[i]*Fanfiction. A little bit of a title reworking seeing as how events ended up unfolding a little differently than I expected. Don't be alarmed. As per tradition, this chapter has been split into two parts with the second posted as a comment below (almost managed to fit it all into one post). Apologies again. On a good note, chapter six is about halfway done. So without further ado, enjoy the read, comment and critique!*[/i] [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/87862826/0/0/1]Chapter One[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/93093527/0/0]Previous Chapter[/url] [url=http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/95312709]Next Chapter[/url] [i]“I crash like fire… Caught in the embrace… Of a thousand suns.”[/i] [b]--- Chapter Five or The Chamber, Part 1 ---[/b] [b][i]The UACS Vesta. 3docs till arrival.[/i][/b] [b]”What am I looking at?”[/b] [b]”A hole was cut out of this segment of the prison by a Fallen Ketch.”[/b] [b]”And that’s it right there… dead?”[/b] [b]”It seems they sacrificed one of their own to ensure they had an opening.”[/b] [b]”This isn’t typical of Fallen tactics… I’ve never seen this type of strategy before.”[/b] [b]”Whatever it is it seems highly effective.”[/b] [b]”Extremely costly.”[/b] [b]”They’ve deployed three Skiffs into the area. Two are doing over watch while the third has slipped into the opening and is likely to be offloading troops. Also of note, it has an oddly shaped capsule in tow. We can only assume they hope to transport the Archon inside.”[/b] Moment of silence. [b]”Charge forward cannons. The first Fallen ship we lock on to, we destroy. Her majesty wants a show of power and that’s what we’ll give them.”[/b] [b]"Ma'am."[/b] --- [b][i]The Prison of Elders. Second Floor.[/i][/b] Lock cursed aloud as he bolted down the dark corridor after the others. They didn’t know it yet but they were being led into a trap and all because he couldn’t keep his big mouth shut. Korbal had gotten smart and figured out that if he simply left everyone for dead, he’d have a better chance of getting his own ride out of the Prison. It was a betrayal made easy when he had prison guards on payroll to do the deed for him. Fortunately, Lock had left out one major detail and so even if he didn’t get off the rock himself, he could take some comfort in the fact that Korbal wouldn’t be able to get anywhere either. It was a worst case scenario. Chances for getting out of the prison as it tore itself apart were already slim, not considering his plus one. But he wasn’t going to give up… not with that much glimmer on the line. [i]...A way out…a new life....[/i] He rounded the last bend, the walls, floor and ceiling above him turning from ancient steel to foreign rock. The hall that was carved into the asteroid quickly opened up into one of the smaller chambers of the prison. This one was tall enough for a scaffolding built halfway up the walls that hung exclusive for prison guards. Most chambers had a similar set up. It gave them a clear view of all the activity in the room without putting them at unnecessary risk. It also gave the guards stationed there now a perfect angle with which to shoot up the remaining survivors. [b]”There you are.”[/b] Called out the lead guard from earlier. [b]”Was about to send someone to go find you…”[/b] He was just another Awoken, as were all guards, by the name of Dez. A forgettable character… till now. Lock stepped into the chamber. It was bright inside despite the lack of power. They had already set up lights on the scaffold and had them pointed at the group huddled in the center. There was Vahn and Sky surrounded by their Dreg and both looking around incredulously. Most of the other Awoken inmates in the mix were just as confused. Sky held a hand up to her eyes, shielding them from the harsh light. Vahn didn’t seem to care. Even with the mask on Lock could tell he was snarling his teeth and hissing anger like venom. All four of his hands gripped at blunt objects and they were poised as if he meant to strike down all the guards at once. There were far too many however and they had been ready and waiting the moment the attack on the prison began. The outlook was looking pretty grim. [i]...Give us a damn break already…[/i] It was a quiet thought echoed to himself partially out of desperation and mostly because his escape was becoming far more complicated than he anticipated. Studying the room only made his situation seem all the more dire. Surrounding the group of confused Awoken and Fallen were the dead bodies of guards propped up against the walls of the chamber. Those that didn’t want in on the plan were lined up and shot, their weapons and armor collected and distributed among the rest. The remaining crew were all armed to the teeth and well protected. It was a small army that Lock and co weren’t prepared to fight… especially with the odds stacked so steeply against them. [b]”Where’s Izzy?”[/b] Lock continued his assessment. There were about ten guards above… twice as many below against the combined might of nearly fifty mostly unarmed prisoners. All of the guards were armed with the standard issue handcannon. A few were waving charged batons in the air. Two had some kind of automatic weapon, one of them being Dez who wouldn’t shut his mouth. [b]”Izzy?”[/b] He repeated. [b]”He was supposed to clean up anyone falling behind and join us here.”[/b] [b]”He’s taking a nice long nap.”[/b] Lock replied as he continued to look around. His response elicited a rather loud grunt of disapproval. [b]”That’s... really too bad…”[/b] [b]”Close friend of yours?”[/b] [b]”No… Seal the door.”[/b] One of the guards nearest Lock moved over to the door and pulled a lever marked “manual release”. The doors slide shut and an audible “click” let everyone know it was locked. The other exits had already been sealed. They could be opened again but anyone caught waiting would be far too exposed to survive the long process. [b]”So this was his plan all along huh?”[/b] Lock called out. [b]”Massacre us before we even got a chance to escape.”[/b] [b]”Nothing personal friend. Korbal’s orders. He pays my check so forgive me the need to eat and provide for my family.”[/b] [b]”You don’t leave now you won’t be able to see your family. The House of Winter is already inside the prison and I give them about 4 maybe 5docs before [i]her[/i] army arrives to reinforce.”[/b] Lock turned to look at Sky. They met each other’s gaze and immediately understood what the other was thinking: They were going to have to fight their way out. There was no other way through. [b]”Leave?”[/b] Dez chuckled and a few of the other guards joined in. [b]”We don’t need to leave Lock. We work here! You see…”[/b] He began pacing back and forth making a show of his monologue. It was a wasted effort but an effort appreciated by Lock. The idiot was buying his prey time to think up a plan and this small mistake gave Lock… a [i]sliver[/i] of hope. He had to think. Lock dug deep into the recess of his “mind” and searched for anything, some kind of answer in the endless catalogue that was his memory bank. He started with data on himself: his speed, reaction time, average accuracy, chance for miscalculation, the unpredictable nature of his own luck. How many people were already aimed at him and what was the best way to find cover? Calculations. It was primitive Vex warfare or the art of looking to the future and working out all possible outcomes before choosing the one that rewarded him the greatest chance of success. He turned slowly to look at the guard closest to him, the one that had sealed the door. The man stared back, holding the handgun up so it’s maw met Lock’s gaze. [i]...There it is…[/i] Lock smiled back. His answer was standing only a few feet behind him. [b]”...When the Queen arrives…”[/b] Dez continued. [b]”...She’ll see the results of our thwarting this revolt of the Fallen House of Wolves. We…”[/b] He pointed at himself and then a few of the others around him [b]”...Keep all inmates detained and successfully eliminate the leaders of this coup ensuring that this…”[/b] He pauses again, waving an open hand “over” the survivors huddled in front of him. [b]”...Never happens again. If anything she’ll give us a promotion and make my check a little fatter.”[/b] Another series of laughter followed. [b]”She’ll have you killed.”[/b] [i]*Continued below...*[/i]