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Arbiter's Next War by Michael Archer
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Arbiter's Next War: Part 1
Date: 16 March 2005, 9:12 PM
1530 hours, October 29, 2556 (Military Calendar) Solar System, Planet Earth, New York City, USA
The Arbiter looked over the city. For a human city, it was pretty decent. With his sharp, keen eyes, he saw in the distance, a dirty green female human, holding a torch.
It had been four years after the war, and The Arbiter had become an ambassador for the Covenant, and learned the language of the humans. The Prophet of Truth had betrayed them. The Arbiter had helped "the demon" stop the Prophet of Truth. He reconsidered that judgment. The Prophet of Truth was mad, and The Arbiter didn't think he had the right to say that. He only called himself "The Arbiter", because he forgot his true name.
The Arbiter was in front of the United Nations building. He looked at a playground with human children laughing and having fun, before he went back into the United Nations.
In the United Nations, The Arbiter saw General Johnson standing near the entrance. When The Arbiter fist met him, he was a Sergeant. He also helped in defeating Truth.
"Hi Arbiter........um.......you know, you really should have told me your name in all these years".
"My name?", The Arbiter said. "My name was scraped. For shame of letting the Holy Ring be destroyed". The General caught a glimpse of the faint scarred Mark of Shame on The Arbiter's left breast.
"Scraped?!", said the furious General. "What kind of barbaric creatures would do that?!"
A tall human walked by. At least three meters tall, he towered above the admiral. The Master Chief: John-117.
"Oh..........uh.........forget that", stammered the Johnson. "Well I'll see you later, uh........Arby". The General walked away.
At that moment, The Arbiter heard a sound in the storage room. He ran over to check it out. He reached the cold, dusty storage room. All of the sudden, a small creature with tentacles, leaped at him. The Arbiter drew a fist back, and let out a punch. The little monster exploded. The Arbiter knew what it was. The question is , How did they get there?
"Flood! In the storage room!", yelled the Arbiter.
General Johnson coughed. "What?! I thought all those sons of a bitches destroyed on Halo!"
"Well, last time I saw them, they were driving jeeps and takes. Maybe they got smarter and built ships to fly over here. Or maybe they followed us.", said The Arbiter.
"Well, ok. I'll tell the President and we'll tell everybody to stay calm and cool got it? They don't know anything about The Flood".
"The Flood is a dangerous life form, I don't see why civilians will stay calm".
1301 hours October 31, 2556 (Military Calendar) Planet Earth, en route to Washington D.C.
The Arbiter shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The chair was designed for the small humans, and he had a hard time fitting in the chair.
"Well", said Johnson. "The kids are going to have one hell of a Halloween tonight".
"What is 'Halloween'" questioned The Arbiter.
"Oh. Halloween is on every October 31. The kids dress up in scary costumes and go door-to-door, collecting candy".
"What is 'candy'".
"Well, candy is a sweet treat that kids like to chew on because it tastes good. Here, try this". Johnson pulled out from his pocket a peppermint. He gave it to The Arbiter. The Arbiter looked at it for a minute, and shoved it in his mouth. It only took a second for him to spit it out.
"My mouth is burning! Do human children actually like this stuff?".
"Well yes. Of course, if I went to a Covenant banquet, I'd probably think the food was disgusting too".
The Arbiter looked out of the window, as they flew closer to the ground, he saw a tall, white triangle with three holes at the top. At the foot of the structure, there was a long pool.
The General and The Arbiter were let into The White House. Then Johnson whispered, "Let me handle this. Only talk if you're addressed to". As The Arbiter walked in, he noticed the fine columns and how fancy the house was.
The General spoke to a few men before they were led in to The President's oval office
"Hello, Mister President". The General snapped a quick salute. "General Johnson from the United Nations Space Command. We had a problem in New York the other day. I didn't really see it, but Arby here can tell you about it".
The Arbiter took a deep breath. "Halo was made to maintain and study The Flood. That's what are problem is. I found a Flood in the storage room. These little creatures infect a host and it has spores that can carry the infection to another host. After the carrier gets old, it changes into a big balloon. And after a while, it pops and lets more parasites out".
The President was beginning to look sick, and the General was already vomiting in the trash can.
