Author's Notes: Yeah, I know...it's been eternity. I swear to you all, I'm doing the best I can. I had a few week break for the holidays, but I spent most of it trying to relax and see everybody that I don't get to see while I'm at college. And, now that I'm back, I've got new courses that are proving to be a lot harder than most of last semester.

That being said, I have a pair of chapters here (as the rest of the story will be in the same format). One is strictly on the ground (this one). Chapter 54 (to be posted right after this one) will be solely space. I have three more pairs to be posted, plus the epilogue, before this book is finished.

First, of course, the reviews (of which there were MANY. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR THAT):

Mhop12: lol, I just meant that the Flood as a whole are basically immune, since you get four shots to a magazine and I've never once fought only four Combat Forms at a time, hehehe. Also, I got LIVE back up too, so I'll add you just as soon as I get back on my XBox. Thanks much!

armoured-blade: Hey! Yeah...bit of an info chapter. Not much goin' on. Thanks very much, btw, for the links you sent over e-mail. Those were great to work from, but I still don't think I did as good of a job as I would have liked (or anywhere near it). As for Vic...well, that's my secret, to be revealed in time. And, when I do, I PROMISE you: everyone here will either love it, or hate my guts.

FireWolfFred: Glad you like the opening to this last segment. Also, thanks for the luck...Lord knows I needed it on a couple. And, in regards to Mr. Crichton: amen.

Bubbles: Slacker!!! Anyways, yes, I know exactly how school gets. Thanks for the compliments on the opener (sorry it's not really action-packed...trust me, that's my preference too). But, the action's underway, and things are about to get good. Also, gracias for the comments on Nova's intro. I'm really just winging it with them to a point. Still, it's good to know that they've been taken to well. Thanks very much for reviewing, and I hope you like what's on the way.

killerman83ca: Hey, thanks a lot for the offers. I know who to call in the event that I run into a roadblock (although, you should know...this last one had nothing to do with the Flood but, rather, with my own idiocy and inability to write things up to par, lol). Thanks much for your compliments, and enjoy!

Bashbro: Thank you much! I'm a little slow as of late, but Zulu Company will never die! I will finish this book! hehehe.

Eternity of Night: Ummm...thank you? lol. Glad you're enjoying it, at least. haha

ching965: Hey! Thank you very much for the compliments. I'd hardly call this the "greatest story" anywhere...but, it does make my day to hear. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you'll stick around.

Benaia Dre: College DOES suck. Hands-down. Glad you liked the chapter (though they're getting shorter...and I HATE that). Hopefully you'll also enjoy these next ones. Thanks for reviewing!

Gormanuyai: Oh, my favorite reviewer...lol. How long HAS it been, huh? And people call me lazy. ;) Honestly, you're just in the MILITARY. It's not like you don't have time and get to do what you want, right? haha. Just messin', man. Hope you get a new roommate soon too.

For the record: I can make a cliffhangar if and when I want, lol. This "problem for the reader" you speak of...that's what keeps my story being read, haha. If I didn't have people actually WANTING to come back, do you think they'd take time out of their days to read and then actually tell me what they thought? I need that occasionally. ;)

As for the tactics and Samuel shooting over the other Spartan's shoulder: they just shot a group of Infection Forms, and grouped together before they knew what it was. Blaine even had time to pat Nova's member on the back out of mockery. They're all close together because of that particular moment, nothing else.

Anyways, I'll chat at you later. Take it easy over there, alright?

Redflame101: The Spartans do have an infrared setting on their visors, but they've never been favorites before (since they were fighting Covenant, and a moderate amount of plasma would easily short out the system and leave them temporarily blind). They'll get some use here, I promise you that. Thanks for reviewing!

