This is a story I wrote a long time ago. And by that I mean like, when I was ten. So, the spelling is probably bad along with the grammar, but I decided to put it up here anyway. A chapter will be added every other day until I reach where I left off (just a warning, I may not continue it but at the same time I may, so keep a look out when i reach the end). Anyway, enjoy everybody!
The Covenant closed in. The Marines kept from shaking. They knew very well they were outnumbered seven to one. Ellie took a deep breath.
"We need Spartans," she muttered.
"And you need to think realistically," her brother, Narthan, said to her in a low voice. The Sergeant chuckled nervously.
"She may be the only one thinking realistically, 'cause if we don't have a miracle soon, we're dead," he said. Narthan nodded. It was true. They were going to die. How'd they get themselves into this? It had come out of nowhere. Well, we came quite a ways into the story. So let's go to the beginning of this conflict…
...
Estra walked down the path skipping, it was the last day of school and she excited. She didn't have to do school for a whole 104 days! She took a deep breath and entered her house. Well, really the garage. But then she entered the house.
"Hey Es," her sister Ellie said from the computer desk.
"Hey El," Estra said. She ran up the stairs and hung her backpack on the hook outside her door. She walked into her room and sighed. She quickly opened the window and started walking to her bookshelf. But then walked quickly back to the window. She climbed onto her desk and looked out.
They sky was darkening. She groaned. Not only had the forecast said that it would be sunny all day, but she was planning to go to the park today. And it wasn't going to be fun with the sky being dark. She shrugged. Oh well, she'd find something else to do.
She hopped down from the desk and walked over to her bookshelf. She took out, 'The Cole Protocol,' one of her favorite Halo books. Incase you don't know, Halo is an Xbox360 game. A storyline in which Estra paid much attention. She had read this book before but she liked to read books twice to get some deeper meanings. That, and she was out of books to read, so she was rereading some.
She had just about sat down in her chair to start off at one of the last pages when the ground shook and the book jumped out of her hands. She ran to her window. For it had the best view of the neighborhood, and the world in her mind, to see what was happening.
The ground started to crack. And the sky's dark clouds flickered with the light of purple flashes. The wind blew Estra's ponytail wildly. People were on the streets looking upwards. Estra lost her breath as four giant things jumped down from the sky. People screamed. Estra ran out of her room and down the stairs. She ran through the garage and outside. She blinked once, twice, three times. It looked like Elites.
"Fowl human filth! Prepare to be wiped clean!" one said in a harsh voice. Estra was joined by her older siblings. Ellie, Narthan, and Anna. They stared.
"That's not possible, it's a game." Estra nodded.
"Yeah. And I think the game just became real," Ellie said. Estra walked back to the house. But as soon was she was unseen she ran upstairs. She opened her chest. Inside were her father's army duel-weld swords. She took them out.
She had trained herself to weld them. She tied the belt around her waist and put the swords inside. She probably wouldn't need them, but better safe them sorry. She then ran back outside. Everyone was watching in horror as an Elite, as it seemed to be, interrogated a little girl. Estra ran up and took out her swords. More for show then to really use though.
"Hey!" she shouted to get his attention. He growled and looked down at her. "She's to young to know what you want to know. What is it you want? I shall tell you." The Elite tossed away the little girl. She ran to her family. The Elite grabbed Estra. Estra dropped her swords. She didn't squirm. If she acted to scared, it might just make it worse.
"Where is your ruler?" he asked.
"At the North Pole, if you get me a map, I could show you." The Elite snarled. Someone handed her a map with shaking hands. Estra turned it around and pointed him to it. "Right there. At the tippy top of the world." The Elite dropped her and they walked away. And then they were gone.
"That was close," someone said from behind. Estra nodded. She picked up her swords and put them back.
"Where'd you get those?" Ellie asked.
"Dad gave 'em to me," she said walking back to the house. Ellie growled and everyone went home. As Estra got ready for bed something told her that this wasn't over yet. It wasn't even close to being so. These Elites, because that was what they were, wanted more than their leader. And so my readers, it begins…
...
That night a loud noise woke Estra up. She sat up in her bed. She twisted and stood. She quickly got dressed, got on her boots (which she kept upstairs), put the belt on, put the swords into their sheaths, and then climbed out the window. The roof was right there. She moved swiftly and quietly to the roof right above the driveway. She ran down, jumped onto the roof of her sister, Anna's, car, and then jumped to the ground.
She ran down the street and turned right. She stopped as she ducked behind a bush. She looked around. Nothing. She kept on running until she came to the park. She quickly ducked behind another bush. She peeked through a little opening in the leaves.
"That little filth lied to us!" an Elite said. More of them snarled. Estra gulped. She was in big trouble.
"Sir, sir," said a squeaky voice. She guessed it was a Grunt. The Elite snarled.
"What is it?" The grunt jumped back.
"Um, sir, we found this," the Grunt said handing him a peace of paper. The Elite looked it over. He tossed it to the ground.
"Go and do your job little Unggoy," he said. The Grunt murmured and jogged away. The Elite turned to the others. "We must kill the human." The other Elites growled in agreement. Estra crawled to the gate of the park. A hand grabbed her leg. She looked back. All she could see was a shape. But she didn't care what it was.
It raised Estra to her feet and led her over to the Elites. They looked down at her. The one who had asked her about their leader snarled. Estra grinned.
