Chapter 3
"No wonder they call it all wheel drive." McPherson said aloud as the Warthog barreled through the high grass and algae water of the marsh they were in. The lieutenant continued his reckless driving through the damp muddy area, not even attempting to slow up when they neared an area that appeared to be deep or filled with broken tree branches and aging stumps.
"Whoa, close one." The lieutenant said as he had swerved the Warthog in a hard, tight, right turn, just missing a fallen tree, almost overturning it as he did so. He just turned to McPherson and smiled and McPherson felt like he was about to throw up, he wasn't use to such dangerous driving. He felt like it was hazardous to his health. McPherson' heart nearing jumped when he saw the lieutenant push the pedal even further as they neared another fallen tree that was still embedded into the drowned soil.
"Ah, sir." was McPherson's worried response to his gunning the engine.
"Yeah?" asked the lieutenant not even turning his head.
"Don't you think we're going a little fast?" he asked.
"Absolutely…." The Warthog hit the tree and sped up its sky facing side and leapt high into the air. McPherson gripped anything stable and held on for dear life, closing his eyes as they hurtled through the air. McPherson could hear the PFC behind the main gun throwing up a fist and hollering, "YEEEHHHHHHAAAAAAA!" like some old time cowboy. The large LRV slammed into the dry covered ground with a large thud and crash as the grill impacted partially with the earth. Remarkably the Warthog remained upright and upon landing, then skidded to a halt.
"…not!" the lieutenant said finishing his reply from before they took to flight. McPherson slowly opened his eyes and looked around him. He was still alive he realized, to his surprise. After letting a breath of relief out, then he turned and looked at the lieutenant who was simply looking at him with a sly grin.
"You ok corporal?" he asked.
"Ah…yeah, I'm ok. I think." McPherson said hesitantly still checking his body.
"You don't need to change your pants do ya?" the lieutenant asked sarcastically.
"Hehehehe." McPherson heard the light laughter of the PFC behind him.
"No sir." McPherson said slightly annoyed at the fun the lieutenant and PFC was having at his expense.
"Alright then, let's get going." Replied the lieutenant as he shifted the gears on the Warthog and sped off toward an open area with scattered trees.
The group continued their advance along a small creek, which they came across following it to where it flowed into a waterfall from the looks of it.
"Ok, one crash site is just 350km to our northeast." The lieutenant said looking at a blip, which symbolized the distress beacon, on the small onboard screen the Warthog possessed in the center above the gearshift. "There." he added pointing to a spot not to far off from their current position.
"Sir, know how many survivors?" McPherson asked.
"No son. Alls I know is that they were coming on in on landing when we were leaving the area. Me and Stevens," he said motioning to the PFC, "were the only survivors of our boat and then we happened to come across this abandoned Warthog." he paused. "Don't know why it was just sitting there in the middle of nowhere but who are we to complain." he finished.
McPherson felt somewhat uneasy when he heard the PFC's name, but then thought it over. Why should he distrust him for something some screwed up freak in aluminum did? So he let it go and decided to see how the PFC really was, perhaps he would elevate the name in his mind from the impression that he already held.
They continued their drive when all of a sudden Stevens yelled out, "Banshees!"
We all looked up to a spot in the sky where he was pointing. At about the same instant we spotted them the three banshees saw us and circled around to get into a dive on us.
"Hang on boys, this'll be rough." The lieutenant said as he began to make sharp turns here and there to avoid the fast coming enemy fire.
"Come on you sons-of-bitches!" Stevens exclaimed as he bent down in his position and aimed behind the protective armor shield on the back of the triple-barreled M41 LAAG.
As the Warthog drew closer to the diving banshees the lieutenant made a hard right turn that caused the Warthog to come off the ground and ride on only two wheels almost flipping over. Just as he had done that the banshees fired their fuel-rod cannons and three large, green energy shots came speeding down at them. The shots just missed their mark because of the hard turn and they impacted into the ground with a thunderous sound and flash of green light. The banshees then quickly climbed to gain altitude but in doing so flew right over the speeding Warthog.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Stevens yelled as he let loose on the M41 firing over 550 rounds per minute into the passing banshees. The rounds large shells casings began to spit out of the M41 with incredible speed each flying through the air and landing onto the thick grass on the ground making singe marks where they impacted due to their extreme heat. Stevens clinched his teeth as he kept his finger on the trigger and tensed as he steadied the weapon on one of the banshees as it climbed. Sweat teaming down his face falling around his half closed eyes as they faced the tracers of his fire hit and impact into the hull of the trailing banshee inflicting enough damage to make it trail smoke and slow up. Stevens didn't stop there, as the group of banshees changed directions he followed in perfect sync and kept firing into the smoking banshee causing it to finally explode in a large fireball. Pieces of the once deadly banshee flew off in all directions along with it's dead pilot who was thrown clear of it from mid- air, the elite's carcass slamming into a tree on freefall, splattering purple blood on every tree limb. The now blackened and smoking banshee crashed not to far from the tree skidding to a halt under the dirt being thrown all over as it slowed to a stop.
