CHAPTER 21
1103 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Cannon loading room of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
Two red-clad Elites stood up on the rafters, commanding the Covenant warriors below them. They were relentless. If their troops didn't obey instantly, the unfortunate being was slain right there on the spot, no questions asked. It was on the orders of General Zaran 'Gangolee that no mercy was to be allowed. Fortress Orean was in danger of being invaded by the Flood, the humans, and not to mention those pesky armored cyborgs that were already inside the base, but only Prophets knew where!
Zaran stood higher above the rest, watching as his warriors carried out their tasks. If anything threatened the area he was in, he'd be gone faster than the blink of an eye. There was an evac ship waiting just below him should the cyborgs attempt an attack. He would flee the planet, and take over another colony for himself.
As he was lost in his thoughts, unbeknownst to any of the Covenant, the pesky cyborgs themselves slid noiselessly through a small door halfway up in the room. They moved silently through its threshold and kept their weapons' safeties on. Their backs were pressed against the wall behind them, lest they make noise and alert the Covenant of their presence.
The Commander communicated with a combination of hand signals. He pointed at Bryce, then at a ladder he had spotted, and then moved his hand upward. For Alex, he pointed at the General, and indicated he move down a ramp not far from their location. His two soldiers understood and responded immediately. Bryce sprinted silently over to a ladder several feet away. Without a sound, he leaped the three meters straight up and landed easily on the catwalk above. He took out an M6D pistol and shouldered the weapon, moving quickly along the walkway.
Alex had a different approach. He moved down a ramp and around a corner. There were several Covenant ahead of him, so he jumped silently into a small corridor to his left. There he would hide until his skill was needed.
As for James himself, he moved over to the edge of the chamber, staying out of sight. He was the distraction. If anyone could pull it off, the Commander himself could. He looked upward, spying a steel beam suspended over a large group of Covenant warriors. It appeared that the beam itself had once served as a bridge for moving from one catwalk to the other. Since the Elites needed no beam to move about, it was just left hanging.
The room itself was essentially a pit, over which a network of catwalks was installed. The room had originally been used for storage, but the Covenant had turned it into their work place for loading a large pillar in the middle that ran straight up, probably feeding the cannon situated on the moon's surface above them. "It must have been raised after they'd slipped inside.
James raised his M6D pistol and switched to the 2X scope. He looked upwards and saw the ropes supporting the heavy-looking metal beam. In four quick shots, he had snapped all four ropes. The beam came crashing down.
A large container filled with liquid plasma was struck first as the beam plummeted. It tipped on its side as Grunts screamed, rushing to try and keep it from falling. However, the weight was much too great, and the whole thing tipped over.
Grunts and Jackals howled in fear as they scattered away from the large container. As the Commander watched, he saw something above him. His head snapped up, and he saw the two red Elites come flying towards him. He raised his assault rifle. The ammo counter read: 49. Regardless, James aimed the rifle at the closest one and pulled the trigger.
Bullets bounced harmlessly off the plasma shield for several seconds. Then, the system failed, and the bullets ripped into the Elite's body as he landed. He screamed aloud and fell. The second Elite lit his plasma sword and swung. James leaped to the left and hurled a plasma grenade he had stolen from a Grunt several minutes before. The Elite cried out in dismay as the grenade attached itself to his back...and went off.
1107 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ UNSC battle ship Constitution in orbit around Orean, moon of planet Raiek
"Captain," the communications officer called out, "we've lost contact with Captain Moores and the remaining Spartans. We think they have been killed down there."
Martin turned in his chair and faced the officer. "Are you positive?" he asked.
"Like I said, we only think—"
"I don't want you to think," the Captain snapped, "I want you to know. It's been a long time since we fired the MAC gun. And I think that if we concentrate on Fortress Orean, not only will we destroy the Covenant's base of operations, we also might detonate the planet with the small amount of plasma inside the core."
Unbeknownst to the Captain, the amount of plasma had sky-rocketed from two percent plasma, to nearly forty-five percent. An MAC hit would surely destroy the planet with that amount.
"Sir, are you sure that's wise?" Hara asked, turning to face him from her chair.
"Of course. Even if there are some humans left down there, we've received no messages from them in a long time. We need to blow the planet before the Covenant get off of it. Even if the Spartans are still alive."
