Calibrate Vol. II

She awoke from a firm tapping on her shoulder. Mona looked down at her, lit up by the morning light.
“Hey. Guardian. We’re almost there.”
Her stomach flipped. Part of her was hesitant to be so hopeful, but to just see other people… that would be enough.
“I’d rather you be the one to land us. You’ve got about 5 minutes until then.”
Callisto gave a thumbs up, peeling herself from her position on the floor. Argo flickered silently with her. The people woke up slowly.
She moved into the center of the group.“We’re landing soon. Remember, I’m going out to scout the place first.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Callisto tilted her head, then shrugged. “Mona and I are going to scout. Then, if everything’s good, we’ll come back and get you guys. Until then, you guys hang out in here and be careful. Try not to spook the wildlife.” She gave a dumb smile. Some chuckled quietly.
The older woman, who Cal learned was named Oendel after four days of intermittent flying, rose her hand. “Worst case scenario, neither of you make it back. How long do we wait?”
Mona spoke. “24 hours. Unless it’s imperative you leave before then. Then you leave.”
Cal nodded. “Reasonable. I doubt it’ll be that long.”
“Alright. And how long’s the walk there?”
“Should be about an hour for us, two round trip. But if it’s safe, then I’ll just fly everybody there.” She looked to Argo for confirmation, who nodded.
“We're here. Guardian?”
“Coming.”
--
Suraya walked hesitantly around the radio broadcasting her voice everywhere. “So what did you actually do to it?”
Europa sat on a table, swinging her legs. She smirked. “It’s more what DIDN’T I do. Think of it like a makeover. Or a revival.” She snorted. “The ones I can still do.”
Suraya rolled her eyes.
“I just pretty much pulled parts from broken stuff around here, made it taller, made it more sensitive, stuff like that.”
“How much farther do you think it’ll get?”
“Oh, a lot farther. This is gonna blast it at a diameter bigger than the City itself.”
“Damn.”
Euri laughed. “Yeah. Nalim always said I had a blast radius.”
“You certainly do.”
--
They landed in a small clearing in the trees, tight enough to worry Cal on the way down, but it was safe enough, and with Argo’s guidance, they began towards the signal. In silence.
Mona walked with her, but several paces away. Her scarf now tied her hair back so that it was completely hidden, and she held her rifle like it was a candle in the dark. A familiar feeling to say the least. She felt a little like Nalim, made of sharp points and thick walls.
Cal’s helmet pointed her a little to the left. “Hey.”
She hmm-ed.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Mona didn’t respond, but didn’t glare.
“What were you, before all this?”
She considered it in the air for a moment. “I worked in the Tower.”
“Tower’s a big place. Was, at least. Where?”
“Several shops. I bounced around for a little bit to find my place. What do you care?”
Cal smiled under her mask. “I wanted to get to know you is all. Seeing as we might be living near each other for a long while.”
“Don’t get too hopeful.”
She sighed. Several minutes passed before she broke the silence again.
“Say it is a safe regrouping spot. What do you hope they have there?” Her helmet pinged on the other side of a tree, and she hopped over the root. “Other than people.”
Mona rolled her shoulders. “Hot water.”
“Ooo, that sounds nice.” Cal looked up at the leaves. “I’d kill for a change of clothes. Some soup.”
“I miss soup.”
Cal laughed. They continued walking on in silence, but it was less thick. Just air.
Eventually, the trees thinned, and tall grass gave way to viewing a house.
They stopped. Mona dragged her down.
“That’s it. We made it.” Cal’s voice climbed an octave. “Look!”
Their heads cleared the top of the grass just enough to see a few figures milling around. Now that she could see, it was visible that there was more than one house. One looked like a barn that had seen its share of troubles. Another, just a normal house, except people tinkered with wire extensions on the roof. Cal’s helmet dinged at that one.
“That’s where the broadcast is coming from.” She gestured.
Mona rolled her eyes. “Oh, the one with the radio towers? How coincidental.”
Cal snickered, despite her companion’s tone. “Got me.”
“Wow. That one was definitely a Guardian. Look at him.”
Callisto followed her finger to the towering figure in the distance. An exo, shiny black, carried wood on his shoulder.
“He’s gigantic.” Mona’s tone was critical and amused.”Anyways, we should circle-”
Cal stood up. Mona pulled on her sleeve and tried to yank her down, but she started to walk toward the exo. None of Mona’s scoldings made it through.

“That’s Alexi.”
