Hive Mind
-Chapter 3
"ROARRRR" bellowed the two small engines of my jet-bike, hovering over the ground before them the angular nose of the bike keeping them fairly low down. Leaning left to right. Dodging destroyed tree trunks along with the giant balls of Arc energy attempting to lock onto us. Getting closer and closer to the abandoned town.
The Town stretching for miles full of old buildings, dead trees, broken down vehicles, and a tall tower in the center of it all. Today might ended up being worse than I thought.
"If we get within city limits we should be able to lose them." Allen said as he opened fire on the ship. Sending a blue train of bullets bouncing off the ship's shields, letting us know we needed to get away as soon as possible. Allen secured his auto rifle to his back and sent my ghost navigational instructions on how to get to the outpost in the city.
Once I made it past the first set of buildings I took a sharp left turn almost clipping one of the many distraught battered cars littered around the streets. After continuing straight for a little I heard a loud crash as the building behind us crumbled to the ground. I took an immediate right turn into an alleyway. Hoping that this didn't lead to a dead end. This place looks like no one's been here for hundreds of years. I don't even know if the outpost is still operational. Passing six possible exits I took the seventh on the left. Knowing I'm far from the outpost, adrenaline flowing through my brain. A ball of Arc energy crashed into a building ahead of us blocking our path further ahead. I only had one other exit and made the mistake of taking it. Whipping around that corner lead us straight into a dumpster. I braced for impact as we were forcefully ejected from the sparrow. Throwing us down the alleyway the explosion of the sparrow sending us faster and further through the air. A hard crash with some scraping across the ground wasn't to bad. Crashing into the ground at that speed shattering both our shields. Another loud smash echoes after my body's done skipping across the ground. The pain setting in I open my eyes to discover the wreckage. Ground scorched and trash scattered while on fire. Where is Allen!? My eyes quickly scan the area. My gaze arriving on an impacted car flipped over.
"Allen are you ok!?" I yelled my voice being muffled by the sound of a building crumbling and the fallen ship appearing where that building was. I use what's left of my strength to stand and as I do the ship opened to hatches on each side a group of fallen dregs jumping down. Dropping it's shields. I pulled out my scout rifle picking off a couple heads before they could hit the ground. The ones that did hit the group scattered firing their shock pistols. Two arc bullets graze my arm send volts of arc energy into my body, slowing down my movement as I jump back gliding over the impacted car. Allen jet-packed over the impacted car shooting a line of blue bullets at one of the dregs the bullets going through his body making a clean hole bouncing off the wall behind him hitting two other dregs that were headed for cover.
Landing on the other side of the impacted car, I begin shooting at the ships gun as it charged an orb of Arc. Allen continued dispatching the dregs as they rained from the ship. The ship fired the orb before the gun exploded into bits. The ball of arc hurled towards us followed by debrea. Crashing into the car in between Allen and I. An explosion of arc surged out huge bolts of arc flailing around the explosion, one bolt pinning me to the brick wall behind us. My body convulsed against the wall before another bolt tackled me through the wall.
Not able to lift myself up with the rubble piled on top of me still feeling the shock of arc still flowing through my body. Only being able to hear the sound of gunfire my vision begging to fade. I… I can't let my light fade.… Feeling my light fade away I close my eyes and try to focus on it. Attempting to be reborn in fire as the darkness snuffing out my light. Not having enough strength to accomplish rebirth I open my eyes. Barely able to make out figure walking into the abandoned office building I was currently in. The figure walked close enough to make out a Fallen Captain his grey mask glowing blue, holding a Solar Cannon pointed at my face. His shaw blue and tattered, dawned only by the house of Winter. The word Shit…. Echoed in my mind.
"Go to hell!" Allen yelled shooting the Captain, strafing to the left crushing the ruble. The bullets bouncing off the Captain's arc shield around his body. Moving the cannon away from my face, he aimed at the real threat. Allen ran at the Captain a field of arc began to generate around him as he gained speed. The Captain began backing up charging the cannon using three of his four arms to brace for the the extreme force of the Shoulder charge made the Captain fire the cannon into the ceiling. Knocking the Captain fifteen feet back and breaking his arc shield. Letting out a war cry after gaining his balance, exhaust spewing out of his grey mask with red claw marks painted across the left eye. Some of the rubble crashing in between them.
