The Cleansing Flame
Chapter 1: Screwed.
Hey everybody this is like what my .. fourth rewrting of this Fiction but hopefully it's a lot better ive gotten some tips from other writers way better than me. Kudos to Soulguard for getting Path of Reclamation Started,lot of action in this chapter but don't worry there is a plot, now enjoy the first chapter of The Cleansing Flame.
Jon Ferraro was one of the few dozen soldiers to volunteer for the Spartan I program but was Transferred from Reach to Biko as part of a Contingent of Marines to Protect The Deuterium Mines and the Half Dozen small Shipyards in Orbit after the program failed. Shortly after his reassingment he met Karen Nastill after nearly a Year of Courting they were married. There honeymoon however was interrupted by a rebel insurrection that tried to seize a large shipment of deuterium and a few nearly completed Destroyers in orbit. Jon was wounded while retaking an Orbital shipyard and received a Purple heart.
After a few uneventfull years passed Karen became Pregnant. After nine month of pregnancy she gave birth to a healthy baby boy which she named Devon. Devon was born with red iris's which, after a short investigation, was a result of Jon's exposure to a breached reactor on The Orbital Shipyard. Aside from his Irises Devon was a normal boy.
Until the Age of Six when Jon without the knowledge of Karen, Jon had Devon augumented much like he had when he joined the Spartan I program. Devon grew up in a small town named Climax living with his mother. Jon saw the importance of Devon being able to protect himself and began giving Devon training in almost every possible military field. Karen questioned Jon about this but he refused to tell her when Devon turned Fourteen his mother demanded to know why Jon was training him. Jon told her, Shocked and furious she packed up her belongings and left without a word. After that Devon lived with his father on a nearby Base for the next two years and then the Covenant Showed up. When the completed ships in orbit jumped to slipspace to avoid destruction and bring reinforcments back to try and help the out numbered and outgunned Marines, Jon's squad was separated as half was in a local Bar on the base while the rest where in a nearby village sweeping for reported Rebels. When the Covenant arrived the Squad was airlifted to Jon's location. The Pelican's Pilot did not know however that it was flying over a Covenant landing zone. The Covenant shot down the Pelican and it was lost with all hands exept for a Sixteen year old Boy trying to find his father.
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Devon caught his breath hiding behind a boulder. He could hear the ling of the burning Pelican drifting up from where it had crashed he could still hear the screams of the Marines as they burned to . He shook his head clearing his thoughts as his Dad had taught him and looked around searching for anything that could help him. He saw nothing but boulders trees and a Covenant Squad that had shot down the Pelican and was coming to inspect the crash sight. The Grunts waddled forward followed by some Jackals their shields hanging at their sides. An Elite in the red armor of a veteran walked beside a slightly smaller Elite in the blue armor of a minor. There was a squeak and the small whine of a charging Plasma Pistol. A scream of " Oh god No!" drifted up to Devon followed by a a yell of pain then silence.
Devon quickly hid behind the boulder again dropped onto his stomach and crawled backward away from the crashed dropship. After he had moved out of ear shot he got up into a crouch and turned to run when his foot impacted with a jagged piece of Titanium from the crashed Pelican. Devon flinched a few times as it hit rocks rolling down the hill and finally rolled to a stop at the bottom of the slope. Devon froze hoping that the Jackals keen sense of hearing didn't pick up the sound. His hope was dashed when the distant cackels of the Jackals alerting the other Covenant. He quickly ran down the hill hoping to avoid the Covenant again his hopes were dashed as a volley of plasma caused a patch of grass a few feet to the side of him to catch fire. He sprinted up the next hill the Covenant nipping at his heels. He reached the other side of the hill and was sent stumbling by an explosion from a plasma . He rolled down the hill. Untangling himself he ran down an old concrete road toward Georges Canyon as the Covenant began at him again.
Devon tripped over a tree stump and landed helpless on the ground. He could hear the hoofs of the Elite's pounding behind him despret for a kill. A Sniper round tore past his ear and a howl of pain echoed behind him. He quickly ducked down to give whoever was a clear line of fire. Lead filled the air and Devon crawled on his stomach away from the Covenant. Suddenly the hail of bullets stopped he got to his feet and looked around. A marine holding a MA5B Assault Rifle was standing behind a half Melted Titanium-A barrier motioning with the weapon for Devon to get behind the barrier. Three more marines stood behind the barrier Devon Recognized them and sighed and slumped against the barrier.
