Chapter 4: Today's Forecast: Plasma and Bullets
"I still can't figure out why land here, I mean it's no where near the Ark." Cortana said, puzzled.
"Stop worrying about it." Chief said, annoyed Cortana just would not stop.
"Why?" She asked, frustrated at Chief and how he wouldn't listen.
"Have you ever heard of random selection?" Johnson butted in.
"Yes but-"Cortana was cut off.
"Worry about why later; focus on where they set up bases in the city." Chief said as the Pelican turned to dodge a building.
Human and Elite carriers were waiting outside of the city's boarders.
"There are still civilians in the city; we'll need to get them airlifted out of here once I locate them." Cortana reported.
"Alright." Arbiter said, he was riding in a Phantom that was close behind the Pelican Chief was in.
"I suggest that if we find any civilians that all Elites, Grunts and Hunters stay near marines, so they know that you won't hurt them." Cortana radioed to Arbiter's Phantom.
"I'll make sure they know." Arbiter said back to her.
"I'm sending out more Phantoms." Rocalee said over his radio from his carrier.
"And I'm sending more Pelicans." Miranda said from her new carrier the Augusta.
The group of Phantoms and Pelicans that had launched were speeding towards a marine command post.
"Chief, would you mind doing me a favor and not doing anything suicidal, because remember there's two of in here again now." Cortana said to Chief in a worried voice.
"Maybe." Chief said smiling at how Cortana didn't trust him.
"That's very reassuring Chief." Cortana said sarcastically and worriedly.
"We're approaching the LZ." One of the Pelican's pilots reported.
The Pelican descended, followed by the other Pelicans and the Phantoms.
As the Pelican landed Johnson yelled "Go, Go, Go!"
Chief jumped off the Pelican and walked over to where Arbiter and his Elites were going to land.
Arbiter came out first, followed by the Spec Ops commander.
"Whoa." Wyatt said in awe as he watched the Hunters come down the Phantom's Gravity lift.
"This way." Johnson yelled after the Phantoms and Pelicans left.
The large group of marines, Hunters, Grunts and Elites followed close behind Johnson as they walked towards the command post.
"Sir, Sargent Mathews." Yelled a Sargent as he ran over to Johnson.
"What is it?" Cortana asked.
"We've located some civilians that are still in the city, they're surrounded by Brutes." The Sargent reported.
"Where are they?" Arbiter asked.
"Not too far from here." Mathews said looking up at the Arbiter.
"Then why didn't you go after them?" Johnson asked.
"We tried, we lost about 15 marines trying to locate them and get them out of there." Mathews said looking down.
"And then we called for help, and it looks like we got a lot." Mathews added.
"Any vehicles?" Chief asked.
"They all go destroyed when we tried to save the civilians." Mathews answered looking up at Chief's armor.
"How many civilians are there Sargent?" Cortana asked.
"We're not completely sure but at least 10." He answered looking back at Johnson.
"Alright marines. Get ready to move out!" Johnson barked at his marines.
"Warriors prepare for combat!" Yelled the Spec Ops commander as he lashed out his Sword.
"Lead the way Sargent." Cortana said as Chief loaded his Battle Rifle.
Mathews nodded and started running to his squad of marines.
"Me ready!" Yelled a black armored Grunt.
"Long have I waited to kill Brutes!" Yelled an Elite.
The group of marines, Grunts, Elites and Hunter followed Mathews' squad to where the civilian were located.
"Over there!" Mathews yelled.
The group stopped, there were about 20 Brutes, 15 Jackals and no one knew how many Drones were flying around.
"Hold up marines!" Johnson yelled as he looked at Chief.
"Why?" Wyatt asked, confused.
"Engage active camouflage." The Spec Ops commander said looking at his Elites and then at Chief.
"It's a good thing we upgraded my active camouflage." Arbiter said as he started disappearing.
"Chief, please don't do anything suicidal." Cortana said as Chief started to disappear.
Chief noticed that as the Elites turned on their active camouflage they had green triangles above their heads on his heads up display.
"Do not reveal yourself until the Brutes return fire." Arbiter said as he pulled out his Energy Sword.
The group then ran towards the group of Brutes and Jackals.
"Whoa." A bunch of marines whispered as they watched the Elites hit the Brutes in the back of their heads, killing them.
"What's that?" A Brute asked as he saw a Brute fall.
"Are they here?" Another Brute asked.
"I don't see them" A Brute Sargent said.
"Don't they have-" A Brute was cut off as he fell; dead.
The Brutes fired at the air, they remembered that the Elites had active camouflage.
"The Elites are here!" The Brute Sargent said as he ran to alert the other Brutes.
