Editing The Long Con

{{Level infobox
|prev=[[Fire and Ice]]
|next=[[Glory Beyond]]
|name=
|image=[[File:LongCon.jpg|360px]]
|game=[[Destiny 2]]
|campaign=[[Renegades]]
|character=
|player=1-3
|light=
|place=[[Artesia Mons]], [[Venus]]
|factions=[[Barant Imperium]]
|races=[[Cabal]]
|objective=Use the Splicer Shank to take down the Imperium's shield generators before they can deploy Nightfall against Earth.
}}

'''The Long Con''' is the fifth story mission of the [[Renegades]] campaign.

==Objectives==
*'''Brace Yourselves'''
:X of 1
:''Board ready for anything and equip Renegade Abilities. Board the shuttle to Venus and move out.''
*'''Survive the Assault'''
:''It's an ambush!''
*'''Disable the Tower's Emitters'''
:X of 4
:''Take out the tower's emitters to restore your Renegade Abilities and then stop the Imperium fleet.''
*'''Stop the Psions'''
:X of 3
:''End the airstrike and watch your back.''
*'''Defeat combatants'''
:''Clear the landing of combatants so that Ghost can hack the power flow regulator barrier.''
*'''Access Power Conduits'''
:''Break through the power flow regulator's barrier.''
*'''Defend Ghost'''
:Barrier Protocols overridden
:X%
*'''Continue the Barrier Override'''
*'''Overload the Power Conduits'''
*'''Hack the Power Conduit'''
:''Crash the power feed and take down the shield emitters with the Splicer Shank's help''
*'''Enter the Base'''
:''Drifter has unlocked the entrance and is waiting somewhere within.''
*'''Disable Shield Generator'''
*'''Get to the Control Room'''
:''There's no time to waste—find Drifter.''

==Transcript==
{{Verbatim}}
*'''[[Aunor Mahal|Aunor]]''': I'll be directing this op. [[The Drifter]]'s on the ground running his con, so don't startle if you hear [[Dredgen Bael|Bael]] on the line. He can't hear us. 
*'''[[Blue]]''': Wait, uh, what do you mean, "con"?
*'''Aunor''': Cozying up to Bael so he won't notice [[the Guardian]] shutting off the shield generator.
*'''Blue''': That's his con! Oh, I’m so mad. Gah, I’m so proud. I want in.

'''(Mission begins)'''

:::'''Stolen NLS Crusier Cargo Bay, Artesia Mons'''

::''Upon arriving in the cargo bay, the Guardian sees three Legionaries of the Totality Division dressed in Imperium armor.''

*'''Aunor''': Welcome aboard. [[Enforcer Rao|Rao's]] got her [[Legionary|Legionaries]] all dressed up for the show — think you'll like that part. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': Are we friends, Hope?
*'''Drifter''': Course we are. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': I've been having… doubts… about [[The Nine|VI]]…
*'''Drifter''': You know, the last [[Emissary of the Nine|Emissary]] walked out on the Nine. Took some doing, but she got there in the end. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': I'm not an emissary, though. I'm nothing to the Nine but a… broken weapon. 

::''After selecting their Renegade Abilities, the Guardian boards the [[Imperium Shuttle]] and flies to the Venusian base.'' 

*'''Aunor''': That's stealth out the window. Go on, Guardian. Ambush them back. 

::''The Guardian survives the Imperium's ambush.''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': They passed the test. Now we wait for them to get here. 
*'''Drifter''': Hey, just enough time for a chat between friends. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': Exactly what I was going to say to you. A few details to settle, and your fate is achieved. Perhaps we don't need VI to retake the [[Last City|City]]. We could do it, just the two of us. 

::''Moving through the base, the Guardian makes it to a series of platforms in the trees and disables the tower's emitters.''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': [gasps in pain] I will be my own Weapon. We have everything we need to fix what the [[Vanguard]] destroyed. We will free the people of the City from an immortal dictatorship. We choose who leads us, no one else. VI is near. I'm sick… of this agony. What more do you want from me?
*'''Drifter''': You can resist him, Bael. If you want freedom, you can take it. 