"You!" he said.
"Yes?" Estra said. He growled. He turned to the others.
"Call in the Prophets!" Estra blinked. Three lights beamed and three creatures appeared.
"Who are you?" Estra asked finally looking up as the light disappeared.
"We are the Prophets Truth, Regret, and Mercy!" said a harsh voice. Estra looked up at them. They didn't look like the Prophets. But yet, they did. But then again, it was dark. So she couldn't tell. Estra looked down and forced herself not to shake. Her worst nightmare had come true. The Covenant was real and was going to kill people. Lots and lots, of people. She looked at them.
"What do you want with us?" she asked.
"That's just it, we don't want you. We want you gone," one said one flouting forward in his hover chair. Estra growled.
"I wont let you destroy us, neither will our defenses," she said.
"Really? Please, tell us of these defenses," he said. She shook her head.
"The only thing you'll get out of me is where to find Santa Clause, which you most probably did going to the North Pole." She grinned with a chuckle. The Elite snarled and started to walk over to her. The Prophet placed his hand on the Elite's chest.
"No. She may be of use to us yet," he said.
"But Higher ark…"
"No buts Naro," the Prophet said.
"Yes, Prophet of Truth." Estra snarled and spat in Truth's direction.
"More like Prophet of Lies if you ask me," Estra said. The Elites started over to her. Truth raised his hand.
"Peace Sangheilis," he said. They stopped. "I want to keep her alive." Estra chuckled. But said nothing.
"Kig-Yar, take the human away and bound her. We don't want her escaping," another Prophet said. And by the voice it sounded like Mercy. The creature behind Estra, which she guessed was a Jackal, squeaked and took Estra away to a tree. And then tied her with chains.
She looked up at the sky. It was still covered up by the dark cloud the, Covenant, made. But a bright star shown through all the darkness. Estra stared at it until the clouds covered it. She sighed and looked around her. Yup, it was the Covenant all right. She counted. Yup, all seven.
Brutes, Elites, Grunts, Jackals, Drones, Engineers, and Hunters. Well, eight if you counted the Prophets. She sighed. This wasn't going to be fun.
She stood and looked around the tree at her cuffs. She thought a moment. She snickered. She kicked a small metal rod into her mouth. She spit it into her hands. The light shown over in the East. She fiddled with the metal in the lock so she could free herself before the Prophets did something to her. She quickly, but quietly, got away and home. The sun had risen. That much she could tell.
She looked up. The dark clouds moved. More ships. Estra ran faster to her house. People were on their front lawns talking. Estra ran up to her siblings. They looked upset.
Estra! There you are, where were you?" Ellie asked.
"Their camp is at the park! They're planning to invade us! Look!" she pointed upwards. They clouds swirled quickly. Everyone gasped. Estra looked up. A piece of the clouds shown red not far off. Then, a streak shot down to the ground.
"Oh no," Ellie murmured. Estra gasped. They were glassing them! Estra took three steps back. It was heading for them!
"Run! Run back! Ran away from it!" Estra screamed. Everyone ran away screaming. Estra could feel as well as hear the pounding of feet as people joined in the running. Screams of children, babies crying, parents telling their children that it would be ok, people panting, people praying, and the plasma glassing the planet, all these noises filled Estra's ears as she ran. She blinked and a scared tear ran down her cheek. Suddenly, she tripped. Everything turned back…
...
Estra opened her eyes. People surrounded her. They were talking. Before she sat up she looked around. She was outside. Tents were around her. It seemed she was in a camp of some kind. Marines walked around with guns.
Estra sat up and looked around her. Her siblings were talking to someone. A Sergeant so it seemed. They were only nodding. He walked away and they followed. He handed Narthan a gun, and then her sisters. Estra didn't say anything, just watched as her siblings were told how to hold them and were given knives.
Estra stood up and walked over. She stopped about 20 paces away. They didn't look over at her. They didn't want to do this. But it seemed they were running out of Marines and so they had to pick up a gun and help out.
"You'll be closer to the back with your friends, but we still need you," the Sergeant said. (In case you wanna know, he kinda sounds like Carter, Noble One.) Narthan nodded. Her sisters nodded to. He sighed and put his hand on Narthan's shoulder. He smiled back at Anna and Ellie. "Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on you until you get the hang of it." They nodded. He then noticed Estra standing there.
"They're gonna fight?" Estra said. He nodded.
"Yes. They are legally old enough to fight," he said. "They just need to get the hang of it." Estra glanced over at them. They wouldn't look over at her. They were worried. Estra looked the Sergeant in the eye and crossed her arms.
"What? I ain't good enough for ya?" she said. He chuckled and kneeled down to her level.
"No kid. It's just legally we can't take you in. You're to young," he said. Estra scoffed.
"I figured that by the time aliens invaded us most things wouldn't have to be legalized," she said. The Sergeant sighed.
"Yeah well, even if I could, I wouldn't let you. You're to young for this kid." Estra couldn't keep from glaring, just a little.
"I am not, and don't call me kid," she said. Estra turned around and walked away. The Sergeant turned to her siblings with a smile.
"She's got strive, I'll give her that," he said. They nodded but said nothing. Estra stopped by a bunch of kids. They were no older than eight or so.
"What's wrong?" she asked sitting on a rock.