Taylor114: haha! Glad to hear that I've got a few who won't quit on me, no matter how long I make you guys wait (so sorry again...). And to answer your question: yes, something is "wrong" with Vic, but that's all I'll say. As, clearly, she's not acting at all like herself in the last chapter. Sorry the chapters are so short...it's just the way things have worked out. But, short or not, the suspense is not for nothing, I swear it! Thanks very much for reviewing, and enjoy!

vernox: Yeah, I feel bad about joking around about cliffhangars, then turning around and being gone for a month. Things just got busy, and this ground chapter really hit me like a ton of bricks. Still, good to know that I'll always have someone reading. ;) The last one was kinda dry, I know...but, I hope that you guys like these next couple. Short? Yes. BUT, I made sure to include plenty of action and a little bit of the Zulu-based antics that we've all come to expect. Thank you for reviewing! Hope you like it!

Lecter42: Yes...I was shocked about Michael Crichton too. Makes me sad. And...I suppose I can forgive your transgression against Jurassic Park, since you did at least choose another awesome work. ;) hehehe. As for my story: I'm working on Nova and their incorporation. It may not be perfect, but I promise you that I'll do my best, and keep them serving a part. Though...and this goes to everyone...give me some rope, lol. I need them. They're vital. Thanks very much, and I hope to hear your thoughts on these that are on the way.

Ophir: Hey! Good to hear from you! I'm glad you like what I've done with the story for the most part (minus Nova which...I have my reasons, I just have to try and bring them in the right way). As for the ranks...I honestly have no idea. I've had a hard time figuring out the exact requirements for rank to change in the Armed Forces, much less what they are in the Halo universe. I try to avoid rank with the Spartans. Basically: they report to Samuel, and Samuel then in turn reports to whoever is giving them their orders. Anyways, hope you like what I've got coming in. Be careful out there and take care of yourself. Talk to you whenever you get a chance. Thanks for your review!

the-super-saiyan-jedi-again: Sorry about the cliffhangar...there's gonna be a bit of that in my stories, lol. This is the last segment in this book. The sequel will pick up later. Also, you're right about Vic: something is wrong. But I can't tell yet. Sorry. Thanks much for reviewing!

DennisK: Yeah...no more breaks...sorry about that, haha. To your questions:
(1) I can't tell you what ONI did to Vic. That violates my protocol (which is to keep all of you in the dark so that you'll keep reading...my apologies, lol)
(2) I don't know about "bundling" stories. I've never tried, and I wouldn't know where to start if I did, lol. Sorry...
Thanks for your review though, and I hope you'll stick around and give me more questions and comments!

1 way ticket: Hey you. :) Glad you liked the last one. And yes, I know: you know the future, lol. Just rub it in why don't you? hahaha. Thanks for reviewing!

ikldmrogers: Wow...thanks very, very much for the compliments, lol. You flatter me.
I've gotten a lot of comments on the characters, and I have to say: that's not my doing. These personalities (minus a few) spent years together (obviously, not the SAME ones, but similar), so I have a really good grasp of how they operate. But thank you, regardless. And the fight scenes...I don't know. They're certainly my favorite thing to write.
I'm surprised to hear the L.A. segment was your favorite...I didn't have too many people tell me that they were really, really fond of that part. Glad to hear that it was good to a few though. :)
Anyway, thanks very much for your review, and enjoy what's on the way!

Samus 117: I'm glad the ending gave you something to think on. And I agree, we need to chat more...but I'm not on as often as I'd like to be, lol. Merry (late) Christmas to you as well, and thank you for reviewing!

suripav: Thanks a lot for all your compliments. I don't think the story is quite as great as everyone seems to think...but, oh well, lol. I'll take it. ;) I'm glad that someone noticed the distinct lack of bold words though...I thought I had far too many and (looking back), I realize that I did. Thank you for your review, and I can't wait to hear more from you on what's coming down the line.

Rini-947: lol, thank you much. :) I'm glad that you like it. Also...in regards to the characters...you should pick one and cast a vote at my poll, lol, so that I can at least tell myself that people are still voting. lol ;) Thanks for your review!

