S1-70
The Iron Tomb

2:17 PM
11/09/3204

Planet Earth - Low orbit

Music
none

"We're en route to the Plaguelands." Michael reported. "What's the mission briefing?"

Shiro-4 was on the comms. "When the Splicers started fusing SIVA into their systems, they created a massive network to control the nanotech. So, just like they took down our sensor grid, we're going to take down theirs. That should neutralize SIVA long enough for you to enter the replication complex."

"This is where my fellow Iron Lords sacrificed their lives." Saladin added. "You must stop the flow of SIVA now and forever, no matter the cost."

"The Iron Lords will soon be at peace, Lord Saladin. We will make sure of that." Spyglass proclaimed.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Lords' Watch

Music
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - Bryyo Ice

"There are a lot of Splicers between you and that replication chamber, Guardians. Stay alert." Shiro-4 transmitted.

"We're on it." Michael acknowledged, checking the mag of his Spitfire LMG.

Before they went, Mark-18 jumped into MF-8472's hand as she placed him into the cockpit, transferring the controls to him. "[Pilot detected. Validating protocols.]"

"The Splicers have built a fortress to protect the entrance to the complex. Shortsightedly, they decided to use the reactor in an old oil tanker as a power source. That's going to be our ticket." Shiro-4 reported.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Giant's Husk

They entered the next sector, and dealt with the Splicers. "{Picking up a strong energy signature nearby.}"

"That'll be the reactor. Swapping the fusion cells should knock out the network for a few minutes. Defenses, replication, everything."

"You want us to cross-circuit the power supply. That is a good strategic option." Spyglass agreed.

The Fireteam headed into the old oil tanker nearby, finding a base of operations for the Splicers.

Mark-18 joined them too, disembarking from MF-8472 and leaving her in Guard-Mode. "[Monarch Auto-Titan online. I will watch your back, Pilot. Engaging Guard-Mode. XO-16 armed.]"

"{OK. Pull the fusion cell, and switch it with its counterpart.}"

Michael took out quite a few of the Splicers with his Spitfire LMG before downing a Captain as Spyglass destroyed the Servitor with his Mag Launcher.

Mark-18 went to one of the fusion cells and pulled it out before circling around to the other side and placing it in the slot, causing a violent reaction. "{Ok. Tinkering with an unstable Golden Age reactor infested with SIVA? Child's play.}"

Mark-18 pulled out the other fusion cell, circled back, and inserted it into the slot, triggering an explosion on the outside of the oil tanker. "{Wow, that was fast.}"

"Maybe, but it won't last."

"Move, Guardians! The SIVA replication complex awaits!" Michael ordered.

City Hawk 723 headed out through a nearby door that fell open. "The Iron Lords' original plan was to destroy the replicator in the SIVA chamber. Jolder's explosion apparently only damaged it, so when you reach the chamber, you will need to finish what she began." Saladin transmitted.

"{That won't stop the Fallen from using the SIVA they already have.}"

"There's more than one battle in a war."

"Yeah, I would know, Shiro. I've been in some."

"I know, Michael."

Mark-18 switched MF-8472 into Follow-Mode, ready for more action. "[Understood. Following your lead, Pilot.]" Around the corner came a Monarch-class Titan. Mark-18 jumped into the cockpit as it opened. "[Monarch systems transferred to Pilot.]" The Fireteam crossed over into a new sector, with no Fallen to kill just yet.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Doomed Sea

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the next new sector just seconds after entering the Doomed Sea.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
The Archon's Keep

A nearby building exploded as the Fireteam came into the area. "{What was that?!}"

"Saladin said the Fallen couldn't control SIVA. I'm guessing that disrupting their hold on it is having some adverse effects."

"I wouldn't celebrate too quickly." Saladin stated.

"Neither would I." Samus added.

City Hawk 723 headed into the building on the other side of the sector, being careful of the molten metal flowing through dug-up channels along the ground, with Mark-18 having to disembark since MF-8472 couldn't fit through the doorway. "[Engaging AI-Mode. Guard-Mode activated. Protocol 3.]"

