The Archon Arc

Fight for the Future

Ryder took point, her Mattock raised and her senses heightened. Kett were travelling in parallel to them in the same direction. Vetra took potshots at them but they were just too far. They took it slow as they strode across the bridge.

A raised domed platform dominated the space. The Archon took to stage centre and his arms on his hips. Ryder aimed her rifle at him as a matter of principle, though he was out of range. Scott sat slumped in his chair, his face pale and sweaty. He was barely holding it together. Ryder's eyes blazed in fury. How dare he touch my brother! The Archon will pay and he will pay through his fucking nose!

"Pathfinder, your attempts to rival me is no longer amusing," the Archon hissed.

"Fuck you!" Ryder growled, her words echoed throughout the chamber.

"Hey Sara, got my clues?" Scott asked, panting slightly.

"You did good, Scott," Ryder said. "Hang in there, I'll get you out soon."

Vetra and Jaal flanked Ryder, their weapons raised. Ryder took strength from their presence. "The lumpy monkey face just likes to yak on and on, so easily distracted," Scott said, giving her a weak grin.

The Archon turned to face Scott. "So determined but so pointless. Your fates were inevitable. Struggle all you want, in the end you will fall to me."

With a flick of his hand, he activated the connection. Ryder's grip on her rifle tightened as Scott trembled under the pain. The Archon connected himself directly to the glowing hub above via thick steel corded wires. Scott whimpered as the Archon rose to the air, glowing with electrifying power. "Scott, hold on!" Ryder shouted as she watched the Archon rising out of her reach.

"No more mercy, kill them all!"

Remnant forces began to swarm their location.

----

"I'm out!" Vetra shouted.

Ryder fished a couple of spare thermal clips and slid them across the floor towards Vetra. Damn, we need an ammo run pretty soon. She popped from her cover and fired at the Destined before it could hide under smoke cover again. "Jaal, how's your ammo situation?" she asked through her mic.

"I'm down to my last one," his voice crackled through her omni tool.

Ryder spotted a crate of ammo just off to a distance. She glanced quickly to make sure the way was clear. Just as she was about to Charge over, she heard Scott's voice. "Shit, Sara he has access to Meridian!"

Fuck!

"I see it now. The Remnant are the architects of life. Pathfinder, you command nothing!" the Archon proclaimed.

Ryder kept moving. She so wanted to hurl a retort but she had to keep her wits about her. She made it to the ammo cache and promptly empty it. The Archon arched his back as a burst of energy rolled across the chamber. Scott cried out as the chamber shook. From the depths below, a Remnant Architect rose like a ancient monster of the deep. The angry red eye stared at Ryder for a split second before a bolt of energy slammed into her. "Ryder!" Jaal shouted.

Ryder didn't cry out, her breath was caught in her throat. She just tumbled backwards with the impact. A loud crack echoed throughout the chamber as the platform they were on broke. All three slid downwards, stopping only at the foot of the domed platform. Jaal picked himself up and rushed over to Ryder's side. "I'm fine, I'm fine," Ryder said as she tried to get up.

"Ryder, you're not!" he shouted, anger clear in his voice. "Shut up and sit down."

Ryder complied when she realised she had trouble getting up. Jaal's hands worked fast while Vetra had her rifle at the ready, covering them. Her shield had managed to stop the brunt of the impact but her torso throbbed in time with her heart beat. Jaal slapped a medi gel pack into her suit and her suit took care of the rest. Her breathing even out as relief flooded her body. Before Jaal could speak, Scott's voice rang out.