Chapter 21
Humility
Night had fallen in Africa. Across the world, battles were being fought, all to protect the citizens of Earth. But here in New Mombasa, it had gone quiet. An eye of the storm clarity, if you will. Most of the City's remaining civilians were holed up in Hotel Mabayojie, which was being strictly guarded by Army Troopers.
Through the darkness of the night, a lone woman finally made here way to this place. She was in the worst position one could be. She lacked even underwear. Yes she was stark naked. She looked toward the Hotel, then concentrated as hard as she could. Finally, her armor appeared around her form. Dark Sa- Samantha was back at full power. She emerged from the shadows, then casually walked into the building. The Army Troopers were mostly shocked, as they could have sworn that Samus arrived a long time ago, but they thought nothing of it. At least they know she's safe now. Samantha stopped at an elevator, than asked,
"Have you seen a large, peculiarly armored soldier come through here?"
"Several, ma'am. Far as I know, they're on the rooftop." Samantha nodded to the trooper, then took the elevator to the top of the building. Once she emerged from the top floor, she carefully made her way through the throngs of sleeping civilians, then went up the staircase to the roof. Looking around, she saw many Army Troopers on guard, a fire, the other Spartans, a UNSC Trooper and ah! Her prize. Samantha walked over to where John and Samus were sitting. Samus had fallen asleep, her head leaning on his shoulder. John was diligently listening to the story of how Admiral Cole made his way to Federation Earth.
"...After I made the jump- in atmosphere mind you- I just went into cryosleep. I was reactivated when I crash landed. Some Federation Troopers escorted me to their immigration office, and after a lengthy process, I was granted full citizenship. Afterward, I later met my beautiful wife, had a son, and was pretty much happy ever since."
"You were living in a slum, sir. Why did they make you do that?" Rick asked.
"Damara is a social worker. We had the funds to move, but we wanted to stay there and support the Jigradians."
Samantha dematerialized sat down next to John, then said,
"Hello John."
"Dark Samus-"
"Samantha."
"Whatever. Glad to see you're still alive."
"You too John. How did you survive?"
"I locked my armor. The fall hurt like a bitch, but I survived. Trust me, that's not the first time that happened."
"Wow, you are amazing."
"Not relatively. I heard you and Samus fell in much the same way."
"Still. My armor has several layers of shielding, as well as Phazon Enhancement. Yours does not."
"I'll give you that one, but still."
Karyn was conversing with Nicole about their various exploits, Linda was diligently watching the streets, Fred had fallen asleep, as he would be next in line to watch the streets, Kelly was doing one handed push-ups, and Rick was talking with Admiral Cole about his time as part of the Federation. For once, all was well. John eventually fell asleep himself, and the other Spartans let him stay that way.
Rest easy Spartan, for tomorrow your real battle begins.
The Next Day
John awoke to a Covenant Assault Carrier looming overhead. Troopers were already moving into position. John put his helmet back on his head, then shook Samus and- Samantha awake, both of whom were resting on his shoulders. They both rematerialized their helmets, and sprung into action. But John knew this situation. If the Federation's Orbital defenses are not active, this city is doomed. Many Federation dropships flew in overhead. They must have understood the situation as well. John and the twin Samuses ran to the elevator, where they met up with the rest of Blue Team.
"Where we at, Spartans?" Rick asked, as the elevator began descending.
"With a Covenant Carrier overhead and all evac birds wisely attempting to escape, our only option would be to find a safe place within the city. Perhaps a fallout shelter of some sort," Fred responded.
"Got it. Approximately one mile east, we have an underground shelter, shielded and everything, anyone who can't make it out of the city is being escorted there," Rick responded.
"Wait a minute, how did you find that out?" Nicole asked.
"Eh, I see what I see, hear what I hear. Perhaps a hacked comm system here and there."
"You can hack into Galactic Federation comm systems? I can barely do that!" Cortana said.
"Well perhaps you didn't have the right tools. I've customized my armor for the sole purpose of stealth and data retrieval."
"But you're a heavy weapons specialist. Stealth is the last thing they use," Kelly said.
"Well, maybe one might try for versatility." The team landed, then made there way outside.
"Five, did you say 'one mile east'?" Fred asked.
"Yes sir," Rick responded.
