The Arms Dealer

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The Arms Dealer
Game:	Destiny 2
Player(s):	1-3
Location:	European Dead Zone, Earth
Objective(s):	Infiltrate Firebase Hades and defeat Bracus Zahn.
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"Shut down the operations of an ironmonger providing weapons to the Red Legion."

— Original Description

"Stifle the legacy of a notorious ironmonger providing weapons to the Shadow Legion."

— Lightfall Description

The Arms Dealer is a Strike in Destiny 2 set on Earth.

The original Strike was directed by Zavala, Cayde-6 and Suraya Hawthorne and tasked the Guardians with tracking down Bracus Zahn, a Cabal weapons supplier who was manufacturing weapons for the Red Legion.

With the release of Lightfall, the Strike was reworked to feature Devrim and Caiatl. Caiatl's forces had detected activity in the base, sent in a Psion attack force, who were subsequently caught and now require rescuing by the Guardian. The opportunity is also taken to once again take the fight to Zahn, but it is unclear whether Zahn survived the assassination attempt in the original Strike, or if this is a pretender, merely riding on the coattails of the old Zahn's name.

Objectives

Original

• Overload Bracus Zahn's systems
• Secure the area
• Force an explosion
• Kill Zahn's Lieutenant
• Find Zahn
• Activate elevator controls
• Clear a path
• Hack the door
• Break through
• Defeat Bracus Zahn

Rework

• Find and Eliminate Bracus Zahn
• Secure the Area
• Find a Path Forward
• Free Caiatl's Captured Psion
• Free More of Caiatl's Forces
• Board Bracus Zahn's Carrier to Track Him Down
• Free Caiatl's Forces
• Venture Deeper
• Find Bracus Zahn
• Pursue Bracus Zahn
• Enter the Hanger
• Unlock the Door
• Defeat Bracus Zahn

The Arms Dealer transcript

Original

(Mission Begins)

• Zavala: Time for me to step out. Cayde, I leave it to you.

• Cayde-6: OK, fireteam: there's a lot to cover as your official operative in the strike against Bracus Zahn, so we'd better get started. Item the first:

• Hawthorne: Strike's been started for a while.

• Cayde: ...Huh.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Usually for an operation like this, Zavala provides logistical support. But it sounds like it's just us this time around.

• Cayde: Hawthorne, where'd you put my datapad? It had the notes about that thing I'm in charge of.

• Hawthorne: You mean the Bracus Zahn strike that's already running? Off to a great start, Mr. Vanguard.

Or alternatively

• Zavala: Into the action right away. I'm not surprised. Cayde, you're up.

• Cayde: Whoa, wait wait wait, I'm not ready! I had a whole thing for this Zahn guy — I had charts and pictures — you know what, the one time I get it all — geez, forget it. You know what, just forget it.

The Guardians head towards a console for Ghost to scan.

• Ghost: All the paths to the rest of the base are shut tight, but get me to a console and I'll take care of that.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: No more enemies in here. There are plenty outside, though. Get me to a console, and we'll get out there.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We need to get further into the base. If I can access their network...

Ghost hacks into their network to bypass security and open up the doors to their base.

• Ghost: Door's unlocked. But I couldn't get through without tripping their master alarm.

• Hawthorne: Not a trade I would have made, but you're the one on the ground.

• Cayde: Come on, how bad could one little alarm be?

• Ghost: Very bad.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Uh… turns out Zahn's network is different from the Red Legion's.

• Cayde: Good different or bad different?

• Hawthorne: Did I just see a FLARE shoot into the sky?

• Ghost: Look, let's not get into what might have shot into the sky and which enemy just summoned a bunch of reinforcements.

• Hawthorne: He sounds like you.

• Cayde: Aww, thank you!

Or alternatively

• Cayde: Did you shoot up a flare? I though we weren't allowed to have flares anymore after I… had nothing to do with why we're not allowed to have flares.

• Ghost: It wasn't us! They must have detected me in their network.

• Hawthorne: Then I'd get ready for reinforcements. A lot of reinforcements.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We're through. And I've made things more exciting.

• Cayde: Don't sound so down, little guy. Fireteams are built for excitement!

Ghost detects Solar energy

• Ghost: Wait a minute — there's a high concentration of solar energy over there!

Or alternatively

• Hawthorne: Scanners show reinforcements coming.

• Ghost: That last harvester exposed an active fuel cell. Maybe we can use it!

• Cayde: Attaboy.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: That tank just exposed a solar fuel cell!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Thanks for moving that tank out of the way. Head for that solar fuel cell!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: That last tank didn't finish refueling before it got airlifted out.

• Cayde: Amanda told me Cabal fuel makes a pretty good accelerant.

The Guardians aquire the Solar fuel cell.

• Hawthorne: What's that hissing noise?

• Cayde: That's me! I must have… Oh, wait a minute. Nope not me.

• Ghost: It's us! He's carrying the fuel cell!

• Cayde: Nice!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Why would you pick it up?!

• Cayde: So he can find where it'll do the most damage. Smart.

• Ghost: Is it?!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Great! Grab it, and… uh, what's the plan, here?

