So I'm back sorry it took me so long I had a bad case of writers block add that with hating what I put down when it did clear up. So I had to write this chapter all over again. Still I just hope that you enjoy this even though it was a challenge for me to put together. This is also partly why this chapter is a bit on the skinny side with some details. I would of liked to put more in it but couldn't get it right. Still hope you enjoy this regardless.
It's a struggle some days, but I'm hoping that I can get through this and on to some more of the juicy stuff as my notes have been piling up again, here's an example: She found her in the same wheelchair as was her usual; parked in front of the window. She was now held a photo in her hands the picture of which she couldn't identify without getting closer. So you can see why I try my best to get through this without messing it up because it could ruin the experience. As well a taste Tim bit to hold you over till the next chapter as it could take a while if the block comes back.
Still I have to get there first and as always all rights to their owners I don't own anything
Location: On border the ONI Prowler: Wispper in the night
[Time: 16:18] [date: December 11 local date, 2552 UNCS stander year]
Buck wasn't happy nether was he angry, he was simply put annoyed. Annoyed over been pulled off for an unknown assignment, which was from ONI of all people. Didn't they have better people on their payroll to deal with whatever they needed done? So why did they need him the squad? Buck had been asking himself that question over and over again in his head.
Overall his squad; Alpha Nine was simply put unsure of their duties at the moment. As they didn't know anything more then Buck which was the reason why he was annoyed in the first place.
"So has that call to Dare turn up anything on our mysterious commander, or mission for that matter?" Inquired Mickey.
"She hasn't replied yet, still it's not like we need her for everything, is it?" Buck replied back to Mickey.
"Well thanks to being a ladies man that I am I've managed to, gather the name of who we will be working with." Romeo said smugly as he walked in the room.
"I won't ask how you got this information. It's probably for the best because I probably won't like the answer anyway. So, Romeo what do you got?" Buck asked him.
"Alright here's what I know. The guy where apparently worked with his name is Kibwa. Apparently he's been working his way up the ONI food chain for the last couple months." Romeo said as if that wasn't concerning it all.
"Don't sound like the best person to be with on a mission. But the choice is out of our hands on this on." Dutch said with his hands crossed.
"We'll make it work." Buck said reassuringly as if they could handle what this spook throw they way.
"Sure, because being on an ONI Prowler most likely filled to the brim with eavesdropping devices. Along with being owned by an organization that can meet you virtually disappeared from the face of the universe. So sure Gunny we can hand anything they throw at us." Romeo replied sarcastically.
"Well, Romeo what do you think that we should be do to make this work?" Buck asked this without even thinking.
He was asking for Romeo's opinion on something that he had no respect for and distrust with a passion. Buck into me realize his mistake but Romeo took that opening that Buck gave him before he could respond.
"Simple we use Ding, Dong, Ditch. That how we're going to make it work." Romeo replied calmly as if it was obvious.
"So we're going to use the strategy of a three year old? So Romeo pray tell how it is that you expect this to even have a chance of working." Said a very sceptical Buck.
"So here's how it's going to go down; first we have to get into a room with multiple door. Then next we convince the spook to split up as it will cover more ground, and finally we meet back at a prearranged point and carry on the mission with him." Romeo said it as if he was sure it was going to work without any problems whatsoever.
"That probably the stupidest thing that I've heard this year." Was the only thing Buck could say to insane plan as it relied too much on chance to be even practical.
"Even though I've known you for all those year, I still wonder how you come up with this plans." Dutch said half handle referencing the time they had to use dead bodies of two Elites as a shield against explosion.
"Hay, they work didn't they?" Romeo said in his defense.
"They worked because you got lucky." Dutch shot back.
But before Romeo could fire off a retort on how many other plans that he had came up with saved their ass. The door leading in the room opened.
Now standing in the doorway was a mam. He was dressed in black combat gear and was to put it simply a stereotype spook. He was about average hight if not a little over, his brown hair cleanly kept, and stern hazelnut eyes. He was of African descent, but what was most important that he was the mission commander for this operation.
"So I take it you're our mission commander?" Inquiry Buck.
"Yes Sergeant I am your mission commander. I came to inform you that I'm ready to begin your briefing. I expect you in the briefing room in the next five minutes." Then with that he turned around and when back in the door which he came.
"Well wasn't he a ray of sunshine." This came from Romeo to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen after he had left them.
"He strikes me as a cold fish of sorts." Dutch said giving his opinion of the man once ha had left and the door was fully closed.
"Agreed. Also I can tell it's going to be one of those missions already." Buck said as he eye two man in the room with him.
"Who wants the bullseye painted on their back first?" Romeo ask sarcastically.
"That stopped being funny over two years ago Romes." Dutch shot back at his partner.
"It still make for a good story." Romeo said defensively.
"Do I even want to know what is it you're talking about?" Buck asked Dutch.
"Probably best you don't." Was Dutch simple reply.
"Mickey you've been awfully quiet throw this, so what is the matter?" Buck asked fully knowing that something was the matter or is Mickey would've of at least said one thing during this whole exchange.
"I'm just thinking that all." Mickey said obviously trying to brush Buck off, but Buck wouldn't have any of it.
"Mickey let's take a walk." Buck said put his hand on his shoulder leading him along, as Dutch and Romeo were now busy trying to figure out what jokes he could even us.
The two of them were now walking down on of the small ships hallways.
