Fireteam Shiloh Ch5: Illicit Activities

Lassiter followed closely behind Solomon as they weaved through the crowds of people. The sound of business in the marketplace was deafening as City-folk went about their day, buying fresh food, tools, and clothing. Various vendors called out to the passing patrons. “Fresh fruit! Get your apples and oranges right here!” Most of the shoppers were experienced. They knew exactly where they wanted to go and paid no attention as vendors attempted to lure them in. “Check out the brand new I-40! Come and satisfy all of your handheld electronic needs!” Lassiter loved every second of their trip into the Last City’s market. He was like a kid in a candy store. Every offer reached his ears, and every featured product reached his eyes. The warlock stopped in his tracks when he saw a metalworking stand. Sitting front and center was a large plaque with extremely intricate engravings. Lassiter couldn’t help but marvel at the fantastic design. Into the plaque was etched a detailed depiction of guardians in the heat of battle, fighting off waves of Fallen. The plaque no doubt depicted the Battle of Twilight Gap. Beneath the engraving were the words “Remember The Fallen”. Lassiter smiled. It was a humbling play on words that represented both the enemy’s treachery and the guardians that died protecting the Last City. He wondered what other masterpieces the artist had made. “No!” he told himself. “Focus Lassiter.” The Warlock looked up to discover that Solomon was nowhere to be found. He scanned the sea of people in all directions but could not find Solomon’s signature red armor. People were beginning to stare at him as he searched. “Now you’ve done it…” he muttered to himself. Lassiter had been to their destination several times, but the busy marketplace always confused his sense of direction. Suddenly there was a firm grip on his shoulder. “Honestly, you’re like a child!” said Solomon. “Let’s go Lassy. We aren’t here to go shopping.” Lassiter followed Solomon once more, trying to find some witty comeback, but none came to mind. The Warlock simply shook his head as they turned into a shadowy alley. They walked all the way to a dead end. Against the back wall sat an old male exo that was examining a sidearm in its weathered hands. When he noticed visitors approaching he dared not try to get up, as the rusting exo had a missing leg, but he clutched his sidearm a little tighter. “Let me do the talking,” said Solomon. Lassiter was happy to oblige. The damaged exo was the definition of sketchy. It’s plating was so covered in rust, it was nearly impossible to make out its original color, and his glowing yellow eyes flickered as he focused on the figures that stood before him. “Guardians…” the exo observed in a low, spotty voice. “You must be lost.” “Drop the act,” replied Solomon. “I’m here to see Jackal. We have a foreign material that needs identification. I am willing to pay a large amount of glimmer for it.” The exo twitched as it processed the Titan’s business proposition. “Recite password,” it demanded. Solomon tapped his helmet, pulling up some kind of message on his UI. “Greenwood Hopscotch” he replied. “Confirmed,” said the exo. “Welcome to the Underground.” The robot raised its arm and placed a firm hand on the wall next to him. There was a wave of energy that stretched across the wall, and then the entire barrier dissolved into nothing. Lassiter grew weary upon seeing the use of Vex technology in the City. Though not his first trip to the Underground with Solomon, he never got used to the feeling of regret upon entry. Before them stretched a series of alleyways entirely hidden in shadow by the tall buildings that surrounded the area. The only sources of light were the strings of electric bulbs that crisscrossed overhead. There was not nearly as many people in the Underground as there were in the City market, but the alleys were packed with stalls and vendors. Solomon led the way through the mess of illegal activity, and Lassiter was sure to stay close behind this time. The vendors were different here. They all had the same placid look on their faces, for they knew they did not need to catch the attention of their customers. Instead their customers came to them. They were not organized either. Most stalls held a large variety of different prototype or alien weapons and technology. Lassiter frowned as he passed a hooded man testing out a Fallen arc blade. He wondered how they got such technology into the City. They no doubt had help. Lassiter suspected a Hunter or two was to blame. The guardians were not there to browse though. Instead they required a black market service, which could be found in a smaller building located in the back of the Underground. The two wasted no time making their way through the retracting doorway. The guardians entered a small waiting room that held nothing except for a small desk and a couple couches, illuminated only by a single overhead lamp. A rundown frame stepped forward from behind the desk to greet them. “Oh! Guardians!” it exclaimed in a feminine, electronic voice. “Welcome to the Underground service desk! What is it I can assist you with today? Looking for a specific contraband weapon? Need a new identity forged? We also offer discrete thefts, assassinations, and-” “That’s quite enough,” Solomon interrupted. Even he was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I merely require an alien sample to be analyzed and identified. I believe your associate Jackal can help me.” “Yes sir. Of course,” replied the frame. “I shall fetch him at once.” The frame left the room through a back door in search of Jackal, leaving the two guardians alone. Lassiter was dumbfounded, and turned to address his partner. “Assassinations?!” He learned something even more concerning every time he came to the Underground. “As guardians, don’t you think we have a responsibility to stop this kind of activity?” Solomon shrugged, but was clearly bothered by it. “Our job is to protect the Last City, not police it.” The Titan sighed. “But, we should probably make sure they don’t kill anyone.” Just then the back door opened and the frame returned, followed by another. “Solomon! So good to see you again!” Into the room walked an awoken male with great confidence. He flipped back the black hood that had obscured his face to reveal glowing blue skin and slick black hair that was combed backwards to the base of his neck. “Jackal,” said Solomon. “I’m here strictly on business. There is no need for petty pleasantries.” Jackal eyed the Titan with annoyance. “Come on now. That’s no way to treat your Underground liaison. It seems you require my services more often than I thought. Perhaps I should raise my price.” Solomon stepped forward and grabbed the awoken by his collar. “Listen here you punk,” the Titan said directly to his face. “You will do as I ask for the price we agreed upon, or I will not hesitate to bring the entire Vanguard here and wipe the Underground from the City forever.” The awoken nodded furiously. “You make a good point. Please let me go.” Solomon eased his hand from Jackal, but kept an eye on him. “It is not wise to test me… Tim.” The awoken crossed his arms. “Do not ever use my real name!” he told the Titan. “Just give me the damn sample so we can get this overwith.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/227541358/0/0]Chapter 6[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]