Allen took this opportunity to run over to me. I took his hand as he pulled me up to my feet. My body still feeling heavy and my shields beginning to recharge. As I grabbed my gun off my back I looked in the direction of the captain to see a bright red blast head towards us. Tackling Allen to the ground in order to dodge the blast. Laying on top of him I look down to seeing nothing but his helmet.
"Close one" I said getting a nervous chuckle from Allen. Getting to my feet quickly.
Diving out the hole in the wall landing outside the building aimed at the captain firing a few shots the bullets grazing off his shoulder bareilly causing any damage. Allen picked himself off the floor firing a line of blue bullets at the Captain. The blue bullets were the only ones the captain made an effort to dodge at all. The Captain teleported in a zigzag towards us, a kinda blue hue left in each previous point in his path. Allen ran out of the building before it started shaking, the captain not too far behind.
Hearing the sound of two sparrows off in the distance distracted me as the Captain charged another shot. Allen tried to stop him by shooting the bullets into the Captain's head. The bullets cutting right through before the cannon was ready to fire. The captain's body collapsing on the ground his blue lifeforce escaping.
"We were almost goners over one captain" Allen said as the fallen ship tried to fly away before colliding with a couple of rockets. Blowing the ship into a confetti of metal and debris.
"Other guardians?!" I said putting my scout rifle on my back and looking to the direction of the rockets origins. Seems like the outpost just became active…. My ghosts voice trailing off in my head.
Finding Lorleave with the hunter looking awfully familiar although, his name escaped me. Being able to fully see the color of his green and red nimble hunter armor. The red cape flowing through the wind as they continued driving over to Allen and me.
"Lorleave? Is that you? What are you doing this far out from the Tower?" I asked as the two pulled up, getting off their sparrows. The two looking at the destruction that we caused.
"I could ask you the same thing Lauri-Ooo, who is this strong hunk of man with you." Lorleave respond her attention focused on Allen. Mine focused on the hunter with her.
"This is Allen. Allen this is Lorleave a warlock I met earlier today at the docks." Walking over to Lorleave inspecting her sparrow, a bit longer than mine with a visor that doubles as a blast shield curved over the controls. The overall color being a dark shade of purple.
The hunter sighed before getting back on his sparrow. My eyes shifting to the Hunter. Kinda rude…
"This silent hunter is SoL. The Speaker sent us to investigate a dormant hive mound. I had to ride with this fun individual who sat in silence all the way here while I had to figure out how to even find this place." She began rambling on, "After finally finding this place we tried parking our ships in the shuttles built into the outpost but they we completely overrun with these dark creatures. So on our way back to orbit I noticed you guys running from some Fallen and decided to lend some assistance. Now here we are. What the hell are you guys even doin here?" She motioned for me to get on her sparrow. My ghost appeared above my hand before materializing my sparrow next to SoL. Allen inspected SoL seeing the weapon strapped to his hip, The Last Word.
It feels like we are being watched… my ghost's voice sent a chill down my spine.
The Hunter kept his hand on his holster the entire time we spoke this brought me to look around. Seeing the crumbling buildings that surrounded us along with wreckage. Still this unsettling feeling wouldn't leave.
"We should get moving. Now that there is four of us, we should have no problem takin out those creatures." The hunter spoke moving his hand from his holster back to his sparrows controls.
"Want to ride with me big boi?" Lorleave said to Allen suddcutively patting on her seat wanting him to drive instead of her. I rolled my eyes as I climbed onto my sparrow.
"I drive…." Were the only words Allen uttered before climbing aboard her sparrow. Lorleave shrugged as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"SoL lead the way." I said shaking my head slightly before igniting my sparrow's engine. SoL took off down the alleyway without a word.
I drive? What the fuck does that mean? Shouted a voice in my head couldn't quite tell if it was my ghost or me. He did save your life, do I smell a hit of jealousy? Now is not the time for any of that Guardian. You'll just have to wait till we get back to the Tower. The voice of the ghost lingering in my head as we speed around the corner passing the destroyed dumpster.
