Disclaimer: I own nothing involved with the Master Chief, Covenant or
events in the Halo game. The alien race encountered is loosely based on the
creatures in James Cameron's Aliens. They are my creations, however, my
inspiration I have thanks to James Cameron and his team. Congratulations to
Bungie for a great game, and James Cameron for a great movie!
Halo: The Black Widows
Chapter 3 Grievances
Raptor marched forward, his head low, and hands at his sides. His hands perched on the oak podium from which he would give his speech. So much to say about his best friend. what was to be told? What was to be hidden?
"Today, we come to give our last respects to our honored dead," Raptor bit his lip, staring out at the group of pilots and ship mechanics. All knew who he was speaking of, and whose possessions lay in the emptied, gray torpedo behind him.
"Those who have fallen to protect that which we hold dear; we mourn their loss, and vow they will not die in vain," Raptor tried to bide his time against his own tears, staring at Paladin. He knew something she didn't. After that mission, Tiger was going to propose. Somewhere in Tiger's makeshift tomb was his proposal ring.
"I knew Tiger very well. All of us, at least, knew of him. Few can understand his feelings and mentality. He was a man who flew with his heart, more than his mind. He was a man would help a stranger get through the hardest portions of their lives. He was the kindest, the gentlest, and the best man I ever met." Raptor paused again, biting his lip, "The Covenant have claimed many of us. Yet, we push on. and fight for victory. Let Tiger return to the stars, from whence he came," Raptor broke his train of thought, when his voice cracked mid-sentence. He reassembled himself before continuing, "Let him finally be free among our friends who have chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice."
Raptor closed his eyes, finally surrendering to urge to cry, "Ashes. to ashes. dust to dust."
"Amen." The congregation of people spoke the final word of farewell. Raptor then watched as Paladin, Falcon and Dedrik rose from their seats and joined him at he front of the room. There, they ushered Tiger's 'tomb' into the missile port groove and bid Farwell to their friend, where he would join the stars.
The people in the room then began to stand and leave. Paladin wouldn't budge, she just stood and cried. Raptor could do nothing, but let her stay and cry on her lover's grave.
* * *
Raptor hunched over the console. It was his shift in the C&C room. Many technicians stood there, even the Colonel in command, William Blair. He was issuing orders to a few green newbies. They had probably been pulled right from Academy training into combat. Welcome to war, gentlemen!
"Blung!" Raptor's console signified an incoming transmission. After thumbing a few switches, "You sure they'll here us?" The static on the line was heavy, probably the Covenant jamming. He could make out a woman's voice, speaking. Then a very cold male voice, "No, but I can try."
Raptor grabbed his microphone, and placed it near his mouth, "This is Command and Control at Vanguard base. Please boost your signal, your breaking up."
"Who is this?" The man. His voice sent chills up Raptor's spine.
"Privileged info, buddy. Can you get a visual?" Raptor said.
"Well, he sure is nice!" "Will you let me talk, Cortana?" Static.
Raptor began hitting switches again, trying to boost their signal, "Oh hell!"
A hand tapped Raptor's shoulder, sending the pilots vertical in his seat, "There a problem?" The Colonel.
"Sir!" Raptor flipped a switch and played the conversation back for the colonel.
".it couldn't be."
Halo: The Black Widows
Chapter 3 Grievances
Raptor marched forward, his head low, and hands at his sides. His hands perched on the oak podium from which he would give his speech. So much to say about his best friend. what was to be told? What was to be hidden?
"Today, we come to give our last respects to our honored dead," Raptor bit his lip, staring out at the group of pilots and ship mechanics. All knew who he was speaking of, and whose possessions lay in the emptied, gray torpedo behind him.
"Those who have fallen to protect that which we hold dear; we mourn their loss, and vow they will not die in vain," Raptor tried to bide his time against his own tears, staring at Paladin. He knew something she didn't. After that mission, Tiger was going to propose. Somewhere in Tiger's makeshift tomb was his proposal ring.
"I knew Tiger very well. All of us, at least, knew of him. Few can understand his feelings and mentality. He was a man who flew with his heart, more than his mind. He was a man would help a stranger get through the hardest portions of their lives. He was the kindest, the gentlest, and the best man I ever met." Raptor paused again, biting his lip, "The Covenant have claimed many of us. Yet, we push on. and fight for victory. Let Tiger return to the stars, from whence he came," Raptor broke his train of thought, when his voice cracked mid-sentence. He reassembled himself before continuing, "Let him finally be free among our friends who have chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice."
Raptor closed his eyes, finally surrendering to urge to cry, "Ashes. to ashes. dust to dust."
"Amen." The congregation of people spoke the final word of farewell. Raptor then watched as Paladin, Falcon and Dedrik rose from their seats and joined him at he front of the room. There, they ushered Tiger's 'tomb' into the missile port groove and bid Farwell to their friend, where he would join the stars.
The people in the room then began to stand and leave. Paladin wouldn't budge, she just stood and cried. Raptor could do nothing, but let her stay and cry on her lover's grave.
* * *
Raptor hunched over the console. It was his shift in the C&C room. Many technicians stood there, even the Colonel in command, William Blair. He was issuing orders to a few green newbies. They had probably been pulled right from Academy training into combat. Welcome to war, gentlemen!
"Blung!" Raptor's console signified an incoming transmission. After thumbing a few switches, "You sure they'll here us?" The static on the line was heavy, probably the Covenant jamming. He could make out a woman's voice, speaking. Then a very cold male voice, "No, but I can try."
Raptor grabbed his microphone, and placed it near his mouth, "This is Command and Control at Vanguard base. Please boost your signal, your breaking up."
"Who is this?" The man. His voice sent chills up Raptor's spine.
"Privileged info, buddy. Can you get a visual?" Raptor said.
"Well, he sure is nice!" "Will you let me talk, Cortana?" Static.
Raptor began hitting switches again, trying to boost their signal, "Oh hell!"
A hand tapped Raptor's shoulder, sending the pilots vertical in his seat, "There a problem?" The Colonel.
"Sir!" Raptor flipped a switch and played the conversation back for the colonel.
".it couldn't be."