"Dad are you ok?" Devon asked the marine to his left who grunted a yes. Devon counted the remaining marines. Only Three Gradsen,Stone, and Peters and a few others had been with his Dad probably in a town somewhere while the rest of the squad had been headed to them when the Pelican went down.
"Where's the rest of the squad" Jon growled as he peered over the top of the Barrier.
"Dead," Devon grunted flopping down on the ground and taking a long breath to calm his nerves.
"How," Peters asked incredously. Devon looked at him dully Peters wasnt much older than him probably Nineteen. Stone and Gradsen were older and more experienced they displayed a slight tinge of regret and sadness, Jons face displayed no emotion at all.
Everybody leaned closer for an answer and Devon told them about how he had clambered aboard the Pelican just before it took off, and the loud explosion that tore of the Pelicans right engine, causing a fire, how the rear hatch had been torn open then the fall down and being shoved out of the Pelican just before it crashed. He finished with telling them how a plasma burst had ignited the fuel turning the dropship into a bonfire.
There were several muttered explicitives and prayers as he finished. Gradsen sat back and whispered to himself "We are unbealvebly screwed." Devon swore he saw a flash of sadness across his dad's face but it was quickly replaced by a stony look of acceptance. He was soon rapping of orders in rapid succesion. "Stone set up a cabbage patch Peters grab some Plasma weapons Devon arm yourself move it marines!" Everyone quickly tossed their s to Stone who shuffled among the Covenant bodies grabbing Plasma s. Jon grabbed the longrange Radio and set the UNSC band to broadcast a distress signal.
Peters grabbed a Plasma Rifle, checked the charge then tossed it to Gradsen who placed in a pile of other weapons while maintaning a view of the top of the Hill his Sniper Rifle at the ready. Devon grabbed a M6D a few extra clips for it checked the clips, and grabbed a Plasma Rifle. After Peterson finished scrounging among the bodies his Dad looked up from a map he'd been examining.
"Peters scout ahead and see if you can scrounge some of Humanity's good ole weapons we might be here for awhile" Jon said and resumed examining the map. Peters and took off at a crisp jog over the hill. Devon looked at his pistol again and then hoped that Peters found a better weapon. After about a quarter hour of performing boring and tedious chores when the distant whine of Plasma fire caught everybody's attention. Peters came sprinting over the crest of the hill carrying a small amount of Human weapons in his arms. A burst of Plasma fire tore through the air behind him. An Elite crested the Hill behind Peterson and was met by hail of superheated matter as Devon fired his Plasma Rifle.
The Elite howled as his shields failed and Plasma burned through its armor and skin. The Rifle quickly overheated and Devon quickly dropped it and brought up his Pistol but was surprised to see a sput of fly from the Elites throat as it twisted,twitched and died. He looked behind him Gradsen stood there his Rifle smoking slightly. Peters slowed to jog and stopped, dropping the weapons in his arms and spinning around dropping to a knee. Devon grabbed an Assualt Rifle from the pile and seeing that it was loaded aimed it at the crest of the hill. Almost Simaltaneously a half-dozen grunts crested the hill and fired at the scattered humans. Devon blazed away with the other Marines and the grunts went down quickly. Devon grabbed a few clips from the pile and backpeddaled to the barrier. He quickly ducked down quick enough to avoid a volley of pink needles.
Their was a sporadic burst of gunfire and a high pitched squeal from a dying grunt that tapered off. Devon slowly slid on his knees to the side and peaked out Stone and Gradsen had slid on to there stomachs behind a small hillock. Peters was gathering up the ammo and throwing to the covered positions. He grabbed a Sniper Rifle and tossed it to Gradsen who caught it in one hand placed the extra rifle to his side. There heads turned slightly to give them a look at Jon and the crest of the hill in there peripheal vision. He turned around toward his Dad. His Dad made a series of complex Hand motions Devon recognized it as a type of sign language used by American Special Forces in th early 21st century.
"How many" is Dad motioned to Peters. Peters held up six fingers than closed them into a fist then flattened his palm ad shook it from side to side. Jon sighed and then motioned to the group.
"Wait til they activate the Cabbage patch then open up on them remember Elites first." The group nodded and gave him the traditional up. Devon quickly checked his Rifle the ammunition was full and the safety was off now all he had to do was wait.
