S1-202
Interception
6:13 PM
02/11/3274
The Tangled Shore
Spider's Safehouse
Music
Destiny 2 - Tangled Shore
After several hours of finding and exterminating Wrathborn across the Shore, with the exception of a heavy Shank that had been disabled for reprogramming back at base, Michael returned to the Spider's hidden bunker, accompanied by Spyglass and Mark-18. "Anything new, Crow?"
"Just some startling reports." The Crow stated, looking over a few papers in his workshop. "Spider says the High Celebrant's found a way to infiltrate the Dreadnaught. The Shadow hasn't been able to narrow down a precise location. And given the effect the Cryptoliths have on him, I'm sure he's a bit preoccupied vomiting occasionally while phasing in and out of existence. Not sure what exactly these Cryptoliths are doing, but it's really hammering down on him."
"That worries me." Mark-18 whispered, shuddering.
The Crow shook his head in sympathy. "I don't know the Shadow that well, but if what I've heard is true, then his army could suffer a huge power vacuum if he were to lose to Xivu Arath."
"I have just received an alert." Spyglass stated, drawing his SMG. "IMC landing zones across the surface of Earth's moon are under attack by abnormally augmented Hive combatants."
"Spider says we can't risk unfinished business, so… this little detour will have to do." The Crow asserted as he started making another Cryptolith Lure. "While you were gone, Arrha did a little scouting on Earth's moon. He thinks Xivu Arath is attempting to smuggle Wrathborn into the Frontier via vehicles manufactured by the IMC, presumably to sow chaos among the Guardians there."
Michael nodded. "Got it. We're heading out."
6:18 PM
02/11/3274
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Archer's Line
Music
Destiny - Archer's Line
"Without a Cryptolith in Awoken territory, Xivu Arath is relying on the Hidden Swarm for new recruits." The Crow explained as the trio approached the entrance to the Hive fortress. "You'll need to find the Wrathborn she's using as field commanders and take them down."
"The Lure is ready." Michael reported as the device went back into transmat storage. "And my weapons are locked and loaded."
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Hall of Wisdom
There were Hive in the area, as always, so Michael and co. had to deal with them. Thankfully, Mark-18 cleared them out with the detonation of a Warmind Cell. The Seraph then slid a new magazine into his sidearm before holstering it and attaching a new magazine to his depleted rifle.
"So THAT'S why you tried to give me a new weapon?" The Crow questioned. "I'm starting to see why. Your combat technique won't always afford the time needed to reload, so swapping weapons seems like the smarter option."
"Yeah." Michael replied, affixing a new magazine to the underside of his Spitfire.
The Crow chuckled. "I might be interested. Just... don't assume everybody's methods are the same, though."
"Need to know whether you prefer to keep your distance or get up close and personal." Michael added.
"{Uh… Michael? We've got a problem.}"
"What's wrong, Rocco?"
Rocco gestured a part of his shell toward the organic tower up ahead. "{It's back.}"
Indeed it was. The Cryptolith had reverted to its original, undamaged state, brimming with soulfire once more.
"That… That's impossible! Samus vaporized that thing only yesterday!" Michael was stumped at the sight before him.
"I will add this to the mission report. These Cryptoliths appear capable of regenerating at exponential speeds." Spyglass stated, approaching the tower.
Mark-18 readied his weapon. "Let's just deal with these Wrathborn for now. We can worry about the instant regrowth later."
"...Right." Michael then got out the lure, planting it before the Cryptolith.
It was the same as before. But instead of a Fallen Servitor, it was a Hive Ogre. And instead of corrupted Fallen, there were Hive soldiers.
"Hive Wrathborn incoming." The Crow reported flatly. "Look at it. Like an animal twisted in wire. How could Xivu Arath do this to her own?"
"Probably a similar reason as to why Oryx added Hive to the Taken." Michael remarked, tossing and detonating a Satchel.
"Who?"
That one word made Michael realize something. "Right. You're new. You've never heard of Oryx. We'll tell you another time."
"{Heads up! Wrathborn on the run!}" Rocco exclaimed.
Michael turned his attention back to the Ogre just in time to see it vanish. "If the Wrathborn are attacking IMC landing sites on the moon, then it must be trying to head back to the surface to regroup with other troops."
"Your assumption is correct." Spyglass stated, kneeling down to inspect the lingering energy trail. "This trail leads back the way we came."
The Crow was back on the line. "Yeah, I'm seeing another Cryptolith out here. You might wanna hightail it to Sorrow's Harbor."
6:21 PM
02/11/3274
Earth's moon - Ocean of Storms
Sorrow's Harbor
Music
Destiny 2 - Necropolis
After reaching Sorrow's Harbor, Michael and co. were greeted by Hive getting their Worms handed to them by an Ion's Splitter Rifle.
"[Over here!]" Clad in white armor plating was Michael's Ion-class Titan, XS-9365.
