Origin
It was rare for Providentius to see and speak with another person at eye-level. Most of the time he would have to kneel to get on the same level as many of his peers. Even rarer was someone of such height possessing a comparable physique. Providentius was built as his chosen class implied. Like a titan of old, a perfectly symmetrical work of synthetic musculature evoked a sort of synthesis between classic and modern sculptures beneath his suit of heavy armor. Jet-black synthetic fibers stretched over a minimal crimson skeletal frame, and a single gold strip ran down the centerline of his forehead, supplemented by the gold antennae on his ears. His gaze blazed in the same color, accenting further the black and crimson plating that comprised a neo-knight’s visage. Taking off his helmet, he bowed in turn to Chance-2′s greeting, as one befitting his overall appearance.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Providence-3. I am not looking for something tangible in particular,” he admitted with an apologetic dip in his tone. “Truthfully, I was mostly wandering. I am in search of answers, but not ones that are easily found; the questions I’m asking are unique to us, questions of origin and purpose.”
Glancing in the direction of where the Farm was from their position in the EDZ, Providence-3 put his helmet back on. “I don’t intend to burden you with them,” he added, “but if possible, I may be able to find the answers to my questions if I travel with you. Of course, I will render my assistance however I can, for however long I am able. Is this suitable for you?”
Chance took in the whole appearance of the fellow Exo with a flare of his eyes. He was quite the sight, all of the immaculate plates on his head gleaming in the low sunlight, as did the decorative ornaments on what looked like ancient, ceremonial armor. It was one of those sets Chance has always dreamed of having enough glimmer to afford but never managed to save up due to his hopelessly impulsive spending. Somehow it also looked like something glimmer couldn’t buy. Relics of the past.
For such a giant, this new acquaintance was both gentle in manners and voice, even if the voice was deep enough to wake even the comatose from deep slumber. Chance raised his brow, already deeply curious about this big stranger.
“Oh. Well, uh…” Chance felt Maverick softly vibrating next to his head, clearly wound up from what the stranger’s mission entailed. He knew he was about to get an earful about Guardians’ forbidden searches for a nonexistent past. While he was a simple guy mostly preoccupied with earning glimmer and enjoying pleasant company when he wasn’t working, Chance too wished he had more answers to the questions he’d always get behind closed door from the more organic companions he’d shared his life with over the years.
“Always appreciate company, so this is more than suitable. Are you following some trail out here?” He asked, clearly interested to hear more. He didn’t put his helmet back on, just set it down on his Sparrow’s seat. “I haven’t honestly ever found out much myself, poked around some old archives in the Ishtar Collective years ago, before the Taken invaded, but I couldn’t find anything,” A shadow passed over Chance’s face. “Joined a group of scientists and archaeologists as security for exploring the big vex Vault and it went all kinds of bad, only me and a hunter made it back out. Haven’t been back since.” Chance finished with a sigh that sounded more frustrated than mournful. “Earth’s likely a better place to search for answers. Not so many secrets, just lots of places to look for and not much left to look through I guess, heh.”
Chance cocked his head toward the Farm and sat back up on his Sparrow, flipping his helmet up into his hands. “Guess we have ourselves a Fireteam! Of two, but hey, that’s at least a start.” Chance slipped his helmet back on and gripped his handlebars, revving the engine of the Sparrow to warm up the vehicle. “
“If there is a trail to be followed, it is one that can’t be seen,” Providence-3 replied, settling back against his own sparrow with a cross of his arms. “I believe the answer is to be found doing what we are already skilled at; battle and warfare. The Ishtar Collective hold little insight beyond a few clues and no discernable answers. I have my own suspicions, but beyond these there is nothing but speculation. Ana Bray, I’ve heard, is pursuing more concrete leads on Mars, but that has more to do with her past, and not necessarily the origins of our creation. Braytech aside, there is little to be found there. And I am more interested in the why than the how.”
Providence-3 climbed onto his sparrow and started it’s engine, nodding in agreement with Chance’s declaration. “The two of us should be sufficient for a simple patrol around Earth. We are in our home turf, with nearby support from both the Farm and the Last City. We should be able to deal with any resistance we encounter.”
”Really? Bray as in Clovis Bray?” Chance asked as he fiddled with the onboard computer to input directions into his Sparrow. He swiveled his bulky helmet around to face the thin eye visors toward Providence-3.
“Mars...haven’t been there either since the Taken.” He thought back on the great red dunes that almost swallowed up the giant ruins of skyscrapers from the big city complexes, blown out to nothing but frail, charred monoliths after the Collappse.
Chance looked over to his new companion, considering the big Exo’s words for a moment. Seemed he had crossed paths with a very determined and mysterious Guardian, which only served to make him more curious. The why of the Exo existence was something he too felt his mind push against far too often, if nothing else because he wishes at least he would’ve been given super fast processing powers or something. Most days he felt about as smart as a bag of dead slugs.
“Yeah, for sure. I doubt there’ll be much trouble at the Farm. The show of a big titan with bigger guns is often enough to scare away even the most famished Dregs. Let’s see what’s going on.”
Chance gave a nod to Providence before kicking his Sparrow off the ground with a push of his muddy boots. The howling engine woke up with a gasping start before it sped off across the plains along the path of the waypoint.
“Chance, I don’t like this. You know it is strictly forbidden for you and me to dig into a past we can never unearth.” Maverick’s small voice buzzed through their private channel.
“So nobody needs to find out then, right?” Chance said back, looking over shoulder to check for Providence-3.
“You’re willing to risk all your hard work, your high standing with the Vanguard for a wild-duck chase like this?”
“Goose chase, and no I’m not, which is why we’re not telling anyone and nobody will neither care nor bother to check for whatever some random Guardian is up in his free time. Just relax, it’s gonna be fine! Aren’t you curious about this stuff?”
“No! I’m just a Ghost, I’m here to protect you and this goes totally against that objective!”
“I bet you’re super curious.”