CHAPTER 8
0645 Hours, August 14, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ 15 miles West of Daygars
Farr was losing his battle. His Ship Master was ordering him to destroy the fleeing Marines, since this Master did not know he was a Rebel. "Destroy them, or die for mutiny," the Ship Master hissed in their tongue.
"But they have done nothing to harm us." Farr weilded a plasma rifle in his left hand, holding it tightly should he need to use it.
Of the group sent out, Farr was the only Rebel, sent to keep an eye on things. The other ten Grunts and Elite were loyal to the Covenant, but none of them knew of Farr's rebel nature.
"Because I ordered you to! If they escape, the blame will be on you!" Just then, the Warthog rumbled past them, fleeing. The Ship Master turned to Farr, fury in his eyes. He growled out a warning as three Shadow vehicles came up, carrying three Elites and four Grunts each.
"But they have already escaped," Farr protested. He wanted to give them as much free time to escape as he could. He had to stall.
"Foolish traitor!" The Ship Master raised his weapon and felled Farr with one swipe. As the Rebel Elite toppled to the ground in a heap, the Master turned to the Elite driver of one of the Shadows. "Leave this filth and take me to follow those humans. We need to kill them before they reach their own forces!"
The Master hopped aboard and sped off, leaving Farr's body on the ground to rot in the snow. He was not dead, but greatly harmed. Without medical attention within the hour, he would freeze to death in the icy weather of this portion of Raiek.
0650 Hours, August 14, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ 12 Miles West of Daygars
The Warthog sped from the forest, carrying with it seven Marines. The driver was Petty Officer Brumfield, and the passenger was Lieutenant Janon. The two of them had led their five troops to kill the Covenant scout group, but had been chased off. A Marine manned the LAAG chain-gun, and four Marines were seated around him, gripping the sides for dear life.
They had been terribly outnumbered and easily defeated, forced to retreat back to their Warthog and make a hasty escape.
Just then, a Covenant Shadow seemed to explode from the foliage and land next to them. An Elite was driving it, carrying four Grunt passengers.
The Marine manning the chain-gun swiveled the heavy weapon and pulled the trigger, instantly making his hands go numb from the vibrations. The lead Grunt went down, methane pouring from his shattered facemask. Using the gun, the Marine shot off another Grunt.
However, the Elite at the plasma gun turned and fired as well. The Marine at the chain-gun took the plasma right through the chest, knocking him right off. The four Marines around snapped up their MA5B assault rifles and opened fire. A plasma bolt took one Marine through the hand. "My hand is gone!" he cried stupidly. He then fainted from the pain and fell from the Warthog, left behind in the snow.
Another Marine stood to fire, but a plasma grenade attached itself to his hand. "It's on me!" he cried. "Get it off!" As he turned to another Marine, the Colonel smacked him across the face, knocking him from the vehicle. As they watched, he exploded in a cloud of plasma. If they hadn't knocked him off, the entire team would have died in the explosion.
The remaining two Marines on the back raised their guns and opened fire, ripping into the armor of the Elite firing the cannon. He collapsed off the back. The rest of the Grunts screamed and fell as well. The Warthog driver rammed the Shadow, and it crashed into a tree, erupting into flames.
"We're going to get out of here in one piece," the Lieutenant mumbled to himself happily.
As if things hadn't gone bad enough, two more Shadows pulled up next to them, carrying only cackling Grunts and one Elite pilot. There was one Shadow that had an extra Elite. It was the Ship Master who had knocked Farr out. His name was 'Kolkee. And he was intect on destroying the Warthog Marines.
"Nepo erif!" 'Kolkee shouted in his native tongue. The Shadows' plasma cannons swiveled and aimed right at the driver of the Warthog, their Grunt owners laughing madly.
Just above the Warthog's position, dropship Foehammer circled in, her engines humming as they flew along. Inside, the Spartans stood up and readied their gear. Each of them had restocked on ammo and supplies. They now each carried an M6D pistol and shotgun, trading in their assault rifles for close work.
The shotgun was extremely useful in close-combat, which they were preparing to do. Those remaining Marines needed their help, and the Spartans were prepared to give it to them. Even if they were Standon's men.
The boarding ramp slowly hissed open, and Master Commander James Carser stood, readying his pistol. He watched as the Grunts leaped onto the Warthog, slaughtering the driver. There were now only three Marines left. But they were to be saved.
James took aim through the scope, and let a bullet fly right into the head of a driver Elite. Without a sound, the Elite slumped against the controls, sending him and his team crashing into some bushes, where they exploded upon impact.
Readying for another shot, James realized it was no good. The last Shadow was moving too much. And on it, he could see an Elite who appeared to be in charge. Then, Alex came up behind him, Bryce in tow. "How do we stop them?" Alex asked.
James thought it over. "We're going in!"
Another jump director, their old one was dead, came forward and told them he was Gary Harrison. He saluted the Commander, and told them that they would rappel down on thin cables attached to special belts. If they didn't time it right, they would miss and be lost in the snow.
