Seraphim watches the Warlock as he speaks, and even after he finishes, her helmeted head does not waver. Does she suspect something, or is she simply processing the new data? "The bridge leads west," she finally concludes, with no hint one way or the other. "New information suggests preparations are necessary to encounter an enemy of greater magnitude." The Exo lets her scout rifle's sling take its weight while she unlimbers the massive Objection from her back in a rattle of chains. She checks the feed and then racks a round into place. "Preparations complete," she announces, before looking back at Sigma. "With an upgraded sensor suite, logic states that you should lead the way."

Sigma signals for her to follow, and he continues on through the Vex ruins. The recent rain shower has left a wet sheen upon the ancient geometric structures, thereby reflecting the light from the walls to create an eerie atmosphere. As they got closer, Sigma could feel a presence, a blight of a different kind that seemed to pull at his mind and his Light. He did not waver, but in the back of his mind, he knew that it would only get worse. [i]No time. Got to find the source of the signal.[/i] he thought, trying to stay focused. After several minutes of navigating the complex Vex architecture, the group made it to the source of the distress beacon. However, there was nothing left but the beacon itself; no humans or otherwise were in sight. With the dark presence now at its apex, Sigma finally realized what had happened: this was a trap, just bait to lure in unsuspecting Guardians under the guise of human scavengers. Unfortunately, the source of the Taken decided to show itself: it was a shade of Crota! A mindless facsimile of the original, it is controlled by Oryx in the same way that he controls his own shades. As soon as it appeared, it began to charge the duo, sword drawn in anger. "Get to cover!" yelled Sigma, as he leaped towards a higher alcove to stay off the ground.

Seraphim leaps as well, her form flickering as she blinks through reality. She lands atop a column, crouched. There's barely any respite, however. The entire column jerks and then begins topple as the blade of the massive Taken cleaves through it. The Exo takes a running leap and then vanishes again to appear on another portion of Vex architecture. Crouched behind cover, her programming wisely suggests that she hide. It's not the worst idea. The Warlock activates her comm systems and reaches out toward her fellow Guardian. "Suggested tactics: keep the Taken between us. One provides a distraction while the other inflicts damage. Reverse rolls when necessary. Admission: this frame was not present for the assassination of Crota. Further advice on how to proceed required."

"Crota was... predictable," said Sigma through his Ghost, "he moves and attacks in specific patterns. This Taken facsimile does not have all of the power of the original, but it likely has powers that are yet unknown to us. Anything done from here on out should be done with the utmost caution," he pauses, taking a moment to dodge away as the shade of Crota swings its blade his way. "Try taking down its shields. That should bring it to its knees. However, a sword of Hive origin will be needed to damage it, if my memory is correct." Despite his familiarity with Crota and his behavior, he had a foreboding feeling that this creature would not behave as expected. However, they should continue like this until further action can be taken.

The Warlock quickly looks about the area. She sees no other Hive, or even other Taken. "Analysis concluded that only one such weapon is present upon the battlefield. Conclusion: one Guardian disables his shields while the other charges and takes the blade from him when/if he takes a knee. State preference for combat role." It's a daring plan, and far from safe. There are no certainties, and that suggests that the estimates Seraphim's programming are coming up with are dire indeed. In short, it's a damn desperate idea, but the Exo doesn't even flinch at the suggested chances of success.

"I'll take the sword," says Sigma, "and you use your heaviest ordinance on it, and don't stop until it kneels." He gets into position, narrowly dodging blasts of dark energies. "We go on my cue." "3..." "2..." "1..." "GO!"

As Sigma reaches the end of his countdown, Seraphim whirls around her cover, lobbing a grenade at the abomination. There's a sudden [i]crack![/i] and the air blazes with lightning around the Taken clone of Crota. Before the last bolt falls, she squeezes the trigger of her massive machine gun. A whirlwind of bullets smashes down upon the creature. It's shield flashes and flares, then bursts! As the monster collapses to one knee, the Exo shouts at her partner, "Take him!"

Sigma rushes toward the crumpled form of this simulacrum, all the while feeling those nagging doubts grow stronger. Once he is close ,he reaches for the cursed blade... ...Only to have it driven through his body. The facsimile was only pretending to be stunned, in order to perform an ambush. Sigma would have cried for help, but his internal systems had been mostly destroyed. He could no longer fight, and the creature seized the opportunity. It lifted the limp Exo's body off of its blade, before raising the barely living body to the sky. The sound was like that of the world folding in on itself, and out of this fold manifested a strange orb of Taken energy. This orb sent out a tendril, which the proceeded to coil around the dying warlock. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, it disappeared along with Sigma, leaving nothing but splatters of coolant to signify that he had been there a moment before. Sigma-3 had been taken.

Seraphim slowly lowers her Objection and then leaps down from her perch. Summoning her Ghost, she instructs it to scan the area for any signs as to where they could have gone...

You are Sigma-3, a machine of Light, a warlock on a journey for answers that lie within the darkest corners of his mind. You have been taken. Lay down your weapons. Abandon your Light. Your journey is over now. What secrets do you hold? What forbidden knowledge hides within your mind that would motivate so greatly? You must know as much as you can, and more. Take this knife, it is shaped like [truth]. Take it up, and take your new shape.

[spoiler]I feel like this is a great place to close this particular adventure and set up a new one down the line.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Ok, but if we do start a new one, I'll kick it off.[/spoiler]