• Cayde: Plan, schman. Take the radioactive thing, put in explode-y place. There! There's your plan.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: There's an exhaust vent nearby, but I don't know how long you want to hold onto that thing!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Ok. I didn't mean for you to pick it up! But we'll work with this.

• Hawthorne: Is this what "be brave" means for you Guardians? Didn't know it was a prayer.

• Cayde: A true Guardian grabs the danger and walks around with it.

Or alternatively

• Hawthorne: I can't believe it. You were right. He grabbed it.

• Cayde: It's what I would have done.

• Hawthorne: It's not what ANYONE should have done!

The Guardians fight past the Red Legion and deposit the fuel cell to dismantle their barrier.

• Ghost: Nice work! That should take care of the barrier!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We did it! And we didn't blow up.

• Cayde: Yeah, not blowing up is as good as you can hope for sometimes.

• Hawthorne: Way to reach for the stars.

Or alternatively

• Cayde: Sounded like a nice dunk!

• Hawthorne: "Dunk"?

• Cayde: Yeah, it's what we Guardians call it when we jam a radioactive fuel cell into an exhaust vent. You wouldn't understand.

The Guardians battle more of Zahn's lieutenants and traverse deeper into the base of Legion's Anchor.

• Ghost: Still haven't been able to track down Zahn. Cabal usually LIKE to be found.

• Cayde: This guy's no ordinary space rhino. His weapons ain't half bad, either.

• Hawthorne: Those weapons have snuffed out too many good people.

• Cayde: Oh, don't get me wrong. He'll still deserve whatever this fireteam gives him. They always do.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Zahn's lieutenants aren't messing around. Think we've seen the last of them?

• Hawthorne: He's bound to have more. Insecure men tend to surround themselves with others like them.

• Ghost: Cayde? Anything to add?

• Cayde: Nope, she's totally right. Which is why I work alone.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: The ship is still here!

• Cayde: Zahn moved in after you put Thumos down. Surprised he hasn't painted the place chartreuse to match his armor.

• Hawthorne: I'm sorry, painted it what now?

• Cayde: Ah… nothing.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Well, THIS looks familiar.

• Cayde: Yeah, funny story about the Oh-roh? Oh-roh… Oh-roh-bahn… uh…

• Hawthorne: Cabal and their weird ship names. Think it was the "Orobas Vectura."

• Cayde: Yeah, that one. Zahn moved in after you put Thumos out to pasture. He's in there somewhere.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: A tank — for us? Hawthorne, you shouldn't have!

• Cayde: Amanda would want me to remind you to call it the Drake.

• Hawthorne: I think you should call it "payback."

The Guardians fight past the warring Cabal and Fallen and enter the base.

• Ghost: Back into the ship we go. We're coming for you, Zahn.

• Hawthorne: He's got a lot to answer for. Be thorough.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We're inside the ship again. But Zahn can't be far now.

• Cayde: Could be some really weird defenses in there. Not just flame turrets - I'm talking REALLY weird.

• Hawthorne: Don't mess with them. They need to stay focused.

The Guardians encounter a Goliath Tank alongside Cabal reinforcements.

• Ghost: Well, it wouldn't be a Red Legion base without another indoor tank.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: I liked this place better when there wasn't a Cabal TANK in it.

• Hawthorne: Why would they put a tank inside a ship?

• Cayde: Cause Zahn is running scared. Don't let up, fireteam.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Remember that elevator? Looks like we have to bring it down again.

• Cayde: That sounds easy.

• Ghost: There's a tank here.

• Cayde: Ok. Well, there are many... levels of easy.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: No sign of Zahn. But that elevator's the only way forward. Forward… and up.

• Cayde: The Cabal made an elevator that goes forward? Man, they ARE inefficient.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Hey, Cayde. Ten glimmer says there's a tank on that elevator.

• Hawthorne: Please don't encourage him

• Cayde: [Whispers] You're on.

The Guardians destroy the Goliath Tank. Ghost hacks into the Cabal consoles to gain access to the bases elevator. Another Goliath Tank appears.

• Ghost: Now that we've dealt with the tank problem, we can focus on lowering that elevator. Look for control panels!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Oh, come on! ANOTHER one?

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Hawthorne, you're not going to believe this.

• Cayde: Wait, wait wait! Let me guess — giant flame turret.

• Ghost: No. But thanks for that image.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Another tank. There was another tank on the elevator.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: That tank's between us and Bracus Zahn.

• Cayde: I think you should blow up the tank.

• Hawthorne: He's a master tactician.

The Guardians defeat the second Goliath Tank and another lieutenant of Zahn. They travel deeper into the base. Ghost hacks into another console to open another locked door.
Bracus Zahn appears.

• Ghost: There he is! Bracus Zahn is here!

• Cayde: Try to grab his flame turret blueprints after he's dead.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We found Zahn!

• Hawthorne: Don't let him escape.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Zahn is here!

• Cayde: And the flame turrets? Is he using the flame turrets?

• Ghost: YES.

Zahn retreats to his airbase. The Guardians pursue him up a elevator.

• Ghost: Almost back to the surface.

