Hoff's world was suddenly flipped upside down. Next thing he knew, his Ghost had revived him at the base of where the Tower meets the outer wall. He had just completed a three month project that proved his hypothesis about Vex energy capabilities and had the results in a weaponized set of gloves when some sort of explosion had tossed his lab bench up and into the ceiling with him between them, squishing him like a bug. He stood there for a moment with his arm outstretched like he was reaching for a dear friend but instead of his sleek, one of a kind gauntlets all he saw was a fleet of Cabal; their sides painted red like a dying star and a flagship that filled up the sky.
"DAMN YOU CALLUS!"
The Ghost appeared by his side: "Actually, Emperor Callus was overthrown many years ago in a coup by an officer named Gha-"
"Nobody cares Flo! Can you transmit anything that we had up there?"
"Sorry Hoff, it's all gone." As Hoff opened his mouth she added: "The ship too."
"DAMMIT!" He yelled as he kicked some rubble in front of him. "What do I have?"
"Your Hive set and ammo."
Hoff nodded and willed his helmet to appear around his head. A handgun with the husk of a hive knight groweled as it materialized in his hand. Looking up he observed the endless assault ships and troop transports flying overhead. The city watch had finally begun firing back, the storm was lifting giving both sides a clear line of sight at one another and although they fought valiantly, the watch was clearly outgunned. Down a short distance from Hoff one of the guns was hit, smoke billowing from the gear box.
"Well, until the ground troops reach us I guess I'll just fix that the best I can. Keep tabs on our comms Flo, I want to know when the Vanguard rallies and where to meet up. Someone's got to know where to go to kill the guy in charge."
"His name is Gua-"
"Yeah Glen whatever." Hoff began running towards the gunning crew. "Can you get a read on that flag ship?" He commented as the large monstrosity began to shift and unfold. "Its getting awfully close to the Traveler."
"Its not a combat vessel, it has a specific purpose. I have limited range on my comms but I can alert Ghosts nearby of the possible threat. Whatever I pick up I promise to pass on to you."
"Keep me posted." Hoff opened a panel in the floor of the wall and began ripping out spare parts with the strength only a Guardian possessed. "Hey you!" He shouted at one of the crew: "Grab the toolbox and start tearing out everything that looks broken! We have work to do!"
"EYES UP GUARDIAN!"
Eks woke up in a street near the entrance of the Tower. Guardians and civilizations alike were running madly every direction as the sky screamed with ships and dog fighting. A Titan grabbed him under his arm and brought him to his feet.
"CABAL SURPRISE ATTACK! THEY WILL BE HERE ANY MOMENT! BRACE YOURSELF!"
Sure enough several troop transports came down and began dropping a landing party. The Titan began to burn with light, and a hammer appeared in his right hand.
"PREDICTABLE."
He was flanked by two Warlocks who likewise tapped into their light reserves: the power of the Void flowed around their arms into their hands. Several more Guardians came out through the entrance and the city watch present began moving the panicked citizenry away but the Titan stopped them.
"NO! LEAD THEM INSIDE TO THE SHELTERS BELOW! MY BREATHREN AND I WILL NOT LET A SINGLE ALIEN THROUGH! BROTHERS! SISTERS! GIVE. NO. GROUND!"
And with a mighty roar he ran out to meet them. The Cabal captain had just enough time to give a challenge roar back before the Warlocks released the Void upon him and the rest of the first wave. As the second wave touched down the Titan was already amongst them, sowing confusion and disorder within their ranks. The remaining Guardians had formed a perimeter, and were slowly expanding it to accommodate for the flow of citizens seeking shelter. Eks found cover and began moving to find a weakness in the perimeter to fill. Sure enough, on the left flank several Psions had gathered and were trying to get behind them. Eks concealed himself in a still-intact-noodle shop and let a grenade loose but didnt stop until he was on the roof. By that time the grenade had done its work, and he easily picked off the stragglers with his rifle. Satisfied that the only witnesses to his position were dead, he moved on to a better spot to cover the defenders. He found a point further up the wall that let him view the main battle for the Tower. He could also see many other smaller battles from here and helped where he could. For those running from danger he provided covering fire. When the Fire Team at the entrance was getting pushed back he targeted the bigger threats until they recovered. His only problem was his ammo reserves, which were dwindling fast.
"Wisp! What can you tell me?"
"My communications are severely limited to sources immediately around us so everything is coming in rapidly from a 'grape vine,' Hoff and Adron-9 are near, many calls from various Ghosts requesting backup and ammo, the city watch is already sealing off bunkers that are at capacity and- hold on, transmission coming in from Zavala with orders for a broadcast boost!"
