S1-66
King of the Mountain

11:28 AM
11/09/3204

Planet Earth - Low orbit

Music
none

It's been years since the IMC was brought back and integrated into the society of the Guardians. They may have gotten stronger, but so have their enemies. City Hawk 723 was now composed of any surviving member of Eagle-Eye 9-1, and has been identified as Eagle-Eye 9-1's successor until further notice.

"{The House of Devils is back, and they're digging into old Golden Age research labs all across the system. This isn't a simple smash-and-grab. They're on a mission. At first, the Counsel wasn't particularly concerned. At least, not until the Devils decided to move back into the Cosmodrome. Now the Devils are shifting a massive amount of resources to an area that's been dark for centuries. Normally, I'd say it's just another day. Except, what's really got everyone talking is that Lord Saladin has left his post at the Iron Banner to take care of the situation personally. Only rather than go straight to the Cosmodrome, Saladin wants us to investigate an abandoned observatory in the mountains. Very strange...}" Michael's Ghost explained.

"Well, that's something." Michael replied, curious as to what the Fallen were planning.

"Yes, it is. Move out." Spyglass ordered.

The Fireteam arrived at their destination.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Felwinter Peak

Music
Metroid Prime - Phendrana Drifts

It was then that Lord Saladin got on the comms. "A group of Fallen has captured Felwinter Peak. My team and I are en route, but we won't get there in time. I need you to secure the observatory at the top. It is imperative the Fallen do not establish a foothold on that mountain."

"We're on it." Samus stated.

"If the Fallen are working their way up the mountain, their goal is to take Vostok Observatory."

"{What would the Fallen want in an abandoned outpost?}" Samus's Ghost questioned.

"Things... better left buried."

"Hey, Michael. Can I call in a new buddy of mine?" Mark-18 asked.

"Uh... Sure?"

A carrier flew in, with a new Monarch-class Titan onboard, chassis number: MF-8472. "[I'm ready to go if you are.]"

"Guys, meet MF, my new partner. MF, this is my team."

"[Any friend of my Pilot is a friend of mine.]"

"Heh. A new Titan will be a big help." Michael commended.

The Fireteam headed onward. "There is a gondola near your location. Take it up to the observatory." Saladin transmitted. As they headed up, City Hawk 723 encountered a group of Fallen. MF-8472 opened fire with the XO-16, then unleashed a Rocket Salvo payload from her right Acolyte Pod. The Fallen were eliminated.

On the other side of a building was the gondola Lord Saladin mentioned. MF-8472 used her right Acolyte Pod to hold the XO-16 on her back as she climbed down.

Michael approached the gondola and let out his Ghost. "{Whoa! This hasn't been activated for more than 400 years!}"

"That's surprising." The Fireteam entered the gondola as it opened, allowing them a ride. As Michael's Ghost got the thing working, a Darkness Zone formed.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Felwinter Peak
(!) Darkness Zone (!)

"{With this sort of reception, it might be a touch ambitious to think we can secure the entire observatory.}"

"There's a courtyard in the rear of the facility. If you can secure that, you should be able to keep them from the Iron Temple until we arrive."

"{Wait. Iron Temple? Like Iron Banner? Iron Lords?}"

"Stay focused. There's too much at stake."

Music
Metroid: Other M - Desbrachian

As the gondola traveled on its cable, a few Fallen appeared on the surrounding bits of land, aiming the Fireteam down. "{Watch out!}" Michael took down quite a few with his Spitfire LMG and Spyglass got a few kills with his CAR SMG, all while Mark-18 gunned down more Fallen with his Khvostov 7G-0X.

"Oh, great! They brought in a Skiff!" Mark-18 exclaimed.

"{I think there's more of them!}"

"Yeah, a Fallen Skiff just arrived!" Michael stated.

