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Heroes Among The Dead
Posted By: MT<brevard1986@hotmail.com>
Date: 21 March 2004, 12:46 PM
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Author's message:
This is another long one (just over 28kb and 4000 words) so you have been warned. For those who do struggle through it, I thank you all. I hope you enjoy it. I liked writing it.
A large plasma explosion rocked Drogo from behind. He looked back to see how the company was doing. The right flank, lead by his Corporal Hadar, was penetrating the Covenant lines and was able to do it without taking many losses. The left flank, led by the inept Lieutenant Gilroy was lagging behind, and taking as much casualties as they were inflicting upon the Covenant.
Several times, the Corporal had to hold his position and wait for the Lieutenant to catch up before he could carry on. Otherwise, he would be cut apart in his side. These abrupt halts caused a few casualties which could have otherwise been avoided if they continued their momentum.
Sergeant Drogo grimaced as he watched a squad of men blown apart by another plasma blast from a Wraith. I should be leading the left flank, he thought to himself, and he shouted for another squad to get down before they follow the fate of the first. No, he scolded himself, Hadar should take the left, and I the right: the most fortified area of the Covenant flank.
The Covenant was off the base of a mountain which housed another alien facility. The marines were able to secure the facility first before the Covenant drove them out of the mountain parameter and set up a fortification. They were in the process flushing the rest of the marines out before Drogo and his men got there. Drogo didn't know what was important about the facility on this ring world, but he knew the Covenant wanted it. What the Covenant wanted, his marines would not give them. He knew that much for certain.
Drogo looked back to another wave of marines coming up from the rear. He was able to strike the Covenant frontline and took it before the second line was able to form itself. This meant the momentum of the initial assault was carried on through and the marines were nearer the base of the mountain.
The Wraith was positioned deep inside a system of turrets and Covenant troops and proved a significant obstacle to overcome for the marines who did not have the heavy ordinance to deal with it.
All the heavy armaments were in reserve waiting for Drogo to accomplish his mission. He remained in the secured Covenant line waiting for the Captain to lead the third wave, which was now approaching. He willed them to hurry up because they were out in the open. The lush green grass on the ground in the open field was not the best place to hide from any attack, let alone an aerial assault.
Suddenly, the scream of a Banshee overhead can be heard.
"Finally," Drogo muttered to no one. He hefted his rocket launcher onto his soldier and got into position. He saw a single Banshee heading to strafe the wave of marines in the open. He waited for the Banshee to get neared, and then fired. The weapon lifted up abruptly as the rocket left the barrel. Drogo shouldered the recoil and watched the rocket go into the path of the Banshee. It swerved and flew higher, dodging the rocket just in time.
He lowered the rocket launcher and started running. His aim was to lead the Banshee to the left to an outcrop of boulders and a single prominent tree. Waiting there was a squad of four marines with M19 SSM rocket launchers. He thought those rocket launchers would have been better used at the front, and not for a single or even a pair of Banshees.
Already the Banshee was shooting and he felt the heat of plasma bolts behind him as dirt and burnt grass rose into the air. Sensing danger he dived and roll to the side as the Banshee increased its speed and rate of fire. Plasma bolts struck the ground next to his prone body with some of the plasma sizzling near him.
The Banshee turned and made another run for Drogo. He fired the second rocket in the barrel causing the Banshee to swerve sharply away. He grinned and started running towards his goal. The Banshee violently turned around as if enraged at the marine. It accelerated and started to fire.
Three rockets converge upon the Banshee missing it by a hair's breadth it seemed. A fourth rocket appearing from no where clipping the wing-like structure on its side. The small elongated bulbous at the tip housing one of the twin anti gravity drive and stabilizer failed, causing the Banshee to dip and then spin out of control. Before the Banshee crashed into the ground, a figure of an Elite can be seen diving away from the spinning Banshee. A roar of anger drifted towards Drogo who shouted, "That's how we kill things in the Marines!"
By the time Drogo reached the front all that was left was the Wraith and a handful of Elites.
He saw Hadar telling his men to stay low while he went to see what he could do. He kicked a dead Grunt when he saw Gilroy setting up his men to attack the Wraith head on. He was about to hurry to the Lieutenant's position to give him some 'advice', but Gilroy issued an order to a squad before he could move.
