Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 [i] I rushed through the sparse trees, moving towards the beach. We needed to buy time, and protect the city, so the evacuation ships could get clear.[/i] I ran through the thick foliage, moving towards the beach where I had been revived. I needed to find Salem, and get him back to the ship. This felt familiar... [i] I found myself at the edge of the tree line, looking out at the sea of sulfuric acid. The other Exos were already engaging the enemy, their boots leaving trails in the sand.[/i] I found myself at the edge of the tree line, looking out at the sea of sulfuric acid. Some of the Winter Fallen were trading fire with the Vex, their boots leaving trails in the sand. This felt familiar... [i] An Exo lay on the ground. I dragged her and leaned her against a tree. I recognized her, but couldn't recall her name. Names were too difficult for me at this point. My own was nearly out of reach.[/i] Salem lay on his side against a tree. Uncountable Vex and Fallen lay among the trees behind him, covered with cauterized slashes. I lifted him so that he was sitting upright, then pulled off his helmet and tossed it to the side. Where was his Ghost? [i] I inspected her. There was a large scorch from an energy bolt on her shoulder, and another on her chest plate. I didn't have any way to help her. She wouldn't survive.[/i] I inspected him. There was a streak of small blast marks across his chest, and his side was charred from an explosion. Blood oozed out of a large laceration on his abdomen, and a gouge near his heart. Too much damage for his Light to heal alone. Where was his Ghost? [i] She slowly forced her head up to look at me. I put a hand on her shoulder to keep her upright. As her eyes met mine, she weakly grabbed my wrist.[/i] He rolled his head slightly to look at me. I put a hand on his shoulder and shifted him so he could see. He grabbed my wrist, and I could feel him weakening. This felt familiar... [i] She struggled to speak, "Looks... like its.... m-my... turn..." I nodded. "Do me..." she gasped, "a.. a favor.. a-and kill the.... scum... that sh-shot me...." I nodded again. She choked out a laugh, "Y-ya never... we-were good.... in a..... conversation, K-Keis....." Her hand went slack and fell to her side. Her head drooped down.[/i] "They...." Salem mumbled, "Killed.... Ghost...." I nodded. That explained it. "How... bad.... is it?" He croaked. I looked into his blue eyes, and he sluggishly nodded. "Th-thought so," he grunted, smiling weakly, "D-do me.... a favor.... an-... and shoot th-the..... lowlife.... that..... shot me..." I nodded again. "Th-then," he coughed a few times and tightened his grip, "Then go..... make s-some.... friends... before you..... get.... k-killed... like me.... KS..." His hand slipped away and his arm fell across his lap. "I... probably have.... a... a few minutes...," he slurred, "Before... you go.... I'll w-... watch you kick..... some a-" He began coughing again. [i] I stood and looked to the fight. The other Exos, along with a few combat frames and some of the city's soldiers, were shooting as they moved across the beach. Vex marched towards them, cutting us off from the city. Beyond them, one of the Colony ships crashed violently to the ground. It carved a path through the earth, coming to a stop with its nose submerged in the acidic sea. I looked up. The last escape vessel was over the sea now, being battered by our relentless enemy. It wasn't falling yet, but it would soon. Last Exit protocol was failing. We wouldn't be able to evacuate anyone. The Collective and the Ishtar Sink were doomed.[/i] I stood and looked to the fight. The Fallen were advancing down the beach. Their Skiffs flew overhead, dropping in fresh troops. Vex swarmed towards them. Beyond them, the wreckage of an old ship sat on the beach, its front half erased by the acidic sea. Overwhelmed with déjà vu, I looked up, as if something was supposed to be above me. Another Skiff passed by. I returned my gaze to my enemies. Their numbers dwindled as the skirmish continued. Salem wanted me to kill some before I left, and I would gladly oblige. [i] I raised my gun and went to meet the enemy. The Exo's body lay quietly behind me.[/i] My hand cannon materialized in my hand and I went to slay the enemy. "Show 'em... who's boss... KS," Salem coughed behind me. This felt familiar.