"Mickey I know that somethings bugging you. You don't have to tell me what it is more rather is it within the team." Buck now ask him once he felt the moment was right.
"Buck I'm, I'm in over my head." Mickey admitted to him.
"How so?" Buck asked the obvious question
"Well, I sort, of volunteered for something in hindsight I should've thought it through before agreeing to." Mickey said nervously in a tone that Buck know, it was usually accompanied by bad news.
"What in hell did you agree to." Buck asked rubbing his temples.
"Well I, kinda, agreed for us too, field test some equipment, without asking you." Mickey said nervously not sure how Buck would react to this news.
Buck was on the line between laughing over how insignificant this was and going ballistic that he hasn't even talk to them before hand. In the end Buck laughed it off as he found it funnier about how small a thing it was.
"HA, HA, HA. That's all? Jesus, Mickey I thought you were actually spying on us for them." Buck said through his laughter.
"So you're not made?" Mickey asked confused over Bucks laughter.
"Don't get me wrong Mickey, I'm absolutely furious at you. But like I said I thought you're supposed be spying on us for some spook." Buck then gave him a grin. "I'm just glad you have that much common sense in you kid to at least hopefully not to do something like that. Only if Romeo had that much, we be fine."
"If I had so much common sense to do what exactly?" Came the unmistakable voice of Romeo.
"Oh with you and your choice of women, Romeo's." Buck said covering for Mickey.
"Ah, girlfriend troubles? Well good on you, I wasn't sure you even had one." Romeo said sounding surprised for once.
"Well we're kinda not officially that. With our line of work it's better of that we don't get overly attached to one another so if, you know what I'm talking about." Mickey admitted.
"So you've slept with her?" To this Mickey lowered his head, even so you could still see his checks redden after Romeo asked the question.
"Ha," Romeo slapped him on the shoulder, "you, dog you."
"Before we keep going. Buck we came to tell you that were supposed to be in the briefing room in next five minutes." Dutch said finally finished the job he had been given
"We can walk and talk, so Romeo what was your theory about women again?" Buck asked him, to this Romeo gave him a sour look.
"Well my theory is, you should go for quantity over quality. This because you're more likely to meet the woman of your dreams. Albeit, I will admit that this path has a lot of broken hearts and has a high chance of making you some power enemies. But you only live once." Romeo said as they finally reached the door they were supposed to go through.
"So that's why I found you in the gutter." Dutch said this as if a mystery had finally been solved.
"I thought you said you wouldn't speck of it again." Romeo shot back at Dutch sounding very annoyed over having somethings personal brought up again.
Buck then to a look at the time and realize how little time they had left.
"We've wasted enough time. Come on we're supposed to be professionals." Buck said as he started walking to the door panel.
"Only in public, behind closed doors it's party on boys. Chicks, tits, and my own personal fix." Romeo said as everyone know what he was talking about.
"You're horrible, you know that?" This came from Dutch.
"Oh, I thought I was keeping it PG 13, for the kiddys." Romeo joked.
"Alright ladies, that Spooks not going to be impressed if we keep him waiting any longer. So get your game faces on." Buck said as he opened the door leading to the briefing room.
"Sorry for the delay. I was having a word with my boys." Buck said covering for them.
"It's fine Captain, just sit down will begin the briefing." Said Kibwa showing no signs of emotion over the delay.
"Yes sir." Buck complied, hoping to not raise the ire of Kibwa anymore than he already had.
"Gentleman I know that we called you out here on short notice. But we need the best unit we could get on short notice, for better or worse, that be you lot." Kibwa said.
"May I be so bold as to ask what it it we're going to be doing." Buck asked really wanting to know what he had been dragged out here for.
"You may be so bold, but I have to give you some background. As of right now the remaining UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios forces are about to or are engaging the Prophet of truth fleet about a Forerunner installation simply called: The Ark." Kibwa gave it a moment to sink in.
"You mean that place, were apparently the Covenant can fire off a super weapon that can wipe all of creation off the face of the Galaxy?" Dutch said sounding concern for once.
"I won't inquiry as to how you gather that information Ms. Miles. But yes that's our work environment." Kibwa said as if this unnecessary discussion annoyed him.
"So let me guess, we're in charge of making sure that doesn't happen. So what dangerous and unknown device will we be breaking today?" Romeo said this as if he was sure that they were going to be playing the heroes in this battle
"If only it were so simple. No if that were the case we've would of put a Spartan team on it, not grunts like you." Kibwa said this coldly as if he had taken offense to Romeo's assertions in his role.
Buck quickly restrain Romeo from doing anything else rash. As it was already clear that Kibwa wasn't in the mood for taking any sort of shit from this grunts as he had called them.
"So let get to the point. What are we going to be doing?" Asked Buck.
"Most of that is classified, but I'll give you the rundown of what you're allowed to know. Thanks to an anonymous source we are in possession of some very vital information." Kibwa then paused momentarily after he said it.
This was most do to that fact he was likely waiting for questions to arise. You didn't have to wait long as Dutch decide to inquire further on this.
"How trustworthy is the source?" Dutch asked concerned over possibly being led into a trap by bad Intel.
"We've used it before and they have a good track record." Kibwa stated.
"So, if you don't mind me asking how are we getting into this place because I'm guessing that landing this bird is out of the question." Mickey asked change the root of the conversation.