"Damn. We're gonna have to double time it, Blue Team! No one slows down until we get there!" Fred then took off in a sprint, the rest of Blue Team, as well as the Twin Samuses, following suit. As they ran, they made their way past piles of wreckage from both sides, through alley ways, and over bridges. As they were running, Linda spotted something, then called out,
"Blue Team, be advised! I believe I'm seeing a Prophet descending from that Carrier!" There was indeed a Prophet dropping from the sky via grav lift, accompanied by several Brute Honor Guards.
"New Objective Blue Team, we need to get back to the city and kill that Prophet!" Fred ordered. The team turned around, but then Chief inquired,
"Sir, how can we be sure that they still won't glass the city?"
"They're only going to spot glass, if anything. The Prophet is down there because he wants precision. He must be looking for something,"Fred responded. The team charged back into the city, past all of the obstacles that they went through before.
"Blue Leader, Prophet is in visual range! Interestingly, this one doesn't look like the others. A female possibly?" Linda said.
"Eww, female Prophets? That means they have sex! Oh God, could you imagine? Turkey on turkey-"
"Irrelevant, Spartan, let's just focus on taking him or her out," Fred interrupted Rick.
"Yes sir. Just sayin'."
The Prophet of Humility examined the wreck of a city that stood before her, admiring her handiwork.
"Yes, this is brilliant! Just look at it! Did they really think they stood a chance against me? I am invincible! I am perfect! I will burn this planet, burn it until it's surface is but glass! Haha, and there's nothing they can do about it! Now my Honor Guards, bear witness to the first fire to light our Journey forward!" The Brutes shifted uneasily. They certainly hoped their pack brother up top had good aim! The Energy Projector overhead began to light up, preparing to glass the city. The Prophet through up her hands in expectation, but the beam never came. Instead, The 7th, Home, and Sangheli fleets arrived, neutralizing all Covenant ships within range.
"Sorry it took us so long, troopers. We had to deal with an unexpected 'visit' from the Krikens. Were here now." Admiral Dane said, on an open channel.
The Prophet remained in the same position she was in beforehand, stunned. Then One of the Honor Guards said,
"Excellency, I mean no disrespect, but must escape now!" he pointed to the approaching Spartan team, which sprang everyone into action. The Prophet put her chair into full speed, followed closely by the Brutes.
"Oh no you don't!" Rick said. The chase was on.
"All local forces, this is UNSC Fleet Admiral Hood, we are dropping ODST specialists into the city. Keep it clean, and by 'it' I mean the bottom of their pods."
"Reclaimers, this is Fleetmistress T'kina Maxim. Seek out shelter, the Elites will handle the Brutes."
"This is Admiral Dane, Lockjaw Troopers are be inserted into the city. Give 'em something to shoot at." Dane said.
"This is Brigadier General Marshall Jacobs. Thanks for the support people, we thought we were lost for a minute there."
"This is General of the Army Mikhail Harkov. It's about damn time."
Throughout the currently Brute and Pirate controlled city, special forces were being dropped into the battle. Blue Team kept their eyes on the prize, and only stuck to following the Prophet. She attempted various cuts and turns in order to try and lose them, but she could shake the 'Demons'. The Prophet got lucky however, when she blew past a road block. This block consisted of two Wraiths, A Brute with a fuel rod gun, and a Pirate with a stolen seeker missile launcher. All enemy heavy units fired at them, and the team was forced to jump dodge and weave through it. Kelly and Nicole took down the infantry, while Rick handled one of the Wraiths by jumping on it, slamming a grenade into the armor, jumping off in one fell swoop, without losing momentum. Samantha jumped on the second one, pounded it until all occupants were killed, then commandeered it herself.
"I'll make sure no one gets past. Good luck, John," she said.
Fred, John and Samus blew past the artillery without engaging. Rick followed closely behind, with Kelly and Nicole catching up to him.
"Uh uh, no escape, turkey face!" Rick said. The Prophet ran over train tracks, just before a train went over them. "Who'd ran a damn train through here?"
Samus, John and Fred all jumped over the train, then kept running. "Not trying that," rick said to himself. Rick then jumped through an open freight car with timing only a Spartan could be capable of. Kelly and Nicole both attempted to jump over the train car, but Nicole didn't make it all the way over, and was clipped by the train. Her shields took a hit, and she would undoubtedly suffer major damage when hitting the ground off balance. But before she did, Rick caught her, then asked, "You okay?"
"I believe my ankle is broken," she responded.
"Well, looks like we're out of this race. Blue Team, Blue Four and Five are unable to continue. Your gonna have to go on without us." Rick said.
"Understood Spartan, get her to safety."
"Hey, has anyone seen Linda?" Samus asked.
