Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 "There's no way I could pick up something that heavy," Nat protested, gesturing at the large chunk of a column propped against the wall. "Of course you can," I insisted, "Any Guardian can. The Light makes us ridiculously strong." "Where's your proof, huh, Quintel?" Nat questioned. "You've heard stories," I retorted, "You've even done some stuff yourself." "Name a story," Nat urged. "Alright," I paused to think, "The Iron Lords. When Efrideet threw Saladin." "How's that proof?" Nat inquired. "Saladin is a fairly big guy," I explained, "He probably weighs, I don't know, three hundred pounds give or take. And he was wearing armor, which would've probably added another hundred at least. And she threw him like a javelin, not some toss. A precise throw over a distance. Not even one of the Cabal could do that easily, and they're a lot bigger." Nat mulled it over, then nodded slowly, "Okay, I believe you." She turned to Keis, pointed at the chunk of cement, and said, "Hey, Keis. Lift that thing." Keis crouched next to the chunk, wrapped his arms around it, and lifted it. "Wow," Nat murmured, "Okay Keis, that's enough." Keis dropped the chunk, then Nat stepped up and lifted it. "We should go, Quintel," my Ghost advised, "Remember our mission." "You're right," I agreed, "C'mon guys. Nat, drop the rock." "Aww, I don't wanna," Nat whined jokingly, hefting the rock, "I was gonna keep him. Maybe give him a name, like William or something." "We're on an important mission, Nat," I rushed. Nat curled her arms further around the chunk, seeming to hug it, and choked out fake sobs, "I'll miss you William. You were the best stupid little rock I ever met, so boring and weird." "Are you done," I asked, crossing my arms impatiently. Nat set the chunk down next to another piece of the original column and farewelled, "This rock is named Sierra. She'll protect you. She's rough and sassy, but she'll keep you from wandering around." "Where on earth do you come up with this stuff," I sighed. "So detailed," Blanc whispered, enthralled in Nat's game, "It's like she's coming up with real people." Nat stood and brushed off her hands, "I just borrowed some names I heard at the Tower yesterday and came up with personalities. Let's go shoot stuff!" She hopped down the hall. Keis and I followed. We stepped through an empty doorframe at the end. The Cosmodrome spread out before us, covered in snow and filled with desolate buildings. Trails of footprints marked our progress as we paced through an open expanse between the structures. "Remember guys," I reminded, "We're just seeing how far the Hive have spread. Try not to engage. Let the Fallen deal with them." "Don't worry, I'm not getting engaged with some random Thrall," Nat japed, scanning the area, "First they gotta take me out to dinner a few times; get to know me. Then I'll think about marriage." "You know what he means, Nat," Nora chided. "Yeah, listen to your Ghost, Nat," I said, "You're such a child." "You should all listen to your Ghosts," my Ghost added. "Do what we say," Blanc extended, "Pamper us, love us. We know best." "Keis already pampers you," Nora corrected. "I wish my Guardian was like Keis," my Ghost mumbled. "Hey!" I voiced indignantly. "Quintel seems to be a decent Guardian," Keis said in my defense. "That sounded kind of insulting, Keis," I sighed. "Look!" Nat shouted, pointing to our right, "A Skiff!" A Skiff was lowering itself on the other side of a building. It's cannons began shooting at something below it. "That's a fight," Nora analyzed. "I get first kill!" Nat yelled, breaking into a run towards the commotion. "The Traveler, Nat!" I called, trying to keep up, "Did you even listen to the briefing?!" "Nope!" She answered. As Nat came to the corner of the building, she slowed down and her scout rifle materialized in her hands. She leaned around the side of the edifice just as Keis and I caught up. "Ew," Nat grumbled, "Those Hive look gross." "What did you think they'd look like?" I panted, "Daisies?" "I don't know," Nat defended, "No one's seen them in ages. Why'd they even decide to come to Earth now?" "We don't know why they chose to leave the moon after so long," my Ghost informed, "But they're after the Traveler, and that's what's important." "Luckily the Fallen are keeping them busy," Nora inserted. "Tell me about it," Nat sighed, "They're taking all the fun." I peered around the corner over Nat. Hive seeped out of a tunnel in the side of a small hill. Dozens of Fallen peppered the abominations with Arc bolts, keeping the swarm contained. "Wish those ugly things had stayed on the Moon," I muttered. "When did we find out they were here?" Nat asked. "Yesterday," Keis replied. "A Guardian inspecting increased Devils activity found them," Blanc elaborated. "Well, the Hive are this far over here," I deduced, "Let's follow the wall until we reach one of the other patrols' routes. Then we can go home." "Fine," Nat said, letting her gun hang sadly in her hands. I turned and led the way past the skirmish. Keis and Nat trailed behind me. • • •