From Harvest Bravo Squad had been taken to the Reach of Sanctuary. The Reach of Sanctuary was the name of the large galactic UNSC command ship that at that time had been orbiting Harvest. Once aboard they switched via gravity lifts to the Pillar of Spring which had been named after the Pillar of Autumn which was lost at the beginning of the first half of the Great War.
From Harvest the Pillar of Spring took the ODST's to Earth where they docked in the UNSC orbital ship docking station. From there they took another gravity lift, which took them to the surface of Earth in Washington. Travelling to the UNSC training facility in that area they found a squad of warthogs waiting for them. Thus entering three to a warthog they traveled forth across America until they reached Forks.
Upon approach of Forks the weather change became evident. Mountains covered in forests became more common until they were everywhere, the sun retreated hidden by clouds no longer to be seen. Then the temperature. The temperatures had become cold and the clouds were a grey. Before long blankets of rain began to fall soaking everything underneath them.
"Welcome to Forks Bravo Squad." The Captain whose ODST title was Paladin. "Coldest and wettest place on the planet."
The warthogs continued on unhindered, the mud of the roads not deep of slippery enough to out take the warthogs tyres. So within a couple of hours after Paladin had spoken the warthogs came to a stop outside of the Forks Police station.
"Now remember." Paladin began. "Once Earth started to overpopulate, we looked to space and began spreading to other planets. As a result areas like Forks here, were able to stay under the expansion of the cities. These people prefer this way of life, so don't go and destroy it. We are here to help them protect their quiet lives in a small low populace area. Just keep that in mind."
Paladin left his squad beside the warthogs as he stepped inside of the station. As the door closed they lost sight of him as he was led down a corridor.
"I sure see what he meant." The second member of Bravo squad commented after a while. "This area probably hasn't changed much in a couple of hundred years. I mean we would probably be lucky to count over 4000 people."
"Yes, as he said, the expansion never reached small forest towns like this. Space travel was enabled before we got that far. So we spread to other planets rather small country and forest towns, and the world is probably better of that we didn't expand into these areas."
"Yes, if humanity had expanded here, think about how much of the surrounding scenery would have been lost. It is better four our world to have some areas that remain like this, than to lose them all to support the human race."
The conversation ended there, as all members of Bravo squad were in agreement. So instead of conversing they turned their attention to the people in the area. They just stood there and observed what they were doing. Throughout this time there was one thought in which they all shared in common.
"How nice having a quiet life like this would be, but without the UNSC there would be no quiet life. So this is why we exist. We exist to defend this way of life and others, for those who live them but cannot themselves defend them.
"If only we could win this war." Keir thought to himself grimly. As it had become common knowledge among many of the UNSC ranks by now that victory over the new covenant was extremely unfeasible, and most likely impossible.
"If only there was something/ someone else."
And that is when he saw it. A streak of black and red on the edge of his vision. Flying just out of common sight, skirting the square that the police station was built on.
"But we are not alone." Keir thought, remembering Emmet and the other mysterious figures they had met on Harvest. He distinctly remembered how they had stated that they normally subsided on Earth, like a last line of defense. Striking here and there where their home planet needed them before vanishing. Living unknown, unappreciated but mostly impossible to find or kill.
"Time to go Bravo squad." Paladin had returned during Keir's daydream. "The town police chief has given us a location to set up camp. Also. From what evidence they have gathered, it appears that these things whatever they are, are not knew. They have plagued Forks before, a long time ago. In fact almost one millennium ago. They strike quickly without being seen, one bite is all they do. And their victim crumples to the ground dead with no evidence left behind."
After this speech, Paladin lead his squad back to the warthogs where they all entered the warthog they had arrived in and headed out into the forest.
At the forests edge, they found a rough track which they followed and before long they had arrived at a clearing in the forest. The clearing was nothing more than a ring of trees, surrounding an area covered in grass.
The clearing was perfect for their operation, flat and open. There was plenty of room to set up their gear and equipment, and the clearing also allowed to see any on comers. As to attack the camp you would have to break the cover of the trees and run a moderate distance before you reach a camp.
"Set up camp right in the middle." Paladin called.
At their captains call the squad members driving the warthogs continued in before stopping in a ring around the center of the clearing. Exiting their vehicles Bravo squad began to unload all of the gear that had been waiting in the warthogs for them when they picked them up. Amongst the gear they found five tents, which meant they would sleep two to a tent. They also found four turret shields, which could be used for defense, as the machines guns could be taken down from the warthogs and set up around the camp to stop intruders. Finally they found all of the technical equipment and survival gear they would need.
These items included a hologram communication table, several wrist mounted tracking devices and a portable kitchen system, and some storage and weapons containers.
So with the gear unloaded, the ODST's first order of business was sleeping arrangements. So seeing as there ten ODST's to five tents and one lady, the first four tents were shared by two males. Which left Serenity to the last tent, and Keir volunteered to sleep in a Warthog and assist with night watches. And so after the sleeping arrangements had been struck the camp was set up.
