Whoops... this update is late af. Sorry I've been busy with work. Like, a lot of work. And, well, not work as in a job. Work as in, maybe playing some video games. A lot of video games. That doesn't make me lazy, no, not at all.
Chapter II
Johnson and Kajin arrived at the cafeteria and saw Kaitlyn and Stefan sitting at one table. They waved them over to sit. The two approached.
"Allot of Marines have been talking about you, Kajin." Stefan began. "I think the fact you told about the fleet coming sort of, and that's sort of, made them trust you. Some are still skeptical."
"Well Kajin, first steps." said Johnson slapping him in the back. "I'll get us some grub-" Johnson was cut off as the intercom blared.
"Sergeant Johnson and Kajin Falhin, report to the bridge." it was Captain Keyes.
"What could that all be about?" asked Johnson furrowing his brow. "They better not throw you in the brig. I'll go in myself before they do that." Kajin got nervous at the mention of being thrown into the brig. He wanted to gain the Human's trust. Sitting in a jail cell wouldn't get him far.
"Come on." said Johnson gesturing for Kajin to follow. As the two walked away Stefan and Kaitlyn looked at each other.
"Sarge is really taking a...shine to Kajin." said Kaitlyn.
"It's weird seeing the two together." said Stefan.
"Oh come on." said Mark as he walked up to them. They looked at him.
"'oh come on' what?" asked Kaitlyn. Mark grinned.
"They've got the hots for each other." Stefan chuckled while Kaitlyn said,
"Real mature." though she cracked a smile.
Johnson and Kajin entered the bridge. Captain Keyes turned to them and said,
"Kajin...your father is at Reach." Kajin was silent for a moment. His eyes held surprise. Then he said,
"He came for me." Kajin then saw out the window of the Pillar of Autumn. The Covenant ships strongly outnumbered the Human crafts. The only weapons Kajin could see that would be effective against the Covenant were the large guns on the space stations.
"I'm guessing handing you over would not make them go away." said Keyes standing next to Kajin and staring at the Fleet of Particular Justice. Kajin figured Keyes had attempted some sort of half hearted joke and forced a small smile.
"No. In truth, my defection will probably want to make him attack you with more vigor." he said.
"Do...you know anything about your father's tactics?" asked Keyes.
"No. I don't. If I did I would have told you a long time ago...I am guessing that many don't trust me for my father's early arrival." Kajin said.
"Some still are semi trusting, but allot are disdainful of you, especially the SPARTANS." Keyes said.
"Who are Spartans?" asked Kajin.
"They're a special squadron of cybernetically augmented super soldiers. Made specifically to fight rebels and the Covenant. You've gotta understand, on the field the UNSC is victorious most of the time, especially with the SPARTANS. It's just in orbit we get slaughtered...Kajin." Kajin looked at the Captain who looked at him with dead serious eyes.
"You will be a valuable asset in the campaign against the Covenant. You know more about it then any Human does. We need you to fight with us. We need all the help we can get."
"Just to let you know, sir, that since my father is a Supreme Commander I am gifted to have more skill than the average Special Operations Sangheili. For my age it's extraordinary...I'm sorry if I sound like I'm bragging." Keyes actually chuckled at that.
"I'm pleased to hear that-" the ship rumbled hard almost knocking everyone off their feet.
"What is that?" asked Keyes. A holographic woman appeared near the large glass view screen.
"It's the large Covenant warship again." she said. Kajin looked and saw the ship.
"The Shadow of the Colossi." he breathed.
"You know the ship?" asked the AI.
"It's my fathers. Since he's the Supreme Commander of the fleet he commands the most powerful ships the Covenant have to offer." Kajin explained.
"I'm sorry Kajin but I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill your father." said Keyes gruffly. "Before he kills us."
"Wait." said Kajin. Keyes looked at him. "Let me contact him. If he knows I'm on this ship he will stop attacking. It'll buy us time." Keyes thought then said.
"Very well, Cortana, hail the ship."
"Yes, Captain." the AI replied. After a moment Ryhon's face appeared on the screen.
"Hello Humans. Going to beg for mercy?" he asked.
"No." said Keyes. "But he has something to say." Keyes pointed to Kajin.
"Kajin!" cried Ryhon. "What are you doing on that ship!?"
"If you just listened to me before you would know that I defected to Humanity." said Kajin angrily. "Just to make something straight, Ryhon, you are the enemy now. If we ever cross paths I'll try to kill you." Keyes wasn't sure this was really going to stop...Ryhon but probably make him even more angry.
"Kajin you're insane. You're not the son I raised." Ryhon said in sorrow.
"No I'm not. I'm free now. What are you going to do? Glass them? Kill millions of innocent people just because some old bags on floating chairs said you'll become a god if you do? I hope your branded with the Mark of Shame." Ryhon was speechless.
"You still want me as a son? Come and get me." Kajin nodded to Cortana and she abruptly cut the connection.
Ryhon's insides were icy cold. He could feel the eyes of his crew beating on him, waiting for him to do something. After a moment of staring at the blank screen he said in a frighteningly quiet voice,
"Glass the planet. Pursue the ship my son is on." The crew did as ordered. The Sub-Commander, Lirui, walked next to Ryhon.
"Excellency...he's a heretic. I know he's your son but you heard him yourself. He wants to kill us. Every last one of us. He's insane."
"...I know." whispered Ryhon. "I know." he repeated, quieter. Lirui bowed his head and went on another task. Ryhon continued to stare at the screen. He wished Kajin would call and when the screen flickered on the bridge of the Human ship would be spattered in blood, Kajin covered in red blood and a triumphant smile on his face. Plasma Rifle in one hand, Energy Sword in the other. But nothing happened. Burned with the Mark of Shame? It was he who should be burned. His son, his son the heretic. But he couldn't stop loving him.
Kajin turned to see one of the SPARTANS walk on the bridge. He hesitated on seeing Kajin but Johnson said,
"It's alright, Chief. He's with us. He just saved our sorry asses from the big ship." The Chief seemed to relax.
"Master Chief, has the NAV database been destroyed?" asked Keyes.
"Yes, sir." he replied. "Can we help the others?"
"No Chief." Keyes turned to Reach and watched as the Covenant began glassing. "It's too late for them. We have to get out of here." Keyes turned to Johnson, Kajin, and the Chief. "You will spend the remainder of the trip in cryo-sleep. I want as many fresh personnel in sleep as possible. You're all dismissed." they moved out. The Chief went in a different direction while Kajin followed Johnson.
