant sphere in the sky and the City, now awake and moving about, down below. The machine in front was both ancient and brand-new at the same time, and orbs lay on pedestals that seemed to hold swirling galaxies within their depths.

As Xira looked around with wide eyes and an open mouth, the Speaker moved from the top of the stairs to the bottom to greet the Tower's newest Guardian.

"There was a time," he addressed her, "when we were much more powerful." The Exo silently wondered about his unique greeting, but dared not speak her thoughts aloud. "Until it wakes and finds its voice, I am the one who speaks for the Traveller." He gestured up to the sphere.