[b]Heyo, welcome back to another part of my story. If you've missed previous chapters, here's the index:[/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 [u]Chapter 18: [i]The Trinity's End (part 1)[/i][/u] Rorschach groggily opened his eyes.[i] Where am I? [/i]He sat up and looked around. There were wounded soldiers everywhere, some faces he recognized, and others he did not. He turned to get off of the rock he was laying on, to try and stand. He fell immediately when his two feet touched the ground. [i]How long have I been out?[/i] He picked himself up, using the rock for support, and shakily stood on his two legs. Looking around once more, he saw Greevis and Ventryx talking. His head was throbbing with pain, but he ignored it as he slowly made his way over to them. His left leg was on fire, but he continued hobbling to his Baroness and friend. Greevis looked to his direction, and noticed Rorschach making his way to him, “Ah, Rorschach, you are awake, yes?” The Dreg nodded, “Yeah, but my body feels like it’s on fire…what happened?” Ventryx spoke this time, “You were knocked unconscious by a Walker’s Cannon, but your bravery allowed us to escape. We were pushed back into the coves, however.” “Who all made it?” Rorschach asked. The Baroness shook her head, “Tizak, Maddox and Grash didn’t make it, as far as I’m concerned, that’s it.” The Dreg relaxed his shoulders, knowing that Taliks was still alive. “We are all who remain,” Greevis said, gesturing to the other Fallen. “Ash on Terra have not been heard from for days, yes. Prime and Kell have not spoken in quite some time. Rorschach looked up at Greevis when he said that, “What do you mean? You don’t think they abandoned us, do you?” “We’re not sure. All we know is tha—“Ventryx was interrupted by Jevik as he whispered something to her. She looked at the Vandal with concern, her four eyes narrowed, “Show me.” Jevik lead Ventryx, Greevis and Rorschach to a nearby cave. There were crates toppled everywhere, except for a communications capsule in the back of the cave. “We think it’s an encrypted warning, but we’re only getting bits and pieces.” Jevik explained. “Who sent it?” Ventryx asked. Taliks walked up then, “We’re not sure. It came across all channels, but the decoders have triangulated its origin from somewhere on Terra, a place the humans would call Mt. Elbert.” Ventryx froze at that, “Mt. Elbert?!” Jevik nodded, “Mhm, why?” Rorschach tuned them out as the Baroness rushed to the capsule, yelling commands and whatnot. He turned to Taliks, clicking softly. “So, you made it.” She looked back at him, and punched him in the shoulder, “What in the world we’re you thinking?! Running to that tank, you could’ve gotten yourself killed!” Rorschach put his hands up in defense of her volley, “Woah woah, woah, I was trying to help, you guys were pinned down-“ “I know what you did!” The malice in her voice rose again, then faltered, and she spoke softly, on the verge of tears, “I just…I- [i]I thought you were dead[/i]…” She wrapped her arms around Rorschach to make sure he was really there, “I was worried.” Rorschach stepped back in surprise, but then relaxed, “Oh…” His eyes wandered sheepishly to the ground, “I didn’t know you- I didn't…I’m sorry.” He returned the hug the felt a pain in his side, “Ow, Taliks, you’re squeezing me.” She stepped back instantly, “Sorry…I-“ “It’s alright, I’m alive. And from now on, we’ll stick together, ok? That way, you can keep me out of trouble.” He said with a smile. She smiled back, “Yeah…let’s just make it through this first.” She ruffled Rorschach’s tuft of hair, and turned back to the others. “So, what did you make of signal?” Taliks asked Ventryx. “It’s deciphering too slowly to make out what it is right now, but-wait, wait!” The Baroness pointed at the display screen, “Jevik, it’s interlaced with a lattice of Ash codenames, can you pick them out?” “I’m trying,” he replied, “just hold on…okay, I got it! Patching it through to all open channels.” Ventryx told everyone to be quiet, and the message played with an eerie static in the background: [i]---*static*---“This is Prelik, Kell’s Guard sending a message across all channels: I bring this grave news with a heavy heart, but the Ash must know what has happened.”---*static*---“The Prime Servitor, Sphyxis, is destroyed. The Kell, Rorixias, is dead. They have been defeated by Guardians.”---*static*---“The Ash on Terra are scattered and few and I have not seen a single one in my travels. But I know I cannot be alone. To my Brothers and Sisters on Venus, we are losing the war. There are no more reinforcements, no more Ether rations.”---*static*--- You are all that is left of the dying fire. Those who can fight, do so, leave Venus to Winter, and regroup at the Jovian moon, Europa.”---*static*--- “Seek refuge.”---*static&---“The Archon is all that remains…protect him at all costs, or the Ash will surely die…”[/i] Everyone stood in silence. The Prime and the Kell, 2/3 of the House leadership was no more. “How are we supposed to defend the Archon,” Jevik asked, “if he’s all the way up in space?” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Command room of the Ash’s Archon was full, Fallen soldiers hustling everywhere. In the center of the room, five figures stood around a holographic display console. Matthew Lief, the Kell of Iron was among the four main commanders of the Ash fleet. Matthew replayed the previously, message in his head. He was standing in silence along with the commanders. The Archon stood far from the others, staring out the cockpit of his Flagship. “Sir, you are the only surviving leadership of the Ash…what will we do?” One of the commanders asked. All eyes were on him. It was his decision that would spell the House’s doom or their survival. He spoke lowly, “Kell of Iron, can you secure my fleet’s safety if we are to save the survivors on Venus.” Matthew looked up. He hadn’t thought about the possibilities, but now that he was, he didn’t know what to do. “No,” he sighed, “my fleet is small, we would need some of your War Ketches to stand a chance, and even then, it would be miniscule.” The Archon growled, “Is there another way?” “No. The ones on the planet’s surface are doomed. Save your fleet, Sir, take them to the Jovian outpost.” Matthew paused, trying to think of a better solution. Coming up with one, he spoke slowly, “Actually, I can try to pick up the survivors on my Ketch, but I will need you to abandon your flagship and two other Ketches, to use them as a diversion.” The Archon turned to Matthew, intrigued, “What are you planning?” Matthew felt the other commanders eyes on him, and thought, “Well…what I was thinking is that we send your flagship along with two other Ketches, into the heart of Winter’s fleet formation,” he gestured to the holographic display, moving set pieces to diagram his idea. “We can strap explosives to the ion warp drives and detonate them remotely as we send the Ketches hurling to them. While they’re distracted, you and your fleet can make the warp, while I send my Ketches to pick up any remaining survivors on Venus. Assuming this works, I can rendezvous with you at Mars. If I don’t make it to the northern hemisphere of Mars within 3 days, continue on to the outpost, and I’ll try again there. “And if this doesn’t work?” one of the commanders inquired. “Then Winter’s fleet will be upon us, and we will all die.” The Archon nodded, “I don’t like it, but my options are limited. Braxis,” he looked to the commander, “abandon your Ketch onto Viquilix’s and then bring it alongside mine. Hazeick, do the same.” The commanders nodded and turned to leave the room, their capes flowing behind them. Matthew watched as the other two commanders left to their Ketches as well, and soon he was left alone with the Archon. “I will gather my fleet and tell them the plan.” He told the Archon, who nodded in response. Matthew bowed respectfully, and turned to leave the Command room. He made his way to his Skiff, where Saliks was waiting, and told him the plan. “You’re mad,” Saliks whispered, “truly mad.” Matthew shook his head, grinning, “Not mad, old friend, just hopeful.” “Call it whatever you want, it better work.” Saliks growled as he piloted the Skiff back to their Ketch. [b]part 2: [/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/179794876