"Where is the ship going?" he asked.
"Cole Protocol says that the capture of a UNSC ship to the Covenant is unacceptable. So we're making a blind jump faraway from our other planets as possible. Cryo-sleep...none to pleasant but it's better than sitting in slipspace for five years."
"Five years!" cried Kajin.
"Relax I was just exaggerating." The two arrived at a cryo bay shortly. Already many personnel were loading in. One capsule was specially made to fit Kajin. He undressed and nervously got in it.
"It only seems like a few minutes when you get in. No worries." said Johnson giving him a reassuring smile. Kajin laid down and the lid closed. After a moment he fell into unconsciousness.
It did only seem like a few minutes when Kajin heard faint voices. He felt warm air rush on his naked frame and a hissing. He opened his eyes and saw the door just finish opening.
"How are you doing...Kay-jun?" asked one techy who was looking at a PDA.
"Kah-shin." corrected Kajin groggily. He rubbed his eyes and sat up in the tube.
"The disorientation should pass quickly. You have new armor waiting for you." Kajin looked at him.
"New armor?" he asked.
"Right there sir." said the techy, Kajin noticed he was being called "sir". Kajin saw his old armor only it was the same tan as a Marines armor, UNSC was stenciled in big bold black letters on the front and back. Kajin put on under clothes then picked up his helmet. On the top was a Sangheili skull. Under the skull was a shield with criss cross swords. A strange but...striking insignia. Kajin liked it. Who did this?
"I would have done that but I don't have the authorization." said Johnson behind Kajin. He had dressed in his outfit with a rifle stuck to the magnetic plate on his back. "Only a Captain. I think Keyes likes you, boy." Johnson slapped him on the shoulder. Kajin put his newly modified armor on. He was surprised that shields started to recharge.
"The shields you have are unlike the regular Sangheili shields." said a techy next to Kajin. "They're based on Kig-Yar shields. They're weaker too, but it's the best we have currently."
"It's better than no shields." said Kajin as he grabbed a plasma rifle that was offered to him. It was at 98 percent. Kajin realized something and turned to the techy,
"When I came out of the cryo-tube I could understand you. I didn't have any translation software on me."
"Cortana translated some stuff for me and put it on my PDA." the techy replied.
"Ah." Kajin said.
"The Captain wants you at the bridge. We've exited slipspace and the Covenant are attacking. Boarding crafts, they're on the ship." Kajin's heart almost stopped. If they took the ship they'd have nowhere to run.
"You better follow me, Kajin." said a marine to Kajin. Johnson had left. Kajin followed the marine down the hall at a quick pace. They came to a hall and saw more techs fending off some Unggoy and two Sangheili Minors. Now it was time for Kajin to prove he was really on their side. He let loose with his rifle at one Minor. It roared and yelled,
"It's the heretic! Kill him!" Kajin grunted as some plasma bolts hit him. The shield wasn't weak, it was really weak. In just about five or six hit it was done. Kajin cried out in pain as one bolt hit him in the arm. He quickly crouched behind a crate. One techy crouched next to him.
"Here!" he shoved a plasma grenade at Kajin. He primed the deadly weapon and chucked it at a Sangheili, an Unggoy got in the way though.
"NO-HO-HOOO!" it cried in dismay as it actually ran towards the Sangheili.
"You damn-WAAHHHH!" the Sangheili screamed as he was flung into the air by the blast.
"Nice one!" remarked a marine as he shot an Unggoy dead. Kajin's shields were recharged and he poked his head out. One Sangheili was taking some hits and Kajin helped. The shields gave out and Kajin drilled him with plasma. He howled in pain as he fell too his knees and died.
"Come on!" called the first Marine to Kajin. He followed him for another moment before coming to the bridge. When he arrived the Chief was already there. Keyes took Cortana out of her pedestal and the Chief put her in his head. Keyes looked at Kajin and said,
"Since you know more about the Covenant and are, as I saw on the security cameras, a good fighter, I want you to go with the Master Chief down to-"
"Halo!" cried Kajin looking through the front window and seeing the ring revolving slowly next to Threshold. Keyes and the Chief looked at it then back to Kajin.
"You know what it is?" asked Keyes.
"Well...not exactly but according to the Prophets it's some kind of tool to start the Great Journey. That's all I know." Kajin stared at the amazing construct in wonder. "I never denied its existence but...I never believed it either."
"Well since the Cole Protocol dictates that ships can not be captured, I'm ordering as many personnel off the Pillar of Autumn and to go to the ring. I'm going to try and land the Autumn on it. You and the Chief will head to some life boats and get the hell out of here. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" replied the Chief saluting. Kajin did the same. Keyes looked pleased.
Quick learner. he commented mentally. Then the Chief abruptly left. Kajin followed. The Chief loaded his pistol and they went into a hall. Kajin heard the sound of Unggoy in the other room. Before he could say anything the Chief blazed in. Kajin watched in surprise as the Chief popped the two first Unggoy in the head with the pistol. He then turned sideways and smashed the butt of the gun into the other Unggoy's head before he could even react. Just then a door opened with a dead marine laying at the threshold. The Chief snagged an MA5B and loaded it. Kajin followed and saw some Marines fighting two Sangheili and an Unggoy. The Chief fired his assault rifle while Kajin joined in. He took down one Sangheili's shields but the plasma rifle was overheated by then. Kajin dropped the PR and kicked an MA5B in the air in front of him. He caught it and mid air and fired with one arm finishing the shieldless Sangheili.
"Damn!" cried a Marine in amazement at Kajin's stunt. Kajin grabbed his plasma rifle. On the other side of the cafeteria Covenant came in and ambushed the Marines. The Chief and Kajin went to the Marine's aid. Kajin threw a plasma grenade and stuck it to a Sangheili.
"EEEEIIIIIIIII!" he screamed in fear as he ran away from his comrades. The grenade detonated sending the Sangheili in the air. The body knocked down two Unggoy and the Chief killed them. The two other Sangheili killed a few marines but Johnson, who had just arrived from behind, chucked a grenade into the unaware Sangheili. The weak grenade took out the Sangheili's shields but they only stumbled. Kajin, the Chief, and Johnson made quick work of the exposed Sangheili.
"You both kick ass together." said Johnson to the Chief and Kajin. The ship shook.
