Chapter 4: Hunting the Hunters
Covenant SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry', In formation with Covenant armada at Fleet Depot in Deep space, Exact coordinates unknown
Ships Master Ilamine 'Eliantraint was supervising the overhaul of his vessel's main power systems. The Prophets had decreed that every ship in the fleet be overhauled and readied for the most glorious crusade yet undertaken. Such forces were being amassed around the Battle Station 'Longstanding Valor'. Over four hundred Covenant vessels were being primed and readied for the assault upon the human homeworld, and the greatest of the Forerunner's artifacts and relics that were there. The primates had no idea of the power that they sat upon.
'Eliantraint was slightly annoyed at having to spend so much time overseeing repairs to systems he didn't even understand, but the Prophets had said to undertake the repairs, so he oversaw the repairs. Even though it was completely pointless for him to be present. They were docked at the 'Longstanding Valor' there was no need for a crew to be on the ship, period. But they were still there, mostly because of the panic the Prophets had gone into when the humans had destroyed the 'Unyielding Hierophant'. 'Eliantraint cursed the humans that were called 'Spartans' they'd taken far too many good warriors to their deaths.
The Gold clad Elite was rather bored, he partially wished for a change of pace, for something interesting to happen, anything other than this dull repair supervision. He shoved aside an engineer as it floated into his way. The bulbous multi tentacle creature warbled at him, then returned to it's hovering about, looking for repairs to carry out. Even the Engineers seemed to be rather bored with the duty, and that had to be saying something since the creatures lived to do repair work on even the smallest, most insignificant device.
"This is the Ship Master. I am returning to the Command Center. Is there anything to report?" The towering armor clad alien said as he turned and began to make his way up from the crowded engineering levels towards the more traveled areas of the ship. A squad of grunts paused to let him by. The tiny creatures bowed their heads to the semi-divine being that walked before him.
"Nothing my Lord. But, there is a small malfunction in cargo bay AA94. It seems as though the atmosphere in the bay has changed from the normal levels. There's increased humidity and temperature in the bay." The ops Elite said over the com channel.
'Eliantraint shrugged to himself as he walked along.
"Tell an engineering team to meet me at the bay. I'm passing it on my way back up. I shall check it out." 'Eliantraint said.
"There is no need my lord."
"Hardly, I need something to do before I start carrying out target practice on Grunts that get in my way." The Ship Master said with a laugh. The ops Elite joined him for a moment. 'Eliantraint ran a loose ship. He did not maintain the high level of discipline maintained by other Ship Masters. He understood that there was a time for duty and a time for relaxation.
Being in the middle of the largest Armada ever seen and under the protection of a Battle Station seemed to be a time for relaxation for the most part. 'Eliantraint passed a camouflaged Elite. He nodded, and couldn't tell of the other Elite returned the gesture. It really didn't matter. Although it was odd that the Elite had his optical camouflage on inside the ship while they were docked. Well, those Elites did have their eccentricities, half of them thought they were being watched, the other half knew they were paranoid. But they came through in a pinch, and that was all that mattered. The Gold clad elite turned a corner and walked past a security team of jackals and grunts, overseen by a blue clad elite. The team saluted him as he passed. His men were lax at times, but they were good fighters and could hold themselves well in combat if needed. His ship was one of the largest in the fleet, and could take on any human fleet it came up against.
What could happen when they were docked with the armada?
Hijande breathed a small sigh of relief as the Covenant 'Elite' passed by him with a simple nod. There was a distinct danger in walking through the corridors of these Covenant ships. They were well illuminated and uncluttered. It was hard to hide. But the Covenant possessed the same optical camouflage that the Yautja had, and that made an even more effective cover. If they were seen, hunters could pretend they were actually Covenant. But that seemed to take some of the fun from the hunt.
Hijande shrugged it didn't matter if the prey discovered the wolf in their midst, it was too late. Especially since this soft meat was unawares of the hard meat eggs sown in their vessel. Hijande stifled a laugh as he thought of how soon these ships, and their station would be overrun by the hard meat. But there was still ample time to gather trophies from these Covenant ships.
The Yautja were depressed to learn of the coming extinction of the oomans, but the Covenant appeared to be worthy prey to replace them. Even though Hijande was saddened at the loss of the old prey, he had led the hunting parties to hunt the Covenant armada that was arrayed against the ooman homeworld.
The oomans had been such interesting prey, and the rumors of their 'Spartans' had piqued the interest of many a hunter. Such a trophy would be treasured more so than that of a hard meat Queen.
Hijande refocused on his hunt. He leapt up into an access crawlway and headed through the ship. He had not yet struck on this vessel. Other hunters had taken trophies from throughout the Covenant fleet, but this ship, and the battle station were the hunting grounds of only a few prestigious veteran hunters. The Hard meat and soft meat mixing in this environment would prove to be a thrilling hunt.
The hunter made his way through the access way and through the ship, completely undetected. He moved towards what he'd decided was the command center of the ship. It seemed to contain the highest ranking of the Covenant forces on the ship. After crawling through the bowels of the ship for what seemed like hours Hijande arrived at his perch. It was an access panel over the main command deck.
Operations Elite Zuchuck 'Kidnande was minding his station with semi diligence, conversing with his fellow Elites as he worked. There wasn't much for he and his colleagues to do at the moment. Though he and the other Elites wanted a battle. They didn't enjoy standing around the bridge, killing time and imaginary targets in sims. They wanted a real fight.
"This is a waste of ti-" Qutra 'Niminatar started from his post at the weapons station before he was interrupted by the sound of the grate that covered the access panel above them being kicked out and clattering to the ground.
"By the Prophets, what is that?" 'Kidnande asked looking up. He saw the wavy outline of a camouflaged Elite drop down into their midst.
"What do yuughargh-" 'Niminatar croaked and was cut off as a long, barbed spear slashed out and impaled him through the throat. A spray of purple arterial blood and the Elite dropped.
'Kidnande was about to sound the alarm when a pair of blades scythed out from the camouflaged figure and decapitated him. The spray of purple coated his screens and coated the alarm button he was struggling to reach for in his own blood.
Hijande reveled in the battle. The first Elite hadn't even had time to face him before it had died. The second had recoiled and tried to sound an alarm, but it was dealt with. That left four.
Hijande spun and crouched the wicked blade on his staff whipping around and chopping into the leg armor of one of the Red armored Elites. The prey howled and tried to bat away the sharp implement. It drew its plasma pistol and fired wildly. Hijande ducked and dodged as he brought the blade around for another blow. It connected cleanly with a linkage in the armor that held the forearm and upper arm armor plates together. The Elite's weapon went flying, along with its right forearm. It howled and lunged forward in rage. Hijande sidestepped and sunk the spear into the back of the Elite as it passed. The armor splintered and broke with a spray of blood. The Elite fell, twitched and then lay still.
Three more.
Hijande back pedaled as one of the Elites charged him, swinging it's weapon like a club. The hunter blocked the blows with his staff, then brought the weapon smacking into the faceplate of the Elite. The Blue armored opponent fell back, stunned. And was stunned up until the moment that Hijande's spear impaled it to the console behind it.
Two more.
Hijande activated his wrist blades and lept at the black armored Elite before him. His hands were straight out, wrist blades pointing like daggers. Hijande had turned himself into one massive javelin. The force of the massive hunter slamming into the smaller Elite sent the black armored warrior flying back off the platform, a smear of purple blood trailing behind.
One more.
The predator turned slowly as the remaining elite stood there. It held one of its plasma pistols ready. Hijande charged again. The elite fired, Hijande feinted and dodged the volley of plasma. He sidestepped and yanked the weapon from the Elite's grasp, along with its trigger finger. The elite howled for a few moments, before Hijande's firm grasp ripped of its head.
Hijande roared in triumph of his victory. Six trophies taken from one battle, all with his spear, wrist blades, even his bare hands. He had gained much honor from this fight. He let out a wide mandibled grin and laughed in a deep-throated impersonation of an ooman laugh.
He set about skinning his kills and hanging them from the ceiling. It took a mere fifteen minutes. No one bothered to check in on the Command center for half an hour. Someone would come soon. He ignored the sounds of Covenant language that crackled from one of the consoles. He was done here, and it was too late for any aide to come for the bridge crew.
With a smug expression and six fresh skull trophies Hijande returned to the access tunnels to seek more prey. He left behind the skinned, dripping bodies of his prey as a message to the primitive creatures.
Now they were being hunted.
Cargo Bay AA94
'Eliantraint stood before the immense doors that led to the cargo bay. The engineering team had arrived shortly after he had, and were trying to open the door. Something behind it had jammed the pressure door shut. That had piqued 'Eliantraint's interest enough to make him call down a security team. The Grunts, Jackals and Elites had arrived quickly, spurred on by their commander's grim tone.
