Doom of the Dragons, Part Three: The Race

Greetings, Guardians, here's Part Three of Doom of the Dragons! Here's [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/236325224?sort=0&page=0]part two[/url] if you missed it. As usual, if you like it, give it a bump, and I'll get more out soon. Stay classy, Guardians! Several minutes later, Cupun was checking over the last of the Fallen. They’d found a not-insubstantial amount of glimmer, along with a few Golden-Age engrams that the Fallen had been salvaging. Nothing too special, but it was something. “Whelp, mission accomplished,” Lyra said. “With a gross expenditure of ammunition, I might add,” Kim said. “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Marcella smiled. “Of course not,” Kim said stiffly. “Come on, Kim,” Cupun said. “Be happy! We’ve just cleared out a bunch of Fallen, and took out one of their walkers while we were at it! Plus,” he said, gesturing towards the glowing blue pile on the ground, “we snagged a good bit of glimmer!” Kim sighed. “I suppose.” “Hey,” Lyra said. “I got an idea.” “What’s that?” Cupun asked. “Let’s finish this day with a bang,” she said. “How about we have a little race back to the City?” The mound of glimmer was finally transmatted away. Cupun grinned. “Loser buys drinks?” “Deal!” “I’m in!” Marcella shouted. “Now hold on -“ Kim began. “Ghost?” Cupun said. “Way ahead of you,” his ghost said. Four ships flew down from the heavens, hovering above the Guardians’ heads. “Let’s roll!” Cupun shouted. He transmatted aboard his ship, and hit the gas. It was time to have some fun. * * * Cupun flew through the air. He grinned as the clouds parted in front of him, revealing the slopes of the Tian Shan mountain range in the distance. Suddenly, Lyra’s ship whizzed in front of him. “How’d she do that?” he asked. “She must have been using our slipstream,” his ghost suggested. “Now, she’s gunning for the home stretch.” Cupun grinned. “Well,” he said, “she’s gonna have to get a little better than that!” He hit the acceleration, and the ship sped forwards, eventually coming up alongside Lyra. He pulled ahead a little, and then banked left, cutting her off. The move had the desired effect. Lyra flew upwards to avoid a collision, while Cupun simply continued forwards in the direction of the City. Suddenly, Marcella’s ship appeared in front of him, rising up from beneath. His ship was temporarily caught in her exhaust plumes, sending it into a spin. “Damn it!” Cupun quickly regained control of the craft, and sped after Marcella. “The Tower’s hailing us,” his ghost suddenly said. “Well, patch ‘em through,” Cupun replied, not taking his eyes off of Marcella. “Incoming Ship, this is Tower Control, please identify yourself,” came a voice. “Tower Control, this is Angel-Seven, coming in for a landing, over,” his Ghost said. “Copy that, Angel-Seven, please slow down and prepare for landing, over,” the voice said, sounding vaguely disinterested. “Sorry, Tower Control, no can do,” Cupun said. Cupun heard the sound of something hitting the floor with a crash. “What?” “Can’t slow down,” Cupun said. “I ain’t buying drinks tonight.” “What the hell -“ Cupun nodded, and his ghost cut the voice off. “We are gonna get in so much trouble for this,” his ghost said. “Yeah,” Cupun said, “But it’ll be worth it.” He quickly maneuvered himself into Marcella’s slipstream, and sped after her. Cupun waited until he was just behind Marcella. Then, he pulled along her right side. “Hold on, Ghost!” he shouted. Then, he began a barrel-roll, turning the ship - upside down and rolling over Marcella’s ship. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of the hunter in her cockpit. Then, he arrived on the left side of her cockpit. But he didn’t stop there. Instead, he moved under the belly of her ship, and then pointed his nose downwards. The force of his engines propelled Marcella’s ship upwards, and off-course. “Boo-yah!” he shouted. He could see the outskirts of the City now. Victory was only seconds away. All he had to do was - Suddenly, Lyra’s ship flew past him. She was closely followed by Marcella, who then overtook Lyra. “They’re using each other’s slipstreams!” his ghost said. Cupun grimaced. Apparently, Lyra and Marcella didn’t care which of them won, so long as he didn’t. He tried to speed up, hoping to overtake them. . . But he was too late. Marcella’s ship crossed into the City boundaries, followed closely by Lyra, with Cupun bringing up the rear. “Dammit!” he shouted. The three ship slowed down, and made their way to the Tower hangar. Marcella, Cupun, and Lyra transmatted onto the Tower Plaza. Cupun walked up to the two women. “Now that wasn’t very nice.” “Where’s the fun in playing fair?” Lyra said, smiling. Cupun shook his head. “Oh well,” he said. “At least I’m not paying for drinks.” “I think you might want to reconsider, Cupun.” Cupun turned around, and gaped. Kim was standing there, his helmet at his side, and a smile on his face. He had a buzz-cut, and his eyes were a soft brown color and almond-shaped. “How in the Hell did you get here so fast!” Cupun asked. Kim only smiled more. “You think I fought for all that glimmer just so I could watch you spend it all on alcohol? Please.” Marcella and Lyra looked up at Cupun. “Looks like drinks are on you, bud,” Lyra said. “I can’t believe it,” Marcella said. “We got outflown by a damn warlock.” “Yes,” Kim said, beaming. “Yes you did.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=236904437&sort=0&page=0]Part Four: Scotch[/url]