Just to be completely clear, we are absolutely still in the Fallen Act. It just so happens that the villains in this chapter are the Hive. To progress the story. Sound good? High five? Good. 'High fives reader'. I do not own Destiny or its characters, ideas, ect. If you have a comment or critique, please leave a review. Enjoy this chapter!
God bless, JPLegends
Act I: Fallen
CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Dark Within
Alec, Chloe and Titus ride their ships above the clouds, beginning a brief on the mission ahead. "Mission brief," Titus begins. "After our esteemed hunter killed Riksis, the Vanguard began a hostile takeover of the areas beyond the Steppes, namely the Mothyards and Forgotten Shore."
"You flatter me," Alec responds. "What did they find?"
"Fallen everywhere," Chloe responds. "Primarily scavenging for parts."
"Recently, we've been getting reports of movement in the old Skywatch, Lunar Complex," Titus responds. "Massive amounts of movement. And it hasn't been disturbed prior to our takeover. Which means, we disturbed it. It's our job to find the disturbance and take it down if necessary. We'll touch down in the Steppes as to not attract attention to ourselves" The ships dip down below the clouds and head down into the Steppes, transmatting them to the surface. Alec looks up to see the three ships pass by and dip above the clouds. The orange-dipped sunset sky sets the mod for the mission, and makes it quite beautiful as a light snowfall hits the dirt. The team begins moving, quickly moving into the Mothyards. The rocky, carved slopes of mountain in the distance with a field of crashed airplanes with a foreboding screeching sound of Fallen Devils. And off in the distance is a large rectangular building sitting atop a small mountain, with a satellite sticking out of the top.
"That's the Skywatch." Alec said, in disappointing shock. He remembered during the Golden Age when the Skywatch of Russia was in charge of the biggest missions. Settling Mars, charting maps, they even created a few warminds, which have apparently been all but lost. Just the thought of those things gave Alec shivers, the computers in charge of Earth's doomsday weapons, which are about as effective as they sound. Unfortunately, the Darkness severed the connection between the warminds and the weapons. Titus grasped Alec's shoulder, as if knowing what Alec thought. Alec appreciated the gesture, but found it hard to be endearing when there was a massive shotgun in his hand. They continued moving, crossing the plains at a brisk pace with barely any Fallen presence. From the sounds of gunfire across the canyon a little bit away, Alec came to the conclusion the Vanguard were hard at work against the Devil bulk while they are on the op. They continued up the dirt path and across the mountain top where they were about to enter the Skywatch. Out of nowhere, a team of Fallen Devils appear.
"Devils!" Alec shouts. One Captain and four Vandals, and they screech at the sound of Alec's voice. The trio take cover as the Vandals open fire. Alec and Chloe pop out of cover, firing at them. They successfully down two Vandals and Chloe throws her grenade, killing the other two. Titus leaps from his cover and charges to the captain. Alec runs forward, throwing a knife at the Fallen. Its shields are lowered a fourth, enough to rip attention from Titus to Alec. Alec jumps to the side, avoiding fire while firing back supported by Chloe, effectively removing both Alec and the captain's shield. Titus moves in and punches the captain in the back of the head, knocking it down and finishing it off with the shotgun.
"Vanguard, this is Titus-6 from Skywatch Op," Titus calls into the radio. "Fallen House of Devils presence confirmed. Armed and dangerous. We'll update you on our position as we move deeper. Over." The team takes the opportunity to reload as Cayde responds back.
"Skywatch Op, this is Vanguard Cayde-6. Your position is notified and will be kept in note for future patrols. You're clear to go. Over." Titus nods and leads the way into the building. Dark narrow passageways and buildings await them, with damp walls and puddles, muddy floors too. But there appears to be no Fallen to be had. Eventually they find a stair case and head down a level, revealing a dark room with a closed shutter door. Alec has Hades scan the terminal at the door while Titus updates the Vanguard.
"Skywatch to Vanguard, there has been no other presence of the Devils," Titus says. "We're continuing to move. Over."
"Titus, I advise you watch your back," Cayde responds. "The area beyond is off of our charts, no signal. Possible Darkness Zone. Watch your back." Titus readies his shotgun as the door opens and they see nothing. Absolutely nothing. At least in this room you could see certain things, but it certainly isn't bright. It's just pitch black on the other side.
"Onyx, light this up." Titus commands. His black shell ghost appears and shines its flashlight into the room. Aside from the black wispy gas floating around the room, what immediately stood out is a black, papier-mache like nesting on the ground, walls and ceilings. Ornamented with green crystals, that did not make the room any brighter. "Oh God no." Titus says, walking in. Alec and Chloe follow. Alec was horrified to find that the entire hallway was filled with this stuff. "It's a nest!" Titus says, looking around. "Onyx, transmat me some explosives. This place needs to be scorched. The Hive are on Earth."
"The Hive," Chloe asks, like she's about to throw up in her helmet. "Is that possible? They've been completely silent since the Moon. Why are they on Earth?"
"Good question, but that doesn't matter," Titus says. "They need to die." Alec detected venom in his voice. He couldn't guess where it was coming from. Assuming it had to do with him being there for the campaign on the Moon, ending in disaster. Alec kept a calm head, thinking to himself. Titus is right. If the Hive is here, they cannot be allowed to live.