McPherson quickly cocked his AR and waited until the banshees made another pass.
"Here they come again." The lieutenant said as he turned the Warthog to a different direction.
The two remaining banshees came up from the left side of the Warthog as it made it to the peak of a large hill, which catapulted it into the air. The banshees began to fire at them while they were in mid-air following them toward the ground close enough where McPherson began to fire his AR at them as they flew ever closer. Green shots of energy flew past the Warthog as Stevens transversed the M41 and began to return fire, hitting one of the banshees directly in the front. More and more shell casings flew through the air, many collecting on the platform of the M41 as Stevens continued to fire un-relentlessly, the large coil of ammo feeding out of the base of the gun moving up into the gun with great speed. Even as McPherson stopped to reload Stevens continued firing until the banshee blew apart in a quick explosion turning the stylish purple color black accompanied with numerous sparks from the damaged and destroyed instruments inside. The wreckage quickly hitting the ground and turning over, spewing out it's contents, the elite's battered and blackened body along with a couple of plasma grenades and a plasma rifle. However, the banshees' fire did strike home as a few of their shots hit the Warthog as it descended toward the ground, throwing it out of it's almost perfect arch and turning it sharply. The Warthog landed onto the ground very awkwardly and sent it tumbling side over side. McPherson, Stevens and the lieutenant were thrown clear of the vehicle as it rolled to a stop on its side. The lieutenant slammed into the ground with a hard, loud thud and moved slowly from side to side. Stevens slammed into the ground on his side and rolled several feet before he staggered to his feet and cocked his AR waiting for the banshee to return and finish the job. McPherson landed on the ground feet first and ended up in a roll stopping himself with his feet. He slowly stood up and finished reloading his rifle ready for the banshee's return as well.
McPherson stared off at the circling banshee, breathing heavy with sweat falling down his face and onto his armor as he stayed in his crouched position waiting for the banshee to return. He looked over and saw Stevens also crouched down starring at the banshee except he was slowly moving toward McPherson. Once Stevens had gotten next to him they both turned to each other.
"Ready?" McPherson asked.
"You bet." Stevens replied.
They both turned their heads back to the now incoming banshee, opening fire on it when it came close. No sooner had the two marines begun firing than the banshee fired a round from the fuel-rod cannon.
"Take cover!" McPherson yelled as he and Stevens stopped firing and jumped out of the shots path. McPherson taking cover behind a tree and Stevens hurtling over a few rocks as the shot impacted with a loud thud very close to the Warthog and caused it to right it self. Seeing the open opportunity Stevens made a mad dash for the M41 but before he could reach was halted as shots from its plasma cannons. Stevens fell back onto the ground slightly dazed from the close shot's bright flashes. The situation looked grim as the banshee kept a close watch over the Warthog and the two marines that had fired on it. Occasionally firing into the tree McPherson hid behind to try and hit him but mainly succeeding in keeping him pinned, the same for Stevens who stayed close to the ground. The banshee flew directly over the Warthog as it got into position to fire its deadly and powerful fuel-rod shot when it quickly came under fire from below. The lieutenant after struggling to get up had staggered unnoticed by the banshee pilot to the M41. Before the banshee got get out of firing range of the M41 it exploded in a tremendous fireball completely enveloping it. Only chunks of flaming, smoking wreckage appeared out of the disappearing fireball. Scattering everywhere onto the ground and into the creek the numerous flaming pieces were all that remained of the large enemy aircraft. After he had destroyed it the lieutenant fell back onto his ass onto the floor of the open bed area holding the M41, sliding on top of empty shell casings making them clang and fly about the LRV.
McPherson, seeing this, stood up out from cover of the large pine tree and ran over to the Warthog, Stevens followed suit from his cover position.
"You boys ok?" the lieutenant asked somewhat slowly still in pain and gripping his ribs.
"Yeah, thank to you sir." Stevens replied.
"Are you ok sir?" McPherson asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little to old for this shit." he replied in a humorous tone.
McPherson and Stevens laughed at his crack, knowing that he wasn't in that much pain and would be ok.
"That was some nice shooting Lt." McPherson added.
"Well, don't mention it." he paused as he turned from them and looked to where their original destination lay. "Well we better get going, no telling what trouble those marines might be in."
"Right sir." Stevens said hoping into the gunner's position as the Lt. stepped out.
