[b][u]Part 3[/u][/b](closed, see part 4) [b]"Damn this wind! Damn this snow!"[/b] The unforgiving wind would sooner throw Atticus into the sky, were he not anchored by the meter of snow he marched among. [b]"Little-Light, how far have we gone?"[/b] "There is some form of electromagnetic disturbance in this storm. I cannot get an accurate position on any satellites and I lost contact with the ship 20 minutes ago. I would [i]estimate[/i] we have traveled two kilometers." Atticus drops to his knees. Using a grenade creates a crater in the snow.[b] "I need a break." [/b] Too unstable to support a sparrow, but dense enough to make traversing a physically demanding prospect, the sea of snow would drown anyone foolish enough to cross it. Inspecting the wall of the crater, Atticus determines it can be laid against, and promptly does so. "If you can maintain your former pace, we will arrive at the base of the colony ship in 3 hours." [b]"And then another 5 hours to march back. I'm starting to think you are right. This is insanity"[/b] The skin of his lips chaps immediately as Atticus removes his helmet. [b]"I need some fresh air."[/b] The cold air stings his throat and lungs. His overworked body confused, is it too hot or too cold? After eating a handful of snow, he dons his helmet. [b]"And so we go..."[/b] The immense noise of the wind is broken by loud burst. [i]'A bomb? A Walker?'[/i] [b]"Little-Light!"[/b] "I am unsure. It emanated from the direction we need to travel. I recommend we scrub the mission, return to the ship, and return once the storm subsides" [b]"Do you truly believe I'd agree with that?"[/b] "No, but I had to make one final request." Climing to his feet, Atticus summits the crater. With renewed vigor he marches forward into the darkness. Travel gets no easier with time. Less than 20 minutes pass when Atticus considers another break. Before he could finish his thought the snow beneath his feet gives way. Not just the snow. The ground itself. Pure instinct takes over, summoning his power, he glides. The walls remind him of the structures of the cosmodrome.[i] 'I must have been atop a building... This storm is far worse than I had imagined'[/i] [b]"Light! What's happening? Where is this going?"[/b] "I... I have scanned all surviving files on the cosmodrome. There are no accounts of this structure! I speculate it could be an exhaust tunnel, or maintenance shaft. Or both." Sensing the imminent failure of his glide, he terminates it early, intending to reactivate it later. Freefall. [i]'How far down could this...'[/i] "Atticus! Atticus respond!" The ground was warm. Much warmer than snow falling from the duct that had just been fallen through. Slowly opening his eyes, Atticus darts them back and forth, up and down. It's a shaft, pipes and duct work, wires. "Atticus, Respond!" [i]'Where did this tunnel come from? Where does it go?'[/i] Dazed and reeling, lying on the ground, Atticus thought to himself. [i]'I think it goes in the direction I need...'[/i] "Motion. Fallen. Eyes up guardian!" Genuine fear could be heard from the Ghost's voice. Realizing the danger, he stumbles to a kneel. Invective in hand. [b]"Watch my back."[/b] [b](Closed, see part 4)[/b]