Argo materialized. “Wait, are you s-”
“That’s him. I found him.” She broke out into a sprint. “ALEXI!?”
The figure in the distance startled, dropping the wood. He turned, and his tattoo was visible. “Hello?”
She stopped just short of several feet of him. “I found you. I promised I would.”
“Do we k-”
She threw off her helmet.

Without another word said, he picked her up and spun her around. Both of them laughed loud enough for the whole farm to hear, until Callisto’s laughter turned to cries.
“I missed you so much. So much.” Her voice broke, clinging to his neck.
“Cali.” His voice was breathless and his grip was tight. "You're alive?" He laughed again. "You're alive." His accent and the robotic tinge of his words had never been more comforting. He set her down, bending to hold her shoulders like she'd float away if he didn't. "How are you alive? We saw you? Saw you, uh, ah?" He got too excited for translating and instead went "psshz?" and mimicked falling with his hand.
She wiped her tears. "Argo and I had the same question when I woke up in the City. I guess I just got lucky enough to survive. Lexi, are the others…?"
"Euri is here. Nalim is scouting. She will be back at dusk. Shaxx and some of the others here too."
She nodded, eyes filling up again. "I was so scared I'd never see you all again. Where's Euri?"
Alexi's eyes flicked up, and he suddenly spun her behind him, shielding her from the way she'd came. She startled.
"GUARDIAN!" Mona had risen out of the grass and was pointing her rifle straight at Alexi. She was going to draw very unwanted attention from the camp full of armed ex-Lightbearers.
"Lexi, she's with me! It's okay!" She dipped under his arm and guarded him. "IT'S SAFE!"
Mona lowered her gun but didn't drop it. She stalked forward, glaring at Alexi with palpable suspicion. "You know him?"
Cal was now the one to stand in front of Alexi. "He's part of my fireteam, he's safe. I've known him since the day he was risen."
Mona nodded. "Alright. If he kills anyone, I'll end the both of you."
Cal sighed. "I’m aware. Alexi, this is Mona, the civilian leader of the group I flew here."
Lady materialized over Alexi’s shoulder. "How did you know to come here?"
Argo did the same, but for his Guardian. "I caught the broadcast almost right after we found people."
Lady chuckled. "Euri's been working on that. She's gonna have the time of her life in a second when she finds out it really does work."
Cal smiled, eyes filling up again. “I spent so long wondering if I’d ever see you all again. And all this time of course she’s been tinkering. What’ve you been doing, little brother?”
His glowing eyes squinted in his smile. “Crisis management.”
…
She leaned oddly over the table. One leg was bent onto the chair next to her, for no reason other than she was too focused to care.
A knock on the door. “Euri?” Russian and robotic. She smiled. “Wassup?”
It creaked slightly as he walked in. Part of the glint on the tool in her hand was blocked by his shadow.
“Someone wants to talk to you.”
“Can it wait? I think I’ve almost got this trigger-”
“No.”
She stopped. Alexi was never that forward. “Alright... cool. Am I in trouble?” She set her weapon down, turning to see him. One screwdriver still sat in her other hand.
He was smiling more than she’d seen in several weeks. “No, you’re not.” He stepped to the side. “You did very good this time.”
The screwdriver clattered to the ground.
Callisto stepped forward, smiling through tears. “Hi Euri.”
Europa stared at her, mouth agape. “But...you-? You’re?” Her voice broke. “Cali?”
Alexi giggled as Euri slammed into her, hugging her and lifting her up. Same reaction as her giant counterpart.
“Oh my god, Cali! You’re alive? You’re real?” Euri’s eyes flicked to Alexi for confirmation. He nodded. “How did you survive-? Oh my god, Nalim. She’s been beating herself up about you since the City. She’s going to be so happy. She might actually smile. Cali, I love you so much. Look at your stupid beautiful face.” She squeezed Callisto’s cheeks, planting a kiss on her forehead. “MY BEST FRIEND’S ALIVE!” Cal giggled, still crying.
“We have to tell everyone you’re alive. I can’t believe it. How did you even survive falling?”
“I honestly don’t know. I woke up days later in a crater, feeling like I’d been put in a meat grinder. I was lucky Argo was looking for me a street over. We’ve been trying to find you guys ever since.”
“I can’t believe you just-.” She hugged her again. “Lexi, get in here.”
Alexi happily obliged, picking them both up, earning him a few yells. He just laughed.
“Cali, I have so much to tell you. I’m so happy. I haven’t been this happy ever. I can’t wait until Nalim gets back. I can’t believe it. We have to go tell Shaxx!!”
