Delta B1 Ch17: The Summit

Delta clicked the polished scope into place atop the frame of his Mida rifle. He then reached into his pocket and curled his robotic fingers around a familiar object. He pulled out the jagged tooth, now attached to a long length of twine, a symbol of her memory. He carefully wrapped it tightly around the barrel of his rifle and tied it so that the tooth rested firmly from the base of the frame. From now on, every time he pulled the trigger, he would do so for her. Satisfied with the condition of his weapon of choice, the exo hung it on the interior wall of his ship next to a collection of other firearms. He stood there for a moment, listening to everyday activity of the Tower hanger just outside his ship. All of those people were just going about their business. To them, it was just another normal day. He envied such a life. There had never been a day during his time as a guardian where he was not pressured by his duty to confront his demons. But this time, only one demon remained. It was then that Delta realized the truth. He was exhausted. He had unraveled his past, watched family and friends die, and chased his nemesis across the planet. Not once did he ever take a break from the pursuit of answers. He was tired of it. All that remained was this last mission. One final attempt to subdue Sayyed for good. Then, perhaps, he would finally know peace in his troubled mind. “Stop that.” The voice tore Delta from his thoughts. Standing at the bottom of the ship’s ramp was a single Hunter, dressed in black, carrying a helmet at his side. The exo relaxed at the sight of his friend. “Stop what?” Ross walked up the ramp and set his helmet in one of the passenger seats. “You’re doing that thing where you zone out and question every decision you’ve ever made. It’s not healthy.” Delta didn’t respond. The Hunter was right. He had a habit of reliving every waking moment and wondering what he could have done differently. How could he have done better? How many lives could he have saved? Ross gave Delta a light push on the shoulder. “You’re doing it again.” “Sorry.” The Hunter shook his head and took a seat, crossing his arms. “Look Delta, I get it. You’re young for a guardian, and yet you’ve wrestled with problems most will never have. You uncovered a life before resurrection. I know it has caused you unimaginable grief, but… you shouldn’t dwell on it.” Delta’s optics refocused. “Why not?” Ross thought for a moment. “Well, no one becomes a guardian with the memories of their past lives intact. Only meaningless fragments return on occasion, but what use is that if it all happened centuries ago?” Delta could see his friend’s eyes grow distant. “These fragments,” said the exo. “You see them too?” Ross nodded slowly. “Only one, but it is so vivid. Sometimes I am able to glimpse a beautiful lake, glistening with the light of a setting sun. And a small cabin perched upon a hilltop near the water’s edge. I don’t know where it is, or what significance it had in my past life, but it is a pleasant memory.” Delta could only stand in silence. It wasn’t like Ross to be so open about something so personal, but with the impending strike soon, it felt necessary. “So, don’t feel the need to carry this burden,” Ross continued. “The demons of your past have risen again, but that doesn’t mean they are your responsibility alone. You’re a guardian now, and that means we fight together.” The Hunter stood up and placed a firm hand on Delta’s shoulder. “That’s why I’m here.” Delta smiled as best his mechanical face could. “You know, there was a time when you would rather go scouting than run a mission with me,” he jested. Ross rolled his eyes and crossed his arms again. “Come on! Would you want to run a strike mission with a kinderguardian?” “No, I suppose I wouldn’t,” Delta mused. They both let out a short laughed, then Ross gradually grew somber. “Alex would. She never failed to see the potential in others. Never once did she stop to think about herself.” Delta instinctively adjusted his gaze to the tooth wrapped around the barrel of his rifle. “Yeah… I miss her.” Ross nodded. “Me too.” They stood and said nothing for a while, absorbed by the past, until suddenly a new voice broke the silence. “Hey guys!” The two guardians turned to see a large red Titan marching up the ramp, a rifle slung over his shoulder. Adriar gave a casual salute to Delta. “Reporting in for some Defense ass kicking, fireteam leader! We best get moving if we are to stay on schedule. I’m itching for some payback!” The Hunter and Warlock glanced at each other, then Ross smiled. “Alright Delta. Let’s finish this. We owe Alex that much.” Delta nodded, sparking a fire of determination in his optics. “Okay, secure your equipment. We launch in two minutes.” The fireteam locked down their extra gear and took their seats as Delta fired up the ship’s engines. Once the thrusters were fully charged, Delta called in for Tower clearance. “This is Fireteam Colt preparing for launch. Requesting approval for departure.” A familiar voice buzzed in on the other side of the radio. “Copy that, Delta,” said Zavala. “Request approved. You are cleared for Operation Summit. Good luck, guardians.” Ross raised an eyebrow. “Fireteam Colt? I like the sound of that.” Delta merely nodded in response as he steered the ship out of the hanger. He glanced back at the tooth hanging from his Mida one last time. With this one final mission, they would honor those that sacrificed their lives. All of them. He ignited the ship’s thrusters, and they were catapulted up into the Earth’s atmosphere. “Today we finish this,” the exo announced. “In the name of those that fell.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Groups/Post?groupId=1371758&postId=243202980&sort=0&page=0]Part 2[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]