"We're scared that we might lose, and if we lose everyone will die," said a little girl.
"Yeah. And our families are fighting in the war," said a little boy that sat next to her. Estra chuckled. They stared at her.
"There is always hope guys, you wanna hear a story about this kinda thing?" They all nodded. "All right then, this is the story of a war kinda like this one. But, there was a man, a man named John, Spartan one-one-seven…" and so she told the story of Halo. Even Halo ODST and Halo Reach.
"But what about the end of the third one?" the little boy, who's name was James, asked. Estra chuckled.
"Well, as you remembered. The portal closed, but what I didn't say was the only half of the ship got through. And Chief's half was the one that stayed behind." They all gasped. "On Earth they had a monument to those that had died in the war. Including Johnson, Miranda, and Captain Keyes." They all smiled at this. "At the end of the meeting, Lord Hood said the Thel, 'I can never forgive you for what you did to my people',"-Everyone stopped as Estra spoke this part-" 'But I thank you. For staying by him, all the way.' He sighed. 'It's hard to believe he's dead.' The Arbiter looked up and said, 'were it so easy.'…"
"Didn't he say that earlier?" Dave, another kid, said. Estra nodded. Every child 'shushed' him and Estra continued.
"But before the Arbiter walked onto his ship. He turned around to Lord Hood and said, 'Maybe it's so hard to believe, because he's not really dead.' He shrugged and left. Leaving Lord Hood thinking on that."-The children started to get up-"Where are you going? It's not over yet?" They all quickly sat down.
"Tell us the rest! Tell us the rest!" they said together. Estra nodded chuckling.
"All right. Chief turned on his lights to see in the darkened ship. 'Chief?' Cortana said. 'I thought I lost you.' Chief only nodded. He slowly made his way to the cryo room. He turned off his lights and looked at Cortana. 'I sent out a distress call but, it could be years before anyone finds us.' Chief nodded and placed his gun in the cryo pod. He looked back at Cortana as he slipped into it. 'Wake me, when you need me.' 'I'll miss you Chief,' Cortana said. But Chief, was already in cryo sleep."
"What next?" Estra shook her head.
"Nothing. That's it," she said standing. They sighed and stood up. Estra noticed everyone looking at her. "What?" Everyone kept on moving. Ellie walked up to her and smiled.
"I liked the line you added for the Arbiter, and that story seemed to light up everyone's hopes," she said. Estra shrugged.
"It was just a story," she said. Anna chuckled.
"Yes, but even stories can bring hope to people's minds," Anna commented. Estra nodded.
"I guess." They chuckled and left. Estra sighed. The ground rumbled.
"We're under attack Sergeant!" the lookout, who was in a tall tree, shouted down from his spot. The Sergeant nodded.
"Let's go people!" he yelled. The children all shook. "Hey!" he said placing a hand on Estra's shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Would you take the children somewhere safe?" Estra nodded.
"I'm on it sir!" He nodded sharply and ran off. Estra ran over to the children. Who were now all huddled together. "Come on. I gotta get you guys outta here." They nodded and followed her. Estra took them through a tent. They stopped. A grenade! "Kneel like this, quickly." Estra kneeled on both knees. "Cover yours heads and curl up! Now! Now!" Estra shouted. She covered her head with her arms and moved her head over her knees.
She took the kids far away from the battle sight. She looked back. They were out numbered three to one. Estra growled and took the kids farther. She hid the kids in a bunch of bushes.
"You guys have to stay here, ok?" They nodded. Estra ran off. She had heard pounding earlier. Now, where had it come from? She stopped running. A Scarab. She ran up to it and grabbed the leg. She climbed up, being careful not to fall off. She climbed higher and higher.
She looked over the edge and then pulled herself up. She took out her swords and looked around. Still nothing. She quickly, but quietly, ran over to a corner and looked around it. Five Elites, two Grunts, and one Jackal. She took a deep breath.
She took out her knife and threw it at the Jackal. She couldn't deal with a sniper right now. She ran out and cut off three Elite heads. She looked around. The last two Elites snarled and took out their energy swords. The Grunt took out its plasma pistol. Estra jumped into the air and stabbed one Elite. It fell to the ground, dead. The last one fought a bit harder.
It roared and charged at her. She jumped into the air, just barley making it over him. He growled and turned around. He threw an energy knife at her. She dodged. But not fast enough. It skimmed the side of her face. She cursed and turned to the Elite with a bleeding right side. She ran at him and stabbed him through the heart. She turned to the Grunt. She held her sword up to him.
"How many more are on here?" she asked. He shook. "I said how many more?!"
"None. Just us and the driver on the lower deck. We were told to pick up the others. There was no need for more," he said. Estra nodded.
"Thank you. I shall not kill you. I want you to send Truth a message." He nodded shakingly. "Good. Tell him, that Estra sends her regards, and that she thanks him for the Scarab." The Grunt nodded. "Thank you. Now, take me to the driver." He nodded and led her to the lower deck.
"Excuse me sir," he said.
"What?" The Elite said harshly.
"Someone wants to talk to you." The Elite turned. But all he saw was a sword in his face. She turned to the Grunt.
"Good. Now,"-she raised her sword-"get off and give Truth my message!" He nodded and ran off. She turned around and sighed. "I should've asked him for driving lessons."