"Our insertion method will be by SOIEV pods drop from this ship. Since you're going to need to know this anyway. Our job is to attempted to seize what we believe to be the Arks defense hub. This doesn't need saying, but if the Covenant gain control that center it's believed that they can use this facilities defense mechanisms against us." Kibwa said in his most serious tone.
"Then I guess that we make sure that they don't even make into the building." Said a cocky Romeo who was sure that this was going to be a wild goose chase.
"We drop in five. Get you gear on and meet in the bay for further instruction." Kibwa said as he then walked out.
"Hey, Rookie didn't know that you were here." Buck said surprised over finding his missing squad mate in this place.
The Rookie shrugged in response to Buck.
"Let me guess, ONI needed you for something." Buck asked.
He nodded yes to this. This made Buck frown as to why ONI needed one of his squad a head of time.
"This is why I hate ONI sometimes. They tell you nothing and expect you to be okay with that." Buck said as he approached the door when would lead to the SOIEV.
"Unfortunately my man, that's what you signed up for with your ONI girlfriend." Romeo said casually.
"Well at least I have a stable girlfriend." Buck then smile at the look the spread across Romeo's face.
That look was worth the crap that he was about to get from Romeo. A response that was held up as they got on that 'gear' that Kibwa talked about. It was a jet black chestplate that was separated into four different parts, which also had it own bells and whistles to boot.
"A girlfriend who can easily make you her bitch." Romeo shot back as they finished getting the gear on and entered the room they were supposed to be in and already saw that Kibwa was already in his SOIEV pod.
"Why was I fully expecting to hear that come out of your mouth." Dutch said with a knowing smile.
That comment earned him a playful shove from Romeo as he got into his drop pod.
"Well maybe it's because you spend time with my ass to know what will come out of it." Romeo replied all ruff affection.
"Get a room you two." Buck tease them as walked into his pod.
"Ha, that be the day. That the day Romeo gets to fuck your girlfriend." Dutch said jokingly.
"Over my dead body." Buck retorted.
"That's the general idea." Dutch replyed.
"I can't seriously believe that we're having this conversation right now." Buck said shaking his head.
"That's why you keep us around, we keep your life interesting." Romeo replyed.
"Sure that's why I put up with your ass." Buck said as he and the others were suddenly dropped right into the middle of the battle.
In mere moments they were in the thick of it all. Flying down and around enemy and allied ships alike.
"Would you look at that." Dutch said in awe as they passed by a supercarrier.
As they did it fired off a plasma round at an enemy ship which saved a UNSC frigate from another, crippling it target. It then left it for the frigate to finish off on it own as it when after a new target.
"I will admit I do enjoy this view. Is that? No way!" Mickey said in awe before Buck decided to refocus them on the task at hand.
"Cut the chatter, we can admire the amazing views after we won this." Buck said to them as he knew what Mickey was talking about.
Mickey was talking about the view of the Milky Way Galaxy in the blacken sky. He thought that he wouldn't never see a sight like this in his life. Still it wouldn't matter if he was dead and that's what they would be if they didn't run this gauntlet that was in front of them.
"Mickey be advised. There's a hostile banshee coming in at 9 o'clock high coming on to your fight path." Came the ever so cool voice of Kibwa.
"Banshee spotted. I'm moving to avoid it flight path." Called Mickey, as he adjusted his pods flight path so it would over shot him and miss.
"Did we give out a invitation for them to come party with us?" Romeo ask sarcastically as he moved to avoid another incoming banshee fighter.
"We seem to be attracting a lot of attention." Stated Dutch.
"Why? Isn't there enough friends for them to play with?" Mickey chipped in.
As they were talking they past by and UNSC cruiser that just lost half of its side to a plasma torpedo. As pieces of metal flew by their windows as they when by.
"It's looking like we're getting our ass kicked up here." Was Romeo's only comment.
"I won't matter of we don't make it down there so stay focus and try not to get yourself killed." Kibwa said as he put his pod in a hard rright to avoid another incoming banshee fighter.
That was followed by long silence that was only punctuated by the call outs of their comrades informing them into incoming enemies so they can move to avoid them. It lasted till they finally hit the outermost atmosphere of this Forerunner installation. At this point they knew that they had made it past the space battle that was currently raging about them. Now free of that danger a new one came to meet them in the form of Covenants AA and the AAA battery they opened up from the surface of the installation once they were in range.
"Lovely, I was hoping to collecting a couple new dents on this drop." Said Romeo sarcastically.
"Almost think that they don't want us here." This was followed by a laugh from the squad after Buck said that.
After that it was silent as they simply continued down to the installation.
Location: Surface of the Ark near what is believed to be its main weapon control room
[Time: 16:37] [date: December 11 local date, 2552 UNCS stander year]
The SOIEV pods had just made past the the antiaircraft artillery and had just landed on the surface of the Ark second ago. Drown to the disturbance, a small Covenant patrol come to investigate what the disturbance was. As they we examining the pods they didn't notice one of them popped open. Fully out of his pod the Rookie was now staring face-to-face with the spindly, bird like jackal.
The Rookie was the first recover from the initial shock, he quickly and efficiently punched the jackal, stunning it for long enough to bring out his knife. Moving his hand around the shield the jackal brought up to defend itself; which the Rookie got around it with some fancy footwork and stabbed the jackal right in the face with his knife he had brought out in those few seconds. The scream of the dying jackal alerted the rest of it patrol to the potential danger, but was already too late as the rest of Alpha nine was already making their way out of their pods.