"Well, Arbiter. I would think you're lying if I hadn't seen it for myself. Follow me."
The President took them into a prison, and led them to the farthest cell. Inside of it, was a human combat form, and a few infection forms. When they saw them, the infection forms tried to leap through the narrow bars, but failed. The combat form stood up, let out a little gurgle and sat back down. The General took out a small pin.
"Do you want to get popped you little bastards?"
"We found these little guys somewhere around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial" said The President. "We managed to get them back, at the cost of perfectly good soldier". He nodded to the combat form. "We'll tell the people to stay calm, and get out of Washington D.C.
A call came over the President's radio. "Mr. President. Please come back to the White House right now. It's very urgent"
1400 hours October 31, 2556 (Military Calendar) Washington D.C. White House, Watching the TV
The President watched in horrour as the little creatures on the TV scrambled over Chicago, terrorizing the people.
"Well", said the President. "I'll radio in all the soldiers from New York. In the mean time, you'll go back to New York to keep it under control. After you've managed to wipe out most of the Flood, come back to Washington for further orders".
"Yes Sir!", said Johnson, saluting.
1730 hours October 31, 2556 (Military Calendar) New York City
"Well Arby. Our job is to make sure those kids have a safe trick-or-treating tonight", said the General.
"What's trick-or-treating?".
"That's when kids go door-to-door. It's called trick-or-treating. Hurry up! We better get out before those little bastards eat all the kids! Then the Flood will steal all their candy!"
"I'm coming". The Arbiter reached into a shelf, took out a dusty grey helmet with designs engraved on it, and set it on his head.
Arbiter's Next War: Part 2
Date: 11 April 2005, 7:33 PM
1930 hours, October 31, 2556 (Military Calendar) Planet Earth, New York City
New York was very beautiful during the night, thought The Arbiter as he strolled through the streets with the marines following him. He looked up and saw the lady again. He wondered why she was there.
"General", he said. "What is the lady doing in the middle of the harbor?
"What lady? Oh you mean the Statue of Liberty! Well, it's a long story, but the French gave it to us for our 100th year of independence. We can go up in it some time. But right now, we have to kick some flood ass!"
The Arbiter loaded his battle rifle, and raised it.
"Hey Arby!", whispered Johnson. "Lower your battle rifle. You don't want to freak out the kids".
"Yo! Tall kid!".
The Arbiter turned around and looked down. There was a kid there with a sheet over his head and two holes cut out for sight.
"Nice gun! Nice costume too!".
"You shouldn't be out right now little boy", said Johnson. "Didn't you watch the news? Didn't you see those little bastards.....I mean those little creatures that were attacking people?".
"Yeah I did. It was a pretty cool hoax. Just like the moon landing".
"Actually, that did really happen".
"Well, if it did, how could the flag wave on the moon?"
"Well, you see the flag wasn't a normal flag. It was....".
The General was wasting his voice. The kid had already ran off.
"It was a lunar flag!", yelled Johnson. "The flag was just siff!"
"Calm down General", said The Arbiter. "We have to protect the streets New York. The Flood is a very dangerous parasite which contains spores.....",
"Yeah, yeah. Look, we just have to keep the streets safe. We don't want to see one of USA's biggest cities....".
Suddenly The Arbiter snapped up, his battle rifle raised, scanning the area.
"What Arby?", said Johnson.
"Be quiet!", The Arbiter snapped.
The Arbiter fired three bursts out of his battle rifle as the first pod popped. A dozen other Infection Forms leaped at them as the Arbiter and the Marines opened fire. Johnson stayed at the back to give orders.
"Pop those little bastards! No, use your gun!".
Then from behind a corner, a human combat form ran out. Johnson and The Arbiter fired nine shots and the combat form went down. This was just one of million in New York.
1829 hours, November, 24 2556 (Military Calendar)
Planet Earth, Washington, DC, White House
"Well General, you kept the city under control for a long time, but now New York's population is now down to about 1,000. Those little guys ate up everybody, and most people moved out.", said the President of the United States. "Today we celebrate Thanksgiving, giving thanks to the Pilgrims who came to USA to start a colony. Of course, they would have got back on that ship, and sail back over the Atlantic Ocean, if they knew that one day, it would be attacked by a parasitic life form. But General, you know that we can't have them live in USA. We're going to have to launch a strike against them".
