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Land of the Unknown
Date: 21 May 2001, 6:27 pm

The stars were bright as i lie there in my bunk looking out the window. Torrmorrow was a big day said our DI. Tormorrow we go to the crucible, the most rigourous training a marine gets before beign sent to war. I could barely sleep as I saw a star fall from the sky. I looked around at all my teammates, and knew that I had to trust them with my life when we are sent to war. Murphy was playing somekind of video game, and Donner was looking at his favorite Playboy issue. Alyssa was taking a shower as me and murdock were watching. She didnt mind, she was here for war and that was it.. I decided to look back out the window, this may be my last night to see the stars i though to myself..

ÝÝÝÝ"Wake Up!" Hollared the DI, and I realized i had fallen asleep.. It was time to move as I grabben my AR and got my pack. We ran 5 miles to a shooting range, if you didnt pass this you didnt move on. WE were almost 20 mins away from the crucible and as we ran down there we would be put to a few tests, to make it there you had to pass them all. I lined up on a convent target and fired off a few rounds, then fired at a jackal 250 yards away. As I was firing I heard the DI telling people they were through. "Get Off my Range!" he hollared at Murphy, who just missed a 125 yard convent. "You could have just risked the life of ur fellow soldiers!"The DI told him as he wiped a tear from his eye. "Dont Cry Baby!" The DI said as Murphy left. I awaiting my next target to pop up and as it did I nailed it dead center.

ÝÝÝÝAfter the rifle range we ran another 3-5 mins and stopped for a close combat course. The object was to give the DI a good fight or you dont pass. I watch the whole squad do so and only 2 failed. It was now my turn, I stepped up and the DI grabbed me. I gave him a right punch and a kick in the nuts, dropping him like a stone. "Good Job Koontz." He said as he lay there on the floor.

ÝÝÝÝAfter that we made it to the crucible, we started with 120 people and are down to 101, which will all stay if not injured.. The Crucible was the most dangerous training excercise know to the Marines, and it was everyones dream to make it through. There are 3 parts. The first part is a obstacle course that isnt too hard but it is long and you get wore out easily. The second part is explosive training, this is a part that everyone fears, cept me! The 3rd part is a wargame wiht metal balls, its about like the game paintball that excisted around 600 years ago. All of us made the obstacle course and Alyssa took off he shirt exposing her topless when she cut her back open and had to get it stichted.

ÝÝÝÝThe Explosive raining was fun, as they put us in groups of 4 and we each had to mke 3 bombs. My group made a bomb out of pipe and gunpowder, one out of C4 and a tank of gasolin, and one out of Drano and aluminum foil....Never the less we made it no problem as 1 person got killed from a blast from our explosives.

ÝÝÝÝThe war game was on now, as they split us up 50/50. The object was to capture the opponents flag, as my team done so. I ended up wiht 5 welts on my body, all thanks to those metal balls.

ÝÝÝÝThis was it graduation as I kissed alyssa cause i was so Happy.The DI made a speech:

ÝÝÝÝ"Today you are Marines, all of you will be going to help other Marines in a war against the Covenent. Some of you wil make it through, but most of you will die trying. I am proud of you all and make sure to kick some alien ass out there!!!" "Hoorah!!!!" all 300 of us hollared, including the 100 from my squad. At night I decided to watch the stars again although I could barely stay awake to see them...then I drifted off to sleep.

ÝÝÝÝI woke up the next morning as we all loaded up onto a carrier that wll take us to a dropship.. The dropship will drop us off at the planet were we will kick some alien butts. I decided to sleep as I got nervous and sick to my stomach.. "wake up Koontz" I heard as I woke up and saw we were only 5 mins from the warzone. i got ready and looked around as my squad were all awating me to say something.. "Ok boys we are gonna go out there and do what?" "Kick Ass!" they all replied, and the comm came on and said we are landing..

ÝÝÝÝAs the dropship door opened what I saw horrified me......

ÝÝÝÝ...to be continued...

