Tales of the Warlock Andrew: Approaching Darkness

"Did you hear that?" 

Andrew had taken a small group of young Eliksni for both combat training and scavenging for necessary parts from the Bray Tech facility, right under the Warmind's nose. It probably knew, but something had taken its attention from the facility, or it was gone. This dreg, however, seemed to be more cautious than the others, something Andrew acknowledged as a good quality to have if one wishes to survive. 

"What did you hear?" 

"It sounded like a whisper, but it sounded..." 

"Yes?" 

"Off." 

Without a word, Melody began to scan the area, but nothing turned up. 

"Are you sure you got plenty of sleep last night?" 

"I did, but I thought I really did hear... There it is again; from outside." 

Andrew took a quick glance at Melody; nodding as to confirm to her that they would check on the perimeter. 

"Alright, we'll check it out. There shouldn't be any hostile in the area, but do not hesitate to run to me if you encounter trouble." 

Upon leaving the corridor that led to the courtyard, Melody started another scan. Before she finished, Andrew heard a whisper. 

"Did you say something, Melody?" 

"No... I..." 

"Melody, are you..." 

Andrew had been cut off when his attention was taken by a shadow descending over the courtyard. Looking toward the sky, he saw a giant pyramid descending to the surface of Mars. With what he heard from Eris, this object looked just like the one she had studied on Luna. 

"Greetings, we are honored to make your acquaintance." 

Andrew turned his attention back to his Ghost, and she was looking at him. He knew it was her voice, but it sounded 'off'; different.

"Melody?" 

"Forgive us, this is the only way we are able to communicate with you. She will be returned to you once we are concluded." 

"Who are you?" 

"Think of us as a patron looking to sponsor people we believe worthy of our time." 

"What do you want with me?" 

"We want nothing from you. You have had much taken from you; your memories, your former life, your true shape, your right to be you, even much of your freedoms. You were even hunted from the day of your rebirth. No, we wish to help you; to give you a gift, a 'sponsorship'." 

"And why are you so interested in a no one like me?" 

"We see you as someone special. You have made friends of former enemies, rediscovered parts of your past, and even utilized nanotechnology, against the wishes of your Vanguard and Iron Lords, with overwhelming success. You are crafty and resourceful, and we admire that. For that reason, we wish to extend an invitation to you." 

"An invitation for what?" 

"To receive our gift to you. You will have to wait, but we promise the wait will be worth it. We'll keep in touch, friend." 

At that moment, Melody returned to her usual self. 

"What happened? I was saying something, then I blacked out." 

"Someone else was using you to talk to me." 

"That would explain it, then." 

"What?" 

"The encrypted coordinates I was left with." 

"Let's go back to the trainees. We will decrypt them when we return home."