And at her feet stood Crow, who looked up at the Titan in awe. "Whoa…"
"XS! Good to see you again." Michael said as he stowed his Spitfire.
"[It certainly has been a while since I've last been in the field. But now's not the time to stall. Protocol 2.]"
Michael nodded. "Uphold the Mission. Let's do this. Spyglass, the Lure is yours. Mark, ready your SAW. Crow, help with the smaller enemies."
XS-9365 knelt down on one knee to pick up Michael and place him in the cockpit. "[Control transferring to Pilot. Power supply ready.]"
"Cryptolith Lure deployed." Spyglass stepped away from Cryptolith as it descended partially into the ground and glowed with soulfire. The weakened Ogre from earlier appeared, only to be met with a Laser Shot straight to the forehead, finishing it off.
Music
Destiny 2 - Apparitions
With the Ogre dealt with, a new Hive Wrathborn appeared. It was a giant Knight with a Hive Splinter and the same sort of protective aura as Savek.
SCANNING…
NEW ENTRIES
1: Dul Arath
Retainer of Xivu Arath
Hive troops began appearing from their green circles of esoteric soulfire energy.
Crow tried to line up a headshot with his pistol, only for his target to get taken out by Spyglass's SMG before he could pull the trigger.
The Lightbearer quietly let out a curse before facing the Vice Admiral. "Am I getting slow?"
"Head or body, do not hesitate to take the shot if you're sure you will hit your target." Spyglass advised him as he shot down three more Acolytes.
As Mark-18 detonated another Warmind Cell to clear the general area of lesser combatants, Michael utilized the Vortex Shield to try and fling the Solar Splinter shots right back at Dul Arath. But there were no physical ballistics to catch, so all it did was block the energy bolts. Thankfully, XS-9365 was taking in some Hive energy from one of the slain Wrathborn, causing it to mix with the kinetic energy in the Splitter Rifle, and Michael unloaded it on full spread.
"XS, what's our status?" Michael asked.
"[Power systems operational. Bodyshields holding. Laser Core is at 90%.]" Suddenly, there was a clambering noise in the cockpit. "[Guardian on the hull.]"
"You alright in there, Michael?" It was the Crow.
The ace Pilot turned on XS-9365's external speakers. "I'm fine, Crow."
"This thing is incredible!" The Crow was amazed by the sheer strength of the machine he was riding.
Michael couldn't keep a grin off his face. "This is a Titan. The one I'm using is an Ion. And if you think it's incredible, you should see the other classes."
The Crow had to move over so the Ion's Acolyte Pod could deploy, allowing Michael to hit Dul Arath in the shoulder with a Laser Shot. "I just might."
"Lesser enemies cleared out, Michael!" Mark-18 reported. "Take it down!"
After slapping the Hive Splinter out of the giant Wrathborn's hand, Michael caught its retaliatory fist, then hit a weak spot in its armor with the Laser Shot, allowing him to tear the arm out of its socket. The Crow watched as the Ion Titan used the severed arm to knock one of the Wrathborn's legs off the ground before jabbing the receiving end of the Splitter Rifle into its chest and emancipating its insides, crippling it.
Seizing this opportunity, the Crow aimed his hand cannon at Dul Arath's head and pulled the trigger, firing the last round at the Wrathborn Knight.
The Crow (X)-[{?}-UNKNOWN-{?}] Dul Arath, Retainer of Xivu Arath (Wrathborn)
Music
Titanfall 2 - Uphold the Mission
"An unnecessary last touch, Crow. It was about to die anyway." An unamused Michael scolded.
The Crow chuckled. "I just shot some enemies until my gun started glowing with energy. The last bullet does the rest."
"{That gun sounds familiar.}" Rocco perked at the sound of this.
Michael then knelt down to give the Crow less of a drop as the Pilot exited the cockpit. "Spyglass, what's the status of the landing zones?"
"The landing sites across this region of Earth's moon are reporting a steady decrease in Wrathborn reinforcements. It is possible that Xivu Arath has cut her losses to preserve the army she still possesses."
"[I think she realizes that her army won't stand much of a chance against the IMC's heavy artillery.]" XS-9365 surmised.
"I'm going to have to agree with the mechanical marvel." The Crow seconded her.
"[Thanks, Crow.]" The Ion complimented, giving the Lightbearer a thumbs up.
"...it just said my name…!" The Crow whispered, his eyes wide open.
Michael then turned to Spyglass. "We should inform the Spider. Another Wrathborn KIA."
"Understood."
Another one bites the dust.
And... Yeah. HKD-1, Instrument of Xivu Arath, has NOT been destroyed here. Misraaks and his Splicers can help the IMC reprogram it.
Also, I decided to go back and rewrite what primary weapon Spyglass had; from the Hemlok BF-R to the CAR SMG, and from the Premonition pulse rifle to the Every Waking Moment submachine gun. Gonna be working on that for a bit.
With that out of the way, I will see you next time.