"She was just with us!" Kelly said.
"No time to worry about that Spartans. I'm sure Linda's fine," Fred stated.
"Samus, use your speed booster. Take her out!" Chief said. Samus nodded, then activated her speed booster, propelling her at an upwards of 700 MPH. The Prophet juked around a corner, causing Samus to charge straight through a wall, into a building. The Spartans kept up the chase, but a Phantom appeared overhead, dropping two Choppers.
"Holy One, we will take you to safety!" The Brute pilot called out. Samus charged out of the building and straight through one Chopper, then regained her bearings and continued after the Prophet. Then A Drop Pod fell through the Phantom, destroying it. Then the occupant hopped out and boarded the second Chopper.
"Thought you might have needed help, Spartans," Colonel Robertson said.
The Prophet, fearing there was no hope for her, nearly began weeping. But then, a second Phantom showed up, hovering outside a nearby building.
"Holy One, all we ask is that you make your way here, we will handle the rest!" The pilot called out. The Phantom dropped off several Honor Guard Brutes, and one Gravity Hammer toting War Chieftain. The Prophet hurriedly entered the building. Samus, John, Fred, and Kelly quickly followed. They were greeted by the group of Brutes in the lobby.
"Samus, Chief, move on! We'll handle the Brutes," Fred ordered. Samus and John entered a nearby staircase, and made haste toward the Prophet. "Kelly, knife." Kelly tossed Fred her combat Knife, then pumped her shotgun. "I said this to the Elites, I'll say it to you. The Great Journey-" Fred drew his own combat knife and prepared for action. "-ends here."
Samus and John made it to the floor the Phantom was hovering on, but they were too late. The Prophet was already on board.
"Haha! Do you see Demon? I am invincib-" She was cut off by a Sniper round ricocheting off of her energy shield, the ground, the back and finally, through the Brute pilot's head. The Phantom then spiraled down, and crashed out of sight. On the top of a far away building, Linda crossed two fingers over hear visor, then opened them, the Spartan "smile" gesture. John made the same gesture back, then exited the building via window, to confirm the kill on the Prophet. Samus and John made their way to the wreckage. Looking around, they saw the chair, but no Prophet. They then heard movement. The Prophet of Humility threw off a piece of Phantom that was covering her body. She saw her two assassins, and then nimbly scurried away from them. The pair fired at her, but she dodged and strafed fast enough to even brake Samus' lock. She jumped from the ground to the second floor of a building, then ran into it. Samus and John followed. Samus fired her grapple beam at the window, took John's hand, then brought them both up. They were once again too late however, as the Prophet was already on board a Banshee too far away to hit. They did however, get the chance to face a high value target in the form of the Brute Army Commander.
"Demon, I'm glad you decided to show up!" The window behind them was closed up by an Energy Shield. The window behind the Commander as well. "Oh, no! Looks like we're trapped! I wonder who may have the only deactivation switch? Ha ha ha! Only one of us is leaving here. Want a hint? Neither of you will have to mourn the other!" The Brute slammed his hammer and sent a shock wave toward them. They both dodged, then Samus scanned him.
"Brute Army Commander Brutus." Samus chuckled. John told her something earlier about Brute nomenclature. If they only added the "-us" suffix to warriors, that means this Brute's true name is... Brute. "The Brute Army Commander is outfitted with several layers of shielding, a Jump Pack, several types of Grenades, a Fuel Rod Gun, a Plasma Turret, and a Hyper Gravity Hammer. According to Covenant records, he is known to have single-handedly slaughtered thousand before Brutes even wore armor into battle. Even if one has the numerical advantage, victory is not assured. Use of extreme caution is advised."
Samus quickly read all of this information, then sent all of it to Cortana. The Commander decided to target the Chief, sending Fuel Rod rounds at him. Chief locked his armor, then Samus took the time blast him with a Super Missile. This knocked out his first layer of shielding. Both Samus and John quickly moved in, and meleed him while his shields were down. His shields recovered, then he used the vortex function on his hammer to force the pair away. The were spun around, then launched away. Picking himself up off of the ground, Chief said,
"Remind me never to do that again." The Commander then tossed incendiary grenades at the pair, lighting their cover on fire. Samus left cover first, drawing Plasma turret fire. Chief then threw a grenade at the Commander's feet, knocking out another layer of shielding. This time, the pair hung back and blasted him from afar. The Commander activated his final layer of shielding, then charged the one nearest him, which was Samus. He swung his hammer at her, but she dodged. But the following shock wave impacted her and launched her into the wall. He then went after Chief, using the same tactic, Chief threw a grenade, but the Commander swatted it away with his hammer. He closed in on Chief, but Chief locked his armor. The Commander was so powerful however, that he broke the lock, simultaneously knocking the Chief out cold. The Commander roared a battle cry of victory, then prepared to finish the Chief. But before he could, Samus used her gravity warp against the Commander, hitting him in the back and breaking his spine. Samus caught the Brute before he could fall over on top of Chief, then tossed him away. Just as she did, however, her HUD informed her,
"Hyper Gravity Warp acquired! Use the Gravity warp in Hyper mode and produce shock waves as you attack."
