The Nexus (Year 3)

The Nexus is a Strike in Destiny:The Rise of Iron. It takes place in the Ishtar Sink on Venus, is an upgraded version of the original Strike, and is the second mission in the quest Variations on a Theme.

Objectives
or
 * Descend into the Academy
 * Stalk the Servitors(Fallen Variant)
 * Defeat Taken Captains(Taken Variant)
 * Find the Nexus
 * Lower the Barrier
 * Reach the Nexus

Transcript
{Loading screen} {Gameplay}
 * IKORA REY: The Vex have restarted their world-eating machine, in a bid to restore their Nexus. In time Venus will be consumed...an—
 * CAYDE-6:(interrupting her) And listen to this! Scouts report that the Vex have upgraded the Nexus Mind with tech from the Vault of Glass!
 * IKORA: Do you need something, Cayde?
 * CAYDE:(nervously) No...just...here to support my favorite Guardian.
 * IKORA: I'm sure. (to Guardians) Let's take that Nexus Mind apart.

''The trio of Guardians land in the Ishtar Commons. Depending on the strike, the N/GEN Branch inside may be filled with either Fallen or Taken enemies. Each variant has their own objectives and scripting.''

If Fallen occupy the area: ''The fireteam reach the N/GEN Branch, meeting large groups of Fallen. Vandals, Shanks, Dregs and Captains seem to flood the building.''
 * IKORA: (sternly) Cayde.
 * CAYDE: (annoyed) What?
 * IKORA: (flatly) Why are you here. The truth.
 * CAYDE: (nervously) Can't a Hunter sit in on a mission with his friends, because that's all this is?! Let's find that Nexus Mind.
 * CAYDE: We keep knocking the Fallen Houses down and they keep coming back. If they weren't out here killing us, I'd be impressed.

''The Guardians start exterminating Fallen infantry, coaxing their High Servitors out of hiding. One by one, the Servitors are all killed. A door on the second floor opens, allowing a group of Reaver Vandals to enter and cascade down the stairs.''
 * IKORA: Break their command Servitors, and you break them.
 * IKORA: Every Servitor down brings us closer to ridding Venus of the Fallen.
 * CAYDE: Plus it opens a lot of doors. Upper level's clear.

If the Taken have infected the campus: Once the fireteam enters the complex, Taken blights fill the area and Hobgoblins and Vandals warp in. ''More forces, including Minotaurs and Goblins, warp in through blights, Taken Captains with them. Eventually they are all killed, and the second level doors open.''
 * CAYDE: Hold on—I'm reading massive numbers of Taken...(perplexed) it's an invasion, usually all you see out here is Vex.
 * IKORA: Cayde...why are you here? The truth.
 * CAYDE: (dramatically) Ikora, I'm hurt! I haven't seen you and the Guardian in a while, that's all. Let's get these Taken.
 * CAYDE: Remember when the scholars said the Taken wouldn't be any trouble once we killed the King? Maybe they should grab a weapon and come out here.
 * IKORA: Their leadership has filtered downward. Take out the Captains, Guaridan.
 * IKORA: Taken have been aimless since their King's demise. For them to concentrate their forces here means they understand the value of the Nexus Mind.
 * CAYDE: If they've taken it, we can still blow it up.

''The trio of Guardians head further in, reaching Dig Site 4. They come across either Fallen fighting Vex, or Taken absorbing them all.'' ''The Guardians eliminate the enemy presence there. A large cylindrical barrier surrounds a small plate, sitting in front of a smaller barrier behind it. The fireteam finds a power source on one side of the area, and carries it across to the shrine next to the barrier. The barrier disappears, and the Guardians step on the plate. As it charges however, large groups of enemies start warping in and attack the fireteam. Defending their position, the Guardians destroy the enemies, and the wall is disabled.  The Guardians run through the abandoned mining area and finally reach the Nexus. They approach the cliff overhanging the world-eater.'' ''The bottom of the pit is guarded by several Minotaurs. Again, depending on the strike, they may be either Vex, signifying that the Nexus has been defended; or Taken. symbolizing the infection of the Mind.''
 * CAYDE: I'm reading a massive barrier ahead...
 * IKORA: Cayde. I appreciate the support, but don't you have other responsibilities?
 * CAYDE: Look, current situation aside, the Guardians have things handled! Doesn't leave a lot for the Hunter Vanguard to do.
 * IKORA: If you're bored, the Warlock halls could always use a once-over with a mop.
 * CAYDE: What was that? You're breaking up.
 * CAYDE: That barrier would've taken considerable resources to power. I think they're scared.
 * IKORA: Validate that fear, Guardian.
 * CAYDE: (groans) My stomach drops whenever you make a jump like this. And I don't even have a stomach. Funny how that works.