::''The Guardian moves to take out a trio of Imperium Psions targeting them with airstrikes, taking out a [[Behemoth Fortis]] in the process.'' 

*'''Blue''': I am one stubborn mess of a [[Ghost]]! Damn it, this is what I get for icing out my Guardian. 
*'''Aunor''': You got there in the end. Why dwell on it? 
*'''Blue''': 'Cause he's only that honest when he's pulling the wool over someone's eyes. Why didn't I talk to him?
*'''Aunor''': Oh, you had your reasons. You're not the only one who gets fed up with him. 

::''The Guardian takes out the last Psion and stops the airstrikes.'' 

*'''VI''' (through Bael): PRECIOUS AND CHOSEN WEAPON
::::::LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE MADE SEE DOWN THE VALLEY OF TIME HOW YOU SHIFTED FATE ITSELF
::::::WITH HOPE'S ALLEGIANCE YOU ALONE HAVE GUARANTEED LIBERATION

*'''Dredgen Bael''': I did it? The City will be free of the [[Light]]? Free to make its own choices— 

*'''VI''' (through Bael): YES BRAVE WEAPON I SEE YOUR CURIOSITY I SEE YOUR PERSEVERANCE I FEEL PRIDE
*'''Dredgen Bael''': You're… proud? … Thank you. Thank you. 

::''The Guardian heads towards the Vehicle Deopt, taking out Imperium forces in their way.''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': Hope, we do this now. We will retake our home and tithe to our benefactor in gratitude. Every Light will be smothered and every Ghost obliterated. Finally. We are needed.

::''The Guardian clears the landing of Imperium forces.'' 

*'''Dredgen Bael''': I know my purpose now. Show me I'm not alone in this, [[Dredgen]] Hope, no matter what happens. 
*'''Drifter''': Anything you want. Tell VI I got my head around the vision he gave me. I know what path I wanna take.
*'''Dredgen Bael''': I knew you would. 

::''The Guardian deploys their Ghost to hack into the barrier protocols and defends them from Imperium forces.''

*'''Blue''': Hey, guys? Our Shank buddy is tops at getting past Imp tech, but we gotta set him up. My scans show power running from the generator underground. Let's see if we can disrupt it. 
*'''Aunor''': Any blip in power should make the generator vulnerable — and Nightfall's defenses with it.

::''The Guardian picks up an Unstable Power Unit and throws it at a power conduit to overload it.''

*'''Blue''': Ooh, that did it! OK, OK. You are up, buddy. Uh, not you, ace. The Shank. 
*'''[[Splicer Shank (Renegades)|Splicer Shank]]''': [beeps joyously]
*'''Blue''': You kiss your mother with that mouth?

::''The Guardian approaches the Splicer Shank as it begins hacking into a console. However, it quickly begins to spark and spins before transmatting away in a frazzled state.''

*'''Splicer Shank''': [beeps calmly, then with greater alarm] [beeps pathetically]
*'''Blue''': [hisses] We're getting a call… from our favourite line cook. 

::''Blue projects a hologram of the Drifter.''

*'''Drifter''': That you, hero? Blue? If you’re trying to use the Splicer Shank to get in, 'fraid Bael's a step ahead of you. Listen, I need your help. Come to the command center, put your guns down, and I'll let you in.
*'''Blue''': I spent so long not talkin', I forgot I'm better off when I'm talkin' to you. I wanna help ya close the deal. 
*'''Drifter''': I can't involve you, Blue. You need to be a million miles from here. The vision wants you dead. 
*'''Blue''': Playin' possum buys you a clean distraction. 
*'''Drifter''': I… Bael and VI wanna see you taken apart. 
*'''Blue''': Then that's what we give 'em. Bael's still just a Guardian. That means he's a mark. You remember the first [[Warlord]] we hunted in the [[Dark Age]]? The prick who irradiated [[Derrigan Valley]]? 
*'''Drifter''': Well, yeah. His Ghost was hiding. We smoked the Ghost out, and—
*'''Blue''': And we run the same plan on Bael. I'll be OK. I trust you. 
*'''Drifter''': [exhales] Thanks Blue. 

