The Tower, Last City, Earth

Vanguard Room

"Commander Zavala, an urgent report is available."

The steadfast Titan Vanguard turned to the frame who addressed him with a raised eyebrow. Zavala was currently monitoring business in the Tower Command Room. Ikora Rey was currently speaking with Amanda Holliday, and Cayde was doing inventory of the Vanguard Armory.

"What is it, Kevin?" he replied.

"We have received a superluminal message directed to us from beyond the Sol System." Kevin replied. "I will upload it to your datapad, if so requested."

"Go ahead." Zavala said. "What kind of message is it?"

"I am not sure." Kevin replied. "Message headers state it is from the Warmind Harrison, though there is no match to that Warmind name in the Vanguard Archives."

Zavala's interest in the message spiked at that statement. The only Warminds currently active in the Sol System was Rasputin, and he wasn't exactly on good terms with the Vanguard. He had only asked for the Guardians' help once, and that incident with the Fallen involved a giant Shank named SABER-2.

"Get me Ikora, Cayde, Master Rahool, and a list of available Fireteams ASAP." Zavala said. "If this Warmind Harrison is still out there, we'll need to contact him."

"Understood, Commander Zavala. Requests relayed."

As Zavala looked over the report, there was only one Fireteam city-side with enough experience and prowess to take on this mission.

"Fireteam Horizon…" Zavala said over the Tower PA. "Report to the Vanguard Room immediately. Zavala out."

====

"Zavala, if you tell me that this is a prank, well, I'd be impressed." Cayde-6 said as he entered the Vanguard Room. "Like, really impressed."

"This is no prank, Cayde." Zavala replied. "Let's get to this matter with seriousness, everyone."

"Hey, this is my serious face." Cayde said, looking over the message on his own datapad. "Can't you tell?"

Zavala rolled his eyes. Ikora walked over with Master Rahool and took her station, waiting for Zavala to speak.

"Recently, we received a superluminal message directed to us from beyond the system." Zavala said. "It originated from a Warmind designated as Harrison."

"A Warmind?" Cayde asked. "Geez, this day keeps getting better."

"There are no records of that Warmind in the Vanguard Archives or the Cryptarchy." Ikora said.

"Indeed." Rahool said. "What little we know about the Warminds comes from Rasputin."

"Speaking of, he's not exactly an ally, Zavala." Cayde said. "We need to be careful with this. What's it say?"

"The message was encrypted, but it is done being decoded now." Zavala said. "Have a look, a nd tell me what you think."

Ikora looked over the message, along with Cayde and Zavala.

WRMND-HARRISON: SITUATION REPORT (OMEGA-LEVEL PRIORITY)
DESTINATION: Last City, Earth, Tower Command (Proxy)
SUBJECT: REACTIVATION, FIRST CONTACT
To the Guardians of the Last City, this is Warmind Harrison. I have reactivated from a dormancy period and established first contact with the new inhabitants of Solaris II colony. These beings are similar to the ancient Earthen animals known as "Ponies", only with three distinct subgroups. Humanity has gone extinct and entered the mythology of these Ponies, with my presence startling them.

Local leadership has affirmed friendly first contact with me, and I am expecting their rulers to arrive soon. However, due to recent uplink reports from Warmind Rasputin, I am sending you this message in hope of receiving aid from "Guardians" in order to support negotiations. My knowledge of these ponies is negligible, only they settled here after my dormancy.

I am requesting Guardian support, as affirmed by Rasputin, to extend peaceful contact with Sol System and the Vanguard. Solaris II colony coordinates and position are embedded in attached data packet.

Zavala opened the packet and reviewed the coordinates.

"This colony is far beyond the edge of the system, in another star cluster entirely." he murmured. "How did this message reach us?"

"Superluminal communication is capable of such a feat." Rahool said. "Though the technology to do so was lost with the Golden Age."

"Thank you, Master Rahool." Ikora said. "Zavala, I know who we should send."

"As do I." the Titan Vanguard said. "However, we must be cautious. We have lost lives in dealing with Rasputin. We also do not know what else could be out there. Whether it's Fallen, Vex, Cabal, or Hive, we cannot be sure."

"Which is why we should send you-know-who." Cayde said. "They've just clocked in back at the Plaza, and they're ready for deployment."

"Bring them here." Ikora said. "We'll need their input."

====

As three Guardians entered the Vanguard Room, they stood at attention in front of the table.

First was Anubis-3, an Exo Titan and leader of Fireteam Horizon.

Next was James Mendoza, a Human Hunter.

Finally was Rainea Thoren, an Awoken Warlock.

They stood quietly until Zavala and the Vanguard told them "at ease".

"Commander." Anubis-3 said. "We're ready for tasking."

"Good." Zavala replied, proceeding to tell them of Harrison's message and their new task of contacting this Warmind.

"Commander, with all due respect, didn't you tell us when we took out that giant Shank that Rasputin killed a team with a similar mission?" James asked.

"He did. And that was Rasputin, not Harrison." Zavala replied. "This Warmind has made critical progress in contacting us directly. Let's not waste this opportunity."

"Yes, sir." Rainea said. "Where's this Warmind located?"

"That's the thing." Cayde said. "It's in another star system. Long story about how he got the message out, but we've prepared a ship for you. Go check in with Holliday when you're ready."

"And when you get the chance, visit the Speaker." Zavala said. "Dismissed."

As the fireteam nodded and left, Anubis walked in front with a smile on his mechanical face.

"What's got you so happy?" James asked.

"First contact." Anubis said. "It's exciting."

"Well, here's hoping they won't shoot us on sight." James replied. "Come on, Holliday doesn't have forever."

Author's Note

Sorry it's short, but longer updates are coming.

Next time: Harrison speaks with Celestia and Luna, and the Guardians depart for Solaris II colony, or Equis.