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Grunt: dynamektank we need reinforcements at covenant dropship #657 immediately! Dynamektank: mobilizing...dynamektank016 now in place. The battle rages on while dynamektank slashes through the marines with extreme prejudice. The marines are confused at the fact that they cannot not find his orange spots(which are on his thigh). Marine: Mad dog come in damnit. We need serious reinforcements at the covenant dropship! get your butt over here! Mad Dog sat in the passenger seat of a warthog, fumbling with his pistol while staring stupidly at it, stroking the handle and the barrel with rough, half-frozen fingers. The radio crackled softly, but he did not hear it for a time, running a cleaning rod through the pistol's barrel a few times while licking his lips, almost 5 minutes pass while the faint sounds of battle whisper through the cold air. Finally he heard it, letting out a startled grunt in suprise, putting 2 fingers to his lips and letting out a loud whistle to the driver and gunner, who were attempting to start a fire through the cold, soulless snow that fell peacefully over them. They asked what he wanted, but he just held the receiver of the radio up to them, a stupid grin on his face. Immediately they got the message, and rolled out with great haste to the marines in trouble, the warthog kicking up large amounts of powder behind it. Mad Dog sat fumbling with his rifle, reloading clips and holstering his pistol, his large size almost ignoring the large jumps that the Warthog took over the cold dunes. Finally they arrived, and they let their jaws drop as they saw the huge Hunter growl as it slapped a marine aside with its immense shield, turning its attention to the Warthog that just rolled up. Gunner - Holy ****!! Turn 'round, turn 'round! Driver - I'm going as fast as I can! The driver floored it, sending the Warthog into a stall for a second, then letting it go off to a bullet start, heading straight for the hunter, which jumped to the side, immediately charged up its plasma gun, wearing a cold, cruel grin as it turned around, the bright, green glow pointed at the warthog with was heading for it again. Driver - Ah, hell! Spinning the wheel vigorously, he sent the warthog to the side, onto a large sheet of ice, which send it almost into a rollover, the Hunter firing to make it worse, shattering a section of the ice loudly while sending the Warthog into a spin which landed it beside the water, scaring the ice and launching the driver and gunner into the freezing water, where they almost immediately died of shock and almost ridiculously cold water, much colder than that on good old terra-firma. Mad Dog, meanwhile, had jumped from the passenger seat, rolling onto the cold ice while breaking his left arm, grunting loudly in response to the sharp, stinging pain. Quickly he stood, just in time to be knocked down again from the exploding Warthog, sending shrapnel all around, including into Mad dog's stomach and the Hunter's thigh, which oozed alien blood as it shrieked in terrible, but not mortal, pain. Together they lay, alone, staring at each other while holding their injured appendages, attempting to raise their heavy weapons but failing, at least for the time being... Mad Dog growled angrily, reaching for his gun with his right hand, but then wincing and putting it back on his bleeding stomach. So they lay, motionless except for their squirming, and stared at each other. Mad Dog: You son of a bitch... DynamekTank: to hell with you as he tried to get get up he realized that the wound had made a direct hit on his orange spot. It was bleeding profusely. The only hope for him was to automatically stop his heart form beating with a covenant medical pack. Attempting to crawl along pulling his shield from behind him, he was shot again from shot again form his human opponent. DynamekTank(letting go of his shield)truce? He was secretly going to break away and run for it, but this human was different form the rest. Snarling, Mad Dog watched the squirming titan, attempting to wrestle itself from the ground, raising its shield to protect form large-caliber rifle rounds. Indeed, the Hunter was hurt bad, but he was far worse, feeling faint from blood loss from the projectiles that had spewn into his belly when the warthog exploded. Soon he had fired the last bullet in the clip and found no strength left in him to put in another, instead letting the gun tumble from his grip and land peacefully on the cold ice, smoke still whispering from the barrel, seething out of the hot, almost warped steel. Slowly he passed out, cursing under his breath as he began to freeze in the cold weather, left at the mercy of the slowly recovering Hunter, or the Marines that were on their way to help... Although they would almost certainly be too late to help. As the marines came to the battlefield they were discouraged immediately. Mad Dog was unconscious and a deadly hunter was dicing through marines with his plasmatic sword. they arrived only to be swept aside as a secondary component to another, more important battle. Mad Dog lay there, nearly dead plain out because of the cold let alone his wounds. The marines that arrived have not helped him, but swept aside. The unique hunter continues to crawl away. Out of nowhere, a rumble is heard. A transport flies over a nearby cliff, high above the battle. It lowers slowly, circling itself in place to look over the battle taking place. The transport lowers its back a few feet away from the spot where Mad Dog is laying unconscious. It hovers a few feet from the ground, and a soldier known as Neo Geo, aka Lucky, runs through the hold area and jumps to the ground next to Mad Dog. He pulls a pistol and shoots at the Covenant that are starting to surround the area. He grabs him under his arms and brings him up and over his shoulder. He climbs back aboard and runs through the hold room and into the other parts of the shuttle. After setting Mad Dog in a cheap, fold out bed, Lucky runs back to the pilot seat where it has been set to hover. He hits a few buttons, and the ship flies away as the ground Covenant troops shoot at other marine forces and the ship itself. Lucky: And they call ME Lucky...you just got your cold booty saved...---Looks back and sees that he has not came back to consciousness yet...feels stupid--- I know it was a matter of time I'd start talking to myself...---Looks back again at the body--- But your wasted butt can listen anyway. That hunter you were fighting didn't look like an ordinary hunter. It had a freaking plasma sword and its orange marks weren't on its back. I thought I saw it on the thighs...but hey, the cold gets to us all, as you've discovered. ---Gets up and walks over to the bed, where an AI inside the ship has begun to work on Mad Dog medically--- Anything yet, Ray? Ray (AI): Well...the stomach wound will heal. I've taken out the remaining pieces that went into him. He has a broken arm, but I have also put that back together and it should be healed by tomorrow (Advanced Technology - Gotta love it) and he is passed out because of the cold. He should awaken soon, at least by tomorrow. If he had been out there 5 minutes longer he would have died from the cold. You were lucky to get there in time. Lucky: So I was... Ray: And I took a look at that Hunter...not the most ordinary one. We should head back to that area once your new friend here is alrite...there might be more like that one, and they are much more dangerous than other hunters. And plus, this guy might know how this new hunter works and such...by the way, his ID in his helmet identify him as Michael McGee, but is called Mad Dog. Every heard of him? Lucky: Actually I have...this guy is probably one of the craziest sons of bitches in the Corps. Someone who I would like on my side. Ray: Yes, and his record shows that he is a very good soldier. Many confirmed kills...another thing you were lucky about. The ship flies away, back to the small cave where Lucky made a small one-man camp...waiting for Mad Dog to awaken. After awakening from the covenant med-pack heart stopper, DynamekTank reflected on his recent battle. Once again he had fought superbly, estimating his kill count to be around 17. 18, if that damn warthog had not exploded and had sent shrapnel straight into his thigh. The real question was who was that marine that he had tried to kill? He was different, his eyes had...desire. Fire. As he had been escaping to another dropship to heal his wounds, he had witnessed an emergency dropship hover down and pick up the half-wasted marine. He had thought to shoot it down but then decided not to, his legs hurting to badly. "Next time," he thought. "Next Time" The night passes after the large, bloody battle. In his small, hidden cave, Lucky wakes up early to check on the still unconscious Mad Dog. Mad Dog is still out of it, looks like he isn't going to be up soon. Since he is up early, Lucky decides to check out the gear that the transport still has. He opens up every cabinet or shelf he can find...at the end, finding 10 assault rifles, 5 shotguns, 5 sniper rifles, around 50 grenades, 15 pistols, 4 rocket launchers, and enough ammo for each to last a LONG time even if you had a full platoon. Lucky smiles...knowing he has enough to fight out a whole Covenant army if he could...which by himself he could not. He also finds some unused Covenant plasma grenades, but not many. He finds plenty of med kits, and more than enough food/water to go around to him and Mad Dog. He sets up a table and starts fully loading two of each weapon, for him and Mad Dog once they head back to the battle site. He takes a pistol and walks outside both the cave and the shuttle and takes a look around the canyons. He stays right at the edge of the cave, so he can get back in if Covenant patrols were to come by, which they have been doing ever since he came down there. He looks through the small scope on the pistol at the surrounding areas. He hears some plasma fire and the sound of flying Banshees. As he looks around the canyon, he sees nothing hitting anything. Suddenly he sees two banshees fly over the side of the canyon, coming downward, with one shooting at the other. As they continually head downwards, Lucky sees an Elite jump out of the one in front right before it hits the ground, barely surviving a hard crash. The other banshee hits the ground hard but does not explode. Lucky runs over to the double crash site not too far away in the canyon. He walks up to the slowly standing elite and puts the gun to its head. The elite says some harsh words, and Lucky shoots...and the elite drops dead to the ground. After taking the Elite's plasma rifle, needler, and ammo for the needler...Lucky goes to the other banshee nearby, where a Flood fighter jumps out of the pilot seat and runs at him. Lucky quickly pulls the trigger on the Flood a good 8 times to drop it. Once it jumps back up, he puts it back down with a few more shots. After inspecting both banshees, he pushes both of them into the cave next to the shuttle. Both banshees are lightly damaged, but good to fly and still in good condition. After some work is finished, he reloads his pistol and sits in a chair