No Time To Explain: Difference between revisions

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{{New content|[[Beyond Light]]}}
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{{Quote|A single word is etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: 'Soon.'|Weapon description}}
{{Weapon infobox
{{Weapon infobox
|hidec=yes
|image= [[File:Grimoire_No_Time_To_Explain.jpg|300px]]
|image= [[File:No Time to Explain.jpg|300px]]
|style=[[The Stranger's Rifle]]
|manufacturer= Unknown
|class= [[Exotic]]
|class= Exotic
|type= [[Pulse Rifle]]
|type= [[Pulse Rifle]]
|level= 30
|level=30 {{c|D1}}
|accuracy=  
|frame= High-Impact Frame {{c|D2}}
|stability=  
|accuracy=
|handling=  
|impact=14-15 {{c|D1}} <br> 33 {{c|D2}}
|magazine=24
|stability=54-77 {{c|D1}} <br> 60 {{c|D2}}
|feed= Clip
|handling=80 {{c|D1}} <br> 57 {{c|D2}}
|ammo=
|reload=65-71 {{c|D1}} <br> 60 {{c|D2}}
|mode= Burst-fire
|magazine=21 {{c|D1}} <br> 24 {{c|D2}}
|rate=
|aim=30-45 {{c|D1}} <br> 40 {{c|D2}}
|damage= Kinetic
|zoom=17 {{c|D1 and D2}}
|range=
|recoil=90-100 {{c|D1}} <br> 73 {{c|D2}}
|service=
|intensity=10 {{c|D1}}<br>27 {{c|D2}}
|affiliation= [[Future War Cult]], [[The Stranger]], [[Clovis Bray]]
|direction=Tends Left
|airborne=24 {{c|D2}}
|feed=Clip Magazine
|ammo=Primary
|mode=Three-round Burst
|rate=66 RPM {{c|D1}} <br> 340 RPM {{c|D2}}
|damage= {{Icon|Kinetic}} Kinetic
|range=45-63 {{c|D1}}<bR> 70 {{c|D2}}
|service= [[Elisabeth Bray|The Exo Stranger]]<br>[[Praedyth]]<br>[[Guardian]]s
|affiliation= [[Future War Cult]] <br> [[Elisabeth Bray|The Exo Stranger]] <br> [[Clovis Bray (corporation)|Clovis Bray]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|A single word is etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: 'Soon.'|Weapon description}}


'''No Time To Explain''' is an exotic upgraded version of the [[The Stranger's Rifle]]. It is a slow-firing pulse rifle that looks very similar to the weapon given after completion of the base campaign in ''[[Destiny]]''. The signature perk on this gun means that precision shots fired from the weapon return to the magazine, allowing for near-infinite firing if used on an enemy with a large precision hitbox and the recoil can be controlled effectively.<ref name= "PD20">[http://planetdestiny.com/20-reasons-taken-king/ '''Planet Destiny''': 20+ New Reasons to be Excited for TTK]</ref> It will return in ''[[Destiny 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''[[Beyond Light]]'' expansion.
'''No Time To Explain''' is an [[Exotic]] {{icon|Kinetic}} [[Pulse Rifle]] introduced in ''[[The Taken King]]'', which ties directly to a secret hidden quest featuring the Heroic version of the [[Paradox]] mission. It is also featured in ''[[Destiny 2]]'' with the release of ''[[Beyond Light]]'', in which players who pre-ordered the expansion will receive the weapon and its [[Exotic Catalyst]] at release. It can be directly acquired after completing the main [[Story]] campaign.