The squad of five men dashed from their cover and started to fire at the Elites and the Wraith. They died before emptying their first clip. Incredulously, Gilroy was sending another squad. They got further because the Wraith was still charging its weapon, but they too were melted or blown apart by a large blue plasma blast.
Before Gilroy could send another squad, Hadar was sprinting towards the Wraith clutching a fragmentation grenade. With his squad providing covering fire against the Elites, he raced towards the now turning Wraith without being cut apart by plasma bolts. He was capitalizing upon Lieutenant Gilroy's incompetence and finally reached the Wraith.
He dived, and then in mid air, threw the grenade as you would throw a pebble to skip upon a lake. It went into the dark space under the Wraith stubby turret right behind the pilot cockpit.
Hadar rolled away as the explosion from inside the Wraith caused purple shrapnel to slice through the air. The remaining Elites were instantly killed as pieces of the Wraith ripped through their bodies. A thin haze started to settle and the prone body of a marine can be seen.
Hadar got up with a frown on his face; a long piece of shrapnel embedded itself into his arm causing him to bleed profusely. A wild cheer erupted from the surrounding marines which Hadar promptly ignored, shouting for a squad of marines to check on the Elites. A medic rushed up front to see to Hadar's wound.
Drogo was furious with Hadar when he reached him. The medic, after taking out the piece of metal, was bandaging the Corporal's arm. Hadar ignored the whole procedure only hissing in pain occasionally but never stopping from ordering his men to secure the area.
Gilroy was attempting to say something to Drogo who pointedly ignored him and screamed at the Corporal.
"What on Earth do you think you were doing?"
"Sir," Hadar turned and gave a sharp salute with his wounded arm causing the unfinished bandages to fall off. The medic grunted in disgust. Hadar ignored him and continued on, "I saw an opportunity to destroy the armoured unit with a single fragmentation grenade. I took that opportunity and ordered my squad to provide heavy covering fire to allow me to proceed."
"Firstly, you initiated contact with the Wraith without heavy support. That is beyond the stupidity that that thick skull of yours can comprehend. You then risked your squads' life in providing covering fire against four Elites as you ran over twenty feet of open ground. Thirdly, you left your squad without command or tell your commanding officer your intentions, leaving an entire flank compromised. Finally, you risked your life, detonating an explosive device a mere ten feet away. Were you acting under any shred of rational thought or Marine training Corporal?"
Hadar didn't flinch at the reprimand, "Sir, I was acting under my nature: a grunt in the Marines killing Covies."
Drogo stared into Hadar's eyes. They were looking straight ahead, not meeting his gaze. Suddenly, Drogo's face stretched into a grin.
"If I didn't know you better Corporal, I would have thought you'd just cracked a joke." Drogo waved him away, "Get that wound cleaned and you'd better be fighting fit."
Hadar saluted and turned away. By the looks of things, Hadar was more than capable of fighting. He's going to be a great officer one day, thought Drogo. Definitely too good to be a bully sergeant like him, Drogo could see Hadar easily making the rank of Captain. He would very likely achieve the rank of Major shortly after, even though he'll hate it. Shaking his head, Drogo turned to salute the shamed faced Lieutenant.
"So, only thirty two losses?"
Captain Ingram was looking intently at the Lieutenant. After securing the mountain base, the marines entered the facility. The surviving marines from the previous mission were in dire need of medical aid and supplies. They were glad to leave the facility and first to take up look out positions. Now, Drogo and Gilroy were giving their reports to the Captain.
Coughing, the Lieutenant said, "Yes sir, thirty two losses during the assault and nineteen wounded. We took heavy casualties on our left flank as there seemed to be more resistance from the Covenant. I estimate that the Wraith inflicted a dozen casualties."
Ingram nodded, "Thank you Lieutenant. That leaves us with eighty plus correct? See to it that the burial parties also pile the Covie dead."
Gilroy saluted and started walking towards the Corporal.
"Sergeant, after I dismiss you I would like you to check what your Corporal is doing." The Captain frowned and said, "I don't like the look of the first line."
