Fireteam Shiloh Ch4: A Conundrum

The team reached the cave’s ground level and began to investigate. Most of the consoles were smashed in, and the majority of the supply crates that littered the area were completely empty. “It looks like they took what they could and ran,” Dakota observed. “The signal we have been tracking is coming from the main console. I’ll check it out.” While the Hunter went to salvage the console’s hard drive, Solomon inspected one of the smashed computer boards. “No Fallen smashed this,” he realized. “Something much bigger did this. I’m afraid we are not the first to find this cave.” “What are you saying?” asked Lassiter. “I’m saying none of this adds up. If the Fallen decided to leave they could have just taken what data they needed and wiped the rest. They certainly didn’t need to destroy everything.” “Let’s start with what we know,” said Dakota, walking back from the main console. “The Kings aren’t here because they knew they were compromised.” She pointed behind her. “I found the signal. It’s a simple tracking beacon with a single transcript file.” “What does it read?” asked Solomon. “I have no idea. It’s an alien language, but even more interesting, it’s not Fallen.” The team was silent for a moment, until Lassiter addressed Solomon. “Look, I’m just going to say what we are both thinking. It’s the Cabal.” Dakota stepped back in shock while Solomon put his hands on his hips. “We don’t know that for sure,” said the Titan. “Sure we do,” Lassiter argued. “You heard the report from the investigative mission in Old Chicago. The Cabal were the main suspects.” “There were signs, yes, but their presence was unconfirmed.” Lassiter became slightly upset. “Delta says he saw one. Are you calling him a liar?” Solomon put his hands up and shook his head. “Of course not! I have incredible respect for that exo! He saved our lives, but the fact remains that the Vanguard still have no reasonable leads to follow. If you read the full report then you know they sent a raid team back to that ketch and found no traces of any Cabal activity.” “Okay stop it!” Dakota couldn’t follow. “What the hell are you two rambling on about? How could Cabal be here on Earth? Who is this Delta person? What mission are you talking about?” Solomon and Lassiter looked at each other, trying to figure out how best to answer those questions. “You want to take this one?” Lassiter asked the Titan. “There was a mission about a month ago,” explained Solomon. “A friend of ours, Delta, went with two others to investigate a stagnant Fallen ketch. They soon discovered that all the Fallen were brutally slain and they were chased out by monstrous beasts that Delta and his team think belonged to the Cabal.” “But there have never been Cabal on earth. They would not dare,” Dakota argued. “Why not?” said Lassiter. “They’ve destroyed entire planets just for getting in their way.” “Because of the Traveler,” Dakota offered. “Because of us.” “That’s what the Vanguard thinks,” said Lassiter, “but I’m not so sure. One thing is clear. Someone or something got here before us and trashed the place.” Solomon nodded. “There’s nothing left for us here. We should go.” “Hold on,” said Dakota. The yellow light had reflected off of something behind a nearby console. The Hunter approached cautiously, clutching the sidearm she had taken out. The other two stacked up behind her. The guardians flinched as two alien hands shot up into the air. “The hell?” blurted Lassiter. Slowly, a Fallen vandal crept out from its hiding place. It kept its upper arms raised, a sign of surrender, and its lower two hands covered a severe wound in its stomach. The Fallen stumbled forward and fell on the ground face first. “It’s dying,” said Dakota. The guardians encircled the wounded vandal, weapons trained. “Are there anymore of you guys wondering around?” asked Solomon rhetorically. The Fallen turned onto its back, speaking painfully in its own tongue. “What’s the deal with this guy?” Lassiter wondered. “He must have seen the intruders,” guessed Dakota. “He didn’t get out in time.” “Or she,” suggested Lassiter. Dakota shot him an annoyed look. “I’m just saying,” defended the Warlock. “Hey look. It seems to be very fond of you.” Dakota looked down to find all four Fallen eyes staring directly up at her. She was surprised to find zero hostility in them. The Fallen was getting weaker now. It’s time was almost up. The alien shuddered and lifted a closed fist up at Dakota. “What’s this?” Dakota asked. “I think it wants a fist bump,” tried Lassiter. Dakota ignored him. “There’s something in its hand.” The Hunter began to reach out. She suspected it was trying to give her something. She held her hand underneath the alien fist. Suddenly the vandal grabbed her arm with another hand. “Whoa!” exclaimed Solomon, pointing his weapon at the Fallen’s head. Lassiter did the same. “Relax,” said Dakota. “I don’t think it wants to hurt me.” The vandal slowly pulled her hand in, and then placed its other fist in her palm. It said something in its language, barely able to draw breath, and then dropped the object it was holding. Then the Fallen wheezed and began to shake. It took its last breath, and its arms fell to the floor. The life in its eyes disappeared forever. Dakota watched the Fallen sadly, then evaluated the object in her hand. It was merely a shard of some kind of armor. “Does this look like anything to you?” she asked her teammates. “No,” said Lassiter. “I think that vandal went insane.” “It might be from its attackers,” offered Solomon. “It would do us good to get it analyzed.” Dakota nodded. “What now?” “You take the alien message to the Vanguard to get it translated,” said Solomon. “Lassy and I will take the shard and find out who or what it belongs to. I have a friend that can help us get it done quickly and discretely.” Lassiter sighed. “Don’t tell me we have to go see [i]him[/i] again.” Solomon nodded. “Yes we are going to see [i]him[/i]. C’mon Lassy, he isn’t that bad.” “That is a matter of opinion,” replied the Warlock. “Let’s just get this overwith.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/227297151/0/0]Chapter 5[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]