Some time had passed since I returned and by that time a lot has happened. I built Lezia the prosthetic leg that I promised to make her, it isn't the best but it was the best I could make with what I had at disposal. Also, it seems that some of the 'locals' heard about Lezia and me and asked us to join them. These were Cabal, Psions and Eliksni deserters or refugees and while at first skeptical of them at the end they proved to be good. Together we worked on rebuilding and improving this temple, decorating and renovating and it felt refreshing. Cabal, while warlike, are proud things and were open to my ideology of strength and so were Psions. Eliksni on the other hand were difficult to work at first but most of them came to accept that what they seek is not the solution, only a temporary fix. Working together we managed to make a respectable looking base, following the different philosophies of each race we made an amalgamation. Scouting posts around the area to look out for any signs of danger, the main hub, the temple, had everything we needed. Places to sleep, educate the young and even recreational spaces. Scavengers were constantly sent out to gather not only supplies like food and drinks but also building materials and devices that could be used on improving our lives and protections. Each piece of armor was painted in our respected color, basically same as my armor. Each species would get a different modification to either their armor or body, depending on what they wished for. Together we developed and upgraded our weapons, modernizing them and replacing the outdated Eliksni rifles and other things. Thankfully, being in the middle of nowhere does have an advantage, we were able to do all of this while being undetected. 

Lezia became our Empress, a couple of our knew how to tailor so they made her a beautiful gown. She, despite not looking like it, is a good leader, while not strong or rigorous as others, she is kind and is able to boost moral and lift spirits of those who have doubts. The people had grown fond of her, while she might not hold the power that Mara Sov holds, or the reach, she has the same amount of respect from us. Even if she is elevated with that status she doesn't feel like it, she treats even the old with the dignity they deserve. Some of the Cabal came from the Red Legion, some from the Shadow Legion looking for another purpose. To fight for something that has a meaning and purpose. My dream might become a reality, we just might be able to make a society that won't have to rely on anything but themselves and the natural forces. As the time went on the amount of people had increased, we numbered at first by the dozen but now, a hundred or two, living in harmony. All doing different tasks, be it crafting, tending, mining or feeding, everyone had a purpose and a meaning. We still lay under the radar, mostly because the temple is in a mountain so the trace it faint. But, we have discovered something else, accidentally someone destroyed a wall and revealed a massive room with strange devices and screens and machinery. Like this place was a facility for something, but for what, we were unclear. But a lot of Golden Age tech had been at our grasp and we put it to good use, developing weapons, technology that could help us out and even managing to tap into the Last City's network without being noticed. Whatever this tech was it was used for spying and it was top notch, the same tech that belonged to our ship. Humanity was so advanced and forward thinking, I am jealous, I wished I lived with them, learned from them. Their lives are gone, but their heritage will remain and I will respect and honor it by using and studying it.

We had three loyal followers picked out from each of the three races. For the Cabal, there is Kha'aulk, a brave and devoted soldier who had proven to be both capable and trustworthy, he is in charge of being a leading guard for her Majesty. For the Psions, Titzer, a capable warrior, while not as strong in body, in mind he is way beyond what we hoped for. A tactician at heart and a good planner, he is in charge of managing and making sure this little community thrives. And as for the Eliksni, Akeskriks, she had shown herself to be quite talented in working around tech, she would often help me around machinery and tinkering, learning for me and like me, she was eager to learn and became quite good. Good enough that I let her do her own thing, separate from me, developing whatever the populace needed, improving the standard of living. She and Titzer became quite good colleagues, having to work together almost all the time I am glad. The barriers between species are gone once unified under a cause that they both stand behind. All was not peaceful though, some of the local Houses and Hive have attacked us a couple times but they stood no chance, a couple of ours fell, buried them in tombs, each respecting the culture they came from. 

I stand on the balcony, looking out at our small city we are building, a sense of pride lingers in me, while not done, a sense of accomplishment towers over my soul. I hear footsteps behind me, Lezia walking up to me, she had grown into her prosthetic and even decorated it to make it pretty having requested some of the carvers to grove in plant like patterns on the metal surface.

Lezia: Hello Faklis, what are you doing here this late?

Faklis: Greetings Lezia, I am just looking out at what we have accomplished. I can't help but feel proud of what has become. 

Lezia: Yeah, I would have never thought it would turn out like this but here we are. Fate is a unpredictable thing isn't it. I must say, I wouldn't have thought that I would make quite good friends with them. 

Faklis: The people are both friendly and caring, I am glad that everyone is getting along for the most part. But I worry.

Lezia: About what?