Jeremy looked at the Captain with fierce eyes. "Charging cannon, sir," he said. "We will be ready to fire at approximately 1140 hours!"
"Excellent! Sit back and enjoy the show, kiddies."
Zaran was furious! Those cursed cyborgs had killed two of his best Elites, and now he was going to show their commander what he was made of. In one swift move, he fired his powerful leg muscles and came hurtling from his place high up in the rafters.
It was obvious that the Commander had no idea the warrior was coming. He looked up just in time to see Zaran light his plasma sword and head towards him, with the weapon pointed at his heart.
"You die, human scum!" Zaran screamed, raising the weapon above his head. As the Elite drew nearer, James reached out and grabbed the warrior's elbows. Using all his strength, he twirled around, flinging Zaran against the far wall. Zaran landed in a heap two feet above the ground, and slid slowly to the metal, his eyes fluttering weakly.
James drew his M6D pistol and aimed it right at the Elite's unprotected head. "What is your business here, Elite?" he growled. "Where is the cannon like the one on Raiek?"
Zaran snorted. "There is no cannon, fool!" he said, smiling darkly. "You believed exactly what we wanted you to. We figured you might be listening over our comm-links, and spoke as if there was a cannon."
"We never listened to you!"
"Maybe not. But our little charade worked, did it not? You and your team are trapped down here for the killing."
"What are you using that plasma for?" The Commander asked, indicating the several barrels still left to be dumped into the large container. "If not for a weapon, then what?"
Zaran smiled wickedly. "It's actually for a more devilish use. You know that this moon's core is made mostly of iron, nickel, and cobalt, right?" James nodded. "Only about two percent of it is plasma." James nodded again. "That weapon the battle cruiser is using to fire at us accelerates the particles around it so that they are actually magnetized, does it not?"
"Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with—" He stopped in mid- sentence as Zaran propped himself up. James placed his finger on the trigger, warning him not to move any further.
"But you will soon see, cyborg. Think about it! All that extra plasma we're dumping into the planet is—"
"Into the planet?" James asked, astonished. "I thought it was traveling up from this room to a weapon higher up."
"Fool of a human!" Zaran snorted. "Look more closely at the spire. If you can see, the plasma is traveling down, not up! You have been fooled again, and now that the humans believe this place has a weapon inside it, they will surely fire the MAC guns on this Fortress to take it out."
"Not while we're still in it!" James retorted, snorting.
"Quite the contrary," Zaran sneered, raising his wrist. From it played a message obviously intercepted by Covenant forces over their hacking system. From the sound of it, the Commander could easily recognize the voice of Captain Martin of the UNSC battle cruiser Constitution.
"We need to blow the planet before the Covenant get off of it. Even if the Spartans are still alive."
Another voice came through just after. "Charging cannon, sir. We shall be ready to fire at approximately 1140 Hours!"
James couldn't believe it. They were going to fire the MAC gun on the Fortress, even while they were still alive inside with a fighting chance. "How do we know that is real?" he crowed.
"Of course it's real!" Zaran screamed. "You recoiled in recognition when you heard those voices! And whether or not you think it's real is up to you, but if you want to save your men, I'd try and stop it right now!"
It was then that Zaran leaped up without warning. He again had the blade aimed for the Commander's chest. James leaped to the side. Zaran landed on his feet and shot backwards. Surprisingly, he caught James in the chest with his blade, removing the shields instantly.
"Now!" James cried, falling against the wall behind him.
Instantly, two plasma grenades flew through the air. Zaran couldn't figure out where they came from, but he knew they were real enough. He crouched down and leaped up as far as he could. Using one claw, he grabbed a railing above him and watched as the grenades went off. The Commander was nowhere in sight.
Then, from right above him, a shadow loomed. The warrior looked up to stare right into the visor of a Spartan warrior, who was a bit smaller than the Commander. "Boo," the cyborg said, smiling under his helmet.
His finger squeezed the trigger, but Zaran had flipped backwards under the railing, crawled across the bottom of the catwalk, leaped over the other side and landed behind the Spartan. Bryce spun around, but was too surprised. Zaran back-hand blow took his shields away and sent him tumbling over the edge, falling towards the plasma-filled pit below.