==Acquisition==
==Destiny==
===''Destiny''===
===Aquisition===
*Play [[Paradox]] when it is the [[Events#Daily Heroic Story|Daily Heroic Story]] and complete the alternate ending:
*Play [[Paradox]] when it is the [[Events#Daily Heroic Story|Daily Heroic Story]] and complete the alternate ending:
**Collect three [[Dead Ghost]]s left behind in the [[Vault of Glass]] by the fallen [[Guardian]] [[Praedyth]]. Dying in a Darkness Zone resets progress, returning you to the beginning of the mission.
**Collect three [[Dead Ghost]]s left behind in the [[Vault of Glass (raid)|Vault of Glass]] by the fallen [[Guardian]] [[Praedyth]]. Dying in a Darkness Zone resets progress, returning you to the beginning of the mission.
**Use the unlocked [[Vex]] portal to find and kill the Blighted Descendant.
**Use the unlocked [[Vex]] portal to find and kill the [[Blighted Descendant]].
**Obtain the "Cult Ghost" from the chest and turn it in to [[Lakshmi-2]].
**Obtain the "Cult Ghost" from the chest and turn it in to [[Lakshmi-2]].
*Complete the [[Quest]] [[Not Forged In Light]].
*Complete the [[Quest]] [[Not Forged In Light]]. This quest is given after the next weekly reset following the completion of Paradox.
**Pledge to the [[Future War Cult]].
**Pledge to the [[Future War Cult]].
**Obtain 1000 [[Reputation]] with the Future War Cult.
**Obtain 1000 [[Reputation]] with the Future War Cult.
**Destroy a Major or Ultra Taken Minotaur (found on [[Venus]] and [[Mars]]) to acquire a "Simulation Core".
**Destroy a [[Major]] or [[Ultra]] [[Taken Minotaur]] (many are found on [[Venus]] and [[Mars]]) to acquire a "Simulation Core".
**Dismantle the Simulation Core (Found in the quest item bar in the inventory) and return to Lakshmi-2.
**Dismantle the Simulation Core (Found in the quest item bar in the inventory) and return to Lakshmi-2.
**Defeat [[Atheon, Time's Conflux]] in the Vault of Glass [[Raid]] (any mode) to acquire Atheon's eye.
**Defeat [[Atheon, Time's Conflux]] in the Vault of Glass [[Raid]] (any mode) to acquire Atheon's eye.
**Dismantle the eye (found in the inventory tab under quest items) and return to Lakshmi-2.
**Dismantle the eye (found in the inventory tab under quest items) and return to Lakshmi-2.
**Complete a mission that takes you to the [[Twilight Gap]] [[Crucible]] map:
**Complete the mission [[Shadows at Twilight]]:
***Find a chest before the Darkness blinds you. Walk through Light to temporarily cleanse your vision.
***Find a chest before the Darkness blinds you. Walk through Light to temporarily cleanse your vision.
**Return to Lakshmi-2.
**Return to Lakshmi-2.
**Complete a mission that takes you to the [[Black Garden]]:
**Complete the mission [[Blood in the Garden]]:
***Kill Minotaurs until the Anger meter reaches 100% to summon the [[Groundskeeper]]. Attack the Groundskeeper until it is destroyed. If Anger falls to 0% before the Groundskeeper is destroyed, refill the Anger meter to summon it again.
***Kill Minotaurs until the Anger meter reaches 100% to summon [[The Groundskeeper]]. Attack the Groundskeeper until it is destroyed. If Anger falls to 0% before the Groundskeeper is destroyed, refill the Anger meter to summon it again.
*Return to Lakshmi-2 to receive No Time To Explain. The gun drops at 290 [[Light]].
*Return to Lakshmi-2 to receive No Time To Explain. The gun drops at 290 [[Light]].
===''Destiny 2''===
*Those who pre-order the Standard Edition of ''Beyond Light'' with the Season 12 pass or the Deluxe Edition will get the No Time To Explain and its [[Exotic Catalysts|exotic catalyst]] once the expansion launches. Deluxe Edition owners will also be given the [[Ornaments|No Time To Explain ornament]].
*The weapon will be acquirable solely by purchasing either of the above editions until the end of Season 12, at which point it will be acquirable in-game by any owner of ''Beyond Light''.


==Gameplay==
===Gameplay===
===''Destiny''===
No Time To Explain is an Exotic version of [[The Stranger's Rifle]] featured at the end of the base campaign in ''[[Destiny]]''. The gun's signature perk makes it so that precision shots return to the magazine, allowing for near-infinite firing if used on an enemy with a large precision hitbox and the recoil can be controlled effectively.<ref name= "PD20">[http://planetdestiny.com/20-reasons-taken-king/ '''Planet Destiny''': 20+ New Reasons to be Excited for TTK]</ref> It returned in ''[[Destiny 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''[[Beyond Light]]'' expansion.
The main perk is Rewind Again: precision shots will return to the magazine. This only counts for individual rounds in a burst that are precision hits, so tight control is needed to maximize this perk. The weapon can also fire in full auto. In another update, the intrinsic perk Headseeker is also added, in which body shots increase precision damage for a short time.
 