Land of the Unknown Part 2
Date: 23 May 2001, 2:17 am

- What I saw horrified me. I saw dozens of Marines being bombarded from some Covent aifcraft.
"Give me the Damn Bazooka" I told Rico, as he was about to enter the battle field. He handed it to me, and I took careful aim on one of the aircraft that pissed me off by amost killing me.
WHOOOOOOSHHHHHHHH!!! I felt the air and saw the missle right on target. I grinned as the ship exploded sending debris all over the place.

As i watched and saw by the looks of the battle, that our chances of surviving arent good.. There were around 60-70 marines, and 1 tank. there were anywhere from 300-400 Convent Grunts and Elites and around a dozen flyers. The were trying to surround the Marines and if they put the tank our they may be able to do so.

I felt the drop ship shake as it was being hit by convent flyers. As I prepared to move out I saw one of my men get shot if the head before we even got out.
"Damnit!!!!" I yelled as i ran out and started shooting...
Click.....Click.......Click... "Shoot" I said as I realized I forgot to put in a clip. I finally got one in and opened fire on some grunts trying to flank us from the north. I took our one and almost got vaporized but luckily moved over to get a grenade ready. I threw it and a Elite shot it in mid-air.
"WoW!" I yelled "Watch out they are smarter than we think!" as me and my men moved up the hill to try and find a position to call back to HQ.

I had to load another clip while we advanced up the hill.Three more of my men got taken out. After three more firefights and 4 more men taken out we finally made it up the hill. Almost being blasted away by a Convent flyer.Thankfully the Tank got him first.I radioed into HQ telling them what is happening and that we couldnt get through to fin out where this unknown radio signal came from.

HQ told us to make it through by any means neseccary, which made me pissed cause that would me kill countless men.I radioed back to the Dropship and told them to unleash 5 buggys. Trying to make it back was harder and the Convent located us and starting firing as we ran down the hill, I starting to try to flank as I threw 3 grenades and missed on the first 2 and my 3rd one landed and took 5 out. The rest of my men opened fire and took out most of them.
"Damn Aliens!!!!!" I yelled as I opened fire on three from less than 4 feet away, Blowning there guts and purple blood all over me..

The buggys were ready as we got to the dropship. Only 15 of us went, so I took the best I had, as we moved out. I looked back to see the end buggy get taken out by a covent weapon that I hadnt ever seen.
"Move it!!!!" i said as we headed towards the bridge 3 clicks to the north.
I heard the 4 buggy all open fire as some convent flyers flew over head. "get them now!!!" I yelled over the comm.

After that we never saw another convent which made me nervous. My felling didnt last long as I slammed on the brakes and used my binocs to scope the bridge seeing 30-40 convent grunts guarding each side. BOOM!!!, the bridge exploded and the convents were blew all to hell. I saw a small group of EOD Marinespop up and signaled us over.

They told us they got split when dropship let them go and there objective was to make it to the bridge and to blow it up. I was pissed cause besides the bridge the only way to get across the river was a dark spot that the map showed as UNKNOWN. Noone knew what was there or what would happen. all we knew was it was swampy. The buggys are 4 wheel drive so we might be able to make it.

I decided that for the good of the mission we would go. and off we went after we picked up the EOD marines...

.......to be continued

Land of the Unknown Part 3
Date: 24 May 2001, 5:20 am

I had a million things running through my head. What could this dark area be? What is gonna happen? Amn I putting my squad at risk? Should I disobey direct orders and get courtmartialed if we survived? No I could do that, we had to find out what this dar karea is and make it through. If we didnt we could't make it across and couldnt find out where the radio signal came from.

As we neared i decided to stopand survey the valley beneath to see if I could see through this dark area. As I looked back I could see the battle still raging on, and by the looks of it we werent winning. "Sir" one of my men Pvt. Wallace said. "Are we gonna survive?"
"I mean there are only 15 of us, and hard telling what we will encounter out there" he continued.
"Horse Shit!" I said "We were trained to be the best, and as far as I am concered we here are the best, and will whoop any alien ass!" He grinned as if he knew I was right. I hope I was right. But what if I was wrong? Wat if we werent the best? What if I was sending me and my squad to our deaths? I had to get these thoughts out of my head.

