Blank Slate Ch.15: Crash

Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 "Where are we going?" KS asked for the millionth time. I groaned. "We're going with Salem to scout the city I found you in," Blanc answered. "Is it the usual trip every four months, or something else?" KS inquired. "Yes, Keis," Blanc replied patiently. The comms were silent for a minute, and I enjoyed the silence as our ships drew nearer to KS's home. [i]You'd think that, after so many years, KS would be able to remember the periodic visits,[/i] I thought, [i]Seriously, it's been one hundred and.....fifty years? One hundred and forty seven,[/i] part of me corrected. [i]Thanks. You're welcome. What, no cutting remark? Well, if you insist... No, I- You forgot how old your only friend is, jerk. Hey, that's- Maybe you're the one with memory trouble. You- He's only six years younger than you. Can't you remember that easy math? Shut up. Simple subtraction. My gosh, I need to stop going on those isolated scouting missions...[/i] KS spoke up again, "Where are we-" "We're here!" my Ghost announced, sounding as relieved as I felt. Our ships began to sink through the thick layer of clouds as we drew nearer to the city. We came out under the clouds, the skyscrapers we were all used to towered ahead, next to the acid sea. Blanc gasped. Fallen Skiffs were cruising through the air directly in front of us. The familiar symbol of the House of Winter was painted on their hulls. I yanked on the controls as they turned towards us, and my ship pulled up. KS's ship darted down and to the side. The Skiffs were too close to me, and I flew over them. As I began turning to follow KS, a volley from the Skiffs bombarded my ship. "Engines damaged!" my Ghost blared, "We're losing altitude!" Cursing under my breath, I tried steering the ship higher up, but we kept sinking. Struggling with the controls, I guided our plummet towards the city, putting distance between ourselves and the Skiffs. "KS," I called, "My ship's trashed. I'm landing in the city. Keep the Skiffs off of me for a minute, then land somewhere safe. I'm gonna need a ride." There was silence on the comms. "... He nodded," Blanc clarified. I sighed, pulling the controls to dodge buildings as I leveled with the lower rooftops. "Transmat!" I yelled, and my Ghost dematerialized me. My feet landed firmly on the torn-up remnants of a road. I watched as my ship careened straight into the base of a building, blasting a hole in it. "Well, that sucks," I muttered. With a loud rumble, half of the building caved in, burying what was left of my ship in rubble. "Aw, screw you," I growled. My comms crackled to life, and KS inquired, "What happened?" "Well," I grunted, "I got shot down. Then I crash landed and blew a hole through a building." "How's your ship?" KS questioned. "It was worthless," I replied, "Then half a building fell on it. Now it's scrap. How's your day been?" He was silent. "That means he wants to know what happened to you," Blanc explained. "I drew the Fallen's attention, then landed under cover," he answered, "I'm heading towards the city as we speak." "Good," I said, "I'm next to the beach. Head that way. Moving through the city is too risky." I turned East, scout rifle materializing in my hands, and jogged in the direction of the beach. • • • "What do you think they're doing here?" I asked. "Scavenging," Salem grumbled over the comms, "That's all Winter's done for a long time. Digging for Golden Age tech." "It was only a matter of time until they decided to check here," his Ghost added. "I'm not worried about them, though," Salem said. "What are you worried about?" Keis asked. I watched through his visor display as he pushed through thick underbrush. "The Vex," Salem sighed, "They're always attacking Winter, keeping them on their toes. A Fallen search party is no big deal, but a Vex assault would make for one heck of a crossfire." "And they're guaranteed to come," his Ghost informed, "The Vex are very thorough." "We'd better hurry, then," I rushed, "Should I send word to the Vanguard?" "Already did," Salem replied, "There's no point in them risking a battle, so they won't send help unless we end up stranded." "We'll be alright, Blanc," Keis comforted me. • • • I ducked into a building as a Skiff cruised down the street. The search parties were still trying to find me. Luckily, there didn't seem to be many Fallen on this side of the city. All the important buildings were in the center. I crept out and slipped through the shadows, staying as close to the buildings as possible. I reached the end of the block and peeked around the corner. A few Fallen were standing in the road, blocking my path. They spoke with chitters and clicks, then some of them went into the building I was behind. There were only three left. The farther two had their backs to me. I tapped the heel of my boot against the wall. Snapping to attention at the small sound, the nearest Dreg took a few steps to the corner. As its head came around, I stabbed it with one of my Hunter's knives. I gently set its body down on the ground. Before the other two could turn and notice their dead comrade, I rushed out. I jumped on the nearest one's back and stabbed its throat. As the last Dreg turned to the noise, I threw my knife into its head. It crumpled to the ground. "I'm awesome," I smirked, then ran down the street before the Fallen inside could come out and see what had happened. • • • I could hear gunfire. "Salem, is that you?" I asked. "What?" his voice crackled over the comms. "The gunfire," I clarified. "Crap," he grumbled, "Must be the Vex. Get to the beach, KS. I'm almost there." I plowed through the bushes faster. "Crap," Salem repeated. "What?" Blanc asked. "Found the Vex," he answered. "Can you get around?" Blanc inquired. "Not without a lot of trouble," he sighed, "I can fight through them, though. Looks like most of 'em are wherever Winter is." "Do it," I ordered. "If you get to the beach first," Blanc directed, "Head southwest through the woods." "With pleasure," he replied.