John stirred next to her, then she hurried to his side.
"John, are you okay?" she asked. John grunted, pulled off his helmet and said,
"I'm fine, that's the second time you saved my ass, do you know that? Now I owe you double my life."
Samus dematerialized her helmet and said,
"You being alive is all the repayment I need," the pair got closer together, but then John's comm activated.
"Blue Six, this is Blue Leader. Kelly and I have eliminated all hostiles. That last War Chieftain was a bitch. What's your status Chief, is the Prophet dead?" John replaced his helmet, then stood up, leaving Samus looking rather rejected. But she too replaced her helmet and stood up.
"Negative, sir. The Prophet managed to escape."
"Care to tell me how, Chief?" Linda asked.
"The Prophet ran, Blue Three. After you knocked down that Phantom, she just pulled herself out of the debris and ran. She was even faster and more agile than a Jackal Scavenger. My guess? That Prophet was younger than the others." Chief responded.
"Well, what are our options? Where would that Prophet be going to?" Fred asked.
"I think I can answer that," Colonel Robertson chimed in.
"Virgil Seven, what have you got?" Fred asked.
"Initial Intel suggests that The remaining local Covenant forces are making their way to the town of Voi to hide out. Good thing we know how to get there."
"Then that's where we're headed Spartans... and guest. Samus, call your ship. Were going to form up on your position," Fred said.
"Bounty Hunter, question!" Colonel Robertson said.
"Ask away Colonel," Samus said.
"How many occupants can you ship hold?"
"Five comfortably, fifteen if you don't mind a really tight squeeze."
"Okay then, I'm marking an LZ for the rest of my team. Make room for 'em." Five Drop Pods landed, Each occupant a member of fireteam Virgil. Colonel Robertson arrived on his Chopper, and the rest of Blue Team arrived as well.
"Aww great, we have to get into this small ass ship with the freaks!"
"Romeo, God don't like like ugly. You really shouldn't-"
"No Dutch, I got this. Romeo, here's why you make some really stupid decisions. Did you just insult a team of Spartans in their faces? Do you think we stand a shadow of a chance against these guys? Do you know what these guys do to people? Ever here that story about that entire ODST squadron? The one that's out of commission? How 'bout that story about the thousand Grunts? Yeah? Guess what? These guys did it. And no, I'm not saying Spartans in general, no I'm saying these guys specifically did that stuff. Hell yeah, I read their files. And you wanna know what else? You know why they say if I was any better I'd be Spartan? Because Spartans are better. Deal with it Kojo." Buck ranted.
Romeo, looking dejected, entered the gunship that just arrived.
"Sorry about my squad mate, he kinda doesn't know how to shut up," Buck said.
"Eh, we get that all the time," Rick said. "Well, they do at least."
Everyone took turns getting onto the ship. Before Samus could take off however, Dark Samus made her way to the ship, and requested to get on board. Samus sighed and let her in, then prepared to take off.
"One thing I have to hand to the Spartans," Romeo said to Dutch, looking at Kelly, Linda, Nicole, Samus, and Samantha. "Unlike us normal people, even in armor dat ass is a sight for sore eyes."
Samus, Kelly, Linda, and Nicole all blushed. Samantha wiggled hers and said,
"Do you really think so?" Romeo then put on a look as if he was a deer caught in headlights, then Buck said,
"Yeah Romeo, everyone heard that. Your comms are on."
Romeo slapped his forehead, then Samus took off toward the town of Voi.
What's happenin' Fanfic? Just thought I'd give ya'll something while I'm suffering in agonizing pain from migraine headaches. Now, for one little detail I must go over:
GodzillaMaster: I've figured it out! I knew that name from somewhere! At first, I thought you were a user who didn't sign in, but now I realize that you are an editor on Halopedia! You should make an account here, I could use help from a professional!