S1-190
Into the Deep
3:07 PM
11/23/3273
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Sanctuary
Music
Destiny 2 - Necropolis
After dropping off Leo and Hayden-10, Michael returned to the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, he saw Cayde and Petra enjoying a friendly conversation. "Eris, gimme a sit-rep."
"The Pyramid trembles under the weight of our progress. With every victory, we draw closer to conquering it. The spoils of Hashladûn's death are twofold. We now know what the Hidden Swarm have been using to shield themselves from the Nightmares. And where it lies. The Cryptoglyph. If ever there was a more powerful set of runes the Hive use to conjure their magics, I have yet to learn of it. Of course, to acquire it, we must delve into horrific depths. Our Cryptoglyph lies... at the bottom of the Hellmouth."
Michael let out a sigh of frustration. "Of course, it does..." Turning around, Michael saw that Cayde and Petra... were gone. Their transmitted ID signals, however, remained within the Sanctuary.
"{There's a structure underneath the landing pad. I didn't know that.}"
Michael headed under the landing pad, finding the entrance to the structure it was built atop. "Cayde, Petra, let's get..." He then realized he had walked in on something. Cayde and Petra's faces were mere inches away from each other. "...going." Face now red as a tomato, Michael put his helmet on and walked off without another word.
3:12 PM
11/23/3273
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Archer's Line
Upon reaching the initial mission site, Michael and Rocco had a chat. "{I was NOT expecting to see THAT!}"
"Cayde and Petra... are romantic partners?" Michael was just as shocked as his Ghost.
It was then that two Pilots arrived: Cayde in his Pilot armor, and Petra in a new Pilot uniform.
"Sorry you had to see that back there, Michael. Anyway..." Cayde put on his helmet as Sundance transmatted the horn piece off his head. "Eris, we're at the rendezvous site. Where to next?"
Eris Morn spoke over the comms. "The Catacombs. Somewhere within that Hive-infested labyrinth lies our Cryptoglyph. If we hope to go beyond the Pyramid's warding, we must retrieve it. But be warned. Those who enter the rotting depths of the Catacombs often fail to return. In that tomb, light does not find a way."
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Hall of Wisdom
"Sounds... charming." Petra replied as the trio entered the next sector. As Michael and Cayde shot down Hive after Hive with their Spitfire and Flatline, Petra made use of an R-201 Carbine. "I LOVE fieldwork!" She exclaimed, nailing an Acolyte in the head with a Pulse Blade.
With the sector clear, Michael nudged the Sim-Exo's shoulder. "I didn't expect you to have a romantic partnership with Ms. Venj."
"She's... Well, let's just say we have... a history together." Cayde then checked his mag. "Anyway, let's get this done and dusted."
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Circle of Bones
"{That's our entrance, over on the other side of the pit.}" Rocco stated as the Fireteam pulverized more and more Hive.
The entrance was marked on Michael's HUD. "Cayde, Petra, on me!"
Taking a new route through the old chamber, Michael and co. heard Eris over the channel. "Never are the Catacombs unmanned, as they play host to the most potent of Hive magics, including our Cryptoglyph. We know not what the Hive plan to do with power as dangerous as this."
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Catacombs
"But they must not find success. The dark rituals of the Hive pose a threat we can't currently afford to face. If their goals align with ours, it is of utmost importance they be halted immediately."
Exceedingly few Hive opposed the trio... and paid the price for it.
"One of those Hive altars!" Michael exclaimed, running ahead to secure it. Hive Thralls rushed out of the eerie black, seeking to snuff out the intruders, but these intruders were armed and well-trained.
Eventually, the door ahead opened, and a Vanquisher marched out of the room, ready to cleave the Fireteam to death. Unfortunately, Michael laid down a Satchel, then backed away, waiting for the right time to trigger the detonator. The Vanquisher was killed by an explosion between its feet.
In the next room, Acolytes stood in wait, but they were outgunned by the seemingly unstoppable trio.
Coming up on a bit of a clearing, Michael deployed an A-Wall as a Shrieker opened its shell to attack. Petra went on one knee and fired off a ball of electricity from the LG-97 Thunderbolt that's been on her back.