"With all due respect sir, launching an attack against one of the main cities in USA, wouldn't be smart. It could cause....."
"General Johnson, if we do not launch an attack soon, we should change the national anthem to "the land of the trapped, and the home of the parasite".
Sitting in front of The Arbiter, there lay a half eaten turkey leg. The only meat on the table was the food that he dared to touch. After he ate half he got up; walked to the bathroom; and threw up. He was glad that he brought his own food, and didn't have to live on this human food.
"General", spoke The Arbiter. "I think the President has a point. The Flood would consume all if they aren't stopped".
"If anybody knows about the Flood, it's Arby. His gods built a whole planet to contain them, Mister President. I remember when I first fought them. They didn't eat me though".
"That's why we promoted you to General Johnson. You never give up. Get some good sleep tonight boys. Tomorrow is a big day. Those parasites won't know what hit them".
1011 hours, November 25, 2556 (Military Calendar) en route to New York City
"You know, I getting really pissed", said Johnson. "Why does the President always send us back on a plane to New York? We stayed for one night in Washington!".
"Well", said the Arbiter. "That was a little insane, but at least we got to see lots of the tourist attractions. My favourite one was that black wall that had millions of names on it. I also liked that really big old man that was sitting on the chair".
Johnson looked out of his window. From the distance he could almost see little yellow pods sitting on the Statue of Liberty.
Arbiter's Next War: Part 3
Date: 29 April 2005, 9:27 PM
Prolouge
2200 hours, December 15 2560, (Military Calendar) Planet Earth, New York City
New York. Even its faintest stars were noticeable. It was one of the most beautiful cities in USA. Fireworks hit the sky and confetti was shot up into the air to celebrate December 15.
December 15 wasn't just 10 days before Christmas. It was the day when the USA fought off a parasitic life form that was living in New York City. When the Americans had no hope left, the last resort was a nuclear strike. And that's exactly was The President of the United States did. For four years they slaved to rebuild the city. The radiation level was still high causing New York's former population drop. People stopped moving in.
Lots of things were ruined in the blast. After the chaos settled, the Statue of Liberty was nowhere to be seen and the Empire State Building was crumbled to the ground.
The General never forgot that day when the missile went down. Not only did he lose lots of American soldiers, but he had also lost a friend.
0100 hours, December 15, 2556, (Military Calendar) Marine Camp, Charleston, Illinois
The Arbiter paced around in circles as the marines loaded their battle rifles and got ready for combat. He still had one of those old Covenant energy swords that he carried to Earth. Clad he was in the old armour that the Prophets gave him. He couldn't be more ready.
"You scared Arby?", said Johnson as he walked up beside him.
"No. I would never be.", he replied.
"I am, I can tell you that. But right now, we have to fight for New York. Fight for USA. Fight for Humanity. When I think about that way, it's not that hard anymore. I am so mad that I don't get to be on the front line".
"You're not going to fight?".
"Sadly no. They won't let me put myself in danger. I'm too high of a rank".
"Ok, I need all combat personnel to report to the dropships", yelled a voice over the microphone as four dropships landed.
"Well Arby, see you after once USA is safe", said the General.
The Arbiter ran over to the dropships climbed in one. Marines piled in shortly after. The General watched as the pelicans slowly climbed up, and flew up into the sky.
1200 hours, December 15, 2556, (Military Calendar) Over the State of Connecticut in an Airborne Warning and Control System
Johnson sat as the large AWACS cruised through the sky. Through the windows he saw the F-14 Tomcats on each side of the plane. He got up from his small seat to look at the radar. Millions of small red blips moved across the screen.
"ETA for New York Attack Company equals two minutes", said one of the crewmen.
Johnson leaned against the radar. On the other side of the screen he saw about one hundred yellow blips moving slowly.
"Mister President", said Johnson into the radio. "Our soldiers have almost arrived at the LZ. Awaiting orders".
"Just stay where you are general. Monitor the battle and report every ten minutes".
"Yes sir".
1201 hours, December 15, 2556 (Military Calendar) New York City, New York
The Arbiter had trouble sitting in such a tiny seat. He moved around a lot which bothered some marines.