"Ops, this is the Ship Master, can you scan the inside of the bay?" 'Eliantraint said over his comm. He was greeted with silence.
"Ops? Are you there? This is the Ship Master to the Command Deck, anyone respond." The Gold armored elite asked. He scowled, yes he led a laid back ship at times. But his crewmen did answer him when he called upon them. Perhaps there was a communications problem.
Yes, that was it, a communications problem.
"My Lord, the door appears to be jammed shut from the other side." One of the Blue armored rookie Elites said.
"Really? I had no idea. Is that what's happened to the door then?" 'Eliantraint snapped, his tone rife with sarcasm. He glared at the elite. The younger warrior turned away and faced the door again.
"Go to one of the other access ports and open this door from the other side." 'Eliantraint ordered the security team. Two of the Jackals nodded and set off, along with four of the grunts. The other two Elites stood by the door, their plasma rifles held loosely. 'Eliantraint suddenly wished he had retrieved his own plasma rifle from his quarters before touring the engineering decks. He felt slightly unprepared with only a pistol and his energy blade.
"Command deck. Respond." The Ship Master prompted again.
Something, unsettling was going on.
Command Center, 'Kindred Gallantry'
Ilantrak waddled his way through the command deck of the ship with his squad behind him. He was stuck on security patrol again, just like he always was. Typical, grunts always got the boring, tedious jobs. Just as his kind had been used as cannon fodder by the Prophets, so too did they get treated poorly out of combat.
His squad had just finished most of the Command deck and had headed for the brig; they had to pass through the Command Center first. He led his small unit through the armored bridge doors and into the heavily armored control center.
They scampered quickly, not too interested in drawing the attention of the Elites that manned the bridge consoles. The bridge crew did not take such interruption of their work lightly, and grunts were quick to feel their wrath. The grunts scurried along with their eyes latched firmly upon the far door. If they didn't make eye contact with the Elites, there wouldn't be any trouble.
Ilantrak felt his foot land on something slick. He looked down and saw a pool of purple blood. He yelped loudly and his entire squad froze, terrified.
"Look!" Higrnat barked and pointed to the command platform. Ilantrak saw the five, hanging, skinned bodies of the command crew dangling from the ceiling. The skins of all five were draped over the consoles like some sort of fabric; their armor was piled neatly beside each hanging corpse.
Ilantrak stood frozen in place.
"Wh-What could have done this?" Jilantrain said, he was the bravest of the group and was walking up the ramp to the command platform. His plasma pistol darted around rapidly; giving away his so called 'bravery'.
"I, I don't know. Humans maybe?" Higrnat said, even though the suggestion had little basis in fact, the other grunts still trembled some at the thought of humans aboard one of their ships.
"No. Couldn't be. There were six Elites here. How could they take down all of them without a single injury to them." Ilantrak said, unfreezing himself as he followed Jilantrain up the ramp. He gazed at the skinned bodies dangling from some sort of blue bulbous line that was sunk into the ceiling with a barbed spike. It was as though the bodies were being displayed for pride's sake.
"We-we-we needs to t-tell some one." Gilreantik said sounding panicked, he hadn't moved from his point at the base of the ramp. Perhaps he was the sanest out of the entire squad.
"Good idea." Ilantrak said. He headed over to the blood drenched operations station, wiped some of the purple spray off of it and hit the alarm button. A dull, rumbling klaxon bellowed throughout the corridors of the SuperCarrier. Within a few minutes, multiple groups of Elites had converged in the bridge, and they were just as horrified with what they saw as the lowly Grunts.
"By the Prophets. What could have done this?" Quit 'Jintnatne asked, his black armor shifting slightly as he shook inside it. His plasma rifle was gripped in his gauntleted hands as tightly as he could hold it.
"I do not know. I do not know." The Red armored elite Olot 'Trintanitme said as he examined the dangling corpses. His mouth clicked open and shut nervously. What could take down five Elites without leaving a trace?
The security parties in the Command Center all heard the deep, rumbling roar that resounded through the access corridors, and into the Command Deck. It overshadowed the sounds of the general alert klaxon.
The occupants of the Command Center all felt their fear spike at the sound, be they Grunt, Jackal, Elite, or even Hunter.
Cargo bay AA93, 'Kindred Gallantry'
'Eliantraint listened to the sounds of the general alert klaxon bellow through the corridors of the ship. He fought the impulse to head to the Command Center. Right now he had to deal with this problem first.
"My Lord, the team has reached the other side." One of the lower Elites said.
"And?" 'Eliantraint asked.
"The Jackal says that there is some kind of, organic growth in the bay. He can't tell us much more, the lights in the bay are out." The elite said.
The Gold armored Ship Master growled. He did not like this. General Alarms were being sounded, and there was some sort of organic growth in a cargo bay. He'd also lost contact with his bridge crew.
This was, unsettling.
"Can they clear it away and open the door?"
"They've nearly finished Lord." The Elite said, and as he finished, the doors ground open slowly. As they slid apart, a few glistening drops of water fell from the tracks. A light fog drifted out from the bay as the doors opened. It was very hot and humid inside the bay.
The dim glow cast from the Jackal's shields did little to cut through the hot, damp gloom of the cargo bay. The light that emanated from the corridor cast a ghostly column through the corridor.
It was an eerie sight.
Tendrils of strange, black material curled up through the bay, covering the walls and columns, growing over the vehicles and cargo containers contained inside the bay. It had turned the familiar lines of the bay into something, alien.
Even with the dim light that came from the hallway, it was easy to see that the growth had probably covered the entire surface of the bay. Whatever this stuff was, it had spread quickly, very quickly.
"How long has it been since this bay was last used?" 'Eliantraint asked one of the Elites. The blue armored warrior lifted up a small data unit and examined it.
"Three days Ship Master." The Elite said.
"All this in three days?" 'Eliantraint said, flatfooted by the statement. This stuff had grown quickly, too quickly.
"My lord, look there." One of the Jackals said and pointed across the bay. The growth seemed to be much in that corner. As though it had grown upon itself there.
Several strange objects rested upon the growth. Strange ovoid shapes resting upright in the darkened recesses of the bay. The mist that had formed around the growth seemed to flow from the area the things occupied. The dim glow from the jackals shields made the bay seem much more eerie and imposing than it was. Especially the strange orbs that rested in this corner.
A scuttling sound came from somewhere high above in the multi leveled cargo bay. The entire team snapped their weapons up above their heads.
"What was t-th-that?" One of the grunts asked, trembling in his diminutive boots.
"It, it sounded like some sort of insect, a large insect." The youngest elite said, his plasma rifle scanning.
'Eliantraint felt something flutter deep in his gut. Something as strange and alien as this cargo bay had become. Something he had rarely felt.
It was fear, tugging at him.
A deep, overpowering baseless fear of what was in this bay. Something that he knew was somewhere inside this bay, something Alien, something horrible.
In the background he heard the general alert Klaxon and glanced back at the brightly lit hallway. He half considered heading back to the Command Center to find out what had happened, leave this to the security team.
Until something large and black darted past the brightly lit doorway.
'Eliantraint raised his pistol in a second, and then triggered his plasma sword in the next second. He barked a warning to the others and the security team pivoted their aim towards the door.
The Ship Master went over the image again in his head. It was, a biped slightly larger than an elite. It had spines running along its back and long, barbed tail that trailed behind. Its head was elongated, and judging from the fleeting image, it boasted a set of mandibled jaws. It looked like some sort of massive insect that had mutated. Even though it had been backlit by the corridor lights, 'Eliantraint could tell it had dark black carapace armor that was tinged with purple.
It had been some sort of nightmare that children had-
-but made tangible, very, very tangible.
"Gah! Look Ship Master!" A jackal named Kiy said, he was pointing to the pillar they were standing next to. The Jackal backed away hurriedly and tripped over one of the 'roots' that was covering the floor. The Jackal lay sprawled on the floor, it's beak snapping open and closed soundlessly, it's plasma pistol pointed up at the column, the orange energy shield covering the black growth in sickening colors. The light had been much too dim to see it before, but now, with the bright blue of 'Eliantraint's plasma sword bathing the area in blue white illumination, they saw it.
A pair of elites, their bodies held up against the wall by the strange organic growth. Near the feet of the suspended corpses laid the body of another elite. All three of the Elites had their chest armor burst outward, as though something had exploded out from inside them.
"What in the Prophets name?" Uio said as he stepped forward to examine the corpses. His energy shield was held before him protectively, his plasma pistol tucked around one of the firing loupes at the side. His avian like head darted about looking in every direction at once.
