Chapter 4: Zula

A chapter that introduces Titan Defender Zula, a veteran of the battle for the Twilight Gap, as she investigates the disappearance of two guardians.

“We should arriving Venus in 20 seconds” said Zula’s ghost. It hovered next to her head, in the cockpit of the “Cloud Errant” class jumpship, which, like it’s owner, had seen many battles.

Zula was a veteran Titan Defender, having fought in the battle for the Twilight Gap, her Wards of Dawn shielded many Guardians during the conflict. She had dark skin, white hair, a doll’s face, and the body of a truck. In fact, many mistake her for a man, when she’s in armor. “Alright, are we meeting anyone there?” asked Zula, as she started tying her hair into a ponytail.

“No, the Cryptarchs have sent 2 warlocks to investigate Ishtar Academy, and they have yet to return. Venus has been known to be sprawling with Vex activity, and they have not been heard from for 2 days.” Said Zula’s Ghost.

The Vex are a diabolical race, neither organic, nor machine. They operate in unison, directed by a single unfathomable purpose. They are an evil so evil, it despises other evil…

“Well, what’d they expect, they sent two bookworms to a library. They’re sending me to babysit!” fumed Zula.

“I admire your optimism, hopefully, that will be the case. The Vex are merciless.” Zula’s Ghost paused “We’re here” informed Zula’s Ghost, as the bronze planet came into view. Before the Golden Age, Venus was a harsh, uninhabitable environment. That all changed upon the discovery of the Traveler, a mysterious construct the size of a small moon, made many of Earth’s neighboring planets hospitable, as they flourished with new ecosystems. No one knows if there are more like the Traveler, but when it ushered in a new era of light, the darkness soon followed. The traveler sacrificed itself during the Great Collapse, it’s husk, now watching over the Tower in Old Russia, on Earth.

Zula’s “Cloud Errant” entered Venus’ orbit, it only took mere seconds to arrive at the ruins of Ishtar, a once flourishing populous, lost to the Collapse.

“I see two jumpships…think it might be theirs?” inquired Zula, as she peered over her window, as she hovered slowly towards a large building, laden with many glass stained glass windows, making it appear like a church.

“I’ll have to scan it to be sure. Bring us in.” said Zula’s Ghost. Zula landed the ship parallel to the two jumpships, parked right outside Ishtar Academy. Zula approached the two ships, and examined the one that looked particularly beaten up.

“Let me guess…that’s the older Warlock’s ship…the Exo, whatshisface….Sagan?” asked Zula, as she knocked on the ship’s hull.

“Good guess, but the Arcadia Class jumpship actually belongs to his pupil, Stall, the Awoken.” Replied Zula’s Ghost, as it scanned the ship. “Yes, I’m certain now, these ships belong to them. That means they’re either dead…or have been fending off Vex for the past two days…” Ghost’s voice cracked.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out.” Zula pulled the slide back on her Scout Rifle, loading it. “Not a day goes by where someone doesn't need my help.”

prev chapter