Buck let loose with his Assault rifle, shredding any unfortunate enemies that got in his way. Just as the rest of Alpha Nine popped their pods doors and joined in the effort to clear their landing zone.
Once the last of them had been dispatched they gathered together to figure out their next move.
"So where's the spook?" Asked Romeo who hadn't seen were he had set down.
"It's Kibwa." Corrected Mickey.
"Whatever." Romeo said not caring for his name just where he was.
"Well he better show up soon." Romeo said as a voice spoke up behind him.
"I'm very much alive, Romeo. Sergeant ready the man we're move out now!" Kibwa said as he started moving toward the large out cropping.
"You heard him, get to it." Buck said said unenthusiastic about Kibwas seemingly takeover of his squad.
There was some unhappy grumbling about how casually Kibwa uses authority over Buck. And trust me Buck wasn't happy either with the idea of a ONI spook running his squad. Still what could they do about it?
"I'm really starting to hate that fuck." Was Romeo's comment as he fell in and started running after everyone else.
"Let hand out the job list. Dutch your with me. Mickey, Rookie your job is to keep Kibwa alive. Romeo you're on point." Buck order as they ran.
"Plasma bait again?" Romeo asked Buck.
"Yes smart ass. That because you do such a great job at it." Buck teased him a little.
"Now let's get this over with, ugh." Romeo said resigned to his fate as he made his way up front.
The group managed to travel at a good pace given the terrain they traveled over. Most of that time was spent dogging the odd Covenant patrol they came across; some they were able to avoid entirely others they had no choice but to engage them. For the most part they travel in silence only talking about thing directly relate to the mission. This when on till eventually Dutch grew tired of the silence and only mission related conversations so he decided to open a new line of conversation.
Romeo how's that lung holding up?" Inquired Dutch as they were running.
"It's fine would of been better if I hadn't lost it in the first place." Romeo replyed.
"You're still on that man? Come on what's going to take?" Asked Mickey
"Humf, I don't know, oh wait if you guys did somethings other then let that Brute wale on me!" Romeo said clear still angry over his squad inactive with stopping the Brute in New Mombasa that took one of his lungs.
"I thought we all agree that it was the heat of the moment thing and left it at that." Dutch said trying to prevent what he knew was likely coming.
"We did, but I decided to go against that ruling." Romeo information them which drew a tired groan from all of them.
"We've been over this, we've would of done everything in our power to prevent this. But shit happens, you know that." Buck repeat what he had said to him for what felt like the hundredth time.
"That doesn't get me off the transplant list for a new lung." Romeo simple stated that fact.
"Why are we even having this conversation again?" Inquiry Mickey.
"Shut your traps we've got company." Buck said breaking up the conversation
"So what we've got?" Asked Dutch as he to position behind cover.
"We have three apes in the back, along with the mass of the little bastards and bird food all around them." Said Buck Cooley as he gestured Romeo to get into position, his sniper rifle locked and loaded.
"I've got a shot on the head bastard. Wait...Buck are you seeing this?" Asked Romeo as he directed Bucks attention to what he had seen.
Buck saw what had got Romeo's attention. It was a squad of half jaws making their way around this group obviously trying to get into positions to stage an ambush.
"Ah, nice catch Romeo." Buck said actually impressed for once.
"So Gunny do I have permission to smoke the lot of them?" Romeo asked as he was clearly concentrating on what target to remove from play.
"That isn't my call to make. Kibwa?" Buck asked, to that he got a nod of approval.
Dutch was unnerved by Kibwas lack of foresight of what would happen if they were discovered and what that may do to the UNSC, Swords of Sanghelios relations. Still he wasn't in any position to argue the point of whether or not they should be attacking their allies. So he just stood there as the team ready up for the coming battle.
"You okay?" Inquired Buck.
"I'll live." Dutch said simply hiding what he really felt.
"Alright, Dutch if you need to talk about it. We can do it later." Buck said as he lowered himself down and crawled over to Romeo side. "Romeo start with the one in charge." Wispped Buck as he pointed out his target.
Meer moments after saying that Romeo's finger started to squeeze down on the trigger till he was stopped by the Rookie, who ripped the gun out of his hands.
"What the hell kid?" Romeo yelled at the Rookie as he prepared to slap him for messing with him.
He said nothing and simply pointed in a direction away from him; Romeo and the others followed where his finger was pointing to and saw the lone jackel sniper getting ready to support what ever side he was on.
"Oh, good eye Rookie. Now please be a dear and requisition his sniper rifle for me would you?" Romeo asked in a voice that the Rookie wanted to punch out.
The Rookie put down that feeling as it wasn't going to serve any purpose besides alerting the currently unaware sniper to their presence. It only took him seconds to close the distance between him and his target, the Rookie knew that he couldn't fire his weapon without giving the presents away, so he was forced to used the old but even reliable combat knife.
He was now only a couple of feet from him, at this point the jackel finally sense something was wrong and moved it head to observe its surroundings. Unfortunately for the Rookie the jackel spotted him, he had to act fast or this was all for not. He quickly closed the distance between him and his target. Dispite that the jackal managed to fire off a hip shot at him.