"Kill him!" Arbiter whispered to an Elite, but it was too late, the Brutes already knew that the Elites were among them.
"I see one!" A Brute yelled as he fired his red Plasma Rifle at an Elite.
Chief and the Elites revealed themselves and charged the Brutes, hitting any that were close enough.
"Demon!" Yelled a Brute Sargent.
Chief shot his Battle Rifle at the Brute Sargent and looked back at the rest of the group and motioned for them to come.
The city was a tight space to fight in, tall buildings that were all close together, making it maze-like.
"The next group of Brutes is just ahead." Cortana reported.
"Alright, let's move on." The Spec Ops commander said.
"They already know we're here so we won't be able to stealth our way there." Arbiter said looking at the dead Brutes and Jackals.
"Buggers, they're coming this way!" Johnson yelled as he spotted Drones coming around the corner.
The Hunters used their Fuel Rod Guns to fire at the Drones, taking out most of them quickly.
"Keep moving!" Cortana yelled over the radio.
Around the corner there were Brutes guarding the entrance to a building.
"That's the one!" Mathews yelled.
"Alright, let's get inside." Cortana said over the radio.
The marines, Elites, Grunts and Hunters let out a heavy wave of Plasma and bullets.
"Aarrr aaaaaaa!" Yelled a gold armored Elite as he lashed out his Energy Sword, thrusted his four mandibles outward and lunged his sword at the Brutes.
Arbiter ran in joined the Zealot, followed by the Spec Ops commander.
"Raarrraaaaaaa!" Yelled a black armored Elite ad he lashed out his sword and charged into the battle.
Soon most of the Elites had drawn out their Swords and were hitting the Brutes with them.
After all the Brutes were dead, everyone grouped in front of the door.
"I want the Hunters going in first, make sure the room is clear, and then the rest of us will go in." Arbiter said.
"Don't go in without me." Rocalee said over the radio.
"Alright, we'll wait." Cortana said to Rocalee.
"I'm inbound on your position." He said.
A Phantom quickly came around the building and dropped off Rocalee and his Elites.
"Alright, let's go." Arbiter said after Rocalee joined the group.
As the doors slid open the two Hunters stepped in first, keeping their guns leveled, they looked around the room; nothing.
"I've located the civilians, they're up on the third floor." Cortana reported.
Arbiter made a few hand signals and a few Elites walked in with their guns ready to fire and any Brutes.
Chief went in after the Elites, followed by Arbiter, Johnson, Rocalee, the Spec Ops commander and the rest of the group.
"Stay, here." Arbiter said looking at the Hunters.
"Me and my squad will stay here and make sure no reinforcements get in behind you." Rocalee said looking at his Elites who nodded.
"Alright, let's keep moving." Chief said as he started up the stairs.
Arbiter, the marines and Elites followed close behind him up the stairs.
"I'm detecting a lot of Brutes and Jackals on this floor." Cortana whispered.
Chief triggered a fragmentation grenade and threw it into the room, sending a bunch of Brutes flying around the room.
Arbiter looked at the Grunts; they then ran up next to Chief and threw a large wave of Plasma grenades, sticking them to most of the remaining Brutes and Jackals in the room.
"Well, that was pretty easy, for one floor." Johnson said as he entered the large room that was now filled with dead bodies.
"Keep moving, the civilians are on the next floor, no using grenades in there." Cortana said.
"Elites, engage active camouflage, we'll take care of the Brutes as easily as we can, everyone else stay here." Arbiter said looking at his Elites, then at Chief.
The Elites and Chief all turned on their active camouflage and started up the stairs.
"The civilians are all heavily guarded." Cortana whispered.
"Let's go." Arbiter whispered as the doors opened.
"What's going on?" A civilian girl asked as she saw the doors open.
"I don't know, is it me or is the air around the door blurry?" Asked a teen.
"I'm scarred." A little girl said as she curled up.
"It's ok." A woman said trying to comfort the girl.
"Aaaaaaa!" Yelled a Brute as he fell.
"What the?" A teenager said, confused.
More Brutes and Jackals started falling.
"What's going on?" Asked a Brute as he started firing into thin air.
"No they can't be!" Another yelled.
"They are!" A dieing Brute yelled.
"Who are?" Whispered the little girl.
"I don't know." The woman said looking down at the girl.
As the last Brute fell to the floor Chief revealed himself and walked over to the civilians.
"A Spartan." Whispered one of the civilians.
Arbiter and the other Elites revealed themselves as they walked over to the civilians.
"Oh my God!" Yelled a woman.
