We Stand Together

Chapter 15: An Unfamiliar Voice

The idea comes to her as she watches Axel crochet.

She wants to go on a mission. By herself.

Eden's not sure if Axel or the others would approve. She's not even sure that Uriah will approve, but she has her own reasons. Besides, she wants to see if she can do it too. It eats and eats at her until finally, she blurts out, "Can I do a mission by myself?"

The question startles the Exo. He stops knitting to look over at her with as much surprise as his metal face can muster.

"Where did this come from?" He grunts out, eyeing her up and down.

Eden nervously taps her leg before saying, "Well, I've been revived close to a month now. I just thought it was time for me to go out there and do it."

It's not the full reason but it'll have to do for now. Suspicion and curiosity float through their connection from Uriah but she ignores it for the moment.

Axel stays silent and it makes her even more nervous.

Slate phases into being next to his guardian, turning toward him. They seem to communicate, wordlessly, before he turns to Eden.

The gold Ghost hovers closer to her, looking Eden straight in the eye.

"It would be dangerous for you to go alone."

Eden frowns and opens her mouth to protest but Slate cuts her off.

"But we think it's time you did. You've proved yourself to be capable time and time again."

A grin stretches across Eden's face.

"Really?" She exclaims excitedly.

Axel gives a single nod before resuming his knitting.

"Thank you," She says, smiling softly.

The Exo gives a grunt but she can see the subtle shift of a smile in his faceplates.

"Go on kid. Get outta here," He speaks, gruffly.

Eden jumps up and practically runs out the door with a quick goodbye. She's halfway down the hall when Uriah appears beside her.

"So what was the real reason?"

Eden glances in front of her and behind her before lowering her voice and saying, "Remember when we went to the moon?"

He nods.

"Well, I saw someone there. I'm hoping that if we go alone, they be more willing to come back."

His shell twists and turns as he thinks.

"So you're curious," Uriah states.

"Yep," She says, popping the p.

They enter the plaza, weaving into the bustling crowd of Guardians. Uriah ducks closer to Eden and sighs.

"Alright, I'll send a ping to the Speaker. I heard he has a mission for anyone going to the moon if that's where we're going."

Eden smiles and nods at her companion before continuing the rest of the walk in silence. Finally, they reach their ship and board. Once the jump ship is running, Eden puts in the coordinates for the moon and the ship zooms out of the Tower, heading toward their destination.

As they fly, the Speaker patches into their communication channel and explains their mission.

The Hive is in some kind of ritual that's slowly draining the Traveler's Light. It's up to Guardian and Ghost to understand it and then, destroy it.