The shot found it mark in his left shoulder guard, the high-energy round instantly melt then shattering the titanium plate the moment it made contact. The pain was nearly unbearable but it mean that he was alive and the Rookie was going to make the most of the jackels mistake as he now descended upon him. The Rookie came in a full-scale tackle, knocking the Covenant sniper off his feet.
At this point the both of them were locked in close combat with the both of them now fighting with their respective combat knives, the Rookie with his UNSC standardize knife and the Kig-Yar using a wicked look blade that looked like a cross between a Elite Curveblade and a brute combat knife.
The Kig-Yar drew first blood with a light gash to the Rookies unprotected lift side where his armor once was. The Rookie responded to this with a slash to the jackels arm, seemly taken aback by the enemies quickly recovered from the injuries that were inflicted earlier. And that was the reason why he lost his fight. As the Rookie brought his blade down on the jackels wrist with the blade in it grasp and then quickly and brutally smashed the knife straight through its skull breaking the bone that was in it was.
With that the jackel when limp and was dead. The Rookie quickly stashed the body when to where it beam rifle had fallen to the ground. Once it was in his hands the Rookie also picked up the knife the jackl had dropped in case anyone wanted it. Then he marched right over to Romeo and slapped the beam rifle in his hand, resisting the urge to clubbing with it.
"Why thank you for getting this for me just to bad you couldn't of gotten it gift wrapped." Romeo said sarcastically as the Rookie barely herald down the urge to knock him out.
"Romeo if you're done, get your ass over here as the window for doing this is closing rather to fast for my liking." Called Buck.
"Coming mother, and yes the Rookies fine thanks for asking." Romeo replied sarcastically as he made with his way over to the spot.
The scene below them had degenerated into simply a fucking mess of plasma fire, bodies and brutal hand to hand combat.
"Jess, this fuckers sure what to kill one another." Mickey comment about the carnage unfolding in front of him.
"Alright Corporal, take them down." Kibwa said coldly.
The moment the words had left Kibwas mouth was when Romeo open fire with the beam rifle. He chose to take out some of the Elites first as they were the ones with the upper hand in this fight.
He chose to take out the command structure first. Romeo quickly lined up a shot on the one who looked in charge of the this group. Then he fired!
Shot found its mark on the Elites head; with a flash of it overloaded shields the commander dropped dead to the ground not even knowing what had hit him. Romeo wasn't even do the next shot took an Ultra then a Captain and by the time he had emptied his last shot, the situation of the battlefield below them had changed.
With it strong leadership the Swords advantage over the Brutes nullified; the struggling group seize this opportunity that was open to them while the rest of the Elites forces were still reeling over the loss of commanders.
"I must say I was even impressed by that shooting, Corporal." Kibwa said not using his name or full rank to annoy Romeo.
"You haven't seen anything yet. Alright lets get ourselves relocated and set up for the second stage." Romeo said almost sounding all business for once.
"Wait." Said Mickey, Romeo turned to face him.
"What?" Romeo asked the obvious question.
"You aren't planning to carry around the spent weapon, are you? If not then thump it, dump it before we set up again." Mickey reminds them for proper procedures, as the Covenant always bugged their weapons.
"Great idea kid. Rookie be a good lad and get rid of this for me." Romeo asked in his usual way of when he didn't want to do the work himself.
That earn Romeo a deep glare for the Rookie who was really trying to resist the urge to pummel him with the weapon he had just thrown to him. But like before he kept it down and just walked off to do the crap Romeo had thrusted on him.
"Romeo, can't you not be a pain in the ass?" Asked Mickey.
"Ha, that a good one. Now seriously what are you gonna ask me kid?" Romeo said, not taking this conversation very seriously.
"Romeo watch it!" Buck said dragging him out of the way of a stray plasma round.
"Thanks, for saving my sorry hide." Romeo said sheepishly over his inattention to his surroundings.
"Well now you can watch the fruits of your labor." Kibwa said as they once again watch the battle fall into chaos.
After the helping that Romeo did it didn't take long till there were only two combatants left. One was a Grunt and another was an Elite.
"Place your bets, gentleman who will come out on top?" Romeo said it's best impersonation of a game show man's voice.
No one there took him up on his offer.
"Jesus tough crowd." Was Romeo's only comment to the silence which he received.
Just then the Elite let out a battle cry which of course scared the ever living shit out of the grunt. In response the grunt attempted to fend off the Elite with it plasma pistol. Which shockingly had little effect on the Elites energy shields.
"That fucker is so screwed, it not even funny." Commented Mickey as they kept watching this Elite toy with his victim.
The grunt tried on last ditch effort to eliminate kill its enemy before he killed him. It simply went kamikaze in it last ditch effort to take his enemy with him once it realize that he didn't stand a chance.
The Elite simple side stepped him as the grunt charged him. Only just now the grunt realize that he had missed his target and was about to run off a cliff. Dropped both plasma grenades on the ground he try desperately to do a 180 turn. Unsurprisingly giving a grunts average luck he fell over the cliff only to barely grab onto the ledge before he fell all the way.
As the grunt struggle to pull it self out of predicament and had gotten himself into. As he continued to try to pull itself up, the Elite came in now towered over the unfortunate grunt and simple got to the point and kicked him off the cliff.
Then with that the Elite smiled a half jaw smile that an Elite could only do, he turned and started walking away. Just as he did, he unexpectedly tripped and somehow fell on the lite plasma grenade. Just realized what had happened the Elite began to let out a death roar which was cut off by the explosion of the plasma grenade.