Zaran spun around and locked his talons on a lever directly behind him. Effortlessly, he moved the switch downwards. When the Fortress had been built, the humans in the base were expected to be under heavy Covenant attack within the next several months. Therefore, they installed a security system in the cargo room. Below, on the ground, the room instantly charged with electricity. Crackling and sparking, the energy made the plasma even more dangerous. If Bryce fell in, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Every single Covenant warrior below that avoided the plasma until now was jolted with three thousand volts of energy. They were dead almost instantly. The only Covenant troop left alive was Zaran himself. A necessary sacrifice, Zaran thought to himself.
The Commander moved to help, but Alex came up from behind and grabbed his shoulder. He had moved out of his spot when he saw Zaran reach for the electricity switch. There was nothing either of them could do to help Bryce.
Unexpectedly, three pairs of twin bolts swept in through the open bay door on the ceiling. It was then that a Banshee came flying in. The pilot at the time was unknown, but the two Spartans on the platform watched as it arced down and came under Bryce McClain, effectively stopping his fall. Bryce spun to grab the vehicle. He lashed out and snatched a lip of the cockpit. However, as the Banshee turned to avoid running into a pillar, it threw the hapless Spartan onto the vehicle's wing.
James raised his assault rifle and aimed for Zaran. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. The bullets zinged through the air. As for the Elite, he leaped clear two milliseconds early, gripping a bar above him. With two shakes of his massive body, he swung for the Banshee.
Using his left claw, Zaran hooked onto the wing opposite Bryce. With his right claw, he raised a plasma rifle and aimed right for Bryce. As he pulled the trigger, the Banshee banked hard to the right, throwing the beam astray. Bryce realized his plight and tried to produce his own weapon. Zaran saw the maneuver and fired once. The blast knocked Bryce's pistol into the plasma bubbling below them.
Alex aimed his sniper's rifle and activated the 2X scope. He took careful aim and pulled the trigger. Zaran grunted in pain as the bullet pierced his left arm, ripping into the soft flesh.
The crazed computer chose this time to use its electricity to attack airborne objects. A large bolt of energy raced from the floor and connected with the body of the Banshee. The entire vehicle exploded in a fury of fire. Zaran leaped back to the catwalks above and Bryce dropped to the platform where James and Alex waited.
As for the Banshee and its courageous pilot, the two slammed hard into the wall just behind the Spartans and came crashing to the ground. James moved cautiously over and gripped the cockpit. Behind them, Zaran had landed and been knocked out by a stray railing.
When the Commander manged to pry off the top, they all peered into the Banshee. From within, the body of Farr 'Tenglannee fell onto the ground. Next to him with a holo disc. Alex picked it up and a bright image appeared. It was Captain Moores.
"Sorry I can't appear in person," the image of Moores said, "but Sergeant Lombard and the Lieutenant and I have to return to the Constitution. We hope you will rendezvous with us there. We send our regrets, along with Farr, one of the most diligent rebels we've ever seen. He is here to offer his assistance, as he requested to do shortly before we left. Thanks, Spartans, and good luck on completing your mission. See you back on the Constitution, and please return safely to us."
Commander James looked at his time display in the HUD of his helmet. The display read the time being '1117 Hours.' "We have twenty-three minutes before the Constitution fires her MAC gun in the form of a large beam instead of a chunk of energy. They think this is the only way to punch through Orean's surface."
"So?" Bryce asked, shouldering his rifle.
"Two reasons; one: we're still on the planet. If they shoot, we go with it. Two: if they actually do punch through, the extra plasma they've added will react with the metallic elements and send a charge as the moon blows, creating a giant shockwave that will most likely run through the beam and into the Constitution. If that happens, the entire ship will explode on contact, and we'll probably go with it."
"Surely they won't shoot with us still on the planet," Alex said.
"Quite the contrary," James countered, looking into the visors of both his remaining men. "They'll do exactly that."
"So what do we do to save ourselves?" Alex asked.
Just then, Farr 'Tenglannee sat up. The Spartans looked down, surprised the warrior was still alive; the warrior was extraordinarily resilient. "I have a plan."
