As the Spartans descended into the cavern, their flashlights flickered across the cavern walls, occasionally illuminating the Spartan's visors.

"I'll tell you guys, this is creepy." Buck said.

"Yeah. If the Prometheans don't want us coming in here, what are they hiding?" Chris said.

"Beats me." Ramos replied. "I'm not picking up anything in the comms pertaining to us, so for the moment, we're clear."

As they continued to walk, they then stopped at a huge cavern. Florescent lights covered the walls, connected by cables to a central generator. Prometheans scurried about, organizing weapons and supplies.

"What the hell's going on here?" Mark asked.

"Dunno..." Chris said. "Wait. Contacts. 10'o clock low."

As a cave entrance opened, three Griffons walked in, clad in clothing in the style of nobles. All of them were talking, but due to distance, the team couldn't hear.

"Ramos? Can you pick up what they're saying?"

"Already on it." the AI said. "Done."

Then, crackling voices appeared in the comms.

"These...Prometheans had better come through on their promise to us." the first Griffon said.

"Trust me, Emperor Gretchis. I have seen their prowess. The Equestrians will be crushed.", a second Griffon replied, cackling.

Chris growled and put his hand to his radio.

"Infinity, this is Crimson. We have Griffons working with the Prometheans. Situation heating up. Advise."

"Infinity confirms. Observe and intervene if necessary." Lasky's voice replied.

"Copy that. Let's steal what intel we can, and get out." Chris said.

"Looks like three tunnels over there." Mark said.

"Good idea. Split up, One team to each tunnel." Locke said.

As the teams split up, and sneaked over to their respective tunnels, the two Knights who had been following them were joined by a third, and each Knight took a tunnel, picking up the hunt.

As Locke and his team followed the tunnel path, their grip on their weapons tightened.

"I'll tell you, Locke. If the Griffons get their alliance with Cortana…" Buck said.

"It'll mean a new enemy we have to fight." Locke replied. "Hold up."

They had arrived at a large door. Vale hacked the door panel, and it slid open, revealing a large cavern with a open overhang. Crates of Promethean tech lay scattered everywhere, and the occasional Griffon was walking around, cataloging the contents.

"Weapons depot." Locke said.Then, he felt a tap on the shoulder. He spun to reveal Crimson and Blue Team, who walked over.

"What'd you find?" Locke asked.

"Our tunnels intersected and led here. Other than that, nothing." David said.

"Confirmed."

Then, they heard a loud buzzing noise, and the source was revealed to be coming from a crate guarded by four Griffons. Two Promethean Knights walked over and opened the crate, revealing a strange Promethean. It was insectoid, with small wings and two large mandibles. A Boltshot rested in its weapon mount. It had a small, oblong body, and most of its inside was taken up by a turbine core.

"What's that?" Chris asked Ramos.

"Again, references tell me that the Prometheans are going crazy with designing new units. We've met the Tarantulas, that one there is the Antlion. I hear also of the "Locusts" but I haven't seen them yet."

"Seems they like having new toys." Ken said.

"They do."

"Crimson! This is Lasky. The Covie Splinters have intel that you're being tracked. They know you're there! Find an evac point and we'll send you a Pelican!"

"Copy!" Crimson said. "We've been made."

Then, a LightRifle shot bounced off the rock behind them, and they turned to see a group of Knights and Soldiers firing at them. As the Spartans returned fire, the noise alerted the Sentries, who raised an alarm.

"Shit! Alarm!" Grant yelled, shooting down the Griffon who triggered it. As the alarm continued to ring, the Spartans started to retreat from their position, as the Knights and Soldiers' numbers started to grow faster they they could eliminate them.

"We're outnumbered!" Chris said.

"Crimson! Pelicans are inbound!" Lasky yelled over the mic.

"Copy! We've been made! Land at our current position!"

"Copy that!"

"We've got to hold out!" Kelly said, shooting a Griffon who attempted to join the fight.

"Chief! Locke! Take out the support beams!" Chris yelled.

"Copy! Team, focus fire!" Chief yelled. As Blue team opened fire on the cavern's support columns, the rest fired on the encroaching Knights and Soldiers. Then, A Binary Rifle shot erupted from above them. Diving into cover, the team fired spreads of shots around the upper stalactites, and one hit its mark. A bee-like Promethean, carrying a Binary Rifle, appeared from is invisible perch.

"Locusts!" Ramos called.

"Copy that!" Chris said, shooting it down. Then, the rush and roar of Pelican engines was heard, and the team turned to see three of them mowing down the enemy forces. The doors opened, and as the teams jumped into their respective Pelicans, Emperor Gretchis watched from a balcony as the Pelicans soared away.

"Fire all cannons!" He ordered a Griffon.

"Belay that. Let them be." A Promethean walked in, wielding an Axe and clad in heavy armor.

"You dare defy me?" Gretchis yelled.

"I am in command here. You gave your forces to me. The time will come for your revenge. Now? We wait."

"Viceroy…" Gretchis said angrily. As the Promethean watched from the balcony, he smiled.

"The war has come to bear."