M.R.L.N-7

Ch. 6 - Dark Studies

Merlin returned to the Sunken Isles, just outside Firebase Hades, and rode down the tunnel to the thin hole in the wall that lead to the Volundr Forge. He met no Cabal resistance but saw they were still active in the chamber beyond the filter doors. The same guard stood blocking the entry way and waved to Merlin as he approached.

"Your back! Do you have the..."

"Ghost? I do," Merlin said with confidence, pulling the lifeless shell from his inventory. He presented it to the guard, who inspected it with stern eyes. "Shot it and the Hunter when I found them camping in some corner of Nessus."

"You shot this?" the guard asked. "One shot, and you got it? I don't see any other impacts besides this one through the core."

"One shot," Merlin affirmed.

"How'd you know where to hit?"

"My Ghost."

"And just where is your Ghost?"

"As if I'll bring her out here of all places," the Guardian said with a chuckle. "Look, I want to join the Disciples of the Sword, but I assume at least some of you have killed Ghosts. Why would I put myself at risk like that?"

"We could just kill you and wait for your Ghost to show up and kill her too," the guard suggested.

"And miss out on an accomplished Guardian killer? Your cause would definitely benefit from me joining." The Awoken man scanned the Exo before tossing the dead Ghost back to him. He flicked his head, gesturing to follow him through the crack. Merlin stuck close behind the guard as they descended the narrow ramp to the bridge and leaped across the gap to meet the others running about the active forge. The Guardian was brought past a handful of cult members to meet another Exo; a Titan who has clearly lost his way. The segments of his body the heavy armour didn't cover were yellow with a silver trim.

"This is the lieutenant," the guard said to Merlin. "He takes care of most of the business while the Sorrow Smith is busy."

"Off with you, whelp," the Titan ordered. The Awoken guard saluted briefly then walked hurriedly back to his post. "Well? Who're you?"

"Merlin; Warlock."

"Obviously. You're the only ones who like to float about in your dresses."

"It's a robe, but I can see how the two could be confused." Merlin presented the Ghost to the lieutenant, who took it and checked the damage. "Your doorman said I could join the Disciples of the Sword if I came back with this, as proof of killing one of those Traveller worshipers."

"Don't get smart with me. Where'd you find this?"

"I killed it myself," Merlin answered with an inflection suggesting he was questioning the Titan's assumptions.

"See this goop?" he asked, wiping up some of the pale blue residue from the wound. He allowed a drop to fall onto his tongue before whipping the rest away and throwing the Ghost at Merlin. "That only shows up after one of our Necrochasms kills something. You found this dead already. I dunno where you got it, but you seem determined to join us; bring me a dozen more – without the goop – and I'll consider your application. Now piss off before I fill you with goop."

"Oooooh..." Sibyl said over the comms system between her and Merlin. "He'll fill you with goop!"

Merlin bowed his head just enough to hide his smirk from the Titan. "I'll go get more then," he said. The impatient Titan lunged at the Warlock and hoisted him into the air. He threw the smaller green Exo back toward the bridge. His sudden shift in velocity caught him off guard causing him to land hard and roll toward the exit. He quickly brushed himself off and stared at the Titan.