"That seemed to be a little anticlimactic." Commented Mickey on what he had just seen.
It was like all that work was done for nothing if crap like this was going to happen anyway.
"No argument here." Dutch agreed with him on that much.
"This conversation serves no purpose. Let us vacate the premises before they send anybody to investigate." Kibwa said robotically as he left them.
"That's probably the most intelligent thing he said all day." Romeo said mockingly as he followed.
"Did anyone else notice that Mr. Kibwa turned into Mr. robot for a few seconds." Mickey said concern over Kibwas change in attitude for second.
"Unfortunately I did. Got a feeling he's hiding something but I can't tell what." Dutch said as they started walking.
"Same here. Still there's nothing we can do about that, just keep an eye on him. We don't know what it is yet and for all we know this mission could be importent than we realize." Buck said fully knowing this could be as important as the mission to New Mombasa.
"If it doesn't kill us all." Dutch said under his breath as he made his way toward the large Forerunner facility in the distance.
Location: Ark inside a Forerunner facility believe to be housing the main control room for the installations main weapon systems.
[Time: 16:58] [date: December 11 local date, 2552 UNCS stander year]
"Looks like some sort of battle happen here." Buck said has he knelt down to examine the barely recognizable piece of the body.
"We've haven't got any reports of their force make it this far. Our find here is disturbing to say the least." Kibwa said this with the noted discomfort.
"What can tear them up like this?" Asked Mickey as he now looked over the mangled body that was barely recognizable as a Brute.
"With all my years in the field don't know, what could've done this, still we've gotta go in there. Still everyone keep an eye out for anything out of the usual." Buck said warily checking his corners.
Still this didn't stalled their progress long before they went inside the facility. Once they came through the first door they found themselves inside a large open room.
"Any idea were we're going?" Asked Mickey.
"Hange on a moment...this way." Kibwa said as he took out a make from his pocket.
"He never told us that he had a map." Romeo grumbled.
"Just one of the many perks of working with spooks. They never tell you anything unless it's need to know and if the situation is dire." Dutch commented quietly enough so that Kibwa didn't overhear them.
"This way." Kibwa said as he point in the direction of the way the map told him.
Everyone their turned to look at Buck looking for, reassurance? He didn't know.
"Well, you heard the man." Was Bucks only comment.
There was some discontent among the group but not enough to fully stop their progress. Still didn't get that part of the rent at their next obstacle.
"This door should be opening." Kibwa stated this as if it was a fact and was unhappy to find out other wise.
As everyone there were now trying to figure out why it was, that the door wasn't opening as this happening the Rookie caught something out of the corner of his eye. He looked over and saw it to be a floating robot, which were called Sentinels.
The Rookie was about to point this out to the others were it started moving, and fast! Without a second thought the Rookie chase the lone Sentinel as it lead him through a couple of different hallways and doors, till evenly it vanished without a trace.
'Great were do I go now?' The Rookie asked him as his attention was then caught by a stranger sound.
So he natural when to investigate what the sources of the sound was; once he got there he wasn't even sure what he was looking at. In front of him was some sort of organic compound covering the hallway but most importantly he saw the out line of a door.
"The hell?" He wispped to himself as he investigated further and quick realized this was what was blocking the door from opening on the other side. This was indeed the same door that he was out a few minutes earlier, he could even hear the voice of the squad mates trying to figure out how to open it.
'Well they say there's no time like the present.' Thought the Rookie as he brought out his two knifes and got to work
It took him over ten minutes, but once had had cut enough of the organic compound away, the door finally opened.
"Ah ha! I got it!" Romeo said triumphantly.
"Um, Romeo, you ah, better look again." Mickey said not sure who Romeo would react to what was now standing in the doorway.
"The hell?! Rookie how did you get there?!" Romeo said it was really hard to tell if he was angry or confused by this development.
The Rookie just shrugged to Romeo's question about how he had gotten there.
"Jess, Rookie you're a hard man to keep track of." Buck said before a very loud audio scream got their attention.
It was the sound of something being used to force somethings open as there was the telltale sign of groaning metal and electronic mechanisms fighting to keep that door whatever it was closed.
"What, the hell, was that?" Asked Mickey as the sound became louder.
"Well we're not going to find out by here. Also nice job Rookie." Buck said as he patted him on his shouldered as he started walking towards the sound.
They had found the source of the sound they had heard earlier, along with it whole bunch of enemies.
"So how are we going to do this?" Asked Romeo as he and Kibwa spied on the extra large pack of Brutes with two Chieftains and honor guards intermixed between them.
"Quite, I'm trying to listen." Wispped Kibwa as one of the Brutes spoke.
"Why is it that we using the weapons of heretics?" Asked a Brute Major who was carrying a M90 shotgun.
"Because the hierarch's commanded it! Ask me that again, and I shall rip your jaw from your head!" Yelled a very obviously frustrated Brute Chieftain.
It wasn't the only looted UNSC gear that this Brutes had in their position. The other equipment included, MA5C assault rifles, Rocket launchers, Spartan lasers, and a M7057 Flamethrower.
"Thieving basters." Was Romeo's only comment when he saw this.
