[u]ERRANDS[/u] The Goliath Tank slowly stopped in front of the main gate of Firebase Argus. The base towered above them, and the normally large Goliath tank seemed infinitely small in comparison with the huge Cabal complex. It was around midnight, and bright light shone from all little windows, from which cannons pointed towards the outside world, ready to fire upon anyone without authorization, friendly or hostile, who dared to cross the sand sea that was the Augusta Chasm. It was a surrealistic sight. Likewise, the Fireteam's chatter stopped. "So this is it", Ava-3 whispered. "Firebase Argus" Echo's Ghost, Caesar, appeared. "I've said it, and I'll say it again: the Cabal know damn well how to build their bases" Echo chuckled, and for a moment, the ice was broken in the two Fireteams. Until the radio on board came to live, and Cabal grunts could be heard. The whole Fireteam turned silent, except for Echo, who could understand what the voices (if you can call them that) were saying. [i]"This is Val Aru'ul speaking, commander of Maniple A of the Gatekeeper Auxiliaries, first Cohors of the Blind Legion. Goliath Unit 1547A89, authorize yourself"[/i] Echo almost immediately answered: [i]"This is Centurion Kala'ask speaking, commander of Goliath Unit 1547A89, heavy tank from Squad one, part of Maniple B of the fourth Century, third Cohors of the Siege Dancers. With all due respect, I ask permission to enter Firebase Argus, sir" "Centurion, Siege Dancers should not be here. We tried to contact you via radio multiple times, but were ignored. By the Emperor, I ask once again: authorize yourself"[/i] Luckiliy for the Guardians, Echo had thought of this. [i]"Our radio isn't working properly, sir. We're working on it"[/i] The Cabal on the other side remained silent for a bit. Then, he answered, somewhat angrily: [i]"You still haven't authorized yourself, Centurion. I demand your identification code"[/i] Echo grinned and started reading from a paper: [i]"1066TRA395SIME-44NO"[/i] The sound of fat Cabal fingers could be heard tapping on a screen. Echo looked around in the tank, and saw five other Guardians, looking at him nervously. Finally, the long-expected reply came. [i]"That code is wrong, and does not match your unit ID. I'm authorized to fire upon any unknown vehicle. Psion, activ-"[/i] [i]"Wait!"[/i] Echo interrupted the Val. [i]"It must have been some static. We'll repeat the code. My sincerest apologies for this incident, sir"[/i] Echo shut off the microphone, and said, a little bit panicked: "We need that code! This one is from a Harvester crew!" After a few seconds Avesk gave him another paper, and asked: "How are you going to justify that it took you so long?" "I'll make up something" Echo switched back to the Cabal channel. [i]"420CA310NNA18-E62. Sorry that it took so long, sir"[/i] Again the familar tapping sound was heard, but this time the response came much faster. [i]"Correct. You may pass, Centurion. Get that radio checked. May the blessing of the Emperor be forever with you"[/i] With a clicking sound the channel closed. Echo leaned backwards and sighed in relief. The other Guardians started laughing. As Echo started the engines again, he said: "I couldn't keep up that official way of speaking that the Cabal use. Bloody hell, at one point I was scared that I had called him an uncultured swine, instead of offering my apologies! Damn the Cabal language!" A new wave of laughter passed through the two Fireteams. "I thought he'd never believe that excuse of the 'broken radio'! Stupid Cabal", Ava-3 yelled from the back. Echo nodded as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He looked outside, and saw that they were entering the base via the huge gateway now. They closed behind them, and they were officially inside Firebase Argus, locked behind heavy titanium doors. There was no turning back now, Echo knew. They parked the Goliath at the place they were sent to by the Psion that was in charge of redirecting all incoming traffic. Echo looked outside, and saw that the enormous hangar was full of Cabal, preparing for an incoming attack. Validus sat down besides him. "What are they preparing for?" Echo turned away from the window, and looked at the other Guardians. "Probably a Vex invasion. Remember the 'new technology' the Blind Legion developed, mentioned in the recorded message? They probably have it activated now. Doesn't matter for us. Only that it will be impossible for six Guardians to cross that place. I'm lucky that this tank has one-sided glass, or a Psion would have already noticed me" Alzer, who was already holding his Necrochasm, asked: "So what do we do now? Hope that they don't see us?" Echo shook his head. "No. We can get one Guardian outside using the hatch at the bottom of this tank, as for the rest of us... you'll like this, Colin. We're going in [i]guns blazin'[/i]. If Fireteam Ashen agrees, of course" Echo looked at Validus, and the tall Titan nodded. "It's the only option we have. Is it okay that Avesk is the one who leaves by the hatch and guards our escape route? He's the most suitable for the task" Echo shrugged, as if he didn't really care, and Avesk already opened the hatch. He jumped down, and after a couple of seconds even Ava-3, who was looking through one of the windows, could not see him anymore. After Echo, as well as the other Guardians, had positioned himself on his battle stations, he started the engines. He immediately reversed and rammed into a couple of Psions, who were repairing an Interceptor, killing them instantly. He then boosted forward, trampling a squad of Legionaries who were loading into a Harvester, and then reached one of the main lanes that went on through the entire hangar. "HELL YEAH!", Colin shouted, before firing a shell at a group of Cabal. The Goliath Tank was now speeding up, and racing through the hangar, leaving destruction in it's wake. Validus, who was sitting behind the front machine gun, mowed down any Cabal that survived the fury of Colin at the main cannon. Suddenly, another Goliath appeared, but it was immediately dispatched by Colin. Of course, after a while, Cabal resistance exponentially increased, and when three Harvesters fired at them at the same time, the Guardians' tank became steerless and rammed into a side wall. They immediately got out, and ran deeper into Firebase Argus, leaving behind the Cabal security. The five Guardians took down the few Cabal in the hallways with ease and advanced towards their target, the Vex Conflux in the middle of the Firebase. TO BE CONTINUED [spoiler]More stories will be added onto the main page, which I will link here. https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/226647634?sort=0[/spoiler]