"Let's get outta here." said Johnson. The group ran through the halls of the Autumn, killing Covenant along the way. Kajin hoped his father hadn't boarded the Autumn to come and get him. That wouldn't be good for anyone that saw him, even Kajin. They went through another hall and Cortana exclaimed,
"Covenant! On the landing above us!"
"Thank you for pointing that out." joked Johnson. "I would have never guessed."
"Sod off." muttered Cortana though her processor took the joke. She was joking herself.
"Heretic boy!" cried an Unggoy shooting at Kajin. He dodged the plasma bolts and kicked the small alien in the face, knocking off its methane filter. It hacked and suffocated as the oxygen filled its lungs.
"Excellency, he too powerful!" called another Unggoy into a room. Kajin readied himself when a Minor came out.
"Heretic scum!" he cried taking a swing at Kajin with his plasma rifle. Kajin narrowly avoided the weapon as it whizzed passed his face.
"Prophet fucking zombie!" retorted Kajin pouncing on the Sangheili. They wrestled on the ground trying to get on top of each other. Kajin smashed his rifle in the Sangheili's mandibles. There was an audible crack and the Sangheili howled in pain as his mandibles broke. Kajin took his chance and snapped his neck. Kajin threw the body off and stood to face the terrified Unggoy.
"No more!" it pleaded, on the verge of tears. Kajin almost felt sorry for him. Then he remembered seeing Reach being glassed and knew the Unggoy couldn't go through as much pain as the Humans did. Kajin growled and shot the Unggoy. It screamed in pain as it was burned up. Kajin snarled as some plasma pelted him from behind. A Sangheili was shooting from the landing above. Kajin took cover behind an empty weapons rack. He heard a Marine cry in pain as he was pelted by two plasma rifles. Kajin saw he was not faraway and pulled him from the fire.
"Holy shit you saved me!" he wheezed as he got in a sitting position next to Kajin.
"Can you still fight?" asked Kajin.
"Yeah." replied the Marine readying his assault rifle. He poked the gun out and fired at an Unggoy. By luck the bullet hit it in the head.
"Good shot." remarked Kajin. He primed a plasma grenade and flung it at another Unggoy.
"Not again!" it cried running towards another Sangheili. The grenade detonated and sent the two flying.
"These things like to run to their own comrades and kill them don't they?" asked the Marine smirking. Kajin laughed.
"It seems that way." he replied. Soon the fight was done, thanks to the Master Chief. The remaining marines and Johnson headed up the flight and continued through the halls, killing Covenant. They came to a windowed portion of the Autumn.
"Look." said Cortana. The group looked out and saw plasma beams slamming against the ships hull, where the life boat launching airlocks were. Two managed to get passed the beams but the final was blown apart before it even got fifty feet from the launching area.
"They're destroying the life boats. They really don't want us on that ring." Cortana said.
"These Covenant fools believe that Halo is so sacred that it would be blasphemy to the Forerunners if Humans set foot upon it." Kajin explained.
"Then all the more reason to go on the ring." said Johnson smirking. They went around a corner and at the end of the hall three Unggoy were positioned together, doing nothing in particular.
"I got this." whispered a Marine before tossing a frag Grenade into the middle of them. The Unggoy looked at it. As soon as they realized what it was and attempted to flee it blew up.
"Well planted." said Johnson slapping the Marine on the back.
"We'll have to use the ships maintenance access ways to get around the ship." said Cortana. "Chief, follow the NAV point to the location." The Chief followed the NAV point while the others followed the Chief (except Kajin who had a NAV point on his HUD, thanks to Cortana). They came to the small doors and went through. The Chief turned on his flashlight and they went through the dark passages, the red lights not proving much use. They finally came to another small door.
"Covenant through that door. There's another door that flanks their position. I advise we take that route and sneak up on them." Cortana put another NAV point on Kajin's and the Chief's HUD and they headed for it. They went through the small doors and into a dark room. The sliding door out of the room was bent outwards and the crack to small to crawl through.
"Crap. I guess we have to face the damn monsters head on...no offense." said a Marine to Kajin.
"None taken." he replied. The Chief proved the the Marine wrong by slamming the door open with his shoulder. They all squeezed through (Kajin had the most difficulty) and went down the hall. The Chief poked through one door way and saw three Unggoy and one Sangheili standing together. Kajin looked down one hallway and edged down. The force held their position while Kajin scouted ahead. He nearly fired his weapon when he saw the blue large form of a fellow Sangheili, but didn't squeeze the trigger when he didn't react. He was in fact facing the opposite direction. Kajin smirked and primed a plasma grenade. He slapped it to the surprised Sangheili's back and pushed him into the Unggoy and other Sangheili in front of him.
"No!" cried the Sangheili outside the hall but he was killed as were the rest by the blast. Kajin jumped when plasma hit him from the side. One Major and another Minor had come from a different door adjacent to the one he was standing in now. The concentrated fire popped Kajin's shields and he screamed in pain as the plasma burned him.
"Die heretic!" crowed the Minor. Kajin fell to his knees, but the Sangheili that were about to finish him off focused on the Marines that had come out to help Kajin. Kajin slowly stood, gritting his teeth and helped fight the enemies. He had been shot five times. Three in his right flank and twice in his leg. It burned but he ignored the pain. It wasn't too serious. Kajin killed the Minor Sangheili as his shields were done for. The Major was a bit tougher. Their shields were slightly stronger and they were slightly more skilled, but he was still outnumbered, three Marines, one SPARTAN, and one Heretic Sangheili. He fell before he could retreat.
"You alright?" asked Johnson.
"Just burns. My armor kept me safe." said Kajin cracking a weak smile. The burns hurt like hell but the wounds weren't mortal either, just incredibly hot. He and the Marines followed the Chief to the observation booth of the cryo chamber, the one which housed the Chief not too long ago. Three Majors surrounded the empty tube, they looked very displeased that their target was gone. Or it was standing above them. One turned and pointed and shouted,
"There's the Demon!" he fired his plasma rifle but the glass stopped it.
"The heretic too!" shouted another. One marine gave them the middle finger. Two Sangheili didn't know what that was but the other knew the gesture and shouted,
"I'll get you Human."
"Oh sure." said the Marine. He sat on the controls. "I'll just wait for you to come up, okay?" The others (except the Chief) laughed at the joke. The Sangheili looked humiliated. The lead Major led his teammates through the under door.
