[i]If you are new to this series, please go back to my other installments via this link.[/i] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/116093772/0/0 Itami watched as Tempest used up the last of his Light and fell into a smoking heap on the ground. He was impressed that the Warlock had been able to take down so many elite Guardians at once. He stepped up to the fallen Exo's body, auto rifle drawn. He inspected the weapon for a moment, then clamped it onto the magnetic holsters on his back. Itami then proceeded to pick up a machine gun from one of the fallen Guardians. The Titan nudged the Warlock's head, confirming that he was indeed unconscious. He hefted the LMG, aiming it straight at Tempest's chest. "Whether it's three years ago or now, you always seems to have a habit of angering me. I plan to enjoy this." Suddenly, two sharp shots rang out through the still air Itami roared in pain and collapsed ungracefully to the ground as his knees gave out from under him. As a shadow began to near his fallen body, he looked up to see the hooded face of Jadis, sniper rifle leaning casually on her shoulder. "You bitch! What the hell did you do that for!?" "To make sure you wouldn't chase after us." she declared, speaking in a tone that almost suggested she was trying to soothe the enraged Titan. "Be grateful I didn't kill you. Luckily for you, I don't take pleasure in slaughtering mindless beasts." At that note, Jadis sauntered over to Tempest's body, still leaking thick trails of steam. With a grunt of effort, she hoisted the Warlock's body onto her shoulder. "Damn, this floof is HEAVY." With Tempest now secure, Jadis took her leave. As she made her way towards the hangar, she reveled in the tortured howls of the crippled Titan as he watched them make their escape. ....………........………………………… "Ohhhhhh shit! I shouldn't have shown off like that..." moaned Tempest. It had been a long time since the Warlock had overused his Light in such a manner. He could feel fatigue weighing down on his body, as if he were being crushed underfoot by a Fallen Devil Walker. Looking around, he could only see thick, gray steel walls and numerous crates placed across the room. He must've been taken to a ship. As Tempest tried to stretch out his arms, he was met with staggering resistance, and a searing pain that coursed its way through every conduit and artificial muscle in his body. No one would've expected him not to scream in agony. Up in the ship's cockpit, Jadis could hear the echoes of his tortured cries. "Keep us on this course," she told her Ghost. "It seems that our friend is finally awake." She rose slowly from her seat, and made her way to the ship's cargo bay, just in time to finish watching Tempest writhing around on the floor like a beached fish. Jadis allowed herself a smile as she viewed the coils of blue energy that currently kept Tempest incapacitated. The Warlock wouldn't be going anywhere unless she wanted him too. When the thrashings had stopped, Jadis began to speak. "If only you could see yourself. You look absolutely adorable!!" In a blur of motion, Tempest rolled to his side to face his captor. Unfortunately that only served to bring him another blast of pain. It was several moments before he deemed himself well enough to speak. "Of all the things in this world I have to be captured by, why did it have to be you? What the hell did you tie me up with anyway?" "Do you like them?" the Hunter said. "It's an experimental design straight from the Future War Cult. Instead of sapphire wire or plasteel, it's pure arc energy. The best part is, if you move even the slightest bit..." She kicked him for emphasis, sending him sliding across the cargo bay. The coils of Arc energy could be heard crackling as they injected his body with more electricity, Tempest howling like a dying animal all the while. "It's also pretty funny to watch." Tempest's cries of agony turned into wracking coughs, smoking, black spittle leaking down his chin. Jadis turned to walk away, chuckling to herself, just as Tempest rasped a needless retort. "I wonder what David would say. If only he could see you now..." In a flash of whirling leather and cloth robes, Jadis had Tempest held up against the bulkhead. The rush of movement sent another jolt of Arc energy through Tempest's body. The squeal of metal on metal could be heard as the Warlock gritted his teeth against the pain. Truth relished in his agony, and looked upon Tempest like a wild beast. Her pupils were dilated into slits, and her mouth was curled into a vicious snarl. With the delicacy of a lover, she whispered into the Warlock's ear. "If you ever bring up David again, I will slit your throat and throw your worthless carcass to the Hive. Understand?" Tempest looked the Hunter straight into her yellow eyes. "Crystal." At that note, Jadis threw Tempest to the ground, and that is when he finally blacked out. Tempest awoke to the distant rumble of the ship's engines. He tried to shift against his bonds, and was instead meant with the clink of plasteel chains. "Definitely feels a lot better than being electrocuted..." Suddenly the ship began to shake as the engines released a tremendous roar. There was a loud THUMP, and everything became calm once more. Tempest could already hear the sound of approaching footsteps, and then Jadis walked into the cargo bay, tossing a key back and forth into the air, her face reverted to its usual calm demeanor. She bent down and kneeled next to him. There was the soft click of a lock being turned, and his chains clattered around him. Tempest slowly stood to his feet, rubbing his sore wrists. "Why are you letting me go? I could kill you at any moment now." "Because you still don't know what I'm doing and why I captured you." A devilish grin spread across Jadis's face. "And that mystery alone is eating you alive." The Warlock merely grunted, and began stretching out his sore muscles. "By the way, did you pick up my gun?" Jadis walked over to a corner of the cargo bay, gingerly picked up a black hand cannon, and tossed it into the Warlock's open palm. Tempest gave the weapon a quick once over, checked the magazine, and clipped the weapon into the magnetic holster on his back. "Why you choose to walk around with the Thorn is beyond me. I'm surprised that demonic weapon hasn't corrupted you yet." Tempest responded with a shrug and walked out towards the ship's hatch. As he stepped out, he took in his new surroundings. The ship had been placed underneath a cliff overhang, leading to a sharp drop off not even a few feet away. The thick, wet smell of the jungle pervaded his nostrils, and in the distance screeching birds and buzzing insects made for a discordant cacophony. "Why are we on Venus?" questioned Tempest as Jadis stepped out of the ship. "Why else? To visit an old friend." [i]Continue on to Part 2![/i] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/116105505/0/0