Static like a radio game from Wisp before Zavala's commanding voice came through:
"People of Earth, the City is under attack from the Legions of the Cabal Empire. Orders are as followed: All citizens are to head for their designated bunkers as quickly as possible, City Watchmen are to provide cover for the citizenry to do so. All gun crews are to focus fire on the ship enveloping the Tower. All anti aircraft teams and available ships must regain air superiority until that thing is dealt with. Guardians not providing protection to the bunkers are to rondevuse to the Tower immediately. Guardians at the Tower will hold them off until we have the means for strike teams to dismantle their chain of command. The Young Wolf has already engaged their commander, let's not keep him waiting on backup! Zavala out."
Eks could see the defenders at the Tower give off a cheer before going back to their work. By this time the Tower entrance had many more Guardians defending it, and everywhere else was clear of the locals.
"Let's meet up with the Vanguard. We are covered here without my help."
"Eks! Above you!"
Looking up, Eks saw a Cabal gunship spinning out of control down and into an office complex. The supports groaned and gave in, but Eks was already out of the way. As the dust settled he observed the mountain of rubble before him.
"Well, we could go over, but I'm picking up a heat signature near the base of the building. We could go around and help?"
"Let's do that, will only take a few extra minutes."
And with that, the Hunter turned and made his way back into the dust and battle, nervously eyeing the unfolding monstrosity of a ship in the sky as it approached the Traveler.
Hoff had repaired the artillery gun and two others. That didn't stop the Cabal from blowing them up again but they did some damage before getting turned to slag. Flo had played Zavala's message so they linked up with a small band of watchmen and civilians who were trying to get to the tower. They were running down an alleyway with Hoff fanning the hammer at the rear. A Cabal hound squad had picked up their trail.
'They claim to be honorable, yet they attack the defenceless.' He thought in disgust as he emptied the chamber into the handler.
'Honor for them is just winning.' Flo commented back. 'Turn left here, you should recognize this street.'
He did in fact recognize it. They were in visual range of the Tower now.
'Another squad coming up behind us! They are chasing a hunter!'
Hoff shouted to the group: "Run straight for the Tower! The Vanguard will help! I'll hold them off!" The two watchmen looked at one another hesitantly but he added "You two as well! You aren't safe yet!" And with nods of thanks they broke away into a sprint. Hoff put his empty hive cannon into its holster and brought out an equally disgusting hive pulse rifle which gurgled happily in his hands. A moment later a Hunter dashed around the corner and spun around to stand beside him. He didn't recognize her, but judging by her gear she was younger.
She dropped a mag and sent another into a scout rifle: "Hey beautiful! Come to rescue me in my time of need?"
Hoff laughed and replied: "They call me Lord Charming! Let's make a steady retreat to the Tower shall we? I'm covering for a group ahead."
She nodded and opened fire as several Legionnaires turned the corner. They hid behind shields but the Hunter stung their hands enough for Hoff to vaporize them when they let their guard down. Slowly the duo moved back. Hoff fell once, but the Hunter dragged him back for a quick revive. They were almost there but the numbers were becoming overwhelming.
"RUN!" Hoff shouted as his anger and impatience boiled over and his body burst forth a storm of electricity. He laughed in hysterical euphoria as he rose skyward: incinerating ships and troops alike as he let loose his power directly under the Traveler's light. As he rose he turned, and looked on as the Cabal ship locked itself around the Traveler. A shockwave went out of it and it knocked Him out of the sky, his body sent tumbling over the block and down towards the street below.
'How?' He managed to think just as the street came up to meet him. His world went dark again, but this time, it was permanent.
Eks stared in disbelief. the Traveler was captured. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks as the power he had known for hundreds of years was suddenly stripped from him, Wisp falling beside him. He could barely breathe, but he scrambled forward and grabbed her before diving behind the wreckage of a bus. He looked at her in his cupped hands as her eye blinked feebly.
"Eks... I'm sorry but... I dont think I can bring you back if you-"
"Don't be sorry Wisp, we both knew our day would come for us eventually, and you have done more than your fair share of saving Humanity." He choked out. Eks hesitated for a minute but removed his helmet and set it to the side. Gunfire erupted outside as a band of Guardians let out a defiant war cry.
"If we stay here we will be found Eks, I can sense them swarming this position. for once, I dont know what to do."
Eks laughed and smiled at her one last time. Standing up, he placed his helmet back on. picking Wisp up, he placed her in a magazine pouch on his chest.
"Now Wisp, we aid our friends and face our enemy as Guardians of the Last City. I am glad to have you by my side."