"Yeah right." said the Marine getting up. They went down another hall and the Chief saw another Major at the way end of the hall in another scorched room. The Chief crouched and tossed a plasma grenade. It was a long shot, but a stroke of luck let the grenade stick to the Sangheili's hoof. It roared in horror and ran in circles until the grenade exploded. At the same time the room next to it blew open. Unggoy squealed in terror and confusion. The force stepped into the burnt up room and fired upon the little bastards. An explosion behind them sent some flying. All threats neutralized. They moved forward to another maintenance access way. One Marine lagged behind slightly. The portion of the room behind him exploded and he screamed in horror as he was flung into the air. He landed in the flames where the second explosion had occurred and burned to death.
"Shit." said Johnson in anger. The Chief went through the small door and turned on his flashlight. He turned a corner in the small room and the light fell upon an Unggoy.
"Doh!" it exclaimed jumping in fright. The Chief quickly smacked the butt of his rifle on the Unggoy's skull. The thick neon blue blood splattered on the wall and lit up the hall slightly. Another Unggoy cried,
"Help me!"
No help here. Thought the Chief turning the corner. He grabbed the frightened creatures head and smacked it against the wall hard enough for the skull to cave in and reveal its glowing brain.
"I didn't know they had brains." joked Johnson. His remaining Marine laughed along with Kajin. Then they heard the sounds of battle. The Chief rushed through the halls and came through a door.
"Wort wort wort!" called one Sangheili pointing at some Marines.
"Moley moley moley!" called one Marine imitating Austin Powers. Johnson laughed. Kajin didn't know what that was about though.
The Chief chucked a plasma grenade at a Minor. It stuck.
"No!" he cried trying to wipe the sticky grenade off of himself but it blew up killing him, the Major, and two Unggoy. The Marines finished off the remaining Unggoy who were too frightened and stupid to fight back. The two new Marines joined the crew and went down another hall. Ahead of them were three Minor Sangheili and one Major. Five Unggoy were gathered around. The Chief nodded to Kajin who nodded back. They both primed plasma grenades. The Chief's landed on a Sangheili's back.
"What's that?" he asked stupidly looking over his shoulder.
"Get out!" cried the Major shoving the Sangheili away. The grenade detonated and failed to kill the other Sangheili, meanwhile Kajin's stuck to a Unggoy.
"Get it off, get it off!" he cried. When he yelled "get it off" that didn't make sense as the Unggoy was running to the Sangheili as Kajin knew it would.
"Get away!" squealed a Minor but the grenade exploded and took all the Sangheili away. The Marines made short work of the scared and confused Unggoy and headed to the life boats. Two Majors and many Unggoy were actually waiting for them.
"I'm tossin' one!" warned a Major Unggoy hurling a grenade at the force. It stuck to a careless marine.
"Oh shiiiiiiiiiiit!" he wailed as the others ran away from him. It blew up and he was flung into the air. Another marine who had rather ran towards the enemies was burned asunder by plasma.
"You'll pay for that you squid-faced bastards!" cried Johnson.
"Bring it on!" challenged one Sangheili.
"You go, girl friend!" called a Marine jokingly. Johnson and the other remaining marine laughed. Plasma was directed at them but the Chief and Kajin helped out with the enemies. One Sangheili remained after his other fellow Covenant were downed. The Chief threw his last plasma grenade and it stuck to the Sangheili's head.
"Gods above!" he cried. He managed to rip the helmet off and throw it at them, where it exploded in midair. By then Kajin had snuck up on him and shot the rest of his shields to hell. He then kicked the Sangheili in the stomach. He doubled over coughing up blood. Kajin then broke his neck.
"There's one last life boat, get aboard before it launches!" Cortana said. Kajin was in first, then Johnson, and finally the Chief. An explosion occurred behind him and he turned. He saw a marine dive and land just short of the threshold.
"Oh no, oh no!" he said covering his head and shivering. The Chief lifted him up.
"Guuuh!" the Marine went as he was thrown in the life boat. As he crawled to a seat the Chief closed the airlock, turned, and said,
"Punch it."
"Aye aye, sir." acknowledged the pilot. Kajin had a tough time strapping in but he managed to squeeze himself in the seat and harness. The Chief remained on his feet, despite having one free seat. The life boat sped to Halo.
"We're gonna make it, right sir?" asked a nervous and very young Marine. The Chief rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said nothing. He gripped the handle bar on the roof and watched through the window.
"You sure you don't wanna take a seat?" asked Cortana coolly.
"We'll be fine." the Chief replied. Kajin watched as the ring came closer. All his life he had been told a ring world would bring salvation. He remembered what he had said to his father before he escaped from the Shadow of the Colossi.
"Sure the Forerunner existed at one time or another but now they're gone. They're extinct. I don't know how but I have a feeling we'll find out soon. Just a gut feeling. If you pursue something long enough you'll find it." Now Kajin really had the gut feeling as he watched the...foreboding object come closer. They entered the atmosphere. The life boat began to shake.
"We're coming in too fast!" said Cortana in alarm. The fins on the life boat opened.
"Damn they opened to early!" cried the pilot. "Brace for impact." Kajin gripped the harnesses tightly. Then he cried out as he was thrown around in the seat violently. The other Marines cried in pain as their bones were broken. Kajin went into unconsciousness. When he awoke he was still slumped in his seat.
"Chief! Chief can you hear me!" he heard Cortana cry faintly. Kajin opened his eyes and groaned. The Chief snapped his head in his direction and undid the harness.
"Anything broken?" he asked Kajin, kneeling down next to him.
"No." said Kajin getting to his hooves. He swayed and the Chief steadied him.
"Holy crap." groaned another voice. It was Johnson. Surprisingly he had survived, but that wasn't the case with the rest of the passengers and pilot. The Chief helped him out of the seat. Johnson moved around. Nothing broken.
"You're pretty lucky." said the Chief to Johnson.
"Me? Lucky? That was all skill back there. You on the other hand rely on luck to do your work for you." The Chief couldn't help but crack a smile. Though the Sergeant couldn't see it. They stepped out and looked at the dead Marines scattered about the area.
"The others...the impact...there's nothing we can do." said Cortana. They gathered supplies. Kajin noticed his plasma rifle charge was very low. 9 percent. He threw that away and grabbed an assault rifle.