"Alright guys!, yelled the pilot. "Pile out!".
The Arbiter jumped out remarkably fast, his eyes scanning for any movement.
"Arby. They're coming from behind. Prepare for combat", said the General.
He turned quickly around monitoring the situation. With no hesitation, a light rapidly sprouted from what seemed to be a black worthless handle.
Come on you parasites. Show yourselves. Come out so me and my team of humans can kill you.
Sure enough, he got his wish.
1220 hours, December 15, 2556, (Military Calendar) Over the State of Connecticut in an Airborne Warning and Control System
"Sir, they've engaged the enemy", said the crewman.
Johnson put his hand in his chin as he watched as the little yellow blips attacked the millions of red blips. One yellow blip was plowing through all the red blips while the other yellows slowly disappeared.
Johnson stared at the radar. They have to win, he thought. They've got Arby on their team.
"Sir, we're losing them. There's just too many. We can't fight them all".
"Calm down General" replied the President. "We haven't lost yet. I've got some fighter pilots in the air armed with HELLFIRE missiles. They wait for your command."
Johnson clicked on the radio. "General Johnson to USA fighter pilots. Fire at will.".
"Fire at will"
That's what Captain Samuel Miller heard over his radio. With no hesitation, he fixated his oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, his eyes darting from his windshield and to his radar.
"Captain Miller to Commander Drake Harvey, we have conformation, repeat, we have conformation. Fire at will, fire at will".
Drake clicked his oxygen mask over his face; armed the HELLFIRE missile; and deployed it. His heart pounded furiously as he watched the missile fly towards the ground. Over to the right he saw Captain Miller's fighter jet launch a missile. He hyperventilated as though his mask was malfunctioning.
There was a flash of light as the missiles hit the streets of New York.
"Drake, I need you to calm down", said Miller through his radio. "I need you to take some deep breaths. We hit our target".
Drake put his hand on his breast, and took two deep breaths. He and Captain Miller passed low over New York's surface avoiding the explosion.
Suddenly, a beige form appeared on Miller's windshield. The air screamed by his ears as it slapped away his windshield. Samuel covered his ears as the combat form ripped off his mask and tore apart the jet. A few seconds later, the jet blew up.
Drake was petrified. He pulled up and gunned the thrusters. The speedometer read MACH 2 as he flew away and reported in.
"General sir! They....They killed him!".
Johnson looked at the radar. Between all the red dots were two giant holes. He took a deep breath of relief. The holes were only there for a couple of seconds before they closed up again. All the yellow dots were gone but one.
"Pilot, report back to the carrier and wait for further orders".
"Ye...yes sir".
Johnson opened a new channel. "Mister President. Missiles conformed hit, but not very effective"
"Yes General. I didn't think that I had to use this"
"Sir?"
"Drake is in the air with a nuclear missile awaiting deployment".
Johnson couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Mister President, I couldn't. My friend is down there".
"Nothing is working. We have to".
Johnson fought all his military instincts to say, "No".
"That's the chain of command soldier! We have to save New York!".
"But sir...", the COM channel went dead.
Johnson sat down and stared silently at the yellow blip for a minute. His hand shook and he raised the radio to his mouth and whispered.
"Deploy".
2230 hours, December 15, 2560 (Military Calandar) New York City, New York
Johnson looked over the sky, remembering his friend. As he walked home from the celebration party, he looked at all the decorations. Scanning from one to the next, he hoped to see a poster of The Arbiter, but there were none. The Statue of Liberty was destroyed as well as his friend. He wished he could go up into with his buddy to see the view.
Johnson decided to take the short cut through a construction site. This particular site was where they were rebuilding the United Nations. He remembered looking out towards the grand city of New York with The Arbiter.
While he was walking, his foot struck something hard. He cried out in pain and looked at what he hit. It was just a raised piece of dirt. He touched it with his foot again. Instead of feeling soft dirt, he felt something hard. He got down on his hands and knees, and began brushing away the sand. It turned out bigger than he had thought. After brushing for ten minutes, he saw what it was. It was a huge piece of metal. Johnson took out his flashlight and shined it on the piece of metal. After looking at it for a long time he finally figured out what it was.
Embrossed on the big piece of metal was:
July
IV
MDCCLXXVI
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