next to Mad Dog's bed...waiting for him to awaken and thinking of what to do once he does. Baelrog, the name that used to strike fear into humans and covenant alike. Now, he was reduced to a limping wreck, his only companion his plasma rifle, the last of the remnants of his glorious past. His hatred told him what to do. How to survive. The hatred took form as the each and every plasma burst, each step that smashed a flood, each fist that pummeled them. He did all three quite a bit. "Looking for answers" is what he told himself. Soon, his answers will be found. And vengeance shall be brought upon his enemies. The Flood, the Humans, and the pompous Gothmog who had given him this suicide assignment; and cost him his dearest possession. Baelrog lost his ghost to the sea. His base destroyed, his ghost sunk, his plasma rifle overheating. But he will survive. For this is Baelrogs coming. Lucky sits in his chair looking at the still unconscious Mad Dog. He wonders if he should wait longer or try to find more human forces to give the body to so they can watch over him. Lucky needs to go out to explore the area, but is disabled from doing so because it is too dangerous to leave Mad Dog there alone with no defense. After several hours of sitting there with his guns, he decides to find a human camp and bring the unconscious man there. He loads Mad Dog into the transport and takes off. He flies for around 15 minutes looking around the very large island they are currently on. He finally sees a large camp with humans walking around in it. He lands, and goes to the highest ranked Human at the camp. Lucky: Sergeant, I have an unconscious man with me. The man's name is Michael McGee. The exchange is made, and Lucky takes off in his transport. After landing at his camp and loading up, he heads out on foot into the forest to look around. He continues walking, finding little critters walking around here and there. He is holding a shotgun, a tucked away pistol, and a machine gun strapped over his shoulder. Another 10 minutes pass, and he hides next to a path where an elite is limping on. After the elite passes, he jumps out onto the path and points the shotgun at the Elite. The Elite stops, exhausted and too hurt to try to run, since he knows who popped out behind him. Lucky: I know you aren't dumb. I am not going to kill you...unless you piss me off. The Elite turns around and drops his weapon. He is just relieved it is not more flood to fight off. Lucky ends up pointing the shotgun away from him, obviously not trying to kill any more Covenant. Lucky walks towards the Elite, as the Elite (Known as Baelrog) wonders what to do. Mad Dog finally awakened, tasting blood in his mouth. He realized then that he didnt know where he was. Where the hell am I? As he said that a shadow moved form across him.. Dark nights. Bright days. It didn't matter; it was all the same to Smaug. Light and dark had no meaning to him, they were just words. He had been a humble gunner, nothing more, nothing less. He did as was told, but on one fateful day, he was told something that would change him forever. "Go to the outland forest base." The orders came straight from the gold Gothmog. Smaug, as usual, didn't question his orders, instead he hid his scorn. He complained to his comrade, Baelrog, later that night. "The forest base is a practical hole in the wall!" Baelrog had simply said "I'll take care of it," He disappeared shortly thereafter. Almost as soon as Smaug stepped off the transport and into the Forest Base, tragedy struck. He walked down the steps, went to the bunker, when suddenly the walls exploded. Smaug was thrown straight through to the command station, much to the surprise of the commanding officers. The flood came in their namesake. Explosions ripped through the base. Smaug looked for a turret, but found none. A gap in the wall! He crawled through, expecting to find cramped space, but instead found a spacious cavern, and in the center were two objects. He approached, unaware of the carnage taking place outside. The first was a plasma blade, but it was different, it had a greenish-pink swirl to it, seeming to pulsate with Smaug's heart. The other was unfamiliar to him. It was a geometric shape surrounded by a glass cube. He ever so gently picked it up, only to have the glass shatter. The shape inside exploded outward crawling up Smaug's arm, soon enveloping him in it's cold grasp. Smaug knew what he had become, invisible. Smaug escaped the horror of Outland Forest Base, and became a shadow in the night, a terror to all who wandered, a bane to those who were isolated. Smaug became an assassin of the worst kind: one who could not be seen, and one who had no mercy. Smaug the gunner died that day, and Smaug, the plague to all who did not fly the covenant flag, was born. To be Covenant... What did it mean? Did it mean to follow your Elite and Hunter leaders? Did it mean to be forced into conscription from your home world as sub-species to be kicked about and shoved into frontline battle? Or did it mean to follow the holy texts, the books that all Covenants followed so faithfully, treading in its roseate path of divine death and rebirth? This was to be Covenant; at least that is what Orpheus thought. Orpheus was quite distant from your normal Jackal, he was thoughtful, he was wise, he was witty, and he was clever. His brethren fought for themselves, they fought to stay alive and to get the rush that came from killing a human or two. They held their shields and grasped their shields to let their incipient rage grow and grow, nurturing their want for blood and destruction. Orpheus was nothing like them; he fought for a reason. He was a scholar, one of the few Jackals who could read from the holy texts of their elders, the large books with the black paper and brilliant silver and gold lettering, brilliantly accented with pictures and symbols. The others had forgotten the old ways, the brotherhood, but his faith was very extant, and he fought only to retire once more and return to his precious reading. Very little brought him pleasure, but one thing kept him sane, one thing kept him centered; his instrument. It was a bright, vibrant tube with holes cut in the side, made of the finest, most reflective metal ever seen, and Orpheus would sacrifice himself for it. He often played, although quietly, for his maddened brothers hated its sweet, melodious sounds which filled their cold, heartless bunkers before each battle. Now he has been ordered on this patrol, where the human know as "Lucky" had been spotted, so him and his brothers, five other Jackals, a red elite and 6 grunts, set out. One of the grunts was an expert in tracking, and he led them to the cave, his nose pressed against the ground the entire way, cursing when the breathing apparatus got in the way. There he pointed at the ground, where footprints led away from the scene; he was gone, and they were going to be ready for him. Hiding their own tracks, they retired into the cave, deciding to rest until they had a warning of his approach. There, Orpheus picked up his instrument, and played the sweetest of songs; at first his companions complained and cursed at him, but after a while, they grew quite drowsy, heads swaying and eyelids growing heavy with fatigue. Soon they were unconscious, and he himself no better, his thoughts elsewhere with the music; what could possibly happen when the Marine returned? As Lucky slowly approaches the elite known as Baelrog (With his pistol pointed at him), Baelrog suddenly turns and kicks the pistol out of Lucky's hands. There is a brief fistfight, where Baelrog uppercuts Lucky and sends him to the ground. Baelrog pulls his weapon and fires at Lucky just as Lucky jumps for cover. As Lucky begins pulling out another weapon from behind cover, Baelrog looks down the path and his eyes widen. He grunts at Lucky and begins running away. As Lucky comes out of his cover spot, with his shotgun in hand, he picks up his pistol and starts to run after Baelrog, until he hears a squishing sound. He turns around, and a bit down the path he sees a small horde of Flood charging towards him, with some of the small Infectors tagging along behind. Lucky sighs regretfully, knowing he is deep in it. He fires with his pistol at them, dropping several of them from the long range. He reloads and fires another clip at them. Then he puts away his pistol and takes out his shotgun and starts to fire at them as they get closer. After reloading, he continues firing until they get too close for comfort...then he runs as he reloads. He runs down the path in the direction that Baelrog had gone. He turns as he runs and shoots back at the Flood every now and then. He also lobs a few grenades back. As he is about to run out of energy from running for several minutes straight and the Flood is about to catch him, a Covenant ambush pops out of the bushes and trees and starts shooting at all of them (Lucky and the Flood). Lucky immediately drops to the ground as the plasma shots hit the Flood and tear them to shreds and such. He feels the "blood" from the Flood drip and splatter on him as they get shot. He restrains from throwing up, trying to play dead to the Covenant. As the last of the Flood get shot, he hears the Covenants yell and such and then they all run away. Lucky waits for a moment, and then he pushes a few dead Flood bodies off of him and he tries his best to wipe all of the slime off him. He picks up all of the ammo he can from the Flood that had human weapons, then he heads back for his camp, tired from the day. He makes radio contact with his AI aboard the shuttle in his camp. Lucky: Ray, you there? Within a few minutes, Ray takes control of the ship. The engines start up and it rumbles the ground a bit. The Covenant in the cave wake up almost immediately, and the transport takes off out of the cave as the Covenant scatter for their weapons, but it is too late. Ray zooms the ship to Lucky's position, where he picks him up and starts heading back to the camp on Lucky's orders. The Covenant are all pissed off that they missed him, but then they hear the same rumble they heard before. Before they reach for their weapons, the transport lowers into the cave's view and turns so the back transport area of the ship is visible, where Lucky is standing with a rocket launcher. The Covenant all yell and run for their weapons as Lucky takes the first shot...taking out 3 of the grunts and 2 of the Jackals. The Elite grabs his needler and turns at the transport, but it's too late as Lucky targeted the Elite and shot, blasting his body to a bloody mess. Instead of reloading, Lucky drops the rocket launcher and pulls out his machine gun, where he fires a whole clip at the remaining troops, taking out all but one Jackal who had already hidden behind a rock when the transport was first lowered. Thinking that he got them all, the transport zooms out of the cave and Lucky reloads his weapons...thinking what will happen the next day... Pain, suffering, just plain annoyance. Those are what cheered up Gothmog the most. He was a gold, the highest of the high. Only the prophets could give an unquestionable order. He took pleasure in those things, because of the pain he had