[b]The Defense Part 3[/b] With that Delta pressed the button next to the elevator and the doors opened with a loud ding. The fireteam filed into the elevator and Delta surveyed the buttons before him. “It looks like we are on the top floor,” he said. “There are three more below us labeled office, research, and vault.” “I think we should split up,” said Adriar without hesitation. “I’ll take the offices.” Delta was surprised at Adriar’s sudden initiative, but his plan made sense. “Alright,” said Delta, pushing the first button. “We will each take a floor. Signal us if you find anything.” Alex nodded. “Will do!” said Adriar as the elevator began to slow down. The team aimed their weapons as the doors opened. The area seemed clear and Adriar stepped out into the array of offices and cubicles before him. “Good luck,” said Delta after him, and the doors closed. As they descended to the next floor, Alex cocked her hand cannon. “I’ll take the next one,” she offered. “Let’s see what kind of projects these guys have been working on.” “Be careful,” said Delta. Alex smiled beneath her helmet. “I’ll try,” she replied playfully. “Perhaps you will have to come save me again.” Delta caught her tone. “I will if I must,” he answered, grinning. Alex punched him lightly in the arm with a short giggle as the elevator began to slow. They aimed their weapons as the doors opened. Before them stretched a large circular room filled with various projects and work stations, much like the one Delta had found in the bunker some time ago. Alex stepped out cautiously. “Happy hunting,” she said with a quick glance back at Delta. He nodded and Alex stepped forward as the elevator doors closed. Delta was now on his way to the vault. He became eager to find out what kind of secrets they were hiding. He lifted his Mida and activated the heat sensor and radar pulse features that the gunsmith had attached for him. The elevator began to slow and Delta adjusted the scope on his Mida. The door opened and he stepped into the subsequent hallway, aiming down sights. Before him stretched a hall with several metal doors on either side, equipped with security locks and keypads. To the left and right were two more hallways, nearly identical to the other. Delta was about to move down the center hall when his ghost stopped him. “Wait!” it said. “Left hallway. Multiple light signatures detected.” Delta nodded. “Good work.” It had never occurred to him that The Defense might have more than one ghost held captive. How many guardians did they have leverage over? As they went down the hall, the ghost spoke again. “It’s coming from the room on the far right.” Delta approached the metallic door that stood in his way and glanced down at his radar pulses. This room was bigger than the rest. “Can you get us in?” Delta asked his ghost. The ghost materialized next to him. “You know I can,” it answered, and started zapping the keypad. There was a beep and the door opened. The ghost retreated to Delta’s helmet as he entered the room. It was a very advanced room with various work tables and monitors that were no doubt used for research. Delta took it in and his eyes fell on the back of the room. He gasped when he saw the ghosts. There were five of them, each suspended in midair by an energized shield. Beneath them were the containment modules where small screens displayed status and names. As Delta made his way to them, the ghosts began to flail around. They must have been trying to talk to him, but no sound came through the shields. “Don’t worry I’m going to get you guys out of here,” he said, looking down at the modules. He could see the names of the guardians these ghosts belonged to. Valix, Lassiter, Kane, Solomon… Delta’s artificial heart dropped when he saw the last name. Adriar. “You weren’t supposed to see that,” said a voice behind him. Delta swiveled around and raised his Mida with lightning speed. In the doorway stood an Arabic woman, dressed in a lab coat and bright red heels with short, black hair. “Who are you?!” asked Delta. The woman shrugged. “I guess I’ll tell you since you aren’t getting out of here alive anyway.” She gave Delta an evil grin. “My name is Doctor Yara Sayyed.” Delta’s eyes widened. “Sayyed… like Yazan Sayyed?” Yara raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You know of my ancestor?” she asked rhetorically. “I suppose that makes sense. He did build you after all.” Delta took a step forward, putting his finger on the trigger, but Yara held up her hand. “I wouldn’t try anything stupid,” she said, beginning to pace the room. Delta paced opposite of her to keep an equal distance between them until he stood with his back to the doorway. He could escape out the door, but he couldn’t leave without the ghosts. Yara knew this. “I have been watching you since the day you were raised from the dead, Delta,” she said. Delta didn’t like it when she used his name. It felt unnatural. “After the stunt you pulled during the Collapse, we thought you would never be seen again.” She put her hands on her hips. “I decided I wanted to see you for myself, so I lured you into the bunker. I was hoping old Fox pointed you in the right direction. I have been looking forward to this for a while now.” Delta remembered the bunker and how Foxtrot fell protecting the Key Blade. “But… Foxtrot died,” he said. “I know,” said Yara. “That was a shame, but it got you here did it not?” Delta became angry at the thought of his fallen brother. “You risked the Hive retrieving their weapon, and let Fox die, just so you could get me here?!” Yara shrugged again. “We have been meaning to give the Hive back what is theirs for some time now, and Foxtrot knew the risks, but the fact that you defeated the Keeper Knight actually threw a wrench in our plans. We have people cleaning up that mess as we speak.” Delta glanced at the captive ghosts. “You mean your enslaved guardians,” said Delta. “Yes,” said Yara plainly. “They do as we ask, and they do not die. It’s a simple arrangement.” Delta eyes narrowed. “So what’s to stop me from putting a bullet in your brain and freeing those ghosts?” That’s when he heard the click of a loaded weapon. “That would be me,” said a voice behind him. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/225836329/0/0]Part 4[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]