====Perks====
*Intrinsic: '''Headseeker''' - Body shots with this weapon increase precision damage for a short time.
*'''Barrel'''
**'''Smooth Ballistics''': Increased recoil. Boost to range.
**'''Accurized Ballistics''': More range and impact. Increased recoil.
**'''Smart Drift Control''': Predictable and controllable recoil. Penalty to range.
*'''1st perk'''
**'''Full Auto''': This weapon can be fired in full auto mode.
*'''Stat modifiers'''
**'''Speed Reload''': Reload this weapon quickly.
**'''Hand Loaded''': This weapon is effective at an extended range.
**'''Fitted Stock''': Increases weapon stability.
*'''Exotic perk'''
**'''Rewind Again''': Precision hits are immediately returned to the magazine.
 
===Grimoire===
{{Verbatim}}
{{Quote|''A single word is etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: "Soon." ''}}
----
[[Novarro]]'s timeline analysis indicates the weapon is the fabled [[Exo Stranger]]'s Rifle, enhanced at a future point in this continuity and then sent back to this present.
 
[[Deliah]]'s timeline analysis indicates the weapon was built by [[Praedyth]], who based it on his own version of the Exo Stranger's Rifle, and then set it adrift in a time ripple.
 
[[Hari]]'s timeline analysis indicates the weapon was built by beings of unidentifiable origin, and arrived here by pure accident.
 
[[Inachis]]'s timeline analysis indicates the weapon originates from Earth, late Golden Age, and will eventually be lost to time ripples once again, where its systems will degrade and be replaced until our recent past acquires it as the Exo Stranger's Rifle.
 
As for me... I think it's safe to say the weapon is proving far more fun than we could have hoped.
 
==Destiny 2==
===Gameplay===
In its ''Destiny 2'' incarnation, No Time To Explain continues to refund precision shots, but will also refund shots against enemies affected by the new [[Stasis]] element. Landing 10 precision/slowed/frozen shots produces a "personal protection portal", which behaves similarly to the Arc Souls that can be created by [[Stormcaller]] [[Warlock]]s, and can even be used simultaneously with an Arc Soul. In the quest required to obtain No Time To Explain, it is stated that the weapon was initially designed to combat Vex, although it is just as efficient against all enemies. The exotic catalyst increases the rate of fire of the portal.<ref>'''Bungie.net''': [https://www.bungie.net/7/en/Destiny/BeyondLight/Gear?ciid=48001 ''Weapons & Gear'']</ref>
 
====Perks====
*Intrinsic: '''Rewind Again''' - Precision shots and shots against combatants slowed or frozen by Stasis will return to the magazine.
*'''[[lightgg:1840239774|Fluted Barrel]]''': Ultra-light barrel.
**Greatly increases handling speed.
**Slightly increases stability.
*'''[[lightgg:3142289711|Accurized Rounds]]''': This weapon can fire longer distances.
**Increases range.
*Exotic Trait: '''Time-Slip''' - At 10 stacks of Rewind Again, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration.
*'''[[lightgg:2779035018|Feeding Frenzy]]''': Each rapid kill with this weapon progressively increases reload speed for a short time.
 
====Catalyst====
The [[Exotic Catalyst]] can be acquired from a quest off of [[The Exo Stranger]] after completion of the main story campaign. After obtaining 700 kills with the weapon, the Masterworked cataylst unlocks the following perk:
*Exotic Trait: '''Blast from the Side''' - Projectiles from the time portal shoot more frequently.
 
===Lore===
{{Verbatim}}
'''"A SINGLE WORD ETCHED ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WEAPON'S CASING: NOW."'''
----
[[Novarro]]'s timeline analysis indicates the weapon is the fabled Exo Stranger's Rifle, enhanced at a future point in this continuity and then sent back to this present…
 
…on [[Europa]]. Late [[Golden Age]]. Deep inside a secret lab.
 
"Which window?"
 
"3025, Dr. Bray."


===''Destiny 2''===
"I thought we'd run out of possibilities there?"
In its ''Destiny 2'' incarnation, the weapon continues to refund precision shots, but will also refund shots against enemies affected by the new [[Elemental damage|Stasis element]]. Stacking this effect produces a "personal protection portal", which appears to behave similarly the Arc Souls that can be created by [[Stormcaller]] [[Warlock]]s. The exotic catalyst will increase its rate of fire.<ref>'''Bungie.net''': [https://www.bungie.net/7/en/Destiny/BeyondLight/Gear?ciid=48001 ''Weapons & Gear'']</ref>
 
"We had… and then a new one popped up."
 
"Austen-1, how is that possible?"
 
"We don't know. We still don't understand how any of this works. It's highly volatile and uncontro—"
 
"Have we pinpointed the weapon's exact location?"
 