endured to reach his place. He remembered the way the Hunter's always beat him. When he reached his rank, he took great pride in torturing them until they pleaded to die, so he killed them... Gothmog was bored. He was always bored. It got so bad at times that he just had grunts line up in a row and attach a plasma grenade to each one. He was cold-hearted to say the least. He often stated to those whom mocked, "We all have our place. Me, the grunts, the Jackals, the Hunters, and you. The only difference is that they, and you, are cannon fodder, and I am the cannon." His most recent act of pain induction- sending a small group of Jackals and grunts and an Elite to perish to a single human. His most recent act, but not his last. When not causing pain through his troops, he caused pain himself, flying his banshee and running over stray troops. Beware! Gothmog is the coming for the lives of all! Baelrog had what he was looking for. It didn't seem like much, just a small, rectangular box. But it held something Baelrog had longed for. He had found it attached to a dead flood, which had once been a jackal. He opened it slowly, hopefully. He sighed with relief, and removed the med pack from its case. It studied his leg, and found no permanent damage, another sigh of relief. He acted quickly, not wanting to endue the pain any longer. He stretched his leg, and with a covenant smile began his first run in a while. He owed it mostly to the human who ambushed him. He was the one who shot the flood-infested Jackal. I'll have to thank him later Thought Baelrog. He picked up his precious plasma rifle, and, without looking or turning, twisted his arm behind him, and pulled the trigger. He heard a satisfying squeal of flood exploding and their little squishing noise run away. "Ha!" He shouted into the forest,"Now what! What shall you do now that I am restored! Flood, fear this name, fear BAELROG!" With that he continued his monologue, but in a quieter, more thoughtful voice. "I shall kill fifty, no, one hundred more flood, and then I shall find Gothmog, and make him pay like I swore I would. I just hope no more distractions get in my way..." Orpheus breathed heavily from behind the enormous stone which he had leaped for when the firing started. He listened as the Pelican flew away into the knight, the gentle rumble of its engines echoing in the small cave's bowels for quite some time. For a long time he sat there, slowly composing himself, his sharp eyes parading over the corpses of his fallen "comrades", most of them with a tormented, surprised look on their face, others with hands outstretched for their weapons. Should he move? Would the human come back? He had shown very little regard for his things inside when he launched that rocket into the small blemish in the mountain, but would be come back after all? Finally Orpheus stood up, dusted himself off, and took the shield unit from his side, activating it with a flick and causing a low, rumbly noise to bellow gently from the little handle, emitting a highly focused energy barrier. Since he was now alone, his allies all down and dead, he searched for the Red Elite, the only one who has a standard issue radio, and found it strapped to the poor fellows wrist, charred and burned, and with little shards of fragment embedded in it. Slowly he searched the place, finding no such communication units or facilities intact, and so he stumbled outside, letting out a raspy sigh as he surveyed the landscape. Suddenly, a group of parrot-like birds let out a cry and fluttered madly into the air as a scream filled the air, ranting something about some person by the name of "Baelrog." Why would they be screaming was behind Orpheus, but he set out in the direction anyway, constantly looking over his shoulder and fiddling with his gun the whole way, feeling as if being watched, and hearing not-so distant squelchy noises behind him. What it could be, he could only imagine, lacking the courage or bravado to turn about and investigate... He soon found himself picking up the pace, at a quick run now, and going in the general direction from whence the screams came from. As Baelrog runs through the forest with a smile, he suddenly hears a rumble. He feels a slight shake in the ground as he looks above the trees and sees a human Pelican lower in front of him. It turns to face its back port towards him, and as he pulls his gun to point...Lucky is sitting in the transport area pointing a pistol at him. Lucky: You again! Boy, you ran like a bitch back there and almost got me killed! Lucky jumps off the side and lands, still pointing the gun at Baelrog. He slowly walks towards Baelrog. Lucky: I should shoot your ass right now. But you are very lucky that I need you. Baelrog takes a few shots into the forest around him, and Flood jump at them from every direction. A lucky shoot with his pistol in one hand and pulls a shotgun in his other, shooting in two directions. Baelrog also shoots at the Flood, and they both continue to shoot at the relentless Flood... Baelrog counted each shot, and each little explosion that emanated from the moving forest around him. The human named Lucky was blasting away with his weapons. In the swarm of movement, one action caught his well-trained eye. Without missing a beat, Baelrog jumped and aimed down, strafing the area, and sending plasma raining down upon the squishing flood. Baelrog landed in the forest, took aim at Lucky, and stopped. He sighed, "Stupid conscience", he aimed again at the ground and sent the remaining Flood into a squirming retreat. He looked at the squirming, and now retreating mass, and noticed the same strange motion. He couldn't place it. Suddenly the forest exploded around him and the forest became a clearing. Lucky was crouched down, trying to find the source of the explosion. Baelrog walked up to Lucky Baelrog: We have to go now Baelrog stopped and looked around Baelrog: Here, we have to split up. This is a map I've complied over time. It can get you out. Avoid areas in red, and try not to head into the caverns, they're unexplored. Covenant patrols last went through the center, but now probably head more east. The nearest human outpost is 87 miles to the northwest. We don't have much time, GO! Lucky looked in shock, confused about the latest development. Baelrog tore off into the forest, and then Flood poured after him. Leaving Lucky extremely confused. Lucky: Well...screw that then. The pelican piloted by the AI Ray lowers down, and Lucky shoots at some stray Flood coming at him. Lucky jumps aboard the rear hold of the ship, and Lucky orders Ray over the radio to make a pass over Baelrog and then fly off when he tells him to. As they pass above the elite running from the Flood, Lucky shoots at the Flood with a rocket launcher, taking many of them out. He yells down to the elite. Lucky: Last chance buddy, you need a lift? He waits for a reply as he continues shooting rounds and rockets at the thousands of Flood that have now picked up on the chase after Baelrog. Orpheus had been watching this little scene fold out from on top of a high tree, huddled down in the branches, kept from sight by the cloaking device he stole from his fallen commander. He felt unbelievably cold while it was on, hit teeth chattering and his stomach feeling empty, his alien blood running like a chilly river through his body. Dark, Jackal eyes watched at the Baelrog Elite ran swiftly through the forest, pushing aside the foliage of the place as the swarm of flood gave chase. He watched as the "Lucky" human hovered above in the drop ship, and he cradled his plasma weapon all the time, his claw-like fingers tapping gently against its cold metals... He decided to continue to watch, patiently waiting as the whole thing unfolded. Baelrog smiled at the cocky human. He had been the best shot of his entire battalion, and could easily snipe him right out of his pelican. But now, the flood had him occupied... "Or do they?" He stared at the forest, which was now devoid of movement. The strange movement reappeared, and went swiftly across his field of vision. He followed it, ignoring the shouts and curses coming from Lucky. He stared at some flood off in the distance, attempting to climb a seemingly empty tree. That didn't concern him though, the flood now crawling on top of the low flying Pelican did. For the briefest moment, he saw the outline of an elite, but then it disappeared, and then the flood exploded in a ball of guts all over the Pelican, dosing Lucky in a pile of some of the most disgusting substances known to man. Baelrog paused as he heard the swarm of curses. After overcoming his shock, Baelrog added his own in disbelief. Surprising himself at his human tone of voice, he said simply "What the hell just happened!?" The approaching horde of Flood came unnoticed to Orpheus, as he continued to watch this inconclusive drama unfold. It was a very large surprise when he heard a more local, louder squelchy noise, and when he turned; a floodling was leaping for his face. Quickly ducking, he swatted it aside with a swift movement of his arm, quickly leaping to another tree. He intended, of course, to land upon his feet, but instead landed upon his wrist, shattering the delicate, intricate cloaking device, causing the beautiful, shimmering detritus to fall into the dirt and receding grass. Now the flood as a whole knew where he was, and the seething mass took no solace before turning toward him and running, crawling, and squelching toward him. Soon they were at the bottom of this new tree, and once again he leaped with great vigor and agility to the next... Soon, even more were on him, coming from all direction, firing their captured weapons high into the air with little actual hope of hitting him. From one tree to another he jumped, dexterous hands and grabbing onto each branch as he landed, only to launch himself onto another. Soon, he could no longer keep up, and any hope of outside escape was soon rendered futile. Looking about, paranoid and scared, he spotted once more the pelican and the Elite; wasting no time, he leapt toward it, having to make several stops among other trees as he went. On the last tree, a flood-infested marine clipped his leg, causing him to go off balance and land face-first onto the metal top of the pelican, the cold, lifeless steel leaving him dazed for several minutes. He found no strength to move, and was screaming in agony from his numerous sores and fractures; yet, he could not hear his whimpers and yelp, for the titanous engines of the Drop-Ship drowned out any noise from above. Did the human even hear the loud thump when he landed? Or was he completely unaware of the near-crippled Jackal on his roof? As all the slime and such fly up and cover Lucky, he spits up some and gags for a moment. That is followed by some more obscenities. He looks down at Baelrog, shakes his head... Lucky: Forget this... He signals the AI Ray to pull out. As he does so, Lucky hears something scrape across the top of the Pelican. He walks to the end of the drop room as the object falls off. Not realizing who or what it is, he grabs onto it and throws it on board the Pelican. As he looks at it...he realizes it is an injured jackal. Lucky immediately kicks away the Jackal's weapon and pulls his own pistol out. Pointing at the Jackal's head, he says... Lucky: I don't necessarily want to shoot you...nor do I want to kill you. Explain your business on top of my ship...otherwise, I'm throwing you off...