I layed there thnking to myself what were are gonna do? The wind was whistling through the trees below us in the valley. The grass was swaying wiht the wind, as I picked up some blades and sent them into the air. It was a beautiful day as you could see several of the moons surrouding this planet. It reminded me of the days back at the farm wehn I was a young lad helping do chores I would sit and do this same thing when I was through. But I wasnt a farm boy no more. I was in chage of 100 deadly marines. I glanced back and saw the the battle looked almost over. Did I just destroy 87 members of my squad? Enough I thought to myself.

"Lets get going." I told my men as we loaded into the Warthogs and headed down the hill to the Swamp. "Lights on!" I yelled as the lights all lit up and we headed in. It was gummy as the 4 wheel drive on the warthogs was working wonderfully, thank god for that. It was misty in there, and there was this smell, it wasnt a horrid smell but one that made you want to puke. I could understand it, the smell was nice but take a big wiff and you lost ur lunch. We stopped after 100 yards to catch what was going on. I looked around with my spotlight and saw nothing.

THUMP! was all I heard as I turned and saw one of the EODs head has been burned clean off his neck. Just then i saw it through the headlight, there were 50 or so grunts firing at random. I jumped from my position and opened fire. as I hit the mud it was at my waist so laying prone wasnt an option. Al my men had opened fire and I saw on of them fall. The grunts started to advance as I tried to climb into the warthog t ograb a grenade or two. It was too gummy The mud was too thick. I reached and grabbed one grenade, and was too out of breath to grab another. The grunts were still advancing as another of my men was taken out. I went under the mud and thought about tryign to flank them. I pulled the pink and threw it in front of them, sending 3 of them for a ride and i went under I could hear there bullets flying over where I just was.

It was over, we finally got the grunts thanks to the grenade which got them messed up and killed. I knew that it would help but i didnt think that it would work as good as I though.
"How many did we lose I asked?"
"3 Sir" one of my men replied. "two of them were EOD" he called back That left us wiht no EODs and 12 Marines. I didnt kno what to do. Continuing may mean more firefights like this, but it guarenteed worse stuff I knew. I decided to load it up and head on. We were driving through and Danielle asked me"Sir can I ask you something?"
"sure" I said.
"well i have been meanig to say that the driver we have has been taking us in circles for the past 15 mins."As i watched for the next 10 mins I realized he had been taking us in little 10 yard circles, a I looked at him, his eyes were glowing green. I took My pistol and blew his head right off. Everyone started talking. "Now Listen up!" I said. " There is some weird ass shit going on here, and this area is causing it, I dont know what the hell is goign on, but will find out!" I got into my seat as Danielle took the driving over. This was no war, this was Hell, and I was determined ot survive.

.......to be continued

Land of the Unknown Part 4
Date: 25 May 2001, 9:06 pm

It was Hell I though, those damn alien scum were gonan try to kill us all, they dont take prisoners, they devower like bugs. Shit they are bugs, and me without my bug spray. Guess nukes will hafta work. I grinned after what i though was funny. Johnny tapped my shoulder.
"what Johny?" I said
"sir look to ur left." he whispered. I turned to look and saw some shadows follwing us 30 yards to my left. As I reached for my gun I saw the sky above light up.
"AMBUSH!!!!" I yelled, but it was too late I saw 3 of my men fall before I could blink.

I dunked under the hog with Danielle and Johnny, at least I had the best two soldiers with me, then Mike and Ben joined us. Are we the only ones left i though. I knew we had to get in the warthog and get going fast, we couldnt go back, hell I didn't even know which direction is back. I saw a shadow come ing closer and I cocked a shotgun. Blam!ckkk Blam!ckkk Blam!ckkk, the shadow fell, I could see its face so I turned the light on. OMG! It looked like a grunt body with an elite sense of warfare, could they be breeding. The lab at Earth told us this is impossible, but what I am seeing is something that the scientists said was impossible.

After a few mins the shooting stopped, and it seemed like everyone left. I looekd around with a spotlight, and realized the 5 of us were the only ones left. As I looked ahead I saw some light comign through the trees. "That way damnit!" I said as we loaded up. We went to the light, and on the other side was a beautifle grass area with little trees and tall swaying grass.
"Ok we will rest here" I said and we all lay in the grass looking at the moons. I will be dark soon I though, I hoped we wouldnt have to fight off anymore today.