Driving down the streets of the Town weaving through more distraught cars following close behind SoL in a pack formation. Coming closer the huge outpost while daylight fades away. I started seeing these dark spore like structures protruding out of the buildings and the ground as we got closer. This uneasy feeling began to grow inside of me, wondering if anyone else felt it. We continued weaving through the streets using some alleyways to avoid pre-war barricades. We made one more turn before SoL come to a halt. Then radio silence ended.
"We here..." SoL said cautiously stopping out front of the outpost main entrance. The door wide open and way too dark to see into the building.
"I'm surprised by the lack of warm welcome. When we first landed this place was crawling with them." Lorleave shouted jokingly, climbing off the sparrow. Drawing out her dark green colored handcannon from its' holster scanning down the open doorway. Allen climbed off the sparrow right after her drawing his Hard Light. Lorleave attention shot straight to Allen's weapon. Looking at the advanced auto rifle with awe.
SoL gets off his sparrow his cape flowing by the light breeze. Keeping his left hand close to the holster strapped to hip as he started walking towards the door. I followed his lead drawing my scout rifle and keeping his pace. Allen and Lorleave joined us a few seconds later. The dark corridor was completely empty. Our ghosts appearing above us as a flashlight. The spores that littered the streets surrounding the outpost were glowing green all throughout the inside of the outpost. SoL kept a solid walkin pace his handcannon still strapped to his hip though. Allen watched our six lagging just enough behind to put Lorleave and I in the middle.
"Here on we stick to local COMs. My ghost says that the control room is on floor twelve. From there we should be able to start repair on this outpost." SoL said in a calm collected voice. The three of us nodding in agreement as we continued following his lead.
When did he become the leader of this random fire-team. What makes him think that he gets to be the leader. My thoughts bounced around as we scanned a couple empty corridors .
"This floor seems clear." Allen announced as we arrived at a set of elevator doors. We stopped in front of the elevator doors before SoL called the elevator. Surprisingly the elevators still worked as the number at the above the door began to descend from sixteen.
"No one finds it weird how this entire floor seems completely empty?" Lorleave questioned.
"Either a guardian has been through here or its a trap. " SoL answered pulling out his ghost to check the area.
"How do we know the fallen didn't attack this floor and flee?" Allen pipped in.
"That would explain the fallen ship that followed us. Although, the ship never made it here." I chimed in.
The elevator arrived fairly quickly, the doors open to reveal the elevator shaft was void of light and an elevator. I sighed at the sight of the empty elevator shaft.
"SoL, what floor did you say the control room is on?" I asked looking into the elevator shaft. Seeing the pit of darkness that was at the bottom sent a shiver down my spine. I looked up to see a few glowing spores that pierced through the walls of the elevator going upwards. Hearing a deathly screech echo through the elevator shaft. The sound vibrating the walls as if an aura forced itself through the building followed by gunshots.
"At least we aren't alone" SoL pulling out his handcannon, finally being able to get a good look a the legendary weapon. The warn gold plated cannon spun around Sol's finger before resting comfortably in his left hand.
Gold glyph dawned across the dark barrel of the gun. Though the gun looked warn you could still see every detail etched into the weapon. The words,"Tex Mechanica" proudly engraved close to the muzzle. It seem to fit snugly in its master's hands.
"The control room is on thirty-second floor, Lorleave you go with Allen to the basement. I'm fairly certain this place is only running on backup power and we are gonna need more than that to get this place running again. Laurina, your with me. We're going to find out who started the party without us." SoL's voice commanding with excitement hidden behind it.
Allen only sighed jumping down the elevator shaft followed by Lorleave walking up to the elevator door.
"You wouldn't guess but I'm actually scared of heights sooo-" Lorleave said hesitantly right before I pushed her down the shaft.
"She'll be fine.." I said smugly as I heard her scream of terror the getting further away.
"Was that really necessary? It's a pretty long way down to the basement." SoL looked at me his answer was me securing my weapon to my back and gliding up to one of the spores. SoL just chuckled to himself before following my lead except he didn't need to put his weapon away.
