This is Part 3. Check out the other parts here: [url]https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/214044178[/url] <Begin Recording> [i]Audio Log 00070[/i] [i]Vera-2[/i] “Love is a weapon. Wield it well.” That cryptic little message was carved in cursive font around the gun’s cylinder. I had to admire the craftsmanship of the weapon. Whoever made it was an artist, not a gunsmith. Although on second thought, I suppose they’d have to be at least a [i]little[/i] bit of a gunsmith. I fiddled with the weapon as I walked. “The Ace of Hearts,” my Ghost said. “That’s a weapon I had not heard of before. I find it hard to believe that Cayde simply gave it to you.” He didn’t. My Ghost knew that. Cayde would never have let me leave unless he got exactly what he wanted. Somehow I felt that even though I walked away with a new gun and a promised reward, Cayde-6 received the better end of the deal. “I let him get to me,” I said. I didn’t know what his plans were, but I did know that Cayde-6 was more dangerous than his overly-enthusiastic boasting suggested. Cassandra and Solm were already asleep by the time I got to our room. They were sharing a bunk. I could barely see Cassandra on the top, but the blanket moved with her soft breathing and reassured me she was there. Solm was outstretched across the bottom bunk, their arms and legs comically dangling off the sides as powerful snoring rumbled from their chest. My friends. I slid into my bed and fell quickly into a deep slumber. I saw something. In the darkness of my dreams. It was me, I think. No, I am certain. I was a young man in a lab coat, laughing at a joke. Through the window over my shoulder I saw the Venusian skyline. On the monitor next to me was a message displaying the Clovis Bray insignia. I watched myself laugh. I felt… sad. I think I was about to die. The next day passed by quickly. We were outfitted by the gunsmith, who merely nodded at the sight of the Ace of Hearts holstered at my side. Next up was Eva Levante, who hooked us up with some impressive Venus-themed shaders. The Speaker regaled us with stories of legends old. I could tell you about those, but I don’t really have time for that. Zavala outfitted us with better armor than the scrap we staggered in wearing the previous night, and then sent us to the Vanguard quartermaster for supplies and Sparrows. Our last stop was Amanda Holliday. It turns out that being a top secret Vanguard agent had its perks. That’s right--- we got our own ship. *** “What the hell kind of nonsense is this?” I fumed at Solm. The huge titan smiled softly at the ground. “Give em a break, Vera,” Cassandra said calmly. “You agreed that it sounded cool.” “Yeah!” I said. “[i]Sounded[/i] being the operative word there. I had no idea that the Seraphim Toaster would actually look like a damn toaster!” “Vera, you can get your own ship when we get back,” Solm said quite reasonably. I sighed. “That does sound nice.” “Traveller’s sake, Vera,” Cassandra groaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “You’re like a child sometimes.” “Oh yeah, Cass?” I retorted. “I’m the child?” It definitely wasn’t one of my best comebacks. “Yes,” Cass and Solm replied in unison. I folded my arms and sat back in my chair. We were all strapped into our seats in the Toaster, waiting for flight clearance from the control tower. “Fireteam Dung Beetle, you’re clear to launch,” the air control frame said through the comms. I glared sideways at Solm, who stifled a laugh, their impossibly soft hair bouncing lightly. I was jealous of that. The whole hair thing. Cassandra took us out of the Hangar and into the open sky. We quickly boosted through the atmosphere. Open space loomed before us. I saw the moon to the right and shuddered. “Did you guys hear that a full fireteam went down into the Hellmouth several years back?” I asked. “Nobody has heard from them since.” “I would hate to think what’s brooding in that Dark Pit,” Solm added solemnly. I turned and stared. “That was pretty dark, Solm,” I said. “You alright?” Solm looked as Cassandra. “Let’s go,” they said. Cass nodded. She punched the thruster forward and space warped around us. We flew in silence for a while, each of us wrapped in our own thoughts. Suddenly we dropped out of warp, Venus looming large in front of us. “Welcome to your new home, kids,” Cassandra said in her best dad voice. Solm and I exchanged glances. “Was that a joke, dear Cassandra?” I asked sweetly. Cass rolled her eyes and flipped me off. She brought us into orbit and locked the ship there. “Scanning the landing site now,” her Ghost said. It chirruped to itself while it worked. “The landing zone looks a little… exciting,” it said. “Shall we land a few kilometers off? “And have to walk all that way?” I said. “Hey,” Solm complained. “I was about to say that!” “We have Sparrows now,” Cass reminded us. “We just need to get a transmat uplink on the surface.” “Or we could just clear the LZ with our new toys,” Solm suggested. “I vote that option,” I concurred. Cassandra sighed deeply and rubbed the bridge of her nose (she always did that when Solm and I agreed on something). “Let me remind you two that we’re on a mission now. We’re far from the Traveller too. If the Light fades and one of us is caught in the wrong position…” Solm and I looked at each other. I suddenly felt nervous. “Sorry Cass,” I said. “Let’s make a safe landing and bushwhack if we have to.” “Oh thank goodness,” my Ghost chimed in. We all laughed, but an air of foreboding hung low in the cramped cockpit. <End Recording>