--He points off the edge of the ledge-- And as you can see, that's pretty far down right now. The jackal hesitates, and as he is about to speak...Lucky interrupts him. Lucky: And don't piss me off by doing something like not responding when I ask a question! Keep pissing me off and you'll get a few bullets between your eyes! The Jackal is silent for a few seconds and begins to speak... It has been written in the Covenant religious texts that any Covenant that speaks unto a human is tainted for the rest of his life. Orpheus stared down the gun barrel silently, narrowing sharp, glowing eyes at the human. He attempted to make a run for it, halfway standing before collapsing from the pain of his injuries. Once more he attempted to ascend, but fell as before. He looked back the human, breathing heavily as he decided to speak through gritted teeth. His speech was haggard and heavy, although screechy as a Jackal's always is. Orpheus: Sector... Was supposed... To be clean. My squad saw your ship and tracked you to this cave. You killed them all... You animal. Then he spat on the cold steel of the pelican's interior, scraping a claw against the ground at some sort of an attempt at showing disapproval. Orpheus: These flood, they came from nowhere... Our base does not know of their presence here... If I don't get word to them to evacuate, they'll all be... He became weakened by his fervor is speech, his shoulders slumping and his breathing quickening to compensate. Orpheus: But do what you want, you filthy animal... I have no want to consort with the likes of you! Humans... You're all the same... Lucky: You don't hear so good...do you pal? I said don't piss me off, and what do you think you are doing right now? He cocks the pistol and points it at the Jackal's head Lucky: Do you think you are tough? You are injured for heavens sake, and you are trying to stand up to me? Are you stupid? The Jackal tries to stand to confront the human, but before he could say a word...Lucky kicks him right in the chin, sending him back down. Lucky: Hey Ray, fly a little lower...around 50 ft from the ground. As the Pelican flies lower, Lucky keeps the pistol pointing at the Jackal. When the Pelican lowers enough, Lucky speaks again. Lucky: You want to be a tough guy? Get tough through this! With one swift movement, he grabs the Jackal by the neck and throws him off the ship, sending him towards the ground to land...but not die. Baelrog felt very... alone. He had been alone for months, but he had never been truly alone, the Flood were always there. But now, even they had run off, and Baelrog decided not to stay around and face Lucky's wrath from the flood innards. But now, Baelrog didn't want to be out here. The movement, it was with him here now, somewhere. Baelrog had had enough. "Who are you!? What do you want with me!" A voice piped up from behind him. He swiveled, and stared at the distortion of air around him. "You always had keen eyes," The voice said. "Smaug? Is that you? Why can't I see you?" Smaug replied, "Because I'm invisible. Being in the forest really dulled you, Baelrog." "And your sense of humor is ever present. But how, only chosen ones can become... like you are now." Smaug, the shimmering shadow of a being, went into his story at the end, Baelrog spoke. "It was you, wasn't it? You were the one who killed all those Flood, and forced them into a retreat when we were in the clearing, weren't you!" Baelrog could not tell his emotion, for his shimmering form gave no details. "Goodbye for now, old friend." Baelrog turned again to the Jackal, and pulled out what was left of the med kit he had used on his leg. The poor, broken Jackal lay almost lifeless on the ground, hurt even more from the cruel human's actions. Bones broken, flesh torn, and worst of all, a bruised ego were what he gained from the quick plummet from the air. He could hardly see now, his vision partly broken, seeing double, but he could make out the faint form that stood above him, towering above. Whether it was an Elite or a Marine or one of those poor infested flood, he did not care; he coughed up a quantity of blood and then spoke through clenched teeth. Orpheus: I swear... *hack*... I swear I'll shoot that bastard out of the sky... I swear it... No one had heard or seen or done anything with Jalif since the attack on reach. His Banshee had been knocked out into deep space. But unknowingly to anyone else, he had attached his banshee to the Truth and reconciliation with his special plasma magnets on his pods. He was different than most elites. He was quiet and didn't like to brag, as most elites did. He kept to himself and did his missions the way he wanted to, not the way the commander said. That's how many of his fellow pilots had fallen. Commanders were always dumbasses, was his view as he saw his friend and brother Balif fall while attacking Harvest. He would not follow any commander's orders unless it suited HIM. As he was riding on top of the T & R he noticed they were following and shooting at a Human ship. He was scared that the other covenants would find him. He decided to use his special cloaking device. He had taken a regular cloaking device, and joined it with about 5 or six other ones, and fused them together to make a cloak for both his ship and him. He used it and it worked! After the T & R wrecked, he slowly snuck away and found a large cliff and canyon. In the distance he saw an elite and flood battling it out in banshees. Then he saw with his expert vision that there was a human down there. He decided to explore. He landed on top of the highest safe summit and stayed there for a few days. In this time he saw many battles, in one where an elite he knew of named baelrog was fighting with a human against the flood. He jumped in his Banshee and decided to go for a little ride. He flew low and parked on a low hill just outside of the forest. The pelican containing Lucky and his AI Ray flies through the air, just now starting to fly over the ocean away from the island they were on. Lying against a pile of debris, Lucky breathed deeply. He had already recognized the Elite, who was sitting on a piece of the Pelican. He had glanced at the Jackal lying against another piece of debris, and just at that moment realized it was the same one he had tossed of the once flying Pelican. He was going to apologize, not just to save himself from having a bounty on him but also just because he knows he shouldn't have done it. He began to think about the AI Ray that was destroyed in the crash, and how he was destroyed trying to save his owner's life. The silence among the three of them began to be an annoyance, and he had to say something...since Baelrog was the one who had helped him from the wreckage with a med kit, even though he pulled a gun on him. Lucky: I know you and me aren't what I'd call good friends, but thanks. Trying to earn the slightest bit of trust from the Elite, he pulls his pistol again and kicks it away, which startles Baelrog at first...but leaves him with half a smile. Lucky: --While extending his hand-- The names Neo Geo, call me Lucky. Another few minutes of silence passes...Lucky looks over the remains of his ship, and becomes a bit saddened when he thinks of all the years he had flown it. He took a large sip of water from his canteen. Lucky: So when do we move out? All was dark for him; he felt the Elite's hands holding his wiry body up as they came and then the cold dirt where he was laid down, but he saw nothing. Yet, he heard everything. He heard the Elite talking to this human as if they were friends, as if they knew each other, as if they did not have the initiative to turn and kill each other. Orpheus felt a dark, deep pain in his stomach, and he silently became sick at the thought of this. He listened to each word that they muttered to each other, and the light, suppressed laughter at the end. Had this Baelrog forget all that was taught to him? Did he even realize his fragrant disregard for the Covenant teachings? Humans were insidious, evil creatures, who destroyed their worlds and spread like a sickness across the vastness of space, preying on the defenseless worlds that lay before them and then leaving the charred remains for another. Yes, they were nothing put a plague, and they needed to be cured.. He attempted to sit up, although he could barely see now, and the thought of sneaking in the foliage over to where the pistol had been kicked seemed foremost. Gritting his teeth, he realized that he could not begin to get up now, let alone go over and shoot the human... If he had it his way, he would of shot Baelrog as well for willingly consorting with such a wretch, but he knew that he owed the Elite a debt, which he perhaps could never pay... So he waited and healed in darkness, as night descended on their little camp; he could hear the soft embers of a fire blazing nearby, warming him, and this gentle comfort allowed him to ignore his pain and sleep so that tomorrow he might be well Baelrog sat up with a start. He cursed himself for his lack of vigilance, and quickly clutched his plasma rifle and searched the area for Lucky and the Jackal. Both were sound asleep. Lucky woke up, seeing dark all around him. As his eyes adjusted, he saw the faint shape of the Jackal sleeping and another shape of the Elite sitting straight up at an alert position, trying to stay awake. He looks up, seeing the other parts of the ring: the fourth straight across at night also. In that portion, you can faintly see the distant flashes of explosions from a battle. He said a silent prayer for the Humans who were fighting, and stood up. His leg was sore, and so were both of his arms. Baelrog sharply looked over at the sudden movement, and Lucky waved him off, just showing it is he. Baelrog relaxed again, although keeping his eye on the human. Lucky walked over to the remains of back half of the shuttle again, pulling out any weapons he can find. Baelrog turns to him in confusion. Lucky: With all that Flood around, I think it would be safe if we had all the weaponry we can get. I know your gun wont last forever and neither will mine. Know how to work a human weapon? As dawn comes, Lucky wakes up from his sleep to find that Baelrog fell asleep on the rock. He took a look at the Jackal, and he too was sleeping. Lucky smiled and picked up his pistol, which he loaded and collected ammo for. He tucked it away, and heard something around 50 meters away. He took some binoculars and looked through the trees, and saw a Covenant search crew slowly making their way over towards them. Lucky suddenly grabbed a shotgun, loaded it fully and gathered ammo, and did the same for a sniper rifle. He thought of the class he took on Covenant writing, and quickly wrote a note to Baelrog...and stuck it behind the trigger of his plasma rifle. The note read: An hour later, he exited the forest and jumped behind a nearby rock. He was near the beach, but there was a Covenant patrol of an Elite and two jackals walking along the beach away from him. He slid his sniper rifle on top of the rock and looked through the scope. He quickly grabbed some stray vines from the bushes around him and slung it all over him...camouflaging him into the forest from where the patrol could see. He slowly screwed on his own custom silencer (made it himself, only person to have one) He took aim at the Elite's head, and pulled the trigger. 