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Earth's Wrath: Chapter 1 - Ruins of Earth
Posted By: Steven Carson (aka Ninja Steve)<neverwinterknight117@hotmail.com>
Date: 22 April 2004, 8:42 PM
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Earth's Wrath
Chapter 1: Ruins of Earth
The sky exploded in plasmatic energy. This time, however, it was not a Covenant bombardment or assault. They were fleeing. Matt Cauthon watched from the ruined streets of New Glasgow as misshapen, purple alien craft fled the Earth's atmosphere, and left the system, probably to regroup for another attack. For the moment, Matt was simple glad for a short while of peace. Letting his empty battle rifle fall to the cracked, beaten, and in some places fiery road, and walked towards the local museum at a casual pace.
Fortunately he had suffered very few personal injuries, though the fact that his best friends Calum and Euan were currently headed to the army medical bases did not go unregistered to him. But there was nothing he could do-for the moment at least. They had fought bravely, and Matt was just relieved they were not among the many who had died in the defense of humankind's first and last planet.
Matt found his pace quicken. Much of New Glasgow was, to put it one way, in tatters. Before being drafted back into the military, he had owned and run the museum, spent thousands of Euros purchasing ancient paintings, weapons, and armor. If he found a flat slab of concrete where his big old castle should be, he would personally tear the head of every Covenant scum he could find in the galaxy.
As he drew near, fellow marines and army soldiers shouted greetings, well dones, and orders at him. The orders he ignored. All the uninjured were busy running errands or helping the wounded. Matt got the shock of his life to suddenly walk into a wall of metal green and black.
"Hello Master Chief" he said, walking backwards and rubbing his head. Master Chief, Spartan Super-Soldier 117 had just turned the corner. But Matt blamed himself for not paying attention.
"Matt. Are you okay?" Matt had only met the Spartan recently when the whole month of defending Earth started, in New Mombasa. He had shot a group of plasma-sword wielding elites who had threatened him on River Bridge. They made a good team. But both were too busy for pleasantries. Matt assured the Chief he was fine, they talked for a while more, then headed in opposite directions.
Finally Matt reached his Museum. It still stood. But by the lack of doors and the many plasma burns around where they should be...the Covenant had broken in.
In the main hall inside, everything seemed fine. The paintings seemed fine. The gift shop was the mess he had left it in. The Egyptian and Dinosaur halls were fine, complete with expensive displays without a scratch (except those visiting children and tourists made). Feeling confused but relaxed, Matt checked the Ancient Warfare rooms. And nearly had a heart attack. Swords, guns, armor, and bows had all been either taken away or shot to such a degree they no longer had any physical form. But they were harmless. The Covenant couldn't possibly believe that thousands of years old muskets and chain mail could be of any use or threat. Matt was confused, startled, and above all, angry. That was millions of euros of old trash! He wasn't sure how much he had lost, since he wasn't sure anymore how euros converted to British pounds, but he knew it must be bad. He sighed and went to sit down for a while. He had a lovely, comfortable seat in the center hall. Soon, he distantly heard the echoes of his phone ringing, mixed with the sounds of many passing tanks and jeeps outside.
He let the phone go dead. If it was important, he would phone back. If it wasn't, he could phone back later. If it was Bungie Division asking him to report to HQ...well, he didn't feel like fighting again yet. They might come hunting for him, but not yet. It wouldn't be their priority to find one missing soldier in the millions missing and dead. Perhaps billions. There was too much going on. Silently he watched the long, endless snake of a convoy run through the streets like a serpent through the woods. The sun briefly shined through the think layer of clouds and smoke. Only then did Matt realize his head of brown hair had been bloodied red, and his green combat armor splattered with blue and orange alien blood. Little of the blood on him was his. Much was from fallen, nearby comrades. The Covenant blood...well he was sure he had at least twenty confirmed kills that day alone.
Silently, Matt let thoughts enter his head he hadn't let enter his head since he had retired from the army years ago. He was back in now. He had lost some friends. The fates of others were still to be decided. He did not know why his museum had been attacked. He did know why Earth had been attacked. He hated the Covenant, lived in fear of them. Now he felt no fear. Only anger. He knew Section 3 would be planning something good against the Covenant. Millions were dead. Cities, everything ruined.
Those dammed aliens would not get away with this. Matt knew Earth would soon unleash her wrath against its enemy, after too long a time suffering painfully in this 'holy war'. Matt was ageing. He had retired for a reason. He had wanted a peaceful life, to be a civilian again. He guessed he would have to wait a bit longer for that.
Oh yes, Earth would have her wrath. And Matt intended on being there when she did.
Coming Soon: Chapter 2-Halfblood
Excerpt: Matt looked in wonder at the man. Tall and strong he stood. He was human in appearance, but had blue/red skin, and an almost animal like bone-structure and posture. He still could not believe that he could be what they said he was. Covie Elites and humans couldn't have children could they?
"Olleh, Doolbflah llac yeht eno eht ma I."
"Hello, I am the one they call Halfblood" he said.
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