Cal laughed, her tears slowing. She felt light as a feather. “Hold on. I brought people with me. I need to bring them here now that we know it’s safe.”
As if summoned, Mona showed up in the doorway, still holding her rifle as a threat. “She’s right. We’ve got people waiting on our return. I need your Guardian. Now that she’s vouched for you all, she needs to hold up her word.”
Euri looked to Cali, arms linked. “Who’s this? You replace me?”
“This is Mona. She’s the leader of the group that found me and kept me alive. They had a ship from a fallen Guardian that I flew here. We came to scout, now I need to fly them here.”
“What IS it with you and piloting ships in emergencies?” Euri sighed. “I don’t like letting you leave the Farm alone. I just got you back. We just got you back. It’s gonna get dark soon.”
Alexi nodded. “You are weak, little sister. It shows. You are too thin. You need help.”
Cal sighed. “I’m alright. I’ve made it this far without dying, I can make it a little longer. Just let me bring them here and I promise I’ll rest. Mona will be with me as well.”
Euri shook her head. “Nope. Mom’s not here, and you’re being stupid, so I’m being responsible. I’m going with you.” Alexi nodded in agreement.
“Guys-”
“Uh uh. If you didn’t want your clingy guardian team you shouldn’t have let us know you were alive. Let’s go get some more people.” Euri put her helmet on and left the house, Alexi followed behind.
Mona sighed, looking pointedly at Callisto. “If they endanger my people…”
“They would never. I vouch for them. If they do, my life is yours. It’s the last one I have to give.”
She nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page. Now,” Her mouth turned up just barely. “You think they have soup here?”
…
By the time they’d walked back to the ship, Mona found out a lot about the three Lightless winding through the trees with her. She now knew that Europa was akin to a genius, an excellent inventor and engineer with a talent for linguistics, and that she was the comedic one. She knew that Alexi, despite his stature and appearance, was the quiet and polite one. He tended to offer his hand when she came across a larger log, which was regretfully endearing. She knew that Callisto was truly the oldest of them, and they were all at or underneath 2 years old. The trip was mostly eavesdropping for her, but the latter had stuck with her. She was in her late twenties, and they didn’t look much older, but she’d lived in this world her entire life. How old were they really? What was it like to be so new to … this, and have powers unknowable be ripped away so early on?
Mona stepped over another log, hand inside Alexi’s dark sleek one. He gave a polite smile before leaving her presence to again laugh with his sisters. Has he died before? Have they all?
“Callisto.” They stopped their banter to look at her curiously. Cal smiled, humming in question. She looked infinitely happier than when they’d found her. “Have you died before?”
The other two moved slightly to interfere, their smiles dropping. Of course they’d be threatened by that statement. They’re mortal. Young, and newly mortal.
She tilted her head. “Yes. Why?”
“Have you all died before?”
They nodded. Euri backed off, realizing Mona was not angry. “It’s kind of par for the course.”
Her thoughts bubbled around that fact. Their life was so ...much. She thought about what she’d be like as a Guardian. She wondered what they were like before.
“There’s the ship!” Cal’s hand rose as they continued forward. A glint of light on metal shined through leaves. “Right where I left it.” They started forward together.
Mona watched their figures leave her. How old would they live to be? Would they live at all?
“Hey, you’ve got to be inside for me to lift off. It’s a nice walk back, but it’s getting cold.” Cal’s head stuck out of the back of the ship. When she disappeared back inside, Oendel’s head replaced it. She smiled, beckoning her inside.
One day at a time.
…
When they landed, it was like a communal sigh of relief. They left the ship, stretching out and immediately exploring the Farm. Suraya had been warned of their arrival by Galileo, and she took charge of showing them around.
Euri slung her arm around Cali’s shoulder. “Hey. How’re you feeling?”
Cal sunk into her. “I’m exhausted.”
“You’ve been gone a long time.”
Her head suddenly shot up. “Are the Vanguard here?” If her fireteam thought she was dead…
Europa shook her head. “No one’s seen or spoken to them since the City.”
Cal slouched.
“Hey, they’re old as fuck and hard to kill, just like Nalim. They’re fine, they’re just not here. You’ll see your boyfriend again.”
She gave a weak punch to Euri’s side. The latter just giggled. “Come on. We need to tell Shaxx you’re alive.”
“Why him?”