The spores were solid enough to stand on but I wasn't going to figure how long. My legs already beginning to sink. I started making my way up the shaft gliding up to each spores. Trying my best not to look down at the abyss below. SoL keeping with my pace as he could easily triple jump up to where I was. Hunters have it so easy…. I wish I was reborn with the ability to jump off thin air. The spores continued up the elevator shaft leading us to the only open elevator door at floor twenty seven. Looking up to see a wall of spores blocking our path to the other floors. I cautiously glide through the elevator door. SoL casually landing next to me before sprinting down the hallway. Quickly equipping my gun and running after him not falling behind.
Reminds me of the races with Adaline around the moon, SoL being way slower.
Sounds of gunfire getting louder with loads of footsteps heading our way. Loud screech echoed around the corner further ahead of us. A few sets of glowing blue claws ran into our light. Grey fragile bodies aggressively lunging towards us. SoL fired twice from the hip in quick succession both finding their marks. Their bodies burst to ash the bullets impacting the black skull right between where the eyes should be.
"What were those?" I asked as we continue to round the corner.
"Thrall.. wait is this your first encounter with the h-" SoL sounded a bit confused before we ran into the large group of Thrall blocking our path.
SoL double jumped over the group having enough momentum to travel clean over, killing three to stick the landing. While the Thrall swiped their arc infused claws at his heels. None being able to scratch him. Resuming his pace the thrall followed behind him.
I lagged a bit behind to throw a solar grenade in the midst of the thrall. Incinerating most using my rifle to take out the stragglers that escaped the radiance. Gliding forward to build up speed to catch up to SoL. The brightness emitting from the grenade lit our path, revealing another group of Thrall ahead. A separate squeal came from the floor above us. SoL bounced a grenade around the corner two intersections away. Landing in front of a group of unsuspecting thrall. They tried covering their heads as the explosion of Solar energy incarnated them with flash. Keeping the same pace we continued seeing the same spores blocking our path bringing our sprint to a halt. SoL reloading, his legendary handcannon like a well oiled machine. Looking around I saw a pack of blue claws come through the doorway to our right. Outstretching my palm exerting force of solar bursting the Thrall closest to me into flames. The others sinking their claws into my shields. Heads went, boom, as SoL fired his handcannon the bodies crumbling to dust. I only heard three shots yet, his handcannon was empty as he reloaded the weapon again so smoothly. My shields charging as we continue moving into the partly collapsed mess hall from where the thrall originated. More thrall oozing from the darkness around the entrance to the collapsed floor making a ramp leading to the floor above.
Followed by creatures wearing helmets with optical qualities. Seeming to lack the long fingers and sharp claws of their Thrall brethren, enabling them to wield weapons. Environment for the perfect breeding ground. These creatures must be the hive, My ghost's voice distracting me as I glide to the right managing to dodge a few shots of void fired at me. The rest being absorbed by my shield. SoL fired two swift shots into one of the, Acolytes, as they scattered around the mess hall. Bullets flying from both sides as the thrall closing the gap between us and the path to the floor above. Loud rumbling shook the whole outpost followed by another blood curdling screech. I poke out of cover to pop a couple of thrall getting a little too close for comfort with my scout rifle before to having to reload. Arc flying over the table I'm taking cover behind. A knife flies across the room landing in the head of an Acolyte. SoL leaping out of cover tossing a grenade into the darkness of the floor above. Killing a group of thrall that led the charge down the ramp. Each body falling to ash their comrades continuing the push.
"We need to push!" SoL yelled double jumping high into the air.
I watched SoL leap into the air holstering his weapon and stretching his hand to the heavens. A flash of light, drawing every eye on him, as a handcannon made of pure sunlight materialized in his hand. Firing a beam of solar straight through the coming horde of Thrall. Cutting a path for us to traverse. This golden gun made of pure solar energy rested snugly in SoL's hands. Firing the next shot of solar energy at the Acolytes lined up behind cover. The bodies floating away as they disintegrate into nothingness. After killing the Acolytes two white orbs of energy popped out of SoL, landing gently on the ground below him. My path now clear I leaped over the riddled table.