V0id Drag0n: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy it. And, in regards to Ahrmonro and U'svere: they WILL show up again, but not in this story. They're big characters for me, but as of now, they're heading home to Sangheilios. Thanks for reviewing!

islandhopper700: lol, sorry about the cliffhangars...I don't do it on purpose. I just have a predetermined place where the chapter gets cut. Also...sorry...I can't give the details on Vic. Only time will tell (and a few hints along the way). Thanks for your review!

hellhound cerberus: Hey! I'm glad everyone has enjoyed the opening. Hopefully though, it'll only get better from here. Sorry for the delay, but I hope that what's coming will give you something to keep busy for a bit!

Samson00: Late...nah. lol. Just late enough that it didn't appear on the review page that I was looking at! lol. And yes, for the record...you're safe. Barely, but you are. And yes...finally, it's time for my long-awaited plans. YES!!! Thanks for reviewing...and proofing, lol. As always. ;)

WOW...with that done (sorry that I had to blaze through them and they're not all that thorough...I have class at 8:00 am tomorrow and I need to get done), it's time for the actual work!

I apologize: this is kind of short. However, the next one (to be posted in less than 10 minutes) is another 4000 to go with it, so I'm still close to the 8000 total. Enjoy!


Chapter 53:

The First Wave –

1900 Hours - March 20, 2553

Paris, France - ONI HQ (Rooftop)

"We have confirmed attacks on five companies," O'Donnell told the Spartans. "Most of them were minor, but the attack on Beta Company resulted in over a dozen casualties. If the Flood attack them again, they'll break clean through the line. I want you to go and give them temporary support until I can pull troops from other locations. Got it?"

"Yes sir," Alexandra said. "Spartans: let's move!" With that, she led the group of seven soldiers into a doorway housing the huge switch-back staircase that stretched all the way to the ground floor, more than 26 levels below.

"Last one to the bottom gets cleanup duty!" Jade shouted, taking off on a dead sprint and literally bracing herself against and bouncing off the walls where the stairs switched directions. Stephanie rolled her eyes.

Wow, she thought, running after her as the rest of the Spartans began the descent. Landon and Jason, however, waited behind.

"What are you doing?" Steph heard Alexandra ask them.

"You guys go ahead." Jason answered. "We'll meet you at the bottom."

Stephanie grinned. She knew what was coming.

They had descended another three floors when two blurs passed by them in the center of the shaft, where the stairs didn't cover. Two seconds later, the entire building shook as a pair of incredibly loud thuds resounded throughout the shaft.

"Did they jump?" Daniel's voice echoed in the intercom.

"Damn right we did," Landon answered. "You guys are slow."

"Tell you what," Jason added, "we'll get a pair of 'Hogs and meet you outside the east entrance."


"That was wicked." Jade said, hopping in the back of the Troop Transport Warthog that Jason was driving. "You guys are something else."

"You know it!" Landon said, revving the engine of his own, standard Warthog as Stephanie climbed in the passenger seat and Angela Browning got on the gun. "Let's roll!"

With that, he put the pedal to the floor, accelerating as fast as possible and taking the sharp turns of the city streets in stride. Jason's vehicle was right behind him, and Landon knew that, for once, it wasn't the time for games. The Flood could have already breached the lines, and no one would even know it unless they made a point to let them.

After five minutes of the kind of driving that would have made Nascar legends envious, Landon suddenly slammed the break to the floor and the Warthog skidded to a halt. In front of them, the Spartans got their first glimpse of Beta Company and the Marines' makeshift cover.

"This is pathetic." Daniel said over the private channel. His head was darting back and forth around the small bit of cover that the UNSC personnel were stationed behind.

Landon was wide-eyed. It was atrocious. There was a single, thin sheet of titanium that was propped up and provided only the smallest bit of cover for the Marines. There were sealed buildings roughly fifteen meters from both sides of the barrier with men and women sporting Battle Rifles in the windows. The seven Marines on the ground that were still standing only had Assault Rifles and a pair of Shotguns.

