[b]The Ketch Part 3[/b] The trio huddled together, searching for their stalkers. Then, from the shadows, emerged a frightening creature. It was dog-like in appearance, and was covered in red scales. It bared its blade-like teeth, and its massive, razor sharp claws clacked against the metallic floor. Upon its back sprouted enormous spines and something that resembled armor plating. “It’s hideous,” Ross whispered. The three aimed their weapons at the beast, but they soon realized their efforts would be in vain as many more of these monsters began to step into the light all around them. “Daelic!” Alex called into the radio. “We need immediate extraction!” “On my way!” responded Daelic. “Hurry!” said Alex. “Guys, we need to get out of here. Now.” Delta felt the void inside him growing again. His nova bomb was nearly recharged. “Our only hope is to use our light.” Alex and Ross nodded in agreement. “I’m a nightstalker,” said Ross. "I can tether them down and we can make a run for it, but it won’t hold them for long.” “And I’m a Gunslinger,” said Alex. "I’ll take care of any stragglers.” “Perfect,” said Delta. The beasts were closing in, getting ready to pounce. “On my mark! Three, two, one, go!” Ross pulled back a bow of void and unleashed his tether upon their ravenous foes. The three immediately dashed between them towards the exit. The tether didn’t capture all of them and several quickly ran after the team, but Alex was ready. She erupted into fire and dispatched three monsters with her Golden Gun. They continued to run, and it seemed to Delta like they were going to make it. They neared the hole and Delta jumped through, shortly followed by Ross. Alexandra was about to jump through, but was suddenly tackled by one of the creatures. She screamed in agonizing pain as it sank its teeth into her leg. Delta jumped back through the hole without hesitation and used his drain ability. Upon contact with the creature it dissolved into the void and Delta helped Alex to her feet, but she could barely walk. There was no time. Delta swept up Alex and as he carried her through the hole, he took a quick glance behind them. The tether had worn off, and the pack was coming. “Go!” Delta shouted at Ross. They proceeded to run as fast as they could through the ketch towards the lower deck. They ran for several minutes straight through the halls of the ship, Ross periodically pausing so he could shoot into the pack of beasts that was amassing behind them and throwing the occasional grenade in their midst, but they kept coming. Alex was groaning, clearly in a lot of pain, and Ross had run out of ammunition. They burst through the doors and sprinted out of the cargo bay. As they descended the ramp, Delta took note of his surroundings. What he and the others failed to see earlier was that the ridge they had slid down surrounded a large portion of the area, and was impossible to climb back up. “We are trapped!” Delta yelled to Ross. They reached the base of the land mass and turned their attention to the ketch, out of which spilled a great many monsters. Delta estimated there to be around twenty of them still kicking, still hungry for their prey. “Here!” yelled Delta to Ross, carefully setting Alex on the ground. “Take care of her!” While Ross knelt to tend to Alex, Delta turned to face the oncoming pack that was leaping off the ramp towards him. He could feel the light coursing through him. Delta closed his eyes and reached into the void. Never before had he concentrated so hard. He gathered every last bit of power and summoned it to himself. Opening his eyes, Delta called forth a nova bomb of epic proportions. He stepped towards the oncoming pack, and unleashed everything he had. The void manifested into a massive sphere of power, and hurtled into the pack at astonishing speed. The explosion was grand, and the shockwave could be felt all across Old Chicago. Delta stood absolutely still and waited for the dust to settle. He thought that perhaps he had succeeded and banished them all to the void, but to his absolute dread, he heard the growling of angry monsters. As the dust settled, the forms of savage beasts began to stand up off the ground. Delta felt his artificial heart drop. He had taken out a good chunk of them, but about half still remained. They regrouped, and charged the fireteam once more. A feeling of hopelessness consumed Delta. There was nothing he could do now. This was the end. Delta closed his eyes. Time slowed, and he awaited his inevitable death. Suddenly, a blast came from the sky and the roaring of a ship’s engine could be heard above them. Delta opened his eyes to see his warship hovering above his fireteam, unloading into the pack. The gunfire scattered the beasts, and Daelic took the opportunity to quickly lower the ramp for the guardians while the enemy was in disarray. Delta wasted no time jumping into the warship, shortly followed by Ross who was carrying Alex. “Looks like I got here just in time!” shouted Daelic from the cockpit. “Thank you!” Delta shouted back. “You saved our lives!” As the ship lifted off the ground and the ramp began to raise, Delta took a quick glance back at the battlefield, and his eyes widened. Among the scattered monsters stood a single, bulky figure clad in heavy duty armor, staring at the warship as it flew away. The ramp closed, and Delta was left to wonder what on earth he just saw. The lights dimmed. All that could be heard now was the hum of the engine and the soft patter of rain. Delta went to check on Alex, who was sitting next to Ross, clutching her leg. “You okay?” Delta asked. Alex smiled as best she could. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “My ghost will heal me once we get back to the tower.” Delta nodded and began towards his seat, but felt a hand softly grab his wrist. “I saw what you did. The stand you made. We both did,” said Alex, looking over at Ross. Ross nodded but stayed silent. “I guess what I’m trying to say is…” Alex said, removing her hand from Delta. “Thank you. We would be proud to fight alongside you any day.” Ross nodded again. Delta was at a loss for words. He was only doing his duty, protecting his teammates, and he still failed. In the end it was Daelic who saved them. Alex’s words were comforting, though. Delta, unable to form coherent sentences, decided to just roll with another nod and he took his seat. Delta peered out the window as the ship flew on. The rain was beginning to dissipate, and a beautiful sunrise crept over the horizon. While marveling at the sight, Delta overheard Daelic talking to the Tower on the coms. “That’s right, mission complete,” said Daelic. “We are coming home.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/225101675/0/0]Chapter 6[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]