Purpose Of Existence Chapter 28: For A Single Moment Of Peace…
"Dear God" Was the only thing anyone heard when fire team osiris's pelican approached the Arks command center.
The destruction...It was unbelievable. Destroyed wraiths, dead elites, grunts, jackals, brutes and even multiple hunters. Commander Sarah Palmer joined osiris in this mission. She knew how important the spartan two's were for Tom and decided that it was for the best.
"I am more than avere of the deeds the spartan two's have done but this...this is…" Buck trailed off as he inspected the carnage. Most of the facility itself was buried under a deep layer of snow, barely recognizable. Buck was the most veteran of the group and he had seen some things during the war. Yes he had seen this kind of destruction before but… There was a small army down there, possibly more buried under the snow and they were against four spartans…
Even Palmer was quiet and felt a slight shiver going down her spine thinking about what could have happened. Her face showed nothing of her inner turmoil. She was still in command and had to keep her emotion in check, even if there was a small dose of...Fear? Going trought her. Yeah that was the only way describe it.
"Well one of these guys did save the galaxy two times, destroyed a halo, the ark and the flood. I'd say this could be kinda expected". Tanaka observed. The pelican landed about 400-meters from their target and the group slowly started making their way towards it, dodging body's, parts of vehicles and weak spots in the deep snow.
"We have to keep moving, there's no guarantee about what the spartans are up to". Locke stated talking for the first time during their little trip trought what seems to be the embodiment of hell. He was the only one who was provided with all the spartans details. He knew almost everything about them, from their weaknesses to their strengths. Courtesy of ONI of course. He knew that every single one of those four spartans were capable of killing anyone in their group, without leaving a trail, evidence or a witness to prove their guilt. He knew the exact details of their augmentations, painful, inhumane and cold. Locke even felt a slight pity towards the super soldiers but ONI always came first, no matter the cost.
"I hope I do not have to remind you Spartan Locke, that this is a rescue mission and I expect you to act like it". Palmer cut in. She never was a fun of Locke. Palmer always respected his skill in combat and as a infiltrator but his personality was a textbook ONI agent and it furiated her to a no end.
"Of course not, Ma'am" He replied looking towards the giant tower, half buried under layers of snow.
Suddenly they heard Vale yell from a distance "We have a live one here!" Everyone looked at each other and started running towards the voice. When they arrived everyone saw Vale standing over a bloodied elite who was sitting against remains of a destroyed wrath. It was clear the elite didn't fear them, it had accepted its faith long ago.
"What do we have here?" Buck asked crouching down in front of the elite. He had a long at the elite and noticed it was fairly young, probably had wasn't part of the war. After a moment Buck asked "What now, the great journey didn't start yet? Damn shame…Oh well since you're here, mind telling us what the hell happened?" The elite looked at him and mumbled something in sangheili. Vale bursted out laughing. Buck turned and glared at her. "What did the split lip say?" He asked his voice low.
Vale finally got herself under control and explained "Something that should not be translated". Buck glared at her again "Well miss be so good and ask him nicely to tell us .hell happened here?
"Well since you asked so nicely". she pouted and said something to the elite in sanghelios. The elite said something back and now it was her turn to glare at it. After a moment she hung her shoulders and said "We won't be getting anything out of this one. Says he will be left behind from the great journey if he talks to humans".
"We have wasted enough time leave it be". Said Palmer as she continued walking towards their destination. The rest of the group followed leaving the elite there.
"Ma'am even if we make it to the HCS (Short for Halo Command Center), how are we going to get in? There's still a giant pile of snow blocking the main gate". Tanaka asked.
"The initial scan made by The Infinity showed "other entrances" to the center itself. One of them was the giant glass window Commander Miranda Keyes crashed through with her pelican". Yes none of the members of fire team osiris nor Commander Palmer was there but everyone in the UNSC had heard the stories of the commanders brave last act and it did not go unnoticed. Theres also a entrance at the side of the cliff so we have to grapple down. If, of course you don't want to try your luck with the jetpacks.
"Yeah, uh, my luck isn't quite as well known as the Master Chief's so I think I'll pass". Buck said.
When they finally arrived at edge of the mountain, Locke pointed his fingers downwards "There". Palmer turned to look at small hole at the side of the mountain.
"Alright we don't have all day. Move!" The spartans attached their hooks to a giant rock near the ledge and after making sure their contraption would hold, started moving downwards.
The climb down was uneventful, if you don't count Buck making comments of Vale's ass and Vale reminding that he had a very very angry wife waiting for him at home if somebody happened to "leak" some information about his onmission antics.
The team of five unhooked themselves and after hacking trought the outer door started moving trought the dimly lit facility. Everything was fairly dark and if they wanted to see enemies hiding in corners, they would have to use night vision. Luckily everyone believed that at this point Master Chief and the blue team should have cleared the corridors by now.
"Is it just me or is it kinda creepily quiet? I mean there have been a few bodies but still jeez is the hole place dead?" Buck asked and Palmer had to admit, it was strangely quiet. No stranglers or patrols the spartans might have missed.
"It is strange". Locke commented. "No sounds of gunfire and only slight signs of fighting, at least compared to the bodycount outside".
"Perhaps The Banished already spent most of their resources trying to hold off the spartans?" Vale suggested. They came up to another door and Locke crouched down starting to hack the door.
"Possibly but I do not believe even the The Banished would be that stupid. Their supposed leader has shown great skill on battlefield and out of it. He leads his troops skill and they respect him. They are even ready to die if need to. There has to be something else going on". He stated and stood up, finished with the hack.
As the door started to open Tanaka said "I agree with Locke, there must be something goi…".
She trailed of as they saw The Master Chief hand wrestling with Atriox on a elevated platform. The rest of the blue team were fighting a insane amount of Banished forces. They were pinned down and needed help.
"Oh boy" Buck muttered as he went for his weapon.
So you might have been wandering, Dude...Where the hell have you been? Eh yeah well School is systematically and slowly trying to murder me. I was going to upload yesterday but the chapter would have been way too short and you wouldn't have enjoyed it. So hopefully no more interruptions.