"This is their defense?" Jason scoffed.

"Well," Daniel chimed in, "we're screwed."

"It'll have to do." Alexandra said bitterly. "We've got a job, so let's get to it."

"Sure," Landon said, stepping out of the 'Hog and readying his Shotgun. He knew that, if the Flood did attack, they weren't getting into the buildings, so they'd have to file through the narrow pass between them, and close-quarters-fighting would be inevitable.

"What's the status of your company?" Alex asked one of the Marines. He grabbed his head with his free hand.

"Hell, miss," he said in a slightly southern drawl, "lost nine guys. Got another three injured," he paused, "and I'm guessin' two of them don't make it. We got next to nothin' in the way of ammo and I just got a message that the Flood are moving around the line in our direction."

"They're coming back?" Alex repeated the man's statement.

"Yeah," he said, "almost like they know we're weakened here."

Landon scowled. They do know, he said. It's the Flood. One mind controls them all. Whatever damage they did here is public information to the rest of them.

"Alright," Alex said, turning away from him. "You heard him! Everyone get ready to-" She stopped, bringing an Assault Rifle to bear. "First wave!" she shouted, and opened fire.

Landon moved forward to peer around the barrier and watched, unimpressed, as they began to pour into the passage. If anything, the blue-armored Spartan was skeptical that these miserable-looking creatures could really be as deadly as everyone had implied.

From what he could see, they looked like standard horror movie zombies that had been left in the ground just a few days too long. Their bodies were twisted and broken in multiple places; one arm had been completely replaced with huge, ragged tentacles tinted in a sickening green color. A few of them had disgusting, bubbling growths on their limbs, and all of them had the same vile-looking feelers where their mouths should have been.

And the ugly, undead creatures just kept coming. At first, they were pouring around the side at what was at least a manageable rate. Now, however, dozens of them were running and leaping around the buildings, toward the barrier. A few of the gutsy ones even climbed around the buildings until the inevitable happened and someone picked their ugly ass off with a Battle Rifle.

While Landon was examining the incoming assault, the others were pounding away at them with every kind of ammunition imaginable. Stephanie and Alexandra were joining the Marines in spraying the incoming horde with Assault Rifle fire; Angela and Daniel were both wielding Battle Rifles, and only stopped firing when reloading was unavoidable. Jason had the Brute Shot raised at his side and was doing a nasty combination of shooting the Flood Combat Forms and tearing them apart with the Brute weapon's attached bayonet.

Landon and the other girl from Nova, Jade, however, were waiting. They were well-behind the front line, and it was only a matter of time before the seemingly-endless wave of enemies would slip one inside. Between his Shotgun and her Energy Sword, someone was going to have to deal with the threat once it arrived.

"More coming in on the left!" the leader of Nova Company shouted, turning her head toward the new enemies, but refusing to cease her assault on the others. Half the team followed her lead, leaving the Marines to handle most of the right-hand side.

As Landon considered pulling out his M6G and trying to help in any way he could when something soared over his head, landing with a dull thud on the ground ten yards behind him. By the time he turned, the Combat Form had already turned to face him, and the Spartan didn't even have time to react before a pair of giant tentacles crashed into his shoulder, knocking him off his feet.

"Oh," he moaned, standing up as his shield-alarm blared, "bastard!" He put down the Shotgun and brought the M6G up as the Combat Form charged him. Grinning, he pulled the trigger once, and the former human's head exploded in a haze of green mist-

But the Combat Form kept coming. It didn't even slow down.

"Oh shit-" he managed to get the words out right as the undead creature swung its tentacles again. Landon ducked all but one, but the blow was still enough to dent his armor and send him to the ground again.

Landon stood up, growling every curse he could think of under his breath as he pulled the Shotgun back up to his chest. "Now," he snapped, "back to Hell with y-"

The Flood form suddenly detonated in a cloud of green mist, gruesome pieces of it flying in all directions. As the fog cleared, Jason started laughing.