"It's ok, we're here to help." Arbiter said as he walked over to where Chief was standing.
"Like you things would help us!" A man yelled at Arbiter.
"Is anyone here hurt?" Chief asked.
"Yes, but would you mind explaining what those things are doing here?" The woman said as she let go of the little girl and stood.
"Yeah are you sure these things won't try to kill us?" A teen yelled.
"Relax, they didn't kill me, they saved my life." Chief said looking Arbiter.
"We won't hurt you." The Arbiter said looking at the teen that stood and yelled at him.
"Let me handle this, the Elites are our friends so are Hunters and Grunts. And if they were going to kill you why would they of come and saved you?" Cortana said.
"So, what if they're trying to trick you!" The teen yelled at Cortana.
The woman laid her hand on the teen's shoulder and told him to sit down.
"We need to hurry and get out of here, there's Brutes on the higher levels." Cortana reported.
"Ok." Chief said as he kneeled in front of the little girl.
Chief picked up the girl and stood, looked at the Elites and then back at the civilians.
"Take my hand." Arbiter said as he put out his hand to help one of the civilians stand.
Some of the Elites walked over to the wounded civilians and picked them up.
Arbiter picked up a little boy who had hurt his leg. "I'm not afraid of you." He whispered to Arbiter.
Arbiter smiled at the little boy and looked into his eyes." Why would you have to be afraid of us?"
The Elites and civilians all walked out of the room, some of the Elites were carrying the wounded.
Chief and Arbiter were the last to exit. "What's your name?" Chief asked the little girl.
"Sydney." She whispered.
"Hang on." He said to her as he started down the stairs behind Arbiter.
"You're a Spartan but what's your name?" She asked.
"Master Chief." He answered looking at her.
"That's a cool name." She said as she rested her head on his armor.
Chief smiled and looked down at her.
"Wow." Johnson said as they all came down the stairs.
"What?" The Spec Ops commander asked.
"You actually got them to trust you." Johnson said smiling.
"They didn't exactly come with the Elites very willingly." Cortana said to Johnson.
"But there's Brutes on the higher levels." Arbiter said as he looked up at the ceiling.
"We'll get the civilians out of here and then continue up the stairs." Cortana said.
"I've called for a Pelican." She added.
"Rocalee, what's your status?" Arbiter asked over his radio.
"Nothing yet, did you get the civilians?" Rocalee asked.
"Yes, but we just found out that there are still Brutes up on higher levels." Cortana said to Rocalee.
"Alright." Rocalee said.
One of the Grunts looked up at the little boy Arbiter was carrying.
"Small Humans are very cute." He said.
"So are- what are you?" The little boy asked.
"We're Grunts" The Grunt answered.
"Well you're cute." The little boy said smiling.
"The Pelican is almost here, we should keep moving." Cortana said
The group of marines, Elites, Grunts and civilians continued down the stairs.
"So Chief." A woman said." How did this alliance start?" She asked looking at Arbiter.
"I'm not very sure." Chief answered looking down at her.
"I think it's cool." Sydney said as she picked her head up.
"Wouldn't it be nice if everyone thought that?" Cortana said; smirking.
"Well that was quick." Rocalee said as the group came down the stairs.
"The good thing was is that the civilians weren't being held on a very high level." The Spec Ops commander said walking over to Rocalee.
Rocalee nodded, and walked out the door followed by the rest of the group.
The Pelican was waiting for them just outside the door.
"Is that all of them?" One of the pilots asked.
"For now." Chief said as he lifted Sydney up onto the Pelican.
"Ok, we'll come back when you need us." The Pilot said as the Pelican speeded out of the city.
"Where are they bringing the civilians?" Arbiter asked as he watched the Pelican fly out of the city.
"Commander Keyes' new ship, the Augusta." Cortana to Arbiter as Chief was watching the Pelican.
"We should get moving and clear this building." Chief said as he started walking towards the doors.
"Alright." Arbiter nodded and followed Chief into the building.
"I want my squad staying here with the Hunters." Rocalee said looking back at his Elites.
"Marines, I want some of you staying here as well!" Johnson barked at his marines.
"Yes sir!" A few of the marines said, saluting.
"How many floors have Brutes on them?" Arbiter asked looking at Chief.
"Give me a minute." Cortana paused for a minute. "About 10." She finally said.
"Yeah." Wyatt said laughing.
"Fine take the elevator; I'm sure they'll have a big welcome party." Johnson said laying a hand on Wyatt's shoulder.
"I have an idea." Chief said walking over to a pedestal and put Cortana down.
"Uh, oh." Cortana said as she appeared on the pedestal with her arms crossed.
