I apologise about the long delay between updates. Busy with my new job. But here it is, Chapter 7.
*Authors Note - I do not own any of the How to Train Your Dragon characters or the Halo series. Shadow Squadron was created by me.
Also - 'This is Thinking' - "This is Talking"
Chapter 7 - Old Problems...New Enemies
A day ago, on the other side of Dagurs island...
Two Berserkers were standing at the top of a crater with a unusual looking object in the middle. Neither had any idea what it was so they decided to investigate further.
"Wha' do ya' think it is?" one said to the other.
"No idea, probably some kind o' space rock," the other said. At this point the object shifted and the top split open revealing several small creatures with tentacles. The creatures then lunged towards the Berserkers. A blood curdling scream could be heard halfway across the island.
Presently on Dagurs Island...
When Astrid woke up she had no idea what just happened. Until she remembered that the Berserkers had taken her from Berk. She jolted up and found that there was a chain connected to a collar around her neck. "Well, well. Look who's finally up. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up."
Astrid knew who that was right away, "Dagur," she said.
"In the flesh Astrid. Glad to see you're awake, otherwise I'd have nothing to barter with," Dagur continued.
"Hiccup will come and rescue me. And when he does I hope he-" Astrid started to say.
Dagur leaned in close to her and whispered, "That's what I'm counting on." He turned and left Astrid and Toothless where they were, and a shocked look still on her face.
'Hiccup' Astrid thought to herself.
Meanwhile on the UNSC Flagstaff...
"Alright kid, lets go get your friends back from...who was it you said took them?" Ghost asked Hiccup as they made their way to the hangar.
"Dagur the Deranged," Hiccup said, "leader of the Berserker tribe."
"I think I can guess how he got his name," Ghost muttered out loud. The door to the hangar opened and Ghost, Hiccup, 'Rolamme, and Yayap stepped through. The other Spartans were there and so was Hiccups friends. 'I guess it's time to introduce everyone to the newest Spartan,' Ghost thought to himself as the four of them walked over to the Pelicans. "Wait behind this until I call for you," Ghost told Hiccup.
Ghost, 'Rolamme, and Yayap walked over to the group and everyone had one question: Where's Hiccup? Ghost quieted them down and began to speak, "Everyone, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to you, the newest and temporary member of Shadow Squad". And with that Hiccup stepped out for everyone to see and his friends were shocked at this. Some more than others.
"So who is it?" Tuffnut asked. Ghost nodded to him and Hiccup took the helmet off.
"No way!" Fishlegs said.
"What's going on?" Ruffnut asked.
"I got no idea sis," her brother replied.
"Why him he's weak, scrawny, and he can't help out in a fight," Snotlout said.
"That's where you're wrong. I believe that though he may not be Viking material he has the potential to be a great Spartan someday, maybe even better than Sierra-One-One-Seven, The Master Chief." Ghost said. "But that isn't likely," he added under his breath.
"What was that last thing?" Hiccup asked.
"Nothing important," Ghost replied, "Now put this on your right ear." Ghost handed something to Hiccup that looked unfamiliar, but Hiccup trusted him and did so without asking about it. Ghost then put his right hand up to his ear, pressed down on something and said, "Testing, testing. Can you hear me?"
"Uh yeah, I can hear you," Hiccup replied.
"Who are you talking to?" Ruffnut asked.
"Him," Hiccup replied pointing to Ghost.
"Uh Hiccup. He didn't say anything," Fishlegs said to him.
"Uh, yeah he did, didn't you?" Hiccup wearily asked him.
"Yes I did, but I did so through the device I gave you. It allows for the members of Shadow Squad to communicate with each other and no one else can hear us. It also lets us communicate from a distance," Ghost said. "Now we've gotten that out of the way, we should go rescue your friends."
"Roger that commander and we're more than happy to get you there," a voice called out.
"Preacher is that you?" Ghost asked.
"Not just him Sir," another voice called out of the Pelican.