"Wow," he said between chuckles, "you got your ass kicked by just one! What are you gonna do when you actually have to fight them with what they're known for: superior numbers?"

"Shut it," Landon said, taking a deep breath and cursing some more. "Just shut it." He glanced back to the broken, fuming remains of the rotting corpse-

And he stopped.

Sixty yards behind it, down the street, he watched something jump – no, not jump – he watched something leap almost twenty feet into the air and crash through a second-story window. Then another followed it.

And another.

"Son of a bitch!" he yelled, turning to the group. "They've breached the line! I don't know where, but they've breached the damn line!"


"Are you sure?" Alexandra's voice was worried but stern. "Are you positive that they've bro-"

A blood-curdling scream echoed down the street and into the Spartans' ears, only to be followed by a dozen more and countless gunshots.

"That answer your question?" Landon asked bitterly.

"Shit," Alex answered, and Jason knew that she had no idea what to do. Their orders were to reinforce Beta Company.

But if the Flood had already made it into the city, then Beta Company, like all the others, was useless anyway.

"We'll go check on the damage." Jason said, focusing on the Nova Company team leader. "It might just be a couple of them, and if we stop them early, they can't multiply."

"I don't think that's a good idea." She answered. "If we split up-" she paused. "I mean, we're already facing vastly superior numbers here."

"I promise," Jason said, "if it's anything major, we'll let you know." He let out a short, bitter laugh. "Trust me, I have no intentions of fighting these ugly-ass aliens without as much backup as possible."

After a moment's pause, another scream erupted from the streets, and Alexandra nodded once, giving them the okay. Jason nodded in return and focused on the two members of Zulu Company.

"Let's go!" he shouted. "It's time for a little 'Seek-And-Destroy.'"

Two green lights flashed at the corner of his HUD and the two Spartans fell into step behind him.

"What do you think?" Stephanie asked, "couple dozen?"

Jason nodded. "Probably," he said. "I'm hoping that, since we didn't hear anything over the intercom from the Major General, it's nothing large enough to draw too much attention just yet."

He led the small group into a city square, complete with apartment complexes, a small store, and two huge skyscrapers; all of them close enough together that the Spartans' radars could almost get a glimpse into all of them.

"Splitting up?" Landon asked, pumping the Shotgun loudly.

"Yeah," Jason answered. "Stephanie: take the apartments. Landon: take the store. I'll work on the first of the biggies." He pointed to one of the skyscrapers. Two green lights flashed in his HUD, and the team all went separate directions.

Jason examined the enormous building carefully as he entered through a pair of simple glass doors. The first floor was walled in by nothing but clear, nine-foot windows and had row after row of office-style cubicles covering the floor. In the middle of the ceiling, the standard metal material was replaced by a giant skylight and, looking up through it, Jason could see that the pattern continued all the way up the building.

Wow, he thought, a skylight on every single floor, one directly above the one before it. He shook his head. Someone had way too much money on their hands.

Something moved at the right side of his vision. Jason hadn't even had time to see whatever it was.

And that fact alone told him exactly what it was.

He raised the Brute Shot and checked to make sure that all six grenades were loaded, then proceeded to slowly move toward the place where he'd caught his last glimpse of whatever was keeping him company inside the skyscraper.

Where? He wondered. I know you're here. You're around some-

A lamp crashed down on the floor less than ten feet behind him, the glass bulb shattering and sending pieces of it in all directions. Jason's eyes darted back and forth, searching frantically for the undead horror that he knew was within spitting distance of him.

"Come on," he whispered, gripping the Brute Shot tighter and listening for any movement or sound. "I know you're here-"

One of the windows that served as part of the building's first-story wall shattered as a pair of Combat Forms charged inside and turned their sights on Jason, firing a pair of Assault Rifles blindly before they were even close.