The lieutenant switched gears and then slammed his foot on the pedal, causing the Warthog to spit up dirt and grass behind it and sort of move very slowly at first until it gripped the ground and sped off at high speed. The screen on the dashboard read that the boat beacon was only 100km away, so the lieutenant quickly switched gears again and made the Warthog go faster. McPherson was scanning the area to their front with a pair of binoculars from a small compartment under his seat. After they had come to within 80km of the area McPherson quickly raised his hand to stop the lieutenant.
"Whoa, slow up sir." he said.
"Why? What do you see?" Lt. asked halting the Warthog to a skidding stop.
"Here, look." McPherson told him handing over the binoculars. "See, over there. Towards that weird looking structure." He said pointing to a large surface structure that shot some flare of light or energy straight into the sky for no apparent reason.
"Well I'll be damned." was he only reply upon looking at the area to their front.
"What is it?" asked Stevens now intrigued to what they were looking at.
"Looks like we got ourselves a challenge." Lt. said handing back the binoculars.
"About 3 elites, 4 jackals, a hell of a lot of grunts and 2 hunters. Looks like something big." McPherson answered.
"Yeah looks like it." Lt. responded.
Stevens gave a questionable look, pondering their success possibility and their chances of survival. After a moment his expression changed dramatically to an angered and PO'd look cocking the M41 for firing and saying, "Well what in the hell are we waiting for?"
"Hehehe!" Lt. laughed aloud. "That's my boys!"
"Hit it!" McPherson yelled cocking his AR.
The lieutenant gunned the engine and sent the Warthog barreling toward the group of unsuspecting Covenant. AS he sped ever closer to them Stevens steadied himself behind the M41 and took aim at the nearest Covenant he saw, while McPherson quickly sat up in his seat, placing his ass against the head rest pushing off with his right foot against the dashboard to keep him tight in his spot and used his left to balance himself into an elevated and better firing position.
The first few grunts that were walking patrol slowly turned to the loud noise that they heard coming toward them. Upon seeing the speeding Warthog the grunts jumped into the air in panic and yelled out in terror.
"Look, there they are!" one screamed about to fire at the three marines, also alerting everyone else to their presence.
"Uh-oh!" another one yelled seeing the Warthog not slow up in its speed and quickly dove out of the way yelling as he did so.
"Nice try!" McPherson yelled firing at the grunt which dove out of the their path. His shots peppering the grunts body with bullet holes and throwing it's light blue blood unto the grass and sending the grunt tumbling back moaning in pain.
At this instant all the elites, and other grunts began run toward the LRV and started to fire back, the jackals hid behind their shields and also fired back while the hunters crouched down behind their protective armor and shields' and slowly charged their fuel-rod cannons.
"Bring it!" Stevens yelled out as he unleashed the M41 onto the group of Covenant. His arch of fire hitting numerous grunts, spilling blood from each one, killing most as the Armor-Piercing rounds completely penetrated the grunt's frail bodies sometimes carrying remnants of vital organs as they passed through. Elites dove out of the arch of fire to avoid the barrage of rounds while the jackals held firm behind their protective shields.
Lt. quickly put the Warthog into a tight left turn as he saw the hunters firing their guns, the large bolts of green plasma moving toward them just passing over their heads falling harmlessly into the ground a few dozen yards away. McPherson kept his fire steady despite being his aim being thrown from side to side and up and down due to the terrain and the lieutenant's maneuvering.
"Quick, charge those jackals!" McPherson yelled to the lieutenant while slapping another round of ammo into his AR.
"No problem." He replied turning the Warthog again to a hard left this time barreling toward the jackals. The jackals fired off large, supercharged shots of plasma at the marines, which hit the front of the Warthog, blacking some of the hood and damaging part of the windshield but doing little other damage. The jackals seeing they had no effect dove out of the path of the LRV throwing their bodies onto the ground, which left their backs completely exposed to fire.
McPherson and Stevens began to unload hundreds of rounds into the jackals back, sending a lot of them flailing forward out of control as different rounds of ammo impacted and entered their bodies showering the area surrounding them with their black-purplish blood followed by them screaming and groaning in a monstrous voice as they felt the last thing they would ever experience, pure pain. Their bloodied corpses now lettered the field, along with that of about four or five grunts with all their weapons and the occasional plasma grenade. Lt. seeing the hunters about to fire again turned the Warthog toward the direction of the ever-moving elites and surprisingly catching one before it would dive for cover, smashing straight into the body. The elite yelled out in agonizing pain as it was hit by 3 ¼ ton LRV, denting front hood and throwing its corpse into the widow, severely damaging it and splattering it's purple blood everywhere onto the front of the vehicle and even splattering McPherson in the face making him stop his fire and wipe the liquid from his eyes which mixed with his sweat creating a strange light purple.