"What?" Arbiter said walking over to Chief and Cortana.
"I'll take the elevator to the top level with Brutes, I turn on my active camouflage when I arrive, I'll clear the floor, then you have the elevator come back down, half the group comes in the elevator and will work their way down, and the other half will work their way up." Chief said looking at the elevator, Arbiter and then back at Cortana.
"You're kidding." Cortana said somewhat smiling.
Chief looked at her for a minute.
"You're not kidding." Cortana said with a worried smile as she shook her head back and forth.
"Alright, if you're going to do something like that at least bring me with you." Cortana as the smile faded from her face.
Chief put his hand on the pedestal and Cortana disappeared.
"I'll come to." Rocalee said walking over to Chief.
"Alright." Chief said as he nodded and headed for the elevator.
"As soon at the elevator comes back, I'll send some Elites up." Arbiter said the elevator doors closed.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." Cortana said as the elevator started up.
"We're on the 12th floor now; I recommend turning on your active camouflage now." Rocalee said as he started to disappear.
Chief nodded and turned on his active camouflage.
"Here we go." Cortana whispered as the doors opened.
"What's going on?" A Brute asked.
"Stupid Human technology, it's always failing." Another Brute laughed.
"No it's not." Chief said as he killed a Brute.
"What, what was that?" A Brute asked as he heard Chief.
"Over here." Rocalee said as he killed a Brute.
The Brutes fired at Rocalee, one of them threw a Plasma grenade at him.
Rocalee jumped, the grenade detonated, breaking the glass and sending Rocalee out of the building.
"Rocalee!" Cortana yelled.
Chief threw 2 grenades and ran to help Rocalee who was hanging onto the window frame.
"Behind you!" He yelled to Chief.
Chief turned around to see that a Brute was about to hit him in the back of the head.
Chief fired one of his SMGs at the Brute, causing him to miss. Chief tripped the Brute and sent him flying out of the building.
"Aaaaaaa!" The Brute yelled as he fell.
"Chief!" Cortana yelled as he stood.
Rocalee was about to fall when Chief grabbed his arm.
"Look out!" Rocalee said as another Brute sneaked up behind Chief.
Rocalee pulled out one of his Plasma Rifles and fired at the Brute's head.
Chief pulled Rocalee back up into the room.
"Thanks." Rocalee said as he brushed himself off.
"It was nothing, and nice shot." Chief said as he looked at the Brute Rocalee had just killed.
"It's a good thing I had the Plasma Rifle." Rocalee chuckled.
"We're coming up!" The Spec Ops commander said over the radio.
"Alright." Cortana said over Chief's radio.
"How did it go?" Asked the Spec Ops commander.
"Fine." Rocalee smirked.
The elevator door opened and the Spec Ops commander and a few of his Elites stepped out.
"So it went fine?" The Spec Ops commander asked as he walked over to the broken glass and looked back at Chief and Rocalee.
Chief and Rocalee looked at each other then back at the Spec Ops commander.
"It was nothing, just a grenade." Rocalee said laughing.
"I don't completely trust that was all." The Spec Ops commander said looking out the window.
"Fine you caught us, a grenade exploded and sent me out of the window, and Chief here saved my life." Rocalee said putting a hand on Chief's shoulder and looking down at him.
"That's what I thought." The Spec Ops commander said walking over to Chief and Rocalee.
"You know me." Rocalee said smiling." I'm always getting into trouble."
"Can we start heading down the stairs now?" Cortana asked.
"Alright, warriors, get ready to start heading downstairs!" The Spec Ops commander barked.
Chief reloaded his SMG and took out his other one.
"Let's move out!" The Spec Ops commander said as he ran down the stairs, followed by Chief, Rocalee and the other Elites.
"Everyone, turn on your active camouflage, now!" Rocalee said.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." Cortana said as Chief started to disappear again.
"Time for a little payback." Rocalee whispered as he pulled out his Energy Sword.
A few of the Elites pulled out their Swords and charged into the room, it was mostly full of Jackals.
"Let's go." The Spec Ops commander whispered.
One of the Elites triggered a Plasma grenade and stuck it to a Jackal who ran towards the other Jackals and a few Brutes.
"Get away!" A Brute yelled as the Jackal that had just been stuck with a grenade ran towards him.
The grenade exploded, killing about half of the Brutes and Jackals in the room.
"Stupid Elites, you're fools to join the Humans!" A Brute yelled.
"We joined the Humans because we know the truth!" Rocalee yelled at the Brute as he killed him.
"That's one way to put it." Cortana said laughing.
"Well it is true, we were all lied to for ages, and now we know the truth." Rocalee said walking over to Chief.
