Echo flew into the room ahead of Evana, hovering over the spot where he assumed she would take her position. Evana, knowing what Echo expected, turned her body to the right and stood behind the large table some distance from her ghost, a playful half smile laid upon her face. Her ghost chirped, its center eye rolling before hovering over to its Guardian. Echo was the only sentient being Evana seemed let her guard down for, and the only one she trusted with her emotions, a fact Echo was often unhappy with. If her ghost was the only one she’d ever truly trust, it’s surprising she’d ever do well in a large fireteam.
With the Speaker standing before the six poorly acquainted fireteam, Evana took in every detail of the oncoming mission that was given to her. Still, the Speaker’s debrief left her with many answers, something she soon found she was not alone. Other Guardians raised their concerns, asking for more details. The other representatives in the room seemed rather unsure themselves, as if this was just as much a debriefing for them as it was for the new fireteam. As the Speaker answered some questions, Echo caught sight of Lakshmi-2 and gave her a friendly beep. As he was doing so, Evana couldn’t help but wonder why, even if he was the first to stumble upon information regarding such an important weapon, he was sent alone, given the possibility that it could have been heavily guarded. Nothing that immensely powerful enough that can take on the Darkness would be left alone, would it?
“Speaker,” Evana finally spoke, up, though most of her questions were asked and answered, “You must have assumed this weapon would have been under some watchful eye. Even if Aaron’s original task was to simply gather more intelligence, there was always the possibility that he would find its true location. Why risk sending a lone Guardian?” she paused, feeling as though her question may be interpreted as an attack to the Speaker’s decision to send Aaron to the Ishtar Sink. “In the event that we secure this weapon, how should it be dealt with? If it is found that this thing can corrupt the light within any who wields it, should it be destroyed?”
At some point in her life, Evana realized that she was just a pawn in the grand scheme of things, that the Speaker, no matter how secretive he may be, is currently their only real link to the Traveler; who was she to speak as if she’d know better? “My apologies for berating you with such trivial questions. Regardless of your reasoning now, we’ll find Aaron and, if necessary, release him from whatever darkness corrupts his light," a pause, "no matter the cost.”
Echo turned toward Evana, surprised. “Eve…” he said softly. To have to take the life of another Guardian was somewhat of a taboo in the Tower. Only in very dire circumstances had that ever occurred; none of which ever ended well for those fighting for the light. Evana knew this, but she was chosen as a vessel of the light and as long as that fact remains, she will fight against anything that threatens her cause, including other Guardians.
“Hush, ghost.”
Echo obeyed.
Evana scanned the room, taking a good look at her new teammates for the first time. “Let’s just hope we’re enough,” she said, feigning a friendly smile. Echo wants her to make friends then…well…baby steps. Baby steps.