"Ah man!" McPherson exclaimed.
"Take that you damn monster!" Lt. yelled out.
"That's one way to save ammo." Stevens said laughing before resuming his fire at the other two elites.
"Down in front!" yelled a grunt as he hurled a plasma grenade at the exact same instant the two hunters fired their plasma bolts.
"Incoming!" yelled Stevens as he ducked low just missing the grenade and two bolts of plasma.
"Look out! WHHHAAAAAAAA!!" screamed the grunt as the two plasma bolts hit them instead of the marines killing him, his other remaining three grunt companions and an elite. Throwing their bodies through the air yelling and screaming as they did so and scattering all of the ammo and equipment they carried as well.
"Hot damn! Thanks hunters!" Lt. yelled towards the angered hunters who began to move closer to them.
The last elite kept ducking and running away from Stevens shots as only a few hit him, but McPherson quickly took out a FRAG grenade, pulled the pin with his teeth and yelled to Stevens, "Lead him left!" as he threw the FRAG. Stevens realizing what he meant fired at just behind the elite making him run right into the grenade as it went off. Its body being thrown up into the air carried by the plume explosion, screaming and crying in pain as its left arm and leg were vaporized in the violent explosion sending the mutilated corpse to the floor with a loud thud.
"Yeah, eat that you fucking monster!" yelled McPherson raising his hand in triumph.
"Don't celebrate yet, cause here come the hunters." Lt. pointed out driving the Warthog with one hand as he saw the two hunters come running toward the Warthog obviously feeling they could take on the LRV without much injury.
"Let's get'em!" Stevens yelled cocking the M41 again loading a new set of ammo from the large storage at his feet.
The Warthog drove straight for the two charging hunters, Stevens firing non- stop into the lead one with McPherson in assistance. The round and shell flying up into the air and past their heads with incredible speed as the Warthog reached it top speed.
"Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!" Stevens yelled firing into the one hunter slowing him up as every few rounds missed his protective shield and hit his exposed body throwing out right red blood onto the ground. The hunter grunting in pain but continuing his advance until he finally let out a large groan as the last few rounds killed him spilling more red blood across his body and the grass under him, sprawling out as he passed from the world of the living to that of the dead.
However, the marines' triumph was short lived as the second hunter feeling invisible hit the Warthog straight on. Throwing the LRV into the air, spinning end over end throwing its occupants and impacting the ground some 20 yards away in a loud crash of bent metal and broken glass. The hunter for his charge received considerable damage and pain as he was thrown back several feet spattering his blood over a large area. The hunter quickly got up however and made his way for Stevens who lay on his stomach in considerable pain. Stevens turned over just in time to see the hunter over him and bring his mighty shield arm up about to crush the poor injured marine. When all of a sudden the hunter let out a quick groan and fell to the ground in a large heap before Stevens showering him with its blood. Stevens let out a quick holler of pain as his foot became trapped under the massive covenant body. Behind the now dead hunter, Stevens saw, was the Lt. standing with a smoking pistol and bearing a large sly grin.
"You alright marine?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess so. Agh! Get this damn thing off me!" Stevens yelled back.
"No problem, corporal." Lt. motioned for McPherson to help him.
After they had managed to lift the dead and very heavy hunter corpse off Stevens's leg it was quickly wrapped and the lieutenant brought him to his feet.
"How's she look corporal?" Lt. asked McPherson who checking out the Warthog, which lay on its side in complete disarray.
"No way sir, she's totaled." McPherson replied.
"Alright then, let's keep moving. Let's get over that hill and see if we can spot any survivors. We may not have any wheels but damnit we're still gonna help any wounded marines." Lt. ordered.
"Yes sir." was McPherson and Stevens unanimous reply.
"Corporal, you got point. Let's move out." Lt. said as he held Stevens up on his one good leg and carried his pistol in his other free hand. Stevens held his AR in his other arm and hobbled as fast as he could. McPherson slowly moved to the top of the hill, peeked over, and stopped in complete amazement.
"Holy shit!" was his only answer.
"What is it marine?" Lt. asked as he struggled with Stevens up the hill. I said what…" he paused upon seeing what McPherson saw. "Well I'll be damned."
"Ah hell yeah!" Stevens exclaimed.
McPherson could easily say it was the most beautiful site he had ever seen in his entire life, Lt. and Stevens quickly agreed.
Justinian II
A/N: Sorry again for the long delay….but with school and me writing a much longer and harder story I haven't much time. I apologize and will try to get Ch 4 up much quicker. My other story which is currently 83 pgs will be put on here in the originals section hopefully by April….if I'm done. Thanks again for the reviews and comments I've received. And again sorry for the delay.