What I said would haunt me this night, we would not survive. but . I put danielle and Johnny in tress with a bazokka and a sniper rifle and Mike,Ben and I dug a trench incase anything happened. We all lay there and i closed my eyes.
"Sir, wake up!" Mike said while shaking me. I awoke and saw Ben firing at something. I looked over the trench, I saw it. over 300 Grunts and 400 elites moving our way, I looked to my right and saw a fire.
"Who made the fire!" I said extremly pissed off!.
"I did sir." Ben said.
I was about to kick bens ass when I was shot in the arm. my left arm was melted off by an elite weapons. I grabbed my pistol and starting firing. I saw a blast come from an elite flyer hit the tree danielle was in and saw pieces of her body fly everywhere. The same happened to johnny a few mins later.
"Get to the Hog!" I hollared, as I saw bens head get taken off. Mike tried to run but his legs had been melted off. I pulled out my pistol and shot him in the head, taking him out of his misery, I am sure he would do the same for me.

I made it to the buggy and got it going. I was being chased and attacked by flyers while I tried to dodge their attacks, I needed to make it to the forest about 8 clicks ahead, which I knew wouldnt happen. I saw some things flash before my eyes, i saw members being taken out, The I recalled my childhood and my service in the corps. as the last thing flashed before my eyes the hog explode, the last thing I saw were my wife and kids that I may have had if I survived..

......to be continued How well you will find out...

Land of the Unknown Part 5
Date: 27 May 2001, 4:43 am

    "Wake up"
    "wake up"I heard as I opened my eyes...OMG I am alive. I saw the nurse standing over me. I kissed her. I could have sworn I was dead after the huge explosion that occured with the Jeep. I pondered to myself how in the hell I could have survived that. I felt mybody, it was all there. A hole in my should from a wound. Wait a minute my arm it is there! I had to find out what was going on.

    I got out of my bed, brrr the floor was cold and I walked my way to the door. I opened the door leading to the Main Hallway of the Hospital facility. To my left I saw the black floor spread for a good 100 yrds or so before going into a turn. I looked to my right and saw the main desk. I walked towards it, this didnt feel like no ordinary Hospital, but I was alive and that was all I cared about. The walls were made of a texture I have never seen before, and so was the ceiling as it was tiled up only 4 feet above me. I got closer to the desk and saw a spark from a wire an electrician was workign on. Well it was good to see that they actually have workers here. The electrician gave me a weird look and his eyes had a glow to them, but I thought nothing of it, and proceeded to head towards the Main Desk.

    "Yes Sir?"
    "How can I assist you?"
    "I am tryign to figure out what the hell is goin on"I said
    "I thought I was dead, but I am alive?" I replied again.
    She didnt answer me as most nurses never do, then the nnurse I kissed said to follow her. We went towards a bathroom, the smell of insulin made me feel weary, I always did hate getting shots. She opened the Bathroom door and locked it.
    "Your Sargeant Koontz right?" she asked
    "Yes Maam." I replied "Now What in hells creation is going on here?"
    She handed me a little tapoe that said.
    -You are not alive, but you are more or a half human/ half cybernetic warrior, when the explosion occured enough of you was left to keep you alive. Where are you now you may ask? you are at ALARC which means Alien Labs and Resource Center. The nurse that gave you this is actually Captain Honey, and you two must escape this place as fast as---the tape messed up.
    "oh well."
    "lets get the fuck outta here!" I said. She said wait and handed me a AR and a Pistol. Hell Yeah I feel better than ever I thought as I loaded a clip into the AR. Honey had the same thing as me along with a few grenades.

    I opened the door and saw the electrician dude not 4 feet away trying to attack me with a wrench, he swung it back and forth, until I unloaded 4 shots into his chest, the blood from him was a blackish color and damn did it stink! we ran throug the hallways and out the building as a dropship picked us up. After we were in the sky I starting thinking. What the hell is going on? ever since that weird signal nothing has been the same.....

    as we flew off I watched the sunset and off we went..

.......to be continued

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