As they fought, a new type of Shank was seen.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Repeater Shank

"{I don't think I like this little metal box anymore!}" A hole was suddenly blown into the side of the gondola car. "{We can't take another hit like that! Jump!}" One by one, the Fireteam jumped out of the gondola before it fell off the cable it was traveling on.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Felwinter Peak

Music
Metroid Prime - Phendrana Drifts

"{I don't understand. If there's something so important up there, why wasn't the Counsel protecting the temple all these years?}" Mark-18's Ghost asked.

"This place and its secrets are my responsibility." Saladin replied over the comms.

They encountered more Fallen further up the mountain. "{You know, this is more than a few Fallen. Just for the record.}"

"We cannot afford even one to claim what lays on that mountain."

"Right." Mark-18 acknowledged.

As City Hawk 723 made their way up the mountain, more Fallen appeared, getting killed easily. Another building further up, and even more Fallen dropping out of a Skiff.

"{Be careful. Picking something up nearby.}" Michael's Ghost reported.

"Noted."

After fighting through the Fallen, the Fireteam noticed a strange Servitor up ahead. "{Servitor! Wait...}" Mark-18's Ghost trailed off upon acquiring the Servitor's ID from Michael's helmet.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Devil Splicers
2: Sepiks Perfected

"{Sepiks Prime?! It's supposed to be dead!}"

"I know it's supposed to be dead! I killed it!" Mark-18 did indeed destroy Sepiks.

"{And there's something odd in the energy signature. It's not Fallen, but it's regenerating.}"

Music
Destiny - Sepiks Redux

"Did you say it's regenerating?! Kill Sepiks, Guardians! Kill it now!"

"Sheesh. Alright, alright." Michael was used to being given mission orders, but not as harsh as Saladin.

As Michael brought out his Charge Rifle, the Servitor teleported away. "If that's what I think it is, the temple doors will not be strong enough to hold it back! You must destroy it before that happens!"

"Got it, Saladin."

"Do not let Sepiks enter that temple!"

"[Hostile target engaged. Protocol 2.]" On the other side of the bridge, MF-8472 was fighting Sepiks, shooting off chunks of the Servitor with shells and rockets while draining its energy to recharge her shields.

"Detecting reinforcements approaching your coordinates!" Saladin reported. A Fallen Skiff flew in, releasing more Fallen into the area as the Fireteam fought them off.

MF-8472 managed to dodge attack after attack, firing a constant barrage of slugs, stopping every once in a while to either reload, fire the Rocket Salvo, or use the Energy Siphon. Eventually, a victor was decided.

MF-8472 [XO-16] Sepiks Perfected (Devil Splicers)

Music
none

"{All this trouble to break into an old temple?}"

"It's a bit ludicrous when you put it that way, Ghost." Michael stated.

Just then, a ship flew by, and Lord Saladin appeared in a burst of Light, aimed at two Fallen Vandals that came out near the door to the temple, then shot them dead. "Even old wolves still bite. Shiro, what's your status?"

Another Exo could be heard on the radio. "Circling around to make sure the area's clear. Be there in a sec."

"Well done, Guardians. The Temple is secure, now we can-" Suddenly, a loud noise was heard over the edge of the courtyard. Sepiks appeared, back in one piece and fully functional, and teleported away. "Shiro, get a lock on him!"

"I just picked up- Wait! Multiple impacts near the wall in Sector 17!"

"They're attacking the sensor grid. They must know where SIVA is! Guardians, go to the Cosmodrome immediately! If Sepiks escapes, the Fallen won't be our only problem!"

Mike-Foxtrot Eight-Four-Seven-Two (MF-8472)

Titan
Monarch

Titan kit
Assault Chip

Monarch kit
Energy Thief

Titanfall kit
Dome Shield

Core upgrades
Arc Rounds
Maelstrom
Superior Chassis

Titan Camo
Tri Woodland

Nose Art
Factory Issue

Weapon Camo
Tri Woodland

Titan execution
Energy Thief

Titan Light infusion

{[MF-8472]}

XO-16 - Arc
Rocket Salvo - Solar
Rearm - N/A
Energy Siphon - Arc
Upgrade Core - N/A

Yep, it's the Rise of Iron.

See you next time.