A wizard appears from the void teleporter having elaborate ancient armor wearing a long, crumbling cloak, and appears to float in midair SoL shoots the wizard with his Golden gun using the last two shots it had left. Solid lines of solar collided with the wizards stomach bursting her into flames before designating. Landing gracefully on the ground as I caught up to his position. The glowing orbs were absorbed into my body as I ran past, rejuvenating me.
"That's one way to clear a room." I joked as a few more void bullets flew our way as we entered the upper floor.
More and more Hive came out of the woodworks as SoL and I continued making our way to the control room. Mowing down each group of Hive that stood in our way. After finally arriving at the large control room we were greeted with the sight of Adaline fighting a huge Hive Ogre.
"I guess we figured out where all that screeching came from. Who's that guardian fighting that humungus Ogre." SoL asked his eyes fixed on the huntress swiftly moving around the Ogre. Dodging the Ogre's frantic swinging arms. Adaline's scarlet with gold trimmed cloak majestically flowing through the air.
"Friend of mine. Save the questions for later let's provide some assistance."
Tossing my last grenade at the ogre's feet, we join the fight. Double jumping over the Orge's angry slam down, shaking the whole building. Flames burning the Ogre's arms, stumbling back into a group of computer mounted to the wall. Moving further into the operations room, well what's left of It. Let's hope Allen and Loreleave get the generator running soon, My ghost can be such a worry wart. Another blood churning howl emitted from the Ogre. As we closed the distance Adaline glanced in our direction for a split second giving the Ogre a perfect opportunity to backhand Adaline, knocking her against the wall on the other side of the room. Shadering her shields as she hit the wall and falling to the ground. SoL and I started peppering the Ogre with bullets grabbing his attention. While the Ogre winced with each bullet that came from SoL's handcannon, my bullets seemed to only aggravate him more. The towering Ogre started moving towards us, each footstep shaking the room. Closing the distance between us quicker than we expected. Gliding backwards I attempted to avoid the smash but still felt a shock-wave pushing me further back almost breaking my shields. SoL slid in between the Ogre's legs to escape the slam. The extra push from the shock-wave sending him toward Adeline.
Changing his target the ogre turned away from the lowly warlock in front of him to the hunters regrouping behind him. Firing an my entire magazine didn't even make him flinch. Noticing my bullets were not doing much I secured my rifle to my back and used my Radiance, engulfing my body in flame. Attracting a swarm of thrall to enter the room. Tossing a grenade made from my solar energy at the entrance burned a few of the Thrall running in to the room the rest heading for SoL and Adaline, an orb of light popping out of my body. Running up and meleing a thrall while Sol took the Ogre's aggro his bullets seeming to be the only thing doing real damage. Adaline standing to her feet and reloading her handcannon. SoL shooting the ogre while running to the opposite side of the room. Allowing Adaline and I to deal with the incoming Thrall and Acolytes beginning to flood the room. With every two Thrall I killed an orb of light would pop out of my body. Adaline covered me while killing the Acolytes picking up the orbs bringing her shields back to full strength.
"Make a couple more orbs so that hunter over there can get his golden gun. I'm sure that'll deal with this Ogre lickaty split." Adaline shouted over coms.
"Seems like a plan but who died and made you the leader. I'd prefer to have that arc blade of yours to deal with all this Hive flooding in here." I complained as a thrall slashed me before I could burst it into flames. The amount of incoming hive seeming to never end.
"Oh quit your whining and keep killing until that radiance of yours ends. You'd have a better time clearing out these Hive then I would during my blade dancing."
Switching between melee and firing my rifle to kill the incoming horde of Thrall as Adaline dealt with the Acolytes that creeped in with the rest of the horde. Creating about five orbs of light while SoL kept the Ogre busy and away from us. Shooting it in the huge conjugation of eyes on its face and it legs to slow it down a bit. Once my radiance went out I strictly used my scout rifle to kill the Thrall now want them to get close to me anymore. Noticing the orbs on the ground SoL made his way over to a couple of them careful to take out any Thrall that got close and keeping the Ogre a certain distance away. After grabbing enough he leaped into the air and summoned his golden gun. Firing all three shots directly into the Ogre's eyes instantly incinerating the ogre as it let out one final shriek as it was burned away. Now it was time to focus on what was left of the hive still in the room. Which didn't take long with SoL help seeing as Adaline and I cleared out most of them.