"Something is very wrong. We must go and get reinforcements." One of the Blue armored Elites said. 'Eliantraint silently agreed with the younger warrior. He motioned for the others to follow him from the bay, they were all too happy to oblige. The Gold armored Elite walked towards the suddenly, very inviting light of the hallway. The steps of the others sounded hollow on the decking, they mixed between soft squelching noises on the organic growth, and clangs from the deck plating.
They didn't drown out the rustling noises that were getting louder and louder. The group of Covenant warriors was nearly to the exit when they heard the final, most terrifying noise.
The hissing.
They were standing just beneath the ledge of the level above. The hiss emanated from above them. A snake like hissing noise, like a warning for an unwary creature to back away quickly, unfortunately the Covenant didn't get the warning. None of the Covenant could see what was making the noise, but that didn't stop them from snapping their weapons to a ready position.
"What is it? It's maddening." The young elite said his voice etched with fear and dread. The party of warriors stood there, waiting for something to happen.
And it did, faster than any of them could react it did.
There were three of the creatures. The first stood on the ledge above, hissing to draw their attention. It was a simple ploy, but surprisingly original for the creatures that were carrying it out. Considering that most considered the Xenomorph to be little more than a galactic cockroach. But they were survivors, and they knew how to ensnare prey.
The other two struck with lightning fast precision. They swooped in from behind. Their positions concealed by the darkness and the walls of the hive. They leapt into the midst of the Covenant patrol. The first to drop was the Elite wielding the plasma sword. Somehow the creatures knew it to be the most dangerous. It received a strike from the bug's tail that paralyzed the warrior. The sword clattered to the deck and deactivated, the loss of light diminishing the ability for the others to fight.
The second to go were the Jackals. They were stunned as well. Their viability as incubators not diminished by their size. The bugs weren't as picky when it came to incubators. They were dropped quickly and silently, their energy shields deactivating and drowning the Grunts in darkness.
The poor, defenseless grunts were taken down with the utmost speed. Compared to the Elites, there was no contest. Not a single shot rang out from one of the Covenant soldiers during the entire 'battle'.
The three bugs affixed the Covenant warriors to the walls of the new hive and positioned the eggs beneath them.
'Eliantraint groggily wished that he hadn't asked for something interesting to happen.
Ships Master Ilamine 'Eliantraint had the dubious honor of playing host to the new queen for the Xenomorph colony. His last view was of the four petals of the egg unfurling and the praetorian facehugger leaping from it, and latching onto his face. No one heard the Covenant warrior's screams as he was turned into little more than food for the rapidly growing queen inside him.
Covenant Battle Station 'Longstanding Valor' Command habitation levels
The 'Longstanding Valor' had been thrown into a state of upheaval. Along with the rest of the Covenant armada, nearly every ship was reporting strange occurrences. Almost all of the ships were reporting the brutal murder of high-ranking personnel, and a large amount of lesser ratings slaughtered as well. Many of the higher ranked Covenant commanders began to speak of assassination plots. This immediately spurred most of the Covenant High command to increase their security details.
Which proved woefully ineffective when four of the six Fleet Masters of the Armada turned up dead, skinned and decapitated; along with the entirety of their security details. The wholesale slaughter of grunts and Jackals was one thing. But the murder, and seemingly ritual skinning of the high commanders sent shockwaves through the entire Covenant command structure.
These foes seemed to be capable of striking at will, without being seen, heard or sensed by any warrior. It was taking a massive toll on the morale of the Covenant forces. Even the most veteran and skilled Elites traveled in groups. The Grunts and Jackals traveled in hordes. No one was safe within the fleet. Not the lowliest Grunt, not the most high-ranking Elite.
There was no safe haven.
And it wasn't just the murders and the slaughter. More and more soldiers were disappearing. At first the missing soldiers were confined to the 'Kindred Gallantry'. No one could figure out what was happening to the soldiers. Some speculated that the Grunts, Jackals, Elites, and even the odd hunter, had simply decided to 'take some time off'. But that didn't make sense. Many thought the murders and the disappearances were connected.
The disappearances were mostly contained to the SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry'. For the most part, security details were expanded and more troops placed aboard the ship to figure out what was going on.
They too disappeared.
Then the disappearances began to spread. First to the Battle Station, then to the other ships moored there. The Prophets ordered all the ships to remain docked to the station and practically quarantined the entire station until they could figure out what was going on.
Strange reports filtered up to the High Command of obscene, alien forms being spotted in access corridors and sub engineering levels. Coupled with odd, alien growths spreading on the 'Kindred Gallantry'. By this point the 'Kindred Gallantry' had turned into something akin to a black hole, soldiers and warriors went into the ship, they didn't come out.
The Covenant commanders were mystified by the bizarre occurrences aboard their ships. They couldn't figure out what was going on.
They didn't know they had been reduced to prey and food by two of the most deadly races in the universe.
Hijande finished gutting and skinning a pair of hunters he had just killed. The brood pair had proven to be an invigorating challenge, especially with just his spear. Orange gore coated the floor, walls, and ceiling of the passage he was in. The vaulted ceiling was just high enough for him to suspend the two kills from. Hijande smiled at the kills he had accumulated so far. So many of the Covenant warriors had fallen. It had been like shooting hard meat with burners, it was beginning to lose the thrill it normally held.
Juhanii stepped from a side passage. Hijande recognized his hunting partner from his diminutive size and stature. But the bigger Yautja had long learned never to trifle with his partner. The smaller Juhanii had long made use of his talents for unarmed combat; no other warrior dared challenge him in the brawling rings aboard ship, lest they wish to be severely beaten and humiliated.
"Killed two more I see." Juhanii said as he examined the massive skinned forms that dangled from the ceiling.
"Yes, and I see that you killed two of those new creatures." Hijande said nodding to the new skulls. The Brutes proved to be formidable new prey. Strong and very fast, they were much more adgile than the Hunters, and much tougher than the immense warriors.
"I decided to take them on with my hands. I needed a thrill." Juhanii said with a throaty human laugh.
"So I see." Hijande said with a cackle.
"I shall see you back at the ship at the end of the hunt then." Juhanii said. Hijande nodded and his hunting partner disappeared. Normally the term 'hunting partner' merely meant that you traveled with the other Yautja. The Yautja rarely hunted in pairs since trophy hunting was for honor, and split honor was no honor at all. Most of the time, hunters rarely saw their hunting partner.
Hijande finished his skinning, then returned to his hunt. He headed up towards the Command decks. Another Gold helmeted skull from an Elite would be a good trophy for his wall, a good addition to the two already there.
The hunting was thick here. Many of the veteran hunters had taken more skulls in a month than they could take in years of hunting ooman. And even the rookie hunters that had come for the blooding rituals had begun to hunt the Covenant.
So much blood, so many trophies, so little time to hunt.
Hijande headed up towards the higher decks, skillfully evading seven different Covenant patrols. It was easier than hunting rodents when he was a suckler. The more frightened the Covenant got, the more reckless they became. So unlike ooman. The more frightened an ooman became, the more violent it became. That was a good hunt. If you killed enough of these Covenant, they became so frightened they made mistakes.
Hijande sighed as he walked. The extinction of oomans would be a dark day for the glory of the Hunt. Such a worthy prey, snuffed out all too soon. Hijande almost felt sorry for the young warriors that would never get a chance to hunt such wonderful prey.
But, the natural cycle must go on. The ooman had been the prey of the Yautja for so long, and now the Covenant would become the prey. So it would carry on as nature intended.
Hijande avoided another patrol and slipped into the Habitation levels undetected. He moved down the corridors towards the end. Outside one of the doors stood a pair of Black armored Elites with plasma rifles. They shouted challenges at him and brandished their weapons. They thought he was one of them.
How wrong they were.
Hijande struck before either knew what had happened. His spear flashed out and decapitated one in a swift motion with a spray of blood. His right foot snapped up and planted itself squarely underneath the chin of the other Elite, snapping its head back and breaking it's neck in one motion. It dropped to the deck, dead.
The Yautja stepped through the door and came face to face with the personal bodyguard of the Commander; a pair of Hunters. Hijande laughed loudly at the sight. The pair he'd just slain hadn't been too much trouble. Nor would this pair pose a threat.
The brood pair leveled their all too powerful fuel rod cannon at the shimmering outline of the Yautja hunter and fired in unison. They weren't taking chances; smearing one camouflaged Elite across the deck plates would be less tragic than the death of another high commander.
The two glowing green projectiles seemed to sail lazily through the air, a contrast to the rapid movements of the predator as he darted out of the path of the projectiles. They sailed out of the chamber and into the hallway, detonating on the far wall in vivid green explosions. As the single hunter moved through the room, the Hunters adjusted their aim and fired again at the glimmer of optical camouflage. But missed as the attacker dodged again. The Hunters gave up on trying to hit their target with their cannon, they charged forward. Hijande was ready.