James nodded and attached himself to a harness. Bryce and Alex did likewise. He ordered Jason and Jarrett to attach themselves as well, in case they needed back-up. The rope was slung out, and James attached himself again using twice as much rope to added strength. He motioned to Gary. "Try and maneuver us closer to the Warthog. We have to get closer!" he said loudly over the engines.
Below, the Lieutenant forced the dead body of the Petty Officer from his place, and took over driving. A Marine on the back slaughtered the remaing Grunts as more on the Shadow cackled in delight. They would be feeding on the dead bodies tonight!
Just then, Commander James landed next to the chain-guin, holding a shotgun. He aimed it right at one Grunt's face, and pulled the trigger. The force knocked his carcass backwards, taking the remaining two Grunts off. Then, he fired at the Elite driver, killing him instantly.
Alex landed in the passenger seat, and Bryce manned the chain-gun, politely pushing the Marine aside. He aimed the weapon at 'Kolkee, and fired. The crafty Elite leaped from his craft and landed on the Warthog. With one swipe of his plasma rifle, he knocked Bryce off his perch. Bryce landed in Alex's lap.
James jumped forward, but was sent sprawling backwards from 'Kolkee's rifle. He fell from the Warthog, but was held by the rappel ropes. Using his arms, he maneuvered himself back on, and landed easily. Alex raised his assault rifle and pumped 'Kolkee's body full of lead after his shileds had worn down.
Alex and Bryce jumped out of the way, landing next to James, as 'Kolkee's body smashed hard into the brake pedal, jamming it. James looked up to see they were headed for a cliff. He ordered his men out. Alex grabbed the Marine and he and Bryce shot back into the dropship, easily evacuated.
James reached out to take the Lieutenant's hand, but the officer refused. "I've used this Warthog since I joined. It's like my baby!" he cried, gripping the wheel. The cliff face was only thirty meters away.
"We have to go! The brake is jammed! You'll never get this Warthog to stop! Abandon it and save yourself!" James said, beginning to lose his patience.
James reached out and easily plucked the Lieutenant from his place. He then readied himself, clutching the struggling Marine, and yanked on the cord, the signal to be pulled back up. "The drop is only three meters away!"
Almost on cue, James and the Marine were hoisted away, just in time as the Warthog tumbled off the edge, falling several hundred feet and smashing to pieces as it hit the ground. James and the Lieutenant were pulled back into Foehammer, safe for the time being.
0645 Hours, August 14, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ 15 miles West of Daygars
Farr was losing his battle. His Ship Master was ordering him to destroy the fleeing Marines, since this Master did not know he was a Rebel. "Destroy them, or die for mutiny," the Ship Master hissed in their tongue.
"But they have done nothing to harm us." Farr weilded a plasma rifle in his left hand, holding it tightly should he need to use it.
Of the group sent out, Farr was the only Rebel, sent to keep an eye on things. The other ten Grunts and Elite were loyal to the Covenant, but none of them knew of Farr's rebel nature.
"Because I ordered you to! If they escape, the blame will be on you!" Just then, the Warthog rumbled past them, fleeing. The Ship Master turned to Farr, fury in his eyes. He growled out a warning as three Shadow vehicles came up, carrying three Elites and four Grunts each.
"But they have already escaped," Farr protested. He wanted to give them as much free time to escape as he could. He had to stall.
"Foolish traitor!" The Ship Master raised his weapon and felled Farr with one swipe. As the Rebel Elite toppled to the ground in a heap, the Master turned to the Elite driver of one of the Shadows. "Leave this filth and take me to follow those humans. We need to kill them before they reach their own forces!"
The Master hopped aboard and sped off, leaving Farr's body on the ground to rot in the snow. He was not dead, but greatly harmed. Without medical attention within the hour, he would freeze to death in the icy weather of this portion of Raiek.
0650 Hours, August 14, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ 12 Miles West of Daygars
The Warthog sped from the forest, carrying with it seven Marines. The driver was Petty Officer Brumfield, and the passenger was Lieutenant Janon. The two of them had led their five troops to kill the Covenant scout group, but had been chased off. A Marine manned the LAAG chain-gun, and four Marines were seated around him, gripping the sides for dear life.
They had been terribly outnumbered and easily defeated, forced to retreat back to their Warthog and make a hasty escape.
Just then, a Covenant Shadow seemed to explode from the foliage and land next to them. An Elite was driving it, carrying four Grunt passengers.
The Marine manning the chain-gun swiveled the heavy weapon and pulled the trigger, instantly making his hands go numb from the vibrations. The lead Grunt went down, methane pouring from his shattered facemask. Using the gun, the Marine shot off another Grunt.
However, the Elite at the plasma gun turned and fired as well. The Marine at the chain-gun took the plasma right through the chest, knocking him right off. The four Marines around snapped up their MA5B assault rifles and opened fire. A plasma bolt took one Marine through the hand. "My hand is gone!" he cried stupidly. He then fainted from the pain and fell from the Warthog, left behind in the snow.
