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Edited by Paradox1055: 8/2/2017 3:14:10 PM
8

Strength of the Pack S3 Ch. 25: To the Victor Goes the Spoils

[b]I do not own any rights to this song or video. All rights belong to their rightful owners[/b] One week later, everything had finally calmed down; possibly, a little too much. I sat in an office chair in my old bedroom, and kept spinning around, deep in thought. Blake and Dakota had went back to the Plaguelands and found my old bionic arms--the arms made by [i]Lorinski's Robotics[/i]--so, at least I had replacements for when my SIVA upgrades finally malfunctioned. I gripped my armrests tightly, as if to make sure I wouldn't fall out of the chair. "Alan?" My Mom asked. "You have company..." "Let 'em in..." I said, still looking away. I could hear her walking back down the stairs. "Thanks..." I finally said. Soon, three Guardians walked into my room. Dakota had glanced over at my jumpsuit hanging in my closet; now that I think about it, I never really saw it. Either I was wearing the red and black armor, or Colt was holding it in a cyber-stasis. I have good taste in armor. "How are you doin' buddy?" Blake asked as he plopped onto my bed. "I'm all right," I replied. "It's good to be home again... not hiding in a steel box..." "It's sorry that we didn't trust you, Alan," Kourtney started. "With everything going on, we didn't know what to think. But, I never believed that you could have been the killer..." I smiled weakly. "So, what's up? How's Tower life?" I asked as I looked my team over. "Funny you would mention that," Blake said as he scratched the back of his head. "The Vanguard have been wanting to see you..." "For what?" I asked as I sat up straight. After I packed up my gear, we walked back down stairs. "I'm going to the Tower; I'll be back shortly," I said to Mom and Dad as I tried to get out of the door. "Alan..." my Dad said, stopping me in my tracks. "What did you do... to my shotgun?" He asked as he spun around and held up his Chaperone. The elegant engravings had melted into disfigured shapes, the sights were all but functional, and the lever was welded to place. Connor turned to me, nervously bearing his teeth. "I have the exact same shotgun!" Blake declared as he pointed to the weapon. "I... I used it... as a replacement Golden Gun..." I replied with a guilty grin. Dad tossed the gun behind him, and its steel hitting the tile floor caused an echo throughout the house. "That's a massive cube of glimmer I won't be getting back..." the mad titan griped while storming up the steps. "Go!" I yelled as I shoved the Wolf Pack out of the door. "Gooo!" We all ran down the street as we could hear several bursts of arc energy being discharged behind us. A few minutes later, the four of us stepped out onto the Tower plaza. Oh, how I missed this place. Everything was pristine, not red and infectious. Guardians were standing around in dancing circles, turning in engrams, or simply standing around and enjoying the view. It was so peaceful. We walked downstairs, into the Hall of Guardians. Lord Shaxx was polishing off his trophies, while his ghost sorted them. A hunter and titan were visiting with Xûr, seeing what items he had brought from the Nine. And in a corner, a little frame was sweeping a pile of dust, practically nonexistent. Finally, we entered the Vanguard Hall, and two frames shut the door behind us. Captain Carter, who was standing beside Commander Zavala, turned to us and stood in attention. "Ahah, my boy!" Cayde shouted as he ran over and wrapped his arm around my neck. "I always said you weren't the murderer!" He exclaimed as he walked me to the table. I smiled awkwardly as I tried to process everything going on. Commander Zavala took a deep breath, then stared me straight in my eyes. "Alan Moores, when this--" the titan gestured to Blake. "--'Battle of Two Towers' began, you were the only suspect of a Guardian in possession of SIVA, which matched the description of our killer. We see now, that you were framed by Vanessa, but we were not ready to take chances; especially when it was the City was on the line. I hope you can forgive us for our rash behavior," "Thank you, Commander. I understand that the evidence didn't leave you with many choices. I'm just glad y'all didn't kill me," I smirked at Captain Carter. "No