Last spark from the ashes

TYPE: Patrol log

LOCATION: Ishtar Sink, Venus

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Ghost-type, [1] Guardian-type, designate Blaze-37, Class Titan [rekindledtitan], One [1] Unconfirmed, designate Rogers, Steve [juststeverogers]

ASSOCIATIONS: Multiversal Nexus; Rogers, Steve; Blaze-37; Pelsor; House of Winter; Ishtar Sink; Shattered Coast; Silent Fang; Drevis




It’s hard to see much of Venus from above, so dense is the layer of murky yellow overcast in its sky. Only when Blaze’s little jumpship drops out of the clouds will Steve get a look at what’s waiting for them below. Steep volcanic slopes, luminous green forests; glimpses of colony buildings, broken and overgrown but still standing tall; and then, as Blaze banks them around, there’s something else looming over the old skyline.

It’s less a fortress than a vast column of interlocking structures, black and geometric and unnatural-looking even at this distance. Much of it doesn’t appear to be physically supported: it just hangs there, disappearing into the clouds that roil about it, towering unnervingly over the landscape and making the human skyscrapers look like paltry sandcastles.

“The Vex Citadel,” Ghost explains quietly, at Steve’s look.

“That’s not where we’re headed,” Blaze says. “This time.” The Vex probably wouldn’t be so willing to allow them in after their last visit. Besides, she promised Steve bikes. She sets the autopilot course, glances back over her shoulder to check Steve’s ready, then unclips her helm from the side of the chair and sets it on her head, the seals locking into place as she latches it tight. Ghost checks the ship’s displays and then vanishes into her systems. Her voice comes through the audio relays a little more tinny: “Get ready to drop.”

Fast transmat landings are always slightly disorienting, the way they drop you a couple feet above the ground, but Blaze is used to it and thumps down as gracefully as a Titan can. The warmth of the air enfolds them instantly, muggy and oppressive after the brisk Nexus autumn. Venus is not a place of cold seasons. They’ve landed by a rocky stream that flows between twisting jungle trees, and though there’s an acidic tang to the air even filters can’t scrub out, it’s balanced out by scents of warm vegetation and alien humus. Something small is chirping in the branches above them. The ship swoops away above them, swiftly lost in the clouds. The Guardian looks around, rifle in her hands, then nods to Steve. “Welcome to the Sink.”

“Let’s go liberate some Pikes.”

TYPE: Patrol log

LOCATION: Ishtar Sink, Venus

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Ghost-type, [1] Guardian-type, designate Blaze-37, Class Titan [

rekindledtitan ], One [1] Unconfirmed, designate Aran, Samus [onemorebounty ]

 

ASSOCIATIONS: Multiversal Nexus; Samus Aran; Chozo; Ishtar Sink; Hezen Protective; Pelsor; House of Winter; Drevis; Blaze-37; Ishtar Academy



They land in a clearing on the city outskirts with grass under their boots and a heavy overcast above. The breeze that greets them is hot and humid, a little acidic. Around them is a densely-grown treeline, with broad leaves that are near-luminescent shades of green. Their rustle is echoed by the distant wash of waves from beyond the ruins.

Blaze turns to scan the area, hopeful of opposition even though her Ghost already checked the site. The broken towers and city blocks are quiet within the overgrowth. But then it’s not the human ruins which really stand out. To the north a massive volcano takes up much of the sky, belching out a noxious plume of ash and gas. Small wonder that each shift in the breeze makes the scent of the air waver between sulfurous and salty. Over the hills to both south and east loom dark geometric structures. Look at them with anything other than the optical spectrum, and they emit some very peculiar readings.

“At last,” the Exo remarks, feeling a thrill that doesn’t break her readiness. Her head’s turned up to check the skyline as she speaks. Then she's moving for the buildings. “We’re in Guardian territory, more or less. Doesn’t stretch too far yet. Won’t take long to find some trouble.”