She put her hand on the lighted circle. She moved it. The gun control. She poked the middle and it shot. She hummed thoughtfully and looked to her right. She put her hand on the other one. She turned it. The legs twisted. She pushed on it, they moved backward. She stopped and pushed forward, heading in the right way. She grinned.
"Now that's more like it," she said. She stopped by the bushes and lowered the Scarab. She leaned out and shouted: "Kids! Guys it's me!" They stood and smiled. "Come on! All aboard!" They cheered and climbed on, with help from Estra of course. She drove it to the camp. The Sergeant looked up and gulped.
"Oh shit," he muttered. Ellie looked up and stared. Estra aimed the gun at the Covenant ground unites.
"Bye-bye," she murmured and blew 'em to kingdom-come! Everyone cheered.
"I don't know who high-jacked it! But by golly they should get a medal!" the Sergeant shouted. Everyone charged into the battle. Estra whooped and shot the Covies outta the sky! When the battle was won, she lowered the Scarab.
"Whoo-rah!" Estra shouted with glee. She turned around. "Come on guys." Her and children walked up to the upper deck. The Sergeant stared.
"You high-jacked it?" he asked. Estra just smiled. She crossed her arms.
"Yes."
"What happened to you?" he asked. Estra lowered her head and touched the scar on the right side of her face. The skin on her temple and part of her cheek was gone, and even some of her hair was missing. She looked up.
"Had to fight my way in here sir," she said flatly. He nodded.
"Well than, come on. Park this baby and show someone how to drive it." He walked away.
"Sir," she said sharply. He turned. She started to open her mouth but then shut it. "Yes sir," she muttered. She turned around and went to the lower deck. She 'parked' it and then showed a Privet how to drive it.
Estra sat around a fire and stared at the flames. She hadn't seen her siblings since the beginning of the battle. She looked up. Ellie and Narthan sat around the fire with her. But, what about Anna?
"Where's Anna?" They only looked at her. Estra blinked once, twice, three times and then got up and walked away without a word. She leaned against a tree about 40 paces away from the camp and looked up. She still couldn't see the moon, but she could still see that one star. She sighed and looked at the ground. She had lost her sister, what next? Everyone she knew in her life would be gone? She groaned.
"I heard about you sister," said the Sergeants voice. He sounded sorry. Estra only shifted in reply to his presence. He walked into view and looked down at her. Estra blinked slowly. But still said nothing. He sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry if that angers you, but we don't…"
"Have enough people, I know. But that's not what bugs me," she muttered. He looked down at her again. She had no expression. She was blank, quiet, quick, stealthy, and completely Marine, but he wouldn't let her fight. Not matter how much she could take it.
"I can't have you fight, you know that. You couldn't…"
"Handle myself?" she finished. "That's what they all said. That's what everyone ever says. I can't handle myself, I can't take it, I'm not old enough, I'm not tall enough, I'm not big enough, and I'm just to young. Those are always the issues with me." He blinked.
"That's not what I meant ki.. er, what's your name?"
"Estra. Estra Sacrenty." He paused.
"Estra, that's not what I mean. It's just that, well…"
"I said the reasons already, you don't have to repeat it," Estra said. He sighed.
"Yeah. But let me say this, you are one hell of a kid Estra. You sure are. You are completely Marine type, but…"
"Don't say it. I'm to young to be in the Marines." He nodded.
"Yes. But you sure know how to handle yourself, and this scar"-he skimmed it with his finger slightly-"Proves that more than any words every could." Estra gave a half smile.
"Thanks," she said. He chuckled.
"I'll see ya later Estra," he said and walked off. Estra looked up. That star was still there. She had watched it since she was little. And it was her hope now. She took a deep breath and walked back. She sat around the fire and stared at the fire.
"What happened?" Narthan asked looking at her scar. She grinned.
"I high-jacked a Scarab and got this as an 'I Hate You' gift," she said. Narthan chuckled.
"Nice." Ellie smiled.
"What he said." Estra laughed. The day came to an end. But the story continues of course…
...
The Unggoy ran in and fell to his knees. Truth and the other Prophets looked down at him. He was panting and looked as if he carried something important in his mind.
"What news do you bring Unggoy?" He stood.
"Estra sends her regards, and thanks you for the Scarab," he said. Truth growled and pounded his fist on the arm of his chair.
"Demons!" he screamed. "Curse you! You have brought her upon us!" The Grunt ran out of the room quickly to spread the news that this war, was far from won. Extremely far from won…
...
Estra walked through the Covie bodies. Looking at them with a careful eye. She knew they were dead, but she still didn't want to miss anything. She stopped and kneeled. She picked up a copper coin. It had the number 7 on the back and some words on the other side. She put it in her pocket and then walked back to camp. The Sergeant and two other Marines were talking. She passed them without even glancing in their direction.
She continued to walk into the forest. She was thinking so hard, that she wasn't paying attention. Halo was coming true, everything she knew, was about to change. Had changed, and was about to get worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and worse before it got any better. If, it got any better. She sighed and stopped.
She looked around. The forest was dark, and they sky was covered in black clouds, she continued to walk. She remembered when skies were clear, and everything was normal. But it wasn't going to be anything like that anymore. She sighed.
