As S0L's experimental Cabal ship approached the Plaguelands, Ikora started to question his intent. It is his persistent presence there that starts to worry her. With Maya, her goal is somewhat clear, but then she started to connect the dots. Over the coms, the group discussed.

Sarc-4: Again here? Why? 

Ikora: I have a hypothesis, which Osiris no doubt would have reached quicker. 

The Guardian speaks up.

Guardian: He wants the aspect of control. 

Ikora: Precisely. 

Lenka: For what reason? 

Ikora: Is it not apparent, free force. Vex are numerous and he could make good use of that. 

Saint felt something more sinister, a dreadful thought cross his mind, one that he wished hadn't. 

Saint-14: Ikora, what if his goal isn't control of Maya's forces, what if his goals are far more ambitious. 

Shaxx: What are you try to say Saint? 

Saint-14: Could he, with the access to Maya's network seep into the overall Vex network? 

Silence followed, everyone awaited Ikora's answer, she was deep in thought, more so at the pure idea of it. 

Ikora: I don't know. But.... Contact Osiris, right now! 

Saint was immediately on it, in the distance the ship had come to a stop but they could not get closer. There were a lot of forces so they landed quite a distance away. Finally they managed to reach out to Osiris. 

Ikora: Osiris, if S0L gets access to Maya's access to the Vex network, could he gain access to the entire Vex network? 

Osiris: I...considering that the Vex network is quite connected between the different subminds, the possibility is there.

Saint-14: With such a possibility, we need to stop him. 

They were cut off as they felt a strong pulse of energy pass them. Ana shuddered, she felt that energy elsewhere. Climbing atop a small boulder she gazed at the ship in the distance, it was, quiet. There were no singing of birds, no bugs flying around, just persistent silence broken up by  gunfire and wind. 

Lenka: What was that? 

Lato-12: That felt, disgusting. 

Ilias: And disturbing. 

Elsie: Sis, is everything all right?

Ana didn't speak, watched in horror, remembering the log's finding, constantly repeating in her mind. That is why there are Fallen ships that belong to S0L out there, in the distance. They can't get close, they are organic, non guardians and they would meet a horrid fate. 

Ana: We need to hurry, right now and destroy that ship.

Elsie: I understand that it is important, but why so hastily? 

Ana: On board it is a relic of some old times, that was discovered. I recognized the energy pulse, it was the same dread inducing one that I felt back there. 

Shaxx: Relic? 

Ana: Object, they called it Helios and there was a that detailed what the long term exposure would do to a body. 

Sarc-4: That being? 

Jinju: For organic, biological subjects, they would turn into grotesque masses of skin and flesh, their bones nearly liquified. But worse part, they would still be there, alive, aware. 

Sarc-4: So, like, they are aware of what they are, still in there, the subject. 

Jinju: They only made grunts and screams, no coherent word, but, from the faint barely recognizable noises, some scientists heard "Please kill me". 

Ilias: That was from long term exposure, right? 

Ana: Yes. 

Ilias: What if, that pulse that we felt, was it's fastening up the process, or, reaching out furhter. 

Shaxx: Whatever it is, we need to go! 

He jumped on his sparrow and the others nodded, joining him. They drove towards the sound of battle, crossing the empty lands. As they got closer, the sound of battle grew louder. They stopped at a ridge, looking out at the battle that was unfolding before them. They fought by the shore, however, there were no Maya's Fallen or Red Legion. The ship floated ominously above, occasionally sending out another pulse and firing down. They went straight into the heat of the battle. 

Lato-12: If that thing degrades biological matter, then, the Psion and Captain that we faced won't be here. 

Lenka: Yeah, i think you are right. Let's go. 

They entered the battlefield, splitting up knowing that the main danger will not be here. They were fighting against the robots, Vex, tanks and aircraft. However, Lenka stopped dead, with Ana and Elsie at her side, they saw the distinguished red armor of the Red Legion, but it's wielder was not in it. They peaked around a corner, a guttural cry escaped a Cabal soldier, he was naked. They watched in horror, his sturdy skin began to sag like it was melting. He was barely upright, his bones barely able to hold his mass, his hands dangle freely, muscle has no support to hold on to. 

Ana: Oh God. 

Elsie killed the soldier, she hated them, but could not bare to see a creature suffer such a horrid fate. No doubt the rest are facing the same fate. S0L's forces are all mechanical, which means he can freely reign here. That is why they are only seeing the Vex. 

Lenka: Poor thing. I actually feel sorry for it. 

Elsie: We have to take out that thing. 

She pointed up at the ship, but they have no idea how to get up there. Then, looking around, Lenka got an idea. 

Lenka: Do any of you know how to fly a helicopter? 

Ana: It can't be too difficult. 

The three nodded at each other, knowing what they have to do. They saw one flying dangerously low, supporting the forces on the ground. They snuck up, waiting for the perfect chance to take over. Many vehicles passes by them, unaware of their existence. Ana got out of her cover and jumped on a boulder and triple jumped onto the helicopter, clinging to it's side. The other two started firing, creating a distraction. They avoided cannon fire and hid away from the autocannon fire. They fired off their rocket launchers, the IFV's were easy to destroy, the tanks less so. Ana managed to break the cockpit glass and yank out the pilot, taking his place. It was fairly easy, straight forward controls. She fired the 30mm and the rockets to support her friends. Together, they managed to take out three tanks and five IFV's and some robots. They joined Ana on board, hanging from the sides. They made their slow approach up towards the ship. From up high they saw something worrying. 

Elsie: Sarc? 

She contacted him through coms. 

Sarc-4: Oi, how are yall doing? 

 Elsie: You have two Walkers on the field, the strong ones. 

Sarc-4: Oh come on. Fucking fuck fuck. Well, thanks for the head's up I guess. Where are you three? 

Ana: Look up. 

Sarc-4: Where? At what? 

Ana: At a helicopter flying up high towards the ship. 

He looks up and finds them, his eyes going wide. 

Sarc-4: Are you fucking stupid? Lenka! Don't tell me you are going to board it!

Lenka: We will. 

Sarc-4: It is stupid and dangerous. You will get yourselves killed. 

Ana: We have to, this thing is too dangerous. We have to disable it at least. 

He tries to protest but they cut the coms. 

Shaxx: What is it Sarc? 

Sarc-4: Ana, Elsie and Lenka are heading up into the ship. 

Lato-12: What?! Are they stupid?! 

Sarc contacts Ikora and tells her what is going on. She wants to contact them but fails. They watch as the helicopter flies up and then falls. But the girls managed to climb on board it, letting their ticket out of there fall to the ground. They slowly make their way into the hull. Immediately staggered at just how empty the ship was. There were a few drones here and there. This is a dangerous mission but it needs to be done, otherwise, who knows what would happen if this ship were to fly above the Last City. Unbeknownst to them, their presence on board had been noted. 

???: Hahaha, come, let's fight.