Sequel to A Difference of Opinions

Viper had just landed on Titan and saw Deputy Commander Sloane coming to welcome him, "Ah Viper it's been a while." She gives him a hard Titan pat on the back that knocks the wind out of him, "Still as aggressive as ever Sloane." Viper replies playfully. He liked Sloane. She was probably one of the only Titans who really understood the seperation of duty and one's personal justice. Hell she was even the one who encouraged Viper to go to the Shore when Cayde had passed. Viper punches her shoulder plate but ends up hurting himself more than her to which she laughs, "Zavala briefed me on your reasons for being here." Viper nods to which she continues, "He also told me about your little 'disagreement' let's call it." Viper sighs, "Yeah?" Viper scratches the back of his head embarrassed to which she laughs again before saying, "Hey I'm not mad. In fact I find it kind of impressive. Not many have the guts to get into an arguement with him." Viper chuckles, "I told him my feelings. You're probably one of the few Titans who gets the Hunter mindset but back to business. Let's plan out the mission."

Sloane nods and the two walk into her office. You think she wouldn't picked a nicer spot by now since the Red War but she seems to have grown fond of Siren's Watch. The Archology map is pulled up. Viper has Aria highlight the new tunnel within the Archology that's formed while Sloane quickly grabs the documents pertaining to the mission, "This is strictly recon Viper. Hive activity has spiked since that eyesore in the sky wormed it's way here. I'll be on Comms duty. Do not engage unless you absolutely have no choice in the matter." Viper nods and says to Sloane, "We lost a lot of good people that day during the nine man squad expedition. Especially Taeko." Sloane looks at Viper and smiles, "I know you and her had a history. Was there a thing between you two?"

Viper chuckles waving it off, "Nothing like that. She was just a good friend. Introduced me to one of my best friends and the three of us had quite a few missions together. She and I sadly had a bit of a falling out before her last mission. I was hoping to make it up to her post mission when I realized I was in the wrong over our arguement. However, reading Fireteam Caliban's Report was upsetting to say the least. She was a great Warlock." Sloane nods, "She was a Praxic Order Warlock through and through." Viper laughs, "That's code for she was stubborn as hell right?" Sloane laughs, "Look who's talking." Viper laughs even harder, "Me? Last I check Sloane you got quite the track record yourself." Sloane smiles and relaxes, "I've seriously been needing a good laugh." Viper shrugs, "I aim to please."

After the briefing was over Viper made his way to the Archology. Seeing The Rig swarming with Taken now was concerning to say the least but wasn't on his radar right now. He saw the Fallen dealing with a couple of the Taken swarms and continued to the entrance of The Archology.

As he reached the entrance his comm activated, "Viper can you hear me?" Viper continues making his way forward, "I hear you loud and clear Sloane." Viper looked to the left, "I'm proceeding into the Arboretum. We'll routinely check Comms to make sure they work." Sloane sighs, "Be careful Viper. I don't want to lose you either." Viper smiles as he makes his way forward, "Awww Sloane, you fallin' for me?" Sloanes chuckles over the comms, "Not a chance. Now get going." Viper starts dashing his way through, "Roger."

He was fleet footed but surprisingly quiet for an Exo. His foot step wasn't heavy at all since he was practically all metal. Every step he took was quick but quiet. His Hand Cannon holstered to his side and his Sniper on his back the Hunter was ready for anything. As he made his way into the Hallway in Caliban's report where they found the first orb of Void Light he turned on his comms, "Sloane do you copy?" The radio buzzes before The Deputy Commander's voice responds, "I hear you loud and clear Viper. Where are you?" Viper stands over the spot where the first Void Orb was. The was still some pieces of Hive Corruption scattered over the ground after another team was sent in to retrieve the dead ghosts of the expedition team, "Just arrived in Beta. I know further ahead is Charlie and the original tunnel Caliban used to get to the Chasm of Screams. Beginning scans now."

Aria appears again and starts scanning the room. When missions were this serious she wasn't as playful or snarky unless she knew they weren't in too much danger, "Scanning the area V. Sloane I'm sending you my scans in real time as well." Viper was scouting the area the old-fashioned way as Aria did her thing, "Sloane. I haven't encountered a single Hive yet and that's never a good sign." Sloane was looking at the scans Aria was sending, "Stay frosty Viper. According to Aria's scans you're in the area where the new tunnel should be located." Aria chimes in, "V the partially open doors to the left." Viper sees Aria has completed her scan and returned to his side, "Sloane you hear that? I'm proceeding with the mission. Let's mark the new entrance as Charlie-2." Sloane chuckles, "Is he you're newest boyfriend?" Viper chuckles, "Drop it. Not interested in you playing matchmaker with me." Sloane smiles, "Over and out Viper. Check in once you've made contact. Going into radio silence now."

Viper shakes his head annoyed, "Do I look like I desperately need a relationship? Help me out here Aria. Do I need a man?" Aria remains quiet...a little too long for Viper's liking, "What about Saint?" Viper looks at her with a mixture of confusion and annoyance, "You're joking right? I don't even think he swings that way." Aria perks ups, "You never know. I could always check-in with Geppetto." Viper sighs, "Aria. Focus up." Aria stands at attention dropping the playful attitude, "Sorry V. Let's mosey."

Viper begins pushing and forcing the doors open manually to get through. He wiggled his way through but keeping a watchful eye half expecting an ambush in the process of getting the junk in his truck to squeeze through the broken doors. Viper finally gets through and draws his Hand Cannon and aims it while scanning the area, "No signs of the Hive yet. But there's the entrance." Aria looks at the corruption, "It's recent. Three months old at best." Viper waves his hand in front of his face, "Oh I could've told you that from the smell alone Aria. Fucking hell, we probably could've suffocated Ghaul's fatass with that smell alone. PHEW!" Aria looks at her Guardian, "It's times like these I'm glad I don't have a proper sense of smell."

Viper looks for a nice hidden spot and places a patrol beacon for Sloane to keep the Comms Signal strong given what happened to Fireteam Caliban's signal during the Strike, "Signal seems good on my end. Let's keep going Aria. The Mission is officially beginning now." Aria chimes in, "Roger that Viper. Beginning stealth recon operations."

To Be Continued