He didn't have to wait long after a few moments Three Elites Hurtled over the Lip of the Hill and Roared a Battle Cry. It was closely followed by a Dozen Jackals and a a Few Dozen Grunts. Devon almost pulled the trigger out of reaction but kept still, he would wait. He got the Signal loud in clear in the form of An Explosion that was blinding and deafening. He waited a few seconds and then swung his weapon over the barrier. He zeroed in on a Group of Jackals trying to get their shields up.
He tore through two of them with a burst from his Rifle and unbalanced the rest. He moved his aim and tore through the rest of them emptying his clip. There was a of a sniper Rifle and a grunts methane tank exploded leaving a swath of fire in its wake. With no time to reload he dropped his rifle and took out his pistol. He aimed at a Grunt and fired the .50 caliber rounds tearing chunks of Armor and Flesh off and it. He saw a few Grunts running away arms flailing above their heads. He was about to fire but a burst of plasma tore the gun out of his hands.
He yelped in pain as the hot plasma burnt the tips of his fingers he quickly ducked behind the barrier and stuck his scorched digits into his mouth. He stood there for a few moments waiting then he took his fingers out of his mouth. He picked up his rifle and reloaded ignoring his stinging fingers. He quickly looked around. Everyone had stopped firing and they began to look to Jon for orders. He selected Peters and Stone to move up and check the bodies. Jon also stood up shuffled around the barrier and moved out. Devon took one hand of his Rifle and sucked on his fingers which still stung ferociously. He looked around and at the various Covenant bodies splayed out on the ground.
His gazed wandered around and he noticed something. There were only Three Elite bodies the one atop the hill and two others which were just large scorched corpses on the ground. There was one missing.
"Uhh Dad" he said apprehensively.
"What is it?" His dad replied poking one of the jackals with his shotgun. "There are only Three Elite bodies" he said readying himself. Jon thought for a few seconds before he got it his face contorted into a mix of rage and frustration. "Oh... " He didn't have time to finish as a Plasma Sword sliced through his shotgun cutting a solid line in his front armor and throwing him back half a meter. The sword deactivated as bullets whizzed through the air. Devon swung his legs over the barrier and sprinted for his dad. His shoulder slammed into an invisible force that sent him spinning onto the ground.
"Shit" he yelled as he fired his Assault Rifle one handed at the general area behind him. A small spout of purple and roar of pain rewarded his efforts. The small squad concentrated its fire on the area but too no avail. Devon turned and shuffled on his knees to where his dad lay.
"You ok?" he asked crawling up to get a good look at the slice in his armor.
"yea wheres that covvie " he said grabbing a plasma pistol from nearby. Devon turned to the situation. The squad was looking around franticly shuffiling their way through the Covenant towards their fallen leader.
"No! don't bunch together or it'll throw a.." he was again interrupted when plasma landed on Gradsens helmet. He took it off and flung it as far away as he could and dove away. The bright blue sphere exploded enveloping Gradsens helmet but as the light faded the Stealth Elite's Camoflouge failed.
The Greyish armor of the Stealth Elite was visible he lept forward activating his sword in mid-air. He landed a fair distance away from Devon but well within striking distance of Stone. The Elite grabbed him and slammed him against its broad chest. It held it's sword dangerously close to Stone's neck as the squad took aim. The Elite could easily slice Stone in half before the combined weapons fire took it down.
"Shoot it" Stone yelled as his neck strained away from the Glowing Blade. Peters shuffled around to the Elites left while Gradsen went to the right trying to get a clear line of fire. Jon aimed his pistol at the Elite. The weapon let out a low hum as it charged. A small ball of green plasma Gathered at the business end of the Weapon. The Elite growled and moved its blade closer. Jon fired and the ball of Plasma flew forward and slammed into the Elites head. The Elite staggered back half blinded. Gradsen fired The sniper round tore into the Elite which tumbled backwards onto the ground .
Stone scrambled away from the Elite. Devon took a few quick breaths to calm is rapidly beating heart but his Dad had no problem in enforcing the rules he had laid down as soon as the squad had formed under his command.
"what did I tell you about bunching together," he said softly dusting off his uniform.
Gradsen and Stone looked at each other and shrugged. Peters thought about it for a moment then raised his head and said tentavily.
"To not to" Jon nodded softly and began to talk his voice raising in volume with each syllable.
"Than why the hell, did al of ya BUNCH TOGETHER!" He roared at the marines Stone and Gradsen slightly used to the yelling flinched slightly but Peters cringe was more pronounced Devon's face completly used to the screaming held almost no emotion as his father berated the Exasperated marines. A loud Explosion cut him off. The explosions continued as a volley of Plasma Mortars arched over the hill.