1103 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ Cannon loading room of Fortress Orean on moon of planet Raiek
Two red-clad Elites stood up on the rafters, commanding the Covenant warriors below them. They were relentless. If their troops didn't obey instantly, the unfortunate being was slain right there on the spot, no questions asked. It was on the orders of General Zaran 'Gangolee that no mercy was to be allowed. Fortress Orean was in danger of being invaded by the Flood, the humans, and not to mention those pesky armored cyborgs that were already inside the base, but only Prophets knew where!
Zaran stood higher above the rest, watching as his warriors carried out their tasks. If anything threatened the area he was in, he'd be gone faster than the blink of an eye. There was an evac ship waiting just below him should the cyborgs attempt an attack. He would flee the planet, and take over another colony for himself.
As he was lost in his thoughts, unbeknownst to any of the Covenant, the pesky cyborgs themselves slid noiselessly through a small door halfway up in the room. They moved silently through its threshold and kept their weapons' safeties on. Their backs were pressed against the wall behind them, lest they make noise and alert the Covenant of their presence.
The Commander communicated with a combination of hand signals. He pointed at Bryce, then at a ladder he had spotted, and then moved his hand upward. For Alex, he pointed at the General, and indicated he move down a ramp not far from their location. His two soldiers understood and responded immediately. Bryce sprinted silently over to a ladder several feet away. Without a sound, he leaped the three meters straight up and landed easily on the catwalk above. He took out an M6D pistol and shouldered the weapon, moving quickly along the walkway.
Alex had a different approach. He moved down a ramp and around a corner. There were several Covenant ahead of him, so he jumped silently into a small corridor to his left. There he would hide until his skill was needed.
As for James himself, he moved over to the edge of the chamber, staying out of sight. He was the distraction. If anyone could pull it off, the Commander himself could. He looked upward, spying a steel beam suspended over a large group of Covenant warriors. It appeared that the beam itself had once served as a bridge for moving from one catwalk to the other. Since the Elites needed no beam to move about, it was just left hanging.
The room itself was essentially a pit, over which a network of catwalks was installed. The room had originally been used for storage, but the Covenant had turned it into their work place for loading a large pillar in the middle that ran straight up, probably feeding the cannon situated on the moon's surface above them. "It must have been raised after they'd slipped inside.
James raised his M6D pistol and switched to the 2X scope. He looked upwards and saw the ropes supporting the heavy-looking metal beam. In four quick shots, he had snapped all four ropes. The beam came crashing down.
A large container filled with liquid plasma was struck first as the beam plummeted. It tipped on its side as Grunts screamed, rushing to try and keep it from falling. However, the weight was much too great, and the whole thing tipped over.
Grunts and Jackals howled in fear as they scattered away from the large container. As the Commander watched, he saw something above him. His head snapped up, and he saw the two red Elites come flying towards him. He raised his assault rifle. The ammo counter read: 49. Regardless, James aimed the rifle at the closest one and pulled the trigger.
Bullets bounced harmlessly off the plasma shield for several seconds. Then, the system failed, and the bullets ripped into the Elite's body as he landed. He screamed aloud and fell. The second Elite lit his plasma sword and swung. James leaped to the left and hurled a plasma grenade he had stolen from a Grunt several minutes before. The Elite cried out in dismay as the grenade attached itself to his back...and went off.
1107 Hours, August 15, 2553 (Military Calendar)/ UNSC battle ship Constitution in orbit around Orean, moon of planet Raiek
"Captain," the communications officer called out, "we've lost contact with Captain Moores and the remaining Spartans. We think they have been killed down there."
Martin turned in his chair and faced the officer. "Are you positive?" he asked.
"Like I said, we only think—"
"I don't want you to think," the Captain snapped, "I want you to know. It's been a long time since we fired the MAC gun. And I think that if we concentrate on Fortress Orean, not only will we destroy the Covenant's base of operations, we also might detonate the planet with the small amount of plasma inside the core."
Unbeknownst to the Captain, the amount of plasma had sky-rocketed from two percent plasma, to nearly forty-five percent. An MAC hit would surely destroy the planet with that amount.
"Sir, are you sure that's wise?" Hara asked, turning to face him from her chair.
