Ana was sitting alone, grieving the loss of her sister. Zavala and the rest tried to comfort her, but to no avail. But they could not just dwell on the mourning of Ana, they had far more important things to discuss. More concerning, more worrying. S0L's forces had just, stopped. Signs of his activities had come to an abrupt stop. Everyone began to worry. Not only had he shown that he has no restraint on using nuclear weaponry, but also that he has a few chosen ones that seem to be leagues above the rest. First the Psion that they call "Atzot the Huntsman", then the captain they call "Aurix the Clever" because a lot of his actions had come to surface. He is incredibly smart, calculative and capable and with the slew of body modifications that he had received, he is extremely difficult to take out. Then, there is Siphix, the ships commander. Whilst the ships is relatively lacking in defenses in terms of onboard troops, it more than makes up with Siphix. From what Jinju told them, his armor is almost indestructible, his speed is deceptive and his blows are devastating. And on top of that, he has autonomy and sentience. He is smart and is not a machine anymore. He had ascended further. In just that short amount of time, they had lost four capable people. Zavala was in his office, his fist slammed against the table, making everyone tense up. 

Zavala: First the Oryx, then the Witness, then Maya, Fikrul and then him. CAN WE NOT REST?! 

Ikora: Well, what are we going to do? He, on purpose or not, had given us breathing room. To think and calculate our next move. 

Osiris: We are having trouble defeating his minions. How are we going to defeat him!? He is a nearly a god, more capable, dangerous and far reaching that Rasputin could have ever been. 

The group began to argue on what to do next. Saint was leaning against the wall, deep in though, more worried about Ana. It is not easy to lose a part of your family. He can't even begin to think how she feels. How much she is blaming herself. All he does hope for is that she doesn't go down the path of self loathing and destruction. That her grief and blame don't turn inwards and don't become a powerful poison. He had seen many guardians turn into nothing, all because of those feelings. However, something doesn't feel right. He could easily now launch a strike on them, bring down the Vanguard to their knees. Yet, he isn't. The Vanguard has no way of countering effectively his chosen ones and had a lot of trouble fighting against those modified Walkers. And if he recruits more soldiers, than it will become a real problem. But, something in Saint's subconsciousness tells him that S0L doesn't pray for the downfall of the Vanguard. He just wants them to comply. To join him. And S0L had shown his change by the simply fact that he recruited both the Psion's and the Eliksni. Saint walks away, going to check in on Ana. 

He finds her sitting on a ledge, her feet dangling off of the ledge. She looks out at the city, the night sky, full of stars, the moon is full and beautiful. He sits down beside her. 

Saint-14: How are you doing? 

Ana: I don't know. 

Saint-14: Listen Ana, don't blame yourself. It happened. You weren't at fault, you couldn't have known that such a danger was inside the ship. We will avenge your sister. 

Ana: Saint, can I ask you something? 

Saint-14: Sure?

Ana: Do you think that what we are doing is pointless? That all of this could have been avoided. 

He let's out a sigh and focuses his gaze on the city, illuminated by neon lights. 

Saint-14: It could have been. But we had grown accustomed that anything remotely dangerous that shows us usually turns into a massive enemy.  If the past had been more generous towards us, maybe we would have tried to talk to him at first. 

Ana: But, how are we having so much difficulty fighting against him and his forces? 

Saint-14: Because he is everywhere, he has access to everything. He is a machine, he has no ego, he has no pride, he is optimal. That is our difference. The Witness had a goal, but he also had a weakness. A collective will always have a few that don't side with it. 

Ana: You think we will win? 

Saint-14: I........I don't know. The situation is bleak, we have no Traveler to help us. We are alone to deal with this. At least we have our Guardian. He will find a way, I have no doubt about that. 

Ana just gave a weak nod and leaned against him. He pulled her closer and they sat in silence. 

Somewhere in Arizona

Elsie found herself dazed and confused, laying in a soft bed. It was a small room, dimly lit. She was alone, apart from the two robots that stood guard. They remained silent. The last thing she remembers is being hit by that machine. She thought he killed her, but it seems she was just knocked out. But for what reason? The metal doors swung open and in walked a guardian, in his hand was a sleek, minimalistic white sniper rifle. It was clear the design did not belong to any foundry known to the Vanguard, meaning this was built by S0L. It had no sharp edges, just a smooth shell. The guardian himself had white clothing, but nothing all the special. 

Larson: Let's go. 

Elsie: Where to? 

Larson: Just stand up. 

She reluctantly decided to listen to his command and they walked off. They were in some kind of bunker with concrete walls and LED light strips that dimly lit the hallways. There were plenty of the machines scattered around, even cleaning bots. They finally reached a large open room. She saw rows of machines and equipment but at the center of it, was a single table. She saw the Psion and the Captain standing on either side of a chair. At that chair was sat none other than S0L, wearing would be best described as Seven Seraph Uniform. 

S0L: Ahhh, you have awoken. Please, take a seat, Elizabeth Bray, daughter of Clovis Bray, the greatest man to ever live. 

She sits down, her eyes darting between the two and S0L. The Guardian stood behind her, making sure she made no stupid moves. 

Elsie: Why am I alive? 

S0L: Why? Well, because you are Bray. 

Elsie: Is that all? 

S0L: Technically no. But I cannot just eliminate a bright mind just like that. Bray's had helped me a lot. Your fathers inventions helped me pave a way for a better future. 

Elsie: I know that you just want to use me for something. So be quick with it. 

S0L: As perceptive as ever. Very well. I need your help in checking on something. 

Elsie: Help?

S0L: You see. Deep in the ice of Europa is a single room, a small room. It hides something so devastating, so catastrophic. 

Elsie: And you need me to unlock that room I am guessing? 

S0L: Yes. 

Elsie: I won't. You will use it to create weapons that would murder entire species. 

S0L: Quite on the contrary. I want to make sure it is not damaged. You see, some Fallen had managed to locate said room. And began to tamper with it. If they reach it, they will cause mayhem on this entire system. 

Elsie: And what is it? 

S0L: A virus. 

Elsie: Virus? Seriously? 

S0L: Do not think this is funny. It is a biological nightmare. It can quickly adapt, devour both flesh and metal. It can give life to things that don't have any. Turn them into beasts and monsters. 

She gets concerned at how his tone became so serious so quickly. She had a feeling he wasn't deceiving her. And if it is true, that he just wants to make sure it had not spread, then she might be able to stop the deaths of millions, if not more. 

Elsie: Tell me more. 

S0L: Very well.