The Executor- Chapter 4 Lena raised her fist. She was crouched at the corner of a broken down building. Scruff froze in place, as she slowly leaned out of cover, checking up the street for potential threats. They hadn't been on the ground long, a few minutes at the most. The intel had been spot on, and progress towards their objective had been swift. The quick pace and required diligence had kept two person fire team's usual quarreling to a minimum. "Clear," Lena declared softly. "The source of the radar readings is one street over. Check your equipment. We should have contacts soon." Her whisper was relayed at conversation volume to Scruff's helmet communications system. She racked the slide on her rifle, peered into the breech of her New Monarchy issued, Crusader I scout rifle, and padded her bandolier, checking her synthesis packs. "Thanks for the reminder, doll face. Unnecessary, but sweet," Scruff quipped. He had already checked and stowed his Vanquisher VIII on his back mount, and was checking the belt feed of his freshly constructed Prestige IV. Next was his Judgement IV shotgun, a close-quarters monstrosity. New Monarchy might be a bunch of bureaucratic pricks, but they at least issue top of line equipment to their enforcers. Although, it only came in horrible shade of red. "Shut the -blam!- up. We're moving out." Lena didn't wait for a response before she took off at a low run. "Aye aye, captain," he muttered. Scruff followed making up ground with long strides. He passed her halfway down the street. "I've got point on this one." He hit the corner of the last building and signaled for her to stop. Sweetheart's voice buzzed in his comms. "You should let her go first. Maybe she'll get shot," Sweetheart sang through the speakers. The hopeful tone in the sentient fragment of light's voice was all too clear. "Until we're done here, I need her. Then, she's free to get shot," Scruff replied, deadpan. He took a deep breath. "Let's do this." The titan rounded the corner, and stopped in his tracks. The street in front of him was circus of hive activity. Thrall shambled around aimlessly. Acolytes were hard at work, carrying various alien objects and building materials for the expansion of what was obviously the operational headquarters of a major planetary invasion. A few Wizards drifted trough the air, supervising knight task-masters as they delivered punishment to the slower acolytes. In the background of the writhing crowd, was not one, but three Seeders burrowing into the city's asphalt. "Damn. I don't think I brought enough synths for this," Scruff let out. Lena broke cover to see for herself. "Holy shit," Lena hissed. "This was not in the briefing." She looked around, as if searching for a solution to their current situation. She saw nothing. "This is out of our depth, Scruff. We should fall back, radio for support, and come up with an attack-" She was cut off as he dragged her back around the corner. He pushed her back to the wall and leaned in close to her visor. "-blam!- that, woman. That's a full-scale invasion of the goddamn Earth. I signed up with that side show, of red and white paper pushers to save humanity and win this war. This is what I've been waiting for. I'm going down there, and I'm shutting them the -blam!- down. Now. With, or without you." The words he spoke were slow and deliberate. It was like his short monologue had struck Lena. She was silent, but Scruff knew she was weighing her options. He could sense her fear. Lena shoved him back back, slip away from him, and summoned her ghost. Within seconds, she had evaporate into nothing. "I guess it's without." The armored guardian turned to face the greatest alien force he'd ever seen, alone. A look a disappointment on his face behind his visor. "-blam!- it." The Defender leaned into his run, pressed his auto rifle into his shoulder, and charged towards the closest Seeder. --------------------------------------------------- Read Ch. 3 Here https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/100492592/0/0 Read Ch. 5 Here https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/100743455/0/0