Editing Imperium

{{Image}}
{{Level infobox
|prev=[[The Message]]
|next=[[Welcome to the Frontier]]
|name=
|image=
|game=[[Destiny 2]]
|campaign=[[Renegades]]
|character=
|player=1-3
|light=
|place=[[Zagan Gloriosus]], Space
|factions=[[Barant Imperium]]
|races=[[Cabal]]<br>[[Hive]]
|objective=
|nowalk=yes
}}
'''Imperium''' is the first mission of [[Renegades]].

==Objectives==
*'''Rescue Drifter'''
:''Drifter is being held in the prison bay. Reach his coordinates and find a way to release him.''
*'''Clear the Area'''
*'''Navigate the Maintenance Tunnel'''
*'''Navigate the Cargo Highway'''
:''Use the moving cargo barges to find a path forward to reach Drifter's location.''
*'''Survive'''
*'''Destroy the jammer'''
*'''Rescue Drifter'''
:''Drifter is being held in the prison bay. Reach his coordinates and find a way to release him.''
*'''Escort Drifter Back to the Derelict'''
*'''Free Prisoners'''
*'''Escort Drifter Back to the Derelict'''
*'''Free Prisoners'''
*'''Escort Drifter Back to the Derelict'''
*'''Defend the Derelict'''
:''Buy some time for Aunor to finish shutting off the tractor beam and get back to the ship. Hold off the Imperium!''
*'''Get Drifter and Thaw Him Out.'''
:''Escort Drifter's Stasis block back aboard the Derelict.''

==Transcript==
{{Verbatim}}

'''(Cutscene begins)'''

*'''Drifter''': Hey, hero. You, uh… feel any different after [[Kepler]]? Cuz I do. And now they've shown me a vision I can't shake. They did a number on you, too, I reckon. What is it they call you? The Weapon. You and me. We saved the system. Saved everybody. And III of the [[The Nine|Nine]] left us with a Prophecy: Bind the Nine, or everything dies. The [[Vanguard]] classified the Prophecy. Kepler never happened. That don't sit with me. Cuz the Nine are everywhere. EveryWHEN. And now, there's rumours of new threats. Ones we didn't see comin'. That doesn’t just happen. It'’s the Nine. And I'm putin' together a crew to prove it. What do you say, Weapon?

::'''''Destiny 2: Renegades'''''

'''(Cutscene ends)'''

'''(Cutscene begins)'''

::''A statue of Lodi examines a tomb with three symbols of the Nine behind him.''

*'''[[Lodi]]''': Bind the Nine. [[Ikora Rey|Ikora]] and I have been heads down for the last two months and we're not closer to knowing what the Prophecy means. But the death of III has changed [[Earth]], even if it's not obvious to the naked eye. Infrastructure damaged by matter transmutation. Nitrogen replacing oxygen in localized areas.

::''A statue of Ikora before a desk covered in books and scrolls. A fist is balled. Lodi appears and places a hand on her shoulder.''

*'''Lodi''': The [[Vanguard]] is understandably fixated on controlling the chaos, but… Citizens can tell something's off. It's dangerous. Institutional navel-gazing. You… forget to look up. So, I've been feeding intel to a good friend. He sees what I'm seeing.

::''The statue of Lodi shifts to one of Drifter with [[Eris Morn]] and [[Eido]] beside him, who slowly appear from shadows.''

*'''Drifter''': Specs tipped me off there's something new on the horizon. I knew without a doubt the Nine were involved. So I rounded up crew to prove it. Eris, the God of Vengeance herself. Eido, resident bookworm. And a stray. 

::''The three statues shift to one of [[Aunor Mahal]] with her [[Praxic Blade]].''

*'''Drifter''': Seems the Vanguard assigned a [[Warlock]] of the [[Praxic Order]] to be my hall monitor. Aunor Mahal. Our crew kicked in the door on these Cabal upstarts and just scored an [[Encrypted Data Disk|encrypted disk]]. 

::''The red eye of Drifter's Ghost takes the place the statue of Aunor.''

*'''Drifter''': Now? My Ghost has the info and… it's time to throw it in the Vanguard's face.

'''(Cutscene ends)'''

'''(Cutscene begins)'''

::''In the space above [[Mars]], the [[The Derelict|Derelict]] is fleeing a large white Cabal [[Cabal Carrier|Command Carrier]] as both ships fire lasers blasts at each other. Onboard the Derelict, Aunor and Eris stand before the encrypted disk as Drifter's Ghost scans while Edio assists Drifter in piloting the ship.''