"Alright, then let's give them what they've got coming to them. Rookie, you and Dutch flank them, Romeo you and Kibwa will coordinate with the others to set up a Killzone. Just wait till I'm in position and drawn their attention. Then wait for them to enter the kill box and smoke them. We've only got minutes to work with. Lets get it done!" Buck say as he started making his way round.
"You heard him Rookie. And try not to go lone wolf on me, will yay?" Dutch said as the Rookie gave him a frustrated response.
Oh, how so badly the Rookie wish to be off do his own thing. Still it didn't matter at the moment as he needed to focus on making sure that he and Dutch didn't fuck this up.
It only took a couple of minutes, but once Buck saw that everyone was where they were supposed to be he first phase of his plan into action, and opened up with his assault rifle on the gathering of Brutes.
"HUMANS, HERE!?" Came the startled Captain alerted to Buck presents once he fired off his weapon.
"WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING FOR KILL THE FILTH!" Roared the Chieftain as he then let out a war cry and charged Bucks position.
"Easy, easy wait for them to enter the kill box." Kibwa said calmly as he brought his weapon to bear.
"You act like I've never done this before, and it's annoying." Romeo growled as he did the same.
[Light it up!] Came Dutchs voice over their own personal Coms.
Almost as a reflex to Dutch cry, both Romeo and Kibwa fired their weapons blindly for a few seconds as they both turned their heads back to where they were supposed to be.
"IT A TRAP!" Cried out of the Brutes as he figured out what was happening, but by then it was already too late.
A majority of them were quick cut down by the unrelenting fire from Alpha Nines weapons. Those who some how managed to escape them mess they had fallen into didn't last long, as they still received a great amount of the fire from earlier and were quick assault by grenades that were thrown at them.
"This is the punishment for using the heretics." Cried out one of the Brutes as he was quick cut down along side his brothers.
The engagement didn't last long and in the span of three minutes, Alpha Nine had cleared this area.
"Is this a new record for us?" Asked Mickey as he came over.
"Unfortunately her fastest was two minutes." Replyed Romeo checking to make sure they were all dead.
"Come on the elevator to the control room is this way." Kibwa said not caring about anything they said.
"And just like that were back on our ONI timetable." Dutch shock his head in annoyance and carried on.
This was getting annoying now, with Kibwa at the helm, also everyone their was wondering why Buck was being so passive with Kibwa effectively taking over his squad. And it finally got to the point where Dutch actually pulled him over to the side to talk to him.
"Buck, I'm gonna say this as gently as I can. What the hell is wrong with you?" He snapped.
"I know what you're talking about Dutch. Veronica asked me to be on my best behavior as she recommended us, and there's something else that I can't tell you." Buck said this as if he had betrayed somebody.
"Buck I know that..." But before Dutch could get full into what he was about to say his was interrupted by the calls of this teammates looking for them.
"Get back up there. And Dutch after this will talk." Buck said patting him on the shoulder and then walking off to rejoin the others.
"Lord, please watch over us and especially Buck as I fear that something tragic will happen to them." Dutch said to himself as he ran to catch up with the others.
Once they had caught up with the others they were already waiting for them on the lift that would take them to the control room.
"Go on I've got the controls. All of you on the lift." Kibwa said once he saw Buck and Dutch.
But just as Buck was about to get on the lift the platform literally fell out from under his feet. He could only watch in horror as Alpha Nine, his team fell into the gaping abyss that swallowed them.
"Dammit I missed time that." Kibwa said this as Buck did quick 180 and instantly had his pistol pointed at Kibwa head.
"Sorry Sergeant, but I'm not about to let that happen." Kibwa said as he tapped something on his wrist.
Instantly Buck found himself unable to move. No matter how hard he fought it his body wouldn't respond to him.
"I'm sorry but I'm on a very tight timetable. But don't worry about Veronica, I'll make sure to, take care of her." Kibwa said as he then pushed Buck to the edge of the abyss were the elevator once was.
Then without any second thoughts Kibwa pushed him down the shaft.
'Veronica I'm so sorry. And if I get the chance I'm going to make Kibwa pay for what's he done. To me and my squad. I was a fool for not listen to what they were telling me. Now I may never get that answer.' Buck though as he waited for the now inevitable, 'THUD!' of him hitting the floor at the bottom of the shaft.
Location: On border the ONI Prowler: Wispper in the night
[Time: 17:14] [date: December 11 local date, 2552 UNCS stander year]
The Wispper in the night was currently using her state-of-the-art sensor suite along with every other ability she had available to assist in the battle that was unfolding in front of her.
The two pilots inside her cockpit were completely focused on the task of assisting their friendly fleets while keeping the ship undetected. This concentration on their current task was broken when a Com message came in. One of them quickly clicked on the Com panel and through it came a voice.
[This is Agent Sidewinder I've completed my objective, I'll be returning to the Prowler once I've confirm that my devices have to be worked.] Came the unmistakable voice of the ONI agent from the Prowlers Com board.
"This the Wispper. We've confirm that mission is nearly complete and we'll be on staton and be awaiting your signal for pick up." Said the copilot before cutting the link.
"So he really did it didn't he." The main pilot said this more to himself then his other as he leaned back in his comfortable chair.
"Isn't ONI going to be pissed that Sidewinder killed one of their best UNSC based teams?" His copilot asked him
"Oh don't worry about that, there's an angle for every outcome to the situation." His buddy responded back to him.