She closed her eyes and thought about how everything had changed in the last day and a half or so. It had gone from the best day in her life, the first day of summer, to the worst day in the history of the world. She sighed and looked around. Everything had changed. She stopped walking. A twig snapped. She twisted the handle of her left sword. She looked around. Had someone followed her? Someone was behind her. She turned around and aimed her sword at them. It was a boy, a boy around her age. He looked at her.
"Who are you? State your name boy!" Estra demanded.
"Roy, Roy Gibson, who are you?"
"I am Estra, Estra Sacrenty, why did you sneak up on me?"
"I didn't mean to, I'm sorry. My family got attacked and is now dead. I was looking for a place to stay for awhile." Estra let down her sword.
"Come, I stay at a camp of Marines, follow me," she told him. He nodded and did so. The Sergeant looked back at her and blinked.
"Who's your friend?" he asked. Estra raised her sword to his face.
"First off, he's not my friend. And second, his name's Roy," she said.
"Got it," the Sergeant said. Estra put back her sword with a twist. She nodded sharply and went back to walking.
"What's eating her?"
"We're no really sure."
"I heard that!" The Sergeant chuckled.
"She's just a bit uptight," he said. Estra growled.
"You bet I'm uptight," she muttered to herself and walked into the forest. She took the coin out of her pocket and sat down on a tree stump. She flipped it over in her hands. She sighed and put it back into her pocket and kept on walking. She walked for a while before stopping. She looked around and groaned. She might have walked a little to far. Ok, a lot to far. She turned around and thought a moment. Had she turned at all? She figured that she hadn't and walked back.
Why hadn't she paid attention? Oh yeah, she never paid attention! She cursed herself and continued to walk. She stopped at the sound of gunshots. She ran. She ducked behind a tree as a bullet almost hit her. She let out the breath she had been holding and looked around the tree's trunk to see what was happening.
Ten Elites had invaded the camp along with five Grunts and two Jackals. Estra grinned. One of the Grunts was the one she had seen on the Scarab. An Elite dragged back the Sergeant. The lead Elite grabbed his collar and snarled at him.
"State your name human," he demanded. Estra rolled her eyes. It was Naro.
"James Handan," he said. Naro breathed into his face.
"Where is the human you call, Estra?" he asked.
"I don't know, she left a few minutes ago, no one's seen her since."
"You are lying to me!" the Elite said shaking him hard.
"What do you want with her?" Narthan asked. The Elite tossed down James and pick Narthan up. Naro brought Narthan's face up to his and snarled quietly.
"The Prophets want her dead," he told him quietly. The Elite tossed Narthan to the ground. Estra rolled her eyes. She rapped her arms around the tree and climbed until she reached a branch she could sit on.
"Hey Naro! Find me!" she shouted. The Elites looked around and Estra chuckled.
"Where are you?"
"Find me!" He snarled. Everyone started looking for her. "You are so cold it's not even funny! Oh wait, it is!" The Elite roared.
"You will die, today!" he yelled.
"Right sure, you try that," she said. She grabbed the trunk and stood up. She took a worried deep breath and leaned over to the nearest tree. She leaned back, let go, ran, jumped, and quickly grabbed onto the nest tree. "Whoa." They looked up.
"You little sneak!" Naro snarled through his mandibles. Estra grinned. She stood again and jumped. A was a little easier this time. She did it again.
"Catch me!" she shouted and jumped again. They went after her. She jumped again. She climbed higher. She nearly shrieked as she neared the top. She held on and laughed down at him. "Sucker! How do ya like me now?"
"I don't," he said. She turned around. He was standing on a hoverboard grinning at her. She smiled.
"How'd I know you'd do that?" She stepped off the branch she was standing on and held tightly to the top of the tree. She landed on a branch and held onto the top still. He lowered himself. "Hold this, will ya?" She handed him the tree. He gave her a puzzled look. She pressed the button that deactivated the anti-gravity on the hoverboard. The board dropped and he went flying. "Have a nice trip!" she shouted laughing. She clung to the tree's trunk. Now what?
She heard gunshots, all human, below her. Someone came up on the hoverboard. It was Roy.
"Need some help?" he asked. She chuckled.
"Yes, thank you," she said stepping onto it. He lowered and they landed. She stepped off and sighed.
"I love the ground right now," she said. Roy laughed. James looked up at the trees and grinned at her.
"Jeez kid, how'd you do that?"
"I'm not sure," she said. Everyone laughed. A Marine pushed a Grunt forward.
"Sir, we found him, he was trying to run off." He kneeled and looked around. He stopped at Estra. Estra grinned.
"Ah, my little messenger," she said. He nodded slowly.
"What?" James asked.
"He sent Truth message for me, I wanted to thank him for the Scarab," she said winking. The Sergeant laughed. The Grunt looked up at her, shaking. She didn't say anything. He looked so helpless. He crawled slowly over to her.
"Please, have mercy on me! I'll do anything!" he said. Estra thought a moment. She looked at the Sergeant.
"Your messenger," he joked. 'Your call,' he mouthed. Estra kneeled down to look the Grunt straight in the eye.
"What's your name Unggoy?" He looked up.
"Toroff," he said. She smiled and reached out her hand.
"I am Estra," she said. He hesitated but shook her offered hand. "Welcome to the human's side Toroff." He looked like he was smiling.
"Thank you! Thank you!" he said. She nodded. She looked at James.
