S1-132
Pilgrimage
3:05 PM
07/02/3272
Planet Mars - Hellas Basin
BrayTech Futurescape
Music
Destiny 2 - Hellas Basin
"You guys clear a path while I try to find a way into Clovis Bray." Ana transmitted.
"We've encountered Warminds before, but Ikora said Rasputin was trapped on Earth." Mark-18 stated.
"Rasputin is capable of operating across multiple systems simultaneously."
"So all those times the Counsel was trying to talk to him in the Cosmodrome..."
"They were engaging fragments of Rasputin left behind after the Collapse, but his core mind was always here."
Up ahead was a familiar foe: the Red Legion, and they were being decimated by TN-9684. "[XO-16 locked on hostile infantry.]" Before long, the path was clear.
Inside the main Clovis Bray building were more Red Legion troops, and one of their commanders.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Bracus Talurn
A few well-placed shots and it was all over.
Samus [Plasma Beam] Bracus Talurn (Red Legion)
With the building secure, Ana Bray appeared. "I'm here. I'm really here. I can't believe it. Clovis Bray... I'm home."
"Home?" Michael wondered.
Immediately, Ana got to work at a nearby terminal. "The main access is encrypted. Good thing I know a few tricks. At least THAT seems to run in the family."
An automated voice was heard over the facility's intercom. "Personnel identified: Dr Anastasia Bray. Welcome to the Clovis Bray research facility, the fabled 'Cradle of Invention' on Mars. You are part of an important moment in history. Together, we will strive to reach beyond the stars. Remember, you are Clovis Bray."
"And we're in business! Looks like Rasputin's core is housed in a separate structure. Hope you're up for a little exploring."
Off they went, heading into the next sector. TN-9684 was unable to follow them because her chassis would not fit through the door.
Planet Mars - Hellas Basin
Aurora Reach
Music
Destiny 2 - Warmind
"This facility is massive!" Samus awed.
"The Brays dreamed big. I don't know much about my family, but I know that."
"I'm picking up a lot of Hive activity. They're swarming the core." Hayden-10 reported.
"On it. Let me try to access the security systems."
Planet Mars - Hellas Basin
Mindlab: Rasputin
In the next sector was what looked like a Warsat, anchored in the center of the room by an elevated platform connected to the entrance, and below were more frozen Hive. With the immediate attackers dead, the Shadow went ahead to secure the area, with City Hawk 723 following behind him.
"{What's the status on the security systems?}" Rocco asked.
"I'm working on it. Hang in there."
After clearing out the frozen Hive and running on large cables that were topped with platforms, they came across more Hive. "We have a big problem." Sarah stated.
"Come on, Rasputin! Give me something here!"
Suddenly, a burst of energy blew away a group of Hive, and Michael's helmet got a weapon ID.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Subroutine Valkyrie
Music
none
"What just happened? What is that?" Jenny wondered.
"It's... the Valkyrie, Rasputin's weapon. I think he heard us."
Mark-18 reached into the concentrated field of energy, somehow acquiring some advanced javelin.
Music
Destiny 2 - Valkyrie
The door opened, revealing a horde of frozen Hive, and the Shadow was fighting them.
Mark-18 threw the Valkyrie, causing an energy shockwave that killed a very significant portion of the Hive. The javelin then returned to his hand, ready for another attack.
A couple of Vanquishers seemed resistant, but otherwise fell as Michael's helmet got their IDs.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Ekdala Xolborne
2: Dultur Xolborne
Mark-18 [Subroutine Valkyrie] Ekdala Xolbrone (Grasp of Nokris)
Mark-18 [Subroutine Valkyrie] Dultur Xolborne (Grasp of Nokris)
Music
none
In little time, the frozen Hive were defeated, and the next door opened.
"Ana, the door's unlocked. Did you..."
"It wasn't me. Maybe he's inviting us inside. Maybe this is where questions finally turn into answers." It was then that Ana caught up with the group, and the Shadow was standing right at the final door, waiting patiently for it to open, which it did. On the other side was...
"AAH! Oh, it's just you, Shadow. You just gave me a heart attack." Zavala wheezed.
"Sorry."
"Oh shhhhhhhhanks." Ana almost cursed.
As the Counsel Golem approached, Michael reached for his stowed Spitfire. "Zavala?! What are YOU doing here?!"
"What do you think you're doing? Do you have any idea how dangerous this thing is?"
"What were you trying to do to Rasputin?" Ana asked.
"Rasputin is Counsel business, Anastasia. Not yours. You do not belong here."
"Excuse me?!" Ana exclaimed.
"You belong in the City, but instead of standing by your brothers and sisters when Ghaul came for us, you were here, doing what you always do; what you were never supposed to do!" Angered, Michael tapped Zavala's shoulder, getting his attention. Zavala turned around, only to receive a Spectre punch square in the jaw. He grunted in pain as he forced his jawbone back into place, the action letting out a sickening pop. Feeling something in his mouth, Zavala spit it out, revealing it to be a bloody tooth. "Is that really how hard your Spectres can punch?! Ohh... I'm going to be feeling that for a month..."
"Hear her out." Michael demanded.
"I did what I believed to be right. I came here to protect humanity. Isn't that what Guardians are supposed to do?"
"Yes, but-" Before he could finish his sentence, Zavala saw Michael's Spectre arm spark up with Arc Light. If a regular punch hurt that bad, then that same punch amplified by the Fist of Havoc... yeah, he shut up right then and there.
"This is a war of many fronts, and there's more than one way to fight it, Zavala. Look. You tried to shield the entire world, but you can't. There's got to be a better way."
"And you think Rasputin is the answer? It's gone silent. It's a broken weapon. Too dangerous to be left alone and too unpredictable to wield."
"That might be true. Or maybe he has nothing to say. Maybe, just maybe, we never bothered to ask him what he wanted."
"I don't have time to go through this with you again. You had no right-"
Ana interrupted"I have every right. You don't understand the connection I share with Rasputin. Here, let me show you." Before she could, an unnatural growl was heard.
"{OK, we should really figure out exactly what's doing that.}" Rocco stated.
"I can tell you." Everyone turned to Zavala. "Rasputin was not the only thing to awaken on Mars."
"You mean..."
"Another Hive 'god'."
Oh, here we go! It's Xol!
I'll see you next time.