''If Vex Minotaurs are present, the rebuilt Nexus Mind, Sekrion, will float down from the opening in the cavernous ceiling and open fire on the Guardians. A partial shield rotates around it, keeping the fireteam on the move to return fire.'' ''As the improved Mind takes damage, it starts to shake in place, and blue lights appear to float around it. With a loud warbling sound, the lights slam into the floor. Suddenly, each of the Guardians are Marked By The Void, robbing them of their visibility at a much faster rate. Scrambling, the Guardians eventually find a Pool of Light and cleanse themselves, resuming battle with the Mind. Although the Mind marks them intermittently, the trio of Guardians eventually take the advanced machine down.''
 * IKORA: That Mind is wielding a significantly upgraded chassis.
 * CAYDE: I bet bullets still work—aren't you glad I'm here to help?

''If Taken Minotaurs infect the area, a large blight will appear in the center, warping in the Nexus Mind. The fireteam is too late: Sekrion has been Taken,and transformed into the Subverted Mind.'' ''However, the plan complicates when after taking a large amount of damage, Sekrion develops a full shield around itself, making it impossible for the Guardians to attack it. Luckily, an Aegis of the Vault appears somewhere in the area. One of the Guardians retrieve it, and fires its bolt of Light. The shield is disrupted and Sekrion is vulnerable once more. Using the Aegis that appears and evasive tactics, the fireteam rids Venus of its world-eating machine a final time.''
 * CAYDE: (sympathetically) Looks like the Taken got to the Nexus Mind first.
 * IKORA: (firmly) Doesn't change the plan.

CAYDE: Well, Guardian. Ikora. It's been fun...but I've got a legion of Hunters to oversee, which is less fun than it sounds. I think they think I'm too hands-on.

IKORA: (coldly) Some of them...just don't like you.

CAYDE: (scoffs) Wait, what?

IKORA: You've done well, Guardian. For the time being, Venus continues to turn, despite our enemies' best efforts.

Mission ends.

The Barrier

 * Only one Guardian needs to stand on the plate to charge it—the two remaining Guardians can ready their weapons and take defensive positions in the area to catch the enemies by surprise, and wipe them out almost immediately.

The Nexus

 * Sekrion fires its weapons constantly; Guardians must remain mobile when fired upon. A stationary player will meet their end very quickly once the Mind sets its sights on him/her.
 * If fighting the original Vex Mind, keep your powers of observation sharp. Once you are Marked by it, you must find a fountain of Light as quickly as possible. Do not attempt to continue fighting or kill Sekrion—once most of your visibility is broken, you will not be able to find your way, and will die soon after.

Trivia

 * Multiple assets from the Vault of Glass raid are re-used in this updated strike, including the Aegis(from the Templar, Gatekeeper and Atheon phases), the Sync Plate(from the Spire/Opening phase) and the Debuff Marked by the Void(from the Atheon phase). However, these have been heavily modified to be more appropriately used within the strike. For example, the Aegis' Super energy, normally taking about 30-45 seconds to charge, is reduced to less than a full second, and is automatically removed from the wielding Guardian once fired and successfully hit. Conversely, the Mark of the Void, which blinded a player slowly, then ate minuscule portions of their health until dead or cleansed, now will darken the screen in about 10-15 seconds, then kills the player instantly.
 * The Titan Mark of the Nexus Undone can be earned through this Strike.