Atticus looked around at the bare living quarters he had called home while in the Cit. A small bed, small metal nightstand, a battered foot locker and a rusted metal weapons locker he had salvaged from a derelict military base during his travels. Seven years and this was the culmination of his possessions. Leftover items from the room's previous owner and a weapon's locker he had added to store the weapons he had begun collecting. The only other items he owned was what he had on him, his clothes and his Hard Luck Mk.52 hand cannon slung low on his hip reminiscent of the gunslinger's of an age long since gone.

A grumbling from beside him broke him from his thoughts. [color=6ecff6]"You're doing it again."[/color] The small voice said as the Ghost flitted across the room and set itself down on the nightstand with a soft metallic [i]tink[/i].

[color=gold]"I'm doing what again, Kiddo?"[/color] Atticus asked making his way to sit on the bed.

[color=6ecff6]"You're being [i]booooooorrrrriiiinnnngg[/i]!"[/color] The Ghost said, it's eye following Atticus as he made his way to the bed. [color=6ecff6]"Let's go and do something! Let's have fun!"[/color] The Ghost suddenly shot up from the nightstand speaking excitedly. [color=6ecff6]"Oh, oh! Let's play a game!"[/color] Before the Ghost could pick a game for the two to play a soft chime came from the Ghost, deflating the little machines excitement. [color=6ecff6]"Awwww, you got a message from the Speaker." [/color]It said sadly as it looked at the ground defeated.

Atticus couldn't help but smile as he watched the Ghost. [color=gold]"It's alright, Kid, play the message from the Speaker and I promise we'll play a game later."[/color]

The promise of playing games later instantly perked it up. [color=6ecff6]"Can we play hide and seek? I like hide and seek! Let's play hide and seek!"[/color]

The Ghost started to speak quicker and quicker the more it talked about hide and seek, and Atticus knew if he didn't cut it off now he'd never hear the message from the Speaker. [color=gold]"Mason,"[/color] The Ghost fell silent. It knew that tone and that meant now was the time to be serious. [color=gold]"Play the message and then we'll play hide and seek later."[/color]

A squeal of excitement escaped the Ghost as it spun in the air before coming to a stop facing Atticus and began to show a projection of the Speaker as his voice began to play. [color=silver]"Guardian. I have selected you to join in a mission of the utmost importance. Intelligence that we have already gathered has been sent to your Ghost."[/color] Atticus looked at Mason to confirm and the Ghost nodded as the message continued. [color=silver]"You will be joined by other Guardians that I have requested and a briefing will be held in the Hall of Council within the hour if you will please make your way there, Guardian."[/color]

With that the projection disappeared and what sounded like a gasp escaped Mason. [color=6ecff6]"Did he just say what I think he said?!" [/color]The Ghost asked, getting excited once again.

[color=gold]"Well,"[/color] Atticus looked quizzically at the Ghost as he stood from the bed and gathered his helmet. [color=gold]"What do you think he said?"[/color]

[color=6ecff6]"He's,"[/color] The ghost started but quickly stopped and looked around the room as if checking to make sure that no one else was around. [color=6ecff6]"He's sending us on a secret mission!"[/color]

Atticus had to stifle a laugh as he put on his helmet, the heads up display powering on giving the entire room a soft blue glow before adjusting itself and returning his field of view to normal. [color=gold]"It certainly sounded like it didn't it."[/color] He said looking up at Mason as the intel the Speaker had mentioned began to flash by on half the screen, showing a picture of the other chosen Guardians, their names and any other relevant information they had on them. [color=gold][i]Six Guardians? Why so many?[/i][/color]

He was pulled form his thoughts once again, this time by a squeal of excitement as Mason quickly flew in a circle around Atticus. [color=6ecff6]"I can't believe we've been chosen to go on a secret mission by the Speaker!"[/color] Mason suddenly stopped flying in a circle and began to fly up while spinning as Mason resumed squealing with excitement.

Mason's reaction brought a small chuckle from Atticus as he made his way to the door, Mason following in beside him as the Ghost continued to dance around him excitedly and saying 'We're going on a secret mission' in a sing-song voice.

His home was already located inside the tower so all he had to do was make his way up a few floors to reach the Hall of Council. However, Mason's excitement seemed to get the best of the Ghost and the attention of all the Guardian's in the hallway outside his living quarters was quickly drawn to him. [color=gold]"Mason." [/color]

The Ghost immediately stopped bouncing and singing and flew very close until his face and the face of the Ghost were just inches apart. [color=6ecff6]"Yes?"[/color] The Ghost whispered forcing Atticus to stifle another laugh.

[color=gold]"We're on a [i]secret[/i] mission."[/color] He whispered back as realization seemed to sink in causing the Ghost to look around at all the other Guardians and Ghosts watching the two of them.

[color=6ecff6]"Oh,"[/color] Mason slowly turned back around to face Atticus as it continued to whisper. [color=6ecff6]"Right. I got excited and forgot."[/color] It was silent for a moment as if thinking of what to do next. [color=6ecff6]"Oh well!"[/color] Mason had decided to not let the fact that the Ghost had revealed their new secret mission bother it and continue like nothing had happened before trying to change the subject by running away from it. [color=6ecff6]"Race you to the Hall of Council!"[/color]

[color=gold]"Be careful!"[/color] Atticus called after the Ghost as a giddy laugh escaped Mason as the Ghost weaved in and out of other Guardians in the hallway before reaching the stairs and continuing up, his warning lost in the laughter and forcing him to try and keep up.

Further up the stairway Mason had reached the floor that held the Hall of Council, Atticus following with half a flight of steps behind. [color=6ecff6]"Ah-ha!"[/color] Mason exclaimed, turning to look at Atticus as he just reached the top of the stairs. [color=6ecff6]"Looks like I w--"[/color] Mason was cut off as the Ghost had ran into something while flying backwards. Mason turned to see an Awoken Titan looking down at the Ghost.

The sudden appearance of the new Guardian that the Ghost hadn't noticed as it reached the top of the stairs caused a high-pitched scream of shock to escape the Ghost as each of the triangular pieces that made up the Ghost jutted out in each direction before coming back together and flying back to Atticus to hide behind his leg and peek out at the Titan it had ran in to. [color=gold]"I told you to be careful."[/color] Atticus said to the Ghost before turning his attention to the waiting hunter, one he had seen in the images the Speaker had sent to him. [color=gold]"Sorry about that."[/color]