The gold-armored Spartan raised the Brute Shot and fired a pair of grenades into the nearest Combat Form, causing its decaying body to collapse and implode as its partner continued to charge.

"Not the most resilient bastards, are you?" Jason laughed, drawing back in time to dodge the second creature's tentacles as it swung wildly at him. The Flood form leapt at him, and the Spartan put both his shields up and rammed them into the oncoming attacker, knocking it the ground.

And before it could recover, he made sure to stick the bayonet of the Brute Shot deep into its chest. Then, with the creature no longer moving, he stomped on its broken body several times to insure that no Infection Form would be reanimating it for a second time.

Looking down on the two kills, Jason suddenly remembered that he wasn't alone in the room. There was no way that the sounds he'd heard and the movement he'd caught had been anything but one of the Flood; that much he knew.

"I'll wait," he said aloud, glancing back and forth. "I got all day."

But he didn't have to: at his left side, one of the cubicles was completely annihilated as a former Marine charged through it, tentacles waving madly as it leapt toward the Spartan.

Jason grinned coldly and was about to stab the creature with the bayonet, just as he had the last one, when he noticed something that made his blood run cold: the creature was carrying none other than the M90 Shotgun.

"Oh shit!" he shouted as the Combat Form landed mere feet away from him and the Shotgun roared once, tearing his shields to nothing and causing him to stagger backwards into another of the cubicles. He raised the shield on his left hand just in time to block another strike from the creature's tentacles, but the force of the blow, combined with his already unbalanced stance, was enough to knock him over and leave him looking up into the cold, dead eyes of the former human. He barely had time to raise the Brute Shot again before the creature pointed the Shotgun and-

CRACK!

Jason heard a window shatter and watched as the chest of the Combat Form simply exploded in a haze of green gas and blood, the rest of its still-intact body collapsing onto the ground, unmoving.

The Spartan glanced to where he thought the sound had originated and saw a broken window at the right-side of the building. Behind it, Daniel of Nova Company was standing still and firm, Sniper Rifle still trained on the unmoving Combat Form.

"Thanks," Jason managed, recovering his breath. "You saved my ass."

"Any time," Daniel answered, letting the rifle down slightly. "The Marines at Beta got their much-needed reinforcements, so we came to back you guys up." Jason heard the Spartan laugh into his helmet. "Looks like it's a good thing we did."

"You're damn right it is," Jason said, laughing slightly himself. He rolled his eyes at the lucky break that had saved his life. "A damn good thing."


"We're being called back to base," Alexandra's voice echoed in Stephanie's helmet. "Apparently, the soldiers are being spread too thin, so we're pulling back and shortening the perimeter as much as we can."

The female Spartan was puzzled. "We just fended off their last attack," she answered, double-checking the area to make sure that they had indeed done it. "The more of the city we give them access to, the more civilians they have to infect."

It took Alex a moment to answer. "It's not my call," she said. "Major General O'Donnell just clarified the order to me personally, and we are to pull back to ONI headquarters, where we were dropped off, and re-arm ourselves before heading back into the field."

Stephanie's fists clenched at her sides. "Fine," she said. "What can we do for the people that are still out here? Do we have a safe-zone for them; somewhere to take them where they'll be safer?"

"Not to my knowledge," Alexandra answered. After a pause, she added, "I don't like it either, Steph, but it's not our decision to make. We just have to trust that the higher-ups know what they're doing-"

"For a change," Landon chimed in. "Great. That's just freakin' fantastic." He sighed loudly over the intercom. "Come on, everybody; let's get some more guns."

"We'll meet up in five minutes," Alex said. "In that time, triple-check your surroundings and make sure we haven't missed any of the bastards."

"Got it," Stephanie said, echoing the statements of five other Spartans. She turned around inside the small apartment that she was exploring when Alex had first called them. The female Spartan was fairly certain that she had followed something up here, but she couldn't find it for the life of her.

But, if it was a Combat Form, she couldn't leave without dealing with it first. There were still people in many, many apartments in this particular complex, people that had refused to clear out even when given a direct order by a nine-foot-tall Spartan.