The hologram table was placed in the center of the camp which had been marked out, and the machine guns after being taken down from the warthogs were placed in between each of the four warthogs which were still around the edge of the camp, now acting as a shield. In front of each machine gun a shield was placed, and then tents were set up in the center around the hologram table with two storage containers in front of each tent. The weapons and tech gear were left in the final container beside the hologram table.
In all the setting up of the camp took just over three hours, and then Bravo squad split up to scout out the clearing, and set up motion sensors all across it.
Once their scouting had finished it was time to set in for the night, so Bravo squad ate the meals that had been packed before the mission before retiring to their respective tents. Keir went to his warthog, and Paladin sat down beside the hologram table where he set up a computer that read the signals from the motion sensors they had set up, where he began the first watch for the night.
A sharp noise split the night. It was not a loud sound and was muffled by the distance and the grass, but those who were awake and listening. The sound was audible. It was the sound of a footstep, a footstep as it broke a twig or stick underfoot. The sound of a footstep flattening and crushing grass.
Sentinel, the fourth member from Bravo squad had taken over from Paladin and was now on the night watch. And as he heard the sound his head snapped to the direction from which it had come.
Standing Sentinel made his way towards the machine gun turret closet that side of the camp, but stopped when he saw that Keir was already alert, with a battle rifle aimed in the direction.
"Phoenix, what are you doing up." Sentinel whispered to him.
"The warthog is not very comfortable, so my sleep was light and uncomfortable. So the footsteps woke me even before you rushing over did."
"Good. I will scan the other side of the clearing in case there are others."
In silence Sentinel made his way back across the camp to a machine gun on the opposite side of the camp to Keir. And in silence they stood, Keir aiming his rifle whilst hidden behind the armoured sides of the warthog and Sentinel behind the gun shield manning the turret.
"Snap, snap, snap."
Whoever or whatever had been stalking them from the shadows had suddenly realized it was being watched and made a run through the woods. In moments silence had returned leaving an eerie feeling over the two ODST's scanning the woods for hostile beings.
In silence they continued for what felt like an hour, but was more likely ten minutes, and then.
"Run!"
Suddenly a swarm of about fifteen figures broke from the clearing at inhuman speeds. They both reminded Keir of Emmet and his companions, but yet they were something else. In place of the heavy space grade armour Emmet's people wore, these figures were in casual cloth fabric probably sporting a metallic armour underneath.
"Hostiles inbound." Keir shouted to his companions.
As the sleeping members of Bravo squad woke from their sleep and began to scramble for weapons, Sentinel rushed over to the turret next to Keir.
"Bang, Bang, Bang."
Keir began to open fire on the charging group if figures as Sentinel reached the turret and set it in position too.
"BamBamBamBamBamBamBamBamBam."
A continuous stream of bullets suddenly sprang forth from the barrel of the machine gun, ploughing down the swarming figures. However every time the figures were hit with a bullet they toppled over seemingly dead, only to get back up and continue to charge. There was not even evidence that they had been hit.
"Careful, they won't die." Sentinel screamed as the other Bravo Squad members swarmed to the warthogs with their own guns and began to fire.
"Hold it here." Keir yelled over the noise of the blaring gun barrels.
He leapt down and rushed out into the clearing towards to the running figures, as he neared he drew the Energy Sword of which he had kept after acquiring it on Harvest. Not many humans used them as the difficulty with which was needed to wield them was to great, as no one was even trained for sword combat anymore, and even those who could wield swords had immense trouble wield Energy Swords. However as Keir rushed out into the field, activating the sword he began to swing through some forms.
As Keir biggest secret, something he told not even Serenity. Was that half during his ODST training on a space rim planet, he had become cut off from the group when a cave collapsed. They had all realized, however what they did not know, was that in that cave a covenant Elite traitor found him. At first he was scared, but he soon realized that this Elite had left the war as he had no hatred for human kind. So for the three years he spent on that planet during training after being found, Keir would secretly sneak off to visit his new friend. And during those times when he visited, The Elite taught him many Covenant combat techniques, and trained him in the usage of many covenant weapons. So when they left that planet, Keir had obtained skills and knowledge with covenant equipment that even the best men didn't have.
So now as he charge to running figures, Keir recalled back to those three years, letting the time he spent come back and letting all he had learned take over.
Upon impact with the enemy he swung his blade round slicing one figure, dropping to a roll he returned to his feet slicing to his left, and then to his right. Spinning on one heel he turned back to face his opponents, and stabbed forward before leaping over their heads and slicing at them from behind.
"Look at him go." Paladin called to his squad from the camp. "Where on Earth and the planets above did he learn those moves?"
"He's a natural." Serenity called back. "I've seen him do it many times before, yet he will always surprise you."