“Well he thinks you’re dead. Reason number 1. Also, him and Nalim are kind of running the Guardian show here. They’re both old, scary, and kind of parental, so the others listen to them. They’re training both guardians and civilians in case of combat. Suraya, the leader of the civilians, led us here a few weeks ago. She doesn’t think the City can be saved, but she supports training people to fight. She also knows everyone better. Everyone mentioned is gonna need to know little miss not-dead is here.”
They walked towards the barn, pushing open the door. Two heads swiveled toward them instead of one.
Cal’s eyes widened. “Nalim! You’re here!”
Euri looked surprised too. “It’s not dusk, I thought you’d be back later? Did something happen?”
Nalim’s datapad was gently removed from her hand by Shaxx, as she looked frozen.

"Is this some kind of sick joke? You're not real."
Cal looked startled. This was not the reunion she thought would happen. “I promise I am.”
“I’m asleep. This is another nightmare. You died. I saw it happen. Go away."
Euri shook her head. “We saw her fall. We didn’t see her die.”
Nalim stepped warily forward, taking Cal’s hand in hers, examining it. “You can’t have survived that.”
“I get that a lot, actually.”
She looked up, meeting Callisto’s bright yellow eyes. “Did Argo survive as well?”
Argo appeared from his guardian’s palm.
Nalim looked shocked. Her dreams had never replicated ghosts. “You’re real. You’re alive.” She yanked Callisto into a crushing hug. “You didn’t die. I don’t have any idea how you didn’t but you’re alive.”
Cal had already cried so much, but the familiarity of Nalim’s entire being broke her last barrier. She burst into hard sobbing, burying her head into her mentor’s shoulder.
Nalim sighed, and gave a bittersweet smile. “Never fucking do that again. You understand me? I’ll ground you for the rest of your life. Lives. Never again.” She gently swayed, rubbing Callisto’s back. “I hate having kinders. I hate you all.” Nalim glared, but her smile betrayed her. “I’m getting gray hairs from you little shits. Come here.”
Once again, they crushed into each other, Alexi making sure to lift them and get himself more yells. Callisto had never been so grateful to complain.
…
Shaxx hadn’t spoken since their reunion, but his behavior changed. He was faster, more upbeat. More encouraged. Nalim’s charges were playfully arguing outside the barn door as the sun finally set.
“Hey. What’s up with you?” Nalim set her datapad down. She hadn't really been reading it anyways. “You seem happier.”
Shaxx turned to meet her eyes, although she couldn’t return it. “Your student is alive. Despite all the obstacles, she survived. And that has changed you. You are happier, Lady Nalim. So I am happier.”
“Cut that out.”
Shaxx laughed, in the booming way she’d memorized. He hadn’t laughed like that in a while. “Never. You have hope. I have hope. Light is on the horizon. A victory that is soon to come warrants your honoring.”
She rolled her eyes. “Save your manners for after the war has been won. See if I deserve it then.”
He folded his arms at her. “You of all people should know the honor comes from the fight, not the outcome, Champion.”
“Shaaaaaxx.” She groaned.
He laughed again, darker this time. “I’m listening, my Lady.”
“I hate you. Genuinely. Goodnight.” She faked a glare, packing up her things and walking out the barn.
“Goodnight. Sleep well. I will see you in the morning.” His smile leaked through his words. He was right, she was happy. And now his hope could not be smothered again. Annoying. Endearing. Annoyingly endearing. She dragged her hand across her face.

When night fell, and she once again slept with the rest of the guardians, Callisto’s head rested in her lap. She looked so exhausted, even asleep. Nalim’s mind swirled with the things that could’ve hurt her. If anything, she was happy she could protect Euri and Alexi. Happy they found the Farm. Found other people. Survived this long without the Light.
“Damn it, Shaxx.” She quietly laughed. She was happy. Very, very happy. Maybe this wouldn’t be the end. Maybe this war was just another cataclysm in the Traveler’s histories. One that they’d make it through.
She took Callisto’s hand in hers. It felt unfamiliar. Cal’s hand was cold. Tiny. Bordering on skeletal. Her wrist fit alarmingly in Nalim’s closed fist. She sighed sadly, pulling her blanket further over her. There was still work to do. Still healing that needed to be done. And they no longer had all the time in the world.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re with me now.” Nalim whispered. Euri on one side, Alexi on the other, and Cal draped over her and the sleeping exo heater next to her. “I’ve got you, kid. No getting rid of me now. I’ll kill Ghaul myself if that’s what it takes to keep you parasites alive.”
She leaned her head back on the wall, and fell asleep. For once, the only thing to wake her was dawn.