Not that I can blame them, she thought bitterly, gripping the two Maulers in her hands as tightly as she could without snapping them. It's not like ONI is going to watch over them; not like the UNSC has the time or the resources to focus any energy on protecting them or their families. She sighed. The safest place for them, sad as it was, was in their homes, armed with whatever they had.

She opened the door leading outside of the apartment, into a hallway, and was nearly knocked over as the Combat Form came screaming passed her. Before she could even process the event, the creature had run through an open door at the end of the hall, and Stephanie could hear at least three voices screaming.

"Shit!" she growled, charging down the hall. The door somehow slammed shut long before she arrived, however, and the Spartan turned sideways and put her shoulder out in front of her.

The old, wooden door didn't stand a ghost of a chance against the half-ton Spartan that came crashing through it, two Maulers up and ready to cut into whatever got in the way.

"Help!" the scream came from the left, and Stephanie turned in time to watch the former human swing its ragged tentacles toward a young woman and a little boy who couldn't have been more than ten years old. The two people barely managed to hit the ground before the deadly limbs cut through the air where their heads had just been.

Stephanie tackled the Combat Form from behind, knocking to the ground and digging the twin blades of the Maulers into its abdomen. As it shrieked and attempted to stand, she pulled one of the mini-Shotguns out and pressed it hard into the creature's chest.

BANG!

The Mauler roared a single time, tearing a gaping hole in the undead human's body and destroying the Infection Form within. The now-dead corpse stopped moving immediately, and Stephanie stood up, catching her breath and taking another look around the room.

The two people that she'd seen appeared to be okay. Both of them were immensely frightened and huddling in a corner, but no one could blame them for that. On the other side of the room, however, Stephanie got a different sight.

A man in his late thirties was lying dead on the floor, ragged tears in his chest and with his arms bent at strange angles. His head was twisted farther than it should ever have been, and he was holding a Battle Rifle by the barrel in his right hand.

And then Stephanie realized it. The Combat Form's right hand had been missing, because it was still attached to the grip of the Battle Rifle. The man, who she assumed to be the woman's husband, had wrestled the weapon from the Flood's grip.

And he'd given his life to do it.

"I'm sorry," Stephanie said, turning to the woman. "But you need to come with me."

She shook her head furiously while the boy only looked up at the Spartan with a combination of fear and awe. "We can't leave." She said. "This is home."

"No choice," Stephanie said sadly. "It's not safe here." She glanced toward the man's body behind her, then looked at the young boy. "Take him outside. I'll be right behind you."

Reluctantly, the woman slowly nodded her head and stood up, bringing the boy up with her. They walked carefully to the now-destroyed door, peeked outside, and finally moved out.

Stephanie worked to keep any tears from being shed as she picked a Plasma Grenade from her armor and looked at the man's corpse, his eyes still staring blankly toward her.

This was anything but her favorite part of the job, but, against the Flood, there was no other choice.

"Alex," she said miserably into the intercom, "I'll meet you guys outside in two minutes." She paused. "I caught a bit of a snag, but everything's fine."

"Got it, Stephanie," Alex said, her voice depressed, as if she recognized the other Spartan's tone. "Take your time."

"Yeah," she answered, "thanks."

She primed the grenade, dropped it in the room, and stepped outside.


Author's Notes: Yeah, a chapter full of close-calls and melancholy. It's the Flood. Did you expect anything less? That being said, please review (despite the fact that I'm a terrible person for leaving you all hanging for a month...), and I hope you enjoy the space one right after this.

ALSO, Important note: This chapter was very short, and I hope to have the remaining ground-based chapters be a bit longer. This one just gave me so much trouble (you don't know the number of times it's been changed, edited, proofed, etc). Regardless, I hope very much that the others will be better.

Thanks all, and be sure to read "The Meaning Of Loss" before taking off.

- Raptor