[b]It's been a while, how yall been?[/b] Lacy was lost in the clouds as a Legionary charged her, gliding like a feather as she shot it in the face. She giggled softly and hummed as the battle continued up the road. Jaymen watched as she floated by past her and Ralph. Shift came up, rejoining the rest. Jaymen gave him a hard stare. "What?" He asked taking notice. "What did you do?" Jaymen asked. "I don't want to talk about it." "Why not?" Jaymen demanded. "Because I mostly don't remember. I just didn't want to get shot again." He said looking pointedly at Jaymen's firearm. "Don't tempt her man! Toaster probably couldn't handle it again!" Ralph said. "Ooo... You're right... Is he...okay?" Shift asked nervously. "He's scared to death, but otherwise is functional." Ralph said looking in Toaster's direction. Toaster jumped when Cyphan came into his peripheral view and Cyphan apologized. Shift sighed out in relief. "Good. Poor guy..." Shift said. Cyphan marched up to the group. "Not a lot of Cabal out here but there are plenty inside, including a Centurion. Gold markings, probably the Commander." "Alright, let's finish off the squads out here so we don't get surrounded." Jaymen commanded. "Shift, Ralph, you wanna get in some target practice? Go get em." "The way you phrased that sucked the fun right out of everything." Ralph complained. "It was never supposed to be fun." "Wow she really does." Shift agreed. "But whatever, let's give Toaster some rockets, that'll cheer [i]him[/i] up at least." They ran off joining Toaster, presenting mentioned rockets as Toaster perked up, looking at them like the special birthday boy. "Oh and by the way..." Cyphan asked Jaymen. Jaymen turned. "What's with Lacy?" _____________________________________________________________ The Cabal Squads outside the entrance had fallen, thanks to Toaster's efforts. The rest were now preparing to storm the inside, guns at the ready. Lacy was huddled close to Shift, much to his obvious discomfort and confusion. Cyphan had insisted staying close to Toaster, claiming that he was still recovering. Jaymen gave a few signals to everyone, and when Ralph shrugged, she sighed frustrated, then put her finger to her throat. Ralph made an "Oh" motion, nodding. The Cabal inside were wary, shooting warning shots through the opening. A curious Psyon got to close and Jaymen lunged, grabbing it by the neck and using it as a body shield as bolts came raining down in her direction. Distraction created, Shift and Ralph dashed off to the right, hiding in corner from the Phalanxes marching down the stairs. Cyphan and Toaster threw grenades, disorienting and killing some of them. Jaymen, now wielding a dead Psyon, lifted it over her head and threw it like a football. A large Centurion bashed it aside, bellowing in its strange coarse language. It fired a volley of explosives at Jaymen who had managed to take cover in the nick of time. Lacy then made her move, throwing a smoke grenade at the Centurion's feet, throwing it off balance for a single moment as Ralph threw himself onto the second level, almost behind the group, lighting flashed as he brandished his bow staff, sweeping and electrocuting the unguarded backs of the Phalanxes, then a squad of Legionaries for good measure. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Cyphan emptied her sniper clip in quick succession into the Centurion, the large Cabal cried in frustration and blasted Cyphan, throwing her backwards and up into the balcony, her Ghost frantically getting into cover. "Guardian down!" Cyphan's ghost reported. "Crap, someone kill that golden turtle!" Jaymen said. A [i]shink[/i] and a victory bark later, Ralph stood on top of its body, waving a oil slicked blade in the air. Cyphan lifted herself up on the balcony, Toaster standing awkwardly over her, having assisted in the revive. "You okay?" Toaster whimpered. "Uhh...yeah." Cyphan said embarrassed. Jaymen rolled her eyes from behind her helmet and opened the channel. "Entrance is clear Guardian." Ana materialized a moment later. "Please, it's Ana." She walked up to the monitor and pivoted on her feet looking all around. "I'm here. I'm really here. I can't believe it. Clovis Bray. I'm...home." She began typing. "The main access is encrypted. Good thing I know a few tricks. At least that seems to run in the family." A distinguished voice echoed out making Toaster jump. "Personnel Identified: Dr. Anastasia Bray." It continued: "Welcome to the Clovis Bray Research Facility, the fabled "Cradle of Invention," on Mars. You are part of an important moment in history. Together-" "Holy Traveler this is boring, I need a cup of tea now." Ralph said. "Shush!" Cyphan said. "Remember, you are Clovis Bray." The voice finished. "And... we're in business!" Ana said. "Looks like Rasputin's core is housed in a separate structure. Hope you're up for a little exploring." "Throw in that cup of tea and you got a deal." Ralph said. "Fine I'll get you one!" Jaymen said. "Done! Let's go! ...Uh... were are we going?" Jaymen shoved him forward. "That way moron!" The team followed, coming to an opening, looking up at a large diamond shaped construction in the center. "This facility is massive." Lima said. "The Bray's dreamed big. I don't know a lot about my family, but I know that." Ana replied. "You picking this up too?" Artifact spoke up. "Yeah," Ana said. " I'm picking up a lot of Hive activity. They're swarming the core." "Swarming? There wouldn't be any way to, oh I don't know, make this easier?" Shift asked. "On it. Let me try to access the security systems." Ana said. Lacy looked jealously at Shift. "What?" Shift said shrugging. A roar was heard as the teams passed through various rooms and into Rasputin's Mind-lab. "We have a big problem..." Constellation said. [b]Don't you love a good cliff hanger? It's been a long time coming so I extended this chapter as long as I dared. Enjoy reading! The links to the Table of Contents and The Destiny Archive are below.[/b] [b]Slingshot Homepage:[/b] [url]https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=244561414&sort=0&page=0[/url] [b]Destiny Fanfiction Archive:[/b] [url]https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/245771343?sort=0&page=0[/url]