[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/254979692/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] A single red flare hangs in the air between the approaching Skiffs, its light already beginning to sputter out. “Is that a…” Beladona’s voice sounds hollow. “GET DOWN!” The flare fades away, and the sky above us bursts open in a blossom of blue light. In the next instant the sound hits me like a cannon being fired directly into my eardrums. I scream and cover my ears, closing my eyes against the splitting pain. Strong hands grab my shoulders, throwing me to the ground. Someone else falls beside me, then the heavy weight of a person in armor presses down on me from above. I open my eyes to look and find myself face to face with Beladona. She’s lying right on top of me. Her mouth moves as she shouts at me but all I hear is a sharp ringing. “What?!” I shout back. I can’t even hear my own voice. A helmet materializes over the Huntress’ head and she brings up her hand in an attempt to cover my face. But her help comes too late. A storm of flying snow, dirt and debris smashes into us like a tidal wave. The violent spray of material pelts every part of my body that isn’t covered by the Huntress, even driving straight into my eyes. I shut my eyes against the searing pain and resist the urge to scream. Beladona‘s body shields me from the brunt of the torrent, but I can feel the wind of the shockwave threatening to tear her off of me. Her body shakes as debris pound down on her back. It’s all over in seconds, followed by a terrible stillness. My ears are still numb; all I hear is a low hum. After a moment Beladona shifts slightly. Her head slides down my shoulder to rest against the ground as she goes limp. “Bel…” I don’t have the strength left to say her name, but this time I can faintly hear myself speak. The Huntress seems to sink further into me and I think she makes a sound, but she doesn’t move. I feel her chest expand and contract unevenly with her breathing. Finally I manage to force my eyelids open, blinking to fight away the specks of snow and dirt that sting at my retinas. Stuck on my back, all I can see is what’s above us. But I can’t see the sky. A shadow hangs over the plain, shaped like the blade of a wicked dagger. It fills the sky and blocks out the sun, which has been made visible through the gaping hole the shockwave left in the clouds. I stare at the shadow in shock, unable to comprehend what it is or how something so massive could suddenly appear out of thin air. My stomach churns as I realize that the single colossal engine protruding from its side is the source of the humming in my head. It’s a ship. In all my years as a shipright I’d never seen a vessel so large. It’s terrifying. Light flashes in front of my face and I flinch as a Ghost materializes before me. It focuses its glowing blue eye on me. “The rock.” “Wha-“ I don’t understand, still struggling to clear my head and overcome the array of pains and aches covering my body. At least my ears are working well enough to hear now, if only a little. The Ghost comes closer and raises its voice, spinning its shell in a way that somehow conveys that this is urgent, “The rock! Get it out!” My sight is limited as I am under Beladona, but I hurriedly look around for a rock. I gasp when I find it, protruding from the Huntress’ back. It’s nearly the size of my head. “Get it out!” The Ghost repeats. I hesitate, not knowing if I’ll make things worse by trying to help. Then I push my doubts aside. She’s a Guardian; she’ll be okay. I can only reach the stone with one hand but when I tug on it there’s almost no resistance. The sensation of the stone’s jagged edge slipping out of Beladona’s back is sickening, but over in an instant. She doesn’t seem to notice. The debris must have beaten her all the way to Death’s front door. Her shallow breaths are the only sign she’s still alive. Beladona’s Ghost wastes no time, spreading out its shell and projecting a beam of light that engulfs its counterpart. The Huntress jolts, pushing herself up and sucking in a deep breath. She collects herself quickly and looks down at me, “Are you okay?” I try my best to force out a chuckle, hoping to hide my fear, “You’re the one who had a rock in you.” The Huntress doesn’t show any sign of amusement. Her masked gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, reflecting my face back at me in its glossy visor. Then she looks over her shoulder to see the massive ship looming over the plain. “Traveler help us.”