Truth
That word gave Chief a flashback of when he killed the Prophet of Truth.
"Something wrong?" Rocalee asked.
"Nothing, I was just remembering Truth." Chief said looking at the other Elites.
"The Prophet of Truth?" The Spec Ops commander asked as he finished killing off the last Brute.
"Yes." Chief said looking at the Spec Ops commander.
"I see, because you killed him." Rocalee said nodding his head.
Chief nodded.
"Guys, sorry to interrupt, but we need to keep moving." Cortana said.
Chief and the other Elites started down the stairs, turning on their active camouflage.
"What?" Rocalee said revealing himself.
Everyone else then revealed themselves.
"Where are they?" Cortana whispered.
"Maybe there aren't any on this floor." An Elite said as he looked around the room.
"That's possible." Cortana said as Chief looked around the room.
"What kind of place is this supposed to be?" The Spec Ops commander asked.
"I'm not sure, I know it's not an apartment complex, it must be some business with all the desks and such taken out." Cortana said, puzzled.
"Maybe it's something else." She added.
"Does it really matter?" Chief asked, frustrated.
"Well, I guess not. There's Brutes coming up the stairs!" Cortana yelled.
"Quick, hide!" Rocalee said disappearing.
Everyone in the room then disappeared, Chief hit a Brute in the back of the head as he ran up the stairs so did the rest of the Elites.
"That's weird, they looked like they were retreating." Cortana said as Chief turned off his active camouflage and was standing next to the Brute he had just killed.
Chief started walking down the stairs and was greeted by something he wasn't expecting.
"They're coming back!" A marine yelled as he started firing, so did everyone else in the group.
"Watch it!" Chief said as he tried to dodge the Plasma shots and the bullets.
"Oh, sorry Chief." Wyatt said as he noticed it was Chief.
"We thought that you were a Brute." A marine said as he stopped firing and reloaded his weapon.
"Do we look like a Brute?" Cortana asked smirking.
"Well the Brutes retreated, so we thought that they were coming back." Johnson said watching the Elites come down the stairs.
"What's going on?" Rocalee asked as he came down the stairs.
"Nothing, the marines just thought I was a Brute." Chief said looking back at the Elites.
"Well that's not very good." Rocalee said laughing.
"Neither is what's coming." Cortana said, serious again.
"What do you mean?" Arbiter asked looking at Chief.
"I mean, Wraiths, Spectres, Ghosts and lots of ground troops." The way Cortana said it made everyone very nervous.
"Where?" Wyatt asked as his eyes widened.
"Heading this way." Cortana said as Chief walked over to the window.
"Hold on a second." Rocalee said as he walked over to the elevator.
"Roger that, I'll send some Pelicans." Miranda said over the radio.
"What? We didn't call for any help." Cortana said in surprise.
"Rocalee called." Miranda said.
Everyone looked at Rocalee.
"I thought we could use some help, and I called in some Phantoms." Rocalee said smiling and looking at everyone in the room.
"Alright." Arbiter said walking towards the stairs." We should start heading downstairs."
Arbiter started down the stairs, everyone followed close behind him.
"Rocalee, we're sending a Phantom with four Lekgolo, fifteen Ungoy and a few Sangheili, they all have fully loaded Fuel Rod guns." An Elite said over the radio from Rocalee's carrier.
"Lekgolo, Ungoy, Sangheili?" Wyatt asked.
"Lekgolo means Hunter, Ungoy means Grunt and Sangheili means Elite." Cortana answered.
"Cool." Wyatt said as he looked at a Grunt that was walking next to him down the stairs.
"Cortana, how much time do we have until they get here?" Chief asked.
"I'm not sure, but they're coming fast.." Cortana reported.
"We should hurry." The Spec Ops commander said after he heard Cortana say how much time they had.
Everyone nodded and then started to run down the stairs.
Soon they came to the bottoms floor where the Hunters, a few marines and Elites were waiting.
"This is impressive." Rocalee said as he saw that all of the Elites in his squad that he had left were all still alive.
"You underestimated us?" An Elite asked Rocalee.
"No, I never underestimate my Sangheili; I thought that you might have been under attack." Rocalee said as he walked towards the doors.
"Chief my Pelicans are inbound." Miranda radioed to Chief.
"Understood." Chief said as he walked out of the building to see two Pelicans heading towards his position.
The Pelicans descended and dropped off twenty marines, all with Rocket Launchers, one of them was Sheila: there were a few spare Rockets launchers. The Pelicans also dropped plenty of ammo for everyone.