"Warning, I've detected multiple Covenant dropships inbound." Cortana said. "I recommend moving into those hills. If we're lucky they'll think everyone died in the crash." The group ran full tilt to the hills across a magnificent bridge. A seemingly impossible drop off below the bridge.
"Warning, Covenant drop ship is here. They must be looking for survivors, I recommend immediate evasion." Cortana said more hurriedly. They slunk through the trees keeping out of sight of the Covenant. They hid and waited out two Banshees. After the Covenant were satisfied they loaded back up on the dropship and zoomed to another area. The Banshees disappeared behind a cliff. The trio continued up the hill and saw several Unggoy and one Sangheili standing watch.
"More enemy!" cried an Unggoy running to them and firing.
"Heretic Sangheili!" called another Unggoy. They made short work of the Unggoy but the Sangheili was a bit tougher to bring down, though they managed. As they continued Cortana piped up,
"I've detected a life boat beacon over that hill." They soon came to a large structure. To Johnson it looked like a giant lobster claw. A giant plasma bolt with a long tail shot up into the air. Like a artificial comet. On the complex Marines and a few techies were fighting a dropship full of Covenant. Kajin fired a burst from his assault rifle and killed some Unggoy. The Chief and Johnson fired upon the enemy Sangheili. Kajin finished off the Unggoy. The Marines and techies met up with the three warriors.
"Boy your a sight for sore eyes, Chief." one Marine said. The Sergeant of the group said,
"It's a mess, sir. We're scattered all over the area...until you cam along, I thought we were cooked."
"Don't worry Sergeant, we'll stay here until evac arrives." Cortana reassured all the men.
"Heads up, I've got a Covenant dropship, on the other side of the structure." called a Marine on the radio. The Chief, Johnson, and Kajin ran to the other side and saw one Spirit lower down. Johnson crouched behind a tree while Kajin and the Chief hugged a large boulder. The Chief edged out and watched the Spirit drop down. The large doors opened. Two Unggoy and two Kig-Yar readied to jump. The Chief lobbed a frag grenade into their center as they landed on the ground. The blast sent them flying and screaming into the air.
"Good one!" whooped Johnson. Kajin saw a Minor Sangheili shoot out from the Chief's sight and behind a boulder. He chucked a plasma grenade and it stuck to the Sangheili. He screamed in fear as he tried to brush it off but it detonated. One of his arms actually was torn off and landed next to Kajin. Kajin kicked it away in disgust.
"Covenant drop ship! I could use some help over here!" called another marine. The three looked to see one lower down a ways away from them, passed the life boat. They sprinted and took cover as a Sangheili, five Unggoy, and two Kig-Yar hopped out. The Sangheili had a Needler and spied Kajin. He let out a long stream that came to Kajin. But he quickly got behind a tree. The pink needles stuck to the tree and exploded there with a loud shattering. Kajin fired some bursts upon the Sangheili. He roared in fury and went behind a tree himself.
"Oh no you don't." muttered Kajin. Rather than using a plasma grenade he lobbed a frag behind the tree. The Sangheili had ran from the tree but wasn't quick enough as the grenade detonated and sent him in the air. It was silent for a moment before over the radio,
"Uh-oh, another bandit, they're trying to flank us!" Kajin, Johnson, and the Chief headed to the spot where the dropship was landing and fired upon the enemies. Still the enemies were not too hard to fight. One Minor Sangheili and several Unggoy. They made short work of them. They heard yet another Spirit float around the last place they had been. They ran to them and saw two Sangheili this time with about five Unggoy. The Marines from atop the structure provided covering fire as Johnson, Kajin, and the Chief assaulted the enemy. Then one more dropship in front of the structure. This time only Unggoy and three Kig-Yar were present. Kajin lobbed a frag grenade at two Kig-Yar. They didn't bother to move for some strange reason and the blast took them away. The Marines from the structure took out the panicking Unggoy. Finally the fight was over.
"This is Pelican Echo 419, anybody read me? Repeat, any UNSC personnel respond."
"Roger this is Fire Team Charlie, is that you Foehammer?" asked Cortana.
"Roger Fire Team Charlie, good to hear from you."
"Foehammer, we need transportation to the command shuttle." Cortana told Foehammer.
"Roger, I'm on my way." Then they heard the sound of lifeboats zooming over the valley.
"Look more lifeboats, if they make it the Covenant are going to be right on top of them." Cortana said. She then said to Foehammer, "Foehammer, we need you to disengage your Warthog, the Master Chief and I are going to see if we can save some soldiers."
"Copy that Cortana." Foehammer lowered down and dropped a vacant Warthog on the grass.
"Okay, Charlie Team, Warthog deployed, saddle up and give 'em hell." The Chief took the driver seat while Kajin hopped in the passenger seat. Johnson took the LAAG on the back and the Chief rode out. They went down an incline filled with mist. When they turned a corner they all gazed in wonder at a huge cave lined with strange blue lights than illuminated the mist.
"This cave is not a natural formation. Someone built it...so that means it must lead somewhere." Cortana said. The Chief drove through the tunnels, the headlights penetrating the darkness better than the blue lights. Soon they came to portions of the cave where, they looked like fluorescent lights, brightened up parts. The Chief jumped over a gap in the path and down to a colossal room. One Sangheili, three Jackals and four Unggoy patrolled the perimeter on the right side of the room. The Chief saw two Jackals closest to them, despite having the ultra high senses like they were supposed to have they seemed not to notice the rumbling of the 'Hog's engine. He punched the gas and sped to them. One Jackal turned and pointed at the coming Warthog. The other jumped in surprise. The jumping Jackal was mowed down while the other Jackal was spending to much time pointing. The Chief ran him over to. By this time the other Covenant had taken notice.
"Suck on this!" shouted Johnson firing the LAAG. Johnson, the Chief observed, was better with the gun than most Marines. He actually hit his targets and brought them down quickly, rather than the slow paced Privates the Chief was commonly stuck with driving. Kajin was surprisingly skilled with the MA5B too. Had his father taught him how to use Human weapons? Or was he just a quick learner? Putting that aside the Chief hopped out of the driver seat with his pistol ready. He looked through the 2x scope and popped a Minor Sangheili until the shields burst off. Kajin brought some shots to the legs and it fell down. Then Johnson put him out of his misery completely by tearing him to pieces with the super strong bullets. All was quiet then. The Chief looked at the mist filled abyss in front of them, and a spot where the bridge should be.