"He's mine. Not yours. I command him, not you," she said. He nodded. Estra started to walk away. Toroff jumped to his feet and followed. He was quiet and didn't say much. Estra liked him.
Estra stopped and looked around. Someone was watching her. She shrugged it off and continued to walk. She walked for a long time. Not thinking on anything, just letting her mind wonder.
"Um, Ma'am?" Toroff said. Estra turned. "We've been walking for a long time." Estra grinned. So, he had a use that would help Estra out a lot.
"Right," she said and they turned around. "What's you story?" She stopped walking. Toroff looked at her a moment.
"Well, I was born on a ship. My kind only stays with their parents for a month or so."-Estra nodded as they started to walk again-"When my parents left I was taught to fix things. I was almost as good as a Huragok. When I was a year old I was taken out of engineering and taken to fighting. I was quite good at it, but I couldn't take a human."-Estra smiled-"I was the best at aiming and dodging. But I wasn't very good at running. After that I worked on the bridge. I didn't do much there. After a few years of changing jobs I joined the Covenant and have been trying to destroy humans ever since." Estra nodded.
"That's quite a story." Toroff nodded.
"What's your story?" he asked Estra almost stopped walking. She hadn't told anyone her story. She smiled.
"Well, I was born on Earth in Michigan, which is where we are now, and my kind stays with their parents for 18 years."-Toroff gaped but then closed his mouth-"I never met my dad. I saw him once when I was 3 and he died when I was five. My mom died when I was six. My siblings raised me. Well, you could call it raising, or you could call it trying to ignore and not caring."-Toroff nodded-"I taught myself things. LIke how to duel-wield swords, how to fight, and even homeschooled myself."
"Homeschooled?" Toroff said cocking his head. Estra nodded.
"Humans have this thing call school where we learn things like spelling and math. And Homeschooling is doing it at home."-Toroff nodded in understand- meant-"Anyway, so I taught myself everything. I didn't do much. I was either to young, to short, not smart enough, couldn't take it, or I couldn't handle myself. Those were always my problems. A few years later the war started, which was yesterday, and my world was turned upside down. All the issues with me arose again. I can't handle myself, I would understand how things work, I'm to young, and I wont understand."-She sighed-"If I've learned anything, it's that you can't trust anyone, you're never enough or you're just to small. Earth is a harsh place Toroff. Your story makes me want to be a Grunt." Toroff scoffed.
"No you don't," he said. "To all the other aliens, like the Sangheili, the Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, Mgalekgolo and even the holy Prophets we're just dirt for them to step on. We don't matter, we're to small, not smart enough,"-he paused-"In fact, they see us as the humans have always seen you." Estra nodded.
"I see," she said.
"There was this one Kig-Yar, her name was Zqea, and she was one crabby lady. She was kind to the other Kig-Yar, but when it came to us Unggoy, well, we were treated like trash. We were just helpers. We hardly ever ate, didn't sleep much, we did the little jobs while the other Kig-Yar got the important ones."-He growled-"And she stole from the Prophets and blamed one of my kind. She got was she deserved a few years later when she burned to death. She pleaded for us to help her, some of them tried, but she burned." He stopped walking. Estra stopped as well and looked down at her Grunt. "One of my friends died because of her. She dragged him into the fire and he never came out." Estra kneeled in front of him and smiled.
"Hey," she said. He looked up at her. "I'll admit, we've both had our fair share of jerks."-he nodded-"There was this one girl, named Carly, she was a real jerk. She acted like my friend and then turned on me. She nearly killed me."
"She attacked you?" Toroff asked. Estra nodded.
"Yes," she said. He stared wide-eyed.
"Wow." Estra chuckled and stood.
"Come one, let's go." He nodded and they walked back to the camp. It was getting darker and they were starting to light fires. The children were sitting around one talking. They all looked worried again. Estra sat down. They all looked at her.
"Are you going to tell us another story?" one asked. Estra nodded.
"You bet."
"Yay!" they all said. Estra chuckled.
"Toroff, you wanna hear?" He nodded and sat next to her. Everyone smiled at him and then looked at Estra for their story. She told the story: First Strike. (This is a real book. If you wanna hear it please get the book. Thank you.) When she was finished the parents, or siblings depending, thanked her and took them to their campfires. Toroff smiled.
"Was that true?" he asked. Estra shrugged.
"Right now, I'm not sure," she said. He nodded. "After the war started, and after a few other things, I'm not sure what true and what's lies, and what's real and what's fake."
"Yeah, that's understandable," he said. EStra chuckled and looked up. That star still shined. She smiled. "What's that?"
"My star, it's helped keep me going through the years," she said. He nodded. Estra smiled. "It's called Shield." Toroff didn't ask why. All he knew was that he liked his new leader. To her he wasn't just another Unggoy; he was an individual that really mattered. And he liked it…
...
Truth pounded his fist upon his armrest and cursed loudly. Not only had she almost killed one of his best Sangheilis, but she had one of his Unggoy. He didn't care about the Unggoy, but what if he told her something?
"Sire?" the Sangheili said.
"What?" Truth said.
"Naro wishes to speak with you."
"Let him in," Mercy said before Truth could speak. Truth growled and nodded in agreement. The Sangheili bowed and left. Naro entered. His face was scarred and he was angry.
