[b]Yes, I'm still alive, and yes the next part is here. Sorry for the really long wait everyone, I got caught up with school and finals and figuring out if I wanted to even continue the story or not. Anyways, here's part2 of chapter 18, finally. Chapter 19 will come out soon, if not tomorrow, then next monday, the 22nd. Enjoy the read![/b] [b]As always, if you've missed any chapters, here's the index:[/b] https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/128755126/0/0 Soon, the ships were in position: Segris, The Ash Archon, stood at the helm of Viliquix’s Ketch. Before him, three flagships floated, unwavering in the empty space, and primed with explosives. Beyond them, the fleet of House winter loomed ominously. “Are they ready yet?” Segris asked Viliquix in a hushed growl. “Almost, Sir, the Iron Kell is mobilizing his ship for the rescue flight. Other than him, we are all ready.” The Captain replied, “Do you want us to calibrate the warp drives?” Segris nodded, “Yes, notify the entire fleet, set coordinates for Mars, the Protonilus Mensae, 43.86° N 49.4° E.” “Right away Sir.” Viliquix spoke into an intercom across all Ash channels, and soon the Warp Drives were beginning to calculate their course. Matthew told the Archon that he was in position, and that everything was ready to go. Segris nodded and pushed a button on his wrist, which activated the engines of the three flagships to maximum thrust. The Fallen watched as their plan went about, the Ketches roared to the Winter fleet. As soon as they were in range, the fleet lit up, lasers and cannons all firing upon the decoy. Segris cheered silently as Matthew’s plan was working, until he saw the Winter fleet being moving towards them. The Winter fleet slowly disappeared, one by one until all ships were gone. Segris’ eyes went wide, “What are they doing?!” “Sir, they’re onto us! Shit, multiple signatures all around us, they’re warping!” “Here?!” Segris looked at Viliquix, “our warp drives aren’t ready, we’re sitting ducks.” Viliquix nodded gravely, “they knew, they knew what we we’re going to do…we’re compromised.” Segris leapt to the control consoles, shoving a vandal out of the way, “All Ash Ketches, prepare for attack! Fire all plasma cannons; send the Skiffs out to combat their fighters!” “Sir,” Viliquix called, pointing out the cockpit in horror, “We’re doomed.” Winter Ketches floated all around them, cannons and torpedoes locked onto the Ash. Segris watched in horror as his enemy sat silently, as if they were waiting. In a desperate attempt, he roared into the intercom, “All Ketches raise shields and prepare for atta—“ [i][b]KABOOM!!![/b][/i] Matthew watched in horror as the Ash were surrounded, like a cornered animal. House Winter was ruthless and cunning, but how did they find out about his plan? It didn’t matter, because then they opened fire on their prey, and wiped them out. The screams of the Fallen immediately rang in his communications device, and he winced as they instantly fell silent. The explosions of the Ash’s annihilation sent shockwaves into the hull of his Ketch, which was speeding towards Venus to pick up the remaining survivors of the Ash. The hierarchy of the House of Ash was destroyed; every piece of the trinity. The Kell and Prime on Earth, and the Archon in the skies above Venus. Matthew turned in his throne and dropped his headset to the ground. [i]I’ve let them all die…[/i] [b]Thanks for reading, and if you want me to continue the story, just let me know with some feedback.[/b] December 21, 2015 edit: ok, so I'm continuing it, and here's part one of 19: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/181761079