Eventually, the Hive, along with another Vanquisher, were cleared from the general area, enabling further progression. The trio had to crawl through a dark place littered with Hive worms. Eris was on the comms again. "It was within these depths that Crota and his brood stripped me of all that I cared for. My Fireteam... My friends... " Thralls began emerging from the waterlogged floor. "Only I remained, beaten... and broken. The guilt of survival lingers. But you must not. Onward." With the Thralls eliminated, Michael and co. made their way to the other side. The Pyramid was visible, as were additional Hive soldiers.
Area clear, Michael and his team stepped on the Hive altar, prompting even more Hive to oppose them... much to their fatal folly. Spitfire, Flatline, and R-201 rounds were fired off, piercing straight through the Hive.
Suddenly, Michael could feel his neural link fade into a sort of psychological static as Rocco seemed to have a bit of a hard time keeping his balance. "{The Pyramid... My Light... It's... happening again.}"
"Focus." Eris transmitted. "The Pyramid distracts. Nothing more. When you have the Cryptoglyph in hand, I will teleport you out."
As the last of the Hive met their end, a bridge pieced itself into existence through a sort of resonance spell. "Well, what do you know. Three Pilots against the Hive... in Hive territory." Michael remarked.
"Three Pilots, sure, but only two Guardians." Cayde added.
Michael understood what the Sim-Exo meant. Petra was not a Guardian. "Well, she underwent Pilot training, didn't she? Else why would she have a Titan?" He had a point.
"XJ's up on the surface, patrolling the edges of the Hellmouth's opening." Petra added.
"Anyway..." Michael checked his Spitfire's magazine, then started running across the bridge. "Let's get that Cryptoglyph."
As the Fireteam passed the massive chasm, Rocco began to tremble under the influence of the Pyramid. "{More Phantoms, just like those haunting Eris... Faceless Guardians watching us... They're nothing more... than a distraction.}" Eventually, everyone got to the other side, and their target was in plain sight. "{That's the Cryptoglyph. Grab it!}"
"This little thing?" Michael remarked, seeing the size of the Cryptoglyph. "It's about half the size of a Titan Battery Pack." As he reached for it, the Cryptoglyph was suddenly surrounded in a Hive force-field.
Music
Titanfall - OST 68
"Should've expected as much." Michael wasn't even surprised at the barrier that nearly severed his left hand. He didn't even flinch.
It was then that three Wizards appeared, aided by more Hive. Three IDs, yet two were the same.
SCANNING...
NEW ENTRIES
1: Scholar of the Cryptoglyph
2: Besurith
Daughter of Crota
"I have a feeling that taking down those Wizards will collapse the force-field." Cayde surmised.
"And that will give us access to the Cryptoglyph." Petra added.
Michael got on the comms. "Spyglass, I think we could use some reinforcements."
"A Spectre rack is ready for transmat."
Michael jabbed a transmat beacon into the ground, causing a large machine to appear nearby, which then deployed half a dozen Spectres, armed with EVA-8 Autos and CAR SMGs. "Spectre racked deployed, Spyglass."
"Confirmed. Continuous infantry transmat link established." A second batch of Spectres materialized on the rack before deploying, armed with R-201s and Hemloks.
With the Spectres by their side, Michael and co. mowed through the Hive to eliminate the Wizards.
Cayde [Flatline] Scholar of the Cryptoglyph
IMC Spectre [EVA-8] Scholar of the Cryptoglyph
"You get the kill, Petra." Michael offered, stepping aside as the Spectres pinned down the Daughter of Crota.
Taking a small canister off her belt, Petra shoved the small thing straight into Besurith's mandibles, followed by the Spectres stepping away. A cloud of Electric Smoke fumed out of the Wizard's mouth, swiftly killing the final target.
Petra [Electric Smoke Grenade] Besurith, Daughter of Crota
Music
Titanfall - OST 19
"Spyglass, this is Michael. Another Daughter of Crota has been eradicated. Besurith is KIA." Michael reported as he approached the Cryptoglyph.
The Vice Admiral responded. "Acknowledged. Recalling Spectres." The Spectres hung themselves up on the rack before dematerializing, followed by the Spectre rack itself being transmatted out.
"Transmat went well on our end. Did the Spectres and the rack return successfully?"
"Yes. Secure the Cryptoglyph. I will notify Eris to teleport you out." Spyglass transmitted.
Michael nodded in confirmation. "Solid copy."