Faklis: If we grow larger that would mean we would attract more attention and I am not only speaking of our enemies. But the Guardians too. 

Lezia: Listen, while I don't really like them all too much they aren't evil. I am sure that once they found out we aren't bad they would leave us alone. Hell, maybe we could trade with them for protection or similar things. 

Faklis: I doubt that we would needed it, we are strong as it is, and having more will only make us stronger. 

Lezia: Yeah, but having them around is always helpful. They are quite capable, if we do find some more deserters it would be perfect, them not being tied with the Vanguard would be really nice. Anyway, what is new and special going on?

Faklis: I have sent out a group of scavengers out to Europa to gather us some Clovis Bray's tech and maybe establish a soft base there. But we will see if it is even possible. 

Lezia: That is good, still, I can't believe what we came across here. I mean, who the hell would have thought there would be such tech here, buried deep beneath the rock and to be able to connect to the network of the Last City without being detected is really good.

Faklis: That is why I adore humanity, they are such fascinating creatures. 

Lezia: Why is that?

Faklis: Most species lack ambition and creativity, humans are an exception. They constantly thrive for advancements, building things for fun. Many have said that the most dangerous creature out there is a bored human engineer. When they are bored they make things to get rid of it. That is such a positive feature that it is often underestimated. 

Lezia walks up to me, her hand resting against mine. I found this odd but paid no mind to it as she often would do this. We talked for a little more before returning to our chambers to rest. Being a leader is tiring but yet, so thrilling. 

On Europa

The scavenger group had been gathering whatever could be salvage from one of the many abandoned laboratories. But it was not made easy with the presence of the House of Salvation remnants that made life quite difficult. Thankfully the group consisted of three Cabal and five Psions who would keep the group safe while the eight Eliksni would rummage and gather as they were far more suited for that kind of work. And it is helped that their gear, thanks to their leaders is technologically far ahead what the Fallen here had, both guns and armor were better. The Cabal forced armed with a high caliber riffle that was domestically made that had a rocket launcher under attachment for versatility.

And the Psions armed with a more advanced sniper riffle to offer support from the ranges.

But little did they know, that they were being watched from a distance by a group of Guardians who were confused as to what was going on. Fallen, Psions and Cabal working together, wielding tech that doesn't belong to them. And they aren't part of the Vanguard, it is unheard of and a little worrying. The four Guardians locked through their scopes, contemplating if they should engage or not. 

Molly: Sis, what should we do?

Skye: I don't know, it is such strange behavior. Why the hell would they be working together. 

Gidral: That is what worries you? Girl, I am more worried about that tech they got. That ain't the usual stuff they got and plus, that armor. They made short work of those House of Salvation fools. Right, you know about stuff Enigma-2.

Enigma-2 being their Exo friend who is obsessed with weapons but he did not answer back. He was looking through his binoculars, trying to figure out who these were. Blue plated armor of different design, it reminding him of human old armor weirdly. There is definitely a mix of it in there, but still keeping originality of the original armor of each species. The large group had not spotted them, the Cabal and Psions keeping a lookout while the Fallen rummage through the stuff. Grabbing whatever had worth to them. 

Girdral: Earth to Enigma, you still there. 

Skye: We ain't getting a message through, this guy is to damn focused on what is going on in front of him. 

Molly: What the hell should we do? Attack them or leave them be?

Skye: I have no clue alright. They don't seem like the bad guys but also don't look like the good guys.

Enigma-2: I swear I saw that color somewhere. 

Gidral: Finally, we got a message back, thank god he ain't lost. 

Molly: What do you mean you saw that color somewhere? It is everywhere, it is a blue. 

Enigma-2: No, that armor, who damn had it.... I know, that damn strange Fallen guy we got in the Tower not too long ago. 

Skye: Which one.

Enigma-2: The one that nearly killed Petra.

Gidral: That damn bastard, how could I not have realized, no one touches my dear Petra, no one.

Molly: First of all, you and her aren't in a relationship of any kind you parasocial creep. And secondly, are you saying that they are somehow connected?

Enigma-2: Can't say for sure but something tells me there is some kind of connection. Our best bet is to report this to the Vanguard and not attack them. If that was their leader then I don't want to deal with him. 

Skye: I trust you judgment Enigma, I'll write a well detailed report. For now, let us head back, still, I hope that this isn't something that we should worry about too much. That tech looks scary considering we don't know half of the things they might have, but from what we saw, those are some damn fine guns and I want them.

The group leaves the abandoned facility and heads back to the Last City. Soon the scavenger group returns back with a bountiful hunt that will, no doubt help out the community.