"-So there you have it, Ace, That's why I did what I did. I was forced to anyway. It was that or the great beyond. Just know that your dad did what he had to do. If i ever wanted to see you and your mother again, you'll probably not recognize me. Sense I'll be. . . . well. . a robot and all. But I'll find you. . . . I promise."- the Journal of Cayde-6

He looked at the Sidearm a friend had given him before he drew his final breath. Or whatever a exo can call a breath. He sighed, deep in thought. Guardians, ghosts and civilians looked at him oddly, as he was sitting on a branch in the courtyard of the tower, many speculating why a guardian would ever come back to the tower with "him".

So they keep to themselves. Now no longer bothered to look at him. Some would argue that he's rather shy for those new who hadn't heard the rumors. But if you talk to him, it's rather the opposite. He wasn't shy in the slightest. Even Lord Shaxx knows, though doesn't speak much of it.

Much earlier, Tower, Last City, Earth.

He walked into the tower after a long month of doing patrol missions. It's normal for a guardian to be out in the field for a long time. After leaving the hanger and heading to the Vanguard, he noticed a fireteam in the middle of a meeting.

"Oh, pardon me for the intrusion, I'll just come back later." the Guardian said not wanting to disturb the meeting.

"No guardian. You to need to hear this. It's about a friend of yours." Ikora Ray said catching his attention.

He raised an eyebrow in confusion, and simply stays put

"In any case, guardians, We've been trying to make contact with Guardian Summer Rose. But we can't seem to reach her. We sent her on a scouting mission about movement by the vex near Mercury. And the results were not pleasant." Commander Zavala said.

"In other words, Hunter Rose went missing while checking out something near Mercury, and its not pretty." Cayde said, as he pulled up the recording that the missing guardian sent before her disappearance.

A Vex construct the size of a moon was near Mercury. Which immediately caught his attention as he edged closer, because after the collapse Mercury no longer had moons. That is, until the object came into a better view. It was no longer a moon. It was a large vex looking construct. A hole in the middle. Eight arms came out of the circle of. Four shorter than the other. The hole in the middle was glowing a waterish blue. Standard color of Vex time gates. Thousands of thousands of various Vex surrounded it, some being enormous cyclops and hydra Vex that were probably planetary minds, others being smaller, much easier to kill units.

"So when can we save Hunter Rose?" The Titan asked.

"I'm sorry Frederick. But we cant send a search and rescue party till we can get through the blockade." Ikora replied.

Nodding, Frederick walked out of the vanguard meeting room, heading to his vault.

Present, Tower Courtyard, Last City, Earth

Putting away the side arm into his inventory, he looked to the skies, thinking about the Vex time gate.

"You know Fred, we can always see what Cayde is up to. Knowing him, he's probably trying to find a way to bring back Guardian Rose. Though it be behind the Vanguard's back." His Ghost told him in a young feminine voice.

"Naomi, I highly doubt that Cayde would go behind the Vanguards back again." Frederick replied to his Ghost.

Little did he know, Cayde was already had a plan in motion to get past the Vex fleet. And he wasn't invited to the party.

Housing Sector 117, The Last City

Fred came into the home labed by his family's last name. Opening the door, his spirit was lifted by the smell of a well cooked buffet, undoubtedly made by his granddaughter Daisy and his wife Violet. He made his way to the dining room.

Many people sat at the table. The fireplace was lit with children sitting by it for warmth on the cold night. Guardians of all classes, races, and non guardians of all races sat about his small home. It was full of comfort as he knew them all by name. Some of the women helped set up table and bring out the already prepared food. Roasts, Chicken, Pork, Beef, sides of soup, bread, steamed vegetables of various kinds, rice, it almost seemed endless as to what was on the table. Awoken, Exo, Human, all sitting about without a care in the world, content smiles on their faces.

Frederick looked at his wife, who finally sat down to catch a break after telling her granddaughter to watch the pie. Then they dug in. Plates passed about as well as silverware. It almost felt like a crime, knowing he had to bring up Summer's SOS and impromptu disappearance at a time like this. Where stories of great achievement and embarrassment were shared. Jokes and updates of the occasional family member arriving from the civilians pitching in.

He hugged his tired wife from behind the chair she sat on. The guests greeted him with a "welcome home" as Violet gave him a peck on the cheek. Frederick then talked about the lesson for the day out of his old book he had with him so long ago as people listened and continued there meal.

Some asked questions while others nodded at some assessments. Then eventually the clock struck ten the mortal families started to leave one by one, as they had work to do tomorrow morning. The guardians stayed, as to help wrap things up for the night, and to listen to Frederick a little bit before leaving for duty.

"I have news for everyone." He said with a stern tone to his voice, making sure everyone was gathered as he looked over the crowd. Not a single person missing. "Not of what I found in the book, but from the Tower itself." And thus, he quickly recounted the information he gathered from the Vanguard, the guardians listening in rapt attention. After the quick and brief story, a warlock raised his hand.

"So she disappeared beyond the gate?" said the warlock

"Not surprised that she'd get herself into a pickle like that. Hope she's alright." said a hunter named Taeko-3

"But what does that mean for us? I don't see how it can lead to us in trouble." Said a titan among the decent sized group.

"Well from the looks of it more patrols. Which means less time among each other." said another warlock, Rekum, who wore cryptarch robes in the recliner.

"Brothers and sisters. As Rekum has said, if are required to do more patrols due to the Vex blocking in Summer, then there are not enough of us that will be able to do police work around the city. Which of course leaves the children and non Guardian families vulnerable to attacks from within our fine city. Daisy was their first target many years ago. Even now, I've heard whispers from the Speakers most loyal followers that they plan in secret to rid of us like they did before the mass exodus." Said another warlock, Joshua, who wore Trials of Osiris combat robes.

"Indeed Brother Joshua." Said a hunter in agreement.

He then turned to Frederick.

"What do you think old friend?" the hunter asked Frederick.

"The Speaker has tried again and again to wipe us out in secret. The most zealous followers of the Traveler, however, are far too vocal for us not to hear them coming, so we managed to avoid their lynch mobs. We must be careful, eyes and ears open, as we've always been." He then stood up, walking around as he spoke.

"Remember, the Disciples and Paul have always faced hardships that were far worse than our plight. And they were under Roman authority. Which everyone knows were the masters of torcher. As well as the Jewish authorities." Frederick replied, his voice wavering from exhaustion.

"Remember, he's always watching us. Not a day goes by that he weeps for his children. Just remember that we must protect the others as they are mortal brothers and sisters. For now, let us pray that faith is strong for everyone."

They all nodded as they got up to leave. Frederick watched as one by one they left his home. Violet came up to him from behind and hugged him. Fred turns around and does the same.

"I'm tired love." she said with a yawning voice.

"Then sleep, Violet. I'll join you shortly." Frederick replied.

Violet nodded, and yawned into her hand as she left to the bedroom. He then looked out to the night sky. Sighing, he then closed the drapes, and headed to bed with his wife.