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Cade McDonough: Difference between revisions
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Following the trail left behind by the ''Spirit of Fire'' almost twenty-six years earlier, it took the ''Ace of Spades'' a little over four days to arrive at the appropriate coordinates in an uncharted location within the [[Milky Way]]'s Cygnus Arm. The lack of any recognizable objects in sight confused the crew, but Cade confirmed they were at the right spot. He and Niko both took charge of monitoring the space for signals or other items of note. Rion determined that they should get closer to the [[Korinth Prior system]]'s dwarf star and Cade agreed when Lessa proposed coasting at two-Gs. Over an hour later, Cade recalled Rion to the observation deck to bring to her attention what appeared to be a dense [[asteroid belt]]. He navigated the ship toward it, but it soon became clear that they were in fact viewing the remains of some sort of planetoid. Unbeknownst to the crew, they were looking at all that remained of the [[Etran Harborage]], a [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Battle of the Etran Harborage|destroyed]] in [[2531]] by forces of the ''Spirit of Fire''. Niko located a piece large enough to have its own significant gravity well that looked to be partially covered by an active [[energy shield]], so Cade plotted a course toward it. He continued to monitor their position in the field while [[Lessa]] kept an eye on any rogue debris. Cade made sure Rion remained focused and picked out a spot to land atop an uneven slab of rock of a nearby cliff face under the dome of energy. | Following the trail left behind by the ''Spirit of Fire'' almost twenty-six years earlier, it took the ''Ace of Spades'' a little over four days to arrive at the appropriate coordinates in an uncharted location within the [[Milky Way]]'s Cygnus Arm. The lack of any recognizable objects in sight confused the crew, but Cade confirmed they were at the right spot. He and Niko both took charge of monitoring the space for signals or other items of note. Rion determined that they should get closer to the [[Korinth Prior system]]'s dwarf star and Cade agreed when Lessa proposed coasting at two-Gs. Over an hour later, Cade recalled Rion to the observation deck to bring to her attention what appeared to be a dense [[asteroid belt]]. He navigated the ship toward it, but it soon became clear that they were in fact viewing the remains of some sort of planetoid. Unbeknownst to the crew, they were looking at all that remained of the [[Etran Harborage]], a [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Battle of the Etran Harborage|destroyed]] in [[2531]] by forces of the ''Spirit of Fire''. Niko located a piece large enough to have its own significant gravity well that looked to be partially covered by an active [[energy shield]], so Cade plotted a course toward it. He continued to monitor their position in the field while [[Lessa]] kept an eye on any rogue debris. Cade made sure Rion remained focused and picked out a spot to land atop an uneven slab of rock of a nearby cliff face under the dome of energy. | ||
After going through a rundown with the crew, Rion and Cade stopped at the weapons store before disembarking from ''Ace''. Cade grabbed his [[assault rifle]], a sidearm, and the sack of grenades once more. His environment suit told him that the atmospheric conditions and temperature of the rock they were on were safe for humans, and so he removed his helmet. Their target was an identifiable door at the end of what seemed to be a flagstone road. Niko guided them through rocks along the road as they made their approach. Before landing, faint life signs had been detected just meters below the surface at the structure. Cade confirmed with Niko that they were still present and openly wondered what could be down there. A few steps into the structure, a blue light swept over Rion and Cade, who figured they must have tripped a sensor. Lights on the floor also were illuminated to show a path to a central console. Rion was inexorably drawn to place her hand on it, but Cade prevented her from doing so by grabbing her wrist. A flare of anger rose in her, but then she wondered why he hadn't had the same urge come over him. She asked "You don't want to touch it?" and he smiled, turning her question into one of sexual innuendo. Just then, Niko started shouting that the war-freighter from Laconia had followed them and was already present on this slab of debris. Cade ran to the entryway to begin laying down covering fire so the ''Ace'' could get airborne without being shot at. He noted that he could see the Sangheili vessel. Suddenly, Gek 'Lhar revealed himself by surprising Rion from behind and effortlessly tossed her against the console in the middle of the room. Meanwhile, Cade shouted orders to the crew aboard ''Ace of Spades'' and tossed a [[fragmentation grenade]] to provide a distraction and cover. Two other Sangheili present in the structure headed for the exit to ambush Cade, but Rion shouted a warning and he was able to dispatch them both with a [[thermite grenade]]. He turned to head back to where Rion was, but was caught | After going through a rundown with the crew, Rion and Cade stopped at the weapons store before disembarking from ''Ace''. Cade grabbed his [[assault rifle]], a sidearm, and the sack of grenades once more. His environment suit told him that the atmospheric conditions and temperature of the rock they were on were safe for humans, and so he removed his helmet. Their target was an identifiable door at the end of what seemed to be a flagstone road. Niko guided them through rocks along the road as they made their approach. Before landing, faint life signs had been detected just meters below the surface at the structure. Cade confirmed with Niko that they were still present and openly wondered what could be down there. A few steps into the structure, a blue light swept over Rion and Cade, who figured they must have tripped a sensor. Lights on the floor also were illuminated to show a path to a central console. Rion was inexorably drawn to place her hand on it, but Cade prevented her from doing so by grabbing her wrist. A flare of anger rose in her, but then she wondered why he hadn't had the same urge come over him. She asked "You don't want to touch it?" and he smiled, turning her question into one of sexual innuendo. Just then, Niko started shouting that the war-freighter from Laconia had followed them and was already present on this slab of debris. Cade ran to the entryway to begin laying down covering fire so the ''Ace'' could get airborne without being shot at. He noted that he could see the Sangheili vessel. Suddenly, Gek 'Lhar revealed himself by surprising Rion from behind and effortlessly tossed her against the console in the middle of the room. Meanwhile, Cade shouted orders to the crew aboard ''Ace of Spades'' and tossed a [[fragmentation grenade]] to provide a distraction and cover. Two other Sangheili present in the structure headed for the exit to ambush Cade, but Rion shouted a warning and he was able to dispatch them both with a [[thermite grenade]]. He turned to head back to where Rion was, but was caught completely off guard by Gek. Right before the [[Sangheili Commander|Commander]] plunged his [[Type-1 energy sword]] through Cade's chest, he slid the remaining grenades across the floor to Rion. Gek bent over to rip Cade's dog tags from around his neck and add them to his [[keepsake|collection]] on his shoulder before leaving, having been injured by Rion. Cade's massive wound had been cauterized by the [[plasma]] of the sword, but his breathing was shallow and his gaze was unfocused as he fought to blink. He grabbed Rion's hand and tried to speak, but blood is his throat nearly prevented him from doing so. He managed to just tell her that it was okay before slipping away. | ||
===Legacy=== | ===Legacy=== | ||