*'''Aunor''': Drifter? There'd better be intel on that disk. Don't make me regret abandoning my post to help you. 
*'''Drifter''': Not now, Aunor! 
*'''Eido''': Guardian, we need an engine boost. That's the red line into the square socket. Thank you! Urgh, she's listing! Pull up! 
*'''Drifter''': No backseat piloting! 

::''The Cabal ship manages to land two shots on the Derelict.''

*'''Aunor''': Whatever's in that data disk, they're willing to kill for. We have to get it home and decrypt — quick. Just keep this rust-bucket flying. 
*'''Drifter''': Watch it, Aunor. My ship's been flying safe longer than our hero in the engine room's been alive. You tell her ain't no rust on this bucket—
*'''Eris Morn''': Bickering won't save us. 

::''Eris conjures several Hive portals to protect the Derelict from fire. Drifter's Ghost finishes her scan of the disk and flies to Drifter.''

*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [beeps]
*'''Drifter''': No luck? Thanks for nothin'!

::''Drifter bats his Ghost with the back of his hand. The massive Cabal ship successfully grabs the Derelict in a tractor beam.''

*'''Drifter''': That's it! Everybody out. That means you, too, hero. 
*'''Eido''': Imperium troops are boarding. We can't let them take back the disk! 

::''Drifter grabs the disk and holds it up to his Ghost. She scans it and hides it away.'' 

*'''Eris Morn''': Hide yourselves. We're not done fighting yet, Eido.

::''Eris flips a switch, which deploys six combat [[Frame]]s that prepare to engage the Imperium boarders in the Derelict's hanger. A large door in the Cabal Carrier opens for the Derelict as more Frames move into position and the crew enters the hanger.''

*'''Comms Speaker''': Surrender to the Barant Imperium. You're wanted by [[Dredgen Bael]].
*'''Drifter''': Now who's using that name? Get moving, will ya? 

::''Aunor, Eido, and Eris leave while Drifter prepares for the troops boarding his vessel. The Cabal blast open the door before a large Cabal in white and dark-grey armor enters. The Frames fire at them, to little effect, as red laser blasts fire at the Frames, forcing Drifter to duck behind cover.'' 

*'''Drifter''': [gasps]

*''Three white [[Legionary|Legionaries]] enter the hanger. The Frames are taken out one-by-one, though they manage to take out one of the Legionaries. Once all the Frames have been taken out, Drifter emerges from cover as the Cabal part for a humanoid figure dressed in red and black hooded robe and a metal helmet.''

*'''Bael''': I've been waiting so long for this… Dredgen Hope.

::''Cut to black as the sound of [[Stasis]] can be heard.''

'''(Cutscene ends)'''

'''(Mission starts)'''

:::'''Stolen NLS Crusier Cargo Bay, The Derelict'''

::''The Guardian stands in the hanger of the Derelict. Some remaining Frames stand at attention while other lie broken on the floor.''

*'''Eris Morn''': Arm yourself, Guardian. The Drifter keeps no medical provisions or supplies. But guns are ubiquitous. 

::''The Guardian picks up [[All or Nothing]] from a weapon rack and some Special Ammo.''

*'''Aunor''': I wish our first mission together was under better circumstances. I'm Aunor Mahal, a Praxic Warlock — Vanguard internal affairs. You told me the Drifter had changed, Morn. The data Drifter stole from the Imperium is going to incite war. He was told not to engage. The Praxic Order skirts the rules to enforce them for the Vanguard. I'm trying to keep this crew safe. 
*'''Eris Morn''': You have an opportunity to prove it. The Drifter needs our assistance. 
*'''Aunor''': We need to fight our way to an access point. Get us a schematic of this ship. I’ll head for the tractor emitters, shut them down. They won't catch us again.

:::'''[[Zagan Gloriosus]], Space'''

::''The Guardian exits the Derelict and finds themself in the Carrier's hanger with many Imperium troops. After clearing them out, they download the schematics of the ship.'' 

*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [Beeps positively]
*'''Eris Morn''': We've downloaded the schematics. Drifter's Ghost seems distressed; I believe— 
*'''Aunor''': She's probably upset he's in danger. What a selfless Ghost for a scoundrel. 
*'''Eris Morn''': Unlikely. They hate each other… but she did manage to ping his location on the ship's schematics.

::''The Guardian heads towards the prison bay, spotting a [[Harvester]] departing on the way there.''

