S1-107
Tree of Probabilities
12:02 PM
08/09/3272
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
The Lighthouse
Music
Destiny 2 - Fields of Glass
"I have reports of Red Legion activity on Mercury. Survivors from the Almighty." Ikora transmitted as City Hawk 723 landed.
"{Survivors, huh? Let's finish the job.}" Sagira added.
"I'm surprised we haven't found them before now. The Cabal never do anything stealthy." The Shadow stated.
"Whatever. Let's just get into the Infinite Forest." Michael stated.
"{Coordinates locked. Let's get to that node, then we can use the map to find Panoptes and stop the dark future.}" It was then that they managed to get past the Cabal, entering the Infinite Forest.
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
Infinite Forest
Music
Destiny 2 - The Infinite Forest
"{OK. Find another gateway and I can get us to the node.}" A simulated environment section appeared in front of them, and there were simulated Cabal on it. "{Osiris's Reflections must be searching for Panoptes too. Even if he makes a million copies of himself, I don't think he'll find him in time. We need that map.}"
They blasted through the simulated Cabal, and entered the next section, with more enemies ahead, but these were Vex. Kill enemies, enter the next section, repeat. This went on until they reached a pillar.
"{This is a combat loop; a simulation of the recent past when the Cabal attacked Mercury. The Vex must be testing alternative outcomes.}"
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
Simulant Present
It was a warzone between the Cabal and the Vex... or at least a simulation of one.
After disposing of the Cabal, they saw a large gap between where they were and where they needed to be. "How are we gonna jump that gap?" Jenny asked.
"{Maybe a Sparrow could make that jump.}"
A Sparrow appeared, and Samus had disengaged her Power Suit, revealing her Pilot armor. "Jenny, hop on." Jenny, not having a Sparrow of her own yet, hopped on her mother's ride, blasting across the gap.
As the Shadow dispersed into a black particle trail, Michael jumped off the edge, using the Warlock Glide to reach the other side. "{OK, that was impressive!}"
Michael then got on a simulated version of his customized Sparrow, riding off toward the map of the Infinite Forest.
They raced past the Cabal, over a pond of radiolarian fluid, and past a few lasers. "{Were you showing off? Listen, I already like you. You passed. You can relax.}"
Michael, Samus, and Jenny hopped off the Sparrows as Samus reformed her Power Suit. The Shadow also reformed, ready for more action.
Planet Mercury - Fields of Glass
Atlas Grove
"{The Vex must know we're after the map. They're redirecting the Cabal to destroy it. We have to hurry.}"
There were simulated Cabal up ahead, and Michael initiated a Stormtrance, completely emancipating them. At the top, they entered the cylindrical structure, which appeared to be bigger on the inside. "It's like a TARDIS!"
"A what?"
"{'TARDIS'? What do you mean?}"
Jenny and Sagira were very confused. "Bigger on the inside." Michael stated.
"That's interesting." The Shadow replied.
"{Look at that, ahead of us, that has to be the map. The Infinite Forest is a doomsday machine, but when you see it like this... it's almost beautiful.}" Wasting no time, the group terminated all Cabal in sight. A Vex teleportation particle cloud formed in the middle of the room, and a Minotaur came out of it.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Khartion
Archival Mind
"{That Minotaur is going to be trouble.}"
Suddenly, a Cabal Centurion jumped in, destroying the Minotaur.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Valus Thuun
Valus Thuun (Red Legion) [Termination] Khartion, Archival Mind (Sol Collective)
"{Aaaand he's gonna be worse.}"
As Jenny formed a Golden Gun, Samus charged a Super Missile and launched it. The simulated soldier was staggered by the massive blast, leaving him open to two flaming shots to the body and one to the head.
Valus Thuun jumped into the air, managing to get away as Cabal reinforcements arrived.
The Shadow sent out a dark slash, which disintegrated a significant portion of the Cabal.
"{He's going for the map! Hurry!}"
They managed to catch up with their target, but he got away again, leaving behind Vex soldiers, which were promptly destroyed.
After dealing with them, the group caught up to Valus Thuun, and he was defeated.
Jenny [SMR] Valus Thuun (Red Legion)
"Got him!"
"{All done. Let's get that map.}"
There was a strange Vex terminal up ahead, and Sagira scanned it. "{Scanning... I can't find Panoptes. The map's too big. I can't search it fast enough. It changes constantly. I need more processing power. There are Vex Minds on Nessus that might do the trick. You up for a hunting expedition?}" Sagira asked.
"I'll be waiting here on Mercury. You go get the Mind and find out where Panoptes is!" The Shadow would keep the area clear for their return.
Protocol 2: Uphold the Mission. It shall be done.
See you in time.