"You want WHAT kind of ship, Commander?" Amanda Holliday roared at Commander Zavala. The noise ceased all work in the Tower hangar, as frames and humans alike looked at the Shipwright in curiousity.

"As I said, Holliday, I need a ship capable of transporting three Guardians beyond the Reef and with enough storage capacity for extended operations." Zavala said. "Do you or possibly Dead Orbit have one available?"

Holliday groaned and pinched her nose.

"Commander, I have a helluva time patching up the Jumpships and the Hawks already."

"I understand, Amanda…" Zavala said.

"And now I have to make a goddamn cruiser on a moment's notice?" She groaned.

"Holliday!" Zavala snapped."I understand your concern, but this mission was authorized by the Speaker himself. The Vanguard will compensate you for whatever you need. But do you have one?"

Holliday sighed, barked a "GET BACK TO WORK!" at the Hangar staff, who resumed work in a frenzy, and motioned for Zavala to follow her.

"Yeah, Dead Orbit and I have one. But we haven't gotten it flight ready yet."

She tapped on a control panel, and the door opened, revealing a large ship. It had the body of a Phaeton, only significantly larger. Eight large engines were mounted on the back, along with two large wings. A large body shaped like a rectangle on top of the ship finished the picture.

"It's called the Far Road Home." Amanda said. "Dead Orbit found old blueprints for a similar model in a data cache in the Los Angeles cosmodrome. I made it, fixed it up, and stored it on Dead Orbit's pay."

"Is it ready?" Zavala asked.

"Sort of." Holliday replied. "It's capable of flight beyond the Reef and carries expansive crew, utility, and storage facilities, but it's not primed yet. Give me a few hours to prep it. And since it's too heavy for Guardians to fly, three frames will be going with it. One for pilot, another for engine ops, and the last as quartermaster and support. I think Ralph, Don, and Mike should be up to the task. They know the ship inside and out. Problem is, it's not mine to release. Since it's Dead Orbit's schematic, they technically have a say if I can or can't release it."

"I'll speak with Dead Orbit then." Zavala said. "Thank you, Amanda."

"Not a problem." Holliday said. As Zavala walked over to speak with Arach Jalaal, Holliday then saw Fireteam Herald, consisting of Rook-3, Leo Davenwood, and Casiana Rulis walk up.

"That's what we're taking?" Rook asked, looking at the Far Road Home.

"Yep. Zavala's talking with Dead Orbit about releasing it." Holliday said. "Three frames are going with you too."

"Fine." Casiana said. "It's big."

"Yeah, it has to be." Holliday said. "Flight beyond the Reef isn't something a Jumpship is capable of. You'll need a good, big ship with a large power-plant to get you past the asteroid field."

"That'll be fun." Leo said. "Thanks for the pep talk, Holliday."

The Guardians departed, and Zavala walked over.

"Dead Orbit's agreed to release the ship." Zavala said. "I'll let you take it from here."

"Thanks, Zavala." Holliday said. The Awoken Titan departed, and Holliday got on the hangar PA.

"Alright listen up! Our long range ship is going somewhere, so I need Ralphie, Michael, and Don to report to me immediately. Everyone else, GET BACK TO WORK!"

The frantic activity resumed again. Holliday sighed, as it was just another day in the Tower Hangar.

=========
Cayde-6 stood in the Vanguard Depot, counting the supply boxes that would go aboard the Far Road Home with the Guardians. He scanned the list Zavala had given him.

"So, five crates of food and water...three of weapon and armor materials...three boxes of Glimmer and spare parts...Sparrow machinery...a micro-vault...yep, I think we're good." Cayde said, looking at the crates in front of him.

"Cayde?"

Cayde turned to see Zavala walk up.

"Are you actually doing what I asked you?" Zavala asked.

"Well, maybe." Cadye said. "How's the ship?"

"Ready to go." Zavala said. "Round up some crews to move the cargo aboard."

Cayde gave a thumbs-up, and turned on the Tower PA.

"Uh, this is Cayde-6, I need some heavy lifters to move supplies into the Hangar for a long distance flight ASAP. A couple of Titans would be appreciated." He spoke.

"Oh, and the first five Guardians to show up get something free from the depot, your choice." Cayde said when Zavala was out of earshot.

There were five volunteer Titans there in six seconds flat. And the supplies were moved without incident. Except Cayde received a rather angry tirade from Commander Zavala for allowing the Guardians to take from the Depot, once he found out. Cayde then had to mop the Warlock halls three times over as punishment, without help.

========

Casiana, Rook, and Leo walked into the Speaker's chamber, where the masked man awaited them.

"Greetings, Guardians." The Speaker said.

"Hello, Speaker." The three replied. The Speaker gazed at the Traveler, through the pewter-gray sky.

"The Traveler has called to me." The Speaker said. "And I have called you here."

"Why?" Rook-3 asked.

"Because you have proved yourselves worthy of powers long lost, Guardians." The Speaker said, motioning to a small three-sided obelisk marked with the emblems of three unknown classes. The Guardians strode towards it, and three beams of radiant light enveloped them. Then, as Rook-3's vision cleared, he saw himself wielding a shield of darkest purple, interlaced with stars. He turned to see Leo wielding a staff of pure lightning, and Casiana bore a sword of swirling fire.

"The Sentinel, Dawnblade, and Arcstrider were once considered lost." The Speaker said. "Use their power wisely. And the Obelisk shall sustain your light when you leave the Traveler's embrace."

"Thank you, Speaker." Rook said. The Speaker gave a nod and departed to his office. Rook took the obelisk, and the Guardians walked towards the Tower Plaza, where Zavala awaited them.

"You're clear for launch, Guardians." Zavala said.

"And we're ready to go." Casiana replied. They walked into the hangar to find a launchpad set up, bearing the Far Road Home. Three white and orange frames stood near the boarding ramp. Holliday walked over and slapped Rook on the shoulder.

"Take care of the ship, Guardians." she said. "Try not to scratch it."

"We'll try." The Guardians replied. Holliday shrugged in response. As the Guardians and the Frames boarded the Far Road Home, the Guardians sat down. One Frame took the pilot's controls, and the others headed for the rear.

"Guardians." Zavala spoke over the comms. "Good luck out there. This mission is of utmost importance."

"We'll do our best, commander." Rook said.

"And we'll try not to die, too." Leo interjected. Casiana stayed silent. Then, the Frame brought the Far Road Home out of the hangar, and gunned the engines. As it soared out of the City and into orbit, The Speaker watched them depart.

"Blessings of the Light be upon you." he said quietly.

Author's Note

An update as a way of celebrating Destiny 2's official launch!

Are you as hyped as I am?