*'''[[Bracus Lume, Coalition Ally|Premier Lume]]''': Legions of the Barant Imperium, hear my call over the mountains and the seas: The Lights have corrupted our [[Empress Caiatl|Empress]]. She has drunk from their lies and abandoned [[Torobatl]] for the [[Last City|City]]. We've bled for them. For their City. I implore you: Bleed them in return.

::''The Guardian fights through Imperium forces, including one with an "[[Absorption_Shield#Ablative_Armor|Ablative]]" shield.''

*'''Aunor''': Their defenses — I recognize the ablative design. Caiatl had shared some theoretical schemas with the Vanguard. None of it was practical — yet. The Imperium's tech doesn’t add up…

*''The Guardian clears out Imperium soldiers.'' 

*'''Eris Morn''': This "Barant Imperium" and their panoply are like no Cabal we've encountered. How did they rise so quickly?
*'''Eido''': Caiatl's [[Cabal Battle Network|Battlenet]] references "Barant" as the Legionary species. No other data… 
*'''Aunor''': Maybe the encrypted data we stole has the answers you’re looking for; I'm surprised none of our Ghosts can hack it. 
*'''Eido''': Things happen fast these days. A new threat pops up. Drifter calls you and asks you to be on his ship the next morning… [sighs] 
*'''Eris Morn''': He had good reason to put a crew together and move quickly — a vision. 
*'''Aunor''': I was called off my post and thrown into a rescue mission for a former criminal because Drifter had a vision. 

::''The Guardian makes their way through maintenance tunnels and finds a console. After taking out a lone Imperium Legionary and using the console to deactivate a nearby barrier, they make their way into a massive room with various floating platforms moving cargo.''

*'''Aunor''': This is a lot of risk to save one reckless criminal. We already have the Imperium's data. 
*'''Eris Morn''': A criminal? You know he has not been such for some time, Aunor. You claim to know his heart, but he stood for us on Kepler as he has many times. 
*'''Aunor''': Maybe, but he didn't do the legwork on the data he stole. It's hard not to think it's a con, like it always is. Still, he has… stayed between the lines these last few years. I'll give him the chance to explain himself. 
*'''Eris Morn''': Guardian, I sense him through the [[Darkness]]. The Drifter… they have him in holding. His captor… wields something familiar. An entropic stillness… Stasis? He has an unsettling, powerful connection to the Darkness.

::''The Guardian navigates the cargo highway and enters the Carrier's garbage disposal.''

*'''Eido''': Oh… uh. Guardian, I, uh, forgot to mention I had to route you through the garbage disposal. Sorry. 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [beeps anxiously] 

::''The Guardian makes their way to the other side of the garbage disposal and use a lever to try to open the door. However, this only makes the walls start to close in. Thrall and Cursed Thrall also emerge from the garbage to swarm them.''

*'''Eido''': Uh, Guardian — I'm sure it’s feeling cramped in there, but Drifter's Ghost is trying to help.

::''The Guardian destroys a jammer above the disposal's exit door, which stops the closing walls just in time.''

*'''Eido''': Glad you're OK, Guardian. 

::''The Guardian exits the disposal and makes it to the ship's prison bay.''

*'''Eido''': You're in the detention zone! Drifter's nearby. 
*'''Drifter''': Close enough to radio you. Hey, I'm up to my chin in Stasis. 
*'''Eris Morn''': Are you all right?
*'''Drifter''': Hearin' you makes it so, Moonlight. 
*'''Aunor''': [clears throat] I've almost reached the tractor emitters. Get the Drifter back to the ship and start the engines. 
*'''Drifter''': I thought I left the [[Dredgen]]s behind. This [[Lightbearer]] — his name's Bael. Dredgen Bael. I don't know why they're showing me something I thought I buried… but I was right, the Nine ain't done with us. 
*'''Bael''': Did you come for Dredgen Hope, or for me?
*'''VI (speaking through Bael)''': THE SINGULARITY OF KEPLER WAS TO BE THE DELIVERANCE OF THE OUTER NINE<br>
::::::::::YOUR CLOTTED SPILLED BLOOD DENIED OUR LIBERATION<br>
::::::::::KNOW THIS FALSE WEAPON IN EVERY FUTURE YOU ARE A JAILER 
*'''Eris Morn''': How? This is the soul of a celestial body… one of the Nine. They are speaking without the Emissary! 

::''The Guardian clears the detention zone of Imperium soldiers and find Drifter encased in a block of Stasis. They lower him onto a transport and begin to escort him back to the Derelict.''

*'''Eris Morn''': You've done well to find him, Guardian. My new throne may be able to assist us against the Nine… Each slain Imperium soldier, I shall attempt to tithe to a communion with the Nine. Surely they will answer.