"Take cover!" Jon roared moving to the side to doge the incoming wave of Plasma. Devon followed sprinting his arms cradling the Assault Rifle as they swung form side to side to gain momentum. Devon didn't have time to notice the Marines as he rushed away from the Rather Large Area the very large wave of Plasma Mortars would hit.
A large explosion of Light and Heat threw him forward. He tumbled onto the ground losing his weapon. He looked up just in time to see six Covenant Wraith tanks top the hill their bulks floating on their anti-grav engines. One of them turned towards him and lowered its cannon. Devon closed his eye's awaiting for the inevitable. A loud explosion ripped through the air and Devon waited for darkness.
After a few seconds and more explosions he realized he was still alive. His dads voice yelling at him from a short distance away confirmed this. He opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight of a smoldering Wraith. He looked around a saw a few more Wrecks. The roaring of human engines filled the air and he looked and saw Three Scorpian tanks sweeping the area with their Turrets. Devon sighed and hauled himself to his feet. He smiled at the wreckage of The Wraith Tanks Burning around him his smile lessened as he saw the Melted remains of a Scorpion tank.
Evryone quickly gathered around the Tanks. The far left tank's hatch opened and a man climbed up to his waist and gave them the up. Peters returned it grinning. The rest of them did not share his enthusiasim.
"Whats the situation" Jon asked climbing onto the tank. Although most of the mans face was covered by a Tactical Tank Helmet with the attached visor Devon could tell he was not pleased at the squads lack of gratitude.
"All UNSC forces have fallen back to Durban, a task force of Ships is on its way to try and hold off the Covenant while we are evaced." Jon nodded and motioned for the Tank Commander to get back into his tank.
"Spread out among the tank's Devon your with me" he said tiredly and clambered onto the tank tread grabbed the bar on the Side's of the tanks. Devon understood the reason for the order. With the Covenant lurking about if a tank was hit all of them wouldn't be taken out.
Jon rapped his knuckle on the Tanks hatch and it's engines roared to life. Devon grabbed ahold of the bar before he was thrown off from the acceleration. After the first few moments Devon adjusted to the roaring of the engine and the images flashing by. Devon took a moment to look at the Surviving Squad.
Stone was sitting on the tank to his far left squinting at the horizon as if trying to see Durban in the distance he held his Assault Rifle in his hands in a grip as the tank bounced again.. His dark skin gleamed as the crested the Hill. Stone was die hard marine who had seen combat once or twice. After an issue concerning his superior officer Stone was demoted and transferred to the Backwater planet of Biko. He was their es expert one of the most experienced marines of the squad which was mostly made of New Recruits.
Peters was one of the greenhorns. He was conscripted from his hometown in some Inner Colonie his sandy hair and clear blue eyes were that of young soldier who believed the romanticized version of war. The eye's were slightly darkened now and he was frowning slightly as his tank Crushed a patch of grass under its tread.
Gradsen was not a new recruit but he was less experinced then Stone or Jon. He was a slightly gifted sniper and he had showed this, as Devons mind flickered back to the the battle, by igniting a Grunts methane tank. His dark hair and serious eyes suggested his mood which was a stern silence which he rarely broke.
Devon looked to his father Jon. Jon had a solid face which almost always carried a scowl. Devon remembered a time where his Dad smiled a lot and laughed too but not since his mother died. Devon took a moment to look at himself in a lake that they were riding next too. His brown hair was tousled and his t-shirt and Jeans were rumpled and burned. Devon caught a flicker of red reflect of the lake as he looked into his own eyes. Devon looked away from his reflection. He wasn't ashamed of his red eyes but it had earned many a cruel nickname at school not that it mattered anyway the alert had came in the middle of the school day. The Covenant landed and Devon was the only one who escaped. He brushed the guilt away and leaned back.
They were approaching a Gregors Canyon a concrete road stretched from one end to the other nearly two kilometers distant. It would take them at least an hour to cross, the canyon was Perfect for an Ambush. The tanks sped up eager to get out of the Canyon. Devon looked around warily at the Edges of the small Canyon. A low rumbileng caught everybody's attention. A small landslide of rocks fell down the side of the canyon a few hundred meters behind them. Devon's eye's peered up at the top of the left edge. He squinted and tried to see something but all he could see was blue. Boiling Electric Blue, a wave of Super Heat matter rushed past the tank missing Jon by less than a meter.
