The grey powder caked her boots. It felt like coming home.

“It’s been three years,” Andover chirped, his shell swirling as he took in the surroundings. “Place doesn’t seem to have changed much.”

“I really don’t want to accidentally wander into hubris territory right now.”

“Fair.”

She unslung her rifle and flicked the safety off. Just in case. She’d run into enough nasty stuff on Luna for a lifetime. Better safe than sorry.

“Call up Galvis. Tell him we should be there soon.”

“We’re walking?”

“Yeah.”

“The sparrow net is still up and running, you know.”

“Don’t want to attract too much attention.”

Andover sighed, or made the closest sound to a sigh that an AI could make. Irena was always a cautious one.

—————

They made it to the camp an hour later. There was no one to greet them.

“You got in contact with Galvis, right?”

“Yeah. He said he’d have a few drinks ready for you.”

“Lovely.”

Irena drew her sidearm and ducked inside the first shelter. Empty. No signs of struggle. Everything neatly ordered.

The datapads were fried. As was the comms relay.

“Fuck.”

“Transmat to the ship?”

“No. We need to find them.”

“Whatever happened here was too much for ten Guardians. You want to go after them alone?”

“I’m not leaving them.”

“Irena, I-“

“Oi, Irena! Is that you in there?”

Galvis.

—————

Sidearm still drawn, she slowly stepped outside. Galvis was there, his armor covered with moon dust but somehow still as shiny as ever. The Titan was nothing if not vain.

“There you are. ‘Ello, Andover. Lovely new shell you’ve got. What’re you two up to?”

Irena looked around as she spoke. “Where is everyone?”

“They’re fine, don’t worry.”

“But where are they?”

“Why they’re right here, Irena.”

Andover would have screamed, if he was capable of it.

Shadowy figures appeared over Galvis. They looked as if they were made of smoke, smoke hovering in place in humanoid shape. Irena growled and leveled her sidearm at Galvis’ stupid shiny helm.

“What the fuck did you do?”

“I haven’t done a thing, Lightbearer.”

The reflective armor faded away. In its place was another shadow, and it too rose up.

“Andover, tran-“

The shadow rushed at her. It nearly touched her before Andover zipped them back into orbit.

———

She awoke with a start on a gurney. The sidearm was still caught in a deathgrip in her hand, and she screamed and raised it.

“Irena, easy, easy. Relax,” a voice she didn’t recognize told her. “You’re back home.”

She was hyperventilating as her eyes darted around the room. This didn’t look like Luna. The man in the blue uniform was a stranger. Her helmet was off. And -

“I’m here, Irena.”

Andover floated in front of her. “You’re safe. It’s alright. Put the gun down.”

Irena slowly nodded and lowered her weapon.

The man approached her bedside. “Irena, I’m Flavius Grey. Owl Sector. I need you to tell me what happened.”

Her eyes were full of fear.

“Moon’s haunted.”