Heading back to the tower

The Ketch begins to lift itself. You ask Flora to store her father's feed in the ship's cache after clearing everything but destinations from it. You were now already wandering through space, hoping to get to the tower.

"(Finished.)" Flora says in a soft and sweet voice. "(You...)" She pauses and eyes you. "(Aren't a light thief?)"

You look her in two of her four eyes and raise two arms. "(Not and ounce of light in me.)" You shake your head.

Flora smiles and clasps her lower two hands together, the others staying at her side. "(Where are we going first?)"

You could tell she was excited. You didn't want to take her to the tower, and certainly didn't want to go to Nessus, or anywhere covered in battles like it.

You take Flora's place at the terminal and input coordinates for Earth. You sit back as the auto pilot takes control, you watch Flora crowd any windows she can find and look through any monitor that still works just to see space.

Eventually the ship begins to hover over the planets halts and begins to drift through the atmosphere. It took a long time to get here as whatever controls the Ketch's maximum speed is broken. You take control and begin to fly to the tower. One thing you hated about this was that you had to fly over Earth, and get to the tower all without being shot out of the sky. You were in a Fallen Ketch, a damaged one at that.

Eventually you manage to weave your way into the hangar, surprised by the lack of security. You dock the Ketch and tell Flora to stay inside.

"(Why can't I go out?)"

"(This place is full of light thieves. Guardians who won't hesitate to shoot you on the spot.)"

Flora nods, she seems very uneasy now. You couldn't blame her.

The door opens and a ramp comes down. You walk into the hangar with your hands above your head. The many armed people, robots, and guardians all lower their weapons.

Amanda runs up to the bottom of the ramp. "No way you snagged a whole Ketch." She blabbers excitedly.

The ramp rises and the door closes.

"It's mine now, sorry for taking up so much space."

"Not a problem at all." She folds her arms and shakes her head. "We just need to sling some paint on there and give you a unique feed and you should be fine."

You look around the room and spot Athena's ship. You started to walk to it, but Athena walks up to you from behind.

"Where did you head off to?" She asks with her hands on her hips.

You turn to her slowly and start to muster your response, but are interrupted by static in your ear.

"Hey there brother, glad to see you made it off that rock alright." You spot Lilly's ship dock itself in the hangar. "I suppose this Ketch is yours. What a find." You see Lilly step out from the ship, but The Drifter stays inside.

"John, where did you go last night?" Lilly steps up beside Athena.

"Don't tell them anything real, brother. Lilly's coverin' herself by askin' you this question."

You glance at the eyes of both Athena and Lilly before settling your eyes on Athena's. "I went back to Nessus to get more information from the Exodus Black." You answer casually, and with confidence.

Athena shrugs and Lilly nods.

"That was a good one, brother. Can't say I woulda' had a better alibi."

Lilly walks out of the hangar.

Athena walks up to your new Ketch. "This thing is making my Monument look like a shrimp." She sighs. "I might have to start crashing in there with you." She turns to you and winks.

You bring one hand to your ear and turn off the feed. "I'll put Failsafe in there." You begin walking towards Athena's ship, she follows you.

You enter Athena's ship and walk up to Failsafe.

"Where have you been John?" Her voice changes as you lift her up. "I was about to start self-corrupting my data dealing with Athena alone."

Athena's hands shoot up into the air. "I didn't even talk to you for more than like thirty seconds! Once!"

Failsafe's voice returns to normal. "I know!"

You enter your new ship and stop. You tap your foot as you wait for the door to close. When the door closes you begin to speak. You tell Athena all about how you saved a Vandal and how he gave you this Ketch and left his daughter for you to look after as a crew member. You exclude any information about the communication device, Lilly, or The Drifter. You also claim that you saved them from the Vex and not from starving to **** or bleeding out after shadow monsters and carnivorous plants attacked their Ketch.

Athena nods slowly. "I guess they aren't all bad after all." She shakes her head. "Just jealous about the Traveller, and the light."

"They need to let it go." Failsafe chimes. "At this rate they will go extinct!"

You enter the control room and place Failsafe on an empty table.

"What a ship." Athena sighs. "Really does make mine seem small."

"(Flora. It is okay to come out.)"

Athena turns to you abruptly, in shock. "What the hell?"

"Athena." Failsafe starts. "Why are you so surprised that the super genius scavenger can speak the Fallen language?"

"Just... Unexpected."

"He was on Nessus. A planet full of Fallen, Vex, and Cabal. It wouldn't surprise me if he could communicate with all three of them!"

"Shut it!"

Flora slowly peeks out of her hiding spot and comes into the open.

"She's pretty." Athena nods. "Of course there aren't many Fallen to compare her to."

"(Who is that person?)"

"(That is Athena.)" You give her shoulder a lovetap. "(She's a friend of mine.)"

"(Is she a light thief?)"

You sigh. "(Yes, she is a guardian.)"

Flora takes a step backwards.

"(It's fine. You don't really get to choose around here.)"

Athena extends her arm and Flora shakes it nervously, after you let her know it was alright.

"(She's pretty.)" Flora states as she walks to your side.

You chuckle. "(She said the same thing about you. You two will get along great.)"