[u][b]Part 4[/b][/u](Open) The gunfire rang through the tunnel. It was far louder than Atticus had expected. Little light later told him he had fallen nearly 60 meters. The resulting fall had crushed the visor on his helmet. Using his fist, he finishes the job the fall did not and clears the majority of the screen. Realizing the unit still has power, Atticus preserves as much of the periphery as possible, to maintain HUD elements. [b]"I'd keep quite for now Little-Light, my ears are ringing so much I cant hear you."[/b] The solid surfaces all around him simply amplify the noise of ballistic weapons. [b]"I'll use my sword unless I absolutely cannot..."[/b] The motion tracker display suffered substantial damage, and now only read out from 9 to 2 o'clock. This subterranean path existed parallel to the surface path Atticus had traversed. Stepping over the 5 dreg ambush party, Atticus breaks into a sprint. More fallen could be en route, but mostly because the tunnel provided passable surface. The colony ship was only minutes away. About every kilometer, another shaft ascended into the dark unknown. [i]'I'll have to return in the summer and find these on the surface...'[/i] Still partially dazed, Atticus can only focus on one thing a time. The colony ship. It's support structure is made from the very alloy needed to repair his armor. Within one kilometer now. "STOP!" Little light cried out. Immediately grinding to a halt, Atticus nearly loses his balance. "Trip mines. The fallen must have fortified this entrance for a reason." Slowly, Atticus navigates the maze of trip mines. Upon reaching the far side, the last banner he wanted to see came into view above a staircase. The House of Kings. "It's still not too late to turn back." Little Light reminded him. [b]"Nothing worth doing is easy..."[/b] Atticus begins ascending the staircase. (Open)