::''Imperium soldiers move to intercept the Guardian.''

*'''Eris Morn''': Can you access that console, Guardian? Releasing the prisoners could be a boon to us. 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [beeps positively]

::''The Guardian opens the prison cells and frees [[Spider's Associate]]s and [[Spider's Servitor|Servitors]]s the Imperium had captive. After they defeat the Imperium soldiers, they move to the previous area of the detention center and encounter more Imperium forces led by the Imperium Warden. Once taken out, they release [[Imperial Cabal]] captvies to clear out the remaining Imperium troops before they continue escorting the Drifter back to the Derelict and taking any Imperium troops in their way.''

*'''Aunor''': Eris, Guardian — we're on a closed line. Eido isn't read-in. If the Nine are behind this, we should give Lodi call. This is beyond Praxic expertise. And yours. 
*'''Eris Morn''': If Lodi was unaware that a Nine uplifted a [[Dredgen]], what information could he possibly have?
*'''Aunor''': III of the Nine is dead, turmoil is brewing on Earth, the Drifter's vision is Nine in origin — and you refuse help?
*'''Eris Morn''': The god of vengeance doesn't need an Emissary.

::''The Guardian makes it to the Derelict and moves the transport into the hanger.'' 

*'''Aunor''': I'm shutting down the tractor emitters now. Don't wait for me to take off if you're in danger. We've got the Drifter and his Ghost has the Imperium data. But… Guardian… we have bigger problems. If the Nine are enabling this Dredgen Bael, we both know how catastrophic their influence can be. The rest of the City doesn't. Vanguard has decreed everything we learned on Kepler, the Prophecy, all of it… remain classified. We can't rely on official support, but the Drifter… was right to act on his vision. I can admit that.

::''The Guardian faces off hordes of Imperium soldiers until they deploy two Behemoth Nihils. After destroying that spawns on the left, the Imperium Tesserarius Praetorian piloting it will appear to attack.'' 

*'''Eido''': Eyes up, Guardian! That vehicle you just cored out has an ejection system. 
*'''Aunor''': The pilots are coming out unscathed — rectify that. 

::''After the Guardian defeats the Imperium troops, they enter the Derelict to check on the Drifter. They find his Ghost scanning the block.''

*'''Drfiter's Ghost''': [scanner hums]

::''The top of the block breaks, freeing Drifter's head.''

*'''Drifter''': Agh! Ah, damn. Lost a little skin there. Thanks for the save, hero. Thought I was gonna end up chilling drinks for the Imperium. 

::''Drifter's Ghost continues scanning, freeing his upper body and arms.''

*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [querying whistle] 
*'''Drifter''': [gasps] Bael? He, uh… Hey, can you get my left leg? It’s fallen asleep in here. [gasps] 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [beeps and clicks]
*'''Drifter''': OK, fine, fine. He talked like the Emissary talks. It can't be the Nine… and that's why it has to be. 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [derisive honk]
*'''Drifter''': No, I'm not gonna ditch you for him! Can't you have a little faith? 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [beeps and clicks]

::''Drifter kicks himself free of his Stasis prison.''

*'''Drifter''': Knock that off. Just tell Aunor to hurry up and disable that tractor beam so we can blow this fuel depot. 
*'''Drifter's Ghost''': [rapid, annoyed beeps]

::''Drifter transmats away.'' 

*'''Drifter''': Get those engines running, hero, and I'll take us out of here. We don't want to be anywhere near that Dredgen. One of the Nine. Bael's no Emissary, but one of 'em's still wearing him like a suit.

'''(Cutscene starts)'''

::''The Guardian begins preparing the Derelict to leave as Aunor approaches the open hanger door. Suddenly, she hears someone approching and turns to face them.''

*'''Eido''': What is that?
*'''Drifter''': Dredgen Bael.

::''Bael pulls out his Praxic Blade as he slowly approches. Aunor does the same.''

*'''Aunor''': Start the engines. Take off as soon as you can.

::''Bael fires out two blasts of Stasis, one aimed for Aunor and the other for one of the Derelict's engines. Aunor blocks the first shot, but the second hits its target. Bael and Aunor charge to each other and briefly clash blades.''

*'''Bael''': [grunts with effort]
*'''Aunor''': [gasps]
*'''Bael''': The Drifter belongs with us! It's in his nature. He has so much to teach. 
*'''Aunor''': He isn't the mentor you want. The Drifter left your [[Shadows of Yor|cult]] long ago.

::''Aunor and Bael clash again.''

