Retribution
Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I do not own "Halo," "Transformers" or "Stargate-SG-1" or any of the characters. They belong to Microsoft, Bungie, 343 Studios, Hasbro, Takara and MGM.
Human colony Erebus
Robert Epps surveyed the terrain below him. All clear. Motioning to his companions, he made his way down slope. Exploring sites for a new settlement was hard work, and he was ready to stop for the day. The rest of his men caught up with him, and began making camp. Knowing they could start without him, Epps went on a bit further. The terrain opened up into a valley below, more mountains beyond. They would have to make the decision in the morning to turn back or keep going. A few sites were promising, but the Home Council would make the final choice.
He was fine with that. Erebus was outside UNSC-controlled space, away from the war, the chaos and the killing. The planet had its problems, but it was home. And his skills were needed. He was appreciated for who he was and what he could do, not his rank, what he drove, or any of the things that once mattered back in his old life. He had the chance to make a difference, and he was grateful for it. Epps missed his friends, but he missed the fighting even less. They were welcome to it.
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Water. . .if they could just make it down the damn cliff to the water, they would be in the clear. Could Brutes swim? Graham wondered as he ran, not sparing his companions a backward glance, trying not to trip over dead Elites as he went. He could hear the Brutes coming behind them, and stopped running when he heard something heavy hit the ground behind him. Graham turned around. Seven Brutes, including a Chieftan and several jackals, shields lighting up the night.
Then chaos as the Covenant attacked. Bristol was dead before he hit the ground; Sanchez lasted a few seconds more, getting off a few shots before one of the Brutes picked him up, ripping him in half. Graham was farthest down the slope, which bought him some time, but not much. He emptied a clip into the nearest jackal, bringing down its shield, drew his pistol with his other hand, fired three shots into its head, dropping it as it charged. Another jackal came his way, a Brute trailing behind. The jackal fired, and Graham screamed as a bolt from its pistol hit him in the leg. He stayed on his feet, trying to get away, firing back at the enemy. . .Then out of the water. . .a quick fight and the Covenant was dead, Brutes and all. Graham hit his knees before his savior, watched water rush from the red and grey form before him. A Cybertronian. Autobot.
"I hope you don't mind the help," it said.