"Of course. Even if there are some humans left down there, we've received no messages from them in a long time. We need to blow the planet before the Covenant get off of it. Even if the Spartans are still alive."
Jeremy looked at the Captain with fierce eyes. "Charging cannon, sir," he said. "We will be ready to fire at approximately 1140 hours!"
"Excellent! Sit back and enjoy the show, kiddies."
Zaran was furious! Those cursed cyborgs had killed two of his best Elites, and now he was going to show their commander what he was made of. In one swift move, he fired his powerful leg muscles and came hurtling from his place high up in the rafters.
It was obvious that the Commander had no idea the warrior was coming. He looked up just in time to see Zaran light his plasma sword and head towards him, with the weapon pointed at his heart.
"You die, human scum!" Zaran screamed, raising the weapon above his head. As the Elite drew nearer, James reached out and grabbed the warrior's elbows. Using all his strength, he twirled around, flinging Zaran against the far wall. Zaran landed in a heap two feet above the ground, and slid slowly to the metal, his eyes fluttering weakly.
James drew his M6D pistol and aimed it right at the Elite's unprotected head. "What is your business here, Elite?" he growled. "Where is the cannon like the one on Raiek?"
Zaran snorted. "There is no cannon, fool!" he said, smiling darkly. "You believed exactly what we wanted you to. We figured you might be listening over our comm-links, and spoke as if there was a cannon."
"We never listened to you!"
"Maybe not. But our little charade worked, did it not? You and your team are trapped down here for the killing."
"What are you using that plasma for?" The Commander asked, indicating the several barrels still left to be dumped into the large container. "If not for a weapon, then what?"
Zaran smiled wickedly. "It's actually for a more devilish use. You know that this moon's core is made mostly of iron, nickel, and cobalt, right?" James nodded. "Only about two percent of it is plasma." James nodded again. "That weapon the battle cruiser is using to fire at us accelerates the particles around it so that they are actually magnetized, does it not?"
"Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with—" He stopped in mid- sentence as Zaran propped himself up. James placed his finger on the trigger, warning him not to move any further.
"But you will soon see, cyborg. Think about it! All that extra plasma we're dumping into the planet is—"
"Into the planet?" James asked, astonished. "I thought it was traveling up from this room to a weapon higher up."
"Fool of a human!" Zaran snorted. "Look more closely at the spire. If you can see, the plasma is traveling down, not up! You have been fooled again, and now that the humans believe this place has a weapon inside it, they will surely fire the MAC guns on this Fortress to take it out."
"Not while we're still in it!" James retorted, snorting.
"Quite the contrary," Zaran sneered, raising his wrist. From it played a message obviously intercepted by Covenant forces over their hacking system. From the sound of it, the Commander could easily recognize the voice of Captain Martin of the UNSC battle cruiser Constitution.
"We need to blow the planet before the Covenant get off of it. Even if the Spartans are still alive."
Another voice came through just after. "Charging cannon, sir. We shall be ready to fire at approximately 1140 Hours!"
James couldn't believe it. They were going to fire the MAC gun on the Fortress, even while they were still alive inside with a fighting chance. "How do we know that is real?" he crowed.
"Of course it's real!" Zaran screamed. "You recoiled in recognition when you heard those voices! And whether or not you think it's real is up to you, but if you want to save your men, I'd try and stop it right now!"
It was then that Zaran leaped up without warning. He again had the blade aimed for the Commander's chest. James leaped to the side. Zaran landed on his feet and shot backwards. Surprisingly, he caught James in the chest with his blade, removing the shields instantly.
"Now!" James cried, falling against the wall behind him.
Instantly, two plasma grenades flew through the air. Zaran couldn't figure out where they came from, but he knew they were real enough. He crouched down and leaped up as far as he could. Using one claw, he grabbed a railing above him and watched as the grenades went off. The Commander was nowhere in sight.
Then, from right above him, a shadow loomed. The warrior looked up to stare right into the visor of a Spartan warrior, who was a bit smaller than the Commander. "Boo," the cyborg said, smiling under his helmet.
His finger squeezed the trigger, but Zaran had flipped backwards under the railing, crawled across the bottom of the catwalk, leaped over the other side and landed behind the Spartan. Bryce spun around, but was too surprised. Zaran back-hand blow took his shields away and sent him tumbling over the edge, falling towards the plasma-filled pit below.