"No wonder they call it all wheel drive." McPherson said aloud as the Warthog barreled through the high grass and algae water of the marsh they were in. The lieutenant continued his reckless driving through the damp muddy area, not even attempting to slow up when they neared an area that appeared to be deep or filled with broken tree branches and aging stumps.
"Whoa, close one." The lieutenant said as he had swerved the Warthog in a hard, tight, right turn, just missing a fallen tree, almost overturning it as he did so. He just turned to McPherson and smiled and McPherson felt like he was about to throw up, he wasn't use to such dangerous driving. He felt like it was hazardous to his health. McPherson' heart nearing jumped when he saw the lieutenant push the pedal even further as they neared another fallen tree that was still embedded into the drowned soil.
"Ah, sir." was McPherson's worried response to his gunning the engine.
"Yeah?" asked the lieutenant not even turning his head.
"Don't you think we're going a little fast?" he asked.
"Absolutely…." The Warthog hit the tree and sped up its sky facing side and leapt high into the air. McPherson gripped anything stable and held on for dear life, closing his eyes as they hurtled through the air. McPherson could hear the PFC behind the main gun throwing up a fist and hollering, "YEEEHHHHHHAAAAAAA!" like some old time cowboy. The large LRV slammed into the dry covered ground with a large thud and crash as the grill impacted partially with the earth. Remarkably the Warthog remained upright and upon landing, then skidded to a halt.
"…not!" the lieutenant said finishing his reply from before they took to flight. McPherson slowly opened his eyes and looked around him. He was still alive he realized, to his surprise. After letting a breath of relief out, then he turned and looked at the lieutenant who was simply looking at him with a sly grin.
"You ok corporal?" he asked.
"Ah…yeah, I'm ok. I think." McPherson said hesitantly still checking his body.
"You don't need to change your pants do ya?" the lieutenant asked sarcastically.
"Hehehehe." McPherson heard the light laughter of the PFC behind him.
"No sir." McPherson said slightly annoyed at the fun the lieutenant and PFC was having at his expense.
"Alright then, let's get going." Replied the lieutenant as he shifted the gears on the Warthog and sped off toward an open area with scattered trees.
The group continued their advance along a small creek, which they came across following it to where it flowed into a waterfall from the looks of it.
"Ok, one crash site is just 350km to our northeast." The lieutenant said looking at a blip, which symbolized the distress beacon, on the small onboard screen the Warthog possessed in the center above the gearshift. "There." he added pointing to a spot not to far off from their current position.
"Sir, know how many survivors?" McPherson asked.
"No son. Alls I know is that they were coming on in on landing when we were leaving the area. Me and Stevens," he said motioning to the PFC, "were the only survivors of our boat and then we happened to come across this abandoned Warthog." he paused. "Don't know why it was just sitting there in the middle of nowhere but who are we to complain." he finished.
McPherson felt somewhat uneasy when he heard the PFC's name, but then thought it over. Why should he distrust him for something some screwed up freak in aluminum did? So he let it go and decided to see how the PFC really was, perhaps he would elevate the name in his mind from the impression that he already held.
They continued their drive when all of a sudden Stevens yelled out, "Banshees!"
We all looked up to a spot in the sky where he was pointing. At about the same instant we spotted them the three banshees saw us and circled around to get into a dive on us.
"Hang on boys, this'll be rough." The lieutenant said as he began to make sharp turns here and there to avoid the fast coming enemy fire.
"Come on you sons-of-bitches!" Stevens exclaimed as he bent down in his position and aimed behind the protective armor shield on the back of the triple-barreled M41 LAAG.
As the Warthog drew closer to the diving banshees the lieutenant made a hard right turn that caused the Warthog to come off the ground and ride on only two wheels almost flipping over. Just as he had done that the banshees fired their fuel-rod cannons and three large, green energy shots came speeding down at them. The shots just missed their mark because of the hard turn and they impacted into the ground with a thunderous sound and flash of green light. The banshees then quickly climbed to gain altitude but in doing so flew right over the speeding Warthog.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Stevens yelled as he let loose on the M41 firing over 550 rounds per minute into the passing banshees. The rounds large shells casings began to spit out of the M41 with incredible speed each flying through the air and landing onto the thick grass on the ground making singe marks where they impacted due to their extreme heat. Stevens clinched his teeth as he kept his finger on the trigger and tensed as he steadied the weapon on one of the banshees as it climbed. Sweat teaming down his face falling around his half closed eyes as they faced the tracers of his fire hit and impact into the hull of the trailing banshee inflicting enough damage to make it trail smoke and slow up. Stevens didn't stop there, as the group of banshees changed directions he followed in perfect sync and kept firing into the smoking banshee causing it to finally explode in a large fireball. Pieces of the once deadly banshee flew off in all directions along with it's dead pilot who was thrown clear of it from mid- air, the elite's carcass slamming into a tree on freefall, splattering purple blood on every tree limb. The now blackened and smoking banshee crashed not to far from the tree skidding to a halt under the dirt being thrown all over as it slowed to a stop.