Devon flinched,aimed and fired at the side of the Canyon. Bullets tore at the rocks as the rest of the squad did the same. A few Plasma shot's answered and then the enemy fire was silent. The squad heaved a collective sigh and reloaded their weapons. Devon wondered why the Aliens were doing up there but ignored it. He turned around and watched the road ahead.
"Look out" a voice screamed hoarsly over the sound of the engines. Devon turned toward the sound and saw Gradsen aiming his Sniper Rifle ahead of the Column of tanks. Devon looked and Gaped. Giant piles of Rocks had been placed on the top sides of the Canyon and Devon saw they were about to tumble. Jon Saw them and Screamed for the Tank column to stop. Devon didn't expect the sudden stop and was sent flying forward at least Ten meters.
He landed an rolled Rifle in hand and was met with a low rumbiling it was the Sound of the Tank engines but was drowned out by the thunder fo Boulders and rocks tumbiling down the hill.
"Shit!" he screamed as he sprinted away trying to catch up with the tanks. He cursed again as he saw Elites on Ziplines Descend behind the tanks. He shouted and pointed his Rifle barking as he shot at the Alien warriors. Shields sparked and one of the Elites opened fire with a Plasma Rifle.
Devon saw the Plasma bolt's careening towards him. But,they seemed slow, unimiginably slow. He jumped to the side the Plasma barely missing his abdomen he continued to fire his Assault rifle and the Ammo counter dwindled. Shields sparked and the Elites worted in anticipation for the upcoming battle. Until the two Tanks in the back of the Column turned their turrets to fire on the Elites. They countered by diving away and tossing Plasma s but there aim was off and the Scorpians fired.
"Devon get the hell out of their," Jon roared over the Cannon fire and Plasma shots. Devon dove to the ground as Pink Needles crisscrossed the air where he had been located seconds before. Plasma fire began raining down from above and the squad took cover behind the tanks as they Fired their Machine guns at the Ridges. Splashes of multi colored and corpes's rained down on the Tanks armor. Gradsen fired his Sniper Rfile at an Elite preparing to throw a Plasma . It's Shields flared as the Bullet bounced of the side shielding. Gradsen cursed and fired again the bullet penetrated the shields and pierced the Elites abdomen Purple spurted out and the Elite wailed an dropped the . The detonanting vaporising the dieng Elite and Three of his Comrades. The Roar of Machine gun fire and the Whine of Plasma blended together as both sides fought for their lives. Apparently the arrogant Aliens had underestimated the skill of the Marines and the power of the Tanks. Tjhe whine of Plasma fire died away.
Nearly three minutes passed by before the ringing in their ears stopped and they stood up from behind the Tanks. Then they turned toward the Problem at hand the large pile of boulders blocking their path to Durban and safety.
"What are you waiting for," Peters yelled at the Tanks, "Blow it away already." Gradsen, and Stone shook there heads they know not even the combined power of the Tanks could clear the rubble.
"Stone," Jon bellowed, "looks like we got us a road block!" Stone looked at him, frowned and looked at the massive landslide.
" I could un-roadblock that," he said searching in his pack and pulling out a small C-12 Charge, " If I had umm, Twenty of these problem is I only got like Three plus a few of my own a few s, Road Flare" he said holding up the measly es. Jon shook his head.
"Looks like were gonna have to back it up and go the long way around" he said to the squad and to the Tank crews through his helmet mike.
"Wait," Devon said. Everybody looked at him confused. Devon was thinking if the tanks cannons all at once couldn't break them then maybe they needed something bigger.
"Tell the tanks we need to borrow a few dozen tank rounds," He said walking toward one of the Scorpians. Stone stepped forward
"What the hell are you thinking kid I..." he paused for a second realization spreading across his face. "Oh I get we use the e's in the rounds to get rid of the rocks." He said tapping his chin softly in thought. " It might work sir" he said to Jon.
Jon looked at him and then to Devon who was sitting on the Tank treads. "Alright" he said and relayed the message to the Tank Crews. The crews immediatly opened up their ammuniton lockers and handed the tank Rounds to Gradsen,Devon,or Peters who then took them to several excavated holes in the rubble. Soon everything was ready and Stone held the detonator for the last of his C-12 and waited for the order. The tanks back up at least a hundered yards to avoid the blast.