hard feelings, you tried your best..." I replied. The titaness simply stood there. Commander Zavala turned to all of us. "I also want to thank you all, Wolf Pack. With our hands full with the House of Devils and Aksis, the Technomancer and her army would have had a clear assault on the City. With her mindset, there is no telling what she was capable of. Lord Saladin will be proud..." I shot my team a look. Why would Lord Saladin 'be proud' of them? We're they Iron Lords? A frame walked into the chamber, interupting the meeting. "There is a visitor for Alan Moores," it said in its robotic voice. "Who else wants to see me?" I asked rhetorically. I walked back to the Tower plaza with the frame. I didn't see anyone right away, but the robot had turned my attention to the vaults; a man wearing a dark brown suit was testing the software. "Hello?" I asked, trying to get the man's attention. The man jumped, then turned around. He removed his glasses, and stuck them in a pocket on his overcoat, then held out his hand for me to shake. "Mr. Moores, it's been too long," he said with a cheerful smile. "Dr. Lorinski, yes it has," I smiled too. "The arms are holding up pretty good," I said reassuringly. Dr. Lorinski nodded. "That's exactly why I've come to see you, Alan. My team of researchers and I have been studying the SIVA nanotechnology," I flinched at the mention of the name, and Dr. Lorinski noticed this. "No, no! I understand. Just hear me out. I met up with medical scientists to discuss cellular regeneration--I'm a robotics engineer, I didn't understand that--but we made the conclusion that DNA encoded nanites could be the answer to quick, artificial, cellular regeneration..." "What?..." I asked. I wasn't sure I could believe what I was hearing. Dr. Lorinski placed a hand on my shoulder. "With nanotechnology encoded with DNA, we could create limbs in less than a day, custom made based on your genetic instructions. They will be as realistic as humanly possible... Alan, you could have your arms back!..." My mouth began to quiver. I could? I could have my arms back? It was four days ago since Dr. Lorinski came to me with his offer. Now, I sat in the very room I once sat in when I first got my bionic arms nearly two years ago. Now, doctors were currently removing them. The circle of arms, I suppose. I wasn't alone. Mom and Dad were standing next to me. "We'll be right here when you wake up..." Mom said as she patted my leg. Dr. Lorinski turned to my parents. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to wait in the waiting room..." My Guardian parents complied and stepped out of the room. "So, Doc..." I said as my chair was laid back. "You said these arms will be as real as humanly possible, right?... How real is that?" I asked with a smirk. Dr. Lorinski chuckled. "Your girlfriend won't be able to notice the difference," I smiled. "Heh... Nice..." Then, the world went dark. [b]You are obligated to leave your thoughts if you open this[/b][spoiler]I was back at my Tower apartment the very next day. I laid back on my bed and stared out of the window. Finally gaining the courage, I reached out and felt the crisp coldness of the glass covered in condensation; it is a sensation most would take for granted, and I did for so long. "How're you feelin'?!" Kourtney asked while leaning against the frame of my bedroom door. "Better. Different, but better," I replied as I sat up. "Let me see 'em..." Kourtney demanded. I raised up my arms for Kourtney to see. She rubbed her hands over mine, testing if my wrist could rotate. "They feel real..." "Ow!!" I yelped as I yanked my hand away. "Did you?! Did you shock me?!" "So, you have nerve feeling too?" Kourtney asked with a smile. "Yeah... And that hurt!" "I sowy," Kourtney said sarcastically, and almost condescendingly. "Dakota wants to meet up at Felwinter's Peak. Wanna join me?" "Sure. I'll meet you outside," I replied. Kourtney left the room without another word. I stood up, walked over to my dresser and picked up my hat. I turned to my closet and stared at the full Guardian armor, which was staring back at me. "Not this time..." I said with a deep, somber sigh. "Not this time..." I slipped the baseball cap over my messy hair, then lost myself to the crowd of Guardians, still safe.[/spoiler]

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