"Yes sir," barked back Drogo. He knew the line was perfectly fine and he wouldn't have done it any better, but he'll have to indulge the Captain.
Ingram wasn't particularly a brilliant of even good Captain. He also wasn't bad at being a Captain either. Still, Drogo had his reservations.
Ingram was smart enough to ask Drogo what he thought about all the situations they encountered. An inexperience officer is heavily reliant on his sergeant and Drogo knew this perfectly well. However, Ingram was always hesitant in permitting Drogo's suggestions to be implemented or he just did not see the most effective way to use his men. He would be able to see an adequate position, but never the best.
Drogo suspected that Ingram bullied his way through the ranks more so than any real military prowess. His large build and fierce look was certainly enough to do so. Although the Captain rarely fought, Drogo had to concede that the Captain was a capable fighter able to hold his own against the Covenant troops.
Most of the fighting and commanding usually fell upon Drogo and his Corporal, and the Lieutenant, with Ingram merely thinking of a satisfactory plan of action which he ordered them to implement. Although technically Ingram wasn't doing anything wrong, he did exercise the liberties of his rank all too frequently for Drogos liking. The men were disgruntled by their Captain's lack of combat leadership and relied more and more on the Sergeant and Corporal, even though Hadar wasn't particularly liked.
"I assume the supply situation if favourable, Sergeant." Ingram had little skill in logistics and Drogo constantly found himself in the position of telling the Captain what they did have and what they didn't have.
"Enough ammo sir," replied Drogo. "The heavies are good to go and food and water can be rationed if we stay longer than a couple of days. Medical supplies are a bit low however, and we've seem to have lost a few COM units as well."
"Hmm... The explosives?" The Captain raised a brow.
"Claymores and a crate of frags and whatever the men are carrying too. I think we only used a dozen or so in the assault."
"Very good." Ingram paused and said, "Are there enough claymores to line the entire first line?"
"Yes sir, more than enough."
"How many grenades will be needed to line up the first line to make them nearly as effective as a line of claymores?"
Drogo thought for a moment before replying, "We have enough to do that and still have extra frags left over."
The Captain nodded approvingly, "How long do you think before the Covenant will try to retake this place?"
"Long enough, sir." Drogo's face was expressionless but he knew what the Captain was planning.
"Good, this takes precedent over burial party: Dig a broken shallow trench for the first line. A deeper, more fortified one for the second. Get the explosives prepared."
Drogo saluted and went off to follow Ingram's orders.
It was some hours before they finished the trenches and moved on to the burial of their dead comrades. The air reeked of death from the hundred or dead human and Covenant bodies on the field. If the company disliked the idea of leaving the dead unattended laid side by side, they hated having to walk pass a pile of Covenant. When finally permitted, they were glad to bury the dead marines and burn the Covenant pile.
Drogo sought Hadar's opinion on the Captain's plan. Drogo could see that the plan itself looked good, but he noticed some inadequate placements of squads of marines. No doubt Hadar will notice these too, but Drogo suspected Hadar could think of an improvement upon the plan. Drogo could not think of any, but if he was able to, he wouldn't be just a bully sergeant.
When briefed on the Captain's plan, Hadar only grunted in displeasure and did not volunteer his opinion. Drogo smiled inwardly knowing full well that the grunt was Hadar being his most expressive.
"Well Corporal, what do you think about the Captain's plan?"
"It's adequate Sergeant."
"How would you position those snipers?" Drogo knew full well that Ingram's choice of position did provide appropriate cover, but it left the snipers horribly exposed. He was going to reposition them later but he wanted to see what Hadar would do.
Hadar replied without hesitation, "I would position two beside that ring of rocks and that small outcrop over there. The third and fourth over there." He pointed at a line of trees. "And, a squad lined on that rise just in front of that ridge."
Drogo nodded. Hadar not only positioned the sniper team to be their most effective, he also ensured that they would get the protection they would sorely need. Hadar was definitely officer material.
Before Drogo could ask about the claymore and fragmentation grenade set up, somebody started to sing.