McPherson quickly cocked his AR and waited until the banshees made another pass.
"Here they come again." The lieutenant said as he turned the Warthog to a different direction.
The two remaining banshees came up from the left side of the Warthog as it made it to the peak of a large hill, which catapulted it into the air. The banshees began to fire at them while they were in mid-air following them toward the ground close enough where McPherson began to fire his AR at them as they flew ever closer. Green shots of energy flew past the Warthog as Stevens transversed the M41 and began to return fire, hitting one of the banshees directly in the front. More and more shell casings flew through the air, many collecting on the platform of the M41 as Stevens continued to fire un-relentlessly, the large coil of ammo feeding out of the base of the gun moving up into the gun with great speed. Even as McPherson stopped to reload Stevens continued firing until the banshee blew apart in a quick explosion turning the stylish purple color black accompanied with numerous sparks from the damaged and destroyed instruments inside. The wreckage quickly hitting the ground and turning over, spewing out it's contents, the elite's battered and blackened body along with a couple of plasma grenades and a plasma rifle. However, the banshees' fire did strike home as a few of their shots hit the Warthog as it descended toward the ground, throwing it out of it's almost perfect arch and turning it sharply. The Warthog landed onto the ground very awkwardly and sent it tumbling side over side. McPherson, Stevens and the lieutenant were thrown clear of the vehicle as it rolled to a stop on its side. The lieutenant slammed into the ground with a hard, loud thud and moved slowly from side to side. Stevens slammed into the ground on his side and rolled several feet before he staggered to his feet and cocked his AR waiting for the banshee to return and finish the job. McPherson landed on the ground feet first and ended up in a roll stopping himself with his feet. He slowly stood up and finished reloading his rifle ready for the banshee's return as well.
McPherson stared off at the circling banshee, breathing heavy with sweat falling down his face and onto his armor as he stayed in his crouched position waiting for the banshee to return. He looked over and saw Stevens also crouched down starring at the banshee except he was slowly moving toward McPherson. Once Stevens had gotten next to him they both turned to each other.
"Ready?" McPherson asked.
"You bet." Stevens replied.
They both turned their heads back to the now incoming banshee, opening fire on it when it came close. No sooner had the two marines begun firing than the banshee fired a round from the fuel-rod cannon.
"Take cover!" McPherson yelled as he and Stevens stopped firing and jumped out of the shots path. McPherson taking cover behind a tree and Stevens hurtling over a few rocks as the shot impacted with a loud thud very close to the Warthog and caused it to right it self. Seeing the open opportunity Stevens made a mad dash for the M41 but before he could reach was halted as shots from its plasma cannons. Stevens fell back onto the ground slightly dazed from the close shot's bright flashes. The situation looked grim as the banshee kept a close watch over the Warthog and the two marines that had fired on it. Occasionally firing into the tree McPherson hid behind to try and hit him but mainly succeeding in keeping him pinned, the same for Stevens who stayed close to the ground. The banshee flew directly over the Warthog as it got into position to fire its deadly and powerful fuel-rod shot when it quickly came under fire from below. The lieutenant after struggling to get up had staggered unnoticed by the banshee pilot to the M41. Before the banshee got get out of firing range of the M41 it exploded in a tremendous fireball completely enveloping it. Only chunks of flaming, smoking wreckage appeared out of the disappearing fireball. Scattering everywhere onto the ground and into the creek the numerous flaming pieces were all that remained of the large enemy aircraft. After he had destroyed it the lieutenant fell back onto his ass onto the floor of the open bed area holding the M41, sliding on top of empty shell casings making them clang and fly about the LRV.
McPherson, seeing this, stood up out from cover of the large pine tree and ran over to the Warthog, Stevens followed suit from his cover position.
"You boys ok?" the lieutenant asked somewhat slowly still in pain and gripping his ribs.
"Yeah, thank to you sir." Stevens replied.
"Are you ok sir?" McPherson asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little to old for this shit." he replied in a humorous tone.
McPherson and Stevens laughed at his crack, knowing that he wasn't in that much pain and would be ok.
"That was some nice shooting Lt." McPherson added.
"Well, don't mention it." he paused as he turned from them and looked to where their original destination lay. "Well we better get going, no telling what trouble those marines might be in."
"Right sir." Stevens said hoping into the gunner's position as the Lt. stepped out.