"Wow." Johnson said as he walked out of the door. "I wasn't expecting this much." He said picking up a Rocket Launcher.
"Something gives me a very bad feeling that you're going to have way too much fun with this aren't you?" Cortana said sardonically as Chief picked up a Rocket Launcher.
"How did you know?" Chief said laughing.
"After living in your head for a little while, I've come to know these things." Cortana said nervously.
"Here comes our Phantom." Arbiter said as he watched a Phantom come around the building.
The Phantom came to about twenty feet above the ground and Hunters came out of its gravity lift. After the Hunters landed, fifteen Grunts came down the gravity lift, some of them wore black armor, red, orange, and a few had green armor. The Grunts with green armor were carrying Plasma Turrets. After the Grunts landed five black armored Elites came down the gravity lift.
"Arbiter, we have some heavy guns for you as well." An Elite said as he handed Arbiter a Fuel Rod gun.
"Thanks." Arbiter said as he put the Fuel Rod gun on his shoulder.
"Ah, I hate to interrupt, but they're almost here." Cortana reported.
"Yeah." Sheila said as she handed Wyatt a Rocket Launcher.
"Everyone form up!" Arbiter barked. "Turrets in front, I want the other Grunts next to the turrets."
"Marines, get behind the Grunts, if you can kneel and shoot without shooting a Grunt then kneel. Chief, pick a spot." Johnson said as he walked up to a Grunt and knelt beside him.
"Sangheili, spread out and either position yourself next to, behind the marines. Lekgolo, I want you in back, find a good position so that you won't shoot anyone in front." Rocalee said taking position next to Chief who was kneeling next to a Grunt on the edge of the formation.
"Here they come." Johnson yelled as the Ghosts, Spectres and Wraiths came around the corner.
The Wraiths positioned themselves in back, the Spectres between them, and the Ghosts in front.
The groups of Grunts were ready to run away when Arbiter stopped them." Hold your ground; do not give in to fear."
The Grunts then got back in position and prepared to fire.
"Where are the ones on foot?" Chief asked.
"They're coming; they'll be here in about a minute." Cortana answered quickly.
"Alright." Chief said as he squeezed the trigger on his Rocket Launcher.
The Ghosts speed towards the group.
"Open fire!" Rocalee yelled.
The turrets fired then the marines, and then the Grunts, Elites and Hunters.
In about five seconds most of the Ghosts had been destroyed.
"We should take out those Wraiths." Cortana said as Chief reloaded his Rocket Launcher.
Chief looked at Rocalee who nodded and looked at his Hunters. The Hunters fired their Fuel Rod guns at the Wraiths, taking out three of them.
"Is it me or are the Spectres heading our way?" A marine asked as he fired at one of the remaining Ghosts.
"Yes they are." An Elite answered as he stepped back.
"I want the Lekgolo focusing on the Wraiths, everyone else focus on the Ghosts and Spectres!" Rocalee said yelled.
Arbiter fired his Fuel Rod gun at the ten Spectres that were heading towards their position.
"The Wraiths are charging!" Sheila yelled.
Chief fired his Rocket Launcher at the Wraiths and Spectres, but they were still coming.
"They're coming to fast; if we stay here we'll get torn to pieces." Cortana said, worried that she might die.
"What should do?" Rocalee asked looking at Arbiter.
"Arbiter?" The Spec Ops commander said.
Arbiter looked down.
"We continue firing, slow them down as much as we can, then we head inside." Arbiter said at last as he looked up at everyone.
"Why inside, the vehicles will tear the building apart?" Johnson asked.
"If we manage to destroy most of the vehicles we'll be able to hold off the troops inside." Arbiter said looking at the Hunters.
"No." Chief said walking over to them." That won't work."
"Why not?" Arbiter asked.
"They'll know it's a trap, they won't come inside, they'll wait; that or try to destroy the building, in which we're all dead." Chief said as he turned to fire at the Spectres.
"He's right, they'll suspect a trap, and we need to come up with something else." The Spec Ops commander said looking at Chief, then back at Arbiter.
"Then we stay here." Arbiter said looking down, then back up at the group.
"Alright then, time to really have some fun." Johnson said as he turned and continued to fire.
"They're coming closer." Said a Grunt that was using one of the turrets.
"If you run, you're dead, if you stay put, then you have a better chance of surviving." Chief said as he knelt next to the Grunt.
"Me stay here." The Grunt said as he looked up to Chief, and then continued firing.
"Sheila!" Chief yelled.
"What is it Chief?" Sheila asked.
"I'm almost out of ammo." Chief said standing up.
"We're almost out of ammo too, we didn't expect to be using this many Rockets." Sheila said walking over to Chief.
