Equis, Orbit, Debris field

Aboard the Far Road Home

Rook walked through the hallway of the Far Road Home to the small crew barracks. To his amusement and annoyance, Leo was still asleep. Rook sighed, nodded to his Ghost Fen, and punched Leo hard on the shoulder. Leo was awake in an instant, and his knife was at Rook's neck.

"You could've been less rough." Leo grumbled as he grabbed his hand cannon.

"Well, we've made it, and Casiana wants us on the bridge ASAP." Rook replied. "So...Let's go."

"Alright, alright…"

Leo and Rook walked to the bridge to find Casiana at the window.

"Why aren't we moving?" Leo asked.

"Guess." Casiana said.

"Out of gas?" Rook guessed.

"Nope."

"We overshoot the planet we're going to?" Leo asked.

"No." Casiana said, motioning to the window. Rook and Leo walked over and raised their eyebrows. A massive Cabal Flagship was parked in orbit, and Leo could see three Fallen Ketches anchored behind the world's moon.

"Fallen and Cabal?" Rook said. "What are they doing here?"

"I would guess they made it here before us." Leo said. "Which leads us to the question of...what Cabal and Fallen are we dealing with?"

Casiana walked over to the window, her eyes focusing on a logo on the flagship. It looked like two arches with sharpened points.

"I've seen that logo before…" Casiana said. "On a patrol to Mars before I joined the Fireteam. It was on a Command Terminal on Firebase Delphi."

"So, we're dealing with a Cabal Commander?" Rook asked.

"No, that's not it. Spyre…" Casiana said, referring to her Ghost, "Managed to get the details of the sender, and that was it."

"So, this logo has something to do with a high-ranking Cabal?" Leo said. "Like Ta'aurc or the Shield Brothers?"

"No, again." Casiana said. "That logo was from a Dominus. The highest rank a Cabal warrior could ever achieve, second only to the Emperor himself."

"Shit." Rook said. "Ralphie, get us a connection to the Vanguard."

"Yes, Guardian." the Frame replied. "Attempting connection...connection successful. Connection strength is 3 for 5."

"Commander Zavala, this is Fireteam Herald, can you hear us?" Rook spoke/

"We hear you, Herald." Zavala's voice replied. "What have you found?"

"Commander, the Cabal and Fallen beat us to our destination." Casiana reported. "I believe that a Cabal Dominus has landed here, evident by the Cabal Flagship in the world's orbit. Fallen of an unknown house are also in orbit. Ikora, do you know this logo?"

"I do." Ikora said. "That is the emblem of the Cabal Red Legion. They are fearless, unmatched warriors. And rumor has it they have never known defeat."

"We'll put that to the test." Rook said. "Can you send us reinforcements?"

"Negative." Zavala replied. "The Dead Orbit fleet, nor Holliday has any long-range ships available. We're trying our best, but for now, Guardians, you're on your own. Deploy to the surface and report what you find. Keep the Far Road Home in orbit and hidden as best you can. That ship is your only way to escape that world should you need it. Keep it protected."

"Yes, Commander." Leo said. "What about the Fallen?"

"We'll deal with them later." Zavala said. "Tower out."

Rook nodded, ended the connection, and sighed.

"Don, take us down. Keep us away from that flagship."

"Understood, Guardian."

The Far Road Home dipped into a dive and slipped through the debris in Equis's orbit, and after a brief time spent dodging the wreckage of spaceships, they entered the atmosphere of Equis.

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The Far Road Home landed near the remains of a town plaza, the buildings destroyed and run-down. Rook, Casiana, and Leo readied their weapons and transmatted to the ground.

"Head back to orbit, and we'll call when we need you." Rook told Don, who saluted and flew the ship back into the sky.

"Let's go." Rook said once Don reported they were hidden in the debris field. Casiana and Leo nodded, and they walked into the town, not knowing what lay ahead.

=====

"I'll tell you one thing…" Leo said, his scout rifle monitoring every shadow. "This place is creepy."

"Indeed." Casiana said. "The air smells of death."

"And what happened to the inhabitants?" Rook said. "Where are they?"

"There's no bodies…" Leo said. "So they aren't dead, or they're hiding."

"Or...they were taken by the Cabal." Casiana added. "Either way, weapons ready."

"Roger that." the other two Guardians replied. Then, Rook held up his hand, telling the others to stop.

"You hear that?" he said. Leo was about to ask what, when they heard the sounds of a struggle from up the street. The three Guardians broke into a sprint and slid into cover. Rook looked over a fallen beam and saw six or so equine beings being held by Cabal Legionaries, around seven. There was also two Cabal with large tanks on their backs, and five lean, gaunt creatures that growled and skittered.

"I think that's the Red Legion." Rook said. "Those equines are in trouble."

"Why should we help them?" Leo shot back.

"Enemy of my enemy." Rook said. "Wait, quiet down. They're talking."

Rook saw one Legionary approach a pegasus with an orange coat and a blue mane.

"I know you...Flash Sentry." the Legionary groaned. "You have quite a...reputation for escaping our custody."

"And you are no better." Flash Sentry replied. "You have a reputation for being monsters and conquerors, you horn-heads."

The Cabal bristled angrily at this. The Legionary smacked Flash to the ground, and held his Slug Rifle to his head. Rook growled, and ducked back into cover.

"Leo, Casiana, let's move in, and show these Cabal what Guardians are made of!"

"Right." they both replied. Casiana took the left, while Leo took the right. Rook took cover, and when his team told him they were both ready, he motioned and they leaped into view, each of them used their new powers, summoning the Sentinel Shield, the Blade of Dawn, and the Arc Staff. The Cabal recoiled and opened fire as the three Guardians engaged them in combat.

Author's Note

Update!