Cayde put away his V-47 Flatline, rubbing his hands together to clean off the dirt and Hive dust. "Done and dusted. Once Operation Shadowkeep is over with, what say we head on over to that Italian place down in Angel City? My treat."
"Is it Hotheads?" Petra wondered. "I haven't tried it yet."
"Well, it's not Taco Bell. Lemme tell ya... the queso is just so... delectable."
As Cayde and Petra talked about their plans for dinner, Michael took hold of the Cryptoglyph. "{Eris, we have the Cryptoglyph. Teleport us out.}" No teleportation, and no radio response.
Music
none
"{Eris? Are you there?}" As Rocco tried the comms again, Hive forces appeared.
Music
Metroid: Other M - Nightmare
"{Run...!}"
"Cayde, Petra, on me!" Michael shot some Hive as the entire sector turned dark.
As the Fireteam ran through the agitated Hive swarm, Rocco tried a different frequency. "{I can't contact Eris on the old Council frequency. Something's blocking it. I'm gonna try the IMC comms.}"
The comms filled with heavy static interference, with a voice buried underneath it. "~static~ -ichae- ~static~ -ome in- ~static~ -igna- ~static~ -utting ou- ~static~ -et out of th- ~static~"
"Is Spyglass actually getting through?" Petra questioned, hearing the Vice Admiral's voice through the distortion.
Michael destroyed a Shrieker with his Charge Rifle. "IMC communication channels are a bit more... pervasive when it comes to signal interference."
"They punch through the static with more force." Cayde added.
"NOW'S NOT THE TIME FOR JOKES!"
Eventually, the trio reached the stairs leading down into the Catacombs. Their way out was at the top. "{Hold on... Sterile neutrino readings are off the scale!}"
A large entity forced its way into the sector, spewing fire from its mouth at the Hive. It was Ridley, Eye of the Night.
"Looks like we're home-free!" Michael called out. Right there, standing to greet the trio at the exit, was the Shadow.
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Circle of Bones
Music
Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded - Castle Oblivion
The Shadow's Darkscythe was secured to his back as he outstretched his arms to the sides. "Good to see you all safe and sound." The Fireteam gathered into a group hug. "So... what're the Hive mad at us for this time?"
"Stealing the Cryptoglyph." Michael replied, taking the Hive rune off his belt.
The Shadow looked on in fascination. "The Cryptoglyph of Hashladûn. You got it!" He pumped a skeletal fist into the air. "Need a shortcut?"
"To the Sanctuary." Petra requested. The Shadow outstretched a hand beside himself, opening an Ascendant rift.
"Give Eris my regards."
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Sanctuary
Music
Destiny 2 - Necropolis
The Fireteam stepped out the the Rupture, finding themselves in the Sanctuary, much to the surprise of Eris Morn. "Pilots...!"
"One Hive Cryptoglyph." Michael presented the Hive rune.
Eris left out a sigh of relief. "I thought you'd... I'm sorry. The immense darkness of the Pyramid kept me from you. But we must not waste time. With the Cryptoglyph in hand, we stand a chance against the Pyramid. Let us make use of it."
Petra Venj (Pilot loadout)
Primary
Assault Rifle - R-201 Carbine - (Extra Ammo) - (Quick Swap) - (HCOG Ranger) - (Pro Screen)
Secondary
Hammond P2016 - (Extra Ammo) - (Gun Ready) - (Pro Screen)
Backup
LG-97 Thunderbolt - (Speedloader) - (Quick Swap) - (Pro Screen)
Tactical
Pulse Blade
Ordinance
Electric Smoke Grenade
Boost
Amped Weapons
Tier 1
Power Cell
Tier 2
Titan Hunter
Execution
In Your Face
Pilot Camo
Stoic Purple
Primary Camo
Stoic Purple
Secondary Camo
Stoic Purple
Backup Camo
Stoic Purple
X-ray-Juliet Nine-Seven-Eight-Six (XJ-9786)
Titan
Ion - Prime
Titan kit
Assault Chip
Ion kit
Entangled Energy
Titanfall kit
Dome Shield
Titan Camo
Stoic Purple
Nose Art
Apex Ion
Weapon Camo
Stoic Purple
Titan execution
Random
Pilot Petra. Nice to see you.
Well, I think it's safe to say that Operation Shadowkeep is nearing its end.
Cayde and Petra? In a romantic relationship? Unexpected, but interesting.
See you all next time, guys.