Zaran spun around and locked his talons on a lever directly behind him. Effortlessly, he moved the switch downwards. When the Fortress had been built, the humans in the base were expected to be under heavy Covenant attack within the next several months. Therefore, they installed a security system in the cargo room. Below, on the ground, the room instantly charged with electricity. Crackling and sparking, the energy made the plasma even more dangerous. If Bryce fell in, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Every single Covenant warrior below that avoided the plasma until now was jolted with three thousand volts of energy. They were dead almost instantly. The only Covenant troop left alive was Zaran himself. A necessary sacrifice, Zaran thought to himself.
The Commander moved to help, but Alex came up from behind and grabbed his shoulder. He had moved out of his spot when he saw Zaran reach for the electricity switch. There was nothing either of them could do to help Bryce.
Unexpectedly, three pairs of twin bolts swept in through the open bay door on the ceiling. It was then that a Banshee came flying in. The pilot at the time was unknown, but the two Spartans on the platform watched as it arced down and came under Bryce McClain, effectively stopping his fall. Bryce spun to grab the vehicle. He lashed out and snatched a lip of the cockpit. However, as the Banshee turned to avoid running into a pillar, it threw the hapless Spartan onto the vehicle's wing.
James raised his assault rifle and aimed for Zaran. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. The bullets zinged through the air. As for the Elite, he leaped clear two milliseconds early, gripping a bar above him. With two shakes of his massive body, he swung for the Banshee.
Using his left claw, Zaran hooked onto the wing opposite Bryce. With his right claw, he raised a plasma rifle and aimed right for Bryce. As he pulled the trigger, the Banshee banked hard to the right, throwing the beam astray. Bryce realized his plight and tried to produce his own weapon. Zaran saw the maneuver and fired once. The blast knocked Bryce's pistol into the plasma bubbling below them.
Alex aimed his sniper's rifle and activated the 2X scope. He took careful aim and pulled the trigger. Zaran grunted in pain as the bullet pierced his left arm, ripping into the soft flesh.
The crazed computer chose this time to use its electricity to attack airborne objects. A large bolt of energy raced from the floor and connected with the body of the Banshee. The entire vehicle exploded in a fury of fire. Zaran leaped back to the catwalks above and Bryce dropped to the platform where James and Alex waited.
As for the Banshee and its courageous pilot, the two slammed hard into the wall just behind the Spartans and came crashing to the ground. James moved cautiously over and gripped the cockpit. Behind them, Zaran had landed and been knocked out by a stray railing.
When the Commander manged to pry off the top, they all peered into the Banshee. From within, the body of Farr 'Tenglannee fell onto the ground. Next to him with a holo disc. Alex picked it up and a bright image appeared. It was Captain Moores.
"Sorry I can't appear in person," the image of Moores said, "but Sergeant Lombard and the Lieutenant and I have to return to the Constitution. We hope you will rendezvous with us there. We send our regrets, along with Farr, one of the most diligent rebels we've ever seen. He is here to offer his assistance, as he requested to do shortly before we left. Thanks, Spartans, and good luck on completing your mission. See you back on the Constitution, and please return safely to us."
Commander James looked at his time display in the HUD of his helmet. The display read the time being '1117 Hours.' "We have twenty-three minutes before the Constitution fires her MAC gun in the form of a large beam instead of a chunk of energy. They think this is the only way to punch through Orean's surface."
"So?" Bryce asked, shouldering his rifle.
"Two reasons; one: we're still on the planet. If they shoot, we go with it. Two: if they actually do punch through, the extra plasma they've added will react with the metallic elements and send a charge as the moon blows, creating a giant shockwave that will most likely run through the beam and into the Constitution. If that happens, the entire ship will explode on contact, and we'll probably go with it."
"Surely they won't shoot with us still on the planet," Alex said.
"Quite the contrary," James countered, looking into the visors of both his remaining men. "They'll do exactly that."
"So what do we do to save ourselves?" Alex asked.
Just then, Farr 'Tenglannee sat up. The Spartans looked down, surprised the warrior was still alive; the warrior was extraordinarily resilient. "I have a plan."