"You want my spot?" The Grunt asked.
Chief looked down at the Grunt.
"No." Chief said looking back up at the Spectres, they were slowing down.
"I have an idea." Chief said putting down his Rocket Launcher.
What?" Asked the Grunt as he looked up at Chief.
"Watch." Chief said as he ran towards the Wraiths, Spectres and Ghosts.
"Are you crazy!" Cortana yelled as Chief approached the vehicles.
Chief jumped up on one of the Wraiths, he punched the hatch where the driver was sitting until it broke. Chief triggered a fragmentation grenade and dropped it on the driver.
"AARRGGHH!" The Brute yelled as the grenade exploded.
Chief jumped off the Wraith just as it exploded, but got sent flying a few feet away from it.
"I don't know which is going to kill me first, you or when my seven years is up!" Cortana said as Chief stood.
"What is he doing!" Johnson yelled.
"Whatever is it, it looks like fun." Rocalee said as he ran to join Chief.
"Hey wait for us!" Arbiter yelled with the Spec Ops commander behind him.
"Chief lookout!" Cortana said as she noticed a Ghost was heading for them.
Chief turned, the Ghost was on turbo, he jumped on the Ghost once it came close enough and kicked out the driver.
"Having fun?" Arbiter asked as he, Rocalee and the Spec Ops commander were near the Wraith Chief had just destroyed.
"How could you tell?" Chief said smiling.
"I am going to die." Cortana said frantically.
Arbiter turned when he felt a shot from a Spectre's turret.
"Uh oh." The Spec Ops commander said as he turned to face the a Spectre and there was a Wraith behind it.
"I call the Wraith." Rocalee whispered.
Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander both looked at him.
"You never change do you?" Arbiter asked Rocalee.
"Nope." Rocalee said as he started running towards the Wraith.
Rocalee pulled out one of his Plasma Rifles and shot at the Spectre as he ran for the Wraith
"Cover him." Arbiter said looking at Chief.
Chief nodded and drove the Ghost next to Rocalee the Spectre was shooting at him.
"Jump on!" Chief yelled as he came close enough to Rocalee.
Rocalee jumped on the back of the Ghost and shot his Plasma Rifle at the Wraith.
"Let's go." Arbiter said lashing out his Energy Sword.
One of the Brutes that was sitting in the passenger seat shot his Carbine at Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander. The Brute that was using the turret turned and shot at Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander.
"I'll take out the gunner and one of the passengers; you take out the driver and the other passenger." Arbiter said as he lunged his sword at the gunner.
"Die Arbiter!" The gunner yelled as he jumped off the Spectre.
Arbiter swung his at the Brute's chest, causing it to fall.
"I've seen Brutes do stupid things before, but jumping off a Spectre's turret is the stupidest thing I've ever seen." Arbiter said as he took a final swing to kill the Brute.
"Arbiter, a little help!" The Spec Ops commander yelled.
"I'll distract them; you run behind that Wraith over there and turn on your active camouflage." Arbiter said as he ran towards the passenger sitting on the left side of the Spectre.
"Right." The Spec Ops commander said as he ran behind the Wraith Chief had destroyed.
"Where'd he go?" Asked the Brute that was driving the Spectre.
Arbiter swung his sword at the passenger, killing him in one swing.
The Spec Ops commander jumped from behind the Wraith and ran towards the Spectre's driver.
"What's going on!" The driver yelled in panic.
The Spec Ops commander triggered a Plasma grenade and stuck it to the driver.
The grenade detonated; causing the Spectre to explode. The Spec Ops commander and Arbiter had made a safe distance away from the Spectre before it exploded.
"Well that was fun." The Spec Ops commander said revealing himself.
"It looks like Chief and Rocalee are having fun too." Arbiter as he looked over to the Wraith that was shooting at Chief's Ghost.
"I'm almost out of grenades." Rocalee said as he threw a Plasma grenade at the Wraith.
"Hang on; I'll get you as close to the Wraith as I can." Chief said as he turned the Ghost towards the Wraith.
"Perfect, I can make the jump from here." Rocalee said as he continued to shoot at the Wraith.
Rocalee jumped from the back of the Ghost onto the side of the Wraith, he climbed to the top and started punching the hatch at the top. Rocalee triggered his last grenade and lobbed it onto the driver's head.
"You'll pay!" The Brute that was driving the Wraith yelled.
"Yeah right!" Rocalee said as he jumped off the Wraith.
The Brute wanted to make a last stand before he died, he put the Wraith in turbo and drove towards Rocalee.
"Rocalee look out!" Cortana yelled.