As they commented and tried to find where Karter had learnt his mastery of covenant weapons, Keir remained out in the field single headedly combating the figures. As now with one of their own out their Bravo squad would not fire for fear of hitting Keir. However despite his skills the figures numbers and speed, and as Keir now learned inhuman strength, were starting to get the better of him.
Before long Keir was on the run, instead of striking at the figures he was forced to retreat and dodge to avoid being hit by their punches. One of which would send him flying back a dent in his helmet and probably a broken skull as well. However before this could happen a host of new figures sprang from the cover of the trees behind those engaged with Keir. Keir recognized the lead figure instantly even though he had ditched his heavy duty armour for some of similar kind to the figures fighting Keir. It was Emmet, however he had more friends with him now.
Emmet and his group hit the fifteen figures assaulting Keir from behind. As the surge of a second group hit their attackers from behind Bravo squad abandoned their camp and ran out to engage from the front.
"No, stay back. You cannot kill these people. Stay back." Emmet began shouting at Bravo Squad.
Not understanding what he meant, Paladin had his team stand down and they circled back to their camp. As they fell back Keir made an attempt to run back to them as well. However he felt something grab him from behind, and then he was in the air, soaring backwards towards the tree line. With a hard crash he felt himself hit the ground, and lay there dazed as he caught his breath. Sitting up he saw a lone figure having escaped the skirmish running towards him, reaching around Keir realized he had dropped his Energy sword when he hit the ground. Looking around frantically he saw it lying on the ground, only it was too far away. By the time he grabbed it his assailant would have reached him. So thinking quickly he drew his knife from his belt and stood to face his attacker.
"Arghh."
From behind him someone suddenly grabbed Keir's arms and lifted him off the ground, before slamming him back down. Squirming and wriggling to get free Keir made an effort to escape, but as the second figure tried to lift him again Keir felt the clasps and latches on his armour give out, and his armour was lifted from him. Rolling sideways, Keir felt his armour slam back into the ground where he had been scraping his back. Rolling again Keir stood to his feet grabbing his knife as he did so from where had lain on the ground nearby.
After all this, Keir was left with his boots, belt and helmet. The rest of his armour had crumpled and fell from his body or been torn off. So standing his ground against two assailants Keir prepared for a hard and likely suicide fight.
"Over there! Help the boy." A voice yelled out from where the two groups of figures were fighting.
Distracted by the call, the two figures gave Keir an opening he needed. So slashing at the first, Keir felt his blade ricochet of the man's armour before kicking him in the shin and dropping him to the ground. However before he could take the second man down, he felt sharp teeth penetrate his wrist. Screaming in pain Keir buried his knife in the man's throat, but no blood came forth. The only thing that happened, was the man grabbing Keir's left arm in crushing grip, and tearing it from the dagger throwing Keir backwards into the air. As he hit the ground, Keir lay there as a burning and unbearable pain suddenly began to spread through his arm.
"Aaargh!" Keir screamed in agony.
His whole body burning now, Keir couldn't move. All his limbs lay there unresponsive, his mind was becoming fogged by the pain, and his nerves seared with pain throughout his body. So unable to move, unable to think, Keir lay there foaming at the mouth as the intense pain ruled his body and tormented his mind. To him, it felt as if he was being slowly incinerated and burned from his existence, it felt like a sudden surge of extreme power rushing through him burning him from the inside out.
Then suddenly it stopped.
As he lay their unable to move and silently celebrating the disappearance of the pain, figure began to surround Keir. Foremost among them he could see the figure he guessed was Emmet. Emmet knelt down and began to inspect Keir's body. And it didn't take long, in mere seconds Emmet had found the bite on Keir's right arm.
Keir managed to lift his head to look a t Emmet, but at that moment his body lurched involuntarily, and Keir was thrown into a series of spasm s and convulsions. With the spasms the pain returned three times as bad as before. Now it felt as if he was molten gold was coursing through his body in place of his blood, however every time his back or either of his arms hit the ground the pain increased by two. It wasn't long before Keir realized why this was, as his arms were thrown in front of his face mid-convulsion, Keir could see the bite on his right arm, and his left arm he could see had been crushed and had pieces of bone protruding through the flesh in places. His back however he could not see, but he guessed it was torn from where his armour had been torn of and slammed down next to him.
"Take him to Carlisle." Keir just managed to hear Emmet call. "It's too late to turn him back."
And at that Keir felt his body restrained by many hands, and then lifted gently into the air. He was carried towards the woods, but before he could think about why his sight became black. His hearing a blank silence, and his smell neutralized. All had become a dark void as the last trace of consciousness left Keir's mind.
Me: Thanks once again to all my readers? Please do review and send constructive criticism as I do really appreciate it. You might also want to check out my other story, "The Heir of The Pharaoh." Please keep reading and stay tuned for more chapters in both my stories, and keep an eye out for new stories. Thank you once again.