"There must be a control to activate a bridge." Cortana said. The Chief looked around and saw something. Up on a ledge was some sort of hologram control set, conjoined between two small pillars. On the pillars were green lights than blinked like a beacon. The Chief looked behind him to the 'Hog. Next to it was an incline that most likely led to the control. The Chief went up to Kajin and Johnson,
"Hold position here while I activate the bridge."
"Copy that Chief." said Johnson scanning the area for threats. The Chief went up the incline, no sooner that he reached the top two Major Sangheili ambushed him. He cursed as they took his shields down dangerously low. He tossed a frag grenade to keep them preoccupied while he hid and let his shields recharge. He dared a peak and saw one of the Sangheili leaned against the wall, he was wounded badly while the other tended the wounds. The Chief took his chance and stuck the good Sangheili with a plasma grenade. It roared in horror along with the other one before the grenade went off. Blood and body parts splattered the wall. When everything had settled the Chief went down the path and to the holographic control panel. He saw a symbol and pressed it. He did not know what the symbol was nor did he know that the hologram would be solid. It was just a feeling, some sort of instinct to press that symbol. He was rewarded with to girders protruding from the abyss's wall. They nearly connected as they slid to each other through the gap. The a glowing blue energy bridge of some sort faded into view. Baffled but satisfied, the Chief went down the path again. Johnson and Kajin were scanning the area and the Chief hopped in. As he went to the hump of a path that led to the bridge several Unggoy hopped out and fired at them.
"Sneaky little bastards." grunted Johnson as a needle from a Needler stuck the his gun and popped leaving a burn mark. Johnson let loose and the panicky Unggoy fled. But Kajin tossed a frag grenade from his seat and behind a rectangular box of some sort. The grenade detonated and they saw blood and body parts spew from behind it as well as a plasma pistol. The Chief decided to forget the remaining Unggoy which had made some good headway in its fleeing, despite at how slow they usually were. The Chief drove up to the bridge but slowed down. He grabbed a music CD from a hidden dashboard compartment (the Marines liked to make the techs install CD players on the Warthogs and tanks. It drove the higher ups crazy). He then tossed it on the energy bridge. It bounced then lay to rest on the bridge. The Chief tentatively drove the Warthog on the bridge. When it held fast the Chief sped up and they seemed to glide through the air. The ride was very smooth, then became considerably rougher when they hit solid ground. As they drove through more tunnels Cortana piped up.
"I've found Captain Keyes. The good news is he still alive. The bad news is that the Covenant have captured then entire command unit of the Autumn. If we can find Captain Keyes and the other Marines we may be able to coordinate an effective resistance. Any info from Kajin would be a good help." Cortana went into an expectant silence. After Kajin realized she wanted him to say something he said,
"No doubt the Covenant are torturing the Captain to gain the coordinates from Earth. We need to rescue him before the Covenant get to him."
"The hell they will." said Johnson. "The Cap'n's a tough guy. It'll take more than some punches and cuts to get him to spill the beans to some squid faced alien bastards...no offense. Old habits die hard." Johnson added to Kajin.
"Quite alright." he assured Johnson.
"Chief, I've set a NAV point on the closest lifeboat." Cortana said. A NAV point appeared on the Chief's and even Kajin's HUD. The Chief punched it and they zoomed off Over the Hills and Far Away. They went through a canyon pathway and to a large rock formation.
"There are some marines fighting in that rock slide. Let's give them a hand." Cortana said. The Chief slammed his foot on the pedal and sped to an unaware Sangheili. No sooner did he hear the roar of the engine and the mad laughing of Sergeant Johnson he looked to see the Warthog come upon him. Then he was flattened and killed. The Chief purposely fish tailed the Warthog at some Unggoy and batted them into the the rocks.
"Home run!" whooped Johnson. The other Unggoy panicked at the loss of their leadership and ran into the rocks only to be blown back by Marines. The Chief stopped the Warthog and the threesome unloaded and went up to the marines. The Sergeant of the group approached the Chief while the other Marines stared either nervously or in wonder at Kajin, who pretended to be scanning for threats in the open part of the canyon.
"Got here just in time Chief." said the Sergeant. "Those Covie asswipes almost had us."
"Don't worry Marines, me and the big guys will stay until evac arrives." said Johnson. The Marines let out sighs and murmurs of relief. Then they heard the high pitched whine of a Spirit fill the air. A sniper shouted from a large mesa overhead,
"Covenant dropship to the right!"
"Throw me your rifle!" ordered the Chief to the sniper. He hesitated but then threw the down the rifle. The Chief caught it with ease and jumped on another mesa shaped rock to the right of the first one. He looked through the scope in time to see Covenant hop out of the Spirit. He dropped the first Sangheili he saw and then focused on confused and frightened Kig-Yar. Down below Johnson, some Marines, and Kajin stood guard at the gaps of the fallen boulders. No sooner had the Chief sniped the remaining Covenant a second dropship descended right in front of the rock slide. The Chief focused his fire in that direction and quickly dropped one Sangheili. But a Kig-Yar, being the sneaky motherfuckers they are, charged up his plasma pistol and let the overcharged bolt speed to the Chief's blind spot. He cursed as he felt the sizzling bolt pop his shields and burn his armor and himself a little. He laid flat on his belly to avoid incoming fire. Now the Marines and Kajin had to fend for themselves as the unchallenged Covenant charged. Kajin killed a few Unggoy along with some marines. Johnson had dared to pick a fight with a Sangheili. He narrowly dodged a melee attack from the two foot taller, steel muscled, intergalactic super warrior.
"That the best you got fatty boomba-laddy?" said Johnson grinning an amused and challenging grin. The Sangheili roared in frustration and kicked at Johnson who dodged that attack too. Kajin chuckled at how Johnson could make fights fun and helped him before he got hurt.
"Don't you tell your men to not get cocky?" asked Kajin as he and Johnson shot down some Unggoy.
"I do." was all Johnson said, grinning. Kajin chuckled but cursed as soon as an overcharged green plasma bolt sizzled past his head and splattered on the rock behind him, sending chunks of molten rock on the ground. The Kig-Yar rolled behind a rock as he waited for his pistol to cool down.
"Frag him. That's the best thing against these mothers." said a Marine tossing a grenade where the Kig-Yar had squabbled behind. It screeched as the grenade sent it flying. Then all the enemies had been dispatched. Unfortunately they took some Marines with them. The two more Spirits came upon them.