• Hawthorne: Watch for air support. This guy's too smart to not have a backup plan.

• Cayde: Eh, backup plans are overrated.

• Ghost: Here we go!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: This is it. We've got him cornered… in an airfield. OK…

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Now we've got you, Zahn! In a… place you know way better than us. But that won't stop us. Let's get him!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We're here! End of the line for you Zahn!

• Cayde: Watch your six. And your twelve. You know what — just — just be careful.

Bracus Zahn is defeated.

• Ghost: Take that, Zahn! Yeah!

• Zavala: Sounds like I returned at just the right time. Excellent work, fireteam.

• Cayde: Thanks, boss! It was by the book, the whole way.

• Zavala: Does this say "flame turret"?

• Hawthorne: Don't forget about the signal flares.

• Cayde: [sighs]

Or alternatively

• Ghost: We did it! Zahn won't be making any more scary new weapons for the Red Legion.

• Cayde: Oh, they will have to use regular old weapons.

• Hawthorne: Those we can handle. Nice job.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Target eliminated

• Hawthorne: Great work, fireteam.

• Cayde: Ok, you all are getting way too formal. Where's the energy? Let's hear some chatter out there! Huh?

• Hawthorne: The job's done, Cayde. You can handle the chatter for a while.

• Cayde: Don't mind if I do.

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Got him

• Hawthorne: Without Zahn, the Red Legion will be back to throwing rocks before too long. Great work.

• Cayde: You ever been hit with a rock? Don't joke about that. [To himself] Ah, I miss Eris.

(Mission Ends)

Rework

(Mission Begins)

• Devrim: Guardian, we’ve received intel that Bracus Zahn is supplying weapons to the Shadow Legion.

The Guardians head towards a console for Ghost to scan.

• Caiatl: My Psions have already attempted their onslaught of Zahn’s base, but I miscalculated the strength of this operation.

• Ghost: YOU miscalculated?

• Caiatl: Yes. Do you have any further questions?

Ghost hacks into their network to bypass security and open up the doors to their base. The Guardians clear out the area of enemies and make their way to a thrust cannon.

• Devrim: It seems this new Zahn has done some “redecorating.” Although I don’t think I can call this an upgrade in terms of taste. But perhaps the cannons could be of use?

The Guardians land on the platform and clear it of enemies.

• Devrim: Earlier I informed the empress we had already dealt with Zahn. Or at least, I thought we had. But he’s returned somehow.

• Caiatl: Names hold power. It is not unlikely that this new Zahn is a successor, who has taken up the mantle.

• Devrim: Regardless, he must be stopped.

The Guardians obtain a Solar Fuel Cell from a Shadow Guard Cabal and release one captured Ascendant Guard Psion as they continue their way into the base.

• Caiatl: Thank you Guardian. I’ve instructed the Psions to aid you. Free the others, and you will have a formidable team to face Bracus Zahn.

The Guardians traverse deeper into the base as they clear out Shadow Legion forces.

(In Nightfalls Only): A Tormentor appears on the elevator.

• Devrim: Oh. They have a Tormentor do they?

The Guardians clear the elevator of enemies as they traverse deeper. They eventually find Zahn, and chase him towards the top of the base, as the ensuing encounter begins.

• Ghost: That shield is making me mad! We’ve got to get rid of it!

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Where’s an overcharged solar cell when you need one?

Or alternatively

• Ghost: Unless we disable that shield, we’re sitting ducks out here!

Bracus Zahn is defeated

• Devrim: Well fought Guardian. We’ve cut another head off the proverbial Hydra.

• Caiatl: Hydra have but one head, Devrim.

• Devrim: Um, yes. Vex Hydra do. There’s an old Earth mythological creature that -eh, never mind.

• Caiatl: You would do well to leave your hide site, to better understand our enemies.

• Devrim: I’ll do that.

(Mission Ends)

Enemies

Original Cabal - Red Legion/Zahn's Cabal Scorpius Volcanic Scorpius War Beast Honored War Beast Psion Legionary Illicit Slug Shooter Exiled Launcher Unsanctioned Blaster Outlawed Sniper Phalanx Incendior Centurion Thresher Fallen - House of Dusk Shank Dreg Wretch Vandal Captain Servitor Nightfall Champions Barrier Colossus Unstoppable Incendior Bosses Goliath Tank Dishonored Valus Bracus Zahn

Rework Cabal - Shadow Legion Scorpius Honored Scorpius War Beast Honored War Beast Psion Honored Psion Legionary Honored Legionary Esteemed Legionary Phalanx Honored Phalanx Esteemed Phalanx Incendior Honored Incendior Esteemed Incendior Gladiator Centurion Shadow Guard Centurion Colossus Honored Colossus Esteemed Colossus Thresher Nightfall Champions Barrier Colossus Unstoppable Incendior Bosses Goliath Tank Tormentor (Nightfall) Bracus Zahn

Allies

• Ascendant Guard (Rework)

List of Appearances

• Destiny 2 (First appearance)
  • Season of the Chosen (Exotic Quest step)
  • Lightfall (Rework)
  • Season of the Deep (Quest step)