"I want to still lead the missions to destroy her," he said. Truth raised his hand.
"Not until you are fully capable of handling it," he said.
"But sire…"
"No, Naro. You are to stay here. If you do not obey me it shall be called Heresy and you will be punished as such, am I understood Naro?" Naro nodded.
"Yes sire."
"Good, now, leave. You need to recover so that you may lead them sooner then later."
"Understood holy Prophet," Naro said and left. Truth groaned and rubbed his head. Regret hovered over.
"This war if weakening you almighty Truth, is it not?" Truth nodded.
"Yes, it is. But I can still lead." Mercy flouted forward.
"Truth, you mustn't keep going. You must rest. Regret and I will run this for awhile so you may rest." Truth started to open his mouth but closed it and considered. A rest sounded welcoming. He hadn't slept for days, not since they had started their way to Earth. He knew that he had to rest or he would do something that would destroy them.
"For the rest of the day, but then I return to by duties." The other Prophets nodded.
"Yes almighty Truth," they said. Truth left. Mercy and Regret watched him leave.
"This war weighs heaver on Truth then he thinks, and is willing to admit," Mercy said. Regret nodded.
"Yes, it is Mercy," Regret replied. Mercy sighed. Truth was going to kill himself if he didn't rest enough. Which he wasn't. And Mercy didn't want him to die because of his stubbornness…
...
Estra leaned against the tree. Thinking about the day before. Was Toroff part of a game Truth was playing? She'd have to be careful. The more of his trust and friendship she gained the better. Little footsteps walked up from behind. She looked over her shoulder. Toroff walked drowsily over. He was unstable on his feet and Estra had to force herself not to laugh.
"Morning Toroff," she said. He looked up at her.
"Good morning," he said. Estra looked back at where the raising sun should've been, but it wasn't because of the clouds. She sighed. She may never see the sun again. Toroff blinked as Estra turned around. He followed her. Estra sat down and took a bowl of something. She wasn't sure was it was, but she hadn't eaten in two days so she didn't care. Toroff was looking at his oddly.
"What's this?" he ask as politely as possible.
"It's called whatever we have," she said. He stared at her a moment before realizing what she meant.
"Oh," he said. Estra swallowed some. She winced and coughed slightly. She blinked a few times.
"Whoa, that's some strong stuff," she said shaking her head. Toroff laughed. He covered his mouth and looked at her. He looked like he felt guilty. Estra smiled. "You're with humans, it's normal to laugh."-he smiled-"It's also normal to be an idiot, at least around here anyway." He laughed again. But this time he didn't cover his mouth or look guilty. Estra smiled and took another bite.
"Nice meal huh?" Roy asked sitting over with them. Estra only looked up at him without a word and continued to eat. "What's you problem?"
"Right now? You," she said.
"Why? I saved your life yesterday!" Roy said. Estra smiled.
"Yesterday, today you sat with me without asking." She looked up at him. He leaned forward and put his right arm on his right knee with a small smirk.
"Well, I didn't know you need reservations over here," he joked. Estra gave a half grin.
"Well now you know," she joked back.
"Really? Well, can you take a raincheck?"
"Why?" Estra said setting her spoon in the bowl and looking up at him.
"Because my reservation got glassed by the Covenant." Estra raised an eyebrow. She thought it was funny, but no enough to laugh. Roy didn't make a face but he was clearly not happy about that.
"Really? Sorry, I don't take rainchecks."
"Why not?" he said. He faked whininess to sound funny.
"Because I don't like to get wet." Roy smirked and chuckled slightly.
"Really? Fine then," he said. He went back to his food. He looked up at her and said: "Wanna droughtcheck?" Estra spit her food back into bowl. Roy smiled. But she still hadn't laughed.
"No, cause then it's to hot!" she said. He made a tight unhappy look.
"All right then, whadda ya want? A payment?"
"No," Estra said.
"Then what?" he said. He leaned forward so far he nearly dropped his food.
"I want you to leave!" she said. James looked over. He had been walking by and heard them talking. What on Earth where they talking about?
"Why?" Estra put her spoon back into her bowl and leaned back with a groan.
"Because you're annoying!" she said.
"No I'm not!"
"Yes you are! You're annoying and stupid!" Roy gaped. Toroff smiled and kept form laughing.
"Hey! I am not!" Roy made the mistake of standing. What was left of his food, which wasn't a lot because he had been eating throughout their whole conversation, covered his pants below the knees and his boots. Estra burst out laughing. Roy smiled. Victory! Toroff joined her along with a ton of other people. Estra set her bowl down and stood. She got a towel and handed it to him. Still laughing.
"Nice comebacks by the way," she said. He smiled.
"You to."
"Thanks."
"Right back at ya." After he had cleaned himself off they sat back down. Estra finished and set her bowl back down. "You are hard to get laughing, you know that?" Estra nodded.
"Not normally, I did it for you." He scoffed.
"I hate you," he said.
"Love you to." They looked at each other.
"I'm not sure I quite understand English sayings, but I'm pretty sure that sounded wrong," Toroff said. Estra nodded.
"Yes, yes it did."
"Never say that again," Roy said. Estra nodded.
"You bet I wont!" she said. He chuckled. After they talked about happens of the war they saw and the other missed Roy got up and helped the young boys go and get some rabbits and stuff. A girl around Estra's age took the girls to get water and other things. Estra stood and looked around.