::''The Guardian enters the base and moves past several Totality Agents.''

*'''Aunor''': Think something nice next time you see Rao. Her crew's disguises are perfect. Shut off the generator, and [[Nightfall Station]]'s shields come tumbling down. Go on — Drifter knows what he's doing. I think. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': Are you done, Hope? All stands ready for the Weapon. 
*'''Drifter''': Yeah. Weapon's on their way. We're all in this together now. 
*'''Dredgen Bael''': VI, I am yours. 
*'''VI''' (through Bael): BEND YOUR HEAD FOR THE CROWN OR BEND IT IN GRIEF
::::::YOU ARE CALLED TO YOUR SERVICE ETERNAL
*'''Drifter''': Understood. 

::''The Guardian approaches a console with a hologram of Nightfall Station and shuts down the shield generator. Once that's done, they approach the door to the control room.''

'''(Cutscene begins)'''

::''Dredgen Bael steps to the Drifter's left, who is holding a [[Thorn]]. Four Imperium Legionaries stand behind them with [[Energy Shield]]s''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': You’ve done well. Finish it, and the Imperium is yours to lead. 
*'''Drifter''': Cool it, kid. They'll get everything that's coming to 'em. 

::''The door opens and the Guardian and Blue approach Hope and Bael. The Guardian has their hands in the air. Drifter steps forward.'' 

*'''Drifter''': I need you, Blue. 

::''Blue floats towards the Drifter.''

*'''Blue''': You always do. You sold us out, you — you wretch. Why now?

::''Drifter snatches Blue out of the air as Bael slowly approaches.''

*'''Drifter''': [grunts] Survival. Only one play left. 
*'''Blue''': I've saved your sorry ass so many times. This is how it ends?
*'''Drifter''': I got no choice. 

::''Drifter slowly closes his grip on Blue, slowly cracking their shell.''

*'''Blue''': Please don't do this! I can still help you. 
*'''Drifter''': You already have. [grunts]

::''Drifter swings his Thorn at Bael, who catches his arm and freezes it to his abdomen with Stasis before running him through with his Blade.''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': I chose you! And this is how you repay me? 
*'''Drifter''': Never trust a Dredgen. [grunts]

::''Drifter manages to fire a shot from Thorn into Bael's wrist. He stumbles back and clutches his wrist stump as his severed hand falls to the floor.''

*'''Dredgen Bael''': [screams] Get me out of here! 

::''The four Legionaries move to protect Bael.''

*'''Drifter''': Where's your Ghost, kid? Where's your Ghost? 

::''The Guardian rushes forward and snatches Drifter's Thorn. They fire at Bael, but the Imperium shields block the bullets. They hurl a [[Pulse Grenade]] at Bael, but the four Legionaries block it with their shields before transmatting away with Bael.''

*'''Drifter''': Where's your Ghost? [grunts]

::''Drifter collapses to the floor. The Guardian runs to him to offer aid.''

'''(Cutscene ends)'''

'''(Mission end)'''

==Enemies==
;[[Cabal]] - [[Barant Imperium]]
*[[Imperium Scorpius]]
*[[Imperium War Beast]]
*[[Imperium Psion]]
**[[Imperium Decurion Psion]]
*[[Imperium Legionary]]
*[[Imperium Incendior]]
**[[Imperium Decurion Incendior]]
*[[Imperium Centurion]]
**[[Elite Imperium Centurion]]
**[[Imperium Generalis]]
*[[Imperium Colossus]]
*[[Imperium Decurion Praetorian]]
*[[Behemoth Fortis]]

==Allies==
*[[Totality Agent]]

==Appearance==
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Renegades]]'' {{1st}}

{{Story missions|REN}}