The Predator knew the weaknesses in the seemingly invincible warriors. Their shields could deflect bolts from his plasmacaster with ease. His disc actually skipped off their armor plating. They were massive and well armored, and immensely strong. An unwitting foe would be smashed to a fine paste if they didn't know how to battle them.
Hijande had learned the glaring weakness in the mighty warriors. Their armor was thick, but their skin was thin. That weak spot on their backs, uncovered by the armor was vulnerable to even the weakest weapon. Along with the natural gaps in the armor plate, there were a multitude of ways to deal with the
The first Hunter lunged forward, it's shield coming up in a massive sweeping arch. Hijande backpedaled and stepped out of the line of attack. The blow from the shield missed cleanly. Although he had to duck to avoid the razor spines along the back of the Hunter, they could chop him in half easily. The second Hunter tried to smash him with the same shield bashing attack. But Hijande dodged it cleanly.
The Yautja wasn't intent to spend all his time dodging though. As the Hunter passed by, he lunged with his wrist blades and aimed for a small sliver of orange skin that was visible between the monster's forearm and the gauntlet that held the fuel rod cannon. The curved razor fine blades darted out and connected with the small point with practiced ease. They cut through the skin and left the gauntlet land on the deck plates with a smack.
The Hunter howled in a bestial cry of pain and anguish as orange blood spurted from the stump of its right arm. It whirled and tried to charge Hijande again, but missed as the faster Predator sidestepped.
Hijande stooped down and scooped up the fallen weapon, and arm. He examined it for a microsecond. Then, he grabbed a fistful of the protruding tendons and muscles, leveled the weapon at the wounded Hunter, and yanked hard on the protruding ligaments.
The fuel rod cannon fired one of its glowing green projectiles at the wounded beast. With a last, mournful howl the Hunter was, dissolved by its own weapon. A splatter of orange gore and the Hunter was no more.
It's brood mate howled in rage and charged forward again. Hijande spun and threw the severed limb and weapon towards the charging Hunter. It smacked on the side of the Hunter's helmet, but didn't slow the behemoth down. Hijande leapt aside, narrowly missing the scything spines along it's back.
He drew his spear, aimed and threw it.
The barbed weapon sailed true and struck at a point just above the shoulder plating of the Hunter, and below the helmet's protection. The spear hit, and plunged into, and through the Hunter's neck.
It managed a final, warbling cry and fell.
Hijande retrieved his spear and headed towards the entry to the Commander's quarters. The door slid open and he was met with a flurry of plasma bolts. One came close to his head, but he ducked and avoided the bolts. He looked and saw the Gold armored commander standing at the far side of the room, a plasma rifle clutched in each hand, firing wildly.
Hijande sighed. Yes, an ooman would have been just as panicked. But it would have aimed better. These Covenant were such easy prey. Hijande charged forward, his wrist blades ready. There was really no sport killing these Covenant soldiers with distance weapons. Only blades could make this kill honorable.
The Elite kept firing erratically, until his weapons cycled open to cool down. The warrior dropped the useless weapons and drew one of its strange plasma blades.
Hijande snarled. Finally, these Covenant creatures made a kill honorable. The Predator deactivated his cloaking shield and gave the pitiful Elite a chance to fight. It howled in approval and readied its sword. Hijande let out his own roar and poised himself.
The Elite lunged first. It's plasma sword cut through the air and aimed for Hijande's head. He ducked and aimed an uppercut at the Elite's head. It backpedaled and the blades missed its face by scant millimeters. The Elite brought its free hand around in a punch and connected squarely with Hijande's head. Hijande stepped back and dodged another sword swipe. He growled and stepped forward. His right leg flashed out and hooked around the back if the Elite's knee, sending it down towards the deck.
The Elite took exception to that and swung its energy sword again. Hijande dodged, but not fast enough, three of his dreadlocks lay on the deck. The Predator snarled and swung his arm around. His forearm clipped the side of the Elite's helmet and sent it sprawling across the floor. The Plasma sword cut smoking gouges in the deck as it slid.
The commander shook it's head and stood up, plasma sword still grasped defiantly in its hand. It roared again and charged. Hijande did the same, but instead of meeting the Elite head on he crouched, and tumbled across the floor into the Elite's legs. It had been deliberate, a sparring trick to take down a stronger foe. The Elite somersaulted through the air and landed with a clang on the decking.
Hijande righted himself and lunged for the killing blow. He sailed through the air, wrist blades out and ready. The Elite tried to get up, it's plasma sword scraping along the deck, but it was too late.
The Predator landed a killing blow right beneath the Elite's chin. The two wicked blades plunged up and into the Covenant commander's brain, ending his shackles of physical presence.
Hijande roared in approval as he stood over the dead Elite, this one had proven to be somewhat worth prey.
Covenant SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry' Cargo bay AA93, Nexus for the Xenomorph Hive
The Covenant leadership did not know it, but the 'Kindred Gallantry' had been lost to them. Nothing short of a massive assault would wrest the vessel from the talons of the Xenomorph hive that had taken it over. It had started with the seeding of the Xenomorph eggs inside the cargo bays. But the infection had spread much more rapidly than any of the Yautja hunters had intended. The Hive had been fueled by the multitude of Covenant warriors sent to investigate the ship. The Xenomorph hive had bided its time until they had sufficient numbers to make an assault upon the rest of the Covenant battle station.
The queen of the hive had made her warriors and drones conduct attacks on only the smallest most isolated bands of Covenant forces, she wanted to keep the presence of her hive a secret until the attack would be carried out.
The simple fact that the Queen was planning such an elaborate attack meant that the Ship Master had given much more to the Queen's larvae than he wished. This Queen was wise enough to bide her time, to conceal her presence long enough for the hive to establish itself and garner enough forces to mount a serious assault.
And now it was time to mount an attack upon the Covenant battle station and expand the hive.
The Covenant high command had ordered the 'Kindred Gallantry' to be placed under guard. The access hatches and passages into the ship had been sealed shut in an attempt to contain whatever had taken over the ship. The Prophets were not keen on separating the ship from the station and loosing all control over the epic vessel. The losses from the assault on Reach and the destruction of the 'Unyielding Hierophant' with its armada had been much higher than expected. The Prophets did not want to sacrifice any vessel that they could still utilize.
The primary access corridor into the 'Kindred Gallantry' was still unsealed. It was large enough for five Wraith tanks to move through abreast. Four shades had been deployed along with a phalanx of portable energy shields. Almost twenty Elites and over a hundred Grunts and Jackals patrolled the access corridor; coupled with ten Hunters it was a formidable defensive position. It was brightly lit and had a high ceiling. There was no cover on the smooth walls and no place to hide. Nothing could make it through this passage undetected, and considering that every other service corridor had been sealed shut or disengaged from the SuperCarrier, there was no way anything could get on or off without being detected.
Unfortunately for the Covenant, the Xenomorphs weren't intending to remain undetected at this point. The bugs attacked en-horde. There was no subtlety no, no stealth, no creeping, just a single writhing black carpet of warriors as they swarmed out to overtake the Covenant defenders.
The quartet of Shades opened fire, their purple torrents of energy sweeping back and forth across the charging mass of aliens. The rolling fire from the Covenant defenders, causing entire waves of the Xenomorphs to be ripped apart, aided their fire. The acidic blood of the bugs coated the floors and walls, smoldering and smoking.
But there were simply too may of the bugs for the Covenant to even hope to take down, even with the awesome amount of firepower. For every Xenomorph taken down it seemed as though five more scampered over it's back to attack the enemy. The single minded, simplistic goal for each and every one of the bugs was to find food and incubators for the hive.
It was a one-sided firefight that the Covenant was loosing, foot by foot the bugs pressed forward. Some began to leap through the air at the ragged line of defenders. The multitude of fire caught many of the flying bugs before they landed, but the acid spray as they were blown apart showered the defenders.
Howls of pain and anguish as the Covenant armor and shields melted underneath the acidic blood almost drowned out the screeches and snarls of the Xenomorphs.
Almost.
The black-purple tide washed over the defenders like the waves of an ocean washing over a sand castle. There was no contest, and no real doubt that the Xenomorphs would win. The still struggling Covenant defenders were drug back into the hive that had once been called the 'Kindred Gallantry'.
The hordes continued to pour from the Hive, limitless in number, steadfast in that single, all encompassing drive to find hosts.
That defense had taken over three hundred drones to cross a mere hundred yards of open hallway. Statistically the Covenant had won that engagement, unfortunately, like all that tried to defeat the Xenomorph in a one on one battle, they were doomed to failure.
The crews of every ship in the Covenant Armada had two choices from the moment the Yautja had decided to prey on their fleets.
Death for a trophy, or death for incubation.
No more, no less.
Keep your eyes open for the next chapter.