"Sir you beter do that pretty quick we got Covenant bearing down on us" Gradsen said. Peering through his scope. He fired once and almost half a kilometer down the canyon a Minor Elite dropped to the ground the left side of his face gone.
"Gradsen, Devon, Peters get ready to move out Stone blow it up!" Jon roared hopping onto the tank tread.
"Fire in the hole," Stone bellowed as he pressed the detonater. A roaring explosion sounded as 23 tank rounds exploded along with the C-10. The rubble was cleared and even a hundred yards away the tanks were still peppered with debris.
"Jackal phalanx their speeding up the pace sir." Gradsen yelled calmly still peering through the scope.He fired and a quarter of a kilometer away a Jackal met its untimely as its head exploded from the sniper round. The jackal fell creating a hole in the Phalanx which was quickly filled by another Jackal as they ran to try and catch up to the tanks. The tanks rumbled as the sped up trying to outrun the Aleins. The Elites sprinted ahead of the rest of the column to try and kill some of the humans. Gradsen Sniper Rifle barked constantlybut the rest of them could stand and do nothing as they still wern't in weapons range. But the Covenant had no problem with that as the contiued to take potshots. Plasma whizzed by as the tanks contuned to roar forward at nearly 60 kph.
Then the worst nightmare that could be imagined by a human in an enclosed space was the howling of a Banshee. The Hovercraft screeched over head and turned to make a pass. The last two tanks in the column, the ones carrying Stone and Peters slowed and began to turn. The Banshee fired its main plasma cannons hosing the canyon with plasma Devon gasped as thousands of rocks began to tumble as the rocks below them were vaporised. The Tanks finished turning and aimed there cannons. The Banshee rolled to the side as the Tanks fired. The rounds soared into the sky as they missed. The Banshee accelerated past the last two Tanks to get out of there line of fire. And moved straight into the firing range of the Next pair of Tanks.
Devon grinned "Dumbass" he muttered as the Tanks fired. The Banshee exploded and rained debris down on the Tank column Devon covered his head as small pieces of metal dropped on him. Then a low buzzing sounded in his ears above the ringing. Devon looked up to see the hauntingly familar twin prongs of a Covenant Dropship. He cursed an raised his Assualt Rifle and fired along with the Two tanks facing it and the rest of the squad. The Dropship answered by firing its lone Plasma Cannon. It's Aim was high and it barely grazed the top of the Tank's cannons as it passed overhead. Suddenly the tank jolted to an angle. Devon looked forward to see they had reached the end of the canyon which was now being guarded by the Ground troops dropped of by the Apparition. The Tanks opened up at the dispersed Covenant Firing their Machine guns as well as there cannons. The Aliens answered by firing Fuel Rod cannons and A shade that had been Concealed behind a nearby Billboard but was now moved out and firing.
"Off the tanks," Jon roared as he jumped of the tank to Avoid the Plasma. Everyone quickly jumped off but Peters wasn't quick enough. A wave of Plasma from the Shade enveloped him and he was instantly Vaporised. Devon frozen, he stared at the cooling armor on the tank where Peters had been.
His dad grabbed him roughly by the collar and yanked him to the ground "Get down!"
He screamed as he fired his Assault Rifle at the Shade. Devon quickly recovered and fired his Weapon his hand's shaking. Jon noticed but continued to do nothing firing at the Covenant. A sniper round from Gradsens Rifle Tore through the Grunt manning the Shade. Stone expertly tossed a and shattered an Elites Leg as he tried to rally the smaller grunts.The Tanks fired a few more times and then stopped and waited for the dust to clear. When it did the squad quickly gathered to observe the Carnage. One of the Tanks had a mangled tread from a Fuel Rod cannon burst while another had half its turret fried so it couldn"t move it but surprisinly the Squad and the Tanks were in relativly good shape.
"Wheres Peters?" Stone asked looking around as if Peters was hiding from him. Devon opened his mouth as if to speak but stopped and stared at his feet. Gradsen immediatly got it and stared at is feet as well. Stone however remained oblivious.
"Well where is he?" Stone asked again.
"Dead," Devon answered and turned away. Stone stood there for a moment before he sighed and squeezed hard on the Trigger of his Assault Rifle and fired repeatedly into a Grunt spattering Transparent Blue and bits of Flesh and Armor everywhere. Jon ran over and grabbed Stone by the collar and pulled him close.
"Peters is Stone theres nothing we can do about it," He said matter of factly.