Drogo walked towards the throng of marines gathered near the burial area. It was a distant away but the song can be heard. Drogo didn't understand the language at first but it was familiar, although not as familiar as his native German. When he got closer he thought he knew the language. Some other marines were softly whispering the query to each other. He was now quite sure that it was Mandarin or at least a form of it, perhaps a regional dialect. Aside from knowing the language, he had no idea what was being sung.
He finally saw the singer. Although Drogo could only see the marine's back he knew it was Private Lon. He wasn't aware that the marine could speak Mandarin. From the solemn tone of the song - no, he told himself, it was more like a hymn - Drogo thought it was some sought of ceremonial hymn to the dead. It wasn't lyrical or soft, but more reverent and serious. He wished he could understand the words.
Drogo was so intent on the hymn that he didn't notice Hadar now standing beside him.
After a moment, Hadar said, "It's called 'Hymn to the Fallen'."
Drogo looked at Hadar, surprised that there were so many linguists in the company. Turning back to listen to Lon, he asked Hadar, "What's he saying?"
Hadar recited the remainder of the hymn in English, "Though their heads were severed their spirits could not be subdued. They that fought so well - in death are warriors still; Stubborn and steadfast to the end, they could not be dishonoured. Their bodies perished in the fight; but the magic of their souls is strong - Captains among the ghosts, heroes among the Dead!"
Lon was getting up before Hadar finished his translation. He waited until Hadar finished before nodding and said, "Heaven decrees their fall."
Hadar gave a slight bow and replied, "The dread Powers are angry."
The Marines could see the Covenant now. The tall, predatory Elites at the very front of the strike force with Jackals and Grunts trying to keep up. A dozen Covenant dropships were spotted approaching, their distinctive U-shape sending a piercing sense of fear into the lookouts.
Drogo signalled for the line to keep their heads down. He spotted a pair of Ghost moving alongside the Covenant main flank. Hovering some feet above the ground, the sleek single passenger vehicles could smash through their lines. The pilots, two Elites were quite likely going to make a straight run at them without any infantry support.
"Watch those pair," he said into the open COM. "Launchers at the ready. Make the first count before you leave. I don't want a Ghost getting to the second line."
There was a soft beep and Drogo open the COM to the Captain.
The Captain's voice could be heard. "Sergeant," he said. "How do things look?" Ingram was holding a small squad in the facility. There, the marines will make their last stand.
"I have visual contact with the Covenant. It's light, sir. I can see two Ghosts and some carrying those big purple and green guns. No Hunters," he added thanking the stars. "I believe it is possible for the first line to hold."
Drogo regretted his decision. The line of fragmentation grenades in front of their shallow trench detonated later than they should have. The charging Elites sprinting ahead of the Jackals and Grunts, delighted to attack the Marines first, only suffered minor casualties. The main force was intact and descending upon the Marines at speed.
The two Ghost didn't act as Drogo expected, waiting for the Covenant force reach them. They went alongside the Elite assault force and caused havoc in a section of the line before destroyed. Drogo was delayed in sending the order to detonate the fragmentation grenades because he was wrestling with one of the wounded Elite pilots.
"Keep those chain guns firing," Drogo yelled to the two gunners. They were laying down sporadic fire and didn't concentrate on any section of the Elite force.
Drogo knew he had to get the men out of the line now; otherwise the Elites will be able to cut them apart when they started to retreat. The second line was a short distance away and would be able to provide the covering fire they'll need, so Drogo knew he could afford to call a full retreat.
"OK marines, pull out! Get out of this ditch and move your sorry backsides to the second line. Quickly!" Drogo put down some covering fire on a single Elite who paused and roared in rage as the bullets were deflected off his energy shield. He ducked as plasma bolts answered. "C'mon, let's go marines!"
Several marines were cut to pieces by plasma before they could get out. Others were killed when they were running back to the second line. Drogo waited until the entire line was cleared before making a move. The chain gunners, still firing, gave him what covering fire they could before moving off themselves.
Drogo ducked and stayed low as plasma bolts sped past him. One was close enough to for him to feel the searing heat of super condensed energy. In front of him was one of the gunners, just reaching the lip of the deeper trench. Suddenly a green plasma bolt struck him right on the back and he fell into the trench.