"…More or less. Elsie-1 is supposed to attempt retrieval tonight."
 
"We can't risk the window closing before then. I'll be going this time."
 
"But last time, those things in the sky almost killed you."
 
"And now I know how they work. That's half the battle."
 
The old man gears up and enters a strange metallic pod made from Vex parts. Austen-1 stands at a distance from the pod, typing "April 10, 3025" into a console.
 
"All right, Dr. Bray. You're a go in 3… 2… 1…"
 
A burst of light.
 
An icy wasteland. What stood pristine moments prior is now dark, old, and falling apart, as if centuries have passed.
 
Clovis wades through the wreckage and comes to a frozen, deserted battlefield littered with human, [[Exo]], [[Vex]], and [[Fallen|alien]] bodies. He reaches down and brushes snow from one of the alien bodies, lifting one of its many arms.
 
"Fascinating…"
 
A piercing whir emanates from somewhere in the distance—Clovis looks up and sees a black and red ship floating in the air. It stops above the battlefield and emits a bright red light, scanning the area as if searching for something.
 
Clovis slowly pulls a device from his pocket. He presses a green button, and the screen lights up, showing a blinking dot a few yards away. Very close to where the ship itself now searches.
 
He grabs a dead Exo and opens a panel on its arm, tinkering before closing it with care. He quickly sneaks away, and in seconds, the Exo explodes, drawing the attention of the ship. He sprints across the battlefield towards where it was searching only moments ago.
 
Using his device again, Clovis scans the ground until the blinking light goes solid. He digs into the snow until he hits something. He pulls it up halfway—a rifle, shining like new, etched only with one word: Now.
 
Clovis attempts to fully free the weapon. But it's stuck; attached to something. He pulls harder, revealing an entire dead Exo, hand wrapped tightly around the grip. He takes a good look at its face and gasps.
 
"Elisabeth…?"
 
The whirring sound reaches Clovis's ears again, pulling him out of his stupor. The ship heads right towards him. Clovis pries the gun from Elsie's rigid hand and sprints back the way he came, diving into his pod and activating it just as the ship fires on him.
 
A burst of light.
 
"You could have been killed," says a [[The Exo Stranger|familiar voice]].
 
"Instead, I got you a gift, Elisabeth," Clovis responds, catching his breath and dusting himself off.
 
"One down, an infinite number left to go. It better have been worth it." He looks into her eyes and musters a half-hearted smile.
 
"We'll make it so."


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Destiny-TTK-NoTimeToExplain-PulseRifle-Alt.jpg|The perks tree for the No Time To Explain.
File:No Time to Explain.jpg|No Time To Explain in ''Destiny''
File:Destiny-TTK-NoTimeToExplain-PulseRifle-Alt.jpg|The perks tree for the No Time To Explain
File:No Time To Explain (D2).jpg|No Time To Explain in ''Destiny 2''
File:Frozen In Time.jpg|''Frozen In Time'' [[Weapon Ornament|ornament]] in ''Destiny 2''
File:Golden Days.jpg|''Golden Days'' ornament in ''Destiny 2''
File:Chronos Exegesis.jpg|''Chronos Exegesis'' ornament in ''Destiny 2''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Trivia==
*This gun references the Exo Stranger's dialogue towards [[The Guardian]] in their first interaction with her where she says, "I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain.", which quickly became memetic within the community.


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Destiny]]:'' ''[[The Taken King]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Destiny 2]]:'' ''[[Beyond Light]]''
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Beyond Light]]''


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


{{Primaries Y2}}
{{Primary weapons|Y2}}
{{exotic weapons}}
{{Exotic weapons}}


[[Category:Exotic weapons]]
[[Category:Exotic weapons]]
[[Category:Pulse rifles]]
[[Category:Pulse Rifles]]
[[Category:Weapon lore]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Golden Age]]

Latest revision as of 22:00, October 1, 2024

No Time To Explain
Grimoire No Time To Explain.jpg
Production overview

Style:

The Stranger's Rifle

Rarity class:

Exotic

Weapon type:

Pulse Rifle

Intrinsic frame:

High-Impact Frame (D2)

Required level:

30 (D1)

Min-max impact:

14-15 (D1)
33 (D2)

Min-max stability:

54-77 (D1)
60 (D2)

Min-max handling:

80 (D1)
57 (D2)

Min-max reload speed:

65-71 (D1)
60 (D2)

Min-max magazine:

21 (D1)
24 (D2)

Specifications

Feed system:

Clip Magazine

Ammunition type:

Primary

Fire mode:

Three-round Burst

Rate of fire:

66 RPM (D1)
340 RPM (D2)

Damage:

Kinetic Kinetic

Effective range:

45-63 (D1)
70 (D2)

Hidden stats

Aim assistance:

30-45 (D1)
40 (D2)

Zoom:

17 (D1 and D2)

Recoil:

90-100 (D1)
73 (D2)

Bounce intensity:

10 (D1)
27 (D2)

Bounce direction:

Tends Left

Airborne effectiveness:

24 (D2)

Service history

In service:

The Exo Stranger
Praedyth
Guardians

Affiliation:

Future War Cult
The Exo Stranger
Clovis Bray

 

"A single word is etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: 'Soon.'"
— Weapon description

No Time To Explain is an Exotic Kinetic Pulse Rifle introduced in The Taken King, which ties directly to a secret hidden quest featuring the Heroic version of the Paradox mission. It is also featured in Destiny 2 with the release of Beyond Light, in which players who pre-ordered the expansion will receive the weapon and its Exotic Catalyst at release. It can be directly acquired after completing the main Story campaign.

Destiny[edit]

Aquisition[edit]

  • Play Paradox when it is the Daily Heroic Story and complete the alternate ending:
  • Complete the Quest Not Forged In Light. This quest is given after the next weekly reset following the completion of Paradox.
    • Pledge to the Future War Cult.
    • Obtain 1000 Reputation with the Future War Cult.
    • Destroy a Major or Ultra Taken Minotaur (many are found on Venus and Mars) to acquire a "Simulation Core".
    • Dismantle the Simulation Core (Found in the quest item bar in the inventory) and return to Lakshmi-2.
    • Defeat Atheon, Time's Conflux in the Vault of Glass Raid (any mode) to acquire Atheon's eye.
    • Dismantle the eye (found in the inventory tab under quest items) and return to Lakshmi-2.
    • Complete the mission Shadows at Twilight:
      • Find a chest before the Darkness blinds you. Walk through Light to temporarily cleanse your vision.
    • Return to Lakshmi-2.
    • Complete the mission Blood in the Garden:
      • Kill Minotaurs until the Anger meter reaches 100% to summon The Groundskeeper. Attack the Groundskeeper until it is destroyed. If Anger falls to 0% before the Groundskeeper is destroyed, refill the Anger meter to summon it again.
  • Return to Lakshmi-2 to receive No Time To Explain. The gun drops at 290 Light.

Gameplay[edit]

No Time To Explain is an Exotic version of The Stranger's Rifle featured at the end of the base campaign in Destiny. The gun's signature perk makes it so that precision shots return to the magazine, allowing for near-infinite firing if used on an enemy with a large precision hitbox and the recoil can be controlled effectively.[1] It returned in Destiny 2's Beyond Light expansion.

Perks[edit]

  • Intrinsic: Headseeker - Body shots with this weapon increase precision damage for a short time.
  • Barrel
    • Smooth Ballistics: Increased recoil. Boost to range.
    • Accurized Ballistics: More range and impact. Increased recoil.
    • Smart Drift Control: Predictable and controllable recoil. Penalty to range.
  • 1st perk
    • Full Auto: This weapon can be fired in full auto mode.
  • Stat modifiers
    • Speed Reload: Reload this weapon quickly.
    • Hand Loaded: This weapon is effective at an extended range.
    • Fitted Stock: Increases weapon stability.
  • Exotic perk
    • Rewind Again: Precision hits are immediately returned to the magazine.

Grimoire[edit]

Destiny-GhostConstruct.png
"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."
The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

"'A single word is etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: "Soon." '"

Novarro's timeline analysis indicates the weapon is the fabled Exo Stranger's Rifle, enhanced at a future point in this continuity and then sent back to this present.

Deliah's timeline analysis indicates the weapon was built by Praedyth, who based it on his own version of the Exo Stranger's Rifle, and then set it adrift in a time ripple.

Hari's timeline analysis indicates the weapon was built by beings of unidentifiable origin, and arrived here by pure accident.

Inachis's timeline analysis indicates the weapon originates from Earth, late Golden Age, and will eventually be lost to time ripples once again, where its systems will degrade and be replaced until our recent past acquires it as the Exo Stranger's Rifle.

As for me... I think it's safe to say the weapon is proving far more fun than we could have hoped.