Chapter 5: Diplomatic Contact with the Federation
Covenant SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry', In formation with Covenant armada at Fleet Depot in Deep space, Exact coordinates unknown
Ships Master Ilamine 'Eliantraint was supervising the overhaul of his vessel's main power systems. The Prophets had decreed that every ship in the fleet be overhauled and readied for the most glorious crusade yet undertaken. Such forces were being amassed around the Battle Station 'Longstanding Valor'. Over four hundred Covenant vessels were being primed and readied for the assault upon the human homeworld, and the greatest of the Forerunner's artifacts and relics that were there. The primates had no idea of the power that they sat upon.
'Eliantraint was slightly annoyed at having to spend so much time overseeing repairs to systems he didn't even understand, but the Prophets had said to undertake the repairs, so he oversaw the repairs. Even though it was completely pointless for him to be present. They were docked at the 'Longstanding Valor' there was no need for a crew to be on the ship, period. But they were still there, mostly because of the panic the Prophets had gone into when the humans had destroyed the 'Unyielding Hierophant'. 'Eliantraint cursed the humans that were called 'Spartans' they'd taken far too many good warriors to their deaths.
The Gold clad Elite was rather bored, he partially wished for a change of pace, for something interesting to happen, anything other than this dull repair supervision. He shoved aside an engineer as it floated into his way. The bulbous multi tentacle creature warbled at him, then returned to it's hovering about, looking for repairs to carry out. Even the Engineers seemed to be rather bored with the duty, and that had to be saying something since the creatures lived to do repair work on even the smallest, most insignificant device.
"This is the Ship Master. I am returning to the Command Center. Is there anything to report?" The towering armor clad alien said as he turned and began to make his way up from the crowded engineering levels towards the more traveled areas of the ship. A squad of grunts paused to let him by. The tiny creatures bowed their heads to the semi-divine being that walked before him.
"Nothing my Lord. But, there is a small malfunction in cargo bay AA94. It seems as though the atmosphere in the bay has changed from the normal levels. There's increased humidity and temperature in the bay." The ops Elite said over the com channel.
'Eliantraint shrugged to himself as he walked along.
"Tell an engineering team to meet me at the bay. I'm passing it on my way back up. I shall check it out." 'Eliantraint said.
"There is no need my lord."
"Hardly, I need something to do before I start carrying out target practice on Grunts that get in my way." The Ship Master said with a laugh. The ops Elite joined him for a moment. 'Eliantraint ran a loose ship. He did not maintain the high level of discipline maintained by other Ship Masters. He understood that there was a time for duty and a time for relaxation.
Being in the middle of the largest Armada ever seen and under the protection of a Battle Station seemed to be a time for relaxation for the most part. 'Eliantraint passed a camouflaged Elite. He nodded, and couldn't tell of the other Elite returned the gesture. It really didn't matter. Although it was odd that the Elite had his optical camouflage on inside the ship while they were docked. Well, those Elites did have their eccentricities, half of them thought they were being watched, the other half knew they were paranoid. But they came through in a pinch, and that was all that mattered. The Gold clad elite turned a corner and walked past a security team of jackals and grunts, overseen by a blue clad elite. The team saluted him as he passed. His men were lax at times, but they were good fighters and could hold themselves well in combat if needed. His ship was one of the largest in the fleet, and could take on any human fleet it came up against.
What could happen when they were docked with the armada?
Hijande breathed a small sigh of relief as the Covenant 'Elite' passed by him with a simple nod. There was a distinct danger in walking through the corridors of these Covenant ships. They were well illuminated and uncluttered. It was hard to hide. But the Covenant possessed the same optical camouflage that the Yautja had, and that made an even more effective cover. If they were seen, hunters could pretend they were actually Covenant. But that seemed to take some of the fun from the hunt.
Hijande shrugged it didn't matter if the prey discovered the wolf in their midst, it was too late. Especially since this soft meat was unawares of the hard meat eggs sown in their vessel. Hijande stifled a laugh as he thought of how soon these ships, and their station would be overrun by the hard meat. But there was still ample time to gather trophies from these Covenant ships.
The Yautja were depressed to learn of the coming extinction of the oomans, but the Covenant appeared to be worthy prey to replace them. Even though Hijande was saddened at the loss of the old prey, he had led the hunting parties to hunt the Covenant armada that was arrayed against the ooman homeworld.
The oomans had been such interesting prey, and the rumors of their 'Spartans' had piqued the interest of many a hunter. Such a trophy would be treasured more so than that of a hard meat Queen.
Hijande refocused on his hunt. He leapt up into an access crawlway and headed through the ship. He had not yet struck on this vessel. Other hunters had taken trophies from throughout the Covenant fleet, but this ship, and the battle station were the hunting grounds of only a few prestigious veteran hunters. The Hard meat and soft meat mixing in this environment would prove to be a thrilling hunt.
The hunter made his way through the access way and through the ship, completely undetected. He moved towards what he'd decided was the command center of the ship. It seemed to contain the highest ranking of the Covenant forces on the ship. After crawling through the bowels of the ship for what seemed like hours Hijande arrived at his perch. It was an access panel over the main command deck.
Operations Elite Zuchuck 'Kidnande was minding his station with semi diligence, conversing with his fellow Elites as he worked. There wasn't much for he and his colleagues to do at the moment. Though he and the other Elites wanted a battle. They didn't enjoy standing around the bridge, killing time and imaginary targets in sims. They wanted a real fight.
"This is a waste of ti-" Qutra 'Niminatar started from his post at the weapons station before he was interrupted by the sound of the grate that covered the access panel above them being kicked out and clattering to the ground.
"By the Prophets, what is that?" 'Kidnande asked looking up. He saw the wavy outline of a camouflaged Elite drop down into their midst.
"What do yuughargh-" 'Niminatar croaked and was cut off as a long, barbed spear slashed out and impaled him through the throat. A spray of purple arterial blood and the Elite dropped.
'Kidnande was about to sound the alarm when a pair of blades scythed out from the camouflaged figure and decapitated him. The spray of purple coated his screens and coated the alarm button he was struggling to reach for in his own blood.
Hijande reveled in the battle. The first Elite hadn't even had time to face him before it had died. The second had recoiled and tried to sound an alarm, but it was dealt with. That left four.
Hijande spun and crouched the wicked blade on his staff whipping around and chopping into the leg armor of one of the Red armored Elites. The prey howled and tried to bat away the sharp implement. It drew its plasma pistol and fired wildly. Hijande ducked and dodged as he brought the blade around for another blow. It connected cleanly with a linkage in the armor that held the forearm and upper arm armor plates together. The Elite's weapon went flying, along with its right forearm. It howled and lunged forward in rage. Hijande sidestepped and sunk the spear into the back of the Elite as it passed. The armor splintered and broke with a spray of blood. The Elite fell, twitched and then lay still.
Three more.
Hijande back pedaled as one of the Elites charged him, swinging it's weapon like a club. The hunter blocked the blows with his staff, then brought the weapon smacking into the faceplate of the Elite. The Blue armored opponent fell back, stunned. And was stunned up until the moment that Hijande's spear impaled it to the console behind it.
Two more.
Hijande activated his wrist blades and lept at the black armored Elite before him. His hands were straight out, wrist blades pointing like daggers. Hijande had turned himself into one massive javelin. The force of the massive hunter slamming into the smaller Elite sent the black armored warrior flying back off the platform, a smear of purple blood trailing behind.
One more.
The predator turned slowly as the remaining elite stood there. It held one of its plasma pistols ready. Hijande charged again. The elite fired, Hijande feinted and dodged the volley of plasma. He sidestepped and yanked the weapon from the Elite's grasp, along with its trigger finger. The elite howled for a few moments, before Hijande's firm grasp ripped of its head.
Hijande roared in triumph of his victory. Six trophies taken from one battle, all with his spear, wrist blades, even his bare hands. He had gained much honor from this fight. He let out a wide mandibled grin and laughed in a deep-throated impersonation of an ooman laugh.
He set about skinning his kills and hanging them from the ceiling. It took a mere fifteen minutes. No one bothered to check in on the Command center for half an hour. Someone would come soon. He ignored the sounds of Covenant language that crackled from one of the consoles. He was done here, and it was too late for any aide to come for the bridge crew.
With a smug expression and six fresh skull trophies Hijande returned to the access tunnels to seek more prey. He left behind the skinned, dripping bodies of his prey as a message to the primitive creatures.
Now they were being hunted.
Cargo Bay AA94
'Eliantraint stood before the immense doors that led to the cargo bay. The engineering team had arrived shortly after he had, and were trying to open the door. Something behind it had jammed the pressure door shut. That had piqued 'Eliantraint's interest enough to make him call down a security team. The Grunts, Jackals and Elites had arrived quickly, spurred on by their commander's grim tone.
