Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 [b]Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized[/b] The spreading cloud of dust engulfs Paskin's team, obscuring the camera views that are still out there. The Walkers don't pause in their bombardment, and distant explosions make it clear the Ketches are doing the same. Flashing lights mark the paths of the Skiffs as they advance to the Hellmouth. Most of the soldiers with cameras are in the Skiffs, and some of them swivel to look at the Exo Captain as his voice booms over the comms, "Alright, kiddies! I'm Captain Miel-24 and I'm gonna be leading you into the Hellmouth! If I die, leadership goes down the line of Captains! Feel free to assume that a lot of us will die!" He stops for a moment, letting everyone mull that over, then continues, "The mission is simple, and we have two targets! First target is a Hive Knight! You'll know him when you see him. We're going to be deployed on his doormat then steal a key from his pile of ashes!" A few soldiers cheer at that, but Miel doesn't stop, "Next, we will take that key down through the Hive-infested tunnels and break into the Worlds Grave to steal their stuff! Your priorities are to kill threats and keep our Servitors intact! You see a high-value target, kill it on sight, but DO NOT PURSUE! Stay in the group at all times! If you get separated, you will be considered dead! If you don't want to be tortured, torn apart, and killed slowly, DO NOT leave the group, even to pursue targets!" Miel steps back and leans against the hull, apparently finished, leaving the comms silent. "Ouch," Noel mutters, "He's keeping it real." "Can't blame him," Avery sighs, "He was at Mare Imbrium with Keis and I." "Ouch," Noel repeats, "That makes sense. I'm guessing he volunteered?" "No one would volunteer," Avery replies, "Luckily, there's no shortage of people who would do something if Keis and I ask." "That figures," Noel says, leaning back in his chair, "It was called the Great Disaster for a reason." "What happened at the Great Disaster?" One of the Captains at the door inquires, "I mean, we all know what happened. But what did you guys do?" The Captain who had gotten Noel's drink groans and slumps in his seat, "Shut up, Lewis. Not the time." "I would like to hear," Sinekis inserts, perking up with curiosity. He always tries to squeeze stories out of Avery and I. "Maybe later we can have some story time," Noel agrees, shifting in his seat, "You old vets are so tight-lipped about this stuff." "We need to watch," Avery argues. "That's why I said later," Noel counters. "Fine," Avery surrenders grudgingly, putting her head between her hands, "Keis can tell it." "Keis sucks at telling stories!" Noel whines. "He does," Sinekis concurs. "I do," I coincide. Lewis joins in, "And why are-" Avery smacks the table and barks, "No stories!" "Flak," I observe. "What?" Noel asks, confused. Avery leans in to look at the screens. The Skiffs are being shaken by explosions. "We're at the LZ, moppets!" Miel announces, "If any of you organics wet yourselves, I won't blame you! Remember the mission, and I hope you all have your wills in order! The Vanguard and your Kells are listening, so feel free to say some noble last words!" The video feeds with the Walkers show Paskin raise his Shrapnel Launcher in the air, obscured by the dust storm, as he bellows, "FOR THE GREAT MACHINE!" Everyone there answers his shout with a mighty roar. As it dies down, Miel shouts, "THAT'S THE SPIRIT, WEANLINGS! Try not to have it torn out of you!" The Skiffs slow down and their cannons can be heard firing before the hatches open. "STAY BRAVE, COWARDS!" Miel orders, leaping out first. The others immediately follow, landing on a platform inside the Hellmouth. The other Skiffs unload their passengers as well, hovering watchfully. Scattered Hive ashes cover the ground, and eruptions of blinding blue light pierce through the shroud of dust as the pit rumbles under the assault. Miel leads the way towards an entryway ingrained in the wall. The surprised shrieks of several Hive sound as they enter a relatively small room with a massive chain hanging in the middle. The Acolytes and Wizard are dispatched before they can attack, leaving a large and intimidating Knight. The Knight roars, absorbing the soldiers' ammunition like a sponge. It raises its Boomer and unleashes massive bolts. The soldiers scatter and take cover behind several objects around the room. "That's our target, tots!" Miel declares, "Feel free to do something about it!" The Knight runs around the chain, shooting at anyone it sees. Several soldiers are caught in the explosions and launched by the impact. It rushes towards the nearest group, smashing a Vandal with its massive fist. The soldiers swarm into the Knight before it can realize its mistake, unsheathing their blades. The Knight staggers as a dozen swords impale it. A man jumps up into its side, wrapping his arms around its neck and toppling it. The others stand over the beast and hack at it until nothing remains but a pile of ash and bone armor. They step back, clearing a path for Miel as he strides over bodies. The wounded are tended to as Miel digs a key out from the ash pile. "Like I said, tykes," Miel smirks, then gets serious again, "Get the wounded back to the Skiffs, then we move in. Just a warning: the way to the Grave'll probably be too dangerous to try helping the wounded." Avery turns on the comm and announces, "Strike team has the key. Status Beltrik?" [i]"They are pathetic,"[/i] Beltrik hisses, clearly referring to the Hive. [i]"Status Paskin,"[/i] another Eliksni inquires. On the screens outside the Hellmouth, we can see that half of the Walkers have turned from their positions, firing into the vortex of dust. Several soldiers are doing the same. Paskin informs proudly, [i]"We have them distracted. They have sent more to us."[/i] I look back to the views in the Hellmouth, where the strike team is gathering in front of a tunnel entrance. On the platform, a Skiff drifts out of the dust storm and drops off a Walker. Shanks fan out to secure the area. "Strike team ready to continue," Miel notifies. "Advance," Solkis directs. Wordlessly, the team moves down into the tunnel. They briskly descend staircases until they reach an empty room. "Check your corners," someone advises, "Watch for entrances and movement." They cross the space without incident and pass into a rocky tunnel. The front soldiers turn a corner and are greeted by the shrieks of Thrall. The corridor flashes with gunfire as the few Thrall are swiftly killed. "Pick up the pace!" Miel commands. The group jogs to the end of the passageway, entering another room. A Knight and a handful of Acolytes sift through the rocks. "Take 'em out," Miel dictates. A volley of bolts pelts the startled Hive, leaving two Acolytes alive. They return fire, and three soldiers are hit by shredder bolts before the Acolytes are finished off. "Move," Avery mandates, "They'll notice you soon." The group hustles up a staircase and into the next room, where a dozen Hive are kneeling in front of a column. The only other entrances are two doors next to the one they used, and the strike team begins filing in. "That's it," Miel discerns, "Clear the room."