"Only a few of us reached the Replication Complex. The worst of Rasputin's defenses had already blanketed this entire area. Frames. Constructs. Some things I haven't seen before nor since. They felt no pain. No fear."

"{All we've seen so far is Fallen.}"

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Archon's Forge

There were more Fallen in the area, and Michael cleared them out with three Satchel Charges. "You're packing some heavy duty explosives, Michael." Mark-18 commended.

"Satchel Charges: remotely detonated explosive Pilot ordinance."

"I gotta get me some of those."

The Fireteam proceeded through a break in the wall, entering another sector.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
The Warrens

Music
Metroid: Other M - Sector 2 Main Theme

"Last time, his presence was almost physical. I think he was trying to communicate, but... we did not understand."

"{How can you be so certain Rasputin won't get involved once we're inside?}" Michael's Ghost asked.

"The Counsel still believes Rasputin to be simply a Warmind. He hasn't been that for a very long time."

There were more Splicers in the area, meaning more for the Fireteam to kill.

Further up ahead was a ventilation shaft, torn open and surrounded with SIVA. They crawled through it, with their Ghosts illuminating the path.

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Site 6

They reached the end of the vent, and there were more Fallen Splicers waiting for them.

After a bit of weaponized clean-up, the Fireteam was clear to advance. "{So when we stop the production of SIVA, because it'll be that easy, what about who's controlling it?}" Asked Jack's Ghost.

"I have some leads on that. Fallen chatter about some crazy Splicer priest who wants to play God. I'm kind of with Saladin now though. Zealots can take a back seat until the heavy lifting is done." Shiro-4 responded.

There was an active terminal nearby, and Jack's Ghost floated over to access it. A nearby door opened, granting the team access to the rest of the area.

In the room ahead were more Splicers, and a Servitor. Samus cleared out the Servitor and a Vandal with the Golden Gun, leaving the rest of the Fallen to be killed off by a Fist of Havoc from Michael.

Saladin got back on the radio. "The replication chamber is beneath you. Look for a way down."

"Well, it's in plain sight. Don't need to look for it." Michael remarked.

One by one, the Fireteam jumped down the opening in the floor, falling into a new area.

"{Why aren't there ever stairs?}"

"Not sure, Ghost. But here comes the ground!" The team landed, ending up in a new area.

"You are close to SIVA's dark heart, Young Wolves." Saladin transmitted. "Be on your guard."

There were more Fallen Splicers to kill, and the Fireteam was close to their objective. As they got closer to the replication chamber, the Fireteam encountered and killed more Splicers, until they reached a large door.

"Fallen dead: check." Michael nodded, admiring his team's handiwork. "Now to destroy that SIVA replicator."

They went on their way inside, nearing the chamber. "I did what I could to protect their resting place. But I knew what would happen if someone found it. We were touched by the Light. I... I didn't even know someone with the Traveler's gift could die... until they did. Find the replicator, and deactivate it. Only that will stop the flow of SIVA once and for all."

In the replication chamber was a LOT of SIVA. Hanging from the ceiling were three bodies, covered with even more SIVA. "{Those things on the ceiling... I'm detecting DNA. They're... human.}"

"Human? That's not possible." Shiro-4 didn't believe it.

"I'm sorry, but it is. My helmet is scanning them now." Eventually, the results were displayed. "Those bodies... They're Iron Lords! Felwinter, Jolder, and Gheleon! Ghost, blow it up."

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Site 6
(!) Darkness Zone (!)

Music
none

The blue-shelled Ghost interfaced with the control console. "{Entering self-destruct.}"

Suddenly, a swarm of SIVA particles surrounded Felwinter's corpse.

"{What's happening?!}"

Just then, the voice of one of the dead Irons Lords was heard, but it was distorted and unintelligible.

"No! it can't be!" Saladin shuddered with dread in his voice.

The corpse was suddenly rocketed up, dropping the Iron Lord's weapons, which Michael went over and picked up.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Iron Battle Axe

Music
Destiny - Iron Tomb

A SIVA-infected Iron Lord corpse dropped to the ground, crashing down just in front of Michael as his helmet got the ID.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Remnant of Felwinter

"{That thing... It's using the Iron Lords' armor!}" The Iron Battle Axe lit up in flames along the blades, and Michael knew what to do.