"He was just a kid," The Marine said gritting his teeth.
"I know," Jon said letting go of Stones collar, "But theres nothing we can do about it now all we can do know his get to Durban." Stone nodded and reloaded his Rifle. Devon was looking away when he noticed something the Clouds seemed to be Moving. He looked up and stared as the Clouds parted to Reveal an Assault Carrier, it's engines flaring ,headed directly for them. Devon almost believed for a second that having failed to with all that firepower they had sent the Carrier to finish them off. H shook his head to clear the thought using a Carrier's firepower against them was unthinkable. The Spaceship soared overhead and to the south its lateral lines glowing with Plasma.
"It's headed for Durban!" Gradsen shouted as the Ship swerved so that it was on its side the Carrier's massive Plasma Projectors fired and explosions and waves of heat cascaded around them. Devon felt like crying as he realized that Durban was gone,Vaporized by the Capital ships massive weaponry. Jon placed his hand on his shoulder a massive show of emotion for the Marine. Their was a loud roar behind them and they turned to see Four Massive Hunters standing there their Cannon's and Shield's Raised, behind them were at least A Dozen Elites Dozens of Jackals stood nearby their Arm Shields activating and Nearly Two Hundred Grunts now Grunting and Barking stood their along with their masters. The hum of charging Plasma weapons filled the air. Stone began to raise his Rifle but Jon stopped him,he knew there was nothing that could be done. Gradsen growled a long and heartfelt Expletive as he stared down the Aliens. Devon shuffled over to his dad.
"Why arn't we " he whispered. Jon didn't answer because he had no answer to give. An elite in the Gold Armor of a Zealot walked forward. "Get out of the tank's humans and surrender and we might spare your Pitiful lives for a while" It warbled the human language with obvious discomfort. The Tank Crew's opened their hatches and climbed out hands in the air. One However had other plan's the Turret turned and Devon could see that it was about to fire. The Hunter's roared as their Cannon's charged the Tank's fired first but it was a hurried shot and whizzed by the Zealot as he dove for cover. The Hunter's fired their cannon's in unison at the Metal Behemoth. Devon shielded his eye's as the Bright light burned into his retina's. When he opened them the tank was nothing more then a molten heap.
"Drop your weapon's humans," The Zealot roared as he stood brushing dirt from his once spotless Armor. The survivors complied Devon reluctantly dropped his Rifle and drew his pistol and dropped it as well. The Zealot motioned for the Grunt's to gather the fallen weapons. A few Grunts shuffled forward a Grunt walked right next to Devon and he bristled as it looked at him. The Grunt suddenly squealed and said something to the Zealot. He stepped towards Devon. Jon stepped in front of him blocking the Path.
"Your not going anywhere near him," he growled as he prepared for a fight. The Zealot huffed and began to brush him aside. Jon threw a punch and hit the Elite in the Lower Jaw just behind it's mandibles. The Elite's head twisted and he stumbled back from the force of the blow. He was a little confused by this no normal human would have eve been able to do that. The Zealot faced his opponent he looked toward Devon then to Jon.
"Is he your offspring?" The Elite asked. Jon grew confused as he slowly nodded. The Alien seemed stunned by this as he clicked his mandibles together. The Elite suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Jon by his Shoulder's he lifted him in the air and threw him towards the Main body of Covenant where two Elite's immediatly picked him up and held him there. Jon cursed and struggled against his captor's as the Zealot made his way towards Devon. Devon stood his ground as the Elite drew closer. He stared into the Elites Dark Blue eyes. The Elite gave a start and stepped back a little. Devon was surprised by this but it didn't last long. The Elite turned and roared something in another language to his warriors. The warriors let out a loud roar of approval as they began to move into position around the Humans. The Zealot and several Veteran Elites led the troop as they began marching toward something in the distance. The Grunts took up position beside the small group of humans along with the Jackals. The Hunters took up Positions behind them. Devon had a thought if one of them collapsed the hunters would simply walk over, and crush them. The rest of the Elite stood within the group of humans. One of the Elites in Cobalt Armor nudged a Tank Gunner with his Plasma Rifle and he stumbled forward. The Elite laughed and began talking in the Alien language to the other Elites. The conversation grew and soon all the Covenant wee chattering incessantly. Stone walked next to Devon and shook his head.
"Gradsen said it," Stone said with a sigh. "What?" Devon answered confused. Stone looked at him and smirked. "We are unbelievebley screwed"