200 yards away, the Elite dropped in front of the jackals. The two jackals went back to back with their shields raised and guns up, looking around the terrain, looking for the shooter. Not being sighted, Lucky took aim onto the jackal facing in his direction. He put the cross air slowly over the small hole on the side of the shield. As the jackal turned to look away from him, the shot was fired and the jackal dropped. The other jackal was unaware of his comrade's death, and Lucky fired a shot into the back of his head. After reloading, Lucky made his way up the side of a not so steep cliff and made a small camp near the end of a "peninsula" like thing the cliff had formed. There were trees and bushes around his camp, a good amount so the Covenant could not find where he had gone. He looked through the scope of his sniper rifle around the valley of forest he just walked through: seeing the three bodies he just sniped, his downed shuttle, and the search crew he spotted before. He looked and saw Baelrog and the jackal walking next to each other in the middle of the crew, looking around at the surrounding forest. Baelrog looked as if he was looking around for someone...and the jackal looked as if he was looking around for the marine he had encountered, with the look in his eye of fury. Lucky smiled at the thought that he could probably snipe the whole search crew and his two Covenant acquaintances, but thought that it wouldn't be right to kill the Elite that had saved him. Plus, to take down Baelrog he'd have to shoot him first...but this would send the Gold Elite at the head of the crew into a frenzy. And if he shot the gold elite first, Baelrog would no doubt get away...in the short time he knew him, Baelrog was good. As he slowly began to think of the events that unfolded, he realized a truth and shuddered at its thought. The day before when he flew his transport, he flew over the human camp on the island and it was burnt to the ground with no survivors. And thinking about it more...Lucky was the last human left on this mostly Covenant island, and he was almost certain that there was nowhere to find a radio on it. When Orpheus awoke, he blinked several times and slowly collected his bearings, gazing upwards and observing as the search party came slowly into focus, a golden elite grabbing him by the neck and raising him into the air, shaking him and demanding a response. Orpheus: That bastard human slaughtered the squad... In the cave... An arm raise to point vaguely at a nearby mountain, the wrist limp with still-present pain, not that Jackals were the most resilient covenant. The Elite dropped him harshly on the ground, hissing to a group of medically trained grunts and jerking his thumbs at the poor Jackal. It appeared that the Elite was not very interested in the rest of the story, not caring of the semantics of the Jackal's odyssey. Slowly the haughty golden Elite walked imperiously over to Baelrog, bringing a hand to bare to give his shoulder a mighty quake, bringing about our hero with a violent stir as his heavily armed entourage watched with anxiety. Elite: What happened here? Baelrog firmly grabbed and removed the Gold's hands. "I don't really know, why don't you ask the Jackal" The elite gave him an indignant look, and with narrowed eyes, said, "Who are you to change the way of things." Suddenly a grunt ran up to the gold, mumbling about an imminent transmission. The gold took a small holo-transmitter and pressed a small red button on the side. A view of what should have been an elites body, but seemed hollow in some way appeared. "Y-yes general Smaug, sir" Baelrog had never heard a nervous gold, but he was more surprised about what the generals name was "You've made quite the name for yourself Smaug-" "Always address the general by his proper title you pile of-" but again, an elite was interrupted by another "Silence! Commander, treat Baelrog here as you would a gold, for he would be if genetically possible." "SIR!" The elite barked. "Also, treat his companions with greater respect than others of their kind, or you will be tossed into the sea, understand!" "SIR!" The holo image faded out, and the gold turned towards Baelrog. "Well major Baelrog, it seems even though you've been missing for seven months and have been accused of High-Treason against the highest religious order, you seem to have friends on high places. "Yes" said Baelrog chuckling, "and friends in low places as well"... Lucky sat at his camp, only listening to Covenant messages being sent around (His antenna on his helmet has been damaged so he cant send messages but listen to nearby ones) because he messed with his antenna and got into Covenant transmissions. He listened carefully, and caught a transmission of a few gold elites talking about a secret conspiracy to take out Baelrog and make it look like a human assassin. He sets his sniper rifle and takes a look at the convoy of Covenant walking through the forest with Baelrog and the jackal. He saw the gold elite at the front whispering into something that looked like a little radio. Lucky: Aha! He's the one jealous of Baelrog's connections! He continued to listen and watch the convoy, until he saw a lot of movement surrounding the convoy. He zoomed in closer and saw masses of Flood closing in from all directions. He knew he owed Baelrog his life, and seeing the amounts of Flood he knew that the convoy of Covenant would not survive for more than 5 to 10 minutes from an attack of that size. He quickly packed up his shotgun and ammo for it and tucked in his pistol. He put on his newly made camouflage with strays of weeds for more camouflage and headed out. Around 3 minutes later, he arrived on the scene crawling into a bush and watching. He saw grunts scrambling everywhere, with little Floodlings jumping on them and such. He looked around and saw the Gold Elite run off with several Flood Warriors running after him. He finally saw Baelrog and Orpheus in the midst of the chaos, near each other and almost back-to-back shooting at the Flood. As the attack became bigger with more Floods coming in from everywhere, he finally stood up and ran across the battlefield, with his shotgun blazing out rounds at the Flood. He ran towards Orpheus and Baelrog, seeing that they were being vastly outnumbered. He shot a few Flood Warriors that were jumping in that direction, and reloaded. He pushed Baelrog out of the way, as a Flood "arm" swung and instead of hitting Baelrog hit Lucky. Lucky did a complete back flip and landed a few feet away. Baelrog shot the Flood and pulled Lucky to his feet. Lucky: Get your group together and leave; I'll handle these idiots! ---Throws a grenade at a large group of attackers, and it blows them to shreds. --- Lucky ran over to a dead Grunt body with little Floodlings crawling all over it. Lucky shot off the little things and splattered some of the Grunt's blood over himself. With the scent strong on himself, most of the Flood started running in his direction. After motioning for Baelrog to cover him, he takes off into the forest with around 3/4 of the Flood attackers running behind him. The Covenant shoot off the last of the Flood as they see in the distant forest the human running. Lucky presses a button on his wrist as he passes a large rock, and mines (that he had planted on his way there) goes off behind him and wipe out the rest of the Flood chasing him. He slowed down, catching his breath. He reloaded his weapon and headed back for his camp... Meanwhile, the Covenant are looking over the battle site. A red elite walks up to Baelrog. Red Elite: If that was your "companion" that they were talking about, he basically saved our lives, that little human bastard. Baelrog felt something under his trigger. He had already read and destroyed the note the human gave him before...but as the red elite walked away he opened up the new one, which read: "If you think you can trust me, I stumbled upon some of your Covenant transmissions. Don't trust the Gold Elite at the head of your convoy...he is plotting you." Orpheus lowered his plasma rifle, having discarded his pistol once it had run out of energy charges. It was not put away for a long time, his assassin's eyes looking over the forests with sharpness unrivaled by any other species know to Covenant or Humanity. After a long time of scanning the nearby terrain, he slung the half-empty rifle over his shoulder and looked around at the small group of survivors that remained, most of the original team had been carried off by retreating flood so that floodlings could make them into deadly suicide-infantry. A handful of grunts, one halfway-dead blue elite and 2 jackals were all that remained, minus that cowardly Gold Elite which had beat a hasty retreat into the forest. Orpheus muttered that he hoped the glittery bastard was dead under his breath. Giving a small nod to Baelrog after seeing the note while sneaking up behind him, he turned to his 2 Jackal brethren. A thin arm raised and a long finger extended to the northwest, and the others all gave a nod as to confirming the location of the single Covenant outpost on the island. He knew that the Covenant thought that this was one of the few places that were devoid of flood activity, but now this rag-tag group of survivors was the only Covenant who knew of it. They would surely go back to lick their wounds and then attack the poorly defended outpost, ensuring that him and Baelrog would be trapped there and then inevitably wiped out. He shuttered at such thoughts, and turned to Baelrog for his orders... Whether he was a heretic was not important now, now all that mattered was surviving. Baelrog was sitting in the camp, stocking up on supplies. He sighed in exasperation, staring at the rag-tag group. He knew the Jackal, who's name he had never given Baelrog, hated him for being a blasphemous traitor. Sometimes Baelrog hated himself for that. But to survive, one must make his own rules. A major rule put down by the prophets was "that everything touched by human or Flood is defiled, and must not be touched in return", but Baelrog discarded that one a days into his ordeal. He survived on getting plasma charges from dead covenant Flood for the first month, and then he had found an item of priceless value, a portable recharger. It had been strapped to an infested elite, probably the supply keeper of a convoy, but that didn't matter. He could keep his rifle up and running for an infinite amount of time, at least until the rifle overheated and melted into a pile of slag. But I won't let that happen thought Baelrog as he polished it. The Jackal approached him carefully, as if Baelrog had a deforming contagious disease. "Sir" (he said the term with noticeable scorn), "we're moving out for the Outlands Forest Base in sector twelve, to