Note: Words spoken in the Eliksni language are italicized Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 The jumpship slows to a halt, then begins its descent. The ramp starts lowering and we unbuckle ourselves, standing and readying our weapons. I put my broadsword back over my back, but keep the wire rifle in my hands. The ramp is almost completely down, revealing the desolate lunar plain below us and the star-filled sky above. The Frames move past me. Two take up positions at the sides of the ramp while the other two jump over the edge. We're only a few feet above the ground, and I watch them land, kicking up dust and rotating to check our surroundings. They slide away from the vessel as it touches down. The remaining Frames march out, and the rest of us follow. The other ships are lowering around us, spraying up gusts of sand and letting out their passengers. The Redjacks form up around me. "Vanguard," a soldier calls, "I've got eyes on the Exiles. They're on the ridge." I look around until I see the ridge. A handful of Exile Vandals stand at the top, looking down at us. I trudge up the slope, followed by the others. Our transports take off, gliding to the looming figure of a Ketch in the distance. When we reach the crest, the Vandals step aside to reveal Frigoris. [i]"Vanguard of the City,"[/i] he rumbles, taking me in, [i]"One of the Archon-Slayers we've heard so much about."[/i] "Baron," I greet. He inspects me a moment longer, then huffs and turns, [i]"Your Wolves are waiting for us."[/i] His Vandals trail behind him, and we follow suit. A pack of Exiles is standing by, mostly Dregs but accompanied by more Vandals and a Captain. They meander ahead of us through a pass between large, mountain-like projections of rock. We march through the pass, coming upon a view of a massive clearing. Directly in front of us lies the Hellmouth, gaping open like a terrible scar in the ground. "Great Machine protect us," someone exhales fearfully. Several soldiers prepare their weapons. The party tensely turns right, moving along the base of the steep projections. The ground rises ahead of us, then sinks down again. Hive-made columns can be seen over the hill, and part of a structure leading to the edge of the Hellmouth is embedded in the rock beyond them. "That's the spot," Avery notifies while we scale the slope, "Captain Tarlow. Now's the time to separate. Take Frigoris." "Yes, Commander," the Captain next to me replies, "Crew Six, fall out! Baron, you and yours are coming with me." [i]"That was not the plan,"[/i] Frigoris growls, turning to me with an accusing glare. "Don't worry, Baron," the Captain assures impatiently, "You're just on the rear guard with me now. It's a small change. You'll still get paid." Frigoris gives me one last sideways look before bellowing at his subordinates. They peel away from the front of the group, following Crew Six around the side of the Hellmouth. Frigoris and Tarlow stride after them. The rest of us continue forward. "Glad those Exiles are gone," a woman mutters, "Seemed rather unfriendly, considering that they're helping us." [i]"They aren't friends,"[/i] an Eliksni hisses, [i]"They only want what we offer them."[/i] [i]"Most were exiled for good reason,"[/i] another clicks, [i]"Traitors and murderers."[/i] We progress in silence. When we're almost at the top of the slope, Virixas speaks up on the comms and addresses, [i]"Drevis, they have arrived."[/i] A few seconds pass, then the air crackles and Drevis appears at the apex of the hill; a towering, Ether-stuffed Eliksni with strong-plated armor and a Wolf banner hanging from her shoulders. Her voice hisses on the comms, [i]"Stop."[/i] The procession comes to a halt and the remaining four Captains and Stella join me at the front. A Captain and two Vandals, all Wolves, materialize next to Drevis, and they descend to us. [i]"It still hides in its cave,"[/i] Drevis growls. "Where's the rest of the Silent Fang?" I inquire, gesturing to Drevis's entourage. She raises an arm, pointing to the structure at the edge of the Hellmouth, and replies, [i]"Waiting. You will kill the first blade here."[/i] We trudge up the hill with her. At the crest, we duck behind some rocks and look down upon the columns. Some form of altar stands in the center, emitting a fiery green glow. Movement draws my attention to two Acolytes prowling among the pillars. [i]"More wait in the tunnels,"[/i] Drevis informs. [i]"They're stuck in a bowl down there,"[/i] one of the Captains clicks. "Their cover could be a small problem," another analyzes, "I see two caves, one on each side." "Set the crews up along the ridge," I direct, "Stay out of sight." "You heard 'em," someone rallies, "Eyes up." The soldiers creep up to us, spreading around our sides and crouching behind stones. Drevis and her followers slink away, turning on their stealth skins and vanishing. I keep my eyes on the altar and see two more Acolytes wandering among the columns. They remain oblivious to our presence as a group of marksmen set up over a rock and take aim. "I can't get a bead on mine," one gripes. "We'll take three for four," a Captain settles, "Not very likely to get a view of 'em all at once." "On your mark, Vanguard," one of the marksmen offers. I watch the Acolytes shifting around listlessly and raise my wire rifle, pointing the barrel down at the cave entrance to my left. I check the scope to make sure my aim is right. Everyone else levels their weapons. I check the Acolytes one last time and give the order, "Fire."