[b]The Ketch[/b] “We are nearing the drop zone!” said Daelic. “Get ready!” Delta, Ross, and Alex loaded their weapons and switched their visors to night vision. It was the middle of the night, and it was storming hard. The warship groaned and slowed as it neared its destination. The muffled sound of thunder could be heard just outside. “Here we go!” yelled Daelic. “Disembark in three… two… one!” Lights flashed and the ramp lowered as the ship came to hover above a clearing just outside of Old Chicago. One by one, the three guardians jumped off the ramp and landed in the tall, wet grass below. The ramp closed and the warship flew away. The trio adjusted their visors as the rain came down on them mercilessly, and the coms buzzed to life. “I’ll be circling the area,” said Daelic through the radio. “Send word once you require extraction.” “Will do, Daelic!” shouted Alex over the harsh wind. “Come on guys! The ketch’s last known location is two miles from here! Don’t let a little rain get in your way!” A barely audible grunt of disapproval could be heard from Ross, and Delta was eager to get a move on. These weren’t the best of conditions, but the storm seemed to calm Delta’s mind, and he was determined to successfully complete his first mission. They marched across the swampy landscape along the outskirts of the long dead city of Chicago. The rain never stopped, and the thunder rolled continuously. They were silent stalkers under the cover of the mighty storm. They could barely see each other at all through the torrential downpour, save for the soft glow of their visors in night vision mode, but the holographic navigation system in their helmets kept them on course. Delta clutched his new Galahad-E as the terrain became rockier and footing became unstable. They had started to climb uphill. Delta wasn’t sure where they were going, but Ross knew exactly where he was. Alex and Delta soon fell in line behind him as the climb got steeper. “If the ketch is still here, we will see it just over the next ridge!” yelled Ross through the howling wind. Sure enough, Delta could make out the dark outline of the ridge just up ahead. They slowed as they reached the top, and Ross motioned for them to get low. The three of them each peeked over the ledge, in order, Ross, Alex, and then Delta. Before them stretched a massive, rocky clearing that was illuminated by a huge Fallen ketch bearing the banners of the House of Devils. “Looks like we found our ketch!” observed Delta. “Yes!” answered Alex. “But… something is wrong!” Both Delta and Ross surveyed the ketch once more, but could not find the problem Alex saw. “There’s nothing here!” tried Ross. “Exactly!” Alex yelled, the storm nearly drowning out her voice. That’s when Delta realized what Alex was talking about. The ketch was there, but no Fallen. None. The area was completely devoid of life. Alex began to explain. “Usually there are some patrol squads and sniper guards on the lower deck!” she yelled. “But look! Not a single soul to be seen!” Delta’s curiosity kicked in. Where had all the Fallen gone? Yet another question in need of an answer. [i]‘Well,'[/i] thought Delta, [i]‘there’s no time like the present.’[/i] Delta stood up and looked over the edge. “You idiot!” Ross yelled. “What are you doing?! They’ll see you!” Delta ignored Ross. It was clear the site was deserted. No one was there to see him. He could see the bottom. The drop was steep but not so steep that Delta couldn’t slide down. Without a second thought Delta jumped off the ridge and began his descent towards the ketch. “This is why I don’t like newbies!” he could hear Ross say as he slid downward. The rock and dirt was dreadfully uneven and Delta nearly lost his footing several times, but he eventually made it to the bottom. He looked up and saw the two Hunters following him down the slope. Delta turned his attention to the ketch. It was utterly massive, but not very menacing without the presence of its keepers. The lower deck was exposed, and a single ramp was resting on the ground, surrounded by a large number of supply crates. Delta guessed the Fallen must have been in the process of loading their cargo when they decided to just disappear. Delta moved in to inspect the crates as Ross and Alex neared the bottom. They seemed fairly normal. Most contained ether supplies and various tools, but when Delta peered behind one of the larger stacks of supplies, he was surprised to find a very gruesome scene. Before him laid a pile of Fallen bodies, all of them ripped to shreds, ether everywhere. Delta was shocked. All he could do was stare at the horrific sight. Ross and Alex had caught up to him now and could see his look of dismay. “Delta. What’s wrong?” asked Alex. The wind was much softer below the ridge so they could hear each other a lot better. She turned the corner and took a step back in shock. “Oh my god…” Ross laid eyes on the Fallen last, but he did not seem phased, just surprised. “Well,” he said. “That’s not what I expected to find.” Ross began to pace while Alex inspected the bodies. “What could have done this?” said Alex in disbelief. “I don’t know,” answered Ross, “but I’m not sure I want to find out.” Delta finally snapped out of his shock. He had seen dead Fallen before. He had killed them himself. But this… this was brutal. He looked back towards the ketch. Not a single Fallen showed itself. “I think we should take a look inside,” said Delta, gesturing towards the ketch. “Are you crazy?!” said Ross. “They’ll kill us!” Delta thought for a moment. “Something tells me there’s no one left to try.” Alex looked at the ketch and then back at Delta. “I think you’re right,” she said. “Oh no,” said Ross, clearly annoyed. “Not you too.” Alex punched Ross in the arm. “Ow!” he exclaimed. “What was that for?” Alex smirked and cocked her hand cannon. “Don’t be a coward Ross. Lead the way Delta.” That shut Ross up real quick. Delta obliged and walked up the ramp onto the lower deck. There was still no sign of anymore Fallen on the deck or inside the cargo bay. The trio went straight through to the central door, which opened automatically. “This has to be a trap,” muttered Ross. “Perhaps,” said Alex. “But for who, I wonder?” They continued down the main corridor until it split into two. “What now?” Ross wondered aloud. “I’ll go left,” said Delta. “You guys go right.” He felt a hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure?” asked Alex. “You don’t have to go alone.” Delta was slightly annoyed but appreciated the concern. “I can take care of myself.” Alex smiled. “I know.” She turned and headed down the corridor to the right. “Come on Ross!” she called behind her, and Ross followed suit. “She seems nice.” Delta nearly screeched at the sound of his ghost’s voice. He had completely forgotten he was there. “This is going to take some getting used to,” said Delta as he turned left down the second corridor. “My apologies,” said his ghost. “I’ll try not to scare you again.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/224950217/0/0]Part 2[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]