warn them of the flood infestation." Lucky was tired of watching and spying on the Covenant crew that contained the Jackal and Baelrog. He moved swiftly but very silently, not drawing any attention to himself. He was going to the deserted human outpost, which was overrun by the Flood a few days earlier. As he arrived, he slowly used the leapfrog technique by himself to move to the command tent. He entered the ruined tent, and immediately went to the radio station. He checked if it worked...and it was totaled. He punched it with anger and moved out of the tent to the armory to see the ammo left behind. There was more than enough, could last probably a year since there was only one person. He smiled at the sight and left the tent, but suddenly stopped when he heard a LOUD squishing sound, louder than the usual signs of Flood. He dropped to a knee and looked around with his shotgun pulled. He ran towards where the sound was coming from, which was far away from the small echo it made. Around 20 seconds of running in the direction, he came up to a gigantic cave. He hid behind a rock, and again leap-frogged his way up to the cave, looking inside. He silently went in, the sound becoming louder and louder. He turned a corner around 100 feet into the cave, and he ducked behind a rock. He took his sniper rifle and looked through the scope to look down at the large area. There were literally millions of Flood walking around in there. He saw some infectors combining bodies and such, and saw that they were working on a larger type of Flood, around 20 yards tall. He gasped at the sight, and continued looking...and saw a GIGANTIC thing that looked like a tree that was producing infectors and letting them out one by one. On the other side of the thing, he saw Covenant and Human bodies being thrown into some slimy goop, and then coming out a small hole 10 feet away as two or three different Flood Fighters. He again gasped, but this time was heard. All of the Flood in the room stopped and looked up at him and saw him. He gulped, and a larger more bulkier Flood Warrior pointed in his direction, and half of the Flood in the room took off in his direction. Lucky threw a few grenades in their direction and ran. He heard the grenades go off and the sounds of exploding Flood. He turned and still saw them running at him. He ran through a bit of the forest and came to the clearing where the human outpost was located. He ran through it, and out of nowhere Flood popped out of the forest on all sides of the outpost. He turned, and there was no way out. He threw the last of his grenades in every direction, only taking out parts of them. He held his machine gun in his left hand, and his shotgun in his right. He was going to go down fighting. As the Flood started to charge him, he shot like hell at anything that moved. He lasted for around 20 seconds, until a Flood first smacked him across the chest. He shot the Flood, and then saw a movement of something cloaked move behind him that he thought he might have seen before. He felt something hit him in the back, knocking him to the ground. With his face in the ground, he heard an explosion. As he looked up, he saw the entire Flood in the area blown to pieces. He was shaking nervously, and he checked himself to see if he was bleeding. He saw the movement again move quickly away. Then a small piece of paper floated to the ground in front of him. He picked it up, and it was written in Covenant text. He started to translate it, and the final result was: "I can only be here for a short while, but I know that you have been true to my friend. You are unlike other humans, and you've earned most of my respect. You know what you must do with your new discovery." Lucky jumped to his feet, reloaded his guns and ran to his camp...and thought of a way to tell Baelrog what he found in that cave. This must be the reason why there are so many of them on the island...and may be a primary source of them. Kaboom!! Little did rakshaw and lucky know that on the cliff above them they were both being watched by an invisible elite standing by his banshee. Jalif had flown over to that area after his banshees life form monitor went off the charts. He could see the giant flood inside the cave. He decided to do the human and the elite a favor. He pulled out his fuel rod cannon and aimed at the large floods (what he thought to be) head. He steadied and fired. BOOM. The large flood popped and let out thousands of warrior and carrier type flood. He decided that sense he didn't do what he wanted to in the first place he would have to help the human and elite. He swooped down in his banshee and ran over a bunch of flood. Then he dropped into the human encampment and grabbed 2 rocket launchers. About that time Lucky saw something moving by the ammo tent as he went closer he slammed his head into something large and metal. About that time he saw a rocket fly from midair and slam into some flood. What the hell he asked aloud. He then said "is that you baelrog??" jalif replied, nope its jalif, the banshee pilot. I hope you didn't put a dent in my banshee with your head. Jalif: don't mess with me you messed up human piece of s***. Lucky: Man, don't piss me off; I know how to use my weapons. Jalif: yeah? Well try this one. In one swift movement, jalif pulled out a plasma rifle. Lucky sighed, getting so exhausted of running into dead ends like this. DynamekTank016: Drop the damn gun Jalif nodded and dropped his weapon 016: And you, I've got a hell of story to tell you, whoever you are. So dyanmekTank to the pilot and the human his story. When I saw you pick up the human back a couple of months ago, I followed you. I stole a covenant drop ship and have been monitoring your progress through these areas. That elite companion that you have acquainted yourself with was my leading commander. He is a good creature, and he has taught me well, but after that battle that you picked up the human, I have left the squad and ventured on my own. Oh, and another thing, were surrounded. Just then, flood from everywhere jumped out and attacked them. Lucky watched in amazement as he saw the hunter use his sword. He slashed through dozens of flood, and then, when 2 flood victims where sneaking up behind him, Dynamektank took his sword and cut through them without even looking at them. What the? As Dynamek turned he saw a gold elite sneering at the human. It was the elite he caught talking with Baelrog. He powered down his shield and his sword. Rackshaw: Don't move, all of you. DynamekTank: And why should I obey your command? This made rackshaw furious and pulled out his plasma rifle. Rackshaw: Do you not see that I am a gold elite? DynamekTank: All I see is an abomination. And, almost like a blur, Dynamek ran towards the elite while charging up his plasma pistol and cut the plasma rifle in half. As Dynamek and Rakshaw fought on, a loud echoing laugh resounded in the encampment. All stopped and looked around for the sign of the voice. Suddenly, a glowing outline of an elite, unmistakable against the forest appeared, glowing with an eerie light that sent shivers down all of the groups spines. "I have half a mind to let you kill yourselves. Supreme Chancellor Gothmog will not be happy with my delays." The general Smaug, assassin and soldier, the most respected and feared Elite next to Baelrog had appeared before the group, or as well as he could. Smaug looked directly at Lucky;" I'm not going to get very far if I keep having to bail you out of trouble." The shimmering outline stared at the two battling covenant. "I've already filed my report with Gothmog, who was recently promoted." He said the last part of the sentence with particular distaste. "We all know how much he hates failure, and being proven wrong. He was the one who declared this island uninfected after all. Therefore he has informed me that this is not to be repeated, ever." He raised he sword menacingly, and the group squirmed back in fear. Smaug brought the sword down sending a wave of energy crashing through the forest and the far off explosions of flood could be heard. He continued without acknowledging the rag-tag bunch. "As such, you cannot leave this island without killing ALL the flood, not a trace must be left..." Lucky was first to remain his coomposer, "That'll be easy, just send a couple hundred covenant reinforcements to help us out and it'll be like a Flood bbq." "There is a catch. No reinforcements will be provided, to reduce the number of covenant who know about this." "Bummer" "If you succeed, you will be remembered for all time and given under the table promotions. If you fail, you will be labeled dishonored traitors... like Baelrog." "No skin off my nose" Said Lucky. "But there is. If you succeed, you get passage straight to the nearest human base. I must leave now." With that, Smaug disappeared into thin air. Lucky looked at their group. There was Rackshaw, a character almost in love with himself. He looked at Dynamek, a very powerful warrior and the one that he saw when he had rescued Mad Dog a few days earlier. Then he looked at Jalif, a banshee pilot who he had a bit of friction with already. Lucky rubbed the bruise on his head and looked at them. Lucky: I don't want you people underestimating me because I'm human. I know how to tango. All of them pointed guns at Rackshaw Rackshaw: Fine, have it your way. The four of them head out to find Baelrog and the search party. As the party trudged on to find baelrog, Dynamek felt a tiny, but distinct, prickle on his neck. He stopped very suddenly. Lucky: What's wrong man? You sick? Dynamek: No, its..an energy signature. Then, all of a sudden, Dynamek smiled. Jalif: Man, now what? Dynamek calmly turned around. He looked at, what seemed like air, and threw a fist in to the air. His fist connected with something, and as the figure was falling down, the group recognized.... smaug. DynamekTank016: so you've come to help us? Or to monitor our progress? Jalif, knowing much about cloaking devices, took a special needle out and slightly poked the figure on the ground. Smaug was there. Then He asked the others if it would be a good idea for him to go pick up his banshee and search for others who knew about the flood and could help them. "You insolent fool!" Smaug interrupted Jalif. He was outraged. The fact that a hunter had hit him was painful, but his pride hurt more. He had the rank of a lesser prophet, and he had been hit! He stood up slowly, holding his anger from powering the sword through Dynamek, knowing he could. "How did you know" Dynamek smiled evilly "I can sense energy signatures" But now Smaug smiled," This is the legendary shadow device, it leaves no signature and its strength is controlled by the users thought." His smile faded "But its permanent." "Wait, if it wasn't you, who was it?" Smaug replied simply "I don't know." "Why were you following us?" "I was following Baelrog's ion trail" Lucky spoke up:"HE LEAVES A FREAKING ION TRAIL! Why the hell have we been guessing where we're going this whole time!" He immediately pulls out a small tracking device, "He's 25 miles to the west of our position." He turned towards Smaug, but found his shimmering shadow of a form already gone. "I