Horn of Morpheus

by Ragashingo , Official DBO Cryptarch, Monday, May 06, 2013, 22:07 (4221 days ago) @ Kermit
edited by Ragashingo, Monday, May 06, 2013, 22:22

Kermit’s unit had outflanked the enemy by securing one of the Reef’s many upper platforms amid its myriad of crisscrossing walkways. They had a full 360 degree field of view from their high perch, and what was obviously a main enemy supply route to harass down below. They killed more than a dozen supply vehicles and accompanying escorts before the enemy even located them. Unfortunately the order to pull out came a minute too late as an amazingly well thrown pulse grenade landed in their midst.

Two Guardians, both Awoken, fell to their deaths among the wreckage of the enemy supply line. Another, the unit’s lone Exo, was thrown clear of the Rift’s short range gravity field, fated to slowly drift towards the luminescent gas clouds that hung around the enormous structure. Only Kermit, who had barely managed to dive clear, was left on the platform. Through careful ammunition management, he was able to whittle down the enemy’s response force using the few weapons left by his squad. He expertly lined up what should have been the final kill shot only to have his final gun lock open, all its ammo expended.

Out of ammo, out of stored energy provided by the Traveler back at Earth, all Kermit could do was watch while his foe ascended the various stairs, elevators, and escalators, intent on killing him up close and personal. As the enemy soldier neared Kermit noticed that one of the Awoken had dropped its Horn of Morpheus. He gave the funny, shell shaped horn his mightiest blow, the one he reserved for inflating large pool toys, but to no avail. As the enemy charged, melee weapon in hand, Kermit did the only thing he could.

He threw the horn.

It was oddly comical, watching the soldier stumble over the railing as it tried to shield its face from the unexpected projectile. Kermit expected the horn to be swatted aside, not for it to save his life!

Kermit descended to the lower level and called for an evac. His after action report would be grim, noting the deaths of three of his closest friends, but he couldn’t help but smile just a little as he opened the Horn of Morpheus’ tactical manual and appended the words: “Surprisingly useful when thrown at close range.”

Alternatively:

Ragashingo studied the Horn of Morpheus’ tactical manual. Or at least he tried to. Conch? Somnolent? Time and time again his field dictionary reported: “Word not found.” Tying into the linguistic database was no help either, and only returned what were probably (possibly?) equivalents of “Word not found” in languages he didn’t recognize, much less understand. The footnote at the bottom of the entry did provide a momentary chuckle, however.