"Ops, this is the Ship Master, can you scan the inside of the bay?" 'Eliantraint said over his comm. He was greeted with silence.
"Ops? Are you there? This is the Ship Master to the Command Deck, anyone respond." The Gold armored elite asked. He scowled, yes he led a laid back ship at times. But his crewmen did answer him when he called upon them. Perhaps there was a communications problem.
Yes, that was it, a communications problem.
"My Lord, the door appears to be jammed shut from the other side." One of the Blue armored rookie Elites said.
"Really? I had no idea. Is that what's happened to the door then?" 'Eliantraint snapped, his tone rife with sarcasm. He glared at the elite. The younger warrior turned away and faced the door again.
"Go to one of the other access ports and open this door from the other side." 'Eliantraint ordered the security team. Two of the Jackals nodded and set off, along with four of the grunts. The other two Elites stood by the door, their plasma rifles held loosely. 'Eliantraint suddenly wished he had retrieved his own plasma rifle from his quarters before touring the engineering decks. He felt slightly unprepared with only a pistol and his energy blade.
"Command deck. Respond." The Ship Master prompted again.
Something, unsettling was going on.
Command Center, 'Kindred Gallantry'
Ilantrak waddled his way through the command deck of the ship with his squad behind him. He was stuck on security patrol again, just like he always was. Typical, grunts always got the boring, tedious jobs. Just as his kind had been used as cannon fodder by the Prophets, so too did they get treated poorly out of combat.
His squad had just finished most of the Command deck and had headed for the brig; they had to pass through the Command Center first. He led his small unit through the armored bridge doors and into the heavily armored control center.
They scampered quickly, not too interested in drawing the attention of the Elites that manned the bridge consoles. The bridge crew did not take such interruption of their work lightly, and grunts were quick to feel their wrath. The grunts scurried along with their eyes latched firmly upon the far door. If they didn't make eye contact with the Elites, there wouldn't be any trouble.
Ilantrak felt his foot land on something slick. He looked down and saw a pool of purple blood. He yelped loudly and his entire squad froze, terrified.
"Look!" Higrnat barked and pointed to the command platform. Ilantrak saw the five, hanging, skinned bodies of the command crew dangling from the ceiling. The skins of all five were draped over the consoles like some sort of fabric; their armor was piled neatly beside each hanging corpse.
Ilantrak stood frozen in place.
"Wh-What could have done this?" Jilantrain said, he was the bravest of the group and was walking up the ramp to the command platform. His plasma pistol darted around rapidly; giving away his so called 'bravery'.
"I, I don't know. Humans maybe?" Higrnat said, even though the suggestion had little basis in fact, the other grunts still trembled some at the thought of humans aboard one of their ships.
"No. Couldn't be. There were six Elites here. How could they take down all of them without a single injury to them." Ilantrak said, unfreezing himself as he followed Jilantrain up the ramp. He gazed at the skinned bodies dangling from some sort of blue bulbous line that was sunk into the ceiling with a barbed spike. It was as though the bodies were being displayed for pride's sake.
"We-we-we needs to t-tell some one." Gilreantik said sounding panicked, he hadn't moved from his point at the base of the ramp. Perhaps he was the sanest out of the entire squad.
"Good idea." Ilantrak said. He headed over to the blood drenched operations station, wiped some of the purple spray off of it and hit the alarm button. A dull, rumbling klaxon bellowed throughout the corridors of the SuperCarrier. Within a few minutes, multiple groups of Elites had converged in the bridge, and they were just as horrified with what they saw as the lowly Grunts.
"By the Prophets. What could have done this?" Quit 'Jintnatne asked, his black armor shifting slightly as he shook inside it. His plasma rifle was gripped in his gauntleted hands as tightly as he could hold it.
"I do not know. I do not know." The Red armored elite Olot 'Trintanitme said as he examined the dangling corpses. His mouth clicked open and shut nervously. What could take down five Elites without leaving a trace?
The security parties in the Command Center all heard the deep, rumbling roar that resounded through the access corridors, and into the Command Deck. It overshadowed the sounds of the general alert klaxon.
The occupants of the Command Center all felt their fear spike at the sound, be they Grunt, Jackal, Elite, or even Hunter.
Cargo bay AA93, 'Kindred Gallantry'
'Eliantraint listened to the sounds of the general alert klaxon bellow through the corridors of the ship. He fought the impulse to head to the Command Center. Right now he had to deal with this problem first.
"My Lord, the team has reached the other side." One of the lower Elites said.
"And?" 'Eliantraint asked.
"The Jackal says that there is some kind of, organic growth in the bay. He can't tell us much more, the lights in the bay are out." The elite said.
The Gold armored Ship Master growled. He did not like this. General Alarms were being sounded, and there was some sort of organic growth in a cargo bay. He'd also lost contact with his bridge crew.
This was, unsettling.
"Can they clear it away and open the door?"
"They've nearly finished Lord." The Elite said, and as he finished, the doors ground open slowly. As they slid apart, a few glistening drops of water fell from the tracks. A light fog drifted out from the bay as the doors opened. It was very hot and humid inside the bay.
The dim glow cast from the Jackal's shields did little to cut through the hot, damp gloom of the cargo bay. The light that emanated from the corridor cast a ghostly column through the corridor.
It was an eerie sight.
Tendrils of strange, black material curled up through the bay, covering the walls and columns, growing over the vehicles and cargo containers contained inside the bay. It had turned the familiar lines of the bay into something, alien.
Even with the dim light that came from the hallway, it was easy to see that the growth had probably covered the entire surface of the bay. Whatever this stuff was, it had spread quickly, very quickly.
"How long has it been since this bay was last used?" 'Eliantraint asked one of the Elites. The blue armored warrior lifted up a small data unit and examined it.
"Three days Ship Master." The Elite said.
"All this in three days?" 'Eliantraint said, flatfooted by the statement. This stuff had grown quickly, too quickly.
"My lord, look there." One of the Jackals said and pointed across the bay. The growth seemed to be much in that corner. As though it had grown upon itself there.
Several strange objects rested upon the growth. Strange ovoid shapes resting upright in the darkened recesses of the bay. The mist that had formed around the growth seemed to flow from the area the things occupied. The dim glow from the jackals shields made the bay seem much more eerie and imposing than it was. Especially the strange orbs that rested in this corner.
A scuttling sound came from somewhere high above in the multi leveled cargo bay. The entire team snapped their weapons up above their heads.
"What was t-th-that?" One of the grunts asked, trembling in his diminutive boots.
"It, it sounded like some sort of insect, a large insect." The youngest elite said, his plasma rifle scanning.
'Eliantraint felt something flutter deep in his gut. Something as strange and alien as this cargo bay had become. Something he had rarely felt.
It was fear, tugging at him.
A deep, overpowering baseless fear of what was in this bay. Something that he knew was somewhere inside this bay, something Alien, something horrible.
In the background he heard the general alert Klaxon and glanced back at the brightly lit hallway. He half considered heading back to the Command Center to find out what had happened, leave this to the security team.
Until something large and black darted past the brightly lit doorway.
'Eliantraint raised his pistol in a second, and then triggered his plasma sword in the next second. He barked a warning to the others and the security team pivoted their aim towards the door.
The Ship Master went over the image again in his head. It was, a biped slightly larger than an elite. It had spines running along its back and long, barbed tail that trailed behind. Its head was elongated, and judging from the fleeting image, it boasted a set of mandibled jaws. It looked like some sort of massive insect that had mutated. Even though it had been backlit by the corridor lights, 'Eliantraint could tell it had dark black carapace armor that was tinged with purple.
It had been some sort of nightmare that children had-
-but made tangible, very, very tangible.
"Gah! Look Ship Master!" A jackal named Kiy said, he was pointing to the pillar they were standing next to. The Jackal backed away hurriedly and tripped over one of the 'roots' that was covering the floor. The Jackal lay sprawled on the floor, it's beak snapping open and closed soundlessly, it's plasma pistol pointed up at the column, the orange energy shield covering the black growth in sickening colors. The light had been much too dim to see it before, but now, with the bright blue of 'Eliantraint's plasma sword bathing the area in blue white illumination, they saw it.
A pair of elites, their bodies held up against the wall by the strange organic growth. Near the feet of the suspended corpses laid the body of another elite. All three of the Elites had their chest armor burst outward, as though something had exploded out from inside them.
"What in the Prophets name?" Uio said as he stepped forward to examine the corpses. His energy shield was held before him protectively, his plasma pistol tucked around one of the firing loupes at the side. His avian like head darted about looking in every direction at once.
"Something is very wrong. We must go and get reinforcements." One of the Blue armored Elites said. 'Eliantraint silently agreed with the younger warrior. He motioned for the others to follow him from the bay, they were all too happy to oblige. The Gold armored Elite walked towards the suddenly, very inviting light of the hallway. The steps of the others sounded hollow on the decking, they mixed between soft squelching noises on the organic growth, and clangs from the deck plating.