The lieutenant switched gears and then slammed his foot on the pedal, causing the Warthog to spit up dirt and grass behind it and sort of move very slowly at first until it gripped the ground and sped off at high speed. The screen on the dashboard read that the boat beacon was only 100km away, so the lieutenant quickly switched gears again and made the Warthog go faster. McPherson was scanning the area to their front with a pair of binoculars from a small compartment under his seat. After they had come to within 80km of the area McPherson quickly raised his hand to stop the lieutenant.
"Whoa, slow up sir." he said.
"Why? What do you see?" Lt. asked halting the Warthog to a skidding stop.
"Here, look." McPherson told him handing over the binoculars. "See, over there. Towards that weird looking structure." He said pointing to a large surface structure that shot some flare of light or energy straight into the sky for no apparent reason.
"Well I'll be damned." was he only reply upon looking at the area to their front.
"What is it?" asked Stevens now intrigued to what they were looking at.
"Looks like we got ourselves a challenge." Lt. said handing back the binoculars.
"About 3 elites, 4 jackals, a hell of a lot of grunts and 2 hunters. Looks like something big." McPherson answered.
"Yeah looks like it." Lt. responded.
Stevens gave a questionable look, pondering their success possibility and their chances of survival. After a moment his expression changed dramatically to an angered and PO'd look cocking the M41 for firing and saying, "Well what in the hell are we waiting for?"
"Hehehe!" Lt. laughed aloud. "That's my boys!"
"Hit it!" McPherson yelled cocking his AR.
The lieutenant gunned the engine and sent the Warthog barreling toward the group of unsuspecting Covenant. AS he sped ever closer to them Stevens steadied himself behind the M41 and took aim at the nearest Covenant he saw, while McPherson quickly sat up in his seat, placing his ass against the head rest pushing off with his right foot against the dashboard to keep him tight in his spot and used his left to balance himself into an elevated and better firing position.
The first few grunts that were walking patrol slowly turned to the loud noise that they heard coming toward them. Upon seeing the speeding Warthog the grunts jumped into the air in panic and yelled out in terror.
"Look, there they are!" one screamed about to fire at the three marines, also alerting everyone else to their presence.
"Uh-oh!" another one yelled seeing the Warthog not slow up in its speed and quickly dove out of the way yelling as he did so.
"Nice try!" McPherson yelled firing at the grunt which dove out of the their path. His shots peppering the grunts body with bullet holes and throwing it's light blue blood unto the grass and sending the grunt tumbling back moaning in pain.
At this instant all the elites, and other grunts began run toward the LRV and started to fire back, the jackals hid behind their shields and also fired back while the hunters crouched down behind their protective armor and shields' and slowly charged their fuel-rod cannons.
"Bring it!" Stevens yelled out as he unleashed the M41 onto the group of Covenant. His arch of fire hitting numerous grunts, spilling blood from each one, killing most as the Armor-Piercing rounds completely penetrated the grunt's frail bodies sometimes carrying remnants of vital organs as they passed through. Elites dove out of the arch of fire to avoid the barrage of rounds while the jackals held firm behind their protective shields.
Lt. quickly put the Warthog into a tight left turn as he saw the hunters firing their guns, the large bolts of green plasma moving toward them just passing over their heads falling harmlessly into the ground a few dozen yards away. McPherson kept his fire steady despite being his aim being thrown from side to side and up and down due to the terrain and the lieutenant's maneuvering.
"Quick, charge those jackals!" McPherson yelled to the lieutenant while slapping another round of ammo into his AR.
"No problem." He replied turning the Warthog again to a hard left this time barreling toward the jackals. The jackals fired off large, supercharged shots of plasma at the marines, which hit the front of the Warthog, blacking some of the hood and damaging part of the windshield but doing little other damage. The jackals seeing they had no effect dove out of the path of the LRV throwing their bodies onto the ground, which left their backs completely exposed to fire.
McPherson and Stevens began to unload hundreds of rounds into the jackals back, sending a lot of them flailing forward out of control as different rounds of ammo impacted and entered their bodies showering the area surrounding them with their black-purplish blood followed by them screaming and groaning in a monstrous voice as they felt the last thing they would ever experience, pure pain. Their bloodied corpses now lettered the field, along with that of about four or five grunts with all their weapons and the occasional plasma grenade. Lt. seeing the hunters about to fire again turned the Warthog toward the direction of the ever-moving elites and surprisingly catching one before it would dive for cover, smashing straight into the body. The elite yelled out in agonizing pain as it was hit by 3 ¼ ton LRV, denting front hood and throwing its corpse into the widow, severely damaging it and splattering it's purple blood everywhere onto the front of the vehicle and even splattering McPherson in the face making him stop his fire and wipe the liquid from his eyes which mixed with his sweat creating a strange light purple.