Rocalee turned to see the Wraith heading towards him; it was too late for him to jump out of the way.
All I can do is jump and hope for the best.
Rocalee closed his eyes and jumped. The Wraith exploded as it hit Rocalee and sent him flying to the edge of the street.
"Rocalee." Arbiter whispered as he watched Rocalee get hit by the Wraith.
"We have to help!" Cortana yelled.
Chief nodded and drove the Ghost towards where Rocalee landed. Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander ran over to Chief and Rocalee.
Chief knelt beside him, he was unconscious.
"Is he?" The Spec Ops commander asked as he stood next to Rocalee.
"He's alive." Chief said standing up.
"We need to get him out of here, and fast." Cortana said.
Arbiter nodded, he looked at the group of Hunters, marines, Grunts and Elites, they were finishing off the rest of the vehicles.
"How much time do we have until the ground troops arrive?" Chief asked.
"None." Cortana said. "They're here."
Chief, Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander looked at the corner where the vehicles had come from.
"Grab Rocalee and fall back." Cortana said as Chief grabbed one of his SMGs.
Chief picked Rocalee up, looked at Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander and headed for the group.
"Go, we'll cover you." The Spec Ops commander said as he hopped in the Ghost Chief had been driving.
"Uh, oh." Cortana said.
"What?" Chief asked.
"Banshees inbound!" She yelled.
Chief looked up, there were two Banshees flying towards him, one of them used its Fuel Rod cannon. Chief sidestepped, the Banshees started shooting their Plasma turrets at him. Chief ran for cover behind a destroyed Wraith, one of the Banshees used it Fuel Rod cannon on Chief again, it hit him and sent him flying towards the Wraith. Chief it the side of the Wraith head first, he saw black.
The black faded and Chief saw Brute Shots and Carbines pointed at him and Rocalee.
"Oh great." Cortana said sardonically.
"Don't move Demon." A Brute said.
Chief reached for his other SMG, a Brute saw him and shot at his hand. The Brutes growled and prepared to fire.
There's no getting out of this.
"No, I want him alive." A Brute Sargent said walking up to Chief.
"But why?" A Brute asked.
The other Brutes started growling.
"Cortana." Chief whispered.
"What?" She asked.
"Call Arbiter, or someone." He whispered as he looked at Rocalee.
"Alright." Cortana said.
As the Brute Sargent turned back to look at Chief, a bunch of the Brutes fell; dead.
"What's going on?" The Sargent asked.
"Arbiter." Chief whispered as he smiled.
As the final Brute fell Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander revealed themselves.
"Thanks." Chief said as he stood.
Arbiter nodded.
"How long have I been out?" Chief asked.
"I'm guessing two minutes, maybe a little more." Arbiter said as he knelt next to Rocalee.
Chief looked at where the group of marines, Hunters, Grunts and Elites had been, they were gone.
"Where is everyone?" Chief asked looking down at Arbiter.
"We fell back into the building, once we noticed you weren't there, we came looking for you." The Spec Ops commander said looking at the building.
"And I see you killed all the Brutes while you were searching." Chief said looking at all the bodies.
Arbiter stood and looked down at Chief. "You were lucky to survive, from what I saw it look's like you hit the Wraith head first."
"I'll call in a Phantom to pick up Rocalee, and then we can continue taking out the Brute strongholds in the city." Cortana said "And I bet your arm isn't doing so well."
"No, but I'm fine." Chief said as he rubbed his left arm.
"You sure?" Cortana asked.
"Yeah." Chief said as he picked Rocalee up again.
"Arbiter, we're inbound on your position." An Elite pilot said over the radio.
"Alright." Arbiter answered.
A Phantom then came around the buildings and descended near the spot Chief, Arbiter and the Spec Ops commander were standing.
A bunch of blue armored Elites came down the gravity lift and walked over to the group.
"We'll take him from here." An Elite said as he walked over to Chief.
Chief nodded and put Rocalee in the arms of a few of the Elites.
"We'll take him straight to the medical bay." An Elite said as he looked at Arbiter.
Arbiter nodded. "Take care of him. When he wakes up he'll want to get back to the battle, don't let him right away."
The Elite nodded and stepped into the gravity lift. As the final Elite was onboard the Phantom, it speeded out of the city and towards Rocalee's carrier.
"We should get inside and regroup." Cortana said.
"Alright." Arbiter said as the group started walking towards the building.
As Chief was walking towards the building he spotted a sign, he walked towards it and picked it up, and it was scratched so he could only make out one word "The".
Chief put the sign back down and continued towards the building.
"Cortana."
"Hmm?"
"What city are we in again?"