——————————————————— “C’mon, Thrawn...I can’t hold on much longer...” Ringer-7 did a horizontal roll to the left to avoid a plasma blast from one of the mech’s large cannons, the discharge singeing his right shoulder. His rifle sent back a barrage of fire, but did little damage to the metal monster. He pulled out his mighty sword and started engaging the machines at point-blank range. He slashed at one of the legs of the behemoths, dealing a moderate amount of damage but still not quite cutting through the armor. The other struck the Titan with its massive foot and sent him flying into the wall. It charged, attempting to squash the pest and finish the job, but before its foot reached the hapless guardian it stopped suddenly, as if something was blocking it. “One good turn deserves another, Ding--blam!-!” Ringer looked up to see Giant, his Ward of Dawn blocking the metal beast’s foot from reaching him. His usually smooth metal face was scarred and disfigured, almost beyond the point of recognition, with a few sparks appearing here and there. “When will you stop calling me that?” Ringer smiled. “Whenever you stop needing my help, of course.” Giant grinned, “Now quick, damage its leg!” Ringer stepped back and charged his Thundercrash, aiming for the legs of the colossal machine. The hit sent the mech off balance, which gave Giant an opening. “The only thing that can stop these machines is themselves,” Giant said as he climbed up the back of the Servitor-controlled mech. When he reached the top, he leaped off, using the sword to slide down the front of the machine into the little -blam!- that housed the servitor. He reached in and ripped out the servitor running the machine, and climbed in its place. The Huge machine sprang to life once again with Giant at its controls, and turned to face the other of its kind. The servitor inside seemed confused, if Large mechanical balls could even feel the emotion. As Giant’s new toy raised its right arm, the servitor realized its imminent danger, but too late. Three blasts rang out from the plasma cannon, and an explosion erupted from the Large metal shell that was left of the destroyed machine. Giant leapt out from his newly-acquired machine, and stepped back to take a look at it. “I’m going to take this back to the tower with us, as a trophy of our triumph,” he beamed, “and I guess I’ll let the tower technicians take a look at it as well.” “Thank you for saving me, my friends.” He said as he turned to his companions. “I am in your debt-wait a minute, where’s echo?” As they looked around a the small Ghost emerged from one of the vents of the crashed ship they now resides in. “Sorry sir, but I wanted to make sure everything was safe.” He chirped. “Everything is fine, my friend.” Giant replied. “Now, call my ship, it’s time for us to go.” “I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir.” Echo said, “I appear to have lost the signal.” “Blast. Must’ve been claimed by the fallen. Mind if I hitch a ride with you guys, then?” He said to Ringer and Thrawn. “Of course.” Ringer replied. “It’s the least I can do for you saving my life.” As they headed back for home, Giant scowled in regret as Echo used the Light to heal his broken body. “I had him.” He said to Thrawn. “I was this close.” “You were outnumbered and outgunned.” The Awoken replied, “You’re lucky to have made it out alive.” “He used a machine to search my memories. He wanted to know how to become an Exo.” “Nobody knows how to make an Exo, Guardian,” Ringer laughed. “We don’t even know!” “Maybe, but something doesn’t feel right to me.” ———————————————— —The Tower, The Last City— Giant took a moment to look around the tower. Everyone seemed to be off on their normal duties. Banshee was still selling guns, Zavala was still at his post, as was Shaxx, and Everis, the cheating scoundrel, was still in her shop. Nothing had changed, everything was the same as he left it. “I guess I missed the Dawning, didn’t I? Giant said, gloomily. “Yes,” Ringer put a hand on the staunch Exo’s shoulder, “but that doesn’t mean we still can’t celebrate. Come, follow me.” He led Giant to the hanger where Amanda Holiday was still leading procedures in stocking and unloading ships. “Amanda, bring out the new ship.” Ringer said. “Alrighty. One big bird, comin’ right up!” She replied, flipping a switch. The bay floor retracted, and up from the storage bay of the tower hanger a ship was raised. It looked like one of the Cities Hawks, but with a few small changes to its chassis, and it also had a white tiger paint job. “A late Dawning gift for my old pal.” Ringer smiled. “Got it from one of the forges of our new friends at the Black Armory. Thought you might like it. Guess you need it, now.” Giant gazed up at his new ship. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” “And that’s not all,” Ringer continued, “Shaxx got you a new ornament for your Guantlets, and Erun found a new machine gun you might like. Sherlock and Thrawn also have made you an anthology of the cities, recent achievements. But, before we get into all of that, there’s someone who wants to talk to you. In private.” “Really? Who?” Giant said with anticipation. “Him.” Ringer pointed behind the Exo. Giant turned around and saw the figure of a Hunter, who looked vaguely familiar. “Greetings, Guardian.” ———————————————— [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/250971668/0/0]Previous Chapter[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/251999575/0/0]Masterpost[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/250971785/0/0]Next Book[/url]