The Core Part 5 “Alex…” started Delta, but he couldn’t finish his sentence. He was speechless. “Don’t… Don’t talk,” she ordered through her sobs. She sniffled and her legs started to shake. “Don’t make me… do something I- I don’t want to do. Please…” she stammered. A wizard’s screech resounded through the room as Ross ended its life. He put away his sniper rifle and took out his pulse rifle. He was about to jump into the fray of acolytes with his comrades, when he saw Alex in the corner of his eye. He turned to see her pointing her weapon at an injured Delta. “No…” Ross said to himself. “No, not her. Not my Alex.” He couldn’t believe his eyes. Delta worked hard to gather his thoughts. “They… they have your ghost…” he said in disbelief. “I said don’t talk!” exclaimed Alex, clenching her teeth. “I need to walk out of here with that Blade…” she said, more tears rolling down her cheeks. The gunfire began to die down as the rest of the team cleaned up the remaining acolytes. “Alex!” Ross yelled, walking briskly towards her. “What are you doing?!” Alex dragged Delta to his feet and pressed the barrel of her hand cannon to his head. “Don’t come any closer!” she rasped. Her emotions were causing her voice to become hoarse. Ross stopped where he was. “Alex,” he said, “you don’t want to do this.” Alex shook her head furiously. “No! I don’t! That’s the point!” she screamed, her words slightly slurred. The others finished off their acolytes and began to notice what was happening. Solomon pumped the final acolyte’s guts full of lead and stomped its head in triumph. “Yes! Guys did you see how I…” he trailed off when he saw Alex holding Delta at gunpoint. “What the hell is going on here?!” exclaimed Lassiter, raising his auto rifle. “She is one of the Defense’s dogs,” said Solomon angrily. “No!” asserted Ross. “She didn’t have a choice, just like you didn't have a choice…” The fireteam gathered around, weapons drawn, and Alex backed up with Delta. “I said stay where you are!” she yelled. “Alex,” said Ross. “You must realize we are at an impasse.” Alex squinted through her tears. “What are you talking about?” Ross shook his head, unable to make the words come out of his own mouth. “He’s saying you have a choice,” said Delta, a deep sadness in his voice. “That’s right,” said Ross. “You either let him go, and the Defense will kill you, or you kill Delta,” Ross paused, letting the thought sink in, “and the Defense won’t kill you, but you will forever be an outcast from the City.” "Also," Lassiter cut in, "I can't promise that Solomon here won't kill you himself." “Damn straight,” said Solomon. “Holy Traveler,” said Adriar, putting his hands on his head. “That’s an impossible decision to make!” Everyone waited to see what Alex would say. She was shaking uncontrollably, but stayed silent. Suddenly, the sound of shrieking echoed in from the second door. “More Hive are on the way,” said Solomon. “Alex,” said Delta, calmly. “I want you to shoot me.” Everyone looked at Delta in shock. “I don’t think our fearless leader’s head is screwed on straight,” said Lassiter. “Alex, shoot me,” Delta repeated. “No!” said Alex, sobbing harder. “Listen to me,” said Delta. “Remember what you told me on the ship? I want you to live Alex. I’m telling you it’s okay, now shoot me!” She kept sobbing and the sound of Hive grew louder. “Shoot me, Alex!” Delta said again. “No!” she yelled. “I’m not going to shoot you!” The roars of Hive knights were clear now. “SHOOT ME!” Delta shouted. “NO!” Alex screamed, and shoved Delta forward onto his hands and knees. Alex’s hand cannon hit the floor, and she dropped to her knees, crying uncontrollably. The others had aimed their weapons but Delta put his hand up. “Save your ammo for the Hive!” he told them. Delta turned around on his good leg, and hobbled over to Alex. He embraced her, and held her while she tried to stop crying. The Hive were nearly there. “It's okay” Delta whispered to Alex. “Just come back with us… I will protect you.” Alex slowly regained control of her breathing and, still in Delta’s embrace, said, “You know you can’t… I’ll be dead within the week…” Delta dipped his head. “If I had tear ducts,” he said, “I would be a mess right now.” The Hive’s rumbling footsteps were evident now. “This is very touching,” said Solomon, “but if we don’t go now before the next wave hits, none of us are getting out of here.” The others shifted uncomfortably, gripping their weapons. “There’s still the matter of the Blade,” said Adriar. “Confound it all!” said Solomon. “We are going to die here!” Ross had heard enough. “You three!” he said pointing to Solomon, Lassiter, and Adriar. “Get out of here while you still can.” Lassiter frowned. “Seriously?” Ross looked him straight in the eyes. “We will meet you topside,” he said sternly. “Yes sir…” the Sunsinger muttered, and left the way they had come. Solomon placed a firm hand on Ross’s shoulder. “Good luck,” he said. Ross nodded and the Titan followed Lassiter out. Adriar gave a simple nod and left as well. Alex finally regained her composure. She sat up and looked straight into Delta’s eyes. “You can’t save me…” she whispered. Delta shook his head. “You don’t know that. We could-” Alex put her hand on his mechanical mouth. “You cannot save me and you know it,” she said, another tear rolling down her cheek. She pointed to the Key Blade. “Destroy it. Destroy it and get yourself to safety. I will hold them off.” Delta tried to say more but Alex wouldn’t let him. “I’m dead either way,” she said. “Now go! Destroy it!” The Hive runes along the wall changed from orange to an eerie green. The door that led to their escape began to close. “They are coming! Go!” Alex pleaded. Delta nodded in understanding. His body shook with disbelief. Alex gave him one last hug, then swept up her hand cannon. “If I’m going to die…” she whispered to herself. “I’m going out my way.” Acolytes and thrall began to spill through the door, and Alex tossed a grenade into their midst, scattering their now charred remains. Ross swung Delta’s arm around his shoulder and led him to the Key Blade as the exo charged up his light. Delta summoned pure void energy and shoved it into the Blade. The cleaver began to crack and ooze darkness. Delta pressed harder, and the Blade shattered, then dissolved into dust. “It’s done,” said Ross. “Let’s get you out of here.” They shuffled through the doorway to freedom and the door continued to close behind them. As they turned the corner, Delta stole one last glance back into the room. He watched as his best friend charged valiantly into the swarm of Hive, and then the door shut completely. That was the last time he ever saw Alexandra. [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/226335917/0/0]Part 6[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]