"Damn it fall back!" shouted Johnson. "Back on the rock!" Kajin and the Marines went back on the rocks.
The Chief popped some Kig-Yar and a Sangheili before he ran out of ammo. He growled and pulled out his assault rifle. For some stupid reason these rifles were highly inaccurate. Wasn't the point of an assault rifle was to be accurate but rapid enough for close combat? He swore he would never understand Lockheed or Colt Firearms. It was as if they wanted the Marines to be killed because of crappy and incompetent weapons. He hoped future weapons would be more reliable. The Chief hopped down and in front of some surprised Unggoy. Before they could react he about faced and sprayed them. He nicked a methane tank of one Unggoy blowing him away. He back peddled and continued to squeeze and release the trigger of the rifle to make the rounds just a bit more accurate against farther targets. If he wanted something this spread out he'd have an automatic shotgun. He saw plasma speeding past him from behind and glanced to see Kajin helping out. He had grabbed a Plasma rifle from a fallen Sangheili. Though he still had his assault rifle stuck to his back.
A Sangheili bounded to them and sprayed rapid fire on them. Their shields fluctuated as the apparently skilled Sangheili shot them both. The Minor must be close to being promoted for his skill was greater than others of his rank. Kajin was determined to see he never reached major as he chucked a plasma grenade at him. The Sangheili dodged the grenade however. What he didn't realize is that it stuck to a an Unggoy who stupidly ran to the Minor. He didn't even know the Unggoy was there until he looked back and the grenade detonated sending the two out of mortality. The Chief nodded to Kajin in appreciation and he returned the gesture. They waited and saw nothing else come after them.
"We should check to see if there are any Covenant stragglers about." said Cortana. The Chief and Kajin stalked through the rocks together looking for an Unggoy or Kig-Yar. They didn't know was that a lone Major Sangheili, an infuriated one at that, was perched up in a tree. A dishonorable way to attack yes, but the situation demanded the act. The Sangheili leaped from the tree with no more than a rustling of leaves. He landed behind Kajin. He perked and was about to turn before and arm wrapped itself around his neck and a plasma rifle held to the side of his face. The Chief turned and froze as he saw a Major taking Kajin...hostage.
"I see you've taken a small liking to the heretic, demon." the Sangheili said in English, sneering slightly. The Chief said,
"You don't have any reinforcements, you don't have any evac, and no I don't care about him. Go ahead and kill him." Kajin looked wide eyed at the Chief and said,
"You damn turn coat. After what I've done for you and your kind." The Major was hesitant. He knew that the Chief spoke the truth.
"You know unlike you Covenant's we Humans take prisoners." said the Chief. The Major spat,
"I would rather die than wallow in the filth that is you humans." The Major loosened his grip on Kajin's neck without being aware of it and he took his chance. He grabbed at the plasma rifle and then wrestled the Major to the ground. The Chief then grabbed the Major and snapped his neck. Kajin backed away and pointed his rifle at the Chief,
"I'll kill you and say that we were ambushed." The Chief then said hastily,
"I-"
"Silence!" shouted Kajin. "But I won't, because I have honor, unlike you."
"Kajin, I was keeping the Sangheili preoccupied. I trust and... well I can say I have a small liking to you." Kajin looked hard at the Chief, though he couldn't see passed that damn piss yellow visor of his. Kajin lowered his weapon and said,
"Okay. Let's return to the others."
"Cortana to Foehammer, we have survivors and need extraction." Cortana called.
"Roger that Cortana." Foehammer then came into the canyon. "I've spotted additional life boats. One near the cliff edge, and another by the head of the river. Hard to see from my altitude but it looks like there are more survivors."
"Copy that Foehammer me and the Chief are on our way." The Chief and Kajin headed back to where the Warthog was supposed to be. Johnson was at the turret waiting for them.
"You don't have to come, Sergeant." said the Chief.
"I don't." he said matter of factly and nothing more. The Chief allowed himself a small smile though his comrades could not see it. He climbed in the driver seat and took off to the next life boat. Once they got to the open valley they saw one life boat.
"Life boat detected." said Cortana. They drove to it and stopped. "No survivor's detected...they must have gone somewhere else to hide from the Covenant." The Chief rode around for a bit before coming to an opening in the cliffs and going in. Covenant were stationed around and opened fire upon seeing the Humans and Heretic.
"The Marines must be taking shelter inside the structure." said Cortana.
"Chief, me and Kajin'll take care of these Covie bastards while you go in." said Johnson.
"Copy that." replied the Chief hopping out of the Warthog and running into the sub systems of the structure. Kajin jumped out of the Warthog so he wasn't a sitting duck in the passenger seat. He and Johnson held off the Covenant as best they could before the Chief, several marines, and two techies came out and joined the fight. They scoured the area and soon enough it was secured.
"Cortana to Foehammer we have more survivors and need extraction."
"I'm on my way." replied Foehammer. Then her Pelican floated over and lowered near the side of the cliff. The UNSC personnel climbed aboard.
"We're going to find the remaining life boat." said Cortana.
"Copy that, I'll stay on station." replied Foehammer as she rose into the air. The three mounted up and headed to the final life boat. Now Covenant had started to swarm in like Locusts. Banshees and Spirit's whined and screamed in the air and the piercing cry of plasma filled the air and tingled the spines of everyone exposed to the electrical charge floating in the air. Kajin and Johnson fired at pursuers as the Chief swerved around to avoid incoming fire. They came into another pass and to another small structure.
"There are some marines concealed in those hill." said Cortana. The Chief went to the hills, mowing down Covenant on the way. He stopped the Warthog right on the hill and put on the emergency brake. He and Kajin hopped out while Johnson sprayed a Sangheili and several Unggoy with the LAAG.
"Boy, you're a sight for sore eyes." said a Marine. Another with a sniper rifle popped some Unggoy. The Chief saw a Spirit lower down at the other side of the structure. He equipped his sniper rifle and scoped out the two Sangheili. Two shots and they both dropped. He dropped the Kig-Yar before they located his position. The Unggoy panicked and ran around in circles which was easy pickings. No sooner had they arrived the fight was over. Cortana then contacted Foehammer.
"Cortana to Foehammer, we've secured the area."
"I'll be there in a moment." said Foehammer on the other end.
"I've found out where the Covenant are holding Captain Keyes. One of their battle cruisers, the Truth and Reconciliation. A ship I disabled before we left the Autumn."