"You've fought these things longer than we have," Alec says, gesturing at the nests. "What's procedure?" Titus looked at him with a grin.
"I like the way you think, Alec," Titus says. "If there's a nest here, then there's a mother who spawned it. A Wizard. We need to find the area where the movement is coming from and kill the Wizard assigned to this colony. Along with the entire colony, of course." Titus pumped his shotgun, a shell landing on the ground. "The colony should be up ahead. Keep quiet. Be careful. Stay behind me and when they see us, scatter." Titus raises his shotgun and the trio head up the hall and up some metal stairs. They reach an office, dim black all around. And then they hear a wicked screeching, followed by the appearance of three triangle positioned emerald eyes. Then six. Then twelve. Then forty-eight. Then, sixteen thin, skeletal creatures with the three eyes charge at them, their three fingered hands charging with electricity. They have a black and white hue to them, screaming at the top of their lungs while charging in a cluster straight for the trio.
"Thralls," Titus yells. "Scatter!" Alec didn't have to be told twice. He dived straight out of the way and watched as Titus pumped lead into the Thrall. About eight of them were down when, they leaped at the exo, slashing at him with their claws. Titus winced, shields dropping and dropping his gun. The Thralls leap on him like a pile game.
"Titus!" Chloe yells. She and Alec raise their guns and begin to shoot at the Thralls. Their ghosts illuminate the scene around them while Hive chatter and screeching begin to sound.
"Allak'hul nabba chu lar ak nu'rabba!"
"Crota snich'eg def'lau hanche duestch!" Quickly, the Thrall whittle down to three. Then, an object hits Alec's armor in the arm hard. He screams and dips into cover, checking the wound. A purple line, steaming. He peers his head to see three skeletal, yet thicker looking creatures with the same three eyes and priest-like rags. They hold weapons that fire a silver-purple substance that clank as they hit cover. Blades? Alec looks to see Chloe under fire as well and Titus crush the last Thall's skull as the creature disassembles into rock and dust. The exo gets up and charges at them, firing at the center Hive. The center Hive is killed and the other two turn to target the new threat.
"Alec, the Acolytes!" Chloe yells. Alec gets up and fires two quick rounds into the Acolytes. They drop to the floor and disassemble. Titus aims his gun into the next room as Hades begins to speak.
"I'm detecting a Wizard in the area!" Hades yells. Titus charges into the room, shortly followed by Alec and Chloe, who immediately come under fire. After losing half their shields, they duck into cover and look at the scene. Ten Acolytes, six Thrall and a creature in a ragged, dress looking outfit with a red cloak. Its helm forms horns and a red crest that hide the three green eyes It opens its mouth filled with sharp, short teeth, letting out a horrible cry. It hovers and floats away to the left as the brood attacks.
"Gotra," Titus yells. "Spwan of Eir. Alec, you keep them busy. Chloe, keep the medium. I'll going after the spawn!" Titus runs out into the six Thrall, much more prepared. Firing with one hand, he blows three of them away as the others close in. He catches one Thrall's hand as it slashes, throws it into another Thrall and shoots them. He ends with a knee to the last Thrall's head. Five Acolytes move to surround Gotra, the Wizard while the other five begin to target Titus. Alec pops out his head and fires as Chloe charges for the middle of the room. He downs two Acolytes and the other three get his attention. He leaves cover to a better position to his right, under attack by the creatures the whole time. He grabs his new grenade and throws it in between the group. The grenade splits into fragments that seek out the Acolytes. Two die instantly, while the confused third is picked off by Chloe. Alec charges forward. Alec and Chloe shoot at the Acolytes surrounding the Wizard, taking apart three.
"Chloe," Titus yells. "Scorch the Wizard!" Chloe is surrounded in solar light, filling the room with a bright yellow light as she throws a fireball at Gotra, throwing away her shield. The Acolytes cower in terror as Alec finishes them off and Titus finishes the creature with a shotgun. One final scream, and then she falls to the floor with a thud. Silence, heavy breathing. The calm after the storm. Titus puts his foot on Gotra's head, crushing it. "I recognize her," Titus says. "This wizard came from the Moon." Alec thought what he said was so ridiculous he could not believe Titus kept a straight face. "We need to warn the Vanguard." Titus begins to walk for the exit. Then Alec grabs his arm, stopping him.
"This is rich coming from me, but you were kind of reckless on the battlefield," Alec says. "What's with you and the Hive?" Chloe looked at Alec like he went insane. Titus simply turned and spoke.
"I suffered through every single second on the Moon," Titus says. "I watched Guardians die at Crota's hand. I watched my fireteam die when that monster slaughtered them all. I lost three months of my life and dignity in that war. And know the same is about to happen on Earth!" Titus looks around and sees his Guardians, then sighs. "I know you see me as an idol that you're supposed to live up to. I try my best to hold that position. But the truth is, Twilight Gap killed me. The Moon, killed me. Every single raid I led and failed, killed me. I don't lead in big events, because I have a tendency to get my crew killed." He looks around and his deep, automated voice quavers. "I didn't want this." And they walk away.
What if I made a James Bond series on Fanfiction? Carte Blanche seems like a good start. Modern setting, updated lore and combat. MI6 isn't even involved! But it would take a while considering I don't own Carte Blanche so I would have to buy Carte Blanche. And read it. And form a plot out of it. Yeah, not exactly an easy ride.