They didn't drown out the rustling noises that were getting louder and louder. The group of Covenant warriors was nearly to the exit when they heard the final, most terrifying noise.
The hissing.
They were standing just beneath the ledge of the level above. The hiss emanated from above them. A snake like hissing noise, like a warning for an unwary creature to back away quickly, unfortunately the Covenant didn't get the warning. None of the Covenant could see what was making the noise, but that didn't stop them from snapping their weapons to a ready position.
"What is it? It's maddening." The young elite said his voice etched with fear and dread. The party of warriors stood there, waiting for something to happen.
And it did, faster than any of them could react it did.
There were three of the creatures. The first stood on the ledge above, hissing to draw their attention. It was a simple ploy, but surprisingly original for the creatures that were carrying it out. Considering that most considered the Xenomorph to be little more than a galactic cockroach. But they were survivors, and they knew how to ensnare prey.
The other two struck with lightning fast precision. They swooped in from behind. Their positions concealed by the darkness and the walls of the hive. They leapt into the midst of the Covenant patrol. The first to drop was the Elite wielding the plasma sword. Somehow the creatures knew it to be the most dangerous. It received a strike from the bug's tail that paralyzed the warrior. The sword clattered to the deck and deactivated, the loss of light diminishing the ability for the others to fight.
The second to go were the Jackals. They were stunned as well. Their viability as incubators not diminished by their size. The bugs weren't as picky when it came to incubators. They were dropped quickly and silently, their energy shields deactivating and drowning the Grunts in darkness.
The poor, defenseless grunts were taken down with the utmost speed. Compared to the Elites, there was no contest. Not a single shot rang out from one of the Covenant soldiers during the entire 'battle'.
The three bugs affixed the Covenant warriors to the walls of the new hive and positioned the eggs beneath them.
'Eliantraint groggily wished that he hadn't asked for something interesting to happen.
Ships Master Ilamine 'Eliantraint had the dubious honor of playing host to the new queen for the Xenomorph colony. His last view was of the four petals of the egg unfurling and the praetorian facehugger leaping from it, and latching onto his face. No one heard the Covenant warrior's screams as he was turned into little more than food for the rapidly growing queen inside him.
Covenant Battle Station 'Longstanding Valor' Command habitation levels
The 'Longstanding Valor' had been thrown into a state of upheaval. Along with the rest of the Covenant armada, nearly every ship was reporting strange occurrences. Almost all of the ships were reporting the brutal murder of high-ranking personnel, and a large amount of lesser ratings slaughtered as well. Many of the higher ranked Covenant commanders began to speak of assassination plots. This immediately spurred most of the Covenant High command to increase their security details.
Which proved woefully ineffective when four of the six Fleet Masters of the Armada turned up dead, skinned and decapitated; along with the entirety of their security details. The wholesale slaughter of grunts and Jackals was one thing. But the murder, and seemingly ritual skinning of the high commanders sent shockwaves through the entire Covenant command structure.
These foes seemed to be capable of striking at will, without being seen, heard or sensed by any warrior. It was taking a massive toll on the morale of the Covenant forces. Even the most veteran and skilled Elites traveled in groups. The Grunts and Jackals traveled in hordes. No one was safe within the fleet. Not the lowliest Grunt, not the most high-ranking Elite.
There was no safe haven.
And it wasn't just the murders and the slaughter. More and more soldiers were disappearing. At first the missing soldiers were confined to the 'Kindred Gallantry'. No one could figure out what was happening to the soldiers. Some speculated that the Grunts, Jackals, Elites, and even the odd hunter, had simply decided to 'take some time off'. But that didn't make sense. Many thought the murders and the disappearances were connected.
The disappearances were mostly contained to the SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry'. For the most part, security details were expanded and more troops placed aboard the ship to figure out what was going on.
They too disappeared.
Then the disappearances began to spread. First to the Battle Station, then to the other ships moored there. The Prophets ordered all the ships to remain docked to the station and practically quarantined the entire station until they could figure out what was going on.
Strange reports filtered up to the High Command of obscene, alien forms being spotted in access corridors and sub engineering levels. Coupled with odd, alien growths spreading on the 'Kindred Gallantry'. By this point the 'Kindred Gallantry' had turned into something akin to a black hole, soldiers and warriors went into the ship, they didn't come out.
The Covenant commanders were mystified by the bizarre occurrences aboard their ships. They couldn't figure out what was going on.
They didn't know they had been reduced to prey and food by two of the most deadly races in the universe.
Hijande finished gutting and skinning a pair of hunters he had just killed. The brood pair had proven to be an invigorating challenge, especially with just his spear. Orange gore coated the floor, walls, and ceiling of the passage he was in. The vaulted ceiling was just high enough for him to suspend the two kills from. Hijande smiled at the kills he had accumulated so far. So many of the Covenant warriors had fallen. It had been like shooting hard meat with burners, it was beginning to lose the thrill it normally held.
Juhanii stepped from a side passage. Hijande recognized his hunting partner from his diminutive size and stature. But the bigger Yautja had long learned never to trifle with his partner. The smaller Juhanii had long made use of his talents for unarmed combat; no other warrior dared challenge him in the brawling rings aboard ship, lest they wish to be severely beaten and humiliated.
"Killed two more I see." Juhanii said as he examined the massive skinned forms that dangled from the ceiling.
"Yes, and I see that you killed two of those new creatures." Hijande said nodding to the new skulls. The Brutes proved to be formidable new prey. Strong and very fast, they were much more adgile than the Hunters, and much tougher than the immense warriors.
"I decided to take them on with my hands. I needed a thrill." Juhanii said with a throaty human laugh.
"So I see." Hijande said with a cackle.
"I shall see you back at the ship at the end of the hunt then." Juhanii said. Hijande nodded and his hunting partner disappeared. Normally the term 'hunting partner' merely meant that you traveled with the other Yautja. The Yautja rarely hunted in pairs since trophy hunting was for honor, and split honor was no honor at all. Most of the time, hunters rarely saw their hunting partner.
Hijande finished his skinning, then returned to his hunt. He headed up towards the Command decks. Another Gold helmeted skull from an Elite would be a good trophy for his wall, a good addition to the two already there.
The hunting was thick here. Many of the veteran hunters had taken more skulls in a month than they could take in years of hunting ooman. And even the rookie hunters that had come for the blooding rituals had begun to hunt the Covenant.
So much blood, so many trophies, so little time to hunt.
Hijande headed up towards the higher decks, skillfully evading seven different Covenant patrols. It was easier than hunting rodents when he was a suckler. The more frightened the Covenant got, the more reckless they became. So unlike ooman. The more frightened an ooman became, the more violent it became. That was a good hunt. If you killed enough of these Covenant, they became so frightened they made mistakes.
Hijande sighed as he walked. The extinction of oomans would be a dark day for the glory of the Hunt. Such a worthy prey, snuffed out all too soon. Hijande almost felt sorry for the young warriors that would never get a chance to hunt such wonderful prey.
But, the natural cycle must go on. The ooman had been the prey of the Yautja for so long, and now the Covenant would become the prey. So it would carry on as nature intended.
Hijande avoided another patrol and slipped into the Habitation levels undetected. He moved down the corridors towards the end. Outside one of the doors stood a pair of Black armored Elites with plasma rifles. They shouted challenges at him and brandished their weapons. They thought he was one of them.
How wrong they were.
Hijande struck before either knew what had happened. His spear flashed out and decapitated one in a swift motion with a spray of blood. His right foot snapped up and planted itself squarely underneath the chin of the other Elite, snapping its head back and breaking it's neck in one motion. It dropped to the deck, dead.
The Yautja stepped through the door and came face to face with the personal bodyguard of the Commander; a pair of Hunters. Hijande laughed loudly at the sight. The pair he'd just slain hadn't been too much trouble. Nor would this pair pose a threat.
The brood pair leveled their all too powerful fuel rod cannon at the shimmering outline of the Yautja hunter and fired in unison. They weren't taking chances; smearing one camouflaged Elite across the deck plates would be less tragic than the death of another high commander.
The two glowing green projectiles seemed to sail lazily through the air, a contrast to the rapid movements of the predator as he darted out of the path of the projectiles. They sailed out of the chamber and into the hallway, detonating on the far wall in vivid green explosions. As the single hunter moved through the room, the Hunters adjusted their aim and fired again at the glimmer of optical camouflage. But missed as the attacker dodged again. The Hunters gave up on trying to hit their target with their cannon, they charged forward. Hijande was ready.