"Uh, what's going on here?" Hiccup asked.
"Hah, kid I'd like you to meet Preacher and Voodoo. We got two of the best Pelican pilots in the UNSC with us today. I think we're going to be just fine." Ghost then motioned over to the kids and said, "Mount up and get ready to move out. We leave right now."
10 minutes later - Near Dagurs Island
"Thank you for flying Pelican 2-1 Lines. I'll be your stewardess-team leader today. Also known as 'First in, Last out'. Today we'll be serving rounds of 7.62. Followed by our main course: All-You-Can-Eat Berserkers. We hope you like foreign food..." Ghost said to all on the Pelican making his way from the front to the back.
"Is he always like this?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah, he tries to get everyone pumped up before going through hell and back," Fives said, "Before Echo joined our team 6 months ago, Frost was our leader and Ghost was his second in Command."
"What happened to him?" Hiccup asked.
"We were attempting to rescue some POW's from deep behind enemy lines. We rescued them without firing a single shot, but that's when things turned bad," Fives said, "The hostages turned out to be nothing but live bait. Frost went to cut them loose and an explosive went off killing all the hostages and seriously wounding him. Then the Covenant attacked us from where we entered. We fought hard and got out of there as fast as we could, well...he," Fives said gesturing to Ghost, "moved as fast as he could while carrying Frost."
"Did Frost make it?"
Fives looked down and continued talking, "We radioed for an evac but..."
"He didn't make it," Ghost continued for Fives, "He bled out before the evac showed up. But before he died he grabbed my hand and named me the leader of Shadow Squad. He was a damn fine soldier and he believed that I had the potential for greatness, just like I believe that you do kid."
"Sir, we're approaching the island," Voodoo called out.
"Drop us off on that ridge," Ghost said in the cockpit.
"Roger that Sir," Preacher said.
Ghost made his way to the back of the Pelican again, just as the Pelican touched down on the ground. "Alright people, lets move out," Ghost said as he hopped off the ramp and onto the ground. He was quickly followed by the rest of Shadow Squad and Hiccup. The other teens and their dragons were just arriving.
"So what's the plan?" Fishlegs asked Ghost.
"Don't ask me, this is his operation," Ghost said motioning to Hiccup.
"Me?"
"Him?" Snotlout asked.
Ghost ignored Snotlout and said, "Yes you Hiccup. These are your friends and is a good test of your leadership skills."
"Uh, ok then," Hiccup said sounding nervous, "Well, we could distract them and spilt up their forces."
"Good idea, Igor!"
"Yes Sir," Igor said.
"Take these three," Ghost said motioning to Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Yayap, "and get ready to cause a distraction when we need it. Find the forge and destroy it. Engage combatants only"
"Copy that Commander. You heard him, follow me," and with that Igor, Yayap and the Twins headed to their forge.
"Fives, take this one and destroy their armory. We don't need any of them getting their weapons," Ghost said gesturing to Snotlout.
"Roger that sir," Fives said, "Hey kid, hold this." He tossed Snotlout a unknown object and said, "Oh, and keep it away from fire."
"Sandman, you, Echo, and the heavy one head up to that ridge and provide lookout. Keep it silent until we destroy their armory and forge. We don't need anymore attention than necessary."
Yes sir, come on you two," Sandman said.
"And the rest of us will mount this rescue. Keep it silent from here on out," Ghost said. He pulled out his Silenced DMR and jumped off the ridge and dropped down to the village, followed by Hiccup and his DMR, Jinx with her dual SMG's, and 'Rolamme with his Covenant Carbine. "Sandman do you have any movement?"
"Negative Sir, you're all clear."
The small group moved through the village, and as they moved they noted the lack of people in it. Though they passed it off because it was night. They moved closer and closer to the dragon arena in the village when Igor's voice came through the comms.
"Commander we're at their forge. Prepping the C4 now."
"Roger that Igor. Fives?"
"We're planting the Semtex now, but something's not right Commander."