Destiny 2[edit]

Gameplay[edit]

In its Destiny 2 incarnation, No Time To Explain continues to refund precision shots, but will also refund shots against enemies affected by the new Stasis element. Landing 10 precision/slowed/frozen shots produces a "personal protection portal", which behaves similarly to the Arc Souls that can be created by Stormcaller Warlocks, and can even be used simultaneously with an Arc Soul. In the quest required to obtain No Time To Explain, it is stated that the weapon was initially designed to combat Vex, although it is just as efficient against all enemies. The exotic catalyst increases the rate of fire of the portal.[2]

Perks[edit]

  • Intrinsic: Rewind Again - Precision shots and shots against combatants slowed or frozen by Stasis will return to the magazine.
  • Fluted Barrel: Ultra-light barrel.
    • Greatly increases handling speed.
    • Slightly increases stability.
  • Accurized Rounds: This weapon can fire longer distances.
    • Increases range.
  • Exotic Trait: Time-Slip - At 10 stacks of Rewind Again, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration.
  • Feeding Frenzy: Each rapid kill with this weapon progressively increases reload speed for a short time.

Catalyst[edit]

The Exotic Catalyst can be acquired from a quest off of The Exo Stranger after completion of the main story campaign. After obtaining 700 kills with the weapon, the Masterworked cataylst unlocks the following perk:

  • Exotic Trait: Blast from the Side - Projectiles from the time portal shoot more frequently.

Lore[edit]

Destiny-GhostConstruct.png
"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."
The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

"A SINGLE WORD ETCHED ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WEAPON'S CASING: NOW."


Novarro's timeline analysis indicates the weapon is the fabled Exo Stranger's Rifle, enhanced at a future point in this continuity and then sent back to this present…

…on Europa. Late Golden Age. Deep inside a secret lab.

"Which window?"

"3025, Dr. Bray."

"I thought we'd run out of possibilities there?"

"We had… and then a new one popped up."

"Austen-1, how is that possible?"

"We don't know. We still don't understand how any of this works. It's highly volatile and uncontro—"

"Have we pinpointed the weapon's exact location?"

"…More or less. Elsie-1 is supposed to attempt retrieval tonight."

"We can't risk the window closing before then. I'll be going this time."

"But last time, those things in the sky almost killed you."

"And now I know how they work. That's half the battle."

The old man gears up and enters a strange metallic pod made from Vex parts. Austen-1 stands at a distance from the pod, typing "April 10, 3025" into a console.

"All right, Dr. Bray. You're a go in 3… 2… 1…"

A burst of light.

An icy wasteland. What stood pristine moments prior is now dark, old, and falling apart, as if centuries have passed.

Clovis wades through the wreckage and comes to a frozen, deserted battlefield littered with human, Exo, Vex, and alien bodies. He reaches down and brushes snow from one of the alien bodies, lifting one of its many arms.

"Fascinating…"

A piercing whir emanates from somewhere in the distance—Clovis looks up and sees a black and red ship floating in the air. It stops above the battlefield and emits a bright red light, scanning the area as if searching for something.

Clovis slowly pulls a device from his pocket. He presses a green button, and the screen lights up, showing a blinking dot a few yards away. Very close to where the ship itself now searches.

He grabs a dead Exo and opens a panel on its arm, tinkering before closing it with care. He quickly sneaks away, and in seconds, the Exo explodes, drawing the attention of the ship. He sprints across the battlefield towards where it was searching only moments ago.

Using his device again, Clovis scans the ground until the blinking light goes solid. He digs into the snow until he hits something. He pulls it up halfway—a rifle, shining like new, etched only with one word: Now.

Clovis attempts to fully free the weapon. But it's stuck; attached to something. He pulls harder, revealing an entire dead Exo, hand wrapped tightly around the grip. He takes a good look at its face and gasps.

"Elisabeth…?"

The whirring sound reaches Clovis's ears again, pulling him out of his stupor. The ship heads right towards him. Clovis pries the gun from Elsie's rigid hand and sprints back the way he came, diving into his pod and activating it just as the ship fires on him.

A burst of light.

"You could have been killed," says a familiar voice.

"Instead, I got you a gift, Elisabeth," Clovis responds, catching his breath and dusting himself off.

"One down, an infinite number left to go. It better have been worth it." He looks into her eyes and musters a half-hearted smile.

"We'll make it so."

Gallery[edit]

Trivia[edit]

  • This gun references the Exo Stranger's dialogue towards The Guardian in their first interaction with her where she says, "I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain.", which quickly became memetic within the community.

List of appearances[edit]

References[edit]