She stopped at the fire that her siblings sat around. Her sister's hat lay there. Anna's cowgirl hat didn't fit her. It fit Estra, but she never gave it to her. Her sister said that when she died Estra could have it. She had been serious. Estra picked it up and put it on. She fiddled with the charms on her necklace. On it was her mother's wedding ring, and her father's dogtag the Marines had sent her. She sighed and kept on walking. She looked back at the east. She sighed. She peered closer. Something was walking.
She continued to walk. Careful to keep her hands on her swords, just in case it was a Covie. Toroff went with her. He didn't ask why they were going, or what that was. He just followed her. A hand went onto Estra's lower arm. She looked own. Toroff pointed.
"Look closer." She did. An Elite!
"Back! Back!" The Elite roared. It was Naro. Estra stopped and looked back. Big mistake. He grabbed her and started to choke her. Estra tried to brake free.
"I told the Prophets I could take you, whether or not they say I can or not! I came!" he said squeezing. Estra coughed. Everything went fuzzy and she saw stars. She gasped for breath but got none. A loud gunshot rang out and the Elite turned around. Nothing was there. Estra couldn't see. Naro loosened his grip and walked away. He pushed Toroff back as he walked away with her. Estra heard him as he ran back:
"Roy! Roy!" It was the only name he knew in the camp. Then everything faded from view…
...
Estra looked around. Naro was on the ground, a plasma burn on his shoulder. She noticed she was in a tree. She fell out of it and onto the ground. She heard voices. She hid behind the tree.
"What did the Prophets say to do with this Heresy?" said a bird like voice.
"Burn it!" said another. It sounded much like the first. Estra blinked. They were going to burn him alive! Estra took out her swords before she thought better of it and killed them. It turned out to be Jackals. Figured by the voices. She dragged Naro along and made a fire. She leaned him against a tree and healed him best she could. When she put water on the plasma burn he woke up with a start.
"Calm down, if you move to much it'll sting more," she said. He blinked but said nothing and didn't move. When she was done she rapped it up and sat across from him. "What?" she asked. "You're looking at me as if I did something wrong."
"Why'd you help me? I've been trying to kill you," he said. Estra shrugged.
"I wasn't going to let them burn you alive, and besides, you had pretty good intentions. You just wanted to prove yourself, much like I do," she said. He blinked. She shrugged and looked up. Shield was right there above them. Naro looked to. He looked back at her.
"I'm Naro, Naro Vadam," he said reaching out his hand. Estra took his hand in hers. She shook it.
"Estra, Estra Sacrenty," she said leaning back. He paused. "So, you're part of the Vadam clan huh?" He nodded. She knew about this? "I hear that they're high up there on your planet." He nodded again. She hummed thoughtfully. "Sangheili are very intelligent indeed."
"How do you know all of this?"
"All of what?"
"Everything. Are real names, our culture, well most of it, and even how we even live! Not even the Prophets don't know what you just said!" Estra smiled.
"I have my ways."
"But, you didn't even know about us until a few days ago," Naro said, puzzled. Estra smiled and reached into her backpack. She pulled out 'The Cole Protocol'.
"This is a book to a video game some people made. Your people are in it." She opened it and pointed to a part with the Elite's true name. His mandibles separated. She guessed he was gaping.
"Your kind is truly remarkable," he said. Estra smiled. "Very few know all of it," she said. He looked up at her. Estra looked back. What he gave was an odd look.
One of Appreciation?
Admiration?
Respect?
All of the above? He bowed his head.
"I would be honored to serve under you Ma'am," he said. Estra smiled. She didn't say anything. But, why honored? She was a nobody. She shrugged it off and looked around.
"How long did we walk?" she asked. For it was getting dark.
"A few hours," he said. Estra nodded.
"Tomorrow we head back to the camp." He nodded and leaned back against the tree. Estra looked back at Shield. He looked up at it.
"What's that?" he asked.
"It's Shield, one of the few things that kept me going."
"Through?"
"Everything," she answered. He looked over at her. He hummed thoughtfully and looked back up at it. She sighed and stood. He sat up straight and watched her walk away. She stood in a clearing and looked around. It was as dark as it in at 12:00 in summer, but it was only around 8:00. She sighed. Who was she kidding? The world was about to end. Naro walked over to stand next to her. He looked over at her.
Estra was looking at the ground with a solemn look on her face. The wind blew her hair out of her face as she blinked. He sighed. He looked around at what he had helped do to the planet. He had darkened it, he had poisoned it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize what this did to you humans," he said. Estra looked up and smiled.
It's all right, besides, I'm not done yet," she said. He smiled.
"Riamh a thabhairt suas gan troid," he said. Estra blinked.
"What?"
"Never give up without a fight, it's just shorter in my language," he said. Estra nodded.
"I see." She walked back to the fire and sat down. Her eyes were heavy and she was tired. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Estra…" he stopped as he saw her. He smiled. "Thel, if only you could see this right now."
And that's the end of chapter one. Yeah, you can tell how much my writing as evolved since than.
Thanks for reading, please review, and have a bow chicka bow wow day!
Perla: And may it be the best day ever, of all time!
P.S. Almost 9,000 words! Wow 0.0 I think I just broke some kind of record...