hate when he does that" Lucky walked over and picked up the small piece of paper. I think Gothmog, a high-ranking Elite, is tailing you. "He wasn't found of Baelrog, or me. Be very cautious." Lucky smiled slightly. "Come on Dynamek, Rakshaw, Jalif, we got to move" DynamekTank was still puzzled by the fact that the energy signature did not come from Smaug. Then it hit him. During all this, the secretive Jackal tromped along with them, stick to the rear and away from the action, although listening to every burning, seething word that the heretical Covenant spoke. All the while he petted his plasma pistol, claws softly scratching and damaging the purple casing as the setting sun's light bounced off of it. His mind was undecided to the point of blatant ambivalence, and he decided to wait and watch as this all unfolded... But he always remembered his training, and that Humans are naturally evil, innately iniquitous, and so he watched and bought his time, quietly observing and gathering information as they consorted with each other. Rakshaw: Well, my fellow comrades," he spat," It is not going to be that easy. First of all our business should be finding the elite. Jalif: Hey you guys what's that over there! Jalif: there goes that. Baelrog: what happened to me! Baelrog: the last thing I remember is walking out here with that Orpheus following me here. You guys better watch it so he doesn't knock you guys too. Jalif: oh great just what we need another thing after us all! Dynamek: Lucky, how many of the flood were guarding the vanix tree? Rakshaw: Oh, an army. Well I don't see any laying around, Sir. What I say is, we find the stupid tree and neutralize it. Stop the power. Then we'll go from there Lucky was tired of keeping quiet for the most part, and finally said his own opinion. Lucky: Look, I don't want to be pushy here, but I don't think you people...or uhhh...Covenant know what you are dealing with in there. The cave goes much deeper then what I saw, and I was pretty deep myself. The only way to clear it out without nuking it is to go in and clear it out yourselves. The three remaining (Jalif, Baelrog, and Lucky) looked at each other. Lucky: Who's it going to be? He is interrupted by a voice, a human voice, yelling... Voice: I will do it! Lucky recognizes the man immediately, his lifelong friend Willie Glenny. Willie: I'm fast...I out ran Covenants and Flood for weeks now. Sleep wasn't coming to Rakshaw. He studied the new human who had joined them. He was small of size but could put up a sight. He turned toward Lucky. His pack was off to his side. Rakshaw decided to explore. He quietly opened the pack up. And looked inside. A couple of ARs, a pistol , 2 sniper rifles and a shotgun. With tons of ammo. Rakshaw smiled. His hand snaked in and picked out one of the sniper rifles from the bottom. He also took just four shells. He wouldn't get many chances to take the fatal shot. Rakshaw inserted the sniper rifle into the weapons compartment of his golden armor. When the time was right. Dynamek thought it the silence of the night. The human's plan was courageous, and the other human who volunteered to do it was almost suicidal. He must be fast how ever. Dynamek chuckled to himself. he used to be quite a runner. then he quit on speed and focused his energy on speed and power with his sword. A bold plan, but what if it failed? what if...there were so many ifs. Even if the plan worked, then how would we weaken the tree? I'm sure they have some armor around the tree...and.... DynamekRealized the horrible truth. the next day he revealed it to the rest of the squad. The tree can only be weakened from the inside. one of us must go inside with a plasma grenade stuck to himself. Lucky: Are you sure? How do you know? They continue walking the long walk back the cave. Willie and Lucky walk to the rear of the group talking privately. Willie: I heard that Smaug guy say there wasn't going to be any Covenant reinforcements. Well, I used the power I had left in my radio to contact the other survivors in the area and direct them towards your cave. There are 2 of them. One of them is Josh Estes. The other one is Mike McGee. Orpheus observed as the hazy twighlight melted into night and then faded back into a lazy morning, glowing, benevolent eyes watching them all as they spoke from the darkness of the far ends of camp. He listened as they radioed in more humans.. More of them... Had they not had their fill of heresy against their upbringings? Such unrational behavior did not even strike any of them as slightly wrong, none of them even regarded is as a silly taboo, they decided to turn a blind, nescient eye to the entire subject. This C4 plan seemed mad to him, relying on humans and the unreliable, reckless human technology was mad, absolutely ludicrous. In the back of his mind he wondered if the others knew of those dark thoughts of his, which bubbled and brooded silently, the pressure rising by each moment. He was sure that all of them knew that the Jackal was the fastest and most agile of the Covenant warrior species, the assassins and spies, and he would be well suited to such a secretive task, but they chose a human... Did they know his thoughts? Were they planning around him, perhaps wanting to dispose of him? Orpheus grew tenser by the moment, rapidly darkening thoughts rushing through his complicated, twisted mind, which was terribly ravaged by this whole ordeal. For now he just sat, watching, waiting, tapping a long, Jackal claw against the casing of his Plasma rifle as he watched it all occur. The next day, Dynamek noticed that the jackal was holding his plasma rifle very, very tightly. All of a sudden, the jackal pulled the gun up to dynamek head. Lucky and Willie saw the jackal and Dynamek holding a gun and sword against each other. They froze, and so did everybody else watching. Orpheus: If you kill me, you will be marked as a traitor to your own race and religion. If I kill you, its for good reason. A long silence passed, and Baelrog let go of his grip on the jackal and walked away not in the best of moods. The silence was broken when a shuffling in some large bushes occurred. Out popped two humans, and all of the Covenant pulled their weapons immediately. Willie: Hold it up guys...these are our men. That's Josh Estes, and Michael "Mad Dog" McGee. Everyone looks and sees the cave 50 yards away. Estes: We picked up the blocks of C4 on the way here...that's why we have all of these packs on. Everyone nods, and the jackal sits there still in a bad mood. A sound is heard, and a grunt runs up to the group...the grunt only known as...BOB!!! (For those of you who have read Halo RPG 2.). He shares to them that he has been following along with them and heard the plan and wants to help. As they all get ready to rest for a while, Lucky walks up to Rakshaw and whispers darkly into his ear. Lucky: I heard your transmission a few days ago about how you plan to kill Baelrog...think about it, and I'll make you suffer. Do it, and I'll kill you afterwards. Rakshaw: --Speaking low back to him-- I am of gold, do you know who you are dealing with? Lucky: I don't really care if you are of purple...don't do it. Rakshaw looked at the human walk away. He knew more than he let on. He looked towards the cave. Strangely, Rakshaw was not scared or nervous. He felt... elated. The weight of the stolen sniper rifle felt good. He looked down at his plasma rifle. Mad Dog-Hey wait, wont there be some covenant ambushes right next to or behind the tree? The group silenced, knowing that it would be impossible to kill the ambushes before hand. Dynamek Smiled-Lucky, was there a roof on the cave In a few minutes, Jalif flew them all to the top of the cave. Baelrog sighed. He hated being outdone, and it always happened. He would not be the one to sacrifice himself, it would be the most unexpected of all creatures. A wiry human who appeared out of the forest. He kicked a small stone and watched it bounce along the forest floor. He wished Orpheus, whom considered his best friend among the group, and whose name he found out only moments before he ran off, was able to keep his cool longer. Dynamek was ready. in 5 minutes they were going to fight an enemy that has rampaged across the universe, assimilating and destroying each world to their benefit. Before the final conflict, everyone started to do some sort of training. Mad dog ran around, dodging imaginary bullets, shooting back. Baelrog practiced releasing his plasma rifle and throwing grenades. Orpheus made target practice. As for Dynamek, he settled in deep meditation for 15 hours, visualizing the fight. Every move, every kill, every shot. Then afterwards, he would train on his quickness and power. In the final moments, the group set up their equipment. Dynamek pushed a button that released his sword into to different swords, quicker and more efficient for slashing all the flood. Mad Dog held 2 assault rifles, 1 pistol in his sock, and 3 grenades strapped to his side. It was decided that Bob would release the grenades to destroy the ambushes. Dynamek: Not all of us may survive this coming conflict. Yet, death may be a blessing, shall we prevail here. We come now to destroy a creature that has rampaged its way across the universe, annihilating all in its path. And I say to all of us, this shall not come to pass! We shall not fail! Baelrog took in a deep breath, and continued to polish his rifle. Twice Bob the idiotic grunt (or as Baelrog preferred to call him, get away from me you slim), had come up to Baelrog and pestered him. Baelrog had no patience for him, and it was Orpheus' quick actions, which very well saved Bob's, life, by getting him 100 feet away from Baelrog. He listened to the quiet before the storm, the silence in camp was eerie, almost mystical. It wasn't that it was quiet, but the noises seemed distant. Baelrog had his own form of meditation, he didn't know why, but when he had his rifle, he could focus. He could see points, make connections, and was more aware when he had his rifle. Baelrog would not fail these soldiers. The call to leave was announced, and Baelrog loaded up with plasma grenades and smiled: "I won't let you down, I won't let anyone down." Baelrog, overwhelmed with thoughts of his friends, family, and empire, began what promised to be the most legendary conflict in all history. He shuddered. How can I fight with these, these, abominations? These heretics. I should leave them to the flood! But, I have yet to repay my debts, so should my loyalty be to my promise, or to my faith, my law? Orpheus rubbed his temples in confusion. Bob the grunt was dancing happily around him, not knowing of the blood shed to come. He stood, mind decided, and turned towards the cave entrance. "I'm always getting rescued, it's time I do what's right, I will fight as long as I must!" So then, he too, began preparing for battle, practicing every form of warfare he knew. Bob: Why is everyone so serious. I know! Let's play a game!" A resounding cry emerged from the camp, all in unison. "Shut up grunt!" Lucky was stocking up on everything he could...he carried a full load of grenades, one block of C4 in his pack, an assault rifle in his hand, a shotgun strapped over his