"Like?" His copilot left it open of his buddy to answer him.
"Like if he comes back alive and this plan of his works, then ONI has a shiny new bio-weapon." Then her shrugged his shoulders. "Or if Alpha nine is still alive and kicking which they probably are, they'll do ONI dirty work and get rid of one of their more troublesome agent for them." He finished as he got up to get a thing of water from his bag in the back of the cockpit.
"Oh, I get it ONI politics." He said as it clicked for him.
"That right kid-" He shot him a smile, "ONI's world of underhanded politics since 2178." He finished this last part with a laugh the took a sip of his water then sat back down.
He was trying to comfort his copilot as he was new to the business of flying for the Office of Naval Intelligence.
"I just hope that's Alpha nine that we're waiting for now and not scum bag..." The copilot said this last bit to himself as he got back to the forces on flying this Prowler and assisting the over head friendly fleets in their battle.
End of chapter
UNSC AI call sign Ghosts report number 5: subjects the M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose grenade.
The M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose grenade is a mainstay grenade of choice that you will find in most if not all UNSC armories and most other associated human military branches.
The M9 more simply called the frag grenade is the standard-issue hand grenade of the UNSC armored forces. This model of grenade. This grenade are primed with a small button located on it 'handle'. But unlike most fragmentation grenades which we're are most likely to encounter use the older pin that must be pulled before priming it. But unlike it older predecessors this version has an automatic safety feature built into it so that you can disarm it in the event of an accidental activation of the device.
Once it is primed you only have 4 seconds to throw it before it goes off in your hands. It has an effective maximum range of over 39 feet and can kill an un-armor person in 16 foot area. It killing power comes from the deadly shrapnel produces when it detonates. But you have to be in a certain range to feel the full effects of the destination. For an IS you have to get it within 2-8'feet for it to make any sort of effect on it.
Useful against a IS: This M9 is specially made to be more and anti-personnel but can damaging against lightly armor vehicle so in a pinch so the M9 can be used against an IS. Though not powerful enough to engage them in direct combat the M9 can make life very difficult for and IS pilot if it is used and placed correctly. It's not powerful enough to any really do damage to an IS shields it still can ruff them up a bit.
Over all the the M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose grenade is very good quality grenade that has earned its place in every UNSC armories and services man pocket and has no plans of being phased out anytime soon. Still it is recommended that you don't rely on this grenade too much, but overall it is a very well rounded piece of equipment which in the right hand can be used to even the playing field.
Next report on the M7057 Flamethrower.
ONI archives: authorizing access... Authorization accepted.
Your authorities to this file now opening...complete, starting play back please be advised that this article will be missing details do to ONI censorship.
Repot on Agent Sidewinder: composed by ONI section 0.
Agent Sidewinder was as many are this day a victim of the war. His home of New Columbus was glassed in 2549. He was off world at the time on assignment with the UNSC army as a medical officer and after learning of his home worlds demise he requested a transfer to an ONI branch which was approved.
He's new line of work was in ONI biology warfare department. He showed great promise in this field due to his medical background and dedication to his studies. He spent a majority of the time specializing viruses in infecting the Covenant species that were designated Sangheili more commonly known as the Elites.
Most of our agents that have met him describe him as cold and to the point. As well he makes them uncomfortable just by being around him. Others around him describe him as a man with a mask. Never showing his true face to anyone but himself. Still most of any concerns that we had for him where sideline till a couple of incident happened that caught our attention.
One of them has raised concern over the recent methods that has been used by Sidewinder in his testing. Most of which had been deemed unsuitable even by ONI standards.
One such incident was when he was testing one of his new biological weapon samples that was capable of jumping species barrier. When he working on a sample he had requested that the test subject the place in isolation as they tested the delivery method a.k.a. transmission vector which was for that weapon as a simple cough. He had also neglected to inform that subject that he was in fact infected with the full string.
The test subject died a very painful death, that he informed his assistant to go into the room and dispose of the body. But he failed to form on the new vector that he was testing. The infected own body was now a transmission for the disease as it could now be spread by touch with an infected person.
We have received reports and similar incidents involving Agent Sidewinder. ONI have flagged him for possible mental instability and are working on ways to remove him without any sort of backlash.
We'll keep you posted on any new information that comes up on Sidewinder.
This is ONI Section 0 oversight Agent Triple Zero.
If your wish to gather more information on this report. Please have the correct security clearance also ask to see this agent by name and number in advance.
This is and official ONI oversight agency report and it to be viewed by only authorized personnel.
So what is it that has Buck off his game well guess you'll have to wait to find out unfortunately and there will be consequences to this revelation to that I'm sure. Also I'm sorry for the cliffhangers still I'll get things sorted out and explain what happen to them in the other chapters as well and there's somethings important about this about this one that's all I'm going to say.
Also this is for anyone who doesn't know what AA and AAA is.
AA: antiaircraft guns
AAA: antiaircraft artillery
Sorry that I didn't explain it better.
Also some time in the near future I'm going to try to trim down this chapters a bit as. This is partly to do with the fact my IPad can handle so much information before I need to go to an computer to save complete it. It's not that I don't enjoy working on this it the fact that I don't always have access to one and I think I need to cut down on the size of the chapters a little bit. As well I've noticed that I can get somethings of writers block if I go on for too long in a particular chapter so that's partly why as well.
Alright till next time have a good one.