Link to Chapter Index: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/164556054 Chapter Three: Escalation Theron screamed at the top of his lungs and bolted out into the darkness. Kathryn motioned to follow, but the Titan was already far gone. She had no idea where he went. “Theron!” she shouted. “Come back, I can help you!” The only response was silence; dead silence. The female Warlock sighed and retrieved her weapons. The vivid green smoke emanating from her Bad Juju illuminated the cavern, granting her vision just as it did before. “Theron!” she shouted again. “Please, come back!” She was met again by silence. Kathryn slowly traversed the darkened grotto. The sides of the cavern shook at irregular intervals; likely shockwaves from the Cabal assaulting Earth. [i]I need to get back up there[/i], she thought to herself. She continued to mindlessly maneuver through the pitch darkness. Kathryn could hardly see a foot in front of her. After what seemed like hours of walking through the darkness, she finally came across a beam of light. She was instantly injected with hope as she bolted into a full sprint towards it. [i]An exit[/i], she happily thought. Her thoughts were not disappointed. It was an exit, but there was a catch. It was a hole in the ceiling. She would have to climb up the wall, and then jump to reach it. [i]That’s at least fifteen feet up…[/i], the Warlock contemplated. [i] I didn’t realize I had gone so far down…[/i] Kathryn didn’t worry about it. She immediately started climbing. The wall was completely vertical, nearly no slant to it. It would be a very arduous climb. Her ascent was rather gradual, she took her time. She meticulously fit her fingers in-between the rocks as she escalated the rock wall, ensuring she wouldn’t fall. When she reached the top, Kathryn turned her head to see the open hole in the ceiling. It was out of arm’s reach. Just as she had expected, she would have to jump. Kathryn took a deep breath and leapt. She slowly flew through the air. Her hands landed perfectly to hang from the ceiling. The Warlock pulled herself up through the gaping hole. Seeing the full moon after being alone in the dark was blinding. Her eyes eventually adapted, and she scanned her surroundings. At first, all she found was destruction; complete and utter obliteration. Buildings had fallen, plains were set ablaze, and broken bodies were sprawled across the ground. She looked down at herself, now noticing her injuries. She had a massive scrape that ran across her stomach, as well as several other minor lacerations along her thighs and chest. But then, Kathryn heard a voice. “Kathryn!” the feminine voice echoed. The Warlock turned to see a female Hunter rushing towards her. “Annika!” Kathryn cried out. They immediately embraced, removed their helmets, and kissed passionately. “I never thought I’d see you again,” whispered Annika. “I thought you were dead, My Love.” “Me, dead? Ha, I’m too stubborn to die.” Kathryn responded. They smiled, chuckled, and placed their helmets back on their heads. “Have you seen the others?” Kathryn asked. “Tiktra and Raya are at our temporary encampment. I’ll take you there.” The two women hopped on their Sparrows and drove to the encampment, with Annika leading of course. When they arrived, Raya promptly greeted Kathryn with a strong embrace. Tiktra lent out his arm for a handshake. “It is fortunate that you survived the altercation, Kathryn.” Tiktra stated. “You Exo Bastard,” Kathryn joked. “Show some emotion! I know you care!” “Emotion is a quality that I lack. If you desire an excessive supply of dramatic interaction, I recommend you speak with someone else.” Everyone laughed, except for Tiktra, and then moved to a makeshift table that was previously set up. “Alright,” Raya declared. “We need to locate the rest of our team and then retaliate against the Cabal. We just found Kathryn, but Rekar and Theron are still MIA.” “I saw Theron in the caves below us,” the female Warlock responded. “However, he appeared to have been infested by a Hive Worm. I tried to help him, but he ran off. I lost track of him.” “Damn. With Theron currently missing, we don’t have a leader. I, Raya Maraya, hereby attain the temporary rank of acting-leader. Anyone disagree?” There was no response. Raya nodded and assumed that meant no one disagreed. She pulled out a map of the Cosmodrome and laid it across the table. Raya pointed out several locations in which to search for their missing comrades. “We’ll roll out tomorrow morning,” Raya commanded. “Tiktra, you don’t need to sleep, take the night watch. Keep an eye out for any Cabal patrols. Annika, tend to Kathryn’s injuries and then have her bathe. She looks like shit.” They all responded with a firm, “Yes, Ma’am”, and then proceeded to do as they were told. Tiktra walked around the perimeter, maintaining high surveillance. Annika patched up Kathryn’s cuts and scrapes, following up with letting Kathryn bathe herself. Afterwards, Annika, Kathryn, and Raya all slept in their makeshift beds. They needed the rest. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. In the morning, they all awoke well-rested. Raya stood up and bent over to stretch. Annika was too lazy to get out of bed, so Kathryn left the encampment to check up on Tiktra. But what she found was not what she expected. There was a massive patrol of Cabal waiting outside. Legionaries, Phalanxes, Psions, Centurions, Colossus', even a few Goliath Tanks. A single Colossus stepped forward and roared, "Let this be a sign of our superiority!" He lobbed some kind of metal ball at Kathryn but it landed in front of her feet. She bent down to inspect it, and suddenly her face overflowed with shock and horror. She fell to her knees and sobbed immensely. Her tears streamed down her face and onto the metallic sphere. That wasn't a metal ball; it was Tiktra's head.