shoulder, and a pistol tucked into a slot on his belt. He handed a block of C4 to each warrior in the squad, so if they were the ones to destroy it, then they had some on them. He sat down and said a prayer... Willie had very light gear on...he was going to first be the bait and after he came out he'd fully load up in his gear (which was all ready to go by a rock). He held only a pistol with one clip of ammo, and the C4 detonator (which Lucky and Mad Dog had already placed around the entrance just far enough apart for maximum kills.) He was standing looking at the cave and jogging in place, warming up for his run... Estes was just making sure everything he had was loaded up. He was looking through scopes and rails, checking his grenades, and making sure everything was working. He sat on a rock and started stretching out a little bit. After Mad Dog finished training a bit, he sat down and began loading up all of his ammo...kissing each bullet as he placed it into the clip. A few of the Covenant looked at him, and realized he was the Mad Dog that had wiped out hordes of Covenant in previous battles while yelling...the rumor of the sadistic human was true. Willie walked towards the cave as everyone finished up getting ready, and he knew he was about to get scared as hell, but at the same time get an adrenaline rush of a lifetime, which he always loved. The squad saw him entering the cave and go out of site..... About a minute later, some shots were heard, a scream of the Flood...and in a few seconds Willie was seen running out of the cave like hell: with millions of Flood behind him a bit. Willie got to a safe zone and turned and waited for the right moment. When maximum number of Flood was there, he detonated the C4 and a loud explosion took place. Willie started running to his gear and the squad charged the cave, and the grunt up on top of the cave threw down grenades to rid them of ambushes... Several minutes later, Willie would run to join with them after he put on his things... The group eased their way through the debris of Flood and into the cave they went about 100 yards of walking and 50 yards deep when they saw the large tree in a large cave room. There was one entrance to the inside of the tree, a door about two hunter widths wide and a hunter's height tall. They stood looking at the millions of Flood Fighters, some Infesters, and many Carriers standing around, while fighters were being produced at the tree. Lucky: Remember, none of us has to make a kamikaze and die...try to plant the C4 and yell 'Bomb" to let anybody else know. They were spotted, and the Flood charged them. They charged right back, having more skill and wit. As the two lines clashed and crossed, the battle turned into one all-out fight: our 'heroes' scattered around and shooting at the Flood, which seemed to be jumping and running around everywhere, so the fight started... Dynamek felt the flow of the battle, and his swords swarmed him, killing all in his path. He turned too late for one shot from a floods plasma gun, and felt his arm go on fire. This did no slow him down, but made him even more furious then he turned to see a flood about to shoot his head. Yet, miraculously, his head exploded. No time to worry about that now, Dynamek said. Baelrog was furious. His path that he was carving through the flood was suddenly redirected towards Rachshaw. He would tear him limb from limb. "Where did he go?" Baelrog asked aloud as he glanced up at the horrible carnage around him. He saw Rachshaw on the other side of the cavern, aiming again at some unseen target. Baelrog smiled, despite the madly clawing flood attached his to his arm. He aimed carefully and shot the rifle right out of Rackshaw's hand. Baelrog didn't need a high-powered sniper-sight to hit targets. He was the best shot of all the covenant, and possibly the best that ever-will be. After the rifle was out of Rackshaw's hands, Baelrog smiled again at the scornful look he gave him, then Baelrog returned to fighting. As Baelrog blasted and smashed his way through the flood lines. He would head straight to the tree, incinerating and flattening everything in his path. As he grew closer, he heard a voice in his head. It was quiet at first, but it grew louder as he got closer. Baelrog. Why do you fight us? Join us Baelrog, accept the Flood , accept me as your own mind! Baelrog snickered at the voice. "Tree! I will not fail. By my dead comrades lives, I will kill you, or die trying!" Then Die! Suddenly three massive flood leaped out of the swarm. A Human, a Hunter, and an Elite. These were special, although they were disfigured. The elite wielded a sword, the human a rocket launcher, and the hunter was in standard armament. These were the Vanix Tree's personal guards, and they had been enhanced. Baelrog didn't know how he knew, but he did. Baelrog looked as the flood around him formed a circle. Not daring coming close to him. "This is your chance. Dynamek, Lucky, Jalif, Willie, all the other humans, and Orpheus. Now is your chance." Baelrog knew he would not survive this fight... Rakshaw could here his 3 hearts pounding. He was dead. He had shot his commanding general and ran away from it. Exile in other terms. Many witnesses were present. There would be no question about punishment. Damn, why a sniper rifle, why not something else. Human sniper bullets go through them. Rakshaw's mind raced. Slowly, he turned toward the cave. And detached the C4 block. Rakshaw was detaching the C4, and as he was it was taken out of his hands. He looked up and saw Lucky holding it and tucking it away in his gear. Rakshaw stood and faced him, and Lucky took him by surprise and shoved him back down to the ground. Rakshaw looked at him with a glare, a look of saying how dare he touch him in such a way. As Rakshaw stood to duel him, a few Flood flew in and hit them both, throwing up the fight again. Baelrog was standing in the circle, looking at the enhanced Flood and the others surrounding him. A grenade blasted a hole in the circle and Lucky somersaulted through to dodge the Flood and stood next to Baelrog back to back. Baelrog: Good thinking...you had a chance and now you blew it. Baelrog thanked Lucky, but was cut off. The infested Elite was starting the fight. He went straight towards Baelrog, slicing the air with its sword. The human fired at Lucky, who dodged the shot easily as he jumped into the Flood crowd, who pushed him back into the circle. Baelrog blew a hole through the elites head, sending its fleshy body into the crowd of Flood around them. He then tossed a plasma grenade, which landed squarely on the Humans chest as he was about to fire at the prone Lucky. The Human exploded, sending its head rolling up to a disgusted lucky. The Hunter charged, only to have Baelrog place a plasma grenade on its forehead, and Lucky blast it with his rifle. The battered corpse fell. "That was too easy, and why aren't the flood attacking?" Lucky's question was answered. The head at his feet screamed a blood-curdling yell, and slowly rolled back towards the body it had left behind. The elite stood up and its head slowly regrew on its shoulders, and the Hunter did the same. Lucky stood in awe and fear, and Baelrog had a similar expression. So this is how Vanix tree survives... As the enhanced Flood's bodies were molded back together, millions of different thoughts went through their minds...one particular one stuck out in Lucky's mind, and he shared it with Baelrog. Lucky: Obviously...we need to take this Tree out...now. The three attacked again, and within a minute they were disposed of and went back to molding together...since they were not being attacked, Baelrog and Lucky held their fire on the hordes of Flood around them. Baelrog: How about you be a hero and go risk your life to take the entrance? The three enhanced charge again, but they deflect them again with variety of attacks. Baelrog: They are wearing us down...that's their objective. Another attack, which is disposed of wearing down the two Lucky: Cover me...--Begins setting C4-- He presses the timer start button and throws it into the crowd of Flood surrounding them. He and Baelrog jump to the ground as it blows up a few seconds later, sending Flood debris everywhere. They both start running towards the clearing made in the direction of the entrance. They get right outside the front door and start shooting at the Flood, which now started to attack again because of their movement to the entrance. Baelrog yelled out something for the Covenant to hear, and Lucky whistled loudly to signal the humans that the entrance was taken. Lucky and Baelrog, side by side, shot at the invading Flood as they waited for help from the others. Suddenly, the three enhanced flood jumped astonishing high, landing in front of Lucky. "If they keep regenerating, then we'll just have to leave nothing left..." Baelrog smiled slyly at Lucky who nodded, his own grin forming. He charged the human, ripping the Rocket Launcher and the Flood's hands from it. With a blast, Lucky incinerated the flood beast and smashed the still squirming hands into the dust. A roar went up and the hunter aimed its gun at Lucky. Baelrog ran into the massive arm, just as the charge was launched. The deflected blast hit the elite, who screamed something terrible. Its ashes blew away in the heat of battle... The Hunter grabbed Baelrog by the throat and rammed him against a wall. It roared, but stopped when a hole appeared in its bulk. Lucky was still holding the rocket launcher, smoking from the shot just fired. The hunter laughed as the hole began to heal itself. They weren't wearing us down, they were testing our defenses ;thought Baelrog. Baelrog, still suspended by the hunter smiled briefly at Lucky before sticking his hand into the wound, as it healed over his arm. A resounding beep sounded from the depths of the flood beast. The activation sound of a plasma grenade. The hunter went wide-eyed as he knew what happened. "Don't worry, I've never let a flood cause my demise before, and I won't start know" he said with a smile. Lucky shrugged off his dry logic and nodded in silence. "I'll take care of him, and Vanix tree is all yours." The Hunter screamed as he felt his insides melt away from his skin, and in a flash, the Hunter, Baelrog, and a swarm of Flood were gone, all that remained was a smoking crater, with glimmers of glass that had appeared form the intense heat. In the confusion, Lucky and the others were able to make it to the entrance... As they all made it to the entrance, they slowed to a walk. they cave exploded all around it, causing a huge chemical reaction that certainly would have destroyed all the remnants of the flood. all that was left was all the other worlds on the ring. At least now the flood could not replace their dead warriors. And as they left, Rackshaw had run away, or maybe died. But as always, they will right on. As dynamek looked in each one of the heroes in the eyes, he knew that they had become a family. A family in the lightest sense of the word, but a family indeed. But far away, he knew that the fighting had only begun. Special thanks to the following people (all are screen names): |
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