*'''Bael''': [roars, pants]
*'''Aunor''': [grunts]

:''Aunor kicks Bael to the floor.''

*'''Bael''': [cries out in pain]

::''Bael fires another Stasis at the Derelict's remaining engine, but Aunor takes out with a blast of [[Solar]] [[Light]]. Bael gets back up'' 

*'''Aunor''': I can tell you're new blood. Untrained. Does [[Shin Malphur|Dredgen Vale]] know you mock his name?
*'''Bael''': Not mockery. Continuity. I carry the mantle now. [growls]

::''Bael and Aunor briefly clash blades again.''

*'''Aunor''': [grunts]

::''Bael forms a [[Behemoth]] fist of Stasis while Aunor conjures Solar Light. They two clash their powers.''

*'''Bael''': [groans] And I know you, Aunor. You're a Praxic Warlock. You crave justice. Why die for a criminal?
*'''Aunor''': The more you push to keep him, the more I'm inclined to resist.
*'''Bael''': [grunts and pants]

::''Bael knocks Aunor back with a blast of Stasis, briefly freezing her.''

*'''Aunor''': [pants]

::''She quickly grabs her Praxic blade and gets back up. Bael moves forward using a Duskfield to protect himself as Aunor snaps small blasts of Solar Light at him to no avail. Once close enough, the two clash blades again''

*'''Bael''': [grunts with effort]

::''Bael knocks Aunor back with a backhand before they clashed again.''

*'''Aunor''': [grunts, roars with effort]
*'''Bael''': [shouts]

::''Bael headbutts Aunor and clash briefly before he freezes her leg with Stasis. forcing her to stop.''

*'''Aunor''': [gasps in pain] You follow in the footsteps of Guardian-killers. Why do you hate your own kind so much?
*'''Bael''': No more questions. 
*'''Aunor''': As you wish. 

::''The two charge each other again. But Aunor blinks through Bael and onto the Derelict. The Stasis on the other engine breaks, allowing the Derelict to escape. Bael looks to see Aunor staring him down as the Derelict's hanger door closes. Two Imperium Legionaries, led by an [[Baros|Electi Legionary]]. Bael looks upon the Jade icon he took from the Drifter and takes his frustration out on the Electi Legionary, running them through with his Praxic Blade and further beating the body with it as the Derelict escapes.''

'''(Cutscene ends)'''

'''(Mission ends)'''

==Enemies==
;[[Cabal]] - [[Barant Imperium]]
*[[Imperium Scorpius]]
*[[Imperium War Beast]]
**[[Imperium Electi War Beast]]
*[[Imperium Psion]]
*[[Imperium Legionary]]
**[[Imperium Electi Legionary]]
*[[Imperium Incendior]]
**[[Imperium Electi Incendior]]
*[[Imperium Centurion]]
**[[Elite Imperium Centurion]]
*[[Imperium Colossus]]
**[[Legatus Colossus]]

;[[Hive]] - [[Hidden Swarm]]
*[[Thrall]]
**[[Cursed Thrall]]
===Bosses===
*[[Imperium Hangar Security]] {{c|Mini-boss}}
*[[Imperium Warden]] {{c|Mini-boss}}
*[[Behemoth Nihil]]
*[[Imperium Tesserarius Praetorian]]

==Allies==
*[[Imperium Captive]]

==Trivia==
*This mission features multiple references to Star Wars, such as:
**In the cutscene where the Imperium Legionaries board the Derelict, one Legionary can be seen accidentally hitting their head on the top of the hanger door. This is a reference to an iconic blooper for Episode IV: A New Hope.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4v-qiFvBg'''YouTube''': ''Stormtrooper Hits Head(Star Wars Fail) HD'']</ref>
**A lone Legionary will fire upon the Guardian from a doorframe over a bottomless pit. If killed without a disintegrating attack, the Legionary will fall forward into the pit, complete with a Cabal version of the [[Wikipedia:Wilhelm scream|Wilhelm scream]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpE0XxBCtOc'''YouTube''': ''Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope (1977) Wilhelm Scream'']</ref>
**In the trash compactor, one of the worm creatures from the [[Court of Savathûn]] pokes its head out, in the same way the [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Dianoga Dianoga] sticks its head out while in the [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Death_Star Death Star]'s thrash compactor.
**The Drifter will be frozen in [[Stasis]] in a way akin to how [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Han_Solo Han Solo] was frozen in [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Carbonite carbonite] in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
{{Stub|section=yes}}

==Appearance==
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Renegades]]''

==References==
<references/>

{{Story missions|REN}}