With the Iron Lord weapon, Michael slashed and smashed the corpse, but was knocked away and into a wall. The Remnant of Felwinter turned to destroy the rest of the Fireteam as Michael recovered from the impact, seeing the Iron Battle Axe wedged into the floor. The flames were dying, but Michael had an idea.

He rushed over to a fire stand, watching as the fire streamed into the weapon, rekindling its flames.

As Samus fired off charged Ice Beam blasts and Super Missiles at the Remnant of Felwinter, seemingly doing nothing, Michael rushed back into action and eventually finished the job.

Michael [Iron Battle Axe] Remnant of Felwinter (Devil Splicers)

Fallen Splicers arrived as the other two corpses were lifted into the ceiling and dropped back down as SIVA-infected undead warriors.

SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES

1: Remnant of Jolder
2: Remnant of Gheleon

Samus was unable to deal significant damage to the corrupted Iron Lord bodies, but could kill off the other Fallen as Michael dealt with the remnants.

Spyglass went in to distract the Remnant of Gheleon and Mark-18 diverted the Remnant of Jolder's attention, with Jack and Sarah helping to kill the Fallen.

Michael, Mark-18, and Jack released Nova Bombs on the Remnant of Gheloen as Samus and Sarah used Golden Guns on the Remnent of Jolder. The Supers did a fair amount of damage, but nowhere near enough.

Eventually, Michael managed to kill the Remnant of Gheleon, causing the corpse to dissolve into cinders.

Michael [Iron Battle Axe] Remnant of Gheleon (Devil Splicers)

Before another move could be made, Michael was killed.

Splicer Captain (Devil Splicer) [Shrapnel Launcher] Michael

Mark-18 picked up the Iron Battle Axe and focused on killing the Remnant of Gheleon, eventually doing so as Spyglass brought Michael back.

Mark-18 [Iron Battle Axe] Remnant of Gheleon (Devil Splicers)

Music
none

"Young Wolves, finish this." Saladin transmitted.

Michael rushed back to the terminal, letting out his Ghost to complete the sequence.

Music
Destiny - Young Wolf

SIVA tendrils suddenly sprouted out of the ground around the terminal as the chamber shook violently, with explosions all along the walls.

"{We need to go. We need to go very fast.}" As they ran out, Mark-18 grabbed something and dropped the Iron Battle Axe, which Michael quickly picked up and brought with him.

SIVA tendrils were spraying out of the ground and the walls, with the explosions causing widespread damage.

Along the way, multiple Repeater Shanks appeared to try and stop them, but were easily passed or destroy, in no way impeding their progress.

Eventually, the Fireteam escaped the replication chamber, making it before the door closed.

Music
none

The replication chamber exploded, and the job was done. "Well done, my Young Wolves. SIVA is gone, and the Iron Lords are at peace. Return to the Iron Temple. You have earned your reward."

1:39 PM
11/09/3204

Planet Earth - Old Russia
Iron Temple

Music
Destiny - The Last Iron Lord

The Fireteam approached Lord Saladin, who stood in front of a large tree within the Iron Temple.

"The SIVA replicator is destroyed. We found this near it." Mark-18 held out a severely damaged Iron Lord helmet, which Saladin took.

"Thank you. She would be honored."

He then walked back, looking at the statues. "My brothers and sisters, I will see you again. Someday." The lone Iron Lord turned to look at City Hawk 723. "You've given them back to me." Lord Saladin then placed the helmet on an altar, then picked up a few swords. "Approach."

The Fireteam approached Lord Saladin.

"There was a time that only Iron Lords carried these blades. There are many like them in our armory, but these ones are new. They are yours, Young Wolves. You are the first of a new generation. Take your places as Iron Lords."

Each member of City Hawk 723 took a sword, examined it, then turned toward the center of the shrine, holding them in their hands, and gently touching the sharp tips of the blades to the ground.

The Rise of Iron is complete, and SIVA is no more.

See you next time... Iron Lords.