Fireteam Shiloh Ch9: Inquisitive Escape

Solomon cursed as his friend’s body hit the pavement. The Titan vaulted over the collapsed wall he was taking cover behind and sprinted towards Lassiter. The Warlock’s ghost materialized over him, attempting to bring him back, but Solomon knew that was far too dangerous. “Ghost!” he yelled at Lassiter’s companion. “Evasive maneuvers!” The ghost understood immediately and dropped from the air just as a sniper round tore through the space the ghost had just occupied. It was a close call, but gave Solomon just enough time to reach Lassiter. As Solomon summoned the void, he kept his eyes fixed on the building across the square where the shots came from. He could see a single red light where the sniper was positioned. Having built enough power, Solomon unleashed his Ward of Dawn just as another shot was fired. Solomon turned to look behind him where his super had deflected the shot just in time. Another red light could be seen through void field. “Dakota!” he called through the coms. “There are multiple snipers! I repeat, multiple snipers!” Lassiter heaved and coughed as his ghost revived him beneath the void shield. “Bloody hell… How many times must I be shot through the head? “Sorry Lassy,” said Solomon, helping his friend up. “The Ward of Dawn will protect us, but not for long.” The two guardians assessed the situation. All around them red lights began to appear in the buildings above. “Holy Traveler…” said an exasperated Lassiter. “We’re surrounded.” Solomon took to the coms once more. “Dakota. Dakota, you there?” No reply. Solomon winced as he felt his power drain. “Dakota? We could really use your help right now!” Finally, the other end of the coms buzzed to life. “Do you guys ever shut up?” Dakota pried through the radio. “You nearly got me caught! I’ve found a prime position and I’m going to provide some explosive cover. On my mark, run for the nearest street.” “This should be fun,” Lassiter muttered. Solomon grew concerned. “But Dakota, what about you?” “It’s cute that you care,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. “I’ll be fine. When I do my thing, find cover as fast as you can, then try to lose them in the streets.” The guardians acknowledged and prepared to make a break for it. Solomon felt the Ward fading. “I’ve only got a few more seconds. Whenever you’re ready.” There was a brief silence, and Solomon began to panic as his Ward of Dawn neared its end. “Dakota, it’s dying. We need that distraction now!” “Holy hell,” said Lassiter under his breath. Solomon felt the void draw from the rest of his energy reserves. “Dakota!” BOOM! A nearby building exploded with a flash of arc energy just as the void shield diminished completely. Solomon and Lassiter wasted no time in sprinting for the closest street as smoke filled the air and bits of rumble came raining down. Several snipers fired into the chaos, but none found their mark. The Titan and Warlock successfully made their way through to a side street with various crumbling buildings that may have once resembled store fronts. Solomon spotted a fallen structure with a hole in the back wall, leading to a different backstreet. “Lassy! This way!” Lassiter followed the Titan across rubble-strewn pavement through the hole, careful not to get caught on portions of rebar jutting out from the ruins. On the other side stretched a narrower street that seemed to divert from the familiar grid of roadways. Solomon wasted no time in taking this new path. “Dakota, we have passed into a smaller side road.” The other end of the coms remained silent as Solomon and Lassiter trudged on. The road looped around between two demolished statues, leading away from the square and the town as a whole. Eventually the pavement gave way to dirt as the guardians emerged from the last signs of forgotten civilization. Solomon slowed to a walk as he realized they were nearing the edge of the valley. “Something’s not right,” he observed. Lassiter looked around at the surrounding rocks and shrubs, then noticed the path they had been following. “Yes, I see what you mean. The street we found was a perfect escape route out of the town.” “Indeed. An escape route, or perhaps something else,” said the Titan, looking down the path. The landscape was rocky and tough, but various amounts of dirt and rubble spelled out a faint path leading down into a natural crevice between two ridged rock formations. Solomon approached the crevice and was surprised to find stairs carved into the rock, descending into darkness. Lassiter peered around Solomon at the darkness below. “Now Solomon, I know what you’re thinking,” the Warlock said, eying the haunting shadows ahead. “I just want you to know, walking away from the ominous catacombs [i]is[/i] an option.” “Nonsense,” the Titan refuted, but also toying with Lassiter a little. “This must be one of the many passages our assailants use to access the reservoir. I would not be surprised if they lived in these catacombs.” Lassiter shuddered. “Fantastic. A group of underground, invisible marksmen want to kill us.” There was a sudden beeping sound that made Solomon flinch. “Ah. Lassy, looks like Tim finally came through.” “At last,” Lassiter sighed. Solomon held out his hand, summoning his ghost. “Relay audio recording, ghost.” The ghost obeyed. [i]“Solomon! My favorite customer! I did as you requested and analyzed the material. It is quite a rare polymer that originates from the Jovians of all places. Unfortunately, I could not determine a species of origin. Sorry. Oh, and uh… I expect payment within the week. Until next time!”[/i] Lassiter rolled his eyes. “Bloody useful that was,” he said with heavy sarcasm. “We know nothing of the Jovians.” Solomon nodded in agreement. “Aye, the answer to this mystery continues to elude us.” Lassiter grew anxious as he made a realization. “Wait, shouldn’t Dakota have caught up to us by now?” Solomon looked back the way they had come. The town had fallen into silence once more. “Dakota, come in.” There was no response. “Solomon,” Lassiter worried, “something must have happened.” Solomon frowned beneath his helmet. “Dakota, respond.” The coms remained silent for a moment, then buzzed to life. The guardians were surprised as a menacing female voice that was not Dakota sounded through the radio. “Guardians…” the woman hissed. “The Nine have long awaited your arrival.” [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Clan/Post/1371758/229145474/0/0]Chapter 10[/url] [url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/224417569?page=0&sort=0&showBanned=0&path=1]The Hub[/url]