[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] “What do you want, Magnate?” Avery’s stare was as icy as the air they breathed, challenging Derik to answer. “That-“ Derik began, still fighting to catch his breath, “That man was surrendering!” He stopped to gasp for air. His throat stung, and he leaned over to spit out some of the mucus that was building up in his mouth. His calves and ankles burned from the strain of plowing through the snowy field. Avery waited patiently for him to recover, briefly turning her attention to Saul, “And you, Chanely?” Saul put up a hand, “I-I just-phew-followed ‘im, m’Lady…” Derik straightened, ready to continue. His anger had faded during the trek to Avery, leaving him with a clearer sense of purpose, “That man surrendered and you shot him.” “Yes,” Avery confirmed. “Why?!” Avery’s metallic face was as expressionless as ever, but he could tell she was beginning to get irritated. She was getting tired of him questioning her decisions. “Because,” Avery explained, as if she were speaking to a child, “He was a threat.” “How?!” Derik barked, spreading his arms in disbelief, “He was surrendering! He had no gun!” Avery opened her mouth to reply, but froze as the sharp retort of gunfire reached their ears. All their heads turned to look to Flats. Their makeshift army had already reached Natalia’s ridge. They were scrambling around the hill like frantic ants. The gunfire continued for several seconds before all went silent. Brenon took a step towards the town, “We’d better-“ Avery held up an arm, cutting him off and blocking the way, “We won’t be any help. Powel, get over there and report back.” “Yes ma’am!” Powel grunted, immediately breaking into a jog for Flats. Avery lowered her arm and fired commands, “Vilenye, lead the way. Lerit, in front of me. Brenon behind.” The guards rushed into order while Daedalus shuffled to Avery’s side. Avery tilted her head to Derik, addressing him as if he was nothing more than an afterthought, “We’ll walk and talk, Magnate.” Vilenye struck out ahead of them, tracing a path through the snow while the others followed. Saul and Derik hurried to fall into line next to Avery. Derik looked anxiously at the ridge, watching Powel close the distance. Jennifer had been leading the way. He hoped his friends weren’t in danger. “That’s why, Magnate,” Avery said. Derik turned to her, not understanding, but she clarified for him before he could ask, “That’s why I made Brenon shoot the man who surrendered.” Derik glanced at Brenon over his shoulder. Sure enough, the scout had the sniper rifle propped on his shoulder. The killing weapon. Brenon seemed like he wanted to say something, but Avery kept speaking. “That man could have picked up any weapon,” she listed, “No doubt there are several up there, and ammunition to spare. His own gun was probably lying at his feet. He still had the high ground, and all your friends had left their cover. They were in range and completely exposed.” Derik couldn’t think of any way to respond, but Avery didn’t give him a chance, “He could have killed twenty men before we stopped him. Or thirty. He could have forced a retreat. How long would it have taken that man to realize it?” Derik kept his mouth shut. “And now we know there were more than one,” Avery recited, “Imagine how many they could have killed. How many would we have lost taking that hill? And if the villagers realized we were losing? How many would have rallied?” “Traveler…” Saul exhaled shakily. Avery still wasn’t done, “And if we managed to take Flats after that? Fighting in the streets like at Coal; a gunman around every corner. How many would be left?" "I get it," Derik muttered. The orange glow of Avery's eyes burned into his skull. "No," she declared, not wavering for a moment, "You don't. We’d lose too many. We wouldn’t have enough to take Fairmont. We’d die trying or give up. And if we went back home, would Lady Natalia leave us alone and sit in her castle like a good little princess?” She paused, seeming to be expecting a response. Derik thought of his options for a moment before giving in, “No…” Avery was on him like winter itself, cold and relentless, “No. She’d take her territory back. Then she’d rally support. Strike back, she’d say. There’s no shortage to the power-hungry men that flock to her. We’d be defenseless. No more support from Rotan’s sector. We’re all just another tyrany to them. Daedalus’ towns are already on the verge of rebellion. He has no control over them.” Daedalus sighed heavily, but didn’t deny her claim. Avery had opened the flood gates now, and words spilled out of her with merciless precision, “Hilton wouldn’t welcome us back. Avery, the Warlord who got everyone killed in a pointless war, came back with nothing, then lost her whole territory. Natalia would find Hilton defenseless, falling apart from the inside, and take it, killing off the last of us. And then everyone would be left in chaos, struggling to fill the power vacuum under the rule of a Warlord spread too thin to hold her territory. The Fallen you’re so scared of would sweep through here unchallenged and slaughter your precious innocents.” Avery stopped, seeming to inhale slowly through her steel mouth. They were left in relative silence, listening to the sounds of their boots sinking into the snow as they trudged on. Daedalus was staring down at his feet, the wrinkles on his face deepening in a sullen frown. “She’s right…” Derik looked back over his shoulder. Brenon, the one who had spoken, was trailing behind them, his eyes downcast dejectedly. His guilty hands fussed over the murder weapon. “Don’t waste time regretting,” Avery stated. Derik couldn’t tell who she was talking to. “Don’t question me again, Magnate,” she demanded, “I’m getting tired of it.” Derik licked his lips, then parted them slowly before giving the only retort he could think of, “That still doesn’t make it right.” Avery didn’t look at him this time. Her eyes remained locked forward. “Stop thinking about what’s right,” she instructed, “And start thinking about what’ll keep you alive.“ Now Derik looked at his feet, watching them turn up small mounds of white powder, thinking of a reply, “I’m…gonna die someday. No matter what. What’s right…is keeping Humanity alive.“ He saw a flash of orange as Avery glanced his way. “Hm…” Daedalus grumbled, “I suppose that’s poetic…” They were quiet for a moment more, then the old Warlord added, “But also…very naive. And foolish.” Avery made an odd sound, like a grunt or a huff, “More than you know.”