"The Truth and Reconciliation." said Kajin thoughtfully. "My father knows the Ship Master, Orna Fulsamee. I bet my fa...Ryhon has asked Orna to try and capture me. Along with the other Zealots."
"How much do you know about the Truth and Reconciliation? And how much do you know about Orna?" asked Cortana. The group had climbed into a Pelican which was going to take them to the command shuttle.
"Not much about either. Orna is pretty cocky, I've heard from Ryhon. He probably won't be expecting an assault on the ship...is there a plan to assault the ship and retrieve the Captain?" asked Kajin.
"Definitely there will be." said Johnson. "We'll hear from the current leader at the command shuttle. Some guy named Silva. He's an ODST, or we just call the Helljumpers for zing." Johnson chuckled. "He'll probably want to see you and the big guy."
"I'm sure he doesn't want to see me." said Kajin leaning back and allowing himself to relax. Battle was exhausting. He knew that but this was his first experience with it. He sighed as his muscles untightened. Johnson chuckled.
"Probably not. He might give you allota shit and threaten you or something, but I think I'll make an unexpected visit and give you and the Chief a hand with him."
"Why does the Chief need a hand?" asked Kajin.
"ODSTs are assholes and hate Spartans." said a Marine. "Because they're the competition. The Helljumpers used to be the toughest of the UNSC because they go in 'feet first' as they say. They drop into enemy lines in single man pods to soften the enemy up. But since the cyborgs came in they've gone down the food chain a notch. To those cocky morons they might as well be on the bottom."
"They sound pleasant." muttered Kajin.
"Which is why I'll be having the surprise visit and tell Silva what's what. Despite my rank."
"You should kick his ass, Sarge." said a Marine. Johnson leaned back in his seat and rolled his eyes to the right in thought.
"I might." he said in an undecided voice. The Marines laughed. Kajin didn't however. It was time to confront the unpleasant Humans.
(1) "'Sarge is really taking a...shine to Kajin.' said Kaitlyn.
'It's weird seeing the two together.' said Stefan."
Giggity!
"'Oh come on.' said Mark as he walked up to them. They looked at him.
"''oh come on' what?' asked Kaitlyn. Mark grinned.
'They've got the hots for each other.'"
Don't fucking steal my jokes ten years ago.
(2) "'You will be a valuable asset in the campaign against the Covenant. You know more about it then any Human does...'"
Yeah, a teenager that spent all of half-an-hour on a Covenant ship has provided far more intel than anything else the humans have uncovered about their enemy. Because they've never, ever captured a single Covenant soldier.
(3) "'Just to let you know, sir, that since my father is a Supreme Commander I am gifted to have more skill than the average Special Operations Sangheili. For my age it's extraordinary...I'm sorry if I sound like I'm bragging.'"
Zip up! Your Gary Stu is showing!
(4) "I hope your branded with the Mark of Shame."
I think I see a four in the shadows.
Also, *you're.
(5) "His son, his son the heretic."
Yotube search: Family Guy say the title of a movie in the movie.
(6) "Kajin realized something and turned to the techy,
'When I came out of the cryo-tube I could understand you. I didn't have any translation software on me.'
'Cortana translated some stuff for me and put it on my PDA.' the techy replied."
So I quite literally did a double-take at this bit. So many things crossed my mind. Such as...
Apparently Cortana taught the techy some Sangheili...an. Sure, Sangheilian. She taught him that so he could speak directly to Kajin. Granted, that's a fine thing to learn. But, you know, how about the whole language? Not just some lines contextual to only their current situation.
Also, you're telling me Kajin did not immediately notice a human was speaking his native tongue?
Wait, wait... I think I'm starting to realize something. Way back when... I noticed that little detail, and felt compelled to rationalize it away. Huh. All things considered, credit where credit's due, I could have just as easily ignored it and hoped no one nitpicky enough noticed it.
Too bad it's still stupid and awkward just like everything else.
(7) Ugh, constantly calling the technicians "techy" is starting to bother me. Could've spiced it up with "nerds" and "dorks."
(8) "You and the Chief will head to some life boats..." What, are they on the Titanic or something? They're escape pods, dingus. Actually that would be pretty fun, since they'd be sending women and children first... to the surface to fight alien warriors.
(9) You know, the actions scenes aren't bad, but they'd be a lot cooler if Teenage Me was more... artful in describing them. The only part I thought was actually bad ass and made me smile was when Kajin kicked up and caught the assault rifle, even though that stunts been used before.
(10) "'Covenant! On the landing above us!'
'Thank you for pointing that out.' joked Johnson. 'I would have never guessed.'"
Johnson briefly portrays every gamer eye-rolling hand-holding game intros.
"'Sod off.' muttered Cortana..." Did Cortana turn British or something?
(11) "'Heretic boy!'" Barnacle Man!
(12) "Prophet fucking zombie!" Okay, I know where I was going with this, but let's breakdown the possible contexts anyway, shall we?
So, the prophet could be fucking a zombie. I mean, if a necrophiliac found themselves in the zombie apocalypse, it would be the most exciting-yet confusing-thing to happen to them. On one hand, dead-ass galore! Excellent! On the other, it's still partially alive and cannibalistic. Bogus!
But even the actual context is pretty stupid. Yeah, it's a shitty metaphor that the person is a brainwashed Prophet worshipper... but it's just such a stupid way to convey that message.
(13) "They wrestled on the ground trying to get on top of each other."
Giggity!
(14) "'They're destroying the life boats.'"
I mean, I guess they can be called life boats, too... shit, I had a joke for this, but I've completely let it slip. Fuck.
(15) "'Wort wort wort!' called one Sangheili pointing at some Marines.
'Moley moley moley!' called one Marine imitating Austin Powers."
What? Why? That was so fucking gay. You know, during Ti Amo the word to describe what happens in "convenient." There's another word to describe this story which also begins with "C."
(16) I finally understand what's bothering me about this story. It's basically just a (poor) novelization of the original trilogy... but with some extra characters. They don't really change anything, they're just stooges that hardly say or do anything groundbreaking. Kajin is basically a co-op character. Like, I could skip all the action scenes and not miss any important moments, since I've already played the games.
Sure, there are moments dedicated purely to character development, for the OC's anyway, but they're kind of few and far between.
In fact, I just skipped to the end and I don't feel lost or confused. Oy.
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