"There are two more sync plates, just like this one, in either direction. If we divide into teams of two, we can keep the Vex away and get the gate open," Master Jal stated as he pointed to the plate behind the team. A red ring of data was erected on the plate. "So, who are the teams?" Brian asked. Isaiah spoke up, "Clara and I can take a plate," he said. "Brian, you will cover this plate with me," Master Jal said. "I guess I have the hunter..." Dakota said with a sigh. "What's that supposed to mean?" The hunter asked after shifting to a defensive stance. "Oh, nothing," Dakota replied with a chuckle. "Come on, we'll take the plate at the bottom of the staircase," Dakota ran back down the slope, and soon, the hunter followed. "Come on, sis," Isaiah said before running to the sync plate on the overlook. Clara followed close behind. Down at the lower plate, Dakota locked a new magazine in his auto rifle. He turned to the hunter, "What's your name?" The warlock asked. The hunter checked the sights of his scout rifle, "Aiden Daniels, but just call me Daniels. Yours?" "Dakota Jones," the warlock replied. The three plates were synced with each other, causing the red data rings to get replaced with white rings. In the center of the basin, a Vex structure began to form. "That's the gate key, lady and gentlemen!" Master Jal exclaimed over the radio. Soon, several Vex transport clouds formed around the stronghold. Vex goblins, harpies, and minotaurs dropped onto the ground and began their assaults on the three stations. "Here's where the fun begins," Daniels said as he trained his rifle onto the nearest Vex. Dakota glanced to the hunter, then began firing onto the assaulting robots. Master Jal and Brian stood back to back, pumping shotgun shells into the goblins. Robotic limbs and Vex data milk quickly littered the ground around their plate. "Master!" Brian yelled as he began to reload his shotgun. His partner spun around, then force pushed a hobgoblin off the cliff. "Watch it!" Clara screamed to Isaiah. She threw a fusion grenade over her brother's head, and plastered it to a minotaur that was trying to sneak up from behind. The grenade exploded, breaking the Vex's shields and damaged its head. Isaiah spun around and pelted it with a machine gun! Dakota and Daniels stood back to back, gunning down Vex! Dakota would toss down firebolt grenades, whish spiked the robots with unimaginablely high temperatures. The hunter occasionally drew knives and threw them straight into the mind cores if the machines! A large minotaur marched for the hunter and warlock. Neither Guardian was paying attention, so the behemoth of a Vex was able to sneak up. With one arm, it flung Dakota into a wall, incapacitating the warlock. "Dakota!" Daniels yelled as he watched the warlock bounce off the wall. He reloaded his scout rifle, then spun around! His eyes got huge as he traced the height of the Vex. He began shooting nonetheless. Soon, Daniels was killed from the volley of void fire! The minotaur took over the left sync plate. The nearly complete spire began to slowly deconstruct. Everyone watched in disappointment as their gate key slowly fell apart. Dakota tried to push himself up. His arms were trembling. He willed away his helmet, then coughed up some blood. He looked up at the minotaur, and at Daniels' ghost. He swollowed, and was breathing deeply. He got to his feet, then unloaded on the Vex! The shields finally broke, and with all his might, Dakota force pushed the bot down the stairs. "On your feet, Hunter!" Dakota said as he revived the Guardian. The sync plate quickly switched back to their control. "The spire is forming again!" Master Jal shouted happily. At the center plate, Brian and his partner were being surrounded. The Vex were desperate to keep the spire from activating! "I have a plan, Master, but we'll have to do it on my mark!" Brian shouted. "What is it?!" Master Jal asked as he propped his back to Brian's. "We let the Vex get close, then we [b]both[/b] jump in the air and toss down Nova bombs!" Brian replied. "On your mark," Master Jal said. "3... 2... 1... Now!" Both warlocks jumped into the air. Brian pulled back his arm and gathered void energy into his hand. He threw his arm out, casting a void singularity that devoured the Vex! The two warlocks gracefully glided back down, just after the bomb dissipated. Master Jal looked at the scrap that scattered the site. "Wow! That... worked!" He exclaimed. Oddly, the number of Vex dwindled. The flood of enemies were now retreating. A strange, magical sound echoed off the high cliff walls, and a bright flash lit up the area. Everyone turned to look in the center. The spire had formed! And now, it was firing a beam of white light into the center of the gate! The three teams converged just ahead of the Vault lock. Thundering sounds of gears activating deafened any other sound. Soon, the angular plates of the round door began to swing open, tucking themselves behind the plate "above" it. The Vault was opened! Everyone took a breath, and stared into the cave tunnel ahead of them. Deep in there, thousands of Vex swarmed. Deeper still, Atheon; and now the team was one step closer to defeating him. Master Jal took point and stepped through the open gate. Brian was close behind him. Daniels sheathed his knives, then patted Dakota's shoulder before entering. Clara started to walk in, but Dakota caught her arm. "I don't what's down there, but be careful. Stay close to me if you have to. I don't need you hurting yourself here," Dakota said. "Thanks, that's sweet. But we shouldn't keep the only two Sunsingers together. Don't worry, dear, I'll be fine..." Clara replied before walking into the Vault. "Dude! That's my sister!" Isaiah exclaimed as he stopped in front of Dakota. Dakota sighed and looked away from his friend. "Isaiah, it was 'funny' the first few... hundred times. Now, it's just annoying..." "I know, it's why I keep doing it!" Isaiah replied. The warlock looked ahead to make sure Clara was too far away to hear. "So... Are you sure you want to do it here?" He asked. "Yes, I'm sure," Dakota replied. "How do you plan to do it?" Isaiah asked. "Are you, boys, coming or not?!" Clara exclaimed from the deep in the tunnel. Isaiah looked to his friend, then rushed on down. Dakota turned around and made sure nothing tried to sneak up from behind. He slowly walked backwards, keeping his Red Spectre trained on the mouth of the cave. Once the warlock deemed it clear, he spun around and ran for the group. The gate slowly closed behind the team, locking them in.