Drogo dived just as a dozen plasma bolts ripped through the air where he was a moment ago. He crawled the rest of the way to the trench before just dropping in. Lying beside him was a body of a marine who had a gaping burnt hole in place of a face so he couldn't identify him. He looked away to watch a medic attempting to save the screaming gunner. The plasma burnt straight through into his spine, and the gunner was screaming incoherently about his legs.
Getting up, he saw Hadar down the line confidently firing his assault rifle. All the marines beside him ducked more often than they should and Hadar remained unfazed by the storm of plasma around him.
Drogo stayed low as he made his way towards the Corporal. The Covenant now reached the first line and they were diving into the shallow trench which gave them all, aside from the Grunts, little protection. Drogo saw the stubby creatures run in their comical shuffle to attack the second line. They were cut down by a well positioned squad in the side.
"Prepare to detonate Corporal," Drogo said as he reached Hadar.
Lieutenant Gilroy had half his right arm missing leaving a bloody stump the medic beside him was desperately trying to bandage. He was screaming disjointedly, in fear as much as pain. Drogo blocked the scene out, concentrating on Hadar fiddling with the remote detonators. Glancing over, he saw that a sizeable section of the Covenant was hunkered down in the ditch.
"Ready sir."
"Do it."
The explosion rocked the entire line of marines. The mountain of dirt lifted high into the air before raining down heavily on the battlefield. Covenant, whole bodies and pieces can seen in the rain. Drogo was surprised to see a Jackals head land right in front of him. He frowned as the large orange eyes flickered and shoved the head away.
The haze lifted and the marines started firing as soon as they could see any moving figures.
Drogo cursed loudly as another marine beside him was struck in the face by a plasma bolt. He fired at a group of Grunts until he heard the click telling him he had no more ammunition. Ducking as a large green plasma ball of energy flew towards him, he hugged the wall of the trench. The blast was deafening and he felt an enormous amount of pressure on his lungs and legs. Quickly he reloaded his assault rifle and got up to fire.
He aimed at a Blue Elite and started to fire. The Elite's shield, already low, dissipated under Drogo's barrage, and the bullets finally ripped through the Elites armour killing him. He started to aim at another Blue when he saw a formation of Jackals advancing against the left flank. They weren't going to hold for much longer.
Hadar started to issue an order to the flank for them to take out the Jackals but Drogo placed a hand on his soldier. Shaking his head he said, "You're going to lead the fall back. I'll cover." Hadar looked as if he would question the order but he just nodded in the end. Drago suddenly grabbed Hadar's shoulder; his face was serious. "Leave the wounded that can not move or will slow you down. This time, don't act like a grunt."
With yet another frown on his face, Hadar preparing the men for a retreat back to the facility. Drogo looked at Gilroy who was lying down cradling what was left of his arm. He kicked the man causing Gilroy to scream out in pain. Cursing, the Lieutenant demanded to know what Drogo was doing.
"We're going to stay here sir and slow down the Covenant."
Gilroy's eyes widened in horror, "What? N-no! You and Hadar will hold and I... I'll you lead the retreat."
The Sergeant was expressionless, "You can't move sir."
"What? Of course I can move!" Gilroy tried to get up the pain in the back of his legs caused him to moan in pain and stop. He suddenly became hysterical, cursing and sobbing, "What happened? Why do my legs hurt?"
Drogo didn't try to explain as he saw Hadar and the men were ready. He looked down the line at the wounded marines. Some of them couldn't stand but most were able to. He issued the order to for them to provide covering fire. At the same time Hadar ordered the marines to move out. Clambering up, the marines were successful in getting over the lip of the trench. Some laid down their own fire as soon as they were up, but most started running. Now Hadar made his way to the Sergeant.
Seeing Hadar coming towards him Drogo shouted, "Don't be a grunt Corporal! They're your men now."
Hadar hesitated before sullenly follow his marines as well.
Gilroy stopped his crying and shouted into the air, "Don't leave me Hadar! Don't leave me Corporal! That's an order. That's an ord..." he trailed off.
Drogo sneered in disgust, and turned to look at the wave of Covenant rushing towards him. "Heroes among the dead indeed," he muttered bitterly.
'Hymn To The Fallen'
4th century BC, anonymous.
Translated from Chinese by Arthur Waley
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