"I know, tell the kids to keep their heads on a swivel. Echo, see if you can spot anyone on your Promethean Vision."
"Roger that sir," Echo said and after a minute she continued, "Sir there's 4 targets about 100 meters to your left."
"Nobody else in the entire village?"
"No Sir."
"Something's not right. Igor, Fives, regroup with the kids at the Dragon arena immediately. Echo, Sandman, stay where you are."
"What's going on?" Hiccup asked him.
"I don't know, but be ready for anything."
The four of them arrived at the Dragon arena and Ghost said, "Jinx, 'Rolamme, stay out here and wait for the others, the kid and I will rescue his friends." Ghost and Hiccup moved down the pathway to the main arena, when they got close to the main area Ghost stopped him and said, "I'll use my armor ability to sneak behind him while you distract him. I'll free your dragon and you get your girlfriend."
"What, s-she's not my..." Hiccup tried to say.
"I know, you haven't told her your feelings for her and believe me I know your situation. I never told the woman I loved that I loved her, I was going to but I was too late," Ghost told him, "She died and never knew how much she meant to me." Ghost then turned to Hiccup and said, "Don't make the same mistake I did. Anyway here, you might need this." As he handed Hiccup the Energy Sword he took from the Covenant ship.
They walked down further and when they could make out the shapes of three people and a dragon Ghost activated his Active Camoflauge and they put their plan into motion. Ghost unseen by everyone except Toothless made his way around Dagur and his underling. Hiccup then stepped out from the shadows and Dagur started to talk to him. "So what are you supposed to be?" Hiccup said nothing but instead raised his DMR, pointed it at Dagurs henchman and pulled the trigger. Dagur looked over his shoulder and saw his underling have a new hole in his head. He then took his sword out and held it to Astrid's throat and said, "Do that again, or take one more step and she dies." Hiccup then lowered his weapon to the ground. "Good, now take off your helmet and lets see who you are," Dagur said. Hiccup had no choice, he had to rescue Astrid so...he took off the helmet so Dagur could see. "Hiccup? What are you wearing?"
"New armor, trying it out. Now let Astrid go," Hiccup demanded.
"I don't think so Hiccup, you see, I've got the power here," Dagur said. Hiccup noticed a slight shimmer behind Dagur near Toothless and he knew that it was Ghost. Astrid was looking at Hiccup questioningly, probably wondering why he was in the armor in the first place.
"Dagur let her go or you'll end up like him," Hiccup said pointing to the dead body.
"And how do you intend to do that?" Dagur asked, "You have no back-up and your only allies are in chains." Hiccup noticed that Ghost had made his way to Toothless and had just broken the chain when he said that.
"You sure about that Dagur?" Hiccup said gesturing to Toothless. As Dagur looked back Toothless lunged at him and pinned him to the ground. Hiccup made his way to Astrid as Ghost materialized. "Astrid...are you...alright?"
Astrid then wrapped her arms around Hiccups neck and said, "Hiccup I, I thought that..."
"Hey I'm here now. Everything's going to be alright."
Ghost moved over to Dagur and Toothless, who still had him pinned to the ground and said, "Go see Hiccup. I got this." Toothless thought about this for a second and decided to go see his rider. Ghost then pulled out his Assault Rifle and pointed it at Dagurs head and said, "So where is everyone in the village? Preparing for an ambush?"
"What, they weren't patrolling the village?"
"No, there wasn't anybody here, other than the four that were in here."
"But that's impossible, there should be almost a thousand people here in the village."
"Then where..." Ghost started to say when he was interrupted by a loud and very familiar screech.
Hiccup and Astrid looked up at Ghost, who knew exactly what was coming, and Hiccup said, "What is it? These Brutes you told me about?"
Ghost had only one word to answer Hiccups question.
"Worse."
So it's not the Brutes or Covenant, so what could it possibly be. (insert maniacal laughter here)
I'll try to upload chapter 8 ASAP.
