Chapter Four: Back Track

1800 HOURS JUNE 6, 2535

COVENANT BASE, OUTER COLONIES

"Status" I head over my radio like a whisper. I had turned my radio down because of my location. "Two dozen Covenant headed your way, Main Hall." I responded, peaking my head around the corner.

"I'll track this group; you link up with S4 and S5 and check the east side." S1 said over the radio. I back tracked over to the other Spartans locations, "Roger linked up and headed east." I told him as we headed to the far end of the complex.

"Good, remember our orders; 'Do not fire unless fired upon first.'" S1 said. I rolled my eyes; ONI always thinking we are incapable. "I know. Do they really think we would start shooting when there is a whole colony worth of Covenant." I said, "I think it is because they think we're too good that they have to remind us to make themselves feel better." I heard S1 laugh over the radio then he slowed and got quite. "My groups coming, I'll radio soon for a check up." He said then I heard his radio click off.

S4 and S5 slowed and S4 held up her hand in a bald fist then signaled to take cover. S4 and S5 took the left of the archway and I took the right. I took my Assault Rifle off safety, just in case, and peered around the corner. Five Grunts with their backs towards me rounded the corner then an Elite came around coming to our location. I pulled myself back into the shadows and held up my hand to inform the other two. We all held our breaths as the Elite passed by. Good it didn't see me. I thought as it passed without a second glance at our location.

We waited another couple of minutes then headed further down the hall. Before we made it far I heard S1 click his radio on and we hid in an adjacent room as he started to speak. "Guess what I found?" S1 said, "Remember Lalya? ONI sent her alone on some classified mission." Of course we would remember her, she was in our group. S1 continued his tellings and all of us chipped in.

"Well ONI always has their secrets." I said later, ONI would never tell us too many details. "Now that we know what to find," S1 said ending the arguments, "S2 and S3 follow the main hall to my location; S4 and…." Suddenly there was a huge boom that vibrated my helmet. "What the hell!" I exclaimed. I also heard a few others express there feeling to the noise. S4 and S5 both shook their heads trying to get rid of the echo that followed. S1 began to say something then instead started making a choking sound then the radio went silent.

Keeping the silence I signaled S4 and S5 to find the others without the aid of the radio. Then I started over to S1's last location. A minute later I made it to the main hallways where S1 was but wasn't. The hall and open room I was in were vacant and still.

I was just about to radio the others when an Elite materialized out of the air just to my right. It growled and reached for me. I stepped back raising my rifle and click off the safety. I went to melee it with the butt of my gun but the Elite disappeared with a mocking laugh. I cautiously backed up to the nearest wall so it couldn't sneak up behind me.

Suddenly I heard S1's radio whisper over mine but it wasn't his voice. "Where are you?" It whispered "Come out and play." It said and then lights in the far corner flickered on. I jumped into the opposite room and started to run. Before I made it anywhere thought I was on my face, the taste of blood filling my mouth. I rolled and hopped on my feet. There was a chuckle then the Elite reveled itself holding a staff. I went to hold up my gun but I saw it on the ground near the Elite. It kicked it aside and started at me with a roar.

I stepped to the side and landed a kick into its stomach. it growled, turned and with another roar ran at me again. The Elite swung the staff at my head. I ducked with a spin and tripped it to the ground. As it fell I smashed my fist into its neck breaking its spine. It twitched a few times then stilled and then as if on cue S3's voice sounded over the radio.

"We're all together and at the exit of the complex." She said in a rush. I encrypted the channel quick incase the thing that had S1's helmet heard us. "Good," I said, "Get to the rally point on the outskirts and radio for a Pelican. I'll meet you there but if I don't make it in ten minutes, leave. Now turn off your radio's and get there." I said and three green lights burned in acknowledgement. I walked over to the dead Elite and found my rifle. I checked the clip, reloaded, and then headed down the hallway.

Two minutes later I was sprinting down the hallway towards the location of S1's radio signal. I had to get him before the Pelican left. I couldn't leave without knowing if he was alive or dead. Finally I made it to the signals location but it wasn't what I had hoped or expected.

S1's helmet was in the middle of the hallway, just sitting there. I knew it must be a trap but I still approached and picked up the helmet. Then just as I had expected two Elites appeared, on in front and one behind. In the blink of an eye I dropped the helmet and unslung my rifle. Then the Elite behind me charged. I rolled to my left, hopped back to my feet, and fired a three round burst into the Elites head. It went forward a few more steps then slumped to the ground.

Its partner then raised a plasma rifle but before it could fire I ran forward and slammed the butt of my rifle into its face. It stumbled backwards and I raised my gun, firing into its head. Suddenly I felt a warm trickle down the side of my arm. The Elite must have fired a shot. Before I could reach into my med pouch I heard food steps down the hallway. I grabbed S1's helmet and started running down the hallway as fast as I could.


2300 HOURS JUNE 13, 2535

COVENANT BASE, OUTER COLONIES

I awoke suddenly to a buzzing in my helmet. I took it off and set it beside me next to S1's. I let my mind wander and think of a place that maybe I haven't checked. Seven days ago after the run in with those Elites I had tried to get to the rally point but my wound slowed me down. When I patched myself up I got attacked again and when I finally made it to the rally point no one was there. I was too late. I tried to radio for another Pelican but the ship had left the planets orbit and probably left the system. So I got stuck here but I wouldn't stay around and do nothing.

For the last six days I did some hit and run attacks. I killed as many of the Covenant as I could in one attack as well as scope out any hint of where S1 could be. So far nothing; I was alone.