"Ah man!" McPherson exclaimed.
"Take that you damn monster!" Lt. yelled out.
"That's one way to save ammo." Stevens said laughing before resuming his fire at the other two elites.
"Down in front!" yelled a grunt as he hurled a plasma grenade at the exact same instant the two hunters fired their plasma bolts.
"Incoming!" yelled Stevens as he ducked low just missing the grenade and two bolts of plasma.
"Look out! WHHHAAAAAAAA!!" screamed the grunt as the two plasma bolts hit them instead of the marines killing him, his other remaining three grunt companions and an elite. Throwing their bodies through the air yelling and screaming as they did so and scattering all of the ammo and equipment they carried as well.
"Hot damn! Thanks hunters!" Lt. yelled towards the angered hunters who began to move closer to them.
The last elite kept ducking and running away from Stevens shots as only a few hit him, but McPherson quickly took out a FRAG grenade, pulled the pin with his teeth and yelled to Stevens, "Lead him left!" as he threw the FRAG. Stevens realizing what he meant fired at just behind the elite making him run right into the grenade as it went off. Its body being thrown up into the air carried by the plume explosion, screaming and crying in pain as its left arm and leg were vaporized in the violent explosion sending the mutilated corpse to the floor with a loud thud.
"Yeah, eat that you fucking monster!" yelled McPherson raising his hand in triumph.
"Don't celebrate yet, cause here come the hunters." Lt. pointed out driving the Warthog with one hand as he saw the two hunters come running toward the Warthog obviously feeling they could take on the LRV without much injury.
"Let's get'em!" Stevens yelled cocking the M41 again loading a new set of ammo from the large storage at his feet.
The Warthog drove straight for the two charging hunters, Stevens firing non- stop into the lead one with McPherson in assistance. The round and shell flying up into the air and past their heads with incredible speed as the Warthog reached it top speed.
"Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!" Stevens yelled firing into the one hunter slowing him up as every few rounds missed his protective shield and hit his exposed body throwing out right red blood onto the ground. The hunter grunting in pain but continuing his advance until he finally let out a large groan as the last few rounds killed him spilling more red blood across his body and the grass under him, sprawling out as he passed from the world of the living to that of the dead.
However, the marines' triumph was short lived as the second hunter feeling invisible hit the Warthog straight on. Throwing the LRV into the air, spinning end over end throwing its occupants and impacting the ground some 20 yards away in a loud crash of bent metal and broken glass. The hunter for his charge received considerable damage and pain as he was thrown back several feet spattering his blood over a large area. The hunter quickly got up however and made his way for Stevens who lay on his stomach in considerable pain. Stevens turned over just in time to see the hunter over him and bring his mighty shield arm up about to crush the poor injured marine. When all of a sudden the hunter let out a quick groan and fell to the ground in a large heap before Stevens showering him with its blood. Stevens let out a quick holler of pain as his foot became trapped under the massive covenant body. Behind the now dead hunter, Stevens saw, was the Lt. standing with a smoking pistol and bearing a large sly grin.
"You alright marine?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess so. Agh! Get this damn thing off me!" Stevens yelled back.
"No problem, corporal." Lt. motioned for McPherson to help him.
After they had managed to lift the dead and very heavy hunter corpse off Stevens's leg it was quickly wrapped and the lieutenant brought him to his feet.
"How's she look corporal?" Lt. asked McPherson who checking out the Warthog, which lay on its side in complete disarray.
"No way sir, she's totaled." McPherson replied.
"Alright then, let's keep moving. Let's get over that hill and see if we can spot any survivors. We may not have any wheels but damnit we're still gonna help any wounded marines." Lt. ordered.
"Yes sir." was McPherson and Stevens unanimous reply.
"Corporal, you got point. Let's move out." Lt. said as he held Stevens up on his one good leg and carried his pistol in his other free hand. Stevens held his AR in his other arm and hobbled as fast as he could. McPherson slowly moved to the top of the hill, peeked over, and stopped in complete amazement.
"Holy shit!" was his only answer.
"What is it marine?" Lt. asked as he struggled with Stevens up the hill. I said what…" he paused upon seeing what McPherson saw. "Well I'll be damned."
"Ah hell yeah!" Stevens exclaimed.
McPherson could easily say it was the most beautiful site he had ever seen in his entire life, Lt. and Stevens quickly agreed.
Justinian II
A/N: Sorry again for the long delay….but with school and me writing a much longer and harder story I haven't much time. I apologize and will try to get Ch 4 up much quicker. My other story which is currently 83 pgs will be put on here in the originals section hopefully by April….if I'm done. Thanks again for the reviews and comments I've received. And again sorry for the delay.