Another Marine stood to fire, but a plasma grenade attached itself to his hand. "It's on me!" he cried. "Get it off!" As he turned to another Marine, the Colonel smacked him across the face, knocking him from the vehicle. As they watched, he exploded in a cloud of plasma. If they hadn't knocked him off, the entire team would have died in the explosion.
The remaining two Marines on the back raised their guns and opened fire, ripping into the armor of the Elite firing the cannon. He collapsed off the back. The rest of the Grunts screamed and fell as well. The Warthog driver rammed the Shadow, and it crashed into a tree, erupting into flames.
"We're going to get out of here in one piece," the Lieutenant mumbled to himself happily.
As if things hadn't gone bad enough, two more Shadows pulled up next to them, carrying only cackling Grunts and one Elite pilot. There was one Shadow that had an extra Elite. It was the Ship Master who had knocked Farr out. His name was 'Kolkee. And he was intect on destroying the Warthog Marines.
"Nepo erif!" 'Kolkee shouted in his native tongue. The Shadows' plasma cannons swiveled and aimed right at the driver of the Warthog, their Grunt owners laughing madly.
Just above the Warthog's position, dropship Foehammer circled in, her engines humming as they flew along. Inside, the Spartans stood up and readied their gear. Each of them had restocked on ammo and supplies. They now each carried an M6D pistol and shotgun, trading in their assault rifles for close work.
The shotgun was extremely useful in close-combat, which they were preparing to do. Those remaining Marines needed their help, and the Spartans were prepared to give it to them. Even if they were Standon's men.
The boarding ramp slowly hissed open, and Master Commander James Carser stood, readying his pistol. He watched as the Grunts leaped onto the Warthog, slaughtering the driver. There were now only three Marines left. But they were to be saved.
James took aim through the scope, and let a bullet fly right into the head of a driver Elite. Without a sound, the Elite slumped against the controls, sending him and his team crashing into some bushes, where they exploded upon impact.
Readying for another shot, James realized it was no good. The last Shadow was moving too much. And on it, he could see an Elite who appeared to be in charge. Then, Alex came up behind him, Bryce in tow. "How do we stop them?" Alex asked.
James thought it over. "We're going in!"
Another jump director, their old one was dead, came forward and told them he was Gary Harrison. He saluted the Commander, and told them that they would rappel down on thin cables attached to special belts. If they didn't time it right, they would miss and be lost in the snow.
James nodded and attached himself to a harness. Bryce and Alex did likewise. He ordered Jason and Jarrett to attach themselves as well, in case they needed back-up. The rope was slung out, and James attached himself again using twice as much rope to added strength. He motioned to Gary. "Try and maneuver us closer to the Warthog. We have to get closer!" he said loudly over the engines.
Below, the Lieutenant forced the dead body of the Petty Officer from his place, and took over driving. A Marine on the back slaughtered the remaing Grunts as more on the Shadow cackled in delight. They would be feeding on the dead bodies tonight!
Just then, Commander James landed next to the chain-guin, holding a shotgun. He aimed it right at one Grunt's face, and pulled the trigger. The force knocked his carcass backwards, taking the remaining two Grunts off. Then, he fired at the Elite driver, killing him instantly.
Alex landed in the passenger seat, and Bryce manned the chain-gun, politely pushing the Marine aside. He aimed the weapon at 'Kolkee, and fired. The crafty Elite leaped from his craft and landed on the Warthog. With one swipe of his plasma rifle, he knocked Bryce off his perch. Bryce landed in Alex's lap.
James jumped forward, but was sent sprawling backwards from 'Kolkee's rifle. He fell from the Warthog, but was held by the rappel ropes. Using his arms, he maneuvered himself back on, and landed easily. Alex raised his assault rifle and pumped 'Kolkee's body full of lead after his shileds had worn down.
Alex and Bryce jumped out of the way, landing next to James, as 'Kolkee's body smashed hard into the brake pedal, jamming it. James looked up to see they were headed for a cliff. He ordered his men out. Alex grabbed the Marine and he and Bryce shot back into the dropship, easily evacuated.
James reached out to take the Lieutenant's hand, but the officer refused. "I've used this Warthog since I joined. It's like my baby!" he cried, gripping the wheel. The cliff face was only thirty meters away.
"We have to go! The brake is jammed! You'll never get this Warthog to stop! Abandon it and save yourself!" James said, beginning to lose his patience.
James reached out and easily plucked the Lieutenant from his place. He then readied himself, clutching the struggling Marine, and yanked on the cord, the signal to be pulled back up. "The drop is only three meters away!"
Almost on cue, James and the Marine were hoisted away, just in time as the Warthog tumbled off the edge, falling several hundred feet and smashing to pieces as it hit the ground. James and the Lieutenant were pulled back into Foehammer, safe for the time being.