The Predator knew the weaknesses in the seemingly invincible warriors. Their shields could deflect bolts from his plasmacaster with ease. His disc actually skipped off their armor plating. They were massive and well armored, and immensely strong. An unwitting foe would be smashed to a fine paste if they didn't know how to battle them.
Hijande had learned the glaring weakness in the mighty warriors. Their armor was thick, but their skin was thin. That weak spot on their backs, uncovered by the armor was vulnerable to even the weakest weapon. Along with the natural gaps in the armor plate, there were a multitude of ways to deal with the
The first Hunter lunged forward, it's shield coming up in a massive sweeping arch. Hijande backpedaled and stepped out of the line of attack. The blow from the shield missed cleanly. Although he had to duck to avoid the razor spines along the back of the Hunter, they could chop him in half easily. The second Hunter tried to smash him with the same shield bashing attack. But Hijande dodged it cleanly.
The Yautja wasn't intent to spend all his time dodging though. As the Hunter passed by, he lunged with his wrist blades and aimed for a small sliver of orange skin that was visible between the monster's forearm and the gauntlet that held the fuel rod cannon. The curved razor fine blades darted out and connected with the small point with practiced ease. They cut through the skin and left the gauntlet land on the deck plates with a smack.
The Hunter howled in a bestial cry of pain and anguish as orange blood spurted from the stump of its right arm. It whirled and tried to charge Hijande again, but missed as the faster Predator sidestepped.
Hijande stooped down and scooped up the fallen weapon, and arm. He examined it for a microsecond. Then, he grabbed a fistful of the protruding tendons and muscles, leveled the weapon at the wounded Hunter, and yanked hard on the protruding ligaments.
The fuel rod cannon fired one of its glowing green projectiles at the wounded beast. With a last, mournful howl the Hunter was, dissolved by its own weapon. A splatter of orange gore and the Hunter was no more.
It's brood mate howled in rage and charged forward again. Hijande spun and threw the severed limb and weapon towards the charging Hunter. It smacked on the side of the Hunter's helmet, but didn't slow the behemoth down. Hijande leapt aside, narrowly missing the scything spines along it's back.
He drew his spear, aimed and threw it.
The barbed weapon sailed true and struck at a point just above the shoulder plating of the Hunter, and below the helmet's protection. The spear hit, and plunged into, and through the Hunter's neck.
It managed a final, warbling cry and fell.
Hijande retrieved his spear and headed towards the entry to the Commander's quarters. The door slid open and he was met with a flurry of plasma bolts. One came close to his head, but he ducked and avoided the bolts. He looked and saw the Gold armored commander standing at the far side of the room, a plasma rifle clutched in each hand, firing wildly.
Hijande sighed. Yes, an ooman would have been just as panicked. But it would have aimed better. These Covenant were such easy prey. Hijande charged forward, his wrist blades ready. There was really no sport killing these Covenant soldiers with distance weapons. Only blades could make this kill honorable.
The Elite kept firing erratically, until his weapons cycled open to cool down. The warrior dropped the useless weapons and drew one of its strange plasma blades.
Hijande snarled. Finally, these Covenant creatures made a kill honorable. The Predator deactivated his cloaking shield and gave the pitiful Elite a chance to fight. It howled in approval and readied its sword. Hijande let out his own roar and poised himself.
The Elite lunged first. It's plasma sword cut through the air and aimed for Hijande's head. He ducked and aimed an uppercut at the Elite's head. It backpedaled and the blades missed its face by scant millimeters. The Elite brought its free hand around in a punch and connected squarely with Hijande's head. Hijande stepped back and dodged another sword swipe. He growled and stepped forward. His right leg flashed out and hooked around the back if the Elite's knee, sending it down towards the deck.
The Elite took exception to that and swung its energy sword again. Hijande dodged, but not fast enough, three of his dreadlocks lay on the deck. The Predator snarled and swung his arm around. His forearm clipped the side of the Elite's helmet and sent it sprawling across the floor. The Plasma sword cut smoking gouges in the deck as it slid.
The commander shook it's head and stood up, plasma sword still grasped defiantly in its hand. It roared again and charged. Hijande did the same, but instead of meeting the Elite head on he crouched, and tumbled across the floor into the Elite's legs. It had been deliberate, a sparring trick to take down a stronger foe. The Elite somersaulted through the air and landed with a clang on the decking.
Hijande righted himself and lunged for the killing blow. He sailed through the air, wrist blades out and ready. The Elite tried to get up, it's plasma sword scraping along the deck, but it was too late.
The Predator landed a killing blow right beneath the Elite's chin. The two wicked blades plunged up and into the Covenant commander's brain, ending his shackles of physical presence.
Hijande roared in approval as he stood over the dead Elite, this one had proven to be somewhat worth prey.
Covenant SuperCarrier 'Kindred Gallantry' Cargo bay AA93, Nexus for the Xenomorph Hive
The Covenant leadership did not know it, but the 'Kindred Gallantry' had been lost to them. Nothing short of a massive assault would wrest the vessel from the talons of the Xenomorph hive that had taken it over. It had started with the seeding of the Xenomorph eggs inside the cargo bays. But the infection had spread much more rapidly than any of the Yautja hunters had intended. The Hive had been fueled by the multitude of Covenant warriors sent to investigate the ship. The Xenomorph hive had bided its time until they had sufficient numbers to make an assault upon the rest of the Covenant battle station.
The queen of the hive had made her warriors and drones conduct attacks on only the smallest most isolated bands of Covenant forces, she wanted to keep the presence of her hive a secret until the attack would be carried out.
The simple fact that the Queen was planning such an elaborate attack meant that the Ship Master had given much more to the Queen's larvae than he wished. This Queen was wise enough to bide her time, to conceal her presence long enough for the hive to establish itself and garner enough forces to mount a serious assault.
And now it was time to mount an attack upon the Covenant battle station and expand the hive.
The Covenant high command had ordered the 'Kindred Gallantry' to be placed under guard. The access hatches and passages into the ship had been sealed shut in an attempt to contain whatever had taken over the ship. The Prophets were not keen on separating the ship from the station and loosing all control over the epic vessel. The losses from the assault on Reach and the destruction of the 'Unyielding Hierophant' with its armada had been much higher than expected. The Prophets did not want to sacrifice any vessel that they could still utilize.
The primary access corridor into the 'Kindred Gallantry' was still unsealed. It was large enough for five Wraith tanks to move through abreast. Four shades had been deployed along with a phalanx of portable energy shields. Almost twenty Elites and over a hundred Grunts and Jackals patrolled the access corridor; coupled with ten Hunters it was a formidable defensive position. It was brightly lit and had a high ceiling. There was no cover on the smooth walls and no place to hide. Nothing could make it through this passage undetected, and considering that every other service corridor had been sealed shut or disengaged from the SuperCarrier, there was no way anything could get on or off without being detected.
Unfortunately for the Covenant, the Xenomorphs weren't intending to remain undetected at this point. The bugs attacked en-horde. There was no subtlety no, no stealth, no creeping, just a single writhing black carpet of warriors as they swarmed out to overtake the Covenant defenders.
The quartet of Shades opened fire, their purple torrents of energy sweeping back and forth across the charging mass of aliens. The rolling fire from the Covenant defenders, causing entire waves of the Xenomorphs to be ripped apart, aided their fire. The acidic blood of the bugs coated the floors and walls, smoldering and smoking.
But there were simply too may of the bugs for the Covenant to even hope to take down, even with the awesome amount of firepower. For every Xenomorph taken down it seemed as though five more scampered over it's back to attack the enemy. The single minded, simplistic goal for each and every one of the bugs was to find food and incubators for the hive.
It was a one-sided firefight that the Covenant was loosing, foot by foot the bugs pressed forward. Some began to leap through the air at the ragged line of defenders. The multitude of fire caught many of the flying bugs before they landed, but the acid spray as they were blown apart showered the defenders.
Howls of pain and anguish as the Covenant armor and shields melted underneath the acidic blood almost drowned out the screeches and snarls of the Xenomorphs.
Almost.
The black-purple tide washed over the defenders like the waves of an ocean washing over a sand castle. There was no contest, and no real doubt that the Xenomorphs would win. The still struggling Covenant defenders were drug back into the hive that had once been called the 'Kindred Gallantry'.
The hordes continued to pour from the Hive, limitless in number, steadfast in that single, all encompassing drive to find hosts.
That defense had taken over three hundred drones to cross a mere hundred yards of open hallway. Statistically the Covenant had won that engagement, unfortunately, like all that tried to defeat the Xenomorph in a one on one battle, they were doomed to failure.
The crews of every ship in the Covenant Armada had two choices from the moment the Yautja had decided to prey on their fleets.
Death for a trophy, or death for incubation.
No more, no less.
Keep your eyes open for the next chapter.
Chapter 5: Diplomatic Contact with the Federation