"See was that so hard?" Adaline said holstering her weapon and walking over to the computer at the far end of the room.
"We wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't ditch Allen and I in orbit." I barked securing my weapon to my back.
"Speaking of Allen, where is that hunk of a Titan. He's the one with Hard light right? Wasn't he with you and not this Hunter." Adaline said popping open a panel and sending her ghost to examine the insides.
"Well he's down in the generator room with Lorleave turning on the power. Which should be done any minute now." I said walking over to her and leaning over her as she was kneeling down.
"Who is Lorleave and this Hunter with you? He hasn't said a word since he walked in." Adaline's tone a bit harsh as she glanced at SoL. Who just stood at the doorway making sure no more hive were lurking around. Not wanting him to hear our conversation Adaline switched to our private com channel.
"That's SoL, he's the one we saw in the bar earlier. You know the one with the legendary handcannon. So far he's not such a bad guy. Likes to keep to himself though."
"Ahh the loner type huh. I don't like those much.." Adaline said as her ghost returned to her with the information she wanted.
"That's because you both have that in common. You're just acting that way cause you've got something against hunters, don't you." I teased knowing how to press her buttons.
She quickly stood up almost knocking me off balance as the power came on lighting up the whole Outpost. The control room looked to mostly be in shambles with a few computers working here and there. One of the computers being the one Adaline was messing with.
"We should probably meet up with the others now. " SoL said aloud noticing that Adaline and I were using a different coms channel. He slowly walked over to the computer she was messing with and sent his ghost to run a diagnostic on it.
"Well I'm gonna get a move on. Meet you guys back at the tower." Adaline announced as she ordered her ghost to call her ship before heading towards the Outpost's hanger completely passing SoL.
"Whatever then.."SoL said a bit annoyed as she walked past him.
"Hold up, you can't keep lea-" Before I could even finish my sentence she was already gone.
"Is she always like that or…" SoL asked as he continued to get the outpost operational typing away at the barely functioning computer.
I didn't give an answer instead I just sighed and walked my tired ass to the elevator that I knew didn't work. After a few minutes SoL caught up with me as be made our way down the elevator shaft to the hanger we ran into Allen and Lorleave there. Although, there was no Adaline in sight.
"You just missed your friend. She seemed to be in a hurry to get out of here." Allen said as we walked up to the mostly empty hanger. Only two ships there that probably weren't functional.
"I figured. How was the generator room? Did you guys get bond like SoL and I did?" I joked calling my ship to come from orbit to the hanger.
"We had loads of fun cleaning out Thall eggs and bones to get the generator running. Luckily the generator wasn't out of juice cause none of us us any type of arc abilities or weapons." Lorleave let on a bit of irritation heard in her voice
"Overall eight out eight no room for debate." Allen jumped in shrugging his shoulder. I just laughed at the Allen's remark and SoL sighed wanting to leave this stupid Outpost already.
"I just want my reward…" SoL growled as his air ship arrived along with Lorleave's.
"Oooo I wonder what the Speaker is gonna give us for completing this mission?" Lorleave said to SoL as they boarded their ships, "I'll see you around Luarina, you too Allen."
SoL just saluted us before leaving the outpost and heading in the direction of the tower Lorleave not far behind him. Allen and I were still waiting for my ship to arrive.
"Surprised to didn't go with her…" I said into the silence as we waited.
"Oh is someone jealous now? Didn't expect you to be the type." He teased bumping his shoulder blade against mine playfully, " I came here with you and I'd like to leave the same way I got here. Plus she talks way too much"
"I'm not jealous…." Feeling my face get a bit warm I just nudged him back with a bit less force. It did bring a smile to my face though so I had to give him points for that.
"So did figure out why you're friend brought us here in the first place?"
Allen's question made me realized that she didn't give any reason at all. Which caused my to grown really loudly and stomp my foot against the ground.
"We gotta go back to the bar to find out! Damn it Adaline!" I shouted my voice echoing throughout the Outpost.
~chapter End
